16000 replies!

longest. thread. ever.

So?

I'm getting sick.
Bleh.
Everyone in my office is sneezing and coughing.
Ugh.

I was applying some Anbesol to my stupid canker sore and accidentally knocked it over, spilling half the bottle on the front desk. Great. Now when the manager gets back from her lunch I have to explain why her desk smells like alcohol. :rolleyes:

(need a dunce smiley)

If I bust my butt I'll be done with school next December. If I quit my job (so I have time to take more classes) I could be done in June.

No, Soooo....

Then there is the whole pesky rent and car payments...

And I ain't payin' those!

Well I was prepared to make you a very tempting offer. But since you're so adamant about it.... :evil: ;) :p

BRAVO !!!!!! Send them a batch of Lemon-rosemary biscuits as thanks !

Well...... I myself have read every single post in this thread as well. Is there a designation for "Reader-Loser" as well as "Posting-Loser" ?

There is a big difference between reading the whole Soooo.... thread as it evolved and reading 16,000 posts worth of the Soooo.... thread in one sitting.

With the former, you are just a loser. With the latter, your sanity is called into question.

The thread's 3rd anniversary is next month. What are wo doing to celebrate?

Well, you may want to celebrate the beginning of LoT... it was at the same time (more or less)... ;)

As it happens, January 12th is a Saturday...

This thread is growing exponentially....

1591 posts in the 1st year
4290 posts in the 2nd year
10135 post so far this year

:eek:

:D

I finally entered the 21st century of broadcasting with a new TV... Now if i ever do HD projects at school i can watch them on my TV.

--

{{Wolfy}} hope the rest of the holidays improves

Beware: your TV viewing habits may change. You will find yourself watching programs that you otherwise have no interest in just because they are in HD. Pretty pictures are intoxicating.

We need to get JWBear a hobby...

thats why both PBS' have like 4 channels... i was watching the create channel for the college's pbs earlier today.

news in HD is great...

watching it rain in HD at a football is amazing... i can still see blades of grass

Discovery has four HD channels available, but stupid TW doesn't have them:mad:

If you get UHD (Universal HD), I suggest episodes of Northern Exposure. If you watched when it was on the initially, you are in for a visual treat. If you haven't seen this before, you are in for a treat: great stories, great characters.

I'm on broadcast right now...

We have 2 HD tvs in the house... Mine and my sisters...

the living room and mom's room are standard deph still... (my sister and 1 paid half for ours... though i got the antenna thrown in.. lol)

We also have dish network, and have to get around to doing a bunch of rewireing the house to do this right... 1 HD reciever for 2 TVs... and 1 standard for 2 tvs

all on oposite ends of the house.. lots of planning and waiting for a deal from dish, till then broadcast is not that bad.

Be glad you don't live in a condo (or apartment). The logistics are a nightmare (I gave up and went with cable even though they had the least amount of high def)..

Cruising the LoT is a PITA when you are concurrently DL'ing a 780 MB file. Even with a T1 pipe.

its an 80s home with concrete brick... about 30-40 miles away from the tower farms. (though 1 tower is about 15 miles away...)

I'm using an amplified antenna and still don't get the signals for the upper frequencies.

If my MIL winds up on insulin, it's her own frikken fault. I swear, ever since the doc told her she had type two diabetes she's gotten worse with the sugar and crap. Right now, she's eating a bowl of Dryers chocolate ice cream, but tells me 'she's been good'. Riiight. She thinks 'Sugar in the Raw' is dietetic- I had to enlighten her that it's still sugar. Wouldn't be so bad, except she gets weird when her counts off and I bear the brunt of it. We made brownies last week; the first time in three months. She ate the majority of them, then bragged about how good she was doing. Tori only had two, Eric one, and the rest just magically disappeared. Judas priest- the woman has zip willpower.:rolleyes:

I know it's totally serious WB, but I have to laugh, like your MIL, I also have no will power! She needs to get a grip though, this is nothing to mess about with. I had a co-worker who was a total choco-sugar addict, was diagnosed and continued on binges and ended up in pretty bad shape.

It's official, I've written my last holiday card, all tonight's batch to the tunes of Mary Poppins. It was on the tube, I left it on and listened as I wrote, a wonderful experience. I need to sit down and watch it again, it's been far too long. Those Sherman Brothers could write some tunes, I'll be driving myself crazy for the next 24 hours with the Mary Poppins greatest hits playing in my head.

Can I scream now? Or maybe just weep a little?

My brain is full. I do not care whether the buyer can repudiate the contract. I do not care whether FirstBank can sue BFP Smith for replevin. I do not care whether the bankruptcy trustee, FirstBank, SecondBank, or defaulter's next-door neighbor has priority over the oven. I do not care what the seller's damages are under the contract/market remedy provided by Article 2. I do not care whether the buyer has a claim against the seller for consequential damages, or whether the seller's best defense is statute of limitation, privity, or lack of timely notice. I do not care whether the term enters the contract, falls out of the contract, or is replaced by an Article 2 gap-filler.

I hope to acquire some degree of caring by Saturday. Or a clue. Actually, I'd rather have the clue than the caring. Caring leads to disappointment, and clue leads to the grade I desperately want.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!!

(I figured screaming would make us all feel better.)

In other news, I am done writing for the night, and I'm glad I finally stepped up (kind of) and dropped some of this co-dependent "I will get a paper done at the sacrifice of writing sections for other people" front. Sure, I get screwed because I have to spend the time to realize that someone has completely plagiarized a somewhat common source, that will be checked against through turnitin.com, and sure, it leaves me with stuff to edit later as opposed to quickly writing it myself, but... Ugh.

I really hate this. I really, really do. Just trying to remind myself that I don't do myself, nor my groupmate, any favors by doing the work myself.

Ugh.

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!

Smile, darn ya smile.

Make em fix it E!

Oh, I already did.

I'm just frustrated since it will take me longer to incorporate his "new" section, plus edit for grammar, spelling and triple-checking the plagiarism issue, than it would be to just write it myself. And I just want some papers to get f-ing done.

I should be pleased, though. I've gotten a lot done today.

Just have so much more to do this week still. :(

After this week! After this week!

It is flipping COLD!

I am thinking my morning walk might be warmer going through the refrigerated warehouse than outside.

Gonna be a bad afternoon in the Mousey House today. Boy refuses to do his homework. Last night his gameboy disappeared. Today, when he tries to go online, he will find his internet access is blocked.

That's life in the big city, right MG? Good for you for being tough Mom when you gotta!

Just be sure to verify that the reason for the refusal really is distraction from the computer and not a deeper issue (ie not understanding the material). I know that's been the case with Moonie junior from time to time.....

Our firm Xmas party this afternoon. Luncheon at Mistral (nice spot) and I have my Secret Santa gift, a green ceramic piggy bank with a small plush pig and a starbucks card. The ceramic pig is recycled from last year and it was very popular in the swapping game. So, here's hoping I do not end up with it again!

I still have bad feelings about the last office "swapping game" I attended.

We had a $12 limit. I came up with "A romantic evening". Two pieces of firewood, matches, hot coco mix, two candles and a $5 blockbuster gift card.

Nobody wanted it. :(

Gee, that's a great gift, it would have been fine for me Moonie. I would have loved it.

Our office has a $20 limit and the gifts can be gag or not. Hence the starbucks card, our office has a huge number of addicts to the *bx.

Had to skip our company holiday party this year. It fell in the middle of Hannukah, was up with family the whole weekend. Too bad, means I missed the opportunity to win one of the raffle prizes (they range from $100 gift cards to 1-week Alaskan cruises).

Boy, what a difference.....our firm (the scrooges) have us open on Xmas eve. The partner in charge of our office, is secretly giving us the day providing our docket is clear. Sad.

BTW, GD & CP, Happy Hannukah, I don't think I said it! Though I'm late....

Thanks! (you snuck in under the wire, it doesn't end until tomorrow at sundown).

Our office is having a little party tomorrow at lunchtime. No money for the big blowout gala like they did two years ago, so we just have parties in the individual offices. Gift exchange gifts are supposed to be in the $25 range. Needless to say I won't be participating. If I can't spend that much on my own parents I'm sure as hell not spending it on random people. If I could come up with something under $10 that was of the same quality/value as the $25 gifts, I would, but I don't see that happening in the next 24 hours.

(Serious post from Kevy - I request that you do not post any of this out of context.)

Having feelings of anger, frustration, etc. are normal. While you may be able to "push them out of your mind", your body remembers these feelings (a process referred to as somatization). If you don't get them out, they just build up inside you, often coming out in wholly inappropriate ways. Some believe (myself included) that these issues, if allowed to build up too much, can lead to and or/contribute to bodily illnesses.

When the frustrations do build up, I have a remedy that works well for me (and others). Beat your troubles out (remember: I am being serious in this post).

It is a cathartic exercise that I learned many years ago. To start, you need to make a pounder. Your best bet is to find an old bath towel. Fold and roll it so that the short side of the flat towel becomes the length of the pounder. Now wrap it up (tightly) so that you have something like a fat baseball bat. When you think you have enough duct tape on it, double that amount.

