What's making you happy today?
got my cat tree today. My boys are gonna luuuuuve me! Looks even better than the picture.
http://www.catsplay.com/thelucy.php3For a minute, I thought the words next to the cat tree said, "with optional rape post." Whoops!
I've had a good day thus far...I've eaten well, work has gone well, April and I are doing well. Can't complain yet. :)
Preparations for an upcoming roadtrip! :driving:
I have filled up 11 boxes of winter blues books up and am taking them to the flea mart tomorrow...my home is sooooo big! I hope to box up at least 8 more boxes, but if not there is always Sunday!:yelgreedy
Payday. At least my creditors will be happy.
My roommate leaving tomorrow.
my cats and the roses I planted are doing well... the sunflowers and garlic as well...
I danced with the cutest girl in the grade yesterday
and I'm still smiling
What can I say? I like pretty girls....
I close on my new house tomorrow! I'm so excited! Then I get to go to IKEA and buy a bunch of new furniture for it. Whee!
We're in the same boat Ibram.. new girl new hope. :biggrin:
Also I'm leaving for Panama on Sunday at 7am :D
Aww.
Monkeyboy makes me extremely happy.
I had another one of those moments where I realized I live with the greatest friend I could ever imagine. I couldn't do anything but cry.:o
my cats and the roses I planted are doing well... the sunflowers and garlic as well...
Reading stuff like this makes me happy. Cloud posts about her cat tree, and now some fool is planting cats.
I'm up early preparing to head to the airport to pick up my friend Deb from Indianapolis, who is flying in for a weekend visit and party. It makes me happy, because I only see her every two or three years.
Deb is a member of what we jokingly call "The Pagan Mafia", a moniker hung on a group of us by a local Pagan troll. It is a rapidly shrinking group, as one member committed suicide five years ago, and another was shot dead by police last Sunday after shooting up the Ward Parkway Mall and murdering three people, so our gathering will be somewhat more somber than I'd anticipated. Still, I'm going to have a great time with Deb.
I close on my new house tomorrow! I'm so excited! Then I get to go to IKEA and buy a bunch of new furniture for it. Whee!
Congratulations! and -- I'm so envious!
It's been a down week for me, so I brought in homemade milk chocolate covered strawberries to work. Seeing peoples faces and the thanks I am getting as I pass them out is picking me up nicely.
I ate too many of them last night to enjoy any today though....:greenface
Edit to add CONGRATS!!! to the Fobble Family! How fun!
it's finally friday - yeah, but it's gonna be a long weekend.:rolleyes:
@ case........nice use of the palette knife. Have you ever done one exclusively with this technique?
Unearth concert tonight.
And a good nap in about a half hour.
homemade chocolate covered strawberries!
. . . where's mine!
@ case........nice use of the palette knife. Have you ever done one exclusively with this technique?
Thanks!
Yes, I have. I will be getting new images of all of my paintings this weekend, so I will be sure to post it on my blog.
Knowing that Cloud has, will start a bunch of new threads today.
Translation from busterspeak:
"It's making me happy today to know that Cloud has started, and will continue to start, a bunch of new threads today."
(It's a compliment on your threads. :))
Thank you! I like to start new threads, because I feel that I contribute to the forum that way. Some bomb, some take off--and not always the ones I expect. :)
Sunny and 60+ F :)
I'll piggyback here. I appreciate your tone Cloud.
This morning my fiance woke me up with a big smile on his face and told me that he'd dreamed that we were married and had a beautiful baby girl who looked just like me. :o
awwwww, Hime!
thanks, Griff!
I am in London at my soon-to-be home and my cats haven't yet fought with my housemate's cat - just a few hisses and stand-offs. And my new housemate likes my boys and now seems to want it to work as much as I do. AND I got a text from one of the bestest people I know yesterday, calling me by my Cellar name and saying she was just waiting for her log-in to be confirmed. Fingers crossed she'll be here posting soon.
Oh and it's a Sunday, I'm posting and I have a cat on my lap. That's pretty damn good.
I am going to dinner tonight with a friend I haven't seen for a while.
She may "force" me to drink a margarita.
Lets see,
Friday , my step daughter had her pinning from nurses school ,
Saterday , She graduated from collage , dinner with her and her fiancee and his parents , it turns out we know a few of the same folks , small world ain't it !!!
Sunday , wake up , coffie , back to bed for a while ;) , breakfast , then,,,,,
well the day is still young !!!
A beautiful Spring day with my beautiful wife and my two bootiful young'uns and some good friends.
Knowing that we are going to the beach in two weeks. For a week. Knowing that I will finish three projects before going to the beach so that I can relax for once.
Oh, and congrats on the new house, CF. New houses are the bomb. We bought a new one last April and still enjoy it like we bought it yesterday. It was my tenth anniversay present to SWMBO.
Lil'Pete really had a nice* day of fencing today, with lil'Griff cheering her on, and Pete is getting Kiwis and lilacs for Mothers Day.
[COLOR="White"]*she kicked aaaaaassssssssssss![/COLOR]
A freshly cleaned house, a nice Florida afternoon rain shower, and the documentary One Six Right on television.
Dakota and I made a 5' X 5' canvas this weekend and I just got the first coat of gesso on it.
cosmopolitans are making me happy today.
Thanks!
Yes, I have. I will be getting new images of all of my paintings this weekend, so I will be sure to post it on my blog.
You have both talent and skill. "Jungle Hunt" is fascinating.
Thank you, and thanks for checking back! I really need to post more on my blog. I wanted to talk more about the large piece I am about to begin, but it was midnight and I was exhausted.
Anyway, I may quit my job, here soon so I can paint full time.
Anyway, I may quit my job, here soon so I can paint full time.......case
This being the "What makes you happy?" thread, quitting jobs [COLOR=navy]always[/COLOR] made me happy!
And often praise can seem disingenuous, but I've had a bit of training meself. Is it o.k. if an engineer appreciates art?
The initial quitting makes me happy, but the aftereffects are not so much fun. (Panic about what to do for money?)
Thanks for appreciating my art, Hyoi. It truly means alot...especially from an engineer. :D
Have you considered opening your own studio? Bringing in a few students? Might be something you could operate on weekends until your clientele builds up.
There's truly nothing so satisfying as having your job and joy be the same thing.
my son did great in football practice today - he got moved up to 2nd string:D
GO BIG E
I look to be able to balance my checkbook without vomiting this month.
My 5yo has been wanting his hair dyed red for a while. I offered to do it today as i was doing mine while he was around. He ended up going for the full red, purple and blue. It looks great, really suits his personality too... I thought it would either wash straight out or look awful. he looks rather like me, actually, but way cuter.
Have you considered opening your own studio? Bringing in a few students? Might be something you could operate on weekends until your clientele builds up.
There's truly nothing so satisfying as having your job and joy be the same thing.
That's a neat idea. I might do that. I thought about teaching art classes for kids. Right now, my studio is in the house, but I am meeting alot of other artists in Denver. We are forming a collective, of sorts, comprised of artists.
I just spoke to my wife, who is travelling in PR this week.
105 miles per gallon driving to work today. Breaking 100 mpg usually signals the beginning of warm weather.
What distance is it to work for you? (I can't remember if you mentioned that already) How does warm weather increase your gas mileage (besides having to let it idle to warm up in the winter)? Is that typical for a Prius? Wow.
Oh, and what's making me happy?
AAAaaahhhh. The silence of a campus that first Monday after finals. Buh-bye annoying obnoxious co-eds. See you in the fall :).
Oh, and what's making me happy?
AAAaaahhhh. The silence of a campus that first Monday after finals. Buh-bye annoying obnoxious co-eds. See you in the fall :).
Lucky you. Finals and graduation last week...summer interim starts today. Classes all the way through. And they close the cafeteria for the summer. Never thought I'd wish I were a cafeteria lady.
What distance is it to work for you? (I can't remember if you mentioned that already) How does warm weather increase your gas mileage (besides having to let it idle to warm up in the winter)? Is that typical for a Prius? Wow.
LR - my drive to work is 19 or 20 miles (depending on route). I have an Insight, not a Prius (whenever I see one of those I say "gas hog," which makes my wife laugh).
My house is about 2500 feet higher than where I work, so there is a lot of downhill on the way in. Coming home I usually struggle to get over 50 mpg.
I don't fully understand why the mileage is so much worse in the cold weather (usually under 90 mpg on the commute in). It's partly because everything is tighter when it's cold (bearings, pistons, etc.) and partly because the engine idles very high for the first few minutes. But I almost never let the car warm up. If I could, I'd push it to the end of the driveway and not start it until the bottom of the first hill. But it's really just a game - the Insight game - the difference between 110 mpg and 90 mpg is only about 0.04 gallon for that distance.
I'm about to drive to Cheyenne, Wyoming. I'll see how it does.
Oh, sorry! :blush: I need to google the two.
What do you say when you see an Expedition or H2? :D --
That reminds me, I saw a black H2 with an Iowa Hawkeye vanity plate "GR1FF" again this morning. I need to bring my camera with me to catch him some morning and give our Griff some shit. Heh.
LR - There is an H1 (which is bigger than an H2) in our parking lot at work. The owner is a skinny little guy who looks like an accountant. One day when I came out to my car he was sitting next to me, then drove over the curb to show off.
My wife calls any SUV a BUT (Big Ugly Truck). And she doesn't say it with affection. Personally, I think SUVs make the driver's butt look big.
Memories of a decent weekend that included lots of food, good drinks, and a cigar on 7th street in Ybor.
I don't fully understand why the mileage is so much worse in the cold weather (usually under 90 mpg on the commute in).
Cold air in denser. That means it's harder to push through and more fuel must be added to keep the air fuel ratio the same. Theoretically the denser air with more fuel will make more power but that's a moot point on the downhill. When the tires are cold they use more energy to flex unless they are inflated rock hard. Cold has a lot of insidious ways of killing mileage.
I'm leaving work early to go to see Pink, and I have a new hot date with a guy that WOULD be good for me. :)
good for you DucksNuts! I like Pink--I think she's talented and underrated. Let us know how the concert/date goes please?
I'm happy 'cause I made delicious homemade chili and I'm gonna have chili-spaghetti for dinner.
I've just arrived home after 5 days away to find my house amazingly clean considering it's just been my husband and two sons here while I was gone. There were also chocolates and jewelery waiting for me although I'm not going to inspect them closely till they all get home tonight.
My life is good. :)
No big nasty spiders behind my clocks for one thing....
Daughter's new toy
Kids recognised in school assembly for good sportsmanship
tax return filed
lovely weather
beer :D
That reminds me, I saw a black H2 with an Iowa Hawkeye vanity plate "GR1FF" again this morning. I need to bring my camera with me to catch him some morning and give our Griff some shit. Heh.
You big meany! I'm still getting about 44mpg with the Echo.
Happiness is being done with that drive to school!
I've just arrived home after 5 days away to find my house amazingly clean considering it's just been my husband and two sons here while I was gone. There were also chocolates and jewelery waiting for me although I'm not going to inspect them closely till they all get home tonight.
My life is good. :)
Awesome! I like to see happy people. It did occur to me, however, that this illustrates an important concept relating to the post about some of us wanting to get noticed. Heck, if I had a darling husband and kids who doted on me, I wouldn't give a frack if anyone noticed me here or not. ;)
That is great, Ali!
It's my 8th wedding anniversary today, and the last day of work this week since we are going on a mini vacation to celebrate. Woo Hoo!! :jig:
Even though sometimes you drive me :nuts:, and I can make you a little :cuss: sometimes, we make a great team. Love ya babe!! :hugnkiss:
Awesome! I like to see happy people. It did occur to me, however, that this illustrates an important concept relating to the post about some of us wanting to get noticed. Heck, if I had a darling husband and kids who doted on me, I wouldn't give a frack if anyone noticed me here or not. ;)
That is great, Ali!
Thanks for noticing me Shawnee. ;)
I am lucky that my life with my family fulfills me. I wish everyone were as lucky as I am.
No big nasty spiders behind my clocks for one thing....
well, that would certainly make me, happy too (shudder). Don't go behind the clock!
1.5 hour road ride in the rain... it just feels good. :)
Walked in the rain a bit last night. I love rain.
I got a PM!
and it wasn't a nasty one, either. :)
Please excuse my ignorance, is that a PMS - but without the S?
private message. it's how you know there are real people behind the usernames.
i put jinx's new wheel spacers on her jeep.
i did 20 minutes of cardio and a good full body workout at the gym.
i feel like i'm actually making progress with my health.
i haven't had a ciggy since march 17th....i've lost the weight i gained as a result of quitting.....and i actually look forward to excercising. wtf?
congrats on the non smoking lj. It's a great feeling when you realise how nice it is not to smoke huh?
Everything. I'm on cloud-fucking-9.
I'm feeling good after having a turkey sandwich. I also got my kids new lunch boxes which they're going to love. I also got them little thermos's so they can take warm food to school for lunch. They're going to be so excited!
Everything. I'm on cloud-fucking-9.
I'm happy for you being in new-love love...no no...seriously...I am!!
;)
Ditto that for me grant!! Enjoy!
I've finally figured out what I'm going to write about, re: Swift. Ye-freakin'-HA!
Plus, lyfe is goode right now. Beddy, Beddy goode.
I've finally figured out what I'm going to write about, re: Swift. Ye-freakin'-HA!
Plus, lyfe is goode right now. Beddy, Beddy goode.
And 6 cellarites would erect a shrine in their home in your honor. You go girl! :biggrin:
Tomorrow is Friday, and that means good times.
Thanks LabRat and DucksNuts. Me be wery happy :king:
I got to spend time (even if brief, he had to catch a bus) with my BF, and he gave me some books and a very politically incorrect video as "just because" gifts.
Everything. I'm on cloud-fucking-9.
Grant...I am stealing your answer for my own.
[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Everything. I'm on cloud-fucking-9[/COLOR]
I had not one, not two, but THREEEEEE gentleman callers this morning!
I'm on Cloud Eleven!
God sent me a letter, pre-sort "resident" addressed. Enclosed was a paper hanky that has been anointed with the power to CHANGE MY LIFE. All I have to do is write down what I want and put it under my pillow.
Also enclosed was a sacred, sealed, spiritual prophecy...sealed with sticky glue. Let's see here (reading) blah blah, mumble mumble...oh, here it is "do not open this prophecy until you have placed your prayer page and the prayer handkerchief back to this 56 year old church before sunset tomorrow or the next day. God will help you do this. You will see..."
CRAP, I unsealed the damn thing. Now what? Will I burn in eternal hell? Just my luck, all I've gone through in life and a damn pre-sort letter damns me to hell.
I also didn't "sow my seed gift to God's work in the amount of $_____"
Hallelujah!
CRAP, I unsealed the damn thing. Now what?
You've just started the End Sequence. Apocolypse Now, baby!
:devil: :rattat:
Shawnee, if it's resealable... god will never know you opened it. And think of all the money you saved.
It is a good day.
Shawnee, if it's resealable... god will never know you opened it. And think of all the money you saved.
It is a good day.
The envelope said god was watching the whole thing. :worried: Don't try to fool the big guy! Plus, I kinda tore the paper in my haste to find my prophecy. Wait, why is the ground opening up beneath me? [SIZE="7"]H[/SIZE][SIZE="6"]e[/SIZE][SIZE="5"]l[/SIZE][SIZE="4"]l[/SIZE][SIZE="3"]p[/SIZE][SIZE="2"]p[/SIZE]
You've just started the End Sequence. Apocolypse Now, baby!
:devil: :rattat:
Well, poo. ;)
I washed the car this morning on my way to work at my local coin-op carwash. :)
I left the balance of the $10.00 in quarters from my short wash on the ledge of the coin slot. :(
This is not exactly what I had in mind as "paying it forward". :eyebrow:
I have tomorrow and Monday off. :)
I had not one, not two, but THREEEEEE gentleman callers this morning!
I'm on Cloud Eleven!
THREEEE??? :grinnylov
I bet your feet arn't even touching the ground. Prolly floating everywhere.
The envelope said god was watching the whole thing. :worried: Don't try to fool the big guy! Plus, I kinda tore the paper in my haste to find my prophecy. Wait, why is the ground opening up beneath me? [SIZE="7"]H[/SIZE][SIZE="6"]e[/SIZE][SIZE="5"]l[/SIZE][SIZE="4"]l[/SIZE][SIZE="3"]p[/SIZE][SIZE="2"]p[/SIZE]
Whew...I'm back. Damn devil didn't even want me! :sweat: So it IS a good day!
I left the balance of the $10.00 in quarters from my short wash on the ledge of the coin slot. :(
So, since this is in the what's making you happy thread, is it that you gave the next guy a free wash??:yelgreedy
That sux, I've done it before too, as well as found change laying there. I'm prolly about even at the end of the day.
So, since this is in the what's making you happy thread, is it that you gave the next guy a free wash??:yelgreedy
--snip.
Nah. It's a wash.
:rimshot:
Grant...I am stealing your answer for my own.
[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Everything. I'm on cloud-fucking-9[/COLOR]
We should all be so lucky. Plenty of room on cloud-9 for all of us.
Mr. Clodfobble had a really good interview at a possible new job this morning. If it makes him happy, it makes me happy!
THREEEE??? :grinnylov
I bet your feet arn't even touching the ground. Prolly floating everywhere.
yeah, baby!
But, ya know what I was thinking as I keyboarded the "THREEEEEE!"--? I was thinking of Ibram's old line--"But you said THREEEEEE pies!"
I had THREEEEEE guys! And, I'm not even UP to my usual summer cruising speed ;)
THREEEE??? :grinnylov
I bet your feet arn't even touching the ground. Prolly floating everywhere.
or.... up in the air.
yeah, baby!
But, ya know what I was thinking as I keyboarded the "THREEEEEE!"--? I was thinking of Ibram's old line--"But you said THREEEEEE pies!"
I had THREEEEEE guys! And, I'm not even UP to my usual summer cruising speed ;)
Why is it, we cant all be gittin' it at the same time? huh?? huh??
More importantly, were any of these gentlemen callers professors??
Grant...I am stealing your answer for my own.
[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Everything. I'm on cloud-fucking-9[/COLOR]
Are you back in love-love again too Sky?
We need a thread dedicated to keeping me up to date with everyones love/lust interests.
My closest convience store was hiding the good beer in the aisles.
Dance in PE yesterday. First we did swing, which was fun - its impossible to be anything other than hyper and happy listening to swing - and then we waltzed, and I danced with the cutest girl in the entiiiire school.
Unfortunately, shes also the most in-love girl in the entire school - with the most popular kid in the grade.
My fiance just finished painting a giant movie screen on the store wall. He still has to remove the blue tape, but it's lookin' really cool so far.
More importantly, were any of these gentlemen callers professors??
:blush: One. :blush:
She will be here in about 1.5 hours. I met her parents weeks ago. She's meeting mine today. Awesome.
She will be here in about 1.5 hours. I met her parents weeks ago. She's meeting mine today. Awesome.
Awesome, grant. :)
The weather is good. It's Friday and we leave at 4. I have a three day weekend away from the megalomaniac. Tomorrow I am planting flowers.
The new Star Wars stamps came out today!
30 years. Makes me feel old.
I've just picked up a flyer for a new take-away that delivers Japanese food. Yay!
Okay, I shouldn't really (can't afford it) but currently trying to decide between:
Chicken Katsu Super Bento Box (Chicken breast in breadcrumbs, sticky rice, pickles, vegetable salad, salmon sashimi and miso soup)
or Assorted Sushi Bento (3 crabstick maki, 3 pickle radish maki, 3 crab roes maki, 2 tiger prawn sushi, 2 egg nigri, 2 crab roes sushi, 2 salmon sushi, 2 California maki with sesame) at twice the price.
I may order neither, but just the menu is making me happy!
Go with the chicken, it sounds like it's cooked.
Wouldn't you know it - I just checked the front of the menu and it says Monday- Closed.
Then right underneath that Bank Holidays Open as Usual. I am baffled - today is a Bank Holiday and Bank Holidays are only ever on a Monday. Oh except you occasionally get a Bank Holiday on Tuesday if Boxing Day falls on a Sunday (don't ask, just accept it's not relevant today).
I'm not fussed by the food not being cooked Bruce. Raw fish yumyum.
I just have to decide if I want to try ordering now - how upset will I be if I have made the decision and am all ready to order, only to get an answerphone :(
Raw seafood is the most dangerous thing you can eat, next to live Grizzly bear.
I respectfully disagree.
I went for a kebab anyway, just across the road and saved myself a minimum of £4 after all.
But whooooeeeee do I have onion breath! I'm off to the kissing thread to share it around :)
not having to do a fucking thing.
and that I saw Pirates 3 last night! :)
What did you think?
Was there an intermission? There was in the UK and it felt really odd.
Pirates 3 was better than Pirates 2. Long though.
That's just about the only thing I got out of bed, er . . . the house for this weekend. That, too, makes me happy.
Raw seafood is the most dangerous thing you can eat, next to live Grizzly bear.
Aw c'mon Bruce, that's not even close to true. Raw shellfish is pretty scary, but certainly no more so than a hamburger, alfalfa sprouts, deli meat, or a restaurant omlette. How about an all-you-can-eat chinese buffet? :headshake
(and both meals that SG listed have the same amount/type of raw food)
no, there was no intermission. weird.
I really like the way they build up the mythical pirate culture and ethos--a mishmash of things and yet, very clever. Very Disney.
And speaking of which--I like that these movies were spawned by a theme park attraction. The attraction has now been updated to coincide with the movies, so it's come full circle!
Arrgh! (Doesn't Geoffrey Rush do a great "Arrgh!"?)
I think this latest film lacked some of the splashy (ahem!) or funny special effects, like the kracken, or the wagon wheel. It was more based on the big methos of ideas and darker themes like death, betrayal, and the history between the characters.
no, there was no intermission. weird.
No, honestly. The fact we
had an intermission is weird. I've been to see longer films and haven't experienced this since.... well probably since the 70s!
very clever. Very Disney.
That's definitely an oxymoron :)
The weather was very mellow and warm. It's been a great weekend for a couple of drives.
I made double time in a half today at work. That's like work one get one free!:)
I get to go on a field trip with my son, tomorrow!
2 DAYS TO THE BEACH !!!!!!!
In ~10 hours and 40 minutes, I get these casts off of my hands! I've been in casts for over 10 weeks after breaking both wrists. Can only type with a finger or voice recognition software. Oh to be able to scratch my hiney again, or feed myself without making a mess, and to finally get to drive again!!! Woohoo! :driving:
I just sent the final copy of my thesis to my professor. The only thing that stands between me and my Masters degree is a 20-minute presentation, which I'll be doing either later tonight or next week.
whowee the bosses are gone & it's just me, for the rest of the day:D
I just sent the final copy of my thesis to my professor. The only thing that stands between me and my Masters degree is a 20-minute presentation, which I'll be doing either later tonight or next week.
Rock on fella!
I have completed the collecting and organizing of the current state of our digital photography collection. 48 gb and 65 k files. Whew!
I am around the third turn and heading down the home stretch on the music library. Current status: 67 gb and 17 k files. I will finish today. Happeee!
Oh, then I'll be making a couple of images of the disk for backup.
I have completed the collecting and organizing of the current state of our digital photography collection. 48 gb and 65 k files. Whew!
I am around the third turn and heading down the home stretch on the music library. Current status: 67 gb and 17 k files. I will finish today. Happeee!
Oh, then I'll be making a couple of images of the disk for backup.
What's your organizational method for the photos?
Good question!
I found a bunch that didn't work for me.
Random -- easy to do, impossible to live with.
Date order -- the same.
Short subject name on folder -- still easy to do, but not... not navigable.
Other concepts that are more a part of the problem than of the solution:
Multiple cameras -- unavoidable, so just plan accordingly
Multiple computers -- also unavoidable, but can be networked, or shared etc. combination of problem and solution.
Multiple hard drives -- BIG part of the problem until synchronized. Then, BIG part of solution, especially regarding sharing and enjoying and redundancy.
Oh, you wanted me to answer your question. Ok.
I use Windows, and in Windows Explorer I settled on this directory structure:
..\placeholder dir\another placeholder dir\Pictures\
Then
\2000\01\
\2000\02\
\2000\03\
\2000\04\
\2000\05\
\2000\06\
\2000\07\
\2000\08\
\2000\09\
\2000\10\
\2000\11\
\2000\12\
I repeat this structure for 2001 - 2007.
Then
Under each month I create a folder name with a short descriptive title. Many times I repeat this folder name, or part of this folder name. For example, I have many different copies of \year\month\Kids or \year\month\Misc or \year\month\KidA sport or \year\month\KidB event or \year\month\KidC Bday. This lets me record the "birthday party pics" for different kids in the same year, and for the same kid in different years. I can also record picture taking sessions that happen only once "\year\month\Space Needle trip".
The chronological superstructure suits how I live in the world, how I remember stuff (mostly). For the things I'm not sure of I can "search" for a folder name and get multiple hits "Volleyball" or "Bday" and just get the subset of those folders.
There are exceptions to this method, of course. I have a folder named Misc, a sibling to the year layer of the directory structure. Under this I have \misc\pix and \misc\vids. In these folders I've put a bunch of .... junk stuff that I have accumulated that doesn't really fit anywhere else. At least until I come up with a better way to organize these misfits.
Back to the major structure. I envison adding another feature to the leaf folders described above: ..\year\month\event\outtakes. This will let me segregate the photos of a given event into keepers (focused, composed, interesting pictures) and then everything else. I have a hard time discarding photos unless they're complete crap, but when I'm going through the pictures of an event, it's nice to be able to view and show off the nicest ones first. I can/may even rename the pictures so that they sort properly.
Which reminds me, one of the critical attributes of the files that permit this kind of organization is "Date picture taken". It's in there in the metadata of the file produced by most cameras, even though the default Windows Explorer doesn't show that attribute. This is the hard date I use to determine where/where to put the picture/folder. Not the created date, that's the date the file was created on the disk and I might download from the camera to the computer several different photo "sessions". Not the modify date either. Some cameras don't provide this data, so I wing it.
Even further down the road I envision adding meta data to the pictures themselves, singly or in bulk. Right now the folder says \year\month\kida\bday but the pictures are named DSC00791.jpg. It would be nice to tag the picture with this data too. And with any other useful future search hook. Down the road though...
Did I answer your question? How do you do it? How do y'all do it?
Our college-wide system just went out for an upgrade for at least a week.
Now, this means that there is a lot of work I can't do, but it also means there is a lot of work I can do that either does not involve the system, or I can do parts and put the rest in the system at a later date. It means that the crisis mode has to stop for a while, giving me time to work on stuff that is also important (federal reporting, scholarships, etc) but has taken a back burner to all the freaking CHAOS!
Why, I might even find there is a desk under these mounds of crap, I mean paperwork.
And when a student says "but, but, but...wah" I can reply "I'm so sorry. There's nothing we can do at this point. Rest assured you are held into class, and we'll talk in a week." To quote zippyt: buh-bye.
Woooooooohoooooooo!!!!!
Did I answer your question? How do you do it? How do y'all do it?
I'm not saying this is a great way to do it, but I have folders set up by year, and then within each year I have sub folders by day for each day I took pictures. The naming convention for these subfolders is YYMMDD, so folder 070526 contains all the pictures taken May 26, 2007.
Then in Windows, I have thumbnails turned on. This shows thumbnails on each subfolder for four pictures in that folder. Normally that's enough to find what I'm looking for.
Since 1999, I've taken 25,386 digital pictures organized in 880 folders using this system. I've been wondering lately how to do a better job organizing. I don't go back and look at the old pictures that much because the majority of them are nothing special. There are probably 1000 gems out of those 25K pictures. I think I need to create a "greatest hits" folder of some sort so I can deal with a smaller number of just quality pictures.
Maybe I should get a premium account in Flickr or Google's Piccasa and put all the good ones on the web where I can put captions under them and share them. I hesitate to create something good that will be controlled by someone else though.
(Regarding photo organization) In MS Outlook you can assign categories to e-mails, and each e-mail can have multiple categories assigned.
I wonder if there is a way to do something similar with photos (and other files). Then you could assign a photo to the category of "Wildflower" and "Hiking" and "Interesting," or some other label showing that it's a picture that you particularly like. And another picture could be "Wife" and "Hiking" and "Rocky Mountain National Park." Then when you group by category, each picture would show up in each of the appropriate categories, but without storing multiple copies.
This is how it works for e-mails, so it seems like something like this must (or should) exist for other files.
[This discussion should probably be in the Technology forum.]
ta da~!
final music lib status: 71 gb 17 k files. Boy are my fingers tired!
Now to rebuild my itunes library and my picassa library.
Oh, and the backups.
we leave for FLA in the AM !!!!
This made me very happy...or at least made me smile like a fool...:D
If you don't like spiders, don't click me!!!
Can someone teach me how to just post the vid without a redirect??? Thanks pard'ner!
Finding a new site full of interesting, educated and opinionated individuals........A collection of photographs......Many are exceptional.....some are spectacular.......And witty commentary espousing a point of view on any subject.......No matter how strange.....
Makes you happy after a long day of work.
Made me laugh...out loud.
Howdy , Juanco
Now ya got a monkey on your back , see he is Up there at the top ,
he IS watching and typeing your description,
in a report to the MAN !!!
I had a good first interview today and earned a command performance next week doing my dog and pony show with a classroom full of dangerous youts.
whear your CUP ,,,,,,, Dude !!!
Oh and Congrats !!
Congrats Griff! Best of luck in the dog and pony show next week :)
Three things in the Dagney-home to rejoice about today:
I've been looking for a job since I quit/escaped my old one in January. Well, this morning the long awaited phone call came. I was offered, and accepted a position that I wanted badly. I start in a week, make more money than I did, doing less work than I was, with set hours, no travel, and a 10 minute commute. Life is good.
My side business is taking off, I have three orders for wedding invitations coming down the pike - custom design, the whole kit and kaboodle. The extra money is going to surprise my husband with a
new camera for supporting me while I wasn't working. Life is good.
My brother and sister in law had their second child this morning. Every one is doing well. Aunt Dagney is smacking the snooze alarm on her biological clock, but otherwise, everyone is healthy. Life is great. (She's so CUTE!)
Thanks guys! hmmm... body armor...
Looks like you hit the trifecta Dagney. Excellent.
what makes you think I'm happy? does this look like my happy face? I didn't think so. Bugger off.
[sunshine]C'mon V, turn that frown upside down![/day]
Not you Griff--you poor innocent bystander, collateral damage, friendly fire victim. I'm all "w00T!!!11" for your new news.
And thanks for the cue about my smile installation error. It looked right from where I was standing...
y'know... I get that a lot. "why are you angry?" "Your face is so angry." sheesh.
I'm not angry. I'm ugly.
*leaves thread before he completely stinks up the joint*
I finally have a telephone connected to the house, after a month without service! I tell you, it's really hard to figure out whether AT&T or Time Warner are the bigger group of idiots here.
Also, it must be new job season because Mr. Clod got one too! He starts on Monday. Good luck on your performance, Griff, let us know how it goes!
I bought a new pair of glasses today for under $400. That's a bargain, considering I wear progressive bi-focals and transitions lenses.
Yeah, I know I posted that thing about ordering glasses online. I think if I had a simpler prescription, I would have tried it.
Howdy , Juanco
Now ya got a monkey on your back , see he is Up there at the top ,
he IS watching and typeing your description,
in a report to the MAN !!!
I thought the monkey was the man?
Monkeys generally make everyone happy except the one on the receiving end of the thrown feces.
An old friend messaged me and we are soon going to make some lunch plans!
Beer!
Today is the annual tenant appreciation day; the landlord provided bar-b-q (beef, ribs, chicken), chips, beans, cookies, pie, cake, softdrinks and beer. Right now I'm drinking a local beer, Fat Tire.
(This is work, not home.)
I found out who was chasing me for money - and it's a bill I can afford to pay.
I don't have to hide when the doorbell rings now.
Oh and Animal Crossing on the Nintendo DS. I'm not a game person usually, but am ridiculously into this right now. To the extent that I'm going home pretty soon because I forwarded the clock and the shop will be opening in my game world soon. I have red turnips to buy and a Bug Off to attend you know.
I have that game!
I have only *just* started it. Game minutes only, no hours.... it looks like a lot of fun!
PS friend code?
Another beer! and a cookie.
mmmm, beer and chocolate!
My snack when I'm having a really bad day!
Wife and kids coming home today!!! Woohoo!
Duh...forgot to mention...kiddos were at Camp and wife was a chaperone. Been gone since Monday morning.
Just now...like just right now...my new refrigerator was delivered.
Frozen ice cream for the summer! Yay!
I scored 5 touches on a 13 yo at fencing practice last night. [COLOR="Cyan"]baby steps[/COLOR]
new bike. sunshine. last soccer mom day. school will be out by this time next week. fried egg butty.
Just now...like just right now...my new refrigerator was delivered.
Frozen ice cream for the summer! Yay!
skysidhe -- we're in the process of shopping for a new refrigerator - our old one is really old, the temperature is no longer controllable, and all the shelves are always full of water.
I didn't know there were all these new styles (freezer on the bottom, french doors, etc.). What did you get?
I had a date last night. I went very, very well. Thus, I am happy.
elspode...you went very, very well or the date went very, very well?
Either way---YAY! :) Good for you!
skysidhe -- we're in the process of shopping for a new refrigerator - our old one is really old, the temperature is no longer controllable, and all the shelves are always full of water.
I didn't know there were all these new styles (freezer on the bottom, french doors, etc.). What did you get?
This is the one.
The old one had the same problem as yours did. It was very old and lost temperature control. The freezer wasn't separate and didn't freeze.
The new one is a low end Whirlpool. It's not fancy but it's new, keeps the milk cold and the icecream frozen so I couldn't be happier. :D
If money isn't an object I'd advise you to go with stainless steel and ice cube maker/ water dispenser, french doors,see through crispers but then you'll need to remodel your kitchen around it! :neutral:
I scored 5 touches on a 13 yo at fencing practice last night. [COLOR="Cyan"]baby steps[/COLOR]
congradulations ?;) You'll get there. It's fun to try new things.
Stealing wireless internet :D
I had a date last night. I went very, very well. Thus, I am happy.
Hooray, best wishes :)
elspode...you went very, very well or the date went very, very well?
Either way---YAY! :) Good for you!
For those of you who aren't trying to skate the thin edge of interpersonal relationships the way I am...good. While what I am experiencing of late has been nothing short of remarkable, stupendous and altogether life affirming...I cannot recommend it for the faint of heart.
Bri...*I* in particular went very very well. And, unless I am extremely gullible and hopelessly pollyanna, my partner on Friday night would say much the same. But even though the bumping and grinding, and all that preceded it, was magnificent, everything that comes along after is not necessarily something that a casual observer would envy. Let me preface what follows by saying that my date last night is not involved in what has gone on today.
The whole open marriage/poly thing is a lot of damn work. Between trying to remain confident and secure within my own view of marriage and sharing, and that of my spouse's point of view, sometimes masturbation seems a superior option. At the very least, no one else has to feel okay about it all save for myself, and i'm responsible for my own messes.
I had a wonderful date last night. Minimal blowing of sunshine up the crinkly fabric hippie skirt of the lady with whom I was out, and maximum return on my investment of time, conversation, emotion and chi. The fact that yesterday turned into today, entirely focused on a planned visit from another couple with whom we had been intimate at Pagan Fest, and with whom we had anticipated a repeat encounter which came to fruition tonight, has put something of a pall on our point of view, all things being equal.
Bri, I'm sure you in particular will resonate with the concept of "odd man out" - an ostensible foursome that somehow leaves one participant with little to do save for to observe...or leave. It was the latter path which I chose tonight. Trying to get four people sexually on the same playing field is dicey under the best of circumstances, and those favorable circumstances were not on the table tonight. Being the nice guy I am, when it became apparent that I was the less necessary party to the proceedings, I bowed out gracefully. At the time, it was the right thing to do. In the end, not so much, apparently.
Even when one is able to access amenable parties to group frolic/sharing, there are things that you cannot quite predict or anticipate. When I left the foray, according to Selene, things didn't actually get better, they just got weirder. The wife of the correspondent couple ended up feeling as though her man was paying rather more attention to Selene than she was comfortable with (I'm sure he was, as they are quite smitten with one another), and bad feelings evinced on the part of the female correspondent. Last I know, the other couple has driven off, with the Mrs in tears, and they've not yet returned although a couple of hours has passed. This is troublesome, because their 18 year old daughter is staying the night with my son, and they were supposed to sleep here and attend a meeting with us on the morrow.
There's so much more to all of this than I can even begin to tell here...I suppose I'll have to sit down and write about it all, and post it, but really...for most people, this must seem sordid and unnecessary. I'm not sure that I'd want to read about any of this if it weren't part of my life, and I with such a love for the narrative.
I wish I could tell you that it was otherwise, but right now, it seems slightly sordid, even to me. For what it is worth, I can say this much...big risk equals big rewards. With any luck, I know better than to bet the farm.
Selene is asleep now, upset and feeling tawdry. I'm sitting here, typing to you, my Cellar family, and not making a lot of sense. Please don't think me a scoundrel, a lost soul or a slut. I'm not. No one involved in any of this is. Try to imagine going from Heaven to Hell in one 24 hour period; then, try to imagine yourself thinking that maybe it isn't such a bad thing to have made the trip.
That's where I'm at.
I'm sorry things didn't work out the way they were supposed to, Els. But to be honest, I'm more just relieved that you and Selene are okay--when I started reading the above I was worried it was going somewhere much more unhappy. Hopefully the other couple will find a balance that works for them in the long run.
... The new one is a low end Whirlpool. It's not fancy but it's new, keeps the milk cold and the icecream frozen so I couldn't be happier. :D
If money isn't an object I'd advise you to go with stainless steel and ice cube maker/ water dispenser, french doors,see through crispers but then you'll need to remodel your kitchen around it! :neutral:
skysidhe -- thanks. This refrigerator should use a lot less electricity than your old one. If you have access to your electric bills from the previous year you should see a decrease of maybe 50 or more kWh per month. (Of course, there are so many factors that this might be hard to notice.)
We're limited in space (~32-1/2 inches wide), but we're hoping to get one with the freezer on the bottom, french doors and no exterior icemaker or water.
Elspode, I am simultaneously envious and dismayed at your post. I don't think anyone can really advise you on such a situation, but hope it works out okay for you.
Oh, hey...not looking for advice. Selene and I process pretty well, both together and separately. We are utterly good together, she and I. If not, none of this would be going on.
As those here who have known me longest can attest, I often use the Cellar as my written processing outlet about things that go on in my life. I truly am not trying to shock anyone, impress anyone or get a rise out of anyone here. I truly consider all of you my extended family, and as such, being an essentially honest person, you all tend to get included in my world once in awhile. Those who find it beyond their comfort zone would be well advised to avoid my posts, as I am verbose in the extreme, and tend to lead what even I consider to be an interesting life most of the time, fraught with topics that I like to share and air.
I just feel so blessed that you folks are here to share in my process, offer your feelings about stuff in return, and mostly accept me for who I am. That's very special.
skysidhe -- thanks. This refrigerator should use a lot less electricity than your old one. If you have access to your electric bills from the previous year you should see a decrease of maybe 50 or more kWh per month. (Of course, there are so many factors that this might be hard to notice.)
We're limited in space (~32-1/2 inches wide), but we're hoping to get one with the freezer on the bottom, french doors and no exterior icemaker or water.
French doors are definitely nice and it makes sense the refigerator part should be on the bottom.
Any saved electricity will be good! It's expensive here as it is for everyone these days I am sure.
I do accept you for who you are.
You process well. I can say I understand and don't understand at the same time. I am glad you can keep your heart under such circumstances where a lesser person might make up excuses in their head that have no basis in reality. It's a hard line to walk I am sure.
I'm sorry things didn't work out the way they were supposed to, Els. But to be honest, I'm more just relieved that you and Selene are okay--when I started reading the above I was worried it was going somewhere much more unhappy. Hopefully the other couple will find a balance that works for them in the long run.
I couldn't have said it better myself. I was afraid Elspode's post was heading in that direction too. Hope things worked out for the couple, Elspode.
For privacy laws, I'm going to be as vague as possible, but we have a student worker who is not from this country. She's a wonderful young person, and scored very high on the graded points on her scholarship application, and was thus offered a couple of scholarships.
I am the scholarship chair, and it's hard to put into words the amount of work it is. But this young lady just came bouncing into my office and hugged me and thanked me. I told her the truth: I didn't do it, the committee was very impressed with her presentation in her application. It is she who deserved the awards she was offered.
But it felt good. It almost negates the 10 or so students who have already found a bitching point on this fine Monday.
These are the things which make my job wonderful! :)
...this young lady just came bouncing into my office and hugged me and thanked me.
Good for her. And don't underestimate how much you deserved it. I know from previous posts that you go out of your way to thank people and put in a good word when you've received good service.
Glad to hear it comes back sometimes.
Thanks SG. You're very kind! :)
I am typing this post on my BRAND SPANKING NEW laptop.
Paid for by my boss, oh yeah!
I just came back from a long lunch, which included champagne. burp.
I am typing this post on my BRAND SPANKING NEW laptop.
Paid for by my boss, oh yeah!
LR -- that's amazing. Your post is so bright and the font is sharp and clear.
And somehow, it also looks so...FREE.
Oddly enough understanding Big V and vice versa. Sometimes you just want someone to get it.
Sometimes you just want someone to get it.
that may explain the institution of marriage.
then again, maybe not.
LR -- does your work monitor your internet usage? (Mine says that they do, but they haven't complained yet.)
Our new refrigerator was just delivered. It meets my criteria - low energy use; it meets my wife's criteria - stainless steel front, bottom freezer, french doors; and it fit into the space where the old one was (even though it's two inches wider).
But it won't be cold for a few hours, so I'm trying to eat all of the perishable frozen items. I just finished the ice cream and am going back for steak-ums. After that it's either frozen pizza or that huge hunk of buffalo that's been in the freezer for the last seven years.
What brand of fridge, HLJ? And if you don't mind, give us the price range--I'm lookin' around.
I'm not in love with the bottom freezer configuration on fridges nowadays, but if you think it works well, I might reconsider...
bluecuracao - it's a Kenmore Elite. We got it at Sears. We also looked at Home Depot and Best Buy. I think it was around $2500 - about 3 times what I wanted to spend. We bought it under time pressure because the store was closing and our old machine didn't seem like it was going to last another week. (The old one actually started acting better the last week, so we didn't really have to rush, after all that.)
I'll have to live with it for a while before I know if I like the bottom freezer. The nice thing is that it puts the refrigerator at the top, so I won't be spending as much time on my knees looking for the FOD under the cheese drawer.
Our new refrigerator was just delivered. It meets my criteria - low energy use; it meets my wife's criteria - stainless steel front, bottom freezer, french doors; and it fit into the space where the old one was (even though it's two inches wider).
But it won't be cold for a few hours, so I'm trying to eat all of the perishable frozen items. I just finished the ice cream and am going back for steak-ums. After that it's either frozen pizza or that huge hunk of buffalo that's been in the freezer for the last seven years.
You're eating
all the perisables?
* passes you the peptmo-bismuth*
If you eat the ice cream first it forms a protective coating on your stomach and you can then eat anything. But thanks for the PB.
Yes, yes, the Breyer's cloak of invincibility. I know it well.
I did not one lick of actual productive work, and will get paid for 8.25 hours of sitting around, reading The Cellar, and being in gabblychat.
wolf -- Shouldn't that be in the "Secrets" thread?
It's precisely, precisely 1AM; I'm going to watch a movie now.
Stress test showed no lasting heart damage from the stroke.
Does not explain the wonky EKGs, but I'll take it. First good news I've had after walking into a hospital in a very long time.
Congrats rkz. I"m really happy for you mate. :)
I know I'm going to be struck dead for saying this, but...one good stroke does not usually do it for me, man. I usually need at least two before I get off.
Great news, mate. Hang tough.
What's making me happy tonight/today? We interacted at a party tonight with the couple cited in my post about last Saturday night, and not only was it not hideous, it was actually encouraging. No sex took place, but there was some hand holding and sincere conversation. As a side note, I also fortified some future prospects, as did Selene. Furthermore, I cleared the air of a couple of past unpleasant issues with people (not related to sex or anything, but actually based in organizational politics due to our involvement in the Pagan Festival thing), got many positive strokes from confidantes about my essential lack of general suckiness, and just sort of had a great time.
I'm glad for you Elspode!
Bought a new skirt and top today. There's nothing like having a new outfit to wear to work on Monday to help reduce Mondayitis.
Me too Els. From various of your posts here recently it seems that things are going (more or less) OK for you, and I'm really pleased for you.
"More or less okay" is actually a very good summation, limey. It is about equal parts thorns and roses on an average day, and that equals balance, as far as I understand life. It could certainly be worse.
The guy I'm really into (but haven't told 'cause he's a mate of several years... I may have mentioned this before) phoned me last night about an hour after I'd come home from drinking in the pub with him and a couple of other comrades, and his reason for phoning seemed pretty lame.....so maybe he's thinking of reasons to call....
Tragically that was enough to put me on a high for most of today:P
It was fathers day on the UK today and I got some nice cards and presents from my two daughters
I got to have alcohol tonight (in the form of a glass of wine) for the first time in about 3 years. Woo!!
I am reading The Cellar at work on my brand-spankin' new laptop and I can even print things across the wireless network the way you're supposed to be able to.
But I seriously need to get used to the laptop keyboard.
In the last week I've been asked to write three things for the shop I work in. It counts as happiness today, because I told someone else and it clarified the happiness for me.
Okay, they were business-type writing, and yes I have less than two weeks left to work here now, but I'm pleased they recognised I could be an asset to them in this way.
I made over my average take on Mondays...it's about the small victories. :)
I got to have alcohol tonight (in the form of a glass of wine) for the first time in about 3 years. Woo!!
Minifob weaned, huh? :lol:
The guy I'm really into (but haven't told 'cause he's a mate of several years... I may have mentioned this before) phoned me last night about an hour after I'd come home from drinking in the pub with him and a couple of other comrades, and his reason for phoning seemed pretty lame.....so maybe he's thinking of reasons to call....
Tragically that was enough to put me on a high for most of today:P
Get him drunk, throw him onto the floor, and have your way with him. If it turns out to be awkward, tell him the booze reacted with your meds badly. If it turns out to be great, do it again the next day.
Mmmmmm Choccie Mudcake :D
I think I've just taken the first step towards starting to get over Caro.
...The only problem is, she says that when I come home for a few days this summer, she'll probably take me back.
Am I better off with her or without her...?
I CC'd my boss into an email that I was sending to a group of sub contractors on our payroll and he complimented me on my style of writing and said he envied my ability to be stern with people and still have them smiling by the time they finish reading what I've written.
Am I better off with her or without her...?
You probably already know the answer to that one Ib.
Yeah, but I don't wanna know the answer.
Ibby - did I miss a very important post of yours recently??????
No way no how, Ibram. There can be no "probably" in relationships, that's nothing but a power game.
Working on a nice gift from the Orient, probably.
Ah shit Ibby, sorry hun, I missed that totally.
Anyways, I'd say better off without her, you are better than *part-time*..but the heart doesnt always follow logic.
I have an interview for a job I am not qualified for.
but mostly. I asked for and recieved a paid vacation week of the 4th. We are going to go have fun someplace.
( since Griff won't let me come stay with the baby goat)
My oldest granddaughter is TEN YEARS OLD today! Woo!
talk about feeling old! :)
I'm going shopping with two of the hottest girls in the grade tomorrow.
I'm actually getting out of the house, with someone, to do something, pre-planned, for the first time in... in forever, since i moved here, I think. I have like, no life here in Taipei but I'm evidently working on that.
Oh, and I just got two pairs of really nice pants from Hot Topic online. Super low rise, very tight, boot-cut, really hawt jeans. They make my ass look really nice, if I do say so myself. And make me look pretty gay, as an added plus.
I'm going shopping with two of the hottest girls in the grade tomorrow.
I'm actually getting out of the house, with someone, to do something, pre-planned, for the first time in... in forever, since i moved here, I think. I have like, no life here in Taipei but I'm evidently working on that.
Oh, and I just got two pairs of really nice pants from Hot Topic online. Super low rise, very tight, boot-cut, really hawt jeans. They make my ass look really nice, if I do say so myself. And make me look pretty gay, as an added plus.
nothing wrong with that ;)
I didn't kill anyone or even raise an eyebrow when we were told that administrators are only getting a 1% raise this year, and we better like it. Fair enough. My choice to stay or go. I was actually glad they were still going to give classified staff the normal 3%, because they are grossly underpaid, too. That valium is doing wonders (kid-dun)
So, I avoided prison. Again. ;)
my youngest son (16) got a job! - he applied sat night - called mon afternoon - went tues for an interview. it's at a grocery store - no biggie - besides it works well with his football workouts 6:45 am - 10:00 am
I didn't kill anyone or even raise an eyebrow when we were told that administrators are only getting a 1% raise this year, and we better like it. Fair enough. My choice to stay or go. I was actually glad they were still going to give classified staff the normal 3%, because they are grossly underpaid, too. That valium is doing wonders (kid-dun)
So, I avoided prison. Again. ;)
You're intelligent enough to know that it's effectively a pay cut. I don't know what the rate of inflation is in the US but I doubt it's below 1%.
Babba?
MOVE!
But hey, kudos on your attitude.
You're intelligent enough to know that it's effectively a pay cut. I don't know what the rate of inflation is in the US but I doubt it's below 1%.
Babba?
MOVE!
But hey, kudos on your attitude.
I know. The 3% we usually get rarely covers the insurance rate increase.
It's just those few perks (sp?) that keep me here. Like 6+ weeks paid time off and a very free schedule. But, I rarely get the time off because there is too much to do. Yeah, they're butt-fuckin' me in da mouth, but I was proud that I reacted so well. Especially with a couple issues from Monday. Anyhoo.
Grumble. :mad: :rolleyes:
what's making me happy today.......hmmm
well, my wife used three pregnancy tests yesterday morning and got a faint blue line every time. And tried again today and got a darker blue line.
Insert very excited ramblings here ______________ :celebrat:
Lucky you silkster! I guess we'll be hearing the pitter patter of little silkies soon. ;)
indeed. My plans for pale gingers to take over the world is coming to fruition.....MOO HOO HAR HAR!!!!
I didn't kill anyone or even raise an eyebrow when we were told that administrators are only getting a 1% raise this year, and we better like it. Fair enough. My choice to stay or go.
Just curious, but how much did they raise tuition for next year? Was it more than 1%?
Just curious, but how much did they raise tuition for next year? Was it more than 1%?
This is where it gets interesting. The state is STILL negotiating. First they said no school could raise tuition. Then they said schools could raise tuition 3% to compensate for less state funding. As our budgets were under consideration, we had to cut here, cut there. Now the state is saying they might change it to we can't raise tuition for this year (creating a nightmare for the bursar's office, as we already raised it, as did many other schools) and we can raise next year. Cluster f*** comes to mind.
So, the lack of raises (which have never been based on merit, obviously) is in response to trying to balance our budget. Our rich board members sit in their ivory tower and decide what we can do without. Cost of living raises was one of those things we can do without.
But we better like it.
I wonder what the faculty union thinks about their 2% increase.
Yep, Ohio. We're all about education. :headshake
congrats TSM - i see red - in a good way
Yep, Ohio. We're all about education. :headshake
and
identity theftand identity theft
Yeah, we were assured that it was other state employees, not us. They can have my identity. It sucks anyway.:p
I'm planning a trip to Tacoma at the end of July to meet my baby granddaughter, and I'm going to take my oldest granddaughter, who turned 10 with me. She's never been on a plane--it will be fun!
April and I might have finalized our honeymoon plans--Seattle and Vancouver. Not set in stone yet, but one less thing to stress over.
Yessssssssssss.
My wireless optical mouse just came today. Plugged it in, and whala. No more stupid touchpad. Ahhhh. Life is much better. Now, if someone would just show up in gabbly when i am there....
Why would anybody want to do that? :angel:
Yeah, I totally think I'm getting a teeny crush on one of the girls I went shopping with yesterday.
However, I'm not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing, since theres a chance that Caro will still take me back... blech, I hate teen drama. With a passion.
My boss announced that I am leaving to the company. Not many people seem to care, but I like it that way. No nosiness to mess with.
Oh yeah, and Dakota took us out for some delicious Chinese food for dinner.
Yeah, we were assured that it was other state employees, not us. They can have my identity. It sucks anyway.:p
As long as you're giving stuff away...can I have your body? :D
I managed to get up at 6am this morning, for the first time in weeks. Kind of nice to have a little Cellar/coffee/walk the dog time before I need to be working. Less cool that it was mainly a product of 3am insomnia, but hey at least I got up instead of just lying there and eventually falling asleep 2 hours before I'm due in a meeting:P
@Shawnee, what are the unions like in Ohio?
As long as you're giving stuff away...can I have your body? :D
Elspode, are you a collector?
@Shawnee, what are the unions like in Ohio?
Eh, not a union fan, for personal reasons. Sometimes I think it would be nice to go on strike, though. Sit out front under a tent, drink lemonade, bitch every now and then. That's the life!
As long as you're giving stuff away...can I have your body?
I'm not using that either. But you are a brave man! Really, I don't want to ruin you for all the other women you'll meet in your life. :rolleyes:
Elspode, are you a collector?
You callin' me a knick-knack? ;)
...
You callin' me a knick-knack? ;)
Only if it's a compliment. Then you're a knick-knack double whack pack.
paddywack give the girl a bone!
rrrrrooooolling home!
lol...something about that is kinky, Cloud.
Shawnee -- I just noticed that I wrote 'wack' instead of 'whack.' According to Urban Dictionary, wack means:
Something that just plain sucks, or isn't cool at all. Lame.
That's
definitely not you.
But here is the Urban Dictionary entry for whack:
1. whack
1. adjective; appalling in nature, unconventional.
2. verb; to strike one with the hand or fist.
3. verb; to assassinate.
1. yo, that's whack.
2. if your mother heard that she'd whack you upside the head.
3. you want we should whack a dog?
We'll just stay with wack, and know that I'm not lame. ;)
Oh, and it reminds me of Wacky Packs. Anyone here remember those? My brother and I had them stuck all over the place.
It's my weekend.
I should be typing out applications to better my future instead of amusing myself here.
Captain Jack Sparrow.
SUCH a fantastic character! And you know it's all Mr. Depp. Amazing actor.
(not to mention always and forever droolworthy)
THANK GOD I cleaned under my bed today (and put toys and assorted other things away), because the maintenance man's son is crawling all around playing with my cat.
Maybe someone ought to tell him it's not polite to peek under people's beds.
Make him watch Trilogy of Terror. He'll never want to go near the undersideof a bed again.
S123, Stop Invading My Childhood.
lol...after I saw that movie, I literally jumped across the floor to my bed. I was sure that little f***er was under there.
...stabbin' you in the feet with his little spear thingee...
I never saw that. -- is it a movie?
My monsters were always in the closet.
Oh god, it's a horror campy classic. The only one I really remember of the three stories is the voodoo doll guy. Oh, and I remember Karen Black was in all three of them.
Caution: For those of you who love the incomparable Karen Black ABC Movie of the Week "Trilogy of Terror", there is a godawful remake of it making its slithery rounds on cable TV. Putrid, bland, crappy and a downright blasphemy, it is. The only thing notable about it is the fact that someone else loved the original enough to do a remake. Which is to say that they obviously loved it at least as much as I do.
I'm not using that either. But you are a brave man! Really, I don't want to ruin you for all the other women you'll meet in your life.
I'm willing to take that risk. Pity to let such lovely assets go unused. At least you can't say that no one is interested.
Caution: For those of you who love the incomparable Karen Black ABC Movie of the Week "Trilogy of Terror", there is a godawful remake of it making its slithery rounds on cable TV. Putrid, bland, crappy and a downright blasphemy, it is. The only thing notable about it is the fact that someone else loved the original enough to do a remake. Which is to say that they obviously loved it at least as much as I do.
Is that the one from the 70's that had the final story with the doll a lady got from someplace which came to life and terrorized her. If so it was scary as hell back then.
I got an A on my thesis...finished grad school with a 3.95 GPA.
Way to go, Sycamore! Woooohooooooooooooooo! That is damn good.
i was returning to work this afternoon, from lunch, driving down the interstate and two guys waved at me - made me feel special:D
i was returning to work this afternoon, from lunch, driving down the interstate and two guys waved at me - made me feel special:D
Maybe your dress was hanging out the door.
Maybe your dress was hanging out the door.
uh no, i'm a serious blue jean wearer - i had passed them earlier and i was taking an exit and the one on the passenger side had his head hanging out smiling and waving
He was either a great dane or mentally challenged.
I got an A on my thesis...finished grad school with a 3.95 GPA.
NICE!! Excellent sir. I bow to your Masterful finish :)
He was either a great dane or mentally challenged.
aahh, that explains it - i thought it was rainin'
I got an A on my thesis...finished grad school with a 3.95 GPA.
Congratulations! Be really proud!
Summer school is over. Now I can get sleep. Thank you, Lord.
I just took a great big shit, I have been waiting for 4 days. I feel so good!!!:turd:
The nightmare job is over. I finally left, yesterday.
Comgratulations, case. :)
I got a fresh bottle of DiSaronno and a 6-pack of Schlafly Oatmeal Stout...it's gonna be a great night.
Booted my Linux computer up to install some Karaoke software and realized that I'd forgotten my password. I was all set to reinstall when I realized I could reset it instead.
I've knitted the first 83 rows of my latest project and it's lookin' FABULOSO!
Comgratulations, case. :)
Thank you very much!
Now, SAHM time for me. Although, there might not be a lot of SAH. We gotta get out of the heat. :D
Ex-wife called me yesterday, after about 10 years or so. No bad news for me.
wow, called you out of the blue? strange.
I'm happy because I have a day off today. Woo! Not having to work always makes me happy.
Fireworks....I'm happy about fireworks today! Boom! Pow! Awwwwww....
(yes, this is all it really takes for me)
I enjoyed fireworks, beer and a little do-nothing time last night. Then didn't get our of bed 'til 11 :D
Thank you very much!
Now, SAHM time for me. Although, there might not be a lot of SAH. We gotta get out of the heat. :D
case -- I've been trying to figure out SAHM. I'm afraid you're going to have to tell me.
I just got back from my friend's birthday eve. About fifteen of us hooked up at the Trades Club in Hebden to see some comedians and drink real ale.. Was very funny. Had a good laugh. After the comedians (who were showcasing their Edinburgh Fringe show) the dj played a cd with all Jan's fave tunes on it. That was pretty good fun, stuff from the late 70s early 80's mainly.
So I am very drunk on real ale (Daily Bread and Bishops Finger) and Jack Daniels. I danced, for which I have to be very drunk. Most importantly, the guy I like was there. Can't really slow dance to 'London Calling', but hey can't have everything right?
You type very well for a drunk person Dana :p.
Things getting interesting 'tween you and Mr Hotpants?
First night off of work in ten days.
A firefly flew into my office this evening, first one I've seen in a long time. Just hovered around here and there, lighting up wherever it stopped. It seemed kind of impressed by one of my floor lamps for a few moments, then floated off...somewhere.
consolidated 9 gb of pictures from week long camping trip. Now to backup and distribute. then comes the viewing and culling.
And you ain't shar'n ?????
I'm not sure what exactly is making me happy today, but I am in a good mood :D
Oh, n yeah, shar'n would be good.
When I go back to MD...
Either Caro's gonna get back with me, and I'll be wonderfully happy again...
Or she doesnt, and I hook up with my ex Savannah, and some of Mimi's hot gay friends.
[COLOR="Silver"]Including that couple she mentioned that was looking for joint action. Can you say, hot gay three way?[/COLOR]
This is shaping up to be a good summer...
Ibby - I thought you were getting over Caro and moving on??
Option #2 looks like it will be educational AND heaps of fun ;)
Well see, the getting over her/moving on comes in if we move down to option number two... I mean, I do love her, and I'd rather be with her than not, but if that doesnt work out, I plan to make up for it for sure...
I'm through with my 11-day fast protocol. Made it through without too much cheating, I think. Made it through my fast day without undue hunger. Kinda put me in a strange headspace, though.
My 17 year old son told me he wanted to hang out with me this weekend - for no reason!
Ah, the bosses are all away and the weather is beautiful. I've got fresh air blowing in and some Chieli Minucci playing, and I'm still getting things done. :cool:
I rode my motorcycle today and I didn't hit the three deer that were standing in the road at the top of the curve.
FINALLY!!! after nearly 4 days, Clyde (my dog) gets to come home from the vets!
He gave me the most pitiful look when I left him there plus he was knocked out the times I called in to see him, so he probably thinks I have deserted him.
Those look awesome jinx (unless they're the ones that are poisonous).
A couple nights ago, the Nickleback/Staind/Daughtry concert. Today it's my new photography site making me veryyy happy. I think it is a huge improvement over the Blogger page. See signature link and feel free to comment there or download.
Today makes one month since I registered with the Cellar. I'm really beginning to feel like one of the family. Thank you to all who provide laughs and intellectual stimulation. I'm happy to share in it all. :grouphug:
20 subscribers to my You Tube channel, today.
Kinda' freaked me out.
Hot chick in that pic... bet some guys there have some berries she can pick... oops my ass is showing.
:greenface
I'm a pervert... there is no cure.
Jinx - your boobs look awesome! They suit you :)
oh..sorry....the berries look nice too.
Aww, thanks Ducks :blush:
and you too rk...
Those look awesome jinx (unless they're the ones that are poisonous).
.
Her boobs or the berries? :p
the son finally got his learner's permit today :D
I got a set of collapsing measuring cups for 30% of the normal price.
Also, I got 10 bags of Lindor Truffles from Lindt, as well as a bunch of chocolate bars.
It's also the last day at a shitty, shitty job so all around good day.
Sitting here at the table in the bay window looking at the soaked dark brown empty beach, the tide coming in like liquid silver, and the dark navy coloured rain stuffed clouds entirely concealing the Welsh coast and thinking that if I'm still sitting here in about ninety minutes time, I can glance out to watch the queen of England walking past my window.
It is very slightly unreal I suppose, coupled with the mounted police quietly ambling along patrolling the promenade, and the crowd barriers which magically appeared overnight. A crowd? Here in Weston-super-Mare? A crowd of what? Oh and it's pouring with rain, obviously.
I had a really good work out for the first time in a year or so.
Sprints at 3 AM under a perfectly clear sky then inside for some boxing and body resistance workouts.
We have forgotten what clear skies look like.
HM came and went without getting her feet wet, no walkabout in the pouring rain so I stayed in and watched it from the dry and warm. Shame for the kids who had been standing in rain coming down like stair-rods waiting with their little flags waving, and all they saw was the big car go splashing past.
Still what's making me happy tonight is that I'm indoors, warm and dry and not flooded unlike vast swathes of the country tonight and I hope the other Brit-Cellarites are in and dry like me. When the big tide comes, as come it must one day my home will go but until then - anyone know Noahs number?
Sprints at 3 AM under a perfectly clear sky then inside for some boxing and body resistance workouts.
My interpretation:
Cops chased PH45; he tried to hide in a building but they found him; they punched him for a bit and wrestled him to the ground.
LOL!
That would be a good workout I guess...
Everything.
Every emotion comes from inside, has nothing to do with the illusion of the external world.
One can be perfectly content living in a box with a set of jax.
Make that a set of Jills and I'll agree.
Is there room for more than one Jill in a box?
You'd be surprised what you can fit in a box
the son finally got his learner's permit today :D
shouldn't this be in the "upsetting" thread? :p
The fact that I just had a really good dinner and topped it off with a yummy McDonalds sundae with extra topping. There is just something about those that is just soo good.
The tablet PC that I ordered has just been delivered by UPS. I stayed home today to sign for it.
I cleared out the living room and set the box in the middle of the floor. I haven't even opened it yet.
I wanted to tell you first.
*Is very excited for HLJ* That's very cool. I hope you understand that we expect a full report on your initial experience of said new tablet PC.
Thanks DanaC. I had decided that I wouldn't open it until someone responded.
You have freed me.
I wonder if I can do a hand-written post?
I like the handwritten posts (handwriting thread, can't recall where it is).
What's making me happy? A closer walk with thee...
I like the handwritten posts (handwriting thread, can't recall where it is).
You must mean
this one.
Mmm, shopping with a total cutie later this week... excited.
Tomorrow I leave for a week of vacation and get to play at my first show.
I love to sneak up on people and just stand there until they notice I'm there - it's totally funny - especially the guys here at work:)
I got out of jury duty...I had to sit through voir dire, but I'm not on a jury. Now I have tomorrow off...I'm gonna kick back and schmoke some weed!
(Of course, that's not gonna happen...but I will kick back and do nothing tomorrow. Maybe I'll just play PS2 all day.)
So the judge figured you couldn't put the guy to death by electrocution, huh?
Yeah...we don't have firing squads here in MO, and that's the only way I like 'em dead.
I am the fuckin' MAN!!!
A whole slew of nekkid chicks that are half my age want to be my friend and talk with me on MySpace and only half of them want to charge me for it!
Yesterday: Guitar shipped, debit card arrived (you're welcome for the tip jar hit, UT), and got off work early
Made a lot of money in my first day of work since Friday...and didn't have to see anyone in tighty whiteys.
I got a raise! A whole dollar and 23 cents per hour. Is that a lot?
;)
I got a raise! A whole dollar and 23 cents per hour. Is that a lot?
;)
Depends. What percentage of your previous pay is it? If it's more than 3% then you beat inflation. Yay, you!
Or something like that.
Anyway, what's making me happy? Flight to England for graduate school is booked. Flight to San Francisco for gf's cousin's wedding is booked. Now I just have to sort my student loans and visa out and I'm good to coast for the next year.
saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico
other than that, enjoyed some girly drinks with my friends before they all left last nite, Smirnoffs.
Depends. What percentage of your previous pay is it? If it's more than 3% then you beat inflation. Yay, you!
.
I guess it is, then, thanks!
I've got 780 in the bank and 100 in my wallet.
I'm leaving for Germany in 11 hours.
I walked past the construction yard at the bottom of the street about 10 minutes ago. In my own little world, thinking about how a black cat I'd seen had genuinely looked like a moving piece of darkness but how it was too cliched ever to use... I noticed as I passed that there was a dog on the other side of the gate and wondered if it was a guard dog. I had to look again as it seemed awfully small and skinny to be a guard dog and frankly a little unkind.
It was a fox.
Seeing a fox is one of my special things and when I'm feeling frivolous I pretend to believe it's a good omen. I know some people with large gardens and urban chickens hate city foxes. I say Yah Boo Sucks to them, if they are blessed with big gardens they have to take the down side with it. Says me who has a tiny yard.
I'm leaving for Germany in 11 hours.
That might have been a bit optimistic. I should have said I was
scheduled to leave in 11 hours. We've had a bit of a delay. The good news is that we might get to visit Chicago and London along the way to Frankfurt, but will be arriving about a day late.
SG - As I was preparing breakfast this morning, I saw a fox walking through the yard, behind the garage. I tapped on the window and she came to the front porch. I opened the front door and went to the kitchen to get an egg. When I turned back, she was standing in the front doorway.
I said, "You're not supposed to be in here," so she backed up and waited on the steps. I gave her the egg and she walked off with it in her mouth.
Maybe it was a good omen.
Foxes, both of you? I don't know if that's a good omen, but it's pretty darned cool. The most exotic we get around here is a raccoon - whoopee. :neutral:
Foxes, both of you? I don't know if that's a good omen, but it's pretty darned cool. The most exotic we get around here is a raccoon - whoopee. :neutral:
Whiskey Beat - you know what they say, "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."
Uisge, you have no idea how exotic a raccoon seems to me :P
I got out of jury duty...I had to sit through voir dire, but I'm not on a jury. Now I have tomorrow off...I'm gonna kick back and schmoke some weed!
(Of course, that's not gonna happen...but I will kick back and do nothing tomorrow. Maybe I'll just play PS2 all day.)
This is the worst bit about being a registered Libertarian, no jury duty. I'll never be able to get all jury nullification with them.
Your fox visitor is totally cool HLJ, and your sighting is too SG.
I love foxes, my parents not so much. They have a little family of them picking of their specially breed chooks one by one. It breaks my Mums heart.
We go there for dinner most Friday nites, last weekend when my headlights hit the verandah...there was Mummy fox n 4 pups eating the cat food.
I got my luggage from the airline tonight. My wife's is still MIA, but that's ok.
I found out today that I made the top band for piccolo today.
I'm pee my pants excited.
Awesome Piccolo! Well done you :))
Top band? Is that a promotion within your band or another band, like an all star band?
There are four bands (in order from top to...least top...=x)
Wind Ensemble, Symphonic, Concert A and Concert B.
WE is for the students whom 'show the up most in musical ability and all that fancy stuff, and Concert B is for the students who can't play the Bb scale which is the first thing learned. and Symphonic and A are for those in between.
but each year you try out with music that was given to you, and you play off for the director. Then s/he decides from your yearly performance, your previous performance, if you are an upperclassman and how well you played the try out music as far as musicality and all that jazz. and then s/he places you in a band from there.
So you made WE, congratulations. Very cool.
UH, "top to...least top"? Are you planning a career in politics?
*chuckles* you'll go far :P
Every day I come to this thread empty handed...
I'm bringing nothing to the party...
I go away quietly, disturbing no one, unseen by all.
I should try harder.
ok
Today I had a hot shower. Not only did that make me happy, it makes everyone around me happy too.
See, deuce...humor! Very good! :)
Every day I come to this thread empty handed...
I'm bringing nothing to the party...
I go away quietly, disturbing no one, unseen by all.
I should try harder.
ok
Today I had a hot shower. Not only did that make me happy, it makes everyone around me happy too.
Awww, don't be so hard on yourself - have you read some of mine?
Helloooo - obviously I don't have a lot to offer either. It's all good;)
Some days all I have to offer is that I'm still here. Some people will probably put that in the "Whats upsetting you today thread" Oh well.
yman's presence in the cellar makes me happy today.
Seeing Deuce's presence in this thread makes me happy. :D
HLJ's comment about the one eyed man made me laugh...I think that counts as happiness.
My husband really liked the vegetable moussaka I made him last night for dinner and that happiness carried over into today. Does that count?
My husband really liked the vegetable moussaka I made him last night for dinner and that happiness carried over into today. Does that count?
Damn straight it does!
I'm not very mad at myself today!:)
Just for completeness, I should mention that my wife's luggage arrived last night.
Tonight we went to a weinlube, which was some kind of festival where everyone was drinking wine and lubing, I guess, and on the way back to our friends' apartment we stopped at a little bar or tavern, what ever they call them here in Ludwigsburg. Our friends went on home and we sat at a small table in the small dark corner of the small dark bar, or tavern, or whatever they call them here.
We planned to drink one beer and look at the carved wood and go back to our friends' apartment, but we got caught up in someone's good fortune and ended up, in addition to the beer and wein, drinking champagne and sitting, and chatting, with practically everyone in this local local, including Fidi and Peter, and some woman whose name I didn't get, but whose watch I'm now wearing. I said to my wife that I should go back tomorrow with the watch I brought with me from home, a 1957 (or so, no one really seems to know) Hamilton and make a fair exchange. That's how things seem to go when our friends drops us for a drink at the local local - strangers become friends and friends become stranger (but that's not right, they can't really become that).
So maybe I should be posting in the Meaningless Drunk Thread, or the City and Travels thread, but I am right now happy, and not quite drunk from hours of drinking and heavy thinking that I had it made.
What more I know I cannot say, but in the Cellar I wanted to stop and say...
Good bye.
Good bye.
Pilau is making me happy today. Don't get me wrong, I still think he is rubbish and I'd be better off with a gerbil, but today he is making me happy. Literally. I was moping (I have no kinder word for it) in my house, being generally moody and disconsolate and not paying any attention to his furriness, so he took matters into his own paws and decided to entertain me. Picked up a toy and flipped it in the air then stood laughing (no really) then grabbed the toy again and flicked it in a different direction, looked at me, dropped down on his front paws and wagged his tail.
I'm off to Melbourne again tonite, this always makes me happy.
I get to drive my shiny broom broom, get put up in a very flash hotel and spoiled rotten.
Hmmm, now I put that in print, I think that makes me a whore?
Oh well, someone has to wear that hat :)
Vacation starts at COB today. Woot!
Last day of work today here, too!
Now I get six days of break before school... yay. Sike.
But...
GUITAR COMES TUESDAY!
FUCK yes!
My sister slipped a book into my bag:
Grace For The Moment by Max Lucado. It opens with this prayer, which I found soothing and powerful and true. If you wanted to know about me, you would do well to read and understand this poem.
As a special comfort to my profound sense of aloneness, I read the poem to myself, imagining my Dad was reading it to me, instructing me, guiding me, fathering me. When I did this, I substituted the word "You" for each instance of the word "I". I felt better having him speak to me this way.
Thanks sis. Thanks Mr Lucado. Thanks Dad.
[CENTER][SIZE="3"]I choose Love...[/SIZE]
No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Joy...[/SIZE]
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings,
created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as
anything less than an opportunity to see God.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Peace...[/SIZE]
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Patience...[/SIZE]
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll
invite him to do so. Rather than compolain that the
wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment
to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new
assignments, I wil face them with joy and courage.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Kindness...[/SIZE]
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to
the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Goodness...[/SIZE]
I will go without a dollar
before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked
before I will boast. I will confess before I
accuse. I choose goodness.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Faithfulness...[/SIZE]
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates
will not question my word. My wife will not
question my love. And my children will never fear
that their father will not come home.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Gentleness...[/SIZE]
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
[SIZE="3"]I choose Self-Control...[/SIZE]
I am a spiritual being...
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek his grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow
and rest.
Max Lucado
When God Whispers Your Name.[/CENTER]
I should add that I am not happy today. Though this poem, reading it over the past several days and nights, has helped me endure. It has definitely helped. I feel it has a place in this thread.
Please don't feel as if I'm proselytizing--I'm not. Feel free to beep out any words you don't like. Certainly, there are parts of the poem that harmonize with me more strongly than others. But harmony is about holding the differences together, simultaneously. It is not about singing an identical tune. There is beauty and truth here for all.
I thought it was a very restful piece.
At work, I just got put on a project that I really wanted to work on. I'm excited to finally have something to do that actually interests me beyond "well, I guess this pays the rent." :D
Actually tonight......
It's raining here in Phoenix, Arizona right now.
It's 95 degrees and cooling off as a real nice rain is coming down bringing the pungent desert smells and a cooling breeze.
Unlike other places where you mother made you come in out of the rain, in the desert we go out and stand in it and revel in the wonderful things the rain will do to the desert. The purple desert sage will bloom with flowers for the next week because of the rain and the creosote bushes will give off that sweet smell that only comes from the desert along with a fresh earthy smell...
Sometimes the simplest things are the best......
That is a stunning picture Juanco
Wow. What a superb picture.
my ipod.
sometimes the material things are good too ;)
The fact that I woke up feeling quite good for a second day in a row. Yesterday i didn't feel down, all day. Last night, I slept and wasn't plagued by insomniac, depressive meanderings. I think I'm through the bout of depression and at the other side:) I don't feel I have a silent cry lodged permanently in the back of my throat. I feel .....normal:P
sometimes i feel like normalcy is the most comforting feeling in the world
Van Halen's gettin' back together ([COLOR="Silver"]again[/COLOR]):)
Sooo, you can spell "relief"?:)
Indigestion medicine, with an old ad campaign asserting that "R-o-l-a-i-d-s spells relief."
Ahhhh, thanks Clod.
You have the answer for everything.
I spell relief Fart, and or Belch.
Boss #2's birthday today. I brought in Boston creme pie and strawberry swirl cheesecake (storebought, sue me).
I'll be meeting my fruit and dairy requirements for lunch...as well as my fat intake for the week :).
I always like it when I see this thread toward the top--it means someone's happy!
My wife does **NOT** have cancer.
Wonderful, BigV! If you had mentioned it might be possible I missed it, but I'm very glad to hear she is in the clear! :)
well, that's certainly a happy thing, Big V!
What a coincidence--I don't have cancer either! ;) But seriously, folks... I'm really glad your family is in the clear, BigV. You have my deepest congratulations.
Thank you all very very much. As you might imagine, the period of uncertainty was agony. Now, it's just the regular sh*tstorm of life. But life without that particular turd.
Again, Thank you all.
Great news about your wife!
01-20-09
. lol^^^^^^
The regular sh*tstorm is far preferable to cancer, thank god. Glad to hear, V.
My wife does **NOT** have cancer.
That is a wonderful blessing.
"YOU: on a diet" be damned. The last piece of Boston creme pie was delecious for breakfast. I ran this morning.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm.....
One of my bosses had been bustin' my chops about mistakes that I seemed to be making (long story short). He called me at home last night to apologize when he realized that the mistake was his, and my work was fine.
I'm happy because A) I wasn't fucking up and B) that I work for a cool boss.
Well, they are both kickass actually. I am spoiled.
I've been sick all week, and today I finally felt bad enough to stay home. So here I am getting caught up on The Cellar.
Also, it's raining, so I'm going to make some hot chocolate and go to the basement (not cellar) and watch a movie. Any suggestions?
Have you signed up for
fantasy football yet?
Have you signed up for fantasy football yet?
"You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin' to? You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?"
Griff,
Sorry, I was just thinking about watching Taxi Driver.
Griff,
Sorry, I was just thinking about watching Taxi Driver.
This is pretty much the same thing.
Finally finished a long story I've been working on for months, yay! It's been beta'd and almost ready to post.
Finally finished a long story I've been working on for months, yay! It's been beta'd and almost ready to post.
Cloud - I assume that's in the Creative Expression forum, or will be.
Thanks, HLJ, but no, it's a The Sentinel slash story, pretty long, and I'm sure there's not enough interest here for it. But I'm happy! I'm such a slow writer with a spotty muse, so I'm always happy when I finish a story. Happier still when I get feedback that people like it.
If anyone's interested in that kind of thing (male/male erotica) they can let me know, and I can tell them where to find it.
Thanks, HLJ, but no, it's a The Sentinel slash story, pretty long, and I'm sure there's not enough interest here for it. But I'm happy!
If anyone's interested in that kind of thing (male/male erotica) they can let me know, and I can tell them where to find it.
Would it be much work to make a female/female version? Maybe just a search and replace, a little clean-up, some name changes. Think about it.
LOL! Not unless you want one of your girls to be an ex-Ranger cop with enhanced senses named Jim!
reason enough to celebrate!
In my life I have lost touch with people, friends, acquaintances. A few I think about from time to time. Of all of them, the one I really regret was a friend from school, my teenage best mate.
We stayed friends, despite differences, arguments, fall outs between partner and friend etc. Things drifted though, we just didn't seem to relate to each other the same and were moving in different circles. We lost touch...and then a couple of years later I left our hometown and moved to the village I'm in now.
Another few years go by and out the blue she gets in touch. She'd phoned the house I lived in as a kid, spoke to Dad and got my address. We met up and it was nice, but both of us were in the midst of a bunch of emotional shit and we didn't maintain it. A couple of letters exchanged, then I lost her address. Another house move for each of us. Changed phone numbers all round.
Since I last saw her, about eight years ago, I've changed and so has my life. I'm no longer with my ex, I live alone, I'm at uni, I'm reasonably content (most of the time, the last two months notwithstanding:P) and moving forward.
Every so often, I think about her. I have made a few little attempts to find her. Looked online and phoned a few people, tried to find either her or her mum. I don't mean I've been searching y'know, but from time to time a thought'll occur and i'll take a looksee.
S'been a while since I tried. See, I don't even know her name now. Don't know if she's with the same guy (they were rocky last i knew) or with someone else, living together or married, living alone? a mum? I have no idea. Is she even still alive? The last time I saw her she'd had to go in for an op to remove pre cancerous cells.
This evening, quite unexpectedly checked my email and was told someone had poked me on facebook. I didn't even think, I just followed the link and there she was. Smiling out of a profile picture. Different surname y'see, that's why it didn't click.
How cool is that? She's not online right now, as it's silly o'clock over here, but I sent a friend request and a message.
It's funny. Last time me and her talked, my ex and I were making a go of it and things were quite peaceful. I was doing a good job of convincing myself I was happy. That was just before my life descended into chaos, confusion and unhappiness. I couldn't talk to the people who were around me. My best friend here was the partner I was falling out of love with. I used to imagine I was telling my mate stuff. Like I was planning out a letter in my head. And yeah, part of that was me longing for the simplicity of being a kid again, but part of it was that I missed a friendship that had meant so much to me as a kid, and yet I treated so lightly when I got involved with my man...there I was with that same man but everything falling apart and me thinking, I pretty much ditched my best friend.
Anyway...There y'go. She got in touch and I am very happy about it.
...part of it was that I missed a friendship that had meant so much to me as a kid, and yet I treated so lightly when I should have valued it.
Dana, I often think about that. How do you appreciate what you have while you have it - your family, your friends, your town, your job, your health, your youth? Your mind? I haven't figured it out. We never seem to know what we're going to miss until we miss it. And you can never really get back to where you were.
My apologies, I edited the post to clarify, and that line was altered. I chose my man over my friend, when my man was in the wrong. I allowed the fall out between the two of them, become a fall out between me and her. We 'fixed' it and stayed friends, but we'd never have drifted so easily had that break point not occurred.
New laptop :D
oh and a new fella
one out of two warrantys aint bad :)
Hey, you can always trade either one in for a better model.
Nana's 84th Birthday party was today.......
Yes...That's a carrotcake birthday cake...(Nana's recipe)
Rock on, Nana!
My happiness today derives from great date last night, nice day with Selene today. Finally saw HPatOotP...IMAX 3D. Was a bit disappointed to find that there was only 10 minutes of 3D in the whole damn movie, but it was a very fine 10 minutes, and the film was quite good.
In about 10 hours I am moving into my first house with 4 of my friends and tonight I spent the evening with my girlfriend and friends showing them around the campus at U of I. College is awesome.
Yesterday evening I went out for drinks with the gang. My ex, J, was comin straight from work, so he joined us later. So, me and threee friends (D, M, and the other J, who is going out with my ex-J) were sitting at a table in a tapas bar chatting and laughing and ordering a few bits of food, waiting for J to join us. It was a table for four, but with a fifth chair added to the end of the table. I was sat at the outside seat next to the extra chair, and my female friend J, was sat near the wall.
When we saw male J arriving, J (fem)got up and went to meet him at the door, and I quickly shuffled over and swapped seats so that she'd be on the outside seat, next to J (male). Wasn't a big deal, just a little strategic reseating:P
When the two of em came back to the table and sat down, she leaned over to me and whispered "thanks chick," then did a little laugh and said "I'm just a little bit in love".
I'm so happy that they're together. They're so well suited to each other. I've seen them both messed around by people over the last three or four years, so it's wonderful to feel like they're both 'safe'. *smiles*
So we sat there drinking and eating and chatting. Five good friends. Two of whom have recently returned from a 5 day break in Prague and seem to glow with new love. Three of us trying not to laugh when they get distracted from the conversation by each other :P We had a really good laugh. Though we did get a bit loud.
I've woken up this morning feeling pretty groovy. I don't mind that me and D will only ever be friends. I can live with that, I love his friendship and company. I am delighted that the two Js are so happy. Most of all I am pleased as punch, that I can spend an evening in a tapas bar with such good friends and in such easy company.
That's about it really ;)
I frivolously spent money over the weekend.
I bought myself a
Light Wedge--it fits right in the book for reading--pretty cool.
I bought myself some
Toilet Ink--the "Mom" one, and am gonna re-do the powder room with body art stuff.
I bought myself an
electric garlic roaster which isn't as frivolous as it sounds, 'cause roasted garlic is yummy, good for you, and a pain to cook, as well as heating my house in 100 degree heat.
I also bought
lube -- but that's not frivolous, that's a staple! :)
[LIST]
[*]new roof/flatdeck repaired in time for the height of hurricane season
[*]house is no longer pink and looks awesome
[*]new a/c so it's no longer 83 degrees at 11:00pm
[*]plants all rehung/put back on the porch and finally OUT OF MY LIVING ROOM
[*]truck/bedroom/outdoor furniture steam cleaned and detailed
[*]cat banished outdoors, therefore no more incessant moaning and scratching at bedroom door ALL.NIGHT.LONG.
[*]falling down the stairs resulted in only minor soft tissue injuries AND I didn't break the telescope I was carrying
[*]and last but definitely not least... I gots me a damn good man
[/LIST]
Friends who care about me in spite of me.
Cloud: the light wedge: it goes behind the page? does it work well? don;t the letters on the other side obscure the front side text?
[LIST]
[*]cat banished outdoors, therefore no more incessant moaning and scratching at bedroom door ALL.NIGHT.LONG.
[/LIST]
I have had this problem before. What finally worked for us was a plastic rolly chair mat turned upside down in front of the door.
Cloud: the light wedge: it goes behind the page? does it work well? don;t the letters on the other side obscure the front side text?
It goes on top of the page. You look through the acrylic sheet to the page. It seems to work pretty well; I think they're prone to scratching, so you are supposed to keep them stored in a book or in a case.
a plastic rolly chair mat turned upside down in front of the door.
nice! much better idea than The Man's. He refused to scold the cat, or wake me up to scold the cat, so he took various household items and piled them in front of the door: chair, ironing board, rolling suitcase, stereo speaker, trashcan, pillow... I got up in the middle of the night to piss and saw the pile of crap and thought fuck my bladder, not attempting to step over all that.
An interesting mix of cold and flu medication
:fumette:
I flew to Spokane, Washington, this morning, then drove west about two hours, with two of my co-workers. Right now I'm sitting in a hotel, looking across the street at the Grand Coulee Dam (I think it's the largest in the US).
The weather is beautiful. I'm due downstairs in two minutes and we're going to go find some dinner. And maybe a beer.
My car insurance is going DOWN $400 a year next month!
nice! much better idea than The Man's. He refused to scold the cat, or wake me up to scold the cat, so he took various household items and piled them in front of the door: chair, ironing board, rolling suitcase, stereo speaker, trashcan, pillow... I got up in the middle of the night to piss and saw the pile of crap and thought fuck my bladder, not attempting to step over all that.
If you try it, let me know if it works. And you will want to wear slippers at night (obviously, I think.)
In about 10 hours I am moving into my first house with 4 of my friends and tonight I spent the evening with my girlfriend and friends showing them around the campus at U of I. College is awesome.
Your not moving into 601 S. Busey are you?
Also We are very pleased that Briana is back!!!
Me and my friend, J (female J, not male J) went 'shopping' this afternoon. Now, neither of us likes clothes shopping particularly, and this wasn't fun clothes shopping, this was sensible shopping for clothes that are suitable to politicking and giving a good impression. Dull, dull, dull.
We made it to Leeds, parked up, got as far as my favourite sushi bar ...and spent about an hour and a half in there eating sushi and green tea cheesecake, and drinking bottles of lager. So then, we thought hey....we really had better go at least look in a clothing store. We did, but by then we were running out on our parking ticket and J had to get back to Hebden Bridge for 5, so we just looked and left. So basically, we went to Leeds, walked about in the sun chatting and lodged ourselves in a great sushi bar. Good afternoon in the end :)
Received a message today from our dear daughter that included the line "I love you!"
*Big* highlight. :)
Thank you sweetheart, I love you too.
Wednesday:
First day of tryouts for the school musical, Once Upon A Mattress.
spent four hours on the phone with caro. either shes leading me on (entirely possible) or i really do have a chance with her again maybe.
Thursday:
Second day of tryouts. Characterization audition went great. practice for vocal audition - i think i sang better than i ever have before in my life.
GUITAR CAME, expect pictures of me showing it off soon
Today:
Vocal auditions. Not quite as good as yesterday but I think I did pretty good, especially compared to some of the other guys. i should know what part i got tomorrow.
field day at school - i got out of having to actually do field day so i could photograph it for yearbook. that was fun.
then just now, back to school dance. shitty music, of course, but it was really fun, and i hung out with a group of kids im really starting to make friends with i think.
i just hope my recent string of good luck this week holds out.
Why the f*ck do I even come in here?
Because you like us;) And some of us know what you're going thru -for the support.
I like seeing you in here, Deuce.
I'm checked out of the hotel, sitting in the lobby, waiting for my co-workers so we can catch a plane home. I just realized that my watch is set for Denver time and I'm an hour early.
I am finally getting the adobe design suite standard in the mail! So I can actually get something done! My boss has finally come to her senses!! Awesome! YEAH!!!!
Sorry everyone...but it really is the little things sometimes.
they just condemned the building behind us. Now maby the condo owners will stop trying to get us lowlife renters evicted.
Don't worry Deuce, we're right behind you still.
I thought you were moving in a few days anyway, fargon?
I managed to get my whole kitchen scrubbed, vacuumed, and mopped this morning. Of course then lunch happened and now it's filthy again. As far as Mr. CF knows, the kitchen is never clean, ever.
Ouch, didn't get a part. I was cast as an extra.
Oh well.
ack. But hey...and extra? That's something.
After I get off work, I'm cooking chicken kebabs and heading over to a party with plenty of friends, plenty of adult beverages, plenty of games (texas hold 'em, left/right/center, cornhole), plenty of laughs, and a swimmin' pool. It just doesn't get any better than this! [COLOR="Silver"]Until someone pukes, someone fights, and someone drowns naked in the pool. [/COLOR] :p
After I get off work, I'm cooking chicken kebabs and heading over to a party with plenty of friends, plenty of adult beverages, plenty of games (texas hold 'em, left/right/center, cornhole), plenty of laughs, and a swimmin' pool. It just doesn't get any better than this! [COLOR=Silver]Until someone pukes, someone fights, and someone drowns naked in the pool. [/COLOR] :p
Cornhole? Will you post pictures?
lol...I was expecting that. In my podunk part of the world, it's a big deal. It's basically horseshoes without the post or the horseshoes. You throw bags filled with corn towards an inclined board with a hole in it. There are tournaments, we even just finished up a summer league here at my college: we play every Friday at lunch. It's really kind of fun. Sanctioned by the
American Cornhole Assocation. Yeah, really!:D
lol...I was expecting that. In my podunk part of the world, it's a big deal. It's basically horseshoes without the post or the horseshoes. You throw bags filled with corn towards an inclined board with a hole in it. There are tournaments, we even just finished up a summer league here at my college: we play every Friday at lunch. It's really kind of fun. Sanctioned by the American Cornhole Assocation. Yeah, really!:D
I thought Ohio was under water from Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls.
Do you have an ACA bumper sticker on the back of your car?
I don't do bumper stickers. It's like a tattoo for your car. And I've said before me getting a tattoo would be like scribbling on the Mona Lisa.
And, actually:
The farms of ohio
Had been replaced by shopping malls
And muzak filled the air
From seneca to cuyahoga falls
Said, a, o, oh way to go ohio
I got home from work about 8 and found a message from our neighbors saying just to come over. Instead of walking up the driveway to the road, I took the shortcut through the yard with a tiny LED flashlight.
I scared Kim in their driveway. She said, "I thought you were the bear!" Apparently there's a bear in the neighborhood - a very big bear. It tore the (locked) door off of my neighbor's barn just to get to their trash. They must have a much higher quality of trash then we do, though the bears have been know to drag our trash around a bit, but then leave it spread out over the weeds that we call the yard.
I said, You call me and let me walk through the knee-high grass, when there's a 400-lb bear in the neighborhood. Then we had some drinks and everything was fine.
That is all.
She said, "I thought you were the bear!"
.
And you sighed and said "I thought I was too, I thought I was too."
Great bear story. Be careful!
I have a friend coming into town early tomorrow morning. Yeah!! I haven't made any real friends in the new place yet. It will be good to see a familiar face. Yes everyone....I have so few friends here that I have to import them.....Good friends are so hard to come by.
Oh-I get so lonely!!! It will be so nice to have a real conversation without having to type it or pick up a phone and lose my signal.
Just got an email confirmation my article part of the Oct issue, posting October 1. YEAH!! I'm particularly excited about this one, because it was 100% my paper.
Way to go!
You're published!
i'm enjoying torturing spexx a little bit. that's making me kinda happy
Just got an email confirmation my article part of the Oct issue, posting October 1. YEAH!! I'm particularly excited about this one, because it was 100% my paper.
HOORAY!
Just got an email confirmation my article part of the Oct issue, posting October 1. YEAH!! I'm particularly excited about this one, because it was 100% my paper.
That will mean giving up your secret identity.
Heh, this is a slight concern, since all the publicity my Meta Forum thread has generated...but oh well. I haven't tried very hard to keep who I really am a secret.
Since this will be my 7th publication, maybe it'll be lucky...
Will there be pictures... cuz, maybe I want a second copy.
::swoon::
I'll even autograph a copy, if you like...
have you ever considered autographing body parts? I wouldn't want to change the pristine nature of the published article. My body, however...
I beat a good fencer tonight... I'm starting to figure this out. [COLOR="White"]and he was tired[/COLOR]
I beat a good fencer tonight... I'm starting to figure this out. [COLOR="White"]and he was tired[/COLOR]
jewels or electronics?
Background: at the last Budget Council we (the Labour group) managed to force a change in the budget to allow two community/youth centres to stay open which had been pegged for closure as a budget cut. Full Council voted on that budget which means full council have decided that the community centres should be kept open.
Three weeks later the Council officers closed one of the centres to youth provision on Health and Safety grounds (convenient no? Especially given that there's a large plot of council land adjoining it that they want to sell to a developer).
Since the centre is in the ward I represent I have been heavily involved with it. Adults can still use it for the moment (though without the youth provision it will be underused and get sold on soon) so my ward colleague and I met with the residents who use it yesterday.
Tonight was Children and Young Persons Scrutiny Panel (which scrutinises the operations and strategy of the CYP Directorate on the council) and we put a call-in of the issue on the agenda.
Oh man, it was great! Six residents turned up and sat in the public seats through the meeting, so they were there to hear us batting for them. Because I sit on that panel, I spoke both as their ward councillor and as a scrutiny member (not a conflict of interest unless it's quasijudicial which scrutiny isn't). If I do say so myself, I was good! I argued well and asked the right questions of the officers. I had all the facts and figures at my fingertip and was able to make a case (with my colleague) for questioning the H&S report's findings. I was also able to make a good case for the potential damage that the removal of youth services from the centre of the estate may have on the relationship between the estate kids and the estate adults (if they are no longer interacting positively with them on a regular basis through the centre).
Got unanimous support from the other panel members (cross-party) to submit a recommendation to Cabinet that it commission an independant survey of the building and if costs can be brought down do the minimum repairs necessary to get the centre open in the short term; in addition that the council should engage in a full consultation with the estate community as part of the decision making process on the centre's future.
*grins* I'm hyper now. It was a difficult debate, with that single agenda item taking up the first hour of the meeting and the officers were pushing their own agenda (I am convinced they've been deliberately not maintaining it until they can justify offloading it on the grounds of it not being economical to repair an barely used building.
The residents were delighted at the discussion and were really happy with the way my colleague and I represented them. It's only a first step and the Cabinet are under no obligation to act on our recommendation, but it would be politically uncomfortable for them to do so. Likely they'll get it open for a few months, start consulting and then close it again stating that further repairs are necessary and overbudget. But, at least we won this little fight and I got to strut my stuff as a proper Councillor in front of my peeps.
Quick word of explanation regarding above post:
When something is called in to scrutiny by an elected member the officers who are responsible for that matter have to attend scrutiny and present a report responding to the Call-in questions. They then answer any questions panel members put to them. These people are senior officers (many of them directors and senior managers) and therefore have a degree of expertise in their fields that the elected members generally don't share: consequently there is a tendency for them to view us as a bit of a nuisance getting in the way of their shiny plans and strategies. If the strategies fail of course they keep their job whilst we get voted out of office:P
It's difficult to get underneath the reports sometimes. It's amazing how much someone can say without really giving any useful details. It's also amazing how the different internal systems can create a catch 22 situation when it's convenient.
My work assignment was triple booked so I got bumped. I would be upset about this if not for this rotten cold. It's actually quite nice to have another half day off. :)
My work assignment was triple booked so I got bumped. I would be upset about this if not for this rotten cold. It's actually quite nice to have another half day off. :)
I've seen your picture. I'd like to bump you, if it weren't for all that snot and stuff... :rolleyes:
What's making me happy? See what's making me unhappy thread. It was a twofer.
I learned Zippy's secret to happiness today, and I'm going to get to meet my first Cellar dwellar tomorrow. Yeah!! The sun even shines on a rat's ass once in awhile.
This coming Monday: My first time rowing. It'll be in a four or an eight. My girlfriend's dad is a coach, and their entire family is row-happy. I'm pumped to give it a try.
This coming Wednesday: A concert.
The Monday after next I'll be on my way to school. Everything is basically ready to go, just waiting for a fat check from SallieMae.
My husband just escaped his job to bring me flowers at work! Awesome! Now my office smells like lilly's.
My husband just escaped his job to bring me flowers at work! Awesome! Now my office smells like lilly's.
But what does Lilly's office smell like?
Most wives would be angry if their husband gave them something that smelled like another woman's orifice.
Most wives would be angry if their husband gave them something that smelled like another woman's orifice.
So true.
Friday Night Football - here's two pics - before & after
awww - 2yrs old
[ATTACH]14453[/ATTACH]
now - 16 yrs - 6'5" - 288lbs
[ATTACH]14454[/ATTACH]
I'm happy because I left my company one week ago today and launched a new corporation. My one month goal was to have 40% of my clients move. So far 15% have. Woohoo!
My friend's visit and my fiancee's visit aren't going to overlap! Maybe for a few hours. Not that I don't want them to meet, but it's been assured that no sex will be had if both parties are in the house at the same time... so I'm pleased as peaches. :D
Congratulations, lookout123. You made the leap!
Way to go, lookout! I'm glad it's working out for you.
But what does Lilly's office smell like?
Death.
I strongly associate the fragrance of lillies with funerals. One of my first jobs was driving the delivery van for a local florist. Very happy job, everybody likes to get flowers. Even the dead people, and they got lots of lillies.
The smell of flowers reminds me of death, also. A houseful of freshly-delivered flowers.
Not all floral fragrances remind me of death. Honeysuckle covered the fences around the school in my youth, and although I had my share of student angst, the honeysuckle remains a pleasant memory.
Roses are strictly romantic for me. Roses for my wife make me smile.
We had a big saucer magnolia in the backyard. Those blossoms stink.
Jasmine reminds me of the senior prom, a pleasant memory.
Honeysuckle might be one of the absolute best fragrances.
Finally got my last Praxis score along with a little bullshit certificate of excellence blah blah blah should be happy but actually just feel tired. Maybe this is the wrong thread.
I learned Zippy's secret to happiness today, and I'm going to get to meet my first Cellar dwellar tomorrow. Yeah!! The sun even shines on a rat's ass once in awhile.
who did you meet?
Finally got my last Praxis score along with a little bullshit certificate of excellence blah blah blah should be happy but actually just feel tired. Maybe this is the wrong thread.
You mean instead of listening to professors, now you are one?
who did you meet?
Me! Had lunch with LR today on the Plaza at an Irish (simulated) pub.
She is as wonderful as I'd always known she would be. Maybe moreso.
We really need to put together a national get together. Really.
Friday Night Football - here's two pics - before & after
awww - 2yrs old
[ATTACH]14453[/ATTACH]
now - 16 yrs - 6'5" - 288lbs
[ATTACH]14454[/ATTACH]
I've never seen a 2 year old with a mullet before...
You mean instead of listening to professors, now you are one?
Nah, just one more thing in place for certification.
Dang, he beat me to it.
Els is great, just like I thought he would be. And a great hugger :)
I only wish we'd had more time to chat. I heartily second a national gathering. Here, in the midwest. I mean in all fairness, it IS centrally located, at least for those of us in the US. Frankly, KC would be a great place to do it. But in the late fall or early spring, when it's not a frigging sauna.
Oh, and congrats to Lookout, the hadest part is over, now it's all about the mon-ay. Good luck!
I heartily second a national gathering. Here, in the midwest.
I think a UK gathering would be cool, too.
Just got my new lens today via FedEx... Nikkor 24-120mm 3.5-5.6 VR
Can't wait to get out and start shooting with this.
Also, an amazing air show is coming up soon:
http://www.gml2007.com/I'm still hyped about my great day yesterday and my happy week:)
New meds have worked and by Tuesday I was feeling myself again and able to get loads of work done during the week. Had a few minor triumphs that just totally make the job worthwhile.
Like I had two similar cases of elderly ladies living alone and with mobility issues. Both have been trying to get assistance to alter their bathrooms, as getting in and out of the bath is a major issue. One's been waiting for two years and one for six months. except when I looked into it, the one who;d been waiting for two years hadn;t actually been put on a waitinglist: she'd misunderstood (she's a little confused) a letter sent by her Housing Assoc. telling her that her property was on a 2 year waiting list for refurbishment (i.e new bathroom) and thought that meant she was on the Social Services waiting list (very confusing).
I got a email from the director of Social services on Thursday teling me that both women have been registered for an assessment visit, but that they faced potential waits of up to 26 weeks. Given the length of time involved he has arranged for an interrim assessment and assistance whilst they wait for the full assessment. So whilst the full assessment may show that they need to be provided with a low bath or walk in shower, in the meantime they will have access to some kind of homehelp, probably once a week to help them in and out of the bath. The lady who had been confused about waiting lists is over the moon. She's been having to bath only once every three weeks or so when her daughter was able to come and help.
Another lady who has been waiting for over four years for the refurbishment she'd been promised by the housing association and whose case I recently took up, phoned me on Thursday to tell me she'd received notification of a start date for the work. She was ever so pleased.
yesterday wrapped the week up nicely. I had to speak at a rally protesting the proposed closures and mergers of over half the Remploy factories. I was amongst several speakers and was there to deliver a message of support from the MP for our town as she's out of the country. Wow. What a buzz. The adrenaline rush was incredible. I don't do much public speaking, I tend to be fairly low key as a Councillor, only really speaking publically in smaller meetings. This was about 100 people with trade unionists and MPs speaking. very nerve wracking, but if I say so myself I think I did rather well:) The crowd seemed to like it. More frighteneing was doing the off the cuff radio interview just before the rally.
So...today i am buzzed up like a very buzzy thing. The adrenaline rush yesterday was incredible. I was terrified as we went off on the Remploy campaign bus, up to the Barnsley factory, but I just seemed to find a really calm place just before I took the mike.
Have rewarded myself for such a good week by totally chilling today. God I feel great!
Oh can I also add that I just spent a very enjoyable 92 minutes watching the England Team make mincemeat of the Israeli side. 3-0 and the England side looked good on the pitch. Even with a few key players missing they looked really solid. Lot of good team play and accurate passing rather than the more usual England showboating and individualism on the pitch. This also makes me happy:)
Just got my new lens today via FedEx... Nikkor 24-120mm 3.5-5.6 VR
Can't wait to get out and start shooting with this.
Also, an amazing air show is coming up soon: http://www.gml2007.com/
Bullitt - That lens would be great on my D70. Can I borrow it?
I'm currently using an 18-70 1:3.5-4.5.
I was going to say. "Do I have to be happy today?" then I saw that lenz,
Wowza...I'm happy FOR you HLJ.
I was going to say. "Do I have to be happy today?" then I saw that lenz,
Wowza...I'm happy FOR you HLJ.
Actually it's Bullitt's lens. I'm just coveting it.
I just came back from an overnight solo backpacking/camping trip. Everything worked (except for the backpack), it rained for a while but I stayed mostly dry, and it was altogether enjoyable.
I'm already planning the next trip.
Bullitt - That lens would be great on my D70. Can I borrow it?
I'm currently using an 18-70 1:3.5-4.5.
I've been using the kit 18-55 lens and a couple old (10+ years) lenses up until now. I have high hopes for this thing being my main walk-around lens, esp. with the VR. If you are looking to get one make sure you aren't getting one of the soft ones. From what I've read, a select amount of these produced (they are out of production now) are somewhat soft, not producing the tack sharp pictures that they ought to. Mine is not one of these. A good rule of thumb when buying a used lens is to ask for new sample photos taken with the lens for sale under various lighting conditions. May seem a bit over the top, but when you spend a good chunk of your summer earnings on something like this, you want to be damn sure you're getting what you pay for.
What kind of camera? (Nikon digital, I'd guess, but which model?)
D50, my first DSLR and I'm absolutely loving it. Worked my way up from a very simple Canon A400 point and shoot, to a Canon A620, to a Panasonic FZ7, and now this beast. It's fairly heavy, even more so with this lens on it. But it's great for someone like me with fairly large and strong hands.
Also: my two new shirts
http://www.threadless.com/product/383/The_Communist_Party
http://www.threadless.com/product/467/You_ve_Got_Some_Splaining_To_DoOk I want the photos of Dana speaking at a rally. Ha ha where's the news link Dana? Cough it up....it's not nice to not share with your fellow cellarites...
And the link to the radio interview?
Did I mention something about the lack of sugar in my diet? Well, not today, apparently:
case - I think you've been influenced by Razz's commute picture.
Inspired! Now I want to take a picture of everything!
*chuckles* alas I haven't any decent photos of it. I am not sure who the reporters were at Barnsley, I don't know what papers serve their area as it's a different part of Yorkshire.
I do have a really crappy little shot of the Halifax workers and staff (and me) holding up banners outside the Halifax factory after our return from Barnsley. It's from my local paper, but it only mentions 'councillors' being present to offer support rather than mentioning me by name.
I'm the chick at the back in a short-sleeved brown blouse. We're all looking really cross because the photographer thought we really ought to be looking upset...prior to that everyone was smiling:P
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/local-news/Remploy-workers-join-closure-demo.3187518.jpSomebody turned in some coins to the bank today...
Lowe's got some change from the bank...
A cashier needed change...
I walked in at the exact right moment...
How cool are these!?
The oldest one is 1918 and the newest is 1945. $2.80 worth, I let some of the other girls buy some out of the drawer too, I'm not greedy. :D
That's cool. When I worked the register at a corner store years ago, some teenager came in to spend his coin collection. I asked him three times if he really wanted to do it, and he kinda shrugged his shoulders and say yes each time. I got two rolls of wheat back pennies and a couple steel pennies. And a bunch of old dimes. Pretty cool when that happens.
That's cool. When I worked the register at a corner store years ago, some teenager came in to spend his coin collection
Sure it was
his collection? :P
That's cool. When I worked the register at a corner store years ago, some teenager came in to spend his coin collection. I asked him three times if he really wanted to do it, and he kinda shrugged his shoulders and say yes each time. I got two rolls of wheat back pennies and a couple steel pennies. And a bunch of old dimes. Pretty cool when that happens.
Yeah, but realistically, they're not worth more than their face value. How long can you hold onto collections like that before they're not interesting to you anymore? Case in point, what did you do with the coins, glatt?
Look there's Dana!!! Dana makin' me proud..... Was that just one day or are you going back on the tour? I bet there were 10 times more people than that photo would indicate too. Seems to be a bad habit amongst journalists.
I used to wear a mask..... Then just sunglasses and a smile. Nothing makes me happier than going to B***'* house to bitch. Hard not to smile...I was caught on film in a stupid sun-hat, sunglasses, and a shit-eating grin.
:)
what did you do with the coins, glatt?
They are in a little jewelry box thing on my dresser. The wheat back pennies are nothing special, but I also got some half dollars, I think, that were old and all silver. But yeah, they have no real value. Every once in awhile I'll get them out and look at them.
Just out of curiosity, I Googled the value of wheat back pennies. According to
this link, an all copper penny (they were copper if they were minted before 1982) has three cents worth of copper in it, so they are rapidly disappearing as people melt them down for the metal. So if I sort through my pennies and melt down the copper and sell it to a metal dealer, I'll get three cents a penny.
A wheat back penny is worth 3.5 cents minimum if sold to a coin dealer. Rare ones can be worth hundreds of dollars.
A little after the time, but I lost one of my cats on Saturday, but got him back on Monday.
I've been taking them out on walks for the last 6 weeks, to prepare them for when my housemate came back and got them chipped. He wants them to be indoor/ outdoor cats and as he's taken all three of us on I can't really argue.
On Saturday there was an altercation between Diz and Trifle (HM's cat) in the doorway. While I was sorting that out Dylan decided to head right - towards the main road. I've never taken them in that direction and before I could catch him he was under a gate and into a locked yard full of grass, equipment and other catly delights. So I ran back in and got some food, then spent the next 30 mins lying on the floor, looking under the gate and making enticing cat noises. A neighbour got me access to the yard about an hour later, but he wasn't in there. So I spent the next 20 hours or so searching the streets, calling, calling, calling.
My HM got home mid-afternoon Sunday and by a lucky chance bumped into a boy who asked him if he was looking for a cat. His family took a cat in on Saturday night as they recognised him as a breed and figured he wasn't supposed to be out. They even got a friend to take their dog for the night so he wouldn't be scared. On Sunday they took him to a vet - who we were able to email and who called us Monday morning to confirm receipt.
HM picked him up while I was in counselling, apparently he'd been having a rare old time with everyone making a fuss of him and nicknaming him Posh.
Tomorrow we go to the vet. Diz & Dylan both get chipped and get collars. I'm not a fan of collars on cats as they leave an ugly mark and can be a choking risk, but Dylan is too friendly for his own good. He was lucky to be looked after as well as he was - people need to know he's a loved cat and not a runaway if it happens again.
It's awful when they disappear like that, isn't it? At least you know where Dylan's been - mine occasionally go walkabout and I have no idea why or where to ...
My Madison got out of my ex'es house and hasn't been seen in about a month. :(
My Madison got out of my ex'es house and hasn't been seen in about a month. :(
That's making you happy, Shawnee?
HLJ, ya goof...I was posting to the poster of the previous post and the previous post pertaining to pets who have parted.
I just applied for a really cool sounding job that does not require certification. Of course, I immediately got a call from PA saying I'd be getting both my certs...:right:
Good question HLJ. I came here to see some people happy after getting out of that Rape Assault thread. More gloom......
I just applied for a really cool sounding job that does not require certification. Of course, I immediately got a call from PA saying I'd be getting both my certs...:right:
Hey, that's great. They have Retsin in 'em , you know.
They're two, two, two mints in one!
I've had a really good week so far: Progressed a couple of ongoing bits of casework; drafted a leaflet for the MP to put out in development wards; attended two meetings as a councillor that turned out to be really interesting, despite having really dull titles (e.g West Yorkshire Transport Authority: Education Liaison Committee); went to a party meeting this evening, where, due to the secretary's continued ill health, I was acting-secretary (have been for a couple months now) and had managed to get the minutes from the last General Committee and the last Executive Committee all typed up last week, and was able to report on a bunch of stuff that had been actioned, thereby making myself look uber committed and organised *does the competant and organised fully rounded human being dance* God if they only knew!
Anyway. There we go. Had a good first half of the week and loads to do tomorrow and Friday followed by the action day on Saturday.
After sinking into that horrible malaise for months it's a relief to me that I have managed to string together a few weeks of being organised and on the ball. I did stuff before but it was such an effort and I only did a fraction of what I should have been doing. This is so much better. I am back up in a frame of mind where I like being busy again! Brilliant:)
Oh yeah and I start back at uni next week! *does the happy to be going back to uni dance, confuses moves with the competant and organised fully rounded human being dance, and trips over own feet*
I have been nasty and sick for weeks now, both with cold symptoms and puking all the damn time.
This makes me happy because after a visit to the doctor, it turns out that unbeknownst to me, I'm already well on my way towards minifob #2 (teenyfob?) Part deux will be due in April, about six weeks before Minifob's second birthday.
Woo!
[SIZE="3"]Congratulations![/SIZE] We have a new baby coming soon, maybe Christmas...
Damn More cellar RATS !!! ;)
congrats, clodfobble and flint! fucking excellent!
edit: or visa versa
Woo Hoo Clodd!!!!
Congrats to the CF Family and teenyfob, who shall be known as beanfob to me :)
Congrats, Flint! Boy or girl?
Congrats, Flint! Boy or girl?
Boy, so we're all balanced here. Sorry about the threadjack... It just bumped to a new page, so I'll re-post your post:
I have been nasty and sick for weeks now, both with cold symptoms and puking all the damn time.
This makes me happy because after a visit to the doctor, it turns out that unbeknownst to me, I'm already well on my way towards minifob #2 (teenyfob?) Part deux will be due in April, about six weeks before Minifob's second birthday.
Woo!
Always the babies bring the happiness. Especially for me, as I will get more middle of the night company as y'all are woken erratically.... :D
Congrats all.
(teenyfob?)
Perhaps you need to promote minifob to midifob to make way for minifob the second?
But maybe for now you could settle for microfob or beaniefob?
Oh crap, I thought Flint was pulling one of his weird little funnies.
Congrats Flint and Family. Another drummer in the baking.
Woohoo! congrats Clod and Flint!!
Wow - congrats Flint & family
Especially big congrats to Clod & family though, after all the issues creating a Minifob you must be floored by the ease of creating the Bean
You go breeders, have one on my behalf ;)
Congrats Clod/Flint!
Hey Sundaes back!:notworthy
Congratulations Clodfobble and Flint! Great, happy news!
So, are these chillens like our nieces and nephews, in a Cellar kind of way:? :)
I think the mormons have a saying: “Women are vessels to be worn out in childbirth.”
I'll have what Mrs. Flint and Clod are having, and make it a triple.
[COLOR="Blue"]Congrats[/COLOR] [COLOR="Magenta"]guys! [/COLOR]
Let's hope KC turns out to have been a good weekend for the Rat family ... ;)
Whoa. I just saw this thread today. That's great news Clodfobble and Flint! Excellent!
Perhaps you need to promote minifob to midifob to make way for minifob the second?
But maybe for now you could settle for microfob or beaniefob?
I was actually working on a hierarchy last night...
Minifob
Tinyfob
Microfob
Nanofob
I kept trying to work Lilliputian-fob in there, but I couldn't decide where it would fit in the list. And god help us all if I have more than four kids anyway. :)
What about:
iFob
iFob mini
iFob nano
iFob shuffle
Wow - congrats to both CF and Flint!
What about miniclod?
And Flint's could be Flintle
Miniclod and the Flintles -awesome name for a band....
Great news, Clod and Flint!
All of you guys here make me very happy. :)
my nieces and their new puppy, and my oldest niece (7) who played hooky with her daddy and went to the Red's game yesterday.
Typhoon day!
Think snow day but warmer. and windier.
Warm, windy and wet.
Like anal sex with a curry-lover.
I had to reinstall windows last month. I had tons of music I thought I had lost. I found stashed data c/ds full of music from like 5 years ago. I have some rare covers and other music that makes me remember good times with a couple of people
:)
some titles are:
Smashing Pumpkins _Dancing in the Moonlight
Stone Temple Pilots _Dancing Days
Pearl Jam_ The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald.
and on and on ...very happy about that. A treasure to find!
I love it when that happens! That's how I rediscovered my Nick Cave cds!
I set a new (personal) mpg record on my drive in today: 114.6 mpg over 19.1 miles. This takes just the right combination of temperature, traffic and technique.
I did have to run one red light and two stop signs, but it was worth it.
:::making mental note to not allow husband to insure HLJ:::
I called in sick today.
Not feeling 100%...but I could've made it through the day.
Mental health day, I've only called off 3 or so times in the year I've been there, so sue me for taking a fun day. :p
So why aren't you out having fun?
I set a new (personal) mpg record on my drive in today: 114.6 mpg over 19.1 miles.
That's pretty damn good.
I expect you to tell us your mileage on you way back home tonight. Feel free to run stop signs and red lights if it will help.
That's pretty damn good.
I expect you to tell us your mileage on you way back home tonight. Feel free to run stop signs and red lights if it will help.
Mileage going home has much lower variability than mileage coming to work. Typical numbers are 51 to 56 mpg over 18.2 miles. Unfortunately, I won't be going directly home tonight, as I'm starting an Hapkido class.
If I achieve the following results: drive to work, 19.1 miles @ 114.6 mpg, and drive home is 18.2 miles @ 52.5 mpg; what's the total average mpg?
Around 85mpg. Give or take as needed.
That's good mileage. That's on your bike?
Around 85mpg. Give or take as needed.
That's good mileage. That's on your bike?
Given those segments, total mileage is 72.7 mpg.
That's in the Honda Insight.
Given those segments, total mileage is 72.7 mpg.
I knew my answer was wrong, but I thought my estimate would be closer than that. Damn. Now I have to check it.
If you got 114.6 mpg over 19.1 miles, then you used 0.167 gallons on that leg. Then if you got 52.5 mpg over 18.2 miles, you used 0.347 gallons. You went 37.3 miles total and used 0.514 gallons. So that's 72.56 MPG. Alright. You are correct.
Hey- I'm not fuckin' freaked out today......woo-hoo! It's chilly and.....even the coffee tastes better.
Awesome.
Yup. Everythings back to abnormal. I feel better. I can even keep track of time today......It may be going incredibly slow now, but at least I'm back to having a decent perception of it. Talk about going nuts- at least I know now that if I go nuts I can still come back.
So why aren't you out having fun?
Because I was damn tired, so I slept...A LOT felt great!
I have fun planned for tomorrow instead...I hope.
I'm Still in a singing mood...
The most beautiful sound I ever heard:
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria.
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word:
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria.
Maria, I've just met a girl named Maria,
and suddenly the name will never be the same to me.
Maria! I've just kissed a girl named Maria.
And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be.
Maria, say it loud and there's music playing.
Say it soft and it's almost like praying,
Maria, I never stop saying: "Maria!"
I talked to my HM re my debts (in nauseating detail in the Health thread) and am finally cried out.
It sounds melodramatic, but I have honestly never cried so much in my LIFE and was scaring myself.
All done now, cry-wise and thinking-HM-wants-me-out-wise and it feels good to be back in the land of the living.
Bloody glad to hear it. :D (for your sake, not a criticism of your previous feelings...)
Just got to award some unexpected scholarship dollars to some deserving students! Woohoooo (the "best of times" part of my job.)
First Academic Senate of the school year. It's usually a hoot because a few really pretentious and pompous faculty take the floor and many of us giggle inside! I get to be FA rep, I volunteered, when most of student services begs not to go (I think it's really fun!)
My co-worker is covering my help session this afternoon so I don't have to leave Senate early.
Then we get out an hour early on Friday.
Yep, it's a good day! :)
The weather today is great! I came in by motorcycle, and might take a long lunch and go for a ride in the hills.
I'm the only person in the office today.
I'm going to my older son's Homecoming game. He's captain of the football team and on Homecoming court--Yoohoo!
My other son is coming with and so is my mom!
It's a good day. :)
The weather today is great! I came in by motorcycle, and might take a long lunch and go for a ride in the hills.
I'm the only person in the office today.
My office is slow too... Did someone not inform me of a holiday?
My office is slow too... Did someone not inform me of a holiday?
They're probably getting an early start on the Autumnal Equinox.
That's what I'm thinking about.
Yeah! My son's football team won homecoming 24-23 and he was crowned king (well, his chick, the one he escorted was crowned queen so he wins King default)
Yay! He played a great game (he's tight end) and was v. exciting. I love going to those games. Was such fun.
Lil' Griff scored a goal at field hockey today and Pete's homemade goat feta is awesome!
He played a great game (he's tight end)
Wow...macking on your own child...you sick bitch! :)
Ummm...lessee...got all the laundry done. Got about half of my "honey do" list done...of course, April's not forcing me to do shit while she's gone. I just thought it would be nice to knock a lot of stuff out while she's out of town, so I made my own "honey do" list. Going to see a few local bands tonight, then Heaven & Hell tomorrow. Fuck yeah!
No soccer games this weekend -I think everyone stayed home to eat scottish breakfast =Yummy Kippers or something.
So Beest and I did some stripping on the deck in the dark.
And it's my birthday tomorrow. I'm going to throw a pot.
I went hiking today and didn't fall down! not even once!
This is a great feat for my clumsy ass.
...I'm going to throw a pot.
Um. What does 'throw a pot' mean, exactly?
Is it like this:
(
SINGS)
"Hand me down that can o' beans, hand me down that can o' beans, hand me down that can o' beans, I'm throwin' it away! Out the window go the beans, out the window go the beans, out the window go the beans, I had a lucky day! Mary, M-M-M-Mary, my sweet canary, I'm gonna take you out tonight!!
?Ah!
So I was doing my cashier thing..and an old guy walks up to my counter as I grab my scanny gun thingie...he did the whole "hands up so you don't shoot" thing...so I pointed it at him and he goes..
"Don't tase me bro!"
I kid you not. Best. Customer. Everrrrrr.
Um. What does 'throw a pot' mean, exactly?
Make a bowl on a potters wheel.
I threw three, actually, and they were only slightly wonky. It's been a few years.
Oh and beest gave me a little head for my birthday.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"](It's a little skeletal and in a cage with glowing eyes)[/COLOR]
I kid you not. Best. Customer. Everrrrrr.
Beauty!
A shower.
Bonus: happiness radius + 3, + 6 downwind.
Fixed my hole.
OK, you can start now.
That's a relief.
I've engaged in hand to hand combat with sewer plumbing before--it is not pretty. I have come to the rationalization that in *this* case, I have more money than time. Congratulations!
Everything is okay with Teenyfob! I've been referred to a specialist, but supposedly under his watchful eye things should stay fine. Things are much less stressed in the fob household today.
Very, very good news Clod. :thumb:
Thank goodness.
There is no agony like worrying about one's children. I'm **so** happy to hear your good news!
I married the most wonderful woman 14 years ago today.
So I'm playing hooky today, and we're going for a hike* while the kids are in school.
[SIZE="1"]*No, that's not what the kids are calling it these days.[/SIZE]
That's sweet....*oh*
My husband and I call it playing "Hooker"- I mean Hooky......
When we first met we made it a habit...we would call in and watch stupid scary "B" films all day in bed and order chinese.
Happy #14!
Thanks, all.
I'm having a good day.
my kids' homework is done!!!!!
This evening, we did grocery shopping at an actual grocery store, for the first time since...I can't remember. Included a pleasant, 6-block stroll through Society Hill. Everything else aside, having the time and not being too tired to do something like this was kind of amazing.
I didn't know that Spaghettios are owned by Campbell's now.
Employed? Why yes I am. :D Just got the call, I'll be snuggling up to the gooberment teat next week.
Just save some milk for the rest of us.
I won't say how little I'll be making, but think early intervention for low SES kids not designing things that go boom.
Excellent! What will you be teaching?
it seems you will be working for a worthy cause.
Special Education in a Head Start program. I was in Head Start as a kid so it kinda closes a circle.
Thank ya!
Sweet! Stay with it and get a pension, even if it sucks as time goes on.
Yey Griff! Marvellous news, mate.:)
This evening, we did grocery shopping at an actual grocery store, for the first time since...I can't remember. Included a pleasant, 6-block stroll through Society Hill. Everything else aside, having the time and not being too tired to do something like this was kind of amazing.
I didn't know that Spaghettios are owned by Campbell's now.
sorry, but I missed why you haven't been able to do this. Whatever it was, glad to hear it's on the up, even if the spaghettios news is worrisome!
Special Education in a Head Start program. I was in Head Start as a kid so it kinda closes a circle.
Well, it's about time you got off your ass and helped Pete carry the load. Break a leg, Man.
While waiting for the bus I saw a guy joyfully roller blading down the street, clapping his hands and singing a song.
On the flip side there's these goddamn workers doing shit right outside and on our siding and they won't let me sleep. It is loud.
While waiting for the bus I saw a guy joyfully roller blading down the street, clapping his hands and singing a song.
Ohmigod, you live in Fame!
sorry, but I missed why you haven't been able to do this. Whatever it was, glad to hear it's on the up, even if the spaghettios news is worrisome!
Thanks, monster. My fiance just closed his store, which had ruled our lives for the past few years. Being self-employed doesn't always mean freedom, like they say it does!
Thanks, monster. My fiance just closed his store, which had ruled our lives for the past few years. Being self-employed doesn't always mean freedom, like they say it does!
In my experience being self-employed doesn't mean that you are your own boss, it means that each one of your clients is your boss. I'd rather be an employee anyday :yelsick: .
I am happy to read of others good news, congrats all!!
Despite getting my period again last week, my blood tests came back normal/good. Hopefully we've just been really unlucky timewise. Next step? Getting hubby to give a sample. Easier said than done. Heh.
Ah, just tell him to stop running it down the shower drain and put it in a cup.
I just found out today that I have a job. Woo hoo!
It's short-term, but that works well enough for now.
I just found out today that I have a job. Woo hoo!
It's short-term, but that works well enough for now.
congrats!
I am happy to read of others good news, congrats all!!
Despite getting my period again last week, my blood tests came back normal/good. Hopefully we've just been really unlucky timewise. Next step? Getting hubby to give a sample. Easier said than done. Heh.
I'm sure he'll manage if you give him a hand.
congrats blue! What's the job?
I got a promotion at work! I will now be over more operations. I get to dump some of my duties I do not enjoy onto other unsupecting fools and take over some of the business I enjoy. MUCH less travel and more pay! Win. Win.
Awesome! Hey blue- sometimes the short-terms turn into long-terms....you know that.....I know that.....just try not to forget it!
And
theotherguy turns into thebossofyouguy, congrats!
No matter what happens, no matter how we all got here, life is a tremendous gift.
Thanks you guys--and mucho congrats to you, TOG.
I'm kind of glad this this particular job is not long-term, as it's further away than I'd want to travel for more than a few months. But it'll give me time and funds to put together a really nice portfolio, and shop around for workplaces with shorter commutes.
Congrats blue and TOG!
What's making me happy?
New friend (one on the left)
;)
True left or the other left? I am confused.
Dont matter anyways....woo hooo Bullitt!!!
Congrats Toggie!! I expect to see you around more now
Your left, the darker one.
Muchos gracias!
Ohhhh, shes verra nice.
Go you!!
immersed in work.
distracted from life.
forgot stuff for a while.
Your left, the darker one.
Muchos gracias!
Can I borrow the other one, then?
My kids just swam a meet and have improved so much they all got heat-winner ribbons. In fact they all won at least one event, Even the 5yo -who has to race against kids who may be 3 years older than him!
This probably shoyuld be in the proud parent thread, but right now, I'm just happy about it :p
I loaded up my husband in the car yesterday and went to another city. We went to the emegency room and we told the doctors there the diagnosis from our area "specialists"......They immediately did a biopsy and lab results.....
IT is NOT Lymphoma and he does NOT have cancer....
God I'm glad I lost it and pulled the ER trick.....Yeah!!!! No Cancer haaaah!!!!
God that was such a goat f@#*! I've been walking on air ever since! What a relief! Aaaaaah. He's going to live!!!! I can't believe they (Santa Fe "specialists") had me going for that long....but who cares....just a little surgery to remove the mass, and it's over!!!
:band: :devil: :thumb:
Life rocks again!!!!
Sorry...just a little excited here.....
Congratulations Cicero.
Well school wise the last week was hell, four midterms in a week, and I just finished my last one and felt like I did really well so I'm feeling good and relieved from that. Can relax until Monday now.
I'm at my parents. That's enough, but Daddy has just gone out to buy me some dinner (they've just come home from housesitting and have nothing in). Yumyumyum. I've tried to be as eassy to buy for as possible, just asking for chicken, any kind, with anything, thank you.
That's wonderful news, Cicero!!
Did the crappy specialists somehow get a false-positive biopsy, or did they never even do a biopsy at all?
Yea....they worked off of each others false prognosis. No one gave us the actual results of the tests because they were too busy referring us elsewhere because of the "liability"....the surgery being "too risky". God...I can't think about that. That just pisses me off too much, and this is the happy thread. I don't even think they got the results....Oh dear...How Shakespearean...just a bunch of dumb dummys....I knew it!!!.....Folly!!! Uuummm....just get something diagnosed again and again if it is severe and don't trust everything you hear from supposed professionals...Lesson Learned.
Thanks again everyone for being good about the whole thing, and putting up with my sad-sackness!
You Rock too!!! Unless you don't want to Rock....in which case...you are awesome! And on and on like that......
:)
Great News, Ci - now go out and celebrate:celebrat:
Wonderful news Cicero! I'm so pleased for you. *hugs*
Sis - if I may call you that - I missed your earlier post. That's fantastic news. Was talking to my Mum tonight about Dwellars amd she said she'd pray for them (all of you) tonight. I don't believe myself but in case you do, you're in a good Catholics prayers.
(then again so is RK and I bet that would make him mad :))
got my tickets for Stomp! (a percussion/dance troupe).
Thanks for the thought there SG's mum! I'm not sure what religion you would have to be into to pray for me...maybe Catholic about covers it? lol!! Oh jeez- maybe I need a whole symposium of well wishers of all faiths....:)
The catholic receptionist here at work did that for me and my husband too. That's sweet. Thank your mum for me SG!
:)
Cicero-I said it in another thread but I'd like to say it here, too: Congratulations to you and your husband! What a relief this must be after so much worry! Yay for you guys!!
And Sundae--If your Mom is praying for me, too, I couldn't be happier about it!
hey yeah- Bri! Thanks for all your support!
I am still here for you so PM me whenever you need, or want, or are just kind of bored!
*I flipped out and my husband ended up in the place he needed to go*
Hey- my neighbor showed me her implant- she also tattooed her boob with a lotus flower....it's pretty f'in awesome...btw. She made me touch both of them because they both had to be done after her operation. Well....that's not why she made me touch them...still not sure why...but anyhoo...she had them both done and they are pretty cool. She was just showing me that she had a nice rack even after cancer is the point...I suppose. I don't think it did a stitch to her sex-life.
Well, her boobs were better than mine anyways, Damn it......
Hope all is well, and keep me "abreast" of what's going on. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.....
:)
I'm pretty pleased this week is over :P
Just got to watch my little brother on television--he had a bit part in tonight's season premiere of Friday Night Lights (a stupid teen drama about high school football that happens to be filmed locally.)
For anyone who watches stupid teen dramas, he was the guitar player in the band at the bar. :)
So Excited! First real breakfast in months...egg and toast... MMmmmmmmm
(It's the little things that really get me going ;) )
I loaded up my husband in the car yesterday and went to another city. We went to the emegency room and we told the doctors there the diagnosis from our area "specialists"......They immediately did a biopsy and lab results.....
IT is NOT Lymphoma and he does NOT have cancer....
God I'm glad I lost it and pulled the ER trick.....Yeah!!!! No Cancer haaaah!!!!
God that was such a goat f@#*! I've been walking on air ever since! What a relief! Aaaaaah. He's going to live!!!! I can't believe they (Santa Fe "specialists") had me going for that long....but who cares....just a little surgery to remove the mass, and it's over!!!
:band: :devil: :thumb:
Life rocks again!!!!
Sorry...just a little excited here.....
That's great news, girl!!
When he'd coming out of anesthesia, make him admit that you looked hot in your lingerie. ;)
Homemade strawberry yogurt this morning, new car yesterday, and new job Monday!
Very happy for you Griff!
The hat trick Griff!! Woo hoo
Way to go, Griff!!
What kind of car? What kind of job?
What kind of car? What kind of job?
Side. Blow.
*grins*
Going out to lunch today with my mommy! Yay!! :D
I found an exercise I enjoy - Water Workout
And I am back home (Aylesbury) again this weekend for my niece's Confirmation, so I see my parents twice in one week - woohoooo!
Oh and after nearly 5 nights with very little, broken sleep, I feel my eyelids closing already. Power of suggestion - a lady at water workout said, "You'll sleep well tonight!" I nearly said, "Thank you" thinking it was a benediction :)
I went to be measured for a bra today. My genuine intention was just to get the correct measurement and then buy it on Monday when the money goes into my account. At present I only have 1 bra and it quite obviously doesn't fit me any more - it causes quite a bit of discomfort after a few hours.
Mum came with me, for company really, and ended up buying the bra for me. That was lovely of her of course, but the real happiness comes from knowing my current size correctly, and knowing I have one that fits. My breasts are back in the right place again now!
Oh and the lady who fitted it was miles fatter than me, so I felt utterly un-selfconscious standing before her in trousers and bra. I know it shouldn't make a difference, but it was a good feeling anyway.
Ohh, yer, well fitting bras and boobs in the right place, do wonders :)
Whats making me happy?.......last nite, this morning and ...ohh....just before :D
SNIP
Whats making me happy?.......last nite, this morning and ...ohh....just before :D
So, your weekend went according to plan then eh Ducks? Enjoy.
Way to go, Griff!!
What kind of car? What kind of job?
Sure let's piss off lumberjim. ;) Suzuki Sx4. Its the smallest AWD on the market. Living where I do its all about mileage and traction. I got way more on trade-in than I expected.
I'm working for a non-profit implementing Head Start. I go into classrooms and make sure staff is providing a positive experience, following research based practices, and I'm also providing emotional support for troubled youts. Yes, I'm being paid to play with 3 and 4 year old kids!
The little shit who's been trying to bully me (fellow party member and elected councillor) made the mistake of emailing his latest nasty rant to me. He's driven several people out of the local party across the years, almost always women. He tried bullying me when I was first on the scene and fortunately I had friends to come to my defense in meetings, but the phone messages and general nastiness was unpleasant. Now he's trying to do it again.
Very difficult to describe to people what he's actually like, because when you first meet him he seems a very calm and quiet person. Unless you've had the half hour, ranting, shouting, insulting telephone encounter it's hard to credit that he has that side to him. Not helped by the fact that the Regional office is peopled with his freinds and supporters.....but hey...it's a damn sight easier to show his colours when he's packaged them up nice and handy in a written format:P The prick accidentally sent it to the entire exec group-email by pressing reply to a message I'd sent out to the group, cancelling a meeting. he basically splurged a bunch of nasty, sniping attacks at me (very personal) and that's gone out to everyone.
I now have three different people writing letters of complaint to the national party *grins*
Of course....this wil be taken as a declaration of war by the Junta and his allies, but hey....can't keep letting him do this.
The little shit who's been trying to bully me (fellow party member and elected councillor) made the mistake of emailing his latest nasty rant to me. He's driven several people out of the local party across the years, almost always women. He tried bullying me when I was first on the scene and fortunately I had friends to come to my defense in meetings, but the phone messages and general nastiness was unpleasant. Now he's trying to do it again.
Very difficult to describe to people what he's actually like, because when you first meet him he seems a very calm and quiet person. Unless you've had the half hour, ranting, shouting, insulting telephone encounter it's hard to credit that he has that side to him. Not helped by the fact that the Regional office is peopled with his freinds and supporters.....but hey...it's a damn sight easier to show his colours when he's packaged them up nice and handy in a written format:P The prick accidentally sent it to the entire exec group-email by pressing reply to a message I'd sent out to the group, cancelling a meeting. he basically splurged a bunch of nasty, sniping attacks at me (very personal) and that's gone out to everyone.
I now have three different people writing letters of complaint to the national party *grins*
Of course....this wil be taken as a declaration of war by the Junta and his allies, but hey....can't keep letting him do this.
Bring the copies of the email to the next public meeting and have them recognized and attached to the minutes for the record.
*smiles* that is precisely what is about to happen :P Along with complaints going to National and Regional, there will be a formal motion of complaint and a statement read out at the next meeting, by the Chair and secretary of the CLP.
Of course, this is going to get ugly. There will be counter accusations and complaints and I know there are people who will be prepared to lie to back those up. There is likely to be an investigation and people being interviewed etc by national officers. But...them's the breaks.
Sure let's piss off lumberjim. ;) Suzuki Sx4. Its the smallest AWD on the market. Living where I do its all about mileage and traction. I got way more on trade-in than I expected.
I'm working for a non-profit implementing Head Start. I go into classrooms and make sure staff is providing a positive experience, following research based practices, and I'm also providing emotional support for troubled youts. Yes, I'm being paid to play with 3 and 4 year old kids!
Ohhh.....great little AWD Griff. We are having nothing but success with them :)
Ohhh.....great little AWD Griff. We are having nothing but success with them :)
Cool!
Of course, this is going to get ugly. There will be counter accusations and complaints and I know there are people who will be prepared to lie to back those up. There is likely to be an investigation and people being interviewed etc by national officers. But...them's the breaks.
Ah fuck'em. Glad you have the nasty bugger's bad side in his own writing (as it were). Give him enough cyanide, he'll poison himself again ;)
My happy tonight comes courtesy of my parents' 12 year old cat. She was acquired after I'd moved out and barely deigned to notice me for years. Either my boys have made me much more cat-talented (unlikely - I grew up around cats) or she has Alzheimers - she has been so loving to me this whole weekend. Okay right here right now I'm the only one up, but even before this- she was on my lap within an hour of me arriving on Friday, whereas she used to run out of the room when I arrived before.
I'm loving my new cat magnet status.
I've heard those SX4's are nice. Of course, Case is gonna be pissed at you, since she wrecked hers earlier this year, IIRC. Congrats, bro!
Lessee...well, I feel like myself for the first time in almost a week. No more fuzziness, headaches or confusion. Well, more or less.
Had dinner tonight with one of my friends from graduate school and her fiance. They just got engaged. Glad I'm almost done with that part of things.
Oh...and I get married in less than a week. And I'm not nervous...I'm ready to go...whoohoo!
Yes, the SX4 is nice. I like the way it rides and the AWD tractions mumbo jumbo is awesome. Doesn't hold up well in rear end collisions, however...thank god for fold down seats! Also, the 6 disc changer in dash *rocks*. :hedfone:
Happy today because...I am actually going to paint!
opening night of Once Upon A Mattress last night.
we... ROCKED THAT FUCKING SHIT.
and we're going to be even better tonight.
My boss is leaving for Japan for 10 days tomorrow.....wooo hooo!!!!
Its work and the phone reception will be shyte...even bigger wooo hoooo!!
The sound of crickets chirping...
Highly recommended.
The sound of chickenshit soup boiling...
Parallel Universes. They exist!
Yes!!! Just awesome!
How liberating! That rocks!!!! Maybe this topic deserves a whole thread.
BigV's positive contributions to the cellar: countless
Rage's : still waiting to start the count
See the problem with using BigV's method of dealing with this asshole is that Rage isn't looking for discussion, debate, or even any interaction. all he wants is to sit there and stew in his pathetic little quagmire of a life and puke up his bitterness onto the cellar. he honestly couldn't care less to interact with us because in his little world there is exactly zero chance that he is wrong about anything.
Yours? A new height in stalking!
I'm proud of you!
A new sock stalker... how common.
No, not you, the other guyz.
well, then let's watch the quick turn around. Rage will be your best friend now. I can here it now... "i always loved that little star wars guy. we go way back. i remember in my modeling days, between screwing the hundreds of groupies that followed me around, i'd hang out with ol' R2 and..."
I was thinking of running a business again. Graphics design this time. Someone called my boss today that found one of the last things I designed for her and wants to hire me for their campaign. Talk about great timing...I've been thinking about it, and wasn't sure if the quality of my work was better than standard yet, and it's been confirmed. The work is good.
It's a go!!! Awesome!
My boss is taking a lot of the credit. But the news is still good. It's a sign. Har-de-har-har.
The sound of crickets chirping...
Highly recommended.
That makes me sad, V
Our new mattress arrived for our bed today.
Also, the new kitten is settling in to our household nicely.
Also, I made an excellent sling in the cat cage for the cats to sleep in now they need more room.
First cold front of the year!! Woo! I actually got to turn on the heater last night!
We've also had a run of glorious weather. Cool, still and bright - heart-stoppingly beautiful Autumn days.
Yeah. It's been lovely in the valley. Wish I'd taken my camera today.
Hey Cloud, "What's making you happy today?" is currently losing to your "What's making you upset today?" 724 to 749.
Makes me think we need that 70s Coca-cola commercial where they're all singing, holding hands and spreading love....and coke.
I can't find the youtube!
Today (10/23/07) is my 14th wedding anniversary.
Cool, CG! Make sure you remember to bring her some flowers or something. ;)
Hey Cloud, "What's making you happy today?" is currently losing to your "What's making you upset today?" 724 to 749.
...
That's true, and I've been looking at those numbers for a while as a means to judge the mood of the Cellar. But to be a truly valuable indicator, you would need to know the number of original posts in each thread, not the total number of posts.
I think that you would find a higher number of response posts in the "What's making you upset today?" thread, (e.g. Poster 1 says "I've contracted an STD" and Posters 2, 3, and 4 respond to say, "That's too bad," "I had that a few times," and "I'm going to disinfect my keyboard now.")
When someone posts in the "Happy" thread, it just makes most of the others jealous.
I saw the "hall of fame" thread for the first time. There are some really good comments in there ... and someone has posted one of my comments there too! Cor gee shucks. :D
Thanks Crimson Ghost! And happy anniversary, too!
Thank you, DanaC, Clodfobble, and ZenGum.
We had a nice, romantic night.
BTW, you're welcome, ZenGum.
It's rainy and dreary outside, but I'm sitting inside in snuggly pajamas, sipping a glass of wine, while MB is cooking up a delicious-smelling dinner. Only thing missing is the cat, who ought to be sitting on my desk...where is that li'l fucker, I wonder...
MB is cooking and the cat is missing......
Uh oh....
*smiles* been a tough day. The toughest of the last few weeks. Last minute blocking tactics; region dragged into it in an attempt to subvert the committee's democratic processes; phone calls back and forth and the support of a key member wavering with the possibility of voting against. Ate breakfast, brought it straight back up. Spoke to the Secretary and made to feel like I was breaking the party frivolously, attention shifting away from the intimidation and bullying and onto my actions (always happens, should have seen it coming really). Today I considered leaving the Party. For this comrade to say he may vote against...that rocked me. Upset and angry, I was literally shaking.
But hey...this the happy thread. He came round. They (I don't quite know why) didn't get all the delegates to the meeting. We, however, did. Someone I spoke to, who I was wary of approaching came to the meeting. (sometimes the better result is that they will stay away, because if they attend they could swing either way and blow the vote: usually this will be a semi inactive member.) I thought that they would do what they usually do if there's going to be a firefight...dredge up members who don't really know the background, do a total character assassination on me, or whoever's put their head above the parapet, and get them to vote their way. because these people don't really seek to be that active, they are on my list as 'unaligned or rarely show'.
When you have 15-16 delegates on one side, 10-11 delegates on the other side and a list of 6 people who are either unswayable by either side (they decide on the night and it's pointless trying to persuade them to go one way or the other) or unlikely to come to a meeting, it's the 6 that could make or break it. So...quandary...someone who rarely shows and does his own thing when he does...talk to him, possibly resulting in him turning up, where he otherwise mightn't have with no way of knowing which way he'll vote?
Ahh politics. It is a strange world.
But...2 of the 6 I knew would not be there *crosses off two names*
1 of them I spoke to and he a) hadn't been contacted by them, and b) had forgotten about the meeting, but now I'd reminded him he was going to attend. So...if he's coming, I can't risk him hearing the (much reduced explanation of events as per advice from region) and making a decision against based on the first, least inflammatory email only. So..gave him some background, carefully avoiding bitching about the other guy or divulging the actual content of the emails....he said he'd support. Still wasn't 100% sure he would.
He did. He even spoke to the motion. Patted my arm and gave me a very sweet smile on the way out. Just goes to show...never can tell.
The motion was passed: 14 for, 4 against, 4 abstentions. The man I am complaining about had removed himself from the meeting and tried to suggest it was unprocedural for either of us to be in the room. His friends pushed for that. It wasn't unprocedural. I know, because i know the procedure, as does the Chair. Both can remain, both can be part of the discussion...both can vote. He left, I remained. He gave up his vote, I retained mine.
Everything they threw at us was an attempt to cast doubt on the procedural validity of what was being done. They don't know the procedure. The Chair however can cite the relevant rules and take them to the relevant pages in the rule book. Everything we'd done, had been done to the rules and, after their attempts to draw region in failed, with the permission and guidance of the correct regional official. More minor threats were made about the unfreindliness this would provoke, the effect on the next elections, etc ad nauseum. But those threats sound tame when most voices are in your favour.
I have no idea why his wife (whilst he was sulking downstairs) abstained from the vote...a hollow protest perhaps. He did himself few favours when the Secretary went downstairs to explain why he did have a right to be there and invite him back in...I don't know what the man was shouting at the secretary, but we could all but hear him frothing at the mouth.
The only really unsettling part of the meeting after that, was after the vote....when he was informed it had passed and returned to the room: as he passed by my seat he turned to glare at me, pausing to ...eyeball is the only word for it. The man looked insane. It was deliberate stare, of fury and and intent. For the first and only time during this whole affair, I felt physically threatened...just for a moment, til my brain kicked back in and reminded me we were in a room full of people. I have no doubt in my mind, had someone waved a magic wand and removed all the other people, at that moment he'd have kicked the living shit out of me. And the look was meant, entirely meant, to convey that. Not near, blind rage....cold, mad and intending to harm.
We buried the fucker. 2 meetings down...2 to go. I am happy tonight.
[eta] my apologies for the rather long and involved post. It's difficult to get across the intensity in fewer words.
MB is cooking and the cat is missing......
Uh oh....
Oh cieling cat, forgive me...but dinner was so tasty.
Dana, I wonder if that freak practices in front of a mirror. ;)
Dana, I wonder if that freak practices in front of a mirror.
hahah now there's an image. I'll bear that in mind next time he does that.
CG did you find the cat?
He was talking about my cat, who did finally show up. MB fed me chicken, it turns out.
ooooh. Sorry. I think I probably knew that and it got lost in my head.
So Dana, forgive me for being slow, but what was the motion? to cast him out?
MB fed me chicken, it turns out.
What did it taste like? :lol:
So Dana, forgive me for being slow, but what was the motion? to cast him out?
*chuckles* I wish :P No. In order to trigger a disciplinary process a formal complaint is lodged in writing to the secretary. He presents the complaint, and the request for discplinary action to be considered (all of which is included in the letter of complaint) to the executive, who vote on whether to recommend it to the general committee. They then instruct the executive to set up an investigating panel, who decide if they think there is a prima facie case to answer and make their recommendation back to the general committee (dizzy yet?). The general committee then votes whether to accept that recommendation and whether to refer the matter to the national body to hear the case. They then decide on whether to take disciplinary action (ranges from suspension to expulsion).
Its long and drawn out, but only the first few stages are within the local party (and therefore deeply partisan). Once it leaves and goes to national, you're effectively in a tribunal situation.
Tonight the vote was whether to accept the recommendation to set up an investigating panel.
It's very complicated but it is designed to protect people from frivolous accusations. The idea is that it is fundamentally democratic. Democracy though can be a blunt tool, and very few people make decisions based solely on merit. I am in a sense using the system to get to this guy. I am doing so for good reason and I believe it is an honest complaint. But, it all comes down to numbers in the end. Right now the numbers are with me, they could just as easily not be and then the complaint woold never leave the local party.
yeah, I understood that thanks -your explanation was very clear (and needs no editing ;) )
hurrah so far!
*grins* much drinking was done after the meeting.
wife
So glad to hear that, BigV.
Yeah. I must have missed that. Was so damn hyped.
Good news BigV.
Brilliant Dana. First and very important step taken. Sorry about the wasted breakfast though!
Like you say, the man is what he is and is bound to keep showing his true colours all the way through. You have done a brave and positive thing, taking a stand against something you know is wrong is risky but a positive thing to do.
Good luck for the future, keep us updated.
Our new little kitty cat has discovered a stash of baby toys that we keep under one of the spare beds for when little kids come over.
She's playing with one of those toys that are weighted on the bottom so can't tip over, but when you poke it, it jingles and rocks back and forth.
It's very funny.
Wife.
working light
Being tall enough to change the bulbs easily without needing a stool or a ladder.
Our new little kitty cat has discovered a stash of baby toys that we keep under one of the spare beds for when little kids come over.
She's playing with one of those toys that are weighted on the bottom so can't tip over, but when you poke it, it jingles and rocks back and forth.
It's very funny.
Video please!!!!
I love cats - they're just smart enough to be really stupid, and thus entertaining.
I am happy 'cuz Keryx said she LOVES Me.
I got a new pad! Moving next weekend. Cute little apartment complex complete with workout room. YES!!
I hate moving.
glad to hear it's making youhappy though. :)
Video please!!!!
I love cats - they're just smart enough to be really stupid, and thus entertaining.
Cats are so superior. That's what makes it funny when they slam into walls when they're trying to be all agile and stuff. ;)
I'll see what I can do about the video.
Something.
I will ask the Dwellar responsible if I can tell.
I was unhappy yesterday, and am happy today because of it.
*is now totally intrigued*
Someone responded to my nail crisis by sending me a set of nail art pens.
I used them within five minutes of Postie coming to the door. And that was only because it took five minutes to slice through the packaging.
Thank you to those who sent, I don't mean to suggest this person made me happier than the others. The last items I received did the same and I responded to let the person know via PM. It's just I was having a particularly crappy day and this made me determined to improve myself - right place right time. (And I know there s another to come from another Dwellar - I am such a spoilt princess)
My first attempt at nail art:
Its Halloween, which is my favorite holiday!!
Ooooh...who was it from???? Details please...!
A couch. (I'm so pathetic) Taking the day off work so I can be there when it gets delivered. Big move Saturday!
...I responded to let the person know via PM.
A lovely PM :)
Ooooh...who was it from???? Details please...!
I think she just revealed herself :)
What is making me happy today is my new Wagamama marinade - Hoisin, Mustard and Garlic. It was on sale when I did my big shop on Monday and I've had two mini chicken fillets marinating since yesterday. If you got 100 people together and they all shouted, "YUM!" at the same time they still wouldn't be as yummy as my dinner.
Ooooooh....you can buy Wagamama products at supermarkets now? *drools* I love their food.
They are in Asda, in the World Foods aisle.
I did a little dance in my head too!
It's Friday! It's FRIDAY!
I'm happy. They should rename Friday to 'Happy-Crank-Cocaine-Makes-Me-Feel-Not-As-Good-Because-Tomorrow's-Saturday-Day'.
Although I suspect that won't fit into calendars.
Damn you Kiwis and your getting to Friday first!
I'm just waiting for the minutes to tick down so I can get the hell out of here and finish this Thursday that won't end.
We're going to
the Tate tomorrow - another thing to be happy about.
HM has been promising me a tourist trip since he came back from Wales (beginning of September). Now we're finally doing it I intend to make it a weekly occurrence. I can travel anywhere in London by bus with a maximum fee of £1.35 and the museums and big galleries are all free. No excuse not to.
Damn you Kiwis and your getting to Friday first!
I'm just waiting for the minutes to tick down so I can get the hell out of here and finish this Thursday that won't end.
Yes, but they also get to Monday while you're still at home in your warm fuzzy bunny slippers, sipping cognac and reading Milton by the sparking fire.
You paint a lovely picture, HLJ.
Got my couch! No bunny slippers though. Tomorrow is the big move in day.
And when are you posting the pictures of your couch? You can't just wave the idea of a new couch in front of us and not let us see...
And when are you posting the pictures of your couch? You can't just wave the idea of a new couch in front of us and not let us see...
And we'd like to see it "pre-christening" please.
My lovely wife!
hap-hap-happeeeeeee!!!
Going hiking for the weekend with my pops. Haven't gotten to spend much quality time with him in a looong while due to his job and my being at school for going on 4 years now.
Peak fall color right now too, should come back with some nice shots that I will for sure share with you all.
Stick a fork in this week. I'm outta here!
Rain.
Like real RAIN!
Oh n I am on the way to pissed :D
I heard today that the Murray is now lower than sea level on average. That's very bad news.
We went to a market on the Murray today, you can walk across it in so many places....its weird.
Its nearly fucked in South Australia
what do you think about this new water plan?
You mean the pipe to Melbourne?
I want more data before I decide. I think a lot of people are making decisions half cocked at the moment.
Well the whole idea of the murray darling being taken over federally to try and solve the water crisis. I know some people are dead set against it, but they're mostly the ones taking out further upstream in northern nsw and southern qld.
Ultimately I think it should have been done a long time ago.
There's water in the Condomine atm, so if we can just get a bit more rain it might make it downstream anyway.
Oh, we are really focussed on the
Sugarloaf Pipeline at the moment.
Plug the pipe are making a lot of noise
I have no probs with the Murray Darling
I am happy that I was able to spend a couple of pleasant hours visiting with the woman with whom I most want to once again be intimate in the not too distant future (apart from my wife, of course, with whom I want to be intimate again as soon as she returns home tomorrow from her trip out of town). I was encouraged to find out that said woman has gone from "no more frolicking with married men, even those who have permission from their wives" to "it might not be out of the question" since we last spoke at length.
She was my correspondent in the polyamory foray Selene and I made almost six years ago now. We hit it off very well then, and have remained good friends. She is highly desired by me both physically and intellectually, and she seems to once again be returning that vibe. Makes me happy, despite absence of intimacy this evening when she called me and asked if she could drop by.
Cool.
And we'd like to see it "pre-christening" please.
All moved. Too nice (for now) to "christen" but the other moist important piece definitely was. Great friends, good cheese and wine, lots of sore muscles.
All moved. Too nice (for now) to "christen" but the other moist important piece definitely was. Great friends, good cheese and wine, lots of sore muscles.
PICTURES. Or we may have to ..... um .... do something nasty to you....
I'm still happy from replacing the disc brake pads on my car myself yesterday (first time to do that,) and not one thing went wrong. Something always goes wrong when I'm doing a project, but not this time. Test drove the car and the brakes work flawlessly. Saved a few hundred bucks and even got better brake pads than I would have if I paid a garage to do it. Only took two hours. :D
I'm happy because HM's brother is here on a visit and he is good company.
I'm very unhappy (yes I know, should be in the other thread) because I have waited in all day for a call. Unless it comes in the next 40 minutes I won't be able to go to the gym. It's an initial telephone assessment for free counselling so I don't have much right to complain - just that sitting round doing very little for 6 hours makes me antsy. At least I've had company is how I tie the two together.
Jon Stewart has promised* to keep paying the salaries of all the crew members of both
The Daily Show and
The Colbert Report for at least the next two weeks while the writers are on strike.
*
Maybe--one source from inside the show is adamant that it is true, while his PR rep says it is false. But he
would need to keep it on the down-low to avoid being accused by fellow unionized producers of supporting the strike, so I choose to believe it is true.
I'm heading out for my first try at the knitting circle I found...wish me luck! :)
Good luck!
Make
one of these for Wolf, not
one of these.
(From the WTF thread, pretty safe)
Click the Susquehanna county house link.
http://pahomepage.com:80/content/news?sid=35547d48ab8804c634adc54d2f87f84e&arch
I'll be the chubby dot on the lower left steadying the last bent as the crane lifts it.
Both Red and I got up this morning to work out. He went to the gym that he just joined. I went downstairs and was able to run without a hint of a wheeze or cough, yessssssssssss!!! It felt soooo good.
::happy dance, happy dance::
Click the Susquehanna county house link.
http://pahomepage.com:80/content/news?sid=35547d48ab8804c634adc54d2f87f84e&arch
I'll be the chubby dot on the lower left steadying the last bent as the crane lifts it.
Probably I is stupid, but I can't find the flipping Susquwhatsit link.
Great news, Labrat!
Don't overdo it though ... go easy for a while.
Meh I'm sure you know that already.
:)
Griff I found the link, but wasn't sure which you were.
It interested me anyway. We have a programme over here called Grand Designs where people build unusual houses, often involving much personal work.
There was one repeated quite recently about a man building a timber frame house in a forest. Here's
the link, I don't know if you have to download a player before seeing it.
Well, after worrying about all weekend since my doctor couldn't reach me Friday, and I couldn't reach him yesterday, he called me today about my blood test. He said my cholesterol level, and liver looked fine.
It's about damn time.
Probably I is stupid, but I can't find the flipping Susquwhatsit link.
not stupid, they moved the link...
http://pahomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=21751Here's the other happy. Somebody is going to the Junior Olympics nationals.
Here's the other happy. Somebody is going to the Junior Olympics nationals.
awesome
truly
as in like Brits would use the word
:D
btw, why are the guys on the left holding their bits in a protective manner? Is that her doing? :lol:
btw, why are the guys on the left holding their bits in a protective manner? Is that her doing? :lol:
Judging by the clothing, I think the two on the left have been fencing with the foil, and with that weapon, the target area include the "bits". Well, torso down to the point of the groin. The silver shirt of the guy on the left exactly defines it. So maybe they're feeling a bit tender.
Congrats to your daughter, Griff!
will you spring for some new socks now that she seems like she'll stick with the sport, griff?
Griff, that is SO awesome!!! Congrats!!
will you spring for some new socks now that she seems like she'll stick with the sport, griff?
Did you pick up on the black and blue theme?
Thanks all!
I got three HUGE projects off my desk today. Thanks God!!
Junior Olympics Nationals?! Wow. That is tres cool. Congrats!
10.5 hours sans cigarette and I feel GOOOOD!
10.5 hours sans cigarette and I feel GOOOOD!
Great start Case!
I've never had to kick tobacco, but I've watched friends do it. After three weeks you've pretty much licked it. Until then, count your days and write them on a page on the wall by your bed or something. Aim at just making it to 21 ... and from there you can cruise. A friend used this and he said it helped.
Be strong!
Thanks, Zen. I got me a free patch and a lot of support. Been smoking for about 12 years, now...done, I tell ya. Just fucking done.
That's great case. It feels so good to not be addicted, you're gonna love it.
Thanks, jinx. I am looking forward to not smelling like smoke. Hot pictures, btw. ;)
case - now that you gave up smoking, we should meet for lunch.
Just read your news Griff - that is one talented daughter you're raising there, congratulations!
This is a bit late but is still making me happy - I've lost another half stone (7lbs).
Which means just over two stone (28lbs) since I moved here. Yay me!
Excellent SG! That's really great progress!:cheerldr:
Congrats, Sundae! Keep up the good work!
Point of order:
When I come to the Cellar, I always come in through the User Control Panel, which shows all of my subscribed threads. It's like visiting a friend's house and having your own private entrance.
I open each thread in a new tab, and I always save this thread (What's making you happy today?) for last.
The Cellar is a meal; this thread is dessert.
So the Happy thread is making me happy. It's recursive.
Thanks Cloud.
This is a bit late but is still making me happy - I've lost another half stone (7lbs).
Which means just over two stone (28lbs) since I moved here. Yay me!
Wow!!! Congratulations. You are a new woman. Happy clothes shopping!
What's making me happy today: BigV and I are shopping for new rings. How can you not be happy with a new diamond?
Congratulations, Sundae! What an accomplishment!
That's wonderful for you, Tink!
So many things to be happy about. :D
Now, HLJ...where are we going for lunch? I don't stink anymore.
Thanks for the congrats, all. It's been easier than I ever hoped.
BigV and I are shopping for new rings. How can you not be happy with a new diamond?
You definitely have a diamond :)
Now, HLJ...where are we going for lunch? I don't stink anymore.
I'll send you a PM. We don't want EVERYONE showing up, do we?
Still cigaretteless. Chewing sugar free gum all day.
Which means just over two stone (28lbs) since I moved here. Yay me!
Holy macaroni! You are really burning it!
My friend from beijing who i havent seen in like two years is coming to taipei on wednesday for a theatre arts synopsium thing. I'm trying to work it out so he can room at my place - I've already volunteered to host people, so it should work out fine.
My friend from beijing who i havent seen in like two years is coming to taipei on wednesday for a theatre arts synopsium thing. I'm trying to work it out so he can room at my place - I've already volunteered to host people, so it should work out fine.
Sounds like an opportunity to expand your social circle. Don't focus entirely on the visitors from O/S, but in the mix at the symopsium will be plenty of locals.
"Hey I'm taking my friend from Beijing out tonight .. want to come along and help us have fun?"
No locals; only like five or so people from my school are doing it, and nobody from any other on-island school is participating. It's sad.
However, a girl is also rooming with us which leaves open the chance for at least a petty hookup maybe? And hey, i still might meet someone cool in the half-week theyre here, i suppose, ahaha.
Awesome job, SG!! Keep it up!
Tink, new rings to celebrate a new beginning? Neat.
case, both of my parents were smokers, I've seen how hard it is to quit. Very good. Do whatever it takes.
not stupid, they moved the link...
http://pahomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=21751
That is very cool. I have always wanted to build something like that someday. Thanks for the link.
Well enough to help my wife with some of her work. Only a couple of hours, but means a lot to me.
I was feeling so shi**y......and nervous....
:(
You guys rock!! Cicero had a crap evening and a crap morning...and then this.....Awesome!!!
Bad enough to start speaking in another person.......uuuugh.
Thanks guys...lots of good stuff going on out there!
:D
Keep the posts coming I think I might get exorcised here!
Go go Sundae Goyel!
case, well done! I will try to use you as inspiration having started again recently myself :(
I was feeling so shi**y......and nervous....
:(
:D
Keep the posts coming I think I might get exorcised here!
That's just your post-milleniational come-down. :comfort: You'll be right.
Did you hear about the man who didn't pay his exorcism bill?
He got [COLOR="LemonChiffon"]repossessed.[/COLOR]
Today, Cicero makes me happy. :)
So does
this.I don't want to... jinx... it, but I might get a night out to see a band I've been wanting to see tomorrow! woot!
Yay SG, you are srsly kicking ass! You too case - and you smell better already! :D
:D
lol........exorcism complete.
case, well done! I will try to use you as inspiration having started again recently myself :(
Thank you, Dana. Be gentle on yourself about it. :)
wife
daughter
no more callers, please, I would be overloaded. I'm quite blissed out by these two already.
:D
Just got some bargain 2nd hand skates for my daughter. No creasing, no internal wear, blades perfect for her level... new cost $450+ second hand should cost $120+ my bargain $13. And from a sports resale shop. :D
That is very cool. I have always wanted to build something like that someday. Thanks for the link.
It is worth the effort.
http://grifftopia.com/Good friends and comrades.
I bought some cut price sirloin steak yesterday, with the intention of eating it tonight when HM was out - I eat it rare so I need absolute silence for my timing ;)
I thought it was one big-ass piece, but found out tonight it was two smaller ones. So 1) I didn't eat as many calories/ fat as I had expected and 2) I have another piece of steak which I will freeze until the red meat urge comes upon me again.
Okay it was medium in the end because I foolishly believed Somerfield's cooking instructions and not my own, but it was GORGEOUS nonetheless.
AND I managed to work out what I was hearing from the kitchen before Diz managed to start licking the low fat garlic butter off the leftover new potatoes on the counter.
We signed a contract to buy
this boat yesterday.
Here's a pic for those that don't want to click the link.
[ATTACH]15734[/ATTACH]
Oh yeah, I'm totally moving in with you.
Well hurry up then Razz. lol (you did mean me didn't you?) ;)
Yes you, but you'll have to wait until I get a passport and I suppose I'll need citizenship too...and a aussie-american dictionary. *starts making travel list*
haha...there's not that much difference you know. It's just that you'll need to learn how to relax if you come to live here. All we do is sit around in the sun drinking beer you know. ;)
The city waterworks have been effing around with installing new water lines and meters for months now.
As I walk through the barangays lately though, it seems that they are all done breaking up the roads and killing the water pressure for our homes. :)
What is making me happy today is enough water pressure to run the shower head instead of using a plastic bucket to shower.
:celebrat: :thankyou: :celebrat: :thankyou: Yeah! Manila water works! :celebrat: :thankyou: :celebrat: :thankyou:
It's the little things that make me happy. ;)
I took some frozen veg out of the freezer earlier this evening.
To go with my second piece of sirloin steak this week (happy number one)
And I could pull the drawer out easily thanks to the defrosting I did earlier today (happy number two)
And I cooked it for less time today, so it really was rare (happy number three)
I am thrice blessed!
Doesn't matter how I'm feelin or what the weather is like, the view of the town from above, nestled into the bowl between the hills, with the Pennines stretching off into the distance, behind. Always makes me feel good. Oh yeah.....and watching Pilau gambolling about like a yearling:P
I am coming to visit you, you know.
I want to walk in your landscape and feel the wind in my hair.
And maybe tidy your house. Not saying it needs it, but I have to reciprocate somehow. Naaaaaw, will just try and write you something for Christmas ;)
Beautiful, beautiful country.
Despite the change in light btw, both pics were taken on the same walk. This afternoon.
*grins* you'd love it up here. It's exhilarating being so close to the sky.
One of these days we'll have to sort out a visit. Though...given tiny dolls-house sofa it'd be an inflatable mattress on the floor :P
see look how tiny the sofa is compared to the dog:
Ah! *dies of cuteness overdose in that photo* :love:
High-velocity trans-cortical lead therapy
We just found out today that MB's been hired for a job. Now he's celebrating by making fresh fried donuts. Oh yeah, and this morning, he baked a quiche.
High-velocity trans-cortical lead therapy
You've been shot through the head? That must have felt good.
I don't understand that last exchange.....
I haven't been feeling well, today, but Kitsune just came home and made me an enormous bowl of chicken soup. Hopefully it'll help!
Ohh poor you :( But nothing beats a big bowl of chicken soup when you're feeling rotten.
Chicken soup fixes everything.
I don't understand that last exchange.....
just being hostile
you should ignore me
HLJ should ignore me too.
just being hostile
you should ignore me
HLJ should ignore me too.
It sounds like you need some chicken soup.
We found out last night that the boat I mentioned a couple of days ago is ours as long as the survey comes out fine.
We're very excited. :)
I hope you feel better soon V. If you need a chat, there's plenty of us around for you mate.
My focus study at the kids' school is the best yet. they loved it, got it, learned stuff and it was a pleasure to teach.
Oh wow.
I just found out there are 2 openings as FA tech at a college which isn't THAT far away.
Tech means NO counseling, just doing the processing I normally do on top of my other stuff here (and the part of my job I love.)
They pay their techs at a minimum higher salary than I make as a counselor here after 6 YEARS.
It's still a state school so I keep my state bennies.
They use the college-wide software our school uses, so I already know how to do most of it.
There would be one teeny tiny thing I'd have to learn as far as familiarity with major job duties: direct loan processing. Other than that, I've done it all (and way more!)
Yes, I'd like to stay here, but am tired of bending over to grab my ankles. And though I'm good at the counseling aspect, I don't like that part of my job.
Wish me luck! :ipray:
Hey-good luck! And get that raise so we can see you with a shiny new home computer!!
I'm going to get one too....so we can finally tie one on and be drunk and disordely from home.....:)
I wish you luck...crossing the fingers...as long as this includes a definite salary increase. (just because it sounds like more responsibilty)
No, it's LESS responsibility.
I do what they are asking for as part of my current job. But here I also do 3 other MAJOR responsibilities that, in a larger school such as the one I"ll be applying to, are done by one person each, usually.
I'm all for that! Hey, crossing the fingers. Go get it.
*thinks good thoughts for Shawnee*
Good luck Shawnee, and Pilau said to tell you "Woof"...which i assume means good luck :P
Dana, I love Pilau. I used to have a sheppard doggy, it looked much like yours. Very awesome dog.
Looking at the photos...Pilau makes me happy too.
(I want a dog so bad)
Go for it Shawnee! Good luck!
Thanks all!
Hey, I've got the Power of Pilau on my side, I can't lose!
Good luck Shawnee!
Pleased that a good opportunity has come along - I'll keep everything crossed they see how perfect you'll be for the role.
Good luck Shawnee!
Pleased that a good opportunity has come along - I'll keep everything crossed they see how perfect you'll be for the role.
Just don't cross your ankles.
Good Luck Shawnee, kick ass
Crazy music nostalgia going on today. I'm finally making further progress on importing my very large CD collection into iTunes (I made it to the S's sometime last spring, but then we packed up to move and I never got my momentum back.)
Anyway, early in my senior year in high school I went through this short but very intense punk phase, initiated primarily by having a thing for this guy at work who played in a punk band. I just came across this compilation CD of a bunch of different local bands that were all signed with this one tiny local record label. I listened to this thing like every night for 4 months, and then never again--until just this afternoon.
I remember every track, and I can still sing along with most of them. This must be why my brain is running out of room, I can't seem to clear out any of the old stuff.
Good Luck Shawnee!!!! That sounds like an awesome job for you.
I was reading the Cellar and tried to set my glass of coke on a table that didn't exist. Now my pants are wet and I have a meeting in 24 minutes.
That made me laugh.
Luckily I'm in a hotel and have other clothes.
you're new here....
so you prolly don't know that in consideration for the coffee drinkers in the house, you should precede jokes that make you *snort* or bwahahahaha, like that one, with the little warning SCF. It means, Swallow Coffee First. woulda saved me a little mess here.
Not that I'm complaining!
I'm not involved in Mea Culpa
I just resigned from that. Good God! And I'm a pot stirrer?
I have Water Workout tomorrow
and I'm looking forward to it
so two goods in one!
just realised the 20th is coming round again fast
now worrying there won't be any more difference than there was last month
but excited all the same - slow and steady wins the game
you know what? I think my mood is picking up!
I have Water Workout tomorrow
and I'm looking forward to it
Good for you! I used to do that and it is tough! At least for me. Go get 'em!!
I've been interning at a middle school this semester, teaching 8th graders one day a week. Today was my last day, and most of the kids were actually sad to see me go. My host teacher had the kids sign cards for me, and I also handed out blank pieces of paper and asked them to write any advice they wanted to offer.
A lot of the "advice" was about not assigning homework and making sure to give out candy at any opportunity, but I think a lot of them also showed some serious thought. One student wrote "A good teacher is someone who is caring (treats the students like their own kids)." Another wrote "Don't yell at the students, they get really upset even if they don't show it."
My favorite line, though, was a statement in tiny handwriting inside one of the cards:
"I hope someday you can be my teacher."
That is so sweet, Choco. You obviously made a really good impression on those kids.
Well done Chocl, I am sure you deserved it.
Now this is a bit Bridget Jones, but today I found sausages that are only 2.2g fat. Now I'm not a big sausage eater - dumped them when I dumped the rest of my processed diet - but I'm going to freeze them. Sausage with poached egg & beans - pretty good impression of a friend breakfast. Sausage sandwich with brown sauce - ultimate binge treat without the related binge. Grilled sausages cooled and chopped into pasta sauce.
Oh I am a happy sausage child today. Also got a chilli & chocolate marinade. May have to think that one through in a while....
Pilau now hates you. He is green with envy
How can you tell with all that fur? lol
Tomorrow morning we head for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for two weeks. The vacation actually starts tonight, as we'll go to a hotel near the airport and leave our car there.
I'll have my computer, but probably no internet. I hope you don't all forget me while I'm gone.
Have a great time! Perth and I went there for our honeymoon. It was great fun. Just don't get your wallet stolen in the Houston Airport like we did.
Tomorrow morning we head for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for two weeks. The vacation actually starts tonight, as we'll go to a hotel near the airport and leave our car there.
I'll have my computer, but probably no internet. I hope you don't all forget me while I'm gone.
Hmmm....I'm still freezeing to death from being outside this morning.......I am shivering and trying to type....So are you going to be on a warm beach with an organic cocktail? Short version: how much should I despise this post right now?!? Most hotels have computers with internet access....There is no excuse for not keeping us posted so I may warm my cockles by the fire of my own petty jealousy.
:D
Have fun! And at least remember to take some photos to post here!
Have a great time! Perth and I went there for our honeymoon. It was great fun. Just don't get your wallet stolen in the Houston Airport like we did.
We're flying direct. I don't want my wallet stolen until we get into Mexico.
Hunglike who? :p
Jesus, you forgot already.
Hmmm....I'm still freezeing to death from being outside this morning.......I am shivering and trying to type....So are you going to be on a warm beach with an organic cocktail? Short version: how much should I despise this post right now?!? Most hotels have computers with internet access....There is no excuse for not keeping us posted so I may warm my cockles by the fire of my own petty jealousy.
:D
Have fun! And at least remember to take some photos to post here!
I don't associate New Mexico with cold. How cold was it?
Most of the hotels we stay in don't even have running water, let alone internet. But if I can get a connection, of what would you like a picture?
It's a girl! (Well, they're 90% sure anyway, there was this pesky umbilical cord in the way...)
Woohoo! Congrats :cheerldr:
HLJ-I'll make it easy...just post the photos when you get back. It's vacation time, have fun! Oh, I want a beach sunset photo with you wearing something very attractive if you are taking requests.
35 degrees when I left the house this morning. We don't live in a low lying desert. We are at a high altitude, higher than people think. Before I got here I didn't even think it snowed here. I was so....so wrong. Naive about NM.......
Yes, we have to wear coats, gloves, and scarves right now like everyone in the north right now. All the photos of NM just look really hot unless you take a photo of all the snow. It's a desert, yet it is a high desert, and that makes all the difference. I was snowed in, in Taos, (on vacation) in May. Maybe not as cold as everyone else right now, but yes, cold.
Clod- Wow, congratulations!!! Girls rock!!!
Yey! Congrats Clod! All good wishes for the little clodchen
This
From CNN:
When some of the world's leading religious scholars gather in San Diego this weekend, pasta will be on the intellectual menu. They'll be talking about a satirical pseudo-deity called the Flying Spaghetti Monster, whose growing pop culture fame gets laughs but also raises serious questions about the essence of religion.
The appearance of the Flying Spaghetti Monster on the agenda of the American Academy of Religion's annual meeting gives a kind of scholarly imprimatur to a phenomenon that first emerged in 2005 ....
RAmen!
:fsm: :fsm: :fsm: :fsm: :fsm: :fsm: :fsm: :fsm:
In concept, FSM is really no different than Scientology or Mormonism.
edit: different from or different than?
from or to.....I think 'to' actually.
Something differs from...but is different to...I think.
I think in this case you mean different from. "Than" would imply that Scientology and Mormonism are different (from something else, i.e. standard religions) and FSM is no more different than they are. At the very least, "than" would require a modifier like "more" or less to indicate a side (like you could say A is uglier than B, but not "A is as ugly than B.")
Are you sad you asked? :)
Edit: regarding Dana's post, "different to" is entirely a British idiom.
Edit: regarding Dana's post, "different to" is entirely a British idiom.
Ahh. I didn't realise that.
from or to.....I think 'to' actually.
Something differs from...but is different to...I think.
Dana, I'm glad we had this exchange. It inspired me to look up different.
Here's what it says about different in Dictionary.com:
—Usage note Although it is frequently claimed that different should be followed only by from, not by than, in actual usage both words occur and have for at least 300 years. From is more common today in introducing a phrase, but than is also used: New York speech is different from (or than) that of Chicago. Than is used to introduce a clause: The stream followed a different course than the map showed. In sentences of this type, from is sometimes used instead of than; when it is, more words are necessary: a different course from the one the map showed. Regardless of the sentence construction, both from and than are standard after different in all varieties of spoken and written American English. In British English to frequently follows different: The early illustrations are very different to the later ones. The use of different in the sense “unusual” is well established in all but the most formal American English: The décor in the new restaurant is really different.
So different words can be used after different, and the different words are different in American and British English.
Does anyone have a different opinion?
Does anyone have a different opinion?
"Different from" and "different to" sound foreign to me. I understand them, but they are definitely a linguistic out-marker to me.
I routinely hear both now that I live in the UK. Before I came here, "different to/from" wasn't something I heard said.
If you want, I can try and formalize some of the grammatical oddities in the speech here (I'm talking mainstream British English, not Geordie) and post it in another thread.
oh good idea. I'd also be interested in any geordie quirks you come up with too:P
It's a girl! (Well, they're 90% sure anyway, there was this pesky umbilical cord in the way...)
Congrats Clod on the pink!!!
I heard "its a girl" for the many many weeks after ultrasound confirmation. Imagine my surprise when at 35 weeks I saw a penis on the ultrasound!!
did you dye all the pink things purple? lol
I'm going to surpise my boy with a trip to a football game tomorrow....
I'm not going to tell him where we're going.....just take him there. He's been to a couple Phillies games, but never an Eagles game. It would have been better if it was the Cowboys, but I couldnt get 2 for that game and it was a night game anyway. The Dolphins are coming this week, so it should be a decent game between two struggling teams.
Gotta figure out where to stop and get a couple of good hoagies on the way to the game....diet be damned.
Will they let you take hoagies into the game or do you have to eat them ahead of time?
they let food in...in clear bags.
Prohibited Items and Behavior
In conjunction with the National Football League and for the safety of our Guests and employees, the following are prohibited:
Smoking (except in designated areas)
Bags larger than 12 x 12 x 12
Alcohol
Animals (except service animals to aid Guests with disabilities)
Bottles, cans and beverage containers of any kind
Thermoses
Food not wrapped in clear plastic*
Hard sided coolers*
Umbrellas
Fireworks, firearms and weapons of any kind
Footballs
Laser Pointers
Noisemakers
Signs or flags on sticks or poles
Strollers**
Video cameras and the use of video capable cell phones
Ticket scalping
Abusive, foul or disruptive language
Throwing Objects
Trespassing, soliciting, peddling and loitering
Any other item or action deemed dangerous or inappropriate
Guests who appear to be inebriated and unmanageable will not be permitted admittance into the stadium.
Any attempt to bring alcohol into the stadium will be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct and may result in the Guest being ejected, arrested or tickets being revoked. All persons and/or their belongings are subject to search. Violators of the rules of any State or City laws will be refused admission, asked to leave or ejected from stadium property.
*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.
**Strollers must be checked at a Guest Services Center located on the concourse behind Sections 121, 136, 206 or 226.
I'm typing this right now on my NEW iPod touch!
they let food in...in clear bags.
I bet people still sneak alky hall in there. :D
Re: banned items at the football.
Does it mention beating off on the scoreboard? Maybe that comes (sorry) under "action deemed ... inappropriate".
In Austra-ya, smuggling booze into the cricket is half the fun. Of course the gatekeepers remove tops from drink bottles and sniff the contents. Clever types have taken to using hypodermic needles to inject vodka into oranges, or preparing watermelons by cutting a hole, pouring in vodka, freezing it, and taking slices of frozen melon in the esky (icebox).
Making me happy RFN is my new pair of pants.
It has got cccoollllllddddd here recently, and today I stopped by a shop and found some nice warm pants: thick wool with some kind of lining (synthetic? satin?), very well made, fit well ... and only 1100 yen (about $10).
They're not very stylish, but they're aren't mean to be cool, they're meant to be WARM. And they are ! :)
I'm typing this right now on my NEW iPod touch!
If you werent so cute...I'd hate you right now :)
They wouldn't let people take watermelons into the gabba this year.
I think they're onto that scheme.
I don't know about the oranges though.
I got a brand new niece/nephew set this morning!
I got a brand new niece/nephew set this morning!
Congratulations!
Relatives: collect the whole set!
Sweet! Congrats to your sister, jinx!
Fixed dinner for the guys here at work. It's usually pretty good having all of them around at the same time.
Nice blind date Friday night. And he called back on Sunday. Yay.
Congratulations! I've been on a couple of blind dates. Scary 'till you get there. But my friends know me well so they know what to look for.
I got a brand new niece/nephew set this morning!
Wow, your sister really was ready to pop any minute. Congrats to the family!
I found a flashlight I had written off as lost forever. It was in my foul weather gear, broken out today for the first time this season. :)
Shared a ride to work today with Tink. :) :)
Dear friends flying into town today from out of state. We'll have lunch. Haven't seen them in years. :)
Congrats to aunt jinx! Twins, whew...
Finding stuff that you thought was gone forever, always awesome.
ME? Snow advisory for today!!! I :heartpump :heartpump :heartpump snow.
I got an unexpected Happy Thanksgiving phone call that made me all giddy and silly! :grinnylov
Oh really? *interest peaked* ya did did ya?
lol...yeah.
Don't worry, nothing that will interest y'all. ;)
Oh hey, congrats on the auntie thing Jinx *smiles*
*********************************************
Oh yeah! It's snowing . . . it's snowing . . . it's snowing!!!!!
*********************************************
No snow here, but the rain is making a good sound on my skylight
I had a jacket potato for tea, even though I didn't want to eat
I've sorted out the issue with the milk with HM (he didn't realise I don't like UHT milk, so he hadn't considered it "run out" - it's been stressing me out since Monday!) so I can have a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow
I went to the gym, did Water Workout and still had the energy to go to Woolwich and change my library books
I brought home The Time Traveller's Wife because it feels like an old friend
Even though it's raining I have an umbrella which I adore and a pair of leather shoes, which I will start breaking in tomorrow
There. Positive Mental Attitude
*********************************************
Oh yeah! It's snowing . . . it's snowing . . . it's snowing!!!!!
*********************************************
[COLOR="Red"]
FUCK YOU.[/COLOR]
bitch.
...yeah okay sorry dear. I just, miss winter. A lot.
I have a visitor.
I live in a concrete wasteland. From my 9th floor window I can see about 300 buildings and exactly ten trees, mostly just the tips peeping over other buildings.
Yet for the last week or so I have been hearing an occasional "chee chee chee chee cheee" which I think is a Gecko (I've heard them before in Australia). It's probably one of these:
[ATTACH]15874[/ATTACH]
It seems to be living under the fridge. They are regarded as protectors of homes. How cool, I hope it is doing okay. They eat insects and I'm not sure there are enough about to sustain it. I hope I catch a glimpse of it soon.
Ok - help me name my gecko. No, I will not call it Gordon.
Bugaboo make a version of pushchair (stroller) called the Gecko. That would be a cool name imo.
One of the pluses of living with my dad who is forever a bachelor (by his own choosing) is that the women of my mom's family (who he's still very close with) often take pity on him...we've been last minute invited to a real thanksgiving meal! Woo!
Making Black Friday plans with the girls. A time honored sister tradition. We are minus one this year though but we will be ringing her on the phone, per her request. (Let's see how she will like a 5am call) I think she'll already be working though.)
I have a visitor.
I live in a concrete wasteland. From my 9th floor window I can see about 300 buildings and exactly ten trees, mostly just the tips peeping over other buildings.
Yet for the last week or so I have been hearing an occasional "chee chee chee chee cheee" which I think is a Gecko (I've heard them before in Australia). It's probably one of these:
[ATTACH]15874[/ATTACH]
It seems to be living under the fridge. They are regarded as protectors of homes. How cool, I hope it is doing okay. They eat insects and I'm not sure there are enough about to sustain it. I hope I catch a glimpse of it soon.
Ok - help me name my gecko. No, I will not call it Gordon.
We've got heaps of these little cuties living on the outside of our house. Unfortunately if they venture inside they usually get eaten by the cats. Actually, here's a funny story. One of the kids had a rubber gecko and my tom cat was playing with it. Batting it around and tormenting it as cats do. I wasn't paying much attention until I noticed a while later that he'd chewed the tail off. Mustn't have tasted too good.
I think you should name your gecko 'little mate'. That's probably what I'd do if I were living far from home and had a new housemate.
It's raining - which I love when I'm in bed (00.19 here)
But what's really made me happy is I've just watched
Ali's video again. Lovely house, warm climate, warm hostess - summer in my winter bedroom, what's not to love.
wow. It's snowing like a MOF out there. On Wednesday it was sunny and 75 degrees. No one is going anywhere in my town today. And I'm snug as a bug in my house.
It's raining - which I love when I'm in bed (00.19 here)
But what's really made me happy is I've just watched Ali's video again. Lovely house, warm climate, warm hostess - summer in my winter bedroom, what's not to love.
I just saw this. You're a sweetheart SG.
As I mentioned
here I believed a building near my home was about to become a destruction/construction site.
I wandered past today and saw a sign which -
IF I interpreted it correctly - indicated the project will be finished in two months. There is no way they could demolish and rebuild in that time - in Japan foundations have to go waaay deep and there must be loads of steel and concrete all the way up. This all takes time.
So I am now guessing it is only a renovation job.
This is supported by the way the scaffolding at the top connects to the building, which I can't imagine them doing if they were planning to demolish.
:D
Well that's great news huh? It might improve the view too!
My new glasses came in yesterday. My brain has finally adjusted to the new prescription, and - I CAN SEE!
(I've had the same old prescription for two years, and frames that were four years old and pretty bent out of shape.)
Getting gifts from our supplier's during the holidays. Chocolates and other food stuffs. Mmmm, yummy.
Met my new alcohol counsellor today, she is from upstate New York. Which I didn't expect in Welling, Kent.
I'm now on the waiting list for generic counselling and a 6 week Stage 1 course which is group work for people wanting to control their drinking or become completely abstinent. It's in 90 minute sessions, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for 6 weeks.
It will play havoc with my gym class schedule but I can restart my classes any time. I can only take this help with alcohol while I am not working.
The only downside is the length of the waiting lists. 2-3 months for counselling. And it's going to be a race to see if the Step 1 course occurs fully within the period I am signed off for... Ah well - the time will pass one way or another, I just have to take the steps I can when I can and trust everything else will fall into place.
Also realised today just how far I have come since moving here. I was able to describe before and after and see what I have achieved. And I didn't cry once. Honestly, the amount of people I've had to tell the sordid details of my life to this year... I'm well practised now.
If you find you're "running out of time" for the counselling on your current period of being signed off sick, can you get your doctor to extend it? I know this goes against what you'd like to do, but maybe this would be a good course of action to consider for the longer term benefits?
Meawhile - yay you! It's great to hear that you can see the progress you've made - that's bound to be the best motivator (Mr Motivator, to you (remember him?:eek: )).
I talked it through with HM and we both agreed I should treat this as my priority. So if it comes down to it I tell the Job Centre and my GP the truth. Fingers crossed there won't be a clash and I'll have the course under my belt and have a job by end of Feb.
SG--
Good luck to you. I have no words of advice on your other endeavors, but wrt alcohol, I can say that it's been well worth it to me to forgo drinking. I made this choice a long time ago, and I do not regret it. I only speak about it to give you a first hand account that it is both possible and good.
You can do it!
I agree on the alcohol...sobriety is highly underrated. Good luck, SG!
I'm down to 2 or 3 sessions of drinking a week and on those nights my consumption is lower than it was. Just looking to keep bringing it down until I'm within health guidelines (so by about half). This will be the equivalent of a bottle and a half of red wine a week.
The other great thing is that as you are able to start drinking less, you will be consuming a lot fewer calories and your already impressive weight loss routine will be even more successful!
Just my :2cents:
I wanted to quit smoking for the longest time. I've smoked for well over 20 years. I tried cutting back till I thought it was manageable, 1/2 pack a day from 1 or 2 packs, then I would decrease slowly till zero. Well although that plan seemed logical, it never worked. Finally I just decided one day I had to stop and I did. I took no drugs, no patches, no gum...nothing.
The one thing that changed was my attitude. I always cringed at the thought of NEVER smoking again. This time I just said I'll take a break till I'm 70, then I'll smoke all I want. I know it sounds stupid, but its made it so much easier. I am several months not smoking and I can't imagine smoking any time soon.
Go for it SG and don't let anything or anyone get in your way! It feels so good.
I reckon quitting smoking has to be cold turkey. I did it without patches etc too, and I've not even had one drag while out socializing and I'm glad. My kids are so much happier about it. They still say how wonderful it is that I don't smoke anymore and it's been about 4 yrs for me now.
Congrats classic. You're a star (just like me). ;)
Way to go! Smoking is out but I can't turn away the going out with the gang for a drink after work. More power to those that don't have either vice. Woo Hoo
I quit smoking cold turkey. I was just a habitual smoker though, and less than 20 a day. I never believed I was addicted and proved it when I stopped.
I'm happy today because I just cancelled yoga :)
I know it sounds bad, but I checked all my gym clothes an hour and ten minutes before the class started - all used and sweaty! Damn, how did that happen? So I figured it wasn't enough time to get them washed and dried (not in our machine anyway). So I cancelled on the personal proviso that I go to the gym about 15.00 - when they will be dried.
And it really cheered me up :)
Oh and Dylan purred for me for the first time since we moved down here in July. If my sausages thaw in in time for tea it'll be a good day all round!
I got my SS recipient...yesss!
Thanks monster, for rounding this up!
I'm pleased with my recipient too, thanks Monster for the work so far.
I'm just happy all round today - I was singing in the bath just now.
It reminds me that I have been down recently and days like this will become more frequent.
YAY!
totally embarrassed to have read, and enjoyed, (this being the "happy" thread) a whole series of Transformers slash fanfiction.
Yep. Sam and Bumblebee are Doing It.
My man is moving to the NW corner of the US. Yes!
Lil' Pete got a silver medal today and earned her "E" rating in foil!
hunting a deer with just my 2 dogs and a knife then fuckin my girlfriend with a bottle of wine until she bled
p.s just read former messages. PUSSYS! you should try quiting heroin and crack cold turkey, which my girlfriend and i both did in the last year! Nicotine my ARSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on getting smart enough to get off that shit before it killed you sikcboy. It's nice to see that you're so proud of yourself.
yebbut what the hell are you on instead?
Schools is done! At least the "school' part of it. I just have three finals left, 2 on Thursday, one on next Tuesday!
Actually, I should post this in the opposing thread as well...
Great stuff fresh! Good luck with your exams too mate.
Dangit Ali, you're too nice! Thanks though!
Well some people happen to disagree with that fresh, but that's ok. They're just cockheads. ;)
Just waking up. One of those days. ;D
Will be at conference in Columbus Tuesday-Friday. Out of the office! May even get to drunk post a couple times as I'm taking a college laptop! :)
Will be at conference in Columbus Tuesday-Friday. Out of the office! May even get to drunk post a couple times as I'm taking a college laptop! :)
Good for you! might even meet a nice professor type too...
wink wink, nudge nudge
Eh, it's all FA people. Very good people, but unless there are a bunch of noobs the pickins are slim. ;)
Eh, it's all FA people. Very good people, but unless there are a bunch of noobs the pickins are slim. ;)
They won't be the only ones there ;) You'll be in a new place with new opportunities - think about it - prepare & ATTACK!!
Why, you gonna be there? lol
Have I mentioned I don't date, don't pursue, don't look? Too wary. I'm in dreamland "it'll happen if it's meant to be."
Why, you gonna be there? lol
Have I mentioned I don't date, don't pursue, don't look? Too wary. I'm in dreamland "it'll happen if it's meant to be."
Bullshit! I call bullshit!
I can see you cutting your eyes at some young fop riiight nooow! You can't go out of town and talk to us!?!
You should be banned until you have thoroughly hung out at the hotel bar, gotten toasted, and layed..use condoms. Don't use your real name.
:D
(I don't care if he is in town to be on the tail-end of a pyramid scheme or not)
Bullshit! I call bullshit!
I can see you cutting your eyes at some young fop riiight nooow! You can't go out of town and talk to us!?!
You should be banned until you have thoroughly hung out at the hotel bar, gotten toasted, and layed..use condoms. Don't use your real name.
:D
(I don't care if he is in town to be on the tail-end of a pyramid scheme or not)
There is a slight chance. For instance, if his first name is Sugar, and his last name is Daddy...I might consider it. ;)
I have just had shiitake mushrooms baked in garlic infused olive oil, topped with breadcrumbs and low fat cheese. It was so good that I ate all the crumby bits from around the dish and now I have killer garlic breath. Lovely :yum:
You go Shawnee, flash a bit of ankle and get yourself a kind and clever older man. Better lovers in my opinion too.
hunting a deer with just my 2 dogs and a knife then fuckin my girlfriend with a bottle of wine until she bled
Next time, try your penis.
:neutral:
Tomorrow morning we head for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for two weeks. The vacation actually starts tonight, as we'll go to a hotel near the airport and leave our car there.
I'll have my computer, but probably no internet. I hope you don't all forget me while I'm gone.
Goody Goody!!! I see you are back! I am
eagerly awaiting pics. Bonus points for ones that show up in the NSFW threads :D .
Goody Goody!!! I see you are back! I am eagerly awaiting pics. Bonus points for ones that show up in the NSFW threads :D .
It's true...there is much anticipation of NSFW pictures of nakedness. If you don't believe me, come hang out in chat right now. ;)
Music is really making me happy today
Eh, it's all FA people. Very good people, but unless there are a bunch of noobs the pickins are slim. ;)
Shawnee, how is that working for you? I hope you're out having a good time, so I don't expect to see a reply for a few days.
Goody Goody!!! I see you are back! I am eagerly awaiting pics. Bonus points for ones that show up in the NSFW threads :D .
LR, thanks. As I mentioned somewhere else, I didn't get too many pictures that I think would be of interest to the Cellar. Maybe I just need a few days distance and I'll re-review them.
===============
I gained 10.4 pounds in the two weeks I was on vacation. I figured that I should be able to loose the same amount over the next two weeks - easy come, easy go, right?
But I'm already down by about six pounds, so it might take even less than that.
And I'm sure the other four pounds is pure muscle.
Shawnee, how is that working for you? I hope you're out having a good time, so I don't expect to see a reply for a few days.
.
Nah, here back in my room after today's session...just cracked open a beer and turned on the tv. CABLE, mon dieu (sp?)
Today was national training, the real conference doesn't start until tomorrow...decided to hang out, drink, watch tv, relax, check out the cellar. Only thing is no smoking rooms. :(
can IT track if I look at porn on this laptop? :D
PS very hard to type on this thing, and not yet used to the touchpad mouse. After a few beers I won't care.
Mmmm...this is going to be fun.....
Where's my camera, Shawnee is going to get drunk and naked on the cellar for once..
Hey wasn't I going to ban you until you got drunk at the hotel bar...and layed?!?
I guess this isn't the kind of thing UT helps with...
You aren't going to find your sugardaddy propped up alone and drinking in front of your hotel room tv. I know...I've tried it, and he never jumps off the screen no matter how much I squeeze my eyes, focus, and concentrate.
:)
Shawnee,
Is there a pool or hot tub? Did you bring your bathing suit? You should be hanging out, but since you're not, at least you're here.
lol...most people aren't here yet, and the ones who are...not promising. A lot of people are checking in tonight...may check out the bar later (after 6 years I know most of the bar frequenters!)
Drunk, yes. Naked...I don't want to cause a Cellar Barf Epidemic.
Outdoor pool. No hot tub. It's a Crowne Plaza in a corporate area so it's mostly for conferences and such, methinks.
A lot of people are checking in tonight...may check out the bar later
Wise choice. Always a good starter.
Nah, here back in my room after today's session...just cracked open a beer and turned on the tv. CABLE, mon dieu (sp?)
Today was national training, the real conference doesn't start until tomorrow...decided to hang out, drink, watch tv, relax, check out the cellar. Only thing is no smoking rooms. :(
can IT track if I look at porn on this laptop? :D
PS very hard to type on this thing, and not yet used to the touchpad mouse. After a few beers I won't care.
yes.
yes to the porn question? :( Crap, am I going to have to give another compensatory bj?
yes to the porn question? :( Crap, am I going to have to give another compensatory bj?
That *was* the only question in your post, was it not, disregarding the sp notation, of course.
Even if I do all the "internet options" delete thingys?
(I'm kidding, you know that, right?)
Never mind me, I don't get out much.
Ve haf veys....auf makingk chu...talk.
Chocolate cake for a co-workers birthday. Definitely did not need that. I guess I'll be skipping lunch today.
My dad woke me up unexpectedly and offered to take me out to my most FA-vorite flea market woooooooo! :)
Our truck driver here at work. What a sweetheart. I forgot to get creamer for my coffee:( he told me he had a lot to do that he could not go and get me some (i didn't ask) just pouted. Anyway, I walked back into my office - made sure the coffee pot was still on and waited. He called and said he would bring some back in few secs.:)
:santa: :love:
"Santa" filled my stocking....with little things I like already...and he's going to fill it again on Christmas. What a sweetheart. Guys- it's the little things. We talked, and he said that I have been very good this year.
Mom drove down with some home made chicken noodle soup yesterday. Also making progress with previously mentioned new friend :D .
Just got back into the Cellar after being locked out for over an hour.
Yay!
Am lying in my knickers on the bed and listening to the rain bucketing down on the skylight. I am warm, comfortable, online and feel safe.
My two mad cats are racketing about downstairs, I believe they are also safe and happy (and much as I love them - not requiring my attention)
Tomorrow I will do Water Workout and a gym session.
Sunday I plan to do a Subterranean London walk.
I am happy.
And that makes me happy.
I'm happy SG is happy.
Oh, and just ordered room service. Food brought to you? Yes, happy!
I'm happy SG is happy.
Oh, and just ordered room service. Food brought to you? Yes, happy!
And you get to expense it - that will taste good.
:)
mmmmmm...expensive cheeseburger. (Hey, they would have freaked if I'd ordered the filet!)
Freezer freezing again. We
won't need to buy a new one this year, yay!
Today is our building holiday party.
The menu includes almond crusted salmon, apricot brandied roast pork loin, teriyaki marinated chicken breasts, barbecue flank steak, potatoes, fruit salad, dinner rolls and assorted desserts, plus beverages.
Next time I post my keyboard will be sticky.
Mail me some of that salmon, will you?
We have our party tomorrow...go to one of my co-worker's house. Boss Boss buys beer. Hilarity ensues.
Would you settle for fish bones and wish bones?
We had our department party last night, and our firm party is tomorrow. I'll skip the firm party and go home to trim the tree.
We had our department party last night, and our firm party is tomorrow. I'll skip the firm party and go home to trim the tree.
There's something vaguely Freudian about that last statement.
In addition to lots of good food, I just had a Coke, a piece of chocolate cake, and now I'm having a Dr. Pepper. So much for reducing sugar intake.
But I'm happy.
I have had a wonderful three days (Monday 08.00 til Weds 21.00)
And I will focus on that.
Empty house Monday. I cleaned it top to bottom, felt fantastic.
Despite not flushing, the porcelain of the toilet is pure white and gleaming thanks to half an hour hard scrubbing.
HM finally accepted my apology for a disagreement we had Friday (I apologised Saturday so it was a relief)
Met friend from Leicester off the train on Tuesday and showed her London for two days. Had two lovely meals - Italian and Chinese buffet. She bought me a cool hat (look, she wanted to buy me BOOTS, I was lucky to barter her down to a £10 hat!) Lots of talk and laughs and friendship.
And we saw Crowded House on the last date of their tour (tickets booked back in Sept). At the Albert Hall, which has the most incredible acoustics - Neil talked to us without mike to prove it although I knew having sung there. It's also a great place for flight, so he encouraged those in the gods to make paper aeroplanes and there were some spectacular flights.
They were fantastic. Of course. Made me laugh, cry, sing my heart out.
And afterwards I talked to two men who had originally been seated next to us (but had the wrong seats) who had followed them the whole leg of the European tour. And it was fun talking to real fans, but the real delight was afterwards Tezza saying my face really lit up when I talked to them - it seems I am healing after all.
AND all day Tues I had 1 pint and one glass of wine, despite more being offered and available.
And all day Weds I had 2 pints, see above.
I can control it in the right situation and with the right people.
And we walked for miles and Tez couldn't stop remarking on the improvement in my appearance, health and my happiness.
Lovely, lovely, lovely.
Oh AND (I have had such a lucky time!) I am going to get on a six week alcohol counselling course either 31 December or the week after (1st week of Jan, whatever date that is). So I will get to do it within my current signed off period and can give the Job Centre a specific date for me being ready, willing and able to seek work and attend all their workshops and course etc without having to get another sick-note.
Yay.
I am happy that SG is happy - that is such a lovely few days you've had there, grrrrrl! And good news on the alcohol counselling course, too. :thumb:
just got home and finals are over
booyakasha
I just had the best brainstorm EVAR. OH YEAH!
Free coffee in the cafeteria for Christmas. Sometimes it's the little things. :)
I just had the best brainstorm EVAR. OH YEAH!
Well.... gonna share the light?
Or was it the brilliant idea about using balloon animals to hold your hair back?
and now it's time for
Fun with HLJ Pooooosts!. Why? cuz it makes me happy.
Next time I post my keyboard will be sticky.
But I'm happy.
:eyebrow:
and now it's time for Fun with HLJ Pooooosts!.
Starrrrrrrrrrrrrringggggggggg...HLJ!
:D
OK, I'm posting while I'm eating an apple strudel (I almost said "a huge Danish" but I thought some might misinterpret).
Boy are my hands sticky.
I got the job Suckeerrrrs!!! Ha! Haaa! From layed off during Christmas to a new job on Monday in one week! Awesome. I am so stoked! Can I say stoked?
I'm still thinking of having my current boss visited by the Christmas ghosts, as I may not be little Timmy, or the little matchgirl... but that was bullshit!
This way I still get to be Shawnee's job hero? ;)
Thanks for the good vibes people!!! I'm irrational enough to believe that that could have had at least a fraction to do with such good luck!
:)
Wooo! Great news, Cic! Good luck on Monday.
A new job in a week! Bloody brilliant!
:notworthy
Congratulations! and well done for not moping about in self-pity but leaping immediately into the fray.
Hip hip Hooray!
Hip hip Hooray!
Hip hip Hooray!
So.... whats the job? Better or worse than the previous?
good for people feeling happy! Especially SG and Cicero!
Got my Christmas bonus today! Happy indeed.
A new job in a week! Bloody brilliant!
:notworthy
Congratulations! and well done for not moping about in self-pity but leaping immediately into the fray.
Hip hip Hooray!
Hip hip Hooray!
Hip hip Hooray!
So.... whats the job? Better or worse than the previous?
Thanks everybody!! People have been so nice to me lately I'm not sure what's going on...(here and elsewhere).
:D
As my previous posts suggest I did mope and vent in the very worst way!
Glad that was over quickly...
But I'm not sure what I'm headed into...No one ever does until they are in the thick of it...but the job sounds comparable to the circumstances I was hired under with my current job. Which was great. So I would say
the same. Which is also good, because I thought that I was about to go down a slippery slope....phew!
The job is an office job, marketing, design, light financial, and assisting the owner. Small business assistant stuff. (For a small business it actually has an international appeal) Very complex position...You just
do everything and hope it's enough..There is also an element of encouraging clients to buy a product (it's a high profile cafe, bakery, restaurant, art hub)...I'd be making more on my own just designing, which I hope to do at some point. But this helps me reach my goal. I know how much I need to save, and it's not much...so...the point...
I will still be eating is the point! Really- that is the point.... So hey, it's comparable to the job I have now. But you never know until you are there and in the thick of it....It may be
sour. Only time will tell! If it turns out sour I'll just move from there too.
:)
Anyhoo, all of this means I will be able to at least keep up a post count and not have to entirely discontinue the cellar. Suckers!!
Thanks to the awesome people here and their encouragement!!
:D
Yay Cic!!!!!!! Woohooooo! You ARE my hero!
Yay Cic!!!!!!! Woohooooo! You ARE my hero!
Flying home for the holidays in t-minus 6 hrs. woo hoo
Yay cic!
Well.... gonna share the light?
Or was it the brilliant idea about using balloon animals to hold your hair back?
It was Secret Santa related, so you all may know at a later date :D
Family christmas party tonight! (More fun than it sounds) I'm heading out now to get myself an outfit for it :D
My boys. Being mad and scrambling as usual. I call this game Mad Cat Scramble, oddly enough.
When Teri stayed earlier in the week they played Hannibal Over the Alps across her in the living room, bless them. She was in the living room because it's warmer than my room btw, not because I am a bad host. Elephant driving cats at 04.00 isn't ideal for the over 60s though.
Oh and I bought some frozen minced chicken for them - not suitable for human consumption, but WAY better than the flavoured, coloured, processed rubbish you can buy, where you can't tell the difference between tuna and lamb. They went mad for it. So at 60p for 3 meals worth I'll be buying that in the New Year - chicken, chicken & liver, beef, lamb, duck and fish available - they get the necessary bonemeal and is far cheaper than human grade meat. It's made for working dogs, but cat magazines recommend it for raw food fed cats too.
Oh and HM likes my hair the length it is. My first physical compliment from him since I had it cut. Which saves me £13.50 - am not out to please him exclusively, but he's my only input effectively.
[SIZE="4"]Just talked to Brianna for 10 minutes.[/SIZE]
She is amazing and sounds as sexy as she posts.
I'll deal with the cost of the call when the bill comes through, but I'd like it to be a monthly occurrence.
I can't explain how amazed I am to put a (beautiful) voice to a name. I am SO happy.
Good, for you, SG, I bet it made Brianna's day too :)
[SIZE="1"][off topic comments from an interfering old cow]
I'll deal with the cost of the call when the bill comes through, but I'd like it to be a monthly occurrence.
Invest in a calling card. Way cheaper per minute, and not on HM's phone bill. And prepaid so no bills to worry about.
Make sure (assuming you used HM's phone) that you tell him in advance of the bill arriving -if you haven't already- to avoid any potential unpleasantness. If you can give him a little cash in advance, do. Don't just wait until it arrives to deal with it. That's (probably) what helped get you in the mess you're trying to escape.
I'm only saying this because I care, honestly. If I didn't I just wouldn't bother. But hate me if you need to.
[/off topic comments from and interfering witch][/SIZE]
I agree with the witch. You owe HM the courtesy of as few surprises as possible.
Good for you and Brianna! I agree, HM will be very appreciative of your forthcomingness - that a word? - whatever. do it anyway - nothing to lose and lots to gain.
My neighbour made me happy a few moments ago.
I was putting out my garbage and took the lift to the ground floor. As I got out my neighbour got in to the lift (to go up) and we exchanged polite greetings. I presume he saw that I was carrying a bag of garbage, and thus deduced that I would be walking to the garbage area by the road and straight back.
Which was what I did, and just as I arrived at the elevator area the elevator arrived back at the ground floor - with no one in it. My neighbour must have taken the elevator up to his floor, and then as he got out, pressed the "1" button to send it back down for me, which on a cold night was extra appreciated.
:)
He's probably not reading this, but thanks, dude.
How super-thoughtful and considerate.
Maybe he sent the lift back down so when he opened his door the hostages wouldn't escape.
Snow day, loved family, good movie, yummy dinner and this:
Had a letter in the post this morning, I have a tax rebate and I knew I was paying a lot in taxes this year, but went on meekly paying, as you do. Great joy at the amount until saw the crediting account: my mortgage. Can't access it but nevertheless next year I have a cushion, yeh. Merry Christmas y'all.
If UPS shows up and didn't break it. This will make me happy today.
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1
Nice! Newegg always makes me happy!
Ups came while I was posting. Sweet Lot's of screen.
My grown daughter, who lives in Oregon, is coming here tomorrow for a week!!
New boyfriend ;)
Dana and her new boyfriend,
sitting in a tree,
K-I-S-S-I-N-G. :hugnkiss:
New boyfriend ;)
whoooooooooo HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I learned how to trill my R's tonite.
19 years man. Woooot.
Congr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-ratulations!
Awesome, Dana!
I'm happy 'cause I just heard from my brother that he's engaged. He picked a good one, so I'm glad she will be joining the family.
Almost too much to name.
Highlights:
It's Christmas!
I'm with my family
I'm online (on and off - still enjoying my parents' company)
I'm going to watch football on Boxing Day with my bro.
It's all just so good!!!!
I spent Christmas eve with my guy and woke up with him on Christmas morning. I am totally blown away by him.
I spent Christmas eve with my guy and woke up with him on Christmas morning. I am totally blown away by him.
That's really awesome.
Yay Dana....you deserve a lovely fella :)
I found my camera!
I brought it after all. Annoyed that I missed Christmas Day (Dad ran out of batteries yesterday, so no pics at all - grrrrrrrrrrrr) but happy happy happy to have Boxing Day at least!
Found some Boscoli olive salad at Kroger today.
1) made progress clearing out and cleaning out my "home office" (aka my bedroom)
2) I finally figured out how to reinstall my sound driver!
3) and, I unplugged, cleaned, and replugged my computer--including the speakers. And the speakers work!
4) --I have finally gotten around to cleaning and sorting my CD collection; and
--and putting them into Itunes, and figuring THAT damn program out;
--AND . . . my new Ipod rocks!
Whew!
Cloud - that's more progress than I've made all year.
New mattress set being delivered today!
case, how's the new mattress?
+I'm sitting in a hotel in Montana and I can't even remember the name of the town I'm in. That's what's making me happy. It's at the south end of Flathead Lake, between Missoula and Kalispell.
The mattress is great!
The fact that I finished the fishie girl painting and have started 2 more 2' X 3' paintings is making me happy. I may be unhappy if I can't finish them in time for the event they are going in.
The new year, more money in the paycheck (what little Uncle sam let me keep but any little bit......), went cross country skiing for the first time Saturday and am still alive!
Very cool. So what's cross country skiing like?
Cold and a lot of work but very worth it. It's so quiet and beautiful in the snow. My legs are mad at me still. :)
*smiles* yah but I bet your lungs and heart love ya :)
I'm actually looking forward to it again surprisingly. Hopefully this weekend.
I have finally started making progress on editing all my explicit mp3s so I can continue to listen to (most of) them in the car as Minifob gets old enough to repeat curse words.
Progress makes me happy, but only because I'm successfully ignoring how slowly it's going so far. Have I mentioned I own a lot of Stephen Lynch albums?
Well done! Did you use your wife's urine, or did you use some of that weird tea that's supposed to clean our your insides?
My kids went back to school!!!
*chuckle*
I could sell my own urine for that kind of test. It was a different kind of pop quiz (just as high stakes and just as perilous) and I aced it.
good for you, V. Whats the rate for clean urine these days? I may need to make a little extra cash on the side ;)
I have a job.
I am healthy.
I have some assets.
I have earned the praise and respect of my co-workers.
I prefer to think of positive things, but the absence of negatives makes me happy too. Some of these things I don't suffer are close calls, and some of them are longshots. Each of these situations that don't apply to me makes me happy.
I'm trying to count my blessings today.
I'm not in Iraq or Afghanistan.
I'm not in jail.
...
I thought this list would be longer. I'll keep working on it.
Well done! Did you use your wife's urine, or did you use some of that weird tea that's supposed to clean our your insides?
:D Nice!
shina:
Do you know me? In real life? I don't know you, but something's...unusual.
I do not know you that I know of.
I've got a job from now till I head out to Wyoming in March!
On that note, anyone here had any experience in the wildfire/controlled burn field?
don't smoke
HA HA HA
get it?
*skips about doing the happy happy dance*
The little bout of depression that's been bothering me seems to have lifted. Yey. Am able to concentrate on my work again and not crippled by social insecurity.
Oh, and this is day three of seriously not smoking, no cheats at all. I am still using the gum, but that's a whole heap better than inhaling shit into my lungs. Two days in a row now, I have woken up without mad cravings. From 1st Jan til day before yesterday ( I think) I was half stopping, but then cheating if I was with someone who smoked (like having maybe half, or one cigarette in a day).
I am feeling confident now that I can do this. :)
Oh yeah, and I am sooooo looking forward to revision and exams being over so I can spend a bit of quality time with D. Just been flying visits lately. Last exam will be over in 5 days time, yey!
My car, which wouldn't turn over when I tried to leave last night, just started right up.
I'm thinking maybe it hadn't "clicked" all the way into park...it was as like times when I've stalled in gear, then you can't start it until it's in park or neutral. Battery is fine...everything else worked. I did try to move the shifty thingy, but to no avail. So, after getting a ride home last night and a ride in today...I thought I'd give it a shot.
Thank you thank you thank you. Couldn't have juggled a car repair right now.
:)
Its Thursday. One day closer to the weekend. I have the most wonderful and handsome husband, and the sweetest baby in the world :)
4 years and 9 months until I can quit and stay at home w/ little one and still have met our financial goals...
Did you know we've gained 20 minutes of daylight since Dec 21? Spring is approaching...
Tink, sharing my life and sharing her life. SonofV, getting schoolwork done. Daughter, combining ambition and industry to achieve her goals. ElderSon, working toward what will make him happy and successful.
Minifob, who was mildly sleep-deprived for a variety of coincidental reasons, took an almost four-hour nap yesterday, allowing me to clean the entire house top-to-bottom. It was awesome.
OMG, if I had four hours to clean, it would barely make a dent in the piles of shite around the computer! :eek: The problem is, if I have four hours, I don't use them for cleaning! Are you nesting?
Ha! No, not yet. I was mostly scrubbing the bathrooms and mopping, because those are basically impossible to do with Minifob around, plus moving the Christmas junk back up into the attic. I do nest, but usually it's entirely useless stuff like constantly rearranging clothes in the drawers.
Shawnee, most cars are not meant to be left upside down for any length of time. I'm glad to hear that you got yours turned over.
Yesterday I signed up to volunteer in a local charity shop one day a week. Scary but it feels good. I get shown around on Saturday and start on Thursday.
I've also managed to book a free haircut for 5 Feb - fully qualified hairdressers on an induction course for a very upmarket salon (to learn the way they do things there). It would cost me £73.50 if I was paying. Also the Manager was very taken by my story of getting back on my feet and has said he'll try to get me into the colouring part of the course too - wooohooo!
Tomorrow I am going on a London Walk called Darkest Victorian London, Peeling Forbidden Fruit and I am looking forward to it enormously. I'll take pictures if there is anything which translates well without too much explanation.
Yey you Sundae! :)
One exam down, two more to go! Then a whole semester before I have to sit another.
It has been in the mid to high 70's here all week.
I found my library book!
:happy dance:
I've been... slammed at work, and my desk is a mess, even by my lax standards. It was right there, under that pad. Interestingly, I had the devil of a time finding it, because I was looking for a [COLOR="Green"]green book[/COLOR] (the color of the last one I just finished) and the one that was lost is really [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]blue[/COLOR].
This Week From Hell is almost over.
Well, a couple more hours. Right now I have to call someone who is most assuredly going to yell at me or cry to me.
But then...!
Happy edit: that is the 3rd student today that the front desk people asked me to call because they were SO MAD when they called earlier. All 3 of them were just fine talking to me, and were quite able to handle the situation after I spoke with them. Damn, I'm better at this than I thought (a week like this I have to remind myself!) :)
I Got A Raise Effective Monday!!! YAY!!
Good goin Shawnee. Making that stuff less stressful for those students is a great service to them.
bbro, congrats!
bbro, congrats!
Thanks!! I am dancing in the wind. And here, I thought the phone call was going to be bad news. :D
Thank you Dana, that means a lot to hear that. :)
Sorry, Shawnee, I was just so excited. Although, it was people like you who got me through college, so thank you for being so patient!!
We just dodged a bullet.
The superintendent of our school district just released his much anticipated proposed redistricting plan, and our kids will be grandfathered. They get to stay in their school and not get bussed off to some new place where they don't know anyone.
519 other kids around the county are not so lucky.
We just dodged a bullet.
The superintendent of our school district just released his much anticipated proposed redistricting plan, and our kids will be grandfathered. They get to stay in their school and not get bussed off to some new place where they don't know anyone.
519 other kids around the county are not so lucky.
Congrats, that whole redistricting thing sucks. There will be some very pissed off parents out there. Get ready.
I got a boyyyyyfriend.
[SIZE="1"](Photos to come as soon as I remember to take some of us.)[/SIZE]
That's great, Razz. :)
We'd been wondering where you'd been.
A weekend on the coast. Great memories were made!
Okay, I know I just posted on Friday, but something else good happened! A second person at work asked me if I was losing weight. When I told her yes, she commented on how good I look!
AND I just had a delicious taco salad for lunch :D
I got a boyyyyyfriend.
[SIZE="1"](Photos to come as soon as I remember to take some of us.)[/SIZE]
Great,
here's the thread!"extra" paycheck this month!
That's great Cloud. I'd say "spend it wisely", but meh, coffins don't have saddle bags....
Snow baby!
Snow baby!
Sssnnnoooooooow!
Yessssss!
LR, I hear you got six inches last night.
I did my first day volunteering at the Save the Children charity shop yesterday from 10.00-18.00. My first work since I finished working in the shop last July.
It went well and I'm back in there tomorrow from 10.00-16.00 and actually quite looking forward to it.
I'm going to lie-in on Sundays and Tuesdays and actually feel there is a difference!
Usually I"m bitching, so:
What's making me happy today:
1) I organized my office yesterday and got ready for new year set-up and for the first time in 4 years I am not woefully behind due to a million setbacks (knocking on wood.)
2) Our boss is taking us to lunch for going way above and beyond for spring term.
3) It's Friday
4) We're closed Monday: 3 day weekend!
Sundae that's totally cool! I hope you are as proud of yourself as we all are of you. It's a great step back out into the world; volunteering was how I got back into things after a longish spell on incapacity benefit. Not to mention it's genuinely useful: I am quietly convinced our country would grind to a juddering halt if all the voluntary workers were to down tools one day :P
Well done you. And yeah, those lie-ins will mean a lot more now :)
What's making me happy is that in about two hours I am off to a family get-together. It's my cousin's 40th and she's decided to have a party. Apart from two cousins (and their parnters + kids) who upped sticks and moved to kiwi-land a couple of years back, the whole clan'll be there. Haven't seen most of 'em in years, some haven't seen for a decade and a half!
Am lookin forward to catchin up, am lookin forward to seein our Rachie's 'Bump' (still freaks me out my baby cuz is spawning already!) and...D's comin with me :) Bless him that's a brave move...he's met my mum and my bro before (tho before we were together) but he's about to meet the whole clan en masse :P
Spoke to the birthday girl on facebook and she was in the middle of making about 400 sandwiches to add to the buffet lol
*smiles* off to have a bath and get ready now.
My wife and I had dinner last Friday night with Case, mac_tire, and their amazingly-well behaved son.
Also, I had a green belt test Saturday morning, which I passed.
Congratulations!
And thank you :)
I'm going to pick my kids up from my Dad's place. They've been there for over a week now. I miss them a lot.
Anticipation of
Paradise
This place does get
a lot of snow. Notice in this time lapse view the parking lot is surrounded by small trees, which disappear by the end of the shot.
I've just found somewhere that's willing to pay me £100 for my blood!
Wooohooooo!
Well, I'm not 100% sure yet, but I have registered and interest, and am now spending it in my head.
AND one of the women in my group came in with a BIG bag of bath stuff for me today. She told me earlier in the week that she'd put some things aside for me - I only bath and she only showers, but I had no idea of the amount and quality. So not only have I oodles of luxury baths ahead, but I am really flattered she thought of me, and thought enough of me to haul it in.
Poor old HM, he'll start forgetting what the bathroom looks like now ;)
Well, I'm not 100% sure yet, but I have registered and interest, and am now spending it in my head.
*cough* oh yes how is all that money stuff going, SG? [/nastydownerperson]
I'm more concerned with just how much blood they want for that kind of money, and how they plan to get it.
I finished my advanced paralegal certification course in trial prep. finally. yay!
I'm more concerned with just how much blood they want for that kind of money, and how they plan to get it.
Perhaps its actually plasma--that hurts a lot more to donate, and takes a little longer, so they pay more for it--though they don't pay nearly as much for it around here. On the other hand, they pay nothing at all for regular blood donation here, except a free cookie when you're done.
*cough* oh yes how is all that money stuff going, SG? [/nastydownerperson]
I agree with nastydownerperson.
It's Friday, the sun is out and the gang is taking in a movie tonight.
I finally got the check from my brother that he is going to send me every month to pay back a loan.
The Homeless Guy was to get his first paycheck today! My (financial) future's so bright, I gotta wear, gauze or something. :lol:
lotsa good stuff happenin - congrats to all.
I finally got the check from my brother that he is going to send me every month to pay back a loan.
What?! You're waaaayyyy deep in debt to banks, paying interest and stuff, and someone owes you money? I bet he's not paying you interest, is he? Since you could use this capital to reduce your debt, you are effectively paying interest on HIS loan. I wonder, how much has this cost you over the lifetime of the loan?
Whatever, he's you're brother and there might be good reasons behind this, but nevertheless, try to get this one paid back promptly.
It's not that much money and he's my freakin brother - I'm not going to charge him interest. I loaned him the money before I was in over my head.
But it will help you get out of debt, which is exciting.
Um... what are you wearing?
for this last week I have been dealing with a VERRRRRRY difficult IT guy ,
:bitching: :jagoff:
Today I got to drop the ENTIRE problem in his lap !!!!!!!!!
:devil:
[COLOR="White"].........[/COLOR]:devil:
[COLOR="White"].................[/COLOR]:jig:
[COLOR="White"]......................[/COLOR]:jig:
[COLOR="White"]...........................[/COLOR]:mock:
lol! Sounds fun zippy!!
It's great like this: Since you have been making this very difficult and my life generally screwed up......Let's let you deal with the whole thing all by yourself! Love it!! Yeah!
Minifob got his first real haircut today.
See, his hair grows like fucking kudzu. We're talking a full inch a month, maybe more. It's no surprise, really; both my husband and I have relatively fast-growing hair, but I can get away with letting mine go for longer since I'm a chick, and Mr. Clod is capable of sitting still in a chair for a few minutes every month to get his hair cut. Minifob, not so much.
Up to this point I have been trimming his mop myself, but meeting with decreasing levels of success. I do have the skills to give a decent boys' cut, but only if he freaking
holds still. I used to trap him in the bathtub so that I could just take it slow, one snip at a time while he scuttled around, but nowadays he can easily climb out and run away. The last time, I got impatient and ended up making a couple of really bad snips, and his hair looked downright retarded. So I decided to at least try a professional, despite having very low expectations.
This place was just awesome. The seats for the youngest kids have full harness seat belts, so he couldn't get away. And even though he basically cried and thrashed the whole time, the woman was like
lightning, 2-3 minutes tops, and the final cut looks really damn good. His ass is going back there in another 4 weeks, you can bet on it.
I bought Endless Ocean for the Wii today...I'll play it tonight.
Minifob got his first real haircut today.
Expensive?
It's raining in Arizona. All last night and all day today.
In other places your mama tells you to come in out of the rain.
In Arizona, we go out and stand in it, look at it and marvel in it's loveliness.
We need the rain, tourists and Superbowl be damned.:D
This place was just awesome. The seats for the youngest kids have full harness seat belts, so he couldn't get away. And even though he basically cried and thrashed the whole time, the woman was like lightning, 2-3 minutes tops, and the final cut looks really damn good. His ass is going back there in another 4 weeks, you can bet on it.
I used to take the kids to a place that had carousel animals for the kids to sit on, parked in front of a bank of TVs - and they had a huge bucket of dumdums (if the kids got hair on their dumdum, they'd just whip out another one). The kids never even knew they were getting a hair cut I swear.
But it will help you get out of debt, which is exciting.
Um... what are you wearing?
Exactly!
Right now I am wearing jeans and a huge button down shirt. You do realize I was kidding before when I said I was naked, right??
As for my happiness today, it is my B-day and some of my friends are taking me out to dinner.
Can't wait!!:D
Expensive?
$16, plus tip. More than a SuperCuts or some place like that, but well worth it IMHO.
I'm officially now a card-carrying member of the ACLU!
And even better...
I'm currently listening to the Mobile Fidelity 200-gram vinyl half-speed master of Dark Side of the Moon, through a hand-wired, all-tube, all-analog amp.
Sooo damn nice.
I love Tink and Tink loves me.
:heartpump
Leaving for Vegas in one week for work. So nice when you don't have to pay for it.
yeah.... well.... .I *still* love her.
Nyah.
I have an officially scheduled due date. April 11th, here I come! (Sorry, no gambling this time--I mean, you're welcome to, but the odds are stacked pretty heavily.) This is great for me because of my inherent distaste for uncertainty. It's not like it'll affect anything one way or another, I just like knowing. Plus, Friday is also an excellent starting point for lining up several days of childcare for Minifob.
Would this one be microfob, then?
Teenyfob is what I was calling her in some other thread. Gotta save microfob and nanofob in case I have more after this. :)
Well, there's always picofob, femtofob, attofob, zeptofob and yoctofob - in case you really go nuts.
I just call mine Aden and Maverick. That's much easier. :)
Well, there's always picofob, femtofob, attofob, zeptofob and yoctofob - in case you really go nuts.
you forgot keyfob
That Keyfob is what got her into this mess.
I'm happy that It's Feb 1st. seems like spring is not too far off now. plus the beginning of the month is SO much easier than the end for me. Tomorrow will suck bad, but the 1st 10 days of the month are usually quite calm and relaxed at work. we do half of our month's business in the last 10 days.
and, as I am every day...I'm happy to be jinx's husband, and my kids Father.
My daughter tells me that she's glad she has a BIG dad like me. cuz I make her feel safe.
My son made me a sign that I look at every day when i get dressed: " Candy is sweet, and you can't be beat. So have a good day!" ......kids rule.
too much happy for February?
Only 212 days left until I'm done with grad school.
I must complete 20 assignments that amount to approximately 40,000 words, 35 "pages," and some to-be-determined deliverables for a consultancy project. So that's at least, what, 150 pages of stuff?
That's quite a daunting number to me. My entire undergrad career might equal that if you count programming projects.
Anyway, I like having all of my metrics together. I can tick off things and that makes me happy.
Grad school? is that Post Grad at Uni?
the 1st 10 days of the month are usually quite calm and relaxed at work. we do half of our month's business in the last 10 days.
Which basically negates that whole "it's better to buy a car at the end of the month" maxim, right, since
everyone's doing it?
I was so tired when I got off the train this evening, that I thought I would pass out. And maybe puke, at the same time. But as I rode the escalator up to the main concourse, my ears perked up. I could hear music...really fucking awesome music!
There was this old guy parked against a column, singing the blues and expertly jamming on his guitar...Gregory Underwood, I believe his name is. I may be mistaken (I was delirious), but it seemed that it was a SEPTA employee sitting beside him, providing perfect vocal harmonies.
It's stuff like this that makes me love Philly.
Which basically negates that whole "it's better to buy a car at the end of the month" maxim, right, since everyone's doing it?
meh?
who can say? you're more likely to get a great deal on the last day of the month, but also more likely to sit and wait 3 hours for finance
My brand spanking new Keen snowboots kept my feet warm, snuggly and dry this morning walking in to work through 8 inches of snowy slushy mess.
Sometimes, it's the small things...
LJ, there is no such thing as too much happy!
Only one more day of these freakin' indian casino ads
A well maintained ignore list.
:crickets chirping:
Ahhhhh......
All the lovely rain we've been having. I can almost hear my plants singing for joy.
I just noticed the Politics section and Entertainment section had the exact same number of threads, but the Politics section had about 8k more posts.
edit.... nevermind
All the lovely rain we've been having. I can almost hear my plants singing for joy.
We had thunderstorms and hard rain last night. It is still Winter, but the warm front and the storms made me very happy. I slept like a baby, falling asleep to the rain and the thunder. Awesome!
We had thunderstorms here too yesterday morning. Very rare for Feb in Iowa...was really cool.
#1) 6-12" of snow likely by this time tomorrow.
#2) Red is coming down to go to lunch with me, and we are going to my favorite pizza joint for 1/2 price pizza day.
#3) I'm going to start swimming again for the first time in years tomorrow, depending on the weather. (See #1.) YESSSS!!!
watch out, that water might be a bit chilly.
We had thunderstorms and hard rain last night. It is still Winter, but the warm front and the storms made me very happy. I slept like a baby, falling asleep to the rain and the thunder. Awesome!
That's was I was looking forward to the other night, but we got one blast of rain and a slight rumble. very disappointing.
monster, I think you're posting in the wrong thread.
I'm going to attend the Washington State Democratic Caucuses Coming Up on Feb. 9th, 1:00 pm. Don't bother calling, I'll be busy. Actually, I'm really stoked! I will explore what it takes to get to the National Convention as a delegate. That would be COOOOOOL!
They started on our Metal roof today !!!
Standing seam ThankYou Verry Much !!!
Indoor swim practice was cancelled. Got my exercise instead walking through 10 inches of snow while pulling a sled full of 55 pounds of pup repeating 'are we there yet?' the whole time to the closest sledding hill, climbing up it 50 bazillion times, then walking back home.
As of today, I have lost a total of 30 pounds!
Thanks :D
Only 28 more pounds to go!
That reminds me of a joke.
A woman says to her husband, "Honey, I lost five pounds!"
He replies, "Turn around. I think I found it."
That joke ends with "it was a lovely funeral."
That joke ends with "it was a lovely funeral."
HA! I think I've heard that joke. :)
Today I bought two huge, Costco-sized bags of dried/moistish fruit.
Apricots and cranberries.
I will now get back in the groove of being monstrously regular, and boy will I have fun doing it. Apricots make me happy.
monstrously regular.
Do you realize quite what this means, now you are a dwellar? :eek: It's not just about pooping on time, you know..... Us monsters have to piss someone off at least once a week, pick on someone in a wheelchair every 6 months, and type like a cat on acid every third day.
Which reminds me *taps desk-calendar and looks at monster meanigfully* ?
That reminds me, I saw a black H2 with an Iowa Hawkeye vanity plate "GR1FF" again this morning. I need to bring my camera with me to catch him some morning and give our Griff some shit. Heh.
GUESS WHAT!!!
I see that stupid thing
all the time, but this morning, I had my camera and was able to snap one picture before the batteries croaked on me!!
That's funny. In Ohio, you get yellow plates for DUIs. I don't think they have vanity "party plates" though!
GR1FF!
Wow--so, how long after the DUI conviction do you have to keep the yellow plate? That's a very interesting "public stigma" punishment.
It's our very own Scarlet Letter.
I don't know how long they keep them.
I'm not working tomorrow!!! Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!
And it's going to be my valentine's day. :)
The first part of that last statement would make me happy indeed.
Do you realize quite what this means, now you are a dwellar? :eek: It's not just about pooping on time, you know..... Us monsters have to piss someone off at least once a week, pick on someone in a wheelchair every 6 months, and type like a cat on acid every third day.
Perhaps I can skip picking on the paralyzed and stick to my twice-a-week regiment of pissing someone off on the internet...?
Oh, I will.
We got a NEW ROOF !!
We got a NEW ROOF !!
Looks good, zip. Did you repaint the shutters, or pick a roof color that matched them?
Thanks :) :) :)
we painted the shutters a few years ago when we got sideing and new Eglass windows , and picked the color of the roof based on that , oh the door is also green ,
Prior planning and all that , sides we likes us some [COLOR="Green"]hunter green[/COLOR]
Here's the finishing touch you need:
so, zippy....what's behind the green door?
Woo! Bigger refund on the taxes than we were expecting. [size=1]That'll help with all the goddamn car repairs...rassafrassa...[/size]
so, zippy....what's behind the green door?
Bruce pretty much nailed it ,
Though I am thinking about a house tour
Just booked a night at Great Wolf Lodge (indoor waterpark/hotel) during winter break. Sprogs are gonna be stoked. :D
BigV gave me a laptop! I've progressed into the 21st Century at last!
I just found out that even though it's raining, I'll still be getting my new bookcase. :)
Last night I got invited to sit in on "Avant Garde" night at a
local Italian place that features live jazz. Coincidentally, the pianist lives right behind me, and we talk over the fence. So...on the first Tuesday of the month, he brings in various dudes to do an improv jam. His regular drummer also plays piano, so we could play musical chairs.
Cool. I get to jam with some jazz cats in an informal (no pressure) setting, which is nice, because I have no jazz training. I'm a jazz listener, but I've never had a jazz gig. I've been involved with gigs in many different genres, but I'm very excited to get some jazz time.
It's really hard for me to play out enough, with two small children and a full time job that I'm also on-call for. Back "in the day" I used to play out at least three or four night a week, usually three one-hour sets a night. So, it's nice to find another musical outlet. And...it's jazz!
My Indian cowboy boots fit me.
When I bought them I couldn't do the zip up much past my ankle because my calves were too fat. I am wearing them today.
They're brown mock suede with sequins and jewels all over them (Indian as in the sub-continent, not as in Native American) and a small heel. I love them.
I am happy I didn't work yesterday. Everyone is saying it was a horrible commute home because of the ice/rain (they closed down portions of the interstate in order to de-ice). And I'm thankful I was not part of that.
Its rainy icey, expecting to turn to snow tonight. Should be bea-u-ti-ful!
Also, President Bush is expected to sign the stimulus package. I'm not excited about the cash, but part of it is increasing the conforming loan limit in high cost metropolitan areas. I'm going to buy a house soon, and it will really help to have the loan limit increased so I can get my entire loan at a reasonable rate.
An approved vacation request for Monday!
I'm happy and excited because the book launch is on tomorrow, and not only will there be local media attending, but we've just had a request for an invitation for the correspondant for THE LONDON TIMES!!! Can you believe it? This is great news.
I'm so excited!
Go Ali go, tell it how it is and all my cheering. Give it your best Lady, you can do it. Yeh.
I'm happy cuz my vanity DUI plates came in! ;) Thanks for the laugh LR.
I'm happy and excited because the book launch is on tomorrow, and not only will there be local media attending, but we've just had a request for an invitation for the correspondant for THE LONDON TIMES!!! Can you believe it? This is great news.
I'm so excited!
Way to go - I'm excited for both of you too! That is awesome.
10 years? Is it your anniversary?
Blind date tonight. I've seen a picture and am very intrigued.
Shower partyyyy.. :thumb2: :drunk: :jig: :3some: :hedfone:
see ya later celarrrr
10 years? Is it your anniversary?
Yup. Tin supposedly, but Jim bought me leather...
Through the fall/winter/spring they run a 50/50 at work. The first half proceeds go to a kids Christmas party and the second half supports a Special Olympics bowling league.
I've been buying tickets every week and putting the name of a woman at work, that's going through her third series of chemo,radiation,surgery, on them. Today she won $497.
my hangover seems to have dissipated.
I was hired today by an employer I had 6 years ago.
One job, full time, full benefits,retirement,summers off.
Thanks god. :ipray:
You know one is happy when a godless heathen gives thanks.
Hey!!! I might be getting a computer today! I will be able to get online at home again!!! (I have one but it's old and very sad, I just stare at it)
I will be able to download photos again!!! Woo-hoo! I might even get those secret santa photos posted!! I might even be able to drink beer and chat too!
It's a hand me down but it might be decent enough to run some programs I need! We shall see!!
I'm going to go buy an awesome monitor. Even if the comp. sucks I'll need a good display monitor later!!!
Sorry about the exclamation points. Just happy....:) If I had a tail it would be wagging... People are so freakin' nice sometimes.....free expensive programs? Thaaank you very much.
This person is giving me a computer and helped make one of my favorite films of all time...Major brownie points.
went straight from coffee to beer today. can't wait to chat with Cicero at home on her new comp. :)
lol! I don't think I'll have internet access at home again by today...The whole place is going wireless...I need to get the comp. wireless ready! And see if the wireless was installed.
Beer already?!? I am so jealous right now....Now when is this guy going to get here with the computer...oh jeez...getting impatient...just excited..I'll call and see what's up with the wireless at home, I mean, what are we a coffee shop now?!? I don't want people in our parking lot with their laptops using our wireless.....That's just weird. :)
lol Cloud...drunk already. That's awesome. If you didn't have too much (more than one beer depending on your weight) you should go rent "The Holy Grail". Hell, and "The life of Brian". Make it a marathon. Whatever.:)
Oh and get in chat first.
My wife got a new phone and gave me her old phone, which is almost exactly like my old phone, except it has bluetooth.
With that, I am able to synchronize the phone with my Outlook address book and connect a bluetooth headset. But the most useful feature is that I'm able to connect my laptop to the phone and get high(er) speed internet access. (Our dial-up connects at about 24 kBps, and this connects at 60-120 kBps.) I don't know if I'm incurring additional charges through the cell phone.
A new mouse for my computer! Finally! Nothing like having it lock up on you literally 30+ times a day and having to disconnect and reconnect it to the system. GOD!
I am more than half way through this God awful shift.
11 more hours and off to the next one.
... and I was right there with you monster
My random, inexplicable and very frustrating computer problem suddenly fixed itself, just as inexplicably, at a time when I was doing absolutely nothing with it. I don't know what was wrong, but it's better now!
Working for 3 hours, getting paid for 8. Headed home.
Working for 3 hours, getting paid for 8. Headed home.
Three hours working and five hours in the Cellar?
My random, inexplicable and very frustrating computer problem suddenly fixed itself, just as inexplicably, at a time when I was doing absolutely nothing with it. I don't know what was wrong, but it's better now!
Really? Because that computer I was all excited about doesn't even work and now I'm going to have to crack that stupid egg open.
:sniff:
Arsenal and AC Milan kick off in 15 minutes. Although I think Milan will best the gunners over two legs I just want this challenge behind them.
My coffee cup has returned.
**Somebody** found it in the sink. How it got there is a mystery. It's a black coffee cup, with a colorful design on the outside. Why someone felt compelled to carry it to the sink and wash it is unknown.
It's back. I'm drinking my coffee from it. I'm happy.
I got the (provisional) results through for last semester's modules. These marks incorporate the assigments and the exams. The ones I was tearing my hair out over and generally felt I'd royally fucked up. Not so *grins widely* not fucked up at all! Out of three modules I was the highest scoring in two and the joint highest scoring in the third (with one other person).
They have to go for second marking to an external marker yet and there is occasionally a little drift in the marks but anything more than a small variance would trigger a third marking and is quite unusual.
Now....I just need to not fuck this semester's modules up (currently am not exactly up to date with where I should be in my assigments at this point if I want to get them in on time) and the year will have been a good one :) Of course...bit stressful since I'm up for election this year and my campaign runs through the busiest part of the semester when all the assignments come due lol. Also this semester I opted for heavily research based modules which makes it harder to just cram up for a few days and write essays on the hoof!
My husband is coming home tonight. :)
Congratulations Ali, and bom-chika-bow-wow!
:)
bom chika might happen, but it's not entirely certain. Our boys are having a couple of friends over for a sleep over tonight, so conditions may not be optimum. ;)
Oooh...another thing that's making me happy today is all my veges and stuff have arrived this morning, and I have all the other things I need to start getting fit and healthy now.
One last weekend of dairy and that's it for me. No more Ms Spoil Yourself anymore. It's time to get serious! :)
Three hours working and five hours in the Cellar?
Yea, and getting paid for all 5 hours as well. Not a bad job if you can get it.
I worked just under 8 hours today at 2 stores during a steady sleet and snow, made $160 and was back at home before 7pm. I can't complain.
I think that prof who kicked me out of class is gonna reap the whirlwind. Seems there are policies against what he did and its outta mah hands, sistah!
Its called Karma, Bri :)
Yess. Plus, I put a spell on him during the eclipse. Muah hahahahahahaha!
*quasi-evil grinning*
I think that prof who kicked me out of class is gonna reap the whirlwind. Seems there are policies against what he did and its outta mah hands, sistah!
Ha! I figured! That's good to hear.
You guys are all so vindictive. It makes me sad.
You guys are all so vindictive...
it's what makes me "me" :right:
it's what makes me "me" :right:
That's why I like you, Brianna.
One of the Wigs of Big just told us we should all head home, a bad storm is aheadin' our way. Wow. Usually every school in the state will close but us!
...a bad storm is aheadin' our way.
Another one? we had two snow days this week--Wednesday and today!
Seriously, we didn't close either of those days. We did close a couple days last year when it was really bad out. If the pres is in town he won't close for anything. If the VP is making the decision they might close. I guess it's getting really bad. My bosses boss just came to my office and said get the heck outta here.
Have a good weekend everyone! Bri, stay warm you Ohio girl, you!
It was in the 70's last weekend here. We are in a rain storm and temps are hovering in the low 60's but it will be back up to 75 by Sunday and down to the 50's by Thursday. Winter be gone. Spring is just around the corner! :D
It's already 33 degrees celcius (91.4F) here and it's not even 10am yet.
I think it's going to be hot hot hot!
Outstanding news Bri! *does the happy dance* And good that it's out of your hands too. Making waves and going after someone is stressful, and frankly your life sounds stressful enough at present :P This is nice and simple: he's broken the rules and as such will be pursued by the relevant authority. Excellent.
Already posted a fuller update in the unhappy thread but: Pil's feeling better :) He's still poorly and will be on medication for a week, but definately on the mend. He is currently camped out in front of the biscuit cupboard playing the sympathy card, so getting back to normal *grins* and when i was eating my breakfast (sausage, egg beans and toast) he was very interested in the contents of my plate.
The vet shaved off the fur where the swelling is and it's fucking huge, but has now burst :greenface and has started to slowly reduce. He's definately feeling better ( temp is down to 102) and it's definately a cyst and nothing more sinister, so am feeling hugely relieved.
You guys are all so vindictive. It makes me sad.
Nooo. Not me. His butt should have been kicked
immediately.
:D
Just because that didn't happen doesn't mean I can't be happy that at least some justice is being served.
Oh that does make me happy today. Thank you for the reminder!
Just got a new car! Honda Civic Hybrid! Very quiet, very cool. And the dashboard is all futuristic and stuff.
Congratulations! What color?
Just got a new car! Honda Civic Hybrid! Very quiet, very cool. And the dashboard is all futuristic and stuff.
Cool. Feel all Buck Rogers? :)
Nice! My mom has a silver one and she loves it.
"Atomic blue", which is closer to white than blue. I'm not really sure what color to put on forms.
I read the hybrid is much faster, and loads more fun, than the regular Civic. Have a ball.
Can you start a thread to review it? I'd like to hear how it works out for you.
Wow. Got "the box" and did my complete tax return, including e-filing it, in half an hour. Soooo much easier than doing it by hand like I have been doing it's not funny.
And I even got a refund this year--first time in years and years. Only $150, but still!
I read the hybrid is much faster, and loads more fun, than the regular Civic. Have a ball.
Thanks!
Can you start a thread to review it? I'd like to hear how it works out for you.
I'll try. Work has been interfering with my Cellar time, though.
Nothing in particular...just feel good right now. I had a productive weekend, but still made time to relax. Later in the week, I'm going to buy a bass guitar, and hopefully Sycamore (the band) will have some music up on MySpace in the next month or two.
(Shameless plug: If you have MySpace, please friend the
band. :))
Yayy!! Daughter's bread mold experiment for science fair is finally off to school and out of my kitchen - that stuff can really stink after 2 weeks
LOL! Should have let her culture sourdough starter--at yeast you could make bread from that. :)
RUSH is on the radio.
Is that geeky, to like RUSH?
Is it geeky to be listening on a radio?
true she loves sourdough bread, but that wouldn't turn green, orange and black
I had to hand a project proposal in on Friday last. It's worth 30% of the module's final mark. I have never done a project proposal before...hell I never even plan essays I just hold it all in my head and write off the cuff from the notes I've taken, with the essay or research project kind of taking shape around me...found it really hard to plan in advance what the project was and where it was going to go. Anyway...I also had a second assignment to hand in on Friday and had spent about a day and a half of available time doing that (an article review) which was much easier...and only worth 5% of that module's final mark.
Got to Thursday last week, having had evening meetings every night that week and was really struggling with the proposal. Could really have done with some extra time on it...then discovered I'd got the dates wrong on the article review, wasn't in til friday after...could have had the extra day and a half to use on the really difficult and more important proposal! Threw an all nighter and just about managed to get it in under the door of the 12:00 deadline....
I wasn't at all happy with it. Was really worried I'd dragged my overall mark down with it in a module that I really want to do well in...
Got my mark today *does the happy dance* A High First :) All that worryin' for nowt! Now all I gots to do is pull the project itself together into a wiki site.......
OH Yeah!!!
Girl Scout cookies showed up today.
Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. Mmmmmmmm....
Tomorrow we're going to look at a property a couple of hours north. I hope it's as good as it looks in the pics.
I just found a baby monitor that can do multiple rooms (i.e., multiple kids) on a single receiver! And, unlike every other monitor we've tried so far, it doesn't have constant interference inside our house.
absolutely nothing. Rotten fucking day. missiles launching!
Remember this?!?
http://www.cellar.org/showpost.php?p=432675&postcount=1258
Well...the computer didn't work that I was given. That was pretty disappointing, but
:D
Today I'm buying myself a computer!!! A new one! I have never had a new computer or one that wasn't put together by random parts just to get on the internet (nice friends bless 'em).....
Ooooh a computer that isn't out-dated by 7 years just for me! Finally!YEAH!
I'm actually going to buy it
right now. See ya!!!
Did I say woo-hoo? Well woo-hoo!
RUSH is on the radio.
Is that geeky, to like RUSH?
Is it geeky to be listening on a radio?
no! I love rush! and I've been wanting one of those 'retro' looking c/d,cd,turntable component thingers.
Very old school looking...
~ [FONT="Book Antiqua"]The Spirit of Radio[/FONT]~
Here is my new bass...except mine is black. Also bought a Boss bass effects board. It fucking rules!
hubbys in a bad mood today so I'm happy he's left the house:)
Welcome to the thickstringers club, Syc!
You boys should do a video jam and put it up.
What does that mean, monster? Some sort of skating merit badge?
yup. skillz man, skillz.
I passed the final element of my test for Basic 7. I make them give me the patches because I'm a big kid :D Basic 8 has two jumps and a one-foot spin and all sorts of scary goodies on it :eek:
You must be able to skate backwards then, huh?
I can :D with party tricks. (still prefer forwards, though)
I have a found a lil cutie in the town I'll be living in Wyoming.. thank the Lord because there's only just over 15,000 people in the city.. slim pickins'.
Sometimes life's just kinda nice. *smiles*
I am sitting at my desk, logged onto the Cellar, drinking fizzy water and a cup of de-caff tea. That makes me amazingly happy.
Having been here three days I am already trusted enough to be given the keys so I can come in early to let the cleaner in. And yesterday my Manager (a super-cool potty-mouthed Aussie) hinted that they might interview me for this position after all... Which is highly irregular, but would be wonderful.
I don't know if I told you why I am here, rather than sitting at home watching daytime TV and getting less than half of what I am earning... I went to a Pub Quiz a couple of weeks ago, and HM was in a lazy mood and let me go alone. I asked the Landlord whether he knew any teams that would accept an outsider and he directed me to Catherine and Anya. Who work here. And told me that they were looking for a receptionist and administrator but that I'd just missed the deadline for applying. I dropped my CV off the next day anyway and on Friday (just gone) I got a call asking me to come in to cover while they were recruiting.
The building is right at the end of my road, although the entrance is in the next street (booooo, an extra 40 seconds of walking) and is a super cool building - I'll take a photo as soon as I buy my laptop (!!!)
This is their
website, they are a really interesting bunch of people.
I have brought in a bunch of daffodils for my desk, and a box of Maltesers, in a shamelessly transparent attempt to bribe my way into their hearts. Fingers crossed! At the very least I have a couple of weeks work and it's wonderful to be starting so close to home and with such a chilled out team.
Looks like a perfect fit.
That is so great, SG. Sounds perfect. I'm very happy for you.
Just show up, sundae, and the Universe will love you!!
good for you, woman!
The sun is shining here...that's good. :)
Yes it is Bri. Almost 60 today! :) Get out and enjoy that sunshine, girl.
Some new scouts are joining the troop tonight! And this weekend will be their first camping trip as Boy Scouts. We'll be at a very easy site, right on the water. Low tide is at 0730, so I'll be able to collect plenty of fresh oysters.
Fresh oysters and fresh scouts?
going to be reading about V in the paper !!!
Just Joshing V !! ;) ;)
In february a schoolgirl went missing, it's been all over the news and resulted in the biggest search in Yorkshire since the Yorkshire Ripper case. So often those stories end with a body in a ditch, or the child never found. Today police found Shannon alive. This makes me happy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7296756.stmWonderful news. I'm glad she was found.
Invariably, someone calls at the last minute every friday with a sob story and a "what do you mean I have to actually attend my classes to receive free money" as they try to twist your words every which way so you'll say what they want to hear.
Why does this make me happy? My boss got this last call, not me! She's very kind. I have to be nice too but it doesn't come as easily. ;)
Oh, whew, I thought I'd never find my
local FedCom representative.
I am glad the little girl was found danac.
---------------------------------------------
Nice place to work SG. I am happy for you.
OMG BACK POPPING IS TEH ROXXORS.
That is all.
CF, I take that to mean that the chiropractor fixed your subluxation?
AT&T removed all the charges that I incurred playing with the internet feature on my bluetooth phone (see below).
I feel very relieved.
On a related note, something funny happened last month. My wife got a Blackberry from work and gave me her old phone - which was almost identical to the phone I already had, except that hers has Bluetooth. This allows me to synchronize my address book with MS Outlook and to use a Bluetooth headset.
When setting up the Nokia PC Suite software I noticed an option to connect the computer to the internet through the phone using Bluetooth. As we have very slow dial-up at home, I tried it and found it was about five times faster than our dial-up. I used it about three times over the next week to download e-mail attachments and some software updates.
When the phone bill arrived Monday, instead of the regular amount of about $40, it was $770. AT&T charges $10 per megabyte, so $720 of that was for a few hours of internet connection (including some time on the Cellar).
CF, I take that to mean that the chiropractor fixed your subluxation?
Well, he popped my back and it immediately felt better. (He told me, "Now, you're going to feel sore from the adjustment for several hours, you may need some ice," and I was like, "No way, it felt great, can you do it again?!") I'm not totally pain-free, but now it's just a sore back instead of a stabbing, incapacitating pain. And now that I've learned a new way to pop my back that doesn't require me to lay on my stomach, I can make my husband do it whenever I need. :)
I GOT TEH JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is amazing. Not only is it a great environment, but they pay a living wage, they are literally at the end of my road (pm me for google earth instructions if you're really that interested!) and they wanted me after I'd worked here a week so they know what they're getting.
Got the call last night (Friday, about 30 mins after the interview) so I'm having a GOOD weekend! Esp as I picked up a super-smashing-great pair of boots from the charity shop I volunteer at on Saturdays, and am working tomorrow at my local pub!!
Popped in for the genuine reason that I left my cashpoint (ATM) card here, but thought I'd capitalise on it while present :)
Woooo! Go Sundae! Go Sundae!
How totally awesome. You're luck is turning around.
Now you have to come down & see me babba.
(thanks sky & binky)
I bought this little electric fireplace a couple of months ago. I would have bought a bigger version but my apartment is small. I am not out to impress anyone anyway just save on the electric that my basebord heaters pump out. I am happy to say that this little thing has cut my electric bill in half.
I've written two songs on the bass already...I'm quite enjoying it.
The Orbz and Tape Deck Sonata play tonight at The Way Out Club...it's gonna be a great show!
New and very fast vehicle (Nissan Sentra SE-R "Spec V"). through an easy transaction despite my treacherous credit background, via our own Mr. Lumberjames.
Nice run of luck all!
About a year ago, I started fencing for fitness and kid time. I made it my goal to be competitive in the little tournament at BU that the have this time every year. If I remember correctly they had maybe 10 epee fencers of dubious skills last year. I fought today in a loaded field of 38 folks and knocked off the guy ranked 10th coming out of the pools. I clawed my way to the round of 16. Go me!
New and very fast vehicle (Nissan Sentra SE-R "Spec V"). through an easy transaction despite my treacherous credit background, via our own Mr. Lumberjames.
hardly treacherous. a simple phone call. I really hope you like it. It's just like the demo I drove for 6000 miles and loved. great handling, brakes, and radio. and power enough to surprise most other cars at the stop light. needs red trim.
how about a picture of you two?
Hello,
DanaC and Monster have make me a member of the Cellar and that make me so happy that i could not sleep until this time :D
needs red trim.
Don't we all brother, don't we all.
I can still walk this morning, after marshalling back-to-back swim championships for 9 hours straight. Oh and my kids swam great, too :D I slept for 13 hours last night, mind - was in bed before the kids at 9:30!
Wtg Sundae and Griff. Sky, my friend has a couple of those heaters, they put out a lot of heat.
Oh, and I'm about to hit the
tip jar to UTD can pay off his car and not make LJs deal look bad :).
...
Oh, and I'm about to hit the tip jar to UTD can pay off his car and not make LJs deal look bad :).[sic]
Hit it for me, too, will you monster? I'm a little short this month.
sure thing, I don't get there every month either.
I can still walk this morning, after marshalling back-to-back swim championships for 9 hours straight. Oh and my kids swam great, too :D I slept for 13 hours last night, mind - was in bed before the kids at 9:30!
Wtg Sundae and Griff. Sky, my friend has a couple of those heaters, they put out a lot of heat.
Oh, and I'm about to hit the tip jar to UTD can pay off his car and not make LJs deal look bad :).
you got alot of stamina girl to to back to backs like that.
*feels old* whew...
and yup they( heaters) sure do! They warm me bones just fine.
Heading back to the States for the first time since school started. It's going to be a friggen marathon, though. Between flights and driving we'll tally up 24 hours of non-stop travel. Too bad neither I nor my girlfriend can sleep in planes or cars.
We're expecting another 16 inches of snow by tomorrow.
I'll be working from home.
Just caught up on this thread, and want to say in no pariticular order:
"YESS!!!" to SG, "holy crap, and whew" to HLJ, "be careful" and second the pic request to UT, "nice job, Zorro" to Griff, "good luck" to PW and his girlie friend, and just a general "yeah!" for all the other little things that are going good in cellarites lives.
It's great to hear.
A lot of happiness in the last few days. Way to go everyone.
My happiness is pretty basic, but great anyway. Spent a lot of time outdoors over the weekend with my wife and kids hiking and biking. That's always a good time.
met a great guy over the weekend. Will he call?????
Went to see my 95 year old grandma in nursing home today (she just moved there, it was increasingly difficult to keep her in her home though my dad and his siblings sure did try.) She seems really happy, and still has that dry wit that has always made me laugh.
I have ENERGY today! Yipeee! :)
Pete's latest goat product, vanilla yogurt is fab.
I just read a really cool book...y'know, one of those books that leaves a little of itself behind when you put it down for the last time. That's two brilliant books in a row. I love it when that happens.
Pete's latest goat product, vanilla yogurt is fab.
That sounds yummy.
It set up perfectly as well. She nailed it.
D- I just finished a book like that as well. Letting great characters go is bitter-sweet.
SonofV has earned the rank of Second Class Scout. It was something of a struggle to get him out of the house at times, but he was bursting with pride when he returned home to tell Tink the news. We're all very excited and happy.
Seeing Sundae Girl around these parts again :D Missed you woman!
Ah thank you!
You wait til I buy my laptop, you'll be sick of the sight of me :)
A good friend of mine was in a really horrific wreck about a year ago (bystanders had to pull her semi-conscious out the passenger window of her flaming vehicle.) She escaped relatively unharmed, considering, but among the injuries was a massive hematoma on her forehead. As the wreck was completely and totally not her fault, the other guy's insurance paid her medical bills, but even now there is a lump on her forehead--not generally noticeable to strangers, but compared to pre-accident photos it is obvious--that the doctors say is permanent scar tissue on her skull and will never go away. What's more, these types of bone tissues tend to build up on themselves over time, such that she should expect to need surgery every 5-10 years for the rest of her life to scrape it back down to a reasonable state.
Anyway, long story short, the insurance company was arguing that these would be "cosmetic" procedures and not medically necessary, thus they didn't want to pay for it. She got a lawyer, and they have just now agreed to pay for all future medical costs related to her forehead.
Happy may be a little OTT descriptive-wise, but we finally did our taxes and it only took 2 hours for state and federal. And I'm pleased. We normally get them done early Feb, but we've barely had two minutes to rub together recently, and when we have...well.. who wouldn't take the rubbing together option over tax preparation? ;)
I took the wrong pair of trousers out of the wardrobe today.
I thought they were a little snug around the wait - they've been really loose recently.
Then I realised I was wearing the size 18 instead of the size 20. Yay me :)
Off to Vegas in the morning
We're moving in less than 60 days!
Off to Vegas in the morning
From where you are do you drive across death valley to get there?
We're moving in less than 60 days!
They accepted the offer?
I'll disregard that question ducks. :D
[COLOR="DarkRed"][SIZE="7"]GO COUGS!!![/SIZE][/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"]red vines[/COLOR]
( seems kinda wimpy joy next to that *looking up*)
Sun is shining here after a week of rain and gray-suicide/murder weather.
Basking in it :flower:
:flower:
Am about to go home and sleeeeeeeep
Afternoon sleep is teh best. I justify it cos I'm working in the pub tonight. I am really a lazy bint.
I've always wanted to work in a pub. I hope you get lots of tips SG.
Just finished cleaning the kitchen. April finished the bathroom earlier, and the laundry should be done in a couple hours. I dunno...having a clean house just brings me a great deal of satisfaction.
Come over here and start on mine. I can get you drugs.....
Well, I do need a new job...I'll consider it.
spring break is over.
The catch22 ...starting a new job right before a break = having no $$ to do anything but feeling thankful all the same :) It's a really cush job :) I am a happy camper.
Ooooh. what job Sky? I must have missed the bit where you got a new job.
oh I started a month ago! ( oh and I think my original post about it is up further back in posts- not sure) It is a state job. My position isn't glorious but neither am I. It suits me well as opposed to grunt work that gets me nowhere but tired. I plan to take courses to finish my BA once I get adjusted to the hours. It is my goal no matter how long it takes because it's all down hill from here. ;)
j/k I just mean I am not getting any younger.carpe diem
Thanks!
Fabulous! Good plan Sky. Sounds like you made a really positive move.
Got some meds....feeling much better.....can actually breathe!
That's just bizarre V.
Have morning coffee, will travel. No meetings today.
I found your shirt bigv...
oh hai...I didn't see you guys there...
:)
Settled the wage issue with the new employer...can't fix the hours situation yet, but I can moonlight at my old job for now...someone there always wants off.
Meeting department hottie for drinks tonight. Yes!
Second date with hottie. I need to expand my happy quotiant.
Apparently contractors DO get bonuses :D
Woot!
Good
Luck :)
Thanks. It went well.
But then again, I'm perfectly happy where I am now.
Start a new job next monday, after 2 months of unemployment.
I'm a happy Buffalo
BIG congrats BB - I was off for approx 6 months and working again is a great feeling.
Sky - you don't get tips in pubs. Unlike bars in the US, the customer comes to the bar to order and receive their drinks, so the best you'll get is someone offering to buy you one. Which is terms of cutting down alcohol intake and losing weight isn't a great benefit. The other traditional benefit of working in a pub that serves food is that if you get on well with the landlord (or his wife) they will usually feed you. See above re losing weight. Sigh. But of course it's 4-6 hours of constant movement and after all it keeps my boys in chicken.
I'm happy tonight because I have tomorrow off, because my bro is going to order my laptop next week, because I have access to the Cellar at this time of night (from work, just around the corner) and because I was complimented tonight.
Yay!
I bought a bag of Doritos from the vending machine at lunchtime. When I opened the door to get my chips, I found a bag of M&Ms in the delivery tray in addition to my Doritos! Free dessert!
Yesterday I bought new pajamas for Minifob. What makes me happy about this is it seems some lowly clothing designer with the children's clothing mega-brand Carter's has a sense of humor, and I suspect their boss didn't get the joke or the design never would have been approved.
The picture on the front is a large fish with his mouth open, clearly about to eat two smaller fish.
The caption on the shirt reads "Best Chums."
Sky - you don't get tips in pubs.
Not always the case Sundae. I usually ask the bar tender if they have a tip jar. Many do. Though getting a drink for the bartender is also common. Sometimes I ask them if they have a tip jar and they say no, but tell me they have a charity collection box for a local charity and I drop the 'tip' in there.
Aha - never in the pubs I've worked in.
Different parts of the world perhaps?
Yeah, Dana lives in the commie area. :stickpoke
I was thinking she just drank in a better class of pub ;)
I'm taking a personal day tomorrow, to heck with the work! I'm finally getting this damn hair cut.
Over 6 weeks paid time off a year and I hardly get to use it! I hope the weather is as nice as it has been the last couple days.
I'm taking a personal day tomorrow, to heck with the work!
Hey, me too!
I have just sorted a problem.
In the scheme of things it was a minor issue - an £80 cheque issued to freelance worker X without a signature
In real life it was a big problem - X needed the money today, the person who ran the project is on annual leave, the overall manager of the project was due in at 11.30 and still wasn't here when X arrived. And the cheque was made out to the wrong person.
I was calm. I ascertained before X arrived that the only other member of staff present today could sign off the cheque (having taken X's mobile number in case). I then took the decision to handwrite a new cheque with all previous details.
I know it sounds minor, but I didn't stress, I sorted it out officially and I sent a previously irritated X away with a positive impression by quoting the choreographer's good feedback about the work she was involved in.
Admin won't change the world, but I'm glad to realise I'm still good at it.
Oh and the cat-bed I ordered on payday has finally arrived! My boys are going to adore it. And so have my 99p catnip seeds. Here's hoping my usual black thumb doesn't apply in this situation!
Lots to be happy for today, so I am.
515 AM MDT WED APR 9 2008
A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
RAIN WILL TURN TO SNOW LATE THIS EVENING WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOW EXPECTED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THE HEAVIER SNOW IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT EASTWARD OVER THE PLAINS THURSDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 8 INCHES IS POSSIBLE BY THURSDAY EVENING. UP TO 14 INCHES IS POSSIBLE IN THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS.
Does this mean you will work from home tomorrow?
Yes. In fact, I'm leaving in a few minutes, just in case the snow comes early.
I love work at home days...wait, I do that every day.
But seriously, very cool for you. Kind of sucks for me, because I don't have to go to work but I have other things I have to do.
I'm considering closing down this office at the end of the month and working from home permanently. Then I'll be just like you.
Yay, I can't wait to have a twin Jesus!
A twin jesus.....does that work like a twin tub only holier?
Uh....perhaps? :eyebrow: One can hope, I suppose.
I didn't get it either.
It must be the language barrier.
lol sorry folks :P didn't realise you wouldn't know tha term. Twin tub is the old style semi-automatic washing machine with a washing section and a spinner section where you drop the clothes into the drum from above, first into the washing tub and then into the spinning tub (like a wringer not a drier)
Ah, well in that case, yes...that would be nice...but only if the water becomes holy when it touches the tub. That way I might have better protection against vampires.
Thanks DanaC. I was worried it was some reference to holy twin tub girl, or something.
Yikes...you went *there*?
And I'm embarrassed to admit I don't even know what is tub girl.
I keep thinking Tank Girl, but thats not right either
I dunno...having a clean house just brings me a great deal of satisfaction.
Me too...isn't that *weird*? Whenever I've just finished cleaning, and the place is looking and smelling great, or after I've done a really bang up job in the yard, I like to sit back and soak it all in. I get overcome with a tremendous feeling of well-being; a sense of Rightness and Goodness fills me for a period of time. It's quite intoxicating.
Then some asshole comes along and fucks it all up. :D
I keep thinking Tank Girl, but thats not right either
This is listed somewhere else in The Cellar as "something you really don't want to know or see"...really.
Do a Google search for "tub girl", and watch the resultant video...but be warned...have bleach nearby to cleanse your eyes with afterward.
I worked 8 hours for the new bosses last week...they paid me for 30. I think I'm gonna like working for these guys. :)
Should you find yourself in St. Louis, please stop by our lovely
restaurant...the food fucking rocks!
Off to see the wizard tomorrow morning. See y'all in 3 or 4 days!
I was just thinking we hadn't heard from her in a bit this morning!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
I can be slow and stupid sometimes. I saw clodfobble's post earlier and wondered what the hell she was talking about.
Good luck with the Teenyfob delivery!
A spring chill is still in the air but it is bright and beautiful today. The sun will make an apperance today AND tomorrow and will burn as brightly as it did since October of last year. That's about 75f/23c
oooh...Thank you glatt...I feel like such a dope.
Happy today:
I'm going to my favorite B and B in Taos this weekend. Mini-vacation! Woooo-hooo!
My husband has to work up there on 2 separate jobs and I will help, but will mostly be doing nothing but having a good time yea!!
I also got a good part-time position that will be useful even if I get another full-timer yea! Show me the money!
I need to feed the IR*, it's hungry this year (boo new tax bracket)!
Hummus from
this place. The stuff is just amazing.
Off to see the wizard tomorrow morning. See y'all in 3 or 4 days!
hope it all went well....you popped into my head at 8:15 est for no reason.....and i thought....hey...clobble is having her baby today!
hope it all went smoothly. FSM, Allah, Jarred from Subway and 8 lb 11 oz baby Jesus bless you and your family.
Speedy recovery CF, and uneventful arrival to the new Fob.
My new TV is making me happy :D Its like being in the cinema, but I can talk on my phone and burp loudly....even at the same time.
O--goody! what is this new minifobble going to be called? I love babies! good luck, Clod! (and baby and family) :flower:
84 degrees today. I love spring.
From MSNBC's main page...how can you not laugh at this?
Starting to plant veggies and roses in our empty clean slate backyard
Wonderful binks
Make sure you take some pictures!
I'm (very hopefully) going to be attending a three-week summer program at UMD on journalism.
i'm psyched.
Sometimes when you lose it and start bitching about something you get smacked down.
Sometimes you find out other people were pissed off about it to and are glad somebody finally said something. :D
Figured out how to pipe in my Shaw internet music from home to my computer at work, so I'm groovin' right now. (It blocks out the swearing from the peanut gallery next to me!) Check post "What's Upsetting you today?".
I :heartpump Sundae Girl. A kinder person simply does not exist.
April and I are coming to Philly in June. She has a conference in Baltimore w/b 6/15. We will probably be in Philly for at least 2 days at the end of the week. Mark your calendar...I'm thinking a night of drinking at Johnny Manana's in East Falls or McMenamin's in Mount Airy.
I.
AM.
OUTTA HERE! ! !
Cya foolios!!!
my new demo....mine's blue tho
I :heartpump Sundae Girl. A kinder person simply does not exist.
Wow! I did nothing to deserve that I promise you.
But it's making me happy all the same.
I came here to say (as a selfish, unkind person) that I have the house to myself ALLLLLLLLL weekend. HM is on a stag weekend in Tallinn and I have been fully taking advantage. Sitting round in a vest and knickers, watching The League of Gentlemen (on commentary), having the heating on for the cats (I don't like it hot, hence the underwear), talking to myself etc etc etc
First two days alone since last Sept.
Only way it would have been better is if I had my laptop (still in creation) so I could do this at home
Aren't PCs cheaper than laptops?
As a whole, yes. But you can get a laptop now for a relatively low price. Dells and HPs start at $500.
SG, am I reading right that someone is building you one?
Jim, those Altima coupes are hella sweet. I haven't seen a whole lot of them yet here. What is the company's expectations on sales? I just don't see a lot of them being sold, given that the "personal luxury" coupe market ain't all that great (Solara, G6, the now extinct Monte Carlo).
I nailed an interview and got the job!! (good bene's too)
Awesome!:D :biggrindu
:devil: :jig: :shred: :band:
woo-hoo!
You guys are so lucky I won't be home to haunt the cellar all day long.....You are getting ur cellar back!!!
Aren't PCs cheaper than laptops?
As a whole, yes. But you can get a laptop now for a relatively low price. Dells and HPs start at $500. SG, am I reading right that someone is building you one?
Yup - I'm getting a Dell laptop. My bro works in IT and I asked his advice on all of this - he checked out what I said I wanted, what I really needed and what I could actually afford.
In part I leaned towards a laptop to be more fair to HM - if I'm out all day it will really help him find work if he has internet access - and both of us would be happier if he doesn't have to go into my room. And it's really not much cheaper to get a PC - certainly not the spec my bro thinks I need. This is the only computer I have ever bought and I'll be using it in a number of different situations for probably the next 5 years. He is really good with money, knows the market, so I trust him when he says what I am buying is the best option for me.
I nailed an interview and got the job!! (good bene's too)
GOOD FOR YOU!
Many congratulations!
In part I leaned towards a laptop to be more fair to HM - if I'm out all day it will really help him find work if he has internet access - and both of us would be happier if he doesn't have to go into my room.
I thought HM had one already?
Broked.
That's why my access was so limited before I started working here & was given the key and permission to come in any time.
Whats making me happy ,
Im sitting on my back porch as I type this ,
New Wireless router is working ,
Birds be chirping , and the world is green an fresh
as I survey the yard work I have done this weekend ,
2-3 beers Good Beers , Good tunes ,
lighting the grill for KayBobs in just a sec ,
Tomorrow may suck , but right now Life is GOOD !!!:D :D
Good Choice SG , A Lap top is the right choice , Most versatal ,
Are you buying new or used ?? New would Prolly have a better warrenty
Good Fer YA CIC !!!!
Good Choice SG , A Lap top is the right choice , Most versatal ,
Are you buying new or used ?? New would Prolly have a better warrenty
As I say, any decision making applause has to go to my brother - it's been in his capable hands.
Buying new for the warranty and support.
Before I got him involved I did ask various places about second hand. Everywhere I asked suggested that the market is moving so fast it's not worth it. That sounded like sales-talk to me, which is why I left it with my brother.
I'm confident I am getting pretty much what I need for my money. Oh and he talked me out of getting it in pink, and getting extra memory instead. Ah well.
I have been flirting with getting Carol a Pink lap top , but yer Bro is right , extra memory trumps the color
My dell is Red, I love it, but expensed it for work :)
Go Go Cic-er-O!
Super news m'dear. Hope it exceeds expectation:)
This is the funny part: I was hired as a legal assistant.
lol! Wish me luck.
;)
I will have my own office...How refreshing! Paid vacations..dental...woo-hoo!!!
And the best part: I didn't have to go on five interviews to get the position!!
O.k. I'll stop....just happy today. Someone is going to allow me my geekdom and pay for it.
Thanks guys! You sure are sweet sometimes....:)
Oh and Dana! Good luck on keeping your seat! They'll do it if they know what's good for them. I can't imagine there is more of a democratic candidate that would be more open to sound decision, and policy-making.
Luck!
Though it says a lot about you that you get a sweet job without pounding the pavement for months and months!
Jim, those Altima coupes are hella sweet. I haven't seen a whole lot of them yet here. What is the company's expectations on sales? I just don't see a lot of them being sold, given that the "personal luxury" coupe market ain't all that great (Solara, G6, the now extinct Monte Carlo).
I don't know what their expectations are, but they are doing a shit job of promoting it. It's really a lot of car for the $$....very like an infiniti g35....has great sexy lines, etc. zero incentives on them, and i've not seen any advertising on tv about them, or caught them in the car rags. I think the Mustang is kicking that segments ass anyway. whatever....if they were flying off the shelves, i probably wouldnt have been able to take one for a demo. It handles like a sports car, and im getting 25 mpg so far ( that usually improves )
Wow, congrats cicero!
Jim, those Altima coupes are hella sweet.
Ippy looked at it out the window and declared it an old lady car.
I finally cleaned up my music collection on iTunes--21,000 songs.
I'm FINALLY getting the rewriting of ÉANNA done. Which only gives me two weeks to get it on stage, but... I can do it. I can make it work. The script is so much better now.
It's scholarship day and it's going well. I have time to lurk and post between people handing in the "grade sheets" which I have been entering in the spreadsheet as I get them. Tomorrow, I sort and muse and ponder (we administer various 'ships by different donors so the criteria can vary greatly) and by Friday all 'ships will be awarded and letters sent.
Every year, it runs a little more smoothly. Not bad as this was thrown in my lap when our ex-director suddenly "resigned" a few years ago and everyone else in the program left around the same time!
That's awesome Shawnee. You rock. And you know what else? We don't all really hate you. Seriously. :eek:
That's awesome Shawnee. You rock. And you know what else? We don't all really hate you. Seriously. :eek:
I'll second that.
Lil Lookout had had tryouts for the club team outdoor season. 321 kids showed up. All 321 have to go back for the second half of tryouts in two weeks. It will be 2 hours of scrimmages to see the kids in game situations. Lil Lookout did pretty well from my POV in the stands, but you never know.
Oh wait, I do know. The club team trainer found me during a break and told me his only problem with Lil Lookout is whether to use him as a solitary striker and sometime winger for the A team, or to make him the captain of the B team for the next age group up and build the squad around his strengths.
The club owner found me later and apologized to me for an argument we had more than a year ago. He demanded then that he be allowed to train Lil Lookout in private sessions so that his potential isn't wasted by improper coaching that I would surely give him. He announced last night that LL has the best ball control of the entire group and the second best shot. "Lookout, you have done an outstanding job training him. Would you be interested in being one of the official club trainers?" No thanks for the training position, but thanks for the compliment.
I don't have to tell him that LL is just a natural do I? :) Proud Papa.
That's awesome Shawnee. You rock. And you know what else? We don't all really hate you. Seriously. :eek:
Bennett Marco: [COLOR=White]Raymond [/COLOR]Shaw[COLOR=Cyan]nee[/COLOR] is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.
Heehee...thanks guys, for responding to my attention ho-ness!
Shush Shawnee
You know if I didn't respond (and I am officially signed up to your fan club) then it's likely that I didn't see it. Therefore others didn't see it. Therefore shush.
Anyway - am pleased for you chick.
Job satisfaction - worth 10 vodkas :)
Lookout - proud Papa indeed. Good for LL.
Me? I'm made up because I'm heading off for Aylesbury at about 16.30. Going home to my parents and picking up my laptop. And it's a mark of my love for Mum and Dad that I put seeing them before getting my laptop - which is a huge excitement!
Have fun with the 'rents. Don't forget to show your dad his motivational poster!
(I was just particularly needy yesterday. It's all good.)
:)
I might email it to Mum
I think she'll laugh.....!
I was just feeling guilty about not replying and making you feel unloved....
You're the sweetest, that is true...but my neurotic tendencies are not your fault! :lol:
I hope you don't mind...I took your sneaky vodka pic to the bar the other night...just showed a few choice friends. They all loved it.
I am SOOOOO famous!
I emailed Mum the two I posted here
If my Dad isn't at Amersham station tonight to pick me up I am holding you personally responsible :neutral:
shawnee123 and sundae girl are making me happy today.
Which is a blessing b/c bruce made me cry with his dead puppy story.
The dead puppies got me too, Bri!
But be happy, because you being happy makes us happy. :)
Sundae Mum writes:
I DO hope this is not going around the world, BUT I loved them.
I don't want to see your dad on YouTube unless we get paid a lot of money.
I'm still laughing.
She doesn't really get the differnce between the Cellar and YouTube. Shhhhhhhh! I won't tell if you don't.
omg I LOVE your mom, er...mum. Your parents seem really great.
Winning the coveted Race For Home Invitational; Exton to Elverson. Takes more than fly new car....
pah.....you passed on the right, and used a subaru as a blocker.
That's awesome Shawnee. You rock. And you know what else? We don't all really hate you. Seriously. :eek:
hehe I keep saying it's true. I know I don't have much clout to get much of a nod but I still like ya ;)
Congradulations Cicero! wow put all that brain power to work would U!
Almost too much to list
At my parents
Got my new laptop (not on it yet, they don't have wi-fi)
Full of bacon, eggs & toast from breakfast
All sparkly clean from my shower (can't use the one at home, it leaks, and I love me a shower)
Mia the cat was letting me rub her belly
Weighed myself & haven't put any weight on
Got up at 08.00 which means I get a good long Saturday
Lots!
First golf game of the season in a couple of hours.
We've been waiting almost 6 month for that day.
I've been cleared to drive again. No more cabin fever!!
I'm at home and online - woohooo!
... and am fascinated by my new webcam.
No idea how to use it in any useful way, but am captivated by my image on a slight time lapse.
In fact - vain as it is, horribly vain as it is - I find myself on camera quite addictive.
Take a webcam RNF pic! Do it now!
Oh I am having such a fight with my laptop!
it's epic.
The photo was completely candid (smeared eye make-up and all) but there would have been time for professional air-brushing before I get the damned thing on here!
Teething problems. I still love it. Ahem
Fifth try.
I assure you I don't look half so damned complacent right now.
My Old Puter ( 5 plus years old )DIED !! power supply and mother board ,
I'll have to take a pic of the NEW PC ,
BIG FUCKING HD MONITER !!!!!
1) I am actually the colour of the shoulder shown on the right of the pic - ie pale blue
2) I scare even myself
3) my heart can't cope with trying to do it again and my cats certainly can't bear all the swearing
btw I look like a man in that pic!
Damn, SG...you are so smoldering hot. Is it painful to be so damn sexy?
Els I do adore you, but I seriously question your judgement re that pic.
It was a genuine, one-shot RFN as requested by Jinx - the time lapse solely to do with me fighting Windows Vista.
But not something I would ever have promoted otherwise!
Ah well - for the record, am going to try the webcam for tonight while I sleep. Have a feeling it will be too dark.
Okay. I'm happy. Verging on deliriously so. Even so, I have a slight mixed feeling. One of the things that is making me happy is also giving me pause today.
The main thrust of my day today has been loading out my eldest child's entire apartment (as those of you who have known me for awhile will recall, Stephen, my blood son, has lived in the studio barn apartment behind our house since we moved to the new place. He was the main reason we actually bought the house we did - because it had a place for him to live near us). Why did we do this? Because he has moved 60 miles South of KC to live with his fiancee, Julie.
Today, I dealt with my ex wife, my ex brother in law, my girlfriend, my son, his fiancee, my stepson's girlfriend, my son's friend Richard (a Tourette's sufferer), my wife's girlfriend, and my wife for the several hours it took us to load up the trailer and pickup my ex and her bro brought to the table. How was it? Almost painless...thanks for asking. So...I'm happy about how it worked out so far, but I have reservations about my kid being so far away from now on.
Everyone worked together with patience, love and mutual support. It was the least likely outcome imaginable given all the factors involved. The weather was perfect, the work flow was totally acceptable...even the dogs, who constantly got out of the house, stayed close by all day, not running off or being underfoot.
As soon as the moving caravan pulled out, my girlfriend decided that the beautiful redbud tree in our front yard needed a haircut, and so climbed right up in it and proceeded to strip all the dead branches out, throwing them to the ground so as Selene, K and myself picked them up and stacked them off to the side. Pretty impressive for 5' 2", 120# 48 year old, I thought. When that was done, L and I planted a rose bush that was gifted to our household.
The afternoon was still young, so L and I ran to the store and grabbed me a 12 pack of PBR, and then we came here to her place and planted four azalea bushes and a couple of bulbs in her front yard. Then, she dolled herself up, drove to my place and picked up my wife, and headed down to the new Sprint Center to see Barry Manilow with Selene. When they return, I'll stay over with L tonight.
L and I will awake early and drive to my partner Lane's house, where we will load up our PA and gear, and head out to do two 45 minute sets for a local neighborhood organization's annual Chalk Walk (Selene isn't attending, but I am rather blessed in that *both* of my women get incredibly turned on by watching me play and sing - no accounting for taste, I guess), including me running sound for two other acts, and having to haul all the gear back to Lane's (our practice site) afterwards. Then its home for our weekly extended family dinner with Selene and myself, K, her girlfriend, L, my girlfriend, Colin, my stepson and his girlfriend (who are in process of moving into Stephen's vacant barn apartment as I type, leaving their rooms empty for K to move into - she's starting chiropractic college in the Fall, BTW), and my eldest stepson Clifton.
Sorry to ramble on so much in a thread that is filled with simple statements of joy. I have a complex life, and a certain amount of verbosity when I talk about it. Summary? Life is beautiful right now.
Elspode you never ramble. You explain your thoughts, moods and complex situations succinctly and I for one appreciate the insight into your life.
So glad that such a complex situation worked out well.
I'm happy because (laptop!) I contacted HM's bro via Skype last night and when I woke up this morning (laptop!) he was online and said good morning to me. Then he called my laptop (laptop!) and we chatted for about half an hour. He's my adopted little brother in way - I'm so comfortable with him. Always good to have another sibling, especially as this one is also an IT expert! Useful when you have a new laptop.
Oh I'm also happy with my laptop, did I mention that?
Today, my daughter come back home for the summer. She's in school 100 miles from here. I missed her very much.
Whatever happen today, it will be a very good day.:D
Today the Spouse and I spent 4 hours tearing down a large ugly shed at our new (to us) house. Gloves, hammer, and pry bar are all I need to demolish anything, or die laughing while trying. Fun times. I'm starting to eyeball the neighbors' outbuildings now...
After a 2 hour drive here, I am sitting in my hotel room, watching CABLE, drinking beer, and smoking cigarettes. I have to leave the balcony door open for the cigs because, well, it's still Ohio. Have federal training tomorrow at a nearby college, but tonight I am kicking back with no homeless guy and no cats. Hey, I love them (the cats) but still this is nice. Cable, I tell you, CABLE! :)
...
Cable, I tell you, CABLE! :)
I have one of those for my bike, but I hardly ever use it.
You hardly ever use your cable? Yeah, I read that on the ladies room wall. Duh duh DUH.
Shawnee, you sure can clear a room.
We were expecting you to come by, actually, HLJ.
:p
My step son just got his First new car !!!
Wooo Hooo Zippy.
Happy...me? Achmed the dead terrorist
Achmed the dead terrorist
I LOVE Achmed!!
I am going on a date tonight.
Shawnee, you sure can clear a room.
I know! I should rent myself out: in-laws overstaying their welcome? Invite ME over. Pesky neighbors keep wandering into your yard? Give me a call! Guido's thugs won't stop casing your house? Give me 10 minutes to strike up a conversation with them and they'll be gone in 11.
Genius, really.
I found my knife.
Right where I left it.
Happy happy joy joy!
Wow, lots of happy in here while I was gone! That in itself makes me happy.
But these are what really made my day. Now, if I could only get ahold of the sender. . .
Ooooooooh!
Flowers make me happy too.
Altohugh I have to buy my own!
Happy because I just cleaned out my Cellar in-box.
I usually like to keep it tidy, but I had PMs from last summer in there.
(I don't just delete them all as I have contact details in some)
my new Crystal Method CD. (does happy techno dance).
Here's me in a Cobalt Sport Coupe at the St. Louis Auto Show in February:
I'm definitely getting my corset tomorrow
I've been asked to work in the pub tonight so I'll have some more money for tomorrow night
It's already 13.30 and it's officially Friday afternoon
I am such a happy bunny
Egads, thank goodness you got the blue one. New cars are awesome!!
Rain held off this morning, so I got a great run in outside for the first time in the am since last fall. 60 degress, a bit humid, and a touch of a breeze. Didn't see another soul though, which was very unusual. The birds were so loud. I pretended they were cheering me on. :D By the time I was out of the shower, it was raining.
Now, just 2.5 hours till Chipotle. :yum:
Went and saw the new Harold and Kumar movie yesterday. I'm not into gross humor and don't smoke pot, so the fact that I find these movies funny is funny in and of itself.
Anyway, the movie is hilariously wrong. The main government agent is the single biggest idiotic cracker you'll ever see. The racist shit he puts out there is just so mindnumbingly wrong that you can't help but laugh and think "Yeah, I know an idiot like that!"
And there is a famous person impersonator in the movie that made tears pour out of my squinty laughing eyes.
I got re-elected! *smiles*
Bad day overall for the party nationwide and locally, lot of council seats changed hands, lot of councils changed their lead party. Locally, we lost one seat (poor guy had been a councillor for 22 years) to the Lib Dems and lost one to the BNP.
