I'm a PC and using PS Elements 7. It's not among the features. It's okay, I do have a GIF animator in PaintShopPro which I also use. Never get around to using more and maybe 5% of what I am capable of in any of the software I use! :blush:

Moot does not equal mute.

Moot - as in what a cow says with a t on the end meaning obsolete.
Mute - as in what a kitten says with a t on the end meaning unable to speak.

Why is this so hard?

I feel compelled to correct them when they use mute instead of moot. "That's a mute point" they say... and I want to ask if the point was verbal before or if this is something new. :rolleyes:

When you're done you can ask them about their French benefits.

Oh... that's funny.

Showing my ignorance: I don't get it

french benefits according to urban dictionary

;)

I'll gladly forgive mispronouncing as mute in exchange for the person using the word correctly. Admittedly there is the (mostly) British usage which is different from the mostly American usage but even with two different usages to choose from (and being almost opposite of each other) most people still use it wrong.

May I axe you a question?

I know that's a popular one, but so long as the person doesn't spell it "axe" when they write it down I don't have a problem with "axe" any more than I do with Southerners droppin' Gs.

What you talkin about?

"Their is a problem with there grammar."

I'm building another Hackintosh next week - but have no real computer of my own at the moment, how ironic is that?

A common Aussie bastardisation of that is:
"May I arks you a question?"

...surprisingly common. :rolleyes:

I undrstand Aussies are just plain good at bastardization (or bastardisation)! ;)

No; they are plane good at it.

Incorrect. It's "what you talkin bout?" Adding "Willis" is optional.

Oh, I hope you do! I bet you'll turn out some really amazing stuff because you really have an eye for visual stuff. :)

Coolness! I'd love to see them, and I'm sure others here would too. Post 'em up! :D

That was the first thing that came to mind this morning when I read about the new Sears Tower name.

I'm back in Honolulu.
:)

I'm sorting through dirty laundry, pictures, souvenirs and lots of emails, voicemails and text messages. Yee haw.

I had such a tremendous time.

I'm creating a trip report to post here soon.

So..... what's been going on around here?

Dull little 3-framers, I'd rather not.

I think DP is on CS4 already. CS3 for Mac or PC definitely has the animation capabilities - I use it for work.

Well, and play. Here's my favorite...


DP, your rocket is cute! I love seeing what you're learning in class.

Go-Jira !! :D

You aged 5 years in 2 days.

You ran into the Griffith Park cop too?

I really should get off the computer. I'm supposed to be resting today, and instead I'm going through homework and some business stuff and not taking a day off like I should be.

Love the Gojira birthday card!

So, if you visit the terrific DVD Savant today, you'll see that he put a note from me up on his front page - I alerted him to a minor but, to me, irritating audio flaw in the new 70th anniversary release of Pinocchio. (One word shouted by Jiminy Cricket - "Right!" - is missing from "Give A Little Whistle.")

And now EVERYBODY knows your name!

Yeah, they all know it anyway - or they'll forget it if they don't.

Cheers ! :cheers:

I have found my make-believe hubbo! I was googling vintage Palm Beach to find a photo to illustrate how easy it is for metallic leather sandals to go horribly, tragically wrong when there he was and in my make-believe car, too!



I'll just hop in our car now. Thurston is taking me to Cartier for a little something to cool my wrist.

No jury duty today... maybe tomorrow.

Well, any cat who would hang around with you IS weird.

:D

Jonny kitty loves absolutely loves potato chips and will swat at my hand with his paw if not given any when i eat them. Actually he puts his whole face in front of me trying to get at ANY human food at all that i'm eating. That's why i'm thankful for meals outside of the home. None of the other animals behave this way other than my Jonny.

Our cat has almost no interest in food that isn't:

1. Dry cat food kibble
2. Bonito flakes

She won't eat wet cat food. She won't eat regular meat (fish or chicken) regardless of cooked status.

But she sometimes likes butter.

There is nothing worse than finding tongue prints in the butter, I've seen it myself!

Durr, I never thought to give my cat bonito flakes. He loves these other dried fish treats I give him....

My cat has allergies, (never pinpointed, so I'm going with gluten, since he's eaten just about everything else in raw/steamed form) so I generally try to keep him away from processed foods. I'm hoping I don't discover he likes Doritos. Oh, but my cat apparently loves Samoa cookies. *rolleyes at J*

Want a fun cat treat?

Flake goldfish food. They go nuts over it, at least mine do. Every now and then, I'll give 'em a little sprinkle. It's like crack.

The advantage to bonito flakes is that we can eat it too.

Animal or human?

Does it really matter?

Alex said his cat liked to lick the butter and sadly i left butter out one evening and came back to find tongue prints and one perfect little paw print :eek:


My cats were always after the fish food. I never stopped to wonder why, are they made from fish or something?

Yesterday the kitten kept stealing grapes. it took a while to figure out that all she wanted was the stem. Every time I turned around more grape clumps were missing and the boys were too busy playing Guitar Hero to be the culprits! The kitten was actually pulling the grapes off, so i had to watch to see what she was doing. She was getting it down to a bare stem and then running away with it, I swear she was giggling!

Yep. Heavily processed and the strong smell also turns cats crazy.

I'm tempted to mix some with catnip sometime for the ultimate kitty cocktail.

Hmmmm, ticks the box on the mental grocery list, 1 small bag of bonito flakes for Tango.

Fvcking fvck!

Internet connection intermittent all morning... is it us or them. It's them. I think. Probably a line issue - but maybe a new modem. Great time for my computer to go down too. And by down I mean - BSOD and CMOS clock errors. Bah. Then my wireless modem won't activate so I *really* have no internet connection to try and find a new modem with. A call to staples says they have a dsl modem - but the trip to staples says the "manager" is an idiot who can't read a box and see that even though it says DSL that doesn't mean modem. The other staples has one - turns out with very negative reviews. I now have one from Best Buy that says ATT&T. What do you want to bet that it only works with AT&T even though they (the best buy guys) swear that's not the case.

Now I'll probably have to show up for jury duty tomorrow at 8am but will have to drive to work and try and fix the modem first.:rolleyes:

Tomorrow will be better.

If you have to wait anyway, why not find the one you want/need on newegg.com?

That's not a bad idea. If this doesn't work tomorrow and I can get something overnighted to me, I might just take that route.

r


...you might just take that router

(You left off a letter.)

YAY!!! Ken and I are gonna play Minnie's Moonlight Madness this year! :D

WHEEEEEE! :D

Your husband is named after a Pug ??? :p
Nice car!

Sorry, Ma'am, the Vent Thread is That-a-way. :p

I.

AM.


DIVORCED!!!!!!

Congratulations Pru!

Congrats!

Congrats!

You know, I think I left my energy in Micronesia. I have zeeeero energy. Nothing. I can't even get myself to write out the trip report of my escapades in the South Pacific. Bleh. I'm hoping it's just a Monday thing.

ttthhhpppttt!!! :p

I wish I was.

Mousey Girl, staring at your avatar is truly hypnotic and addicting! I ... must .. look ... away! :eek:

I've just had one of those weird, sort of serendipitous moments. I was going through a stack of photos and memorabilia that my mom had saved over the years, and I ran across a journal that she had been working on. Seven years ago, she had a horrendous case of acute pancreatitis and spent about 4 months in the hospital. While she was convalescing, I gave her a journal book with a jar filled with questions about her life, loves and everything that might mean something to her. The idea was to pull a strip with a question out of the jar every day, then answer it in her journal. Truthfully, I never thought she would do it, but I was wrong. I found the journal, with the question strips inserted on the appropriate pages, and started reading it tonight. What a great gift for her to leave behind- she wrote about her marriage to my dad, favorite composers, etc. She didn't like Mozart- that sort of shocked me!