Now, get an old pillow and a quiet place (preferably with no kiddies or non-understanding folks around). I will do this on my knees on the floor, but you can find other suitable locations/positions. Do a basic breathing exercise to get yourself focused. Three slow deep breaths - in through the nose and SLOWLY out through the mouth.

Now start focusing on all of the negative thoughts that are bugging you. Whether it is a person or a situation, make those thoughts the only thing you are thinking of. Allow the anger to build up inside of you and start focusing it on the pillow in front of you.

When you feel that the feelings are at a boil, start beating the crap out of the pillow using the pounder. Scream your most primal scream, swear, say all the vile things you want to. Get it all out, focusing all of the negative energy on the pillow and beat the living daylights out of it. (BTW: for obvious reasons, don't use a feather pillow!).

Once you feel you have done all the damage you can, then put the pounder down and lay back (or get into some other comfortable position). You may be breathing hard from the physical exertion - that is fine, but you want to try to slow down your breathing as you can. Reflect back on the feelings and what you can do to avoid them in the future. Finally, take slow deep breaths (in through the nose and SLOWLY out through the mouth).

When you fell ready, get up and go about your business!

Doing this once will not "cure" you. But used as an exercise, can be quite useful!

Humm, while I've never really thought about it in that much detail , I do have a punching bag hanging in the basement that I beat the crap out of every now and then. I agree it can be quite cathartic.

I'm not trying to quote out of context, but I am not getting a visual on this paragraph. I cannot wrap my mind around the directions.

Ponine, I believe Kevy meant rolling it up like this.



Sounds like fun. As an angry teen I used to take a belt to my bed's white baseboard, leaving black stripes. The noise was very cathartic. :evil:

Argh!

I forgot the forks I was supposed to bring for a class potluck tonight... So, I have to lose my amazing, awesome, kick-a$$ parking spot for some lousy forks. I wish they sold them on campus. It would be worth the premium.

Did you check the bookstore?

One of the things I don't miss about college. I didn't realize it was universal.

I wish the annoying people I don't want to talk to would leave the kitchen so I can go make lunch.

(to the tune of Beethoven's 5th)

The Fed dropped the raaaaates...
The Fed dropped the raaaaates...!

My Mom just called to say they are racing to the hospital because my sister is in labor!

I'm getting my second nephew today!

swanie

I hope you are not working from home today.

Yea! I think you should suggest that they name the baby LoT. :D

Congrats! I'm expecting that very same call (well, from my mom about my sister, not yours) any day now. :cool:

Yay Auntie Swanie!!! :D

This morning, we're recovering from a friend's school pageant at the Crystal Cathedral last night.

No, the place didn't burn down when I walked in. However, I did jinx the production. :blush: There was a high school male dancer who was really good, and I leaned over to Ken to comment , "He's really good.". Right after, the dancer took a bad spill during a turn. And, then the first grade dancers who were to perform after didn't make it past the first two steps and then started arguing with each other during the rest of the song.

Who knew that being Pagan could cause such chaos in the world? :evil:

I think that CP's post explained it good, but in case you need further explanation:

1. Lay the towel out flat - it will be a rectangle. As an example, lets assume a towel that is 60" x 24".
2. Fold the towel in half so that it is close to a square in the example it will be approximately 30" x 24".
3. Fold again in the same direction (to approximately approximately 15" x 24") and keep folding until it is best to roll it up to the finish

I think that should cover it.

And feel free to modify any of the specifics. The basic idea is that you want to physically get the feelings out of your body. By using a rolled towel and pillow, this helps keeps the noise down. Often I will scream into the pillow to help suppress noise.

Are you surprised by this?

So far, the stock market isn't too thrilled with it. The Dow was hovering around the opening price all morning, but dropped right after the announcement. Currently residing at down 165 points (13,561.69).

Thanks! Her due date was Friday and she had an elective induction planned, but she chickened out. But now he's in such a hurry to come that my Mom doesn't think she's going to make it in time for the birth. My sis has been at the hospital since 9 am but didn't call anyone!

This is one of those few times I really REALLY hate living out of state :( .

I wish I could be there!

swanie

I'm not surprised by turning a year older on my birthday, but I celebrate it none the less.

I am disappointed it wasn't a half point cut, but I didn't realistically expect they'd be that bold. I think if they were going to make any bold moves it would be after the holidays when it's more likely to have an impact, but as things stand, my guess is they'll stick to quarter point cuts for the next meeting or two.

While I did not personally check it, when mentioning my predicament to a classmate, he said he needed some forks for something else on campus a few weeks ago (I know, random right?) and according to him, they don't seem to carry that kind of thing. They also seem to have an abundance of dorm-room appliances, some of which are bundled together. They probably figure everyone gets their fork somewhere else, but a student might need a blender for their non-alcoholic slushees *cough*.

I figured I could steal some forks from the stands around campus, but 40 might show up as suspicious.

The Parking gods apparently smiled upon me today. When I returned from Ralphs there was an awesome spot, directly across from where my previous spot was. Or it was a karmic award for all the lousy spots I've had in my time at CSULB.

The stock market is really not liking that it was only a quarter point drop. Dow is now down 293.

Hooray for good parking! And forks!

And $3 sake and lobster rolls.

I saw a Delorean dressed up to look like the Back to the Future time machine driving around Glendale just now. The driver was dressed like Doc Brown... wig and all.
:D

AND

I was at a restaurant for lunch today. Sitting next to me were a bunch of Disney suits. Disney name tags, etc. The suits at the table were discussing something heated. What I heard really quick was this, "How on Earth can they get them all back into the fishtank? It makes no sense."
I laughed, I was thinking they were talking about Nemo 2 or something like that. Could be, you never know.
:D

Maybe it was really him. :)

I thought the same thing when the car hit 88mph and disappeared...
:D

But did it signal before a lane change? ;)

Any vw van driving Libyan terrorists in the vicinity?

Yes and no.

My advice: Stay away from the Northridge Twin Pines Mall ;)

odd you should bring this up. Ive felt the need for a trip to the batting cages for awhile now.
or maybe a nice day trip out target shooting in the back country and go John Woo on a few targets.

good call....I should just vent some of it off before I go truly tapioca.
thanks man. hope it helped with whatever brought it up.

peace

You're never too young to become a redneck. Especially if you're kin to good ol' Davy Crockett.

Oh, I must say that I tried avocado (vegetarian) rolls again on our recent trip, and I finally like 'em. :)

There's actually a sushi that I'll eat! (Has to be prepared fresh though.)

You should come sushi eating with me. I'll hook you up with all the good stuff.

4 days until:

Sushi
Hockey
Vegas
Vegas
Hockey
[maybe sushi]
[maybe]Disney

I'm related to Davy Crockett. Hmm maybe I can go shoot something.

Maybe CM should take a quick trip to the back lot and make sure.

The Twin Pines Mall was the Puente Hills Mall in the City of industry.

With these two posts, we have an illustration of the great dichotomy that is America; a clear map of the border between the worlds of the red and blue states.

Ain’t LoT wonderful?

I just won't eat fish. ;) However, if there are more varieties of non-seafood sushi, I'd love to try 'em.

Not even cooked fish?

because I see this as a challenge. We took a sushi virgin for sushi a few months ago and now he craves it!

I like my sushi barbecued

Nope. Can't stand it. Even the smell makes me gag.

I've tried all kinds of fish, too.

Besides shrimp, I can eat the occasional all-white tuna salad sandwich, but only if it has a ton of crap in it to disguise the taste.

Is there any kind of intervention for Bon Jovi?

Cucumber, for one. There's a cooked egg (omelette) one too. And, depends on the restaurant, other veggies can be used as well.

Also, these.

Divorce?
repayment with unlimited trips to DL/parties/meets/meats/vegas?

crunchy rolls are good. tempura shrimp with other non fish stuff.

More than you ever really wanted to know about going to the bathroom.

LS: love the candy sushi, how cute is that!

I'M AN AUNT!

After nearly 10 hours of labor, Lucas Thomas has finally made his way into the world. He weighed in at 8 lbs even, and he and my sister are doing fine. She says he looks just like his older brother and that he's a little fighter already. While I was on the phone with her, my BIL was trying to do something with him and he was squeaking up a storm at him. If he's anything like my 2nd...they're in for a fun ride :D .

I'm so excited!

swanie

Congrats, swanie!
:)

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats Auntie!

Nope afraid not. :D

When I need to get out frustrations, I just ride Matterhorn- sorry in advance to all the castmembers who have to answer "Is something wrong with that man?"

One time, Rose and I rode Matterhorn, and a CM hopped aboard our train for a ridethrough- he couldn't believe that anybody could yell that loud for that long.

Ah yes - Matterhorn therapy. I hear MickeyLumbo has a theory on that one.... ;)

Kids? I want those right now. Rightfvckingnow!

Candy Sushi

Congratulations Swanie!

That's a whole different kind of therapy!

It's the kind of therapy that one might need therapy for afterwards.

Congratulations Auntie Swanie!

<stumbles home from work>

Oh good lord... seriously?