I was fighting the BNP as my main opposition (though the conservatives made a better than usual showing) but we held them off *smiles* and I increased my majority from 77 votes ahead of the BNP (dangerously close) to about 250 votes :) Out of 18 contested seats in our borough, only mine and one other saw Labour increase our vote.
Ohh!! Congraturations!!!!!
:D :thumb:
You didn't run under the socialist pig or pinko commie ticket?!?
:p
Well....Labour is the left-wing party so in a sense yes:P
Congrats Dana.
The only good news (politically speaking) I have heard today.
We voted for Ken in this borough, but it wasn't enough.
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts...
Okay - I'm home from work, I have a beer, my cats are on the bed with me and I'm going to have a lovely long lie-in tomorrow in preparation for clubbing tomorrow night.
Sigh. Just wish I had Uncle Ken's re-election to celebrate.
The rhythm of soles on pavement, lungs filled with the sweet smell of blooming crabapple trees, following the scent back to my childhood backyard.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel on my overdue assignments! I have two research projects (a 2000 word and a 3000 word) for which I got an extension until friday....up until yesterday I had written approx. half of one and hadn't even started the research for the second. I have worked like a mad thing all yesterday and all today and now have one almost finished and the other half way complete. Thank god for online primary source collections, they made the research a damn sight easier!
Once these are both submitted, I have two weeks to revise for my only exam and then I am free from academia for a whole summer! Yey!
Woohoo, congrats! Can you list what they are please?
The rhythm of soles on pavement, lungs filled with the sweet smell of blooming crabapple trees, following the scent back to my childhood backyard.
I misread. I was trying to imagine why Crappable trees would be a good thing.....
First celeb. e-mail through work. lol! Wow. :)
Wow! Got a $4,500 check out the blue. Nice surprise!
OK, I need to know who "The Blue" is and how to get into contact with him.
I got some cable TV to get, before it's too late! :p
Good surprise, Cloud.
no kidding. I inherited a bunch of little oil and gas interests, and I get checks dribbling in. They've been going up--no big surprise there, but -- nothing like this. This amount is about 10 times the entire royalties from this provider for last year.
Apparently we hit a big pocket of gas! :D
I don't have any particular need or use for this money, so I'm sticking it in savings. It's about 4 months' worth of gas, so maybe it will keep up!
Maybe I'll take a real trip, like off the North American continent.
belated congrats, Dana! and to you, too, cloud---always nice to get a check!
Heck, I hit a big pocket of gas earlier today and got nuttin'! Seriously, that is cool.
Oh, and I've been a bad lurker...congrats DanaC! :)
Today, I realized just how surreal my life is.
This realization came while watching two extremely hyper, fairly attractive asian girls dancing wildly to Prince in my living room (well, more like den) at midnight.
lemme back up a bit.
tonight was the second and last night of Paradox Plus, one of the TAS theatre events. I acted as the lead in one short play, as a silent extra in a second, and as the on-stage director in a seated reading of a play I had written. Everything went off extremely well, and the show as a whole (10 15-minute one-acts) went brilliantly. Then, I hosted a cast party at my house, with i'd say around 20 people showing up and having a great time eating junk food and listening to some great vinyl and just hanging out for a couple hours.
really, it was all just pretty amazing.
Ibs that's pretty cool.
Remember that in years to come, when you wonder where your extremely hyper, fairly attractive asian girls are. You've already had your fair share.
For me it's Friday afternoon. Well, Friday evening.
I've been semi-avoiding HM because of a HORRIFIC row we had Weds night - I couldn't face him properly til we had time to talk. Called him this afternoon to say - genuinely - I was working late preparing for the Board Meeting on Sunday, and could he feed the boys? And when I asked if he was in later because I wanted a chat, he was fine. He told me not to worry.
So I feel light as air, and will make this the best board meeting ever - still proving myself in my new job.
Oh and it's summer here! Not altogether my bag, but it makes everyone else so happy. Tomorrow I intend to lie in and then go & read The Other Boleyn Girl in Greenwich Park, in the shade. After feeding the squirrels. Now I know I'm not going to be kicked out of the house I mean.
Happy days.
You kick some board meetin' butt, SG!
Why is it when you describe your happy days it makes other people's days happy, too? :)
From last Sunday, but it still makes me happy today and every day:
Even better:
Going to the baseball game tonight, with Tink!
Even better:
Going to the baseball game tonight, with Tink!
To see the M's? What, are you a glutton for punishment? ;)
Both the research projects that I had an extension for were due in at lunchtime today. I had them both submitted by about 10.30...having worked from fairly early Thursday morning right through the day and night, with a couple of breaks to walk the dog, post a bit in the cellar, eat a sandwich. Thank God the selection of research topics included some with online primary sources (Parliamentary 'Blue Books' and the Mass Observation Archive). I only made my decision on the topic on Tuesday afternoon, was too busy trying to get the other project somewhere close to finished.....
Chosen source: a royal commission on childrens employment in mining and manufacturing from the mid-19th century.....the pdf scanned text is 2100 pages long and difficult to read, physically, I mean, the font and the faded pages in parts.
Other research project involved writing an historical wiki page for the universities wiki project ... I think the course is designed in such a way that you might spend the whole semester building up the actually writing the page.....as opposed to glance at the script commands and short cuts identify a few sources and write the intro then abandon it til 6 days before it's due.
All done. All completed. Took an all-nighter like the last one did, but I got there yey! I'm having the weekend off (apart from a bit of labour party stuff) and so went to the library and got a big bag of fiction to read!
Yay for you Dana
Although you do make me feel so... plebian. With yore eddication and all.
I'm enjoying the unexpected slice of summer - in my own way.
I was sat outside in the yard this morning, with Dylan buzzing around, keeping me company. Have come in during the hottest part of the day and will put a t-shirt on before I go out again to protect my shoulders and chest.
I feel so happy and comfortable. Like a real person again, having a real weekend.
Even though I'm minuting the Board Meeting tomorrow and then working in the pub in the evening. But then I've never been bothered by work, with the added bonus that these days I enjoy it.
Little bit more Cellar, then off to show my legs the sun again.
Back later this afternoon.
Oh isn't it glorious out there, SG? It's lovely in the North too. I just took pilau for a walk through the field at the top of Blake hill (I posted a picture ofthe valley from that field a while ago, it's the one with all the dry stone walls) the grass is high and emerald green, with bright flashes of yellow, carpeted in places there are that many buttercups and dandelions, daisies and cowslip. The air is hot and still and heavy with the smell of flowers.
This morning I went to the Group meeting for the second part of our annual general meeting where we decide strategy for the first council meeting of the year... two minutes back in the job and I find myself at the centre of trouble and controversy again....about to break the group's line in council and vote against the group position. There's one other person voting with me. In theory they could withdraw the whip for it, but I doubt they'll try. We'll see.
Anyway, that's a tale for another day. The point is, the meeting is over, the dog is walked, I have a book I am enjoying reading and am about to pick up again (when I finish posting this!). I have a bottle of Peroni lager and a ready rolled smoke, no assignments hanging over me, and nowhere I have to be. I even got my act together last night and washed the pots, did a bit of a tidyup so its a pleasant house to sit in. The window is swung fully open and there are a variety of birds singing outside.
Basically I have the central components of my perfect Saturday afternoon. Glorious.
Going to the baseball game tonight, with Tink!
To the Mariners? Have you tried their DS service?
Right now, Dr Who (current episode called The Doctor's Daughter)
Oh my, David Tennant still makes me want to lick the screen.
I'd have his daughter.
Anyway it's a good fun episode.
A week without sleeping pills :)
I got a double spork at Taco Hell today. Two sporks in one package. Or maybe it was one spork and one foon. That has to mean something. Doesn't it? Come on, work with me, I'm glomming on to whatever I can get at this point. ;)
Oh shit! Just make sure you
don't let them breed!!!!The smell of freshly cut grass coming in through my open window, and knowing that I'll be skipping out of work early for a run in a little while.
I love my job sometimes.
And despite getting my period this weekend when we thought for sure we got the job done on vacation, I had a great Mother's Day. I am a lucky lucky woman.
A woman.
For a minute I thought I had wandered into
this thread.
Now that my new car from LJ is all legal and stuff, yesterday I drove it 4 hours on the PA Turnpike, and with the cruise set at about 68 mph, I achieved 30.2 miles per gallon for the trip. The car is rated at 27 highway and so this achievement makes me feel like I got a good one.
wow. LJ sold you ya' car? Awesome! Photo of this car anyone? Awesome!! 30.2 mpg's? I am so jealous!!
His top salesdude sold it to me, but LJ financed it with fine-tuned expertise. I'm overdue to give y'all a picture of it.
wow. I'm totally jealous. I've considered ditching my FJ for something that won't cost as much in fuel department.
Still happy from graduation ceremony Friday. The faculty/administrative staff leaves the ceremony before the graduated students. On my way out, I heard a couple voices yell "Thank you (Shawnee!)" I turned and looked and it was this young married couple I have been helping for the last few years. They worked hard and made it and to be thanked like that was more than I could ask for, and more than upper management would ever acknowledge. I will float by on that for at least a couple months. :)
It's perfect snow-man making weather. We have about 6 or 8 inches of wet heavy snow on the ground, and it's still coming down. The tree branches are loaded and I see an occasional avalanche drop in front of my window.
Of course, I'm sitting in my (home) office working, and am not outside playing. Maybe I'll go out at lunch and throw some snowballs at the neighbor's dogs.
:eek:
Snow?!
It's super duper hot here (won't last)
So I've just bought myself a cute little dress off eBay
Am already training my ankles for heels - then I'll have to break in each individual pair (lots of blisters, bleeding, scabs, sigh)
Even with all those I gave to charity when I moved I still have at least three pairs that will look great with this!
That is adorable, Sundae! It will look great on you.
[COLOR="Red"][SIZE="4"]NORTHBOUND[/SIZE][/COLOR] pdf file!!!!!!!!!
:does happy dance:
Starting next week, the campus will be closed on Fri, Sat and Sun throughout summer. This is supposed to save costs. We will still be getting our hours in, but it will be difficult to do the extra hours we are used to since the day will already be 10 hours and there will be no popping in on the weekend to catch up. When they say closed they mean NO access. I can't work from home like some because 1) I don't have internet 2) DOE software could not be installed at home and 3) We're not allowed to lug SSNs around.
But, we will have 3 day weekends every weekend until August, and we will actually have a 4 day weekend for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
The days will seem long but I think it will be great. We will also save on gas and I don't have to figure out clothing rotations for an extra day each week. ;)
That's great Shawnee, though I guess you'll only be here four days per week then? If you're not here on Fridays then I won't be here either.
Funny.
Yeah, I was thinking I heard a collective sigh of relief from Dwellars and a "Can't wait for Friday" rejoicing sound.
:lol:
This was the day before I traded in my Malibu, when it hit 100,000 miles. I finally learned how to take a video on my phone and get it into YouTube:
[youtube]K3LxpcIO35I[/youtube]
What can I say? I'm retarded.
The return of the Wolf.
Welcome back.
I might actually have high speed internet by this afternoon (after living with dial-up for the last thousand years).
:heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump :heartpump :heartpump Tink!!! :heartpump :heartpump :heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump
:heartpump
How come? She finally let you install that electric griddle in the backyard pool?
I do, I do, I do have high-speed internet.
This fucking week is fucking over.
Be careful crossing the street.
Yay for you Syc!
For me, once again it's Dr Who.
Watching it on catch up TV this week though.
Nothing can improve on seeing M Tennant on TV. Except having Catherine Tate as his sidekick, but that happens every week. But set in the 30s, one of my favourite periods. And with Felicity Kendall? Ooh. And the bloody hot ginger chap I saw playing Peter Cook in the West End two years ago and fancied immediately googling tells me he is Tom Goodman-Hill, watch that name!)...?
Good Lord. If they'd shoehorned Steve Pemberton into the episode (he's in a later one) I'd have slid off my chair.
I have never seen Dr. Who and Perth keeps telling me I need to watch it with mini-caser. We just got Netflix, and there is a ton of Dr. Who to be seen there over the web. Perhaps I will have to watch some.
My landlord is going to let me have a dog!!! YES!!! I'm going doggy shopping!! (and yes I will be a good cicero and possibly get a poor doomed black one)
YEA!!!
Cool beans Cic!
Sundae, I also am very happy about Doctor Who lol. Gotta say though "The Doctor's Daughter" is my favourite episode of the series. Goddamn, Tennant can act!
Yes, folks, I am very very happy at the moment.
I was called into the bosses bosses office (I haven't a clue how to punctuate that correctly and don't care right now) a short while ago.
They brought me in to tell me that the president has agreed to reclassifying my and my cow orkers job title and classification. The title and the job description much more closely match everything that I (and my good friend cow orker) do.
It also comes with reclassification to the appropriate coordinator level pay grade, where it should have been all along...they even admit.
It also feels good because I started out here as entry level front line person, was promoted twice, and since I have been here we have made great strides in making others realize we do so much more than "data entry." Laughingly enough, that is what the ex controller used to say we did. HA. I feel so great about it all.
I'm so happy I can't concentrate on anything else today! I'm glad I have been getting so much work done or I might feel guilty.
What a difference a week makes; last week I wasn't sure how much longer I'd be here.
I want to shout from the rooftops (but for one thing it's not my place or style to brag or to let on that our pay increased...especially in this flat and dismal budget year) but I'm just bursting inside.
Is there a smilie big enough? :) :blush: :p :3eye: :)
Thanks for a venue to share my good news!
That's great Shawnee. Good for you!
I'm happy today because I'm picking the kids up after school and they're spending the night with us.
:celebrat: Shawnee -I am SO happy for you.
Many congratulations on a job well done and a promotion well won.
Fantastic that they appreciate your input - you deserve it.
Ali - ah, good to hear it's still a to and fro process. Makes the initial wrench a little less traumatic I imagine? Enjoy them!
[COLOR="Blue"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][SIZE="5"]HAWAII![/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR]
@Shawnee-Hell, even I knew you do more than data entry. Awesome! Maybe you can get a computer at home now! We have to cellar-hop still.
:)
Wedding Anniversary. Ivory. Darling clever beest adopted me a wild African Elephant. And made me a card with Ivor the Engine on it (Brits may remember him) -so that was Ivor-y too :D
Nice.... but he shoulda got you something with a
trunk.ha. I don't do trunks, I'm the practical hatchback sort. and I still call them boots anyway.... ;)
I have a picture and a certificate and a little fluffy elephant and everything. aw.
Thanks all. It's been a long road and I am still in a state of shock!
(When I think about it, I have to thank the Cellar. The work rants I've posted here probably saved me from going over the edge...the Cellar is my stress relief! Usually.) :blush:
Ali: hope you have a great time with the kids!
Congrats on your anniversary, monster. That's a neat gift.
Hawaii? Now I'm just jealous!
Oooh Shawnee, so sorry, missed your news -that's awesome. And not a moment too soon. :D
Now, would you come over and have a word with beest's employers.... :lol:
I'm checking on some things. lumberjim fired everyone and I'm trying to find my name on the safe list.
Help?
;)
way to do it, Shawnee!
I just got my refund for all three classes winter quarter! Saved!!!
Shawnee, good news. Now I'm glad we didn't talk you in to leaving for that other job last year.
I guess it was destiny that I was too lazy and complacent and resigned to my position to go for that other job. ;)
I guess it was destiny that I was too lazy and complacent and resigned to my position to go for that other job. ;)
Density? Oh, destiny?
Hey, leave me alone. I'm densitive.
This week:
Having one of my best friends in town for seven days.
Going to the ring designer tomorrow.
Having the motorcycle running again through my own blood and sweat.
Today:
The sun is shining, it's warming up, and this is actually like Friday. 4 day weekend coming up...in on Tuesday then off to conference at a resort in Huron, OH for three days next week.
Thanks to you all for sharing my happiness this week, and for putting up with my giddiness. I know I'm hard to take sometimes.
You've been there with me through some good and bad times. It means a lot.
(I have been slacking badly today...meet with auditors at 1 then I have to TRY to stay out of here.)
:)
Shawnee you're a gem
You deserve happiness with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles and don't you forget it.
What is helping to cheer me today - I bought some really lovely flowers this week (partly because I knew they would help, partly because we had a Director level interviewee who I hoped to impress).
And my kitsch Garfield is a trinket box which now holds my paperclips and cost me £1.50 ($3) from a charity shop.
Those flowers are almost as pretty as you, SG. You remind me of a sunflower, they just make people smile and feel good. Thanks.
The flowers are beautiful.
On behalf of all right-thinking Americans, I apologize for having exported Garfield.
The auditor's findings did not include ANY of my work. :) The other stuff they found was small, normal mistakes, but they didn't find anything on my part. Yay!
They couldn't find any of your work? Good job!
What exactly would you say... you do here?
Spending the weekend fishing with my Dad and my sons.
I asked the apartment management receptionist if they could install a ceiling fan if I bought one. My return call was yes do you want us to buy one? I said ok, with a light he asked? why yes thank you I said.
Then last night I ran into a co-worker. We were talking about those awful cardboard cat scratch boxes. I mentioned I was going to get a cat pole. She said she had a brand new one I could have. I said I would give her something for it but she said, oh no. Just come and get it.
I feel so lucky this week. :)
You have a cardboard cat?
I'm sure it's low maintenance, but you probably don't want to get it wet.
[COLOR=Silver](In Mexico, they call those Pinatas.)[/COLOR]
*laughing* :)
I love those pinatas! As a child I was never strong enough to break one open or fast enough to get much but they were still fun. So of course when I grew up and made pinatas at those times I taught crafts.Lot's of fun!
It's that time of year again (technically one of two times of the year,) when we must buy presents for
the hardest girl to shop for in the world.
This would be in the "mildly irritating you" thread, BUT I am happy to say that after about 2 hours of aimless internet wandering this afternoon looking for inspiration, I have found not
one but
two very likely gifts. And I still have a month left to look!!
awful cardboard cat scratch boxes? Why are they awful? Cats like 'em.
awful cardboard cat scratch boxes? Why are they awful? Cats like 'em.
Well that's exactly what we were saying. We knew other people swore by them but our cats didn't use them so....I guess her cat dosn't like the cat pole either. So I get it...and they can be expensive so I am happy...
The cats tear up my furniture. I am planning on getting a wicker furniture set at some point. A nice set not any funky resin or white ones either.
I am happy to say that after about 2 hours of aimless internet wandering this afternoon looking for inspiration, I have found not one but two very likely gifts. And I still have a month left to look!!
Clod those are great gifts!
If my niece was 3 years younger I'd be after that pearl kit like a shot. And in fact I'm tempted by the toaster plates idea for my nephew. Best find out if he even eats toast first!
The pearl thing looks cool. I would buy the toaster for myself, if
these people would make a version of it.
Well there's always
this option, too.
Sitting around drinking a nice, cold bottle of iced tea.
...long island, that is.
:angel:
when the folks get home...
...whats wrong with a nice bottle of nestea?
I had a vision of an angel.
Fuzzy barely there hair. A bit drunk. Sometimes furious, sometimes hard as diamond, sometimes soft as butter.
It stayed with me and is still making me happy.
x
Sitting around drinking a nice, cold bottle of iced tea.
...long island, that is.
:angel:
when the folks get home...
...whats wrong with a nice bottle of nestea?
x2
Im going on a date...like, a real one. Not one that will end in the exchange of body fluids...but a fair dinkum one.
It will end crappily, but the prospect makes me :)
Somehow it all came together and made sense, and I learn-ded Dreamweaver with the HTMLs and CSS-es this week...so today I'm designing a website that I will actually make work all by myself. God, I feel like such a retard. But I'm a happy retard!!
I got the go ahead from Mrs L to devote some extra time to exploring the creation of a new NonProfit organization. I have received a couple of commitments for start up funding for it as well. The rough plan is a nonprofit designed to ensure that all kids in the area have the ability to play soccer at the appropriate level (rec/club) regardless of family finances. It can be a very expensive undertaking and we've dealt with issues as they've come up, but in a mostly by the seat of your pants manner. This year a couple of us stepped up to pay the fees for a new kid from a family going through divorce and can't pay the expenses for the year. Helping him is all well and good, but he isn't the only one out there.
So the plan is to partner with as many of the local clubs and rec leagues as possible to make them aware of available assistance for kids that need a little help covering tuition and training fees.
The second arm is an equipment exchange center. No kid should be showing up to practice or a game with a broken styrofoam cup stuffed in his socks to fulfill the requirement for shinguards. Proper soccer pads and shoes aren't just meant to make you look cool, they are designed for functional safety reasons.
Every kid who wants to play should be able to play with all the appropriate equipment.
It will be a lot of work, but I'm starting the planning now. and loving it.:D
Im going on a date...like, a real one. Not one that will end in the exchange of body fluids...but a fair dinkum one.
It will end crappily, but the prospect makes me :)
Now you are obligated to update us on the happenings.
:D
Will it turn into a exchange of fluids unlike you say? Maybe even out of holiday depression? Hmmm......
Wonderful idea Lookout. There's a local group in the ward I represent who do something similar.
Awsome, lookout. Sound like you know what you're doing already, and I'm sure there's probably nothing I can help with, but our swim team runs on the same basis and just went through 501c(3) certification, so if you do ever hit a brick wall be sure to shout out, just in case.
My date went well, I am in unknown territory a little.
I have to pull out the dating handbook....I cant remember how long it will be before he calls.
I've just won a £10 voucher!
Yay!!!
It's less about the prize and more about the winning - I love to win stuff.
I'm taking part in a monitoring scheme for a public service.
There is a small payment, and as an added incentive you are entered into a daily and monthly draw. I won one of today's daily prizes. The monthly prize is £750 - oooh I'd like that please.
My wife was quoted as an "expert" in a newspaper
story today...she rocks!
Very cool Syc. April's 15 minutes of fame. Important story on the ATVs, too.
That's going to be her baby for the summer, with ATVs roaring like crazy and fairs coming up. I believe she'll be in Springfield (IL) and Sedalia (MO) for the state fairs this year.
Then in the fall comes the new safety store at the hospital: a $100,000 grant (that I helped write) to build and stock the store with illness and injury prevention items (car seats, socket covers, etc.).
I'm so proud of her...she's done a lot of good work there in just 2 years.
Congrats to April, Syc :)
Hey Sundae *high five* that means you're a winner!
That's going to be her baby for the summer, with ATVs roaring like crazy and fairs coming up. I believe she'll be in Springfield (IL) and Sedalia (MO) for the state fairs this year.
Then in the fall comes the new safety store at the hospital: a $100,000 grant (that I helped write) to build and stock the store with illness and injury prevention items (car seats, socket covers, etc.).
I'm so proud of her...she's done a lot of good work there in just 2 years.
Very cool. Good work, congrats.;)
Another
story, which uses one of my wife's quotes from yesterday. Apparently, there are going to be 3 or 4 articles this week in the paper about ATV safety.
Oh, I started a new delivery job last night...I enjoyed my first shift, and I'm optimistic about a future there. Here's to more happy days!
Good for her. Tell her to keep up that good work. I applaud her.
I've no idea what that means, but if it's making you happy I feel congratulations are in order. Well done!
We have numerous deaths here each year from ATV's, almost always children riding unsupervised and with out appropriate gear. We have had some real tragic events. Including this one:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/2506914/detail.html
I own an ATV and use it for hunting. My son has rides it frequently and always wears protective gear.
He better...or my wife will be happy to come down there and have a talk with you and your wife. :)
I leave for Hawaii in 13 hours. My bank delivered a new debit card and a new credit card to my office today. I'm out some cash but it could have been worse.
your bank delivers? wow!
have a great time and don't think of us, and take lots of pictures.
I lost my debit card two days before I got married (was eventually found in the car!) I was also due to be paid the day after the ceremony and was stony broke until then, so was relying on my salary to give us honeymoon expenses.
So basically it all depended on my new card being delivered - as agreed - at the bank branch at the airport before our 11.30 flight. The branch didn't open til 10.30. I worried myself sick all the way there.
It was delivered, I got it no problems and we even underspent.
Glad to hear yours arrived in time!
Have a wonderful holiday
YAY!!!!!!!
It's the Steve Pemberton episode of Dr Who!
Two of my favourite men together.
Very very different, but both gorgeous.
For future reference for the Americans it's the library episode.
Steve is the man whose family built the library.
Wasn't that a good episode? A proper, old school, get the younglings hiding behind the sofa, Doctor Who tall tale. Wonderful. I love the Moffat episodes. Empty Child and the one with the scary ass statues were both classy fayre.
What's making me happy: I've done bugger all, all weekend. Woke up yesterday morning at 8:30, went back to sleep. Got up at 10 and made a coffee and went back to bed to read. Fell asleep, got up at lunchtime. Walked the dog, read and watched youtube vids for most of the day:) Rounded off with Doctor Who and then Black Sheep on dvd.
This morning: up at about 10am with no tasks ahead, or places to be: just dog walking (no hardship when unhurried and with pleasant weather), reading, playing about in the intarwebz and watching tv:) Glorious.
If I fancy, I may make a start on Honeyman's Child Workers in England, 1780-1820 in preparation for the research i need to do this Summer.....but only if I fancy. probably will actually, I borrowed the book months ago but haven't been able to read it as had to focus reading around assignments and exams.
The point is I am winging it and in no way feeling guilty about 1001 different things I should be doing with my time. Is there anything nicer than legitimate, earned idleness?
Yes, I do have the feeling you very much deserve a break Dana!!! Keep those pajama's on today if you can!!
:p
I'm excited because I got "Beirut" tickets! Yea!! Finally going to see the show after long last! They've been in Europe and finally came back! Tomorrow night after work will be awesome!
Here's what they sound like......This kid is about 21 now? Made this album in his basement when he was 19, I think...
[youtube]PCkT4K-hppE[/youtube]
Dana I didn't see the one with the statues, but I have seen clips. Crikey me, the clips were terrifying enough - I'm shuddering thinking about them.
I loved this week's episode - even if Steve had been played by someone else!
Hope you had a chilled out day.
I am happy because I blagged off a shift last week. I felt awful afterwards and considered the fact that I might have lost the job (I sort of deserved to as well). As it was, nothing was said, I faced it out and was back to being a great employee. I hate it when I give in to my lazy side - I will try to remember this next time.
Oops - to clarify I am happy I still have a good and that I have got over the first shift back.
Dana I didn't see the one with the statues, but I have seen clips. Crikey me, the clips were terrifying enough - I'm shuddering thinking about them.
I loved this week's episode - even if Steve had been played by someone else!
Oops - to clarify I am happy I still have a good and that I have got over the first shift back.
Is it because I'm not English that this makes no sense to me?
It's the Steve Pemberton episode of Dr Who
Wasn't that a good episode? A proper, old school, get the younglings hiding behind the sofa, Doctor Who tall tale. Wonderful. I love the Moffat episodes. Empty Child and the one with the scary ass statues were both classy fayre.
This morning: up at about 10am with no tasks ahead, or places to be: just dog walking (no hardship when unhurried and with pleasant weather), reading, playing about in the intarwebz and watching tv:) Glorious.
[All Dr Who related]Dana I didn't see the one with the statues, but I have seen clips. Crikey me, the clips were terrifying enough - I'm shuddering thinking about them.
I loved this week's episode - even if Steve had been played by someone else!
[As per Dana's post]Hope you had a chilled out day.
Oops - to clarify I am happy I still have a good and that I have got over the first shift back.[Double oops the fact I wrote "good" instead of "job"]
Yes, it was more than usually incoherent.
Thanks SG, I was afraid my brain was leaking, or something.
My freshly washed and waxed vee-hicle. It's pretty.... It's sooo pretty...
oh, and also White Men Can't Jump clips...
[youtube]Rv9Yvecgxjg[/youtube]
HARD. GOD. DAMN. WORK!
I'm thinking about swapping cars again. (yeah I know, I have issues)
Im going from a Rexton, back to a Commodore...very similar to what I had, but this is the 270kw, V8 version.
The Suzuki Kizashi doesnt get released here until end of 2009.
The Rexton is gorgeous, full leather, heated seats, rain sensing wipers...etc...etc....but I miss my *dog* and I went for a drive in the V8 the other day.
Im torn
5 days 'til Baltimore!
April and I finally got our wedding pictures back...6 months after the event. The maid of honor's sister is a professional photographer, and the maid of honor paid for her sister's services as her gift to us. Her sister is a flake and slow as a turtle. Anyhoo...here's April and I with our parents:
Oh lovely, lovely!
All so very beautiful.
They were worth the wait.
I'm happy because I got a call from the cat rescue place I contacted before the weekend. They are sending someone local to interview me and check out the house on Thursday at 13.00 - I'm taking a lunchbreak for once! I've already passed the phone interview, just the face to face and the chat to decide which, if any, cat they currently have would best suit me/ my position/ the Diz cat.
The downsides are
1) I have to blitz the place tomorrow! Going to see Derren Brown Weds night (another thing that's making me happy!) so tomorrow is the only time to do it
2) I can't afford to adopt til next payday - approx 3 weeks time. They charge a rehoming fee of £50 to cover their costs - they're a registered charity and non-profit making with a no-kill policy, so have to support some cats for life. Also there are things I have to buy - a cat pen for slow introduction, Feliway, a new litter tray etc.
I'm not replacing Dyl. I couldn't - I adored him. I still hope he walks through the catflap.
But I have to think of Diz, who currently has cat-depression. Diagnosed by me, as all he does it cry, eat, sleep. He doesn't play, go out, frisk about, climb on things, try to get in my shopping bag, follow me to work, bat my tweezers off the night table, want to go out of the skylight etc etc etc.
I'm happy to be moving on. And excited about a new cat addition. One cat is at least one too few imo.
We've finished moving. Pretty much everything is unpacked and in its new place.
My back is aching. My feet hurt. I'm weary to the bone, but I'm happy as a pig in poo. :)
Now we just have to get the other house sold.
Firefox 3 release candidate 1 is excellent!
Ali I know the feeling. It's worth bottling - glad it's over for you.
UT - I have no idea. But I'm pleased for you anyway.
Thanks matey. :) I'm feeling a bit better today. At least it doesn't hurt to walk now. lol
Firefox 3 release candidate 1 is excellent!
UT, I've been using SeaMonkey (1.1.9), but I don't really know the difference between SeaMonkey and Firefox. Any idea?
Some of the guts are the same. SeaMonkey is a bundle of different software, Firefox was developed just to be a browser standalone. Which is what most people want.
It's Derren Brown day!
Yes I am off to see the renowned mentalist and professional beard wearer tonight. It's being filmed, and we have good seats, so I am wearing my new dress.
Really looking forward to it - have been since I booked the tickets.
Just wish I'd done more cleaning and less surfing last night - I'm gonna have to get up mega early tomorrow morning to sort this place out for the cat interview Thursday...
Just got back from having Spencer's portfolio evaluated - so school is officially OVER for the summer!!! Woohoo!!! :devil:
Riding the energy wave from the Obama rally last night!
Despite having been mildly irritated (see mildly irritating thread) by having to trundle over to my ward to attend a consultation event whilst supposedly on holiday....it turned out to be very pleasant. Beautiful sunshine, a chance to sashay about in my favourite long linen skirt and some khaki pumps (uk def. of pumps. bit like tennis shoes) and bumped into a couple of constituents I haven't seen in a few weeks. Was nice to catch up and Jill had some really nice photos with her of the community farm which used to be on the site (about twenty years ago). Having spent about half an hour there I headed off into town to take my election returns (expenses) into the office and that put me in town on a lovely sunny day an hour before shops shut and in no rush :)
I need some new boots, I need some new jeans.....I wanted Dr Who books. So, am now home with new Dr Who books, sunlight streaming in through the window, a smoke in one hand, a Budwaar in the other and nothing to do this evening and all day tomorrow but chill :)
Just back from seeing Derren.
It was amazing!
I was picked as one of the people in the Oracle section of the show and interviewed on camera after, so if they use tonight's filming I will be on tv around about Christmas. Yay me!
Even with that aside, it was a wonderful night. We had such good seats (4 rows back and on the aisle) and could see every detail. What he does, he does so well - so slick. He's quite smug, but I find that attractive in a man! Very yummy. Gay, but yummy.
Even though I knew some of what was coming up he still made me gasp with astonishment. I have no idea how he does most of it, and I don't want to. I just enjoyed the spectacle.
Oh and as the Oracle he told me I should get another cat. That's that sorted then!
Sundae, if Derren says you should get a cat, then you'd better get a cat. He knows.....stuff.
Monkey Faced Spawn of Satan - aka Diz - woke me at 07.00.
Cheers babba, my only day off.
But he's asleep in his bedski now, I am surfing the net and fully intend to go back to sleep - languorously, luxuriantly - in about 5 minutes.
Night night people.
I just scored 4 tickets to Dave Mathews Band.
That ought to get you laid. DM is a great aphrodisiac for chicas.
Yea, I took my son last year for his senior gift, this year I am taking momma. :D
We offered a guy a place to stay until he could find his own digs. That was the end of February. He is leaving today. Today! Ain't nobody happier than sweetwater right now.:D
I went dog shopping at the shelter today! Yea!! I think I want a herding dog. As it will be more likely to stay on the property because they feel responsible for it. It's really hard to not walk out with 4 dogs. But I was a good potential owner and know I am not ready as I don't even have dog food yet. I think I know which little critter is going to go with me! Hope it won't be too long!
Downside: My husband wanted me to ask the shelter if I could leave with a dog to see how it reacts to someone elses dog on the property, and an open door to take it back immediately. Immediate arguement right at the shelter. My husband seems to be railing against the idea of a dog, and it is manifesting in many ways. He doesn't like animals as much as I do. I think it isn't healthy for me to not have a pet (dog person). I guess this is the beginning of the dogfight. (darned humans)
If we get a dog we aren't taking it back for any reason. Which is the reason you would train it and choose wisely in the first place. I don't know how many ways to spell that out for him. It's just cruel to choose a dog and give it home, then decide it isn't the one for you. To me you should make a choice and stick with it. Be responsible. My door has never served as a rotating door for pets and never will. I don't just get rid of dogs. Hell I lived with a dog as a kid that was a bighter. We still loved the dog. It was just a crazy dalmatian and no one ever for an instant, thought of taking it to the pound. It was like the other members of the family.
As soon as you decide on the dog, it's family. That's how I see it. I guess I'm naive about how the rest of the world works and how disposable things can be if you let people get away with it.
I'm still happy! I think I found a good doggy! She's a sweet little thing! What a sweetheart!
Cicero, our neighbors on both sides each have two Australian Shepards.
One set lives in a yard that is well fenced, but they bark and dig all day. I can't enjoy being in my own yard because every time I go outside they continuously bark at me. This has become more of an issue since I've been working mostly from home.
The second set frequently escapes. They like to chase cars and will stand in front of the car as if herding it. They also harass anyone walking, running or biking in the neighborhood, nipping and barking, one on each side. I almost smashed one with a large rock when it came running at me in my own yard. It veered away at the last second.
I don't think I would own a herding dog unless I was home most of the day to keep them in check.
I have a herding breed (well, actually more accurately a droving breed). Pilau loves gate watching and if allowed to sit out all day he would, and he'd bark at passers by. But he won't just bark and bark. There'll be an odd bout of barking followed by sitting peacefully.
Any breed can be a barker.
Cic I have exactly the same attitude to dogs as you. Only one time did we ever get rid of a dog and then it was by giving him to a friend. A rescue dog, he was lovely, but our westie woudn't take to him and my eczema got really bad around that time and we thought (wrongly) it was connected to Nelson. Now, as a grownup, even if the dog was making me ill I'd find a way to live with it :P
There were a couple of dogs in there I could tell could be trusted to exhibit perfect behavior all the time. My husband didn't pick one of those either. Proving that it is a matter of which doggy you fall in love with. We talk all practicalities but most of that is bullshit. blah blah blah....We are going to get a quirky dog and then train it. I mean, c'mon, dogs are usually like their owners. We are quirky people bound to have a quirky dog. There are older dogs on this property that will be a good example to a younger dog of the traits it needs to fit in with this little pack. I think it will do fine. The other dogs that live here are perfect. Hopefully the new dog will fit in and take things by example.
:)
I'm getting a mixed breed probably. There's just no telling the bad habits it will try and pick up.....They say this breed does this...and this breed does that...but they are kind of like people. No telling until you have to live with it. It probably won't leave the toilet seat up, I bet.
The second set frequently escapes. They like to chase cars and will stand in front of the car as if herding it. They also harass anyone walking, running or biking in the neighborhood, nipping and barking, one on each side. I almost smashed one with a large rock when it came running at me in my own yard. It veered away at the last second.
This is terrible dog ownership.
Personally I think if you don't have a secure yard, your dog should never be out unattended. Our dog could clear our garden fence, and although she was not inclined to, one of us always watched her. Okay, sometimes from the window, sometimes because we were playing in the garden, but she was always within call. She had a lot of exercise every day (miles of walks between me & my Dad) so the garden was just another room to her.
I don't know what the laws are in the US, but in the UK if a dog bites a person they can be put down by court order. I've said before that I'm not a dog person, but I do respect animals. However if a strange dog "nipped" me I would seriously consider contacting the police. At the very least have a conversation with the owners. Not out of malice, but because the next nip could be a child, which could flail about, scream, excite the dog and lead to serious injury.
I have two air conditioners running, and I am finally cool.
Herding breeds tend to consider themselves co-workers of their owners, but they hope the owner will take the lead. They crave jobs. Barking is a way of releasing energy when they are kept as yard ornaments and not given the opportunity to use their wonderful brains. In general herding breeds don't make good watch dogs (as opposed to alarm dogs) because they are protective of their owner over any property. Actually most dogs desire interesting tasks and opportunities to practice their talents, and won't bark their fool heads off if given the exercise they need. Herding breeds are my group of choice, but I can't provide for their exercise needs now so I don't have one now. I miss my German shepherds' incomparable intelligence and companionship.
This is terrible dog ownership.
Personally I think if you don't have a secure yard, your dog should never be out unattended.
I wholeheartedly agree. For some reason, a lot of people around where I live don't get this concept. They let their dogs run around our yard where our children play. I find it disturbing and rude.
I've just won the Lottery!
Only £55, but that's more than I've ever one.
Funny thing is, no-one won the Jackpot, and I'd been daydreaming about buying a house round the corner. I almost chucked my ticket back in the drawer without checking further. I wouldn't have binned it - I'm not that happy-go-lucky.
4 numbers!
Wohoooo!
Yay, SG!
I has kittenz :D and summer is here :D and I just placed my biggest ever scrip order which is going to boost the profits a ton for another record-breaking year :D
happy happy. too much to do, but I can deal... *continues happy dance*
Recent positive feedback on photographs I've made.
:) * 100
Justified V.
I'm happy tonight because I'm going to be good and get an early(ish) night.
And because the Diz cat came out of his heated bed to sleep on my foot. Not the foot of the bed, my actual foot - I'm sat on top of the covers with my knees drawn up.
It's sad in a way, because I know he's missing the comfort of another cat. But I hope that will be resolved when I get him a companion and they get used to eachother. Just happy because at least I am a comforting alternative. Although I'm getting up to pee like a racist soon before going to sleep.
I feel very calm tonight.
I like myself and my life.
Which is an immeasurable pleasure.
Yeah, lotsa good ones V, keep 'em coming.
Dozing this morning in the heady minutes before the alarm.
Diz came and lay cheek to cheek with me.
That's what Dylan used to do.
Lovely start to the day.
(makes up for the 07.08 start of Diz crying, wanting strokes and then trying to play Kamikaze Death Cat with my outstretched arm)
Oh I'm so glad Dyz is coming around again. I'm sure he still misses Dylan, but at least he's back to doing playful cat stuff:)
Making me happy today is....I went to get my results for the year (posted on a noticeboard in the History foyer) and not only did I not fuck this semester up as I had anticipated (what with fighting an election and dealing with a near constant political firefight in my own party, as well as doing the job of councillor alongside) but I won the KPMG prize:) The KPMG prize is awarded to the student with the best performance in the second year for History BA or Int. Hist and Politics BA. That means I was the highest performing second year student out of all the History and International Hist and Politics degree students at our university. I am over the fucking moon! I have a grade point average of 7.33 which is a strong 1st Class. If I can keep this up (or even improve?) in my third year I am going to get a very good degree:)
I am on my last 48 hour shift for the month and do not have to come back to this job til 5 July.
Cruise in 9 days, DMB concert on 4 July. I hope I can make it.
Dana that's amazing!
Give your brains more credit girl - they are obviously first class as I always suspected.
I'm very impressed.
I second Sundae's post! WTG girl!
SG, glad Diz is feeling better.
Thanks gals :)
I must admit, I pretty much bounced out of uni thinking "Fuck me, I'm good!" lol:P
Ride that feeling for a long time, you deserve it.
Good to hear all the good news from peeps recently!
As for me, I'm back in Philly...what's up, youse guys? :)
I pretty much bounced out of uni thinking "Fuck me, I'm good!" lol:P
If I only I was around when you were thinking that... then I could be shot down by a horny commie.
good job, oh studious one. ;)
Good Job Dana !!
Hard work Pays Off !!!
*preens* well, ta muchly :P
@ lookout: what makes you think you'd be shot down? :P
I'm getting a new cat on Sunday!
A vocal and friendly little ginger female (neutered) who loves other cats and people.
I just have to go and collect her from Canning Town.
And that's the other thing that's making me happy - the weekend work on the Jubille Line has now been completed. I won't have a ridiculous journey home this weekend.
Yey, new kitteh. That is reason to be happy. *smiles* Yey for the Jubilee Line too!
We've just started our third week of the new regimen with the kids and things are going swimmingly, so I'm very pleased.
I'm also looking forward to having a couple of weeks with them during their winter break which is coming up next week. :)
Had a great day celebrating my parents 50th anniversary with family and friends. Got to see lots of people I haven't seen in years.
Ali I'm pleased to hear that all is well. I'm sure it's not ideal, but your boys will certainly look back on it positively.
And Tree - my parents just celebrated their 40th. I'm running out of life to ever imagine doing the same, but it makes me proud of them. 50 must be even more so.
What's making me happy?
My new cat!
I wish I was there today. I'll go home at lunchtime and spent some quality time.
Also, spending the weekend with Mum & Dad.
They have less money now they are retired and I have more now I am working.
I felt more like an adult this weekend than I have done in years.
Although Dad still insisted on driving me to the Underground station rather than the local one (much longer journey for him but less changes for me and it saves me £6) and wouldn't let me pay for my share of the fish & chips we picked up on the way in. Dads.
And when I got home yesterday I had an hour before I had to set off to collect Hely.
So instead of sitting down & watching tv, or reading, I decided HM was right about the house and I'd use my time well. I managed to clean the kitchen and bathroom as well as putting out the recycling, changing my bed linen and putting a wash on.
Which was good, as he brought a friend home from work. And then they went out to the pub and he brought back at least 3 more. At 01.00. Hmmmmm. I wasn't best pleased (this is becoming a habit) especially as there was one washed up on the sofa this morning as I'm trotting downstairs just in my pants. Quick reverse!
Still, I kept my cool and will let it go. Here's hoping he'll be lovely to Hely today to make up for bringing a crowd of strangers into the house she's trying to get used to. Meh - my perception, not hers - she was under my bed at that point! He loves cats - he will be treating her well. In fact my worry should be that she bonds with him today and I don't see her again for a few weeks.
My picture just arrived!
Much quicker than I expected.
It's truly beautiful, thank you Case.
I'll post this pic over in the Commission thread too, to finish it off.
Oops, no - the last photo will have to be once I've redone my room and the painting is in situ. That may be a while yet though.
1) the scale that I have been Batteling for 3 years passed a Government inspection , NO Adjustments or Scale man Magic Necessary !!!!!!
2) I think my boss has Finaly figuered out that he is working me to death , he has sent 2 techs on 3 of my customer sites Just today ( Not hard or weird scales , just weird and Messed up Places ) so I could consentrate on Problem #1 ( see above )
3 ) Chinese Buffet , and after a cold Drink at home :)
I bought a whole stack of baby clothes from the local kid-stuff consignment store, but had enough credit in my account from previous sales to them that I didn't have to pay a dime for them. (And this despite my general policy of only selling things to them that I don't like, and hoarding all my good stuff in carefully organized bins in the closet for future children.)
i won some money from the lotto today....just $20, but hey, it's still money :D
Some of you may remember I had a very good client who passed away in December that had me kind of low. He was just a lonely old guy without a lot of contact with his family so I would frequently visit him even when there was no legitimate business reason. Today his daughter and grandchildren visited me which was a pleasant surprise. It was made even better when they explained that he had told them about our afternoons playing chess. They presented me with his very nice chess set and table. Very thoughtful.:)
Schools out fo the summer! I have a lot of work to do around the place but I am also going to bury myself in books.
oh! That's great lookout!!
Sweet. :) That was a really nice gesture.
As for me!
A friend is coming into town for my birthday. It's been awhile since I've seen a close friend. I am way too excited! Almost manic! It's terrible! If I had a tail, it would be wagging. She'll be here in 5 hours! The time isn't passing! arrrgh!
wag what you have. we'll imagine it with a tail, i promise.
I just talked with my boss. He's sending me a new laptop.
I plan to have the current and new laptops connected to the big monitor, plus the keyboard and mouse, using a KVM switch.
Bully for you, l23, your good deed did not go unpunished.
As for myself, I'm happy to be going camping this weekend.
Friday afternoon.
Daughter's birthday tomorrow. We'll probably go for a hike in the morning and to the pool in the afternoon. School's out, so the kids will be excited.
Summer's almost here. The solstice is in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
So far, I really enjoy my golf internship in Chicago
and
I'm going down to U of I this weekend!!!!
snow monkeys in hot springs.
Is that like, the secret password?
no, I just think they're cute!
I just discovered some of the Doctor Who audio books on youtube :)
I just dropped off a potatoes O' grady for my neighbors who just had a baby. They gave me a disc of photos of our balloon ride two weeks ago. Great great stuff, made me feel good all over again. Will post later.
I love my family. That is all.
I had the best 2 days evahhhhhhh!!
we just had some exceptional sex. i feel good.
I am waiting for jinx to back that up.
What does jinx have to do with it?
Yeah, really, he didn't say it was with jinx.
He wouldnt still be posting if it wasnt with jinx...or his hand
Lil' Pete hung in with one of the best young fencers in the country yesterday, fighting back from an early deficit to keep the score decent. She took the loss as a growth experience and was total class. She also beat a older girl that she'd lost to (3x?) previously. I, however, was consistantly inconsistant.
He wouldnt still be posting if it wasnt with jinx...or his hand
Maybe the customer didn't know they were having sex. ;)
@ Griff, I'm sure you're glad it wasn't the other way round.
re: car dealer humor.... ouchy
Word. Just because I'm not allowed to live through my kids doesn't mean their accomplishments are not more important to me than my own.
Good friends. I am surrounded by good friends.
There's a little fox lying curled up in the driveway. I can see him from the window if I stand up.
A little while ago I saw a deer lying in the shade against the north end of the house. I opened a window to let a fly out and he was on the ground just below the window.
Do you think I'm using too much weed killer?
E-mails from a man I should have no interest in and certainly have no right to be drooling over.
Got my personalized license plates
today!
We're all going camping this weekend!!!!
WOOOOHOOOOO!
I've finished work, have £25 in my pocket that wasn't there earlier and am hoping for a lovely long lie-in tomorrow before getting up to do it all again!
(the only cloud on the horizon is HM's passing comment about cleaning the house tomorrow - which will be a very very good thing - I just hope he doesn't wallop around too much, too early)
Oh and if tomorrow goes well (Beach Party), John is planning a series of theme nights which will include a Singles Night ;)
I actually finished a home improvement project today.
That never happens. Normally I just start them.
Mounted "unmountable" speakers in the kitchen. Fished the wires through the walls and everything. They look and sound great! Had to make a bracket myself and take the speakers apart to mount them, then reassemble the things. But I'm done.
I'm seriously impressed. I wouldn't even try fishing wires. Every time I've ever tried something involving making holes in walls it's ended very badly.
We should have a forum devoted to projects started. I think there would be a lot of them unfinished.
(good Cloud sits on the horizon).
If I were really clever, I'd do an image to go with this.
but I'm not.
I have a feeling Tony will be breaking out the ugly stick on the "progress" thread. I have a warm sense of anticipation.
Again, back from work.
Picked up £50 for 7.5 hours work tonight. Doesn't make sense compared to the £20 I'll get for 4 hours tomorrow, but hey - I'm not complaining!
Had I been wearing socks I would have worked them off tonight.
But I love that kind of hard work.
I mean it, I really love the feeling of immediate reaction of bar-work. I suppose it's my replacement for being on stage. You get a response from strangers. And I like pushing myself - being better, being faster, being more accurate but still being friendly, making sure you remember it is the customer's night out, they deserve a good time.
Tomorrow is different again - not noisy, not crowded, but lots of rounds (you get rounds, right?) with little recognition from the customers.
We get a lot of drop-in Sunday drinkers who are there with their families/ old friends and don't acknowledge what you do for them. So you work at being part of the background and emerging to serve them the second they require it and decode their orders for them (ie a white wine spritzer for this lady means wine and lemonade, a whiskey and diet coke for this man is a Jack Daniels, no ice and a can of Diet Coke, not the generic stuff from the tap)
And I was happy with how I looked tonight! I didn't get to take any pictures of myself, and James only took one of me, but I'll upload it if it's okay. (it got busy within 30 mins of me arriving and I spent that time bottling up) But going by the compliments I did okay.
I love to feel tired but happy.
Oh man I don't know if I will come through for you there G. I can't figure out exactly how to play it; do we want this guy to stick with us so we can borg out something interesting from him? Or is he just a pseudo-intellectual poseur in the manner of some of our least-interesting users?
Right now my jedi sense is telling me he falls into category 2. He just reminds me of so many college sophomores who read their psych and sociology books while high and think they are the enlightened few.
After many months, wi-fi is working in my living room! I'm not sure how long it'll last, but I'm enjoying while I can. I sure miss you guys--guess I have a lot of reading to do now to catch up.
Raaaaah! Blue!
Glad you're here x
He says he's 74.
and in a chatroom somewhere right now someone is insisting they're a 19 year old SWF from philadelphia...
I don't think so... my take; In his 40's, after being an engineer for +-25 years, he discovered a whole other world, apart from engineering discipline. Now, at 74, having surfed the outlines of different subjects, feels enlightened and lonely, so is making an effort to find an appreciative crowd. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize how much we know, or that for every subject he's dabbled in, there are people with in depth experience that will dismiss him as a poser.
Think elderly TW.;)
I get the impression he's someone who craves a deep philosophical discussion.
Ok I have no idea what's going on. I'm not here for 2 days and people are talking over my head already.
Nevermind.......found it!
Cic- we've got a new poster who wants to change the world because its easier than changing himself.
I get the impression he's someone who craves a deep philosophical discussion.
Initially, I thought he was a salesman for the independent Duchy of Stan or some such. If he would answer a response specifically with his own words, he could be interesting, but I don't believe he will.
although my knee is still more trashed than healthy, my friday team was coming up short for players. So i played keeper. turns out i'm not too bad at it. gave me a good feeling to know that if my legs go i can still play for a bit after that.
It's my birthday.
I've made my mind up to be happy.
And I have good friends.
Yay!
finished with my tires and alignment. Hope no car stuff for a while, yay!
My birthday again (sorry)
Everyone has out-done themselves. I'm glad I made my mind up to be happy but I barely needed to.
HM had a card waiting for me on the living room table this morning, thereby abiding by my family's correct form for birthdays - cards are there on the morning of the day. Really, really special because his family do not have this "rule" and he does not even celebrate his own birthday.
Then, my boss made a special trip in to deliver the most beautiful roses - totally delicious. And a card (see above) She's not in all day, and neither are many of the other staple office staff. But a card from her signed on behalf of the team is twice as special as a card circulated and signed by all because it shows she thought (and worried) about me feeling left out. It's my job to get cards sorted usually you see.
And my bro's card & present arrived today - late compared to when he posted it, but I know it's not his fault and I got it on the day. AND as my token present he bought me Ass-Kickin Popcorn. I am currently inching my way through it. My arse will be well and truly kicked tomorrow I reckon.
Cards and well wishing in the Cellar has also made my day.
Everyone has really thought about me, and I've had some amazing personal thoughts/ cards/ gifts/ gestures this year and it's really made me feel special. Thank you.
Keep a hold of that special feeling SG - it's how we here in the Cellar think of you every day!
Happy [rest of your] birthday!
That's cause you are special hon:)
My step daughter and hubby just bought a House !!!!!!!
It looks like they won't have to worry about flooding.
No that is Not really a concern there
Nice tree -- but it looks kinda firewoodish for this time of year. (and I don't see a chimney... ;) )
It's quitting time, and I'm off tomorrow. 4 day weekend!
Have a good holiday, everyone.
In approx 5 mins time I go home.
And waiting in my home is Dana!
It could only be better if I had today/ tomorrow off (Grrrrrr) and if it didn't look like it was going to bucket down any second.
Oh and if I'd been a good host and got some cold brewskis in.
Never mind, I'm sure she's found a way to occupy herself since 15.30!
and a full report no matter what happens
Sittin on the sunny side of the deck after work with hubby, drinking Dos Equis and being silly with my chi chi...:p
My new car.......grrrrr (thats a turned on grrr)
looks sweet. what is it? (so not a car guy)
In approx 5 mins time I go home.
And waiting in my home is Dana!
It could only be better if I had today/ tomorrow off (Grrrrrr) and if it didn't look like it was going to bucket down any second.
Oh and if I'd been a good host and got some cold brewskis in.
Never mind, I'm sure she's found a way to occupy herself since 15.30!
Check it out, B:
Coordinate 39° 10′ 0″ N, 26° 20′ 0″ E
Dudes, you are so hot!
Holden (GM) Commodore VE SS, 6.0-litre Gen IV V8 LS2 engine, the motor produces 270kW and makes 530Nm of torque at 4400RPM. :D (such a car chick)
?
plug it into google earth
The license plate cracks me up, Ducks. :)
Much yardwork progress. Borrowed a truck over the holiday weekend and made a trip to the dump (couch, dryer carcass, bike). Second trip was all yardwaste/garbage but loaded in the Rover, so we got the flat rate for "automobiles". I had it fully loaded, seatbacks to tailgate, window to window, floor to ceiling.
Last night worked in the back yard, raking and mowing, shoveling dirt, sweeping, weeding... just plain labor, but a labor of love.
Today I'm sore.
eta: got a new electric mower, to replace our current electric mower. It was stationed on the parking strip with an "all free" sign on it. It's a Craftsman, and upgrade (mostly) from our antique Sunbeam. The Sunbeam ran fine, and I keep the blade sharp, but the side mount catcher bag has been missing forever, and so it sprays clippings with unbridled enthusiasm. The Craftsman has a rear bag setup, but it has a door, and an insert to redirect the air/clipping flow for mulching. Plus, it is much quieter, seems stronger and lighter, and the handle is much more rigid which allows me to maneuver it with one hand more easily. One downside is that it is much taller and the handle has a higher lowest setting, which means I can't lay the handle down flat/parallel to the grass to mow under stuff (like the swing, the picnic table, the hydrangeas, etc). A small price to pay, and overall a nice upgrade (for free) for us.
An unexplainable thing happened.
My Honda Transalp, which I haven't ridden in a while (the tags expired in 2003, so I probably haven't ridden it since 2004), wouldn't run. I suspected that the gas sitting in the carburetors for five years probably blocked up the small passages.
I took off a few panels, the seat, gas tank, air box and carburetor. Then I took apart the carburetor and cleaned the jets and floats and all that stuff. Then I put it all back together. When I hooked it up to my truck battery it started and ran. I never thought that would happen.
Now I just need to install the new battery (which has been charging over night), balance the carbs, clean and re-install the air filter, change the indicator flasher and it should be ready to go.
I love it when you talk like that HLJ
Cool looking new car there Ducky !!
I love it when you talk like that HLJ
[COLOR=Blue][SIZE=1]Air box [[/SIZE][SIZE=1][COLOR=Magenta]yes[/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=1]][/SIZE]
[/COLOR][SIZE=2][COLOR=Blue]air filter [[COLOR=Magenta]yes[/COLOR]][/COLOR][/SIZE][COLOR=Blue]
[SIZE=3] jets [[COLOR=Magenta]yes![/COLOR]], floats [[/SIZE][SIZE=3][COLOR=Magenta]more![/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=3]][/SIZE][/COLOR][SIZE=3][COLOR=Blue]
[SIZE=4] jumpstart [/SIZE][/COLOR][SIZE=4][[/SIZE][SIZE=4][COLOR=Magenta]don't stop![/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=4]][/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=5]carburetor! [[COLOR=Red]yes, yes, carburetor!, carrrrburrrrretorrrr![/COLOR]]
[SIZE=2]
DucksNuts, have you seen my vacuum pump? I can't find it anywhere.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]
got a new external hd, $170, 1 TB. Sweet!
looks like I will finally get a successful backup of the old ext hd conta
Well I'm excited about this new monitor! You guys look so good right now! lol! I got this computer months ago, and finally got the kick butt monitor!
woo hoo! I can turn the monitor 90 degrees!
(it's the little things folks) I guess.
:D
Woo getting the apartment clean completely for the first time in about 1/2 a year! I'm not a slob I promise its just been difficult to be motivated. Am having some trouble finding all my cleaning stuff, I keep discovering things I've run out of...
Today Stephen Hawking became my friend - OK, it's on MySpace - but I love the idea that he has a page there.
8 touches against an extremely good Hungarian fencer/coach!
I just spent a few minutes observing a water snake settling itself in for the evening. And no, I was not tempted to kiss it good night.:headshake
I have a meeting this afternoon at another college south of here. It ends at 4, by the time I get back to the office it would be 5, so I'm not going to bother coming back to work until 6:30. Therefore, it's a short day in these summer 10-hour day/4 days a week times. Then, I'm on vacation next week. A staycation, as the media has dubbed it. Beginning of August we're back to our normal schedule which will be nice but the 3 day weekends have been nice as well.
I just spent a few minutes observing a water snake settling itself in for the evening. And no, I was not tempted to kiss it good night.:headshake
oh c'mon baby -- I won't bite
hard.:blush:
You just made me LOL, barefoot serpent, so I guess that means that the What's making you happy today? thread made me happy. :D
Seems like a number of large companies and organizations are going to the 4 day 10 hour work week to help employees and the business save money on gas and energy costs.
I have a heater under my desk....I can feel my toes and legs again. :D
I have a heater under my desk
does a 9 mm or a 44 mag ward off middle managers the best?;)
does a 9 mm or a 44 mag ward off middle managers the best?;)
shotgun :shotgun: :p
Minifob has deigned to sleep during his nap today. There is a god.
To a dyslexic, there is a dog.
To a dyslexic, there is a dog.
or "here tis dog"
My friend, J, had a bit of a bad first half of the year. Customers holding out payment and a couple of projects faling through. So, i helped him out at various points, as I have a regular (if quite small lol) income and his is all irregular. Apart from a couple of loans, which he paid back, I also helped out a few times and didn't want the money back.
So, he got paid on one of the larger jobs and is insisting he pay me back.....but...he isn't giving me the money to do with as I want, as that'd mean it all vanishing into the blackhole that is my utility bills :P Instead, he has insisted that he is buying me a new computer :) My PC is pretty much knackered and way out of date. I can't access facebook or youtube on my council laptop anymore, and have been trying to work out a way of affording an upgrade for the last few months. Now, instead of trying to scrimp about to get a £150 upgrade that'll barely bring my machine out of the dark ages, I have a budget limit of £300 including P&P to buy a new PC and no scrimping to do for it!
*smiles* so.....last night on Ebay, I ordered a shiny new computer, with 4 gig of RAM and a 8 series Geforce. I will be able to play modern games again yey!
YAY!
Really pleased to hear it
Sweet, DanaC! Enjoy your new toy.
Happy yesterday. Took my son to work with me and he really enjoyed himself. He is off to college for the first time in three weeks and am happy he is following in my footsteps of study. He is really growing up and being responsible.
All good news! I am trying to get out of the office to go on Anniversary Vacation!I've been married for a whole two years today! People were clever and left for the weekend already, or didn't bother showing up at all. So here I sit, holding down the fort. Not only will I not be able to leave in time for check-in now, I won't be able to run the lunch errand I needed to run.
Vacation yay! Now! Geeeez...:)
I picked the first batch of raspberries this morning. :)
I think I can get a huge discount off the cost of an Open University course. For those not familiar it's a home study system that has been running in the UK for years and is highly respected, not some sort of degree for money scam.
I've been thinking about it for a while now - probably since I joined here and realised two of my favourite Dwellars were back in full-time education. I'd always shied away from it before- a boat that had sailed and I didn't need a piece of paper to prove my worth anyway, hmph, thank you very much. The trouble is, that attitude didn't stand up to questioning about wny Bri & Dana were doing it. They were doing it for the love of learning, and that is definitely something I have.
The OU seemed the most likely avenue, but wasn't practical before I moved here because I didn't have internet access outside of work. Not 16 hours a week anyway. And then of course I had to find work and settle down and all that.
So it finally got to the point where money was the only barrier. Of course, isn't it always. But I thought it would be worth looking into the idea that I might be able to pay in installments. Maybe the next thing I do once I've had a good holiday and paid off my debts.
Searching the site, I realised there was a possibility of financial support. My salary is low enough and I have few enough qualifications that I should be eligible. Yup. It might even be in my financial reach for the course starting this year (or Feb next year!).
Wow. Gives me a lot to think about. It's a HUGE commitment. Up to 6 years study. But I figure if I don't start it then it will always be six years away. And if I start it and (god forbid) lose interest then at least I tried.
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Have to live with the idea a bit to see if it's a commitment I really intend to make.
It's feasible now though, and that's what's making me happy.
SG - I think you should do it. Heck, in the time you've spent in the Cellar you could have graduated by now.
(This from the person who should be working, but is posting here instead.)
All your happy thoughts are nice.
I can't think of anything except how grateful I am for vicodin that takes the pain of an abcessed tooth away.
I am getting it pulled on Thursday then I start a 4 week vacation before school starts again.
Sundae, I think you'd love it. I bet part of you really misses the intellectual endeavour of learning. I know I did. The time factor worried me when I first started down this path. Three years for a degree, a year for a masters and then another 3 years for a PHD. God, even the first 3 year stint seemed like a huge chunk of time. Now I am heading into the final year of my degree and the time has just flown past.
The trick is not to keep thinking in terms of how much time is left on the course. If you're doing it for the journey rather than the destination, it doesn't matter if it's a long ride.
Out of interest, which courses are attracting your attention at the moment? Also, have you checked out the possibility of doing a part-time degree at a local university? Not sure what help's available funding-wise but it may be worth checking it out. Of course the advantage of OU is that you can truly wrap it around your time. And, of course, you don't have the problem of being the grown-up in a class of 18 year olds lol.
Keep us posted if you make a decision hon:)
You know that my problem with full time education would be my compatriots. I went back to education after two years when I was 18 and was studying with 16 year olds, I hated it. Like poison. It put me off ever studying again.
So this is a compromise. Harder because I have to work around two jobs. Easier because I don't have to deal with students there to just get a piece of paper and not because they love what they are studying.
I'd take a BA (Hons) Literature. You start with Arts Past and Present, which is basic course but counts towards your degree. From there you choose different options. There's even Creative Writing, if I am brave enough.
FYI
The arts past and present is a broadly focused course that introduces you to university-level study in the Arts across a range of subject areas, including history, art history, philosophy, classical studies, history of science, religious studies, music and English. The course is presented in four themed books that guide you through some of the basic concerns of Arts subjects. By studying these, you’ll acquire essential skills and perspectives for continuing with your studies. Book 1, Reputations, focuses on artistic and historical reputation through case studies of famous and infamous figures like Cleopatra, Stalin and Christopher Marlowe. Book 2, Tradition and Dissent, considers how traditional ideas and dissent from those ideas shaped the way that people have understood the world around them. It covers topics such as Plato’s theory of courage, poetry about animals, and Shostakovich’s string quartets. Book 3, Cultural Encounters, investigates the exchange between different cultures at different times, and the way such exchanges affect our world. It includes case studies of the Benin Bronzes, modern short stories, and Seamus Heaney’s adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone. The final book, Place and Leisure, looks at the human environment over a range of periods and contexts to explore questions about the meaning of life and leisure, and the placement of the Arts within this picture. It ranges from classical ideas of leisure to the history and representation of the modern seaside.
So as you see, I'd benefit just from taking it, even without any qualification.
That sounds like a fascinating intro. I am particularly intrigued by book 2!
My step daughter and hubby just bought a House !!!!!!!
The street looks kinda crooked though.
Oh water runs Down hill there ,
I told my son i law if the Neibors piss him off this winter he could just put a sprinkler in the street ( they live 2nd house from the TOP of the hill )
Lil'Pete's call from camp last night was pure happy exhaustion (she's lost one bout in two days so I guess she's comfortable). The previous night she sounded a little homesick. We also got a call from a nice/goofy boy we know from East Stroudsburg who's there. I guess we're the go-to parents this week.
Remind me how old Lil'Pete is?
What's makin me happy today: the post. Now, normally the arrival of the postman heralds no great joy. Usually my morning fayre consists of bills, final demands, threats of court action, council papers and invites to events I have no desire to go to (but invariably will).
Not today! Having ditched the obligatory junk mail (insurance offers and finance deals) I opened a letter from my university. It congratulated me on my performance this year and on winning the KPMG prize......and enclosed was a cheque for £100! Yey! I can pay my electric bill and they won't have to cut me off lol.
Just in case that wasn't exciting enough, the next was a small package. I knew as I was opening it that it was my much anticipated set of two Doctor Who audiobooks as read by Paul McGann. Happy, happy. Joy, joy. God bless Ebay:)
Thoroughly deserved Dana, well done you!
She just turned 14. This is her second away camp experience. I worry a little because she's wired a bit like her Mom who just isn't good at being away from family. Lil's room was pretty noisey when she called so I think she's got a crew. :)
Bad news/ good news kinda thing
(put it here as it has a happy ending)
Went to a flatmate finding even in Leicester Square
It was rubbish
Not the sort of people there I was looking for
However - got a free bottle of beer out of it - good
My only alcohol today - good
Realised it wasn't right for me and went to the cinema instead (The Happening, good fun)
Bunch of witches sat at the front who had obviously wandered in by mistake thinking it was some sort of cafe, and proceeded to talk and have to be shushed 2/3 of the way through - bad
They left noisily and giggly at that point - good
The camp chap in the straw hat who I thought was making fun of me as he poured my diet pepsi spoke to me again on the way out
When I mentioned the girls he gave me a free pass to see another film - VERY good
Talked to HM when I got home - VERY good
He is made up about my plans to get back into education
We agreed I will be out by Xmas so I can save up - no row about it, just a calm discussion. I found after I'd calmed down on Monday I actually wanted to move, so we simply started from that basis
He's going to keep Hely when I move out, so she doesn't have to go back to cat rescue - fucking brilliant
(not least because he will start seeing her as his cat now and this will help things)
Diz will stay with me of course, but I have 3-5 months to find us a place - I just couldn't take two warring cats with me
All in all, a jolly good day
Sounds like the best possible outcome with the living situation, Sundae. I think saving up for your own place will have a lot of positive benefits.
Well, it won't be my own place, I'll just be sharing with someone else. And even that will be tougher financially as I'll be paying market rate instead of half HM's (relatively low) mortgage.
Still - I can specify a quiet house, and have time to shop around and find someone I can live with more peacefully.
A studio flat in this part of town (i.e. one room with a bathroom attached) goes for about 2/3 my monthly salary.
I got carded buying beer tonight, which should make me happy, as the old dude pointed out. But I'm in there every week or so and we always have a friendly exchange... I'm really more concerned with his mental acuity at this point...
I get to meet an author tomorrow, of a book I have always enjoyed and bought for some friends.
:)
It's the little thing folks!
Hey! Little things like writing up your Cellar encounters.
Sheesh, wasting time meeting favourite authors... do you think if Neil Gaiman had walked past when... hang on. Okay.
Got Hot Fuzz back.
Ali I envy your rain.
We're sposd to have storms on Friday. I'll certainly welcome them.
Too hot for me. Too humid mostly too.
25 degrees by my bedside clock this morning, same again tonight. That's not sleeping temp when all you have is a skylight.
it's bloody freezing here. Although I suppose you lot wouldn't say 17 degrees celcius is freezing, but I hate it.
The rain is good though. Where we live now, we live on tank water alone. No town water, so every time we get rain is good as far as I'm concerned. :)
I wish it was warmer here.
17 celcius is about ideal for me! Lower inside of course. Which is why 25 inside is so grim.
25 is just nice. Overe here in summer most people only set their air con to about 23 or so.
Maybe we should trade places. lol
The rain is good though. Where we live now, we live on tank water alone. No town water, so every time we get rain is good as far as I'm concerned. :)
I wish it was warmer here.
Have you moved, Ali? Or has Brizzie actually run dry?
Only to Jacobs Well, which is technically the Goldie, but it's not that far from Bris of course.
It's great here though. If you're ever up this way, be sure to look us up. :)
Nah...Zen is one of those nasty southerners with the funny accents. We talk proper ozzie up here mate. ;)
Blimey - I had Adelaide confused with Darwin.
Good job I found out here rather than having my boss laugh at me!
My screen is too big and bright to read up this close. :(
:D
SG, I am so glad you have resolved the issues with your housemate. I think the studying idea is great, too, and I was very dismayed to see it shot down in flames so soon.
Hugs'n'all-that.
Got up early and did 14+ miles on the bike this morning. Woohoo! I also saw a mama turkey and a chick while I was on the trail. A nice way to start the weekend.
Cool start to the weekend Choco:)
I got an email yesterday notifying me that my new computer will arrive with me on the 28th:) Yey! I am very excited about this.
Also, have discovered huge back catalogue of classic Doctor Who dvds in my local library. Yey again! Caves of Andozani here I come:)
Oh joy! My Doctor Who audio play (cd) arrived this morning. Bought off Ebay. That and I am generally feeling pretty groovy today. Just woke up with the sun on my shoulder today:)
We made new friends today.
Shut up, maybe it's super-easy for the rest of you, but I have lived my life being torn in two directions--the extrovert's desperate social needs, paired with the introvert's inability to step up and introduce myself. I've always relied on having one best friend who is a social butterfly and makes all my arrangements and introductions for me. But now my best friend has four kids, I have between two and four depending on the day, and we live 30 miles apart.
I have lived in my house for over a year, and I know no one in the neighborhood. I have met the people in the houses on either side of mine twice each, and I couldn't tell you their names, nor could I be certain to recognize them away from their house. But today we met a couple who live maybe a half-mile from us--he's a sysadmin like Mr. Clod, and she glazes over when her husband talks shop like I do. :) And she's pregnant with a little girl due in September, just 5 months younger than my baby girl. She mentioned future play-dates for the kids, and I managed to enthusiastically affirm rather than finding my throat glued shut (thus convincing her I must hate her, and even if she weren't convinced, I'd be so terrified that she were that I'd never speak to her again.)
So anyway, that's what's making me happy today.
When she calves take her a casserole, then wait awhile, and retrieve your dish. That gives you two shots at hooking up. ;)
We made new friends today.
Shut up, maybe it's super-easy for the rest of you, but I have lived my life being torn in two directions--the extrovert's desperate social needs, paired with the introvert's inability to step up and introduce myself.
:D
A new friend is always a good thing. I don't have any friends whithin a half mile. It's a big deal to me too. All my friends right now live a long way away. In fact, I was just bitching about this to my notebook. It's easy for me to talk to anyone. I just don't have any friends.
A guy I like called me super intelligent, amazing, underestimated by myself, and said I make him a happier person! Yea! I usually distrust compliments but I'll happily accept his with a blush. He's very good at making me blush. Oh and said I'm cute :p.
A guy I like called me super intelligent, amazing, underestimated by myself, and said I make him a happier person! Yea! I usually distrust compliments but I'll happily accept his with a blush. He's very good at making me blush. Oh and said I'm cute :p.
kiss him! grab his tits!
Was Friday actually. Taken me this long.....
On Monday, swim/dive championsips started. 13 and ups started warm up at 8, meet starts at 9. 8and under dive is in the afternoon. I'm cool, my kids are 10 and younger, I just have to deal with dive, but the eldest wants to go and support the big kids at their meet, so I'm awake before 7. she's getting a ride, tg -the pool is half an hour away.
just out of the shower and brushing teeth at 8:30, phone rings.
We didn't bring the results from the last dual meet. Can you bring them?
Um, no, I gave them to you.
I forgot them. They won't let us swim.
There's a copy in the pool house
Can you bring them?
I guess so, but they boys have to get to practice...
They won't let us swim otherwise...
OK
So I make babysiiting arrangements for they boys (TG for banana-lady aka MIL) and dashover to the pool. Is too early for anyone else, but I have a key. I unlock the door. But the damn thing won't open. it's so hot, the new paint is sticking badly and I can't pry the doors apart. It's a neighborhood pool, so I go up the road and knock on all the doors of people who have swim team kids. nothing. go back to pool. The mom I hate most in the world turns up way too early for practice. We still can't do it. We get a crowbar from the tool shed. While she's working out the best way to whack me with the crow bar, I manage to prise the doors apart and runin, grab the results and head off for the pool.
I arrive 10 minutes after the start of the meet, but 5 minutes before our first swimmers are due on deck. I have to park far away and sprint across the parking lot and through the school. They allow us to swim. They say thanks, I cool down (took a while, on-deck temps were 120ish) and head home
Now, I ain't shy here, but I have my moments in real life. I despise unexpected spotlights and mushy shit. But I felt safe at awards night. Mostly because the gits got me last year with the "Woody Ziegler Swimmer of the Year Award" -the only one adults get and never given two years in a row. But this year the evil sods did a one off "Winged Deliverer" award - a golden angel on a plinth. I coulda killed them. But they fessed up they only did it cause they knew how embarrassed i'd be and thought it would be funny and -now I've got over it- I have to agree it was. andI'm flattered that they did it because at the time i was pissed that they seem to think I had a duty to deliver the damn results. So, in hindsight, It's making me happy. I feel appreciated and loved. If they just wanted to appreciate me, they could have given money, but they made the effiort to embarrass me ;)
I've always relied on having one best friend who is a social butterfly and makes all my arrangements and introductions for me. .
Yeah that used to be my trick too.
I am happy for you clod ..for being brave.
Peace and quiet for an entire week! Hall- F*%cking- lujah! No lectures for one whole week!
Loooooooooooong weekend of travel is over! Now I can focus on my house projects for a bit.
Happy stuff from this weekend: Friday, Lil' Pete got the girls 2nd place at the Penn State fencing camp and some really nice words from a coach there we have big respect for. Saturday she got the womens bronze and 8th overall in the Keystone Games Open Foil. Sunday she fenced the junior foil event getting the Jr. Womens Gold and overall bronze. She finished above the young lady who got the previous days gold, but they never got to fence due to the vagaries of a combined event. She fenced two brilliant bouts on Sunday which I may upload at some point so I'll hold off on describing what went down...
I started the day by being pulled from work to retrieve Mrs L who found a flat tire upon coming out of the gym. It turns out the tire was irreparable and the other 3 would need to be replaced soon. As I thought about it and did the math of the impending maintenance needs quickly approaching and the price of gas... I decided a new vehicle was in order. So I filled the flat tire up and went to the dealership.
After carefully considering all of TW's wisdom I purchased a little Ford Focus. It's cheap, it's new, and it gets double the gas mileage of the truck I got rid of. Mrs L will drive my FJ so it will get fewer miles and I'll have the little runner.
Kind of a fun day.
Most excellent, lookout.
I recently bought a Wacom Bamboo Fun digitizer tablet and I'm hand-writing this post.
It's a bit of a slow process, but I'm getting better.
I started the day by being pulled from work to retrieve Mrs L who found a flat tire upon coming out of the gym. It turns out the tire was irreparable and the other 3 would need to be replaced soon. As I thought about it and did the math of the impending maintenance needs quickly approaching and the price of gas... I decided a new vehicle was in order. So I filled the flat tire up and went to the dealership.
After carefully considering all of TW's wisdom I purchased a little Ford Focus. It's cheap, it's new, and it gets double the gas mileage of the truck I got rid of. Mrs L will drive my FJ so it will get fewer miles and I'll have the little runner.
Kind of a fun day.
Wow.
Honey, I've got a flat tyre [tire].
That's ok, sweetheart, lets just buy a new car.
Ka-ching!!!!
Wow.
Honey, I've got a flat tyre [tire].
That's ok, sweetheart, lets just buy a new car.
Ka-ching!!!!
Well there's that, and there's also, Why couldn't she change the tyre herself?
Well there's that, and there's also, Why couldn't she change the tyre herself?
She'd been doing lat pulls and was too tired to operate the jack.
oh right. I understand now.
My computer arrived yesterday:) I am now waiting on J bobbing over and installing the OS. Might be today might be tomorrow. Gosh this exciting. The last time I bought a new computer was four and a half years ago:)
Why couldn't she change the tyre herself?
a) her last tire was flattened on 9/11 at the WTC, you insensitive bitch :cry:
b) nobody can change the tyre, it must
want to change
c) (write in your assumptions here) ________________
:D
Well there's that, and there's also, Why couldn't she change the tyre herself?
What? And miss out on a new car? Are you nuts?
BTW, I wouldn't call a Focus "little". I appreciate things are very different over there.
If I find I've won the Lottery this weekend I'll be getting either a Smart Car or a Nissan Micra!
I'm happy today because I've been bargain shopping on eBay clothes. Some arrived today, the rest I'll get this week sometime. Not party clothes. Clothes for working in the office in the heat. I've been having to wear my one vest top and a top with spaghetti straps. Quite respectable, but not quite ideal for the face of the company.
Picked up a couple of lightweight dresses and city shorts and blouses. I've paid approx 10% of what I would in the shops (was very ruthless in my bidding, let some lovely stuff go).
Yay me! New clothes and appeased conscience and not spending all my money immediately after payday!
PS - I really did need them, I'm washing and wearing the same four items at present.
Well there's that, and there's also, Why couldn't she change the tyre herself?
She could have changed it. Having two kids in the car would make that slightly less than ideal, though. My office is only five minutes from her gym. the real reason she didn't change the tire though is because a number of years ago, she had a flat tire in her truck, took it to the dealer for repairs and came home with a new Limited 4Runner. Impulse buys are definitely a big thing for her.
The Focus is something we'd talked about for awhile but hadn't pulled the trigger. Tire replacement was merely the catalyst.
I impulse bought a scented candle the other day. Just some perspective. ;)
Scented candles? You lucky bugger :p
Apart from second hand clothes, the the highlight of my week is going to Sainsbury's after work.
On my list are Basics Cat Litter (the Basics range is the cheapo pikey range, but the cats don't mind) and 20 Marlboro Lights for the tuck box - which will be reimbursed by the artists at 30p a time.
Everything else comes under the heading Not Necessary. Not Good For Me. Or both.
The above facts are true but the grumpiness is fake - I love my new clothes and I don't care who wore them before.
And I'm going home this weekend with my new haircut and new-to-me clothes. Yes they're for work, but my Mum loves to see me dressed nicely, so I might wear some of them. And she hasn't seen my new (last month) dress yet, so I'll wear that when we go out to dinner.
Actually, just realised - that has been making me happy all week. Can't wait to see them and celebrate my birthday.
Even happier than fun new car you say? seeing the cost savings in having the smaller, gas sipping car, mrs L was motivated to actually sit down with me and look at our budget. with a little rearranging and elimination i've managed to cut about 20% out of our monthly budget in the last 24 hours. (including the car savings) so you see, the new car actually is a money saving move, not an extravagance, in case you were wondering about my impulse buying habits. ;)
I was just wondering why she didn't change the tyre herself. :)
I had a flat tyre the other day. Picked up a screw outside a construction site. What a surprise. It was a good opportunity to get the kids to change the tyre though. They were surprised how easy it was and did most of the job themselves. I was very proud of them. That made me happy that day.
The thing that's making me happy today is that I feel much better and seem to have stopped leaking. :)
... with a little rearranging and elimination i've managed to cut about 20% out of our monthly budget in the last 24 hours. ...
It's tough giving up the hoes, but I think you'll be glad you did.
...
I had a flat tyre the other day. Picked up a screw outside a construction site. ...
The thing that's making me happy today is that I feel much better and seem to have stopped leaking. :)
Until the last line, I assumed you meant that your
car had a flat tire.
I found my camera!
Crikey that was making me mad last night. Trouble is, once I get annoyed I stop looking properly. It was under my bed.
And my ultimate boss really likes my hair. Have yet to hear the immediate boss's opinion - she's been in a meeting since I arrived.
Have been complimented on my eBay dress too.
I feel like a new woman.
We got a nice thank you note for the replacement chickens we took to the neighbors.:)
Lil Lookout's compassion.
The rest of the story.Lil Lookout's compassion. Srsly.
That kind of attitude is rare - it gives me hope for the next generation.
I last saw Diz at about midnight last night.
Hely came and slept on my bed - when she was there this morning I realised Diz couldn't have been home all night (she wouldn't stay in the room if he was there).
I went and called at the front and back immediately, expected to see him. Then I expected him to have found his way in here (work). Still no Diz. I then checked the cellar. Nope.
Seriously worried at this point. Another missing Singa. Why had I ever let him out?
About 20 mins ago I was really suffering from the heat (it's horribly humid here today). I went into the yard to see if I could catch a breeze and of course called for Diz while I was there. He immediately gave his signature yowling response. I was relived but worried - he'd obviously got trapped somewhere - how badly was he hurt?
Nope. Out he trotted, shouting all the while.
He's fine. I have no idea why he stayed out, except that it really is very hot & humid and perhaps he just fancied a change???
HM should have come and called him in by now, but I'll pop out & check in a bit.
I'm keeping a close eye on him over the next few days.
So relieved.
Stupid cat.
Sweet. So glad you found him...I can just picture him coming out, yowling. Cats crack me up.
Glad to hear Diz turned up, SG.
I'm happy today because I am heading down to see my parents on Saturday. When I told my dad on the phone that I was coming down, he got really excited and then refused to keep talking to me, on the grounds that we'd have plenty of time to talk on the weekend. I told my mom via instant message, and her reply was "oh shit I'm so excited already I can't even type."
I had to frantically coordinate who I was going to see when (they are divorced, and seeing them both at once is usually out of the question) but I think it is going to be a good visit.
I'm home for the weekend and really excited too!
Hope you have a wonderful time.
My Mum asked me what colour my hair would be at the weekend... I think she's worried someone will see her out with me :)
So excited - going to Austin to visit the bro, SIL, and nephew. Technically not till next week, but still excited. It's getting closer!!
it's bloody freezing here. Although I suppose you lot wouldn't say 17 degrees celcius is freezing, but I hate it.
The rain is good though. Where we live now, we live on tank water alone. No town water, so every time we get rain is good as far as I'm concerned. :)
I wish it was warmer here.
I'll trade you Ali, supposed to be 107F here today
It got a lot colder than what I was complaining about on that day. It was even snowing in Queensland! That's the state I live in which is the big one on the north eastern side of Oz. It's not unheard of for it to snow here in one particular spot, but it's very rare. They didn't get much. Just enough to get the locals (and the rest of the country) very excited. My cousin sent me a mms with her kids running around in it. Very cute. Too farking cold for me though.
Roll on summer I say.
I'm happy my surgery is over and I can get vertical for brief stints. It's 101F out there now and since I am mostly housebound it's of no consequence. Otherwise I would feel the need to work in the yard. So good timing, me!
Otherwise I would feel the need to work in the yard.
In Texas, in the summer? Good lord...
[size=1]The trick is, don't water it, and then you won't have a yard that requires work.[/size]
In Texas, in the summer? Good lord...
[size=1]The trick is, don't water it, and then you won't have a yard that requires work.[/size]
True, that! Some of the work is building a patio walk and a 'potty spotty' for the dog. Rocks! Gravel! Pavers! Hmm... how long until winter?
For the first time in 3 years I'm ahead of the curve on college funding for the two kids. Done! Now go study!
And I had 60 absolutely-ass-kicking minutes on the treadmill at lunch for that mid-afternoon pick me up.
Your nephew has the sweetest face. Especially on that last pic with little'un sprawled over him.
I've just applied for my Open University course.
They should get back to me re financial assistance as soon as they've processed the application. I have until 1 September to get the funding agreed.
I've made a start at least.
I always love seeing Zippyt's photos. They always leave me wishing I was a part of that family.
good photos again jinx
I've just applied for my Open University course.
They should get back to me re financial assistance as soon as they've processed the application. I have until 1 September to get the funding agreed.
I've made a start at least.
Nice start. Sometimes I think about school again, but.....I love my job so it's not like a new vocation is in the offing.
Congratulations!:cheerldr:
I had Knee surgery in Nov of 2007 after tearing two meniscus in my knee doing two rugby matches back to back (I am the Ref). It was a long and slow rehab, much longer and slower than my last knee surgery on my other knee. I was having guests from the UK for an exchange in my house for 14 days on St. Pats Day as that is a big 70+ rugby tourny down here hosted by the Savannah Shamrocks. I was really aiming to get back on my game by then. I came close, did three games and totally set myself back to rehab all over as well as synvisc injections. I worked myself back up to 9.5 min miles on the treadmill but still had not run on grass or done any cut runs. This last Sat I was the head ref for a 7's tourny and did about 8 games over the day and was easily able to sprint the full 100 meters (but not effortlessly). I am very happy that I had minimal to no post game swelling. Now I can get back in my game and really hit the pitch to get all the speed back I need for 15's and rebuild my cardio.
I got some king george whiting fillets today. They're not native this far north, and very few fish mongers bother bringing them up, but today I was lucky! I also got some nice salmon and tuna, and some prawns and squid tubes.
Later I'm making a chocolate cheesecake.
That's awesome Merc, glad you pulled thru... I've always feared knee injuries, not sure why...
I did 6.4 miles in 2hrs (15 degrees incline) on the treadmill today, which I haven't done in weeks. Been spending too much time lazing at the pool, but posting pictures really helps motivate ;).
Oh, I also did 3 sets of 10 crunches with 50lbs for the first time ever. 50lbs! Woohoo.
Well, crap, Zip. Not only did I miss getting to meet you and Carol, I missed you fambly as well.
Sundae, good goin' honey:)
Merc, that's good news
Sundae, good goin' honey:)
Merc, that's good news
Sundae, good goin' honey:)
Merc, that's good news, you must be relieved to be back in the saddle :)
What's making me happy is Cicero's new fur-baby. I am so glad she managed to get permission from the landlord. I can think of few people more obviously in need of a dog:)
... It is good news of course.
But not 3 times worth...? ;)
Tink, it's a spare time course. Each module is given a certain number of points and you study them one at a time. The first is worth 30 points and is an introductory course, or a diploma in ots own right. It will take 9 months of study at 8 hours a week. Later modules can be up to 16 hours a week. It's still a big commitment as without funding it will cost £610 and getting a degree takes 6 years.
Jinx - you're quite right being proud of them. They look very comfortable on the water.
Glad you're on the mend Merc. Sounds pretty grim. Anything to do with knees creeps me out because mine are so cracky.
Ali - please don't do this to me for the next 9 months. I am going to have to go to the fishmongers now. And it's raining. Sounds gorgeous.
Bloody laptop and it's over-excitable touchpad! I got halfway through typing my reply and it clicked away from the screen, so I went back to the page and completed my post.....not realising the half-finished post had been posted twice! I didn't even notice til you pointed it out lol.
Coffee. Cup numero uno. Gonna head to the Cafe here and get some scrambled eggs and douse them in hot sauce in a sec.
SG, good luck with the funding. I'm sure good things will happen.
SG - when you start school you're going to have to create a "kick-me-out-of-here" thread, like lookout123 did.
[COLOR=Silver]Come to think of it, I need a "kick-me-out-of-here" thread.[/COLOR]
like lookout123 did.
and we all see how well those work. :D
Hey, lookout, don't you have work to do? Go on, get out.
How was that?
I am going to Austin to see this guy...and his parents, I suppose:right:
What a cutie!
I second that! :)
Thank you both! I am so excited. I have actually only seen him in person once. It is weird to see someone grow up in pictures.
He's my nephew BTW
What's making me happy is Cicero's new fur-baby. I am so glad she managed to get permission from the landlord. I can think of few people more obviously in need of a dog:)
lol! Yea. I'm doggy deprived. (Some may call it doggy desparate)
:D
This ties in with what is making me giddy (happy) today! I'm making plans to drop by again after work to go visit the sweet puppy. (The guy is being very casual about drop-ins and the door is usually open)
I have to get more photos before this dog grows up. I feel like I'm missing out on stuff already! I'll have to be patient it's only 3 or 4 weeks before she's mine full time.
:o
Her 3 week birthday was yesterday. 22 days old today!
When we brought Pilau home, we were armed with instructions from the breeder for his diet. We continued their practice of giving the pups instant porridge, or scrambled egg for breakfast. No sight sticks in my mind from Pilau's first weeks with us more than that of porridge all over his muzzle. He adored porridge and scrambled egg. Still does. Every Preston Guild* he gets a little as a treat.
*cultural note: if something occurs 'every Preston Guild' it is very occasional.
I might have to get
this ringtone
Funny! That'll make heads turn when the phone goes.
Me, did 60 minutes on the treadmill this morning and heading back at lunch for the weights.
I made a pasta salad last night that kicked ass! But what's really making me happy is Mr. Clod liked it too--he and I seem to have polar opposite tastebuds; if I love something he's bound to hate it, and vice versa. So it's always a big victory when I find a recipe we both like.
He's supposed to suffer in silence, living out the rest of his years never telling you that he secretly dislikes your mother's meatloaf recipe.
But congratulations on the pasta.
May you be touched by his noodley appendage. :fsm:
Off early today to go volunteer at a Fashion Fundraiser for the Starlight Children's Foundation and vacation day tomorrow.
Sundae, good goin' honey:)
Merc, that's good news, you must be relieved to be back in the saddle :)
Thanks, I really am glad. The true test will not happen til regular 15's starts in a few weeks.
Just cheered our team on entering the Bird's Nest.
Okay, so they can't hear me, but it's a big thing for me - I watched the entrance of the teams every Olympics.
I was proud to see they didn;t have mobile phones or cameras. Good for them - enjoy it the old fashioned way.
We watched the Opening Ceremony at work for inspiration. There were a lot of elements there we are familiar with, having worked with the British Chinese Community all year. Including the bizarre fondness of the Chinese for bagpipes...?
I was the only one left to watch the teams entering, and even I felt I should bow out after I saw ours. Although I've just caught the USA from my desk. HUGE cheer went up, they all look really hppy and bouncy. Nice white caps and big teeth :) Seriously, they always put on a good show.
Tomorrow is Saturday. Big day!
happy, eh.... not well kindof, but nervous excitement is more precise.
heavy on the nervous
I just finished my last paper for my political science class. whoo hoo!
I'm happy today because last night, Selene and her partner Kaleigh were handfasted in our magickal backyard. Over 70 of our friends and loved ones were in attendance. The ceremony was conducted by my very good friends Mike Nichols (globally known Pagan author and researcher) and Jeff (aka Thorgo, former coven brother and Selene's first new High Priest as of last Friday), with me calling East in conjunction with Kaleigh's best friend (who had never done such a thing).
Kaleigh's parents were in attendance. They are wonderful people. They had previously supported Kaleigh in her first "marriage" to her now-ex partner some ten years ago - a full blown marriage replete with printed invitations, gifts and the whole enchilada sans legality. Despite their inherent lack of understanding of our poly lifestyle and the polyfamily that it creates, they were completely onboard with their unqualified love and support for their daughter. Side note - Kaleigh's 60 year old mother is *hot*.
The ceremony was vastly more elaborate than the handfasting (and wedding, for that matter) that Selene and I had. At the last minute, our accquaintances The Blue Pipers (a wonderful gay male couple) volunteered their services, and piped the new couple into and out of the circle. Many bubbles were blown at the end of the ceremony...can't wait to see the pics taken as the photographer entreated the assemblage with "more bubbles! more bubbles!", and I supported him by yelling, "Blow me hardies, blow, damn ye!"
We lit a fire and grazed on numerous tasty finger foods, played music through the PA, and had drumming and fire spinners. My own partner Ruairi (Tree Fae) and I were asked several times when we, too, would grace our community with a similar ceremony...but we aren't at that point - yet.
It was a profoundly perfect evening. Once again, we have imbued our covenstead with energy, love, and sharing.
I truly wish you could have all been there with us as we formally added a new member to our extended family.
Elspode - I was thinking about you last night when I watched "
Season of the Witch," which is not a typical George Romero film. It wasn't what I expected, but I liked it.
Congratulations Els and to everyone else involved!
Bubbles! Sounds like it was a beautiful event, and I'm looking forward to seeing some of those pictures. Best wishes for Selene and Kaleigh.
Sounds lovely Splode, can't wait to see the pictures *cough*..
Sounds lovely Splode, can't wait to see the pictures *cough*..
Cough? Howscome?
Because I want to see them.... and I'm a little surprised you didn't include any in your post.
....."Blow me hardies, blow, damn ye!"....
Awesome way to get hitched. But one stray comma can mean so much:
"Blow me hardies, blow, damn ye!"
"Blow
, me hardies, blow, damn ye!"
"Blow me
, hardies, blow, damn ye!"
:lol:
Damn, I'd love to be your neighbor, 'spode.
Come to think of it, I'd love to talk to your neighbors, without them knowing I know you. :haha:
Dude next door was mowing his lawn, then stopped...until we began the ceremony, then he started again, and continued until the ceremony ended...and then quit.
We also have a dragstrip a mile away. It was...interesting.
Probably wanted to watch. :D
Elspode, did you ever watch Star Trek Enterprise? Whenever I read about your poly-lifestyle, it makes me think of the Denobulan Doctor Phlox :P
Congrats to your community Elspode. Do you journal? It seems like your life's journey has a book in it. Setting aside convention gives your life a special insight that others would value. It may even lend something to the greater good.
Congrats to you and your family Els.
For me, A whole weekend away from it all - is it friday yet?
Elspode, did you ever watch Star Trek Enterprise? Whenever I read about your poly-lifestyle, it makes me think of the Denobulan Doctor Phlox :P
I've never seen that particular iteration of Star Trek, Dana.
Denobulan (sp?) marriages work like this: each spouse has up to three spouses:P
Great, but who cleans the damn toilet? :haha:
Guys reactions to me wearing pigtails today :D
BTW, you guys kinda blow because I have been absent and none of you fuckers noticed.
Just as well Im not needy or anything :p
Guys reactions to me wearing pigtails today :D
Photo? :angel:
Because I want to see them.... and I'm a little surprised you didn't include any in your post.
I agree, I would really enjoy seeing the pics as well. Post them in the photo thread.
I'm happy today because, after a lengthy hiatus, I am able to spend time with Leslie again. Now, we'll see if that is to be an ongoing thing, or if it will be otherwise.
I decided to check online to see if I could get a manual for our anserphone. Yes, of course I could!
So after being here nearly 5 months and accepting that we use a standard message because no-one knew how to personalise it... I can finally give callers some useful information! Starting with the fact that we're only here 10-6, Mon-Fri. Perhaps it's because we're an arts company, but a surprising amount of people call a couple of times over the weekend, leaving increasingly baffled/ irritated messages.
I decided to check online to see if I could get a manual for our anserphone. Yes, of course I could!
So after being here nearly 5 months and accepting that we use a standard message because no-one knew how to personalise it... I can finally give callers some useful information! Starting with the fact that we're only here 10-6, Mon-Fri. Perhaps it's because we're an arts company, but a surprising amount of people call a couple of times over the weekend, leaving increasingly baffled/ irritated messages.
Do any of those messages start with "I'm not sorry about ur finger?" :lol:
Not yet, but it's only a matter of time..!
We got out in the little inflatable pool today. It wasn't too hot, Minifob kept the splashing to a reasonable level, and Minifobette actually had no problem getting splashed, even when he got her in the face a couple of times. I can't be sure because I was holding her up from behind, but I think she actually laughed about it at one point. And when it was time to come inside he did so without a fuss (well, okay, he was bribed with the offer of Nilla wafers.) It was a really nice afternoon.
This is the last week before Lil Lookout heads back to school so I took the morning off to hang out with him. Nice morning starting with some soccer in the backyard, some Battlefront on playstation, then to Barnes and Noble for some starbucks and reading. For the first time he picked out a book with exactly zero pictures in it. :)
For the first time he picked out a book with exactly zero pictures in it.
Aww bless:) that's a lovely milestone.
What's making me happy today is:
- the bank wrote to me and offered to extend my overdraft facility. Yey. This means I have been a good girl for a year and not played silly buggers with my bank account. I persuaded them to apply it to my account this week instead of next week as per the letter. This means the direct debit which was due to bounce hideously this morning instead had a soft landing:P
- I woke up this morning (admittedly rather later than planned) feeling competant and motivated. Yey. Got loads done. I've really been unconscionably lazy recently and have let my case work build up. So, today I got through a bunch of it and made calls I'd been putting off, and chased up stuff that I had been avoiding chasing. Had a really positive visit to a constituent, and was even able to deliver some good news to a group of residents.
- to reward myself for being a grown-up today, I treated myself to two Big Finish audio plays, at a cost of £7.99 each and have them downloaded onto my laptop ready to take upstairs and listen in bed. Cup of tea, slice of cheesecake and a Doctor Who audio play. Nice.
I got a package from someone very wonderful last night. It's a book about the things your friends will tell you about pregnancy that the doctors wont.
I've read the first few chapters and they've been very amusing and quite spot on as far as all the crap that happens to pregnant women.
Thanks SG. You are a true sweetheart! xoxox
You're welcome.
I doubt it contains any surprises but I read it a while back and thought it was totally you.
You are now morally obliged to provide the Cellar with the first baby picture, rather than selling it to a celebrity magazine. There is no such thing as a free lunch... er, book.
lol...well I did have an offer from Womens Weekly, but I think I know where my loyalties lay. ;)
We had what turned into a long bull session at the nursing home last night. Lil' Pete's first fencing maestro was holding court. He was in his glory. He gave lessons to Lil' and a former student who was a Cornell varsity fencer, then had them bout. It was a good chance to measure Lil's progress. She fenced beautifully and integrated some new stuff in they'd been working onand got some insight into college fencing from someone who's been there. [COLOR="White"]oh yeah, Lil won[/COLOR]
The girl that just moved in downstairs
in addition to being... way cute
is the ONLY person i've met, my age
who can hold their own with me
when it comes to rock&roll
i mean this girl knows her shit. She can name the members of the Velvet Underground. She's head over heels for Neil Young.
shes just amazing.
there is another guy sorta in the picture... the guy moving in over on the other side of the building, who is quite a bit better looking than me, has apparently known her since preschool (though hasnt had much (any?) contact with her since), but the two are pretty close already apparently. Unless i'm reading it wrong it looks like there might be a little there, but...
i've got a year. and i really like this girl.
i think i'm taking her out to dinner this weekend
we'll see. we'll see.
=]
Strange weather in Colorado. Some areas are expecting up to a foot of snow tomorrow.
Picture!?
I'm happy because I just got back from the docs. He listened, asked questions and listened again (this time with his stethescope) to my belly, my chest and my throat.
Yes, he agrees I have reflux, and potentially a gastric problem, but it isn't anything more sinister (I wasn't worried about that to be honest). He's put me on PPIs for two weeks then I come back for a review. If they don't work I might have an endoscopy, but again, I don't expect that to be the case.
Yay! An end to the heartburn!
I am going to Colorado...I hope I am not in a foot of snow tomorrow....
I can't wait!! I am leaving in 45 minutes! How fun! An adventure! On my own!
Monster and her family will be visiting shortly! Hooray!
Now that is a real hooray!
Damn I'd love to be there with you.
Ibby, honey you sound ever so slightly smitten :P
Picture!?
Yes, he agrees I have reflux, and potentially a gastric problem, but it isn't anything more sinister (I wasn't worried about that to be honest). He's put me on PPIs for two weeks then I come back for a review. If they don't work I might have an endoscopy, but again, I don't expect that to be the case.
Yay! An end to the heartburn!
Have you considered food allergies? I haven't had any serious reflux since I said goodbye to beer (and most other wheat). Back when I had the endoscopy etc... they said I'd be on acid blockers for life. I haven't used any in I don't know how long.
Picture!?
--snip
If you insist:
Ibby, honey you sound ever so slightly smitten :P
nah, nope, not me, nuh-uh, not at all
=D
Have you considered food allergies? I haven't had any serious reflux since I said goodbye to beer (and most other wheat). Back when I had the endoscopy etc... they said I'd be on acid blockers for life. I haven't used any in I don't know how long.
It's something I'll start thinking about... As and when I have another attack I'll detail my food for the last 24 hours in a food diary.
Monster and her family will be visiting shortly! Hooray!
:blush: aaawwww. cf and her famille are just the loveliest. We had to frisk Thor and Hector for Minifob's toys as we left. Thanks for having us, hon, it was lovely to meet you :)
(we're just finishing up in the Denny's round the corner before the big haul North...... ;))
I don't get reflux if I don't drink and don't stress too much. I also find if I eat much more bland food it doesn't happen either. These things are fairly obvious though. Dairy can also cause reflux even if you aren't lactos intollerant. There's an enzyme in milk that causes it.
I had an endoscopy shortly before my wedding because I was in such a state with my digestion. Apparently the valve to my oesophagus doesn't work properly all the time. They also suggested that I could be susceptible to a disorder called barretts disease which is a pre-cancerous type of thing. Anyway, an endoscopy can be a good way of checking things out there, and well worth it really. At least you know what's going on down there then, and it's really no big deal. They knock you out for it and you wake up and get tea and bikkies.
It's something I'll start thinking about... As and when I have another attack I'll detail my food for the last 24 hours in a food diary.
Just fyi, it takes a good 7 days for dairy to clear your system, not sure about other foods..
They also suggested that I could be susceptible to a disorder called barretts disease which is a pre-cancerous type of thing.
That's what my Uncle has just been diagnosed with.
Just fyi, it takes a good 7 days for dairy to clear your system, not sure about other foods..
I doubt it's dairy - I have so little of it in my diet at present. But it's useful info, thanks you two.
I just got paid today. (that's making me happy enough!)
I'm taking a half-day at work, leaving at noon, going up to the local DHL distribution center to have an interview for a part-time dockworker.
Now that doesn't seem like much of a big deal, but I'm hoping that it will grow to full-time. See, my job I'm at now requires a 30-mile (48km for all the metric folks) commute, one-way. So i'm at 60 mi (96.5km!) per day, just to get to work. Now I'm sure some of you might drive further, but regardless, the DHL gig is only 4 miles away. If I can get this job eventually to full-time, I can totally wipe out this commute-heavy-madness crap I'm into now.
However, this job allows me to sit on here for hours a day without worry of getting caught and whatnot. And that's a rarity for anybody, I'm sure. ;)
Hopefully I'll be able to get this job, work both for awhile, and make assloads of moolah. I want to be closer to home, spend less on gas, and make more money. Keep your fingers crossed! :)
excellent stuff, Fstop. Good luck! you a fellow Brit, then?
I am going to Colorado...I hope I am not in a foot of snow tomorrow....
I can't wait!! I am leaving in 45 minutes! How fun! An adventure! On my own!
And no visit for me?? :sniff:
I got my heater!! :D Apparently pulling out the medical card swayed them. YAY!! :jig:
Good for you. Hope you'll be toasty in the shortest possible time.
Just don't catch your granny blanket on fire.
That would be my luck, wouldn't it. But Granny/Bunny blanket is going home today.
excellent stuff, Fstop. Good luck! you a fellow Brit, then?
Kind of, I suppose. My family moved here to America in 1909, so it's kinda close. I used to hang out alot as a kid with my Great-Grandmother, and she was directly from England. (Oldbury, Birmingham)
I plan on going out there someday, Mum says I've got a few cousins out there I could contact. But if I had the choice and the means, I would emigrate.
Yesterday I retired the water mattress. It had developed its last leak. It had a very good run. It was purchased in 1985. It hasn't been replaced yet, but soon, soon.
But if I had the choice and the means, I would emigrate.
The grass is always greener.... :rolleyes:
Mrs. Dallas returns from England today.　（Ｆｏｕｒ　ｈｏｕｒｓ　ｌａｔｅ　ｔｈａｎｋｓ　ｔｏ　ａｉｒｌｉｎｅ　ｄｅｌａｙｓ，　ｂｕｔ　ｓｔｉｌｌ．）
The grass is always greener.... :rolleyes:
Oh believe me, Given a passport and a few thousand dollars, I'd kiss Old Glory goodbye.
Yey! My new computer is finally working!
When it arrived about ten days ago I had great trouble trying to install windows. Couldnt get a stable setup. Eventually took it to our local computer place and got them to look at it. Turns out both RAM sticks were buggered lol. They were faulty and also "cheap shite" according to our comp guy. So...got two more RAM sticks and decided to get them to put Vista on.
The cheap computer, not so cheap after all :P Lesson learned: don't bargain hunt the infrastructure of your rig. The original machine cost £280, with no OS installed. Cost of new RAM, Vista and setting everything up: £180.
Oh well. I have ended up with a very nice rig and it's all working well. I can now access whatever fucking sites I like without the constant presence of the council's Webmarshall programme looking over my shoulder. Hurray:)
The grass is always greener.... :rolleyes:
The grass is always green in England. I mean that only in the literal sense.
I played 40 minutes last night and the knee held together through a few rough hits, including one that saw the other guy red carded. [COLOR="White"] it is screaming at me today, but that's not the point.[/COLOR]
I got my learner's permit today! :jig:
A few months shy of my 23rd birthday, I am finally learning how to drive.
It must be tough to live in Tampa and not be able to drive. How have you been getting around all these years?
The good will of friends and family, and a lot of luck. I'm looking forward to being able to go places without having to burden others or brave our joke of a public transportation system. (The last time I took the bus it took me 4.5 hours to get to my destination, which was only half an hour away by car.)
It must be tough to live in Tampa and not be able to drive. How have you been getting around all these years?
Having seen the lady's picture, I'd say
any guy would stop and offer a lift. :D
I purchased the first two seasons of Reno 911. Hell yes. =)
I move tomorrow.
I'm still in a shaky position - I'm moving into the pub I work in.
John could easily "do a HM" and ask me to move without notice.
AND
The pub is for sale and technically I could be out with 24 hours notice (though we ALL know even a cash sale takes longer)
BUT
I know I only have a couple of months hard saving to move somewhere more stable.
I am right on hand to take up any extra shifts and therefore earn more money.
I am allowed to bring Diz with me (I daren't admit how much I was worried about this in case people thought I wasn't taking the situation seriously enough)
I can still walk to work therefore saving while I am earning
Tonight is my last night on the office sofa (I haven't been home since a row last Monday night). It's taken me this long to sort out the practical matters. I@ll go and collect Diz after work tomorrow. If HM is there is will try to verbally agree and time and date to collect my things. If not I will leave a note.
Which means tomorrow is the last time I have to wash my hait in the work sink :) Then again - I managed to colour it again in such. WI;; take a pic.
Good luck with everything, Sundae! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Hey, SG, congrats on the move. Keep looking after you and, as I said, don't let this set-back set you any further back than the minimum. Hugs'n'all! :grouphug: :hearts:
Good for you for staying level-headed about the whole thing and sticking with your jobs. I think you're going to come out way ahead in the end.
I'm happy about the 1 hour facial I just had. Very relaxing.
Oh, and we sold our old house which settles today, so we'll be a little bit richer after 2.30pm today.
I move tomorrow.
I'm still in a shaky position - I'm moving into the pub I work in.
John could easily "do a HM" and ask me to move without notice.
AND
The pub is for sale and technically I could be out with 24 hours notice (though we ALL know even a cash sale takes longer)
BUT
I know I only have a couple of months hard saving to move somewhere more stable.
I am right on hand to take up any extra shifts and therefore earn more money.
I am allowed to bring Diz with me (I daren't admit how much I was worried about this in case people thought I wasn't taking the situation seriously enough)
I can still walk to work therefore saving while I am earning
Tonight is my last night on the office sofa (I haven't been home since a row last Monday night). It's taken me this long to sort out the practical matters. I@ll go and collect Diz after work tomorrow. If HM is there is will try to verbally agree and time and date to collect my things. If not I will leave a note.
Which means tomorrow is the last time I have to wash my hait in the work sink :) Then again - I managed to colour it again in such. WI;; take a pic.
Good luck, kiddo. Baby steps, now. Hope everything turns out alright.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. :beer:
Hawks won in OT Saturday. It doesn't get any better than this!
Correct. But what a way to start. Football fanatic I am.
The kids went back to school today!
Sundae, you're handling all this so well, honey. I'm so impressed. Brilliant news that you can take Diz with you. I doubt anybody would think you weren't taking the situation seriously wer you to express fear at the possibility of not being able to take him with you. We all understand how important he is to you.
Pilau sends supportive thoughts about sausages and gravy bones. Hope that helps.
Finding this:
ScooterAnderson:
Is your BIOS clock changed? Reboot into BIOS and check it there. Also, thoroughly scrub your EV:System logs for any W32Time or related events. If the clock is getting changed in Windows, it should be logged in there...
Accepted Solution
04.23.2008 at 01:57PM PDT, ID: 21425314
Rank: Guru
Paka:
You probably have a DST bias issue. To clean your registry of time related items open a command prompt on that machine and type:
net stop w32time
w32tm /unregister
w32tm /register
net start w32time
Reboot and logon and your machine will synchronize with it's authenticating domain controller and then periodically (no other configuration is necessary).
Assisted Solution
turns out this was the case. very hard to find. I have been up for several minutes now without a time reset. yay me.
Still not sure about ability to login, though...or rather, how long my ability to login will last.
I just took a mouse for a ride on my motorcycle. That almost always cheers me up, and is usually a new experience for the mouse.
This one seemed particularly pleased.
First day of school! I like my classes and teachers so far, my child development class is going to be scary for me because it's only about 15 kids at most, and there's supposed to be a lot of presentations and group work...but after being mortified out of my own skin the other night because I ended up the center of attention (which I am not good at with adults/peers, only younger kids) I'm hoping that I'll get a bit more out of this major than I originally thought: The ability to talk when people are looking directly at me. Doesn't sound like a big thing but trust me...it is.
Glad you're liking school, razz! :)
:celebrat: We wrote our la$t daycare check today!!! :jig:
Our childcare expenses will go from $120/wk to $185/month. That's almost $300 a month saved, for you slow folks. :cool: Can't wait till we don't need her to be in the before and after school program either. :yelgreedy
As sad as I am (almost cried at her kindergarden open house last night) this is a definite plus.
I just took a mouse for a ride on my motorcycle. That almost always cheers me up, and is usually a new experience for the mouse.
This one seemed particularly pleased.
Visions of Stuart Little now running through my head.
visions of geek with Logitech now running through mine.
visions of geek with Logitech now running through mine.
:D
I got my new monitor in last night. A
Samsung 22" T220. Whoo!
Upgrading from that 20" Viewsonic CRT, this one is definitely a step in the right direction. :D
Got my new hair-dye.
Currently deciding whether to mix the remaining blue with the red to get purple, or go straight to red.
For the record, this is what it looks like in the tub. It will bear little resemblance to what it looks like on my hair of course, as I learned last time. OOh! I feel my first poll coming on! And I don't even have cramps!
Would like to mention that I'm totally rocking out to "Nice to Know You" by Incubus.
I"m happy because i've cleaned up my kitchen and my sheets are in the wash. I've done some vacuuming and found the key to the back door which was missing.
20 inch wheels on my car :)
Its sad, I know
Will take some tomorrow when it stops raining and its all shiny again.
Jinx, you and I need to do drinks and car talk.
Brianna being all better again.
A package I received.
And food (of course).
Just had a Ginsters pasty because it was discounted, and heated it up with some beans. Not exactly home cooking, but the closest I've come to it recently. My belly is not full of fibre and protein and is sending warmwaves of happiness in return.
Jinx, you and I need to do drinks and car talk.
Ok, but I'll want to drive your car before the drinks... and the talking... :D
I got my jeep (lift kit) fixed, and got some
new front shocks.[SIZE="7"]Ah[/SIZE][SIZE="6"]hhh[/SIZE][SIZE="5"]hh[/SIZE][SIZE="4"]hhh[/SIZE][SIZE="3"]hh[/SIZE][SIZE="2"]hhh[/SIZE][SIZE="1"]h[/SIZE].....................
That, ladies and germs, lads and ladettes, was a contented sigh. I am back at home. I managed to get my act together and do a quick tidy up and such. Ate a nice meal I knocked together (minted lamb-steaks, new potatoes with Danish butter and garden peas on the side) which was very nice. Pil's content, having had a nice long walk in the evening and about a quarter of my lamb steak. Have spent a little time bumbling about on my computer and am just about to settle down to part 4 of Doctor Who: The Brain of Morbius.
Oh, and Ma brought some delightful clotted cream fudge back from Wales, which was in a box bearing a picture of a hound and the message: Thanks for looking after the dog, you're Grrr great.
Brilliant marketing for holiday gifts or what? Lovely fudge.
What's making me happy?
This Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds album, "Live at Radio City Music Hall"..generally overlooked, especially "Crush"..Working on doing my own acoustic version of that one..
I AM LYSANDER.
We're doing MSND at our school for the big play this year. Auditions were Thursday and Friday.
Castlist came out today.
FUCK yes.
If there's any one part I wanted more than the others
It's Lysander.
ahhhh yes.
Congrats! Did your school cast a girl or a boy as Puck? I'm always curious...
A boy, this time, but casting was definitely open on that one.
I remember my sixth-form college putting that on one year. The lad who played Oberon was amazing. In the middle of a fairly ordinary (if enthusiastic) college production, was this drama student who could have happily held his own in repertory theatre. Serious amount of stage presence and moved beautifully. Bizarrely mellifluous voice for a teenager too.
I just ordered two books through Amazon. I bought them both used. The price new was $128 and $82. The used price was $1.68 and $0.47. Total with shipping was $10.
Brilliant! I must admit, Amazon and Ebay really cut my study budget down last year.
Last week I got a phonecall from the director (aka dickcheese) from the rec soccer program that I used to coach at and Lil Lookout still plays at while waiting for the full competitive season to start. The highlights of the conversation were him demanding that I get my kid under control, and me politely inviting him to suck a dick and don't bother calling me anymore.
Why is this in the "happy" thread, you ask? Cuz I love my kid.
After the troubles I had with the director at the soccer club Lil Lookout moved up to the next age group a year early so they wouldn't complain about him when he scores. :neutral: He's actually done better than I thought he would. He is by far the smallest kid out there, coming only to the shoulder of most of the kids. One of the girls he played against was literally taller than I am, which meant LL only came to just above her belly button. Fun for junior high dances, but not for soccer.
Anyway, because he is in a higher age group I removed all restrictions from him other than he had better be a team player, which in his case means he has to have assists in proportion to his goals. He has been doing that and loving life, scoring at least 3 with 3 assists in each game, while spending half of each game as goalie. With the leash taken off, the kid has really come to life, dribbling circles around the other team and just looking like a kid having fun at something he's good at.
Hence the phonecall.
That was before Saturday's game. Saturday was a good day. Lil Lookout started the game with six assists in twelve minutes. Then he went into the goal for the next 20 minutes. When he came out of the goal he had sixteen minutes to play on the field. In that sixteen minutes he notched up six goals and two more assists. He was on cloud nine after the game.
[COLOR="White"]The director was furious and was on his way to talk to Lil Lookout when I intercepted him. I politely shook his hand and informed him that if he said anything other than "good game" to LL I would destroy his world to the point that he'd never work in Arizona again. It seems I've unearthed some documents pointing out he doesn't actually have the licenses he claims, was fired from a previous club for theft, and the complex has had some issues with expensive equipment disappearing in the last two months. [/COLOR]
Mostly I'm just happy that Lil Lookout is enjoying himself.:D
What Dwellar would you want to be? I hereby change my answer to l123.
LOL, no you don't. You wouldn't really want your life to be consumed by petty little shit like this. It suits me well, because my only ambitions are to enjoy life with the family and everything else is just to amuse me... but I don't think I have a life others would want.
I have succeeded in adapting some sample perl code to slap together some custom reporting from an Oracle database.
I change my answer to LL.
Happiness #1: Yesterday, I was looking through sme costumes and got really excited because I found one I liked....for about 100 bucks. Argued with myself, but finally conceded and decided that no, I really can't afford it. No, I don't care how many packets of Ramen noodles I could eat. Look at me being a responsible adult!!
Happiness #2: Talked to mom because I was slightly disappointed, but had resigned myself to finding something passable that I could whip together from the thrift store. (Also because I was wanting to buy a sewing machine - and no I didn't do that either) Mummy took it upon herself to browse through online patterns and will now make me an outfit. I am so excited because it is just what I want. Now, I just have to figure out what materials. Another note - she is doing this without having me there to help shop, for size, etc. Hmm, I feel so loved. :D
I change my answer to LL.
perv.What is the costume for, BBro?
Making peace with Brianna is making me happy today. I guess every cloud has a silver lining after all.
Sure does....by that token does every silver lining have a cloud attached?:P
monster - it is for halloween. I started looking early, because last year I waited too long, hated what I had picked out months ago and had to redo the whole thing. I know it is a little early, but I want a REALLY good one this year.
Halloween is the most important holiday of the year.
Happy # 1: my boss who supported me in a sticky situation
Happy # 2: friends
Happy # 3: a wedding I will go to next month (my ex-husband's band he was in for years...the drummer's daughter is getting married. It was just yesterday that she was the little girl who idolized me at gigs, and who I just adored to play with. It will be bittersweet though, as the drummer has esopageal cancer and it isn't looking good. I am glad I get to spend some happy time with the family and that the band is re-uniting for the reception.)
Happy # 4: new haircut
I just purchased my first piece of orginal art! AND two pairs of earrigs (handmade out of antique cranberry glass, some beads from the old Czech republic and more fun stuff) at an art show that I would NEVER have gone to in th past!!
I love my new life of trying new things!!!!!
My good news is that I'm
mad! Even better, no new MRI's, X-rays, or follow-up appointments scheduled, either. *
whew*
My wife has signed me up for driver's training!
My folding is all up to date, and I get to see my boys this arvy, and tomorrow night I'm having a dinner party, so I get to plan that out too.
My folding is all up to date, and I get to see my boys this arvy,..
In English, por favor?
I folded all my washing, and I'm picking my kids up for the weekend after school today.
I gotta get those Aussie language DVDs! :)
Well you might get a good laugh out of it. :)
I gotta get those Aussie language DVDs! :)
I recommend
Kath and Kim and
Summer Heights HighFinally ready for the beach :D
Sweet !!!!
so the spinner attachment is still on the way ????
you can't get that thing all sandy.
it is very clean and new looking. Looks good.
No spinners.
It will need to be detailed to remove the sand I guess.... ;)
I did it:
I applied for a job at another school; just applied online with attached resume and cover letter.
Things have been so bad here lately, and not just in this department, but submitting an application to another school was very difficult for me and a gut-wrenching step.
So, I'm proud of myself for at least trying. If I get an interview, which I should with my qualifications for this particular position, then I can worry again. If it works out, great. If not, I'm still here.
btw, the job at the other school is all of what I LOVE to do here, and not much of what I don't like to do here. In other words, it's at least half the responsiblity for, at minimum, a 20% pay increase.
The only downside would be the drive. The only downside I can see right now, anyway. Oh, and leaving my friends here, especially my favorite cow orker. I have to look out for me, though, because certainly no one else wants to. ;)
if you were to ork your cow orker a bit more often he'd certainly look out for you a bit more. just sayin'.
Shawnee, that's great news.
Why don't you take your favorite orker with you?
We just had a short, but intense, hail storm. Unfortunately, my Insight (which is made of blue tin foil) is sitting outside. I don't see any dents in it.
the good news is you have two choices if you find a dent:
1: Tear off a new sheet of foil and spread it over the top.
2: Crumple up the current Insight and make a new one. Downside is you'd have to buy two boxes of foil.
Plus I can use the old panel for wrapping baked potatoes.
Yeah!!
Evening swimming starts again tonight. I've missed it all summer when it is at the local outdoor pool in the mornings, since the high schools are closed. The scale says it's about time. Apparently I enjoyed my summer a little too much :o
It's September. I realise this is not exactly breaking news... but it occurred to me today, I go back to University this month. Here we go again!
Congratulations, Shawnee123.
Let us know how it goes, Shawnee. You deserve to work for a place that appreciates you.
Holidays...and the fact that I havent wanted to murder the boys for the week (so far :))
YAY Shawnee...keep us informed!
We are off on a guided walk of the MacDonnell Ranges...Standley Chasm mainly. Cool....the guides are kinda gorgeous :)
That's awesome shawnee, can't wait to hear about the interview(s).
Good job, Shawnee!! :D Whatever else happens, just taking this seemingly simple step is an important development
Shawnee I am so impressed you took the first step
That's wonderful
Congratulations and fingers crossed you hear back soon
Good for you
Cheers Shawnee! Sometimes we just have to break the pattern.
With all these votes of confidence, I'm already a winner! Thanks all! :)
Congrats - hope it works out for you!
I'm back from the dentist.
BigV's back from the dentist.
It went great. [COLOR="White"]he's back isn't he?[/COLOR]
What a relief! I really hate going to the dentist.
But coming back is good, right?
I'm happy just reading about it.
Post whores [COLOR="LemonChiffon"]are making me happy.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Silver]I've been wondering for a long time, is it better to be a post whore or a whore post?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Silver] --------------------[/COLOR]
This morning I was taking out the trash and I saw a walking-stick bug on the side of the porch, so I got my camera and took some pictures, then I got my other camera and took some more pictures. Then I came in and looked up walking-stick bugs and found they make good pets.
I found a big jar and put a paper towel, a piece of butter lettuce and a stick in to the jar. Then I went out and picked up the stick bug and dropped him in too. Instead of clinging to the stick, like he was supposed to do, he fell over on his back and lay there with his little stick arms up in the air.
I set him by my monitor and checked on him through out the day, but he never moved.
I didn't bother to put a lid on the jar.
I went to class, and when I came back --- there was no stick bug in the jar.
He's a tan colored stick bug, and we have tan colored wool carpeting. I crawled around on my hands and knees for a while, then found the stick bug sitting on top of the power strip on the floor under the desk. I put him back in the jar, and now he's happily clinging to his stick.
I think I'll call him Gustav.
And the pictures are where?
Sycamore is
recording...new music soon.
I lost 4 pounds this week...not sure how that happened.
And I finally got my money back from the fraudulent charges racked up on my debit card last week--$200.
And the pictures are where?
Here's Gustav. I've included fingers for scale.
I've included fingers for scale.
my monitor isn't very good. how many does he have?
Gustav is cool! We did that with a praying mantis this summer with the kids. They named him cheeseball. It turned out we couldn't find enough bugs to eat, so we let him go free before he died in captivity. Still, it was fun for a bit.
looks like the top of a wheat stem. you should have named him phytomer.
my monitor isn't very good. how many does he have?
Just one. He's waving it at you.
Gustav is cool! We did that with a praying mantis this summer with the kids. They named him cheeseball. It turned out we couldn't find enough bugs to eat, so we let him go free before he died in captivity. Still, it was fun for a bit.
The nice thing about stick bugs is that they eat lettuce (supposedly). I haven't seen him eat anything yet.
Yeah, that is much more convenient. We had read the mantises were good pets and I suppose a pet store somewhere might have food for a pet like that.
Errr....is he alive?
Not that I am questioning or parenting skills or anything.....
I am going to pick up the puppy this morning! Finally!:D My sweetheart is finally coming home! Yea!!!
The bed is ready and the treats are in the right spots, the doggy dishes are ready and cleaned, the kennel is together, the "puppy on the go" pack is ready, the collar with dog tag is all together, the doggy shampoo is out and ready to combat ticks, the nail trimmers are out for trimming, and I am all set! Bring on the pooper I am ready!! (ooh I have to go buy papertowels)
My sweetheart, Osa, will be at home by tonight!
(please excuse the run ons I'm all excited)
I am going to pick up the puppy this morning! Finally!:D My sweetheart is finally coming home! Yea!!!
The bed is ready and the treats are in the right spots, the doggy dishes are ready and cleaned, the kennel is together, the "puppy on the go" pack is ready, the collar with dog tag is all together, the doggy shampoo is out and ready to combat ticks, the nail trimmers are out for trimming, and I am all set! Bring on the pooper I am ready!! (ooh I have to go buy papertowels)
My sweetheart, Osa, will be at home by tonight!
(please excuse the run ons I'm all excited)
You are getting a baby bear?
Errr....is he alive?
Not that I am questioning or parenting skills or anything.....
No. Live things are too much responsibility.
You are getting a baby bear?
A baby
female bear. :p
brilliant. Wonderful. Enjoy it honey!
We will have another used dog in residence in a few weeks. He is the same age as our current dog (5) and is handsome and healthy. We think our girl will love having a new brother who can frolic with her and then flop down for a window-rattling snore.
And this is funny: her name is Bimbo (she came with it, we thought to change it but she doesn't mind so Bimbo she is still) and his registered name has Scholar in it, so his call name is Rhodes. Yes, we will have a Rhodes scholar and a Bimbo as our pets. :)
Slightly off-topic: I attended a wedding just a bit ago. The groom's mother's name is Loopy...that is what is on her birth certificate.
I've just released Gustav.
I said, "Fly, be free."
Unfortunately, stick bugs can't fly.
I said, "Fly, be free."
Mork from Ork homage?
Slightly off-topic: I attended a wedding just a bit ago. The groom's mother's name is Loopy...that is what is on her birth certificate.
Loopy and not Lupe?
Loopy. We actually just talked to her at the reception, but we didn't get the story on why her name is what it is.
I've just released Gustav.
I said, "Fly, be free."
Unfortunately, stick bugs can't fly.
*laughs*
Help! How soon can I get my 8 week old puppy on my sleep schedule? Is it cruel to wake her up during the day? Oh I feel like crap today...oh...still happy my puppy is settling in...Neeed sleep...:)
Oh jeez UT. It was her first night with us and I attempted to put her in her kennel and she howled like she was being stabbed or something. So we had to go sleep on the couch, then I would fall asleep and she would crawl on my head every thirty minutes, get comfy, and kick me in the head...She is going in the kennel tonight and she is going to have to howl I guess. The plan is to ware her out today, as much as I am, oh say, right now, and hopefully she'll just pass out. She is so darned cute though, as indicated by this photo :D :
[ATTACH]19308[/ATTACH]
Yes my rug is dirty. I think the reasons are obvious. ;)
She's so cute! I am very envious. She can sleep with me, no matter how much she kicks, how can you deny that face?
Cute? Yes!
Crate training? Hell, yes!
Cicero, did you do the thing with a clock wrapped up in cloth?
If you get a small alarm clock and bundle it up under her bedding, it'll sound like her mothers heartbeat and this usually comforts them during the first few nights.
[edit] not small enough for her to chew on...
I don't think it would be cruel to wake her up to play. We did that with Bosco when he was a kitten, and it cut down a lot on his running around and mrow-ing at night.
That cute little puppy face is killing me!
Somewhere I read that for nighttime, you might have the pup in the crate, but on a table or something so you're there, visible and at the same level.
This seemed to quiet the young ones I have had.
What a beauty!
Cicero, did you do the thing with a clock wrapped up in cloth?
If you get a small alarm clock and bundle it up under her bedding, it'll sound like her mothers heartbeat and this usually comforts them during the first few nights.
[edit] not small enough for her to chew on...
I put my ear up to my clock but I couldn't hear anything.
It's digital.
It's different with digital ones, HLJ. What you do is strip off about an inch of insulation from the middle of the power cord. After you plug the clock in, touch the bare wire... I guarantee you'll experience a nice feeling.
It's different with digital ones, HLJ. What you do is strip off about an inch of insulation from the middle of the power cord. After you plug the clock in, touch the bare wire... I guarantee you'll experience a nice feeling.
I thought that that was how you stop them from wetting the bed.
No, no, I said YOU touch the wire... not the dog.
not quite happy, but a sense of relief.
I found out last night that the pub will exchange either the first or the second week in October.
So it's going to be cutting it fine, but I will have the money to move before I have to leave.
The downside is my slim hope of being able to stay in the pub has been dashed - the man buying it wants to gut the whole upstairs and create en-suite rooms for guests. He'll therefore need all the space he can get and won't be interested in a tenant.
Still, as I say it was a long shot.
Today I plan to update my profile on Find A Flamate or whatever it's called. I'll start actively contacting people next week (I've found that people only advertise rooms available immediately). And create a notice for the pub, asking if anyone has a room to let. It might encourage someone who wasn't thinking about it to offer me a spare room to make some money. They would be local, know me by sight and after all it wouldn't have to be a long term thing.
Cicero -- Osa looks like an adorable little troublemaker. Good luck with all the training in the next few weeks.
Sundae -- I'm glad to hear you know a little bit more about how things are going to go in the next few weeks. Uncertainty makes me crazy, so I imagine it feels good to at least be able to make a plan of action.
What's making me happy today?
1) I have my first ever driving lesson today! (I am not counting the time I bounced my husband's manual transmission around the parking lot and stalled the car half a dozen times.) The lesson is a with a professional instructor in an automatic, so keep your fingers crossed for me... [SIZE="2"]and the instructor...[/SIZE] [SIZE="1"]and all the nearby squirrels and assorted other woodland creatures...[/SIZE]
2) I received my placement for my Practicum course this semester. I'll be in a classroom for half a day, once a week, observing at first and later teaching. The teacher I've been paired with teaches English 2 (which should translate to 10th grade, or 15/16 year olds) and Intensive Reading. I am surprisingly excited about the Reading course, as I'm starting to realize that getting people to read is one of my major passions in life. (The "why" behind this is a whole 'nother thread...)
3) I found a handful of gray hairs this weekend. Most people -- especially most people in their early 20s -- would not be happy about this, but I've always known I was going to go gray early, so I'm actually kind of relieved.
RE: #2 - good for you! Reading & writing are such wonderful gifts to share with another. I am trying to get one of my Meals on Wheels route days changed so I can work with an ESL instructor at the library who volunteers her teaching skills for 10 -20 students. For me, it would balance the 'give a fish / teach a fish' equation. Love to hear your 'why' story sometime.
Cicero...me want doggy! Him so cute!
My husband just called me to let me know that the photographer canceled our 2pm appointment.
This makes me happy because I'm such a lazy ass and now I dont have to get dressed and go out ( I just got out of the shower).
Okay, so this is from yesterday, but it's still making me happy.
I was just finishing eating dinner and watching the House marathon yesterday (both of which are happy-making events) and I was hearing the sounds of a live mostly 60s cover band floating across the field in front of my apt.
So, I decided to walk over and see what was going on. Yep. There was a group of four overweight 50 year old men playing music. There was also a moon bounce and a couple of inflatable slide-thingies set up behind the township building.
Turned out that it was The Township Day's Raindate. As the band was winding up their set I noticed that an awful lot of cars were coming into the parking area rather than leaving it ... so I hung out a bit longer, just in case, and was treated to a most excellent fireworks display!
I likes the fireworks.
Wolf, you were treated!
Seriously, its those kind of nice surprises that are the best.
Great thunderstorm last night (finally!)
Get to go home in 50 minutes and we're having cheezeburgers, corn on the cob, and cantaloupe (last two fresh from the farm.)
Then I can curl up on the couch and read, because I'm so darn tired today.
We? What time should we be there?
What time do you feel like cooking?
Yeah, what's this "we"?
I thought you threw the bum out?
or...is this a new and improved sort of bum? :)
Bum still there.
I just can't do it. Most of the time I really want to, but I can't. And it's still weighing on me financially. :(
Can I rent a spine?
I find living alone absolutely darling.
Just me and my neuroses.*
*and, an occasional son or two.
I love living alone...it's not about that.
It's about he has no one on earth and if I kick him out I don't know where he would find to go.
What time do you feel like cooking?
I marinated a pork tenderloin and cooked it on the grill about two hours ago. The left-overs are in the refrigerator.
It was a beautiful day in St. Louis today--70 degrees and clear skies. My relief came in 45 minutes early, so I took my car over to get it squeaky clean. I made decent money today and I just got a nap in!
I have a sleepover tomorrow nite with Horse dude....ohhh....we are having a rendezvous in a neighboring town on the river.
:D
Yay Ducks!
I'm just feeling good today.
Remembered to bring my pork buns in today - we don't have a steamer in the pub, but we do at work. Char Sui for lunch, nom nom nom.
I feel even better because I woke up very unhappy. Coming in here, doing a good job (I have been working hard) has cheered me up no end.
Also, I was tempted to sleep in and not wash my hair. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't crawling off my head or anything, but it was due a wash. Forcing myself up into the shower and knowing I was clean from top to toe with all new clean clothes on is a big factor in feeling good about myself.
I'm happy I am able to push myself these days. There was a time when I really couldn't. One day I hope it will just be unthinkable not to - as I'm sure it is for 90% of the population.
ETA - I bought the wrong buns :mecry:
Damn Chinese and their chicken scratch writing.
They looked right, they tasted right... but no pork inside!
Yup, no pork in my buns. Saying it before anyone else does.
Non pork buns still yummy, but not really lunch
I marinated a pork tenderloin and cooked it on the grill about two hours ago. The left-overs are in the refrigerator.
Though that sounds great...I can't tell you how wonderful the corn on the cob and cantaloupe were. It's just getting to the end of the season and I went to the farm market (the one where I worked all summers in HS and college) and got the bi-colored (yellow and white) corn and it was sooooooooooo good!
Serious foodgasm.
Yeah, that sounds good. I wonder if corn is a vegetable? I must go look.
According to Wikipedia:
Generally speaking, a herbaceous plant or plant part which is regularly eaten as unsweetened or salted food by humans is considered to be a vegetable. Mushrooms, though belonging to the biological kingdom Fungi, are also generally considered to be vegetables, at least in the retail industry.[1][2] Nuts, seeds, grains, herbs, spices and culinary fruits are usually not considered to be vegetables, even though all of them are edible parts of plants.
So I guess I do eat vegetables. Though I don't understand the reference to "unsweetened or salted."
So I guess I do eat vegetables. Though I don't understand the reference to "unsweetened or salted."
If you put sweetener on it, it's generally not a vegetable.
If you put salt on it, it's generally a vegetable.
Makes sense.
I accept there are many variations inc salted plums, candied yams etc, but it's a general rule after all.
SG, you're right. My reading comprehension is lacking today.
What's a tomato?
Fruit by classification, vegetable by treatment.
Its technically a fruit isn't it.
I realize there are different ways to classify, but I personally don't consider starchy/root vegetable to be true veggies - when I planning a meal I mean. Tomatoes would be veggie.... but I often mix fruits and veggies together with wild abandon anyway...
What's a tomato?
Again from Wikipedia:
The question "The tomato: is it a fruit, or is it a vegetable?" found its way into the United States Supreme Court in 1893. The court ruled unanimously in Nix v. Hedden that a tomato is correctly identified as, and thus taxed as, a vegetable, for the purposes of the 1883 Tariff Act on imported produce. The court did acknowledge however that botanically speaking, a tomato is a fruit.
You say tomato-vegetable, I say tomahto-fruit.
yes, but radar has recently unearthed
documents that tell us what they
really meant in that ruling. you're all wrong stoopid poopyheads.
You say tomato-vegetable, I say tomahto-fruit.
yes, but radar has recently unearthed documents that tell us what they really meant in that ruling. you're all wrong stoopid poopyheads.
:lol2:
Woo 1 more Web class assignment done, I'm officially ahead and am not procrastinating![COLOR="Silver"][SIZE="1"]Not procrastinating in my web class at least.[/SIZE][/COLOR]
Yes, MTP, but your minion has been stolen.
What's a tomato?
Take your choice.I got laid [COLOR="White"]several times[/COLOR]
in a lovely little B & B.
Horse dude rocks
I got laid [COLOR="White"]several times[/COLOR]
in a lovely little B & B.
Horse dude rock[COLOR="White"]ed my world[/COLOR]
fixed it for ya
Yay Ducks!
One of these days, one of these days, I'm going to be posting the same... (not about Horse obviously!)
Anyway, back in the real world.
Two people with viable places for me to have have responded to me on the flatshare website I'm on. I have options!
This is my ad.
Great ad! I've a place for you, but you'll need to relocate. :)
Glad to hear it, SG! Are the houses still convenient to your jobs?
Great ad SG. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Thanks Classic :D
I've been happy n bouncy all day.
Glad to hear it, SG! Are the houses still convenient to your jobs?
I can't afford any of the places advertised in Greenwich, but the two I'm interested in could probably be done by walking, and definitely by bus. I would have to look for a second job closer to where I live though, perhaps a weekend job.
No replies to my replies yet. But I have hope, because both of them offered me a viewing with their last contact, so they are serious.
We moved Red into his brand spanking new office this weekend. It is 3X the size of his old one. It has two separate offices off the main room. One he could sublet to someone if he wanted, but his goal is to be able to hire someone to sell part-time for him in the not so distant future.
It looks so professional and official. Congrats babe!!!
Another chunk of clothes got to move back out of storage today! I still can't get into my tiniest of tiny baby-tees, but almost everything fits again.
I have a viewing tonight, one tomorrow and am trying to arrange one for Friday.
And I finally gave up on my eco ways and bought blacklight fly killers for the kitchen and my desk.
Damn flies have been bugging the life out of me this summer.
Yes I know it will cool down now and there will be less of them, but I couldn't take it any more.
In fact I am sat here in my t-shirt and the weather is lovely and cool and making me happy (moaning colleagues notwithstanding)
Aaaaaah - fly free spaces, lovely!
Yay to electric fly killers and yay to the coming of Autumn!
I have a viewing tonight, one tomorrow and am trying to arrange one for Friday.
Around here a "viewing" happens at the funeral home... :)
Little kids made me happy today, quirky little buggers.
Around here a "viewing" happens at the funeral home... :)
that was my thought too :lol: been here too long, evidently. They don't do that sort of viewing much in the UK. And they wouldn't call it a viewing -that's a little ...voyeuristic?
Spent all day working on setting up the scrip fundraiser for the new school year and getting the first (huge) order done, so I'm content. I did a good job, improved it from last year and so it should be plain sailing this year, I hope. I raised $22.4K in the end -I was aiming for $25K, but it's still a significant increase on the $19.2K from the year before. I've earned my beer tonight.
that was my thought too :lol: been here too long, evidently. They don't do that sort of viewing much in the UK. And they wouldn't call it a viewing -that's a little ...voyeuristic?
We went to the funeral of a member of our church a couple years back. The "viewing" was no only open casket, but there was a nice little kneeler there by the casket. My wife said something about how creepy it was, and she was a bit surprised when I told her open caskets are the norm in my family. (We don't go in for kneelers, though.. I think in general that's more of a Catholic thing.)
I have balls! OK...Not in the literal sense.
I have metaphorical balls!
There is this really cute girl in my tennis class I've had a crush on since day one. Today we were talking after class about, well I don't remember. For some reason I let slip that I had a crush on her, and then I figured, "Well, damn, I already look like an ass." So I asked her out. She said yes! I'm excited, we set the day for Sun. We're gonna do something fun and then go to a Pride Parade. Which I'm sure will also be fun.
Yay to balls MTP. Pleased to hear you took a chance and it worked out, she'd be mad not to of course.
I saw the house yesterday, no corpses.
It's small, but it is larger than the one I shared with HM.
It's spotlessly clean. Everything works and nothing needs repairing - a plus on HM's house.
It's not in a nice area, but as I think I mentioned, I know the area very well as it's the road my ex lived in for about 5 years.
It's about 35-45 minutes to work. Most of that is waiting for buses. A Travelcard would be £15.60 a week, which would cover a bus to Canning Town, Tube to North Greenwich and a bus from there to work. However I could cut this down to £10 if I walked to and from both stations and only got the Tube.
All bills are included except phone - which I barely use - and they have wireless broadband.
The household is one Peruvian lady in her forties, and her youngest son (10-12?) so no musicians dropping by at 02.00-04.00 Monday morning and no drunken landlord climbing in my skylight because he forgot his keys and decided this was more sensible than knocking on the door.
I'm going to say yes.
Wish me luck.
SG that seems like a really great deal! Go for it (fingers crossed of course). Are they ok with the cat? Best of luck (and with getting him out from under the floorboards!).
Her elder son (who lives separately) has two cats and the younger son adores them and has been badgering his Mum for a cat since they moved in. They are both animal lovers, so we should be okay. I have even mentioned that Diz can be attention seeking and it didn't seem to be a concern.
I've sent the elder son (who I've been dealing with) an email saying I want to move in and asking what the next step is.
I'm going home after my meeting at 15.00 to see if Diz has surfaced. Poor baby.
If you want to see the area, the postcode is E13 9LG - check it out on Birds Eye facing East.
The big orange block is where my ex lived, my potential house is facing it on Jedburgh Road, about 8 along.
Sorry - have never been able to screen print!
Is your new house somewhere in this picture? I couldn't really understand your description.
Thanks, Glatt.
It's one of the houses along Jedburgh Road, yes. I won't be more precise until I know if I'm going to live there :)
The building I described as orange (where my ex lived) is in fact only orange in the part you can't see - it's beige in this picture.
Oh, you'd be close to Barking, which is the home of the Barking Toad, an endangered species.
If I'm really careful...
and use chopsticks...
and maneuver it all the way to the back...
I CAN EAT NOW!
I have an office. With a window. And a door. That I can shut.
One of yinz out there download "Eye in the Sky" by The Alan Parsons Project.
What a wonderful song. The current tune that's making me kick back, relax, and attempt not to worry about anything. Been whipping up some tea (I got milk this time, SG) and putting this one on. This one, and you can't go wrong with Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier"...;)
This'll probably be really gross to most of you, but I just did a lovely big softish poo. After about 2 1/2 months of constipation, listening to tiny 'plink plinks' after ages of straining, it was better than winning $1000.
Ahahah! So now you get a fine and dainty "shewwwwwww" of a flow, eh?
Good for you. Feel a bit lighter, eh?
yeah...not so full of shit. ;)
I had that problem for the 6 months I was on pain medicine (had two blown cervical discs).. You wont believe the measures I took to deal with it. So I totally understand your relief.
Lots of reasons.
Got an email back from the son of the woman whose house I looked at.
She likes me, wants me to move in and her (younger) son also likes me and is really excited about my cat.
YAY!
I am no longer homeless.
And in the supermarket today, getting snacks for a meeting this afternoon, a little boy turned round and saw me and tugged on his Mum's hand, "Mummy, Mummy! Look at her HAIR!" His Mum was horrribly embarrassed so I smiled at her and the boy hid shyly behing her. I smiled at him and said, "Hello, do you like my hair?" knowing even as I did that children are bound to answer honestly and it could be a negative. Instead he nodded solemnly. As I walked away he said, "She is so cool!"
So I'm a hit with the 4 year old males at least :)
Also, I've found a place that does child mentoring. No guarantee I'll get through the serious interview phase (2.5 hour interview!) but I've submitted my application form. Like egg donation. at least I know I've tried even if I'm not suitable.
YAY SG!!!!!!!!!!! When do we all come round to PAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY at your new gaff?
And the other stuff is good too, but what's "child mentoring"?
For the brief time that my hair was fuscia, I got the best reactions from kids. I'm so glad you have a new place to live, Sundae! And it sounds like this one will be much quieter and more suited to your lifestyle.
What's making me happy? I'm happy SG got digs now and things somewhat figured out. And she's happy. Which in turn makes me happy.
I'm also happy because I got out of working at 84, fiddled about with an under-the-table bullshit detailing job (that's a whole other story...perhaps drunken chat)...........and I finally got a 'real' job.
Training starts on Monday morning to be a sub-contractor for Comcast. Installing High-speed Internet and High-Def Cable & DVRs. My old job at 84 would pay $1200 a month. Now I'll be doing that in a week.
And while I'm at it, M.I.A's "Paper Planes" is the most ridiculous song ever.
Not really about anything else but shooting people, taking money, weed, and UPS trucks. But good lord is it infectious. I love it. What a beat. This is the kind of 'guilty pleasure' song that you only rock out to alone, and it sticks in your head for hours and hours.
But yeah. Comcast job. They're giving me an 08' Silverado, Nextel phone, tools, and gas card. Drive it home. :D
Today I get to pick my boys up and then spend 2 whole weeks with them over what you lot in the US would probably call spring break.
i'm very excited.
These flowers just arrived for me from my wonderful husband.
Today is a good day for me. I feel good, I get to see my boys, I got flowers, and we're going out for dinner with friends tonight. I'm not sure how it could possibly be a better day really. :)
[ATTACH]19446[/ATTACH]
Lil' Griff just went out on the porch and called the dog... in pirate.
Yay on the poo, and the flower front, Ali. Did Dazza send you congratz flowers for parking the buick in the porcelin garage?
Congratz Sundae!!
Lil' Griff just went out on the porch and called the dog... in pirate.
Priceless! :p
Interview Tuesday! Wish me luck! :jig:
Great S123 - best of luck ... and a few prayers headed your way.
Mrs. Dar's snickerdoodles. Nom, nom, nom.
Ah Shawnee we've been telling you for years now that you're worth more than you imagine. Now we have outside proof and won't let you forget it.
It's made my day to hear that - well done you and all the best of luck.
Thanks so much. My confidence level is rising. :)
Now look at the thread about negotiating for even MORE money!
I think making too much money is often a mistake. You become used to that level of income and it becomes harder to find a job if you lose that one, you are more at risk of losing your job when cuts are made, and it's harder to leave a job if you aren't happy.
WTF is too much money? I've been scraping by for so long I would LOVE to worry about making too much money.
It's just me, here. I have to do what is right for me, because I don't expect to meet that Magic Man who will pay my bills and let me play all day.
And in education, particularly at the school to which I am applying, cuts are rarely made. When other industries make cuts, education soars.
Oh let me let me let me get "used to that level of income."
Same here chick.
Although I see where HLJ is coming from - I've only just reached the level I was at in 1998 when I worked for Dr Solomons Software. And that was out-of-London wages, everything was much cheaper (esp house prices and petrol) and I was in a stable relationship, so shared all my bills. Good job I couldn't see into the future back then, my svelte, reasonably affluent and loved up 25 year old self would probably have died from shock, setting up some sort of time rift which would end the universe as we know it.
lol--I too am glad I couldn't see into the future. I'd be like "I'm going to be making WHAT for doing WHAT? AND I'll be alone? Huh-uh!) :)
I do want to say it isn't just about the money. I would be doing a LOT more of what I love and a LOT less of what I don't love. I would be paid a lot more for doing a lot less. I like to work hard. I don't like to feel like I can't do anything well because lately it's been all about not drowning (ahem...time at the Cellar is NOT wasted time :blush: )
Ah well, I may not even get an offer, but it's nice to dream about getting a new car before this one falls into a thousand pieces. Nice to dream about taking a me-cation in my new car, going wherever my heart desires, nice to think about taking my nieces to fun places.
Money doesn't buy happiness. It does buy a certain level of freedom.
I passed my driving test!
Wahoo! :driving:
Sweet! Congratulations.
(And excellent use of a smiley.)
:driving:
Is that Toonces?
:(
Toonces Riley, the best cat who ever lived...
Eh, I'll have to find a pic of him at home.
Lil' Griff just went out on the porch and called the dog... in pirate.
This made my day.
Thank you!A shower and a clean shirt (Friday is shower-and-a-clean-shirt day).
We went to an art tour this weekend and bought a painting. I'll take a picture and post it later.
We went to an art tour this weekend and bought a painting. I'll take a picture and post it later.
Cool!
I went to the Ren Fest yesterday----really nerded it up for all of you.
You're welcome.
Here's the painting we bought. This is the town that we live in (well, near).
It was painted by Ted Garcia.
Here's his web site.
I just noticed that the painting we bought is
here (that says 16x20, but I just measured it and it's 20"x24").
One of his motorcycle paintings is on a show called American Chopper, and another one is at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.
that's not the same picture. Looks like he's churning them out....
Just got off the phone with my mom. Good convo.
that's not the same picture. Looks like he's churning them out....
Your right, definitely different painting of the same scene.
What's lost was found: brat cat gone for 2 days. Found him hiding under a neighbor's car. He has lost some of his bratness since he spent two days in the "wild."
Glad I have an interview tomorrow, and I hope it goes well, because I am hatin' this place with a passion.
Go kick some ass tomorrow! Good luck.
Thanks! I'm near a walk-out today. Something has to give!
Shawnee - good luck at the interview. Just make sure that any job changes won't result in loss of Cellar access.
It's our wedding anniversary today. Dazza got me a pamper package for a spa in town. I'm looking forward to it. :)
Moving in less than a month! Well, the moving itself is not so fun, but where we are moving is amazing. We found a house much larger than our current 1000 sq ft. Plus, it includes a space that is separate from the house that I will be using for a group studio. Plus it is actually *in* the mountains, on 6 acres.
Don't be surprised if you see me in the other thread talking about bears. Does anyone know of a good dog breed to have around for deterring bears?
People care.
It always surprises and humbles me, in a very happy way.
BTW - congrats Case! Lots of pics when you are settled in!
Plus it is actually *in* the mountains, on 6 acres.
Nice!
Good luck with the move, case!
I just have to thank you all for your votes of confidence as of late. I think the 'view went really well. I felt confident, and much of that was due to confidence from my friends, including my friends here.
I'm trying not to get too excited, but I feel like I nailed it! I certainly have the qualifications, so I was able to speak intelligently about all that the job entails. It's a new position which is very exciting, because even they were saying they weren't sure what direction it would go, based on strengths and weaknesses.
Also, I was myself (the friendly, honest, and professional myself...not the venting sometimes half-crazed self you have seen from time to time.) :)
I think they appreciated my honesty and sense of humor.
So, the news comes Thursday, if I get a second interview. I am trying not to think too much about it because you really never know, but it felt great!
Thanks again, all of you!
Any confidence we gave you was deserved because of the great person that you are, so thanks for the thanks but it's not merited imo :)
I'll keep everything crossed for you. I'm sure there will be some very good news in a short space of time!
And they said you could keep your Cellar access?
Yeah, you can't start the negotiations on cellar access too early.
heehee...if I get the job I will eventually have my very own internet access and will do my Cellar business from home. Hmmm, maybe that's not a good thing! :eek:
Congratulations and continued good luck, Shawnee123.
Your confidence is due entirely to your own professionalism, your own skills, your own talents. We don't make this stuff up, we just report it.
Thursday!
Way to go S123 -
For me its the ignore button.
Case: Dog that's good to have to deter bears... there really aren't any. BIG and LOUD might help discourage them, but if the bear really decides to ignore them, only thing the dog might do at that point is become lunch. As for what's making me happy.... my ten month old daughter is saying "MAMA"!
Moving in less than a month! Well, the moving itself is not so fun, but where we are moving is amazing. We found a house much larger than our current 1000 sq ft. Plus, it includes a space that is separate from the house that I will be using for a group studio. Plus it is actually *in* the mountains, on 6 acres.
Don't be surprised if you see me in the other thread talking about bears. Does anyone know of a good dog breed to have around for deterring bears?
Case, you need a
Karelian Bear Dog.
My friend has a
Newfoundland that she needs to find a new home for. She also lives near where we are moving. She says he scares them off for the most part. We are thinking of taking him, once we move.
I have considered a Karelian, but I don't know where I would find one of that breed.
Don't be surprised if you see me in the other thread talking about bears. Does anyone know of a good dog breed to have around for deterring bears?
Anatolian ShepardOh man, we had an Anatolian Shepherd when I was a kid. Beautiful dog, and I don't even like dogs.
I was offered a lift into work today, from a man who saw me limping out of the pub. He wasn't going my way, but it was the fact he asked which really made my morning. What a lovely thought.
Oh and one of the artists brought some Arnica in for me.
If I believed in Fate or God I'd think that perhaps this injury was meant to make me appreciate that there are wonderful people out there who will give and give and ask nothing in return. I don't, but the realisation is a positive one anyway.
Dogs, schmogs. Get a cat!
[ATTACH]19515[/ATTACH]
heehee, I'd forgotten about that picture.
They (the college to which I applied) just called me back. I'm meeting with the Director on Friday.
OMG this is really happening????!!!!!!!!?????
I am FREAKING out!
I'm not in a great mood today (not feeling well, house is a mess, payday can't come soon enough, etc., etc.), but a couple of cute things cheered me up, if only for the extent of my commute. A bunch of kids pulled up in a school bus while I was waiting for the SEPTA bus, and began smiling, frantically waving and yelling "HI!" So of course I had to smile and wave back. Later on, a little old lady nearly ran into my bus with her car, and didn't even notice. Another little old lady who was on the bus remarked, "I am elderly myself, I am 85 years old, and I know I shouldn't be driving. Some other elderly folks just don't know when to give it up!" :lol:
Congratulations, Shawnee! You deserve to be appreciated for your skills!
They (the college to which I applied) just called me back. I'm meeting with the Director on Friday.
OMG this is really happening????!!!!!!!!?????
I am FREAKING out!
Go for it!!!
You're freaking out now?? Just wait.. get the job... hand in your resignation.. and see what the reaction is. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out", or "Oh Shawnee we luuvvv you don't leave we can't manage without your." Either one will drive you straight up the wall.
The thing is: I used to love it here. I still love my cow orkers, and my boss is often like a big sister to me. 7 years ago, I feel like this job saved my life. It's going to be very hard to leave.
On the other hand, this is the rest of MY life, and I have to do what's best for me. As they keep piling more and more on, with no relief in sight, I pull away more and more. I've lost pride in my work, and I've lost the desire to do it at all. This is not like me. I love a good day's work. I've essentially given up, which makes me miserable, which makes me give up even more.
It's not just the money, for sure. It is almost as if the job were designed especially for me, and when I found out in the interview that it is a new position that will be fine-tuned as they ("we" perhaps) see how it evolves, you could have knocked me over with a feather.
I've sold myself short my entire life. At (almost) 44 years old, is it possible that I am empowered, that I finally feel that I have accomplished something very important for myself?
Yep, lots of introspection going to be happening in the next few days. ;)
Thanks for your well wishes, Dwellars.
They (the college to which I applied) just called me back. I'm meeting with the Director on Friday.
OMG this is really happening????!!!!!!!!?????
I am FREAKING out!
Outstanding!!
Blue, I love it when those kinds of things happen. (not the not being in a great mood part...the good stuff you said.)
Awesome, Shawnee! I had a dream I worked with you the other night, btw. Maybe this means I am getting a new job, too? I doubt it. :) But anyway, congratulations!
Heeheee...I hope you're working with Good Shawnee and not Bad Shawnee! :)
Oh yeah, blue, it is great when you're feeling down and something funny or cute happens. I lost my cat and was looking for him and I talked to Ruth, one of my older neighbors, and she told me about this ad in the paper. Without going into details she made me giggle.
Kids, old people, and animals. Gotta love 'em.
They (the college to which I applied) just called me back. I'm meeting with the Director on Friday.
OMG this is really happening????!!!!!!!!?????
I am FREAKING out!
So much for Thursday.
j/k!
That's awesome! Don't sell yourself short. They don't mess around with time wasting space fillers at this level. They *think* you can do the job, they *want* you to do the job. They want you to convince them that they made the right choice. Sell yourself!!
I know! They said they would let me know Thursday (either no freaking way are we hiring you, or please come meet the Director who must give the final say-so) but they called today. I was surprised.
The way we do it, if the person has made it to the "meet the bigwig" they have made a decision and, short of punching the director in the face, I have the job. OR, it is down to me and one other and it's like the last round of America's Next Top FA Administrator.
I'm very very happy for you S123. Regardless of the outcome of this opportunity, you will benefit greatly. You get the job (YAY!) or you don't (boo) *but*.... wait for it.... you get the knowledge that you do have what it takes to compete in this area, that you are valuable to other organizations and perhaps most valuable of all, that failure is not so awful that you shouldn't try. I don't want to hex you, but I'm serious. You've already won a great victory. If you get the job, it will be a double victory.
Congratulations!
I found a few minutes in my insane life to stop in and say hi. so hi. and while i'm here i'll answer all of the questions that i'm sure you had for me in other threads.
yes
yes
only if it's blue
no
not on tuesday's
only once and then i learned my lesson
yes it burns
tw still just like a broken clock
it will fall further
why yes, Jinx DOES have a fantastic ass
a penny saved is a missile for future use
12
rectum
McCain
7 minutes, I think
at least 4 times a day
That should be it. See you all next time.
Yey! Hi Lookout :)
Nice goin Shawnee. *smiles*
Shawnee you're a star
Go in and wow them
Well done you x
Thanks!
Hi cousin! Thanks for answering my question about if you like corpse cock or not (answer: only if it's blue.)
:)
I "found" Diz last night.
I was worried because I saw him on Thursday morning as usual, but he wasn't around when I came home Thursday night. I had a quick search, but I was working. John said he'd heard him so I tried not to worry.
He wasn't around Friday morning either, so I fretted all Friday until I got home. No Diz and his food wasn't touched. So I went into worry-overdrive and started searching in earnest. And then I heard him - his little voice was calling from outside the window. I stuck my head and and checked the street - nothing. Then I turned to the right - yes, the noise was coming from the flat roof of the pub - Diz was crying down at me.
OMG!
John treated it as neither drama nor crisis, just went and got a ladder and started up on the lowest point, the kitchen extension. In the end it took three ladders, John, me and one of the customers who happened out for a cigarette. John and Nick got blooded, although to be fair to Diz it was just his patented death grip rather than any malice on his part.
I brought him back in and we cuddled until I had to start work. He got special attention again this morning - I was lying reading with my leg and and Diz was all snuggled up with me.
Poor John. We've been nothing but trouble since we arrived!
Still, he got to see what the view from the pub roof is like before he left :)
Three cheers for the cat rescuers!
Making me happy today was Henry the seal (or sea lion, I don't know the difference if there is one and some articles about him use the terms interchangably).
Henry is a wild seal who has been hanging out on the beaches of Adelaide for at least 6 years. He has become quite comfortable with having humans fairly close. There is a good article about him
here.
Anyway, after watching the footy grand final, I took a brisk afternoon stroll, rock hopped out to the end of the breakwater at Glenelg, and there he was in all his furry, blubbery glory, flopped on some rocks, just chilling out and enjoying the late afternoon sun.
I could get quite close - probably closer than we're legally supposed to - until he sat up and yawned and exhaled vigorously, which I took as a sign to step back. He was quite relaxed as abuot half a dozen people wandered out and back to ooohh and aaahhh at him.
Alas, I didn't have my camera with me (which is the personal fault of some twit in a mobile phone store but that is another story) so I couldn't take a photo :( .
But he was so cute I just wanted to pat him! However, I also wanted to not have my hand bitten off so I didn't pat him. Instead I just stared at him for half an hour and spent the rest of the evening with a big goofy grin on my face.
Big update here, been a bit since i've been around. But I'll update all short n' sweet, cut the fat.
I left 84 Lumber after almost three years. Got into Professional Broadband, Inc. (PBI) as of late, a contractor for Comcast.
I install in the field, HD Cable, Internet, and Phone to residential customers.
Everything from a simple telephone line for an elderly lady to an HDMI setup for the Steelers & Penguins players.
Long story short, get to the goods, I'm going from $22K a year to around $60K. So, there. ;)
We watched The Man from Snowy River tonight. Lil' Pete says "This is the horsey movie!" Apparently she watched the thing at my folks place a couple times when she was 3 or 4 and asked us to show her the horsey movie several times over the next couple years. We had no idea what she was asking for until ten years later... tonight. She was sooooo damn happy.
Cool - an Australian classic.
There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses - he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stockhorse snuffs the battle with delight.
The
rest.
FStop, it sounds like you made a good move. I hope you're enjoying your new job.
What's making me happy today?.......ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Is there a "What's making you pissy today?" thread??
What's making me happy today?.......ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Is there a "What's making you pissy today?" thread??
Take your pick ...
this one
or
this one!
I thank you. But others won't. What would a woman on PMS say when she has a place to vent? Nothing pleasant, I assure you. :headshake
Dropping sociology class!!! :D
Cats!
Hely is getting more comfortable in here. She is still focussed on me, but happy to come in when I am not here, just for the company. She's sitting on my boss's desk right now, grooming herself, whereas before she would only sit on mine, or under it in a bed I made her (out of a bag and old clothes!). JT isn't in today, so I'm not worried about shooing her off, she'll come back to me when she's ready.
Diz last night gave me a lesson in how cats' minds work - not like ours!
A big spider came into the room - only big by UK standards, but it was a proper charlie-walker. Knowing how Diz loves to chase anything that moved I tried to point it out to him. Of course he was more interested in the ends of my fingers than what I was pointing at, stupid cat.
In the end I poked the charlie-walker with a stick and it scuttled off, engaging Diz's interest. He scrabbled about with it for a while, then it managed to find refuge under the door. Diz wouldn't give up on it even then, and went from one side of the door to the other trying to make it play again.
A bit later, when he had returned to bed, worn out, I went to see if I could find the spider. His legs were poking out from under the door in a way that suggested he wasn't going to use them again. So I took the same stick as before and poked him out, retiring to bed myself while Diz did something interesting to make him disappear (nom nom nom).
The funny thing was, Diz went back to the door a couple of times last night, as if it was a spider dispensing machine. And again this morning. Despite having chased the spider there himself, he seems to assume that because there was one spider under the door, there might be more.
Bless.
Glad you found Diz , SG. I'm thinking of "unfinding" Gaines right about now...he's really ticking me off! ;)
Met with the Director Friday. I'm the only one she's interviewed. She said they were starting to think they were way off base trying to get someone to fill the unique niche of my (major) area of FA knowledge. This is why, the last time they posted (have tried 3 times) they made it a professional position and revamped the duties of the other FA officers. Still, it was just a fluke that I happened to check their website that day.
Now it goes through HR. I wonder if my rough and rowdy past will catch up to me.
I made a list of pros and cons concerning a job change. To be honest, the list of cons is very very short. The drive (which turns out to be not bad at all due to my current location near the interstate, and them being right off the interstate) and the fact that it's new with new people. I've hit it off with the committee and the director, famously even, so I know that would pass. The other thing is my misguided sense of loyalty to this place. I will miss my boss, but I know even she will not be here forever. I talked to a friend whose wife just left here for higher ground (and he has been herer for years), and he talked about how they lull you into that sense of duty, and that we're just a big family, but the loyalty is not mutual. It's true, and I'm sad to say, because at one point this job meant everything to me.
This morning already I've been reminded by half a dozen things that I'm not happy here. Regardless of my love for most of my cow orkers, I haven't been happy for quite some time.
Let's see: more money, less of the crap I hate, more support from the college for technical improvements and staff needs, a new start. There really isn't much this place could do to keep me.
So that's where that's at. :)
Great stuff Shawnee!
Yeah don't fall for that corporate loyalty crap. They'll keep you on exactly as long as it suits the corporation, and a good manager will cause you to fell it's because they're loyal to you. The same one will regretfully let you go when they have to.
I have no doubts that you will make new friends in your new place.
Oh the tiiiiiimes, they are a changin'...
It's made for you.
Sure there'll be a period of settling in - there always is.
But it sounds like such a great move.
Where are you at in the process now?
Have they made you an offer, or is it dependent on references?
It is now in the hands of Human Resources...background check (at least I have to fill out a paper, I wonder if they'll really do a full blown check as I am currently working at a state instititution) and check references.
I've already mentally cleaned out my office. ;)
It sounds like the job is yours if you want it - if they've advertised three times and have found only one possible candidate, obviously you fill a very unusual niche they need filled. In fact, you could probably hold out for more money.
I know! I'm going to be visiting Flint's thread a la money talks.
How high above "minimum starting" should I ask for? I mean, all they can do is say no, right?
Hey, Shawnee! Great! Make it a double and get a new HG, too! :) Srsly. I know it's hard to do, but once you get the hang of it...
It's a BeaUtiful day in the neighborhood!
I talked to my First Born this morning as he drove back up to school (he went to see the Bengals lose to the Browns yesterday) and my Second Born is doing really well in his junior year. I have GREAT kids! YAY!
I have negative thoughts creeping in that something is going to go wrong.
Nothing could possiblee go wrong Shawnee... congrats on your now brighter future.
Rosetta Stone spanish is making me happy today. The kids love it. The boy filled a notebook page with words he learned today and they are asking if they can work on it even when it's not on the schedule... "on Saturdays and stuff?".
Yay!
Rosetta Stone is really good. We've got a couple languages you can do for free through our local library's website if you have a card.
Thanks all! Can't let myself sell myself short once again!
I have thought about trying out Rosetta Stone. Are the programs geared toward particular age groups?
Stunning news of the better-than-expected variety. Our condo that has sat empty for about a year now is due to close tomorrow afternoon. According to the HUD statement received today we will be getting a little more than $2K over what we expected.
My Grimbley cat, I need to learn how to do a video and post it on da tube....he's so funny when I am watering the plants. Bengals really do love the water.
Horse dude is making me happy too, he's lovely. :)
Great news Shawnee....::::out with the negative, in with the positive::::
I have thought about trying out Rosetta Stone. Are the programs geared toward particular age groups?
No I don't think so. There are 4 pictures and you click the one that you think matches the written/spoken prompt.
I have negative thoughts creeping in that something is going to go wrong.
Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong.Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong.Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong.Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong.Nothing can go wrong. Nothing can go wrong.
I have negative thoughts creeping in that something is going to go wrong.
Things always get hairy from time to time. Have faith in yourself that you can handle whatever comes up.
Make a list of things you have overcome in the past. This will help you remember that you have the ability to work things out.
Thanks so much to you all. I have caught myself "stinkin' thinkin'" and my theory is that I so believe something will go wrong, I make sure I remind myself what a loser I am so that when it does I at least can wallow in my worthlessness. This is the trait I have been working on overcoming, and I don't want to lend any more credence to the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Funny aside though: sometimes I'll play a silly little game in the car: the next song that comes on relates to (insert whatever event I want it to describe.) On my way to my 2nd interview, I turned on the radio and We Are the Champions was in the middle of playing, so I said "OK, the NEXT song is my omen song."
Next song was Tom Petty--"Baby even the losers, get lucky sometimes."
:lol: Have you even known such a weirdo who isn't afraid to admit it?
Here's what you can do with bad thoughts: visualize the bad thoughts being stamped repeatedly with a big, red CANCEL stamp, and say to yourself "CANCEL, CANCEL, CANCEL." Feel the feeling that you have cancelled those thoughts and don't have to worry about them anymore.
Shawnee, you remind me of me. Recently some really great things have come to pass for us and I catch myself thinking that something major is going to go wrong...or that I don't deserve it...
But, I also have this fear that if I think about it going wrong it is more likely to happen...so it sort of keeps me in balance.
Are there too many voices in my head?
Anyway, don't fear. All will be well. And remember...even if something goes wrong with the new job (which it won't) you are still no worse off than you were before. :)
I'm lucky to know you all, seriously...thanks! :blush:
Making me happy today
Something awaited, but not expected arrived. Wonderful wonderful, I feel loved.
And I had my 6 month probationary appraisal today
It went so well - yes they want to keep me
I don't think I mentioned it here, but my 3 month one went really badly
JT had picked up on some of the issues I was having with the artists and the fact I wasn't used to being tied to a desk for 8 hours - I'm front of house effectively. She said she wanted me to seriously consider whether I felt it was the right job for me, and that EEA would support me if I decided it wasn't.
I - of course- took this to mean they wished they hadn't employed me but was too ashamed to sound anyone out about it. Instead I put my head down and worked damn hard, in the process realising the issues I'd had had already passed by the time of the meeting, and that JT was trying to be supportive and not rejecting me.
Anyway, that's water under the bridge - we've talked it through twice now and I am happy here, there was only a period of about 2 weeks where I was questioning if I was in the right place and that was more to do with being so ubnhappy at HM's.
The positive response I got today and the fact I could talk with such confidence about my achievements in the last six months laid that ghost to rest.
And I love that my boss is a spunky, pushy Australian who wants me to better myself. And thinks I'm great, and funny (I asked her tonight why she was dressing up, she said, "It's the Stevie Wonder concert! [networking event]" I said, "I know... but he can't see you!")
I asked her tonight why she was dressing up, she said, "It's the Stevie Wonder concert! [networking event]" I said, "I know... but he can't see you!"
lol
It's like the time Bush waved to Stevie when he came out on stage.
My carpets are getting cleaned tomorrow morning! I'll take any improvement I can get, but I have secret hopes that it will be a truly miraculous change.
Thanks so much to you all. I have caught myself "stinkin' thinkin'" and my theory is that I so believe something will go wrong, I make sure I remind myself what a loser I am so that when it does I at least can wallow in my worthlessness. This is the trait I have been working on overcoming, and I don't want to lend any more credence to the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Funny aside though: sometimes I'll play a silly little game in the car: the next song that comes on relates to (insert whatever event I want it to describe.) On my way to my 2nd interview, I turned on the radio and We Are the Champions was in the middle of playing, so I said "OK, the NEXT song is my omen song."
Next song was Tom Petty--"Baby even the losers, get lucky sometimes."
:lol: Have you even known such a weirdo who isn't afraid to admit it?
That actually sounds like a fun game! I might have to use that one for road trips. I usually create mad-libs in the car. ;) Heh.
My lawyer kicked some legal butt defending my property rights. :cheers:
The condo sold, the condo sold, drinks for everyone on sweetwater today, the condo finally sold!
It's been a year. A year! Gotta love this economy.
:happy dance:
I have wrestled with the stinkin time zone debacle on my citrix server farm for a couple weeks now. It's been like having one last rat in the basement. It's there, you know because of the chewed boxes and the pee and the turds...
Sometimes users would login and get the right time. Sometimes not. Maddening. But today I found almost all of the solution, deleting some of the wrong entries, adding some of the missing ones. But the best I could do was one hour off on one of the servers.
Just a little while ago, the guy that works for me found reference to a registry entry that looked suspiciously like a recent malware attack suffered by this machine. We replaced the bogus reference with the correct one and all is well.
It works!
It works for admins and civilians, for rdp and ica, for same time zones and different time zones. I'm so happy I could spit.
PTUI!!
WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!!
Now that's a good day.
I have tendonitis!! :jig:
Why is that a happy thing you ask? Well because it means that I DON'T have carpal tunnel, and therefore don't need to have expensive owwie tests and surgery. I'm so excited! Wooo
My lawyer kicked some legal butt defending my property rights. :cheers:
Send his/her details to Lookout. Might be helpful. Might have been more helpful a year ago.:right:
:D :D :D
Got a phone call from a real estate agent today.
I had applied to rent a property, and of 27 applications ... they picked ME!
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]
I offered more money. $155 to 170 per week - still very cheap for the market and location.[/COLOR]
Since I got back I have been staying at my mum's place, which has been okay but kind of cramped.
My new place is a one bedroom maisonette made by dividing an old 1920s art deco place, with polished floor boards, with a lot more space that I am used to, in an excellently convenient location.
Photos will follow in due course.
You are paying less for your maisonette than I am paying to rent a room in a house (sob)
Yeah, that's about what an efficiency or a crappy one-bedroom apartment would go for around here.
I used a sick day (I do feel like crap), slept in, drugged up and went to surprise my kid for lunch today. I felt like a giant in the lunchroom. I got to meet some of her friends, including her new best friend who seems like a really nice little girl. I also got an earful from the boy sitting across from us about how his girlfriend wants to hold his hand all the time. :lol: It was a riot. I wish I worked closer so I could do it more often.
Send his/her details to Lookout. Might be helpful. Might have been more helpful a year ago.:right:
He picked a bad time for cash issues.
I just scored for free an old but servicable wardrobe and sofa bed from the neighbours who were putting them out for hard rubbish removal.
These items are now sitting back on said neighbours verandah until I can organise transport to my new place. Sweet.
Any dwellars got an old fridge they can spare? [COLOR="LemonChiffon"] Must be in Adelaide.[/COLOR]
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG...
I was made an offer.
Let me put it this way: they offered me way over what they advertised as minimum starting. I was going to ask for a certain amount over that. They blew the number I was going to ask for out of the freaking water!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy, I can't believe this is happening. Tears of joy tears of joy tears of joy...
That's great Shawnee, [COLOR=Silver]but will you still live up to your user title[/COLOR]?
Let's have a drink to celebrate!
I'll pour:
:guinness:
:drunk:
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG...
I was made an offer.
Let me put it this way: they offered me way over what they advertised as minimum starting. I was going to ask for a certain amount over that. They blew the number I was going to ask for out of the freaking water!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy, I can't believe this is happening. Tears of joy tears of joy tears of joy...
Excellent! :cheerldr: :celebrat: :cheerldr:
Congrats - See we've been telling you how much you deserve it - Now its all yours for the taking.
Congratulations Shawnee!!!! Way to go!
Awesome! You've disliked your job for so long. New life awaits.
Excellent news, Shawnee. I am so glad to hear it. :)
Good for you, Shawnee! YAY! :)
:cheerldr:
wtg!!
You did say, "I'll think it over, get back to you Monday.", right? Do you intend to make a counter offer?
Seriously, congratulations. I knew this would work out well for you. Good job!
Ha! Haa! Congratulations!!!
Maybe you can afford to get a lap top now so we can play internet shenanigans at night now!!!
Congrats, Shawnee! That's great news.
Well done, Shawnee. Now don't get cold feet about saying goodbye to your old job.... :lol:
YAY!!!!!!!! :band: :celebrat:
Congratulations! Good luck with the move!
i'm having fun with my built in web cam.......
it has a burst feature, so you can flip cicero off with 2 hands!
every one!
Check out my elbow feature!:D Your pomegranate martini enima getting your butt in a bunch?!?:D
[ATTACH]19672[/ATTACH]
Looks like I'm about to get "the claw".
Lab. :)
[ATTACH]19675[/ATTACH]
Who is so gay for lab? :p
if i was a chick...i'd be. actually...I've been meaning to tell you guys....
it's a little personal....but....ya know....i love you guys and all....and i know you'd never tell anyone....so...
whooo!...
i'm just gonna say it....
god! this is hard...
ok....
I'm a lesbian.
I feel so much better now.
i knew! you guys would understand.
ok....see ya later.
that lesbo talks gets me hard too LJ
Hey Jim, I know another lesbian trapped inside a man's body. Maybe you two should meet some time? :)
I don't think it works that way....
::gets all skeeved out:::
thanks anywai tho
I'm on my way (I'm on my way)
And I won't turn back! (and I won't turn back!)
I'm on my way (I'm on my way)
And I won't turn back! (and I won't turn back!)
I'm on my way, great God!
I'm on my way!
I'm on my way to Freedom land!
I'm on my way with cash in hand!
I'm gonna need a big brass band!
To send me on my waaaaaaay!
:girlband:
if i was a chick...i'd be. actually...I've been meaning to tell you guys....
it's a little personal....but....ya know....i love you guys and all....and i know you'd never tell anyone....so...
I thought you were going to say that you feel.. you know... not-so-fresh.
I thought you were going to say that you feel.. you know... not-so-fresh.
But he does feel fresh. or so I've heard
:jig: for Shawnee! Yippppeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAY Shawnee!!!!
Ewwww LJ for feeling FNC
Ohmigod Shawnee, that is fucking fantastic! You star, you!
You must have impressed the fuck out of them (unsurprisingly, you're clearly very committed to the things you do, even when you aren't happy with the job, that commitment will no doubt shine through in interviews). You totally deserve this. I suggest you revel in it to the max and, dare I say it, allow yourself at least one smug-as-fuck smile a day for at least the next week? :P
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG...
I was made an offer.
Let me put it this way: they offered me way over what they advertised as minimum starting. I was going to ask for a certain amount over that. They blew the number I was going to ask for out of the freaking water!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy, I can't believe this is happening. Tears of joy tears of joy tears of joy...
[SIZE="7"]YES!!![/SIZE]
@ Griff: lol well-said, mate.
Shawnee you superstar.
You see? The first time you've made a real effort to get away from that place and you nailed it!
You deserve it, too, which always makes it much better.
I'm really happy for you!
You must have impressed the fuck out of them (unsurprisingly, you're clearly very committed to the things you do, even when you aren't happy with the job, that commitment will no doubt shine through in interviews).
Or she wore her "fuck me pumps", and he couldn't say no to her hotness. ;)
two cars in the garage again. as opposed to one on the drive and crap in the garage.
I found my pocketknife.
It had slipped out of my pocket, onto the floor between the driveline tunnel and the right side of the driver's seat. I *did* look in the same spot on the passenger side, and didn't think to look on the driver's side. D'oh! I'd just leaned over, negotiating the seat belt buckle, and the glint of the back of the blade caught my eye.
I'm so happy!
My mom gave this knife to me as a birthday present about fifteen years ago. It's not pretty, it's not fancy, it is sharp (frequently), and I use it every day. It's a Buck Crosslock. The original model, which I asked for very specifically as a tool I could open use and close with one hand. I love this knife.
elastic is your friend. or at least curly keyring chains. trust me. I was a scout. I am a Dr. but most importantly, I never lose my knife. or my kids. sanity, mebbe.
Ok. Elastic connected to what?
My pants? My wrist?
whatever you ain't gonna leave at home when you want your knife....
Or a landmark close to where you usually lose it. trail of breadcrumbs style
i attach everything important to my keyring. that way it's big enough to be hsrd to lose, and important enough that I can't venture far without it.
Elastic allowa me to use it without detaching...
Not seein an answer here... I'm not going to attach it to a bungee on my belt. And that's where it fell from last time. Just plain fell out of my pocket. The seats in the VW are low, my knees are higher than my hips and the knife fell out.
I won't attach it to my wrist. That's just not going to work. I dont' see how a tethered knife will work. Keys, sure. Use them in some specific situations and back to the spot. But a knife isn't used that way, not by me anyhow.
The right answer is to put it back when I'm done with it. When I break that rule, I get what I deserve. I just don't like it. And frankly, it's still in daily use after fifteen years, I'm doing pretty good for one knife. I've been through a lot more keys and wallets since then.
I just hate it when I misplace it.
Can we have a picture of your knife, BigV?
[COLOR="Wheat"]
I am just setting you up for the "that's not a knife ..." line.[/COLOR]
I've crunched some Rennies, glugged some Gaviscon and simply just waited a while. I no longer have heartburn.
I don't like the fact it's obviously waiting in the wings, but I'm so relieved to be rid of it for now!
I found my pocketknife.
Excellent!
My mom gave this knife to me as a birthday present about fifteen years ago.
I'm seeing a trend here. Is there something about Moms and pocket knives?
Did she give you a penny to go with it? My Mom claims not to be superstitious, but she gives a penny with knives so as not to "cut your luck".
Can we have a picture of your knife, BigV?
[COLOR=Wheat]
I am just setting you up for the "that's not a knife ..." line.[/COLOR]
I think that's a good idea for a thread. Show us your knife(ves)!
Ok.
The left hand must be punished. I don't think there's a picture of my knife in that thread... I'll update it with one soon though.
Also, I've found a place that does child mentoring. No guarantee I'll get through the serious interview phase (2.5 hour interview!) but I've submitted my application form. Like egg donation. at least I know I've tried even if I'm not suitable.
I'm through on the written application stage, and the telephone interview. So it's the big scary intense face-to-face next. If I don't get this I'll go and volunteer at Celia Hammond instead (cat charity, where I got Hely). They don't worry about you fucking with cats minds so much ;)
Also, I've found a place that does child mentoring. No guarantee I'll get through the serious interview phase (2.5 hour interview!) but I've submitted my application form. Like egg donation. at least I know I've tried even if I'm not suitable.
I'm through on the written application stage, and the telephone interview. So it's the big scary intense face-to-face next. If I don't get this I'll go and volunteer at Celia Hammond instead (cat charity, where I got Hely). They don't worry about you fucking with cats minds so much ;)
Ok so I'm a little late but YAY SHAWNEE!
Yay SG, too! Remember, at interview stage - they want to appoint you to the post so that they don't have to wonder who to appoint! You want the job, they want you to have it! Hold that thought ... ;)
THANK YOU ALL! I'm still in shock, but as my mom pointed out on Sunday I had made it almost through the weekend without waking up so it must really be happening.
I have not officially accepted: I've thought about counter-offering but what they offered me is so amazing I can't imagine asking for more with a straight face.
I just told my boss. I cried. I really really like her and she has been there for me through thick and thin. She is very supportive, though, and knows I can't pass this up. She also pointed out that they can't come close to matching it: it's more than she makes as Director. How sad this place is in some ways, and yet how much I have become attached. But it's time to move on. At the very least I will let them know again that they have pushed our department too hard, and we (now "they") need help! Still, it's a tough decision, only because of my loyalty to my boss and my cow orkers.
SG--the world is our oyster, sistah! If I can do this, any of y'all can do ANYTHING! :)
Thanks, my dear friends, every last one of ya, for your support!
So now you can afford to hire some removalists to deal with HG, right?
The Removalists? Would make a good novel or movie.
One thing at a time, but I guess if I'm going to start dealing with stuff HG will eventually show up on the list!
Shawnee, I just read your good news. That's awesome. I'm really happy for you. You really do deserve this better job. :thumb2:
I am happy for you Shawnee, you deserve it! Hopefully you can get comfy quickly at the new place.
And get a freaking lap top so we don't always just see you at work! :) Woo-hoo! (OK one step at a time here)
You go girl!!
I'll be the jobless loser friend over here. You can point and laugh if you want, I can take it. :)
I have the home computer, I just don't have the internet access. It's on the list!
I wouldn't point and laugh at you. I would, however, point and laugh WITH you! :)
News has traveled, I've gotten a lot of hugs and a lot of warm wishes and a lot of "we'll miss you" and a lot of affirmation that others who have moved on report that the grass really is greener.
I bought a Honda Odyssey this weekend.
Sweet! Welcome to the land of minivans.
:borg:
I'm so sorry flint...
A friend of mine has one though - she loves it.
I understand the the Oddysey is regarded by many as the best minivan. Well done Flint.
Thanks. It's by far the coolest object I've ever puchased; by a factor of, like, 10 probably.
Hondas are great. Congrats.
What's funny is, I'm jealous now--because I'm not even driving it. Now I drive the '02 Accord, and the new uber-vehicle has all the carseats etc. and stays with Pooka.
It is an unwritten law: the woman always gets the best car. It's not unlike the man killing the bugs; we women accept the modern chivalries with pride! :)
Well, that's okay--she owes me, like, so many blowjobs now.
I never thought a minivan could be such a luxury... I mean this thing has leather interior, a 6 cd changer, accomidates mp3 players, has a DVD player, has temp controls for every passanger, hell it even warms your arse...
Of course it also has the car seats in it too now... which means they go where I go... there is no excape... but at least I dont have to squeeze sideways between them when we have a guest along for the ride.
Its a really sweet automobile and Flint is a real sweet man for buying it for me. I'm real proud of him and all he's accomplished... he is pretty amazing. I'm pretty sure I owe him more than blowjobs... lol but I'm sure he'd be happy to capitalize on them anyway.... hahaha
The car is bitchin'
He's a man, there is nothing "more" than blowjobs!
Seriously, my brother and his wife and their 3 young ones have found the minivan to be soooo much more convenient and practical.
Plus it will give you a place to live when you lose your home.
let's have a picture of the new family truckster then!
Good news/ bad news.
I was originally told I could move out any time, as long as I was gone by Friday evening (when the pub has it's farewell party). I chose Tuesday as one of my colleagues offered that day to move me. However she had to change her plans so I agreed Friday with her instead.
So far, so logical. Except I didn't tell John, thinking it was much of a muchness to him.
So I got back to the pub last night and John looked at me baffled and said, "What time are you moving?" To which I replied blithely, "Oh no, it's going to be Friday now."
"No it's not," said John.
I never really got to the bottom of why the room had to be vacated immediately, but it did. I managed to persuade him to make it first thing Wedsnesday morning, but I know he wasn't happy. I knew I was at fault - after all he's done I felt I let him down right at the very end. This was proved by the fact he didn't offer a singler hand this morning, whereas he usually would.
So I was up at 06.45, went scouting for a shopping trolley and did the old back and forth just like last time! Gloria was in when I made my second drop off and kindly went to get her car to get the final load. The only thing left is the bookcase, but I figure John can cope with that for a couple of days (I did ask him if it was okay and he agreed).
All my stuff is here at work in varying shabby piles. Diz is in the meeting room for the time being because 1) he doesn't get on with Hely and vice versa and 2) he can't be trusted not to run off now.
It's not ideal - but in the end the only other thing I could have done was take the day off to move. What I've done isn't professional, but the latter would be far worse.
Anyway, on to the happy part. I know the room is available - I was going over to pick the key up tonight anyway. So I'll take an overnight bag and Diz (unless I can get a lift - please, please!) and move in. The worst part of the move is done. Friday latest, Dragana will move me properly. In the mean time I've bagged up 2 black sacks of clothes for the charity shop. I've "found" some clothes in my current size that are ideal now the weather is cooling down. I've hauled everything (except the bookcase!) out of the pub and I sleep tonight in my new bed.
Moving is grim, but I'm halfway there. And there's never as much of a trauma unpacking as there is packing.
Now just gotta wait til the bosses arrive and see what they say... :thepain:
Sundae-you've been thru so much, so much, and you've been nothing but graceful, kind and elegant. I am glad to say I am your friend.
Peace on you and your new place! Much happiness to be found there.
What Bri said!
If there is anything even remotely resembling karma (though I know you don't believe in that sort of thing) your blessings should come hard and heavy, once they come. And I believe they will.
Thanks :)
They're okay here about it - just trying to work out who is going to drive me over there.
Might have to stay the night here...
I'm happy because I did my business with the poop-scooper.
[COLOR="White"]I used cling film (saran wrap?) in the end[/COLOR]
Dropped off at the docs.
Now just gotta wait til the bosses arrive and see what they say... :thepain:
That's what he gets for hiring a bag lady. :haha:
Didn't you mention something about a company van... the time the tried to steal your ice? That would hold everything including the bookcase.
I've got the van outside now, all loaded up.
Hurray!
Just waiting for Deb to finish work (please don't let it be too late - I don't have my landlady's telephone number and don't want to start on the wrong foot!)
In other news - went to HM's to collect my laptop.
He has a new female lodger. Good luck to him of course, I always wondered how he would make ends meet without my financial input now he's wrking minimum wage.
Interestingly, her room is untidier than mine was, despite having a real bed and shelves, and HM's set of drawers taken out of it. I wasn't snooping - I went to check the room as I wanted to double check I hadn't left anything, not realising it was occupied.
Oh and the place in general is a tip. Spills on the floor, the hall & stairs not hoovered since I left (at a guess) the kitchen a mess, beer bottles all over the place (I take it she also works at his oub, he's unlikely to have got someone by advertising). And still no lights in the kitchen, no tiles on the bathroom floor, the toilet is still leaking through the living room ceiling etc etc
I know I sound spiteful, but in fact I am relieved. The things I worried about are now worse. So whatever it was I did, it wasn't something we'd already clashed over, therefore there isn't anything more I could have done. I did and still do suspect that the issue was me trying to crimp his new party lifestyle, and that's just that - working an office job and a pub job means you keep regular hours and need regular sleep patterns. Living with another shift worker is obviously working for him.
Right. Fingers crossed I'll be mailing from my new home in about an hour...
I'm going for a beer. Right now. See you all there!
I heard my babys' heartbeat today. Apparently it works very well. :)
How fast was it going and I will guess the sex?
I didn't ask what speed it was going, but it was a bit like this.
kathump, kathump, kathump... ;)
What's making me happy today? all of foot's dummy threads. very nice work, foot!
Yes!! The spam is awesome....Maybe I complained one too many times..but this is ridiculous!
Haaa!
Wow. I seem to have missed a bunch of stuff. I haven't been aboutmuch lately. Been logging in and just flying to one or two threads and then out.
Sundae: good luck honey. I have missed the whole flurry to move. Sounds like you've had a stressful time. Onwards and upwards :P
Ali: *smiles* that's some pretty heady stuff right there.
What's making me happy today: I've been awarded another prize at uni for last year's work. The Association of Women Graduates (AWG) have awarded me the 2nd Year Leeds History prize for best performing female student.
I'm going to pick up my boys in 3 hours. That's very exciting.
Dana. then get your ass to the Award thread!
Hey SG, hang in there - you're right, the worst of the move is over, so just enjoy settling in to your new place.
I'm going through a bumpy period of change on the work front - you've just gotta focus on the positive things up ahead!
There's an award thread now?
Uh yeh that guy that posted in colors and weird shit was talkin bout awards and I think it was LJ who started it in jest.
a nooner
just what I needed
What's making me happy... Might be going out to Netherworld tonight!! (Atlanta's premier haunted house, one of the top five rated haunted houses in the country... site here
www.fearworld.comI prefer the nether regions, but to each his own.
I'm going camping in about ten minutes!!!!
It's Friday! And I am watching The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008.
For once I decided to do more than my usual £10 donation (given primarily to assuage my guilt and 'pay' for the super duper comedy show) and have joined Amnesty. Been meaning to do it for years. I've been pottering around the campaigning site and signed a few petitions etc. I may get more involved at some point.
It's Friday! And I am watching The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008.
For once I decided to do more than my usual £10 donation (given primarily to assuage my guilt and 'pay' for the super duper comedy show) and have joined Amnesty. Been meaning to do it for years. I've been pottering around the campaigning site and signed a few petitions etc. I may get more involved at some point.
I am reminded of an earlier secret policeman's other ball where Cleese goes off on the people who buy
the second cheapest seats.
hhahahahah I loved that concert.
"Whats that noise from down the street?"
"Oh, that? They're holding a policeman's ball."
"Ah, so that's why they wanted the pliers".
That's what the policeman was doing... between screams.
:cheerldr: :blah: :jig: I HAVE A VOICE TODAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!:cheerldr: :blah: :jig:
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]_______________________[/COLOR] :thankyou:[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]_______________________[/COLOR]
:cheerldr: :blah: :jig: I HAVE A VOICE TODAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!:cheerldr: :blah: :jig:
[COLOR=LemonChiffon]_______________________[/COLOR] :thankyou:[COLOR=LemonChiffon]_______________________[/COLOR]
Does that mean you voted?
I'm finally settled.
I had a migraine that wouldn't quit on Thursday & Friday.
It would have been lovely if I'd chosen to take the time off & unpack, but instead I lay here in a hot and bright room, no idea where my tablets were, no idea where my eye-mask was...
And to cap it all, Diz was very unsettled and kept crying - not his fault, but I felt worse because I couldn't comfort him. As a result (I'm sure) he was sick and had diarrhea, which he tracked over the carpet and the new bedding I'd put on on Weds night (about the only thing I bothered to do).
Anyway, this is the happy thread!
So in fact I'm happy because I am in my unpacked room. It's clean and I have clean bedding on (the second change actually). I am online! And I have an offer of weekend work at a pub if I want it, although it's a bit far from home to be completely ideal - still, it's a start.
And it is lovely and quiet here, as I hoped.
The only downside I can see so far is I have The Hot Bedroom. I have switched the radiator off and it's still 23 degrees. In October! I like it about 16 for the record. I'll have to ask for a key for the window lock. Anyway, it's a cosy hideout for the winter. And I hope a bit longer - I really don't want to do all that anytime soon.
Healthy living starts again tomorrow. In the meantime I am having what I feel is a well deserved beer. At home please note, not spending what I don't have in a pub.
Thanks to everyone for their good wishes.
Awesome! Sounds cheery actually, and like it is a great start! Good for you Sundae, and I'm glad you got your comp. back, as I was under the impression it was gone forever. I don't know why.
brilliant news Sundae *smiles* message me with your new addy hon:)
I am happy to be alive.
I've been having some physical problems that are concerning.
I had bronchitis almost a year ago and swollen nodes under my arm. Mamo and chest x ray says all 'ok' but I have had a constant cough for months. I have a swollen shoulder which an MRI says is a muscle twice the size of the other. I will be going to a specialist for that as well.
I had an absessed tooth in August and the antibiotics took away about half the pain. I've asked her twice for antibiotics but she says NO because I don't have a fever. My primary doctor is an idiot and I have been chosing specialists like someone grasping at straws. A lung doctor and a physical -whatever. After that I am going to an immunologist and a spin clinic until my symptoms are resolved.
I am firing my doctor and no thanks to her I've had to do all the footwork myself. I hope maybe it's just something simple like an infection.
11 months and counting so I am glad to be alive. [COLOR=silver]( I'm a little scared. shh don't tell .) [/COLOR]
Uhhh...This does not sound happy.
How sad! Oooh! I hope you get it figured out sky!! I have fired doctors and specialists too. (when my husband went through his lump)
I'm glad you're glad to be alive. Everyone should be counting their lucky stars. :)
What was his lump?
I love stars. If I lived in your state I would have more to count!
Sky I'm happy that you can see the ositive in this.
I think in su__ort of Sundea Girl, we should all sto_ using the "_" key for the rest of the day.
:oOh, no.:o
It's just Mountain Dew.
Phew
I thought I was in a Frankie Goes to Hollywood video for a moment
"The Jerk" is on cable right now. I am in near delirious happiness because of this.
Just this ashtray. And this paddleball game. The ashtray, the paddleball game, and that's all I need..... and this chair.
Skysidhe. I'm sorry to hear about your health problems. It can be very frustrating when your body seems like an enemy.
Does that mean you voted?
no, I've been really sick, and did a whole shift yesterday with no voice at all
Having to mime cashier-type questions to people who can't understand you is rather humiliating, and I haven't had a spoken conversation with anyone in three days. Today, I could talk. It was GREAT.
We got our first snow of the season last night.
Snow! Snow!
But I hope it's gone by tomorrow.
The winter residents of the lake - pelicans, herons, cormorants, grebes (?), egrets, and coots - are returning. Nothing starts my day better than a flotilla of pelicans cruising by.
Flotilla? Is that like a tortilla?
Flotilla? Is that like a tortilla?
Only if a tortilla is another word for shark... or dolphin... or... :D
The winter residents of the lake - pelicans, herons, cormorants, grebes (?), egrets, and coots - are returning. Nothing starts my day better than a flotilla of pelicans cruising by.
Heh. That sounds fantastic. I love egrets. People think I'm silly for it too. I really wish I lived on a lake.
Heh. That sounds fantastic. I love egrets. People think I'm silly for it too. I really wish I lived on a lake.
[sinatra]♫ Oh yes, I've had egrets. But then again, too few to mention.[/sinatra]
We got our first snow of the season last night.
Snow! Snow!
But I hope it's gone by tomorrow.
heh.
Going to see Stomp this weekend, with my mom and sis-in-law and nieces. I've seen it before, but it's going to be even more fun watching the nieces reactions!
That makes me wanna dance.
Hey, do you guys love me now that I can DaNcE? :)
heh.
Did you get some too?
thanks all! I am quite ositive. Did I spell that right.lol
We got our first snow of the season last night.
Snow! Snow!
But I hope it's gone by tomorrow.
snow! snow!
I love snow. We never get any.
Ooohhh, I just thought of something: this college rarely ever closes for weather reasons, yet I see the college where I'll be working closing a lot for weather reasons.
Heeheee, already planning my days off!
Sleepin in, warm bed....hot chocolate... hmm :( I never get that.
Down comforter, blizzard outside, television, computer games...
One more for the "pro" column!
Big fuzzy throw blanket, hot tea, a good book... damn, I miss winters in Western NY. Here, there's a dusting of snow on the road, everything shuts down. Up there, it takes at LEAST three feet of snow for people to even CONSIDER closing roads/schools/businesses!!
A couple of things that made me happy today (in between the things causing irritation or dismay):
The sound of Pilau eating...munch, munch, crunch,crunch *scraping of bowl across floor* crunch, crunch, munch, munch. Ends on a burp.
A tasty meal: baked potato with butter and tuna/mayo mix with chopped spring onion and chilli.
The moment when I decided I wasn't doing any more work and was just going to chill and watch TV.
*smiles* it really is the little things.
A tasty meal: baked potato with butter and tuna/mayo mix with chopped spring onion and chilli.
I'm sorry... Even accepting the first ingredients--which I do only in the most nominal sense--are you really saying you put a red meat/bean stew on top of your tunafish baked potato, or is this a language barrier thing?
I think she's saying that's what Pilau was eating.
That dog is spoilt.
I'm sorry... Even accepting the first ingredients--which I do only in the most nominal sense--are you really saying you put a red meat/bean stew on top of your tunafish baked potato, or is this a language barrier thing?
I'm thinking chilli powder. or just the veg. spring onion is a green onion/scallion.
We got our first snow of the season last night.
Snow! Snow!
But I hope it's gone by tomorrow.
where the bollocking hell are you? alaska? :eek: it was 80 degrees here in chilly Michigan
I'm not far from case. She probably got some too (at the new house).
Saturday, they had over a foot in Billings, MT. :eek:
It won't be making me particularly happy while I'm making it, but afterward I will enjoy a piece of warm apple pie! Now if only I could find some cinnamon ice cream to have with it.:biggrin:
Holding hands with Tink.
:heartpump
I'm sorry... Even accepting the first ingredients--which I do only in the most nominal sense--are you really saying you put a red meat/bean stew on top of your tunafish baked potato, or is this a language barrier thing?
Language barrier thing .... chilli is the hot pepper that gives "chilli con carne" (the spicy meat dish with beans and tomatoes). I'm thinking Dana has put chopped scallions/spring onions/syboes and chopped chilli peppers on Pilau's tuna/mayo mix.
Mmmmmmmmmmmm!
Now if only I could find some cinnamon ice cream to have with it.:biggrin:
Breyers has a "
Fried Ice Cream" flavor that might do for you.
w-wait a minute......when did it become Pilau's tuna/mayo mix? I didn't get that memo...
But yes *smiles* that's exactly it Limey. Baked potato, with a filling: tuna, mayo, chopped spring onions (scallions?) and chopped chillis (chilli peppers), the really little ones.
I'm sorry... Even accepting the first ingredients--which I do only in the most nominal sense--
which two ingredients? baked potato and tuna, or tuna and mayo?
The potato isn't baked with the tuna. The potato is baked, and then cut in two, bit of butter rubbed onto the potato and then the filling (in this case a mix of tuna, mayonaise, chopped scallions and cjhopped chilli peppers) in heaped onto it.
Went to the opening of
Festivals of Light at the Discover Story Centre in Stratford today, that quite a few of our artists have been working on. It was absolutely gorgeous and reminded me again why we cut the artists so much slack when they are behaving badly. The whole centre is really exciting and made me want to either be a child again, or take some children along.
In fact I've got a date for my child mentoring interview set now - November 7th. I'm going to try to be calm about it as I'm either right for it or I'm not and they are the experts. But I know I will cry if I don't get through.
SG...DONT worry. I've been through those interviews and I can tell that you will fit the bill with no problem. All they are looking for is a sensible, stable and giving person...which you are.
Oh...and they are looking for someone who will truly commit to the program. This interview is as much for you as it is for them.
Thanks Pico!
Well, I have my backup plan of volunteering at the cat centre.
Diz is currently under the duvet tent I've created with my knees to prop up the laptop. He's cleaning himself and sometimes I get a paw pressed against my leg, sometimes warm fur and sometimes his flicky ears.
That makes me very happy too.
which two ingredients? baked potato and tuna, or tuna and mayo?
Potato and tuna. "Tuna salad" (i.e., tuna with mayo and usually pickle relish) is common here, so common that often it's just called tuna, especially on sandwiches. And I can't really justify why tuna on bread is okay, but tuna on a potato is weird. It just is. Baked potatoes are supposed to get butter, cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green (spring) onions. Really I think my aversion is just grounded in the fact that I hate tuna salad. :)
I like a good tuna melt, so I thought Dana's dinner sounded pretty good.
Though I'm also partial to cheese and crumbled bacon on baked potato.
Tuna on a baked potato is perfectly normal. When my wife and I were courting, this is what she would feed me when I would be at her place. Although to be fair, I was convinced that she didn't know how to cook. So maybe it's not such a good example.
The chili peppers in tuna is an abomination though.
The chili peppers in tuna is an abomination though.
What? You've never heard of Hot Tuna?
Tuna with chilli peppers is fine
Tuna chilli is fine*
As sandwich or salad ingredients they are lovely.
BUT
Tuna or tuna & mayo (regardless of other toppings) on a jacket potato is not.
I think I have explained this before.
There are a few - a very few - cold toppings which are acceptable on a jacket potato. Cheese is one, due to its melting qualities, where it apes butter, potato's natural mate.
Amongst the banned toppings are mayo, anything containing mayo, coleslaw and cottage cheese.
Even spring onions are suspect, although they would be acceptable on top of a hot filling (although why you'd choose a filling that needed spring onions on top is questionable in itself)
Do try to take note of this in future. It's one of the things that will identify you when the revolution comes.
* obviously chilli made with tuna and served hot on a spud is not an abomination - especially if topped with cheese
A new computer with SOUND.
Until last Thursday I was the last person in the world with a mute computer. It had a soundcard once, but that got fried by a lightning strike. My blessed mother has very kindly invested in a new piece of hardware for me (partly to enable me to do some internet research for her, so I will be asking questions later, folks!).
Meanwhile :hedfone: :D
This is all you need to hear.
(Cellar link)
This is all you need to hear.
(Cellar link)
WOW
That was FAB. LJ and SG singing the Christmas song, just for me. Thank you guys! Now I
know that Christmas is on its way!
Shameless self promotion of a 2 year old video I admit :)
But something to be considered again alongside Secret Santa I feel.
Especially as more Dwellars are now happy to video...
I'm happy because I seem to have survived the bulk of this rather ridiculously busy day.
I had chips for tea:)
I went to the village chippy and got a portion of chips with jumbo sausage and a tub of gravy. Mmmmm. Oh, and I got 'scraps' as well (that's one for the brits....possibly only one for the northerners...probably call it 'bits' elsewhere).
I could eat a portion of chips right now.
But they're so hit & miss round here.
Well, I mean Greenwich - I haven't even seen chips here! Good 'babs though :)
Scraps = grim
Ne'er mind, eh?
I'm sorry... Even accepting the first ingredients--which I do only in the most nominal sense--
That sentence is an example of why I dig Clodfobble.
Potato and tuna. "Tuna salad" (i.e., tuna with mayo and usually pickle relish) is common here, so common that often it's just called tuna, especially on sandwiches. And I can't really justify why tuna on bread is okay, but tuna on a potato is weird. It just is. Baked potatoes are supposed to get butter, cheese, bacon, sour cream, and green (spring) onions. Really I think my aversion is just grounded in the fact that I hate tuna salad. :)
And this part about the food is why I tell myself it would / could never work out between us (Well that and about 27 other reasons which we don't need to harp on)
Baked potatoes are the canvas upon which the true culinary artists, Irish though they might be, create their masterpieces. We once had a twice baked potato party where we baked a pile of potatoes and everyone brought fillings to mix with the spuds.
Asparrowgusts, oil cured black olives, and romano cheese with butter
Black trumpet mushrooms and cream cheese
Capers, anchovies, hot red pepper
Dandelion greens, braised with balsamic vinegar and roasted red peppers
You get the gist.
I got an iPod nano for my b-day:
What? You've never heard of Hot Tuna?
I've heard Hot Tuna. Jorma's been around forever.
I still have almost 3/4 of a tank of oil and we haven't had to turn the heat on yet. The insulation is NICE.
Technological victory!
I have bought a couple of adaptor plugs, and now my mobile phone/radio/mp3 player can plug straight into my new speakers, AND now four (rather than two) of the five satellite speakers are functioning (2-channel stereo not 4/5 channel surround, but it's something).
Now, about that TV plug....
How did I miss the LJ and SG video all this time? It was wonderful!
Got my converter box. I didn't know that Obama is black! Seriously, CBS was so mangled that you had to squint, and the colors didn't come out. Why didn't anyone tell me he's black? ;)
Came into work this morning and the receptionist gave me a Creepy Pop.
Had a posty note from a former student worker. He stopped to say hi and left me a note...he's been graduated for a couple years now. Nice kid. It made me feel good to get a little "how ya been" note from him.
It's the little things! Dana had said this earlier this week, and she's right: the little things mean a lot.
New dog is arriving (late) today, he should be a nice companion for the present pup. Long-time friend is flying with him so I'll have company for a week, too. Hooray for old friends and new dogs!
Came into work this morning and the receptionist gave me a Creepy Pop.
Is that like a Wet Willie? Doesn't sound like something you would want.
:D It's a Jolly Rancher holiday themed sucker, sucka!
...and she's right: the little things mean a lot.
It's true; all my girlfriends have told me that...
Width is more important than length. Even with Creepy Pops. :lol:
I knew someone with a creepy Pop.
I didn't like going round there.
Had a posty note from a former student worker. He stopped to say hi and left me a note...he's been graduated for a couple years now. Nice kid. It made me feel good to get a little "how ya been" note from him.
He wants you. Just sayin'.
Now I'm really laughing. Pssst...
[COLOR="White"]psst...he doesn't like girls, not in that way.[/COLOR]
I knew someone with a creepy Pop.
I didn't like going round there.
lol.
That reminds me of a song from Nathan Barley (did you ever watch that SG?)
"Bad, to have a bad uncle"
I just watched Heroes. I am lovin this season! Really picked it up and threw it somewhere I wasn't expecting.
[COLOR="White"]Hi. I'm the panic and clamour, currently locked behind a door marked "do not enter until morning"[/COLOR]
Oh, and *does the happy dance* It's only the third debate tonight! Oh yes. I think so. I got it all planned out. Gonna have my bath and go to bed and study/read til 2 am and then watch the debate on my little portable upstairs. It's a bit of a wavy picture, but I don't mind. There's something kind of nice about watching stuff on a crackly little portable late at night. Like stepping back into my bedroom as a kid...
[COLOR="white"]At some point I'll be let out again and we can dance around the topic of how badly this dissertation could potentially, possibly, probably, almost certainly...go? *squeaks*[/COLOR]
Of course that kid would recoil in dismay and confusion at what I plan to watch tonight and would much rather be watching some blood curdling Hammer horror. So I'll leave her where she is in 1982 and get back to where I was...where was I? Oh sorry yes...
[COLOR="white"]There's so much stuff. So many fucking words, all lined up in rank, on rank, on field, on plain, far on into the horizon[/COLOR]
In bed watching the debate in the small hours of the morning, with a steaming mug of Horlicks and some honey on toast.
[COLOR="white"]This Catherine wheel of ideas has to stop soon, will there be anything left? Winnowed down to a worthwhile something, or just scatterd worthless husks?[/COLOR]
I don't have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow [who's Dawn?] so I can be a little frivolous. I must must make mysel go straight to sleep after the debate and not to fight sleep if I start to go halfway through.
[COLOR="white"]It's all too much. The dissertations on the library system are sooo good. Any second now someone's going to cotton on to just how much I wing it...just how many lucky breaks gointo the marks...[/COLOR]
So...yeah...'s all pretty groovy really.
I has a ticket
Jeremy Dyson, co-writer & co-creator of The League of Gentlemen, kicks off our Halloween all-nighter with a live performance from cult band “Crème Brulee” and their hit Voodoo Lady, a spooky ghost story and a quartet of voodoo movies plus the League of Gentlemen’s Christmas Special on the big screen! With caffeine on constant supply, and a breakfast fit for a zombie for all those who survive the night! Dress code: ‘Halloween’.
//THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL// (15)
Starring: Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith
UK 2000 / 60 mins
A trio of horrifying tales from the residents of Roysten Vasey as they prepare for Christmas Day.
//I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE// (PG)
Director Jacques Tourneur
Starring Tom Conway, Frances Dee, James Ellison
USA 1943 / 65 mins
From cult producer Val Lewton comes this terrifying tale of a nurse drawn into a world of voodoo when she moves to the West Indies.
//NIGHT OF THE EAGLE// (12)
Director Sidney Hayers
Starring Peter Wyngarde, Janet Blair, Margaret Johnston
UK 1962 / 83 mins
A professor discovers his wife is a practising witch but after forcing her to destroy her charms, he is drawn into a battle of witchcraft.
//THE BELIEVERS// (15)
Director John Schlesinger
Starring Martin Sheen, Helen Shaver, Harley Cross
USA 1987 / 114 mins
Written by a pre-X-Files Mark Frost, //The Believers// stars Martin Sheen as a psychiatrist who finds that a voodoo cult wants to sacrifice his child.
//SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM//
Director Bob Kelljan
Starring William Marshall, Pam Grier, Don Mitchell
USA 1973 / 91 mins
Stirred by African voodoo, Blacula rises from the grave to kill again in this classic Blaxploitation horror sequel!
HA! The job offer in Hawaii has gotten BETTER (from $13/hr to $20/hr) and I have extra time here in the states before I go to get things wrapped up/see all my friends one last time (again) before we leave. YAY!!
Good on you, Treas!
So, when can I come visit you in HI? :)
Wow, $13 to $20 is a hell of a lot better! Congrats!
Just got back from the most wonderful night, awesome date with my amazing boyfriend. :) We just passed nine months together, and he still makes me feel special.
I like him lots ....I think I'll keep him :D
Thank you, Pie and Clod! I will be in Hawaii right around Halloween... so given time to settle in and actually get some furniture, you can come down for Thanksgiving, Pie... that'll be my daughter's birthday too :D
A good day:
I pruned and sprayed the roses, tidied the garden, bought groceries, and went furniture shopping. I got a queen-sized bed, very strong and solid in excellent condition, for $350, a Queen Anne style wardrobe (that excellently matches the dressing table I got for free from my landlady) which wants a little repair for $100, a groovy-chunky old desk for $150, with a $40 bookcase and nice but paint-stained carpet, the latter two thrown in for free, all delivered. :D
Assembling the bed was a bit of an exercise, especially because my el cheapo toolkit doesn't have a 17mm spanner, and the 17mm socket wouldn't reach all the way down the bolt to the nut. But it is done now. :)
Now I just need a mattress.
and a desk chair.
and a dining suite.
and some tables and lamps and stuff.
and bedding, a big carpet, some plants, a bunch more kitchen stuff, a home theater system ...
And ... Shawnee is FREE! What are the odds she posts here drunk?
I just watched Heroes. I am lovin this season! Really picked it up and threw it somewhere I wasn't expecting.
[COLOR="White"]Hi. I'm the panic and clamour, currently locked behind a door marked "do not enter until morning"[/COLOR]
Oh, and *does the happy dance* It's only the third debate tonight! Oh yes. I think so. I got it all planned out. Gonna have my bath and go to bed and study/read til 2 am and then watch the debate on my little portable upstairs. It's a bit of a wavy picture, but I don't mind. There's something kind of nice about watching stuff on a crackly little portable late at night. Like stepping back into my bedroom as a kid...
[COLOR="white"]At some point I'll be let out again and we can dance around the topic of how badly this dissertation could potentially, possibly, probably, almost certainly...go? *squeaks*[/COLOR]
Of course that kid would recoil in dismay and confusion at what I plan to watch tonight and would much rather be watching some blood curdling Hammer horror. So I'll leave her where she is in 1982 and get back to where I was...where was I? Oh sorry yes...
[COLOR="white"]There's so much stuff. So many fucking words, all lined up in rank, on rank, on field, on plain, far on into the horizon[/COLOR]
In bed watching the debate in the small hours of the morning, with a steaming mug of Horlicks and some honey on toast.
[COLOR="white"]This Catherine wheel of ideas has to stop soon, will there be anything left? Winnowed down to a worthwhile something, or just scatterd worthless husks?[/COLOR]
I don't have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow [who's Dawn?] so I can be a little frivolous. I must must make mysel go straight to sleep after the debate and not to fight sleep if I start to go halfway through.
[COLOR="white"]It's all too much. The dissertations on the library system are sooo good. Any second now someone's going to cotton on to just how much I wing it...just how many lucky breaks gointo the marks...[/COLOR]
So...yeah...'s all pretty groovy really.
Dana - STOP PROCRARSE-TINATING!
Okay - hot on the heels of booking my night of horror with Jeremy Dyson, it turns out I am seeing another two members of The League this week.
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have written a new series for the BBC called Psychoville (the name given to The League of Gentlemen's previous series when it was shown in Japan). It's filming at the moment. And they put a call out for extras to appear as a pantomime audience for a scene.
AND I HAVE A TICKET!
Not only do I get to see them (they'll be there even if they are not in that clip) but I'm actually helping them out. And doing some acting. In a sitting down kind of way.
I am so excited, I feel like a champagne bottle which has been shaeken up. Although that might be acid reflux. Honestly, I've been sitting here with my hands over my face just wriggling with delight. I've been so spoilt recently.
That's great Sundae! and :lol: at acid reflux!
Dana, I promise you, almost every one in academia feels that way ... I'm winging it, I'll be exposed any day now... relax. By the time you're done, you'll know more about your particular fields than almost everyone.
Lovely, lovely
The temperature is lovely
It's technically on the cold side, at 17 (62.5) because the optimum working temp for offices is given at 18-20 (64.5-68) but I'm really happy. I have the front door closed, and the reception window closed, so I can't be accused of forcing anyone else to endure it - they can put the heater on if they want...
In fact it's my new desk clock that's making me happy. because I love being able to guage the temperature. They think I have a screwy internal thermostat - I know I'm quite accurate in that I'll feel the same at the same temperature.
Anyway, that's all, thnak you.
I'm going to driving school today! That should be fun. We're using rental cars.
Cool. What kind of driving school?
I had a friend who went to a spy driving school. He learned how to run cars off the road, do those high speed reversing direction turns, and things like that.
Sunday night, before heading to bed, I watched a little of the local news. Top story was a little boy who was possibly abducted from a local supermarket while his grandfather was distracted. By the time of the broadcast, he had been missing for the entire day, and the police were very concerned, issuing an amber alert. There was a frost warning for that night, and and in addition to the dozens of officers, the police were adding helicopters with infrared cameras to help look for the boy.
The local news stories like this never have an impact on me, but as I nestled in under our warm down comforter in bed that night, I was thinking about that boy and hoping he was OK.
Well, as it turns out, only a short while after I went to bed, a guy in DC who had just turned off his news received a visit from his friend, accompanied by a woman he didn't know. The woman had this young boy with her who matched the description of the missing boy. The boy said a couple of times that the woman was not his mother. So the guy called the cops. The woman ran away before the cops got there, but she was caught the next day.
I just read about it in the paper this morning, and it was really nice to hear that the boy is fine and is back with his family, and the crazy stranger is in jail.
For once, the sensationalistic local news actually made things better. That never happens.
Great news Glatt.
We had a similar case recently when a local lass went missing. She was missing for about three weeks or so I think. Massive police search operation. Nobody expected her to be found, let alone found alive. It was wonderful to then hear news reports that she'd been found :)
Hi all!
Love it here...but I hate the beginnings of a new job. My training schedule is stretched out over 2 weeks, meeting with each person to describe their job, and I have a lot of down time in between with nothing to do. I know one day I'll be busy but right now I'm bored.
I have a cubie, but I also have a giant window and can see parts of the city from my office.
Hope all is well.
Vote Obama! ;)
Glad you have time for the Cellar, if only for a bit.
I started a new job today, too, Shawnee. Is there anything you can be doing in the down-time? Learning who's who, what's what and where's where? Doing yourself diagrams of workflow or lines of responsibility? Drawing up Christmas card lists? Getting familiar with the in-house computer files/systems? Filing your nails? Mapping any good practices from your previous job (were there any?) to current situations? I'll be thinking of you tomorrow - think of me, too, hey?
All my best wishes to Shawnee and Limey.
Good luck - at least you know your new companies have impeccable taste in recruitment.
*Smiles* how exciting. Best of luck to both of you in your respective New Jobs :)
I have a cubie, but I also have a giant window and can see parts of the city from my office.
Which parts?
Only two more sleeps till Dazza gets home!
Which parts?
lol...actually I looked out the other day and thought I was looking at the interstate, and I thought "man, the interstate is like a parking lot." Turns out I was looking at an actual parking lot! It is the top of the parking garage. :blush:
Other than that it's just some buildings.
Me so crazy.
Finding my way around has been insane...it's much much bigger than my old place.
:)
Happy... I get a little extra time in Tennessee, and will be getting dancing and fencing lessons for free; also, will be putting my seamstressing skills to work! Me so excited. I love sewing, and I like learning new skills. Not sure how fencing will be useful in a day-to-day work environment, but if I DO decide to get involved with the SCA (
www.sca.org ) then it will DEFINITELY be useful. WHEEEEEE!
Cool. What kind of driving school?
I had a friend who went to a spy driving school. He learned how to run cars off the road, do those high speed reversing direction turns, and things like that.
We spent hours on the track (well, a big parking lot at the local speedway) practicing slalom, high-speed lane changes, evasive maneuvers, braking while turning, etc.
It was a lot of fun, we burned up lots of gas and tires, and everyone was worn out by the end.
Dazza gets home tomorrow!
Dazza gets home tomorrow!
yey! *smiles*
Yes very yey! lol It's been a month, and although vinnie (the vibrator) has been working hard, it's just not the same really. ;)
So....we'll see you in a couple of days then eh? :P
You wont be seeing me till next week after tomorrow arvo. :)
Today is my 15 wedding anniversary.
WTG - Good for both of you
Congrats!!! Woo-hoo! I wonder if anything "special" is planned. Oh I am so nosy..So, is there anything special planned?
:)
A fresh haircut from the AVEDA salon. I love the way my hair smells right now. MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
"Gee, your hair smells terrific."[/Olde Schoole commercial alert]
I've shaken hands with one of my heroes and interacted with another one tonight.
My very detailed and slightly rambling report of the evening is
here.
To say it made me happy is an understatement. I am smiling fit to split my lips.
"Gee, your hair smells terrific."[/Olde Schoole commercial alert]
"It's made with real beer, but don't drink it."
Dazza gets home today! :) He'll be here in about 8 hours! Wooohooooo!!!
I just received (Well, three hours ago) the first of two of my birthday packages. The other should be here some time next week, I think.
I'm ridiculously excited over these :)
I just received (Well, three hours ago) the first of two of my birthday packages. The other should be here some time next week, I think.
I'm ridiculously excited over these :)
You're never too old to be happy about getting something in the mail (or UPS or Fedex for that matter).
Congratulations!!
Congrats!
WTG - Good for both of you
Hey, congratulations CG!
Congrats!!! Woo-hoo! I wonder if anything "special" is planned. Oh I am so nosy..So, is there anything special planned?
:)
Thanks, folks.
Went out to dinner, now we're watching Abbott & Costello's "Who Done It?", and later, we're gonna try and break the bedframe.
later, we're gonna try and break the bedframe.
she gave you a new sledgehammer?
You're never too old to be happy about getting something in the mail (or UPS or Fedex for that matter).
It's more the content of the packages. This one has 3 decks of cards and the how-to for a magic trick. The one for next week has 6 decks of cards.
wow... that would be one hell of a poker game...
There's a guy with my name on Gmail. He's some kind of literature or film teacher, and I sometimes get e-mails from his students with creative writing attached. At first, I tried to point them in the right direction. I even Googled the guy, got his contact information, and explained that a lot of his students were sending their homework to me instead of to him. When it kept happening, I started just deleting their e-mails and not responding. I figured when they got a zero for not turning their work in, that would be a good life lesson for them on the importance of properly addressing things.
Anyway, today I got an e-mail from one of his students, and I was about to delete it, when I saw that he finished with "did you watch Tiger on Beat yet?"
I had forgotten all about this martial arts film I'd seen almost 20 years ago at a DC film festival, and how much I loved it.
Tiger on Beat was the best martial arts film I had seen up until that point in my life, and I had been watching them whenever they came on TV, so I had a lot to compare it to. It had the most spectacular and realistic looking action sequences ever. There's even a scene with a chainsaw fight, and the chainsaws are real chainsaws that cut through wood on film during the fight scenes.
I responded to this kid, and told him that I loved the movie, but that I'm not his teacher.
So today it's making me happy that I was reminded about this great movie, and I plan to see if Netflix has it, so I can watch it again.
glatt, interesting story and thanks for the movie suggestion. I tried to find it on Netflix, but could not. I looked under "Tiger on Beat," "Lo foo chut gang" and Yun-Fat Chow, but no luck.
she gave you a new sledgehammer?
Nah, but the word "piledriver" was used a few times....
I tried to find it on Netflix, but could not.
Rats. Now I need to go post on the other thread that I'm sad Netflix doesn't have it.
glatt, have you see
36th Chamber of Shaolin? I'd recommend that - and Netflix has it
.
No. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll add it to the queue.
I actually don't watch that much kung fu anymore. But it sounds like a good one.
Forget my gripes about Diz earlier. I can't sleep, and he is say in the hollow created by my crossed legs with his face pressed up against my torso, sound asleep (twitching and dreaming). It's so adorable. And I do (adore him). I can live with red glitter for a bit.
Also, because I'm a bit down I've revisited Tiny Planets. It's so soothing. I'm about ready to sleep now. I watched it when I was off with depression, and the Word Association thread gifted me with the memory tonight. It still works.
Night all.
so um
major major updates.
really dont feel like detailing the whole thing
but um lemme simplify
i'm in a sort-of relationship (like friends with benefits but closer and exclusive) with this really really rad but... not extremely attractive (don't get me wrong, she's really cute and has a beautiful smile though, im not saying shes UNattractive) girl who's apparently had a crush on me for a while and who i (obviously) think is really rad
well she come over around 6:15 with a 10 o'clock curfew to watch some doctor who with me.
we got through about an episode and a half before it prettymuch turned into a makeout session.
a really, really, really good makeout session.
my mom's asleep on the couch in the den, right off the living room where we are, so i say, here, lets go sit over here, in the little nook sorta by the front door
but the chairs are just too small and its not so comfortable
and im like... would it be over the line if we like, did this in my room?
and she goes, not to me..!
so we proceed to lay on my bed and makeout for the next hour or so
and i just got back from dropping her off at her house just in time for curfew.
oh man. its so nice being with someone who isn't a lesbian.
oh yeah i forgot to mention
i was looking for some music to put on while we were gettin' it on
and on a whim i put on Karn Evil 9 (ELP, obviously), and somewhere in there i realized
ill bet there ain't been hardly nobody making out to emerson lake and palmer for, maybe decades.
I'm just happy happy happy. :) I can't believe how much I missed Dazza. It wasn't till I saw him at the airport that I realized just how much I had.
Life is good for me. I'm a lucky woman. :)
oh yeah i forgot to mention
i was looking for some music to put on while we were gettin' it on
and on a whim i put on Karn Evil 9 (ELP, obviously), and somewhere in there i realized
ill bet there ain't been hardly nobody making out to emerson lake and palmer for, maybe decades.
right, cause once you get past 20 you don'r make out.
shame.
wow... that would be one hell of a poker game...
Attempts to play poker with my custom playing cards could result in injury or death. I have regular bicycles for that.
Attempts to play poker with my custom playing cards could result in injury or death. I have regular bicycles for that.
You play poker with bicycles?
Must make shuffling a pain in the ass....
Thinking about Christmas is making me happy today.
I've got the beginings of my design for my christmas cake in my mind, and I've started planning the lunch menu also. :)
I love Christmas. It's my favourite day of the year.
You play poker with bicycles?
Must make shuffling a pain in the ass....
Only if you're a wimp.
On the 24th of December, I like Christmas. Right now, Christmas is just a big ball of stress and money worries sitting on the other side of a another big bunch of stress and study worries.
I hate that the TV is full of xmas ads already. It's the one time of year I really feel broke and it gets earlier every year.
*goes off for a pint with the Grinch*
My mum bought me a magazine subscription as a present last year [SIZE="1"][COLOR="Silver"](OK ... I confess ... it's Good Housekeeping and I like it ... a woman can dream, can't she?) [/COLOR][/SIZE]. The November issued arrived right at the end of September, in time for October as they do, and it's just [COLOR="Red"]Stuffed [/COLOR][COLOR="SeaGreen"]Full [/COLOR][COLOR="Red"]of [/COLOR][COLOR="SeaGreen"]C[COLOR="Red"]h[/COLOR]r[COLOR="red"]i[/COLOR]s[COLOR="red"]t[/COLOR]m[COLOR="red"]a[/COLOR]s[/COLOR]! AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!
So I've not opened the wrapper yet - I'm saving it for, like, er, November!
But I don't watch much telly so the ads don't get to me, and the shops here, such as they are, haven't got into Christmas yet either. YAY!
I went into my local Sainsbury's store yesterday and couldn't find a goddamned thing, on account of them moving the entire store around to accomodate Christmas.
Fuck.
Dana, I agree with your sentiments, but this is the happy thread. Take it outside, troublemaker! :whip:
Bleh! *sticks out tongue*
: fascist jack boot stomping on you smiley :
Hely's just come in.
I was slightly worried about her - she's usually here at 08.30.
But then maybe she was - Monday to Wednesday our Finance Assistant opens the office and she's on annual leave. Hely might have turned up, decided it was one of the random days we weren't in (cats don't do weekends) and gone back home.
Anyway she's fed and curled up on her bed and I am happy.
Also I finally got a response about my wig. I'm still annoyed with them, but at least they confirmed payment was received and said that I should receive delivery Mon-Weds. Wasn't today. Better bloody be tomorrow!
ETA: My new catfood has arrived.
As has the new litter tray for Diz (see Pissing on Your Chips thread).
The tray was cheapish off eBay and the catfood is pretty much the same as buying from the supermarket - just much much better for them and bought in advance so I don't have to budget for it for the rest of the month.
Also I love the fact that as we're an hour behind now, the Dwellars come out to play earlier :)
Wig finally arrived (11 days!)
Pics later
I'll be heading to San Antonio tomorrow, then driving to the Big Bend area for the Terlingua Chili Cookoff. Good times this weekend! :p
Found out what the hole in my finances was last month.
Turns out I'd paid an invoice from my own money and not claimed it back. £125 (nearly $250). Stupid really, as that's not exactly spare change.
I was able to get through because a very good friend sent me some unexpected money. I did buy a good few things I needed (clothes airer, litter bin, pillows etc) but it didn't seem to go as far as I expected. Now I know why!
They're paying me in cash this afternoon. I'm going to buy a month's Travelcard on the way home, that'll keep the money locked up nice & safe!
*smiles* just don't do what I did last year: paid £55 for a metro card and lost it two days later!
Ah you can get Oyster Cards replaced you see - as long as you've filled in the security question (which I have). You call an 0845 number and it will be stopped immediately, the remaining balance can be transferred within the next 8 days. You just have to pay for anoter card (£3).
Which is why it would be safe, and away from my grubby paws :)
*grins* good point.
Making me happy today:
this is a follow up to something I said in the unhappy thread. I've been quite unwell for some time, with my eczema going nuts. <More than just an eczema flare, I felt like my body was breaking down. Last week, my feet and ankles started to swell up massively. I've been shuffling about in unlaced boots and in a lot of pain. Pain, but at no point would the itch subside either.
I was a little worried. It's never happened before. After 35 years of dealing with this stuff a new symptom worries me. That coupled with the pains in my chest...and the golfball glands under my arm...
Anyway, went to the docs yesterday. He thinks it's just an infection. I've got anti-biotics, stuff for water retention, steroids, emollients, anti-histimine/sedative tablets and two different inhalers.
I've allowed this to go way too far. Why I still do this aftre all these years I do not know :P I just resent going and getting medical help, it feels like a defeat...and I was scared it was something serious...
But: happy now, because I did it and have the right medications to sort out and then manage both the eczema and asthma again. Now I'm just hoping that the swelling responds to the anti-biotics. If it doesn't I've to go back and see the doctor who specialises in dermatology. I admit, there's still a little niggle of worry. I convinced myself the other night that both Pilau and I had fox mange mite (sarcoptic mange in dogs, scabies in humans). More recently I've worried about liver disease, cancer, thrombosis, edema....shall I go on>?
*rolls eyes* It terrifies me that something serious could go by and just be buried in the eczema syptoms. Sad or what?
*laughs* anyway. Am now on track. Took first lot of tablets last night had a much better night's sleep. Got up late, but feeling a bit better overall.
Very pleased to hear it - look after yourself!
I couldn't cope with being the only British socilaist in your absence.
Glad to hear at the least you got a better night's sleep - I know how important that is. As an aside (because it's all me, me, me) Diz and I have come to a reasonable bed sharing arrangement for the first time in two years. I sleep one side, he sleeps the other. It's working really well, and he's hardly even waking me up in the mornings now, yay!
Sunday to Saturday this week, I will have played bass for 27 hours. 3 hours rehearsal with the cover band; and then for Godspell, 11-hour long tech rehearsal, 2 rehearsals, 1 dress rehearsal and 2 performances.
*grins* good point.
Making me happy today:
this is a follow up to something I said in the unhappy thread. I've been quite unwell for some time, with my eczema going nuts. <More than just an eczema flare, I felt like my body was breaking down. Last week, my feet and ankles started to swell up massively. I've been shuffling about in unlaced boots and in a lot of pain. Pain, but at no point would the itch subside either.
I was a little worried. It's never happened before. After 35 years of dealing with this stuff a new symptom worries me. That coupled with the pains in my chest...and the golfball glands under my arm...
Anyway, went to the docs yesterday. He thinks it's just an infection. I've got anti-biotics, stuff for water retention, steroids, emollients, anti-histimine/sedative tablets and two different inhalers.
I've allowed this to go way too far. Why I still do this aftre all these years I do not know :P I just resent going and getting medical help, it feels like a defeat...and I was scared it was something serious...
But: happy now, because I did it and have the right medications to sort out and then manage both the eczema and asthma again. Now I'm just hoping that the swelling responds to the anti-biotics. If it doesn't I've to go back and see the doctor who specialises in dermatology. I admit, there's still a little niggle of worry. I convinced myself the other night that both Pilau and I had fox mange mite (sarcoptic mange in dogs, scabies in humans). More recently I've worried about liver disease, cancer, thrombosis, edema....shall I go on>?
*rolls eyes* It terrifies me that something serious could go by and just be buried in the eczema syptoms. Sad or what?
*laughs* anyway. Am now on track. Took first lot of tablets last night had a much better night's sleep. Got up late, but feeling a bit better overall.
Good to hear it! I think I'm going to die of Cancer, but I'm totally not. I think all my trivial concerns about my health are signs that I'm terminal, but I'm not. I'm just being a freak. And I know that. There's this little part of my brain that is
stupid, is all.:D My brain is an idiot sometimes. My imagination is fully retarded.
Good to hear it! I think I'm going to die of Cancer, but I'm totally not. I think all my trivial concerns about my health are signs that I'm terminal, but I'm not. I'm just being a freak. And I know that. There's this little part of my brain that is stupid, is all.:D My brain is an idiot sometimes. My imagination is fully retarded.
Your brain and mine should get together sometime and compare notes :P
Happy today: Marinated venison steaks for dinner, and the start of a lovely evening tradition with the housemate... reading to each other. I haz a HUGE happee!!
Oh I love that!!! No one reads to me. No one lets me read to them. Booooring!! I can't get anyone into this habit.
Of course, when you have a husband the last thing he wants is to hear your voice more. :) He doesn't view that as entertainment, more of an annoyance.
Oh hai treas...Feeling betta?
MUCH, Cic, thank you. Turns out all the damage to the car was cosmetic, so I don't have to worry about high repair costs. Personally, I have a bunch of bumps, bruises, and sore muscles, but nothing serious. Thank you for asking. Oh, and if anyone's curious, I'll be reading "Mists of Avalon" to him and he hasn't decided what he'll be reading to me lol!
Hey, that book looks pretty good. Maybe I'll go pick it up whilst in town. Thank you for giving me a reason to buy another book. :)
Wig!
Though it needs a trim, esp the fringe (bangs) as it has so sit too far back on my gead at present.
Sunday to Saturday this week, I will have played bass for 27 hours. 3 hours rehearsal with the cover band; and then for Godspell, 11-hour long tech rehearsal, 2 rehearsals, 1 dress rehearsal and 2 performances.
Callouses, I hope? Otherwise I see blisters in your future.
...I couldn't cope with being the only British socilaist in your absence.
...
ahem
*laughs*
Anybody for a rousing chorus of the Internationale? :P
Ah well you see Limey I did specify socilaist... we're hard to find these days
(ahem, sorry - I did forget!)
Ok, I'm out the door! I am going to see the band! I have to go alone. I hate that..But...So be it. (I'll be the old creepy lady in the back of the room just watchin' the show) I am so like, not cool.
:)
Heh dar... all fingertips are intact, yours? The cover band demands such rough stuff that Godspell is simple to manage. I play really hard... I beat my bass like it owes me money.
I beat my bass like it owes me money.
[youtube]_AJ0SkbPxAk[/youtube]
Actually via Chappelle
[youtube]WzF43NHTJyU[/youtube]
1:38 in. (This video will surely be removed soon.)
The blessed, blessed sound of two children sleeping simultaneously.
On the one hand, I feel like I should go be productive, but I really think I'm just going to follow suit and take a nap myself.
Oh, hey. That reminds me. *Sleeping kids.*
My boy has been fighting a cold for a couple days. Yesterday morning, he woke up a little blotchy. Then last night, about 20 minutes or so after putting him to bed, he complained that he was really itchy. We went up to check on him, and he was covered in welts or hives. My wife and I were both racking our brains trying to figure out why he was having an allergic reaction. He hadn't had anything new to eat, or medicine, or anything like that. Then I remembered that we gave him a new sleeper about a week ago. Normally we wash new clothes before they wear them, but he was really excited about the sleeper. It took about a week of sleeping in it every night before the exposure to the flame retardant in the sleeper reached the threshold to cause a reaction.
So we got him out of the sleeper and gave him a little benadryl. He was perfectly fine just 45 minutes later. Not a single blotch, bump, or hive. Weird.
So wash those clothes before you wear them. Especially crap made in China.
I've cleared my schedule and shut off my phones. the north london derby starts in 7 minutes.
I'll revisit either this or the upset thread based on the result.
LOLcats. Always maks me hapi!
I'm happy because we're taking a weekend away to Bribie Is to do some fishing and swimming and sun soaking...and hopefully a spot of relaxing too. :)
My chicken is out in the backyard FREAKING out because the sparrows are eating some of her food. Too funny.
Actually via Chappelle
[youtube]WzF43NHTJyU[/youtube]
1:38 in. (This video will surely be removed soon.)
LOL
LOLcats. Always maks me hapi!
Me too, Cloud! I just went through about a weeks worth yesterday and tried to pick one that I could share here, but I loved them ALL.!
My MIL died in Feb and we have been trying to sell her house since then. Wife just left the closing with a check. The house now belongs to someone else. So we sold the house in a down market and made a profit. Now we can take care of the rest of business.
Congrats Merc.
We're still trying to sell Great Aunt Alice's house. Someone is going to get a real bargain I can tell you - all the siblings are in their 80s and want it off their hands (also the other three - apart from Grandad - have their own money, so don't mind what it sells for).
Happy right now? Yes. Am having an early night, and when I wake up it will be Halloween. :reaper:
My sweetheart did very well in puppy training todaaay!!! They (the instructors) said that she was doing very well, and added that I was "good with her". I noticed that she was better at commands than other dogs her age, and I got to show off some of the training that we were already learning together at home. The instructors were impressed!! :) Heh. Good puppy lady, I'm a good puppy lady....
My little terror got recognition. I'm as pleased as punch.:D
Ok I've got to get a life. :)
Ok I've got to get a life.
*shakes head* no, no. You don't need one now, you have a puppy.
Way to go, puppy lady! :)
Happy... Living with a self-proclaimed lifestyle bachelor, and yet STILL wrangling permission from him to COMPLETELY rearrange his house while he's out of town this weekend. WOOT!!
End of week 2 of my new job. I love it here!
Got my first paycheck today!
My brother forwarded a letter from my nephew who just left for basic training.
The election is almost over. (Hey, I don't know why I can't stay out of the politics threads when it irritates me so.) ;)
The sun is shining and my peace lily a friend at my old job gave me is sitting in the window and looks happy.
It's a good day! :)
End of week 2 of my new job. I love it here!
Got my first paycheck today!
My brother forwarded a letter from my nephew who just left for basic training.
The election is almost over. (Hey, I don't know why I can't stay out of the politics threads when it irritates me so.) ;)
The sun is shining and my peace lily a friend at my old job gave me is sitting in the window and looks happy.
It's a good day! :)
Oh babba, I am so happy for you.
Sounds like the bedding in has begun.
And even if there are some hiccups, it sounds like you're over the immediate stress.
I am happy, happy, happy. I am wearing a Mrs Lovatt skirt (which has been admired) and in approc 7 hours time I will be costumed up and watching Creme Brulee.
Expect a countdown :)
Thankee thankee!
Can't wait for the pics!
Glad you're settling in OK, Shawnee. The person I'm replacing has now left, so from Tuesday (I'm there 3 days a week) I'm cylcing without the stabilisers (=training wheels) :eek: !
Glad you're settling in OK, Shawnee. The person I'm replacing has now left, so from Tuesday (I'm there 3 days a week) I'm cylcing without the stabilisers (=training wheels) :eek: !
And I bet you're winning the race, limey! Keep on keepin on! :)
I just saw the Cellar's Halloween theme!!
Awesome UT!!
I just saw the Cellar's Halloween theme!!
Awesome UT!!
Huh? Ok , what am I missing?
:: points:: Up top, next to the monkey.
Probably need to clear your cache to see it. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools --> Internet Options and click "Delete Files" under Temporary Internet Files. It'll probably take awhile to clear everything. Then refresh the Cellar.
Ah hah! (I just refreshed the cache/screen) - F A B UT!
I cleared my cache/refreshed and I still dont see it. :sniff:
I feel so left out.
ETA ----> Oh Yay. I changed skins..that was the ticket.
I had the same problem. Had to manually clear cache in firefox then close and reopen to see it.
Lovely, UT -- I hadn't seen it either.
Our last guest just left. For our anniversary Mrs L asked to host a halloween party without budget constraints. We had about 70 people tonight from 6PM to 3 AM. Most everyone was associated through soccer somehow with a few randoms thrown in.
We had a blast and a lot of people in the neighborhood finally socialized for the first time in 5 + years.
The kids had a blast. The adults enjoyed themselves enough that they left asking when the next one would be. I'm hammered and I have probably an hour and a half clean up left before bed.
g'night.
awesome Lookout:) sounds like the best fun
We also had a Halloween party. Case and Mac_tire even made it (they had a long drive); they were Vikings; I hope they had a good time.
the pillaging kind or the purple kind?
the pillaging kind or the purple kind?
The pillaging kind, with short skirts.
I'd post a picture, but they didn't sign the waiver.
Just returned from the chili cook-off held in Terlingua - and I got to be one of the judges! YUMMY. Also had a camera interview from somebody for something who wanted to know about the best properties of a good chili. Like I'd know! :D
By this time Tuesday we should be very close to being done with this election thing.
We also had a Halloween party. Case and Mac_tire even made it (they had a long drive); they were Vikings; I hope they had a good time.
It was excellent. We very much enjoyed the party.
pic is
here.
Election cycle '08 has less than 24 hours left. Yeehaa!
Of course, it will be immediately followed by Bitch and Moan '08, and Recriminations '08. The timeframe on those vary based on the winning party. (We're almost done with Bitch and Moan '00)
Even better news? We won't start election cycle '12 until January 21, 2009.
We just had our half way scan. Our little BOY is looking perfect and healthy.
That's definitely something to be happy about. :)
I've been watching your thread but not commenting. i'm a little superstitious about pregnancy stuff. ;)
It's ok. I think most of us are.
Things seem to be pretty good though. Another few weeks and the baby could even survive and early labor. I"m sure that wont happen, but it'll be nice once I get past that 24 week barrier. Every week after that, the baby's chances improve exponentially. :)
Congrats, Ali! Names yet??
I am tickled PINK that I finally have a sewing machine (a Bernina, for those of you who know about this kind of thing) and am all set to start creating SCA garb. YAY!! Plus, I start my new job on Thursday... double yay! Now I just need to find babysitter. That's not going so well.
The campaign phone calls will end (for a bit) after today.. yessssss.
Yesterday alone I got 8 automated and 2 live body calls to the house, 2 to my cell phone, and a few more pamphlets in the mail box.
One had the gall to call at 10:30PM.. I could have reached through the phone and shoved her cue cards down her throat.
Heh, there's an advantage to having a cheap ass tracphone instead of a real phone, cell or landline.
10:30? Eeeek, I get irritated when friends call after 9 pm, because I was taught that was rude unless it's really important.
And poli-calls are exempt from the do not call list.
I think that is wrong wrong wrong.
Got more new cards yesterday, and today is my birthday!
Heh, there's an advantage to having a cheap ass tracphone instead of a real phone, cell or landline.
10:30? Eeeek, I get irritated when friends call after 9 pm, because I was taught that was rude unless it's really important.
And poli-calls are exempt from the do not call list.
I think that is wrong wrong wrong.
The joys of a swing state. :right:
My boss out in WY only uses bag phones for that very reason, he has 5 or 6 stored as backups when one eventually dies.
hehee...
What do you think will happen with the Casino issue, Bullitt?
Got more new cards yesterday, and today is my birthday!
Well happy to you then!!:D You sound spoiled. In a good way.:p
hehee...
What do you think will happen with the Casino issue, Bullitt?
It probably won't pass. At least in my area, there has been a strong campaign against the casino and only a cheesy weak one in favor of it. The girl saying "i'm about to be laid off and i need this casino job or else who knows what will happen to me!"
I voted no mainly because of this statement in the Akron Beacon Journal: "More, studies of gambling have shown that for every $1 in economic benefits, there are roughly $3 in costs, most notably in the form of families ruined at the gaming tables." There's also the whole tax and monopoly issues to consider.
It reminds me of the whole lottery and school funding thing.
Schools are closed today, so my wife brought my kids into the city for their dentist appointments. Then they swung by my office to meet me for lunch. We ate in the dining room here, where everyone was thrilled to see my wife (she used to work here 10 years ago.) Then we swung by to visit my boss. It's always good for my boss to see my lovely family just before raise and bonus time in a few weeks. Got to keep it fresh in her mind that I'm supporting a real family and can use any scraps she can toss me. A very nice visit.
We just had our half way scan. Our little BOY is looking perfect and healthy.
That's definitely something to be happy about. :)
A healthy baby is something to be very happy about, and I'm happy for you.
Now, better start playing him Judy Garland records, so at least you'll still get to go clothes shopping with him in 20 years time!
Seriously, I'm very glad all is well x
I just registered for my last ever semester of college!
Well... not ever. I'll probably come back for a master's in a few years.
I just registered for my last-for-a-while semester of college! Woo!
I've got my first freelance translation assignment since changing my employment from full-time to part-time plus freelance ...:jig:
So if I seem to be taking an unhealthy interest in roads construction over the next few days, you'll know why ;)
A healthy baby is something to be very happy about, and I'm happy for you.
Now, better start playing him Judy Garland records, so at least you'll still get to go clothes shopping with him in 20 years time!
Seriously, I'm very glad all is well x
Actually it's quite funny you should say that. When we left the doctors office, I was grumbling to Dazza about another boy in the house and then I said, "but you never know. He might be gay. That's almost as good as a girl."
Last week I put new tires on my motorcycle and just came back from a ride.
Nothing fell off.
It's 18°F, with 30 mph wind gusts. My hands are numb.
Maybe something did fall off.
We made a bid on a third house. :fingerx:
@Ail: glad to hear all is well. But please tell us you'll love your son even if he isn't gay. :D
lol...I remember the part in Heathers at the jock boy's funeral. His dad says "I love my dead gay son." What a great dark comedy.
Good luck on house number 3, Pie. Isn't three a charm?
...
Isn't three a charm?
Only if you believe in charma.
:rolleyes:
I do think this one might work out, as the sellers seem motivated. And we got a wee nibble on the one we're selling in NJ. Everything seems to happen all at once.
Everything happens for a reason. KIDDING, I KID! :bolt:
Hope it all works out, Pie.
We made a bid on a third house. :fingerx:
This one will be made of brick, right? So the big bad wolf [
no relation to our wolf] can't blow it down with a-huff and a-puff.
The gym sponsored a health fair, so my workout friend and I returned and got stuck for cholesterol and blood sugar. Mine was good! And the bloodmobile was there so I gave 'em a pint*.
*Probably the fastest weight loss I've had by going to the gym ;)
The dog is home!!! (Posted about her missing in the "upset" thread) Someone found her off wandering, saw the name of the vet she goes to on her rabies tag, and took her to said vet's office. The vet called HM's ex-wife, the ex-wife called HM, and HM called me. So I went and picked her up. She DID have to go to work with me, but fortunately the manager was nice and let me keep her in a grooming kennel so she wouldn't have to stay in my car for five hours. She's now pressed against my leg getting petted and being told Daddy will be home tomorrow and she's in BIG trouble!!
:jig: So happy for you, Treas. It is devastating when a pet goes missing.
Thank you, Pie! She managed to avoid picking a fight with a coyote while she was gone, so that's even BETTER news lol!
Congrats Trea - I personally know how it feels to have a beloved pet go missing. But mine didn't come back.
Remind HM to change the details at the vet's when he gets back.
I'm happy because I've found Harry Hill's TV Burp on youtube. It's about the only tv programme I miss on a weekly basis, and I was annoyed to find it wasn't on ITV catch-up. But in fact it's far better being on youtube because as Dana mentioned on another thread, ITV catch-up is far worse quality!
I have about 3 weeks worth to watch now - a veritable Burp feast.
Just found out that the General Manager of the White House really is called Randy Bumgardener.
You have no idea how funny I find that name.
If I heard someone was called Mistress Fanny Cum-Hair Schlocomb it would not be any funnier (although it would be odd as it was a fictional character me and a friend made up who spoke in innuendo).
This comment made me laugh. I found it on MeFi, in an article about queuing.
Except in pubs, people seem to form queues spontaneously at shops, cash machines (ATMs) or anywhere else they have to wait.
There's generally a queue in the pub as well, its just an invisible one in everyone's head.
Queuing is definitely part of the national psyche here. People moan about kids not being brought up badly and not queuing properly but that's just kids being kids and it's always happened.
I can't fucking stand queue jumpers though. In fact, the only time I can remember even coming close to being involved in physical violence in recent years was over some queue jumping.
The story is a bit long, but it probably helps build a picture of attitudes to queueing here in the UK:
If you ever want to see British queuing at its best, go to Victoria Station in London during the rush hour and watch the people filter out of the station and queue for the buses - long snaking queues stretching patiently across the concourse, some with gaps in to allow buses (and people) to go through.
Except, that is, when the Underground Train drivers are on strike. When that happens, every single Tube commuter tries to use the buses instead, and a significant portion seem to decide that the queues obviously don't apply to them because their journey is far more important and must be completed RIGHT NOW!!!11ONEONE.
In other words, they become queue jumpers.
Queue jumpers are generally a weasily and cowardly lot who like to pick on the weak. In contrast, I'm a big stocky bloke with a shaven head. It doesn't matter that on the inside I'm a nerdy bloke who generally wouldn't hurt a fly, when John McQueuejump skulks into view he generally scurries quickly past me avoiding my gaze and looks for better prey.
This was exactly what happened one day, when I found myself part of the aforementioned queuing at Victoria during a Tube Strike.
A suited, and obviously late, business man bustled up from the closed tube entrance, took one look at the queue and then sighed. I was ten feet away from him virtually at the front of the queue, and from that moment I knew he was going to queuejump.
And queue jump he did. He walked to the front, carried on walking past the various blokes and was about to push in ahead of a lady with a push chair who was two people in front of me when he suddenly realised I was looking straight at him with that most dreaded of English expressions - RAISED EYEBROWS (dun dun dun!).
He changed his mind, lowered his gaze and walked quickly past me before cutting back in line ahead of the old lady directly behind me.
I turned round and said, politely, that there was a queue here and that perhaps he'd missed it.
"I'm in a Hurry." He said.
I pointed out that a lot of people in the queue were in a hurry but they seemed to recognise the need to queue, so maybe he should consider heading to the back of it.
"Mind your own fucking business." He said.
Well obviously I did the only sensible thing a man can do in that situation.
I turned to the old lady behind him, smiled sweetly at her and said:
"Would you like to go in front of me madam?"
And she did, the queuejumper being forced to shuffle back as I did to let her in.
Then i turned to the bloke who had been behind her, and said to him:
"Want to go in front of me mate?"
And he did as well.
In fact, the next sixty or seventy or so people all replied in the affirmative as well, and slowly but surely I (and the queuejumper) shuffled further and further back the line until we reached the end of the line and the end of our strange comedic queue-based dance, me holding eye contact with him the whole time.
By the time we got there he was furious, but was still unwilling to risk saying something to me.
Then as the bus finally pulled up, from the front, came a shout. It was the old lady who I'd first let in front of me.
"Young man! Do you want to go in front of me?!"
"That would be lovelly - thanks!" I shouted back, still holding eye contact with the queuejumper. I shot him my warmest (and smuggest) smile...
...and suddenly he snapped.
With a roar of primaeval anger he lunged at me, fist swinging. Luckily I'm quicker than I look and managed to sidestep just in time. His swing whistled past my nose, missing by milimetres. Overbalanced and unable to stop, he tumbled arse-over-tit onto the ground as everyone looked on in a mixture of shock and amusement.
As he fell I felt a strong but firm hand on my shoulder and turned to see a member of the London Constabulary there with a huge grin on his face. Him and his partner had been watching amused from a distance as the whole scene had unfolded.
"You want to press charges?" He said, laughing.
"Nah." I replied, "Not fucking worth it."
"Fair enough," He said, "You better go get your bus. Don't worry about tosspot here - we'll make sure he won't forget today in a hurry anyway."
"I fucking HATE queue jumpers" His partner muttered, as he held the guy down on the ground. "Should be a law against it..."
sounds like something lookout123 would do. (the protagonist's part, i mean)
Just found out that the General Manager of the White House really is called Randy Bumgardener.
You have no idea how funny I find that name.
Yes I do.
:lol2:
Do you have a link for that?
Pie ... :lol2: 2
That's Sheldon's alias. ;)
lol! I love the queue jump story! I am never rude in public until someone does it to me. The last person that did that in a grocery store line had me and my best friend behind him. An event he will probably never forget. Not the two ladies to cut in front of I assure you.....lol! We don't even have to discuss it, we can go straight from polite and friendly, to make your day fucked, in two seconds. That guy got a report on why it wouldn't be important, for him specifically, to get anywhere...We let him go ahead, but the kicker was, he had to hear us the whoooole time....Things in that grocery line got quite loud, and despite his half attentive excuses, things just got louder.
Anyway. What I'm happy about today? I have the day off, and my test results for the blood work that was done came back normal. The chances of my lump being, non-cancerous are good, so yea!! I think I'm going to end up with a clean bill of health! Yea!!!
We won our championship game last night. A bunch of us 30++ weekend warriors battled our asses off against a local college team and came away with a 1 point victory. I didn't get my usual goal and 2 assists in this game as I was tasked with last man duties the whole game, but my body held together and I did my job. :D
...my test results for the blood work that was done came back normal. The chances of my lump being, non-cancerous are good, so yea!! I think I'm going to end up with a clean bill of health! Yea!!!
:jig: I'm so happy to hear it, Cic!
*smiles* good stuff. Cic.
Two things are making me happy today:
a) I have recovered from a very nasty stomach bug that started on sunday evening. Approx. 26 hours of vomiting (and I mean about 1 to 3 times an hour with a couple of breaks of an hour or two, for the entire 26 hours.) followed by a day recovering. I now feel pretty groovy and have eaten yet more soup! (God bless Heinz tomato soup, verily it is the miracle soup).
b) Perry's MA. I am really happy about that.
Oh, poor Dana. I know quite well what that bug does to you. So glad it's over for you.
Do you have a link for that?
Here - well it's good enough evidence for me anyway.
Cicero that's great news, very happy for you.
Dana - I've just got over gastro-enteritis myself, although mine was in the opposite direction. Good news is I lost 10lbs, I doubt that would be a bonus for you though! Bad news is I still can't break wind with any confidence. Something I think Diz is pleased about though.
Sooooo glad to hear your good news, Cicero! :)
Free at last... :)
I took my final exam in British Lit today. No more "hot Yorkshire guy" as Bri referred to him. Or something like that. :) I can live without him, thanks. So our test covered Othello, King Lear, and some Sidney/Surrey/Spencer sonnets. <---ooh, alliteration! I dunno how I did, but I wrote a lot. :)
I'm to the point in that class where I figure I haven't got much to lose. Either I'll totally ace the thing and get an A for the term, or do not-so-hot and end up with a B. So I decided to have fun with it and compared Edgar in King Lear with Bart Simpson.
Yup, that's right. Edgar said something like....oh, how'd it go... "the worst is not, so long as we can say, "This is the worst." I figure what this means is, as long as I'm not dead, there's always the potential for something even worse than this to happen. (What a bright and sunny philosophy, hm?)
There's this scene in the Simpsons Movie where Bart is standing in the middle of town naked and people are laughing at him. Bart says, "this is the worst day of my life." Homer adds: "Worst day of your life so far."
I hope Mr. Yorkshire Dude has seen the Simpsons. :)
Well, it was fun anyway. And I'm DONE whoo hoo.
Two more exams to go. History and Poetry.
Got another bit of happy news. Had a chat with my history teacher, discussing my concerns for the final (I'm right on that line between an A and a B...) The final is at 8:30 a.m. and I had no idea how I was going to make it there, seeing as how my kid doesn't even get on the bus till 8:20 on a normal day, and on that day they're going in an hour late! But he said, no problem, just show up at 10:30 instead. Yippee!
I am going to be SO glad when this quarter is over.
Adding a "doh" to this... (Simpsons reference, LOL) I got back a short paper I'd written for Brit Lit and I can't believe that I wrote that a sonnet has 4 quatrains. Good grief, I knew better than that. Must've been one of those 2 a.m. projects. I gotta stop doing that, or at least drink less while I'm doing it!
ah, so long hot Yorkshire guy. And, mama, he IS hot. Sounds like he's on your nerves, though. Yeah, even hot guys get on the nerves, don't they? Somewhere somebody has to put up with his shit.
I have my last poetry class with that guy and he is gonna bring wine. I'm coming fortified with cheese and cake and...and...a starbucks, prolly. No vino for this bambino. DAMMIT!
Yeah, but you'll bring the whine.
Just kidding. ;)
I'm no party pooper, Missy. He took a vote and I said, sure! Bring it! coz i don't rain on nobodys but nobodys parade.
am saint, that way. :blush:
@ Lookout: oh I just read about your glorious victory! Sorry i missed that when I read the page earlier. Congrats to youse:)
I'm happy that my boys seem so contented to be home. They bring with them so much joy. I'm a lucky woman.
Heh.
I'm just here to scowl at the happy. ;)
No srsly, glad things are awesome everyone. Thanks for the support you have shown lately!! You guys are neat-o!!
Don't scowl....noooo....happy happy joy joy only here please :)
I watched a large group of riders working their cutting horses today. All those athletic and agile animals working the cattle, and I enjoyed every one of them - horses and cowboys. :)
You're going to be sore tomorrow.
I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here starts Sunday.
And a new series of the IT Crowd.
And Diz is curled up around my foot (about to be disturbed as I need to go for a wee, hence posting this first)
Almost end of my 4th week here.
I LOVE IT HERE. I really do. It's a whole other world.
I hear they hired my replacement, hope that works out for them.
I LOVE IT HERE AND I GET PAID AGAIN TOMORROW.
Wait, I'm too happy...let's see, how can I eff this up? ;)
Awesome! Shaw!
That's just awesome! I remember when the last people (job) almost made you cry. That pissed me off. Glad to see things changing for the beettter!! Woo-hoo!
Thanks!
I hear they're like rats leaving the sinking ship there now. I feel badly for them but I'm glad I was among the first of the rats.
Yeah, that job was killing me and I cried A LOT! :blush: I do miss my buddies, though.
I am happy for you! For your new job.
Glad everything is going well for you.
It seems all the other news I'm reading is doom and gloom - nice that you're bucking the trend.
Well, we signed the contract on the house last week. The inspection was on Monday, and nothing earth-shattering came up. If all continues to go well, we should be take possession before Christmas.
This is the third house we made an offer on. We got outbid the first time (in this market, can you believe it?) and the second time, the seller got cold feet and withdrew from the market.
:luv:This house was my favorite of the lot. I had to make sure my husband could cope with the slightly smaller back yard. It's in Ibby's old neighborhood, if you can believe it.
I had to make sure my husband could cope with the slightly smaller back yard.
Hey, it's less to mow, and fewer leaves to rake.
Hey, it's less to mow, and fewer leaves to rake.
I tried that logic on him; it didn't work. :rolleyes:
I'll get my payoff from EEA by the end of next week.
It's a decent amount of money.
Not enough to make me secure here, but enough to do something special if I move home.
Someone please tell me how naughty I am for even considering it.
But I've been looking at the cost of flights. I could go to Philly and back for approx £350 inc taxes. 5 days trip, a couple of Dwellars to put me up, £150 for food & expenses.
I know, I know. SO irresponsible.
But heck, when would I ever get it together to do otherwise?
Let me dream a while.
Then smack me back into reality.
(then I'll look at flights to Kenya and not tell you :p)
Hev you finished dreaming yet? Am I allowed to smack you back into reality?
must have a slow internet connection
Ok...let me know tho right?
About the same to go to kenya.
Would make an ex-pat very very happy...
Just saying.
Come to America! Come to America! It would be SO freaking COOL!
......happy ex-pat, less happy bank balance just as you need it....
I probably shouldn't be mingy about this....but I've been having a similar conversation with J :P
We here in Philly refuse to put you up, for making such an irresponsible choice.
Ah. Okay. Finished dreaming now then.
I don't know what an ex-pat is.
SG...I know I and everyone else would love to see you but I think that those (who are infinitely more responsible than I) are concerned about the choice.
ex-pat = ex-patriot, or one who was once from aforesaid country, in this case Kenya.
Someone in Dayton might. ;)
And then someone in Dayton might get a slap from someone in Yorkshire:P Don't tempt her!
*grins*
I jest.
The moon has a ring around it this morning, or did about 4 AM. It's a Saturn wannabe but still very pretty.
Ring? I thought that was Uranus.
And then someone in Dayton might get a slap from someone in Yorkshire...
Oh! Oh! Can it be that way hot Prof we have from Yorkshire? If he hit me, it would feel like a kiss!*
*girl band :girlband:
From left to right:
Juniper, Shawnee, Brianna, and SG.
We'd be better than the Bangles!
Now where's Flint? I gotta learn drums real quick-like.
ex-pat = ex-patriot, or one who was once from aforesaid country, in this case Kenya.
not ex-patriot, expatriate. there's a difference, a big one.
:rolleyes:
Oops, and I should add that the ex-pat that would be happy would be my BFF, Emma, who moved from England to Kenya. Not me being a Kenyan ex-pat going home (English born and bred).
OK. Mr. Yorkshire Dude gave me a B on my final exam, but told me I'll get an A for the quarter. Yippee!
Two down, two to go.
-blushes deep red- oops... My apologies for the misinformation... -yanks foot back out of mouth-
-blushes deep red- oops... My apologies for the misinformation... -yanks foot back out of mouth-
Floss. Please.
OK. Mr. Yorkshire Dude gave me a B on my final exam, but told me I'll get an A for the quarter.
D'oh! Imagine what you could have gotten for a dollar!
Someone please tell me how naughty I am for even considering it.
No fucking way, I think you should do it. In fact, I can't think of one good reason why you shouldn't. Travel is an experience you will never regret, and like you said, when else are you going to have this opportunity. Fucking go for it man.
jinx has me convinced too. remembering the
TOUR days.....i draw on that experience all the time. I was in a place where i had no obligations, no dependents, and no reason NOT to. sounds like that's where you are.
Oh yea. Dooo it. Do it. :)
Oh now, I'm all confused.
I do have an invite to Kenya in January, which will work out a lot cheaper than the States...
And I am saying to myself - when will I get the chance again?
Currently all on hold til I talk to Mum about moving in, but peversely she'd probably put me up just so I could go - she always wishes she's travelled more when she was younger - by my age she had 3 kids and was having annual camping holidays in Wales and Dorset. Lovely places, except when you can't see them for the rain.
We'll see. I'll get over the hurdle of getting the money I'm owed first, then broach moving back home, then check dates and flight costs against my friend's schedule, and then make a decision based on what I feel I should do.
It's still ever so lovely dreaming, I can tell you!
I should have a PhD in it by now.
Am at Mum & Dad's all week while they're house-sitting (they leave tomorrow). Diz is being well looked after at home by my landlady's cat loving son. And I get to watch widescreen satellite TV and walk around naked. Win win. (I'm also looking after my parents' elderly cat, who started to show signs of illness yesterday, too late for them to cancel house-sitting, so they are pleased I'm here)
I think you should go to Kenya for a holiday. The experience and stimulation will do you a lot of good, and will look good in future job-hunting.
Mum talked this morning about seeing my sister at Mass last night.
Apparently she sounded genuinely upset for me (if you knew my sister, you'd understnd why Mum and I are so pleased with this reaction).
Apparently L said something along the lines of, "Well there's no reason for her to stay in East London now is there?" which got Mum thinking. After introducing the subject she immediately came up with two reasons why I couldn't move back, but one of them is easily surmountable and at least the topic is broached. I said nothing (she was on a roll anyway) but I will now be able to come back to it.
It helps that a lot of people here tried to get in on the housing boom, and bought at or near the top of the market. Mum is of the opinion that there are quite a few "young executives" (her words) that now can't afford their two bedroom flats & houses, and there are more people looking to rent out rooms than there are people selling. Who knows, I may end up renting in Aylesbury after all.
But it certainly looks like my plan to get 2 jobs in Ayles and save up by living at home is viable. Now the evil part, don't read if you think I'm a nice person, [COLOR="White"]I just have to hope their cat Mia drops dead in the next couple of weeks, so that I can move Diz in - he's the only sticking point left.[/COLOR]
I never turn down a chance to travel when I am able to swing it. Travel is worthwhile. ("Travel" here does not mean driving up 95 on Thanksgiving weekend to visit relatives.) So I'd encourage you to travel if you think you can, SG.
What's making me happy today is credit card fraud detection. They thought that ordering $75 worth of pizza from Pizza Hut was enough of an anomaly for me that they called me to ask about it. They were right, and we were able to cancel our cards before there was any further damage.
I'm not sure why it was flagged. We never eat at Pizza Hut, but aren't zealots about it. Maybe it was the time or the location. Since the charge was only pending and hadn't gone through yet I don't know those details. $75 of pizza in Alaska, for example, would be very unusual.
For what it's worth, I think a worker at Make Magazine stole my number. There was a big confusing thing with them about my credit card last week, and I ended up e-mailing their customer service my information because my other attempts to straighten it out were in vain.
Lots of beautiful rain to fill up our tanks and water my plants. :) Oh, and NO hail thank goodness.
Finished my poetry essay! Whoo-hoo! 1,947 words bay-bee!
SG, you would be crazy not to do all you could to get to Kenya. It may be a life changing event. Something you just may need. I sense it.
Well, we signed the contract on the house last week. The inspection was on Monday, and nothing earth-shattering came up. If all continues to go well, we should be take possession before Christmas.
This is the third house we made an offer on. We got outbid the first time (in this market, can you believe it?) and the second time, the seller got cold feet and withdrew from the market.
:luv:This house was my favorite of the lot. I had to make sure my husband could cope with the slightly smaller back yard. It's in Ibby's old neighborhood, if you can believe it.
Pictures???
Pictures???
What, so you can stalk me? :worried:
I'm in Arizona right now, but I'll get something posted after the first of December.
What, so you can stalk me? :worried:
I'm in Arizona right now, but I'll get something posted after the first of December.
Well. You're nobody until you've got a stalker. :cool:
But unfortunately, I'm really busy right now.
SG ... travel. Whichever way you go, just go ....
You're going to be sore tomorrow.
:haha: :biglaugha :jig: :rollhappy :notworthy :rotflol: :thankyou:
kenya, SG. states will always be here, silly to waste that financial cushion on it, awesome though we all are.... but Kenya.......
not sure I can forgive you for the evil thought, though
Mum's back from hospital. She came out yesterday evening. The previous night at 1am, the doctors decided they had to slice the top off (sort of like lancing it) because the infection was gathering to a head and was swelling to the point of cutting off the circulation to the hand. She had her last IV antibiotics at 5pm and came home armed with a big bottle of superstrong anti-biotic tablets...and instructions to rest...
She drover herself home. I'd been washng and drying clean bedding for her, and the sheet wasn't quite dry as she came in, so I left making her bed until later...or rather, that was my plan. She very sneakily went and made her bed whilst I was making a coffee... in what way is making a bed resting?
*smiles* anyway she seems pretty chipper overall and her hand doesnt look half as swollen this morning:)
oh...fly in the ointment: I stubbed my toe (two in from little toe) on the stone pantry step and it's well fucking sore. Still hurts this morning and can't wear my leather boots because they press on it. Have to wear laceup baseball boots even though it's a freezing cold Yorkshire morning. Oh well :P serve me right for being a clumsy cow!
Glad your mom is doing well, DanaC!
We have Bambi-burger for the freezer. On his first hunt in many years, Mr. Sweetwater killed a deer. Most of my happiness is because I know he is happy, and the shot was a clean and quick (so if the deer could express himself, it would be/have been happy, too).
(so if the deer could express himself, it would be/have been happy, too).
.....I seriously doubt that...
It's only 9 days till Dazza gets home...and then no more trips till after Xmas. :)
.....I seriously doubt that...
Well probably happier than if it'd had to suffer at least... ;)
Are you a vego?
Well I was depressed about Thanksgiving coming up and having no one to cook for, and being alone and all that...
As it turns out, one of my friends from the coffee shop is thinking of doing a pot-luck for all us orphans at his house. I can cook a Turkey, yea!!
:)
No tv was mentioned, but I bet I could annoy them with stuff I don't even watch. God I hope they don't want to hang out and watch the game.
Well probably happier than if it'd had to suffer at least... ;)
Are you a vego?
*shakes head* nope.
Actually, here's something about animal rights.
Hmmm...on second thought, I'm going to put it in the parenting forum. I think it's appropriate there. :)
Very pleased about your Mum, Dani. I told my Mum about it and she'll be pleased to hear it as well. As a former Auxiliary Nurse, she knew all about the Death Lines. I also agree with you that the deer would prefer not to be dead, but accept if you had to choose a death apart from old age, a single shot from nowhere would be reasonable. I'd prefer barbituates and brandy in a situation of my choosing, but there's a sad bias against ruminants in pharmacies and liquor stores these days.
I am now thinking about perhaps buying a moped instead of going to Kenya. This considerably widens my pool of job opportunities, and latens my time of rising when I get a job. My parents live a mile from the centre of town, and further from the industrial areas, which are on the outskirts on the other side. I'm still looking and thinking.
Sundae, I like the scooter/moped idea. It would give you so much more mobility and freedom, and open up new opportunities. Just be careful - a huge percentage of the people in your area drive on the wrong side of the road.
HLJ - not to worry. I don't know where you got your information, but I can assure you you everyone here drives/ rides on the correct side of the road. As laid down by God when he endowed England with the title of God's own country.
Hey...that's Australia's title, not Englands!
Oh goody! Finally! An Austro-Brit fight! YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
lol...obviously you've not seen some of the things monster and I have had to say to one another...or doesn't she count?
Anyway, at least we drive on the right side of the road too. ;)
no! I never did! Who won? (j/k!!)
:)
...
Anyway, at least we drive on the right side of the road too. ;)
My mistake. I thought you drove on the left.
no! I never did! Who won? (j/k!!)
:)
lol...me of course. it's all about me ;)
My mistake. I thought you drove on the left.
Yes that's the right side. :)
In an only marginally-related anecdote, a gay friend in high school used to insist that we all use the word "forward" when giving directions, because he wouldn't go "straight."
Sigh. When I was in high school we used to say "lemon" for left and "roarer" (another nickname for a 714?) for right.
we were very stupid.
I have successfully upgraded the hard disk in my laptop to 320GB. (Clonezilla did a great job.)
My lezza barmaid friend bought me a t-shirt that said, "Straight but not Narrow"
Unfortunately it was way too large - she said she would have been really embarrassed if it was too tight (having tiny bosoms herself she was unable to estimate well). She remodelled herself as a bisexual by going out with one of the most chauvanistic builders in the pub. I threw it away in my own form of protest.
Protest? Why? Is she kicked out of the club for liking a bit o' the cock?
Reminds me of one of the gay waiters at the old bar we worked at. When he'd get good and liquored up he'd become obsessed with breasticles and he'd try to pick up women. Loads of fun. Loads of fun.
Ah, protest isn't fair I suppose.
But she was really anti-men before she met him - which I certainly wasn't - and I got my fair share of stick for the respectful men I dated.
She had two lovely girlfriends before him, and I was honestly shocked that when she appeared to change sexual preference, she did it for a complete misogynist (I knew him before I knew her).
He was a real shit.
In an only marginally-related anecdote, a gay friend in high school used to insist that we all use the word "forward" when giving directions, because he wouldn't go "straight."
My ex-boyfriend said that too, but not because he was gay, LOL! To him "straight" meant "not on dope." :right:
Daughter and I refer to gay men as "happy people."
It's sort of a code in case someone overhears us (not very well veiled, but still - hey, she's 12.) We say, "He's a happy guy, isn't he?" or, "How happy is he?" meaning how *blatantly* gay does he behave?
Being in cheer, she meets them every now and then. :) Like the oh, so very happy UCA choreographer.
I know a guy in the military who uses "forward" instead of "straight" when giving directions. He gave his reason for it by saying that the road may not be straight in the direction of travel, so "forward" is more accurate. It makes sense when he explains it.
I had a friend, way back when, who said "go forward, not straight" but she meant straight as in drug and alcohol free. ;)
Happy:
Ignerence is being insulted with the wrong werd. Hoooooooooooooooo :notworthy:
I'm happy because the big gum tree next door didn't fall on my house last night.
Wow...you just reminded me of that old kid's song
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Laugh Kookaburra laugh Kookaburra
Save some....
Don't remember the rest but I bet when I sang it as a kid I had no idea from where it originated.
Cool!
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra laugh Kookaburra
kookaburra laugh your day is long.
That's the only verse I know. I guess we could google it?
I saw a tv interview with a little old lady who said she wrote that song as a girl-guides activity when she was about 14.
We used to sing three verses:
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
That's the life for me.
Kookaburra sits in the gumdrop tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
Save some there for me.
Kookaburra sits on the railroad tracks
Along comes a train and squashes him flat
Poor Kookaburra, poor Kookaburra
That's the end of that.
We never sang that song when I was in school. The only reason I know it is because mum had a tape with lots of short kids tunes on it. That was one of them.
I guess it was our equivalent of The Wiggles back then. lol Oh no, that was romper room.
That song made it over here too.
We sang it as Brownies.
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
Gay your life must be (ha ha ha)
The ha ha's are part of the song, not me laughing at the word gay.
We'd sing it in a round, like London Bridge is Falling Down.
Until Clod wrote it out, I never thought about the second line and the fact it was an Australian song. In my mind it was always, "Merry merry king of the bushes, he." Funny how you accept things as a child rather than question them.
Sweet!
Accepting things as a child: the alphabet, to me, contained the letter "elemenno." It just did. I finally figured it out a few years ago.
"London Bridge is falling down"? I always thought it was "London britches falling down."
I am stoked. I have clotted up 160GB of hard drive and I ordered another 750 form newegg yesterday afternoon. I just checked the tracking number and it is on the local ups truck for delivery toady. Nice. now back to scanning.
I am done with fall quarter!
I'm going to be very busy next week while the ex is in town :D
Edit: whoops. Just realized what that sounded like. I MEAN, I'll be very busy with work and other commitments so I won't have to see/hear/deal with him very much. -facepalm- Things often sound much better in my head than when I get them down on paper
Hopefully "commitments", as in, too busy with someone else.
Oh hai, bitter new divorcee here....;) Just when I thought I couldn't be any grumpier. Heh.
I have just ordered
this for Mrs. Dallas' birthday next Friday.
(Now I just need to come up with something for my Secret Santa gift....)
Cicero... YUP!! Ted and friends out in LaVergne. I will be FAR too busy to spend any time with the ass... I mean, ex.
Steve... Lucky Mrs. Dallas!!
SD, besides practicing dis-arms, what do you use the AS guns for?
DUDE, HLJ, have you never run around the woods like an Army Ranger sniping your friends with an airsoft pistol or rifle?? Oh, honey, you need to come out my way for some FUN!! (and hot chocolate and HUGE steaks after!)
I've done that with paint ball guns. How do you know if someone's been hit with the airsoft pellets?
-evil grin- They yelp and grab the body part you hit. Airsoft pellets freakin STING!
This week's first official Daisy girl scout meeting went very well, I think. Two other moms and I are co-leading a brand new troop of 11 six year old girls. The girls all got along very very well. My daughter already has made a couple new friends, and I like both the co-leaders well enough that I should have a lot of fun over the next year too. A lot of preparation has gone into this and I am glad the ball is finally rolling.
I'm leaving early today to have my first parent-teacher conference. My daughter's first report card was good, and I was especially happy to see that her math skills all got highest marks. Art was the other high spot. I'm looking forward to seeing how she's doing, and what we can do to keep her moving in the right direction.
I took tomorrow off to spend the morning with my daughter, who has the day off of school, then I am heading out of town to my friend's place to hang out with her, then do my cross-country run Sat. I finally got in touch with the Tri Club member who I've gotten to know and like, who is also doing LHF, and we have planned to meet up to make sure each of us finishes, or at least makes it to a paramedic if needed.
Sunday is my daughter's birthday party, that should be a lot of fun, and Monday she is bringing treats to school because that is her actual birthday.
Next week is a short week due to the holiday, I'm only working Mon and 1/2 day Tues. I am looking forward to sitting around for the rest of it and doing freaking NOTHING for a few days but drinking Bailey's and hot chocolate and kicking my families ass at the Wii. Maybe doing a bit of Christmas shopping for good measure. My SS gift isn't gonna buy itself.
SD, besides practicing dis-arms, what do you use the AS guns for?
Nothing particular--but her favorite video arcade game of all time is a "police training" setup with an electronic pistol where you have to shoot your way through different tests. And she's said on several occasions that she like the idea of target shooting. I'm not clear whether she's actually ever tried it or not, but I figured a low power Airsoft gun and a couple targets down in the basement would make for some good winter entertainment.
I hear / see Mrs. Dallas in her best Will Smith voice: "But it was a good shot, right?" [/MIB]
This week's first official Daisy girl scout meeting went very well, I think. Two other moms and I are co-leading a brand new troop of 11 six year old girls. The girls all got along very very well. My daughter already has made a couple new friends, and I like both the co-leaders well enough that I should have a lot of fun over the next year too. A lot of preparation has gone into this and I am glad the ball is finally rolling.
I'm leaving early today to have my first parent-teacher conference. My daughter's first report card was good, and I was especially happy to see that her math skills all got highest marks. Art was the other high spot. I'm looking forward to seeing how she's doing, and what we can do to keep her moving in the right direction.
I took tomorrow off to spend the morning with my daughter, who has the day off of school, then I am heading out of town to my friend's place to hang out with her, then do my cross-country run Sat. I finally got in touch with the Tri Club member who I've gotten to know and like, who is also doing LHF, and we have planned to meet up to make sure each of us finishes, or at least makes it to a paramedic if needed.
Sunday is my daughter's birthday party, that should be a lot of fun, and Monday she is bringing treats to school because that is her actual birthday.
Next week is a short week due to the holiday, I'm only working Mon and 1/2 day Tues. I am looking forward to sitting around for the rest of it and doing freaking NOTHING for a few days but drinking Bailey's and hot chocolate and kicking my families ass at the Wii. Maybe doing a bit of Christmas shopping for good measure. My SS gift isn't gonna buy itself.
Evidently flowers do not make Labrat happy any more.
I gots me a new camera!
Actually, I got one last week, but it sucked. Kodak C813, for the record. First big mark against it: I didn't notice on the model in the store, it has no viewfinder. You have no choice but to aim your shot based on the live tracking in the window. This is unacceptable to me because 1.) my hands are unsteady when held out in front of me like that, and 2.) those constantly-running video windows suck up batteries like a freaking Dyson with cyclone action.
But I hate being that guy (gal), who hassles the store with a return because they were too stupid to pick the right item in the first place. So I was going to persevere. Then I took some pictures with it, and the color quality was horrific. Seriously, I'm not a visual person at all, and these looked like shit. I played around with all sorts of settings, and there was no fixing it. There was an inherently digital look to all the colors, like you could see the clusters of RGB pixels trying to blend into whatever real-life color it was trying to mimic.
So I returned the crap camera and got a more expensive one. Turns out all but two models have no viewfinder. What is up with that? One model was this weird off-brand, and the other was a Canon PowerShot--i.e., the newer version of my old camera. Which I loved, but, you know, it did just break on me. But what the hell, I got it anyway.
Oh hey guys, mum says thanks for your well wishes :)
I think it gave her a buzz to think a bunch of people she's never met were concerned for her.
I'm happy because by this time next week, Dazza will be home again although by this time next week, he'll probably be sleeping. lol
Powershots are nice. You can feel good about that.
Huh. I hate mine. You probably got the one with the good lense though. Mine is the A510 and I don't like it at all.
We're getting a new camera for Christmas.
I think it's going to be
this one.
Blimey! I wouldn't know what to do with that!
I got a new camera second hand before I lost my job. I love it. It's pink. That'll do for me.
Got an email from my ex-boss suggesting I might still get payment tomorrow, if not Monday. This is better than I hoped. Fingers crossed.
We're getting a new camera for Christmas.
I think it's going to be this one.
I've got the D70 and I really like it. That D90 has a lot of cool features.
I'm trying to decide if I want to bring the D70 or the Canon Powershot SD950 when I go to Mexico. I'll probably end up bringing both.
We just have a happy snaps one at the moment which is good for ordinary stuff, but there is some beautiful scenery around here which has motivated me to want to take some decent shots and maybe think about selling them at local markets for tourists etc. I want something that'll take landscape shots as well as macro type stuff too and that one looks like it should do the job.
NB: Dazza will be able to write it off on his tax also, so that's a bonus and means the actual expense is less.
My power shot makes your all y'all's cameras cry and run into the bathroom to wipe all its raccoon eye looking makeup off its cheap ass lens having face.
My power shot makes your all y'all's cameras cry and run into the bathroom to wipe all its raccoon eye looking makeup off its cheap ass lens having face.
And you're not talking about your camera, are you?
And you're not talking about your camera, are you?
That's right. And you don't even want to know about my money shot.:eek:
...we don't? -is now rabidly curious-
I HAS A HUMONGOUS HAPPEE!!! Turns out the kidlet is NOT leaving for Hawaii for a while yet... the Other has no $$ -wicked laughter-
*grins* good stuff trease
Well, it's what he gets for spending close to a thousand dollars to get his dress blues and get them tailored and get the chevrons sewed on and get the ribbons and medals that he's supposed to get on it and get the cover and bloodstripes and buttons and so on and so forth, let ALONE spending sixty bucks for tickets to the Marine Corps Ball this year and buying a car and insuring it and so on and so forth. We see what his priorities are here...
Edit: wow, I'm really not doing so good with the communication these days. The above statement was written ENTIRELY tongue in cheek; I understand how his finances can be in a jumble, and the whole Ball thing is mandatory for his shop this year so it's not like the uniform was debatable....
Turns out all but two models have no viewfinder. What is up with that?
Apparently people who didn't grow up using them on cameras tend not to like them.
In strong sunlight, an optical viewfinder is very helpful. Also, the camera is much more stable when you look through a viewfinder than when you hold it out in front of you. The resulting pictures are more crisp.
I knew glatt would know. I would take my photo advice from glatt.:)
Then my advice is we need more photos of Cicero.
In strong sunlight, an optical viewfinder is very helpful. Also, the camera is much more stable when you look through a viewfinder than when you hold it out in front of you. The resulting pictures are more crisp.
I agree! Which is why I don't understand why so many people apparently don't like them.
Ditto. I refuse to buy a cam with no viewfinder. Hell, it's just recently Ted's convinced me to upgrade from a 35mm SLR to a digital camera. -sighs-
A viewfinder - especially when taking pics on a bright day or when its dark is essential is a must have.
I just saw one of my favorite quotes in the cookies:
As you know, death is my bread and danger my butter. No, danger is my bread and death is my butter. No, danger is my, death is, no, no wait, sorry, death and danger are my various breads and various butters.
- Woody Allen, _What's Up, Tiger Lily?_
I'm done! Fall quarter at OSUlite is ovah!
:celebrat:
WTG Bri.
By the way, I was SURE you would get my usertitle. It's a location thing. I thought of it because on one of the TVs here today I saw a new BHA commercial and remembered the ones from my childhood, and of course we changed it to "bald-headed astronaut."
Oh, i get it, honey! I was about to change mine to Better Home Appliances (and toby says hi, too! Right, Toby!)
Ditto. I refuse to buy a cam with no viewfinder. Hell, it's just recently Ted's convinced me to upgrade from a 35mm SLR to a digital camera. -sighs-
Hold out for a DSLR. A) if you're that attached to your 35mm SLR, you're just going to hate a point & shoot. B) If you pick the same brand as your existing camera you may be able to take advantage of existing lenses (and possibly flash) you own.
[SIZE="5"]GO [COLOR="DarkRed"]B[/COLOR][COLOR="Gray"]U[/COLOR][COLOR="darkred"]C[/COLOR][COLOR="gray"]K[/COLOR][COLOR="darkred"]E[/COLOR][COLOR="gray"]Y[/COLOR][COLOR="darkred"]E[/COLOR][COLOR="gray"]S[/COLOR]![/SIZE]
KICK SOME WOLVERINE BUTT!
^ what she said! GO BUCKS!