I've alluded to our difficulties in the past, but her passing was made especially hard because she pretty much left everything to two of my brothers, both meth addicts and one who is in prison for meth production at this time. I got- get this- .94 % of her estate, and my sister Bobbi (who did everything for her) got nothing. It's not the money, she didn't have much, but the principle. How the fvck did she arrive at .94%? I would have preferred a complete omission- my brain just can't figure out where the hell that number came from. All of our lives, she favored the boys and treated us girls like crap, and at the end it's the girls who are taking care of everything. (Including paying for her burial). The boys have not been around at all. Anyway, I've been very hurt and angry, but reading this journal sort of helped. I really think she just knew us girls would be okay, and left the money to the ones who would need it the most. Still, it would have been nice for her to say as much. (No will, of course). This past week I've been incredibly conflicted- alternating between sadness and anger and hatred- you name it. This morning I had to sign her burial papers and pick up her effects from the coroner, so I was especially stressed. Then, I happened across this journal, and it made me realize that we did mean at least a little something to her. I had to take a break while reading. so I went out on the deck. I heard a sound that made me look into the darkness of our yard, and less than five feet away from me a deer was standing, just staring at me. I held as still as I could, and the deer continued to stare intently for at least two minutes, then slowly walked away. I suddenly felt a lot better, about everything.

wendybeth,
What an amazing post.
:)
Don't stress about what you're feeling. Emotions don't come with margins and instructions. They are what they are. Ride 'em.
If it's any consolation, you may not have gotten the validation that you wanted from your mom, but in the end, do you really need it? Your own family loves you. Your buds on the LoT love you. You're a wonderful person.

On the other hand, maybe your mom came back as a deer...
:D

I'm just kidding. That's what I do, I kid. No offense meant.

Well, pity her if that's true- hunting season around here is brutal! (Palin would feel right at home). Thanks for the kind words, though- you are a dear. ;)
(Pun intended).

I stopped looking for validation from her a long time ago, but it still rankles in that everything is playing out exactly as we girls have always thought it would. My sis Vicki has had a credit card for years now intended solely for the purpose of paying mom's burial expenses. She wasn't the kind of person who worried about such things, and we knew we'd be the ones to deal with it. In fairness to my brothers they have indicated that they don't want their share unless it's split equally, so Bobbi is dealing with the logistics on that. We'll see if they actually stick to it- I'm not holding my breath- but if they do, the insurance company will give the money to the person we designate (Bobbi) and she'll divvy it up after all estate expenses have been settled.

Oh WB, how emotionally draining. I'm glad that, in the end, with the journal, she left you something with meaning.

I have a small pimple just on the inside edge of my nostril.

It hurts.

Wendybeth, in the midst of all of that, what a nice thing to find, the journal.

I almost spit out my coffee at the deer hunting comment!!!

I really feel for you in this; I am one of 7 daughters and only 2 sons. Well, maybe it is worse for ONE of the brothers because she prefers ONE over everyone. So, at least we sisters can say it's because we aren't a son, but, what does that other brother think?

bewitched; just be glad that your whole face isn't covered with them...imagine how much that would hurt!!! {that is what I always think when I get one...OUCH}. It makes that one a lot less painful. To me at least.

WB: wonderful, honest post - thank you for sharing.

But WTF: she didn't like MOZART?!? If I were stuck on a desert island with only one "artist" (composer), it would be Mozart's library.


ttthhhpppttt!!! :p

I'm glad I'm not.

:D

WB - I'm so glad you found the journal.

As for all the other stuff if there's no will I'm pretty sure (I'm going through the courts now on all this) that it has to be divided between all heirs. The only things that don't are things that had specific people listed as beneficiaries, like insurances, bank accounts, investment accounts. Meaning if your two brothers are the only ones listed on life insurance then they're the only ones who get it. If she had no beneficiary listed or anyone else as a co-owner on her bank account that would have to be split amongst all of you, after of course all the estate billls have been paid.

Now your brothers are welcome to split anything they get amongst the rest of you as at that point it's their money. But the insurance or bank will only pay the beneficiaries.

In a way, death is a liberation for the living, too. Peace be with you, wendybeth.

As sung by Eartha Kitt, am I right?

Grrr.

So last night I absolutely could not sleep. By the time I got in bed, I had less than 3 hours before I needed to be up. Alarm went off, I rolled over.

I got up a couple hours later. I'm still tired, but those 2 hours made the difference. With a shortened morning routine, I was out of the house and at work less than 90 minutes late. At that rate, I didn't even bother calling in. My manager wouldn't notice, I'll work through lunch, I'm leaving a little late today anyway. No one would be the wiser.

I walk in the door...and half my department, including my manager, are standing right there having an impromptu meeting. :rolleyes:

Fortunately, people come in and out that door all day, and they were too focused on whatever they were talking about so I don't think they noticed. And if they did, they probably figured I was getting something from my car. The whole thing made me laugh, though.

Mozart is one area where I prefer it straight up.

Err... to keep it out of quotes:

I prefer Mozart as it was written; no mashups.

It is amazing what one can get away with if you just act like you are supposed to be doing what you are doing. The more conviction, the easier it is to get aw

WB, thanks for sharing this heart and gut wrenching post. Awesome that you found the journal and the deer in your yard, fantastic. I don't know if that's your Mom or not, but I look on that as a peaceful boon from the universe.

I'm astounded about Mozart, Schoeberg I'd understand, but not liking Mozart? Of course, play Eine Kleine Nachtmusik enough and I'd become a screaming banshee, so maybe not so far afield as I think.

Kevy, for my desert island one composer only, I'd be torn, Beethoven or Verdi (and would probably go with Beethoven)

If I had to be stuck on a desert island with one composer, it would be Raymond Scott.

I didn't think the deer was mom- that would have been a pretty fast turnaround for her.....:D I was just feeling a little sad, and then to see this beautiful creature so close up and to have it not be afraid of me was really cool. It just made me feel better.


I love Mozart, so I was kind of amazed that mom didn't- I do know she really liked the movie Amadeus, though.

:-)

A good choice, but I'd go a little crazy!

If I have to be stuck on a desert island with one composer it is going to be an attractive woman composer. Or one with an airplane.

Yeah, that's kinda where my mind went too.

Sheesh Mssrs. Pedantic



















Granted, it is the exact kind of response I might give as well...

I swear, sometimes I do better when I'm severely sleep deprived. We'll see if I'm singing the same tune come 4:00, the longest hour, but right now I'm just cruising on the power of being wired. And I've only had one cup of coffee (a total that's going to change shortly). Helps that I've got lots to do today.

Drunk drivers get into so many accidents because the alcohol makes them believe they can still drive well.

Oh, I'm not making claims about job performance. I don't care about that. I'm just talking energy level and ability to keep my eyes open, my standard measure of a successful day these days.

The commonly accepted altitude for being in space (for purposes of various challenges) is 64 miles. So they only made it a third of the way there.

Still really cool and they still have something to shoot for better next time (though you can only so far with a balloon).

That's really cool.

Try that here in the states and the FAA, Homeland Security and who knows who else would be all over them like white on rice.

I just want to know how the camera operated the balloon.

Bull.

That's the fear of everything the Bush years put into the culture talking.

Fight it.

Example A - Not so much as a fine for littering.

Example B - Up up and away.

Example C - Closer to home.

Don't let the fear grip you.

We are Americans. We can do any smart, creative or stupid thing we want.

That's Freedom you smell baby, take a big wiff.

Beat me to it Moonie.

The worst they get is they ask that you notify them a couple days beforehand. But you don't need any sort of clearance or permit.

I stand corrected.

By GD

I tend to ignore tin-foil-hat boy

Whatever, I'm just glad you have once again come to your senses and seen the error of your ways.

So I got a speeding ticket on the way to California today. Damn red two door rental cars! Or, maybe it was the fact that I was driving 93...

Nah, it couldn't be that

With so many cities and the State of California in financial straits, law enforcement -- from California Highway Patrol to local police to parking-enforcement -- are seemingly in a ticketing frenzy to earn funds any way they can. So, beware! Welcome to California; the state would love to take more of your money while you're here.

So... here I am at jury duty. At least they provide wifi access.

Depending on they county you got it in, you may be able to go to online traffic school.

My speeding ticket for doing 85 in a 70 is about $350 not including the traffic school fees.

Did she actually get the ticket in California? She said she got it on the way to California (I can't remember where she'd be starting from).

Wait....other people have this dream?!?! I mean, I have this dream, almost precisely (though now that I think about it, it's actually been a while):

*highfive*
however, I think you under estimated your speed.








you are now an honorary member of Pirate Racing. Welcome aboard




:snap: :snap:

So, I hate it when a mosquito gets in the apartment and battles with me, toys with me and I get no sleep because I cannot find the bugger when I turn the lights on and wait. I get bit and I get no sleep and now I'm grouchy.
Little creep.

heh, this just popped up on my screen, I want one!