Congrats to Auntie Swanie!
Glad to hear everyone is healthy and sqeauling!

Sadly, yes. <stumbles back to work>

Congrats to the new auntie, btw.

The Merriam-Webster word of the year is w00t? Somewhere in America, hundreds of English teachers just fainted.

DO NOT WANT!

I weep for our society.

What happened to to go containers with seperate compartments? I like my food seperate. If I wanted my enchellada, rice, beans and chips all smarmed together I would have ordered it that way.

Even most tv dinner type meals don't have dividers anymore. It's gross.

That's what you get for having a clown avatar :P

What clown avitar. You must be having visions. ;)

MmmMmM. I have a large bowl of edamame thawing on the counter. Costco carries ginormous bags of them in the freezer section for $5.

It's part of my delicious plan to eat less meat, giving my body a break on some days. I'm addicted to these things, and they're really filling. I pop them all out at once, then coat them in seasonings and then eat 'em with a fork. They're yummy!

I feel the need to repeat the text message I just received from Tom:

Tom's secretly working as a scab writer, isn't he? ;)

:snap:

Its my llama video!!!! Did someome rewrite the song and post it somewhere????

You must ask him! I love that video. (In its orignal form)

No, Tom just rewrote it in a cold-medicine-induced creative stint this morning, heh. (We watch the Llama video whenever we're sad.)

But come to think of it, we might as well re-cut that ourselves, heh.

Well then visible mojo to Tom!
That video makes me laugh, and to know that other people watch it, makes my heart swell. :blush:

The llama video rules. :D

Newport Beach Boat Parade runs tonight through Sunday night. I'd love to go see that tomorrow or Friday night. Anyone interested?

Route map

I have the most awesome, wonderful forgiving, understanding wife.

She SOOOO could have killed me tonight.

I like the Dalek Song!


-does happy dance semester's finally over-

What'd you do, insult Aerosmith?

How many Bon Jovi tickets did it cost ya? :D

How did forget how awesome "the Breeders" were? How? "...oh the treats..."

Swanie,
How we love ya!
How we love ya!
Our dear Aunt Swanie !


Oh, I can vouch for that !! Even from the bobsled in front of [or was it behind?] you !!! :eek:

I just found out yesterday from a co-worker that this apparently means "We 0wn [the] 0ther Team". The things you learn....


Stoat is the same as you, the peas and potatoes cannot touch, likewise anything else on the plate. We have made a series of dinners for the freezer, and we buy the aluminium trays from a manufacturer in the city, they are the typical 3-section trays, with the triangular main section and the two upper veg sections. We love them. Make a whole bunch at once, then spend the next 3 weeks simply reheating dinners with no preparation or dirty kitchen !! We have:

• Turkey roast dinners
• Pork roast dinners
• Lasagne
• Chilli burritos
• Moussaka
• Curry & rice

...eat your heart out TV Dinner fans!!

We ADORE the Llama video ! :snap:

Soooo....
 

Just a go ahead for when they play Vegas in April not official yet but April 12 is the word date as of now. So that will be my 4th show this tour alone (summer will be one more show at least) marking my 15th Bon Jovi show since Keep the Faith 1994. Which will hopefully mark this tour with 5 shows yet again :) CM is wonderful i might add. :) Just waiting on official date and word then i can book the hotel. April wonderful month and awesomest birthday this year. :)

And you probably deserved it. If not for whatever you did today; on general principle.

I'm in a house with several drunk 60 year old women who are cackling in the other room. My mom's friends are over.

I'm in hell...

Soooo....
 

lmao Mark lmao....that's what happens when you are livin with the parentals...lmao don't miss it lmao...

Kevy love your response i would in no way harm CM no way no how. Mad at him sure but hey i've done some stupid moves myself been there done that lmao...and he puts up with my Jovi obsession so...

Vegas and boysenberry jello shots yummm :)

Dalek! Dalek! Dalek! Dalek!

Dalek! Dalek! TRUCK!

(btw, the Borg are wimps!)

I just heard Janet Jackson's new single.
Hot diggity.
Me very happy.
:)

Just don't strut out there in your skivvies, otherwise your mom's friends might hit on you. :eek:

http://artistic-insanity.net/song/daleksong.html

:D

Skunks are REALLY cute, even if they are stinky.

So I just got back from the Bjork concert (went with Mr. Mousepod) and she was f**king amazing as usual. I jumped, I bounced, I cried, I yelled, it was great. About to pass out, so more on the concert later -- I think we're gonna have a RtS thread about it :)

Scotty might be back tomorrow. YAY!

Okay, it's my last day in regular class. And I am absolutely positive that I won't miss the two guys in the front row. Especially the one that's talking right now. On, and on, and on, and on, and he's aaaaalways right, even when he's not really right at all. Oh, and everything is always better in Europe and in the Middle East, or at least better than here. And you know, I'd be inclined to agree with you, sir, if you didn't say that every 5 effing minutes.

They have nothing good to say about anyone and little that's constructive. When we're discussing presentations in class, and they're supposed to be asking questions, they only give their opinion about why the presenter is wrong and then argue their own point, instead of asking the kinds of questions that they're supposed to as a discussant. I'm just really done. I know there are plenty of people like them in the real world, but frankly, I'm done with his dandruff-speckled hair and his better-than-thou attitude.

And really, do you have to wear designer clothes every... single... day?

I got dragged by one yesterday to an Indian casino out past Temecula to eat at a buffet lunch at Harrah's because a coupon was about to expire. I have seen the walking dead and they are 60-somethings with coupons and cups full of nickels.

70 miles each way for me to drive to Corona, 70 miles each way for her to drive from Riverside. 20 dollars in gas, but hey! Only 98 cents, using those coupons, for lunch. So not the way I wanted to use my day off. The original offer was for me to take her to lunch at the Blue Bayou. 35 miles each way for both of us.

I had no idea we were headed to BFE, next time I will know better. Gotta work on those boundaries.

I have no crepes.

oh man that looks good


a couple of questions you should pose to them before never having to see them again....

where is it theyre from thats "so much better"?

and if so, why they 773H arent they still there?

Scotty's coming back from the dead?!? He died in 2005. I am so confused!

Try again! :p

I was just kidding. I know you were talking about this Scotty:

KITTY!

there are places where skunks are common pets, and are often 'de-stinked'

One is from Dubai and the other (I think) from Norway. It's certainly not their internationality that bothers me, it's that they grind it in at every chance they get, wasting massive amounts of time more-or-less insinuating how horrible it is here. As bad as it is, and as much as anyone might or might not complain, the US is still a pretty good place.

I'm assuming that they're here for the same reasons that US students go abroad for study; for that international experience. Companies look favorably upon those who go outside of their domestic zones for education and life experience, since it probably implies a greater understanding of the world and a willingness to go places and try new things for the company.

Tell them to shut up or go home.

And tell the guy from Dubai to speak out against their government and see what happens.

To be clear, they're not talking about our government. The class is Business Strategy & Policy. They argue about nonsense stuff, like how Coca-Cola is sold in glass bottles there, why so-and-so is soooo wrong in their proposed strategy for Dell, and that stuff is just higher quality... or whatever. It's mostly annoying and... old. (Though I could infer that their feelings about Coke and Dell might transfer easily to the government)

On another note - I really can't believe that in a couple of hours I'll be done with "regular classes." I took a final today, and am going to work on my take-home portion of the final over this weekend. I have a project and a paper to polish up, and four more finals to study for. Then, I am done. I am really, really done.

Or at least I'm done until I decide (or not) to go get my MBA.

Is everything a kitty with you? ;)

Hockey! ;)

Oh, was THAT what the Scotty comment was about? I get it now.

:p

:p

My friend has a ferret. It's a pain when driving inter-state. They come in through AZ instead of NV because of the agriculture check-point.

I saw a big fluffy tail hopping around near my client's house the other day. I just stopped my car and watched as it wandered about and into the gated hilltop community. The next night, I didn't see the skunk, but I sure smelled it.

When I cam home I told Aleister I saw his distant cousin. ;)

Just read a cute article on how geek is the new chic

Holy ****... I followed that link to the article, and the video still on the right features a picture of someone I knew in college, who was apparently on Beauty and the Geek. And apparently won.

I've always wanted a pet skunk. I would name him Stinky. :)

Here's an entire website about having them as pets: http://www.skunk-info.org/

WOW H! That's wild.

Indeed.

I even know both of the actors he cast on the funnyordie video he directed. They have, in fact, been in plays I've directed or produced.

The person who JUST won on BATG? or another season of it? I'm a huge follower of the show!

I think season 2. Josh Herman.

Josh and Cher!! Woo!

Somehow, in the last couple days, my dog seems to have acquired himself some flea-sized passengers. Luckily with his hair as short as it is, we can often just physically remove them, but because there were so many, so quickly (I blame the rain), I'm now super paranoid about them in my home.

What works better on fleas, powder or spray? I'm inclined towards spray, but willing to hear arguments on other methods of flea killing. I just want to nip this in the bud, you know?

1 hour until final.

Yay, Pru!