[SIZE="5"]GO [COLOR="DarkRed"]B[/COLOR][COLOR="Gray"]U[/COLOR][COLOR="darkred"]C[/COLOR][COLOR="gray"]K[/COLOR][COLOR="darkred"]E[/COLOR][COLOR="gray"]Y[/COLOR][COLOR="darkred"]E[/COLOR][COLOR="gray"]S[/COLOR]![/SIZE]
KICK SOME WOLVERINE BUTT!
TG they're all coming down to you, I'm sick of the buggers clogging up my freeway exit when I try to take Thor to Hockey. Once you've dealt with them, can you keep them for a bit? say 6 months?
I found out today I'm finally getting to meet the daughter of one of my oldest friends at Christmas. Last time I saw her she was a very big bump in her Mummy's tummy (not literally, she was in the womb). And Mummy - bless her - was quite happy to drive, so my wastrel friend and I could get drunk together. Well she was 8.5 months pregnant, but it was sweet of her to offer all the same.
So A is almost 3 and this is the first chance I've had to see her in this time, although I've had lots of photos. He's home for Christmas, and regardless what happens I will be here too. In sadder news, I found out his brother's wife died this year. His brother is now a 32 year old widower with 3 children under 12. That's horrendous. I'll tell my Mum and she'll pray for them, it's the best I can do.
In other slightly sad news, I never really let my hopes of coming over to America die. But while travel-dreaming this evening I found out American hotels were really not as cheap as I had anticipated, knocking the possibility further out of the ballpark. Of course they're designed for couples at a minimum, and mostly for families. $100 a night between four AND all getting breakfast is an amazing deal. Not so hot for a singleton. Prejudice! Maybe I'll just head for the nearest bar where a fat arse and an English accent will impress, and get someone to take me home for the night. Fat chicks get laid more often, I read that somewhere really trustworthy.
Mum & Dad back tomorrow. Quick whisk round with a hoover, mop, cloth, duster, etc etc. It's fine as it is, but I want to make a really good impression. It's time for The Talk.
1) you could get together with the widower
2) motels are nicer than they sound and way cheaper than $100/night. where in the hell are you looking for $100/night hotels, anyway? Central Manhattan? I can almost get a night in a hotel with a waterpark for a family of 5 for that right now.....
1) Nuh-uh!
2) I was looking in Philadelphia. And that's the point - a family of five can stay in them, but it's no cheaper for a single person to occupy the room. Oh and American's mean something very different by Bed & Breakfast (usually the cheapest of all options in the UK apart from hostelling).
1) Nuh-uh!
2) I was looking in Philadelphia. And that's the point - a family of five can stay in them, but it's no cheaper for a single person to occupy the room. Oh and American's mean something very different by Bed & Breakfast (usually the cheapest of all options in the UK apart from hostelling).
yes, b&B is posh.
cheapest deals are mostly to be had on the spot, not by prebooking. for $50 i can get a nice basic motel room pretty much any where except center of major cities (but right next to commuter lines into major cities). For $30 I can get a dodgy basic motel room. for a family of 5 or just for 1. I've never paid $100 for a room, except when we went to the waterpark hotel. Where the waterpark was included.
Sigh. Well if I stay at the airport hotel I can average about $50 a night. Which is cheap of course. Just seems a rip off that a whole bed is going spare AND I could include up to another 2 people for only $20.
It's only dreaming still, but I like to occupy my time this way :)
I'm seeing $50 on expedia for philly hotels, and you usually get them for less if you just turn up -except on holidays.
then invite a homeless person to share it with you :)
;) Barely Homeless count?
This semester, I've been interning at a high school for two periods a day, once a week. Today was my last day there. Despite our limited time together, the students gave me hugs and "We'll miss you!"s as I bade them goodbye. Many of them expressed the hope that I'd be back teaching at their high school, soon, or that at the very least I'd come to visit. My host teacher e-mailed me tonight to tell me that he thought I did very well, that the students asked about me on days that I wasn't there, and that he thought I should be very proud of myself.
I am! Earning the respect and affection of a bunch of 10th graders is probably one of the highlights of my year.
Being the "hot" teachers aid probably didn't hurt either.:cool:
A lot of people in different parts of my volunteer world spontaneously thanked me for what i do today. not just thanked me, but took the time to specify what they like about what i do. aaaaw.
And I got a marquis-style sandwich board to play with at the kids' school :D Maybe i'll put "Teh Cellar" on it and post a pic. maybe :lol:
Today is mr. sweetwater's birthday - time to go bake a cake!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Sweetwater!!
Happy Birfday Mr S !
Well done Chocolatl, that's brilliant. You sound like a natural. Though you can instill knowledge and train in technique, a good teacher is born not made.
@ Monster: nice:)
Diz is fine.
Back from the vet.
"A touch of" conjunctivitis, no temperature or breathing problems.
Although he does have a heart murmer, according to this vet.
"Has he seen a vet before?" he asked.
Three and a half year old pedigree cat - what do you think?
He said that perhaps it was just due to stress (WHAT?) but to keep an eye on it (HOW?)
I said, "I know a couple of people who've been diagnosed with a health murmer recently."
"Cats?"
"No, people."
Anyway I am happy Diz is fine.
But kicking myself for rushing him in.
And feel fleeced - he's been given a course of antibiotics for a viral infection, "To make sure he doesn't pick anything else up in the mean time."
Funny, that's what GPs fight against doing. Antibiotics are not sweeties to be given out willy nilly.
Okay, it's actually spending £80.17 in under 10 minutes that I'm grumpy about. Grrrrrrrrr. Eighty pounds!!!!!!
Shocking.
*shakes head* vet fees are so expensive. I can't walk through our vets door without emptying my bank account.
Sounds cheaper than American doctors :p
Well it's my turn tomorrow. I'm after 3 different prescriptions, each lasting 28 days (3x longer than Diz's two medicines). It will cost me less than £20. Blessings on the NHS, at least I never have to wonder if seeing a doctor is the right thing to do.
I am glad I took Diz - his eye is churning out gunge and I'd be frantic with worry if I hadn't. I am genuinely shocked re the cost though. Had this been an ordinary month I'd have been in tears. I'm grateful that the first time he has ever been ill has been when I've had money enough to look after him. I am definitely getting insurance for him when I get a job though. If it turns out he does have a heart murmer I wouldn't want lack of funds to mean I have no choice re treatment.
He's in his usual position on my chest (laptop on my knees). If £80 means he's healthy then it's worth it.
Sweet kitty loves his mommy! Glad he's feeling better, and you could do what you needed to do. Vets are crazy expensive, but I think pets know we want them to feel OK.
I'm going to have to look into puppy insurance. They say it works, especially during surgery....We'll see. :)
4 1/2 days off.
plus --
a week off at Christmas; and
4 1/2 days off at New Years!
Anne Coulter's jaw is wired shut. Story
HEREAnne Coulter's jaw is wired shut. Story HERE
Paging Undertoad..... ;)
Anne Coulter's jaw is wired shut. Story HERE
She's my cousin. Thanks a lot.
Anne Coulter's jaw is wired shut. Story HERE
You insensitive tart, you know I lost my Adam's apple on 9/11.
i was whining to
John Dillenbeck (salesmanager) about losing my tie bar at the gym today....and told him that I had lost my other one in between the seat and console of an Altima coupe demo that i had. That car is still here in the front of the showroom. 1/2 hour later, John hands me my old tie bar. He had a skinny detailer go in after it. nice guy.
I now have shelving in both ends of our bedroom wardrobe with a clothes rod in between so now I can keep my clothes in our room instead of the spare room. :)
Also, Dazza is getting home tomorrow and wont be going away again till after Christmas.
Also, my kids did a great job in their school swimming carnival yesterday.
Also, I'm up to date with all my housework.
Also, I'm going shopping tomorrow.
Also, did you know it's only 29 days till Christmas?
:)
i was whining to John Dillenbeck (salesmanager) about losing my tie bar at the gym today....and told him that I had lost my other one in between the seat and console of an Altima coupe demo that i had. That car is still here in the front of the showroom. 1/2 hour later, John hands me my old tie bar. He had a skinny detailer go in after it. nice guy.
Damn, tie bar.... the first post, I was thinking a car part... "tie rod"...
I'm losing it.
I got to wait on V a L K i l M e r and his kids!! This morning! He's hot. Yeppers. Sometimes being the coffee and burrito whench isn't so bad. ;)
I'm so tired, and it was about 7:30 in the morning. I couldn't tell whether I was still dreaming or not. *blink blink* *pinching myself*
He's getting big, but he's still hot. And definitely hotter in person. Rowr! Kitty cat! :)
Lil' Pete had a huge foil bout against a "B" rated fencer yesterday to pick up the bronze at a women's tournament. She beat her 15-14 in overtime. Not bad for a kid.
I got the tree and decorations up yesterday, woke up to this today. Yeah!
We got some of that, too. Not giving me the same jolly feeling you're getting out of it, though. But then, you run through freezing mud. :p
Did he tip?
I got to wait on him again todaaaay!! :D Yea he did. Not much. No one tips here much. This place is pretty self serve.
That's making me happy again today. :) This job isn't so bad after all.
:D
Hawt.
FINALLY finished the enormous case study I've been working on all week. The final product is a 37 page beast with about 15 pages worth of original analysis. Yuck! I have another 15 pages to write tonight (and it's already almost midnight) but they are mostly reflection, so it should be easy going from here on out...
Two and a half hour mountain biking trip today in beautiful weather. Three big push-up hills, but lots of great interesting and fairly fast downhills, jumps, berms, all dirt tracks. We even found a very recently built track that is one of the best in the district.
I used the GPS in my phone as a trip log, but put it in my mad mate's backpack. We did almost 10 ks (I don't know the altitude variation) but the highest speed recorded was 124 kph!!!!! There is NO WAY that can be accurate, but even to get close to that he must have been zinging along. Because of the inaccuracy of the system, it sometimes registers a few kmh speed when stationary, but I've never seen error readings above 10kmh. How far off can a satellite GPS be, for speed?
Imagine the skin you'd lose if you stacked on a dirt track doing 124k's! That would hurt.
Mav had a big stack on his BMX on the weekend. He has quite a spectacular bruise on his thigh which is about the size of a sandwich plate.
This maniac (Eric Barone) was doing 170+ kph when he learned the importance of (a) not skimping on equipment and (b) doing your bloody helmet up properly.
What an idiot.
That vid made my stomach turn. Didn't they have first aid people on site? Surely they shouldn't have been moving him around so much?
God some people are stupid. lol
It's December first and it's our first snowfall of the year.
I have already raked 4 large, crammed-full bags of leaves off part of the front lawn so far today. That means I have, at best guess, only about 8 more to go! It's hard work because there's so many, but grabbing armfuls of crackling yellow leaves in one's arms, getting a good sniff of delicious earth, and feeling like one is getting a Big Job Done while enjoying the sun, wind, and birdsong is quite nice.
Love
or Lust....
or revisited something...
I'm just happy :)
I'm happy that Ducks is back. You been busy, mate? Or "busy" ;) ?
I'm happy that I might potentially only have to carry this great lump of extra human around inside me for another 13 weeks!
I'm happy that Ducks is back. You been busy, mate? Or "busy" ;) ?
Ha...see here
APB thread:biggrinlo
My cats are happy to have us back home!
It is a beautiful sunny fall day outside, the leaves are gorgeous, the sky is blue... and I don't have to be out in the cold! YAY! lol
I am touching the Cellar monkey even though the tagline says not to touch it. ::touch touch touch:: Yes, I live on the edge, Danger is my middle name, I'm wild today!
Making me happy today: the indominatable human spirit and the kindness of relative strangers...just when I was ready to give up hope again. :)
wow shawnee, you sound so Christmassy.
I got a new pc monitor. You all look so pretty.
Mav and Aden had the day off school today because we had some transport problems, and Mav got bored so he made some very nice white chocolate chip cookies.
Mmmmmm...that's what's making me happy today. :)
I found out that my husband's cousin isn't gay after all. Well, at least he says he's not. No, he didn't come out and say "I'm not gay," LOL -- he talked about having girlfriends and enjoying life as a confirmed bachelor during a visit today. Now, I personally wouldn't care if he was gay - it primarily made me happy because my FIL has been convinced for the past two decades that he was gay and I am petty enough to enjoy seeing him be wrong about stuff. ;)
The cousin is, however, really weird. He's an over-caffeinated conspiracy theorist who's a huge fan of Glenn Beck, thinks we're all headed for the New World Order and being poisoned by chemtrails, and isn't known for ever keeping a steady job for long because he "likes to be independent."
We got along just fine. ;)
In other happy news, DH's aunt visited too - she is 87 and just as chipper as can be, a very sweet lady. So good to see she's still doing well.
And I am drinking a surprisingly good inexpensive chardonnay.
Juni...I have to ask what DH stands for. I just know it's not what I think every time I read it. lol
Drinking a great bottle of Petite Sirah from Sonoma as I roam the musings of my Cellar friends. Not a bad way to spend my time this evening.
DH = dear husband
Also could be "damn husband" or other D thing, as appropriate. Usually dear.
You do know what FIL/SIL etc. stands for, right? Father in law? Sis in law? Just checking. :)
Yes I know what those last ones stand for. lol
It's probably just because when my kids are cranky they might say someone was being a real DH meaning dickhead. Sorry about that. lol
Hey, that's OK. Sometimes it fits!
I replaced my refrigerator's door gasket all by myself. Go me!
Yzn, the syrah is a HIGHLY underrated drink, IMHO. It's what Merlot tries to be ;) Enjoy!
I replaced my refrigerator's door gasket all by myself. Go me!
Where did you get it? Ours needs replacing, but I'm having trouble finding one.
This place. All you need is your model number, and they'll even tell you where to find that sticker on your particular fridge.
I'm impressed. I didn't know you could do that.
By the way, the old door gasket makes great refrigerator magnets. You just cut it up into 2 or 3 inch lengths and take the mildewy white vinyl plastic off it. You can get dozens of magnets strips out of it this way and they look pretty good. Whenever I see a fridge on the curb near my house, I can't resist cutting off a length of gasket for fridge magnets.
I'm happy because after today, I only have to drive into the city three more times to pick up the kids after school. That's brilliant stuff as far as I'm concerned.
Also it means they're on holidays (vacation) so we'll get to spend some time together. :)
Christmas bonus day! woo!
I am so lucky.
AH HA!! I finally found
THE bubbles. They are tiny and plentiful and the soap is thick so you can catch them on your finger. There is no substitute (believe me, I've tried) and it took a great deal of internet searching to figure out where to find them.
tamales!
bought from a friend of a friend; brought to our office; right out of the steamer (these people make them every day starting at 3 am!)
1/2 doz long green chiles with cheese (rajas)
1/2 doz chicken in green chile
They also had rojo (red, which has pork I think). They're all yummy! $9 dozen.
Want some?
There doesn't seem to be any evidence of a reversal of the permabanning in the near future.
I feel like I can breathe again.
Making me happy today: the indominatable human spirit and the kindness of relative strangers...just when I was ready to give up hope again. :)
Did you get laid by a stranger?
tamales!
[...]Want some?
Yes Please! :yum:
Badger says the couch is making him happy right now. It's holding his ass up off the ground.
I'm bone tired from fencing tonight. While we were at Candlewood fencing last weekend the club owner gave lil' Pete a new weapon. It is heavier than what she's been using and really appears to suit her well. Very cool. We also picked up a new adult fencer at our club this week which is a pleasant change from the vast numbers of little people we've been getting. He also wants to learn the local mtn biking scene since he hasn't ridden since leaving China. :cool:
My son, who has been having a hard time in school lately, brought home a 100% on his math test!
Yay...I know how that feels Juni. :) Good for him.
We also picked up a new adult fencer at our club this week which is a pleasant change from the vast numbers of little people we've been getting. He also wants to learn the local mtn biking scene since he hasn't ridden since leaving China. :cool:
:eek: What? Your training Chinese in weaponry? What if he's a terrorist?
My son actually helped me put up the pagan tree! YAY! :santa:
[snip]
I'm getting to be pretty good at the bass. Not there yet, but it's in my sights.
The older I get, the more I'm convinced that some of the highest highs come from nailing some skill.
I take lessons from a professional jazz bassist in Chicago city on Saturday mornings. Every lesson has some new insight. It's a natural upper.
This guy that reminds me of glatt is hitting on me. That makes me happy. But it's also dumb because I'm not going to do anything about it. Maybe I'm not an old hag ay? :)
He's hawt. It's just too bad, and highly unfortunate that I am completely batshit crazy right now. :)
All the more reason to go for it!
Cicero, I am not supposed to tell you this, but the Men's Club pamphlet advises us that all women are completely batshit crazy all the time. He (PseudoGlatt) should know what to expect. So what's the problem?
I just got back from my first SCA event last night and had an absolute BLAST!! The Arts and Sciences competition was fun; Ted and his dance partner won a prize!! YAY TED! The feast was a huge success; Saint Nicholas showed up and passed out chocolate coins to the "good" little boys and girls (yes, I got candy), and the food was delicious. The masked ball after was SOOO much fun! Plus, of course, I was present at court (which was where Her Majesty was handing out prizes for the A&S competition) and my little girl got a gift from their lordships the Baron and Baroness of Iron Mountain (Birmingham area), which was where the event was held. All in all, a WONDERFUL time was had by all! Came home exhausted, unloaded the van, took showers, and we all crashed. Next event: A day trip to Nashville in January. W00t! :-)
A 2 year
AHA grant was awarded to one of the labs that I work for/in. It's a very small one, but critical to the continuity of the current research we are doing, and most importantly helps cover my salary :)
Now, if the NIH would only come through for us...
I opened a Christmas card and found a check written out to me for $100. Wheee! But it's not the money - it's the fact that it was thrown into a box with other junk and forgotten. The check is dated 12/17/02. I'm pretty sure we could have used it then. Bet it drove my mother nutz when we didn't cash it. :bonk:
I'm supposed to have internet by tonight! Maybe I'll see you guys here again. :)
I just fixed my daughter's cell phone. ME. Yeah, ME.
Got a repair estimate for $117 to replace the LCD screen. I went to eBay and bought one for $4 plus $10 shipping.
And I put it in all by myself!
Whoo-hoo!
Bet it drove my mother nutz when we didn't cash it. :bonk:
probably not as much as you not saying thank you ;)
Wouldn't she have mentioned it if she realized you didn't cash it?
Mine would have, the first bank statement she got.
$573 money order from the future ex for child support he failed to send a few months ago. And he sent it without me nagging him about it. YAY!!!
Am I a soccer dork? yup. [COLOR="White"](although technically this isn't soccer, it is futsal) [/COLOR]I got this in my email this morning and it put a smile on my face. Awesome freaking shot.
[youtube]VNj6VFaLCd0&eurl[/youtube]
Yeah, it was a great shot. I love how the keeper is just standing there looking at it.
I'm confused. I thought the goal was to get it into the net, not hit that girl. And the girl is celebrating getting bonked? :3_eyes:
So fast and unexpected that the keeper didn't even move. pretty sweet scissors kick.
I think it would have hurt! :)
Thanks for the 'splanation.
That was pretty awesome. But that doesn't mean you aren't a dork. :)
1) I found my ball. I bought a new trackball mouse for home and was bringing my old one in here to work because I hate regular mice. I got it here 2 weeks ago and couldn't find the ball. I figured it had somehow rolled out into the street or something. This morning I saw it hiding by my computer tower. I love my mouse now!
2) 6 1/2 more working days then we are shut down for an entire week.
3) I tried the hummus on the salad bar and it's really good. Must bring pita bread tomorrow.
The walk-through of the house we're buying went well. Met the current owners; really cool people. The gentleman reminded me (almost painfully) of my father. They took really good care of the place and are eager to pass on all the details of its upkeep to us -- a very good sign! They're moving up to MA to be closer to their daughter and her kids.
Closing is tomorrow. Here comes the 8-million-signature hand cramp. :D
Yeah!!! Have fun and good luck!
Congrats - no uh, wrist exercises tonight.
It's cool and rainy today.
That helps with the little furnace inside you, right?
It snowed here a bit last night, so was able to introduce both the kidlet and the dog to snow! Kidlet couldn't understand why the snowflakes in her hand disappeared before she could eat them, and eventually was so disappointed by this TRAVESTY that I had to take her inside before she had a meltdown (-snicker-). The dog was HILARIOUS. She's a sixty pound hairball shepherd/collie bitzer, and she ran through the door like she always does to go outside... then tried to slam on the brakes when she realized the ground was FREAKING WHITE. This caused her to slip and slide on her butt across the back patio until she fell off the edge and hit the ground with an audible WHUMPF. She picked herself up off the ground, shook herself off, and stood for about two minutes staring up at the sky watching the snow fall. This was about the time Kidlet started to fuss about not being able to eat the white stuff, so I didn't get to see the rest of the dog's reaction, but it was still FUNNY!!
It snowed at my step-kids' house in Southeast Texas. Apparently they even shut down school. The pictures were cool...I liked seeing palms with snow on them.
Now, here...it has to be 3 ft of snow before school gets canceled.
Big fluffy flakes out my window right now, but nothing that should accumulate.
UPS, Fedex and the mail carrier lady are bringing me lots of boxes. Yay, Christmas gifts, and no crazy shoppers at the store! Yay, eBay!
Where are mine? You must have received mine?
Well I know my SS will arrive in the next 10 days, but damnit - every post brings at least 5 cards for my parents and I'm tired of it!
Sorry, it's the happy thread.
I'm still happy because what I sent was received and appreciated.
I'm easily pleased that way.
Sorry, SG. If I had your address.... ;)
Which reminds me, I have to send something out to a couple people and I've been dragging my butt on it. Well, not literally. I mean I'm behind. Or maybe I'm just an ass.
Hm...
But these are boxes full of nifty things for other people, not for me!
It's the weekend, and I am actually going to venture forth from my place like a real social human and go to the Christmas party of the IT department of my old job! It will be soooooo much fun. :)
Pete sewed an insulated window cover for the picture window at night. It was 10°F here this morning and 67°F in the house from last nights fire.:cool:
At various times I have improvised double glazing by taping bubble-wrap to the inside of the window. It's good insulation, lets light through, and slightly blurs it for privacy. A bit tacky, though.
Bubble wrap is really effective. You can get it sandwiched in foil as well if you really want to block heat loss.
Pete used
Warm WindowThe Christmas tree is finally up, the kids are beating up on eachother (leaving me alone), the house is clean, the windows are open, and it's a beautiful day.
I'm impressed. I didn't know you could do that.
By the way, the old door gasket makes great refrigerator magnets. You just cut it up into 2 or 3 inch lengths and take the mildewy white vinyl plastic off it. You can get dozens of magnets strips out of it this way and they look pretty good. Whenever I see a fridge on the curb near my house, I can't resist cutting off a length of gasket for fridge magnets.
New user title.
Glatt: "Ready for the coming depression"
. . . go to the Christmas party of the IT department of my old job! It will be soooooo much fun. :)
Have fun! Though I have to say, most people I know would rather chew their own arm off than go to an IT department party. Maybe it's just me.
Where are mine? You must have received mine?
Well I know my SS will arrive in the next 10 days, but damnit - every post brings at least 5 cards for my parents and I'm tired of it!
Sorry, it's the happy thread.
I'm still happy because what I sent was received and appreciated.
I'm easily pleased that way.
Well, you've moved, haven't you? How do I know where to send the card to ;) ?
Well, you've moved, haven't you? How do I know where to send the card to ;) ?
Yep, I had to ask the same question last week.
Sundae Girl :)
Took pil to the vets yesterday morning and that swallowed another £50. I have to take him back in a week, so if he needs more treatment that'll probably swallow up what little remaining leeway there is in my finances.
More importantly, Pilau has to rest for a week: no walks = dog bouncing off the walls by midweek. The vet was reassuring inasmuch as he isn't leaning towards anything sinister just yet. There are a couple of possible concerns flagged up but they're unlikely.
So, I was feeling a little bit low. And then a little package arrived with a tiny card and teensy sundae inside! As soon as I dig my camera out I'll take a pic. Totally cheered me up. Out the blue and unexpected, it was the best timed package ever lol.
God, I actually feel a bit Christmassy now! ty Cherry:)
The temperature has risen to -6°F from -8°F (-22 C). It's good to be inside on a day like today.
And the sunshine is an added bonus.
For the past 3 or 4 months we've been doing a "family video night" on Saturday. This is not only to do something together as a familiy, when we all have very hectic schedules, but also to expose the kids to some movies that aren't just the usual kiddie junk.
Last night we played A Christmas Story, which nobody in the family had seen besides me. The kids actually enjoyed it.
(Annoying: The VD picked up some scratches or something that caused some jerkiness midway through.)
Jelly tops from Home Icecream. The best iceblocks in the world!
My sister has been visiting with momwolf and I over the weekend. She spent last week in Philadelphia at some training down at the Wharton School and flew back today.
One of the big things in wolf family Christmas program is that there shall be fudge. MomWolf makes pounds of the stuff.
SisWolf's office is aware of the fudge, and demanded that it be brought back rather than waiting for it to be mailed.
So I drop SisWolf off at the airporch this morning.
She called to tell us about her adventure.
Apparently she managed to do all of those preboarding things, checking in and all, and was going through security.
TSA Drone: Miss, you need to step off to the side.
SisWolf (who has never been selected for additional screening): Why?
TSA Drone: Miss, there appear to be several pounds of irregularly shaped slabs wrapped in foil in your carry-on.
SisWolf: What? Oh. That's fudge.
TSA Drone: It's What?
SisWolf: Fudge. Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Walnut, Butterscotch, and Maple Walnut.
TSA Drone opened her bag and inspected it, finding foil wrapped bricks as described, each with a little tag indicating flavor. He did not open any of the packets.
I hope everyone feels safer.
Not as safe as I'd feel with a good fudge recipe....
Hey, that fudge could have been heroin. could have been! That's what I tell them when I'm trying to sneak some high-grade black tar thru anyway.
Good news Dana. It sounds like your pootch is on the mend.? I am very curious about the sundae.
Not when your patio door is frozen shut HLJ. Not like it added to the warmth factor.
I can't believe they didn't look wolf. I just can't. lol @ I hope everyone feels safer.
TSA stories - there could be an entire thread devoted to them! One time my spouse was stopped & his luggage searched because they noticed something weird in there. They popped open the lid and found a half dozen of those wands they use to check people. That got them curious, but his company built them and he was on his way to a trade show. He managed to get his business card into their hands before leaving.
No peanut butter fudge?
...
Not when your patio door is frozen shut HLJ. Not like it added to the warmth factor.
...
At least it's not frozen open. I've had that happen, due to ice build up in the tracks.
So if we pack fudge around the plastic explosive, roll that in aluminum foil, and label it with the fudge's flavor, the TSA people will let it go right on board?
I mean, I'm not a fudge packer myself, but...
:drummer:
Well I was thinking hashish looks more like fudge, but I'm glad they'll take your word for it. :headshake
Mr. Show:
[youtube]C_oLtdVPjjg[/youtube]
I treated myself to a couple of things from The American Food Store in Milton Keynes today with the money Grandad gave me for Christmas.
Mum and Dad wanted to go to the shopping centre and market, so I tagged along. I had forgotten the store was there to be honest, so it was a lovely surprise to see it.
I spent ages laughing at the hot sauce names, and then Mum came in (they were in a shop across the way) and laughed along with me. Then when we left, told Dad all about them and made him laugh as well.
It's great when just looking at thnigs can make three people happy!
Anyway, I bought myself some Aunt Jemima ready-to-bake cornbread, some Ass Kickin Hot mustard (I restrained myself from buying the peanuts - I would eat them all in one sitting which is NOT HEALTHY) and a Payday candy bar.
Nom, nom, Merkin nom.
Apart from that, just the little things. Being up and showered and breakfasted and unhungover. Spending the day with my parents. Looking forward to dinner tonight. You know.
Seeing SG in this thread.
Ah thank you!
That did make me smile.
The thing that's making me happy today is when I couldn't sleep last night (boooo) I went over and over in my head how I'd managed to let my anti-depressants run so low. I wasn't beating myself up, just thinking that it wasn't really like me - I'm slack, but something like that I'm usually on top of. And in thinking that I had to ponder where I might have put them if I did in fact have another bottle.
Lo and behold, I had a proper look this morning. My extra PPIs are in the front of my knicker drawer, so I see them every morning and remember to go downstairs to take one. My extra anti-depressants, it turns out, are at the BACK of my knicker drawer.
So I sent off for a replacement driving licence today. I have plenty of tablets to see me through until it arrives in the New Year, and I can then take my shiny new photo ID to get registered at the local practice. Phew. Won't do them much good though. I'm about 60 pounds heavier and ten years older than I was in that picture. Looks nothing like me. Still, it's legal (in this country) and they'll have to take it. Silly practice if you ask me - those tiny photos could be anyone of approx the same age and colour once you've had them a few years.
And the second piece of good news is I have an interview at the Job Centre tomorrow. I expect they will tell me I am not entitled to any benefits, but I'm prepared for that. What they will do is register me as a Job Seeker and I will have access to more job advertisments. They might also be able to enrol me on courses or suchlike - I expect to be in some sort of job in the New Year.
Very very good to hear Sundae!
So glad to hear it SG. Keep taking care of yourself...you are sooooo loved by lots and lots of people, including me. :)
I was going to post that I had cold pizza for breakfast, but that is nothing compared to your good news, Sundae. Cheers! I'm very happy for you.
Yay SG!
I successfully disassembled our dryer, replaced the broken belt and worn out drum rollers, and put it back together. Before, due to the rollers, it sounded like a herd of elephants running through, and now it's extremely quiet. (The downside? The sound no longer carries through the heating ducts, so we can no longer immediately notice when it stops running.)
Though I've been feeling out of sorts and out of place (dunno why) my boss told me today she thinks I'm doing a fabtabulous job.
Though I've been feeling out of sorts and out of place (dunno why) my boss told me today she thinks I'm doing a fabtabulous job.
I think so too.
Fabtabulous!
Eduardo is back. He only played 45 minutes in a reserve match but the point is he actually played. 10 months ago there were concerns that he may not even be able to ever run again so severe was the injury.
He still has a long road ahead of him before he returns to his best, but Eduardo is on his way.
It's great to see SG here again and to hear how she dealt with her difficulties in such a constructive way.
And to hear that Shawnee is getting correctly assessed as fabtabulous by her boss.
WTG grrrrrrrrls!:celebrat:
Though I've been feeling out of sorts and out of place (dunno why) my boss told me today she thinks I'm doing a fabtabulous job.
:D
Awesome! Keep up the good work Shaw or I will scalp you. :)
I am always unsure at my work, but I was told the other day that they realy like me working here. :) And that I'm a nice lady. :D
I said, Oh Really? *cock head to side* Cool! Sweet! :D
I'll agree with them, and I don't even work with you. :)
:D
Awesome! Keep up the good work Shaw or I will scalp you. :)
I am always unsure at my work, but I was told the other day that they realy like me working here. :) And that I'm a nice lady. :D
I said, "Oh Really? cock !!!!" *head to side* Cool! Sweet! :D
Fixed it fer ya!
:) I'm not randy just because I am getting a divorce. M'not!!!! Because that would be weird.
[youtube]yNy9jTeolUk[/youtube]
This kept me happy all day.
[youtube]SpwlsCxY7vU[/youtube]
wharrgarbl
This kept me happy all day.
All kids love a sprinkler on a hot day huh? :)
Very sweet.
Griff, thank you for a much-needed aaaawwwww and giggle.
I didn't have a drink today.
I listened to the second thought, and the second thought said, "If you think you're miserable now, just remember how you felt last Friday - that's what drink does to you."
And I walked past all the pubs on the way home and didn't go in any. And I was actually happier by the time I got home. Not kicking my heels up with glee, but happier than when I left the Job Centre.
Just finished gorging self on the plethora of yummy pickins at our office pot-luck. I think I may be close to a sugar coma!!!
Hanging with my dog. Happy with her new bone. Things aren't perfect around the house, but it's clean enough. Good enough fo' me. :)
I didn't have a drink today.
I listened to the second thought, and the second thought said, "If you think you're miserable now, just remember how you felt last Friday - that's what drink does to you."
And I walked past all the pubs on the way home and didn't go in any. And I was actually happier by the time I got home. Not kicking my heels up with glee, but happier than when I left the Job Centre.
HUGS
The bakery up the road from us makes the absolute best cinnamon donuts I've ever had. They're soft and spongey on the inside but there's bits of the outside that have a slight crunch...and they're smothered in sugar and cinnamon. They are so good!
The only problem is, I ate 3 of them and I should have stopped at 2, but it was the first time I've actually felt like eating something in days. I guess I just went a bit silly.
'tis the season! :)
More hugs for Sundae. Well done on staying out of the pubs. Many wars are won with a hundred small victories, you're on the way.
Griff, thank you for a much-needed aaaawwwww and giggle.
You are welcome.
I didn't have a drink today.
I listened to the second thought, and the second thought said, "If you think you're miserable now, just remember how you felt last Friday - that's what drink does to you."
And I walked past all the pubs on the way home and didn't go in any. And I was actually happier by the time I got home. Not kicking my heels up with glee, but happier than when I left the Job Centre.
Rock on Sundae!
I'd like to echo that Rock on and add a Tommy (one for the Brits)
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="5"]snow day!!!![/SIZE][/FONT]
NO WAY!
It's fifty degrees over here!
Technically, not the University, but my daughter's school was cancelled, so I'm staying home with her.
Now, if I could only stay out of those damn peanut butter balls...
Schadenfreude - the place that got rid of me just advertised the position in Craigslist again, which means they couldn't find someone in three months now, and are almost certainly desperate.
My friendly ex-cow-orkers all say they don't like it there without me.
It also means pager duty rolls around every 3 weeks instead of every 4 for everyone in my ex-group... with no end in sight. Three people are on the pager, so they share it on a one week on, two weeks off basis. With me in rotation, there were four of us, so it was three weeks off.
They are regretting it. Upper-level management is responsible for 98% of all problems at that place.
Have you applied for the job? Maybe you can get a raise.
Have you applied for the job? Maybe you can get a raise.
What he said.
I think you should too, UT. Just see what happens.
Today, we had our luncheon, then met in our divisions. At the luncheon I was thinking how emotionally invested I was in my old job, and sort of missing that common purpose, even though I know the common purpose is here as well. At division, they made everyone new get up, along with their boss, who introduced us and said what our role is. Before my boss spoke, my cow orkers started clapping. They told me later they said "we plan to keep her" and that made me feel really good. There are good people here. The things i was apprehensive about, in going to a new place, have already become irrelevant, and I am so lucky and happy.
lol! Goodz Shaw! No better xmas present than work validation, and the assured promise of more work!
UT, I would do it. Go for it. You could go back in with the "no harm no foul" attitude.
Give people a chance to realize a mistake, and rectify it. If they can't, they blow. :)
Yeehaw!!! I was just informed I am getting a bonus in my next check. Totally unexpected. My company doesn't do Christmas bonuses; this is based on work I did this year that they want to reward me for. My wife is sooo excited. I am sure it will be spent before I finish typing this! LOL
Hey, they accepted my unemployment insurance claim this time. Next time they might not. I won't work there unless there are several changes in upper management.
And long term, a company that can only reliably monitor FM radio is going to die anyway.
Heh...true. Still, what great vindication to know they suck without you!
My Dad accidentally shut Diz out when he went to the shed to get ice cubes during an ad break (the shed is only a step away from the back door and is where they keep the freezer).
Good news though.
He was out for 20 minutes before I went to check on him - I assumed he was on the heater in the hall. I immediately went to the back door and called, and he streaked in on his cold little paws.
This does make me happy because he didn't run and he has the sense to know this is home.
I hope your dad is OK. Maybe you should try to convince him to wear shoes next time he goes out for ice.
Why didn't he knock?
Maybe I just never noticed before but I find you are very funny lately HLJ.
i had a fun time singing Christmas carols with my kids tonight.
Maybe I just never noticed before but I find you are very funny lately HLJ.
Thanks skysidhe. My goal for next year is that at least 50% of my posts will make someone
laugh or
cry - I don't care which.
Yessss!!
I have finished going through all the music on my laptop and filled my shuffle with my favorite workout music. I could run 10.5 miles and never hear the same song twice!!!!
Now, to rip all the rest of my CD's... :thepain:
When will you fill it to marathon-status?
:)
Went for lunch with Mum today.
We did have alcohol, but it was managed. If it were the middle of the year I would probably have settled for Diet Coke, but being Christmas, and Mum looking forward to this for weeks (my Dad has been taken to a premiership football game by my BIL as a Christmas present) I thought it was apposite.
We had a jug of cocktails.
Which worked out the same as a double spirit measure each, drowned in Coke and ice.
I'm happy with this.
AND we had a great time, talking and laughing and telling stories. We do get on well as company.
I just got off customer service chat with zappos. I ordered a dress for homegirl and I opened the package to check that it was ok and saw that it was covered in cat fur and lint. Still had the tags on it.
Zappos was OS but offered me 20 bucks to have it cleaned.
We had a jug of cocktails.
I'm happy with this.
Meh, remind me never to talk to you about alcohol again.
If help and support come from someone who has dealt with things differently or who has a different perspective than me, I'd still appreciate it. It's your choice whether you want to of course.
Hey Sundae, PM me your new postal addy please:)
I'm just worried that you're so focused on the measuring aspect of this that you'll set yourself up for trouble after a few weeks of controlled drinking. Just watch for patterns dear.
I will, honest.
I can only prove this by doing it - and I will.
Thanks for your input - I (probably unfortunately) set a lot of store by other people's opinions. When I read your post my stomach dropped. But it's good - it makes me question what I have done and will be part of my second thought reaction next time.
i had a fun time singing Christmas carols with my kids tonight.
Memories made by dad when young will fill their hearts when they are older.
Thanks skysidhe. My goal for next year is that at least 50% of my posts will make someone laugh or cry - I don't care which.
50% humble
Yessss!!
I have finished going through all the music on my laptop and filled my shuffle with my favorite workout music. I could run 10.5 miles and never hear the same song twice!!!!
I admire this.
If help and support come from someone who has dealt with things differently or who has a different perspective than me, I'd still appreciate it. It's your choice whether you want to of course.
I am a two drink lightweight then it's nap time.
I have lived with alcoholics and they are mean nasty mouthed buggers. Just keep sweet ok.
[COLOR=olive][COLOR=royalblue][edit] I know you are not one of those SG. It has just been my experience that alcohol changes the personality when it gets out of control. I do not wish that on anyone. I wish you all the best in strength and peace.[/COLOR] [/COLOR]
I was concerned about tone on the re-read. Anyway, let's do happy stuff now.
1) I fixed my dishwasher yesterday while my lunch was cooking. I had to pull it out and do some re-wiring. I'm glad I didn't have to call in that Maytag guy.
2) My wife's Xmaz present arrived yesterday. I had to test it, of course, and make sure it was OK. Now I want it.
3) We leave for Mexico again in a few days.
2) My wife's Xmaz present arrived yesterday. I had to test it, of course, and make sure it was OK. Now I want it.
I really
really hope you cleaned it before wrapping it.
What makes you think I'm done playing with it?
What makes you think I'm done playing with it?
I think that line bears repeating out of context...
...after a few weeks of controlled drinking. Just watch for patterns dear.
??? Link please.:p
Well,
this isn't double-blind but...
I went for an afternoon walk in some hills overlooking the city today, to watch the sun go down. It was still very warm: 30 C or so. The sunset was obscured by a large cloud bank :( which turned out to be an electrical storm :) which I sat and watched roll in over the city, over the dusky street-lighting. Coooooll.
Two new piercings! Drove to Albuquerque (and back) yesterday; got my other nipple done, and a chest anchor; i.e., a single-point piercing at the top of my cleavage.
Yay!
"Anchor" in the sense of pulling you down to the bottom of the pool? Or of attaching something else to it to hold it down?
Diz caught a worm last night.
Mighty hunter.
Diz caught a worm last night.
Mighty hunter.
What have I been saying all this time? Immunise, people, immunise!
LOL
I'm happy today because my Mum isn't here.
No, I'm not being mean, she had a hospital appointment at 08.30 this morning, but was worried they wouldn't be able to go ahead with it (endoscopy) because of her cold. She said that if they couldn't do it she'd be back within half an hour. So the fact that she's not here (or my Dad who will be driving) means that she's been able to go through with it.
It's not a nice thing, obviously. I'd be happier if they weren't here because they were going to Paris for lunch on the Eurostar. But she wanted it out of the way, and it's been preying on her mind. So it'll be done before Christmas and she can relax.
I'm glad your mom is getting this over with. She looks so sweet and friendly. (but, of course, my mother does, too and she's a MONSTER [with no offense to our own monster]).
I'm happy because i'm done with Christmas shopping. I am officially out of money, so therefore: done!
She has Barrett's Oesophagus like her brother. Pre-cancerous cells. She'll get the official news on her follow up visit, but they confirmed it for her today verbally. She also has a large Hiatus Hernia.
Not really something to be happy about of course, but she knew both of the above anyway, so it's good to have it confirmed and know she will be able to receive any appropriate treatment.
But she has to lose weight and stop drinking, which won''t lead to harmony in this house I can tell you. Mum can give up drink easily - she has a casual relationship with alcohol, but Dad will find it very hard. He'll cut back, but Mum will be Ming the Merciless if he is ever under the influence when she is sober. I love her, but her tongue can be a WMD when she is in the right mood.
Ah well, I'm glad she's on the right track healthwise. And perhaps we can face this battle together - living here has made it harder for me to stick to healthy eating so far just because of the goodies I'm being faced with at every turn. I'll scour the internet for low fat recipes Mum & I can share and I'm sure Dad will come along for the ride. And after all, not drinking is really important for me too, and having my Mum on the warpath is a terrifying enough prospect to dry out someone far more alcohol dependent than me.
PS - Bri? Mum confirms she would have reacted exactly as you suggested, but forgives you anyway ;)
I am so happy that it is 10 F instead of - 5 F with 50 mile and hour winds! :eek:
I think that line bears repeating out of context...
Now it's my user title.
"Anchor" in the sense of pulling you down to the bottom of the pool? Or of attaching something else to it to hold it down?
neither. anchor as in the sense of a piece of metal which is anchored under the skin.
http://www.anatometal.com/catalog/microdermals.phpI still don't get it, sorry.
Maybe I just never noticed before but I find you are very funny lately HLJ.
Im an HLJ fan. I love his ad libs.
I'm so pleased for you!
What made me happy was something similar - an unexpected card and lovely words.
Bu then Christmas Eve with Mum and Dad has just been a lovely day anyway.
Merry Christmas you all, and to all a good night.
Just one little update...
her christmas present:
Zoomed:
[attach]21123[/attach]
Tomorrow is only a day away
New audio gigs! Technically, I have yet to be paid for either of them, but they both look to be ongoing-contract type things.
We made dinner for our lawyer/fencer friends last night. There was much raving about the timber frame and the fireplace. :blush:
I can't figure out Griff's life.
So far, it's taken me 44 years to figure it out myself.
I was thinking: if I ever need a lawyer, I want a fencing one coming into the courtroom! :)
It took me 44 years too, Griff. Well, I'm not quite there yet but I'm getting closer!
Our kids fence together but I think he's going to start. The cool part is, I was able to do dinner without any booze and make small/medium talk without any anxiety. That is kind of a big deal for me.
Good for you, Griff! Bravo!
good for you Griff. I know how very hard that is for me to do. You've been sans booze for quite a while now, right?
One year a couple days ago.
A person very close to me, and I won't say who because well, it's his business, has been sober for over 10 years. No one, and I mean NO ONE, is funnier or sweeter or goofier than he is. I am so proud of his accomplishment.
You go Griff.
Bah, ya quiter... just for that I hope you live to be 100. ;)
One year a couple days ago.
If you don't mind, Griff, can you say a little about the challenges (or, lack of challenges if that's the case) this has brought about in your life? Were you ever really, really tempted? Did you ever feel sorry for yourself? Did you ever wish you could just let it all go and get smashed
just one more time? Did people at parties ever grill you about it? Do you feel a lot better or the same?
If these questions are not cool, I apologize. I'd just like to know how you feel after a year without booze.
Me too.
I'll share mine in return. Next year.
The biggest challenge for me is not getting pasted at parties. Being sober in a large group of drunks is really hard. I had no experience being sober at parties until this year. I drank whenever in a large group from high school on. The other time I'm tempted is when work gets stressful, but right now my work isn't getting to me. I'm focused on monitoring my mood and using self-talk and breathing exercises to get me over the hump. The most dangerous thing for me is the little voice that says I can control my drinking now, as if a quarter century of evidence to the contrary is meaningless. The questions are very cool, especially if I can help anyone else kill the monkey.
oops there were more questions. People have been good about it and I've convinced myself that they don't see me as weak because I lack control once the key is in the ignition. I really wanted to hit the whiskey during the holiday season, I miss the bite, a lot. I am much sharper physically and mentally. I actually finished 8th out of 22 fencers at a holiday tournement last weekend in foil which is my #2 weapon. I firmly believe we can rewire ourselves a great deal within the limitations of our biology.
You're an inspiration, Griff.
I admire your ability to do this.
*hugs*
Well done Griff. You have much to be proud of and many good years ahead of you.
Hey Griff. I have heard that you need to keep yourself occupied with tasks around a bunch of drunks at parties if you don't want to hit the sauce. I'm not sure what kind of party you are attending, but maybe keeping yourself intellectually stimulated by playing games might work. Well, I know it works because I've done it, but you may not be going to a party that is that casual.
Nice work Griff!
Jamming with my old band members at a party tonight.
Might have to borrow
some mini-drums from the kids.
All 16" kick, like Tony Williams meets Drum n Bass.
... I actually finished 8th out of 22 fencers at a holiday tournement last weekend in foil which is my #2 weapon. ...
Griff, can you post a picture of you wearing your foil hat?
Always with the pictures, ya bunch of voyeurs. ;)
Griff, can you post a picture of you wearing your foil hat?
I remember a pic of someone in a foil hat -wasn't it big sarge when he was a noob? damn that shoulda made it into the advent calendar
My son and his desire to "feed" me... despite his unwillingness to accept a bite from anyone but himself.
I remember a pic of someone in a foil hat -wasn't it big sarge when he was a noob? damn that shoulda made it into the advent calendar
It's there on his profile page ... :tinfoil:
It just occurred to me that I haven't had a shower since I got back from Mexico (last night), so I still have ocean water on my skin.
I don't know why that should make me happy but it does.
In fact, I may not shower again until Thanksgiving.
I have a Hat Crusted with salt from the Last time i was at the Ocean .
I plan to wash it the Next time go back
Griff, can you post a picture of you wearing your foil hat?
I made that redundant with a tin foil house.
And then the wolf huffed, and she puffed, and she blew the house down...
cooler weather is making me happy. It's been stinking hot here for the last week or so.
Solar gain. The morning sun is pouring in and I can hear the blower from the solar heater cranking away. (sorry Ali, its a hemisphere thing)
What's making me happy is a sense of community, and people being kind.
for once, I have some money.
Look! - there it goes!
We're going out for a pub lunch.
To a carvery!
It's all very retro, and very exciting.
If only my camera battery was charged.
I might make my Dad take his camera instead.
Time travelling is always worth a photo.
We're going out for a pub lunch.
To a carvery!
It's all very retro, and very exciting.
If only my camera battery was charged.
I might make my Dad take his camera instead.
Time travelling is always worth a photo.
Are you going to have Prawns Marie Rose for starters and black Forest Gateau for pud?
Of course she is, that's the law!
Nah - pub deal, not a dedicated carvery.
Although I found a proper time-warp 70's-80's restaurant when I first lived in London called The Dolphin which still had tomato soup and prawn cocktail starters, full roast dinners and a sweet trolley. We ordered a bottle of Mattheus Rose to wash it down.
This was just a carvery. Pictures in the Aylesbury thread. It was lovely.
And my bro stopped by (the house) when we got back, which always makes me happy.
Originally Posted by Sundae Girl
We're going out for a pub lunch.
To a carvery!
It's all very retro, and very exciting.
If only my camera battery was charged.
I might make my Dad take his camera instead.
Time travelling is always worth a photo.
Are you going to have Prawns Marie Rose for starters and black Forest Gateau for pud?
A carvery?
Prawns Marie Rose = Big shrimp cooked in wine?
black Forest Gateau?
pud?
Translate please.
A common people separated by language.
A carvery?
It's like a buffet formed of the constituents for a roast dinner.
You choose one of the meats - usually a choice of three or four.
The standards are pork/ lamb/ beef/ poultry plus one other.
They carve it, then you add your accompaniments from a selection.
This will include all the necessaries for the roasts on offer - yorkshire puddings (beef), crackling (pork), stuffing (poultry) and all the various condiments inc bread sauce, horseradish, mustard, apple sauce, cranberry sauce et al.
They used to be HUGE - both in popularity and selection, but now whole restaurants are not given over to them, only corners of pubs.
Prawns Marie Rose = Big shrimp cooked in wine?
It's what we call a Prawn Cocktail. What you would call shrimp, in a sundae glass, on top of lettuce, drizzled with a seafood sauce and occasionally sprinkled with paprika. A '70s classic.
black Forest Gateau?
Again, something on sweet (dessert) trolleys in childhood. Chocolate cake in three layers with black cherries and cream in between, topped with both and rolled in chocolate flakes. Usually served with single (pouring) cream.
pud?
Pudding. Equals dessert.
To see a modern carvery, see the Aylesbury thread.
It's retro for us, and great fun.
Sounds awesome. Makes me hungry thinking about it. Thanks for the explanation.
Okay, so I think I got it ...
A carvery = buffet that only consists of a carving station, where they don't let you go back in line as many times as you want.
Prawns Marie Rose = shrimp cocktail
black Forest Gateau = Schwarzwalderkirschtorte
pud = lump of pudding that's cooked along with the beef, mainly to keep it company. Can be awesome in it's yumminess, or horribly dry and tasteless. Originally popular in Yorkshire. Bears no relation to American Pudding, or that other thing that we call pud, which isn't a food but is often eaten.
Edit ... oh ... that pud is like our pudding. Now you're confusing me.
Yorkshire pudding - make batter as for pancakes and then cook in a dish in a hot oven above the beef. Probably best not to open the door til it's done (about 20 minutes? Dana?)
Pudding - generic term for any dessert, particularly a dough-based one.
Yorkshire pudding - make batter as for pancakes and then cook in a dish in a hot oven above the beef. Probably best not to open the door til it's done (about 20 minutes? Dana?)
Pudding - generic term for any dessert, particularly a dough-based one.
Honestly? I have only ever had the courage to try doing Yorkshire puds from scratch a couple of times in life and they weren't pretty. I am a culinary coward. I stick with the Aunt Bessies. This fear of Yorkshire puds is an inherited one.
[eta] Now I have mad cravings for Toad in the Hole. I have no way of assuaging that craving without either a) making toad in the whole using ingredients bought atthe local shop - never gonna happen, or b) taking a chance with the Birds Eye frozen TitH - unwise.
We had a roasted rack of beef and Yorkshire Pudding for X-mas dinner. It was fantastic.
We had Toad in the Hole at the pub next to the Westminster Cathedral when we visited London 2 years ago.
this "retro roasted dinner" thing has made me realize that my very, very favorite restaurant and my very, very favorite meal is hopelessly retro.
The Pine Club: Filet mignon (med. rare), hash browns, fried onions, stewed tomatoes and salad with bleu cheese.
I am soooo fifties. But, man, I LOVE it.
ETA: no room for desert until much later. Then, CAKE.
Honestly? I have only ever had the courage to try doing Yorkshire puds from scratch a couple of times in life and they weren't pretty. I am a culinary coward. I stick with the Aunt Bessies. This fear of Yorkshire puds is an inherited one.
[eta] Now I have mad cravings for Toad in the Hole. I have no way of assuaging that craving without either a) making toad in the whole using ingredients bought atthe local shop - never gonna happen, or b) taking a chance with the Birds Eye frozen TitH - unwise.
Dana, it's so easy (and cheap cheap CHEAP)!! Don't listen to all that crap about leaving the batter to rest, or adding sparkling water or this or that type of flour (plain or self-raising will do) or any of that fancy Yorkshire folklore. 4 oz flour in a bowl, make as much of a dimple as you can in the flour and break one egg into it, using a fork start to mix the egg with the flour around it in ever increasing circles. Before it gets too sticky (still loads of flour around the edge of the bowl) bit by bit add half a pint of milk, stirring it in with more of the flour each time. If you mess up and get lumps, beat the crap out of it at the end - use a whisk or brute violence or both.
During this process you've started to roast your sausages in the oven in a little fat. When the batter is mixed turn the oven up (mark 8, 225 degrees), pour the batter over the sausages and slam back in the oven for 20-30 minutes. If you open the door too soon it'll flop a little - just don't tell your gran.
Or come and visit with SG and we'll have Yorkshire pud lessons (taught by a Londoner in Scotland) :p !
Ah Limey, while I appreciate your intention, I believe people (previously women) are either born able to make yorkshires, or they're not.
My sister's second boyfriend was a chef, and he could make an eye watering yorkshire. None of us liked him, so we had to stop going to the carvery they both worked at when she took up with her current amour. To be fair she's now been married to him for sixteen years. I mourn those yorkshires though.
My Nan, despite all her other faults, culinary and otherwise, could also do the magic. No-one else I know can.
They should look more like the pic below, rather than the arid ones shown in the Aylesbury thread! BTW Dana - I gave up years ago and have used Aunt Bessies' every time too.
I installed a stove and a dishwasher yesterday.
So far nothing has blown up or leaked. (I have some doubts about the dishwasher, but we'll see how it goes.)
I installed a stove and a dishwasher yesterday.
So far nothing has blown up or leaked. (I have some doubts about the dishwasher, but we'll see how it goes.)
I wish I had a man slave.
Dammit!
I wish I had a man slave.
Dammit!
What, and give the rest of them up? ;)
We had a roasted rack of beef and Yorkshire Pudding for X-mas dinner. It was fantastic.
So did we, but it was awful. I find even med rare prime rib tragic.... this was well done. A damn shame I tell ya.
I installed a stove and a dishwasher yesterday.
So far nothing has blown up or leaked. (I have some doubts about the dishwasher, but we'll see how it goes.)
Nice!!
Ah Limey, while I appreciate your intention, I believe people (previously women) are either born able to make yorkshires, or they're not.
My sister's second boyfriend was a chef, and he could make an eye watering yorkshire. None of us liked him, so we had to stop going to the carvery they both worked at when she took up with her current amour. To be fair she's now been married to him for sixteen years. I mourn those yorkshires though.
My Nan, despite all her other faults, culinary and otherwise, could also do the magic. No-one else I know can.
They should look more like the pic below, rather than the arid ones shown in the Aylesbury thread! BTW Dana - I gave up years ago and have used Aunt Bessies' every time too.
Beest makes awesome Yorkshires. we had them for dinner last night in fact. Huge, plate-sized ones filled with beef in gravy :yum:
My best buddy who works at my old job has been emailing me telling me how freaking messed up things are there. As she tells me about what she is going through right now, I thank my lucky stars I am where I am. I like the work, I like the people, I like the paycheck.
I feel bad for her, and the others...but I am SO thankful I got this job.
Yesterday felt bummery, but truly I am lucky.
And you get to goof off all day on the internet.
We had a roasted rack of beef and Yorkshire Pudding for X-mas dinner. It was fantastic.
Nice fare. When we have that, we slather the roast in horseradish. By "we" I mean Pooka. Or Pooka's mom. Calls it "Highland Beef."
And you get to goof off all day on the internet.
Biteth Moi
Nice fare. When we have that, we slather the roast in horseradish. By "we" I mean Pooka. Or Pooka's mom. Calls it "Highland Beef."
Aberdeen Angus all the way, eh?
With creamed titties.
Fixed that for ya.
Cicero's Back!! :) Woo-hoo!
Time to take a real look into my side-business...And get it rollin. I've had good news today!!
This makes me happy. Moving forward.
Yay Cic! Good to see you on a roll!
We've officially moved in to our new house. We still have two moves coming up (one for all the stuff in storage, one for the furniture still up in our town home in Joisey) but we have enough to keep it going in the meantime.
And my mom's coming to visit for 17 hours next week. :p She's passing through on her way to India; she'll be back for a longer stay (3 days) in early February on her way back.
I'm getting there, I'm getting there.
Had a really really hard day yesterday, but today was much better.
Currently flying without anti-depressants thanks to Aylesbury's ridiculous systems of registering with a GP, waiting for transfer of records and then only being able to book either a same-day appointment at 08.00 or a week+ in advance.
So have been getting tearful about just about everything.
Add to that the nightmares and the hateful hurtful insecurity dreams, not getting any benefits and no jobs for more than 20 hours a week being advertised locally... Cried myself to sleep last night (stopped the bad dreams though!)
Hang on, this is the happy thread, right? Right!
I found out about the 08.00 phone call rule today, so tomorrow I will be ready and waiting at 07.59. It will be an emergency appointment (shame, but that's their rules) so they will see me tomorrow. So I'll be back on my tablets by midday latest.
I finally got my first benefit payment through today. Mum & Dad were already going to Milton Keynes, so I went along and spent an hour in the biggest Asda in the South East. I love it. Spent £69 but that was all on non-frivolous food. And a lot was store cupboard items that now won't need to be replaced for months. In which time I may be working anyway.
Mum & I sat down with low fat recipe books and went through what we would be having for dinner for the next week. I will be doing the majority of cooking and have bought at least half the ingredients. Mum won't let me pay any keep while I am unemployed, so this is my way of contributing. She is serious about weight loss too. Dad is going along with it - he has 10lbs to lose (tch!)
I had another Job Centre appointment and have finally identified a job I want to apply for! Wahoo! There just are not jobs out there at present. And yes, I'm including shelf stacking in my vacancy net. I've applied and will keep you up to date. The disability specialist I saw (because of my history of depression and having been signed off previously) was very good to me. It was not a great day to see me, and she was very understanding. But in truth she is there to help me back into work and I could tell she appreciated the fact it was what I wanted to do. Her advice in fact was to be signed off again and do voluntary work to get my confidence back and gain a sense of self worth. The catch 22 with being depressed and out of work is that you face frustration and rejection which is hard to handle when you have a low self image because you are already unemployed etc etc
But I really would rather keep applying and look into voluntary work as something to do while I am applying. After all, you increase your chance of making contacts by meeting people. And there are apparently voluntary admin jobs available.
And finally... I might be on TV tonight :)
More of that later.
Things are getting better and I am still fighting, the whinging and crying notwithstanding. And I am safe, and I am home.
The other day we went to the funeral of my Mum's friend's husband. All the way there in the car I was selfishly thinking of myself. It was the same route Dad always drove me to Amersham station (same town as the Crematorium) but this time I would be coming back with him instead of getting on a train alone. I was amazed at how wonderful that feeling was. The funeral was beautiful btw. Incredibly touching - I really struggled not to bawl.
Anyway, that's my update.
I'm impressed at the amount of fight in ya, girl. Keep plugging away. :)
Hey guys, I have acquired the programs I have been saving for...The qaulity of my little life has just improved by 35 percent.
This ROCKS!!
I think Shawnee's post applies to me too, so thank you Shaw! You rock too!!!
Woo!
Funnily enough it's the Cellar that's making me happy today. Well, for the last few days really. No one thing in particular. Just a few things that have gone on or been said, which have brought home to me afresh, how much this community means to me. How real a community it is. The fact that what happens to the people in here really matters, just as much as what happens to my local friends matters. The sheer joy of being able to disagree fundamentally with someone and it not be a problem, (almost) nobody holds serious enmity and nobody is looking to do real damage to anyone.
This place keeps me rooted (as the actress said to the bishop......) and makes me feel like I am starting from a position of strength.
@ Sundae. Good goin babe, you're doin great. Incidentally, I got paid this week, so I can send you a 'Build your own second hand bookstore' kit this week :P
Oh forgot to say: Cic, nicely done:)
I'm happy that my son's ear surgery went well today. (tubes in ears)
He woke up after they knocked him out, and that's always nice. :)
Last night I found a good photo for the inside cover of my tea chest. I keep a tea chest at work. It basically a wooden box with compartments. The inside cover is plain, so I selected an appropriate photo off of the Internet and printed it on 8.5x11 photo paper.
After I taped it up in the tea chest, it matches perfectly. It looks like it was made for it.
It's the little things.
Oh that's lovely! That looks bloody brilliant!
@ Glatt: glad to hear it went well. Must be nervewracking for a parent, when the little-uns have to go under. My only point of reference is my dog. I spent the entire day terrified he wouldnt wake back up last time he had to go under.
I'm happy that my son's ear surgery went well today. (tubes in ears)
He woke up after they knocked him out, and that's always nice. :)
Good to hear glatt!
And what Dana said. :)
I was with him when they knocked him out, and it surprised me how it made me sad. Just to see him looking in my eyes as I spoke softly to him, and then those eyelids fluttered and he was gone. I got a lump in my throat as I left the operating room.
But then he came back only 15 minutes later, and it's like night and day now with his hearing and his personality. There had been fluid in his ears for the last month or two since his previous tubes fell out, and his hearing had gotten really bad. This caused a noticeable change in his demeanor. He was a real pain in the ass lately. But now he's a happy little boy again who can hear everything. I love modern medicine. (Turns out both ears were infected and the doctor thought one eardrum was on the verge of rupturing. So the tubes went in just in time.)
My nephew, now 18 and in the army, had tubes put in as a kid. He took a long time to start talking, and they realized it was because he couldn't hear.
You're a good dad, I can tell. :)
Good for your family glatt. Thats really wonderful to hear. Modern medicine really can do some absolutely amazing things. Image the same scenario just 50 or 100 years ago. Heres to a speedy recovery.
OMG...I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT.
Yep, signed up for cable and internet. I'm tired of fussing with the antenna, and wondering what tv channels I'll get on any given day, and my converter box wasn't working well, and I missed pron, and I want to go to Toontown and play games and chat and research and learn and...so on and so on.
:lol:
Oh noes! What have I done?
Won't be installed until the 24th. Maybe I should change my mind? I feel frivolous and impetuous, after all this time without all that stuff. And it feels goooooooooooddddddd. :)
Great news Glatt! It's amazing how something like that can make all the diference in the quality of their life. Awesome. :)
Shaw!
Woooo-hooo! Finally. jfc. It really isn't frivilous, it will probably almost take place of most of the old items you have. It's more of an upgrade...Hey that's only 10 days! Awesome!
Saturday the 24th Chat Party..Be there people. ;)
Good going everyone, especially SG. One step at a time ...
My dogs are freshly groomed, happy & worn out from a nice long walk and then pirouetting and dancing for cookies, and are sleeping (snoring) comfortably. Now I can do some quiet reading while listening to tunes. Right this minute, life feels very good right here.
We survived my Mom's 17-hour visit. My husband fixed her Dell laptop that we got her for her birthday in November (the letter 'q' was broken; he had to replace the whole keyboard). We took care of a bunch of random errands, and she 'approves' of the house. We got her a limo to take her to Dulles -- I was not looking forward to braving D.C. traffic this week.
Whew.
I was not looking forward to braving D.C. traffic this week.
Whew.
No kidding. The craziness has already begun. People everywhere.
Breakfast for dinner, baybay!
People everywhere.
This would be a great country, if it weren't for the people.
Get ready for a big brag. I gotta do it! I stopped in to see one of my profs from last quarter and pick up my exam and my research paper. I know most students wouldn't bother, because it's the final grade that counts and we already know that. But I am the curious type. Plus I was hoping she'd commented on the paper. She did, and said she'd written more on mine and a couple others than on most of them because she knew who would come and get them. :)
Well, the exam grade was 94 and the paper was 96. She told me that I had real talent, a poetic and expressive writing style and lots of other really nice things. She encouraged me to fix up a few minor things in the essay and submit it to the school's literary publication. It was just so gratifying to hear this! Really made my day, especially as I am struggling with another paper right now.
This is a new experience for me, having relationships with profs that go beyond one semester. When I went to college last time, it seemed that once the finals ended they would hardly acknowledge your presence should they share an elevator ride. I guess it's a matter of gaining focus in your major and developing a mentor relationship.
I stopped in to see this one prof after taking an online class from her spring quarter--just told her I wanted to meet her F2F, you know--and she turned out to be a warm, wonderful lady. I already knew she would be, because we'd shared a few personal e-mails during the course. I saw her in the hall last quarter and she said she'd like to meet me for coffee one day. I want to also, because I want to hear about her trip to Italy last month!
I guess that's one of the perks of being an older student - the teachers, despite their professional role, are also kind of my peers, considering that if I met them socially we'd be on even footing. Actually I do have a few friends who are college profs elsewhere.
But you have to earn it. I mean, they probably cringe when older students come in and just automatically assume a certain familiarity. Hell, it makes ME cringe when I see it. Seems there's always one in every class (not me!) who thinks they've "outgrown" proper classroom protocol and dominates the class discussion. At least I hope I don't come off that way. I do often have a lot to say. ;)
Damn, I love college. I'm often stressed-out, tired and discouraged, but when it's good, it's really, really good!
I managed not to kill my youngest...
*Smiles* Juinper that totally rocks! I hope you're proud of youself lady:)
@ monster: good, good, that's good. Any particular reason why this is an issue today?
I quit my job...on the spot today :D
I've just noticed how badly I mangled Jun's name on the last post...typo citeh!
Bloody hell Ducks. That's drastic fantastic, what happened?
Ducks - The car job? Whats up with that?
I am happy that wolf is making more appearances here lately. It's just good.
I completely agree, Cic. Her witty and insightful posts have been missed.
My boss finally pushed my last button, and I decided that I needed to be somewhere that had some respect for me and the job that I do.
He's now bad mouthing me to anyone that will listen and saying he was going to sack me anyways.
He just needs to stamp his foot when he is talking and he will be acting exactly like the child he is.
Im now writing a resume for the first time in 10 years, but I have another couple of irons in the fire that I hope turn into something.
Good for you Ducks. I bet you'll be glad you made the decision you did...and possibly even wish you'd done it sooner. :)
Good luck with the job hunting.
How's the finance brokerage idea coming along?
cough :D
Dana, he flushed someone's expensive swim suit and then was obnoxious about it.
Well, you look like you might get a point on the board...if I can find another job :p
The brokerage idea will come into play at the end of the month, but I have another couple of irons in the fire at this stage. One I am following up on Monday, my mind is in overdrive expanding that idea and working out the details.
Best of luck, Ducks. You seem to be the type who lands quite nicely on her feet and I know you will this time. You and Sundae are of the good, strong mettle with loads of sense and determination. I admire you both.
What's making me happy today is that I haven't heard from the hospital since I did my second glucose tolerance test. This is a good indication that I've passed this time around and all is peachy keen. :)
This makes me very happy.
Great news! I had that crap twice, and it wasn't fun at all. What's the point of getting knocked up if you can't have a donut now and then? :D
What's the point of getting knocked up if you can't have a donut now and then? :D
Uh, a baby? :confused:
:lol:
Well, duh. :) BESIDES that.
You know, central heating is a good thing.
Oh just happy today....I have a day off....just waiting for more good news...
:)
You know, central heating is a good thing.
We made it down to -25C last night :eek: (yes, school was cancelled)
I think that's the lowest this family has ever seen. Right now it's the warmest part of the day.... 2pm... (sorry about the slash, the without version was worse....)
.
temperature is the one part of the metric system that I have real trouble grasping on an intuitive level.
So according to the Google calculator, your picture shows an inside temperature of 65 degrees F and an outside temp of 3.74 degrees F, and you say it got down to -13 degrees F during the night.
Yup. That's cold.
We are about to have our coldest temps of the season, down to 18 tonight. Highs in the 50's in the day. I am already anticipating spring, about 6 weeks to go.
Battlestar Galactica tonight.
2/3 of our move is done. Now we just need to get the rest of our furniture from our Jersey place, and we'll be all done. For now. :D
I survived my 18th C military History exam. How I've done, I have no clue. They were great essays...but I don't think I've outright failed...
temperature is the one part of the metric system that I have real trouble grasping on an intuitive level.
So according to the Google calculator, your picture shows an inside temperature of 65 degrees F and an outside temp of 3.74 degrees F, and you say it got down to -13 degrees F during the night.
Yup. That's cold.
Thereabouts.
0 is freezing, 21 is room temperature, 40 is too damn hot and 100 is boiling.
or in Michigan terms.......
-15 go to Florida
0 wind down car windows
15 put shorts on
25 get in the pool
35 go to Canada
- not at all secret, bought a bloody great bar- chocolate...
The hot water thing is quite fun, actually...
.
.
I survived my 18th C military History exam. How I've done, I have no clue. They were great essays...but I don't think I've outright failed...
Well done Dana - you know more than you think you know you know!
Well done Dana - you know more than you think you know you know!
I've just spotted a typo lol. Meant to read they were
n't great essays....
Best thing is I chose this years module options so that it was weighted to the first semester...my other modules don't have exams Yey!
So, assuming I don't have to resit this last one, that's my final exam for this degree. Hurrah.
No exams? They trust the Prof to sort out who knows and who's bullshitting? Or everyone passes from here on?
hahaha. Assessment is all through essays, research project and disssertation. Oh and some 'oral' ... oh yeah.
Oral? Brianna would get an A. ;)
she'd get a distinction :P
Happy about UT's car :)
And because it's cool and very windy today and we're seeing some blue sky for the first time in weeks.
I'll moan about it and sneeze and squint when I go out for my walk later, but it does lift the spirits.
Oh I know isn't it lovely and bright today? I will take pud for a walk shortly. Let him get a dose of sunlight :P
I'm feeling pretty good about life right now. Today, I mean. Well, the last week or so in fact. That's not to say there isn't shit bubbling away and bothering me (like the way my enthusiasm for my day job has dropped to such an extent I am barely managing the bare minimum. This engenders guilt: my constituents deserve a hell of a lot better than that. But... there we go. I'll tackle that when i don't have my back to the wall on assignments. Til then I'll try and force myself to pick up the pace a little at least). But I am feeling pretty groovy overall. If I can just make myself hit the pedal now. It's just for a few months. I need to find that momentum that will let me do thorough work and not some last minute skating attempt.
I'm feeling quietly confident that i will pull this out of the bag (when I am not crucifying myself with doubt and allowing myself to be overwhelmed into inactivity). I just need to spend a series of days taking each step in its turn, pushing my way through some work. I think I can do that. Then, if I manage that, I can manage another series of days. And so on.
yeah. Feeling big enough for what I need. For now. *smiles*
Monster! Cool beans! Where are the bubble pics?
I got my VA upgrade today with a down payment of $8000.00. YEAH!!!
I bought a '99 Buick Le Sabre 4 Door loaded I am so happy I can't stand my self. AS soon as I figure out how I'm gonna put some in the tip jar. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I finally came up with a business idea that I can pull off in my spare time. Here's hoping.
I got a Cellar tagline!
YAY!
Holy shit, fargon, that's awesome news! You must be on such a high right now lol.
I got my VA upgrade today with a down payment of $8000.00. YEAH!!!
I bought a '99 Buick Le Sabre 4 Door loaded I am so happy I can't stand my self. AS soon as I figure out how I'm gonna put some in the tip jar. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good for you!
great news!!! I am so happy for you fargon! You deserve some good luck!
Home from the hospital! Surgery went well. Looking forward to recovering in the comfort of my own home without nurses poking and prodding at me.
Good for you Choco. :) Glad to hear all is well. You'll be up and about before you know it. :)
Home from the hospital! Surgery went well. Looking forward to recovering in the comfort of my own home without nurses poking and prodding at me.
Ugh, the hospital is the WORST! Glad you're home, nothing like your own bed!
Now, take those nice vicodins and percocets, ya hear? :D
My son had a wrestling meet today. He won all three matches, one with a pin! He had to wrestle a *girl* (holy shit, his dad freaked out about that!) and she was 5 pounds heavier than he is, which makes a big difference in wrestling, 'cause he's a little squirt (10 years old, 64 lbs.)...but he still won. 1st place! Woohoo!
Wrestling isn't really a sport anyone gets into over here. At least, not that I've ever heard of. I can't imagine my boys doing it.
Good for your son though Juni. He must be pleased with himself? :)
Glad you're back, Choco. Now rest and recuperate. I remember that a heating pad helped some of the discomfort, back when I had mine out.
I am DONE with my research paper!
Well, at least I'm done with the draft which is due on Wed. And that is all I need, 1200+ words with citations. Should be interesting; this prof likes to give TONS of feedback. I worked my ass off on this! And yet, the lard ass remains. (sigh) :)
We have 2 older Cavalier King Charles spaniels that are semi-professional sleepoholics. My sister gave me this toy
sleeping Cav and it sleeps on the floor in the tv room. A contractor was in today and he asked about the other 2 dogs, then asked how about the puppy. I thought he was asking about the cat, but nope - he thought the toy was real. I'm not laughing at him, I'm laughing because I am constantly checking to see if the toy is still 'breathing', and I feel like somebody else got suckered into my fantasy world. We're both busted!
We saw a red fox run through our back yard. We have also seen numerous bird species and a small herd of white-tails.
For such a suburban area, there's a lot of great wildlife. But we need to get our back yard fenced in this spring, or the damn deer will eat all the lovely screening we've got from our neighbors!
We saw a red fox run through our back yard. We have also seen numerous bird species and a small herd of white-tails.
For such a suburban area, there's a lot of great wildlife. But we need to get our back yard fenced in this spring, or the damn deer will eat all the lovely screening we've got from our neighbors!
Just buy a compound bow and you can have deer meat.
:yum:
Unfortunately, they're still trying to figure out if they're going to allow hunting to thin out the herds. It's out of control.
It is crazy, there are so many stories about these places in the North East even as far South as Jersey that are being over run with white tail deer. They need to let some experienced hunters come in and cull them out and donate the food to shelters and the hungry like they do down here.
Delaware and northern Maryland have issues with them too. They have held special hunts in the State Parks for years to try and cull the herds. Car accidents involving deer actually declined for the first time in 2001. I thought that was an interesting, yet useless factoid.
I hit one of those giant brown rats in 2002, up in Jersey. Damn thing did about $1k damage to my car.
ETA: oh, okay. This is the happy thread. I'll take my moans elsewhere.
Happened to my DH twice. Two cars, totaled.
On the bright side (happy thread) he was OK!
I swear every time I see DH - I think D*ck Head. lol
Glad he was ok .... both times
I swear every time I see DH - I think D*ck Head. lol
Glad he was ok .... both times
+
S'Okay...sometimes it fits. :D
Tomorrow I go to see a screening of, and an audience with The League of Gentlemen - my comedy heroes.
Bought back when I had wages (!) I also put aside £20 for travel and nonsense. So tomorrow I head off all excited and wearing my best togs and don't even have to feel guilty. Well, a little. But hey - I'm chief cook and bottle washer here now, and my parents are fully in support of the idea that everyone deserves to enjoy themselves as long as they pull their weight the rest of the time.
Ooh! I can't wait to see them!
Enjoy the heck out of it, SG! ;)
yay! I'm so proud of my puppy :) I had to work a 10 hour shift, just got home and my friend informed me that the whole time I was gone he obeyed my command to stay in my bedroom, even with the door wide open and the kids running around
Maybe he DOES have a brain cell!
when did he go potty and eat and stuff? what the?
ssshhhh, he hid it in her lingerie
before I left and as soon as I got home :) he was a good boy, I think he gets to sleep on the bed with me tonight
That's a good dog. But 10 hours is a long time for a pup. Given your friend was there and kids running about and so forth...why wasn't someone letting him out periodically? Or were they, and I have completely misunderstood your post? :P
Anyway. Well done nypmh's puppy!
Making me happy today is:
1. I managed, despite nearly killing myself to do it, to get my assignment in on time yesterday.
This last week has been bizarre. After the previous week's mad revision flurry and the exam on the Friday, I couldn't quite get myself in the right frame of mind for research and essay writing. Yes, that's right, I did it again. With exactly seven days on the clock from the time I walked into last Friday's exam to the last moment I could possibly submit my assignment, I spent that weekend in a slightly dazed, haze of smoke and headphones, occasionally venturing out of the fog to atte,mpt to read...only to find my eyes sliding across the page without really taking it in.
I had chosen my assignment from the list by Sunday, and realised that some research I did for a couple of other papers last year was appropriate to this. Of course it's possible I'll run aground on the fact that I have rehashed a couple of passages from other papers...but I think I'll get away with it, because it's being used to illustrate a different but related point. Anyway...by Monday I was tentatively starting to work my way around the edges o fthe subject, whilst intermittently falling asleep (been knackered all week) or, more often, vanishing off into headphone land..
Tuesday, I mistakenly thought it was Wednesday, and realising my back really was to the wall, I madea concerted effort. Yes, i still took substantial breaks to chill, but I did about 1400 words of a 3000 word paper. Still thought it was Wednesday all the way til I went to bed and suddenly thought to check the day. Woot! I had an extra day! ... Still finding reading very hard work. Essay still vague in my mind. I know my overall argument. I know what it is I am looking to tease out from the evidence; but structuring it and drawing the strands together is not an easy task. So...36 hours until hand in and much to do. As usual in the process of writing it, I also change where I am going with it and spin off into a slightly different direction. *grins* here we go again then. By the middle of Thursday evening, I have hit my stride and rediscovered my perfectionist tendencies. Now it's not good enough to string something vague together, it has to be something I'm reasonably proud to put my name to.
By 9am Friday morning, having worked through on coffee and cigarettes, my mental moorings are starting to come undone...I keep finding myself just staring at the screen with no idea what it was I was about to do (edit that bit, cut that bit, move that around, pick up on the lack of italics in that footnote, or rewrite that paragraph?) All the while referencing the style guide 'cause they've changed how we footnote now.
I finished it, finally at about 10am. I have no ink in the printer, so that means hauling over to uni in time to use the computer hub. They close the doors to the lobby (where the submission trays are) at 12 sharp. Miss that deadline and it's an automatic 5% penalty. I realised I was living in a fantasy land if I thought I could get to uni on bus or train in that time. So, mum to the rescue. She drove me to Leeds and I got the thing printed off and into the submission tray with 20 minutes to go. At this point I realised that I hadn't completed the electronic submission for the online plagiarism check. Shit. Same deadline as paper submission, 5% penalty if you miss either.
At this point I am feeling like someone coming down off an amphetamine rush, and scarper back across campus to the computer hub. All the while mum's waiting parked near uni.
Can't get the f£$%ing file uploaded...there's other people milling about and stress in the air. Then a girl from my course comes over. She's going round letting us know that it's a wider problem. Lots of people can't get into the site, or find the upload screen just hanging til it times out. Turns out the whole system's crashed. So...the undergrad office have started a list. Get your name on that list before the 12 o'clock deadline and that counts as an in-time submission. It's 11:53. I make it. Name on list. All done. Time to go home.
..................
and:
2. My youngest niece really wants to go to Grammar School. She chose to go for the 11+ exam, and I just heard heard she scored 95% overall. She's such a clever little monkey. One of those kids that, every so often, will make your brain hurt. *grins*
He's 2 years old so his bladder can handle it. The door was wide open so if he'd NEEDED to go he could have ran for the door and they would have let him out. He's used to these shifts from time to time from when I used to do this same job before.
When I got home, I got a two second greeting and then practically dragged by force to the backdoor so he could go. :) He took "Stay here" very, very literally.
I haz interwebz. At homez.
:)
pssssst...hey girl, how are you? :) :)
So that's what you look like in your casual clothes.
That's enough to make me happy too!
Hello darlin'
yay! the kids' daddy just found my glasses...all the way across the house by the back door...
the nose pads got a bit mangled but at least I don't have to rely on my contacts to be able to see now
We went to a dog show today and bought matching leads for the pups, and visited with some other dog lovers. Good times.
We're finally all in our new house. The old house is empty.
Now, if we unpack one box a day, it will all be unpacked... by the end of July.
I'm not exactly happy. But *relatively* speaking, I'm happier than I've been lately because I like talking with smart people. I had a little bit of that today.
Good to see you in this thread, BigV, albeit cautiously!
Happiness? Chocolate .... ice cream ... mmmmmmmm.
Homemade cheese scones ...
Coffee.
You were up kinda late on a work night...see what home internet gets you...:D
So true. I thought I had factored in my obsession with all things internet. Perhaps the newness will wear off. In the meantime Z.Z. Snifflesnout is getting a lot of Toontown time. :)
Homemade cheese scones ...
Can I have them as part of the cookie exchange? Nom, nom, nom.
I'm going to make Spiced Apple Cake tomorrow, I think.
I'll document it, in case it turns out well. By no means a given with this particular recipe book.
Buffalo Burger and a salad.
Can I have them as part of the cookie exchange? Nom, nom, nom.
I'm going to make Spiced Apple Cake tomorrow, I think.
I'll document it, in case it turns out well. By no means a given with this particular recipe book.
Prolly. I'll need your new address though! PM me and we'll see!
Hey the Shaw has the net! :) Awesome.........
SNOW DAY.
I was almost to work when they called it. The interstate is nasty, so I can't imagine the side streets and back roads.
I had no trouble turning around and heading back home. :)
The weather finally got to near 70 today. Mornings are heavily fogged in til about 8 or 9. The sun is out for the first time in about 3 days. Beautiful.
The fact that I took a vacation day tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be shitty (snow, sleet, freezing rain). I'll sit at home and watch it...not drive in it.
The fact that I took a vacation day tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be shitty (snow, sleet, freezing rain). I'll sit at home and watch it...not drive in it.
I'm hoping for Snow Day 2.
Yeah, I'm spoiled. But I've paid a few dues. ;)
The fact that I took a vacation day tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be shitty (snow, sleet, freezing rain). I'll sit at home and watch it...not drive in it.
Me too! Except I would have been walking in it to the subway.
Cracking open a new bottle of scotch.
Yeah, I'm tired of this mixed precipitation crap. What ever happened to a good, old-fashioned blizzard? :headshake
The cat is improving. She's not getting any younger but her breathing is easier and the vet is satisfied with her progress. Another injection, syringe of meds, pill every 3 days, and she will probably live to pester me for a long while yet.
SNOW DAY.
... :)
That baby should hit us after midnight, hoping for same.
We have a sleety thing going on now.
I think I have enough supplies. Let it snow. :)
We have a sleety thing going on now.
I think I have enough supplies. Let it snow. :)
Supplies has two Ps
and beer has two Es.
COINCIDENCE?
Completely fogged in. Sherlock Holmes is out there somewhere chasing the Hound.
Iced Coffee...specifically the special iced coffee I make for myself.
Two teaspoons of instant coffee and two of raw sugar with a 1/4 cup of boiling water. Mix well then pour over two scoops of full cream icecream in a large glass. Top up with full cream jersey milk then top with wipped cream and dust with chocolate.
I've been having cravings for these the last few weeks. Thank goodness I'm able to resist most days or I'd be as big as a house. So far I've not gained any weight during this pregnancy, but I fear these cravings will take over and I'll put on the 10kg or so I normally would have all in the last couple of months!
Snow Day 2.
Oh boy, it's like being back in elementary school. Get up, turn on the news (or the internet now) see your school is closed. Go back to bed.
no snow day here. that's a good thing 'cause wednesday is my day -figure-skating class then lunch with my friends :D
...still had to shovel a couple of inches, though, and it's still coming down....pretty fast now, in fact.
Stopped to chat with a neighbor yesterday and she asked if I could take a donation to help save the local theater. Yes, I can do that!
I think not.
And then she disappeared.
Am sat in the spare room on the 'puter.
New load of semi-dried washing on the airer.
Happy 1 - my Dad listened to my advice re not tumble-drying clothes. My Mum always listens to things like that, but Dad is a stubborn bugger. But in her absence he part-dried these and put them on the airer (we're talking saving electricity here - because it's their highest bill).
Happy 2 - the room smells of clean washing. This is very comforting.
I started a new module today looking at memoirs and autobiographies. It's going to be interesting I think. I really like and admire the tutor. He did last year's course on early trade unionism, and I thoroughly enjoyed that.
And then she disappeared.
Poof!
It's MAGIC. :p
Ohmigod, Shawnee is the Cheshire Cat?
I had a cat when I was young I named Cheshire.
I like this...I'm changing my usertitle. ;)
My parents.....because I'm unemployed, they think I am poor....so I came home this morning to find *someone* had broken into my house and put food in my fridge. I only shopped yesterday, so its packed in there now.
Homegrown tomatoes on toast....yummmm.
Oh and, Im all set for the Tman to start school on Monday :) Uniform bought, and labelled, stationary collected from the newsagents and labelled.
I worry about him though, how will he know what to do at playtime? what if he forgets where to go to class? what if....what if???
He'll just follow all the other kids. No need to worry. He probably wont even miss you after the first two minutes. ;)
Very exciting though huh?
Im not worried about him missing me, he's been in care since he was one and kinder all last year....its more him having to be totally independant...but yeah, its exciting.
Addison starts kinder on Monday too.
I thought it was only Sydneysiders that said "kinder". It's kindergarten over here. Not that any kinder was going out in the actual garten today, mind you.
Woooh hoo - the lab was closed yesterday! So me not going in was PERFECT! I didn't even have to take the day off! :jig:
Yesterday was my wife's birthday, and I took a planned day off. It worked out well, because school was closed, so the entire family got a day off together in the middle of the week. It was a good time with the family and nothing planned.
We had ordered some home office furniture from LL Bean, and UPS delivered it yesterday morning. They also delivered a space saving LCD
monitor I ordered on Newegg. So it gave us something to do, putting this small
corner desk together and a little
side table thing. And moving the PC upstairs. We're moving our home office out of our guest bedroom and into the nook in our upstairs hallway. The guest bedroom is slowly being converted into our daughter's bedroom. She's in 4th grade now, and it's really time that she stop sharing a room with her little brother. We just have to move some junk into our basement and figure out where to put the filing cabinet.
So I'm happy because yesterday was so good, and productive.
MonkeyBoy cracks me up; I don't know what I would do without him.
This morning, he came up to me and said, "I made a snicky-snack for you to take to work. French toast, and an apple."
"I made the apple from scratch..."
(Turns and walks down the hall.)
"...Just call me GOD."[/movie trailer voice guy]
:lol:
That sounds like me.........lol!
"I made this apple from scratch!"
Sweet......... That's too cute....
Ohmigod, Shawnee is the Cheshire Cat?
Without a doubt. You've seen the pictures and the smile. It's obvious.
But I was thinking of the Descarte joke.
The bartender asks Descarte if he'll have another drink. He says, "I think not", and disappears.
(René Descartes is famous for the quote, "I think, therefore I am.")
My parents.....because I'm unemployed, they think I am poor....so I came home this morning to find *someone* had broken into my house and put food in my fridge. I only shopped yesterday, so its packed in there now.
Homegrown tomatoes on toast....yummmm.
Oh and, Im all set for the Tman to start school on Monday :) Uniform bought, and labelled, stationary collected from the newsagents and labelled.
I worry about him though, how will he know what to do at playtime? what if he forgets where to go to class? what if....what if???
That's awesome... but I missed something - unemployed? I'm sorry to hear that. *goes to search for explanation*
I was thinking of the Descarte joke.
The bartender asks Descarte if he'll have another drink. He says, "I think not", and disappears.
(René Descartes is famous for the quote, "I drink, therefore I am.")
Fixed it for ya
Finally, finally, finally.... It looks like my Great Aunt's house might be sold.
Means nothing to me (it won't trickle down as she has 4 siblings still alive) but she made my Mum executor of the will, and it's been really tough for Mum to get everything sorted.
There was an offer on the house, which the four accepted, only to find at the very last minute that they couldn't sell because no-one had the Deeds. The solicitor never said a word until contracts were about to be signed. This went on for a while even though Mum asked the solicitor whether he had checked her bank when the issue came up.
Oh, yeah! The bank had a sealed envelope belong to [Great Aunt]! Could Mum go to London with copies of all docs and identification to collect it?
Yes , it was the Deeds. I mean we did make a day of it, visiting Nan's grave and Mum's grandparents' grave, and having pie n mash in Barkingside, and buying proper bagels just before the bakery shut early (it was a Friday). But then Dad had to drive down to Billericay to drop the Deeds off. Followed by another phone call and email.
They now accept Mum has the right to sell the house on behalf of the siblings, but in the mean time, house prices have gone through the floor. Alice died a year ago next week. All the delay in between (not just this, other issues which Mum has chased and chased and chased) has been down to the solicitor. The Deeds thing is minor, but it's been like this all the way along. WTF are they being paid for? They even told Mum she should be claiming for her time (she should!) but she refuses because she is working for family - all she will take is expenses on travel costs. Lord knows how much it has cost her in phone calls, letters etc.
Anyway, it looks like they will be able to sell if they acept a £15k drop in price. Mum called all the siblings tonight and they are all of the same mind - just get rid of it! Grandad is the poorest, but hates what his daughter is having to go through. Well, she gets herself worked up. Two others are really very well off. The one in between could use the money, but doesn't want to play a waiting game.
I feel for Mum.
But once it's sold she'll get a lovely holiday. I'm pushing for her to have a trip down the Rhine, recreating a holiday she had while at school. Dads has never seen Germany and she'd love to go back there. And the responsibility will be off her shoulders. Hurray!
I'm happy because we're going to a nice seafood restaurant with friends for dinner tonight. I've been looking forward to it all week. :)
That's awesome... but I missed something - unemployed? I'm sorry to hear that. *goes to search for explanation*
I think it was in this thread lookout.
I quit a couple of weeks ago.
It all came to a head when I needed time off because Tman got scalded with boiling water on new years day (he's fine and only has one more specialist appointment), but we had various appointments and days off....which made my boss even more unreasonable.
One morning I was at the hospital and my boss' wife rang and told me to get back to work as soon as I could because [boss name] NEEDED me...like wtf? what about the 5yr old...he doesnt need me?
Things just went bad to worse and I decided that it wasnt worth it anymore :)
... solicitor. ... WTF are they being paid for?
since they get paid by time, they obviously take their time to get things done - that's how it seems to me. What a bummer about the house market - such a shame you can't sue the solicitors for the difference; but how sensible of the siblings to just say "let's sell".
Hugs to your mum and I hope she sends us a postcard!
My 3D glasses are here! Now I can watch Chuck on Monday and won't get a headache. Oh and that superbowl ad.
It's the little things.
Bri's breezed back in. allegedly.
I have perfected the art of the microwave baked potato. Even faster than a sandwich!
Snow forecast! Ooooooooh!
Mum says if she wakes up to let the cat out (their cat) and it's snowed, she'll wake me up.
We'll probably get it Sunday night.
I am very snow-wary - it's always promised and rarely delivered, but I'm allowing myself to get excited this time.
Bri's back, It's Friday and well uhhh ummm ya see.... that's all. That's enough.
I have perfected the art of the microwave baked potato. Even faster than a sandwich!
Oh! Please share!
For a medium potato, 4 and a half minutes on full power (don't forget to poke it full of holes,) then let it sit for another 5 minutes--the inside will continue to cook. Cut it open and dump any number of delicious things inside.
For a medium potato, 4 and a half minutes on full power (don't forget to poke it full of holes,) then let it sit for another 5 minutes--the inside will continue to cook. Cut it open and dump any number of delicious things inside.
Thank you!
But... but... but...
The skin is all nasty and soft!
I'll stick to the long slow cooking, thanks.
I have to spend the weekend creating a lesson unit for my freshmen (which really should be in the "What's mildly irritating you today?") but what's making me happy is that the unit is centered on media. As a kid I wanted to work as a cinematographer, so it makes me happy that I can use what little knowledge I have for a good use. All of the other teachers in the department are a little freaked out by this unit because they feel they don't know much about film.
The main film we've been asked to use is Edward Scissorhands, and as a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp fangirl this is very helpful because I already have a book with storyboards for The Nightmare Before Christmas, the soundtracks for Edward and Nightmare, and a handful of movies that I plan to use for demonstrating shots/camera angles (namely Big Fish and Pirates of the Caribbean).
I think this is going to be a really awesome unit if I can just convince the kids to get on board.
How awesome Chocolatl. I am a huge Depp fan: without saying a word he nailed Edward Scissorhands.
What a great teacher you must be. :)
On a side note: have you seen Ed Wood?
Keep your fingers crossed that my students think it's great, too! The classes I'm teaching it to are all sophomores and juniors that failed freshman English and are repeating the class so that they can graduate. One would think it might mean higher motivation, and for a handful it does, but the grand majority of them feel that if it wasn't interesting for them the first time around it sure as hell isn't gonna capture their imaginations this time around. They've never had a media unit before, though, so I'm hoping I can grab them by working in recent movies.
I've seen the first half of Ed Wood, but for whatever reason I didn't have the chance to see it all the way through and don't remember much of it except for something about an angora sweater.
It's on my list of movies to see, when I have time in my next life. ;-)
It's one of my favorite movies.
Good luck. I bet you grab a lot of them. :)
But... but... but...
The skin is all nasty and soft!
I'll stick to the long slow cooking, thanks.
[threaddrift]Thanks for the warning! I read somewhere that if you cooked it (baked potato in a microwave) wrapped in kitchen paper the skin'd be crispy? Does anyone know?[/threaddrift]
I do like a nice baked potato from the oven...but a quick microwave potato will do.
I eat the skin...so many people I know leave it. It's the best part!
I read somewhere that if you cooked it (baked potato in a microwave) wrapped in kitchen paper the skin'd be crispy? Does anyone know?
I wrap mine in a paper towel, and the skin is dry but admittedly not crispy.
yea, we just wrap ours in paper towels to prevent them from making a mess in the microwave. Our prefered method, and what we did last night, is to cook them wrapped in foil in the outdoor fireplace.
See, ideally I bake mine for 1.5 HOURS!
I like to scoop all the potato out, butter it if I'm not worried about my weight, vinegar it if I am.
Then I eat the empty "shell boats" at the end with ketchup or BBQ sauce.[smackslips]
Bake, butter, shredded cheddar. So good. So bad. ;)
#3318 & #3319 is where it's at, folks!
:yum:
I have a new
profile pic. Thanks jinx for the suggestion.
address is approximate!
I got all excited expecting to see a cute BigV pic and all I see is an old google map thing with some guy that MIGHT be Big V...but then it could be the neighbor or the pizza delivery guy.:neutral: prolly
It's me.
I'm famous. I'm on Google Maps Street View in front of my house!
It's supposed to be close to 70° in Denver the next two days.
Ha! Opposite for me (well, not quite)
We're due more snow tomorrow!
I'm not as excited as last time - after all they said heavy and it was barely over my boot tips. This time they haven't said heavy so it's going to be a light sprinkling, like the talcum powder I get on the bathroom mat.
Still, tomorrow I finally get some moey through.
Wooohoooo!
Wayhay!
It means if I get a call to say they have a vacancy for me for counselling I can afford to go (only £10 a session, but up until today I had £0 and 0p, which didn't help).
And I'm going to get a proper pair of scales so Mum & I can start our Weight Loss Challenge. Even if we'll have to put it back til Monday now - we have meal plans and food shop to get sorted before we actually start.
This evening is just a happy one is all!
I got my tax return finished!!!
Damn. I'm still waiting for my husband's w2! And the 1099s.
Sry pie, just got the last of ours yesterday.
Snow, snow, snow-snow-snow!
Yay!
And snow.
Will post pics in Aylesbury thread.
Buggering snow again....sorry....there are aspects of it that are very pleasing, but I am starting to panic a little about my presentation on monday...
I'm hoping the trains are running into Leeds tomorrow.
Bentyl makes my aching guts feel better.
It's been almost 3 weeks since I last ran because I hurt my knee*. Today it gave me no trouble after hitting the treadmill, so since the local weather is supposed to be in the 40's for the next few days, I should be able to do the next few runs outside. Yessssss!!!
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Silver"]
*One of Red's good friends bought a bar, and while partying there after hours, his wife and I decided to see if we could jump up onto and straddle the end of the bar. While successful multiple times, I did end up paying a price once I sobered up. I really should have taken pics for the bruise thread...[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Silver"]
*One of Red's good friends bought a bar, and while partying there after hours, his wife and I decided to see if we could jump up onto and straddle the end of the bar. While successful multiple times, I did end up paying a price once I sobered up. I really should have taken pics for the drunk women straddling things thread...[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Fixed it for you.
Hearing from my best friend via email...like she knew I am down and checked on me.
So, you're not crafty?
[COLOR=White]She's crafty - she's always down[/COLOR]
Debit card + student loan + dominoes = a portion of 3 Cheese and Onion Loaded Potato Skins
+ a portion of Chicken Strippers (7) and Potato Wedges. Served with 3 dips: Sweet Chilli, BBQ and Honey & Mustard.
+ 2 baked Belgian Waffles with a sprinkling of sugar. Served with 2 dips: Chocolate & Toffee.
This is making me happy.
I gots a new job and I start on Monday :)
congrats! :D Is it an important one?....
Radar, Sundae Girl, Undertoad, Ducksnuts and three others will get an important new job
I'm getting a new haircut tomorrow. It's the little things...:)
Debit card + student loan + dominoes = a portion of 3 Cheese and Onion Loaded Potato Skins + a portion of Chicken Strippers (7) and Potato Wedges. Served with 3 dips: Sweet Chilli, BBQ and Honey & Mustard..
Oh my word, I LOVE Dominos Chicken Strippers. They're the goujon ones, right? Not keen on the wedges. They give me part-baked potato fear (discussed somewhere around here)
I gots a new job and I start on Monday :)
Yay, you!
I'm getting a new haircut tomorrow. It's the little things...:)
I know, I know. I got my benefit today and am so made up. And that
is a little thing I can tell you!
I need a new haircut but reckon I can wait 2 weeks.
I might dye it though.
Sorry I wasn't the person to contact you and make you feel better!
Great sex last night.
Too bad no one was around to share . :bolt:
~snip~I know, I know. I got my benefit today and am so made up. And that is a little thing I can tell you!
I need a new haircut but reckon I can wait 2 weeks.
I might dye it though.
Sorry I wasn't the person to contact you and make you feel better!
Thanks...you're sweet!
I wait too long to get my hair cut until I am ready to shave my head. So, I'm excited.
Out of the blue, I got an email today from another buddy from my old job. The one from the other day is still stuck there, but this buddy moved on. Nice to hear from both of them.
Do you ever wish you could have a giant party and all the really cool people you know, whether physically IRL or "this" IRL could meet and everyone could see how awesome everyone else is? Oh, that's just me? :)
::long relaxing stretch::
Ahhhh. The brutal first outdoor run of the year. Feel the burn, baby. Feel it!! Oh Yeah!
MMMM..........Just in a good mood today. ;)
I'm happy because I got to see Coraline on opening day! Due to a mix-up I ended up seeing it in 2D instead of 3D, but I may go watch it in 3D tomorrow.
I had a good day at work to day .
My Boss and I installed 2 Big floor scales in a steel processing plant .
Our contact is a Young enthuastic friendly guy .
while my boss was chatting with him at the scales , i was busy unpacking the scales , all the sudden I hear " Well HI Chris !!"
I look up and there is a friend that used to work in a different plant ( it shut down and he moved , etc,,, ) I noticed that our contact was looking twitchey , I asked my friend what he was doing here , turns out he is the Operations Mngr ( Our contacts boss ) , I introduced him to my boss who rembered him from the other plant , My friend told our contact to Help us out in ANY way and that he had made a Good choice of scale companys ! After he walked away Our contact settled down and said " Ill get the Maint cheif for you ." so My boss and I went on about our job , Our contact walks back with Another dude I know from still another plant , warm greetings and introductions All around , a bit of small talk , I tell Maint dude what we need from them , and not 5 minets later there are 3 maint guys running conduit for us .
It takes 8 solid hrs to install these two scales , every thing goes well .
It was a Busy and productive day :D
Zip, you're a smooooth operator. :thumb:
It's a tame mouse, I may need a cat to keep it on the desk.
congrats! :D Is it an important one?....
Thanks...its not that important, but who knows where it will lead. :)
It's a tame mouse, I may need a cat to keep it on the desk.
you need a little pussy?
I won one of my epee pools yesterday! My legs are coming around and I'm starting to take some of these youngsters down with speed. Hmm... maybe resveritrol is all that.
I won one of my epee pools yesterday! My legs are coming around and I'm starting to take some of these youngsters down with speed. Hmm... maybe resveritrol is all that.
I barely understand this post. I assume it's about fencing though. In which case, you go Griff!
I am happy today because of love.
There are lovely people in this world, and they do things out of kindness and trust.
And that is a wonderful thing.
Thanks Great Britain!
[TMI]epee- fencing weapon
resveratrol- supplement (found naturally in wine/grapes) that apparently helps the mitochondria provide energy more efficiently. According to Mens Health the molecular biology folks are very close to producing a synthetic version 1000x more effective to reduce the effects of aging.[/TMI]
English homework for Tues, done! Mostly.
Only studing for trig is REALLY needed.
Just booked a night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio :D
Today I'm happy because I got through yesterday with very little crying and no breaking down at all, and I woke up today feeling pretty much OK.
Well that is good news Tiki! Thank your god for small miracles. ;)
Our team won trivia night at the local pub last night.
Now we just have to decide what to do with the $40 food and drink voucher. lol I guess we'll buy one round next week. :D
The tub now drains faster than it can fill. An hour with the snake and all the gray water filthmuck that entails didn't do the job. I have a
drum trap on the tub. The drain pipe connects to the main drain of the house upstream from the waste stack and the toilet and the sink. I'd run enough hot water through the pipes to make them noticeably warm and still it was slow. We're on the city sewer system, by the way. So I stopped at the store tonight and got a couple jugs of the store brand of mondo draino. The recipe calls for 1/4 jug. I knew that 1/4 jug wouldn't even raise the level in the drum trap halfway to the top outlet, so I poured in the whole jug.
Then I went into the kitchen and started my biggest (working) pot 8 qt and a 4 qt and the teakettle all full of water all on high. The instructions on the jug said wait 15 minutes, longer for stubborn clogs. I was pretty certain that the bulk of the chemical was lounging in the drum trap, but I waited half an hour then took the boiling three plus gallons of water to the tub. As I poured it in the tub filled a little bit, but that's to be expected. The drain wasn't designed to accommodate the tub being filled by buckets of water. But when I was done pouring in the boiling water, the water flowed easily out the drain!
I turned on the hot water full blast while I boiled another three gallons and it never accumulated more than a little puddle the size of a dinner plate around the drain. Success!
Excellent! See, its the little things... :)
Yeah... I'd be happier, though, if it weren't so little that I couldn't see it.... /tmi
HI Spexx. ;)
Ah.. could you please explain this post?
TIA!
Only if you'll explain TIA!
I saw Spexxvet drop in yesterday and was happy to see him.
A new family is moving in across the street. Apparently the reclusive single guy who owns the house is going somewhere for a few years to make wine, and has rented out his house to a family from Australia. My wife just called to inform me of this news. The family was at the bus stop this morning, even though they don't move in until the end of the month. They have a boy who is close to my son's age, so that's a bonus.
My wife says they seem nice. Promising.
Ah.. could you please explain this post?
TIA!
Only if you'll explain TIA!
I saw Spexxvet drop in yesterday and was happy to see him.
This is Africa? :confused:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=T.I.A.
TIA = Thanks In advance
BigV, have you tried the
Drain King? After my neighbor the plumber used one on our bathroom sink, I bought one the next time we had a clog and it worked like a charm.
Howzat work? Linkie gives no obvious info...
Attach a water source to the Drain King. (It has threads for a standard garden hose. I dropped a hose down and hooked it up to the outside faucet.) Put the Drain King in the drain. Turn the water on. The water pressure inflates the rubber bit to provide an airtight seal, then zaps the clog with repeated spurting.
(Phallic puns? Go for it.)
TIA? transient ischemic attack.
It means thanks in advance?
the things you learn in the cellar!
(Phallic puns? Go for it.)
at first I thought that said Phallic
guns.
at first I thought that said Phallic guns.
There are so many exciting images in my mind right now...
So...anyways...
making me happy today is: I got my grade for the paper i all but killed m'self getting in the other week...
mid-first *smiles* oh yeah.
First draft, finished at around 10am, or thereabouts, having been up all night. No time to print off and proof read...it could have been awful. Last minute cutting and pasting, half blind from staring at the screen all night, not thinking straight and fading in and out...could have been sooooo bad. Could have been half finished paragraphs and sentences going nowhere from bad cut and paste. Could have been riven with grammatical errors...the last bits I did could just not have made sense, given they were being penned by a brain dead Dani...
Whew. Another bullet dodged.
Dani, I would congratulate the living HELL out of you if I only knew what a "mid-first" WAS. I'll just go ahead and assume it's very, very good indeed.
So - :band: :shred:
The marking criteria goes on a 20-90% scale. Essays, assigments and the eventual degree classification work along the same scale:
degrees end up as either 3rd Class, 2nd Class (either a 2:2, or a 2:1) or 1st Class:
< 40 Fail
40-44 (Low 3rd) 45-46 (Mid 3rd) 47-48 (High 3rd)
49-51 (borderline 2:2)
52-54 (Low 2:2) 55-56 (Mid 2:2) 57-58 (High 2:2)
59-61 (borderline 2:1)
62-64 (Low 2:1) 65-66 (Mid 2:1) 67-69 (High 2:1)
69-71 (borderline 1st)
72-74 (Low 1st) 75-76 (Mid 1st) 77-78 (High 1st)
79-81 (borderline Excellent 1st)
82+ (Excellent 1st).
I've bolded where my essay mark was *grins*
So, do how do you guys classify your degrees?
Scores on tests/papers use A-Fs around most parts here.
90-100% A Excellent
80-89% B Good
70-79% C Average
60-69% D Below average
Below 60% F FAIL. Dude, why did you even waste your time trying??
Some classes/profs use -'s and +'s, so:
80-83% = B-
84-86% = B
87-89% = B+ etc.
Your grade point average is determined by the overall avarage of your grades for all the classes you have taken. Different schools calculate this differently.
For example this is one way to determine a college GPA.
Basically.
There is such a thing as "grading on the curve" (which is a total cop-out that lazy profs use IMHO). One way this is done is to take the top score and set that as 100% and then score the rest on a 90/80/70 type scale. Ususally this is done when a prof writes tests so bloody hard that if he used the traditional scale, all his or her students would fail every exam, and the board would start looking into why he/she was such a shitty teacher. There are many other ways to calculate a curve too, most way too complicated for me to even comprehend.
"But what about degrees?"
Pretty much you get the degree or you don't. Many (most?) colleges award "cum laude," "magna cum laude," and "summa cum laude" to the top finshers. (At my university you got those for earning a final GPA of 3.0-3.499, 3.5-3.899, or 3.9-40 respectively.) There's no US equivalent for a 3rd class degree AFAIK... the student who barely escaped expulsion and the one with a 2.99 who barely missed the "cum laude" mark would both get the same diploma.
the student who barely escaped expulsion and the one with a 2.99 who barely missed the "cum laude" mark would both get the same diploma.
Many employers will look at the Grade Point Average that goes with that degree though. So GPA does matter too, just not for the degree. Only for job prospects.
I want the degree that comes with the most cum.
:angel:
69? that's a 2:1 ....but so close to a first.....
I got a kitty, a little girl kitty.
I tried to upload a picture last nite and it would not go.
bummer...feeling a need for a kitten.
I am happy because I have made another huge change in my life...last one was October when I changed jobs. Change is soooooooo hard but it feels so good and the end rewards are worth all the fear and apprehension.
I think after work I will take myself out to dinner. I've had nothing but salad for a week. I'm thinking filet mignon.
Then go to bed early, and get up for my new haircut.
Shawnee got her groove back. Or is working on it, anyway.
I tried to upload a picture last nite and it would not go.
Email it to me.
"But what about degrees?"
Pretty much you get the degree or you don't. Many (most?) colleges award "cum laude," "magna cum laude," and "summa cum laude" to the top finshers. (At my university you got those for earning a final GPA of 3.0-3.499, 3.5-3.899, or 3.9-40 respectively.) There's no US equivalent for a 3rd class degree AFAIK... the student who barely escaped expulsion and the one with a 2.99 who barely missed the "cum laude" mark would both get the same diploma.
We had 2 grades in grad school. 94 - 100 = A; 80 -93.999 = B; >80 = F.
94 - 100 = A; 80 -93.999 = B; [COLOR="Red"]>[/COLOR]80 = F.
Do I get to guess which grade you got in math? ;)
Posting something positive to offset my post in the "irritating me" thread:
Yippee, one of my profs has agreed to write me a letter of recommendation so I can apply for some scholarships. I asked 3 of them so I'll probably get more than one, but I'm getting a late start since they're due 3/1 and the others might not have time. But this prof luuuuurves me. ;)
ETA: no, not that way. ;)
There is such a thing as "grading on the curve" (which is a total cop-out that lazy profs use IMHO). One way this is done is to take the top score and set that as 100% and then score the rest on a 90/80/70 type scale. Ususally this is done when a prof writes tests so bloody hard that if he used the traditional scale, all his or her students would fail every exam, and the board would start looking into why he/she was such a shitty teacher. There are many other ways to calculate a curve too, most way too complicated for me to even comprehend.
I'm glad to see someone agrees with my opinion of the "curve." Everyone I talk to seems to love curves. I guess that's also the mark of a lazy student.
Catching up with a couple more old posts:
WTG Dana!!!!! What a relief, you must be proud.
I got a paper back too, though it was probably much less work than yours. 98%.
One more thing...this TIA you speak of...besides being a stroke, it's also "aunt" in Spanish and the name of the little girl in Escape to Witch Mountain. ;) Oh, and one of the Mowry twins on "Sister, Sister" and "Twitches."
Got a VD card from mom and dad. :) Well, dad probably had very little to do with it. My 'rent's are awesome.
And, I'm going to take a nap. Just 'cause I can.
It's the VD I could do without.
My ex-Father-in-Law had a major stroke and will probably be in a nursing home the rest of his life.
That's making you happy? Who is he, Dr. Mengele?
I hope you misfiled that, UT.
My dad went out that way too. And no, it's not making me happy today either.
Filed correctly. Emotional and physical abuse of his family, ruining many lives.
I hear you, UT. Some people you cannot care about, cannot feel sad for. Some people leave the world a better place when they stop interacting with it.
We just installed our new range/stove/oven/cooker and beest is cooking dinner on it RFN :D
We can has bacon again! (the broiler was bust and we're not keen on fried bacon....)
What did you get monster?
A pimple is making me happy today.
A pimple? OK, I"ll ask: WHAT?
lmao
lol...it's kind of embarrassing, but I thought it was something else, but it turned out to be just a pimple so it's a relief. :) It's making me happy because I can stop stressing about it. :D
Oh...perspective!
Well good, I'm glad it wasn't something else. :)
What did you get monster?
a flat-top jobbie with a delay start option, variable rings and a covered element. And it has a window and a light and everything. It's a Kenmore.
How cute are Leave It to Beaver reruns?
Sounds nice. I want to get a home with gas appliances.
Val Day was freaking Awesome! It rocked. To be with someone you love and who loves you is the best thing in the world. Thanks wife. :D
I lost every single pool bout yesterday. That wasn't cool. I went into the direct eliminations bracket at 19 out of 21. Awful. Then I won my first de 15 - 5 and got my head on straight. I had to fence the #3 guy next a talented Italian style epeeist. I adjusted to his technique and took him out 15 - 11. Then I blew my next one ending up in 8th place. What looked like a nightmare day turned nicely.
Getting a new (uncrappy) phone in the next few days, submitting my application for graduation this week, and the sun is shining (unusual for Ohio winters just fyi).
Got a laugh from federal politics.
The deputy opposition leader and shadow treasurer had been under fire from her own party for her pretty lame performance.
She stepped down as treasurer - jumping before she was pushed - and is now shadow-minister for defense.
One senior figure in her party insisted that "she had exercised her prerogative as deputy leader to select the portfolio of her choice."
:lol2:
What is a shadow-minister? sounds spooky.
I thought they said she was going to be shadow foriegn affairs minister.
btw, have you ever listened to her in question time??? What a dope!
They offered Costello the job and if he's really for the party, I think he should have taken the job. I think he's holding out for the top job though, and I reckon he'll get it before the next election. Dazza reckons he'll get it after they lose.
Mmm...It appears as if I can daydream/fantasize again....I haven't done that in years!
Feels Good!
I know it is a small thing but it matters to me........;)
What is a shadow-minister? sounds spooky.
Anyone?
It's the opposition partys minister who is supposed to stay informed on what the ruling partys minister is doing. So for every minister, there's a shadow minister and it basically means what it sounds like. They shadow them and point out their faults and mistakes.
Problem is, shadow ministers are shadow ministers because their party wasn't good enough to win the election...so they probably have some faults and mistakes of their own.
It's the opposition partys minister who is supposed to stay informed on what the ruling partys minister is doing. So for every minister, there's a shadow minister and it basically means what it sounds like. They shadow them and point out their faults and mistakes.
Problem is, shadow ministers are shadow ministers because their party wasn't good enough to win the election...so they probably have some faults and mistakes of their own.
Do they actually have power or authority? or are they just a ball boy.
No power -they're the opposition, the party that's not in power.
The shadow treasurer is the person who would be treasurer if the government today fell and the opposition took power.
You'd think somone so vocal about political systems would have a grasp on this simple concept use in so many English-speaking nations :rolleyes:
:p
We have minority leaders, but they have some formal power, just not in the Executive Branch. I admit to much ignorance about the Parliamentary system of Government in many countries. I have more interest in the dictatorships and or socialist policy of European government.
One point to Ali - she has moved to foreign affairs, not defence.
happy, I went to take the test to be a 2010 census worker this evening. I got 100%. Apparently not everyone does, so I'm quite proud of myself :D
Shadow ministers may not have formal power, as such, but there are advantages that go with the role. The official opposition (as monster described they're basically a parallel cabinet in waiting) has access to resources and a level of... *thinks* ... 'regard', within the system which the minority parties (even the Lib Dems, the third wheel of British party politics) do not get.
happy, I went to take the test to be a 2010 census worker this evening. I got 100%. Apparently not everyone does, so I'm quite proud of myself :D
Did you have to bring your own Chianti?
no. no whine was allowed. Didn't stop somene storming out, though
Hey batter batter Hey batter batter SWING!
Get out the rye bread and the mustard, Grandma, it's Grand Salami time!!!
WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Ken Griffey Jr returns to the Seattle Mariners. Hell. Ken Griffey Jr *IS* the Seattle Mariners!
A Cincinnati Reds legacy.
Hey batter batter Hey batter batter SWING! Get out the rye bread and the mustard, Grandma, it's Grand Salami time!!!
WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Ken Griffey Jr returns to the Seattle Mariners. Hell. Ken Griffey Jr *IS* the Seattle Mariners!
Just goes to show you that there really is no such thing as loyalty in sports anymore. Highest bidder wins. I am not complaining about it, just an observation.
I woke up and my hair was perfect. Like in the movies. It was fantastic!
My car died in the grocery store parking lot. The ring connector to the battery had snapped, but miraculously, with a bit of wiggling, the car still started again. I drove it carefully to the mechanic down the road, hoping to God it wouldn't suddenly die in the street and wondering if my brakes would still work if it did.
They replaced the little ring on the spot, free of charge. Didn't even have to unload the kids.
My car died in the grocery store parking lot. The ring connector to the battery had snapped, but miraculously, with a bit of wiggling, the car still started again. I drove it carefully to the mechanic down the road, hoping to God it wouldn't suddenly die in the street and wondering if my brakes would still work if it did.
They replaced the little ring on the spot, free of charge. Didn't even have to unload the kids.
Are you and Jinx actually the same people but in mirror worlds? That's the exact opposite of her experience today...
It's Mardi Gras!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
I took a personal today for absolutely no reason except I wanted to fuck off. Sometimes a salary job is great. Like today. Grilled lemon pepper chicken and a box of white wine.
Hope I don't need a sick day tomorrow.
The girl I know that doesn't capitalize the first letter in her name.
lol. Good job capn! I myself, have been called in. Maybe me and the good capn are playing the opposite game?
I can relate to being called in.
If I get a call-in this eve, I'll have to call a cab.
:guinness:
Took the morning off to get my car registered at the MVA.
It's DONE. No more waiting in lines! I think I can do whatever I need to do from here on out via the web.
My cousins wife gave birth to twin boys yesterday evening. Angus and George. 5lb12 and 6lb12. Good sizes for twins three weeks early. :)
I'm going to send flowers.
Another thing that's making me happy is that I felt sick most of the night and kept waking up, but now I feel great. I feel like I could even vaccuum the house!
You can't vacuum sitting down with your feet up.
This quote:
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson
I like anything that has "hobgoblin" in it. :D
Case's paintings make me happy! Been away for a couple of years, and just finally found them here for the first time! Beautiful work, neighbor!
74 degrees here today with a light breeze.
also we change the time Sunday week. This is good.
What's making me happy today?
Nothing so far. I woke up grumpy. :(
Be happy that you woke up, Ali.
lol...I should be, but there's this tired part of me that wishes I was still in the land of nod. ;)
I'm happy that my kids and husband have left for the day so I have peace and quiet now.
What's making me happy today?
Nothing so far. I woke up grumpy. :(
You should have let him sleep in. ;)
Accepted an offer at the State of Montana DoA. Woohoo! I'm employed again, after only about a month of looking... Either I'm extremely lucky or the economy isn't quite as shit as the alarmism makes it seem.
good for you PW. :) Maybe you're just exactly what they were looking for.
Or maybe you're just that good, Perry!
Way to go! :thumb:
Proud for ya, Perry Winkle.
Yet another cellar prediction comes true!
Case's paintings make me happy! Been away for a couple of years, and just finally found them here for the first time! Beautiful work, neighbor!
Thank you! :blush:
Where in CO are you?
Perry, that's Brilliant. With a capital 'B'. How fantastic are you? eh? eh?
Good show old fruit, well done.
Fantastic news, Perry! Are you happy about moving to Montana? (Or maybe you already live there?)
Today I am happy because I decided a couple of days ago that I don't have to be in love with the guy I have been in love with for the last year or so
and also I am still young enough that I don't have to sweat the idea of being alone the rest of my life or anything. I can take a year or even two out from dating and be fine.
Accepted an offer at the State of Montana DoA.
Dental floss inspector?
Department of Aliens, Grey Division I believe. Congrats!
Dental floss inspector?
:lol:
Fantastic news, Perry! Are you happy about moving to Montana? (Or maybe you already live there?)
I've been here for about a month. I like it pretty well. It's much more tolerable now that I have a job. After I buy a car I'll be like a pig in shit.
Dental floss inspector?
Pretty much. Senior Web Developer, actually. It's all to do with stringy stuff.
Senior?
So much for the ground level entry program. Times have changed.
Pretty much. Senior Web Developer, actually. It's all to do with stringy stuff.
Oh, so you won't be hanging with Frank Zappa then. :(
Senior?
So much for the ground level entry program. Times have changed.
Well, I've been programming in some capacity since I was 12-13 and I've been programming professionally (mostly part time) since early 2002. Senior is a stretch in my mind, but I'll take it.
What's making me happy today?
My entire life. It's all good. Even the rough spots.
Amazon-dot-com
Great deals and online service. Free shipping in many cases as well.
It makes me very happy today. :)
I've had an exhausting couple of days, and I feel like I could just sleep for a thousand years to get away from all this stress. Trying to find things to cheer myself up with.
So the things that are making me happy today are:
-I am scheduled to graduate magna cum laude in May
-First wedding anniversary is next weekend
-Going to visit my brother in two weeks
-Taking a much needed vacation with my husband in April
There. That helps.
Wow...it's been a year already! time has flown by hasn't it?
Congratulations. :)
Thank you! :blush:
Where in CO are you?
My house is in A-Town, my work is in D-Town, my heart is in Evergreen, the Harley takes me everywhere! (Including your neck of the woods - if you've got anything on display up that way I'd love to see it in person.)
Won a recipe book!
Was only a promotional thing, and it did have a message from La Palin, but it is my first win and I am delighted!
Yay me!
My house is in A-Town, my work is in D-Town, my heart is in Evergreen, the Harley takes me everywhere! (Including your neck of the woods - if you've got anything on display up that way I'd love to see it in person.)
It sounds like you're not too far from me. I'm halfway between E and C, about a mile from the new roundabout, where the elk and the buffalo play.
I imagine you spend some time at Cactus Jack's or Little Bear.
by Princess Of The Ryche, age 5 (don't know why, it makes me giggle something fierce)
[ATTACH]22241[/ATTACH]
It has scary juggling skills. Looks like a dozen or so balls in the air at once.
That made me giggle too!
I actually do have some artwork up in Denver...I have to find out where. I am showing with a group that just sort of goes from place to place. Not sure what place we are in right now.
My husband drives to Denver every day. Maybe one day we should plan a lunch GTG!
He's not juggling - that's rain. She informed me that that's a thunder cloud with lightning and rain, because T Rexes are afraid of thunder.
She likes sharks too.
And ponies.
Yes, let's do lunch.
I should have my bass and vocal parts finished for our debut single this weekend. Hopefully, if my friend can finish his guitar part in the next week or so, we can release the single at the end of the month.
If you're on Facebook, why not join our fan
page?
(Hi everybody! I miss you! *blows kisses*)
As of 114 minutes from RFN I will be at
WOMADelaide, a 3 day world music festival in my lovely little town.
(insert all music related smilies here) (and the dance ones too) :jig:
In the words of a dear friend, who sadly passed away a couple months ago "It's a good day. The sun is shining. The birds are singing..."
It is a nice day.
For Ohio.
Oh girl...I love a nice warm day after a long Ohio winter. It's rejuvenating!
I'm happy today because my best friend in the whole world, who I wasn't talking to for complicated reasons, emailed me back, just something silly but it means we're friends again. :)
The sun just came out. :)
I love spring in Ohio.
I hear a cardinal outside. Not the catholic job...the bird.
I'm still in my PJ's.
I made a big veg. stew.
My son just left to play laser tag with his g/f leaving me in blessed peace!
Mmmm I love stew.
Facebook, despite being a virus pit, is making me happy... another of my best friends from NY showed up yesterday and just emailed me. Yay!
That all is right with the universe and all will be well, all will be well and all matter of things will be well.
Yeah, even for assholes. God must love them, he made so many of them :D
Sorted my final referee for my citizenship application. Which means, at last, I can send the blasted thing off, attend a little ceremony with a minor functionary, then start applying for jobs in Europe as well. Hurrah for British citizenship!
I am happy because yesterday my friends helped me do a bunch of rearranging and painting, and now my bookshelves are in my o ffice where they belong and my daughter's room is 90% done and will be ready to move her bed into on Thursday. :) This means she will no longer be sleeping in the large room upstairs that you have to go through to get to my bedroom, yay!
It's starting to look almost certain that my best friend will get the job she applied for here. Her office will be right next to mine! This place will never be quite the same. ;)
Oh, and we MIGHT be back in our offices this afternoon. Three weeks after the flood. Better almost never than never.
I'm not bi-polar, just ADHD*.
Yeah!!!!
*Edit to add: "slightly" ADHD says my doc.
I'm not bi-polar, just ADHD.
Yeah!!!!
I'm not sure if that qualifies you, Lab! :lol:
But congrats on the diagnosis... :)
That's hard to believe with the work you do, but it does explain your penchant for abusing your body over hill and dale. :haha:
The card I got from Cherry yesterday arvo. :)
Day 8 of being back on my old BC pills/off the new ones my gyno wanted me to try, and I've lost 3 lbs. I wasn't getting fat, just bloated, apparently. Yay.
The housemate got a job... the weather's starting to be a little less rainy (relatively speaking)... my daughter slept through the night... my husband is communicating rather than yelling and posturing... yup. I have a big happy. Could use some company though... talking to myself isn't all that much fun! (Baby Girl is over at a friend's house for a few hours for playtime)
I have just given the kiddies their homework.
They are doing a 5 week survey project, where they design a sociological hypothesis, formulate questions to test it, do the survey, then analyse and present their data.
This was a mid-way check. On pair of students had a problem with their stats, that they didn't have enough poor-performing students in their study. After some discussion I realised there is one surefire place to find sub-par students on a Friday afternoon, and directed my (over 18) kiddies accordingly... to the campus bar.
Others needed to inteview more international students who might have part time jobs, so they got sent to the central market and restaurant district.
Another group needed more "general population" respondents, so I just sent them down to the beach.
I kinda like this job. :D
What subjects are you teaching Zen?
Just Critical Thinking, as part of a Uni prep/entrance course. Effectively the last year of high school.
Ahh...so that's why they're kiddies.
Well, there are a couple that are 17 and the rest are 18 or 19 (and a few 21, 23 etc).
These are international students, some of whom have failed to get into uni in their own countries, and others just aimed for an international uni from the start.
I call them kiddies becaue (a) they are half my age, (b) some totally don't have a #$%&ing clue, and (c) it helps keep my expectations of their abilities from rising too high.
Those are all very valid reasons. Do you like teaching the course though?
Yeah it is mostly good. The only thing that bugs me is marking their work. Some is quite good, some is incomprehensible gibberish, and some is plagiarised from either wikipedia or the textbook. That is annoying. Otherwise, it is a good job, and quite well paying. And I am there now, net surfing. Life is good.
Previously irritating now enlightening: couldn't figure out how coworker who is half my age, only two years on the job (vs. my fifteen) was able to afford to travel every month, and just bought a house. Turns out her roomie works for the airlines so she flies for free and stays with friends, hence the traveling. Mommy paid the down payment on the house; mortgage is the same as my rent. I feel much less loserly now.
It's all who you know. :eyebrow:
or who you blow.
But on a less self-pitying note, Princess of the Ryche makes me happy every day!!!
It's all who you know. :eyebrow:
Actually the biggest factor is winning the parent lottery. It's mostly about who you're born to. How well would GW have done in life (for instance) if he wasn't a Bush?
My mom has lotsa $$$ but doesn't want to share til after she's dead, which is fine. She earned it, it's her right to do with it as she wishes. I just wish her wish was to see her daughter and grand-daughter living in a nicer home, living a slightly better quality of life, but so be it. I'm doing fine on my own, just sayin'....guess I should move this over to the irritated thread, hunh? Sorry. Venting complete. Resume happiness.
My cats make me very happy. Big source of amusement.
I have successfully been married for 365 days. Woohoo!
Have a very happy anniversary, you two!!
Hey, Happy, Happy Anniversary! Woot! :girlband:
Congrats, Choco, Kitsune! Best wishes for at least another 75!
Happy Anniversary! Did you do anything special? :)
Good lord, a year gone already? Congrats kittlings, have a very lovely 1st anniversary :)
Congrats Kits and Choco! Did you keep the top of your cake to eat tonight?
I have successfully been married for 365 days. Woohoo!
Congrats, Choco, Kitsune! Best wishes for at least another 75!
Days?
Thanks, all!
I actually dropped the top tier of our cake, last year, bringing it home. Utter calamity. We just picked up a new cake from the bakery to eat tonight, after dinner out at the restaurant where we had our reception.
I am pretty sure our marriage will last at least another 75 days, and will count myself very lucky if we get 75 years. :)
Top tier is saved for first anniversary here? traditionally becomes christening cake for first baby in UK. of course, there it's heavy fruitcake so doesn't need to be frozen, either.... :lol:
Years, UT. Smarty-pants. :rolleyes:
Top tier is saved for first anniversary here? traditionally becomes christening cake for first baby in UK. of course, there it's heavy fruitcake so doesn't need to be frozen, either.... :lol:
So, what, you use it as a doorstop till you have the baby?
then, eat the cake, and what, use the baby as a doorstop?
Fuck the cake. Use the door as a baby stop.
J/K
If you fuck the cake, there will be no baby.
If you fuck the cake, there will be no baby.
:biglaugha
How do your senses of humor run on full power at that time of morning? Mine doesn't wake up until at least one cup of coffee, and even at that not nearly as quick as you guys.....inspiring.
If you fuck the cake, there will be no baby.
Have you never heard of babycakes?
Have you never heard of babycakes?
Is
that were they come from....
You can't fuck the cake to make a baby -that would be irresponsible because the cake is full of alcohol and so the baby would be brain-damaged...
...thereby making it suitable for use as a doorstop, and saving it a fortune in booze and drug costs throughout its life...
It's Spring! The frogs were doin' it today!
You know what's goin' down in Paris?
:P
I delayed light by 127 microseconds. It was all worthwhile.
Me too. It's called the snooze button....uuugh.........
I delayed light by 127 microseconds. It was all worthwhile.
Did you delay the light by making the photons pass through a spiral tunnel coiled outside the radius of capture of the atoms in the glass?
It's Spring! The frogs were doin' it today!
Heavy breathing at the creek?
Did you delay the light by making the photons pass through a spiral tunnel coiled outside the radius of capture of the atoms in the glass?
4 spiral tunnels, but I think you sussed it. I also dispersion-compensated it for a NRZ-10Gbit signal and provided only 16.84dB of loss. Not too shabby, considering the DCM had an insertion loss of 6.3 dB! :eek:
I love it when you talk technical!
It reads great even when I have NO IDEA what you're talking about.
Sprials are making me happy too. I passed my backwards inside edges on a line and all 4 forwards spirals on an edge. :D
How much did that delay the light?
Well, the delay was actually due to heavy traffic in the third bend of the spiral. (Due to a Critical Mass wavicle ride)
Protons were still getting through on the express lanes, however.
"Cleanup on aisle eight: QotR's brain just exploded all over the canned goods."
Now, if you could only get light to speed up, that'd really be something! Work on that one for next week.
Just by a few nanoseconds, even. Shouldn't be that hard.
If the speed of light is the fastest velocity attainable, making light faster will certainly give "Y'all better get your asses moving at LIGHTSPEED" a whole new definition... and less attainability :D
Just by a few nanoseconds, even. Shouldn't be that hard.
<closes door, shuts blinds, whispers>What value do you want it to be?<:yelgreedy>
Two things are making me happy today:
My best friend and I are OK again, at last.
I met a guy who has everything in common with my best friend, but he's available and interested.
If the speed of light is the fastest velocity attainable, making light faster will certainly give "Y'all better get your asses moving at LIGHTSPEED" a whole new definition... and less attainability :D
What about warp factor 8? :cool:
Bloody Star Trek "physics"... :P
Two things are making me happy today:
My best friend and I are OK again, at last.
I met a guy who has everything in common with my best friend, but he's available and interested.
Yea! I'm glad you guys made up. It sucks when people you love are mad at you and won't talk to you.
There's a protest march in downtown Chicago today. We got this notice from the building people:
"The Office of the Building has been notified by BOMA Chicago that a protest march demanding more responsible corporate behavior and action from Congress will take place later this afternoon."
This is why I love working downtown. I sit and read during my short commute, they sometimes hand out free stuff at the station, and from time to time there's free entertainment.
What a town.
Isn't Chicago one of the most green cities in the US?
I've never been there, but always wanted to visit.
Isn't Chicago one of the most green cities in the US?
I've never been there, but always wanted to visit.
You mean because of all the Irish?
No, I mean green, as in environmentally friendly.
(I live in Savannah, we have the 2nd biggest St Patrick's Day parade in the states. I have plenty of Irish, thanks very much. :D)
Yea! I'm glad you guys made up. It sucks when people you love are mad at you and won't talk to you.
Yeah!
It turned out he wasn't mad, he was scared that I would be mad at him over certain events so he was being avoidant.
I'm kind of upset, but not mad at him really. He's just being stupid with a woman who has abandoned and abused him multiple times over the last seven years... and I'm upset because I know she'll do it again, and I don't know why he's setting himself up for this. But it's out of my control.
I'm happy because it's Friday and my friend and I will be heading out to Knoxville tomorrow to spend the weekend with a buddy of ours! Yay, breaking free of the rut and having a mini-vacation and a chance to unwind!
I am happy because my schedule was changed so I can be off on Sat and watch the Six Nations finals at the Irish pub in town.
I'm happy because it's Friday and my friend and I will be heading out to Knoxville tomorrow to spend the weekend with a buddy of ours! Yay, breaking free of the rut and having a mini-vacation and a chance to unwind!
Knoxville TN? Is that close to Oahu?
I'm happy because I have a hiking date on Sunday with Mister-talks-a-lot.
Are you taking your knitting? ;)
Are you taking your knitting? ;)
Not this time... :D
The kids are sleeping, the laundry is started, and I fixed the broken sink faucet all by myself.
And I may just take a nap, too.
@Shawnee: Am stationed with Hubby in O'ahu, visiting family and friends in Knoxville while he's training in Arizona, if that makes sense :)
Actually, that reminds me of why I'm happy today. I head back to O'ahu on Tuesday! Back to the islands and my lovely husband and my cute little house and the new puppy that Mr. D rescued from the side of the road and has named Thor for reasons unknown... Oh, yeah, the puppy's another reason I'm happy. And because Lil D has a new word!! At least, I THINK she said "spoon"...
@Shawnee: Am stationed with Hubby in O'ahu, visiting family and friends in Knoxville while he's training in Arizona, if that makes sense :)
:p I just wondered, because it sounded like a road trip the way you said it, and I thought "is there a Knoxville, Hawaii?" :blush:
Just last week I flew over Knoxville.
Back on the 10,000 steps bandwagon!
I'm below 17 stone. Finally.
My meds have been changed after a major meltdown at the beginning of the week and I have sleeping tablets again (only 14, so have to be sparing... or I'd be asleep now). Thank goodness, I couldn't hack another night like last one, falling asleep at about 04.30. And I'm only sure of that because I had a nightmare.
I think Mum & I cleared the air as well.
I can never be sure though. She does have a tendency to bring up past regressions when she wants to score a point :(
Still, they go away on Friday for 2 weeks.
If I can be an almost normal daughter in that time, it will go a long way to setting her mind at rest.
Oh and I've been referred to a psychiatric nurse.
Which might help me move forward a bit.
I seem to fall between too stools as far as the NHS are concerned. Troubled enough to need counselling and to be signed off, but nowhere near mad enough for some serious help that might help me address my issues and become a contributing member of society again.
But I'm feeling mildly positive this morning, and certainly not about to top myself, like I felt before.
I think I'll do the hoovering as a nice surprise for Mum.
Way to go m'dear. Proud of you.
It's been a very dry winter, but the weather people are predicting that we'll get one to two feet of snow tomorrow.
I'll pile some wood by the stove and spend the day reading and drinking hot tea.
Two things making me happy today:
1st - I put in a solid three and a half hour stint working with my primary source materials. Did about 1000 words worth of truncated notes (should build out into a 2-3000 when written up properly). That's the first non-deadline induced university work I've managed to get my head into since before Dad died. I feel I reconnected with my dissertation subject. I actually rather enjoyed it. It was peaceful and productive and unpanicked. More of my work should be like that. If I can just reign my attention span back towards an adult norm and away from what is currently the attention span of a 5 year old (unless I am vanished into a TV programme - Dexter and BSG I can concentrate on...)
2nd: As a reward for my hard work, I arranged a Double Dexter session with J. That was a fun evening!
a Double Dexter session
You make it sound dirty . .. . .
I am happy because I successfully installed a wireless networked all-in-one printer, replaced the keyboard on one laptop, and fixed the video (loose connector cable) on another one.
(The down side is that this was all at home. Too much like work. Sigh.)
You make it sound dirty . .. . .
Yeah...that's cause inside my head, it pretty much is.
We sold 500 grilled chicken plates Sat. I won't grill or eat chicken for a coon's age. We raised a lot of money for the Kids with special needs, as well as enough to donate a palate of dry ration to the Humane Society here in our town.
Had an Oyster roast earlier this afternoon with milk base stew [and lotsa onions] and steamed on the halfshell with a kinda 'on the side' sauce contest. Winner bought everyone a round.
Horseradish is a def when it comes to seafood sauce. Learned that tonight.
Life is good.
Meeting my best friend and her sis after work for drinks. I haven't seen her in FOREVER. She didn't get the job here, it went to a current employee as a promotion, which is very nice too.
And the sun came out.
"It is impossible to enjoy idling unless there is plenty of work to do."
- Jerome K. Jerome
Oh I don't know why.....:)
*hangs head and kicks dirt*
Yeah!
It turned out he wasn't mad, he was scared that I would be mad at him over certain events so he was being avoidant.
I'm kind of upset, but not mad at him really. He's just being stupid with a woman who has abandoned and abused him multiple times over the last seven years... and I'm upset because I know she'll do it again, and I don't know why he's setting himself up for this. But it's out of my control.
It never ceases to amaze me how
not communicating causes so many problems. We humans just assume things, but when we TALK about it, we find out it isn't what we thought at all. Silly us. :D
Funny. I have the opposite experience. When I ask things that are important they are usually as I had thought. Well, that happens a lot.
Some of us are better at reading people/situations I guess. ;)
talking? thems fighting words
an hour of face time with Tink today.
several phone calls.
"It is never wrong to do the right thing." -- lookout123
Rain. Lots of it. North of Atlanta, not the Dakota's.
Girl scout cookies are done!! Woo hoo! We sold 150 boxes door to door then did five booths. I am so glad to be done for another year.
Been struggling with getting my desktop hooked up to wireless for weeks, and finally today I fixed it. Put in a new wireless network card, and like magic it worked! I'm writing this post from it now. I'm so excited its like a having good friend just wake up out of a coma.
might not quite make it to he "making me happy" scale, but I am somewhat pleased that we just got the taxes done.
We met two more of our neighbors. One older man, living alone, and a couple with two kids (in local colleges). The all seem like nice people.
Mr. Clod installed the new sink in the guest bathroom! This one is smaller and more compact, which is important in such a tiny corner bathroom, but it also does not have ugly decorative pointy bits all around the bowl's edge right at the perfect height to impale a toddler's head. And he has already removed a third of the wallpaper too.
Finished watching series 3 Dexter last night. Bloody hell what a good story. That's the way to do tv series. In a big block across a couple of weeks.
It's a little thing but it makes me happy lol.
Telephone interview tomorrow for a sysadmin position.
It doesn't pay like my old job did, and it's an hour's drive away in Bucks County (and I hate long commutes). I'd have to get the shocks done on the Cellar Car -- but at least there's a Cellar Car to get me there!
Good luck UT!
I'm happy because I'm leaving an hour early today. Yes, a mere extra hour of free time makes me very happy. ;)
Finished watching series 3 Dexter last night. Bloody hell what a good story. That's the way to do tv series. In a big block across a couple of weeks.
It's a little thing but it makes me happy lol.
I need to watch that show. I loved Michael C Hall in 6FU. I was thinking I saw an episode of it some time ago, but I don't have Showtime so I wondered how: then I saw on wikipedia that
an edited version of the series began airing on CBS on February 17, 2008 to make up for the shortage of new content caused by the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America strike
I'll have to look for it on DVD.
Oh, don't get the edited version. Really, really. You want to see it in it's full form.
And it needs watching from the start. Not that someone couldn't get into it off the back of a random episode, but it would lose a lot of its depth and subtlety.
Yeah, that's what I figured too. I could get a season at a time, or however it's sold. I just bet I'm going to love it.
New MacBook today - birthday present!
Whoo!
And dana:
OMGYES. I absolutely ADORE Dex.
About her repeatedly dying lemon tree: "I just.. kill things!"
Dex: "That must be terrible."
I just love the deadpan irony of Dex's character, the beautiful blend of comedy and drama, the right blend of sex, violence, and the cleaner stuff... its just a really brilliant show. One of the best around.
New MacBook today - birthday present!
Whoo!
Nice. Which one?
13-inch backlit-keyboard MacBook, 4gigs of memory, upgraded processor and hd, with parallels XP.
Telephone interview tomorrow for a sysadmin position.
It doesn't pay like my old job did, and it's an hour's drive away in Bucks County (and I hate long commutes). I'd have to get the shocks done on the Cellar Car -- but at least there's a Cellar Car to get me there!
Fingers crossed good vibes positive visualisation focused manifestation really really want this to happen.....
I have a crush on a friend.
It makes me happy because it means my banged-up heart is finally healing enough for me to feel something for someone new... even if it's a very safe someone new and it won't go anywhere. :)
got accepted to EMERSON COLLEGE, and as a theatre arts non-performing focus major too. WOOHOO!
ps. tiki, that quote is on my facebook quotes too. LOVE it.
The weather has warmed up enough that the water snakes* are out. I took photos of a largish one yesterday, then last night was given a new camera (Canon Rebel) to practice with before our trip to Paris, FR in May.
*mostly harmless, but all fascinate me when I see them swimming.
got accepted to EMERSON COLLEGE, and as a theatre arts non-performing focus major too. WOOHOO!
ps. tiki, that quote is on my facebook quotes too. LOVE it.
Congratulations! That's awesome!
I LOLed hard when I saw the quote, and then I even had to look it up again and read it to a couple of friends, who also found it quite pleasing. :)
The weather has warmed up enough that the water snakes* are out. I took photos of a largish one yesterday, then last night was given a new camera (Canon Rebel) to practice with before our trip to Paris, FR in May.
*mostly harmless, but all fascinate me when I see them swimming.
Post a pic in the pic thread. I love the wild snakes around my place. Even the nasty ones.
I had my "last" filling this morning. I have now atoned in full for a dozen-odd years of dental hygiene neglect.
Now I don't have to see the dentist again for another 12 years . . . .
Holy crap. A vendor just stopped by with 22 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. That's a lot of cookies. I'll probably keep a couple for myself and then hand the rest out around the department, but the logistics of passing these out are a little bit of a hassle now.
I got out of my old job in time. I keep hearing from old friends about the goings-on at my old job. That place has become the first stop for Armageddon. I mean, I can't divulge what's going on but every week there's a new WTF coming down the pike.
So, even with the things I'm having trouble adjusting to here, I am so glad and lucky I got out when I did.
I still thank my Cellar friends for giving me the confidence to make that very difficult move.
Today: Friends who reach out to me, knowing me well enough to know it will help, and understanding me well enough to know that showing they care is really all I need.
I'm so very grateful for them.
My bookkeeper just brought back my books for 2009, finished, with a handy-dandy form for filling out my tax forms. :)
Now all I have to do is add up my medical expenses and I'm ready to file my taxes, yay!
Shamelessly stolen from
The Blue:
The Iowa Supreme Court has just unanimously declared the state's ban on gay marriage to be unconstitutional. "The decision strikes the language from Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman. It further directs that the remaining statutory language be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage." (full summary PDF) The ruling effectively legalizes same-sex marriage in the state of Iowa.
...And in the comments:
Temporary, maybe. But in order to amend the Iowa constitution, the amendment needs to be passed by the Iowa house and senate twice in two consecutive sessions. Then it goes to a referendum. This isn't California. And apparently they're not even going to have a vote this session at all.
So the earliest people would even be able to vote on an amendment is probably 2012, at which point people would be less likely to vote for an amendment to ban gay marriage.
Oh and I should add that the Iowa house and senate are dem controlled.
Go Hawkeyes!
So the earliest people would even be able to vote on an amendment is probably 2012, at which point people would be less likely to vote for an amendment to ban gay marriage.
I read that twice and totally disagreed - Can't these people write clearer? Isn't that like all they do? Its another version of the double negative.
Oh and what Pie said.
Can't these people write clearer? Isn't that like all they do?
It was some random dude commenting on the thread. Not the reporter.
I am done sewing for the night.
That makes me happy.
Good night.
Over the last 2 days I installed (on my ownsome) a 6'2" set of double gates at the end of the carport.
This will stop my bitch of a neighbour complaining about Clyde being out (when someone opens the front gate) and provide some additional security.
Only have a 4yr old and 6yr old as helpers, I have learnt to use props quite successfully.
Yay Me!! but owwwwww my aching shoulders from crowbarring.
Wow, well done, Ducks! Colour me highly impressed.
Can you post a picture, Ducks? I love seeing home improvement projects.
@ Dana:
I am happy because Dexter is coming over, in 7 to 9 business days. :)
I found the first season at Wally World for 30 bucks, but I decided to check online. Amazon had it for 20. So, I ordered it.
Oh! Oh you are in for a treat. It's wickedly funny.
And Michael C Hall. Y'know, I think I could overlook little foibles like killing and dismembering the odd childkiller. I'm pretty sure I could...what's the word?...oh yes, compartmentalise :P
They just showed video clips of the cherry blossoms in full bloom in DC. I love cherry trees.
Oh! Oh you are in for a treat. It's wickedly funny.
And Michael C Hall. Y'know, I think I could overlook little foibles like killing and dismembering the odd childkiller. I'm pretty sure I could...what's the word?...oh yes, compartmentalise :P
I think I could too. I could have gotten over David being gay in 6FU!
I can't wait. I am desperately in need of a quality viewing obsession.
They just showed video clips of the cherry blossoms in full bloom in DC. I love cherry trees.
You must have been watching CBS Sunday Morning. I saw it too. There was a segment earlier on Helen Keller that I was going to post about seeing. It was awesome!
I think I could too. I could have gotten over David being gay in 6FU!
I can't wait. I am desperately in need of a quality viewing obsession.
You must have been watching CBS Sunday Morning. I saw it too. There was a segment earlier on Helen Keller that I was going to post about seeing. It was awesome!
I just caught the tail end of the show. I always love the way they end that show. It's very comforting and serene.
There was a segment earlier on Helen Keller that I was going to post about seeing.
Why, just to rub it in?
;)
I have the house to myself again until Wednesday - yay!
Still attending the day hospital, but I might be discharged this week, as I am considered fully detoxed now.
Still, the wheels of the NHS turn so slowly, I might be better off there until they work out if the Community Mental Health team are actually going to pick me up for psycho-therapy. Still, if not the alcohol counselling I'm going to get (starting tomorrow at 09.00) are another route to therapy. My GP wants to send me back to counselling - huh? That's what dragged up all the bad shit in the first place!
Oh and my Alli (Orlistat) arrived on Saturday! So I had my first full day today. Will report back in the weight thread next week as to how much difference it makes. A little concerned because the side effects can include loose stools, difficult to control bowel movements etc etc - I haven't had a poo since I took the first tablet Saturday night! No idea how this will be reflected in my weigh in tomorrow - I'm used to having two a day!!
Oh and I have finished up my Rose Red hair dye. When this fades sufficiently or the roots get too obvious (I have the last of it marinating my barnet right now) I have a lighter but brighter shade to move onto. All bought, as it another three lots of bleach (only if necessary) because there were deals on when I got the first lot, so I feel thrifty even if I wasn't. And I didn't get it all over the bathroom this time. Hmmm, better not speak to soon, it's the washing off that gets splashy...
Why, just to rub it in?
;)
:) clever girl.
Lit coals under SonofV's birthday ham. Shame I didn't get them started earlier. Oh well, it'll be done in the morning.
Why, just to rub it in?
;)
Heehee.
They showed a clip of her and Anne Sullivan, with Sullivan explaining how she taught Helen to talk. Helen then spoke, and they had to caption it because it was very hard to understand, and she said that the only thing she wished she could change (and I'm really paraphrasing here) was her speech. She wondered what she might have accomplished if she had been able to speak clearly. This woman who overcame obstacles I could never begin to comprehend, and arguably one of the most intelligent women ever, who accomplished amazing things...wondering what she might have been able to do better.
Louis Braille pm'd me and said all his buddies in France listened to that on the public radio broadcast this morning.
My first official day at home alone with Max. As much as I love Dazza and have enjoyed having him here with us for the last few weeks, he's started getting under my feet a bit. Max is into a pretty good routine now, so I can finally get to all those little things that seem to get put off when there's someone else in the house, even if it is your husband.
Am I the only full time mum who feels like this or do others of you know what I'm talking about?
I function differently when SonofV is not home. Some things are easier to get done. Laundry. Cleaning. Organizing. Meals are far simpler, much more like refueling.
Honestly, though, while I like the increased efficiency from reduced distractions, compared to laundry and cleaning and organizing and elaborate meals, SonofV isn't a distraction. He's just a far higher priority.
I feel like I'm able to get more done, as a single mom, than when I was married. Funny. I guess it's because I fill the space that used to be occupied by my husband with things like cleaning and baking.
Today I feel pretty happy because even though I did not get to go canoeing with my friend, because he either drank too much last night or has food poisoning or both, my housemate babysat Little Orange (my smallest) and I drove out to the levee where the canoe ramp is, and it was pretty and there were turtles. Then Sir Talksalot called me and I went and watched him dig a trench for a while, and then I went home and collected Little Orange and we walked to the store and then to my sick friend's house to deliver him Vitamin Water, and then went to a BBQ, and just now got home and tucked Little Orange into bed! I'm so tired, I should go to bed too.
.... and I drove out to the levee where the canoe ramp is, and it was pretty and there were turtles.
In a Chevvy, I hope ;)
In a Chevvy, I hope ;)
Sadly, no! In a Volvo.
Made me want to get a Chevy, though. Something like this sexy baby:
Yebbut what were the turtles driving?
Road trip today! Heading out to QQ, NM. I love road trips. This one's a shorty (4 days) but we are packing the dogs with us so I won't have to wonder/worry about how they are doing.
And I must remember to take that left turn when I get there. ;)
I volunteered as a steward at London Pride this year.
Got an email to say I'm accepted.
Hurrah!
Yay, that's cool SG! Sounds like fun!
I went and got a kayak. :D I still need a paddle and a lifejacket, and eventually a rack, but it's only 9'6" so it fits in my wagon if I lay the seats down. I'm so excited! I can't wait to take it out.
You're going to be in some sort of London Stew Pride?
I hope it's not too hot, darling. And watch out for the potatoes.
I went and got a kayak... I'm so excited! I can't wait to take it out.
That's very nice, Tiki, and I am happy for you. You sound just like me when I get a new piece of jewelry; or a mani-pedi.
Thanks!
I'm re-embracing my nature as a sporty nerdy girl. :)
... and eventually a rack,
Interesting if taken out of context.
Yay, that's cool SG! Sounds like fun!
I went and got a kayak. :D I still need a paddle and a lifejacket, and eventually a rack, but it's only 9'6" so it fits in my wagon if I lay the seats down. I'm so excited! I can't wait to take it out.
Very cool! I've only ever been in a kayak once. Liked canoes though. I used to have a brilliant Snipe slalem canoe when I was a kid. Gorgeous it was. Pale underside, sky blue on top with black parrelel lines down the centre and a black trim along the sides. Admittedly it spent an inordinate amount of time hanging from the hallway rafters, and very little time actually in the water, but I did like it :P
Canoes are great too! I went with a kayak because it's small and light enough for me to manage by myself. I used to canoe in Puget Sound all the time, and I miss it!
Wow what a great deal on the kayak, congrats. Get a pic when you can...
Ditto the picture request on the kayak. That's really cool. My kayak is in another state. I don't see it too often.
Ditto the picture request on the kayak. That's really cool. My kayak is in another state. I don't see it too often.
don't do it tiki... you'll make me look bad. (er)
Ditto the picture request on the kayak. That's really cool. My kayak is in another state. I don't see it too often.
But to be fair, aren't your house and job in different states too?
I had Max weighed today and he's gained 700 grams since birth. That's an excellent gain. In fact, it's almost bordering on too much. The average weight gain is 141 grams per week for the first couple of months.
Anyway, I'd rather see him carry a little extra weight coming into winter. If he gets a cold or anything he's bound to lose weight quickly.
But to be fair, aren't your house and job in different states too?
Yeah I suppose that's true, but the kayak is in
another other state. It's hanging out in the same state as the cellar server.
For as long as the link lasts, here it is: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/1108804161.html
Nice. Even has a beer holder!
I had Max weighed today and he's gained 700 grams since birth. That's an excellent gain. In fact, it's almost bordering on too much. The average weight gain is 141 grams per week for the first couple of months.
Anyway, I'd rather see him carry a little extra weight coming into winter. If he gets a cold or anything he's bound to lose weight quickly.
If he loses weight at this age, you have a problem.
Interview in the morning! YES!! :)
Crossing fingers...
I am crossing fingers and toes; Pilau is crossing his paws. He did attempt to cross his tail but that was quite painful.
Good luck, Cic! Get a good night's sleep and don't skip breakfast.
Good luck Cic. Just project your natural awesomeness.
Awesome Cic, kick ass.
Nice boat Tiki. We've all (jim, me, kids) got kayaks... love to go.
I've officially finished detox.
I have to attend the day group today, tomorrow and Saturday. Then next week only Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Friday I get my Care Assessment Plan from community psychiatric services. This should include psycho-therapy. At least they're pushing for that for me from the day care side, because the psychiatrist there says this will be far more effective for me than anti-depressants, which I am currently only being issues in 14 day batches.
So next Friday will be my discharge day. Which is great because they think I am no longer in danger of self harm. But scary, because it's such an easy place to go to and pass the time every day. Still, I have the alcohol place to go to. They offer groups, acupuncture and a one-to-one every day if I feel like I need it. I might go just to get out of the house for a while.
Oh and we had a visit from a group of advocates who work on behalf of people who have or have had mental health issues (free of charge). They help with letters and phone calls in chasing down things like benefits due and advising on other bureaucratic issues. So I've made an appointment with them next week - see if I can get some info on my tax rebate and apply for Disability Living Allowance.
It's all go here.
Good luck Cic. Just project your natural awesomeness.
But don't project it too much, you could have somebody's eye out...
@ Sundae. Sounds ace, honey. Having access to good guidance is so important. Well done on checking out the DLA; a lot of people don't really know what they can and can't claim for. Don't be perturbed if they knock you back initially. I don't know what it's like down there but up here standard practice seems to be to refuse DLA and then grant it on appeal. Then again...I am in Yorkshire and we're not best known for the giving away of money...:P Fantastic that their emphasis seems to be on guidance, counselling and behavioural tools, rather than focusing on the anti-depressants. Much more useful to you I suspect.
It sounds quite exciting actually Cherry. At least you're there trying to get well. Last time I was in a psychiatrist's care I was pretending to be crazy...I think :P
I have been appointed Sargent at Arms at the local Moose Lodge. Only after loosing the election for trustee to a 70 year old geezer.
Ejecting an obnoxious drunk gives me such great satisfaction. Not that we have that many. I can also stop the bums from sneaking in w/o their membership card. Hell... if I gotta pay a c note a year in dues, everybody does.
Go get 'em Cic!
Sounds like you're on the right path Sundae - like Dana said, don't let the red tape and beauraucracy get you down. And we're always here for support when you need it!!! Keep up the great work!
And congrats Capn! Good to know they'll ahve good peeps running the joint to keep the riff raff out.
Warra lorra good news all round folks. Good luck and good vibes to y'alls and 'specially SG - that sounds so forward thinking and ... and ... just plain good for you!
How incredibly thoughtful the Cellar Dwellars are!!!
New laptop today. It's one of those used corporate laptops that Dell refurbishes and sells on e-bay. Dell Latitude D610
1 GB Ram
1.73 GHZ pentium M
(M?)
60GB drive.
XP pro
Plenty fast wireless connection. perfect for my web browsing needs
My first laptop!
Yea for Sundae!
Cic, give us the news already!
For me its a small thing, and more relieving than making me happy. My English prof said the advertisements I turned in for my paper are "cute!" Since I'm failing...I really need to do well right now.
That I am me.
[mean]You are the only one that is happy about that.[/mean]
Its good to have self-love. :jagoff: :D
Considering the alternative - - - [COLOR="White"](tw)[/COLOR]
I'm ecstatic
New laptop today. It's one of those used corporate laptops that Dell refurbishes and sells on e-bay. Dell Latitude D610
1 GB Ram
1.73 GHZ pentium M
(M?)
60GB drive.
XP pro
Plenty fast wireless connection. perfect for my web browsing needs
My first laptop!
M==mobile
lower power requirements, including the ability to run at lower speeds when idle thereby further reducing the power draw.
I have a fleet of that model. My own personal system is the big brother to that one, a D800.
Today:
Old friends who understand me and know what to say, or are just "there," when I am experiencing a dark and lonely time. No judging or dismissing, no "snap out of it what do you have to feel badly about," no discounting what I am feeling.
New friends who are fascinating, and who remind me there is a whole world of people out there, and some of them don't suck.
Today:
Old friends who understand me and know what to say, or are just "there," when I am experiencing a dark and lonely time. No judging or dismissing, no "snap out of it what do you have to feel badly about," no discounting what I am feeling.
New friends who are fascinating, and who remind me there is a whole world of people out there, and some of them don't suck.
It's hard to remember that part sometimes, isn't it. ;)
SG, that's so awesome that you can get accupuncture! I think you take advantage of that. It sounds like you are on the right track.
Cic, tell us what happened already!
It's hard to remember that part sometimes, isn't it. ;)
Yeah. :)
The new webcam is up and running! Let the debauchery begin...
The new webcam is up and running! Let the debauchery begin...
I tried to win a gold coast holiday on the radio...I didnt win, but had heaps of fun.
First you had to qualify to be one of the *dirty dozen*, this meant nominating a task you would complete with a raw egg.
I emailed in that I would stick eggs in my bra and crack em. This was done live on the radio with much gooey goodness. My kitchen looked like a bad p0rn movie set when I was done and I had egg all over my phone.
But, I qualified for the competition, which was to be the last one standing at the raw egg drop.
This involved an elevated platform, 2 radio announcers, and a heap of raw eggs. Which they dropped from platform, going higher each round.
I was first cab off the rank, and caught my egg, so did the other 11, round 2 up higher, and eggs dropped with a twist of the wrist. I caught mine again and again.
Anyway, I got to the final 3 and the platform was at full height, then they said we had to catch with one hand.....nooooo good, my hands are tiny and I was out.
I have been trying to sleaze onto one of the announcers and decided that they best way to display my interest was to piff eggs at him :D I got him goooooood.
His buddy got me dead smack (or crack) in the middle of the back, which made work interesting, coz it looked like a *happy ending* all over my back...but I retaliated by sneaking up behind him and squishing an egg he had in his pocket.
Much fun had by all, hopefully radio dude will ask me out, or I will ask him out next week.
Fobble, will take some pics of the gates, Im in the middle of repainting them. I'm about to start paving an entertainment area outside, which will be slow going on my own...but rewarding.
Glad to hear Max is doing well :D Good cow, Ali.
The new webcam is up and running! Let the debauchery begin...
Ok, that looks potentially dangerous.
I think I found a home for another one of my stray kittens.
When I showed the pictures to the person who is interested, they said "My girlfriend's head is goin to explode into candy from overload of cuteness."
I am happy for my wife today. She got her dream car yesterday. For the first time since they have been on sale Mini Cooper offered 2.9% financing through BMW. She got the Mini Cooper Clubman S. We drove to Jacksonville, Fl to pick it up. I drove it home on the highway at average speeds of 75 mph and got 33.5mpg.
Well done. J's brother is current national champ in the racing stock class that includes the Mini, and he swears by his Mini Cooper S.
Article about him, incl. picture of his awesome Japanese wife.
Here he is "lifting the leg":
mustard-based barbeque sauce................................... :yum:
and corn pudding.
ham and scalloped taters tomorrow.
Pretty cool UT.
I liked this:
My favorite has got to be my current Mini Cooper S. It does so many things so well. Great fuel economy, fast in a straight line, and it does things a car shouldn’t be able to do on the autocross course. (Great resale value doesn’t hurt either!)
We drove the regular Clubman first and it had plenty of power for us. The ones on the lot just did not have some of the extras we wanted, esp a hard top, we did not want the convert or sunroof. The only automatic Clubman they had on the lot was an S. So we thought we would just give it a run. Holy crap it has some power. You really feel like you are behind the wheel of a sports car. We were sold. Now we just have to get use to not having all that space the Sequoia had.
In an hour and a half I will be at my older brother's house, with most of the grown kids, and my younger brother and all the little kids, a dog or two, and my awesome family. It's a pretty day, if a little chilly, so we will be outside at least part of the time. My older sis-in-law is an amazing cook, and always presents some amazing new creation.
Hilarity will, no doubt, ensue.
Have a great day, everyone! :)
Got a new carpet steam cleaner yesterday which I am using today at intervals. It works very well and my carpet is coming amazingly clean. I didn't realize how dirty it was till I started cleaning. I love my pets. They love fucking my house up. Oh well.....
Got a new carpet steam cleaner yesterday which I am using today at intervals. It works very well and my carpet is coming amazingly clean. I didn't realize how dirty it was till I started cleaning. I love my pets. They love fucking my house up. Oh well.....
oh....oh....DO ME!
DO ME!!Easter, family, no drink, small portions at mealtime, no Mississippi Mud Pie for dessert (low fat yoghurt), lots of water, lots of de-caff tea and a walk after dinner to deliver a card for my Mum (she was really grateful, which was nice).
I just feel calm and happy tonight.
More obvious good things:
Dr Who on yesterday - Planet of the Dead.
New Red Dwarf on Dave - watched 2 of 3 so far.
John Barrowman has a new series on Saturday nights to tide me over until Torchwood starts again.
And he is also in panto Dec 09-Jan 10, reprising his role as Robin Hood.
The theatre is booking already, so I am going to borrow some money off Mum and get good seats for the final night, tying it in with a long overdue trip to Cardiff. I will be paying her back of course!
I just daren't leave it too long - the best seats available are row K as it is.
Swoon. John Barrowman. And panto.
They were made for eachother, and as a special treat for me.
Thanks universe!
My earache is better enough for me to finally put the colour in my hair that I bought a week ago. It's doing its stuff as I type this message. :)
The dog approached close enough, long enough to permit himself to be dragged into the house by his collar.
Thank you Baby Jeebus!
We just got our dog a big dog house to keep her warmer this winter because she's getting old and her joints are a bit creaky. It took her quite a few days to actually go in it even after I'd modified the doorway so she didn't bump her shoulders on the way in.
Anyway, now she spends about 20 hours a day in it. I guess she likes it now. :)
I only have four days left in my internship, and I graduate with my bachelor's in less than three weeks.
Mostly, this means I will finally be able to take a nap.
Bondi Rescue, and Bondi Vet...both make me drool and happy.
Congratz Chocolatl, many a nap coming your way.
I've been Suddenly Sad for No Apparent Reason lately. Today I went outdoors to take a break from housecleaning (aha! there's at least one reason) and the snakes are all over - I had 4 in sight at one time, and managed to get photos of a couple of them snuggling (?) and 2 swimming. I need to figure out how to film a swimming snake. I love the way they slalom through the water! Thank you, Ma Nature, for the snakes and song of the redwings. I feel a bit better now.
ooh! ooh! Snake pics! yes! yes!
Way to go Choc!
SG, you sound so amazingly well. I am happy for you.
Went to Princess' "Mother Goose Day" at school - she was Little Miss Muffet. How could I not be happy?
Laptop powerpack has inexplicably fixed itself:) Result!
I love snakes!
sweetwater, have you been reading Winnie the Pooh by any chance?
I love snakes!
sweetwater, have you been reading Winnie the Pooh by any chance?
:biglaugha I know, I know.
Still, one has to admit that Random Capitalization has its uses - what's good enough for Pooh is good enough for me.
i Like snakes.
My bro had a gorgeous regal python called Cleopatra, when we were kids. Oh she was a bonny lass. Used to have her roaming his room. I loved playing with her.
Todays forcast. C'mmmonnnnnnn spring! Great day for a run with a friend. Better get to work so I have time. . .
We're going to spread some paint at the new fencing club. We reached out to the historical fencers in town realizing that together we can afford a much better space. A Russian dance studio went belly up a couple years ago leaving a 40'x65' hardwood floor behind. We're going in!
A Russian dance studio went belly up a couple years ago...
man, who could have seen that one coming?
man, who could have seen that one coming?
:lol:
We're going to spread some paint at the new fencing club. We reached out to the historical fencers in town realizing that together we can afford a much better space. A Russian dance studio went belly up a couple years ago leaving a 40'x65' hardwood floor behind. We're going in!
Cool!
I saw Russian dancers in Elmira NY...they were in town for something, and they worked them into the local Mark Twain play...and it was freaking awesome. These little kid Russian dancers were amazing.
Happy fencing! (Can I call it that? Isn't that like stealing or washing money or something?) :)
I'm off this Friday and this weekend is Gay Pride here in Phoenix. :-)
I'm off this Friday and this weekend is Gay Pride here in Phoenix. :-)
Now there are
two road trips I want to take! :p
@ Dana:
I forgot to tell you, Dexter has arrived.
I'm hoping to have a mini-marathon on my day of sloth. :)
Oooooh. Oh I am envious :)
Don't know if I mentioned this anywhere yet, but I am very happy my computer is back and fixed. Didn't need a new hard disc after all (which had been his initial suspicion) and lost no data (i.e 4000 words of dissertation). Apparently it was something to do with the file indexing system *looks up to see information flying right overhead* errr...so yes. Anyway, it was in the shop from Friday lunchtime, to yesterday morning, which left me dependent upon my laptop for the entire easter weekend (made more difficult by the laptop intermittently stopping working). They ran it through hours and hours of diagnostics. I think the hard disc check alone took about 5 hours. They checked evrything, installed up to date AVG and firewall, cleaned it all up and sorted out the registry. Cost me £30. Awesome.
I have mastered the art of frying my own chicken nuggets. The breading recipe (which is to say, nothing resembling bread) still needs tweaking, but at this point it's edible. Another round or two and I will attempt to serve them to the foblings.
Dana, I told you those red undies would be lucky.
We are dropping the kid off at a babysitter so we can meet a friend to celebrate her 40th birthday today by throwing back a few margaritas.
:yum:
Margarita is an unusual name. It's quite amazing you know a few of them.
Lookout is making me happy today. He is on Fi-AH!
I just got my $900 "Tax Bonus" for the economic stimulas package.
And am co-incidentally on holidays at the Gold Coast - Hawwwwww Yeah!
I'm going home tomorrow. Happy.
We are dropping the kid off at a babysitter so we can meet a friend to celebrate her 40th birthday today by throwing back a few margaritas.
:yum:
Why would you throw them back? Were they not legal?
PrincessOTR was recomended for the "advanced" first grade class next year. It's a new program they implemented two years ago at her school - It's not the same as "Gifted & Talented" but in conjunction. In short, out of 150 kindergarteners they chose 20. I am so proud of her, and nervous. But I know she will do well - I think she's bored now and would thrive with motivation to excel. I am one super duper proud mommy!!! Thanks for letting me share.
Max got a very lovely soft bunny in the post today. It came from a dwellar in GA! Can you guess who it was?
Thankyou to that very special person. :) It's beautiful. I'll post a pic of it in the Max thread later on.
Apparently, 40 is the new 21. I am happy, nay, ecstatic that I am not my friend this morning.
Wow.
Even her husband said he's never seen her that drunk before. My second happy is that I wasn't wearing new shoes last night ;).
I feel sorry for her because she has a cold, but my housemate has lost her voice. :evil2:
Karma, Tiki! Congrats! Hope it lasts!
My new friend is making me happy today.
She knows how hard it's hit me being discharged from 7 days a week care to one visit every two weeks :(
So she invited me to come along on her son's playgroup's day out at a local open farm.
So this Tuesday I'll be there like her fat lesbian partner ;)
But I'll get to meet her son, play with the animals, meet new people and I hope take some photos for you.
And support her of course - she's by no means out of the woods herself yet (she is still at the day centre three days a week).
This making friends thing. I think I like it. It seems so long since someone I liked actually liked me back. Present company excepted of course, I have real friends here I know.
My second happy is that I wasn't wearing new shoes last night ;).
Wait, you got a photo for the "what do your shoes look like" thread, right?
The AC Compresser I didn't finish in a week or so ago because it started raining ,
I had the system sealed up ( freon lines) but the new compressur just wouldnt fit back in the same spot ,
well this morning I was standing there , hand on the compressor , looking down into the engine bay to see what I could Loosen or shift to Make it fit , I guess I was holding my mouth right or wiggled the compressor just right , it just went Bloop and fell in to place,
I thought No F**King WAY !!!! But the bolts Lined up JUST right ,
I just got finished chargeing it up , and the AC is COLD !!!!!!!!
:jig: Zippyt doing the HAPPPY Dance :jig:
Ill check the pressure in a few days to see its still holding
I love the "Bloop" sound effect! I can hear exactly how that sounds! Congrats.
I completed ripping my CDs to FLAC format. 525 of them.
Got a new phone today. The Samsung Propel, first new phone in 3 years. I'm excited. I got the blue model.
http://www.samsungmobileusa.com/Propel.aspx?cid=ppc_mac_goo_Past+Iconic_Propel_samsung+propel+++I completed ripping my CDs to FLAC format. 525 of them.
So what's the plan? Are the CDs going into cold storage? Are you going to have all the ripped files streamable from your computer to other parts of the house? Are you going to give your DVDs the same treatment?
The actual CDs are shoe-boxed. At first I felt like maybe I would put them all in CD trapper keepers, but there are just too many of them and I think the best plan is to not ever see them again.
The ripped FLAC files are 150 GB. Next, I'll use those perfect copies to generate a library of mp3s, for portable needs. I'm gonna write a script to do that. All are on a Red Hat Fedora system, will be backed up, and are served to the rest of the house via Samba.
I was an early adopter of DVDs, but it has taken far too little time for them to wind up on the obsolete path. A disappointment. Also, as a music lover, the DVDs are not as important to me as the CDs. And I haven't sunk much effort into understanding all the video formats. And I haven't set up a computer for the main living room TV. So the DVDs will remain on the shelf for now.
Since I cannot get yahoo to download and no more cellar chat , I have been bored but tonite I am wining at poker! Wheee I have no life! >sigh< :rolleyes:
Why no More celler chat Vana ??
Since I cannot get yahoo to download and no more cellar chat , I have been bored but tonite I am wining at poker! Wheee I have no life! >sigh< :rolleyes:
Heehee...Last night I was in bed by 11 pm. On a Friday night. Played a little Toontown, lost a little money at WorldWinner.com, read some posts.
I have no life either! :)
I have a new sewing project.
I have to make twenty pack covers over the next couple weeks. I'm going to purchase the materials now.
Pack covers? Explain please.
This is something that has been making me happy since Thursday but I just haven't uploaded my pics til today.
My new friend bought me two chilli growpots, as she knows I love spicy food.
They're only about as high as my hand - you pot them up separately as they grow obviously. And the pots have clingfilm on as per the instructions, until the seedlings appear.
I'll keep you updated!
Ha! I learned a new way to ping a computer, and it is about half a second faster than the way I did it before.
[COLOR="White"]I'm not a real computer technician, I just play one at work. [/COLOR]
BB King on the radio...
yeahhhhh...
Really, how's that? I like to use a ball-ping hammer.
effing with HQ on the Freedom thread. I'm sure I'm not as edumacated as him but I don't give a shiat. It's fun.:blah:
Got an offer of a gig from someone I was gonna approach about a gig. Offered gig would be replacing said person rather than working under said person. It would be a big change/ major comittment/ great opportunity... thinking on it.
eleven minutes to blast off
My new 42 inch flat screen TV is making me happy.... and the guys, all the hockey games.. only bigger, clearer and in HD ( whatever that is LOL)
I guess if I'm going to gripe in the what's upsetting you thread, I ought to toss something in here to balance it out. Reconnected with a good friend of mine from high school the other day. We're both graduating in two weeks and haven't kept in real good contact after high school, so it'll be great to catch up with him and all that.
The only thing better than that would be it he owed you money. :haha:
Its raining men, which is the way it happens it appears.
Yes, men. Smart, sexy, self-assured men. Sigh. I'll take four more please.:luv:
My sister was promoted today, and her former boss has been sidetracked to a different department (a real immature, jealous type who would have made her life hellish is she was still in the same section). Good, no great, news!
Home early today, 2 comp hours to burn. :)
Yes, men. Smart, sexy, self-assured men. Sigh. I'll take four more please.:luv:
You rang?
:cool: ;)
Now V, you know I hate snow camping. :)
I got a new TV for my bedroom. Now I don't have to fall asleep on the couch every night and wake up at three, go to bed and toss/turn half asleep the rest of the night.
Installed a splitter, ran the coax....everything went well.
And all between the time I got off work (1600) and open time at the Lodge.
And scotch. 12 yr.:jig:
[SIZE=5]I singlehandedly replaced our front gutter![/SIZE]
Woo Hoo - next day off, come help with mine! It's been leaking for years. It is angled the wrong way or something.
i was surprised that it only cost $118 for all the parts to do a 25' section with a down spout. and about 2 hours of running up and down the ladder. It would have gone quicker with another ladder and a helper.
I got about 10' and no downspout work needed - just gotta take it down and put it up with a better angle - leaning TOWARD the downspout not away from it!
DEFINITELY a two man job. Fuck all that climbing.
Classic...that job would take about half an hour with a drill and a ladder being about the only things you'd need. Even I could do it!
Don't be a lazy arse!!! Get up there and do it this weekend!!!!!
Me gots no ladder - hehehe
If your house is lowset you could probably do it with a stool instead.
We sold our house!
Now we are down to one mortgage payment per month!
Whee!
Today, my 'rents have been married 49 years.
Over the weekend I said we would have to have a party next year "'cause I know you love that kind of stuff, dad." My brothers were saying it would be OK, the guys could hang out somewhere else. My dad said "OHHHH, we don't have to be TOGETHER?" My brother said "Well, how do you think you've been married for 50 years?"
It's kind of true: my dad travelled for many years for his job, and mom is just fine being alone (I get that from her) but they are really great together. They have fun, they get along...dad spends a lot of time in his mancave (his woodshop attached to the garage) and mom does her own thing, but they have always been completely committed to us kids, and they seem to kind of like each other.
Mom and Dad, have a blessed day! :p
We sold our house!
Now we are down to one mortgage payment per month!
Whee!
Awesome!!!
Congrats to both Pie and the rents.
I just went to my last undergrad class ever! Waahooo! Graduation in 8 days. Good luck to those of you who are up to your eyeballs in final exams and papers.
Good on your Choco. :) Congratualtions!
Congrats, Choco! and to your parents, Shawnee. It's a rare accomplishment these days!
Congrats, Choco! and to your parents, Shawnee. It's a rare accomplishment these days!
Mom says "they said it wouldn't last...no REALLY, they said that." :)
Certainly rare, and nothing I will ever be able to identify with!
Congratulations on selling your house ,Pie, and Congrats Choco!
Congrats to all those who require congrating. Shaws parents, I thought she was talking about renters, Graduating Cellars, Those connecting with old friends, and those with one less mortgage, and those in the gutter.
I just scored 4 tickets, row 10 to Buddy Guy and Johnny Lang.
Met a neighbor.
Just checking, this is a garter snake, right?
And I have new patio furniture!
Looks like one of the many species of water snakes. Keep it around. They do good work.
Edit:Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
E Distinctive pale stripe down middle of its back, and less prominent yellow stripes down each side (with black spots); greenish-brown to almost black background; 1-4 ft; moves swiftly Highly varied & most-frequently encountered eastern snake; found in lowlands, uplands, cities, farmland, wilderness; but requires moist habitats such as wet meadows, marshes, damp forests, rocky hillsides, old fields, margins of rivers, creeks, ponds; farm woodlots, quarries, suburbs, trash dumps, gardens, vacant lots in cities & suburbs 90% of diet is salamanders, frogs, and small snakes; the rest is small fish, bird nestlings, mice, young chipmunks, shrews, earthworms, slugs, snails, crayfish, millipedes, spiders, insects, & carrion Young snakes are eaten by mink, skunks, weasels, raccoons, foxes, cats, dogs, shrews, hawks, owls, herons, pheasants, turkeys, crows, assorted snakes, box turtles, bullfrogs, spotted salamanders, fish; rarely spiders and crayfish Defends itself aggressively; emits musk and feces; young snakes try to bite; though non-poisonous, handle large adult with care, as bite can lead to profuse bleading because saliva contains anti-coagulant.
http://www.fosc.org/Snakes.htm
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/?s=030044
Or the:
eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)
Characteristics
This is a very slender snake with a tail that makes up more than one-fourth of the total length. The adult has a dorsal pattern of three bright yellow stripes on a dark background. The belly is plain yellow or greenish-yellow. This species is about 7 inches at birth and grows to about 36 inches. Juveniles are patterned as adults but are brown with bright yellow or white stripes. The brown dorsal color darkens with age. The female gives birth to as many as 20 live young in mid to late summer.
Distribution
This snake is found from the Blue Ridge Mountains and parts of the Valley and Ridge physiographic region east to, and including, the Eastern Shore. Thamnophis sauritus is semiaquatic, inhabiting a wide variety of habitats, including freshwater and brackish marshes, grassy floodplains, streams, and ditches with grass and brush margins, wet areas in meadows, spagnum bogs, and woodlands adjacent to wetlands. The primary requirement appears to be accessibility to permanent or semipermanent water. It prefers areas that are well vegetated with cattails, grasses, shrubs, and other plant life that offer good traction for quick escapes. This snake is frequently found basking on branches of trees, bushes, or grasses overhanging the water.
Foods
This snake eats frogs, salamanders, toads, small fish and leeches. Most predation occurs at night and prey are swallowed alive.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/index.asp?s=030045That's why he's under the "happy" thread. I like snakes. :thumb:
Way to go Choc! Bee-you-tee-ful patio Pie!
Got awesome tix to the Rockies/Dodgers game tonight, and it's T-Shirt giveaway night! WooHoo! TGIF!!!
Congrats Chocolat! woo hoo!
ooooo, pretty snake Pie! It looks like the ones my cat dragged in last year. We got it away from him and released back in the bushes.
Nice patio furniture too.
Met a neighbor.
Just checking, this is a garter snake, right?
I dunno. Does it go with your stockings?
Garter snake.
Isn't that an oxymoron?
Awww. I remember when my Uncle Dave died, my auntie gave his garter snakes to my brother to look after. Babies. They were tiny. So small, but perfectly formed little snakelets *grins* wrapping themselves about a forefinger, like some great snake round a tree. Their skins looked jeweled.
Just gave tech support to a store in Cumming, GA. :rotflol:
I'm supposed to verify the city, but I was too busy holding back giggles.
Jinxie (cat) is back after a week long absence :D He's never been away before and I was really getting worried, but he's back and being spoiled rotten, so he might think twice about knicking off in the future.
I have buried a hatchet.
It felt really good.
I have buried a hatchet.
It felt really good.
Did you remember to wipe it for fingerprints?
Glad your kittiekat came back Ducks :)
I am finally getting to hit the water and take our boat out for the first time this season. The weather should be beautiful.
RFN:
I am finally getting to hit the water and take our boat out for the first time this season. The weather should be beautiful.
It is pretty spectacular around here right now. *slides tomahawk under leaves*
Are you flying the Jolly Roger, Merc?
I always love your pics. When I see them I can smell the marshes of home sweet home.
I'm not jealous of your boat at all. No, not at all. ;)
Sounds great!
What, no name on that boat? Naming and painting that name on the boat must surely be one of the finest reasons for having one, I think.
I spent part of the morning watching snakes that were apparently on their honeymoon. Snake porn! And there is a snag sticking out of the water that has a changing population of critters: first cormorants, then turtles, then egrets, and now turtles again.
pssstttt.....
Take pics!
I did! New Canon Rebel XSi. Of course I'm going to take pix. I'll post a few in the image thread.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]You really want to see the snake porn shots, don't you? :) [/COLOR]
Today my housemate bought me a persimmon tree for my birthday. :) Very sweet of her, especially as I know that in my current emotional state I am not easy to live with.
In just a little while, my friend is picking me up and we are going to go assemble and paint her new beehive, in preparation for introducing her new honeybee colony.
Merc, Dazza would be totally jealous of your boat. It's exactly what he wants to get. Probably when Max gets a bit bigger now though. Boating is not at the top of the list just at the moment.
Except for these. :D
[ATTACH]23102[/ATTACH]
What, no name on that boat? Naming and painting that name on the boat must surely be one of the finest reasons for having one, I think.
I'm Lazy.
Yea, it is called the Rugby Queen.
Not happy, but feeling justified:
The woman who took my old job has already put in a two week notice. Hmmph, couldn't even ride it out 5 months. Wimp.
HA! right about now they are realizing how good, err great an asset you were. Too late as usual - damn beancounters and mental midgets.
No one liked her, is the word I get. I'm sure the front line girls are very happy: I guess she treated them like crap and they had dubbed her "Lazy _____."
My best friend gave her the benefit of the doubt, but quickly found no such benefit was warranted.
Yeah, my ex cow orkers beg me to come back whenever I see or talk to them. Who knows what they will do now. The school is going through some really bad times: big to-do with the president vs academic senate, among other huge deals...
I'm so glad I'm here!
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]You really want to see the snake porn shots, don't you? :) [/COLOR]
Many years ago on a visit to the Philadelphia Zoo, I got a nice shot of two Galapagos tortoises mating. (Regrettably, I can't find it now.)
I have buried a hatchet.
It felt really good.
That's why you were practicing your mug shot in the RFN thread!
>shudders< scary! :eek:
I'm so glad I'm here!
We're glad you're here too. :blush:
I decided not to let the lack of eggs hold me back from making chocolate brownies...or at least chocolate brownie type slice anyway. I'm hoping the copious amount of chopped chocolate will give the chocolate slice biscuit base I've made that rich moist texture...along with the almost half a pound of butter.
Being appreciated.
Thank you.
I am ecstatic that the photorescue advanced pc software I purchased has resurrected four thousand photos from a drive previously impervious to all attempts to resuscitate.
Ecstatic, I tell you.
I was thrilled by finding the IRS refund check in the mail, but I believe I'm happier for you, BigV. Four thousand photos almost lost? That would kill me! 'Tis good that the software worked, yes indeed.
Damn. That is a beautiful place. Just awesome.
What kind of trees are those? With the pinky-purple blooms.
Thanks! The big ones are ornamental cherries. There's also a weeping cherry and a crab apple tree.
This one was pretty too...
Your yard is like something out a dream, jinx. Beautiful! Must be great to look out over that in the mornings.
I love it, it's brief but awesome. Supposed to rain tomorrow and it'll be all downhill from there...
Things that are making me happy today:
-I got my car back from the body shop! Woohoo! The folks there did an awesome job. It looks great, and it is SO nice to be mobile again after a week and a half of being stranded.
-Car came back just in time for me to be able to swing out to pick up a few decorations for Kitsune's birthday. He had a final exam to take and was home late, but at least I got the table decorated for the nice dinner I cooked him.
-I aced my last class, and get to go pick up all of my final assignments today.
-Both of my parents will be coming up for my graduation this weekend. My mother has a deep fear of driving -- I think it probably qualifies as a phobia -- and she lives four hours away. Last year, when I got married, she was trying to convince me to come pick her up before the wedding but eventually got a friend to drive her. For this weekend she decided to drive herself up, with a responsible friend in the passenger seat for advice/support. I am very, very proud of her, and ecstatic that she gets to come see me walk. Prayers/good wishes/positive vibes for her to make a safe trip would be very much appreciated.
All in all, it's just a happy kind of day.
Prayers/good wishes/positive vibes from the Capn.
Go, ChocoMama! And congrats to Choco and Kitsune!
fine Scottish weather we're havin' here. Nice, soft rain coming down at a slight slant so it doesn't sting you.
When I first read Pie's post, I thought that Choco's happy (which I hadn't gotten to yet) was going to say she was going to be the next to be adding to the Cellar family.
Though I am dissapointed that's not the source of her happy, the news about her mom is really great! Way to go! :driving:
*smiles* wonderful that your mum will be there choco:) Way to go, chocomama!
I gave blood today. It always makes me feel good about myself when I do that. So I'm happy about that.
This time, I also signed up for the bone marrow database. They took a couple cheek swabs, and will put me in a database. There's a one half of one percent chance that I may someday match somebody who needs bone marrow transplant. If so, I'll have a big decision to make, since the procedure is pretty invasive, but I'd be saving a life. We'll cross that bridge if I come to it.
When I first read Pie's post, I thought that Choco's happy (which I hadn't gotten to yet) was going to say she was going to be the next to be adding to the Cellar family.
Though I am dissapointed that's not the source of her happy, the news about her mom is really great! Way to go! :driving:
You know, I was just on the phone with ChocoMama last night, and she said that all of her coworkers kept asking when she would have grandchildren. "Don't you
want grandkids?" they asked her. "Doesn't matter what I want," she responded, "because they're the ones that have to deal with it all." Awesome answer, mom!
I don't think we'll be adding to the family for a while yet, but when a ChocoBaby or KitsuBaby comes along, I promise y'all will be among the first to know. :)
Thank you, glatt. :thumb:
I just got a check from some lawyers involved in the bankruptcy case of my former employer. After four and a half years, I have now received approximately 1/5th of what they owe me (which is more than I ever expected to see.) And what's more, the language isn't clear but it seems possible that they're saying this money is only from one part of the litigation, and I might be receiving more of my money at a later date.
My friend from Colorado will be here soon to visit!! Yah!!
I miss my friends. :(
Good for you Clod - thats awesome!
My seeds have sprouted!
After watching them jealously for days, thinking every pale grey speck of soil was an emerging shoot, all of a sudden they exploded into life and I missed it!
Oh and I have a beautiful new ring. I love it for its own sake, and for the sender.
I managed to get four and a half of my five a day today. God it was hard work. yesterday I managed two.
Today I have had: a glass of fruit juice (1 of the 5) and did some spaghetti with one of those stir in sauces, but I added four cherry tomatoes, three spring onions (together that's about 1 out of the 5) along with three desertspoons of tinned peas and three dessert spoons of tinned kidney beans (that's about 1 1/2 ). And I ate an apple. (1)
Feeling quite chipper about that.
I got two new chicks today. Bittersweet.
Turned in the term paper today (I was a bit short but I just don't care anymore)!
Two more weeks of classes left! Wheeeeeee!
I have written a KICK ASS paper and am quite goofy-faced pleased with it! I feel like a car salesman who just unloaded a Hummer!
YAY!
Way to go Bri:) What's it on?
I am pleased with myself because again...I elected to eat fruit and vegetables. Goodness that's three or four days in a row now...
I didn't do the financially sensible thing of looking in my cupboards and fridge and making do with whatever's there. I did, however, choose to buy a boxed salad from the village bakery/deli, instead of a steak pasty and an eclair (which was what I fancied). Now, granted, I'm not sure how healthy one can consider a salad that's at least half stodge (bacon, chicken, mayonnaise all glooped together in a mix + coleslaw); but...it had a goodly amount of onion, grated carrot and cabbage (via the coleslaw), delightfully crunchy and fresh lettuce, cucumber, a few pieces of red pepper, about a medium size tomato in slices, and a boiled egg (not veg but good source of lecithin).
I also bought a banananananana (that enough na's?) though...I only managed half of it. Should have waited til later to eat that. But I wanted something sweet after all that salad.
So...I now feel like I have eaten enough to last me for the rest of the week and somehow I have to try and do the same thing again tomorrow...or even later tonight...but hey...gotta be better than that empty shite I usually fill up on (McD's, BK's, Gregg's pasties, sweets etc).
I reckon the salad and half a nana combined make between two and three portions. I'm going to try and persuade myself to drink some more pomegranate and blueberry juice later.
If I can persuade myself to eat another meal later, and can manage to include half a tin of peas I might actually make it to 5 portions today.
I am feeling happy about this.
Dana, I am off to the grocery right now to stock up on some sensible things, too, and not go off all over to eat fast food all week like I did LAST week (and now my heart is hurting from it all), I wonder if Cherry has influenced us to eat better? :)
my paper is on Lady MacBeth and how the witches are much, much better role models for women to follow. well, that's it in a really small shell - but I AM happy with it!
eta: I realize saying the witches are better role models than the lady is simplistic as the lady is no lady, but it's more to do with feminine archetypes and the divided self and being true to self...blah blah blah...so, yeah, that's it.
This morning I got up and took a shower.
Small victories!
my paper is on Lady MacBeth and how the witches are much, much better role models for women to follow.
So what you're saying is, it's better to stay at home and cook than to get involved in politics?
This morning I got up and took a shower.
Small victories!
Way to go!! Some days that can be a not-so-small victory.
Today I am happy for this thread. So full of happy vibes, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Thanks for sharing guys!
@ Bri: Oh Cherry's definately influenced me on the trying to eat healthy thing. I intermittently try to, but rarely with a view to actually measuring out the 5 a day (or as close as I can get) more just cutting out the bad stuff. This time i'm trying to get a variety of healthy stuff into my diet. So, it's more about what I am including than what I am excluding. And when I am making myself buy an apple or a banana instead of a bag of crisps and a cadbury's whole nut chocolate bar, I have in my minds eye, how well Cherry is looking and how much will power she has.
'cause...me and Cherry are quite alike in a lot of ways. So, I figure if she can be strong and committed then so can I :P
So what you're saying is, it's better to stay at home and cook than to get involved in politics?
Not quite.
I'm saying it's better to throw an out-of-door party in threatening weather with your best good friends sharing a socialist stew (they all contribute to the pot, after all) and THEN get obliquely involved in politics simply by mentioning a few things to some wandering soldier or other. Then sit back, relax and watch the show!
This morning I got up and took a shower.
Just remember to put it back when you are done with it.
I got that big-ass ugly calibration document out of the way, mostly. Now I can just hang out in the lab for the next week.
100 eBay feedbacks.
It's a small thing, and I know there are many real vendors out there with tens of thousands. But hey, I did something, 100%, 100 out of 100. That's like the best grade you can get, in school.
100 eBay feedbacks.
It's a small thing, and I know there are many real vendors out there with tens of thousands. But hey, I did something, 100%, 100 out of 100. That's like the best grade you can get, in school.
In the real world, yes. I attended Catholic elementary school, and they would not give you a 100% on anything even if you made no mistakes because that would imply that you were perfect. Only God, and the Pope (of course) were perfect, the rest of us were sinners. :headshake
Congratulations for the accomplishment! You done good.
Today is my birthday. Eh... Mrs L did a playboy style photo shoot. WOOOHOOO!!!1!
Wait, who did the photography?
<--- : jealous :
Yeah. I'm happy for you.
The good news: ChocoMama made it safely up to Tampa (but her friend drove the whole way because mom freaked out about 8 miles in to the drive.)
The bad news (this should go in the "What's making your blood pressure go through the roof and making you homicidal?" thread but we don't have one of those): ChocoMama and her friend insisted on following the GPS's directions to the hotel instead of the ones I wanted to give (which involved one merge and three turns for the whole four hour drive). They proceeded to get horrifically lost around Tampa for 2 hours. Many confused, frustrated, bewildered and increasingly angry phone calls were exchanged. At one point they were two blocks from the hotel, and I wanted to give them directions but mom decided to take the GPS's word over mine and ended up going 10 miles north when they needed to go two blocks south. Finally we told them to stay put, and Kitsune and I went to retrieve them. Their hotel just opened two months ago, and their GPS could make heads nor tails of it. Siiiiigh. But -- count your blessings, right? Mom's here, and safe.
Today was the Tman's first soccer game.
Over here, under 6's only play 4 aside. I'm soooo proud of our little Knights ...Im co-captain (not quite sure how that happened), but they were seriously awesome!!
They were defeated 8 to 6, but they listened, had fun, didnt push anyone over and were just great little sports. I'm also co coach, ha, which really just means encouraging them and making sure they are running in the right direction.
The other team got snotty because Tman had a natural inkling for defense and would bolt down the the goal when the other team got the ball....it was great, they would of flogged us by another 4 goals....youre allowed to defend the goal, but not have an official goalie or use your hands. Stupid Mums...Theyre 6 for fucks sake, and you won anyway...get over it.
Also, props to the young ref (ump?) he was only about 15 and really good with the kids and the parents.
Good day, Ive washed the team jumpers already :D
Last nite I got to dress up in my fancies coz we went to a Debutante Ball....the girl I went to watch looked amazing and it took me back to my Deb days....even the same dude with the same bad *rug* did the training. Saw heaps of people I havent seen for 10+ years and pretended I didnt recognise some others :)
ref. - umps are for tennis and cricket.
Debutante's ball? Is that the norm over there? Over here it's only the upper-classes who do the whole deb thing. Certainly not something I have ever seen or been involved with lol, :P
[eta] though my gran had her Coming Out ball (as the deb's ball was called) to the ViceRoy of India.
@ Dana, its pretty common around these parts. Coming into fashion more and more.
The debs are presented to a visting hob knob of the participating church. Scrolls are presented, 2 classical dances are performed...Pride of Erin, and Waltz. Then a couple of contempory types....last nites being, a Tangoette performed to Sexy Back and some progressive thing to Achy Breaky Heart..buahaha.
I will have to dig out the pics from mine.
Achy Breaky Heart?
I thought there was a world wide ban on that song.:eyebrow:
even the same dude with the same bad *rug* did the training.
Wait, you can get a job training debutantes? Where do I send my resume?
Awesome Ducks. Soccer is teh cool.
Steve, a mutual female client of ours did the pics. i lurvz them.
My website. I am ridiculously thrilled by it. I shouldn't be. I should be shit-scared about missing my dissertation deadline...oh well...back to work *happy grin*
Wait, you can get a job training debutantes? Where do I send my resume?
Down boy... the type of "training" you're contemplating only happens in motorcycle gangs.:headshake
Our city still has a real annual Debutante Ball for the young ladies of Savannah's Upper Crust.
We have a famous murder case surrounding one girl.
http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=4290420I just graduated from college. Woo!
I just graduated from college. Woo!
WOW! Congrats. It is a long hard road.
:beer::beer::beer:
Three cheers Chocolatl!! Congratulations!
Wow Choco. Bg juicy congrats to you,honey. You deserve a loooong drink and as much party/rest as you can handle :)
Congrats Choc - work well done.
I've won two prizes this week.
A bra and (lady) shorts set worth £45! Sadly the shorts won't fit me yet, but I'm willing to wait.
And £30 gift vouchers for an online bulb seller.
I think I'll have to sell them on eBay.
I have a faux-karma thing about not entering competitions I don't want to win. So to excuse the above - the bra in the set will fit me. They are a company that go up to porn star/ bearded lady sizes. Just not the bottoms.
And I entered the other comp with the 'rents in mind, but Mum says, "Bulbs? Pain in the arse!" so it was my ignorance really. I'd use them myself if I was better off - lilies in a pot for example. But as it is I figure even £5 is a bonus.
Oh and staying teetotal at the family BBQ today.
Not so good on the food front, but hey. Small steps.
Congraduations, Choco!
And well done, Sundae!
congrats choco.
i've been sick for three days which tends to spoil the birthday celebrations so I decided to have a drink. four hours later and I'm fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked up. i feel better. until tomorrow.
Awww, I didn't know you were poorly Lookout. Hope you're feeling better soon honey.
Awww, I want to play with lookout whilst he's fucked up...that sounds like fun :D
Wonder how he's feeling this morning. ::snicker:: Hope *he* didn't puke on anyone's shoes.
I thought I lost my keys for forever yesterday. Spent 2 hours searching downtown where I had been hanging out. I wasn't so upset about the car key (although its my only copy), but my RSA token to get into secure networks for work, yeah not good to have lost that. Today, one of the shops called and they had found my keys! I don't know how the hell I missed finding them, or how I left them in the shop, but I don't care anymore. I'm just happy to have my RSA token and NOT have to pay for losing it. Oh and its nice to be able to drive my car. :)
nope, no puke. just hours and hours of drunk fun followed by fantastic drunk sex. i loved my birthday weekend even though I was sick.
It's Monday! And that is making me happy because that means that it is only a few more days until Friday when we fly to Paris, France, for 10 days. It will be my first time there and I'm so ready to go.
New crepes restaurant in Phoenixville is awesome.
creeps?
[youtubewide]Vo5UXsHWRH8[/youtubewide]
Apparently they have a location in the City as well
Here's a linky
http://www.lacreperiecafe.biz/menu.htm@LJ
That's gotta be the best video Pretenders ever made. I'd never even heard the song (pretenders fan I'm not) but maybe I am now.
Made me happy. Today.
Briefly - I had an hour chasing up a possible tax refund (details in another thread).
It's not resolved yet, but I took action and feel I have now done all I can.
Actually, it's not making me happy, I feel sick with anxiety.
But I know it should, so I'm trying to fake it.
I did good anyway.
That huge weed stalk growing in the back yard that I kept dreading having to go do something about... turns out it's a giant sunflower!
HA HA HA HA HA
We had one in the front a few years ago. (felt the same way)
Leaving for a 4 night camping trip in the mountains of north Georgia today. Am taking Kitsune's old camera (and he has a shiny new one) so hopefully I will have lots of cool pictures to bring back next week.
Is Georgia allowed to have a North?
:)
Have fun, choco!
The south will rise again.
Hell no we ain't forgettin'.
News on the tax refund front is getting betterer.
My ex-employer has a "copy" of the missing form - still not sure if this is the copy they were supposed to keep, or the copy I was supposed to get. Anyway, they've offered to send it on to the benefits office for me.
So the tax office in Wales will already have my letter, and the benefits office in Southampton will get my P45 in about a week (seriously, the internal post system there is byzantine in its complexity - they admit it).
So fingers crossed this two stroke approach will mean some £ by the end of the month.
Also a tiny yellow chicken named Petroleum, and her (technically unrelated) sisters Puffy Baby, Fudge, and Cow.
COLD Beer after cutting the grass,
Pork chops on the grill ,
an Attic fan and open windows .
Zippyt is EASILY Pleased :)
I get a new sofa tomorrow. I won't have to keep throws on this one to cover the ugly places. And it's blue. I am truly a blue freak.
Sun is shining, wind is really blowing. My kinda weather.
I'm off into town, then to acupuncture.
I hope to come back pretty chilled out :grinnylov:chill:
I am happy because I thought my furnace was broke, but it was only turned off.
My heat pump was broken, leading to no AC. It turned out to be a bad wire. Easy fix for the heat pump guy, so it was not a big expense. Cool air blows on me right now. AC is the best invention ever.
No central AC, but the landlord has agreed to get me a screen door. Planted the garden, smell of cut grass and BBQ in the air - It's Spring!!!
Zippyt is EASILY Pleased :)
It's the secret to a happy life.
COLD Beer after cutting the grass,
Pork chops on the grill ,
an Attic fan and open windows .
Zippyt is EASILY Pleased :)
Your happy posts [COLOR="Orange"]ALWAYS[/COLOR] make me smile, Zip!
Today I am just happppppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy happy happy.
That is all.
Today I am just happppppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy happy happy.
That is all.
well deserved! good to hear it!
Had a good run this morning before the day heated up, all my mouse stuff is caught up at work, just called in a takeout order for dinner, and I have a date tonight by our firepit with my husband.
::content::
My friend is coming in to town tomorrow!!! Yeah!!!! I have to clean a lot. uuuugh. lol
It will be nice to see a well known face again. :)
My friend is coming in to town tomorrow!!! Yeah!!!! I have to clean a lot. uuuugh. lol
It will be nice to see a well known face again. :)
Cool, Cicero.
As for me the answer is:
Being quoted.
It is dry(ish) and clear(ish) out which is a nice change from all the rainy weather, my Yellow Springsian garden is all set, I got dinner in the crock pot, gonna take my doggie for a walk in the graveyard up the road.
is allllll good.
:)
I have a new hair colour, a belly full of healthy dinner, and a cat on my lap.
Actually I could do without the cat, who is making me hunch over and get a sore back. But he is so warm, and so cosy.
For me, a little painting *ALWAYS* makes me happy.
Before and after. Representative sample only. I went on up the street for blocks. Happy happy happy all the fuckin way.
Go piss on your own tree!
I sold $160 worth of household clutter today, and then found 2 pairs of jeans (that fit!) I forgot I bought when I was searching for something to wear to brunch tomorrow. Score.
Cool, Cicero.
As for me the answer is:
Being quoted.
:D
Graduated from my university today; BA History. Still have four classes to take over the summer and two in the fall, not enough to even be a full time student, but other than that I am done and done. Will be getting my diploma in the mail for Christmas. Hard to believe I transferred schools after freshman year, went through four different majors (integrated social studies, special/early childhood education[double major], then history), dealt with significant ADD issues, took a semester off to go do wildfire fighting, and still finished fairly near on time.
And the icing on the cake: as soon as i finish these last few classes, the parents are springing for laser eye surgery.. couldn't be more excited. I'm badly nearsighted, -6.00 in both eyes, so life without contacts or glasses is going to kick ass.
Well done sir!
I admire your major so much. If I had to do it over, history. Yes.
That or HVAC repair.
Way to go Bullitt! Congratulations!
WTG Bullitt!!
You have accomplished something that you will never regret and that will pay dividends your whole life long.
I salute you sir!
ty cap'n!
You're clever and kind in equally generous measures.
*tips cap*
Well done Bullitt!
(oh and I don't think I said congrats to Choco did ? so...congrats!)
YAY Bullitt....much congratz
Thanks all! My brother from Cincinnati got to come up for the weekend as well, which was cool since we don't see him much anymore.
Just got back from having the kid's portfolios evaluated - all requirements fulfilled. Yay. Another year under our collective belts.
Congrats to the graduates!
Congrats. Does that mean that school stops now? Do you have a set number of hours/days you have to get in?
No, we can't stop yet, we do have to meet for the required number of days (or hours, but we do days (180)), but we can switch over to more of an 'unschooling' program. I make them keep up with math, even thru the summer, but we'll also just be playing outside, taking hikes, cooking etc... we've done everything that we need to document.
excellent! good job kiddos! and especially you, hunny!
I've just reviewed the information which will be submitted in support of my Disabled Living Allowance application. It's taken 3.5 hours to get to this point. By the time we double check it, update the times and dates of my last appointments - which I have weekly - and got together the documentation it will be well over 4.
Still, the hard work is done. No more sessions focussing exclusively on what I can't do, on the negative effects of my needs, on what I need help with. Urgh - talk about negative reinforcement :greenface
Of course once it's sent off it takes up to 40 working days to be reviewed and an assessment made. Here's hoping it will have been worth it.
Sundae, let me repeat my earlier warning: don't be put off if they knock you back 1st off. It's not unusual (in my borough) for a claim to be refused and then granted at 1st appeal. On the plus side the appeals are usually sorted out quite quickly.
What's making me happy: I've managed to hit an average of 4 portions of fruit and veg a day *smiles* for about the last two weeks. The last 3 days I've managed at least 5 and probably pushed it up to 6 yesterday.
Made a lovely meal with roasted vegetables and mushrooms, stirred through pasta with spring onions, sweetcorn, creme fraiche and wholegrain mustard. Yesterday I did something similar and the day before I stir fried some veg, with a pasta sauce thingy and served with garlic bread. Have rediscovered tinned fruit. Easy to grab and surprisingly good at satisfying the munchies.
This is all making me happy, because I am starting to feel a little healthier. I seem to be getting on top of the eczema flare and fighting off the infection without going back onto anti-biotics. Some of that is no doubt the fact that stress levels aren't as bad as they'd been just after Dad died; but I'm pretty sure the healthier diet and resuming Pilau's countryside walks have both helped, along with getting a decent night's sleep 2 out of 3 nights (going to bed at 11pm and winding down with an audio book).
I have a hell of a lot more energy the last few days.
anything to do with having finished your thesis, by any chance?
I got a nice little email from the Cellar this morning. Very thoughtful. Thank you, Cellar.
It must be your birthday. Happy Birthday.
my belt is one notch tighter today.
my belt is one notch tighter today.
But what about your hat?
I didn't get a hat stretcher....
I took my 13 yr old daughter to a local college production of Little Shop Of Horrors on Sunday and she is still thanking me today. Considering that she usually behaves like someone just ran over her puppy, that is a minor miracle.
So, does she want to go to dental school now?
LOL actually the dentist was her favorite character, aside from Audrey II
I think I may have located a friend from college. She dropped off our radars pretty quickly after graduation. She had a ChemE degree, and the Goog only turned up one person with her name, and that person was a DBA. Not a match, I thought.
After combing through and correlating other bits of data over the last few months, I think it must be her. I sent her an email and am crossing my fingers.
After all, when I think about the twists my own career has taken it's not so hard to believe it could be her.
:fingerx:
Just got 'dropped in on' at the lodge by two Marines I served with in 1971 that I haven't seen in a few years. We are all still fairly healthy and managed not to speak of the negatives of the war. In parting, they gave me a bottle of 12 yr scotch and a case of bangoliers. We were all discreetly misty. Life is good. RFN.
american spirit, spork, beach glass, spongebob squarepants, sushi, Lenin
I met a very, very nice man who is good looking, gainfully employed and seems normal so far!! He invited me to lunch on friday!
*crosses fingers*
My son will turn 18 in Oct. and it's just about time to get it out there.
You go, girl!
Good luck. I envy that dude.
. . . seems normal so far!!
Run. Run far, and hide.
Two photographs and a bag of meat.
I successfully installed an electrical outlet without incident. (When we tore down wallpaper in the kitchen, we discovered they had papered over a junction box that we never even knew was there.)
Marriage status is....?
I met a very, very nice man who is good looking, gainfully employed and seems normal so far!! He invited me to lunch on friday!
*crosses fingers*
My son will turn 18 in Oct. and it's just about time to get it out there.
After the shitty way the year started, I saw a double rainbow today.
Yeah, I know, the second one is partial, but it's there.
Will be entering the strange and happy world of dog ownership around lunchtime today. Only got 5 hours of sleep because I'm so excited/nervous.
Two photographs and a bag of meat.
Sounds like my sex life.
No wait, can I take that back?
Marriage status is....?
Fair enough!
He's single! YAY!
A divorced dentist with his own practice. (kids all grown)
Now - no anti-dentite jokes, please!
:D
How about "probing your cavity" jokes, are they okay?
Bri, you know I can't resist:
Kramer: You're a rabid anti-dentite! Oh, it starts with a few jokes and some slurs. "Hey, denty!" Next thing you know you're saying they should have their own schools.
Jerry: They do have their own schools!
How about "probing your cavity" jokes, are they okay?
I'll give a qualified "yes"
being anti-dentata, on the other hand, is perfectly reasonable.
Now - no anti-dentite jokes, please!
Jokes? Never!!
Movie musical excerpts? Always.
[youtube]bOtMizMQ6oM[/youtube]
Oooh! That makes me happy - Bri's gettin' some!
Does he have a brother?
Today I am happy planning my trip to Amsterdam in Sept.
Of course this depends on how much tax refund I get, but it's the best chance I have for a holiday this year, so I'm going to plan the hell out of it and if it doesn't happen at least I'll have enjoyed that part.
AND I'm going to see a screening of the first episode of Psychoville (Pemberton/ Shearsmith new project) on Weds 27 May at the BFI, with a panel dicsussion afterwards with Mr Shearsmiths himself. Wooop! Wooop! Ticket was £6.65 in case you were wondering. Instead of the £8.30 I was going to spend going to see Angels and Demons with the 'rents (their choice). Money much better spent methinks.
Happy today.
Good luck Bri, and Choc! (Personally I'd rather get a dog than go on a date.)
Going to the Rockies game with a GREAT friend who I haven't seen since I moved to CO - her bro in law plays for the Rockies, so we're meeting at his house, his wife is driving, we get to park in player parking, use the player entrance, sit in the player's wives section. I feel like a celebrity!!!
well you are the Queen after all....
@ Bri.....
I bet first thing he says is "Open wide".
Then you say "Ahhhhhhh". I truly hope you find true love. AND get you some.
You've been needing that filling for a while, huh?
If the get married, they should put up a plaque.
i bet she'll wear a gold crown.
hmmm ... drilling .... root canal .... oral ....
nah, I got nothin.
my mom's car was parked next to a car that caught fire. the heat melted her passenger side. total loss.
today she bought a Chrysler 300 from a dealer near her instead of coming to my work tomorrow and buying a Maxima from me.
one less thing i have to deal with tomorrow.
every time I see on of those I Think This IS CRYSLER !!!!
OMG, me too zip, lol.... who said that? Cyclefrance?
eta: I had one as a rental a while ago. I called Jim right after I got in it and screamed that at him, lol...
hmmm ... drilling .... root canal .... oral ....
nah, I got nothin.
I'm thinking, mouthwash... gargling..... but I also have nothing.
... whitening treatment ...
free toys....
...oh wait, that's just for kids
Is he a redhead, Bri? Should we worry about gingivitis?
Free toothpaste and toothbrushes for life.
And lots of floss. You know you love floss.
Is he a redhead, Bri? Should we worry about gingivitis?
no, not a ginger! He's actually gone all grey/white! (I'm getting up there myself, you know...but he's 13 years older than I am, so...)
:) It's all good. He wears glasses and yes, has a very nice smile.
Glad to hear that, Bri. But you know what we're all REALLY waiting for.....
a savior to rise from these streets?
Heavens, no!
Someone would crucify him!
Heavens, no!
Someone would crucify him!
:lol2:
Hang on, hang on (as the robber said to the saviour...)
I'd just got to the point where Bri is being drilled by the dentist, and now she's being nailed by Jebus? This thread moves too fast for me.
Bri is banging Captain Pike?
/obscure?
(as in the guy who was captain before Kirk? Or have I got the name wrong?)
...
then you're saying there's A CHANCE?
(CARREY)
(as in the guy who was captain before Kirk? Or have I got the name wrong?)
You are correct.
I just wasn't sure anyone would get the reference...
Boston Butt cook off this Saturday at the lodge. I will enter.
Whole pig cooking coming up May 30 for open house.
Pics pending. In the outdoor cooking thread. God bless Mooseheart.
Yey! Do I get a supergeek badge?
I entered a competition recently where that was the answer ("don't tell them your name, Pike" rather than Bri, I mean). I googled it, sorry. I'll hand my geek badge in at the door.
Just thought I'd update you on my chillies.
Going to ask Dad if I can "borrow" a pot and some soil over the weekend.
Bolognaise Pizza with Salami.....mmmmmmm
I entered a competition recently where that was the answer ("don't tell them your name, Pike" rather than Bri, I mean). I googled it, sorry. I'll hand my geek badge in at the door.
Just thought I'd update you on my chillies.
Going to ask Dad if I can "borrow" a pot and some soil over the weekend.
Lookin' good and HHHOT!
Going camping in the mountains this weekend! Got my fishing license and a new sleeping bag ueysterday! TGI effin F ! ! !
(And BTW, Fuck cancer.)
Might be getting curtain rods tonight. I'm sick of the home-made curtains in the house...
Yey! Do I get a supergeek badge?
Well, maybe.
What I was getting at was Bri getting it from Jesus, and I mentioned Pike.
Pike was played by Jeffery Hunter, who played Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar".
Soccer again....we are now 2 wins from 3 games...woo hoo.
Tman was best on ground today, 3 goals from him and he was everywhere when needed. We had no interchange today, so the little blighters were plum-tuckered at the end, but they just get better and better....and I guess I do too as coach.
Its just really a fun experience :D
Im also collating the results from all our teams and writing them up for the sports section of the paper. Team Captain/Coach/Journo ...weird.
In that case....no I don;t get a supergeek badge...bah...
Winning $50 in the Preakness. Woot!
Kitsune and I are teaching our dog Tiny her first trick. (She already knows "Sit.") When we say "Yoga!" she stretches. She's gotten it right a few times, now -- I'm looking forward to trying it again later today to see if she really knows it or if it was just dumb luck.
Oh that is the greatest ever! Ever!!
You should submit it to Cute Overload and the suggested title MUST be... wait for it... wait for it.....
wait for it......
Goat yer nose!
OMG Griff you have the cutest kids.
Get it?! GET IT?!
I'd have one of those if I had a fenced yard. I swear it.
Great stuff, Griff!
I daren't show that last picture to my niece...it wouldn't be fair on her parents...not since they decided 'nothing else with a heartbeat' is coming into their home.
Kitsune and I are teaching our dog Tiny her first trick. (She already knows "Sit.") When we say "Yoga!" she stretches. She's gotten it right a few times, now -- I'm looking forward to trying it again later today to see if she really knows it or if it was just dumb luck.
Downward Facing Dog?
Making me happy is the fact that the making-you-happy thread is now ahead of the upsetting-you thread in post count, as of RFN.
Yay the happy smilie things!
Yeah, but we've got so God damned many pissed-off-because threads it hardly counts.
Yeah, way to bring me down, ya blue meanie!
Downward Facing Dog?
Yep! She's gotten it right a few times. Woohoo!
It has been my experience that the fetch trick is more easily taught when tossing pork chops.
It has been my experience that the fetch trick is more easily taught when tossing pork chops.
Yeah, but will she bring them back to you?? :eyebrow: :yum:
You have to tie a string to them.:whip:
In 18 hours I will be on a plane to vacation land.
Lucky you! I need a holiday. lol
Have a safe trip and a super time Merc.
I just read 12 new pages of LOLcats. Thats about 180 doses of funnycute.
Ahhh, life is good.
Brave friends who take the time and put forth the effort to show their care for me by *acting* in the face of difficult and unpleasant circumstances.
I am blessed.
the SHOUT SHOUT therad actually literally made me LOL! Thanks Jim!
I just sat my last exam and handed in my last assignment. yey!
Some stuff went a little awry as I approached the home stretch (silly errors born of tiredness) that have lost me some marks on one of my assignments (not completing the online turnitin submission properly. Didn;t actually go through so counts as 3 days late = 15 point deduction....but it's only 20% of the module mark. So...hopefully as long as I havent totally munched the exam, I should be ok :)
It's in the lap of the Gods now. Regardless of whether I get my 1st class grade or not...I. Have. Fucking. Finished. :)
Three fucking years. And my God this last one was a bitch.
*grins* so, having averaged one night's sleep in two for the last week and a half, i intend to sleep until I put down roots.
(and I know this is the happy thread...and I am happy...but I think I might just cry a little that Dad won't be at my Graduation ceremony.)
Cheers! *smiles* I can't believe it's three years.
I finally found a copy of the album Thunder Seven, by
Triumph.
[youtube]nMlCRcHUbyE[/youtube]
:jig: Yeah Dana!!! Way to go!!! :celebrat:
Thankyou! I am currently very very tired and also very very hyped lol.
And...there are no exams in a research MA...so I think I probably just sat my last exam evah.
Excellent! Well done, Dana.
You GO Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl!
Doncha love it when a plan comes together?
Good news about a good friend, who is doin good!
1.) I went to a baby shower, and counter to my suspicions, it did not suck.
2.) I got a massage.
3.) I got my first pedicure ever (wouldn't have been my choice, but it was part of the spa gift certificate that got me a massage,) and discovered it's actually really nice. I didn't realize they do things like get rid of all your calluses and massage your feet while they're working. Plus, now my toenails are silvery-blue.
4.) Minifobette is officially weaned, which is great in and of itself, but it also means that I do not strictly have to be on her diet anymore. Mr. Clod went out and got me a big container of queso to celebrate. It was awesome.
Today was a good day.
tomorrow.....queso's revenge.
I just had some soup and had a piece of bread with it:) That's the first solid food I've managed since Friday. I feel like I've eaten a banquet!
tomorrow.....queso's revenge.
Tell me about it. And it's worth noting that I could only eat about 1/4 of the container before I felt far too full to go on. Back in the day (as in, anytime prior to the last 7-8 weeks) I could eat the whole thing. There's no going back unless I make a conscious effort to gorge myself.
Going up to London today, the see a screening of the first two episodes of Psychoville, with a panel discussion afterwards (featuring the delectable Mr Shearsmiths).
Am also going to have my hair cut. Technically I can't afford it this week, but decided I'd manage. I'll have exactly £0.54 left! Poor hairdresser isn't getting a tip.
I'll run out of milk, but I can always get the 'rents to sub me - as long as they are buying groceries rather than giving me money they have no fear that they might be funding a relapse. Anyway, I know Mum has been looking at my untidy mop for weeks now with an exasperated air... She might not like it when I get back, but she will like the fact that I budgeted more of less correctly in order to get it done. She's rather sub me £1.66 than £15 after all.
Meeting my bro in London - although he lives in Aylesbury he commutes there for work. Which gives me a nice social aspect to the trip. I'm meeting him from work and walking over Westminster Bridge (Earth has not anything to show more fair/ Dull would he be of soul who could pass by/ A sight so touching in its majesty - I'll take pics!) and down the South Bank together. He has my Mum's punctuality gene the same way I do, so he'll understand why I have to be in my seat by 18.00 when the ticket says 18.15 :)
So, the lady who took my old job quit. They contacted me to ask if I would be willing to sign on as a "consultant" until they get someone hired and trained and they get a little caught up.
I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize my job here, so I asked my boss, who asked her boss, who asked her boss...now it's all approved with our dept VP and human resources.
I start tonight.
The money will be really good, and consultant looks good on a resume if I ever need it.
I will just be a little tired. :)
Just heard a talk by D.C. school chancellor Michelle Rhee. She's certainly passionate about the subject, and doesn't mind breaking heads. I am happy to see someone willing to go toe-to-toe with the entrenched interests in our school system that are preventing some much-needed change.
So, the lady who took my old job quit. They contacted me to ask if I would be willing to sign on as a "consultant" until they get someone hired and trained and they get a little caught up.
I start tonight.
The money will be really good, and consultant looks good on a resume if I ever need it.
Thats awesome - At least they finally see how much you are worth albeit too late. Just keep thinking of what you'll do 2with all that extra cash - Can you say Vacation AND car???
I am happy to see someone willing to go toe-to-toe with the entrenched interests in our school system that are preventing some much-needed change.
Thats great - I hope its more than just lip service
Thats awesome - At least they finally see how much you are worth albeit too late. Just keep thinking of what you'll do 2with all that extra cash - Can you say Vacation AND car???
Thanks c-man. It's nice to be worthy. ;)
Thats great - I hope its more than just lip service
She's already proved it's more than lip-service -- there are already quite a few people who'd like to see her DIAF.
Mostly, the national union has stepped in the middle of the negotiations, and while they are enthusiastic about the pay increases her plan represents, they are reluctant to sacrifice that union sacred cow -- tenure.
I get to pick my vacation week this year. A hard decision. Hard, but happy.
OMFG y'all.
Coconut milk yogurt. Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free. Full of probiotics, plus coconut is one of those superfoods he's supposed to eat at all possible opportunities, as it has potent antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
And he likes it....
The money will be really good, and consultant looks good on a resume if I ever need it.
...
Hey, I never thought of that! Good for you! (I might want that argument for myself over the next few months :) )
I've got a hedgehog in my garden!
This morning I had a few spare minutes between breakfast and catching the bus to work. So I was standing by the window and saw something move in the sage bush. First thought it was a (female) blackbird, but the way it moved was all wrong for that. It kept going to and fro' so I could see it more clearly. - I now hope it is making its home in my garden, not just passing through.
I stopped puking. Yey.
I can eat again. Yey.
I feel bright and awake. Yey.
(don't know if I updated after the abscesed tooth business. Reacted badly to the combination of two anti-biotics. Cue two days of vomiting and feeling out of it. God bless Ma. I've slept at her house the last two nights.)
Hey, I never thought of that! Good for you! (I might want that argument for myself over the next few months :) )
A good friend pointed that out to me. :)
My 80 year plan for retiring by the time I'm 93 is falling into place. Bwaaahaaaahaaaaa...
Husband and I both have a job interview next week. (With different companies.)
They are both local (as in, in the town we live in!)
Good luck to you both, case! Fingers crossed for you. :)
Nearly home time......and sun has come out :)
Good luck case and hubby too!
Welcome Sartori!
Does the sun come out when you come home infrequently? You're just coming home at 730 in the morning? Bummer of a shift...
Hey there BigV and ty for the welcome :)
It really would be a bummer of a shift if that was my time zone ;) From England so it was 3.13pm i posted and I go home at 4pm so, not too bad!
A/C in the car works, A/C in the house works. A/C is the source of all happiness in the world and the best invention ever.
....why when I was your age........
Saturday (as mentioned a while back) we cook the pig at the Lodge. Open house day. I will take lots of pics.
I will co- cook the pig and I am also doing six gallons of green beans.
Suggestions on what type of meat to use as seasoning in the beans? Please be budget minded.
You don't mean "Specially Prepared Army Meat" do you?
SRSLY?
lol...well I don't know what you want to do with the meat and green beans. I'm guessing that's what you're talking about?
Anyway, I thought spam was short for spiced ham?
Ham or bacon - those are your best options IMO.
A/C in the car works, A/C in the house works. A/C is the source of all happiness in the world and the best invention ever.
In Dan Rathers book he surmises that the only reason the south gained any kind of political clout was due to the invention of airconditioning, otherwise most people would not have moved to the hotter climate and the disparity in population between the north and south would have remained.
Cook off a pound of bacon till crisp. Reserve meat. Combine drippings with coarse brown mustard, white (or cider) vinegar, a pinch of sugar. Dress cooked beans in hot bacon dressing; coarsely chop bacon and combine with beans just before serving.
Makes a hell of a lot of beans.
I don't have to go back to work until Monday...yay. *cough*
Cook off a pound of bacon till crisp. Reserve meat. Combine drippings with coarse brown mustard, white (or cider) vinegar, a pinch of sugar. Dress cooked beans in hot bacon dressing; coarsely chop bacon and combine with beans just before serving.
Makes a hell of a lot of beans.
That sounds very tasty, indeed. I can't get too fancy, tho, as I have to cook six 1 gallon cans of them. I've decided to just cut up 3 lbs of thick sliced bacon into small pieces and drop it right into the pot. I will use the recipe you posted at home next time tho when I'm not cooking in such volume. Thanks all!:D
I have discovered Krystal's "Sweet Bites" - 6 for .99. Good stuff.
I have missed you cellar but I am back!! Yah!! :)
I may or may not be using a neighbors wireless. This means my visits will be spotty and uncomfortable. :)
Still unpacking....bleeeergh.
I really hope I am less busy soon. Miss you guys!!
wtf have you been young lady? Hmm?
Welcome back, Cicero. How's things?
Hey guys! I have had out of town guests, moved, and worked a heck of a lot. I managed to move most of my stuff by myself, slowly but surely in between work etc...
I have been so crazy busy! AAah! The new place needs a lot of cleaning, and I have been helping to also remodel the bathroom.........
I love my new living area and have a lot more room. I also don't absolutely despise my roommates so things are going great so far.
I live with 2 guys so the house is bachelor-ified, so I also have been decorating randomly, and of course...cleaning. More like scrubbing and scrubbing....My dog is a lot more happy here and seeing her happy is a huge relief. Now more unpacking and work! ;)
Missed you guys!!! ;)
Good to see you Cic! Been wonderin'!
Great news, Cic! Glad you're back-o.
I bought my very first suit today. Woo! I feel so grown up.
Congratulations, but I have to say, I've bought 3 or 4 suits in my time, and it hasn't served to make me feel like an adult.
I have one suit. Meanwhile, Ibram seems to wear nothing but suits. And sneakers. Damn kids these days .....
Tomorrow, from
my share of
the Farm I'm getting:
[LIST]
[*] strawberries
[*] lettuce mix(siapan, curly, butter crunch, oak leaf, kale, spinach, romaine, arugala)
[*] radishes
[*] spring onions
[*] asparagus
[*] rhubarb
[*] fresh shallots (used same as spring onions)
[*] stored apples (braeburn)
[/LIST]
Now I need to figure out what to do with lotsa radishes -- and rhubarb (without making pies or sweets!)
just eat the radishes like apples. The use the rhubarb for sex games with mr. pie.
Happy today because of playing bridge and winning first.
Now I need to figure out what to do with lotsa radishes -- and rhubarb (without making pies or sweets!)
That's a tough one... rhubarb is so tart, you have to add at least some kind of sweetness just to make it palatable.
Here's one non-dessert option. Or
another.
just eat the radishes like apples. The use the rhubarb for sex games with mr. pie.
Just dont rub[SIZE="1"]arb[/SIZE] him up the wrong way.
just eat the radishes like apples. The use the rhubarb for sex games with mr. pie.
:blush: "Oh my!" said Mr. Pie.
That's a tough one... rhubarb is so tart, you have to add at least some kind of sweetness just to make it palatable. Here's one non-dessert option. Or another.
Well... to clarify, I need to cut down on the sugars. Perhaps I'll break out the Splenda or agave nectar. The ham steak with rhubarb sounds good -- I've made a sour cherry sauce for pork chops that works wonderfully.
I also loved the pickled radishes at the local Chinese place in Plainsboro, NJ -- but they used daikon, I think. I'll sub these and see what I get. There's also the french method of putting them on a baguette with butter and a sprinkling of salt. :yum:
The french method is always good ;)
The French method?
Is that the one where you plant trees so the next invading army can march in the shade?
Or am I thinking of something else?
I think it involves eating cheese...
I thought it was something to do with surrendering to monkeys or something like that...
Rhubarb-Strawberry pie is excellent, but still requires a lot of sugar.
Makes great jam and jelly too.
Hmmm. So I picked it up, and there's less here than meets the eye. I'm a tad disappointed in the quantities. Perhaps it'll pick up as the summer progresses. It's $150 for a seven-week term, so that's $21.43 per week...
Yeah, even if you bought the most expensive organic version Whole Foods had to offer, I think that's still no more than $12 of produce right there...
I'm happy that no one's picking on me today. :)
to quote Wednesday Addams:
"Wait."
It makes me really happy to see others happy.
About a quarter of a tub of dairy ice cream with baileys:)
wow...that's an old one. lol
yeah, couldn't find the most recent. But I did go with that over the mudpack one
That was very kind of you. lol
I've
posted before about the kid's show
"Fetch, with Ruff Ruffman" on PBS and how good it is. Well, I recently found out that a friend I had in college works for that show, and after talking with her on Facebook, she sent me a bunch of goodies from the show for my kids. Pencils, stickers, posters, trivia cards. Very cool. The best part was a personalized letter that Ruff wrote to my family. It was so good, it's on our fridge.
Thats grrrrrreat! glatt. Little things like that make all the difference.
Lots.
And nothing (specific anyway)
Today is a good day and I'm happy.
I got some flowers from Big Sarge yesterday.
They did make me happy, but it wasn't a great day, so I didn't feel I could do justice to them here. (Thursdays are therapy days, so they're never really the highlight of my week)
I took a pic this morning, but thought I will wait until more of the flowers are open, then take another and post it. Because you won't be standing there, bewildered, as a HUGE box with your name on it arrives. And you won't be checking out the side which has the name of florists in France and the Netherlands and slowly realising someone has sent you flowers. And you won't open the box with a kitchen knife because it's on the table and you are too excited to get something more appropriate. So you might not realise how amazing they are when 50% of them are still buds. But I did, and it made me happy.
Anyway, today.
I sent my CV off for a 10 hour a week admin job.
I posted a letter.
I got confirmation that I will be starting an OT (Occupational Therapy) class next week - Pottery.
I went to 3 supermarkets to find the best (value) salad for lunch tomorrow.
I painted my toenails.
I'm cooking stirfry tonight for Mum and me.
Voila.
I am happy that Sundae is happy.
Thank you Big (-hearted) Sarge!
Now everybody knows I have a crush on SG. LOL
...yeah, cos we really hadn't noticed before :P
Koko Taylor is featured on
KEXP.ORG!
You all can listen live, or stream the show (Preachin' the Blues) for another week. I recommend both!
As promised, here is roses pic.
Aren't they beautiful? I'm not just saying that because I got them, they really are a lovely mix of foliage and flower.
And also, blowing my own trumpet pic.
I decided to ease out of my own weight loss thread and show how well I'm doin on the board proper.
WOW, they are beautiful Sundae!! Well done, Sarge.
Very impressive loss there babe, big dip at the end there.
You are crushing the "competition". You go, girl!
Wow! that is fantastic SG! Good work. :thumb:
That is some weight loss!! I wish I could do as well as you are.
bacon and hash browns.
what?
I have finally started the other half of my better half's Christmas present (last Christmas!). I gave him a camp stove and am painting a picture on the lid, as I promised. It feels great to hold a brush again. It has been far too long.
bacon and hash browns.
what?
:D good one, Monnie!:D
Today is the Virginia Democratic primary. Finally. No more robocalls until the Fall! It's been a heated one. Every day, we got about half a dozen calls, one right after the other. This was after each of the local candidates came to our doorstep in person.
I love voting in the primaries though. Nobody does it, so my vote is actually worth something. Must be why they come to my door.
It will be nice to have the commercials off the TV, the signs down, and a quiet phone again.
I would election time way better if it were way shorter.
I am back up to eight and a half stone (119 lbs) :) Which puts me back into the healthy BMI band (just). I was down to seven and a half stone (105 lbs) after the stress of that last semester followed by the gastroenteritis (sp?), which was ridiculous for my height.
I'm happy about this because it's been an effort to try and eat. My appetite hasn't really come back properly. It did for about three days after I stopped being ill, then it sank back down again. I've discovered though, that if I have complan( a meal drink) in the morning I am able to eat something proper by the afternoon. And if i don't manage to eat much during the day I can always have a second complan in the evening. That guarantees me between 250 and 500 calories of actual nutrition and means I am definitely getting at least 25% of all the vitamins and minerals I need.
It's working I think. I'm finding I have a proper meal at least once a day, most days now and sometimes a second light meal as well!
I'm happy about this because frankly I was looking awful. Thin may look nice in the magazines, but there's nothing sexy about a visible rib cage and hands that look like talons. Or indeed pinched and gaunt features. And skinny jeans dont look good if theyre hanging off you and have to be held up with a tight belt.
You should come to my house Dana. I'll fatten you up quick smart. ;)
What's a complan? Is that like an Ensure drink?
It's a meal drink that you have when yuo are recovering from illness, or often is used by the elderly to boost their diet
SonofV passed his First Class Board of Review!
I am ecstatic!
He went from IHATESCOUTS!!!! at 7 pm to I love Scouts! at 9 pm. Now we can go to Alaska this summer. We're going to hike the Chilkoot Trail. It's going to be the trip of a lifetime.
Excellent news V! You must be so excited:)
Big congrats to both of you.
Strawberries!
My friend Jill has been going on about some gorgeous straberries she got the other day. So much so I ended up buying a punnet....which I ate...all of it...in omne sitting.
[eta] lol oh I think I should leave the typo as is, it's kind of freudian.
punnet
noun: a small light basket used as a measure for fruits
omne
beats the shit outta me?
:lol2:
Omne : om and one: a noun to describe a single sitting of nom
My god, you mean you didn't nom nom nom, but did the whole punnet in one nom? :eek:
Oh! There's something else that's making me happy *does the happy, happy; joy, joy dance*
If anybody has been following the ups and downs of my final undergrad semester theymay recall I caught a 5% deduction on my dissertation and was really worried that this would drop it down from the expected 1st class mark and crash my grade average. I also got a 15% deduction on an essay but that was only worth 20% of a 2 semester module's overall mark, where the dissertation is worth 100% of a two semester module's overall mark. 5% deduction on this could be criticial to my final degree class.
So...the happy bit is: my tutor emailed me last week to apologise that my feedback sheet couldnt be emailed as she'd done it separately from the others, by hand (mine was on extensed deadline) but that it was a 'comfortable first' and that she'd written to the head of school and exam board to see if anything cuold be done about the 5% deduction (which she thought was a little unfair). I'm not going to put too much hope in that part of it, because you never know how inflexible the system might be; but I emailed her back to ask if it would stil be a 1st with the deduction...I got an automated on holiday reply and have been waiting all week for her to get back lol
She emailed me yesterday: with this:
"Yes, definately!"
*grins* I am soooo happy. That means before the deduction it must have been a mid or high 1st. Getting a high 1st in a history dissertation at Leeds is not easy, it's a few percent at the top. To get a high 1st means original ideas. I think I may have pulled off my slightly bold new theoretical construct. Even if it's a mid 1st that's still good. Most don't get a 1st at all. I think maybe 15 or 20 %? Not sure of exact figures. But her emphatic reply I think means it was High 1st.
Enjoy your well earned happy dance. :D
*grins* oh I am. That's what gets looked at in a history degree, if you're wanting to progress through the next levels. First they look at overall mark; then they want to know about the dissertation. That's what says what kind of historian you have become.
Oh Dana! Well done! Congratulations!
:jig:
Hive five Dana, that is awesome.
Thanks! :) There's still a couple of bullets to dodge (exam results and that module with the nerfed essay mark)that still could mess with the final degree mark; but at a personal level this was big deal, in terms of proving something to myself (and the academics I'm trying to impress :P
woohoo dana...good for you! you original thinker you
What will you do next with your degree and esp a high 1% except for the obvious distinction?
There is so much a History degree can work into. What are your plans? ( that is if you even want to say at this point )
When is your graduation Dana? I think you said but I'm too lazy to look. We want pictures.
Congrats!
My first graduation at my new job was last night. It's way huger than than the old place. An entirely different atmosphere. I was giggling with my cow orkers. It was fun, but not as meaningful as the old ones where I knew a great number of the students personally. Those could make me emotional. This one was nice...but different.
Must have been a long week: I slept until 1:30. Few things make me happier than waking up and looking at the clock and realizing I can sleep more.
way to go, Dana! happy for you! :)
a posey :flower: for ya!
History is one of the very best things to know.
Especially if we can learn from it.
Especially if we can learn from it.
That's a great idea... I'd never heard that before.
Yep. Chalk me up for another dumbass post.
That's a great idea... I'd never heard that before.
You needn't worry about that.
You'll be hearing it again someday.
We knew you had it in you, even if you didn't Dana! We are witness to your brilliance on a daily basis - CONGRATS!!! (On the weight gain too - been there done that, and a lot of people don't realize for some people gaining is harding than losing....woot!)
And enjoy Alaska, V! Pics upon return, or it didn't happen.
*snort*
I can't believe you challenged me to take pictures of my camping trip. OF COURSE there will be pictures. I am guilty of not sharing/inflicting them on the general population though. I can see how you might imagine that I hike without a photojournalistic care in the world.
Wel I didn't see a camera in the FAWET lists...
Diz caught a bird!
I am so proud of him.
He's a proper grown-up cat now.
I was downstairs watching TV as the 'rents were out and I could indulge in reality shows.
Diz was in the garden.
Then I heard him do one of his mad-cat-scramble runs up the stairs. All normal for the Diz Olney household.
Or so I thought...
A few minutes later he was still crashing, banging and walloping upstairs.
Now this is not normal - usually he only does that when he is shut in.
It did cross my mind that he might have a guest, but not with any conviction.
But when I went upstairs, there he was.
Hunched over with a young starling in his mouth.
He was very good, and opened up for me pretty quickly.
Clarisse got entangled in the net curtain, and I had to free her with one hand while opening the window and holding Diz. But he was quite happy to watch this new development, only scrambling down when she was finally perched on the sill. He sent her on her way with a farewell pat.
No blood and only one or two feathers were shed.
And he walked around waowing for a while to prove how important he was (he got some of Dad's special deli ham too)
He does keep salinking into the bedroom in case she's come back, but that's typical Diz behaviour (see previous post about Diz and the spider dispensing door).
I know I am not supposed to be proud of something I had no hand in.
But soddit.
He's my clever boy. And those naughty birdies better watch out.
Happy today and yesterday. My wife surprised me with a brand new 2009 Harley Davidson Classic Road King in a rare color. Still a little shocked at how she pulled it off. It was for our 25 Wedding Aniv (Aug 09), my BD (July 09), and Fathers Day. What a woman. :thumb:
Crikey me, Merc
I should think you're pleased!
Pics please
Crikey me, Merc
I should think you're pleased!
Pics please
I will when I get it. Can't pick it up til next week.
What color Merc? Is it a man mobile, or did she get the comfy seat on the back to accompany you?
WoPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I am getting central air put in on Thursday morning!
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaa-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
happy*happy*happy dance!!!!!
:) :) :) :)
Righteous!
Hell to the YES!
It's going to be 90 with 2,000 % humidity by friday. Oh yes, that's what I said. 2,000 %. and if you don't believe me, you've never been to Ohio in the summer. It sucks, sucks, sucks
sucks. (that last one was for emphasis). It feels like fooking Tehran or Vietnam or any other 'am you can come up with. Wilting, ass-itching, drenching weather. I shall keep my home at a respectable 65 degrees until December when I'll just open up the windows.
Oh, cost? 3400. yikes.
It sucks, sucks, sucks sucks. (that last one was for emphasis).
So what you are saying is that the low pressure system in Ohio causes the high humidity? That's actually got some merit to it.
Hoy!
Read back and see my cat caught a bird!
I am expecting cards and such.
1) Hurrah for Dizzle He'sa proper growed up hardass hunting kitty now!
2) Holy shit Merc, you must have done something right!
3) Yey Bri. So cool.
Egg and chips! (as per:'I cant believe I just ate' thread)
so sorry Diz! Absolutely amazing catch, you wonder kitty! Here are some treats for you
:apaw: and :flower:
Hell to the YES!
It's going to be 90 with 2,000 % humidity by friday. Oh yes, that's what I said. 2,000 %. and if you don't believe me, you've never been to Ohio in the summer. It sucks, sucks, sucks sucks. (that last one was for emphasis). It feels like fooking Tehran or Vietnam or any other 'am you can come up with. Wilting, ass-itching, drenching weather. I shall keep my home at a respectable 65 degrees until December when I'll just open up the windows.
Oh, cost? 3400. yikes.
She speaks truthiness! We live in the Ohio Valley...humidity trap, it is.
"It's Africa hot. I didn't know it would be so hot"
--Biloxi Blues
We live in the Ohio Valley...humidity trap, it is.
Ohio Valley = Soup Bowl full o' Hot Swamp*
*no gators.
What color Merc? Is it a man mobile, or did she get the comfy seat on the back to accompany you?
It is a metallic Rootbeer brown. They only made 1400 this year in that color.
Yea, I got the big seat in the back for me.:D Oh, and a nice back rest. :D
I'd just like to say that the savage hunter is currently kipping on the pile of spare bedding in the corner of this room (the spare room).
He wants kipski, and he knows he won't get it on my lap while I'm online. Doesn't stop him being on here during the day - just that he's more serious gone 20.00. But he won't go into my room, given the choice. Noooooo, he's gotta be spitting distance.
Feeling much love for the babba today. And it is making me happy.
OH! Almost forgot to say - got my prepaid credit card through today! Immediately went to Tesco to try it out. Well....
No really, I need the exercise (walk to big Tesco - 1 hour 15 min round trip) and I had to load the card with credit to activate it. I spent less than £10, on things I needed anyway. Really needed I mean, not hair-dye & pizza.
It was SO exciting, putting my card in the slot and entering my PIN number. They didn't have chip & pin last time I had a card.
I've been letting Gaines out at night. I wake up a few times a night anyway, and check the door to see if he's back yet. I don't know what he's doing out there, but I hope he doesn't try to catch the big snapping turtle I keep seeing around.
An old school friend got in touch :) havent spoken in years and years. Good ol' Facebook:P
She sounds really happy. Working freelance as a designer (she always was an arty bugger *chuckles*) married with a gorgeous 3 year old son. She wants to get together (with a couple of other old schoolies) for a drink. Sounds like a plan! Just need to sort out overnight arrangements as they're all still on the other side of the Pennines.
Also heard (again Facebook) from my old Maths teacher. He's retired now and about to be a Grandad for the first time. Bad arthritis, but other than thathe sounds pretty chilled with life. He's been rebuilding classic motors. *Smiles* He used to terrorise the class....but I babysat his kid, so I knew he was a pussycat really lol. Got mega kudos for not being scared of him :P
Very cool, Dana.
I babysat for two different teachers' kids. My mom showed me a picture (from the Strawberry Festival!) in the newspaper of little red-headed girl triplets (maybe two years old, a little less?) who are the children of one of those little kids I used to babysit! What?
:)
Oh dont. lol. J's kid sister has her 18th next month....I remember her naming ceremony.
Pending confirmation from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, I have been selected by the School of History as one of their four candidates for a full fees and full maintenance grant scholarship. This the one. The Biggie. I am so pleased.
Way to go, Dana! That excellent!
I am sooooo happy. Soooo fucking happy. There was a lot of competition for those four nominations.
Oh crikey, Dana! Well bloody done, mate!
Thankyou:)
I am now all fired up for my research again. Just been checking out some secondary source materials to gen up on military structures and so forth. I did a module last year on it, but really need a more technical bent now. Fortunately my MA supervisor is still around (hasnt gone off for his hols yet) and he has some belting suggestions. Also been mucking about at the national Archives site. Seems most of the records I need are down at Kew, so may have to wait til I can get down there for a research trip. Got some excellent 18th C newspaper notices of deserters online though.
(of course this is less helpful for catching up on my dayjob work...lol)
Dani that's amazing, and goes to confirm what we all know about you - you're a true scholar.
Way to go Dana!
I finally persuaded
amanda to do what I wanted.
Big cheers and a round of applause. Well done, Dana.
Awesome Dana! Wooohooooo!!!!
Thanks guys:) You were the first people I told:)
Small beer compared to yours, but I've just found the missing tape measure.
Yay!
Diz must have batted it under the printer, can't imagine how it ended up there otherwise.
Its inexplicable disappearance has been puzzling me for DAYS!
lol oh I totally get that. Nothing winds me up more than losing stuff. I obsess for weeks sometimes until I find it.
lol oh I totally get that. Nothing winds me up more than losing stuff. I obsess for weeks sometimes until I find it.
This is one of the reasons I love America -you can return stuff to the stores for a refund without reason. So if I lose stuff, I pop down to Walmart, buy a replacement and bingo! When I get home the missing item reappears in a very obvious place. So I use it, nail it down for next time and return the unused product :D
Really? That's awesome. No having to prove it wasnt 'of merchantable quality'?
Yeah, with some exceptions, most stores here take returns pretty liberally.
I found some sleeping aids that should help little Max.
and this one
Yeah, with some exceptions, most stores here take returns pretty liberally.
and then some. If I shop for beest clothes and ain't sure about the sizing, I buy the one I think and one either side on the credit card, take them home for him to try and then return the other two which will get credited back to the card same billing cycle. shopping American rocks.
My stepmom used to do clothes for me that way when I was a kid, because I hated shopping. She'd go pick out ten dresses, bring them home for me to try on, and return 8-9 of them the next day.
It's a nice strategy if it works. If we did that with my daughter we'd be taking all 10 of them back!
I turned down the bike today.
It proposed nothing. The dealer, however, proposed that I take it home.
why does that make you happy?
Because they didn't make troll bikes. They are all way to big for my short boney legs. And besides, they didn't come with billy goat trailers.
lol...now that's funny! Billy goat trailers...HA!
I just made a reservation at
this restaurant for dinner on Saturday night and we'll be going to
this bar for cocktails beforehand.
We're having a girls night, and a couple of us are staying in the city overnight. It'll be the first time I've been away from Max for more than 3 hours since he was born. I think I'll miss him a lot.
Sorry I'm so late to the party, but wow! Congratulations, Dana!
Thanks Pie :)
Oh and you'll have a good time Ali. You probabl will miss him...but you'll still have a lovely time with the gang:)
It'll be good to get away for a little while, I bet, Ali.
What time should I be there? ;)
Oh oh oh! I've been summoned for jury duty *hops up and down* I feel like a proper citizen!
They are installing my central air RIGHT NOW!
and not a moment too soon.
Air conditioning is the finest invention ever known to mankind.
Leaving for Las Vegas in the am for National Rugby Tourny. Not looking forward to the plane flight or the heat.
Not much call for it around here ;) Central heating....now that's a gift from the Gods!
[eta] oh. have great fun Merc!
Air conditioning is the finest invention ever known to mankind.
Hats off to
John Gorrie. There was an article on him in the Smithsonian a while back.
Jealous of the jury duty, Dana.
I've been called up once, and it was for the week I was scheduled to move from London to Leicester.
I've wanted to serve since I was 16!
Happy tonight - Psychoville starts. 22.00 on BBC2 for those able to watch.
Okay, I've already seen it, but I get to record it this time, and rewatch and rewatch when the 'rents go away next week.
Alo,o my pottery class soothed me today.
I was dreaded this Thursday and yet I left counselling (morning) and pottery (afternoon) in a better state than I went in. I think I'd like to continue this when my OT weeks are done.
It's not on next week. And my councellor is off too (although I'm having a fill-in session with someone there I've spoken to before). So after feeling the gloom of Thursday approaching all week, I am disappointed it's not happening next week! Still, it should make me look forward to the week after more.
I'm going to be doing painting :)
As the whore said to the virgin, "IT'S IN!"
I'm not turning this baby off till there's frost on my windows.
I was just thinking about you Bri. I stepped outside and it is oppressively humid. As I pondered your new central air I remembered my rental car has A/C (and working windows.) No sweating my ass off on the way home. Wooohooooooo
As the whore said to the virgin, "IT'S IN!"
I'm not turning this baby off till there's frost on my windows.
:celebrat: :band:
Enjoy!
I got glasses today, I only ordered them yesterday. I even got a 2 for 1 deal, so lenses with anti reflective, anti scratch and something else, one frame with the magnetic sunglass clip, and one reg pair for $289. so 2 prs AND a sunglass option! Cheapest deal in our town, for the quality of frames I picked. I can see things in the distance now! Now I have to get used to them LOL
When people say nice things, when people think you're pretty darn special, and don't make you feel badly about yourself. When people are honest and forthright, and don't play the games that always end badly. When people do not make you feel as though you are at fault for everything, but that you are the source of something good and important. When giving is more important than taking, making you want to give even more of yourself.
These are the things that make me happy.
According to Ancestry.com - my latest obsession - I am related to:
Thomas More (supposedly he was my 14th great-grandfather)
Henry Thoreau
President Harry S Truman
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Jane Austen
Isaac Newton
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Lucille Ball
Hillary Clinton
and even Booker T. Washington, ROFLMAO
I'm "up" today.
Phew, finally!
Went to a meeting at Oasis (my alcohol counsellors) then stayed for group therapy. It was a large, mixed group and it went well. On the back of that, I asked my doctor for Acamprosate, which she agreed would be helpful for the next two weeks, with Mum & dad away. In some people it decreases cravings for alcohol. Given that one of the side effects is insomnia, which I suffer from anyway, the doc signed me off some Zopiclone - the only thing that has really worked for me in th past. So no matter what happens next week, I will be able to sleep!
I'm going back to group next Tuesday. Those people spoke my language.
And this time tomorrow, the 'rents will be gone. Yes - I am conflicted about that, but right now Mum is in Super-Organiser Mode, and she's buzzing about so much I am viewing their departure with far less concern than previously :) Expect that to last about 12 hours!
I'm treating myself to a pizza tomorrow night.
Naughty, naughty and all that - but far better than a bottle of vodka. Over-eating (or treat-eating) can be rationalised into an overall healthy plan over the course of a week/ fortnight/ month. Drinking binges are bad news pure and simple, and can't be excused away. Also - one drunk leads to another in my life. It's so much harder to stop when you (I) have the fallout to deal with, which always requires more drink to blunt.
Going to the chemist tomorrow, because they have to order in the Acamprosate. And to collect my two anti-dpressants, my sleeping tablets and my GORD medication. I don't like having so many pills, but at least I feel protected by them at present. Then on into town. Not much, but things to do - it helps. And then pizza and a good night sleep :)
Bullitt: That story made me cry, in a good way.
Shawnee: You ARE a good kind special person,and I know you've made me feel good in here more than once.
Cherry: Wow! I am impressed! So good to hear you so upbeat, and making plans to take good care of yourself while they're gone. You have earned that pizza my dear!
I'm "up" today.
Phew, finally!
Went to a meeting at Oasis (my alcohol counsellors) then stayed for group therapy. It was a large, mixed group and it went well. On the back of that, I asked my doctor for Acamprosate, which she agreed would be helpful for the next two weeks, with Mum & dad away. In some people it decreases cravings for alcohol. Given that one of the side effects is insomnia, which I suffer from anyway, the doc signed me off some Zopiclone - the only thing that has really worked for me in th past. So no matter what happens next week, I will be able to sleep!
I'm going back to group next Tuesday. Those people spoke my language.
And this time tomorrow, the 'rents will be gone. Yes - I am conflicted about that, but right now Mum is in Super-Organiser Mode, and she's buzzing about so much I am viewing their departure with far less concern than previously :) Expect that to last about 12 hours!
I'm treating myself to a pizza tomorrow night.
Naughty, naughty and all that - but far better than a bottle of vodka. Over-eating (or treat-eating) can be rationalised into an overall healthy plan over the course of a week/ fortnight/ month. Drinking binges are bad news pure and simple, and can't be excused away. Also - one drunk leads to another in my life. It's so much harder to stop when you (I) have the fallout to deal with, which always requires more drink to blunt.
Going to the chemist tomorrow, because they have to order in the Acamprosate. And to collect my two anti-dpressants, my sleeping tablets and my GORD medication. I don't like having so many pills, but at least I feel protected by them at present. Then on into town. Not much, but things to do - it helps. And then pizza and a good night sleep :)
So much good news, and common sense (but not dull with it)! If the 'rents are away does that give you a late pass for teh Cellar - will we see 100% attendance from SG for a fortnight? Huh?
Hugs to you, 'Girl!
FINALLY went to a therapist to deal with the festering skeletons in my closet. It was getting way too crowded in there. Felt good to let them out and breathe - now begins the long overdue process of asking them to leave.
Got my final degree classification today *smiles*
On 23rd of July, when I graduate, I will be doing so with a 1st Class Honours degree. BA(Hons) History. I did it. *dances about, deliriously happy* I fucking did it! I got my 1st. Har!
Oh Dana! Well bloody done mate! Mah-vellous! Well done!
Thankyou! Ok, I now feel proud of myself :P Now I feel like I did a Good Thing.
The tension of the last few days as the time for going in and checking the board of results drew near has been all but unbearable lol. Now I can relax and enjoy being a graduand and looking forward to becoming a graduate.
I'm over the moon. I couldn't be any happier, even if there were candyfloss clouds breaking overhead to shower me with smarties.
And just to put the icing on the cake: my best friend found out today his uni have awarded him a full fees and maintenance scholarship to do his PhD. He's also graduating this July with a 1st class BA(Hons) from a different uni.
It's all comin up roses.
Got my final degree classification today *smiles*
On 23rd of July, when I graduate, I will be doing so with a 1st Class Honours degree. BA(Hons) History. I did it. *dances about, deliriously happy* I fucking did it! I got my 1st. Har!
I ask you, was there ever any doubt?
Not from where I'm sitting there wasn't. :)
Good work.
The thing that's making me happy today is knowing Max is not going to scream his head off during the night when I ignore his whimpering for cuddles.
I just bought my son an electric guitar. It's what he wanted for his 11th birthday.
Went to the guitar shop and got a set -- this deal here:
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0301620025
He's at a Scout meeting now, but I got it out and set it up for him. Heh heh. Such a burden, you know, testing it out to make sure it works OK. ;)
I love these things. Set it right, and anyone can sound like they know what they're doing. Crimson & Clover, anyone?
I think my boys would wet themselves if i got them an electric guitar. lol
Fortunately I know I wouldn't have the patience to put up with the noise if I got one for them, plus it might bother the little one just at the moment.
Maybe when we build in the shed...:rolleyes:
The good thing about it is, you can plug earphones into the amp. So, no noise!
I'm feeling very happy and content tonight.
My 13 year old daughter was away at camp all week. I picked her up this evening, tanned a lovely golden shade that complemented her white-blonde corn-tassel hair, and in a rare good mood. :)
From the campground, I phoned in a pizza order at LaRosa's, my absolute favorite. We don't have one in our hometown, so if I want it I have to drive about 1/2 hour to pick it up. This was on the way back from the camp. I got two larges, which is about twice what we eat for dinner, so there's leftovers. Yeah, I did that on purpose. :)
Today is also our wedding anniversary. So when I got home with the kids, hubby had given me roses, a box of Russell Stovers, and a nice card. (I gave him his gift a few days ago, finding a sitter for our son so we could have some alone time, heheh.)
Then after my sweaty-from-work hubby and sweaty-from-camp daughter showered, we went to a free community concert about 1/2 hour drive away. We went to see
these guys - "cajun rock" -- they've been around town a long time. In fact, I saw them play a long time ago, if not the very first time they played out, close to it. That was more than 20 years ago! It was before I met hubby, so I'm guessing they started out in 1988. Wow! We had a lot of fun.
And my son, who just started playing guitar and will be playing saxophone next year in his school band, and my daughter who plays clarinet in the band, got to see all three instruments being used to make some really cool music. I hope they find it inspiring!
Yeah, life is very, very good. And although summer camp is good for them, I'm so glad to have my family all back together again.
Very nice, Juni. :)
I've heard of LaRosas, but never had it. Do you ever eat Marions? We always stop there when my mom and nieces and I go to a show at Victoria or Schuster.
I'm sitting on the couch with the laptop, and my son is vacuuming the living room floor, while my daughter vacuums her room. I didn't even have to force them to do it, just a suggestion.
Our team won the swim meet! the first in several years! We had maybe 40 kids vs their140. And we still won!
Way to go supercoach! *smiles*
oh I'm not the coach of this team. but thanks :) Hector got 1st in the Breaststroke and 2nd in the Freestyle, Hebe got 1st in the Free and Second in the Breast, and Thor was 4th (out of 16 - a real 4th) in the breaststroke (he didn't swim the free).
Very nice, Juni. :)
I've heard of LaRosas, but never had it. Do you ever eat Marions? We always stop there when my mom and nieces and I go to a show at Victoria or Schuster.
We do not like Marions. We've eaten there twice and were very much not impressed. They get a lot of hype around here for being so good, but I don't see it.
LaRosa's is awesome. They've got this wonderful sweet sauce - we can buy it in jars at the grocery, I don't know how far away they sell it. I heard the secret ingredient is carrots, but that might be an urban legend. :) If you ever make it as far south as Centerville, or in Cincinnati, you've gotta try LaRosa's.
SonofV and I are going camping this weekend. It's family camp and there will be sibs and moms and inlaws and outlaws. It's car camping, so nothing too adventurous. The highlight will be the Court of Honor for the troop where SonofV will receive his First Class rank advancement award.
In addition, there will be swimming and cross country bocce on the parade ground. Those boys huck that jack so far, it's about a par three just to get within measuring distance.
We do not like Marions. We've eaten there twice and were very much not impressed. They get a lot of hype around here for being so good, but I don't see it.
LaRosa's is awesome. They've got this wonderful sweet sauce - we can buy it in jars at the grocery, I don't know how far away they sell it. I heard the secret ingredient is carrots, but that might be an urban legend. :) If you ever make it as far south as Centerville, or in Cincinnati, you've gotta try LaRosa's.
Yeah, there's really nothing to Marions...which is good for little girls who just like a plain old pizza without a lot of pizzazz. For that style, I like the flavor.
I will have to try to get to C-ville sometime and try LaRosa's.
If you're ever in Newport (which, unless you're going to Lake Loramie or something there would be no reason to be) go to the Keyhole for pizza. Tell Amy I sent ya! :)
I'm sitting on the couch with the laptop, and my son is vacuuming the living room floor, while my daughter vacuums her room. I didn't even have to force them to do it, just a suggestion.
You have two vacuum cleaners?
I'm sitting on the couch with the laptop, and my son is vacuuming the living room floor, while my daughter vacuums her room. I didn't even have to force them to do it, just a suggestion.
Glatt, they must have done something very bad. Probably, something important and expensive in your house is broken. Be suspicious.
If you're ever in Newport (which, unless you're going to Lake Loramie or something there would be no reason to be) go to the Keyhole for pizza. Tell Amy I sent ya! :)
Newport KY? The Aquarium! It's on our to-do list this summer.
There are LaRosa's (LaRosases? Larosi? heehee) on Alex-Bell in Centerville, Deerfield Rd. in Lebanon, and in Middletown, I think on Rt. 123. Always happy to help. ;)
Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod. Remember I said one of my tutors hinted I should expect some more good news and mentioned the word 'prizes'?
I got an email today from my 3rd year dissertation/personal tutor. She's been trying to get hold of me by phone, and I've been trying to ring her, buit we keep missing each other. She'd said she wanted to talk to me. So....in this email, she says she really wanted to talk to me about the prizes I have won...
Turns out, I have won the Patorel Prize for best original research dissertation (very prestigious for a humanities student) and the Accenture prize for best overall performance. Ohmigod Ohmigod. Apparently they didnt impose the 5% penalty on my dissertation :) :) :)
:HIGH FIVE:
You bloody ripper Dana. :jig:
*Cheshire cat grin* Thankyou!
God I am just floating around the house now. Don't know what to do with m'self lol. I have work to do and can't concentrate. Just keep thinking 'Ohmigod!' :P
Way to go - Nice that all your hard work is finally being recognized - Congrats!
Congrats, Dana! That's wonderful!
---
I got back last night after a four day visit to my mom's. I think she's been fighting depression on and off for quite some time, now, and she had really let her house get into a pretty terrible state. I paid a surprise visit with a bucket of cleaning supplies, two boxes of trash bags, and some rubber gloves. While we didn't accomplish everything I wanted to get done, we made a lot of good progress. Carted a carload of stuff off to Goodwill, sorted through a 6 inch pile of year that has covered her dining table for about three years, and remodeled my brother's bathroom. I made Mom laugh and helped her get a kick start in getting her life back in order. So I'm happy today because I think I've set my mom moving on a good path.
wonderful news, Dana! :celebrat:
Well done, Dana!
Well done, Choco!
bloody overachiever, Dana.......
Dana, you're like staring at the sun sometimes.
Shining, and with a remaining after-image.
I bask in your reflected glory.
Choc - what a wonderful thing to do.
It's actually something that Dani did for me, before she was a nationally renowned scholar.
It made a huge difference and gave me emotional strength.
People's actions are more more accessible than their emotions when you feel you've hit rock bottom and they can really touch you.
I'm happy because I got a birthday card from a Dwellar today.
I'm NOT opening it until my actual birthday because I know they'll be in short supply this year (Mum will give me hers and Grandad's at lunch)
Something to look forward to tomorrow morning anyway :celebrat:
I got my new car today. :blush:
If there aren't pics, it didn't happen
Congrats!
Choco that's brilliant. Bet your mum feels so much lighter for it.
My mum did a similar thing with me, after I finished my exams. Got back and she'd tidied up and hoovered, but most importantly: she'd cut Pilau's fur off. It had been a source of tremendous guilt and unhappiness for me. He was so tangled and uncomfortable and the undercoat was like a thick rug. Couldn't see through it to the skin to check for ticks and so on. Knew I had to take him to the vet for a lump on his ear and his arthritis kicking in in his back legs....too ashamed to take him until I'd cut back some of the fur...but such a major job and I wasn;t up to it. When I got back from my final exam and he was skipping about looking like a puppy with his short fuzzy fur....wow, I was so happy. Such a relief.
Sundae, honey, I only just saw this :) Was out most of yesterday (picking up Dad's ashes - how typical of our family that we'd do this several months late lol) That's a very lovely thing to say :)
I've already posted in the Birthdaythread....but rather typically, my good intentions of sending cards have floundered on my utter lack of organisation:P So accept this birthday wish instead:
For this year
I hope you have, more laughs,
and fewer tears
greater triumphs
and lesser fears;
that the road you've set yourself upon
sees the culmination of things begun
opens doors you didn't know were there,
brings at least five more changes
to the colour of your hair...
...and new and smashing boots galore
to go with a new wardrobe you adore
and lots of cellar pics to post
here for your mates
who'll raise a toast
to the smashing, awesome, and classy bird
...and videos so your voice is heard
May the Diz-cat bring prizes
and may you lose two more sizes
and most of all honey,
though I wish you more money
I call for the happy and cheer you deserve.
Happy Birthday Cherry. If you triumph this year as you have the last there will be no stopping you. *hugs*
both my boys are here! :)
YAY!
I got my new car today. :blush:
That's awesome! I missed where you said what you were getting. What did you get?
A Saturn Astra. Silver. It's so pretty: sporty, quick, luxury in a small car. I've never had a brand new car before. I'm in love. :)
Thanks for asking. This is a huge deal for me.
You seriously need to get someone to take a picture of you in it, behind the wheel, to post here.
The reviews for it sounded really good. I think you bought a good car.
:thumb:
I think so too. The reason they didn't sell so well over here (though the biggest selling car in Europe, they say) is because they didn't market it well, and I think people were intimidated by the controls. I'm still learning how to use, heck, the radio!
But I really like it. I think it's perfect for me, and will last a long time.
I took some pics of it last night but it was dark and they didn't come out well. I'll get a pic w/ me to post.
Today I took my Baccalauréat exam, and now that that's over with I can finally relax for the first time in over a month. :beer:
Woo hoo Shawnee! Good for you!!!
Good for you Shawnee!
and big congrats to Frenger! Enjoy that relaxation to the max, you've earned it :)
Thanks youse guys.
WTG Frenger.
Dani that was lovely - I'm sure I didn't deserve that!
And Shaawnee - a new one - wow. You should be proud of yourself chica. Now, when are you taking it dogging ;)
I had a lovely day today.
Woke up at 05.30 - not so good. But it feels different on your birthday anyway.
Got ready slowly and went into town for a McD's. That stops this Monday (ie Monday will be the last one!) Back on hard routine after that - I intend to have new pics for you by the August Bank Holiday.
Slight angry at the buses (waited 30 mins for a bus that left from the wrong bay according to the screens) but calmed, calmer calm. Hey, It's my birthday, it's all cool.
Lovely bus ride to Berko (I filmed the trip through Tring, will put in the Aylesbury thread)
Slight wobble re the place we chose to eat - I've taken pics of the menu and I think again the Aylesbury thread is most appropriate.
They didn't have the ingredients for a Ploughmans. Or any baguettes. Mum got really cross so we went elsewhere.
Went to ASK - nice enough place.
Decent quality food, excellent company, good birthday treat had by all.
Only real sore spot of the day - I was wearing my killer cork heels. Lady in front of me stopped abruptly and I tried to sidestep her and went over on my weak ankle - I've done that in trainers and flip-flops too, just the fall is further from the platforms. Lovely lady, apologised profusely and picked me up. "Oh sorry, I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Mum responds on my behalf, "No, it's just the shoes, she can't walk in them."
Let it go, let it go.
Have a graze on my knee like a nine year old though.
ETA - as well as the meal they bought me a guide to Amsterdam with a fold-out map AND a kaftan to replace the tattered old one I wear as a cover-all/ dressing gown. They really thought about things I would appreciate and I love them for it and told them so.
Then back to the house they're sitting (shhhhhhh! very naughty!) and home for about 18.00.
18.30, my sister picks me up and we watch my nephew in his school play. I am almost never acknowldged in this way so it was very special to me.
Home to the Cellar and lovely words.
Phew!
And I have pottery tomorrow - yay!
Sounds like a very nice B-Day SG, and the pics are lovely. What's a ploughman? Do you have a menu link for the place had dinner?
Ploughmans is what was originally deemed to be a ploughman's lunch. In other words the man that followed the horses on the farm. Traditionally it is cheese, bread and pickles, although this varies greatly. Check the smallprint when you order one (or better yet have me as a natve guide).
It's on the Wetherspoon's menu, but FTR - extra mature cheddar, Melton Mowbray pork pie, pickle and a side salad garnish, with a malted grain baguette.
And here is
ASK - higher prices if you compare. They are great value in London, but London prices extend to Berkhamsted, hence no starter or dessert at our table.
Newport KY? The Aquarium! It's on our to-do list this summer.
There are LaRosa's (LaRosases? Larosi? heehee) on Alex-Bell in Centerville, Deerfield Rd. in Lebanon, and in Middletown, I think on Rt. 123. Always happy to help. ;)
Thanks Juni! :)
Actually, I meant Newport OH...a little tiny piece of land with two bars, on route 66 in The Great White North. Have you heard of the country concert? It's around those parts.
However, I've been to Newport Aquarium and it is fantabulous!
The 'rents are home today.
Drive me crackers as they do (sometimes, only sometimes) I did miss them.
I tried to live pretty much by their rules, but still felt a special effort was necessary today in terms of cleaning. Okay, Mum's rules - Dad's just involved the garden and as it's been raining since Sunday it's pretty much taken care of itself.
Anyway, got Mum some flowers to welcome her back. Very simple because she'll be annoyed if I spend too much money. Got them to open nicely though.
Am providing a pick n choose meal on a sort-of tapas basis, because they don't know exactly what time they'll be back. All the food can be eaten over the next few days anyway, so if they've eaten a late lunch, or snacked (I know my parents) it won't go to waste.
ETA - the platter list
Orkney crab pate
Tiger prawns
North Atlantic prawns
Chilli & coriander king prawns
Honey Roast Scottish salmon flakes
Peppered mackerel
Lemon mayonnaise dip
Pic 1 - the flowers.
Pic 2 - the M&S fish platter which forms the backbone (!) of dinner. I'll report in more detail when I find an appropriate food thread.
How sweet of you! Very nice, Sundae! The flowers are really gorgeous. :flower:
Only about half an hour to go until...
12:34:56 7/8/'9
Only about half an hour to go until...
12:34:56 7/8/'9
Unless you are in a country that puts the day before the month. Then you'd be a month early. :D
First thing Mum said - literally the first thing, "Did you water the baskets out front? They're looking really parched."
Luckily it improved from there on in.
Although the lavender simmering granules I bought her (she loves the smell of lavender) were overpowering apparently, and she made retching noises to get across how she felt.
She loved the food and drink at least.
And had no other complaints, so I guess the interior was up to muster - or at least close enough that it wasn't worth making a deal out of.
I got a kiss for the flowers though. Reckon I gauged those just right :)
Beautiful flowers, and that fish platter has my mouth watering. :) Must go find food!
Mia (parents' cat) is behaving more normally now they're back. Normal for her anyway. And even though they disappeared off at 08.30 this morning.
Well, she seems happier, and that's a relief. Diz is my darling, but he is a jealous cat, and can be a bully.
And I had a great counselling session today!
And pottery this afternoon.
Feel really positive.
Excuse the sly digs at Mum in #4328.
I should swallow them for 24 hours and see if they still bother me. 9/10 they won't, so I shouldn't mention them. I am glad they're back. In fact we talked and laughed and enjoyed tea so much I completely forgot to take pics of the full spread. Which is a good thing, really.
Living vicariously through other people's happy posts here - lovely to see them all, especially a splatter of them from SG!
My billy goat has a pet (or symbiant?) turkey.
Get out the video camera.
Yea, Awesome news. What did you get?
We bought a bunch of chickens at the feed store a couple weeks back, but one was funny lookin'. He appears to be a broad breasted white, yummy. I've been considering a small flock of traditional birds so we'll see how this guy fares in the goat yard as turkeys are apparently not supposed to run with chickens due to disease issues. Video when I get a chance.
Sundae sent the kids a big box of assorted biscuits, they were waiting at our door when I brought them home from their grandparents yesterday. They spent a long time checking out each variety and reminiscing about the ones Ducks sent from AUS at xmas.
Also (best part), the packing material was all take-out menus!
Thanks SG - you made our day. :D
You're welcome - it was lovely to come here and find out it had arrived. I hadn't expected delivery until at least next week.
We saw a good sized black bear mtn biking today. He was pretty stealthy but too big to sneak by unobserved.
We saw a good sized black bear mtn biking today. He was pretty stealthy but too big to sneak by unobserved.
:eek: What kind of bike was he riding??
20" it was funnier than hell. [COLOR="White"]smartass[/COLOR]
hey SG. That was a lovely thing to do.
Now how much did it cost? What % of your income was that? Biscuits and shipping? No shit chica, I know this is the happy happy thread but WTF are you playing at? As a family with a decent income, we wouldn't spend that much on fancy biccies in a year. That on top of the M&S fishy dinner and roses for your parents (which would also be outside of our budget)..... get a grip! (Sorry Jim and jinx, I know I'm peeing on your pressie parade) but SG, I've kept it shut for some time now and i can't any more. You spend outside of our budget and I'm pretty damn sure that even though we have 3 kids, we have more expendable income than you do.
i know you're depressed and I know that buying pressies for people makes you happier, but i also know that being broke and financially dependant on your parents also makes you depressed.
I also know you have the strength to do something if you really set your mind and heart to it. I know that becase of your incredible weight loss. Now you need to apply the same determination to your finances and then you'll be home and free.
Would it help to envision every pound spent in money as a pound gained in weight?
I know I'm coming across as a complete bitch and wet blanket here, but please believe me, its a tough love post. if I didn't like you so much, I'd say nothing.
You know monster, for a moment I thought the same thing as you, but then I remembered people saying the same thing to me when as a single parent and full time student working only part time, I prepared nice food which most people would consider to have been outside my budget.
Honestly, and with all respect and understanding of your point of view, I think that it's really up to Cherry to decide what she considers worthwhile and affordable. If she scrimps on herself for a week in order to afford a few luxuries for people she considers friends or loved ones and it brings her some satisfaction in whatever way, then that's what she should do. Really, she is a grown up and is as you say, capable of many things many people couldn't achieve for a number of reasons.
I don't want to be an arse, but I think that the last thing Cherry probably needs is criticism. Gifting, from what I can tell, is what brings her joy. Don't make her feel bad about that mate.
LJ has laid them out in a stunning array of colour and excitement.
But if you look, you will see three packets of supermarket biscuits, and two branded. I honestly can't believe that supermarket branded goods are out of your price range.
The rest of the picture is the free take-away menus I used to package them.
I am not living beyond my means.
I don't smoke, I no longer drink. I don't drive a car. All of those would be within the realms of "acceptable" expenditure. I was offered - very kindly - money from people in the Cellar - which i turned down. And yes I am currently paying off all the debts I accrued in Leicester.
There is no reason for anything I spend to be questioned, unless everyone is questioned on every single dollar they spend too.
I don't really have the energy to say any more than that right now, but I would like this to stop please.
I'm sorry, you're right, I just worry about you so much. Please accept my apology for interfering. I think I'll take a break from the cellar for a while.
You just expressed your opinion. I see no reason for you to break up with us.
We love you monnie!
edit: I understand that mon's post didn't sit well with you, SG. But I also think she was just expressing the way she feels about such things. My bff (;) ) is very frugal. There have been times when she has expressed to me "now why on earth would you do THAT?" I shrug. I don't know. I'm not you? She doesn't mean anything to offend me: we just think very differently on such matters. In the Cellar, we can hear (read) such things and get 100 differing opinions, but we should know that we can take each with a grain of salt, and know that without being in our particular situation they can't possibly see that we are making decisions with thought and deliberation.
I'm not one to talk, you all know certain things that set me off, but I wanted to point out that I think you and monster are very different in these matters, and she does care about you.
I'll shut up now...
I just passed my knowledge test for my drivers license. I now have my "L". Once I have that for a year I can get my "N", then a year after that, be a legal driver with no restrictions. Finally.... my hubby will stop bugging me about it. ( I didn't really want my driver's license, but he wants me to have my independence and be able to take the car without him sometimes.
Good work Jaydaan! :)
I'm happy today because the kids have gone back to school after a 2 week break. I love having them here with me, but it really is nice to have my peace and quiet back. :)
I know this doesn't mean anything to any of you, but: I've been thinking about stretching my lobes from 8 to 6 gauge, which is usually a pretty hard jump. This morning my 6 gauge plugs slid right in with no prep! Sweet!
I can live in my own house now. I've been having to housesit for my boss and commute to take care of my family (dogs). Feels good to be home at night. It's uncomfortable for me to leave my modest lifestyle and step into the realm of the super rich. Sometimes I'm actually PROUD to be middle class. Working there is fine. But when the work day ends, I wanna go home.
no, her REAR lobes.
laf
that took me a minute to get. well....like 35 seconds.
I was in the mall, and picked up a jacket on clearance.
Clairborne, originally $275, clearance $30.
Now, I thought I read it wrong.
But no.
And to find it in my size, pretty damn sweet.
Good for you Capn. And I agree - middle calss suits mewell. (Less pretense.)
And I get it Cloud - I know piercing is your passion, so I guess congrats would be in order?
The whisky is starting to work, at last.
Good night.
What's making me happy today is my scale. It seems I've finally convinced my baby fat to take a hike!
I got back test results from a procedure I had last week - NORMAL! After 5 years of abnormal. Thinking it will stick when I go back in 3-4 months.
Have a new nephew! SO cute and excited. Can't wait to see him even though it will be some time cause they are in TX and I am in NC.
Good day today
If a bbro leaves NC, walking at a speed of 3mph, for 8 hrs/day, how long before the new nephew graduates from high school will she arrive? :haha:
How long will it take if he is on a treadmill?
Thanks Clod!
Yea, I don't think I am going to be walking on foot or a treadmill. Even with casters :)
Just take the plane and leave the treadmill. And bring a sha... I mean a dolphin.
Friends make me happy today.
My bestfriend (J) is graduating today *smiles* I am so proud of him. He's graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Design for Computer Games. And next week he starts his new job at the university as a junior assistant lecturer. They've pulled out all the stops to keep him at the university for his PhD, up to and including shimmying their departmental budget about to get him a maintenance grant and 8 hours a week teaching. He musthave impressed the hell out of them:) Doesn't surprise me. He's brilliant.
I got my diploma certificate and ID card for my TIPS certification today. Now I am licensed to get people high on alcohol.
just make sure you use the right color TIPS report cover sheets
I'm putting that post in my incident log.
*aside*
They didn't include how not to get drunk while serving in the course.
Via.
Here’s an excellent example of pwnage: when the white supremacist group VNN Vanguard Nazi/KKK tried to host a hate rally in Knoxville, Tennessee, they were foiled by … clowns!
Unfortunately for [VNN] the 100th ARA (Anti Racist Action) clown block came and handed them their asses by making them appear like the asses they were.
Alex Linder the founder of VNN and the lead organizer of the rally kicked off events by rushing the clowns in a fit of rage, and was promptly arrested by 4 Knoxville police officers who dropped him to the ground when he resisted and dragged him off past the red shiny shoes of the clowns.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s shouted, “White Flour?” the clowns yelled back running in circles throwing flour in the air and raising separate letters which spelt “White Flour”.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s angrily shouted once more, “White flowers?” the clowns cheers and threw white flowers in the air and danced about merrily.
“White Power!” the Nazi’s tried once again in a doomed and somewhat funny attempt to clarify their message, “ohhhhhh!” the clowns yelled “Tight Shower!” and held a solar shower in the air and all tried to crowd under to get clean as per the Klan’s directions.
At this point several of the Nazi’s and Klan members began clutching their hearts as if they were about to have a heart attack. Their beady eyes bulged, and the veins in their tiny narrow foreheads beat in rage. One last time they screamed “White Power!”
The clown women thought they finally understood what the Klan was trying to say. “Ohhhhh…” the women clowns said. “Now we understand…”, “WIFE POWER!” they lifted the letters up in the air, grabbed the nearest male clowns and lifted them in their arms and ran about merrily chanting “WIFE POWER! WIFE POWER! WIFE POWER!”
I got a new whipper snipper today. It's a Stihl FS45C Line Trimmer. It's so awesome, and now my lawns will look much better. :)
Pie, that is bloody awesome! CLOWN POWER!!! :notworthy
i listen to the song Dancing Queen again in accident, it's very beautiful!
Mr. Clod fixed the air conditioner! And, now that we know what's wrong with it (hard water buildup in the drain pipe, as opposed to some other type of clog) I have an action plan to pour CLR down all drains daily for a month or so, to make sure the same thing doesn't happen on one of the larger internal house pipes. I'll never know for sure, but I have a suspicion discovering this small problem has prevented us from a much larger and more expensive one down the line.
Is it some sort of evaporating AC unit? Like a swamp cooler?
If not, I don't understand how hard water could do anything to an AC unit. The water comes from the condensation from the air and should have no minerals in it. Regular AC units aren't even hooked up to the plumbing. Our AC unit gets slime growing in the drain pipe because it's constantly dripping the wet condensate, but it dries out and the slime dies during the winter months, so it has never been a problem.
I only mention this because it's probably totally unrelated to your house drains, and flushing chemicals down your drains will just cost money and may do nothing.
I don't know what kind of unit it is... We pour bleach in the little drain pipe every six months, but it still got clogged (which we discovered when the drain pan overran and water started dripping from the light fixture in the ceiling.) When Mr. Clod got the air compressor up there, plugged the appropriate holes, and blew it out, huge chunks of calcified crap came out of the end of the pipe outside the house, and now it flows freely again. The stuff was beige and shaped like the inside of the pipe, so I'm certain it was mineral buildup. Maybe our condensate is just really minerally out here? Or maybe it drains some sort of other water source as well? I don't know.
glatt is worried you might be flushing money down the drain. :::silent chuckle:::
*shrugs shoulders* beats me.
Two days and counting! Two more days and one night of being a mere graduand. God I am so excited.
Only fly in my ointment is I don't get to wear a mortar board! Apparently we don't do that in our school (not sure if other schools within the uni do. probably not). When i went to J's graduation on Friday he was wearing a mortar board. And he had black robes. In fact he looked like he was just missing the dark wood panelled halls of a British public school full of boisterous upperclass boys. Mr Chips. I want to wear a mortar board!
But yeah....that's a fairly minor quibble :P
I may be a little giddy for the next couple of days.
[eta] oh yeah! and my dissertation's been put on the school's showcase site (History First) as a downloadable pdf :) I was so shit scared reading the dissertations on there in the run up to writing my own. Now mine will be one of the ones scaring the shit out of next year's undergrads :P I may already have mentioned that. It's tickled me quite a lot, that thought :P
[aeta] Oh and another thing! Went to J's grad on Friday. This was very lovely and I felt quite moved. Best of all: he chose his uni in part because it was one of the very few atthe time offering a degree in his subject (Design for Computer Games) and because Peter Molyneux is connected to the uni in some way and sponsors a prize for creative innovation. J was pretty buzzed up on that and set it as a personal goal to aim for. He only bloody well went and did it! Won the award. Well-deserved too imo. He designed and (mostly)built a genuinely original and interesting game. It's a prototype so not everything is fully functional, but enough to get the general flavour of the game. He worked so hard on it. Is still working on it. I'm so thrilled for him.
flushing money down the drain --get it?
Congrats again, Dana; I haven't heard the word graduand since I was one!
I have never worn a mortar board either. My bachelor's involved a hood, and the D was a giant floppy hat. Walk proud across that stage, and don't rush it. Savour the moment. [COLOR="Wheat"] Wear a handshake buzzer. Or wheelies.[/COLOR]
Flint, yeah, nice one.
Re Clod's drains:
I agree with Glatt - condensate cannot be mineralised. It is literally distilled water. And if your A/C is a refrigerative unit - most are - it doesn't take tap water.
Yet Clod reliably describes beige chunks of calcified crap blown out of the pipes.
So, WTF is it and where is it coming from?
Here's a theory.
Regular condensation is trickling down the pipes. This allows slime and algae to thrive. The conditions in Texas add a steady supply of wind-blow dust which collects in the pan and is washed down into the pipe by the flowing condensate. It is trapped by the algae and incorporated into the make-up of the algae. This mix of dust and slime is your beige crap. Technically, this might even be a stromatolite.
If this is correct, then you may even be able to see layers of dust/algae/dust/algae in a cross section of the chunks, but maybe not.
Suggestions:
Examine the beige crap to see if this theory might be right. Look for slime and dust layers. A modest optical microscope might reveal the layers, or algal cell structures, and might also show up obviously wind-blown debris: pollen, feather fragments, leaf fragments, etc etc.
You said calcified - one test for calcite is that it bubbles vigorously when Hydrochloric Acid is dropped on it. If you don't have HCl ready to hand, try the CLR and see.
Ultimately, I suggest taking some samples into a university geology lab and asking around. Someone will be willing to help.
If it is this mix of dust and water-nurtured slime, I suggest seeing if it is possible to reduce the entry of dust into the system. Regardless of the cause, regular flushing maintenance sounds wise.
I would also suggest getting a camera-on-a-hose-thingie to have a look at your other drain pipes before you commit to pouring strong chemicals (yes, Flint, and money) down your drains on a regular basis. It may well be that only the AC drain is affected this way.
Enjoy, Dana! You've worked hard for this.
PS Mortar boards are all in fun until someone throws theirs and someone loses an eye.
What's making me happy? That Dana has empathy for cockroaches.
for some reason, this is unsurprising and delightful at the same time.
Congrats Dana. From what I have been reading on here over the last few, you have completely deserved it. Enjoy.
What's the next degree? :D
Since the salad bar at work now sucks, I've brought in my own sunflower seeds and chinese noodles. Today, they didn't even bother re-filling the cottage cheese. So I wandered around the cafe for what seemed like days trying to find something to eat that wasn't fat-stuffed carbs or carb-stuffed fats. I noticed, amidst the Vegetarian Hummus Grand Wrap With Bacon and Feta and Alfalfa Sprouts and someone's Special Sauce that you can actually buy a (drumroll please) Turkey and Cheese on Wheat sandwich. Just a regular old sandwich. No, I don't want mayo. No, I don't want whatever Flossie Mae dug out of her backyard sprinkled with peppercorns and a hint of garlic paste and sun-dried tomatoes and organic dirt. Just a sandwich.
Really, there's way too much going on in food these days.
What's the next degree? :D
Third.
:nadkick: :smashfrea:dedhorse:
:P The next degree is a Mastership by Research:) Starting in September.
Third.
Then you can decide if you want to go Scottish Rite or York Rite...
My husband surprised me with a longhorn cow with a 3 month old calf, and a 1 year old donkey. Been busy teaching the calf & donkey halter manners and grooming the donkey - who really needs it. I haven't worked with an equine for years.
Got my snit in perspective.
Back where I belong.
I'm on vacation.
Alaska, HO!
What will you ask the ho?
I got a laptop today. An old one, but its mine... all mine :P
I'm on vacation.
Alaska, HO!
What will you ask the ho?
Well, now that she isn't governor anymore, she needs to make a living
somehow.
but can she screw russia from her porch?
My husband surprised me with a longhorn cow with a 3 month old calf, and a 1 year old donkey. ... I haven't worked with an equine for years.
:eyebrow::eek::blush:
Got my snit in perspective.
Back where I belong.
Good lass :)
SG is back. :)
Me happy.
SG maketh me happy.
me 3
me6
Upgraded computer at work. What a difference. I have two monitors, for reconciliation purposes, and they were also upgraded from 15" to 17". They seem huge. I feel like I'm parked in the front row at the drive-in movie theater.
Har! I am no longer a lowly graduand! I have graduated *does the happy happy dance*
More details and pics when I have sobered up:P
Woot for V's vacation,
Double Woot for Dana! Way to go babe!!!
And Triple Woot that Cherry is back! The cellar felt dark without you!!!
I'm sneezing like a ---oh, wait. Wrong thread.