Today IS the day.

I wore a plain white shirt to work today and lunch turned out to be a trip to the local Chili parlor.

I'm back and the shirt is still lillywhite.

I'm so proud of myself.

I may have had that dream but I come very close to being able to accurately say that I never remember my dreams (there is a recurring dream/nightmare from childhood I still remember some details of) so I can't say.

But I did once forget I was still enrolled in a class (meant to drop it, never actually did). Fortunately one of my classes ended a week earlier than this class so when I was checking online for grades I noticed I was still enrolled, went to the final and passed the class.

Awesome job, Moonie! Alas, it's never been my day, I always drop food on me someplace.

Was it Hard Times Chili? I loved the Texas there!

Why yes it was.

I love the Texas three way.

Usually I'm the same. But that particular dream was a recurring one for me. My only recurring dream of adulthood, actually.

Oh Yum! I miss Hard Times Chili (buffalo wings are not bad either), I partook at the Herndon, VA location when I worked in Reston. Hmm, maybe a visit to their website is in order for some fixings and their hot sauce!

3 way is cheese, tomato and onion, right? I could never figure out the appeal of chili mac, I'd die after eating that.

3-way is Chili+Mac+Cheese (where "mac" equals spaghetti)

OMG! I have a dream that's soooo similar to that - just off by a tiny smidge. How weird.

I also have recurring dreams like that about work. Usually that I'm late and can't find anything to wear and then I realize that it's too late to even call in and say I'm late because by the time I get there, the work day will be over.

I used to have a dream about being school and realizing I wasn't wearing a shirt. :eek:

Is that you, the wife and a longhorn?

I have to ask, what kind of a class was this?

Battling the interwebs... this is serious business, so I've got ANOTHER bottle of carbonated beverage handy.

I did get it in CA. The cop said he thinks I can do traffic school in Arizona. Whoopee! I'm so thrilled to be able to lose five hours of my life to the most boring thing on the planet. If there is online traffic school, I will be so happy. He cited me as 85 in a 70, even though he made a point to tell me that he could be giving me four or five tickets (reckless driving, endangerment, etc.). He said he took my speeding personally. He must get his feelings hurt a lot.

The coyote problem in the area I work is is getting progressively worse. I'm now working in triage mode to make sure all of my clients know about the situation. There have been a LOT of attacks.

Oh no! I feel so bad for coyotes because their homes are being built in and they're running out of food. I love coyotes, but they'll steal your dogs right off a leash!

It's 8 hours here. You're very lucky he wrote it for less. I think our traffic school instructor said the fines for those speeds and all the other fines that come with it are close to $1k.

Wow, be carefull out there!

Well, there hasn't been any major new construction in the affected (and surrounding) area since about 1965. There have always been coyotes that roam the LA river bed and live in the open spaces on Long Beach (LB has some of largest areas of open land of any major metropolitan area). Cal State Lone Beach has had a coyote problem for many years - and they feed of of the cats that students bring into the dorms then leave to fend for themselves when they leave school.

It seems the local pack had a split and one female was ousted. She looked for a new hunting area and found paradise in the manicured lawns of North Long Beach. It seems she has attracted a boyfriend and started a family. And they are HUNGRY and AGGRESSIVE. She came within 10 feet of clients were were walking their Chi-mix and didn't want to back down. Two people, one small dog and one hungry coyote - not a good situation. My clients prevailed but it was a scary moment. There have been lots of cats/rabbits/chickens/small dogs killed recently. The problem has just been escalating.

There is a NO RELOCATION policy within the City of Long Beach and they won't do anything unless something really terrible happens (ie: a child get injured).

It's a tough situation. I walk MANY small dogs in the area (including Thurston) and they have to be walked. It's not a good situation.

Lisa carry pepper spray and consider a tazer! I'd actually look into a cattle prod to give you more of a range/reach in a proactive protective mode.

Obviously, anytime a coyote is aggressive enough to come after someone there is a very high likelihood of rabies. By nature, they are shy and reclusive- even hunger isn't usually enough to force them to attack unless the prey is smaller and there are no humans around. I'd be very careful, and definitely invest in some spray. Pure ammonia will work as well.

I do have pepper spray - I just don't always carry it, but I will now. I also will get some sort of noise maker to carry with me.

Maybe one of those large clown horns will do. I can put on excessive make-up and become the Clown Dog Walker! ;)

That is frightening! On our morning walks, we never ran into coyotes. There are packs of dogs, at times. Usually pets that get out and join up {from what I've seen, I could be wrong} to terrorize. I did carry pepper spray.

The 'evidence' of coyotes was seen in the carnage that they left behind. I wasn't sure but when I reported it to the animal control that is what they told me. I had seen them right behind our back fence, my friend saw one walking down her street {and she lives quite far from a canyon} and, we have seen them frequently by the fields where the bunnies live.

I don't know what kind of plans the city has, either, but, I worried so much about kids at my sons job at the time who walked home from work after midnight.

I can't believe the city doesn't try. Someone being attacked is really waiting too long. We are supposed to have learned from the past, they know what can happen.

OMG !!!!!!!!!

Word to the wise: Don't EVER make Chicken & Corn soup, and polish furniture with Mr Sheen (or similar spray polish) and burn a gardenia & rose scented candles all at the same time.

SMELL BAAAAAAAAAAAD :(:( :(

Charlie or Martin?

Or get serious and carry a sawed off shotgun!

Or a flame-thrower

Well, it beats crazy cat lady. :p

Perhaps Kevy would be available.

noooo. gotta at least keep it sporting.

brass knuckles and a butcher knife

I think a pet Mountain Lion should keep those pesky cyotes away. Not to mention any potential muggers....

I've seen coyotes on our street, but only at 3 or 4am. They come out of Griffith Park at night, I imagine. Luckily the cats don't need to be walked and in their old age have even given up their youthful dreams of sneaking out.

This is nothing new, and I previously knew about it, but I just accidentally re-discovered the hidden message on the LoT index page. Yes, I agree that: €uromeinke, FEJ. and Ghoulish Delight RULE!!!

Yes, and I suck.

Be careful. Too much of that'll give you a mean overbite.

Wow - that was spectacular

Soooooooo (appropriate start, eh?) we were just finishing up dinner of take-out from our local Mexican place. The take-out container from my meal was still on my desk and it contained rice, sourcream, remains of beans, guacamole and 2 types of salsa. Thurston decided it would be fun to chase Buster through the house. Buster ran into the office and leaped onto my desk, but he REALLY leaped onto the edge of that take-out conatiner. Rice went FLYING, as did all of the other lovely contents. Buster was covered with Sour Cream, I was covered with Sour Cream, and Thurston was THRILLED he got to try and help clean up.

It was the most spectacular SPECTACULAR cat-induced spill ever!

Oh, and I pulled out the wood floor cleaner and, guess what? It was Method Wood for Good. Chris ate some and is posting about the experience right now.

So exciting the audience will stop and cheer!

For which I believe Chris is grateful.

Bravo on the Spectacular Spectacular, and good luck cleaning Chris's wood.

I'm reading the Sooooo........ thread instead of

taking my shoes in for new heels
picking out new glasses
dropping off recycling
shopping for an external drive at Best Buy
eliminating hunger and promoting world peace

I'll get to most of those things shortly.

Best Buy is usually more expensive on items like this - I normally shop at Frys for this.

However, I see that Best Buy has the 1 TB Free Agent DESK for $120
Frys has the Free Agent Xtreme 1 TB for $130
Frys also has the 1.5 TB Free Agent DESK for $130
FWIW, these are all Seagate products (I've had good success with Seagate). And with where pricing is right now, it doesn't make any sense to buy anything less than 1TB
Let me know how that goes

Or how about this?

Or this?

You shouldn't hyperlink back to the post you're posting on. It could break the universe.

We recently added a new vendor in the city of Orange. Consequently, I have been driving through the city a bit lately.

For some odd reason, there appears to be a large population of flying bugs of some sort in this city. Huge swarms of them that look like small dark clouds hovering near the tops of trees. And almost every tree has one of these swarms.

I have not seen this phenomenon in such high concentrations anywhere else. I might see an occasional swarm, but nothing to the extent that I see in Orange.

Congratulations!!!!! :)

Wow. What a great gift for you to give her while she was in the hospital! What a great gift for her to leave you. What a great moment with the deer...