Go Pru! :)

So, Ken woke up with a severe sore throat this morning. He's now much better to my remedy of clove gum and a pot of iced chai tea. :)

And in other good news, we just scored some cheap meat at the grocery store today. ($5 for a $12 roast, thanks to Ralph's Club) :snap:

I'm trying out the brining thing on some chicken drumsticks tonight since it only takes 1-1/2 hours to soak chicken pieces. We totally can't wait for dinner. :)

There's an entire pumpkin pie in the fridge, taunting me, trying to seduce me.

Morri: I'm a fan of flea bath + flea drops.

I'll bring a fork over and help with that problem. ;)

Revolution. It also takes care of the very DEADLY heartworm in dogs. I use it on Thurston and all the cats get it as well. It's also what all of my clients use. I haven't even seen a flea in a very LONG time. Along with fleas comes tape worms, which is not fun for cats or dogs. So, it's best to protect before you even encounter them - because any animal that goes outside comes in contact with fleas.

Soooo....
 

Bon Jovi tickets for Vegas go on sale tomorrow via fan club when i'm working with no way to access internet or computer...ughhhh CM is gonna try to get me a ticket but whatever happens happens i can always get a ticket via other ways closer to show date

One down, only one more to go!

I'm going to the CES show (Consumer Electronics Show) in January. :D Any geek requests for info on particular items?

Next year, I'll be able to bring "employees" of my company. ;)

I found out today that I'm being sent to a conference in Sacramento in January.

Make sure you arrange for a room and transportation ASAP. CES is a total nightmare to get around.

CES... the bane of my existence right now. Lots of clients needed clips, tapes, sessions in time for CES...

Luckily for Dphile, she doesn't need room arrangements. (If I recall, it's in Vegas, right?)

NA: what is revolution? Is it something I have to go to the vet for or is it over the counter?

Marilyn Manson makes work more entertaining. :D

Revolution is available through your vet. It is a topical medication that is applied once a month (and you have to do it like clockwork to prevent heartworm).


JWB - you get to go to ALL of the best cities in California!

I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

oh that cant be right

and even if its right...its wrong

If anyone can find this zipper hoodie for less you will be my new best friend.

Sounds like some decent networking opportunities for me. :) Not like I'm any competition for your company, but with my low rates, I might appeal to the lower-end vendors. I already had some ideas in mind to schmooze with the mobile media player folks, since compressing stuff to small formats is not a problem.

Yeah, it's in Vegas, so I will be staying with my parents and using their car. They even bought my flight (because they're excited to see me... even though they do every few weeks anyway). So, I'm flying out one-way and then they're driving me back so they can visit the following weekend, since it was much cheaper (only $49 for the flight via JetBlue!) than me driving back and forth.

Rock on, good arrangement! And Jet Blue is awesome.

Soooo....
 

Vegas in April for Bon Jovi :) boysenberry jello shots before concert yumm...hopefully i can win again like i did when i was there the last time :)Hurry up April

My request: take me with you.

Just once in my life, I would like to go to this.

I can totally set you up for the following year under my company name. :D

There still might be a chance that I can get you on for this one. I'll check.

Don't worry about this year - my schedule is way too unpredictable.

But thanks anyways!

I have found Captain Obvious!

Oh good! I almost thought my husband was lost for a moment.

(Oh, I am so getting in trouble for that if Ken reads this... :evil: )

I just bought my Christmas present!!



I'm very excited! This could add a whole new layer of mobility for someone without a car!

ron

Nice bike, too.

Nice wheels, OZ!! :)

I just signed up for this: http://tv360.tv/

It will allow me to submit freelance work for payment. Rock on!

I'm reading through the requirements and procedures right now, and it's fairly simple - I submit a story pitch, they accept it (hopefully), then I make the 2-3 minute video and send it in. Starting pay is $350 per production. That could be a nice chunk of change if I come up with enough stuff.

Niiiiice :)

Wolfette's newest hamster arrived home today....Pocky is what it ended up being named (just a baby so not sexed yet). Not about the Asian snack, but she named it Pocket and around here all the cats names end in "y", so Pocky it is.

Exactly, and it will work well as filler projects in between larger ones, and I can link to them as samples! :snap:

I'm going to check and see if there are a couple other programs like this. :)

So...

I hope my colleague wraps up soon so I can go home

Data entried nearly 130 names, companies, and addresses so far.

Thank god for the natural keyboard, that's all I have to say!

Actually, it's kind of nice doing something just a little different, even when something different is, in itself, a little mundane. So while I'm typing in people's addresses I'm fantasizing about being an Imagineer or an animator, or about moving to the east coast (?)

Boy, those 3pm Frappuccinos are just the ticket, aren't they???? ;)

Oh, and I am sooo... sleeping in tomorrow morning. I don't work till 5 (and then until 1:30am OMG!)

Okay, so random question for Helen: When are you coming out to a meet, girl?

Dammit. I've been avoiding Amy Winehouse because:

a) any song with the lyrics "they tried to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no" (which was all I knew about her music) makes me feel squeamish. Particularly in the light of the watch-me queens (your garden-variety Lohans, Spearses, etc) and their collective bad behavior.

b) from my limited knowledge of Winehouse's behavior, she's a garden-variety flower herself.

But dammit, I finally heard the song today and it completely rocked. Just goes to show: can't judge a book by her cover-story.

I've spent most of the day in bed. I came down with a serious case of food poisoning this morning. I'm better now, I still have no energy.

I'm going back to bed. I was planning on making Christmas cookies this weekend. I don't know now.

Amy Winehouse is fantastic. You just cant' listen pay attention to her roller coaster life.

Bear! Where did you eat to get food poisoning? Please don't say it was Park Pantry.

I'm the kind of person that can't seperate that sort of thing- I couldn't bear to listen to Nirvana until after Kurt's suicide.

So, I have been sitting here at work since 6:00 because a client was reporting that the list work we did for her had some errors. I sat (and sat and sat) waiting patiently for a comparative list so I could discover the error.

The client calls me sheepishly to let me know that the error was in their Postal software.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Soooo....
 

Got my Bon Jovi Vegas concert ticket. :) And my best friend from MN is coming along too :) Best bday ever :) second to Florida. :)

JW - Hope you can figure out what's going on. I've had a lot of co-workers suddenly come down with weirdness like that, and since it seems to be going through a lot of people, I'm starting to think there's a nasty stomach flu going on. :(

Hope you feel better

It's 6:40 am on Saturday,
I got to work at 6am....
and you know what?
Not only did our process bomb, but moments later the server crashed, and we cant get a hold of the IT person on call.

Now... why am I not still in bed exactly?

I don't know what it was. but don't worry, it wasn't PP.

I'm much better now, just tired and achy.... and HUNGRY.

I went to the mall last night with friends. Christmas shopping at a mall is much more fun when you start at a bar.

Today's agenda includes going to Target, Best Buy and my mom's house. Then I get to come home and do another round of marathon cleaning.

Now it's almost 9am
The a/c in the computer room went south, the computer room hit over 90 degrees,
and we have to wait for the servers.....
but I have somewhere to be at 9:45 am... grrrr

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In other news, I finished my last final.



And I already got one grade back!

YAY!!! Congratulations Pru!

Congrats are in order!

But do check that one key on your keyboard, seems to be stuck!

Good news, I take it?

there is just no way i can get caught up with the 17,000 unread posts.

i need a vacation.

Awwww, I'm so flattered, Morrigoon! :) I'd love to meet the LoT swanksters. Maybe 2008 will be the year.

I made it to Best Buy right at 10am. I found a parking spot (it shares the lot with Walmart and parking is an issue). I was in and out in 30 minutes.

It was on to Target. I found a decent parking spot, and the store wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. By the time I left the parking lot was full and the store was getting very crowded.

Now I just have to sort through what I bought and start wrapping.

Where the heck is everyone tonight? I'm just working and thought I'd take a break... one post... /sniff... At least CoasterMatt seems to care.

On the upside, I found a good Japanese market in Salt Lake City, or at least one that's reputable with decent prices. I'm sort of saved, but I'm still packing my miso paste, curry cubes and ponzu. The rest I can buy at the regular stores, and/or don't need to eat regularly.

Log into bloody Skype, will ya ?!?!? :p :D

I would, but I don't have a microphone.

You know, I've never really done the whole Skype thing... barely ever do the other IM stuff. I'm sure I have Skype downloaded somewhere

So, right before I went out last night, what should arrive but my bar review books. Man! I couldn't even get one weekend free without homework! ;)

I'm sick again today. I was feeling better yesterday, so I did a bunch of stuff around the house, including baking cookies and making rum balls. And, we had company over last night.

Today, I feel as bad as I did Friday; most of the same symptoms (minus the massive quality time with the toilet). I guess my body just gave me a big ol' smack upside the head....

They advise on the site that headphones plugged into the mic socket will actually work !!

Go on - but I won't be home until 9pm my time - I think about 3am your time. :p

Saw Howie Mandel at the Park today....just after all of the LoT group took off after Corn Dogs or Ice Cream.....gosh he's REALLY short!

Sorry. I was dancing on bars ;)

wow... how large was his entarage? I wonder how well he could handle the park and how it is...