We just got our order of "Dead like Me" DVD's in the mail. I can't wait to watch the whole thing from start to finish. If no one has had a chance to see it you can read a review here. Basically it is a dark comedy about this 18yo girl who gets killed by a toilet making re-entry from a dead Soviet Space station and she becomes a Grim Reaper. They help people transition to death but she is stuck in this pergatory doing the work. It really is funny.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Like_MeAw thanks darlin's.
It means a LOT.
Mr Shah (corner-store owner, proper stereotype) told me today I looked lovely.
I don't. Not to me, and surely not to a 70+ asian man.
But hey - if he likes me make-the-best-of-it baby mohowak, I'll just accept the compliment :)
Dani - yay! You go girl! Congrats on your graduation.
[COLOR="White"]PS - I was smiling at Mr Shah, not doing a fake-punk snarl.[/COLOR]
I am happy because Mr. Clod has actually kept up with his newly-inspired workout schedule. He has cut a piece of plywood to balance across the arms of the treadmill, and figured out how to make his laptop a slave to the PVR over the wireless. So not only is he exercising, he's finishing off countless episodes of crappy anime series, so I don't have to be subjected to them in the livingroom.
It don't get no better than....
I am happy because Mr. Clod has actually kept up with his newly-inspired workout schedule. He has cut a piece of plywood to balance across the arms of the treadmill, and figured out how to make his laptop a slave to the PVR over the wireless. So not only is he exercising, he's finishing off countless episodes of crappy anime series, so I don't have to be subjected to them in the livingroom.
awesome. sadly too late for beest and his Battlestar Galactica directors' podcast fixation, but next time he latches onto something aweful I'll remember this....
Finally put new rear struts on the Cellar Car. One of the rears was totally shot and was bottoming out, and the whole thing was getting seriously unsafe. I could hardly accelerate on some rainy streets -- the weight shifted to the rear so hard that the front wheels lost traction! Now it rides like awesome and makes me happy.
Just got two tix to Priest/Whitesnake at Red Rocks for $61.50!!! Woohoo! And a friend got us tix for Rain too......considering Crue Fest too........I am a live music whore!!!
I am going to pick up my "new" motorcycle this morning. I paid for it and did the paperwork yesterday evening at the local Honda shop, but we were having torrential rain so I left it there. Pics pending. WOO HOO!
I am not now drunk. That makes me happy because it's not always the case.
I'm not drunk too!
Not what I came here to say, but it's always worth saying for me.
I booked tickets to La Cage Aux Folles today :)
Mum had theatre vouchers as a present when she retired (3 years ago) but she and Dads could never quite agree on the show. When I told Mum I'd love to see John Barrowman (Cap'n Jack) as Albin - thinking tickets in The Gods - she offered to use her vouchers as long as I booked it. OPENING NIGHT! And we're in the stalls!
Given my druthers I'd have booked one of the cabaret tables later in the run (same price as stalls, just harder to get hold of) because the lead sings directly to you. If you're in seat A1 they hold your hand in one certain number. I asked Mum and - get this - she said. "I'd do it for you" which is a complete reversal of Mum's usual abhorrence of being looked at. For me! I didn't go for it but it was worth a lot. I mean, seriously - I am so made up about our tickets, but more than that - Mum wanted us to go together AND Mum would have been in a public seat to please me.
I decided first night was better, because even though La Barrowman is a seasoned performer, you can't tell whether he'll be ill on a specific night. But let's face it, even if he has swine flu, he won't miss his opening night - he might have to be wheeled on at the end, but we can star-spot anyway. And whatever Mum says, I know she will be happier in the stalls. And I do love her, and this is her treat after all.
Oh - just realised I forgot to say - Mum & I had a really intense conversation last week.
Too intense to report at the time.
I actually managed to say how worried/ upset her anger made me, and suggest she went back into counselling. She shared more about how my drinking had affected her, without being nasty. It was all painful, but crikey I felt better after. Like getting a head on a spot.
Oh - and Yo Sushi have a Monday deal :)
I'm gonna take Mum to Yo Sushi - which Dads would hate - and have a blue plate special. Even if she doesn't love it (the food) she'll love it (the experience) because she'll be telling all her friends about it for months. I do love her, you know. She can cut me to the bone, but I love her. And I know despite her horror at silly things like my hair and my clothes, she quite likes having a daughter she can talk about.
I am going to pick up my "new" motorcycle this morning. I paid for it and did the paperwork yesterday evening at the local Honda shop, but we were having torrential rain so I left it there. Pics pending. WOO HOO!
Congrats! Can't wait to see it. That makes 4 of us, I think, who ride.
I'm not drunk too!
Not what I came here to say, but it's always worth saying for me.
I booked tickets to La Cage Aux Folles today :)
Mum had theatre vouchers as a present when she retired (3 years ago) but she and Dads could never quite agree on the show. When I told Mum I'd love to see John Barrowman (Cap'n Jack) as Albin - thinking tickets in The Gods - she offered to use her vouchers as long as I booked it. OPENING NIGHT! And we're in the stalls!
Given my druthers I'd have booked one of the cabaret tables later in the run (same price as stalls, just harder to get hold of) because the lead sings directly to you. If you're in seat A1 they hold your hand in one certain number. I asked Mum and - get this - she said. "I'd do it for you" which is a complete reversal of Mum's usual abhorrence of being looked at. For me! I didn't go for it but it was worth a lot. I mean, seriously - I am so made up about our tickets, but more than that - Mum wanted us to go together AND Mum would have been in a public seat to please me.
I decided first night was better, because even though La Barrowman is a seasoned performer, you can't tell whether he'll be ill on a specific night. But let's face it, even if he has swine flu, he won't miss his opening night - he might have to be wheeled on at the end, but we can star-spot anyway. And whatever Mum says, I know she will be happier in the stalls. And I do love her, and this is her treat after all.
Oh - just realised I forgot to say - Mum & I had a really intense conversation last week.
Too intense to report at the time.
I actually managed to say how worried/ upset her anger made me, and suggest she went back into counselling. She shared more about how my drinking had affected her, without being nasty. It was all painful, but crikey I felt better after. Like getting a head on a spot.
Oh - and Yo Sushi have a Monday deal :)
I'm gonna take Mum to Yo Sushi - which Dads would hate - and have a blue plate special. Even if she doesn't love it (the food) she'll love it (the experience) because she'll be telling all her friends about it for months. I do love her, you know. She can cut me to the bone, but I love her. And I know despite her horror at silly things like my hair and my clothes, she quite likes having a daughter she can talk about.
Great stuff SG! Glad to hear you are healing some relationships with your Mum.
Congrats! Can't wait to see it. That makes 4 of us, I think, who ride.
I've hardly parked it long enough for pics since I picked it up Sat. AM..... I'm going outside to try some in the dark now. If it don't work out I'll get some maybe tomorrow.
BTW... I'll be in Sav'h Sat. 8/08 for a Moose lodge Legion meeting. I'll be with a group of fellow officers and I'm not sure about the schedule yet. If I can break away from biz long enough I'll let you know via laptop. A lot of ifs right now.... will know more soon.
I've hardly parked it long enough for pics since I picked it up Sat. AM..... I'm going outside to try some in the dark now. If it don't work out I'll get some maybe tomorrow.
BTW... I'll be in Sav'h Sat. 8/08 for a Moose lodge Legion meeting. I'll be with a group of fellow officers and I'm not sure about the schedule yet. If I can break away from biz long enough I'll let you know via laptop. A lot of ifs right now.... will know more soon.
No problem. I have a 48 hour shift 8/9. Friday night would be my only possiblity unless you are around the following week, just let me know.
Can't wait to see the pics.
Pics not too good tonight... will get some tomorrow in daylight.
[ATTACH]24361[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]24362[/ATTACH]
The Cellar is making me happy today.
I've been a little low of late. The last week or so. Been able to feel depression nibbling at my heels. That's the trouble with Summer, if you're involved in academic pursuits...you have to stop running for the Summer. You stand still. Deadlines are a thing of autumn and spring. Summer is a hiatus: deadlines are selfimposed and lack the urgency to keep you in motion. Enter stage left: intrusive thoughts. Unhelpful, pessimistic, self-deriding little tendrils of something dark and unwanted. Took a while to recognise their flavour.
Today is a better day. Recognition brings acceptance, and fresh mindset. So today I logged on to the Cellar and was open to its charms. I am reminded again of the warmth and ordinariness of these connections.
Specifically what's made me happy is an update pm on a dwellar's tribulations; and Sundae's little entry above. With little steps we climb the mountains. Our little expeditionary force of humans. And every such step is worth a smile.
My kid was homesick at fencing camp the first night but I've had three joyful calls home since.
Got some good news in the PM box as well, let's all keep hoping.
A KILLER thunderstorm early this morning (Bri can attest, I'm sure.) It was absolutely awesome!
Congrats! Can't wait to see it. That makes 4 of us, I think, who ride.
Five :D
A KILLER thunderstorm early this morning (Bri can attest, I'm sure.) It was absolutely awesome!
It WAS! COOL! It's still sorta going on down here, Shawnee....your way too?
I don't know about home, but I've been watching the window here all day, lightning and rain, wishing the electric would go out. I am sleeeeeeeppppppyyyyyyyy. :zzz:
You have windows?! Sometimes I forget that windows exist.
I got lucky, got a window cubie in the cube farm. I can see some hospital from my window. :)
That brick wall on the backside of the hospital with no windows on it is where I sit.
You have windows?! Sometimes I forget that windows exist.
They don't exist for you, you IT Morlock. Get back to work.
That brick wall on the backside of the hospital with no windows on it is where I sit.
coz you're a radiation guy, right? gotta keep those mrem's down.
Nah, that radiation jazz ain't for me, baby. I just manage the PACS. I never was an RT--I skipped that part.
The Cellar is making me happy today.
I've been a little low of late. The last week or so. Been able to feel depression nibbling at my heels. That's the trouble with Summer, if you're involved in academic pursuits...you have to stop running for the Summer. You stand still. Deadlines are a thing of autumn and spring. Summer is a hiatus: deadlines are selfimposed and lack the urgency to keep you in motion. Enter stage left: intrusive thoughts. Unhelpful, pessimistic, self-deriding little tendrils of something dark and unwanted. Took a while to recognise their flavour.
Today is a better day. Recognition brings acceptance, and fresh mindset. So today I logged on to the Cellar and was open to its charms. I am reminded again of the warmth and ordinariness of these connections.
Specifically what's made me happy is an update pm on a dwellar's tribulations; and Sundae's little entry above. With little steps we climb the mountains. Our little expeditionary force of humans. And every such step is worth a smile.
It's probably also got a lot to do with finally graduating Dana. At some level you're probably still trying to create new meaning over your new status and all that mumbo jumbo.
I'm glad you're feeling better now though.
I am a shitty photographer, but anyway....
[ATTACH]24365[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]24366[/ATTACH]
This evening, I shall be dining on yummy, delicious sushi. Haven't had sushi in over a year - I'm really looking forward to it!
This evening, I shall be dining on yummy, delicious sushi. Haven't had sushi in over a year - I'm really looking forward to it!
Have you been pregnant?
My hubby was surfing for a "surprise" for me, and BOY did he surprise me.. he bought me a lingerie/toy business!!! :)
I guess we both have a second job now"!! ROFL
When you say "toy" business ... we're not talking building blocks and barbie dolls, are we?
I will pick up my bike this afternoon from the shop. They're mounting new saddle bags for me.
At least I can be happy about it all day..... until I write the check. OUCH!
ETA: All links are to the Cellar.
Got my pottery yesterday.
Here and
here.
And found out Timothy Dalton will be in Dr Who.
Here.
My (chilli) peppers are finally blooming.
Here.
Sorry for the self-referencing.
Okay, not really sorry ;)
But these are all reasons to be cheerful, and I wanted to share them with you.
I've been having a shitty time of it recently.
My own fault - but of course that's why it's made me even more miserable.
But it looks like it's turning round, and if I can love life again - or tbh, even be on nodding terms with it - it's a vast improvement.
I LOVE the pottery!!!!! I think that bowl is absolutely stunning and I covet it!! goody goody! A real "forever" piece.
Yay for Dr. Who and yay on your chili peppers! Beautiful containers and may I congratulate you on growing them in a temperate zone! You are doing very well, sweetie. I can't even get off my own ass and I've no excuse except Extreme Laziness. All these things are good-good-good. All very life-affirming stuff.
Now excuse me while I go lie on the couch. For the next 24 hours. I'll be reading and eating.
It's only been a month since my car was slammed into (yes, I'm being sarcastic) but finally the other ins comp has accepted liability. My attorney is calling them then letting me know the details. This should avoid me paying the deductible and waiting for reimbursement. If they go just a little faster then I might still be able to find a car almost like the one I bought (don't remember if I mentioned they totalled it out.)
Baby steps to the light at the end of the funnel. I know it's supposed to be tunnel but I feel as if I've been shoved through a funnel.
MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...funnel cake....Mmmmmmmmmmmm....
That is so funny...I walked into the quad at lunch and I SWEAR I smelled sugar waffles or funnel cakes or some such confection. Man that sounds good! :)
Good luck with the car Shawnee... These things never move forward at more than a crawl :(
Happy today because it's butterfly season!
I've seen so many Cabbage Whites in the last three weeks I was beginning to believe they were the only butterflies left in this country. But the last few days I've seen Tortoiseshells, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals and Peacocks too (listed in order of my preference!). Still more Cabbage Whites than anything though - and they all seem to be mating above the 'rents' garden. Maybe that's why there's so many of them?!
It's lovely though - a constant movement above the garden.
It sounds very lovely. Maybe I'll get off my butt next spring and plant a butterfly-attracting garden...and put out some hummingbird feeders. :)
We have three buddlia - aka butterfly bushes - in the vicinity. One in our garden and another one each in the neighbours' gardens to the left and right. Also we have roses and dog roses along each side.
Oh and the dense whirring of wings comes from the fact my Dad spends a fortune on birdseed. I didn't realise (and I bet Mum doesn't) until the prodigious amount he left out/ filled up was gone five days after they left. Okay, it's pretty cheap by the sack, but they get through one a fortnight! I've refilled the grain feeders, but they've had to do without the fat balls. Then again, they've been getting Grandad's leftover bread, and Diz's leftover chicken... Although I can't guarantee a local cat hasn't snarfed that.
How I'd love to be able to get hummingbirds!
:eek: She said "fat balls" (snigger) :D
... the fact my Dad spends a fortune on birdseed...
Me too. :D
It sounds very lovely. Maybe I'll get off my butt next spring and plant a butterfly-attracting garden...and put out some hummingbird feeders. :)
My skimming resulted in me reading this as " . . . a butterfly-attacking garden."
:smack: That's what I meant! Ooops.
;)
Our spear pump has water again, so I can water my other plants as well as my veges! :)
I'm planning the trip on 14 September for Mum and me.
That's the date we're seeing John Barrowman on his opening night in La Cage Aux Folles in the West End.
In case you missed the other times I mentioned it.
I've accepted I will not get to Amsterdam this year.
Much as I planned it, I know I can't cope with it. And I'd probably royally screw myself up right now if I went.
SOME of my savings are being directed to this date.
Hang on - Monster's on holiday, right? :)
No, seriously - Mum is happy with what I pay her in housekeeping, and also appreciates the need for me to have things to look forward to. She isn't quite as excited about the performance as I am - she loves musicals the same, but is not as struck by the Barrowman.
SO.
NOT spending all my savings. Just enough to make it a super-special day.
Plan so far.
11.30 - London Walk. Darkest Victorian London ("peeling forbidden fruit") Cheaper than a film, but much MUCH more engaging.
13.00 - Lunch at Yo Sushi! Probably in Selfridges. There's about 4 in Central London that offer a Blue Plate Special on Mondays. Mum has never eaten sushi, but she'll love it.
14.30ish - haircut for Cherry! Yay! Off to Hair by Fairy, who did my hair beautifully when I first went short (when it was lilac). £13.50 - cheaper than the butchered job I got from the home hairdresser here.
16.00ish (after wandering round Covent Garden) cocktails at Harvey Nichols. The one expensive part of the day (they are £10.95-£15.00 each! We'll only have one! And mine will be alcohol free) Thing is, Mum has never been to Harvey Nicks, has always wanted to, but no-one else had the front to take her. I don't need designer clothes to hold my own. And bloody hell - Mum has put with me for 9 months.
17.00 - Dinner at a J D Wetherspoons just off Trafalgar Square. Two meals for under a tenner.
18.00 - Start walking down to the Embankment, to arrive nice and early (as taught by Mum) at the theatre, put a card in at the Stage Door, order interval drinks (a treat Mum will consider even more outrageous than Harvey Nicks!) and settle down with a programme between us for the performance.
It might not all come off like that.
But you can so see I am my Mum's daughter. The planning is such a part of the fun.
That's why Ste and I scrapped the idea of a surprise party for her 3 years ago - she loves that side of things and has passed it on to me. Which is why I'm happy to amend these plans if she wants.
Double post, but this one is much shorter.
I've just found that there's an album of Neil & Tim Finn's songs, sung by female artists.
Despite adoring their voices, I know the reinterpretation will be fascinating.
Just have to wait for a cheapo copy... But now I know it's out there, I'm prepared to wait.
SG that day out sounds absolutely fabulous! I love planning stuff too, especially when you know someone really well and can jam in all sorts of wee treats that are spot on for your "victim". Well done - I hope you have a truly marvellous time.
Tomorrow is the first "official" day of my new job as a high school English teacher.
Tomorrow is the first "official" day of my new job as a high school English teacher.
Congrats!
Just remember you can't be everybody's friend. Establish your authority early.
Tomorrow is the first "official" day of my new job as a high school English teacher.
Wow. You go girl! :)
Tomorrow is the first "official" day of my new job as a high school English teacher.
oh yay for you! How fun. Working in schools is the best. imo
Tomorrow is the first "official" day of my new job as a high school English teacher.
Congrats!
Just remember you can't be everybody's friend. Establish your authority early.
What Merc said.
What is your school's discipline procedure? Detention?
Get some detention slips, have them piled on the desk so everyone can see, and have the top one filled out with today's class and date and everything. Do not hesitate. The sooner you get a reputation for being strict, the less trouble you will have.
I actually learned this working in a late night petrol (gas) station before I did any teaching, but it applies in both cases.
What Merc said.
What is your school's discipline procedure? Detention?
Get some detention slips, have them piled on the desk so everyone can see, and have the top one filled out with today's class and date and everything. Do not hesitate. The sooner you get a reputation for being strict, the less trouble you will have.
I actually learned this working in a late night petrol (gas) station before I did any teaching, but it applies in both cases.
They have
detention at petrol stations?! ! :3_eyes:
I'm on vacation. Ahhhh.....
Not there yet. Pack Sat. We start ours next Sunday. Off to the Carribbean for the week.
I'm just staying home this time and getting some much needed rest.
Enjoy, Merc!
What Merc said.
What is your school's discipline procedure? Detention?
Get some detention slips, have them piled on the desk so everyone can see, and have the top one filled out with today's class and date and everything. Do not hesitate. The sooner you get a reputation for being strict, the less trouble you will have.
I actually learned this working in a late night petrol (gas) station before I did any teaching, but it applies in both cases.
Discipline procedure is more like:
-Speak to the student one on one
-Conference with the student's parents
-Write a referral for the student to speak to an assistant principal
I don't actually have the power to assign detentions or anything like it, but I don't really need it. Having a brisk, business-like and friendly demeanor actually gets you a pretty far way. Students will be coming back next Tuesday, so I'll let you all know how it turned out.
Hanging out with MB, while he works manager shift at the nice, cool restaurant.
[SIZE="1"]pssst[/SIZE] Hey, look at the tits on that.
Cool it, man... that's the manager's chick.
Mum is downstairs yapping to the hairdresser.
Same hairdresser that gave me the latest line in prison-dyke-chic last month.
And I'm in hiding (well, okay - I went down to say hello and all) and SHE IS NOT CUTTING MY HAIR TODAY!
I'm in the Cellar instead.
That's happiness.
I get to leave early today!
I might go swimming. Or car shopping (though I want to give Saturn one last chance to lower the price.)
Yay! :)
It's the little things, ya know?
A reasonably civil conversation with Merc. We can have one, I don't need to flip out.
A reasonably civil conversation with Merc. We can have one, I don't need to flip out.
I agree with you. I plan on trying to make it the start of a better more respectfull relationship on my part as well. I know I have been an ass to you in the past, I will try to make ammends where possible. I hope you can do the same and we can work out a mutual ground to agree to disagree where we need to.
:grouphug:
As for me, I can't promise anything! :p
I can't say I will be perfect and not slip up on issues I feel strongly about but I will try to do better by Griff.
I moved to a different office in the building today. This one is right around the corner from my boss. The old one was actually in a different department because there was no space anywhere else.
In some ways, it had been nice being hidden off in that other department, but I felt like it wasn't doing my career any good to go a week or two at a time without having face time with my boss. I'm her assistant, so that wasn't so good.
I've been in her office like 5 times today already and half those times it was just chatting about Netflix. She's trying it out for the first time.
It's a decent office in a great location. I'm happy.
Glatt, did they take your stapler, too?
Fuckers tried. But I put a sticker on it and wrote "glatt's" in a blue sharpie.
Defacing company property. They're gonna need you to go ahead and move your desk to the basement.
They got the roof on, skylights installed and the exposed sheathing tyvek'd 5 minutes before the rain started! :jig:
I still think Tyvek® would be a great name for a Vulcan.
Soccer!!! We only have 3 more games this season, and my boys have only had 2 losses for the season.
First step - under 6 Knight's coach
Next - Socceroooooooooos
My new pumpkin bars recipe was a huge success! Both kids liked them, and even I found them to be better-than-palatable.
So long Cellar. Off to vacation for a week in the am. I may check in if I get the chance.
Have a good time!
What's making me happy: my new Eee PC (courtesy of Woot)!
It's actually cool in my office today. I don't think I've been cold since April. Feels sooooo good!
I just boughts me a Sousaphone!!!!!!!!!!!!
No effin way! Really? Brass or fibreglass?
In the last 24 hours:
* an object of personal sentimental value was found after long searching
* some friends who I have not seen in ages told me they will be visiting in 2 weeks time
* I taught a class using a section of a text book I wrote to help international students learn how to use "only", and at least one of the students really got it.
Only three things?
Sorry.
We just found out construction on our addition is finally starting, with delivery of a dumpster tomorrow and teardown of our back porch Wednesday. This could be filed under happy, or scared to death.
:) I just bought this: (not this exact one, I found this pic through google. But it's exactly the same. It drives awesome, and I drove around with the top down this evening and it was so great!
Congrats Shaw, it's adorable!
I think it should have a smiling sunflower painted on one side and a skull and crossbones on the other.
monkeys and typewriters...
....and sharks and bacon....
Thanks guys. :)
I just want a little daisy decal for one of the windows, and I'll put a little daisy in the little vase thingy. No vanity plates, but I'd like to get the Ohio Scenic Rivers plate, with the Blue Heron.
It's so fun!
Congrats! Hope it lasts longer than your last car :eek:
:bolt: [COLOR="Silver"]<Zen put me up to it>[/COLOR]
Shawnee, that's a fantastic car! Was the dealership a zoo today?
No effin way! Really? Brass or fibreglass?
1968 "silver" plated Eb sousaphone, slightly dented but apparently plays OK.
Eb is good with me (I play Eb bass in the local brass band).
Looks like I'ma gonna havta play in the local trad jazz outfit now, too :rolleyes:.
(That's not me in the pic by the way!)
Oh, and Shawnee - what a fab car!
Cellar music match number one!
Limey Vs. Urbane Guerilla!
Sousaphone Vs. bagpipes
U.K. Vs. USA ... [COLOR="Wheat"]except that it would work much better if UG had the Sousaphone and Limey had the bagpipes.
[/COLOR]
* I taught a class using a section of a text book I wrote to help international students learn how to use "only", and at least one of the students really got it.
Fucking A! That's totally awesome Zen:)
Shawnee: that's one adorable Bug honey.
Limey: I had no idea that was called a sousaphone.
What's making me happy today is....I dunno...I think the mild depression I've been dealing with is finally lifting. I feel pretty damn good at the moment. Like I can actually get some work done and stuff without it being like walking through treacle. yey!
Thanks again, all!
@ classic: hardy har. I now look about 3 miles up the road before turning ANYWHERE, especially downtown.
@ glatt: dealership wasn't bad at all. They were expecting me, as they had given me the car to drive for the weekend. Of course, this is a used car so I don't think the Cash for Dunkards melee applied.
eta: I never did come up with a name for the Saturn, but this car was easy to name: Daisy Mae! :lol:
I love your car Shawnee! I could just pinch its cute cheeks! :)
There's nothing going on at work today... Which means I'm going to be getting paid to partake in my Fantasty Football Draft :)
I've never heard of a sousaphone.
Nice car 123. Nice color. It makes the body style seem sharper.
Dana I am glad you are feeling better.
Thanks again, all!
@ classic: hardy har. I now look about 3 miles up the road before turning ANYWHERE, especially downtown.
@ glatt: dealership wasn't bad at all. They were expecting me, as they had given me the car to drive for the weekend. Of course, this is a used car so I don't think the Cash for Dunkards melee applied.
eta: I never did come up with a name for the Saturn, but this car was easy to name: Daisy Mae! :lol:
Have yous seen the daisy wheels they make? I think that car totally fits your sunny personality. WTG!
Uh oh...daisy wheels? :)
The interior is gray, so that matches my dark side. :lol:
People! A sousaphone is a tuba. It was named after John Philip Sousa, who ordered it as a way to have a tuba that one could hold and carry easily. Sousa is known for writing pretty much all of the major march-type pieces that America holds dear.
He also wrote this fine work, which features the tuba nicely, and you'll hear it if you have something configured on your system to play OGG files, such as Quicktime:
http://cellar.org/2009/liberty_bell_march.oggSousa is known for...
Apparently not by many Dwellars. ;)
:) I just bought this
It's so you. I think we need a pic of you in your new car.
That's what my friends around here said: it's so YOU. :blush:
That's what my friends around here said: it's so YOU. :blush:
Do I know you or what?
Don't forget the picture.
People! A sousaphone is a tuba. It was named after John Philip Sousa, who ordered it as a way to have a tuba that one could hold and carry easily. Sousa is known for writing pretty much all of the major march-type pieces that America holds dear.
He also wrote this fine work, which features the tuba nicely, and you'll hear it if you have something configured on your system to play OGG files, such as Quicktime:
http://cellar.org/2009/liberty_bell_march.ogg
"Easily" is a relative term, of course! I tried on a fibreglass Bb Sousaphone about a month ago and boy, is it ever heavy on the old shoulder! But this li'l Eb was just irresistible!
How about a picture?
Assuming you mean me, then there is a pic of the instrument
here, and I'll get one of me playing it when I get it (later this week).
Meanwhile ...
Survived my first First Day as a teacher. Only 179 more days to go! Prob. won't be seeing much of the Cellar for a while, which is a bummer, but I'll try to check in when I can!
Survived my first First Day as a teacher. Only 179 more days to go! Prob. won't be seeing much of the Cellar for a while, which is a bummer, but I'll try to check in when I can!
My brother the ex art teacher highly recommends the book
Don't Smile Until Christmas. He considers it a must-read for new teachers.
I really really like my cow orkers! :)
A million years ago (pre-VCR/DVR) when I was 19, I was on the Match Game. When I got my DVR, three years ago, I started recording reruns of the Match Game, to see if my show ever came up. Three or four episodes a day for three years, and finally, yesterday, there I was!
Now I have to figure out how to record the thing onto a disc so I can upload it to YouTube and share it with you goofballs....
I loved that show! Probably the drunkest, smokiest, crassest, funniest crowd on the telly - they'd be banned int his day and age. Bring em back! We wanna see Glinda!
That's really cool. I want to see it too. Did you meet Charles Nelson Reilly?
Oh wow Glinda. I have to see this. And, I'm really jealous!
5.06 pm on a goddamn Friday afternoon and I am OUTTA HERE.
Big pile of marking to do but I will ignore that for now. See yas!
:bolt:
Went to see an old family friend (by old I mean of old, not that he is old :P) performing in Blackpool.
I may have mentioned him here before: my bro's best friend from school. Practically lived at our house in that way kids do; like another sibling. He sings and writes his own stuff, but mostly he is a Neil Diamond impersonator. He's part of the 'Legends' show, which puts on shows with several musical 'legends'.
Was a good time. The Diana Ross singer was awesome, as was Freddie Mercury. But Gaz just totally becomes Neil Diamond; it's freaky. He looks a lot like him anyway. There's no sense of him 'pretending' he just totally inhabits the role when he's on stage. Mannerisms and general air and everything. And his voice sounds just like him.
He seems happier and more settled lately. Haven't seen him much at all the last decade or so. Maybe two or three times in 15 years. Last time we saw him was at Dad's funeral. I was so pleased he made it.
It's nice to see him ....comfortable with himself. I think he may finally have got the hang of being content. He was always such a roving soul. A die-hard romantic who always managed to choose the wrong girl and get his heart broken :P But we all grow up. Eventually.
That's really cool. I want to see it too.
My weekend goal is to figure out how to get this thing off my DVR and onto the web. Wish me luck!
Did you meet Charles Nelson Reilly?
I did. :rolleyes: Also David Doyle (Charlie's Angels), Eva Gabor (Green Acres), Brett Somers, Betty White, and Richard Dawson.
I loved that show! Probably the drunkest, smokiest, crassest, funniest crowd on the telly - they'd be banned in this day and age.
Oh yeah. At one point in the show, Gene Rayburn gave a
completely obvious ogle to my breastal area. Dirty old man!
Har! I've been convinced that Pilau is 11 years old and about to turn 12 this month. Mum was sayin she was sure they (Pilau and Dante - aka The Boys) weren't. She dug out their birth certificates last night. Turns out she was right. They're 10 and will turn 11 later this month. My little wolf ain't such an old fellah after all :)
@ Dana: I keep doing that with my cat. My ex informed me I was a year off when I said, in April, that she's 17. She's only 16.
Glinda, I love Betty White and Eva Gabor. Brett Somers was such a hoot, too. What a cool experience.
eta: I just checked and I didn't see Pilau's birthday listed under his statistics in the member's list. :(
So Happy Birthday Pilau whatever day it is! :)
Oh...errr....by later this month I mean Sept. I seem to be getting ahead of myself.
Just got back from Maine where we saw this little fella...
Fantastic photo Griff!
Where was that in Maine?
I think it was Trout Pond between Second and Fourth Roach Pond near Moosehead Lake in Maine. They may want to upgrade their naming scheme.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=45.650048,-69.259186&spn=0.060599,0.153637&z=13Where in hell is 5th Roach Pond?
By the time they got the the 5th roach, they coudn't give a fuck, they just wanted some M&Ms
I think it was Trout Pond between Second and Fourth Roach Pond near Moosehead Lake in Maine. They may want to upgrade their naming scheme.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=45.650048,-69.259186&spn=0.060599,0.153637&z=13
I know Moosehead Lake well. Especially up near Seboomick. That's where I saw my first moose.
Gorgeous up there.
Yeah, fantastic lanscape. It is under some threat from development now though. Apparently, a major lumber company sold out its holdings to a big developer and the locals expect seasonal condos and pavement will block the free access guides and locals had to the wild areas.
Excellent!
What are you going to play on that thing? NO jazz? Sousa march? What?
There's a local trad jazz band that I'll prolly tag along with ... Sousa wrote some great bass lines for his marches but this instrument is not allowed in the brass band line up so the Sousa'll have to wait!
And next August I'm going to play a duet ("Land of the lonesome pine" with another sousaphone player - only he doesn't know it yet!:D
Awesome. What's the lowest note it can play?
It's pitched in Eb but with practice, in theory, the valves'll take it down to an A. That'd be the lowest A on the piano.:eek:
Oh and it makes a LOVELY sound! Good, rich and velvety!
It's pitched in Eb but with practice, in theory, the valves'll take it down to an A. That'd be the lowest A on the piano.:eek:
Oh and it makes a LOVELY sound! Good, rich and velvety!
That'd be an A0 - 27.5Hz. Impressive.
That'd be an A0 - 27.5Hz. Impressive.
Realistically I'll only ever make it to the Eb above that, and that'd just be for special occasions!
Wow, that is approaching the bottom range of human hearing.
Realistically I'll only ever make it to the Eb above that, and that'd just be for special occasions!
So I can expect an Eb for my next birthday? :D
So I can expect an Eb for my next birthday? :D
Just tell me when and I'll package it up specially :D !
It's Friday. It's a 3 day weekend. And after next Thursday I will be on vay-cay-cay! (does happy dance)
Good for you Shaw - you deserve it!
Don't try to butter me up NOW (get it, cow, butter?) ;)
Just shuddup and mooooove on wouldja?
Fine. Damn I need this vacation!
I think it was Trout Pond between Second and Fourth Roach Pond near Moosehead Lake in Maine. They may want to upgrade their naming scheme.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=45.650048,-69.259186&spn=0.060599,0.153637&z=13
Cool. A good friend of mine and ex-coworker lives here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=45.684874,-68.889824&spn=0.004722,0.00942&t=h&z=17It's Friday. It's a 3 day weekend. And after next Thursday I will be on vay-cay-cay! (does happy dance)
Ooh! Ooh! Me too! Me too! Mom's coming in from Cali on Thurs and we're going to Estes for the Scottish Festival (Princess is coming too.) Got a cabin on the river, wine in the fridge, bagpipes by the lake - who could ask for more?
Happy weekend everyone!!!
Gets cold in the winter though. I remember as I grew up in Lewiston and they were talking about how cold it was on the news, the weatherman would always point to the map over there and chuckle about how it may be freezing where we are, but at least we aren't over there in the mountains like those poor saps.
Yea, this is their frist season up there, his wife works at Maine Medical he works at the hospital up in Houlton on the border with Canada. The summer and fall are nice but the winter is a bitch. He bought a front loader tractor to get them to the road in the winter. Their house is one of those right on the water and converted summer place into a four season home. My wife's parents were from Maine and she was raised in Bangor. After a tour in Hawaii we could never live where it snows again. There is just no reason for the aggravation.
Raspberries in dark chocolate = me super happy!
It's raining. The flowers are getting a deep soak. My fireplace is on making it a very cozy morning.
My cough is gone, no swine flu or whooping cough (I've always suspected asthma but I got tested about 2 years ago when I was unable to breathe and my throat/chest tightened on campus multiple times, and I don't have it apparently)
Bf is officially signed to the marine corps now, he'll leave for boot camp in december.
We have a new family member (I know I'm not married yet, shutup) adorable baby boy born a month early, but healthy and 6lbs. :)
Edit: That totally makes it sound like it's my kid, so for the record, NOT my kid. Bf's new nephew.
That is happy news, Classic. :)
I was so hoping it was your kid, Razz! That's it. We need a DNA test.
It's 9.30am and Max has already had 300mls AND his breakfast with minimal fuss.
Today is a good day. :)
Not only is it Friday, after work I'm heading up to Swan Crest to camp and then run in the morning. 57 km of heaven and hell tomorrow.
Sitting next to Brianna in British Lit class. :D
Cool as fuck Juni:) How is Bri? Haven't seen her about the place lately, she doin ok?
What's making me happy is that this morning I woke without that heavy, not wanting to face the day feeling. Partly because I bottomed out yesterday ( I hope) and partly because I had some good news: looks like Dad's money will come through in the next week. That'll help with at least two of the things that have been getting to me and providing a hook for depression. Were he still alive, I know he'd be helping me out right now, because I know he really wanted me to be able to keep going in academia. So, it feels a little like that's what's happening. Dad's helping me through my MA.
Good for you, Dana. I'm glad things are looking better.
Today I paid off the last medical bill for my hysterectomy; yay me!
Took Thor to his evaluation skate for Hockey today ...got free tickets the Plymouth Whalers first home game :D We are really getting into the sport and the Whalers are small enough to be accessible and big enough to be professional. Plus Thor is now playing on the same ice as them, so it's double cool for him. Tomorrow he skates on that very rink! :lol:
The football team the girl cheers for won again tonight, due almost entirely to her spirited jumping about I'm sure. 46-0
They won 40-0 last week...
Talk about defense......
Playing against them must be like playing chess with JR Casablanca.
I watched fireworks tonight. Now this is something that will generally make me happy. The fact that I was able to do it by walking across my parking lot made it all the better. Trees block the view from my porch.
Missing out on the traffic jam at the end of the show is excellent.
Watching other people in the traffic jam is just icing on the cake...
Making me happy today is the lovely weather; fresh, clean breeze, blue sky with just a few fluffy clouds, early spring sunshine, and the way it brings out all the beautiful people and causes them to frolic about in relatively little clothing.
Life is good.
Wife and I are going to see Huey Lewis and the News tonight in concert! :thumb:
I just got a BlackBerry (loving the calendar/Google sync function), am signed up for art classes, and it finally rained here. I have happiness enough that I have some to spare - here ya go, one good dollop each. Take 2 if you need 'em.
I just got a BlackBerry (loving the calendar/Google sync function), am signed up for art classes, and it finally rained here. I have happiness enough that I have some to spare - here ya go, one good dollop each. Take 2 if you need 'em.
We call em Crackberry's, cause it is like Crack when you get one, you can't stop. :D
Yesterday.
(page 7 onwards)
Awesome day Sundae. I am green with envy *grins* and you are looking damn fine too!
I have a new 20 min commute to work! (vs 50min before move). Still getting used to the new house/housemates though, a bit uncomfortable.
We've been gettin a good amount of rain and things at work have slowed down. I'm almost half-way through the week and I have 2 play critiques I need to write and 2 upcoming tests, but I'm not freaking out. So I guess what is making me happy today isn't any 1 thing, just that I don't feel a huge amount of stress right now (for a change).
I closed on my contract for the next three years of work. Wo hoo.
Bri knows about Cader Idris.
Somewhere more to go when our shipsies come in.
With Dani & Shawnee of course.
Oh and Mum laughed immoderately at her Fuck Cancer card.
I told her it was from all you too.
congrats Merc! Thats great. God only knows what we all would have had to put up with if you were home ALL DAY with nothing to do - heh heh heh.
congrats Merc! Thats great. God only knows what we all would have had to put up with if you were home ALL DAY with nothing to do - heh heh heh.
Tard! :D
Heading out of town for our first major tournament of the year! WooHoo! [COLOR="White"]Of course, Lil Lookout woke up this morning unable to breath because of his allergies...[/COLOR]
I just ordered a new Big Finish Doctor Who audioplay :) - Patient Zero
I am sooo excited. Tragic huh? But I've been waiting for this for nearly two months! The last play finished on a cliffhanger, with a month to wait til the next one in the story arc...then when it was released, I was broke.
It's a Colin Baker one. He is a brilliant audio actor. Really understands the medium. Always liked his tv doctor as well, though I know many didn't.
What's brilliant about this one is that the cliffhanger is less a plot thing than a character thing. His companion, Charley is travelling with him without letting on that she has already travelled with his later 8th incarnation (lots of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey, web of time stuff with an epic cross-species romance thrown in for good measure) and he's been growing more and more suspicious of her. the last one ended with him giving an ultimatum and demanding to know exactly who she is.
...yes I know...it's not exactly winning the lottery or buying a new car...but I am doing a happy dance right now, 'cause I am going to download it and listen to it tonight Har!
More fireworks, unexpected today ... apparently the township decided to have today as the rain date for part of last weekend's funfair. I saw the moonbounce and heard the band playing as I came home this evening. What I didn't expect was fireworks. When I heard the first bangs I ran out onto my porch, which turned out to be the perfect viewing point. It was most excellent.
And momwolf is out of the hospital.
Yeah for the wolf family!
Held my yard sale despite not really wanting to and wimping out last night on the prep. made a little cash, shifted a litttle stuff and one big stuff. Thor had a good first hockey practice by all accounts. Despite last minute rush (almost doubling takings from small junk)finished packing yard sale away in time for family to go to watch Plymouth Whalers Hockey game (tix free through Thor hockey). Our row of seats won free pizza, game tied and went into overtime -we won. Got home, house not on fire or burglarized.
a great day :) Let's do it over tomorrow..... :lol: (well everything except the whaler's game and add a soccer game...heehee)
Tomorrow, I'll get to see my first Twin Valley football game, where Ippy is cheering. The weather was absolutely PERFECT here today, and i heard tomorrow was to be the same. Crisp, clear, bright and sparkly.
We had a great night's observing with my Astronomy club...
We saw the Black Brant XII Sounding Rocket carrying the
CARE experiment launch from Wallops (about 170 miles away!) and saw a beautiful comet-like tail that we
think was the 4th stage separation.
Then we saw the Hubble telescope, crossing from Scorpio to Sagittarius. About 3rd mag, but still easily visible.
Then we saw an Iridium flare. That was
bright! Brightest thing in the sky, far brighter than Jupiter.
Next, the ISS, low on the horizon just below the Big Dipper.
And a few other things while we were waiting (Jupiter, the Ring Nebula, random satellites and shooting stars). Columbia usually has fairly polluted skies, but this was a great night!
We have one guy who lives for
occultations, and there was a possible tonight. He tried to set up in time, but missed the window. Oh well, you can't have everything!
This is an awsome result for one night!
We had a great night's observing with my Astronomy club...
We saw the Black Brant XII Sounding Rocket carrying the CARE experiment launch from Wallops (about 170 miles away!) and saw a beautiful comet-like tail that we think was the 4th stage separation.
I've been wanting to see a rocket launch for years. I almost saw one in Japan but it was resheduled - they had a gizmo in the satellite in backwards and needed to fix it. :(
Then we saw the Hubble telescope, crossing from Scorpio to Sagittarius. About 3rd mag, but still easily visible.
Then we saw an Iridium flare. That was bright! Brightest thing in the sky, far brighter than Jupiter.
Check - bright, brief, beautiful.
Next, the ISS, low on the horizon just below the Big Dipper.
Check - pretty big, I saw it about 70 deg above horizon.
And a few other things while we were waiting (Jupiter, the Ring Nebula, random satellites and shooting stars). Columbia usually has fairly polluted skies, but this was a great night!
We have one guy who lives for occultations, and there was a possible tonight. He tried to set up in time, but missed the window. Oh well, you can't have everything!
Have you seen a total solar eclipse? Totally awesome.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]
[has nerd-crush on Pie].[/COLOR]
Saw an annular eclipse back in . . . '94? Ah, yes,
May 10, 1994. I was grateful to be working in an optics lab at the time; made it easier to get the right set of ND filters for viewing. Never had the pleasure of a total, tho.
We were totally psyched to see the launch. Given our distance from it, we didn't expect to see it at all, but there it was, looking like a roman candle from far away. A BIG
honkin' roman candle! At the time, I wondered how many UFO sightings would be reported from the launch.
Sun Sep 20, 12:29 am ET
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. – NASA says it successfully launched a rocket in Virginia as part of an experiment, and the blast may have caused dozens of people to report seeing strange lights in the sky.
The space agency said it launched the Black Brant XII on Saturday evening to gather data on the highest clouds in the Earth's atmosphere. About the time of the launch, dozens of people in the Northeast started calling local television stations to report seeing strange lights.
The calls came from as far away as Boston, which is about 380 miles northeast of the launch site.
The rocket is designed to create an artificial cloud. NASA hopes the experiment will provide information on the formation and properties of noctilucent clouds, which occur at high altitudes.
One of the observing sites for the NL cloud was Bermuda, so it was
designed to be seen from far away. Send out the Batsignal! :tinfoil:
I read about that launch the next day. I wish I had known about it. If we could figure out a way to make it work, we would have watched.
I closed on my contract for the next three years of work. Wo hoo.
Good for you! That should be worth another 13,000 posts. :lol2:
Got this link from Mr. Occultation:
[youtubewide]lb45uBaj2Mc[/youtubewide]
...and a still pic:
We're back from our first major tournament of the year. The boys did ok as a whole, but Lil Lookout came out of our 4 games looking like a freaking wunderkid. I am obviously biased but other coaches and parents were impressed enough to be chatting with each other about his performances. He scored at least one in every game and even had a 4 minute hattrick in our 3rd rainsoaked game. The boy looked happy with himself.
Unfortunately, our final game was against an out of state team that absolutely, positively had to have provided fake birth certificates. I know a little about this game and how kids develop. I KNOW that there is no team of 8 year olds who all have that kind of technique. Everyone of their attacking players was better than LL, every one of their defenders better than our best defender.
-an 8 year old girl who is 5'6" and puts corner kicks on the backpost every single time with no variation?
-two 8 year old boys who exchange blind passes down the length of the field using only the outside of their boot without letting the ball touch the ground?
-an 8 year old boy who knows how to elevate for a header and fully extend his core to redirect a ball to goal?
No flippin way. I was really proud of my kids for holding the score to a 3-1 loss. They beat our biggest rivals 8-0 earlier in the morning.
Mebbee they got 'em on growth hormones.
Congrats to LL! :cheerldr:
This week is Fresher's Week. My induction meeting (and drinks and nibbles afterwards) is tomorrow :)
That's it. Now I have to get serious about research. I'm starting to feel a slight buzz of anticipation. An end to Summer's drifting.
We've got absolutely spectacular weather today and Max is just being so cute...and I'm finally starting to feel like things are almost back to right in my world again. :)
We've got absolutely spectacular weather today and Max is just being so cute...and I'm finally starting to feel like things are almost back to right in my world again. :)
That's good to hear!
Glad to hear that Ali! I've been wondering about you. Is he eating better? Is he putting on any weight?
Great stuff Ali. Glad things are bedding down a bit:)
What's making me happy: I went off to uni on Tuesday for induction day: had a really nice time, felt totally reconnected with my goals. Came back buzzing with excitement at the whole research student thing. called at Mum's to grab the dog and she gave me a lift home: walked in to my house to find she'd tidied and cleaned (like sparkling) my kitchen and living room. She's spent the last couple of days chivvying me into action to do runs to the town dump with many black bags of old clothes, broken electricals etc. It's an ongoing project but already i feel lighter :P
Got back yesterday to discover she'd done my bathroom :P I've spent this morning bagging up more junk: just got back from dumping it.
It's been bothering me, the state of the house. But depression set in and I've found it increasingly difficult to tackle it. She's a gem.
On top of that, reconnecting with my study goals has kickstarted the project. I've done several hours work on it in the last couple of days, including starting my research blog (very handy as a way of organising your thoughts) and emailing my supervisor to arrange our first meeting. I've done a very basic (very basic) run down of my thoughts so far, breaking the overarching thesis title down into subquestions and briefly analysing some of the evidence I've identified, and at the same time identifying some stuff I am very shaky on (how to create a usable sample set for example).
I am very happy :)
Anniversary today. 16 excellent years.
Great news Glatt. You are beating the odds. Congrats.
Wow, congratulations to you and the Mrs., glatt!
Happy Anniversary to the glatts! :)
Thanks everyone! We're going out to an
Italian place in Old Town Alexandria where we've never been before.
Juni's Magick Brownies....
Thor's new hockey team looks like it's going to be a really good match for us and he's going to get a shirt with the logo of the pro team that play at the same arena (who we like to watch/support) and he had a great practice today :D
Tonight, we buried Dad's ashes, and planted a cherryblossom tree in my brother's garden.
It's a stretch of woodland at the back of the house that leads into the wider woods. There are areas set out for seating (logs and sunk chairs, a swinging chair, couple of hammocks. A vegetable patch and ferret runs. A caged house with climbing trees for Darwin, the rescue squirrel (he can come and go as he pleases and has apparently acquired a mate). There's a tree house with a little observatory platform. Lanterns dotted around. A campfire in a clearing. And now a cherryblossom in another clearing
It's a lovely setting.
It'll attract bees. Which would please dad no end. Loved his bees *smiles*.
Mart had already prepped a spot; and we planted the tree and buried his ashes by moonlight and campfire. Then sat around on logs and in hammocks, drinking wine (juice for the little-un) and baileys, chatting and laughing. Me, Mum, my bro and his wife and their two girls. And Dad, of course, in a way :P
It was lovely. And given how much of a night-owl dad was, it was right too.
That sounds really nice Dana. Peaceful.
How beautiful, Dana! I'm sure your Dad would have liked it.
Oh it was:) and he really would. :)
It sounds like a nice location. Peaceful, and close to family. It's nice.
That's good to hear!
Glad to hear that Ali! I've been wondering about you. Is he eating better? Is he putting on any weight?
Great stuff Ali. Glad things are bedding down a bit:)
Thanks you lot. :) It's still a struggle some days, but I think I'm pretty lucky.
Dana, that sounds just right!
Ah Dani I'm pleased.
He was loved, he is remembered and his remains are somewhere special by his own reckoning.
I'm not sure what's making me happy today, but I really am.
Perhaps just Autumn - my favourite season and where I'd live all year if I could.
Walked into town even though I was tempted to get the bus - within 100 yards I was so glad I had. Exercise, weather, money in my pocket (even though it was all allocated for bills and household shopping) all combined to put a smile on my face.
Now I have full cupboards, a shop bought sandwich for lunch (my one indulgence - I didn't have my traditional payday McDonalds breakfast!) and enough staples in the cupboard to last another month.
Oh and Mum & Dad have been lusting after something shown in a TV advert without knowing what it is. I've identified it as Eggs Benedict for them - it's really only an eating out breakfast here, and comes in far lower than the traditional Full English. I've offered to make it for them for lunch one day. So Mum is once again looking at me as the harbinger of all things sophisticated and cosmopolitan. I like that.
Oh, oh - and I've found my winter jacket!
It's in Tesco (supermarket) so it's reasonably priced. I doubt I'd find anything so nice on eBay, especially once you factor in postage. And anyway it's exactly what I want. Picture below, although I'll be buying it in fuschia pink.
Did I mention I love it?
Going to save up.
I wore my cape all last winter, but my internal temp was screwed up by being so very overweight and by drinking. I might feel the cold a little more this year as I continue to lose weight and stay off the sauce. So I'm going to buy it in a size 18 (tried it on, buttons nicely over a vest but is a little snug yet) as an incentive.
It'll be the first new winter coat/ jacket I've bought this century.
Here it is in green, the fuschia has black buttons.
Sounds beautiful Dana - When I die tell someone to do that for me, I'd really like to bee around sorta.
We did something very similar for my brother. A gathering of friends and family scattered his ashes on a hill that he was very fond of. There's nowhere else he'd rather be, of that I'm sure.
My father is stargazing amongst the red rocks of Sedona. Someday, when it's her turn, my mother will join him.
awe. I'd like a piece of that, pie.
Sounds like a peaceful place to lay your father down to rest Dana.
As for me I just received another interview invite. That's two in seven weeks of unemployment. Things are looking up! Even if I do not get a job at least I'm getting bites.:D
Sounds like a peaceful place to lay your father down to rest Dana.
As for me I just received another interview invite. That's two in seven weeks of unemployment. Things are looking up! Even if I do not get a job at least I'm getting bites.:D
Fingers crossed for you!
Ancient Chinese Salad Lady is back!
:celebrat:
Yes, my life is that boring...
After educating Mum on Eggs Benedict, she made it for her and Dad this morning for breakfast.
I always get up later than they do - mostly indolence (and my ongoing issue sleeping - I might not fall asleep until 04.00) but also to keep out of their morning routine, which has been 40 years in the making.
So when I got up at 09.00, Mum was already over at Maureen's, feeding her cat - Maureen has gone away for a few days, it's a reciprocal arrangement. Mum came back and said, "Oh, I left some Hollandaise sauce, I was going to offer you breakfast."
GUTTED. I'd just had Shredded Wheat with skimmed milk. So much healthier, but I never have anyone to make me breakfast, let alone the fiddly, washing-up-rich fare of Eggs Benedict.
But she then continued, "I'll have to make it for you fo lunch instead."
RESULT! And I am now full of lovely, fatty, buttery goodness, and feeling much loved. Helps that I pulled off an awesome honey & mustard pork last night I think. Oh and they're going out for dinner with my sister's family - for my neice's 15th birthday and I'm not invited. Mum feels guilty, but of course it's not her guest list and totally not her fault. But hey, I got a lovely lunch out of it.
Fingers crossed for you!
thank you limey!
Tonight, we buried Dad's ashes, and planted a cherryblossom tree in my brother's garden.
It's a stretch of woodland at the back of the house that leads into the wider woods. There are areas set out for seating (logs and sunk chairs, a swinging chair, couple of hammocks. A vegetable patch and ferret runs. A caged house with climbing trees for Darwin, the rescue squirrel (he can come and go as he pleases and has apparently acquired a mate). There's a tree house with a little observatory platform. Lanterns dotted around. A campfire in a clearing. And now a cherryblossom in another clearing
It's a lovely setting.
It'll attract bees. Which would please dad no end. Loved his bees *smiles*.
Mart had already prepped a spot; and we planted the tree and buried his ashes by moonlight and campfire. Then sat around on logs and in hammocks, drinking wine (juice for the little-un) and baileys, chatting and laughing. Me, Mum, my bro and his wife and their two girls. And Dad, of course, in a way :P
It was lovely. And given how much of a night-owl dad was, it was right too.
Outstanding - I could see it in my mind's eye - wish I could do the same for my dad. I'll pretend he's next to yours, and I was next to you, if you don't mind.
I've been unemployed since the end of August. I barely see my wife these days because she's going to school full-time and is now working almost full-time. I live in my mother-in-law's house, and will probably be here at least another year. And I hit my highest weight ever 2 weeks ago.
But you know what? I'm happy to be alive. I have a wonderful wife, a roof over my head and caring friends and family. The situation is not very good right now...but it will get better. And it could be a whole lot worse.
All I can do is keep plugging away...eventually I'll have a job and my wife will be done with culinary school. And I'll be able to buy my guitars back and she can have her dream kitchen. And we will have our own place to live again...hopefully a house!
I've been in some pretty dark moods the past few weeks. I just try to keep telling myself that things WILL get better. It may take a while, but it will get better.
Damn right it will bro. Oh make sure you fix your fantasy team before those remorseless Ponies put a hurt on you. :)
Wow, sorry to hear all that sycamore. You had to sell your guitars?!?! That sucks. Well keep your head up. Good vibes sent your way.
She has someone she needs to fix...a WR, I think.
In looking at my team by players and points, it doesn't look that bad. But when I look at it as a whole, I'm just like, "Fuck!"
Tonight, we buried Dad's ashes, and planted a cherryblossom tree in my brother's garden.
It's a stretch of woodland at the back of the house that leads into the wider woods. There are areas set out for seating (logs and sunk chairs, a swinging chair, couple of hammocks. A vegetable patch and ferret runs. A caged house with climbing trees for Darwin, the rescue squirrel (he can come and go as he pleases and has apparently acquired a mate). There's a tree house with a little observatory platform. Lanterns dotted around. A campfire in a clearing. And now a cherryblossom in another clearing
It's a lovely setting.
It'll attract bees. Which would please dad no end. Loved his bees *smiles*.
Mart had already prepped a spot; and we planted the tree and buried his ashes by moonlight and campfire. Then sat around on logs and in hammocks, drinking wine (juice for the little-un) and baileys, chatting and laughing. Me, Mum, my bro and his wife and their two girls. And Dad, of course, in a way :P
It was lovely. And given how much of a night-owl dad was, it was right too.
What a beautiful tribute.
Wow, sorry to hear all that sycamore. You had to sell your guitars?!?! That sucks. Well keep your head up. Good vibes sent your way.
Unfortunately, yeah: my bass, my guitar, my effects board and my PS2 and all its games. Didn't want to, but we hit a financial low point in August so they became expendable.
I am hoping...HOPING...that this is the absolute low point in my life. I thought I hit it when I got sick 4 years ago, but no...this seems to be the low. And if this IS the low, then I'm gonna be alright.
BD#2 told me today that 10-yr old grandson has become totally obsessed with Dr. Who.
She said, in some bemusement, "and he has all of the last Doctor's episodes on hold at the library. What a nerd."
That's my boy!
I just got word they found a liver for my ex cow orker and he went into transplant surgery Tuesday night. Waiting for word on outcome!
OMG - Thats such wonderful news Shaw!
Thanks guys. Isn't it wonderful? From death's door (more than once) to hopeful recovery. My ex-school put the word out to bombard him with cards, and I had just put one in the mail that had a big mean cat on it that said "Are you going to get well soon?" The inside said "Or am I going to have to get crabby?" LOL...I think he'll like it because we did some serious crabbing (and laughing) when we both worked there. :)
New news: off respirator and breathing on his own. Liver and kidneys functioning, getting color back. He's a little behind in recovery because he was so weak to start with, but it looks good.
happy dance! By Gawd, I'm gonna see that effer at NEXT year's Chicken Festival. :)
That's awesome, Shaw!
Make sure you're signed up to be an organ donor, y'all. It might save someone's life.
Good point, Clod. Thanks! :)
Oh Shawnee that's so fucking amazing. *big hug* What wonderful news.
What's making me happy, is a haircut. yes, I know, after Shaw's that sounds woefully trivial but...I've avoided going into a hair dressers for most of the last decade. Every so often, maybe four times in last ten years, I've gone to a salon. It's always been stressful and a Big Deal. Mainly because I have eczema on my scalp and am very self-conscious about it if there's someone messing about with my hair. And also because it generally feels like a big spend to me, especially if I am wanting to colour it too. And then using the colour is always stressful, in case I react. So...making an appointment a few days ahead, I'd end up dreading it. And then half the time I've walked out not entirely happy with the cut.
I am fortunate that both my mum and my SiL can cut hair pretty well. But a professional haircut is a different thing.
Having some back-up cash in the bank (from Dad), removed a big chunk of stress from the idea and I've been mulling it over. Then I suddenly thought yesterday that actually, the eczema is hardly there at the moment. Haven't felt it much for a few days. So on my way into uni to see my supervisor, I dropped into the campus salon (in the underground campus shopping centre) and booked in for a cut and colour for after my meeting.
They were lovely. The place wasn't brimming with Beautiful Young Things as I had originally thought it might be. The Hairdresser I saw was great. Really nice atmosphere in there. Gave good advice on styles and colours. I was out of there in less than 90 minutes (pretty good with a permanent colour) and it only cost me £35 (plus £5 tip). Booked in a couple of hours ahead, so no build-up to stress. Didn't even have to travel to it, because it's right there on campus. Relatively cheap, but a nice salon; didn't feel stressed about the money because Dad's chased the wolf from the door.
I've gone to a darker and richer shade of brown. And I like the cut.
I, too schedule haircuts around my sporadic eczema outbreaks. What an aggravation.
Har! I just bought a new laptop and digital camera:)
I dont like travelling with my council laptop in case anything happens to it...and anyway I haven't got admin powers on it. My old digital camera has been a pain in the butt for a while - battery needs replacing and it's only 5mp.
I needed a decent one for my research trip at the end of the month, so I can take pics of the records rather than trying to note down all relevant details at the time. I also want a laptop I can work on comfortably. So...
Got an Acer Aspire 5536 Laptop (2.1Ghz, 1MB Cache; 4gb Ram; 320gb Hard drive) with a Sapphire blue finish.
And bought myself a Casio Exilim EX-S12 (plus additional 4gb Kingston memory card)
Did I mention I booked my research trip? *skips about a bit* oh yes. Travelling down to Kew Gardens on the monday (26th) spend all day tues and wed in the records office, travel back Thursday.
AND a new iPod?
you must have gotten a new sponsor?
Edit: ah..just saw your previous post. good for you, D. Material things CAN make you happy. it's just a matter of appreciating them.
Watch out Dana, you'll be a mainstream consumer/capitalist before you know it! You're on a steep, slippery slope!
Now, where's the instruction booklet for my home latte frother...
Honestly, I find the whole choosing and making decisions on purchases too painful to start going through it as some kind of regular hobby :P The ipod was easy to choose, because I'd already tried mum's. The laptop on the other hand has taken several trips to look around stores and two or three stints of web-searching and reading reviews etc. Likewise the camera. And I am not sure I was making an informed choice so much as a blinded by too much information choice.
Ran the laptop spec past J before buying it and seems I lucked onto a decent choice...which was fortunate because two hours earlier, I'd been a mouse press away from panic-buying a £600 custom built Dell on account of being able to have it in blue. The machine I bought was £379. It's blue. See...my brain turns to mush if I have to make major/important purchase decisions.
Wegman's finally
opens its store near me. A supermarket that is 132,000 square feet in size. Everything top quality. Belgian beers, complete in-store bakery, three types of store-brand brie... fresh bagels with deli-mixed cream cheese in nine different flavors... Indian and Chinese food in the buffet...
In order to avoid health or wallet catastrophe, we are beginning a new round of dieting today. That should restrict us to the fresh produce and the chicken aisles.
WTF?!?!? BEER?!?!? No way.
:drool:
Man, this is torture. I used to live/work next to TWO Wegmanses. We're finally getting one here in Columbia, but it's going to be another year. At least they've started the construction!
Congrats, Tony!
So they're selling beer via The Pub? Nice move to get around PA's draconian liquor laws. Looks like a nice store.
Remember, UT...shop the outer perimeter. That's generally where the freshest and best for you food is.
Not so, sir! At Wegman's they have revisited every rule of how supermarkets operate. The produce is in the center of the store, and forms its own, larger aisle.
The beer is in the outer perimeter...
Really? Interesting...
Wait...it's actually in the store? How?
If you have beer, you can only check out through the registers that lead to the restaurant area.
Wegmans is awesome (ours is on Downingtown)... actually helped me kick my Wholefoods habit. I don't know how long they've had beer, but we noticed it over the summer at some point.
The red curry chicken on the chinese hot bar is outstanding.
The one in Princeton made awesome potato samosas. Their liquor store was adjacent to the main grocery store, and had its own cash registers.
Now I'm needing a samosa fix..
Birthday present inventory: Guitar Hero 5 (w/GH Van Halen on its way), $25 Best Buy gift card, a leopard-print Snuggie (w/free reading light), a new pair of pink Crocs and dinner at Mimi's Cafe...oh, and a birthday cookie! No complaints...this turned into a good birthday.
what? no butt plug?
He can always wrap the snuggie up.
what? no butt plug?
You told me it would be here this morning...still waiting.
a leopard-print Snuggie (w/free reading light), a new pair of pink Crocs and dinner at Mimi's Cafe...
I'd love to see you enjoying all three of these at the same time. Photos please :D .
Happy birthday Sycamore!
I just realized, in one week exactly, I will have been here (at this job) for a whole year. Wow...time's fun when you're having flies!
I had a great meal at St. Louis Bread Company (Panera Bread) tonight. I usually always have a good meal there, but tonight's was just awesome! Creamy tomato soup, a Smokehouse Turkey sandwich, a whole grain baguette and a glass of Dr Pepper. Every item just tasted great to me.
Ever since the recent "upgrade" to Office 2007, my PC at work has been really slow. That was a couple months ago. Yesterday, I finally got frustrated enough to complain. I asked for more RAM to be installed, and gave them my machine specifications.
Well, they decided to give me a new PC. It's as fast as my old one from before the "upgrade." Woo Hoo! Funny how the specs for this new machine make it sound like it should be over twice as fast as my old one, but with the new bloated software it's only as responsive as my old one was with the old software. It's all a scam.
But I'm happy because I have a PC that works again.
But think how you're helping the economy, Glatt.
The Church of the Whale Penis is still the number one website on Google when searching for "whale penis." Having said that, this
car goes way over the top when it comes to whale penis.
The red and orange trees, the blue sky. Nice.
The red and orange trees, the blue sky. Nice.
Good to see you in this thread Bri! We had some of that yesterday - nice innit?
I just realized yesterday was my one year anniversary at this job. Wow, time's fun when you're having flies (I probably just said that somewhere else.)
The funny thing is I'm still doing consulting work at my old job. Who woulda thunk, some 7 years ago, that I'd have found my "calling"?
Having said that, I'm ready for blizzards to get days off work.
Good to see you in this thread Bri! We had some of that yesterday - nice innit?
:) yeah, sweetie, it IS nice. We're gonna have another stunner today. YAY!
Kids' late start day. One hour later to sleep in. Was nice.
All caught up on the baking. I have muffins, bread, and waffles covered for at least a week and a half.
Oh, and I got to the grocery story in time to grab a bunch of their "reduced for quick sale" prepped fruit. It seems to be store policy to mark down everything that didn't sell the day before, even if it's perfectly good for another several days. I got a gigantic bowl of watermelon, all cut up and seeded, for 99 cents!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
It works either way :D
Just celebrated my 16th wedding anniversary.
congrats, Crimson Ghost! that's wonderful.
Ripley's cheer squad won second place in their competition today. They cheer at their last game tonight and if they win it's off to the championships.
They won! Actually, after the lightening delay, in the pouring rain, the other team gave up in the 3rd qtr. They were only down 26-0... (5th shut out game, the Raiders are amazing!)
beautiful kids cap'in. Look at that smile.
congratulations crimson. That is something to be proud of.
yay jinx. Your pride is contagious.
Thanks, Bri and sky.
Yeah, I think I'll keep her.
Mainly because I'm getting too old to deal with someone else's bullshit.
(Just got smacked for that.)
Congrats, jinx.
I need any extra thoughts/prayers/positive energy that you can spare. Interview tomorrow downtown at 10am. This could be a good job.
You got it Syc! Good luck
I need any extra thoughts/prayers/positive energy that you can spare. Interview tomorrow downtown at 10am. This could be a good job.
Sending positive job vibes your way Syc. You're a good man!
I am deliriously happy today that I am no longer a Chiefs season ticket holder.
I need any extra thoughts/prayers/positive energy that you can spare. Interview tomorrow downtown at 10am. This could be a good job.
Run in there and nail it man!
Grandad's diahoerra has finally dried up!
Got the last load of washing today and there were a couple of suspect spots, but nothing more.
All washed and ironed and ready for Mum to come home.
Also next to nothing to clean up in his bathroom - just the usual old man misses.
AND he asked me to buy a sandwich today. Sounds minor (and I have to walk a mile to town and back - tcha!) but it means a lot. M&S salmon & cucumber in case you're wondering.
Mum was convinced it was caused by an overdose of laxatives - in fact he admitted that to her - but as the days went on I was worried that was a coincidence and in fact he had a real illness.
Now I know it really was what Mum thought and I can be quietly cross at all the washing, ironing and cleaning I've done. Except, really, I'm just so glad he didn't get properly ill on my watch :)
Have you hidden the laxatives?
Yes, but you don't want to know where.
We've hidden this family's laxatives in the chocolate souffle....
Let's see if they notice....
He has to take prescribed ones every day. They are a bit like fibre drinks and come in sachets. If he only takes one it keeps his old bowels moving. However for people with "impacted stools" (according to the packet) you can take up to eight a day. Grandad suspects he has a problem if he hasn't been for a while, and starts taking them willy-nilly. Silly old fool - he eats like a bird, except less worms - and can't expect to poo like a 60 year old who eats steak & eggs!
Anyway - he's fine now and it's all sorted.
Good news of the moment?
Mum & Dad get trick or treaters!
Yes!
Why is this so great?
Because I can wear my halloween costume and wig from last year, and make myself up. I'm not intending to scare them. I just really wanted to dress up, but the only places I could viably go were pubs or bars - too much money, too much temptation and not much fun alone.
Now I get to stay in the comfort of the 'rents home, in full make-up, nice and safe.
I even have all the right cosmetics (from last year) so no cash to splash.
I think I might try a skull face. Just for fun. Gotta see how complicated it is first. My pumpkin attempt reminded me I do not have a delicate touch. In some things.
Pictures will follow.
Just had a second piece of good news I wanted to share.
We've just confirmed our B&B for the January trip to Cardiff, when I'm going to see the great JB in pantomime, and Mum is just along for a weekend in Cardiff. Grandad has offered to pick up my hotel bill. Bloody hell. Where there's muck there's brass.
Sorry - I mean I am overwhelmed by this and so making jokes.
I have found us a great deal though. Mum wanted to stay at the Marriott, where they stayed before, but was offered £170 for the 2 nights, double only no twin, no breakfast. She tried a number of other hotels - all twin rooms fully booked. Blimey, second to last weekend in January, Cardiff hoteliers must be raking it in! Turns out there are quite a few things on over the weekend.
So I went back to the place I had a provisional booking with,
Ty Rosa. Turns out they have an annexe, with two double rooms which share a bathroom/ shower. We can have both rooms, with a gourmet breakfast and the total is £129.80. It's not in the city centre, but Mum and I are great walkers and anyway it's a friendly, clean, personal service. It's a gay B&B, but hetero-friendly. I won't have to pretend Mum is my elderly lover. Then again, with my hair lavender I look like her sister anyway. Oh, wait. That would still be wrong.
I much prefer small and intimate than corporate giant. So I get to save Grandad money, not share a bed with Mum, get a yummy breakfast (seriously -
look!), get local advice and get some exercise. And if they recommend a bar where I can sneak a drink and admire nice young ladies then I can cope with that too ;)
After that breakfast, walking will be tougher. :haha:
I think even Mum & I would shy away from the Gower Breakfast - laverbread (a mixture of seaweed and oatmeal, sliced and fried), poached egg and cockles. I mean I've had all separately, but together? For breakfast?
And back in the eighties there was a report that Welsh (men) drank more than any other part of the nation on their lunchbreak. For years I called a liquid lunch a Welsh lunch. And for those who don't get what I mean yet... You can get the next round in ;)
I wonder that the Welsh ever managed to fight us back.
No wonder these people can sing!
Anyway, turns out one of the annexe rooms is technically a bedsit. Or a studio as it is termed here. I don't know if those terms are prevalent outside the UK:
The room you booked is a studio room in the annexe apartment building, a room with double bed, HD flat screen TV/DVD, Dove toiletries, tea/coffee facilities, mineral water, iron/board, kitchen area with hob, microwave and fridge, table and 2 chairs, bathrobe and shares bath/shower bathroom with the other room [the other one we booked]
Coolio! So we can eat lunch and/ or dinner "at home" should we wish. And given Mum & I are usually penny pinching (oh, and greedy pigs), and are there for two nights, I can guarantee there will be at least one meal eaten chez nous. I mean, there's only so much laverbread a girl can eat.
I did not get that job...the first words out of the interviewer's mouth were, "I see that you have a Masters degree...why do you want to do contract work?"
But here's what I've decided to do...to try and start my own business. You can read about it
here.
I am done with a big client project and have nothing else hanging over my head business-wise (which is fine while I'm in school, but when I'm done, not so much). School's almost done, I just have a couple exams and a mid-sized essay, none of which I really have to worry about for a few days. I'm FREE! Sort of. :)
Congrats, Syc. I think that's the way to go!
I did a friend what I believe is now called a "solid."
My need to dispose of some durable medical equipment dovetailed very neatly with a friend's need to obtain those same items. What made it all the cooler was that the friend mentioned the need just in the context of wanting to vent about something, and I was able to say, "problem solved."
That's always cool Wolf.
Oh, and Syc: way to go mate. Good luck with that. I hope it takes off big time.
I did a friend what I believe is now called a "solid."
Eeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
My need to dispose of some durable medical equipment dovetailed very neatly with a friend's need to obtain those same items. What made it all the cooler was that the friend mentioned the need just in the context of wanting to vent about something, and I was able to say, "problem solved."
Oh, okay!
OMG Betty Crocker makes a fuckinawesome gluten-free brownie box mix, y'all. Best fake thing I've had in 7 months, by far.
huh. did you know there are only 123 registered Havana cats in the US? That's pretty durn rare
huh. did you know there are only 123 registered Havana cats in the US? That's pretty durn rare
Well, they can only enter the United States if they make it to land. Cats generally don't like swimming, don't have opposable thumbs and aren't very good at building seaworthy boats out of rubber mice, bits of interesting string, and bells.
Ibram's natural appendage.
I saw that one episode too cloud.
I am not 'happy happy' about it but pleased to have decided to make handmade soap for Christmas. I'm thinking the natural bars with herb scents.
Not the little decorative ones in pastel. :headshake:greenface
I'll probably bake a lot as well. I probably won't make noodle angels but they are so cute as a craft. I'll stay busy and be putting much love in to economical gifts.
OMG Betty Crocker makes a fuckinawesome gluten-free brownie box mix, y'all. Best fake thing I've had in 7 months, by far.
I passed this on to my friend with breast cancer who also can't eat gluten (without all sorts of dire consequenses, anyway). She had a box in but hadn't dared to try it yet, so she baked them this morning and they were indeed very good. Thanks from both of us. Some of the other gluten-free baking she's fed me has been ......interesting :lol:
Yeah, it's a crap shoot for sure. The Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookies, for example... not so much. But the brownies, hot damn!
Some rather excellent beef-veggie-barley soup, if I do say so myself. And the boy agrees...
Hammersmith Odeon, London '75
by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
I dunno why it but it just feels good.
pretty much fuckin nothing, but if it changes, I'll let you know. Maybe Hector got a PB in the 100free at the meet tonight?
OK, he did. by 3 seconds. which is good. woot.
Way to go Hector!
I'm happy because my best friend is having an Ohio State/Iowa party this Saturday. I'm just now back at work today, after being sick for a week, so I hope to feel well enough to "get out amongst 'em" and enjoy some Ohio football with fun people.
My online Dominos delivery order tracker has just updated from 'we have received your order' to 'It's on the road'. Oh yeah.
Feed Me
Tom Monaghan's 'pro-life' activism insure that I will never buy another Domino's pizza again.
My online Dominos delivery order tracker has just updated from 'we have received your order' to 'It's on the road'. Oh yeah.
Feed Me
I still order by phone from Domino's because the local place doesn't deliver to our house. That is to say, the web site insists that we're not in the delivery area, so even though they will deliver (which apparently is at the discretion of the store manager), it can't be via web order.
Fucking Friday, women, live band and scotch. Not to mention it was payday yesterday.
I can't take any more Dominos. or Little Caesar's. Or $5ish pizza of any variety. Swim meets, pool parties and classroom parties have totally cured me of ever thinking it was a choice food option..
Oh sorry this is the happy thread, hope I'm not get you down.
(which apparently is at the discretion of the store manager),
Right up until another franchise opens in the area and is assigned your street. If he delivers into another store's area, he could lose his franchise license. But yes, if it's no man's land, it's the manager's call.
I took a preggy test today.
LOL -- I wanted to build some suspense. ;)
OK, so I took a preggy test. Reason? I'm gaining weight and I don't know why. I don't think I'm doing anything different, but all of a sudden my favorite jeans don't fit. At all. Hm. I'm on the mini pill, so I don't have a period, thus I'm clueless. I may have not taken it quite as regularly as I should the past couple months because of this & that. . . so. I thought it unlikely 'cause we're an old boring married couple (ahem) and because we're, well, old. I'm 41, not exactly in prime fertile years.
I bought the thing on the way home from class, and I was in a hurry, not much time before I had to pick up the kids. I went in and peed on the stick, went out to change my shoes (new boots, they hurt), came back and saw TWO BLUE LINES. I nearly fainted. Seriously, I think I would have fainted if I didn't sit down.
My heart was thumping. Damn, I'm too old for this. I'm on lots of medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. and just am happy with the way things are, right? I sat on the bed and soaked it in. OMG. OMG. OMG.
Then I looked at the box.
Uh, a positive is a PLUS, not two lines.
Dummy.
I'M NOT PREGNANT! That is making me happy.
Is it really stupid that it's also kinda-sorta making me sad? ::shrug::
Sorry hin, the weight thing is to do with age. I'm 39 and experiencing the same problem and so are a few of my friends about the same age. There's a reason 40 has that big thing about it
It's a complication you didn't need. Glad there aren't any hard decisions to be made.... Now, you take that pill regularly, you hear me girl??
Yikes! Be careful Juni. We want to be happy for people when they're pregnant but it is risky business for our age group.
Well. The point is, that it's just kind of funny that for a whole 60 seconds or so I actually thought it was POSITIVE. I really did. That's why it's a post here, and not just a private eye roll. ;) So you can laugh at me!
I should know better; for the 10 years or so I've been taking the mini pill I've bought a lot of preggy tests. The way it works is you take the same low dose every day, there's no "off" week like regular pills, right? So no period, which I do not miss, but there's no way to really know if you're "late" like you ordinarily would. I feel very disassociated from a woman's normal cycle. And because they're low dose you have to take them exactly the same time each day, there's less forgiveness. So if I happen to feel ill one day, or fall asleep early, or get drunk and forget, etc. I'm theoretically opening myself up to fertility. I never had trouble getting knocked up when I meant to.
I haven't thought about it much, though, for the last three years or so. I figure at this age, conception is much less likely (plus you have to, um . . . ::shrug:: never mind) but you never know. I've probably got another few years till the "change."
Hubby's sister had a baby at age 41. And did it again at 43. Biggest mistake she ever made (long story) but health wise everything was OK. (Well, we're not entirely sure about the youngest one yet; he's kind of LD, but that may be his environment.) People do it. In fact, I think hubby's mom was about that age when she had him, too. My mom was 35.
Pie mentioned hard decisions. Wouldn't be a decision at all, unless a test revealed serious problems. A baby would be welcome, even though it wouldn't be convenient. Actually aside from the age thing, it would be easier this time around because I've got older kids to help out, especially my daughter, who is really such a mother hen already.
Well obviously it's a moot point. It's just that for that minute I really thought it was true and it was interesting to note my reaction. Terror, certainly. Calculation of when spring quarter ends.
Hubby and I elected to stop at two when we were blessed with one of each, boy and girl. Didn't want to push our luck, or our resources. But it's always been kind of sad to me that it's over, especially now that they are on the cusp of high school and fairly independent. OTOH I'm loving the chance to "get my life back" so to speak and be something besides mom.
Oh well, thanks for letting me ramble, and I realize it really was just that . . . roll your eyes at me, go ahead, you think I'm a ninny. :D
Maybe he should get snipped, so you can quit the pills all together?;)
Rain. Only a few millimeters so far, but 20 to 40 mills expected over the next day or two, which should put out most of the fires that the lightning started.
My replacement camera arrived :) I picked it up yesterday from the store *skips about* soooo glad I didn't have to buy a new one!
So, do you love capitalist consumer-good fetishism yet comrade? :D
Friday. And a four day weekend next week.
So, do you love capitalist consumer-good fetishism yet comrade? :D
I run my pc on a Windows operating system. I sold my soul long ago :P Or at least that's what my Linux fethishist friend thinks. *awaits missiles*
Pie mentioned hard decisions. Wouldn't be a decision at all, unless a test revealed serious problems. A baby would be welcome, even though it wouldn't be convenient. Actually aside from the age thing, it would be easier this time around because I've got older kids to help out, especially my daughter, who is really such a mother hen already.
I wasn't specifically talking about whether to 'keep' the baby or not -- somehow, I though that you were likely to feel as you do. Even if a baby is completely planned, there are always a ton of (sometimes difficult!) decisions to be made. School, your own health, your current family... Still, glad it worked out for the best. :)
Speaking to a friend today, she mentioned the word "yarn" as in the wool sense.
Really made me smile.
The knitters amongst you might hear it all the time, but I haven't heard it for a long while.
Apart from that, all is pretty much okay-dokey.
Going Christmas shopping next week with the 'rents. I'll take pics of the decorations.
Sleeping pretty well.
Saw the Barrowman on Children in Need last night.
Little or no rain compared to some parts of the UK (Cockermouth sounds funny alright, but they're had a terrible time recently) and been walking daily.
Huzzah!
Speaking to a friend today, she mentioned the word "yarn" as in the wool sense.
Really made me smile.
The knitters amongst you might hear it all the time, but I haven't heard it for a long while.
hehe Americans say yarn where Brits would say wool ....sounded so old fashioned and quaint when I first heard it. it funny, because I think that about a few word, phrases and customs ....and yet that the stereotypical New American view of Olde England. it amuses me (in a good way) the way the two countries are on different points of the trend cycle on so many things.
wait. so what is yarn in the UK?
we say "wool" when we mean "yarn". It doesn't have to be wool. But knitters might use "yarn" more often because it actually matters to them if it really is wool or not.
And your sheeps wear what?
So it can be polyester or something like that?
c'mon ...les than two minutes.... that's pretty damn fast....:lol:
It'd've been faster if she'd've held still.....
(are you liking the apostrophes?)
TURDUCKHEN for Christmas dinner!
Yay!
They bought it today (it's in the freezer).
I promise you photos.
...adds to bucket list..... sounds great!
Finished with jury duty, civil suit, one day trial. :)
got my IUD yesterday - no more pills! Woo hoo! (TMI?)
:celebrat:
I have just landed a new job!
Starting in early January, I will be a part-time (but continuing) associate lecturer at a real university, as an "academic skills advisor".
I will be teaching research and researching teaching.
The environment should be much better; socially, academically, even geographically.
The pay rate is much the same, but since I will be half-time I will take a substantial cut in income (although I will be paying much less tax). I will be fine financially, and will probably be able to go to full time in a year or so if I want.
I am jumping off the top rung of one ladder onto the bottom rung of another, much taller ladder.
:jig:
got my IUD yesterday - no more pills! Woo hoo! (TMI?)
Pics or it never happened. :eek: :bolt:
No we have to get a pic. Or maybe casi can post one with no fear of recrimination..... :p
Woooooooooohoooooooooo! Way to go Zen!
Lets hope it full time, soon.
I have just landed a new job! [snip] I am jumping off the top rung of one ladder onto the bottom rung of another, much taller ladder.
So, window-cleaner, right?
Good on ya, Zen.
great news, Zen!! congratulations!!
what is making me happy is my cock pin! :D
Yeah Zen!
[COLOR=Wheat]...
So, how many credit-hours should I be taking?[/COLOR]
It snowed! I didn't get to see it and it melted as soon as it hit a surface, but still...I know it snowed!
My wonderful Belgian Sheepdog gave birth to 10 [yikes!] 10 beautiful puppies!
Ten?!! Wow. Beautiful pups, Nirvana!
Woohoo Zen! (And sorry, no pics.....)
Congrats, Zen and Nirvana.
I have a pack of 10 buns ...anyone got sauce?
I got lots of stuff done today. It feels good. but then I always get the "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling. And I still have to go and single-handedly deal with swim club registration tonight, and it's bound to be full of parents angry that we didn't schedule the entire program for their convenience...... Gee, I brought myself down already! how 'bout that? :rolleyes:
:lol:
:hug: Here's hug for ya, Monnie
No we have to get a pic. Or maybe casi can post one with no fear of recrimination..... :p
Serious congrats Zen. Half your luck going to work at the best university in this city what with the view of the sunset over the sea and the pine forest in the bit between the two hills, not to mention the 'assertive' geese to do battle with at lunchtimes around the lake... and most importantly the fact that academically it's actually academic.
On the downside, the staffroom here isn't going to be half as much fun :sniff:and I don't see how we're going to able replace the 'roving Scrabble assistant' services that you provide, but we (royal we) will bravely soldier on in your absence.
As far as being able to post photos without fear of recrimination, small problem there....Zen knows where I live.
Thank you all.
Casi mentions the geese. When were you last there? Twinky and Binky were dealt with by means of a 12-guage shotgun in 1995 when they became too aggressive. Has there been trouble since?
Sigh...my nostalgia trip has been slightly sullied by reality.
Happiness is a box of puppies ... sans sauce ;)
Nirvana, I was going to say they are so cute,which they are but then my overriding thought was wow there are soooo many!
The weather yesterday was perfect. It was cold and clear, threatening snow in the am with perfect golden lemon colored sunshine in the afternoon. Driving home last night there was the most beautiful large full moon rising over the bridge. I was tempted enough to pick up my cell phone to get a picture but decided crashing wasn't worth it.
Sigh...my nostalgia trip has been slightly sullied by reality.
I'd forgotten all about Twinkie and Binkie's sad demise .:sniff:
AND gorgeous puppies. Could we set up house with them and the baby polar bear? (in separate wings of course).
That's a bucket full of awwwwwww there.
want....................puppy
It is hard for this Brit -as for many Brits- to blow her own trumpet. But I have to share this, because it was pretty cool and so kind....
I just got in from nearly 4 hours driving to and from and at the school's silent auction fundraiser. I didn't buy anything. Sounds more like it should be in the unhappy thread, right?
.....but I had donated eight ceramic pieces and they all sold -which is good going in this economy. There were even "bidding wars" on a couple of the pieces, although the starting and finishing prices were lower than I would have liked, but every buck is profit for the school, so it's all good. My pieces raised just over $100 I think. So that made me happy.
But I was actually there to run a scrip store -it's the fundraiser I do for the school, seeing as everyone had their checkbooks out already [SIZE="1"] (selling gift cards at face value, I buy them at discount and the school keeps the difference) [/SIZE] ...... and I sold over $4,000 of scrip! Profits range from 2-19% so I don't know exactly how much I raised until i enter it all in my spreadsheet, but I'm guessing around $300. So that made me very happy.
And several people took the time to stop and thank me which was very nice.
And then... the person who won the piece over which there had been the most bidding -the one I almost didn't donate because beest and I really liked it too---- gave it back to me as a thank you :o
So I'm happy. If very tired with a lot of paperwork to do.....
Cool. I love those leaf bowls.
Monster, are you on speed or something? You do so much.
Those bowls are very good.You're perfecting your craft. I am coveting the blue one with the leaf pattern.
Monster, are you on speed or something? You do so much.
Zen , I have Met her ( And Family ) IRL , She IS SPEED !!!
:lol: I'm not, honest. A slightly dodgy caffeine/alcohol pattern maybe. Man I was pooped last night, I crashed out so early! Swim championships this weekend, gotta get the battle plan shipshape and do all the stuff i should have done when I was wasring time sleeping :lol:
those are really beautiful monnie!
:lol: .... A slightly dodgy caffeine/alcohol pattern maybe. ... :lol:
Now
that describes my diet to a T!
So Zen, where is the new job. Aren't you still in the Land of the Rising Sun?
Walking from the train station to work this morning a young woman did a face plant into the sidewalk. I'm not sure how she tripped, because it happened behind me.
Here we are in downtown cynicism - the city of cold shoulders. But lots of people stopped to help her up, gather her things and get her back on her way.
It was a feel-good moment.
So Zen, where is the new job. Aren't you still in the Land of the Rising Sun?
I've been in Adelaide, Australia, since February 2008.[COLOR="LemonChiffon"] Sheesh, no wonder you guys can't find Osama[/COLOR].
The university is about 10 km from the city centre, on some hills at the edge of the plain.
:D Osama who? Never heard of him.
Tall guy, big beard. Not Santa.
For $50,000,000 reward, I'd say: yes.
I've just repaired a very ordinary wooden box. I used pegs made of matchstick to fill the holes which had become too big for the screws holding the hinges and then reattached the hinge to the box with the original screws.
And then I found an eyelet screw so that I could attach a small chain to hold the lid upright when vertical, to prevent the lid-hinge-screw problem from happening again.
20 minutes. Smug.
Happiness is a box of puppies ... sans sauce ;)
Nice picture, small black critters are sooo hard to photograph.
It is hard for this Brit -as for many Brits- to blow her own trumpet.
Actions speak louder than trumpets. You are noticed... here, as well as there... well done.
Monster, are you on speed or something? You do so much.
The very definition of a helicopter... forward progress varies with the needs of the crew, but the rotors are always spinning, making missions possible by doing all the work.
Smug.
Great feeling, ain't it. :thumb:
Companionship. Yes. Somebody loves me.
She digs that wig he's wearing. :lol2:
::
Companionship. Yes. Somebody loves me.
Yes, Capn! I do love you and so do the twins! :grouphug:
Bought my nephew's birthday present yesterday.
I'd been fretting about low funds, and wanting to find something he really liked for under £10.
So I went in the gizmo shop, thinking I could pick up something cheap and if he didn't think much of it, I wouldn't be too hurt.
Then I saw this. £4.99. It is perfect for a (very young) 12 year old boy. Samuel still thinks farts are the funniest thing in the world. I must admit, Mum, Dad and I still find them pretty funny too. It has a motion detector and makes a farting noise when movement is detected. Very childish and very vulgar. Hurray.
Then I felt I should encourage his individualism more and also picked up a tube of comb-in-wash-out blue hair dye. For Christmas. He might end up giving it to his sister, because she supports Chelsea and can dye a strand blue on match days. But I figure it will appeal to him as well as giving my sister kittens.
Ha ha ha.
Sorry, I mean ho ho ho of course.
... a (very young) 12 year old boy. Samuel still thinks farts are the funniest thing in the world. ...
One of the nicest things about my BIL's visits to our house is the chuckles from Husband and BIL as they fart away contentedly ...
Pork and sauerkraut in my slow cooker. 'Tis the season...
Not happy I don't have a fresh rosemary tree this year though.
Do you keep yours inside the house? mine died or is suffering a horrible lingering death
I also have sage and it died in a pot outside too. My lavendar outside in the ground is happy though.
Pork and sauerkraut in my slow cooker.
how do you fix it? I need a good recipe.
Uhh... recipe?
I put 6 thick boneless chops in the cooker with 2 bags of kraut and turned it on low.
If I had fresh rosemary and a tenderloin I might have tossed them both in a pan and browned/flavored it up a little before putting it in the cooker with kraut. Hard to screw this up really...
edit: I like to buy the xmas tree shaped topiary ones sky, but I can't keep them alive. I like to have one in the foyer and rub my hands on it whenever I go in/out. They just smell so good..... times a million when you have it cooking with pork....
Aaaah, back at work. I never realized how relaxing it is.
Uhh... recipe?
I put 6 thick boneless chops in the cooker with 2 bags of kraut and turned it on low.
If I had fresh rosemary and a tenderloin I might have tossed them both in a pan and browned/flavored it up a little before putting it in the cooker with kraut. Hard to screw this up really...
edit: I like to buy the xmas tree shaped topiary ones sky, but I can't keep them alive. I like to have one in the foyer and rub my hands on it whenever I go in/out. They just smell so good..... times a million when you have it cooking with pork....
some people put in apples and brown sugar? just wondering if you did any of that...
[COLOR="DarkRed"][SIZE="5"]It's Friday![/SIZE][/COLOR]
I just love Friday's.
I'm having pizza and a movie tonight. That new Harry Potter flick came out Tuesday. The wife and I are going to watch it tonight. :)
When my mother broke her hip a year ago I bought her an African violet. They seem to be the standard isn't it when people are in the hospital? So it died this summer and she gave it back to me. I don't blame her. I cut all the leaves off and it has slowly been growing. Just now it has the most beautiful bloom ,a bud and dark even leaves. If it were light enough I would take a photo. It's sweet. I'm happy it lived and decided to reward me with blooms.
Uhh... recipe?
I put 6 thick boneless chops in the cooker with 2 bags of kraut and turned it on low.
If I had fresh rosemary and a tenderloin I might have tossed them both in a pan and browned/flavored it up a little before putting it in the cooker with kraut. Hard to screw this up really...
Rubens are good this time of year too.
edit: I like to buy the xmas tree shaped topiary ones sky, but I can't keep them alive. I like to have one in the foyer and rub my hands on it whenever I go in/out. They just smell so good..... times a million when you have it cooking with pork....
Thanks. I was wondering if they grew better inside the house. I love the smell of rosemary too. After using fresh herbs the dried ones just pale by comparison.
My brother is here buying a new car, and he's torturing his salesman (i gave him to the guy that always keeps me here late)...and I didn't even put him up to it!
It's probably an early Christmas present. ahh brotherly love
Lil' Griff lead her field hockey team to their first victory of the indoor season yesterday playing the role of field general as the coach was not there. One goal and three assists!
Lil' Pete and I went to the holiday foil tourney in Scranton yesterday. Out of 16 fencers we finished 1st and 2nd! Father/Daughter Victory! er daughter/father I should say... but foil is my #2 weapon so...
Woohoo! Congrats Griff family!
Going to my mom and dad's for the 3rd night of Hanukkah. My sister's family will be there, except for the kids living out of town, and my son will be bringing his family.
With my grandson there, thats 11 people and 4 generations.
I'm bringing my camera.
With my grandson there, thats 11 people and 4 generations.
I'm bringing my camera.
Good plan.
Thanks jinx
Congratulations Griff. Condolences Rich :haha:
times are tough all over; that's why I'm especially happy to receive my Christmas bonus today.
Shopping time!
Peace. (Relatively speaking!)
After being a widower for 17 years, I married jujuwwhite yesterday at about 1400 hrs. Peaceful and happy. I had all but given up but I knew when I first saw her that my bird dogging days were over.
Congrats Cap'n! Thats awesome!
No bonuses no party not even a cold cuts tray from work this year. I really do work for scrooge! I don't care though, I have ALL my kids this Christmas - I need nothing more.
Congrats, Cap'n!
Hugs to you, classic!
Capnhowdy and Jujuwhite! Woot woot woot!
[wedding bells]
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
married at "14.00 hours" ... old habits die hard ... ;)
aw, Capnhowdy, congrats! That deserves its own thread. With pics!
Hey jujuwwhite, congrats to you and Mr. White! ;)
The pics were taken by the judge that married us at the courthouse. We took the afternoon off work to do this and we were in our work/leisure clothes. That's just us, though. Plain and simple. I love me some Juju.
I love me some Juju.
ETA: And the twins, too!:ggw:
Awwwwwwwwwwww! Congrats CapNJuJu! :lovers:
Freaking Fantastic news! Congratulations both of you. :D
Can we call him capnwhitey now?
...then when he gets drunk he'l be tightywhitey....
LMFAO @ you peeps! I love you all! We're like family. Thanks. I'm sure Juju will post soon.....
Sorry it took me so long to post! My lap top is shot and still trying to get used to sharing a computer with capnhowdy! LOL He makes me very, VERY happy and the twins too!
Congrats, jujuwwhite. Don't forget to put your foot down, when he tries to get you to climb the ladder, and get that toilet paper off the trees. ;)
Congrats to the dirty old man, too. :haha:
Thanks, Bruce, but you are a day late! That's how we spent our honeymoon! LOL He did hold the ladder for me though.
Oh Goodness! That's so brilliant :) Congrats to the both of you :)
Many, many congratulations and lots of love to you both.
Many happy wishes to both of you - great pics! You both look very happy.
Congratulations to you both! What nice news to hear! :)
Congratulations to you both! I wish you many years of happiness together!
As you know Zen is going to work up the hill in the real world of academia. I was informed on Monday that I have been awarded Zen's job.
Sweet! Make sure you do it better than he did... I hear that dude was such a slacker, he was always on some messageboard during work hours.
I reckon....now I would never spend my workhours doing such a thing.
39 straight rounds dead through the X from 25 feet. felt good.
hehe Americans say yarn where Brits would say wool ....sounded so old fashioned and quaint when I first heard it. it funny, because I think that about a few word, phrases and customs ....and yet that the stereotypical New American view of Olde England. it amuses me (in a good way) the way the two countries are on different points of the trend cycle on so many things.
We also say "wool" when referring to yarn. I remember the first bathroom graffiti I saw as a kid that I thought was funny: Someone had written "My mother made me a homosexual" below it someone else wrote "If I buy her the wool will she make me one too?"
We also used yarn to mean story a lot. But then my mom is English/Scots so, who the fuck knows what the hell was going on.
Sweet! Make sure you do it better than he did... I hear that dude was such a slacker, he was always on some messageboard during work hours.
Probably downloading bittorrents too.
39 straight rounds dead through the X from 25 feet. felt good.
Not for the X, I imagine.
I'm to busy in the cellar to download torrents.
Actually, one of our colleagues had been doing that until she got "the message" from the IT department.
I'm excited! I think I'm going to drive up to ABQ on Saturday for more piercings!
Nothing like a few new holes for Christmas!
Misfits is on again tonight.
And I have bread & cheese for supper.
I like Thursdays.
Well...I was supposed to turn up at my supervisor's tomorrow with a 'complete' first chapter. I won't be doing this: it still needs a conclusion. I have however managed to get 5500+ words down on paper...albeit they're not right good. It needs extensive rewriting, and I am not much looking forward to delivering the cartload of caveats and disclaimers that will accompany this first draft...
BUT... a week ago I was struggling to see my way past 1000 words, and wondering what the fuck I am doing. The first draft is as rough as sandpaper and I am far from proud of it (really isn't up to my usual standards at all). But the process has been absolutely invaluable. I think i know how to rewrite it to a much better standard. In the process of writing I have rediscovered my 'voice' albeit a little late for tomorrow. I will be spending a good amount of the Christmas break rewriting this beast but at least now I feel I have some sort of a clue. I am sooo grateful to my supervisor for setting me this deadline (even though i haven't quite hit the target). Much better to go through that hell before I have to produce a finished and polished product.
The last couple of weeks have been a nightmare. I lost all confidence in my ability to write cogently. Hell, I lost confidence in my ability to think cogently lol. Some of that lack of confidence comes through in the work I've done, but at least I know why and I think I know how to make it better. Right now, i don't think it'd pass muster as a second year undergrad piece of work; but with a rewite I think it has the potential to be rather good.
More importantly, the process of writing this first chapter has broken me into my subject. I can see the rest of the thesis taking shape now, in my mind's eye. Much less frightening that an amorphous mass of unclear, and ranging ideas that don't quite fit together :P
This was always going to be one of the most difficult parts of the thesis: the military side of a military-domestic equation. If I can get this right, the rest will flow.
I'm slightly annoyed at myself for not getting to grips with this sooner, and so not managing to write a conclusion. But right now, at a little after midnight, I'm just pleased there's enough to take with me in the morning. And I am ecstatic that i can now go to bed :P
Way to go Dana.
Well after five years, and over twenty thousand dollars, I am a full Bachelor of Science.
Congraduations Tiger!
Well done Dana, it sounds like your supervisor knows what they are doing as a supervisor. I am confident that you'll get that thesis-beast in a headlock before it is due. (Probably about 12 hours before it is due, but that will do.)
Congraduations Tiger!
Well done Dana, it sounds like your supervisor knows what they are doing as a supervisor. I am confident that you'll get that thesis-beast in a headlock before it is due. (Probably about 12 hours before it is due, but that will do.)
*grins* he knows what he's doing, and he knows me. Which is great, because I can't play him.
Tora, way to go! That's totally awesome. You're full of good and cheering news :)
I am confident that you'll get that thesis-beast in a headlock before it is due. (Probably about 12 hours before it is due, but that will do.)
Yeah, 12 hours or more. Then she'll watch 3 episodes of Dr Who, take Pilau for a walk, and screw around in the Cellar, for 11.5 hours. :lol2:
Ohhhhhh.....you know me so well lol
an evening (or morning) well spent
Yeah, 12 hours or more. Then she'll watch 3 episodes of Dr Who, take Pilau for a walk, and screw around in the Cellar, for 11.5 hours. :lol2:
:rotflol::haha::lol2:
Essentially half a day today...then off work until the 28th!
I'll be working some from home, but still...heaven!
:happydance:
All four Qicelets home for the Holiday... massive amounts of baking this weekend!!
Essentially half a day today...then off work until the 28th!
I'll be working some from home, but still...heaven!
:happydance:
After today, I'm off till the 4th. :D
After today, I'm off till the 4th. :D
good for you AND shaw for snagging some holiday down time.
YAY! nothing like not having to work over christmas - glad to hear some people get some time off.
Ha! Our classes start on the 4th so the time between Christmas and New Year's is going to be crazy.
Enjoy your time off!
Today is the day I drive to the city to pick up the baby kitty :D
Gotta go grocery hoarding first though, with the snow coming... should be fun.
I love my boi the most.
But I will always envy anyone getting a new kitteh.
I got approached for direct advertising for a relevant product on my website. It's not the promise of income (of which I expect there will be no more than pennies) that makes me happy, but rather the air of legitimacy I get to feel. They came to me!
That is pretty awesome! Congratulations.
Great stuff Clod. Just goes to show: if you build it they will come!
Well, my supervision meeting went really well. Having dumped my cartload of caveats and disclaimers onto his desk he just grinned and said: well that's the point of doing a first draft :P
We discussed the basic themes I'd drawn out and possible structures for the thesis overall, along with other sundry stuff about research plans.
Having re-read it this morning I don't think what I wrote is that bad actually. It's raw, yes, and it needs reworking extensively, but there's a strong core to it. It was quite reassuring to find that when I told him about the difficulties I'd had in terms of finding my voice and figuring out the shape of my ideas, he didn't seem unduly worried by that. This is apparently quite normal when stepping up from undergrad to research thesis, because of the nature of the task. So much of the eventual shape and structure is dependent upon research that isn't done yet and there's so much more of it than with a dissertation, that I'm basically approaching a first chapter which needs to set the scene for later chapters, without actually knowing for sure where the later chapters are going to end up. The research informs the writing and the writing informs the research and that process is ongoing and fluid.
He told me I should be more worried if I am coming up with a perfect first draft: if it can be whipped up with ease at first try then I'm probably not saying something worth saying at this level.
So, I left uni feeling more confident, and with a much clearer idea of where I am taking this, as well as feeling more comfortable with the not knowing in terms of the eventual shape. Am back to being enthusiastic again and feeling like this is something I am capable of; and that my ideas are actually worth exploring in a thesis.
what a great feeling and just in time too. Congrats.
Finally found this on youtube:
[youtube]f-h7lbMsLdU[/youtube]
Nothing's coming up for me...just blank.
try again, I think I fix'd it...
sex on a stick or what? When those ads were out i emailed them and told them how much I loved the ads and they sent me a full pack of postcards including stormy guy. According to youtube his name's Norwin :yelsick:
Norwin still must bow down before...
EL NINO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEoHz56jWGYJust booked our tickets to & from Cardiff for January.
£8.50.
London to Cardiff and back. And £8.50 is for both of us, ie £4.25 return each.
Amazing.
They work on a system of charging more for popular times/ destinations.
We got the basic fare of £1 for the return, and the slightly higher one of £3 for the outward journey.
50p booking fee makes up the difference.
Seems like there isn't much call for coach travel to and from Wales at the tail end of January for some reason...
I am made up.
It will cost us double that to get to London to catch the coach!
But that's hardly an issue now :)
What date are you going to cardiff?
Its Yule, and my anniversary today!! So far my day has been quiet and mostly un-eventful. I only have had 2 phone calls from work this morning. LOL
Snow day with the kids making an igloo. Well, not an actual igloo, but a snow shelter.
Its Yule, and my anniversary today!! So far my day has been quiet and mostly un-eventful. I only have had 2 phone calls from work this morning. LOL
Happy anniversary, Jay! Today is my one week anniversary. :)
Har! Happy anniversary Jay and Mr Jay!
What date are you going to cardiff?
Sat 23-Mon25 January. I'm going to see the last performance of John Barrowman in panto. Mum's coming along for the ride.
Happy today?
My Christmas tree.
A wonderful surprise from a Big Dwellar with a very Big Heart. And not Big V - although I'm sure he has one too.
Today is my last day in this job.
Well, I actually kind of like this job so I'm not really pumped up about leaving, but I am off work until 11th January. :D
I've got STACKS to do today and the weather is sucky (40 with a thundery change late) but summer break is almost upon me. :D
Got pictures of my Grand-daughter in the mail today!!!! she is soooo cute!
Because the weather is so dodgy, no-one is Christmas shopping today, so I was ale to breeze through a certain well known toy store and scoop excellent presents for both nephew and neice. Done.
I PASSED MY SERIES SEVEN YESTERDAY!!!!!
And congrats to Capn and Juju, Happy anniversary Jay, sounds like you're doing great Dana, and cool news Clod! Enjoy your tree Cherry! And everyone else, happy holidays!!!
Well done Queenie! *does a happy dance for Queen*
umm...just one question, what is series seven?
Yay, Queen! Good for you!
(Series 7 = certification to trade securities, I believe.)
correct Pie - And it is extremely difficult to pass. Major congrats!
Ooooh. That sounds awfully technical. Good goin Queenie!
What's making me happy:
I was clearing off the memory card from my old camera (which has mysteriously started working again, since I bought a new one; good job I checked and didn't just cast aside!) so Ma can use it, and I found the pics from my graduation in July! There are a couple of them that I'd forgotten about, and am so pleased I found them; some lovely ones with my brother and mum and my two best friends:)
Finding old photos that you thought you'd lost is great!
I'm so thrilled about it. There are a a couple in particular with my mum and my (adored) big brother :P
I got my daughter to wrap all my gifts for my wife. I am quite pleased. I hate wrapping gifts.
There is happiness, even in the midst of angst!
Mostly it is the amazing people here in the Cellar.
I love you and appreciate you all year - and am so happy I found you.
But getting gifts too blows my mind. I have been staggered by the generosity shown to me this year. It's had me in happy tears on more than one occasion.
Thank you all, the gift givers, the PMers, those who've been kind in posts and those who've just posted with the intelligence and wit that keeps me coming back to this place.
Coupla pics for you.
Went out for Christmas Eve lunch & drinks with the 'rents.
I did drink, but I dodn't get drunk - it was a lovely family occasion.
First - they served Baileys in chocolate cups!
Nom nom nom.
Secondly, Ste joined us for lunch.
Is that your brother, SG :love:?
Thanks everyone!
And I am so happy to feel the happiness beaming from you Sundae. (Still can't get over how much you and mum look alike.)
If I get to busy with all of the Holiday Glee, THANK YOU ALL so much for being my cyber friends - It's nice to have a home away from home to find support through the tough times and joy to share in the good ones. Hope you all have a blessed holiday, whatever you may celebrate!
Wow! Your bro is gorgeous!
Bailey's ... in chocolate cups .... aaghhhhhhhhhh .... :yum:
Great Pics SG !!
Baileys in Chocolate cups ??
BRILLIANT !!!!!
A Pint or two with the family for a Nice warm family Glow is a Good thing !!!!
F All the family drama !!
Happy Xmas !!!!!
[youtube]8-0WVfj76bo&[/youtube]
Hahaha zip, very cute! Thanks for that.
A couple of things made me very happy today:
The place I work for paid us a day early. Which meant that MB and I were able to have a great Xmas dinner at a nice French bistro on Rittenhouse Square tonight.
AND...the restaurant taking up the first floor of our building was closed today, and presumably tomorrow. Which means their loud-ass kitchen fan and hvacs outside our living room windows are off, and we're able to enjoy lovely peace and quiet for the holiday.
Christmas preparations finished!
Lovely! What a magnificent snowscene!
What's making me happy today is: Pilau. he's been in a completely darling mood all morning. I woke up around 8.30, nipped downstairs to turn the heating on, and went back up to bed to lie there listening to the radio. Pil decided this was a good time for cuddles and was doing his adoring doggy routine. I swear sometimes he thinks he's a cat: he was almost purring. He's so sweet when he 'talks'.
he's played with (begun the process of destroying) his new toy and eaten his Christmas sausage treat and is now sprawled on my sofa with an expression of utter contentment.
That cake is precious, darling, fabulous!
What's making me happy today is: Pilau. he's been in a completely darling mood all morning. I woke up around 8.30, nipped downstairs to turn the heating on, and went back up to bed to lie there listening to the radio. Pil decided this was a good time for cuddles and was doing his adoring doggy routine. I swear sometimes he thinks he's a cat: he was almost purring. He's so sweet when he 'talks'.
he's played with (begun the process of destroying) his new toy and eaten his Christmas sausage treat and is now sprawled on my sofa with an expression of utter contentment.
Did Pilau have a nice new year? Happy New Year, Pilau! :)
Eggs Benedict
PS: @ Limey - that's a very cool cake! Is it homemade? Does it have any other significance other than being a nice Christmas scene?
Eggs Benedict
PS: @ Limey - that's a very cool cake! Is it homemade? Does it have any other significance other than being a nice Christmas scene?
Homemade cake. I used a different recipe this year (not the family traditional one) - 1.4kg assorted dried fruits and 450g dough ingredients (:eek:). The little figures are family "heirlooms", used on the cake most Christmasses throughout my childhood. We've eaten half the cake now - my mum wants me to take a slice to her in the Nursing Home she now lives in every time I visit, so it must meet with her approval!
wow, that's so wonderful! It sounds like you have really rich and meaningful holiday traditions.
Pilau had a lovely New Year, yes! He could probably have done without having antibiotics forced down his throat but other than that it went pretty well. Didn;t enjoy the fireworks much, but had a lovely time eating gravy bone biscuits for New Year's Eve supper. Then he started his New Year's Day with a sausage breakfast. What's not to like about sausages?
He's had a very tiring play with his squeaky figgy pudding toy; and more or less killed the squeaky JingleBell. Went for a walk and chased a bird. Unfortunately I was still attached to the end of the extender lead so that didn't end quite as he'd planned. He'd like everyone to know that it was only my hindrance that prevented him from catching the bird this time. H would definately have got it else. Met a nice lady-dog. Well....girl-dog. But hey....if he was 5 years younger...
The postman visited and put some envelopes through the letter-box, so clearly the favourite game of bite the postie's fingers is still on for this year. he's quite pleased about that.
All in all a pleasant start to the year.
The little figures are family "heirlooms", used on the cake most Christmasses throughout my childhood.
Are they
Dept. 56 Snowbabies?
Starting to watch season one of Inspector Lewis. I received season 1 & 2 for X-mas.
Our giant articulating 4x4 Case IH dually tractor would not start for my hub today. I went out turned the key and fired it right up. :D
Are they Dept. 56 Snowbabies?
OMG! So they are!
I've never seen them anywhere except on our cake (except we did find a couple in an antiques market once. I think the house and the reindeer sled are not from our original set, and there are two more babies that some twat has painted with cream gloss paint which I didn't use).
Since they're porcelain, you should be able to chemically strip that paint off without a problem. But you don't know if they were painted because they were damaged. :confused:
Great cake Limey. What was your Mum's verdict?
Since they're porcelain, you should be able to chemically strip that paint off without a problem. But you don't know if they were painted because they were damaged. :confused:
I'd rather strip'em and find out - they're horrible as they are, so are headed for the charity shop (see "
clutter-weeding") if they don't shape up!
Great cake Limey. What was your Mum's verdict?
She wants me to take it to the Nursing Home for her, because she's "starving and hasn't eaten for three days". I'm rationing her to a slice per visit, as I don't think anyone would be pleased by quantities of Christmas cake in the underwear drawer ... :neutral:
The Buckeyes would have made me happy yesterday, if I hadn't fallen asleep and missed a lot of the game. ;)
So, the [COLOR="Red"]Ohio [/COLOR][COLOR="Gray"]State [/COLOR][COLOR="Red"]Buckeyes [/COLOR]make me happy today!
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/columns/story?id=4789586
Highlights...one of those boys is local, so it was great to read of the win. :)
Oldest son showed up only with the clothes on his back. AND he only wears designer... sigh... then we went to Winner's. He found 2 prs of "$100-150" jeans for $25 each! That makes me happy!
Maybe a change of wardrobe would beget a change of attitude, then beget a change of lifestyle.
Oh well, baby steps, baby steps. ;)
OMG! So they are!
I've never seen them anywhere except on our cake (except we did find a couple in an antiques market once. I think the house and the reindeer sled are not from our original set, and there are two more babies that some twat has painted with cream gloss paint which I didn't use).
We have them as well. Although their numbers dwindle every year as the dogs eat one or two each year. We lost at least 2 this year.
You know, I'd tend to think that Pilau would be happy most days simply because he can easily lick his balls. Unless, of course, you took him to be tutored.
My consultation appointment for my dental work is at 1100 hrs on Wednesday the 13th. Prolly will wind up getting dentures.
For the first time I can remember, nobody gave me a calendar for Christmas. Not family, not a vendor, not my Alma Mater. Nobody. So I was just digging through my drawer full of old calendars, and discovered that the 1999 calendar has exactly the same day layout. I never even wrote on it. So I flipped through it and crossed out the 1999 with a sharpie, and wrote 2010 next to each one. I used a blue sharpie so it will really stand out, what I did.
I use a calendar program on the computer, but having one hanging on the wall to quickly glance at is absolutely necessary. I've been missing one for the last week.
Maybe this should go in the feeling old thread, that I have an 11 year old calendar readily at hand.
A customer lent me this CD for the day. It's 7 different versions of Red House. 6 by Hendrix, and one by Johhny Lee Hooker. it's very nice.
covers are great in my book
Red House is an icon in the blues world. I love me some blues, and they're so easy to play.
Called up the Queens Park Centre to offer myself as a volunteer. I'm hoping I can get free pottery sessions in return, but at the very least I will get volunteer sessions there, which will make me feel involved.
Lady I spoke to said that they are most in need of volunteers on Friday and Saturday nights for the Limelight Theatre. I said I was happy to work then, and the Manager is going to phone me back.
Now I was in a couple of performances there,back when I was all am-dram and confident, so working front of house would be a pleasure. And of course it's when they most need help. So I feel really positive about that.
And we're having mussels tonight. Nom nom nom.
OH! And Great Aunt Alice's money has been released from probate or whatever it's called - two years after her death. Mum - and all the other rellies - should have a cheque by the end of the week. The money will affect me very little (it's her money and there's not a lot that money can solve for me right now, unless it's really stupid amounts like Euromillions lottery), but it will affect me enormously when it comes to Mum's mood and happiness. And being a proper daughter, I'm genuinely happy Mum's stress as an Executor finally comes to an end. Okay, she will find something else to stress about, but at least this will be off her shoulders and she should be calm for at least a month :)
And finally, watched the pilot of Glee last night. Stupid sky+ cut off the end, but I'm guessing the teacher came back. Liked it a lot, starts officially on E4 next Monday. Might have to watch it next time, rather than rely on having it recorded. Yay! Haven't had a series to watch since... actually, I have watched a few. But it's not all that common I promise.
What's making me happy is seeing SG in the happy thread!
Being Humasn second series :) yey.
Good stuff Sundae:)
Oh Dana... Daaannnaaa....
So much for 'short arm inspection' heeheehee!
Now mark it NSFW.
oh purlease.... anyone looking that closely will see it's a salami -real dicks don't bend at that angle......
...oh, you meant the pic of Dana ...she is a little hawt for the workplace, I must admit....
on the left of the cake? sure is.....
No, I mean like, the left of us, or the left of the birthday chick? On whose left is the cock? :lol:
And who's on first? Fuck it..... I'm going to bed.
What? I don't know. (second and third)
oh purlease.... anyone looking that closely will see it's a salami -real dicks don't bend at that angle......
Not a Ron Jeremy fan?
what's making me happy today is knowing that is exactly 3 minutes i get the fuck out of here and get to go home for 2 days!!!
Feeding the ducks in the snow.
Spending some time with my nephew.
That's cool! I've never fed ducks in the snow before, and I bet they really appreciate it.
awesome - you look VERY happy!
That you Sundae Girl? I'd say you were having a lot of fun feeding those ducks.
Good for you! There can never be enough happiness in the world.
I admit I submitted the ducks pic because I was having a great time. Mum, neph & I all had our share of bread, but I eked it out most carefully, which meant I ended up with a demesne of mallards.
I passed the camera to Mum with a request for photos. Had I been less sparing with the bread, I'd have had pics of them instead.
I'm pleased with the result tho (chins notwithstanding). What really makes me laugh is the pic of the three of us where I am the only one obviously happy. I LOVE teh SNOW!
I don't have anything to do today and that makes me happy!
I slept 11 hours last night.
A strange thing to make someone happy but I get to go to my Ear Nose and Throat doctor tomorrow and make cash payments. lol
The people at the desk said,"no insurance'"no problem" :)
For the most part, I stay rather busy at work. When I get home I don't have a lot of personal time to get on the PC and socialize. I work in a rather large facility, I have a radio on my desk. For about four years I could only get one station - NPR Radio. It was okay for simple background noise and the news/weather every hour on the hour. During the "in-between" times I was stuck with what I call "elevator music" (classical going to sleep music).
Over the years I made hints to vasrious family members about the lack of reception my radio was receiving. Seems my wife, bless her heart, heard my pleaful request of a better radio because for Christmas she bought me a nice radio.
Now I can switch between my Soft Rock, Jazz and Talk Radio stations. :)
Just decided that I am done for the day and that it is time to get into jammies and relax with a movie and a glass of wine.
[SIZE="2"][COLOR="DimGray"]...'cept now I need go to the mildly irritating thread and post about how this means I put off grocery shopping and will not have milk for my coffee tomorrow...[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Spent about 40 minutes on the phone to my Aunt in Australia.
My cousin has been accepted into her first choice university. I was surprised to find that the majority of Australian students live at home during their time at Uni - in this country the opposite is true. And if TV shows and movies are anything to go by, that is the case in America too - kids go away to study.
Anyway, it was a great chat, and I'm happy for my cousin. For those in Oz, she's going to the Catholic University in Brisbane (ACU) to study Social Science.
Two items. Going in to work late today! And yesterday my kid and I won another tournament but more importantly this time it was a three person event and we were able to pump up the confidence of an inexperienced girl from the club who had a rough go of it in her previous competitions. Lil' Pete may have a future in coaching, she gave the girl simple instructions about handling a very good fencer after I kept us even against a very athletic and unconventional guy. The girl fenced him even after getting pounded by him earlier in the day. She was magnificent! You could watch her understanding expand suddenly. I followed with the go ahead fencing their weakest guy and Lil Pete closed it out against the hyper-athlete. Our new girl was just glowing with pride.
Just decided that I am done for the day and that it is time to get into jammies and relax with a movie and a glass of wine.
[SIZE=2][COLOR=DimGray]...'cept now I need go to the mildly irritating thread and post about how this means I put off grocery shopping and will not have milk for my coffee tomorrow...[/COLOR][/SIZE]
lol It hurts when one's out of creamer I know!
I love the comfort of jammies.
Two items. Going in to work late today! And yesterday my kid and I won another tournament but more importantly this time it was a three person event and we were able to pump up the confidence of an inexperienced girl from the club who had a rough go of it in her previous competitions. Lil' Pete may have a future in coaching, she gave the girl simple instructions about handling a very good fencer after I kept us even against a very athletic and unconventional guy. The girl fenced him even after getting pounded by him earlier in the day. She was magnificent! You could watch her understanding expand suddenly. I followed with the go ahead fencing their weakest guy and Lil Pete closed it out against the hyper-athlete. Our new girl was just glowing with pride.
:D :thumb:
Went with Mum & Dad to Leighton Buzzard today. It's a pretty market town about 15 miles away. Mum was going to pay a cheque into a funeral home (donation in the name of someone whose funeral she can't attend) and I went along for the ride.
Now Mum asked me to go, because she wanted to buy me something from a small, independent clothes shop they have there. It's a shop for women of a certain size... In fact the sizes the clothes go up to, I'm be amazed if the women were still alive! I'm at the bottom of their range, but nevertheless I like the choice.
She said she wanted to buy me a jacket, because we had some run-ins over the snowy period about my lack of suitable outdoor wear. I wear my cape when the temperature drops below 10 (50) degrees, but I couldn't wear it in the snow, because the bottom got all wet. What Mum didn't know was that I had ordered myself a jacket off eBay. Lovely item, arrived this morning, Mum delighted, it's now in her wardrobe until at least next year :)
So anyway, when we got to LB, the shop has a sale on. Mum advised me to pick whatever I wanted and take it into the changing room then we could decide what I would have instead of a jacket. When I came out she sent me off to Boots next door (it's a chemist - my burn is in the weeping state) and bought the lot for me. £81 of clothes!
I was tearful.
This is of course the first spend of Aunty Alice's money, but it's so wonderful because I can wear my new clothes to Cardiff this weekend.
I got a pair of jeans, a pair of black trousers, a hoodie, a double layered t shirt (GORGEOUS!) a black evening top, a pale pink dressy blouse, and a hot pink bra. I'm so happy.
AND - if that wasn't enough - they're part-funding my trip to Amsterdam. Plan is to go there in March for five nights (Mon-Fri). This includes paying for my passport and the hotel. So me whining on Saturday that I was all wan and weary and left out was just self pity (I did know that, to be fair). Mum had a little chat with me about how proud she was that I put the family first by deciding not to go on holiday with them and the fact I have saved for Cardiff and haven't expected her to pay anything towards it (yet!). She thinks I'm doing really well.
And yes, I think that means more than any money.
Oh and just a teeny tiny thing when set against that, but I've printed out vouchers for 4 separate restaurants for the weekend including Pizza Express and Yo Sushi! (40% off, wow!) It's only a semblance of being frugal, but it appeals to the bargain hunter buried deeply inside the profligate spender.
Don't new clothes make you feel grand? :)
Wonderful, SG. Good on your mum!
Awww, SG...that sounds great.
I'm so very proud for you, SG! I bet you feel great in your new clothes!
Exhausting but happy day at the hockey rink. No school today because of MLK day,so there was a sticks and pucks clinic with the Whalers (local NHL feeder team). We've done two of these with Thor this year, but this time was special because both Thor and Hector were doing it.
When we went skating at Christmas, Hector -aged nearly 11- suddenly decided he wanted to learn to play hockey. Now it's really hard to start at that age and this is a kid who always rejects the opportunity to try new sports in case he's crap at them, but he was determined and said he didn't mind if he ended up in a class with kids way younger than him... so we signed him up. He's had two classes so far (the Whaler's players help with the coaching) he's worked really hard and was so excited to be attending the clinic today, so that made us all happy.
Usually the whole Whalers team attends the clinic, but they had a game this afternoon so there were only the half a dozen who were not rostered to play. but it was still a good clinic, Hectore wearing the full hockey gear for only the third time in his life and playing his first ever scrimage.... followed by a pizza party. and then the game. and because there weren't many whalers at the clinic and pizza party (where they normally do an autograph sessions), the kids were given the opportunity to play during the first intemission and then go to the locker room at the end of the game for autographs.
Fucking Awesome Game, Whalers (currenly placed 2nd in their division) won over the Windsor Spitfires (leading the division). Lots of fights, lots of goals. And then after the game the Whalers came back on the ice to skate will all the kids for about 45 minutes -Thor and Hector got their helmets autographed.
I'm bloody knackered now, though. Our seats were about as far as they could be from the locker room the kids were using, so I spent half the time belting up and down stairs and along corridors under the stand to get them in and out of kit in record time :lol: I'm calling that my exercise for today.
We taught the kids how to play
Euchre this weekend. They are really good at it. I'm quite impressed that they picked it up so easily. I guess it's not as difficult as I thought. But they love it, and we've been having a great time playing it off and on all weekend..
Love that hat and jacket. That's a great look. You look like you just came from Camden Market in the 60s!
Did have some good news yesterday, just didn't fancy reporting it.
I had a letter at the beginning of the month from Leicester City Council. They claimed I owed £270 council tax from 2007-08 and it was at the point where I would be expected to attend court and could be imprisoned for non-payment.
Now a year ago, or two years ago that would have sent me into a huge panic. I probably wouldn't have opened it in the first place, when I saw it was from Leicester in case it was bad news (which it was).
Instead I opened the letter, filled in the details on the back re my ability to pay and added a query as to what period this referred to given that I moved in July 2007 and had in fact already received a refund for monies paid.
Got a call yesterday from a very helpful lady at the Council. They had re-opened my file because of a letter from the solicitor working on behalf of the landlord back in 2007 to say I was no longer resident at the property. The letter was dated November 2007, so the assumption was made that I had been resident until that time. Which meant I was also liable to repay the refund.
Anyway, we cleared it all up. I do not owe them any money and they will be sending me a letter to this effect. Which is of course a good thing. But better is that I dealt with it all myself, no panic, no tears, no suicidal thoughts. I dealt with it like a normal healthy person would. What a wonderful realisation.
Well done, Sundae!
Yes, well done SG. You done good!
Dealing with the taxman is never any fun -- you handled it in a more adult fashion than many other people would have!
If you figure a penny saved is a penny earned, and SG spent maybe 20 minutes on the phone, she was making £810/hr for the time she was on that phone. Not bad at all.
My wife called and told me the Sun was shining. I had to go out and look... sure enough is!
But better is that I dealt with it all myself, no panic, no tears, no suicidal thoughts. I dealt with it like a normal healthy person would. What a wonderful realisation.
I'm not sure about "normal", most people melt to quivering jelly when confronted by the taxman. :lol: But you surely did the right thing, good for you. Most of these things can be straightened out if you're calm, logical and organized... you aced that exam. Kudos!
I passed my toe loop.
Sounds painful, sorta obscene, kinda kinky.
Oh, wait, you mean figure skating... [SIZE="1"]nevermind[/SIZE] ;)
My wife called and told me the Sun was shining. I had to go out and look... sure enough is!
Which part of the heartland is that? Cuz this part hasn't seen sun in ...weeks?
I passed my toe loop.
...Sounds painful, sorta obscene, kinda kinky ... ;)
I'm afraid that's exactly what I thought :blush: :o
I found a couple yoga stretches for my back and things are looking much better. A new mattress might finish the whole issue.
Griff...you just gave me an idea for a poll.
I found a couple yoga stretches for my back and things are looking much better. A new mattress might finish the whole issue.
Anyone have a yoga stretch for hip flexors? Mine is killing me. Started running again back in October and over use is causing severe pain.
Oh, and since this is the happy thread...running makes me happy!
I do a stretch (may or may not be yoga) that seems to help. I sit on the floor with one leg straight out and the other leg bent and over it with the foot dangling. I put my arms around my elevated knee and pull it to my chest. I only do this after a warm-up. Remember though I'm just some guy on the internet, don't hurt yourself.
Warrior 1
Just finished the blankets for
Project Linus as part of the
Disney Give A Day, Get A Day program. If all goes well, these should be our tickets to the Magic Kingdom -fingers crossed....
The appliqued Mickeys -blanket stitch- took longer than the damn blankets, but we felt that even though plain blankets fulfilled our volunteer requirements, the kids deserved something special. I hope they hold up, my blanket stitching was a little rusty.
It was a fun project, one we might well do again even without the Disney ticket incentive. But as we're off to Disney in less than a month.... never look a gift mouse in the mouth.
I hope the tix arrive in time.....
.
Monster those are gorgeous!
Change the Mouse to a cat's head and I'll order one in the pink and purple please :)
I'm still happy from the weekend.
We left Cardiff at 14.00 this afternoon.
The pantomime was superb - best I've ever seen.
I came out of there on a huge high and haven't quite come down.
We went to the Doctor Who Experience, which I loved, and all round the Bay and the familiar Torchwood locations, which I loved even more.
Lots of pics of me next to various Who artifacts to follow.
And because Mum's money came through in time she really treated me. I would have had to be far more careful of money if I'd been alone, but we ate out twice and got quite a few taxis too (Mum's choice - I got an all day bus ticket on Sunday).
And the weather was perfect - cool but with a blue sky and sunshine.
And I like my hair, as it's at its brightest at the moment.
It will dull in a few washes, but it looked it best for the big weekend.
Roll on Aladdin in Glasgow.
It has 3D sections - woooo! But the best bits will still be the audience participation and seeing JB at his crowd pleasing best.
And, my, he's handsome.
You're going to Glasgow to see JB? ....Admit, you've progressed to full-blown stalker :P
Glad you enjoyed yourself m'dear. I am positively green with envy!
@ Monnie: they're awesome!
Thanks, they are pretty cute aren't they, now I see the picture.
When I dropped them off, there were a few other bags of blankets there, all using the cheapo sports pattern fleece I had considered and rejected. I'm glad we chose the even cheaper plain but better quality with added individuality :D
Now I just hope they follow through with the tickets.... 25 days to go...
My son is alive and doing relatively well.
I thank God every day that I am a Middle-aged Conservative WASP and not a some poor gullible... [SIZE="1"]<cough> liberal.[/SIZE] :lol:
I thank God every day that I am a Middle-aged Conservative WASP and not a some poor gullible... [SIZE="1"]<cough> liberal.[/SIZE] :lol:
♪ ♫ Merrily we troll along, troll along, troll along ♫ ♪
Sitting here with my furry guys on my lap, watching the kids play on the trampoline.
They have their arms down at their sides inside their coats, so their empty sleeves are flopping around, it looks really funny...
I can finally see better again. I had my eyes dilated yesterday morning for the pre-op exam and it took this long for them to come back.
Also just 3 more days till lasik!
Sitting here with my furry guy on my lap ...
Fixed it for ya. LJ! Time you shaved, obviously!
Fixed it for ya. LJ! Time you shaved, obviously!
Yeah, I'd be dead from that...
Somehow shortly after my post I got roped into making sock puppet hair, had to clean up a glue spill, and had to wash the glue off the cat and out of his mouth... not as happy at this point...
Sitting here with my furry guys on my lap, watching the kids play on the trampoline.
They have their arms down at their sides inside their coats, so their empty sleeves are flopping around, it looks really funny...
Nice image.
I can leg press 265lbs! I don't know what the norm is for women, but that sounds pretty damn impressive to me! That was really the only thing about my pretest in my weight training class that I felt I did well.
sweet. I can bench that much, as it happens
I can only bench press 75lbs, and only able to do 25 push ups.
only 25 pushups!?
ONLY?!
what the hell kind of push ups are you doing.
are you doing them in the pool?
I have to do 'em in the girl position, using my knees instead of feet.
Edit: Is it just me, or does that sound reaaaaally dirty?
A couple years ago, Lil' Pete's gym teacher had the kids do as many (regular) push ups as they could. Eventually she just asked her to stop. Humiliating the boys in her class was her favorite past-time. I on the other hand can no longer do them without irritating my old wrist injury. I've started fencing lefty so maybe I can build it back over time. My best ever was 65 left-handed... long ago and far away.
My bro used to do pressups one handed; or on his finger tips; or with his hands, but clapping his hands on the rise. Showoff :P
I've always been pathetic at that sort of thing. I think I can manage 5 proper pressups before I collapse in a heap :)
I could probably do ten, but haven't done one in years. I'd be sore afterward for days.
My main problem with pressups is that I have rubbish joints. My elbows and wrist joints always go when I try.
For some reason, I know not why, I am in a really good mood today. I still have a heap of work to do; and the corresponding guilt attached to not doing it :P But I am still feeling pretty damn groovy.
Maybe it's because my thesis is really starting to take shape. That first chapter is still not to my liking; but the last research trip garnered some really good source material and my supervision meeting on Monday went really well. Or maybe I am just in a good mood for no reason...I don't know.I don't care. I've had a bunch of days lately where I've had to work at my general mood; and it's reallly nice not to have to do that today :)
I'm getting better. There's less weird stuff draining from my sinuses.
Good for both Dana and Pie!
Sinus infections are awful. I get them a lot too.
I used to - haven't had one for a while now - or a throat infection. Cool potatoes, I really did grow out of them!
Anyway, I've done a Shawnee.
Well, not quite as altruistic. But I wrote to the B&B we stayed in to thank them . It's owned and run by two men, so it's not like praising the staff, but I put them on TripAdvisor and put a quick vid on YouTube to show other people how good it is.
I also wrote to JB to thank him for the panto. More a fan letter I suppose, but it was the best I've ever seen (not counting The League of Gentlemen as theirs was a subversive one) and performers thrive on praise.
AND I emailed Megabus who got us there and back to compliment them on their drivers. In truth they did nothing above and beyond the call of duty, but they were friendly, personable and got us there on time, and that's better than some.
Oh, then I complained to Dominos because on my final treat night they made me a completely grim pizza. BOOOOO. But I left it with the branch for educational purposes (I don't want another pizza or a voucher, so there's not much they can do for me) rather than going via Head Office.
SG, you should see
the ads they've been running here in the States -- "We know our pizzas suck, so we've worked on it. Maybe they don't suck so much anymore."
No, they still suck.
Funnily enough, I used to believe that there was such a beast as the "American Style Pizza" and it was in all ways inferior to any European pizza, which in itself was inferior to any Italian pizza.
I still believe Italian style is best. But having spoken to a lovely American man (did it help that he was handsome? Maybe...) and through posting here I realised that Dominos was not the pizza that America held as its benchmark.
This weekend Mum & I ate at ASK. It's a decent, mid-range chain and cooks reasonable Italian style food. I had a fishy pizza, Mum had Risotto Fruits de Mer (or whatever that is in Italian). We've both been to Italy more than once, and the food was comparable for the type of restaurant. And I had a voucher (American: coupon)
Back to what I meant to say - I was indulging shamelessly with that pizza, with something I previously gorged on. The fact I got a Small, when before I'd have had a Medium or Large shows it's no longer a regular occurrence.
And it's been a while since I've associated America with Pizza Hut, Dominos, Subway, McDonalds, Burger King et al. The Merkins I know have good taste. If'n you can get past the peanut butter thing.
If'n you can get past the peanut butter thing.
I saw this on reddit today. (SG you might want to skip it.)
http://i.imgur.com/CiWwt.jpgMMMmmmmm.... I love them. Especially with
Bubbies.
Dominos suck. And not just their pizzas. Which are rank even among their peers of cheap pizzas.
Dominos boxes taste better than their pizza - that is the bottom of the food chain. I cannot think of any fast food worse than Dominos.
White castle.
Imagine the combo.... steam baked cheap pizzas....
We went into a Popeye's once, but left before ordering because the air in there was greasy.
Haven't had Domino's since the early 90s.
I used to work at a Domino's. I have eaten it since then, but only under duress.
I worked at Pizza Hut (don't get the salad bar)... It's been years, but not as many as Dominos.
Was gonna try Domino's because of their ads, but maybe I won't anymore. :p I used to like Pizza Hut but their pizzas taste too sweet for me nowadays. I thought it was just the Mia's but I think they all taste sweet. I usually don't eat pizzas anymore due to excess fat on my body :rolleyes: hihi...., but occassionally I would splurge on a pizza at Collina's (a restaurant here in Houston).
We've got tons of Mom & Pop pizza joints in this area, no need for cardboard. :headshake
I used to work at Deep Pan Pizza.
I concur re the salad bar ;)
I go through phases with Dominos. It's that one click ordering... dangerous.
There are a couple of their pizzas I really like.
We got our Disney Give A Day Get A Day Disney tickets! yay!. 3 weeks.....
My Boss called at 7am , said lets just call this a snow day !
Jim Beam enters, stage left
Naa thats for Later tonite , after I Kick some kids asses at Modern war fare on Multi player on the Wii ,
oh and after I feed the birds and load the dish washer , even on a day off i gotz a Honey do list
Naa thats for Later tonite , after I Kick some kids asses at Modern war fare on Multi player on the Wii ,
oh and after I feed the birds and load the dish washer , even on a day off i gotz a Honey do list
Psst, over here!
Today I visited a used book store I have traded with for years and picked up a new SIGNED copy of Diana Gabaldon's An Echo In The Bone. :D
I don't know if signed copies mean that much but it was a nice surprise to know after the purchase. Especially nice since the final price after trade in's only $12.
I've read all of the prior and loved them all.
coming home after a 14 hour day to a house that smells like Oatmeal Cookies....
...and finding a Ginormous pot of Ham and Bean Soup on the stove too!?
all I need now is for there to be a Hot Chick up in my fortress of solitude getting drunk on twisted tea......
It's not ham, it's squirrel.
It's not ham, it's squirrel.
Haggis!
My Grandad called me a diamond.
And Mum passed it on to me!
Two nice things for the price of one.
Grandad had stomach problems again (Mum & Dad are house-sitting). Which meant lots of washing and ironing again, and... yup, handling the family jewels for me. But hey - it seems to get easier!
Anyway, thanks to that and me making him a boiled egg sandwich (he's feeling a lot better today) I am Grand-daughter of the month. Even if the month ends today :)
Mum's pleased with me too and said so. I feel a bit of a fraud! It was nowhere near as bad as last time - in all senses.
My neighbors all seem to have bought their own snow shovels after the big storm last month, so I didn't have to loan ours out again after this moderate storm.
Another day in a good mood :)
I am liking this. Granted it's a slightly manic good mood, but hey....fun whilst it lasts. This is like a whole week, or something, of good mood. The manic edge is slightly annoying my friends....but I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. IIt's like a cocaine rush, without the cocaine :P
Had a wonderful candle lite supper cooked by Capn and then of course some magnificient 'desert' before coming to work!
......"He kissed his bride and it made her cry....She gave him a piece of her cherry pie....."
Goosecreek Symphony
It's like a cocaine rush, without the cocaine :P
I think you've just explained my mother to me.
Life is good. No dog inside.
Don't have to get up early and let dog in & out N² times a day. Not under my feet and following me around the house.
Not in kitchen begging for cheese, chips or trimmings. No prewash for dirty dishes. I could go on & on. You get the idea.
I'm SO full of crap.
I'm so sorry BB - I know how that feels.
I've been without too many years. I just am not around enough to take care of one anymore.
I wish I had a breed of dog for you Bb. One is too little and one is too big or I'd send one over =(
In keeping with this thread Victor went to puppy school tonite and he was very good and only peed on the floor once. :D He knows a new trick, around in a circle for a treat. :)
I'm SO full of crap.
Yeah, so when you gonna do something about it? :eyebrow:
I think there's a dog down at the shelter who would love to be adopted, Busterb.
I second that. I'm sure there are a few who could use a warm home and a loving owner.
Yeah, so when you gonna do something about it? :eyebrow:
Am talking with 3 shelters and 1 pound. The pound I'll visit tomorrow or next day. 1 shelter on Friday. Pound 10 bucks, shelter 75, but with all shots, spayed or whacked. 1 shelter even chips dog.
Great to hear BB - Let the chants begin . . .
We want pics
We want pics
We want pics
We want pics
cancun.ttf. Not the font, just that I FINALLY know what it is!
The folks over at
WhatTheFont rock!
Am talking with 3 shelters and 1 pound. The pound I'll visit tomorrow or next day. 1 shelter on Friday. Pound 10 bucks, shelter 75, but with all shots, spayed or whacked. 1 shelter even chips dog.
:thumb: I am happy for you and we will be living vicariously through your search.
cancun.ttf. Not the font, just that I FINALLY know what it is!
The folks over at WhatTheFont rock!
What is it? A font?
cancun.ttf. Not the font, just that I FINALLY know what it is!
And now that you know, what then?
Yes, it's a font.
Now I can re-make our banner if I need to. My father had done so years ago, but I had no idea what font he used. His old computer had been scrapped so I didn't have any scratch-work to go on.
Ah. Now it makes sense.
I was about to say that a font is not something I think of to make me happy, when I realized how often I have changed programming fonts. I'm always on the lookout for a better programming font.
Booked my ticket to see JB in panto in Glasgow next year. Row D, fantastic!
Have also booked my B&B which is rated number one on TripAdvisor AND is close to the venue AND is cheaper than a hotel.
Have requested my European Health Insurance Card for Amsterdam (allows me to access state healthcare abroad), got the names of travel insurance companies as recommended by Which, sent off my passport application and am currently trawling internet guides and travellers sites for my itinerary.
Am feeling quite organised!
Okay. I've been meaning to ask this -- what's a 'panto'?
'Pantomime' to me means acting something out without speaking or making noise. Is that an art form in England?
All you ever wanted to know about
panto but were afraid to ask.
From a Cellar thread where I was a supporting artist in a TV show.
The quick answer is that pantomime is nothing like mime.
It's its own art form :)
It is a form of theatre pretty much peculiar to Britain (as far as I know). It tends to focus on well-known children's stories (Aladin, Snow White, Cindarella, etc) and follows set conventions. Each pantomime has a 'pantomime Dame' which is a leading female character played by a male actor. There's usuallly also a male character played by a female actor. The 'Dame' is the most comedic of the characters and often acts as a 'guide' to the audience. The audience is addressed directly: in pantomime the fourth wall is barely there at all :P The audience is expected to participate. For instance, a common theme in pantomime is a villain (or other character, sometimes a beast) who comes in behind the lead character but remains unseen by them. They ask the audience 'where is that XXXX' and tell them to let them know if they see XXXX. The audience (usually children and families, but not eclusively) then shouts "he's behind you!" when XXXX comes into view.
In Robin Hood (which I went to see in Cardiff just the other week) Friar Tuck ended up as the Dame :) The Sheriff of Nottingham was advertising for a housekeeper and they needed a spy in the castle. Of course the Sheriff fancied him, cue much hilarity of chasing round the stage and fake boobs slipping round the back of the costume etc.
The plot included a scene in the Ice Forest (all on skates, JB's bum looking very tight) the Churchill dog and a huge lizard/ dinosaur. All good traditional stuff!
@ Sundae: there's a brilliant funny Doctor Who audio play called The One Doctor which is a complete homage to pantomime. I must get you a copy of it, you'd love it. It's the Sixth Doctor, Colin Baker, who is a stalwart of pantomime when he isn't doing Doctor Who stuff. It's so funny. Full of lewd innuendo, that kids won;t fully get, in that way that panto always is:
On encountering 'the crystal':
Doctor: Good Lord
Mel: Look at the size of it Doctor!
Doctor: I've never seen one that big before!
Made me chuckle. Even the supporting characters have names that refer to pantomime roles. One of them is called Banto Zane!
Actors include: Matt Lucas, Nicholas Pegg and (naturally in a pantomime) Christopher Biggins!
bu&&er bu&&er bu&&er I had decided that I'd love to go to the panto in Glesca wi you dear SG but forgot to tell you. BU&&ER! Oh well, we WILL meet up and have a FAB meal (Russian, if you'll let me be your giude) dear Sundae.
And did I say OH BUGGER!!!!!!!!
Oh I'm sorry chick!
I held out til Tuesday just in case, but honestly didn't think to check with you again.
Hey, I'm not averse to going twice!
I'll need to wait til the Monday after next to get the money together, but if you want to go either Saturday night or Sunday night do let me know. I'm going alone to the matinee, which is where they play all sorts of tricks and japes on eachother and ad lib. So it will be good to see how it's supposed to be done!
If we don't do the panto together then yes, I'd love to meet for food! Shall we see if Be-Bop is interested in a meet up? Even if that is just for a drink?
When is it you're going Sundae? If there are tickets left, i could try and book at the same time. Then me you and Limey (and buster if he wants) can hook up!
I don't want to lead you into [the] temptation of more spending - I could see if tickets are available at the matinee still and go anyways, even if we don't sit together. Gimme a weblink for ticket sales pleeze!
Oh, and it'd be a gas if Be-bop turned up (in the kilt, please!), and Dana and anyone else ...
The matinee is on Sunday 9th at 14.00. If you want to go on Saturday I am happy to go with you. You can still get seats in the Front Stalls about row J or K, which is the seat I was in in Cardiff and I was happy with that. Of course if you prefer to sit further back and in cheaper seats that is your choice, there are plenty of seats to choose from still.
Linky.
You and Dana liaise re the show you go to Limey. If you choose not to go to the matinee let me know and we can buy three tickets together. If you do go to the matinee then at least we'll all be going together, leaving together and queueing for the loo together :)
I'm staying at the
Alamo B&B on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th, and it looks like Dana wants to stay at least one night. If you do too we could always get a family room?
How exciting, this is even more of an adventure now!
Am happy because I came back from town and sorted the computer out. How nice to have internet access at home instead of sitting between jack-off boy and wee man and listening to all the screaming toddlers.
They sound like the world's least desirable superheros...Jack-off Boy and Wee Man.
I can't wait for my new broadband connection to be sorted out. I'm on so-called bastarding 'mobile broadband' right now. It's pants. i live in a communications blackhole.
On the topic of least-desirable superheroes (NSFW language):
[youtube]rNeV0hU3ZSY[/youtube]
I fell awake at 5:30 this am. Instead of tossing and turning for an hour and a half, I'm out for a brisk pre-dawn walk. And dwelling on my crackberry. Right fucking now.
That's always a sign of a great day coming up!
The Glasgow GTG in January is making me happy! :) Looking forward to meeting Limey (and B if he decides to come along) and haven't seen Sundae in ages!
The Glasgow GTG in January is making me happy! :) Looking forward to meeting Limey (and B if he decides to come along) and haven't seen Sundae in ages!
Har hardi har me too!
Absolutely effin nuthin is make me happy today. I'm as miserable as all shit. So there.
So post your poop mouth talk in the other thread.....
I got a letter & picture from SG! I've been showing it off to the guys. It's the first letter I have gotten from anyone other than my kids since I got here last June. Thanks SG. This really means a lot to me!!
Blimey, if it's the first you got from me it certainly took its time getting there! Was it my Christmas card?
Don't worry, there are definitely more behind it :)
ETA - rereading the above it almost sounds accusatory!
It wasn't meant to be, just me expressing my bemusement. Of course it takes a long time for post to get to you. I'm glad you have started receiving it, and really pleased it made you happy.
Happy yesterday, happy today. I think that's some sort of record!
My EHIC arrived yesterday and my replacement passport arrived today.
I'm going to book the coach later today - Amsterdam is ON people. ON I tell you! I might even have to start a new thread.
Congrats, SG! keep on truckin gurl!!! Before long you will be turning cart wheels!
ETA - rereading the above it almost sounds accusatory!
It wasn't meant to be, just me expressing my bemusement. Of course it takes a long time for post to get to you. I'm glad you have started receiving it, and really pleased it made you happy.
Oh no, you're not getting off that easy. It was accusatory, and you're going to have to post a picture he can show his buddies, to make up for it. :lol:
Can you believe it? I got a Valentine's card from SG with a wonderful picture in it. SG is showing off the cutest little tattoo that matches the front of the card. Lovely, simply lovely.
I finally got rid of the 2 square metres of blue rock in my drive that got delivered in *cough*November*cough*... Well there was probably just under a metre left coz I used the other under my paving project... But I finally moved it all and now I can actually park my car back under the car port - yay!
Lucky for you the cellar doest have smell view... It's hotter than hell here... Shower time
Oh, oh, photo opportunity.:blush:
That's nice Big Sarge...and yes ducks a photo of your project I am sure we would all enjoy seeing.
I hired my niece to spend the night with my mother for 30 days.
Money well spent.
How much is peace of mind x 2 worth? Priceless!
There is a long paved path from our neighborhood through to the next one. The school bus stop is at the end of that path. The path was installed to be alternate entrance to the neighborhood for emergency vehicles in case the main throughfare is blocked. (There's only one official road in). But the path does not belong to the city, so they won't plow it. The people whose land it is on don't use it (they live in the next neighborhood), so they don't shovel it. But all the kids from our neighborhood use it to walk to school. (Or bus to a different school in the case of my kids.)
So in the winter the snow gets compacted, then icy, then lethal, and I end up driving my kids out of the neighborhood, round on the main road, into the next one and up to the other end of the path to catch the bus.
This year, I decided I would shovel it every time it snows, so this does not happen and everyone can use it safely all year long. And I have. But yesterday (first school day after the snow) one of my kids had to start the day at a different school, so my horrors did not take the bus. So I turned up this morning, shovel in hand and......
.....someone had already done it! :D
.....someone had already done it! :D
That is freaking awesome!
isn't it? I always hoped this would happen, it worked with picking up trash around the neighborhood, too.
Another happy, just bought and printed Seaworld/Busch garden/Aquatica tickets. (I hope it warms up down there a bit before we get there!) My sis, niece and BIL should be on a plane over the Atlantic RFnow....
I've been so sleepy lately. This morning again I did not want to get up and had no motivation. But today, again, I got up and got out there. It pleases me.
I went to the lake and fed the ducks, geese, swans and seagulls with the bread my parents are leaving behing when they go on hols. If I freeze it I will eat it, so it's better off in the birdies' bellies. I didn't intend to feed the seagulls, but their aerial acrobatics amused me so much I couldn't help tossing up a few bits for them to catch on the wing. Or preferably in the beak.
And I've just sorted out my wardrobes. Found some stuff to go to the charity shop, some to go on eBay (I'm being honest about wearing it) and the rest has been reallocated places so it makes more sense. Oh and Dad cleared out the other wardrobe in the bedroom for me the other day, so although I now have less clothes, I have put the stuff I think I'll take to Amsterdam in there, which will make packing easier. And my shoes live in there too.
I am organised!
Auntie Scary, Daisy and Uncle Sieve have landed and say the villa exceeds their expectations -they had high ones, I had none so that's double-plus good.! It's all getting real -getting excited..... got the maps, checked the car hire, printed dupes of all the tickets, had to tell people "no, no scrip store next week, I'll be in Florida, yes, doing the Disney thing...." :D
My Valentines weekend has started.
12 beautiful deep red roses from Sarge.
Awwwwwwwwwww - thanks :blush:
Tomorrow the 'rents will be away, so I'm having a "me" day. Having a bath (as opposed to a shower I mean) and watching JB on DVD while painting my toenails. I might even stretch to a facemask.
Woke up to 3 inches of beautiful snow in Raleigh NC - reminded me of living up north again, and had a momentary pang of homesickness. Was immediately reminded of my current life - wiggly puppy giving me 'wake up kisses', and my wonderful husband snuggled up in bed with me.
It's a nice quiet Valentine's weekend here in our house - nothing major - just playing with the dogs, and doing some housework. But having someone to share it with makes me smile. (Because I thought for a long while, I'd never be 'here'.)
SG -I'm glad they made it there. I'm sure they pale in comparison to you. I'm so happy - I got 2 letters from you. I love your pics!!
You know there are so many beautiful women in the Cellar, I wish I could send you all a dozen roses. sigh
I got an iPhone yesterday...I am now cool. For at least 10 minutes.
cool! Did you get a new job then?
Yeah...well...yeah. I work as an independent contractor for a courier company. The pay is good, and I really like doing it, though I drive a lot (1500 miles/wk). But I can write off stuff like the iPhone and car repairs as business expenses.
Hmmmm. The contract too? And that's just a deduction on next year's tax return, you still have to pay up front, right? Must be damned good pay and very busy right now..... (Feel free to post about me in the "What's totally bringing you down today" thread)
You totally lucked out there, WTG!
I remember you selling off your CDs and offering to move to any state to make ends meet just a few months ago. This is an awesome turnabout
I'm happy that you're happy, you deserve some up after all the down.
Things were really rough in the last half of last year for both April and I. But towards the end of the year, things started to look up.
The Sycamore CD was released on December 30th, and I was able to buy a new bass with Xmas gift cards. I recently started playing in an acoustic setting with some old friends from high school, and we're going to actually start gigging around town in the next few months. I'm also working on the next Sycamore CD/EP, which should come out over the summer...the folks I'm playing with now will probably form the core of a Sycamore touring band as well.
April's into her actual cooking classes, and is doing well (natch!). She works two PT jobs...one at a cooking school/supply store and another at a vegetarian cafe.
I've had some great interviews...each one seems to be better and better. But I just don't get the jobs. Maybe I'm too confident...maybe my job history is scaring employers...maybe my appearance freaks employers out...maybe I'm just not the right candidate for the jobs...or a combination of any of them.
The courier job came about by accident...I actually applied to them 6 months ago, but apparently, I fell through the cracks. I started working 3 weeks ago...been putting in a ton of hours. And I do worry about the wear and tear I'm putting on my little car. But I really enjoy what I'm doing...that doesn't happen very often. I start from home every day, I can take whatever deliveries I want to do and I work pretty much whenever I want. I am officially my own boss, and may even be incorporating soon.
I do have to pay upfront for everything, but I have to pay my taxes quarterly...and I can take deductions each quarter as well. I also have a good tax lawyer as a best friend. ;)
So yeah...things are definitely picking up. Now we just need to get our own place again...that's the next goal...
Quarterly deductions -awesome. good luck to you, enjoy your new toyImeanTool
(and thanks for satisfying my nosiness ;) )
After going without a computer for 5 weeks (mine just up and died.... it was 9 years old, so I can not bitch much), I now have my very own laptop!!! Actually, we bought this one for my hubby in Nov with the plan he would upgrade in Jan/Feb, and it would be mine. It is nice that even with a few glitches in our budget, I was still able to make it happen on time. Now I can take the computer to work, and before we open(and during my slow first hour) while having coffee, I can work on the web page. Hopefully we can get online and start rocking our business :)
Let us know when you get it up and running.
Someone was messaging me with a guy they knew, that knew Joomla, but I never got it :( Hoping someone remembers who it was, in chat that suggested their freind. Then we can get rolling even faster.
Pissing people off...making me very happy. I'm normally happy-go-lucky. Today happy-go-a-huntin.
On the shiney side of life, my son did great at his Trap competition today. Makes me proud to see him blow those clay birds all to hell shot after shot.
This came to my inbox today from a dear friend:
... I am currently cancer free.
I'm ecstatic!
Yay! That one we hear far too infrequently. Congratulations to your friend!
Pissing people off...making me very happy. I'm normally happy-go-lucky. Today happy-go-a-huntin.
On the shiney side of life, my son did great at his Trap competition today. Makes me proud to see him blow those clay birds all to hell shot after shot.
http://www.samsung.com/au/samsungu900/game.htmlThere is an old guy, Walter, in his 80s, who lives in the UP (upper peninsula), and comes south (to the lower peninsula) every year for the winter -Oct-May, and figure skates at the rink where I take lessons. This year, he didn't show. I feared the worst. But today he turned up! That has made me very happy. I stayed late after class to skate and chat with him and have jeopardized my plans for the rest of the day, but I was so happy to see him :D
Snow's a Melton. To be in the 50's this weekend. Im going to blow the dust off my road bike and go for a nice ride. Cabin fever is a bitch. Can't wait. Oh yeah and that studio vid. That was crazy.
THE DOOR
Go and open the door.
Maybe outside there's
a tree, or a wood,
a garden,
or a magic city.
Go and open the door.
Maybe a dog's rummaging.
Maybe you'll see a face,
or an eye,
or the picture
of a picture.
Go and open the door.
if there's a fog
it will clear.
Go and open the door.
Even if there's only
the darkness ticking,
even if there's only
the hollow wind,
even if nothing is there,
go and open the door.
At least there will be a draught.
Miroslav Holub
cleanliness. We're so LUCKY to be modern people, with hot and cold running water, and showers. really! How did people stand being dirty all the time?
I bought myself a new 5th generation blue iPod Nano 16 GB today. Ordered it from Amazon and should get it Thursday!
Peace and quiet, for a few days.
This came to my inbox today from a dear friend:
I'm ecstatic!
That really is awesome. Too many people I know don't get that news. In last five years, two people beat the cancer (breast cancer), four did not (mother-in-law - lung; grand-mother-in-law - pancreatic; best friend's wife - rare form of lung cancel in large intestine...horrible; bile duct cancer - five years to live). Another 4-5 others I know about, but not as closely.
You are blessed!
http://www.samsung.com/au/samsungu900/game.html
Awesome! Not exactly Trap, but Skeet is fun! I'll let me son play and give me feedback. Thanks!
I just got done fencing two concurrent tournaments at BU. I got knocked out of a tough foil event pretty early after going 3-2 in the pool. One of their guys asked me to fence the weaker epee event to even up the pools, so I beat him in the final. go me... I want sleep but have a commitment tonight... should be napping not posting.
Beest bought a wingmirror for the Windstar for $40ish and fitted it. Quotes from the "professionals" were parts >$100 plus labor..... go beest! :D
Nap... Post... Nap... Post... get off the fence will ya. :haha:
Oh, and kudos on the win.
Ye Olde Zengum-Wagonne: a 1992 Toyota Corolla hatchback somewhat similar to this one, but showing more signs of age.
[ATTACH]27034[/ATTACH]
Z-wheels 2.0: a 2001 Subaru Outback, trucked in from interstate because they are cheaper there. I paid $10,900 - the insurance company say it is worth $13,800!
[ATTACH]27035[/ATTACH]
Congratulations on your z-wagon steal. Did you trade in the other?
A friend of mine here has an outback just about like that. Nice vehicle.
DRIVE FAST, TAKE CHANCES!
I got an F-250 today. We needed a truck. Bad.
Congrats on the car stuff y'all!
@Zen: Your car looks like it has plenty of room for scrogging. Let me know if you want help testing it out.
Today I'm happy because I finally submitted my application to be an SPCA volunteer, I hope to hear soon that I'm accepted! Also the IRS approved my tax return, wooooh money!
1st thing:
this morning I took a walk before work, and the Daffodils were all blooming....and it was warm enough for shorts!
2nd: I just threw a customer out that was a complete hocker. We were $822 under invoice on a lease....AND using one of my few remaining tier bump vouchers (saving him $20/month) AND he rudely refused any extras from me..... by rudely, I mean... I go over a whole menu presentation of things we offer for this and that....and he listens...and then says "NO." Not...."No Thanks" or "I don't really want to get any extras" just "NO" like a dick.
So, we come to the contract, and he asks.... is there a lease end fee? And I say Yes, it's $395, and point to it on the contract..... so then he starts trying to negotiate THAT.
nope. get out.
does not make sense to lose money for a customer who is a rude prick that doesnt know (even though it's been demonstrated to him) when he's gotten a good deal. He'll go to another dealer and find out that they are $50 more per month and then come back.... and we won't do the deal.
just for clarity...the deal he passed on was $1000 out of pocket + 38 payments of $415 to lease
this 2010 Nissan Maxima that Stickered for $39,700.
dumbass.
I got an F-250 today. We needed a truck. Bad.
Yep! And I inherited Hobson the Van! My little Kia also known as 'Bertie the toy car' gets to enjoy the rest of her life as a play car.
Victor will be graduating from puppy school. :yesnod:
Oh that is a jaunty cap for a darling little dog! Bravo Vic.
Back from Amsterdam this morning. Well, last night actually - I left at 19.30.
With a couple of muffins under my belt.
Spent today unpacking, washing, settling in - which was great.
On the one hand I know I can't stretch the returning-from-hols-vibe any further. I am expected to be a full participant of the household by tomorrow. On the other hand I totally milked it. Diz and I have had special treatment all day and I've loved it.
Love and peace to you all....!
There was a knock at the door today and there were two women there that I'd never seen around town before. I dubiously made my hellos wondering if I was about to be preached at or have something sold to me, but to my overwhelming surprise, they wanted nothing of the kind.
One of the women was in fact the sister of a car accident victim I had helped several months ago. The other was his sister in law.
I can't remember if I mentioned it here or not, but I was first on the scene of a single vehicle accident just after Christmas. The man had not been wearing a seatbelt, and was thrown from the vehicle and landed more or less on his head about 10 metres (30 feet) from the car. I didn't really do much other than to turn his body into the recovery position to clear his airways (he was choking on his own blood) and just held him there talking gently to him till the ambulance arrived.
Anyway, it really affected me a lot, not only because of the horrific nature of his injuries, but also because of the personal struggles I've been managing with over the last while. I couldn't help but try and keep tabs on his progress, so I bugged the police until they gave me a name so I could call the hospital directly. At first I found he'd been placed in an induced coma and all they'd tell me was that he was critical but stable. I called almost every day for the next few weeks hoping for some positive news. For some reason it was just so very important to me that he didn't die. I don't know why I felt that way. I've never really dealt with an accident vicitm before, so I don't know if that's a normal reaction or not, but in any case, that's the way it was for me.
After almost 3 weeks, I called one day and got put right through to the man. They'd woken him up and he was able to talk and function more or less normally. I couldn't believe it at the time. I was shocked all over again, but we talked for a while and I told him where we lived (turns out we're fairly close neighbours) and what my impressions were of the accident and so on and that was it. I didn't worry him any more after that. I was content to know that he was going to be ok and really didn't think I'd hear from him again.
So you can imagine my surprise when his sister knocked on my door today. Apparently he's been home for a few weeks now and is getting about and has been trying to work up the courage to come and see me himself but each time he's walked past the house he's gotten so emotional that he's felt unable to take the last few steps, so he sent his sister to ask if my family and I would share a meal with his family so that they can thank me for saving his life (for the first time) that night. I found out today that he did actually die on the way to the hospital, but the ambo's were able to revive him.
So, it was an emotional meeting this afternoon, and I imagine there'll be tears when we all sit down and share a meal in a couple of weeks.
It makes me happy to know that he's doing well...and even more so to realize that there are still people out there who will go out of their way to say thankyou.
Yeah, but they're probably lousy cooks. ;)
Seriously though, it's nice to see a good deed not backfire for a change, and you got the thanks you deserve.
Wow Ali. That is a wonderful story. Thanks for that.
Going to Columbus to see my son!
We're going to lunch and then to see Alice. (He wants to see Alice, but he doesn't want to admit it - so he goes with me)
good times bri
and a great story ali
Spring is here! Through my partially open window the birds are singing. It's quiet and all is good right here right now.
Thanks Ali, what a great experience - and well done you.
Bri - hope you have a marvellous time. Alice?
Diz won't leave my side today.
It's lovely.
He has me all to himself until Friday, when I'm back at school.
Ali, it's great that you knew what to do and were in a position to do it. Good job.
I got the shake-up I needed :P An email from uni asking if i wanted to apply for PhD study and informing of the 31st march deadline on all applications!
That's kind of brought it home to me that this year is speeding by. I need to up my workrate. At same time, rather fortuitously, I have broken through a really bad bout of writer's block/lazy inability to make myself work and done a decent amount of work this week.
I am feeling quite upbeat about this thesis. I am very excited at the prospect of a PhD. Can't wait to get this MA done and dusted now.
Dr. Dana - thats haz an expensive ring to it. Does that mean we'll have to pay for your posts?
I smell so good.
That is all.
After Ali's post, this seems rather trivial -- but I measured a 3.5 dB noise figure today... :3_eyes:
(Good for you, Ali! And I'm looking forward to 'Dr. Dana' hehee!)
You know, I only did what I could which really wasn't all that much and I'd think only what anyone else would do if they had the knowledge.
We see a lot of people off the road in the cane fields around here. Partly because the road is very windy, but also because there are a lot of idiots on the road who do stupid things. We always stop to make sure everyone's ok and every other time they've been fine. Just waiting for a tow out of the paddock. I like to think that if I were in trouble someone would help me. Karma I guess. What goes around comes around. Building up a bit of credit for the future or something like that.
I don't need thanks from this man or his family, but I'm happy to be thankful with them. I know there are many more people who would do and feel the same as I do, and that's something else to be thankful about in this world.
Aliantha: Thanks for the story. It's good to hear there are still good people in the world. Oh, I know there are good people around, we just don't hear enough about them.
I measured a 3.5 dB noise figure today...
I don't know what that means. Isn't 3.5 dB on the quiet side? It must be good if you are happy about it. What was making the noise?
Why am I happy? Last night I was a chaperone on a field trip to the Air and Space Museum. It was cool, I took my daughter and a neighbor kid to the school, we got on school busses with a bunch of other 4th and 5th grade kids and their parents, we rode into town through rush hour, and after the museum was closed to the public for the night, we got to look through telescopes, get a tour of the closed museum, hear a NASA astronomer talk for about 45 minutes, and see an IMAX movie.
It was really neat. We had been to the museum numerous times before, but the tour and talk were both really good.
The most interesting thing for me was when the astronomer was trying to give us a sense of the scale of the universe. If the sun is a grapefruit located in the IMAX theater of the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, the nearest star is a cherry located in Golden Gate Park in California. And if we wanted to travel there, and could somehow travel at the speed of light, it would take as long as it would take an actual ant to walk from the grapefruit in DC to the cherry in California.
The Cellar wise-crackers are cracking excellent wise these days.
I don't know what that means. Isn't 3.5 dB on the quiet side? It must be good if you are happy about it. What was making the noise?
The noise figure is a measure of the noise relative to the signal amplification. The lower, the better. A theoretically perfect optical amplifier has a 3 dB NF. the noise comes from what's called Amplified Spontaneous Emission (insert dirty joke here). In essence, the 'excited' atoms might emit a photon without waiting for an incoming signal photon, thereby creating a background 'hum' that has nothing to do with the signal to be amplified.
Anyways, my measurement was off -- it's really 4.02 dB. Still pretty kickin'.
Glatt -- have you been to the
Udvar Hazy air & space museum, over by Dulles? We were there a couple of weeks ago. They've got the Enola Gay, the Global Flyer, and a SR-71 Blackbird. AND THE ENTERPRISE. The Freakin'
ENTERPRISE. The U-H is also part of the Smithsonian. Highly recommended.
My swim team swimmed. For the second year. And this year we equalled numbers of the other teams. And we rocked.
Coolest moment, Hector (5th grade, technically too young as it's a Middle School /Junior high 6-8 team but we're a k-8 school so we can sneak 5th graders in to make up numbers....) swam a nice 100 IM, the high school boys were timing. He is tiny and skinny for a 5th grader, but an awesome swimmer. They were impressed already and then he did a bucket turn from back to breast -not for the novice- and the high school boys were all "Did he just bucket? he did! I don't believe it! Did you see that kid tunr? He did a bucket! He's my hero, he's my favorite! Did you see that turn?" so cool, so funny. They weren't half as impressed when my daughter did it same lane next heat and swam so fast she knocked two seconds off her personal best. But I was equally proud.
Athough i was even more proud of the swimmers who had never swum a meet before and whose parents were sure they would bottle out, and who didn't. We had 30 swimmers on the books, only one failed to showd rather than the three we expected. last year we had 17. I promised them chocolate, tomorrow I must pay up. :lol:
So Happy
So Tired
And beest is sick so i gotta make lunches for tomorrow. damnit
Thanks, Zip -that it totally the paper plate award he needs at the end of season!
I'm even happier now I've made the lunches and can crash in peace.
heehee
bucket boy, I like it.
Glatt -- have you been to the Udvar Hazy air & space museum, over by Dulles? We were there a couple of weeks ago. They've got the Enola Gay, the Global Flyer, and a SR-71 Blackbird. AND THE ENTERPRISE. The Freakin' ENTERPRISE. The U-H is also part of the Smithsonian. Highly recommended.
Yeah, I was there a year or two ago. It's really cool. I loved the Enterprise, and I was also blown away for some reason by the dirty Apollo space suits. They used tape to get all the moon dust they could out of the white fabric to study it, but they couldn't get it all out, and there's still dirty moon dust ground into the fabric. It's both so mundane and so fucking awesome at the same time.
Today is the 1st day of my 20th year at my current employer's.
Congrats to both of you! Glatt, does this mean you have the seniority to go kick dirt on your boss' shoes when s/he pisses you off?
I haven't been here 20 yet. My 19th anniversary was yesterday. The big one will be in one year.
Being here this long means that every mystery gets brought to me because I remember shit that happened a long time ago. "Whatever happened to those files ten years ago?" "I dunno, ask glatt." And I usually come through.
These days, most people don't have that kind of longevity on a job. That is awesome! Congrats.
Oh, and another reason to be happy? Netflix is finally shipping us their streaming disc for the Wii today. So tonight I might be watching instant stuff on the TV instead of the tiny laptop!
Did it snow anywhere else? I had a couple inches of snow on my car this morning, and parts of the interstate were pretty treacherous. Slide offs and accidents everywhere.
Silly Ohio.
I am buying my text books today! I am humming with excitement.
Victor's sister Kyrie finally has a nice home! :) I am not sure whether it makes me happier that Kyrie has a good home or that it made someone very happy to have a new pet after theirs died of cancer on Christmas eve. :hug:
This morning, Minifobette actually fed herself with a spoon for the first time in her life. She won't do the scooping part yet, but if I get a bite ready for her, she'll actually pick up the spoon and move it to her mouth, which is huge for her.
This morning, Minifobette actually fed herself with a spoon for the first time in her life. She won't do the scooping part yet, but if I get a bite ready for her, she'll actually pick up the spoon and move it to her mouth, which is huge for her.
HURRAH! Well done you!!
Just had confirmation that I'm accepted as a volunteer in the local independent theatre. It's a very small place - I've appeared on stage there in three productions myself - and on the same site as the pottery classes I was taking through Occupational Health.
They want me to work behind the bar, but it's not the kind of place where people will be offering me drinks, and a great opportunity to meet people.
My first show is on Saturday 17 April. And I'll be able to exchange sessions worked for workshops - I'm going to go back to pottery.
What with this and volunteering at the school, and also volunteering to work for the LibDems in the run-up to the elections (as an intern, wonder if I'll get to have sex?) I'm really beginning to get myself back together.
The other morning I was itchy and twitchy because I had nothing to do. I put on Torchwood and did the ironing. Mum was blown away when she came back. I think I'm getting my mojo back.
Oh and I have 12 eggs to decorate as a table centrepiece for Easter. Even if it's just Mum, Dad and me (the other rotten lot refused to commit to a proper sit down dinner - boooooo!). I'll let you know how I get on. It could be a disaster or course. The kit I bought from eBay is American. I had intended to blow the eggs (oo-err) but this assumes that you will hardboil them, and cautions about only using the eggs while they are hot...? I don't know if it's something to do with the dye working better when warm? If all else fails I have a bottle of pink food colouring in the cupboard.
Nice weather in Chitown.
Finally.
Woo Hoo way to go Clod & Minifobette!
Tip top, Sundae!
And go, go, go Minifobette!
A little boy in my class who came to us unwilling/unable to talk at all or participate in anything social was super chatty yesterday and followed one of the other guys in doing the leg hug sitting on my feet thing at playground. We were getting eye contact and everything. AWESOME!
Bloody hell Griff. That's fantastic! You must feel like you're walking on air when something like that happens.
What's making me happy today: Pilau! he's being very delightful and making me laugh. He's in a really good mood, even though he has a poorly leg.
Wow Griff - that sounds extremely cool. What is it you do? Are you a teacher? I must have missed it somewhere.
I'm an early intervention Special Ed teacher. It is exhausting, but every now and then you witness something very cool.
A little bird sitting on the ledge outside my office window, singing.
Z_let #2 comes home from Italy tomorrow.
I just had a lovely long soak in the bath. I have a freshly brewed cup of green tea, a sesame and honey snack bar, a small bar of butterscotch chocolate and a ready rolled smoke waiting in the ashtray. Pilau is flaked out on the sofa (clearly having a riotous dream given all the paw twitching) and I have a really awful, cheesy, Jeffrey Combs flick from the 90s, downloaded and ready to go.
Oh, and a new Doctor Who audioplay on my ipod to listen to in bed later.
Yeah. It doesn't get much better than this.
[eta] Pilau is flaked out because we went for a long walk down into the valley and through the woods, earlier today, during which we met up with Ma and Dante. The boys ran about together, playing tag and generally frolicking about. Mum and I both had out cameras and had a laugh recording the beardie revels. Followed by a smoke *ahem* and a good natter at her house, then food shopping. Just one of those days where i seem to have spent three quarters of my time laughing.
@ Shaw: that's such a delightful mental image. Makes me smile.
@ Pete: Italy? I didn't know your kid was in Europe. Wow.
@ 'vana: Oh! I just saw the bit about Kyrie! Bitter sweet; diamonds and rust.
My little Chihuahua Mia will not lose her eye! YAY! :)
My Dayton Flyers, Playing for the N.I.T Final. In 30....29.....28.....
Oh hai Bruce! How 'bout those Flyers?
I used to follow them more when I was in HS. I still think of the coach as Donaher. And I had a crush on Kevin Conrad. Roosevelt Chapman was a star.
AND I worked with a guy at my old job who was a Flyer star in his time. Great guy.
Don't you think that Coach Gregory sounds EXACTLY like Michael J Fox?
@ Pete: Italy? I didn't know your kid was in Europe. Wow.
It's a foreign exchange visit. We had an Italian student with us for two weeks. Then Z_let #2 stayed with her for two weeks. It's a lot of work, but she's had a really good experience.
WE ARE UD/ WE ARE UD/.....I'm gonna get Friendly..
Working AT UD Arena as a teenager kinda sucked. I met Rush Face to face ..I lied Bong to face True story..
Thank you Shawnee. Brian Gregery is Gone. He had somthing to prove and sorta kinda did it
@ Dana: he was sweet, that little bird. I work on the 3rd floor, and it's a row of recessed windows...so that he landed in my window was a nice sign of spring. I heard him singing and looked up and there he was.
I wish I could figure out what kind of bird he (or she) was. He looked small. Are baby birdies being borned yet?
Awwww...we had a new person start yesterday. She's actually been a student worker for some time. I just heard my cube-neighbor telling her "and Shaw might not think so, but she's my other go-to person, she knows a lot of the tricks with the system."
It took a lonngggggg time (I'm such a late bloomer) and I was really having trouble here at this job for a while, but all of a sudden I feel like I finally found my niche.
I really really like my cow orkers. :)
What a marvellous thing to overhear!
It was. :)
It's better than hearing "that Shaw is really dumb and lazy and doesn't know shit! Avoid her at all costs!" :lol:
Shaw is really dumb and lazy and doesn't know shit! Avoid her at all costs!"
Hey - Thats my job!
[SIZE="1"]I jest, I jest[/SIZE]
My airport is named after
this guy.
day off from work for Good Friday!
Fuck good friday.
He ain't my savior. I'm not wasting one of my (very few) days off on someone else's self-delusional groupthink.
I am currently enjoying a really nice Good Friday breakfast (yes I realise it's closer to tea-time, but this is me breaking my fast so there!). I went mad on Taste The Difference, and organic etc at the supermarket yesterday::P
Two fried pork and apple sausages; 5 mini portobello mushrooms cooked in butter, fresh parsley and black pepper; four small, vine-ripened tomatoes, slowly cooked in a little olive oil, some fresh basil and a splash of worcestershire sauce; baked beans, with a sprinkle of parsley left over from the mushrooms; two slices of crusty loaf toasted and buttered.
Pie - not that you have to agree or anything, but you wouldn't have the day off at all if it wasn't Good Friday
We don't get religious holidays off. Well, we get Christmas...but it's pretty much known as THE Holidays, so as not to make people think they gotta believe in Jebus to enjoy the time off.
Isn't there a "Remembering Some Old Guys" day or some such federal holiday coming up?
Lotta people are off today - I am NOT one of them and that sux.
I really need a day off without having to see a doctor or therapist or lawyer or some other fucker that makes 5-10x what I do.
[SIZE="1"]sorry wrong thread[/SIZE]
It IS a beautiful day out and the weekend is almost here :cool:
Pie - not that you have to agree or anything, but you wouldn't have the day off at all if it wasn't Good Friday
?? I don't have the day off.
I read your post wrong - sry - Still pissed that many have the day off and I don't.
Hey Pie and CM this ain't the pissed off thread!:eyebrow:
Eggs.
AKA eggsies.
And in this house AKA peggsies (not to be confused with Simon Pegg)
It being Easter - a null and void holiday for an athiest non-choc lover, I had to make my own diversion. Eggs. Yay!
I love the sequinned one the most. I should do, it took me frickin hours! It doesn't reveal its full glory to the camera though.
And what you have to remember, is not to leave your chick-assassin cat alone in the room if one of your eggs is chick-centric. Evidence for the prosecution m'lud. Chicks previously glued into shell, removed them from the egg stand and from the table, found partially dismembered on the floor. And the Defendent showed absolutely no remorse.
Pics are therefore before and after.
Moar:
Chicks redesigned by Diz. A la Picasso.
Hey Pie and CM this ain't the pissed off thread!:eyebrow:
Lotta people are off today - I am NOT one of them and that sux.
I really need a day off without having to see a doctor or therapist or lawyer or some other fucker that makes 5-10x what I do.
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Red"]sorry wrong thread[/COLOR][/SIZE]
It IS a beautiful day out and the weekend is almost here
Hey Pie and CM this ain't the pissed off thread!:eyebrow:
I'm happy I can be pissed off if I want to.
[SIZE=1]Grump.[/SIZE]
I AGREE WITH PIE!
AND I'M NOT YELLING!
Fuck good friday.
He ain't my savior. I'm not wasting one of my (very few) days off on someone else's self-delusional groupthink.
I respect your right to a differing opinion, but do you really need to harsh my Good Friday buzz?
Warm breezy day, cold bottle of MGD and the grill just about to be started for the first time this year. Yeah.
I respect your right to a differing opinion, but do you really need to harsh my Good Friday buzz?
Her view shouldnt be harshing your view - only if you let it.
Beest off work and we grilled for lunch! yay! Also I'm getting the garden started.
don't care what religion it is--a paid day off is a paid day off.
we always get it as a vacation day; my bosses are pretty religious. Although 1) my boss is actually fishing today; and 2) I'm actually having to do a bit of work, because no one else in my office can apparently figure out how to e-file something with the courts. I may have to nip in, but I hope not, because I'm having car trouble.
I won 2 out of 3 in a horseshoe tourney. Drank lots of Jim Beam. Ate semi-burned hot dogs and sausages. Enjoyed relatives and wife. Life is good.
*smiles* sounds positively idyllic, capn :)
Mum got us all Easter eggs! *chuckles*
Last year was the first year Dad wasn't around for Easter. He always got us all eggs: Mum, my Bro, my SiL, the girls, me, and J (my best friend and former partner, who up until last year lived next door but one to my Bro). He'd come trundling over the Pennines in his van with eggs piled in the back: girly ones for the girls, 'Yorkie' eggs, or something equally manly for the lads :P
So this year Mum turned up with chocolate eggs for the girls, my bro, my SiL, me and *chuckles* one for Meel's new (first) boyfriend, who came to dinner as well :P She said she's taking over Dad's Easter duties.
I respect your right to a differing opinion, but do you really need to harsh my Good Friday buzz?
Sorry, Pete.
I guess I get overly-sensitive about it since I have to play the 'good' daughter-in-law to a religious family. Every year it sticks in my craw.
But I certainly hope you and your family had a happy, healthy Easter celebration. :blush:
Awe - that was really nice of you Pie!
I endured much the same this weekend. Ugghh - bletch.
My new client thinks I'm The Bizness!
Just got back from a great night/morning with my husband. He suprised me yesterday after work and booked the signature/honeymoon suite at the hotel we work at. We have been together 17 years, and we have NEVER got a hotel room before. We are too practical and the cost was too much for us to "waste". We had room service dinner, went to the pub for a few drinks, had a jakuzi tub, and a great night together. We took some champagne and ice wine with us as well. The king bed was suprizingly comfortable, the duvet was all snuggly as well. |I would have slept better if I was not so worried about missing the alarm and missing check out. This morning we had another tub while we had our morning coffee before we checked out and came home. Because it was a quiet night in the hotel, and the big suites were not being used, we got our "work perk" price for the "upgrade" and payed $31.64 after taxes for a $275.00 room. I would never pay full price, but $30 was a fantastic treat, and a really cool romantic gesture from my hubby.
Excellent Jaydaan, sounds wonderful. :D
There's a rumor that I might get my Jeep back soon. Maybe even this week. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I am missing it bad. I've been looking longingly at others that I see. Even crappy trim level stock v6s...
Supposedly up over $15K worth of boo boo now. Eek.
We got our Mini back after nearly 3 months, but they did it up right and SWMBO is happy. So I am happy.
We are nearly done with it all.
Stupid fucking teen drivers.
I was going to post this in the "what's annoying you thread, but as I was thinking about it, I realized that I wasn't annoyed. I was happy. So I may be a freak, but here's what's making me happy today.
There will be a
Nuclear Security Summit across the street from my office on Monday and Tuesday. In preparation for expected protests, they are closing all the streets surrounding my office, and will probably have police checkpoints for all pedestrians who try to approach the office. I'm preparing about 75 individual letters on company letterhead that staff without business cards can use to hopefully get past the cops to come in to work those days.
I should be annoyed because it will be disruptive and it's creating more work, but it turns out that I enjoy disruptive stuff when it disrupts the mundane work day. It's like a snow day. I'll bring my camera.
Maybe even this week. I'm trying not to get my hopes up,
Ha! I knew it... now "maybe middle next week". I won't hold my breath...
I'm waiting too, next week, next week.
Today is gorgeous!
Weather-wise, but making it feel gorgeous all over.
Both cats are out enjoying the sunshine and not bothering eachother.
I'm not necessarily a Spring fan. Or a sunshine fan. But at least when the two collide it's cool enough to enjoy.
Oh and Mum's in a great mood with me. I "catered" last night when her friends were round. I mean she still did 90% of the cooking, but I served and washed and wiped up and generally made sure she had as much time as possible to enjoy with her friends (from Ipswich - they only see eachother twice a year).
Of course I'm rubbing my hands a la Mr Burns; it was a crafty plan to show her how much I can help when she has her girls' night in. It's not all that sinister tbh. I just wanted her to understand that I can be involved without taking over. And after all, as the real me wakes up, I'm delighted to be taking more things on.
And I hope she understands that I was not being lazy. I was depressed. And as I come out of that I want to help more and more. They carried me for a year. I don't need that any more, and I want to earn my keep. And the more responsibility that I take on, the more prepared I'll be to make that a financial return too.
Yeah anyway. Sun is shining :)
Nothing so far is making me happy today. It's started out goddamn lousy. Walk and brekky with friend cancelled through miscommunication, crappy weather, stoopit hockey coach emails, not enough quality sleep and it's only 9am. Bur I am bloody determined to be happy about something by the end of the day, I tell you. DETERMINED.
I guess I'm slightly mollified to note that it wasn't a dream that I did the swim team registration last night, something over which I had been procrastinating to the point where it had major disaster potential, but fortunately it all went surprisingly smoothly. Guess I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop on that one.
Oh but that reminded me that i was listening to the Whalers get knocked out of the play-off while I was working :(
DETERMINED.......
Do you like the royals? What about a royal wedding? Everybody likes a royal wedding. Word is there are a couple days inexplicably clear on the royal calendar, and supposition that an Announcement will be made. At least, that's what I read on Facebook.
Only if she wears a black dress and has the word 'fuck" incorporated into her vows. That would make me smile. The word "cunt" as a bonus might even prompt a hearty guffaw.....
I sold 8 of Ripley's 10 Cheerleading Fundraiser $5 Raffle Tickets in less than 10 minutes. Am tempted to keep the last two.
I guess I'm slightly mollified to note that it wasn't a dream that I did the swim team registration last night, something over which I had been procrastinating to the point where it had major disaster potential, but fortunately it all went surprisingly smoothly.
There now, you're so good you could do it in your sleep if you had to. That ought to make you happy. :D
I'm exhausted but happy. We took lil' Pete early campus touring the last two days down Philadelphia way. Haverford and Swarthmore are just beautiful and either could be a good fit. Penn is too urban for her and Bryn Mawr has too few [edit] um... guys [/edit] on the dance floor. We know a guy on Haverford's fencing team who gave us some insight as she's on the fence between varsity vs competitive club fencing.
What? College? Already? :eek:
But that would make you... um, [SIZE="1"]elderly[/SIZE]? :haha:
We're a little early. She's a sophomore and yes I am elderly, since I'll be 6 years qualified for Veteran's fencing soon.
You really do have to start planning by sophomore year, though, especially since it's already April. Good for her (and you) for being prepared. Man, I still remember what an awesome time I had visiting colleges. Damn shame I didn't get to go to any of those. :lol:
(And in that vein, make sure you impress upon her the necessity of having a "sure thing" application--not just a school that she can get into academically, but one that can be afforded if, say, it turns out she qualifies for zero financial aid, the school she wants to go to unexpectedly raises their tuition by 40%, and/or her parents suddenly find themselves with a lot less income that year than they had planned on. The only reason I managed to go to college at all the year I was supposed to was because my mother had forced me to apply to the state university just in case, even though I was quite determined not to go there.)
Haverford and Swarthmore are just beautiful and either could be a good fit.
Stevedallas would have a unique perspective here - I think he's worked at both?
I got a letter from social security today, and I have been approved for SSI. That is $959.00 a month on top of the $1228.00 I get from the Veterans Administration. I am also getting $14,000.00 in back pay. I now get fix the A/c in my car. get a Mac, and get a digital SLR. Keryx is going to cut her hours at work, and she can have any thing she wants. My god is an awesome God!!! Praise the Lord!!!
excellent news for you :)
Haverford and Swarthmore are just beautiful and either could be a good fit.
both are great schools. All my siblings went to those two schools. I loved the Swarthmore graduation ceremonies. Beautiful campus.
Agreed - beautiful. I'm not far from Swarthmore - err perhaps thats a negative :blush:
I got a letter from social security today, and I have been approved for SSI. That is $959.00 a month on top of the $1228.00 I get from the Veterans Administration. I am also getting $14,000.00 in back pay. I now get fix the A/c in my car. get a Mac, and get a digital SLR. Keryx is going to cut her hours at work, and she can have any thing she wants. My god is an awesome God!!! Praise the Lord!!!
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You really do have to start planning by sophomore year, though, especially since it's already April. Good for her (and you) for being prepared. Man, I still remember what an awesome time I had visiting colleges. Damn shame I didn't get to go to any of those. :lol:
(... academically, but one that can be afforded if
These are very selective/expensive schools, she'll need backup as a matter of course. We'll see how the financial aid looks, being heavily endowed Haverford is reportedly very good on that front.
Stevedallas would have a unique perspective here - I think he's worked at both?
Good info, if he doesn't pop up, I'll pm.
both are great schools. All my siblings went to those two schools. I loved the Swarthmore graduation ceremonies. Beautiful campus.
Awesome. Feel free to pass on any info that may help.
Agreed - beautiful. I'm not far from Swarthmore - err perhaps thats a negative :blush:
We both know that ain't true.
Swarthmore's a dry town.
That no longer hurts my feelings, except that honesty is very important in an alcohol policy. Haverford seems very progressive on that count. Our contact there talked about how it plays out on that campus.
Fargon - that's really great news!
In Haverfield, Harvard, and Swarthmore, hurricanes hardly ever happen!
How exciting...the school search. Hard watching the kids grow up?
In Haverfield, Harvard, and Swarthmore, hurricanes hardly ever happen!
How exciting...the school search. Hard watching the kids grow up?
Not so much, its pretty cool really. I'm appreciating them now and hoping to help them choose a good path.
Heeheee...my younger sis-in-law was telling me last Sunday she couldn't stop crying in church...she'd just look at the girls (ages 4, 7, and 9 and growing fast) and just cry. I guess it's a woman thing.
Pilau and I just went for the most delightful walk. We took the same route as on the vids I posted, with a slight detour down the old bridlepath.
Glorious sunshine. The air perfectly still, not the slightest breath of a breeze, even up at the top of the hill. But not silent. No, definately not silent. A cacophany of birdsong. From simple twittering to complex songs, caws and whistles, you name it. The main road is just far enough away for the traffic to just be a gentle rumble; sounds almost like a waterfall at that distance.
Oh, and we saw a squirrel, running and jumping from branch to branch overhead. Seemed to have somethng in its mouth; looked grey, may have been its baby.
In the woods, the grass has suddenly started to make an appearance everywhere. Startlingly green against the greys and browns of the trees and mulch. Real deep, emerald green in places.
I really wish I'd remembered to charge my camera. Pilau was bouncing through the heather like he was Pepe le Peu. Then darting round the woods looking for squirrels and barking excitedly when he caught a scent.
Great fun. But waaay hot. I was only wearing a thin cotton long sleeved top with light summer jeans and a trackie jacket. I had to take the jacket off and I was still too hot.
Pil was knackered by the time we stopped off at Ma's house (where I am currently logged into her comp typing this :P). Mum's not here, but I've let myself in so Pilau can have a long cool drink of water, chat with Dante about the squirrel he just chased ("No, really, it was THIS big!") and rest his old joints before we make our way back up the hill to home.
And ... to be fair, so I can rest my old bones ... and roll a little herb for the journey back :P
About as idyllic as a Saturday afternoon can get in my book :)
Pilau and I just went for the most delightful walk. We took the same route as on the vids I posted, with a slight detour down the old bridlepath.
Glorious sunshine. The air perfectly still, not the slightest breath of a breeze, even up at the top of the hill. But not silent. No, definately not silent. A cacophany of birdsong. From simple twittering to complex songs, caws and whistles, you name it. The main road is just far enough away for the traffic to just be a gentle rumble; sounds almost like a waterfall at that distance.
Oh, and we saw a squirrel, running and jumping from branch to branch overhead. Seemed to have somethng in its mouth; looked grey, may have been its baby.
In the woods, the grass has suddenly started to make an appearance everywhere. Startlingly green against the greys and browns of the trees and mulch. Real deep, emerald green in places.
I really wish I'd remembered to charge my camera. Pilau was bouncing through the heather like he was Pepe le Peu. Then darting round the woods looking for squirrels and barking excitedly when he caught a scent.
Great fun. But waaay hot. I was only wearing a thin cotton long sleeved top with light summer jeans and a trackie jacket. I had to take the jacket off and I was still too hot.
ok, start over here.
you were still too hot, so you....
Learned I'm entitled to a credential that I didn't realize I had, huh. (ACP=Advanced Certified Paralegal). It was time for me to renew my credential and I was sweating it because I was over the deadline, but made it, phew! For another five years, at least.
Family gathering here at the Capnhowdy/juju farm today. Pop's birthday deal. Great time and several family members came. Great thing is..... the big party is next weekend. Pop doesn't have a clue. He thinks this was it. We expect 30 to 35 folks next weekend and we'll have a family concert. Lots of musical talent on the tree..... looking forward to it. Pop is dying and under the care of hospice, but has the best attitude in the crowd. The world could use lots more like him. Savor life while you have it. It is good.
Have been productive today.
Got my bills paid, even paid my rent arrears despite the bank being closed when I arrived - some kind of computer shut down. Doesn't sound like anything to be proud of? Well, no I spose not. But a coupla years ago I'd have decided it was "a sign" and gone and spent the money! This time I checked the bank before I got the bus - it was open again.
Got Grandad his KFC - you don't have to worry about occasional takeaways at 87. Chatted to the weird family who live across the court on the bus. Hand delivered a card for Mum, walked a mile to feed the ducks (and a mile back), took delivery of a pile of leaflets for the LibDems to put through doors - I'm campaigning for them this election.
AND. Not about feeling productive, but about feeling happy. Had an email from a lady who booked a room at Ty Rosa thanks to my review on TripAdvisor, and video on YouTube. People like to know what they're getting. She's in Cardiff for about a week because her daughter's ship is in. I wished her a good stay and asked that she passed my regards on to her daughter in the Royal Navy. I don't do much for our Armed Forces, but if at least I recommended a Mum a good place to stay it's something.
Oh, along those lines, I sent Sarge another card. Anyone know how he is? I'm kinda sending post into a vacuum here, and I can't help worrying about him.
The neighbor's dogs were going crazy, so I went out on the deck to see why. There's a big female elk wandering around the back yard. I haven't seen them here for a few months.
I think I succeeded in getting a shitty person fired today. Seems like a bitchy thing to be happy about but...fuck you. I'm tired of working with shitty, lazyass people.
I don't know why it takes so much work to get rid of TEMP agents. Anyway, I hope I won this time. :P
wow....more than .....even so your happy parts are rift with angst.
I'm going a ka-zillion miles a minute. I am happy because if I were to slow down I would realize how tired I must be.
I am so fortunate to be in overdrive.:p:
I forgot. I changed my font to an elderly lady type that is to say to reduce eyestrain but not until the installed updates went through yesterday can I see the improvement in the font.....plus! The cellar's front page is very nice looking now. I do not have to change to the blue.
The boiler repair guy found that our vent pipe was broken inside the boiler and had been pumping CO directly into the house. It looks like it's been going on for a long time.
That's making you happy? You're lucky it didn't make you dead.
Get a carbon monoxide detector...pronto.
Have I missed something? Why is everyone happy about CO?
You are very lucky you didn't die or end up with damage to your brain or heart. CO is nasty, nasty stuff.
Yeah, exactly, so someone please explain why HLJ and glatt are so very happy about it. :confused:
I suspect he's happy that it was discovered before it did any harm.
Well, I mean...yeah...but it just seemed a bit odd. Maybe my sense of irony is off today. ;)
And, uh...harm THAT WE KNOW OF. I mean, HLJ did come back to the Cellar and all. We don't know what other kinds of long-term damage he may have sustained.
I was just trying to be supportive. :p:
We've got a CO detector that has a numerical readout in addition to the alarm. Pretty cool. I've never seen it get off of zero.
A regular maintenance call turned up a backdraft problem with our furnace a few years back, and we corrected it, but got the CO detector anyway.
Ours saved our lives when I was still married. We had a finished basement, big TV down there, and usually had electric heat but we were using a kerosene heater. The detector went off, we left the house and aired it out.
We could have died right there, watching TV.
For the last two years I've been working from home. Sometimes when my wife is traveling I don't leave the house, or even open the door, for days at a time.
During that time I've been having headaches. I gave up sugar for a week; I gave up caffeine for a week; I gave up alcohol for a week - (not all the same week).
I ripped up all the carpets and had hardwood floors put in (thinking it could be allergies). Now I'm hoping that this is it.
We have a CO detector, but it's in the ceiling, upstairs. I need to get another one for the basement.
Oh, and I can't say for sure that it didn't do any brain damage. I've been having trouble calculating square roots in my head.
Well, join me over here, me with my tumah.
Last week I was talking to a student and I couldn't subtract 9 from 20. I just went completely blank.
But I have a CO detector.
Wow, glad you're OK, man.
Now, I want to work from home too. Any ideas?
Now, I want to work from home too. Any ideas?
No, sorry. I'm starting a new job Monday. I think they're going to want me to come to the office. No more work-from-home for me, either.
I find adding easier than subtracting; to subtract 9 from 20, just add one and subtract 10.
There are some consulting firms I could look into, but I don't know if I'm disciplined enough. Some days it's just so tempting.
There are some consulting firms I could look into, but I don't know if I'm disciplined enough. Some days it's just so tempting.
Or you could just get a calculator.
Dude, I don't want to work from home because I couldn't REMEMBER 9 from 20. I want to work from home so I don't have to drive through the rat maze to come to the rat race, so I can work in my pajamas, so I can burp whenever I want, so I don't have to look at humans right in their faces. :lol:
Now I see. I thought you wanted to hire a consulting firm to calculate 20-9.
And thanks glatt for being supportive.
A friend has been in touch.
Probably the smartest, coollest and best-looking (well, you can't help noticing) person I've ever been lucky enough to call a friend.
IRL I mean. Although I guess I know Dana IRL too... Okay, I'll stop before I dig myself in too deep.
This woman has a golden aura, she's just a wonderful person. And she married a lovely man too. And she still made time for me. I feel like Jade Goody (pre-martyrdom) to her Kate Moss.
And lit up like a neon rainbow that she got in contact.
E - if you're reading this I promise to pay for the dry cleaning if you honk up.
... best-looking ... golden aura ... wonderful ... I feel like Jade Goody (pre-martyrdom) to her Kate Moss.
...
Is this that warthog you greeted earlier?
Wow HLJ - An old friend of mine IRL lost his marbles to CO poisoning.
Glad to hear you are ok. Breathe deep the fresh air.
This a place you own or do you rent?
We own it.
I just picked up a CO/gas detector and installed it in the basement.
http://www.ngiribar.com/
Oh I would love to hang out there!
It's the first place I will go when I win the lottery.
If I win Euromillions you can come too (you're always welcome, but I'm thinking about having enough cash to pay your airfare).
If I only win a lickle bit - like under a million I mean - I might just come & see you. "You" being the Cellar collective of course.
Then rehab.
I was just thinking that: a big lottery win would mean a definite trip to Kenya. And England/Scotland/Ireland. And Holland. And Switzerland. And Australia. And New Zealand.
Yey. I'm feeling chipper. Charlie Brooker is back on my screen in the new series of You Have Been Watching. Love him. He's awesome.
He's such a rude cunt.
I prefer him on TV actually. But only because he's savaged some of my holy cows in print. Although he did make me laugh when he said that Torchwood is Scooby Doo for grownups, and they even have their own Mystery Machine. After all, it's true. And not a bad thing.
Enjoyed last night - got a couple of guffaws out of me. David Baddiel's story about his daughter made me laugh so loud I spooked Diz. Splendid.
lol I laughed my tits off at Baddiel's story. "David Baddiel!"
I am completely in love with Charlie Brooker. Oh, and David Mitchell too.
[eta] he is a rude cunt. But he's also very sweet :P I've been a fan of his since waaaaaay back when he used to write games reviews in the 90's.
Charlie Brooker on how to make a news report:
[youtube]YtGSXMuWMR4&feature=related[/youtube]
David Mitchell on Mock the Week
[youtube]wt2u4dlZBHE&feature=related[/youtube]
Fridayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
We're getting our driveway paved today! (If the rain and snow holds off.) We've been waiting 10 years to do this.
The current ankle-deep mud will be transformed into 5400 square feet of smooth, black asphalt.
It seems that once you do one home improvement/upgrade project you have to do more and more until you're completely broke.
Put me down for:
Fridayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Awesome! I want a paved driveway. I just don't want to pay for one.
I've just seen the first House Martin of the year. A week later than last year but at least I've seen one. What will probably happen now is that there won't be anymore for weeks. I shall try to dismiss that pessimistic thought from my mind and look forward to the return of the Swallows and those real masters of the air, Swifts. :)
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.
Oh that's just fucking bizarre. I was playing with Pilau bout fifteen minutes ago and when he found the toy I'd hidden, I shouted "Callooh! Callay!"
It's not somethng I would normally say...
I've just seen the first House Martin of the year. A week later than last year but at least I've seen one. What will probably happen now is that there won't be anymore for weeks. I shall try to dismiss that pessimistic thought from my mind and look forward to the return of the Swallows and those real masters of the air, Swifts. :)
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.
I read that as "first House Martian." :p:
My brain is slowly coming back online.
yay.
I read that as "first House Martian." :p:
No, they're not in the least bit unusual around here. In fact, I would go so far as to say that most of the local populace come from the outer reaches of the galaxy. Well, let's put it this way, few seem to be of 'this world'.:eyebrow:
Oh that's just fucking bizarre. I was playing with Pilau bout fifteen minutes ago and when he found the toy I'd hidden, I shouted "Callooh! Callay!"
It's not somethng I would normally say...
Ah, you see, those waves of genius must have hurtled down the M1 when I needed inspiration.:thumb:
My brain is slowly coming back online.
yay.
Yay!
The new perfume I got, "Gluttony":
Thick, sugared and bloated with sweetness. Dark chocolate, vanilla, buttercream, and hops with pralines, hazelnut, toffee and caramel.
from Black Phoenix Alchemy lab (outlets in Gomorrah, Port Royale, Tombstone, Arkham, Vieux Carre, Brooklyn and LA)
http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.htmlHLJ I am glad to hear you guys were able to fix the CO problem. Sorry you can't work from home, anymore, though. Husband lost his job, so he is constantly "working from home."
This is what is making me happy today. We have to find a cheaper place to live, now that our income is significantly less. This is what we have found:
Hey, that looks pretty cool. I'd LOVE to have a barn. And look at all that space for the kids to run around. When the leaves come in, it will look downright gorgeous.
You could certainly plant a garden.
Wonderful! Looks so peaceful there.
Was able to sing a 19 note range today during my voice lesson. Hit the upper notes w/o the teacher kicking me in the nuts this time.
There's a big female elk wandering around the back yard. I haven't seen them here for a few months.
I would so shoot that, it could feed your family for 6 months.
You could certainly plant a garden.
I most certainly will!
Was able to sing a 19 note range today during my voice lesson. Hit the upper notes w/o the teacher kicking me in the nuts this time.
mee may ma mo mooooo!
I think I succeeded in getting a shitty person fired today. Seems like a bitchy thing to be happy about but...fuck you. I'm tired of working with shitty, lazyass people.
I don't know why it takes so much work to get rid of TEMP agents. Anyway, I hope I won this time. :P
There are some consulting firms I could look into, but I don't know if I'm disciplined enough. Some days it's just so tempting.
Careful or that bitch, MTP, will fire your ass.:p:
I would so shoot that, it could feed your family for 6 months.
Probably longer than that - I'd be eating it by myself. Elk cows weigh about 500 lb.
HLJ I am glad to hear you guys were able to fix the CO problem. Sorry you can't work from home, anymore, though. Husband lost his job, so he is constantly "working from home."
This is what is making me happy today. We have to find a cheaper place to live, now that our income is significantly less. This is what we have found:
That's a cool house Case. I wonder if it's haunted?
I'm sorry to hear about the income loss.
No, sorry. I'm starting a new job Monday. I think they're going to want me to come to the office. No more work-from-home for me, either.
I find adding easier than subtracting; to subtract 9 from 20, just add one and subtract 10.
lol
and congrats on the new job
This is what is making me happy today. We have to find a cheaper place to live, now that our income is significantly less. This is what we have found:
Nice! I hope you get it.
Careful or that bitch, MTP, will fire your ass.:p:
I don't see the connect at all.
I wish I could fire people, the fucking idiot is still here. Getting the same pay I do, only doing 1% of the amount of work, and doing it wrong. I'm more than frustrated. I am usually a really nice person, but if being a bitch is what is needed, than I will be.
Really lucky the repair man found the CO leak HLJ, that's scary! Good luck at the new job.
Probably longer than that - I'd be eating it by myself. Elk cows weigh about 500 lb.
Just think how long it would last if you were a vegetarian.
I think I succeeded in getting a shitty person fired today. Seems like a bitchy thing to be happy about but...fuck you. I'm tired of working with shitty, lazyass people.
I don't know why it takes so much work to get rid of TEMP agents. Anyway, I hope I won this time. :P
There are some consulting firms I could look into, but I don't know if I'm disciplined enough. Some days it's just so temping.
I don't see the connect at all.
I wish I could fire people, the fucking idiot is still here. Getting the same pay I do, only doing 1% of the amount of work, and doing it wrong. I'm more than frustrated. I am usually a really nice person, but if being a bitch is what is needed, than I will be.
Sorry about your having to deal with a goldbricking a-hole. I connected the dots in bold. I think my humor has a lot to do with words and intentional mis-reading of them. I suspect it is due to some Irish blood.
I had a brilliant scheme for getting a cow-orker fired but it was so devious and potentially ruinous to the person I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Oh, sorry I took it wrongly. Just easily riled today I guess.:o
Just think how long it would last if you were a vegetarian.
As I said in another thread, if you are what you eat then I am a vegetarian.
And thanks, MTP.
As I said in another thread, if you are what you eat then I am a vegetarian.
And thanks, MTP.
At least an herbivore...
Got mah Jeep back!
Thanks! I'm so happy.... it's been so long (I put 3k miles on the Extortion) it's like getting it new all over again!
Of course it's all rainy and shitty out so I can't just hang out and fawn all over it... any more....
looking at it....something is different.
took me a second, but it's the antenna! the fuckers put a stock antenna on it!
time to install the new mini i got jinx for xmas!
Woo Hoo - Great to hear! Take that baby out and go muddin'!
Har! The Jinxmobile is back in business!
Yay! Can you go and knock down some trees with it, or run over a few baby seals? You've got months of eco-vandalism to catch up on ;) .
Yay for you jinx! It looks like you got some real nice tires and wheels too. Well they look nice to me anyway. Meaty
Nice, have seen the before. Please be nice to the squirrels. i really like them for the diseased little beggers they are...At least the city ones.
We're expecting snow tomorrow - somewhere between 6 and 15 inches.
Tell you wife to spray the shovel with PAM, it'll make it easier for her. :haha:
Even better: I'll just spray the driveway with Teflon.
Did you get your pavement already?
Oww, that sounds like fuuuuuuuun. :D
That's a cool house Case. I wonder if it's haunted?
I'm sorry to hear about the income loss.
It might be...the older part was built in 1907 (for you Brits out there, that's like something being built in the 1700s in Brit years. We just don't have old houses like you guys do.) The inside has been completely remodeled and it is huge. Bigger than where we live now, and cheaper! What a deal.
No worries about the income...we are minimizing expenses and working hard on our cleaning business.
Or just make the whole driveway out of black box material. No matter how inebriated you are you will always find It.
Did you get your pavement already?
Yes, they came in last Friday and did the whole thing in about four hours, including excavation. They used 94 tons of asphalt.
I'm interested to see if the snow melts better than when we just had dirt.
94 tons???
Indeed, holy shit.
94 tons???
Indeed, holy shit.
That explains the smell.
We have a pirate theme in school at the moment.
I spent the afternoon helping to make (and sometimes sneakily making) pirate cutlasses.
I only took over when a child was getting upset. The rest of the time I was just lending a hand. Gutted that this didn't leave me enough time to make my own though!
Making weapons? IN SCHOOL!? :eek:
beest is outside right now teaching kids to make rockets :eek: :lol:
Hey SG, I guess I've been gone a while. I didn't know you were back in school.
beest is outside right now teaching kids to make rockets :eek: :lol:
Rockets are cool. :thumb:
Hey SG, I guess I've been gone a while. I didn't know you were back in school.
I volunteer two days a week at a local school. I'm in Year 2, which is 6-7 year olds. I'm motivated because being a Teaching Assistant is something I was interested in anyway and I wanted to try it out, but mostly because
they have all this cool stuff!
We have FOUR live chicks in the classroom right now.
So cute.
Me and the chicks I mean.
This arvo I am mostly making my own cutlass (if it's any good I will take a picture for you) and I'm planning on putting in an extra day this week. I'll go in tomorrow to make up for the day I missed before Easter. And to show off my cutlass.
Bruce - if'n it's made of card and foil it's acceptable even in this country. I think. I'm a white female, I reckon I'll get away with it....
a white female who is at least partially responsible for an earthquake though ...
Deep joy! Walking through the park with my cousin's great-grand daughter aged two, talking duck (quackery) and squirrel and plucking tiny fistfulls of blossom from the cherry and almond trees. And the sun has shone and shone and - yes - shone.
Life is so good on days like these.:biggrin:
dig that, cz.
my daughter just called me up and played me the riff from 'glycerine' (that my son taught her) over the speaker phone. Nice.
One really sweet strawberry.
To counteract what is really pissing me off today, I made an appointment for a one hour massage using the gift card I got last November for my birthday.
They better have a slobber bucket!
Only 2 chicks now.
The lady who supplied the eggs (a parent of a child in the class) only had one hatchling.
So we "donated" the two yellow chicks back - they need to socialise in order to be happy and healthy.
These are our two remaining.
They seem to get cuter the older they get!
First of May, first of may
outdoor fucking starts today
But if as usual it do rain
off we fucks indoors again.
My Mom! In college, I had the Glow Worm and the Chubbles, given to me by Mom. All my dorm-mates loved them, and would borrow them when they had a bad day, for cheering up (no dirty thoughts now, y'all.) ;)
Well, I looked into my bag of goodies my mom gave me yesterday (she always gives me her old magazines, books, and other things) and there was a Zhu Zhu Hamster! I brought it into work and it was running around, made everyone laugh.
I think I want a whole Zhu Zhu Hamster community. I'm such a kid!
http://www.zhuzhupets.com/main.htmlmonster: for thinking of me and telling me to look away in the "questions" thread. I caught it in time that I didn't look at the pic.
Thank you!:thumb:
heehee. You can look now, though, we've "moved on" :lol:
OK!
:jig:
Winner over Weiner! Makes me happy every time! :)
My mom just gave me a bunch of my favorite cookware.
See, the way it works with my mom is: I buy something and it turns out to be pretty good, then she decides she wants one too, but goes overboard with her superior paycheck and gets 3 of them, or the larger one, or the special edition with extra attachments, or whatever. Then, about 6 months later, she realizes she isn't really going to use it after all (and in fact has perhaps not even taken it out of the package,) and gives it to me instead.
So not only did I get three more dutch ovens in varying sizes, but I also got this
great cookbook. I'm so excited!
Oow Oow, what time's supper. :yum:
My husband finally agrees with me, that the home parties I do need cash and carry items. I did a party this weekend, and 90% of the sales were take home now things... I could have made more if I had more "instant gratification" items. The girls wanted to wear some of the lingerie to the bar that night So... he agreed we need to spend money to make money. We have $6000 retail worth coming ROFL. He either doesn't do something or goes all out!
Now I need a few more big parties like this weekend. $700 in 3 hours!
He's not dumb, if it doesn't sell, you wear it. :D
Scan was clear. No tumah! So, what the effin' eff is wrong with me?
Anxiety attacks were noted, muscle tightness and spasms could contribute to headaches and other head issues.
He gave me some preventive exercises for the spasms, and something for my extreme anxiety (which are timed well with PMS, but unreal-like and scary) for just those times when it gets like it gets.
In the meantime, I'm going to look into herbal remedies in case there are also hormonal issues due to my age (which my doctor is in denial of, apparently. I don't care, I'll shout it from the rooftops, but he doesn't seem to want to think I'm old.) :lol:
No tumah!
It's not a tumah! :thumb:
There was a rumor
It was a tumor
But now today we
Know Shaw's just crazy
:D
Better alive crazy than dead crazy...at least for me...y'all might have different sentiments.
Thanks monster, glatt, and classic. :)
hurrah! it made me happy to see you were posting in this thread.
My wife and mother-in-law were so good to me this week...my wife was by my side almost all week. My mother-in-law bought me goodies and did stuff for us at the house.
I tried to live as "normally" as possible...after all, I was perfectly fine except for the area around my left eye. I wore normal clothes, didn't have a restricted diet, sat in the chair instead of the bed often, played on my laptop and iPhone, went to the cafeteria with April for dinner, went outside for fresh air...of course, this was all before I was officially diagnosed with MRSA, which wasn't until yesterday afternoon. At least that earned me a private room. :)
Family supprot at times like what you have been thru is Important ,
Glad yer doing Better dude !!!
Kiss Mrs April for me .
I am glad you and Shawnee are OK!
...and shawnee some doctors * cough * [COLOR=Silver]men[/COLOR] doctors don't get the womens body even though they probably sleep with one.
A not so funny story. After having my baby the doctor was sowing me up. It hurt and I said ouch. He said," What? That hurts? You just had a baby" I wanted to kick the side of his face! wtf...you think just because I had a kid I have no nerves down there anymore. retard. ( I didn't say these things out loud but he could probably feel the nurses bristling) hehe
some doctors * cough * men doctors don't get the womens body even though they probably sleep with one.
How do you expect them to know, when you're so unpredictable even you don't know?:p:
What do you mean by that!?
j/k that's a stereotype although an extra comma would be nice
Glad to hear things have turned out well for you, Syc.
I'm happy because I spoke to Bri today.
Always lovely to hear a Dwellar's voice, and especially hers.
A not so funny story. After having my baby the doctor was sowing me up. It hurt and I said ouch. He said," What? That hurts? You just had a baby" I wanted to kick the side of his face! wtf...you think just because I had a kid I have no nerves down there anymore. retard. ( I didn't say these things out loud but he could probably feel the nurses bristling) hehe
This reminds me of what I went through in the eye clinic the other day, though a totally different situation...
So I'm in the eye clinic, and the ophthalmologists are trying to remove all the bacteria from the abscess in my eye. They had numbed me up pretty well, but then they apparently yanked out a capsule that was on a nerve that was not numbed...
I bawled like a little kid..."Owwwww...ahhahaha-owwwww!" I knew it wasn't malicious, and the docs felt awful. I was like, "It's okay...*sob sob*...I know you're...*sob sob*...just doing...*sob sob*...your job." It wasn't funny at the time, but looking back, it's damn funny to me now. :)
Oh MAN UP !!!!
Rub some Dirt on it and get back out there !!!
Ya WUSSY !!!!!
I'm off work all next week. All my medical equipment is portable, and it's only about a 4-hour drive down to where you are, fucker. ;)
Ahh but youll just drive in circles with only 1 eye there Sparky !!!!!:p:;):cool:
Oh MAN UP !!!!
Rub some Dirt on it and get back out there !!!
Ya WUSSY !!!!!
I'm off work all next week. All my medical equipment is portable, and it's only about a 4-hour drive down to where you are, fucker. ;)
Ahh but youll just drive in circles with only 1 eye there Sparky !!!!!:p:;):cool:
:lol2:
My house is silent right now... the only sound is the water cycling into the fishtank behind me and the dull hum of the computer. With six kids living in the house- silence is sometimes unfathomable.
Another youtube link? Do they pay you?
They pay him a dolla a link. :lol2:
...then she decides she wants one too, but goes overboard with her superior paycheck...
I had this flash of an anime super hero/exasperating mom character defeating her enemies:
"I will out purchase you with my superior paycheck!"
She'd need a teenage daughter sidekick for sure.
I'm currently organising my Mum's Girls' Night In (the last one - the one I got all upset about - was cancelled as Mum was stuck in Benidorm).
We're doing it her way.
She's quite happy with what I am cooking and we've agreed the menu.
She's calm because I've broken it down for her so she knows I won't have to do much on the night, and there is plenty of time for everything.
Of course I have sneaked in some little details of my own.
Like introducing the idea of frozen strawberry daiquiris (bought mix, just add water and rum). And getting plastic glasses for them as none of ours were suitable.
And making mini cornbread muffins as hors d'oeuvres. Simple, cheap (except the rum, but Mum & Dad drink that anyway) and yet something different for the "girls".
I'm attempting a Chile Con Queso as a starter. Mum doesn't realise this is my first attempt. Let's not worry her, eh? If it goes tits up at least they can fill their faces with muffins and tortilla chips :) I'm borrowing a fondue set to keep the dish warm. I've also got a couple of chilli-style serving plates for the bits & pieces.
Tried & tested fajitas for the main, no surprises there.
And finally I'm going to put lights on the bushes outside. If the weather is good that is. Fingers crossed, it should be, then they can have drinks and hor d'oeuvres outside.
I rejected the inflatable cactus idea and bought cacti candles on eBay instead. They were an unwanted gift so it was a private seller and I got them dirt cheap. I also decided against the Mexican flag bunting and the Cinque de Mayo centrepiece. I have remembered that this is Mum's evening not mine.
But I bet they talk about it afterwards :)
And yes, I am looking forward to it immensely.
Man, SG- maybe I should have ya come over and plan my next shindig. All of that sounds superb :)
The first hand-made cheese of spring is a squeaky cheddar... very yummish!
Wow thats sounds really good Griff. Made with goats milk, I assume?
I bought me and the wif a 5th gen I pod, it gets FM. I am slowly being assimilated.....
Wow thats sounds really good Griff. Made with goats milk, I assume?
Oh, yeah!
still got my address? nudge nudge hint hint . . .
mywork08, please don't hotlink pictures. :headshake
I had this flash of an anime super hero/exasperating mom character defeating her enemies:
"I will out purchase you with my superior paycheck!"
She'd need a teenage daughter sidekick for sure.
That would so totally work.
The Adventures of Consumer-mom!!!! And her daughter Sulky-sass! See them struggle against Lookatme-lookatme and the Mall-evolent Marauders! Coming soon to a retail outlet near you!
That would so totally work.
The Adventures of Consumer-mom!!!! And her daughter Sulky-sass! See them struggle against Lookatme-lookatme and the Mall-evolent Marauders! Coming soon to a retail outlet near you!
My friend's 11yo son came up with a great name for his little sister when she was being sassy, I think we should use that: SassyQuatch! :lol:
still got my address? nudge nudge hint hint . . .
Um... yeah that cheese is in muh belly. If you pm me that addy again I can make something happen after we wean the little ones and milk production goes through the roof.
What's making me happy today?
1. A bike
2. no water falling from the sky
3. Corp policy that allows parking your bike inside your office or cube.
4. Flat and smooth American roads.
And.......
5. Reese's cups. :)
hey slang, welcome back to the States!
Thank you glatt.
I'm back in the US and that means no boozing, oversnoozing, taxi cruising, surfboard using, and fat food mooching.
It's all work and study now but that's acceptable with the long vacations that I've got planned next trip out.
3. Corp policy that allows parking your bike inside your office or cube.
[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] How cool would that be?! Sigh! although I notice that one colleague has been bringing their bike in-a case of don't ask permission and then no-one can say no.
4. Flat and smooth American roads.
[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Any infant sized holes in the pavement where you've been?
5. Reese's cups. :)
Tried them on Dawn French's recommendation 'surely created by angels'. I like peanut butter and chocolate, but in this combination, no can do. My aversion to the taste was on the high side.
Internet access at home after months and months without it (self-inflicted).
[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] How cool would that be?! Sigh! although I notice that one colleague has been bringing their bike in-a case of don't ask permission and then no-one can say no.
I am a (contract only) mechanical designer/product designer/engineering services consultant at DePuy ( dee-pew ).
We make medical implants (replacements) for knees, hips and shoulders. A focus on physical fitness and overall good health is encouraged within the corporate culture.
Security has been instructed to allow bikes inside so long as there are no complaints ( of people doing wheelies in the hallways :) )
[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Any infant sized holes in the pavement where you've been?
I've just returned from a 9 month vacation/expedition/adventure/drinking spree on Luzon island Philippines.
My wife and I bought a small plot of jungle property. The roads there are bad when even compared to a disinigrating rural american driveway.
Tried them on Dawn French's recommendation 'surely created by angels'. I like peanut butter and chocolate, but in this combination, no can do. My aversion to the taste was on the high side.
Aversion to Reese's cups is something that I'm not equipped to reply to. Don't know how to respond. Never even heard of this.
What types of fat foods
do you like?
Methinks they be dog/otter hybrids. :lol:
My property taxes went down :)
Opening day at the pool, and it was sunny and got a little warm. I smell like sunscreen and have pool hair.
We were in Kauai this week and missed the 18 inches of snow. It's mostly melted now, but there's a chance for more tonight.
My horse winning the Preakness.
Saturday (the 15th) The Wife and I celebrated her birthday.
All day long a song was stuck in my head, but I couldn't quite remember what it was. I also couldn't begin to describe it to some one.
Just realized it was "Seven Nation Army" by the white stripes
bvvvt. bvvv vvv vvv vvvt vvttt vvuuuh
bvvvvt. bvv bvvv bbvvb vvuh vvuuh vhuut vuuuuut vuuuhh
[YOUTUBE]6j7huh5Egew[/YOUTUBE]
this one is very similar:
[YOUTUBE]QKntY8WkNYQ[/YOUTUBE]
Have you seen It Might Get Loud?
Jack White, The Edge (U2) and Jimmy Page discuss the guitar, discuss their guitars, build guitars and play music.
I watched it last week and liked it a lot more than I expected. We even watched all the special features.
It's best watched with big speakers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229360/I am a (contract only) mechanical designer/product designer/engineering services consultant at DePuy ( dee-pew ).
We make medical implants (replacements) for knees, hips and shoulders. A focus on physical fitness and overall good health is encouraged within the corporate culture.
Security has been instructed to allow bikes inside so long as there are no complaints ( of people doing wheelies in the hallways :) )
Nice! I'm not quite sure what is encouraged where I work.
I've just returned from a 9 month vacation/expedition/adventure/drinking spree on Luzon island Philippines.
Wow. More details about the expedition/adventure part?
My wife and I bought a small plot of jungle property. The roads there are bad when even compared to a disinigrating rural american driveway.
The baby sized holes in the pavement I've experienced were in Denpasar, Bali. It made riding one's bicycle home along the pavement somewhat difficult.
Aversion to Reese's cups is something that I'm not equipped to reply to. Don't know how to respond. Never even heard of this.
We have a charity box at work and sometimes I think they put the chocolates in there that the companies haven't been able to sell elsewhere...occasionally, you'll get things that you don't see regularly in Oz like Reese's peanut butter cups. Other times, you get chocolate which is obviously old as it's gone white.
What types of fat foods do you like?
All kinds. :D
At a net cafe in Bondi and my time is about up, so I'll sign off for the moment.
There's a little cafe across from our offices.
They have dubbed me "Miss Coffee."
:coffee2:
Have you seen It Might Get Loud?
Jack White, The Edge (U2) and Jimmy Page discuss the guitar, discuss their guitars, build guitars and play music.
I watched it last week and liked it a lot more than I expected. We even watched all the special features.
It's best watched with big speakers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229360/
I enjoyed that. I especially liked the Jimmy Page stories about recording in that old mansion. And The Edge showing how he uses various equipment to play accompaniment with the reverb coming from his own guitar was neat too.
Jack White stepped on a guitar to play it. He was the weak link of the three.
Jack White stepped on a guitar to play it. He was the weak link of the three.
Are you high!!?
Srsly glatt, put down the pipe. Jack White oozes talent - guitar isn't even his thing and he KILLS it. While the edge strums chords and twists knobs. The edge didn't even PLAY anything when they were all together because there weren't enough effects machines to make it more than strumming a chord. Gah!
Not weak:
[YOUTUBE]-t1_ETuWIbE[/YOUTUBE]
Can't see the video you posted while I'm here at work.
I'll admit Mr. White can play the guitar better than I can. I'll give him that. He has talent. But of the three, he was the weak one with the least appealing music.
keep in mind that Jack is the only one of the three that has to divide his attention because he's also singing and playing keyboard.
scary talented, in my amateur musicians opinion.
Especially since he's actually a drummer.
I'm with Jinx on this one. Plus, Jack is from Detroit, which gives him extra points.
I thought The Edge looked the most out of place when they were all on the stage together.
Drummers make great keyboard players.
Drummers make great afternoon snacks.
Taste like chicken.
Well, yeah, if you keep abreast of all the new recipes.
Are you high!!?
Srsly glatt, put down the pipe.
I swear you guys have had this same exchange already. I even made one of those videos with your dialogue only it got lost during the save. I almost want to go back and re-do it.
Almost.
At least we're consistent....
Srsly though, listen to this this. When you get a chance...
[YOUTUBE]-ozUILyrh-o[/YOUTUBE]
and this... anything from Blackpool really...
[YOUTUBE]J2sMxPhmleY[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]xMZh9OtAeSY[/YOUTUBE]
Three weeks of school left! WOOOOO! I can't believe I have actually survived this long. Or perhaps, more appropriately, that all of my students are still alive.
Less than five weeks until Kitsune and I close on our first house! (WOOOO! AAAAAAGGGGHHHH!) We bought new construction, so we're waiting for them to finish it up so we can move in. Then will come the challenge of trying to furnish it...
Last night we were in our local bar for dinner and we played songs from all three "It might get loud" bands (Jack White, U2 and Led Zeppelin) on the juke box.
I recently got a turntable through Freecycle, so when we came home we got out a lot of old vinyl and played that until late into the night.
I'm happy that the neighbors houses are all far away.
I am trading a year's membership at our local yoga studio for a few days of photography.
Very psyched.
I got some feedback from a student to whom I had explained a variety of writing skills. Her assignment went from fail/resubmit to high distinction. :cool:
That, Zen, is freaking awesome!
Finally got my dishes done!
(Been delaying them, the last couple of days... I'm lazy when it's hot.)
Yeah, not much else to be happy about. I shall bring this thread DOWN with my poor excuses to be happy, and my obvious sorrow! :mad2:
TheDaVinciChode has been using a lot of frowny face smilies (oxymoron alert!) in his last few posts.
He's on report.
;)
very cool - Nice to hear/see/read there are still some great teachers out there.
Finally got my dishes done!
(Been delaying them, the last couple of days... I'm lazy when it's hot.)
Yeah, not much else to be happy about. I shall bring this thread DOWN with my poor excuses to be happy, and my obvious sorrow! :mad2:
Heheheeee...are we twins separated at birth?
:)
1) Good performance review (equals good raise and bonus)
2) 5 day weekend after tomorrow
3) Love, friendship, compassion, understanding, stability, trust
:grinnylov
Vacation starts when we get on a plane in the early PM Thursday.
Off to the islands for a long weekend of sun, rugby, and beer.
and another week before the ugly work starts again when I get home.
I got my SSI backpay today $14,385.00. And I am getting an iMac, 3.06 GHz Intel core 2 Duo, 4GB 1066Mhz RAM, 1 TB Hard drive, 8x Double-Layer Super Drive,ATI Radeon HD 4670 w/ 256MB dedicated memory, Apple wired keyboard & Magic mouse.
We go fast ZOOOM!!! And I have Know idea what any of that means.
1) Good performance review (equals good raise and bonus)
2) 5 day weekend after tomorrow
3) Love, friendship, compassion, understanding, stability, trust
:grinnylov
You're going to be sore by Tuesday.
You're going to be sore by Tuesday.
Nope. Don't have to go back to work until Wednesday. I'm all vacationy time like that.
Wednesday is gonna SUCK. :lol:
You're going to be sore by Tuesday.
Wednesday is gonna SUCK. :lol:
Lessee... if you alternate that 'SUCK'-ing with whatever else you're doing, you might not wind up so sore. :p:
I got my SSI backpay today $14,385.00.
Sweet!!
Lessee... if you alternate that 'SUCK'-ing with whatever else you're doing, you might not wind up so sore. :p:
:eek:
I like the way you think! :p:
Yesterday a C-130 Hercules buzzed my house twice. Actually, the whole neighborhood, but directly over my house and very close. Very cool. The Inch practically imploded with delight.
I will go outside later and try to calculate its altitude by referencing the point it disappeared behind the trees and my distance from those trees, my height, their height, etc.
It was very close though, a few hundred feet at most.
Next time have your laser pointer ready, sn.
haahahahah, I'll be sure to stand in my neighbor's yard.
Yummy afternoon Moca iced coffie
We just had a spontaneous party, with some neighbors and some friends from down the hill.
We ate lots of meat.
5 hours, in and out of the pool at my older brother's, playing with my nieces. Oh, and the wiffleball with young and old nieces and nephews, and the shrimp boil, even though I don't like shrimp, and lots of funny friends and family.
Life is good.
I got some feedback from a student to whom I had explained a variety of writing skills. Her assignment went from fail/resubmit to high distinction. :cool:
Champion!
A great vacation in the fun and the sun over the long weekend. One day of work this week and the rest off.
Son #2 got a scholarship!
Two sons, two scholarships.
One happy mama. :)
Son #2 got a scholarship!
Two sons, two scholarships.
One happy mama. :)
that's awesome!
The thought of sleeping, at the end of the day.
That sounds great... yeah, that makes me happy. Good night.
(Although, I can't actually go to sleep, for another 8-9 hours. Poo.)
News of a farmer's market featuring local produce, goat cheeses, fresh eggs, and honey, within walking distance on Saturdays ams starting 6/12. Yay!!!!
within walking distance
That is simply awesome.
Wow, jinx, that's great! I actually came here to post that we just discovered a similar thing... except with a minimum order amount they will deliver to your house once a week! The really awesome thing is they feature duck eggs, and rumor has it many people who are allergic to chicken eggs (me and Minifob) can actually tolerate duck eggs just fine. I'm so psyched to try cooking with them...
:king::typing:They just delivered my new iMac, and it is so cool.
I am a Mac snob now, and way cooler than you.
PCs suck!
fargon, we will miss you.
fargon, we will miss you.
Ha!
:king::typing:They just delivered my new iMac, and it is so cool.
I am a Mac snob now, and way cooler than you.
PCs suck!
I am so fed up with the complaints from the CFO that I am going to buy her a MAC. Here's a toast to ya kid.
I bought a 19" high footstool and put it together myself. Why does this make me happy? Because sitting back on my couch my feet do not touch the floor. Now I can put them up! and that makes me happy!
I love my Aqua Jogger! Dug it out, dug the swimming suit out, fired up the iPod shuffle and put it in it's little waterproof headset thingy, and jogged in the pool for half an hour.
boy, am I wiped!
Well, the weather's hot/sticky, so, not that.
I've got an in-grown toenail (or something) which is itchy as feck, so, not that.
My brother brought his new puppy over, which proceeded to pee on my floor, so, not that.
... but, I just got a couple of bottles of Coke, from the store... so, that! (And, being such a delicious beverage, it over-rides any crappy events that have transpired over the course of this day! Viva La Coke!)
lol @ viva la coke. I like that :D
@ cloud. Never heard of the Aqua Jogger. I'm glad you had a good time in the pool.
It's raining again today.No pool for me plus I am not so keen on sharing it with the wild ducks anyway.
lol @ viva la coke. I like that :D
@ cloud. Never heard of the Aqua Jogger. I'm glad you had a good time in the pool.
It's raining again today.No pool for me plus I am not so keen on sharing it with the wild ducks anyway.
Want to give me the rain? I'll swap for my sun. (I hate hot weather... I miss the rain!)
Stormed, last night... just made everything even worse. Bring on winter!
(Also - Wild Ducks + Plum Sauce = Full Belly... Ain't nothin' wrong with wild ducks in your yard!)
Nothing quite like a cold coke on a hot day. Supposed to be 109 degrees today.
this is the aqua jogger, a product I wholeheartedly endorse:
http://www.amazon.com/AquaJogger-Active-Water-Exercise-Buoyancy/dp/B000PX3BEO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1275846371&sr=8-5DaVinci- Yes I will trade anyone my rain for a 109 degree day!
If the world ever comes to an end I will remember the plum sauce because I will know where to find good eats!
Cloud. I don't know if I have the discipline for those. I am making my way up to 5 minutes on the stationary bike. lol and I bought an Iron Gym.
I am wondering if I should insert a blushing emoticon right about now. * chuckling*
oh, but it's so easy! The water lifts you up. You don't think you're working hard, but you are! it's like dancing in the water (and dancing is the bulk of what I do for exercise, so it works out great)
Nothing quite like a cold coke on a hot day. Supposed to be 109 degrees today.
this is the aqua jogger, a product I wholeheartedly endorse:
http://www.amazon.com/AquaJogger-Active-Water-Exercise-Buoyancy/dp/B000PX3BEO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1275846371&sr=8-5
Totally agree. I even keep my glass in the fridge, for 10-30 minutes, before I pour it!
Water Workout seems like a great way to exercise, also... if you can swim. :thepain:
Finish an Aqua Job, with a chilled glass of ice-cold Coke, and you're good to go.
(Followed, of course, by a BBQ... and then more working out, to counter all the calories you just loaded on. :p: )
DaVinci- Yes I will trade anyone my rain for a 109 degree day!
I'll have my people, call your people... We'll try to work something out!
Had a decent conversation with my father today. Could be the start of a better relationship. Might just be because it was over the phone, but It made me happy anyway.
My business is getting closer and closer to being operational. We just got Pay pal up and going today! We have a home party for 20ish people in an hour that I hope does very very well.
Hubby is hoping to leave his job in 3 months and work on the business. No more stupid hours and 4-6 hour shifts!
hehehe I wish it were that simple davinci.
Good for you Jaydaan! Job security is a great feeling.
Just convinced myself to move to my fridge, and poured myself another glass of Coke.
Whilst my glass is no longer cold - the Coke is VERY cold! :D
It has not rained since 11 am. I'm going to try to cut some grass.
Out with the Old
In With the new
Won't you keep the old one for the front porch?
Awesome! Get ya reclinin'!
Won't you keep the old one for the front porch?
Naa thats where the Old Toilet is
yes they Recline , and there is a Rocker recliner that came with the couch ,
Verry Nappable !!!
A reclining toilet is a brilliant idea. If I had a front porch I'd build one.
A reclining toilet is a brilliant idea. If I had a front porch I'd build one.
Plumb one into the T.V room. Affix a comfortable seat, as well as a mini-fridge, and you're good to go!
I've always thought an outdoor toilet with a view would be cool; not like a nasty outhouse, but like the trend of outdoor showers.
My mom's old acquaintance came to visit today. They haven't seen each other for 35 years or so. The women said she remembers that my mom has two daughters. When I served the tea, my mom pointed to me and introduced me, telling her I'm 41. Her mouth dropped and said, "That's your daughter?!? I thought she's your daughter's daughter." It was nice to receive a compliment once in a while. :D
Well you do look like a teenager, ya know.;)
Seriously Tulip, you're 41? Damn, chica. You don't look it, not at all.
Full glass of Coke.
What more can a guy ask for, at 2:56am?
But it was 7:56 pm when you wrote that.
Had a decent conversation with my father today. Could be the start of a better relationship. Might just be because it was over the phone, but It made me happy anyway.
Let's hope it's the start of a trend.
Welcome, Akasha.
But it was 7:56 pm when you wrote that.
You're a time-travelling demon, sir, and must be executed! :mad2:
It wouldn't be the first time, let me tell you.
It wouldn't be the first time, let me tell you.
*The sound of wood being cut, can be heard, echoing in the distance.*
I see men, clad in iron, with bright-red cloaks, in your future.
Well you do look like a teenager, ya know.;)
Thanks, Bruce :D
Seriously Tulip, you're 41? Damn, chica. You don't look it, not at all.
Thanks, Clodfobble. :D I'm actually only 40 yrs. old. Vietnamese tack a year to newborns since they're been growing for 9 months. :rolleyes: Only the older, traditional Vietnamese people still observe this practice. Unfortunately, my mom is old and traditional. :right:
It wouldn't be the first time, let me tell you.
*The sound of wood being cut, can be heard, echoing in the distance.*
I see men, clad in iron, with bright-red cloaks, in your future.
Tell them they need to use bigger nails this time.
Tell them they need to use bigger nails this time.
They plan on using hug-tight sticky glue.
What's wrong with Velcro?
What's wrong with Velcro?
Don't you want everyone to be HungLikeYou?
AC is pumping out the cool air, After waiting since mid-March for the @#$% to fix it.
Indian Food homemade. Yum..... Life is great.
That I got pretty close to rock bottom and found so many people were "on my page" that it made a difference. They rock.
The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup! :D
I'm happy that monster didn't get eaten by a tornado.
I'm happy that monster didn't get eaten by a tornado.
aww...
it was so wimpy it picked on a mountain instead ;)
I've had the Boogie Monster song, by Gnarls Barkley, stuck in my head since you posted the tornado thread.
I got a monster in my closet
Someone's underneath my bed
The wind's knocking at my window
I'd kill it but it's already dead
It waits till the midnight hour to come
To torture me for the wrong that I've done
It just sits there and stares at me
And it won't let me get any sleep
(Just let me sleep)
congrats MTP! She's soooo cute!
She's cute. She looks happy to be 'home'.
First year of teaching: done.
Now to enjoy nine weeks of summer.
I'm happy for you Chocolatl. It's got to be a good feeling. :)
It's good to be the king.
Two A's and two B's.
[YOUTUBE]2vWONJigv5A[/YOUTUBE]
Just got my new Chucks and I am stoked.
We used to have a ground hog called Chuck. He lived in our hedge.
We have one living under our shed. She had a baby this year... cutest thing everrrrr.
Until they decimate your garden...
Ground hog Chuck wouldn't do that.
*sigh* the parents are always the last to know...
Ground hog Chuck Roast wouldn't do that.
[youtube]2vWONJigv5A[/youtube]
u crazy ghoul
The jet ski works after sitting for nearly a year and having no real maintenance other than a new battery a month ago.
I was outside throwing knives and a big deer walked right behind the target.
"outside throwing knives" all casual-like, like you were hanging laundry. :lol:
I'm happy because tomorrow I am going to see The Family of the Opera. That's what the 4 year old niece calls it...she's seen the movie I guess, but is a bit young to sit still in a theater for that long. The almost 10 year old doesn't want to go, she thinks it's scary. The 8 year old is going, as is my brother and mom. It's going to be so fun!
Make sure you get pictures.
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq === My sweet kittycat (Spiderman) is sweet. She sat on the Q button on my keyboard and made all those q's up there.
and toast. I like the toast today. It's magical. Some days the toast is merely adequate so today is a Red Letter Day for the toast chef.
I have painted all my nails, toes and fingers without a smudge! Yay!
My band was just asked to play a house party in Jersey today... for $1000! It's really late notice but we're gonna get it together.
Some people still have money in this economy.
Aw hell, just as quickly it's off! I don't even know what happened, just got a text saying gig's off today... fawk that was good money on the table..
Ouch, grab the cash quicker next time.
Father's Day - Pete did the chores. Mountain biking today, I was fast. My fellows said some very nice things about my kids and I reflected on that on my drive home. Now I'll get those paint brushes out.
Add on- Two Dispatch albums from the girls, nice.
Found this one today and it made me smile:
Descartes announced, "I think 2 + 2 = 5; therefore it does."
new Sunrise Earth DVD coming out in August, and a really cool one, too! yay--they're my absolute faves.
I just got my chip resetter and now my 27 half full ink cartridges will work and I got a refiller kit. Damn Epson printer is now under my control!!!
Also Free to a good home: HP 45 (black) ink cartridge, new never installed. no box.
Sold to the stalking butler. PM me w/ address
oops. I thought we could use it, but I just checked our printer, and it's not one we can use. Thanks, though!
Well if somebody can, I've got several.
My mom is this close >< to being accepted into an assisted living spot.
I have got my fingers and toes crossed and the toes crossing hurts a bit.
hi skyshidhe!
*i just wanted to say HI*
I'm glad for you and your mom.
Hello Brianna
Thank you.
Have a great weekend, k?
hi skyshidhe!
*i just wanted to say HI*
I'm glad for you and your mom.
Hello Brianna and it is said like city ( if you can't remember SHEE), sky-city( or sky shee) not shitty and if you keep teasing me I am going to call you brianna binanna which is actually a lot cuter. lol
Thank you.
Have a great weekend, k?
I'm happy today because brother-in-law just left after a 3-day visit...
Not because he's gone, but because he finally found employment after a 24+ yr stint in the (JAG core) Army. He and his wife (also a 20 yr vet) retired and they both have had a hard time finding work in their field. But things are looking up now. Yea !
Lil Lookout showed up for his 8AM game to find the other team didn't show up. Not a single one of them. Bastards.
However, on an adjacent field there were a field of 14 year old girls that had the same problem. The coaches talked and decided the 9 and 10 year old boys would play the 14 year old girls. The girls went easy on them for the 18 seconds it took for S****** to score then they started playing the boys hard. Lil Lookout had 3 goals and 1 assist in their 6-3 victory. The girls and their parents were good sports about it and congratulated the boys.
I am happy for them Lamplighter! Good news!
haha lookout,...great story! :)
Getting dirty with my hori-hori.
an under - toad?
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
JUST KIDDING
School and the children are making my happy today.
We've been learning pirate songs to sing after school - we're selling Treasure Hunt Maps for a real treasure hunt, although the correct entries go into a draw, rather than treasure being buried! This is to raise funds for a Pirate Party at the end of term.
Also, the children know it is my birthday this week as I am going in Monday and Wednesday rather than my usual Friday. They can't quite grasp the Wednesday things (my birthday's on Friday, but the class is taken by a different teacher and TA on those days) but they are excited anyway.
Attached, my first card.
Translated (except for my name):
To Miss Only, This is your surprise. Have an awesome party with your friends. May all your wishes come true. You're an excellent helper, thank you. From -------
PS sorry about the front cover [it's a piece of card which already has printing on it]
That's very sweet, Sundae!
My lead singer has accepted a position as manager of Eclipse, a quite good Pink Floyd tribute band. I think this will mean good things for him, and in turn, good things for our band too.
yay UT, good times for you all!
My lead singer has accepted a position as manager of Eclipse, a quite good Pink Floyd tribute band. I think this will mean good things for him, and in turn, good things for our band too.
Googling an old college friend some time ago I noticed that he plays sax (as he always did) in a Floyd tribute band, in Cleveland.
http://www.floydtribute.com/
That ain't no easy music to play.
In 1997 sax player Bob Barno was literally plucked from a smoky blues bar to perform with the band
Yeah, the guy I had a Bacon Beagle Burger with! One of my best (and purely platonic) friends from college. We and 4 others spent a fun weekend at Lake Cumberland the year he (and the two other guy friends) graduated. The other two were my roommate and our friend from Buffalo. What a great time!
I can't wait to someday see your band, UT.
I just finished doing some minor re-adjustment to the landscape in our front yard.
Feels good to get something done now that the rains have let up a bit.
I ended up doing it all by hand + shovel and rake, not the
rototillerOver the past several days our Lab, Vicky, started barking at every little noise, especially late at night when it was quiet outside.
Come Friday, the 2nd, she was getting to be a real mess with people starting with fireworks and we were dreading the 4th.
So Saturday morning we made a new game.
My wife and I would randomly yell "Bang" or "Pop" or drop a pan, slam a door, etc. Each time Vicky would get a small piece of dog biscuit treat and a lot of reassurance. For Labs, food takes priority over every other activity in the brain.
Well, she made it all the way thru the 4th as a calm and collected dog.
She even slept right thru the random fireworks that went off after midnight.
Yea Vicky ! Yea us... we got some sleep too.
We just got back from Santa Fe, NM. It was a nice weekend.
It was inexpensive, too, until we walked in to Momeni's Gallery on Don Gaspar street and walked out with two rugs that some guys in Afghanistan spent eight months sweating over.
Our vacation starts early in the am. 10 days in the Caribbean.
Our vacation starts early in the am. 10 days in the Caribbean.
so does
ours ;)
New hair colour.
Not perfect but not the one I was unhappy with earlier this week.
Midday picnic tomorrow. [COLOR="LemonChiffon"]I'll be bringing the champagne.[/COLOR]
Our vacation starts early in the am. 10 days in the Caribbean.
so does ours ;)
Coincidence? or neo-con conspiracy? :eyebrow: or something even more disturbing? :doit:
:) ;) :D
Ya Cock, Zen! lol
I meant the cellar's ... as in he'll be on vacation and not posting.
A shiney gold medal for me. Go me!
Thanks dudes, but it turns out not to really be gold just some base metal. ;)
Maybe you could melt it down to do plumbing repairs or something. That way you'd have one less to dust. ;)
I finally found someone to help us with our website! A guy out of the States, who was out of work. Dossy. He said he will get the site up and running, and I can pay him once we start making money. So if anyone needs software help, website help or anything like that, let me know and I will make sure he gets a hold of you. I love people who help others out in a pinch and will support them as much as I can.
That, and I am excited we are about 2 weeks from launching our business!
way to go! Pay it forward....
Dossy.
Setting high expectations yet leaving much to be desired. Full of self-proclaimed greatness that is never met. Overhyped, yet disappointing.
I'm going to guess that word has different connotations in Canada, eh?
lol, no clue, its his name.... Dossy Shiobara
I found this in the yard before the kids did. At a little over five feet long this is the biggest one I've seen, let alone killed.
:eek:
scary
Do you get many rattlers? and do people normally carry anti venom?
I am glad you found it first lookout.
I have never seen a poisonous snake in the wild. After a little research I found out it is because we only have a 2 foot sub species of the rattler and those live in the desert areas.
We always know they are around and we see one each year usually but this is 2 giant ones in our yard less than a week apart. Very scary indeed.
We always know they are around and we see one each year usually but this is 2 giant ones in our yard less than a week apart. Very scary indeed.
I was just talking to one of our baseball families who is moving to Phoenix next week. They say in Arizona, you guys grow the scariest bugs and creatures. We always hear people warn about rattlers here, but we only find bull snakes (which don't bother me.)
So lookout ... whats for dinner?
I was just talking to one of our baseball families who is moving to Phoenix next week. They say in Arizona, you guys grow the scariest bugs and creatures. We always hear people warn about rattlers here, but we only find bull snakes (which don't bother me.)
By coincidence these pics were posted today on another forum that I visit.
I think the bridge is near Loma, Montana, and the author says it's a "bull_gopher snake".
I got a 200G bag of MINI liquorice allsorts!! nom nom nom. I might share, but I might not :)
By coincidence these pics were posted today on another forum that I visit.
I think the bridge is near Loma, Montana, and the author says it's a "bull_gopher snake".
That's a smart snake. So was it under the bridge and saw the birds' nests and figured out how to get up there to get the eggs, or did it just happen to be on top of the bridge, and it smelled the eggs?
Eggs? He's got a whole bird in his mouf!
I am happy because I told Time Warner I was leaving them for verizon and they begged me to stay and told me they'd drop my price from $49. per month to $29. per month for 6 months.
At which time I will call them again and tell them I am leaving them for Verizon and then they will either let me go or drop my rate again.
Hmmm, wonder if I could do this with my cable/internet? Oh yeah, I'm too scared to call and ask.
Hmmm, wonder if I could do this with my cable/internet? Oh yeah, I'm too scared to call and ask.
nahh, asking doesn't help. You call and say "I (meaning you, not me) want to disconnect"
And they'll say "But Shaw, why? Why would you do this?"
And you'll say "Because a magic squirell that is invisible told me to. And, I found a much cheaper rate form Verizon."
And they'll say "How about if we give you our customer loyalty rate of much less for six months?"
And you say, "OK, I'll call you in six months and we;ll do the whole thing again." Only don't say this last part out loud.
We just did this exact thing with Time Warner. Saved us $30 a month.
I need to grow a spine. I should also do that with my phone (threaten to switch, not grow it a spine.)
Know what ? I'm Happy !!!!!
I'm on holidays.
I got final confirmation of my PhD studentship. Full scholarship for three years: fees and maintenance allowance :)
Pilau (who has been on synthetic morphine for the last week) is feeling better and acting more like himself. Last night he made a valiant effort to steal some cooked sausages.
way to do it, dana! congratulations and yay for Pilau, too.
Know what ? I'm Happy !!!!!
I'm on holidays.
Cool!
I got final confirmation of my PhD studentship. Full scholarship for three years: fees and maintenance allowance :)
Pilau (who has been on synthetic morphine for the last week) is feeling better and acting more like himself. Last night he made a valiant effort to steal some cooked sausages.
Big news, well done Dana!
Dr. DanaC
Doc Dani
Assistant Pilau
Just trying these on for size.
Great news - thats wonderful!
Doc DanaC has a good sound to it.
I'm sorry, Doctor who?
[size=1]Ah, I slay me...[/size]
ha! nice...good call clod.
and congrats dana
:)
We just got back from a pig roast...it turns out it was more like a high school reunion...I reunited with 5 former classmates from high school...haven't seen any of them in 15 years and they live in the same town. I am not sure why, but it was way too much fun.
Pigs in a pit are good. mmm
sounds like you had a good time kerosene
Ta muchly guys:)
Pig roast sounds fun kero!
Bumping into old school friends after a big gap is a fascinating experience I think.
Last day at school today.
May be my last day ever (refer to whichever thread I wrote in re changing from being on sick-leave to actively seeking work).
So why is this a happy thread?
Because so many children came up to tell me they'd miss me. And this is assuming I'll still be there next year in the class they are leaving.
And I had a five minute chat with Katelynn's Mum on the way in about how K was always coming home and saying, "Mrs O did this and Mrs O said that" etc.
And Grace - who is moving to another school next year - cried and hugged me and asked if I could go to her school too.
And when I was walking home I fell into step with Luke's Dad who immediately knew who I was and thanked me for the gift bags I gave out for my birthday earlier this month, and also said L spoke highly of me.
And I even got some cards and a few prizes! Unexpected and closely treasured. The real thrill is the fact I am just a (two day!) volunteer who these parents have never met and they can only have had my name from the children. A box of chocs here and there isn't all that much, but having touched a child's life briefly is amazing.
If I am not in paid work in September I will be back with a new class.
The good thing is that that's the nature of schoolwork.
I'd rather go to a new school and get paid than remain where I am unpaid - of course!
But if that's not an option I have to figure out a way to work and not give up my voluntary commitments (I've been provisionally accepted as a volunteer by the Girl Guide movement - that's evenings so I can do it whatever else happens)
So it's all good; one way I'll be volunteering in a school rated "outstanding" by OFSTED and knowing that they value me, the other way I'll be back working for a living and improving my life and hopefully back in school at some point.
My Chip re-setter for my ink cartridge continues to rule.
Sundae, that's fantastic. You deserve the accolades and more.
Dana, Sundae - I'm really looking forward to meeting such talented, charming and successful people in Glasgow next January!!
WTG everyone - lots of good news and smiles all round!!
Hey Mom, I'm a Mom too.
This young doe is back visiting us with her 1st offspring.
She wouldn't let us get closer for a pic, but her fawn is looking good.
This family comes around at this time of year to show off their young,
and then disappear until the next summer. Given we are in a developing urban area, each year we fear the traffic will take a final toll.
Cool, are those RR or trolley tracks?
Historically they are Southern Pacific, but were abandoned by SP and are now a sight-seeing trolly that only runs when the mood strikes.
The tracks on the far left look a lil wavy.
More excitement for the tourists...
In a few more years you will have an opportunity to harvest a tasty meal.
Thanks, I thought they looked kind of wavy. :D
I went to the Job Centre on Thursday and even found a vacancy using their system while I was there.
It's within public transport reach (although it will require a bit of commitment) but Mum has raised the idea of possibly getting me a second hand scooter again. In truth I'll be very surprised to get to interview stage, but it's a start, and a really unexpected find. I'm waiting for the application form, but in the meantime am doing my research on the internet re the school and the specific things they are looking for.
It's an infant school, so children up to 7, and it's working with a specific pupil. But it's a job and I long for it! And and the pay is quite low. But of course once I'm working I can legally do anything else I fancy to pick up extra money - babysitting, Saturday job, holiday work etc. I have no intention of overloading myself immediately, but it's there as a possibility if I want to save for something.
Talk about jumping the gun! I'll keep you updated of course.
These are the flowers my lovely teacher bought me as a thank-you.
She really is charming - she bought a little something for all the people who come into read, ALL the TAs she works with (as she takes different classes) and the dinner lady who supervises our class. She has class in both ways :)
Nice! Here's another for you :flower:
I wonder where the teacher ever got the idea that you love pink? ;)
:lol: Beat me to it. The teacher sounds like an observant and thoughtful person, with a knack for choosing the right gift.
How sweet! :)
What's it like, to be appreciated at work? ;)
Is the job hunting process in England so bureaucratic across the board? It seems like its a wonder that anyone is working. Can anyone start a freelance business or just go around and find a place they'd like to work and just apply, or do you have to go through all the rigmarole no matter where you work or what you do?
Saturday. Bath day, and boy do I need it.
Looks like no hope for rain from Bonnie. :smack:
I wonder where the teacher ever got the idea that you love pink? ;)
I know! She must have been going through my rubbish!
What's it like, to be appreciated at work? ;)
I'll tell you when I get a job :)
Is the job hunting process in England so bureaucratic across the board? It seems like its a wonder that anyone is working. Can anyone start a freelance business or just go around and find a place they'd like to work and just apply, or do you have to go through all the rigmarole no matter where you work or what you do?
This is rigmarole associated with 1) coming off benefits (welfare/ social etc) and 2) looking for a job which fits in ideally with a mother's schedule. I didn't choose the job because it was hard to find, I found out that I really wanted to do this job after doing it without pay. I've been looking at websites and in the local paper for months looking for work as a TA, and this is the first advertised vacancy I've found.
In order to receive any funding while I am trying to work as a Teaching Assistant I need to prove I am available and looking for work. Which is understandable. But if I take any part time work to tide me over while looking I lose any other money. I WANT to work, I just don't want to go back into a job that's going to bring me back to the state I was in last year - in daycare.
I've already drafted a letter to the local schools re my (limited) experience and desire to work. But this is the public sector - if they don't have the budget/ vacancy/ need they will not hire. I'm also inhibited re lack of transport. While the 'rents will finance it WHEN I have a job they are not willing to pay up front beforehand. Again, I completely understand and am very grateful that they will consider it in future. Even so I am looking at a 20 mile radius from home.
So it's not so much that job hunting in England is restrictive, it's my personal circumstances. But the positive is I've found something I am confident I can do.
If I've had no luck by Christmas I will seriously rethink - Job Seekers Allowance is very low and I am not looking to be on it long-term. It will cover my debt repayments (only three now) and keep me & Diz alive, but nothing more. But in the mean time I'm still looking at networking - volunteering especially.
Watched Steve Byrne's new comedy special. Laughed out loud the whole damn time. If you like standup, this is a must see.
I am off work. %^ hours later... and 40 hours off.
I am happy despite all the crap I'm dealing with. For a number of reasons: I realize I am not a failure because I have crap, everyone has crap. For friends who reach out to you. For even realizing that there are some damn good people on this earth, and we are just all trying to do the best we can, stumbling sometimes, but trying.
Thanks to everyone for helping me today. Your words and kindnesses mean more than I could say.
I shot a Armadillo tonight, that makes me very happy.
An illegal immigrant from Texas ?
Shooted, shooted. At least according to my kid.
That makes me sad. I still want to see a live 'dillo in the wild. Only seen roadkill so far. And ones in zoos in the UK.
Second phone interview for a new job went well, I think I will have a face to face next week :)
Leaving for Maine on Friday.
Leaving for Maine on Friday.
bitch
:)
bitch
:)
*grin*
We fenced the Keystone games over the weekend. Lil' Pete brought home two golds and her old man got a silver, a bronze, and a foil rating. I am just now in a happy place about this because my lack of foresight (I didn't eat right and bonked) cost me better finishes. Even with that, I fenced a couple beautiful bouts this weekend.
We put in a path several years ago and and a few of these sprouted up from nowhere.
They are spreading naturally along the path, and bloom out in late July.
It's always better when you get something for free.
I transplanted some roadside tiger lillies in the yard that have really thrived. Free is a nice price.
yes, thank god they aren't weeds.
We put in a path several years ago and and a few of these sprouted up from nowhere.
They are spreading naturally along the path, and bloom out in late July.
It's always better when you get something for free.
We call these montbretia ...
We call these montbretia ...
Thx for giving a name.
Just did a Google and found them on EBay @ about $1 - $2 per bulb !
We must be rich, and to think I've been keeping them in check with the lawnmower !
yes, thank god they aren't weeds.
Weeds is such an ugly bigoted word... did you know it is derived from the word weed a term of endearment? The more you know.
[YOUTUBE]gE1ZvCnwkYk[/YOUTUBE]
Today I caulked the bathroom sink (it's been completely uncaulked since we installed it over a year ago,) then re-caulked the kitchen sink and backsplash while I was at it.
It feels so good to accomplish something that no one can eat, break, or get dirty again in the next few hours. This has made me realize just how much I need more non-cyclical tasks in my day.
You should build a boat...
This has made me realize just how much I need more free non-cyclical tasks in my day.
FTFM.
You should build a boat...
BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA - gasp - HAHAHAHAHA
I didn't have to kill a man today. Seriously.
I stopped at Subway this morning and it was crazy busy. Long story short is the guy in front of me was a complete nutjob. He was holding up the line, chewing out the poor girls trying to make his multiple sandwiches, and purposely blocking the aisle so people couldn't get around him. The whole time he is swearing and scaring the shit out of the counter girls.
I stood back quietly just watching the whole scene unfold but figuring it was best if the douchebag was just allowed to be a douche and leave on his own. Then some guy behind me with his kids tells him to quit "being a dick". Douchebag screams a bit more then storms out. Everyone nervously chuckles and continues about their business until douchebag opens the door and comes in with a baseball bat raised.
I decided before I ever started carrying a gun I don't want anyone to know I have it until they hear the bang. It is a good rule for a number of reasons, and I stand by it. Today I broke that rule. Before he got all the way in I was able to hit him with a knee strike throwing him off balance while I drew my gun. Rather than pull the trigger as I was prepared to do, I commanded him to get on the floor or I would fire. I was very pleasantly surprised to see him do so immediately.
The police were there within minutes and took some statements. Douchebag left in handcuffs and I am back at my desk a bit shaky and with an understandable loss of appetite, but happy in the outcome of situation.
I think I might splurge for a starbucks this afternoon.
Whoa! Crazy. Did you get a satisfying crunch outa that knee? I'm glad you were there.
Holy douchebag Batman! :eek: I would need a shot of crown not a starbucks! :)
No, no crunching at all. It wasn't like the movies where I would have made some heroic badass jason bourne type move. I saw him coming and just drove my left foot into his knee then backpedaled while drawing so I'd be out of his range if he attacked.
He'll be bruised and have some legal problems but that's it.
Wow! Superlookout. Well done. I hope the Subway people gave you a free sandwich or something.
Way to go, Lookout! The manager ought to put your picture on the wall.
You look enough like a cop to make him think twice. Screw Starbucks go back to Subway and bask.;)
I never heard anyone ever tell a citizens arrest story with OR without using a legal handgun. :eek:
I am glad you and everyone's ok lookout.
Yeah, I'm glad you were there to save the day. Great job!
So you are eating for free at Subway for how long?
Good job.
Bloody hell Lookout.
You terrify me.
[takes a deep breath]
Yeah mine is pretty pedestrian after that. But then I'd have been in shock for days rather than happy, so it's horses for courses.
I saw one of my favourite children in the library today.
I saw her desk-mate on the bus a week ago. And seeing her today was like getting a pair in cards. Both were delighted to see me and went out of their way to tell me what they were doing. The girl I saw today is also a staffroom favourite - she is kind, considerate, well-mannered, not at the top of the class but with a balanced intelligence across the subjects and neat and meticulous with it. It's too early to tell, but if she carries on as she is, she'll be Head Girl some day.
I almost hoped to still be job-seeking in September so I can be back in the same school.
But I know I'd warm to the children wherever I worked.
Win-win.
But just imagine... if I could be paid for it? How wonderful. It's keeping the stars apart :)
Bloody hell Lookout.
You terrify me.
[takes a deep breath]
Yeah mine is pretty pedestrian after that. But then I'd have been in shock for days rather than happy, so it's horses for courses.
I saw one of my favourite children in the library today.
I saw her desk-mate on the bus a week ago. And seeing her today was like getting a pair in cards. Both were delighted to see me and went out of their way to tell me what they were doing. The girl I saw today is also a staffroom favourite - she is kind, considerate, well-mannered, not at the top of the class but with a balanced intelligence across the subjects and neat and meticulous with it. It's too early to tell, but if she carries on as she is, she'll be Head Girl some day.
I almost hoped to still be job-seeking in September so I can be back in the same school.
But I know I'd warm to the children wherever I worked.
Win-win.
But just imagine... if I could be paid for it? How wonderful. It's keeping the stars apart :)
No need to be afraid. Aside from my obviously racist and evil political, religious, and social beliefs I'm actually a fairly nice guy. ;)
Your happy story is truly happy though. I love when kids I've coached go out of their way to stop me at the mall or when we're out to dinner. It's nice to know you matter to someone who doesn't rely on you to survive.
...she'll be Head Girl some day.
sheesh!
Got a new puppy. That makes me very happy. :D
pics Pics PICS PICS REQUIRED of teh nu puppeh
I'm a bit late, but ... Lookout, you rock. Gun or no gun, that was a very brave and noble thing to do.
And just to be a dick, I'm going to advocate bat control. Clearly, the USA needs to restrict access to baseball bats. Aluminum bats should be banned altogether! No one should be able to own more than two bats, and you should need a permit to carry one in public...
I don't think that's the answer. I think we should just clone lookout so we can put multiple lookouts on every street. That way nothing will ever get out of hand.
The problem with that idea is that at my core I'm an overly competitive dick. If you clone me then surely my clones will get out of control and have their own little arms race shooting, at eachother from their respective corners.
pics Pics PICS PICS REQUIRED of teh nu puppeh
Ay, ya, ya! How rude of me! Here are two pics for your enjoyment! I love his Ernest Borgnine eyebrows!
The problem with that idea is that at my core I'm an overly competitive dick. If you clone me then surely my clones will get out of control and have their own little arms race shooting, at eachother from their respective corners.
Yes but that's ok. While that was happening, all the other violent pricks in the world would get in on the act too...effectively taking them out of 'real world' play!
It's genious I tell ya!
I found and loaded some word games for my Kindle. That will be a nice break from straight reading on an upcoming long, long flight. Added a few more books, too.
Happy, and proud, of my sister and niece who completed the
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 60 mile marathon in Chicago. WTG, ladies!
Happy, and proud, of my sister and niece who completed the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 60 mile marathon in Chicago. WTG, ladies!
In
this weather? Well done, them.
My last child leaves for college in the am.
A lifetime milestone... Congrats
But a difficult transition for Moms.
Yea, she is struggling with it. Stressful for her. Me, I am happy for my dau because I have done my job based on the fact that she is ready to go.
congrats and condolences.
Liars getting caught lying again! It's fun to watch, and chock full of vitamins!
The Big scale I had troubles trying to Adjust in on Monday ,
My Boss Said he and another tech were going to FIX it Yesterday ,
He got home around 9 Last nite ,
They made NO More Progress than I did ,
HA !!!
( But I Have to Go Back this Next Monday when parts come in to try again :( :right::mad:)
My youngest G-son starts his new (first, full-time) paying job tomorrow.
He has been diligent all summer looking for work, but high school Juniors are not so much in demand lately. Since he will be allowed part-time work when school starts again, he will at least have gas-money coming in on his own hook.
Go Max !
Peanut M&Ms
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
My free sandwich.
From Subway, I assume.
From Subway, I assume.
One of
these, I expect.
My last child leaves for college in the am.
:thumb2: COOL!
:beer: CHEERS!
:devil: TIME FOR PARENTS TO PARTY! <Where's our invite?>
I just got a nice contract to develop a web application for a netgas drilling operation's requisitions and purchasing system. It will be a great portfolio piece... as is the cellar, the field of 64, and the cllr.me projects.
This furthers my goal to move from unemployment to self-employment.
UT, Congratulations... I know the anxiety of contracting for software development.
It can be something of a feast or famine occupation.
But if you can hang in there thru the startup, it can be quite profitable.
Just be sure the words "Deep" and "Horizon" do not appear anywhere in your contracts. ;)
Very good news, Undertoad!
Congrats! Good to hear it tony.
Oh UT, so glad for you!!!!!
I just got a nice contract to develop a web application for a netgas drilling operation's requisitions and purchasing system. It will be a great portfolio piece... as is the cellar, the field of 64, and the cllr.me projects.
This furthers my goal to move from unemployment to self-employment.
dude
duuude
sweet
That's great news, UT! Many a time have I wished I were in charge of contracting out some software that needed developing...
:jumps on bandwagon:
You go, UT!
I don't know what happened - I was standing here lost in thought and all of a sudden I was just about run over by a bandwagon.
Stupid bandwagons, running amok. Next thing you know they'll be walking naked down Main Street.
Way to go UT!
Speaking of walking about nekkid ... I heard some strange yelling and whistling from the oval across the road, so I went out with my spotlight, just in time to light up a bloke from the footy club doing a nude run around the oval.
It's rainy, windy, and about 5 degrees. I figure he lost a bet.
just in time to light up a bloke from the footy club doing a nude run around the oval.
There is something so very poetic about this phrase!
I'm at work, catching up (and yeah I need to start actually working) but later there is a benefit at my club, and my best friend, her two sisters, another friend, and a friend of one of the sisters are all meeting up there. I haven't seen my BFF all summer (both of us so darn busy) so I'm really excited.
I just got a nice contract to develop a web application for a netgas drilling operation's requisitions and purchasing system. It will be a great portfolio piece... as is the cellar, the field of 64, and the cllr.me projects.
This furthers my goal to move from unemployment to self-employment.
Awesome news. I would love to move to complete self-employment, right now I am about 1/3 self employed. Not counting retirement income.
I just got a nice contract to develop a web application for a netgas drilling operation's requisitions and purchasing system. It will be a great portfolio piece... as is the cellar, the field of 64, and the cllr.me projects.
This furthers my goal to move from unemployment to self-employment.
Brilliant!
And when I say "netgas", I really mean "natgas", natural gas.
Sorta figured. This gas boom needs to be taken advantage of by locals. Well played.
And when I say "netgas", I really mean "natgas", natural gas.
Ahh. I thought maybe netgas was what powers the internet.
Yesterday i Snagged a SWEET bike rack Cheap and put a Hitch on our little trailer ,
I added the extra Plates caus the frame of the trailer seemed Spindly ,
Every thing worked Exactly according to Plan , Exept for the Cable Pin lock , damn thing doesnt work AT ALL , I Have to return it for another
Well the Pics dont seem to be working for Some reason
HMMMMMMM!!!???!!!
Zip: The 5th Law of the Universe is that you can not make only one trip to either the hardware- or auto-parts store.
(H-stores often require 3 or 4 trips)
Oh Dont I Know it !!
Especially for Plumbing stuff !!!!
IRS just accepted my efiled 990 tax return! Due yesterday except yesterday was a Sunday. 4:20pm, the closest i've ever cut it!
YEEEE-HAH! I was worried I might have to print it and run out to the post office.....
Now, what shall i procrastinate over next? I know, cleaning the house for my birthday party! That's next on the list, the house has 10 years of crap build up and I have 5 days -plenty of time! :eek: :lol:
Ohboy I got a Fingerhut catalog today!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today is "Welcome Walk" day, when your teacher for the upcoming school year visits your house. Minifob is going to be so happy to see her.
Holy cow, the teacher has to go to every kid's house in one day?:eek:
thats great Clod - never seen nor had anything like that.
Nobody's bussed, Bruce, so it's all within a 1/2-mile radius of the school. 20 kids in a class, a few minutes at each house, plus a bit for traveling minus a few kids who aren't home... it ends up being a 2-hour block of time.
The cul-de-sac down my street has so many kids in every house that they just throw a little block party outside so they don't have to keep answering the door.
That is a really cool idea. It wouldn't work here, but it sounds like a great thing.
Holy cow, the teacher has to go to every kid's house in one day?:eek:
At least he doesn't have to bring a gift and come in through the chimney.
Nobody's bussed, Bruce, so it's all within a 1/2-mile radius of the school. 20 kids in a class, a few minutes at each house, plus a bit for traveling minus a few kids who aren't home... it ends up being a 2-hour block of time.
The cul-de-sac down my street has so many kids in every house that they just throw a little block party outside so they don't have to keep answering the door.
But I thought he was in a special class for kids with autism? There are that many locally? Or has he moved to mainstream? Or am I totally wrong?
There are that many locally.
Well, almost--there are about 13-15 locally, plus the class has about 3-5 neurotypical "staff kids," whose parents work for the school. They get free preschool in return for putting their kids in the class as role models. I should also note that not every single kid is autistic--there is one Down's Syndrome kid, and one kid who has another disability (I'm not sure what.)
When they say it's an epidemic, they're not exaggerating. Our school district just released a report last May showing that the number of children in the program increased 400% between 1999 and 2009. I've said it before, the numbers are going to hit 1 in 10 before people really see what's going on around them.
Our school district just released a report last May showing that the number of children in the program increased 400% between 1999 and 2009.
Wow - I wonder .... How that compares to other school districts.
I know that ours has a lot more than I realized previously.
Talked to a fellow dwellar from the western side of the country.
Its been about a year and was nice to chat with him.
Is this a top secret Dwellar from the western side of the country, whose name cannot be revealed under threat of death?
His name was not important to the point of my post.
I'm sorry classicman. I was honestly not trying to embarrass you.
no prob, my post read harsher than l meant.
Spent the day with my 15 yr old. We went shopping down town, went out for lunch, and attended a Pagan Pride Day Festival.
We met several cool people, and my kidlet enjoyed the day talking with other "gifted people". It was sooo cool, people just sat down in the grass with us, opened their stone/rock bags, and shared their stones. We were given many really cool and interesting rocks. People would just come up to us, and say... ohhhh I have a stone that is yours, reach in, and comeout with a stone that *WAS* significant to us, or that we had at one time thought was neat or interesting. We came home with a beautiful Garnet, some Sunstones, 2 Dragon's tooth Amethysts, a Black and White one, I am not sure the name of... and a symbol of the goddess.
Then I went out for a few drinks with my hubby. All and all it was a great start for my weeks holidays :)
My big boys teams both won their major semi final over the weekend, so they're both going through to the grand final in two weeks time (rugby league). We're all very excited.
Does that mean they'll be playing each other at some point, or are they in separate age divisions?
Yeah, separate age divisions, so no chance of them playing against each other.
Mav has considered trying out for the older age division, and he'd probably be selected, but it's probably more fun for him to play in his own age group.
My big boys teams both won their major semi final over the weekend, so they're both going through to the grand final in two weeks time (rugby league). We're all very excited.
Awesome!
congrats to the boys, Ali - and to mom of course.
Congrats to all on good days and good things shared.
Our teachers and TAs also make home visits, but only in the first year (Reception) or class one if the child had not been in Reception. It's to help them overcome the horror of their first day at school. Although I don't think any child goes from nothing straight into a full first day any more.
When I think about what starting school was like for my agegroup it seems brutal in comparison. I was fine, but my sister cried every morning from Seeptember to Christmas apparently.
Wrapped my mead in glass last night.
Will unwrap some at the party this weekend.
THEY WENT TO SCHOOL TODAY.
And will go back tomorrow.
And the next day.
Ahhh, sweet solitary bliss.
Sometimes my G-son surprises me.
He posted this question recently on his Facebook page:
Isn't
 this a homophobic contradiction:
Folks who insist that being gay is a 
choice, rejecting gay donors so as to not end up with a gay kid ?
[YOUTUBE]hT9ekaXD-9M[/YOUTUBE]
Sometimes my G-son surprises me.
He posted this question recently on his Facebook page:
The reason why some people are homosexual is inconclusive. While research shows that for some, it's a choice. However, there were some evidence that the brain of a homosexual person is different from a hetereosexual person.
Opposition to homosexuality is amazingly schizophrenic. Along the lines of that "choice" issue, there's also the question of why it matters. Are they arguing that gays shouldn't get discrimination protection if it's a choice, because the other categories aren't choices, like race, gender, disability, religion, age... wait. Religion? The one reason for their objection is a counterexample to their own argument.
This issue is ruled by emotion, not by logic. Using rational logical arguments only works on those that respect rationality and logic. Please note that it is not necessary to respect rationality and logic in order to use it in one's own arguments.
Just found out my daughter completed her Masters of Nursing degree
this past week, specializing in Health Care Systems,
AND ! today she was accepted into the Nurse Practitioner program.
She's been the Trauma Coordinating Manager for central Oregon,
and wants eventually to become the Director of Nursing for Emergency Rooms...
but that will be at least 3 years and many $K in tuition away.
Parents are allowed to be very proud of their kids !
Yes they are.
I think there might even be a thread for that.
I don't think that's the answer. I think we should just clone lookout so we can put multiple lookouts on every street. That way nothing will ever get out of hand.
I'll take one of those Lookout clones please!!!!
Lookout - youre 10% hotter now, lets get you a uniform to put on and see where things go ;)
My eldest niece just got her GSCE results (the exams kids take at the end of secondary[high] school aged 16): she came away with 12 good passes; only one result was below the A-C band (she got a D in Religious Education). Everything else was As, Bs or Cs.
Which means she has achieved her college offer conditions:)
It also means, as I pointed out to her, that she is now officially a Brainy Cow and as such can no longer take the piss out of me for being brainy :P She strenuously denied this but she did so with a very big smile on her face *grins*
I'm so proud of her. She's growing up into such a lovely young woman. She's one of the most balanced teenagers I've ever met. I keep waiting for somekind of mad rebellion but it doesn't look like that's going to happen *chuckles*
She doesn't need the rebellious act, she gets street creds for her crazy politician aunt, with the muzzled killer dog. :lol2:
*grins*
Thing is; our Meels tends to talk about herself as if she isn't clever. Possibly because coming up behind her is a little sister who is terrifyingly intelligent. It's nice for her to get a chance to show off her mad leet skillz in a nice visible way.
I'd be proud to get a D in religious education but nothing else.
The self-deprecating behaviour is a bit of a a worry, though.
Workin' on a novel. Been writing it over and over to figure it out, got 51K words in and started over. Twice.
Now I've got a good Chapter One that I don't plan to change and have worked out a few of the plot holes that held me back. Yay!
It's all probably self-indulgent drivel but dammit, I'm going to create QUALITY self-indulgent drivel. :)
I'd be proud to get a D in religious education but nothing else.
The self-deprecating behaviour is a bit of a a worry, though.
There, there, ZenGum, you'll be fine. You're plenty sharp and we know it, despite your protestations to the contrary.
:comfort:
The Cellar Car made it just fine out to Pittsburgh and back, to meet with the folks about the work I'm doing for them. Last month it had the same rough engine and check engine light flashing that it had five months ago, but it healed itself, as it always does. This was a 500 mile excursion, over two days. It is currently pleased with its Sunoco 93 octane fuel.
You should know that the Cellar Car has helped me tremendously. I was going to take J's car out there, but her brakes developed a problem. Her car is not self-healing. So it was up to the Cellar Car to make the trip, which it did with zeal. The rolling hills (large hills or small mountains) and tunnels of the Pennsylvania Turnpike were a pleasing drive to both of us.
The CC with nanotech self-healing technologies is awesome but no '97 Frontier.
The incredible weather today and the fact that we are going to see The Atlantic Rhythm Section playing free at a local park this evening.
*envious*
I need a life. ;)
Sounds fun, Pico!
It was nice, we took our lawn chairs and set them in the grass in front of the park pavilion. They had a pretty good set up, it felt like a real concert. We heard "Spooky", "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight", "I Am So Into You", and "Champagne Jam" before we left. Just missed "Imaginary Lover", which I would have liked to hear, but hubby has to work in the morning.
ETA: I cant believe I typed Atlantic in the previous post...:smack:
I'm with you there Dana :)
Today, I am happy because we are going back to the White Hart, which we went to about 3 weeks ago. On that occasion, we went with vouchers from my sister as a thank you for cat-sitting.
Unfortunately we had a pretty poor time. The company was good and we enjoyed ourselves, but the food and the service were substandard, so I completed an online feedback form. This week I got a letter of apology and an offer of a complimentary main course for all four of us with a drink each.
Wahay! So we're going again today.
Mum is in two minds, saying they will spit in our food and moaning, "Why couldn't they just give us vouchers?" Personally I'm delighted - my second meal out in a month. And I'm sure they were just teething problems and we'll have a better meal this time. And if we do I'll definitely leave feedback to say so.
Nom nom nom, just been checking the menu and am well-primed.
Oh and Yo! Sushi has opened in Milton Keynes. Mum and I are going to go for the Blue Plate Special in October half term. I've invited my niece and sister, but I doubt they'll come, or even respond. Still, with them or without them it's going to be a yearly ritual for Mum and I. It's our annual Fuck Cancer meal (a little later this year - Fuck Cancer Day is the anniversary of her surgery on 17 September - I will be making her a card!)
Am off to put on a little bit of sparkle in a few minutes. I may take my camera to impress you with our repast. I'm certainly taking a tupperware box in case of leftovers!
Made contact with the management of a favorite band, and they will donate an autographed something for us to auction to help restore the old movie/stage theatre in town. I love it when the great are good!
[COLOR="Indigo"]
[SIZE="7"]My F*king chip resetter RULES!11!![/SIZE]
[/COLOR]
We had a pretty good meal, except:
I ordered the LARGE mixed grill (yes I took a lot home in my leftovers box!) but just got a mixed grill. The waiter was superb and came back with the missing items within 5 minutes.
The meat was all pretty dry on both Mixed Grills (Dad ordered the regular).
It took 45 minutes for us to get our meal (but then there was not a free table in the place when we sat down).
Given that it was free, I was very pleased with it.
I need to get back to them and tell them that the chap who looked like Jeff Brazier was superb.
Pic attached. Of my meal I mean.
Tonight I am happy because I made Mum happy.
Ste bought her a selection from Lush (handmade toiletry company) for her birthday on Sept 3rd and she cheekily opened it early because she couldn't resist the smell. She mistook the strawberry massage bar for a soap and was really disappointed when she tried to use it in the shower. So to appease her, I massaged her feet with it tonight. Now she LOVES having her feet "played with". Dad can do it in future - he doesn't mind it, he married the woman! But I'm happy because I turned a Fail into a Good Present and relaxed her at the same time. And indeed my hands still exude Sundae goodness.
There were other items of course, but the one she'd used didn't work as she expected and I could tell a cloud of disappointment now surrounded the whole present. She'll give the others more of a chance now.
Goodness knows what she'll make of mine - I bought seedlings from eBay and potted them up and now have them in a big pot ready for her bday - to provide winter colour for months. It's not exactly an immediate present though... Still, I'm making her a cake on Thursday (birthday Friday) and she doesn't know I have writing-icing, so am hoping to wow her with a personalised cakie. Good or bad I WILL take a picture!
I am tooting my own horn here because this last three months have been lacking in any kind of personal feel good moments. I have been so wrapped up in classes and my mother that I haven't spent much time even imagining my own life and who I am within my own skin.
So I received the nicest compliment today. While waiting in a clinic's lobby for my mom, I had an hour chat with an elderly gentleman and his wife. He was fit as a fiddle, spry and sharp. At one point, He asked me,"Why are you single?, You have a wonderful personality," wow One up for the introverts.:D He also called me feisty, or thought that I could be. I am not sure what he meant by that. :blush: I was sure I was a broken down old mare/back mule.
Bojangles for breakfast....it's the simple things :)
I'M GOING BACK INTO EDUCATION!
Yay me :)
Okay, it's only one day a week from 09.30-14.00, but it's for a qualification in learning support, so it's very relevant. In fact you can only do the course if you have a school placement. Luckily my voluntary work counts.
It's a real commitment as it runs for 26 weeks, but if I find work in that time I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Frankly if I get paid work as a teaching assistant and have to give up the course I'll still be delighted anyway, to be back in work and doing the job I love. I get my fees waived because I am out of work - it would be £570 otherwise (gasp!) I might even qualify for help with course materials.
How amazing is that? Course starts 16 September. Woohoo!
Of course this is only if the course gets enough attendees... this could all be cancelled if not :(
CACHE - Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Quick course information
Course date: 16 Sep 2010
Course time: 09:30 - 14:00
Course duration: 26 weeks
Course Days: Thursday
Category: Childcare
Price: £570
Spaces available: Yes
Course Level: 2
Length: 120 hours
This course aims to:
•Provide a recognised qualification at level 2 for people who support teaching and learning in schools.
•Recognise the essential support work that is carried out in schools in helping children achieve their potential.
•Support roles such as class room assistants, learning and support assistants.
•Develop knowledge that will be desirable for voluntary and paid workers.
It is for… learners who are working in a school at Foundation Stage or Key Stages 1-4 for at least 60 hours per unit. This could be as an employee or volunteer. You will need to be in a school setting working directly with children for 120 hours in total. You will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment as part of the course induction.
During the course… you will discuss how the role of a teaching assistant supports children’s learning in a school setting. You will work on your own, in pairs and small groups to explore aspects of the course. You will be expected to undertake reading, private study and assignment tasks in your own time.
By the end of the course you will be able to explain:
•The role of the teaching assistant in supporting teaching and learning.
•How inclusion, equality and positive behaviour can be promoted for all pupils in schools.
•Child development and its effect on learning.
•The importance of learning activities.
•How to support learning in relation to the school Curriculum.
•The development of children and young people and factors that might affect development.
•The importance of play in development and learning.
•The importance of observation and recording to support learning and development in schools.
•How to support pupils through transitions.
•How communication skills develop between the ages of 0 to 16 years.
•The importance of communicating with children and young people, in order to develop positive relationships.
•The importance of developing positive relationships through managing communication with adults.
•The effects of legislation on the school’s policies and procedures for keeping children safe.
•The responsibility of all staff within the school to keep children and young people safe within the school environment.
•The responsibility of all staff within the school to safeguard pupils from harm.
•The importance of managing children’s behaviour to keep them safe.
•Roles and responsibilities to provide support for colleagues.
•The difference between personal and professional relationships.
•The types and structures of communication used with the school.
•Why and how you need to continuously improve your work.
After the course… progression routes will be advised during the course due to changes in the sector currently being confirmed.
For the first session please bring… pens, pencils, paper and a lever arch file. You will also need to bring a packed lunch.
You will need to obtain copies of the following policies and procedures from your school.
•Safeguarding pupils including managing disclosure
•Risk assessment
•Accidents, emergencies and reporting procedures
•Childhood illness
•Good hygiene practice
•Diets and allergies
•Safe moving and handling of pupils
•Emergency procedures for fires, security incidents and missing pupils or persons
•Harmful substances / hazardous materials and disposal of waste
•Maintenance and appropriate use of equipment
•Taking pupils out of the school
•Safety and security for the arrival and departure of pupils
That's a hefty sum for tuition (US $1,500).
Is this "recognised qualification" a requirement ?
Does it lead to a higher pay for those on the faculty ?
I don't think the US has anything like this, especially for "volunteers".
All I have heard of is parent-participation as something expected, or even required, for each child in some classrooms, but certainly no formal training of such length.
It's not a requirement, but it shows commitment to the position and is a way of putting you ahead of the competition (which is stiff). Unsurprisingly, schools value the importance of education and look favourably on people who are undertaking it independently. It would allow me to sell myself as someone looking on this as a career, not someone using this as a stop-gap because I have children at school.
I probably would get a slightly higher rate on starting with this or an NVQ (very similar)but not as much as 2-3 years experience would give me. Unfortunately experience is one of those Catch 22 situations - it's easier to get a job once you have it, but until you have a job you can't gain it. The volunteer route is an accepted one for TAs but this adds another string to my bow.
CACHE - like NVQ - is intended as a workplace qualification. Some employers send their staff on these courses (it's called day release) in order to round out their experience and as a basis for further study should they wish to. The next step would be to become an HLTA - Higher Level Teaching Assistant - and they can earn up to £20k in this area which is higher than any job I've had in the last 10 years and would be doing something I love enough at present to do for free.
And for me it's an extra morning out of the house and something to occupy me further.
Best of luck Sundae.
----------------------------------------------
I went to the used bookstore. With trades I bought two books for $5.75, about 2.50 off each book. I did this after buying an $8 book from a grocery store that was silly, and about third grade level.
This one bookstore in particular has a great selection of books. I am happy I went.
Still, I'm making her a cake on Thursday (birthday Friday) and she doesn't know I have writing-icing, so am hoping to wow her with a personalised cakie. Good or bad I WILL take a picture!
She loved it but today has ended badly. Not for her & me, but between her & Dad. Sigh. Might post about it later if I still feel the need to get it off my chest.
Anyway - cakie has been much admired.
WTG SG!
Clearly, she's *still* loved by you!
NICE CAKE!
Today, I purchased 3 pairs of 'transition' pants at Goodwill for $21. They are 38 inch waist. I will be giving them my 42 inch waist pants at some point in the near future.
That made me pretty happy.
Outstanding! That's really gotta feel good.
Love that cake. It looks delicious
Got in to work today to find that a car crash had knocked out power. We waited around for an hour and a half then were told to go home for the day. It was a lovely day, the first sunny day after 2 to 3 inches of rain over the weekend, so I went hiking in the hills among flooded creeks. Life is good.
Our web site is now live! Syntimates is now a legit busness, just took us over a year. Up and Running.. now we see if its worth all the hassle :)
good luck, jaydaan! It's a fine looking site!
Got in to work today to find that a car crash had knocked out power. We waited around for an hour and a half then were told to go home for the day. It was a lovely day, the first sunny day after 2 to 3 inches of rain over the weekend, so I went hiking in the hills among flooded creeks. Life is good.
the person that crashed into your building may have a divergent opinion. Not busting stones, Gum, it's just... This is an interesting example of the balance life strikes..... one person's calamity is another person's afternoon lark.
Our web site is now live! Syntimates is now a legit busness, just took us over a year. Up and Running.. now we see if its worth all the hassle :)
Is this it?I think so xob - very nice site, indeed.
Yes, I did not link it, but yes that is our site. :)
Looks great, but I saw a video of women trying the walk in that leopard, non tie, G-string thingy... It kept falling off.
Hmmm... that's a good thing, nevermind. :D
School has begun. Un-freakin believable.
All the happinesses here are making me happy, but especially SG's and Classicman's.
i took all of the 42 inch waist pants out of my closet and piled them up for the trip to good will.
There's not a lot in my life right now that does make me happy, but losing this weight does. I have been wallowing in self pity, fear and disbelief for 2 months straight. I'm taking a deep breath and looking at something positive here on my bedroom floor. there they are. going away forever. the Fat Pants. buh bye.
aaaand.... my fat ass just cracked a toilet seat.
I hear ya, God. Still a long way to go. I know it.