I go away for 4 days and you lot go crazy! 1034 new posts. I've decided I don't like having computer problems and I hope the new laptop I just ordered will work properly for a long time.

My mom is in the hospital and they don't know what is wrong with her. They think it may have been a mini stroke and are keeping her overnight.

Sending good vibes, BtD. Hope your Mom comes through as well as mine did after a similar thing.

Sending virtual hugs your way

Ditto.

My mom went through this about 10 years ago. From was they could tell she experienced around 5 seperate TIAs (mini-strokes) within a 5 minute span. I am the only one who can hear her slur, and that is only when she is tired.

I am off to get about 4 inches of hair hacked, and have the whole mess dyed to a hazelnut brown. YEAH!

Yup, we get it every year in spring. They get into the library too, not in swarms, but you'll see them crawling around. Eww. Last year we had to toss our potted plants in an effort to get rid of them. (They suck nutrients/moisture out of the soil, supposedly.) I've never heard any theory as to why they attack only Orange.

WHATHWHAS??!

OK, I will call you later.

Thanks guys. They didn't want me to come to the hospital because there was nothing for me to do (besides be driven crazy by my dad) so I spent last night completely freaking out at home. I talked to her about midnight and they still don't know what's wrong but she was feeling a bit better.

Glad she's feeling better, and I hope the doctors can find out more. My thoughts are with you.

Hope all goes well with your mom.

I went with Best Buy because that's where I was. I asked them to move my iTunes library to the external drive but it looks like they only copied it. :mad:
But they did do a cleanup for me and it runs faster. It was embarassing though because the laptop is such a mess, inside and outside. I felt like I brought my underwear drawer in and dumped it out on the counter.

I don't need 1TB, trust me. I'm just trying to get a little more life out of a 5-year old laptop with a 30G hard drive.

I hope they can figure out what happened with your Mom BTD. Hang in there.

BTD, I hope your mom keeps feeling better.

This is exactly why I don't want to take mine anywhere for service! Well, that and I can't afford to right now. I admire your courage for doing it and I'm glad it is running faster now. My laptop is 4 years old and runs S-L-O-W. It is also gargantuan and weighs as much as a small child.

Just finished taxes.

Suddenly buying a much needed replacement for CP's '94 Maxima doesn't look so daunting.

I'd prefer to not be getting back as much as we're getting, I'd rather have had that money earning interest for me, but it beats owing a ton, which is what's happened the last several years as our withholding was out of whack.

Good thing she's feeling better. I hope they can figure out what's going on.

Odds are that the small additional amount in each check would be spent and not saved.

Also, with savings account interest rates at about .5-.75% and MMA's at around 1%, there isn't a lot of interest to be earned.

I would rather get a lump sum check, but I'm weird that way.

BTD, I hope they figure out what is going on with your Mom and that she comes home soon - feeling better.

Best wishes for your mom, BTD.

Hugs to BTD.

Hugs and well wishes from all of us as well, BTD. Please keep us posted on how your mom is doing, okay?

The monkey and I are getting ready for West Coast Bash, and it's drizzling out. This'll be fun :D

Thanks everyone. I thought I updated again yesterday. They sent her home yesterday afternoon. She thought it was her blood sugar, they thought it was a TIA, but all the tests came back clear. Still don't know what's wrong but she's feeling much better.

Good news that she is feeling better, BTD. Disconcerting that they didn't find what the problem is.

I hope she stays better now and it won't matter. Perhaps it was an odd bug or something???

West Coast Bash was absolutely Godhead!!

I got to ride everything I wanted to ride, several times, and we ended the night riding Goliath 7 times without leaving the train.

We all got wood (pieces of wood from the upcoming Terminator: Salvation The Ride constructiion site), and the park was beautiful.

So it's a Terminator rollercoaster, not a show like Terminator 3D (and is the 3D still going to be there)?

I may have said this before. If so, I would like to reiterate:

When I become Supreme Ruler of the World, I will outlaw Mondays.

Great, way to ruin Tuesday.

To avoid any adverse impact on Tuesdays I suggest getting rid of the 5-day work week in favor of 7-day. This will eliminate the bad stuff about Mondays without adversely impacting Tuesdays.

I do the 7 day thing....works well, no "any" day blues, just "every" day blues.

Alex is hereby banished.

Great, way to ruin GD.



(I predict that in my absence he'll be the one to fill the void.)

The passing of the curmudgeonly crown.

I'm flattered. I think.

To all the good accountants out there working hard during tax season: some non-fat cappucino for you, you fab darlings. :coffee:

Stand back - I'm about to double post!
 

Saw this and thought maybe you'd love it, too.

yup. I do.

:snap: :snap:


how bout a couple of 2 day work weeks (mon-tues & thur-fri) interrupted by a mini-weekend (ie: wednesdays)?

Ive wanted this as my work week since I started working.

I'm in favor of 4 10s, but any finagling of the days I actually work won't really make much difference. I'm pretty much at the discrete level of work. I couldn't really split what I'm responsible for with another person without giving up the decision making responsibility that is the only thing that makes it interesting.

Maybe the method used in Philip Jose Farmer's Dayworld.

As someone who once worked 4 10s, I can verify its awesomeness.

I work five twelves.

And then some more

Okay, so I'm watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 (yeah, I know...) and they're painting a room in their new house. It suddenly occurred to me that I love the color... I wouldn't mind painting my living room walls that creamy sage green they were just using. It was almost leaning toward teal, but not blue enough. Still, I tend to lean towards colors with at least something of a blue base in them (bluish reds like burgundy, for example). Only thing is, I'm afraid it would make my living room too dark. Well, that, and the front wall of the house extends up to the 2nd floor over the front door, I have no idea how to "end" the room (eg: the green) at the door without an item to break between a color and white. No way in hell that stairwell's going to be anything but white.

I should probably stay away from channels like TLC when I'm not working and home all day, shouldn't I?

edit: It's probably more of a dark mint green, like mint with a little brown in it?

Could you do one wall in that color as an 'accent' wall?

Well, that's a thought, certainly. And I do think a minty-bluey-sagey green would be a nice compliment to the burgundy furniture and rug.

Kevy: Because I'm unemployed and daytime TV sucks enough that believe it or not, it's the best thing on.

So she picks a color that matches what she saw and liked, who cares if it doesn't match what the house on TV actually looked like?

Again, she picks one that dries to the color she liked. Doesn't matter if the one on TV dried differently.

It's also a good time to learn something new too, whether it be a skill or hobby. I can't even remember the last time I watched TV during the day, because there are always more interesting things to do. :)

Numbers one and two were just a setup for number three.

Well, I must admit that bad daytime TV is great motivation for housecleaning and home improvement projects. Which is what makes watching TLC so dangerous ;)

Thus far the house has been spared anything more severe than the hanging of drapery, but I keep looking at that folding table in the kitchen and wanting to build a proper island in its place, with cupboards and everything. If I had the money, I'd so be renovating this place. New floors, an island, some paint, someone else to do it...

;)

The boys like GC because he has huuuuuuge.... hands.

OMG regular people can try bobsledding in Utah? I wanna try that!

What's your point.

That he's about to back up.

Anyone else get the urge to look over your shoulder?

Makes me want to stick my nose to the screen.

No

Our power has been flickering every so often for the past half hour. Little mini brown-outs, but not enough to shut down the computers or reset the clocks.

We had a 15 minute blackout yesterday.

___________________


In other news, Vanna White looks damned good for a 52-year-old broad! She SO does not look that old.

On the subject of what color to paint...

I was given this advice on an easy way to make things look great. Pick some neutrals and a "color".

Use either the color on the walls or on the furniture. Use the neutrals for the other. So - neutral walls and use the accent color in your furniture. Accent color on your walls, keep the furniture neutral.

And remember, neutral doesn't have to be white.

I still can't decide which is better when I can't sleep - staying in bed, in which case I'm guaranteed at least an hour of uncomfortable restlessness, followed by an equal likelihood of either eventually getting most of a night's sleep or never falling asleep at all. OR getting out of bed and staying up far too late, but guaranteeing that I'll fall asleep and get at least SOME sleep, even if it's minimal.

I choose neither.

Sleepytime Tea. works for me even if I over caffinate myself.

I highly recommend it. theres even Sleepytime Extra for those really rough nights.