We be sickly in our house as well. Feel better, JW!!!:coffee: (Here's some nice herbal mint tea to help out).

I am soooo cold. I sm tired of being cold all the time. This has not been normal for me. The only reason I can think of is my weight loss. I am claiming 38 pounds, but friends say more like 50. That doesn't seem like enough weight to contribute to my body temperature.

On the plus side, Santa is bringing me a new outfit (I am tired of only having one pair of jeans that fit). My mom also bought me a pair of jeans. I went down another size!!!

Nickolas' presents from me are wrapped ant under the tree, torturing him for the next week. I let him see what one was last night. He was verrrry disappointed (it was a GB game, he was hoping for Ratatoullie for his DS). Kid has no idea what is in store for him.

When he was working on his Christmas list for the in-laws, James (Her son, a year younger than Nick), told him that anything he got for Christmas would go to Their house, he could not take anything home. Nick said he put a Wii on his list and then went back and added, "For me to take home."
I did buy a few things that he can take over there, but the Wii will not be one of them.

I'm pissed!

I stayed home from work today (I'm still not feeling great). I was just going through a box of stuff in the office that I hadn't unpacked when we moved. I found some gift cards I got at Christmas 2005. "Cool", I thought... So I went online to check the balances. One card, from Simon Malls, is one of those VISA gift cards. When I checked the balance I got a shock. It was originally $50. But for the last year, they have been taking out $2.50 per month in "administrative fees"! The balance is down to $20!! Is that even legal?!

In California it is not legal to charge fees or allow the cards to expire.

Call the company.

Actually, because it's a Visa card and can be used at multiple stores, it is exempt from those rules.

Bummer! Sorry JW!

If you're giving the gift of gift cards, just give the gift of cash instead with a note saying where you hope they'll spend it. Cash doesn't expire (or, if it should, that trinket down at Home Depot will be the least of your worries) and people hardly every lose, misplace, or forget cash.

And having been involved on the issuer side of a few of these (only tangentially), while I understand the financial greed that goes into the rules, I was also glad for the procedural benefit that they created. It meant that the program had a built in end date.

If a gift card can never expire, then a store that issues one is obligated to maintain the systems and databases necessary to redeem them in perpetuity. At least with expiring cards you know that XX months/years/etc. after cessation you can just forget about them. Because it really sucks when developing something new to be told "oh, we can't use that technology because those gift cards we issued for a year back in 1997 won't work with it."

IMHO, cash is a sucky gift. It goes in your wallet, pays for your groceries or lunch, and it's gone. No one actually remembers to spend that on something fun.

In their core technology, standard microphones and headphones are the same basic thing: a diaphragm and coil.

And headphones are just small speakers designed to use much less wattage.

Thank the heavens, our porch/patio concrete is finally being poured!!

Not sure how Ken's going to be able to come home after work, but hopefully, it will be cured enough by then (it's supposed to harden enough for walking within 4-5 hours).

They were asking if we wanted to wait and schedule it over the next couple days, and I was like, "Pour that crap now!"

We've had a mud pool for a porch for the last 3 weeks, and we've been miserable.

I'm just so darned happy it's getting done finally.

Sooo.... What are you going to write in the fresh concrete?

If we owned the place, there would not be concrete, but pavers that would form the image of a large Mickey head. ;)

wow - I went to the Ducks/ Sharks Game Sunday - my first pro Hockey game. What an exciting game! Several fights broke out but there was no blood on the ice- (which I was chanting). Also, I got to be part of the group/ stadium "Oooh!" which was awesome. I need to go again!

Good idea, we could all buy the memorial pavers.

I agree, and with few exceptions I figure if I can't think of a gift better than cash then I don't care enough to give a gift in the first place. But in my opinion, gift cards are equally sucky and, unlike cash, frequently wasted completely.

I disagree completely.

Admittedly I purchase few gift cards myself, but I adore receiving them, because unlike gifts, which are purchased whole, gift cards can be pooled together to get you something really special that you are saving up for. (Especially true of Best Buy gift cards). I would buy more gift cards than I do except that my budget is limited and no amount of creative shopping makes a $10 gift card seem like a $20 gift card.

When I receive cash, it goes to bills, gas, and lunch. Talk about wasted. Gift cards "force" you to use it on something fun (obviously you COULD use it on something boring that you need, but you're less likely to)

I agree cash/gift cards can be sucky for close friends/family.

But they are great for things like Teachers, Piano Teacher, Choir Directors, Librarians - people that you'd like to do something nice for but you have no idea their tastes/needs. I tend to get ones to places like Target or Starbucks. Places the average person would go at least occasionally.

My Mom was a Kindergarten teacher. She's got acres of crap gifts from students, lotions, potions, figurines, ornaments etc etc. She taught for over 40 years so the figurine from littly Billy in 1970 has no meaning to her now. She can't remember who's who.

Maddy's elementry room Mom's organized the teacher gift giving occasions. Usually you could donate any amount you'd like (or nothing) and they would in turn get gift cards with the proceeds to places they knew the teacher could use/enjoy. I always liked this as I felt I did something nice for them but it wasn't a silly gift they'd end up tossing anyway.

I'd rather cash or a gift card then some gift I really don't like, want or need.

And I disagree with you! Who wins!?

I'm not sure why buying your groceries or next tank of gas is any less a gift than buying your DVD player. Or how "I give you the ability to buy anything you want in the world" is worse than "I give you the ability to buy anything you want in Home Depot but you have to do it within the next 180 days or the value of this gift will begin dwindling to nothing or you put it away for a special occasion and then completely forget about it."

But then, buying lunch is, to me, no more or less fun than buying a DVD. If you really want to insist that I buy a DVD, I'd really prefer you took the time to try and pick a DVD you think I'd like. Worst case, I return it and get something else (or throw it away which is likely the same result eventually as a gift card). Best case I think you actually care enough to try.

But I thought receiving gifts annoys you.

Crap. Do I give Alex a gift, a gift card? or nothing?

I think I'll just give him mojo for the holidays. :)

Don't forget the smilies. And an avatar and image in your signature in his honor.

This post has nothing to do with the debate at hand (though I do fall on the side of the "I'd rather have a gift card than cash" side of the arguement)...

First off, I wanted to say thank you for all of the "Auntie" wishes. The little guy seems to be a hell-raiser, so my sister is getting NO sleep. I am just glad that it is her and not me. :D

That all being said, I thought you might enjoy my middle daughter's latest...

I threw a "Winter Wonderland" party in her first grade class on Friday and one of the craft centers was to make a snowman out of paper plates. The kids had to do some simple cutting and gluing (his hat, mittens and boots), and then had the option of coloring his mouth and buttons.

Now mind you, every other one of the 24 children in the class made pretty typical snowmen, all of which would make Frosty proud.

My daughter, well...she prides herself on being different.

Let me introduce you to "Bad-Ass Frosty"...



Yes, those would be tattoos on his belly.

swanie

Bad-Ass Frosty is cool. Kids have a great imagination.

One would hope, but I've listened to the moms talking about whether we should get the teacher a gift certificate for a massage. Ick. While I always contribute when asked, I feel that the only gift that our teachers should get are 1) a card made and signed by all the students at the end of the year and 2) properly funded schools to get rid of this culture of teacher as charity case that has been fostered over the years.

I guess, but only if it comes from somebody that doesn't really matter to me, in which case no gift would be fine. As with all the waste motion involving our schools, I have to wonder how much gas we're burning running around buying gift cards to trade with people who really don't mean that much to us.

And I would add the THE most annoying holiday shopping experience I've ever had was standing in line behind someone at Starbuck's who was buying about thirty gift cards for people in varying denominations with varying card styles. Mallet! Mallet! Mallet!

That said, I have been happy to receive gift cards that I would certainly use at times when giving a personal gift was appropriate.

In the case of my company the "systems and databases" happen to be me and an Excel worksheet. The whole system (not quite the word) makes me twitchy.

I agree with the over the teachers thing. Teachers day turned into a whole week long celebration, their Birthday, Christmas, end of the school year. A little out of hand. Hello it's their JOB. And honestly compared so some other jobs the pay/benefits aren't that bad.

I'd love a thoughtful gift over cash or a card. But my family seems to be genetically challenged in thoughtful gift giving. In the last couple of years I've gotten cow socks, earrings with frogs on them, feetie pajamas. If they feel they must send something (and honestly nothing or just a card is fine) then cash or gift card might be better than any other random thing they pick out.

I love to get gift cards to stores that I love. I received a Sephora gc for my birthday. Much happiness ensued. Followed by an "I told you so" conversation between my two friends (it was a toss up between Macy's and Sephora). :D

I give gift cards to stores I know people love to shop at. Or will give them a gift card to a store where I know they want a specific item.

Cash is ok and I can be good about allocating it to something fun - but I know I am probably in the minority (I received cash from grandparents from a young age and had to save it or use it on something fun)

Lookout! A tangent.

Is this thing of giving gifts to teachers new? I grew up in a pretty low class neighborhood and it seems to me such a practice (beyond Christmas cards) was unheard of. Same with presents for the mailman, private instructors, etc.