Bruce, those C-strings are for more curvy women I am told. They stay on the girls I have sold them to, in fact one lady has bought 5 pair. No lines, no dis-comfort, keeps the shape, easily washed, blah blah blah :)
They might stay better under clothing, they ladies I saw were not clothed.;)
My girls just left for school, but first had to dance to this:
[youtube]_z5jU5nrlAo[/youtube] Two in high school.. old I am.
I only lost Max for five minutes in the shopping centre (mall) today, but it was the longest five minutes of my life. I'm happy I found him watching the escallators going up and down.
Weird - I found a little boy alone and crying in a store last night. Took me a good 5 minutes to find an employee. Right as I walked up to him I noticed a woman walking and looking around frantically. I asked the boy to yell to his mom. They ran toward each other and hugged tightly. It was just like a movie.
Ali - big *whew* moment! Thank goodness he is back.
Lumberjim - thanks for those two posts, that really made me smile then laugh.
Yep, it didn't take me long to become a blithering mess.
My Dad who's liver cancer spread to his left kidney....had his kidney removed this week and is finally out of intensive care...little steps.
congrats to DadsNuts - [COLOR="White"]I couldn't resist writing that[/COLOR] -
Was offered a job yesterday to work ski patrol in Utah. Will be moving out there Nov. 1st.
Congrats - Where? Park City by chance?
Yeah actually, The Canyons ski resort just up the road from Park City.
Good times ahead dude, very good times indeed. I used to go there every year. Go to Arapaho basin and check out the backside - Zuma something I think its called - Crazzzy double blacks!
Was offered a job yesterday to work ski patrol in Utah. Will be moving out there Nov. 1st.
This guy... my new hero.
I'm on the way - as is Kerosene.
Well if anyone is in the area this winter let me know
Just wait till they break a leg, and you can evacuate 'em. :haha:
Went to a new dentist on Friday.
First time in two years and prior to that my last visit was 10 years ago.
Twice in 12 years, OOPS!
But my new dentist said, and I quote, "You have lovely teeth"!
So at 38 I still have never had a single dental procedure, aside from a couple of cleans (I have a slightly crooked tooth at the front and tend to get a bit of tartar buildup).
All X-Rayed and cleaned and sorted.
Go back in six months, but she says I'll probably go back to yearly appointments after that.
My Mum asked about the colour of my teeth when I was about ten.
They assured her that it was simply my natural colour, and I was lucky because it actually meant I had good strong teeth.
While I'm unemployed, dntal care is free, once I start work it will only be £16.50 anyway. Unless I need something done of course.
But I am relying on my off-white teeth to see me through :D
The weather is letting up and nighttime temps are heading into the 60's. Time to fire up my GlobalWarmingOutdoorFireplace. Glad to contribute.
If you're getting more pleasure from thinking you're upsetting someone than you're getting from the fire itself, it is time to seek psychiatric help.
We''l see how my happiness trajectory flies today. The family units are out for a few hours this am and I am going to begin sniper duty hoping to bag that woodchuck. 50% of my garden is gone.
It will be good to make vegetables safe for democracy once again.
If you're getting more pleasure from thinking you're upsetting someone than you're getting from the fire itself, it is time to seek psychiatric help.
Not sure what you think you are trying to make a statement about, but ok. :thumb:
If you haven't figured it out yet, I am not really concerned what other people think about anything I say. But you go dude! Rock on!:p:
The weather is absolutely gorgeous - lovely, lovely!
And we don't get to say "great weather!" in Ohio but a few times a year.
Ye-HAW, it's purty out.
:)
People that work outside know, there's only about 4 days a year that are lovely. A few more are partially-lovely, a lot are only not-too-bad, and most are tolerable, could-be-worse, or crappy. ;)
My course was great yesterday!
I think I'll really gain something from this.
Also, today at school I found out we are having a Cake Sale next Friday.
Not only does this tie in with me new interest in baking, but the school's chosen charity this year is MacMillan Cancer Support - a very worthy charity and obviously close to my heart. So I'm planning a cupcake extravaganza. It won't cost me any money - Mum has offered to buy all the ingredients, because she is away from home housesitting and can't come and support it. This also means I have the kitchen to myself the night before :)
If I really impress myself (I will, my standards aren't all that high) I will post pictorial evidence.
Really feeling quite jolly and useful today, having been at school Weds & Fri and on my course in between.
....that also sounds like you and your mum have sort of made up........ ?
congrats to DadsNuts
seconded.
I bought a pair of 75 cent bluejeans at the Goodwill outlet today. They are 36 waist, so I figured i would eventually be able to wear them...and at $0.75, why not... I also got a denim shirt and a pair of 38 inch waist tan 'jeans' .. also 75c.
best part: the bluejeans fit. they're tight, but they fit.
That's one great feeling when you fit something that you think is a bit small. :D
I bought a pair of 75 cent bluejeans at the Goodwill outlet today. They are 36 waist, so I figured i would eventually be able to wear them...and at $0.75, why not... I also got a denim shirt and a pair of 38 inch waist tan 'jeans' .. also 75c.
best part: the bluejeans fit. they're tight, but they fit.
Hmm you wear the same size as me now (although mine aren't tight). But I don't dress like a redneck..... :p:
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]I dress like an Emo[/COLOR]
skinny bastard.....
....that also sounds like you and your mum have sort of made up........ ?
Sort of. We're still wary around eachother.
And you should see the lists she's made for me for when they go away!
I've been here two years, they've gone away probably 20+ times. Do I really need to be told to empty the kitchen bin regularly? She's even included "put a Calgon tablet in with every wash so the washing machine doesn't fur up". I put a wash on almost every day.
I know it's because we argued.
It's her way of showing she's lost trust in me.
Shrug. They'll be gone on Monday and I can relax :)
Congrats on the weight loss LJ.
I just seem to be effortlessly gliding upwards these days...
Yahoo Groups apparently received enough negative feedback about their shitty new format (a total visual change meant to approximate Facebook instead of a messageboard) that they switched all of them back to the old format. This makes me very happy indeed.
Had the kids ALL day today. They slept over last night. We had a good breakfast (they both had waffles with strawberries.... the boy ate scrapple... blech...
then we played wiffle ball, 2 different board games... and then we had ripley's cheerleading picture day...
and then we went to the Renaissance Fair and had a GREAT time. Me and the boy both ate an Entire Turkey Leg. damn good time... damn good.
jousting!
Looks like a whole lot of happiness there Jim. So much so it's contagious.:) I am happy for you.
That's excellent. Just don't take them to endless museums on rainy days.
I've got to admit I'm one of those "cheerleading is not a sport" knee-jerk folks, but she sure looks like an athlete in those pics -not just the muscles, but the way she stands. WTG, R.
Wow! Nobody ever sees bobcats!
Minifob's first day back at school, and I got an email from his teacher:
Then on the way to the bus today he was wanting to be partners with James, so he looked right at him and said, 'James, please hold my hand... be my partner.'
And what was Mr. Clod's response? (To me, not to the teacher.)
"Well, it
is kind of gay... but I'll take gay over autistic any day!" :)
What's making me happy (or amused...can't decide) is seeing that the cellar community is quite capable of decending into mayhem without my help.
Suck on that faggots! lol (That's an oz joke. I'm sure casi and ducks will get it...and Zen if he ever appears again)
Minifob's first day back at school, and I got an email from his teacher:
And what was Mr. Clod's response? (To me, not to the teacher.)
"Well, it is kind of gay... but I'll take gay over autistic any day!" :)
Don't you think the teacher would have gotten a laugh out of that one? lol
I just saw a bobcat!
Wow! Nobody ever sees bobcats!
Sure they do.
bobcat
I see them all the time ;)
:eyebrow:
Anyway another happy thing. Lil Griff's team was winning their game by a wide margin when one of her teammates drove a ball which went up the defenders stick and hit the poor girl in the arm / ribs knocking her out of the game temporarily. Lil's teammate crossed over to the other bench to check on her. After the game the opposing coach gave her a good sportsman t-shirt they apparently keep on hand when they catch kids doing the right thing. That was just nice.
What a nice thing to do and what a great idea by the opposing team.
Interesting idea, having shirts on hand. Did they have the team logo on them too?
Oh, sorry about your Bobcat.;)
That is such a cool idea.
Interesting idea, having shirts on hand. Did they have the team logo on them too?
Oh, sorry about your Bobcat.;)
Yeah, logo and all. Somebody planned ahead.
Just reread this - I still think thats really awesome! :thumbsup:
I wonder if those shirts are on hand because they're normally given to their own team members for displays of sportsmanship. That sounds like a good plan for any youth team.
Sounds like a good plan for ANY team.
I wonder if those shirts are on hand because they're normally given to their own team members for displays of sportsmanship. That sounds like a good plan for any youth team.
I assume that is the case.
We could have cellar good sportsmanship shirts.
I'm sure we'd end up squabbling over them. :D
We could have cellar good sportsmanship shirts.
I want a trophy!
I want a trophy!
But I thought
I was your trophy! :p:
I just got a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. I gave blood yesterday and apparently they picked my name out of a hat to get one of the several coupons they had to give away to donors.
Sometimes it's the simple things. Ice cream!
I found my knife.
It was on the floor in the footwell of the backseat on the driver's side. Naturally, since it slipped from my pocket while I was driving. I'm carrying my Kershaw today anyhow. It's nice and sharp but the clip's on the wrong end.
Happy!
The clip on the Kershaw is not reversible?
Probably BigV's knife did it.
Caustic wit is pretty damn sharp.
and I just love off the wall shenanigans too.
Probably BigV's knife did it.
Naw, I just hired a bunch of illegal aliens from Mars to cut it. Competition is good.
Nearly done with the current pitch of siding. one more board and then the soffit. managed to get things done in a timely fashion.
Congratatulations, 3foot, well done Sir. :thumb:
Yesterday it was 90.
Today is gonna be 70.
Helllllllloooooooooooooooooo Fall!
Slippers, zucchini bread, honeycrisp apples.
Honey Crisp are the King of apples. We planted a Honey Crisp a few years ago and this was the first year it bore fruit, about ten apples. Slowly, one by one, they succumbed to the millimeter's premature harvesting. She ate the last green one a month ago.
hockey. broke, but happy.
extra money in the mail today, which tops off my target amount for my car downpayment. Now all I need is the car.
AWE-SOME!
We just finished cutting down all the weed trees on my neighbor's side of the line. I had to wait ten years, but it happened. Neighbor died two years ago and her kids finally realized that thye had even less chance of selling her teardown with all the stank trees.
My garden is safe for democracy! BooYah sunlight!
All that and work on the house too.
PLUS! Fatbody is presumed dead. Thought I got what seemed to be a good head shot as he emerged from his hole, but he jumped right back in again. haven't seen him for several days, went to the entrance to check and saw a blob of something engulfed by maggots. Would have preferred to put his head on a pike and sing a song, but I'm happy that my zucchini are growing again. Still putting out flowers.
Man, you're on a roll... must be the full moon. ;)
I'm hoping it's the mania phase of the pendulum of my undiagnosed bi-polar whatsis. I plan to ride the wave all the way to shore and then hit the beach for a few months of not being able to get out of bed, figuring if everything is done, then I can work the "well deserved rest angle" for a bit before I have to face the music or go back on meds.
(there's a grain of truthiness in there somewhere)
Can I build a boat now, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeee!!!
I'm hoping it's the mania phase of the pendulum of my undiagnosed bi-polar whatsis. I plan to ride the wave all the way to shore and then hit the beach for a few months of not being able to get out of bed, figuring if everything is done, then I can work the "well deserved rest angle" for a bit before I have to face the music or go back on meds.
(there's a grain of truthiness in there somewhere)
My plan exactly.
Now about a month in, my new 8 student rental neighbors (total for houses on both sides) are proving to be friendly, responsible and not too loud.
you need to wait until at least midterms to make such an assessment That's when the craziness comes out!
you need to wait until at least midterms to make such an assessment That's when the craziness comes out!
Followed by spring break and then graduation.
I do like the generally reality-slapping MN weather for tamping down the hormonal frolic. But you're right --the real test is spring. But then I cut them some slack, cause I've got cabin fever, too.
MAJOR FUCKING COMBAT OPERATIONS ON THE ROOF HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
It's all clean up from here.
I had one of the neighbors exclaim tonight (after eight pm) "I call no nighttime roofing!"
I'm so, so, so happy to be down off the roof.
Now do a rain dance to check it out. :D
My wife and I are going to the Oregon coast for a long weekend to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.
Who would have thought a sudden summer storm in Glacier Natl Park, MT
would lead to a extended stay in a small mountain community,
meeting a girl, moving to Texas, Massachusetts, New York, and finally Oregon,
now with 3 daughters and with 6 G-kids.
Random happens !
50th?
Congratulations Lamplighter! My 'rents just had their 50th.
My wife and I are going to the Oregon coast for a long weekend to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.
Who would have thought a sudden summer storm in Glacier Natl Park, MT
would lead to a extended stay in a small mountain community,
meeting a girl, moving to Texas, Massachusetts, New York, and finally Oregon,
now with 3 daughters and with 6 G-kids.
Random happens !
Having spent a couple of summers in Glacier, I would have thought a sudden summer storm etc.
Congratualtions! Why not back to Glacier for the Anniversary?
Congratualtions! Why not back to Glacier for the Anniversary?
Because that fence is electrified now.;)
Because that fence is electrified now.;)
very good!
Excellent play on threads.
very good!
Only because it came around again very recently, although when I saw it, instant recall.:o
you're not likely to forget that one, are you?
beest went to the pharmacy for me last night while I was with the kids at a swim meet, and got the evil steroid prescription cream for my eczema. And now it's infinitely better. Thanks, honey :)
My intestines got a big thumbs up from the colonoscopy doctor. nyuck nyuck nyuck...
And aside from being happy about the clean bill of health, the experience wasn't nearly as traumatic as I'd been led to believe. They knocked me out for the whole thing, and it was downright easy.
I've heard the worst part is tie between drinking the pre-scan fluids, the day before, and the bill the day after.;)
Just "customized" Hector's Goalie helmet in advance of his first game in the net tomorrow. he likes it :D
I'm a little apprehensive. Not about the injury potential so much as what if he actually hates being in goal in a game situation or crumbles under pressure? All signs seem OK so far, but until now, it's always been his team mates shooting on him and no scoreboard......
Go Hector! What a great name for a goalie too...
Hector, Hector, net protector.
His helmet is navy, his team is Storm, he wanted (and got) green clouds with red lighning bolts. I used self-adhesive holographic paper. veree shinee
Go Hector!
I'm going into school tomorrow as an extra day.
I was invited in by Mrs M, as tomorrow they need extra help.
Because one of the parents is coming in to cook a Chinese meal for the children. And I get to share it :yum:
This age group has done China as a topic for the last few years, and the meal has always been a success. He has two sons in our school - one of whom I had last year, and I often bump into his (English) wife, who I also know as she came in to read every Friday. I feel like I'm making connections :) And that I'm wanted. Oh and free food always helps.
Have all the ingredients in that meal been certified by the "nutrition police"? I've been reading a lot of stupid stories about the authorities in Britain, and the US, meddling is school lunches/snacks.
Once a year we have a "Healthy Lunchbox Day" where lunchboxes are actually examined and judged.
Given that this is well-advertised beforehand, and parents reminded twice, I do wonder about some parents' choices... But 75% in our school seem to have pretty healthy lunches - I was surprised to hear in conversation about children having pasta, couscous, pitta bread, wraps, tuna salad etc.
I think it only becomes an issue in schools were parents either don't know or don't care. Packing your kid off with a prepacked high saturated fat, high salt snack as their main meal of the day is poor parenting.
Bear in mind that many articles regarding "meddling" in school meals are almost always from the right wing press pursuing a "nanny state" agenda. One such paper gave a "Hero of the Year" award to mothers who threw burgers and chips (fries) meals over the fence to children "forced" to eat Jamie Oliver's nutritionally balanced meals. What heroes, eh! Given that they were on free school meals anyway.
All I can say experience-wise is that our school's only hard and fast rule is water or fruitjuice only with lunch. No fizzy drinks. And once a year children's lunchboxes are monitored, and as I said above it is with plenty of notice.
So we've made and eaten cakes and biscuits in class, the children get a pizza making lesson in Pizza Express (and eat their creations) and all that and everything. I doubt Mr C will be using too much oil or MSG. It's about balance.
I got my stained glass clock today ...
Cool, Nirvana, custom made I assume.
The Flyers are undefeated!
And the Sixers.... HAHAHAH
Today was a beautiful sunshiny day, so in the morning I went to the pool and did a few laps, then tried out the steam room-fantastic-I feel like I can breathe again. Then, about an hour before the sun set, I got on my bike for the first time in months and rode across town and back (about 20 kms) and loved pretty much every second of it. Tomorrow, I WILL be riding to work. :)
Well, I'm not exactly happy per se...but I am in a state of peace? I don't know...I'm in a decent mood and feeling good, so...there.
The leg is healing nicely...to those that wondered, yes...I fell off the toilet while taking a shit. I am now a legend in certain circles. I've been in a walking boot for 2 weeks and have to wear it 3 more.
The divorce is still on, but there really isn't a whole lot I can do on that front until I'm back in St. Louis, which might finally happen next week. I need to get home, get my stuff, get my own place and just knock it out. I'm already moving forward.
I've gone through a lot of rejection in my life, but from here on out, though it will still suck, I should be able to handle it better. I've faced the ultimate rejection now...the person I planned on spending forever with told me it wasn't happening. So any rejection from here on out should be Puppy Chow.
Work has been fulfilling, and I am hopeful that these guys will offer me a permanent position in St. Louis when I get back. If not, someone else will. I've made my mark here, and have the praises to prove it.
I dunno...I'm just feeling good about things in general. Can't complain.
A peaceful mind is good Syc.
Went mountain biking this morning despite being quite sore from working out with a potential 2012 Olympic fencer yesterday. About an hour and a half into the ride I caught the flow, mind and body went all quiet and smooth for a few minutes. It was so very nice, bar-ends close to the trees, leaf covered trail hiding the little obstacles that can get in your head, a very fast swooping track. Then one of my buddies flatted and broke the spell, but I kept the natural buzz.
my 11 y.o. grandson is a voracious reader and we I bond over books--like Percy Jackson. So, when I found out the first book of Rick Riordan's new series comes out today (Oct. 12), I pre-ordered from Amazon and sent it to him as a surprise (only $10--couldn't resist!)
His mom called me so he could open it while I was on the phone. He was soooo stoked! I told him it came out today and he was the first to read it!
Kinda special.
That's just lovely Cloud. :) That brought a smile to my face. It's people like you that remind me why I keep coming here.
Chilean miners rescue is underway
Chilean miners rescue is underway
Also happy about this.
Last day on the water with the boat. It was just absolutely beautiful. Mid 80's, water was flat. Fished for a few hours and got nothing.
Nudity abounds.
The fish never bit.
The day was a complete success.
Me no like the biting "fish"
*Grins*
I handed in my Masters thesis yesterday.
I was supposed to hand it in two weeks ago, but I got ill, and then got into a bit of a state with it all, and ended up with my tutor arranging a 2 week extension to my deadline.
Even so, I ended up having to pull an all nighter (actually, in the end it was 38 hours straight working :P) to get it in.
So, yesterday...having been up and working since 7:30 Thursday AM, I went straight through and into Uni...just about managed to get the last couple of bits done (the front page and contents, bibliography etc) and had to run across campus to the print shop to leave it with them for binding.
Then went and taught a class for an hour and a half (having not slept lol) and then....finally....at 3:30 PM I handed the bastard in at the office.
I now have to wait for my Viva (oral exam with a panel of three examiners, one from uni and two externals). At which point they will probably tell me to go away and tidy it up *grins* before final submission.
The word limit on the research MA thesis is 30k. With lots of furious cutting and pasting, and rewriting and reorganising....I managed to bring it in at 28,700 words :P
I then came home and was so hyped I couldn't make myself go to bed. 2:30 am by the time I got in bed: 43 hours after getting out of bed on Thursday.
[eta] Oh yeah. And I am now the proud owner of an i-phone 4 :)
Just catching up here: Syc - I hope the peaceful mind lasts; Cloud - you rock; Merc, Griff - stopping to smell the roses, great; Dana - well done, grrl! (I've got a poor man's Iphone 4 (an Ipod 4), fun aren't they! :)!).
I then came home and was so hyped I couldn't make myself go to bed. 2:30 am by the time I got in bed: 43 hours after getting out of bed on Thursday.
Kudos, on the accomplishment! I'm happy to see despite all this book learnin' and workin' within the system, indeed, becoming part of the establishment, you've managed to remain true to thyself. :haha:
btw, iPhone5 will be out after the first of the year.
Dana - you've probably mentioned this somewhere - what was the subject of your thesis?
*Smiles*
It was about 18th century British army deserters and their families. Specifically identifying female agency and the role of the domestic in influencing soldiers to desert, and looking at cultural responses to deserters and the relationship between military and domestic spheres.
Oh, why it was women that brought down the Empire. :lol2:
*Smiles*
It was about 18th century British army deserters and their families. Specifically identifying female agency and the role of the domestic in influencing soldiers to desert, and looking at cultural responses to deserters and the relationship between military and domestic spheres.
*chuckles*
Ha ha Ok, no. But seriously. What was your thesis about?
Mainly it was all about the cock.
*chuckles*
Ha ha Ok, no. But seriously. What was your thesis about?
Shut up already, man... do you want her to go & start posting excerpts???
No, seriously, it sounds interesting. It reminds me of
Mothers of Invention, which recently made its way onto my to-read list.
A Good sharp Chain on the chain saw ,
a tree in NEED of coming down ,
a Nice cool Afternoon to deal with it ,
Oh and then beer thirty after :D
You need to get that stump carved into a cock shape.
Enjoying bonfire - watching the stars - listening to critters in the woods - and spending an extended weekend camping with the family.
Yzzy that sounds lovely!
I just had a lie-in :) I stayed up late last night just reading and watching tv etc. Then I went to bed and didnt set my alarm. What luxury! *grins*
Enjoying bonfire - watching the stars - listening to critters in the woods - and spending an extended weekend camping with the family.
Get any pictures of the foliage to share? We also accept naked campfire dancing. :haha:
Yzzy that sounds lovely!
I just had a lie-in :) I stayed up late last night just reading and watching tv etc. Then I went to bed and didnt set my alarm. What luxury! *grins*
And a big change of pace from the last few days. :)
the kids and i are at hershey park. there is hardly anyone here. it's excellent. $40 for lunch is less awesome, but hey... we'll be here till they close at 9. you should come out. there are no lines.
As long as you don't have to drive through Hershey highway to get there, I suppose.
Another beautiful day. :)
A Small tractor and a small trailer , :D
That's a big tractor to most home owners, only small on a farm. :haha:
the kids and i are at hershey park. there is hardly anyone here. it's excellent. $40 for lunch is less awesome, but hey... we'll be here till they close at 9. you should come out. there are no lines.
so, we rode every good ride at least twice. and we realized tht they take pictures of you on almost all of them..... we actually paid the $9 to get this one:
as you can see, Spencer became so bored that he nodded off on this ride (The Wildcat...wooden roller coaster) and Ippy was appalled at the state of her hair.... and I... well... you know ....
What a great picture! I think Spencer was pulling our leg.
Well, I couldn't tell you the last time I had such a great time. We ran ...literally ran... from ride to ride in that last 2 hours. SOOOOO happy that I'm in good enough shape to keep up with them now. My shins hurt, and I'm friggin tired... but last year this time... nope.
PLUS! I wasn't too fat to fit on the cool rides like I used to be. I know that's fucking sad that I am happy about that... but... goddamn.
I intend to make an October Hershey Park trip an annual event with my kids. This was BY FAR the best amusement park experience of my life.
here's a picture taken at appx 2:30 pm. This is the Super Duper Looper line. Spencer wanted to try the last car ....this was the 3rd of 5 consecutive trips we took on this ride. (this was THE RIDE when I was a kid)
Looks like a great day. You should be happy and proud that you can now do all this.
Here in the US, 1/4th lb cubes of butter are wrapped in waxed paper.
For 60+ years I have fought these wrappers every time I opened one.
While doing so I've always wondered why professional cooks would put up with such an awkward wrapping.
The wrapper is folded around the butter in such a way that it almost always tears, leaving pieces stuck to the cube.
In my household, I get irritated when family members don't even bother to remove the paper.
Instead they just dig it out of the wrapper as needed leaving the mess for someone else to fix.
But, it's the small things that make you happy...
This morning I discovered how to remove the paper quickly and easily - without touching the butter - and without tearing the paper !!!
Maybe I'll publish a "How to" article in our local paper and tape it to the fridge.
That's great LJ! And Lamplighter do tell! ;)
Lamplighter, professional cooks buy their butter in bulk. 2 pounds would be a small quantity, at one place I worked we got butter in 25 pound boxes and scooped it out as needed.
We order butter in two pound rolls from our co-op. Check out your local farms and see if they will sell you larger packages. We usually buy 20 or so pounds and freeze it.
*chuckles*
Ha ha Ok, no. But seriously. What was your thesis about?
It was about 28,700 words (or so). She said that already. :D
so, we rode every good ride at least twice. and we realized tht they take pictures of you on almost all of them..... we actually paid the $9 to get this one:
as you can see, Spencer became so bored that he nodded off on this ride (The Wildcat...wooden roller coaster) and Ippy was appalled at the state of her hair.... and I... well... you know ....
Who is that skinny bastard stalking your kids?
Glad for ya Jim !!!
Lamp Lighter , Cum on Dude !!!
Ya cant tease us like that !!!!!
We're still alive and kicking out here. Lil Lookout's meds are still messed up but he's hanging in there.
Good for you lookout and jim.
FANTASTIC picture, Jim!
and . .lamplighter--you can't tease us like that! What's the butter secret?
Here in the US, 1/4th lb cubes of butter are wrapped in waxed paper.
For 60+ years I have fought these wrappers every time I opened one.
While doing so I've always wondered why professional cooks would put up with such an awkward wrapping.
The wrapper is folded around the butter in such a way that it almost always tears, leaving pieces stuck to the cube.
In my household, I get irritated when family members don't even bother to remove the paper.
Instead they just dig it out of the wrapper as needed leaving the mess for someone else to fix.
But, it's the small things that make you happy...
This morning I discovered how to remove the paper quickly and easily - without touching the butter - and without tearing the paper !!!
Maybe I'll publish a "How to" article in our local paper and tape it to the fridge.
I LOVE unpeeling the wax paper from butter. You just unfold it. It ain't that hard to open it, take what you need, then you can fold it right back up into a nice square. Or dump it into the butter dish thingy. Must be my OCD.
Congrats to DanaC. That must be a huge load off your schedule of "things to do". Well done.
Shawnee. I've always been a dog-person.
If it's in a paper bag, I don't look for the opening to reach in and get it.
I just grab the bag in my teeth and shake like hell til everything comes out.
It's a lot more fun to have some silliness in daily life.
So I post on The Cellar :D
Hey lookout, I was wondering how you've been.
I had my teacher-observation today! This was the fourth class in the course, and this is the first course I've taught at this level.
It went really well!
Here's what my observer had to say about the class:
This was an interesting and stimulating class, which I enjoyed. The session was well-structured. The students were engaged, and nearly all of them took a full part in the discussion; and that discussion was purposeful. The tutor began with about fifteen minutes discussing the chapter set for the week from the set text (Kathleen Wilson, The Island Race. Englishness, Empire and Gender in the Eighteenth Century); then she turned to the book review exercise that the students have to deliver in week 6. The students examined two sample reviews of the set text, and then two reviews of another work, and were encouraged to critique these, and to use them to think about the function and purpose of a book review. This was a very worthwhile exercise, and the students were encouraged to consider such issues as an author’s viewpoint and agenda, use of source material, comprehensiveness and relation to other authors in a historiographical tradition. The students were guided to relate these issues both to the set text and to historical studies in general. There was a pause for discussion among sub-groups, which worked well, not least in stimulating one or two of the more reticent members of the class to contribute, but at no point did the general discussion flag. The tutor was throughout patient and encouraging.
In short, this was an excellent class, stimulating the students but retaining intellectual rigour. This was all the more commendable since the class was held in a rather horrid room [Social Studies 11.15], with the early minutes disrupted by the sound of a vacuum cleaner being used in the corridor outside, and the room becoming hot and airless in the later stages of the class.
I am overjoyed. It couldn't have gone better. 90% of that was the group :P They're a lovely bunch of students: really engaged and enthusiastic; constantly surprising me with what how much they bring from their reading. They made me look good *smiles* and I will be thanking them for it next week lol.
No, Dana, you've just go to face up to it. You're F A B FAB!
Dana, I'm very impressed !
It's OK for you to be proud of yourself.
Awesome, Dana!
Me? I'm going to a Gala. A Regatta Gala. Biff is picking me up in the Rolls and we're jetting to Montego Bay for the Yacht Club's annual regatta gala. Muffy says there will be a clambake, and of course a festive ball.
We love Regatta Galas! Only, there is always to much sand. Poo-poo hmmph.
There was a pause [COLOR="White"]for discussion [/COLOR]among sub-groups, which worked well, not least in stimulating one or two of the more reticent members [COLOR="white"]of the class [/COLOR]to contribute, but at no point did the general [COLOR="white"]discussion[/COLOR] flag. The tutor was throughout patient and encouraging.
In short, this was an excellent class, stimulating the students but retaining [COLOR="white"]intellectual[/COLOR] rigour. This was all the more commendable since the class was held in a rather horrid room [COLOR="white"][Social Studies 11.15],[/COLOR] with the early minutes disrupted by the sound of a vacuum cleaner being used [COLOR="white"]in the corridor outside,[/COLOR] and the room becoming hot and airless in the later stages
You're a sex therapist? :eek:
Seriously, I'm not surprised. You've alway shown a passion for sharing your knowledge, a willingness to honestly examine new slants on what you believe, and 6.5 years of Cellar training, dealing with idjits. :thumb:
There are no idjits in the Cellar, are there?
I put in my petition for my associates degree. I will officially have finish a degree by the end of this semester!
Now, just for the next step...whatever that will be. Maybe I'll become a stripper.
You go girl! Stripper? Well it worked for me but I owned the business. Psych /social work would not pay my bills. I think you have better things ahead of you. :)
It's our first rain of the season and is a major storm...
Radar images have been changing all night with wind and rain.
Here's a link to get current radar and a lot of other weather info
Yesterday (10/23) The Wife and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary.
congrats, CG.
What movie did you two watch to celebrate?
We went to see "The Town".
We ended up making out in the back row.
I start my new old job tomorrow.
I can take the kids. They'll have their own office when they're there. I could not have asked for or imagined a better situation.
I cut the living shit out of my finger. Why is that making me happy? Well, despite not being able to tpye very well, my finger is no longer full of livig shit.
i am happy about ur finger
Ok , Lets try this again,
1 st pic is the entertainment center befor
2 nd is work in progress
3 rd is bedroom befor
4 th is Bed room After
Still some shelfs to populate with Stuff , but we Are getting there !!!
This is definitely an upgrade from Redneck level B decor to Redneck level A. Well done.
Thanks
The cart you see in the second liveing room pic ,
we had intended for the TV to sit on it , Too TALL
Carol said , Hell well use it for Something
Plus, the casters, man, the casters. That could land you back at level B. We'd need judges.
But it is important for the TV to sit on something not intended for a TV to sit on.
Wait, so what's the cart used for now, aside from duty as a Glade spray can and olive-colored plastic iced tea 20oz mug holder?
I put in my petition for my associates degree. I will officially have finish a degree by the end of this semester!
Now, just for the next step...whatever that will be. Maybe I'll become a stripper.
woohoo. congratulations and I wish I was that gutsy to take ANYTHING after finishing a degree. It's a brave new world. I think I'll just settle for cleaning retirement centers if need be.
I start my new old job tomorrow.
I can take the kids. They'll have their own office when they're there. I could not have asked for or imagined a better situation.
I am very happy for you! The apartment manager here just had a baby and is able to bring him to the office. No, there isn't a better situation than that.
Oddly, she doesn't seem as happy as before. I've not seen that before in a new mom. She has got to realize how lucky she is, and you too!
But it is important for the TV to sit on something not intended for a TV to sit on.
It is. I wish I had an old piece of sturdy furniture to put my TV on. The stand I bought to put the tv on has a cubby hole for the dvd player and there isn't any reinforcement in there. It is sagging ever so slightly.
oh and I chickened out of unplugging my cable. I am so far out I cannot get anything over the air. Just that once.
Friday was my mother's birthday. She is doing well after hip replacement surgery. She is happily at my sister's house until a suitable place opens up. I bought her a digital frame since she cannot have much of her own things there, but nature had a better idea. I gift for everyone. A deer decided to keep us company the whole day. It rested behind the vehicles most of the time.
I did an ultra-modern pentathlon today. 2 hrs. mtn biking, 2.5 hrs fencing, watched a Broadway Theatre League production of Spamalot, dinner at Lampey's Mediterranean Grill, and now for the Tivo'd game.
you need to replace one of those with sex -just sayin'
Look! An even-toed ungulate!
It was odd.
People were walking over to shoo it away toward the river. My sister came out and told them the animal could lay there all day if it wanted to.
Get off my lawn!
Look! He's attracted to truck bumpers.
It only stood up to go nibble on a rose bush. Most of the time it was curled in a ball on the ground just hanging out. Finally toward evening it wandered away. I hope it found it's mother.
They tend to stay put till Mom comes back, unless they're spooked.
They tend to stay put till Mom comes back, unless they're spooked.
Mom probably did wait till dusk. It made those, 'mom calls' when the dumb people were throwing rocks at it, but what is really odd is how they got separated in the first place. Mom heading for the hills and leaving her down by the river is so strange.
Must be one of those welfare mothers, out floozying, leaving her latchkey fawn to fend for itself.
OMG I just got so lucky.
I was supposed to do a training presentation tomorrow for a large group in enrollment services. Usually I throw these things together at the last minute anyway, but I have been completely unable to concentrate all week, and I was dreading this training. (This speaks to a larger problem of job dissatisfaction and waking up with a stomachache every morning, just thinking of coming to the office, for what reason I do not know...but I digress.)
I just got a call that they had something come up that is really crucial and that they would have to postpone the training. Maybe by the time it is rescheduled I'll be through menopause or this mid-life crisis or whatever the hell it is. Haahahaha!
She was so apologetic. Perhaps if she had seen my happy dance she would have felt better. :)
Whew.
The bathtub drain in our old house has been leaking for years.
Today, we tore out the sub-flooring and chipped thru 3 inches of concrete to expose the old plumbing.
We snaked out the drain line and replaced the old brass fixtures with new.
Tonight, I took a hot shower and feel happy that the tub drains quickly, there are no leaks,
and now I'm clean and totally relaxed with a cup of good hot coffee.
Good working plumbing is a joy that's rarely surpassed, yet usually taken granted.
I'm back.
I have a job.
Yes, I'm now an employed Teaching Asisstant at the wonderful school I was volunteering at.
I can't start until I get my Enhanced CRB check back (booooo) and wouldn't you know, my stupid photo driving license was set to expire 31/10/10. So I've sent that off (£25! Aargh!) and hope to get it back ASAP. They can't legally employ me until I am cleared, so I have to continue "Job Seeking" until then, as unless I can prove I am looking for work I am not entitles to any benefits. Fair enough, but it is a silly pretence after all.
It's only 20 hours a week, so sometime this side of Christmas I'm going to be looking for additional work to bump up my wages. The good news being that once I come off benefits, I can work when and where I want and earn money. When on benefits, I couldn't earn anything extra.
I'm going to be working with a named child who has social and communication difficulties. It's not 100% my ideal job (which would be as classroom support, and full-time) but I honestly expect to enjoy it, and it's wpnderful to be considered worthy of employment in a place which I respect, and who have seen me work.
Expect to hear a lot about the school and what I do - obviously without including any names or personal details. But at least I'll be able to tell you about school events without feeling like I'm a silly obsessed woman acting like she is a part of something she isn't :)
I'm going to be working with a named child
Congrats, SG!
But don't they all have names?
Yay Sundae! that's great news!!
Bravo SG! You *look* so happy! :)
Its really great to see the headway you are making, SG. Slow and steady is the ticket. Congratulations on this milestone!
Oh no, now you're part of the system... why you're practically, "The Man". :lol2:
Congratulations though.
So... it sounds like what you're saying is you'll be a one-on-one aide to a mainstreamed kid on the autism spectrum, is that right? Congrats on the job!
SG that is SUCH good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so pleased for you. Wow. Hugs to you, kid.
great news, Sundae, well done.
I'm happy that your happy SG.
So... it sounds like what you're saying is you'll be a one-on-one aide to a mainstreamed kid on the autism spectrum, is that right?
That's what I thought too. A one- on- one.
Bloody hell, that's brilliant news Sundae. Way to go you. You must have seriously impressed the school.
Good going Sundae!
And yes, they all have names.
For six years, I thought my name was "Hey you! Yes you! The young one!"
Thanks to all - yes I did work out that many children have names.
Last week.
I do have trouble learning them though - 60 kids at present and it's driving me crackers - what a relief to just have one (well, plus those in Craft Club, but I know nearly a half of those from last year)
Working with a named child is a way of differentiating from TAs who work with a whole class (as I have as a volunteer). So I'll working one-on-one and technically just responsible for that child, although of course there will be times I'll be asked to help in general activities and like any teacher or TA I'll be expected to uphold general rules of discipline in class and corridors etc. And I'll be much more involved in following a set plan for Educational Needs, recording information and I'll be interacting with specialist workers engaged with the child and also his parents.
I'm not sure if the child is on the autistism spectrum. The school has a specialist language centre with ten staff, so his communication difficulties might be physical, and the social side might stem from that. I have to wait and see. I'll have excellent in-school support anyway, we have a speech therapist on our staff as well as a Specialist Education & Disability Coordinator (SENCO) who was part of the interview panel.
Also it's only 20 hours a week - this must have been decided on via assessment. I know it includes at least some lunchtimes, but I don't think I'll be included in lessons like PE or singing or assemblies - I might be wrong, but those would be the ones I'd expect not to attend. Whereas the Downs Syndrome child in one of the classes I volunteer has a full-time TA, as does a registered blind child in a higher class.
I figure I'll have something to read around anyway. The school chose ME as the best candidate to work with this boy and I take courage from that. I am going to do everything I can to make them glad they did so, as well as the best I can for him.
As well as that, I get to see all the other little others I've already worked with around school. I've never been unpopular at work, but I've never been in an office where someone's face lights up just because they've passed me in the corridor, or where they run up to me outside work to give me a hug and tell me what they're doing. Even the staff came to give me a handshake or a kiss when they heard I had the job. It's just a lovely place.
I am SO happy.
Oh and Bruce, I'm SO not the man. Guess I'll have to prove it at sometime soon :)
Well that was a figure of speech that doesn't match your figure. :lol:
This one-on-one position will result in a lot of emotional involvement, if I know you. That can be stimulating, but also very draining. Adrenaline and endorphins can leave you feeling really low when they wear off, so be aware and don't mistake it for depression, then you'll be ok. :thumb:
I'd been wondering where you'd got to SG. Congrats on the job.
Well that was a figure of speech that doesn't match your figure. :lol:
This one-on-one position will result in a lot of emotional involvement, if I know you. That can be stimulating, but also very draining. Adrenaline and endorphins can leave you feeling really low when they wear off, so be aware and don't mistake it for depression, then you'll be ok. :thumb:
damn, wonderful
I'm going on a
sea cruise! :D
I'm going on a sea cruise! :D
Cool. Where does it stop?
Everywhere! Hurtigruten run the delivery boats up and down the Norwegian coast. We hope to see the Aurora Borealis, lots of lovely fjords and, just maybe, a Norwegian Blue parrot!
Hope you get to see the red/purple Aurora.
[youtube]9n10yDX8N3o[/youtube]
Limey that's so exciting!
I SO want to see the Northern Lights one day.
Yay limey! sounds wonderful!!!
I had two positive long duration interactions with my sometimes crazy Dad this week.
We had a couple staff out yesterday and had to do some assessments so my supervisor came over to cover for me. Two of the kids whose behaviors are barely manageable blew up on her and got us major kudos for how we've been working the problems.
With those two things off my shoulders my epee fencing was truly creative last night, it is amazing how much impact mental state has on the game.
And how negatively impacted your mental state can be without even realizing it, when you've had problems so long you've become use to them. You've made good progress on the job front this year, Griff, good work. :thumb:
My colonoscopy is now behind me (so to speak).
The natgas drillers I have been building a web application for are pleased with what I've done, and are getting me more hours of work and planning a phase 2. Wheeee self employment!
Max is starting to use his potty! Wooohoooo! Hopefully in another week or two there'll be no more daytime nappies! :) This makes me very happy.
The natgas drillers I have been building a web application for are pleased with what I've done, and are getting me more hours of work and planning a phase 2. Wheeee self employment!
OUTstanding! Congratulations!
The natgas drillers I have been building a web application for are pleased with what I've done, and are getting me more hours of work and planning a phase 2. Wheeee self employment!
Sweet.
The natgas drillers I have been building a web application for are pleased with what I've done, and are getting me more hours of work and planning a phase 2. Wheeee self employment!
Are we allowed to see it?
Obviously you were absent that day, HLJ
Natural gas:
Colorless
Odorless
Tasteless
So, while you may be allowed, you can't.
Unless you light a match.
It will go into a portfolio, eventually.
Awesome, awesomeness Toad! The tide is turning your way I think.
oh and great news on the potty front Ali; and way to go to the Griffster.
What's making me happy today, well, this week in fact, is that I can feel my mental systems starting to kick into gear for my PhD. Had my first supervision meeting last Friday, and attended a training day all day yesterday, called 'Starting your Research Degree'. I thought it would be really dull, given i just did the same training day at the start of last year's MA...but actually it was a lot more interesting this year.
The day went fast; i got to meet a bunch of other research students, which was great. A real mix of fields and specialisms (all from within the Humanities, ESSL and PVAC areas) with some in particular doing research that sounded exciting to me.
Every so often I get a little flutter of nascent panic...but mostly I'm feeling like I can do this. And that I want to do this.
It will go into a portfolio, eventually.
UT's Natural Gas Portfolio being delivered by courier.
Max is starting to use his potty! Wooohoooo! Hopefully in another week or two there'll be no more daytime nappies! :) This makes me very happy.
Are we allowed to see it?
(snicker)
Heartfelt congratulations to both Ali and UT re birth and subsequent development of children and ideas.
Message from Limey to say "hello to everyone that knows me!"
She's having a great time and willl put pictures up on Flickr when she gets back - homecoming is this Thursday.
I found my knife. (it was on the floor of the car between the tunnel and the seat.)
I found my camera. (it was in the pocket of my big coat.)
Congrats BigV, I will rejoice with you for you have found what you had lost.
I got my CRB through today.
Unfortunately it was the one submitted at the beginning of Sept, for me to work as a volunteer. But the school secretary seems confident that the Enhanced one, which will allow me to be employed, can't be far behind as the main checks have already been run now.
thank you miss.
They say the wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.
I think the rube goldberg contraption that is most bureaucracies *may* turn, but don't always produce a recognizable output. I hope you get the clearance you're seeking, and quickly.
Dazza is home after 2 weeks away.
Also, my new shoes.
Keryx asks, why would you want to cripple yourself?
Ali--gorgeous shoes! I have some to share as well.
That shoe is outrageous!
Why?
Keryx asks, why would you want to cripple yourself?
I wont. They're surprisingly comfortable. Honestly, I really didn't expect them to feel the way they did on my feet, but I loved the design so tried them on and they just felt so good I had to have them.
Ali--gorgeous shoes! I have some to share as well.
I agree Big. :) What size heels do yours have?
I can honestly say that I don't understand high heels.
Edit: But those are cool shoes, Ali.
Why?
I wont. They're surprisingly comfortable. Honestly, I really didn't expect them to feel the way they did on my feet, but I loved the design so tried them on and they just felt so good I had to have them.
I agree Big. :) What size heels do yours have?
About your shoes, I like how how the sole turns up, they look like that would make them a lot easier to walk in.
As for my shoes, sorry Ali, I got home late, didn't return to computer and/or camera for shoe pic. I will though, I promise. As for size ... I found this:
Heel height. I'll measure them tonight too and post the answer. First estimate: High. hehehehe.....
I love this part from the link:
Many scientis have tried to find a formula for the perfect heel.
This is a funny one:
The basic formula is : H = Q X [12 + (3 X S/8)]
H is the maximum heel height, in centimeters.
Q is the sociological factor and S is the shoe size;it must be a good enough base of support to keep you upright.
The Q factor of the formula encompasses several variables and gets a bit complicated.
Here a extended version of Q:
Q = [P X L X (Y + 9)] / [(T + 1) X (A + 1) X (Y + 10) X (L + 20)}.
To further decode: P is the probability the shoes will land you a date or other flattering attention.
L is the price of the shoes, in British pounds.
T is the time elapsed since the shoe was the height of fashion (zero means it's red-hot).
A is the units of alcohol consumed while wearing the shoe.
Y is the years of experience wearing high heels.
Use this to decide if you have to buy a pair of high heels?
Surely not, the main factor should be to be more sexy!
Dazza is home after 2 weeks away.
Also, my new shoes.
Please model them for us. Nude, of course.:D
She's married - leave her alone, ya stalker.
She's married - leave her alone, ya stalker.
Shoes can get married? Oh, you thought I wanted Ali to be nude. You have a dirty mind, what little of it that there is.:stickpoke:D
"Shoes can get married?"
Aren't they always half of a pair?
She's married - leave her alone, ya stalker.
Shoes can get married? Oh, you thought I wanted Ali to be nude. You have a dirty mind, what little of it that there is.:stickpoke:D
Come on you guys. Thanks for sticking up for me classic, but really there was no need. I know spex was joking.
All you teetering tarts are crazy, risking your health in the name of fashion.
But looking hot... oh my. ;)
They do make your legs look nice that's for sure, and believe me, my legs need all the help they can get. lol
My colonoscopy is now behind me (so to speak).
The natgas drillers I have been building a web application for are pleased with what I've done, and are getting me more hours of work and planning a phase 2. Wheeee self employment!
Max is starting to use his potty! Wooohoooo! Hopefully in another week or two there'll be no more daytime nappies! :) This makes me very happy.
Dazza is home after 2 weeks away.
Also, my new shoes.
What a fabulously random selection of good newses while I've been away. I'll fling up some pix of my holiday laterz ...
Whats making me happy today? I got a raise at my work! And in this economy I sure as hell can use it,that freakin rocks!:D
snip--
I agree Big. :) What size heels do yours have?
Five inches.
Please model them for us. Nude, of course.:D
Ok.
Forget to return one of those books to the library?
;)
A couple friends came over to remove a big Black Walnut stump from my front yard, took down some small trees that were too close to the house, and cleaned up the overgrown flower beds, while I was away for a few days, much to my surprise.
You must be living right Bruce. :)
I should go away more often.;)
Thats great - good friends comin thru when you need 'em. One of the best things life has to offer.
Finally, I figured out the VLOOKUP function in Excel. After trying too hard, I found it was quite simple. Which is ironic and annoying but that's another thread. :)
We had our Br Bright, Be Seen day today - staff and children all in bright clothes. Some of them went to an awful lot of effort, to great effect. I had my dyed-fuschia hand decorated t-shirt on, with hi-vis stickers and glitter rainbows, so I felt a real part of it. Although most people commented on the flashing strap I simply bought from the local bike shop. Ah well, no accounting for taste.
It's made me come home with a big smile on my face anyway.
I beat an A rated fencer in my pool yesterday... he won the tourney but I beat him. :) 3 hours of mountain biking today, one of the hens hatched out a single chick Friday, and the buck is enthusiastically servicing a doe as I type.
I didn't get the job in Utah for ski patrol. They claimed some bullshit about how phone interviews are difficult even though I was very qualified and it would actually technically be a step down from my past EMS leadership position. Screw them. The silver lining is that in thinking I was leaving I've been hanging out with some old friends a lot more, and it's convinced me that being around good people is more important than living somewhere pretty just for the sake of living there. So I'll be in Northeast Ohio for a little while longer, and for the first time in 10 years I'm pretty okay with that.
The kids are going back to school and jobs. The stress in this house is decreasing. Oh, and I am finally starting to clean up my study.
The hardest and most tedious thing I did today was crack open some pecans while I had a load of laundry in the washer. And I did both just because I felt like it. It was a big day full of nothing I had to do and nowhere I had to be. Simply awesome.
I should go away more often.;)
Make sure you tell people when you're going away next and what else needs doing around the house. :)
Watched a documentary on Ronald Reagan tonight on Fox News.
Make sure you tell people when you're going away next and what else needs doing around the house. :)
Nope, they have to figure out what they think needs doing. One of the guys ripped his exhaust system off on that stump so it might have been a revenge motive, but that was 6 or 8 years ago. ;)
I'm currently sitting on a patio overlooking the Pacific ocean in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and reading the Cellar. I hope everyone had a good holiday.
Bastid! Hope you are having a good time.
The Ward Forum I chaired this evening only had 15 people at it (hurrah: much easier to chair) because of the weather. And thanks to some overly enthusiastic weather warnings from the communities dept we had to bring the meeting in at under 90 minutes.
Consequently, I am now snuggled up in my house, with a fire burning and Pilau chewing happily on a new toy.* I don't have to get up especially early tomorrow: so I can have a late night, if I so choose, guilt-free. Meanwhile the view from my window is of a winter snow scene. Overlaid with the reflection of my room and the living-flame fire.
* a solid rubber, angry Pepparami.
Hmmm, that sounds downright cozy Dana. Im jealous. (I would love to have a fireplace!)
yay Emma :)
Nice name there.
yay Emma :)
Nice name there.
Thank you, the name Emma mean "with great moral values"
No new crises made me happy. Well happier than I was. It's Monday -whaddya want? Blood?
Hub and I just finished clipping and grooming 6 steers for a preview steer show this weekend. Only 5 more to go. My work and life is a bit weird. :3eye: I hope the kids showing have fun :D
...and i just got an email confirming my kid's class won/earned the maximum amount in a fundraising drive I spearheaded. I had thought it was close and we might take second place at the last minute, but it ended up being a landslide in our favor :D
Hub and I just finished clipping and grooming 6 steers for a preview steer show this weekend. Only 5 more to go. My work and life is a bit weird. :3eye: I hope the kids showing have fun :D
Very few people know what the hell your talking about, but I can totally understand the scale of the job, and your sense of accomplishment. :D
By clipping, do you mean trimming their nails?
The DVD successfully ripped and burned. Copy protection be damned, ha HAH!!
By clipping, do you mean trimming their nails?
Haircut.
My beautiful children are making me happy today. I love them so much it hurts.
My beautiful children are making me happy today. I love them so much it hurts.
That's so beautiful, and makes my submission seem somehow shallow...
Tonight's council meeting is SNOWED OFF!!!!
Fuck yeah!
This makes me happy. Indeed, it makes me positively gleeful. Hurrah, huzzah etc.
I don't think it's shallow to be glad about not going out in the snow Dana. lol I'd probably be glad too (after I got over the novelty of snow in the first place).
Hub and I just finished clipping and grooming 6 steers for a preview steer show this weekend. Only 5 more to go. My work and life is a bit weird. :3eye: I hope the kids showing have fun :D
I know what yer talking about. Sounds like a happy thing to me!
Today, I made a child happy.
I found a toy a child thought was lost.
Not much in the scheme of things, but H can be "difficult" sometimes.
He was genuinely upset.
And he was so happy, and thanked me so formally and politely (words) and so genuinely (grin) when I found it.
He'll be back to his rambuctious best next time I see him, but for a couple of minutes a plastic fish solved every problem he had in the world.
Those are the moments, eh Sundae? :) Is "H" your assigned child?
Sadly, I don't even know what "my" child looks like yet :(
I can't be introduced to him in case my Enhanced CRB uncovers something that my basic CRB doesn't cover - like the fact I'm a raging paedo. I do completely understand of course, it's just frustrating in my circumstances.
I do love the children with behaviour issues though *
And oddly, they have always attached themselves to me.
The first being my Mum's friend's child, who tried to strangle my brother when they were both pre-school. I was 12.
H (the child mentioned above) definitely has "issues" and I can't always get through. So it was just wonderful to be able to do something for him. In fact I gave him a house point because he thanked me. Positive reinforcement.
* Please note these are children who have been assessed as having behavioural issues - "my" school has a specialist language centre, a speech therapist, a physical therapist, regular assessments from the child psychology team and plenty of things I don't know about yet. If the children are identified as having behavioural problems it's not in ignorance.
I found one of the "long lost library books"
Under the couch or the bed?
in a box with stuff dated last november, in the front room. I did find a not so long lost one under the sofa and none under the bed. those places are checked more regularly.
I found one of the "long lost library books"
This one?* Please note these are children who have been assessed as having behavioural issues - "my" school has a specialist language centre, a speech therapist, a physical therapist, regular assessments from the child psychology team and plenty of things I don't know about yet. If the children are identified as having behavioural problems it's not in ignorance.
:) Have no fear, there's no malice in the label "behavioral issues." A diagnosed cause doesn't change the end result. The important thing is for people to know that traditional discipline--especially physical discipline--is not only ineffective for children with these types of underlying issues, it will probably make them worse. Finding the lost toy probably gave him even more relief than he showed you.
Thanks Clod, I know you get it, but I so often hear comments on the radio or read them in my parents' dreadful paper about badly behaved children being pandered to when really all they need is a good clip round the ear. I'm guilty myself of wishing some children could be seen and not heard in public places, but I certainly don't advocate a violent response. And the thing is, with many such children you can see the bad parenting in action. Whereas the parents of children who really have issue are calm and rational and give measured responses.
I was given a free copy of a cookbook to review. It still takes me aback when people believe me to be legitimate.
That doesn't go away, you know, just because you take a break from it. ;)
I was given a free copy of a cookbook to review. It still takes me aback when people believe me to be legitimate.
New user title for you:
Fiercely proud of my unmarried parents
Eggnog. Yet another sign God loves us and wants us to be happy.
lol I'd probably be glad too (after I got over the novelty of snow in the first place).
Snowballs and snowmen. Tons of fun. Also snow forts -- we seldom muster sufficient snow expertise or sufficient drifted, lightly packed snow, period, to achieve a classic igloo -- in any snowy bit of the States. Which igloo is a snow shelter you ought not to warm the interior of much above 40 F, roughly 7 C. Which is a heck of a lot easier to deal with than -40 F or C, with wind.
But a snow-fort resists snowballs pretty darn well. It's cover in the snowball fights.
Sledding, tubing and tobogganning are fun rides down a slippery slope, but almost inevitably eventually get you wet and cold from snow getting in here and there in the excitement.
That said, I do not miss snow. Not at all. It was a nuisance to have to put on about enough clothes to make a space suit just to go outside. Glare ice on the road is bloody dangerous; driving on a snowy road is at least tolerable, being like driving in rain but 7 kph slower.
The letters L, L and S, now that they are gone.
Whew!
Made Grandad brunch.
Was so jealous of the smells that I came home and made a three egg omlette with cheese, onion and sage. Am doing stuffing scented burps right now.
Having a job to go to.
Being loved.
My friends and family.
Being loved.
(did I mention being loved?)
:)
The return of my sense of smell, after a course of steroids and 7/10 of a course of antibiotics
J's boy has found work at a local tires place.
[size=1]I was able to assist him in the process of providing them a sample of clean urine at body temperature.[/size]
Why does a tire place need a urine sample? If somebody is fucking up on the job, fire them. If not, what they do on the weekend is nobody's business.
Why does a tire place need a urine sample?
High tea?
They probably get a break on insurance, and maybe less liability if something goes wrong? I don't know.
But I do know this. Everybody who lives in colder climates should
buy a box of hand warmers. These modern chemical warmers are really thin, and they get very warm and stay warm for hours. So what you do is, you throw a bunch of them in your car. That way they'll be there, when you need them. The box I linked to also has toe warmers, which you can actually stick right to your feet and walk around. I don't ski any more, but if I did, I'd stick these on, and the boots would stay warm and toasty all day. And the toe warmers get to just above body temperature, so they won't burn your feet. I haven't tried walking on them yet, but I will soon, because shoveling season is soon upon us.
I would like to buy a hand of box warmers. :lol:
They are also useful if you're going in for a vasectomy, like say yesterday and you don't want your junk up in your throat... just saying. ;) I also got to say, "So this must be where the phrase up in smoke comes from." during cauterization. I got a good laugh out of the nurse but the doctor was otherwise occupied.
They are also useful if you're going in for a vasectomy, like say yesterday and you don't want your junk up in your throat... just saying. ;) I also got to say, "So this must be where the phrase up in smoke comes from." during cauterization. I got a good laugh out of the nurse but the doctor was otherwise occupied.
Take their advice and soak in the tub. It helps.
Having a job to go to.
Being loved.
My friends and family.
Being loved.
(did I mention being loved?)
:)
Nature Girl
[YOUTUBE]Iq0XJCJ1Srw[/YOUTUBE]
Take their advice and soak in the tub. It helps.
Soak it in cider.
I am on vacation.
I have been fed, roast beef and home fries. Meat and potatoes, very very hard to beat. I've had a drink. I"m hanging out with SonofV, we'll be watching MST3K shortly.
Life is good.
Got my daughter a ticket for the Redwings game tonight! It won't be in my grubby hands until this afternoon, but no reason to believe this won't happen.....
sob story hereThe first website of my new small biz try is up. This site took about one hour to create and that's the whole point. $299 for a single page with a menu JPG or PDF. It's all that small pizzerias need, so the search engines pick up with phone number and address as authoritative. Search is local now!
charlie's pizzerialook great!
I'll take one large pizza, thin crust, extra sauce,cheese, mushrooms,olives and onions. Delivered please.
Very good, UT, but I couldn't find the free sample button.
The black and white photo with [COLOR="Red"]RED SIGN[/COLOR] is very effective.
Is that just for "Charlies" or can it be a default for your sites ?
I want to personalize each site, even if it takes only an hour to put together.
Having a photo of the actual storefront is part of the idea -- something I'll try to do on every site with a business that has such a storefront. You want people to recognize them.
Now, in the case of Charlie's, after I looked at the photos I took, it occurred to me that their location is their biggest asset. They are right on Philadelphia's very heavily-traveled Roosevelt Boulevard. People who drive the Boulevard see Charlie's every day. And if they drive it at night, that neon will be the thing they remember. In fact Charlie's does all of its business at night -- they open at 4PM.
And they're a tradition -- they've been open since 1946. People's families have eaten here for generations. Families that go so far back, their kids only have black and white photos of them.
So, now, look at it again with ALL that in mind -- where can you get
traditional pizza on Roosevelt Boulevard at night?It's good. Simple and elegant, and covers all the important details.
If you have a place with a bigger menu that you want to be searchable, so people can find a buffalo chicken stromboli on rising sun avenue... it takes a little longer to build that site.
http://tokeninternet.com/risingsunpizza.comBeing mostly ready for Christmas. Just finished the cake yesterday and only have one more present to buy and I'm done. I might even get to the post office today! Also, I've got everything ready (except for my personal clothes) for our camping holiday which starts next Wednesday.
If you have a place with a bigger menu that you want to be searchable, so people can find a buffalo chicken stromboli on rising sun avenue... it takes a little longer to build that site.
http://tokeninternet.com/risingsunpizza.com
Footlong cheese steaks for only $5! That's a good deal.
You might have to explain what popperonis are. I don't think we have those in Colorado.
Do you have any way to determine if they have any increase in business as a result of the website? That would be a useful tool, for you and for the business.
transmission replaced. total cost? 425 bux. 350 for the tranny, however much for the filter and 35 bucks for the 2 gallon 1-1/2 pints of fluid. i'm mobile again!!
plthijinx - have you read
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah?
You might want find it useful.
The rest of my family are playing with their indoor RC flying things. They are happy and not squabbling. Some of them should be in bed. tough! They squabble in their sleep, I prefer this, white noise and all.
Footlong cheese steaks for only $5! That's a good deal.
You might have to explain what popperonis are. I don't think we have those in Colorado.
Do you have any way to determine if they have any increase in business as a result of the website? That would be a useful tool, for you and for the business.
I'm not sure the pricing is done. When I looked, everything past the first page was 5 dollars. :D
Mrs. Mia Wallace: A five dollar shake.
Buddy Holly: How do you want that shake: Martin and Lewis or Amos and Andy?
Mrs. Mia Wallace: Martin and Lewis.
Vincent Vega: Did you just order a five dollar shake?
Mrs. Mia Wallace: Ummhh.
Vincent Vega: That's a shake . . . that's milk and ice cream.
Mrs. Mia Wallace: Last I heard.
Vincent Vega: That's five dollars? You don't put bourbon in it or nothin'?
Buddy Holly: No.
Vincent Vega: Just checking.
~~~~~
Vincent Vega: Goddamn, this is a pretty fu**ing good milkshake.
Mrs. Mia Wallace: Told ya.
Vincent Vega: I don't know if it's worth five dollars, but it's pretty fu**ing good.
Just got back from my MRI and they gave me a disc of my images. Apparently we are filled with guts.
Yeah the pricing isn't done.
Just got back from my MRI and they gave me a disc of my images. Apparently we are filled with guts.
Yeah the pricing isn't done.
Best unintentionally sequential posts EVER.
plthijinx - have you read Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah?
You might want find it useful.
i'll check it out....ty!
a productive day
got some computers back on the rails. fired comcast *and* got their stupid equipment back to them. freed up a couple cubic yards of space previously consumed by some boxes I'd been hoarding for a friend who's moving this month. shhh.... picked up a very hard to find surprise christmas present for s-o-n-o-f-v. *whistles innocently* hehehe... bought a case of 5W-30 and a gallon of washer fluid for my trusty steed. (last night) I got the chance to do a good deed for one of my local retailers.
easy dinner. hot buttered rum for beverage/dessert (maybe two, we'll see).
I really liked firing comcast the best.
Vindicated. Got the report from the doc re: MRI.
full thickness tear in one of the ligaments and some cysts on the bone head.
So stuff your PT.
Ooooh! You're happy about a tear in one of your ligaments and cysts? :eek: Sounds VERY painful to me. Are they giving you any good drugs?
No, just happy that I've been vindicated. All along I've been told that it's nothing, I just need to exercise it, etc. And the chronic pain has been poo-pooed for 2 or 3 years.
No drugs, don't really like them.
Awww, if you look close you can see his widdle pee-pee.
Ooops, sorry, thought it was an ultrasound. :blush:
:lol2:
I've discovered that if you are stoic regarding your pain, then your screwed with the doctors. Unless you are crying, winching and moaning and groaning they tend to dismiss you. grr doctors. Sometimes they need a poke in the eye.
Husband got a job!
and I am done working for the day.
Congratulations kerosene!
A lovely card from a sweet and thoughtful friend. :)
I'm glad to hear that, k-sene.
Merlin is sitting outside the music room, insistently singing along as Pete practices her fiddle. :)
dinner. yep dinner is making me happy today. baking beer bread, a present from a co-worker. you pour the flour mix stuff in a bowl mix it with beer and bake it. then ribeye steaks and baked potatoes!
The first website of my new small biz try is up. This site took about one hour to create and that's the whole point. $299 for a single page with a menu JPG or PDF. It's all that small pizzerias need, so the search engines pick up with phone number and address as authoritative. Search is local now!
charlie's pizzeria
I swear I saw someone post a comment about this site on HN the other day.
We're leaving tonight for New Orleans, staying through Sunday. I've never been there, but I here there are lots of good restaurants.
Today is the last day of work for the year for me!
well, paid work.
WHOA! REALLY? get this shit! bud texts me today. his dad wants me to call him. his dad fly's a famous singer around the nation and world. i get home from work and we talk a little. he wants me to call him tomorrow morning so we can sit and chat "extensively and see what we can do". niiiiiice. but that's not all. customer today comes to the track and it's an old co-worker from my engineering days! the company he works for is hiring! both career fields? job opps in both? in the same day?? yeah i bought a lottery ticket too!
Right the fuck on. :thumb:
well right the fuck on into chat!!! c'mon me and zip are choppin it up!
okok zip tol me u don't chat....keh. sigh.
Well hot damn! Merry Christmas to you, plt.
ty hun. just saying in chat that even if nothing comes from it...the lift i got...damn! :D
been down way too long and put up with too much bullshit. glad things are starting to turn around!
New year, new deal, knock 'em dead, man. :D
Cool man! Good times are coming.
Yes, maybe it's too late for this year's man cave, but next Christmas... :D
The TV Watch
Ye Olde Yule Log Now Blazes in 3-D
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Published: December 23, 2010
But it does exist and it can be seen, albeit only through special 3-D glasses.
If you watch the 3-D yule log on an HD television without the special glasses,
what appears after all the warnings are two identical images of the fire,
one over the other, which at best make viewers think they have had way too much to drink.
So happy for you plt! You deserve it!
Today: great family, mom and dad and brothers and sisses-in-law and grown kids and little kids and other family members and friends and neighbors.
It can be a wonderful life, if you only know how to look at it.
thx need it! today: day off....ahhhhhhhhh!!!!
today i received a xmas card from a cellarite. definitely made me smile, and almost cry. wasn't expecting what was sent. ty sir.
Last week, worked mon., tues., 1/2 day wed., gone for weekend. This week, mon. was a paid snow day off, work tues., wed, 1/2 day thurs., gone for weekend. Doctor coverage only mornings.
Had my other MRI today (on my really f/u shoulder)
When Dad came home from football (part of his Christmas present from my sister) I left a cup of tea for him and Mum in the kitchen. I was in there anyway, making a sandwich to sneak up to my room and eat alone.
When Dad came up to swap over the cats two hours later he thanked me.
It's a small thing, but it's the first we've spoken since Christmas Day.
He's the less intractable of the two, but I'm glad to have this first sign of a thaw anyway.
Oh and my Secret Santa FINALLY arrived. Which makes me feel like I've swallowed the sun.
replaced the front rotors, brakes and the engine cam position sensor on the Fixed Or Repaired Daily today. have pics to post just not sure where to put them with the narrative when i'm done editing.....
replaced the front rotors, brakes and the engine cam position sensor on the Fixed Or Repaired Daily today. have pics to post just not sure where to put them with the narrative when i'm done editing.....
Here.very good idea but i kinda already put it
hereSmoker boxes for a grill
Rainen and cold ALL day but we were DETERMINED to smoke !!!
Der Schmoker
Der schmoker by
zippyt, on Flickr
The Messy shed ( Yes Both doors were Open )
Messy shed by
zippyt, on Flickr
Ribs and a Turkey
befor by
zippyt, on Flickr
during by
zippyt, on Flickr
we All ready Sampled the ribs , Verry TASTY !!
Looks great Zippy. I am going to slow cook some ribs today.
Zips that looks amazing!
I've been living on cereal and toast for 5 days, so it makes my mouth water :)
I lie. I had a McDonalds Double Cheeseburger yesterday. But the only really enjoyable thing about that was seeing two pupils from Class 2, who as always were both surprised and delighted to see that I exist outside of school. Yay!
Anyway, today I have received the first of my pre-Christmas eBay purchases. I had been hoping they would arrive before JB day - I leave next Friday - but knew I couldn't count on it. My 99p top is more fitted than I had supposed, and is a bit like a tight jumper (jersey). But I like it just the same - if you can't hide it, decorate it. And it really is brand spanking new (worn once apparently, but my guess is that was just to try it on).
Yay! New clothes!
Der schmoker by zippyt
Um... is that a gas can by your smoker?
Um... is that a gas can by your smoker?
Thats the Kero jug , Been empty for Years
ALL the other fuel jugs ( gas , Mixed gas , diesel etc,,,) were Out side
Is that a gas can by your smoker or are you just happy to see me? :lol2:
Second 99p top arrived today.
Much looser than the last one :)
Mum said it would be great for the summer (wrong, it's great for now but I so appreciate the unlooked for response).
Again, you'll probably see it in the GTG photos.
It's raspberry (ie dark pink) a lightweight smock style.
Lovely and cool.
Just have to hope my new shoes arrive in time...
The wind finally stopped.
Watch (TV channel) are having a Doctor Who Day.
All weirdly out of order - to keep us watching I suppose.
Just seen David Tennant's first episode.
I had forgotten how gorgeous he was. And YOUNG!
The Runaway Bride next... told you it was out of sequence!
:) We're watching the Christopher Eccleston series right now.
I can't believe we just got rickrolled by Dr Who...
Happy?
Anxious, Excited, Thankful and ready to rock and roll, but happy?
I dreamed of crashing planes last night. wtf
Taking a deep breath. * everything is going to be just fine*
FAKES HAPPY:D
But Sky, this morning was one of the most brilliant sunrises
we've seen in the Willamette Valley for a long, long time...
must be the beginning of good things.
No more plane crashing dreams :greenface
Tried for pics, but my little digital doesn't really like sunrises/sunsets
Hey Sky - last night I had a dream where my Dad really yelled at me for what happened over Christmas. He called me lazy, worthless, not part of the family and told me point blank the only solution was for me to move out.
And it had him down to a tee - he was still trying to mediate even when he was flaying me alive (verbally), and still trying to say it was all over now and no need to keep rehashing it. But it was bloody awful and he came out with some real home truths.
Luckily the dream moved on to something more pleasant (I seem to remember John Barrowman was present) and I woke up only mildly disturbed.
As soon as my parents went out however I cleared up the clutter in my room - as I know it drives Mum crazy - washed out Diz's litter tray (a real scrub once a week not actually due til Wednesday) washed my bedding and did the ironing.
All of which went un-noticed, but hell it made me feel less guilty.
So I know how you feel. The power of dreams is teh grimness.
Two Dwellars have already made me laugh this morning.
The start of a better year...
Pun's are the best
Here's Mons
As are twists
And
Here's CapnhowdyThanks sky and Lamp.
Sundae,Isn't it awful that our subconscious weak spots play out in our dreams. Fortunately, we can kick them to the curb. I hope you are feeling better. I looked up the meaning of planes crashing. It means 'self doubt'. Yeah, no kidding. Wish they would tell me something I didn't know for a change. I understand the destructive power of being unemployed can be BUT the future is unwritten and the future is ours to write. right?! right.
Lamp, Yes the ice cold makes for some good sunrises, and I think I see a lighted tree in that shot? Nice pic!
Turns out JB is performing tonight, so we might get to see him after all.
Dana, his understudy is bound to have a more heightened part having carried the show for over a week, so I'm sure we'll get to see him anyway. And his heightened part.
Reports back from the fan-listing suggest John looks tired, but is still on good form.
Fingers crossed.
You got your train tickets sorted out yet missus?
Got my other MRI report today and will see the doc on Wednesday. As I suspected the dom shoulder is more fucked up that the other one, but I don't know all of the nitty gritty and according to the surgeon, you really don't know for sure until you get in there and start ferreting about.
So we'll talk ferreting on Wednesday. Glad to be moving forward on this, but not completely excited about the 6-12 months of re-hab.
OTOH, maybe I can start playing catch with my son...
nsfw words
[youtube]01l1WIC9mBo&start=118s[/youtube]
In FSM's name, foot, I hope you get it fixed before your son ends up in the bus station..
In seriousness, good luck with that - the immediate future might not be bright, but in 12 months time things will be much better...? Yeah, not ideal.
I'm happy AGAIN today!
Today has been a good day for me!
I've discovered that Channel 4 Ondemand have both series of Chelmsford 123 available! Okay, it's dated, and not the laff-a-minute I remember, but it's still wry, dry and FFS shows a fit young Rory McGrath... as a ginger! Give me 15 minutes alone with Badvoc, I'll make him cry for mercy. I'd do Aulus too.
Oh and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year is on in half an hour.
No Robert Mitchall or Rob Brydon or even Charlie Brooker sadly.
But Noel Fielding at least.
After 35 years of DIY home repairs,
I have just found a good way to fix the hair-line and small cracks in plaster ceilings.
Windex has been known by humanity since pre-time for all kinds of human ailments and conditions,
but it dribbles down your arm when you load your putty knife for overhead work.
Duct tape works fine for larger cracks, but it often frays about the edges when it gets old.
Plaster and Spackle compounds are the first choice of novice DIYers,
but these require experience, drying time, sanding, etc.
Enter KILZ (latex), the white, stain-killing, extra-fast drying, "paint-like" compound
that also kills odors, such as burnt/smoke damaged wood, and cleans up with water.
I just spread KILZ the length of the crack, then brushed it into the crack from each side.
Being liquid, it is drawn up into the crack, but it's thick enough to
smooth out the surface, even if one edge is not level with the other.
I'm very pleased for myself. :biggrinlo
Our house is 100+ years and cracks were rampant... not any more.
I'm glad to see that you figured out how to fill your crack, LL.
Big Fat Quiz of the Year was great as usual. Love the Fielding. Also, Jimmy Carr, one of my favourite comedians.
Umm...no Sundae, I haven't got ticket sorted yet. It's on my list of things to do tomorrow :P
What's making me happy right now? Other than the whole going-to-Glasgae-for-Pantomime-and-my-homegals thing: I just bought myself a tv:)
Been putting it off for ages. The tv I have is an old 15 inch bedroom combo set that mum's neighbour was ditching at around about the same time my old telly was dying. That was about 3 years ago.
Anyways: the big sales advertising campaigsn finally got me. They've been touting the beat the VAT Rise thing all over Christmas and it ends midnight tonight, as that's when the new VAT levels begin to apply.
After all that I didn't end up getting one of the sale items, but it was still a decent deal and it would still have been more expensive to wait til the new VAT levels apply.
Here it is: my new 27 inch HD LED tv:)
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/lg-m2780d-27-full-hd-led-tv-black-08484759-pdt.htmlI discovered all the old big fat quiz of the years earlier this year. wonder when this one will make it to youtube? can't wait :)
Here it is: my new 27 inch HD LED tv
Cool Dana !!!
I discovered all the old big fat quiz of the years earlier this year. wonder when this one will make it to youtube? can't wait :)
yay. Day wasted....
[YOUTUBE]M6zEqpv2hLA[/YOUTUBE]
OMG I just discovered the most useful thing ever! (For me, anyway.)
I get chronic, severe nosebleeds in the winter, ever since I was a kid. They can start without warning--usually in public because it's more fun that way--and gush for up to half an hour, no matter how much pressure I put on it. When I was younger they were lightly concerned about hemophilia, but they ruled it out a few times. Evidently I just have totally wussy nasal membranes.
So Minifobette has been taking Vitamin K in concentrated drops. And it occurs to me, as I'm typing one-handed while the other keeps the bloodied kleenex jammed up my nostril, that Vitamin K is a clotting factor. Hospitals give a Vit K injection to all newborns to prevent umbilical-stump bleeding problems immediately after birth. "I wonder if maybe I should take a few doses of her medicine sometime and see if it helps," I think to myself. But that doesn't help me right now, 10 minutes into my 3rd nosebleed of the day. So instead I take a fresh kleenex, and drip a couple drops of the Vitamin K oil directly onto the wadded tip, and cram it back up my nose.
The bleeding stopped almost immediately. You cannot believe how happy this makes me.
On a scale from 1 to 10, I'd guess very.
I told everyone who asked for present ideas this Christmas that I wanted a graduated cylinder so I could mix mohitos with more success this summer. But nobody wanted to buy my a graduated cylinder as a present. Who knows? Maybe the crack down on meth has made them illegal now.
So at lunch time, I walked over to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought one of these for myself. Close enough.
Sometimes, it's the little things.
That is awesome.
I remember a bunch of years ago my little brother wanted a Chia Head for christmas. He figured no one would think anyone else would get him one so EVERYONE would get him one and he'd get nothing but Chia heads. Feast or famine, it seems. I think I was the designated Chia head purchaser.
Glatt, label your gem well because that's perfect for measuring
garden sprays and some are benign, others not so much.
I scheduled a meeting for a new responsibility I just got, but we are cancelling it today due to lack of interest. Well, that and one important attendee can't come.
I LOVE putting off for tomorrow what I could have done today. Seriously, I do. I'm like the Scarlett O'Hara of financial aid: I'll think about it tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day!
I'm very nearly on my way...
[youtube]H1yYDuSf3C4[/youtube]
My e-cigs came in today. Hopefully I will now be able to satisfy my oral fixation with something other than.....food.
Today I am very happy with food, drink and the company I am keeping.
Oh, and the marvel that is John Barrowman of course.
Sigh.
I finally googled his image and MAN! What a Cutie! OOO LA LA.
So his replacement was out and he was back in, then? Good to hear! Hope you ladies are having a blast.
It's snowing and I love the snow. I hope it snows 6"-8". Rarely do we get that so this would be a great treat for us.
I also had a job interview recently and I think it went very well. I hope to hear positive news soon.
it snowed last nite ,
I called my Boss this Morning
he said I'll call ya if I need ya
So Whats making ME Happy today
gas logs , full coffee pot , and games to play !!!
pics 024 by
zippyt, on Flickr
it snowed last nite ,
I called my Boss this Morning
he said I'll call ya if I need ya
So Whats making ME Happy today
gas logs , full coffee pot , and games to play !!!
Color me jealous. Hoping the winter storm coming snows us in tomorrow! :D
It's snowing and I love the snow. I hope it snows 6"-8". Rarely do we get that so this would be a great treat for us.
I also had a job interview recently and I think it went very well. I hope to hear positive news soon.
You can keep the snow, unless it causes aforementioned closings, but good luck on the job!
My new semester starts today. I'm doing "History of Art: Survey I" book/website stuff right now. :D 3 semesters from now I'll have my AA degree and Step 1 of The Plan™ is complete.
AA degree? Does The Plan™ have 12 Steps?
Just saw this... modern, but not too much
[YOUTUBE]s2TKQma7ijw[/YOUTUBE]
There's nothing modern about skiing/sledding
Just found out BBCAmerica shows the X-Files twice a day! Yipee! Mulder and Scully!
I realized this morning while I was eating breakfast that if you know that the square root of a number, a, is b, the square root of (a+2) is very close to (b+1/b).
For example, the square root of 100 is 10, so the square root of 102 is approximately 10 + 1/10 (10.1 squared is 102.01).
Also, the square root of (a+1) is very close to (b + 1/(2*b)). -> The square root of 101 is approximately (10 + 1/20) = 10.05.
This makes it easy to calculate square roots for numbers close to known squares.
This is less accurate for small numbers, the error being (1/b) squared in the first case and 1/(4b^2) in the second case.
Re: the above post.
That's a fucked up thing to realize in the morning.
I know. It kind of distracted me all day.
lmao. i never was good with numbers. except flying numbers.
anyway, went to the gym today and started my workout routine. despite the fact that i can't hardly lift my arms i feel good! making change happen is a good thing! :thumb:
What's making me happy: a big bag of smoke, and long weekend's worth of happy memories.
Yeah...got a few licit ones too!
Now I'm worried about you. Don't they have drug education programs there? Haven't you seen "Reefer Madness?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM_vLk1I6G4&feature=relatedI have. But I was on acid at the time.
I have. But I was on acid at the time.
How ironic. I saw
Freakouts and Flashbacks on grass.
I saw the skin on the back of my hand hitching and crawling on mushrooms.
I can't even remember what I saw the double complete rainbows on. :D
I've found a computer I can post on the Cellar from after being unable to post from my own for several days. :)
Attn Queenslanders, or whatever you call yourselves,... my niece-in-common-law is headed your way, apparently to Cairns, QLD in a volunteer conservation effort... for her honeymoon... to restore habitat for, and measure the length of, tree frogs.
I say she should restore habitat for undertoads here at home, my siding is in real trouble, but the tree frogs are important too.
Right now: my Chinese take away has arrived *hops up and down in excitement*
I'm starting with won ton soup, followed by honeyed spare ribs, then some beef chop suey with egg fried rice, and banana fritters in syrup to finish :)
[eta] the won ton soup is divine. And QI is about to start! What's more the adorable David Mitchell is in it this week. Big smile.
Oh man, that all sounds delicious. And I'm not even hungry.
Ooohhh. Oh it really was. But, I have eaten waaaay too much lol.
I usually just have some of everything and the rest go in the fridge for next day. i just couldn't stop eating the soup and ribs :P So, have only saved chop suey and rice.
someone called me asking for my resume!!!! a guy i used to work with in engineering. he used to build the panels that i designed now he wants me to work for him onsite at an engineering company he does a lot of work for. we already talked rates too! i'd be making 10 bucks less than my last rate but still getting back into the industry? hells yeah!!!! can't count my chickens yet though!
INTERVIEW!!!!! tomorrow 10:00 am. WHOOT!
Told you this year was gonna be the one. :D
Right now: my Chinese take away has arrived *hops up and down in excitement*
Linguistic question here ... do you still call it take away when it's delivered? For us there is a distinction between Chinese Take Out (picked up at the restaurant) and Chinese Delivery (the Yellow Peril brings it to your door).
Why don't the Chinese use potatoes in their food?
They don't want to be mistaken for Irish.;)
Right now: my Chinese take away has arrived *hops up and down in excitement*
Doesn't that make it "chinese delivery"?
Just realized the question has already been asked. However, it has yet to be answered. So I'll leave this as a bump.
Any hot food made for you is a take-away, whether you take it away yourself or get it delivered.
So this covers pizza, Indian, Chinese and some small sundry shops (I can get fried chicken and fish & chips and even doner kebabs delivered here as I'm only a mile from the town centre)
Some people may distinguish I suppose.
But they're the sort of people that call geraniums pelargonians and therefore it's safe to ignore them.
update: ty guys for the support. just got off the phone with Zanon, my hopeful future employer. get this....he had another guy slated for the interview tomorrow but snuffed him for me because he knows me and knows the work i can do. in fact i'm meeting him tomorrow at his shop then he's going with me on the interview to make sure i get the job. whew. what a road i have traveled. still not counting my chickens before they hatch but it looks like i'm a shoe in. cross your fingers and hang on to your butts. here we go!
Every finger I have is crossed for you, plthijinx! Good luck!
ty clod and everyone. i can feel the good vibs. bruce i sure hope you're right!
Of course I'm right. Would I lie to you? [SIZE="1"](If it didn't involve money or sex)[/SIZE] :D
ohboyohboyohoy. no what's making you nervous thread? :unsure: i went to bed early to make sure i got plenty of rest. now it's 3:30 am and i'm wide awake. already rummaged through my closet deciding what to wear. suit or texas biz casual? ie: jeans boots and nice button up. going with the second. ugh. coffee should be ready now. :coffee2:
plthijinx does more before 5 a.m. than most people do all day! :eek:
Let us know what happens.
pot of coffee later i'm dressed and walking out the door. have to drive from friendswood to 290 and the belt. a bit of a drive.
i shall S123. and thanks!
I got a new Blackberry for work.
My old one was 5 years old. My new one is brand new. Yay!
It even has a camera and a 3G network.
[LEFT][SIZE="6"]Old[/SIZE][/LEFT][SIZE="6"]New[/SIZE]
i want one!!
but first:
MORE COFFEE STAT!!
Still holding out for a Pomegranate Phone
[youtube]1-v8c7J1xCw[/youtube]
SonofV cries foul!
"Not gonna happen! CAN'T happen! NOT POSSIBLE!"
He's ... skeptical.
SonofV cries foul!
"Not gonna happen! CAN'T happen! NOT POSSIBLE!"
He's ... skeptical.
Was it the coffee maker that tipped him off? I mean you are in Seattle!
It took a few days and many many phone calls (and also pitting them against Comcast, of course) but I managed to get ATT Uverse to give me the $30 discount I wanted in order to stay with them. My sign up special ended this month and my bill increased by $30. They even threw in free HBO for 3 months. I even eliminated the phone (we are sticking with our cells for now) and added HD. So instead of paying $130 (after all taxes and fees), I'm only paying $100 for u200 (I have to have Bravo for Top Chef!) with HD and DVR (I am totally addicted to being able to record up to 4 channels at once - I can barely stand to watch anything with commercials now) in two rooms and internet. Now I can watch my new HD TV in good conscience - Ive been trying to budget.
I'm pretty satisfied.
Unfortunately its only for 6 months, so I will have to do this all over again in July.
yesterday we got a notecard in the post. It was addressed to "neighbor", Usually means a request for donations. But no. Inside it read:
Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for keeping your Christmas lights burning! In the cold, colorless dreary winter, they are a bright spot that warms and cheers my heart and lifts my spirit each evening as I drive by.
Thanks again, a [neighborhood] resident.
Awesome, thanks, neighbor -they cheer us up too, that's why we do it. So happy to hear they work for others -we were a little worried they night piss people off because this is a "cookie cutter" neighborhood and we're heading into "way out of season".
Our lights are still up. We all need some cheer until the days visibly lengthen!
We didn't do outside lights this year, but our Christmas tree is still up and we turn it on every night. Actually getting ready to take it down now tho.
Ours is standing on the porch with juncos using it for cover.
The tree went a while back, but we consider the outside lights "winter" lights and usually keep them on until late Jan/early Feb. They don't come down 'til easter, though -too damn cold!
That was a great teaser but plthijinx did you get the job?
i sure did nirvana! check
hereWe got a house!!! Yaaaay!! Now all I have to do is figure out how to move me, my car, and all my things to the complete opposite side of the country ASAP. Nothin' big...
Congrats Razz!
Oh and good luck - still, as moves go at least it's worth it when you're being reunited.
Hey SG, any progress on the background check thing? Speaking of things that will make you happy.
Yay for Razzle dazzle!
I am excited. It's the first of Brooker's new show tonight *skips about*
How TV Ruined Your Life.
despite the fact that it's a little chilly outside, for the first time in about 5 years i'm going fishing near galveston today. see if i can't bring home some speckled trout, redfish and black drum to toss on the grill!
[COLOR="Red"][SIZE="6"]I GOT MY ENHANCED CRB IN THE POST TODAY!
I CAN FINALLY START WORK!
WOOOHOOOOOO![/SIZE][/COLOR]
And I'd been in a subdued mood all day, and was in town for my Job Centre 6 month interview, and when I left I needed to buy some salad. I debated the whole time walking around the supermarket whether to walk halfway home and go to the newsagent where I always used to buy drink (they are 10p a can cheaper than my local shop).
I really was on the brink of buying some cans for tonight, but managed to keep my feet moving in the direction of the bus stop, so that I sailed gaily past the shop. So right now I feel so glad I didn't succumb, as I can feel glowy and proud as well as simply glad I will start work asap.
Yay! That's fantastic news!:cheerldr::celebrat:
YAY!
:jig:
Good work, SG.
skiing in the snow at spring mountain today. I tried snowboarding, and I can do it, but it's too much hard work. I'm on the chair lift up to the big hill right now
I'M POSTING FROM THE CHAIRLIFT!11!!!11 OMGZ
Just kidding Jim, I think it's cool. I've never tried a snowboard, and can barely ski. But sledding is fun. Do they have a sledding hill?
it's gotta be getting slushy right about now
WTG SG !!!
Not today But , Yesterday I Got to drive a Locomotive !!!!!
I have been working around these things for YEARS , Ridden on a few , sat in a few cabs ( bad weather ) , but I got to DRIVE !!!!
Awesome news Sundae!! Way to go Chezzer (:P)
I bet you felt like Casey Jones.
wtg SG! i know what it's like to not work! outstanding! :thumb:
Sundae! I missed your post :eek: Well done on both counts! Big Hugs to you, Gal!!!
Congrats, SG! Your post made me laugh because I felt your happiness with that bold, humongous, red font! :D
It's Spring (really !) in the Willamette Valley
The camellias are starting to bloom out
Skunk cabbage heads are up in the creekbeds,
Bulbs are sprouting through
Grass has turned true green
Buds are showing on the trees
Nothing on the lilacs yet... They know better.
We sometimes get a cold spell in February
@ Lamplighter: skunk, grass and bud...I hear ya bro. I hear ya.
I did not wake up to find my balls submerged in magma.
Hell...if that does not make me thrilled to death...I don't know what could. (not that I have ever woken up to that before...but If i did I have no doubt that i would be REALLY UNHAPPY.)
I was gonna say nothing is making me happy today, then I read froth's post and decided I am happy about the lack of magma anywhere near my balls, so yeah, life is good.
Lack of smegma is an everyday condition for which I (and others) are grateful.
yeah...I'm happy about the lack of that too:D
Congrats SG and plthijinx! Fantastic news.
Saw someone wearing a t-shirt the other day which said "I love SG".
Oh but Aussies have such good taste!
That's made me even happier, thanks Case.
I'm happy because I have my start date, and my start date is Monday.
So I had my last day with 2a today, and my last with Class 2 on Friday.
Better get baking some goodbye cakes - I'll really miss them. I've only just got their names sorted as well...
That's wonderful! I hope the little boy you're assigned to grows to love you as quickly as the other children have. :)
How exciting for you Sundae!
My mom is going through a stressful time at the moment, and yesterday I sent her some flowers. She sent me a picture of them today and told me how that made her day and brightened her spirits. I am happy I had the opportunity to make her happy, if only for a little while.
It was sunny and in the 80's yesterday. Spring is just around the corner.
Highs of 40s - 50's sunny and beautiful for several days.
We will get some of the usual rain soon but it will be in the 50's. I hope we get an early spring.
About the same here today as well. Pretty big swing, 30 degrees. I agree, I hope we get an early spring as well. Temps are usually pretty moderate around here by the end of the month, in the 60's and 70's.
When I was in elementary school, I remember February being spring like, mostly. The weather pattern changed bringing ice and a smattering of snow unexpectedly and late into Feb and March, after the trees started budding.
Farmers Almanac says the same. I can't tell for your region since it doesn't include temps. Having 60 degree weather early seems nice.
I finally set up my new tv! I've been putting it off, because to do so meant removing my old telly and hoiking it upstairs out the way (not just laziness, have had bad elbow and shoulder - basically right arm is currently fucked), but then a couple of days ago the old one died completely.
Well, i got by watching BBC i-Player for a couple of ays, but tonight there's loads of good tv on, so I decided to just grit my teeth and get the fucker sorted out.
So: I now have my shiny new LED tv all set up and ready for tonight's entertainment. First off a new horror drama on ITV (though may go for Louis Theroux in the Jewish settlements instead, choices choices). Followed by 10 O'Clock Live with my tv heroes Mitchell, Brooker and Carr.
Any minue now my Chinese takeaway will arrive, just in time to eat in front of the tv :)
I'm having: spring rolls and won ton soup for starters, followed by beef chop suey and egg fried rice, and ending with banana fritters in syrup.
Dani - good night to choose to set it up, I approve.
Have negotiated with the 'rents that they watch Not Going Out rather than Sky+ it, meaning I can Sky+ 10 o'Clock Live and start watching it when they go to bed (usually just after the news headline). I'll be watching it live by the third advert break :)
I'm happy that I made some cake pops.
A little messy, but my first successful attempt. The first time was a disaster as I used too much frosting to bind the last lot - greasy and unstable - AND overheated the chocolate - went into a glutinous lump mess. So I learned from that, and I'll learn from this set as well. I hope that by the May Fayre I'll have a product to sell that will blow people's socks off. It's either these or Semtex Pops anyway.
Wow, they look frikkin awesome!
Cake and frosting balls, firmed up in the fridge, then melted chocolate over the top, plus sprinkles and chopped up Matchmakers to act as Flakes.
I guess I will have to look that up. I don't know what that is.
Going on a Best Buy mini Shopping spree:):)!!!!!!!
Ohhh they're match makers! I was going to ask where you'd found the ikkle flakes :P
Lunch.
Time to get in touch with my inner carnivore.
All you can eat meat. They keep coming around putting more meat on your plate until you tell them "Please, god, make it stop." I'm not kidding. Any restaurant that dispenses dental floss in the washroom is *serious* about meat. Leaving now. Wish me luck.
Dana, it sounds like you are going to have a great night.I love Chinese food.
Sundae, those look so gourmet. I can just see you selling in your own little shop.
Good luck Big V.
This thread is making me hungry! :p:
i would love those for dessert!! or anytime really....
some of you know that i'm an avid online poker player. today i was in a freeroll tournament on pokerstars.net to try and win a seat to big show game. kinda like winning a seat to the world series of poker...anyway enough of that....here was the first hand i had today in the tourney. wound up 7th out of 35 but this hand made my day.....i'm in the upper left seat.
Tonight we made meatloaf, not something I crave, but something I have wanted to have for a while. 2/3rds Buffalo meat, 1/3 beef. Should be good. Looking forward to it.
Reading stuff like this makes me happy. Cloud posts about her cat tree, and now some fool is planting cats.
:lol:
Today I am happy because my last 2 classes were cancelled due to freezing rain, and so after my autism observation (for a different class) I got to lounge around with the boyfriend all day and be lazy. And now i'm about to go to the bar to catch up with a friend!
Oh but Aussies have such good taste!
That's made me even happier...
Better get baking some goodbye cakes
Are we allowed to mention cake again?
Yesterday, I walked out the front gate of where I'm staying (in Jakarta) and saw a person on a motorcycle wearing the aforementioned "I love SG" t-shirt. I was all set to (and in fact was in the process of) taking my camera out of my bag to grab a photo when the mini-traffic jam finished and he got away before I could record the moment. Bugger!
SG, Need any help to stop what you've just created going off?
Yes Casi - now that I have successfully transported some more goodies to school, I have put the smooshed-cake-experience behind me. The cake pops were much admired, even after people had eaten them (to me they look better than they taste) so I judge them a success and am very happy.
Would it be too weird to make myself an I love SG t-shirt?
For days when I'm not feeling it as Cherry?
Yes. I think it would.
But it you manage to get a picture I am going to print it out and put it on my door :)
Got a gift and card from the children in Class 2.
Not from Class 2a because I only work with them when their teacher is away, so I've never really worked with her.
But all 60 said goodbye and that they'd miss me and thanks for the chocs (got a treat size collection bag).
And some of my children I really connected to with came up for hugs and personal goodbyes.
Got my work schedule as well - 09.00 - 12.00 every day, then 12.30-13.30.
My code name for the boy I will be working with is Tiger. On here I mean. Because he has an orange coat :)
Going to read up on autism over the weekend - his statement focuses on social and behavioural issues, but apparently the autism symptoms are quite clear to those in the know. Walking on tiptoes for example?
Of course I know we have an expert here who can help me.
So is Tiger at a different school? Will you not see clasess 2 and 2a again?
No, he's at the same school - I will see them. But I had the same heartfelt goodbyes last July from the first class I worked with. I mean I will miss some of the characters too, but I don't quite have the drama of a 6-7 year old :)
The card and gift were arranged by the teacher and TA as an acknowledgement that I have given up my free time and worked unpaid. I'd have been there every day if it hadn't been for the conditions of my benefits, I can honestly say it was my pleasure.
As I have posted about before, I have been without a car for almost 2 years now when my incredibly worthless, very ex-boyfriend decided to get drunk to the gills and take my car for a spin. He ended up spinning it completely off the road and crashing it beyond repair. I have been unable to afford another car and have been bumming rides off friends every since.
Well!
Saturday I got a letter in the mail from my bank about the interest my IRA earned in 2010. Huh? I don't have an IRA. But actually I really do. It has been sitting forlornly from 1985 :eek: to now, collecting interest and completely forgotten by me.
The bank never had my correct address until a couple of months ago when I opened up a small savings account there. I and the IRA have now been re-united, and it will give me the money I need to buy myself a car. I won't have to depend on some squirelly friend from the past to pay me back the money he owes. I can just go out and buy the vehicle I need without the help of anyone else.
YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!
:driving::joylove: :driving::joylove: :driving::joylove:
My uncle has been struggling with increasingly worse Parkinson's, to the point that he is almost unable to feed himself. An old roommate of his has moved back in with him, which does benefit both of them, but moreso my uncle, and we are all grateful.
But it turns out this roommate has done much more. He saw some TV program about a treatment for Parkinson's that is being done in Germany and a few other places in Europe, but is not approved yet here. It is a targeted brain surgery where they cut a few specific connections (between the hemipheres? I don't know,) and in 70% of patients the Parkinson's symptoms are instantly gone, never to return. The other 30% see no change, for better or worse.
The roommate was hard at work figuring out the costs to take my uncle to Europe to get the procedure done (his latest figure was a mere $12,000, which seems just ridiculously low to me, but apparently even tourists get government-covered healthcare over there) when it was brought to his attention that there is an experiemental study going on right now, in Houston, attempting to get the procedure approved in the US. He jumped on it, again taking care of everything, and now my uncle has a screening appointment this Thursday. They say it is very likely he will qualify, as they are primarily looking for youngish people with severe symptoms who are otherwise in good health, so they can continue to monitor them for the next 5-10 years looking for adverse effects of the surgery.
The idea that this might suddenly disappear from my uncle's life is sort of mind-boggling. We're very hopeful.
Oh my - that is SO great to hear. I hope all works out well for him.
Excellent news Sam and Uncle Clod :)
The boys just came home from Hector's hockey game and I learned he got a shutout with a gazillion shots on him :D I'm sorry I missed it, though (at a swim meet with Hebe)
Very cool Clod!
...and congrats to the boy, monster.
Dear Clodfobble,
Please do keep us informed as to the progress of your uncle's exciting adventure. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for him.
Yours,
Sam that is the sort of amazing thing that happens to me sometimes.
To the extent one of my cow orkers used to believe money just fell in my lap when I needed it. Of course it didn't - she forgot to take into account the times I literally had to ask strangers for money to use the toilet (20p in railways stations then - up to 40p now!)
Clod - wow, that sounds like a big step. Then again I assume it's early onset? Grandad has Parkinsons but he's 89 next week. No surgery for him. In fact he is going downhill fast. He has long periods of confusion now, calling up Mum at 06.30 thinking it is 18.30 and he hasn't had any tea. His Dr is trying to ascribe it to changes in medication, Mum thinks it's the beginning of the end. She is contacting nursing homes. I think she's right to do so.
Sorry, this is the happy thread. Good luck to your Uncle, Clod. Fantastic news, Sam.
And tomorrow I have my first real day with the cub.
Plan is Animal Snap to start the session. Then a worksheet (from the Speech Therapist). I found out on Thursday that he only started speaking when he was four. Then the either/or game to finish. And I sit on the carpet with him for group activities to keep him focussed. I also bought a little game called Nano, wich is a keyring version of the old Simon game. I might not use it, but I thought the lights and the need to follow a pattern might appeal to him.
I'm looking forward to it anyway.
Oh - Clod - check out my thread in Cities and Travel. You did respond regarding the recent posts about Joel Osteen, but a couple of posts back I was asking for Houston advice. Anything you can suggest would be much appreciated.
ok hai! wait what? houston? joel osteen? been less than 10 feet from the man and his wife at a restaurant back when my mom was alive. he was the next table over. good man. means well.
my houston advice is this:
houston museum of natural science
houston zoo which is a walk away from the museums
and for great entertainment (even though i'm a metal head i still appreciate culture) the
houston ballet
but i do prefer the
houston orchestra
now if you want more lemme know. i can turn you onto the bar band scene as well.
Oh - Clod - check out my thread in Cities and Travel. You did respond regarding the recent posts about Joel Osteen, but a couple of posts back I was asking for Houston advice. Anything you can suggest would be much appreciated.
I saw it, but sadly, I'm not at all familiar with entertainment/touristy options in the city. I drive there every other weekend, but then I turn right around and drive back. I think the museums are supposed to be good, but I couldn't even tell you what they are.
<----jumping up and down waving hand in air...look at post #6403 (errr two posts up)
I'm home. That makes me happy.
Got to work Friday morning at 730. Left the office Saturday night at 7 pm. Back in the office Sunday at 3 pm. Home today at 430 pm, including a three hour break for home duties. I'm tired. But hey, I get next Friday off gratis. Eight hours free for the forty plus I put in over the weekend... wait. whut?
that sounds like a raw deal there bro! so the 8 hours gratis friday will be spent...4 hours sleeping and 4 hours home duties? then the other 16 at work? :rolleyes::p:
Today I found the cause and fixed a particularly stealthy bug in our product. I never get tired of that feeling.
Nailed the bugger. Makes me feel like a detective. :D
The box of fine chocolates I ordered came. :D Trying my hardest not to finish the box in a day. Too damn expensive to eat them all so quickly. :p:
I Dont know WHY This is Soo Damn FUNNY to me ( Other than I could use a Laugh )
[YOUTUBE]oIcGNxgrVZk[/YOUTUBE]
Camels are usually funny.
Tickling is usually funny.
How could tickling a camel not be funny?
Mrs. Z's homemade cinnamon rolls. Yum.
Today I found the cause and fixed a particularly stealthy bug in our product. I never get tired of that feeling.
Nailed the bugger. Makes me feel like a detective. :D
I hope you let it go outside, rather than literally nailing it. Like in The Wicker Man.
Today I saw Tiger's Speech Therapist with him. She asked me to conduct a session and she would watch and evaluate. AARGH! I observed her at our previous - and only - session and have only been working with him one-to-one for a week! I had come woefully unprepared, assuming I would be observing again. She looked a little narked as I scurried back to the classroom to get my things. But it's very likely that was in my head.
The cub behaved very well, was focused and generally behaved as he does when we work together (and certainly NOT like he did that morning, when our session ended in tears as he could hear his classmates singing his favourite songs in the classroom - I had to let him go back). She said she was very happy with his progress, our rapport and she said :blush: I have an instinctive gift of matching my language to his level of learning :blush:
In a game we played, there was a choice of singing a song; she'd suggested I leave that option out - as with another to tell a joke - because she thought he wouldn't be capable. However I know from the classroom that they sing at least four songs a day, and he enjoys it, so he did choose it as an option, although he half sung/ half whispered it along with me (whereas he sings out when we are together). She wasn't impressed at my ability to get him to sing, but very pleased that I had noticed his preferences and adapted accordingly.
Of course she picked up on some things to change/ improve, but I left feeling very positive and that I'm doing a good job.
Also our teacher was assessed this morning and was given a level of Outstanding, for which she thanked us all. The other Tas and I weren't being assessed specifically, but we were delivering her lesson plans and obviously reflected on her. I was playing skittles as part of Numeracy - teaching the children basic tally work, counting on, the concept of totals and addition, and the beginnings of recognising how tables are laid out. Tiger was part of my group and worked beautifully. This was before the song-trouble.
Oh and Grandad is being looked after far better, was in a chair this afternoon, has been fed the last two lunchtimes (Mum is there for teatime) and things are looking up. He is still slightly confused, confiding to Mum that he wasn't on a real hospital ward, but on a filmset. we think this might be because things have changed so much at Stoke since he was last in hospital - looking after Nanny 12 hours a day before she came home to die. One of his suspicions is that there are no flowers (hygeine) and no-one visits (they do, but only after 15.00, whereas Nanny was on a terminal ward so visits were pretty much round the clock).
There are no flowers for "hygeine" reasons? WTF?
Same reason they confiscated the flannels (remember those?) and towels Mum left to wash and dry him.
There have been so many deaths of vulnerable patients from SARS et al, there is little deemed extraneous left on wards. I would expect even cards are suspect these days.
Flowers are also banned for allergy's sake.
Same reason they confiscated the flannels (remember those?) and towels Mum left to wash and dry him.
There have been so many deaths of vulnerable patients from SARS et al, there is little deemed extraneous left on wards. I would expect even cards are suspect these days.
*sigh* that's ridiculous. Mental well-being is a large part of overall health. How can one not go insane in such an environment? it's political correctness gone mad!
... it's political correctness gone mad!
Have you been reading the Daily Mail?
She's not quoting The Taxpayer's Alliance, so probably not.
I vaguely remember a sketch show from the 90s with guys dressed as conservative women using "it's political correctness gone mad" as a refrain. But I couldn't find it on youtube.
harry enfield? little britain people? I dunno
Busom Buddies was in the 80's....but I dont know if it dealt with political correctness or not.
Edit: Oh sorry, not really related.
Just reserved our awesome campsite in Maine. Got the last available dates too.
I was so down out until I received a wonderful Valentine from SG. WOW!! I was kind of down and hadn't even checked my personal mail in a week. One of my officers picked up my mail and brought by the court. That's where I opened. Even the judge said I had the biggest shit eating grin!! SG - thanks for brightening my world!!
I was so down out until I received a wonderful Valentine from SG. WOW!! I was kind of down and hadn't even checked my personal mail in a week. One of my officers picked up my mail and brought by the court. That's where I opened. Even the judge said I had the biggest shit eating grin!! SG - thanks for brightening my world!!
Awwwww...
Weather in the high 70's, absolutely beautiful out!
I was so down out until I received a wonderful Valentine from SG
Awwwww...
It's almost better being a late arrival because it is unexpected and prizes are therefore worth double points. Glad it made you smile Sarge.
I am happy at present because we have a fancy dress day coming up at school. On World Book Day we dress as a character from any book (ideally a favourite, but of course staff work with the parameters of their year group's knowledge).
I thought my vampire dress (my costume in 2008 when I went to see Jeremy Dyson) was a black dress with a red insert. But no! It's red with a black insert so will work perfectly for my Queen of Hearts costume. Along with the red wig I already have from a Red Nose Day before I became a Dwellar. And I plan to add gold cardboard hearts with velcro as I am an untidy seamstress.
I admit I've bought a crown. But it was a cheap one (cardboard) and I will be adding a heart. I also want to make a hitting stick with a heart on the end - think gold papered heart-topped wand. I don't think it's really a hitting stick, but that gets the point across - I was raised on pomp and circumstance and believe me, it's not a sceptre.
There are some characters I'd rather be, but the class did the Queen of Hearts nursery rhyme earlier this term. And even if I had the money to hire/ buy a Disney Princess costume my pride and prejudice would simply not allow it. Given my druthers I'd be Death from Neil Gaiman's
The Sandman. I'd look more like Nessa from
Gavin and Stacey though. Without even the added sexiness of being Welsh.
Oh, Sundae....What's occurrin'? ;p
I am happy at present because we have a fancy dress day coming up at school. On World Book Day we dress as a character from any book (ideally a favourite, but of course staff work with the parameters of their year group's knowledge).
There are some characters I'd rather be, but the class did the Queen of Hearts nursery rhyme earlier this term.
ahhhh, fun!
POSTING FROM MY NEW 'PUTER.....
Happiness is in your own hands that's up to you when you feel it.....make yourself happy then only you can make others happy!!!
POSTING FROM MY NEW 'PUTER.....
PITY ABOUT THE CAPS LOCK KEY BEING DEFECTIVE, EH? :p:
1st calf born at 2 am, heifer, 54 to go :)
congratulations. heifer cigar.
PITY ABOUT THE CAPS LOCK KEY BEING DEFECTIVE, EH? :p:
[SIZE="5"]HAHA[/SIZE]
I'm just being LOUD. (Same keyboard anyway :p:)
Oh, Sundae....What's occurrin'? ;p
Tidy
congratulations. heifer cigar.
What if she doesn't veal like one?
congratulations. heifer cigar.
What if she doesn't veal like one?
We'll just have to bully her into it!
OK. That's just about enough. This entire thread is on report.
I thought we'd calved up the puns market quite nicely there ...:bolt:
that was your first mis-steak
We need to move this along brisket-ly or footy will have a beef with us
Pull the udder one!
I had a good interaction with a student today. Seen her four times over the last four weeks, building up certain study skills, until today I was able to put the last pieces in place and she "got" the technique I was teaching. :)
I found the good bread knife!
It's a long, slim thing...and it was on the floor, tucked under a cabinet. I can't figure out for the life of me how it ended up under there.
Got the final bits & peices for my Queen of Hearts costume today.
Now just need to start putting it together.
Hope I bought enough velcro...
This afternoon I intend to make the gold cardboard hearts and stick on the velcro. Then depending how sew-y I feel I might get the velcro onto the dress.
Then Tuesday I'll start making my top of my hitting stick from sheets of thin foam/ paper.
I'm hoping that when I go on my play-date to Alison's on Wednesday she'll have something I can paint the stick with - ideally gold or red spray paint. If not I'll have to come up with another plan.
All excited about this.
Just hope it's cold next Friday - me in a wig = much hotness, and not the good kind.
me = much hotness
There Fixed it for ya
me = much hotness
Too dam' right!
I was so down out until I received a wonderful Valentine from SG. WOW!! I was kind of down and hadn't even checked my personal mail in a week. One of my officers picked up my mail and brought by the court. That's where I opened. Even the judge said I had the biggest shit eating grin!! SG - thanks for brightening my world!!
fantastic brother! keep your chin UP things are getting better! all smiles are worth a ton in the heart!
I found the good bread knife!
It's a long, slim thing...and it was on the floor, tucked under a cabinet. I can't figure out for the life of me how it ended up under there.
please don;t talk about my junk that way.
...much hotness...
bet sarge would like that when you come to visit! just sayin. ok bai.
80 Degrees yesterday, high 70's today. Life is good.
day off, 77 degrees mostly clear skies. beautiful day. grilling fresh red snapper. so lessee here....
snapper? check.
beer? checkabrewski!
tevo;d daytona 500? check.
good cigar too? check.
plt, are you marinating there? I always read that marinating in aluminum was bad.
It's almost better being a late arrival because it is unexpected and prizes are therefore worth double points. Glad it made you smile Sarge.
I am happy at present because we have a fancy dress day coming up at school. On World Book Day we dress as a character from any book (ideally a favourite, but of course staff work with the parameters of their year group's knowledge).
I thought my vampire dress (my costume in 2008 when I went to see Jeremy Dyson) was a black dress with a red insert. But no! It's red with a black insert so will work perfectly for my Queen of Hearts costume. Along with the red wig I already have from a Red Nose Day before I became a Dwellar. And I plan to add gold cardboard hearts with velcro as I am an untidy seamstress.
I admit I've bought a crown. But it was a cheap one (cardboard) and I will be adding a heart. I also want to make a hitting stick with a heart on the end - think gold papered heart-topped wand. I don't think it's really a hitting stick, but that gets the point across - I was raised on pomp and circumstance and believe me, it's not a sceptre.
There are some characters I'd rather be, but the class did the Queen of Hearts nursery rhyme earlier this term. And even if I had the money to hire/ buy a Disney Princess costume my pride and prejudice would simply not allow it. Given my druthers I'd be Death from Neil Gaiman's The Sandman. I'd look more like Nessa from Gavin and Stacey though. Without even the added sexiness of being Welsh.
You know what happens when you say stuff like this right? PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
plt, are you marinating there? I always read that marinating in aluminum was bad.
yeah but only for a couple hours.
never heard that....why? when i go offshore fishing and bring home the catch i automatically prepare the fish for the next day and marinate in an aluminuminuminim pan.....what;s up? oh no! am i gonna die?!?!?! lmao! no, seriously, what have you heard?
You know what happens when you say stuff like this right? PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
YEP!!! pics or it didn;t happen!!
yeah but only for a couple hours.
never heard that....why? when i go offshore fishing and bring home the catch i automatically prepare the fish for the next day and marinate in an aluminuminuminim pan.....what;s up? oh no! am i gonna die?!?!?! lmao! no, seriously, what have you heard?
I don't think it's a health thing. I read that the acids in the marinades can react with metal especially aluminum. It's supposed to give the meat a metallic taste.
huh. really? maybe i;ll try a different pan but i really haven;t noticed a difference. and btw dinner was extremely excellent!
Trace amounts of aluminu ... alumini ... ya you know, refined bauxite ... are suspected in alzheimers disease. Can't be bothered searching for a cite. But Alumin*m is fairly reactive, it could well react with an acidic marinade. I am not a chemist. Just a smartasss.
Can't be bothered searching for a cite.
Better be careful. Some people don't like those cites because they don't like thinking about one of the major sources of aluminum in the average person's environment. You could accidentally step into a violently politicized debate without even realizing it.
It will react. Dissolve, actually. Yumm
Better be careful. Some people don't like those cites because they don't like thinking about one of the major sources of aluminum in the average person's environment. You could accidentally step into a violently politicized debate without even realizing it.
That would never happen
here. ;)
What's making me happy today? Not much!
eta: I just won a war of wills with Max, so that's improved things a bit for me.
lol victory is sweet huh Ali? :p
This should have been posted yesterday, but it's still making me smile today so;
I got a card from Sundae in the post :0 It is awesome. It's a Moonpig Cellarity Day card.
I had a good interaction with a student today. Seen her four times over the last four weeks, building up certain study skills, until today I was able to put the last pieces in place and she "got" the technique I was teaching. :)
I may have my brain in the gutter today, but that sounded awfully naughty, right there.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]God save me if he teaches 6 year olds or something. [/COLOR]
Less than 60 hours and I'm back in school.
Today had a shitload of potential to go horribly, horribly wrong..... and it didn't. In fact it went very, very right. But I was on the edge of my nerves the whole bloody day. And now I'm drinking beer when I shouldn't. ho hum
I may have my brain in the gutter today, but that sounded awfully naughty, right there.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]God save me if he teaches 6 year olds or something. [/COLOR]
University, thank goodness, and regarding some of the students, I wish! Not this particular one, though.
Had my nails painted today, my treat to myself for being a good girl.
And I go back Thursday afternoon to get a "free" airbrush (it's included in the price I paid today). I'm going to have hearts for my Queen of Hearts costume, but I didn't want to have them done today or it will lose impact.
Oh and I didn't spend any money in town today, apart from getting my nails done.
Oh. Yes I did. But only in the supermarket. And it wasn't on booze.
overheard:
A sales manager is in my office looking for a deal package, and a salesperson comes in and says, "John, there is a lady here for you, and I believe she is wasted. She's shitty drunk."
(and some other things)
I didn't get my free airbrush.
Basically the family-run salon have both scheduled and drop-in clients.
I was advised to book. I did.
It worked fine last time, with the same guy I booked this appointment with.
When I arrived I was told "Five, ten minute."
Nope.
Thirty minutes later I just walked out.
All three technicians were still engaged in Deluxe Foot treatments and I had to get home to feed Diz. I will not go back there.
Happiness?
My session with the Tiger Cub today was observed not only by the Speech Therapist, but also with my class Teacher. Added together their qualifications probably equal twelve years in education if not more.
Me, off-the-street-no-training have managed to establish a rapport with him, and really draw him in.
No, I'm not boasting.
Anyone in this position would have the same result.
I'm just glad I'm not screwing up.
I am very well supported and I work from information gathered by professionals and his parents.
I'm just so very happy that what I am doing, in following their plans, is working in the way they hoped.
My alternative to airbrushing is below.
My hearts have a sideways slant.
Whatever, the kids are going to be more interested in their own costumes than mione!
Hebe is at last happy about her high school choice. Seems like a few of her buddies are making the same choice, so she will have friends there and she'll have no problem making friends with the swim team, I'm sure.
Good news! Its nice though to have had the "problem" of being able to choose between various good schools.
:) :) re Sundae's post on the progress she's making with Tiger.
Hebe is at last happy about her high school choice. Seems like a few of her buddies are making the same choice, so she will have friends there and she'll have no problem making friends with the swim team, I'm sure.
That's great! Im surprised, tho, that they didn't actually work that out beforehand.
No, they were all IDK until the last minute, and we told her friends is about the only criteria she shouldn't give weight to, because almost everybody changed friends when they go to high school, like as not she won't be in the same classes, and things like FB make it easy to keep in touch anyway. So her decision was made w/o that, it's just an added bonus to find that she's not the only one going to this school and not the only one opting out of their zoned school (this school is zoned for some).
Plus these are not her close buddies. Her close buddies are not currently at the same school as her but will be at her zoned school and on that swim team.
Funnily, one of he closest friends changed her mind again and is not going, but now that Hebe's happy with her choice, this is a non-issue
Just another example that raising toddlers takes more energy, but raising teens is harder.
[YOUTUBE]VzNzylF33HM[/YOUTUBE]
has a few "bad" words....
...but this is what we sing on the way to the bus stop on a Friday morning :D
[YOUTUBE]1dAyIb-dBwA[/YOUTUBE]
You made me totally nostalgic for the NSFW song we used to sing on the way to school... (this was without parents in the vehicle, I should probably add.)
[youtube]d5tg5JLClpo[/youtube]
I'M GOING HOME TOMORROW!!!
[COLOR="Wheat"]
[COLOR="Gray"][SIZE="1"]thank god[/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR]
I guess i should put this in the buy thread but my new droid phone i bought today is making me happy. .. yeah the first nice thing I've bought myself in a while from my first paycheck back in the i & e field.
.
My cousin messaged last night to say that my auntie had had a heart attack. Luckily it seems that she's ok, has had a couple of stents put in and will be fine to go home soonish. There's a history of heart attacks in the family and this particular aunt is one who seems to carry everyone else's stress without ever fraying at the edges herself. Such relief that this doesn't seem to be long term serious.
21 Years ago, my son Liam was born. One of the happiest days of my life. Today I am happy he is away at college on his 21st BD.
'cause I went water aerobicizing this morning! Wonderful workout, and I love, love, LOVE my aqua jogger belt. My fave piece of exercise equipment next to the big ball. Combine it with my handy dandy ipod shuffle in the waterproof headphone set, a close by pool that costs $2 and voila! happy dorky water aerobics. I know it's for fat old grandmas, but I don't care.
I AM a fat old grandma!
my hip has been giving me fits. It's about to go out on me completely, so I'm doing the non-impact water stuff, and trying to lose weight. Also got me some Nordic walkng poles for extra stability, and taking tumeric capsules. This part does not make me happy, tho. A hip replacement would not be fun.
I loved aquaerobics (what it was called where I was) which was a proper class with warm-up and cool-down and everthing.
I didn't have all the spangly equipment, but belts and floats and tubes were provided as part of the class, as was the music.
But yes, I did it during the day (when I was signed off sick) so it was full of Grannies. Not that I judged - I was pretty much the fattest person there. But I did put in a huge amount of effort, and was teased gently by the leader for my bright red face.
I guess i should put this in the buy thread but my new droid phone i bought today is making me happy. .. yeah the first nice thing I've bought myself in a while from my first paycheck back in the i & e field.
.
Congrats pjinx. That's gotta be a good feeling. Way to rebound!
my hip has been giving me fits. It's about to go out on me completely, so I'm doing the non-impact water stuff, and trying to lose weight. Also got me some Nordic walkng poles for extra stability, and taking tumeric capsules. This part does not make me happy, tho. A hip replacement would not be fun.
Are you seeing a doctor, kiddo? I'm guessing extra calcium and fosomax would also be called for.
no, trying to avoid the doctor! (goes off to look up fosomax . . . )
upgraded my cell phone. got rid of the pos cricket pos thing considered a cell phone. bought an android. i'm lovin' this phone except i can;t figure out how to make it vibrate on text notifications. but overall i love it! (it;s a knock-off but runs on the android software or whatev you call it. i happy! i love it! (should i have put this in the buy thread??) oh well anyway, the camera on it is great. way better than my crackberry was.
Pics from Friday.
Dressing up always makes me happy.
I forgot to take pictures with my felt tarts and my hitting stick!
Never mind, I think you get the picture.
You look too lovely to be the Queen of Hearts! :p:
Beautiful, SG! What did the kids think?
Tulip, I am flattered of course, but I was the kindly, motherly Queen of Hearts from the nursery rhyme, and not the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. Although Dad did joke I should have my photo taken with his axe and my severed head from Halloween.
Clod, part of me worried that the Tiger would be unsettled by all this, but he took it in his stride. He loved being called Lightning McQueen :)
I was asked TWICE if I was the Devil. No. And more than that, I was asked by countless children in the playground at lunchtime if I would take my wig off. NO. "Show me your real hair!" NO! You see that every other day of the week!
Of course the best reaction I got was from the other staff, which I was happy to reciprocate. And the older children were delighted when I named their characters - one year five girl couldn't believe I'd recognised her as Willy Wonka. I couldn't believe that anyone wouldn't! Oh the girls loved the little touches - the nails, the rings, the crown.
It was all well worth it. Not one member of staff had a completely shop-bought costume. Which I thought was great.
Lil' Pete toured Middlebury college Friday and fenced in the local open up there yesterday. She is very excited by the college. It is fun to see her all bouncy like a zombie puppy with a new ball.
A new red ball?
(am currently reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief)
Lil' Pete toured Middlebury college Friday and fenced in the local open up there yesterday. She is very excited by the college. It is fun to see her all bouncy like a zombie puppy with a new ball.
Oh dude, you drove right by my house (within 20 minutes) Next time we should meet for lunch.
Actually, I stayed home with the heat and ice this time, but I'd love to stop by if/when she sneaks by the 17-19% admissions rate! Man I'm glad she got her Mom's brains and her Grammas art skilz. I'll have to be content that my genetic gifts will ruin her children.
i'm lovin' this phone except i can;t figure out how to make it vibrate on text notifications
I have a Droid X, and as far as I can figure out, you can't. I'm not getting another droid when I can upgrade in June, if they don't fix that.
I guess I could probably fix it myself but, shit, I really don't want to.
Lil' Pete toured Middlebury college Friday and fenced in the local open up there yesterday. She is very excited by the college. It is fun to see her all bouncy like a zombie puppy with a new ball.
Middlebury is nice! I loved it there when I visited a few decades ago, but got wait listed. :(
Sundae you look FABULOUS! :heart-on:
I have a Droid X, and as far as I can figure out, you can't. I'm not getting another droid when I can upgrade in June, if they don't fix that.
I guess I could probably fix it myself but, shit, I really don't want to.
You can. I fingered it out. Go to your text message screen then select the menu button and scroll down to. Vibrate and turn it on. That may not be the exact proceedure but that is where it is, in the messaging area menu.
On and SG? You looked marvelous there!
You can. I fingered it out. Go to your text message screen then select the menu button and scroll down to. Vibrate and turn it on. That may not be the exact proceedure but that is where it is, in the messaging area menu.
#awaitingdroidhusbandawayapp
One term left to go! I am dragging my buns. I noticed in my mail box a pdf certificate for the Deans list way back on Feb 7th. My second one. I don't earn a certificate when Algebra is involved as next term I will be taking Business math and that will drag my GPA down again as algebra did. I can do it, I am just s...l..o..w.. in math. willy slow
Well all in all. I feel happy about the GPA. 3.42. Top 15 %. I feel a little less tired now.
Only a little, but good enough it deserves a highlight post.
You're doing great Sky. Just remember it's not a sprint it's a marathon - and you're on the final mile.
You're doing great Sky. Just remember it's not a sprint it's a marathon - and you're on the final mile.
And, if it's the Portland marathon, you get a beer to help you through it.
Had a GREAT session today with the tiger cub and his Speech Therapist.
He lost focus part way through (I blame the heat of the room - it's always like a furnace in the Special Education Needs room) but then I would of course.
During the First, Last, Next game - which involved pieces of paper, he started flicking them at me when the sequence was completed. But when we moved onto the worksheet he was well focused - if a bit slower than usual - and at the end he looked me full in the eyes to say goodbye without prompting (he initiated it! and he maintained eye contact for all three words!)
The Therapist is so happy with his progress that she will discuss taking his hours down to from one a week to three hours a term. Although I am to receive extra training and stay in email contact.
He's come along so well. Obviously I am following the programme given by the ST, but I'm so pleased to have confirmation that it is working and he is progressing as well as I think he is. We are establishing more and more of a rapport, which although it doesn't necessarily help him interact with all strangers/ adults, does mean that I can work with him in a class setting without him feeling uncomfortable.
I think it helps in a small way that if we work 1:1 during a choosing session (children get to choose what they do - they're only 4-5 after all) I have to send other children away. They are always curious and sometimes quite jealous. Sometimes it's because we play a game each session as a reward. Sometimes it's because they hear the Tiger laughing. But mostly it's because children that age want to be included. One session twice a week the cub chooses one or two friends to join him. Funnily enough, this was instigated to help teach "taking turns". Who was the one I didn't have to speak to about the correct order of turns in Pop Up Pirates? Arrrrgh, you got it.
Happy day indeed.
The pics of SG dressed up as the Queen of Hearts are great.
My two friends in Japan have checked in and are safe. One is trapped at his office indefinitely because the trains are down, but it's a power thing, not a proximity thing. They are fine.
I was told by a friend today that I am happy that I am not addicted to opiates, something, I guess, that happens a lot.
My friend in Japan FINALLY emailed me to tell me she and her family were terrified but that they are all safe. :)
My individual health deductible is only $2500, I thought it was going to be $5000. Another $800 about and I'll meet that obligation, then I go to a 80/20 split. Whew! Finally have a surgery date. May 17. I'm ready to get this over with!
What's making me happy is actually something that happned last week. But I keep getting a little buzz from the memory ;p
My birthday pressie from J was two tickets to see Richard Herring's new standup show: Christ on a Bike. So, last Thursday off we went to Bradford Alhambra's studio theatre to see Herring. Wow. What a night. That man is so funny. I literally pulled a muscle in my abdomen I laughed so hard.
As it was in the studio, it was quite an intimate venue, and J and I were sat front and centre. No stage, just an open area in front of the seating. I could practically have touched him. I didn't. That would have been a stalkerish move. But I did go and get a signed copy of his 'coming of age' memoir, How Not to Grow Up.
Quickfire points about the night:
I saw the two empty seats at the front and made a beeline for them. Only after we'd been sitting there for a few minutes and all other seats begun to fill did J suggest that the reason the seats had been empty is because anybody sitting there is gonna get picked on...
So, in light of Herring's new messiah persona, he decided he needed some disciples. Asks J:
'You'll be my disciple won't you sir? What's your name?
J answers: 'Judah'
long pause
Herring: 'Are you lying?'
J: 'Nope'
Herring: ... 'ok. Well, (echoes an earlier point about 'Peter who was named Simon') I'm renaming you anyway: Judah who was named Trevor.'
'So, Trev, what do you do for a living?'
Trev: 'I teach at XXXX University'
Herring: 'Great what do you teach?
Trev: 'Computer Games'
Long pause...
I can't recall exactly what was said after that. I do recall my opinion being sought regarding coveting an ox, and whether or not that was worse than bumming it. Oh, and something about a small anointment.
It loses something in the translation...
Anyway. Very funny.
I loved every minute of it. best Birthday pressie in years. I've been a fan of Herring since he first started out, back when it was him and Stewart Lee doing a double act. But have never seen him live til now.
For the uninitiated, here's a clip of Richard Herring from 2009: oh, prolly should stick a nsfw warning on this
[YOUTUBE]6Iu7dfHhaHA[/YOUTUBE]
My cow orker came over and apologized. I kept looking for a sign that it was an approachable situation, and I wasn't getting those signals. I, of course, apologized too. We've both been going through a lot. It just really really bothered me. We had a work hug and reaffirmed our buddiness.
Roses and angels in the world...gotta watch for them.
[YOUTUBE]6Iu7dfHhaHA[/YOUTUBE]
that was hilarious.
"my enemy is his own worst enemy..."
"get some purchase..."
Liked it, Dana.
Bordering on typecasting for male homosexuals though. He was completely right in his portrayal of anal sex (male-male or male-female) but that's not the be-all and end-all of gay sex. I'd also have liked him to parody the reality of hetero sex, especially with inexperienced partners/ one night stands. That would have felt less Us and Them to me.
But I did grin widely at the fact he was floored by J's responses. I mean, what are the odds? Sounds like he coped well though. And what a fantastic birthday present! I am beginning to understand your relationship with J better now.
I am happy because I get to see the DC this weekend.
The DC being DanaC of course.
No idea why I came over all old-skool.
But also happy because I've had such a wonderful week with the cub. Without wanting to be too negative, it can't last. I'm currently working on concepts in language which he can easily grasp and then transfer into general conversation after practise. I expect there will have to be a time when we start working on social issues, and the4re will be more conflict.
I'm still very positive though, because we have established a rapport, and I think I am beginning to understand his brand of logic.
Your work with the cub sounds awesome Sundae.
On the homosexuality thing: he was specificallyreferring to childhood signals and their anatomical oddities. His comic persona is basically a huge perv. Monumental perv. Animal, vegetable or mineral.
Talking of J and I being friends. Don't know if I posted it here, but last month was 21 years since we first met. 13 years as partners, and another 8 years as bezzy mates. *smiles*
Oh, and just to drop back to Herring. Did I mention I was close enough to see his eyes? He has gorgeous eyes. Fascinating in interview as well. Very clever guy.
Anyways: yey for the upcoming weekend of fun. Oh, and I have a little something to smoke too :p Nothing too fancy, not the good stuff...I know a friendly farmer who passes me the chaff so to speak.
On the homosexuality thing: he was specificallyreferring to childhood signals and their anatomical oddities. His comic persona is basically a huge perv. Monumental perv. Animal, vegetable or mineral.
Ta. I've not seen enough of him to know that. Anything with a poctcode?
Oh, and just to drop back to Herring. Did I mention I was close enough to see his eyes? He has gorgeous eyes.
In a completely natural way, I'd like to say Tiger has astounding eyes too. They are not dissimilar to the colour of Diz's eyes. He is getting better and better with eye contact with me, so I see his peepers more often now.
Anyways: yey for the upcoming weekend of fun.
Oh YAY!
But do get some earplugs chick.
In that sitch I am the Amazing Snoring Woman.
Looking forward lots & lots.
I was watering the Spargoose bed this afternoon , and Look what I saw ,
DSCF7105 by
zippyt, on Flickr
Then another , and another , and another , and WOW They are Sproutn All Over the Place !!!
DSCF7109 by
zippyt, on Flickr
I love fresh sparra grass!
btw, I signed in to comment on your post Zippy, and I put my password as yumm, which of course is not it, and didn't work. lol
I gotz To many Boobie Pix , Flicker made my account restricted ,
The Bastiges !!
You're making me very angry with your early asparagus.
Someone told me once that asparagus takes three years before it actually produces an above-the-surface plant. Is that even remotely true?
Someone told me once that asparagus takes three years before it actually produces an above-the-surface plant. Is that even remotely true?
I heard that too - just a few days ago!
Someone told me once that asparagus takes three years before it actually produces an above-the-surface plant. Is that even remotely true?
It's more than remotely true, it's proximally true. From seed it is 3 years and then your harvest window is short. If you over harvest you'll kill the plant. Most people start by buying "crowns" that are a year or two old. after several years the asparagus stand should be vigorous and enable several weeks of harvesting.
I was watering the Spargoose bed this afternoon , and Look what I saw ,
Then another , and another , and another , and WOW They are Sproutn All Over the Place !!!
:(
Here's my Aspararagus:
Hebe got 1st place in the 100Y breaststroke at tri-county championships. Seems once she found her killer instinct it was hard to lose -and she did it from sixth seed, lane 7. This is a hat-trick of breaststroke firsts in multi-team meets after her very first one just three weeks ago. I am a proud and happy mama. She dropped time and placed onher two other individual races too.
Waved Sundae off at the station bout 90 mins ago. We had such fun! Lots of laughter.
Oh, and walking around central London is an entirely different experience when you aren't on your own, and when the person with you knows their way around! Awesome. Kicked around Covent Garden for a bit, taking in the sights (and buying a ridiculously expensive bathrobe from the Covent Garden Bathrobe Company...oh gods but it's beautiful.)
Sundae knew a really lovely Belgian restaurant, so we had our dinner there. I'd never have even noticed it if I'd walked past, what a hidden treasure. Really nice, low-key, chilled atmosphere. Really unusual interior desiign. And prices that wouldn't be out of place in a Halifax pub/restaurant.
I was so glad to have her company for the weekend. Made this a fun trip, rather than just a work trip. Bless her she even watched a Being Human episode with me. Even though it really isn't her thing :p I probably shouldn't inflict my obsessions on my friends, but I just have to....it's a sickness :p
Good fun, great company, and the sights of the city. Yey.
Someone told me once that asparagus takes three years before it actually produces an above-the-surface plant. Is that even remotely true?
From what I have seen , read and heard that is true , also if you take Care of the plant ( Dont Over harvest , Let it do its thing Mostly , Cover it in Mulch in the winter , etc,,,) each Plant can Last up to 10 years .
We started from seeds a few years Back , Have a dedicated Bed Just for the Sparagooes , and Hope fully ( under the dirt ) it is Just a Big ole WAD of Sparagoose Plants that will keep comeing back year after year !!!!
I just got some sparrowguts plants for the first time. They will be Hebe's project, along with the strawberries.
[YOUTUBE]yUmdpIJHnlM[/YOUTUBE]
My brother rocking out on a mandolin (maybe?) at SXSW. Unlike some of his other music, I can dig this one. :)
[VIMEO]21284764[/VIMEO]
that's a mighty banjo-looking mandolin.
But it's only got 4 strings--I thought banjos had, like, 12? Maybe he restrung it. Hipsters do things like that.
But it's only got 4 strings--I thought banjos had, like, 12? Maybe he restrung it. Hipsters do things like that.
No. Seems to be a matter of choice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banjo
Most I've seen have been called five string, but are really four and a half. :D
Yes, my mom corrected me when I mentioned it in a later email--apparently a standard banjo is 5 strings, but the 5th is too short to reach the other tuning pegs, so it gets an extra little peg halfway up the fretboard. Some have double the number of strings, but it's just repeats of all the existing strings, I guess so you can play extra notes in one strum and thus play faster.
I'm pretty sure they're the only Banjo/Trumpet/Xylophone/Bass/Drum band out there.
Cool video, where was the venue? Looked fun.
It's a small bar/patio called Shakespeare's. They don't always have live music, but during SXSW, everywhere has live music, almost 24 hours a day, just so bands can say they "played at SXSW."
No, I wasn't even there. I have to rely on video links because going downtown right in the middle of dinner/bedtime is not usually feasible. I keep telling him that as soon as his band gets big enough to play after 8PM, I will be there. :)
My forsythia is blooming.:D
See a doctor and get rid of it
I have to pay an old fine to get my driver's licence re-instated. I haven't bothered with it until now, since I haven't had a car in two years. But now that I will be buying a vehicle soon, I figured I'd better pay the fine and become a legal driver again. I figured that I would have to pay around $300.00. After fighting with various court systems for 3 days, I finally got an answer as to what the fine was and where to send the cash. It's only $30.00! I still have to pay a re-instatement fee of $95.00, but $95 plus $30 sure beats $95 plus $300! :jig:
Not the kind of thing I expected to see here, but glad to see you're finding the positive!
Congrats Sam.
It's almost like a windfall when a debt is lower than expected. I know.
Today I am happy because of school.
I was the only LTA working this morning (the other two were on a course) but I managed to get 30 Krispie Cakes made in an hour. That's 4 x 15 minute sessions which include calling the children to the sinks, having them wash up and put on aprons, a quick chat about the difference between putting a piece of chocolate on Liam's head, and pouring melted chocolate on it (this was science after all) and getting them to fill their own labelled cupcake-case. I won't deny there were times when I thought I couldn't do it. But I prevailed.
Also I still managed to get a 20 min session with Tiger, when the others were all on the carpet doing phonics. I took him outside as the day was so mild and it's his favourite place to be. It also meant no distraction from the others, although he has improved so much in this aspect. We were working on above and beneath just using a whiteboard and pen, and he drew an amazing picture of the two flashing rubbery "animals" we throw to eachother to say hello at the start of each session. He included so many details. Usually his drawing is.... haphazard?..erratic? It doesn't seem to interest him. Drawing Squidapod and Mrs Hedgehog he seemed really focused. I wonder if it's an imagination thing. I will experiment further with drawing from pictures and/ or real objects and see if it brings more form to his work.
Anyway, it is more to put in his progress folder. And that makes me happy.
And he walked away happy because he got to blow bubbles outside. And they go much further and he can leap about more that way :)
I got to meet Wolf in November 2010. She helped me out in a very troubling situation.
Wolf was/is one of the sweetest, kindest, most considerate people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
I've been meaning to thank her for her generosity in some way ever since.
I got the chance to do so in a very small way today. Hope you like it Wolf!
[COLOR="Red"]THANK YOU[/COLOR] :hug:
I got to meet Wolf in November 2010. She helped me out in a very troubling situation.
Wolf was/is one of the sweetest, kindest, most considerate people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
I've been meaning to thank her for her generosity in some way ever since.
I got the chance to do so in a very small way today. Hope you like it Wolf!
[COLOR="Red"]THANK YOU[/COLOR] :hug:
You sent her the woman with demons in her basement? :eek:
ok so this is a few days late but i met up with tulip last friday and had a wonderful lunch. she surprised me with a bottle of my fav cologne. i had mentioned to her on the phone that i wanted to get another bottle but that it was way low on my priority list. meeting her then her doing that? wow. just wow. she put a wonderful smile on my face that day. thank you tulip.
Glad I made you smile. :) Btw, you do have a wonderful smile indeed. ;)
next time i will take you to
taste of texas beats the
spaghetti warehouse!!
I had my 16th birthday party at a Spaghetti Warehouse! That place is awesome.
next time i will take you to taste of texas beats the spaghetti warehouse!!
Ha! I'm gonna take you up on that offer so you better not regret it! :D
I had my 16th birthday party at a Spaghetti Warehouse! That place is awesome.
You ate there when you were 16? Is the restaurant still around? :p: I like their spumoni, but certain locations have a more liquor taste...me likey better.
Yep, it's still there in downtown Austin. I don't know about the Houston location(s,) but the one in Austin has an old-school train car inside the restaurant. I can't remember anything about the food though, haven't been there since.
After a morning of cleaning up files and backing shit up. My home PC is working well again. I think I can put off buying a new one for at least another year. May need to buy a bigger external hard drive before then though.
Did you delete your old restore points? Those usually take up a lot of space.
no. I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the tip.
You can do that from the Disk Clean up menu.
A local pub is advertising for staff.
Doesn't sound as if the hours will suit me - well, I mean they are not possible with my current job - but she suggested I came to get an application form anyway.
If they were swamped with applicants she's have brushed me off, so perhaps they are having trouble filling other shifts as well. I said I could work weekends/ evenings/ weekends and that's often good news.
So I'll pop down their tomorrow with my experience and who knows. Might end up with a little more money in my pocket.
Is it really a good idea to work in a pub?
It's a proper chain place - a family eating pub.
Every single measure of alcohol is calculated and audited, even down to what is in the drip trays vs sold beer.
Most of their income is from food.
It shouldn't be any different than working in Deep Pan really.
I have been looking for other work, this is the first I've found which is even close to viable.
I'll keep looking though - what I want ideally is a weekend retail job.
The
websiteI didn't mean I thought you'd steal drinks! I meant wouldn't you find it hard, surrounded by something you enjoy but can't have?
No, I didn't take it that way :)
I meant it is not a convivial atmosphere for staff drinking.
You do your job, you clean up, you go home.
Not like a freehouse where locals stand you drinks and you hang about after hours for a lock in.
I'll just be envying all the perfect little nuclear families that can afford to eat out if anything. Will try not to stab anyone with a fork though.
Also, check it won't be frowned on by the schools -I know they're worse about it here than there, but teachers have been fired for posting pics of them drinking on facebook....
I'm a right unPollyAnna today, aren't I?
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm y'are. ;)
(which is the polly calling the kettle rebecca!)
I didn't mean I thought you'd steal drinks! I meant wouldn't you find it hard, surrounded by something you enjoy but can't have?
Part Scottish and part Irish?
Also, check it won't be frowned on by the schools -I know they're worse about it here than there, but teachers have been fired for posting pics of them drinking on facebook....
One of the LSAs in the year above works in a town centre pub. This school at least is okay with it.
i say go for it SG. paraphrasing monie though, weigh out the pro's and con's.
For the life of me I couldn't remember what I'd done with my crockpot. I was sure HG had used it and left it somewhere.
Welllll, no...I used it and left it somewhere. I was talking to my friend who I used to work with, and she was telling me a friend of hers who I met at an OSU football party at her house...year before this last season, was stationed in Iraq (really cool girl, btw, I only met her the one time but we hit it off like old friends) but is home for a while and she's going to visit her, and my friend writes BTW I still have your crockpot. :lol:
Crockpots, pens, and lighters...they migrate.
Today getting into my new demo made me happy.
It's tiny and cute, and handles great, and it's quick! Nissan Juke. AWD, turbo, and 29mpgs! win win win.
does it come with a crockpot?
does it come with a crockpot?
It should!
That is an awesome looking car.
I'm out of touch with car styles today. A new car hasn't turned my head in at least a decade.
gonna have the house to myself for 10 days!!!!!! wooooooohooooooo!!!!!!
Oh Plt, I envy that.
I'll have the house to myself halfway through next month. A welcome relief!
Today I am happy because Tiger was crying.
How awful of me.
Full story.
He came to me saying an older boy had told him off.
I sorted it - with explanations both side.
To the older boy, a reminder that this was only a five year old and he should remember they are easily upset (he's a nice lad and was horrified & baffled he'd made Tiger cry). To Tiger a gentle talk that in football, especially with older boys, they don't mean to upset you, they are just excited. Sometimes they shout but if he is confused he can always come to me.
I'm not Tiger Right Or Wrong. I will bring this up again tomorrow as a semi-social story.
All the littlies will be told to keep out of the way at some point in the 20-odd aside football matches.
I'm just really pleased he came to me.
He recognises me as the person he works with and someone who will help him.
FTR I watch him every lunchtime, but without being a complete shadow I have to rely on his input too.
AND he sat on my lap about 15 mins after the incident.
I was sat cross legged on the field and he simply deposited himself.
Many children do this - I move them on after a couple of minutes. This is the first time he has done so. I'm not bigging up physical connection (that would be weird). I'm just happy about it as a show of trust.
You ate there when you were 16? Is the restaurant still around? :p: I like their spumoni, but certain locations have a more liquor taste...me likey better.
boy i've been busy working. a lot to catch up on here. yeah, the original houston location downtown is still there. as for the one on 59? i dunno...
... I'm just happy about it as a show of trust.
It sounds like you're doing a great job, SG. WTG!!!
That is really great SG. :)
SG posted earlier comment from phone and didn't read your post. how rude of me. way to go hun! sounds like you handled it perfectly! :thumb:
err correction, i just didn't read. (hey i admit when i'm wrong! lmao!)
oh and NOW it's official! i have the house to myself for 10 days! gonna throw an old fashion roman orgy! who wants to cum? magna! togas are required.
PASSPORTS! arrived. The hockey weekend in Canada may commence.
About fucking time! Awesome news though.
PASSPORTS! arrived. The hockey weekend in Canada may commence.
So who gets credit, FSM or Post Toastaism?
Sweet! Good to hear, Monster.
Good to hear monie!
Me beez happy cuz I'm going flying tomorrow morning! Yay!
So who gets credit, FSM or Post Toastaism?
I'mm'a call the nekkid fairy. 'cause I was in the shower when the guy hammered on the door. And my cowskirt (yeah, go look that up) was two floors down in the tumble drier.
Hebe got another first in the Breaststroke. By .03 of a second. I was at the lane end screaming my head off because she was behind with about 10 yards to go. (I'm "coach" at this meet -like I could tell her anything about swiming). She did it.
her highschool coach-to-be recognized her when she walked on deck and said that her stroke was so nice she's surpised her 100 time isn't faster than it is (I never told the coach her time, she must've researched it) ...and the coach of the school we're zoned for but opted out of came over to say how nicely she swam too.
And her new coach was on the same bus on the way back to school and told me "She's going to make me look good".
O,h and her new summer team coach was there and said all his swimmers were afraid of her (they all swim for the same winter team and are her close friends, but it was fun to hear that)
I know, this should probably be in the bragging parents thread, but hell, it's making me happy today.
And we got the passports.
And we went to the hockey tonight and the Whalers came from 3 behind to win in overtime.
And I can still do the splits.
I guess it's asking too much to hope to anti-domestic-slovenliness fairies will deal with my house in time for banana lady's arrival in 12 hours?
The good, I don't have to work today.
The bad, I stayed up to late on Chat with some other Dewllers and I have a headache.
I had a eureka that Minifobette's control issues regarding potty-training apparently stem from an anxiety with our physical bathroom. She has been going all day just fine in the little portable potty, now that it's out in the middle of the living room.
That's totally awesome Clod!
What's making me happy: this week I have been almost efficient and responsible with my time...I have done some actual work (!) on the sources I gathered in London (writing up some findings). More importantly, perhaps, I arranged a Doc's appointment for yesterday ( in the morning no less!) and attended (as opposed to oversleeping and phoning through a cancellation 15 mins before I was due to attend as is my usual style). Got my elbow checked and yes, it is just tennis elbow again, and I am on some strong anti-inflammatories.
This is important because, after my last experience with the injection into the tendon (fucking owww!) which helped for abot 48 hours before it got worse than ever and stayed that way, it's been gradually getting worse. I realised the other day that i have slowly been transferring tasks to my left hand/arm (such as lifting a full kettle) and sometimes when i attempt to, for instance, scratch an itch on my nose I can't actually get my hand to my face without great diffculty. This has been going on for fucking months, on and off.
Not only did I go to my docs appt, but whilst my prescription was being made up, I popped round to the opticians and they said they could fit me in for an eye test in half an hour. So after I'd collected my meds, I went off and had my eyes tested. I am now the proud owner of some decent reading glasses.
I have noticed over the last year that my sight in my right eye has become quite bad. If I close my right eye I can read perfectly with my left, If I close my left eye the text is completely blurred. It's been deteriorating for a year or so, but this last year it's become a real problem. I find if I am reading I get tired really quickly, and often end up closing my right eye to read. Whilst working in the archives this last reaearch trip, I bought some over the counter reading glasses and the difference it made was profound. I have also been using a magnifying glass to read ingredients and cooking instructions on ready meals.
Apparently, the left eye needs barely any prescription at all, but the right eye has become very long-sighted (I think is what he said) I also have a stigmatism in the right eye.
Despite the fact that I am still getting used to the glasses, and get that slightly woozy feeling from wearing them, I am already able to work/study longer than before. I spent three hours today reading sources on my computer screen and didn't have to go and lie down halfway through as I have found myself doing recently.
The lenses should have been £99 and then the cost of the frames on top of that. But there was a special offer on a small range of unisex frames that basically meant paying for the frames alone, with the cost of the lenses knocked off. I then added anti-glare and scratch protection and the total cost was only £116.
AND I was a good citizen and filled out my census return online this afternoon.
Ooh! Can we see a picture of you in your sexy new glasses?
Yes....when I have washed my hair lol.
Right now it looks like I dipped my head into a deep fat fryer:p
Went flying today and the weather was perfect. Bobby flew the leg to college station where we had lunch at dixie chicken and i flew the leg back to houston with a perfect landing just before the numbers. Vids later when i get home from work.
I meant to say yesterday - Tiger's hours with the Speech Therapist have been cut. It was previously an hour a week, now it's three hours a term! She feels he is getting enough support and backup in the classroom, and has made excellent progress. Pats on the back all round. It was an expected outcome, once he had someone with him on a daily basis, but it's still a good positive step.
I also stepped into stop one of our "troubled" boys getting into trouble unfairly today.
We have a rather odd little girl, who was taken out of school in October because she hated it so much. Mum decided she could not learn in this environment, and decided to home school. She came back a couple of weeks ago. She really is a funny little thing, absolutely tiny, with a creepy stare and she speaks like a Victorian street urchin. I can imagine her creeping through people's catflaps at night and gouging their eyes out with her tiny thumbs....
Anyway, once we get past the screams of "I 'ate skoowl. I wanna go 'ome!" she calms down, joins in and seems to love it. But she has told her Mum that big boys have been picking on her and pulling her hair. Now I see her every lunchtime, happy as Larry, bossing much older children around.
This lunchtime, Bill, who is a wonderful kid, but really does have some "issues" was trying to get her to play. As is usual with Bill, he wasn't taking no for an answer, just saying, "But why....? Why....? I just want to show you something!" right in her face. I got him to back off and he went away to bug someone else. Ten minutes later, here comes the little pixie, with three older girls in tow. They come to me and say she's told them a bad boy was hitting her, and they've come to sort it out. She has already identified Bill at this point. Had I not stepped in to question her, "He didn't hit you did he?" shakes head "I was with you the whole time" nods head I think he might have been before the Headmaster. At which point his vehement denials would probably set him off into genuine bad behaviour.
I have warned the other Dinner Ladies.
I will keep an eye on her.
The last thing I would want would be for someone to genuinely hit or hurt her in any way, so I'm doing it for her protection too. But she's physically fearless and I've no doubt would scream merry hell in an instant if anyone touched her.
Anyway, Bill knows to stay away from her. He probably won't. But if I can keep him from being unfairly accused I will. I'll save it for the times when he really has done something worth reporting.
It's been like 5 years or so since my last routine medical exam. So I finally got around to doing one this morning. I feel good about getting that out of the way. Even though certain parts of it are unpleasant.
It's been like 5 years or so since my last routine medical exam. So I finally got around to doing one this morning. I feel good about getting that out of the way. Even though certain parts of it are unpleasant.
I haven't had one for at least 20 years, but I go to the dentist every four months. I think that counts for something.
We got a new dog about two weeks ago. He's a four year old Great Dane named Titan (we're just going to keep the name). Very sweet and gentle dog.
Titan was at about 100 lbs when he was left at the Humane Society. He needs to put on 30+ lbs to be a healthy weight again. He was 105 lbs when we last weighed him.
His previous owners wanted him put down. They thought he was aggressive toward women. We haven't seen him be anything but lovey-dovey with people. We think that maybe he was aggressive toward one particular woman.
Our German Shepherd is still adjusting...
We made an offer on a house last night. They were kind of surprised that we had a 20% down-payment and cash for closing costs socked away. Apparently this is nearly unheard of around here, especially for young couples.
Looking forward to our first non-rental home.
Exciting stuff Perry! And sounds like Titan struck lucky with his second owner.
I just placed an order for an I-Pad 2 for Mum's 65th Birthday pressie:)
Me, my Bro and SiL, and the two Js are pooling for it. The girls will be buying a case/stand. Am so excited. She is really into the whole idea of ipads having played around with the girls' pads. To the extent that she was considering raiding her small savings account to get one. She's going to be sooo surprised!
Went for a wifi + 3g capability, with 32 gig, in white.
Only downside is that the stores are all out of stock and talking about having them 'within 28 days'. Here's hoping that that means less than 28 days 'cos her birthday is 3 weeks today.
Got a bonanza eBay delivery this morning.
The most expensive thing was a skirt from Next (High Street retalier above my personal spending limit) which I bought for £4.99. Originally marked up at £29.99. Everything else was far cheaper, including some bargains for the Tiger at or less than 99p.
Next term I am tasked with improving his vocabulary. One of the words is Peacock. 2 peacock feathers, 60p. If he gets to touch them and I tickle his face with them (as well as showing a picture of course) he will never forget the word. Also got an end-of-line dog puppet with a velcro mouth and ball. This will help with his hand/eye coordination. I expected it to be a little ragged, but it's a lovely plush item.
Also got some "touchable" bubbles. We've pretty much rinsed conventional bubbles. Oh and two bubble counters (they count the ones you pop) although they seem to require a LOT of pressure to work... have to see how they fare. Again, makes blowing bubbles into a counting game, added value.
OH and my main reason for posting - got a book from Merc. Thank you very much hon.
Am reading it already. Fascinating.
Sundae Girl phoned me this morning!!!
Made my day!!
:) Much happiness
Quicker than me!
I had to walk into the spare room and log on.
Lovely speaking to you babba, made my day too.
I had a eureka that Minifobette's control issues regarding potty-training apparently stem from an anxiety with our physical bathroom. She has been going all day just fine in the little portable potty, now that it's out in the middle of the living room.
Gotta love those eureka moments. Long may it continue.
Except the bit about the potty in the middle of the living room. One mountain at a time.
I have a cat litter tray in my bedroom.
It's about managing whatever way you can.
Major congrats Clod.
One mountain at a time.
It's about managing whatever way you can.
Major congrats Clod.
:yesnod:
Mad Men will have 3 more seasons!
Christopher Hitchens is still alive; and well enough to write
his weekly column for Slate. And well enough to compose a line like this one, describing Florida pastor Terry Jones (italics mine):
The spilling of blood and the spoliation of property—all for nothing, and ostensibly "provoked" by the corny, brainless antics of a devout American nonentity, notice of whose mere existence is beneath the dignity of any thinking person.
"...whose mere existence is beneath the dignity of any thinking person." Niiiice. We've had a few creative insults threads, but Mr. Hitchens would dominate if he were here. He loves to concoct devastating ones.
Such as about Jerry Falwell, a few days after his death: "If they'd have given him an enema, they could have buried him in a matchbox."
I love Hitchens, his odds of surviving his cancer are apparently short, but he's still going, and that made me happy today.
As I mentioned in my most recent blog post, I've been battling "stage fright" in the dating world recently after a pretty tough string of rejections.
Well, I decided I was tired of that bullshit...I took that stage fright outside today and knocked the fuck out of it. There's a gal I'm interested in and I asked her on a date. I haven't gotten an answer yet (had to do it via FB...don't have her phone #), but even if she says no, I feel good and I'm not going to be devastated by a no. It's just not in my character to be so gun shy about shit like that...and I'm sure as hell not going to start now.
Whalers up 3:2 -3 minutes left......
YEEEEES!
oh ouch, 5 minute penalty against. 1:15 to go......
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
We are all very happy today in this household.
Whalers through to round 2
The Red Sox are 3.5 games out 3 games into the season.
The Red Sox are 3.5 games out 3 games into the season.
Okay, can you explain that to a higgerant furriner please? I know that Red Sox are a baseball team. (They are, aren't they?) I guess they can be 3.5 games if they're halfway through a game.... but then I'm lost. Is it like when there's a bonus question so my kid gets 14% on a test?
J's lad just walked in and said it's his goal to get his own place by Summer.
glory oh glory be... omine domine domino lorem ipsem nougat... lord as an atheist i never ask you for anything, but just this once...
So I says to him: "Yeah, y'know, not only do you want to be close to your daughter, you also need a good-looking place that you can take women back to."
Him: "Yeah --" (realizes) "Yeah!!"
Me: "And you know, you gotta live in a nice area. The women, they see, the cleaner the neighborhood is, the cleaner they figure your junk is gonna be."
Him: "Yeah! Yeah women they figure this stuff out don't they."
[size=1]kid i'm just feeding you the clues you need to make a good decision[/size]
Hee hee, nice work there, UT.
Got the 21 yr old stepson back in the house this January. I have all sort of rules meant to make sharing the house not all that comfortable. Like absolutely, positively no entertaining at all, for one. I've got other ways too. He started off thinking that it was going to be like the good ole days when he was a kid. HA!
scuse me, I still need answers.....
Okay, can you explain that to a higgerant furriner please? I know that Red Sox are a baseball team. (They are, aren't they?) I guess they can be 3.5 games if they're halfway through a game.... but then I'm lost. Is it like when there's a bonus question so my kid gets 14% on a test?
They lost their first 3 games and Baltimore won their first four putting them 3.5 games behind in baseball parlance.
We shall see our youngest dau Wed at College for the day. She is excited to show us around school; we are excited to have her show us around the school.
They lost their first 3 games and Baltimore won their first four putting them 3.5 games behind in baseball parlance.
So the teams are seven games apart and you split the difference?
....and you don't like the red sox, so that's why you're happy?
Schadenfreude. The baseball experts were giving the Red Sox the "World Series" four games ago. They should be very good but pitching isn't that predictable.
Sitting here in a mexican restaurant waiting for our order for work. Tastey margarita i hot here. Hehehe we have a one hour party scheduled at 7:30. This should be fun!
An oldie, but goodie
[YOUTUBE]26irW7yMJXk&start=7s[/YOUTUBE]
Thanks foot, I just sent that to some present and past cow orkers. Too funny!
Grandad is finally out of hospital and settled into his own room in a Nursing Home.
It's even the one Mum had flagged as ideal when he first started to accept he wasn't capable of living independently at the beginning of the year.
Hillside.
I thought Mum was taking a real risk starting to empty his bungalow and cancel his contracts last week, but I admit it's worked out and she is now ahead of the game. As soon as I've shaken this foul foul illness I'll go and see him. It will be lovely to see him settled, cared for, looked after.
The bloody League of fucking Gentlemen!
Sundae, you absolute peach! Thankyou. I am going to watch the live show tomorrow. And probably the panto as well.
I am still compiling your Big Finish audios as filtered through the 'does it involve Pegg, Frost or any of the League' filter.
Sorry, missed this completely :)
Sadly, sent you the old copy of Drury Lane.
You need to return that to me and I'll send you the updated one, as it has the commentary and the Mayonnaise and Yoghurt documentary.
But I figure you have plenty to keep you going for a long while yet.
Don't worry, what with hacking myself to death (coughing as opposed to axe work) and trying to help sort out Grandad's bungalow, I'm both fully occupied and completely shattered.
Glad you got it anyway - I always worry these days.
The gal I asked out on Monday via FB? Heard back from her today...it's a date. :)
Ummm...okay, so...I met this other cool gal last night (friend of a friend). We talked and had a good time. I asked HER on a date a little while ago...and SHE said yes.
Ummm...this is really fucking insane. This hasn't happened in 15 years...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!
*trying not to freak out*
Self confidence is attractive. Way to go sycamore!
Awesomesauce, Syc!
You'll be fine. Don't hang too much on it and be yourself. Have fun:)
Oh...happy birthday Glatt!
Wait, what? I don't see his birthday at the bottom of the home page... but just in case, happy birthday glatt!
I guess he didn't put it in here...it's on FB.
Damn, Syc's getting more ass than a toilet seat.
Scored a great deal on a lightly used blocker and catcher for Hector for his birthday.
Oh...happy birthday Glatt!
Thanks! I had a good birthday. I thought I had it on the Cellar calendar, but I don't see it there. I'm not sure what happened. I must have fiddled around with my preferences or something and lost it.
The weather and Tiger Woods in the Masters.
Two things are making me happy:)
One is that Bruce sent me a lovely brown t-shirt:) It's a promo shirt for a hotel, and it is great. I love it.
Second is: Mum's i-pad has arrived! When I ordered it they were out of stock and predicting they'd get more in 'within 28 days' which meant there was a small possibility that it wouldn't be here in time for her birthday.
I am beyond excited about this. We were in Curry's the other day, both of us needing a new printer. She'd sorted hers out and I was at the counter asking the tech-guy about something, and she went off for a mooch. Came back and said 'Ohhh. I've just been playing with the i-pad.'
'Really?' I ask, all innocence.
She went on to tell me how she'd been playing with a demo model and how cool it was etc. It's reinvigorated her desire for one. She is actually considering spending a chunk of her small savings on one.
It was all I could do not to laugh.
Then we got into the car, with our respective printers in the back. Mum had got one of these combination printer/scanner/copier things and I'd got a very plain printer that might just about fit on my desk.
'Well' laughed Mum, as she looked at the receipt for her new printer,' I was going to put a new printer down as an gift idea for my Birthday, glad I didn't now. Little bit pricey!'
I laughed and sat snug in the knowledge that an I-pad2 was already winging its way to her.
She's got no clue. It just would not occur to her that we'd have clubbed together for something like this.
My son is coming for lunch!
SUUUUUUUUUUUN SHIIIIIIIIIIIINE!!!!!!!
We have too many bulls {5} so we had to make am electric fence pen for two of them in the woods. We are done YAY!
Just put a big ol' pork butt on the smoker.
Marinated it overnight at room temp and I'll smoke it for about six hours. I don't feel like babysitting the fire after dark, as it is it is still not really optimal smoking weather; rainy, kinda cold, some wind. Not that I care (a lot) but it does make it harder to keep the smoker at temp. So I'll let it get some smoke and then I'll finish it in the oven overnight.
It's gonna be goooooooooood.
It's snowing!
Tonight
Rain likely and snow until early morning...then snow late in the night. Snow accumulation up to 9 inches. Lows 27 to 32. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Dad brought me a Starbucks today. I readily admit I'm an addict of the stuff, but I had cut way down even before losing my job. Today I had my first taste of SBUX in more than 7 weeks.
I've been feeling pretty down. I haven't been unemployed for even a single week since I was 12 years old so going on 6 or 7 weeks I'm kind of struggling mentally as well as financially. The drink and the encouragement really hit the spot.
Have you been focused on the same industry or is there a change afoot?
My eczema is starting to get better :0 this flare is definately on the wane.
Griff, I originally was looking in my same industry but not in direct production roles. I've looked outside of the industry as well, I'd really like to make a break from what I've been doing but that can be hard to do. At last count I've had 37 first interviews, 24 second interviews, 13 face to face interviews, and met with VP or Director level execs 7 times. Each of the 7 times I made it to that level my lack of an MBA was a stated negative.
In those interviews I've repeatedly been told I'm overqualified for the lower level positions even though I explained I was willing to put in the hard work at that level so I could eventually work my way up within the company. I've also been told I have the experience but not the degree they were looking for (usually accounting or project management). Only twice did the interviews go genuinely badly, and even in the ones where it was an obvious mismatch the interviews were still positive for the most part.
At this point my plan is to get a job. Any job. Most companies offer some sort of tuition reimbursement at this point so once I'm working I guess it is time to head back to school.
My three week cold/ virus/ bug thing is FINALLY on the way out.
I'm down to having a hacking cough about once an hour.
It's just congestion, but I've been coughing myself raw because of it.
Not to mention the strange fizzing and popping and miaouwing in my throat - which I assume is an attendant symptom, but will have checked out if not, once this gremlin finally shifts.
So - down to the fun part, which is having my speech affected whilst in no pain.
Mucho sympathy, and relatively little disturbance to my well-being.
So I decided to share it with you.
Excuse the sudden swing to Diz.
I am more easily distracted than even I had realised.
[youtube]dRhHS8p9qf0[/youtube]
Just put a big ol' pork butt on the smoker.
Marinated it overnight at room temp and I'll smoke it for about six hours. I don't feel like babysitting the fire after dark, as it is it is still not really optimal smoking weather; rainy, kinda cold, some wind. Not that I care (a lot) but it does make it harder to keep the smoker at temp. So I'll let it get some smoke and then I'll finish it in the oven overnight.
It's gonna be goooooooooood.
The net result was ten pounds of pulled bbq pork. It is delicious. I have eight pounds in the freezer and the rest in the fridge, in one pound ziploc packages.
AWwww SG this will pass soon enough, and the cheer rings through the congestion!
I had an interview today with a national company that has a reputation as a horrible place to work, but at this point something crappy is better than nothing. I get there and find out is a panel interview with 4 managers all sitting in the conference room. They are all staring at their phones when I walked in and none looked up. I introduced myself and none looked up so I felt like a fool with my hand hanging in there air but whatever.
1 guy never bothered texting during the interview. There was very little eye contact from any of them and zero enthusiasm. They were reading the questions off the guide but not listening to my answers at all. By the last question I was actually just making bizarre shit up to see if they would say anything but they didn't notice. Not even a raised eyebrow.
I left after 25 minutes thinking that was a really bizarre experience but chuckling because it is at least kind of funny if frustrating. The recruiter called half an hour after I left to let me know she started a background investigation and that they'd call to make an offer if I passed that. Another manager might want to meet me. or not. I might have a job. or not.
I guess I'm happy about that even if confused.
Maybe the whole thing was a psychological test to see how you handle rejection.
I've experienced that in interviews before, this was very very different. This was almost like a bad saturday night live skit.
[YOUTUBE]b56eAUCTLok[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]m4QDz3c3Auw[/YOUTUBE]
So I met the one gal last Friday night...I asked her out Saturday, and we went out to dinner on Sunday. And we have hung out every day since. Yeah...I won't be going on a date with that other gal. :)
The theory of multiple streams of income has other life applications as well. That being said, I'm happy for you Syc.
I just put boric acid in my eyes.
It's from China!
You have to be careful doing that. Some of those things from China have traces of lead present.
Lead is a good lubricant.
But maybe that's why my eyelids feel so heavy.
Mtn biking in the rain on an old trail I started re-cutting over the weekend. :) I even found a mini-pump I lost like three years ago. I've been a grouchy bastard for about two months, it feels good to have a clean air buzz and ice on the back.
Mtn biking in the rain on an old trail I started re-cutting over the weekend. :) I even found a mini-pump I lost like three years ago. I've been a grouchy bastard for about two months, it feels good to have a clean air buzz and ice on the back.
You totally need one of these. Totally. I have one for my shoulder and homegrl has one for her back. They are seriously awesome
http://www.coldoneinc.com/icewraps/index.html
Cool, I'm using CVS peas.
Pilau is asleep on the sofa. This morning, for a rarity, he ate his biscuit-like heart tablet without fuss, and without me having to hide it in various foodstuffs. He's been out for a piddle, and is now sleeping peacefully on the sofa, just at the right angle to catch a sunbeam from the window. His head is turned at an angle so all I can see of it is a giant brown nose and some wisps of fur.
He looks really comfy.
Good gawd it's a Noah Douche out there!
It's absolutely f*cking pouring it down. with thunder and lightening!
YAY!
for some reason, this weather makes me happy.
I want thunder and lightening. There's still snow on my car from yesterday :(
The three kids are at my Dad's place till Saturday so Dazza and I have a few days of peace and quiet (except for the animals).
As I'm sitting here, I keep expecting Max to start making a noise or something. It's kind of weird, but nice.
Again, another day of biblical rain.
End times?
Went to see Gdad again today. With Dads.
Glad he was with me - there was an outreach worker from the Church giving him communion.
I had never realised before, but it seems the Gospel is essential to giving communion. I thought it was the saying of the Eucharist, but that was all done before she came. So at least Dad made all the right responses at all the right times.
And being the Gospel BEFORE Easter it was such a long one... It took her 40 minutes. Not that it should have, she was a very poor reader and put in lots of umms, and errs and often had to backtrack. But hey, she wasn't there for her reading skills. Just bugged me because we were trying to have a 15 minute visit to pick some things up and drop others off and maybe have a glass of wine with him. As it happened we were chased out by his lunch arriving.
Anyway, the good thing was that I brought home two large bags of clothes to sew name tags onto. And I did both before Mum came home. I'm a lousy sewer, but if the tags stay on, job done. Kate Middleton might not employ me, but at least I know I've helped Mum..
Just talked to Bri on the phone.
There will be a pointy reckoning for my international calls.
But hey, I had to watch my watch and I know I can afford it.
What I would prefer is MORE people to talk to, so I can justify an international calling card. Which means I pay in advance AND save money. No numbers are ever passed on. Many Dwellars can attest to that. They can also confirm that I only make short calls, and these comprise mostly of Cellar gossip and laughter.
But it's always wonderful to talk to Bri. Even with my croaky voice she knew exactly who I was. That was my first smile, the rest came from our conversation.
There are lots of peeps I'd like to talk to.
Shaw? Sarge? Where am you?
Sundae beat me to it!
Always wonderful to talk to Sundae Girl! (though her poor voice is under strain)
Just imagine this, CellarGents: Her breathy English accent warmed up by whiskey and experience! that's what she sounds like! :)
have finished the biggest flowerbed in the front. the tulips are glorious, and I put in a few dozen primroses.
Sundae, can't you skype? If you have internet access it is effectively free.
yes, not just skype, but google talk as well. Though, I am not sure of the international calling rules for googletalk. but domestic "calls" are free. like skype, you need a headset and mike and a computer and an internet connection. All of which you likely have already. Oh, and a gmail account.
I'm on Skype, yes.
I have a lickle webcam and a headset and everything.
Just that no-one's ever told me they are too!
There's a button for skype on my phone but I have no earthly clue what it is or what it does. If it involves my big ugly face being transmitted, it will never be used.
I'm on Skype, yes.
I have a lickle webcam and a headset and everything.
Just that no-one's ever told me they are too!
i have skype.
let's get shitfaced and naked and chat later tonight ok?
we skype with grandma in the uk. it's been a bit sucky recently, though
have finished the biggest flowerbed in the front. the tulips are glorious, and I put in a few dozen primroses.
See?!There are seven deer standing in front of my window.
Now they've moved up to the road.
Now they're gone.
There are seven deer standing in front of my window.
Now they've moved up to the road.
Now they're gone.
Did you get a photo?! How nice anyway.
Do you get elk in your yard sometimes? I use to when I lived in Golden Gate. It was pretty awesome to hear their bugling.
I didn't get a photo - they didn't stay around long enough.
We do get elk, they have been moving through the area for the last couple of weeks. A year or two ago I spent about an hour in the yard with a group of males (you know, just hanging out). I took lots of pictures, but I don't know where I put them.
Do you get them out in the plains? How about antelope?
We don't get much of anything for wildlife out where I am on the plains. I miss that about the mountains.
Do you ever hear a discouraging word?
is yer sky cloudy, though? that'd be a deal-breaker for me.... I can deal with one or the other...
what?
not all day...I mean, part of the day, yes. But definitely not all day.
Skype is the way to go SG!
I should have said this ages ago: but it made me really frikkin happy on the day: Brucey-babes sent me a t-shirt:) It's a promo t-shirt for a hotel. It's awesome. A shade of brown that I only ever see in American designs and even the choice of font on the lettering is retro Americana (looks like that to me anyway ;p).
I frikkin love it. Looks awesome with combat/cargo pants, and a shagged old pair of converse :)
Anyway. That's a belated Happy thought.
For today: It's Ma's birthday. So we're having a barbeque in my Bro's back garden. Always a dleight. It's basically a stretch of land that continues up into the woods. Trees and wildflowers and treehouses, and oddities scattered about the ground and trees. Like something from Kinsey's acid trip grounds. A decked area, some animal pens (ferrets with their own underground runs leading from pen to pen, a pond with coy carp, and several grassy areas, one of which is a camomile lawn.
All on a hill leading up from the back of the house. have to go up steps to get to it. There are different areas that have been made a little more level (and of course the decked area I already mentioned) and serve as natural gatehring areas, but the whole thing retains the feel of a wooded hill, becoming gradually less garden-like and more natural woodland as you move up into the trees.
Because it's our Martin who's pretty much done the garden, it is also full of fun stuff. Rope swings, and hanging chairs, hammocks and a big swing made from tyres that looks like a strange rocking chair.
And of course dad's tree.
It's a lovely sunny day, so should be a pleasant evening.
Mum still has no idea she is about to become the proud owner of an I-Pad2 :p I can't wait to see her face.
i have skype. let's get shitfaced and naked and chat later tonight ok?
we skype with grandma in the uk. it's been a bit sucky recently, though
Skype is the way to go SG!
Anyone up for Skype, just let me know. Especially since the 'rents go away on 5th May, which means my available hours for making noise are greatly extended.
And Jim, I don't have enough alcofrolics to get shitfaced, and the camera is too small to take in all the glory of my nekkidness, but I approve the idea.
My mom is upstairs playing hide-and-seek with the kids... which means I'm not. :)
i have skype...let's get shitfaced and naked and chat later tonight ok?
we skype with grandma ...
I wouldn't frighten the kids in that case.
If my tits head any further south they'll be invading France...
Jebus. I swear. I've screwed up a list and I have to hand enter a bunch of numbers to fix it because my heads been all wrapped up in the Cellar today but IT'S WORTH IT. That comment made me really stifle a hearty guffaw, SG.
Took off work early to come watch dr. Froth play a gig tonight. Should be a bad ass show!
Teh Cellar is making me happy today.
It has been a bit dull of recent weeks, but throw in one nutty noob and voila!
I just read the last 10 pages or so of the academy award thread. Wow. I had tears in my eyes by the end of it.
Sundae's tits invading France topped it off.
And I'm happy that Big Sarge is back and okay.
Same here. I should have left the house half an hour ago, but it's just too much fun around here tonight.
Ah hell, Ive been no good the last few days because of the cellar.
pensive pam was fun, I wonder what character she'll roll with next?
It was a wonderful, if brief, interlude wasn't it?
Brought out the best in us.
I worry about my repressed anger sometimes.
It's so cathartic to be mean to someone knowing that it isn't real.
Maybe I need to take up a highly padded contact sport.
You could be queen of the roller derby.
pensive pam was fun, I wonder what character she'll roll with next?
Okay, so I was actually pensive pam.
Or was I?
oh lawd syc! lmao!
well i haven't posted about this yet, but last thurday i was promoted to a manager position at the track. i will only *manage* (ie. be responsible for closing duties) twice a week. but it's a start. no raise in pay at the moment and don't expect one. not at the present time anyway. just nice knowing that the trust is there.
You could be queen of the roller derby.
I would love that SO MUCH!
Sadly, I haven't been physically brave since I was 12 years old.
oh lawd syc! lmao!
well i haven't posted about this yet, but last thurday i was promoted to a manager position at the track. i will only *manage* (ie. be responsible for closing duties) twice a week. but it's a start. no raise in pay at the moment and don't expect one. not at the present time anyway. just nice knowing that the trust is there.
Good for you, plthijinx! (By the way, how do you say that?).
As I recall the pronunication is pilot hijinx.
Sundae, I could almost see you doing that ... except for how easily you bruise.
She could be Bruised Brittania
As I recall the pronunication is pilot hijinx.
thanks limey and yeah, dana got it right :)
As I recall the pronunication is pilot hijinx.
thanks limey and yeah, dana got it right :)
I've always imagined the first five to seven letters are pronounced like that noise you make when a fly flies into your mouth and you're trying to eject it ... "plthiji" ... expect it would be better if it were "plthiju" I think.
I always thought it was plthi-jinx
I still have to mentally correct it from 'filthy jinx' which is how it looks to me.
Breakfast for me and the boys: biscuits and country gravy with some ground beef, scrambled eggs, fruit smoothies. I'm the customer for the coffee. The boys are making up for it with a continuation of their Mortal Kombat Marathon. Then, back to SakuraCon!
I still have to mentally correct it from 'filthy jinx' which is how it looks to me.
awwww man. never been called filthy before!
nah, i got it from air america when billy first arrived in country and was at preflight when the other pilots started kiddin around with him.
Awesome sauce.
This the same lass you were interested in the other week?
OMG I just got to talk to Sarge!
He is so lovely to speak to.
I'm afraid I was delighted by his accent and giggled a bit...
I just hadn't expected it - it's pretty sexy.
Just one ouchie - apparently last time you called it was gone 23.00 here.
It woke Mum up as she has a phone by her bed. She couldn't hear properly, but decided it wasn't an emergency and hung up. Which explains why I wasn't aware of a missed call :)
OOOooo! Lucky Sundae! How cool!
Sorry SG. I miscalculated GMT. Tell her I'm sorry. I thought that you on the line and when I said I wanted to.........
It's "sunny" at the moment, but it looks like the weather's rolling in.... I'm gonna go plant that bamboo. Talk to y'all later.
ok, i have arrived on this thread now. i am sorry for posting my 'happy day' on the 'home base.' i am still learning, and have requested that moderation move the post to here as Dana suggested. sorry for the wrong forum site.
Peace,
Pam.
Several things are making me happy today:
1. For the past couple of weeks I've been working on and off (in fits and starts as the mood takes me) on transcribing two ledgers containing summary details of all General Regimental Courts Martial held against British soldiers and militia between 1811 and 1825. Each record goes across two pages with several predefined fields filled in. I've been putting them into an Excel spreadsheet, with various fields to show what kind of crime (desertion, theft, violent, sexual) and against whom (civilian, comrade, regiment/king's yards), along with transcribing in full the details of the charge and sentence as it appears in the text.
It's laborious work. And I can only do it for a little while before I want to let my eyes close. But today i realised I had done just over 200 records :) It's starting to look like a useful document. Yey. I am hoping that I can get a few more done tomorrow and maybe start picking up the pace a bit now and get some momentum gathering.
2. Mum's totally loving her new I-pad. She got up this morning, made herself a cup of tea and some toast and then went back to bed and sat up watching comedy programmes on BBCIplayer. She is totally revelling in it. I am sooo glad I got everyone on board for that gift. Not that they took any real persuasion lol.
3. I have, it would seem, made a new friend in the Cellar!
Are you going to use a pivot table to summarize the data? That would really only work if there are a limited number of repeating values in a given data field (like you've listed for crime and whom). Also, have you made drop-downs for the common data (i.e. validation), so you don't have to type it each time? That also helps reduce errors and variation in spelling.
I haven't created dropdowns, but it does an auto type when I get so far into the word if it's a word or hrase I have already used.
The trouble is that there isn't really a consistency within the source material. There are repeating patterns, but for instance, the same regiment might be listed as 33rd Foot, or 33rd Regiment of Foot, or theymay appear as 1st Battalion, 33rd Regiment of Foot, etc. Likewise trials may be held at Sunderland, or at Sunderland Barracks. Or they may be held at Uptown Camp Jamaica, or just Jamaica.
Similarly, the sentences can be written differently: so, three months solitary confinement and put under stoppages, or three months in solitary confinement & put on stoppages. Where I am transcribing, rather than adding a 1 to a column (crime types and against whom, guilty, acquitted) I am trying to be exact. I may end up rationalising them at the end, at which point dropdowns would be useful. Until I know what else I am going to come across, and what permutations of regimental and company names, I think I have to just type :p
Yeah! I now have 2 friends on here. TY pensive pam for the add
I fixed my computer! I love it when I learn how to do something new and save some money.
Great stuff Glatt. What was amiss?
It was the power supply. Replaced it and it works!
Thunder-snow!
I want thunder snow.
33rd Foot
Wow, he is old! and gets around a bit.....
Someone sent me an anonymous invite to the
secret forum! Awesome!
If i dont get a secret invite to the secret forum i bastard well invented I will be very upset...
Very upset
If i dont get a secret invite to the secret forum i bastard well invented I will be very upset...
Very upset
Dana, you did it wrong. You should have started a new whole thread about how upset you are to not get invite to secret forum you invented.
If i dont get a secret invite to the secret forum i bastard well invented I will be very upset...
Very upset
Two nuns, Sister Mary Agnes and Sister Mary Vincent, are traveling through Europe in their car, sightseeing in Transylvania. As they are stopped at a traffic light, out of nowhere, a small vampire jumps onto the hood of the car and hisses at them through the windshield.
"Quick, quick!" shouts Sister Mary Agnes, "What should we do?"
"Turn the windshield wipers on. That will get rid of the abomination," says Sister Mary Vincent.
Sister Mary Agnes switches on the wipers, which knocks the mini Dracula around. But, he hangs on and continues hissing at the nuns. "What shall I do now?" she shouts.
"Try the windshield washer. I filled it with holy water before we left the Vatican," replies Sister Mary Vincent.
Sister Mary Agnes turns on the windshield washer. The vampire screams as the water burns his skin, but he hangs on and continues hissing at the nuns.
"Now what?" shouts Sister Mary Agnes.
"Show him your cross," says Sister Mary Vincent.
"Now you're talking," says Sister Mary Agnes. She then opens the window, leans out and shouts, "GET THE FUCK OFF OUR CAR!"
Why are you trying to destroy my soul Moar?? Why would you even do such a thing?
[i lawled 3ft]
I am sorry, I made a mistake and now I really regret it.....I am an awful person for insulting my friend Dana. Can we be friends again? If we can not be friends again I will just go and drink wine....I am sorry I do not deserve any friends,, I will drink wine and not post again tonight.
sad,
MTP
hey mtp
before you finish that wine....
pls tell me you're happy with what you learned about your new keyboard experiments.
hey mtp
before you finish that wine....
pls tell me you're happy with what you learned about your new keyboard experiments.
I'm quite positive I need a motherboard at this point. Not only do I have the keyboard issue, but my battery will not charge, I have to use it on the power cord. In my research A LOT of people said it was the motherboard on a Dell laptop like mine. Also, I suspect my fan is not working properly causing the laptop to overheat and shut off even doing my best to keep it from doing so. All these components are controlled by the MB right? So now I'm researching replacing the MB but I'm a bit intimidated looking at the guides right now, I just don't have enough knowledge to understand it all. Plus I'm nervous about installing it, it looks a lot more complicated than RAM, internal keyboard, hard drive and wireless cards...all things I have done. So I'm a little bit bummed about doing it, but thank you for validating my suspicion. If I decide I really shouldn't mess with it, BIL has a contact who knows someone who does free diagnosis and charges a flat rate of $35 for repair + amount of needed part. Thats not so bad I guess and the person comes with a good review.
ENUFF ALREADY!
I know a song that'll get on your nerves
I know a song that'll get on your nerves
I know a song that'll get on your nerves
And this is how it goes ...
Oh, I know a song that'll get on your nerves
I know a song that'll get on your nerves
I know a song that'll get on your nerves
And this is hiw it goes...
Oh.....etc
I'd take that song over the current meme.....
It's raining--I'm happy!
SonofV is in the gym with two friends from school cracking up watching funny youtube videos--I'm happy!
The kitchen's clean--I'm happy!
I just got a call for an interview--I'm very happy!!
We're going camping for the long weekend! Dazza and the boys have already left in the boat to set up base camp and then D is coming back for me and the rest of the stuff. :) We haven't been camping since our Xmas holiday, so we've all been looking forward to this weekend.
Glorious sunshine outside. This year's leaflets have all been delivered: did my last delivery stint this morning, 8:30-10:30. Am having a half hour to chill then I'm walking Pilau and after that I am off to my friend Jill's house, for a couple of hours of cider -fuelled chitchat.
All very pleasant and then round it off with Doctor Who. Hurrah!
I am presently relaxing on my deck with a cigar and a Yards Brewery Tavern Ale. Had a nice train ride into the city with the kids today, and visited the Liberty Bell. This is one of the things I had listed on my local tourist list from Cloud's thread. Been here 33 years, and this is the first time I've actually seen the Bell. It was the Kids' first train ride, and they had a great time. In a few minutes here, I'm going to put a DiGiorno Pizza in the oven and hop in the shower. Game of Thrones is on tonight, and I'm hoping to have a friend over to watch it with me. Pretty good day today.
Carols Mothers day Present ,
Now if we can Just have some time that it ISN'T Raining BUCKETS to set it up !!!
[youtube]DfVdJt0hMKU[/youtube]
Carols Mothers day Present ,
Now if we can Just have some time that it ISN'T Raining BUCKETS to set it up !!!
thought you already have one? btw, great prez!
Griff they're gorgeous.
Congratulations Goatpapa.
I am happy because I have filled the house with an intense smell of choc.
I'm doing a practice castle cake.
If all goes well I shall make another for the school May Fayre this Sunday.
I'll take pics as I progress. It's due in the staffroom tomorrow, but it'll be a hardy soul who tries any, given the scabby face I'm currently presenting.
Still, am hoping the chocoholics on the staff will dive in anyway.
Only issue so far - not sure if it will taste as good as it smells.
I tinkered with the recipe a little, hoping to get it to be quite dense. But the batter had a slightly funny taste to me. Hmmmmmn.
Anyway, currently cooling.
When completely cool I'll be making the circle into a square (I could not justify buying a square tin just for this cake. Monster would be proud) and at that point I'll get to taste.
After that the fun bit - decorating!
No doubt I'll rue that sentence when I'm posting at 21.00, chocolate in every nook and cranny, completely fed up of the brown stuff and unhappy with the result....
No! It's the happy thread! I am happy!
I'm certainly smelling happy smells anyway.
Aww, look at the little goats falling down! That video made my morning, Griff. Very nice.
thought you already have one? btw, great prez!
The other one is zip's -now they have his 'n' hers
Diz is still alive.
Just had a £201 adventure with him.
Choking on some chicken. His tongue was turning blue.
Emergency vet fees, oxygen, a shot of antibiotics etc.
I am happy about the outcome of course - despite a finger punctured in 4 places, a completely wrecked acrylic and 4 months worth of debt to my Dad.
It's just the kind of happy where I am going off to cry in my room. I may be some time.
And someone furry is going to get a lot of loving, watery looks.
Was there a bone in it? Glad he's ok
Awww Poor Diz and poor you! Some things are worth more than money!
I'm so glad Diz is ok! and Nirvana is right on - some things are worth more than money and Diz is one of those things! :apaw:
:apaw:
I love that smiley. We need a goathoof one for griff
:apaw: :apaw:
Just got an offer to go from a contractor to a full time employee with the company....that means benefits!
I'm happy...but there is a part of me that is unsure, I have been very unhappy with my job lately.
More details after I get off work....
DA DA DUMMMM!
Was there a bone in it? Glad he's ok
No bone, but it was a wing joint, with gristle.
He's been with me five years and has always chewed them up. This time he gobbled and it got stuck. The vet thought it was part of a chicken THIGH! Crikey, I'll take the blame but it wasn't that bloody big!
NO chicken for Diz. I have a lot of frozen chicken wings I might need a marinade for.
Awww Poor Diz and poor you! Some things are worth more than money!
No, he's not. I have told him if he ever runs up a bill like that again I will simply bash him on the head with a shovel and bury him in the garden. This is more than I paid for him. I used to threaten both my boys with being shovel-killed and buried in Quuens Park when we all lived in Leicester. And that's when they weren't even costing me money, just keeping me awake!
This is why I have cats not children. They have no idea of the anger that comes from being really really scared about someone/ something you love...
He has no idea what I'm saying to him when I'm angry.
My parents got me a kindle for my birthday. I'm still one of those weird guys who likes to turn the pages on real books but now with the kindle I can read the self published and out of circulation books I've been wanting to read for some time now. So exciting.
cool. and belated happy birthday.
Thanks. just another day since I stopped aging at 29... but the kindle is sweet.
Ditto Monster.
I'm holding off on the Kindle (as I have far better things to spend the money on - SEE ABOVE!) but I get your point and it's a wondrous present.
Happy 29th babba.
Happy B'day!!
Sundae - thank you so much for listening to my problems when we talked today. I feel so guilty about hogging the conversation when you had a crisis with Diz. Next time let me know.
Griff,
'Fresh' is not a word that wold come to my mind when discussing goats, but Mazel Tov! anyway.
Sundae - thank you so much for listening to my problems when we talked today. I feel so guilty about hogging the conversation when you had a crisis with Diz. Next time let me know.
Oh no, crisis was in the future at that point.
It went from me hearing him choking to getting to the vet within 20 minutes - and I wouldn't have been talking coherently on the phone at that point.
You didn't hog the conversation and I was happy to listen.
I'm happy today because we have two new trainee teachers on placement in my class. This means there are 5 adults for a room of 30 children! and I have the potential for lots more time with Tiger. Because my role is partly to develop his independence, when we are not working one to one I take on general teaching assistant tasks, like taking a group (Phonics, Numeracy or Writing), working on the craft table or supervising outside. However with two extra bodies I can join the table at which he's working, as he is now used to my presence, and I don't work with him exclusively at these times.
For example this morning I joined him working on the concept of time. The children were cutting out black house shapes and sticking on yellow windows and doors, all the while discussing whether this was a house at night, during the day, why do you switch your lights on, when do you go to bed etc. Because he is both meticulous and doesn't have very good dexterity, he needed to stay behind to finish while the other children moved on. I was able to keep him on task (for example adapting the song 10 Green Bottles for the amount of windows he had left to stick on) without making him feel he was been punished.
But I also worked with K - again fine motor skills not his forte, but a rusher. And Z, whose house was an amorphous blob but his windows were perfect squares (?). And Tennant, one of Tiger's friends, who told me a complicated story about how to lock his back door, but came up with a perfectly standard house - the only one on the table that wouldn't need a thorough explanation :)
Just a good day at work, but I wanted to share it.
There's nothing like a good day at work, is there? Mine today consisted of polishing the translation of words for a Heavy Metal song from Russian to English (another of my efforts can be found
here, track name "What eternity holds/be yourself"), and now I'm onto the niceties of the distinction between two accounting terms in relation to an insurance claim.
We don't use lanterns anymore. We've been using those LED UFO lights. They're awesome for camping. no fuss and no need to carry fuel. Just tie up in a tree or whatever and you have plenty of light to cook by. We also have one that we tie up in the tent.
I don't think we'll ever buy another lantern.
If you stop buying lanterns then lantern makers will go out of business then lanterns will eventually become unavailable then cows will not be able to kick over lanterns and set the barn on fire then sparks form the barn will not be able to
burn the city of Chicago down.
Is that what you really want?
Well, maybe not exactly, but if it happens to be the end result of Bin Laden dying then that's the way it has to be!
Late last night
When we were all in bed
Old Lady Leary lit a lantern in the shed
And when the cow kicked it over
She winked her eye and said
"It'll be a hot time, in the old town, tonight."
(FIRE FIRE FIRE)
I just ordered take-out. It'll be here in *checks clock* about 15 mins.
Southern fried chicken: three pieces, three hotwings, some chicken bites, baked beans, onion rings, fries and two dips.
Oh God, i am soooooo hungry. I've eaten fuck all all day. I made myself have a complan meal drink about two hours ago. I have however had several beers. So, i am drunk and hungry. Mmmmmmm....chicken...mmmm.
NOTHING better than fried chicky and beer. NOTHING.
When y'all come to the states we'll go to the Wooden Shoe Inn. You'll LOVE it. :)
monster HUNGRY!
bacon and hash browns is weight-loss food, right?
Sure, a shot glass of each.
The first layer of salt has been removed after 9 days. The skin looks good and does not stink. The next layer has been applied. I will rinse and repeat with salt for another few weeks with the hope the final product will be worthy. Pics to follow.
I took my last test this morning. Now I have a whole 2.5 weeks off before the summer semester begins!
I am happy to be the pied piper for a day..... follow me fools!
Six websites to build in the next six days and next week the second sales guy goes full-time.
Nice work Tone.
I just got back from my endoscopy and esophagus dilation and the anesthesia is wearing off. I've survived another one... My 43 beat per minute heart rate sort caused a buzz though.
Nice work Tone.
I just got back from my endoscopy and esophagus dilation and the anesthesia is wearing off. I've survived another one... My 43 beat per minute heart rate sort caused a buzz though.
what are you ... a whale? a hibernating bear?
I'm glad you're good to go though. And thanks for the context for the pic association thread.
Good stuff Toad. And Glad you got that bastard done and out the way Griff.
today the sun is shining. I am going to mow the grass, before the city condemns my yard and calls out the goats or something. I've already sharpened the mower blades. Time to get to work.
I took my mother and 3 sisters to a quaint Mother's Day brunch at a mansion built in the 1800's right next door to the Studebaker mansion. Not one squabble! YAY! :)
Baby chicks arrived today, 3 casualties but I assumed losses when I made the order. Survivors are 4 Royal Palm turkeys, 5 Americana chickens and 3 Blue Old English Game Fowl (chickens).:)
Did you still have to pay for the dead chicks? How does that sort of order work?
I probably should check on that. They did arrive here alive, but may have had a rough trip.
I took my mother and 3 sisters to a quaint Mother's Day brunch at a mansion built in the 1800's right next door to the Studebaker mansion. Not one squabble! YAY! :)
Family meal and no squabble... :thumb2:
Baby chicks arrived today, 3 casualties but I assumed losses when I made the order. Survivors are 4 Royal Palm turkeys, 5 Americana chickens and 3 Blue Old English Game Fowl (chickens).:)
Seriously? That's normal?
That surely isn't a good way to treat chicks then?
Most clutches of chicks have a fairly high mortality rate. I wouldn't think it'd be uncommon for a 20% death rate...on average. I know Dad's chickens certainly don't always survive, and when we had chickens the eggs didn't always hatch.
It's more the sending them by mail and expecting some not to survive the journey that worries me.
Mortality in the normal course of things is one thing. A deadly journey is quite another.
Hmmm...what are you views on abortion and what's a viable foetus and what's not? That being said, it'd be interesting to know what the expected mortality rates are for eggs to hatchlings and what sort of compromise there is in the pricing to compensate postal buyers as opposed to barn door buyers.
It's not really about the deaths, so much as what they've gone through on the way. It sounds like a cruel journey to send a living creature on.
Wow...that's way too left for me. lol
Do you eat eggs?
eta: A cruel journey is traveling on Virgin. ;)
yes I do. I buy them from the local farm.
I am not an animal liberationist. I eat meat. I engage in the same hypocrisy that many meat-eaters who also love animals engage in. But, I am surprised to hear that this is acceptable.
I am also against the treatment of veal calves and sending them on long and sometimes fatal journeys.
I have no objection to killing animals for meat. I do have an objection to subjecting them to pain and distress. Any of them.
But really, I was surprised by this that's all. I did not realise this was common practice.
Now Ali, you did not just bring abortion into the happy thread! :) careful careful...
Hatchlings do have a high mortality rate, but you can blame Darwin for that. Small defects that are fatal keep the flock healthy. I may have mismanaged their transition not keeping them quite warm enough but the culling of the weak improves over-all flock health. My birds have a nice life being free-range but they also are evolving to fit their environmental niche here. They are smarter around predators and more able to handle our climate than birds right out of the hatchery. Life and death are so intertwined that I can feel loss and joy over the same event.
Oh I understand that chicks are fragile. And I don't for one second think you are cruel or that your chicks have anything but the best life reasonably available to a chicken :p
It was really just the idea of them arriving by post.
We could buy chicks at the farm store but that could be the end of heritage breeds since they tend to stick with major breeds and then the farm store has the early losses...
I also read them Shakespeare at night so as chicken lives go...
hahahahahahaha.
Very good.
That made me laugh out loud.
I had the same initial reaction when i learned this is the normal way to buy chicks, Dana, but it's not like they're just shoved in an envelope and squeezed through the letterbox. And because it's the norm, the mail carriers are used to handling them. They dont get fed and watered en route, but generally the journey doesn't take too long. There is a new ordinance here allowing city dwellars to keep up to four chickens, so lots of my friends have been getting chicks by mail. Not many casualties, by all accounts.
ok. That seems reasonable. As does the fact that it is the only way to maintain heritage breed stock.
*smiles*
I feel reassured.
[eta] Though...I am still somewhat bemused by the abortion comment...
Hatchlings do have a high mortality rate, but you can blame Darwin for that.
Does he work for the US Mail now?! :eek:
We'll see how this works with the mail. I sent a few chicks to Sundae and we'll see how they make it
I'll eat them regardless. AND take photos.
Wait, shouldn't this be in the cunning linguist thread?
Yeah.
Kinda lingers right?
I was at the May Fayre at school all morning.
I loved it, only came home when I did because Mia was waiting for her lunch.
I wish I'd made a couple of big cakes for the cake stall after all.
There were only four, and they sold in the first hour. There were lots of little home-made cakes, and over double that number of bought ones. People do go for the home-made ones though. We were selling them for £4!
I saw a lot of my littlies. E & J turned up at my stall and promptly bought cakes their mothers had made - bless.
K was there with a Dad and sister, and an oriental woman. Could not have been the mother of either of them, simply going on skin tone (both very fair and very blonde) so must be step-mum. Surprised myself for being surprised.
Saw Tennant with his Mum. Apparently I am flavour of the month, everythng he says at home includes my name. Even when they were setting out for the Fayre he asked him Mum if I would be there. It may not last, but let me bask in unconditional admiration for a little while.
Kat was there, our problem child. I have posted about her before but I can't remember what name I used. She's the scowling dwarfish child who I have deliberately set out to woo. I was able to continue my assault on her when her Mum made a beeline for me. We sat on straw bales for about 30 mins to watch a Judo display. Kat had not spoken to anyone else all day. Not surprised, her mother is so keen to jump in and tell all her problems... Anyway I drew her out. Mum checked my name (Kat had replaced an L with an R) so obviously she has also spoken about me, despite Mum's claim that she says nothing about what she does at school.
I also saw Grace, my little chick from last year. She went to another school in September. So I made a fuss of her and she was delighted. She gave me one word answers but huge smiles. Children turn their loquacity on and off so quickly. Shyness. Sigh. Still, she came running over to me so I didn't feel I was imposing.
AND I took part in the Teachers vs PTA tug of war. We were trounced. Dismal failure. But there were three ladies on our team (plus me - not a lady) so at least the girls showed their fighting spirit. I think there were approx 20 on their team to our 10! Not whinging though, all great fun and I was so flattered to be asked. And no, I wasn't the anchor. Mr W is twice my size! And has a bigger beard.
Oh and finally I won some wine on the Tombola. Lovely!
Sorry to rattle on. With the 'rents away you're my only outlet when I've done something fun.
Glad to hear about it Sundae!
We'll see how this works with the mail. I sent a cock to Sundae and we'll see how it makes it
FTFY
Sorry to have offended you Dana. It just seems to have a parallel for me. The whole idea of eggs and stages of development etc. At what point does the egg become a chicken. Is it before hatching when the chick is fully formed or not till after?
I hope you get what I mean.
Ahhh. Ok yes, that makes sense.
I wasnt offended by what you said, I was just confused :p
Got my last paper submitted! 6min before it was due...but hey...at least I got this one done. I hope to get a B, do not think I'll get an A, I just didn't have enough to say about myself.
I was sooo close to an A! I got a 240 out of 300, 247 would have given me an A for the class! I have one test on Tues, with the potential of raising my grade 12 points, but I should probably not risk it and do another extra credit assignment also...
Damn! So close!
How on earth does a paper get graded so fast?
Happy yesterday: watched the 5 year old niece's dance recital. Fun! And fast. Those things are fun in smaller doses.
And I ran into a guy I went to HS with. We talked for a minute and he said "You look exactly the same!" "No I don't." "Yeah, you really do."
I've been feeling dumpy and lumpy and gross, so it was nice to hear.
:cool: The Tickets Have Landed
Last night we had fresh cilantro from the garden in our taco mix. Our roma tomatos are only a few days away from being ready too.
It tastes so much better when you grow it yourself.
:cool: The Tickets Have Landed
WOOOHOOOO!
holy shyt! i called ZA just now to shake the bushes as i haven't had any work from him lately and to let him know the schedule i have at the track now that i'm a manager. BAM!! INTERVIEW tomorrow morning in west houston and i'm going to take a drug test here in the next half hour. SAWHEEEEEEEET!! i called and talked to the interviewer and he was already impressed. i was forthright with him (to a degree obviously) and told him when he asked if i had any experience with control panels, 120v, 277, 480 24vdc etc. i told him i have 20 years experience and mentioned that i quit engineering to go fly but am now back in engineering and have been working with ZA since January. yyyyyeesssssssssss!
Last night we had fresh cilantro from the garden in our taco mix. Our roma tomatos are only a few days away from being ready too.
It tastes so much better when you grow it yourself.
You'll pay for that early harvest when it gets up to 110+ farenheit this summer! :eek:
Our roma tomatos are only a few days away from being ready too.
It tastes so much better when you grow it yourself.
Our roma tomatos are only a few weeks away from being ready to transplant and only a few months away from being ready to harvest. GO ARCTIC!!!
agreed, it does taste so much better when you grow it yourself, thank god we don't need to survive on what we can grow ourselves...
Fresh roma tomato is da bomb! Wish i had some plants at the house. As it stands gonna stop by the store on my way home from the peepee test clinic and pick up some roma maters to com with the fish I'm cooking for supper...
We abandoned the idea of tomatoes this year, we've just had terrible luck getting them to grow at all. I don't know what we're doing wrong.
But the zucchini, butternut squash, and onions are all doing fantastic. Giant orange blooms all over the zucchini, I had no idea they could flower so much. OH! And the blackberry and blueberry bushes! I'm so excited for this year. The bell peppers are off to a very slow start though, definitely not as bountiful as last year and I'm afraid they might not work out at all.
How on earth does a paper get graded so fast?
I submitted online. Saw my prof was still up on facebook (he's a night time person) and told him to get to grading! He left a critique even so its obvious he read it.
We abandoned the idea of tomatoes this year, we've just had terrible luck getting them to grow at all. I don't know what we're doing wrong.
But the zucchini, butternut squash, and onions are all doing fantastic. Giant orange blooms all over the zucchini, I had no idea they could flower so much. OH! And the blackberry and blueberry bushes! I'm so excited for this year. The bell peppers are off to a very slow start though, definitely not as bountiful as last year and I'm afraid they might not work out at all.
Wait, have you been looking at my garden? That is a great description of ours right now if you replace blackberry with strawberry.
not only is it an interview, i just found out that i may be hired on the spot! double sawheeeeeet!
As a gardener? That's awesome!
lol! nah, control panel checkouts. make sure that they are wired right before being shipped to the field.
Well, that's less earthy but totally awesome as well.
I got my fishing license today, only $3.00 'cuz I'm a disabled veteran.
not only is it an interview, i just found out that i may be hired on the spot! double sawheeeeeet!
Oooh. Bloody hell, that's rather an exciting turn of events. Excellent.
you bet it is! i called ronnie and told him about it. he said we'd work around me opening on fridays if i get the job. but i did state that i have NO intentions of quitting. and i won't. my coworkers at the track are a second family to me. i'd do anything for them possible. (well, most of them anyways, can't say i like the users and abusers...aka druggies.)
YEEEHHAAWW !! Good Luck Dude !!!
we have Blooms on Our (to)Matter Plants ,
The squach and Zucks are full of flowers ,
the cabbage and Lettus didnt make it it seems
Ty. I so wish i had a garden. I hated absolutely hated working the land as a kid. Dad made me help him. Maybe that's why...now he's gone and i want a garden. I miss you dad. Happy fathers day early pops.
i'd do anything for them possible. (well, most of them anyways, can't say i like the users and abusers...aka druggies.)
"Hey, bra, hold this for me for a minute will you? Thanks, bra, I'll be right back."
"Whatcha got there son?..."
Lol, right 3foot!
Ahem, i got the job. I start tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. Yay!
Ahem, i got the job. I start tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. Yay!
YAAAAY!
That is such great news, filthy! good for you!
So now you have two jobs? That's great!
That right there is fucking awesome!
...
Ahem, i got the job. I start tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. Yay!
Woot! Excellent news.
YAAAAY!
That is such great news, filthy! good for you!
So now you have two jobs? That's great!
YAY Filthy Pilot!
That right there is fucking awesome!
What they said! With knobs on!!
come here! i got yer filthy knob for ya! :p:
yeppers i am the proud owner of two jobs!!
eta: thanks all!!
come here! i got yer filthy knob for ya! :p:
yeppers i am the proud owner of two knobs!!
eta: thanks all!!
FIFY
come here! i got yer filthy knob for ya! :p:
yeppers i am the proud owner of two knobs!!
eta: thanks all!!
FILTHY
FTFY, limey
congrats filthy. Now, can you put in a word for wolf? They must need someone to keep all you nutters in line....
Ty and right on! Heck we could use her at the track as well!
humph my funneh got the orphan post position again.
I thought it was funneh.
However I think that lot might be a stretch even for Wolf's calming talents.
Rock on, Fred! I'm glad it's all starting to work out for you.
Thanks clod! And i caught your funneh too monnie!
Only thing that sucks us i just now got home from the track. Its almost 12:30. Alarm goes off at 5:15. Ugh. Whining, not complaining! I'm more than doubling my income so that makes me smile. And 3foot? I like the spelling of philthy! Ya nutteh!
Today, Tiger asked me to tell him before I went home.
I usually slip out quietly because I either leave during afternoon registration on my short days, or while the afternoon topics are being introduced on my medium days. I do say goodbye on Thursdays, because he works with me one-to-one before I leave.
So that felt like a breakthrough and I agreed I would from now on.
When I told him it was time for me to leave he put his arms around me and kissed my cheek! I smiled all the way home. Tiger is quite a kissy child when he trusts someone - I've seen him kiss at least three classmates - male and female - as well as his little sister and both his parents. I'm very flattered, but I won't allow it to become a routine, as that's not my role. I might see if we can have a simple secret handshake or something.
Still smiling though.
This morning, I woke up before Baby. It was light already, and the sun was filtering through blinds on the window. The slatted light hit her just so. I lay there for probably a half-hour, just watching her sleep. Watching her breathe. Listening to her barely audible little grunts and noises she makes in her sleep.
I do loves me some Baby.:D
[SIZE="1"]There might be a poem in there somewhere.[/SIZE]
Is 'Baby' the name you've given her on the Cellar for anonymity, or do you actually call her that?
Only thing that sucks us i just now got home from the track. Its almost 12:30. Alarm goes off at 5:15. Ugh. Whining, not complaining! I'm more than doubling my income so that makes me smile.
Poor thing. And you can't even rest on the weekends. At least you're smiling, a weary one, but it's still a smile. Congrats, by the way. :)
This morning, I woke up before Baby. It was light already, and the sun was filtering through blinds on the window. The slatted light hit her just so. I lay there for probably a half-hour, just watching her sleep. Watching her breathe. Listening to her barely audible little grunts and noises she makes in her sleep.
I do loves me some Baby.:D
[SIZE=1]There might be a poem in there somewhere.[/SIZE]
Did you sing some Rod Stewart?
"The morning sun, when it's in your face..."
Today, Tiger asked me to tell him before I went home.
When I told him it was time for me to leave he put his arms around me and kissed my cheek! I smiled all the way home.
Still smiling though.
Something about a child's kiss that's heartwarming. :) I'm still smiling with you. ;)
This morning, I woke up before Baby. It was light already, and the sun was filtering through blinds on the window. The slatted light hit her just so. I lay there for probably a half-hour, just watching her sleep. Watching her breathe. Listening to her barely audible little grunts and noises she makes in her sleep.
Awww....this makes me smile too.
Gravdigr has a baby?? Who's the mommy? I knew he had a thing going with Monster but I think they broke up. Is he dating that new girl on here? Penis Spam??
Gravdigr has a baby??........
you don't think it had anything to do with a chicken and celery recipe do you?!? :eek:
you don't think it had anything to do with a chicken and celery recipe do you?!? :eek:
Could be...
Could be...
I would never buy a hat from that shop. Look at the picture - there is NO WAY that hat would fit on Cabbage-head dude's cabbagey head. Their sales staff are hopeless!
But it IS the latest style...
So, after my intended strong stance on Tiger-kisses yesterday, I actually had two today.
I promise I will address this next week. Just one more tomorrow...
Thursday is my late day and I always try to stretch the session as long as his concentration allows. Today it was 40 minutes, a record! After that I wrote up my notes, then was asked to take a pupil to First Aid because he'd been accidentally stepped on - the joys of Reception!
When I got back to the class, Tiger & Tennant were in the cloakroom. They were checking if my bag was there because they thought I might have left. I reassured Tiger that I would always say goodbye to him in future.
I'd told Mrs P that Tiger had some holiday pictures in his diary (kept by parents). Parents were asked if they could share any holiday photos to help with our seaside theme this term. Tiger won't often put himself forward when he has something to tell, but he tells me and I can intercede.
Consequently he was invited to show and tell at 14.30, my going home time. Instead I took a seat and enjoyed the "presentation", which I know helped him to talk to the class, because he could check my face for reassurance and see I was smiling.
So as I left, he kissed me, then after I'd got my bag he came up to kiss me again. Yes I know - it's even more important not to let this become a ritual (esp considering his OCD) but Monday... Monday... Secret handshake begins Monday....
Oh and great session with him today. We had an empty room to ourselves. Miss D (trainee teacher) came to observe and he wasn't fazed by that at all. So much better than last week when we had to cut the session short - too much distraction, Tiger in a super-fizzy mood (as was the whole school that day it seemed) and just no focus.
Is 'Baby' the name you've given her on the Cellar for anonymity, or do you actually call her that?
For anonymity's sake, I refer to her as 'Baby' here. But, she gets called all kinds of things: Baby, Honey, Sugartits, Honeypants...she likes Darlin (w/no 'g')
Did you sing some Rod Stewart?
"The morning sun, when it's in your face..."
Oh, hell noes!! The next line is "really shows your age", :lol2:, but that don't worry me none, cause in my eyes she's everything.
Gravdigr has a baby?? Who's the mommy? I knew he had a thing going with Monster but I think they broke up. Is he dating that new girl on here? Penis Spam??
Oh, that's just funny as a train wreck.:right:
[SIZE="1"]I kid, that
was funny. A little.[/SIZE]
Insurance has reversed their initial denial, and now the pill cam procedures have been approved for both kids. Fuckin-A, man.
They did the bare minimum after trying not to do even that. But it's still worth celebrating.
Woooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo
That is the best news of the day!
Insurance has reversed their initial denial, and now the pill cam procedures have been approved for both kids. Fuckin-A, man.
Glad to hear that. I took the liberty of forwarding them the link of you saying words sarcastically.
Clod, you should be running the UN by now, with your patience, tangles with bureaucracy and dogged fighting skills.
I guess that incident in the liquor store really held you back, huh?
You wouldn't believe how good those UN guys are with google image searching!
Pilau and I just had a really nice play. gave that squeaky sheep a run for its money, oh yes. It'll think twice before getting all squeaky in future. Or at least it would if it was still capable of squeaking.
I love that, even though he's a rickety old man who wobbles when he walks, he can still get excited about playing.
there's a fire in the firepit on the patio in the back yard (there's a hole in the bottom of the sea...)
Pork butt on the smoker, cold beer in the fridge. Cue company in 3, 2, 1...
there's a fire in the firepit on the patio in the back yard (there's a hole in the bottom of the sea...)
Pork butt on the smoker, cold beer in the fridge. Cue company in 3, 2, 1...
Its Friday and I'm free
I was gonna crash the fire in the firepit on the patio in the backyard...but, I got lost.
Now I'm trapped in a pit in Big Sarge's basement. [SIZE="1"]He keeps saying something 'bout lotion and a basket.[/SIZE]
I'ma gonna take over the Happy thread for a lickle while.
Good job we're pretty much in the Dead Zone for the Cellar. Well -yes, earlier would have been better, but I've been doing things. See below.
Mum gets up earlier than me, but stays in her nightdress while she does the housework. Sometimes until 10.00!
At 08.45 there was a knock at the door and a young lad delivered a parcel.
He had an electronic signature device, but fled before she could sign.
We think the nightdress might have put him off. She is called Mrs Robinson after all.
The parcel was for me, but I'd already left for school.
So when I came home I was really excited to find a big box, obviously from America, and bearing the return name and address of one Sarge. I deliberately did NOT look at the spoilers that Customs insist you include and Diz and I had much fun getting into it.
Well, I opened it and Diz tried to climb inside.
To my pleasure and surprise I had a veritable FEAST of American goodies.
Pork Skins, LOTS of Peeps (inc pink & blue rabbits), a Pecan Log Roll, Woody's Pecan & Walnut Praline, Rock Crystal Candy and Moon Pies.
Then also home made rye soap (in an evidence bag!) a National Guard hat and wallet (with notebook inside) and National Guard commemorative coins.
I hope I haven't missed anything out.
It was an amazing haul, and not what I expected. Sarge said he'd put something in the post, but this was more like a care package.
Now some pics.
Me in my new sunhat.
And greeting my pig snacks.
Note to British Dwellars - Pork Skins as above are like the large pork scratchings you get in places - the puffed up ones. I'm going to send Sarge some real pork scratchings in response. The ones that sometimes still have hairs on them :worried:
What I thought would be cute was if I got a pic of Diz sniffing the open bag. Of course I had to open it, it was a strange and unusual food. What I forgot was that Diz will eat pork scratchings when he can get hold of them. He ran away with half a bag Mum left on the side of her chair once; we retrieved them, but he's a chancer. So there am I, letting him sniff the bag, camera at ready... and he's in and out like the SAS - a small piece in his mouth and scoffing it on the sofa. By the time I got my camera ready it was all but crumbs.
And Dads. He was rather suspicious (he was ready for his tea to be honest - meat & two veg no messing) but found them perfectly paletable.
I thought they were yummy. Less salty than pork scratchings anyway.
PEEEEEEEPS!
My sister & nephew turned up unexpectedly.
I was on the sofa with packaging around me and fast food wrappers in evidence.
I even had Maury on the TV (waiting for the programme that came on next actually, since you ask).
I felt like a bloated cliche.
But 13 year old boys don't judge.
Samuel had two Peep chicks.
And after they left I took a self portrait of a Peep peeping out.
(Let's face it, it could have been a lot ruder)
Moon pies are a lot like Wagon Wheels, but more cakey than biscuity (in UK terms).
I likey. Had one with my lunch today, and was really hoping someone would say, "Oh is that one of the things you got in your parcel?" I think they all thought it was a Wagon Wheel though.
Mum was quite keen too.
Have not zoomed in because I think our cluttered little kitchen is shown well in the photo.
I also think Mum looks really good!
So, bottom line - thank you SO much Sarge.
I've loved it and my family have too.
You will get some token items in return - I just hope I can put as much thought into it as you did. And it's definitely not a tit-for-tat move - you know I've wanted to put something together for a while and this just prompted me to stop stalling.
Oh and thank your girls so much for the soap.
I've read about the process, but had no idea it could make something so very clean.
It's in our bathroom tonight.
You're a lucky woman, Sundae. I can't speak for Sarge, but I don't share my Moon Pies with just anybody. :D
I was trying to giveher a taste of Down South junk food. I'm trying to tempt her to move. Can ya'll imagine Sundae slinging "chittlins"?
We even threw end a bar of homemade lye soap!
I was trying to giveher a taste of Down South junk food. I'm trying to tempt her to move. Can ya'll imagine Sundae slinging "chittlins"?
We even threw end a bar of homemade lye soap!
You chose well. Pork rinds and Moon Pies are both great stuff.
It's hard to find Moon Pies in Chicago, but I found that they're available at the local Hostess discount place. I'm partial to the banana flavor.
Moon pies were in the package my Secret Santa sent me. They're wonderful.
What really surprised me about the American sweetie snacks was that they seemed less sweet than their Brit counterparts. Compared to wagon wheels, the moonpies are really subtle.
Probably because most American sweets don't use real sugar. The fake stuff doesn't taste as sweet, but it's so much cheaper that they can put in 4 times as much to compensate. The first time I made homemade frosting out of plain powdered sugar, I was completely stunned at the taste difference compared to the canned stuff, which supposedly had more grams of (fake) "sugar."
fake=HFCS or Aspartame, et al?
What do you mean by fake sugar? There are many kinds of sugars (5 and 6 carbon); are you saying one of these is more legitimate than all the others?
What do you mean by fake sugar? There are many kinds of sugars (5 and 6 carbon); are you saying one of these is more legitimate than all the others?
The sugar that dare not speak its name...
Love sugar, always second best, love sugar different from the rest...
Dear Sir/Madam
I am Mohammed Abacha,the son of the late Nigerian Head of State who died on the 8th of June 1998.If you are conversant with world news,you will remember that, before his death, my father deposited several hundred thousand tonnes of sugar into a warehouse...
What do you mean by fake sugar? There are many kinds of sugars (5 and 6 carbon); are you saying one of these is more legitimate than all the others?
You can substitute the word "
artificial" if you prefer.
The sensation of sweetness caused by these compounds (the "sweetness profile") is sometimes notably different from sucrose, so they are often used in complex mixtures that achieve the most natural sweet sensation.
Are you sure she doesn't mean corn syrup?
What happy food! Look at you all with your happy food faces. Good choices sarge.;)
I can't believe they taste less sweet than the UK counterparts.
I think they are very sweet, and the UK doesn't use high fructose corn syrup?
That's a beautiful thing, if so.
K, I went googling.
Ingredients of a moonpie, according to wiki:
Enriched wheat flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic acid), Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vegetable Shortening (Contains Partially hydrogenated Soybean Oil and/or Cottonseed Oil and/or Coconut Oil and/or Palm kernel oil and/or Palm Oil), Soy Flour, Dutched Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Cocoa, Gelatin, Baking Soda, Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavoring, Sodium sulfite.[
Ingredients of a Wagon Wheel:
Wheat Flour, Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Vegetable Fat, Whey Powder, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Egg, Gelatine (E441), Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate, Soya Lecithin (E322), Salt, Citric Acid (E330), Glycerol (E422),
Ingredients of a Cowpie:
processed grass
I don't think we do use that high fructose corn syrup much over here. We use glucose syrup though, which is made from grain starch, either corn or wheat or whatever.
We only use the corn syrup because we are subsidizing the corn farmers
According to a TIME article, Glucose seems to be the better sugar.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1892841,00.htmlGlucose: The teacher's pet of sugar.
Mom loved Glucose the best. -- Fructose
Why can't you be more like Glucose?
I think we use fructose as well, but it's not the high fructose corn syrup.
Ingredients of a Cowpie:
All organic food tastes like that.
One 24 hour shift followed by an 8 hour shift and off to the Bahamas for a long weekend of fun sun and Rugby.
After about 6 million years (hold the comments), I have FINALLY worked out how to embed YouTube clips. No Eureka moment on the cataloguing coding yet, but this will do for today.
There's no stopping me now. See the music that just isn't "you"thread for starters...reposted here for your convenience.
U/T's post reminded me that I like this [YOUTUBE]Md3PjJAt1Q4&NR=1[/YOUTUBE]
and
[YOUTUBE]A2YDdGXvfPM[/YOUTUBE]
Tiger had a school hot dinner today!
They only started Wednesday last week, but Tennant had one on Friday and Tiger even tasted some from his plate, declaring it to be good.
Today had two sausages, one scoop of mash and a pot of fruit salad. Okay he only had two pieces of fruit from the salad, but this is a boy who two years ago would only eat toast for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Yay Tiger!
Peer pressure at its best.
Back at work today. Yea! Work sucks, but at least it pays the bills. Oh and I'm likely I'll be getting a raise, so... Woo hoo!
I might be able to pick up an extra 7.5 hours a week from September.
The school is looking for staff for its Breakfast Club.
Now once upon a time this would have horrified me.
Leaving home at 07.00 would have led to many duvet days....
But I am going to bed earlier now and waking up earlier with little or no reluctance.
I have no idea which came first, but it is undoubtedly healthy.
And knowing there is a whole bunch of children (who I will get to know well) depending on me will make it likely I will struggle in through any minor ailments.
It's not a done deal, of course.
All I can hope is that the majority of support staff (they start there because we already know the school/ rules/ pupils and have CRB checks) have children themselves and won't be tempted.
Fingers crossed.
PS - it's not the hallway-running, statue-climbing, pot-smoking type of Breakfast Club.
The most I can hope for is free cereal. Every little helps.
The bloody League of fucking Gentlemen!
Sundae, you absolute peach! Thankyou. I am going to watch the live show tomorrow. And probably the panto as well.
I am still compiling your Big Finish audios as filtered through the 'does it involve Pegg, Frost or any of the League' filter.
Some feedback?
Any feedback?
I know I'm being bloody annoying.
But I've waited about 6 weeks to do so.
Rather than six hours.
I have half term coming up.
And the 'rents are away!
I will be having wall-to-wall-marathon TV sessions! I don't watch many programmes, but it will be lovely to watch those I enjoy back to back and whenever I please.
Old Torchwood
Old & New Doctor Who
The League
Psychoville
etc etc
Sorry, I seem to have gone for a hat-trick of happy.
But the last doesn't
really count as it was part of berating Dani.
If you've watched any of it - or esp listened to the commentary - do let me know. Whatever your opinion it would please me enormously.
If not, get J round and have an evening. Stat.
Hahaha.
Alas I ended up with unexpected visitors that day and haven't had a chance combined with comedy mood to do a LoG marathon, which is how I want to watch those.
I will say I have been madly enjoying psychoville, and revisiting snippets of the original LoG radio and tv series as when mood and time collide. I've been on a bit of a Gatiss kick just lately. Clips, interviews, any panel show appearances etc. :)
Have a great time Sundae! Fingers crossed for you too.
I know this is going to sound like a commercial, but I saved $86 dollars a month switching to Progressive. That was three weeks ago. I am still feeling very very happy about it.
That is a huge chunk of change.:D
I've been on a bit of a Gatiss kick just lately. Clips, interviews, any panel show appearances etc. :)
When aren't I on a Gatiss kick?
I even watched teh TV BAFTAs because he is part of the Sherlock team.
I was well rewarded, as he not only accepted one but presented one.
I'm so glad he has hair again.
Yes I respect him as a successful actor, writer, dog owner, author, script editor and all the rest. But he is still a man. And a ginger to boot. And the world comes alive when he grows his hair a little. I'm sure his husband agrees.
So go ahead and take your time.
In truth I'd far rather you enjoyed it.
I was just prodding because I'm waiting for payday (and especially to get a haircut) and everything is rubbing the wrong way right now. Or getting in my eyes. Either way.
lol, I just saw your sigline!
And counting :)
[eta] I am recockulously excited about seeing Barrowman again!
It's actually less than 7 months now - we're going on the 19th :biggrin:
Where is the best place to put the thread?
Last year I had PMs from people who had only just stumbled upon our trip months after. And yet it was in the fast moving Images thread (from what I remember). Hang on, maybe it was Cellar Meta?
Cities & Travel is even slower moving.
Perhaps all the build-up is in the right place, but we could put the post-GTG photos and write-up in Home?
This is not a case of trumpets blown, I just think that the trip was missed by people who were interested.
Is this a bit like plannng my 100th birthday on the moon?
I will address this nearer the time.
It's actually less than 7 months now - we're going on the 19th :biggrin:
Where is the best place to put the thread?
Last year I had PMs from people who had only just stumbled upon our trip months after. And yet it was in the fast moving Images thread (from what I remember). Hang on, maybe it was Cellar Meta?
Cities & Travel is even slower moving.
Perhaps all the build-up is in the right place, but we could put the post-GTG photos and write-up in Home?
This is not a case of trumpets blown, I just think that the trip was missed by people who were interested.
Is this a bit like plannng my 100th birthday on the moon?
I will address this nearer the time.
Seems like the right idea to me!
Actually, it's making me happy every day lately.
Max climbs up only my lap, puts his arms around my neck and his head on my shoulder and says, "I yuv you so much" and then gives me a kiss. He has trouble with L sounds at this stage which is funny when he says my friend Libby's name.
So cute...
Imagining that and then remembering times when friends' kids have said/done something similar is, apologies, but there is no other phrase for it, warm and fuzzy.
It's actually less than 7 months now - we're going on the 19th :biggrin:
I'd like a counter that shows the countdown, minute by minute, hour by hour.
I'd like a counter that shows the countdown, minute by minute, hour by hour.
So would I...
How about this?
eta: oops.. still working on it.
Ok. got it.
First of all you need to have
Google Desktop installed. I love this tool, but I'm a google fanboy so... what do I know. Once you *do* have google desktop installed, then you can download
Countdown To Any.
V, that's good of you.
But I want it on my eye-screen. So I can access it at any time of day or night.
What do you mean no-one has corneal implants yet?
I thought they came along with personal jet-packs and flying cars?
Oh.
Right.
Thanks for trying though.
Me again.
Sorry, I seem to be treating the Happy Thread as the Me, Me, Me Thread.
But the truth is, I have a LOT to be happy about these days.
That's good, right?
After the soap-opera drama of the past few years.
Anyway, this is a drawing of me by 5 year old Tennant*
Made completely independently.
It's actually really good. I mean in case you didn't notice.
He chose the foil because it is shiny and sparkly (I often wear sequins) and the red for my hair. And he pointed out to me, "You're always smiling."
See why I'm happy?
I'll stop the minutae of my life right now, promise.
*not his real name, and not Tiger.
@ luv your happiness Sundae you deserve it! :)
Just got home from visiting Suede. He had exploratory surgery to see if they could manipulate his colon. I was not optimistic but the stuff came out with no cutting to the intestines and he was glad to see me! I hope he can come home tomorrow. Poor guy! :)
:luv:
:thumbsup: Old pup-dog, your time is not yet here! Live to play another day!
That looks like a dog who could still give a shit.
Great looking pooch!
5 CPSE meetings done. praise FSM.
It's Friday and we have footy tonight and then a very quiet and relaxing weekend with any luck. :)
I got my wish!!!!
I'm so relieved! Yay Suede!
Happy for everyone, but particularly Sundae and Nirvana today.
Oh Nirvana, how lovely! What a great looking dawg, too!
So relieved for you 'vana!
He's an adorable looking pooch. Bags of character.
YAY! Suede :luv: is home :thumb:
give that dog a bone!
WAIT! THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!
give that dog a bone!
WAIT! THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!!
HAGGISS!!!!!
Don't step on his new shoes
NO MORE DOGGIE BONES EVAH!!! [/Mommie Dearest] :eyebrow:
Yes that is bruising! :eek:
that's definitely gonna leave a mark.
With all that shaving, he could be a porn dog now! :D
With all that shaving, he could be a porn dog now! :D
I know! Why shave his balls? :eyebrow:
Lil' Pete crushed her SATs!
Lil' Pete crushed her SATs!
Bri.
And Daniel.
Just that.
Sundae made me very happy today!
(Danny will be getting a list of "words to purr" for you in a few...)
pool2011 by
zippyt, on Flickr
dinner by
zippyt, on Flickr
Assignment submitted! Yay! [COLOR="Yellow"](impending fail, but it's done).[/COLOR]
Bikini chicks at Zippy's in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...
There is actual sunshine here. . . film at eleven!
New EMS boots for my birthday.. thank Christ because my old ones were worn almost completely flat and smelled like vinegar soaked cow pie.
Paradise Island for android
This new splash of medieval type fantasy shows that have appeared in the tv lineups.
I am fuckin lovin Camelot! What an excellent retelling of the story.
In sheer desperation, faced with a week of no new Camelot (they're having a week out) I decided to give Game of Thrones a go. It's really good!
I get the impression that there's a shift now from magic and supernatural shennanigans in the real world, to magic in a magical setting. I'd forgotten how much I love a good sword and sorcery epic.
Camelot in particular has me excited. It's such a familiar story, and like most Brits the whole Arthurian legend is something I've grown up with. This is a story we've been telling ourselves, with a few notable gaps, for over a thousand years. I love the way each generation tells the story a little differently. And how they draw on earlier tellings too. There's something utterly delightful about watching a legend you know inside out. When the expected pieces are put into place, it's a little thrill. Oh! The sword in the stone! That's how they're doing it. Brilliant... Excalibur and the lady in the lake. Click. Another piece in place.
So yeah. Good telly is making me happy :p
New EMS boots for my birthday.. thank Christ because my old ones were worn almost completely flat and smelled like vinegar soaked cow pie.
That's a Vermont dish. Do thay serve that in Ohio too?
What's making me happy is that I saw another woodchuck today.
Plus a tiny bunny, who is off limits :(
85% of the garden is now fenced. (That figure while fairly accurate was none the less made up on the spot.)
Ooo. The tiny bunny went to bunny camp.
[YOUTUBE]oFNxLsNh-Lo[/YOUTUBE]
Spoke to another Dwellar tonight.
I should be really happy.
But just heard some realities from behind the facade and felt not only sympathy, but that just by calling from "this world" [the Cellar], I really wasn't helping.
The call ended happily because I was talking to a good person who didn't want to pass on any issues.
But my days of "cold calling" (even when I've been given numbers) are over. By all means give me a number and say "Call this week!"
If it's possible I will. Any numbers I've had for a month or more I'll discard.
Oh, except the usual suspects!
Being portentous and all that, I forgot there are at least three Dwellars I am in peripatetic contact with. But you know who you are.
Anyway, like Tony sez - I love you all.
Suspending my desire to talk to you does not lessen the actual desire.
It just acknowledges that a call out of the blue is rarely at the right time.
And I'm usually available to talk - on GMT time! And my home number is only a PM away.
Lil' Pete crushed her SATs!
What's crushing, these days? Sonspex got 1970, which is making me happy today.
Whippersnappers. When I took the SATs they only went up to 1400. And we had to grade them ourselves!
and another thing, GET OFF OF MY LAWN YOU KIDS!!!
WTF are SATs?
We took ACTs. And WE LIKED THEM.
Hmmph.
What's crushing these days?
In my days it was dirty great big stones.
They laid them on us witches til we either confessed (and then they burned us) or died.
Wait. What?
I might have said something I didn't mean to, back there somewhere.
WTF are SATs?
We took ACTs. And WE LIKED THEM.
Hmmph.
SAT Sarcastic Aptitude Test
I got a 1492
It's a really beautiful day out there. Sunny, crisp, not too hot, light breeze. I'd be happy if the rest of the summer was like today, with a couple rainy days now and then to keep things green.
We took ACTs. And WE LIKED THEM.
You liked them? Or you just acted like you liked them?
I lurved them. I've always had a knack for tests.
I lurved them. I've always had a knack for tests.
OK, smarty pants, what do you call a frozen exam?
Spoke to another Dwellar tonight.
I should be really happy.
But just heard some realities from behind the facade and felt not only sympathy, but that just by calling from "this world" [the Cellar], I really wasn't helping.
The call ended happily because I was talking to a good person who didn't want to pass on any issues.
But my days of "cold calling" (even when I've been given numbers) are over. By all means give me a number and say "Call this week!"
If it's possible I will. Any numbers I've had for a month or more I'll discard.
Oh, except the usual suspects!
Being portentous and all that, I forgot there are at least three Dwellars I am in peripatetic contact with. But you know who you are.
Anyway, like Tony sez - I love you all.
Suspending my desire to talk to you does not lessen the actual desire.
It just acknowledges that a call out of the blue is rarely at the right time.
And I'm usually available to talk - on GMT time! And my home number is only a PM away.
*scratching my head* Not sure what happened from reading your post, but it makes me rather sad. And....I didn't realize you actually do make phone calls to other Dwellars. I thought Monster was joking when she told me to give you my digits so I can hear you say the correct pronunciation of certain words. Why don't you use yahoo messenger or skype or such programs to talk to oversea Dwellars? Wouldn't cost a single dime to voice chat at all. I would love to give you my number, but since my schedule is so tight I wouldn't know when to ask you to call me. If you do have a messenger program, I would love to catch you on there sometimes. By the way, what would our time difference be?
Talked to another Dwellar tonight.
They might share the experience, but until they do I'll be private.
Except to say they are super cool potatoes.
And it's a Dwellar with babbas and they are also SCP too.
Lola feel free to give me your number. I do really call Dwellars :)
I can give you the right was to say any number of things, from twat to schedule!
I have Skype, but the 'rents phone package gives free evening and weekend calls anyway. I did not think this included overseas, but Mum says it does, so I'm happy to go at it. If it turns out not to, it's her fault after all (heh heh heh) by which I mean I'll add it to the amount I owe them and am paying back in installments - mostly the Diz cat's extraordinary vet bill.....
Oh and the bottom line is, Skype (which I have) or telephone, I can't make or receive calls after 22.00 GMT. Which is 17.00 where tonight's Dwellar lives. Right now that limits me far more than cost.
I'm only on here now because it's the last night before the 'rents are back, and I snoozed this afternoon so I could make the most of it. I expected to be in bed two hours ago, but am now waiting for Diz, who is also making the most of the relaxed rules and seeing a post-midnight world.
What's crushing, these days? Sonspex got 1970, which is making me happy today.
Congrats! I'd say the boy smacked it around pretty well! She knocked down a 2010. She a right smaatie but I know a boy who won't say what he got... so I'm thinking he is at or up against the 2400 (?) mark.
I get to sleep in my own bed in my own room and not in a piss-filed dutch-oven dormitory
[YOUTUBE]hBxdmlcOcwU[/YOUTUBE]
What a wonderful way to spend on a Friday afternoon. Nice looking pool, Zippy!
Anyways, just wanted to say I spoke to Sundae on the phone this afternoon and that made me happy! :D She is just the sweetest thing. Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and a big muah!!!! Thank you for calling!
Talked to another Dwellar tonight.
They might share the experience, but until they do I'll be private.
Except to say they are super cool potatoes.
It was
meeee!! I loved getting to talk to Sundae. And she even sang a brief duet with Minifob. It was the most adorable thing. I highly recommend the personalized Sundae Experience.
Damn that is the shit zip, nice setup.
I know what to get zippy for his birthday.
Nice setup, Zip. Everybody should have a spare goose!;)
Just picked up my Nissan Murano....sooooo in love. I love having heated leather seats again!!
Its so pretty, Im thinking the boy doesnt need to come back.
No, we have corrugated roads :)
Rrrraven taught me a new Picasa trick for naming faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUTSTANDING!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rrrraven taught me a new Picasa trick for naming faces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUTSTANDING!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geez, you're so easy today... ;)
It works great !!!
100_0009 by
zippyt, on Flickr
All it took was a 5 gallon Bucket and some water proof grout and a Piece of Pvc and a Beach unbrella ,
100_0010 by
zippyt, on Flickr
instant Pool shade
what you got on the bottom of the pool?
under the pool i have sand ,
in the pool i have a 5 gallon bucket full of grout( cement ) to hold the beach umbrella for shade on a 100 f day
Looks like tiles. Very pretty.
That's the print on a "plastic" liner.
Trying to sell the 'rents on the concept of marinated food.
My previous results have not been wholly successful I admit.
Not disasters, but nothing special. Like with the controversial and expensive slow-cooked pork; simply not amazing enough to justify the effort or price.
So this time I've used a shop-bought marinade.
And we're using up Diz-cats uneaten chicken wings.
I don't mean his leftovers, I mean the pack of defrosted wings I will not feed him after he tried to kill himself on Mayday. M'aidez indeed.
Anyway, tasting it (BEFORE it came into contact with raw chicken!) it's all good.
It now has approx 24 hours to yummy itself up.
Oops, say 22-ish because I didn't apply it this hour, but I do have to cook it.
And what else?
Sorry, so boring, but....
School tomorrow! Start a new programme with the Lamb - a whole new series of 1:1's to develop and progress with. And of course back to Tiger, although my language 1:1 work is winding down and it's mostly working on social and emotional issues - a lot of which are observational.
Gotta really get the hang of social stories before the summer holidays.
From not being able to think of any, I have two which have been bubbling under all half-term. I'm just waiting for input from the Speech Therapist (who I'll see soon) because I'm terrified of getting them wrong.
But happy happy joy joy anyway.
Chicken and school and school and chicken!
I got in some bicycle riding this weekend - about 94 miles and 4100 feet ascent.
are you high?
how many feet down?
making me happy today is my progress in the backyard thanks to the inspiration from zippyt. I don't have the pool setup, but it is habitable now.
Thanks zippyt!
Raking in the veggies from the garden. Good to eat what you grow.
chuckles is salted and scraped, it's my first one not sure if I went too far or not. Now it is in the lime water de-hairing solution.
Picking up brains tomorrow. Need to come up with a smoker next.
I got a perfect score on my first Anatomy test.
Jokes about carnal knowledge aside, it feels really good to be hardcore memorizing crap again. I enjoy it way too much.
Why must we set aside the jokes about carnal knowledge?
***********
perfect.... anatomy
feels really good to be hardcore ...
carnal knowledge ... enjoy it way too much
***************
Come on, people!
I'm alive, free, and healthy.
After yesterday, those things make me happiest of all. :)
(this commercial break brought to you by the letter H and the number 2. The opinions expressed are solely the opinion of the poster and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cellar managment. This post may not be reproduced without express written consent of the poster. PM me!)
Why must we set aside the jokes about carnal knowledge?
This is Clodfobble, dude. You don't step on the tiger's tail.
Give me a couple more years, and it'll be a cougar's tail, right?
See? That's what I'm talking about.
ROAR!
My days as cougar prey are behind me, but that does nothing to reduce my enjoyment of baiting them.
I had a cougar nurse eyeballing and smiling at me at the children's hospital today.
I was okay with it.
Dont knock it until you try it Bullitt!!
If the young, young boy at the supermarket wasnt jailbait - man I'd have a crack at that!!
Joined my local Rod and Gun club last night. Very excited.
Joined my local Rod and Gun club last night. Very excited.
You are not looking to add to your freezer collection are you? :eyebrow:
[COLOR="Silver"]hoping there are no animal heads on poles in Footy's back yard[/COLOR]
Joined my local Rod and Gun club last night. Very excited.
Around here it's called a Gentleman's Club. :lol:
I'm happy that it isn't 400 degrees outside.
I lost my iphone 4 in a taxi last week. The licensing department in town were just brilliant. The guy I spoke to went off to investigate, spoke to a couple of the drivers at the rank, and then talked to their unofficial representative (the one who tends to speak for them when things get taken to licensing committee). Apparently he told the guy that, since it was a high value item with a high resale value, he would be investigating further, and if noone brought it forward he would have to check the cctv near the ranks to see which cab I'd got into and which driver specifically and then investigate them.
Now, as he says, there's no way to know if the driver wuold have come forward anyway. He's a nightshift driver, so he may just not have had a chance to prior to this. But either way he got a phonecall later that day (thursday) to say that a phone had been found and would be dropped in with him the next day.
I spoke to the licensing guy yesterday and he had the phone, and it is definately an iphone. So unless I have been very unlucky and two people have both lost iphones in the back of cabs on the same night and going to the same place, it's mine ;)
I wasnt able to go collect it yesterday, so will go on Monday.
I am uber impressed with the way the licensing dept dealt with this. I very deliberately did not mention the fact I am a councillor, though it's possible my name was recognised. I do suspect though that this would have been their response either way. It's apparently quite a rare thing, and I know regarding other issues that they're pretty on the balll and very hands on.
You should bake them a batch of your special recipe brownies as a thanks.
I'm not sure my special recipe brownies would assist in the smooth running of the council's licensing department...
Locally-grown organic strawberries. Makes me happy.
Oh, and whipped cream.
That makes me happy, too.
Joined my local Rod and Gun club last night. Very excited.
did you know the UN wants to take away your guns?
You should bake them a batch of your special recipe brownies as a thanks.
I'm not sure my special recipe brownies would assist in the smooth running of the council's licensing department...
Great story!
and everyone like brownies special or not ;)
.....and i have my i-phone back *skips up and down*
did you know the UN wants to take away your guns?
I'll paraphrase
Pat Condell,
They couldn't find their ass in the dark with both hands, I'm not sure how they'll get my gun(s)
Holiday...Celebrate...!
For my birthday, the 'rents are taking me away to a seaside resort for four days!
[ungrateful]I would rather have had the money it costs[/ungrateful]
But the truth is I know they wanted a mini-break in England, and I know it's sort of an excuse.
I also know that Mum felt really guilty not taking me on holiday for Dad's 70th birthday, and slightly narked at my sister and family for their behaviour and attitude during said break. At least they know they can live with me (90% of the time) and that I will adhere to their schedules. I think one of the reasons she felt bad was that they were delayed thanks to the Icelandic volcano so I was The Hub for all calls Please note, I got money towards my trip to Amsterdam by not going on holiday with them - I have never regretted it or suggested otherwise to my parents in any way.
So I have decided to be totally positive about this, because it's a sign of their love and their trust that we can live in an even smaller space with no problems.
We're going to the seaside resort that Dad's parents went to as newlyweds - and the family have been going ever since - Great Yarmouth. It's on the East Coast of England and boasts miles of sandy beaches. When the weather is good it's a wonderful place for children. Well. Low-maintenance/ 80s children. You can play all day on a beach with a beach ball, a polysterene glider, a kite. And still have energy to walk for a mile down the seafront in the evening and get a bag of chips from the market.
We're staying in a caravan (static trailer?) on a holiday park. We'll probably have a big breakfast in the 'van, a snack lunch out (if that) and a home-cooked meal in the evening. There's a HUGE 24 hour ASDA (Walmart) nearby, so even if it's ready-meals it will be different for us (no ASDA in our town.) I expect to have at least one Mediterranean lunch - bread, olives, cheese, meats - they sell high quality items too.
And we'll head off to the Clubhouse for evening entertainment. It's free, but the drinks are extortionate. No worries, both the rents are expert in hiding drinks in pockets and handbags. We might buy £5.00 of drinks, but we keep hold of the glasses and refill as necessary! (Note, not just an alcofrolic thing, Cokes are £3.00!)
Actaully am more and more chuffed as I type.
YAY!
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES......... C'MON!
Lots more photos than anyone could ever want will follow.
Well, I'm not going til 25th July.
But you know me, I like to build things up!
OK.... this is pretty cool.
I won an iPad2. ...for doing my job like I would have anyway!
Just got it.
now what?
Ok.... I set my cell phone up as a mobile hotspot...and the very first website mr iPad has been to?
The cellar. Natch.
You know that floaty feeling when you've been walking miles with a heavy backpack, then you take it off? I have a friend who is feeling that way after ridding themselves of something unpleasant and their happy is contagious! :D
... mr iPad ...?
Is this you now, Jim?
Cool birthday jaunt Sundae! I have been to such a holiday park, it's a good base for simple old-fashioned fun :)
And coo-OOL Jim!
And wow, Dana!
!
But you know me, I like to build things up!
It must be time for an update on the how long it is til panto!
Seriously, I know it's a month away, but have a great time.
.....and i have my i-phone back *skips up and down*
YAY!
It must be time for an update on the how long it is til panto!
Quite right, it's snuck up on me!
2 weeks til my birthday (1 July)
3 weeks until
Torchwood: Miracle Day (8 July)
And then just over another two weeks until we go on holiday (25 July)
2 months until
Much Ado About Nothing with David Tennant and Catherine Tate (15 August)
Dr Who resumes in September
Panto and GTG in Glasgow in December
How did I suddenly get so much to look forward to?!
I must have been being a good girl
OK.... this is pretty cool.
I won an iPad2. ...for doing my job like I would have anyway!
Just got it.
now what?
Really depends on your personality and lifestyle. I got my ipad to play games on the train and it's great for that.
But I also have read a bunch of free books in iBooks.
I've watched a lot of TV episodes on Netflix.
It's a bit big for an ipod, but I've got most of my mp3s on mine. I've set up playlists for parties and plugged it into computer speakers.
Open up the app store and poke around through the popular stuff. You're bound to find something that interests you. And most of the apps are inexpensive.
Porn is what!!
I mean, I don't have an iPad. But a friend of mine loves it for porn so much, that he invented a flexible holder for it, so he didn't have to hold it up with one hand.
Your friend? Mmmm-hmmmm. ;)
So your friend should totally patent it! All it takes is one good idea.
I put out a call for help a few days ago and the response just overwhelmed me. I am blessed to have a circle of people around me that love and care in the honest way that we all really need.
I have been humbled.
I just ordered Sundae's birthday present *does a little dance*
Had a sudden fit of competance so sorted it out. Last year i had a great idea for a pressie and then just ended up not doing it. Ha! Not this year. This time it's sorted :)
I FOUND MY WASHTENAW DAIRY VOUCHERS!
Before we went to the Dairy.
(Watch them run out of ice cream or there be a tornado or something..... :rolleyes:
Porn is what!!
I mean, I don't have an iPad. But a friend of mine loves it for porn so much, that he invented a flexible holder for it, so he didn't have to hold it up with one hand.
Your friend? Mmmm-hmmmm. ;)
So your friend should totally patent it! All it takes is one good idea.
Hey, you could call it the ifap! There's already a
website. It's safe for work. It IS my work. :D
(These are the things that occur to me as I fall asleep. The Cellar and work. Ha!)
Dana told me I am getting a birfday present *does a little dance*
Okay I knew yesterday, but I didn't want to post it, it's down to Dani to decide if she wants people to know. Otherwise you might all expect one!
Fathers Day on Sunday. And I'm being treated to lunch out. How does that work?!
I am in their good books tho, I found them a hotel on the internet, when they couldn't remember the name, or the chain, or the exact location. Sadly, it was already booked up, but they have a new hotel in a new location and I've helped them by finding a Wetherspoons nearby :)
Yer birfday isn't on the calendar? I forget what day!?!? :facepalm:
Me: A weekend of nieces. Tonight is the 6 year old's t-ball game and then birthday party. (Turning 6 on Monday...god she's so freaking awesome!!!!!!!!) On Sunday it's Father's Day AND me, mom, sis-in-law, and the three girls (ages 9 almost 10, just turned 8, and soon to be 6) are going to The Lion King.
Mom and I saw it in Columbus. Sis-in-law and brother saw it in London, but this'll be a first for the girls. The two older ones have seen their share of shows, most recently Phantom, but we think this will be a good one for the 6 year old's first show.
Soooooooooo excited.
I think Dad and the guys will enjoy Father's Day hanging out...or playing golf...!
My birthday SHOULD be on the calendar - I've never been shy about being an old bird.
1st July.
Just don't scam me because you have that, mmm-kay?
I took my ex-husband to see Beauty and the Beast musical. I hated Disney, he loved it. It was probably the highlight of our married life - the production values were so high and the stars so perfect (John Barrowman played the Beast in a later cast). We were both so happy that night.
I am still wary of Disney - I'd prefer to see Warhorse for example - but how wonderful for a child to see such a well produced show as her first.
My first West End show was Oliver! but we were sitting in the Gods and I was terrified of the steps. I adored the music though - some of the songs are still among my favourite songs from shows even today.
Good on your family for starting them early.
I completely agree about Disney. Never been a big fan, but yeah...the production of The Lion King is so amazing, and I've seen a show or two. My mom and I were lucky to be split up but on the aisle seats, me behind her...and the beginning was so amazing she looked at me and we were both teary. (We're suckers like that.) ;)
Seeing well-knowns in a show is cool too. Mom and I saw Camelot with Richard Harris...years ago.
Oh duh, I was looking at June. Sorry chicky-poo (or diz-poo.) :p:
I think the first proper west end show I ever saw was Les Miserables. When it first started, our English class did a trip to London to see it.
I just googled...that was 25 years ago!
Hey, you could call it the ifap! There's already a website. It's safe for work. It IS my work.
:lol:
Made up with someone I should not have had a disagreement with in the first place. He apologised but I think the fault was more mine. Very pleased to have had it all out anyway - he's a decent chap.
AND! Listening to Danny Baker on the internet.
I usually listen to him on Saturday mornings anyway, but when I heard that Mark Gatiss was on it, I decided to delay the pleasure. Mum and Dad were racketing away and I felt it would be better to listen on a medium I could rewind.
So I'm listening to the whole thing and currently gritting my teeth that they're calling him GAT-iss. When he comes in he'll correct them - it's GAY-tiss. Quite easy to remember, given that he is gay. He hates people getting his name wrong... tell me about it.
The caller phoning in at present is a game of HOWZAT! between Dr Who characters and Sherlock Holmes. Typical Danny Baker.
Ooooh. I might give that a listen later on headphones.
Have you been watching Gatiss's history of Horror? I saw it when it first aired, but have been rewatching it. Wonderful, just wonderful. The last one made me want to watch BoSC again, with commentary!
Next week is where my horror tastes and his diverge. He quite rightly concentrates on his own view of the new wave of horror, but to my mind misses out several of the most important strands of that new wave. Still love his analysis though.
I watched it originally, didn't realise it was on again.
His whole taste in horror doesn't match mine.
But I'm such a slave of fandom I'll watch anything he recommends, just to understand some of his influences.
I'll check it out online again!
Don't worry, Sandy Possum has already dispatched the BoSC DVD.
It got there surprisingly quickly (as fast as things I've posted to the US) so I've no doubt it will come back as quickly. Then it will be yours :)
*does a happy dance*
Oh. And check your in box *grins*
Not happy quite yet, but I will be tomorrow after a good night's sleep and when I come home from work and don't have to think about Assignment 3.
Get to go hang with littleplthijinx after work today. Prolly take him to the track to ride karts and play games
Get to go hang with littleplthijinx after work today. Prolly take him to the track to ride karts and play games
Happy for you. :)
Two new books arrived from Amazon! Hurrah! I am already about a fifth of the way through the first *grins*
Get to go hang with littleplthijinx after work today. Prolly take him to the track to ride karts and play games
There's a mini me plthijinx? Has he got one of these?
I also didn't know there was a mini-putheljinx!
yep there's a mini-plt.
sent you a link on your fb I.M.
There's a mini me plthijinx? Has he got one of these?
nah he doesn't have one of those but does have airplane leggos!
Damn dude - when did lil-jinx come about?
Just bein' nosey.
Didn't get the Top Gun motorcycle like I had been planning, just couldn't justify the expense. But that's alright, it deserves to live in San Diego anyway. Instead, I picked up this little 500cc lady over the weekend. 2006 Suzuki GS500f, 3k miles, for $2k
Meet Shiloh:
Nice ride!
Mini-plt is almost 10. I dont talk about him much as i dont get to see him that often due to distances and fuel prices. At least thats how it was. Now that i work about 25 minutes from him i will be seeing a whole lot more of him! Im sick with a sore throat so i only went by and visited dor a bit and didnt take him to the track. Promised him we would go next week....
*smiles* 10 is a great age. Good time to be around more Philthy:)
Didn't get the Top Gun motorcycle like I had been planning, just couldn't justify the expense. But that's alright, it deserves to live in San Diego anyway. Instead, I picked up this little 500cc lady over the weekend. 2006 Suzuki GS500f, 3k miles, for $2k
Meet Shiloh:
She doesn't look like a Shiloh. Looks more like a Haruka or Kotone.
Nice ride!
Mini-plt is almost 10. I dont talk about him much as i dont get to see him that often due to distances and fuel prices. At least thats how it was. Now that i work about 25 minutes from him i will be seeing a whole lot more of him! Im sick with a sore throat so i only went by and visited dor a bit and didnt take him to the track. Promised him we would go next week....
That must be disappointing for you. Feel better, filthy.
yep there's a mini-plt.
sent you a link on your fb I.M.
Oh my goodness, what a darling kid! You two look so sweet together. :)
(I hadn't been on facebook for so long I missed a lot of stuff!)
Happy Solstice You Hippies!
:flower:
Right back at you, you groovy hippy chick.
glatt, please to photoshop the underarm hair away?
Or use i-nair!
OK, I just saw the most awesomest hippie name I've ever seen! And I've seen a lot of names in the last ten years!
Too bad I can't tell you what it is.
OK, I just saw the most awesomest hippie name I've ever seen! And I've seen a lot of names in the last ten years!
Too bad I can't tell you what it is.
YOU MUST TELL US!!!!!
(or at least pm me!) :D
and glatt - where'd you get that pic of me?
;)
YOU MUST TELL US!!!!!
(or at least pm me!) :D
I'm such a tease. I really wish I could, but it's illegal and unethical.
However, I'll make up one that would be just as good, using different materials.
How about Granite Stoneroll?
Or Flower Beestung?
Or Snakescale Slither?
:D
Was it organic or inorganic?
Mushroom Funguy?
Guano Birdpoop?
Pot-head Vegetable?
Sunny Solstice?
Cloudy Withmeatballs?
Postal bonanza today.
Books from Dana, birthday presents from Dana (as yet unopened) and a returned DVD from Sandy Possum with extra prizes and a cool card.
Cadbury's Cherry Ripe barb from Sandy, which I have not heard of before. Very moist and quite delicious. All gone before I even THOUGHT of taking a photo, and that's not like me. Mum helped of course.
I rescued the not-my-cat. The not-my-cat is a cat that comes to hang out on my porch every day. He gets a treat, a petting, and some conversation. When it's hot I make sure there's a bowl of water out for him.
The not-my-cat actually lives down the hall from me, so I know where he comes from.
Last evening I heard his bell, and called for him, but he wasn't coming. Eventually he came up to my porch, lurching around on three legs. He paused that the porch railing and rested his head on the bottom rung for a bit, and then half-flung and half dragged himself over to the water bowl.
It was pretty scary. I went over to him, asking him what was wrong (like I expected an answer. I'm sure you've done the same).
I rubbed his head and tried to flip him over onto his "good side" ... the one with the working paw. He wasn't really happy about it, but let me do it.
I was expecting something awful ... but luckily, didn't get it.
He'd somehow managed to get his front off paw stuck all the way through his collar. I took his collar off and released the paw. He wouldn't move after that, though. I tried to pick him up to carry him to his daddy, but he wasn't having any of it ... started hissing at me. The last thing I wanted was to get bitten so back on the porch he went ... and he stayed there rather than running off, so I knew he was in a bad way.
That's the point at which I went over to his home, and got his owner to take charge of him.
Happy ending ... he was back today looking pretty much his old self, let me pet him and give him treats. I'll have to ask his daddy for details when I see him next.
Just a guess here, but after you got his paw out of the collar, he got a cramp in his arm...
A REALLY BAD ONE.
Similar thing happened to my male cat - hence I now only use safety collars. I'd rather he lose one every 12-18 months instead of having the cat strangle to death.
Closest thing to Hello Kitty I could find for ya.
Approximately 3 more hours then I am off until next Tuesday. Now, if I can just survive the next three hours. I have short-timer's syndrome. :)
Oh poor kitty! Musthave been really distressing for him :( Glad he's ok.
I am feeling a lot better today than I was last night. I did have a rocky hour or so earlier in the day when my mood plummetted suddenly over something utterly trivial (unbelievably trivial: not being able to make an online payment because the system kept crashing) but am back to sunshine and smiles again now:) Even when I sank earlier it wasn;t as bad as last night, I think because as it started I recognised it and was able to ride it out a bit better.
I've been excited all day because I knew Sundae's packages wuold be arriving :)
Incidentally: I know it's wrong of me but I can't hear/read the name Sandy Possum without snickering a little. It just sounds like a euphemism to me.
I bought an E-bike/scooter!!! I love it.
I do not have a drivers licence, nor do I really want one. I am afraid of driving. This gives me transportation and freedom, without the big car, or for that matter a flimsy bike. (pedal bikes scare me too... I was "wind pushed" under the wheels of a semi when I was a kid, no real damage, just got to pick gravel out of the road rash for over 2 weeks)
I get up to 40KM/hr, and am quite comfy at 25/30KM. It makes my 22 min walk to work take 8 mins, takes my hubby in the car 4-5 mins. No more waiting for my hubby to get off work, or whatever, to take me on small errands. I can do them myself.
I get 60KM on a charge, and it costs me 15-20 cents in electricity to charge it. I bought a second hand one from a dealer for $600. I figure get used to one, make sure I like it and will use it, before I spend the $1200ish for a new one. This one is 3 seasons old, is in great shape and had 650KM on it!
Dana: I'm glad you're feeling better. :)
Wonderful, Jaydaan. :thumb: Although walking is good for your health, time is money and independence is superb. :D
I bought an E-bike/scooter!!! I love it.
I do not have a drivers licence, nor do I really want one. I am afraid of driving. This gives me transportation and freedom, without the big car, or for that matter a flimsy bike. (pedal bikes scare me too... I was "wind pushed" under the wheels of a semi when I was a kid, no real damage, just got to pick gravel out of the road rash for over 2 weeks)
I get up to 40KM/hr, and am quite comfy at 25/30KM. It makes my 22 min walk to work take 8 mins, takes my hubby in the car 4-5 mins. No more waiting for my hubby to get off work, or whatever, to take me on small errands. I can do them myself.
I get 60KM on a charge, and it costs me 15-20 cents in electricity to charge it. I bought a second hand one from a dealer for $600. I figure get used to one, make sure I like it and will use it, before I spend the $1200ish for a new one. This one is 3 seasons old, is in great shape and had 650KM on it!
Cool Beans! post photos!
Wow, that's neat!
The fact that you only work a 22-minute walk away from your house, I mean. I guess the bike's pretty cool too. :) That being said, I'm curious how this bike fares in snowy weather?
People do ride these all year, I am not sure if I will. They are rated to -15C, you can get "winter tires" for them too.
Lola, I work in a beer store... hahhaha I lift hundreds of pounds of beer cases and wine cases a day. I still get excercise. This just means I have to get off my lazy butt when I get home and walk my dog more often. :)
This album also shows my new comforter and curtains, as well as the crystal tree I made.
They let you ride that on the road without a license?:eek:
Yes, its a battery assisted bike. It had pedals too. I have to follow all bike laws and rules of the road, but yes.
Cool huh?
That was funny Wolf! :lol:
Lola, I work in a beer store... hahhaha I lift hundreds of pounds of beer cases and wine cases a day. I still get excercise. This just means I have to get off my lazy butt when I get home and walk my dog more often. :)
:eek: Super woman! I would like to see your arms. :D Woman, do you get back pain. My back hurts just reading that line. :lol:
I am feeling a lot better today than I was last night. I did have a rocky hour or so earlier in the day when my mood plummetted suddenly over something utterly trivial (unbelievably trivial: not being able to make an online payment because the system kept crashing) but am back to sunshine and smiles again now:) Even when I sank earlier it wasn;t as bad as last night, I think because as it started I recognised it and was able to ride it out a bit better.
I've been excited all day because I knew Sundae's packages wuold be arriving :)
Incidentally: I know it's wrong of me but I can't hear/read the name Sandy Possum without snickering a little. It just sounds like a euphemism to me.
Glad that you're feeling a bit better Dana. Tell us, tell us, what was in the package from Sundae? (and this calls for a bit of a jump up and down and clapping Japanese girl style).
[COLOR="Yellow"]
What euphemism does Sandy Possum remind you of?[/COLOR]
A woman with a vagina that's seen better days, maybe?
You're going to get it on with Gloria? Better get some cream for your dick, I heard she had a sandy possum
Just a guess here, but after you got his paw out of the collar, he got a cramp in his arm...
A REALLY BAD ONE.
Similar thing happened to my male cat - hence I now only use safety collars. I'd rather he lose one every 12-18 months instead of having the cat strangle to death.
Closest thing to Hello Kitty I could find for ya.
That's actually the type of collar that he wears, although, of course, his is a more manly blue.
I have found his collar, without him in it, on the stones in front of my porch. I was a little concerned about that, because I was fearful that someone had run him over and put the collar on my porch because they'd seen me with him.
In retrospect, based on how he was cleaning his fur, it looked like his leg and paw had gone to sleep.
Maybe pins and needles, kitteh-style.
And still it begins
Needles and Pins!
The tears I gotta hide
Because of all my pride!
Tomorrow it's Mrs J's birthday. She'll be 50 next year.
I pointed out to her that in a weeks time I'll be 40 next year.
"Oh, we'll definitely have to celebrate our birthdays together!" she said.
For a split second I was about to demur, thinking she'd far rather celebrate with her family... luckily I realised she meant combining staffroom celebrations before I said anything dopey.
She's the Teaching Assistant I will be working with next year (I volunteered in her class too) and is so lovely as a person. So even our brief conversation made me feel quite uplifted. She isn't the sort of person to forget or fall out with people, so I know next year we'll have a great 40/ 50 lunch treat.
She suggested strawberries and cream, I suggested cold cuts, bread and cheese.
Okay it' a year away (and I promise I won't start planning for at least another 10 months), it's just a nice future event to think of.
I've also solved my birthday cake 2011 dilemma. I am making one that I have made before, which was YUMMY. And I'm going to get Mum to make her strawberry and jello flan. It's simple, tried and tested and always goes down well. Like me.
I could make the latter myself, but I usually overdo it, slicing the strawberries too thin, trying to make it more decorative. Mum has the knack of just getting it right because she's made it many times before and goes with what works.
I'll save the frozen strawberry & raspberry cake and the Dalek cake for another occasion... Who knows, I might even practice them first!
Okay it' a year away (and I promise I won't start planning for at least another 10 months)...
Sundae, I think we need a number of countdowns in your footer: one for panto, one for Glasgow and one for your birthday.
Cleaning out the rooms.
Whew. I gotta lotta junk.
Connectwise! We are installing it at work, Ive been doing Connectwise University, it makes my geeks buds tingle.
Sundae, I think we need a number of countdowns in your footer: one for panto, one for Glasgow and one for your birthday.
I DID have.
But I thought it was horribly self indulgent!
Don't encourage me....
FTR currently:
5 sleeps til payday - 30 June
6 sleeps til birthday - 1 July
2 weeks until Torchwood is shown in America - 8 July
Approx 1 month until my holiday in Great Yarmouth - 25 July
51 days until Much Ado About Nothing (Tennant/ Tate) - 15 August
6 months (19 December) until we see JB in Panto and I see ma girls again!
NB - same date, we're meeting in Glasgow to go to the panto
I can't do a birthday countdown - I mean no-one else does it. Maybe next year for the big 4-0. I promise to keep the Glasgow countdown up to date tho - that's not just about me :)
New shirts I made well received. People are clamoring for them. And the Swim Team won :D
(shirts are khaki/army green have team initials like M*A*S*H on the front and on the back say "I love the smell of chlorine in the morning... smells like.... VICTORY", green is team color)
Brilliant Monster. Any sparkles or sequins though?
I got through to Sarge tonight.
Literally two minutes, as it's an overseas call to a mobile which is ouch, lotsa £££.
But it was worth it - as ever - to hear his accent :)
I really need to get serious re skype....
Brilliant Monster. Any sparkles or sequins though?
I got through to Sarge tonight.
Literally two minutes, as it's an overseas call to a mobile which is ouch, lotsa £££.
But it was worth it - as ever - to hear his accent :)
I really need to get serious re skype....
Ahhh....very good! Was he extremely happy to hear from you? He's a bit hurt that no one noticed he's been gone.
Went to go see my chiropractor for a general "make my shoulders stop hurting please" tuneup, and learned that they have a deep-tissue massage therapist on site who is not only covered by insurance, but her services count as part of a single appointment if you schedule everything back-to-back, so it's covered by the same copay. Basically, it's a free one-hour massage whenever I go in!
The drawback: this is no scented-oil, chanting monks, hand-you-tea afterwards kind of massage. This is a very buff old lady who has been teaching massage for decades, and it damn well hurts. It's like sports massage.
I've done spoken to both of you now :)
Sarge has limited windows in which to speak to people. And for me, the time difference is an issue as I'm living with my parents. I'm always aware if Sarge isn't around, I just don't draw attention to it as I assume there's a reason..
So if I speak to one Dwellar I'll probably speak to three or four.
And if I'm lucky, Sarge is one of therm.
Actually - there isn't really an unlucky scenario when it comes to calling Dwellars. Unless they keep me hanging on for a long time while they fix a sandwich, by which time I'd like to think I got the hint.
Phone call from Sundae!
Nothing better!
Life is good.
It's summer, kids' swim and dive are going well, pool is open and uncrowded and I'm swimming, and I'm biking to the pool with no hands (I love that), the weather is better than predicted most days, not yet into aircon-essential-zone
It's just good right now. And I'm happy.
Got to ride around on the new bike today.
Drank and played poker with some new friends tonight.
Cedar Point tomorrow with a bunch of folks from work.
Ahhh....very good! Was he extremely happy to hear from you? He's a bit hurt that no one noticed he's been gone.
I'd noticed, but figured he was busy.
New shirts I made well received. People are clamoring for them. And the Swim Team won :D
(shirts are khaki/army green have team initials like M*A*S*H on the front and on the back say "I love the smell of chlorine in the morning... smells like.... VICTORY", green is team color)
:thumb:
FTR, I too noticed that Sarge hadn't posted lately, but I checked his dwellar page and he had visited on 23/6, so I let things be.
Being told I look skinnier. And getting stuff done. And lovely weather.
The splinter I got in my finger while hiking two weeks ago has worked its way out.
(No, I don't expect you to be, or to have been, sorry about mah fingah.)
Now if my back would stop hurting ...
Yesterday's three hours of serious mtn biking, piano move, and marital duty performed has me close to relaxed, closer than I've been in weeks. I'll clean out my classroom today maybe setup my summer classroom tomorrow then its ADK rivers and lakes for me.
Global Conquest at Hell Survivors, Mi.
The guy in the front row with the head scarf on ( in front of me ) is Narf from our team, this is the fourth year in a row he has lead a side to victory (there are 7 sides in the game, each is themed as country), we have had other members lead the winning side on previous occasions too, the games only been runnig about 8 years.
Some of it's about fighting, but also in this game there is hidden treaure on the 120 acre field, my team recovered 5 of the 6 staches of gold, nobody recovered the other one, we knew where it was but it was too deep in enemy territory to retrieve, we only won becasue of these bonus points :D
More lovely weather. about to get more stuff done.
I was really happy about something only a half hour ago and now I don't recall what it is.
Fuck it, I'm watching a movie.
I was really happy about something only a half hour ago and now I don't recall what it is.
Fuck it, I'm watching a movie.
chinese food?
Now if my back would stop hurting ...
Chi realignment?
I was really happy about something only a half hour ago and now I don't recall what it is.
Fuck it, I'm watching a movie.
chinese food?
:lol:
Getting stuff done. And lovely weather.
I set wheels in motion that put our Office Manager in a new car with more options and lowered her payments by $15/month.
I see a roast beef swammich from Bread&Bagel in my near future.
We're trying to discourage the use of food as a reward. [COLOR="Wheat"]Maybe she could give you a handjob in a stationery closet?[/COLOR]
[YOUTUBE]Go_VtqtxCHY&start=32s[/YOUTUBE]
This made me happy.
[youtube]hD4hdrB3oZI[/youtube]
My partner has been threatening to get a helmet camera set up. The video is set in Virginia where riding has a different (but still awesome) feel. Around here the hills are steeper making both climbs and descents more technical. Our trails have more roots and rocks so smooth speed runs like the video shows are fewer but very appreciated. Mtn biking is a very "local" sport you build a set of skills for what you ride. What passed for mtn biking in the Olympics was no more that a long flatteneded pump track, a fun fitness activity but no connection to local terrain.
[youtube]dR2jNIY0Uyw[/youtube]
One sleep til payday (even if it's all allocated)
Two sleeps til my birfday.
And I have prizes already delivered from Dani and a card from another Dwellar, so I'm making out like a bandit this year :)
Also Friday at school is a sponsored bounce for the children, all good fun.
They get to bounce on a bouncy castle for a minute - most are simply sponsored a flat fee, but the TA's (which includes me) are counting those who are sponsored per bounce. Sounds like a fun birthday to me!
Oh and all sponsorship to MacMillan Cancer Fund, a trust very close to my heart as you'll all understand.
There is a large variation in amounts pledged, but it looks to average out at £7 per child - over £2000 across the school.
That's pretty damned cool.
Fucking cancer with every bounce.
Might as well put it here, although it's not quite happy news:
Tennant's Mum - thyroid cancer - is going into hospital next week for radiation treatment.
I can't work out whether it's one week or two or even more; I thought I knew, but have been told different things by different people. She has to be in isolation, especially from her son.
The consensus seems to be she will not be able to see Tennant until after the end of term.
She came in yesterday for a visit with Mrs P, and got his end-of-year report.
I've printed out the school dinners menu until the end of term (as Grandma doesn't use a computer).
She knows what he is to wear on Sports Day and Grandma and Great-Grandma are coming to cheer him on.
Tennant is in the same house as Tiger, so I'll be looking after both of them on the day.
Still, boy without Mum (single parent).
We'll do our best of course.
And at least he'll have the normality of a school day.
And Mum is very matter-of-fact.
"I just have to get throught this"
Well hopefully you can FUCK CANCER Tennant's Mum.
not sure if this is happy or not
broke up with b/f completely, totally this time
One sleep til payday (even if it's all allocated)
Two sleeps til my birfday.
And I have prizes already delivered from Dani and a card from another Dwellar, so I'm making out like a bandit this year :)
Also Friday at school is a sponsored bounce for the children, all good fun.
They get to bounce on a bouncy castle for a minute - most are simply sponsored a flat fee, but the TA's (which includes me) are counting those who are sponsored per bounce. Sounds like a fun birthday to me!
Oh and all sponsorship to MacMillan Cancer Fund, a trust very close to my heart as you'll all understand.
There is a large variation in amounts pledged, but it looks to average out at £7 per child - over £2000 across the school.
That's pretty damned cool.
Fucking cancer with every bounce.
Might as well put it here, although it's not quite happy news:
Tennant's Mum - thyroid cancer - is going into hospital next week for radiation treatment.
I can't work out whether it's one week or two or even more; I thought I knew, but have been told different things by different people. She has to be in isolation, especially from her son.
The consensus seems to be she will not be able to see Tennant until after the end of term.
She came in yesterday for a visit with Mrs P, and got his end-of-year report.
I've printed out the school dinners menu until the end of term (as Grandma doesn't use a computer).
She knows what he is to wear on Sports Day and Grandma and Great-Grandma are coming to cheer him on.
Tennant is in the same house as Tiger, so I'll be looking after both of them on the day.
Still, boy without Mum (single parent).
We'll do our best of course.
And at least he'll have the normality of a school day.
And Mum is very matter-of-fact.
"I just have to get throught this"
Well hopefully you can FUCK CANCER Tennant's Mum.
Fuck cancer. Fortunately thyroid cancer is very treatable. Strange that she is in isolation though, my mom had to have radioactive iodine and says she was never told to be separate from us.
not sure if this is happy or not
broke up with b/f completely, totally this time
Well done you!!!!!! Yay! Stick to it!
not sure if this is happy or not
broke up with b/f completely, totally this time
:thumb:
not sure if this is happy or not
broke up with b/f completely, totally this time
It will be. Hang in there.
Mort, I am recusing myself from commenting on the awesomeness of your decision.
Fucking cancer with every bounce.
:thumb:
Fuck cancer indeed. Things aren't looking good for the family friend I mentioned recently.
But this is the Happy thread so:
Been feeling a bit more competent and up beat about life. Still having difficulty getting to sleep and then getting up, but at least I seem able to do some basic shit that was stumping me before (phonecalls, emails etc). Got some wardwork done today that's been hanging over me. Always a nice feeling!
not sure if this is happy or not
broke up with b/f completely, totally this time
Maybe you don't feel totally happy now, but my guess is that you will feel great about it soon. Seems to me like he was a bit of a weight on your shoulders.
Pilau dog:)
Mum and I took the boys for a walk to a local park, and it was so warm they were panting within minute. Had a really good mooch about, lots of sniffing, lots of exploring (on the extender lead, can't let him run about much). Got back and he's totally flaked. He's currently asleep in the direct path of the electric fan, so as the fan turns slowly on its arc it's ruffling his fur. Between his front paws is the corpse of a fluffy toy, forgotten as he sleeps.
I'd take a pic but if I get the camera out he'll move :p
Looks soooo sweet.
Went for a stroll this morning and ran into a friend of mine and went farther than I had expected and found a tag sale. Dude broke his back this year and is all kinds of fucked up, doc said no more hunting for you mr.
So he was selling off a lot of hunting stuff, bought a pair of fiberglass longbows for fun $5.00 a kid's beginner compound bow for $10 for the inchling, a very nice tree stand for $15, and a really old Marlin 60 with the 19 round magazine!
He had a few other rifles: a 7mm Savage with a beatiful scope (forget the brand) $350 he's asking, he had a SS and synthetic stock black powder .40 with powder and all the other associated crap for $300 and a Remington 1100 12ga shotgun for $300. and a few misc scopes and stuff. None of that interested me though.
sweet.
My water lost pressure and we fixed it no plumber YAY!
Tiger and I went up to Class 2a this afternoon.
I have been preparing him for it, and he was quite happy.
I worried this morning after outdoor PE because he didn't want to get changed and wanted to be babied - telling me to sort out inside-out clothes and find those that weren't immediately apparent, and put his top and shorts on for him.
I was doing it for some other children on the table who are younger and genuinely struggle.
Because of that I met him part-way, helping him find clothing and turn it right-way up and talking him through dressing. Autistic children don't really "act-up", they just show distress in different ways. For example he does struggles with socks, but he got them on fine today - and he's never had trouble with shorts before but was on the verge of tears because he said he couldn't get them on.
I hope I walked the right line today.
Anyway - no problems when we went into his new class.
We have two afternoons there; this applies to all pupils across the school. On Wednesday we're back to normal classes until September when they officially move up.
I'm so pleased he dealt with it so well.
A child in the class above him who has emotional issues really kicked off and has had his break time cancelled tomorrow.
Tiger by comparison was an angel and better than that showed no actual distress.
But then I've had help in preparing him for this and I do think that might have helped.
Good news for all of us that it worked anyway.
Obviously I don't like to see him upset.
Actually, this may not belong in the happy thread. I was sitting in front of the computer and I heard a *bang!* so I went to the front door and saw the trash can sitting on it's side. When I opened the front door, a large cinnamon bear stood up and looked over the trash can at me, from about 10 feet away.
The bear walked a few feet away and I saw that it was walking on three legs, with its left rear leg off the ground. I wonder if it was hit by a car.
The bear walked about 20 feet away and watched me as I picked up the trash and put it back in the can, which I then put in the garage.
I feel bad for the bear, but it's really not a good idea to feed them. It's also unusual for bears to be out raiding trash cans during daylight hours, so I think it's hungry.
I wish I'd gotten a picture.
16 months ago my hub lost his wedding band when he forgot to take it off when we were going to pull a calf. It fell off in our barn yard lot which would be the equivalent of losing it in the ocean except this was an ocean of straw and cow shit. Every year we use a pay loader to haul manure to spread on the field after the crops are harvested.
So we mourned the loss of this ring. It was a custom made Indian Shaman inspired white and yellow gold, soul catcher that matched my band. I found his ring today in this 80ft by 120ft cement lot that has about a ton or more of manure in one corner waiting to be loaded in the spreader after they pick our mint in 2 weeks. I just looked down and there it was. So amazing because there are five cows walking around in there waiting to be bred and doing what cows do... eat, poop, eat, poop
:)
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
one ring to bring them all and in the barn-lot bind them.
Well done!
Do you think it went, you know, through a cow?
Why do cows have horns?
'cause their rings don't bell! :lol2:
What?
Actually, this may not belong in the happy thread. I was sitting in front of the computer and I heard a *bang!* so I went to the front door and saw the trash can sitting on it's side. When I opened the front door, a large cinnamon bear stood up and looked over the trash can at me, from about 10 feet away.
The bear walked a few feet away and I saw that it was walking on three legs, with its left rear leg off the ground. I wonder if it was hit by a car.
The bear walked about 20 feet away and watched me as I picked up the trash and put it back in the can, which I then put in the garage.
I feel bad for the bear, but it's really not a good idea to feed them. It's also unusual for bears to be out raiding trash cans during daylight hours, so I think it's hungry.
I wish I'd gotten a picture.
I saw a programme recently about urban bears. According to that programme the way to stopm bears getting into your trash and effectively burgling houses and garages for food is in fact to feed them :p According to this programme it's a myth that it will make the situation worse, in fact feeding them alleviates the need for them to trash the area and they are less of a problem.
I saw a programme recently about urban bears. According to that programme the way to stop bears getting into your trash and effectively burgling houses and garages for food is in fact to shoot them :p According to this programme it's a myth that it will make the situation worse, in fact shooting them alleviates the need for them to trash the area and they are less of a problem.
Totally Fixed That For You ;)
Awww. Poor bears. They just lookin for food.
If you feed the bears here the DOW will shoot them.
I don't think it went thru a cow :)
Got an email from a friend I had at school - and after. She was one of my bridesmaids.
We were so close at school, but drifted apart after my divorce.
I felt my friend was very unsympathetic when I told her I was spearating from my husband, which lead to us not really talking.
When we got back in touch later I was still stung by her reaction and still felt I needed to bring it up, which meant our new contact withered on the vine.
Since then there's been FAR too much water under our prospective bridges to worry about it. I established contact with a lighthearted email and she responded in kind - although hers was actually funnier [damn!]
We'll never had what we did as 15 year olds living in eachother's pockets, but it's a nice feeling healing something I was responsible for breaking over ten years ago. Because we didn't lose our friendship because we grew out of eachother, and she can obvio7usly still make me laugh.
Maybe we'll be silver-haired old Grannies together.
And you don't have to have children to be a Granny. You just have to get on a bus and complain.
I don't think it went thru a cow :)
N's Hubby's ring was shamanic
With properties astoundingly tonic
While waiting to hump
A cow took a dump
Thus Nirvana's delight became chronic
Sister has an interview tomorrow! 1st since she started her hunt in June. Even if she doesn't get the job (as an admin assistant) hopefully this will give her an ego boost she needs. Really hopin she doesnt end back up at her hated job.
Had a drumming assembly today.
I've never heard the African Drumming group perform before, although I have heard them rehearsing.
I loved it, but more importantly, Tiger did too.
40 minutes of sitting still and listening with no more fidgets or talking than the average 5 year old.
I had a quick look on t'internet in case there were any workshops running over the summer (I'd simply suggest it to Mum, it would be up to her whether she thought it would be suitable) but there's nothing in our region.
And secondly, I chopped half the legs off my old pair of jogging bottoms - the ones already scarred from various hair bleaching/ colouring sessions. They don't look any more respectable for the loss of the stains, but I feel cooller and I never wore them out any more anyway.
I now have a pair of shorts that look like they lived with Bluebeard. Or have met a News of the World journalist.
:) Our medical clinic sponsors a monthly drum circle for spectrum kids. It is wildly popular. I'm not sure how the language barrier might interfere, but over here the phrase "drum circle" is likely to get a lot more relevant hits than "workshop." Drum circles are all about the free-form, express-yourself, just-have-fun kind of drumming attitude, whereas a workshop is more like drum lessons from a teacher. Like I said, not sure if the translation would hold up though.
I'll try it. I did see Drum Circle come up, but it was for (musical) adults rather than a bang-about taster workshop.
He's too young to be part of a group on those lines, but I'll still let Mum know.
She's bound to have information I can't access.
It might be there is a Special Needs programme they can access and she might not consider without knowing Tiger is interested.
I know I can help in this way.
For example, Tiger is slowly progressing from his food issues by sampling small pieces of food from his friend's plate and enjoying them (he has no issues with digestion)
And he now eats two types of fruit at break.
This still means he rejects three, but the two additions are without any adult presure.
And Mum would not know without me. He ate none before.
Not bigging myself up (I am not there at break when fruit is available) but I do get the chance to write a note.
From a boy that would only eat toast it's a breakthrough.
From simply observing, I'm helping, even when the progress is not instigated by me.
Maybe not directly instigated ...
I can think of many ways in which drumming could be good for Tiger, but one of my rules of life is never give a child a drum unless you really hate their parents. :2cents:
Awesome stuff Sundae. Tiger sounds like he's coming on in leaps and bounds.
Well: I gave my first academic paper at a conference on Thursday morning. Was incredibly nerve-wracking lol. Only put finishing touches to it late Wednesday. Was well-received and only got hit with two questions, both of which I was able to answer *releived*
Was a great time overall. Loads of interesting papers and had a riotous good laugh at the Gala Dinner that night.
Decided against staying over in Leeds for the two nights as I originally intended, 'cause Dante's in a bit of a bad way, so not fair to lumber Mum with a secon dog for two nights. Meant travelling in both days and back again, but worth it.
Will post more about this (and the Dante sitch in pets thread) later. Still recovering from alcohol/excitement/sleepless nights getting paper sorted:p
The manager of the Bates Motel and her hubby are off to the big city for 4 days. Yes! I will control the vertical. I will control the horizontal. No more "but Carmine always lets me" - have a room for $10.00; lets me stay for free; would trade this cruddy necklace for a room for me and my husband and our three children and two uncles and our grandmother; let us park our truck filled with baaa-ing and stinky sheep in the motel lot - fill in the blank.
Not THIS weekend, suckers! Carmine is 400 miles away and I am right here! No livestock, no free-loading, no more atrocities committed in Carmine's name. I don't have her cell phone number and I am MEAN and loving it! :p:
Well: I gave my first academic paper at a conference on Thursday morning. Was incredibly nerve-wracking lol. Only put finishing touches to it late Wednesday. Was well-received and only got hit with two questions, both of which I was able to answer *releived*
:cheerldr:
Why thankyou casi *grins*
@Sam: enjoy The Power !
MTP, how did sis go with her job interview?
I don't have a picture.
I've been looking and looking--screw it.
here's what's making me happy today. Today, I'm finally giving notice to all of you that I've put up footfootfoot's dandelion wine. Today is the notice, the bottling was a couple months ago.
Perhaps in a few more months, I'll post the pitchur.
Thanks m'dear:) First one's always a nervy thing! But it's reassuring when you hear topflight historians in your field give a paper and stumble over their words::P
First date dinner tonight. Fuuuuu.
I haven't been on one of these in a long ass time.
I'm going to end up having four holidays this year!
Count them - FOUR.
Already had the first - my two day trip to Glasgow with the girls last January.
2nd - my birthday present, four nights in Great Yarmouth with Mum & Dad.
3th - I'm going back to Cardiff in August (see below)
4th - Up to Glasgow again as we're catching the beginning of the season this year to avoid any illness scares.
Re Cardidd - my brother has very kindly given us a voucher for a free night in Cardiff in August. He and his wife realised they simply weren't going to make it in time. Mum has offered to pay for a second night, albeit at a cheaper hotel (£106 per room or £18 a room? Tough choice).
I'm paying my own travel, but that only comes to £6. Good old Megabus.
We both plan to be on strict diets at this point, and promise to help eachother stick to them. We might even manage it :)
Keep your fingers crossed for good weather and I'll bring back some new pics.
Oh, yeah :blush:
Thing is, I was CONVINCED they were in a brown envelope.
So my brown-envelope-hunting frenzy was never going to get me anyway.
The white envolope was also a different size to the one I expected too.
But I was right in that I left them on the bed.
Where I don't usually leave things because Mr Nose (aka Diz) tries to file them away for me.
This time down the side of the bed.
Just didn't want me going away I guess.
Two days and Bullit hasn't checked back in.......
He is busy with the intercourse.
all my colleague and my work
Went fine. There will be a second for sure. ER nurse, rides horses, tiny thing though like 5'3" and 120 soaking wet. Just makes it easier to hold her up in the air.. heh.
Soaking wet can be a lot of fun.....
yahoo calendar is working again.
Going to Harvey's Lake this weekend.
Did you forget until your calendar started working again? ;)
No, I have 2... 2... 2 reasons to be happy.:)
Need details ...
... hopefully in the NSFW thread.
No, I have 2... 2... 2 reasons to be happy.:)
:)
[YOUTUBE]E8zwnXjIjPM[/YOUTUBE]
Yesterday Zing #1 and I went to see the Harry Potter conclusion at the early show, then went for lunch. Both Zings are off to college soon, so I really appreciate these last outings.
Do not despair. They're not the last.
I'm so proud of my oldest daughter. She was at a Methodist Youth Conference at Purdue last week. She donated 16 inches of hair to help make wigs for kids with cancer
As well you should be, Sarge. What a beautiful thing for your daughter to do.
A nice Turkey club on Rye toast.
I enjoyed sustenance in the form of a coffee this morning. I might follow it up by eating a banana next.
A drink I made up with ingredients I have on hand.
Pineapple juice, maraschino cherry juice and vanilla flavored vodka - garnished with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.
Its too yummy for words.
I'm so proud of my oldest daughter. She was at a Methodist Youth Conference at Purdue last week. She donated 16 inches of hair to help make wigs for kids with cancer
I'm encouraging my son to do the same thing.
I have a job interview tomorrow! It's not for the greatest job in the world, but every little bit helps. The local newspaper needs someone with a truck to deliver bundles of papers to surrounding communities. The job just might be the stepping stone I need to gain some independence. If I get the delivery job and continue on with the Bates Motel, I can start saving for a camper trailer. That would allow me to apply for jobs as a campground host with the Forest service and the National Parks. I wouldn't be dependent on the whims of congress for my housing anymore. What a relief that would be!
Ooooh, I hope that job pays enough to cover gas plus wear and tear on my truck with even just minimum wage left over. And if it does, I really hope they accept me to be their new delivery girl. Everybody keep your fingers crossed for me!
Good luck with that Sam. :) Campground host sounds like an awesome job (except when you have to tell drunk people to be quiet at 2am).
Good luck Sam!