I'd rather lie awake than drink chamomile.

I prefer not to medicate.

I have no problem going to sleep. Lately my problem is just waking up really early. But for the most part I'm well rested and not suffering.

It is just annoying to wake up at 3:30 like I did this morning (went to sleep without issue around 11:30). Ended up leaving for work around 5:45 just because I was bored.

Apparently rather than becoming my parents I am becoming my grandparents.

Masturbation is usually quite helpful

I thought that was to prevent cancer, not insomnia.

I think I'm getting a little run down from keeping my candle burning at both ends, because even though I love my classes, I'm not looking forward to going tonight. Thank the gods next week is spring break. I really need it!

I forgot that my printer defaults to "normal" instead of "fast draft"... I feel bad because I'm printing up my 2008 spending history, which is like a zillion pages, and now our printer's running low on ink.

Only a zillion? :p

Oh man, something like that. And of course, as helpful as Wells Fargo's sorting categories are, they're not perfect. So then I have to go through all those pages and identify things which are in the wrong place, regroup things that need to be totaled separately, etc. Advertising expenses are the worst. They showed up in 3 or 4 separate places, so I kept having to re-total them. Still, it is immensely helpful having all my supermarket and restaurant expenditures separated out from the rest. Makes finding the fine details easier. (and yes, I still comb through those sections for stray business expenses)

I just mail ordered three rhododendrons called "Northern Lights". They were developed for c-c-c-old climates.

Isn't it pretty?

For business stuff, I always keep all receipts and throw 'em in a folder, then categorize 'em in a spreadsheet every month. Saves a LOT of time at the end of the year. :)

Itz purdy!

Maddie got to participate in Chalk Walk at her school today. Selected art students get to re-create masterpieces in chalk in the Quad. They did a great job.

Very cool. Congrats to her.

Madz - When am I going to get a new computer?

Me - We've got a lot of other stuff first, you won't die without a new computer.

Madz - But what if someone breaks in the house and asks me to look something up on the computer and it takes to long to boot and they kill me. Then I would die.

Me - go wash your hands before you eat they're disgusting. (they're covered with black chalk)

Madz - Why I'm using a fork?

I'd say she pwned you both times.

They are very pretty, but I though rhododendrons only grew in cold climates? They don't grown down here. - too hot.

Well, they grow in cold climates compared to LA (rhododendron is the the state flower of Washington). But not all of them do well in Wisconsin cold climates.

Sooo00, I a new vacuum - a Dyson Asthma and Allergy DC17. My house cleaner used it today for the first time and it sucked wonderfully! However, since about 4:00 I've been sneezing non-stop. I find this incredibly ironic. Not to mention uncomfortable.

To be fair, it HAS been windy.

You're allergic to a clean house.

I do blame it on the wind, which seems to be blowing from a different direction than it was a couple of days ago. But, the whole new vacuum thing was just too funny.

We went out to mom's today, to try and pack up more stuff and hopefully catch her kitty, Scruffy- he escaped when the police and coroner were there, and he's been roaming around outdoors ever since. (Two weeks now). Her other cat Sissy was caught by the Humane Society, and we told them that if she couldn't be adopted out to call us, as one of us would take her. Well, today we finally got Scruffs; he was down in the carport area meowing, and he finally worked up the courage to come up to the apartment. We gave him lots of food, water and hugs, and he was one happy little boy. Bobbi is going to take him in- he's adorable (big, fluffy beige cat with huge paws) and I think he'll be fine. The neighbor was feeding him, so he didn't lose too much weight. After we left the apartment, I felt about a thousand times better than I have since this whole thing started- I've literally been worried sick about him, but tonight my stomach has settled down and I am so relieved. I just couldn't bear the thought of him out in the cold rain, confused about where mom went and what happened to his home. Anyway, more good news when we got home- the HS called and said they'd just placed Sissy in a new home. Yeah! Poor kitties.....at least now they'll both be okay. I'll post a pic of Scruffy when my phone recharges- he's pretty danged cute.

I just had to give some visible mojo on that -- I thought I was the only one who thought the stuff was vile.

For a while, I got to heating up some milk, adding a splash of vanilla and a couple of equal packets. I don't like the taste of milk, so needed the 'help' - but it's an oldie but a goodie.


Oh, and COOL WORK Madz! You didn't really say that to your mother about the burglar, though, did you?!

Must...resist.

If anyone's shopping for a TV, Fry's is selling a 52" Samsung 1080P LCD for $1300 with free shipping. We've been really happy with the Samsung we have, and CNET gives this one (well, it's the 46" version, but same product line) a good review. And $1300 is about $150 cheaper than anywhere else I can find it.

Just sayin'...

I don't think I could bring myself to make an actual big ticket purchase at Fry's. That never seems to go well.

Speaking of TVs, I bought the woot.com deal today. Sony Bravia 32". I don't have a big apartment, so this is the right size for me for now. Finally getting an HDTV! Yay!

I agree. hate.......H A T E Frys.

I'm mostly with you on that. Although I did purchase Susan's Macbook there recently, but only because I was also purchasing a bigger drive and more RAM at the same time as was getting it there (and saving almost $200 AND getting a bigger HD than if I had purchased the same upgrades through the Apple store).

But I probably wouldn't buy a TV from them.

I'm curious what the bad experiences have been at Fry's. Any interesting stories?

I've never made a purchase of any kind from them, but the Fry's in Fremont was one of my accounts when I was working for Nintendo. I was amazed at how much stuff they sell. And that big, weird, cafeteria-looking restaurant in the middle of the place! My coworker said the Fry's food is good and they have a porn section.

Atta Boy! You and CP are keeping this ecomomy going! ;)

Rescued Scruffy:

This closing sentence just made me crack up!

Basically, Fry's the poster child of generally bad customer service. Bad, bad, bad. You have to know what you are doing/getting when you go in there.

Also, they are notorious for taking returned items and putting them back on the shelves without testing them - even for items that were returned because they didn't work. Hence, the term "White Label of Death" is commonplace amongst seasoned Fry's shoppers. If you are purchasing a product there (say for example, a wireless router), make sure that it does not have a small (maybe 1" x 2-1/2") white label on it saying that the item is a return item but has been thoroughly inspected by Fry's, blah, blah, blah. It might be okay, but it also might be a lemon.

Otherwise, I find them to be a good source for computer components (HDs, memory, etc.) and other items, especially if you keep an eye on their ads. I generally wouldn't send a novice in there though.

That was awful nice of the cat to rescue that little girl. But I think naming the girl "Scruffy" might not be the best for her in school.

Well, she is a teen now......They're all kind of Scruffy at that age.


(Scruff's was a feral kitty mom rescued years ago- he was very bedraggled, but he really blossomed with lots of love and good food.)

dropping a monitor Id just purchased right in front of me, then denying it to their boss

crashing an entire line of carts into the side of my car as I walked up, then denying it to my face (resulting in a fist fight)

refusal to return merchandise obviously damaged in shipping

multiple refusals to honor rain checks for sale items

resealing damaged goods then selling them as new

scavenging parts from one box to complete another, then selling the incomplete reboxed item as new and complete, then accusing me of fraud

general rudeness and blatant stupidity

I could go on, but Im getting pissed off again just thinking about it.

I'm very sorry to hear this about Fry's. I used to go to the one in Palo Alto with my dad. Back then, it was nerd nirvana, complete with nerd snackage.

Ah, well. When I'm sad like this, I want to eat. And the thing I want to eat right now is Mexican food, Wisconsin style - faux Mex.

I've never had a problem at Fry's. Never had a problem returning things. maybe it's the store you go to.

You mean, we lived in the same state, we could have met? We could have shopped?? Splutter....

not an issue now. wouldnt set foot in one at this point

yes, I tend to hold grudges

My big problem with Fry's (and I've experienced this in pretty much any store) is that if it is more than $100 and bigger than RAM you probably won't be able to find it in an unopened, non-returned state. This probably doesn't apply to TVs.

Printers, computers, lamps, cameras, DVD carrousel. All bigger things I've tried to buy only to find that which is displayed is not available to me unless I buy one that someone else has bought before and returned (and with a really crappy discount). Also, I never go there in search of an advertised sale item because they've never had it and I'm not going to bother with rain checks.