As I've moved into upper middle class circles I see things much more often and I can't tell if it was always common in these circles or if I've just moved across income lines at the same time as new fads have come in.


It does, so I'd really prefer that if you're going to do it anyway, you at least look like you tried rather than just being an obligation of "oh, I have to get Alex something, I wonder if he ever goes to Home Towne Buffet, oh well, let's get him a gift card for it."

Cash was a perfectly acceptable "generic gift" when I was growing up (until she died a couple of years ago every Christmas card from my great-grandmother included a $5 bill) and I just don't see how forcing me to shop at a specific location is a gift of any greater value. A gift card is just giving me the gift of something I consider to be one of the biggest pains in the ass in the world (shopping).

About the only value I see in the material gift is that it potentially saved me from some time spent in a store.

Reach out and touch...no one
 

Last night at dinner my phone had no service. It literally said "no service" on the phone. But GD on one side of me and Cheeseman on the other both had service, both had Sprint, same as me. When I got home the phone still said no service so I turned it off and then back on. The message now said Phone Off. How could the phone be on but off? Turning it off and on a few more times didn't help. Instead of bars I had an alarming little x.

So I tried calling the cell from my landline phone but there was no dial tone on that phone. Now it was getting creepy. It was midnight, I was exhausted, and I was apparently cut off from the world. I did check to make sure I had internet access. If that was gone I was really going to panic.

This morning I managed to figure out the dial tone problem (the wire into the answering machine was a little loose) and then I headed to the Sprint Store in Downey because it's also a repair center. I told them my phone didn't think it was a phone any more. One of the employees was checking me in so one of the techs could look at the phone and she took the battery out to scan the bar code inside the phone. She put the battery back in and turned the phone back on and I could see the screen looked normal again and there was no "phone off" message.

Now I can get back to my vacation (Christmas shopping, house cleaning, and checking to make sure the stupid phones are working).

Yes the over the top teacher gifts are new, as far as I can tell.

So I think then it depends on the person. A thoughtful gift for BTD would be a Sephora Gift card. A thoughtful gift for Alex would be a DVD possibly but definately not a gift card to a store, which would mean shopping, or hometown buffet (which is just gross anyway). All depends on the person.

I never get my Mom a gift card because she's always complaining that she forgot to use one blah blah. My cousin on the other hand who's having a really hard time right now financially, would much appreciate a Vons or Target card.

Okay, so Lindy, did they say WHY it did this?

Ugh. Cookie/Holiday Sweets Glut '07 is in full force at work. And, as usual, the various cookies and cakes are put in the common area right near where I sit all day so I can pass it over and over and over.

Of course not. My impression was that they'd never seen it before. My phone, going where communication devices have never gone before.

I LOVE gift cards from Restoration Hardware.

I LOVE gift cards from Restoration Hardware.

Stupid Newport Beach... what have they got against a good old fashioned drive through? Our NB office (where I'm at this week) is by Fashion Island, and short of going INTO F.I. (where my choices are McDonald's and Subway), there isn't bloody much around here that isn't high-priced sit down restaurants. Went to Red Robin for lunch (which was, I grant you, fun and tasty), and spent $15 - the equivalent of 2-3 of my regular lunches. My kingdom for a Togo's or Baja Fresh...!

How about if I just give you a check for $50.00 already made out to Restoration Hardware. So that when it gets lost/forgotten I'm the one who benefits?

Apparently ;)

That would be cool. But you'd have to gift me your CDL too. And, I WON'T forget.

I just woke up from a nap. I'm confused.

Double post, I was teasing you.

I love Restoration Hardware too, but nobody ever gives me a card for there. :(

So, my "Bad Ass" Frosty 6 year old just showed me her letter to Santa from school...

Dear Santa,

I hope you don't get lost.

1. Pink DS
2. DS Game Horses

Love,
M

She kills me :D

swanie

She gets right down to business, doesn't she?

So someone in the office got a box of chocolates from a title rep, and shared them with me - OMG this truffle is divine. It's some kind of chocolate filling, but I swear it makes me think of eggnog. Chocolate covered eggnog. I love quality chocolates - I've been nursing this one truffle for at least 10 minutes now!

Our Junk Food Glut 2007 is off to a very slow start. Well that and our office manager has taken it upon herself to send a lot of it off to our adopted troop in Iraq. Which would be fine if she told people. Instead people are wondering who upset the vendors who normally send in good stuff.

Soooooooooooooooooo,
can anyone tell me who the Narrator is in The Nightmare before Christmas?
IMDB doesnt want to tell me, and some webiste says Patrick Stewart, but I'm no where near it to listen and verify that.

Can you?

From Wikipedia - Link

Oh that's not cool... those vendors deserve to get credit/recognized for what they bring in - that's the lifeblood of their business!

Hockey must be seen in IRL. No matter how good the coverage, it just doesn't capture the game.

I was never into hockey until a company I worked for had season tickets to the Kings (eight rows from ice down on the end that King's were shooting on goal in the first and third periods). After that, I was hooked. And at Staples, when the Kings are hosting the Ducks, there is some extra stuff. They've got a great Southpark bit that Matt and Trey did for the Kings for when they play the Ducks.

The Kings also have the "McFlurry Minute." If the Kings score a goal in the last minute of the second period, everyone in attendance gets a free McFlurry from McDonalds. What is funny about this is that Susan is usually sitting quietly during the game, just watching the action. But when the McFlurry Minute comes around, she is on her feet, yelling and screaming for the Kings to score.

And then when it is over, she sits down and quietly watches the third period.

Also try Van Dyke's Restorers. I use them frequently and find their prices to be much better. They've got some REALLY cool stuff, including curved glass (including custom made curved glass!)

That was a great game, and a great first game for anyone to see. Even if we lost. Scotty was ON (and not just on for being MIA for so long). I'm bummed we didn't get to spend more time with you - after we left I nearly fell asleep on my friends shoulder while waiting for the period to start.

We have lots of Sunday games left. Come to another one!

There's a Pick Up Stix in that little strip mall at the corner of San Miguel Dr. and San Joaquin Hills. I used to get food from there pretty often when I lived in Park Newport. There's a lot more of that type of food (fast food joints) on the other side of the Back Bay from Fashion Island. There's a Bruegger's Bagels in Corona Del Mar. No drive through, but it's usually a pretty quick bite.

I actually got to be semi-productive today. After coffee, I took Snowflake to the airport and went to see about rescuing a pug from the Downey Shelter. I then took a nice long nap followed by laundry and painting the rest of the bathroom furniture. I still have another coat to do in the bathroom, but it is coming together. I have to change out a knob, hang some towel racks, hang wall art and get new towels - THEN it will be done.

I long ago fell in love with the Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Caramel Squares.

Thanks to a gift basket I have received, I now know of 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate with Caramel Squares.

Oh
My
Goddess

Good taste, Kevy- I get a bag of those for Christmas every year :)

If you've got a kitty and you are in Long Beach, go to Wiskas and get some of their industrial strength catnip balls, Tango is having a blast right now.

But first, DO NOT bring it anywhere near Calliope. Hiding it will do no good. It seems she was a cat burgler in a former life.

It was hilarious, and caused general sleep deprevation, too.

Snowflake,

G and M thank you for the Mini Minnie Mouse. They were so happy. Minnie is currently occupying the primo spot on G's bed.

Hey, it was my pleasure, poor Minnie was unclaimed and needed a good home, so glad she's found one! Great to meet you too, IRL.

Okay, now that I've had some breakfast, I think I'm gonna go nap on the couch.
I'm a little tired. :cool:

So, as much as I feel hopeless with so much to do with finals and more projects due this week (and moving, and etc, etc, etc)... it just dawned on me that I got quite a lot accomplished today.

I:

- Worked 7 hours
- Went to that doctor
- Finished two papers, one of which included transcribing my interview with €
- Moved grandma's boyfriend's giant truck and even bigger trailer back to the house.
- Hand washed 1 set of dinner dishes, pans, etc...
- Read 2 (out of 3) chapters for my Promotions class
- Did 3 loads of laundry
- Went down to Irvine to do a drop off of holiday cards to the troops (the 187th A.R.C.T., my grandpa's unit during the Korean War and beyond) and a chit chat with BTD.

and most importantly...
- sneaked in a quickie 20 minute nap.

Not bad.

Too bad tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday will be even more crazy. This must have been warm up. :D (And I couldn't be happier that I convinced everyone that me not doing any Christmas shopping was the only way to go this season...)

It was too easy, couldn't resist ;)

whats the whole thing about getting a 21 year old drunk....

im 21... have been since 10/16 and only drink a little.. i haven't have anything since nov 30 in fact... I have not been drunk... i don't get the whole concept of getting drunk or why....

maybe its because i don't have friends and such... it makes no sence!

i had 2 drinks on my 21st birthday and thats the drunkest I've gotten

In regards to what's goin on, I'm watchin Disneyland:Secrets, Stories and Magic DVD and still haven't changed out of my costume

Your first LoT post! And it's in the Sooo.... thread? How brave!

Welcome!