I made some sawdust this evening. :)
I came home from a long boring day at work, with very sore feet and just blah.... to a hubby who suggested we go out for dinner, and go see Harry Potter tonight. Out of the blue! As he was folding lundry!!
This comes from a guy that HATES going out for dinner. We have also seen 2 movies in the theater in the past 5 years... lol
So this tired old body is going to get changed, perk up my hair, change my $#%$@#% shoes, and go out for dinner, drinks and a movie with my husband :)
Woot! Way to go Sam, good luck!
@ Jaydaan: oh what a lovely thing to come home to! Have fun!
Max and I just picked two zucchini's, a boc choy and some broccoli from our garden for dinner tonight.
This evening I became a great aunt! Well, I've always been a great aunt but now my oldest niece and her husband had a little girl. My big brother and sis-in-law are ecstatic grandparents. Life is good! :)
Sam: fingers and toes crossed!
Jaydaan: That's wonderful. And to make the day end perfectly, perhaps a foot massage. :D
This evening I became a great aunt! Well, I've always been a great aunt but now my oldest niece and her husband had a little girl. My big brother and sis-in-law are ecstatic grandparents. Life is good! :)
Man, you're old. :eyebrow: :lol:
I love sharing the good times with my friends in the Cellar.
The love, the camaraderie, the all around feeling of community. It's almost enough to make one ambivalent. I think I'll stick with being a sarcastic bitch. ;)
infi, you old fucker, get off my lawn!
I know I'm old. Luckily I'm still so freaking gorgeous...
I love sharing the good times with my friends in the Cellar.
The love, the camaraderie, the antibiotics, the all around feeling of community. It's almost enough to make one ambivalent. I think I'll stick with being a sarcastic bitch. ;)
I know I'm old. Luckily I'm still so freaking gorgeous...
and it's not how you feel, but how you look...
I feel about 25. Is that good enough?
and it's not how you feel, but how you look, and you look mahvelous...
I feel about 25. Is that good enough?
A
Catherinette at heart.
Good luck with that Sam. :) Campground host sounds like an awesome job (except when you have to tell drunk people to be quiet at 2am).
TY, Aliantha! And everyone else for your good wishes! I'll post how the interview went on the irritating thread. :eyebrow:
finally got to shoot my new Remington 870. It was so freaking hot today that the range master didn't show up so I and another guy ferreted around and found a dozen or so clays that hadn't busted and we threw them. I hit my last two.
and it's not how you feel, but how you look...
I know I'm old. Luckily I'm still so freaking gorgeous...
I feel about 25. Is that good enough?
Why, you lucky woman. You feel young and is freaking gorgeous...:p:
Not luck. Clean livin'.
:lol:
As Bri is too, I'm sure, I'm so glad July is over. What a crappy month it's been. August, I love you!
Also making me happy, I'm soon to have one less broken thing in my place: my friend is fixing my sink and all I need to do is get a PVC pipe on my way home and my sink will be back in business. What a relief. I was like pioneer woman doing dishes (because dishwasher didn't get any water either): I'd have to wash, drain some water into a bucket, go pour the bucket in the toilet, go drain more water (about 3-4 buckets for each sinkful of water) etc and so on. What a pain. And he's fixing it just because he's a nice guy and a friend. I'll probably bake him some cookies or get him a 30-pack or something. :)
Oh wow IM I can't believe we are having the damn problem. Sadly I live with Mr UnHandy and I am the handy man. Part of my water line is plastic hose pipe and it has an "aneurism" I feel like the Amish here. Water pressure like a Chihuahua peeing! Off to Lowe's I go for 8 feet of steel reinforced hosing. Ohio is probably too far to go to borrow a handy man ;)
I used to think I was handy, or I was at least stubborn enough to be all like "I can do it myself! Hmmph." But I've realized my limitations. Plumbing is one of them! These are times I don't mind playing the "single girl" card. ;)
Can I be you when I grow up?
:D
Plastic hose pipe doesn't require anything but a flat head screwdriver and hose clamps ;)
Totally out of my league to use pipe wrenches and pipe dope! Our problem with professionals is we are so rural they will come once and then claim its too far out of their region if we call again. :rolleyes:
I read that as "nose clamps." :lol:
Yeah, glad I'm not friends with bankers and lawyers and doctors, my friends are rough and tumble constructiony peoples. ;)
Amen on the goodbye to July!
Happy Lughnasadh to all my fellow Green Road travellers.
I'm going to make some corn bread (almost wrote crone bread - HA!)
If I was really crafty, i'd make a corn dolly.
wolf - can/do you make corn dolls???
Happy Lughnasadh to all my fellow Green Road travellers.
Lughnasadh or Lunacy?
I am happy because I just made the cut off for the bowhunting safety class by a few minutes before they closed registration.
I'm going for my bowhunting permit and a gun permit.
I'm happy coz footfootfoot used a line of mine in his sig!
:)
Happy happy!
You are weaponcentric these days. Is this new or have you just not talked about much before?
Though, I did love archery in HS. Just at paper targets though. I think there was straw behind that. :)
I had those thoughts too IM, didja see CSI Miami last nite? :eek:
Archery has always really appealed to me.
Archery has always really appealed to me.
Because you're the re-incarnation of Robin Hood. :)
One thing that REALLY made me snicker: reading on another site that a Brit had an American friend who found it hard to believe she lived in Nottingham. She thought it was an invented place (because of Disney's Robin Hood) like Narnia or Hogwarts.
My ex husband was an archer.
When things really collapsed between us I used his archery lessons as time to call my new paramour. Something I am more ashamed of now than I was then. Hang on, that's not happy thoughts!
I am happy to be home and with my boy again.
He hid for pretty much all the four days I was away.
Maureen next door did the early shift and did not see him at all.
My sis and a combination of niece and/or nephew came round in the afternoons and had to drag him out of bed, but he showed no interest in anything.
And the other Maureen came to feed him at teatime - he got out of bed for food but unless grabbed he went back to bed immediately.
Now I'm back and he's hardly stopped purring since.
Although in this sweaty heat he doesn't feel the need to sleep under my duvet.
Thank goodness!
You are weaponcentric these days. Is this new or have you just not talked about much before?
I think I have turned a corner of sorts in my life. I have always really liked shooting but for many years I was not able to. The woodchuck was a gateway animal. According to my friend the Shaman, to put in new age terms I am asserting myself through my
first chakra.
The first chakra rules our PHYSICAL energies. Also known as the root chakra, it governs our vigor, heredity, survival, security, passion, money, job, and home. This chakra aids us in our everyday survival.
My ex husband was an archer.
When things really collapsed between us I used his archery lessons as time to call my new paramour.
Umm, Sundae you're scaring the passengers.
Don't shoot arrows your wife will cheat on you!
I've long wanted a punching bag, like boxers use. I need chakra too.
(Wasn't that the name of the monkey boy on Land of the Lost?)
THUNDER!
Smells like the weather is breaking!
And only the 2nd of August (our month for storms).
Well done, weather, nice & early.
Now you can stop being so bloody hot.
Where are my parents though?
Weird - they went out after dinner and have been gone over 30 minutes.
Not a Happy thing, although I don't mind it.
I'd just prefer to know when they'll be back, so I can stop running around with Mum's knickers on my head.
That last line might need a little explaining...
Really?
Don't everyone, given the chance, run about with their parents' underwear on their heads?
Actually, although it is only a joke, it is something known and accepted in my family.
Sometimes when the 'rents are away, Mum will call and I won't answer immediately. I'll say, "Sorry, I was running around with your underwear on my head."
Same when I'm away - Dad will answer and I'll question him closely about whether he is using my knickers as headwear.
I accept this might be odd.
I can't decide if its odd but its sure as hell funny! :lol:
Meh, it probably is odd...
...but funny is better than calling the social workers...
:)
Getting the water heater fixed only cost me $145. I was sure I was going to have to get a whole new one.
I am so psyched!!
Just ordered series one of Case Histories ( based on the book by kate atkinson - thank you, again, sundae for introducing me to her awesome work!!)
on dvd and canNOT wait to watch it! got it thru amazonUK.
Am still too scared to watch it!
Maybe I will, so I can thrill with you if it's good, and commiserate if it's bad...
BTW - check the postage if you want anything British next time.
If I can buy it and send it cheaper I will. Sometimes it's better to have it delivered to me and then have it sent on.
thanks, re: postage. Same goes here, too; though last time I tried to send you a few cans of chili they wanted 95 dollars to mail it - remember?! SHEESH!
I saw a (very) small clip on the website and the guy playing Jackson looks exactly the way I imagine him looking and I just can't wait!! I bet it'll be good, sundae. If you wanna wait, I can watch then mail the dvd to you - dvd's being much cheaper to mail than a pound of chili!
People have been weirdly nice to myself and my partner at work the last week or so. Holding hospital doors and elevators, waving, smiling and saying hi. Random people on the street too. Had one ghetto lady leading 6 young kids out of Wendy's one day, she turned to the kids as we were walking in and said "Did you tell dose men thankyou!?" to them. The kids turned and said "Thank youuu!" all together.
It makes my day, but is still really weird. We're not used to that at all. We usually get little to no respect, on the road or otherwise. EMS is kind of the forgotten service behind FD and PD. And private EMS, which is what I currently work, even more so. So it's nice to get a couple random thank you's, regardless of how odd it seems.
What's making you happy today?
the drugs have kicked in.
Your fly is down.
I knew something was up.
Really?
--snip--
I accept this might be odd.
your acceptance is not necessary. O_O
My father in law got accepted to the assisted living facility we wanted for him! Now we just have to make moving and transportation arrangements. This won't be hanging over my head for much longer, and I'll be able to go on a vacation as planned, even if it will be a couple days delayed.
I handed a wonderful chat with Lola Bunny today. She really brightened my day
Sitting here at home with a glass of red by my side and the rest of the bottle in the kitchen and tonight's Prom Concert will be starting on BBC2 in just under an hour. Mahler's 2nd Symphony. And such a beautiful evening.
Hiya Caz!
Sounds delightful :)
I like to think of myself as not being a competitive person. Today I saw that was kind of a fantasy when I took my bow-hunter education test. I was highly stoked that I finished 10 minutes before everyone else (54 students) and got a 100. Finishing first would have meant nothing w/o the 100.
Next week is regular hunter safety.
Now I have to find a bunch of people who will let me hunt on them's property.
My father in law got accepted to the assisted living facility we wanted for him!
Good work, Glatt. Taking control of a parent's future is a tough call.
I had a wonderful chat with Lola Bunny today. She really brightened my day
Having spoken to Lola and you, I expect the feeling is mutual. You're both great to talk to.
Sitting here at home with a glass of red by my side and the rest of the bottle in the kitchen and tonight's Prom Concert will be starting on BBC2 in just under an hour. Mahler's 2nd Symphony. And such a beautiful evening.
Oh to be beside the seaside, beside the sea.
I am listening to 5 Live (which has no interest for me on a Saturday night) because I don't know how to retune my radio. And no wine. And FAR inland.
But am relaxed and feeling okay about being halfway between being full and being hungry. A destination I would fill with cheese and crackers if I wasn't on a diet.
Don't get me wrong, I was drooling over a take-away menu three hours ago, but I'm better than that, stronger than that.... ie I still wished I'd ordered it when Mum was out & scoffed the lot. That's why we're in this together.
Now I have to find a bunch of people who won't hear the sound of a bow.
What is the season and bag limit for Zen monks?
What is the season and bag limit for Zen monks?
Well, it's tricky.
The season is the eternal now moment, so you're probably good for that.
The bag limit is at once zero, one and infinity. That is harder but any game warden will have even more trouble with it than you, so you're probably good there, too.
The catch is, you have to hunt them with a bow that shoots in a forest when there is no-one around, and that includes you. So the only way to operate one is to achieve a state of "no mind" in which your Self disappears. To do this you must first become a Zen monk. Which means that when you go hunting for Zen monks, the first one you find is you.
Now you see why the problem with the bag limit never really comes up.
Well, it's tricky.
The season is the eternal now moment, so you're probably good for that.
The bag limit is at once zero, one and infinity. That is harder but any game warden will have even more trouble with it than you, so you're probably good there, too.
The catch is, you have to hunt them with a bow that shoots in a forest when there is no-one around, and that includes you. So the only way to operate one is to achieve a state of "no mind" in which your Self disappears. To do this you must first become a Zen monk. Which means that when you go hunting for Zen monks, the first one you find is you.
Now you see why the problem with the bag limit never really comes up.
Yes. The moment you draw the bow you are mountains and rivers away from it.
twang!
target falls away,
thwap!
archer falls away
Who is left to gut the harvest?
My father in law got accepted to the assisted living facility we wanted for him! Now we just have to make moving and transportation arrangements. This won't be hanging over my head for much longer, and I'll be able to go on a vacation as planned, even if it will be a couple days delayed.
Well, I spoke a little too soon about the vacation. I'm really happy we have a place for my FIL, but I was a little naive about how easily it would be to make the move. There are so many details!
Had to cancel the vacation, but we'll probably take a long weekend somewhere or something. The good news is that the stress is gone now that he's in.
As an aside, did you know medical ground transport from NYC area to DC area is in the neighborhood of $5k? Amazing. We're probably going to move him in a wheelchair on Amtrak. It's faster and about as convenient.
As an aside, did you know medical ground transport from NYC area to DC area is in the neighborhood of $5k? Amazing. We're probably going to move him in a wheelchair on Amtrak. It's faster and about as convenient.
I believe it. A standard ALS run for my company runs around $700. And that's for trips around 10 miles. Then you add mileage on top of that, specialized equipment like ventilators, any medications used en route, # of crew needed (bariatric pts needing up to 6 people, or long distances requiring a third EMT or sometimes a whole second crew), and you can get into some pretty high numbers. My longest trip was from Akron, OH to Allentown, PA. 380 miles one way. Severe burn pediatric pt. Don't even want to know the bill for that one.
This. In the cellar health thread. But I'm jazzed enough it had to go here too.
The AC repairman came and solved the problem only 1 hour after my call on a day in Houston where it is 100 degrees F. And it only cost $130 and he told me how to resolve the issue myself very inexpensively so it won't happen againg.
And he gave me the winning lottery numbers for the 13 million dollar jackpot and a cure for cancer! What a guy!
This. In the cellar health thread. But I'm jazzed enough it had to go here too.
Awesome!
I'm so freaking happy!!!!! I got 2 cards and a gift from Sundae. Plus she has promised me a video of her & her new puppet. WOW!!! This is friggin' awesome.!!
I found it I found it I found it.
After two harrowing weeks and hundreds of spreadsheet manipulations, I finally found the last $2000+ to reconcile the 80 million disbursed for that particular aid year.
It was down to the wire. An unforeseen problem made itself evident as I was doing the final crunching. It was a mess. You just keep whittling away and hope you whittle to the right spot. I had to get a week's extension. But it's done.
And I know what to fix to make it go better for the next year's reconciliation, which I'm starting on right now.
I was trying everything. I had anxiety attacks. I threw my hands up in the air. I teared up a time or two. But I finally found it. When I added up the final numbers on my adding machine and they finally equaled what is on record with the Dept...I almost yelled for joy!
I can keep my job for another week or two. ;)
Whew.
Adding machine?
Maybe that's the problem.
I might try chisenbop next time. ;)
I'm so freaking happy!!!!! I got 2 cards and a gift from Sundae. Plus she has promised me a video of her & her new puppet. WOW!!! This is friggin' awesome.!!
Why does it always arrive all at once?
I sent Bri a postcard too, and she got it aaaaaages ago!
Still, better a mini bonanza than nothing at all :)
Working on the puppet video.
Don't expect anything other than rank amateurism, and me giggling all over the place! It's nothing like The Sound of Music - just me with a fluffy, squawky hand puppet, making a racket.
I intend to use it to help choose things next school year - as part of taking turns and sharing. What child wouldn't concede to a big pink rackety bird? Or her puppet?
Glad they got there in the end!
I found it I found it I found it.
Excellent.
Infi - I've been up to the wire on reconciliations before too.
Nothing like the pressure you're under, but due to my problem with numbers they made me extremely stressed. Which apparently translated into fierce. I've never been feared anywhere I've worked before. By the time I found out, I was back to my normal cheery helpful self. Wish I could've milked it...
Mine can take longer because I use a mail service and I only get my mail once a week. You made me so, so happy
HA! Yeah, they know when my brow knits and I look like I'm about ready to cry...the genius is under the pressure. ;)
I love reconciling. It's why I wanted this job. It's just that I get so busy putting out the fires in the front the main part of my job gets put on the back burner. And it takes a ton of concentration to juggle these kinds of numbers.
I'm so freaking happy I can't stand myself. I've been a stress mess for too long!
I think it's kind of funny that they would be willing to pay you for a few weeks to find a missing $2,000. At what point do they say let's just cut our losses?
I've got my PhD Transfer coming up (about a year into the phd, you have to go through this process, where they look at your plan and some other stuff, and decide if there really is a Phd in it, and if it looks like you'll be able to complete the project within the allotted time).
I've been 'working' at it for a couple of months, but for the most part it's been like pulling teeth. Have to produce a sample chapter, or long essay of around 10k words, plus a report on the project to date, plus a chapter plan, or thesis outline and a working bibliography.
Anyways, after it just being a real bloody nightmare for weeks, it's started really coming together the past week. I have almost finishe dthe chapter/long essay. Just the conclusion to write and then the referenes and editing. Done the story so far on the prject and research, and got about half the bibilography done.
The long essay is good, i think. And so is the story so far. I'm really pleased with them. Also, whilst it's been a painful problem trying to pull this together into a structured form at such an early stage, it's been really useful. I am starting to see how this thesis might actually look.
Why does it always arrive all at once?
I sent Bri a postcard too, and she got it aaaaaages ago!
Do postcards take longer than regular mail? When I took a trip to England in high school, I mailed postcards to family and they didn't get them for like 3 or 4 weeks... But at the same time, I know packages usually only take a week or two, even if they're mailed through the regular post office. How long does a standard letter take, comparatively? Does real mail get higher priority than postcards, maybe?
Within this country, postcards arrive in exactly the same way as any other post.
Overseas - who knows?
It's standard for people to arrive back from holiday a week or two before their postcards.
I sent and received back a DVD from Australia before I got my parent's postcard from Spain.
Perhaps it's just that they are small and light and get left behind in bags...?
Your guess is as good as mine.
This is actually what's making me happy yesterday but there is some residual happiness today, so, whatever.
I completed the hunter safety course and got another 100. Awesome for me.
F3, sweet. Did you ever get that gun?
Still saving for it.
Which one? make a solid decision?
I'm out of work, so, my cash flow ain't.
However, I'm not *at* work, so I can spend my days with SonofV. Today he asked if he could hang out with his friends. I said ok, and they decided to hang out here at the house. I stole this picture of them while they were all focused on the Mortal Kombat match. They're all friends at school, they're all good kids, most of whom have spent the night. I've seen them all before (actually, K, the girlfriend of J1, she's new to me). It makes me happy that SonofV is having a good time with his friends, that he's comfortable having his friends here at our (small) house, that he and his friends are practically oblivious to my presence. I'm just sitting here at the computer in the other room looking in on them. They're having a ball playing Xbox. They also have someone's laptop connected to the stereo so they can play the youtube videos at high volume.
They're such good kids. As a couple left, they said thanks, shook my hand, put away their dishes, just... just... solid young citizens.
I wish I was working, but I wouldn't trade this for a bazillion dollas.
I'm happy to be back home in Virginia with my father-in-law's NJ apartment contents sitting in my driveway in a UHaul I just drove down.
Tomorrow, I move his apartment contents into his new digs across town. I'll be happy when that's done.
I wish I was working, but I wouldn't trade this for a bazillion dollas.
damn straight. good on you & for you.
I love being able to be at home with my kids. I'm really very fortunate that we can afford (just) to do this. I do feel really sorry for families that don't get to spend a decent amount of time together, and I have to say that I think me being here makes a big difference to how they grow up socially and emotionally.
Much as I denigrate my family, I do really love them.
In fact that's probably at the root of the issues I have with my sister (unrequited love).
She came over today to do Mum's nails & toenails.
Used my nail kit (birthday gift from Dani) and even more unforgiveably, did a bloody good job.
Nah, I'm not actually jealous. She's always been great at personal grooming. I used to "borrow" her things when we shared a room and I never made anything look as good as she did. Mum's nails look amazing, which means she's happy and therefore so am I.
Three generations.
nice!
you look really, really, *really* young in that picture Sundae.
Snigger
I can't see myself in any of their faces.
But none of them seem to have been hit with the ugly stick - which I grew up believing I was.
Funnily enough, as I was looking at the photo, before scrolling down to your last post, I was thinking your sister's lass looks more like you than her.
I am happy because I have finally fucking finished the sample chapter/long essay for my PhD transfer! Just shy of 10k words, and I am pretty happy with it. The 'story so far' research report is a hop, skip and a jump away from finished: just a few references to locate and put in. And I need to throw together a working bibliography (probably no more than an hour or two of work tomorrow).
I can't believe the chapter's done. It was like pulling teeth for most of it. Really only hit my stride about two weeks ago.
Sundae: That's a great pix of the female side of your family. Although I think they all have great smiles, I think you've got the best, sunniest smile. :D
Dana: Yay!! Congrats. That is a great accomplishment. :)
Great work, Dana!
However, I want to warn you about this:
And I need to throw together a working bibliography (probably no more than an hour or two of work tomorrow).
:lol2:
Words like those seldom come true.
Love the pic Sundae. But you have to admit, you are the prettiest
The West Memphis Three have been freed!
I'm so happy about that! I hope they can adjust to life on the outside.
:lol:
Sundae beat me to it! was great talking with you!!!
I forgot to tell you - I had just finished watching episode six of Case Histories! I'll mail it to you when I'm done!
I was super-quick wasn't I?
But we have a phone next to the PC.
No - don't mail it to me, if it has your approval I can watch it online (a new skill learnt because Starz has Torchwood: Miracle Day six days before the BBC)
If you want to post me something send me something cheap and light and uber-American.
Snax n candy n fings (nix on the peanuts tho).
I'll return the favour.
Ok!
:)
Personally, I am liking it. It's *not* the books, but so few things are any good anymore...(crotchety old crone talking) and I DO enjoy looking at Jason Isaacs.
Love the pic Sundae. But you have to admit, you are the prettiest
Pssssht. I grew up in my sister's shadow.
Until I was 19 I didn't have a boyfriend that didn't fancy her more than they did me.
I certainly do not think Abs looks anything like me, but it's probably more about her character.
My sister didn't bring her up to beleive she was strong and amazing and the world could go fuck themself if they disagreed.
But being a parent is 24/7 and if she'd been mine she might be
really screwed up as opposed to just meek and mild and embarrassed by anything "flamboyant".
Pssssht. I grew up in my sister's shadow.
That explains her extreme tan and your relative paleness.
Your sister has a very similar smile to you.
The girl can tan, I'll give her that.
They'd just come back from Gran Canaria.
Personally I don't want to look like a cheap sideboard, but to each their own.
Do you really think we have the same smile?
Gutted.
It was the one thing I always thought I had over her.
The BFs who didn't fancy her always said that - "But you've got a beautiful smile" and as I got older the tits were an advantage too, but they never meant as much to me.
I don't compare myself to her looks-wise any more of course.
We're as different in that respect as we are in personality.
But of course the envy is still there, especially as she is in the same job as I am (and doesn't love it the way I do).
Sorry, this is the happy thread.....
Personally I don't want to look like a cheap sideboard, but to each their own.
.....
Sundae channeling Joan Rivers lol
Your smile is way nicer than your sister's and it was way nicer when you were kids too judging by the pics I've seen. I also think you were a more attractive child too. Like you say each to their own, and really not to put your sister down or anything, but she wasn't pretty in an interesting way. You were and are more striking.
Mum and J have both commented on how attractive you are from the photos they've seen.
Mum and J have both commented on how attractive you are from the photos they've seen.
Now that's happiness! I am so easily flattered.
Thanks muchly x
Happiness today - I called up Tennant's Mum.
She's the one who had thyroid cancer, and never missed an opportunity to tell me how much Tennant adored me.
I asked for his (their) address so I could send a postcard - something children just don't get these days. I followed it up two weeks later with a pic of me on the beach (posted here - fully clothed! just with pink hair).
I left it a while because I didn't want to look like a stalker. I needn't have worried. She was really happy to hear from me, and we're going to meet up in the next week. Tennant was so pleased with my postcard and card he has both pinned up on his bedroom wall.
Sundae. You've adorned my office & bedroom walls for years. You've had guys in Iraq and at the PD drooling over you. Even my girls love your hair & comment how cute you are. Take a bow, beautiful. Whenever someone asks, I tell them that is my dream girl!
The fact that it can't go on forever.
Thanks everyone (esp Sarge) made me feel really good.
Dad's just told me that he saw my ex-husband yesterday. (Please note, my ex husband was a lovely man, not ever to be confused with the Evil Ex who I did not marry, just sold my soul to for far too long).
He called to Dad across the carpark they were both parking in, so it was contact initiated by him not Dad. That makes me happy - he got along well with both my parents and I'm pleased he still feels he can talk to them. Of course, being Dad, he came back with absolutely no information! I'd have loved to hear he was married with children and in a job he loved, that our cats had had good lives (17 years ago - chances are they have died by now).
Still, he made an effort to talk to Dad and that has really pleased me.
Awesome mtn biking today. That is all.
Rented a Harley. Rode to the beach. Sitting in Whitehouse subs now.
How long a ride was that for you?
Soldier Soldier on youtube :)
(bye, family, see you in a week or so....)
How long a ride was that for you?
About an hour each way. Through the rain but sunny down there. I just got home and I am pooped... more on this tomorrow.
Beest fixed my cuckoo clock :)
Hey Now !!!
there is a NSFW thread for stuff like That !! ;)
Soldier Soldier on youtube :)
Fuckers. Only Series 1 is on there :(
Got an opinion in on 5 Live today.
It's a BBC Talk (and sport) radio station which we listen to all day every day here.
Well - I get bored when the sport is on, but I do sometimes listen to it in the evenings because it's a good indicator that I'm in the toilet or bathroom, but I'm mostly intersted in the talk side of things.
This is not Shock Jock radio - people with strong opinions get through, but not absolute fruitloops. All calls are screened and people with a coherent argument get to say their piece. I texted rather than called, and was amazed to hear my text read out. 5 Live has a huge listenership, but rarely covers things I can contribute to - although often I am interested in.
Julia Donaldson (author of The Gruffalo et al) was on - she's the Children's Laureate at present. Now I know how popular The Gruffalo is, and didn't think I had a chance, but sent in an anon text to say how much Tiger (description not name) adores the book and could not only recite it, but would copy the pictures, despite being unable to draw from imagination. And how proud that made him. She said that kind of feedback made her so proud.
11p very well spent.
The pump to fix the pool is HHHHHEEEEEEERRRRRRRREEEEEEE!!!! woot woot woot
Sprouts are back in the supermarkets!
have been for a while. why were they gone?
Brussels Sprouts are seasonal, and at least over here should herald Winter.
The sale of beansprouts may have been affected by the E:coli issue in Europe recently, traced back to a German farm (after their Parliament blaimed it all on dirty foreign cucumbers, yuk yuk yuk).
I like the seasonal variety of vegetables.
I slip up sometimes; I love lychees and figs. But I try not to buy things out of season.
To me it's less special to eat cherries in October, strawberries in March, parsnips in July. (I lie - I don't like parsnips at any time of year)
I included the full pic of this in a thread a week ago, but having reviewed it, I did have to give a small cropped picture here.
It's so joyful.
Little Sikh/ Jain boy absolutely delighted to be allowed to run around in his pants!
I included the full pic of this in a thread a week ago, but having reviewed it, I did have to give a small cropped picture here.
It's so joyful.
Little Sikh/ Jain boy absolutely delighted to be allowed to float into the air in his pants!
FTFY
Thoughtful people who show they care, sometimes subtly, sometimes almost psychically.
More on this when I climb out of this dark hole, but thank you...you know who you are.
As I type this, my father in law is in his new assisted living facility just 8 miles away. The move from NJ went very well, even with an earthquake striking just after his train got in, and the facility being evacuated when he arrived.
Good to hear all went well glatt.
I worked for money today. Not much, but you have to start somewhere and I already have more lined up. Gardening, of all things. :lol:
Remember the male plants are virtually worthless yet carry the same penalty as the female plants.
I got my second gig, start that tomorrow. And something else which might not work, but we'll see. Yes, my friend has started project "find monster paid work" after she said, "oh I started paying my son $20 to take out the trash and recycling" and I said "hell, I'd come and do it for that!" :lol:
Remember the male pants are virtually worthless yet carry the same penalty as the female pants.
FTFY
makeing Me happy you ask ???
we leave for Fla in the AM !!!!!!
WWWOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!
Are you looking for hurricanes?
they wouldnt DARE fuck up our vacation !!!!!!!
I'm sure they wouldn't.
::backs away quietly::
especially since he had Irene delivered to North Carolina.
A Present for All My North Calacky Friends !!!
Oh joyous day! My laptop has a new motherboard, courtesy of my Dell extended warranty. And this bitch is flying from task to task like it hasn't done in long time. (We're also getting a free wireless printer out of the deal, but that's because Mr. Clod is like Flint when it comes to demanding excellent customer service. He stonewalled that warranty rep like a right rat bastard.)
A Present for All My North Calacky Friends !!!
Yabbut the reason there's been no floridian activity is because they've been waiting for you.....
---
wtg Mr. Fob of the Clod.
GCSE results for 16 year olds today.
Clever niece got all 12
A*
A x 8
B x 2
C x 1 (Drama, but she's not too worried as she honestly believed she'd failed)
Eh, she's done alright there aint she?
I am happy because today is day 1 of my 5 day holiday! Yey.
I submitted my transfer docs yesterday (sample chapter of 10k words, plus a research report and thesis outline). I have no meetings until Tuesday. So absolutely nothing on for 5 days. Glorious.
Well done, you deserve it.
Now make sure you don't waste your time on the internet.
Do some really healthy things like cleaning, planning your menu for next week and shopping for fruit and vegetables.
Snort.
hahahahahahahah
Yeah.
Alternatively I could finish the giant spliff I rolled for breakfast, wash it down with this here latte and then watch some classic Doctor Who...
The other thing that is making me happy, is that the stuff i handed in was good. I still have to go through the upgrade/transfer interview (bit like a mimi-viva), so hopefully the examiners will be happy with it, but so far i think it's really good.
Pain in the arse though it's been, trying to bring everything into some sort of shape so early in the project, it's also been incredibly helpful. I feel way more confident about the possibilities for this thesis now.
Happy Christmas Everybody!
Perhaps in an attempt to avoid the savagery of last year, we are eating out for Christmas dinner.
Menu (with my choices starred).
YUMYUMYUM!
oh, sounds good sundae -- but where are the peas?!
;)
We're going to avoid savagery at Thanksgiving and eat out then. We might still be awful heathens at Christmas, though, and continue to do the buffet.
One Christmas we did tacos and the boys nearly fainted. HA!
Quite right - no peas!
I might have to have a word. Traditional Christmas Dinner with no peas? Steak (my choice as starred) with no peas?!
It's almost unthinkable.
I could take me own though.
Maybe they're roasting the peas to death instead of boiling them to death.
My hub wears 32/36 jeans. We haunt Goodwill because this is an odd size. We frequently score brand new or almost new jeans. Anyway today I scored a designer handbag in mint condition , retail $499. [ who pays that for a purse? :eek: ] The grand total was $2.70.
Awesome Nirvana! When my kids were younger Value World (Purple Heart) was the only place to shop because they were guaranteed to have pants to fit all three of them. Especially supe-skinny Hector. I just used to measure the length and waist with a pre-prepared piece of string and buy every pair that fit. and the handbag -cool find. I feel like that about hockey gear and figure skates.
OK, I'm happy because Hebe's High School Swim team just won their first meet by two points, and Hebe placed and scored in one of her individuals, even though she's a freshman.
AND
I got word that our pool is fixed and may be open by tomorrow evening.
YAY!
and I have paid work.
I'm leavin' on a jet plane............
don't know when I'll be back again [COLOR="White"]( yes I do )
[/COLOR]
Saying goodbye to your holiday home?
If you're ever visiting rellies-in-law in High Wycombe do let me know.
I'd be happy to hop on a bus just to shake hands and have a photo op, even if you're too pushed for time for anything else.
I was able to eat applesauce today for the first time in 15 years.
It was tasty.
Hooray applesauce!
I am happy because in the face of pending evacuation orders, our doctor's NY office staff worked like lightning to send out our prescription orders (and presumably everyone else's) before running out the door.
I swimmed! In my pool! Well kinda mine. :D And I'm still pumped about Hebe's swim team experience and the whole high school thing seems to be coming together. We bought the homecoming dance ticket and class shirt and she's also decided to go the the homecoming dance of the school she is zoned for with her off-season swim team buddies, and she might even go to the homecoming game. She told me not to bother to buy her a pass for the home games/meets because she wouldn't go to enough, but I forced her and 24 hours later she's happy I did :D
I love this thread! Just reading why other people are happy makes me happy! :)
Phyllis and the Magic Community Minibus turned up unexpectedly to take us to a party 20 miles away so I didn't have to drive and could have a wee drinkie! Mahvellous!
The Magic Community Minibus? Were roundabouts involved? Dougal? Brian?
It was a bit like that - there were the Gay Gordons, the Dashing White Sargeant, a couple of lovely songs sung by
Mairi McInnes, fab food, and all around the bloomin' Heather (she was retiring). The bus is yellow and pumpkin like.
Having a hurricane cleaning party with offspring. Getting rid of a bunch of crap that was just taking up much needed space. Basement looks better than it has in years.
ok so last night was dr. froth's birthday bash concert. i planned on going to it last year when i left the last one. i got trumped at work (the track) and didn't put my request in on time. every other manager there was already going. i got stuck working. i was pissed. well more than that. i was flat out mad. now i find out they are playing again next week at the same place! SWEET! i'm SO there!!!!!! yeahuh. i'm excited!
Again with the mountain biking... We rode last night to avoid Irene. It was fantastic, we had to push it to get done before total darkness. We just flew down the trails in the slackening light all senses on. It was just so cool.
My gardening/weeding business/whatever is going well. Both clients have paid me, I have more owed, and today my second client recommended me to her boss. And it's only day 5. I get to do something I enjoy, be my own boss and get paid for it. It ain't a PhD salary, but I name my hours, my clients are word-of-mouth, and I might make enough to pay for the boys' hockey before the season disappears under the snow. Or at least for one of them.
good job monster
for me, finally configuring this new machine to find and play .mov files in picasa. This was a major undertaking and took a lot of figuring out for me, but I'm very very happy to report that about 180 videos that were previously saved but utterly unavailable to view are now present and accounted for in my picasa library!
o happy day!
Having a hurricane cleaning party with offspring. Getting rid of a bunch of crap that was just taking up much needed space. Basement looks better than it has in years.
How does tht work? Do you just leave all your old crap out on the lawn and wait for it to blow away?
My 6 year old niece was playing in my car on Sunday. I asked if she were practicing for Homecoming Queen. Homecoming Jester will be more like it, she's very funny.
oh right, your car
Your Car
YOUR FUCKING CAR?!
Where was I when you bought a lemon sorbet coloured Beetle convertible?!
You are so fucking cool.
Just... leave out the "fucking" bit when you tell your nieces, okay?
(but when they're old enough call me and pass the phone over - I'll say Harry Potter or quote Monty Python or whatever is cool at the time).
That was the car I bought when my 2 week old Astra was totalled by the Punk with the Phone. I got my insurance pay out and bought the Bug used. Not nearly as practical, but look where practical got me (the Astra being my very first brand new car, was supposed to accompany me on my long commutes when I got this job.) I say it's my mid-life crisis.
It's a joy to drive in the summer. Kids everywhere yelling "slug bug!" and punching each other on the arm...or just waving and yelling 'HI' and I wave back, of course.
It's not so great in winter (but not bad, with the amazing german engineering and handling and safety features) but I do love my Daisy Head Mayzie. My friends say it's 'me.'
By the way, the color is Mellow Yellow. That was a selling point too, old hippy that I am.
So we were talking that I should drive it for a few more years so the 11 year old niece can drive it someday. The 6 year old, pictured, said "no, it's MINE." This is the one who wouldn't go for a ride with me when I first got it because she didn't like it with the "lid" down. I still call it the 'lid.'
:)
(Funnily enough...the other car is my sis-in-law's brand new Honda Odyssey. She had it a week and a half before someone tore into one side of it in a parking lot...and ran. She stole my bad luck.)
My nieces are dying to hear your accent. They think English accents are the be-all end-all of cool!
Well then PM me a number, silly.
You've known me long enough that I won't drunk-dial at 02.00 your time, cursing out you and your family!
Some time you know you'll all be together, let me know and I'll ramble on for a bit.
Just in a furrin' accent.
PS - lemon sorbet.
That's not a European knowing better, it's just me deciding on a colour name..
It's WAY better than all the Tweety Yellows I see around. Bleck bleh bleh.
'Sides, I'd squish Tweety's head if'n I ever saw that phony little bird. There's a bright yellow (not convertible) Bug that runs around town with Tweety stuff all over it (wow, how unique!) and I told my friends I would paint my car black and white like Sylvester and chase the Tweety car around town to see if anyone got the joke. ;)
A really cute niece and a really cute car!!
I think it looks like Lemon Lolly Yellow!
Well then PM me a number, silly.
You've known me long enough that I won't drunk-dial at 02.00 your time, cursing out you and your family!
..
Ooooh...can you drunk-dial me at 02.00 my time...:D
There's a bright yellow (not convertible) Bug that runs around town with Tweety stuff all over it (wow, how unique!) and I told my friends I would paint my car black and white like Sylvester and chase the Tweety car around town to see if anyone got the joke. ;)
I would love to see you do this! :lol: Make sure to videotape it for us to see if you ever do. :D
New shocks in the Laredo cured the front end wobble. Now to magically turn it into a motorcycle!
Cool car shaw! If I were gay.....That'd be the type of car I would drive.
And the mercenary would be my fella
:lol:
You'll need a sign that says "No back seat drivers."
Pay Day, Pay Day
Yay Yay Yay!!!
Have been on a wild spending spree, buying cat litter, toothpaste and deodorant.
And paying bills.
But it still makes me feel good.
Finally paid off Diz's vet bill.
Blimey that was painful.
Now Mum wants me to take him to the vet for a checkup because he occasionally urinates in the house at night.
Having come up with various other ways to beat me up about it (his tray is not clean enough, my room is not clean, I haven't washed my bedding this week) she's now decided he is ill and I need an £80 consultation.
Nothing to do with him being a very jealous cat and a little bully, living in the same house as another cat that he hates. No of course not. Inappropriate urination is never associated with that...
Still, at least once I've beggared myself over a pointless battery of tests I'll have the peace of mind of knowing he is in rude health after all.
Back to happy.
Haircut tomorrow!
Then back to blonde I think. Back to school on Monday for a training day so bye-bye pink at least by then.
Minus pink = sad, but new hair colour almost always = happy.
"Inappropriate urination" almost always makes me sad but not when Sundae says it.
I've switched from calling him a stinky poo-bum, to calling him a little wee-bandit.
It sounded nicer than little pisser.
Dante is a bugger for pissing inside. Not like a full on flood, but marking territory.
Mum calls him a piss artist.
“We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us,” - Pema Chodron
...a piss artist.
Piss Christ?
lol I like.
I'm sooo happy. Soooo soo happy.
I finally, on Friday, after much prevarication sent my broken i-phone4 to Apple for repairs/replacement. I'd put it off and put it off, because though unable to make voice calls I oculd still text, surf and listen to mp3s.
Just answered my door to a UPS delivery: my brand new, unscratched, perfect i-phone 4.
“We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us,” - Pema Chodron
I'm as soft as a Dali clock today.
Cool car shaw! If I were gay.....That'd be the type of car I would drive.
It's definitely a chick car. :rolleyes:
Totally Gay....
Aww, did someone shit in mercy's wheaties in the politics threads again?
But thanks for shitting on something that actually made me happy lately. You're a GREAT guy, deep down.;)
And the mercenary would be my fella
You could do way better than Mr Vehicle As Penis. I'll be your gay lover. :D
Hi monster ponster sponster! :)
Infi's back, Sarge is on the mend, or at least on the track to it, Sam is making progress in the job hunt, Hebe is turning into a fish, things are good.
Now if Wolf and Toad could just land something lucrative...
Wolf and toad? maybe featuring roles in one of Aesops Fables?
Don't forget the minifobs on the mend
YAY!
Knew this earlier, but forgot to tell you's.
Going to the Family Fun Day on Saturday. It's in a local park, arranged by a coalition of local churches and the council (AVDC) I have no issue going to a church sponsored event. I work in a faith-based school. Jebus is okay with paying my wages, he can deal with me watching kids on a bouncy castle.
I had already arranged to go with Tennant's Mum (and Tennant).
I sent Tiger a postcard back in July, and followed it up with a handwritten card last week - including a recipe I thought his Mum might like, and of course an invite for Saturday.
Tiger-mum called me today to say yes, yes, yes. And I could hear Tiger in the background, wanting to speak to me.
Being an autistic child (and five years old) he said his set piece all in one breath - thank you for my card I look forward to seeing you at school and on Saturday thank you goodbye. But I was happy that he wanted to speak to a disembodied me.
Tiger-mum is seeing Tennant-mum tomorrow - the birthday party of a child who will be in my class next year - and will confirm arrangements.
It could be that something has come up and/ or she can't make it.
But at the very least (and it's not the least at all) I will see Tiger.
I'm so happy I can't tell you.
that is awesome, sundae. You've found your calling!!
I'm happy because the roofers are here, the roofers are here! I am FINALLY getting a whole new roof!!
YAY!
Sounds like roofer madness.
HAGGIS @ Zen!
For me, I'm going to be Infinite Monkey Unplugged for a while this weekend. My bro and sis-in-law bought some land in Hocking Hills (beautiful part of OH...not the flat crap like around here) and I'm going to drive down tomorrow and spend the night.
Unless you climb a hill, there is no cell reception. There is, however, a really nice cabin/house, A/C (gonna be a scorcher this weekend), my sis-in-law's cooking, clear night skies where you can see forever, many critters, and good company. Oh, and their chocolate lab who I luvz.
The things that WON'T be there: students yelling at me. Traffic. The same four walls. My anxiety.
I think so. :)
I just had to add, he was giving me directions over the phone, and the last part was "turn left at the pile of rocks."
Now THOSE are some directions I can live with! :lol:
I'm off work all next week ( official holiday here thursday )
AND
It's my 11th Wedding Anniversary Tuesday !! :) :) :)
You go girl - have a wonderful time.
Sounds like just what you need.
Re directions...
Another pleasant day in the countryside
Has ended up in tears on a stormy night
'Cause you can't follow my directions home
But don't stop now
God knows where the satellite's taking us
I can't tell what's right in front of us
But I hang on every word
And don't stop now
No, don't stop now
You give me something I can write about
You get fooled by the lightning every time
See the after-image of my outline
And you turn the wrong way 'round
Well, don't stop now
No, don't stop now
You give me something I can write about
You give me something I can cry about
In a church house ten miles out of town
Is the devil gonna track me down?
And travel through a tunnel in the trees
Just remember that's how you get to me
There's no number on the house
The birds are heading south
Sometimes you have to turn
The wrong way 'round
Sometimes you get too close to nowhere now
This is helpful in the silence
I wait with a blank piece of paper on the top of my head
And all I want is something I can write about
All I want is something I can cry about
Bananas - just as good as I remember.
Sometimes I just feel valued by Dwellars.
I don't make a big deal because it would sound like fishing for further compliments.
But in this last week I've had some people who I really like and admire being very kind.
And that makes me so happy.
Kind of odd, really. But that's why I come here.
I haven't been completely even in a long time.
Happy today because I was back at school!
A wonderful, wonderful day.
Every Wednesday the class is taken by Ms Mc - the teacher I worked with when I was volunteering. She is an inspiration (she inspired me to become a Teaching Assistant anyway!) and all the children adore her and want to do their best for her. She is now Deputy Head, and is just an extraordinary teacher. She is so effortless and natural, but works the children hard while playing up their positives. She teaches for all learning abilities and learning styles. Tiger doesn't really need me on Wednesdays!
He was pleased to be back too.
He has a new blue and green coat, but the zip is picked out in orange, so there is a little bit of Tiger left for me :)
He said just before I left today, "I really like it in this classroom." So that kept me smiling all the way home.
He had a bad night last night, Tiger-Mum said. He couldn't sleep and had lots of questions, then woke up at 05.00 and was worrying. I think he'll probably crash out tonight! But at least he's seen that I'm still there and I will look after him. And also he realises that school is still the same, it's just a different classroom. He won't see all his friends all the time, but he has at least three good friends in the class, and can sit and play with the others at lunchtime.
Tomorrow I spend time with my new teacher, Mrs M.
I've never worked with her before. Opinion is divided amongst the TAs - nothing really bad, just that she's very strict and can really yell. I'll get used to it. I can always look forward to Wednesdays! It will be a change for Tiger too - Ms Mc used to take Reception one afternoon a week, so he knew her. I think we'll weather it though. He responds well to a disciplined environment.
There's a young lass at uni, a first year BA student who is studying on a 'research studentship' with my supervisor. She's so enthusiastic, in first flourish of obsession on redcoats and 18th century british army. She's doing blogs, and has written a wiki page, and is bouncing about all over Twitter :p
It's fun to watch. She's clearly got a ridiculously bright future as an academic if she chooses to go for that.
snip--
She's clearly got a ridiculously bright future as an academic if she chooses to go for that.
Oxymoron alert!
You don't think it's possible to have a bright future as an academic?
I think the future for academics is dismal.
I see more magical thinking, more making shit up and calling it good, more conforming facts to suit conclusions than ever before. That makes me sad and discouraged.
Dana's description of this young woman's actions and energy does seem exciting, and if she's happy and finds happiness in academics, I'd be thrilled for her. If the definition of a bright future includes good pay, respect, career growth, etc, then I think the future for academics is grim.
Ugh. I should probably just turn Fox News Radio off now. I'm kinda makin myself sick.
Depends which part of academia you're in. Eighteenth-century military history isn't where the big bucks and the worst practices are.
The immediate future doesn't look great in terms of employment conditions. But probably better than the working conditions in your average firm in the private sector. The difficulty is going to be tenure. That's a thing of the past i fear. But that still leaves a career to be had on diffferent terms that can be fulfilling. Historians aren't paid fantastically well, but in terms of job satisfaction and respect they do pretty well.
Spoke to Lola a last night.
She's just such a sweet person.
Although apparently I speak too fast in my furrin accent :)
Maybe I should post some YouTube vids with subtitles to get her used to it.
Not seriously, but not poking fun.
I watch most programmes with subtitles when the option is there, stops me missing too much. It's especially helpful on American shows, where unfamiliar terms and pronunciations are used, as well as having "stirring" soundtracks to contend with.
Happy today because we had another good day settling down at school.
Mrs M was really easy to work with, and Mrs J (the other TA) has always been friendly and helpful, and continued to be such.
She's so experienced and works so well in her role that I might be intimidated with anyone else. But with her I know I can ask questions, and I don't have to be embarrassed at my lack of knowledge.
Got new tires on my bike. Cost a pretty penny but worth it. She feels very turny and has more grip. Should be fun.
It's the little things.
Got a scope mount for my 870 today and put a 4x scope on it. going to sight it in at the range on Thursday.
Insurance company settled on my jet ski destroyed by someone else. Got a small chunk of change for it, less than the 4k I was asking but it was better than nothing. I am happy because I really did not want to go through the hassel of the insurance claim when it specifically stated that it was not covered if someone else was driving it, which they were. So better than nothing... Boat US is the bombdiggity.
Insurance company settled on my jet ski destroyed by someone else. Got a small chunk of change for it, less than the 4k I was asking but it was better than nothing. I am happy because I really did not want to go through the hassel of the insurance claim when it specifically stated that it was not covered if someone else was driving it, which they were. So better than nothing... Boat US is the bombdiggity.
:thumb2:
Good news! Still amazed that the dude broke your jet ski and wouldn't fix it.
Yea, it is a sore point. I have since found out about some of his other actions in the community. He has a reputation. He owns a small business and has been implicated in some scams concerning failure to take care of people he sold equipment to and not repairing or replacing defective equipment.
Pleased it wasn't a total loss for you Merc.
A costly lesson :( but once bitten...
Pleased it wasn't a total loss for you Merc.
A costly lesson :( but once bitten...
True dat. I am way to trusting to people in person...
The world sometimes feels like a shitty place.
And sometimes you feel like you've failed at some hidden test and are being punished for it.
Then you get a telephone call and you remember that "World is crazier and more of it than we think". And that Brianna is a Grade A tourmaline :)
Coming out of the grocery store this afternoon, it started raining--the first time we've seen rain in months. And all the people in the parking lot began spontaneously cheering and high-fiving each other. It was both beautiful and surreal.
Oooooh yeah. Love that moment.
I honestly cannot imagine being so grateful for the rain. Even our 'droughts' just mean it hasn't rained enough to keep the reservoirs full.
I only like the rain when it cools things down.
And for the smell of the pavements.
I am always so much more grateful for the snow.
I used to love snow. I still get that fluttery feeling when it first starts falling. But having a dog has proper put me off :p
How many times have you woken up, prayed for the rain?
[YOUTUBE]cy9-epdDw9E[/YOUTUBE]
it rained today and my roommate came home from the hospital. haven't been around much due to working but here's a run down. prostate cancer removal. yep. they removed his prostate. i'm happy the surgery went well, i'm happy he's home, yeah i'm happy for the rain too BUT i'm not happy about emptying pee bags! :eek:
now he's on a restricted diet at the moment. applesauce, ice cream, etc... fixing to go to the store for said items.... would it be wrong to cook up a ribeye and eat it in front of him?? i'm so evil sometimes it's fun!
now he's on a restricted diet at the moment. applesauce, ice cream, etc... fixing to go to the store for said items.... would it be wrong to cook up a ribeye and eat it in front of him?? i'm so evil sometimes it's fun!
not if he takes a coupla percocets first.
it rained today and my roommate came home from the hospital. haven't been around much due to working but here's a run down. prostate cancer removal. yep. they removed his prostate. i'm happy the surgery went well, i'm happy he's home, yeah i'm happy for the rain too BUT i'm not happy about emptying pee bags! :eek:
now he's on a restricted diet at the moment. applesauce, ice cream, etc... fixing to go to the store for said items.... would it be wrong to cook up a ribeye and eat it in front of him?? i'm so evil sometimes it's fun!
Is he more cranky than before? Is he in more pain? You think he'll mind if I call to ask how he's doing?
lol bri, i actually just bought a sandwich.
lola he's in too much pain to be cranky! :D but i'm wishing monday were here already! give him a day or two before calling. he's still short winded but i will tell him that you asked how he's doing.
Good on you for taking care of him plthijinx.
Lil Pete and I went to Rochester yesterday to represent our club at a fencing tournament yesterday. That meant 3 hours each way driving. Which meant some conversation with my teenage daughter. She talked and listened on religion, politics, and history maybe this school of hers is worth the money. Her ideas are becoming much clearer. She has also found her happy place at school. AP Euro is a small class taught by an intellectual to the sharpest kids. She walked in late this week to be questioned by her teacher, "Do you know who Eddie Izard is?" "You mean the cross-dressing comedian?" Followed by peals of laughter since she had essentially quoted her instructor's introduction.
Oh we kicked ass btw. She got 4th in sabre, I got 4th in epee, and we both fenced foil ending up in a father / daughter final that didn't go my way at all. I'm claiming leg cramps though.
we both fenced foil ending up in a father / daughter final that didn't go my way at all.
When you can snatch this pebble out of my hand, grasshopper, then you will be the master.
Happy camper today because there are seven men in my bungalow... And, they are installing four enormous solar panels on my roofP! Hurrah!! It's part of a local government scheme (sponsored by national government) and I get to use the energy collected from my panels during the day. Any I don't use will be stored and delivered to the National Grid, the income from which will go to pay for the installation. once it's all paid up then my local council collects the profit.
So I shall be looking to consume as much of the free stuff as possible during daylight hours, slow cooking etc and will be looking at my heating needs trying to use as much electricity as i can.
happy bunny..:)
Much happiness in the cellar, hurrah!
...but my leg just cramped while I was posting that. I'm holding Griff responsible.
Insurance company just sent us another check for the loss of the Jet Ski, almost the same amount as the first check. Not what we wanted for it when we were selling it, but damm! A hell of a lot better than what we expected. Go Boat US!
Excellent! That must ease the sting of it a little.
Excellent! That must ease the sting of it a little.
God you don't know. We asked 4k for it at sale and were willing to accept 3.5k. We lost it in what was clearly not covered by the insurance but the insurance company stepped up to the plate and covered us for half of that. So we went from a total loss to 1/2 of what we were asking. Go Boat US!
The Baseball Head is trying to eat my niece!
Unexcused absence, little heathens. My brother does this with the girls every September. The girls love baseball, especially the oldest one...a real competitor in the game herself.
Very nice... happy time !
They're happy kids. Happy family. I hold my brother and sis-in-law and their kids up as the goal every family should strive for. I'm not bragging; I had nothing to do with it...they're just amazing people.
Thanks lamp. :)
Wow cute nieces!
And more importantly, happy people!
As everyone else has said of course :)
Great pics, IM! The kiddies are adorable!
oh, and GO REDS!
Cincinnati Trivia:
After Pete Rose was banned for life from baseball, what was Pete Rose Way renamed?
The Cooperstown Bypass
Thanks folks! I'll be here all week. Try the Skyline chili.
You really have to try the Graeter's, too!
A small happiness, but I di feel glad I did it.
Was talking over the weekend about blacberry & apple crumble
Mum has prepared and frozen a number of cooking apples she was given this year. I went out for 30 minutes and brought back a box of blackberries. The walk, the time-out and the general nature of... well, nature's bounty, has made me feel great.
And I think it cheered her up a bit.
I offered to soak them for her, but she was happy to do it. Off they go to the freezer to await happy dessert times.
I do have some itchy scratches though.
(We're also getting a free wireless printer out of the deal, but that's because Mr. Clod is like Flint when it comes to demanding excellent customer service. He stonewalled that warranty rep like a right rat bastard.)
The Flint and Pooka teamwork is what really gets things done: it's like good cop, bad cop, oh my God should we call the cops?
apparently hebe's grades are awesome. Coming from hippie school, we've never had to deal with grades before. i still find the online grade check thing kinda voyeuristic, though, and tonight was surprised to learn that her grades were really good. I only just made the adjustment to what % = A from Brit to yank, so i guess I was overcompensating.
When I was at school, 70% was an A. here, that's a fail......
Good for her! Do you think the hippie school probably helped her become a creative problem solver?
Some of that, for sure. Mostly I think it taught her that she's in charge of and responsible for her own education, so when she encounters something she doesn't know, she doesn't have the "nobody told me" or the "we didn't cover this yet" attitude that I've seen in some kids (and I guess been surprised by), and she doesn't rely on anyone to remind her when stuff is due.
They always tell us that the transition from the small, friendly, sheltered, co-operative school to the big competitive high schools is easy and Open School kids come out on top, but I guess we don't believe it 'til we see it.
I also didn't know that AC classes bump up theri grades, so the grades I'm seeing on powerschool are lower than her final grade will be for those classes if she keeps it up.
I'm just relieved that she's made the transition OK, that the intense swimming schedule is not affecting her grades and that she's getting the grades I hoped she would (better, even). It's all too easy for parents to overestimate their children's academic and multitasking abilities.
Mostly I think it taught her that she's in charge of and responsible for her own education, so when she encounters something she doesn't know, she doesn't have the "nobody told me" or the "we didn't cover this yet" attitude that I've seen in some kids (and I guess been surprised by), and she doesn't rely on anyone to remind her when stuff is due.
This. The self-reliance thing is so important, and sadly is pretty much ignored by the public school system.
Aboslutely, I see first year uni students drowning because they lack this.
But when you link teacher's jobs and incomes to standardised test results, and then don't test for things like this ...
Not a teachers job to teach self-reliance. That is good parenting.
Zen, dazza tells me that he's noticing a growing number of students entering uni without the ability to write reports and things like that and who seem to expect the lecturer to practically write their papers for them. For example, he'll send them a web address to look for info, and they respond by asking for the exact link that corresponds to what they're doing.
This is a massive problem as I see it.
Aboslutely, I see first year uni students drowning because they lack this.
But when you link teacher's jobs and incomes to standardised test results, and then don't test for things like this ...
yeah it killed me last night to hear "your disabled/IEP students have to reach this % of reading and math proficiency for us to pass this test. if they don't, you're going to be seeing a lot more homework and your kids are going to be asked to stay after school and come in on Saturdays...." because that will really help. if they're not getting it, doing it more achieves nothing. you need to do it differently and that takes time. this is some crappy new measurement call Adequate Yearly Progress AYP Absolute Yard of Poop imo.
I think it depends what they're doing exactly. Sometimes repetition does help. Usually it should be a combination of things. It really depends if they're developing or consolidating knowledge. If they're just in the early stages of consolidating, they're likely to benefit from repetition.
I hope they can find a way to work towards helping all the kids. It's hard to tailor a solution individually if the parents aren't involved though thanks to the limited resources available to teachers.
your disabled/IEP students have to reach this %
Yup. Been dealing with that for 2 years.
Me: He has virtually no short term memory. What are our alternatives?
Teach: Work harder, more homework, worksheets...
Me: He has NO memory! THAT is his disability.
Teach: your disabled/IEP students have to reach this %
Wash, rinse & repeat.
Sometimes in special circumstances you need to do the research yourself classic. See if you can find out what the alternatives are for yourself then teach the teacher, or at least give them the info you've found and discuss the practicalities, but seriously, no one teaches teachers what to do in every situation. Sometimes it's helpful to do a bit of the legwork yourself. Teachers just don't have enough time to do it all themselves, and even the ones who really do care don't have the time and often/usually no resources.
That is another story. We have gone far past this point. He is now in with a teacher who is much better for him and with him. Its been fantastic, honestly. There are still issues, but we discuss how to overcome them and we both have been innovative in our approach and united in the direction of the lessons. For this year (summer plus a month) its been a win/win/win.
Resources are basically all on me. That was fine when I had an income. Now its a little tougher, but we are still managing. I REALLY want to get him a tablet, but there is no way that is gonna happen till I find a new job.
the point where they are sending the extra homework and scheduling extra classes is long after repetition has failed as a reinforcement tool.
And it's often not the best tool in the first place. But it is the easiest to administer, monitor and grade. And it does work for most, eventually. But not for all, and notably not for a lot of students with IEPs. that's kind of the point of IEPs, i thought, but apparently this stupidity trumps IEPs. MAKE IT SO!
And, just as a fwiw -Hebe has barely had any homework prior to high school. certainly no printed worksheets. She's getting A+ across the board. Not without effort, but the point being that the lack of repetition to this point clearly hasn't damaged her. At our alternative school, once you have something, you reinforce it by helping/teaching others who haven't got it yet. Works a treat. And the kids don't come to hate homework and school. it's funny, our kids hit highschool and they kinda view homework as fun (doubt that will last) -a bit like they did when the preschool teacher gave them "homework" to find and bring in something starting with a certain letter for alphabet week.
Not a teachers job to teach self-reliance. That is good parenting.
Well, not just self-reliance, but initiative, responsibility, many things. Not a teacher's job? I'd say mostly it is parenting, but teachers can help - and they can also undo a lot of good. If the learning strategy is "here is a list of all the facts you need to know, beat them into your heads however you can", then the students will be trained into dependency and sheepicity. (That is so a cromulent word). If the strategy is 'pick a topic, find out stuff, tell us about it" then there is a bit more independence. If it is "find a problem, solve it" then this should foster independent thinkers.
The art of teaching is creating a situation with the right degree of support and freedom.
Zen, dazza tells me that he's noticing a growing number of students entering uni without the ability to write reports and things like that and who seem to expect the lecturer to practically write their papers for them. For example, he'll send them a web address to look for info, and they respond by asking for the exact link that corresponds to what they're doing.
This is a massive problem as I see it.
Yup. Remember, my job is the back-up academic who students like that get referred to. Quite a lot of students are scarecly able to do more thinking than cut-and-paste from a source. Some of them struggle to do that.
To be educated today, IMHO, is not knowing a whole heap of facts, but rather having the ability to figure out what information you need, to find it, to assess the source for reliability, and to apply that information to solve your challenge.
At our alternative school, once you have something, you reinforce it by helping/teaching others who haven't got it yet. Works a treat.
:notworthy: to your school learning strategy! MUCH better than more rote learning.
No finer way to consolidate knowledge than to teach someone else what you've learned.
I have my health, I have a place to live. There's food on the shelf (and booze).
These things are nice.
I have three wonderful children who love me and of whom I am immensely proud. I have the love of a good woman who is beautiful, smart and sexy.
These things make me happy.
Dexter, Season 6, tomorrow night at nine!
Bowl till you bleed!!!!!
YAY!
I still have yesterday's Doctor Who finale playing out at the edges of my thoughts. It makes me happy that the series clicked together so well. What a great story.
Sometimes, ya know....it's the little things:P
Sometimes, ya know....it's the little things:P
That's what Tony Soprano always said. :D
Got the boy a "food maze".
Couldn't have justified it at full price, but ZooPlus (website) had a sale and I also had a voucher. AND got free shipping.
I've been having a fight this year to reduce Diz's weight. I doubt many people would have classified him as obese, but I know how bony he used to be. The breed profile for a Singapura is stocky, so being skinny isn't something I wanted to go back to, but he did have a paunch.
I stopped his blood & bones diet after he tried to choke to death in May, but ever since then he has got more & more rotund.
So when I saw the Cat-It Food Maze at a price I could afford I was all for it.
I put a weighed portion of dried food into it every morning.
There is still some left when I go to bed.
He is no longer gorging then whining.
He gets a food pouch in the evening, but this is factored into the plan.
It does disappear in about two minutes!
Oh and yes. From the first time he saw it he got it.
Put paws in top to knock beebles down to next level.
Then fish about on second level.
Final level gets them into the dish at the base.
Three levels of difficulty (you can change the size of the holes) and on the easiest level some can be knocked from the top right into the dish. I'll change this once he's used to working for his food....
Happy, happy, happy.
that is really cool.
Somebody said that we will be judged in heaven by the way we treated cats.
You will get a crown of jewels! :queen:
I think it's cool, even if I don't believe in heaven.
Because if I did, I'd already be on the list for hell for being complicit in the poor bugger developing such greedy habits.
At least he's moaning at me less.
He can smell the beebles and knows he can knock them down, rather than calling for food 30 minutes after he ate 1/3 of what he was due per day.
He misses the scoff-fests.
Still, he gets one at teatime (pouch food).
That's awesome. How clever.
Pilau's gained weight. Cropped his fur and underneath he's a right podge! No wonder he was starting to feel heavy when I lift him into the car (he can't jump into the car anymore though bless him he tries).
Alas his quota of guilt-biscuits has risen in inverse proportion to his shrinking exercise quota.
It has to stop. The last thing he needs is a bunch of extra weight on those legs. He's already unsteady enough to blow over in a gust of wind.
That's a very nice kitty feeder there, Sundae. My two aren't (too) overweight, but I know they get bored on weekends when I have to put in 14 hour days at the Bates and then just come home and collapse. :(
I wonder if there is an American equivalent? I did find a little egg-shaped thing that you fill with treats and then kitty has to bat it around to get a treat to fall out. Flicker figured it out right away and loves to play with it (and eat the treats). Sylvester is too lazy, and he just waits for Flicker to bat a goodie out for him. Ain't that a typical male? ;)
Today is my grandson's first day of real employment in a fish hatchery (Lake Merwin, WA).
He's still in the last year of the Fisheries training program at a local community college,
and he'll go for full time employment in the summer.
I'm a bit concerned that he is taking on too much this semester...
14 credit hours + 2 days per week at the hatchery + 1 day per week
at the plant nursery where he's been part time for the past year.
It's been 3 years since his Mom essentially threw him out of the house (drugs),
but he has since got his GED, started community college with basic courses,
and then was accepted into the Fisheries program.
Sometimes it was touch-n-go, but we're very happy and proud of him.
Sometimes it takes a busy schedule to stay clean or at least clean enough. Good for him.
That's a very nice kitty feeder there, Sundae.
I wonder if there is an American equivalent?
Cat-It (makers of that specific food maze) is distributed by a company called Hagen, that definitely sell in America.
Today is my grandson's first day of real employment in a fish hatchery (Lake Merwin, WA).
Lamp, that's amazing. So pleased to hear of his progress.
It's been 3 years since his Mom essentially threw him out of the house (drugs), but he has since got his GED, started community college with basic courses, and then was accepted into the Fisheries program.
Sometimes a kid needs a kick in the ass like that to come around to reality. I hope he and his mom are on good (or at least better) terms now. He sounds like he's a hard worker at heart, so I'm glad for him.
Good for him Lamp. The young-ins can, and should keep busy.
Just keep on doing what you're doing.
Lamplighter--
Finding a load that is "right" involves trying some that are too light (like before?) and some that are too heavy (like now?). He's using the tried and true Goldilocks method of figuring it all out. I add my voice to the chorus of cheering support, Good Job on him!
I have a job interview next Tuesday.
It's for Sunday work in a large pharmacy chain.
All I can do is hope.
And ask questions of my SIL who works there.
And check out interview questions on the internet, and come up with potential answers that match the person spec.
Yup, it's a Sundae job.
Hey, that's excellent, Sundae!
Good luck Sundae. Wow 'em.
bought a skeleton the size of Thor from the thrift store for $6.50. Thor and Hector had already had $6.50 worth of fun out of it before we even paid for it. Then Thor and I went into the Library. Hector put Melvin the driver's seat, hands on the wheel... He looked awesome. hector reported many double takes and a little laughter. then he had Melvin waving at other drivers. (rushhour, traffic speed non-existent.) some pretended we didn't exist, others laughed and enjoyed. So funny.
:lol:
Although ...
bought a skeleton the size of Thor from the thrift store for $6.50.
With a big saucepan and some wire you could have saved yourself $6.50.
My girlfriend loves me, and I love her.
there *is* more that matters, but not before morning....
I'm so happy. We got a big box of candy from Sundae last week and I got a card from her today. It only took the card 2 1/2 months to get here. LOL. That's the way it goes when you live in the boondocks.
TY Sundae for making a horrible day at the doctors turn into a great one!!
So after all my moaning it was actually my own fault for not putting enough postage on!
Oh well, at least they didn't do what they do here, which is deliver it anyway but charge YOU the extra postage plus a 99p fine!
Glad it finally arrived.
Sorry that it still applies all this time later...
The Wife and I celebrated our 18th anniversary this past weekend.
Major congratulations CG.
She is obviously a very specal woman.
(and a patient one ;))
Sarge - just realised, you were reading the date in the American way.
I posted the card on 6 September. Which still means it took a month and a half, but at least I know the reason.
But it's worth knowing if I'm sending something in future.
There is a sharp drop in price sending things by slow mail, so if time isn't of the essence I might use it again - intentionally next time.
So saying, is it time for Secret Santa yet peeps?
Congrats to Crimson and Rose Ghost (I don't know, I'm just wingin it)!!
18 years is an accomplishment worth being proud of. Good job both of you!
What I'm happy about:
I didn't die.
Ok, I know that's very melodramatic. But it could've happened. I have some very abundant lilacs out front and one large branch is/was hanging over and onto some utility lines from the street. Very not good. It was a large branch, as big around as my calf. But the spot where I wanted to cut was aaaaaallllmosst out of my reach. To be fair, it was well out of my safe reach. The thing is, I don't have a step ladder, only an extension ladder and there wasn't an easy place to lean the ladder. To make things more dangerous, the branch, the place where I had to stand was just about two feet from my driveway, which is leads to the garage, duh, ... under the house. That means I was cutting this branch overhead and it would fall (past me, I hoped) into the driveway about five feet below my feet. Five feet I could easily fall, with a snarling chainsaw. Hooooboy.
Out of my reach? Yeah. I wanted to cut it outward from the spot where the utility line was touching so that when it did fall it would just fall, not get hung up on the line. Then I'd planned to cut the remaining stub short of the utility line. This is what happened. But it was touch and go.
I reached up with one hand holding the running chainsaw, like this, but without the helper,
[ATTACH]34831[/ATTACH]
and with my free hand I reached up and pulled the branch downward, allowing me to reach the branch with the tip of the chainsaw. I pushed through as far as I could but it wasn't enough to cut through the branch. I switched sides, careful to avoid stepping onto thin air over the driveway, avoiding getting entangled in the rose bushes, avoiding getting ensnarled by the power cord for the chainsaw. I cut again from this second side and cut through a lot more of the branch, but still not through the branch. Back to the first side and I could see a LOT of daylight, giving me a good idea of where to apply my next cut. It came down, not on me, not on the roses, but in the driveway. YAY! I didn't die!
Cutting the remaining stump was anticlimactic, though the chunk that fell straight down and missed my feet. Yep, I'm happy.
Was it really worth the risk doing that job yourself V? Over here we'd probably call that a "hold my beer and watch this" moment.
Glad you're ok. Things could have gone really badly wrong there. :(
You should have leaned the ladder on the branch you were cutting. That way it couldn't have fallen on you.
Hmmmm... for some reason I don't think that would have turned out very well. :thepain:
Well, to do it right he also needs a big, gas-powered chainsaw, with the safety by-passed and the throttle wired open.
and a dull, slack chain
[YOUTUBE]OxTa_bqIz5Y[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]169Z_pv5Xns[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBE]VEpXASQ7seY[/YOUTUBE]
or he coulda called the utility company to come and do it?
this is posed, of course. and the section in red ... sorry, the text landing IN the box, it says ELECTRICAL. But you get the idea. The yellow box above the red electrical, that's the one the the branch was leaning on. I'm on my tiptoes here.
all done now, we're gonna burn the branches in the fireplace tonight.
BigV - you have people that love you and that you love, right? What if you'd seen one of them attempting this? Huh? Please do not do this to the people who love you (I don't mean CellahLurv, I mean the Real Thing).
But cellahlurv too. I've been thinking about this all arvo and I have to say, it just gets dopier the more I think about it.
don't do dopey stuff anymoreV!
P-shaw. My 82 year old dad does stuff like that all the time.
his fondest wish is to die falling off a roof.
Keep up the good work, V! You'll make the news yet!
It could have been a little safer, but I don't see how it was life threatening in any way. You're almost certainly not going to die if you fall 5 feet. Maybe twist an ankle.
Good job, V.
I have a 14 foot pole saw for jobs like this and even though it takes a little longer, it's much more comfortable to use and safer. I use it at least once a year to trim branches around our service entrance wires. Prune them while they are small, and the job is easy. Plus it's a fiberglass pole, so even if you are an idiot and cut into a power wire, you will be safe.
It could have been a little safer, but I don't see how it was life threatening in any way. You're almost certainly not going to die if you fall 5 feet. Maybe twist an ankle.
Good job, V.
I have a 14 foot pole saw for jobs like this and even though it takes a little longer, it's much more comfortable to use [COLOR="Magenta"]and safer[/COLOR]. I use it at least once a year to trim branches around our service entrance wires. Prune them while they are small, and the job is easy. Plus it's a fiberglass pole, so even if you are an idiot and cut into a power wire, you will be safe.
Yabbut fall five feet with a jumpin' chainsaw in your hand? Uh-uh!
[SIZE="5"]I have a Sunday job![/SIZE]
Boots the Chemist decided I was exactly what they were looking for.
Well, for a month anyway (sigh).
Turns out it's just a Christmas position.
Never mind - I have my induction tomorrow (which I will obviously get paid for) and then start on 27 November.
Second interview this year, second job attained.
You see? They love me once they meet me - I just need to persuade more people to meet me! At least once I have this in the bag I'll have more recent experience on my CV (resume) to offset the gap when I was unemployed.
It's money for four Sundays which I wouldn't have otherwise.
And even better, it doesn't interfere with my Glasgow plans, as I don't leave Victoria until midnight on Sunday 18th. I very much doubt the store will be open that late...
Yay, Sundae! A Sunday job for Sundae - that has got to be fate or karma or something. Who knows? Maybe they'll like you enough that you'll get to stay on in one capacity or another.
You go, girl!
V,Please remember that I hold you in the highest regard when I say, are you nuts?
He may be a dumbass, but he's our dumbass.
j/k V
We luvs ya.
I'm happy to be out of the hospital.
I have to wait now for test results to see if I'm rejecting the Remicaid or if the Crohn's has gotten worse. The test takes a couple of weeks.
Sundae, that's excellent news. And it may only be a seasonal position at this point, but once you have your foot in the door, it may lead to more. You never know.
[SIZE="5"]I have a Sunday job![/SIZE]
Boots the Chemist decided I was exactly what they were looking for.
...
They'll discover you're just what the doctor ordered and decide to keep you! Well done!!!! Yay you!
I'm happy to be out of the hospital.
I have to wait now for test results to see if I'm rejecting the Remicaid or if the Crohn's has gotten worse. The test takes a couple of weeks.
Great to see you're out of hospital Pete. Maybe the test could show that you just have a bug or something? I'll hope for the best for you anyway mate. xx
Sundae, what everyone else has said. Often part time jobs turn into something more permanent, so here's hoping. BTW, can you get us free drugs now?
Excellent news, Sundae. Once you have that in, you'll be first in line when the need permanent part time staff.
Had my induction today.
Turned out there was some confusion about my start date, it is in fact this Sunday.
So I have another month's worth of wages to earn.
Yay.
Good deal Sunday !!!!
V , Raise yer right hand ,
Now smack yer self for me
[SIZE="5"]I have a Sunday job![/SIZE]
Boots the Chemist decided I was exactly what they were looking for.
Well, for a month anyway (sigh).
Turns out it's just a Christmas position.
Never mind - I have my induction tomorrow (which I will obviously get paid for) and then start on 27 November.
Second interview this year, second job attained.
You see? They love me once they meet me - I just need to persuade more people to meet me! At least once I have this in the bag I'll have more recent experience on my CV (resume) to offset the gap when I was unemployed.
It's money for four Sundays which I wouldn't have otherwise.
And even better, it doesn't interfere with my Glasgow plans, as I don't leave Victoria until midnight on Sunday 18th. I very much doubt the store will be open that late...
Great NEWS! Congrats. Make an awesome impression and maybe they will hire you full time or call on you when they are short of staff in the future. I am very happy for you!
I'm happy to be out of the hospital.
I have to wait now for test results to see if I'm rejecting the Remicaid or if the Crohn's has gotten worse. The test takes a couple of weeks.
Glad to hear you are home. Crohn's is a tough disease. Hang in there.
Hope you're feeling better soon Pete. Hope the Remicaid test comes good.
@Sundae: fuckin' A! Nice goin hon.
Go Sundae on Sunday! :cheerldr:
[COLOR="Blue"]SHUTOUT![/COLOR]
Awesome game 1-0, hector's second shut-out of the (4-game-old) season, but get this: he took 31 shots (at least), including several breakaways. :D :D :D And there were several grandparents there who don't really know the team and parents at all yet, saying things like "Wow, your team's goalie is really good..."
My throat hurts.
Monster & Beest, their nature and nurture of the youths are turning out some fine athletes! :thumbsup:
well it's certainly not genetic.... :lol:
Improvements to Ios5 for the IPad. The split keyboard is great for typing in landscape. And there are a number of improvements to Safari.
Yeah. Total geek.
I got to spend the entire day with my grandson, Sam, on the Sandy River.
In the first pic, Sam is working his new spey rod
The second is about a half acre of stacked stones along the river
.
Wow reminds me of the Chinese tomb armies
V,Please remember that I hold you in the highest regard when I say, are you nuts?
V, my dear, as a mental health professional, let me add my $0.03 (adjusted for inflation) ...
Are you out of your fucking mind?
Oh, and hearty congratulations, Sundae!
wolf, et al:
Thanks. I know it was risky. But I survived, though as you can see in the pic below, the firewood has returned its carbon to the atmosphere already.
I'm back in my mind now, thanks!
[ATTACH]35049[/ATTACH]
I'm back in my mind now, thanks!
Good thing, you wouldn't want to lose your chainsaw privileges, eh?
Re: Lamplighter's picture of stacked stones.
Now imagine if someone had painted faces on all of those stones ....
:eek:
Making me happy today is the following (redacted) email:
Dear Dr (Zengum),
You have successfully completed your probation period and are now confirmed in position of (General Smartass) in (Miscellaneous Academics Division) until 31-DEC-2049.
:jig:
Effectively, tenure, so long as I keep working and don't screw up (or one of my students).
Should I tell them I hope to retire before I'm 77?
Now, Wolf, hurry up and get that job you mentioned so I don't feel bad about being happy about this.
WAY TO GO!
:standing ovation:
Wow! Fuckin' A' Zen. I mean.....just wow.
Good job Zen. I hope tenure is everything you thought it might be. :D
eta: you can still screw your students. You just have to declare it. ;)
congrats Zen! that is teh awesome!!!
YAY!
Thanks all!
eta: you can still screw your students. You just have to declare it. ;)
Well, actually ... it's only against the rules if I am responsible for marking their work or being their supervisor. My unusual generalist position means I almost never actually do either. so, ahh ... :D
No. Not really.
Anyone I meet through work is off limits, since that is just unprofessional and dodgy in so many ways.
Unless she's like,
really special.
Dazza dated a couple of his students over the years, but he doesn't anymore. lol
I am in awe of the Zen.
WTG!
Zen, that's wonderful news. Congratulations.
Cool! And I knew you were a higher education instructor, but I guess I didn't realize you were a PhD. I want to call you Dr. ZenGum from now on.
Congratulations, Dr. Gum. I'm glad you finally got off of probation.
Congrats Dr. Zen. You earned every bit of it with your hard work, dedication and Cellar postings. ;)
That's wonderful, Zen! Some lucky students in Oz are going to have a great teacher for some time to come. Good on you!
Dazza dated a couple of his students over the years, but he doesn't anymore. lol
not done teachin you, eh?
Yay Zen, congrats!
I am extremely happy today, because my father offered to buy a new mac for me. This is huge, because the one I have now is an old G4 that I have to keep open with a fan on it so it doesn't overheat. And he's even going to kick in for CS5!
This is so awesome, I am overwhelmed. I won't have to worry any longer about Bosco taking a wrong jump and landing on CPU innards. And...I'll have an updated system and software to do my work.
My wife recently got CS5 and really likes it. What will you primarily use it for?
Graphic design stuff--InDesign for print, Dreamweaver for web layouts...Photoshop and Illustrator for the artwork. I'll have to learn what Fireworks is all about. Is your wife a graphic designer, HLJ?
... Is your wife a graphic designer, HLJ?
Not professionally.
Nice work Zen!
You've raised the intellectual climate of the cellar by a degree.
I just scored!!!!!! Can't believe it. Getting despondant about my chances of finding a second-hand half-mask for Hector to wear when reffing hockey -even the ones on ebay are going for the price of new ones ($40 and up....). had 20 minutes to kill so wandered into the Re-use center which has a few -usually nasty sporting items and so i skipped yesterday when I was running out of time and *****dingly music golden light moment****** there was the holy grail, sat in a basket of grungy snorkels. $2.12 later and it's mine, all mine.......
Now, the question is, is this good karma that I'm owed, or is it setting me up for a big fall? i just got an email from his coach that they are doing another tourney that will cost us at least $100 ....maybe that's it? hopehopehope
I score a schweet goalie helmet for $28 yesterday, though....... I'm feeling too lucky.....
Got something through the post.
I am ridiculously happy.
Can't tell you, but I will some time soon.
Crappy post, I know.
But I am VERY happy and had to share it.
Got something through the post.
I am ridiculously happy.
Can't tell you, but I will some time soon.
Crappy post, I know.
But I am VERY happy and had to share it.
Well what is it?
I've got to know now, your making me krazy.
Fargon, I love you long time x
Finished another shift at work.
Still concerned that I am doing everything wrong, but no-one seems to have the time to tell me that.
It's also been confirmed that if I have signed up for any extra shifts I can have them.
Some of the ones I wanted had already gone (those this month, sadly) but I have at least two extra which will pay out before I go to Glasgow.
So that's all YAY!
Got a name badge and a full uniform too, so I no longer have to wear my decent school trousers on the floor. And the work ones have a pocket, which is very helpful - I don't need one in class as I have everything I need close to hand, but on the tills you're not close to anything useful. Well, being a retail chemist you are close to lots of useful things, but you'd get the sack if you helped yourself!
In a far more emotional vein...
Funeral tomorrow.
I hope you will understand when I say I am looking forward to it.
It's a family event for a start. I feel good when we pull together.
Mum will need me and won't bitch - pretty much everything I do will be appreciated and remembered fondly. And the bottom line is I will actually BE a help, not a hindrance.
And it will be the end of this chapter. We can settle down and acknowledge the gap Grandad leaves in our lives. We devoted many hours in caring for him and this interim period has been hectic.
My aunt by marriage is originally from Iran. A few years ago she brought her aging mother, who speaks only Farsi, over to the US to live with them. Recently she received a recommendation from a colleague for a gerontologist who actually speaks Farsi, which was huge for them because her mother has a number of medical issues, including Alzheimer's, and it has been difficult for my aunt to constantly translate her ramblings and get her the help she needs. So she took her to this new doctor, who evaluated her for over an hour.
The first thing the doctor tells my aunt is that her mother most definitely does not have Alzheimer's. She has a severe urinary tract infection.
I'm sorry, what?
Apparently, it is a known problem among the elderly, and elderly women in particular, that long-term untreated urinary tract or kidney infections can lead to dementia. But the type of dementia shows key differences from Alzheimer's, which a standard practitioner probably wouldn't know how to look for, let alone in a different language. This gerontologist was able to see the difference, ran the urine test in-office, and had the results before the appointment was over.
My aunt reports that after two days on the antibiotics, her mother is noticeably more clear-headed already. Very happy all around!
Wow, that's awesome, and scary at the same time really.
SECRET SANTA!
Your secret santa recipient is:
(**************************)
I'm stoked!!
Friends who are friends even when I don't really deserve the friendship.
They keep me alive. :)
How could you not deserve it?
Funeral yesterday went as well as it possibly could.
No weeping and wailing, a dignified send off all done in a very proper way.
The afternoon and evening were restrained, but did feel in a way like a celebration of his life, rather than po-faced mourning.
We had a party for Grandad's 80th and said a lot of the things we wanted to then. We felt it was important to say them in his hearing, while he was alive and well, rather than wait until after he died. So last night felt a bit like his 80th all over again, except that this time he wasn't here shaking his head over all the people who wanted to praise him, and marvelling at the amount of food and drink.
Less people this time round, that's what happens when you get to 88.
But his neices and nephews made a good showing in respect of his siblings, also some people from church as well as Mum's friends.
Theresa from Church came. She speaks in broken and heavily accented English despite moving here from Italy 50-odd years ago. Once again she had a good laugh at the fact that my Mamma has one BIG-a girl, and one LITTLE girl! Ha ha ha! Because she has one GREATBIG-a son and the udda, he's-a really SKINNY! Hahahaha! Accompanied by hand movements to show just how enormous one of her sons is.
I wouldn't mind, but we went through this last year when we met her in the street.
At least she didn't poke my flesh this time. Cheeky old mare. I got my revenge by doing an impression of her in the kitchen after she left. This cracked my BIL up so much he demanded I repeat it again later, after a few sherberts. He will probably amuse other people with the anecdote for a while now. Not so much what she said, although that tickled him, but by my spirited impression of her.
Spreading a little joy every day...
How could you not deserve it?
Funeral yesterday went as well as it possibly could.
No weeping and wailing, a dignified send off all done in a very proper way.
The afternoon and evening were restrained, but did feel in a way like a celebration of his life, rather than po-faced mourning.
We had a party for Grandad's 80th and said a lot of the things we wanted to then. We felt it was important to say them in his hearing, while he was alive and well, rather than wait until after he died. So last night felt a bit like his 80th all over again, except that this time he wasn't here shaking his head over all the people who wanted to praise him, and marvelling at the amount of food and drink.
Less people this time round, that's what happens when you get to 88.
But his neices and nephews made a good showing in respect of his siblings, also some people from church as well as Mum's friends.
... Cheeky old mare. I got my revenge by doing an impression of her in the kitchen after she left. This cracked my BIL up so much he demanded I repeat it again later, after a few sherberts. He will probably amuse other people with the anecdote for a while now. Not so much what she said, although that tickled him, but by my spirited impression of her.
Spreading a little joy every day...
All good, all good. Now you can get on and grieve, Sundae. Or maybe it's all done now? I find my grieving comes out in bits and pieces ... it's never done with, really. Sorry, I know this is the happy thread, so I'll just say the dead never leave you, really, and that is good and comforting (for me, anyways).
Having the kind of job where I can go have a nap for an hour and spend the rest of the day reading the newspapers, drinking coffee and watching funny videos on Youtube.
What's a GM?
That's obviously a "no". I just happen to be very good at picking employers. Maximum outcome for minimal effort is one of my many mottos. And I have currently reached a level where I can get away with doing about, oh, two hours of work a day? Maybe half an hour, if it is a very good day, probably closer to four on a bad one, but I get much more of the former than the latter.
Other benefits include minimal oversight, as I only normally see my boss about once a week. Oh, and free coffee, because I'm just special like that.
Cotillion works in the insurance business, as a broker, is my guess ...
Alas, no.
However, guessing my career could be a fun game. I could describe an average day, in terms not too obvious to give it away, and see what people come up with.
Start a thread, Cotillion, start a thread.
Meanwhile, back to your regular scheduled programming - What's making me happy?
Phlthy's good news! :)
I went into a trance.
I heard an American voice.
It might even have been the voice of American ancestors.
All I know is it was light and funny.
It was all I hoped for.
And I adored it.
Oh yeah, and I talked to Infi :)
Hahahahaha.
I'm a freak about phones. Nervous Nellie. I don't know why...but it took me years to be able to talk to the speaker in a drive-thru so it must be related to speakers! :lol:
It was fun talking to you Sundae. :)
Maybe you have a fear of talking to invisible people.
I hear it's quite common.
I'm shyer than I seem.
But you're onto something there, HLJ. If I can't see the person, for all I know they're pointing at me and laughing and making crazy faces. There could be whole crowds of people doing that, like I'm on some auditory jumbotron. :crazy:
Does that mean that you can see me?
Only when I look through your window.
:bolt:
Oh good. I often feel as if my laptop's webcam is spying on me.
Aden got a b+ to a- on his last english assignment for the year. I'm really happy about this, because he's been struggling with his teacher all year. They're totally at odds with each other, and it's taken great strength of will for Aden to just pretty much ignore her and work with me or by himself on his assessment pieces. She gave him a D in first semester which really didn't sit well with any of us, so that's a great improvement. Overall, he's expecting a B for the final semester and I don't think I could ask for much more.
It's really made me see that he can do anything if he sets his mind to it, so I hope he can store this little journey in his memory bank for future reference the next time he gets a teacher, lecturer (assuming he still wants to go to uni in another couple of years) or boss who doesn't bother looking below the surface.
It's really made HIM see that he can do anything if he sets his mind to it
;)
..... he can do anything if he sets his mind to it.....
damn straight! hell i'm living proof of that!!
And even better, he reckons he aced his maths exam today. :)
Mav is doing well with his stuff also. I'm very proud of them both.
Excellent! You got good kids Ali. You're doing it right.
Great Mum (of course), decent boys and also a good father figure.
Dazza is a man I'd like to meet.
^^WSS^^
I'd love to be able to come to the land down under and go fishing with Dazza and the boys.
Well, what's holding you back?
Someone around this joint needs to win the lotto somewhere and shout us all a trip to the one location.
That way we can all meet and do the things we want with the people on here.
We may need to get some private rooms for a few of the...hmmmm...more excitable posters. lol
Mount Washington hike today. Excellent conditions, lovely country. Very tired. Pictures coming soon.
I went to a party last night with some good friends and had a really fun time, then today we had a visit from some more friends that we haven't seen in ages.
It's been a really great weekend. :)
Another £28 in the kitty from a day at work.
It's growing very slowly though, thats to the DWP claiming back over £30 in overpaid benefits from February. I'm lucky they're not charging me interest I suppose.
Saw two children from school - spooked them too by the look of things - and a teacher and the school secretary. It's nice being recognised outside school.
It also went quicker today, and I feel much more confident.
Today is my grandson's first day of real employment in a fish hatchery (Lake Merwin, WA).
He's still in the last year of the Fisheries training program at a local community college,
and he'll go for full time employment in the summer.
I'm a bit concerned that he is taking on too much this semester...
14 credit hours + 2 days per week at the hatchery + 1 day per week
at the plant nursery where he's been part time for the past year.
<snip>
FWIW here's a mid-term update...
Much to my amazement, Sam has not missed a day of work
and has been keeping up with his classes. It has been a real strain on him.
When he has a day off, he crashes, and lights out at 9 most nights.
Lots of grumpy, tired, late-for-dinner days, but so far, he is keeping up.
On top of all that, he has started his "field work" project.
This is an ongoing stream survey of "pre-spawning mortality of Coho salmon in urban streams".
This project is not so much doing new research as it is to learn how to do research.
Yesterday, he found 1 male and 1 female that died before spawning.
The project requiring about 3
more hrs of his time each week.
Here's a description of
the pre-spawn mortality issue:
Acute die-offs of adult coho salmon 
returning to spawn in restored urban streams
Beginning in the late 1990s, several agencies in the greater Seattle area began
conducting fall spawner surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of local salmon habitat restoration efforts.
These surveys detected a surprisingly high rate of mortality among migratory coho females
that were still ocean bright and had not yet spawned.
Pre-spawn mortality (PSM) has been observed in many lowland
urban streams that have been surveyed to date, with overall rates that generally
range from ~ 20% to 90% of the fall runs.
By comparison, the rate of die-offs in non-urban (e.g., forested) drainages appears to be low.
The precise cause of PSM is not known. However, at present,
the weight of evidence suggests that the widespread coho die-offs
are a consequence of non-point source water pollution.
Lamp that's wonderful.
Sounds like he just needed time and the right motivation to get himself together, and when he did, he was able to take on more than you hoped.
Good for him.
Tiger has a new speech therapist.
Yay.
Been waiting since beginning of September.
First meeting today went well.
AND he stayed overnight at a friend's on Friday night.
The two other boys changed their minds and went home, but Tiger slept there and had breakfast.
He had tea at home, and bath, and completed his routines. Then went over at 19.00.
K's garden backs onto his and of course Mum is a family friend and is aware that Tiger has Asperger's.
But it's a HUGE step for him. For many five year olds, let alone those on the autism spectrum. The Tiger confounds us again.
Numbers.
Yep, see here, I'm comparing this 17.4 to this 17.2. Same same.
And I'm comparing this 14.4 to this 14.5. Same same.
But then I'm really comparing this 14.1 to this 11.6. Different! That's a mother#$%^ing finding baby, exactly what I was hoping to find.
Although the fact that I did actually :jig: in the office when the computer spat that out makes me wonder if my life hasn't gone horribly wrong somewhere. :D
The other downside is that the whole group has 102 people in it, and the finding is based on a subgroup of just nine. I'm going to have to talk with a colleague to see if that is statistically significant and/or reliable. I have grave doubts.
are those percentages of the group of 102 or decimated people?
Your excitement has led you to have grave doubts? You must be positively enraptured.
My niece (can she really be 11 already?) has her own (parent-sanctioned) email now, and sometimes I come in for work to an email from her. Even her emails are cute!
In case you didn't know, this is a monkey face: (sorry, sad smilie trumps monkey face)...you put a colon, parenthesis, small L, close parenthesis. Here's a wide monkey... : ( l )
She made sure to explain to me I have to look at it sideways.
:lol:
I got the job I wanted!!!!! Woooot!
As mentioned in the other thread, I recently moved further North again and in turn left a very good job with a very good career path.
I moved because my Mum was going to move to be where ever I was and I didnt want to relocate her to an area where I wasnt 100% happy and would likely leave anyway.
So I relocated both of us to Queensland, I had a job offer for a job I was really "meh" about as the hours didnt really suit and I wasnt overly happy with the business, but I was hoping this job would come through because its a big company with a lovely high ladder I can climb as the kids get older and I can work more hours.
My official uniform will be a red shirt and a pair of demin shorts with workboots (I will have to find some stylish ones with heels) and you may see me with a hammer or screwdriver hanging off my belt.
YAY.
Well done Ducks. I expect the guys will want pics of you in your uniform!
Congrats Dux !!!
Heres some
girly work boots for ya
My official uniform will be a red shirt and a pair of demin shorts with workboots (I will have to find some stylish ones with heels) and you may see me with a hammer or screwdriver hanging off my belt.
YAY.
:confused:
What about flair? Will you need to wear flair?
What kind of job is that?
What movie was that from foot? I can't remember whether I loved or hated it, but I definitely remember the 'flair' thing being a big side issue for the protagonist.
Aden had confirmation from his maths teacher yesterday that he has achieved an A overall for maths this semester. That's a huge jump from a low C last semester. I'm so proud of him. He's worked hard to improve and this will set him in good stead as he enters his last two years of high school next year. He was so pumped about it that he actually promised to win the maths prize for next year. I know he can if he sets his mind to it.
Finally my biggest boy is putting his great mind to use, and none too soon either. :)
nb I guess maybe it's not such a big deal to some people just getting an A in maths, but Aden has had a lot of trouble knuckling under in highschool. I put it down to him having incredibly nurturing teachers for the last couple of years of primary school, and so the whole; it's your responsibility thing, hit him pretty hard, plus he had a short foray into dope smoking when we first moved here so that set him back for a bit too, so I'm just really happy to see him making good choices now, both socially, educationally and financially (he has a part time job now too).
Flair comes from one of the funniest movies ever, "Office Space"
Our Christmas tree is UP!!! Yay! Now it really feels like Christmas time here.
Yes I know it's a bit early, but since the big boys are going away this year, we're having Christmas early for them. Probably on the 16th of December. That gives us a couple of weeks to enjoy the tree and get all the other Christmas stuff ready (although of course I already have a head start on that :) )
Our Christmas tree is UP!!! Yay! Now it really feels like Christmas time here.
Yes I know it's a bit early, but since the big boys are going away this year, we're having Christmas early for them. Probably on the 16th of December. That gives us a couple of weeks to enjoy the tree and get all the other Christmas stuff ready (although of course I already have a head start on that :) )
So I'm curious... what kinds of X-mas trees are popular with Australians ?
Oregon and Washington grow hugh numbers of X-mas trees.
Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, and to a lesser extent the Grand Fir and Spruce
In Montana it's the Balsam Fir that is most popular.
For the mid-west and east, I don't know what is popular.
Same as you Lamp, as far as I know.
Douglas fir is my personal favorite. I think they smell the best and don't have a million sharp needles on them. They're softer.
For the mid-west and east, I don't know what is poplar.
fix'd
I'm pining for a white christmas.
plastic. lol
Fir trees don't do that well in the climate we live in here.
Many native Australian trees are highly flammable.
You wouldn't want one in your living room.
Worse, they attract drop bears.
Some people have a real pine tree. Many do plastic. Quite a few don't bother.
One of the contestants on I'm A Celeb mentioned drop bears this week :)
Convinced another camp-mate they were real. Then spoiled it by cracking up.
I'm happy at the all round good-ness of people in general.
And Dwellars in particular.
ok, I'll bite.
What's a drop bear?
Is it like a jagular?
They're fairly prolific up north. bit further north than me. They sit up in the trees and they're kind like koalas but not.
Anyway, the locals usually know where they are, but it's the tourists they usually get. You just have to be wary. Kinda like with crocs and not swimming in their water holes.
This is something that is making me happy, but which happened yesterday :)
Yesterday was week 9 of the 11 week semester. Unlike most of the modules, the skills module I teach doesn't have a lesson in week 11. They have to submit their main essay on the Monday of that week, but don't have the Friday seminar, as the purpose of those seminars is primarily to step them into the final essay :p
So, I reminded them, as I was giving them their work assignment for the week, that next week is the last seminar, and I'll be running it as an essay workshop, so bring all notes, laptops if needed etc. And there was a little chorus of 'awwws' from some of the students. One girl said that she loved Fridays and this was one of her favourite classes.
How pleased was I?
Still rather delighted by that.
They seem to have gelled really well as a group, with the research teams I put them into at the start meeting up between classes and doing the study tasks and so on. I'm particularly pleased by that. They're approaching the end of their first semester at university. For many of the students this will be their first time living away from home, in a new town, and most likely an entirely new social group. Giving them a mechanism for linking up with other students and a shared experience (group presentations) can be helpful in the first semester.
It's funny. After last year doing the same module went so well, this time I felt a little less confident with the way things were going. Then it just started to click from around week 5 (from my perspective: they may not have seen that big a difference).
Dana that's wonderful.
I am hardly surprised you are an inspiration to them.
I had a hot school dinner on Friday.
Sat between Tiger and Tennant (as agreed). There were only two other spaces on the table by the time I arrived and then a bit of a scrum as to who got them. 5-7 year olds give their affection easily though :)
Miss N has a hot school meal every Wednesday (roast day) so I'm not the first adult to sit down and eat with them.
But I was treated as a comic turn by most of Key Stage One!
"What are you doing? Is that your dinner? Are you eating? Why are you here?" etc etc.
I'm preparing Tiger for School Christmas Dinner on 7 December.
Getting him used to eating next to me, so he doesn't think it's odd when I'm there on the BIG DAY.
So in fact it isn't a BIG DAY. Just Tiger & Mrs O having hot dinner together.
He asked his Mum if he could have it, so it's come from him. But as he still has some food issues Tiger-Mum and I are in contact about it.
The minimum upload for the payment system is £10.00.
So I will have one next week as well.
I'll just have to tell them not to pile my plate so high - I usually just have a bagel for lunch. Four fishfingers, a pile of jacket wedges and half a tin of beans meant I was yawning all afternoon. They'd already loaded my plate before I had a chance to tell them.
Still, if you've got to moan I can think of far worse things than having too much food.
For the miid-west and east, I don't know what is popular.
In my area (southern NE) the Frazier Fir has become very popular. It runs in cycles, Blue Spruce and Scotch Pine sold well years ago, then the firs. The concolor fir (White Fir) is also popular now, hold needles well and lasts a long time. (45 years farming Christmas trees).
ok, I'll bite.
What's a drop bear?
Is it like a jagular?
I think it's more like a Hen way.
They're fairly prolific up north. bit further north than me. They sit up in the trees and they're kind like koalas but not.
Anyway, the locals usually know where they are, but it's the tourists they usually get. You just have to be wary. Kinda like with crocs and not swimming in their water holes.
Do they poo on you or eat you up?
Do they poo on you or eat you up?
This is Australia.
Both!
First they stun you with Petrified Poop ,
Then drag you back to their Lairs ,
spin you in a web from their butts ,
then NOM NOM NOMMM !!!!
A shocking drop bear attack not far from me.
[YOUTUBE]-WD_Nh_rboQ[/YOUTUBE]
I'm happy today because my yard is still secure and I had no visitors last night....aaaannnnddd.....the dogs managed to control their bladders and poop shoots whilst locked in the shed.
I also managed to get my whipper snipper working, so mowing and whipper snippering today.
Wow, it's so unusual for them to drop during the day!
They are like the tree octopusses in the Pacific NW
[YOUTUBE]SU-yq_IJhtU[/YOUTUBE]
Hot dinner again today.
I meant to space them out a bit more, but I am full of cold and just counldn't be arsed to make the small effort to defrost a bagel and grab some cheese this morning.
Anyway I'd checked the menu. Sausages and potato waffles and beans didn't sound too bad. I might upload more credit on payday. Sat with Tennant and Tiger, both moved to sit with me as they were already on packed tables. The table was hen full, but we were still joined by H (who is in my reading and handwriting group) and A (who is just a bit needy, bless her). She created her own space by simply depositing her lunch bag and squeezing in. Good Girl! 15 years from now she'll be in the front row at concerts!
Children at that age do idolise their teachers. It's not me, it's them.
But no matter how shallow it is, it is lovely to be popular!
Children at that age do idolise their teachers. It's not me, it's them.
Not true at all. Children are very good at figuring out who is innately good and who is not. They like you for a reason. :)
It's my step mum's birthday on the weekend, and I'd picked out a small bucket grill to give her as a gift from us so she can do a small bbq at the pergola the boys and dad built near the dam. Anyway, back to the gift.
It was at the hardware store where we went today to get the stuff to fix the fence, and I was planning on getting it while we were there, and lo and behold, it was on special for half price!
Bargain. At least one good thing has happened today. Let's hope we can get this job with the fence done with minimal fuss and the stupid dog can stay inside too. :)
first day back in design engineering was a blast! got thrown right in the thick of things and am helping out organizing a cable and conduit schedule for the aforementioned project in nigeria from the other thread. challenging! I LOVE it! once I know what the puzzle is suppose to look like and know each piece of the puzzle? look out! I so got this!
First day new job today!
I get to wear my boots and denim shorts - YAY!!
Pics of you in your Daisy dukes !!!
JB in a Virgin Atlantic promo clip.
In a bery cute jacket.
[youtube]GlymVbrFXVY[/youtube]
Sarge got my present!
It's a very vain one - I sent a personalised calendar. A whole year of Sundaes.
It just took so long to arrive I feared it was lost.
Don't fret if you sent something that isn't in the photo - his mail service does seem to take an inordinate amount of time!
ETA - the haul below is from a collection of Dwellars, not just me! Although you can probably recognise my phiz in there.
My Wheaties are here!
[ATTACH]35924[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]35923[/ATTACH]
And there must be some mistake because the invoice says that Amazon only charged me $23 for the case of 14 large boxes. That's like 60% off the store price.
Maybe I should place another order real quick?
Looks like it's the
right price.
You save $59.17 (72%)
And, you could save another 15% if you sign up for "Subscribe & Save." (Which is a fantastic deal, because you can cancel at any time, or skip an order, or toss in an extra order... I love Subscribe & Save.)
We do the subscribe and save, and they did take another couple bucks off, but I wasn't sure what that was, so I didn't mention it.
The last case we bought in the early Fall was a lot more expensive, so I think I'm going to get another two cases. I'll give one to the local food pantry and keep the other for myself. That will take me until June or so with the case I just got. It's an outstanding price. They have to be losing money on this.
Glatt,
As an alternative, you may want to check out the cereal selection at Aldi's. Their stuff is really good and is a lot cheaper than the regular grocery store.
They have to be losing money on this.
Trust me on this , They are Still makeing Plenty
Yeah, it's still $1.64 per box, for nothing but flour, sugar, and salt.
My Wheaties are here!
And there must be some mistake because the invoice says that Amazon only charged me $23 for the case of 14 large boxes. That's like 60% off the store price.
How can I get in on this? Whats the story?
And has anyone told Homeland Security that operatives in Washington are stockpiling essential foodstuffs?
How can I get in on this? Whats the story?
see the link in Clodfobble's post below.
Looks like it's the right price.
And, you could save another 15% if you sign up for "Subscribe & Save." (Which is a fantastic deal, because you can cancel at any time, or skip an order, or toss in an extra order... I love Subscribe & Save.)
Edit: Actually, never mind. I just followed her link and the price is now back up to $75. The savings are no more. The gravy train is over.
Wheaties? Ew JMO I like oatmeal.
I wanted a heifer that was for sale in an online auction. Yesterday we were the closing high bidder YAY! :)
Congratulations! Excuse my ignorance, but what does a heifer do for you? Is it just another animal for the herd, or are you going to breed it or something? (I don't even know whether to call it a he or a she.)
Thanks Glatt! :)
Heifer = Female bovine that has not yet calved.
We bought her to add a pedigreed purebred Maine Anjou to our herd. We have been breeding strictly for 4 H calves but want to breed purebreds. This female could produce either kind of show cattle. [breeding / 4-H] She is also a viable donor female which means we can flush her and sell embryos.
Last year we added a half blood Simmental female. Some breeding cattle that are of the right conformation and pedigree can be sold for as much as $100,000 If someone paid us that for an animal we would probably faint but we want to try to work our way into the upper echelon of breeding cattle. :)
Are these bred for meat or pets?
A picture of you new Heifer would be cool. Is she pretty?
got a new ride today. some of the cellarites saw on my fb but here...i gotta share! i can't tell you how good it feels to be back where i was after such a long hard road!
Sa-weeee-eeet! :driving:
Is it just the lighting or is that front tyre a little flat on the bottom?
Isn't that where you'd expect it to be flat?
Our best friend moved in with us... its gonna me party central and I"m off floor duty! total awesomeness... on the down size he comes with 3 cats.... on the upside 2 of them were Flint's to begin with.
Nice ride philthy :)
Heifer photo
[ATTACH]35953[/ATTACH]
talking to 2 old Marine buddys earlier,
I started scanning and posting old pics on facebook ,
OMG the memorys that started flowing ,
i havent laughed so hard and so long in ,,,, Hell I cant remember when !!
Thanks for the memorys Guys !!!!!
SCHWEEEEET Ride there Phlite!!
Tasty Looken Cow there Vanna !
Heifer photo
[ATTACH]35953[/ATTACH]
Where's the ether heif?
Sa-weeee-eeet! :driving:
Is it just the lighting or is that front tyre a little flat on the bottom?
that is actually a whole bottle of armor-all on the tires i think!
i just got an email from carmax. now
THIS is cool. these are the pics that i ran through on their website but when i showed interest in the truck they took the page down. now that i bought the truck they sent me the link to share with friends, family etc. pretty cool!
My Wheaties are here!
....
And there must be some mistake because the invoice says that Amazon only charged me $23 for the case of 14 large boxes. That's like 60% off the store price.
Maybe I should place another order real quick?
I feel a little silly posting this, but I have more Wheaties! I ordered two more cases just before they raised the price to $75, and they just got here. I have enough cereal to last until August!
[ATTACH]36004[/ATTACH]
Glatt, you are nuts. A man after my own heart.
I'll have to post some pantry pics.
Seriously, Glatt, you've just been red-flagged on a database somewhere. Good luck next time you try to get on a plane.
I feel a little silly posting this, but I have more Wheaties! I ordered two more cases just before they raised the price to $75, and they just got here. I have enough cereal to last until August!
[ATTACH]36004[/ATTACH]
Won't the cereal go bad or become bland? Looking at the picture makes me want to try Wheaties. :lol: You like it that much?
Wheaties is made from booger glue and recycled Chinese newspaper. It can't go bad.
Glatt, you are nuts. A man after my own heart.
I'll have to post some pantry pics.
Oh FSM that's me too. my basement is FULL of cereal. (We store food-in waiting-down there, we call it the pantry, but it's really just shelves in the basement....)
Weetabix is our main brand name product, though...... but I have everything.
You could live on cereal forever.....
... oh and cereal is sporty kids' inbetween-meals-goto too. that wouldn't last us to August.........
... oh and cereal is sporty kids' inbetween-meals-goto too. that wouldn't last us to August.........
Lol. Our Kid's family goes through so much cereal it's mental. But as you say: sporty kids go to inbetween meal. Slightly less so now Meeliabobs is all grown-up and far too sophisticated to be throwing herself about on a gymnastics mat, but still. Soph's into the cheerleading thing in a fairly big way, amongst other activities.
Won't the cereal go bad or become bland?
The expiration date is a year from now, and I've had expired Wheaties before and didn't notice a taste or texture difference. It would probably still taste fine two years from now. The inner plastic bag is sealed and is air tight, so humidity, etc. won't impact it at all.
I just wrote a cute little toy-car kind of poem and posted it in the Creative thread.
i like it.
I've only written three or so poems I've liked.
i like this one.
If you hate it - feel free to say so. I like it so much i like it for ITSELF. ;)
I posted this here bc no one ever looks in Creative unless it's about boobs or car parts of vaginas, so yeah, I'm drumming up interest here.
so what?
sue me.
:)
I just wrote a cute little toy-car kind of poem and posted it in the Creative thread.
i like it.
I've only written three or so poems I've liked.
i like this one.
If you hate it - feel free to say so. I like it so much i like it for ITSELF. ;)
I posted this here bc no one ever looks in Creative unless it's about boobs or car parts of vaginas, so yeah, I'm drumming up interest here.
so what?
sue me.
:)
Hey, I read the pome first :) and commented
Hey, I read the pome first :) and commented
ah - I missed that!!
I hadn't done it when you posted here ...I was stuck in icy traffic then :) but I did read your thread before this one and commented :)
unless it's about boobs or car parts of vaginas,
Are you referring to the Bugatti Vagina of 1934?
... or car parts of vaginas, so yeah, I'm drumming up interest here.
so what?
sue me.
:)
Are you referring to the Bugatti Vagina of 1934?
That's what I was wondering?
Have you noticed how many car names start with F? Beest and I think Ford should introduce a Felch.
Have you noticed how many car names start with F? Beest and I think Ford should introduce a Felch.
Bitch. I just choked on my hot chocolate.
you should quit felching then......
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]for the slow.....[/COLOR]
oh, not that king of creamy hot chocolate........?
I'm happy cause I closed on this house yesterday. I am officially a home owner. Never thought that would happen.
I like the stone facade, Joe. That's a really pretty house.
Congratulations Joe! I had a small ranch style in a neighborhood off of Strickland Bridge Rd. south of Raeford Rd. that I lived in for 3 yrs.; then, leased out for 7 before selling. Your house looks like those I saw being constructed in any number of later developed neighborhoods around Cliffdale Rd. running E-W; or, Hope Mills Rd. running N-S. I'm just guessing of course, you could be up north past Spring Lake for all I know about that area today. I had occasion to pass by my old house 10 yrs. after I sold it and practically didn't recognize the neighborhood because of the build up (there was a shopping center where I used to jog past horses grazing on a farm). Anyway, it seems typical of the west/southwest side of Fayetteville and out away from the old neighborhoods right around Ft. Bragg of which some were practically like on post housing. Nice looking.
Wow, nice place. Any nicer and we'd have to call you Sarge 1%. :)
Awesome Joe!
Nothing like home-ownership!
(evil laugh here)
but, seriously, a great looking place.
Good for you Sarge, you've more than earned it.
Joe: That's a really nice house!
I'm off work until next Wednesday.
:D
I'm off work until next Wednesday.
:D
How am I going to get any work done?
I'm off work until next Wednesday.
:D
you have to work between christmas and new year?
I've been working my ass out for a week now. So what I did is that I took my hubby and children out for dinner and then we headed off to a cafe, ate some cakes and pizza and just had fun. :)
you have to work between christmas and new year?
Jase. Then off again until the 3rd. Classes starting soon.
I'm a slug. I am loving this doing nothing thing. Sure, a lot of folks would use this opportunity to get some things done, but I'm not a lot of folks. :lol:
But you are getting things done - you're amusing me. That's important.
This has been a really tough few months for me.
Everything seems to be upside down or inside out or just effed up in general.
Between the normal grind of my new existence coupled with losing my job
back in July and tack on a car accident last month. Bills keep coming,
I'm now paying for health insurance for me and my kids...
I have no income to speak of and my expenses have skyrocketed. All round sucky.
ANYWAY ... I haven't been in the mood for Christmas which is normally my favorite time of year.
Yesterday Son1 (21yr old) who is home on break from college gets up early and says
"It's time, lets do it."
We got all the decorations out and up. We then went buying (real men don't shop)
and scored presents for everyone. He was mature, thoughtful and surprisingly helpful
in selecting gifts on a tight (realistically nonexistent) budget.
He was the kick in the ass I needed to at least feel a little festive.
The house looks and smells like Christmas and I'm gonna wrap a bunch of presents
with music and coffee. For the moment, I am happy and content.
That's wonderful. :) You raised good kids.
I'm happy that Christmas has arrived at Chateau Classic!
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, classic. Give the boy a little punch in the shoulder from me, just in case a hug might still be embarrassing for him. :)
thanks all.
Clod, we're all Italian here - hugging is what we do best. :)
You've got a good kid there Class, reflects well on the old man.
That just warms the cockles of my heart Classic. :)
I came here to post about my friend. I've mentioned before somewhere around here that my friend Kathy has a daughter who's way off the rails on drugs and just general attitude issues to the extent that Kath hadn't spoken to her daughter for almost 6 months and had no idea where she'd gone to.
Anyway, I just had a message from her telling me that daughter had come home a couple of days ago and was communicating and trying to get her shit together. Anyway, she's going to stay for a few days till after Christmas then go back to her own place, but hopefully keep in touch with her Mum.
It just made me so happy to hear this news. We've all be so worried about her, but at the same time, Kath had to do what she did when she kicked her out. She was just out of control and not facing the fact that she's an adult now (20) and shouldn't be relying on her mother to buy everything for her because she spent all her money on drugs and partying.
It's early days for them yet, but the signs are hopeful. I am glad. Just about the best news I could have had for Christmas. :)
You got you a Gooden there Classic !!!
Good news Ali , but tell your friend to watch out ,
stay hopefull but wary
Thanks guys.
Ali ... I'm pessimistic about this young lady who just happens to appear at moms right before Christmas ... Seems to me that she very well could be using the attitude of the season to get something from mom. Been there - done that.
Remember addicts are the most manipulative people on the planet.
good one classic!
i'm getting ready to leave to go a concert. i've never seen TSO before so i'm sure it will be a blast!
[YOUTUBE]AkAhmH40kiM[/YOUTUBE]
The smell of bacon from downstairs.
It's not for me, but it's a lovely start to Christmas Eve.
And in fact if I asked, Mum would cook me breakfast. She offers when she senses I'm low or not feeling 100%
I love Christmas and its here!
My sister is coming (she still doesnt know about my meddling), my B.I.L (bah), nephew, his son, and Mum...the others will be up after Boxing Day.
I cried several times today setting the table and other prep things as its my first Christmas without my Dad....but all in all its good times.
I'll go update the nephew thread, too.
Classic...glad youre all festived up. :)
Maybe it's been happening for years, but today I just discovered the NORAD tracking of Santa Claus.
There is quite a bit to it, not just spots on a Google map.
There are photos and links to the places and other google goodies.
It starts on the Google Web home page.
My Grand-daughter (8 yrs) will be with us this year, so it will be noisy.
Ste and E are here.
Off downstairski.
i've never seen TSO before so i'm sure it will be a blast!
I saw them once ... Interested to hear your take on them.
they were awesome......
go
hereOh well, glad you had a good time. I left about 2 songs after intermission.
( I know we just talked on the phone, but thought I'd share with the board/bored)
I just spring cleaned the kitchen. It is teh awesome :D
I'm happy because I got to spend some quality time with some high quality people, my children! This was from a couple nights ago. I couldn't be happier!
[ATTACH]36315[/ATTACH]
Worked 10hrs today, which is a drag, but the shift was relatively easy with only 4 calls. And with Christmas bonus pay I was making $24/hr, so that definitely takes the sting off.
V, your daughter is gorgeous! Great looking kids.
Waves at big V and his clan. Nice pic, bro.
awwww....I love happy family photos.
Lola, I 3D'd your star today.
So cute, thank you :)
thank you thank you thank you all
they are my greatest joy, they are all beautiful, and BelovedDaughter most of all. Thanks, friends.
We had a small medical emergency on Christmas so I couldn't post then. But today will do fine.
My oldest daughter went through Nursing School with a small group of study-mates,
who have remained friends all these years later, after kids, marriages, divorces,
and all the things that happen in adult life.
Each year they still exchange Christmas gifts, and this was the gift
to my daughter, Murph, from her best friend, Donna.
The two pages were hand-written, almost stream-of-conscious
Page 1 ------------------------------------------
This gift may require an explanation.
This year when I started to thinking about Christmas, of gifts,
a recurring thought kept coming to my mind...
"One Word" One word for each of my dearest friends.
I immediately discounted this as a silly idea, but
Somehow the thought kept returning. The more I
tried to think of something else, the more I thought of
your word.
You will notice that the word that I chose is not a descriptive
word... for that I would have chosen differently.
Likewise, it is not an unusual or unique word.
It is more of a wish-for-you kind of word.
Something that I hope you find more of this year.
Page 2=================
Full time. Part time. Time for work. Night time. Bed time.
Homework time. Winter time. Daytime. Dinnertime. Half time.
Quitting time. Miller time; Paid-time-off. Time after time.
Peace time. War time. lunch time. playtime. summertime.
Make time. Tea time; Time-to-go. Posttime. Timecard.
Timeout. Timetable. Time flies when you're having fun.
Where did the time go ?
So much time, and yet ---
That is my word-wish for you...
TIME
Murph,
You are so busy. a Full time job
* a Full time Mom
* a Full time Student
* a Full time housekeeper, chauffeur, helper of homework
* a Full time friend
But, in all these things, wonderful as each is, not enough TIME for you !
I worry that you don't spend TIME taking care of yourself,
doing the things that make you happy.
I want you to spend more TIME with Abby,
doing things that make you laugh and giggle
until your sides hurt and your eyes water.
I want you to spend just a little TIME all by yourself,
when it is quiet - doing nothing and thinking
about nothing - just breathing.
I want you to spend TIME with the people who mean
the mmost to you because we never know
when we will run out of TIME with them.
And so, my gift to you is TIME. An hourglass and a heart.
They are to remind you to take just one hour out of each day
to do something that you love.
Just one hour.... Take the TIME.
Merry Christmas, My Friend !
Donna.
And below are the three items enclosed with the letter...
... an hour glass
... a heart-shaped rock
... a plaque with a saying
It all made me very happy to know my daughter has such good friends...
who love her as much as her Mom and I do.
Wonderful. I hope everyone is OK now.
Picasa has a new update today!
What's new? Glad you axed.
Added ability to upload to Google+: share with circles, post pictures to your stream, and upload images at original size.
Social Tagging: name tag people in your Google+ circles and notify them via G+.
New photo editing effects, including:
Infrared
Lomo-ish
Holga-ish
HDR-ish
Cinemascope
Orton-ish
Sixties
Invert Colors
Heat Map
Nightvision
Cross Process
Posterize
Duo-Tone
Boost
Soften
Vignette/Matte
Pixelate/Focal Pixelate
Focal Zoom
Pencil Sketch
Neon
Comic Book
Border
Rounded Edges
Drop Shadow
Museum Matte
Polaroid
Side by side editing: compare two pictures side-by-side, or compare different edits on the same picture.
Updated RAW support for pictures from newer cameras.
Support for WebP files.
On the Tools > Experimental menu, we've added support for migrating your database to another local drive.
Improvements to Face Movie maker: number of photos included, chronological ordering.
Sync now uploads unshared albums privately.
Improved restoring of virtual albums when you uninstall and reinstall, or move to a new computer. Album data is written to the picasa.ini file now, along with all of your other edits.
OAuth support: use 2-factor accounts without getting an application-specific password.
And life is good again...:D Nothing beats a good cup of coffee, hehe.
Lola, that looks frightening.
Not least because it bears a passing resemblance to a coffee machine disguised as a Cyberman (see below).
I started my extra hours today.
I like the teacher I am working with, and the Higher Level Teaching Assistant.
My first afternoon seemed to go well, my new charge did not have a meltdown or try to hit me. Half j/k.
I also got some silly bits & pieces sorted that I should have done a while back - putting my prescription in, checking what's going into and out of my bank account and resizing/ deleting my photos.
Also I received the first set of 2nd hand books from eBay.
They are sold on the understanding that they are in a good enough condition to read, but not to give as a present. They are a bit battered it's true, but will do me well. And certainly for the price.
Have started on Jacob Have I Loved. It will make me cry before the end. Paterson's books invariably do.
I'll review it in the Books thread.
An all-clear mammo after a few weeks of intense boobeh pain. They squeezed me (that joke never gets old) in when I finally decided it was much too intense to be normal and saw my doc. And as my mom is a BC survivor and so was my grandma I was really scared. Inexplicable pain I can deal with. Just my old body being old. Such a relief! :)
I'm treating myself to a victory lunch.
Fantastic news babba.
Make that a bloody good lunch.
An all-clear mammo after a few weeks of intense boobeh pain. They squeezed me (that joke never gets old) in when I finally decided it was much too intense to be normal and saw my doc. And as my mom is a BC survivor and so was my grandma I was really scared. Inexplicable pain I can deal with. Just my old body being old. Such a relief! :)
I'm treating myself to a victory lunch.
Chicken breast? Milk?
Sundae: Not scary at all! It's a gorgeous piece of appliance. I think the coffee is strong enough with the right amount of crema. I've been reduced to instant coffee these past weeks, so this was absolute bliss. :D
Infinite Monkey: Wonderful news! Have a great lunch and dinner too!
Yay, Infi! Hope you have a fabulous lunch!!
I am feeling happy that I feel happy...or rather, I feel ok. Properly ok though, rather than just managing my way through the day. Which is nice.
Still have moments and the darkness is still hovering in the wings, but right now I feel quite light.
Yey for Infi's breasts!
Popped into my head:
Two tits four tits six tits a dollar
All for boobies stand up and holler!
:lol:
I am feeling happy that I feel happy...or rather, I feel ok. Properly ok though, rather than just managing my way through the day. Which is nice.
Still have moments and the darkness is still hovering in the wings, but right now I feel quite light.
I'm glad.
My first article got into a second editorial review. which means it is being considered for publication... which doesn't mean it will get accepted.
but if it will it will mark both:
1) the first good thing that happened to me after what has pretty much being the most miserable few months in my life so far.
2) the first time in my life getting paid for doing something i actually enjoy, a.k.a. not army-service/factory/farm/gas-station/kitchen/sales/management.
the rational part of my brain is telling me to not keep my hopes up, but i am having a very hard time not getting extremely excited and gidy... the overdose of caffiene might be a part of it.
Regardless of what happens from this point on, you've already taken a big step. Being accepted into a second editorial review is huge.
Whether it goes through or not, this is a triumph.
If it doesn't go through ask them for ways to improve your output. There may be odd little things that they're looking for that you don't yet know about.
If it does go through time to celebrate .... but frankly, at this point even if it doesn't you should already be celebrating *smiles*
I got the Cesar Millan book 'How to Raise the Perfect Dog' on Kindle.
Thanks Dana :)
You right, that is worthy of celebrating.
Ahem...army?
I'm Israeli, we get drafted.
She just wants pics of you in uniform.
Hang aroung long enough, trac....you'll find I get rather dewy over the armed forces.
so, hypothetically, let's say, if.... [SIZE="1"]i behaved as un-army like as i could throughout my entire service, getting my tent buddies to sing with me led zeppling in boot camp to the trainers in the middle of marches, naming my gun after a chick i knew [COLOR="Red"]because it constantly kept breaking down on me just when it could have actually being useful[/COLOR], getting to know and using a medic that usually works in the army's human resource departments in the middle of the 2nd lebanon war to get me [COLOR="Red"]the hell away from the people who are trying to shoot me[/COLOR] by getting an imagin.. completely real injury on my medical profile, only to fall into the HQ in the middle of one of the worst beurocatic scandel in IDF history and play drinking games throughout the night with my superior officer in the middle of a bunker because [COLOR="Red"]i can't fucking sleep with missiles striking everywhere [/COLOR]& refusing to sign for officer training repeatedly [COLOR="Red"]because i'm only here since refusing a draft is a very long prision sentance why would i stay any longer[/COLOR] and eventually getting to know a girl in reserve management and getting her to delete me from the list so i will [COLOR="Red"]never have to carry a gun unless there's a zombie apocalypse[/COLOR], and in the end of my service my unit gave me catch22 [COLOR="Red"]about a guy who runs away from WW2[/COLOR] as a joke about my military service which ended up being my all time favorite book[/SIZE]... would that add to that wet spot?
because otherwise i'll just say i was an awesome soldier who survived the most badly handled war in his nation's history alongside a loyal Galil gun called Yonat, got injured in the line of duty, humbly refused officer training so he can bettter serve his country and aid in the recovery of the HQ in the middle of a missile crisis and finished his service with the highest of honors in obtaining classic literature from his superior officer as show of respect.... and i'll leave it at that.
The Lake Oswego Review
Kara Hansen Murphey
Jan 10, 2012
Lake Oswego council switch derials streetcar project
City Councilor Bill Tierney calls for council to put project ‘on the shelf’<snip>
This means nothing to those outside the PDX Metro area,
but aside from a pun in the headline, it is a significant political event for us.
Umm....well, maybe for you a miniscule part of your US tax dollar
will be spent on some more appropriate project.
This City Councilor has shifted his vote, and so too the majority vote
of the Council, on a project that has divided the city for years.
It's one of those "re-development" projects where massive apartment complexes get built,
with huge tax write-off's for developers and city-street and utility "incentives" get added to the local tax roles.
At least the project has now been delayed into the future.
[COLOR="DarkRed"]P.S. Urge your Congressman to vote against it if it comes up again in the future ![/COLOR] :rolleyes:
Meh....its really just about the uniform
All that other stuff is fluff.
Although, if you boss me around occasionally...that will help, but pick your moments or ill just tell you to fuck off ;)
Traceur, although your English is a little rough at times, I see you are highly fluent in bullshit. This is useful.
Just dig up an old uniform, making sure a few buttons are missing ("shot off") and send Ducks a few pics in manly poses.
Meh....its really just about the uniform
All that other stuff is fluff.
Although, if you boss me around occasionally...that will help, but pick your moments or ill just tell you to fuck off ;)
Next time you are fucking yourself, PM a picture alongside a full description of what your fantasizing about & your skype name. No clothes, no underwear, you are allowed to pick a position you are comfortable with. Everything you send will remain private unless I instruct you otherwise.
we can start from there.
Am I in the right thread...?
All I wanted to say is that the irritation of the failure of school meals to match the menu has now been solved.
Only one choice per day, although made in veggie and non-veggie versions. And the new menu is up on the school website.
I had soup and bread again today, which is better for me!
but I thought you were only having them occasionally? or is that what you meant by soup and bread -you brought it in as an alternative?
2 happys- goldfinches and great skiing in horrible conditions
but I thought you were only having them occasionally? or is that what you meant by soup and bread -you brought it in as an alternative?
Yes. I brought in soup and bread rather than taking pot luck on the dinner.
My previous annoyance was that I'd made the choice before I left home, based on the menu. I had nothing else to eat.
NOW the (new) menu matches the food, so I can choose in confidence.
Looking ahead my choice will usually be to bring my own food in.
I might succumb to a roast dinner once a week though :)
Just got back from my Bro's house. Had a lovely takeout meal to celebrate Amelia's 18th Birthday. She's having her party proper at weekend, this was just a really nice little get together with Amelia, Soph, Jen, Martin, Mum and me.
The poem I wrote for her went down really well. She seemed very touched. Am dead happy about that. Worked on it most of the day.
Hard to believe it's 18 years since she was born. My eldest niece, my Big Brother's first born. I remember the first time I held her. Martin's little girl. All of a sudden the state of the world really mattered.
And there she was tonight, parading the new party frock she'll be wearing on Saturday. Black sequins, figure hugging, plunging backline, and platform heels. She looked drop dead gorgeous. All the world at her feet.
*smiles*
Happy happy.
You know that's something she'll keep always.
Nothing like an awesome aunt, Aunt DanaC. :)
:)
I was dead pleased she liked it. She's exactly the kind to keep stuff forever as well.
Watching her last night I was struck afresh at just how lovely she is. Talk about the whole package. Looks to kill for and yet sweet as sunlight. Clever and talented but not an arrogant bone in her body. I'm just so damned pleased with the young woman she's grown into.
Just gave my two week notice. I have a new job. Go me.
A change is as good as a rest, they say.
Good for you Pete! I got a couple promising leads in the mix right now.
For the first time in months, I'm optimistic.
Oh that sounds good Classic. Keep us posted eh :)
A change is as good as a rest, they say.
Three moves is as good as a fire.
Nice! Congrats Pete, and two pairs of crossed fingers for you, classic.
Making me happy is I finally forced myself to make time for a chiropractor appointment, and he fixed my neck and upper back right the hell up. Best damn chiropractor I've ever had.
Thanks all ... ... ...
This whole interview process is bizarre to me.
They made a BIG DEAL out of calling 5 mins in advance
and being well prepared with a list of items at the ready. OK
I was to call a number and enter a code.
Code only valid for this timeframe blah blah blah OK.
I do my part and call as directed with all the "items" on hand ....
I am put on hold while the interviewer is notified and takes the call. (sigh) OK
After 30 minutes on hold with only the most AWFUL elevator music to keep me
company, a computer generated voice comes on, says the interviewer is "unavailable"
and to try the call later. The call was then disconnected.
Lil pissed, I call back and the code is no longer valid. WTF?
On the positive side, I was offered a 2nd interview through another option.
We'll see.
I am happy, and as a result perplexed, that I found my bundle of sinew when I was cleaning up my desk. (yes)
Now I am wondering what the hell was in the bag that was dragged into the hole in the basement wall.
I collected Pilau's ashes today. I put if off for days since they phoned to say they were ready. Then suddenly I thought...what am i doing? I can't keep leaving him there day after day. He hated being at the vets...
Thought it would really upset me, but actually, I feel a bit like I have brought him home. It's a nice feeling.
When I collected them they were in this big, square white box. Not terrible, but a bit cold and clinical looking. And too big.
Got home and knew I had to open it up and look. Was expecting just to see the bag of ashes. Instead there was another, smaller box. Rectangular and completely covered with a forest scene print. Coincidentally it is all of Pilau's colours. From when he was a pup. Rich dark browns, light honey colours and so on. It's lovely.
I feel like I have him here with me. Like...he's physically here now. Tangible. It felt good to hold him. Only a small weight, but a weight nonetheles.
EZ PZ! Wtg on the new job! Do you get "gardening leave" now?
New socks!
New socks always make me happy.
Dana - how nice that you feel good having Pilau's ashes home. I wonder a lot about the symbolism of ashes after a cremation. They are important (to me, at least).
Dana ... I still have the ashes of my high school dog at my parents. We were just talking about spreading them in the woods he loved to roam all the time.
I just got in the mail the letter my stepson sent me at his grandmother's house. the best and only chrismas card i ever got - "to daddy", signed "love from sloan" with a tiny drawing of us with a big heart in the middle.
making me cry, and i usually have a very hard time doing that...
Ahh Trace *hugs* that's one to treasure.
Sundae sent me the cutest card! I've mentioned my eroding butt and this card is perfect. I think I am around a 9 on the scale. I'll try to post a NSFW pic this weekend & let you decide. LMAO
This has really made me laugh!!
oh lawd! love ya sarge but don't wanna see yer butt! (don't worry, i'll close my eyes and bypass those and let the ladies decide!)
now. today. i've got a project due tuesday p.m. when i'm at work i have a docking station for my laptop but when i'm home i only have the laptop, or so i played it. well i accidentally hit a command in autocad that made a pop up appear on the second screen.......houston we have a problem. no second screen is on the puter. no way to cancel said popup. i was shittin' (can i get a g monnie?) a brick but came upstairs and unplugged my pc monitor and hit it with my laptop and fixed things. was a relief. an hours worth of work saved. after i saved i went to office depot and finally bought a table/desk for my room. sorry long story but this is what i came out with:
eta: damn i'm tired. bought the desk so i could have space for two monitors which makes cad much easier and to simplify as well
Geee plth...it's a bit blurry. lol I must have been drinking!
my nikon is finicky. i have been using the auto focus and sometimes it works flawlessly and other times it sucks.
You were supposed to tell me to just shut up. lol
You were supposed to tell me to just shut up. lol
shut up!
i think.
um. what you said. shut up!
Sundae sent me the cutest card! This has really made me laugh!!
oh lawd! love ya sarge but don't wanna see yer butt!
Yay! And yay for the buttpix.
Don't look Philthy, there are TWO! And there will be the mother of all rows if we have negative reponses from male Dwellars again.
What is making me happy this morning?
The smell of my parents' breakfast.
I don't have to eat it (I'd really rather not as Mum is at her worst in the mornings). Just the smell will do for me.
Although I admit if I could eat it up here I would.
Bacon, beans, poached eggs and toast. Nomnomnom.
Yay! And yay for the buttpix.
Don't look Philthy, there are TWO!
too late. i've already been scared. i know you've already helped but could some chick
please help get my mind of sarge's ass?!?
(pssst: love ya bro, just tryin' (can i get a "g" here?) to get the chickies to show us some)
haha...sarges butt scared you or scarred you?
Oh Griff that's beautiful!
Thanks Sundae. Am loving the lifestyle right now. :)
That entrance looks even better with a lil snow on it.
Damn fine work.
As Shel said to David Hasselhoff...
Griff, that's idyllic. It's a good feeling to be snug and dry under the result of your own work.
Yeah V, but then the rains came. Still snug but less idyllic... seriously its January.
Yeah V, but then the rains came. Still snug but less idyllic... seriously its January.
My place, while no where near as photogenic, has also been snug and dry through this last spasm of actual winter weather, snow, wind, rain, more rain. It is very gratifying to report that my repair on the roof has proven to be successful. No more wet ceiling.
Though... I now have a chance to learn how to plaster a ceiling. That should be fun.
I don't know if I said this before, but it makes me happy that the 'rents bought me a new bed (out of Grandad's money)
Installed it when I was in Scotland in December.
I was a bit grumpy about the idea, as they previously replaced the mattress and it was worse than before (from another bed in the house). And also I am a very private person and I knew Mum would use the installation as an excuse to poke through everything I owned.
She did. I came home to things from drawers and wardrobes separated into bags and boxes for me to sort through. After a 12 hour trip. Niiiice.
The good thing is we've reached an unspoken compromise re my room.
She is allowed in to hoover; I hoover, but not frequently enough for her.
She can check Diz's litter tray (so she no longer drops nasty hints about me not looking after him)
As it turns out the only emptying she has done was when he had the squits this week - and I thank her for it.
She imagines and smells a lot when she can't see.
I empty my wastebin almost every day, so she has no excuse to say "It must be stinking by now" when all that is in it is paper.
But above all - I have a great bed!
When I wake up in the middle of the night I soothe myself back to sleep by knowing I can relax IN MY GREAT BED.
On weekend mornings I can actually sleep in because I have a great bed.
Okay, it's still a single. There isn't room for anything wider.
But the mattress is .... great!
I haven't had a new mattress since 1998. New to me I mean.
I do thank Mum every few days.
I love it.
It makes me happy.
Ohhhh... I envy you your great bed!
I have a 'double' but it's one of those wooden slat type things. Shouldn't have got it. Knew at the time it was a foolish choice, but all my rooms are fucking doll sized so had to get dollshouse furniture and this was pretty much the smallest bed ikea had that could still carry the tag 'double bed':p
Problem is those wooden slats fuck your mattress up faster than a very fast thing. It's been turned over, and around and every permutation possible, but I think i am going tohave to bite the bullet and buy a new one. I have to sleep in a distorted z shape so as to weave my body around the springs.
Actually....thinking about it, I don't think I have a single piece of furniture in my house that could really be described as 'comfy'. 'S all too bastard small.
What's making me happy (and sad, and excited and full of trepidation, all) is tha I have just booked flights, for this Saturday, to Guernsey to go and see the little brown beardie pup.
My hand's shaking a little. Though that might be the three glasses of wine I had at the Post Grad open evenin :p
I am swinging wildly between elation and deep sorrow. F'r instance I startd this post with a big grin on my face, but I'm ending it with tears streamin down my face. Fucked up eh? :p
I really want this dog. Not as much as I want Pilau back. But that isn't an option obviously. I still can't quite bear the notion that I'll never cuddle him again. But at the same time, I imagine holding this little pup and my heart leaps.
Ha. Whaddaye know. The tears have stopped and I am smiling again. Funny old life this.
I considered that possibility, but the voice in my head told me that was silly and really I am fine.
What's making me happy (and sad, and excited and full of trepidation, all) is tha I have just booked flights, for this Saturday, to Guernsey to go and see the little brown beardie pup.
My hand's shaking a little. Though that might be the three glasses of wine I had at the Post Grad open evenin :p
I am swinging wildly between elation and deep sorrow. F'r instance I startd this post with a big grin on my face, but I'm ending it with tears streamin down my face. Fucked up eh? :p
I really want this dog. Not as much as I want Pilau back. But that isn't an option obviously. I still can't quite bear the notion that I'll never cuddle him again. But at the same time, I imagine holding this little pup and my heart leaps.
Ha. Whaddaye know. The tears have stopped and I am smiling again. Funny old life this.
^^^
:biggrin: :thumbsup:
Happy today?
This:
[ATTACH]36980[/ATTACH]
haha...it's amazing how long it took to get here, but it arrived in the end, and that's the main thing.
Just in time for Australia Day actually, which is today! :)
Happy Australia Day, Ali. Is that like Independence Day in the states?
I am a scaredy-cat of tech support. I think a lot of it is that if I don't understand the question and if they are even slightly snotty I get tongue-tied and I can't even talk. I couldn't possibly WORK tech support, and I understand they hear the dumbest questions on earth, but I am the type of personality who feels like I'm screwing up their day by being an idiot.
So I had to call Verizon tech support today. She was SO helpful and SO nice and SO friendly I almost cried from relief.
Thank you Verizon for having such a wonderful staff!
I'm going to send an email or however you send them compliments.
Well...barring unforseen disaster, the little brown pup is to be mine ;)
Won't fully believe it til he's in my house *smiles* but everything went well in Guernsey, the breeder and her family were lovely and she is happy for him to come to me when he is ready.
And... cross fingers for J. Despite his conviction that he could never get another puppy after the grief of losing Pilau (he has a rescue collie as well, but it's a very different, though close, relationship), he was very struck with a couple of the little slate boys. He asked about the possibility of him having one of them and she seemed to like the idea of the pups continuing to have a relationship as brothers, which they would if we had two of them in the extended pack :P
He went home and talked to Janet about them, showed her some pics and vids and so on...and this morning emailed the breeder to say that they are very interested in taking on one of the slate boys, both of whom he got on very well with, and is now waiting to hear if that'll happen. It's a tense waiting game now! There have been quite a few enquiries made of the boys so am really hoping that having met and liked J, knowing that he has another collie and the fact that the pup would be in contact with a sibling and living in a place with lots of open countryside and heather dotted hills will swing it in J's favour.
Very pleased. For both of you.
You're both crazy of course.
Diz has just switched the printer on for the third time tonight, and knocked my glasses on the floor with his twitchy tail.
Who would have a pet, eh?
My cousin is home from Afghanistan ...
alive and well & now about to be married.
I've finished my last day at Big McHuge Hardware and Software Corp. Yay.
Start my new job tomorrow.
!!!
Wow. That's awesome. If you're all done with that old job, would you mind handing it down to me? What would you take in trade?
But... enough about me. What is your new job about??
!!!
Wow. That's awesome. If you're all done with that old job, would you mind handing it down to me? What would you take in trade?
But... enough about me. What is your new job about??
It's about five days a week. :D
All seriousness aside.
Email from my ceramics teacher (who is not given to unnecessary communication) about 5 minutes ago:
Turtles
Hi There, I couldn't help calling last night to tell how great they look. Outstanding!
So i look over and the message light is flashing on the phone. Message:
"I just took your tortugas from the kiln and they are.......... flawless"
:D :D :D
(almost) completely turned my day around -didn't take care of the IRS thing that was due yesterday that I forgot about :( -don't think fines are involved but ugh....
Pics! :)
Tortugas. I learned a new word today.
My 9 year old niece bought a wheel (well my mom was shopping with her and S feasted her eyes on it.) I haven't seen it...it's a kid's wheel, but she is learning to throw pots!
Insurance company finally caved, elemental formula is covered after all. Hooray!
Thats fantastic Clod! I know all too well how hard it can be to get some people/entities to do the right thing.
wonderful Clod, good job fighting the good fight, all the way to the end.
Hurrah! Nice goin Clod.
I am happy today because: The two Js are having one of the pups !!!
So my little Carrot will have a sibling growing up with him in his extended pack :)
Oh....and they're calling their little fellah: Merlot.
I have a phone interview with Chrysler tomorrow! That's only the third hoop, though, but I thought it had passed me by, so I am quite happy today.
I have a phone interview with Chrysler tomorrow! That's only the third hoop, though, but I thought it had passed me by, so I am quite happy today.
I didn't know they had made it so difficult to buy a car.
Congrats on that hard fought win, Clod!
Dana, Im really happy about your new friend...:)
I didn't know they had made it so difficult to buy a car.
LOL
Its only factory work and probably only part-time, but the money will mean so much to our family if I can get it.
Crossing fingers and toes for ya Pico :)
My cousin is home from Afghanistan ...
alive and well & now about to be married.
Got a pic from my aunt. She says it was all over the local paper ...
my wife told me that she thinks its brave of me to have wrote the apology and that she needed to hear that.
and most important of all: she told me she has missed me too.
she doesn't know what to do, and neither do i. at this point there is no promise of a future, no promises at all, no commitments at all, this doesn't mean a thing yet...
but she gained comfort from what i said, and she told me she missed me too, and as small as that might be, i haven't being this happy in the last six weeks.
maybe, just maybe, i can get my family back.
at the very least my best friend and lover no longer hates me.
sounds like a good outcome traceur. I hope it all ends up for the best. :)
Aww Trace, I'm glad to hear that :)
this is good news, happy news. wtg traceur.
SUN IS OUT!
Ya-hoooooooooooo!
Back to work letter from my shoulder Doc , some limitations , and Keep up the PT .
My boss said he could work with that , now if his Boss will go for it .
I guess if I post when good things that happen for my grandson,
I should also post the not-so-good, even if this is the wrong thread.
Here is my previous post about him carrying a heavy work and study schedule in November.
Well, yesterday the Supervisor at the hatchery told him they were letting him go.
Apparently he was not getting on with some of the permanent employees,
and there was an incident of damage to some fish-feed bags with the forklift,
which he denies knowing about.
In any case, he seems to be handling his emotions (he's pissed) better than I expected.
I'm at least happy about that...but we'll have to see how things go.
.
Dealing with awful co-workers can be a difficult skill to master. Make sure this is a learning opportunity not just something to bitch about. I'm sorry about his finger.
New student in my class was supposed to be almost non-verbal, no interest in people etc... After one week and one day I watch him hook another kid under the arm and haul him up onto the playground bridge. He's running catching kids hugging, fooling around with me at table and using single words and the occasional short phrase. There is something about getting outside and running around with friends that just clicks for some kids. This kid has found joy.
Awesome. That must make it all worthwhile.
I've already posted this in the Post Your Pet thread but....
029 by
daniellecoombs@btinternet.com, on Flickr
ohmigod I am so excited. It's looking very, very likely that I'll have him by the 20th...three days before my Birthday :)
Have stepped away from writing my conference paper. I was hoping to get it finished ahead of Carrot's arrival, but that was when I thought it was end of Feb early March. I've got it halfway there so I know what i'm doing with it.
Am instead sorting out house. have sorted/cleared a bunch of stuff from living room. Gonna do kitchen, pantry and landing cupboard tomorrow, then spend Thursday cleaning. Because Friday a man is coming to measure up for new carpets, and as blase as I generally am about the state of my house, it's pretty bad even by my standards.
Have to get new carpets, because the alternative is cleaning the existing carpet and frankly, I don't think it would survive. Even if it did, the underlay is fucked, and there's frayed edges and exposed grip strips where Pil dug the thing up eveyr night. Too loose and baggy as well.
So...since I'm dong carpets I might as well throw some paint up. So that's this weekend's task.
Need to wash curtains (hang down quite low to the floor and used to drape over Pil's back when he lay under the window = filthy at the bottom they are!) and sofa cover as well. I have no idea what Pilau might have been carrying. A vaccinated dog can still carry parvo. And I have no idea really what finally got him. He was too old and too ill to go for a bunch of tests. For all I know it could have been a viral infection at the end. Now I cleaned up the vomit and the explosive dire rears as they occurred, and disinfected chunks of the house as needed, but that isn't necessarily enough.
So...busy week. Busy couple of weeks really. Soon as I have the house stuff dealt with I need to drop onto uni work and get as much of that done as possible.
Really looking forward to seeing him. Look at that little face!
I could eat his face off, he's so cute! :)
I'm happy for you, and this lucky pup. *waves at Carrot*
I fully intend to eat his face off :P
Beardies are ridiculously cute as pups. All puppies are cute. I've yet to see one that isn't, but beardies take it to a whole other level.
Maybe go slow on the new carpets until house-training is secure ?
Ha! Yes, I can give that face the title of Best Face-eatin' Face of ALL TIME.
I'm grinning here. I can't wait to see pics as he grows up. :)
Oh, and that's a point, Lamp.
Get the new carpet after you've trained him not to claw it up or poo on it? ;)
Then get some nice carpet the older wiser Carrot can lay around on. :)
Maybe go slow on the new carpets until house-training is secure ?
Can't risk it, Lamp. The carpets wouldn't survive cleaning, which is the only other way to ensure the area is safe for a pup who is still going through vaccinations. 8 weeks old is slap bang in the danger zone for parvo virus and and a few other things.
Even fully vaccinated adult dogs can carry parvo, and it can live in any fabrics that the dog has had contact with for almost a year. It survives against most disinfectants. There is no known cure for a dog who contracts parvo. You just have to ride it out and hope theys urvive, deal with the worst of the symptoms etc. Very dangerous for pups and old dogs.
Pilau was intermittently vomiting and, especially towards the end, there were many accidents and a few explosions. Without putting him through gruelling tests there was no real way to know for sure what was going on at the end. We think we know. But he could easily have been floored by a viral infection. The house is simply not safe for a puppy of 8 weeks.
Get the new carpet after you've trained him not to claw it up or poo on it?
Then get some nice carpet the older wiser Carrot can lay around on.
Nice thought Infi, but the carpet is baggy and frayed, with exposed grip strips and raised creases. Grip strips would tear a pup's paw open if he digs in the wrong place. Frayed edges are an invitation for pulling and chewing: a habit I really don't want him starting with.
I'm not house proud. If the carpet ends up with a few clean patches where I've had to clean up an accident, or he turns out tobe a digger and fucks it up within a year...well I can live with that. But the start point is a carpet that isn't potentially carrying something awful, and doesn't have easily pulled at and chewed places which could invite a puppy's attention.
There is something about getting outside and running around with friends that just clicks for some kids.
That "something" can energize the kid inside each of us our whole lives.
Of course. D'uh. That makes sense, Dana.
(You can see I've never had a dog to train)
:)
*smiles*
Sometimes it's a little counter intuitive.
Posted in the Pet thread already, but I'm very happy for you and Carrot.
I look forward to reading about the dog-tired puppy passed out after a long days romp through the hills all curled up in mommy's lap.
I also had the thought of WTF? New carpet just before a new puppy? are you NUTS?
But, seing your discussion, okay, you're in fact very wise and compassionate. Carry on.
Dana, carrot looks so soft and sqeezable!
Oh God! I want a beardie!!!!!
Yeah....they have that effect :P
You can see how J ended up with one when all he was originally doing was accompanying me to see Carrot.
Here Limey, check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CarrotAndMerlot/videosThe video that shows them feeding is adorable. Their mum, Ellie, is such a sweetheart. A really good and attentive mum, but puppy teeth are starting to get sharp by now :p
She's about ready to cut them off. :) Will the brown guy gray out over time like the black and white ones?
They all fade aye. But the browns tend to go either a sandy colour, or a kind of cappucino colour like Pil. Their mum is a brown. So, she'd have looked very similar to carrot when she was a pup. She's quite unusual in that she's kept a strong brown tone to her fur when you see her close up. It's like beneath the top layer of pale fur there's a layer of mahogany.
Pilau was a very deep chocolate brown when we got him :P
The mum's a real cracker! My mum was very partial to the dark brown adults, but you could never tell which brown pup would end up like that!
My own personal preference has always been the cappuccino froth colour that Pilau went. They look ethereal when the light catches them. Though I'll adore whatever Carrot turns out to be I know.
Funnily enough it's Dwellars making me happy right now (along with Carrot's imminent arrival:P).
I've had my head up my arse the last week or so, so haven't been on here with news and photos etc. But...
The other day a parcel arrrived and my neighbour signed for it as I was out. When he gave it to me he asked me 'what've you been buying now?'...I have no idea, I said. I can't remember ordering anything...
So, I opened it thinking maybe I had ordered the puppy products I thought I'd decided against, after all. Nope! An early birthday gift from Sheldon!
Then another parcel arrived the day after (I think) which has an American return address on it. I haven't opened it, in case it is birthday related.
Today, amongst my mail, was an envelope from an American sender. I almost didn't open it. Almost left it, as I felt sure it was a birthday card. But then curiosity got the better of me and I thought, well, it's ok to open a card early right?
It wasn't a birthday card. It was a Valentine's card....from Carrot. Whoever organised the card on Carrot's behalf ( I think I know...I think I recognise the style of card ;p) had done a lovely message and inside was a pic of Carrrot.
Sometimes being a dwellar is just about the bestest thing.
I'm still up to my eyeballs in decorating and carpetting etc (carpet fitters coming tomorrow!) but with big smile on my face
(incidentally: Gnomey decided to stick around to see what my room looks like with new carpet. He'll be setting off on the next leg of his journey very very soon!!)
I haven't been following the home improvement process. Will the carpet match the drapes?
I received a wonderful Valentine's Card from Sundae!! I love it! XOXO. It really brightened my day
That's accurate Zen!
FTFY :eek:
Living room, pantry and vestibule kitchen are painted. Carpets and lino laid everywhere except bedroom and bathroom which are staying as is for now:-)
Am trying to put house back together now.
guess i could post this in two threads but the outcome will be a happy one. dunno if y'all remember but 2 years ago or so we tore out our kitchen and put in an almost new one. almost 'cuz of the not so new dishwasher. it broke. a year and a half ago. been hand washing ever since. i wash the dishes good. roommate? not so well. tonight i look in the strainer side of the sink and it's freaking gross! with supposedly clean dishes in the rack. i'm like fuck this. i'm done. i'm going to buy a new dishwasher NOW. i've been saving a bit since i started my new job for just such an occasion. went to homo depot and bought a maytag on sale. 10% off anyways. hey 40 bucks is 40 bucks. be here saturday.
went to homo depot and bought a maytag on sale. .
Cuase, like, straight men use paper plates, or something, eh? Kitchen stuff is girly.
:D
Homo Depot...isn't that a competitor of Love's? Eh, got nuttin'.
I'm happy because I ordered a pizza from the new place and it will be ready for me to pick up on the way home.
Oooh, I got it.
Homo Depot, isn't that a competitor of Menhards?
Only no one except us midwesties are going to get that.
http://www.menards.com/main/storeLocator.htmlI got a very, very special Valentine from Lola Bunny. Can you believe it? I had 2 beautiful women send me Valentines?
Yes I can Sarge. Because you are a beautiful guy!
I got to sing to the birthday gal!
Lousy phoneline - she sounded like she had a script by a handful of monkeys sans typewriters, read by a Dalek on battery failure.
Luckily, enough got through for her to work out it was me and stand in the place where you live - no, sorry - stand in a place with reception, and call back.
The lady is made up with Cellar tributes/ cards/ gifts.
I'm not passing it on officially, just reporting the way she spoke about everything.
And she is so obviously in love with Carrot already.
But that's a given.
Happy lady on a happy day.
We stopped talking because Ma arrived.
Again - Dana has pretty much everything she wants today. And that's blessed any day of the year. let alone a birthday.
Minifob has his first loose tooth! I got surprisingly sentimental about it.
Maybe his sister punched him.
Minifob has his first loose tooth! I got surprisingly sentimental about it.
[YOUTUBE]qqfMPWd1vbo&start=20s[/YOUTUBE]
Was he okay with it, Clod?
Tiger hasn't lost a tooth yet and I worry about how he will react to blood in his mouth.
It hasn't fully come out yet, just very wiggly. We'll see...
i just saw on my poker league's website that for this years quarter i've busted the top 100 players in points for the greater Houston area! ranked 97th! (and yes, there are more than 101 players in the league! :p:)
Earie presented us with triplets this morning. The first two were breech but Pete being a kick-ass woman got them out. All creatures look good despite the cold. Now we'll go to work and see what happens. Funny looking litter two LaMancha (tiny) eared and one Nubian (pendulous) eared.
This is awesome. Deliver some livestock and go off to work. So cool.
Congrats - cigars all around!
yes yes yes - pics please.
It's 66F, with a light warm breeze outside. And the windows are open for the first time this year.
Alcohol and the discovery of only recently expired crisps to munch on.
Presenting Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Kids look good Mom is better but not out of the woods yet.
Looking good!
[COLOR="Yellow"]Too soon for recipe suggestions?[/COLOR]
Never too soon if its a good one!
Yeh right, I'm telling [strike]the[/strike] your [strike]kids[/strike] children you said that!
Presenting Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Kids look good Mom is better but not out of the woods yet.
She's on maternity leave.
Presenting Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Kids look good Mom is better but not out of the woods yet.
giving birth really takes it out of you.
my best to mama.
Minifob has his first loose tooth! I got surprisingly sentimental about it.
Update: Minifob got 2 quarters for his tooth (we were willing to give him more, but he saw some TV show that said you get 2 quarters so that's what he had to have.) But then I got $5 for sending his tooth to a study on infant environmental exposures. Buy low, sell high! Too bad they only want one tooth from each kid. If I'd kept a lock of either kid's hair from before their first birthday, I could have gotten $40, but alas, I'm not that kind of person.
What'll they give ya for a whole kid? ;)
They look good tonight. I'm giving Mom a shot of penicillin 2x a day, because somebody was up the her elbow in her, which will be an adventure because some goats will tank when you stick 'em and Eary is one of those goats. You have to stand her up and get her moving again...
Those little goats are so cute.
They look a lot like the sheep my father keeps. His are mainly Damara with a bit of cross breeding.
The lambs are so cute, and all different colours.
I just got the news that my sister had a baby girl :)
Jeeby those are some cute baby goats. :)
State Team shirts are done! I had them all set to go last week, then one swimmer got a surprise State Cut at the weekend and so I had to scramble to get her name added to the back and get them done in time -the 12 & under Championships start this Friday morning. The printer told me Thursday, but they were ready today and all the swimmers families and coaches love them. The team are the Otters so the State Team is the......
[ATTACH]37691[/ATTACH]
The picture doesn't really capture that the print is sparkly gold (team colors are Maize and Blue like.... yup[COLOR="LightBlue"] (University of Michigan)[/COLOR])
and here's the back:
[ATTACH]37692[/ATTACH]
Initially, there was a State Team of 1 -Hebe. But we knew Steven would get loads of cuts and he did. So these two (and their moms) were throwing around ideas and I jokingly suggested this one and the teenagers loved it. We though fine, they're 14, they can be a little risque...... Then Elizabeth decided to join the USA swimming team, and we knew she'd get cuts, and she did. Susana was the surprise. These two are 10. oops. Oh well, they like the sparkly gold and if you're 10, you don't think of it that way..... :lol: Their parents are just so pumped they made it I suspect they'd let them wear almost anything.
oh and consider that an RFN shot too. The light doesn't show the hair color well either, which is actually quite bright right now......
looking good monster
glad to hear the good news griff
clodfobble, wtg on your dental arbitrage you sly devil you
****
SonofV has asked me for the fifth time "What smells so good?" I told him (for the fifth time) I'm making dinner!
That makes me happy!
this just in:
"Dad! That was good!" and a big thumbs up gesture from SonofV; a spontaneous affirmation that if you hold off on giving them food, they will like whateverthehell you feed them, when you feed them.
that is the awesomeness that is larger than any other awesomeness.
Aw, can you raisse goats in a back yard? Cuz I really want goats now.
Hotter Otters, Monster, you svelte thing!
har. I cropped the pics carefully ;)
I'm happy that max and I cleaned up the back porch and spa area today and did some other chores around the place, and now we've got a couple of chocolate cakes in the oven. I hope they turn out ok since I couldn't be bothered looking up a recipe. lol
All this is making me tired, and I still have to take max and mav for a swim in an hour or so, then off to footy training and a gossip with the other mums, then home to cook dinner.
Hmmmm...I think I might sleep better tonight.
glad e-one is happy! congrats to all!
i'm happy that i'm going to have a friend fly down to go to the
six minute century show in April. the cellar's own dr. froth (a lurker) is the bassist as is my friend from Iowa. that and i replaced an aviator watch i used to have from years ago that was stolen with....
This only this one is WAY better than my original. atomic clock, eco-drive.....i'm loving it!
ETA: oh, here are my Nikon camera break in pics:
hereGriff - is eclampsia an issue with goats? Calcium injections, perhaps?
I guess it can happen in goats. This particular doe is very sensitive to needles all the time though, not just when pregnant or after birthing. She will sometimes go down when being wormed. Her sister isn't affected in the least. I did give her a goat specific nutrient drench.
Aw, can you raisse goats in a back yard? Cuz I really want goats now.
Yes, if you hate your shrubbery.
Chocolate: Mini Eggs. Easter is great. We should have Easter all year.
i bought a new watch yesterday. years ago, before the disaster, i had one like it but it was the base model and was stolen out of my truck when i took it off because the latch broke. this time around with the help of a friend that works for a major jewelry chain i got this sucker CHEAP! i wore it today and LOVE it! i bought the
Citizen Eco-Drive Skyhawk Blue Angel edition. i love the
E6B on a wrist! all around, i'm a happy camper!
Yesterday Max wanted to make a chocolate cake, so we made one.
I decided not to bother looking through umpteen chocolate cake recipes and just make one up myself.
It turned out really well. Moist and chocolaty, but light and fluffy at the same time. It really was a good cake.
Today I've just been reflecting on it a bit and thinking of my Mum. She really was a great cook.
Making that cake yesterday made me feel like she'd have been really proud of me if she could have seen it.
I miss my Mum. Some days more than others. Today a lot.
gosh, now I should be in the sad thread.
I am a sook. :(
You should congratulate yourself. Chocolate cake is very tricky even with a tested recipe. To pull one out of the air like that means you are like a baking Ninja.
lol...thanks foot. My big boys would be impressed that someone thinks I'm ninja at something.
i bought a new watch yesterday. years ago, before the disaster, i had one like it but it was the base model and was stolen out of my truck when i took it off because the latch broke. this time around with the help of a friend that works for a major jewelry chain i got this sucker CHEAP! i wore it today and LOVE it! i bought the Citizen Eco-Drive Skyhawk Blue Angel edition. i love the E6B on a wrist! all around, i'm a happy camper!
That's a cool watch, plt.
Yes, it is.
Just don't dive more than 660 ft with it, or you'll lose the warranty !
a sook? check it: at least you're no chook to make a cake that's choc, chick.
Today started with me in a horrible mood. MB was being crabby and snippy, which, along with knowing I would be cleaning our disaster zone of a living room by myself all day, turned me into Super Bitch.
But now, the living room is lovely and clean. I have a delicious-smelling meatloaf in the oven, a glass of crisp Cava in my hand...and MB texted me from work a little while ago, saying he would help to clean when he got home. No need for that now, but awwww. :lovers:
Thin Mints. One small box equals a lot of happiness.
Ali can pull recipes out of the ferment and plthijinx can do slide rule calculations while flying... all we need are super hero costumes!:cool:
Yes, it is.
Just don't dive more than 660 ft with it, or you'll lose the warranty !
Can't he just keep the warranty card in his sock drawer?
Ali can pull recipes out of the ferment and plthijinx can do slide rule calculations while flying... all we need are super hero costumes!:cool:
You're just trying to worm your way back onto my Christmas card list aren't you Griff? lol
Cheeky roses construction journal posted. That was something of an ordeal in itself. Whew!
maybe i can slide rule a chocolate cake!! warranty doesn't say anything about chocolate icing!!
ETA: i've dropped barf bags out of the plane before (well, the passengers, not me. too busy trying to fly whilst gagging) i wonder how a cake would do?
My little lad is making me happy. I was sitting on the sofa watching breakfast telly, and he was lying on the floor happily chewing a toy and it just felt right :)
My little lad is making me happy. I was sitting on the sofa watching breakfast telly, and he was lying on the floor happily chewing a toy and it just felt right :)
What constitutes British Saturday morning television? Here it's lots of childrens programs plus some news shows for the adults.
My little lad is making me happy. I was sitting on the sofa watching breakfast telly, and he was lying on the floor happily chewing a toy and it just felt right :)
Oh hai!!
The house is quite this morning.
My G-daughter and her Mom live with us now.
They've been with us since mid-January, and our place changed.
Yesterday they went back to central Oregon... just for the weekend.
But it's was nice to have a quiet breakfast with my wife.
Of course, by lunchtime tomorrow we'll both be looking forward to their return.
[youtube]2_T1Cz1jgD4&list=UUEJevsm8f3VbzhOnXlRuaoQ&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]
1. my plan to replace my addictions is working perfectly
old addiction: smoking.
new addiction: working out.
pretty much being the only thing that makes me feel good these days, it's difficult to not get addicted to it or be pulled into doing it multiply times a day.
Carrot had his first walk today :)
he isn't street legal for another week and a half, but vet said should be ok, after 48 hours, to go somewhere off the beaten track.
So Mum and I went off onto the moors with him :)
What constitutes British Saturday morning television? Here it's lots of childrens programs plus some news shows for the adults.
Yeah. Kids shows, cartoons, some news programmes and 'sofa chat' type stuff, moving into sports and cookery shows towards lunch.
I've written 2,000 words for what I jokingly call my novel in less than 24 hours. It happens it fits and starts. Maybe I'll finish it someday.
Today, it was beautiful outside and I and my mom and dad and younger brother and sissy-law and my three nieces and my older brother's chocolate lab (bro and wife out of town, my 'rents are the dogsitters) played outside. Me and S (2 of 3) made an obstacle course and we timed the girls, each wanting another turn to see if they could do it faster.
i have gotten almost 4000 shekels (about 1000USD) in military veteran benefits while i was away, which i didn't find out about until today, contacting the military veteran call center for completely different reasons... seriously you'd think they'd tell you those things? anyway it was nice to find out.
also i have a new business idea which i am researching about, i am loosing weight, i am getting into shape, i am mastering the art of stuffing myself on salads and i am fitting into clothes which i haven't fitted into in months.
the new breathing techniques i have learned a few weeks back are becoming increasingly habitual, and i have had only two panic attacks from thinking about my stepson in the last week (trust me it's a huge improvement). it isn't fading but at least i know what i am dealing with and know i can live with it - i am learning better and better to see those bastards coming.
knowing how much i obsess about birthdays (mine, hers, birthdays in general.. lov' em), since it was just my ex-wife birthday, i have the nice feeling of knowing she'll be expecting me to call or try to contact her, and that i am not (i am keeping to my no-contact-to-get-over-her rule), which will probably be a combination of relief and disappointment for her. its always nice remembering that the person your having such a hard time not thinking about is probably thinking about you.
i am starting to be able to look at other women sexually, which is a huge improvement.
my usual sense of optimism - the knowledge i can overcome every obstacle and always figure out a way - is coming back. my old energetic self... also it helps that i am over caffeinated like hell.
Sounds good, traceur!
Sent by thought transference
[youtube]2_T1Cz1jgD4&list=UUEJevsm8f3VbzhOnXlRuaoQ&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]
this makes me happy.
Those are some *cute kids*. (nyuk nyuk nyuk)
Oh Oh the cute li'l noises!!!
ETA: Glad that ma is doing well, too!
I copped an attitude today, decided to take the day off from looking for work and to just go out and play. I feel good, tired as hell, but good!
Oh Oh the cute li'l noises!!!
ETA: Glad that ma is doing well, too!
They got outside over the weekend.
[youtube]9qrlngEDjZ8&feature=g-upl&context=G2d43073AUAAAAAAAAAA[/youtube]
Awwwww Bless 'em. They're so cute!
not afraid of falling, are they? sooo adorable.
y'know... I don't **love** my shrubbery. I mean it's green everywhere around here, having a little contrast wouldn't be bad. Not if it meant I could see that kind of silliness in the back yard.
Max turns 3 tomorrow. I was going to go get his present this arvy, but a friend of mine just found the bike I was going to get him for 30 dollars less in another store, so that's nice. I just have to go get it from her place now instead. :)
I am making a train cake for the little monster. I was originally planning on making the cake(s), but decided that since I feel like shit most of the time atm, I'd do myself a favour and just buy bar loaf Madeira cakes at the supermarket. It's probably worked out cheaper doing it that way anyway.
are they named?
Yeah, so much for eating them, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Not so creative this time.
Athos: Shish Kebabbed
Porthos: Slow BBQd
Aramis: Curried
curry! :vomit:
Aramis is small enough to tuck into a goose, which would fit into a large turkey. :yum:
Is that what people mean when they refer to Chupacabre?
Happy Birthday Max!!
One week til carrot is street legal!
What does street legal mean?
Means his innoculations and stuff are all done with and he can walk on the public pavements (sidewalks) and parks.
Ohhh...want to see video of his little puppy self running around outside.
I have a LOT of new bottles and crates to hold them.
I haggled a bit and got all six bins with 30 bottles per case for $100. I'll be bottling my mead tonight and/or tomorrow.
After I wash and sterilize them. *sigh*
[ATTACH]37905[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]37906[/ATTACH]
I start a new job next week!
It's long-term freelance to start, but may become permanent. The freelance period can be kind of a test phase for both parties, which I've found has worked out well in the past. Bonus: I can walk to work. The stress and expense this will eliminate, compared to the trek out to my last job, is a huge relief. I was dreading the possibility that I would have to take another job with a ridiculous commute.
I really hope this turns into a trend, and other folks on here looking for work start getting some good news! :fingerx: :fingerx:
That's great, blue! :)
Nice to have a close-by job.
I was just recently converted from a one-year contract to a permanent employee at my current job, so maybe the economy is improving.
That's awesome!
Benefits now? Vacation? 401K?
None of that will change, but the little diamond next to my name indicating temp worker will be gone from the next version of the org chart.
And maybe I can stop working so hard.
Asterisks by your name are never good...
Asterisks by your name are never good...
Yes, on our org chart an asterisk indicates a carrier of a social disease.
Daisy Head Mayzie is back with her rightful owner. :driving:
Only I can't figure out how to move the steering wheel back up. Where'd the knob go? I don't remember ever moving it because I had it where I wanted it but now I can't find the knob to move it back up from where the mechanics moved it down.
It's under the car, next to the muffler.
Make sure you wear gloves.
If you feel the bottom of the steering column there should be a lever that will pull down then you can adjust it where you need to. It's pretty much flush when it's in the locked/closed position.
HLJ, Mr Car, you silly.
YEah, I was feeling under there. There's a thingy that seems like it might move but it didn't seem right. I thought for sure there was one of those levers that you push, then push back into place.
I'll find it.
Guessing without appropriate data and details provided ;)
There may be two of them. One underneath to adjust the steering wheel closer or farther from you
and another (on left or right) to adjust the angle.
(note - I don't have a VW, so ...)
Is the CHECK STEERING COLUMN light on? What are the error codes?
Numbers, woman, not posted were specific numbers!
haggis!
I found it. It was what I thought had to be it but I didn't have time to really mess with it. Steering wheel in appropriate spot. Daisy asleep in the carport. All is good. ;)
I hope you wore gloves.
And eye protection.
No. I'm typing this in braille, with my toes.
Husband got a new job...this time permanent. Means we will have benefits, finally. He lost his last job 2 weeks ago, but it was a contract and the new one pays better, too!
I'm glad to hear that K-sene.
kerosene, I'm so, so happy to hear this wonderful news! Congratulations to him! wooohooooo!!
"making me happy today" is a bit of a stretch, but I did read this bit as the signature of one of the posters in a thread about cider making. I got a big laugh from it.
I am gonna get so drunk that people around me will become genuinely concerned for my wellbeing.
I am gonna get so drunk that animals that live in the sewers will die from alcohol poisoning when I urinate.
I am gonna drink so much that brewers panic by the sudden loss of beer and they start pulling so much water out of the ocean to replenish their supply that the pull the moon has on the ocean is thrown off and the moon goes drifting off into space and the earth drifts into the sun.
Using nothing but her wits and good luck, J scored tickets to a taping of the Daily Show w/Jon Stewart!
I am planning the day in Manhattan. Not only are the tickets free, but they come with $10 parking for the day. $10 all-day weekday parking in Manhattan! It may be worth it just for that.
I'm trying to figure out what to do and stuff. TDS time requirements leave us only a few hours to play with before and after.
expect pics in upcoming weeks
Very cool, UT. I am jealous.
Kero, that is FANTASTIC!
UT - awesome - sounds like a great time.
Thanks, you guys. And congrats to you, too, UT. :)
Going away this weekend to visit a friend at a University. I miss Uni; it'll be cool to be at one again.
A friend called earlier in the day and told me to call him when I get home. Been home but forgot to call him. Just called him a moment ago. He came by to give me a box of truffles and cookie cutters from Godiva. I'm gonna be happy for 5 minutes then go to sleep, hihi. Thought I'd share my smile with y'all. :D (Yes, it doesn't take much to make me happy, hehe.)
Happy #1 - After scouring the house top-to-bottom, I finally found the original survey on our house from when we bought it, so we can refinance without having to pay for another one.
Happy #2 - Minifobette has finally stopped being a royal bitch, with the advent of a little Zithromax.
Happy #3 - Thanks to #1, my closet is now completely cleaned out and organized (the survey wasn't even in the closet, but it's a nice side effect.)
Happy #4 - We're having leftovers tonight which means I don't have to cook.
24 hrs from now i will be in Reno, NV playing in a poker tournament.
A friend called earlier in the day and told me to call him when I get home. Been home but forgot to call him. Just called him a moment ago. He came by to give me a box of truffles and cookie cutters from Godiva. I'm gonna be happy for 5 minutes then go to sleep, hihi. Thought I'd share my smile with y'all. :D (Yes, it doesn't take much to make me happy, hehe.)
OK, I'm confused. I thought hihi was just the way you wrote hehe. But you used both here. Please to asplain the difference?
hi hi hi
he he he
Lil Lola Bun
how we love thee
Lil Pete just got her Bennington acceptance plus a large scholarship. She's not going but it is a nice pat on the back for her hard work.
hurrah! Well done that young lady!
Congrats to her, and you guys. Ya'll done well.
I say hihihi as a greeting or as a positive affirmation.
One from Hot Fuzz and the other from the Japanese for yes.
I do say them slightly differently, but until now, only I have known this. I was hoping it might spread. It obviously has, and I'm happy. Hai.
Congrats Lil Pete.
Did I miss why she wasn't going to Bennington?
(is it something to do with Ibram?)
My little Carrotcake.
I'm in horrible pain with bad back (see upset thread) and bless his little cotton socks, but he's really being good. he started a little with the trouser biting (which then progresses to leg chomping and a telling off, which is all part o fthe game as far as he;'s concerned), but when i told him to stop he did pretty much straight away. It's like he knows he has to be really good today.
And he gave me a wet puppy kiss (with teeth) and that made me feel much better.
My car is working!
I'm not!
I'm shooting through for a coupla weeks.
Bump ya later, peeps.
Take care of the tip mug while I'm away, will ya?
I tidied my room, and I solved the mysterious case of my missing eye drops. They were, inexplicably, living in my clothes pile.
And for the record, when I say clothes pile, I mean a pile of clean clothes that I'm just too lazy to hang up/put in drawers.
But I feel better for having a tidy room. Ordered room, ordered mind.
I have a few things to add to this thread.
1. As I mentioned in the "irks me but might be okay in the end" thread, husband's new job is a go, starting Monday.
2. I just tested out of speech class today, which means in 3 weeks I will be done with my degree.
3. I just got HBO, so I can see this season's Game of Thrones series!
4. Husband is finally feeling better and I think he is truly on the mend, this time.
I haven't had this much good stuff happen in god knows how long!
this gave me a happy moment, despite my personal current slightly apprehensive situation. Good luck in the new job Mr Kero, enjoy the new TV, all.
Thanks, monster. I hope the apprehension is alleviated with some resolution. I assume you are referring to the hockey situation with your son? I can almost kind of relate as every year, I go through this travel team vs rec team debate every year for my son's football interests. He wants to do travel, but I don't like the idea that it takes a parent getting up at 2 in the morning to go wait in line to get him on the team....I wouldn't mind the lack of sleep, I just think it is wrong. I could go into more detail, but it doesn't seem worth it. Anyway, I hope things work out. It sounds like he's going to do well no matter what team he ends up with, monster.
It's official. In a week and a half, I will be teaching a gluten-free cooking class at my local community center. I'm excited that enough people have registered, but... I'm kind of terrified, now that I realize what I've gotten myself into.
that's awesome Clod :)
You'll be great.
That'd great clod! you'll be fantastic.
Kero, no, not the hockey this time -the lifeguarding certification exam I was about to take. Which I passed :D
It's official. In a week and a half, I will be teaching a gluten-free cooking class at my local community center. I'm excited that enough people have registered, but... I'm kind of terrified, now that I realize what I've gotten myself into.
I know where you can get a bunch of recipes along with the patter to deliver during class. ;)
That's great, Monster!
Congrats to you too, Clod. You will be great at it!
Sakura-Con, here we come!
Today I went for a walk we met a big dog called Zac he let me walk with him and sniff where he was sniffing it was good.
I am a big grown up dog now mummy says and big grown up dogs don't pounce on bigger dogs and try to get their ears and don't bark at them when they won't play.
I am making lots of freinds all the bigger dogs think I am great and don't even bite me at all.
Hello Carrot. Nice to meet you. You are a good dog and I'm glad you had a fun time on your walk today.
Silly thing to be happy about, but why question it?
The 'rents taped a holiday programme the other night, and saved it for me because the first section was on Amsterdam.
I watched it yesterday (day to myself as they were out on a tour of the London Olympic sites) and realised it featured one of the places I went to. I mean, yes, there were the obvious tourist sites anyway, but they made a feature of De Tarte van m'n Tante - a place I made a special stop at. I mean don't get me wrong, it's in many tourist guides, but I had photos of me in there, which I was able to show Mum. She was really squealy about it; as was I!
Smiles all round.
The ability to stick together my unlocked smartphone, a local sim card with hefty data plan, some free software and my Netbook to make me independent of wifi. This will be a winner in most if not all of the countries I have to travel to for work. :)
Sent by thought transference
I'm taking it you're abroadski right now..?
Uzbekistan. The hotel claimed to have wifi throughout, but only has it in the lobby. There is an internet socket in my room, but that doesn't work either. However, I now have the technology .... Will also be useful at home where there is a 3G signal (i.e. not at home on Arran!!).
Nice work, Limey.
What brings you to Uzbekistan?
I am sharing my house with a little ball of fur and sunshine. I just want to squeeze him, and squeeze him and then eat him up for my tea.
Nice work, Limey.
What brings you to Uzbekistan?
She's a spy, silly. Hence all the swimming so she can do the James Bond thing with the pen-size underwater breather.....
One day my brother came to my house and we played and played and played all day except for sometimes when we pooed.
Today I played with a big dog called jasper mummy says he is a spaniel he is very funny and I like biting his ears because they flop and he is my friend.
What brings you to Uzbekistan?
Meeting with Herman Cain?
The correct answer was "an aeroplane", duh.
Postcard from Tiger.
As usual he placed words according to his own system, but the two blocked out words are his name and his sister's.
Mummy wrote my address.
I offered my address in case he liked the idea of sending a postcard. he has received them from me before. I'm glad I did, as it obviously occupied him for a while.
Big stretchy smilie from me.
That's really nice Sundae, big smiles here too.
***
I'm happy today thinking about BD's comment to me yesterday after I helped her out, "You're my hero Dad."
:D
1st decent bonus in about 8 months.
:beer:
now I just need to put it in my sock drawer and leave it there. The way April is going, next month will be a bit of a fall off....
what about taking 1/12th of it and spending it how you like this month, and repeating that process each month of the coming year. next month, "a bit of a fall off" or not, repeat the process, then you will have 2/12ths of the bonus to spend/save/etc. Repeat through the year and you insulate yourself from the ups and downs month to month.
Of course, you're a big boy and can manage your money... This is how I know I'm getting old, I talk this way.
good job jim!
This is what's making me happy today...
ok trust me zip let me have it. what THAT the STONE????!?!?!?! :eek:
dudE!!!!! all i can say is congrats on getting rid of that THING! jesus christ!
And that, my friend, is why they call it the happy thread.
That can only mean one thing - You'll get your replacement card tomorrow.
That can only mean one thing - You'll get your replacement card tomorrow.
lol true dat :p
The coach was going to get it today. I emailed him, so I won't, but it was close.....
Yesterday I had a chewy thing what mummy said was a paddywack and today I have a paddywack they are nice and chewy but not as chewy as a table.
Mummy made some magic hard water what she called icey cube and it is very cold and slippy on the floor and makes my mouth go all cold and then it is crunchy.
Cooking class is going very well, and about half of them already asked if there's going to be a "level 2" offered. It's especially funny because they're all so excited to be in the same room with people living the same life they are, they practically do all the talking themselves. I've literally only had time to use 25% of the material I had prepared so far, if that. I'm not teaching a class, I'm moderating a support group. Someone will ask a question, and 3 people will pipe up to answer it before I can. :)
Clod-I would think you'd be a natural at support group moderation.
That's awesome! Most teachers would kill to have that level of class participation and interest.
Totally agree with Bri and glatt.
It's really wonderful that you can share what you've developed and make an impact on others who need it most.
finished all the long long sewing for the pack covers, hundreds of feet of casing around the rim of the pack covers. Now, have to measure cut and thread the elastic through the casing with a bodkin, then tie and sew. After that I need to make 25 stuff sacks for the covers. plus casings in the top, and drawstrings and toggles. then I'll be done.
My horrible horrible neighbours have moved out! Yay!
there goes the neighbor[COLOR="LemonChiffon"](hood)[/COLOR].
We just rescued a just about 2 yr old purebred female boxer! She is now safetly at my father-in laws in Calgary for the evening. Then, tomorrow morning a friend and I are driving out to meet them half way here, to bring her home. We will be meeting in Golden BC around 1-1:30 and by 5pm she will be in her forever home!
I know its only been 2 weeks since my Freya passed on, but this one needed us now. She was being sent to the SPCA at 5 tonight, as the owner had rescued her 4 months before from being crated for 18 hours a day, and no longer wanted (in fact the new wife of the original owner HATES dogs)... then her world fell apart. The lady has mental health issues, an abusive ex, an eviction notice, and had never dealt with the energy or needs that a boxer brings to your life.The lady rescued this little one.. just in time for us to need and want another dog. We were going to wait, and get a puppy in a few months... but something about this one called to us.
Dad says she was great in the car on her way to his house, went pee outside, and is being a good girl. She is not hand shy, is skinny, but not "too bad", has the boxer energy and mentality (IE: PLAY PLAY PLAY..oh look a butterfly.... huh? PLAY PLAY PLAY) I am soo looking forward to meeting her tomorrow.
My Loki dog will be so happy to have someone to play with again, and this new one will be spoiled rotten with all the love and attention an animal should have from its family.
Major congrats Jay.
Stop by the Post Your Pet thread as soon as you stop cuddling her enough to take a pic.
Aww, Jaydaan. So happy for you. Sometimes they just kind of walk into your life. And you make the choice.
Freya would never have wanted to see you unhappy. That's the thing about dogs. They really just want you to be happy. I often think that if Pilau were here in some strange way and able to speak, he'd be glad there was another dog performing his doggy duties (marking territory, checking the mail, worrying the postman, and making sure mummy is ok), because otherwise they'd be left undone. And that would never do.
Can't wait to 'meet' her in the Pets thread :p
7 hours away, and in another province.. not sure how we found each other! I was just surfing the classifieds to check prices/pedigrees/etc on dogs under 1 year old. I responded to the ad, and then talked to the lady for 2 days we asked all kinds of questions back and forth and decided she was right for our household. She was supposed to be delivered sometime in the new few weeks. Then everything went south for the lady, and time was of the essence. I actually thought for a while today, that we would not get her. Then 3 people stepped up and helped us out. (our car broke down yeaterday!!!!) I am a firm believer of "everything happens for a reason"
So as soon as someone talks me through how to put pictures up, I will post both my babies very soon!
So how many hours til you meet her? *grins*
One Day Off, Sunday. Tall ships in Savannah.
Well that was a long an exshusting day. Driving that far with horrible roads, and a messed up back equalled all kinds of grrr and ouchies. As soon as we met up with Father-in-law and met Aesa it was all worth it! She is beautiful, much tinier than my Freya was and of course my very large Loki dog.
Her name was Jahja, pronounced Zsa Zsa. None of us liked that name one bit. We did however find her the perfect name: Aesa it was part of Greek Mythology and is the personification of fate and destiny. I think its very appropriate.
As I type my two are playing with the same tug, both having an end, and running around the house. Aesa sounds like she is rabid and is about to kill anyone and anything near her, but thats just how she sounds when she plays. She is going to take some time to get used to... still nervous when I hear her grrrr. No wonder the lady with no boxer experience was unable to handle her.
Loki is loving having a palymate around again, and is not used to one that plays quite this rough either, as Freya was always a gentle girl, and not as boxer as most boxers. As he learned his play style from her.... this is an adjustment for everyone.
So far her only issue is a bit of dribbling pee she has sometimes. We take her out she goes, she comes back in, and there is little drops for a while after. I will be contacting the vet, she may just have a weak bladder, or she may just be excited from all the things happening to her in the past 24 hours. Suprisingly, there has been no whining, no hand/head shyness, no aggression other than her play style. She is our shadow tho, and does not like it if she can't find her humans. We figure this is from her being transerfered from so many homes, including her 24 hours with "grampa". He loved having her, and is really proud of her and he raised boxers for years.
I have pictures, just no clue how to post them here....
That sounds fab. Lookin' forward to the pics ...
Jaydaan, do you have a flickr account?
No I do not... I should look into that. Is it free?
It is free aye. There's different ones. Photobucket, Flickr, and a few others. They allow you to host your pics in one place and just link straight to the pic.
Or, you can edit the pics on your hard drive so they're not too big and use the attachments feature (little paperclip at the top of the reply box on advanced)
I used to always upload pics as an attachment, but when I joined a bearded collie site they dont have that option, so I have now got more into the habit of uploading to flickr and then grabbing the code and pasting it into the reply box.
Back at school today!
Happy, happy, happy!
Well.... kind of bittersweet.
Talked to Tiger's Mum after school, he's been having a really tough time with me off.
I spoke to my HLTA first thing and she said he's been fine, coped well without me.
But he was obviously storing it up for when he got home - he does this, internalises things. So he's been crying well into the night, reverting to behaviour they thought he'd grown out of.
Tiger Mum said, "We realised that this is how he would be if he didn't have your help in the classroom."
So I feel terribly for the cub, even though I had not choice to be off.
But it makes me doubly happy I am back.
And yes, there is a tiny, weeny spark which I am trying the smother which says "See - you are doing a good job." Even as I acknowledge his world would be upset if anyone who supported him was off for two weeks. Poor little chap - I smashed up his routine.
The other bittersweet happiness is about the friend of a colleague I made carrot mini cakes for (see My Cakes thread). We talked about it on a Tuesday. I made a vague agreement to make something. That Friday I was sent home from school for being to ill to work.
On Sunday (as documented in the same thread) I made carrot mini-cakes because although I hadn't officially committed, her friend had cancer and that touches my heart for so many reasons, not even just Bri. I knew Mrs K went to visit her on Monday evenings. So I made the effort to walk round to another colleague's house with the cakies, coughing all the while and I got drenched on the way home (although that was my fault for not taking an umbrella when the sky was already a purple bruise)
Anyway.
I'm not bigging up my altruism.
It was an effort I made on really nothing more than a whim.
I found out today that she had her regular Monday visit - with the cakes. Left her friend with a huge smile on her face - she was so happy that Mrs K had cared enough to bring her a special treat from the lady at school who made the wonderful cakes.
Her friend died on Wednesday. Monday was the last time she saw her smile.
I had a very little part in that.
I'm just glad I went a little more out of my way than I would usually, because it enabled someone to have a good memory at a time of loss.
Sheer luck.
Carrot dropped his first tooth!
A lickle puppeh molar was on my floor this evening.
Sundae - don't smother that tiny, weeny spark, because you are the person that is supporting him, and very few people could actually do that job.
Be proud. You deserve to be.
Today, Mars acknowledged that I had been off school.
He was trying to negotiate an extra session of Friendship Club - the structured social activity we have every Wednesday afternoon (with three other children).
Which really pleased me - first he did notice my absence.
Second he actually enjoys Friendship Club - bearing in mind it replaced a session of play this is such a positive step.
I had to admit I wasn't sure if we could fit it in, but I said I would try.
It's hard to find a room on a Friday, and it eats into PE time, which means the children have one eye on the clock. But I will try.
Tiger's animal collage today.
And the school is running a Reading Bug theme, so all the full time staff and teachers have been photographed holding up a favourite book from childhood. The Reception teachers have chosen books like The Tiger Who Came To Tea or We're Going on a Bear Hunt but those of us who work with more than one class have more leeway.
The children's books most precious to me I read at 10-11, so they're nearly out of the range of the school. But I managed to settle on Which Witch by Eva Ibbotsen. I read it at 9 which is still a compromise, but it is in the school library.
I have yet to find my picture and speech bubble - I am assured it is up!
I want to take Tiger to see it. He'll get a kick out of that. Also Rabbit, who needs a lot of reading encouragement, and is not always aware of his environment. I know he will be amazed when he realises there are photos of the staff on the walls. Bless him, he'll probably stop and talk to them. But if I can get across the idea they are talking about books he should enjoy the concept.
Tiger will be more interested. He'll probably just be intrigued by simply finding them at first, but I'm sure he'll relate to the fact that faces he knows are holding up books. And that he will recognise some of them. Not Which Witch though...
I remember Which Witch!!!
Urgh - found the photo of me with the book. It's in the library, well off the main drag.
I'd be tempted to move it into a corridor if it was reasonable, but I look like a boiled testicle. In a wig.
Tiger's collage animals from yesterday.
I helped with the croc's spine - we had no fabric scissors and he was really struggling with the felt. Everything else from concept to drawing, choosing materials and glueing (and obviously spelling) were all independent.
I'm glad he understands that crocodiles have cloos and not tees on their fet!
I love the way he's spelled "iys" - absolutely perfect!
"Srptff" is hidden by the green paper.
Sharp teeth of course.
Logical, phonetic spelling.
Today I am happy as the 'rents are away for 5 nights.
Huzzah!
The house is filled with the smell of garlic and onion as I marinate chicken for my guest this evening, Mrs G. Coming round to watch DVDs with me. Will be all teen angst horror stylee, but I can deal with that.
I was attempting Peri-Peri, but as I simply memorised the ingredients from a bottle of sauce in a shop, I have a feeling I may not have achieved a completely traditional outcome. Never mind. Garlic chicken salad with a chilli bite will still be yummy. And after all, a marinade does not equal the final flavour, being just an infustion.
Note to self. Recipe next time for goodness sake.
Sounds like fun chika!
Nowt wrong with teeny angst horror if you approach it with a forgiving eye and an appreciation for cheddar :p
Turns out it would have been a bad idea for me to come down to yours right now after all. Carrot is poorly. Would have hated him to be poorly with me not here!
School May Fayre yesterday.
Forgot my camera (idiot!) which is a real shame as we had a cloudless blue sky and the photos would have looked amazing colour-wise.
It went well though.
My bro turned up, which was a lovely surprise.
Mum came too - which again was nice as she said she would and then attempted to back out at the last minute. Pleased she changed her mind, and I'm sure she saw the genuine pleasure on my face when I saw her.
£3,400 profit. Cool potatoes.
I ran the Refreshments Stall (aka cakes, tea & coffee, ice lollies) from set-up until 12.30, sometimes alone. I was lucky in that the hot weather meant a shorter queue for hot drinks, but it was full-on. I'm proud of myself. I only intended to volunteer, as in help, but next year I won't stress about putting myself forward to manage as I was perfectly capable.
Mrs G bought my coffee & walnut cake sight-unseen (I kept all my cakes in the fridge).
Ste bought my carrot cake - bless him, he could have one for free any weekend.
And Rabbit's Mum bought my chocolate cake. It was effectively the chocolate layer of my very special Chocolate Caramel cake x 2. So less icing, no caramel filling and only 3 eggs. A discount version if you like, but still a fantastically rich cake.
All three purchases made me happy for slightly different reasons.
And the fact I made £15 for the school was a boost too.
I made choc-coffee fairy cakes later that afternoon for Mum.
I had some coffee icing leftover in the fridge; in the end I simply could not pile any more onto the cake! It stretched quite well. Mum's been scoffing them and Maureen took some home too.
I did think about sending some to Limes & Dani, but buttercream icing simply would not travel in this heat. We're keeping them in the fridge as it is.
I could've told you'd manage perfectly well! Step up for it next year, and sneak it into your CV. x
Sent by thought transference
Keryx got home last Thursday and the computer took a shit that morning. I just got it back. The fan connection got loose. It only cost me $131.00 to get that fixed, it is probably something that was not rite from the factory.
Keryx had a good trip and a nice visit with her extended family. And I am glad to have her home. Pic's to follow.
Got my new bike all outfitted, ready to go to Mid-Ohio race track next weekend
My brother will be there.
Tiger's croc and mouse are making me happy today. :)
Took second place in the silhouette match today!
What is a silhouette match? Or should i already know?
I went for a 45 minute walk. Wish I could have gone for longer.
Great Rugby Match in the Bahamas. Only came out with a few cleat marks, a black eye, and a dislocated finger. Great fun. Can't wait til next year.
Sounds about right, probably nothing illegal in all that. I hope you put that finger back in on the field of play! ;)
(For non-Rugby peeps, at the professional level, that is often done, either by a medic or the player themself. :shock: )
Mav had a dislocated finger once from playing footy in the yard with Aden. It was at Dad's place, so a little drive to the hospital, and we considered putting it back in ourselves, but decided to go the safe route just in case there was any kind of fracture. They offered to give him an injection for the pain when they put it in, but he decided to go without. In the end I think he made the right choice. Those needles hurt like holy hell if you ask me. lol
Oh, and the thing that's making me happy today, which was why I came to this thread in the first place, is the wonderful friends I have in my life these days. I have always been lucky to have a couple of really good friends, and never really thought I'd collect more along the way, but there are a couple of really lovely ladies whom I've developed really special friendships with since we moved down here 4 years ago.
I feel truly blessed by them today. They are the ones keeping me going through what is turning out to be a really trying time.
I guess in some ways that old saying about when a door closes, someone (or god) opens a window somewhere. That's how I feel about these friends. They always seem to know when I need them and they bring a bit of light in when things seem really dark. :)
Good for you Ali. That made me smile. Happy for ya.
I saw a film where the protaganoist (a writer) decided to really go for something, reject social norms and follow his dreams, though his dreams happened to be cliched and silly.
But the point is, I want to do the same thing. I feel inspired.
Every time I feel happy or inspired about anything I feel a sense of terror that someone will take it away from me, like the bottom could fall out of my world at any second, being comprised as it is of possibilities, and not realities. But the truth is that there is very little about reality that makes me happy anymore. Maybe it's only by following my dreams that I can improve my reality.
I dunno, I'm pretty ill today, I feel drunk but not in a good way, I may just have had the greatest epiphany of all time or these may just be the quixotic ramblings of a disfunctional loser who will never achieve anything.
Late yesterday a FB friend of mine from England posted that her friend had lost a little dog in a huge field in Blackpool. She posted mainly for others in that part of the world to be on the lookout for this Chihuahua. Anyway I suggested that they place an article of worn clothing by the owner out near where the dog disappeared. This morning I woke up to a post that they put a jumper in a box and the little dog found its way there.
A story told in my husband's family at holiday gatherings about their Mom losing her little dog in a farm field during planting. They told her to leave her coat and come back after awhile. She did and the little dog was sitting right on the coat.. I never forgot that story and I was happy to make use of it for someone else even if they were all the way across the world :).
That's a cool trick! Well done.
Very cool - never heard that one before.
I saw a film where the protaganoist (a writer) decided to really go for something, reject social norms and follow his dreams, though his dreams happened to be cliched and silly.
But the point is, I want to do the same thing. I feel inspired.
Every time I feel happy or inspired about anything I feel a sense of terror that someone will take it away from me, like the bottom could fall out of my world at any second, being comprised as it is of possibilities, and not realities. But the truth is that there is very little about reality that makes me happy anymore. Maybe it's only by following my dreams that I can improve my reality.
I dunno, I'm pretty ill today, I feel drunk but not in a good way, I may just have had the greatest epiphany of all time or these may just be the quixotic ramblings of a disfunctional loser who will never achieve anything.
What's the worst thing that could happen if you did follow your dream?
Late yesterday a FB friend of mine from England posted that her friend had lost a little dog in a huge field in Blackpool. She posted mainly for others in that part of the world to be on the lookout for this Chihuahua. Anyway I suggested that they place an article of worn clothing by the owner out near where the dog disappeared. This morning I woke up to a post that they put a jumper in a box and the little dog found its way there.
A story told in my husband's family at holiday gatherings about their Mom losing her little dog in a farm field during planting. They told her to leave her coat and come back after awhile. She did and the little dog was sitting right on the coat.. I never forgot that story and I was happy to make use of it for someone else even if they were all the way across the world :).
what a great story and a great trick! I'm making a note.
ftr, I'm not a fan of tiny dogs, like chihuahui. But I can see how their very low perspective could make a field of grass seem like an impenetrable forest. poor little guy. Nice work Nirvana!
GOOD NEWS!!! I found my Corona bypass pruner. You may call off the dogs.
And I found the scrip order. Now where is the George Washington book?
Valley Forge? Across the Potomac? On the back of a dollar?
Dunno but it's going to cost us $6 I saw the damn thing sitting in Thor's cubby and i was sure it went back....ah well could be worse. I'll find the bugger as soon as the check clears....... when we lost some godawful library book, we found it as soon as the period within which they woudl refund the cost expired. i think library books must be related to household appliances.
I did a presentation on Tuesday morning at the humanities research institution, at Leeds uni. It went really well. Was too spaced out yesterday on antihistamines, antibiotics and antiinflammatories and any other antis you fancy adding to the list, to come posting about it.
Anyways, having arsed around for weeks making very little actual progress on the thing, I finally ended up pulling it out the bag in the final couple of days, and finished the powerpoint presentation to go with it at about 2am Tuesday morning :p
This time I got the PP right! There were no mysteriously missing or moved slides and it gelled pretty well with what I was saying.
20 minute talk and 10 minutes Q&A and only one question that properly floored me lol. But, given the empirical approach, it wasn't such a big deal that i didn't instantly recall the explanation for an unusual figure in an area I wasn't particularly focusing on for the talk. The answer did come to me, but I had a moment of real pause.
You know that feeling, when something you've been slightly dreading and which has basically dominated your thoughts either as something you're working on, or as something you really should be working on suddenly isn't anything you have to think about?
Ahhhhhhh.
Dunno but it's going to cost us $6 I saw the damn thing sitting in Thor's cubby and i was sure it went back....ah well could be worse. I'll find the bugger as soon as the check clears....... when we lost some godawful library book, we found it as soon as the period within which they woudl refund the cost expired. i think library books must be related to household appliances.
$6? Lucky. SonofV's lost his history book--$76. He was forbidden from purchasing his yearbook because of this outstanding debt. Happily, I've just found the book. Too late for the yearbook though.
I know. It was a kiddie book, we got lucky, although if it had been bigger, it might have been harder to lose. I'm just annoyed because I'm sure it was returned, I don't think we're at fault on this one...
More happy news. When I returned the history book to the library *and got my receipt* his record was cleared and now he has a yearbook. Woot!
hurrah -is this his graduating year?
Nope. Finishing 11th now, Senior next year. Then college.
yearbooks are ridiculous $$. TF high school girl decided not to bother until snr year. And she made the right choice IMO. She made Varsity for Swim/Dive and Polo this year, but said the pages for those teams don't even mention her and the pictures are way out of date. And the descriptions are written by the glee club. She didn't actually say that last bit, but I think it's an accurate interpretation.
I'm getting excited for my vaca in july.
Makes me happy to think about it.
Also-life in general is good. Very content. Sometimes even very happy. The best is yet to come babeh.
What's making me happy today?
I've been told I'm getting laid tomorrow.
:cheerldr:
I got asked for my address.
Obviously for my birthday.
Am really warm inside now.
It wasn't a kissy-kissy type ask, but it was from someone I really admire.
I've been gradually working on my Marlin 60, converting a sow's ear of a rifle (relatively speaking) into a silk purse. First, I did a trigger job to it, reducing the weight from ~8 pounds (not kidding, you could pick the gun up by the trigger) to a more reasonable 3 ½ pounds. Next, I lengthened the stock to increase the pull to about 14" and gave it a nice curved butt. (heh heh heh, I said butt)
Today, I glass-bedded the barrel and receiver, I'll know in a few hours if I fucked it all up. When the glass bedding job is done, then I'll add a cheek piece, sand, and refinish the stock. I may also re-paint the top of the receiver, it is a little chipped.
Pics later.
This is the style of rifle butt I put on my Marlin. NOT MY photo or rifle-- just for illustration
I don't know anything about gun specs but that is one beautiful stock! The metalwork is gorgeous too ...
sorry, not what enthusiasts would focus on, but I do like the aesthetics. :)
Oh cool foot. My dad has had, for as long as I can remember, a rifle hanging in their room. It was made by another fine woodworker, an old family friend who is a cousin also to my dad. Really neat man.
Sadly he passed this last week.
Illtry to get a pic sometime. (If I ever send your rocks.) :)
Missed a great, albeit obvious, "get your rocks off" pun...
I got asked for my address.
Obviously for my birthday.
Am really warm inside now.
It wasn't a kissy-kissy type ask, but it was from someone I really admire.
She offered her honor,
he honored her offer,
and all night long
it was offer and honor
This past week has been fucking shitty as all hell...but Michelle made a ham and egg casserole tonight...and all is right with the world. :)
You want her to get your rocks off.
We know.
Tapatalk is making me very happy in this new Smartphone world I'm living in. Now I can browse the cellar while I'm sitting around waiting for all our various extracurriculars to end! (I did try putting this in a more relevant thread, but since dozens of Jim's posts have the word "tapatalk" in the automatic signature, it was too much work to find the right one.) Unfortunately, it also means I can just pick up my phone from the nightstand and browse a few more threads instead of sleeping, which is a dangerous thing indeed.
I just had a facial. My skin looks and feels great. Lucky me.
Tapatalk is making me very happy in this new Smartphone world I'm living in. Now I can browse the cellar while I'm sitting around waiting for all our various extracurriculars to end! (I did try putting this in a more relevant thread, but since dozens of Jim's posts have the word "tapatalk" in the automatic signature, it was too much work to find the right one.) Unfortunately, it also means I can just pick up my phone from the nightstand and browse a few more threads instead of sleeping, which is a dangerous thing indeed.
So, now that you speak your meassages instead of typing, is what you are saying any different from what you would type?
I've resisted the tapatalk invitation so far. But I will say typing on this phone is difficult. Partly because of my inexperience with this keyboard interface (software), partly because the hardware interface is cumbersome for my fat fingers. Actually, I just have normal hands, large hands. The space on the screen for each "character" is quite tiny and I am kind of surprised the phone gets it right as often as it does. But "typing" on this thing... there's a certain amount of suffering involved.
I expect my dictated posts would be different from my typed posts. But who knows what unexpected trouble I'd find with the tapatalk interface.
Finally got some sleep and my brain has rebooted - seems to be firing on all cylinders. At last! A working brain, just in time for starting this residency! Hooray!
Hooray for Orthodoc's brain!!
[COLOR="Gray"][SIZE="2"](I use tapatalk - but I type, not talk ....)[/SIZE][/COLOR]
So, now that you speak your meassages instead of typing, is what you are saying any different from what you would type?
Oh, I don't speak them out loud. I didn't even realize you could do that with Tapatalk. I just use it because the forum layout is hard to use in the generic phone browser. Tapatalk reformats the data into an interface that works better on a phone, that's all, and automatically sets features like "jump to last unread post" and stuff. Typing is still slow, I mostly just browse, but I can browse easily, and open it up for just a minute or two at a time without having to jump through a bunch of different windows to get there.
[singing] My boy Carrotchops, be do be doop, he makes my heart gooooo giddyup, be do be doop...[/singing]
Heh. I was at my friends house last night and their dogs were so cool,especially the one I want to steal. He loved the ear scratching and the cooing, but he ain't leaving his castle. What a dog. :)
The college had a graduation ceremony today. (I was co-organiser and MC, but it was only about 100 people). The cool thing was one particular student. At the end, we gave out the prizes for best performance in each subject, and dux.
Going by subject, two different girls won accounting and chemistry, then a Chinese lad who I shall refer to by his English name Martin won Critical Thinking, but as he left the stage the speaker called him back for the prize for economics, then as he left the stage the speaker called him back for the prize for mathematical studies, then as he left the stage the speaker called him back for the prize for specialist maths.
Four out of five. Not bad. Each came with a certificate and $50 text book voucher.
He won the prize as dux, of course (certificate plus $100 voucher).
At the reception, he was talking with some teachers and his friend who also got a very good mark. Turns out the friend got 93.2 and Martin 93.4.
Says Martin "I'd like it if you would accept this, please" and gave the friend one of the gift vouchers.
Nice lad.
Ohh that's a nice thing to do.
There is hope... well done young man.
Notice, *only* because ZenGum has decided to share this sweet anecdote in our "happy today" thread that we know of it. It probably didn't make the news. Not on the crawl at the bottom of the screen. No headlines, etc. I'm glad ZenGum shared his story and that Martin shared his rewards. But classicman's comment that there's hope... These kinds of acts by young people (and some of us seniors too, once we shoo those hoodlums off the lawn) are all around us, everywhere. The hope's always there, we just don't always reach down into the bottom of the box and hold it up for all of us to see.
really belongs in the I'm laughing my ass off at the irony of it all thread
The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a federal law that made it illegal to lie about being a decorated war veteran, saying that the law was an unconstitutional infringement on free speech.
Good! I have always thought that this "law" was the vilest sort of pandering. SCOTUS determined that unless the "liar" was trying to profit from the lie, this kind of speech was protected. The giggles I get are from my friend Rush Limbaugh who railed against the court's stupidity of protecting liars.
o teh irony
:lol2:
roommate came home today! yay! happy about that. now the work begins. we tested out just about everything with the house today and accessibility. fitted the potty chairs over the downstairs bathroom and his bathroom upstairs, put the shower chair in the downstairs shower and he tried them all to make sure he could use them no problem in case i wasn't around to help.
surprisingly he was able to negotiate the stairs up and down with no help at all. in fact, no help with anything.......until......
he sat in his lazyboy upstairs. now, he does have a walker upstairs and downstairs as well as canes and a wheelchair for downstairs. but when he sat down in the lazy boy there was no getting up by himself. i'm strong, but not that strong. i damn near dropped him on the floor trying to get him up. i just couldn't do it. i was able to just barely get his butt on the edge of the lazyboy seat and lay him back then run and grab my neighbor to help me get him up.
no harm, no foul. i just don't want to hurt his back and the seemingly great job Doc did on him. i honestly didn't think he'd be able to do the stairs. that's a huge plus.
i'm still afraid for when i leave to go to the office due to the distance of travel, 38 miles one way. if he fucks up and i'm at work.....i shudder to think.
all in all though his back is healing nicely and he starts therapy next week.
oh, that, and in the next two weeks i'm getting a raise at work.
here's a pic of the roommates back just after surgery.....
what in the hell happened to him?
Any possibility of home care to check on him while you're at work (referral through his PCP)? Sounds like he needs to use firmer surfaces than a lazyboy ... and watch out for your own back. It's easy to hurt yourself trying to assist someone while leaning over.
You've done an amazing job getting everything in place for him - hope all goes well with his recovery.
And congrats on the upcoming raise!
we're looking into that but ya know how insurance companies work. probably won't happen.
my back is already screwed so i do my best to watch it. i hurt it real bad almost 3 months ago on a fishing trip when the boat bounced off a party barge wake and launched about 3 feet or so in the air while doing 30 knots. aggravated my old supercross days of racing motorcycle numerous injuries. i'm doing the best i can with him and that's precisely why i went and got my neighbor to help me get him up. and thanks on the later!
monnie it's years of abuse. he is an aikedo and judo instructor and in fact, i only found this out through his best friend when he was here a few weeks back, that roommate almost made the Olympics some years back for judo. he's a very humble man and doesn't talk about all that. he'd rather sit there and let you think he's some dude just hanging out. try to fight him? even now he'll put you on the ground from a wheelchair! lol!
i know. he damn near just did it to me when i was making fun of him just now! (hey! laughter is the best medicine!)
to cut a long story short mon, about 15,000 back slams on the mat did it.
I just went out for a late night ride on the motorcycle. I've been doing that lately when its hot cuz it feels so nice. tonight I just barely beat the rain home. caught a few sprinkles but nothing to speak of. now I'm standing on my front porch watching the light show .....crazy zig zag lightning.
spoken in to my phone using tapatalk
ugh. glad he's back and you're all happy, tho'
Soudns lovely Jim.
@ Philthy: you're a good egg.
Man, that's a lot of hardware to be carrying.
I'd say, get well soon, but I suspect there is a rehab plan and the only bit marked "soon" is "begin". So: get well thoroughly.
Man, that's a lot of hardware to be carrying.
I'd say, get well soon, but I suspect there is a rehab plan and the only bit marked "soon" is "begin". So: get well thoroughly.
yeah, that about sums it up.
he's been able to sleep really well the last two nights which is a huge plus. he's in good spirits and getting around the house. taking care of him is a chore though. from laundry to cooking among a few other duties.....hell i'm trying to get office work done and it's hard. i'm on the last drawing of 12 that i started yesterday and when i finish that i have to start another project i was supposed to of started yesterday.
gonna be a busy next few weeks i think.
Glad to hear your friend's getting some sleep and in good spirits. That goes a long way ... still, it's a lot for you. He's lucky to have such a good friend. Take care of yourself in the next few weeks, too.
I finally got the last boxes unpacked, broken down, and into storage ... now have to hang a few pics and get this place looking homey. I'm loving just having my own space. It's making me happy today!
nothing like having your own space/place. do what ya want, when ya want and how ya want!
Roommate was able to walk to the corner of the street earlier (about 250 yds or so). i was up here working on a project and had no idea he'd even left. (that kinda irked/startled me a bit him not saying he was leaving) but anyway he'd gotten back and decided to take a shower. the downstairs bathroom isn't that big but i am thankful that when we
remodeled the shower we made it as big as possible. if we'd of kept the old shower there's no way his chair and him would've fit in there.
the shower however went really well. i was surprised to see how well he got in and out. hell i'm amazed at the progress he's made in the 2 days he's been home!
Dude, smack him on the arm for me and tell him that's not cool! What if he'd fallen down three houses away? How long before someone came to help him?
Dude, smack him on the arm for me and tell him that's not cool! What if he'd fallen down three houses away? How long before someone came to help him?
no shit! i understand he needs exercise and all but, really?? crap let me know when you leave dork!
Umm, yeah. He needs to work with you, here ... I'm sure he's anxious to regain his independence, but - a little common sense goes a long way.
he just laid down for a nap then asked me to clip his toenails :vomit:
i did ask him to let me know if he leaves like that. so i know to either expect him back or walk with him. something. just to be aware.
*SNORT*
sorry ... no greater love hath a friend ... :lol:
*SNORT*
sorry ... no greater love hath a friend ... :lol:
hey at least it wasn't dingleberries! that'd of thrown me off the chain!
hey at least it wasn't dingleberries! that'd of thrown me off the chain!
Dingleberries? Don't think I want to know ...
I'm going to google this, and I KNOW I'll regret it ... :yelsick:
Okay, regretting, regretting, regretting ... :vomitblu:
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Lovely lady at work told me I've made this term bearable for her.
I mean, not me personally, but my cakes. Still - she sees it as the same thing.
She has had a tough term, uncertaincy about her future, long term illness of her class teacher (who she works with very well) which meant a succession of fill-ins and temps, and eventually discovering he had accepted a promotion at another school. Not connected to his illness, but it meant things went from bad to worse for her.
She said even when things were grim she had an element of hope coming in on a Monday morning, wondering if I had made something.
She's said something similar before, but I know she genuinely means it. Things are better for her now at work as the replacement is named and she knows her. Also her job is no longer in jeopardy; it never was but communication was poor for a while.
It really made me day.
I will bake next week even if it is cupcakes.
I might try the Olympic rings. If I don't get slapped with a
suit for copyright infringement that is!
(note, the above is from The Mail, so I take my icing with a pinch of salt)
I received a lovely card in the mail today from Sundae's Mum thanking me for our lunch date. It made my day. :)
Yeah. Thta's been making me smile quite a bit.
Two things are making me happy right now. 1st I managed to get in to see the dermatology doctor at my practice. She's really good. I was pretty sure I knew what I was looking at as it seems very similar to what went on with my skin about 18 months back. But I wanted to make sure. And yes, it does seem to be an underlying viral infection which is causiong the continued itch and reinfection (bacterial). So, I have antivirals and am feeling a little more in control of the situation again.
2nd: Carrot's been really funny the last few days. He's such a little comedian. And if he does something that makes me laugh my laughing makes him do it more :p proper little character he is.
reading this thread. awww shucks!
i'm tired as all get out but smiling the whole time.
now it's time to go make supper. fresh atlantic salmon with dill, salad and rolls
We had chicken, pintos, and fresh corn on the cob. :yum:
I thought I'd been gypped by a website I use.
Despite entering a coupon code, the free item I was expecting did not appear on the invoice.
I emailed the Customer Service Dept immediately, saying that if the free item was not available I wanted to lower the value of my order - I needed everything I had ordered, but not all at that precise time. I ordered more than usual to claim the free gift.
I had an email response to say they had entered the relevant code for me.
Huh?
The next response was to tell me my parcel was despatched. I read both mails at the same time.
So I called them. Oh no sorry, looks like the item wasn't added at all. I queried why the deal was still being advertised if they were out of stock. I also pointed out that I had requested a smaller order immediately after purchase, and it wasn't my error.
Since it had already been packed and sent I was offered a 10% discount voucher. Free items cannot be despatched separately, the system will not allow it. I agreed with reasonably good grace - she'd tried to resolve the situation after all.
The next day I got to thinking. The free gift was worth £7.99. In order to recoup that I'd have to spend £79 on my next order?! No thank you!
Luckily when I got home my delivery was there. They'd included £8 extra of the cat food I'd ordered. So I got free cat food and a £10 voucher. Yay for ZooPlus Customer Service!
My wife and I now have a brand new refrigerator! Yikes, it cost as much as the first car I bought back in 1974 but it's a beauty. An LG french door model in a midnight black semigloss finish with soft blue LED lighting! It has an alarm system to warn if the door is left open or breached in time of war and 32 separate temperature sensors, an interior air filtration system. And it comes with a 50 caliber rapid fire machine gun just in case of enemy attack!
My wife and I now have a brand new refrigerator! Yikes, it cost as much as the first car I bought back in 1974 but it's a beauty. An LG french door model in a midnight black semigloss finish with soft blue LED lighting! It has an alarm system to warn if the door is left open or breached in time of war and 32 separate temperature sensors, an interior air filtration system. And it comes with a 50 caliber rapid fire machine gun just in case of enemy attack!
Aheheh. That last line really made me laugh.
There's a teeny-tiny part of me that longs for a massive fridge, in a large kitchen.
Don't worry Dana - no one here is a Freudian.
he sat in his lazyboy upstairs. now, he does have a walker upstairs and downstairs as well as canes and a wheelchair for downstairs. but when he sat down in the lazy boy there was no getting up by himself. i'm strong, but not that strong. i damn near dropped him on the floor trying to get him up. i just couldn't do it. i was able to just barely get his butt on the edge of the lazyboy seat and lay him back then run and grab my neighbor to help me get him up.
This might help but they are kind of spendy.
Remember the movie 9 to 5 where they used a remote controlled garage door opener to lift the guy off the floor? They're cheap and hooked to one of those water skier tow ropes he might me able to pull himself out of the lazyboy. Not very elegant, but we're looking for results, amirite? :blush:
Three years ago I was told to pull the plug on my son.
Yesterday he and I along with my father, my brother & his son went fishing 60 miles offshore.
My son helped reel in a 50+lb tuna.
Happy? I'm fucking ecstatic.
Fukkin' doctors... The irony you ask? (just play along) The hospital called a few weeks ago asking us to be in a commercial
as one of their "success stories"
I replied, not calmly, "Really? If I had listened to you he'd be dead today - go fuck yourself." I then hung up.
Upon reflection ... yep ... Go fuck yourself HARRRRRRRD.
Happy Anniversary bud.
Holy shit, it's three years ago? Doesn't seem that long. Probably seems longer to you though :P
Happy Anniversary to you and your lad. It's a good day to be alive.
Good for you, and good for your son. Happy anniversary, classic.
Three years ago I was told to pull the plug on my son.
Yesterday he and I along with my father, my brother & his son went fishing 60 miles offshore.
My son helped reel in a 50+lb tuna.
Happy? I'm fucking ecstatic.
Fukkin' doctors... The irony you ask? (just play along) The hospital called a few weeks ago asking us to be in a commercial
as one of their "success stories"
I replied, not calmly, "Really? If I had listened to you he'd be dead today - go fuck yourself." I then hung up.
Upon reflection ... yep ... Go fuck yourself HARRRRRRRD.
This is so very wonderful. :)
Happy Anniversary bud.
Three years ago I was told to pull the plug on my son.
Yesterday he and I along with my father, my brother & his son went fishing 60 miles offshore.
My son helped reel in a 50+lb tuna.
Happy? I'm fucking ecstatic.
Happy Anniversary bud.
A very Happy Anniversary!! What a fantastic thing. Wishing you all the best.
So pleased you made that decision and have no need for regrets.
Much love to you and Classic-son.
Chris - would you be able to hide in that fridge and survive an atom bomb blast?
I just saw a presentation by a Blue Angel pilot and his crew chief and logistics guy.
Just. Wow.
The Angels have long been a family favorite: we used to watch the air show from my dad's lake/land and they often did their turnarounds right over our heads.
And my nephew now being in flight school for the Marines...I get choked up just thinking of it all.
God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Three years ago I was told to pull the plug on my son.
Yesterday he and I along with my father, my brother & his son went fishing 60 miles offshore.
My son helped reel in a 50+lb tuna.
Happy? I'm fucking ecstatic.
Fukkin' doctors... The irony you ask? (just play along) The hospital called a few weeks ago asking us to be in a commercial
as one of their "success stories"
I replied, not calmly, "Really? If I had listened to you he'd be dead today - go fuck yourself." I then hung up.
Upon reflection ... yep ... Go fuck yourself HARRRRRRRD.
Happy Anniversary bud.
So happy for you guys. Happy Anniversary to you and your boy :)
Going to see Tiger tomorrow. And his two new kittehs!!!
Must take splendid treats to make sure kittehs love me.
Tiger and Kitty wouldn't expect anything less, as I am a Very Important Person as far as they are concerned. Florence Nightingale crossed with Glinda the Good Witch crossed with Julia Donaldson would be about right.
I hope to return with photos of Fluffy and Snowy for you.
Yup, the children named them :)
The freeware program
Lego Digital Designer is making Minifob very happy today. And when he's happy, I'm happy.
The freeware program Lego Digital Designer is making Minifob very happy today. And when he's happy, I'm happy.
Well, how clever is that? I may have to download that app myself. I led a deprived childhood and never got to play with legos (My Mom thought they were for boys only).
I'm happy today because I just got a letter from Colorado Voc-Rehab authorizing me to help a disabled man learn the basics of using a computer - $700 bucks for 20 hours of tutoring during the month of July. That's a godsend since I haven't found other work yet and my unemployment STILL has come through.
Your smiles make me smile, Sundae, Clod, Samiam, Infi and last but not least Classic!
Happy Anniversary bud.
Happy anniversary to you both. You've come a long way.
That's a nice bit of good karma Sam :) Bout time I'd say.
Thanks Griff
I also agree with Dana. You've been overdue Sami.
Why, thank you Classic and Dana! There is a chance that this voc-rehab thing could turn into a regular gig. Apparently, a bunch of funding came through for programs targeted at those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Some folks with TBI have too much damage to master computer skills, but many still have the ability to learn - especially if the teacher is patient and doesn't mind repeating themselves about 20 times.
Needless to say, I understand all too well what my client is going through and I don't mind repeating lessons until he gets it. I would love to work with other TBI folks. We'll see what happens. *crosses fingers*
Awesome!
One correction -
if the teacher is patient and doesn't mind repeating themselves about 200 times A DAY.
If you need any help or have any questions - PM me.
I just saw a presentation by a Blue Angel pilot and his crew chief and logistics guy.
Just. Wow.
The Angels have long been a family favorite: we used to watch the air show from my dad's lake/land and they often did their turnarounds right over our heads.
And my nephew now being in flight school for the Marines...I get choked up just thinking of it all.
God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This made me very happy on Sunday:
At mom and dad's, and my brothers are there. They're going to try to find some sneaky spot from which to see the blue angels. My brother had just the spot. I rode with older brother, dad, a kid friend of the family. In the other vehicle was little brother and wife and their girls. Later, my oldest nephew came.
It was in a ________ (let's just say a place where people are dying to get in) and it was filling up. No one was bothering anything, of course. A man came around to tell us we had to leave. We sort of started packing up but none of the other crowds were really moving either. Like dad said, he was just doing his job, but no one was making an effort to leave, they just kept pulling in. About 600-800 people probably. Guy gave up...what can you do. Dad said if they decided to arrest anyone they could have him since he's retired. :lol:
Anyway, the Angels' flight path back to the show was right over our heads. At one point you could see the guys heads (who were flying upside down in formation) and see the heat/fire from the jet engines. And the SOUND. You can't be that close to that sort of thing without it filling you UP. It was beautiful. I saw the numbers on the planes and saw my buddy from the presentation.
I was so glad I had the opportunity.
I can't explain how thrilling it is to me, to all of us.
That's cool. I've seen both the Blue Angles and the Thunderbirds, and now that I think of it, I've never taken the kids. I should do that next time they come by.
I've seen the t-birds too. Angels, probably because of the Marine thing, have a special spot in my heart.
You should take the kids. Mom took us, and in particular my younger brother, when we were kids...now my younger brother is taking his daughters and they are thrilled. Wouldn't be surpised if one of them took up piloting. :)
The City of Seattle has joined the federal case against DOMA.
wtg Seattle.
I am divorced. Got my decree in the mail today. I've actually been divorced for four days, I just didn't know it.
Not quite sure how I feel ... no gloating. Relief. Sadness. Grief for all the wasted years. But on some level, happy ... happy to be able to move forward. I hope I will be wiser in this new part of my life.
I got divorced on my birthday...its the only reason I celebrate that day now :)
I am divorced. Got my decree in the mail today. I've actually been divorced for four days, I just didn't know it.
Not quite sure how I feel ... no gloating. Relief. Sadness. Grief for all the wasted years. But on some level, happy ... happy to be able to move forward. I hope I will be wiser in this new part of my life.
An observation, if I may.
You may well be wiser, this would not surprise me. But, if you are wiser, then "all those years" were not wasted.
I'm not just being pedantic. I have walked this road, and I'm a few miles ahead of you. I know something about what's behind me and ahead of you. I know I felt my time was wasted; later I realized I didn't waste my time. Some of it was genuinely good, and the parts that weren't good were instructive. But not a waste.
I'm happy you're in a much better place now, regardless. Congratulations.
I am divorced. Got my decree in the mail today. I've actually been divorced for four days, I just didn't know it.
Not quite sure how I feel ... no gloating. Relief. Sadness. Grief for all the wasted years. But on some level, happy ... happy to be able to move forward. I hope I will be wiser in this new part of my life.
Wow, that was quick! Take your time to get to know your new status ...
Already? Blimey.
Congratulations chika! Onwards and upwards from here :)
What's making me happy is that Carrot no longer has to be shut in his crate at night!
Took the plunge night before last and let him have the whole of downstairs (it' such a small space anyway not like he had oceans to rattle about it!).
It was time. The last week or so every now and again at night he'd attempt to settle on a cushion outside the crate (pen) and I'd have to scurry him in instead.
I'd already decided in the day that's what I'd do, and had been about the place to make sure nothing to dangerous was left about for him to chew. Turned off all electrical outlets at the plug etc. Come nighttime, I said to him 'ok, Carrot, time for bed' as normal and he slunk off to his crate. I called him back out and told him to get on the couch. As he lay down on the couch I said 'there you go. bed time, night night' so he knew this was his new bedtime routine. Oh he was soooo pleased. Kicked his little legs back behind him and snuggled right into the cushions.
letf him there and closed the door to the stairs so he couldnt follow me up. Woke up late the next morning and he was fine. He'd done nothing untoward, no mad chewing that I could see. He'd obviously been awake for some time before me as the recylcing van had been and crashing bottles would have woken him up no doubt.
Last night again he was fine. Came down this morning to find him sat in the middle of the living room waiting for me (he'd have heard me moving ariound upstairs).
Really pleased. Been wanting to do this for a while. nearly did about a month ago, but held off as he was mad teething. But I am convinced thathe hasnt been sleeping well in the crate. Hot stuff nights despite the daytime rain. Room in the crate to move about and lie down, but not to change sleepng spot if it gets too hot. He'd been really tired a few mornings in a row. Now he's all full of bounce and happiness :0
But, if you are wiser, then "all those years" were not wasted.
I know I felt my time was wasted; later I realized I didn't waste my time. Some of it was genuinely good, and the parts that weren't good were instructive. But not a waste.
I'm happy you're in a much better place now, regardless. Congratulations.
I don't exactly regret the years spent ... I couldn't have done this years ago, in fact I tried and didn't succeed. But I regret having missed out on a good relationship, one based on mutual consideration and respect, one in which both of us, not just one of us, showed love. There were good times, of course - there always are - but I wish I'd had the chance to experience a bond that grows stronger, a deep mutual connection.
However. I've had some good experiences in other areas of my life. And it all adds up to where I am today, and from now on I can choose who I wll be with, and under what circumstances. I'll happily be alone for the rest of my life rather than be in a bad relationship. For now I'll take a little time for myself. As you say, Limey, I need time to adjust. And thanks, Dana, hopefully things will look up from here!
Our lovely Deputy Head is back.
And she brought me in some clothes and bits for the twins (she's been off on materniry leave). No idea how this will go down with my sister, but I hope Abs will appreciate them, as they are mostly larger sizes and all good names (like Gap) and most don't even look as though they have been worn.
I raised this in conversation with her about four months ago, but she is just the sort of good person who remembers and then delivers. She's included some toiletries and bottles as well as a couple of gift items which I could tell weren't to her taste :)
So kind.
Am going to pass them on to Abs when she goes home, which may be as soon as tomorrow! Question - I would really like her to send Ms Mc a Thank You card. How do I broach that? Take a card round and ask her to sign it? She won't do it off her own back. And I think it would seem like an arse-lick if I did it... Tempted to get one and get Mum to sign it so she doesn't recognise my writing!
Well, she did the favor for you. Not for Abs, not for the boys, though they are the direct beneficiaries of the gifts. It's not inappropriate to thank her yourself. It would be additionally nice to be thanked by Abs, and she's capable of understanding and doing. How much help/support/motivation is needed to get that done... I don't know. I'd be fine with getting the card and asking Abs directly to sign it after you've shown her the haul. Of course she'd sign it.
my two cent's worth. :)
I have thanked her verbally, of course. I think a card is appropriate in situations where you are unable to do that. Abigail doesn't really do cards though. Or thank you letters since she was about 12. She sends texts and emails, which aren't really appropriate in this case.
You know what? I'm talking myself out of it. Abs is likely to ask me to thank Ms Mc for her and I will pass that on. She's 17 after all, it might seem a little olde-worldy of her to put something in writing!
ETA - Dana, major congrats on the latest stage in Carrot's life.
It must be lovely to leave him sleepy and comfortable with room to roam.
Yes, Dana, congrats on Carrot reaching the point where he doesn't need to be crated at night! It's so much better for one's peace of mind to know that your dog can move around and get comfortable as needed. He's such a cutie - keep posting pics!
I'm happy because I sent my 12 year old Marmot tent back to the manufacturer for a possible warranty issue on the rain fly delaminating and they sent me a reply that they would give me a $399 credit towards a new tent! I don't backpack very much any more and mostly car camp with my grandkids so I am going to get a big 6 person tent. Here is what I am getting, the Limestone 6P. It goes for $449 so I won't have to pay much.
Well, it is big and heavy but for car camping it works. I usually share with my wife and our dog and if we are weekend camping or longer it's nice not to be cramped. I also have a nice Sierra Designs 2 person if I decide to hit a trail.
I also store all my tents and sleeping bags in the house in cotton bags that allow breathability so it should last at least another 10-15 years!
cool tent!
talked to my boss today (not the engineering company i work for but rather the guy who signs my checks since i'm contract through him) anyway, i've been training a friend on autocad here at the house about once a week for the last several months. he's got an interview with my boss next week. i'm proud!
lotta good stuff today for a lot of dwellars!
It's Mav's birthday today and as per usual, I made his cake.
Here it is in all it's glory (except the candles aren't on yet)
[ATTACH]39571[/ATTACH]
Wow! What is the charmeleon made of? And is the rainbow stuff crushed breakfast cereal? Very nice.
charmeleon is just rolled out plastic icing (that stuff wedding cakes are usually iced with) which I then cut the shape out of and then coloured in with a brush and food colouring. After I iced the cake with some butter frosting, I then simply plopped my artwork onto the cake. The rainbow stuff is just coloured sprinkles. I figured these types of creatures always seem to be standing on weird stuff, so I figured rainbow grass would be ok.
The idea is to light the candles and it looks like the character is breathing fire. :)
Here it is with the candles lit
[ATTACH]39587[/ATTACH]
Here it is with the candles lit
[ATTACH]39587[/ATTACH]
OMG--parent of the year, gold ƒucking medal awarded to YOU :)
haha...thanks fellas.
Don't think I ever had a hof nomination before. lol I feel so important now!
The fire totally makes it!
I feel a little silly posting this, but I have more Wheaties! I ordered two more cases just before they raised the price to $75, and they just got here. I have enough cereal to last until August!
[ATTACH]39603[/ATTACH]
I just went down into the basement this morning to get some more Wheaties, and look what I found. :eek:
[ATTACH]39604[/ATTACH]
After I grabbed a box, I only had two left on deck. I thought these would last me from December until August, but it's only mid July. They will be gone by July 25th.
Not good preparation for the zombie apocalypse!
You're lucky the Feds haven't come down on you for stockpiling ... something ...
um, this whole empty shelf thing is scary
/hoarder
I'm disappointed that no one ever restocked the Crispix. When you open the last box (or can or bottle) of something, you're supposed to put it on the list!
Dude. Clam juice? WTF? :lol:
I can't imagine ever needing ANY clam juice and certainly not like 6 jars of it!
Dude. Clam juice? WTF? :lol:
I can't imagine ever needing ANY clam juice and certainly not like 6 jars of it!
Our tradition Christmas Eve is to have a huge pot of fish chowder. I have an awesome recipe and it calls for like 12 jars of clam juice for the broth (and a pint of heavy cream). So in the fall, I start looking at the price of clam juice, and when it goes on sale, I stock up for Christmas. That picture was taken in December. We have no clam juice now.
Ali, I missed the party! (hang on, I wasn't invited...)
Your cake is teh awesome.
Clams got juice?
How else do you think they make Little clams ??
so i've been in a pretty bad mood all weekend. started friday night and until just recently, have gotten in a better mood. Dr. Froth, a member here and bassist for a few local bands here in houston sent me this
LINK for a solo album he's putting together using his
NS/Stick. i always enjoy hearing/watching him play. on the above link are 3 different genres of playing. hope you enjoy them as much as i did! :)
*ETA: these are demo, he's still tweaking and tuning ;)
I'm ecstatic as I have won a big Google lottery that I don't seem to remember having entered. I received the email with the UK office address listed as:
Google Corporation®
Belgrave House,
76 Buckingham Palace Road,
London SW1W 9TQ,
United Kingdom.
It goes on to say this is a consolation prize of 850,000.00 GBP! I just need to send in the following information and they will get back with me:
(1) Your contact address:
(2) Your Tel/Fax numbers:
(3) Your Nationality/Country:
(4) Your Full Name:
(5) Sex:
(6) Occupation:
(7) Age:
(8) Ever won an online lottery?
Oh and the contact email address is out of their Vietnam office. Imagine that, Google now has an office in Vietnam! I assume it might be a way to get around paying some kind of big UK prize tax!
CONTACT CLAIMS OFFICE:
Google Promotion Board
Dr. Williams Gibson
[email]google.claim@zing.vn[/email]
I promise to remember all of my Cellar friends when I get my check.
Oh Chris, that's outstanding for you. Congratulations.
I'll try not to be envious.
At 1405 hrs today Juju & I were blessed with a perfectly healthy, beautiful Grand-daughter. I was there when she was born and I'm at home getting ready to go back to hospital now. What an amazing thing. Quite a miracle. :)
Awesome capn! Congratulations!
Kudos to you capnhowdy! Grandchildren are awesome!
That really is very good news. Congratulations!
Brilliant news capn! Congrats :)
Way to go Cap'n & Juju!!!!
Can we call you Cap'n grandpa now ;)
Aye aye capn
•spoken in to my phone
Carrot no longer has a crate at all. It's gone! I have folded it away. No more ruddy great crate taking up a massive chunk of my tiny living room! Hurrah :
And Carrotchops loves the new arrangement. He has his sloggy bed and blanket thathe pulls about and makes into a gorillas in the mist style nest, and then come sleep time, he transfers to a little area under the worksurface, where a washing machine used to live. That way he can keep an eye on the stairs door, and the front door at the same time.
Last night having gone to bed an hour earlier to read for a bit before sleeping, I crept downstairs to make a cuppa and there he was. All snuggled up with his blanket under the work surface. He didn't get up, he just lifted his head and watched me sleepily. I patted his head told him to go back to sleep and he lay back down.
I went upstairs with a lump in my throat. He's not just my puppeh now, he's my dog.
Congrats Capn!
Awww, Dana....thats so cute and milestoneish
Great stuff capn! Happy for you all. :)
awesome cap! congrats!
and cool beans dana!
My afternoon snack.
It was strawberries and cream. I realised that even though my diet is somewhat limited at the moment, it definitely doesn't preclude strawberries, and cream is ok as long as it's unsweetened, and considering I've lost another couple of kg's in the last couple of weeks, I thought it'd be ok to be decadent just this once.
Max enjoyed sharing with me too. :)
So for the last 2 weeks or more the weather here in the Midwest the temps are miserable. I am so proud of the 4-H kids and their families that bought cattle from us this year despite the heat they worked hard and so far we/they have had these results...
2012 Grand Champion Steer Marshall Co. Fair
2012 Grand Champion Heifer Starke Co. Fair [the one in the photo I sent in show us your pets ;)]
2012 Grand Champion County Bred Steer LaPorte Co. Fair
2012 Res. Grand Champion Heifer Starke Co. Fair
That's great. Congratulations!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Prizewinning beeves!
Congrats! Good for you and your cows/bulls...
I don't know anything about this so I'll just ask.
Does this mean they taste better or are better for breeding or is this simply like a dog or horse show type of thing?
I guess what I'm asking is - Is there a benefit to the owner or animal after the win? Whats it all mean? What happens afterward?(seriously asking)
4-H teaches kids about the beef industry. Raising a calf and showing it involves the whole family making it a family project. I don't know of any kids that are involved in livestock projects that are in gangs , addicted to drugs or are school drop outs. We are on our second generation of exhibitors. Most of the parents of the kids we help bought cattle from us 20 or so years ago.
So you're the "pusher man" for those 4-H gangs, eh. :lol2:
I spent a lot of years in 4-H, dairy and horse. It was a real good experience.
Show beef ... the drug of choice! ;)
4-H, or most kinds of livestock/horse showing, is great for kids. Lots of life lessons, lots of character development. I showed horses in my teens - same types of good experiences. Hooray for 4-H!
I'm happy tonight because a) I survived four days of 95-105 degree weather dressed in hazmat-type garb while doing industrial hygiene at a huge facility in the midwest; b) tomorrow I DON'T have to wear hazmat garb! I get to go to a conference on fracking! c) this weekend I get to see a dear friend who's also training me for a vacation where I'll get to ride cutting horses; d) I also get to see other friends and take in an outdoor music festival this weekend!
Big difference from the beginning of July! I am stoked!!
Training you for a vacation? Has it been so long you have to be retrained? :)
The embarrassing answer is: yes!!!
Apart from needing vacation training :p: - he's training me so I can survive a weekend of riding cutting horses :)
Just take away their knives before you get on, and you're good to go.;)
Sounds like life is gooooood Ortho :)
Last day of school today. Well, last half day, I was home by 13.00.
Lots of prizes from the childer - I am always so flattered. Not because of material gain, just that they must mention my name at home in order to justify a parent buying a gift/ card. As it was I mostly received chocolates, all promptly donated to my Mum, who accused me of wanting her to get fat :) Tiger & family got me a cute cat plaque..
I got banana flavoured treats from my class teacher.
And no, not as a knowing joke, she just doesn't know me. Well it's only been 11 months. And yes, I sound like an ungrateful bitch, but the bottom line is I just don't like her. I smiled and thanked her of course - I do have manners.
But, phew - I'm glad that school year is over. I have been asked subtly by other TAs how it was working with her. And responded with equal subtlety. And then we've looked at eachother's wary faces and realised we both felt the same, and laughed and shook our heads. Not a great environment, especially for lower ability children. Tiger Mum was especially just riding out the year.
My bet? Tiger will really flourish next year and a lot of the anxiety he now releases as soon as he gets home will disappear. From that teacher I got a cupcake decoarting kit :) And from the Specialist teacher I work with - cheese and wine. I work with some wonderful people.
I'm going to miss staff and children over the summer!
When does the school year start again for you, Sundae? We're already more than halfway through summer vacation here, and mentally preparing to start up again near the end of August...
We're back in school on 6 September.
Summer holidays are generally accepted to be 6 weeks, but sometimes they are a little more and sometimes a little less.
One of my class told me today that it was 45 days - I haven't counted it myself. The same child told me his mother had died and after I found that not to be true I've always been wary of accepting his word.
Oh, that explains it.* Summer vacation is 10 weeks here. We also have 1 week for "Spring Break," and 2 weeks for the holidays in winter.
*"It" being why the US is at the bottom of the list in math, science, literacy, and pretty much every other metric among developed nations.
So are you working with the same teacher next year?
Oh, that explains it.* Summer vacation is 10 weeks here. We also have 1 week for "Spring Break," and 2 weeks for the holidays in winter.
*"It" being why the US is at the bottom of the list in math, science, literacy, and pretty much every other metric among developed nations.
Whereas they have 1 week in october, 2 weeks at christmas, one week in spring, two weeks at easter and one week in may. In additoin to th 6 weeks in summer. Comes out pretty similar in the end.
So are you working with the same teacher next year?
I'm working with the cupcake teacher :)
I've been with Mrs Banana in the mornings with Tiger all school year, and Miss Cupcake in the afternoons with Mars since February.
I'm moving up the school with both of them (this year at least). I will be with Miss Cupcake in the mornings with Tiger, and a new teacher in the afternoons with Mars.
Tiger already knows Miss Cupcake because he comes into her classroom during assembly some days, to read with me. So as well as taking home a "My Class Next Year sheet for the holidays, he is already comfortable with his new teacher. Also the classroom is right next door to his old one and shares a cloakroom area and toilets.
Mars has a more difficult transition. I've also done him a sheet, and he has spent 3 afternoons in his new classroom, but he will now be in Key Stage 2 in a different area of the school and with different play and lunch times. He is less anxious than Tiger, and acts out displeasure/ distress immediately rather than internalising it. This works for him in school, because he gets immediate attention, but reaction is still poor care. The good thing is that the morning TA in that class has a son who is on the spectrum and specialises in children with behavioural difficulties. She's not assigned to him specifically, but she knows the difference between bad behaviour and autism.
God. Everything gets so complicated for the autistic kiddies. Scary enough moving from familiar classes to unfamiliar ones.
Glad you're not stuck with banana flavour lady next year :P
Yes about the autistic kids.
Down here, the education department recently changed the special needs transport schedule for an autistic lad with NO NOTICE AT ALL, didn't even warn his mother in advance.
Kid had what was described in the media as an "autistic meltdown".
The education department have since publicly admitted that they got it wrong. It takes a lot to make them do that. Seriously, guys, "special needs" should give you a clue.
Oh, that explains it.* Summer vacation is 10 weeks here. We also have 1 week for "Spring Break," and 2 weeks for the holidays in winter.
*"It" being why the US is at the bottom of the list in math, science, literacy, and pretty much every other metric among developed nations.
I think a big part of "it" is that the US is still a haven for immigrants, and immigrants don't speak English well, so they don't learn or test as well. There is a lot of talk in my city of closing the acheivement gap, but nobody is willing to admit that it will never be closed as long as a new batch of ESL kids comes into the system each year.
That probably is a factor in literacy, but Australia and Britain have high levels of NESB migrants too.
The fact that some of your school science books even mention creationism probably doesn't help.
:rant:
I think the problems in education across the board in Australia and most likely other western countries, is the amount of bullshit bureaucracy and administration work required by teachers. I also think that teachers trying to teach who don't speak english properly is a setback for the students right from the start and it really is the biggest irony of all time.
eta: I'm not against teachers from other countries teaching here, but it's stupid that a teacher with an accent so thick it's difficult to understand them, or who can't even put their pronouns in the right place should be teaching high school OP students.
The biggest single factor in educational outcomes is .... the parents.
Poorly educated parents --> poorly educated kids.
Fast forward 20 years (or 10, or 2, sometimes :p ) and those poorly educated kids are now poorly educated parents themselves.
Rinse and repeat.
That's true and I agree. It's so very obvious when you look at the kids my boys are in classes with now. Their parents don't have an education beyond yr 10, and so they have a negative attitude to education instilled in them from the start of their school lives. It's very sad, and it's getting worse due to the larger and larger numbers of parents who are educated, choosing to shun the public system.
In another 10yr or so, I suspect it will become uncommon for anyone wanting to go to uni being enrolled in public schools during their senior years. There is only 1 OP english class for yr 11 at Aden's school and that's being taught by an idiot teacher. The maths B teacher (1 class again) is from India, and can't speak english properly, and has had complaints from numerous parents about his inability to impart the knowledge in a way that the kids can understand due to his poor language skills.
Please suffer a ? from a Yank...
How are the public schools funded in Australia ?
I was in Melbourne and Syndey once for ~ 27 minutes on a business trip,
and over dinner my host was telling me that, unlike the US
where (real estate) property taxes are the key source of school $,
that parents do everything they can to pay tuition so kids can go to private schools.
Therefore, the privates are much better than the publics.
Is that anywhere near being the case ?
My opinion is that it's getting to be more and more the case here. Funding doesn't come from a specific tax though. It just comes out of the government pool of funds from general taxation (from what I know. I may be wrong) It is my understanding that the way all sorts of public amenities are funded is much different over here than in the US.
I've spoken about the failure of public schools in Australia quite a lot over the last few years, and it's a difficult issue regardless of which side of the coin you're on. Dazza and I want to support the public system by keeping our kids in it and contributing to the social capital going into the school, but there aren't anywhere near enough parents with similar levels of education and intellectual ability doing the same, which makes it a bit of a losing battle. Most people in similar situations as us choose to send their kids to private schools simply because the child will get a better education there, and the parent wont have to worry about helping the child with homework etc because tutoring is covered in large part by the school through various avenues. Most private schools offer greater opportunities in sports and the arts also which is a big draw card for many parents.
Don't get me started.
:rant:
Too late.
Public schools (the government ones) take all students in their district and charge only minimal costs -stationery, excursions (field trips).
Private schools (often Catholic, but other religious and secular schools, like to call themselves "independent") can be selective and charge fees.
All well and good so far.
The federal government does all the tax collecting, and gives a portion to the state governments who fund the public schools.
The state governments also fund all the curriculum development, exam moderation etc for the final two years which determine university entrance etc. The independents get to ride on this for free.
In the last decade or two, the federal government has been giving increasing amounts directly to schools - some to public schools, but even more per student to private schools. This is pretty much a form of middle class welfare done for purposes of vote buying.
I find this highly objectionable.
Why are my tax dollars going to elite private schools with vastly better facilities than public schools? Why are the being used to subsidise the brainwashing of children into a medieval make-believe game? If you want to forgo the place you are entitled to in the public system, that's you're choice, but don't expect me to subsidise your alternate choice.
There have been some half-hearted attempts to link these payments to the incomes of the parents, but this is done by looking at the average income for the postcode (zipcode) of the students, which is frankly ineffective.
Yet, as Ali rightly says, the private schools are generally better. Thus anyone who cares and can afford it will send their kids to a private school, unless they are motivated by social conscience as Ali and Dazza appear to be. This just bleeds more funding from the public system into the private.
Neither of our two main parties have the nerve to deal with this, and the more right wing party has at times touted a "voucher" system, whereby each student would get their bucket of funding and take it to whatever school they choose, where their parents can then top it up as they see fit. The vouchers aren't enough for a good education, hence the top up for the private schools, leaving a second rate education for the lower 2/3rds of the population.
In my view this is little short of class warfare against the poor. Bad education policy, bad monetary policy, and worst, very bad social policy. Australia is one of the more egalitarian societies in the world, and this is part of a current trend toward a lasting social division into the haves and have-nots.
Pardon me, I think I need to go and have a cup of tea and a lie down. Or a revolution.
Yep, highly objectionable indeed!
Putting it bluntly, it gives me the shits.
I'm a supporter of the Public School.
I was public schooled and turned out OK academically....I realise a lot will have to do with the Teachers, but a lot has to do with the student as well.
Back in my day, by friends parents were sending him to Private School, to the tune of $14,500 per term, he walked out of that school with a below average comprehension of Maths, English and Science, but did quite well at sport. He wasnt a bad student, never in trouble, he didnt try and they didnt really push.
He's now a Cabinet Maker.
The boys will be public schooled unless something changes dramatically.
In the last decade or two, the federal government has been giving increasing amounts directly to schools - some to public schools, but even more per student to private schools. This is pretty much a form of middle class welfare done for purposes of vote buying.
Holy shit! If anyone tried to give tax dollars directly to private schools here, there would be a riot. On the other hand, a good portion if not the majority of our private schools are not religiously-based. Also, we very well may be giving money to religious private schools in the form of tax breaks, I don't know. But state money directly to the schools that are already attended by rich kids? No freaking way.
Holy shit! If anyone tried to give tax dollars directly to private schools here, there would be a riot. On the other hand, a good portion if not the majority of our private schools are not religiously-based. Also, we very well may be giving money to religious private schools in the form of tax breaks, I don't know. But state money directly to the schools that are already attended by rich kids? No freaking way.
That's why we give them the money indirectly.
The state governments also fund all the curriculum development, exam moderation etc for the final two years which determine university entrance etc. The independents get to ride on this for free.
But aren't the parents of those kids (independents) paying taxes to pay for that as well as paying taxes that support the public schools?
Yet, as Ali rightly says, the private schools are generally better. Thus anyone who cares and can afford it will send their kids to a private school, unless they are motivated by social conscience as Ali and Dazza appear to be. This just bleeds more funding from the public system into the private.
If the parents are paying taxes which support public schools, and coughing more money for private schools, how is this bleeding funding? Sounds like the government is dropping the ball.
Pardon me, I think I need to go and have a cup of tea and a lie down. Or a revolution.
Have fun storming the castle... and being revolting. :haha:
All parents have the same right to send their child to a public school, but some choose to forego that right and send their kids to private schools. If they choose to 'cough more money' for private school, that's their personal choice.
It's like having a free ticket on the bus but deciding you want to fly. You'll still get there in the end, but one's going to cost you more.
Just for the record, I'm not against private schooling for kids. I'm against tax payers funding the personal choices of more wealthy parents.
I'm against a lot of the new 'tax reforms' the labor gov have brought in over the last few years also. I'm so sick of them I'd like to spill blood over it.
Beware of the word "vouchers"
They haven't really taken hold in the US politic,
but now we have "charter schools" which is
pretty much accomplishing the same thing.
Except charter schools actually get less money per student than the public schools, and also have higher success requirements to meet in order to avoid having their charter revoked. And charter schools are required to open their lottery to any student living in the county, they cannot reject students like a private school can.
I was camping with my friend, B, and he passed me a bag of trail mix. I had some then commented that he had pretty spartan tastes in trail mix. He took the bag back and said "doggone it, S went through and high graded my trail mix!". I'd never heard that phrase before. Here's the definition:
The term high grading in forestry, fishing and mining relates to selectively harvesting goods, to “cut the best and leave the rest”.
This is exactly the fear I have of charter schools. That they can pick and choose what students they accept *and* accept public money for the education of those students will inevitably lead to the weakening of our public education system. The remarks by several above indicating a desire to contribute to the social capital of our society by actively participating in Public Education (as payers and students and parents) are echoed in my heart and actions as well.
There is no more precious or fruitful wellspring of prosperity than the education of our young. And as far as we all participate and benefit from society, we all should contribute to this irreplaceable source of new creative minds, active workers and entrepreneurs. ZenGum's alarm call of class warfare is not hyperbole--it is worse than mere warfare, it's killing the golden goose, to mix my metaphors. Who will serve the drinks? Who will valet park the cars? Who will trim the hedges and polish the weather domes on the security cameras? A strategy of every man(family) for himself is a good one--for precisely one generation--no more.
I have longer range aspirations for our country though.
Except charter schools actually get less money per student than the public schools,
and also have higher success requirements to meet in order to avoid having their charter revoked.
And charter schools are required to open their lottery to any student living in the county,
they cannot reject students like a private school can.
There is a lot of debate over each of those statements, especially the $ and success rates.
Obviously, there are many different kinds of "charter schools".
But every charter school takes $ out of the public school system.
When the charter school takes the $ from a finite and limited source,
or when the charter school appeals to more talented/motivated/capable students and parents,
the public system must manage with less funds and a more difficult population of students.
In that sense, the charter schools are taking the "cream of the crop",
while the public school outcomes are pushed further towards a self-fulfilling prophesy.
In reality, it is the religious component to charter schools that is most bothersome,
because it funnels public $ from the education system into "charter schools"
set up primarily to foster a group's particular religious views.
This is happening in Oregon, and it's not hard to find evidence of it in other states too.
To Wit:
The Dallas Morning News
JESSICA MEYERS
Nov 22, 2010
Charter schools with ties to religious groups raise fears about state funds' use
<snip>
More than 20 percent of Texas' charter schools have some kind of religious ties.
That's the case for six of the seven approved this year, including ones in Frisco and Arlington.
Church-charter partnerships are springing up across the country as private institutions
lose funding and nontraditional education models grow in popularity.
Their emergence prompts questions about the role religious groups
should play in the development of publicly funded schools.
"The church-state line is beginning to blur," said Bruce Cooper, a professor
at Fordham University's Graduate School of Education, who has studied religious charter schools.
"We may be coming to a midpoint between the best of what is private and the best of what is public."
Critics fear the fuzzy division means taxpayers are footing the bill for religious instruction.<snip>
Religious groups may apply to open a charter school if
they establish a separate nonprofit to receive state funds.
Even with a middleman, heavy overlap exists between the school
and the religious group that supports it.
Dozens of Texas charter school leaders or board members hold
prominent positions in the church, where the schooling sometimes takes place.
Parochial schools reinvent themselves as charters, often with little guidance on running a public school.
And the mission of the school itself typically stems from the values of the religious group.<snip>
Charter school discussion moved
here.
Today I am happy because I've had my hair cut and I have pink hair again - for the summer.
I had it dones yesterday, and liked it, but I was in a narky mood. Everytime I started to type about my hair I wandered off into something Mum had said or a moan about something else.
Far better to just be happy with my hair and think "Yippee!" every time I pass a reflective surface, which is how I feel today.
Excellent!
Mum was only saying the other day (when we saw a girl with bright pink hair) how much she likes your hair when you go really vivid.
just got a couple ice cream sandwiches from the ice cream truck, one for me, one for SonofV. Delicious! The chocolate cookie top and bottom were slightly crunchy, and the ice cream was firm. Just delicious!
Today I am happy because I've had my hair cut and I have pink hair again - for the summer.
Far better to just be happy with my hair and think "Yippee!" every time I pass a reflective surface, which is how I feel today.
I'll back that, Sundae! You go!
I'm happy today because I got some COOL stuff for my cowgirl weekend in Colorado, coming up in a few days ... my favorite is a very cool pocket knife, my first ever. I got the outdoor store guy to show me every knife in the place, tested them all, and got one that isn't over the top but very nice - two edges, nice release and fold, lightweight. And some other camping stuff I've always wanted but ex-husband never approved. So I'm playing with my new toys and feeling happy, getting ready to go herd those dogies :)
I had an appointment at the hospital today and the docs are very happy with how I'm managing my GDM, so I only have to test my blood half as much now. Only 2 pricks a day instead of 4.
All right! Good news, Ali ...
the fewer pricks in our lives, the better.
Seriously, I'm glad you're managing your GDM well and numbers are looking good. Very good news for you and the baby.
Thanks ortho. Things are going well, so under the circumstances, I'm pretty happy. I would just like to sleep for the last bit of a while. Unfortunately, the other grommets wont allow for that. :(
I am so happy the weather has been pretty good over the last week or so. It's great to have Max playing outside with the dogs and his bikes and stuff instead of cooped up in the house.
I can't get excited about a knife personally, Orth, but I am pleased that you are so happy.
Ali - way to go! Impressed at your resolve to do what's right by you & yours.
Went to see the kittens yesterday. All is well. One tiny nark - why isn't she using the room thermometer I bought her? She said they weren't sure how many layers the babies should be wearing in this weather. Tell you what love, plug it in, check the temp, refer to the enclosed leaflet which is BMA etc approved. It even says to add one more layer for underweight/ premature babies. Still I didn't say all that. Just gently suggested it might help. Her babies, her rules of course.
Anyway.
Liam being fed.
Jack and me.
Went to The Mann Music Center last night with my 21 year old daughter. We saw The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra perform
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES.Although this cup of coffee doesn't rank with new babies, or going to the symphony with my daughter (or son) to hear a performance of game music, I am happy to have it. A bit jealous--no, tha's not the right word... I'm happy for my cup of coffee, and I'm really happy for my friends and the wonderful experiences they've shared. Those both look and sound sublime.
Cheers~!
V, sounds like you grabbed a different cannister to make your coffee this a.m. ;)
Cheers~!
Maybe because you don't know me very well.
There's nothing better than a new baby. The meaning of the universe is and understatement. And hanging out with my not-so-baby children like Spexxvet described would be sublime. SonofV loves the music of his video games. He's been known to setup his computer next to his keyboard and step through videos of various game music themes trying to learn them for himself. If we attended a performance by the symphony of music from The Legend of Zelda, my place in the Dad Hall of Fame would be a lock. And just look at those tiny babies!!
Spent 4 hours with Tiger & Kitty today.
Family Fun Day in the Vale Park.
We've agreed we'll meet up when they have the Petting Zoo in Kingsbury (another free event) and possibly go to Oak View Farm together.
I've also agreed with Mum that we'll go to Wendover on Saturday as one of the deli's there is having some tasting sessions and I get a free glass of fizz. Mum had a voucher too, but she threw it away - we were given a lot of bumf for completing the Gemstone Walk and I read all mine carefully before disposing. We've already had free make-overs from my careful culling... I like Wendover, it's a pretty town with some of the independent shops I miss by living here. I expect to come back with some photos. And not having spent too much money...!
Some Tiger pics in the Aylesbury thread. I didn't even need to pixellate - I'm afraid the Sports Setting on my camera did not do as well as I thought when I looked at the photos real size.
Ahem. I mean I didn't do as well of course...
I don't think the BBC are going to be in touch for my skills at action photography for this Olympics anyway.
That's great! I was just looking at the pictures and you look like you had a great time.
Tonight is the last round of footy for the season. I love watching the boys play, but being manager of the team sucks balls, specially since the kids are in the oldest junior div at the club and all the parents are sick of volunteering so sit on their arses and avoid helping out as much as possible!
Not doing it next year if my boys even play. They're both contemplating giving it a miss because they think their time would be better spent studying. As a parent, I have been happy to hear this.
I got my stitches out! Woo! Now if my finger would only heal up so I could type without issue..
What did you do to your finger, Razz?
We need to know so we can not be sorry about it. ;)
Camping and float trip with all the guys from the shop ,
Too muck food, booze , hopefully drunk semi naked Bikini girls ( LOOOOOTS of beads to pass out ) !!!!!!!!!
Ill try and get pics and the such , but the general feeling is what happens on the river STAYS on the river !!
Zippyt OUT !!!!!!!!
On vacation at the beach, same place as last year, courtesy of my mom. The condo ain't luxurious (last year we had to repair a major part of the fridge interior with duct tape, and a year later our duct tape creativity is still there... but they did improve the broken bed frame, in that what used to be propped up with books is now held up with a few pieces of two by four.) But it's awesomely relaxing and that's all that matters. Mr. Clod and my stepdaughter are doing all the cooking, except for the two little ones, and my mother and mother-in-law keep doing all the cleaning, and the hammock on the porch is perfect.
Zen, I have terrible clumsy luck. I was getting knives out of the dishwasher (without pulling the bottom drawer fully out) and as I was lifting my arm up they caught on the dishwasher which made the steak knife come to an abrupt stop while my hand continued to move along it. It wasn't SUPER deep (can still move my finger thankfully) but since it was a serrated knife and it cut right on a joint they stitched it so I wouldn't keep breaking open the scabs.
BUT after getting the local I couldn't straighten it the whole way for the girl to stitch it so it healed partially bent. I have to stretch it verrryyyy slowly back to normal function which is why it hurts to type...I can't straighten it enough to use the top row of keys yet.
Razz ... thanks for the story, but we're not sorry about ur fingr. ;)
It's ok my husband wasn't sorry either. After the bleeding stopped he kept laughing:rolleyes:
Aspirin and water, lots of water.
I'm not quite happy yet, but, I'm getting there.
:D
I have realised (again) how horribly remiss I've been in posting pics of presents received.
I do not deserve ever to receive any more ever.
So just cold hard cash in future.
No, I do feel bad, because each was chosen with care and say as much about the sender as they do about me as a recipient.
First from Ms Lola.
A teeny tiny torch.
Now she let me know what it was, because she hoped I might be able to use it on the Midnight Walk. The post let us down though.
When it arrived I admit I goggled at it. I don't know if this is a common item in the US, but I have never seen such a tiny torch with such a strong light.
I had a "credit card" torch - more or less the size & shape of a credit card, funnily enough - but you had to apply pressure for light and it was dim, like seeing things underwater. It did me well for about 2 years until the battery went, for looking in my bag for keys and all that.
Beside my bed I have a kinetic torch (a panda, in Sarge's honour) so I never have to worry about finding a battery has run out if I wake up during a power cut. They come in the mornings, believe me. But again, it does not have a powerful light - enough to read by (just) or avoid the cat by, but not to make light.
So this little powerhouse has blown me away. It lives in a zip up pocket in my bag that I previously had no use for. That way I know where it is. It's already been called on to find balls, paperwork, check under and over and all that. But I see it coming into it's own if I am in need of proper room-lighting. I could send an SOS to a helicopter with this baby.
Thanks chick - it's very like you :)
And a lovely set of yummies from Clod.
Will you believe I have not eaten the bars yet?
I think I'm saving them for something special, but I'm not sure what.
For those who don't recognise the brand, they are gluten-free, Kosher, free from all artificial of colourings, additives, and preservatives and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. I except they do taste good though, given the sender!
Mum had her beady eye on them when they arrived. NO. They are currently living in the top part of my wardrobe (where I keep some dry cake ingredients/ pans etc to stop Dad moaning that I have taken over all the cupboards).
As well as these I have a silicone mould for making cake pops and sticks to go with them.
These I am definitely saving during the school holidays. I will start practising before I go back, so I can present them with something accomplished :)
Thank you darling. Sweet treats for me and others.
Larabars are awesome, I do hope you like them. I buy them by the box and keep a minimum of two in my purse at all times. They have about a dozen different flavors, but truth be told I don't love all of them, only about half. So if you do hate them, there's still a chance we just have opposite tastes and you might like one of the kinds I don't like. :)
I've researched.
Some have peanut butter or banana in them.
You can keep those, even when the end times come.
I will post a full taste-review before that, I promise.
I'm sorry that I missed your post. So glad that you like it and found some use for it. Some of my gfs outright opposed the idea of receiving a flashlight from me, so I decided to impose it on you, hehe. I didn't realize I could pick the color of the light until the order has been processed and shipped, otherwise I would've picked the pink one for you.
[YOUTUBE]tpGRdX5sUAs[/YOUTUBE]
Found out today that Minifobette's teacher will be the long term sub we had last year while her old teacher was out on maternity leave. She's great, so now I'm only left biting my nails over which teacher Minifob will get... Won't get that answer until Tuesday.
I'm happy tonight because I'm visiting with two of my sons tonight and seeing my third son tomorrow ... and my daughter next weekend! She came home safely from Mexico after flying through a hurricane. :eek:
hi. popping in but not for long. going to san fran next weekend to see my best friend from growing up. he's flying in from the ivory coast. last time i saw him was november of '98. laters.
First from Ms Lola.
A teeny tiny torch.
I have never gotten used to the Brits calling a flash light a torch, though I can understand why. It ruins all the good light puns.
I was going to ask, "How heavy is that light?
We call them torches over here too...
I'm happy tonight because I'm visiting with two of my sons tonight and seeing my third son tomorrow ... and my daughter next weekend! She came home safely from Mexico after flying through a hurricane. :eek:
!!!
Her name wouldn't be Dorothy, would it?
I had a really nice day with the kids today.
We had lunch with Mav's gf's family for her birthday, then I took all the kids to Max Brenner, which is a place that makes all things chocolate. I decided to blow my GDM off for the day and just enjoy myself with the kids. Dazza was actually able to meet us at MB, so that was nice. Now he's gone fishing, the big boys are studying, Max is watching a couple of kids shows and I'm checking out the cellar (and FB).
All in all, a pretty good day. :)
I started Nuvigil, its an anti-narcolepsy drug for people with excessive sleepiness. So far it seems to be helping me feel more alive without any nasty side effects (cross my fingers). Y'all might have noticed me not being very active here lately, mostly cuz I've been sleeping my free time away.
Every time I hear the word narcolepsy (which is really not very often lol) I think of the Deuce Bigalow movies. :) I know it's not a laughing matter, so I'm glad you feel you're having some success lovely. xx
We call them torches over here too...
Wait a sec, Australia isn't part of Britain? Why am I always the last to find these tings out?
Amanda and I are in Atlantic City for a couple days. We sat down at the boardwalk beer garden. We were here for 5 minutes when Willie Nelson sat down at the next table. Cool.
Amanda? Amanda Rekkenwith?
There was a subtle but excellent Amadeus reference in an episode of How I Met Your Mother that we watched last night. I am pleased to be one of (I suspect) like 10 people in the world who immediately got it within the first few seconds.
Small joy to most but huge to me is that my gorgeous cats ate their tea. I have a mother and daughter rescue pair and love them deeply and yes they are my substitute kids but more so, and my huge love for them is mostly returned. At the end of the day they're cats:)
Feathers the mum is very obese and we have tried a variety of treatments and today we started our final chance. She and her daughter Daisy have tried Royal Canin Obesity Management for Cats - and they loved it. They have hated previous replacement foods but now on their last chance, they ate their tea. Happy me:)
welcome back "Caz". long time no see. :)
Great news Caz. I totally relate to that particular joy :p
Nice to see you as well!
Always uplifting to see your beloved fur friends eating what's healthy for them ...
We haven't met, but happy to make your cyber-acquaintance!
What was it?
I looked for a clip on Youtube, but no dice.
It was from season 4, episode 2, "The Best Burger Ever." After they finally find the burger, Barney starts describing the profound beauty of this burger, in a very close homage of this speech:
[YOUTUBE]pxgZcMGmkkI[/YOUTUBE]
The matching Mozart piece was playing quietly in the background of Barney's speech, too.
D'aaahhhh...I might have caught it. I loved Amadeus. I should probably start watching that show. Im gonna check whether Comcasts Xfinity Streampix has the old seasons.
Yeah, that and Dangerous Liaisons are my two favorite movies of all time.
I have a rusty squeezebox today.
Blame the wasabi peas.
Double posting, soz.
Birthday pressie from Bri.
Two books, postcards from Maine and a very funny card.
Sadly, has made me switch from real cleaning to pretendy-cleaning (reading book in room and shifting about enough to suggest I am sorting my wardrobe out).
But hey. I have at least another week to get it done.
Thanks hon x
I have a rusty squeezebox today.
Blame the wasabi peas.
And this was making you happy earlier today? :eyebrow:
I have a rusty squeezebox today.
Blame the wasabi peas.
You may be doing it wrong.
I suggest trying the other end.
Happy today to see a hummingbird outside my front window!
So pretty!
And this was making you happy earlier today? :eyebrow:
It was a quote from the clip Clod posted.
But the wasabi peas did make me happy on the way in :D
A lady came to deliver some shoes (for Mum) today. It was a very odd conversation, because she had an earpiece and was talking to someone not present, while looking at me. About me. "I'm just delivering to a lady with pink hair. Bright pink! It's amazing. He says take a photo. Yes she is wearing clothes! Men!"
I had to check myself in the mirror afterwards to check I was still there.
But the comment about my hair pleased me.
Less than two weeks left now...
Sundae - TY! The gift made me feel like a winner too. Plus the wrapping was great!
Daughter's necklace -given to her by her first boyfriend in a very romantic way "went missing" in the pool locker room 10 days ago. After pleas for its anonymous return, it just showed up tonight!
Sundae - TY! The gift made me feel like a winner too. Plus the wrapping was great!
What did you get? I gotta know.
I sent Sarge a picture of some titties.
Finally - work are seeing that I am under utilised!!
I have never been in a place this long and not progressed up the ladder...but I guess it has been a bit harder because Upper Management are quite removed from the day to day stuff and I was only a casual employee, so I didnt get much time to shine.
Anyway - a little while ago I was given the task of running the Customer Service Team and a permanent part time contract...thats been going really well.
Now I will be running the next recruitment drive - which is huge for this company. We will have over 300 applicants and its a long induction process.
I will also be looking for my replacement, so I can get into the "meaty" jobs which will be project type roles.
Yay me :)
Ducks sure does like meaty jobs, doesn't she? ;)
I have the best kids in the world. Sorry all you other dwellar parents, but seriously, they've been so good lately. Mav even cooked dinner last night, and then did most of the cleaning up!
This morning I got a text from Aden saying that his English teacher is really happy with his last assignment - which never happens with Aden. English is his hate subject (as is the case with most teenage boys I know), but I was just so happy to get that news. He's been trying hard, and it looks like things are finally starting to pay off.
Oh, and Max ate all his breaky without much fuss at all. That's a win in my book any day.
I sold a pair of glasses today for $999.00, before insurance.
Got to take carrot to the vet today for some xrays (possible joint problems on the way :( ) but that's not what's making me happy. I got up much earlier than usual today as have to drp him in at 8:30. He's not used to being up and about so early. He's been doing the cutest arched back stretches as he walks about. Like a giant kitty cat. And he smells of warm, sleepy fur.
Had horrible dreams last night about the hubs, then got a phone call this morning. Definitely a great way to start my day :)
First cold front this morning! Goodbye 100 degrees, helllllloooooo 85!
My back! I pulled something this morning and it hurt so bad i could hardly move and was whimpering like a wet kitten. I thought I was for sure PT bound (I have degeneration of the spine and a history of this type of injury....)
After two hours icing, I could move to go to the bathroom and take a shower. it still felt a little dodgy, but I decided to move around a litle and just be sure to bend at the knees ets...... It's all better now! :) So happy
(odds on waking up unavble to move tomorrow........ )
First cold front this morning! Goodbye 100 degrees, helllllloooooo 85!
Tell me about it. Stuck my head out this morning and found out it was a cool 68 degrees. Seemed like a sin not to go jogging. :p:
My back! I pulled something this morning and it hurt so bad i could hardly move and was whimpering like a wet kitten. I thought I was for sure PT bound (I have degeneration of the spine and a history of this type of injury....)
After two hours icing, I could move to go to the bathroom and take a shower. it still felt a little dodgy, but I decided to move around a litle and just be sure to bend at the knees ets...... It's all better now! :) So happy
(odds on waking up unavble to move tomorrow........ )
Sorry to hear this, Monster. Back pain can be a real b*tch. I've seen my mom and a few others with back pain. Hope you get better soon.
Pearl is already overexposed. But anyway.
These shots are one second before, one second after. What I did between was to call her name. "Pearl!"
She doesn't want to be interrupted, basking in the sun as she does. But on hearing her name, she opens her eyes and twists her left ear 90 degrees.
That means she heard her name, which is the amazing part. Pearl has been deaf for the last few months. She never heard her name or any whistles or commands. But now, for some reason, there she is, hearing!
My dog's hearing has returned, seemingly gone from 100% deaf to only 90% overnight. That makes me happy because it is a calming influence on her. Her behavior changed when she went deaf; she wants to keep an eye on me and follow me around, but when deaf she couldn't always identify changes in her surroundings. It would alarm her.
I took her for a vet visit a month ago to address her hearing loss, and they pretty much said, she seems otherwise normal, and there's nothing blocking her ears, so... well, geriatric dogs go deaf all the time. (Pearl's vet is the best in the area.)
But do dogs go un-deaf?
Dante was deaf pretty much for the last two or three years of his life. But in that time, there were periods when his hearing seemed a little returned. I think it is a little like with humans, in that it's often a matter of being unable to pick out specific sounds and tones , rather than a complete loss of all sound.
She may have some small amount of hearing still there, but that is then affected by intime stuff (ear infections, local noise levels etc, tiredness).
[eta] lovely pair of photos Toad. She looks so sweet. An the slight movement of eyes and ears is cute.
Yay for Pearl!! :)
I met a blind and deaf doggy once... she "saw" by hanging her head to the ground so her ears would touch and then swung her head back and forth. She was a sweetheart but I can't imagine what it'd be like as an owner to watch your dog go through that. :(
It has its funny moments, having a deaf dog. Like when you're running across a playing field waving your arms about like a complete knob, intermittently clapping your hands together (the sharp sound sometimes got through) as the dog completely ignores you and continues following the wrong person home ;P
She gets a Greenie bone for her good work hearing.
Awwwww, look at her. How much is she enjoying that bone?
[eta] I've seen those toothbrush bone thingies in the pet store. Was always a bit edgy about them possibly upsetting his tum.
I've given her one a day for years, never had a problem. All the dog people around here seem to feel that
Greenies are good and very digestible.
I do think they help her teeth. She still has them all. She has some tartar buildup on her back teeth, but the vet won't clean them, because she can't go under sedation due to her heart condition.
A guy I used to work with had a Dalmation. He said for two years he thought she was the stupidest dog that ever lived. Then he figured out she was stone deaf.
I guess we know who was stupid, now.
Yeah that's a major thing with Dalmations.
Only 70% of Dals have normal hearing and the breed organization says deaf puppies should be put down.
It seems like some breeds should not really be bred. English Bulldogs are totally awesome, but they have major health issues as they get older and they don't live very long. Great Danes only live 6-8 years. It's very sad.
Yeah that's a major thing with Dalmations. Only 70% of Dals have normal hearing
It comes from sitting too close to the siren.
She might have felt the vibration of your voice if you were standing on the same patch of concrete UT. Specially since she was lying flat out on it.
Oh, no that's a carpet remnant, on top of tall grass in an exercise pen in the backyard.
Ah well, maybe not the vibration then. :)
Does she hear if you clap your hands?
Carrot was playing with an Old English Sheepdog today. Was nice to see him looking small lol. I'm so used to seeing him as a giant puppeh, towering over adult westies and much heavier than the local collies.
Beautiful dog too. Cropped short, so you could see the powerful, lean OES build. And mismatched eyes, one brown and one ice blue like a husky's eye. Enormous black nose. I forgot how big the OES nose is. Broad but tapered muzzle and powerful head too.
Made me happy, because I so rarely see OES these days. They were really common when I was a kid. There was one I adored when I was 6 or 7, that used to live around the corner. So much so that when I was 9 and we got a puppy after four years of no furry pets, I gave him the same name: Wellington.
Happy memories, and lovely to see Carrot playing with a big dog.
Pearl's hearing seems to get better! Clapping is the least I need to do... she can now hear, looks right up out of a nap, if I call her name in an ordinary voice.
It has its funny moments, having a deaf dog. Like when you're running across a playing field waving your arms about like a complete knob, intermittently clapping your hands together (the sharp sound sometimes got through) as the dog completely ignores you and continues following the wrong person home ;P
Been there, done that :)
I have a Kindle!
Arrived from Scotland with plenty of books already loaded.
I am so grateful.
And a postcard of Lenin who is watching over my bookshelf with a determined eye.
He doesn't give away what he thinks. Old poker-face.
Hey... Been awhile since I've been around these parts. Guess you can say I got tired of looking a porn and decided to drop by and tell you that I still think Obama sucks - That's okay though because Romney blows. Looks like I'm going to have to do a write in this election year but I think Reagan already died. Carter's still around but he sucks too. I wonder if Jesse Jackson is on the ticket this year? Hmm???
Anyway, the reason I posted that crap in this thread is... because it made me happy.
I'm celebrating too... I've been a member of this overly liberal forum for just over six years and so far I haven't been man-raped by a homosexual yet. However, I still have the hots for Dana if she's still around...
How 'bout it Dana??? :doit:
My luck... She'll say... :finger:
Hey... Been awhile since I've been around these parts. Guess you can say I got tired of looking a porn and decided to drop by and tell you that I still think Obama sucks - That's okay though because Romney blows. Looks like I'm going to have to do a write in this election year but I think Reagan already died. Carter's still around but he sucks too. I wonder if Jesse Jackson is on the ticket this year? Hmm???
Anyway, the reason I posted that crap in this thread is... because it made me happy.
I'm celebrating too... I've been a member of this overly liberal forum for just over six years and so far I haven't been man-raped by a homosexual yet. However, I still have the hots for Dana if she's still around...
How 'bout it Dana??? :doit:
My luck... She'll say... :finger:
..... :sadsperm:
On a serious note... Just thought I'd drop in and say :thankyou: for hanging around the World Wide Web.
Um.
Okay.
Man of many words I see. :D
Okie dokie...
Cookery Club today. Tiger was so happy to be there. I've volunteered to do both KS1 and KS2, so it's not just because he's signed up. Fills up two evenings a week.
Slight snag - the new "cookery area" is completely full of boxes and filing and the new oven is not fit for purpose. We've been using the one in the staffroom, which is a long walk from the classroom where we are prepping and children are not allowed inside (mostly because teachers are still working in there after school). Still, I have had said oven's failure witnessed by the two teachers running the clubs, so am confident something will be done. No-one pays for an oven they can't use. Except perhaps Jessica Simpson.
Rabbit is in the KS1 club too, which is great fun. I like all the childer in it - and I know them all well, so I know what is normal behaviour vs being upset or tired or showing off and can deal accordingly. Don't know the KS2 ones quite as well, but I am getting there. I know the sensible ones certainly.
Have been looking up no-bake/ practically no-bake (cheese straws @ 8 minutes for example with lots on one tray) recipes this evening. Sure the teachers will do their own research but as you know I really enjoy baking, so it's never going to be wasted time.
Also Tiger today said, "Cool potatoes."
As far as I know, only my brother and I say this. And I don't even remember why. So it has definitely come from me. I shouldn't feel happy infecting him with my verbal tics, but it really did make me smile. If he was using it all the time it would be different, but once in a while is... well, cool potatoes.
*waves*
Hi Madman :P
Hello Dana...
Happy to see you here. Hope you're doing well.
I know you've all been waiting for the return of our lord and savior. Since Jebus burned down in June of 2010 it seemed there was a hole in the holy landscape along I-75 near Monroe OH.
But as promised the son of god has returned.
But WAIT...where's his holy head?
It's coming it's coming. It's right by one of the feet.
I think the finished Jebus has a bit of a jaunty hip, don't you? This is the kind of Jebus you could hang out with, have some drinks.
For those who missed the original story, look here:
http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/solid-rock-prepares-to-rebuild-jesus-statue/nFB7j/
Complete with a slideshow of the burning lord.
I hope this one isn't made of styrofoam and cotton.
ps This really deserved its own thread. Rats.
I prefer this open-armed, welcoming Jebus to the previous one. I also like how he's wearing a long skirt.
This is the right thread because it's part of the second coming of Madman.
True. With this new one, I can almost believe that Jebus loves the little children, all the little children of the world...
.. but he's not in the bath this time!?
Nor wearing the means of his own torture and death penalty.
Tcha. Talk about doing things by half.
Great update though Infi, thanks.
I think the finished Jebus has a bit of a jaunty hip, don't you? This is the kind of Jebus you could hang out with, have some drinks.
Looks like he's sizing up a juicy pair of bazookas to me. Touch Down Jesus has been replaced by touch up Jesus
we drove by him yesterday. Mom said he looked a little chubby; like he'd been to too many pot - lucks at the church. All those hash-brown casseroles and scalloped 'taters.
I have a phone interview in five minutes
I know you've all been waiting for the return of our lord and savior. Since Jebus burned down in June of 2010 it seemed there was a hole in the holy landscape along I-75 near Monroe OH.
But as promised the son of god has returned.
Matthew 18
From Stinque Zombie Bible
18:1 At the same time came the chosen hoard unto Zombie Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of the undead?
18:2 And Jesus called a headless zombie unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be turned, and become as headless zombies, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the undead.
18:4 Whosoever therefore shall numb himself as this headless zombie, the same is fleshiest in the kingdom of the undead.
18:5 And who so shall feed on one such headless zombie in my name feeds on me.
Awww, gosh I miss you HLJ. :grinnylov
You just cheered me up, and I needed it. Thanks for stepping up to the plate.
what the hell ever.
a recent post by you makes me happy HLJ, welcome back. :D
Thanks Guys. Just wandering through. I've been away on travel a bit lately.
Mr Limey is home from hospital :)
Great news! So glad to hear it! :)
Modern medicine is a good thing.
Mr Limey is home from hospital :)
Hurray!
(Now I need to figure out how I missed that.)
Just tuned into this thread since I've not been all that happy lately and fuck all of youse who is.
Then I find out Scotland is giving out free kindles. Not that I really wanted one, but still, I can't believe I missed out on that.
Then I find out that contrary to popular opinion, modern medicine is a good thing. I'm going to bed now.
I am happy that it's hunting season and I may be able to go out and hunt. I drew 2, count them, 2 doe permits this year, in addition to my regular buck, antlerless, and either sex deer. Doe permits are on a lottery basis.
Then I find out that contrary to popular opinion, modern medicine is a good thing. I'm going to bed
I miss out on all sorts of things, all the time. And maybe modern medicine is good (it saved my life in '86) and maybe sometimes not so much (as I ponder the wreck of my post-surgical experience in the past month).
But. Good, amazing things can still happen. So if you drew two doe permits in the lottery, happy hunting. A good, even amazing, day may still be in store for you.
Don't kill Bambi's mama! :cry:
His aunt is a bitch, though, get her!
Yes.....and every season is ant season
D'oh!
Deer Abby,
I have a friend, a deer friend, who is about to be shot and made into jerky. The problem is that it's my other friend who is going to shoot. He wants to mount the head.
Should I be concerned? Should I warn my deer friend?
Sincerely,
Blocka Sault
Deer Blocka,
you want to prevent a head-mounting?
cock-blocka!
You're just bucking responsibility for your horniness.
[YOUTUBE]EOUEjiE6-Hk[/YOUTUBE]
So Pete (the Billy Goat) got horny and busted out last night. When I went outside to feed and milk this morning Benny (the baby border collie) was holding him in the yard by running around him barking if he moved. I walked over opened the shed door and in ran Pete. Smart little dog that.
It's Friday. And the weekend appears to be fairly quiet on the schedule front.....
shhhhh, don't tell fate/karma.....
Wait, you named a Billy Goat after your wife?
WTF is going on in Grifftopia?
I guess Pete (the goat) needs an internet handle. He's named for the Family Guy. Pete the woman was a Peterson.
Posting afloat. On the ferry. At the moment.
Tracking sissy-law in chicago marathon...nearing 15k! She's teh awesome!
:)
She is turning 40 soon and decided to just train and do it.
Brother texted she's at 21 miles and still looking good.
We're all so proud of her!
She did it!
5 hours and a minute! :jig:
Awesome! What an inspiration! :)
I find it so impressive when someone decides to run a marathon, trains for it, and does it. A huge accomplishment.
:notworthy:
That's so sweet of you to say. I also think what an example she is for my nieces. Bro and she are hs sweethearts; one of those rare couples. Wonderful people. It makes me so happy; i love my family tons and their happiness makes me happy. :)
Now i need to get really inspired and follow her lead. Maybe just a 10k. Maybe just a fun run. Maybe i will walk around the block. ;)
Eva is the easiest baby I've ever had. She eats, flaps about, sleeps then wakes up and flaps about, then eats etc. I keep waiting for the bubble to burst. She's up to 4 hour feeds during the night, so I'm getting a reasonable amount of sleep. Hopefully she'll keep going this way and be sleeping through before too long at all.
I feel like all my Christmas's have come at once!
It's girls, man, girl babies are so much easier. Until they hit their teenage years on their 5th birthday. ;)
Ali can control for that though. Just make sure the Australian equivalent of the Disney Channel is blocked so she isn't taught to be shallow teen at 5 years.
It's not about being shallow, it's about the drama. As in, Minifobette has to put on her shoes because nobody loves her. And lunch is 5 minutes late because the world is a dark abyss. I'd blame the neurological probems, but I'm pretty sure that being a female between the ages of 3 and 15 is, in fact, a universal neurological problem. :)
My oldest son and his girlfreind, her 2 yr old son are coming over for thanksgiving dinner tonight. The kids come over almost every other sunday, but most times the boy is at his dads. It is just so nice to see the child we were not sure would intgrate back into our lives on ANY level, is now doing so very well. He has held the same job for a year and a half, he lives with his girlfreind and her child. And now... they are expecting! I am so very proud of him.
I'm going to take the dogs for a long walk before they get here, so that Cameron can actually walk around hopefully, without getting knocked over to get kissed and sniffed by my boxers.
On the thanksgiving front: Turkey is ready to be stuffed and put in the roaster, ribs have marinated for 24 hrs and are ready to go out on the smoker. Cranberry sauce was made last night. Potatoes and carrots are peeled and waiting. Just have to do the broc, cheese sauce and gravy. I will be making a quick apple crisp as well. Kitchen is cleaned up already, and it is 8 am. I will have all day to spend with family, and look like a miracle worker when I say "dinner is ready". :)
Ali can control for that though. Just make sure the Australian equivalent of the Disney Channel is blocked so she isn't taught to be shallow teen at 5 years.
being vaccinated against Princessia is huuuuge.
My oldest son and his girlfreind, her 2 yr old son are coming over for thanksgiving dinner tonight. The kids come over almost every other sunday, but most times the boy is at his dads. It is just so nice to see the child we were not sure would intgrate back into our lives on ANY level, is now doing so very well. He has held the same job for a year and a half, he lives with his girlfreind and her child. And now... they are expecting! I am so very proud of him.
I'm going to take the dogs for a long walk before they get here, so that Cameron can actually walk around hopefully, without getting knocked over to get kissed and sniffed by my boxers.
[SIZE="4"]On the thanksgiving front: Turkey is ready[/SIZE] to be stuffed and put in the roaster, ribs have marinated for 24 hrs and are ready to go out on the smoker. Cranberry sauce was made last night. Potatoes and carrots are peeled and waiting. Just have to do the broc, cheese sauce and gravy. I will be making a quick apple crisp as well. Kitchen is cleaned up already, and it is 8 am. I will have all day to spend with family, and look like a miracle worker when I say "dinner is ready". :)
!?!?!?! whaa????
Oh.
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day (Canadian French: Jour de l'Action de grâce), occurring on the second Monday in October, is an annual Canadian holiday which celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.[1]
On Thursday, January 31, 1957, the Canadian Parliament proclaimed:
“ A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.
Blessed Thanksgiving, eh!
This morning my first-grader taught me that we actually do celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, we just call it Columbus Day instead.
Barney Stinson: Did you just say Canadian Thanksgiving was, and I'm quoting, the "real Thanksgiving"? What do Canadians even have to celebrate "aboot"?
Robin Scherbatsky: Canadian Thanksgiving celebrates explorer Martin Frobisher's valiant yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt to find the northwest passage.
Barney Stinson: Why are you guys even a country?
:lol:
p.s. I kid Canada. Canada is cool. ;)
Why is Canada called Canada?
Because there's nobody there.
I am an expert in Canada because I can almost see it from my front porch, eh.
Eh, yah. You live on a beauty view of one of the lakes, eh? Nah, you're farther inland; the lake is a couple clicks away, eh?
I live by the beauty that is the Detroit River, which one could swim across to Windsor if it were not for the pollution. One could also take one's chances dodging cars on the Ambassador Bridge. I can definitely see Detroit's polution from here....
In a family scrapbook, there's a 1940 picture of 5-yr old me at Boblo Island on the Detroit River.
There was a ferry ride out to the island and it's amusement rides,
but now, I guess, it's the only the for the landed gentry.
Canadian Thanksgiving, hooray! Getting to celebrate twice - what could be bad about that??
@Jaydaan, your feast sounds fabulous. I'm guessing there weren't many leftovers. :)
I thought everybody celebrated Thanksgiving twice...like the Hobbit tradition of Second Breakfast.
Hobbit tradition?
Make Way For Ducklings:
...and they had a second breakfast better than the first.
I'm choosing to be happy about this. :)
We live in a great neighborhood. My wife just called me to let me know that she forgot to close the front door this morning, and it was wide open all day. She just got home and called me after checking the house and everything was fine. :facepalm:
Screen door was closed, but not locked. We have a mail slot in our front door, so the mail lady just dropped the mail on our living room rug since the door was wide open.:3_eyes:
I love my neighborhood.