Combine that with the fact that merely being in a store of any kind makes me short-tempered and causes a rash and they're on my **** list. Never tried to buy TVs or appliances there, I just know that I probably wouldn't even try.

It is still nerd heaven, but for the most part I'm not going there for particularly nerdy items. If I need a specific cable or adapter or internal computer part or server racks then I'll go there first.

I don't buy much there anymore beyond small components as they are often competitively priced and conveniently located a few minutes from work. I avoid pretty much the same things as Alex just mentioned. I imagine, though, that TVs they don't do much with other than keep them in the box in the stock room until someone wants one.

Plus, you can get that Samsung deal online and have it shipped, no need to set foot in the store.

I hate you.

You can't imagine how sorry I am right now that I asked!
Bad memories. :mad: I don't know which incident is the most offensive, but I'm gonna go with the property damage/fist fight. And I can tell you that I will never shop at Fry's based on what I've read here.

Please say you won't hold it against me for bringing it up. My cheese will be sad.

Two examples of the White Label of Death

Fry's often has good deals on inkjet photo paper. Usually when I've gone (which ceased when I stopped living anywhere near it) that's what I've gone for.

More Madzism's - feel free to skip to the next post
 

So this morning we're driving to school and George Michael's "I want your sex" comes on the radio. After a minute I get this -

Madz- ohhh I get this song now. Ewwwww that's disgusting.

Then I picked her up from school this afternoon to go to the Orthodontist and she tells me-

Madz - Mom I had that song stuck in my head all day. And that is NOT a song you want stuck in your head.

Awwww, Scruffy is CUTE!

Hey Kevy! Be sure to add this to Maddyfandotcom

GD talks about a TV, and it's all oooh, ahhhh. I actually bought one today and no one cares. :p

Was somebody looking for challah bread in Orange County? Trader Joe's is carrying it.

(Or was it kosher-for-passover Coke? I haven't found that yet)

I care - congratulations on your jump to HD :D

oh lord no.
its all good
and most of it was many.....many moons ago

hmm, better add one more 'many' to that
but homey totally deserved the a$$ whoopin he got.:evil:

I got to smash a plasma tv at work today. On the clock.

Yeah, he is , isn't he? I was soooooo incredibly worried about him. He usually is very aloof and only loves up to mom, but he couldn't get enough of us- especially Tori. Total snugglebug. Bobbi's son Nick is really excited to have a new kitty, and I think Scruffy will be happy in his new home. I really can't stress how relieved I was to find him safe and sound- I feel a bazillion times better now. I'd bring him to our house in a heartbeat, but Samwise would NOT be happy about it and he'd make Scruffy's life miserable.

Doesn't Bobbi have a kitty at home? I bet they will be best friends in no time.

Yeah, Bobbi does have a kitty. She's very petite, but an absolute terrorist. She is sweet one second, then the next she's got her claws stuck in your leg. She is probably not going to like having another cat around, but she'll adjust.

Sounds like my brother's cat, Mouse. Except for the part about being a nice kitty ;)

When my brother rescued another stray (or rather, the stray moved in on him and opted to remain), Mouse chased him up an armoire. After about 3 days of establishing dominance, Gabby came down and now there's perfect peace between them. So I guess cats adjust.

Aw, how nice you are! :cool: I do put in an occasional appearance in the Bay Area to see my sister, brother, and my spiritual home, the Stanford Shopping Center.

So now you have to upgrade your cable to HD. We did in December and the boys are having a great time with their new channels. We have some new music channel and I'm constantly finding new concerts recorded on the DVR.



Sadly I have problems with all the new settings and buttons.

Enjoy your new tv!

Excellent new toy! I'm sure you will enjoy it.

FYI, here is a link to a distance chart that will help you get the most from your new set.

Sooo...

What's the buzz out there on Grand Californian Villas? Any?

I was just trying to make December reservations at my home resort, hoping to swap into the GCVillas 5 months out.

Bay Lake Tower's GONE for all my dates this use year.

Of course as I left to ponder this dilemna the reservation lines closed.

<fingers drumming>

I'm thinking with 2 new resorts at WDW, 1 of them already full for my dates, the one new resort at GC's gonna be mobbed.

In any case, I want some Christmas shiny at the Land this year.

So my grandma had a cough that wouldn't go away and my uncle took her to see the dr. Her heart was beating at 33-34 bpm! She was taken to the emergency room... and is supposed to get a pacemaker tonight or tomorrow.

Please keep her in your thoughts. Everything is going to be okay.

Right? :(

Yes, in my thoughts she will be okay, and I'll keep it that way. Best best and best.

Sending postive vibes your grammys way!

Yes.

My dad got a pacemaker a few years ago. It's been a great help to him.

Good thoughts for your Grandmother.

Dude, and you don't like Duchamp?

Soooo....

I am a bachelor for the nest few days. Anybody wanna play?

I've got beer, powertools, and easy access to dangerous fireworks, how's that work for ya?

I wanna play with Matt's toys!

Play with what? :evil:

So apparently it's not enough to follow woot on twitter during a woot-off. They have a separate ID, not surprisingly named wootoff, which you need to follow to get the updates for each new item. They've sold some cool stuff today, pity I can't buy any of it, but it's been fun to see the randomness. Everything from Sony Vaio laptops to Star Wars bobble heads, to airbeds.

A friend of mine linked to this neat wiki article on Norouz, a Zoroastrian spring holiday that just passed. Since none of us (afaik) celebrate it, thought you might be interested in reading about it.

You just had to ask.

Oh hell, I totally forgot about the woot off. Probably a good thing for my productivity yesterday.

I'm open to suggestions

No surgery for Grandma yet. They didn't get her into a room until 1am... didn't feed her dinner because they weren't sure when the surgery would happen. bah!

I guess Chris will be a batchelor this weekend too. I just got a last minute overnight order.

So.....anyone here interested in day hikes around the socal area? I'm not up to doing more strenuous hikes yet so the Rat needs company.

Dude, where was this toy when I was a little tomboy?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5223239

Tonka has always had stuff like that

And here's a cool online Tonka museum.

I'm up for SoCal day hikes.


No idea what the wootoff was, but it sounds like I escaped with $ intact.

Be careful if it's from a guy named Kevy who wants you to tend to his pet snake. ;)

Good news, it's still going on!

What exactly is the difference between "standard" Woot and a Wootoff?

Is it just that the latter has several a day, seemingly smaller batches of stuff that are available until sold out?

Yes, that's it exactly.

Yeah. Basically, regular Woot is "One Deal, One Day". When they have a Woot-off, presumably they're selling their remaining stock from each of those one-day-only deals in a marathon of "while supplies last" deals. One at a time, but in quick succession.

So, there's a raven on our patio fence. He/she is making the oddest noise - sounds like a little child saying "Ma-ma" or "Neh-neh". It fluffs its feathers every time it sounds.

Mating call maybe?

He was sent by the haunted mansion. They miss you. :)

Wow, the mythology surrounding ravens is interesting.
(I was hoping to find some link between ravens and fertility, given the "mama" sound, and the connection to Morrigan, but it looks like they're more linked to battle and change. So much for the joke I was planning to make.)

So, I think we're headed to Twin Falls this weekend. Should be lovely.

Woot=What?

I just made a chocolate malted. Mmmmmmm...

So I'm listening to a live performance of the Decemberists' upcoming album. I've thus far been entirely unimpressed with their previous stuff.

This is ENTIRELY different. I'm about 1/3 of the way into the performance and I'm undecided if that means it's good. But it IS different, and that's a huge step in the right direction as their previous stuff was just more of the same droney indie band crud.

It's not Monty Python or Blazing Saddles

That does sound yummy. We'll be right over;)

Dammit. I hate freak-outs/anxiety/excitement that cause creative blocks.

I picked up a quick job to make three animated web banners and I'm stuck.

I'm very excited that someone already wants to pay me for animations, and I'm excited about the job, because they have an awesome network, and I will already have some portfolio stuff and new clients before the semester even ends.

So, caught up in my excitement, I'm looking at their website and logo and product, and I'm just hitting a massive roadblock. ACK!

Have you tried hallucinogens?


If you don't have any handy, I've found that sitting too close to the TV while watching Roger Rabbit cranked up nice and loud has much the same effect.

Well that explains a few things...

Sooo....

I'm having trouble accepting that is not some kind of hoax...