I slept 9 hours and I am still tired. How can this be?

^^ me too.

And I made an appt for a DirectTV install at 8am on Saturday. Where was my brain!?!?

Wikipedia is blocked from work, hence the problem I was having.
But this morning, I was thinking Stewart as I pressed play, and I have no idea how i didnt figure that out on my own. <sigh>

If only I was so lucky!

eh, by the time I was 21, I'd spent a goodly part of my teen years hammered, so the novelty was long gone. we instead decided to forego that particular treat on my 21st just to be different

As far as I could find Stewart was only on the CD version. I never did find anyhing on the movie itself.

I remember reading somewhere ( I can't find the reference), something to the effect that Tim Burton pulled Patrick Stewart's narration from the file because he felt that people would be more focused on the fact that it was Patrick Steward doing the intro (hey is that Patrick Stewart narrating? cool! ), and it would draw away from the movie.

So last night I noticed a little swollen spot on the right side of my throat. Overnight it's made itself more apparent and has become a full-on swollen gland. No pain, just a seriously swollen gland. Well, I take that back, the right side of my head is starting to feel irritated, but it wasn't last night. Is this that cold that's going around or am I developing a sinus infection? I just don't know...

Which I suppose I could have qualified by saying, I have the CD in the car...

I did find somewhere that the ending narration was pulled.... but I will have to search from home to find more info. Too bad I never get near the computer at home... thanks to my young WoW monger.

Frickin' great... now my neck is getting achy. If only willpower alone could keep you from catching things, I'd totally think this one into submission.

Feel better, Goonie. Oh, and you look damn good in a tiara, but I want to see a pic of you in your NEW hat.

Try my photobucket.

Or you could go direct.

She looks great in both the new hat and the uniform that goes with it! I saw in person!

So we have this little lunch guy that comes around the building selling lunches for $6 (always $6, which makes it easy). Terriffic food. I keep thinking one of these days I'll find out where they come from, if it's a caterer or whatnot. But the little guy that comes around doesn't speak English well enough to ask too many questions. He's like, Italian or South American or something. But anyway, his food rawks. Had a turkey ham ciabatta sandwich - they should have called it a muffaletta, because it turns out to have had olive tapenade on it with some peppercinis. Yummy yum.

I'm feeling a bit depressed and overwhelmed today. I do not like it one bit.

Tell me about it. :(

Over the weekend, Rex our wonder dog found his way into $50 of specialty dark chocolate my wife purchased in New York. Two days in the doggie hospital and $600 later he's doing fine.

IF your dog gets into chocolate or other poison the very FIRST thing to do is to force-feed him a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide - then prepare the stand back and clean up. The HP will go into his stomach and expand causing him to throw up. If you catch him soon enough, most of the chocolate will be expelled. You still need to go to the vet, but if you catch it soon enough, the follow-up treatment shouldn't be so bad. But, you should still take him to the vet. Chocolate can cause liver failure pretty quickly in dogs, dark chocolate is much worse than milk.

I hear the caffiene can also cause their hearts to speed up... much worse than humans.

Puppies... :(

OMG! There are a pair of Frenchie/Pug sisters up for adoption. I joke that Thurston looks like a Frenchie when he is upside down. These are probably health nightmare puppies, but look how cute a Frenchie with Pug marking is!

Feel better soon Morrigoon!

Will the House of Mouse allow you to wear a scarf of some sort to help keep out the cold?

Well, please be advised I live in Ghiradelli-land and can be persuaded to send care packages.

Today I hate everyone and everything. Stupid world, stupid people in it, stupid, pointless, devoid of meaning.



Dammit, why can't this global warming just obliterate the planet already?

Can I hate them with you, Pru?

Then, we could be friends...

Actually, I *am* feeling better. Gland still swollen, but that's it.

Of course... I have a steaming cup of Peet's in front of me, and that's enough to make anyone feel better :cool:

Mmm...

I actually went to a new Peet's today on my way back to school. I got a soy gingerbread latte.

I have a thing for vanilla at Peet's. Vanilla Freddos are all I'd ever gotten, but today is too cold for Freddo, so I took a chance on a vanilla latte. I was NOT disappointed :D

So now I'm helping stuff and stamp those cards. They're going to downtown LA tomorrow and doing it. Turns out, it's not a dinner at a shelter, he's literally going down to Skid Row and feeding the masses out the back of his car.

The vanilla is pretty darned good. I used to have a hard time with syrups. While I still don't always do sweet stuffs, I do better with theirs. It's pure cane sugar in there, no high fructose corn syrup.

I have "mouth-feel" issues with most syrups, so I go sans flavor at most coffee shops.

Wait, who?

Oops, sorry... that was a reference to a card design I donated to his project, which I discussed in this thread.

Nevermind, I figured it out. Brain is half-melted right now.

Ha, I didn't til she posted and I do not have your excuse. Must be early, whaddaya call it again? I forget....

Jeez... okay, so I recieve a copy of an ongoing report from someone with their October and November (and of course the preceeding year) numbers in it, which needs my November numbers, but is missing my October numbers.

I find a report that HAS my October numbers in it, from an email in my "sent" folder where I clearly sent her the updated report. But she says I must have been saving it wrong? I don't think so.

I love it when I have weeks like this at work. I have exactly 2 items on my to do list, and two days to do them in. I think each task should take about 10 minutes.... It's the exact opposite of usual, when I usually have more things to do than paper to write them down on, so I'm enjoying it.

Of course I could just leave early and work on the fvckton of stuff I have to do at home, or you know, finish Christmas shopping....but I think I'll just sit here and listen to the quiet and watch the rain on the windowsill.

No rain here. Watch it kick up just as I have to walk to my car or something, heh.

You can go stalk S. He is in your neck of the woods today. And he was also in Oxnard. :evil:

Alas, that would require me leaving my cozy little office.....

It has been steadily raining here since 2ish. This town was not built to handle steady rain.

I went to the grocery store. I ended up with $65 worth of stuff for $18. I love getting gift cards at work.

Now I get to cut up the fudge I made at 5am and get the pans ready for 2 more batches. I also get to make a batch of cookies (now that I found all of my cookie recipes).

I have 2 weeks worth of baking and 5 days to do it in...where did December go???

There's a lovely patter outside our window.

There's a loverly Padder in my kitchen.

I got out today and actually took care of about half of my Christmas shopping. I'm hoping to finish it up tomorrow. I usually spend the first trip just looking but I'm finally getting smart and realizing I don't have that kind of time.

Tonight I decorated my little tree and that's quite an accomplishment for me. This is the first year in a while that I managed to actually get a tree up and decorated. One year I didn't bother at all and last year I didn't get past lights. I bought a four-foot prelit tree this year and covered it with as many ornaments as possible. It looks rather nice.

I may get some time to play this week after all.:)

Oh yeah...I went to the 99 Cents Store and I see that's where bad ideas go to die. I picked up some "unique" stocking stuffers: Tow Mater Dat Gum! Lip Wax (with a key chain), a 3" Scary Spice figure, Count Wonkula Bloodberry Donutz (Just for Halloween!). But the real find was a pack of six Nsync buttons (Official Tour Merchandise circa 2000).

Two days into the week, and I have already racked up 23 hours and 38 minutes.

Well, it started raining in NB just in time for my commute home, LOL.

In other news, I seem to be winning the war for my body :)

Soooo....
 

Ekkk i get a rat for Xmas from my coworker i'm so happy. It's the one i had my eye on too. I get her on Friday since she doesn't have the money to get her til then. She was put on hold in the back room and my coworkers know not to put her back out on the main selling floor. Plus she's throwing in a cage for free too. :) Really sweet of her to do. She's like Remey looks like Remey from Ratatouille too all grey but underneath is white :) I got to hold her this afternoon. SO much better than my hamster. I can't even hold her.

Yeah... I'm SOOOO happy about her new stupid rat... :mad:

Jovi's good at getting into things, and Johnny's a pretty efficient killer, so with any luck, the rodent problem will be a self solving one.

Kevy - ouch!

It rained today, it's cold and I have a sore throat, now. Payback for something, I guess.

CongRATulations! Rats are cool pets. I had a little guy named Percy once; very intelligent.

Some food does not nuke well. Just sayin'.

I just woke up and found a birthday bottle of champagne sitting on the table from Stoat !!

...now I have to go to work... :(

Hey, it's not your birthday yet (here)!

:( you have to go to work :D on the champagne!

So, do we start the birthday thread on Aussie time or our time?

You sould start one today, AND one tomorrow !!! :cheers:

....and two presents please. Send one today, and send the other tomorrow. Some Truffle fries would be nice. Oh, and some Thinkrisps to go with them. ;)

mmmm. A vendor brought in cupcakes from Cinnamon Productions. :D

Haha... Disney World gets a mention on Widelawns.

Well, here's hoping BDBopper will be online to do one for you - he does a great birthday thread! (where is BDB anyway? Is he working so much no time for LoT?)

So it's a bit disconcerting to step out of your office trailer to cross a parking lot to go to lunch and notice that the parking lot has been cautioned taped, the entrances blocked by emergency vehicles, and men milling about in hazmat suits.