Where, exactly, did you say you live?
;)
Eva has gained 470gms (that's about 1lb) since birth. She's not even 2 weeks old. She's a clever girl!
p.s. I kid Canada. Canada is cool. ;)
Were you not the one that said the 80s didn't reach Canada until the 90s? Or something... I know you said something.
I was quoting from How I Met Your Mother: they always tease Robin for being Canadian. I love the humor, but I have nothing against Canada, eh? I'd like to visit, if I ever get out of this state again. In fact, I'd like to move there if Romney gets elected.
grumble grumble can't find the Canadian flag in the smilies.
grumble grumble can't find the Canadian flag in the smilies.
It's the one with the orange pot leaf on it.
would you move to French Canada or the bullshit Canada?
It's the one with the orange pot leaf on it.
would you move to French Canada or the bullshit Canada?
Thanks lamp, I couldn't find it.
I don't know. I'd love Montreal, I'm sure...but right now being in the middle of nowhere sounds nice (think Northern Exposure..those people were all kind of laid back and weird and stuff, weren't they? Just the ticket!)
:f32:
Umm that would be the Alaskan part of Canada...
Oh. Yeah, I never really watched the show. Close enough.
Thanks for checking in. Come back soon! ;)
Don't go to Alaska. Truly.
Head for St. Edward's Island or some such - a place like where the Shipping News took place. My Pepere was originally from a very tiny town called Kamarouska. Sounds Russian for a French town, eh?
OH, I googled it.. It's Algonquin for where reeds meet the water or something.
Voted one of the most beautiful towns in Quebec. Not when Pepere was a little guy, though, I'll bet. He nearly starved to death.
He told me one winter they ate flour mixed with water and maybe an onion if they were lucky.
Today we received a lovely card from Sundae and also one from her Mum. Such a lovely surprise.
We've had so many lovely cards and small gifts for Eva. The generosity and care of the people in my life warms the cockles of my heart. Honestly. :)
They hate in Montreal, bunch of haters, they are all about the separating and the French speaking
It's all about the Vancouver these days
Move to Windsor, Ontario, infi, we could do lunch......
What UT said but apply it to most of Canada. Part of the Canadian identity is a deep-rooted, taught-in-school-and-home hatred of Americans. We grow up learning from our teachers and parents that Americans are a bunch of greedy, crazy, gun-toting, arbitrarily violent sociopaths who want nothing more than to shoot you in the face and go all Deliverance on you should you be so unwise as to stop for coffee at a rest stop along the interstate. Oh, and they throw their loved ones into the street to die because no one here gets health care. Of any kind. At all.
And don't even think you'd be welcome as an immigrant from the US, not unless you meet specific criteria that government officials have decided. Are you skilled? Hard working, looking for a job? Able to hit the ground running and contribute to the economy and the society? Back o' the line, Bub. We don't want your sort here!
As long as you're a tourist, though, Canadians will play nice and be more than happy to take your money. It's all good as long as you don't delude yourself that they actually like you.
Let's just say that Canadian attitudes, and Canadian immigration policy, are not what Americans imagine.
What's making me happy today?
Lying in bed with Twil, snuggling and cuddling, spooning and forking. mmmmmm...
Move to Windsor, Ontario, infi, we could do lunch......
That's where all the teenyboppers from around here used to trek to get boozed up.
There was a recent job offer at a school near you, but you didn't build a room on for me so I didn't take the job. :sniff:
This is kind of related to a post in the unhappy thread...
Carrot is really liking his hydrotherapy sessions. And he lurves Rhona the hydro vet. Really, lurves her. Within five minutes of meeting her he was eating out of her hand doing anything she asked him to do lol.
This makes me happy. Because I'm gonna have to take him twice weekly for a few weeks and then probably weekly for a few more. So, I am really, really happy that I am not going to have to drag him, protesting, through the door every time. I don't have to feel bad about inflicting medical stuff on him having got him into the car all jolly and expecting fun and frolics.
Not sure what he'll make of the acupuncture mind...still, we can burn that bridge when we come to it eh? For tonight, I am just happy that this thing he has to do so regularly is something that he enjoys.
I am happy right now, in this moment, because sometimes when I reach out I get what I need.
I'm happy because I realize I am cared about more than I let myself know.
Thanks, friend.
thanks, friend of a friend.
:)
I'm too lazy to find an appropriate thread in Food and Drink...
But I hope people are taking advantage of this season's crop of table grapes.
We (PDX) are getting both green and red table grapes like I've never seen or tasted before.
They are huge and firm and sweet. The greens are seedless; the reds have fewer seeds.
Grape horticulture has reached a new high standard this year.
I was going to stay on campus after my weekly office hour (post grad tutor's office, each have it for an hour a week so students can drop in) to do some marking, but changed my mind. I'm off down to my bro's this evening to see Amelia (she's back from uni for the first time since term started :P) and won;t be taking Carrotchops with me. Seemed unfair to leave him for the evening after hardly seeing him all day.
So, came home on the train, met Ma and Carrot at the station and she dropped us both at my house. And then Carrot and I had the longest cuddle. He was all floppy and tired puppeh and licked my ear in sheer joy that I was home.
I'm so pleased with him. I know he has some horrid physical problems to deal with, but I couldn't have asked for a better temperament. He's so sweet. Everyone he says hello to seems utterly charmed by him.
I'm so pleased with him.
:)
And then Carrot and I had the longest cuddle. He was all floppy and tired puppeh and licked my ear in sheer joy that I was home.
I'm so pleased with him. I know he has some horrid physical problems to deal with, but I couldn't have asked for a better temperament. He's so sweet. Everyone he says hello to seems utterly charmed by him.
Puppies can charm. :) Benny handled a little goat work this morning very nicely. I saw this this morning about doggies.
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradoxOh! That was marvellous. I laughed so much.
I love that. It's so true! :lol:
Puppies can charm. :) Benny handled a little goat work this morning very nicely.
Dogs are very handy in your neck of the woods.
I had a plott hound mix years ago who really would've enjoyed that scene. Merlin might have a go but Benny may have a self-preservation gene, although with his smarts he might build a primitive projectile launcher and drive him off.
That's a bloody mean looking goat you got there, Griff!
Once they go feral, they're all mean.
That guy definitely isn't in it for the hunting.
I'm happy that what felt, sounded, acted and smelt like total gearbox FAIL and meltdown on Saturday night turned out to be a £12 (approx. $18) ten minute fix today :).
That is great! What ended up being the problem?
A stoopid plastic lever under the gearbox had snapped. The effect was that the gear lever (stick shift?) went from being all muscular and definite about which gear it was in, to resembling a limp dishrag and flapping from side to side all over the place. I could, just, get it into some sort of gear, which is how I drove it about 2 miles from where it happened, onto the ferry and off again on my beloved island home but the clutch objected more and more until it eventually billowed plumes of smoke out from under the bonnet as I attempted to urge the car up a hill away from the ferry terminal, and I had to roll the car back against the flow of traffic into a car park ... I was delighted that I managed to get the car onto the island, but convinced the gearbox was a goner. The AA (roadside assistance) fixed it temporarily with a cable tie and I had the lever replaced today.
Ding dong the witch is dead! For those who have been following along at home you might know to what I'm alluding. Woooohooooo! More tomorrow!
#$%&YEAHHHH!!!!
Gory details, please!
I know, right? Gory disguised details tomorrow.
I think some people choose their fate. Score one for real humans!
I've tried to feel badly about it. I just can't. Goodbye reign of dubious terror. :)
Ding dong the witch is dead! For those who have been following along at home you might know to what I'm alluding. Woooohooooo! More tomorrow!
Finally! Are you partying over the grave?
Yes. Yes i am. ;)
I went the bar i can walk to...told my friends there, and have talked to friends from all facets of my life, on the phone (and my mom!) And they're all like "yay'
Thanks friends. :)
:cheerldr: YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheerldr:
Oh, that's freaking awesome!
We're not allowed to say much, but I will say that usually I would feel some sort of sorry for the person: in most circumstances in my life I've felt badly for people even when it was their own fault, even if they hurt ME.
But all I have to do is remember what she did to one of the most beloved long-term people here, who is now not here...that was the shot heard across the campus.
And I really do think things are headed in the right direction. Great meeting today and we are already seeing improvements and discussing future improvements.
I'm so happy.
Thanks again buddies! :)
Congratulations, infi! :)
thanks for the update, im. so informative... you know, if this gig doesn't work out you would be a shoe in for Romney's press secretary.
thanks for the update, im. so informative... you know, if this gig doesn't work out you would be a shoe in for Romney's press secretary.
Hmmm, is he saying I should put as much water into the nuclear reactor as I want, or is he saying I have to be very careful about not putting too much water into the nuclear reactor?
;)
I can't say much right now. For one, I don't know much. For two, I don't want to break any laws or get sued.
But I did find out it was a complete blindside and even though most of us were expecting (nay, hoping for) it...she didn't have a clue. Wow.
Unbelievable, really.
You might say she was clueless. In more ways than one.
I'm glad you're happy, however much water it takes.
We call it taking a sabot (referring to the tank round that catches by surprise and destroys everything). I'm glad things have worked out for you. BTW, why don't you introduce her to the Cellar? We can give her lots of positive motivation ;)
Glad things have taken that major turn and are headed toward the better. :)
I have a job interview next Thursday in Jackson. Keeping my fingers crossed. I'd be 3 hours away from the kids, but it is quite the opportunity
Excellent. Just excellent.
I'm cheering for you from considerably more that three hours away, but I'm cheering you nonetheless. Go get'em tiger!
Cheering you on from here as well! Go Sarge!
Good luck, Sarge!
Sent by thought transference
inf<
can you get her gig? also.... let's hope her replacement doesn't suck!
w00t for you!
Ooooo good luck Sarge!
And yey, Infi.
My happy, and I'm sure this will come as a huge surprise, is Carrot related.
I haven't gone in for tricks much with Carrotchops. I did with Pilau, but this time around there were more pressing things on my mind than paw shaking and rolling over: this dog would be able to walk properly on a lead and behave himself in civilised company. Added to the odd responses to grooming and some other little ideosyncracies, and tricks just haven't been that high on the list.
I do a little with him, work it in to the day. But it's basic stuff, like lying down or waiting for something. Every so often I get him to give me his paw, but he doesn't really like doing it (possibly not helped by there being something seemingly a little amiss with his front left leg) and I generally have to gently tap the back of his leg to prompt him to do it.
Yesterday, we were playing, and I held my hand out and said 'paw' and he slapped his paw right into my hand. Just like that. I was delighted, gave him lots of praise, and then did it again. This time he slapped the other paw onto my hand. Ha.
Bit later I tried it again and he wouldn't do it without me prompting again. But just now, I held my hand out and said paw, and did it instantly.
It's a silly little thing, but it made me really happy.
Not silly! I love how you talk about Carrotchops, Dana - his personality comes across so well. And one of the best, purest pleasures is time spent with a happy canine friend.
inf<
can you get her gig? also.... let's hope her replacement doesn't suck!
w00t for you!
I don't want that gig, and it's going to change, too. I also think they won't make that kind of mistake hiring that sort of person again. I like the research and compliance aspects of it but I'm not interested in the 'upward mobility' aspect of it...of anything anymore really. I just want to do my job well, to the capacity I am capable of...and I think that will happen. I want to do my job well, build up my retirement, and retire in comfort at the soonest possible moment...without considering driving my car into the retaining wall on the interstate on the way in.
There are so many things changing I'm not sure where we're going to end up, but certainly 'better' will be one outcome.
And, thanks. :)
Yay infini! & yay carrott!
I'm happy sitting here in my loungeroom, not dealing with a natural disaster, with two contented midgets doing their own thing, two big boys at HS getting smarter, and a husband at work doing what he does best.
My life is pretty good atm.
eta: also, my house is pretty clean and tidy, and I even have the last load of washing on, and leftovers in the fridge for dinner tonight, so I have a nice relaxing, spend time with the midgets day ahead of me. :)
Again? Why you bum, you just relaxed a few months ago. :p:
haha...is that what you call it?
Seriously though, it's been a nice day so far. I just had a nap with the baby and now Max and I are having lunch and watching some telly. Max played the iPad while I was napping. I didn't mean to fall asleep, but I must have relaxed a little bit too much while I was putting the baby to sleep.
He's such a good boy. He was being all quiet and good for poor old Mummy. I'm a lucky woman.
I'm going to my little brother's CD release concert tonight. He's been getting a ton of positive press around town. Plus, I never get to go out of the house, so I'm super excited!
I found my screwdrivers.
SonofV opened his laptop the other night--CRAACK--.
Bring it here. shitshitshitshitshit. Folks, you laptop folks, do yourself a favor and only open the screen from the center of the edge farthest from the hinge. Do not use one corner to adjust the angle. I know you want to keep your hand on the mouse or the track pad...
twisting teh screen relative to teh base of the laptop is like wringing it out. You will squeeze all the juicy pixels right out of the computer. And you won't like it.
I have been able to redeploy some of the screws in the bottom of his system and tighten several. It's in OK mode now, but I feel like lining the edges and corners with spikes. NO TOUCHY!
My oldest son passed the bar!!
Context - my son has faced numerous and prolonged health challenges that have taken a lot of courage and determination, on his part, to cope with. Happy is an understatement for what I'm feeling right now, for him. Almost shaky, almost in tears. Very very proud of him.
maximum congratulations!!!!
I heard a funny thing yesterday, a guy lecturing in a class full of law students near the end of their time in school. He said to the class "You think it was hard getting into law school? Just wait until you try to get *out*."
Please send along my good wishes for his good work. (and yours too mom!)
Wow! Yay for proud parentness!
Sent by thought transference.
All you need is a daughter elected chief of an Indian tribe. :beer:
My son got married today!!
Very good, Rich, congratulations. :thumb2:
Thank you ... wish I could buy all of you a beer in celebration!
And congratulations, Rich!
A big congrats to both Ortho and Rich. Y'all did good. ;)
I can view the cellar again! I have been un-banned! lol
My son got married today!!
Huzzah!
I can view the cellar again! I have been un-banned! lol
Computer issues?
Wow, all this fabulous news. I'm pleased to hear it. Congratulations, everyone.
richlevy is a FIL.
More work for you? Or more opportunity for funs?
Congrats to your newly bigger family and all in it. :)
1) Flying squirrels in my chicken coop. Them's cute vermin.
2) Good news: A friend gave us 1/2 a dozen chicks this summer. Bad News: 5 of 6 turned out to be roosters. Good News: I put all 5 in the freezer today.
sleeping..I just love it..I woke up to tell all of you how wonderful and restorative it is
ok back to sleep.
A big "LIKE" to BigV's post. I want to go back to bed too,.
Watching the sun come up and start to burn off the heavy frost on the front field ... fire in the fireplace taking the chill off ... mug of strong coffee ... view over the valley ... keeping an eye on the woods for deer ... sigh. Morning doesn't get better than this.
sounds lovely orthodoc. reading your post gave me a bit of contact happy.
I haven't had proper morning yet, being before sunrise on Sunday... But I'm still happy this morning, and here's why. As you all know, I'm stalled in my job search. One of my friends forwarded to me a copy of an email he got from Groupon. He's not a pathological email forwarder (we all have one or two like that, no?) so I opened it up right away. And a good thing too because this Groupon deal *IS* something I'm very excited to take advantage of.
It was a coupon for some online training for Cisco certifications. This is an excerpt of the details:
$99 for a Complete Cisco Network Training Bundle ($3,295 Value)
The Complete Cisco Network Training Bundle includes five training courses designed to provide the skills needed for the CCNA and CCNP suite of certifications. Each bundle includes instructor-led training, hands-on exercises, multimedia presentations, and exam simulators.
I'm no Daddy Throwbucks, buying this and that, but a hundred dollars for three thousand dollars worth of training seems like a screaming deal. That's why I lurched out of bed, predawn, to put some of my limited remaining dollars down on this. I'm happy because it's a good deal. I'm happy because it represents real action on my job search. I'm happy because it has good potential for me to improve my attractiveness to employers by having a couple popular certifications (to be sure, this deal is training for a series of tests, I still have to pay for, take and pass the tests to get the certifications).
And I'm also happy because it gives me a good answer to an interviewer's question "what have you been doing to keep current?". I was asked and caught flatfooted by that question on an interview a little while ago, and I'm sure it was a big negative factor in their decision process. Now I have a *good* answer for that question; "I've been studying. I know time away from working in this field means it's harder to keep up with what's happening. But not having a daytime job means I have the time to improve my skills by going to school. I'm currently working on my CCNA and CCNP certifications from Cisco. I hope they will prove useful to you at XYZ Corp; I know they'll prove useful to me as I interview with other employers." Or words to that effect.
Yep, happy this morning, freely shared. Y'all help yourself to some. :)
Nice damn day today. Got up early, did the chores, then butchered turkeys at my uncles, followed by fencing 2 weapons (sabre and epee) at BU. Good and tired I am.
I just made my last Jeep payment.
I just made my last Jeep payment.
Awesome! Now you can start putting aside $400. a month toward repairs.:p:
Parts or Payments, isn't that how the saying goes?
Yeah, I actually considered posting that in the tad apprehensive thread....
I hope the Cisco training works out for you, BigV. It sounds like a great idea; definitely a strength to bring to interviews. Good luck with it :)
Blood counts are coming up! I have 55 neutrophils today! :)
(They should be over 1700, but I also have immature cells showing up, so I'm making more - turning the corner. Once they're over 500 I'll be able to come out of hiding.)
Enough browsing the Cellar, sigh. Must. Study. Epidemiology.
Neutrophils, the other white blood cell.
too obscure?
Nah, not too obscure.
I don't know what any of it means but it is good news ortho so YAY!
Yeah, just call me Babe. ;)
Thanks, it IS good news! Although I think I'll do the Neulasta shot after this; all this hiding out is boorrriinng. Boredom punctuated by intermittent fear of fatal infection: I'll pass next time.
Yeah, just call me Babe. ;)
Thanks, it IS good news! Although I think I'll do the Neulasta shot after this; all this hiding out is boorrriinng. Boredom punctuated by intermittent fear of fatal infection: I'll pass next time.
Fatal Infection? Wasn't that Glenn Close or am I thinking of Rene Russo?
:lol: Fatal Infection is what follows the Glenn Close thing.
Not really related but sorta:
My mom was talking flowers. I said "Cyclamen? Isn't that the new five day treatment for Clematis?"
I'll be here all week. Try the Dandelion Wine.
Cyclamen - no, those are the guys who follow the Tour de France.
I'm happy because I spanked my Epidemiology mid-term this afternoon. Yahoo! Now for my SAS programming project ... :worried:
spanking? who knew? paging BigV...
*picks up the red courtesy phone*
Yes?
What, we have a resident Cellar spanking expert? If I'd only known ...
Sorry, spanking's done. Nothing to see here ... :cool:
Jose Cuervo and Dixie, the puppy only shit in floor once today
"Expert" gets a bum rap... "Enthusiast" hits the sweet spot nicely.
I've become a skinny old man that has started feeling the cold damp winters of PDX.
Sure, I've worn polyester long johns (the bottoms) while fishing,
but last winter I actually started wearing them daily, even around the house.
Yesterday, I went to buy two new pairs.
But when I got home I realized I had one bottom and one top.
So today, I tried on the full uniform.
It's amazing how much warmer and am happier I am now.
Those old timer country folk with their red John L Sullivan
union suits really did know how to stay warm.
Bum rap?
Did you really type that? Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?
Call the next witness!
"Expert" gets a bum rap... "Enthusiast" hits the sweet spot nicely.
Uncle! Uncle! :notworthy
[COLOR="White"]Don't tell me .... "Expert" and "Enthusiast" are types of paddle?[/COLOR]
I've become a skinny old man that has started feeling the cold damp winters of PDX.
Sure, I've worn polyester long johns (the bottoms) while fishing,
but last winter I actually started wearing them daily, even around the house.
Yesterday, I went to buy two new pairs.
But when I got home I realized I had one bottom and one top.
So today, I tried on the full uniform.
It's amazing how much warmer and am happier I am now.
Those old timer country folk with their red John L Sullivan
union suits really did know how to stay warm.
My town used to be, like, the underwear capital of the universe or something. Seriously. It's true.
I used to have heather gray long johns complete with trap door. I loved those.
So today, I tried on the full uniform.
It's amazing how much warmer and am happier I am now.
Those old timer country folk with their red John L Sullivan
union suits really did know how to stay warm.
I love to break out the union suit. I have a wool blend one that is fantastically warm and it makes me look like a real hillbilly! Maybe its time to start embarrassing my women by wearing it around.
I have lost my underwear
I don't care
I'll go bare!
Bye bye longjohns
They were very good to me
Tickle me
Hee hee hee
Bye bye longjohns.
Trap door always following behind me
Follow it and you will always find me
I have lost my underwear
I don't care
I'll go bare!
Longjohns, bye bye
(To the tune of bye bye blackbird)
Griff, my 8 yr-old G-daughter is totally embarrassed by mine !
IM, you bring a smile.
You seem to be feeling better this morning. This too makes me happy.
Thanks Lamp. :)
My friend in Jr Hi taught me that song and I don't know where it came from but I rarely forget things I've memorized and they pop back up when needed.
I still have a good amount of pain but it is better. Funny thing is, now my knees are killing me. I think I overdid it on Thanksgiving. But I am doing well.
I want to post a story of how dumb i was the other night and how virtually unfazed I was by the inconvenience to myself. My back is hurting right now so it will have to wait until another time but suffice to say it involved running out of gas.
The thing is, I don't know why I didn't blow a gasket, so to speak. I don't know if this pain and decreased mobility has really put things into perspective about choosing battles, or if the meds just mellow me out so much I don't care. ;) They sure don't seem to do much for the pain. But I start physical therapy Monday and I think that will be very telling in my diagnosis/treatment.
My phonics group responded really well today.
It's supposed to be two groups of nine, but for the last two days we've had to do without Mrs Ink for school reasons.
I was originally worried about having my own group, as the last group I managed was five, and were at the very lowest level in Reception. Now I have nineteen smart children.
These kinder are learning grammar rules I never knew.
I learned to understand them by sight and practice - no-one ever explained them.
And English being the mongrel language it is, I still don't know which approach is the best - just that I am now teaching rules and learning at the same time!
No surprise that the top group is stuffed with personalities.
None of them are "trouble" but some of them need to be sat on pretty hard in order not to distrupt the lesson. Managed it yesterday and today. I'm NOT a shouter (except just then :)) and I do give warnings. But I have found I am a disciplinarian. At this age (5-7, yes we have a high-flying 5yo in the group) I find silence and an an incredulous look work well enough. Again a shake of the head works wonders.
Sadly I find I am a little sarcastic. Which isn't quite right. But some of the more bombastic children do respond to it *. I'd never say anything to upset a child - talk about a barrier to learning. But I'm pleased that I haven't had to. Discipline is good in the school and they are used to it.
* "Mrs O, some of the chairs haven't been pushed back under the tables" in the room we were working in.
Me - "Look at my face. Do I look worried about that? No. This is phonics, not furniture class."
Apols to Catherine Tate there, They're too young to get the reference.
But I did walk away feeling I had imparted knowledge regarding -er suffixes.
And R got five house points for sticking to the bargain we made, when I assured him he was amazing and brilliant (he is heads above the rest, it's true) and the only thing he needed to work on was his behaviour. It may not work again. But it did today and we split the group again tomorrow.
Phew.
Me - "Look at my face. Do I look worried about that? No. This is phonics, not furniture class."
Apols to Catherine Tate there, They're too young to get the reference.
Am I bovvered? Am I bovvered? Do I look bovvered? Am I bovvered? Am I? Am I bovvered?
Thought that was a step too far for an LSA ;)
Not really related but sorta:
My mom was talking flowers. I said "Cyclamen? Isn't that the new five day treatment for Clematis?"
I'll be here all week. Try the Dandelion Wine.
I rode a cyclamen once, but I fell off. After that, I rhododendron.
"Expert" gets a bum rap... "Enthusiast" hits the sweet spot nicely.
:facepalm: :lol:
You're back! How was the trip through the desert (you survived, always a good thing!)? Do you have travel pics to share?
I rode a cyclamen once, but I fell off. After that, I rhododendron.
Did you like, write that? 'Cause I wrote my joke. Hey, maybe you and I should take our bikes on the road. No one seems to want to risk being part of my comedy tour: Infinite Monkey, Infinite Madness! You're a risk taker.
Oh, and welcome back. ;)
Just found what looks like a really good recipe for Chicken Dhansak (except for the addition of Mr Huda's Curry Paste, which I will not be buying especially - the curry paste I have will suffice.)
And tomorrow is payday.
They go together as I'll have to buy 500g chicken, but even separately they work as Good Times.
Will make on Saturday when the 'rents are at Mass.
Ha ha, will come home to delicious chickeny smell and there won't be none for them!
Like last week when they came home with a spur-of-the-moment KFC and there weren't none for me!
No, I'm not that petty ;)
Dads doesn't like well spiced dishes and Mum hates lentils, so I'd only be cooking for myself anyway. I'll be storing/ freezing any leftovers and they will be more than welcome to eat them of course. Still, I might warn Mum that there will be a curried breeze on Saturday evening, just so she makes sure to have something nice in to counteract it.
Hiya folks!
There will be pictures in the Sun/blotted thread, eventually. Gawd, the mess I have to sort and clean and stow. FAWET part 2.
Infi, those two puns were sourced from the theme song of a gardening radio show on local ABC radio in Canberra about a decade ago. But, like, I reused them in a an original way. :blush:
9 is a good age. You're still a kid, but you can do stuff and you have confidence.
9 is a good age. You're still a kid, but you can do stuff and you have confidence.
Exactly. This morning he had his cuddly acting as second in command to his small army of toy soldiers.
Happy birthday to the inch!
Happy Birthday, inch! Happy day to all.
the inch is 9 today.
Getting "Closer" to 10! HB Inch! I hope his cuddly "Nails" the war strategy!
[/ridiculous me]
Once he hits 12 he'll be an official foot.
Tried to make an origami box at BOSC the other night.
Okay I was made it out of ICT scrap paper tray rather than card, but it was very trying.
All under the questioning eyes and brain and non-stop questioning of William. Who I have a lot of time for, but yes he is trouble and I worry about what will happen to him in future.
Anyway, it was from an American website and the measurements were in inches. Turns out we have no rulers in the school which show inches any more. So I did it the old-fashioned way. Online with a translation calculator ;)
I made a hash of it anyway.
And in fact the sheet has to have so many folds to set up the shape that even the expert version in the photo looked a little like it had been sat on - just with crisper corners and a top that actually closes.
Oops, I dropped mine on the floor and accidentally stood on it. William, in full knowledge of how deliberate my action really was, laughed like a drain.
Anyway, the last part made me happy.
The first bit was exposition.
Writing out my grocery list for tomorrow.
That does make me happy. Def making the dhansak. Not buying ghee for it either. But am still expecting Nom.
My drawing came today! It looks way better in person than the excellent picture kerosene sent me.
Now for the perfect frame...
Lil' G got invited to Yuletide by a lad today. Asked to describe him she said, Zeppelin fan. :)
Thank goodness Bri is still with us.
This is the house I'm going to buy us, hon.
You see how it's far too large for me & Diz alone.
We'll get married when the Government sanctions it.
I've been dairy free for two weeks now,
after being told my daughter was probably lactose intolerant. I noticed an immediate difference as soon as I dropped the dairy -- Beans was visibly no longer in pain. Her tummy troubles have been getting better day by day, and today we had a poop that was very quiet and perfectly normal -- as opposed to two weeks ago, when I'm pretty sure they could be heard on Mars. My lactose freeness has paid off. :D
Pretty soon I'll try some dark chocolate and see how that goes. :yum:
Happy baby, happy mom.
There's a company in the UK called Booja Booja who make dairy free chocolates. Jus' sayin'.
Sent by thought transference.
Tonight Twil and I are going to
Town Hall Seattle to listen to a talk given by Naomi Wolf about her new book
Vagina: A New Biography. The title of the talk is "The Science of the Brain-Vagina Connection". I heard
a very interesting interview with her on KUOW today.
I'm an eager student when it comes to female sexuality. I love learning and the homework is *awesome*. ;) ;)
I'm happy because I AM a good person after all. Thanks Tril! :)
I think you are a good person too. And so does my Mum.
I would suggest we're a quorum at least, and the vote has been counted and verified.
Awww...I love you Cherry! (and your Mum too, but you don't have to tell her that if you don't want to) xxx
Ali, you always were a good person-I just didn't understand Oz women very much - just like I don't understand why Dana lives in Stubbing Wharf - or is that her alcoholic lesbian auntie? I can't remember. ;)
Cherry-LOVE the house. but where's the pool, darling? We MUST have one, even a small one, so we can have a pool boy- preferably of Argentinian heritage.
Hey! I resemble that remark!
I live in the village of Northowram. Quite nearby Southowram and the twinned hamlets of Shelf and Stone Chair :P
Yes those are real places. Though the designation 'hamlet' is no longer apt.
Tril, so sorry to break it to you, but a pool would be used approx 5 days a year in my part of the world.
And we do not have Argentinian pool boys either.
You'd be moving to a place of Morris Dancers, unpasteurised cheese, church fetes, meat raffles, pork pies and supermarkets where the rudeness is local but the bread is not.
But I will ensure underfloor heating, woodburning stoves, Jedi robes like the one Dani has, PROPER showers, a street market every Tuesday and a fair which closes down the whole High Street for five days every Autumn. And we can go to stores in London that sell any food you miss from home. And we'll be so charming we'll get them to deliver.
There. How could anyone resist being Mrs Sundae?
Oh. Right. The above all depends on me winning millions of £.
Hmmmmm. Maybe I should make a case for the real me, beggardly as I am. And to a member of the opposite gender, given that that's my preference.
Lil' G got invited to Yuletide by a lad today. Asked to describe him she said, Zeppelin fan. :)
Husband!
I guess Griff has earned his dad card.
Song To Be Sung by the Father of Infant Female Children
by Ogden Nash
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky;
Contrariwise, my blood runs cold
When little boys go by.
For little boys as little boys,
No special hate I carry,
But now and then they grow to men,
And when they do, they marry.
No matter how they tarry,
Eventually they marry.
And, swine among the pearls,
They marry little girls.
Oh, somewhere, somewhere, an infant plays,
With parents who feed and clothe him.
Their lips are sticky with pride and praise,
But I have begun to loathe him.
Yes, I loathe with loathing shameless
This child who to me is nameless.
This bachelor child in his carriage
Gives never a thought to marriage,
But a person can hardly say knife
Before he will hunt him a wife.
I never see an infant (male),
A-sleeping in the sun,
Without I turn a trifle pale
And think is he the one?
Oh, first he'll want to crop his curls,
And then he'll want a pony,
And then he'll think of pretty girls,
And holy matrimony.
A cat without a mouse
Is he without a spouse.
Oh, somewhere he bubbles bubbles of milk,
And quietly sucks his thumbs.
His cheeks are roses painted on silk,
And his teeth are tucked in his gums.
But alas the teeth will begin to grow,
And the bubbles will cease to bubble;
Given a score of years or so,
The roses will turn to stubble.
He'll sell a bond, or he'll write a book,
And his eyes will get that acquisitive look,
And raging and ravenous for the kill,
He'll boldly ask for the hand of Jill.
This infant whose middle
Is diapered still
Will want to marry My daughter Jill.
Oh sweet be his slumber and moist his middle!
My dreams, I fear, are infanticiddle.
A fig for embryo Lohengrins!
I'll open all his safety pins,
I'll pepper his powder, and salt his bottle,
And give him readings from Aristotle.
Sand for his spinach I'll gladly bring,
And Tabasco sauce for his teething ring.
Then perhaps he'll struggle through fire and water
To marry somebody else's daughter.
:lol:
That poem made my whole day.
It's clementine season! Time to eat my own weight in tiny, seedless, sweet, and oh-so-easy-to-peel citrus!
I'm with you on that! :thumb: :)
Clementines are teh yummm.
My new hat arrived.
I likey.
It was very cheap. And suggested for people on chemo. So I have it ready for the day when my current hairloss becomes public knowledge. I'm probably not losing all that much tbh - but while I'm a redhead it's really noticeable in the shower! Great menstrual-looking clots of it! But yes, it is a symptom of liver damage. Sigh. As are my spider veins, which means my famous cleavage is now under wraps.
Still - happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
At this early stage a full recovery is possible.
And I like my new hat.
Funny thing was, when it arrived it was from Yusra Hijabs, which wasn't mentioned on the eBay blurb. It comes from Syria. Does that make me a Muslim now? Them and their sneaky agendas. Is that why I craved kebab last night?
Liver Damage? How did I miss that?
What happened?
Foot I sent that pome to my younger brother, father of 3 daughters...oldest 12, youngest 7. He'll love it. :)
It's clementine season! Time to eat my own weight in tiny, seedless, sweet, and oh-so-easy-to-peel citrus!
I had an elderly Japanese friend who owned a cat named Clementine. She pronounced it
Kurementine however. After a while my curiosity about why she would name her cat something she couldn't pronounce overcame me. Figuring out a semi tactful way of finding the answer I asked her how she came to name the cat Clementine.
"That was her name when I got her."
OK, then.
Now I always call the fruits, Kurementines.
Kurementines, clementines ... by whatever name, they are teh yummm. :yum:
I love Nash. How do you come to be such a poetry polymath?
I had an elderly Japanese friend who owned a cat named Clementine. She pronounced it Kurementine however. After a while my curiosity about why she would name her cat something she couldn't pronounce overcame me. Figuring out a semi tactful way of finding the answer I asked her how she came to name the cat Clementine.
"That was her name when I got her."
OK, then.
Now I always call the fruits, Kurementines.
Oh, my darling.
Taj used to be Maggie. At the time, Maggie was the bitter old bitch I supervised at my job then. She was awwwwwwwwfullllllllllll. I had to change kitty's name to Taj Ma Hall (she had a reddish dot in the middle of her cute little calico head.) ;)
Liver Damage? How did I miss that? What happened?
Drinking is what happened. I know at the time I admitted to it on the Cellar I was still in a grrrrr with you. I was in a grrrrr with other people I formerly treasured because some Cellar issues came to a head at a time when I really could not deal with them, and I never bothered to explain why I was vulnerable.
No blame now. But I still have health fallout to deal with. And isn't self-imposed fallout the shittiest?
There's more recently, but I can't in all conscience put it in this thread.
And am too scared to admit to put it in words anywhere else yet.
SO.
Diz was Dizney when I adopted him.
I'm not shy in saying I am pretty much anti-Disney.
The sanitisation of stories, the homophobia, the ban on beards...
He became Diz very quickly.
My new hat arrived.
I likey.
It was very cheap. And suggested for people on chemo. So I have it ready for the day when my current hairloss becomes public knowledge. I'm probably not losing all that much tbh - but while I'm a redhead it's really noticeable in the shower! Great menstrual-looking clots of it! But yes, it is a symptom of liver damage. Sigh. As are my spider veins, which means my famous cleavage is now under wraps.
Still - happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
At this early stage a full recovery is possible.
And I like my new hat.
Funny thing was, when it arrived it was from Yusra Hijabs, which wasn't mentioned on the eBay blurb. It comes from Syria. Does that make me a Muslim now? Them and their sneaky agendas. Is that why I craved kebab last night?
what the fuck did you just say there????????? between the ha-ha's and happiness and all lads together- WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?????????????????
SEE? Now I'm mad. I knew about the liver thing-a bit about it- but what NOW? Pm me or something you wench or I'll twist your ear off!!!
WHAAA? Bin all out in public and you got a PM and everything.
You know I trouble gurrrrrrl.
Yah okay.
Pictures may be in order.
The hairloss isn't like chemo hairloss. Just a thinning.
The nasty red spots are noticeable though. They've been coming on for a while though. Hence no real photos of me apart from face. And no fun bruising pics now I know it's exacerbated by the liver problems. Stops being quite so amusing. Ditto bleeding, esp from the lips and nose.
Other symptoms - while I'm on a roll, bloodshot eyes even after good sober sleep, itching, loss of appetite, loose bowels and blah, blah blah. Choc sez I should start a thread about my health. I guess it would keep it off the general board. And then in many years time you can download the posts as warning to your kinder about the dangers of drinking.
This is not meant to sound cross.
If I am cross it's only with myself, knowing about all this and STILL not making all the right decisions, although I am making some of them.
borrowing this > what the fuck did you just say there????????? :eek:
Dear Sundae I hope your body heals good as new with a cherry on top!!
My credit score is much much higher than I thought it would be. Woot.
Carrot went for hydro today, and for the first time theynput the underwater treadmill onto the 'uphill' setting. Quite a low gradient, but a challenge when coupled with walking against the water.
He did 17 minutes! Took him about 6 minutes to find his stride, he was swinging wild and veering to the side, or wobbling about as his feet placed at odd angles. Thought for first couple of minutes that he may only be able to do 12 minutes, but once he found his stride he seemed comfortable with the pace.
He wobbled about something shocking afterwards though. You could see his little legs had gone to jelly. No pain, no gain babydog, feel the burn, etc etc.
So now he's uber relaxed having burned off a bucketful of high-octane puppy energy.
Also, this morning I let him off his lead for some runabout play with a couple of local dogs. Oh he loved it so. They're both dogs that play nice and no risk of them trying to rubgy tackle him or anything.
This was a rambly way of introing what's making me feel happy: I'm feeling really quite optimistic about Carrot's prospects. After nearly two months of hydro and exercises he wasn't building the muscle he needs to build and I was feeling despondent. Since I had him neutered (I should really have posted about that....God I felt a traitor) his appetite has stabilised and he isn't refusing his meals. So he has started to fill out and the muscles are visibly forming around his hind quarters.
He is using those muscles more in his day to day movements too. Not just in the exercises that push him to use them. I can see his legs bending properly now for some of his walk. Though he returns to his swinging shuffle when tired.
Since he's been cut these quirks of movement are so much clearer to see. A shaggy beardie coat smooths it all out to observers.
So yeah. I think he's going to be ok. Of course I now have to persuade the insurance people that the limit of 12 sessions of 'complementary therapy' should be extended, but we'll leave that for another time ;P
I'm glad to hear Carrot is doing so well, Dana! What a great update! I think neutering really helps domesticated animals. Seriously - when I was breeding Siamese and Balinese cats, hormones just made those guys so miserable. And they had so many more health problems that miraculously cleared up the moment they were spayed/neutered. Maybe it's being consumed by hormones while expected to live like a non-hormonal being (as a pet), or maybe wild animals are also miserable and unhealthy with their hormones. It's counter-intuitive but it doesn't surprise me that Carrot has improved after cutting. So don't feel bad. Glad he's improving and going to get all the right muscles working. Keep posting photos, he's too adorable to stay unadmired by his Cellar family!
I'm feeling ridiculously, unaccountably happy this evening. Wrote an exam and spanked it (with either the Expert or the Sweet Spot, I can't remember), and came home to my little place with my furniture and my food in the fridge, and ... being on my own and making it is making me very happy. I don't need much. And contrary to previous threats and advice, it seems I can survive.
So I'm silly with happiness, getting ready to polish off one more assignment in this week of exams and papers and bleh, sipping a nice cab and admiring the flowers on my table, and ... hoping I'll run across some humor and poetry and general wit here tonight that's beyond me, but which I can appreciate. :)
Cheers!
Your post makes me feel happy.
Y'know, it's funny, but even after all these years i still sometimes get a kick out of living alone. Making a meal for myself to my tastes, on my budget, according to my decisions.
And my ex wasn't even a bastard. Though he sometimes did a very good impression of one. He's still my best friend. And he's chilled a lot over the years. His current partner has a much nicer and happier him :p But he was emotionally abusive without really realising it and is a bit of a control freak particularly when something is troubling him.
I can relate, I've been living alone for 20 years, but during the last year I've been visiting a friend for a week, every month or so. I enjoy it but it feels great to retreat to my cave. :guinea:
My cave ... that's it. Is there such a thing as a woman-cave? If not, I'm stealing the concept.
My cave ... that's it. Is there such a thing as a woman-cave? If not, I'm stealing the concept.
Of course there is, anyone can haz one. ;)
I love my wife and kids dearly, but it's really awesome on the rare occasions when I get the house to myself.
I'm pleased to hear youre so happy tonight ortho.
I'm feeling ridiculously, unaccountably happy this evening. Wrote an exam and spanked it (with either the Expert or the Sweet Spot, I can't remember), and came home to my little place with my furniture and my food in the fridge, and ... being on my own and making it is making me very happy. I don't need much. And contrary to previous threats and advice, it seems I can survive.
So I'm silly with happiness, getting ready to polish off one more assignment in this week of exams and papers and bleh, sipping a nice cab and admiring the flowers on my table, and ... hoping I'll run across some humor and poetry and general wit here tonight that's beyond me, but which I can appreciate. :)
Cheers!
We've secretly replaced Ortho's Cabernet with MDMA, let's see if she can tell the difference...Just waiting for the fireworks to start? I'd better get my assignment done before the MDMA kicks in, then ... give a woman her own cave and you never know what might happen ;)
Here's something to make Sundae happy.
[ATTACH]42002[/ATTACH]
It fits now. :)
She looks so surprised! What a cutie. How old is she, Ali?
She's 10 weeks old now choco. Getting bigger by the second. ;) You know what that's about huh? :)
I'm feeling ridiculously, unaccountably happy this evening. Wrote an exam and spanked it (with either the Expert or the Sweet Spot, I can't remember), and came home to my little place with my furniture and my food in the fridge, and ... being on my own and making it is making me very happy. I don't need much. And contrary to previous threats and advice, it seems I can survive.
So I'm silly with happiness, getting ready to polish off one more assignment in this week of exams and papers and bleh, sipping a nice cab and admiring the flowers on my table, and ... hoping I'll run across some humor and poetry and general wit here tonight that's beyond me, but which I can appreciate. :)
Cheers!
The Merry Recluse!
Oh Ali it really did!
Going to print off a copy for Mum.
You wouldn't want me to cuddle her right now, because I am dying of bad cold/ throat infection - which has stopped me seeing the twins this weekend - booooo. I'd give her a squeeze if I could though. I'm not into babies per se, but those of friends and family are very loveable, because they can leave ;)
Do you realise you have the same amount of children - and same genders - as the Beckhams? There, next time you bump into her you know you have something in common.
Thanks also for your post re liver damage.
It's very good to know someone else who has been through it and come out of the other side. The Doctors did stress the regenerative properties of the liver, but the symptoms have really crash landed on me (especially my skin) so it has felt like walking around on bail.
'bail' as in you're out of jail or is there some substance called 'bail' that I don't know about but imagine as like sharp rocks on barefeet.
Sorry, out on bail, not something new and exciting.
I think there are probably enough street drugs out there that make you feel like you're on bail - paranoid and walking on a shifty surface. Shit, even wearing a new pair of shoes makes me feel like The Little Mermaid. The original one I mean, not the peculiar undersea hoarder, Ariel.
but Ariel did hoard some good stuff.
She had a Georges de la Tour down there ya know. A Mary Magdelene one.
Had to Wiki.
All I could think of was Frances de la Tour.
Really laughing now. It's making me cough. Stoppit.
Oh Ali it really did!
Going to print off a copy for Mum.
You wouldn't want me to cuddle her right now, because I am dying of bad cold/ throat infection - which has stopped me seeing the twins this weekend - booooo. I'd give her a squeeze if I could though. I'm not into babies per se, but those of friends and family are very loveable, because they can leave ;)
Do you realise you have the same amount of children - and same genders - as the Beckhams? There, next time you bump into her you know you have something in common.
Thanks also for your post re liver damage.
It's very good to know someone else who has been through it and come out of the other side. The Doctors did stress the regenerative properties of the liver, but the symptoms have really crash landed on me (especially my skin) so it has felt like walking around on bail.
Just as well I'm half a world away then if you're sick. ;)
Didn't know that about the beckhams. lol Don't care too much either, although chances of running into them are apparently more likely since apparently Davo is considering coming over here to play soccer.
Your liver will be fine. Just be good to it and all will be well mate. give it lots of lovely healthy whole foods and water. Get yourself some liver tonic or supplements if you can and think positive. :) You're going to be fine. xxx
Investigate this for yourself, Sundae, but milk thistle (sold anywhere, really) is supposed to be good for your liver.
Ask your local hippie shop personnel.
Phew.
Went for a walk at lunchtime today and decided to go all the way over to check out the National Christmas Tree behind the White House. I knew I would be cutting it a bit close, because I had to be back to my building for a short presentation I had to give to new hires about our department. Well, as soon as I stepped through the open gate into the area behind the White House, the cop standing there closed it behind me. They were locking down that area so a motorcade or something could go through! Normally, I'd stick around to see who it would be, but by closing that gate, I couldn't go back the way I came and instead had to walk about 5 additional blocks around the perimeter of the far side of the White House to get back to my office. Grr.
So I took a quick shot of the Christmas tree and started hustling the long way back. Had to take my jacket off, because I was eventually breaking a sweat. Checking my watch the whole time. I had 15 minutes to go about 12 blocks. I really needed 20 minutes.
But I got back to my building and straight into the conference room just 30 seconds before the department before me finished their bit. Phew.
I know you were on the edge of your seat. But you can relax now. It all worked out.
Here's the tree.
[ATTACH]42046[/ATTACH]
Well, with all that pagan symbolism, it assures me the Obama isn't a Muslim. :D
The small trees look underdressed.
snip--
Checking my watch the whole time. I had 15 minutes to go about 12 blocks. I really needed 20 minutes.
But I got back to my building and straight into the conference room just 30 seconds before the department before me finished their bit. Phew.
--snip
(Making The Run To) Gladewater Lyrics
By Michelle Shocked
Upshur County's drier than an empty bottle
Since the Mormon's come to town
And to run out of beer means a run to Gladewater
Highway 79 thirty miles on down
Now fair is fair but life's a gamble
When it's eleven forty five
And it's a toss of the coin to see who's got fifteen minutes
To make a thirty minute drive
It was Saturday night
You was sitting 'round the square
Small town Texas sons and daughters
But you lost the toss
That means you're taking up the money
That means you're making the run
Making the run
Making the run to Gladewater
Here's what you do
You hustle all your buddies off
The back of your truck
You grab your girl, you say, c'mon let's
Tuck your jeans in your boots
That's what you do
Slap your gimme cap on
Turn the country music radio station
Louder than you ought to
But it's okay, you're on your way
You lost the toss
You're taking up the money
You're making the run to Gladewater
Run, boys
It's 79 to the county line
And the Mini Mart with not one to spare
And your friends back in Gilmer
They're your friends indeed
Why? Well, you got their money
And their six pack of beer
Making the run
Making the run, making the run
Making the run to Gladewater
The icing arrived, so I can do my Christmas cake today! Yay!!!
Love that Michelle Shocked song. Loved that whole album.
Got two Cellar Christmas cards AND some goodies.
I spent the day watching my oldest son get sworn in/called to the Bar at the Maryland Courts of Appeal. He's persevered and overcome so many challenges ... my heart was so full, watching him take the oath, it almost hurt. Later we wandered around Annapolis, which I've never seen, and browsed a great spice shop - they had the most amazing spice blends, and all sorts of salt - Cyprus flake, black lava salt, big blocks of pink Himalayan, chardonnay smoked salt, salt with lavender and cardamom, and black truffle salt. And we found an Irish store with real Christmas crackers!! (I can never find them in PA.) And Christmas pudding with brandy butter! And real mincemeat! And Christmas cake!!
(In my family, it isn't Christmas without Christmas crackers. All the years I did the Ukrainian twelve-dish dinner, I still had Christmas crackers. You have to wear the little paper hats (for at least one photo) and take turns reading the jokes on the slips of paper while the turkey gets cold, or it just isn't Christmas. :p:)
It was a great day, a once in a lifetime sort of day.
Hell, I've never even heard of most of those salts. :mg:
Congrats on the boy passing the bar.
It takes a special kind of salt to make a man pass a bar.
Fantastic, Ortho! What a great day, what great memories to have! And you're right about the crackers! Mr Limey and I have crackers with our Christmas dinner even though there's just the two of us!
Sent by thought transference.
Sunshine today AND tomorrow!
Sounds like a wonderful and happy day, Ortho. Congrats to both of you.
I still had Christmas crackers. You have to wear the little paper hats (for at least one photo) and take turns reading the jokes on the slips of paper while the turkey gets cold, or it just isn't Christmas. )
Congrats on your son you must be so proud! :) Always have the crackers with their bad jokes and fun prizes.
Congrats to your son, ortho! You sound so proud. :)
Oh God !!! Another Shark in the water !!!
JK Ortho , congrats to your son !!!
Whats makeing ME Happy you ask ??
Free lunch at a Plant I was checking scales at !!!
I was just getting finished checking scale and the Quality Lady asked
" Are you going to have lunch with us today ??"
" Ughh Whats for lunch ?? "
"Pork ( I start knodding my head ) Steaks ( I Knodd faster )"
They had Grand paw behind the plant with his smoker fixing pork steaks , and Grand maw had fixed Beans and slaw and MANY baked goods !!!
No I dont know who's grand parents they were , i just know they seemed Pleased when I complimented they on the food !
It was KILLLLLLER , oh and Grannys Brownies were OUT STANDING !!!!!
Today I am happy to receive a bit of perspective.
It becomes so easy to drown in our personal struggles. I am not diminishing mine or anyone else's, but I feel like today the universe tapped me on the shoulder and brought me up for air. I was reminded that, in the grand scheme of things, I'm pretty damned lucky.
A former student of mine had an (unplanned) baby her senior year. She was able to graduate, but she just found out she is pregnant again. She's 19. Her first baby is only 8 months old, and she has an on again/off again relationship with the father of her children, who himself is a drug addled teenager. They are currently off, and all her friends on FB are asking who the daddy is.
Meanwhile, for all that I may be struggling in my role as a new mom, my daughter was brought in to a stable home with two parents who love her fiercely and are doing their best to be good role models for her.
I'm on leave for a year from the high school I've taught at for three years. At school today, three students were arrested for bringing weapons to school. Seeing blood and ripped weave on the walls was fairly standard for a Friday afternoon, and I have several coworkers who have been punched, kicked, and shoved against walls trying to break up fights.
While my friends have to worry about their own safety and the safety of their students, my two biggest stressors today were trying to find a parking space at the mall and two stocking stuffers that won't fit in their stockings.
My life is awesome. Even when I think things suck, looking around with fresh eyes reminds me just how good I have it.
Oh God !!! Another Shark in the water !!!
JK Ortho , congrats to your son !!!
Well, he's in intellectual property law, trademarks and patents - working at the PTO for a couple years - so I don't think anyone here has anything to fear. :p: Thanks for all the good wishes, folks!
And the salt - yeah, I got a little carried away with the salt. Not that I bought all that stuff, I'd just never seen so many kinds before.
Lunch sounds like it was awesome, zippyt! What a great thing to happen!
And thanks for the perspective, choco - as always your comments are full of insight. :)
But Choco, do you have an iphone 99, or hot and cold running maids, or other necessities of happiness? :angel:
Seriously, good for you. A lot of people would be a lot happier if the realized how good they have it. Your baby has a huge head start.
The Christmas season is making me happy today (and generally speaking, that doesn't happen.)
It started about 9 years ago, by my recollection. There is a Christmas tree sales tent that sets up every year along an empty-ish highway that skirts the west side of the city. It kind of comes up out of nowhere around a bend, so what they would do is decorate a couple of the roadside evergreen trees just before the bend, so they could tell people to slow down and start looking when they saw the decorated trees.
But people thought the idea of decorating still-living trees was awesome. And the tradition has spread each year, so that now the entire 20-mile stretch of highway is full of decorated trees, on both sides of the road. Some have themes, like a local rock-climbing organization that decorates one way up on the cliff face each year that you couldn't get to otherwise.
Anyway, Minifobette's vision therapy is at the far opposite end of this highway from us, so every Thursday I get to drive past all the trees, and it makes me smile. It just keeps going and going, probably close to 500 trees in all. Not the greatest picture of it since I am driving at highway speeds while aiming with the camera, but this gives you an idea:
I like the tree decorations, but if they're all along the road, how do people know when to stop for the shop?
Eh, they just see it too late and make a U-turn, like they always did. :)
Sound like you got it going on Choco
Well, he's in intellectual property law, trademarks and patents - working at the PTO for a couple years - so I don't think anyone here has anything to fear. :p: Thanks for all the good wishes, folks!
And the salt - yeah, I got a little carried away with the salt. Not that I bought all that stuff, I'd just never seen so many kinds before.
Lunch sounds like it was awesome, zippyt! What a great thing to happen!
And thanks for the perspective, choco - as always your comments are full of insight. :)
like what's his name.... Albert somebody....
It just keeps going and going, probably close to 500 trees in all.
That's great!
That's a great idea - something that makes folk smile instead of being all wired out by the insanity that is the ***mas season. Me, I'm happy because my car AND truck (both of which I was afraid needed major repairs), turn out to be minor and easily fixable. :D
It takes a special kind of salt to make a man pass a bar.
If he can swallow it, he can probably pass it.
Christmas cheer, blah blah blah...Not the greatest picture of it since it is DAYTIME but this gives you an idea:
:p:
It would take a helluva lot of extension cords for any of them to be lit, although I guess some of the tinsel-ish garlands might reflect oncoming headlights at night...
hmmm. I'll let you off the hook this time.
I'm happy today because my kid didn't get shot at school today, and neither did any of his schoolmates.
A guy who just started bowhunting our place this year heard about Merlin and actually spent a good chunk of today looking for him. Good people are good.
If he can swallow it, he can probably pass it.
And since he passed it, we can deduce that he swallowed it ...
and he's totally worth it. ;)
It would take a helluva lot of extension cords for any of them to be lit, although I guess some of the tinsel-ish garlands might reflect oncoming headlights at night...
You don't have solar powered Xmas lights over there?
I'm sure you could order something like that online for an exorbitant price, but no, I've never seen them myself. We have LED bulbs, and people think that's weird enough.
A guy who just started bowhunting our place this year heard about Merlin and actually spent a good chunk of today looking for him. Good people are good.
That's a good reminder, thanks, it brightens my day. :D
In the bitter-sweet department today, Benny had always watched Merlin catch Frisbees showing no desire to get involved. I figured he simply wasn't interested. Turns out he was just respecting the alpha dog. Benny is quite Frisbee mad actually. :)
My wife is downstairs making potato latkes. I've gone through almost all of Hanukkah without having any, except for a few (literally) made by my sister.
The house smells of oil and potatoes. These are the kind that are made from a dry mix from a box, but I love them. And she's making multiple boxes at once, so that we can reheat the leftovers for days.
My only dilemma is the age old ketchup vs applesauce decision.
Tonights the last night, so this is a great way to close out Hanukkah.
BTW, when I say 'my wife' and don't use her name, it's not intended to be a lack of familiarity. The Cellar is my hobby and I try to keep her name out of it, given that I don't use an alias. Sometimes I slip up with this.
ketchup vs. applesauce??????
no no no---sour cream!
And since he passed it, we can deduce that he swallowed it ...
and he's totally worth it. ;)
Good mom. Bask in your accomplishment.
Good mom. Bask in your accomplishment.
Thank you. Although it's his accomplishment, not mine. :)
As for latkes/platski - sour cream first, last, and always!! (I learned that platski is the Ukrainian word for latkes, but I suspect it's Polish - probably all of my 'Ukrainian' is Polish. And my French is Quebecois ... I'm a linguistic mess!)
Thank you. Although it's his accomplishment, not mine. :)
As for latkes/platski - sour cream first, last, and always!! (I learned that platski is the Ukrainian word for latkes, but I suspect it's Polish - probably all of my 'Ukrainian' is Polish. And my French is Quebecois ... I'm a linguistic mess!)
I think you can take some credit for not raising a slacker who feels everything is owed to him. We are hoping he is of the 1% of lawyers to whom the other 99% give a bad name.
ketchup vs. applesauce??????
no no no---sour cream!
I had them twice so I had applesauce and then sour cream.
Yes, he's in that one percent. His undergrad was in bioengineering and he still loves biotech. IP law is good. :)
(You can't tell I'm proud of him, can you? Thought not.)
A 5-month old puppy has finished her first week here. The 10+ yo dogs are accepting, if not enthusiastic, about her thus far. I like my kingdom peaceable.
Haircut!
Haircut!
(dunno if the Merkins do that - Brits will know what I mean)
But yes, I am pleased with it.
I just finished my fall semester's work ... submitted my last two big papers at 6:15 pm. The most challenging semester of my educational career is done. Didn't know if it would actually come together ... very happy in spite of persistent blurry vision. Tears aren't helping the vision. Oh well. They tell me it's a chemo side effect.
Congrats, ortho! Time to rest and recharge now.
snip-- Tears aren't helping the vision. Oh well. They tell me it's a emo side effect.
FTFY
on a more serious note, congratulations! seriously!
LOL.
Emotherapy. Make your cancer cut itself out.
:lol: haha emotherapy, I love it.
Thanks everyone. It was a little emotional to finish up; there were times I really didn't think it would all come together. But it's done.
Great news Ortho! Here's hoping you can find time for a little holiday-style R&R now.
Congrats Ortho! Well done m'dear. I remember a few months ago when you were at the start of all this heavy heavy shit, and the work you still had ahead of you to get through the semester seemed a mountain to climb.
So proud of you. You are an inspiration. I know you probably don't feel like that sometimes, but it's true.
Oh and:
@ Sweetwater: puppeh pics? Pretty please?
@ Sundae: Haircut! Haircut!
Thanks so much, guys. You have all made a huge difference in how things went this fall, more than you know. You encouraged and cheered and sometimes stayed up late when I was struggling ... sent wishes and thoughts, gifts and strength, and each thing came at just the right time. I was terrified because I thought I'd be doing this alone, and I wasn't alone. Thank you.
Tomorrow is session #4. Two-thirds done with emotherapy!
Two-thirds done with emotherapy!
And that's awesome news too! Good luck tomorrow.
Emotherapy!
Now cut that out! :lol2:
Son's FB update....
"That awesome moment when you say it's the biggest present under the tree and your mom says "for now..." "
....wait 'til he finds out might not be true... or it might... who knows... the night is young and I have plenty of cardboard...... ;)
We wrapped his goalie stick (per his request -he's already been using it for a month) but we labelled it for the other two kids. :D
I was hoping you had something up your sleeve. Good one!
It's the little things.
I think my bed is the comfiest warmest bed on earth. Piled with fuzzy blankets in my chilly abode, it's hard to get out of bed in the morning.
Tomorrow, I will set my alarm as if going to work, then pull the fuzzy blankets up around my head, and go back to sleep.
We ran out of oil in the middle of the night (I assumed the squeaky sound was squirrels in the attic) and I called the oil co. for a delivery and they were here in 20 minutes with no emergency charge tacked on.
They are a great little mom and pop outfit.
Back to school tomorrow!
Had a meeting with the Head today and am so relieved. School isn't open today as we have an inset day, so I only went in for the meeting and it only lasted 7 minutes.
Only back half-days to start, but I will earn nearly as much as when I'm full-time because I am back to covering lunchbreaks again.
Two weeks of that and I'll be back full time.
And I hope back at after-school club at that point too, if they haven't replaced me.
I have to have a brief catch-up with the Head every Monday and Friday, but although that's slightly daunting I shouldn't worry. As long as I do my job it's just an admin exercise.
I deliberately wore large baggy clothes today so no-one could see I'd lost weight. Didn't work, but then only three people saw me anyway. It will still be a surprise for the majority of the school. Question is, will they dare mention it, given I have been signed off sick for the best part of a month...?
Oh Sundae! That is such good news! I am really pleased for you! !!
Sent by thought transference.
Back to school tomorrow!
That's fantastic! Congratulations.
Great news! Congratulations.
Fantastic News!
/wet blanket/ Didja learn your lesson? /wet blanket/
Oh yes, lesson well and truly learned.
One day at a time.
Got my camera back as well - I really missed it!
What lesson? I missed a serious plot point.
pssst. can I copy your notes when they tell you?
It's round here somewhere.
Not laid out specifically in black and white.
Happy Thread is not the place for it anyway.
Suffice to say I am happy and healthy/ ier and intend to stay that way.
As I was driving to an eye appointment this morning, I kept hearing a weird clunk coming from the back of the car, especially going over bumps. Kind of a rattle clunk noise, like something was loose. But the car was behaving normally. I rolled the window down to listen as I drove along, and kept hearing it whenever I went over a little bump or dip in the road. Then, about half a mile after leaving our driveway, I heard a louder clunk, and a rattle, and then heard something drop off the car and clatter onto the pavement. Traffic was heavy and there was nowhere safe to pull over, so I kept driving, but the car sounded and felt normal. I drove another mile to the appointment. When I pulled into a parking space I kind of looked under the car, but everything seemed fine. Weird.
So I went inside and got my eyes checked out. My eyes are the same. That's good. They didn't get any worse. But they are typical middle aged eyes, so they could be better.
So on the drive home, traffic was much lighter. I made a U turn where the car lost whatever it was, and parked the car. Then I walked along the road, to see if I could find what dropped off the car. I found a really nice pair of professional quality pliers lying in the gutter. I guess when they fixed our rear brakes recently to pass inspection, they left some pliers up in the suspension. The shop was only two blocks from our house, and my wife must not have noticed the clunking when she picked the car up from the mechanic. This was the first time we drove it since then.
I'll get under the car and look at the brakes when the ground dries out a little bit, but the car drove and stopped just fine, even backing up fast. We almost never drive this car, so there's no rush to inspect these brakes.
The pliers are nice Snap-On pliers. Better than any other pliers I own. Do I return them? Or keep them?
I keep all tools I find lying on the street. If you don't want them, I'll take them off your hands.
You can't even be sure that's what you heard, might be a coincidence. Keep 'em, any mechanic that doesn't inventory his/her tools at the end of the job, deserves to loose them. Not just to keep from having to replace tools, they can do serious damage to the vehicle... or in this case, a vehicle following.
I probably would return them. Especially if the mechanic was local.
You can't buy goodwill.
Big puppy dog eyes WWJD? Big puppy dog eyes
On the other hand, returning them might get whatever technician who was stupid enough to leave them there fired. He wouldn't appreciate the narc, I bet.
Most mechanics own their own tools. Especially something like pliers. He could jsut go to the shop and say "I'd like to talk to the guy who worked on my car for a moment." Then ask him if he's missing any tools. See where it goes from there.
Say you found them under your seat. Must have fallen out of his pocket.
If he didn't check for his pliers, what else didn't he check?
Shove the pliers back in the suspension, take the car back saying it sounds funny.
Or, like, keep em, as payment in kind for the discount he owes you for not having done his job thoroughly.
It has been 11 days since my dorky dogs ate the mouse poison (and threw it up with help from myself and my son)
Not one symptom, not one bit of bruising or bleeding, or anything! The vet said I caught it faster than most people, and was impressed I even had times from ingestion to well.. yuck LOL. hubby said when it happened we would not have an issue because of how fast we reacted... but there was still a little bit of "what if" in the back of my mind. The usual time frame was 7-10 days, max, so I am now sure they are fine.
Its also been one week since Loki was hit by that car. He didn't even limp, or whimper or have any bruises or hurts it seems. I saw my 85 lbs dog go flying in the air... but apparently sprinting boxers on snow... bounce! I would not have ever guessed it, but they do. At least this one did, this time and I for one will make sure there is not a repeat if at all possible, thank you very much.
Mama on the other hand is walking with a cane, and in pain most times. But thats another issue. The dogs are healthy, no side effects and no extra vet bills. Yay Loki and Aesa.
Excellent news! So happy!
For myself? It's 1:49 and I have another 135 pages to go. :D
Great news Jay. I was going to post asking for an update, but you beat me to it :)
Did you get Loki checked out for unseen damage after the car hit? I only ask because my Pilau got himself into a couple of nasty situations. Once he tried to herd a 4x4 car and ended up half sliding under the car between the front and rear wheels. Fortunately, they were already slowing for a junction, so he just got clipped by the back wheel. Seemed fine, no injuries. Couple of years later, he fell of a cliff. Only a small one, maybe a 20 foot drop. Scared the shit out of me and mum, but he bounced back up seemingly fine.
It was later on, when he was older that he started to have problems, and those accidents had most likely caused minor injuries we weren't aware of but which became weaknesses and sites for arthritis and further injury. We probably couldn't have done much had we known, but we could perhaps have got him some anti inflammatories and enforced some rest to promote better healing.
Some dogs just handle that stuff. When I was a kid "my" dog got hit a number of times, he died of very old age.
My friend worked as an activity director for the seniors that lived in
a hospital/senior living quarters. She worked there for 16 years. When they got a new manager all of a sudden no matter what she did this woman screamed at her in her office at least once a week.
My friend did not say much just vented to me and her husband. This manager made her life hell for no reason. In this job you can have a max of 3 PIs>Personal Infractions These were her PIs :
1)clocking in 1 minute early.
2) not having the TV set to a religious channel on a Sunday that she was not scheduled to work and was actually on vacation in another state.
3) letting a woman in her care eat a piece of cake. Not a diabetic and no other reason given except that she could have given her a healthier choice? WTF? These people live there, they are not on restricted diets. They can bring in any food they want.
My friend is the nicest person ever and had a sucky job where she took care of families and their dying or sick family members this was hospice care too, and this after 16 years this was how the hospital treated her?
After arbitration the hospital was found to have no basis to fire her which means she was entitled to 4 months back salary and she can now apply for unemployment. She deserves every penny. :)
Off to school for SonofV's *final* IEP.
Beat me to it. SonofC's lol is next month.
Seeing UT, Jim and Amanda having fun in the this olde apartemente thread :)
Ditto!
Also, waking up with enough energy to get on the elliptical for a few minutes. :)
I lost 10 pounds and now fit in my 36" waist pants.
I lost 10 pounds and now fit in my 36" waist pants.
Well done, you.
w00t! Now you can start the dwellar waist size thread.
w00t! Now you can start the dwellar waist size thread.
I think there'd be more lying there than anywhere.
Tonight was the opening bout of the 2013 season of the Rat City Rollergirls! Twil and I have season tickets this year and that grants us VIP status, priority seating, early entrance, plus we get these nifty badges on lanyards.... Why, yes, I *am* a bit of a fanboy, why do you ask?
Anywhoo, my favorite team won their bout tonight; the Socket Wenches defeated the Throttle Rockets! It's gonna be a great year!
This:
Jackie and I are back together. We are "dating".
It was pointed out to me that I had not mentioned this fact to The Cellar. (Things have been astoundingly busy as you guise know.)
We're gonna need an announcement from Jackie, and pics.
announced and posted :) Pics are from This New Years Eve
tonight I am happy.
My kids are warm and fed and home. They're doing their work. SonofV's making good progress on some important schoolwork. My BD made dinner for me (Ahi with ginger lime sauce on a bed of quinoa). We've had some laughs (see funny youtube clip thread). I had a good ride on my bike today, uphill all the way to the car repair shop. car was ready, and runs great. I put to use the bike rack I built and it works great. I got to talk to Twil a couple times; I love her, I love talking to her. I'm listening to good music (The Rolling Stones, at the moment). I have a present for a friend who's going away for awhile. I've solved a problem that's been facing me for some time. I'm just in a good place, my family's in a good place. Life's good today.
I lost 10 pounds and now fit in my [strike]36"[/strike] footfootfoot waist pants.
Got a new pair of Tesco jeans last night. £10. Size 18.
Yay me.
Wore them to school today. Dig in a bit round the button when I lean over a table to mark Awesome Addition, but they do fit.
In July I was a size 24.
Got a new pair of Tesco jeans last night. £10. Size 18.
Yay me.
Wore them to school today. Dig in a bit round the button when I lean over a table to mark Awesome Addition, but they do fit.
In July I was a size 24.
Fan-feckin'-tastic, mate! Well done!
Sent by thought transference
Good for you Sundae. :) I've been having similar experiences and while the manner of achieving the goal is somewhat less than desirable, it's still a goal achieved anyway. xxx
Congrats, Sundae and Ali! Although I hope you're not sick, Ali ...
Congrats, foot, Sundae, and Ali!
(and Zen -- :lol: at the 36" being footfootfoot)
In the opposite direction of weight loss -- tonight I'm happy because Kitsune found me some ice cream sandwiches that are chocolate and dairy free. It's the first ice cream I've had in over two months! :yum:
Dairy free ice cream sandwiches?!?
Hmmmmmmmmm.... Do they say "Astronaut Ice Cream" on the package? ;p. Regardless, how do they taste?
Big V, grab some fresh blueberries at the market, they're pouring in from where it's summer.
Freeze those babies, then stir them into some yogurt. The yogurt will freeze to the berries and make a healthy and tasty ice cream substitute.
They make darn good ice cream substitutes out of both coconut milk and almond milk. The chocolate-free "sandwich" part, though, I don't know how that works.
Maybe they've used carob?
Looking at the 'So Delicious' ice cream range, they do an ice cream sandwich that has gained excellent customer reviews with chocolatey looking biscuit, that the reviewers said was really nice.
The ingredients for the biscuits are:
WAFER (WHEAT FLOUR, DRIED CANE SYRUP, PALM OIL, BROWN RICE SYRUP, CARAMEL COLOR, BAKING SODA, COCOA, CANOLA LECITHIN, SALT, NATURAL VANILLA FLAVOR).
and for the icecream:
NON-DAIRY FROZEN DESSERT [WATER, ORGANIC COCONUT CREAM), ORGANIC AGAVE SYRUP, CHICORY ROOT EXTRACT, CAROB BEAN GUM, GUAR GUM, VANILLA EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, VANILLA BEAN SPECS],
http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/coconut-milk-ice-creams/vanilla-minis-sandwiches
[eta]hang on...that says cocoa..I thought they were chocolate free...
That's them! They're really good, though the coconut taste is still pretty evident. I'll double check for the cocoa later on.
ETA: there was in fact cocoa in the wafer part. :( Kits misread it as carob at the store and I didn't think to look. Ah, well -- it was such a small amount. We'll see if Beans explodes later today. Hope not, cuz the sandwiches were good and I'm looking forward to the rest of the box!
If you can live without the sandwich part there are some really awesome dairy free ice cream stuff.
I'll check them out at the coop, I don't recall the names.
Moose Couch tested and found most excellent for sleepover recovery.
Ha ha, that's great.
When the boss tells you your sleeping on the couch tonight, she can't figure out why you're smiling. :haha:
only a two dog night, eh?
Looks great though! I like!
Yeah, it never got below 0 last night. :)
Love the flop-eared puppeh!! Best Friend's border collie/blue heeler, Annie, used to do the same 'flop-one-ear' thing when something got her attn. Hasn't done it for a bit, now.
Some dogs are more reliable at that. :haha:
To all of us who could use [COLOR="Purple"]a little encouragement![/COLOR]
I give you, Kid President!
[YOUTUBEWIDE]l-gQLqv9f4o[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
I am going to make a conscious effort to replace "I hate my life" inside my head with "Not cool, Robert Frost."
That's a great video.
Kid has a cast on his hand at the end, but is still upbeat.
Lots of compliments today and on Monday. I think it's when I wear heels (albeit low).
I suppose it equals making more of an effort.
Haven't lost any more weight in this last week.
Not too worried about that, but will monitor what I am eating if I'm still the same next week, Given what I think I am consuming I should still be decreasing weekly.
I'm happy because my friend invited me to a Bowl party on Sunday. No, not the Super Bowl, the PUPPY BOWL. We're gonna hang out in fuzzy jammies and drink beers and cheer on the puppies. While her FIVE dogs clamor for our attention.
Animal Planet. 3:00. Be there.
(I'm so excited!)
I'm happy because my friend invited me to a Bowl party on Sunday. No, not the Super Bowl, the PUPPY BOWL. We're gonna hang out in fuzzy jammies and drink beers and cheer on the puppies. While her FIVE dogs clamor for our attention.
Animal Planet. 3:00. Be there.
(I'm so excited!)
This looks like FUN!!!
Sent by thought transference
you cannot have a puppy, IM
oh wait, this is the hqappy thread.... retract that. no don't ....puppies turn into dogs. :(
get a kitten, iM. u can has kitteh. ;)
Making me happy? not a whole fuckload but I'll give it a go.
1) The effects of the paindkillers i took in order to be sensible and follow the guidance of those who know about these things have worn off. NEVER AGAIN.
2) I found Thor's phone
3) I got some cleaning done (the type hat no-one ever notices until it doesn't get done, but hey.....)
4) I took a nap! I actually slept and everything, albeit at 6pm rather than 11am when i really really needed it. Baby steps......
5) um..... maybe I'll get back to you.....
5)
you cannot have a puppy, IM
Nor:
Hello from Denver.
I thought John was dead. It doesn't matter, so long as you get that Rocky Mountain high. Stop by the Denver Mint and ask for free samples.
This looks like FUN!!!
Sent by thought transference
you cannot have a puppy, IM
oh wait, this is the hqappy thread.... retract that. no don't ....puppies turn into dogs. :(
get a kitten, iM. u can has kitteh. ;)
I didn't go to my friend's house to watch Puppy Bowl, since I was sick, but I watched it from home. It was heeelarious! Just a bunch of puppies on a gridiron playing with toys and jumping all over each other and stuff. Halftime show was kittens playing with kitten toys, theh mounds of confetti raining down. It was really adorable and funny.
I maybe get a kitteh this spring? Ill see how it goes. :kittysmilie:
Get a kitty. It will love you and snuggle with you. :)
I'm happy thinking about my upcoming weekend away with an old friend. It's been so long since I had any time where there wasn't at least one kid around one way or another. Years. I don't get time to myself really because Dazza is away so much. It's no wonder I go a bit crazy at times. The problem is too that his travel is never on a schedule, so I can't even go to a regular thing each week for me time or anything like that.
Sux.
That's why I'm sooooo looking forward to this weekend. Two whole days of no kids, pets or husband. I may even turn my phone off!
Have a great time, Ali. Relax with some 'your time.' :)
Had my latest blood test results yesterday,
Almost all in the normal range - one at the high end of normal, but showing an increase (good) since the last test.
The important enzyme is still too high.
But it started at 400. Now 148. Needs to go down to 50-60.
Quite dramatic progress shown. Fair enough. More work to be done. Doc doesn't feel I need I need another test for 6 months unless I go on a significant bender.
Almost all minor symptoms absent now - bowels reasonable (eating habits - meh), no nosebleeds, no more nausea or bloating or severe abdominal pain.
As per the apprehensive post though, it may all have been for nothing.
Which doesn't belong in the Happy Thread.
But then this is not about papering over the cracks any more, this is about staying alive.
Doc says if I get my enzymes down to 60 my liver can be classed as recovered.
But it does rely on abstinence, probably for life.
I had no idea how close that bullet came.
Fantastic improvement, Sundae! Well done grrrl!
What's the difference between an enzyme and a hormone?
[size=1]Want to answer the question seriously, but I'm too afraid I'm being set up for a punchline...[/size]
One climbs the wall, the other makes you want to climb the wall.
[size=1]Want to answer the question seriously, but I'm too afraid I'm being set up for a punchline...[/size]
Consider the source. You ought to know that I know the difference so you are right in expecting the punchline:
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]You can't hear an enzyme[/COLOR]
Excuse me Foot.
I am not particularly vocal during intercourse, neither do I charge for it.
The fact that I moan on the internet is neither here nor there.
I resemble your remark.
[COLOR="White"](j/k of course, made me laugh)[/COLOR]
I just discovered that my mom snuck a bar of Cock Soap into the basket she brought when she came to visit....
uh huh huh.... My mom is cool [/butthead]
It's not on a rope, Jim. What is she implying?
I just bought an infrared sauna [cheap]I can't wait for it to get here so I can sweat. We start calving cows in 2 weeks and the oldness in my bones is lurking. Should this be in post whore? [winter brain go away]
I would love a sauna right now.
all of you but your hand :)
I'd keep that part out the door
Would love a sauna, too! Can we all come try your sauna, Nirvana? :p:
I am seriously happy this morning. No vomiting, not even any nausea!! I feel like I can take on the world.
I built a counterflow wort chiller and it is amazing. Wort goes in at 190°f and comes out at 70° a few seconds later. They look something like this:
It's awesome that I can chill 5 gallons of wort in about two minutes. Last month I put a 5 gallon pot of hot wort outside in the snow in 10°f weather and it took 8 hours to go from 190° to 87°.
Timer is calling me! Time to chill.
Sounds like it was wort your while.
Chillus Convolutus
Love to have you share the sauna unfortunately it is the "Two Broke Girls" kind, one at a time please :) {cheap, portable}
Yeah, never let 'em see you sweat. ;)
Two Broke Girls?
I'll bring my toolkit.
Leftover brisket sandwich and chex mix for lunch.
I am wearing my £5 cardigan. Is fur trimmed. Probably real cat!
It may not survive the first wash, but unless I spill something down it, I can put that off for a while; I'll always be wearing it over clothing.
Diz now seems used to it. He only needs a little dissausion to stop biting it. I think he thinks I've grown some fur, because he was proper snuggled in to me earlier.
It's a warmth choice as well as a fashion choice - if something bought off Milton Keynes market can be called fashion! I am saving my "good" clothes for school (if I am ever allowed back) and t-shirts and strappy tops no longer cut it in this weather now I'm not over-heated by drink.
Saying that, it is 18 (65) now, next to the radiator. I might have to take my hat off soon.
Probably go out for a walk first though, good for me as well as having a cooling effect.
3 of my beehives have good activity today, the 4th is probably ok, just a different strain of bee.:D
Good to hear. The bees in our area have suffered in the past few years. I wouldn't mind keeping a few hives (in future) - sort of minimalist beekeeping if there is such a thing.
[ATTACH]42831[/ATTACH]
Early Valentimes pressie!
A Money Tree!
Permission to be jealous, sir?
I had a money tree, once.
It died.
I imagine that can't have been good for my financial mojo.
[ATTACH]42838[/ATTACH]
It works!
And the copper will keep the powdery mildew at bay during the hot, damp summers!
Double bling from Mr Limey today :)
The single stone ring is our wedding ring (he has one, too). I couldn't make up my mind and neither could he,so he got both!
Sent by thought transference
Limes that's gorgeous!
Happy VD, bling-girl :)
Give Mr Limes an appropriate kiss from me.
Maybe just a buss on the cheek for being such a good man.
And give the boys one too.
But you can be all cuddly and extravagant with that one.
In fact Mr Limey might want to share that duty.
Diz got all my cuddles today (still poorly - am a little concerned).
It's not quite steak and a BJ, but I cleaned his dirty bottom and was sanguine when he dribbled on my neck. Can't say that about any man I've ever dated.
Valentine's Day.
As abbreviated by dried up old crones.
@ Limey:
I thought I was white, but, dayum girl! I bet you glow in the dark!
:p:
Oh golly that's come up huge - perhaps a mod could make the pic a little more modest, please???
Thanks peeps! I'm well please :)
I thought they were bracelets. Seriously. I couldn't figure out why the wrist looked so unwrist-like.
Nice bling!
Jim took my words! Shiny! :O Very nice Limey!
And Sundae you are as juicy as a plum :) Anyone would be lucky to pick you!
I got my car back after a week of no car. I am happy. :)
Jan's thinking of doing a masters at my uni, so when I went in for my office hour today, the two J's were in the foyer for the open day. We had a coffee together and a natter before I went to the office and they went off for the funding talk.
was kind of nice seeing them on my turf so to speak. Made all the nicer by the way lots of people coming through the foyer said cheery hallos to me.
One of those 'yes, this is where I belong' moments :P
Mind you...this is in theory the last year of my PhD...no idea what I'll do after. So...may not belong for very much longer lol
In other news--
My aunt is in the hospital. I am taking my mom to go see her. This is a *serious trip*. She's sedated to stop the seizures enough to get the medicine in her. She's on a respirator. My uncle called me this morning to tell me she's in the hospital. It's the latest trip of many after a fall where she smacked her head. The swelling did not respond to moderate interventions, so two weeks ago she had major brain surgery. She'd been home a week, today, when she started seizing again.
My mom had a major stroke in 1997 and traveling with her is an ordeal. Having her only sister dying in the hospital will make the traveling seem like an insignificant distraction. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I need to get all this shit together then call my uncle with the details of our itinerary.
I feel powerless to help, immersed in busy work, unable to relieve any of the anguish they're suffering. Now to my list. :cry:
Going home today. Wheels up in a few hours. I'm tired, sad; my aunt died. But I did my best for her and my uncle and my mom and that makes me happy.
Knowing I'll see Twil and the rest of my family in a few hours makes me very happy.
Well done V. You did right by your people.
*hugs*
Safe trip home hon.
Hello from Denver.
Goodbye to Denver
Come on SEATTLE!!!
Wrote a midterm yesterday that I'd honestly thought I couldn't manage. It wasn't my best work but I got it done. Small victories. Two more to go this week. (That prospect isn't making me happy but ... one half-day at a time. What would make me truly, deliriously happy: a good night's sleep.)
Diz is eating again.
He's more lively.
And HE DID A POO!
I think he is on the mend.
Really wish I could have taken him to the vet, but it does look like it was just a bug.
Need to start a Diz Welfare Fund (ha ha ha - me saving!) so I never have this worry again.
Also had my scan today.
Don't get the results until next Thursday.
But at least it's out of the way.
She proper jabbed it in under my ribcage though. Ouch.
Well done, V. Did what you had to.
Ditto, Ortho, just in a different way.
Glad to hear that Diz is on the mend, Sundae. I hope your scan results next week are good. Any chance of you posting more of your excellent menus and even a few recipes? I don't have enough energy yet to cook at night but reading your healthy menus keeps me looking forward to it.
@V, a wearing week but important and well done. You must be glad to be home.
Wrote a midterm yesterday that I'd honestly thought I couldn't manage. It wasn't my best work but I got it done. Small victories. Two more to go this week. (That prospect isn't making me happy but ... one half-day at a time. What would make me truly, deliriously happy: a good night's sleep.)
You know what they call the woman who graduates at the top of her class?
Doctor.
You what they call the woman who graduates at the bottom of her class?
Doctor.
If they gave handicaps for chemo brain on papers and exams I'm sure you'd have aced it.
Wrote a midterm yesterday that I'd honestly thought I couldn't manage. It wasn't my best work but I got it done. Small victories. Two more to go this week. (That prospect isn't making me happy but ... one half-day at a time. What would make me truly, deliriously happy: a good night's sleep.)
Has anyone told you you're absolutely fucking amazing, lately? :corn:
Thank you, foot and Bruce ... I don't feel amazing, just so exhausted that I could lie down on the floor and go to sleep at any given moment. Except at night, when I lie awake staring at the ceiling until sunrise! Chemo definitely messes with Circadian rhythm. But thanks for your encouragement; it's been a disheartening few weeks. One half-day at a time.
I don't feel amazing, just so exhausted that I could lie down on the floor and go to sleep at any given moment.
But you haven't, have you. You've kept plodding on, with a course schedule that would make a 100% healthy person cringe, family drama that would snap a strong branch, and taking the time to keep us updated on the whole shooting match without whining/self-pity.
Awesome, lady, awesome. :notworthy
You know, it's a good thing Canucks aren't aggressive or the US would be in deep shit.
yey ortho! Go girl!
@ Sundae: glad Dizcat is ok :)
But you haven't, have you. You've kept plodding on, with a course schedule that would make a 100% healthy person cringe, family drama that would snap a strong branch, and taking the time to keep us updated on the whole shooting match without whining/self-pity.
Awesome, lady, awesome. :notworthy
You know, it's a good thing Canucks aren't aggressive or the US would be in deep shit.
^^^
WHS
You know, it's a good thing Canucks aren't aggressive or the US would be in deep shit.
That makes me think of the scene in Canadian Bacon where the Canadians are all getting pushed around, knocked down the hill etc., and they're calling out, "Sorry! So sorry, old chap! Excuse me for being in the way!" :lol:
Of course it's a fallacy that Canadians are unusually polite; just take in a hockey game to see the true Canuck personality. We all play hockey, growing up. It's required.
Maybe not happy but a small bit hopeful, for the time being, a couple kids will not be living with a belt wielding Dad or a beyond neglectful Mom whose friends use children for God only knows... tiny tiny hope
Griff, you're an angel, you know? The things you see and deal with must break your heart sometimes. You're needed, and you make a difference. I admire that.
For me, kind of happy though I know it can be fleeting if I don't watch it: I really like my therapist. She gives me great advice on how to keep going with the skills i've been working on since the bin. It can be hard to remember to stop and think before my anxiety elevates to an unmanageable and inordinate level. It's a learned skill, and one not learned quickly or easily. It takes diligence. So I can't beat myself up when I slip, I just keep working on putting things into perspective.
She just really gets at the bottom line gist of things, or gets me to do that. I have lucked out on the therapist lottery.
Of course, it's actually Max lying on Cleo, but so cute. I took this pic a week or so ago, but was just looking at it, and realised I had a big smile on my face. :)
[ATTACH]42943[/ATTACH]
He lays on her like that all the time, or sometimes he lays on the tiles and just uses her for a pillow and Sally, our mini foxy lies on Max. I don't know what that kid would do without his puppy dogs. He usually feeds them now too, which is great.
Pets are an essential part of childhood imo. Sometimes I've thought that our increasing urbanisation away from rural roots and general animal husbandry is half the problem with kids today. Some kids have never had a pet! I just can't envision a home without animal members in the family. As much as they can be very annoying at times (similar to teenagers really), you still love them.
Beautiful! Kids and Dogs, go together like Ice and Cream.
What's making me happy today:
A birthday card from Sundae:) It is totally awesome. I'll take pics later and post. But it really put a huge smile on my face.
Ta muchly mate:)
[eta] hahahahahha I just read the back of the card - 'A Cherry and Diz Perduction' nicely done.
Glad it arrived in polenta of time and glad you like it :)
I thought about it for Christmas for you & Limey, but as you know things were tricky then.
Figured it wouldn't hurt to be reminded of our trips whatever the time of year!
It's wonderful :)
Christmasteers!
Sundae is a member of two very exclusive and important groups:
The Christmasteers and the Strawberry Festival Queens.
Nice work, Sundae.
Maybe not happy but a small bit hopeful, for the time being, a couple kids will not be living with a belt wielding Dad or a beyond neglectful Mom whose friends use children for God only knows... tiny tiny hope
Is there such a thing as mandated reporters in your area Griff? Are you one?
@i.m. Very good news about your success with your therapist. That is such good news!
@ali I love that picture. You're right, teenagers are wonderful yet challenging pets. I think all parents should give their kids a chance at such an important experience. Wonderful, wonderful photo. Thanks.
Pets are an essential part of childhood imo. Sometimes I've thought that our increasing urbanisation away from rural roots and general animal husbandry is half the problem with kids today. Some kids have never had a pet! I just can't envision a home without animal members in the family.
Couldn't agree more.
Unfortunately alongside our increased urbanisation in general terms, there's a growing tendency not to allow kids to learn about animals and animal handling.
Example: our vet was telling us about a dog that was brought in to be put to sleep. Because, as the owner said, it had 'bitten' their youngest kiddie.
There are different kinds of bites. This was a nip. When asked if it had drawn blood, they said, yes....then no...not really. It had slightly broken the skin.
When asked what the child was doing at the time they said 'climbing in the dog's bed with the dog'.
So, a dog whose only private space in a house with three kids is his bed, has nipped at one of the children to tell it to go away.
Had the dog growled before this? yes...apparently it had growled at the child several times whilst she was clambering about in it's bed, and the adults hadn't intervened.
In their opinion that dog should never have nipped and should accept young children climbing on it whenever the fancy strikes them, regardless of whether said dog is trying to sleep, and regardless of the fact that it had gone to its one private refuge.
Not only were they not taking into account the dog's needs in this equation, but they also lost a great opportunity for the child to learn how to safely interact with dogs.
Time and again, I hear of cases like this. Where a family dog is given up because it has given a warning nip. How else is a dog supposed to communicate its needs, when its initial growls are ignored? How else is it supposed to teach the child where its boundaries are?
I'm not suggesting that a dog be allowed to savage a kid, but come on...that was a good dog, a well-mannered dog, teaching the youngling in exactly the way it would do a puppy: a harmless little nip when all other warnings have been ignored.
Another case involved a similar incident of a family dog nipping a kiddie...why? Because kiddie had stuck her fingers into the dog's feeding bowl whilst it was eating.
Pisses me off.
Is there such a thing as mandated reporters in your area Griff? Are you one?
Yes. Yes.
Couldn't agree more.
Unfortunately alongside our increased urbanisation in general terms, there's a growing tendency not to allow kids to learn about animals and animal handling.
Example: our vet was telling us about a dog that was brought in to be put to sleep. Because, as the owner said, it had 'bitten' their youngest kiddie.
There are different kinds of bites. This was a nip. When asked if it had drawn blood, they said, yes....then no...not really. It had slightly broken the skin.
When asked what the child was doing at the time they said 'climbing in the dog's bed with the dog'.
So, a dog whose only private space in a house with three kids is his bed, has nipped at one of the children to tell it to go away.
Had the dog growled before this? yes...apparently it had growled at the child several times whilst she was clambering about in it's bed, and the adults hadn't intervened.
In their opinion that dog should never have nipped and should accept young children climbing on it whenever the fancy strikes them, regardless of whether said dog is trying to sleep, and regardless of the fact that it had gone to its one private refuge.
Not only were they not taking into account the dog's needs in this equation, but they also lost a great opportunity for the child to learn how to safely interact with dogs.
Time and again, I hear of cases like this. Where a family dog is given up because it has given a warning nip. How else is a dog supposed to communicate its needs, when its initial growls are ignored? How else is it supposed to teach the child where its boundaries are?
I'm not suggesting that a dog be allowed to savage a kid, but come on...that was a good dog, a well-mannered dog, teaching the youngling in exactly the way it would do a puppy: a harmless little nip when all other warnings have been ignored.
Another case involved a similar incident of a family dog nipping a kiddie...why? Because kiddie had stuck her fingers into the dog's feeding bowl whilst it was eating.
Pisses me off.
Some people shouldn't have kids OR dogs I guess. That's probably a bit harsh, but it gets back to my point before about people getting so far away from their rural roots that they've got no idea about how to deal with animals, so they make wrong choices.
Sally snaps at Max occasionally. Mostly because she's an old dog now and sometimes just wants to lay in the sun rather than be dragged around the yard on a lead or carted around in a kids wheel barrow or something similar. Most of the time she's up for anything, but every now and then she just can't be arsed. It's taken Max some time to learn that if she doesn't respond the first time, she's probably not keen.
One thing I will say though. If a dog is possessive of its food, it's needs some retraining. Our dogs snap at each other over food from time to time, but they know very well that any human is superior and therefore they must submit as far as food is concerned. I wont tolerate snapping or growling at humans over food. I think that's the good thing about getting a dog as a puppy. I know with Cleo, Max used to practically sit in her bowl while she was eating, so she got used to human interaction at meal times. I've also, always put food down and taken it away during the course of the meal so the dog knows that it could happen at any time and it will just have to wait patiently till the food is down again. Cleo is at the stage now where she wont touch her food till you've taken a few steps back and given her a nod, just to be sure it's ok.
She's a beautiful dog though. We've been very lucky with our doggy pets really. We've never had any issues at all, except for Cleo jumping the fence at other dogs. She has built in springs i think. Anyway, she's safe an secure now, so it's all good.
Oh I agree. Fortunately neigther Pilau or Carrot have shown any signs of possessiveness around food. I always made sure whne they were little, if they were chewing a bone, for example, I'd occasionally say give to me and take it from their mouths.
But a toddler suddenly sticking her hand into a dogbowl as they are mid munch is not a good idea. I'd certainly tell the dog off in that situation. But it would also be a valuable lesson for the child. Certainly wouldnt consider it a rehoming issue. Unless the dog properly bit over it, or was randomly and regularly snapping at little ones.
Spent the day at home with my sick boy, which was pretty dull. But I am very pleased with myself that I figured out how to stream Internet videos to my TV from my iPhone. Using only cables I had on hand.
So I just watched that PBS Nova special Earth from Space that tw was recommending.
So far, it works with PBS, YouTube, and Dailymotion. Sweet.
More like a big relief than anything. My insurance company denied coverage for part of the surgery I had to fix my sinuses, they sent me a letter telling me I had to appeal and show that I tried other treatments first blah blah blah. A big fucking headache I don't need. I call the doc's office today and they said that my balance was paid by the insurance company and that they would write off anything the insurance didn't pay. Also, they would appeal the case for me if it needed to be done. You have no idea how much better that makes me feel. One less worry.
My gray hairs are coming in all in a little clump above my left ear. I'm hoping to get a nice little bride of Frankenstein streak going.
I got a job!
Plans A (teaching at private college where I was 2008-9), B (Teaching in Uni preparation course) and C (casual tutoring) didn't fire, but plan D has come through!
I'll be a casual academic advisor in the Writing Centre at one of the universities in this town. My abrupt departure from my last job is no problem because two of the people in the new department are also refugees from the same evil manager.
It's only 20 hours a week, but at around $37 per hour, that's enough for a bloke with no family or mortgage.
I hope you get lucky Choco. lol
Good for you Zen. :)
Hooray! It's been awhile since I heard of anyone getting a good new job. Congrats, Zen.
Excellent Zen!
Remember to wear a raincoat in the shower and you'll be all good, vis a vis neither kids nor mortgage.
Is it wrong to be happy about having a clean bathroom? Two in fact. Even if you cleaned them both yourself?
Is it wrong to be happy about having a clean bathroom? Two in fact. Even if you cleaned them both yourself?
No. Happiness is an entirely appropriate response to clean bathrooms.
:)
@ Zen: bloody hell, well done mate. That's excellent news.
Well done Zen! And Choco - I might be joining you on that Addams family catwalk - all my grey hairs are up on my right temple.
where's the damn jealous thread....
fine.
I'm *happy* for you Zen. OK?
:huff:
Well done Zen! And Choco - I might be joining you on that Addams family catwalk - all my grey hairs are up on my right temple.
Morticia's
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="4"][COLOR="Red"]hot[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT].
That's awesome news, Zen.
So these 20 hour weeks, are they going to be 4 hours each day, or can you arrange your schedule to get 4 day weekends? Work Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday. That would be quite the life. Good job, pays the bills, long weekends.
Great news, Zen! Congrats.
The State Supreme Court of Washington has ruled that the laws we've had on our books for the past twenty years requiring a two-thirds majority for tax increases is clearly unconstitutional.
Halefuckinglujah!
That's awesome news, Zen.
So these 20 hour weeks, are they going to be 4 hours each day, or can you arrange your schedule to get 4 day weekends? Work Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday. That would be quite the life. Good job, pays the bills, long weekends.
Well, looks like six hours Monday, Thursday and Friday, two on Tuesdays. So, not *ideal*. Whatever.
Ohhh so Saturday and Sunday off, The remainder of Tuesday for errands/groceries/etc since you are already up, dressed and out of the house, and Wed is a free day... sounds pretty ideal to me ;)
Roster changes ... 3 hours Weds, 6 Thurs, 6 Fri ... 4 day weekend.
I'm planning on getting a small business going doing freelance writing/editing in the spare time.
Roster changes ... 3 hours Weds, 6 Thurs, 6 Fri ... 4 day weekend.
I'm planning on getting a small business going doing freelance writing/editing in the spare time.
Dude,
This is so YOUI've heard of that before, and while the title "Shadow Scholar" is kind of cool, I am burdened with a sense of right and wrong which is stronger than my current sense of financial responsibility.
So, I'll be helping struggling students to earn their better grades.
Hmmm... feeling like unburdening
I've heard of that before, and while the title "Shadow Scholar" is kind of cool, I am burdened with a sense of right and wrong which is stronger than my current sense of financial responsibility.
So, I'll be helping struggling students to earn their better grades.
Morals are for the shallow and weak. I'm pretty sure that was either the fifth noble truth or the 17th precept.
Besides what will you do on your days off, get fucked off a bucket bong and walk around in trucker's thongs?
Well, mercy is for the weak, so I guess morals are for the shallow. Swim between the flags, I say. If you're going to sin, at least be original.
http://www.slaughtercountyrollervixens.com/
Wild West Showdown. It was great fun and we saw a TON of roller derby.
Pretty sure I said this before. But I'd love to go to a Roller Derby.
And especially be dominated by the girls who skate them. Then again, most of the audience probably have that wish too.
y'know....
It's not the same as being there, but the WFTDA has a live broadcast stream, as well as an
archive page. The top results when I last loaded the page featured bouts with the Leeds Roller Dolls and the London RollerGirls vs the Central City Rollergirls and the Helsinki RollerDerby, respectively. There might be a bout near you, but there almost certainly is a way to view one near you.
Check it out!
I mailed in my resignation form today. My job title is now simply: mother, wife, homemaker.
It. Feels. Awesome.
Moved to a harder job, eh. :haha:
Moved to a harder job, eh. :haha:
Yeah, and from part time to full time.
She's in for a horrible surprise come payday.
Making me happy...
After ten straight days of maximum temperatures between 32 and 38, a cool change has finally come through, heading for a top of 25 today and similar temps for the next week or so. We shouldn't have any more stinking hot weather this season.
Last night, around 9pm, I went for a walk with a friend in the hills near the city, and we were out on a hill top as the cool change blew through. Yeeeeeee-haaaahhh!
You know, i've always had a thing for The Little River Band, from Oz, and Cool Change is my favorite song of theirs (i transcribed the lyrics to my poetry collection notebook in high school) but i never knew a 'cool change' was an actual weather term there. At least i'd never heard it before.
That's cool! :)
Celebrating five years of marriage today!
Happy Anniversary, Choco! May you have many more.
♪ ♫
Happy anniversary to you
Happy anniversary to you
Happy anniversary to you two
Happy anniversary to you.
♫ ♪
Wow, I remember you guys getting married. Happy anniv!
Yeah me too. Like it was just yesterday! lol
Max is turning 4 today.
Gosh how times flies when you're getting old. :(
This dad's letter to his gay son.
Coolest dad contestant, fer shure.
[ATTACH]43223[/ATTACH]
Oh come on, don't spoil the chap's big moment. :D
Cool find Grav.
@ Choco: five years? Seriously? Wow. That's flown by. Belated congrats to you both :)
Aww! His name's Clover! And look at his little wobbly legs. That's just stinkin' cute.
How did I miss that? (Stupid phone.)
That's great, Griff.
I've been lmfao at my kitten-napping neighbor. He's got some kind of people-propelled piece of lawn equipment that he's been pushing around his yard, some kind of power-aerator/seeder, or some such. I can't tell that it's doing anything, but, watching him try to push this thing around is just hilarious. It's literally all he can manage.
Go over and help him maybe he will feel like shit for kat napping your kitteh.
Clover> fabulous Irish name! :D
I guess it should be Seamair. Bruce sent me this video... no speaka de Irish.
[youtube]eyll-bBZzyk[/youtube] At least I didn't spend my childhood trying to learn it.
I thought it was sad and funny that the tourism bureau didn't speak Irish, but then how many Irish speaking people come to Ireland to tour Ireland? Sounds like the Irish analogue to a Polish joke.
The air is still a bit chilly, but the sun feels warm on my skin. Spring is at hand. The beard is now a goatee.
That makes me happy. Today
Did you say goatees? Loki,Buster, and Pansy. Edit actual order Pansy, Buster, and Loki.
So. Jealous. Right. Now.
Hungry for cabrito?
That daughter of yours is beautiful Griff. Such a lovely face. I can see her in a teen movie. What's the name of that chick with the blonde hair from 10 things I hate about you.? She reminds me a bit of her.
Thanks for telling him, Ali. I've been telling him all the women in his domain are gorgeous, but he thinks I'm just a dirty old man. :haha:
He's right you know Bruce. ;). Luckily thats not all you are.
Thanks Ali! I looked up the movie. Julia O'Hara Stiles is the actress I think. She could pass for family. Pete says my people all have an upside down smile. Bruce is a known quantity.:)
[obligatory]Cute kid![/sorry]
Thanks Ali! I looked up the movie. Julia O'Hara Stiles is the actress I think. She could pass for family. Pete says my people all have an upside down smile. Bruce is a known quantity.:)
a)JO'HS does favor your daughter, but not as pretty.
b)While Bruce may be a known Qty, the future, according to him, is not.
c)Upside down smile? Keep your sunny side up:
[YOUTUBE]kJg0YkKXX9k[/YOUTUBE]
Keep your sunny side up,up
Hide the side that gets blue
When their team is knocking you flat
smile and say'we're better than that"
You got keep your sunny side up, up
Let your laughter shine through, do
stand upon your legs
Be like two fried eggs
keep your sunny side up
Keep your sunny side up, up.
Hide the side that gets blue.
If you have nine sons in a row
Baseball teams make money, you know.
Keep you funny side up, up.
Let your laughter ring through, through.
Stand upon you legs.
Be like two fried eggs.
Keep you sunny side up.
This will not speak to anyone who is not British.
And even not some who are.
Or those who were not born in the right era.
But goodness me it filled my heart with gladness.
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were child actors in a Newcastle television series Byker Grove. I didn't like. Watched sometimes because we only had three channels in those days. Okay, maybe four.
They had a one-off hit, Let's Get Ready to Rhumble. I still didn't like.
Then they started fronting a Saturday morning TV show, called SM:TV (Saturday Morning TV, dontcha know) and the follow-on show CD:UK which had live bands. And with Cat Deeley.
OMG I was hooked.
They're not all that much younger than me.
And they were real. They didn't talk down to the "kids".
I laughed and laughed and laughed.
We used to come into work and talk about it. If you didn't watch SM:TV you were out of the loop.
I still have a "Best Of" video which I intend to convert to DVD. My only sadness is no-one I know will ever, EVER get that I'm quoting from it. It's hardly Monty Python. But "I've come to work in my pyjamas again!" is funny to me.
After a few failed attempts, well, they're human, they created a perfect Saturday evening show (oh, they also appear on Britain's Got Talent.) Saturday Night Takeaway. Here they are reprising their PJ and Duncan hit - the character names from Byker Grove.
[YOUTUBE]OmJFWHX7hDs[/YOUTUBE]
Loki was running around outside the fence when I got home. :)
Outside the fence is a good thing? As opposed to just gone?
He's such a cute little fella and easy to catch... so far.
Tie him down and drop snake venom in his eyes. It's the only way he'll learn.
Looking out the kitchen window at the woods, which are dusted with snow, and the birds having breakfast at the feeders. So beautiful. Yesterday a young raccoon was nibbling at the seed hulls on the ground under the feeders. He (or she) has been around for several months, always alone, and doesn't look to have grown much. I thought raccoons lived in groups but this one is solitary and doesn't have much sense (forages in the daytime, shows no fear of humans).
Looking it up, I gather they are solitary animals. This one was almost certainly last spring's baby. Just had a hard winter, I guess - but he/she's still here, so must have some sense.
Raccoons are not your friend., but they will keep your head warm!
I know, I know! But this one is cute and rather pathetic. It's so oblivious, it'll sit down against the back door right up against the full length glass, and not notice the cat who's sitting looking out the same door! The cat goes crazy while the baby raccoon sits there and grooms itself in the sunshine on the deck. I can't believe some predator hasn't gotten it yet.
You has sunshine?
I'll come groom myself on your deck in that case.
We has sunshine! But also snow. As long as you don't mind the snowdrifts!
This raccoon business reminds me of a horrible story from my childhood which doesn't belong in the happy thread.
Anywho, spring vacation w00t!
My Ganddaughter was born this morning, and I got a cuddle when she was 3 hours old! After Months of fighting with my son, he got hurt a week before the baby was born. Could have died, got REALLY lucky. Made him think about the family he has. She was going to be induced April 3, but my son always said she would be born on a full moon. Our little Wiccan princess was in fact born during a full moon!
I was invited up to see him in the hospital last week, and then was TOLD to come up and meet my granddaughter today :)
She is perfect. 6lbs even. Her name is Jadeyn Elizabeth. Her name is in honour of the daughter I lost at the 18 week mark, 18 years ago (Jaydan)
I have pictures, but can never remember how to make them work on here ... lol
This raccoon business reminds me of a horrible story from my childhood which doesn't belong in the happy thread.
Anywho, spring vacation w00t!
OMG did you hear the Halloween This American Life show with the Raccoon?
Jaydaan, that is a wonderful sea change to what sounded like a pretty rotten winter. I'm so glad!
Raccoon may have distemper [most likely] they are nocturnal and not at all friendly unless they are sick or retarded.
This is making me happy a nice heifer calf and her Mom with their eyes all aglow!:)
[ATTACH]43491[/ATTACH]
Congratulations Jaydaan err Grandma! :D { I can't see the pix ]
Congrats Jaydaan! How wonderful :)
Lil' Griff just got her first SAT scores back. Perfect score on the reading section and damn good on the math and writing. :cool: This is going to get expensive.
:edit She just looked up the average SAT scores to be accepted to a bunch of schools she has looked at. She meets that criteria for all. Haverford, Cornell, Vasser, Bard, Hamilton, and Welles. I'd assume her public choices were covered as well. *yikes*
Congrats to lil Griff. That's impressive.
This is going to get expensive.
See what happens when you encourage excellence. :haha:
What's she plan on studying? These days it makes no financial sense to send her to some high priced college to get a degree in medieval French literature.
Congrats li'l Griff! Way to go!
Unfortunately for you, Griff, yikes is right.
It'll be all worth it when she drops out Junior year to tour with her punk band.
What's she plan on studying? These days it makes no financial sense to send her to some high priced college to get a degree in medieval French literature.
Right now archeology is the draw. I keep turning her away from teaching but she like the idea of being a middle school teacher. She was interested in biology when she was younger but had one bad science teacher who turned her off. If she goes to a school that doesn't expect a declared major for a couple years I could see her reattach to science.
It'll be all worth it when she drops out Junior year to tour with her punk band.
Or if she drops out to clean office buildings at night. Yes, totally. :yelsick:
eta - to be fair, I should add that she's doing customer service for an online horse supplement company and mucking stalls in exchange for riding lessons. But she's ditched her plans to work for a national or international-level dressage stable or do equine rehab. The cleaning job is her main income.
It'll be all worth it when she drops out Junior year to tour with her punk band.
I think Harvard has a few scholarship spots for punk rockers. Or maybe I'm thinking of varsity rowers?
Same diff, they're all from the same talent pool.
If you can EVER influence a teen to do ANYTHING, do try to suggest she studies a year overseas.
Not a gap year (translation: drinking) some way of continuing to learn outside of America.
Nothing wrong with America. But expand her mind - not everyone is lucky enough to have the Cellar.
Of course I'd suggest England, but even if she doesn't have a second language, Australia, Canada, Holland (two big thumbs up, many Brits actually go to Uni there now) etc etc.
I've been very fortunate in that I earned money young, so travelled when I had no commitments. Still have no commitments but then I no longer have any money :)
Go when you can is my advice. And my teen-mum niece is prrof you never know how long your freedom will last.
You can move locations when you are older (like some Dwellars, although the ones I can think of might wallop me for the description) but it's a wrench. You may even have to import a husband...!
Congrats on raising such a bright girl, though. Proud Papa.
OK w00t 4 m3!
I just arranged a sublet for the next 3 months so I can get out of the house while I make plans for the bigger, final move. I haven't broken the news yet, but I'm in as of Tuesday!
I negotiated the rent down to $400/mo. so I should just be able to swing that and the mortgage.
If you can EVER influence a teen to do ANYTHING, do try to suggest she studies a year overseas.
Not a gap year (translation: drinking) some way of continuing to learn outside of America.
Nothing wrong with America. But expand her mind - not everyone is lucky enough to have the Cellar.
Of course I'd suggest England, but even if she doesn't have a second language, Australia, Canada, Holland (two big thumbs up, many Brits actually go to Uni there now) etc etc.
I've been very fortunate in that I earned money young, so travelled when I had no commitments. Still have no commitments but then I no longer have any money :)
Go when you can is my advice. And my teen-mum niece is prrof you never know how long your freedom will last.
You can move locations when you are older (like some Dwellars, although the ones I can think of might wallop me for the description) but it's a wrench. You may even have to import a husband...!
Congrats on raising such a bright girl, though. Proud Papa.
Her sister is doing a semester in Italy this Fall. I'm sure she'll want to do something similar.
OK w00t 4 m3!
I just arranged a sublet for the next 3 months so I can get out of the house while I make plans for the bigger, final move. I haven't broken the news yet, but I'm in as of Tuesday!
I negotiated the rent down to $400/mo. so I should just be able to swing that and the mortgage.
Row of ducks, you has them!
F3 You are on the path to happiness! Good Luck! :)
Foot, I am a little confused as to the meaning of our post. Something about paying the rent?
But you seems pleased, and so do other Dwellars on your behalf.
So, congrats.
Foot, I am a little confused as to the meaning of our post. Something about paying the rent?
But you seems pleased, and so do other Dwellars on your behalf.
So, congrats.
I'm renting a place for 3 months at $400/mo. I also have to continue making mortgage payments for the time being.
And we're pleased because he's making progress getting out of his soul sucking relationship.
Yay! Too nice a soul to get sucked out and all ruined and stuff.
And I'm happy for this place and my friends. Thanks for today. :)
Happy Friday, infi. Hope the weekend brings you some peace!
Congrats! On to better things, on a better path.
Right now archeology is the draw. I keep turning her away from teaching but she like the idea of being a middle school teacher. She was interested in biology when she was younger but had one bad science teacher who turned her off. If she goes to a school that doesn't expect a declared major for a couple years I could see her reattach to science.
Teaching is hard to break into right now in a lot of locations. Many teachers that were going to retire didn't due to the Wall Street treachery.
Something I did with my girls - I showed them a list of what various professions paid and talked about how they could expect to live making those salaries. It was something they previously had not given a lot of thought to.
There are some great sites for all ages that look at careers, what one actually does, costs of the education, prospected earnings, and growth rate.I am on my phone but I will try to get you some good examples when I'm on a comp.
Lies make you happy? Or is someone lying? :unsure:
I'm guessing he's saying career paths are more of a crap shoot than some folks let on. I still want to see those sites though. :)
Carrotchops is making me happy. We just had a really nice cuddle.
Cuddling with BeeBee before getting down to work for the evening. :)
Got him worried because you've been seeing another dog. :haha:
ha! Maybe so :P
Today I am happy, again because of Carrotchops. We've just come back from his hydrotherapy session. he did 26 minutes with the treadmill on an uphill setting (yey). His muscle development is looking good and his foot placement much improved.
I've to take him back in three or four weeks for an assessment, and hopefully Rhona will sign him off from treatment, and he'll just be doing his exercises at home with me.
In the meantime, he's been given permission to have some off-lead free running. Got to give him a full ten minutes warmup walk before letting him run, and not with other dogs as yet, but at least he can have a bit of freedom again :) To start will be doing this every other day, and only for a short spell, but hey - I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We're also well on the way to weaning him back off his pain meds. He started out on 25 ml a day, then once his groinstrain injury was all sorted we started dropping it down. Went down to 15 ml for a couple of weeks, and then 10 ml for a couple of weeks. Day after tomorrow I'll drop it down to 7 ml for a couple of weeks and if he's ok at that level we can then drop it entirely :)
Great news. Has the snow melted, or is he walking/running in it?
Great news for Carrot!
I am happy today because at the doctor's office today I weighed in at 125 lbs -- the likes of which have not been seen since about 2005. I weighed 145 when I got pregnant and 160 when I gave birth. Guess there are some pros to not being able to stuff my face with ice cream and cheese...
Yay on the weight Chocolatl!
Good job Carrot!!
Going to see an ocupational therapist for physio and massage on my hip today, then spending the afternoon with my 6 day old granddaughter!
Great news for Carrot!
I am happy today because at the doctor's office today I weighed in at 125 lbs -- the likes of which have not been seen since about 2005. I weighed 145 when I got pregnant and 160 when I gave birth. Guess there are some pros to not being able to stuff my face with ice cream and cheese...
Plus, nursing really pulls off the weight.
Look a moneymaking opportunity came to me through Twitter:
*prepares to enter full personal details and set forth on a path to riches*
:eyebrow: indeed. Nice to know you Poms have converted to dollars, rather than pounds, though.
Could you just enter the details of, say, your local Chief of Police?
The sun's shining and I'm leaving in 30 minutes to go camping. Woot. *happy camper*
Lil' Griff just got her first SAT scores back. Perfect score on the reading section and damn good on the math and writing. :cool: This is going to get expensive.
:edit She just looked up the average SAT scores to be accepted to a bunch of schools she has looked at. She meets that criteria for all. Haverford, Cornell, Vasser, Bard, Hamilton, and Welles. I'd assume her public choices were covered as well. *yikes*
She visited SUNY Geneseo yesterday and really loved it. The kids were more down to earth than the private schools, but still nerdy and academically sound. Since she went to a NY high school so we'd pay in-state tuition. w00t
Very cool! But do you think it's wise to send your daughter to school so close to such a wiggly river?
Is that paddle friendly? You could paddle all day and still be in the same zip code.
I believe it is. You could paddle all day and be only a five minute walk from where you parked your car when you put in.
Eva has a tooth. I probably should post in the unhappy thread about the loss of sleep over the last couple of nights too.
I have received my packette of brand new shiny brochures from my lead ..
it's a small thing, but I didn't have to ask or beg or cry or whine or threaten for 3 months to get it.... they were just done and sent to me (same with the vinyl display materials that arrived last week)
Its so nice to work with a) all the things I love doing b) with people who respect and appreciate my experience and opinion and position and who actively support each other c) and who are HAPPY to supply the tools one needs to do the job.
*sigh* I just wish I got paid for it.
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!
Roger Hodgson - New show announced, pre-sale prom code - October 30th
5th Row Centre
Best seats I've ever had for a concert, and only the 2nd concert I've been to in the last 20 years.
I brought my motorcycle home today. It rained on me the whole way, and I got soaked, but I didn't mind. It was 89° here today, and I couldn't stand another day with 50 miles between me and it.
I'm just waiting for my buddy to show up and ride me back to Moms to get my Jeep.
Way to Go OE!
@ Jim: ya know...there's something about a viking on a bike that makes me go all girly.
What's making me happy: just got back from our morning walk. We met up with Ma and Nelle. Carrot and Nelle greeted each other like the bestest mates. I still have to be a bit careful: he is a very bouncy dog and one accidental swipe of those raptor claws could easily reopen the nearly healed operation scar down Nelle's side. But they really seem to like each other. Well, by which I mean Carrot totally lurves Nelle and just wants to bounce up and down in exuberance and smother her in kissies. Nelle is remarkably patient with him. I think she likes it when he is busy sniffing something on the ground and she can safely get a good look at him.
Was lovely.
I proactively avoided being rear-ended today. (I mean in my car, you pervs.)
To get to Minifobette's therapy clinic, you have to turn left across moderately heavy traffic, and there is no turn lane. It's the sort of thing that was fine when the road was rural, but now it is quite busy and you have to come to a dead stop with your turn signal on for half a minute or more, and the traffic piles up behind you until they can manage to get in the other lane to go around.
It is a death trap, and whenever I'm there I spend most of the time staring in my rear-view mirror, looking for people coming at full speed who don't see that I'm stopped. Today it finally happened, stupid kid had his head turned fully to the side looking at some random thing. I gunned my car forward at the last second, and he still would have hit me but the noise of my tires snapped him out of it and he swerved.
I've been staring in the rear-view mirror at that spot for three years, and it finally paid off. I don't feel so paranoid now.
I proactively avoided being rear-ended today. (I mean in my car, you pervs.)
Of course your car, otherwise you wouldn't have avoided it.:rolleyes:
Oh, nice defensive driving. :thumb:
Cow-orker didn't come to work today and I took Lil' Griff to see Streetlight Manifesto. Most excellent day.
[youtube]1YUtZ5y13o4[/youtube]
At her age she should be enjoying stuff like that, but you're supposed to be a responsible adult now. It's a slippery slope, you know. :p:
Her dad has been carving that slope for as long as she can remember. I just think its neat that we had Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Boss Tones, and Skatalites in the house when she was a tiny and over the last couple years this ska thing has become a full blown passion. :)
Sorry if this is a bum note in the happy thread but...
Parents should share their passions with their children while they can. I know Li'l Griff is a long way off forty (?!) but I'm hella grateful that I was so close to my Dad growing up. The amount of things we can enjoy together can only diminish now.
I was at school with people who had far richer parents than mine. But in almost every case their Dad was effectively missing from their life. No doubt they are mid-way up the property ladder now. And possibly missing their own children's childhood. Who knows, I suppose some people can work overtime and earn money and still be around; I just remember those who didn't.
Daddies and daughters are special. You go, Griff.
I'd agree with that. I had some awesome times with Dad. especially during the time Mum was training as a nurse and doing weird shift hours. And any time off sick from school too *smiles* Dad was a night worker most of the time, so he'd always be around for some of the day.
Poor bugger must have groaned every time I was sick...no sleep that day :p
That little exchange brough to mind a bunch of lovely memories. A midnight walk through Queen's park with the dogs, with Dad pointing out hedgehogs, owls and bats. And telling spooky stories about the statues on the promenade...how every so many years on a particular night there's an extra statue. The White Lady.
Naturally, the particular year and night would be the night we were walking :)
That strange combination of smells that he had when he returned from work: machine oils and baked bread.
Watching him carefully pulling the slats from the hive, with the bees all docile and sleepy from the smoker.
Tales of boarding school and India.
Burnt stew, apologetically served with copious amounts of brown sauce to mask the taste.
Flash roasted and spiced chick peas filling the kitchen with pungent smoke.
His pushbike. Rode everywhere on that bike. Off to work in the evening, trouser legs caught back with bike clips. No helmet, it was the 70s/80s.
Hah. That's made me feel happy.
That would have fried my brain. I was spooked enough by Nesbit's Enchanted Castle!
I once asked Dads what he would say if I said this house was haunted.
I didn't think it was, I just wanted to hear his reaction. Because in all the books I read, children were too worried about being disbelieved to talk to anyone.
He said something along the lines of, "It's unlikely. The woman who lived here before us is still alive, and she was very happy here. But if you really thought that, then I would stay with you and make sure you were safe. And then we would speak to Father Harris [our priest, Mum is still in touch with him.]"
It was utterly practical and immensely reassuring.
He's a grouchy old git now, but that is why I still love him.
(If I'd asked Mum that question she'd have shut me up very quickly. Mainly by telling me to shut up.)
I heard the cry of the Wolf.
Which is to say I spoke to her today on the telephone.
She's as cool in person as she is on here.
Thanks to everyone who trusted me with their digits.
I will work my way through.
I was going to slyly post that I had an unexpected and wonderful phone conversation today ... it was rather like old friends speaking, really, the hard part was not tripping over each other to say the same things. It was great! Thank you, Sundae, for helping me to avoid doing things I needed to do, and then to get around to doing some of them ... taxes are still undone, but there is always tomorrow, and I got on with doing some cooking right after we hung up. You inspired me!
My hoi-sin chicken was lovely btw. Even saved some for Mum.
And later I got to watch the new series of Britain's Got Talent.
I can't help being a sentimental old thing; I love it.
The opening sequence with the flashmob of previous competitors had me simultaneously laughing and crying.
All in all a great Saturday night.
That young comedian was awesome. I expect him to go far.
Soaking up a beautiful Sunday morning, drinking my coffee and watching the birds fight it out at the feeders. The red-winged blackbirds are back along with the finches, cardinals, doves, jays, song-sparrows, titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, etc. There are literally hundreds of robins on the front lawn/field. And our pair of nesting hawks is back. :)
Luckily the bird-eating squirrel has NOT returned.
Turkeys! Another flock on the north field, a gorgeous big tom herding his hens around, strutting and displaying like crazy. A jogger happened by on the road and they all took off up the field into our woods. They can really cover ground.
eta - the turkeys took off. The jogger stayed on the road. :p:
My hoi-sin chicken was lovely btw. Even saved some for Mum.
Jamaican Jerk Turkey Meatloaf with Garlic Quinoa (don't get impressed, the Quinoa came out of a packet and all I had to do was boil water and wait the right amount of time after I turned the heat to low. Ok, to be fair, I also had to remember to put the lid on the pot, and not forget that I was simmering it) is now reposing quietly in the refrigerator and will provide sandwiches for the week to come.
And my taxes are now done.
So I will be spending the remainder of the afternoon and probably most of the evening playing Epic Mickey 2.
I've only ever had quinoa from a packet.
What you s'posed to do to be real? Grow your own?
Joking aside, I love me some quinoa.
If "Doctor" Gillian McKeith never did anything else of value, at least she introduced me to it.
I'm thinking the entire shebang came from the packet, Quinoa by itself isn't exactly sandwich material.
the masters tournament. real close to a first aussie win but cabrera just did a magic trick.
lovin' it but hoping for scott.
congratulations adam scott on your green jacket!
I guess if I cared about golf that would be making me happy. lol
Good for him though. It's something no Aussie has ever done before, so that's a big feather for his cap. :)
Golf, in particular the Masters Tournament, is a guilty pleasure. I actually think it's fun to watch!
Of course, I was rooting for my Tiger, but he didn't have such a great time.
Only about 12 hours until BROADCHURCH.
and the grass has finally begun to sprout, adding a beautiful, if pale, green haze over the landscape.
I mowed our lawn yesterday. It felt good.
I'm glad that Bob Perry died. Yes, I know one should not gloat over someone's death but Texas homebuilder Bob Perry gave millions of dollars to Republicans for elections and GOP causes like the Swift Boat Veterans back when Kerry ran for President.
Not surprisingly here in Texas he was against any kind of immigration reform that would stymy his cheap labor force for building homes and was also a champion of tort reform to keep from being sued for his crappy homes any against any kind of law that would help workers.
RIP and good riddance!
:D
sounds like Maggie T. will have company.
I hit my highest weight ever 3 months ago, and I was not pleased with this. Today, I'm down 30 pounds...w00t!
I've got an old cow orker that lives on Assateague. June would be a lovely time to visit. :blush:
Is he by the Assawoman Canal? No wait...that's in Sussex County, DE...
I'm going to see The Reverend Horton Heat twice this summer (June in KC, September in STL), Iron Maiden in STL in September and Depeche Mode in Dallas later that month. That's some serious awesomeness.
I actually felt like having sex for the first time in ages!
Uh oh...MTP is on the prowl! ;)
After 2 years on mostly heavily cooked and/or pureed foods, both my kids can tolerate raw salad again. And my homemade strawberry vinaigrette was a hit!
Wow Clod, that's got to be a huge help to you, as well as a sign of progress for them.:thumb:
They're shooting for 5 PM on Friday right now, but that could change.
Thanks for the tip. The weather isn't looking so hot right now though.
After 2 years on mostly heavily cooked and/or pureed foods, both my kids can tolerate raw salad again. And my homemade strawberry vinaigrette was a hit!
Awesomness!
I'm stealing from either Dana or Sundae when i say that should be:
Awesomesauce! :)
Tomorrow morning I take my last antibiotic pill...I was able to stop the eye drops on Friday. In much better shape now than I was 10 days ago...and it'll be nice to stop pooping 5-7 times a day.
I had a very amazing day.
I spent the day with a friend.
That, in itself, was great, but is not the amazing part. I've not known her very long, but we had one of those conversations that you just don't want to end. But then it did, and she let me know something that she had planned ... you see, I was visiting her at her business ... a holistic spa.
She surprised me by letting me know that she had arranged with one of her massage therapists to give me a full massage.
Oh man.
I've had amateur ones, but this was my first professional one.
It was genuinely amazing.
I'm still tingling.
I'm going to have to do this again.
I guess she didn't rub you the wrong way. ;)
I have a job interview tomorrow for a Service Desk Analyst job. Its a full time permanent position and it sounds like it will pay well!
Wolf, that's awesome! I've never had a professional massage.
MTP, good luck today!
I had a very amazing day.
I spent the day with a friend.
That, in itself, was great, but is not the amazing part. I've not known her very long, but we had one of those conversations that you just don't want to end. But then it did, and she let me know something that she had planned ... you see, I was visiting her at her business ... a holistic spa.
She surprised me by letting me know that she had arranged with one of her massage therapists to give me a full massage.
Oh man.
I've had amateur ones, but this was my first professional one.
It was genuinely amazing.
I'm still tingling.
I'm going to have to do this again.
Good massages are amazing amazing. Try a number of different massage people, their skill levels are all over the place. You will find someone who is outstanding.
What foot said. It's an art, and every massage therapist has their own style. Not to denigrate your friend, wolf, but in my experience the massage therapists who work out of spas tend to be in the lower range, skill-wise. Spas take a big cut of the money, so only the ones who are too young or too mediocre to maintain a steady list of clients take a contract there. The best are often the ones who work out of chiropractors' offices or have completely private studios of their own.
What does a massage cost?
A therapeutic massage will cost you about $50-60/hr over here. Some of that can be claimed through private health insurance if u have it usually.
Clod is right about the good ones usually being associated with health professionals.
It's about the same in the US. $65 for a one-hour massage is pretty common. I get one every 6-8 weeks, sooner if I have any kind of extra tension or back pain. My mom went through a long period where she would get one every single week.
The one thing to be prepared for if you've never done it before is you are expected to get naked. You lay underneath a sheet, and they fold it down to expose your back while they're working there, then they'll put it back and tuck the side over so they can get to one leg all the way up to your hip while still keeping your butt covered, etc. You don't have to, you can keep your underwear on if you're really uncomfortable with the idea, but the massage really works better without stuff in the way.
It's poor form to eat beans before a massage.
Pro massage is HIGHLY recommended. I've only had a few, but they left me feeling like the sun was shining a little brighter.
I'm off to the theatre tonight!!!
For a sad reason - this was supposed to be a treat for Mum (from Ste) - seeing her favourite actor at the Young Vic.
But she's been stricken with a terrible stomach - thinks it's because of a new drug she's taking - and daren't go. She could just have blown it off completely, instead she and Dad are paying for my fare, as they would have paid for hers. Steven has the tickets and is buying dinner, as he would have for Mum.
I can't pay them back, but I'll do a bit of brother-whispering. Mum says Ste is not to buy her a birthday present as he has already done so. I'll tell him not to buy ME one instead. Bless him, that'll be two years on the trot he's taken me out in lieu of a present!
I hate that Mum feels she had to give this up. But without too much detail she is actually wearing pads because even when she's a small distance from the loo she can still be surprised. I can understand why the prospect of an hour on a train, then the Tube and then a theatre performance would be horrible to her.
So I am torn between gratitude and excitement and genuine sympathy.
I have been very good about chores today (even planting flowers, whereas I am usually barred from anything garden related.)
Tomorrow I'll be back to chores. You'll be pleased to hear Mum hasn't done any ironing or cleaned the bathroom for at least a week now. I'm finally helping as I should.
I'm glad things are going well on the home front and you get to go to the theater!
Sorry for your mum, Sundae, but enjoy the treat!
I'm glad things are going well on the home front and you get to go to the theater!
After limey's comment I realize mine is a little bizzare. I meant with you seeming to get along with your mum, not with her health problems.
wearing size 8 jeans -and they're kinda slipping down a little. weird. I got pissed with people who suddenly noticed my weightloss after the stroke -I jokes I just didn't slow down enough for them to notice before......guess I'm experiencing the same thing. i saw the numbers change on the scale, so I "knew", but I guess I didn't really notice until I started trying to be active in the same old clothes :lol: I've never worn this size before, even pre-sprogs or as a teenager.
Also, I just decided to stop calling it "my" stroke. No-one says "my" car accident.
Finishing that tri did wonders for my perspective and self-esteem, apparently :D
Mind you don't disappear altogether, Monster ...
I start a new gig on Monday that will be in addition to what I'm doing now. Will be running a small route over to a few towns just went of KC. Pay is good and the location keeps me close to home. Only problem is starting at 6:00am every day...I'll manage though. Really looking forward to this.
Also, I just decided to stop calling it "my" stroke. No-one says "my" car accident.
Maybe it's a regionalism. I hear it around here. "My back just hasn't been the same since my accident." "Got my new car today. They had to total my old one after my accident."
I look forward to hearing what you come up with. I can't seem to find anything that's better than, "My Crohn's disease is really flaring up today."
So I am torn between gratitude and excitement and genuine sympathy.
They just wanted to make sure you didn't pop in during their orgy. ;)
I got pissed with people who suddenly noticed my weightloss after the stroke...
They decided they could say what they wanted, because there's nothing to fear from a skinny monster. :haha:
I can't seem to find anything that's better than, "My Crohn's disease is really flaring up today."
Maybe it'll be, These
whipworms are working wonders". :fingerx:
Maybe it'll be, These whipworms are working wonders". :fingerx:
Yeah. It's a real thing. But I think I'll wait to see the results of double blind tests.
I look forward to hearing what you come up with. I can't seem to find anything that's better than, "My Crohn's disease is really flaring up today."
Nothing special. Just "the stroke". anyone can have one, it's not something special I accomplished, I don't want it any more. I'm sending it to the used stroke shop like a bad fashion choice. ;)
Ah. I tried that on for size and it didn't suit me. I felt like my Dad, talking about "the" war.
I'm still working with it. I might just call it Millicent.
wearing size 8 jeans -and they're kinda slipping down a little. weird. I got pissed with people who suddenly noticed my weightloss after the stroke -I jokes I just didn't slow down enough for them to notice before......guess I'm experiencing the same thing. i saw the numbers change on the scale, so I "knew", but I guess I didn't really notice until I started trying to be active in the same old clothes :lol: I've never worn this size before, even pre-sprogs or as a teenager.
Also, I just decided to stop calling it "my" stroke. No-one says "my" car accident.
Finishing that tri did wonders for my perspective and self-esteem, apparently :D
Your quote is appropriate. I likey.
You go on with your bad skinny mini self. At some point, I plan to go get me some tenacity. It's great, what you've accomplished.
I'm super-happy with my size 16 jeans. I wore 22 for over a year.
I'll never get down to a size 8. No envy because of the health issues.
My aim is 14.
My Craig's list ad for an old lawnmower got quite a bit of response yesterday with 5 people contacting me within an hour of posting the ad.
Here it is:
http://houston.craigslist.org/grd/3764264408.html
I attempted to sell it last month and got no responses so I wrote a more interesting sales pitch. It's actually a true story.
That's good ad copy. It has just enough detail that you sound trustworthy. You explain its flaws upfront. If I were in the market, I would gravitate towards that ad. And $40 seems like a bargain.
This is the line that closes the deal:
Just look at that lawn and you can tell that I am a man who knows about lawnmowers and growing a nice lawn even if we are having a drought.
Great ad.
Just had a call from a man who sounded Nigerian who said he really wanted my lawnmower but he lives 60 miles away and doesn't know how to fix lawnmowers and what is my bottom price... I hate when they ask that... just come and see it and make an offer I told him.
He also said my lawn in the pictures looked great and what was my secret!
He was trying to talk you down from $40?!
I don't need a lawn mower. But I wouldn't mind you looking at my lawn and telling me what's wrong. :D
People on craigslist will try to talk you down from anything.... And if you post it for free, they'll try and talk you into delivering it to them.
SOLD to the man with the heavy African accent for $30!
Not bad as I think it is going to need a carburetor rebuild kit and he was very polite and had when we loaded it into the trunk of his little car he had all kinds of religious hand outs so he was a MAN OF GOD! Cutting him a break was good karma and if the lawn mower isn't repairable I will need the extra karma! ;)
I'm super-happy with my size 16 jeans. I wore 22 for over a year.
I'll never get down to a size 8. No envy because of the health issues.
My aim is 14.
way to piss on my happy.tx. [COLOR="Wheat"]Must remember there are people fatter than me in Europe (with health issues) and send them my empty plate...[/dirtydancing][/color]
yes, I know. But can't something big or even small just be about someone else just once?
With your regimen, practicing and running the kids around, you'd get skinny from not having time to eat. The way you've been beating yourself up, it's a wonder you aren't in a size 8 body bag. I admire your resilience. :vikingsmi
I think being a discussion board, most people are going to add their experiences to those expressed here.
Pretty sure everyone has at some point or another, had it 'all about me'.
Do you need more acknowledgement for your accomplishments monster? I thought everyone here had been very supportive of your recent journey and quite vociferous in their encouragement. Not sure why other people saying something about their own size is in some way offensive to you.
Maybe you're just having a bad day or something?
yes, I know. But can't something big or even small just be about someone else just once?
That's a shitty thing to say. As was your previous comment.
My God all the girl did was join in with the discussion. Sorry she broke some unwritten rules on when it is or is not ok to join in with her own experiences, ye know, like we all do.
Don't see how Sundae's comment shits on your happy. Don't see how it impacts at all on the direction of the thread. It's fairly standard in here when you post about something and another dwellar has something to say in that area that they post about it.
I don't think you would have made those remarks had someone else jumped in with their weightloss experience. You just said it because it was Sundae. And you clearly have a problem with her. I don't mean you wish her ill, and I know you care what happens to her. But you seem to hold her to an entirely different set of standards to everyone else and respond to her accordingly.
Can't remember if I told you.
If so, ignore.
Dads got charged for the outsanding amount left on his annual car insurance.
Mum took the phone call and was at her wit's end by the time she gave them credit card detail. Approx £170. Because Dad was "breaking his contract" with them.
NO.
I said.
NO.
You cannot ask for money when a man cannot use your services due to ill health. He had to surrender his driving licence and sell his car. The AA could not, in all conscience, ask him to continue to pay for car insurance he no longer needed.
So I drafted a letter. Mum tweaked it.
Mailed and including a line asking for a response within 10 days (as the threatening letter from the AA Repayments had done.)
Reply received. Apologies. Staff member was following company guidelines but should have referred this to Manager. Sorry for distress caused at time of personal crisis. Refund of money taken by credit card to follow. Cheque. Hmmmm. They refused a cheque as payment...
I still think Mum should have kept in my line regarding compensation for the distress caused. Doubt they'd have got anything, but if you don't ask you don't get.
Anyway, Mum was made up. She had no idea that this was erroneous, just saw it as part of the buggery of life. When the letter arrived she was out. She read it on her return and asked Dad if he'd shown it to me. "Why? It's nothing to do with her." Well, I didn't do it for the props anyway.
And it means the 'rents can go and see the John Wilson Orchestra in Cardiff again - something they thought they would have to miss. They'll stay in the E-Tap I introduced Mum to. £18.50 per night, per room. Nowhere near as nice as Ty Rosa, but closer to the centre and the place of performance, and a great budget deal.
And they'll go by MegaBus. No choice given they have no car, but it's actually much cheaper. I feel I have led them well.
That's outstanding Sundae! Very well done. £170 is real money.
Thanks for the removal :)
And they'll go by MegaBus. No choice given they have no car, but it's actually much cheaper.
Houston has lousy public transportation, if you have no car you are hosed. We live 25 miles away from the downtown area and our suburban neighborhood only has morning and evening bus service that is direct... no stops between here and downtown. From there you would have to transfer and take more buses or the little train that runs from downtown to the medical center. We can't even take public transportation to either airport, just taxi cabs.
When my ship comes in and I take Dana and Limey to the States with me, Limey is our designated driver.
We'll cab it most of the time. And longer journeys will be plane or rail (OMG I covet your long distance rail services!)
But I expect - and you have confirmed - that there are places in the US that you really need a car for.
It's true in the UK too, but for different reasons.
Good for you for getting your dad's money back, Sundae. Maybe patient advocacy is your new calling?
Needs a like button - well done Sundae :)
If we had a like button, I'd have to like your post about having a like button...
When my ship comes in and I take Dana and Limey to the States with me, Limey is our designated driver.
We'll cab it most of the time. And longer journeys will be plane or rail (OMG I covet your long distance rail services!)
But I expect - and you have confirmed - that there are places in the US that you really need a car for.
It's true in the UK too, but for different reasons.
If you make it to Philadelphia (Cellarland) you guys can couch surf in my basement. Just ignore the wooden stocks and pillories. I only use them to hang laundry.;)
....kidding.
....or am I?:eek:
Finally got myself a new pair of running shoes. I am happy about it. :D
[ATTACH]43859[/ATTACH]
Him has finally called, he's safe and sound at Mum and Dad's and got some sleep - jet lag is still kicking his ass
Finally got myself a new pair of running shoes. I am happy about it. :D
You live in hot land, why do you need snow treads? :p:
Him has finally called, he's safe and sound at Mum and Dad's and got some sleep - jet lag is still kicking his ass
Wait, aren't you the one that's supposed to go home to mother. :haha:
Glad he made it safely.
Della and maybe the meds, but definitely Della.
Wait, aren't you the one that's supposed to go home to mother. :haha:
Glad he made it safely.
Oh lord no! My mother drives me batshit crazy insane!
I was approached by a mental health patient today.
I'd sat on a wall to eat my treat for walking home (a small cheese twist.)
I saw the group across the road and knew they were from the local mental health place - where I was a few years back.
An Asian chap - late 30s? - crossed the road with no regard to the traffic, followed by an indignant carer/ supervisor/ nurse type person, who had to be more wary of cars.
He just wanted to say hello.
I smiled in the sunshine and we had a four to five sentence conversation.
I think he was in Tindal, which is a step up (down?) from Cornerstones where I was.
Would it be appallingly vain to I say I made him happy? Maybe.
But knowing something about why he was talking to me and that he was under supervision made me relaxed and friendly. And he walked away with a big grin.
The three professionals in the group smiled and did a modern version of tipping their hats to me.
Cost me nothing.
Nicely done, hon. Spread a little happy.
I am ridiculously happy this afternoon. Saw my 3rd son through a weekend full of graduation festivities (including a surprise party with out-of-town friends coming in), worked 2-6 am each night for the past several nights to finish a term paper and term project worth mucho %, and got them successfully uploaded at 2:30 this morning after chest pain-causing technical difficulties; and remained conscious through clinic and classes today. (Not to worry re clinic, I was wired and on top of everything. No issues re patient care.) I'm taking the evening off, reading brain-candy detective novels, drinking a wonderful Mollydooker wine that I found at the grocery store. Going to sleep for 14 hours. Then, on to exam week!
[COLOR="PaleTurquoise"]Okay, I'm just happy to still be breathing after this past weekend. I wasn't sure I could pull it all off. Just watch, now I'll get a let-down migraine.[/COLOR]
Ya done good, lady, take a bow... and a nap.;)
Had a nice roan bull calf today. So after vaccinating him all day long we could not find this calf in the wooded pasture. We were sure he was stolen! Never had that happen but where that hell was he all day? :eyebrow: found him just before dark under the electric fence and he had no idea how to get to his Mom. [/stress]
I just had a call from the lady who ran into me a couple of weeks ago. She's agreed to pay me the full amount of the quote for my car repairs.
You live in hot land, why do you need snow treads? :p:
Those are shark's teeth. They're supposed to, umm....forgot what it's good for. :D The angle of the zig zag sole gives better cushion and traction.....something like that. :p: Anyways, the shoes are light weight, bendable, and has mesh lining so it's cooler. My nephew likes them so much he wanted to wear them, so I gave the shoes to him. He wore them to go hiking on a school field trip today. He said his feet feels better with these shoes than the other ones. Glad he appreciates it.
Isn't your nephew like 6 years old? And you wear the same size shoes?
...found him just before dark under the electric fence and he had no idea how to get to his Mom. [/stress]
I'm surprised it wasn't making more noise.
I just had a call from the lady who ran into me a couple of weeks ago. She's agreed to pay me the full amount of the quote for my car repairs.
There you go, you're set.
My nephew likes them so much he wanted to wear them, so I gave the shoes to him.
I hope you got something in return, not money but a promise to help with something, or future favor.
Just found out that my stepson and his wife's new home purchase looks like it will go through. They currently live in Katy which is about an hour's drive, 50 mile or so away and the new home will be only 15 minutes away.
And the home is much bigger which is what they need with 5 kids. It's a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, full living room, dining room, family room, study, newly redone kitchen and new roof and AC units with a big 2 car garage and a swimming pool to boot... the home is around 4000 sq ft. And their price is $227,000! Not bad for all of that! Houston still has great deals on housing.
My wife and I spend a lot of time with them and their kids, we usually do Christmas and other holidays together and in the summer I usually keep the grand kids for a couple of weeks at our house since both parents work and I keep the sick ones when they are too sick for school. I figure this summer I will just go there a lot, nothing like a back yard private pool.
News Flash!
SKINNY DIPPING GRANDFATHER SHOCKS NEIGHBORS :lol2:
Chris, that's wonderful.
We spent so much time with my Mother's parents when I was younger (my Dad's were dead by then, so not so much time.) Whole weeks, and summers.
I many ways I envy families growing up in their birth town, which is also the birth town of their parents', knowing their cousins, going to the same schools and all that.
But despite all her efforts, Mum rarely got to see her grandchildren and unsupervised days with them were only on the occasion that they were ill. She didn't have a pool.
She sees her great-grandsons every week, but only for 1-2 hours.
I can't see her ever being left in charge of them.
It's nothing she's done, just the way that family runs.
I'm getting about $83 from my bank's rewards program. Nothing like unexpected money.
A very strange day - in my entire academic life I haven't had one to beat it ...
I spent the weekend of my 3rd son's grad finishing a term project (for a horrible course) and a term paper (for a great course) between 2 and 6 am each night. Totally stressed over both, as they were worth a lot. Got them submitted.
Today I got results back ... 100% on the project for the awful course, which means I have a shot at an A overall if I spank the final ... and a shot at a 4.0 GPA if other finals go well. And my health policy term paper came back with a grade of 100% - the prof said he's never given a perfect score before.
And ... I was offered a very competitive rotation of 2 months in DC this fall at OSHA headquarters, right beside the Capitol. The email came in at 5:30, a little before I left the office.
I'm so excited, really deliriously happy, because at the start of this semester I had chemo brain so bad that I couldn't figure out my spring schedule. I wrote everything on a big dry-erase wall calendar and I couldn't comprehend it, and I just cried. But my brain slowly reconnected the neuro pathways over the past several weeks. I could almost feel it happening. Today was confirmation that chemo didn't permanently damage my brain.
I am profoundly thankful and very, very happy. Also very excited to be spending the early fall in DC! Two of my sons will be there - I plan to really get to know our nation's capital!
I'm getting about $83 from my bank's rewards program. Nothing like unexpected money.
Nice! :)
WOW ! I'm impressed.
Congratulations (100%) again and (100%) again and (OSHA) again.
DC OSHA doesn't know how good they're going to have it !
Thank you! I can't quite believe it's all true.
So excited about OSHA. :)
Good stuff ortho. :). We all knew you'd be fine. ;)
Not bad for a Canadian. ;)
Seriously, I wish I were at a proper keyboard. Big hugs to you and your resilient brain cells.
That's wonderful, ortho! (Hey, remember when we all said something better than that crappy job that backed out on you would come along? It feels sooo good to tell you we told you so. :))
that's amazing news ortho
Soooo, you're really a bot, eh.:eyebrow:
A big congrats on everything, Ortho!
Thank you so much!!! Love you all! I want to hug you all and buy everyone a beer or glass of bubbly. :)
Tonight, things are positive and I am happy. That's all I need for this moment.
I appreciate all your good wishes so much.
And yeah, I'm a Canadian bot. A suspicious, cool, merely Canadian bot. :cool:
Good for you ortho!
I talked to 2 recruiters yesterday. One is from my old company that placed me at my last job. There going to see about getting me placed back with that company or a new one if they can. The 2nd recruiter is going to try to get me a job making 17/hr which is better than the old pay I was getting and better than the pay I would get with my previous company. Only issue is that it is farther away and I might spend more just getting to and from work. We'll see, it may not be too bad if I get a shift avoiding rush hour. I meet with the 2nd recruiter tomorrow. Wish me luck!
I've been writing my lifestyle blog for ... going on 2.5-3 yrs now....
today I got my very first 'real' ping back/link/reference from a another blogger I don't even know, on a piece I wrote in response to another blog post debunking BBC article on "How to Eat £1 a Day" (both of us thought the original BBC piece was crap)
I've had the odd one or two comments from family members or friends, but this is the first 'real' - someone in the great wild world out there noticed.
It's a silly thing to be chuffed about ... but I am :)
No, a great thing to be chuffed about!
Well done you for having good writing recognised.
My happy also comes from the media.
Nothing written by me, just a salute to my good taste. Well, me as part of a triumvirate.
We stay at The Alamo when we have our pantomime GTG every year.
Lonely Planet magazine this month gave it a mention. We're so cool we didn't even know it.
thanks :)
I think any validation is a good thing, a validation of my little blatherings, a validation of your good taste :)
They keep trying to tell us that we don't NEED external validation of our own worth value goodness accomplishments .... but it sure as hell don't hurt non :)
What does a massage cost?
With or without the happy ending?
I actually didn't ask. I didn't think it would be polite.
So. I got pulled over by a cop yesterday. Yes, I was speeding. 43 in a 25 is what he growled at me ... next to a school. He came up for the license and registration bit. Asked me if I knew why I got pulled over ... usual stuff. I fessed up. Went back to his cruiser with my ID while I sweated it out .... came back and told me to slow it down. Thank you nice officer. I will respect your generous warning!
The interview with the recruiter went very well today! I only missed one question on their assessment test and the recruiter told me that I presented myself very well. He had some great tips for my resume and for my future interviews with employers. I think he will be a great help to me getting placed in a good job.
Hurrah! 3 cheers for the Alamo!
Well done, MTP!
And yay for the Alamo!
Sent by thought transference
oh that does sound encouraging mtp :) it's great to have that kind of support and feedback
raspberries are making me happy today.... got 9 of em planted... along with 2 blackberries ... still want to get the 2 rhubarb and the 3 hardy cherries in this afternoon but day by day little bit by little bit, I'm getting there.... Still a buttload of work to do, but there's something deeply satisfying about getting dirty and sweaty and making things grow.... especially yummy things
Little Griff and her school mates doing Les Mis. Stripped down orchestra 4 pros +Lil' G really put the emphasis on the voices. It was wonderful.
Go O! :D <-- Nirvana's O face.
;)
After Nirvana posted 'Fabulous O!' some time ago, I made that my work password for the next 90 days. It made me giggle to type it. ;)
Long convo with Ali.
Talked to her two older sons and a girlfriend (not Ali's)
It helped. Anytime I talk to Dwellars it helps.
I might even eat now. Or chew at least.
:). Go on, stuff yourself. Hehe
Spent yesterday going to IN for my future niece-in-law's (my oldest nephew's fiancee) graduation. she be a physician's asst. we all love her and are very proud. met her wonderful cat at her apt. went to dinner. it was a long day but very nice.
today is a big party for my youngest niece's 1st communion. more family! It will also be a good day.
as weird as it is i can already feel the relief of not having that sick to my stomach sunday night/monday morning torture. i find myself thinking of work that needs to be done, then remember it isn't my mess, or problem, anymore. that part is good.
You could be a professional relative. Gotta figure out a way to get paid for these gigs.
Wasn't there a movie with some old lady who would crash weddings or funerals or something and insinuate herself into the families? Everyone just assumed she was someone's aunt or grandmother.
i would be a great pro relative!
was it an old movie? can't place it.
I have a picture of Angela Lansbury in my head. It was in color and I think it was either the 90s or late 80s.
It might have also been a subplot to another film.
Harold and Maude? They both went to funerals, that's how they met.
I woulda beena great funeral pro back in the day.
I had the chutzpah to take plastic food-saver boxes to any catered event.
If it wasn't nailed down I'd ask if I could take it. Flowers included. I knew from my catering work that that they were usually composted before they'd even wilted.
And at events where free drinks were limited, I targeted drivers/ teetotallers for their drinks tickets. That was before I had a real problem with alchofrolics; it was just about getting maximum benefit from the evening.
I'd be rubbish now though. No food. No drink witout guilt. I'd still sing, but that was always for free anyway.
You can come to my fun-eral, Infi.
In fact you're all invited. I mean all Dwellars, not suggesting IM has multiple personalities.
Just wear pink. And bring your own drink.
And try to give the 'rents a lickle bit of cash - planting daughters is surprisingly expensive, it turns out.
In this country you're not allowed to cook and eat us.
I can't even find a country where you can.
In this country you're not allowed to cook and eat us.
Is that so? :eyebrow:
[YOUTUBE]NQDGZVIgR6E[/YOUTUBE]
It was the subject of many complaints actually.
In the same way some men are vehemently homophobic, but secretly more gay than an Easter Parade, I think the complainers really wished they could really eat their rellies.
but I look truly hideous in pink
i can already feel the relief of not having that sick to my stomach sunday night/monday morning torture.
Yay! Let the healing begin.
The white cheddar macaroni and cheese with bread crumbs and the egg and flour breaded, butter fried, yellow Morels I had for lunch! :yum:
Mum's going to a funeral on Friday and the family has asked that people wear something pink as requested by the deceased.
Mum came off the phone from arranging to meet old friends beforehand and said something along the lines of, "Oh noes! No pink in my wardrobe."
And I looked at her something along the lines of, "Woman, WHAT?!"
Came dowstairs with an armful, and that's after deselecting things she wouldn't even consider.
It wasn't orange or yellow or green; pink I can help with. And that's the part that made me happy.
On a sadder note.
Well, nowhere near as sad as a death but I never met this person.
In fact I can't remember ever hearing their name.
My tiny sad is that I've had to give away three more treasured skirts.
One I was considering wearing tomorrow because it's May and it's nice and light and airy for sitting long-time on public transport.
They gotta go, I'd be showing my arsecrack within 5 minutes walk. Skirt falling down, not wearing a micro-mimi.
I don't mind switching down sizes. Of course!
And many of the clothes remind me of how I felt about myself at the time.
But now and then there will be something I was bought new, and I got to try it on and everything (as opposed to many clothes bought on eBay just because they happened to be the right size and price, ie 99p)
They were presents.
Letting them go is like shedding a skin. Good, but a bit itchy. Metaphorically speaking. Apart from the pubic lice.
I had my first post surgical check up today, and it was wonderful I did not have to go to my second appointment because we have been taking such good care of the wound.
That's fantastic, fargon!
Great news, ortho and fargon!
I am pleased that the worst part of my kitchen remodeling job at our home is done. Yesterday my son and I ground off all of the thin set from the kitchen floor. 10 days ago we had used a small roto hammer to get the tile up but about 80% of the rough cement adhesive was still on the floor, walking barefoot on it really sucked. We rented a big 16 inch floor buffer with a special diamond tipped brush and spread some water across the floor and went at it. Floor buffers take a bit of concentration to run smoothly and with the rough surface it was especially challenging. Pretty soon the wet thin set was coming off in a peanut butter consistency. When it was almost a dry powder we swept it up and started the routine again. It took 6 hours to do the whole kitchen and laundry room annex. We have a small half bath which only about 10 sq feet and I will do that later by hand, we didn't want to pull the toilet at this stage. I vacuumed and wet mopped the room several times and it is pretty good but still has a slight dust on it so will do it again today. You can really see the slight unevenness in the slab where the diamond brush ground down high spots which should make for a nice surface when we re-tile later.
Sounds like hard messy work. But it's great to look back at the progress you made.
Tickets to see John Cleese live. 3 of the 4 shows were sold out, and they're not the best seats in the house - but they're not horrible...
James and I just haven't really spent enough time/effort going 'Out' these past couple years. So the Roger Hodgson and John Cleese events are really something special :)
I *is* happy.
http://www.hahaha.com/en/johncleeseToday I got a call from a car collector based in Melbourne that`s interested in buying my car. Mid next week, he`ll fly up to Brisbane for a day trip to look at the car and make me an offer.
Last Sunday, I received a firm offer of $12,500 from a collector in Brisbane, so that`s the worst I`ll do.
If I could afford to wait, it might reach as high as the low $20,000s, but I`m flying back to Canada in a week and a half, so it looks like these two offers are it.
I haven`t even started the engine since pulling the car out of storage a week and a half ago, but both buyers are happy with that and would both prefer the engine wasn`t started.
I`ve spent most of the past few days returning the engine bay to as close to as possible to the configuration it was in when it was delivered 34 years ago. Still got a few flexible couplers to fit to the air intake plumbing, but it`s just about done.
That seems like a really good payoff. I didn't know there was a market.
Old Toranas are a cultural icon down under.
Took my son to the arcade. I hit the change machine for $2 and one of the quarters was a 1963 silver quarter. Melt value right now is about $4.50. After I finished my pinball game, I noticed a penny face up by my feet.
I haven't checked the lottery ticket I bought this week yet;).
Old Toranas are a cultural icon down under.
Especially rare ones ... and while mine isn't an official factory model, the myth and speculation that's been going on since 1978 about the handful that were built, makes it collectible. Even the exact build number is unknown. All that I know is that mine was one of the first batch of 5 of the second generation models (they were built 5 at a time on a mini-production line), and the total production is somewhere in the lower to middle 2 figure range.
rain, finally getting a bit of rain after two weeks of some pretty unrelenting sunshine. all the little baby plants that went in are going to be happy... and our grapes might just survive after all :)
Just heard from my son, Liam who lives in Alaska with his lovely bride of only 6 months and they have a baby on the way! Should arrive in early January. I am happy for them as a family was part of their intentions and he will make a very good dad.
That will make grandchild #14 for us! :cool:
Congratulations, Chris. I'd say the dynasty is secure. ;)
Just scoffed one of the cheese scones I made mostly for Dads, or company.
Damn. Good.
Can't really take any credit, but I did use mature (sharp) cheddar and 1/2 teaspoon English mustard. But the texture and mouth-feel came from the recipe.
Pretty much going to bed now. I've heard Bonnie Tyler giving her best in the Eurovision.
I don't have the emotional stability to see us destroyed again.
NB - will Scotland enter as a separate country if they seceed?
Anyway, going to bed in a stable mood.
I hope to cuddle Diz-trouble. I admit he's more likely to wake up completely and tread all over my head, snagging my short hair on every circuit.
But you never know. It's the happy thread. Maybe he'll settle down and we'll fall asleep snuggling. And he'll wake me up by being sick all over me and my bedsheets.
I still adore the little furry bugger.
And he adores me.
Makes me happy.
RichLevy.
He cheers me up and makes me laugh.
Two sleeps til hospital.
I finally got my wife's car back together and up and running after changing the timing belt, pulley and tensioner, other belts, spark plugs and wires and replacing the valve cover gaskets. I never could get the water pump swapped out with a new one as I could not remove the front cam shaft sprocket which is necessary in order to pull the upper rear cover out enough to access the water pump bolts.
There is always that fear before starting that I may have screwed up somehow and maybe gotten the timing off or the spark plug wires on the wrong plugs or some hose or wire not connected right. But it started right up and sounded great. Took it around the block just to make sure and it ran fine. I will need to get a mechanic to torque down the crank bolt on the crank pulley as I don't have an impact wrench. That shouldn't cost much. And if the noise I had heard prior to all these repairs comes back I will just take it in for inspection. I'm done with greasy engines for awhile. ;)
chris, do you have large breaker bar and socket 1/2 drive use that, and you won't have to take it to a mechanic.
I have that but every time I try to tighten the bolt more the crank shaft just turns. It's supposed to be torqued to 160 lbs, so I had seen on some youtube tutorials that they just put an impact wrench on it and spin it down fast.
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
WTG MOAR!!!!!!!!!
oh that is fabulous news!
hoping to have a substantive post here momentarily....
this is pre-happy. anticipatory happy.
Hey mort, that's great news! What kind of job is it?
Making me happy today: Minifob got pulled off the waitlist and offered an official spot. Both my kids are going to the awesome charter school next year!!
Congratulations! What great news for Clan Fobble!
Having had children that went to different schools and that also went to the same school, I can tell you that two kids one school is waaaay better. In high school, BD's school played EldestSon's school in football. We went, of course. But we had to change sides of the stadium at halftime.
Here's what's making me happy today:
I'm going to Hanford!
Registration Confirmation
CONGRATULATIONS - TOUR CONFIRMATION
Thank you!
Your reservation has been confirmed for the tour shown below. Please keep your confirmation number handy in case you need to change information about your tour party.
Contact Information: Confirmation Number:
V, Big
206-555-1212
[email]BigV@gmail.com[/email] rQTB7s3M133094
Tour Information:
2013 Public Tour 11 : May 23, 2013 8:00 AM
Tour Participants: Registration Cutoff:
V, Big
May 22, 2013 12:00 PM
I've been seeking this white whale for over two years. There is a strictly limited number of tour seats available, and they go live for registration each year in March. I missed the opening time this year by misreading the time by four hours. By the time I figured out what happened, all the seats were booked. Totally, for the whole year's quota.
They do however, offer seats for cancellations. I get an email occasionally indicating that there are open seats. I have never been able to get, read and respond to the email in time for the seat to still be open. Until this morning. Seriously, it's been like trying to call the radio station for free concert tickets.
It will be a day trip for me, the Hanford Site is about two hundred and fifty miles from my house, (I'm guessing), so I'll leave in the middle of the night on Wednesday, arrive at 7:30, bright eyed and bushy tailed for the four hour tour.
I'm stoked! I should warn you all ahead of time, there are no phones or cameras allowed on the tour, subject to confiscation and immediate termination of the tour. So, I'm hoping it *will* happen, but there won't be any pictures. Maybe I'll get y'all a postcard.
If I get super lucky, I'll be able to bookend it with a tour of the B Reactor (cameras permitted there!).
Wow! BigV is going to Occupy Hanford! We all want the special glow-in-the-dark key chains they sell in the gift shop. Well, I do, anyhow. Trade you for a ball bearing found in an uranium settling pond outside Naturita, CO.
All snarkiness aside, sounds like a fascinating tour that few get the opportunity to experience [COLOR="Silver"](probably for good reason).[/COLOR]
sent via the rays emitted by a harmless isotope of strangelovian67 as it undergoes decomposition to a benign substance. Promise.
Awesome news, MTP and Clod! And BigV, if you're happy, I am happy for you!
Angels do walk among us. I had a great conversation with C&F 1.0. she's really inspiring. :)
I found my favorite hot dogs at my local wegmans!
[ATTACH]44114[/ATTACH]
Natural casing. They even have little bits of string separating them.
Angels do walk among us. I had a great conversation with C&F 1.0. she's really inspiring. :)
I'm behind on what C&F 1.0 means but I'm glad you're happy.
BigV, that's kinda cool but kinda mad.
Remember that friend I spoke of?
Well, he's moved out to a temp. sublet and just had the first meeting with a mediator. The ball is rolling.
Sounds like things are looking up for the friend. :)
I'm glad your friend is getting control of things.
Him will be back in 12 hours!
Now that car repairs are over for my wife's car and waiting on a part for the Rover I addressed my kitchen remodel yesterday. It has been sitting patiently waiting since we ground off the old floor a few weeks ago.
I finally took a tape measure, pencil and level and mapped out on the wall where the upper cabinets will go. This was important because I had left wires in different parts of the walls behind the new sheet rock for the under cabinet lighting that will eventually be installed. Since I am building my cabinets from scratch I have a bit of leeway on measurements but so far the upper cabinets will be pretty standard in sizes. 18 inches above the counters, 42 inches to the ceiling (no fur-down). 12 inches deep and in widths of 12", 15, and 30. I installed after-construction outlet boxes for the wiring, just below where the upper cabinets will meet the back splash (nice glass tile mosaic), they are controlled by a switch I added at the kitchen entry.
Next step will be to float and tape all the drywall. I will use hot mud to start with and then finish off with the regular stuff.
I love hot mud. It's great not having to wait a day for it to dry. Although I wish I was more skilled in applying it with a smooth finish. It's especially good when you have to put it on thick and regular mud in the same location would never dry.
After a four hour drive, I am number one on the sign in sheet at the muster point for the tour.
Be back later!
For context this needs to start with some unhappy: back end of last week my skin went loco again, and as is often the case at such times, I started breaking out in lots of little infections - boil in my ear, red and watery eye, and a little nailbed infection at the tip of my right index finger. So, I called my doc and got a prescripton for anti-biotics, all dandy.
Then, two days into the anti-biotic course, I got hit with a vomiting bug. A full 24 hours unable to keep anything down for more than a few mins = fucked up my anti-biotics.
Though my eczema flare and most of the little infections were more or less done anyway, the fingetip just got worse and worse. Massively swollen. Ended up over at the doctors where he had to drill a little hole through the top of the nail to try and drain some of the goo...and doubled up the anti-biotics.
That was on Monday. Whatever he'd drained off seemed to have been replaced within am hour or so with more gunk, lifting the nail up and swelling the surrounding skin to a tight red mass, with the green starting to expand out beyond the nail and up onto the finger joint. I've been in nightmarish amounts of pain with it. Ridiculous amount of pain to be had from the nail and its bed - I see why torturers historically seem so fond of fingernail stuffs. It looked for a little while like I was auditioning for a zombie movie (or...my finger was anyway, the rest of me was fine!). Tried getting a pic, but too blurry and badly lit to bother posting.
Last night I was getting to the point where I thought I may end up down at accident and emergency to have it properly dealt with...was starting to think maybe...maybe this is going all the way in and I'll be out for the count with sepsis.
This morning it started to leak stuff out. The pressure has been dropping for the last few hours. Am starting to feel so much better! And can now stop fretting that maybe that greeny,bluey,blacky,murky bit at edges is the beginnings of gangrene :p
Smelled bad though, the stuff that came out. And more to go. Probably still be doing stuff one handed for a couple of days yet.
I love hot mud. It's great not having to wait a day for it to dry. Although I wish I was more skilled in applying it with a smooth finish. It's especially good when you have to put it on thick and regular mud in the same location would never dry.
One of my sons (the one in Alaska) is a drywaller and showed me the benefits of using it. I use the web mesh tape as the mud penetrates it and you don't have to do 2 passes of plaster to embed it like with the paper tape. The big thing is to have as much done ahead of the actual mud work as 45 minutes goes by pretty quickly. Also don't mix up more then you can use. I've got a few spots where I got off a bit and the gap between the wall or next sheet is 1/4" or so and the hot mud is great for filling it in. I use the regular topping mud for the later coats as it works better and gives you more time. I start with a 5 inch knife and work up to a 14" one at the end.
DanaC, glad it is improving and you can actually find something positive in all this.
I busted my right thumbnail today while installing the electrical outlets in my kitchen. Not sure what I did but my hand slipped and the next thing I knew I had torn back the nail a bit from the bed so it was bleeding and hurt. I shouted out a string of curse words and my dog ran in the other room to hide.
I usually draw blood a little bit when I'm doing wiring, but I've never torn a nail. Ouch!
And Dana, I'm sorry about your finger.
Jeez Dana.
If that's good news...
Damn, I was going to another thread to moan about a canulla. I feel unworthy now. But then I have photos and I bet you don't ;)
Yeah, sorry about your finger, and the rest of the horridness.
Dana,
No topical antibiotic for the finger?
Nah. But antiseptic rinses and antibiotic tablets.
I forgot to mention my other reasons for happiness and good cheer:
Carrotchops had his hip assessment today (shold have been a fortnight ago, but no matter ;p). Rhona the hydrovet was very pleased. His muscle development is almost approaching normal now for his size and age. He is far more stable with his footing, and able to right himself if pushed slightly, can stand on three legs if she lifts one of his rear feet off the floor. Did a walk round the carpark and his gait looked good, much more even and deliberate.
Did a stint on the underwater treadmill and this time she had him running, going really fast. Gosh he was wideeyed after that. Did well though and looked much more confident and even in his movements than he used to.
The difference in strength and flexibility between his right and left rear legs has decreased dramatically. He's still stepping slightly further with one side than other other, but it's barely noticable now. And in terms of muscle mass in his thighs there's now only about a 10% difference, whereas it used to be closer to 30-40 %
So...I've to increase his exercise a little more. And introduce some new challenges, like some on lead trotting at speed and things that force him to try and stabilise, like just gently nudging his back end as he walks past so he has to right himself:p Whilst also keeping up with his current regime.
Keep that all going for two months then go and reassess. If she's still happy with the rate of progress and his overall stability then she may sign him off at that point until such time as need arises (injury forces a reduction in exercise and a need to rebuild/winter weather makes getting the right amount of exercise difficult/ maintenance sessions if problems arise with increased exercises).
So pleased:)
And to celebrate, carrot spent the afternoon working on a new project: a beef knucklebone marginally smaller than his head
I am happy because my wife is alive and safe in Seattle waiting to fly home for the weekend. Last night she headed south from Burlingham, Washington and crossed the I-5 bridge in Mt. Vernon over the Skagit River.
An hour after she crossed it the bridge collapsed. :eek:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cars-bodies-in-Skagit-River-after-I-5-Bridge-collapse--208760201.htmlYo mama so fat ...
:bolt:
:hide:
Yo mama so fat ...
:bolt:
:hide:
And if I had posted that my wife had died or was injured would you have responded the same way? Asshole!
I am happy because my wife is alive and safe in Seattle waiting to fly home for the weekend. Last night she headed south from Burlingham, Washington and crossed the I-5 bridge in Mt. Vernon over the Skagit River.
An hour after she crossed it the bridge collapsed. :eek:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Cars-bodies-in-Skagit-River-after-I-5-Bridge-collapse--208760201.html
I'm glad Mrs Houston is ok.
btw, that's
Bellingham.for real this time!
good luck!
Got my Land Rover back up and running by replacing the XYZ switch with one I got on eBay for $140 instead of $600 from the stealership! ;)
Have you found a way to waterproof it?
A bag full o' crispy duck in the freezer, reinstating what the Big Snow took away from me. I now have:
roast duck bitz in the freezer
plum sauce in the fridge
rice pancakes (courtesy of Sundae ;)) on the shelf
In a day or two I'll go get us some cucumber and syboes (spring onions) and we'll have the crispy duck pancake thang! :yum:
Do folks hunt ducks where you are or are they farmed? I have to admit that I associate Scotland with nothing but the thinnest of soils that barely support grass and sheep. I always wondered how you all manage to eat. And for being practically in the water there isn't much talk about Scottish fisherman. It's always Irish fishermen.
What, exactly, is going on over there? Where do you get ducks?
This duck came from the
Co-op (what passes for a supermarket here).
The late lamented remains of the Christmas duck was free range at a
farm up the road. We've already placed our order for the next one.
You are right about the thin soil, especially here on Arran which is just a rock sticking out of the sea with a thin covering of top soil. The Irish fishermen have pinched all of our fish (as have many other nationalities).
If'n you want to shoot at stuff, there's a couple of guys here who raise
pheasants for that, or have the stalking rights (for the
red deer).
Most people go to the shops for their food :p
Limes, the rice pancakes need to be soaked.
They're more a wonton covering than a pancake covering, as I discovered to my chagrin. Otherwise you may as well eat your duck from a cereal box.
Mmmmm, crunchy!
Fine if you are able to steam them I assume.
Happy today?
You betcha.
Group interview for W (high-end supermarket) today.
Seemed to go well, said we would hear in 2-3 weeks.
Just checked my email:
Thank you for taking part in our recent interview. I am very pleased to tell you that we will now be considering your application further for job matching for Aylesbury. You will hear from us to let you know either that we have successfully matched you into a position, or that we plan to place your application on hold as we cannot match you. I will advise you by email when the job matching will be taking place once we have completed all of our interviews.
If we place you on hold and a suitable vacancy comes up within the next three months we will get back in contact with you. In the meantime, if you review your status on the system, it will state that your application is on hold following group interview.
We were advised at the interview that this was the second step.
Third step is exactly what it says above; from 1500 candidates they invited 350 for group interview. From 350 they had 140 vacancies to fill. Now it's simply (!) matching the working patterns and hours requested to what they require. As I said I was available for all shifts on all dates, I stand a very good chance of getting through to stage 3, which is simply
JOB OFFER!
The only criterion I expressed was a minimum of 15 hours, because below that I am simply better off on benefits. Sorry to say it, but it's true. There is no point in me taking a job for 5 hours per week (their minimum shift.)
Just gotta get through the reference stage, hmmmmm.
Yes, it's a supermarket.
But it's one I really like.
And it seriously looks after its employees. Sorry, partners; it ha sno shareholders and an annual bonus to all staff. Opens 8 August. And I
was looking forwar to it so much. But now if I don't get a job, how can I ever cross the threshold without resentment?
Yeah, I'll manage it for a penguin's egg.
Ostrich egg, I mean.
Nice to hear, Sundae! Good luck all around with it.
Me again!
Gosh, happy, happy :)
Those of you who follow my posts assiduously will remember that my parents received a refund from the AA (car insurance, not alcohol) because I recognised a bum deal when I saw one and drafted a letter.
This time round, Mum was very unhappy about their hoover (although not a Hoover, a Dyson) breaking down. Now she did have the nous to call their helpline, but was even more unhappy with the response. She was asked to dismantle the machine and although an engineer could be sent out, if it was not a replaceable part it would cost them £70 plus parts because despite the 5 year guarantee there is an expectation that customers take care of the vacuum cleaner. The 'rents do of course, but £70 cold hard cash scares Mum if she can't be sure.
They went out the same day and bought a cheap Hoover (yes, really a Hoover this time.)
No, sez I.
Dyson can do better than that.
Let's appeal to their brand-pride. They offer a 5 year guarantee, you are OAPs with health problems. You have not abused it.
You have similar-aged friends and the newspapers love a story like that.
So I drafted a letter. No mention of said friends or newspapers of course; you do not appeal to a company's PR department by making threats, veiled or otherwise.
I told no lies.
Mum amended it and she told no lies either. You know what I mean.
And I specifically said that there was no complaint about the person who handled the call, and Mum kept that in. Poor lass was following company policy.
Mum got a call today.
So sorry.
No responsibilty accepted, but an offer - without prejudice - for an engineer to come out free of charge and mend it. Just wish Mum & Dad had taken my advice and not bought another vacuum cleaner in the mean time. But it would have scared Mum into fits to have a house un-hoovered for three days.
Mum sez she will have one for upstairs and one for downstairs.
She's made up anyway, saying she wouldn't have argued this, or the AA issue and she's glad I am here.
And there it goes a little weird.
Because she's all apologising for being a bad mother and how she failed all of us and all this and all that.
I mean I get cross with her. Often. And I really dislike her double-standards and critical approach. But she is my Mum and I love her. So to hear this when I've made her happy and that means I am happy is... well, weird.
Maybe this has been sparked by me nearly getting a job. So perhaps a little bit of regret that the first thing she said was "Let's just hope they don't find out about your medical history." Which sent me tail between legs to break the news to you instead.
Anyway.
They will get their Dyson back (£370)
And that is really good news.
The new Hoover (£77) moves like a car with the handbrake on.
And anyone looking to buy a Dyson cleaner in the future - go for it. It's worth the initial payment for the peace of mind. Even if it took a letter.
Surely it's the health issues themselves? Maybe they're making her realize that she might lose you someday--though not for a long while, and not likely in any case, it still might be a sudden wake-up call for her that she can't take you for granted.
My drummer kid makes me happy. Horrible quality but you get the point.
[youtube]39SbO6PTOIc[/youtube]
I like how she looks so relaxed, "I've got this." You should be proud: Griff Krupa!
She was actually weirdly nervous, you can hear the tempo rise but what the hell, right? Pretty cool kid.
Very cool, put me in the mood. :thumb:
Surely it's the health issues themselves? Maybe they're making her realize that she might lose you someday--though not for a long while, and not likely in any case, it still might be a sudden wake-up call for her that she can't take you for granted.
That's a really good way to look at it, thanks.
My drummer kid makes me happy. Horrible quality but you get the point. She was actually weirdly nervous, you can hear the tempo rise but what the hell, right? Pretty cool kid.
Damn cool kid.
Griff - that is fantastic!
I am so jealous of you all ... We don't really have any videos from when my kids were young.
AND my memory is not so good anymore :(
Picked up Universe Sandbox from Steam for less than $3. It's an astronomy simulator a lot like Celestia except you can add and edit celestial objects. I already increased Earth's mass to 55 suns to see what would happen. It has some nice prepackaged tutorials.
Picked up Universe Sandbox from Steam for less than $3. It's an astronomy simulator a lot like Celestia except you can add and edit celestial objects. I already increased Earth's mass to 55 suns to see what would happen. It has some nice prepackaged tutorials.
Kerbal Space Program is another one in that vein. It's an early release on Steam. Not complete, but very fun and has come a long way in the last year. I think I bought it for about $5.
Kerbal Space Program is now $23. :(
Thats a fun game , I landed saftly a few times and crashed into the Moon spectacularly a time or two , look for Scott Manely on Youtube , he is the Master , oh and Robaz rocks as well but for totaly different reasons !!!!
Kerbal Space Program is now $23. :(
My steam buying strategy is to add things to my wishlist. They then email you when any of the games on your wishlist goes on sale. When the sale is killer (75% or so, or drops the game below the cost of a movie), I then buy. Sure, I don't get to play the cool stuff when it comes out, but I save a boatload in the long run.
On an annoying note: My gaming machine died a couple of months ago, and I still haven't taken the time to repair it.
Oh how much you all loved me! <tear>
And my creativity! Happy Guy Here!
I became an uncle yesterday!
I became an uncle yesterday!
illustrating the point that nature abhors a vacuum. if it's not one brood, it's another. Congratulations!!
Found out grandkid #2 will be a boy.
Don't care about boy/girl so much that it's at the point where it can be determined.
Monkle
This is now my new favourite word.
Congrats to your families, rich and Happy Monkey!
Today I'm happy because we survived the last night's four hour trip and Beans' first night in a hotel. Today she finally gets to meet my mom and my brother! Woohoo!
Congrats HM and rich!
Have a wonderful visit, choco. Very special.
Got the card.
Turns out Fathers Day isn't until next Sunday.
But at least I'm prepared.
That's fantastic, Sundae. Beautiful.
Wow! I need to step up my game for father's day
Glorious.
And that final pic of the two of you together is beautiful. Really beautiful.,
This morning I planted ten tomato plants, eight peppers of various sorts (sweet to hot), six cucumbers, lots of dill, basil, parsley, and thyme. The oregano has taken over and mostly has to be ripped out as a weed, so there's lots of that for drying whenever I feel like it. There's space for three rows of seed. Next weekend I'll sow kale, rainbow chard, and Chioggia beets. That's all the raised beds will allow, unless I find a spot here or there as the season goes on. I'll tend everything on weekends and harvest baby kale and chard all summer. That's a good thing, and hopefully will help keep me on track.
Well, I got the call from Waitrose!
They want me on the Deli counter, which was one of the preferences I expressed on my application.
AND I have filled in the medical form, which I was able to answer 100% honestly as it was all about allergies and food-handling issues. Phew!
So now it's just down to references. Something that still makes my stomach churn, but I can't fix what has happened in the past. I'll just have to deal with it as it happens.
The hours I've been offered:
Sunday 09.00-12.45
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 06.30-09.45
Thursday 09.30-13.30
Sunday is time and a half, so I'm pleased to get that one.
Mon, Tues & Weds are an earlier start than I would like, especially as it's not a warehouse job where I can just roll out of bed - I have to be showered and clean and well-groomed.
But it's a job, and after all gives me the whole day free!
I can look for other work in the afternoons when I'm back in the groove.
And all Friday off for appointments etc.
For four days of the week I'll be mostly setting up, stocking shelves I think, as the store will be closed. Waitrose is not 24 hour. When the store is open I'll be working with CHEESE! Cheese and cooked meats and olives and all the things I love.
And I get 12% discount after 3 months.
Although I think Mum would rather I was out of the house more when she was awake, she seems mildly pleased that I really have been looking for work (I think she thought I was pretending) and after all it will benefit the family greatly. I'll get 25% off at Joohn Lewis too - some electrical items excepted.
If I get this, people, life might just work out after all.
I'm so happy for you! Mmmm... I love some cheese as well.
This is such fabulous news! Sundae I'm so happy for you! Well done!
Yay!!
This is good news indeed. And the deli is a good place, it was the most coveted of all positions when I worked at a grocery store. (The bakery was good too, but tempered by the fact that the bakers had to show up way earlier than everyone else.)
Hooray! Think they'd be impressed by an international committee of people from all walks of life who could give reference to your good character? :)
This is making me smile. Excellent news, Sundae.
Great news! Way to go, Sundae! :)
You can use the Cellar as a reference. On second thought, maybe just our well wishes would be best. :D
Limey is honestly one of my refs :)
The only one I am concerned about is school.
Being selectively honest they can make me sound like the bestest person alive.
Or an unreliable old lush.
I just have to wait & see.
Weeding.
There might be pictures, but not of the refreshments.
Ha! I was going to offer myself as a reference :-p
Four more hours in the garden pulling weeds/grass/undesirables/pruning etc. It's cool today, 64 deg high forecast. And rain, light rain, periodically. My radio got a little wet, but not dangerously so. I'm in the house now for a bit of a lunch break. I reckon I'm... one-third of the way to the finish line.
4 hours and only a third of the way there? That's a lot of weeds.
Lil' Griff's big day! Passed her drivers test and got her SAT subject tests back 710 Eng Lit and 780 US History. Nerd.
64 degrees?!? It's 93 degrees down here. Ugh!
Griff: smart kid you've got. :thumbup:
Congrats to Li'l Griff!! May she attend the school of her choice and conquer!
Took my 3rd son out for a 23rd birthday dinner tonight, had a very good meal while taking in a lovely view over the valley here in Almost Heaven, and just enjoyed the evening. Perfect temperature.
About a month ago i had this weird fucked up thing happen ,
I was driveing and all the sudden my vision went all Swirlly , closeing 1 eye didnt make it go away , so I pulled over and we went to the ER ASAP , so blood work, cat scan , xray , and other tests later i had NOT had a stroke , Bp ok , Sugar level ok , white blood cells count with in norms , liver function ok , etc,,, the only thing they saw was a spot on a lung ,
I went to the eye Dr and he did a THURO exam , according to him i had the Aural part of a migrane
So work wise I finally got time to get a Hi rez cat scan of my chest the other day ,
i heard this afternoon i heard the spot was from a syst or sum such and is benign , nothing to worry about .
The worst case stuff has been running in the back of my mind for a while ,
Wow Zip I was thinking abut your user title after you posted! :eek:
Long Live King ZippyT per Feetz and now Vana!
Holy crap, Zip, that sounds scary. Glad it's benign.
Thanks , now i get to be put to sleep and a camera cramed down my throat to see what the restriction is , monday is going to SUCK !!
Good news zip, that was a scarey episode!
"Shadows? On me lungs? I'm being eaten away, this is the end of me. Oh God in heaven help me."
From Alfie.
[YOUTUBE]C4dkYaeNLuc[/YOUTUBE]
(and Carter USM)
Glad it turned out the bullet you dodged was a rubber one, Zip.
It's not been a great year for Dwellars health-wise, so it's wonderful to have good news.
glad you're OK, Zippy. And extra bonus points for you, going to the ER immediately after the symptoms.
That clip hits the nail on the head Sunday !!!!
Eep. I hope everything turns out well.
The swirly vision shit sounds scary enough.
Good luck on Monday afternoon after they pull the camera out of your lungs. Let's hope it's a point and shoot and not a DSLR.
Glad to hear it isn't serious.
Oh, put in an application form for an evening job stocking shelves today.
No doubt they'll be inundated with applicants, but having got the job at Waitrose I am now much more hopeful about my employability.
Just heard that two of my brother's songs got licensed to be played in a future episode of "Roadtrip Nation" on PBS. They're paying him real money for it (not a lot of money, mind you, but still actual money.)
that's the intersection of talent and luck you told us about! Congratulations!
Good luck Sundae! Excellent, Clod!
Sent by thought transference
I am happy.
Finished the last class I'll sit through in this entire program; wrote the last exam until Boards; escaped and drove and drove north until I found my way to my own little patch of paradise.
I walked around my gardens, visited my trees. Checked on the fruit, the flowers, the wilder part. Sat very still and watched the does nibble at the slope and then fade back into the brush to bed down. Fed the small creatures.
Tomorrow promises so much. i have to fix the tomatoes and other veggies, do what must be done to get that deep green amazing growth going; and I have to go into town to the market house and visit the 17 year old who makes amazing wooden kitchen utensils as his means of funding university. I'll buy a few more things than I really need. And I'll stop in to the local family-owned bakery and buy some pizza and some cinnamon flatbread and whatever else they've got going, and listen to the local jazz for a bit ...
and I'll bring my treasures back and pound out that paper on polio immunization in Nigeria, once the WHO suspension is lifted ...
and it will be a great Saturday. At the end of the day I'll take my second son out for a birthday dinner (lots of birthdays this month) and encourage him in his recovery from many physical and psychiatric issues.
I am happy.
Early ride today, reached the trailhead at 7. Trail conditions were ideal everywhere [retrogrouch]except where some highly motivated folks ruined a technical climb by turning it into a banked curves downhill for kids too lazy to get in shape to ride.[/retrogrouch] The trails were wicked fast and there is a really tight single track section that's been getting more traffic lately so its hard-packed with a lot of dips and quick turns... nice. Walk and short run after. now sweaty
5000 btu air conditioner is not expensive and makes life comfy
Got to meet up with old high school friends at a wedding this weekend. Among them were an ex and a boy I had a crush on in 10th grade (lo these many moons ago.) Both of them are still single and, from a woman's perspective, understandably so.
While I was glad to enjoy their company, seeing them made me really, REALLY happy I did not pursue long term relationships with either if them. :lol:
We had this amazing HVAC guy who also did electrical work. He was a real gem. Old guy who knew everything and really loved our old house with all it's idiosyncrasies. He helped us out 3 or 4 times when we first bought the place. We were so sad when he retired about ten years ago and sold his business to a guy who had been apprenticing with him. We had that new guy do some maintenance on our AC and he was fine, but he wasn't Joe.
Well, today my wife noticed a problem with our AC. Which sucks. So she called the new guy and he said one of his technicians would be over later, and who shows up but Joe! I figured he would be in a nursing home by now.
Anyway, I'm really happy. Happier than I should be. I mean, our fucking AC is broken. But Joe is on the job! I hope he's still there when I get home. I mean I don't really. I hope he just reconnects a wire or something and the AC works again. But I'd love to see him.
It was more than just a loose wire, but Joe hooked us up and we have AC again!
Apparently some insects got into a little transformer in the condenser and shorted it out. He had to replace the part.
A good tradie is a damn good thing to have.
He checked the fuses out by the condenser, and even though they were good, he left us a spare fuse for free* in case one ever goes out. That's the kind of small thing that will buy loyal customers and give great word of mouth business. Joe rocks!
*Considering the whole service call was a few hundred bucks, the fuse wasn't exactly free, but it felt like it.
Most people wouldn't give you a freebie like that. This is the same guy who years ago gave us a radiator key so we could bleed our radiators ourselves, and who noticed that the pressure relief valve on our boiler didn't have a drain pipe to take any potential scalding water discharge down to floor level where it wouldn't burn us, so he installed one for free. He had an extra one in the truck from a water heater he had removed earlier in the day. Took an extra 2-3 minutes. Each time, he was charging us for the visit and these were all freebies.
That is really cool glatt! The electrician who signed off on my panel way back when stopped by a couple days ago. It was really nice talking shop with him. He was wondering if our whole house electric on demand water heater held up and we talked about alternatives if I ever have to scrap it (not making a sales pitch). He has a lot of alternative energy background and ideas... and I gave him a chance to complain about militarism and the NSA so he was happy too. :)
We ordered pizza last night.
Dads is in hospital for at least the next four days; probably more as he didn't start his steroid drip until this morning.
Mum left with him at 09.00 and didn't get home until 19.10. Delays, delays, delays, then having to repeat all the information given to the GP, and the last consultant, and the one before that, and the results of the last ECT and...... you get my drift.
So she came home fuming and said, "SOD IT!"
We're not "allowed" to order in pizza when Dad is here.
Because it's cheaper from Tesco.
But it's so much nicer delivered!
Given my recent wait-a-thons in hospital, I think Mum was really pleased to have me to come home to and moan to. Quite justified moaning.
And I know she was pleased to tuck into pizza with me.
So we had a lovely night, eating too much; I had a can of beer - just one - Mum had wine which she left in the fridge and I did not touch. And we watched the silly things we both bond over and really laughed.
When we get on, we get on well. And I know we both went to bed relaxed and un-fraught. I'll bet Mum woke in the night and worried. She called him first thing after all. But I'm doing what I can.
I've organised our first Tesco (supermarket) online delivery for tomorrow - woohoo!
First-timer discount wipes out the delivery charge and still makes it cheaper than shopping yourself and getting a taxi home. And although I've hauled around bulky items for years, I'm trying to show Mum & Dad an easier way.
Given that Dads is going to have to seriously take things easy when he gets back, I think it's a worthwhile experiment. Will wait and see how many substitutions there are...
Anyway, Mum & I are going to have Chinese tomorrow, Friday or Saturday night. Depends how she feels. It's a surprise :neutral:
Tesco Chinese. But that's the least I can do. And she does like the old Tesco Chinese.
Apart from that I'm doing the things she usually does even before I wake up, or I have to make appointments to do: washing, ironing, hoovering, dusting etc.
Trying to be a good girl. It's times like this I realise how much she loves him, despite how angry she gets. Which by association means she loves me too.
I had a can of beer - just one - Mum had wine which she left in the fridge and I did not touch.
Sundae, you know I love you, but--dammit, woman. I am pretty angry at your mother for enabling you. If you were my daughter, I wouldn't have alcohol in the house, even if it meant I didn't get wine with my occasional pizza. I know you fight your own struggle daily, and you're doing the best you can, but our families are supposed to be safety nets, not tripwires.
I feel pretty good as I was able to help my step son and his wife by painting the interior of their old home on the west side of Houston as they hope to rent it out next month. It is a 3 bedroom, about 2000 sq ft and I boutht10 gallons of paint and so far have used about 7 to 8 and am only left with some touch up. I painted it the same color throughout which made the going easier but it has a fair amount of wear and tear what with 5 kids living there. Need to do some trim work on the door and window frames.
They and the kids are on a summer road trip to the east coast to visit family for 2 weeks, it was a good time to paint while they were gone and it took me 4 days although I typically only painted between 9am and 3pm to avoid heavy cross town traffic.
Not that I would want to do it for a living but I wonder what a professional painter would have charged?
...but our families are supposed to be safety nets, not tripwires.
Yeah, I guess The Gruppenführer (soon to be ex mrs. foot) didn't get that memo. (and her TPS reports need work too.)
Scored tickets to see Macklemore!
They sold out in fifteen minutes.
Um, Sundae ... what Clod said. Double. :grouphug:
I thought about making such a comment as Clodfobble and ZenGum made. I feel that way, sure.
But.
Having more first hand experience in my family than I wish I did, I know that it's a losing battle to try to manage the alcoholism of another. The whole fucking deal is one giant slippery slope. "How much compensation is too much or not enough?" etc etc. No matter what amount of work from totally de-alcoholizing my house to buying a pitcher of beer for a shared meal will make fuck-all of a difference should the alcoholic choose to drink.
Sure, there's supportive behavior. There's unsupportive behavior. But the choice to drink or not is at all times in the hands of the individual.
In my opinion, Sundae, you should not drink alcohol. I base my opinion on what you told me about the serious negative effects it has on your health. That's my piece.
Now, if we were having dinner together and you asked me to forgo having a beer with our pizza, I would consider it, and probably grant your request. I might even ask you directly, "do you mind if I have a beer with dinner?". I have done that in the past in similar situations. But I don't want to be implicitly responsible for the your actions.
Oh gosh, I feel a bit sick now.
I don't know whether I'm ashamed for me, or embarrassed for my Mum or just generally guilty.
Sorry.
:grouphug: please take care of yourself.
Oh gosh, I feel a bit sick now.
I don't know whether I'm ashamed for me, or embarrassed for my Mum or just generally guilty.
Sorry.
You don't owe anyone an apology.
Sundae, you know I love you, but--dammit, woman. I am pretty angry at your mother for enabling you. If you were my daughter, I wouldn't have alcohol in the house, even if it meant I didn't get wine with my occasional pizza. I know you fight your own struggle daily, and you're doing the best you can, but our families are supposed to be safety nets, not tripwires.
Sundae is an adult. She is not her parents' responsibility forever. Hopefully she will outlive them. What then?
WTG on keeping the beer to one and not drinking the wine, S.
Thank you.
We're having my birthday lunch in Wetherspoons today. Maybe a poor choice on Mum's part, but it is the cheapest place to eat in town where you can be sure of the quality.
I've told her I will not have a drink. And I won't.
Like you say, I'm going to have to face these choices all my life.
I have a sneaky suspicion we're going to be using the gift card I got Dad for Father's Day. Bless him, he's not had a chance to use it yet!
I received pics & videos of my youngest daughters. I posted them in my summer vacation thread
Both of them are still single and, from a woman's perspective, understandably so.
:lol2:
Anyway, I'm really happy. Happier than I should be. I mean, our fucking AC is broken. But Joe is on the job!
It's an electro-mechanical device. You know it can be fixed, it's just how long and how much. But having someone fixing it that you
trust, is better than the cool side of the pillow. :thumb2:
Yesterday Della had a great time playing with a friend's dogs. I've finally found someone to have regular play dates with!
To top it off I've been dating a super sweet guy for a bit and I just made him my boyfriend officially.
All of my docs and family members are amazed at how well I'm doing!
Official Boyfriend, that's awesome!
Internet High Five!
Sounds like things are looking up for you, MTP! Hooray!
Balloon festival/concert series in the park starts today-hey a dinosaur just went over my house...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh
Howdy LimeGreenC! Did anyone say
:welcome:
to you yet?
Uniform fitting at Waitrose today.
YAY!
Am an employed person again!
Dad didn't know I'd gone out, although I did call out as I left.
He thought I was upstairs, asleep.
This seems to be a recent trend for my parents. Can't hear me? Asleep. Can't see me? Asleep. Can't smell me? Yeah, you know...
Anyway, got home and was greeted by Mum and showed her my new uniform and contract, so she knew I'd been out earning money, so that's fine (she was doing her volunteer job.)
Shirt is well baggy :D
Checked it was suitable for the shop floor dress code. It is.
Lovely uniform-fitter was able to tell the size of the shirt just by stretching it out. An Asian Ianto. Am pleased it's large rather than tight, so I didn't ask for a replacement. As Uniform Chap said, it's mostly covered by my apron anyway.
And he complimented the length of my arms. Apparently many staff have problems with the length of the sleeves. I have lovely long arms. Yes I do. They are both lovely and long. Thank you.
The little old ladies can ask you for help reaching the eggs on the top shelf.
Nah, I'm on the Deli counter.
But I can reach the unreachable cheese.
Can you get that bit under my little toe?
Nah, I'm on the Deli counter.
But I can reach the unreachable cheese.
Can you fight the unbeatable foe and bear the unbearable sorrow?
I can bare, but you have to log on with a Premium Rate username.
UT takes the profits, but I get to flash my norks.
http://www.seafoodfest.org/
Lutefisk eating contest at 1300 GMT-8.
97 minutes hence.
Last year, I came in second by a nose to the fellow who'd won the previous eight competitions. I'm gonna kick his ass this year.
I realized Friday that I'm happy in my classroom. :) All the adults coming in are fully on board with my PBS (positive behavioral support) methodology. Everyone is engaging with the kids at their level working that mirror neuron mojo.
Your post makes me happy, Griff!
I figure after all my whining this winter I'd better say something when things are going well.
I don't remember eating all these damn butterflies!
I did not finish in the money. :(
Fourth place, I choked. I mean I was choking on the chunks of lutefisk that went up my nose as I was trying inhale and eat at the same time. NEXT YEAR!!!!
Be careful ... choking on lutefisk is probably not the way you want to go. Sorry I missed the chance to cheer you on ... GO BIG V NEXT YEAR!!!
I got a lot done today. Visiting my oldest in DC, helped with cleaning and packing his apartment, reading 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius' (I know, it's not new but I stumble upon most fiction late), hanging out with the two chocolate point cats that came from my cattery. Gonna pick my son up from work tonight and have a glass of wine and some goodies I picked up at Whole Foods. Whole Foods ... I think it'd be worth moving here just to have access to this grocery store. Wow.
I figure after all my whining this winter I'd better say something when things are going well.
That's great, man, glad things are finally going your way. Will this carry through the fall/winter, or this a summer arrangement?
That's great, man, glad things are finally going your way. Will this carry through the fall/winter, or this a summer arrangement?
We need to find classroom space to do it. I may do a morning section and SEIT in the afternoon. <fingers crossed>
I guess it's more than finding someone to let you use some space. There's probably all kinds of rules and shit about what the facilities must be. Certified toxin free, urinals 12 inches from the floor, and that sort of thing. Crossing my fingers for you. :fingerx:
Thankfully with the sequestration the Head Start program may collapse leaving me a space... not how I'd see this go ideally.
yesterday: finding a snake on my washing machine
My wife is coming home tomorrow after full-knee replacement surgery.
Before the surgery, her comments were "just shoot me" and "all I want is 20 minutes without pain.
Now, she's in for a month of major post-surgery pain, but looking forward
to less and less til maybe this new joint will only be a small nuisance.
Monster, we require details, preferably with pictures.
no pics, 8inch garter snake, named Houdini in abstentia ;)
[COLOR="MediumTurquoise"]"Adopted" 6/29, mysteriously acquired freedom from tank 1 floor up 30 feet across 7/3, reappeared 7/12 [/COLOR]
I bought my first pair of Crocs. Hard to believe they are so comfortable
I'm not sure your footgear is regulation soldier!
This is the first day since I had my infected wisdom tooth pulled 12 days ago that I have not taken any pain meds! Mostly Ibuprophen or Tylenol, but I've felt the need to take it just about every 4 hours. Swelling in my neck is gone, too. :D
Wow. I'm glad you're happy about that, but that's 12 days of misery.
My wife is coming home tomorrow after full-knee replacement surgery.
Before the surgery, her comments were "just shoot me" and "all I want is 20 minutes without pain.
Now, she's in for a month of major post-surgery pain, but looking forward
to less and less til maybe this new joint will only be a small nuisance.
My Mom went through two of them...the ability to walk without pain (or even roll over in bed) is truly awesome for her.
@LL - hoping your wife will have a swift and uncomplicated recovery. I've met many people who are delighted with their knee-replacement surgery; they tell me they've gotten their lives back. I hope that's the case for your wife.
@chrisinhouston ... getting off the pain meds is great! Glad you've turned the corner. Now you don't have to deal with those GI side effects.
@Big Sarge ... Crocs have become our quick-stick-your-feet-in-them shoes to run outside and grab some firewood or some herbs from the garden. I agree with you, very comfy and convenient!
My crocs are camo and are great when you have to go to the latrine at night.
:) Quite a sight Sarge.
Lil Pete's boyfriend has been peppering me with house construction questions all evening. Kids got the itch.
Oh, so the kid sees property, trees, and a seasoned veteran... one stop shopping. :haha:
Sarge doesn't mean those good-hot-weather-shoes-with-ventilation (which I own a knock-off pair of).
He sticks his feet in real crocodiles (I think he means alligators, though)
You don't pull the mask of the night latriner and you don't mess around with Maury.
Big Schuh, big bad Schuh.
Pizza night tonight!
Yumyum. Even Dad is having some.
Baking a cake tomorrow.
And then making Mum chicken liver in cream & brandy with tagliatelli on Thursday.
What am I saying?
In the kitchen, in this heat?
Also bought a pair of work shoes.
Not by choice - none of mine are suitable (which I suspected anyway.)
Wore them to walk round the block today. Sweet FSM my feet were hot.
What am I thinking? Work shoes in this weather?
But work shoes mean end of not working and job and MONEY!
Am working on the silver lining aspect here.
'Cept for the pizza. That's a slice of fried gold right there.
Damn, almost forget the real reason for the post.
The World's End on Friday.
[youtube]YF-4c8U-mUI[/youtube]
Huzzah. Yes I have a ticket. I have forgone my usual treats in order to buy it, and am even intending to take water into the cinema with me rather than buying a bucketful of Diet Coke.
For those who don't like to link it's the new Edgar Wright/ Simon Pegg/ Nick Frost film.
Mixed reviews, but the critics whose tastes tend to match mine - or at least overlap - have enjoyed it.
Yay! Friday!
Start work on Monday!
Not paid til 26 AUGUST though :eek:
Tcha, got a full store cupboard and will get through somehow.
At least all my clothes are provided and the 'rents will wink at what I pay them for a little while; they've seen the documents, they know the deal.
In summary and on balance, very happy.
We found a big goofy puppy running free on our evening walk. My husband went back with treats and caught him, only to find the dog had no tag. We kinda stared at him for an hour trying to figure out what to do with him. (Couldn't bring him in for the night or put him in our yard cuz our dogs would freak.) Finally, my husband started ringing doorbells on the street where we'd found him, and luckily he found the pup's family. Hooray!
send my thanks to Kitsune for his good deed.
In the middle of feeling at a very low ebb and very sorry for myself...Sundae sent cake!!!!
I almost cried (in a good way) when it arrived. A large slice of moist chocolate (I assume, havent tasted yet:p) cake wrapped in foil in a plastic box with the easily identifiable panda tape around it.
Bless you chika, you haven't half cheered me up :)
10 years, a week, and a day ago, Mr. Clod and I got married. We missed celebrating around the actual day because of me being on death's door, but finally got our chance to go out to dinner last night.
We went to Uchiko, where the executive chef is Paul Qui, the winner of Top Chef season 9. I've been to expensive places, but I've never been to a truly foodie kind of place like this where the portions are tiny and they serve things like fennel sorbet. Really amazingly fantastic.
Choco, it wasn't a Korean family that claimed the dog, was it?
I, too, got cake!
It was sitting in its panda-taped box on the doorstep when we got back from our travels yesterday evening. I tucked it into the fridge immediately and had my slice for late breakfast this morning. As if that wasn't decadent enough, I munched on this divine morsel while Mr L pedalled 6 miles on the exercise bike behind me.
It was GORGEOUS! Thank you so much, Sundae, you shouldn't have!
Hooray for cake!
Congrats on your anniversary, Clod!
Choco, it wasn't a Korean family that claimed the dog, was it?
Boooo. The family is trying to sell their house; during a showing the realtor accidentally let the pup escape, and by the time the family got back home pup was long gone.
The family is trying to sell their house; during a showing the realtor accidentally let the pup escape, and by the time the family got back home pup was long gone.
This is terrible, terrible selling behavior. Nevermind whether it's safe for the pet; you don't leave an animal in a house you're trying to sell!
Absolutely. One of the biggest stresses of selling a house with four smallish children was taking all the children AND all the pets out in the car while the house was being shown. But I would never have left the animals in the house.
Congrats on your anniversary, Clod! Many happy returns!
Very glad you got the cakie Dana & Limey.
I have no idea how well it has held up in the heat.
We had a couple of slices when it was fresh and it was pretty good.
After refrigerating the flavour seemed deeper but it was much more dense (I think we have our fridge too cold TBH) and had to be eaten with cream and a fork.
Still, it was worth sending it, if only so you got a lift seeing the box :)
I'm happy because we went to Thame yesterday, to an open branch of the shop I am going to be working in in Aylesbury. Thame is always fun to go to anyway, but a couple of sly passes of the Deli counter were very reassuring. I have been so worried and nervous about this. It took a visit to remind me that in fact I'm not going to be working in an impossibly grandiose environment; it is just a shop. And they had two school-age lasses working the counter at one point - how hard can it be?
Although I did have a panic when I realised I'd be expected to slice pies by hand. OMG. No amount of training in the world can make me slice straight. I can't even carve. I hack. Which is okay when you can gobble up the bits which look like shavings or wedges, not good when the customer wants a nicely presented slice of
turkey, ham and apricot pie.
Still, I was heartened by the visit in general.
Bloody hell, girl, you gots some mad baking skillz.
That cake was lovely!
Now I want to know how deliously decadent Sundae chocolate taste like. Girl, can you kindly share the recipe? Thank you! :D
I just did three speedtests and got 0.46 mbps!!!!
I'm in the home stretch. I made it through today, I can make it through 12 more like it.
Just two more insanely hectic weeks with the stepkids, then a week with a big ol' blissful nothing to do--no camps, no drivers ed, no packing lunches, no nothing--and then school starts. Hallelujah.
[YOUTUBE]fwcYbo7pjto[/YOUTUBE]
Too funny. That's always been one of my favorite commercials.
Now I want to know how deliously decadent Sundae chocolate taste like. Girl, can you kindly share the recipe? Thank you! :D
Original post is
here.
Recipe is
here - UK measurements, sorry.
I read pretty much all the comments the first time I made it, because it is a financial commitment, as opposed to making a carrot cake or a coffee (flavour) and walnut cake. So I tweaked it according to my needs.
If you make, please post a photo, as I know yours will look far more beautifuller than mine. You have such exquisite attention to detail.
Thank you for reposting the recipe and thank you for not scolding me for being lazy to look your original post. :)
Oooh!
Today I learned about a canned coconut milk that truly contains no additives, meaning my kids can eat it and I don't have to hack apart my own damn coconuts to get coconut milk for recipes.
It's the little things.
you say coconut milk, and I immediately think "curry"; the very epitome of something with the opposite of minimum ingredients.
Your impression does not necessarily reflect reality, though. :)
Ingredients in a
common curry blend:
Cumin seeds
Cardamom seeds
Coriander seeds
Turmeric
Dry mustard
Cayenne
Plus meat, rice, coconut milk, and say another 4 for veggies... equals 13.
Ingredients in Mrs. Baird's
white bread:
WHEAT FLOUR
MALTED BARLEY FLOUR
NIACIN
REDUCED IRON
THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1)
RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2)
FOLIC ACID
WATER
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
YEAST
SALT
SOYBEAN OIL
CALCIUM PROPIONATE (PRESERVATIVE)
MONOGLYCERIDES
DATEM
CALCIUM SULFATE
CITRIC ACID
SOY LECITHIN
POTASSIUM IODATE
SOY FLOUR
Equals 20, not even counting the stuff you were gonna put
on the sandwich. In fairness, 5 of those are vitamins required by law, but a curry still comes out with fewer.
I'm with Big V in that a curry from scratch uses the most ingredients of anything I cook at home.
I don't put all that rubbish in bread when I make it.
I'm very happy and proud tonight because my oldest son completed his first century ride today in the Bike to the Beach charity ride for Autism Speaks. My son has Asperger's Syndrome and is an attorney with the USPTO. He's been involved in road biking for a number of years.
My son volunteers with a school that has a large population of disadvantaged immigrant children. He teaches them math and science and provides a male role model for children in 3rd to 5th grade. Two days ago he was one of the staff members on a school trip to Six Flags (!) - and survived to tell the tale. It sounds too patronizing and motherish to say that I'm proud of him. I am just filled with joy and admiration that he has taken time from a new and stressful job situation to do things that have been difficult in the past, and that are so important to others.
I'm very happy and proud tonight because my oldest son completed his first century ride today in the Bike to the Beach charity ride for Autism Speaks. My son has Asperger's Syndrome and is an attorney with the USPTO. He's been involved in road biking for a number of years.
My son volunteers with a school that has a large population of disadvantaged immigrant children. He teaches them math and science and provides a male role model for children in 3rd to 5th grade. Two days ago he was one of the staff members on a school trip to Six Flags (!) - and survived to tell the tale. It sounds too patronizing and motherish to say that I'm proud of him. I am just filled with joy and admiration that he has taken time from a new and stressful job situation to do things that have been difficult in the past, and that are so important to others.
Awesome. But: not patronising to be proud of your son for anything. And nowt wrong with 'motherish'.
I'm very happy and proud tonight because my oldest son ...
One of the very best feelings in the whole world !
. It is to be remembered in the darker times.
Yay for your son, Ortho.
Parents are allowed to be proud of their children's achievements.
I'm happy because Mum is very happy with me at the moment:
Partly because I've been training and I know she worries and frets when I'm not working, as well as being fed up with having me underfoot. I've not been very helpful with housework during the heatwave either; both of us are just too hot to do anything useful after about 10.00.
Partly because she knows I am working. It turns out I am on a steep learning curve and she appreciates that; she can tell her friends I am not just stacking shelves.
And partly because I am bringing home yummy food ;)
She was so diasppointed today because I was Rotisserie training (stand-by for photos of burns after 08/08 when our strore opens) because she was really hoping for some chicken. Cheeky mare, we didn't even get to taste it. She loved the filled baguettes I brought home last night.
Oh and she has decided not to take Wolf's Chocolate Banana Bread out of the freezer.
Tony and Eileen are coming in a fortnight and she wants to save it for them.
I was gratified she didn't want her own recipe Banana Bread frozen - she just wanted to plough through it.
But I'm equally gratified that she wants to save Wolf's recipe loaf for company, having sampled it. 'Tis obviously the good stuff.
An addendum to my moany post about my new employers (Mildly Irritated thread) yesterday.
I had my first day training in my actual, real, proper branch today.
There are glitches, but I was happy to be there and felt really fired up.
I can't say I won't be moaning again when I come home on Wednesday (08.00-18.00?! OMG!) but I am excited for the store opening on Thursday.
Helped set up the Meat & Fish counters today.
I got halfway through and experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed, that it could never be finished ever and I didn't know what I was doing.
This is the point in moving house where I sit on the floor and cry.
But I was working with Raj who has years of branch experience, is a Meat & Fish Specialist (and very proud of her counters) and as well as transferring to Aylesbury she has voluntarily seconded to four other branch openings.
So I kept it buttoned because I didn't want to sound too negative and the feeling passed.
I was in safe hands.
I'm not working tomorrow and am almost a little disappointed.
Because Raj has the Meat & Fish counters looking organised, even if everything still needs to be wiped and washed and wiped again.
Whereas we didn't touch Deli at all.
The girls will do it in my absence tomorrow.
Back Weds for set-up and more Rotisserie training.
And tasting ;)
Fantastic, Sundae! I hope Wednesday and Thursday go well.
Wednesday was instructive, but long.
A good introduction to standing for periods of time - something it took me months to get used to when I only had a Saturday retail job. A ten hour shift was a shock to the system but it won't happen again unless I choose it and today's four hours were a cakewalk in comparison. For my feet and back I mean.
Today - opening day - my gosh the store was busy.
If it's like that every day we will certainly get complaints about the number of tills and the length of queues. When I say "we" I mean the store - on Deli we're currently learning and are officially overstaffed. Just because we are learning from Partners seconded from other branches. Four extra today, three tomorrow.
We were advised not to let them do things for us, and I think we all really took that on board. I asked the experienced Partners to step in twice; once when a lady was adament she wanted thin hand-carved ham (generally I would have to advise the customer that it is a difficult proposition, but it was opening day and that Partner has 26 years of experience) and once when another Partner was already machine carving Parma ham and the customer said she was happy to wait. So I asked him to carve another six slices, engaged her in conversation and got her to taste the cheese we were sampling. She didn't buy, but it's part of the W Way.
When I go in tomorrow I'm going to check whether we will be paid overtime or whether it will be "time-banked". If we are paid it, I'm going to soak up as much as my feets and back can handle. Good for me and my product knowledge. Good for the store in increasing staff during the crucial days of making a first impression. Good to get experience under tutelege.
But I have to admit it's just about the money.
I'm contracted for 17.5 hours a week at present. Why on earth would I want more time off? Might still slip in a few extra hours here and there just because all the above is true too.
Anyway, came home a happy (lola) bunny.
Looking forward to tomorrow.
Mum & Dad and Maureen came in to see me today.
Stevo might come in on Saturday.
The rest of you are welcome, I'll post a map if you like.
None of my usual obessive photo taking, until I get my discount and start shopping there. Then I can post products without commenting on the fact I employed there. Let's face it 99.9% here have no access to this chain. It's just I said before, the place is very protective of its image.
NO photos or comments unless officially sanctioned.
NO detrimental comments etc, etc, etc
You know the deal.
Pretty much a sacking offence.
It sounds like a great start and some intelligent planning on the part of management - having the experienced Partners there to refer to in unusual situations must boost the confidence as everyone finds their sea legs. And it sounds like you rocked the the W Way! The chat and cheese tasting will bring that customer back.
Don't worry about pics if they're not allowed - your writing is wonderful, Sundae, you take us there without pics. A map would be cool, and welcome. :)
So happy to hear your first day went well, Sundae!
Excellent news, Sundae dear!
Sent by thought transference
Long days.
Learning curve.
Up at 05.15, eyes self-sealing now.
21.00 is probably going to end up my regular sleepy time but I'm trying to ease into it. No point going to bed at 19.30 and then being up from 04.00.
But is good.
Like the positive vibe. Like the vast majority of my colleagues (I'm me, I'm not brainwashed.)
Like the chap who sings "Cherry Baby" every time he sees me; prolly old enough to legally be my Dad, but it cheers me up no end.
Like - no, love - the products we sell.
Happy me.
Well I noticed a feeling while driving like my tires were out of round or something balance related. There wasn't a shimmy in the steering but I had noticed at slow speed the Land Rover acted like it was wobbling down the road.
So I dug out my Pep Boys receipt with the life time warranty and balancing, etc. and took it in. Pretty quickly they found my rear drivers side tire had a belt inside separated which made it spin all crooked and uneven, thus the wobbly feeling. That in itself didn't make me feel happy but with prorating it for 30,000 or so miles, etc I only have to pay $88 for a brand new tire.
The good part that makes me happy is that I have been planning to replace the 4 main tires with something more aggressive for off roading but my spare is an older Michelin street tire and showing signs of sidewall cracks from age making it useless if I need it. I was trying to avoid having to buy 5 tires at close to $200 each so now I will just get 4 tires and use the new replacement tire for the spare. Problem solved! :cool:
Over the weekend Lil Pete's boyfriend gave her a water lilly. She put it back in the water to keep it fresh and went sailing with the boy. Benny (the border collie) crept to the water's edge, very gently plucked the flower from the water, and placed it in Lil' Griff's, the third wheel's, lap.
Aww... That's adorable, Griff.
Benny knows how to suck up. :haha: Wonder if he was trying to cheer up the chaperon/3rd wheel?
Griff...are you making movies at your place or what??? lol That's just so lovely I'm having trouble believing it!
I know, right. I wish somebody filmed that. To be realistic he spends a lot of time returning frisbees and balls but I prefer to think he is this smart and sweet.
Whoever it was on here who got me addicted to the show "Community" (I think it was DanaC, but I can't be sure)... thank you, thank you, thank you. You have provided several evenings of happiness, with the promise of more to come.
[YOUTUBE]60WVQ1bwvB4[/YOUTUBE]
I posted in the Irritated thread a few weeks back, about the frustration encountered in trying to get hold of benefits for Dad.
Of course if it does go through it could mean an extra £200 per month for them. Talk about worthwhile. It's what he will receive as opposed to Mum getting a carer's allowance, because she is retired. Given the amount of hospital appointments she has to get him to, and the amount of tablets she has to sort and get him to take, AND all the taxis because he gets confused by the new bus schedule, it is a little extra jam for their bread, but it is deserved. If he didn't have Mum it would cost the State a heck of a lot more.
They got the letter through today, as well as the first payment, backdated for two weeks.
He's going to get £79.15 a week.
Over £4k extra a year.
It was well worth it.
Mum is made up, gave me a big kiss and thanked me.
Dad told Mum that the money was in the bank when he checked their account this morning, but he didn't know what it was so he didn't say anything. He thanked me when specifically prompted.
I'm not offended, it just shows more clearly than anything how he deals with unexpected occurrences by simply accepting them as part of life.
So I'm very very happy I made the effort.
Well done, Sundae. You are a good daughter.
Yey, way to go Sundae:)
Glad Sundae-Papa and Sundae-Mama are getting the extra. They deserve it. They've paid their whole lives for it, and the state is getting a bargain deal with it.
@ clodfobble: I think I may have been partially responsible for that Community addiction ... I did evangelize the show on here whilst at the height of my own addiction:p
It is teh awsum.
I have a little happy to share:
Audible recently (the past year I think) started allowing returns/refunds on books if members decide they don't like them or chose the wrong book or whatever.
After so enjoying Peter F Hamilton's epic space opera (Pandora's Star -Judas Unchained- The Void Trilogy) I was looking for something with a similar hit, and happened across one that sounded quite good, and with the same narrator as Hamilton's. yey! Got the first one....tried to get into it, but just couldn't. Didn't click. Characters seemed two dimensional and 4 hours into the 30 hour book I decided enough was enough.
When I tried to return it it came up as 'eligible' in my orders but instead of taking me to the refund screen I got a popup telling me to 'Let us help you find a new book: call our customer support team on xxxx'
I thought: shit...I've done this returns thing too much and they've withdrawn the service...
So, I called the number and spoke to an advisor, told him what had come up on screen. He said not to worry he'd sort out the return and credit my account with a book credit, then asked why I'd decided to return it. So I told him all about the previous book I'd really enjoyed and how this had the same narrator, and that I'd given it almost 4 hours and just wasn't enjoying it at all. In fact, I'd realised at one point that I was practically treating it as a chore, going and listening to half an hour in the hope it wold eventually start to draw me in.
He commiserated with me on my experience and apologised (not that this was audible's fault lol) and then said he wold credit my account with two book credits!
Awesome. very glad I phoned :)
Sundae, that's fantastic. Good job.
V, I'm glad you got the help you needed.
Sundae, that's fantastic. Good job.
V, I'm glad you got the help you needed.
um. thanks?
what are you talking about man?
After so enjoying Peter F Hamilton's epic space opera (Pandora's Star -Judas Unchained- The Void Trilogy) I was looking for something with a similar hit, and happened across one that sounded quite good, and with the same narrator as Hamilton's.
Audible also has Peter F. Hamilton's "Greg Mandel" series, set in the same universe as the others but many generations earlier, as society is just discovering/fine-tuning the rejuvenation and wormhole technologies that are used in the Pandora's Star books. I don't know who narrated the others, but his Greg Mandel series is narrated by Toby Longworth and he's fantastic.
Just got an update from Amazon that my Google Chromecast has shipped after a 3 1/2 week delay and will arrive on Wednesday as long as the UPS plane doesn't crash.
Someone has offered to do the genealogy for my dad's family for basically nothing.
Audible also has Peter F. Hamilton's "Greg Mandel" series, set in the same universe as the others but many generations earlier, as society is just discovering/fine-tuning the rejuvenation and wormhole technologies that are used in the Pandora's Star books. I don't know who narrated the others, but his Greg Mandel series is narrated by Toby Longworth and he's fantastic.
Oh! I didn't realise they were set in the same universe. I thought they were a different stream entirely. Might have to give them a listen then :)
Toby Longworth is an excellent narrator. I've had some of his stuff before. In fact he did one of the Void trilogy.
um. thanks?
what are you talking about man?
Glatt is a seer.
You
will get the help that you need, when you need it.
um. thanks?
what are you talking about man?
I have no idea. But it made sense to me at the time. :blush:
I received an offer today for work next year (when I finish my program), allowing me operational oversight of the practice and profit-sharing ... basically giving me backing to set up practice and GO. Just a few details to tweak but nothing major.
Now I just need good news from the gyne-oncologist, either tomorrow (i.e. nothing to worry about at all) or after some surgery (assuming the pathology is benign). Good news ... does it come in threes like bad news? I hope so. :)
Oh that's smashing news ortho! You deserve good things now.
Thank you! I hope all works out. :)
In terms of threes, a second good thing today was that I really, really liked the gyne-oncologist. She listened, discussed options, and was generally what I wish my surgeon last year had been. Surgery next Wed, could be limited or major depending on how things go, but since there's a majority chance of things being benign, I'll hope for a hat trick of good news.
I'm getting out of my lease early (with no penalty) and movin on up! I'm gettin' the hell outta Dodge! Finally! By Sept 15 I will be on my way to living in Bothell, WA with my best friends.
I've updated my resume and am looking for a job (so if you got any leads...). Selling most of my stuff, let my mom have my car in exchange for a Ford Escape and Della and I are gonna start a new life.
How exciting!
I've been to Bothell, let me know if you need any local tips. Of course, if you're moving in with your best friends, they've probably got all the tips you'll need.
Good luck and travel safely.
That's brilliant news Moar. It's sounded for a while like you and della could use a good, fresh start
Mum decided to fight an inappropriately issued Fixed Penalty Notice that was put on her car (whilst it was parked outside her house as it has been every night for the last 14 years without a problem!) citing 'Causing an unnecessary obstruction' as the reason.
Background to this is that, just off past mum's house is a side road, which used to be a lane/bridlepath leading into the woods and which has been gradually turned into a 'private driveway' by the two houses on that side road. They've built up their yards and properties in such a way that now, the only access to the woods is up a little set of steps at the top of their 'driveway', badly signposted as a public footpath, overgrown and no longer able to accomodate the horseriders that used to go that way during the summer months (years ago, before mum moved in).
They've also built right up and into the land owned by mum's landlords, and the other houses on her row. After some years of complicated legal dealings and a lot of cost, the owners of mum's house along with the previous owners of her neighbour's house gave up trying to get their landrights enforced.
They've blocked access to the rear of the little row of cottages, and had to be more or less threatened with further legal action if they didn't at least provide keys to the new locked gateway.
A year or so ago the council improved mum's road, and instaled a 'dropped kerb' right outside her house. She thought nothing of it, and nobody informed any of them of any change in parking. next thing is, about 6 months ago Mum got up one morning to discover council workmen painting a white line across the mouth of the 'drive' and extended along in front of mum's house and her neighbours.
She continued to park there, because she absolutely wasn't causing an obstruction and because the men painting the lines told her not to worry, it isnt enforcable. That kind of white line effectively has the legal status of a 'request'.
The people on the little side road kept calling the police out over her car 'obstructing' their drive. The police came out and agreed it was not obstructing - though they did advise that she could get ticketed for parking in front of a dropped kerb.
One of the guys on the side road, and the one whose house has been built right up into the area outside mum's house (and who apparently acted in a very threatening manner to her landlady a few years ago, as well as slamming her son up against a wall by his throat) is a policeman - working in traffic or so we've been told.
4am one morning Mum had woken up for some reason and so was(unusually for that time) out of bed when she heard a car pull to halt outside her house. She looked out and saw a police car. A policeman got out, looked straight up at her bedroom window, got back into the car for a few moments (where another person seemed to be), got back out and put the ticket on her car.
A ticket which refers to her blocking access to a 'private shared driveway'.
Since it wasn't blocking anybody she kept her car there. Umming and ahhing about whether or not to pay the penalty (£30) or stand her ground on the matter.
There followed about 12-13 police visits. Some in response to callouts, others who were 'just passing' (more police patrols than that little road ever gets normally) and decided to have a word.
Some of these interactions were weird. One of them pulled up in their car whilst mum's landlords were there doing some work on the house - they said come in if you want to discuss it and the guy said no....but i'll drive further up the road if you want to come talk to me there.
One of the police who came out in response to a call out told mum she absolutely wasn't causing an obstruction, and that the guy on the road who is a policeman had been 'spoken to'. Suggested she take photos and have her day in court, but not keep parking there whilst the dispute between the council and residents over the white line had been dealt with (letters back and forth: who requested it? Who authorised it? Councillors seeming to be on board then suddenly wanting nothing to do with it, letters going missing, everybody pointing to somebody else etc).
So when the date of the magistrate court hearing started to get close, mum sought a bit of legal advice. Spoke to a really nice chap called Bill. He said if she engaged his services it would cost her £500 just to walk through the door. And there's almost no legal aid available now for this sort of thing. If she fought it it could go badly and she could end up with a four figure fine and points on her licence, plus court costs. Worrying, as she's on a basic state pension. But if she pleaded guilty at that point, having not just paid the initial fine, they could still heap a fine of several hundred pounds and points on her licence.
He didn't take her case on as such...but he did say he'd help her, for free, in his own time. He coached her on a letter to write in support of her not guilty plea. Including things like 'I will also be seeking disclosure as to the involvement of the police in this matter etc etc etc' and 'given the likely cost to the public purse of a prosecution, would the prosecutor not consider withdrawing or discontinuing', along with a request for confirmation that this case had been assessed by a Crown Prosecution Lawyer.
We dropped the letter in a week ago...two days before the hearing (which you dont attend if pleading not guilty - they then decide whether or not to bump it up to a proper trial). We've been waiting anxiously for word on the decision.
Mum just phoned them to find out how long it usually takes for notification one way or another to get sent out: The woman she spoke to checked the system and said it's been withdrawn!!!!!
Small victories are sometimes the sweetest :)
Soooo relieved. It's been a weight on Mum's shoulders for months.
has been withdrawn.
... for now.
be wary.
Mega w00tage for me!
Landed a great job that starts in a couple of weeks. Pay is ok, not great, no bennies, but perfect for me as a transition job during this period of transition and should be fairly easy on the old brain cell, not to mention the joints. The creaky, creaky, mother ducking joints.
Congratulations, foot! :beer:
What will you be doing?
Woot! Woot! Congrats, foot!
Good news for your mom, Sundae!
And congrats foot!
Hang on, hang on.
Dana's Mum has achieved a parking victory.
Mine would have long since been arrested for her parking given that she doesn't have a driving licence. Or her own car.
Congrats Danimum.
And Foot. Although I always think of Last Exit to Brooklyn when I think of Bennies. You may be better off witout them...
Oops!
Sorry for the mix up. Hooray for DANA's mom. I think I got so wrapped up in the story that by the time I responded I'd forgotten who was posting. (That's what I get for posting in the middle of the night, up with the baby.)
Thanks guys:) I'm so pleased for her. Bad enough the bastards have bullied her out of her parking space and pretty much used the police to further their own little land grab, but at least she isn't going to get treated like a criminal and slammed with fines and points!
@ 3ft: way to go mate! well done you.
my mistake
i manually quoted sundae
my apologies
congrats to danas mum
Ta honey :)
What was so awful about the whole thing, was that the bastard copper who lives on that little road, was so clearly abusing his power to bully mum.
Dana, so it has always been between the frog and the mouse.
Just got finger printed for the new job. No whiz quiz, but a Crimean background Czech.
Working as a mentos/Tudor to a flock of high schoolers with varying degrees of eptitude.
Starting shortly. A big change.
That sounds like a good gig.
Are you going to tell stories about your paleo hunting tools and shooting woodchucks from your dining room? I had a teacher like that. I loved his stories, but it might not fly today.
As long as he doesn't talk about the Tibetan monks. No religion in the schools!
Actually this program is the kind of program that would want people like me as members.
A saint can't rescue a sinner, only a sinner can rescue a sinner.
You'll be awesome. Not as a sinner rescuing sinners, but as a smart/savvy/sharp guy who can wow the redeemable few and give them something to think about.
You'll make a difference, foot. Tell your stories and interweave all your smarts. They'll tell their friends about you.
I've gotten a bit of contract work in my area of expertise. It's not very much but the guy swears it will lead to more work later. Everybody says that, but this guy seems more trustworthy.
Nice! I've had a temporary job develop into something more ... hope this works that way for you.
Surgery went smoothly today and it looks like the issue is benign. Pathology will take a few days to come back but the surgeon was confident all is fine. Very very happy! And goofy on pain meds. :p:
Yay! And fingers crossed for you, UT!
Sent by thought transference
Thanks all for the good wishes! It's so exciting to be able to move forward. Getting ready to relocate to Arlington for two months, for a stint at OSHA headquarters. Glatt, we'll have to meet up!
I'm just as happy today, not quite as goofy (had to lose those pain meds, can't get anything done!).
Excellent, Ortho, that's wonderful. :thumb:
Sounds good, Ortho. We should try to meet up when you are here!
Is OSHA HQ in downtown DC, or somewhere else?
I have been waiting for my new cattle dog puppy to come since before he was born [more than 8 weeks] He is 5 and a half weeks old. Yesterday morning while they were playing in the breeders yard someone took the litter of puppies. This is a 5 acre lot so not really house next to house residential. The pups played in a fenced off area. :thepain:
Now you are saying to yourselves wait this is the happy thread. It does get happy. When it got dark the searchers tired from looking hanging flyers and talking to law enforcement and TV, sat down in their home probably to have a shot of whiskey! A truck with its lights off pulled into their circle driveway and when they went out to see what was going on they could barely make out someone tossing the pups out the door of the truck and speeding off. :eek:
The puppies were unharmed but very stressed and hungry squealing like pigs. I don't even begin to understand people but I am so happy they did not harm them. :D
Stupid fucking stupid arseholes.
Thank FSM it ended okay. Am so annoyed that people can behave that way.
Just popped in to say I had my first foray into decoupage today.
Pleased with the results.
Was in half a mind that this would be a birthday present for Mum, but they were out for far less time than I expected this morning and everything was out in plain sight.
So I immediately said it was for Abs as her birthday is 30 September.
It was always meant to hold photos of the twins.
And I think it might be more Abs' style than Mum's, given her response, which was complimentary but very muted.
Hope it's Abs' style anyway. I love it. Even that I cut my belly when I was getting the glass back into the frame!
May take a photo of my photos.
When I can get the damned computer to print.
It's decided it only likes Word documents at present.
And Steven is in Alaska-land, enjoying his 39 year old wife (40 tomorrow) and eating moose-burgers or something.
My mama might be done with her radiation treatment. all depends what the surgeon says. i don't know if chemo is done...really it's all day to day, and i know 'cause i take her to all her appointments (at least one a day) I hope it's operable now, and they can get that crap out of her.
the blessing in the unemployment is that i have been able to help mom and dad, not just with appts but also with the house/yard. I'm no caregiver, or never thought i could be, but i love them so much and i want to help.
it's hard, i cry a lot...but i am strong around them. maybe god thinks it's high time i grow up?i just want her to feel better.
i don't know why i'm finally telling this, after all this time. i guess with at least a reprieve i can finally 'say' it.
i even make wishes at white horses that she'll get well. so, here's to a small part of a long journey: conquered. good job, ma.
being grown up is massively overrated. being a good daughter is priceless, and I tell you that as the proud and blessed parent of one. good on you.
i don't know why i'm finally telling this, after all this time. i guess with at least a reprieve i can finally 'say' it.
I'm glad you said it. You and your mom will be in our thoughts.
Thanks you all.
really, i'm just in the right spot to do this. It isn't that much...we just do the best we can do, right? I feel like i've belittled the situation just talking about it. I really only have a couple friends i let loose too. I guess i'm realizing we're all trying to do the best we can.
i was blessed with great parents and believe me, i've been th most trouble of us 3 kids. but there was never a question about being loved.
life is damn hard and beautiful. Conundrum. :)
Thinking of you and your family, Infi.
Sounds good, Ortho. We should try to meet up when you are here!
Is OSHA HQ in downtown DC, or somewhere else?
OSHA HQ is in the Department of Labor building right by the Capitol. Do you work in downtown DC? We should definitely try to meet up!
Yep. Downtown by the convention center. Let's meet for lunch some time. My schedule is pretty flexible so I can hop on the Metro to meet you.
Sounds good. I'll pm you once I get my schedule.
I wish my {{{{{hug}}}}}} was in person Infi.
I'm so pleased it's good news for your Ma.
Much love to you and your family.
Posting about your Mum potentially facing death on an internet forum probably would belittle the situation. The internet is transitory and cancer and its ramifications are incredibly complex.
But you didn't just post on an internet forum.
You came here.
We are family. Like us or loathe us or anything in between, most of us have a sincere emotional conection. And cancer is something many of us have been touched by. My Mum got off easy in comparison, but some of her friends did not.
There are Dwellars that wish they could have the disease instead of the ones they love, and those who are slogging through it and just worrying about how it affects those who love them. No-one can ever live another person's life, but our combined experience comes close to understanding.
You are doing the best you can. And from one black sheep to another we always worry about how much we have to make up for. I'm slowly learning that "being normal" isn't the be all and end all. Sometimes being there without other commitments turns out to be a good thing.
We have so much thrown at us in the media about what a fulfilled life is, what success is, what a good life looks like. I'm glad for those who meet that ideal.
But there is a place for those of us in the minority. We just don't see it in adverts, in sitcoms, in magazines.
We're strange and we're beautiful.
Chin up Infi.
You're coping.
You know those things people do, "click on this to help me win" whatever, and no one you know ever actually wins?
I actually know a woman who won. Her son has an obsession with planes, and some folks (not me, admittedly, because I don't do Facebook) helped her family win 4 plane tickets to Europe on Lufthansa. They do some more plane-related stuff when they get there, I don't know. But she actually won the damn thing.
I had a similar experience earlier this year, where a woman who has end-stage metastatic breast cancer asked people who follow her blog to vote for it in a contest. She planned to put the prize money, if she won, in her son's college fund. He has another year of high school. I've never voted for things like that, but I voted for her every day. So did quite a few others, apparently, because she won the contest on Valentine's Day.
today's happiness is brought to you by the concept of recursion.
[ATTACH]45388[/ATTACH]
I get happy when I see orthodoc's name as the most recent poster in the what's making me happy thread.
Aden now has a license and a car. That means a lot less driving for me and a lot more opportunities for him. He passed his test with flying colours. 100%! I was very pleased for him. :)
I went to bed at half time. What a weird first half. At one point, it looked like Eli was going to cry.
Aden now has a license and a car. That means a lot less driving for me and a lot more opportunities for him. He passed his test with flying colours. 100%! I was very pleased for him. :)
Good on Aden!
With Hebe having a licence too I am beginning to feel so old...
He looks like a little kid. But he's a good qb
I get happy when I see orthodoc's name as the most recent poster in the what's making me happy thread.
That's so nice of you, V! :)
J is home from Euro vacation today. I miss her. And thanks to the Interwebs I can track her flight precisely, and see that her plane is over Newfoundland, right now. It's an Airbus A330-200, flying at 436 kts (planned: 399 kts), at 38,000 feet.
They serve brunch on the flight.
I bet they are trying to get her to sign up for their credit card right now.
Her flight has arrived without incident and she is probably picking up luggage right now
Why are you not there to greet her?
there was a prior agreement with her daughter's partner or something
Just spent two hours giggling like school girls with an old friend. My face and ribs hurt from laughing. Life is good.
Just got back from a nice lunch with orthodoc.
She's as friendly and intelligent in person as she is here on the Cellar. And she's looking great!
Sorry, but I didn't think to get pictures until I was posting this. So no pics.
Very nice to meet you, orthodoc!
It was such a pleasure to meet you, glatt!
We had lunch at the National Building Museum - what a gorgeous building! Glatt gave me the inside scoop on things to see and do around Arlington/DC. And I learned some cool things, such as the fact that glatt is an accomplished ice skater!
I also forgot about pics until it was too late - but really, honestly, lunch happened. :)
Wait, what? I want ice skating pictures!
My significant other made me dinner, and for dessert warmed Baklava mmmmm
My doc was awesome today. I may stop hating on the entire medical profession. maybe ;) Not only did she call me at home because she wanted a blood test redone, but on learning I was toying with cancelling my apt tomorrow, she did almost an entire consultation over the phone to save time in the morning, and then she called back a few minutes later and told me she's persuaded her nurse to start a little earlier tomorrow so I could go in earlier and be able to make it to chaperone Thor's field trip afterwards. happy. for the first time in a long while. which also makes me happy
That is pretty cool of her.
monster, that's fantastic. That sounds like a wonderful doctor. I hope you enjoy the field trip today.
Good doctors are hard to find, and burn out fast. Make sure to add her to your Christmas card mailing list. :)
I just completed the last of my HR type training thingies (FERPA, bullying, et al) I only got one question wrong! Apparently, harass is not two words.
(That one never gets old)
It'll be a few pay cycles before I can spring for a laptop and a bottle of Windex, but then I hope to be around more.
Infi, I was sorry to read about your mom. I hope she is doing better. I need to get caught up.
Thanks foot.
Hey, I am typing from my first ever self-owned laptop. I needed something, a computer that works, so I splurged out of my retirement money. This way, I can go to Clown College Online because I am seriously thinking of Medical Coding/Transcription. I wouldn't have to talk to too many humans.
Best of luck to you foot! I didn't know harass was only one word either. Did you scream out "well FUCK ME" when you found out your answer was wrong?
Two months after full-knee replacement surgery, my wife is " continent and contented" :cheerldr:
There is still pain but it's on the downhill side... for the next 9 or 10 months.
Caveat: Oxycodone is a miserable drug, given out by surgeons a way too freely,
without the necessary and sufficient warnings of dose-escalation and constipation.
It took about 4 weeks of withdrawal to overcome the side effects,
and for her to get back to the simple and sufficient doses of tylenol
for pain and normal bodily functions.
Our house no longer has the look and feel of a hospital room.
We are both happy !
P.S. Our G-son, Max, posted on his FB that "Gramma is pooping" :facepalm:
A friend of mine was addicted to Oxy and was seeing snow storms in July. Not to mention the constipation. It made her so woozy she would walk into the door frames. She thought she was losing her mind and would forget she took the dose so would take another.
When she called the pharmacist to tell her about the 'storm' outside, she was told to stop taking it. It was 6 weeks before the original pain went away, because of the tolerance she'd built up and then had to temporarily take Morphine to overcome it.
Yeah, oxy is weird shit. You have to drink a lot of water and chow fistfuls of Senna tablets. Also you have to really monitor if your liver can keep up with your dosing. You gotta take the minimum you can get away with.
Ah well. Glad that's over and Mrs. Lighter is, well, lighter.
Aden has an interview for a job at the local McDonalds. Mav already works at the other one, so it looks like both of them will be working there soon. Aden has a car and license so i wont have to drive him whichis great. :). The other good part is that he can start paying for his own fuel!
Lamp, thats good news about ur wife. :). I like ur grandson. Hehe
What's making you happy today?
"World War Z" in T-minus 1 hour(ish)!!!!
buckle the fuck up. that movie is hyperkinetic.
Made microwave mug brownies. Scooped ice cream on top. Heaven.
I looked at a number of microwave mug recipes, and I can't go and buy the ingredients or I'd be lost. But - glad to hear that the brownies were heaven. I'll enjoy vicariously. :)
The one I made was 4 Tbsp flour, 4 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa. Pinch of salt, dash of vanilla. 2 Tbsp water, 2 Tbsp vegetable oil. Give it a good stir and micro for one minute.
My husband didn't think we had all the ingredients, and I was like "um, hello? I'm a baker now, remember? OF COURSE we have the ingredients!" :)
I once made microwave brownie, and it was not good at all. I'll try your recipe one day since you said it turned out good. :-)
Lola, it's definitely nothing like a "real" brownie, but it fits the bill to solve a chocolate craving without having a whole tray of brownies in the house.
ETA: I am super happy today because I got four new movies AND both seasons of BBC Sherlock on BluRay today after trading in 140 movies.
I hit something there if anyone gets a private message-oops!:o
I made a dozen chewy oatmeal raisin coconut cookies today--mmmmm
Lola, it's definitely nothing like a "real" brownie, but it fits the bill to solve a chocolate craving without having a whole tray of brownies in the house.
ETA: I am super happy today because I got four new movies AND both seasons of BBC Sherlock on BluRay today after trading in 140 movies.
I've got a solution to a whole tray of brownies in the house...
Popdigr ended a dry spell yesterday evening.
[ATTACH]45483[/ATTACH]
Prolly 3½-4½ yrs old.
Number [Strike]70[/Strike] 73 for ol Popdigr;
7 point rack;
Dressed out exactly 207 lbs.
Double-lung-far shoulder pass through shot at 21 yards, the deer ran about 20 yards, and went back to eating...Having just turned 71, Popdigr's still got it!
I think this one will be called "Ol' Triple Seven", "777" (sevensevenseven), or maybe "The Good Luck Buck"?
...after trading in 140 movies.
Wow. I have purchased two (2) movies in my lifetime. "Lonesome Dove" on VHS (
still the greatest thing ever shown on broadcast tv, imho) and "Dances With Wolves".
Not counting porn, of course.;)
For the record, only 10 of those were mine. The other 130 belonged to my husband's in laws. They brought their entire movie collection down because they only watch movies once, and thought we might want some of them. (A: no.)
I am baffled that they do not seem to have taken advantage of the Netflix account we got them a few years back.
The other 130 belonged to my husband's in laws.
I'm going to assume that this is someone married into your husband's family, and not a fancy way of naming your own parents. :) My dad's the same way. Used to rent movies from the box stores, but ever since they went under he just buys whatever he wants to watch. I have tried to talk him into using Netflix, but he's an old dog who refuses to learn new tricks.
Popdigr ended a dry spell yesterday evening.
[ATTACH]45483[/ATTACH]
That is some high clover! ;)
Nice shot Pop!
I'm going to assume that this is someone married into your husband's family, and not a fancy way of naming your own parents.
D'OH! I meant to say my husband's parents -- MY in-laws. Must've gotten distracted while typing. OOOOH, shiny...
Yesterday, my G-son and I "planted" 4x4 PT posts around his back yard for a new fence.
Today, the rails went on.
We finished the posts by mid-afternoon yesterday, and so started
laying the new white vinyl (Allure) flooring in his kitchen.
Today, the final panel when down. :cheerldr:
When we started the flooring, we had to take up the carpeting the previous owners had installed.
We were astounded that they had installed the carpeting wall to wall in an empty kitchen room.
Then, they installed all the new cabinets, dishwasher, stove, and frig on top of the carpet.
Of course, everyone know you replace your kitchen cabinetry
much more often than you change your kitchen carpet ! :thepain:
Popdigr went to the doc yesterday...just a check-up, everything's cool...and he got weighed. He sets our bathroom scale by what the doc's scale says.
I told you that, to tell you this:
By the new 'correct setting', I'm down to 225lbs! ~Two years ago, I was 306!!!!
Yay diebeetus!
That is some high clover! ;)
Nice shot Pop!
I'll pass that on to Pop. I put an extra clover or two in there to cover his protruding tongue for the squeemier Dwellars.
But not that many! If it weren't for clover we would have just dirt.
I will continue to imagine that this deer has stuck its head through a hedge and settled in for a nap. ;)
Went to wal-not today to return 2 items and bitch about being charged for another which I didn't get.
No one was in line and the lady was an old classmate of mine. Smooth.
Carrot has now been meds free for 5 days, hurrah!
Ever since he had that really bad groin strain injury about 7/8 months back he's been on pain meds. Initially quite high doses then bringing the dose down with a view to weaning him off. Every time I got near to the weaning off part of that journey he had another accident or injury and the dose had to go back up (though not as high as the first time) and start the whole process again.
Or, as with recent months, I'd get down to a very low dose and he'd start displaying pain based behaviours and so I'd know I was bringing him off too soon.
That's a long time for a young dog to be on pain meds, even though we're talking quite low doses mostly.
I'm so happy he's now drug free, and crossing my fingers there won't be any more incidents to put him back on them!
Also: at his last hip assessment (a few weeks ago) Rhona the hydro vet was really pleased with his progress. She said she'd be happy to sign him off now if I wanted that, though she'd be happier to see him again towards the end of November just to see how he is as we head into the season of bad weather and therefore less exercise. So, I'm taking him back then.
All in all things are looking up for my little Carrotchops. He is now allowed any length of walk I want to give him, and has off the lead exercise most days (though she said i still need to weight it towards lead walking, and have free runs as an addition to that, since the stepping is better exercise for him than the bunnyhop running he does when free).
Other than being a bit careful about him playing with other dogs unless I know their playstyle or they're too small to take his back end down, he is now living a 'normal' life *smiles*.
Hooray for Carrot! That's great news. :)
>love< for Carrotness! :)
Dani that's splendid news.
Love to the Chops.
Great Carroty news! :D
Sent by thought transference
Good dog!
Got a call this morning, Benny is a big brother! Most of the litter is called for but if anyone wants a smart, gorgeous, very busy dog, I can give you a phone number. These dogs need work and room to roam so self-select on that.
Thanks guys:) He's a proper happy little chap. And even more so since mum got Nellie. They adore each other. When we're out walking, they'll be side by side and suddenly he'll just turn his head and lick her face in sheer joy.
@ Griff: awwww. What breed pups are they?
Yay Carrot!
Slick and I are very lucky. He's eighteen, and doesn't really need anything, and has always been relatively healthy (knocks wood). The only things that have ever afflicted him were a bout of stones, (that has been taken care of with prescription kitteh food), and two teeth that grew in sideways, and had to be pulled. He came home both times drunk as Foster Brooks, his front and hind feet weren't communicating well, at all.:lol2:
Thanks guys:) He's a proper happy little chap. And even more so since mum got Nellie. They adore each other. When we're out walking, they'll be side by side and suddenly he'll just turn his head and lick her face in sheer joy.
@ Griff: awwww. What breed pups are they?
Border Collie/ English Shepherd mix. They are all black and white Benny knockoffs with the same parents.
Oh my word. I think I'm in love.
Oh my word. I think I'm in love.
"
Today's a quiet day, which in itself is good.
Yesterday found a good new restaurant doing Southern cooking and the two of us had a quiet breakfast/lunch alone. I haven't had hush puppies for a while.
Had an absolute pig of a day.
Hoping to make it better though; on hedgehog watch tonight.
Love that puppy Griff! :D
He's much bigger now, but still adorable.
Pete picked apples on the hill today. So I made apple crisp and a pie using Bob's oat flour. It's a most wonderful day for pie.
[youtube]Xlk36vgygh4[/youtube]
I love apple crisp! Got any vanilla ice cream to go with it?
At the risk of attracting unwanted gif-tastic attention, I resolved some technical problems with my DIY mirror blind and should have it ready, if not by the first day of bow season then within a week of it.
huh.
I never heard of a mirror blind before, but now it all makes sense.
I was wondering why I saw a bunch of mirror structures in the woods once.
When they work, man, do they work.
[ATTACH]45534[/ATTACH]
Wow, that is cool.
My happy, Lil' Griff just got her class rank. Number 7 in her class, number 1 in our hearts, and number 13 on the hockey pitch.
Wonderful, Griff. :) Always number 1 in the category that counts, but she's awesome in the other areas too!
Mirror blind ... haven't encountered mirrors in my woods but will look for them when I'm back at Thanksgiving. Bow season will be done by then but Thanksgiving is the bad time when lazy, greedy guys literally jump the gun.
I think I've said this before - I have no problem with hunting to feed oneself or one's family. I have a problem with lazy people firing high-powered rifles in our creekbed 50 ft behind our back windows, as has happened before. I don't want anyone in my family to die from a 'stray' bullet.
I favor bow hunting over gun. It takes more practice, discipline, and skill. I think those who pursue it are more careful and cognizant of issues pertinent to both humans and deer than some of the yahoos that bound into the local backyards on the Monday after (or in the days before) Thanksgiving around our place.
That mirror blind photo is impressive.
.
[COLOR="White"]..............................................[/COLOR]
.
OThe view from my room
I have needed a few days off for a while now, so this is where i am. The big boys are looking after the midgets with the help of one of my very wonderful friends, and their father of course.
[ATTACH]45537[/ATTACH]
This is my view rfn.
[ATTACH]45538[/ATTACH]
Spoiled brat. I'd give you a hard time if you hadn't earned the rest.
Haha...thanks bruce. The best part of all is being able to photograph my legs without being self consious about them being covered in psoriasis. As u can see, there is hardly any marks at all now. Just a few scars which should fade. :)
Looks like just the thing Ali.
Ali, that's wonderful! Enjoy it. (Like I need to say that to you.)
Ali, much as I wish Eva hadn't "interrupted" our break, I could never have offered anything like this. Or like her of course.
Relax and unwind and treat yourself. It looks simply gorge. And if you can sing Abba at karaoke then you 'll be even more my hero than previously.
yey, Ali! Well-deserved. Enjoy every second of your break.
Pics of Ali's sexy legs.
And feet!
The kids are coming down today. That will be nice. :)
Guy I used to ride with on MS150s just posted that he's put 40K miles on his daily commuter road bike. Dayumn!
Pete might not like you peddling your ass around town. :haha:
Sundae...dancing queen was the very first song i ever sang at karaoke!
My late great friend Veronica loved ABBA. I too have danced around my living room to Waterloo. Good workout. I live next to a 10 storey condo, and one time somebody was watching me boogie on so I opened the curtain and waved. :)
Signed a contract today for a job when I finish residency. And I'm immigrating my father the first weekend of November. :)
My Lab, Vicky, is a time- and routine-tyrant. She gets me up at 5:15 every morning.
She's patient while I'm getting dressed, but starts getting antsy if I'm slow to fix the coffee.
If we're not out the door for the early morning walk by 5:30, she gets almost belligerent.
Anyhow, this morning was one of those really great pre-dawn star displays for PDX.
I'm sorry you (plural) were not with us.
The storms have moved east and the air was crisp and incredibly clear.
Jupiter was absolutely brilliant, and the winter constellations are now overhead in early morning.
It was one of those special times when I really appreciated this dog's O/C behaviors.
.
Sounds wonderful!
Wish I could see something like that on the way to work. But then I live in a light-polluted area and leave at 06.00.
Somebody left this perfectly good boom box out on the curb along with a bunch of other failed yard sale junk. It joins two older boom boxes in my shop, but this new one plays CDs and my old tapes. Perfect for a workshop.
Everyone is switching to Pandora and iPod docks, and they are throwing out perfectly good electronics.
My old coach used to say that fencing sick makes you concentrate on form and focus. I got silvers in epee and sabre today following that adage. Now I feel like shit and am happy as a clam.
Congratulations!! :celebrat:
Maybe when you're feeling poorly you try to conserve strength by not doing anything fancy but stick to the tried and true fundamentals.
My uncle, the high school coach, would listen to my father rave about this kid or that kid who really stood out in Jr High, and how lucky my uncle would be to have them coming up.
My uncle would sigh and say he wished they'd transfer or drop out. The stars were a pain in the ass, as were their parents. Because they had a little extra talent they thought fundamentals were for other people, and when they broke the basic rules the rest of the team would slack off. He'd rather have a whole field full of average kids that would work.
Karma. Karma is making me happy today.
Bad things SHOULD happen to bad people, dammit, and today, karma is making me a happy girl. :)
Damn, I wish you'd send Karma this way. She never shows up here when she's needed.
The bad guys are winning in western PA. So where the hell is this Karma person?
Karma is like Tinkerbell... ya gotta believe!
Squeezing my eyes tight shut and believing, believing, ... sorry. It turned out just like my attempts to believe in Santa and the Tooth Fairy.
Karma sits up on the shelf with the rest of them.
I can breath without making all sorts of wheezy, rattling sounds. The drugs really are working! Actually, i noticed when i went to bed last night. It was the first night i could hear just the normal sound of my own breathing in over two weeks.
Also, the big kids are back at school after their two week spring break. It doesnt make me happy really. I miss them. It is very quiet without them though.
Very glad you're turning the corner, Ali. Normal breathing is a precious thing. :)
Yep, thats for sure. I was actually only able to get to sleep by breathing very shallowly so that the sounds werent so loud, and the rattling didnt start me coughing. I lay have passed out through lack of oxygen a couple of times i think. lol
My internet is up again! And - the faint of heart should probably sit down - the Comcast guy showed up early, figured out that the cable in the hall of the apartment building was disconnected :eyebrow:, and was done in about ten minutes. I didn't even get the automated call telling me he was coming until 20 minutes after he'd left. :D
I got too skinny to buy jeans at Walmart.
Get ye to the RFN thread. I wanna see
Oh, and congrats!
One month ago I did the Terry Fox Marathon and lost approx. 10 pounds along the way:)-better news is it's still coming off and I have hips again
Bad things SHOULD happen to bad people, dammit, and today, karma is making me a happy girl. :)
Karma or Schadenfreude?
Fixed up a load of medical appointmentds in the last two days.
First aranged to have my blood taken locally so I don't have to go all the way to Luton and back this afternoon - yay!
After that I have four different appointments booked. Appointments coming out my hoo-hah, excepting none are about my hoo-haa, thank goodness.
One is to have my contraceptive implant replaced though. TMI?
Yeah. Specially since you said it twice! lol
Damn, and too late to amend or delete to make you look silly.
My daughter needed a specific graphing calculator for school. They cost around $130-$140.
I got one on Ebay for $66 including shipping, and it's in good shape and works perfectly. It's even a good color.
$66 is more than I wanted to pay for a school supply, but it's a hell of a lot better than $140.
I read
somewhere that this graphing calculator has a faster processor than the computer on the first space shuttle.
Heh... graphing calculators are way more powerful than most teachers realize. In my high school calculus class, we created a handful of programs to do things like solve the quadratic equation for us, just to save time. The teacher wasn't a complete idiot; before every test he would go to each desk and personally clear the memory of each calculator.
What he didn't realize was that you could reassign even the basic programs that came with the calculator. You could, in fact, write a program which simply displayed "Memory Cleared" on the screen when the appropriate menu item was selected, only without the actual deleting of anything.
Then again, maybe he did know that, and just figured that if we were smart enough to program such a thing, we didn't really need to worry about his class anyway.
It's complicated! I wanted to see it work, so I figured an easy one would be x squared = Y. But I had no idea how to enter that. It even took my daughter about half an hour so show me that feature.
I saw somewhere that you can get simple games for it.
If I had the desire and time, I bet there's a lot I could learn about what it will do.
My friend's mom just gifted me a set of snow tires as a bribe for a short stint of house sitting/cat watering.
Nice!
Haha cat watering ...
That could so easily be Diz!
Except if he loved water like that I'd be able deal with Mr Poopy Tail softly and gently. He is very very wary of my trying to clean his fur right now because his actual parts are sore and swollen.
Which is not making me happy at all. Neither is the 24 hour fast he is on.
Quick, think of something happy...
I have beans in soak for a cassoulet tonight.
I just got my dream job! After being off work for 9 months, with a bad hip, I just got a job where I can sit, or stand when needed! I am now the Esthetics instructor for the MC College- Vernon Campus!!!! I am a teacher, in the field I absolutely love.
I go in on Tuesday to sign a contract, and do my orientation. The pay is enough to get us out of the very large hole we are in, in just a few months, and will allow us to be able to replace our leaky roof by June. After that... who knows!
[SIZE="5"][COLOR="Red"]CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!![/COLOR][/SIZE]
:celebrat:
Congratulations, Jaydaan! Very happy for you!
What's making me happy tonight is ... my BeeBee, my Siamese queen who saw me through chemo (she fussed over me, slept with me, tucked herself under my sore arm when I needed a small 'pillow', and woke me up in the morning with a cat kiss) - is cuddling with me now. In a few minutes I'm going to pour myself a little wine and sit in the hot tub, check out the night sky.
I am happy to be in my space, on my property, where silence is the rule - not jets taking off every 50 seconds from Reagan Int'nl Airport.
My brother's band is on the short list for Grammy nomination. I wasn't aware there was such a thing, but apparently they start with about 30,000 submissions, somebody whittles it down to about a 1,000 for the short list, and then some special subset of Academy voters narrows it down to choose the actual nominees. Anyway, they're up for 5 different categories. I'd be rather stunned if they got beyond this stage, but then again I'm stunned they got this far, so it's pretty cool.
That is supercool! Whats the name of their band?
Hello Caller,
www.hellocaller.com
They have a strict rule about not starting any big social media campaigns to try to influence the Academy voters, though I don't even know who those people would be at this stage anyway. I got to vote one year in the main Grammy voting when I was interning at a music studio, but I think the people who choose the nominees are a pretty select group.
Pretty damn cool, clod!
I'm happy about the way my thesis is going. I've been in a bit of a funk with it lately. and time is short.
But last week I spent a few days bringing disparate chunks together into coherent sections. I now have a more or less complete first draft introduction - just needs a little round up of what's in each chapter, which I will do when the rest is finished. And half of a first draft Chapter 1.
was feeling good about that, but wasn't sure on the quality of some of it. Have just had a meeting with my supervisor and he seems to think it passes muster. Just a few alterations needed to what's there. Am hoping to finish that chapter over the next week and a half.
Realistically, I need to be doing a chapter a month now in order to get this in in time. It's a big ask, especially as I have only done some of the statistical analysis needed for the major sections, but I am feeling more capable of producing the goods than i have in a long time.
From now on I am sticking to a single chapter at a time until it's finished, rather than jumping about doing odds and sods as the mood takes me and as conference papers dictate.
So...yeah...feeling quite fired up.
Good to hear, Dana!
I'm happy tonight because I'm going to go spend the evening with my oldest son. Relax, have a beer, chat. Yay!
I am happy because there is auto correct :lol: some NSFW words
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/394839092301861124/Aden got a letter in the mail inviting him to the course he wants to do at uni next year. We knew it was coming, but still such a relief to know the first one is on his way. :)
Congratulations to Aden! And to you, who made it possible. Great news, Ali!
Thanks Ortho. We are very pleased for him.
Aden got a letter in the mail inviting him to the course he wants to do at uni next year.
So, is this like the American equivalent of getting accepted into a particular school? Or was he already in the university, and now he's allowed to pursue specific coursework? Sounds like good news, whichever it is. Congratulations!
He's just finishing high school. He's been in a program for the last two years where if he fulfills certain criteria, including passing exams etc, he had a chance of being offered admission to the course he wants even before his final results come out. So anyway, he did all the stuff he had to do and passed the exams and did well in all his other subjects, so now we know for sure that he's going to university to study Exercise Science next year. It's a three year course which will leave the door open to a multitude of pathways for future study and employment. He doesn't start any earlier. He just doesn't have to sweat on his results and waiting to see if he is offered a place later on. Takes a lot of stress out of the summer holiday for him (and us). :)
Sound more like UK unis where you choose your course/major before you apply?
Yep thats right monster, except he doesnt have to wait like everyone else. He already knows hes in.
I had the funniest dream this morning just a few hours ago. I dreamed I was at some kind of official meeting and Governor Rick Perry was there and he was praying to Jesus and I was talking to the guy next to me and the Governor got all mad at me and started threatening me with expulsion so I got into a big argument about the separation of church and state and if we needed to have a prayer to start the meeting why not a non-sectarian prayer.
I think I dreamed that because l was listening to the arguments last night on the news for the case before the SCOTUS. Pretty funny.
Anyway I argued with the Gov that if I led a prayer it would be to Zeus or something like that. He was pissed. :cool:
Yep thats right monster, except he doesnt have to wait like everyone else. He already knows hes in.
yeah, here they do a year of general study before they decide on a specialty. Then they do another three years. I'm generalizing wildly, of course, and colleges are chosen for their areas of excellence to a certain extent..... it's all very strange and foreign and scary. But there is no waiting for results here. Junior year (the penultimate one) is the hard slog and worry year and senior year is a breeze afaict.
Congrats to him.
Anyway I argued with the Gov that if I led a prayer it would be to Zeus or something like that.
My wife and I got into a discussion yesterday on that topic.
My thesis was: If it is "prayer", that is the
sine qua non of belief in a god.
It doesn't matter what words/thoughts/ideas are involved.
So even a "non-sectarian" prayer can be as much an affront to someone
as a invoking the name of Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, or in my household, the dog, Vicky.
I'm just waiting to see how Antonin twists his interpretation of the Constitution
around to strike out "establishment of religion" and leave "free exercise"
as the Right of a state, county, city government ... and all corporations.
I'm happy because Hector got to keep "his" number (30) when they handed out equipment yesterday for the hockey team. He was worried because #30 hadn't been available in the practice jerseys as the last #30 they had kept it. But he didn't keep the regular shirts, so YAY!
Staring at a night sky full of stars. No light pollution. This is one of the reasons I love my property.
Listening to tunes and enjoying a Rusty Nail. Yes, I have committed sacrilege. I have added Drambuie to a malt. But this malt deserved it.
Morning fire on a quiet Saturday, nice.
I had a customer (a pa wine & spirits sales rep) last night that wanted the tire plan. He didn't want to pay for it though. He offered me a case of wine in exchange. I agreed to the deal. $135 for the tire plan. I figured, if they are $15 bottles, I'm ahead, and I'm set for Christmas gifts for my Co managers....
Well, the case has 8 bottles of $25 a bottle wine, a bottle of makers, a fancy rum, kahluah, tequila.
Probably about $250 worth all in all. Nice guy.
It's the middle of November and the hummer is still with us...
[ATTACH]45993[/ATTACH]
We'll keep feeding as long as they stay.
New Nexus 7 up and online. Finally. :lol2:
It's a big, fat phone/tablet.
It's the middle of November and the hummer is still with us...
[ATTACH]45993[/ATTACH]
We'll keep feeding as long as they stay.
Ya 'sposed to stop, so they don't stay.
Ya 'sposed to stop, so they don't stay.
The PDX area is a mild climate, and hummers can be winter residents
... but as you say, as long as food is continuously available.
I found some support for that idea
hereQuite a few visitors will stay if food is provided early in the season. If you start feeding, the key is: don't stop. Your visitors will have missed their chance to migrate and will be dependent on you.
I'm happy tonight because I successfully presented a huge change to proposed clinic space to the hospital admin this morning. If the changes go through, I'll have a real chance of developing the practice I dream of.
It's the middle of November and the hummer is still with us...
[ATTACH]45993[/ATTACH]
We'll keep feeding as long as they stay.
Early December and we have 4 daily visitors.
The mating chases are continuous,
really vigorous, and window-threatening !
Any times during the day, there will be a loud thump of a hummer flying into the glass,
... but so far there doesn't seem to be any permanent injuries.
It is truly amazing to watch their aerial gymnastics and occasional hovering beak duels.
Right how we have 3 females and 1 male,
... if he is able to keep up with these chases, he will pass along some very good genes
Hummers are very
aggressive, are you sure they are "mating chases"?
Hummingbirds are not very social at all and live very solitary lives, only coming together to mate or grudging share a hummingbird feeder.
Happy to be back in my apartment for the next three days with two very needy cats competing for my attention tonight. Tomorrow, onco labs, ultrasound, and appointment; then fingerprinting and training for my stint as a 'guest researcher' at NIOSH. A visit from my husband, who has offered to clean my apartment and do laundry so that I can work on my Master's project and study. For all of which I am truly thankful.
Hummers are very aggressive, are you sure they are "mating chases"?
Not sure, but I'm sure the 3 girls will sort it out between them. :mad2: :heart-on: :heart-on: :heart-on:
Does anyone know if the red color of the solution makes a real difference to the hummers ?
We bought another brand of dry "food" packets, but this brand has no color.
The feeder, itself, is red and these four birds are habituated to it.
We'll try it, but it's not as satisfying for us humans as seeing the original red goop.
Feeding. Evidently the color is important.
I have been asked to make a Dave Minion cake for a 3 yr old birthday. They're paying me and everything! This is my first commission!!
Congratulations, Ali! Make sure to take pictures so you can put them in your bakery's future website's gallery. :) (And so you can show them to us, of course.)
Yeah, especially post pictures so I can see who Dave Minion is.
Nothing. Nothing is making me happy today. I am not happy. I cannot see happy from where I am. Happy may have been killed by a train.
I think the only distinction with Dave is that he has hair. Besides that, he looks like all the other two eyed minions.
Nothing. Nothing is making me happy today. I am not happy. I cannot see happy from where I am. Happy may have been killed by a train.
And its parts smeared on a long span of the old train tracks? Yeah, I feel ya.
Every thing is making me happy. HAPPY HAPPY, JOY JOY!!!
Lots of overtime.
New, smaller work uniform (the trousers were getting indecent when I bent to get items from the fridge).
And sad and sorry and hungover people today smelling of teh booze and me all smiley from 06.30 onwards (work Christmas party last night, yes there was a free bar, yes I chose not to go).
Lots of overtime.
New, smaller work uniform (the trousers were getting indecent when I bent to get items from the fridge).
And sad and sorry and hungover people today smelling of teh booze and me all smiley from 06.30 onwards (work Christmas party last night, yes there was a free bar, yes I chose not to go).
Yay you!
Sent by thought transference
Got two mice in the traps. Only 26,000 more and I'll have that fur coat.
Well played Sundae.
Mouse skins are so so soft, make sure you chew those hides.
Mouse skins are so so soft, make sure you chew those hides.
:lol: A fur coat ... now I know what to do with these little critters.
sundae - good decision. I'm proud of you
ortho - we'll gladly make you a squirrel coat. for the collar where tails are uncomfortable, we use rat skins. we dry tan, so make sure you don't wear it in the rain
My minion eyes look great!
Much happiness tonight!
a) No call-back from last Friday's ultrasound = no news is good news. :D
b) Enjoying some aged Manchego on Almond Nut-Thins with an Oregon Pinot gris
c) Have an intense academic day tomorrow, after which relaxation will be in order :)
d) Going to jump up and down in the 'Oakland Zoo' (i.e. student) section for a Pitt Panthers bball game Saturday afternoon - might even paint my face Pitt colors!
d) Then going to see The Hobbit (part 2)!
Simple things can make me happy and tonight, it's this. I saw it at Kroger and had to get it. :-D
Here's my one pound Snickers!
This seemed more appropriate here than in the video clip thread ...
[YOUTUBEWIDE]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ef-f-l2Pbn8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Arrgh! No! Why can't I embed this video? Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone ... :(
>laffs< @ Lola's snickers
This seemed more appropriate here than in the video clip thread ...
Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone ...
[YOUTUBEWIDE]ef-f-l2Pbn8[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Thank you, thank you, thank you Bruce! I learn how to do this and then chemo-brain cleans out my short-term memory. But I love, love, love Melissa Etheridge in this.
J got us DAVE CHAPPELLE tickets for next Saturday!
Merry Xmas to us!
Oooooh. Nicely done, J!
Making me happy is:
Working on my thesis I've leaned very heavily towards the property crime side of things, and done very little towards the section on violent crime. So, since I am now all about the getting serious and shit, and trying to do a chapter a month to get this bastard in, and having more or less finished the introduction and the first chapter (defining terms and assessing sources and methodology and stuff) I decided to start work on the violence section and get that sorted before going on and doing the property crime section, which should pretty much write itself with the copious notes I already have.
I have been dreading this bit. It just feels thinner on the research and less accessible - stepping out of my comfort zone.
It's coming along nicely! And, having had very little success finding anything in the soldier journals and memoirs to use as evidence for soldiers' attitudes to and experiences of crime (except for crimes of survival whilst on campaigns, such as during the terrible march from Corunna) I've suddenly found a little flurry of examples showing attitudes towards violence as am incidental day to day thing - and an example of a cuckolded soldier killing his wife and then not being put on trial for murder because he was blinded by passion and because her behaviour was considered to have precipitated his action.
Speaking of British crime, I
just read today that you lot have made it legal to be an "incorrigible rogue."
If you keep this up, what remains of the British empire is sure to fall.
Ha! Thanks for that. Most amusing.
One of the things that makes analysing crime during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries a bit of an interpretive challenge is decoding the charges. Doubly so for military justice.
I think my favourite one is: along with being drunk and a few other regulatory charges, 'behaving in a most scandalous manner'
Closely followed by 'Taking very indecent liberties with two privates', though my amusement at that usually falters quite quickly given the appalling punishments meted out to gay men.
...
The artless Aide-de-camp was mute, the gilded Staff were still,
As, dumb with pent-up mirth, they booked that message from the hill;
For clear as summer lightning-flare, the husband's warning ran: -
"Don't dance or ride with General Bangs -- a most immoral man."
...
Happy today: the memory of attending a concert with Twil, her two daughters, SonofV and my BelovedDaughter *and* her beau (who I met for the first time). The headliner:
[SIZE="4"][CENTER]Macklemore & Ryan Lewis[/CENTER][/SIZE]
He's big, and he started in Seattle, and this was the homecoming concert of his world tour. He sold out the Key Arena, three days, three shows. This was the first one of the three and his exuberance, his happiness, and his energy was abundant and obvious. The show was EPIC!!!!!
pics and details to follow!
J got us DAVE CHAPPELLE tickets for next Saturday!
Merry Xmas to us!
Ya pays ya money, ya takes ya chances.
Having said that, Dave Chappelle fucking rocks.
Speaking of British crime, I just read today that you lot have made it legal to be an "incorrigible rogue."
:neutral:
Thursday’s report said that as 309 old ones were scrapped, 327 new ones were added.
:neutral:
...
The artless Aide-de-camp was mute, the gilded Staff were still,
As, dumb with pent-up mirth, they booked that message from the hill;
For clear as summer lightning-flare, the husband's warning ran: -
"Don't dance or ride with General Bangs -- a most immoral man."
...
Kipling! Once again I am humbled ...
Just finished wrapping my presents.
One step closer to Christmas, which means one step closer to Glasgow and Arran.
One day closer to picking my daughter up at the airport and heading home for the holidays.
I received my final grade on my thesis, "Standardized Multi-Discipline Training for Army National Guard Staff Exercises". It was 55 pages of pure hell! Anyway, I got an "A".
I might break my rule and drink a little Jameson's tonight. I'll be sure not to take my other medicines that conflict with alcohol.
Well done! I haven't written 55 pages of anything since college. And I don't think I even did that then.
I received my final grade on my thesis, "Standardized Multi-Discipline Training for Army National Guard Staff Exercises". It was 55 pages of pure hell! Anyway, I got an "A".
I might break my rule and drink a little Jameson's tonight. I'll be sure not to take my other medicines that conflict with alcohol.
Wow!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Bloody hell, way to go Sarge!
That's great, Sarge! Congratulations!!!
Woof!!! Much better than I.
Clicking back pages to see what's got BIGSARGE on the up? :smack:
Clicking back pages to see what's got BIGSARGE on the up? :smack:
Buster - An extra dose of Viagra. I got it mixed up with blood pressure medicine.
Thanks for all the good wishes. I admit I struggled hard with school. My thesis grade truly lifted my spirits
Watching White Christmas for the first time ... great dancing. And OMG ... Danny Kaye. Was anyone ever more talented?
A big congrats, Sarge!! A 55 page thesis!!! WOW!!
Finished my latest rotation and on holiday until Jan. 1!! Picking up my daughter at the Pittsburgh airport tomorrow afternoon - assuming her flights get into and out of Chicago - and then heading north. SO much still to do before Christmas! :eek:
with your daughter at home, will that mean all of the chicks have come home to roost?
Haha! Yes, we're in the minority in our household! Don't know how much roosting we'll get to do before Christmas, though. I'm so not ready ...
Don't stress over Christmas preps. The only thing that matters is being with your loved ones
You're absolutely right. We could eat canned beans and have no presents and it wouldn't matter at all, as long as everybody gets home safely.
I didn't know you are a Who. Are you related to Cindy Lou?
Gag me. :greenface
No Pollyannas here - just aware that things don't have to turn out all right. Case in point: my daughter was just bumped from her flight out of Chicago, had to pay $200 for a guaranteed seat on the next flight, and won't get into PIT until about 8:30 (assuming no delays). We'll be driving north in temperatures that mean ice and freezing rain instead of making it home while it's still just raining.
Speaking of ice, foot3 - looks like lots of it will be coming through your general area. Better fire up the generator.
hmmm... looks like the in-laws could get trapped in VT.
Home safely with my girl! Enjoying a glass of wine together and talking ... it will possibly be a late night. Tomorrow we brainstorm on gifts, do a surgical strike on the outlet mall, come home and decorate the Christmas tree. We'll put some music on and my father will be with us to enjoy the moment ... looking forward to the next several days.
Super Ortho! That gave me a big smile this morning!
My best friend gave me a Nook HD+ for Christmas!!!
This guy rocks.
Thank you, guys! Happy to hear that others are having a good holiday.
Some good things happened at work today. I injected a knee for the first time in a few years ... all went well. It's a bit like riding a bicycle. :)
And another thing went very well today; details don't matter. I never forget that things can go from best to worst in a heartbeat, but I take my happiness when and where it comes.
Sometimes things take a turn for the better. CPS visited about a child I've been worried about for a while. Turns out the social worker had a kid in my class a few years ago, which was cool and they are truly on top of the situation getting family supports in place. fingers crossed
w00T for both of you!!!!11
Great, Griff, it's nice to see you getting some help with your kids.
what makes me happy today is that we have one thread for "what's making you happy" to balance out about 10 on the lines of "unhappy/irritated/sad/angry/boiling your piss" and so on.
proof, if any were needed, that one positive thought is easily a match for 10 negative ones.
I congratulate you. All.
Cold seems to be clearing out and it's my day off.
enjoy it! 57 deg here atm. I wish I was off today. I'd get the bike out.
I'm nearly done documenting my Glasgow/ Arran trip.
Finishing it up is not what is making me happy, it's the little things I remember as I write which I treasure.
Dana telling me how much I've made her laugh recently. And loving my jeans.
The waitress at the 916 Diner coming out to invite us in.
Flash still going. Seeing a fox.
Limey buying me a souvenir programme for no other reason than that I wanted to add to my collection.
Mr Limey giving me a brotherly (and whiskery) kiss because he really enjoyed the meal I'd cooked.
Cyd being a crazy kitten.
Me sleeping through a Dead Rodent Situation (stone cold sober, but wearing earplugs)
Talking on the phone to Lola in Limey's front room.
And the kind replies and PMs about my trip.
And of course having 'Spode back.
And.
Aww.....it makes me feel happy to be part of the reasons that made you happy. :-)
*gasp*
I just discovered, there exists a "That Mitchell and Webb Sound," a collection of their radio comedy sketches which are completely independent from their hilarious TV show. And Audible has it!!
I am now looking forward to spending six hours in the car this afternoon/evening. That's how excited I am.
Did you not know about that? Ohh, Clod they're awesome.
The sketches are independent, but a few of them were adapted for the tv show. They started their sketches on radio and then moved to Tv with it (quite a common route for comedy here)
One of the sketches that began life on radio was the one with the German soldiers discussing whether or not they're the bad guys in the war.
They've recently done a new series of Mitchell and Webb Sound, actually. A return to radio after a few years absence.
I admit it does feel a little unfair, spending a credit on less than three hours, when I just got 36+ hours of Peter F. Hamilton for one credit (have you listened to The Great North Road yet? Do it now...) But still, it's Mitchell and Webb. It'll be worth it.
yeah. I know what you mean. But radio productions are a lot more expensive to produce than an audio reading.
I haven't listened to the Great North Road yet, no. I will do though. I'm kind of still on a teensy bit of a zombie apocalypse kick at the moment *grins*
Just took an "After" (midway) picture of my body. Wasn't too happy with it but when compared it to my "Before" picture, there was a big improvement. Now I'm happy. Hehe....Still ways to go but at least I know I'm moving along towards the body that I want. Not my ideal body because I'm too lazy for it. Haha....Well maybe when I become more fit I would be more motivated to work hard.
Pics or it never happened!
C'mon girl, show us your awesomeness.
I'm happy because I bought
London in a Lunchtime second-hand and it arrived today.
It's a book that details London sights and locations which can be toured in approximately one hour. It's not a comprehensive guide, and it doesn't give you details of everything you will see - that's up to the staff and tour guides at the locations recommended.
But it does include some hidden treasures and things you (me) didn't expect.
Specific happy?
Backstage tour of the Covent Garden Opera House all booked and in the bag for Mum and I. She's an OAP so gets a massive £1 discount.
Whoop, whoop!
Grandad used to work there btw, so it's not just an interesting tour, it's a
special interesting tour.
Schedule for our visit to London on 6 May.
-
Opera House
-
Afternoon Tea
-
Ghost Stories
All links are for official websites and safe for work, but the Ghost Stories website has audio (just so you know before clicking)
In the five months I've been working I've only really interacted with Deli partners and customers.
But moving onto Bakery two mornings a week, even though I am completely screened by shelving, I've made two new connections.
In fairness, one is a lady I was already on nodding terms with, but she said, "You always seemed so busy I didn't like to disturb you.". I'm actually far busier on Bakery and in a shorter span of time, but she sees me more behind the scenes as it were, in and out of the freezer, facing up and restocking the Patisserie.
She is very glamorous. And has a cat. And I don't know her name.
The other is a gingery fellow.
He works ambient bread (prepacked loaves & cakes) and the same hours I do. I think I know his name. I thought he took a bit of a shine to me. Not that I'm looking. But yeah, I'd go there...
Sadly, yesterday I was helped out by a lissome young lass they are training up on Counters.
He nearly tripped over his own feet offering help and assistance. I'd never judge anyone for responding to physical attractiveness, but the difference in the way he dealt with the two of us showed me he was just being a mate to me.
Mate is good. Getting to know more people is good.
Something good has come from this change of shift!
She is very glamorous. And has a cat.
Well? Which is it?
Sounds like you're really getting a lot from the Waitrose experience, Sundae. Working with a decent crew makes all the difference. I've had great jobs made unbearable by shitheads. And shitty jobs made wonderful by good colleagues.
My happy: at the risk of speaking too soon, tempting fate, etc...
My internet connection has been reading above half meg all day today. Last night it seemed to stabilise a little, and had gone up to just under a half meg on speedtests (.47mbps) - then this morning it was offline, and I thought oh here we fucking go again. But when I turned it off and on again it connected and has held at around .65 ever since.
Crossing fingers and toes that it stays like this and doesn't collapse back down to an unstable .25 after 24-48 hours, which is what usually happens :p
It is so beautiful here this morning. The snow is falling steadily and already deep on the ground. It is so very quiet and a Saturday!
Just got back from xc skiing. Truly beautiful.
It is beautiful here in western PA. Lots of snow and it's all white and pristine, not the dirty greasy slush that happens with traffic. I drove my 2005 4Runner today for the first time in a long time ... locked in the low 4WD and growled right on up the field.My oldest son came in from DC to build me the frame for a raised-bed garden that we'll set in place in a few weeks, fill to 12" with small wood debris from the woodlot and then 12" of soil on top. He's promised to build me a chicken coop for next spring ...
Are you doing a Hugelkultur bed? Do you have experience with it because I'm intrigued by the idea?
I have no experience with it, but I'm going to give it a try. It makes sense and cuts in half the amount of dirt required to fill a 24" high raised bed.
A customer made a comment to me this morning about me usually working on Sunday.
I looked at him a little gormlessly, because it's only usually my regular customers that remember my shifts and I wasn't sure I knew him.
He kindly repeated himself and I relised what he'd actually said was "You must be Sundae."
It was Carruthers! How good to see another Dwellar, especially while I'm working. I'd had a bit of a frantic morning one way or another, including a large dot com order which involves messing up my spotless cheese counter. Something I shared with Carruthers who listened politely.
I'm still here, but about to go on tills.
Thanks for making my morning, Carruthers.
Thanks for making my morning, Carruthers.
My pleasure entirely!
Carruthers
(See your PMs)
Good for one morning smile!
"Gormless" gives me a new vocabulary word to shoehorn in today.
Gormless - totally lacking in gorm.
Awesome! Next time bring a camera, I don't know if we've ever seen what Carruthers looks like...
Awesome! Next time bring a camera, I don't know if we've ever seen what Carruthers looks like...
Perhaps that's just as well! :eek:
Nice! Take a selfie with the two of you, next time.
stalky stalky..... :lol:
what a nice happy for the morning.
Oh how so cool. I would love to see a selfie of Sundae and Carruther.
Just got word that I'll be spending the first week of March in New Mexico on a field investigation. I've never been there before; I hope we have a chance to look around a bit.
I got an early Birfday card from Sundae! Hilarious envelope. She'd written around it about going to the zoo and seeing a bearded collie that looked like Carrot, except that dogs aren't allowed in zoos in case they scare the infinite monkeys.
Made me laugh. As did the card. 'It's grim up North'.
Ahhh. It's the little things.
Thanks hon :)
@ Orth: that sounds great. What sort of field investigation?
It's a fatality investigation, unfortunately.
Our team gathers information that we pool with information from similar cases with the goal of formulating recommendations that will hopefully avert future fatal incidents.
Ortho: If you've never been down south, be prepare for the heat. I'll be hot and humid by then. Not the extreme heat of summer, but it'll be hot by northerners' standard.
Thanks, Lola, I'll pack for hot temperatures. I was going to put everything in a carry-on, but with the new warnings I've begun to wonder if a checked bag might spare me an up-close-and-personal interview with security. :right:
what new warnings? and are you going to a body farm?
The DHS has issued a general warning to airlines to be on high alert for new types of shoe bombs. I was thinking that traveling without checked luggage might put me in the 'suspicious' category, but it turns out they're mainly focusing on flights inbound to the US.
Not a body farm, we're investigating an occupational fatality.
I didn't see the warning :( 16yo is about to take her first flight without us. :/
To be on the safe side, you might have to start booking your kids on naturists' flights!
That's a DOM creepy comment :mad:
No shoe bombs or underwear bombs to worry about. :p:
I got my shit together and made a couple of large glasses of vege/fruit juice with the slow juicer today. It had carrot, beetroot, celery, ginger, cucumber, tomato, apple and nectarine. It doesnt taste like any juice you'd buy, but it's surprisingly refreshing and incredibly filling. Yum.
Sounds great, Ali! I've tried juicing but have been put off by the cleanup-time:enjoyment-of-juice-time ratio. However, I remain tempted. When you say 'slow juicer', do you mean a masticating juicer?
I had some good news today - my abstract on cardiac implanted electronic devices and workplace hazards/mitigation/medical clearance was accepted for a poster presentation at the ACOEM national conference in late April.
Thank you! I was also happy to see two recently-ordered books sitting on my doorstep tonight. They're part of my reading for Boards in October - Control of Communicable Diseases Manual and Understanding the US Health Services System. Good stuff but hefty at 500+ and 700+ pages. And the microprint, did I mention the microprint? I swear the publishers use smaller print every year ...
Yes ortho. Thats the one. A lot of people dont know what they are if you say it. lol.
Good news on the abstract. Whats the time frame for it?
I've read about masticating juicers and how I should have one ... haven't got one yet. Maybe that's the problem; my Breville makes only a little juice but a lot of mess.
The conference is the last week of April in San Antonio, Texas. I have to get my poster and short talk ready by the third week of March, though, for a dry run in front of my faculty and academic advisors; I have a formal presentation and defense for my MPH degree in front of a mixed faculty panel in mid-April. By the time the conference rolls around, I'll be giving that talk in my sleep!
The project came out of a paper and powerpoint presentation that I did while I was at OSHA headquarters in Washington, DC last fall. I like my powerpoint and script, but everything will have to be severely pruned to fit on a poster and into a ten-minute timeframe. I hope to submit the paper to a journal as a review article ... we'll see.
I've read about masticating juicers...
Trouble is, I think he'd make more mess than my Breville ...
I made a huge mess today. I hope tomorrow will be less messy. lol. I need to remember the proceedures again, and also which veges/fruits are more pulpy.
... The conference is the last week of April in San Antonio, Texas. ...
I lived there for four years while teaching at the
Academy of Health Sciences, the medical training and doctrine proponency for all branches of the US armed forces. If you're just spending a day there, watch the movie
The Alamo before you go and then visit the enshrined remains located right in the downtown area. Have a meal in a rotating restaurant at the top of the Tower of Americas (like Seattle's Space Needle) for a bird's-eye panoramic view of the city; or, at a restaurant down on the River Walk.
Meeting Carruthers today, which I will write up properly later.
I'm just killing time while I wait to get ready for Mum's Girls' Night In. And that has been making me happy all week.
I'm about to try folding paper napkins (aka serviettes) into roses.
No use to man or beast once they're done, but a nice touch.
And we all like a nice touch, right?
Moroccan Lamb all done; couscous will take ten minutes; green beans and potatoes (tcah, Mum!) all prepped. Cinnamon vodka with gold flakes in freezer, Arabic Lounge CD on player; incense ready to burn.
Just have to get dressed (I have full outfit) light candles and kill Mia.
Oh sorry. Not kill Mia, even though she is driving me bloody crazy.
Ooh i was drinking that cinnamon vodka with sparkling apple juice over xmas. Tastes like drinking an apple pie!
If you're just spending a day there, watch the movie The Alamo before you go and then visit the enshrined remains located right in the downtown area. Have a meal in a rotating restaurant at the top of the Tower of Americas (like Seattle's Space Needle) for a bird's-eye panoramic view of the city; or, at a restaurant down on the River Walk.
Thanks, sexobon. I'll be there a week so I should have time to look around. I definitely want to visit the Alamo. I'll try the restaurants/areas you mention, too.
Bought some Pain de Campagne today.
Well, I baked the damned thing, at least I know it was clean (until I touched it, anyway :lol:)
Had some for lunch, having more with tea. Very good, pats on back all round.
Just had a potential buyer round. He seemed quite seriously interested.
Sadly he seems to be moving his brother and sister in, so I can't rent a room if he does buy. Very tall well-spoken Asian man from Essex.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/hbogameofthrones/how-would-you-die-in-game-of-thrones
You got: You’d be mauled by a direwolf!
You’re easily agitated and consider yourself a loner. Most people would describe you as grumpy, and you’d describe most people as stupid. While you might be right, you often miss out on life due to your attitude. Such a disposition makes you great fodder for an angry direwolf.
No idea what this means as I've never watched it.
But as a silly pop-quiz it's sadly true.
You'd fall through the Moon Door!
You're tough! But not as tough as you think. Your best trait is your loyalty, not your strength - you'd do well to rely more on your friends. This miscalculation is enough to send you through the Moon Door.
IRL I've had calls from two Dwellars today who have my interests at heart.
Which is heart-warming.
Moon door for me.
Hm, I wonder... Will sundae be there to cushion the impact at the end?
You got: You’d die by dragon fire!
You’re a true Machiavellian — cunning, manipulative, and power-hungry. Friends would say you’re the most outgoing of the group, and you consider yourself the leader. Unluckily for you, most people despise your manipulative nature. And doubly unluckily for you, a dragon will burn you to a crisp.
I'm thinking of suing.
You can sue dragons in your country now! Man, you guys have got it made.
Oh, nooo!
You got: You’d be decapitated!
You’re well-intentioned and loyal to a fault. All you really want is to see justice in the world, but you find that others don’t quite understand you. You work very hard, but unfortunately your efforts never seem to get the attention they deserve. Sadly, this means you’d be killed by a backwards system of justice.
Do I have to sleep with Khaleesi to get a better ending?
Heh heh heh.
You got: You’d have a rat eat through your chest!
You’re the least eloquent of your friends, but the most well-meaning. Much to your chagrin, you’re often in the shadow of other people’s accomplishments and, as such, you live a fairly lonely life. Tragically, an inability to properly express yourself means a rat will eat its way through your chest.
Gonna take awhile through my moobs.:blush:
Wow. I just did the quiz three more times, sleeping with various characters, eating different last meals and using different weapons, choosing different poisons and sins ... and all I get is decapitated.
I'll keep that in mind as I watch GoT Season 3 tonight ... (I watch the DVDs so that I can use subtitles. I know everyone else is far ahead.)