Introducing the "Hotelicopter" part helicopter, part hotel, completely stupid.

I recommend X2, and a six pack of Jolt Cola

We just had dinner theater. Three cop cars pulled-up in front of the white trash neighbor's house. They frog-marched out the neighbor's 20 yo son and his friend, sat them on the curb, and grilled them for 15-20 minutes. It had something to do with the expired (for 2 years) Tennessee license plates and drivers license. We were hoping he'd get hauled off to jail - as we watched from the comfort of our kitchen table - but alas, no.

In retrospect, it's for the best. The parents and the 10 yo brother are off somewhere in their trashy motor home. (The peace and quiet have been heaven!) If they had arrested the older son, then the rest of the family would have come home... then again, knowing them, maybe not.

Wow, just like an episode of COPS.

No. No nudity, and no puking.

So you fly around to different airports and sleep in the helicopter, umm ok :rolleyes:

Not for the squeamish- but this picture had me laughing till I nearly puked last night

Stop looking, start making. Doesn't have to be good, doesn't even have to be directly for the project. But just get started making something, you'll get past it.

I remember that I really like my chocolate chip cookie recipe, but sometimes I forget just how MUCH I like it. Sitting here, days later, polishing off the last of the cookies, and they're still nom.

And it was from laughing that you almost puked?? The poor guy sitting next to him! And I was upset because someone spilled Pepsi on me at the movies today!

I'm having a martini if anyone would care to join me

mmm...no, thank you. an absynth would be grand however

Why are you guys so far away from me right now? I was just lamenting about drinking alone!


I've never tried absynth and I would love a martini.

How about a Bombay Hotel Turf Cocktail? Gin, Vermouth, a splash of Absinthe and Marachino, and a dash of bitters?

New Mexico Pale Ale here.

Fuzzy Water and pugs here.

Yeah... "Absinthe makes the Tart grow fonder"....

We would like to order one of those for the night we get back from Cambria, please. :D

If I was even remotely in the mood for alcohol, I'd totally break out the amaretto and join you guys in a drink.

I'll note it in the secret spreadsheet

I'm having a Rumplemintz and cocoa, heavy on the Rumple. Glad to hear I'm not drinking alone at least!

I am SO stuffed. The tri-tip literally turned out perfect on the grill. We ate over half of it. *burp* We sliced in and the juices came pouring out. Soooo damned tasty!

And, the baked potatoes were almost the size of the plate. Unfortunately, those took almost 2 hours in the oven because of their size. The tri-tip was cooked to a perfect medium rare in only 20 minutes.

I normally don't like to stuff myself, but this meal was worth the lethargy. We feel totally sedated, and very happy that we're not vegetarian. (Yes, it really was *that* good.)

I should go roll myself to bed now.

Oh, and I got some insight about my visit from the raven from a friend who is very spiritually connected with them. She said it was a messenger - someone checking up on me to see how I'm doing. It's kinda weird, really.

First single Friday night in a long time. This is boring.

Have a cocktail

You know, for such a simple image, it sure is taking forever to create according to shirt.woot derby guidelines. Plus they want three versions of the image, including one that's broken out by layers for each color in the image. And after all this, my design probably sucks so I doubt it'll get voted up.

But what the hell, I had an idea that fit their theme...

Okay, I got my entry uploaded. And they provided a convenient URL to beg for votes :)

Vote for my design here (pleeeeeeeeease?)

The theme was "music". (The shirt is a reference to Cherry Pie by Poison, in case that wasn't immediately obvious, which is should be. And no, I'm not a huge fan of the song, just of slipping in pi puns whenever possible.)

I thought Warrant did Cherry Pie, but Google seems to think otherwise. Odd. And now I've revealed information that could be used against me.

Why no, of course I was never a huge hair band fan. And I absolutely do NOT still have all those cassettes in the garage.

How do you vote? Do you need to register first?

You have to have made a purchase at any of the Woot shops first :(

That is strange, because it shows up in Warrant's discography, but not Poison's. :confused:

Ah, this might explain the confusion: one of Poison's members contributed to the album.

Cute design though! :)

So I made reservations for the Celebration BBQ at Big Thunder Ranch for Mother's Day (3PM). Looking forward to seeing what it's like.

Anyone else want to join the Wolfpack?

Voted up!

I got a summons for Jury Duty Thursday night. Delivered in person by a guy with a badge (but not in a uniform)!

Fortunately, my Parish has a 1 day/1 trial system - so if I have to go in on my day, I'm good for 2 years, even if I don't get selected for a jury.

That's so strange. Here we get mail, not a live summons....

So... I just bought a new car... Not my car, but same color Mazda Speed 3.

YouTube video

Yippee! Congratulations on your new car, how very exciting and fun. Looks awesome. And black is so cool!

YAY! New cars abounding!

I got mine washed today. ;)

Ugh!! It's snowing....AGAIN! And just when we were getting such nice warm weather.... :mad:

Hooray for new car!!!

I'm gonna come visit it soon.

Grandma got her pacemaker implant and is recovering pretty well I guess. She's pretty sleepy/tired but her wound is healing up nicely.

Got our tax refund and I'm finally getting new tires. Yay!

UGG, I feel your pain. I had to turn on the heat again (it's only 65F here right now - and only 46%RH- that'd probably seem humid to you, Tori (I used to live in Tri-Cities, so I'm familiar with your climate) - but it's downright dry around here.)

Wow, two good things in one post. Glad to hear your Granma is doing better. Pacemakers are amazing devices!

So, I posted I got a new car, and I did. It's awesome, and best of all I got a fantastic deal on it. Better yet, the car really retains value, so I didn't feel too bad about whatever depreciation there would be. Besides, we got it down to what it would be to buy it used, according to KBB. But, it's a stick, and while I drove one for years, I'm rusty, and this baby has more power than I've handled in a long time. No big deal unless it randomly starts snowing, right?

So, this morning, I woke up around 9:30 to howling winds. Looked outside to remind myself of the beauty of my car. I went back to sleep thinking happy thoughts of the great driving that would happen later today. I woke up again at 11:00... There has to be three inches of snow out there. WTF???????

Not fair!!!

So, ToriBear, I feel your pain. I really, really do.

And Betty, grats! I wasn't able to mojo you, so here's your VM.

Awesome Erica! I've not driven the Speed version. I bet it's a hella fun car to drive, enjoy! :)

Yesterday was full of fun. Birthday party, 80z All Stars, and inadvertently naming the Rat's penis. What more could you want from a day?

Susan got snowed on today too. Somewhere on the I-5 in very Northern CA (they started in Yreka this morning).

Well if she's continuing up I-5, it's beautiful and sunny up here. It was bitter cold this morning though. I'm sure if there'd been precipitation it would have been snowing.

It sounds like everyone is having good news, what with new cars and a Grandma feeling better. I was ready for a good day and finding out I'm heading South did it for me, so I'm glad others are doing good as well.

We booked the rooms for the last part of our big Orlando journey today- nearly $100 off the normal rate per night, which oughtta help pay for a nice dinner.

And I feel yours. A new dusting of snow arrived overnight.

Otherwise, awesome weekend. We went to a performance of a Chicago dance troup called Jump Rhythm Jazz Project. Good gawsh a'mighty, what a tremendous performance!

She is driving South: helping her sister move from Portland to San Diego. They will be staying in beautiful downtown Lebec, CA tonight.

Sorry to hear about all the snow, particularly for Erica since she was looking forward to spinning her new wheels. I miss driving a stick. Except for driving in heavy freeway traffic, it was much more fun!

It is sunny and windy here, but the wind is quite gusty and I just noticed a fence picket is down in the backyard.

Betty, so glad your Grams is feeling better with the pacemaker.

Prudence, your weekend sounds, um, eventful and fun.

CM and MMG, excellent deal on your accommodations.

Jump Rhythm Jazz Project sounds fabulous, I'd love to see that show.

KB, that is exactly why I wish I had a sister. I'm sure she'd help me move!

ABG, I'm so sorry you crashed! Hope you feel better soon.

Congrats to Erika! New cars are awesome. :cool:

Mmmmm....mojito....

Why have I never ventured into mojitos before now?

Alex told me that the reason he doesn't take me with him when he goes to the store is because I "cause spending". A point I fervently denied. I went with him to the Mac store. He walked out with a new MacBook Pro.

Doh.