It's probably not the time, to take deeper sniffs to try to identify the peculiar oder in the air...

At least the Geiger counters weren't clicking

sounds super.

Who Farted ?

We are having a problem with one of our younger rats...she is biting. Hard. I have no idea why. This is something new for her. Her sister is still as sweet as can be. It just makes no sense.

I just got done with tonight's cookies. I told my mom that I'm not going to do one of the types I had planned on. It is just too labor intensive and I just don't have the time. Tomorrow night I am going to make peanut butter cookies. I have 2 more batches of fudge left to make and then I will be done with my annual baking spree.

Boy has the creeping crud that seems to be everywhere. He has missed school the last 2 days because of it. I am hoping he will be doing better in the morning so that he can finish out the week.


Did you ever find out why the Hazmats were out?

Fuel spill, solvent or something - there's a garage in the next building uphill from all the storm drains.

Sooo...I got my yellow belt!

I

Congratulations!

Sooo...I got my yellow belt!

I started taking Kajukenbo (the only American developed martial art) at the community college in August. I missed half the classes, but I managed to pass anyways. Hooray, low standards! I thought I had totally screwed up the test, but afterwards the black belts that had helped judge said I did really well.

The last part of the test was sparring, which I had never done before, but I did amazingly well. I fought a purple belt and tied. I felt bad because she was a good four inches shorter than me, so I hit her head quite a bit. Apparently hitting the teacher's daughter didn't count against me.

Oops, how did that first post get there?

We're working on a new vBulletin feature that reads your mind and posts your thoughts so you don't have to do any typing

Stupid dryer, not working after I did a load of stupid laundry in the stupid washer. Now I have stupid wet towels hanging around the stupid apartment. Stupid dryer. I hate electronics.

If you'd like, you can use our dryer.

I haz a neice!!!

6lbs, 20oz. 20in. born 6:29AM

My sister went into the hospital Tuesday, yesterday around 2PM they began the process of induced labor*. 15 hours later, things were not progressing at all, so they did a c-section. Voila, baby!!

So happy.




*During her pregnancy she passed a gall stone, which means that she needs to have her gall bladder removed. They didn't want to do it while pregnant, so they got rid of all the infection caused by the stone and have had her on a near-zero-fat diet to prevent another stone in the meantime. Today was the due date, so it's not like she was late, but they don't want to delay the gall bladder surgery any more than necessary so they decided to induce.

Congrats to you and the rest of the Delight family.

So when does she get her AP?

Congrats to GD and CP. Glad to hear all is good and I'll keep good thoughts for the gall bladdar removal process.

Pics when you can!

Oh holy ****! :eek:

Congratulations GD and CP!

*&#$^&#, I now have a cold. :mad:

CONGRATULATIONS Uncle and Auntie! Is there a name?

Snowflake, you shouldn't play so hard on the weekends. ;)

Congrats GD & CP!

Stream of consciousness posting… Do you really think that’s a good idea with this crowd? :eek:

If you think we spend a lot of time in the gutter now.........

Sadie Leigh (pronounce Lee, apparently). Sadie was my grandmother's name, not sure where Leigh comes from (perhaps dad's side).

Congratulations GD & CP!

No AP necessary yet. You have 3 years to save up.

Congratulations CD & CP! Best wishes to the new Mommy & Daddy as well.

Congrats Tia and Tio! We're dying to see pics!

(Gallstones AND preggers? Oy!)

Snowflake: it's going around, ain't it?

In other news... I really want my Peet's. Does anyone wanna drive down to Newport Beach and bring me a vanilla latte?

Well, Morri... I'm busy for a few more hours today. Last day of finals! And then... ACK!!!

I can hardly believe that it's all basically over... It's exciting, and yet... sort of underwhelming. I just want to pass and be done with it all.

Congrats GD & CP! And congrats to your sister for making it through all of that!

!!!

Good luck on your finals Erica!!!

Good luck!

Thanks for that.
:)

But, I have to rewash and dry tonight. I think I'll go to the Pedro Almodovar laundromat near me. Seriously, everyone in there looks like someone from an Almodovar film.
:D

Good luck on your last finals!

Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Go into the light!!!

So that little guy who comes around with the food apparently comes TWICE :) Oh, and he's from Gelato Cafe in Irvine. Great food.

Aw! Welcome to the world, little Sadie Leigh!! :)

Sending you good test vibes, Erica. :D

Just shot some footage for NGU's photography promo last night. While we got some great stuff, we also have some seriously funny crap for the out-takes reel. :evil:

I'm just hoping that the light isn't coming through the sliding glass door I can't see (but will inevitably smack into)...

Ooo I love Gelato Cafe! They used to come to my old office. I miss them. I'm going to go comfort myself with a cupcake from Cinnamon Productions now ;)

You. Suck.

But as soon as the HB office stops forwarding their calls for lunch, I'll see your cupcake and raise you a Peet's Vanilla Latte.

Pbbbbbbbt! :)

Meh. I'm not a diehard Peet's fan. ;)

If it wasn't you who drools over CProductions then who was it? :(

Yeah, well, I'm sitting here with two chocolate cupcakes from Ralph's bakery.... but, I'm working at home in my PJ's. :p

You :)

j/k... probably Ally?

I say we gang up and jump T. in a dark alley, what do you think?

Maybe JWBear.

Did you know I'm magic? Apparently I am.

Remember the other day, I think I mentioned this, when I was wanting chocolate, and shortly after, an agent comes along and checks their mail slot, and in it was a small package of chocolate truffles, which, without knowing my previous craving for such, they offered me one of.

Well, so here I am today, thinking how very much I would love a piece of chocolate (I know, trend, read that for what you will). A guy comes in the office looking for the Prudential office that used to be across the atrium from us. I give him the new address and Yahoo map it for me. On his way out (he's a vendor, so he was carrying these), he says since I've been so nice, here, have these - chocolate covered graham crackers (a pun on his surname).

Yep... ask and I shall receive, I'm magic. Maybe I should wish for a winning lottery ticket ?

What?

Goonie, while you're at it, wish for a major contract for your video friend. ;)

Today, I'm having fun with my resale permit. :D I'll be ordering blank media and cases at cost now. It's funny, because I'm tickled that I'm filling out a form to fax in with a requested copy of my business license. It's like being 21 all over again, and being asked for my driver's license. :D

I always wish for that for you, dear!

Oh, and for the record... one chocolate-covered graham cracker is more than enough to satisfy any chocolate craving.

Mmmmm....Graham crackers.....

My mother used to take left-over buttercream frosting and put it between 2 graham cracker squares.... I haven't had that for years. YUM!

Is this the year of the Gift Basket? So far, I have received a large one from my employer (he gave us a maximum price from Wine Country Gift Baskets and let us choose our own - Susan and I picked this one). I have also received one from my mother, one from my father, and one from a vendor.

Another vendor just gave me an iPod Nano as gift. I like getting gifts like that :)

Ugh. Our phones have been down for over an hour and we can't get them back up. Yes, I can post because we have to wait for them to finish rebooting.

Maybe some of Morri's magic will fix your phones?

Morri, please wish for our phones to be fixed!

*wishing for your phones to be fixed*

I'm not sure if it's been posted already, but This seems like a suitable LoT gift.

It worked!

That would be perfect for ISM

If I ever have to hire a crew for production, they're all getting these shirts:

http://www.cafepress.com/crewtshirts

:snap:

I especially love the back of the Editor one.

I love it. I want the "Sound Guy" shirt. Even though need it for a non-movie shoot setting, it would still work.

Do they have one that reads:

I'm the Stalker
A**hole!

Those are funny.

Congrats on the new niece CP and GD, and on the mystical powers, Morrigoon!

I think I'll get to see at least on nephew tomorrow! Flying 'home' to Oregon and all 8 of them will be around for Christmas!!! (I have 8 nephews and 0 nieces, so I'm always happy to hear, for the sake of the species, that people ARE having girls!)

Aw jeez... thanks for the reminder, I have to find a place to ship my gifts up to NoCal from!

Your magic is failing! Our phones are down again!

I'm impersonating Kevy. I'm still at work. Going on 11 hours. YIPPEE!

Yay!! The bunny is finally starting to explore the hard floors a bit more! :)

We've been very worried, because she's refused to leave her cage for more than a minute.

She's still kinda tip-toeing it, but it's progress! :snap:

Cat in the Hat is on!

the Futz in a Fedora!

I'll be here till 10:30. Who wants to bring me some dinner? :(

Hooray for adventurous bunny! If you have enough rugs around she'll get the hang of it.

Big, huge congrats on your tiny baby girly niece!!!! She's gonna have you wrapped around her pinkies in no time at all.:D

Congrats CP & GD! Great News!

Ugh, I'm so mad at myself.

So I emailed my mom and brother yesterday morning about the new addition to GD's side of the family, and promised myself I'd call them last night. I completely forgot. I don't think they check their email every single day, and I've gotten no response from them. :(

I'll call them tonight but I am so embarrassed about not calling before. I'm always so terrible about remembering to contact people. :( :( :( Can I crawl into a cave instead?