(But, to be fair, my mouse connection saved him 8% off the purchase price!)

I have four older sisters. They moved a LOT.

I even had one sister call us in the morning because she had a fight with her boyfriend. So we were moving her back into our house. When we arrived at the house with the LAST LOAD, my Mom said she just got off the phone with my sister. Her and the boyfriend had made up and she was going to stay with him.

The move back (that same day) was done quietly and everything was just thrown in the living room.

Yeesh! Hope you'll feel better soon!

I did get to spin my wheels after all, though it hurt to see all the road crap on my car afterward from all the snow...

This is my first new car - so exciting! I think it was the new car bug I got from y'all that made me do it.

Yeah, that's a good excuse... hehehe...

Argh!

As CP was finishing up the last load of laundry today I had the thought, "Hmm, did I ever take my iPod out of that leg pocket of my cargo pants last night?"

Boys and girls, iPods and washing machines/dryers don't mix. :(

On the plus side, I discovered that buying a refurbished 2nd generation nano to replace mine costs the same on Ebay as buying a refurbished 4th generation. I don't like having to spend the money, but I am getting an upgrade out of it. Yay?

I say - do you have any rum? We seem to be out of rum. :D :cheers:

Well that explains your tweet...

Yay for taking the new car for a spin despite the weather. :)

Sorry to hear about the biking accident but glad you are ok for the most part.

That's why i always whoever does laundry check the pockets of jeans, shorts etc. Never know what cna get by undetected in the laundry and that is my worst fear.

And as CM posted earlier thanks to him we booked our final leg of our Orlando trip at the Hard Rock our last 2 nights and got a freakin fantastic rate. :) (hint hint nice dinner on our last few evenings maybe)

I forgot to check the pockets when I did laundry this weekend -but fortunately, it was an expensive forget. I'd left one of those small packs of kleenex in my pocket - and it had most of the tissues still there. Fortunately, they shook off pretty easily when I transferred from washer to dryer.

OUCH all around! Snow, crashes, clean iPod....OUCH!

But, YAY for Grandma, hotel deals and good jazz.

I spent the day looking at possible locations for my "secret venture" with the possible business partner. It went really well! Meanwhile, our office is being COMPLETELY redecorated. Painting has started, new furniture is assembled (thanks to Chris) and organization begins. The office is the only room we've never done anything to in the time we've lived here. Its about time!!! I'm excited.

Now, about this snow.....can you find a way to make it stick until Thursday when the LashPair arrive to the cold, cold North?

Absolutely not.


(We plan on taking them to the mountains, where Stoat can frolic to his hearts content whilst we hit the lodge's lounge).

Today at the zoo, I had a touring act under a 20x20 canopy, with picnic tables set up for audience, and space under the canopy for kids to interact with the performance. During the course of the first thirty minute performance we had rain, sunshine, snow and hail.

Everyone had a great time anyway.

Wow!

It is still windy here today. I feel guilty even complaining about it, but I really dislike wind. It is so unsettling.

Well, yesterday's snowfall pushed us over the top- we had the snowiest winter on record. Fun times.

So, is it a booty call if it is with your own wife?

I drove 110 miles (each way) last night for just such a reason.

yes....and good for you guys!

Lowered my APR by 5%! Which means, I'll make the same estimated payments for 60 mos, versus 72... W00T!

That's great! WTG!

Just got an automated call from my high schooler's school. Wednesday night is Open House.

Already? Isn't this kind of early? There's still 2 1/2 months of school left to go. We haven't even had spring break yet. WTF?

Congratulations on the reduction, but ouch on the 60 month payment plan.

Soooooo, are we familiar with kitty wigs? SFW

You mean merkins?

I so want the blue one for Emmy!

But, there are a few issues that won't let that happen:

1) Ken would frown upon it, as he does with any other pet "attire".
2) Emmy has claws and knows how to use them.
3) Emmy knows where I sleep.
4) I really value my life.

VKBM

Emma Watson notwithstanding, Kevy Baby is my hero.

Smart of you to shorten the term rather lower your payments.

Another person (or persons) in this world that should be shot!

You forgot one reason:

5) Your friend Kevin would come over and strangle you!

I will probably pay it off sooner, I just didn't want to take any chances.

The great sleeved-blanket showdown.

Heh, I've just seen my first April Fool's joke. It's on a puzzle site I visit daily that's hosted in Japan, thus it's already tomorrow. It's a clever one - the whole site is in black and white. The announcement at the top of the page reads "Color reductions due to business deterioration" and it goes on to explain the the worldwide recession has forced them to cut costs by reducing colors.

:D

Wait, that means that at Midnight April 1st, all their computers did not become melted piles of goo. Whew! We dodged another one.

The server's probably Unix based.

Linky?

I haven't seen or heard from my boss yet today. As a result, I've gotten a lot done this morning.

OUCH! When your car has 90k miles on it, and it's time for service, it is EXPENSIVE!!!!!! Major service plus timing belt = $1000. I wonder if I need 2 new tires too?

Hee hee. I liked the Postscript:

Timing belt is a lot of labor. Normally they swap out the waterpump at the same time (since it usually needs to be taken off anyway).

I had a Camry (V6) where I didn't change the timing belt until about 180K miles. My mechanic told me the belt was like new and probably could have gone another 50K + without problem. Of course he changed the belt anyways while he was in there (it would have been silly not to at that point).

It's safest to change it, some engines are called "interference engines" where if the timing belt breaks, the valves can hit the pistons causing very bad expensive stuff to happen. The timing belt "times" when the valve opening/closing occurs. I broke a timing belt on a miata last year (went way past the recommended mileage), but since it's a non interference engine, I was ok (still needed a tow).

While my timing belt itself looks fine (and it designed to go to 100k) the other parts (bearings etc) are what usually fail first and it's best to get it done while he's in there anyways. I COMPLETELY trust my mechanic. He ONLY works on Volvos and Saabs and has been my mechanic for quite a while now. I actually missed him when I had the Mercedes.

I also don't want anything to happen while we're traveling. With the Volvo being the car we're taking to Yosemite/Cambira, I feel better about it being in good shape.

I will ask him about the water pump - thanks DPR.

I auditioned for "Duck Hunter Shoots Angel" last night for a local theatre here. It went well. It was a loooong audition, though. 3 hours, 15 minutes. I had a specific character in mind to audition for. The director kept steering me in another direction for another part. I should hear today about if I'm in or not. I felt a little rusty last night, but it was fun to get myself out there again. In the process, I got to make some people laugh. That's the best feeling in the world to have people chuckle at something you did.
:)

Ahem to all sitting on some tax refund money!
 

neimanmarcus.com is having 25% off their last call merch today PLUS free shipping with code SHOPNM. There are serious, serious bargains to be had.

Good luck, GC ! :cheers:

I know it's good luck to "break a leg" in show business. I have this co-worker who's rather annoying, if it would help.....

So did you end up auditioning for the role you like, the one the director was hinting at, or does it not work like that?

Gah you're evil :evil: I must not look, I must not look.......

Well, I put down the name of the character I wanted on the sign-in form. But there is a section of the form where they ask you if you would be okay if you were cast in one of the other parts. I said yes. So he had me read two parts, several parts actually which can be good or bad. It could mean that he wants to see how diverse of an actor I am or he can't figure out where I fit in...
No call yet...
:)

Or, like so many other men, he's trying each of your parts, seeing if there's one that will stand out.

Give it time. While you wait the rest of us can speculate on which role you will end up with: Duck Hunter Shoots Angel

Sandy - Late 30s/40ish tabloid Journalist
Lenny - African American, 30s, Photographer
Lester - 30s, publisher of tabloid
Duane - Late 30's, short. Southern, duck hunter
Duwell - His brother. Bigger, late 30s, Southern, duck hunter
Woman - late 20s, Southern
Kansas - Teenager, 17
Voice/Bank Loan Office - Male, Late 40's
Gator Man Creature - a half man/half alligator.

Well, I auditioned for Duane but I read for Sandy a lot.
Duane is a fun, slap-stick part. Sandy is more serious, New York journalist type who has a couple of love scenes with his girlfriend... So, as you can see I'd love any part I get but Duane or Duwell would be easier and funner. And I have an easier time with a Southern accent than a NY accent. mousepod can do a pretty darn good NY accent...
:)

Oh the things we do for art.