Snow day today, and it was a good one. I was not looking forward to this storm. I'm sick of winter. But I got a chance to sleep a little late, although not too late. And I did my little workout routine shortly after waking up. Played a couple games of chess with my boy, watched the last episode of Sherlock. And then, after an excellent panini lunch, I went down into my shop and cleaned. And cleaned. And organized. I should have taken before and after pictures. But I filled a contractor sized garbage bag, and was able to clear off two benches. Three hours down there. So productive.
I didn't do any shoveling, but the rest of the glatt family promised to take care of all that tomorrow. I'm pretty sure I'll be at work and they won't have school.
It just feels good to have something to show for the day. That never happens.
I'm not on Bakery on Fridays!
Although I am on Meat & Fish. Which apparently I have been trained on. Hahaha.
I know what I am doing with fish from my creaky personal knowledge, not from training. I can skin, gut and descale fish for myself for example, but the official staff were sent to Billingsgate Fish Market for training...
Meat?
Oh blimey.
If I'm asked to de-bone something or make some sort of special cut I will really show up my upmarket employers. But that's okay, because I'm being asked to work the counter alone on the third most busy day of the week. The two other days are covered by two members of staff! One of whom has been a butcher for most of his life...
But honestly, yay.
Only one morning of Bakery a week!
I can learn everything else. I'd rather come in without pay and shadow trained employees than come in without pay to put together a box of bread for the next morning in the freezer. Which is nothing to do with skill and only to do with misery.
I got Dad to his hospital appointment without blood being shed. MINE!
I'm not going to paint too dark a picture but, just between you and me, he's not blessed with endless patience. Nor is he blessed with an even temper or subtlety of expression.
There is no problem on God's green Earth that cannot be rectified immediately (if not sooner) by the simple expedient of SHOUTING VERY LOUDLY at me.
In the great scheme of things this afternoon was relatively civilised so I'm H-A-P-P-Y! :thumb:
I understand those small victories, Carr.
Diz decided to pee behind the sofa today, for the first time in ages.
What can I do? He's an animal, not a truculent or indulged child.
Anyway, short rather than long, to get to the happy, Mum and I talked it through reasonably. I know she was angry, but I decided to act as if she was just upset, because I know that was the base emotion.
Tantrum avoided.
FSM knows what I'll do next time though - I honestly thought he was cured of this.
I'm pleased you had a stress free hospital visit.
Now I know your credentials you have to come to Luton & Dunstable with me on the first of April, because I will certainly need a punchbag when I leave. Long bus journey, long wait, grim hospital and what I know will be bad news (buse) delivered by the perennially disapproving Dr K. Sigh.
But back to happy, I had a lovely morning at work.
what I know will be bad news (buse)
.
Worvert!
You got: You got decapitated. EEK!!!
Never watched the show, do lots of people die?
only a few people die...
spoiler
[COLOR="White"]
each episode.
don't get attached.[/COLOR]
end spoiler
Home after five days on a fatality investigation. It was draining, but I also met some inspiring people. Happy to be home.
I trimmed the Buddleia this afternoon. Loathing gardening as I do, it isn't the actual pruning that makes me happy, it is the fact that it marks the end of winter as far as I am concerned. The 'Butterfly Bush' as it is sometimes known, benefits from a fierce cutting back that verges on the brutal but it pays dividends in the long run. By early July it will be a mass of blooms that will, with a bit of luck, be covered in butterflies.
For what it's worth, here are the before and after shots. Don't say you weren't warned.
I trimmed the Buddleia this afternoon. Loathing gardening as I do, it isn't the actual pruning that makes me happy, it is the fact that it marks the end of winter as far as I am concerned. The 'Butterfly Bush' as it is sometimes known, benefits from a fierce cutting back that verges on the brutal but it pays dividends in the long run. By early July it will be a mass of blooms that will, with a bit of luck, be covered in butterflies.
For what it's worth, here are the before and after shots. Don't say you weren't warned.
Mine's still buried under 20 feet of snow. But the temperature crept above freezing today. Drove with the windows down :)
Mine's still buried under 20 feet of snow. But the temperature crept above freezing today. Drove with the windows down
We were fortunate yesterday, the temperature was up to about 60F.
It's the first half decent day for months and there's a high pressure area building nicely that should keep things fairly warm for the next week or so.
Let joy be unconfined!
The big burny thing in the sky is scaring me.
Well many ups and downs in the world of me.. but Even though my dream job ended up being a nightmare, and I am no longer employed, and I am still waiting for a date for my MRI on my hip... I feel things are about to look up.
***WARNING this is a rambling mess of information, and might not even make sense to most :) ***
Really good news on the family part...
My daughter is 24, she has a 6 1/2 year old daughter herself. I was not allowed to raise my daughter, and in fact have only seen her a total of 25 days in 23 years! We talk on the phone, and on Facebook almost daily the past few years, and I have always thought us to be as close as possible, considering we live 3000 miles apart. I have never met my grand daughter.
Ok back story is done, the depressing crap is done.. on with the news!
So last week I get a phone call, and it is my daughter. Her boyfriend left her & did it by skype one night as he is in the military and not home all the time... in fact HAD been home that weekend, and broke up with her on the Tuesday. ( to me this was not a suprise, I have been expecting this for many months in fact) Since she lived with his family, they were expecting her and her daughter to move out... well now. She hasn't been happy for quite a while, and while she still loves her Grandmother ( the woman who took her from me years ago) she has decided it is time to do what makes her happy, and what is right for her, and her daughter. So she called to ask if she could come out here. Not for a visit, to MOVE OUT HERE and start over! I talked it over with my husband of 20 years, who she has talked to but never met, and told her we would re-arrange our house, and by all means she could move out here. We expected this all to happen this summer. So then I get a picture sent to me... it is her plane tickets. MARCH 19! I will have my daughter, and my grand daughter here in 9 days.
I am so very excited.. and nervous. I am not used to having kids in the house all the time, and having 2 more bodies around... eeeek. On the other hand, great timing, as I am eventually going to have surgery and having someone else here that can help us out with the simple things, like cooking, looking after the dogs, and that sort of thing, is a good thing.
On the other grand child news front: My little grand daughter who was shaken last summer by her father ( my oldest son- the one who was my problem child) was taken by social services until the investigation was finished. As of last week she is now back in the full custody of her birth mom, and while I might not see her as often as I was before the incident, I am able to see my little miss :) Her 1st birthday party is March 28, and I will be able to take her cousin and aunt with me :)
Court is not for a few months yet, so we have no idea what will happen to my son, but at least the baby is doing well. She is trying to walk and talk, and smiles. all things we were not sure was going to happen. She had a brain bleed, and had emergency surgery and told us she might not had the functions she would have had before. So far, she seems to doing ok :) so not as much brain damage as first thought! This is very very good news!
So I guess I could have just said: I get to see and know both my grand daughters afterall! Something I was not sure I was going to be able to do with either of them, for very different reasons.
Why 9 days, I though they were moving?
They are moving here... in 9 days :) flight arrives in Kelowna March 19th at 2:30. Then, the come live with my hubby and I until they find a place of their own here in town :)
Sounds like great news. Hope everything goes well!
wow, tha's a lot of news, and congratulations!!!
Wow, big changes and great news Yay! :D
http://www.buzzfeed.com/hbogameofthrones/how-would-you-die-in-game-of-thrones
You got: You’d be mauled by a direwolf!
You’re easily agitated and consider yourself a loner. Most people would describe you as grumpy, and you’d describe most people as stupid. While you might be right, you often miss out on life due to your attitude. Such a disposition makes you great fodder for an angry direwolf.
Dragon fire.
Ha!
You got: You’d fall through the Moon Door!
You’re tough, but not as tough as you think. Your best trait is your loyalty, not your strength — you’d do well to rely more on your friends. This miscalculation is enough to send you straight through the Moon Door.
@ Jaydaan: so good things do come to those who wait :)
Glad you'll have your girl, and your grandbabies nearby.
We can fall through the moon door together in that case Dana.
Although that sounds suspiciously like we're on the bus to Hebden Bridge...
I rode my motorcycle to the gym this morning. That made me pretty happy
My bone scan is all good. NO skeletal mets!! I am VERY happy. I feel more confident after this scan than I did after the PET/CT last summer, because it just does the torso. Granted, most bone mets show up in the spine, pelvis, ribs, and occasionally skull, but they can show up in the limbs. Now I know that my stress fracture is just that, and my other persistent pains are just aches and pains and nothing more.
This is the new lease, the ticket to the next few years. I don't have to worry as I try to get into shape again; if I'm sore, it's just that I worked out too hard (or I'm getting old). It's hard to express how much this means. I was very very nervous prior to this scan (I'm embarrassed to say how nervous, but some of you know). Now I can take a huge breath and let it out, and get some sleep.
And get to work on my poster presentation, since I have a 'practice run' in front of several faculty next week. :eek:
I desperately need to learn how to turn data into bar graphs in Excel. Elementary, I know, except for those of us who've never had to use Excel. Never mind, I'll figure it out - although hints are welcome!
Thank you for putting up with me, guys ... you're the best.
Awesomeness personified, Ortho!
And use the chart wizard button in Excel.
Sent by thought transference
And get to work on my posterior presentation,
This is all I saw in that post.
Kidding. Great news for you. I guess God did hear you after all.
Bones can be good!
Awesome.
Dogs can hear a tree's bark.
Very happy for you, Ortho.
And happy for us to have you sticking around.
Dogs can hear a tree's bark.
But they can't look up.
Won £25 on the National Lottery!
Well, more accurately, given that the ticket cost £2 I only won £23, but I'm not going to quibble.
It's Cellarity Luck Week!
I won £3.20 on the Euromillions. Net profit £1.20. But it was bought half-past February, so it now simply counts as a windfall rather than a return on an investment.
Yay. Another two-week job completed which involved just about all the document-handling software I've got. PDF to screenshot to JPG and back to PDF (to repaginate), OCRd to Word, then translated using my translation memory software ... (Nerd? Me?!? Well, maybe ... :D)
Not a nerd, a highly trained, properly equipped, professional conjurer of magically transformed from crap to perfect documents. [SIZE="1"]3 times fast[/SIZE]. :haha:
I was, as per usual, wide awake in the still watches of the night so I decided to have a look out of the window to see what the outside world had to offer.
I have mowed the lawns twice this year but have had to leave a few patches uncut as wild flowers grow there. As I peered into the gloom, I was attempting to remember why I had left an unmown patch by a small tree. Further thoughts on the subject weren't required as the 'patch' started to move. I grabbed a torch and spotted the biggest Badger I have ever seen in my life. There isn't a shortage of Badgers in the country, quite the reverse, but most people will only ever see one dead at the side of the road. I've seen my fair share of live ones but they tend to be at a distance and rather fleeting, but this fellow was just feet away from me and completely unbothered by the light from my torch. He spent a couple of minutes nosing around the garden and then disappeared under the hedge to next door.
It made my sleeplessness worthwhile. Well, almost...
I like to leave patches of wildflowers as well, but we won't be mowing any lawns around here for quite some time.
By way of illustration...
In the Autumn of 2012 many lawns along the road were churned up by Badgers foraging for food overnight.
The summer had been particularly wet which caused a food shortage for them so they extended their range and feeding habits.
Our front lawn was churned up but in such a manner as to be able to replace and repair the turf without too much difficulty.
The local church yard suffered in a similar manner in the Autumn of 2009. Repairs of previous damage can be seen to the left of the excavations.
People are pretty forgiving of the local wildlife, I'm glad to say.
Do they eat insects or root systems or what? Lovely church btw.
because morning ride. 3.5 hours. I sense weakness in my riding partner this year and new old bike is kick-ass. [youtube]xovwBqtq3r8[/youtube] This was in my head which helps keep the feet moving.
Do they eat insects or root systems or what? Lovely church btw.
They're opportunist feeders so will broadly eat whatever is in season.
I think that, in this instance, they were after chafer grubs although snails, slugs, beetles and berries are all acceptable. A neighbour has complained that they dig up her daffodils. Their droppings vary according to their current diet, if they leave a muddy 'deposit' it's probably slugs and grubs that are the dish of the day. In late summer it is very apparent if they have been eating grain left behind by the combine or berries from the lower branches of shrubs and hedges.
By the way, the European Badger differs quite markedly from his North American cousin:
[ATTACH]47278[/ATTACH]
The church is
St. Mary's, Wendover. I'd have to look up some history but it is safe to say that it is centuries old.
Street View.
ETA. The Street View coverage was taken in October 2009, as was my photo, and the damage pictured above can be clearly seen.
Do they eat insects or root systems or what?
Mushrooms.I should have anticipated that.
"We don't need no stinkin' badgers!" :D
Corn on the cob. And ribs. But mostly corn on the cob. My buddies are grilling out today and she lured me with the promise of corn on the cob. Meanie. ;)
:cornstalksmilie:
The Princess Royal agrees with you, Infi (although I do know that's a quote...)
On badgers I mean; I'm unsure of her views of corn on the cob.
Gas the badgers she says.
Gas them all and let God sort them out.
Or some such.
Popdigr just came back from downtown with fresh corndogs for me & Momdigr.:yum:
There was a trailer in an empty lot selling corndogs and such. Popdigr ordered two corndogs, and the guy brought them out with just a piece of paper wrapped around them. Pop asked "Do ya have a bag or box to put these in? I have to go about four miles with these." The guy said "Oh, you want them to go." Popdigr (who has NO sense of humor, mind you) took one step back and looked the trailer back to front, then looked back at the guy and said "You're a trailer, everything you sell is to go."
Popdigr tickles the shit outta me sometimes.
Also, I'm off to the river.
:blunt:
Popdigr just came back from downtown with fresh corndogs for me & Momdigr.:yum:
There was a trailer in an empty lot selling corndogs and such. Popdigr ordered two corndogs, and the guy brought them out with just a piece of paper wrapped around them. Pop asked "Do ya have a bag or box to put these in? I have to go about four miles with these." The guy said "Oh, you want them to go." Popdigr (who has NO sense of humor, mind you) took one step back and looked the trailer back to front, then looked back at the guy and said "You're a trailer, everything you sell is to go."
Popdigr tickles the shit outta me sometimes.
:lol:
I like Popdigr!
I spent 3 hours in a bee yard today messing with bees. Very cool. (not me in pics)
Pretty cool! I'd be freaking out with all that exposed skin and bees crawling on me.
I'm happy today because it was a shorts and sandals day. It snowed less than two weeks ago!
My dad used to keep bees. I have some good stories about those days. lol. Not typing them out on my phone though.
Off this afternoon to a bee meeting on spring management. Package bees coming this Friday!! :D
My dad used to keep bees. I have some good stories about those days. lol. Not typing them out on my phone though.
My dad was a beekeeper too!
He used to be one of the people who'd be called in to deal with rogue hives in the wrong place. Had to give that part of it up after a bad incident where he was stung by several hundred bees whilst dealing with a wild colony.
I used to love going to his little hives at the allotment. And eating fresh honeycomb mmmmm. Still remember the smell of the smoker he used to put the bees to sleep
Off this afternoon to a bee meeting on spring management. Package bees coming this Friday!! :D
Excellent! My nucs are coming in May. It was pretty calm and relaxed in the yard. I guess beekeepers self-select for zen state. It was neat checking the hives for vigor. All these hives were doing well but one so one of the guys marked the weak queen and moved them into a nuc box in preparation for re-queening.
I got an honorary mention at the Work's Oscars at our AGM tonight.
The Del Boy Best Sales Technique award.
I was slightly perturbed, because I sell via passion, care and customer service, as opposed to lying about hooky goods. But apparently it was meant as a genuine "Sand to the Arabs" compliment.
I has mad sales skillz it seems!
I was only runner up though. The prize went to a chap who works on fruit & veg.
Who used to be a market trader...
lovely jubbly!
I'm happy 'cause I'm meeting Sundae for lunch in a couple of days :)
If I had more cash for multiple train journeys (and didn't have a bunch of seriously overdue marking to finish!) I'd meet up Tuesday and Wednesday, but at least we get to spend an hour or so on Wednesday just shootin the breeze and catching up.
WTG Sundae! And have a lovely time without me at lunch! ;)
Sent by thought transference
Saw the first Swallow of the year this afternoon so that made me happy.
I was mowing the lawn at the time, which made me decidedly unhappy, but you can't have everything.
Carr, really?
Re swallow not lawn.
Gosh. I wouldn't have looked for them this early, but I suppose it is nearly half-past April.
Dani, NO. We will be meeting as a part of my reconnaissance, and discussing only things to aid my move. Because this might be my only chance to visit before committing myself to a huge life change.
Oh yeh, and probably laughing til we hurt about stupidy things.
So don't worry Limes. You have little to envy.
Still If'n you could make it to Bradford we'd love to welcome you!
I'm actually staying in a TRIPLE room alone on Monday and Tuesday night, as it's the same price as a double and there were no singles. So you and Dave could both come and frolic.
Okay, nix on the frolic part, the third bed is a bunk above the double.
Carr, really?
Re swallow not lawn.
Gosh. I wouldn't have looked for them this early, but I suppose it is nearly half-past April.
Yes, I always look forward to the middle two weeks of April and the return of the House Martins and Swallows.
The trouble is that so very often there is a brief sighting of a solitary bird, of either species, and then no more for another two or three weeks.
As we know 'One Swallow doesn't make a summer'.
[COLOR="White"]That's what she said.[/COLOR]
[COLOR="White"]...to the Vicar.[/COLOR]
Are you two on your period or something then?
lovely jubbly!
I was scrollin up, looking to see if Sundae had her jubblies out again.
:mad:
Are you two on your period or something then?
They do appear to have 'synced up', don't they?
The preceding are the mandatory terrible replies which mark the low brow humor of the Americas.
Well we all did start out as convicts.
I have a job and I have a flat.
Lots of stresses and stresses and stresses to come.
But I have a job and I have a flat in Otley, Leeds.
Everything else can follow.
Well done, Sundae:thumb:
Best wishes for the future.
That's outstanding news. Good job!
Awesome! It'll all fall into place now.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!
What's the job?
Well, fuck me that was fast!
Well done you! Details ?
Excellent!!
Details when possible please. :-)
I've been offered a position with the supermarket I currently work with (sorry, trying not to be searchable) in Otley, Leeds, West Yorkshire.
I do not know my hours, I do not know my shifts.
I do know that - as in Aylesbury - they always want people to pick up extra work within and without their own departments. I discussed this at interview.
I cancelled a viewing at a flat in Otley to attend an interview at Morrison's in Bradford.
They were offering FULL time (30 hours) and housing in Bradford itself is cheaper by about £50 per month.
But as it turns out the location is high on a hill outside of the city, so travel costs would still apply. And it was for a job which is on a tangent from the position I currently hold. A job is a job as I said before, but this one did slightly give me The Fear.
So last night 23.55 when I opened my door, ready to set my alarm for 05.00 this morning OMG, I quickly logged on to find an invitation for a second interview in Otley.
When I came home from probably the worst shift on Bakery I've ever had (major tiredy and cracking my head so hard on an open oven door that I've given myself a proper Easter egg) I started to compose an email to accept an interview but ask for some clemency. Got a call as I was almost ready to send saying, "Hi, no don't worry about the second interview, you had glowing reviews from your branch and we want to employ you. As long as you can attend an Orientation Session."
Hell, yes.
Count the bells I have on.
So I called up private landlord man and arranged to take the local flat sight-unseen.
We dickered and agreed I would get him a payment of rent and deposit (thanks Dad) but my official tenancy wouldn't start until 01/05. Couldn't get him to budge further. Other people might have done, but as Dani knows I was dog-sick about my credit rating, and this place is 0.2 miles from my new place of work. So set-up shifts, close-downs, extra hours... all are welcome.
No pets of course.
I mean of course.
Who would, ever?
Part-furnished.
It's going to mean I have to work hard, but nowhere near as close to breaking point as staying here, where I would have to work harder and longer to live in a shared house. And without the Dizcat.
In hindsight I think I need a new thread for this.
Thank you for letting me spew details in the Happy Thread.
I'll trick out a Yorkshire thread soon.
This so totally belongs in the happy thread.
I'm so happy for you Sundae. 0.2 miles? That's the second time you have had a commute that can't be beat. I mean, seriously. That's almost next door. Way to go!
Yeah Sundae, good for you!!!
Wow! Well done! I've got the housewarming present picked out for you already!
Sent by thought transference
I had a dream, a dream about you, baby.
It's gonna come true, baby.
They think that we're through, but baby,
You'll be swell! You'll be great!
Gonna have the whole world on the plate!
Starting here, starting now,
honey, everything's coming up roses!
You go girl. ;)
I just measured on Google maps, and my bank of neighborhood mailboxes is farther than .2 miles away.
I've had four compliments in the last few days about my work on bakery.
Once for my paperwork, which I accept 100% because it is always 100% spot on, but it's good to have that recognised.
Then from a colleague who suggested I'd shot myself in the foot by being too good, despite my genuine protestations that I really wasn't.
Backed up by another colleague who came up to us during the conversation, who agreed I did the most thorough job - checking previous weeks sales, baking to that need, continuing to bake when necessary and cleaning as I went. They glossed over the wide-eyed psychotic aspect of me trying to get everything done at once.
And finally our sorta counter Manager (manager in all but pay) who may have been buttering me up, as I worked bakery Thursday, Friday, Monday and she wants me to do it again tomorrow. Given that Thursday is officially my bakery shift, and she has me starting at 06.00 on Friday (guess which counter that means?!) that's over a week on a job everyone knows i hate, so she really did need to soft-soap me. "But Cherry, I've seen you grow so much in confidence in the last few months. I couldn't trust anyone else to do the same job you do. I tell [manager] that our wastage is down because of you."
Hmmm.
I am willing to accept that perhaps I'm not as much of a disaster area as I previously thought when working that counter. The word I keep hearing is "thorough". And I will wear that happily. I'm as fast as I can be, although a time & motion study would reel in despair. And other people are faster and more efficient. But my benchmark is that I keep the customers happy and, like on Deli, my colleagues love it when they know their handover is from me.
Yeah, bigging myself up here.
But bakery has felt like a bridge too far for me, so positive feedback is really special.
Even if I have to start from scratch again when I move.
Look for sheer panic comments about working in Cafe from the middle of May :rolleyes:
Sometimes it takes someone elses eyes to see we're hitting it out of the park when we think we're just muddling along. Congrats!
WHS ^ :D
Sent by thought transference
Got my new hours through.
Monday 07.00 - 15.00
Wednesday 09.00 - 18.00
Friday 09.00 - 18.00
So, long hours (in supermarket terms), but plenty of opportunity for overtime on my days off even if I keep the weekends free. And 23 contracted hours, which is good in terms of security.
I'm used to longer shifts and more time on my feet more now than ever because I've done so much overtime in the last six weeks. Including this, my last week. On my last day I'm working eight hours, much of which will be covering more than one counter, alone. In a way I'm going out with a bang, but I'll be whimpering.
My colleague today was trying to horse-trade her Friday hours, saying we would be overstaffed. Ah the pleasures of being 18 and living at home... I said to her, "Surely it's better to come in and get the money for a less stressful shift?"
But of course she has revision. Ah the pain of being 18. It's a Friday, I bet she won't be revising ;)
Awesome :)
I managed to rearrange my dental appointment (deep sedation, so takes half a day to recover after) so will be available to help out on the 7th :)
Oh wow, cool potatoes!
Best person to liaise with is Limey, as although I'm working on sorting out my mobile phone debacle, I can't make any promises.
It makes me happy to think I'll have my two girls with me anyway.
You should sleep over too! The sofa looks big enough for me (because I'll never sleep that night), and it's a double bed...
I get that it might not be possible.
Mr Limey can be relied upon to get his own dinner and not pee on the rug (I know, I've met him) but Carrot is more hairy and without opposable thumbs.
Tbh my skin has been hovering at the edge of a nasty flareup for a couple of weeks, so Oilatum emollient soak every night and own bed is a must right now.
But I'll be there for a chunk of the day and early evening :)
I get you, chick.
I really hope the threatened flare up doesn't come. But you know your body well, so I guess it will. Sadness.
Can I just ask, how lucky can one girl get?
So many Dwellars have helped me so much along my journey in life. Many with words and kindness, some with money as well, and others with actual, practical help (as well as the rest).
This does not exclude anyone who has helped me, but in the interest of brevity please consider yourself loved and thanked. This is just for the people able to help me move.
Carruthers for being a very new friend, offering lifts, help with carrying shopping, tea and sympathy and a laptop to supplement my iPad.
Limey for being a proper practical Rosie the Riveter type who refuses to let me fall into hysterics, and instead offers suggestions and kindness (probably because I am too far away to administer a good slap to). Always, always looks after me like I am a tiny kitten who's been smashed about by, while still treating me as an intelligent adult. Oh and lends me Mr Limey, who is a very decent man.
And my original saviour Dana, who rescued me in Leicester, let me show her London, suggested the first panto GTG (without which I wouldn't even have met Limey!) and made Bradford less scary. And makes me laugh, always.
And Tony, and the Academy, and FSM and and and...
On a completely different level, Gerry Adams (advocate of terrorism and murder) has been arrested and questioned for murder.
Ha
Ha
Ha
Good.
Even if it is "proved" he is innocent of this particular murder I am still pleased he's been degraded and inconvenienced. He's not been orphaned, made a widower or blown into pieces after all.
Shame on those who shook his hand, the blood will not come off.
On a completely different level, Gerry Adams (advocate of terrorism and murder) has been arrested and questioned for murder.
Ha
Ha
Ha
Good.
Even if it is "proved" he is innocent of this particular murder I am still pleased he's been degraded and inconvenienced. He's not been orphaned, made a widower or blown into pieces after all.
Shame on those who shook his hand, the blood will not come off.
Give it a day or two and he'll 'walk'.
What worries me is all the others who were released from prison under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement getting up to their old tricks.
Some will be too old to present much of a threat but others won't, and it won't take much to spark it off again.
Finished work today.
My usual pattern of working hard right up until the second I was due to leave.
I thought I might actually get away with it this time, and do what everyone else seems to do - use their last day like a lap of victory, hugging and saying goodbye and all that.
No. I had to cover on Meat & Fish.
Ah well, the customers got good service, which is after all what I'm paid for.
Anyway, got a voucher (bless Lauren for that, I told her I needed the money more than wine, flowers etc) a card and some chocs. Gave chocs to Mum. She was really pleased.
Going to miss the people. And my regulars. And not being thought posh because of my accent.
Both the Beccas were there to see me off.
Both said lovely things. Becca W thinks I'm terribly erudite, which is terribly seductive as im as erudite as I am posh.
New start, new life, new location, new new new.
OMG
O.M.G.
It's gonna be a crazy ride, hang on!
You can do it! And I'm glad all these posts have been in the "happy" thread instead of "apprehensive" or the like. You have a good outlook, and I believe that always gets us 99% of the way to a good outcome.
Bravo!
You're off on new adventures.
O.M.G.
It's gonna be a crazy ride, hang on!
You've seen me driving, haven't you ;)
Sent by thought transference
You say that like it's a bad thing. :haha:
You go, girl! :cheerldr:
Making me happy: a friend just made me listen to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on NPR. Damn funny. Paula Poundstone is the awesome.
Polo shirts start Monday. No ties. Woot.
Polo shirts start Monday. No ties. Woot.
Is that a seasonal thing, or permanent?
Home girl is moving out at the end of the month and I'm moving in. kids go to true 50-50.
The monthly nut will jump from 6 bills to 11, but I will figure out how to swing it.
great news indeed~!~~~~!~!!~
Excellent! You put your blood sweat and tears into those walls. You deserve it.
Home girl is moving out at the end of the month and I'm moving in. kids go to true 50-50.
The monthly nut will jump from 6 bills to 11, but I will figure out how to swing it.
Ah, I missed this. Glad that's settled for now, every little bit of progress feels good. :thumb:
You've seen me driving, haven't you ;)
My daughter and her husband came to visit one weekend and we were going over to my son's house. He asked how far was it, and my daughter said "About 20 minutes". (There was a standard joke where he came from, everything was about 20 minutes away.) He repeated "About 20 minutes." then looked at me driving, "Except when he's driving, then it's about 15."
Limey drives like a rally driver.
But then the roads on the Isle of Arran are like a rally course.
I don't expect the motorways to present the same challenge.
I did tell her I'd sing to her on the way up, but I'm that emotionally drained right now I might just cry and sleep instead.
And in fact that might be preferable. Can you imagine being in a van with me singing show tunes for five hours?!
Limey can tuck me into the bag that holds my duvet and just get on with being the Stig.
Wake me up when we get to Last of the Summer Wine country. I want to see Dani coming down the hill in a bathtub and falling in the water.
My neighbors down the road were having a fire. The boys (actually men older than me) keep an eye on the older lady (she's 77 but she really can take care of herself, they're just all friends and keep an eye on each other) and she knocked on my door earlier and invited me down to the fire. So we're all sitting by the river with the fire going in the fire pit, making hot dogs, playing with a couple nice dogs, and generally enjoying the evening. It was nice.
My neighbors down the road were having a fire. The boys (actually men older than me) keep an eye on the older lady (she's 77 but she really can take care of herself, they're just all friends and keep an eye on each other) and she knocked on my door earlier and invited me down to the fire. So we're all sitting by the river with the fire going in the fire pit, making hot dogs, playing with a couple nice dogs, and generally enjoying the evening. It was nice.
:)
Hanging out by a fire is awesome. I think it's hard wired into our DNA or something.
It's kinda weird. You might have ten people standing around, and you can't have a conversation for everybody talking to everybody.
Get that fire going, and all of a sudden, only a couple of people are talking. Everyone else is staring into the fire.
ETA: Lawn chairs, riverbank, cheap cigar, a nice, fat doobie, a little liquid refreshment...Tonight, perhaps. Alone.
That's how the early folks domesticated dogs and cats, luring them in with fire. It didn't work out well with the giant moths, however.
No great loss--they were so.... flighty.
Foot: congrats! I'm happy for you.
Infinite Monkey: that sounds so nice. Glad you were able to enjoy yourself.
This is sad on my Mum's part, but it made me feel so special.
Text message:
Keep smiling as u look lovely when u do. Dad not coping well. Miss u more than I thought in your calm way of handling him xx
Actually I think it was more my way of handling her, handling him that she misses, but I get that she might not get that. If you get me.
Seeing Dani this arvo.
Enough to make anyone happy.
It's nice that she acknowledged it.
Just waved Dani off on her bus.
Had to explain to here that she had pole position (upstairs, front seat). I think it comes under the heading of "Things Cherry has made up" along with all the various games I play.
Anyway, the girl did good.
Travelled for hours to come and clean my kitchen.
I'm in a far better place mentally and emotionally than when I moved in. Having the boy with me, and having worked my first shift at work have helped enormously. Slowly unpacking and piecemeal cleaning have also helped. Having someone come and roll their sleeves up helped even more. Oh, and medication of course.
Another mention for all the extraordinary help I've had from the Cellar.
I don't know whether Limey shared my response to my house-moving card/gift with those who contributed. I cried so hard I had to go to bed. Okay, a good cry was what I needed, but how wonderful to feel loved at a time when I really was at my most vulnerable and emotional.
I can never pay Limey back for the extraordinary kindness and organisation she showed in this most difficult of moves.
And the most wonderful thing is she doesn't think that way, and will probably welcome me into her house in January next year.
Oh and I had a nightmare that first night. Literally (by my definition). I was trying to scream in my dream, not entirely sure what noise I made in reality but it was enough for Limes to wake me up and reassure me I was safe. Priceless.
Dana too, who has rescued me enough times for it to be boring.
All I can say is when the zombie apocalypse comes I'm not leaving without her.
And everyone. Everyone on the Cellar.
If the wheel of fortune turns your way then it's probably coincidence, but it's certainly no more than you deserve. I don't wake up in a state of sheer distress every day just because of you. Thank you.
Keep taking the tablets ;)
It was a pleasure to be able to share the start of your new adventure!
Glad things are looking up for you Sundae. Xx
...but I get that she might not get that. If you get me.
This made me smile.
I finally managed to finish cultivating the vegetable patch. Hooray!
It is a task of time consuming drudgery which I put off if at all possible. Having managed to complete the first half a couple of weeks ago, I did the rest yesterday.
The interregnum was due to the weather changing. The local earth becomes cloying with just the slightest of rainfall, or is turned to concrete when the sun shines.
Having hacked the grass and weeds out of it with a mattock, I finished off the job with a rotary cultivator, which eases the pain.
If any Dwellar, resident in Pennsylvania, is reading this, please would you call in at the Mantis factory in Southampton and relay my grateful thanks to them for helping to ease this Englishman's pain!
ETA: It isn't a contender for the 'Tilth of the Year Award' but it's respectable enough and, what's more, it's finished! Praise the Lord.
You can thank them yourself
right here. :D
You can thank them yourself right here. :D
:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:
I just got my new washer. Yay!!!! The old one broke 10 days ago. But now I've got to figure a way to bring it upstairs. Boo! Someone ordered it for me and dumped it in the courtyard. If I can't find 2 abled men by tomorrow, I'm gonna hire some Mexicans. :angry face: I would do it myself if I weren't so damn weak.
You only need one able bodied man... and the right incentive.;)
But two is more fun, Bruce!
New Summer clothes.
New to me anyway.
Hit the charity shops today.
When the sun came out last weekend I realised how little I had to wear in warm weather. I mean in a real Lady Godiva way. Got rid of my large Summer clothes in one of my pre-move purges. And if I still had them I wouldn't be able to wear them anyway, the skirts were literally falling off me.
So I got some nice new ice-cream colours in case the sun ever comes out on a day I'm not working again.
Not today.
Rain seems to be the default setting in Otley.
Also got a second hand copy of Game of Thrones.
It may have been an unwanted gift because it looks more lived in after I've had it half a day than it did when I bought it.
I've started my journey, people.
And as I know what happened to Sean Bean because of an interview he gave, I dont want to know which character he plays. Not all that hard to guess though... I will have to stay away from the thread from now on. The names will begin to mean more to me.
And again, so sorry for Mum, but bittersweet for me.
Had a letter from her saying again how she misses the way I calm her down and diffuse situations between her and Dad. Of course it only happened occasionally; most of the time I either hid or it backfired, making her even more angry. But she also added that I made her laugh every day. And that's not quite so wide of the mark.
Sundae: You know what they say, "You don't know what you have until it's gone." Your mom finally appreciates you and actually tells you. That's a good thing. I'm glad. :)
Bruce: I found two, and one of them actually knows how and connected the new washer for me too. :thumb2: And I didn't even have to offer incentives. :D
This made me happy when I found it hiding at the back of a row of black ones at target this morning:
Kind of mitigated when I got home to use it, and realized that I forgot staples. No starter strip in the package either, unfortunately. Oh well. This baby is coming to work with me today. I'll grab some there and bring the work one home.
My generator died almost 3 weeks ago and Sears sent it to be fixed. It had a 3yr warranty that cost me almost nothing. [YAY!] They called me this AM and decided they could not fix it and they are giving me a $599. credit towards a new one. [YAY!] The same model is now $120 more than my credited amount. The same warranty is now $109. Should I get the warranty too?
Sounds like with this generator, a warranty is a good idea.
[YOUTUBE]uVD3KPUnKHk[/YOUTUBE]
Bruce: I found two, and one of them actually knows how and connected the new washer for me too. :thumb2: And I didn't even have to offer incentives. :D
Limey sends her condolences.
No picking on the generator Glatt! ;) It worked hard every day 4 hours a day at least, and double time and over nite when the lights when out, for 2 1/2 years. [/run on sentence] For whatever reason they did not want to replace the alternator.:eyebrow: The engine still ran quite well.
'thought the warranty was a good idea just wondered what others thought.
My generator died almost 3 weeks ago and Sears sent it to be fixed. It had a 3yr warranty that cost me almost nothing. [YAY!] They called me this AM and decided they could not fix it and they are giving me a $599. credit towards a new one. [YAY!] The same model is now $120 more than my credited amount. The same warranty is now $109. Should I get the warranty too?
Just wondering, what make is/was your generator?
At this end of the village, power comes by overhead line through the woods so we tend to get power cuts as a consequence of winter storms.
I've been contemplating buying a genny of about 2kw capacity, but they are terribly expensive in the UK so have yet to take the plunge.
I take it that you would recommend your current model, given the service it has shown?
Ta,
Carruthers.
When SEARS contracts with a manufacturer it's usually based on an existing model with some changes to make it cheaper. The problem is down the road when you need parts, the parts with those changes aren't available. Sometimes the parts from the original model will work but for SEARS it's more expedient to throw money/credit at you than screw with it. That's when you win. :D
Carruthers, it is/was a Briggs and Stratton 5500 always very pleased with B&S small engines.
xoxoxoBruce,
I almost knew SEARs would replace it when I took it in for repair. Very annoying to have to have it shipped [ their dime]from Indiana to Ohio and wait almost 3 weeks for this news though. I am borrowing the neighbors and probably wearing out my welcome ;)
SEARs price matched the generator for me 2 1/2 years ago Big R had them too, and the whole generator with the 3 yr warranty was only $449. The generator is now $719 owwie This generator has to be ordered and I will have to maybe wait another 3-4 weeks for it's arrival. :/
In case I wasn't clear before, you should get the warranty. I think it's worth it.
Oh, and look at this thread. Almost ten thousand posts in it, and the dwellar who started it isn't even here to see how it's all gown up.
Carruthers, it is/was a Briggs and Stratton 5500 always very pleased with B&S small engines.
Thanks Nirvana, I'm grateful to you. B & S engine on my lawnmower is pretty reliable as well.
Thanks again.
Carruthers
Where/why did cloud go?
She's huge in
Wyoming, apparently.
Woke up to these on my patio this morning. I use 'morning' loosely, it was noon.
The Strawberry Fairy, I must've missed that one growing up...
[ATTACH]47729[/ATTACH]
I hesitate to say it made me happy, but, someone crawled on their hands and knees to pick strawberries, and then, gave me a couple quarts worth for nothing, not even credit. So, that was fairly cool.
:D
Limey sends her condolences.
Why??? Missed the joke, hehe....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
You only need one able bodied man... and the right incentive.;)
But two is more fun, Bruce!
You mean having two able bodied men WITH incentives?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
I'd assume that's what she meant but you'll have to ask her
Woke up to these on my patio this morning. I use 'morning' loosely, it was noon.
The Strawberry Fairy, I must've missed that one growing up...
[ATTACH]47729[/ATTACH]
I hesitate to say it made me happy, but, someone crawled on their hands and knees to pick strawberries, and then, gave me a couple quarts worth for nothing, not even credit. So, that was fairly cool.
:D
Nice.
They are delicious, and so, so sweet!
I bought some from SC at the fruit stand yesterday, much better than the CA winter berries. The smell in the car coming home was fruitelicious. ;)
Last evening I was chatting with a buddy when his phone announced, loudly, "You have a message from Janet."
I immediately asked him if it does that when I text him. It does, he informed me. I then asked if he would change my name in his contacts list. He said he would be glad to, thinking, I'm sure, that I just didn't want it saying my name out loud every time I texted him. When I told him what I wanted it changed to, he made a point to make eye contact, and then said "You are a fucking genius."
When I text him or leave a voicemail for him, his phone now announces "You have a message from Satan Himself."
He spent the rest of the evening changes peoples' names in his phone. His girlfriend is now Tits McGee. His dad is The Lord, God Almighty. His mother is The Boss Of The Lord, God Almighty. Someone got changed so that the phone announces "You have a message from Oh Dear God What Is That Smell?"
I start work today at a new job in which I hope I will be resurrecting my career. No more tweakers, it's for the North American side of a British technology company.
Go toad! Don't hurt anyone. ;)
And within my first hour, they asked me to renew my passport so I can go get training at the HQ in Derby!
Now THAT makes me happy! WTG UT!
They are investing in UT. That's a great sign.
And within my first hour, they asked me to renew my passport so I can go get training at the HQ in Derby!
It's not all good news then, never mind.
All Saints Church was designated as a cathedral in 1927, signalling that the town was ready for city status.
Wow... just wow. It's slowly sinking in to my thick head just how closely the church and government are tangled up over there. :litebulb:
Derby? When? I'm going to be in that neck of the woods in mid-July ...
Oh, and WTG UT! What fab news!
Don't know when yet... late June is most likely.
Wrong thread for this, but it annoys me that passports are so expensive now. I used to always keep mine up to date, even if I didn't have any possible trips in my future, but it's a real expense now.
Seems unconstitutional or something that you have to pay so much to get papers to travel.
Just tell the dude at the airport you refuse to pay that much to exercise your god given right to free travel over his earth.
And let us know where you are. :lol2:
...and say hey to Billy for us.
;)
Billy? The one from 'Midnight Express'?:eek:
Major congrats UT.
Please, please, please let me know when you are coming. I'd move heaven and hell for a simple meet-up & photo-op.
You brought together a disperate group of people who have literally saved my life. And also loved me and treasured me and asked me to write for them.
And asked for pretty much nothing in return aside from what a mostly ex-alkie can spare.
I would feel like Monkey meeting Bhudda (except I wouldn't piss on your fingers)
Billy? The one from 'Midnight Express'?:eek:
Billy was a dwellar from China who posted frequently then went to ground.
It's not all good news then, never mind.
snigger.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]Beest's sister lives there.[/COLOR]
snigger.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]Beest's sister lives there.[/COLOR]
Does she or her neighbors sound like
Kelly?
V I love you more than ever.
I found myself sounding like Kelly after a Misfits marathon. But then I'd been prepped by living in Leicester after all.
I'll probably go home sounding like Compo these days..
Anyway, what made me happy yesterday was meeting up with the Dana in Leeds.
She'd had a rubbish morning, so I tried my best to improve her afternoon. She certainly improved mine.
The weather was patchy, so although we had a brief wander, what we did more of was sitting indoors, eating and talking.
I was having a (not unusual) crisis of confidence, and instead of slapping me about the chops, Dana was kind and complimentary and made me feel bettered.
Photos will follow at some point I guess. I have so many to post though.
Dana balked at taking a pic of me with a replica of a terracotta warrior fondling my breast.
Well I thought it was funny anyway.
If you ask her nicely she might even post the alternative one she took, which was much more proper.
Billy was a dwellar from China who posted frequently then went to ground.
After working in Shanghai, and a couple spots in Europe, he's in Germany now. Takes every opportunity to go sightseeing with week long and weekend trips.
Today: playing all day with my 2 1/2 year old great-niece and my 8 week old new niece puppy... a 'silver' Labrador Retriever. OMG they're both so funny. And I am worn out and old. ;)
Awwwwwww. Oh she's adorable! Is that her puppeh pen I see in the background?
Hee. No actually that's my great-nieces foldy uppy princess house.
They're gonna be great pals! :)
Thanks Dana!
After working in Shanghai, and a couple spots in Europe, he's in Germany now. Takes every opportunity to go sightseeing with week long and weekend trips.
Good to hear!
I constructed the bamboo cane framework and planted the Runner Beans this evening.
It isn't a masterclass in geometric perfection, but I did it for the beans and not for the benefit of passing structural engineers.:):):)
Yay, Carruthers! I'm sure the beans will thank you in their own little way!
Sent by thought transference
I've been off since last weekend, which was my regular weekend off. I took off because I was at a training for three days this week. I took Monday off because I didn't want to be up all night before having to go to the class at 8am. Then I decided that taking the rest of the week, including my regular weekend to work off, would be a good idea.
So today I was reflecting on how I managed not to do one productive thing these last couple days, and that I would have to go back to work and ... suddenly realized that I don't work the Monday after my weekend on and ... that's TOMORROW.
Another day of completely lazy slacking!
(okay, I did something, just not terribly productive. I tried to sort some of my google drive documents into folders.)
Hey, consistency should be recognized and rewarded too. :elkgrin:
We had a newbie beekeeper challenge over the weekend. Minutes before we went out to add deeps to both hives Lil' Pete looks out the window and asks, "Are those your bees?" A cloud of bees were in the air. One hive swarmed meaning the old queen and about half the workers took off. The other half of the workers stayed in the hive to raise a new queen. I found the swarm on the ground. They had flattened some weed the queen landed on. We carefully scooped them into a cardboard box with a brood frame from the other hive. Pete's gonna pick up a hive box tonight and we'll attempt an install. If it works out, we'll have three hives!
Nice! Free bees are good bees. I went through my hives yesterday - they're building up quickly. These are 2 new packages of Italians this year, plus a nuc of Carniolans. Added upper deeps to both. Here's a nice frame of brood.
Oh, nice save Griff!
nowhereman, you should have been around here when a truck dumped about 20,000,000 bees on I-95. Talk about free bees. :haha:
Nice! Free bees are good bees. I went through my hives yesterday - they're building up quickly. These are 2 new packages of Italians this year, plus a nuc of Carniolans. Added upper deeps to both. Here's a nice frame of brood.
Looking good man! Do you have a preference for the Italians? I have video of my bees marching into the hive, that was so cool. I'll post it if it ever loads to youtube.
I'm planning to start beekeeping once back in PA in July. I have to read up on it beforehand ... griff, nowhereman, do you have any recommendations for references? My qualifications are that I'm not allergic. And I have a small orchard and tons of flowers. And four awesome hugekultur raised beds that my family built for me in the last short while, that I have to post pictures of as soon as I can. :)
We've got a few different books. Beekeeping for Dummies is nice because it doesn't tell you all the choices you could be making. The Beekeepers Handbook by Sammataro will give you more depth. There are a few bloggers with good info as well. Joining your local beekeepers association will be invaluable.
Here is the swarm video.
[youtube]JCsRAUl2VEc&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]
These Italians are doing really well so far, we'll see how they do going in to fall and winter. The Carnis overwinter with a smaller cluster and are more efficient with stores. They also winter lower in the hive. My first overwintered Carnis were down in the lower deep hive body, so I didn't see any activity in the top box. Thought they were goners, but once it warmed up a bit there they were. The photo of the honey I posted last year came from those bees.
Orthodoc, "The Backyard Beekeeper" is pretty good as a start. If you have time, I would seek out and join a local bee association. They can be of great help. If they run a bee school, that is always helpful. There is also a forum called "Beesource" that you may find interesting, but take the information there carefully. As with anything, if you ask 6 people, you may get 6 different answers.
Mike Palmer from Vermont is a well respected beekeeper - his opinions are always worth noting. Beekeeping, like most hobbies, is a slippery slope both time wise and financially. Enjoy !
That was a cool video, Griff! I've never seen bees marching like that.
Thank you both! I'll check into local bee associations and get a couple of books. There's no deadline for this, so I'll learn enough to feel comfortable before diving in.
Wow Griff, I didn't know they would do that.
That video needs Bill Millin and his bagpipes urging the marchers onward. :haha:
Thank you both! I'll check into local bee associations and get a couple of books. There's no deadline for this, so I'll learn enough to feel comfortable before diving in.
What an epic lost chance at bee puns!
I am disappoint.
I moved back into my house last night and haven't unpacked, but it feels great to be back. Once the shoulder gets better I will commence repairs.
Excellent! This makes me happy. It's your damn house, with all the work you put in it.
wonderful news about reclaiming your home.
good job.
Good, foreword progress foots. :thumb:
What an epic lost chance at bee puns!
I am disappoint.
Alas, I was unpunny today. Running between seminars at a Workers' Comp conference, my puns were undone. But I am very glad you're back in your own house! Hopefully a better summer lies ahead.
Ah, been there done that.
I'm heading to the beach! YAY!! :-D
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini ?
We've got a few different books. Beekeeping for Dummies is nice because it doesn't tell you all the choices you could be making. The Beekeepers Handbook by Sammataro will give you more depth. There are a few bloggers with good info as well. Joining your local beekeepers association will be invaluable.
Here's another video by a Beebro.
[VIMEO]95199737[/VIMEO]
Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini ?
Hihi....nope! I have fair-skin, so I protect myself from getting skin cancer. I wore a rash guard and surf leggings. :D I didn't take any pictures (too busy having fun), but someone did. I'd post up a pix if I remember to grab them from her.
Nice video Bruce! I just have the 3 hives now, but would like to get to about 10. I have 2 people that want me to place hives with them, one is a small farm, the other has a huge garden space.
I'll tell you what's making me happy today, a hike to
Dorothy Lake and perhaps beyond to Bear Lake. If you follow the link, the pushpin for Dorothy Lake is a couple screens below where the map opens up. Follow road 6412 and you'll get to the trailhead/end of the road...
Description from Washington Trails Association.
This is a warm up hike for a bigger trip later this summer, one I'm very excited about, a trip of a lifetime.
See ya!
Don't be camping under any mud slides. :unsure:
Hihi....nope! I have fair-skin, so I protect myself from getting skin cancer. I wore a rash guard and surf leggings. :D I didn't take any pictures (too busy having fun), but someone did. I'd post up a pix if I remember to grab them from her.
you cover up way too much skin. strip down and put on some sun screen. I would be glad to help with the hard to reach places.;)
please, pretty please with sugar on it:blush:
Hehe...I burn more than I tan so I ain't exposing no skin! I have sunscreen in a spray bottle so I have no problem applying it myself. :D
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Hehe...I burn more than I tan so I ain't exposing no skin! I have sunscreen in a spray bottle so I have no problem applying it myself. :D
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
you really know how to crush a guy's dreams...............j/k
Awwww....sorry, big guy. :-P
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
Easy breezy 33 hours this week.
Coulda shoulda woulda been more, but I didn't turn anything down.
Admit it's been a walk in the park and am acclimatising to the longer shifts.
Checkouts are now head-hunting me, and they seem to know shortfalls in their rotas well before Counters, so that is where I am doing my overtime.
Don't get me wrong, I still love the customer interaction and specialism on Deli.
But it's so hectic and people can sometimes be very impatient, to the point of being rude.
I'd never want to work checkout as my main job, but as a filler to rack up my hours it's better than having someone shout, "EXCUSE ME? Is anyone serving on here?" when you actually have a spit of rotisserie chickens in your oven-gloved hands :rolleyes:
I do seem to be fitting in though.
One of the young lads told me I was his favourite new starter for ages.
And when I say young lad I mean I wouldn't even have had to start early to birth him. He just likes me because I'm as rude as he is.
Need to keep reminding him my name is not Sherry/ Cherie though.
Mebbe I should change my name to Jane. No-one can get that wrong, Shirley?
Only three hours today, but it's time and a half.
Excellent!
Sent by thought transference
Lovely chat with Sundae on the phone this morning :)
Thanks hon, proper made my morning too.
Back from work, what a super sweet short shift (3 hours). I felt as if I'd just gone in to do my shopping or something. I can't believe my usual shift used to be 3.5 hours...
My nephew, the first louie in the USMC, was home briefly, so they had a small family party for him at brother and sis-in-law's home.
I got to swim and hang out with not only the young adult faction of my nieces and nephews, but also with the younger faction of my nieces. Swimming was especially fun.
I'm really proud of all of them. My just turned 9 year old niece and I had a great time in the pool. And my almost 3 year old great-niece and I have totally bonded. What's better than a 3 year old telling you she loves you? Not much. And they all told me that, ages irrelevant.
I miss my mom, because she would have loved today, but I'm so thankful my dad was there and enjoying the family he helped create. And that ain't all he creates...we were surrounded by woodwork he's done. He's so awesome.
I'm a lucky girl. Plus, they're all so funny. I listened to the young adult faction and laughed so much...and I used the line about how I could be a young person were it not for my age. These are memories I will keep close to my heart.
Yeah, I'm a lucky girl. :)
Sounds like a perfect day IM.
I am happy about mav buying himself a car today. He saved hard. $4k in a little over a year. Anyway, i am very proud of him. :)
Sounds awesome Infi.
Life is all about paying attention as moments like that are happening and making sure you enjoy them. Moments like that aren't exactly rare, but they happen infrequently enough that it's good to be mindful when they do.
:)
Congrats to Mav. His first car? He'll remember it forever.
I hope he has more luck with his than Aden did. The clutch failed, then a week after that was repaired he crashed it. He's decided not to fix it. just trade it in when he's got some dosh together. It still runs, so he might get something for it.
I got a raise at work. The company gave everyone a raise and I also got my 6 month raise :D
a raise?! Niiiice! Congratulations!
I hope he has more luck with his than Aden did. The clutch failed, then a week after that was repaired he crashed it. He's decided not to fix it. just trade it in when he's got some dosh together. It still runs, so he might get something for it.
it's a shame that a boy's first car(s) is(are) doomed to be sacrificed.
Haha...yeah. thats why i have been urging mav not to spend everything on this one. Save a little bit for a rainy day.
Congrats, Nirvana!!
Congrats to Marv on his first car too. :D
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk
I am happy that i now have over 1000 likes on my fb page for my business. I am very pleased. :)
1000, that's excellent! Congrats!
Congrats also.
Make a vanilla cupcake with a random funky decoration and hold a competition for people name it. Bet you get another 1000 likes within two weeks.
And as you are both judge and jury at least you don't get stuck with something unuseable (Grav's Fat Cock Cupcakes might not sell)
Scary to think you have two sons old enough to drive!
Thanks guys. :) it's a big milestone for me.
...at least you don't get stuck with something unuseable (Grav's Fat Cock Cupcakes might not sell)
Getting stuck with my fat cock ain't the worst thing that could happen...In fact a chick told me just that once.
"How was that, darlin'?"
"Well, it ain't the worst thing that ever happened to me."
___________________________________
Grav's Fat Cock Cupcakes™ - That has a ring to it.
Ali, I'll license "Grav's Fat Cock Cupcakes™" to you, but we'll have to work out a payment plan. We'll be rich,
rich I tells ya!
[SIZE="1"]Fat Cock Cupcakes[/SIZE] - :lol2:
Also:
Just cuz it ain't getting used regular-like now, don't mean it's unuseable.
My darling Grav, I did not mean to disparage your cock, fat or not.
It was just the juxtaposition of penis and cupcake that I thought people wouldn't go for. Especially not for their child's birthday party.
Hen parties (bachelorette?) however...
Got a birthday card from Bruce today.
Personalised with photos of me and everything.
Leaked at the eyes a bit.
And yes, I knew it was a birthday card and yes it was early (because you can't rely on airmail) but I opened it anyway because why not strecth birthdays out while they still amuse you.
Got a birthday card from Bruce today.
Personalised with photos of me and everything.
Leaked at the eyes a bit.
And yes, I knew it was a birthday card and yes it was early (because you can't rely on airmail) but I opened it anyway because why not strecth birthdays out while they still amuse you.
Isn't Bruce the sweetest?
___________________________________
Grav's Fat Cock Cupcakes™ - That has a ring to it.
Ali, I'll license "Grav's Fat Cock Cupcakes™" to you, but we'll have to work out a payment plan. We'll be rich, rich I tells ya!
[SIZE="1"]Fat Cock Cupcakes[/SIZE] - :lol2:
I kind of want to see how these cupcakes would look like. :D Very interested.....
Grav ... this could be a new career. Cupcakes and the MAN himself at the bachelorette party! :D
Sundae, when is the day? Yes, I'll look it up in a sec but just asking. Probably too late to get a card there in time, but PM me with your new address? Because stretched-out birthdays are the best kind.
Wouldnt they be cockcakes?
I was envisioning [strike]tiny[/strike] fat little [strike]american[/strike] apple pies.
Scary to think you have two sons old enough to drive!
itty bitty Hector is driving.....
(but it wasn't him who "redecorated" my van last week....)
I am grateful there are no pictures of the aforementioned cockcakes. Not even in my mind's eye.
I am grateful there are no pictures of the aforementioned cockcakes. Not even in my mind's eye.
First, get some of this:
[ATTACH]48306[/ATTACH]
Then, click this-->
GoogleImageSearchResult[COLOR="DarkRed"](<---Link NSFW)[/COLOR]
[SIZE="3"]Who's got a job?
I got a job![/SIZE]
Another one I mean.
Been taken on by the Black Horse Hotel.
Yeah, the place I wanted us to buy as a Cellar consortium.
I'm a Black Horse whore it seems.
It's all brand new, so they can't even say what shifts and when and how long.
But they want me in tomorrow at 16.00 to help start the set-up.
The chap I had my (very informal) interview with said that he and the owner were so impressed with my email that unless I turned up and was a complete weirdo they'd already agreed they wanted to hire me.
Dear Readers, it was pretty much a normal email as far as I am concerned.
Still, happy birthday to me.
I have an extra job, extra money and a chance to meet more people.
And NO. NO. I don't even know what the policy is on staff accepting drinks but no.
Been there, done that, lost a job because of it. The temptation is always there, but I think less so when I am working, if I am conscious of the risk.
Oh, this might be a bit previous (deliberate mangling of language there) but I applied to be a Specialist at work. I got the unofficial nod. I'll let you know when it's official. I'll get a City & Guilds qualification, a black apron, a payrise but best of all... loads and loads of extra knowledge and information about cheese!
[SIZE="3"]Who's got a job?
I got a job![/SIZE]
Another one I mean.
Been taken on by the Black Horse Hotel.
Yeah, the place I wanted us to buy as a Cellar consortium.
I'm a Black Horse whore it seems.
It's all brand new, so they can't even say what shifts and when and how long.
But they want me in tomorrow at 16.00 to help start the set-up.
The chap I had my (very informal) interview with said that he and the owner were so impressed with my email that unless I turned up and was a complete weirdo they'd already agreed they wanted to hire me.
Dear Readers, it was pretty much a normal email as far as I am concerned.
Still, happy birthday to me.
I have an extra job, extra money and a chance to meet more people.
And NO. NO. I don't even know what the policy is on staff accepting drinks but no.
Been there, done that, lost a job because of it. The temptation is always there, but I think less so when I am working, if I am conscious of the risk.
Oh, this might be a bit previous (deliberate mangling of language there) but I applied to be a Specialist at work. I got the unofficial nod. I'll let you know when it's official. I'll get a City & Guilds qualification, a black apron, a payrise but best of all... loads and loads of extra knowledge and information about cheese!
Onward ever upward!
Well done, Sundae.:thumb:
Wow Sundae! Look at you go!
[SIZE="3"]Who's got a job?
I got a job![/SIZE]
Oh, this might be a bit previous (deliberate mangling of language there) but I applied to be a Specialist at work. I got the unofficial nod. I'll let you know when it's official. I'll get a City & Guilds qualification, a black apron, a payrise but best of all... loads and loads of extra knowledge and information about cheese!
Well, a big CONGRATS to you! :celebrat::celebrat::celebrat:
Yay!!! Sundae, you are hot, doing good. Good on you.
Happy times, indeed. Congratulations!
Happy Birthday and Congrats, Sundae!!
But stay conscious of the risk in the new job, and ditch it if it becomes a problem.
Had to say it because I want to know that you are doing well and will be gracing this planet long into the future. Please don't be mad. xx
First, get some of this:
[ATTACH]48306[/ATTACH]
Then, click this-->GoogleImageSearchResult[COLOR="DarkRed"](<---Link NSFW)[/COLOR]
I have seriously needed the eye bleach after viewing several regrettable/unforgettable/burned into my retinasandbrain images upon following links here. Your link in this case was positively tame, grav.
Tame? Those were *trophies*, every one, cut down in its prime.
[SIZE="3"]Who's got a job?
I got a job![/SIZE]
...
Oh, this might be a bit previous (deliberate mangling of language there) but I applied to be a Specialist at work. I got the unofficial nod. I'll let you know when it's official. I'll get a City & Guilds qualification, a black apron, a payrise but best of all... loads and loads of extra knowledge and information about cheese!
WTG on both fronts, Sundae! Let me know if you need help eating the sample cheese ... :D
I'm finally getting my new CPAP machine...I only did the sleep study 2 months ago!
Meanwhile, in that same time frame, the Mrs got 2 sleep studies done and has had her machine for a week. Fucking Apria...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've lived in Kansas City for 4 years now, and have yet to meet Elspode in person...we've been friends for over 10 years, but have missed each other a few times in both STL and KC. Well, we are finally ending this problem next Saturday night, as he and the Mrs are having folks over to watch Rocky Horror and Holy Grail...w00t!
Excellent!
We paddled from Harpursville to
Ouaquaga Bridge on the Susquehanna today. Saw an eagle, lots of ducks, too much Japanese knot weed, and a turtle pining for the fiords. We hunkered down on an island in a heavy thunderstorm under the kayaks listening to little Griff drumming and singing Linoleum. Good times.
Japanese knot weed...
...I think I smoked some of that a few years ago.
Today has been a good day. I've had two really good cake orders come in. Well three if you count the one I'm doing for Aden's g/f at a heavily discounted price because I want to try out a new technique. haha Went to the cake shop and got some supplies for the cake I'm doing for my brother on Tuesday, and I FINALLY received some stock that I was starting to panic about for cakes due next week!
All in all, a good day. I nearly kissed the posty. I decided not to considering the precarious state of my marriage at the moment. haha
I've lived in Kansas City for 4 years now, and have yet to meet Elspode in person...we've been friends for over 10 years, but have missed each other a few times in both STL and KC. Well, we are finally ending this problem next Saturday night, as he and the Mrs are having folks over to watch Rocky Horror and Holy Grail...w00t!
Bring them a shrubbery ..........
I had more than one birthday card.
Had more than one prize.
Let's just say I'm going to be okay for quails eggs AND hot beetroot chutney this month.
Oh and there is the small matter of Le Tour going through tomorrow.
Colour me excited.
Happy because Sundae's awake; I'm not alone in teh cellar!
Happy because Sundae's awake; I'm not alone in teh cellar!
I'm here as well! :)
HUZZAH!
Hooray for Carruthers!
Hooray for England!
I've fifteen more minutes aboard this ferry, and only a few pixels of signal strength. Then sleeep, sweeet zzzzzzleeep........
HUZZAH!
Hooray for Carruthers!
Hooray for England!
A response like that deserves Independence Day greetings in return.
You could always come back you know. We still have taxation but we do have representation as well these days.
Carruthers
Oh and there is the small matter of Le Tour going through tomorrow.
Colour me excited.
Huzzah!
it's blooming glorious here today. sunny, not humid, hot but not too hot. perfect. And I learned that the firework king is fully loaded and ready to dazzle us all tonight :)
I've finished painting the fence. Yippee!
It's not even our fence but we have to look at it so I asked the neighbour if he had any objections if I gave it a coat of preservative.
The panels are about 8' x 6' and were fairly easy to do with a 4" brush. Unfortunately, the disposable coverall I bought didn't breathe and so even on a middling warm day I soon developed my own personal sauna.
Not at all pleasant.
The trellis along the top is a fiddly pain in the arse of a job and has to be done with attention to detail and a 1½" brush. Not too warm this morning and not raining. Job completed. :thumb:
And another entry in the credit side of life's ledger. I won £50 ($85) on the
Premium Bonds.
Life is good. Well, up to a point. Still plenty of time for the forces of darkness to strike before the day is done.:rolleyes:
Must see pix of the fence or it didn't happen. Congrats on winning the money.
I saw a bit of the Tour de France today on TV and thought of you, Sundae. York to Sheffield ... did it go near your neck of the woods?
Happy tonight because I finished another revision of the neurotox article I'm supposed to submit by September, and which is irritating me to the point of giving me hives. Sent it off to my superior in WV and will hope for a thumbs-up. I had to rewrite the entire thing to make it less 'scholarly' and more practical. Live and learn ...
And happy because I finished my first week at the new job and have a new week to look forward to. Tons of work and meetings, but this is not a negative. I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day.
You've not been paying attention, Ortho! Go to the Yorkshire thread immediately to see Sundae's report. Oh, and you're on report, yourself!
Sent by thought transference
What's making me happy today is in a few hours, I'll be at the Cher concert and the opening act is Cyndi Lauper. :-)
That doesn't sound like a queen at all. ;-)
That doesn't sound like a queen at all. ;-)
Would it make it sound more queenish if I mentioned there were about 2000 guys on Grindr at the concert? lol
Finished trimming the hedge, so that's another horticultural chore disposed of.
I used to use a flea powered electric trimmer but managed, on two occasions, to cut the cable.
Thankfully the RCD did its stuff and the dubious thrill of 240 volts up the Carruthers left arm was avoided. Twice.
For this relief, much thanks.
A couple of years ago I decided that enough was enough and bought a petrol trimmer. It was worth every penny. (Thank you Mr Kawasaki:thumb:)
The cutting head is almost twice as long as that on the electric jobby, and a damn sight more powerful.
OK, I know there's an element of big boys toys at work here, but so far I have avoided the temptation to set course for British Columbia and fell a stand of Giant Redwoods. ;)
Carruthers:
"Leading a horticulture one chore at a time."
Please not to be culturing mah hores.
Please not to be culturing mah hores.
*snort*
You've not been paying attention, Ortho! Go to the Yorkshire thread immediately to see Sundae's report. Oh, and you're on report, yourself!
Sent by thought transference
Aaagh ... you know, I recall reading through the Yorkshire thread. So I'm on report twice. Such beautiful reportage and photos that Sundae provided!
Yep, on report and confined to quarters. :blush:
Had an interview today...it went well. I don't think I'll get the job...I would be responsible for 1200 people! The most I've ever handled at one time is 40...I could do it though.
I don't know if I'm more confident in my old age or drunk or in my Matrix zone...I had little nervousness through the whole process.
WTG elSicomoro! Put it down to greater confidence :) I hope you get the job, if you want it (obviously they thought you could do it or they wouldn't have interviewed).
And that was my thought too...I clearly noted in my resume that I have supervised up to 40. She mentioned that I might be better off a step below the position I applied for...I told her I could do the job in question, but if she thought the step below was better, I was fine with that too.
Had an interview today...it went well. I don't think I'll get the job...I would be responsible for 1200 people! The most I've ever handled at one time is 40...I could do it though.
I don't know if I'm more confident in my old age or drunk or in my Matrix zone...I had little nervousness through the whole process.
Good luck! I know if I can handle 1200, anyone can. :D
:facepalm:
I've missed you, Sheldon.
Thanks, guys! I should know in the next few days if I'm headed to the next round.
Four years ago today, I first came to Kansas City from St. Louis. At the time, I was just coming out here on business...and for BBQ. But...it wound up being the place where a major chapter of my life ended, and a greater one began. And I will finally meet Elspode in person tonight!
The Buddleia bush that I pruned back almost to nothing in early March, is once again in full bloom. The high summer butterflies that it attracts should be along soon.
Anyway, before and after.
Worth waiting for!
You fool, they're using you, just as they used the generations before you.
Who does all that work, cleans up the mess, and has to live with the ugly bush until it heals?
You do!
Then when it just regains it's composure the prima donna Butter-sluts swoop in, flash a little color, and slurp up free meals.
At least Fireflies would light the night, bees would leave you a little honey, even mosquitoes will sometimes make nipples bigger.
Guess who then has to do the dishes and start the cycle starts again.
You do!
Don't be a chump, stop the bush-keeper abuse, slap a VAT on their bill. :flycatch:
Spencer is staying with me for 3 days. I have to work all day every day this week cuz my counterpart is on vacation , but it's still cool to have him over.
He's doing online extra credit algebra, and his computer is giving him trouble, so I invited him to come use my gaming rig and get the class knocked out.
Got my boy back too.
Excuse the doting look on my face, I hadn't expected to be in frame, but I kept it because I hadn't realised Diz needs a proper clean-up so I didn't want too much of a close up of his face. You can't expect a charity to do everything.
Oh and mental apologies to Carol for doubting her story and thinking she was a cat-napper. She obviously just had an unlucky weekend after all.
PS. LJ, I'm not sure knocking out the rest of Spencer's class is a good precedent to set. I mean it's okay at his age, but what are you going to do when he gets to college? You might get in some lucky punches sure, but unless you have a secret stash of sarin...
He's doing online extra credit algebra...
My daughter is also doing an online course this summer. Economics and Personal Finance. Her HS requires at least one on-line course to graduate. I think we'll be seeing more of them too, to ease impending overcrowding issues. Interesting times.
You look so happy. And Diz looks happy to be home but also like he's planning complicated and gruesome vengeance at having been sent away in the first place.
Her HS requires at least one on-line course to graduate. I think we'll be seeing more of them too, to ease impending overcrowding issues. Interesting times.
Whoa. This is amazing to me. Online courses would save the school so much money... I wonder how long before federal/state awareness catches up to this and starts cutting back the school's funding if they're not spending it on traditional classroom settings.
I am amazed at the amount you can already do in this world online. It became obvious to me when I signed up for my electricity online 4 years ago.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nothing. Nothing is making me happy today.
You can start trying. :lol2:
ETA: I thought personal threats were frowned upon here. Or is that another one that applies to just me?
Nothing. Nothing is making me happy today.
Sorry to hear it. I hope your day improves.
I thought personal threats were frowned upon here. Or is that another one that applies to just me?
I'm sure it was meant to raise a smile. Although TBF, LJ has been known to tell people to just rub some dirt on it, Mary.
Sorry to hear it. I hope your day improves.
I'm in the Glatt camp on this though.
The sun'll come out, tomorrow.
As will Lola's boobies.
[COLOR="White"][Disclaimer, this probably will not be photographed][/COLOR]
Diz looks like he's plotting major evil. Although maybe he was just blinking. ;)
And, my daughter is also doing an online course that she is persuaded will bring her a career that will enable her to earn a living wage.
To which I say, huzzah.
I'm sure it was meant to raise a smile. Although TBF, LJ has been known to tell people to just rub some dirt on it, Mary.
I'm in the Glatt camp on this though.
The sun'll come out, tomorrow.
As will Lola's boobies.
[COLOR="White"][Disclaimer, this probably will not be photographed][/COLOR]
You wanna see my bobbies? I'll show you my boobies! It's only fair since I've seen yours numerous times. PM me your email (although I should have it) for me to verify it, so I won't be sending it to anyone else by mistake. While you're at it, give me your new addy too. :D
On the happiness topic, should we feel happy each day? I thought we just live each day and if we're lucky, something makes us happy that day. And if we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, like me today, actually since this weekend, we just feel all pissy for no good reason.
I think the happiness topic should mean that we recognize and acknowledge the sources of happiness in our lives. A sense of gratitude.
I feel happy to be in the presence of such wonderful people.
You wanna see my bobbies? I'll show you my boobies! It's only fair since I've seen yours numerous times. PM me your email (although I should have it) for me to verify it, so I won't be sending it to anyone else by mistake. While you're at it, give me your new addy too. :D
Much as I would love to see your boobies, I'm afraid I can't be trusted with such a valuable photo. Once the bidding goes over £100k I can't promise not to take it.
I will pm my email and addy though.
Maybe I should auction it to keep that £100k for myself. :D
You can start trying. :lol2:
ETA: I thought personal threats were frowned upon here. Or is that another one that applies to just me?
I wasn't even thinking of the 'slap yer shit' aspect... that song just makes me happy for some reason.
This morning I received one of those brown envelopes with an address window, guaranteed to strike terror into the heart of every UK taxpayer.
On this occasion
HMRC, which doesn't stand for Her Majesty's Robbers & Crooks, have, in their infinite wisdom, decided to give me back some of my own money. The Lord be praised.
The statement within told me that I had paid too much tax last year and that they would be sending a cheque in the next few days. How gracious of them.
Given the appalling state of the
nation's finances I just hope that they can meet their own cheques. It would be rather embarrassing to have one returned stating 'refer to drawer'.
Anyway, the score at full time:
Carruthers 1 HMRC 0 :thumb:
Every now and then some rich journo/ presenter says with great authority, "But no-one uses cheques these days anyway!" Hahahahahahahahahaha.
As someone whose luck and finance fluctuates like someone in a soap opera, I've had more than one Govt cheque. And financial institutions like them as repayment too, knowing most people can't get to a bank during the week, or can't be arsed if it's below a certain amount.
Not me of course - I'd bank a cheque for 66p! In fact I redeemed a Sainsbury's coupon for 2p (one of those price comparison ones).
Glad to hear you've had what you're due anyway.
Hope it's enough to buy yourself a new sauna suit :)
Hope it's enough to buy yourself a new sauna suit :)
Being a fully paid up cheapskate, I shall make do with the current one until it falls apart.
It's hanging up in the garage and is liberally spattered with paint as testimony to my industry.
It will no doubt be pressed into use in the Autumn when the back garden fence needs the treatment.
It's times like this when the ghosts of my Yorkshire antecedents tap me on my shoulder and say 'Tha' done well, lad'.:blush:
While I'm on the subject, a Yorkshire mate of mine uses the phrase 'He'd skin a flea for a shilling'.
I used to think it was contempt, but now I'm pretty sure it's an expression of admiration for thrift.
There will be a small charge for this post.
Given the appalling state of the nation's finances I just hope that they can meet their own cheques. It would be rather embarrassing to have one returned stating 'refer to drawer'.
Not to worry, they just print more money to cover it. ;)
Every now and then some rich journo/ presenter says with great authority, "But no-one uses cheques these days anyway!" Hahahahahahahahahaha..
And we luddites who don't trust the electronical systems.
...Not me of course - I'd bank a cheque for 66p! In fact I redeemed a Sainsbury's coupon for 2p (one of those price comparison ones).
Good for you, a most commendable improvement over your spendthrift days.
In fact I redeemed a Sainsbury's coupon for 2p (one of those price comparison ones)
I can't beat that, although I did have a similar one for 5p that rocked Tesco to its very foundations the other week when I redeemed it.
I sold my 03 motorcycle for $100 more than i paid for it 3 years ago
What percent ROI is that?
So did you buy low, or sell high?
I got a good deal at the time, justified buying an older bike by telling myself I could sell it for what I paid. I was not wrong. I did put about $800 into it over the years, with the amp, speakers, new tire and battery... But I also kept the windshield and saddle bags...
It turned out pretty well over all.
Now I have a newer {07}version with 2k miles.
Sure you put money into it, but got a bunch of miles out of it, didn't you?
I seem to remember you saying it was saving you a lot of gas.:confused:
I only put 4500 miles on it, actually. I've ridden the new one 1200 since I got it last September. But yeah, 45mpg beats the piss out of 11.3 mpg
ok. 4,500 miles at 45 mpg is 100 gallons or about $300, if I remember my historical gas prices correctly. Add to that the $800 and subtract the $100 profit when you sold, an that's about $1,000 for 4,500 miles. That's about 22 cents a mile. Not counting any insurance you had to pay, that's actually pretty good. As a comparison, the IRS mileage deduction rate is 56 cents a mile but was probably around 45-50 cents a mile during that time frame. I'd say you made out well financially and any fun you had was just the icing on the cake.
I live for the icing
Oh, and gas around here has been in the 3.39-3.69/gal range for a couple years
... But then I use high test, so make that closer to $4
None of you has mentioned the satisfaction LJ got out of it, until the last post. That's ROI as well, probably the best kind.
It was kind of cool having 2. I had buddies ride the other one a couple times...
Oh, I need to remember to take it off my insurance.... And transfer my SMRT tag to the new bike.
1. The conservatory roof no longer leaks. Yes, you’re quite right, it doesn’t take very much to make me happy.
The conservatory is showing signs of age and a leak started at the edge of one of the roof panels.
So, it was off to Wickes (Home Depot clone) for a cartridge of silicone sealant, clipped it into the gun and applied the treatment. Smoothed it off with the back of a plastic spoon and hoped for the best.
In the early hours of Friday morning we experienced a massive thunderstorm with a deluge of Biblical proportions and not one drop penetrated the conservatory roof. Let joy be unconfined!
As an added bonus, the water butts which were almost empty were substantially replenished.
At 0230, and at the height of the storm, I stood under the car port and watched the the lightning and enjoyed the air that had been cooled by the torrential rain.
I’ve put a couple of lightning images on IOTD recently but I hope that you’ll excuse another one here. It was also taken during the above storm.
Thunder storm captured by storm chaser Jamie Russell last night as electrical storm swept over the south coast of England. Jamie took the photo from the Isle of Wight looking north east across Sandown bay to the Solent and mainland.
2. Dad had his cataract operation a few days ago. I knew that it would be done on a day surgery basis, but when I dropped him at the hospital at 0730 I didn’t expect to receive a phone call just after 1030 with news that he was ready to be collected.
He was sporting a barcoded wristband that bore a striking resemblance to an airline baggage tag and I remarked that he had only narrowly avoided being flown to Tokyo.
He wasn’t wearing his hearing aids so I’m afraid that one missed its target.
All seems to be going well although the administration of different eye drops up to ten times a day has required a fair amount of planning and attention to detail.
It was his eighty-ninth birthday this week and, at his request, I bought him a number of books. He does a lot of reading and I think life would have been intolerable had his sight deteriorated to such an extent that reading became difficult or even out of the question.
The only downside is that he is already becoming even more adept at spotting jobs that need doing and delegating them to you know who.
3. Banked my tax rebate cheque!
1. The conservatory roof no longer leaks. Yes, you’re quite right, it doesn’t take very much to make me happy.
Quite the contrary, I know stopping the water is a huge relief. :yesnod:
So pleased about your Dad, Carr.
Mum is giving me regular weather reports; it's so odd to sit in the park in the sunshine and get a text about monsoon conditions in Aylesbury. For my first six weeks here it was the other way round!
I too had a barcode bangle in hospital. I proudly wore it home. Well, mostly to give other people an unspoken clue as to why I had to concentrate to stay upright, and also so I could easily be returned to sender if I did indeed fall down.
Happy today because as long as the house sale goes through (OMG, seriously? still waiting!) the 'rents are coming up both in September and for Christmas. Depending on Dad's health of course. But Mum says why not have a last hurrah while they still can. She's abandoned the idea of us going abroad; just too much for Dad sadly. And these days they have a gorgeous garden to enjoy with no work to do to it. Ditto house-maintenance. And they live in the centre of town, so even with Dad's poor mobility they can walk to eat/ drink/ relax. It's almost like being on their hols (except for housework).
I got them to join the Victoria Club, which is easy walking distance. There is a waiting list and you have to be proposed by an existing member and pay an annual fee - but it means the drinks (both soft and alcoholic) are dirt cheap. It also has two outside terraces, one where people go to smoke and another further back where they don't.
So I called the Vic Club to ask how to get on the waiting list, how long it was and what the annual fee was. It turns out they're both old enough for NONE of that to count. They have free membership for life and go about once a fortnight. Yay. Something good I did without even having to pay.
ANYWAY. Back to them coming up. Mum says now she "knows" Otley I don't even have to take time off, although it would be lovely to leave Dad in the B&B for the day and go to Leeds market and Yo! Sushi. Dad will be quite happy in a a garden, but we'd put the B&B number in his mobile in case he went out and got lost.
And Mum says Laura is so busy these days with her extended family that she won't have time for them over Christmas (no criticism implied). So she says as soon as the house sells I'm to book for them, to make sure they get a vacancy. Something to really look forward to.
They'll get a taxi across London (arrival station is not the same as departure stations) to cut down on the stress. Like Mum says, this may be the last time Dad gets to travel. Taxis and First Class trains are luxuries, but hardly like buying a luxury yacht, and you're a long time dead.
These sound like great plans Sundae. I meant to suggest a taxi across town in London. It makes things so much easier :)
And well done on the clubs membership! It's the little things that matter x
Sent by thought transference
Sundae: Happy for you! :)
Just finished extracting and straining about 50 lbs of honey :D
Have to let it settle for a couple of days before bottling. Sore arms from cranking the extractor.
That's really cool! Is that about 50 pints? Is honey around the same weight as water?
A pint of water weighs a pound. ("A pint's a pound, the world around") - the same jar of honey weights about 1.5 pounds. Got to start washing jars and lids and making more labels.
Just finished extracting and straining about 50 lbs of honey :D
Have to let it settle for a couple of days before bottling. Sore arms from cranking the extractor.
Bravo!
Nowhere,an, in the UK a pint if water weights a pound and a quarter!
Sent by thought transference
I have 3 hives, the honey is from 18 frames of one hive. A really good hive under prefect conditions can make 100 lbs of honey. I'm hoping to increase to about 10 hives.
Sorry Limey, I forgot about the exchange rate ... :D
Wow, 18 frames, your bees must have a good food supply. Are they near orchards or farm crops, can't be all wildflowers... can it? :eek:
I have an interview tomorrow with the "enemy"...being from KC, Elspode will know which college I speak of (as I am a Mizzou guy).
It's a part-time gig, but it's in a cool college town at a good university...could be a good stepping stone.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I got a present from limey! I love it. :)
I have an interview tomorrow with the "enemy"...being from KC, Elspode will know which college I speak of (as I am a Mizzou guy).
It's a part-time gig, but it's in a cool college town at a good university...could be a good stepping stone.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sounds like a plan... maybe I should start looking at Uni work.
Wow, 18 frames, your bees must have a good food supply. Are they near orchards or farm crops, can't be all wildflowers... can it? :eek:
Mostly wildflowers and native plants. Bees range up to 2 miles from the hive, so it's whatever they can find.
I got a present from limey! I love it. :)
What did ya get?
A little knitted cupcake! It's so cool. :)
I will post a pic tomorrow. :)
Couldn't keep you lot in suspense any longer. haha
[ATTACH]48715[/ATTACH]
Beautiful, it's nice to know it's safe in a (cough)catfree(cough) home/bakery. :haha:
I killed that interview today...I think I got the gig. Looks like I'll be starting no later than 8/4.
[youtube]stUolWxG3wo[/youtube]
Look man, you and I are not shooting each other up, okay?
Looks like it's been a good week for you Sic! Good job. :)
Thanks! :)
Oh, and the new job is official. And it's not the original job I applied for...I was going to be doing similar work, but will now be in a permanent position with more responsibility, better pay and benefits.
49.5 lbs of beautiful honey !! (Doin' my happy dance...):jig:
Wow! Very nice... :thumbsup:
Aha! I knew you were a Honey Bunny.
That damn wife of mine can't stand to let me have all the fun...
She got a promotion at her job today...it has been in the pipeline for a while. A management position, more responsibility, more travel, more money and an office.
I'm so proud of her...she works so hard. And I'm glad we finally have luck like the wind at our back. It's been a tough year. :yelsick:
Sweet!
I've been seeing little signs all around that the economy is slowing improving.
Last month, I got my first cost of living increase in a few years. It was small, but fuck yeah! A raise is a raise.
On the other hand, I saw an article in the paper a week or so ago that the average US checking account balance has gone from something like $700 pre-recession to something like $3,000 today. People are still afraid to spend money. But having increased savings on hand has got to be a good thing for the country, right?
I would love nothing more than to see most of the banking industry take a dive. And if I had the money, I would buy a Dave Ramsey book for every American.
Last month, I got my first cost of living increase in a few years. It was small, but fuck yeah! A raise is a raise.
Of course that means your Wheaties have gone up even more. But you're better off than the Wheaties eaters that didn't get a raise. ;)
49.5 lbs of beautiful honey !! (Doin' my happy dance...):jig:
Huzzah!
That damn wife of mine can't stand to let me have all the fun...
She got a promotion at her job today...it has been in the pipeline for a while. A management position, more responsibility, more travel, more money and an office.
I'm so proud of her...she works so hard. And I'm glad we finally have luck like the wind at our back. It's been a tough year. :yelsick:
Squared!
Huzzah!
Squared!
Cubed!!!
[youtube]stUolWxG3wo[/youtube]
I was at that game, sitting in the left field bleachers, field level. I watched that ball soar over my head and disappear somewhere in the upper deck. It was an epic home run.
So I'm going to run the booth of my brother's business at the county fair, intermittently, starting tomorrow. How fun will that be? Tons o' fun!
For his business. He and his wife have a great business model and this booth is something never before seen until a couple years ago. It benefits the camping folks' campers. Don't want to get into too much detail, but I'll be helping scheduling and collecting money.
He and his brilliant wife (who makes a ton in her own career) started this business I don't know exactly how many years ago and they are kickin' ass and takin' names. So successful! I'm happy to get to help out. And I love my county fair. Always have, always will.
County fair! Coming up here in smalltown in the next couple of weeks. I'm arranging for some Occ Med space and will be there every minute I can, selling the practice. I'll get to listen in on the headliners they get for concerts, and spend a couple of days glad-handing. Smalltown is small. I need to be recognizable.
Just got home to find that the Cowboys are playing on the NFL channel.
Pre season, and no Romo, but hey. Bonus
Heading out to help clean up our beekeeper's association display room for the upcoming Brooklyn (CT) fair. It's the oldest fair in the country - I'll be there spreading the "buzz" about beekeeping.
Also, got a call about a swarm in a tree locally. Went over and grabbed about 6 lbs of bees and hived them up. Hopefully they will stick around.
snip--
Also, got a call about a swarm in a tree locally. Went over and grabbed about 6 lbs of bees and hived them up. Hopefully they will stick around.
nice! tha's got to be like finding forgotten honey in the pocket of pants you haven't worn for awhile... or something.
Just got back from the Arlington County fair, and they had a cool beekeeper display with a live hive in plexiglass. Pretty cool. Lots of honey varieties to buy too.
I have a few days to myself. That's always appreciated.
You'll just violate your privacy and personal space while arguing with yourself over what you want to do next, while you want to relax. :haha:
I did my first day's training (well, morning really: 9-1) for a work from home telesales job. I'm still a little wary my internet connection is going to go shaky again and put the kibosh on it - but so far it it' doing ok :p
It's using bespoke software that dials your number (when you prompt ) you pick up and you're connected to the system - all the calls are then done through their internet telephone setup and nothing goes on your bill.
It's raising money for a charity. So far they seem very ethical and not at all like the hard-pushing, salesey, pestery companies that just try and get the figures in at all costs. (we were for instance told that if we have any doubts about a call where they are going for it, but you maybe get the impression that they don;t understand what they're committing to, or may have issues such as senility or what have you, either take the commitment and then email straight to the team leader so they can listen to the call and assess it and if necessary halt the order whilst it's still in progress - or better still don't take the commitment - if in doubt don't take it - they also don't call at weekends or back holidays, or at all during the Christmas season.).
It's an air ambulance service we're raising money for - and they are all warm or semi-warm contacts.
I'm committed to 10 hours a week - which should just about replace the part time teaching wage I no longer have coming in! But once my thesis is submitted assuming I've done ok with calls and am still with them (;p) I can increase that to about 25 hours if I want.
Not the best paid telesales job, but nowhere near the worst and they seem like a decent set up. I'll take the lower rate and not have to deal with insane pressure and unethical practices over high pay and high pressure.
It's an air ambulance service we're raising money for... .
Well done, Dani. I support the local
Air Ambulance and, quite frankly, it's a disgrace that they have to be funded by charitable contributions, sponsorship etc and don't receive any 'official' funding.
Not trying to do you out of a job, honest!
Best of luck to you.
The Digr Clan is in an annual membership to the 'local' air ambulance service (strictly a commercial endeavor). If any of us require an air med-evac, we don't get billed for the chopper or the crew. The membership is $150 a year.
Their minimum transportation fee is $7500.
My FIL just got a bill for his 6 week ICU stay. It was $165K and included a pacemaker surgery, among many other things. His portion? Only $1,200.
That's amazing to me.
It's like my medical care in reverse. I get about $100/year of services and pay like $10K.
I wouldn't trade places with him though.
My FIL just got a bill for his 6 week ICU stay. It was $165K and included a pacemaker surgery, among many other things. His portion? Only $1,200.
That's amazing to me.
It's like my medical care in reverse. I get about $100/year of services and pay like $10K.
I wouldn't trade places with him though.
Does the insurance company exclude certain conditions at the next annual renewal if they think that they have already paid out enough?
Presumably they put some sort of cash limit on various conditions from the start of cover?
Insurance is a complete waste of money...
...til you need it that first time.
Does the insurance company exclude certain conditions at the next annual renewal if they think that they have already paid out enough?
Presumably they put some sort of cash limit on various conditions from the start of cover?
They used to do stuff like that all the time. Obamacare put a stop to most of that crap.
They used to do stuff like that all the time. Obamacare put a stop to most of that crap.
Amen, g-friend. :)
My FIL just got a bill for his 6 week ICU stay. It was $165K and included a pacemaker surgery, among many other things. His portion? Only $1,200.
That's amazing to me.
It's like my medical care in reverse. I get about $100/year of services and pay like $10K.
I wouldn't trade places with him though.
I've been mulling that over during the course of the day and can arrive at no other conclusion than you've been mugged.
That is an extraordinary sum of money. I know nothing of your personal circumstances and I've no wish to pry but, in general terms, would a premium of that magnitude also cover immediate family?
There is no compulsion to make use of the National Health Service in the UK and anyone can make their own arrangements with a medical insurer should they wish.
Out of curiosity I'll have a look to see how much typical premiums would be. Probably even more expensive than yours. :eek:
I wasn't being fair. The 10k I quoted was the cost of insurance premiums for my wife and I and our kids, and about a third of it is paid by my employer, and I was rounding off anyway. And the $100 I quoted was also a ballpark figure for just my doctor visits. If you counted the four of us, it would be more like $1k.
So I'm getting about a tenth back, not a hundredth.
That is an extraordinary sum of money. I know nothing of your personal circumstances and I've no wish to pry but, in general terms, would a premium of that magnitude also cover immediate family?
Not to worry, glatt's real last name is Wayne... or was it Stark.
Anyway, even though his part time job doesn't pay anything, he's loaded. :haha:
And the $100 I quoted was also a ballpark figure for just my doctor visits. If you counted the four of us, it would be more like $1k.
I think you may be thinking about the $100 in added-up copays you pay. One 15 minute visit to a GP with no followup will cost you $120 if you are paying for it out of pocket. A specialist will usually run in the $300 range for a new patient intake. The highest we ever got charged for an office appointment was $500 for the pediatric neurologist.
That is an extraordinary sum of money.
It does sound like a lot when we see it coming out of our pay. But - when I worked in Ontario during the 1980s, with 'free' single-payer healthcare, my husband and I calculated that we were paying about $17,000/year in health premiums (directed taxes). You pay one way or another. When taxes pay for healthcare, you may be sure that you're not really getting any major savings. It's just a different way to pay.
Thanks for your replies one and all; I'm grateful to you.
I have an old Tom Lehrer CD. It's a recording of one of his live shows and the chat in between the songs is pretty amusing.
He recalled his days at university and listed some of his fellow students, one of whom was studying medicine.
Lehrer observed that he went on to 'specialise in diseases of the rich'.:)
The county fair is over. I worked Fri, Mon, tues, wed, and today. I made a little bit of cash, and had so much fun. scheduling, money, customer service, chatting up the company, seeing friends, and helping out with the girls (and my nieces are wonderful girls and have really great and funny friends...nice kids.)
It's been a while since I have got to use my skills, and a really long time in such a fun way. Plus I got some sun and enjoyed the fair. My bro and sis-in-law said they couldn't have done it all w/o me. So, I needed that. Next week will be house and dog sitting at other brother's house. It'll suck 'cause it's the cutest sweetest dog ever and they have a beautiful home and an inground pool. ;)
Then maybe I will find an actual real job. I've been trying, but it's been tough.
So, it felt good to feel good.
Excellent Monkey.
And Buster, I'm glad you're still alive.
good news from im and good news from buster, excellent, excellent.
It'll suck 'cause it's the cutest sweetest dog ever and they have a beautiful home and an inground pool.
Geez, sounds awful.
:D
Yeah. I can see that'll be a major sacrifice on your part inf :P
Without going into a lot of detail, my birth father and I have not had a relationship in almost 20 years. When my uncle (his brother) died 2 years ago, my father sent me a ring of his that I had admired as a kid. I meant to thank him a long time ago, but hadn't...not due to any animosity...just...busy.
While on my "summer vacation," I finally sat down and wrote my father a letter, thanking him for the ring and just giving a little detail about my current life. I received a reply this week that was also cordial.
My stepdad was my dad...he's been gone 4 years now. When he passed, my attitude was, "If I wind up having a relationship with my father again, that would be a bonus." Maybe that bonus is happening. We shall see.
I hope you and he both get your bonus. Tha's a nice story, syc.
:)
I did 30 pushups today during my training session.
THIRTY! PUSHUPS!!!
I haven't done a pushup since my surgery in 2012. Too injured, too fatigued, and most of all, too afraid of bringing on lymphedema in my right arm.
I owe it to my awesome trainer here in smallville, who trained me for my cowgirl ride in 2012 right before my diagnosis, and who is bringing me back to fitness now.
The heroes in this world don't necessarily make the news, but they should.
Shoutout and kudos and all hail to JOHN SUTTON SR, who has not only had my back through my illness and gotten me back on the road to fitness and health post-chemo, but who has done it all gratis.
Now I get to pay it forward.
The heroes in this world don't necessarily make the news, but they should.
You're absolutely right but there's too many of them. They're out there heroing every day, often with little recognition, no less thanks.
30 pushups is something. Seriously. That's no small feat. I bet over 95% of the US population can't do 30 pushups.
It's raining. As much as it's been nice lolling about in the pool (it's been hot and humid for really the first time this summer) I have been missing my rainy days. Please please please keep raining. Throw in some thunder and lightning if you can swing it. kthxbai
I cant even do one. Haha
it helps to do them with a partner
Ah-ah-aahh...you're confusing 'up' with 'in'.
:p:
I got almost 11 hours of sleep last night. Only woke up once in the middle, and fell right back to sleep.
And then this morning, I took my car with its new engine mount and bolt to the inspector, and got the satisfaction of telling him, after he asked, that I changed the mount myself for 20 bucks. (Didn't tell him about the broken bolt.) He said I saved $150 by doing it myself, and I paid him a buck for the re-inspection. He went on to brag about how most inspectors miss those cracks in the rubber bushing of the engine mount, and I made silent note of that. We'll never go back to him.
Had a nice chat with Sundae on the phone just now. She's a wee cracker, so she is!
Sent by thought transference
I made a mini croquembuche today, to practice for the big one in a couple of weeks. It turned out well and tasted so good i have made myself feel ill from eating it. Haha. I guess thats ok. :). Feeling much less stressed about it all now.
I got my admission date.
Report for detox 09.00-09.30 Tuesday 16 September.
Rehab/ inpatient stay starts 22 Sept, seamlessly, same location.
Expected date of release 19 December.
That light at the end of the tunnel?
It really was a ventilation shaft and not an oncoming train.
OMG so much to try to sort out between now and then. But feeling so much stronger.
I even managed to go and ask for a diagnosis on my poor broken laptop, something I have felt incapable of previously.
I was hoping to emotionally blackmail Dana into helping me to the unit, but the early start genuinely precludes this. I'll have to leave before 08.00 even from Otley, let alone asking someone else to travel.
Good things - lists to make, packing to organise, brain and stomach and heart can stop acting like clenched fists.
Bad things - well, most of the paperwork, bills, money can be sorted by the Unit. But I have to be 100% sure I clear the flat of perishables. That's no mean feet in the current chaos. And sort the boy out with a charity foster home. OMG,talking to strangers. Even in my current ebullient mood that's so hard.
Anyway, I will take my noise off to my little me, me, me thread.
Just wanted to share this HUGE news with you.
Fucking hell that's awesome!
Pleased to hear that everything has fallen into place quicker than any of us dared hope!
Wow! That's a lot sooner than I was expecting. Great news!
Hooray! I'm glad things are looking up, Sundae.
Can't wait to meet the Sundae on the other side.
Hector asked a girl to homecoming dance (she said yes) ...he stickered up his water polo ball with the question, apparently (I haven't seen it) and presented it during some class today -she's also a polo player, but right now it's women's swim season and I found out because the team were abuzz with how cute that was :lol: (there was a swim meet tonight and he was timing)
Smart kid. Well played.
I was clueless at that age. Never would have done anything that cute asking a girl out. But then again, I only had my friends as role models of how to ask someone out, and they we high school losers too. I think the internet makes kids today smarter.
Edit: "how to ask a girl out" has about 5 million Google results.
A great deal more information is much, much more widely distributed. It was put to good use in this case. Bravo!
"how to ask a girl out" has about 5 million Google results.
Hope the wife doesn't see that search...:lol2:
Yeah, I wouldn't leave any of your kids in a hot car any time soon.
(Yeah, I know I'm going straight to hell. But anyway, glatt's kids are older and smart. So there's that...) :blush:
Oh, yeah. I got my car back! About 3 hours ago. Whew. 2 weeks and 2 days. FREEDOM!
Mini-road trip? Just you and the radio?
Oh, yeah. I got my car back! About 3 hours ago. Whew. 2 weeks and 2 days. FREEDOM!
Yay!
They should pay you for keeping it so long.
Excellent news!
I hope it's back in tip-top shape. You certainly sound happy. :)
Yay, beetle! Now drive a couple states East and come trade it in for a nice reliable Nissan with a 100,000 mile Warranty
So radio has always been a bit of a hobby of mine...I used to have a wireless mic that transmitted over an AM station, and I would pretend I was a DJ and play music and such. And I used to make a lot of mixtapes...still make them on occasion.
We have two radio stations at KU...the big NPR/classical/jazz station and the small student freeform station. Both are great stations that I listened to before I started working at KU.
So I want to volunteer at the freeform station...but you have to be a student. You only need to be a part-timer...one class will do it. So...guess who's going to take a fuck-off class so that he can fulfill his dream of being a DJ? :)
and who knows, maybe basket weaving is your true talent? ;)
Honest to God, the most difficult thing in all this is...what class should I take?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When one of the Auntiesdigr needed a another class for some weird reason, she took...
Billiards!
Mini-road trip? Just you and the radio?
Sort of. In fact, my friends who were kind enough to call and see what I might need, and who took me to the store, wanted to know how many miles I put on it since I got it back. Well, not a ton, but every single one of them was perfect. :)
Yay!
They should pay you for keeping it so long.
There was a lot of cost. Mostly labor...BUT there were no labor charges on some of the things they did. The labor came from having to pull half the underhood crap out to get to the problem.
Excellent news!
I hope it's back in tip-top shape. You certainly sound happy. :)
I hope I get to drive it another 100,000 miles. Just realized it's at 99 something. Good car. That's a good girl, yes she is! (that's me talking to Daisy Head Maysie, aka Daisy Mae, aka Daisy. And yes, I actually talked to my car when I got it back, for being so tough.)
Yay, beetle! Now drive a couple states East and come trade it in for a nice reliable Nissan with a 100,000 mile Warranty
I was a Nissan SUV forerunner. I had an 88 Pathfinder. Loved it. Then ex started driving it as I got the CRX because I had a huge commute at that time. I love me some Nissans. My car is paid off. What'cha gonna offer me? ;) You know the particulars.
Sorry to hijack the latest happy stuff. :driving:
Mini-road trip? Just you and the radio?
That can be risky, Radar Love, Surfing with the Alien, And
Speed On, to name a few, were very expensive. :blush:
Really pleased for you Infi. I know it was a crummy time.
I'm spreading this across threads, but I've had the call from the Dr re my beta-blocker prescription. Yay! And he was great and supportive and not patronising (I was unhappy with my previous appointment with that particular Dr)
AND he's issuing me a medical certificate to cover the period where my previous certificate expired and the new one started, which meant I've had no benefits from 22 August until today. All admin errors and nitpicking, but the lack of money has been really really real, only helped by people who had faith in me and my ability to make it through.
Right, so I'm off to collect and fill the prescription and send off the sick note.
I won't see a penny as it goes towards funding my inpatient stay, and that's fine. It's just another thing not to stress about.
Notching my arrow and taking these problems down one by one, made brave bythe bright future I can now see at the end of the tunnel. Even if it makes me sneeze.
Good on yer, chuck! Lovely to talk with you this evening. xxx
That can be risky, Radar Love, Surfing with the Alien, And Speed On, to name a few, were very expensive. :blush:
Hundreds and hundreds of years ago I worked second shift in the next town over, about 25 mi commute, and got off work at midnight. Almost without fail, the radio station I was keen on at the time would play 'Radar Love' by 12:20.
When that song started I always reached over, grabbed the shifter and pulled it down into second gear and mashed the go pedal. Man, I loved getting pressed back into my seat, with authority, I might add. That big Pontiac 400, bored .060 over, big lumpy cam, 7M5 heads shaved .020, Quadrajet that came off a 427 grain truck motor, and (after 5, yes,
5 failures) a very-well-built TH350 transmission (I had a $900 trans when all the other fast kids had a $300 trans), it was just brutal in the acceleration dept. Goddamn, I miss that car. '76 Pontiac LeMans Sport Coupe, named
The Mighty Ack, btw.
[ATTACH]49075[/ATTACH]
Thanks for stirring up that memory, Bruce!
Also, Grandmadigr is coming on like gangbusters, now. She's been moved to a swing bed facility. Last hip-break (couple years ago) she was there for a week and a half and went home.
Broke hip and wrist on the same side, about a week ago, wrist set and in a cast, hip pinned, and she walked across the room today.
Like I said, tough old bird.
That's fantastic news. Tough old bird indeed.
Yeah!!! Good for Grandmadigr.
Oh that's good news Grav!
Excellent news, Grav! And re Radar Love, all I can say is, OMG. The song each of us (born within a certain cohort) recalls in a personal way. I had a lot of autonomy in late high school (Canada) and that song resonates.
Glad Grandmadigr is kicking ass... still think you should have slipped her some whisky though. The Mighty Ack! I fucking love it. :thumb2:
Also, Grandmadigr is coming on like gangbusters, now. She's been moved to a swing bed facility. Last hip-break (couple years ago) she was there for a week and a half and went home.
Broke hip and wrist on the same side, about a week ago, wrist set and in a cast, hip pinned, and she walked across the room today.
Like I said, tough old bird.
:thumb2:
Honest to God, the most difficult thing in all this is...what class should I take?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Did you choose a class yet? Choose something that you think you might enjoy. Or maybe a fitness class....weight lighting, aerobics, uh....ballroom dancing? Hihi....Something that you won't have to study or study hard for. I made a mistake of taking Music Appreciation because this "smart" friend of mine said it's easy and she got an A in it. Well, I got a C because I didn't have the time to study although it wasn't a hard class. :roll eyes: So, yeah, choose something fun, fun, fun with not much homework, unless you like to study. :D
Making me happy and mildly amusing me...
Minifob has a tough time sleeping, that seems to be getting worse as he gets older. It is a problem both of falling asleep, as well as staying asleep. We have developed a number of habits and routines over the years to try to get him a good night's rest... he listens to NPR (enough background noise to keep him from cycling through his own obsessive thoughts, but not interesting enough to keep him awake,) uses a weighted blanket, wears an eye mask, crunches a cup of ice to let some held-in stress out, and a million other things.
None of this shit works, for the record. He's in his room with the lights off by 8:30, but never falls asleep before 10:30, and usually around 4:30 in the morning I hear him get up and turn NPR back on. Even worse, he was on a prescription med for awhile that had him passing the fuck out, which was great, but it had other side effects and we had to stop it. Since then he gets even more frustrated because he remembers how easy it was to fall asleep during that short time, and he literally starts sobbing at his inability to sleep, which doesn't help with that whole, you know, relaxing thing.
Anyway. The happy part is, a few days ago we started trying an OTC supplement that is working like gangbusters for him so far. Extra bonus is it's a skin cream instead of a pill, so we get to avoid all the typical worries about digestive side effects.
The amusing part is that the stuff works so well, on the second night he took it, he literally fell asleep with his cup of ice still held aloft, and accidentally dumped ice water all over his own face and woke up screaming. We were trying so hard not to laugh at him... And even after cleaning up that catastrophe, he still fell back asleep a few minutes later!
Now the only risk is that he'll build up a tolerance and it will stop working. Crossing our fingers...
A skin cream! That's so cool. I hope it keeps working.
There's nobody to blame, no white whale to focus on, just constant logic resistant medical staff and Insurance companies, who underestimate you. I don't know how you stay on top of it without becoming a straight jacket inhabitant. :notworthy
This stuff.
It smells funny and doesn't rub in perfectly. Minifob objected to how it felt on his hands (he doesn't have problems with the texture of lotion in general, just this stuff) so I rub it into his back for him, wearing a vinyl glove so I don't steal half the dose. It also ain't cheap, but one bottle lasts two months, and nothing he takes is cheap anyway.
Sounds like cool stuff. Glad you found something that helps your son.
...he literally fell asleep with his cup of ice still held aloft, and accidentally dumped ice water all over his own face and woke up screaming.
:lol2: I shouldn't have, but I did. Sorry. I feel for the boy, I've had serious sleep problems my entire life.
What is the skin cream?
ETHER
:lol2:[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]..[/COLOR]Hey, son, does this handkerchief smell like chloroform?[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]..[/COLOR]:lol2:
...It also ain't cheap...
:3_eyes:
Cool. That stuff is an analog of Gabapentin, the stuff I take for RLS and sleep. I might try that instead.
That is so great minifob is able to sleep! Not sleeping is awful.
Of course as soon as I fucking say anything, I jinx it. Last night was borderline. Fell asleep around 9:45, woke up at 2:00 but fell back asleep within an hour (because NPR auto shuts off after one hour, and he didn't turn it on again.) But it was raining, and rain always screws him up.
That stuff is an analog of Gabapentin, the stuff I take for RLS and sleep. I might try that instead.
The weird thing is, he tried both GABA and 5-HTP in the past, and he didn't react well to them. But at the time we were giving it in the daytime to try to decrease hyperactivity, rather than as a sleep aid, and they were both oral instead of the magical gross skin cream. Plus, it was years ago, and things are always changing.
Of course as soon as I fucking say anything, I jinx it. Last night was borderline. Fell asleep around 9:45, woke up at 2:00 but fell back asleep within an hour (because NPR auto shuts off after one hour, and he didn't turn it on again.) But it was raining, and rain always screws him up.
The weird thing is, he tried both GABA and 5-HTP in the past, and he didn't react well to them. But at the time we were giving it in the daytime to try to decrease hyperactivity, rather than as a sleep aid, and they were both oral instead of the magical gross skin cream. Plus, it was years ago, and things are always changing.
Re-reading my post I meant that I might try the cream, not suggesting minifob try gabapentin. I figured with his gut you probably don't want to upset the balance needlessly.
Oh yeah, I understood that. I was just sort of musing about gabapentin in general. Shit's been weird here and I've been doing a lot of internal processing on meds and symptoms and emerging research, trying to tease out patterns that might indicate something meaningful for us.
Maybe if you let a chicken peck his gut...
The Kansas City Royals are going to the playoffs for the first time in 29 years!!!
:king:
I have fair weather for the rear brakes replacement job I'm starting this morning.
I have fair weather for the rear brakes replacement job I'm starting this morning.
Mission accomplished. $30.
And two trips to the store.
Critters chewed the wires on my truck which is better than a trannny job.
You would think critters would have better things to chew.
To reduce petrochems they use a lot of soybean oil in the plastic insulation of wiring, something like 30%. Critters find it tasty.
Two things - got a card from Sundae *cheers* she seems to be doing well and I am hoping to visit her very soon.
Also - on this evening's shift, I signed up three regular donors *dances around in delight* and also a one off credit card donation. This makes me very happy because, though I have mainly been hitting my target (5% conversion - @2 signups per 4 hour shift) I felt like I was lagging behind some of the other team members. Three signups is my personal record and I feel great about it :)
Also - just to add to that last bit of happy - this is without doubt the most fun and worthwhile telesales job I have ever done - and I have worked a looooot of telesales jobs in my time. The company is awesome: really ethical, very supportive, great sense of a team working together and a real feeling that what we are doing is worthwhile. We have regular team meeting through conference call and they're always a really good laugh. The team leaders and trainers are all lovely.
I know a lot of charity telesales is done through call centres and the workers have to be really pushy and meet very high targets - some of them are trained to keep pushing and not to put the phone down until either they have objection handled at least three times, or the customer hangs up on them. We are told to objection handle once - twice if we feel we have enough rapport to do so without causing ill feeling and always try to leave them with a good experience of the charity - much better to not get the sale than to give someone a bad impression of the charity. Similarly, any doubt in our minds about somneone possibly being vulnerable (dementia or something like) then back away and don't pursue - or if not sure, can pursue but then ask the teamleader to listen to a recording of the call and possibly not put the deal through.
The charity we are calling for has access through the rapport system to any of our calls whilst we are working - they can listen in at any time - so they're able to operate an intime quality control and that really does make for a much cleaner operation.
I don't think I've ever looked forward to my shift in telesales before. But I really enjoy this. It's brilliant, after I've maybe spent a few hours working alone on my thesis to then drop onto a few hours talking to people about air ambulances :)
My only gripe right now is that because I am running Vista the software is only partly compatible - it works, except for the chat function which only updates intermittently - so sometimes I feel a little cut off from the rest of the team. Hoping to get an upgrade to Windows 7 soon though and then I'll be able to participate in the team chat whilst I work :)
[SIZE="7"]It's FRIDAY!!!![/SIZE]
fucking aye bubba
Lil' Pete is putting together a fencing club on her college campus and it looks like a success!
Glad it's going well, Dana!
And even happier that it's Friday! This week felt really long.
I got 100% VA Disability, finally I feel vindicated.
Christmas is going to be great. This is an answer to prayer, my friend Rocky has real bad skin cancer on his eye lid. He is going to need someone to drive him to Palm Springs and back for at least 2 months for surgery and chemo. So I prayed about it last nite, and the answer came in this mornings mail.
The back pay will be enough to buy a new car, so driving out to that small California desert town will not be a problem. There will also be enough money to help him out during his down time.
Praise The Lord!!!
Fuck cancer
That's brilliant, fargon.
I got 100% VA Disability, finally I feel vindicated.
Christmas is going to be great. This is an answer to prayer, my friend Rocky has real bad skin cancer on his eye lid. He is going to need someone to drive him to Palm Springs and back for at least 2 months for surgery and chemo. So I prayed about it last nite, and the answer came in this mornings mail.
The back pay will be enough to buy a new car, so driving out to that small California desert town will not be a problem. There will also be enough money to help him out during his down time.
Praise The Lord!!!
Fuck cancer
:devil:
And fuck cancer!
He is going to need someone to drive him to Palm Springs and back for at least 2 months for surgery and chemo.
1500+ miles...You are a very good friend, Fargon.:thumb:
Good news all around. Hope your friend heals quickly, fargon.
Remembering I was low on copy paper I stopped at Staples. There, right near the door, was big pile of house brand copy paper packages, 5 reams, 2500 sheets, with a sign that made me laugh.
Copy Paper $9.99!!
After An Easy $17 Rebate!!
$26.99.
I got a second laugh when the cash register printed out a 49.5 inch receipt. Easy rebate? Oh really.
There's the actual receipt, some coupons, instructions for bitching online at the manager of this particular store, an offer to buy your old "qualifying" electronics for next to nothing, a chance to sign up for tons of spam, a second receipt for submitting to the rebate lords in Texas, the rebate form, and another foot of how you can do this all online instead of by mail.
So if I fill in the forms, in 4 to 6 weeks, JP Morgan-Chase or Metabank will bless me a Visa card preloaded with $17. And the fact that out the goodness of their vaults, will waive for six months the $3 a month service charge, gave me another guffaw.
Who knew paper shopping could be so entertaining. :haha:
[YOUTUBE]uIPS4LyveJs[/YOUTUBE]
:doit:
:celebrat:
Make sure you lubricate, wouldn't want any saddle sores!
My 21st wedding anniversary.
AND we got our AARP membership cards today.
Happy, happy, joy, joy.
[COLOR=LemonChiffon]4650[/COLOR]
Boss said "Good work Tone!" after I wrote a detailed email to a customer.
Thank you!
... and then followed up with ...
"As always!"
Thank you very much!
So simple so effective, I am always motivated by appreciation, and will do good work tomorrow.
My 21st wedding anniversary.
AND we got our AARP membership cards today.
Happy, happy, joy, joy.
[COLOR=LemonChiffon]4650[/COLOR]
:celebrat:
Boss said "Good work Tone!" after I wrote a detailed email to a customer.
Thank you!
... and then followed up with ...
"As always!"
Thank you very much!
So simple so effective, I am always motivated by appreciation, and will do good work tomorrow.
:cheerldr:
Nice work Toad, whens the last time you heard that?
Boss said "Good work Tone!" after I wrote a detailed email to a customer.
Thank you!
... and then followed up with ...
"As always!"
Thank you very much!
So simple so effective, I am always motivated by appreciation, and will do good work tomorrow.
Excellent!
Sent by thought transference
About never is when. This thing seems to be working out.
My 21st wedding anniversary.
AND we got our AARP membership cards today.
Happy, happy, joy, joy.
[COLOR=LemonChiffon]4650[/COLOR]
Your mailman is going to hate you.
About never is when. This thing seems to be working out.
Happy dance, repeat, repeat...
Damn good on you Tony. I'm still looking for an organization that appreciate hard work & effort.
Congrats ghost! (what is AARP?)
@ Toad: that's brilliant :)
Fridays make me happy... Especially around 3pm. Holidays are pretty darn good too.
(what is AARP?)
American Association of Retired People, the world's greatest generator of junk mail.
American Association of Retired People, the world's greatest generator of junk mail.
Screw 'em.
:mad:
American Association of Retired People, the world's greatest generator of junk mail.
What? Even worse than the Reader's Digest?
Surely you jest, sir?
What? Even worse than the Reader's Digest?
Surely you jest, sir?
Hey man, don't knock it. You may already have won £250,000.
Hey man, don't knock it. You may already have won £250,000.
No, it was my turn last week.... and the week before.... and, if memory serves, the week before that as well. :)
What? Even worse than the Reader's Digest?
Surely you jest, sir?
Sadly, I do not. AARP beats Reader's Digest, National Geographic, and the rest of the pack, hands down.
I receive their crap almost daily. :(
I replaced the battery in my iPhone 4S with a $9 ebay cheapie last night. It was meticulous work, and I even bought a cheap magnification visor to enable me to see the tiny screws. But it was fairly easy. Charged the phone overnight, and the battery is performing really well this morning. My contract is up in January so I had to make this phone last until then. The original battery was basically shot. It would give me a day in standbye, or about 45 minutes of use. The new battery has given me 45 minutes this morning and is at 97%.
Please don't leave that cheapie battery charging unattended. Also don't overcharge, if you can avoid it.
Those cheapies tend to burst into flame, explode and shit. Although, I don't think they're as bad about that as they used to be.
Sadly, I do not. AARP beats Reader's Digest, National Geographic, and the rest of the pack, hands down.
I receive their crap almost daily. :(
Ugh.
Lil' Pete designed a <secret>product for a challenge brought to her university by a <secret>company. She won the design challenge and now the company is pitching it to a <secret>major retailer. She knows all the players but its a secret. :)
Whoa. That's badass. Will you tell us what it is once it's actually being produced?
If its produced, I'll definitely pimp it.
... the designing, not the pimping. ;)
Most excellent, Griff. :thumb:
I hope to hear more in the future. Way to go!
Had a PM from Sundae today.
Yes, she seemed positive and cheerful.
1. I ‘won’ an auction this morning. It was for a collector’s plate with an equine theme.
I bought one for a friend ten or twelve years ago, which I suspect her kids reduced to smithereens in short order.
It occurred to me a couple of months back that it would be good to get hold of one for myself.
Since then I’ve discovered that there are four in the series and, in the space of about six weeks, I’ve managed to find three of them.
I’ll probably never find the remaining plate but such is life.
I think I paid a little over the odds for today’s purchase. The starting price was a bit higher than I would have liked, but there were no other bidders so at least it didn’t go up anymore.
2. I bought a photo of the Royal Navy ship my Dad served on during the last couple of years of that unfortunate Anglo-German disagreement.
The ship was struck off charge soon after WW2 whereas Dad, at eighty-nine, is still serviceable.
The seller is in Florida BTW. Isn't the Interweb great?
...whereas Dad, at eighty-nine, is still serviceable.
That's awesome. :thumb:
1.I’ll probably never find the remaining plate but such is life.....
I bought a photo of the Royal Navy ship my Dad served on during the last couple of years of that unfortunate Anglo-German disagreement.
If you tell us what plate, and what ship, you never know.:angel:
If you tell us what plate, and what ship, you never know.:angel:
True, true.
For example, I have *you* to thank for
leading me to this.
Spent 24 hours this past weekend in the Niagara region of Ontario ... wine country and tons of historical stuff. The War of 1812, earlier settlers and all that. Found an Irish shop with cable-knit sweaters from Ireland ... yes, I can/could knit one, and will soon, but for now I bought one in the MOST beautiful shades of green ... and had a cream scone in their tea room. A real cream scone with clotted cream and sliced strawberries and a smear of jam on an absolutely divine scone (it was better than any I've made, and ... don't know how to say this, but that's saying something).
And later, found a bakery with Scotch pies, Forfar Bridies, Cornish Pasties, and real butter tarts. The Scotch pies were not up to my great-grandmother's standard, but the Cornish Pasty was. And the butter tart ... hm. I'll have to revise my recipe. Notes to follow.
what is the name of the bakery?
Niagara Home Bakery, Niagara on the Lake. They're on Queen Street.
I received a card from Sundae this morning.
Written with her characteristic eloquence and wit, it augers well for the future.
I received a card from Sundae this morning.
Well what did she say?
Niagara Home Bakery, Niagara on the Lake. They're on Queen Street.
I quoted your post to a friend who lives there. She replied, "I know both shops very well and can vouch for their excellence." :elkgrin:
Niagara Home Bakery, Niagara on the Lake. They're on Queen Street.
thanks
I made a pretty good Olaf today.
what is the name of the bakery?
Niagara Home Bakery, Niagara on the Lake. They're on Queen Street.
Ronnie James Dio warned ya:
There's Evil On Queen Street.
[YOUTUBE]YxzaDVCQ8pA[/YOUTUBE]
[/drift]
Olaf from the movie Frozen.
Just quietly, I can't believe how many people haven't seen this movie. I feel like it rules every area of my life lately. haha
I deny "Frozen" even exists. Was waaaaaaay too tired of hearing about it waaaaaay before it came out. Tired of hearing about it since, too. Still haven't listened to the song, either.
ETA: Is it too early for humbuggery? I'll just 'harrumph', then.
Long long day at school. We have a "typical" UPK kid who is more involved than any special needs student I have. The district had an administrator in our room for half the day to make sure we are all about common core. We are still struggling to maintain an integrated feel with 2 half day special ed groups pushing into a full day upk. Bottom line the pm kids are not integrated at all for the last hour and a half. We are occasionally getting our lunch coverage, so we don't have to break state law every day. Why am I happy? I got a better gig with a smaller agency and gave notice last week.:cool:
It does seem to have got progressively more stressful for you there.
Happy you're off to pastures new mate :)
Congrats, Griff. :thumb2:
Thanks. It seems like we're always doing stuff on the cheap and my gut says the saved money does not stay in the department.
Hooray! Hope the new place appreciates your talents more...
Good news, Griff. I hope the new gig works out better for you.
:cheerldr:
Hey griff, I hope all works out well for you. Sometimes it's just time for a change.
Thanks all! Money wise this is a lateral move but the work will be very interesting.
Hooray! Hope the new place appreciates your talents more...
I do know they really want me to stay, but the department appears to be unappreciated inside the greater organization. The organization has a growth mania which does not appear to help folks do there best for clients. I've never been good with big organizations so a lot of it is probably me.
The organization has a growth mania which does not appear to help folks do there best for clients.
It seems the business of education, is more about business than education. The philosophy appears to be, it's cheaper, more efficient, to crush the minion's dreams when they're very young, rather than going though the charade of 'you can be anything you want'. :(
...so a lot of it is probably me.
Its all about you brother, as it should be. Congrats.
It seems the business of education, is more about business than education. The philosophy appears to be, it's cheaper, more efficient, to crush the minion's dreams when they're very young, rather than going though the charade of 'you can be anything you want'. :(
It seems my grammars were broke too.
I am happy about the cakes I put out this week. The Calavera one has received excellent reviews and the customers were very happy. There is a picture in my cupcake thread if you want to see. I am just very happy with how things are going although not too impressed with the markets lately. Cupcakes are not selling as well as they used to, although my local market is still good, so I'm thinking of dropping back to just doing one per month in town here and working on cakes the other weekends.
I'm happy that Sundae called me this afternoon on Mr Bell's electric telephone.
We had an enjoyable chat and, although I always knew it, she's frighteningly well read.:notworthy
Money wouldn't make me happy today.
Sorry, man. I hope things start looking up for you soon.
dude, you must be sick or something.
I'm getting better at programming, and that makes me pretty happy considering I enjoy it a lot.
Sorry, man. I hope things start looking up for you soon.
dude, you must be sick or something.
Meh.
I'll get over it, or die from it, one or the other. I'm just shitty today. It's like I been shot at and missed, and shit at and hit.
Steak and a blowjob to Grav , stat.
Awwww. I am so chuffed for, and proud of J :) I just got an email telling me he's been promoted to Senior Lecturer.
He's been teaching there for about 3-4 years- but first couple of years was just term to term part time tutoring alongside Phd. He's only been a junior lecturer for about 18 months. He's had a really big impact on his department - students love him, he's connected them in with some of the gaming industry led student prizes and projects.
Lovely to see his hard work paying off.
...he's connected them in with some of the gaming industry led student prizes and projects.
Gaming industry? What's he teaching, math(s) or statistics?
Right now? I actually do not know. He sort of explained it - but I didnt understand it all. Some of it is to do with coding and some of it is to do with design for computer games - where that plugs into a wider course i don't know.
Oh, OK, he teaches electronical incantations and mechanical mayhem. :haha:
I received the photo of my Dad's WW2 RN ship which I found on Ebay being offered by a US seller.
The ship was used in the North African landings and on D-Day but Dad didn't join it until late in 1944.
The ship's landing craft are conspicuous by their absence and the colour scheme would indicate that the vessel was deployed in the Mediterranean at the time the photo was taken.
Dad's assumption is that the photo was used as an aid to identification.
Anyway, we're both happy with my purchase.
How many men did she usually hold?
Apologies if you said before.
The crew numbered 523 and it could accommodate up to 1000 troops.
Here's a better shot, complete with landing craft.
How many men did she usually hold?
She held anywhere from 800 to 1800 men, the whore (depending on the Glenroy's actual size, (Wiki link for
Landing Ship, Infantry, there's no article specifically for the Glenroy (opportunity knocks, Carruthers;))).
Probably 1,800 troops. I see now that the list at the Wiki link lists it as Glenroy LSI(L), the final 'L' indicating
large.
She held anywhere from 800 to 1800 men, the whore (depending on the Glenroy's actual size, (Wiki link for Landing Ship, Infantry, there's no article specifically for the Glenroy (opportunity knocks, Carruthers;))).
Probably 1,800 troops. I see now that the list at the Wiki link lists it as Glenroy LSI(L), the final 'L' indicating large.
Thanks for that Mr.G. I just asked dad and he came up with 'a thousand'.
Memory plays tricks at his age, but near enough in the great scheme of things.
[YOUTUBE]oPwrodxghrw[/YOUTUBE]
I'd trust Dad's memory from actually being there over what some yob wrote on the interweb.
Just found a bit more:
Our first call was Arromanches’ we dropped anchor, some distance from the French coast, we lowered the landing crafts , dispatching over 1500 troops, not knowing, but hoping they would fulfil their tasks. During the next eight days we did three more landings at different beaches, the last one deploying Americans near Cherbourg, this proved to be the end for us, as the Glenroy hit a mine. With the engine room flooded to a depth of 35 feet most of the ships crew were evacuated and we were towed by three French tugs back to Southampton, and then to dry dock for repair and re-fit in Cardiff.
I suppose that it would be standing room only, under the circumstances.
D Day from the Engine Room of HMS GlenroyThat's pretty bloody amazing Carruthers!
That's pretty bloody amazing Carruthers!
Yes, it was a stroke of great good fortune and they don't come along too often!
It's kept Dad quite happy and he was only annoyed with me once today. :)
what's making me happy today:
I'm home, I'm clean, the floor's been swept, the catbox's clean, the animals are all fed, I'm fed and I'm an inch away from being in bed and not much farther than that from being soundly asleep.
I just
RickRolled my Warranty Rep.
I'M HOME!!!
It's been a bit of an ordeal.
It was cold overnight and a light dusting of snow made everything bright this morning. The roadways were dry and clear, it was so cold nothing melted. I drove to work and when I got off, I couldn't unlock my driver's door. The key wouldn't even go in the lock all the way. grrr. The other fella at work helpfully offered the use of his car's cigarette lighter, but that didn't work. I managed, at last, to unlock the hatch. When I opened it, the car's alarm sounded.
Normally, this wouldn't be more than a minor embarrassment, just turn the key in the lock in the driver's door and the alarm is silenced. Of course I can't do that or I wouldn't be clambering into my car through the hatch in the first place. The alarm goes off automatically, thankfully, mercifully after 20 or 30 minutes. jk. maybe a couple minutes? It feels like forever and I'm sure to the neighbors it feels like a long time, too. I get in the car and manage to unlock the door so I don't need to go through the hatch again. I open the unlocked door. This sets off the alarm again.
WHAT THE FUCK EVER.
I'll just drive home with the lights flashing, the hazards flashing, the horn blaring and annoy MY neighbors from the comfort of my own home. *click* VW, in their automotive wisdom, decided that if the door's compromised, then the ignition must be the last line of defense, so that's all shut down. I'm reminded a couple times about the sensitivity of the alarm to the doors opening and closing much to the annoyance of the neighborhood as I'm in and out of the car trying to get the door unlocked.
I looked in the trunk for some solution, and I found some starting fluid. No help. Now, I'd used my lock de-icer with the little straw and the graphite a couple weeks ago. It didn't work. I was worried about breaking the lock or the key or both. I called my friend for help, she was willing, but unable--no car. Damn. Then someone, a stranger, pulled up and parked directly across the street from my spectacle. "Excuse me, do you have any [strike]Grey Poupon[/strike] lock de-icer?"
After some back and forth, the conclusion was no. He suggested the car repair place, you know, right there ----> I pointed to the patch on my jacket, you know, right here <---. Oh. Then he said, what about Safeway? I said, I'll buy you a six pack of beer if you give me a ride to Safeway and back! He said no sixpack was needed. So we drove the mile to the Safeway where the best I could do was a two pack of stick lighters and a can of WD-40. He looked a little worried, I said, this is Plan B. OK. The autoparts store was two more blocks away. I was disappointed when I saw the guy vacuuming the carpet inside the door, but they *were* still open. I scored the LAST tube of lock de-icer.
We drove back to my iceberg and set to work. The guy wished me luck and said "Let me give you my number; if that doesn't work, call me and I'll give you a ride home." So kind.
Well, I used the lock de-icer. I used the lighter. My lock cylinder burned like a candle. I used my Leatherman like a hammer to tap the key further into the lock (gently). The WD-40 around the cylinder and in it. I used my pliers to hold the key partway in the lock as I cooked the exposed part of the key like some demented ice junkie preparing a lock-fix. "Why, yes, officer, I do think this looks a little funny, but it's *my* car and I can explain...." As you know, it's always the last thing that works, and eventually the combination worked. I'm glad I didn't have to use that last one. I drove home windows down, doors unlocked and the passenger seat full of cans of chemicals, starting fluid, wd-40, lock de-icer, butane, whatever it takes.
My car's unlocked now. If there's anything inside, help yourself, just please don't lock it on your way out. I have to get to work in the morning.
haha...funny story V. Glad you go your car unlocked. :)
No keyless remote? What aeon is this car from?
I'm glad all that made you happy, BigV. Life is a lot better when you look at the bright side of things instead of the negative. Well done.
I went to the supermarket this morning for the usual weekly grocery shopping. I’m on nodding terms with one of the girls there but this morning she said ‘Good morning’ and accompanied it with a HUGE beaming smile.
Now, I’m old enough to be her dad, so I have to assume that she was smiling purely out of sympathy. Or pity.
Whatever the reason, it put a spring in this chap’s step.
Anyway, there’s always an entry on the debit side of the ledger to balance it out.
Post #5705Some good news at work today - after putting my career on the line Monday afternoon and facing down the CEO in his den, it appears I have been heard - and a few things are set to happen. I don't have to throw up my hands and fade away after all.
ran my second fastest ever three miles today and the second ever under 29 minutes. my lungs are kind of pissed at me, but I think I may sleep OK tonight
I went to the supermarket this morning for the usual weekly grocery shopping. I’m on nodding terms with one of the girls there but this morning she said ‘Good morning’ and accompanied it with a HUGE beaming smile.
Now, I’m old enough to be her dad, so I have to assume that she was smiling purely out of sympathy. Or pity.
Whatever the reason, it put a spring in this chap’s step.
Anyway, there’s always an entry on the debit side of the ledger to balance it out.
Post #5705
Carruthers, perhaps it's because you're always a perfect gentleman and you actually make HER day.
Carruthers, perhaps it's because you're always a perfect gentleman and you actually make HER day.
How kind! :thumb:
Nah.
Daddy issues.
Go for it!
I went to the supermarket this morning for the usual weekly grocery shopping. I’m on nodding terms with one of the girls there but this morning she said ‘Good morning’ and accompanied it with a HUGE beaming smile.
Now, I’m old enough to be her dad, so I have to assume that she was smiling purely out of sympathy. Or pity.
Whatever the reason, it put a spring in this chap’s step.
Anyway, there’s always an entry on the debit side of the ledger to balance it out.
Post #5705
Maybe she's being cheerful and friendly. As Sundae said, you being a gentleman and always acknowledging her with a nod made her decide to be cheerful. I usually give patients who come into the office a cheerful smile and greet them with my squeaky voice regardless of gender and age. Some are surprised and some smile.
Or maybe she just got laid and was feeling pretty good about everything. hahah
Yeah, I'll bet he's a refreshing change from the usual hoards she deals with daily. In her head she can play Emma Peel to his John Steed, or even Maid Marian to his Robin Hood... or is that Friar Tuck. :stickpoke
Always the gentleman, despite the days aggravation.
I just scored 5th row seats to see Bo Burnham perform in March. Ridiculously excited.
Got my Board exam results, finally (I wrote the thing in October) ... I passed! 99th percentile on the Core Prev Med exam, and top score nationally on the specialty Occ Med exam. :)
Still smiling three days later.
Now that is impressive... and/or awesome !
Got my Board exam results, finally (I wrote the thing in October) ... I passed! 99th percentile on the Core Prev Med exam, and top score nationally on the specialty Occ Med exam. :)
Still smiling three days later.
We knew you could do it!
Now that is impressive... and/or awesome !
Yes, certainly impressive. Surprising, not so much. :headshake
Thank you very much! I was going to just say I passed, but I admit my fingers slipped. :blush: This is THE big thing I needed to accomplish, and for my own reasons, I wanted to crush the exam. The thought that came to me when I read the letter on Thursday was, This is done; now I can die.
Sounds weird, I know, and as far as I know I'm not imminently dying; it was just a sense of having completed something very, very important (to me).
Well done Ortho! That is pretty fucking impressive.
Sounds weird, I know, and as far as I know I'm not imminently dying; it was just a sense of having completed something very, very important (to me).
Watch out for the postpartum pit. ;)
Kick ass! Congratulations.
Congrats, Ortho!! :thumb2:
Got my Board exam results, finally (I wrote the thing in October) ... I passed! 99th percentile on the Core Prev Med exam, and top score nationally on the specialty Occ Med exam. :)
Still smiling three days later.
[SIZE="5"]
[COLOR="Red"]OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!
[/COLOR][/SIZE]
Yes, certainly impressive. Surprising, not so much. :headshake
I agree with xoB. Awesome, impressive, and UNsurprising. You are granted permission to die, but not for a loooonnnng time yet. :reaper: :)
Well last week we went to my wife's company Christmas party at one of the higher end hotels in Houston and since the company was picking up the valet parking I turned my Land Rover over and commented to the valet that it had a very high clearance so he should be careful where it was parked. He said he would put it in the oversize lot instead of the garage. Got it back after the party and headed home only to notice when we got there that the roof rack was damaged, my kayak supports which stick up higher were bent over and all scrapped up as if it had been forced under a garage roof.
Called the next morning and the head of the valet service said he would review the security footage. Called me back a few hours later apologizing and saying the valet had in fact tried to enter the garage and when it got stuck he even got out and climbed up on the back bumper to ascertain the damage. He sent me an email to return with info on me and the vehicle and asked for pictures. I got up on a ladder next to it and took several shots, then took them into PS to circle the areas of damage and write out on each image what the damage was.
So, last night I got an email back with a copy of a claim report to their corporate HQ, this is a large valet nationwide service. The report basically said the rack was bent and damaged badly.
Since it is a custom made roof rack I put together out of parts from several suppliers I'm wondering what the outcome will be. It isn't like I can just take it to Land Rover for repairs or get someone to fix it. I am hoping they will just cut me a check that would cover a nice new one, there are some pretty neat models made, much more like the ones used for long term off roading and safari type adventures. They run between $900 and $1300 which doesn't seem out of line for an insurance claim where a Land Rover is involved!
Yes Sir, no problem... we'll just run it by legal... you know, standard procedure.
Uh, Houston... er, we have a problem. :rolleyes:
I sent them an email yesterday explaining that my roof rack is custom made so I will need to get an estimate from a fabrication shop. They replied that this is ok. So, now to find a shop that I can explain my situation, pay them a little amount (thinking $25 or so) to do up an estimate to submit.
Since I will also get an estimate from a body shop or the LR dealer for the plastic gutter trim I'm pretty sure the valet insurance will just cut me a check for the full amount and then I can just order a new roof rack more like this:
I love those snorkels. When I was in Australia, you could rent Range Rovers with snorkels and I really wanted to rent one and drive it into a river. But common sense prevailed.
Is that your wife's name?
Watched The Natural last night and realized that was the spoof in Archer, where the girl shoots the aspiring lacrosse player Archer.... well it was funny to me.
I am doing a mad batteries (thank you auto correct - hatter) themed cake atm. I think it will be my best work yet. Very pleased with the progress. Maybe it's true about real art coming from pain. (Laughing in a way but not really)
Would I Lie to You series 8 episode 8 is finally posted! Turns out the big delay after episode 7 was to make it a Christmas special. I can forgive that, I guess...
[YOUTUBE]EwgDcfv10ZE[/YOUTUBE]
That was an excellent episode. Ray Winston was really funny
^WHS^
Sent by thought transference
Hey, knock it off, those smiles could melt the polar ice caps. ;)
As a way to better understand my work environment I took a 48 hr CEU course from a tech/community college and passed my final in Management and Supervision with all correct answers. Yay me! Do I provide HR with the certificate?
Yes.
Sent by thought transference
Sure, Nirvana, it couldn't hurt. I wouldn't hang it on the wall or anything, but there's nothing wrong with discreetly having it on file, for the next time promotions come around.
Thanks Limey and CF. I am in unfamiliar territory.
Sure, Nirvana, it couldn't hurt. I wouldn't hang it on the wall or anything, but there's nothing wrong with discreetly having it on file, for the next time promotions come around.
Promotions? Supervision? You might have a tough time there, because you don't seem to be able to get your head around the defeatist/victim mentality of some people. It's good not to have it, but you must understand it in order to deal with those people and retain your sanity. Their lack of logic will make your head spin.
Oh, and if you move up the corporate ladder everyone will be speculating who you slept with to get there. Sometimes it's good to be a mere peon. :lol2:
Seriously though, you go girl.
because you don't seem to be able to get your head around the defeatist/victim mentality of some people. It's good not to have it, but you must understand it in order to deal with those people and retain your sanity. Their lack of logic will make your head spin.
Seriously though, you go girl.
You know my secret! ;)
Congrats.
Beautiful girls griff. Good genes. Happy ho ho ho.
I am happy!
Today the shop crossed the $1,000,000 sales threshold.
But even better, we got to close after that goal was met.
Then, I went to the store and got groceries for dinner tonight. Twill is on her way and I'm making sirloin steak, with sauteed mushrooms and onions, roasted potatoes, steamed artichokes with hollandaise, and caesar salad. I've already opened the bar with a bourbon on the ROUND rock (singular). Later, we'll have a nice Shiraz with dinner. What happens after that can only be better.
Happy!
Congrats.
Beautiful girls griff. Good genes. Happy ho ho ho.
Thanks dude.
Griff, you have such a lovely family. And they have a fine, capable, talented, devoted, competent father and husband. No wonder life's good in Griffotopia.
Bravo!
What V said is all true, and you may be slightly embarrassed by the accolades, but this doesn't negate your annoyances or right to bitch about them. Rag on, rag on!! :D
Ahem... thesis. :rtfm:
*grins*
No but yeah, but no but yeah...
I'm on it. Was working at it from 9am to 8pm today with two breaks to walk the dog.
Keep at it, Dani, you'll do it ... a page, a para, a citation at a time.
It seems it'll never be done, and then at last, it's done ...
You'll get there. Keep on, you're almost there.
I got a Survival Kit last night. From a femalegirlwoman.
[ATTACH]50025[/ATTACH]
The Survival Kit
A stick of gum, to remind you to stick with it;
A Kiss, to remind you that you are loved;
A match, to light your fire when you feel burned out;
A Tootsie Roll, to remind you not to bite off more than you can chew;
A Smartie, to help you on those days when you don't feel so smart;
A Starburst, to give you a burst of energy when you don't have any;
A Snickers, to remind you to take time to laugh;
A bag, to help you keep it together, and give you food for thought;
And, most importantly, a candle, to remind you that you can brighten up someone's day.
:jig:
That must have made your day, Grav.
That's awesome Grav ;lol.
Re: Doctor Dani - not quite yet. It all kind of collapsed and went into meltdown this morning - a little under two days working, without a break and without sleep and it wasn't ready - I had a computer mishap and lost two current chapters - not entirely, I had the previous versions but had to start reconstructing and redoing - and then the thesis template was a nightmare and ate my graphs and tables then spewed them back out in a random fashion - so the had to go etc. etc.
So, there I was an hour away from the last possible time that i could email a copy to the printers, and I had no finished conclusion, no graphs and tables, no acknowledgement page or contents, virtually no bibliography and a bunch of missing footnotes that I'd spent hours sorting out before losing the work.
Thankfully my supervisor is awesome and even more thankfully was answering his emails straight away. I mailed him to warn him that i was essentially submitting a partially complete thesis (better to hand in something incomplete than not hand in anything at all). He got straight onto the exam people and next thing I know he's sorting out a 2 week extension.
Still a fair old whack of work to do - but doable and I'll be handing in a thesis that better reflects the amount of work I have put in :P
Currently on 273 pages. Gonna have to tighten up a bit to get the bibliography and tables in without going over the 300 page limit :)
Am now feeling really upbeat - but drained. almost 2 full days mainlining coffee and baileys (:p) and staring at screen and books and papers.
I'm having the evening off. And I am going to turn off the comp and giove my eyes a rest so I can hit it fresh tomorrow morning :)
I came in here though because I wanted to say how happy my dwellar friends make me. I swear to dog, you guys keep me borderline sane.
That's nice, Diggr
made me a little happy too
TAnd I am going to turn off the comp and giove my eyes a rest so I can hit it fresh tomorrow morning :)
Smart.
Don't get sucked in to anything. Go to bed early. Hit this in the morning with fresh eyes and a clear head.
Bingo. I figured I'd nip in here and touch base (fnarr fnarr) and also thank bruce for being awesome and kind and thoughtful. And now I am switching the computer off :) I have a date with a sofa, some salmon paste sandwiches (childhood favourite = comfort food) and a very beardie dog.
*waves*
I got a Survival Kit last night. From a femalegirlwoman.
:jig:
Awwww.....
That must have made your day, Grav.
Li'l bit.
Be better if she'd made my night.
:D
I have a date with a sofa, some salmon paste sandwiches (childhood favourite = comfort food) and a very beardie dog.
You. Kinky. Heifer.
:p:
...a femalegirlwoman.
It is my considered opinion that they are the best sort. ;)
I have a great podiatrist. He knows his stuff inside out, follows the latest findings, treats the whole patient, and has a remarkable attitude.
If my feet eventually improve to the point where I don't need him, I'm going to injure them again so I can keep seeing him every 6 weeks.
I had an oral surgeon like that, eventually I ran out of wisdom teeth. He was awesome.
that was unwise, footfootfoot.
My regular Doc is one of those guys, you just want to check in with him to see what's going on. He resides in a sweet spot between Orthodox Christianity and hippyland. Just a cool dude and smrt.
that was unwise, footfootfoot.
Apparently my decision making gradually declined.
Apparently my decision making gradually declined.
You've dispensed wisdom in the past, and now you're saying it's all been extracted?
My nephew dog was the dog o' the day on a local station this morning.
http://www.abc22now.com/shared/community/features/dog/stories/wkef_vid_195.shtml?wap=0&
He was also featured on the Ducks Unlimited website in a different photo of him with the geese my brother and his buddies hunted.
He's also a therapy dog, goes into nursing homes and such.
We all pretty much love this dog. :D
You've dispensed wisdom in the past, and now you're saying it's all been extracted?
Indeed. And to what impact?
My nephew dog was the dog o' the day on a local station this morning.
http://www.abc22now.com/shared/community/features/dog/stories/wkef_vid_195.shtml?wap=0&
He was also featured on the Ducks Unlimited website in a different photo of him with the geese my brother and his buddies hunted.
He's also a therapy dog, goes into nursing homes and such.
We all pretty much love this dog. :D
Who's a good boy?
Nice chat with Sundae on the phone this evening.
Sent by thought transference
Second day off in a row!
I was supposed to attend a work programme session this afternoon. But I have the lurgi - it descended on me yesterday. Now - this does not mean I am too ill to attend the appointment - but it does mean i sound uber croaky - and I do feel quite ropey. So I phoned and asked if it was possible to rearrange. I told said was going to cause problems then I'd come in today - but that I felt I would get much more from the coaching session if I wasn't slightly out of it and hopped up on lemsip - and didn't particularly want to pass this to everybody else. All of which is quite true.
What i didn't say was that since it is thick snow outside and still falling, i also really didn't fancy arsing about on buses.
So - she is reappointing *smiles* and I get the day off. hurrah.
Yesterday was my first day off since Boxing Day, and my first day off without the thesis hanging over me since early '14, lol.
At some point I need to deal with all the stuff I've not been dealing with until thesis completion. So - basically the various debts and people who are threatening to take me to court/cut off services etc for non-payment. But not today - in fact not til either Friday, if I can find the motivation, or Monday, whether I feel like it or not.
And you'll milk this for all it's worth, won't you. :lol2:
It has been glorious. I must say:)
Also - it's really nice to see the snow and not feel panicked. For the last week there's been odd bits of snowfall, sticking a bitthen washing away, and predictions of heavy snow on the way. And each time it snowed I'd be praying we didn't get snowed in and the trains cancelled for Monday when I had to go hand in.
Now I'm looking at the whiteout outside my window and I don't care! Snow us in, see if i care :P
It's nice to not have pressure. Here they say snow tonight and maybe twice more before next week. I've got nowhere I have to be and it'll keep the whippersnappers off the lawn... except the ones that don't drive well. :haha:
The power just came back on.
Now I don't have to carry my elderly father on my back through the snowdrifts, to some warm haven. After working 12 hours because the resident forgot she was being paid to come in at 4:00. So, that qualifies for happyness. Now I can throw one last log on the fire and go to bed.
Hope the resident doesn't get paid for the hours she didn't do.
Alice fell down a rabbithole. Poor cow. She found oddities, dreams & delirium thanks to a mathematician's fevered brain.
I fell into the Cellar. My own poorly wired brain provided me with far stranger creatures than mice in pools of tears, Red Queens or walrus. But more than that, far more than that, the Cellar has given me an array of practical goods. Food. Transport. Internet access. Housing help. Holidays.
Some of this is down to the fact that this is an American board (so I said before and still believe) and y'all look out for your own, and those lucky enough to be adopted.
And definitely and very much recently down my fellow Brit-Dwellers who are my family in every way.
Alice fell down a rabbithole. Poor cow. She found oddities, dreams & delirium....
...and absolutely no sign of the Health and Safety Executive. :D
"and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make''
You credit the Cellar, but you should credit yourself, Sundae. You're worth it.
I just sold something on Ebay for $2000!
For some time now I've been wanting to upgrade some of my camera gear and have been leaning towards a Sony a7R, a fantastic mirrorless camera with 36MP sensor and a host of other features. But my wife and I have an agreement that my addiction to camera gear should be a cost neutral as possible. I can get a used one in LN condition for around $1400 and I would probably get a few other things like the Canon lens adapter and the battery grip. Maybe eventually some Sony/Zeiss lenses.
So I made a difficult decision to sell an old family heirloom. My grandfather went out to China and I inherited many of the beautiful things he and my grandmother (she was born in China) had. One of them was a Mandarin robe worn by a civil servant, the robe is called a Pufu. The robe is polished black silk and has a rank badge on the front and back, the 5th level Silver Pheasant. You see these badges all the time on Ebay, some are real antiques and usually showing their age and others are complete knock offs from China claiming to be genuine. Sometimes you see real court style robes but I've only once seen a Pufu like mine.
So I put it up for auction on Wednesday night with a starting bid of $100 and a "buy it now" price of $2000. I set a reserve of $1200 hoping that if it got bit up to there it might reach $1500 or so by the end. So yesterday an Ebay user contacts me saying they will pay $1500 if I am interested. I responded in a nice way that I already set a "buy it now" price and he was welcome to bid on it anytime if that was too high. With in 20 minutes I got an email from Paypal saying I had just received $2000 a guy in Los Angeles with a confirmed Paypal account. He had a 100% + feedback score of 58 which isn't a lot but good enough and no negatives.
So today I packed it up carefully and sent it off. I hope my grandfather won't be saddened by my selling it. I had no way to display it and it has been stored in an old Chinese camphor wood chest to keep it safe for all these years since he got it in 1905.
Here are 2 pictures of it:
Wow!
I'd heard that rich people in China were buying back all their national treasures from Americans.
There is an auction house by my office that I visit to inspect the stuff each Monday before the Tuesday auction. They always have the Asian stuff on display right by the front door.
Funny but the guy who bought it had a Chinese name and when I looked at some of his feedback history he had purchased items from sellers or ebay stores dealing in Chinese stuff. Maybe he will sell it for more, maybe he just wants to collect things like that. I figure it will get more use by someone else than our family. Other than my dad wearing it to a costume party back in then mid 60's it's been in storage!
In less than two weeks I'll have my final dvrce papers to sign!
Damn, that's gorgeous! But it would be hard to display, and would be a travesty to wear it, even for special occasions. I wonder if it had been used before Granddad got it, it looks like it's mint. If it makes it's way back to China that's fine, you got two grand for storage.
The only question I have is, after seeing your photographs for a couple years, what the hell do you need "better" equipment for? :haha:
Oh, foots slipped in while I wasn't paying attention. Yes, congratulations, it's one of the mile markers we look forward to on the journey. Time to figure out what's next because it can be an emotional crash, after waiting and waiting for it, then not knowing what direction you're going.
Wow, that came around fast, foots.
I was the one who left my husband, and the marriage was unsalvageable (my bad, I shouldn't ever have said yes) but when my divorce papers came through it still hurt. If it was up to me, I'd still be married on paper, I just never would have got round to sorting out the formalities.
The surname you know me by (those of you that know it I mean) is his.
I'm glad it's different for you, Foot.
My youngest has finally figured out how to entertain herself when she first wakes up in the morning, and I am routinely sleeping past 6:15 on weekends for the first time in almost 9 years.
Just got a check in the mail from the valet parking service that damaged the roof rack on my Land Rover when they tried to fit in in the garage. That was just after I turned it over to the attendant and pointed out it had to go in the oversize lot!
The roof rack was just a bit scratched up but they admitted the damage was their fault and told me to get an estimate from a body shop. I took it to one near my and the adjuster said they couldn't repair the roof rack as it wasn't original equipment but did notice a dent in my roof and some scratches and some of plastic trim was cracked. I didn't say anything but that happened last year while I was off roading! The valet service said to send in the estimate and to just send in wep pages with the roof rack parts that showed prices and I did.
Got the check today for $3244.57!!!!:D:D:D:D:D
Sadly, my wife says she needs about $1000 of that for bills that are due.... guess that's how it goes! :rolleyes:
Going to buy a new laptop that is pretty much for high end photo and video editing.
15 miles of downhill skiing today. still buzzing
15 miles of downhill skiing today. still buzzing
Pix I want pix, and I want them now!
Pete and I didn't mess around with pix much today but here you go.
I took it to one near my and the adjuster said they couldn't repair the roof rack as it wasn't original equipment but did notice a dent in my roof and some scratches and some of plastic trim was cracked. I didn't say anything but that happened last year while I was off roading!
Alright, look... not to shit on your happy moment, but I'm feeling gnarly today. This is not the first time you've gleefully posted about scamming/screwing a company out of money, and it bugs me. I remember another time, you owed a debt on a credit card and you decided they hadn't tried hard enough to contact you about it in a timely manner so fuck 'em, you weren't gonna pay it even though you freely admitted that you owed the money. I mean it's not like you and your wife are destitute and need the cash for food--you do nothing but travel the world, buy super-expensive electronics, and visit with the grandkids.
I like you, and it bugs me when I see my friends acting like dicks to third parties.
Not that exciting to others, BUT it is to us.
We had an issue with the pole we bought for the bird feeders. Although things seemed to be going well with out $20 special, last night or this am something happened and we found it broken in the yard along with a TON of spilled seed and two broken feeders. :(
So we took a ride to Wild Birds Unlimited and we bought a nice new fancy shmancy one.
It will likely outlast me! lol
I got a yob!
I don't want to get into details, because I'm still afraid I'll jinx it until I start, but suffice to say it's a really great job (the pay ain't huge, but the people I'll be working for and with are amazing) in the public sector and I think I'm going to be very happy.
Oh, and I start on Thursday. :) I could have waited until monday but I'm like "no, let's get me going this week if you want" and they agreed. It's just part time but it's a huge doorway (I mean that in two senses: the job is a huge doorway to a happy life and opportunities within the place, and the building I will be working in is one of my favorite and one of the oldest buildings nearby besides the library and has those huge beautiful carved wooden doorways that extend almost to the five thousand foot ceilings which is fifteen thousand feet if you count all three floors...but I exaggerate about the ceilings because I have no concept of height or distance or direction...lol...)
Anyway, I'm really happy and I'm still in shock because I just found out this morning. It's been a long time and a lot of hard roads since I left minor hell then major hell, and then went through the worst kind of hell losing my favorite person on earth but I'm glad I got to be there for her, and I kept getting so close to yobs when I really started looking again, some that maybe would have made me some good money, maybe had some good and bad aspects...and I kept getting disappointed. I'm very lucky and very happy and I cannot wait to start! So I know most don't believe we get what we need when we need it but I'm really thinking that's what happened here. I'll keep you posted. ;)
Thanks classic and clod! :)
[SIZE="7"]FANTASTIC![/SIZE]
:thumb::celebrat::celebrat::celebrat::celebrat:
Could you all BE any more cool?
:)
So we took a ride to Wild Birds Unlimited and we bought a nice new fancy shmancy one.
It will likely outlast me! lol
We get all of our bird feeding paraphinalia (sp) from WBU. You get what you pay for.
I'm so happy to hear this news infinite monkey~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!
God, I hope you're contagious. I have a half dozen active applications, any one of which would fit me like you say yours fits you.
Such good happy wonderful news, WTG! CONGRATULATIONS a thousand times over!
I came here to post about what's making me happy just right now... and was pleasantly surprised by im's post.
aaaaannnyway.
what's making me happy right now is listening to Pandora, my Tom Lehrer Radio station. sooo funny, so smart. Tom Lehrer, Monty Python, Jonathan Coulton, and
Pete Seeger, Weird Al Jankovick, just laffs and smiles. I have the house to myself for a couple hours, and I've got it turned up loud. fun, fun, fun!
Late to the party but YAAAY INFI all the way from Tajikistan!
Sent by thought transference
Yay info! All the way from Nashville!
Also my first post ever from my stupid smartphone
Heeeheeee, I'm honored!
Sincerely,
Info
How's it going in The Village of Nash? I've been there, and I'll tell you what, it's almost impossible to find a place to get a beer. Have fun!
only visited the airport briefly :) Now in St Louis. am knackered. left at 5, flew here, then put in a full day. Sorry about the typo, probably the stupid fucking autocorrect, infortunate monkey
Should go to bed right now, but the hotel they have me in has a happy hour....... .....that involves me getting three free drinks! It would be so rude not to....
YAY IM, i'm so happy for you. Good Luck and congratulations on your first day.
monster...I was confused that you were in TN and I knew you were going to St Louie! Yes, have the three drinks. Why not? Have a little fun, you deserve it.
Thanks fargon! I'm really excited. I have my clothes all ready to go and I'm going to check early to make sure I don't have something crazy happen, like a flat tire or something. Oh, and another good thing... I basically drive down the county highway which is next to my front yard, and end up a few blocks away from my job in the town where I'll be working, seven miles away.
I'm not driving to the gates of hell, the armpit of Ohio, the cesspool of a big city, like my last job. Yay!
I R so excited for u, Info :D good luck!
A man wakes up one morning with the mother of all hangovers. He opens his eyes, and on the nightstand he sees a glass of water, an aspirin, a rose and a note saying,
Honey, breakfast is ready, I love you. Hugs and kisses, your wife.
Not remembering a thing about the night before, he walks to the kitchen and sees his son at the breakfast table and asks him about what had happened last night. The son says, "Well, you came home and were completely hammered, tripped on the coffee table and smashed it to pieces, then you barfed in the hallway, peed all over the carpet, got into a scuffle with mom and then you went to bed. Then, when she started to pull off your pants, you screamed, "Get away from me, bitch, I'm married!"
;)
My first day was fantastic! I really like the way things work there. I really like the woman who runs the office (I'm basically her helper and she's been doing it alone for a while. We get along great!) I got to talk to a handful of clients (unusually slow day) and I already know that my assertion that my experience in CCs has taught me how to communicate with just about anyone was absolutely correct.
And, because I'm weird, I love paperwork and I got to work a file from the beginning (including speaking with the person and making the file) and all the steps that need to happen to make sure everyone is where they need to be and informed...I'll remember this file when it goes to 'closed.' It's like putting together a puzzle and making sure it all fits together.
I'm incredibly happy. And I can't imagine working with a nicer group of people. Nobody is trying to put one over on anyone. No one is climbing any kind of invisible ladder.
I can't stop occasionally going 'YEAH!' just out of the blue by myself. :D
I'm really happy for you Infi! That's really cool. Makes me happy to read.
That is absolutely wonderful. So happy for you. YAY!
Oh that's just made my day! Fucking awesome Infi. You totally deserve this break
A man wakes up one morning with the mother of all hangovers. He opens his eyes, and on the nightstand he sees a glass of water, an aspirin, a rose and a note saying, Honey, breakfast is ready, I love you. Hugs and kisses, your wife.
Not remembering a thing about the night before, he walks to the kitchen and sees his son at the breakfast table and asks him about what had happened last night. The son says, "Well, you came home and were completely hammered, tripped on the coffee table and smashed it to pieces, then you barfed in the hallway, peed all over the carpet, got into a scuffle with mom and then you went to bed. Then, when she started to pull off your pants, you screamed, "Get away from me, bitch, I'm married!"
;)
Nice one!
My first day was fantastic! I really like the way things work there. I really like the woman who runs the office (I'm basically her helper and she's been doing it alone for a while. We get along great!) I got to talk to a handful of clients (unusually slow day) and I already know that my assertion that my experience in CCs has taught me how to communicate with just about anyone was absolutely correct.
And, because I'm weird, I love paperwork and I got to work a file from the beginning (including speaking with the person and making the file) and all the steps that need to happen to make sure everyone is where they need to be and informed...I'll remember this file when it goes to 'closed.' It's like putting together a puzzle and making sure it all fits together.
I'm incredibly happy. And I can't imagine working with a nicer group of people. Nobody is trying to put one over on anyone. No one is climbing any kind of invisible ladder.
I can't stop occasionally going 'YEAH!' just out of the blue by myself. :D
w00t!!!!
A man wakes up one morning with the mother of all hangovers. He opens his eyes, and on the nightstand he sees a glass of water, an aspirin, a rose and a note saying, Honey, breakfast is ready, I love you. Hugs and kisses, your wife.
Not remembering a thing about the night before, he walks to the kitchen and sees his son at the breakfast table and asks him about what had happened last night. The son says, "Well, you came home and were completely hammered, tripped on the coffee table and smashed it to pieces, then you barfed in the hallway, peed all over the carpet, got into a scuffle with mom and then you went to bed. Then, when she started to pull off your pants, you screamed, "Get away from me, bitch, I'm married!"
;)
Not sure if this is the guy, but they're drinking the same kool-aid!
[YOUTUBE]_5PhyfyG9AA[/YOUTUBE]
Just a quick 'thanks again' to all the well-wishers!
Been away all week and missed your news, but so glad to hear of it, Infi! And fantastic that your start has gone well and you're enjoying the job ... way to go! :cheerldr:
Not to drift the thread, but ... I am SO happy today after reclaiming my loom, spinning wheel, cutting table, and almost all ancillary equipment, and getting them set up in a spare room in an organized way. The room has north light, so is great for any type of art, and it was originally designed with a fiber studio in mind. There's storage and some bookshelves for my fiber books. I have to get rid of a cat-scratched loveseat to get my sewing machine and serger back in place, but they can wait a week or two.
The important thing is, I have dug out and organized all my fiber arts stuff, reassembled it, oiled it, repaired it etc., and am ready to get all creative again. And I just put in an order for materials to get me going on a couple of projects. I started out weaving all sorts of things, just to try different techniques and materials, and I'm still going to explore that - going to try a new technique in one project. But I found I do love making larger pieces, throws and blankets, with interesting weave patterns and fibers. I can get wool that's produced here in the US, and I can spin silk/wool combination yarn for weft that will let me try some new things ... so I'm stoked.
Being the introvert that I am, spending time banging out a new pattern on the loom is centering and satisfying. I suspect it will keep me sane in between weeks of stupidity at work.
It was also calming and happy-making to find, organize, and photograph a few of the things I sewed for the kids over the years - costumes and the odd sundress and christening dress. I wish I'd photographed everything I made back then - I sent many homemade dresses/hats/playsuits off to my sister for nieces to wear without recording them. However, I have a few things left. The medieval gown that laces up the back, with lined angel sleeves etc., would almost fit me. Not that I'm into medieval stuff, but it's a pretty dress.
All of which is to say that it's probably a wise and helpful thing to occasionally take stock of things you've done/accomplished, and record them in some way. It's good for perspective.
Do you think you'll have all of our costumes ready for our maypole dance and virgin sacrifice? :haha:
Glad to hear you're carpe-ing your deim. Go get 'em, tiger.
For Mayday? No problem. ;)
Tigers do best alone ... I roared at husband who returned from a day playing and enjoying himself, only to criticize me ... he is now off licking his wounds. You're right, he does need a sharp reminder at times that he's crossed a boundary.
I'm watching the GOT trailer, reading my IME material, sipping a single malt, and giving no further fucks tonight.
This is excellent news, Ortho! Creating stuff is so important for the soul and one's sanity. X
Sent by thought transference
For Mayday? No problem. ;)
... husband who returned from a day playing and enjoying himself ... he is now off licking his wounds. You're right, he does need a sharp reminder at times that he's crossed a boundary.
Thanks for that mental image. I lol'd. ;) :eyebrow:
Doin' the Ren and Stimpy Happy Happy Joy Joy song, for you Infi :D
My wife just did our taxes (and I'll go back over it myself when I get a chance) and were' getting $1 back from the feds.
For years we have either owed hundreds or have gotten hundreds back, and I made an effort last year to calculate and change my withholdings to get it closer to being on target. I'm pretty pleased with myself that it's within a buck of being accurate.
Nice! It would be funny (well, not for you, but still) if that were a red flag in someone's audit algorithm, that being so balls-on expected with the numbers is like standing a little too nonchalantly near the crime scene.
My wife just did our taxes (and I'll go back over it myself when I get a chance)...
Nice! It would be funny (well, not for you, but still) if that were a red flag in someone's audit algorithm, that being so balls-on expected with the numbers is like standing a little too nonchalantly near the crime scene.
You're right about suspicions. December 31st the electric company changed my meter, so the guy took a manual reading to be added to the reading from the new meter. I get the bill and there's all this paperwork dancing around this meter and why I have to pay for it. It all this bullshit they use the example of the average household using 500 kwh. I look at the bill and it's for exactly 500.0 kwh, which I've never even been close to in 35 years. Red flags waving frantically in my head. :haha:
Our electric rates went up, and apparently I missed the town meeting that was broadcast on the local cable because everyone was talking about it and people were bringing pitchforks. Good for them.
But what's making me happy today is what sustains me when I hate myself and my life...my family.
I'm currently at my brother and sis-in-law's house, have been here since Tuesday, dog-sitting. They drove to FL to see my nephew get his wings as a heli pilot in the Marines. He will be flying Hueys and will be stationed in SD (where, as you have probably heard, the weather sucks. ;) )
I love my brothers and my sisters-in-law and my nieces and nephews. I especially love my dad, who has risen to the occasion after losing the love of his life (and the best mom I could have ever asked for) and I'm just so goddamn proud of them all. I'm the worst of them and I'm not even in prison or anything. :o
When things get bad my family sustains me. You've heard this before. But some things cannot be said enough.
yay munkie! just keep on keeping on -I'm proud of you and you being happy makes me happy.
Thanks monster! I appreciate that so much.
It's an effort sometimes to try to be happy...or to remember why I should be, anyway. I feel the negativity and the worry sneaking up on me. I try to use the cognitive behavior stuff techniques and it works but it sure is hard to do sometimes. Hey, what's that behind me, tapping me on the shoulder? Gloom! Doom! Despair! Flood! Fire! Famine!
Look at the flowers, Lizzie. (bonus points for those who get this reference.)
Glad you're feeling happy, infi. You've got a great family. Don't forget you're part of that greatness.
Look at the flowers, Lizzie. (bonus points for those who get this reference.)
'Black List'?
Reminds me of Ulysses Everett McGill:
Think of the...lillies of the goddamn field.
Heh, nevermind, got impatient, and looked it up.
:)
I just ordered a new Canon DSLR and got a really good price. I recently sold some older camera stuff on Ebay and had been watching the prices on the new Canon EOS 7D MkII which is especially geared towards sports, action and wildlife as it is an APC sensor (1.6 factor) and can shoot at up to 10 frames per second. I have around $1900 in my Paypal account and I try to be as cost neutral as possible when I add to my gear.
The body has been selling at $1799 but I looked today and Canon dropped the price to $1699. I did some searches and found a website I was not familiar with called CanonPriceWatch and was able to get a new body from a dealer in Canada for $1499 with free shipping and no taxes or fees. CanonPriceWatch got stellar ratings at several photograpy blogs so I felt ok with them.
I will have more then enough to buy a 65gb cf card and the battery grip. :cool:
65gb cf card
Compact flash card? I didn't know they still made those. That's what my first digital camera used, almost 20 years ago. With the larger form factor, though, they probably got big gigs before the other, smaller, cards did, now that I think about it.
Compact flash card? I didn't know they still made those. That's what my first digital camera used, almost 20 years ago. With the larger form factor, though, they probably got big gigs before the other, smaller, cards did, now that I think about it.
This body takes SD cards as well as CF cards like the more high end DSLR bodies. You can choose to write different files to different cards, like Jpegs to one and Raw to the other.
This from a webpage on the subject as I had to look up the advantages:
Secure Digital memory cards are significantly smaller than CompactFlash cards, and are equipped with a nine-pin interface as compared to the 50-pin interface of the CompactFlash. The result of having fewer interface pins means that the SD cards are limited to a four-bit data bus, whereas CompactFlash cards have a 16-bit data transfer bus. Another major difference between these two types of memory cards is the absence of a microcontroller in SD memory cards. This puts more of a load on the host device.
Roadtrip begins on Thursday: Chicago, Albuquerque, Denver, Cheyenne, western KS. Good times!
This body takes SD cards as well as CF cards like the more high end DSLR bodies. You can choose to write different files to different cards, like Jpegs to one and Raw to the other.
This from a webpage on the subject as I had to look up the advantages:
Secure Digital memory cards are significantly smaller than CompactFlash cards, and are equipped with a nine-pin interface as compared to the 50-pin interface of the CompactFlash. The result of having fewer interface pins means that the SD cards are limited to a four-bit data bus, whereas CompactFlash cards have a 16-bit data transfer bus. Another major difference between these two types of memory cards is the absence of a microcontroller in SD memory cards. This puts more of a load on the host device.
Interesting. Thanks, Chris.
What up, Sic? Bidness, or pleasure, if it's any of our bidness?
Chicago is business, sorta. The Mrs is going to a painting convention, but the family is tagging along.
I'll be back home for a day, then I'm heading out west to see friends and see the country. I'll be sidelined for the summer due to surgery recovery, and the Mrs and I each take our own little vacations each year. I try to take mine earlier, but work has been crazy busy until now.
Hope the surgery thing is not too serious. Vacays are always cool. I guess busy is cool, too, to a point.
You have any music lined up in those towns or is this strictly a bbq run? :)
Surgery is...sorta
serious.
We have great BBQ here in KC...I don't really need to go anywhere else. :)
Other than visiting friends in ABQ and Western KS, I don't have any big plans for the western piece. A couple of sightseeing things I want to do. Just going where the roads take me.
Keep on keeping on bro. You can do it.
Hoping it all goes well, Sic!
Best of luck. I have another friend who had the surgery last year. She couldn't possibly be happier. She looks fantastic and said she feels great too.
There's a thing (you know, those things?), where people who have that done, have an increased risk of becoming dependent on alcohol. More so for women, I think.
I have a cousin who had it done, went just as smooth as silk, worked, too, like a charm. She became a full-fledged, card-carrying alcoholic. Did more harm than good.
I think she pretty much ended up replacing one addiction with another.
I like alcohol. :drunk:
I've had two major addictions in my life: nicotine and food. Of course, we can't live without food. This surgery should help fix the signals that make me want to eat all the time, including right now.
We shall see. I'm 7 months shy of 40 and scared to death of dying. The benefits far outweigh the risks at this point.
The reverse phenomenon also happens: alcoholics who give up booze often develop a raging sweet tooth. Carbs is carbs.
The daughter of a friend had gastric surgery about 2 years ago. She's never been happier - she's dropped down to a healthy size, had a baby girl and has got used to eating much smaller portions and much healthier food. And she's enjoying physical activity in a way she never really had before.
The daughter of a friend had gastric surgery about 2 years ago. She's never been happier - she's dropped down to a healthy size,
had a baby girl and has got used to eating much smaller portions and much healthier food.
And she's enjoying physical activity in a way she never really had before.
Great for her, but that last part is being redundant.
ha! True enough:P
Here's my reason for Happy -
The examiners are recommending my thesis for a pass with minor (editorial) corrections :) (technically it doesn't count as a pass til the exam board passes it but they never go against the examiners' recommendations)
Which means I have 4 weeks to make the changes and assuming they all check out (which of course they will) it is a pass
*does the happy dance*
They really liked it. The first thing they said when I went in was that they liked it, thought it was a very good piece of work, and I should relax because they didn't consider that I needed to 'defend' my thesis.
Instead we had a chat about it - they offered some constructive criticism and advice about what changes might be good if I was looking to get it published (mostly stuff that's fairly typical of a phd thesis) - the intro was a little lopsided and the historiographical context could have been more thorough - a few places where I could have stated my findings more forcefully and made the implications clearer, conclusion could do with broadening out a little (again very typical PhD thesis conclusion) and a slight shift in periodisation might make it more appealing as a published work - but none of which would be required for the thesis to be accepted.
They talked about some of the stuff they liked and asked me to expand on some of it - asked a few questions about my methodology and choice of periodisation and so on.
They made suggestions as to what might be drawn out for shorter articles - they suggested the two chapters that I had already identified as the strongest and most original analysis.
The editorial changes are really very basic - errant commas/typos/formatting errors. Only two changes were content related and they were literally the addition of single sentences to contextualise the figures (e.g troop numbers serving in a particular location at that time).
They were very nice, very complimentary and most of what they said gelled with my own view of the work having read it back.
I have to say, it is something of a boost when someone whose work I've read and who is respected in my field tells me he enjoyed reading my thesis and learned some things from it.
Great for her, but that last part is being redundant.
Not necessarily, no one starts out huge.
ha! True enough:P
Here's my reason for Happy -
The examiners are recommending my thesis for a pass with minor (editorial) corrections :) <snip>
GOOD ON YOU !
I know the anxiety.
It boarders on terror when some one else has your (professional) life in their hands.
Again, GOOD ON YOU !
Thanks guys :)
Pretty pleased with myself right now.
Well alright. Glad to hear that
Congrats, Dana. That's gotta be a load off your mind.
Hahaha. Yes.
I've employed that tactic in local politics.
Congrats Dana. Does this mean you'll have to join the working world finally? :eek:
Dana, many congrats!! Fantastic news!
Do we call you Doctor Dana now? Maybe DD? :p:
All kidding aside, again, many congratulations!
Thanks guys:)
Working world soon, aye. Need to get the revisions completed and finish the article I'm working on while I still have off-campus library membership and supervisor advice.
Life in general. Its pretty good. ☺
Do we call you Doctor Dana now?
Only until we start calling her, Dean Doctor Dana. ;)
Good for Dana, and Aliantha.
65 and a full tank on the scooter!!
I'm out.
Had a gal contact me on FB had not heard or seen her since we were early teen partners in "crime", made me happy she thought of me. She lives in New Mexico and I am still I'm Indiana
.
Today I completed planting all the flowers I've purchased over the past several weeks. I've been pulling weeds and grass from my garden, and today I cleared the last patch for the sweet peas I plugged into the ground. I still have some grass and weeds to pull, and probably a lot more flowers to buy, but now my garden is more delightful than derelict.
File this under bittersweet.
Signed the papers to make the separation official. She gets served on Friday, I sign more shit on Monday, then shit goes to the court.
It was turning a corner, no going back and I had to finally admit to myself I was never and will never get the love I wanted from her.
On the other hand my life is looking better and my stress levels have plummeted. I'm getting the back 40 in shape, baby steps, baby steps...
Everything gets better from here on out.
*I can see clearly now, the rain is gone...*
Oh, and in other news I've dropped 30# and now weigh 190. My goal of 180 seems certainly attainable.
About those sit ups...
Whoa, nice job! Stress weight is a real thing, dump your stresser dump the weight.
Moving forward is good. Dropping stress/weight is great. FTW, foot.
I'm happy to have finished a week in Baltimore. I haven't posted in the Baltimore thread because everything I began to say seemed underwhelming. It was a significant week, however.
And I'm happy to have finished a week of networking and chatting at a national conference in spite of my hearing impairment. I'm not deaf enough to use signing but impaired enough to make every conversation a misery. I do lip-read as well as I can, but it's not just decibels. My hearing aids are ridiculously inefficient.
So, it's nice not to be embarrassing myself on a moment-to-moment basis. What I really need is a nice academic job where I don't have to hear people much. I don't know that the ADA will provide for me in my current job.
I've been wearing them for 34 years and I feel your pain. They just can't cope with crowds (3 is a crowd) and background like waiters or traffic make it worse. The increasing hearing aid commercials is I suppose a result of the boomers becoming a mass target. But the lying fuckers writing the commercials are real annoying.
absolutely. What I hate most ... missing the small things my kids whispered into my ears, or something a loved one says. They mostly know when I don't hear, but sometimes not, and I feel bad. It's so isolating, leaves you watching from outside a glass wall.
Like you, it's been a long time, since age 12 or before. Genetic, not noise-induced. Sometimes I'd rather be completely deaf ... just use signing and be done. It's like being severely myopic without glasses, but not totally blind.
Sometimes I think the damn things are only useful as a signal/reminder to people that I can't hear for shit. :haha:
That's only if they show. Modern types, if you have any hair, they don't show.
It was easier when I was bald.
The only ones that don't show are the tiny ones deep in the ear, unless you have enough hair to cover the ear completely.
I use the in the ear type...
now but for years I wore the behind the ear.
I was happy to switch because the behind the ear would quit when I sweat heavily.
That's interesting, that it can be a feature for the hearing aids to be obvious. Seems kind of obvious itself when you think about it. They have been working for so long to make them tiny and invisible, but that's not necessarily such a good thing.
I've long thought that someone ought to devise hearing aids that are intentionally visible to encourage people to face the wearer and be sure of speaking clearly. If glasses can be a "designer" accessory, why can't hearing aids?
In other news Mr Limey, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July last year, due to the changes he has made in his diet* has gone from two metformin a day, to one, to NONE!
:cheerldr::celebrat::jig::tuba:
[SIZE="1"]* Okay, I helped a little but mostly it is down to him reducing the snacking/energy drink consumption which is beyond my control :p: [/SIZE]
SWEET!
:D
Send congrats along... I hope to join him, next set of numbers come in June
Wow, even when you were off saving the Empire?
Outstanding Sir, well played.
That's outstanding news!
I looked up the side effect for that medication, and it sounded like not having to take it would be much much better than having to take it.
SWEET!
:D
Send congrats along... I hope to join him, next set of numbers come in June
Good luck, Toad!
I've long thought that someone ought to devise hearing aids that are intentionally visible to encourage people to face the wearer and be sure of speaking clearly. If glasses can be a "designer" accessory, why can't hearing aids?
Wish granted.
EldestSon was born deaf. We've been through scores of hearing aids, ear molds, accessories, etc, etc. I remember when I saw my first non-discreetly colored ear mold. Whaaaaat???? Yep. The kids, not having any shame (nor should they) thought, Oooooh, those look cool! and so they got whatever colors tickled their fancy. I've seen neon colors, sparkly glittery ones, sports team colors, swirly, etc. etc. They very obvious when not completely hidden by the hair.
You could definitely do something like that.
Also, "Excuse me, what did you say?" until they look at you while they're talking... don't give up.
There's nothing like that over here, more's the pity.
Sent by thought transference
All my love to Mr Limey - that's shows great perseverance.
I hope we'll both see less of eachother in June!
Which is also to say, my tickets have arrived at Mum's.
she's going to post them to me after the weekend.
I might ask her not to, until closer in the day. Less time to lose them...
But I fear I need to hhave them in my hot little hands before I believe it's actually real. How long have I been saying I'll come to yours in the Summer.
Carruthers - I think what I will do is report the place I put the tickets on here. And promise sincerely not to move them without writing it here. If I keep them all together in the original envelope they arrive in I should be okay?
Poor Carruthers is the one who gets the panicked texts when I lose this and that and bits and bobs, only to find them again within hours... Luckily he's used to being held responsible for everything that happens in his own house, so he is capable of being calm in a crisis which is not of his making.
I will chant the mantra - no platforms, no wedges, no booze (actually I'd like a glass of wine on my birthday), no lost tickets. And in deference to Mr Limey, no tempting sweet treats.
I can't control blisters, the weather, train delays or the ferry crossing. But if I manage the first list I can cope with the second.
EldestSon was born deaf. We've been through scores of hearing aids, ear molds, accessories, etc, etc. I remember when I saw my first non-discreetly colored ear mold. Whaaaaat???? Yep. The kids, not having any shame (nor should they) thought, Oooooh, those look cool! and so they got whatever colors tickled their fancy. I've seen neon colors, sparkly glittery ones, sports team colors, swirly, etc. etc. They very obvious when not completely hidden by the hair.
As Limey says, I've not seen those here either (ie mainland England).
The real change I saw as an adult was the children who wore patches on their glasses to train/ correct their eyesight. Back when I was a kid it was something akin to masking tape on really ugly NHS glasses. But I never once heard the term "speccy" or "four eyes" when I worked in school - glasses were too cool. And the patches were temporary pieces of felt in all sorts of bold, bright and beautiful designs. Including the ubiquituous Disney Princesses, but you can't have it both ways.
Also, "Excuse me, what did you say?" until they look at you while they're talking... don't give up.
See, that's okay on a one-to-one, or especially if someone is being rude. But in a group situation it's not always right or enjoyable to force yourself into the centre of every conversation. My hearing doesn't test poorly enough to rate a hearing aid. Yet. Although it was borderline when I was a child, and I have hearing problems on both sides of my family.
So as a teen/ in my early twenties I hated noisy bars, being chatted up in nightclubs and fast food restaurants. I think that's why I married comparitively young, so we could do country pubs without music, decent restaurants and I could cook big meals for my friends in my own kitchen. Everyone had to defer to me there, or they wouldn't get fed.
In hindsight, I wish I'd qualified for a hearing aid!
Congratulations to Limey and Mr. Limey! Fabulous! :cheerldr:
Re hearing impairment and asking someone to repeat ... at some point you have to give up. Sometimes a person can repeat him/herself more than three times and my brain just won't interpret, even though I know he/she is making noises. It's much easier when people look at me but lip-reading isn't perfect either. Noisy places are impossible. Hearing aids aren't a lot of help in those situations, because they amplify noise across the frequency spectrum but don't help with speech discrimination.
If hearing aids were cheaper, I'd look into some of those colorful ones though - they'd be fun to wear on weekends! Or maybe I'll just get a colorful pair anyway when my current ones bite the dust. At $5000/pair I can't have a wardrobe of them.
A friend went to be tested and buy her first hearing aids. They were throwing around numbers like $5,000 to $7,000 EACH. Bandit bastards.
Whoa! Time to do some comparison shopping. The damned things aren't particularly technologically advanced, which adds insult to injury.
There's an engineer out there (I'm lousy at posting links - I suspect some astute dwellar has likely already posted his story here) who has designed a number of different hearing aids for himself to use in different situations. They aren't pretty, and some require the person you're having dinner with to wear a microphone, but they work better than the stuff being sold commercially.
The last time I had my ears tested, she said I have good news and bad news.
(Paraphrasing)
Bad News, you can't hear for shit.
Good News, you don't have to spend a fortune of expensive aids when the cheap ones will help just as much.
Today may have been something of a milestone with our bird-feeding...
For the past few weeks we've been feeding squirrels, blue jays, nuthatches,
house finches, woodpeckers, and occasional robins, and sparrows.
The squirrels and jays have become very territorial, driving off all the other critters.
So, I called in our Lab Retriever, Vicky.
She cut off the squirrels' escape route up into the trees, and the jays followed suite.
I had her lay down at the base of the feeders for a while to establish her command of the territory.
After about an hour, we called her in the house and waited to see what was to ensue.
Here they came, first the female (left) then the male (right)... "Northern flickers"
[ATTACH]51481[/ATTACH]
(not my pic)
These are my favorite birds of the Pacific Northwest, I think they are gorgeous
in their black and red markings, and individual feathers are blends of browns, tans, and orange.
It's a milestone because they are also the most wary of birds around us.
If they can see you, they fly away.
Some people (justifiably) say they are nuisances with their pecking and drumming behaviors,
but for so much beauty you have to pay at least a small price.
They are gorgeous. We have the yellow shafted on this coast.
I have had 2 of my "Farm Series" images accepted into "What's Old is New Again - Alternative Photographic Processes" at Gallery136-1/2, Manchester, CT. These are gold toned Van Dyke prints from 4x5 and 8x10 b/w negatives. The show runs from June 13 to July 11 and was juried by Jill Enfield, one of the best alternative process photographers working today.
Cool, I'd like to see them.
Here they are - [ATTACH]51492[/ATTACH][ATTACH]51494[/ATTACH]
Ah, nice. Very nice.
After 50 hours of work this week, half of those on seriously painful feet, and getting all my laundry done today...I'm chillin' at b-dubs. Wings, beer and trivia. It's the simple things, ya know?
I'm sure I've shared this story before, but for the benefit of any latecomers...
When I was at school our English textbook had an exercise showing how italics worked and how stressing a certain word changed the meaning of a sentence.
The sentence they chose was "I like your red shoes".
This passed into (schoolgirl humour) legend for my friends and me, but I'm sure it has affected my brain. Infected it, if you like. Because I always like red shoes.
Went to the carboot sale today.
Managed to get there at the time the independent sellers were facing a weary trek home with unsold items, so were selling at silly prices.
I bought a pair of red shoes for 50p.
Leather.
And leather lined with "comfort soles".
They're the sort of shoes my Mum has in her expensive shoe catalogues. Probably cost £40+ new. And from the soles they can only have been worn once or twice outside.
FIFTY PENCE!
They bridge the gap between flip-flops and rainy day shoes perfectly.
I can climb Jacobs Ladder in these shoes.
Say it with me now:
I like your red shoes.
I do like your red shoes. Do you have Pete the Cat in the UK?
[YOUTUBE]nUubMSfIs-U[/YOUTUBE]
Never seen or heard that before, thank you!
But as I'm not as sanguine as Pete I shall be looking out for large piles of... anything.
[YOUTUBE]SMvmZC8rJys[/YOUTUBE]
Found my shoes online. £25. So I over-inflated their price earlier, but it's still a massive win as far as I'm concerned; I could never justify spending that amount on new shoes these days.
Massive win, indeed!
I like your red shoes too. They look comfy and stylish.
I like your red shoes.
:yesnod:
I have something to look forward to when I get back from Arran.
This is necessary, as it turns out I deal as badly with happiness as I do with disappointment; both tend to lead to a "crash" - a period of despair and depression, which varies in length and intensity.
I am learning (self-taught) to control my emotional barometer to an extent, but I've found a useful tool is having a little treat after a big one ;)
I'm going on a walk on 4 July, with a buffet after.
It's all booked and paid for, and it should be a good sociable evening. It's not a guided tour, just a walk with a guide to keep us on the right track, so it shouldn't disappoint like the Leeds Walk did. And it's all in Otley, ending up very close to my flat.
And I thought the name would appeal to y'all:
Yankee Doodle Dawdle + Star Spangled SocialThat sounds like it will be fun.
I would avoid the macaroni at the buffet, I'm just sayin'.
My girls crushed it academically this semester. Lil' Griff aced neuro-science and is starting to see a career path. :)
Great news Griff.
My eldest son is FINALLY finishing his internship... seems like he was on the 7 year plan. Should be complete in July and shortly thereafter become a college graduate.
That's awesome!
I have to say, my middle school son is crushing it academically these days, and I'm a little surprised and very proud of him. He always had trouble with homework through elementary school and even last year in middle school. He hated to read and write. Probably because it was such a challenge, but he seems to have turned a corner. He's a much better reader now, and writing is getting easier for him.
Those two skills are the key to everything else. He's gone from a struggling student to a kick ass student. And he's more efficient doing homework now, so he spends less time on it. It's like he figured out the key. Focus and work hard when it is time to work, and that gives you more time to play.
I used to be a little worried about him, but the kid's gonna be alright.
His sister is doing great too. She actually got one or two Bs this year, which I think is good for her. She had like 6 years in a row of straight As, and the pressure of perfection was weighing on her. It's like when your new car gets that first scratch.
Glatt, you seem to be a great parent. I think your children's success is due in no small part to you and mrs glatt's parenting skills. They're going to be wonderful adults someday. It's nice to see that!
Thanks! I hope they turn in to good adults. So far, so good.
Awesome news all round :)
They got WAY above their raisin' and the little fucking finches or sparrows or whatever the fuck they are, were getting a little too cozy in my walls so I borrowed the neighbor's ladder and with the help of the inch vacuumed as much nest material out as we could, a few little eggs, and then i FOAMED THE SHIT OUT OF THE GAP.
The best news of all was that the foam gun I had, that I thought was a goner (left w/o a can of foam) I managed to take apart and clean and now it works great. They ain't cheap and I already had to replace one.
And in really excellent news a month ago I got nabbed for speeding 46 in a 30, and I told the cop my current situation and he told me how to get the fine reduced.
I had traffic court today and got the city prosecutor to knock it down to a $150 parking ticket with a $50 surcharge (vs a few hundred plus 150 surcharge and points) and when I went in front of the judge I told him my doleful tale and he knocked it down to $50 parking ticket and $25 surcharge and 90 days to pay.
That's awesome about the ticket!
[ATTACH]51923[/ATTACH]
This is a much better ticket.
Here they are - [ATTACH]51492[/ATTACH][ATTACH]51494[/ATTACH]
I looked at these and thought, "Shit, I know this guy."
nowhereman's picture essay of the
last bell factory in America is extremely poignant.
I have decided on a tattoo and had a "consultation" (which is like a cheeky free appointment because the tattoo artist is interested in what you are having done.
It has to wait until at least July for financial reasons, but I will think of it as my birthday present to myself. It's for Brianna, and for my sobriety.
I feel good having made the decision, even though no money has changed hands. I've only been thinking about it for two years after all...
I will have to put down a deposit at my "official" consultation, but of course that comes off the price of the actual tattoo.
It's not going to be large, but it will be visible.
There.
I feel I have taken another step by telling you on here.
Can you tell us the design, or is it a surprise?
I looked at these and thought, "Shit, I know this guy."
Yes, you do! Still here (sort of). Photographing for artists, museums and galleries, gardening and keeping about 120,000 bees .......
Do you have 120,000 bumper stickers on the back of your car saying, "Who Rescued Who?"
I ate lunch with
Jim Ball today.
Can you tell us the design, or is it a surprise?
Secret surprise. May let you know when I've actually got the design nailed (not literally). But I'm not sure of the timescale, it may be that by the time I approve it, the same session will be the actual ink. It's not large, but it is being drawn for me rather than me picking it out of a book.
I ate lunch with Jim Ball today.
In a group/ fundraising sort of thing? Or personally?
Either way it's cool.
I was at his training which was organized by a couple ladies from work who invited me to lunch. He's very dynamic in a crowd (ex football coach) and pretty chill in a small group. I tried not to be a fanboy. He started as an aide and now he'd this sought after Dr. The cool thing is he still works in the field. I don't know how many trainings I've taken from people who essentially washed out and make their living as experts.
Were these "washouts" giving you bad, outdated, or conflicting information?
I suspect this a subject where the training could be heavily influenced by the personal conclusions of the trainer.
I'm happy today to have found my reading glasses. I thought I lost them in a customer's car months ago. I've replaced them since then, and yesterday I found them in the office. I still don't know how they got in the office.
I went to the Strawberry Festival today. It was nice enough. Mostly I thought of mom a lot. Much history there. It made me smile.
So pleased it made you smile.
I know how much you loved her (and she loved you).
Nice.
This is how our loved ones live on, in us. I'm happy to hear your story infinite monkey. :)
That's awesome about the ticket!
Starling lover.
:p:
Do you have 120,000 bumper stickers on the back of your car saying, "Who Rescued Who?"
Yes, but they're very tiny :D
Beekeeping is a kind of Zen for me, move slowly, study their actions and ommmmmm
Had two pieces of future-positive news this morning.
After a few days of horrible news.
Won't go into details as one may come to nothing, and the other is something I don't want to go into. Both require more work and luck, but as least I feel I'm doing something.
Even if I'm doing it on a far far tighter budget than I like (having to live for three weeks on one weeks money - I think you can guess what one of the horrible things was) I do need hope in my life. And hope there is.
I wish you the luck you need, and gumption to put in the work. Hang onto that future positive. X
Sent by thought transference
Now if y'all know me at all, you'll know I love me some musicals.
I had the chance to see Starlight Express put on by a local company, with discounted tickets through my church.
The poor person who subbed me has already had to put up with me singing down the phone, so it's your turn.
Not the singing.
Just the mithering on.
I loved it. Still buzzing.
Starlight Express is really hard to do well in amateur theatre because it requires such a range of talents, specialist staging and eleborate costumes. This production handled the singing excellently - the more extreme aspects of the skating were... skated around, and the costumes pared down.
But the songs, the songs, the songs.
I don't care if I'm a laughing stock for loving it for what it is. I grew up with opera and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Radio One being played equally. And although I adore Tim Rice, Richard Stilgoe turns a merry phrase too.
The only fly in the ointment came after, when a well meaning YOUNG Mum assumed I was one of the actor's Mum. Well, I did holler and whoop. And in hindsight (if she was watching) I did sing along with all his lines. But only because he was playing my fave character (Greaseball, who gets all the best songs imo). And yes, I suppose even without being all non-English anyway, I was in a neon sundress with lilac hair. So I may have been easy to pick out in a police line-up. And yes, yes again, it's possible that as this was a youth theatre group I could legally have been his Mum (it's hard to tell when someone is dressed up as a diesel train).
My consolation is that if he had been my son I would have been very proud. Acknowledging that if he really had been my son he'd probably have been in Strangeways [prison] now.
Anyway, it was an excellent performance. All the leads sang well. In fact they all sang well, the ensemble pieces were marvellous. Rusty - who I always found a bit too whiny to be a hero - moved me to tears. And there was an excellent girl as one of the coaches (probably Buffy, but the new version doesn't give them their own solos) who I'd liked to have seen more of.
My only two real regrets (aside from wishing I hadn't met the yummy Mummy who said I must be so proud) was that CB's character was shaved down to nothing; something I did know in advance. And that Greaseball wasn't five stone heavier and twenty+ years older, so I could fancy him, as I did the original Greasball when I saw it as a teen.
But I have to say I liked their version of Poppa more. I swear he said "Eeeeeh! Careful!" when they nearly took a spill during one of the races - held through the audience. Very Southern Bluesman :)
Greaseball's theme (from the original soundtrack - sound only)
I was a dinner guest tonight! I think Limey was the last person who cooked for me, back in January 2014.
Chicken casserole (okay, maybe that could have looked a bit cat-sicky, but casserole does generally) new potatoes, carrots, mashed sweet potatoes and cabbage.
And for dessert (they even made me dessert!) fresh strawberries and raspberries with proper posh vanilla ice cream. You know, the speckly kind.
Before that I had a long walk with the lady of the house, and a good chat about life in general. She also suffers from depression, but is still managing to work part time as a music teacher and freelance instrustor for her instrument. Then another good chat back at the house with her husband, who loves words like me. And a relaxed general talk over dinner with the two of them and their son who's back from Uni where he's studying Sports Science in a city I know tolerably well.
I felt like a proper grown-up.
They're good people.
Birthday cards from family. Sent a week early as I'm GOING TO ARRAN! (have I mentioned that?)
Lovely one from Mum, very glittery, and inside she told me to keep on glittering.
By which I assume she doesn't mean getting up people's noses and leaving bits of myself on the floor...
But the biggest nice, and surprise was a card from my niece. First ever.
AND she sent me a £5 Greggs card (money to spend in countrywide bakery chain, fine purveyor of pastry delights).
Mum must have had a hand in it, but she would never ask anyone to send me anything of monetary value, so the thought came from Abs.
Had a bit of a cry.
But a happy one.
Maybe one day I can re-establish relationships with my sister's children, even if I have to accept I'll never have a real sister.
I do send presents and cards to her family. Especially the kittens (twins). But I've never, ever expected anything in return. This card is a marvel to me. I'm taking it to Arran. Oh, did I say that this time next week I'll be in Arran on my birthday? It may not have been clear.
Anybody going to Arran? ;)
I'm pleased for you Sundae!
#LoveWins
It's a great fucking day.
I had a lovely two days with my Godfather.
He stayed in the B&B I stayed in when I locked myself out of my flat last year. The owner remembered me, and thanked me for the kind review I wrote on Trip Advisor. Well, the sort of man who remembers a single overnight guest in that way is the sort of man who runs a B&B that gets what it deserves on Trip Advisor - Best Place to Stay in Otley.
Peter had a good time there and praised the breakfast most highly. And this is a man who likes his food (judging by the amount he eats anyway!) I'm surprised he only has a little pot belly to show for it, he should be the size of a barn - said in a loving way of course :thumb:
As well as being remembered in Otley AND meeting three people I know on the street (I
never meet anyone I know!) I was recognised and thanked by a C of E Vicar in Leeds RC Cathedral. Peter's a priest, so we went there for his benefit really, but I do like churches. A few weeks back I helped him send an email from the library, pausing what I was listening to on the computer at the time. He thanked me again and I felt myself blush. But it was with a sense of pride; Peter would have seen the best of me over the last two days. Part of my community, remembered, polite and respectful (phew).
Oh and I dragged him to
Pieminister. Well, he wanted a traditional meal with vegetables, served at a table and didn't want to eat in a pub. For my benefit. Although crikey knows what he thought I'd do - vault over the bar at Wetherspoons and start drinking directly from the taps if he excused himself to go to the Gents for a few minutes? Still - he was very impressed with his Chicken of Aragon pie (free range British chicken, smoked bacon & tarragon) and I spread the Gospel of Pieminister a little further, as well as gobbling up a Moodog pie myself ( British beef steak, smoked bacon & BrewDog 5am Saint).
And he was delighted with everything I showed him in Otley, even the minions. As a good Godfather should be.
Supreme court decision
Nailed it, freedom wins.
I'm pretty damn surprised by this court. It seems like they usually get things wrong.
Yeah, this caught me off guard.
After Kelo v. City of New London, they should be worried about their jobs.
A nice chap from the AC repair company I called came out and diagnosed the problem with our AC. It was the capacitor/start kit for the high side of the compressor. Unlike many typical central AC units ours is a 2 speed so when the demand for cool air is low the low side of the compressor runs and when the demand increases it shuts off that side and kicks on the high side. That's why it seemed to cool when it wasn't so hot outside and at night. He measured the microferad reading on the capacitor and it was way off from the specification. He thought it was an original part which makes me feel a bit better as the unit was installed just about 9 years ago and we have replaced the low side capacitor in 2013. The cost was $225, $175 for the part and $50 for the service call. This was a smaller AC company than the other ones we usually call on, the others charge $85 for the trip plus labor on site. He checked freon and other things and said it should be fine now. :thumb:
he was very impressed with his Chicken of Aragon pie (free range British chicken, smoked bacon & tarragon) and I spread the Gospel of Pieminister a little further, as well as gobbling up a Moodog pie myself ( British beef steak, smoked bacon & BrewDog 5am Saint)
England's gift to the culinary world is their meat pies. Flaky pastry with great fillings! Oh and Spotted Dick! :D
Supreme court decision
What I find amusing is how all the GOP presidential candidates are all tripping over each other to complain about these unelected judges legislating from the bench. My own looney Senator Cruz plans to try to push an amendment to make them stand for re-election every 8 years.
The cost was $225, $175 for the part and $50 for the service call. This was a smaller AC company than the other ones we usually call on, the others charge $85 for the trip plus labor on site. He checked freon and other things and said it should be fine now. :thumb:
You lucked out, congratulations. I installed central air in the early 90s, and every year I flip the switch and pray. So far it's worked. :fingerx:
Of course instead of being smart and trying it early, like everyone else I don't turn it on until it gets hot, then if something is amiss the A/C guys will be busy as hell.
My new car.
Make / Model / Year?
There's a conference being held at Uni this week - part of a series of conferences that have been running every other year for a few years now. Last time I was on the organising committee and also presented. This year i was going to present but decided not to - and I also doubted I'd be able to pay the delegate fee to attend.
Bless him, my supervisor sorted me out a day pass on the conference expense account - justified on the grounds that I am helping organise. My 'organising' role has basically been to sort out who will chair the various committees. This has involved a grand total of about 2 hours work spread across several days :P
So on Thursday I get to attend the first day of the conference (always the most exciting - that's when you get your keynote lecture and a lot of the social stuff). I was umming and ahhing for a while which day to attend - there are just too many good panels! Settled on the Thursday, partly because of the keynote lecture, but also because there's a panel with two papers that look like they may feed into two areas that I am really interested in right now (cultural attitudes towards desertion, and knowledge networks/transmission in the military).
So - that's what is making me happy. I get to go and spend a day with a bunch of people from my field - many of whom I've met several times and get along with really well - and hear about some really interesting and original research. In the meantime, round robin emails to delegates asking for volunteers to chair made me feel reconnected with some people I really like and admire, and who seem equally pleased to reconnect with me.
When you get an email from someone whose work you greatly admire and they say 'Oh I am so glad you'll be there, I was hoping I'd get a chance to catch up with you' that's pretty fucking happy-making right there :)
Bless him, my supervisor sorted me out a day pass on the conference expense account - justified on the grounds that I am helping organise.
So after all these years of fighting the establishment, now you are the establishment. :lol2:
I am in charge of an event at our school called the Uniform Exchange. Donate uniform stuff your kids have outgrown, and come buy other families' stuff on the cheap. The first two years were solid little events, but this is the first year it's been super organized (thank you, yes I'm awesome, thank you,) and it has unexpectedly grown far larger than it has ever been before.
To wit: I have personally collected, sorted, folded, and stored over 2,500 uniform items in about 28 giant plastic storage bins. These were inside my house until I hit about 17 bins, at which point the school finally gave in to my begging and allowed me to take up some space in their storage unit.
I have rented 20 garment racks, each 6 feet long, which should just barely cover it (and also just barely fit inside our small gym.)
I learned that Old Navy just throws away their hangers, about 2-3 garbage bags' worth each day, at each store. I am in the process of gathering 2,500+ hangers from the three stores nearest me, and sorting them into shirts vs. pants. Currently at a little over 1,800, should only need one or two more collection rounds. The storage unit is overflowing, so I once again have boxes taking over my living room.
But honestly, I love it. This thing is going to be awesome.
Pete used to do that for our kids school... maybe not as thoroughly. :)
[YOUTUBE]uRD_gIoVOmY[/YOUTUBE]
I am in charge of an event at our school called the Uniform Exchange. Donate uniform stuff your kids have outgrown, and come buy other families' stuff on the cheap. The first two years were solid little events, but this is the first year it's been super organized (thank you, yes I'm awesome, thank you,) and it has unexpectedly grown far larger than it has ever been before.
To wit: I have personally collected, sorted, folded, and stored over 2,500 uniform items in about 28 giant plastic storage bins. These were inside my house until I hit about 17 bins, at which point the school finally gave in to my begging and allowed me to take up some space in their storage unit.
I have rented 20 garment racks, each 6 feet long, which should just barely cover it (and also just barely fit inside our small gym.)
I learned that Old Navy just throws away their hangers, about 2-3 garbage bags' worth each day, at each store. I am in the process of gathering 2,500+ hangers from the three stores nearest me, and sorting them into shirts vs. pants. Currently at a little over 1,800, should only need one or two more collection rounds. The storage unit is overflowing, so I once again have boxes taking over my living room.
But honestly, I love it. This thing is going to be awesome.
All the donated used gear at our school's sports equipment free swap fit on a six foot folding table. You wouldn't be able to fill half a garment rack.
[YOUTUBE]uRD_gIoVOmY[/YOUTUBE]
Way to go brother!
Not today - but on Thursday when I went to the conference, the day's activities included a guided tour of the Waterloo exhibition at the Leeds Royal Armouries. It was very good. I always love the Armouries but getting a tour of the artwork by a guy who really knows his stuff was great fun. Very powerful stuff too.
I'd only ever seen Maclise's Waterloo cartoon in books - seeing it full scale was breathtaking. It was the preparatory drawing he did for what would become his mural painting,
The Meeting of Wellington and Blücher. But the cartoon is much bigger than the mural - it's enormous - made up of panels set next to each other across a long wall - done in chalks (I think). I've never seen anything like it. The detail was staggering. I could have just stood there looking at it for hours.
There's a fairly decent pic of it here - but the scale really doesn't come across:
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/maclisewaterloo#
As well as the art, there were many fascinating artifacts. One of the most compelling and disturbing things to see was the breastplate of a young cavalry man (I think) with a hole ripped right through the front and back out the other side. They'd set it up on display with the cannon ball (the small canon shot type) at the position it would have been as it exited.
God damn, 9x13 metres, not what I pictured when you said cartoon. I figured it would be outlines of items in the general layout.
I suppose by working out all the detail in the "cartoon" at home, when he went to do the wall painting at parliament where undoubtedly there was pressure to get it done, he would have already made most of the decisions.
Yeah - and he made some interesting changes for the finished painting too. On the right of the cartoon, there is a vivandierre with a cart of loot and goods and in the cartoon there's a dead soldier just behind her, leaning over the side of the cart - in the final painting that becomes a baby strapped to her back, and the baby is reaching into the cart to play with the loot.
There are some other changes too that are more political in nature - one guardsman is altered to a highlander, for example - so we get representatives of each part of the union in one of the set pieces.
But yeah - the scale is incredible and the level of detail mind-blowing.
[YOUTUBE]uRD_gIoVOmY[/YOUTUBE]
:cheerldr:
Make / Model / Year?
Since you asked ... first off, the Altima I bought in 2008 with help from the awesome Jim Helm had a catastrophic event and passed at the age of 10. She was a good car.
For the first time in about 25 years, I bought a NEW new car. A 2015 Honda Civic ES. This car is teh awesome. Handling and gas mileage, the electronics, cameras and gadgets ... sun/moonroof, bluetooth... OMG I love this car.
Congrats, Classic.
One day I'd like to have car again... let alone a NEW car!
The budget doesn't allow, and as I discussed with Limey, I don't really need one where I live. But it would be wonderful to be secure in my sobriety and be able to get behind the wheel again one day (FTR I'm not banned or anything, I'm just aware that car + previous addiction + mental health issues is not a yummy cocktail).
I'm happy for many reasons today.
My Ma sent me a really positive email after I sent her some Arran photos.
A treasured friend said really positive things about my writing.
And I may (I really hope WILL) get to see a new Doctor. The invite to the ceremony making our amazing Dr DanaC official is flattering enough to make it a happy day.
On the negative side, my mobile is on the fritz and I can't find my landline handset.
But this is the Happy thread.
Be happy, y'all.
I am so happy where I am in my life right now I could just scream. It isn't that I don't expect down times to come. It isn't that I have absolutely everything going on. It's just that I feel very comfortable right here and right now, and that feeling isn't based on needing or wanting anything more, or expecting someone to fill any voids, and certainly not thinking my past pain is what defines me. Life is ok. Right now. I suspect I have something to do with it, even.
monkey happy, monster happy.
I am so happy where I am in my life right now I could just scream. It isn't that I don't expect down times to come. It isn't that I have absolutely everything going on. It's just that I feel very comfortable right here and right now, and that feeling isn't based on needing or wanting anything more, or expecting someone to fill any voids, and certainly not thinking my past pain is what defines me. Life is ok. Right now. I suspect I have something to do with it, even.
I'm very happy for you Infi, you've been down too long you deserve teh fluffeh for real.
I'd also like to go on record saying that if any lady dwellar DOES want any of her voids filled I'd be dilated to be at her cervix!
The T that sticks up must be pounded in.
isn't that how the proverb goes?
The T that sticks up must be pounded in.
isn't that how the proverb goes?
The kids are flying home from their grandparents today. Missed them this week.
[YOUTUBE]cYKVb7T1n2I[/YOUTUBE]
Clan Glatt, together again!
Good 'ol Buck Owens and the twangy guitar.
Just sold the Camry today!
Only got $1600 for it, but at least it's gone.
Feeling the Sundae lurve ... Yesterday she cooked my dinner even though she is home in Yorkshire. I snaffled out of the freezer the last portion of pork chop and mushrooms that she had cooked for us while here. YUM. And today I lobbed the great gobbets of Yorkshire steak she had brought with her from the freezer into the slow cooker and we had a delicious dinner of braised steak. YUM.
Sent by thought transference
Thank you! I should have pushed to cook more. I was so lazy.
But I was pleased with the pork (although I worried it would reheat a little dry...)
Oh, btw Mum wants to see you.
She can't get that you'd be in HW and NOT want to make the trip to Aylesbury.
"I'll even buy her and [Mr Limey] lunch at Mendoza's!"
She does mean it from a place of love. If she could drive, she'd come and see you, just to thank you for taking care of me. Just be grateful that she can't ;)
I said I'd extend the invitation, but you will only have limited time in the area.
Don't worry - she is also determined to see Carruthers over Christmas. She's an equal opportunity Mama Bear in some ways.
I'd be terrified she'll descend on him one day with a home-made cake, but she'd never actually break the sacred rules of privacy in that fashion. Mum's generation were like vampires in that sense - once you were invited in, you could enter any time you pleased. But a formal invite was officially required the first time (unless the post and milk bottles started to accumulate!)
Thank your mum for the invite but it really is a fully occupied flying visit. We also have no car with us - travelling by rail. The pork was divine! So was the steak. X
Sent by thought transference
I got word from my sister yesterday. She's only in contact with my parents in order to keep messages to a minimum. You see, she's deep in the mountain wildness of the Northwest Territories and her only communication is an InTouch satellite texting device that costs a buck per text and eats batteries like crazy. So she's trying to limit incoming messages to only emergencies.
But she sent out a handful of updates. She and her two climbing partners are attempting a mountain climb that has never been done before. In fact there are no clear photos of the mountain face they are climbing. Only grainy Google Earth pictures.
They got dropped off by helicopter three weeks ago and set up camp next to a lake at 61.872662, -127.69862. They have been attempting to climb the Western face of Mt. Nirvana since then. It's a cliff face, so it's very technical climbing.
In a week or so, the helicopter will come back for them and fly them over to the eastern side of Mt. Nirvana, and they will attempt the climb from that side. That side has been climbed before, so they know it's possible, and
there are tons of pictures of it.
Then after two weeks of climbing on that side of the mountain, the helicopter is coming back for them and taking them about 20 miles to the north, to Lotus Flower Tower. This is a very famous location in the climbing world, and they are going to climb this:
[ATTACH]52586[/ATTACH]
But I'm happy today because I hadn't heard from her in a month, and it's good to know she's ok.
Aha, so mental illness runs in the family, that explains a lot. :stickpoke :haha:
Just kidding, does she have a family? It sounds like a very expensive operation that might take months of preparation, even for an experienced climber. I hope they have good weather, and no bears.
No family, just a boyfriend/partner who shares her hobby.
They both teach at MIT, so they have the summers free to do this stuff. They really take the attitude that they work to make money so they can climb.
I trimmed a really tall tree once.
:sadpace:
Ah, young, healthy, with time and resources, to do the things we read about and say that's so cool. Even things we say, nope, that's nuts, we admire others for doing. The kind of things that give an adrenaline rush, and give parents ulcers. :notworthy
How cool. Love their attitude.
Got a letter from Publisher's Clearing House telling me I've practically won $5,000 a week for life. With odds of 1,700,000,000 to 1, I'm a shoo in. :yesnod:
Oh, and I get to name someone else to receive it for their life, after I die.
Noooooo ! ..... You're going to die ???
What are the odds ?
It's not looking good.
Life. Nobody gets out alive.
On a long enough time line, the survival rate drops to zero.
But everyone told me I'm immortal.
No.. wait... that was immoral. [SIZE="1"]nevermind[/SIZE]
No family, just a boyfriend/partner who shares her hobby.
They both teach at MIT, so they have the summers free to do this stuff. They really take the attitude that they work to make money so they can climb.
They sound like climbers
My boss - of less then a month - told me he is really setisfied with my work and really happy he hired me, compared me to employees who have been working there for years and how they still didn't get a lot of aspects of the job that I got instantly... He is already taking me advice on stuff, integrating my ideas for improvement. And I love the work environment... My own office, an AC, a fridge, a window to smoke from, and being allowed to bring my own laptop and do my own thing on low-stress times. Honestly now my fear isn't loosing it, it's getting too comfortable in it.
Also, the tagline under my nick here.. Not sure who is writing this or if it's a random generator, but I keep reading it as "knight of the ovaries"...
Also #2, this conversation:
Got a letter from Publisher's Clearing House telling me I've practically won $5,000 a week for life. With odds of 1,700,000,000 to 1, I'm a shoo in. :yesnod:
Oh, and I get to name someone else to receive it for their life, after I die.
Noooooo ! ..... You're going to die ???
What are the odds ?
One to one.
It's not looking good.
Life. Nobody gets out alive.
On a long enough time line, the survival rate drops to zero.
But everyone told me I'm immortal.
No.. wait... that was immoral. [SIZE="1"]nevermind[/SIZE]
:lol:
It's not looking good.
Life. Nobody gets out alive.
No, but the one who dies with the most toys wins
I finally found a work-around for printing B&W text when a color ink is out in my Canon printer. Happy dance.
Fucking printers. They are the cause of as much consternation as they are a helpful tool.
We've never had printer problems. We don't print a whole lot, though.
:fingerx:
Gravdigr is making me happy tonight.
Mr G is bloody funny.
We've never had printer problems. We don't print a whole lot, though.
:fingerx:
I do, I copy articles off the net into a word document and embiggen the print for my 95 year old aunt who doesn't have much to do but read. She was a schoolmarm and reading was a hobby. The articles come from a wide variety of sources on all kinds of subjects to keep her mind sharp, although she really likes things about Peru... don't know why and she can't explain it. :haha:
I mail them in the months I don't go to MA. I used to print twice as much as I used to send copies to my mother till she died a year ago.
I also print some photographs for friends (just shittin ya, I don't have friends) because it's a Canon five ink photo printer.
Oh, and make my own greeting cards because I don't care enough to send the very best.
Oh, and make my own greeting cards because I don't care enough to send the very best.
Yours ARE the best! Make Hallmark look like tits on a dog.
I'd poke someone in the eye with my mascara wand if they said otherwise.
So there.
Big Travis' experience at the corner gas station is making me smile a bit:
[ATTACH]52847[/ATTACH]
Ohh, he was a Damn Yankee, did he know lola? :haha:
:D
:D
that is a marvelous sight, can he do mine next?
Just don't stop and figure out what it's cost you to get the lawn mowed :haha:
My great great great grandpappy fought bravely against that fuckin' flag so I am not all that impressed
Your great great great grandpappy did not fight against
a flag.
However, out of respect for Great-great-great-Grandpappy Shepps, I will not display mine whenever he is around.
:p::o
BTW, Toad just did what a lot of people are doing, tossing out everything else and concentrating on a piece of cloth.
:2cents:
Just don't stop and figure out what it's cost you to get the lawn mowed :haha:
Freelz.
I just did my first proper shift at my new part-time job (went in for induction and stuff last week).
So far I like it well enough. Doesn't rescue my finances in any way - in fact I'll probably be marginally worse off with busfares taken into account. But - it does mean I should be able to sign off from JSA (unemployment benefit) - once I've got the desperately needed dental work sorted out so I don't have to pay for it (otherwise would have to wait months, poss even a year and I need it sorting now) - and in the meantime it's got the work programme coach off my back.
It's three 5 hour shifts a week - but it's a 2 hour commute each way - so feels like three full days lol.
I like that it forces me to get up and ready and out of the house a few times a week - I'm so out of the habit of that kind of schedule that if I were to get a full time teaching post anytime soon it would probably floor me. So this gets me back into some good habits - and frankly, it's nice to go to a workplace and interact with work colleagues. I've missed that since I stopped teaching early last year. My most recent job was a homebased teleworking job - so I was working on my PhD at home, alone, then doing telesales shifts at home, alone. Much as I enjoy not having to interact with the world in any real way - it isn't good for me. I so easily slip into hermitage, that I kind of need forcing out of it sometimes.
The shift is intense - five hours on the phone with no breaks. But no selling - no getting anybody's bank details. We call on behalf of our clients to do customer satisfaction surveys with people who've used their services. Different jobs from day to day - sometimes it's calling mortgage brokers to ask about their experience of using that particular lender for that particular application, other times calling housing association tenants to get feedback on the repairs service, or insurance customers who've made a claim to see how that claim was handled etc.
It's intense, because you need to prompt for details if they score something low, and then after the call you have to write a report in the first person as if you were the customer, in full, grammatically correct sentences, covering all their main points and as far as possible using their phrasing and terminology - and it needs to be done fast.
But so far I like it. Getting out of the house at 7:15 am is a bit of a shock to the system. It's 3 buses but that gives lots of time for listening to podcast interviews. I finish @2:30, so I get back around 4:30 - leaving mid aft makes it feel like half a day even though I still have 2 hours of travel ahead.
I may like that aspect less when the weather turns nasty and 7am looks like the middle of the night :P but right now it's nice.
Congratulations on the new gig!
I totally agree with your points about getting the fuck out of the house. That part of me was rescued too when I started at the oil change shop. And it's led to this new job which I start on Monday. But my experience with long commutes is very different than yours, and I have a completely different reaction. Traveling four hours each day *without pay* makes for a very un-lucrative position (as you said...). But when I had to do it, 80 miles each way, it was murder. My life had been reduced to driving, working, driving again, eat,shower,sleep, then repeat the process. Never again. At least you have the "luxury" of being able to do something else instead of driving, but it's still close to a dead loss.
I hope you continue to reap benefits from this gig, and I sincerely hope you can find something closer to home. I'm happy you're happy.
Thanks V:)
It's not that it's so terribly far away - if I were a driver I could get there in 40 mins. It's that I have to go three buses - one down into the town from my village, then one to a couple of towns over and then one from that town to the little village where the place is.
It helps that i don't start work until 9:30. If this were an 8:30 start like most call centre/ office-based jobs it'd be too much for me. It also helps that I only have to throw Carrotchops out for a quickie in the morning, because Mum picks him up around 10am.
- in fact I'll probably be marginally worse off with busfares taken into account.
The solution.
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes your way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
xoB, exactly right.
But this is the one I want:
[ATTACH]52903[/ATTACH]
Big Travis' experience at the corner gas station is making me smile a bit:
It makes me think of someone wearing a swastika and performing small acts of kindness for Jewish children...
Sounds like a Tom Green sketch.
New bra & knickers. But especially the new bra.
And I am a completely different size than I thought (smaller back size, larger cup size)
I got more wiggle than jiggle now.
I won't be able to eat for the next fortnight, because it's wiped me out financially.
And okay I didn't actually need the matching knickers, and I didn't need to order the same set in black...
But hey, I was going to diet anyway.
And they are beautiful.
Lingerie: a hidden way of making me happy since forever.
I didn't notice but I ended up double-double-shifting (quad-shifting?) my way into not having any work until the weekend, and I found out my near by gorcery store does free deliveries.
For the next few days I have absolutely no reason to leave my apartment. If I had a robe to accept deliveries or take out the trash, I would also have no reason to put on clothes.
Conclusion: I need a robe.
Conclusion: I need a robe.
Hehehe. That really made me laugh.
And I am a completely different size than I thought (smaller back size, larger cup size)
I won't be able to eat for the next fortnight, because it's wiped me out financially.
It's a vicious cycle, no food for a fortnight and you'll need a new, smaller bra.
New bra and you'll not be able to eat for a fortnight... ad infinitum.
83
What happened to 81 & 82?
I don't know where that number came from, it was 80 when I first posted.
Yeah I saw the 80 and 83, that's why I asked. Do you have a cat? :haha:
Does your gut hang over the keyboard?
Are some of your keys a little... uh, sticky?
Do you have spiders on the ceiling?
Have you ever been to Manchuria?
Went white water rafting down in Jim Thorpe, PA today. Hot day cold water. Nice.
Beautiful day for it. :thumb:
My sister just checked in from the top of Devil's Tower. She is ON TOP of Devil's Tower at this very moment.
Woo Hoo, you went girl.
Glatt's sister's name is David.
:p:
It's bullshit, though. Anyone who has seen "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" knows Devil's Tower is hollow.:right:
Momdigr came back a couple weeks ago from a trip to see family. For one, I'm happy she made the 700 mile round trip with no complications, as she's 65 and drove there by herself.
For two, GreatAuntieDigr sent me, ME, a quilt made by my great-grandmother before my mother was born.
I was stunned just by her generosity. And then I saw the quilt.
:eek:
It looks like it was made yesterday. Not so much as a popped stitch anywhere. The colors absolutely pop, no fading, or aging. None. Even the white backing, no stains, no discoloration, whatsoever. Nice and heavy, too, I mean, you could roll this thing up and really clobber somebody.
It's kind of mindboggling, really. This is a ~70-75+ year old quilt that, literally, looks brand new.
Go, go, Greatgrandmadigr!!!
[ATTACH]53037[/ATTACH]
That's worth the drive. :thumb:
And it's good looking! I'd put that on my bed.
For that quilt, I'd join Grav underneath it!
I bought some popcorn from a local discount store. Cost me 40p. 40p wasted, as it was grim - a new flavour they are trying out which I don't think works.
Anyway, as it was made by the largest English crisp makers, who pride themselves on their name and the quality of their products, although they are now owned by Frito-Lay.
I returned the empty bag explaining I didn't like the taste or texture ("It was like something you would find at the back of a dead relative's wardrobe") and sat back to see if I would get anything back.
I did.
2 x £2.50 vouchers.
Only to be used on their products, no change given. But still. They make Doritos in this country, as well as the standard crisps everyone thinks of automatically. And Wotsits (cheesy puffs) and Monster Munch and the rest.
Bless you,
Walkers Crisps. This was not a cynical exercise - I really didn't expect a refund of such munificence. But they have done exactly what I'd hoped; redeemed themselves in my eyes and made me willing to try any new lines which they bring out. Except maybe popcorn.
Momdigr came back a couple weeks ago from a trip to see family. For one, I'm happy she made the 700 mile round trip with no complications, as she's 65 and drove there by herself.
For two, GreatAuntieDigr sent me, ME, a quilt made by my great-grandmother before my mother was born.
I was stunned just by her generosity. And then I saw the quilt.
:eek:
It looks like it was made yesterday. Not so much as a popped stitch anywhere. The colors absolutely pop, no fading, or aging. None. Even the white backing, no stains, no discoloration, whatsoever. Nice and heavy, too, I mean, you could roll this thing up and really clobber somebody.
It's kind of mindboggling, really. This is a ~70-75+ year old quilt that, literally, looks brand new.
Go, go, Greatgrandmadigr!!!
[ATTACH]53037[/ATTACH]
Looks my great, great, great grand daddy's axe; the handle's been replaced seven times and the head has been replaced twice. Yep, that's a fine axe. They don't make em like that any more...
That quilt looks unused, maybe they only bring it out for special occasions.
...the handle's been replaced seven times and the head has been replaced twice...
They don't make em like that any more..
Here's another squirrel/hunter/tree...
Is it still the same axe ?
.
When someone brought back an axe with a broken fiberglass handle, to Dad's hardware store, the manufacturer's instructions were to give them a new axe, and dispose of the head. I had so many axes I rehandled, I was giving them away down here. :haha:
Ha! I had a tingle of familiarity while watching the show, but hadn't put 2 and 2 together to figure out where I recognized that look from. Nice catch, Grav!
Giving Clodfobble a tingle, familiar or otherwise, would make the day of any number of male dwellars (prolly some of the ladies too... not judging). Today, it makes *my* day.
[SIZE="4"]
[COLOR="Red"]Oh yeah![/COLOR][/SIZE] [/Kool-Aid voice]
I just discovered youtube speed settings... Everything still audioable at 1.5 and flows so much more nicely. If only I could do this to people IRL...
If only I could do this to people IRL...
Oh, man, wouldn't
this be cool...*Pause Button*,
and then just walk away.
I want this.
For some reason, I find this just cool as hell:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]ChjyuysEA30[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
:D:D:D
I saw that when it was aired, and was worried he was going to crash through the door with the white BelAir behind him earlier. :unsure:
Quick catch-up if we're not friends on Twitter or FB: I had gastric bypass in June...I've been battling weight issues for years. Separately, I lost my job 4 weeks ago, as it was a one-year grant-funded position and I wasn't offered a "replacement" or similar position.
So on the weight front, I'm down 90 pounds since January, which is when I started the bypass program...48 pounds since the actual surgery. Goal is to be down another 100 pounds by Christmas.
On the job front, I've had several interviews over the past 4 weeks, and was offered one job. Unfortunately, I had to turn it down due to a pay impasse. Fortunately, I have a job interview for a position I REALLY want on Monday...in Chicago. Then I got a call today to interview for a position on Tuesday...in St. Louis, which is my hometown. Then there is the possibility that the Mrs. might be getting a promotion to a position that could take us to another fine American city.
Just hopeful that everything works out for the family in the end.
Then there is this fantastic episode of On Point with Sarah Palin that I am watching...featuring Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Orrin Hatch and Donald Trump. It has been a hot mess so far and Donald is about to come up!
Wow, rollercoaster of a year so far for you then. Hope all works out and congrats on the weight loss. Also, good for you sticking to your guns on pay.
Great to hear your news elSic.
Get the camera out, stat! We need photos.
Making me happy?
My weekend.
I haven't been happy all weekend, as I've started a new prescription and it does have side effects to start with. But I've had support.
And my colouring books.
Can't stay precisely inside the lines, because am currently a bit shaky. But I'm tidy enough to smile and smile at the end result.
These are the adult style books, with intricate patterns and drawings, not the kind you give to five year olds with crayons btw.
Congrats on the weight loss, elsic! Best wishes on the job front for you and the family.
Glad to hear about your weekend, Sundae. I never could do a good job on those intricate designs. Take a pic of one and post it!
you know how book is a collection of crazy stunts that have worked when people were stuck in situations that going by the book couldn't provide a solution? My boss made a decision I made at the spur of the moment into a default procedure.
I can now die knowing that I have left a lasting stamp [SIZE="1"](on a department that's probably going to be replaced by AI in a municipality that's probably going to be consumed into a larger municipality within a country that's probably going to get bombed in a nuclear holocaust within an area of Asia that's probably going to get covered with the rising sea line)[/SIZE].
I spent an hour and a half tending my garden after work tonight. I get so much satisfaction from my garden. Happy. :-)
I was going to say that gardens are a prelude to heaven. Then I decided to revise: gardens ARE heaven. :)
Happy to see Orthodoc posting again.
:)
Me too, though the subject matter (see other thread, not this) makes me mad!
Sent by thought transference
I bought tickets to a football game for my daughter and my son Daniel - or so thought. The site screwed me and sent me three parking passes instead of tickets. Grrrrrrr
I went ballistic on them this morning and threatened "third party intervention" The finally relented from their "All sales final" policy and made a one time exception of a full refund.
Yay me, that was $240 I couldn't afford to lose.
$80 bucks for Eagles tickets?
The return of McCoy ... daughter wants to go ... Father wrapped around little finger.
Shush. Tickets are now $100.
The $80 was for some bogus parking pass. Who the Fuck pays $80 to park a car?
The invasion is receding! My tonsils are no longer under threat, my ears are relaxing their guard, my sinuses are looking forward to no longer being occupied ...
'snot bad, 'snot bad...
*nods affirmatively*
Congratulations! What's VL day?
Victory in Limey day - since the invasion is receding.
Invasion? That's no way to talk about Mr Limey.
incursion? probe? [COLOR="White"]penetration? [/COLOR]
People, people, what on earth would Mr Limey be doing in my ears and sinuses? (Let's not talk about the tonsils, eh?) ;)
Sent by thought transference
People, people, what on earth would Mr Limey be doing in my ears and sinuses? (Let's not talk about the tonsils, eh?) ;)
It's called full. :lol2:
Victory in Limey day - since the invasion is receding.
Pfft - You are thinking of this all wrong. Just because it's receding doesn't mean limey takes it back, it simply means there's a power vacuum up for grabs.
I declare Limey's left sinus strip "Gaza 2".
Pfft - You are thinking of this all wrong. Just because it's receding doesn't mean limey takes it back, it simply means there's a power vacuum up for grabs.
I declare Limey's left sinus strip "Gaza 2".
It certainly feels like it! :greenface
So in continuation of
"what's irritating you today" post 5969, my boss has told me today the irritating coworker is in the process of been fired.
He would rather not hire anyone else, so me and another guy - who is awesome btw - are basically going to have to take most of her shifts until another quite fun guy comes back from vacation, which my bank account will love for the coming month, and it also means once he does get back from vexation I can go back to the 5-6 shifts I've been getting since he left rather then getting a cut down to 4-5.
I also won't need to get any annoying bitchy remarks at shift change, and I will get more of the fun shift changes I get with the other co workers - where sometimes one of us will even come early or stay late half an hour and have some coffee and chat, which is a pleasure - without her everyone else is pretty high quality people.
The wife of a well-known radio talk show host is on the board of the National Autism Association, is a very vocal and passionate supporter of biomedical treatment, and reportedly has a very big influence on who her husband brings on the show. It was a long shot that I would get her attention, but she was on our list of "movers and shakers" who marketing should reach out to because you never know.
Today we learned that someone in my publisher's office actually knows her personally, and plans to strongly encourage her to read it. Shit just got real.
Network, call in favors, twist arms, then when you get on Fallon, Kimmel, and Colbert, you can blow them away with your stand-up routine. :thumb:
That's awesome! Fingers crossed.
Good luck, Clod, hope that works out.
If I am getting this right, you.. Have a book out about autism? Cool.
Good luck :)
When do I get my signed copy? (I will pay for it!)
My attitude towards the VA is changing.
My Father-In-Law is a (Korean War) Navy Vet, and frankly did not do much after his discharge.
But after years of not-so-healthy living, and a year living on the streets,
he managed to get classified as disabled, which helped get him into decent housing.
He was seen on a fairly regular basis at the PDX VA, and his health and dental problems were being managed.
But then, a couple of weeks they told him he needed triple-bypass heart surgery !
They called him to come in on that Friday, and he had the operation the following Thursday.
Currently, many of us may have bad feelings about the quality
and timelines of the health care handed out to Vets.
But at least for this man in his circumstances, the VA staff deserve a public commendation.
On each of the times I visited him, the staff throughout were very
courteous and extremely helpful to me as a visitor, and the medical staff
were exceptionally open, welcoming, and informative.
I spent a lot of time in waiting rooms, their canteen, stores, elevators and parking lots,
and I am very impressed by how good were the moods of people
working and receiving care in this huge medical complex.
The entire ICU and Recovery Rooms were in good conditions and
the staff and patients were in appropriate good humor.
My FIL is now doing well, and his outlook for a long life is so much better than before.
Maybe this VA is exceptional, but I hope not.
... every hospital, whether VA or not, should have such a helpful and healthy environment.
.
When do I get my signed copy? (I will pay for it!)
You're going to have to wait for March like everyone else. Believe me, I don't like it any more than you do. I'm not known for my patience.
My attitude towards the VA is changing.
I think the problem with the VA is they are just plain too small for the tidal wave of vets drowning them. Like industry of the Vietnam era in negotiations with the unions, promising big future benefits for smaller raises now, but never funded those promises. Congress made promises to vets, but never funded keeping them. The US created so many vets in the Vietnam era, who are now old and needy, the VA can't handle it. The doctors and specialists are so booked, if they miss a day, hell, miss a couple hours, for any reason, it becomes a rescheduling nightmare.
Sounds like they need to farm some of that shit out to the private sector...
Somebody's still got to pay for it, though.
I'd been planning to buy another half dozen bags of gravel from the home center and spread them on thin spots on the gravel driveway. When it's wet, those spots get muddy and I track the mud into the house.
I never got around to it.
Last week, some friends down the street ordered too much gravel to redo their french drain, and they had a ton left over. Actually maybe it was more than a ton. So I made countless trips the block and a half with my wheelbarrow.
I saved him the trouble of getting rid of a pile of gravel, and I got a free refreshed driveway out of the deal. And a bunch of exercise.
Lot of work but a good score, saved money getting healthier.
That mud sucks. The last house I lived in, the stone in the driveway would sink and the dirt/clay that came to the top was as fine, and as slippery when wet, as possible. Each spring we'd have about 25 tons of modified stone delivered in one of those tractor trailer dump trucks. But the trailer body was so high when it was up he could only spread about half the drive way. The other half was wheelbarrow and shovel work, only to have to do it over a year later.
I got home from work first then my buddy got home an hour and a half later, so I would do most of it. One time I saw him slow down, see the stone had been delivered, and kept driving... son of a bitch. Thirty odd years later, I reminded him occasionally. :lol:
Sic, you are a legend.
Well done!
I'll pass your compliments on to my surgeon later today. ;-)
Syc- That is unbelievable man, great job.
Glatt- great job. That's now a no snowblower zone, but you're a shovel man. :)
My parents are coming up today for three days (two nights).
I go to meet them from the train in Leeds, ARR 15.38.
Already been to their B&B, which is a wonderful place, more like a miniature boutique hotel. Dropped off a personalised bottle of wine - I bought the wine and the self-adhesive label separately, saved about £12, helium balloons, a box of biscuits (half price as a promotion) and another engraved love-lock for Wharfedale Bridge, to go next to the one for Mum and me I put on last year.
I'm not saying these materialistic things make me happy. I'm happy they're coming up.
But yes, I am also happy that Mum will feel special and loved even though I've done it all on a budget.
Glatt- great job. That's now a no snowblower zone, but you're a shovel man. :)
Yep. And you need a certain technique with the snow shovel where you use the rear of the snow shovel as a fulcrum so the front blade of the shovel is about an inch above the stones when you scoop up the snow.
Gravel is a pain when raking leaves and when shoveling snow, but my lawnmower can blow the leaves off the gravel, and the shovel technique in the snow can get enough snow off that the rest will melt.
I dream of getting the driveway paved, but there's the significant cost. I find myself asking things like "Go on vacation, or pave the driveway?" "Save some money for college, or pave the driveway?" "Buy that used car from the old lady next door, or pave the driveway?" The driveway never wins. Plus, to pave a driveway right, you need to dig down a couple of feet and lay down a nice bed of compacted sand or crushed rock, and then go over it with blacktop. Digging down a foot or two would almost certainly kill the maple tree right next to the driveway now by severing 30% of its roots.
.
WOW ! 70 lbs in 2 months ???
Were some body parts amputated or just haircuts of a lot of body hair ? :D
.
that's a pretty cool chart, Syc.
Do you have a smart scale, or have you been doing a daily weigh in and recording the results in a phone app?
Jews. I was running late for a doctors appointment this morning, but it's a Jewish holiday so all the cops were busy directing traffic at the synagogues. Woot, no cops on the road.
Thanks all...it's been a hard slog but well worth it.
Glatt, I just weigh myself every day or two and use MyFitnessPal to keep track of things.
WOW ! 70 lbs in 2 months ???
Were some body parts amputated or just haircuts of a lot of body hair ? :D
.
Yes. Gastric bypass surgery I believe it was. Syc will put me right, I'm sure. And he's also put in a lot of effort in very difficult circumstances both before and after the surgery.
Jews. I was running late for a doctors appointment this morning, but it's a Jewish holiday so all the cops were busy directing traffic at the synagogues. Woot, no cops on the road.
You are welcome :D
My hat. Bought from eBay from China. Probably made with the tears of orphans, but I'ma gonna wear it on Christmas Day anyway.
I do love me a hat.
Got this message on my feedback.
謝謝你，這次的交易順利又愉快！超棒買家
I'll have it tattooed on my vajayjay because it's obviously deep and mystical and meaningful...
You are officially awesome. ;)
謝謝你，這次的交易順利又愉快！超棒買家 = Thank you, this transaction smooth and enjoyable ! Awesome Buyers.
Probably best not to have this tattooed, er..... anywhere. :blush:
Yes. Gastric bypass surgery I believe it was. Syc will put me right, I'm sure. And he's also put in a lot of effort in very difficult circumstances both before and after the surgery.
No amputation...just a redirection of things...like a new highway! :D
http://kcbariatric.com/laparoscopic-gastric-bypass/I'll have it tattooed on my vajayjay because it's obviously deep and mystical and meaningful...
Probably best not to have this tattooed, er...anywhere.
I'll have it bedazzled on my vajayjay because it's obviously deep and mystical and meaningful...
Fixed it. This way, she can still take pics to show us...:p:
Got this message on my feedback.
謝謝你，這次的交易順利又愉快！超棒買家
Hope that doesn't mean
this.
:lol2:
Happy/ sad/ I dunno and all that.
Was booked in to get my tattoo yesterday.
My sobriety tattoo and one which also remembers Brianna, although without her name because I don't do that kinda thing.
It was a push, financially, but I knew it was worth it because I've been thinking about it for such a long time, and baby girl (what she called me) is still dead.
Anyway. Me being me and having issues with public transport, I left it til the last second. Then rush rush rush, onto the bus, trying not to kill the silly girls sat at the back singing in tiny thready voices, obviously dreaming of being popstars. I mean I could've belted out It's a Fine Life and blown them out the back window, but I'm nicerer than that.
Anyway, get to tattoo parlour.
No.
Artist of choice, who I made the appointment with over a month ago (I have actually been saving) has had a family emergency.
"We did try to call you..."
I screamed at them, "I've had a G-D family emergency, my Mum has cancer, my Dad has dementia and my friend is dead!"
Okay, I didn't. But I sat down and cried. Had to explain to (very nice) tattooist who was there, that it's been a tough couple of days, and apologised for over-reacting.
So this is the happy thread, you're thinking. Where is the happy, Sundae?
Well after I dried my eyes I had a lovely day in Leeds. The money I'd set aside for the tattoo went on a new phone - I really did need one as mine has conked out randomly, recently, and it's now VERY important for me to be contactable. And a haircut. And some lip-gloss. And re-buying The Walking Dead seasons 1-4.
Brianna would completely pardon me. I'm sorry babba - I did try. You'd laugh. If you were still here you'd laugh your cotton socks off at my random attempts to immortalise you.
You don't need a tattoo, to imortalize Brianna. WE have our memories and the feelings in our hearts, to remember her by.
I know. I mean I do really know that.
It was just having finally made the decision and saved the money and made a real effort to get there it was such a let-down.
I'm over it now though.
It wasn't meant to be.
Even though I don't really believe in pre-determination and all that.
It was just a good excuse to spend some money. I did make sure I put £ on the electricity meter first though. See how grown up I am?
[COLOR="White"]We won't talk about the DVDs which were completely unnecesarry ;)[/COLOR]
We are Proud of you Cherry.
I just gave notice. I will be starting a new job in two weeks.
There is more money. The market is up for people like me. My goal is to replace my sofa, which has mold in it that I am allergic to, by the Spring.
There is a nicer environment. It includes a beer fridge. I'm diabetic so I don't drink beer much these days, but the nice thing is what it demonstrates about management.
They asked whether I want a Windows, Mac, or Linux desktop. The question is beautiful to me. (Answer: Linux)
!!
Wow! Way to go UT! Congratulations!! I'm excited to see people moving toward better situations.
Congrats on the new gig, UT!
Excellent news!
Sent by thought transference
That's awesome. Way to go!
Thanks y'all! My only regret is that I never got a chance to get back to Britain. I needed more training if I was to stay, but I can't stay.
My job now is to write the job listing for the person who will replace me. It's funny how that goes. I will be arguing for them to make more money than I did. Otherwise they will never find another me.
They'll never find another 'you', no matter what they pay.
yay UT congrats! Use some of the extra $$ to book a flight and we can all find you people to crash with there
Just plain news here, stories that have brought a smile to my face as I listen to the news this morning.
Kam Chancellor has returned to the Seahawks after ending his two game holdout. He was missed, I'm looking forward to his return to the team.
The President of China, Xi Jinping, is visiting Seattle. His motorcades are playing absolute hell with regular surface transportation (shutting down a large stretch of I-5 today for 45 minutes, a commute to Tacoma, during rush hour today, probably closing I-5, I-405, and SR 167). Anyhow, an order for 300 (!) Boeing 737 jetliners. Hubba hubba, that's a lot of airplanes.
And lastly, Donald Trump announced that he's not going to appear on any more shows from the Fox network because they're treating him unfairly. This is the giggly kind of happy. WTFF? I don't even know what to make of this. It's just typically pompous. Poor, poor Trump, being maligned by Fox. y'see? I can't even type that without grinning like a fool.
Late congratulations Mr Toad.
Congratulations toad - hope you'll enjoy the new one.
Result! Feel free to carry on playing folks ....
Congrats UT! Best wishes in your new job!
Go limey ;)
Result! Feel free to carry on playing folks ....
:D
Belated congrats from me too, UT:)
Aw damnit, I'll have to return that wall of TV screens I bought. ;)
My daughter is in the high school band, and this year they have really shaken things up trying a different style of program and different style of marching and asking a bunch of students, including my daughter, to switch instruments. So morale during the last two months of practicing has been low at times because it's been a huge challenge making all these changes at once. They won thier first competition and got a good score, but they thought it was a judging fluke. Yesterday was thier second competition, and they won that one too with an even better score. I was ready to get a picture as the score was announced, and was pleased with how it came out, so I cropped it and sent it to my daughter, who was still on the bus ride home with her band. She shared it with her small group of band friends and they all loved it. So the rest of the band was wondering what the commotion was, looking at the picture, and so she shared it with the entire band, and then it leaked out to some parents, and eventually all the way to the school principal, and onto the school's webpage picture feed and twitter.
So I'm happy I got a popular picture, but even happier that my daughter got to share in the attention. She's usually quiet and blends in.
Not sure how tapatalk is going to handle this picture.
Well done Sir, you, and they, deserve accolades.
What was the school thinking? They let a Negro change the band all around, everyone knows they have no rhythm.
In my usual dysfunctional way, when faced with the dilemma of not working full-time therefore being broke but having time to write two articles, or working full-time and having no time to write articles, opted to work part time and do fuck all towards article writing for the last 6 months.* I am now in more or less the same position I was in then - with just as much to do and just as little money coming in and just as long a time-scale on sorting things out.
So today, on one of my two work-free weekdays, I forced myself to get out of bed at 7:30 and having helped mum clean her car so she can take it into the garage without dying of shame, I made myself sit at my desk and read through the whole of one of the thesis chapters I'm trying to adapt, jotting down general thoughts, observations and notes.
It was only 90 minutes of work - but it's left me with a sense of the task for that article - and some ideas of how to approach it. I feel like I am reconnecting with the material in a meaningful way. This shouldn't be a difficult thing to do since this is stuff I am deeply interested in; yet somehow I fight shy of setting my mind to it.
What's making me feel quite happy is that I came this close *finger and thumb* to having a lie down, because I didn't sleep well last night and the thought of doing anything was making me feel sleepy - and I somehow managed to not do that - with some difficulty I might add - and instead made a coffee and some raisin toast and then sat at my desk with glasses on ready to read and make notes.
*Actually, no, I did spend some time aimlessly and fruitlessly tootling about the interwebz looking for additional stuff on NCOs and trying to write an introduction for the NCO article. I then panicked and went full-bore Lost and Person of Interest on its ass.
I've set the NCO stuff to one side and am focusing on the black market paper instead. It's less involved in terms of additional research and probably a lot more straightforward in terms of adaptation as well. I'm hoping the experience of adapting this will help clarify what I need to be doing with the NCO article too.
Well played, Dr Dana, well played.
Perhaps a cure for video addiction will be found by science, but I feel humans are so clever and adaptable, that a substitute will be found quickly. ;)
Dana, Pls make a backup copy ... Now !
At the weekend I painted the fence between us and next door.
Painting the wretched thing isn't what has made me happy.
Finishing painting the wretched thing is what has made me happy.
There's about 500 sq ft of close boarded fencing that needs the treatment and I take a fairly industrial approach to doing the job.
In other words, I use the widest brush I can get hold of and apply the treatment as quickly as possible.
As a consequence the paint/preservative splashes around a bit. Mostly in my direction. I therefore don a disposable coverall.
Not sure if this term survives the trans-Atlantic journey, but one piece garments tend to be known as 'boiler suits' here.
Unfortunately, the plasticised paper fabric doesn't breathe and 'boiling suit' becomes a more accurate name on even a cool day.
Like me, the 'boiling suit' is showing signs of age. Unlike me it is becoming increasingly frayed and torn so it has been consigned to the wheelie bin and I can forget the whole business for another year.:thumb:
That's a water leak repaired, the drive re-surfaced and the fence painted all within a fortnight. I just hope that there is nothing around the corner to spoil that blessed state of affairs.
Pics or it never happened
There's about 500 sq ft of close boarded fencing that needs the treatment and I take a fairly industrial approach to doing the job.
In other words, I use the widest brush I can get hold of and apply the treatment as quickly as possible.
Can't spray it? Or convince your friends it's so much fun they'd have to pay you to share the fun. ;)
Not sure if this term survives the trans-Atlantic journey, but one piece garments tend to be known as 'boiler suits' here.
Oh yes, those unwoven Tyvek, plastic lined suits are murder, I can almost feel the sweat trickling just thinking about them.
I just hope that there is nothing around the corner to spoil that blessed state of affairs.
Right, but a worldly gentleman such as yourself, knows better. :haha:
Actually, Dad did suggest using a sprayer just as I was about to start.
It has occurred to me from time to time that it might ease the pain, so to speak, but I wondered how easy it would be to achieve a uniform finish and clean the thing afterwards.
Given that the brushes are easily cleaned in water, that last consideration is probably a minor point and they are generally positively reviewed.
Will think about that option very seriously next time.
PS. Creosote was the universal preservative until a few years ago but, for reasons that escape me, it isn't sold anymore. Is it still available in the US?
ETA: Just found this:
Coal Tar Creosote has been used for generations and continues to represent excellent value for money. The high preservative qualities ensure maximum protection for outside rough cut timbers such as fence panels, garden sheds, etc.
In July 2003, it became an offence for the general public to purchase and apply Coal Tar Creosote, however, the product is still available for sale to tradespeople. This means traditional user such as the agricultural community, builders, etc. are still able to purchase Coal Tar Creosote, providing they do not resell to the general householder. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that only genuine tradespeople are supplied.
Always read the label before use, use pesticides safely, contains Coal Tar.
http://www.creosotedirect.co.uk/If the brushes clean up with water, just run water through the sprayer, maybe with a drop of detergent. Badda-bing, badda-boom, all done.
Do you think Van Gogh or Banksy would be worried about uniformity, live your inner artist. :D
Da Wiki done say:
[COLOR="Blue"]The coal-tar variety, having stronger and more toxic properties[/COLOR], has chiefly been used as a preservative for wood, while the wood-tar variety has been used for meat preservation, ship treatment, and for medical purposes as an expectorant, antiseptic, astringent, anaesthetic, and laxative, though these have mostly been replaced by modern medicines [COLOR="DarkOrange"](which can be patented and profitable)[/COLOR]. Coal-tar creosote was formerly used as an escharotic to burn malignant skin tissue and in dentistry to prevent necrosis [COLOR="Blue"]before its carcinogenic properties became known.[/COLOR]
I've have the same problem with Rustoleum Damp Proof Primer. It was quietly replaced with Rusty Metal Primer, which is the same red/brown color, but doesn't hold a candle to the effectiveness of the Damp Proof. A gallon of Rusty Metal costs $7 USD at walmart, but Damp Proof runs over $30 online. The problem is it's illegal to ship Damp Proof to any state where I know someone I could ask to receive it. I assume it must be carcinogenic, but they still make and sell it. I just can't buy it. :mad:
Beest is being amazing talking Thor through Math test-taking skills (he has a mandatory retake tomorrow, most points lost through not finishing on time....). I'm the mathematician of the family (Beest is the Engineer). But Beet has the patience and has also had to get through math tests relying on test-taking skills as much as knowledge
That makes sense, it's harder for you to relate to those of us that struggle with math. Go Beest. :cheerldr:
Good on him. Beest, that is. Actually, both of them.
I found a little "Hebe" purse on ebay, paid $25 inc shipping on Sunday, (which is an awful lot for a little purse IMHO) It arrived already and is pretty much as new and just her colors and has a belt loop and everything and is as cute as all get out (and I don't use that word lightly...... or at all if I can avoid it). I think she'll love it :D
(B'day and Holidays coming up for daughter of that name)
(dunno if the link will work...)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281817890471?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
anyhoo generally shitty and crazy day, cheered me right up.
Yes works. Oh Hebe is a brand, or style, but actually the name.
Nice looking. Yeah, cute works. I should think that style strap would be just the ticket when you have to carry other stuff like a laptop, books and shit.
I think you done good.
yes, it's a brand and older styles in the line seem to be sought after. I think it's the same one as we did our first "best offer" on a while back, but I can't ask her because this one's a secret! I don't get the whole designer thing.
I also have a Hebe watch coming.... :D She likes watches too...
Very nice. Cute purse for a young lady. Looks well made too.
I did get chills from the trailer.
Now I just need to keep my expectations low and avoid reading any reviews or anything.
First showings are on Thursday, so I just have to stay offline until I go see it on Friday.
It's kind of crazy. I remember seeing movies as a kid and standing in a long line that had to be almost a block long. And now I have tickets in October for a movie in December.
It's better though!
I remember we only got children's films for a few days at a time in Aylesbury Odeon - although I admit it might just have been that someone was available to take us for a few days.
I can name three films off the top of my head that we queued up to see, only to be turned away because the cinema was full.
I don't remember crying or whining, but I probably did. Hey, I was a child.
I've still never seen more of Bambi than clips.
In my town, we had a couple multiplexes that had TWO screens, and then there was the old one on Main street downtown that just had the one big screen.
Didn't really make me happy, but, it did make me smile, and I'm too lazy to go looking for the smile thread, so...
80 year old Bob Wood bends a string at the music store:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]mDX7JukjTIg[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
:devil:
Looks like he may have done that before.. maybe a couple times. ;)
....and part 2 just arrived. And is also better than expected. and appears to be keeping time
hebe is also a brand of vintage Swiss watch. It is perfect size and the strap is new and just what she likes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231287878983?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITsorry can't tell if link works
Yes, link works. Nice watch :)
Sent by thought transference
What makes me happy??
I found another good VBB site just now! (This one) -- Im running out of GOOD vbb sites as they are all changing to crappier stuff (Xenforo or even worse VB4 or 5)
THIS IS FINE....... NO BLASTED REASON TO CHANGE IT!!! -- I still know some sites on VB2.x and they are fine!!!!!!!!
The reason to change it is that older versions are not supported on newer systems so eventually you wind up with a security problem that can't be addressed. We will eventually be changing.
Nice watch, monster, but manual? I know it's vintage, but that's so rare these days, when she casually winds it people will think she has an itchy wrist. :haha:
The reason to change it is that older versions are not supported on newer systems so eventually you wind up with a security problem that can't be addressed. We will eventually be changing.
I hear ya Undertoad.. I hope its not to Vb4 or 5...
Those are off the list of consideration.
Thank you very much :)
We dont want this place getting worse!!
I think he did, as VB4 or VB5.
yebbut - what is it about them that is bad? I know virtually nothing about them.
Neither do I, I'm just saying that's what he said was worse, but apparently UT knew what he was talking about.
I participate in a site that says...
Powered by vBulletin® Version Copyright ©2000 - 2015, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
Not a clue as to what that is, but after 10 years it seems to work fairly well. The only thing I noticed is when I post a link, it will go where I intended, but turns my link into a code that's about three lines long. I'm talking a line as almost screen width, so I imagine it's a money making thing for the site.
What's making you happy today?
22nd wedding anniversary.
Good for you, and Mrs Ghost.
Mum's had the all-clear.
Okay, it's only the all-clear for now, because we know cancer is sneaky. But they're happy they cut out what was there, and she's going to have radiotherapy, not chemo.
Slightly less good news re Otis (my rat) who is in the vets for the weekend.
But it has to be the best place for him.
So scared he'll die away from Duncan and me, because of what happened to Diz. But that's no excuse to refuse treatment.
Good news for your mom, Sundae!
What's making you happy today?
22nd wedding anniversary.
This is awesome.
Great news about your mum, Sundae xxx
As you say, Otis is in the best place for his care. You've made the right decision for him. Fingers' crossed on that front.
Sent by thought transference
Great news Sundae. Getting the tumor out is the big thing now; radiotherapy will mop up the sneaky stuff. And, glad Otis is getting the care he needs, as Limey says. It takes courage on your part but you're doing the right thing.
This is awesome.
Usually...:lol:
I'll never break my promise or forget my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now
I'm praying for the end of time, It's all that I can do
Praying for the end of time so I can end my time with you
WTG Crimson!
Nice run dude!
Good for you, and Mrs Ghost.
Congrats CG. Many more!
This is awesome.
Usually...:lol:
Thank you.
After the year went all pear-shaped on us, we just spent the day watching movies.
She enjoyed it, that's all that mattered.
Congrats CG...
& yay for mum Sundae!
Congrats CG...
& yay for mum Sundae!
Thanks.
Congrats Ghost and Mrs Ghost!
Sundae: that's brilliant news.
Congrats Ghost and Mrs Ghost!
Sundae: that's brilliant news.
Thank you.
I'm acting as power of attorney for my elderly cousin. He was an out of state landlord for a house up in Wayne County PA. (His childhood home.) As his dementia got worse, he did less and less to ensure he had good tenants and he did less and less to maintain the property.
The last tenant lived there with his father, who was a good tenant, but the father died, and the son stayed on as a terrible tenant. Stopped paying rent and had a bunch of dogs who neighbors said never went outside. The animal excrement everywhere ruined all the floors and the house got a severe flea infestation. My elderly cousin, at my urging, evicted this tenant after 9 months of unpaid rent. I've never set foot in the house, but I've spoken to no less than four different people who said you have the urge to vomit as soon as you cross the threshold. It smells that bad.
Anyway, once I was given power of attorney two months ago, my first goal was to sell this vacant property. And I have in front of me the draft of the closing papers! The place has a tax assessment of $80K and I accepted an offer for only $35.5K. Sounds bad, but my real estate agent tells me we were lucky to get over $30k for it. The buyer is a small time builder who winters in Florida. He's going to gut the place and open the windows all winter to let it air out. Then renovate it next summer when he comes back to NEPA.
So I'm very happy that I don't have an abandoned slum property in PA to worry about over the winter when there is no heat to keep the water pipes from freezing. Hope I'm not jinxing it by talking about it before the papers are signed.
Good for the buyer, good for the seller. I love those situations. Here's hoping it goes through.
who inherits when your cousin dies?
That's something that I'm a little annoyed about and try not to think about because it's a decision he made when he was lucid and before I became a much bigger part of his life. He is leaving about 95% of his estate to his childhood church (which is very different today than his nostalgic childhood memory of it) and to his alma mater. And he's leaving small amounts of money to various cousins, including me. He never had siblings, and never got married or had kids. He's been alone his entire life and never formed close bonds with anyone. So he's giving his money to strangers instead of the guy who is helping him these days.
You're not doing what you're doing for money. You're doing it because the man needed some help, and you were able to help him.
And because you're one of the good guys.
[ATTACH]53912[/ATTACH]
Thank you. It's true.
But damnit, if the guy has money, why can't he spread the wealth a little closer to home?
It's been fun going through his stuff now that he's in a nursing home and categorizing it into sell-able valuable stuff and junk. I mean, it's a huge chore, but I keep coming across old stuff, like this kind of ice cube tray we had when I was a kid. I brought the tray home to try out with the kids. I hadn't used one in 40 years. It sucked as much as I remember them sucking. But the kids had fun with it.
[ATTACH]53915[/ATTACH]
Oh man, and your finger skin would stick to the metal... Yay plastic.
Suck is harder sufficient to describe those fuckers. :mad:
yebbut the church probably won't be ungrateful for your decision to sell (at that price)
yebbut the church probably won't be ungrateful for your decision to sell (at that price)
True. They won't even have any idea by the time they get around to receiving a big fat check.
exactly. close relatives can have a horrible knack of suddenly deciding they "care" too late, specially if they feel they're losing out financially. because people...
Good call, well rid, I say.
Oh man, and your finger skin would stick to the metal... Yay plastic.
Suck is harder sufficient to describe those fuckers. :mad:
And you may not remember this, but the water sloshes around like crazy in the larger tub with the curved corners so you have to walk super slow and be really careful putting it in the freezer.
Sure do, got yelled at many times. Plus since the freezer was up high, you have to lift it perfectly level or it will slop over the end. Then the natural reaction is to snap it level quickly, but even if you stop at level the momentum makes it slop over the other end. Like working under the car and bumping your head on the frame, so you snap your head back... right into the ground. :facepalm:
I remember bending the lever on one of grandmadigr's ice trays trying to dislodge those damn ice cubes. And when they finally come loose, half of the cubes stay in the framework thingy with the lever.
Playing in Rocky Horror is a complete joy. Dress rehearsals every night this week.
The songs are all really good - in a lot of musicals the songs just push the plot along and sometimes they can be quite lame. Some of these are better than I remembered. They are all stuck in my head now, since I've been listening to nothing else for the last 3 weeks, learning the material.
They are running the band through the theater's sound system, and it has enough bass to make my contribution very important. The audience will feel my notes. There's a speaker under the seats. The music will work better with me prominent. That's only half bragging - it's the nature of bass.
The cast is very talented and most of them spend the entire show in their skivvies. Now that I'm in my 50s and they are mostly in their 20s, I don't think of them sexually (honest!) so much as just, wow, these are attractive lads and ladies, and I don't mind looking at... the ladies. I'm a straight guy, so watching our Frank-n-Furter, or our Rocky in his gold lamé speedo, I just naturally don't stare.
J and her daughter and friends are seeing it Friday night, 9 people!
The songs are all really good - in a lot of musicals the songs just push the plot along and sometimes they can be quite lame. Some of these are better than I remembered. They are all stuck in my head now, since I've been listening to nothing else for the last 3 weeks, learning the material.
Are the songs not the same songs as in the movie?
They are, but they are better in the stage show because of how it all works... the chorus of real singers changes things
I think in the old movie experience, the adrenaline rush carries you from the opening for the first 45 minutes, so the second half of the movie drags. The stage show does a few things better than the movie - the floor show is better. And "I'm Going Home" which Frankie sings before he's killed, is actually a very good song, but by the time we reach it in the movie, it feels like an afterthought.
West side Story without the songs, you'd still know what was happening. Instead of being mood setting background, the songs in Rocky Horror actually tell part of the story, wouldn't make sense without them. Plus they're fun songs, irresistible to not at least hum along.
The music director gave me a huge compliment, said I've been perfect and I have never played a wrong note in all the rehearsals, making her job very easy.
This is not exactly the case, I know where my wrong notes were... mostly, I hid them using musical trickery. But it makes me very happy. I worked really hard in preparation. It pays off.
Opening night in 5 hours!
Opening night in 5 hours!
Time is fleeting...
Awesome. Have a blast tonight!
The biggest trick the Devil ever played, was convincing everyone he never played a wrong note... until he got to Georgia.
No matter Tony, the costumed consumers will love the show, and the music is half of it, so you guys in the pit get half the accolades. Just duck the flying toast. :D
Pics, please? And, maybe audio/video?
Purty please?
And don't forget to have fun!
Hee hee I might photograph the band, and/or get a selfie with our Frank, but no photography is permitted during the presentation!
And you know what, combining threads, is one of my favorite bits of this?
My old Narcissistic Personality Disorder boss was SOOOO homophobic,... I would have hidden this whole thing from him.
Life's too short to work for assholes.
Oh wow, you're doing Rocky Horror? I so wish I could be there! Break a leg, hope it goes with a bang!
Dana introduced me to the British hip hop duo Rizzle Kicks.
Our favorite song (meaning the kids and I, Mr. Clod likes his hip-hop less playful and more Busta Rhymes-y) is "Mama Do the Hump."
Imagine our surprise this evening to hear that very song playing in a new Google App ad online. Very happy.
Two shows down, the people loved our Rocky!
Our Frank-n-Furter entrance gets a huge audience reaction. During the break, I talked with Greg, the actor who plays him, and he explained that Desitin is a necessary product to use if you have to wear rubber underwear for hours at a time.
In a nation of 320 million, just how many can say they were chatting with Frank-n-Furter about his underwear? In all the theaters, after all these years, probably less than the number of guys who banged Madonna or Cher. Maybe less than landed on the Moon. You're in a pretty elite group. :thumb:
how many can say they were chatting with Frank-n-Furter about his underwear?
Well probably not quite
that exclusive... Greg seems to like talking about his junk.
Well it is theater, musical theater, so that's not unusual. :haha"
J looks great! And you look pleased as punch. It's a good look for you. :)
Great pic. Really great pic.
Great pic, of great people.
That is so awesome. What a great experience.
Love seeing you happy. That's one of the very few times I've seen you smile that much.
Really good. That even makes me happy :)
Where is your left hand? :eek:
Fantabulosa, Mr UT!
I love Rocky Horror, and sod the people who think it's just for obsessed teens.
I was an obsessed teen obsessed with it (the film) but over the years got to appreciate that Richard O'Brian actually did a bang tidy job on the soundtrack. My lovely bro bought me a compilation CD set for birthday or Christmas one year, and I could hear the changes through the different years. Lost or sold or lent out now sadly.
I agree that even a poor musical sounds better live. And this is a musical designed to be belted out. I've seen it a few times live now, and if it was close and I had the £ I'd be back there no question.
Three shows down and audience participation really changes from show to show... it's very interesting. Every live show is different, that's one of the amazing things about drama. And here every show is *very* different, depending on whether people in the audience know lines, and how drunk they are. It's so wild to hear audience members get laugh lines. So great to hear them get into it. It makes me so happy when they are into it.
J swears our Rocky had half a chubby for part of his midnight performance. You don't have to be *that* dedicated to the role...
Or that dedicated an audience member, tsk tsk, fixated on Rocky's half chubby. Such a pervert, no wonder you two get on so well. :lol2:
Uh oh, you embarrassed her, you're in trouble, time for make-up sex.
Used to watch Rocky on TV every Halloween. So sad/angry when they stopped showing it. But happy when I found out they stopped because CBS-FOX bought it, and it was coming out in limited numbers on VHS. I plunked down $93(1990 dollars), to preorder for the first day of the release... and we did the Time Warp again, we did the Time Warp again...
One of my favourite movies of all time. I would have been 17 or so when I saw it first time. I still get a kick out of it all these years later.
Movie-goers, imagine this:
- The third gasp from the audience is the reveal of Brad during the floor show. (First gasp the reveal of Frank, second gasp the reveal of Rocky) In the movie it's like nothing, and we've already seen him in his skivvies, but live... whole different feel to it. And the fourth gasp is Dr. Scott's reveal moments later (under that blanket...)
- "I'm Going Home" gets massive, thunderous applause. It's the big number.
- Subtle, funny line dropped from the movie script: they are searching for the escaped Rocky, and Riff Raff finds Rocky and Janet together in the "lab". He announces: "I've located him... in the female's quarters, master."
What a great experience!
I'm having a good time just reading about your good time.
My brother got to see his wife's (maybe then-to-be wife's, can't remember) first reaction to Frank. Because he grew up with me, he grew up with Rocky Horror. I even told him when to close his eyes, because I thought the exy-sexy bits would embarrass him.
But they saw Frank in all his glory at a theme park.
Not even in the bizarre context of the film.
Talk about W T F!!!
County finally closed on mine and Sis's house and little dab of land.
I have a living will to stay till I bite the dust.
Now you have to watch your back Buster. :unsure:
Just cos it started in this thread
Last night we had a replacement drummer, as our regular was booked elsewhere. And while it's a bummer to deal with a replacement drummer, who plays the show differently, in this case it was the drummer from the Allman Bros tribute band "Live at the Fillmore East" so he was very good.
(I had a shot to be in that band, but was recommended for it a week after they had already found a bass player. It's not a brag, if you only had a shot.)
Last night two shows, 8pm and midnight, and the theater company made a big mistake having three midnight shows in this run. All the 8pm shows are sold out; only a third of the seats were occupied yesterday at midnight. I personally don't care what the audience size is (it's not the size that matters), and would have gone full energy even if it was only to one person. The audience still gave a standing O to "I'm Going Home". But I did spot a few points where the cast only gave 109% and not the usual 110%.
Good for you T! I'm liking all this good news I'm hearing from you lately. You deserve it :)
That is nice of you to say, sir you are and remain an officer and a gentleman.
Is there any chance we might get a video of any part of this show?
Is it over now? Will there be other gigs coming from this source?
That would be cool but I bet there is a rights issue.
There's finally something in the works to help people sort through their old stored images:
US Army lab develops a way to read soldiers' brains
Military intelligence analysts spend a lot of time scrutinizing countless images from various sources, such as drones and surveillance systems. An automated program developed by cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Anthony Ries, however, can make the process a lot faster. Ries works for a US Army research facility called the "The MIND (Mission Impact Through Neurotechnology Design) Lab," which just began testing a program that can interpret brain waves. In simpler words: it can read human minds. During a recent test, he hooked up a soldier to an EEG connected to one of the lab's desktop computers and asked him to look at a series of images on screen flashing at a rate of one per second. Each image falls under one of five categories -- boats, pandas, strawberries, butterflies and chandeliers.
The computer revealed by the end of the experiment that the soldier chose to focus on images that fall under the boat category. How did it know? By taking note of the changes in the subject's brain waves. The soldier produced distinct brain wave patterns whenever he looked at something he deemed "relevant." ...
... For now, the scientist plans to continue improving the system and adding new features, including eye control. In fact, he already tested the capability at the same time by asking a soldier to play a simple video game on a separate computer. The subject was instructed to shoot a bubble at a cluster of other bubbles and to aim for the same color just by moving his eyeballs, which he successfully did.
[Ries explains:]
... One thing we have done is instead of having people view images at the center of the screen, we're leveraging eye-tracking to know whenever they fixate on a particular region of space. We can extract the neural signal, time-locked to that fixation, and look for a similar target response signal. Then you don't have to constrain the image to the center of the screen. Instead, you can present an image and the analyst can manually scan through it and whenever they fixate on an item of interest, that particular region can be flagged.
Is there any chance we might get a video of any part of this show?
Prohibited, correct call Griff.
Behind the scenes matter that all these community theater groups pay good money for the rights to put on these shows. Which in turn is why none of the actors or musicians get paid.
Is it over now? Will there be other gigs coming from this source?
Next weekend is the final weekend; two shows Friday one Saturday.
I've proven myself to be a very reliable musician to two music directors. The problem with me is that I don't read music. I prepare in advance and learn the entire show. I'm sure the director and music director of this show would bring me back instantly for any project, but I'm not a good candidate to show up and say, I would like to be your bass player for this run of "Hello Dolly". And I don't think I want to spend a few weeks learning all the music for "Hello Dolly".
However my guitarist is very involved in one of the theater groups, and knows which shows have been chosen for next season, and has basically informed me that I will be doing "Rent" in the Spring. It's a non-lame show so I will probably do it. The opportunities to make live music dry up as we get older.
(Learning to read music is not so difficult ....)
Sent by thought transference
I would have to learn the fretboard too apparently
I understand the notes have letters... but they only use like 7 letters and I KNOW there are more notes than that
Spend a week in our house, bring your guitar and we'll sort you out! X
Sent by thought transference
Best offer ever, plus you guys play instruments where you only play one note at a time, which is best.
Sorted. See you soon!
Sent by thought transference
Ooh, "sorted" by Mr & Mrs Limey. Kinky.
Even I can read music, it's not that hard, you can do it :)
If I can do it, anybody can.
...and the thing is, I can read it but do bugger all about it.
Oh the places you'll go, Undertoad.....
Oh the places you'll go, There is Fun to be done
There are songs to be scored, a bass to be strummed
And the magical things you can do with those strings
Will make you the winning-est bassist for sings
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be
With the whole wide world watching you win on TV
:D
Very nice pome monsuess. Just change strummed to plucked
Oh wait. Then you'd have to change done to something that rhymes with plucked
Maybe thumbed instead of plucked
Can you link the venue ticket source again? I might could make the Friday show
One car
Two car
Red car
Blue car.
Black car
Blue car
Old car
New car.
This one smells of dried up pish.
This one smells of rotting fish.
Say! What a lot
Of cars there are.
Yes. Some are red. And some are blue.
Some are old. And some are new.
Some are sad.
And some are glad.
And some are very, very bad.
Why are they
Sad and glad and bad?
I do not know.
Go ask Ip’s dad.
LumberJim.
And some know him.
The fat one with
The chick who’s slim.
From there to here, from here to there,
Funny cars
Are everywhere.
http://www.playcrafters.org/the-rocky-horror-show/
However.... only midnight is left. A third sold now, I think it will wind up over half full? Maybe more now that the 8pm shows are sold, I don't know how these last weekends sell. It'll be enough to have fun.
If you decide to go, I would not suggest front row as it is really close to the actors. Of course there is some advantage to that in this show
And don't forget the toast. :haha:
I don't know if it made me happy, per se, but it made me smile a little:
Gate A-4That was really moving.Thanks for posting, Grav.
Things is generally grim.
Otis is still ill (I have made a considered decision NOT to put him in for further treatment, which I question every day)
Auntie Joyce is dead.
I'm waiting for a call from Mum which may say Christmas is cancelled.
I've had no electricity for 24 hours.
BUT
The sun is shining.
I am going somewhere warm and safe with a shower on Sunday.
I have hope.
And my Doctor has still not contacted me re my last blood test (one which had to be redone) so there is no way there can be anything wrong, as it's been a week.
And I'm here in the warm and the light and feeling positive.
Which I know doesn't match my opening lines, but I really do.
Good for you, Sundae. I'm usually a grump during the whole holiday season, but your outlook has helped cheer mine. We'll be smiley in the face of stress together. :)
Got a postcard today from Billy, came from Stockholm where he was playing tourist. :thumb:
Cool! Thanks for letting us know about him.
You're had no electricity? Ah hell, that sucks. Is that your heat?
Got a postcard today from Billy, came from Stockholm where he was playing tourist. :thumb:
Oh, where have you been,
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?
Oh, where have you been,
Charming Billy?
Stockholm, apparently.:)
The school year only has another couple of weeks to go here, so I'm looking forward to a nice long summer holiday with the kids. Hopefully they wont drive me too crazy. :) On a positive note, we're looking after a friends house while they're away for the whole time (collecting mail, tidying the gardens, feeding the fish etc) and they have a pool which we can use every day if we want, so that will be nice. :)
Oh and something else I'm happy about. The sinus infection that had me by the balls seems to have responded very well to the antibiotics I got on Monday. I was even able to have a glass of wine last night after a 2 week drought!
Excellent, the ladies' duct tape is back on the menu. :thumb:
Family are on their way from DC, house is clean, and I made it to Walmart before closing to get extra toothbrushes (because somebody always forgets one) and odds and ends. Truffles for the pillows! You'd think I was running a bed & breakfast. Can you tell I'm excited? :blush:
Sounds like your running for Hostess-with-the-Mostess, which is impossible to win because...family. Just keep in mind it's them, not you. ;)
Our Thanksgiving run around is starting a little later this year so coffee and cellar!
Thanks be to Tony btw.
What a nice lazy morning this is today!
You go to hell and you die.
:)
In truth, though, I agree. I've been cooking for a few hours, but everything's casual and on-schedule, and the kids are staying quiet upstairs. And my new blueberry pie recipe is turning out fucking
awesome.Whoever is cooking would be glatt's wife's cousin. We are headed over there in two hours. Just finished throwing the nerf football around for half an hour. Good times.
Thanks be to Tony btw.
That.:notworthy
:)
In truth, though, I agree. I've been cooking for a few hours, but everything's casual and on-schedule, and [COLOR="Red"]the kids are staying quiet upstairs[/COLOR]. And my new blueberry pie recipe is turning out fucking awesome.
Uh Oh! :eek:
Life's little pleasure, easy not to even notice. Got a box of gifts I'd ordered from The Library of Congress gift shop. To take up the extra space in the box instead of those vile peanuts, the plastic pillows, or crumpled newspapers, they crumpled up one of their shopping bags. It's a big one with two handles, a piece of cardboard in the bottom to keep it's shape, plasticized for water proof, with a nice bookcase design. Definitely a usable item. See, it doesn't take much to amuse the feeble minded.:D
Lil late, but my new job. Its been fantastic helping people and getting out of the high-pressure of advertising sales. It was always something I was good at, but never really enjoyed. Especially since Dan's accident, it was all about the money and that wasn't even there really.
Well on Monday my new boss, also a good friend for about 6-8 years, asked me what I was doing mid January. I was like, nothing planned at this point. He then tells me there is an HVAC conference with one of our largest suppliers happening and he wants me to go and represent our company. I was thinking it was in the Dakotas or Iowa -somewhere like that because that is where a lot of the companies are headquartered. He then tells me its a 5 day 6 night event at an all expenses paid resort in Cancun! Totally floored me. I'm still not sure I believe him even though I got my flight info this morning.
Cool! Remember to bring sunscreen. :)
OH, on the downside, my GF cannot go with. So my oldest on has graciously volunteered to sacrifice his time and go with me. This could be EPIC!
[Tom Lehrer] Don't drink the water and don't breath the air. [/Tom Lehrer]
... a 5 day 6 night event at an all expenses paid resort in Cancun! Totally floored me. I'm still not sure I believe him even though I got my flight info this morning.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! :heart-on:
What Limey, and Dana said.
Thanks. I'm beyond excited. :D
:)
In truth, though, I agree. I've been cooking for a few hours, but everything's casual and on-schedule, and the kids are staying quiet upstairs. And my new blueberry pie recipe is turning out fucking awesome.
I've got a BB pie that for a redneck you won't believe. Let me know.:3eye:
Oh I know of the legendary busterb cooking skills, for sure. But I suspect that any redneck recipe includes things like butter and sugar, if not whiskey. :)
...if not whiskey. :)
If not in the recipe, then, the cook!
Lil late, but my new job. Its been fantastic helping people and getting out of the high-pressure of advertising sales. It was always something I was good at, but never really enjoyed. Especially since Dan's accident, it was all about the money and that wasn't even there really.
Well on Monday my new boss, also a good friend for about 6-8 years, asked me what I was doing mid January. I was like, nothing planned at this point. He then tells me there is an HVAC conference with one of our largest suppliers happening and he wants me to go and represent our company. I was thinking it was in the Dakotas or Iowa -somewhere like that because that is where a lot of the companies are headquartered. He then tells me its a 5 day 6 night event at an all expenses paid resort in Cancun! Totally floored me. I'm still not sure I believe him even though I got my flight info this morning.
I'm beyond excited. :D
This is Karma giving you a blow job.
You deserve it.
Hurrah! Karmic blowjobs all round!
I had three, three!!, green flakes in my chicken Ramen this morning.:jig:
'S gonna be a good day, Tater.[RonWhite]
Just found the
site for the resort... Now what to do while there. I SUCK at golfing, but my son is a 2 handicap and really wants to play a round. So thats one thing. I wanna go fishing or some type of underwater something... then again :blunt:
Just found the site for the resort... Now what to do while there. I SUCK at golfing, but my son is a 2 handicap and really wants to play a round. So thats one thing. I wanna go fishing or some type of underwater something... then again :blunt:
Holy Wow! All I can say is: pics. LOTS of pics or it didn't happen.
Now go book that fishing/scuba/snorkeling.
Karmic blowjobs all round! New cellar tagline?
Just found the site for the resort... Now what to do while there. I SUCK at golfing, but my son is a 2 handicap and really wants to play a round. So thats one thing. I wanna go fishing or some type of underwater something... then again :blunt:
They must have mushrooms there....
Sucking at golf is a great networking tool, I've heard
They've been doing some kind of major utility upgrade in my neighborhood for the last several months. Laying fiber? I dunno. The point is, for the last week or so they've been in and out of my backyard specifically. And now they are doing something with the little pole-in-the-ground-doohickey that involves digging around it, and in order to do that they are having to clear out most of the horrible crappy overgrowth that's taken over that portion of the yard.
Yessss.... Our eight-year "just ignore it" plan is finally coming to fruition...
Have a plan, and stick to it.
Wait'll they bill you for it. :lol:
I'm out of hospital.
Bad news is I have to go back in, in approx 2 weeks to have some more banding of my
varices (Wiki link SFW but has internal photo which might be considered grim and/ or look like something else!) and this will continue until they are all gone.
But at least I will not be woken up at 04.00 for a blood test, or at 06.45 to have my blood pressure/ temperature taken.
The good thing about hospital of course is that it is clean, warm, light and you get three meals a day with no cooking or washing up.
But after eight days I was pretty much ready to leave.
Glad to have you back, Sundae!
How many times will you have to have that banding done? Or don't they know. Hopefully they'll get every thing squared away soon. In spite of all the upsides you mentioned, it's still nice to get home where you can scratch any itch without checking to see if anyone's watching.
8 days? Nope, no way. Well one way, unconscious. Other than that, I have witnesses who can attest to after three days I become quite unpleasant. Really, I know it's had to imagine but it's true. Picture ripping out an IV, and telling the nurse on the desk, "If anybody is looking for me, I went home", as I walked by. :lol:
Is it wrong that I'm happy my little kids are leaving for a holiday with their father for a week starting in about half an hour?
I am anyway. I need a break. After I delivery the wedding order I have for Saturday, I don't have anything else to do till the following Thursday, which means 4 days of slothing around mostly. I might even go get a pedicure.
If they don't leave, you don't get that huggy-poo, kissy-face, party when they return. ;)
I'm out of hospital.
:cheerldr:
Yey! Glad you're ok Sundae - Is your phone working again?
It is - another reason to be grateful!
Glad you're out, Sundae!
And Ali - take the upcoming days and enjoy. Don't feel guilty for even one second.
Treatment of gastric varices can include injection of the varices with cyanoacrylate glue
wtf?
forget
rub a little bacon on it, get me some superglue, STAT!
I had Christmas drinks with a couple of my girlfriends over the weekend. Life has been busy for all of us over the last 6 months or so, and we haven't seen too much of each other (although I did go on a brief 2 day weekend holiday with one of them) so it was really good to catch up. I've known these girls since high school, and they say that childhood friends will always be able to know you better than the friends you make in adulthood. I find that to be true with these girls. I think because they knew me as a teenager; a time when we're all just starting to get a sense of who we might become and what sort of things motivate us; so it was good to talk about everything with them. We all lost touch after HS and reconnected a few years ago at a HS reunion. Even though we weren't really that close in HS, we have discovered that we're pretty good friends as old farts.
Who ever would have thought that could happen. So anyway, I'm glad I have these girls in my life. I hope they're glad they have me.
Old friends are nice. The added history also gives you added trust. Like they already saw you in your awkward times and they know you saw theirs, so blackmail keeps everyone equal. :)
...drinks with Ali and a couple of her girlfriends...:rolleyes:
Be right back...I got to, uh, go do something.[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]...[/COLOR];)
Here are the two lovely ladies. Oh and me of course.
[ATTACH]54479[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]54480[/ATTACH]
Yup, right back to High School without skipping a beat. Your poor wait staff. :facepalm:
Well it was only Char's partner waiting on us. He seemed to enjoy taking the photos anyway. :)
Ali, you and your friends look marvs.
Wish I was there!
Making me happy today, a lovely card I received from my post-lady.
Some background:
I don't have a doorbell, and live two floors up, so I can't hear anyone knocking on the door, unless they are very persistent and even then I have to be listening out for it to assume it's for me, as I live on a busy road with people going in and out of offices, slamming car doors, decanting from tourist coaches etc.
This means that anything that does not fit through my letterbox has to go back to the Sorting Office and although that's close, it isn't available for collection for 24 hours - longer if it's a Saturday.
So from about Easter this year, Karen took to leaving anything which she knew wouldn't fit through my letterbox in the Sorting Office, and leaving a card to say it was available for collection immediately.
This is not correct protocol, but meant I was able to receive items from eBay or Amazon much more quickly. Ditto when my Mum sends me helium balloons.
So as it's Christmas, and it (used to be) traditional to tip your binmen and postie, I took a box of biscuits into the Sorting Office and also sent Karen a card with a small token in.
Being me, I also wrote in it that she had made living away from friends and family much easier and I really appreciated her kindness.
Came down today to find a card from her in return.
She knew I'd been in hospital (I had someone come and collect my post, and he went to the Sorting Office to collect something, explaining I was ill) and wished me good health.
She thanked me and said I'd made her day.
She offered her best wishes if I was travelling over Christmas (knowing I'm an immigrant in Yorkshire terms.)
Bless her.
I almost want to send her another card to thank her for her card thanking me for my card.
Don't worry, I won't.
I never see the binmen - in fact I have real issues with dealing with disposing of rubbish, so they get nothing.
But I'm so glad I made her and the staff who I see at least weekly when I collect my items, happy.
Sundae, you are a very giving person. You give even when you don't have much yourself. This is a quality I could use about 400 tons more of. (edit: meaning I should exhibit more of that quality, not that I want to receive more of that quality...or, er...do I even make sense? You know what I mean.)
Thanks for the card you sent. It's very cute and very sweet. I was really surprised, and it made me smile.
I don't have a ton of time while cow orker is at lunch but I wanted to say thank you...I will be writing you a PM, but I thought I should acknowledge it here, too, though everyone already knows, how kind you are.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
:santa:
^^What she said.^^ All of it.
I am waiting for my friends, the guy part a sober driver, to pick me up for festivities. I go out my front door and to what do my wondering eyes appear? A FedEx package! Inside is the promised book that I can't wait to begin reading. And it was wrapped in star paper with my name in silver!
Friends make lonely people happy. Thanks jim. :)
Merry Christmas to you all, with love.
You're so good. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I am so happy to read this... Shaw err ... IM.
Merry Christmas.
Ah, there's good news tonight.
Westerleigh Crematorium & Cemetery, in the South Gloucestershire countryside, is the first in Britain to have a fully licensed bar. A long overdue reconciliation with, and recognition of, the Irish living... and dying, in Britain. At last the [strike]stiff[/strike] deceased can be given a proper send off. :beer:
I got word from my sister yesterday. She's only in contact with my parents in order to keep messages to a minimum. You see, she's deep in the mountain wildness of the Northwest Territories and her only communication is an InTouch satellite texting device that costs a buck per text and eats batteries like crazy. So she's trying to limit incoming messages to only emergencies.
But she sent out a handful of updates. She and her two climbing partners are attempting a mountain climb that has never been done before. In fact there are no clear photos of the mountain face they are climbing. Only grainy Google Earth pictures.
They got dropped off by helicopter three weeks ago and set up camp next to a lake at 61.872662, -127.69862. They have been attempting to climb the Western face of Mt. Nirvana since then. It's a cliff face, so it's very technical climbing.
In a week or so, the helicopter will come back for them and fly them over to the eastern side of Mt. Nirvana, and they will attempt the climb from that side. That side has been climbed before, so they know it's possible, and there are tons of pictures of it.
Then after two weeks of climbing on that side of the mountain, the helicopter is coming back for them and taking them about 20 miles to the north, to Lotus Flower Tower. This is a very famous location in the climbing world, and they are going to climb this:
[ATTACH]52586[/ATTACH]
But I'm happy today because I hadn't heard from her in a month, and it's good to know she's ok.
It's been 6 months, but they finally published a video of their climbing trip. It's 22 minutes long, but I think it's worth it.
Small:
[YOUTUBE]PfSTOAzgd6I[/YOUTUBE]
Big:
[YOUTUBEWIDE]PfSTOAzgd6I[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
If you can't be bothered to watch all 22 minutes, check out the helicopter flight at 12:32. The helicopter came to pick them up from Mt. Nirvana and take them to Lotus Flower Tower, but they had a little trouble finding Lotus Flower Tower and then a place to land.
And 18:35, time lapse of packing up camp in the fog is pretty cool.
I'm off to a job interview in a few minutes. probably minimum wage and PT w/ no bennys but even dwarves started small.
More to follow, perhaps.
Good luck, Foot!
I'll check out the mountain conquering sister later tonight.
Somehow I must have missed the original post about your sister, glatt. That's a cool accomplishment.
How did your interview go foot?
I think it went well, they seemed receptive to me and it felt like a good fit to me, at any rate. They are going to talk with another person and then let me know next week. I'd be the oldest person by far, maybe about the same age as the owner.
If I do get the job it's going to complicate life for a while until I get custody changes sorted out, and it's only a little better than minimum wage. I'd need to work three weeks to make my mortgage payment, and while it would be good to be able to keep the house, I clearly need to come up with additional income b/c I couldn't afford to live on my earnings from that job alone.
They did say that if I worked out and was valuable I'd get raises. The benefits are pretty good, though.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Tell the judge you need more alimony. :haha:
;)If they ask you where you see yourself in 5 years, just say you don't have 2020 vision.
;)If they ask you where you see yourself in 5 years, just say you don't have 2020 vision.
:lol2:
Little, muddy, kitty feetprints on the hood of Momdigr's car...:rolleyes:
I'm still buzzing from the New Years winter camping with the ladies.
Sounds cold.
What's your sleeping situation? Down winter bag? Liner? Sleep wear? Double wide bag with the wife or individual?
I leave for Cancun in a week. I got my airline tickets in the mail...still can't believe its really happening. So psyched.
Good to read the news Foot3...
Digr... need we ask for pics???
I leave for Cancun in a week. I got my airline tickets in the mail...still can't believe its really happening. So psyched.
What, are you crazy, didn't Trump say it's all criminals, druggies and father rapers, below the Rio Grand? :haha:
All their benches are Group W benches down there.
Sounds cold.
What's your sleeping situation? Down winter bag? Liner? Sleep wear? Double wide bag with the wife or individual?
My single Hollowfill winter bag which predates my 21 y.o. daughter, on a Coleman pad, smart wool socks, long johns under lycra, a winter hat, and a wool sweater. It was right cozy. The crucial thing is staying dry so over dressing and sweating would be a problem so the hat came off early.
Got a call back and they want me to come in for a test drive.
w00t
I found a window sticker for a 2001 Altima. It was 24k. 15 years later, it's still 24k.
I found a window sticker for a 2001 Altima. It was 24k. 15 years later, it's still 24k.
It's like most power tools, they are all about 159.00 and they have been for years
Congrats foot!
Glatt, your sister's climbing is awe-inspiring. It must be hard to go for weeks wondering how she's doing. Glad to hear all is well with her.
Grand daughter is suppose to visit today.
I hope she did. She's a nice kid.
Well she came and stayed about 3 hours. We had a nice time. She help me with a few chores and we looked at old photos. Talked about family history. Send my sis a b-day card.
Just a good day. Of course I had sent her an Email, stating that x-mas was about to expire. Be warned! :lol:
While I'm the last post, I pitch this out.
've been accepted to Ole Miss, Belhaven and William Carey for the fall.. Now to decide where to go.
What's this now? You're going to be mingling with college coeds?
Stormy is your granddaughter's name?
My neice's middle name is Storm. Spirit Storm Surname.
It's a dangerous family. After you get Bustered, you get rained on and blown away. :eek:
Oh boy, the PA Farm Show is on TV, right now it's High School Championship Rodeo.
Yes Stormy is my grand daughter's name. I think her middle name is Cheyenne. What ever the injun name is.
The same Stormy that comes here?
The same Stormy that comes here?
No. You'r thinking of stormy weather. I guess
No. You'r thinking of stormy weather. I guess
Oh yeah. That's it.
From my cousin's wife:
Glenn had a very busy good day. They removed Glenn's brain drain, staples, his A-line and on a just a regular blood pressure cuff. They had him off the ventilator for 2 hours when they were shooting for 1 1/2 hours. When I walked in this morning he immediately smiled at me and mouthed the words "I love you." I can't express how happy and wonderful that made me feel!! All day he would answer the nurse and I with either head nods or mouthing the words to our questions. I hated to leave him tonight but as I said good night and hugged him, he gave me a kiss!!
Woo, happy dance.
So often you hear bad news. It's very nice to hear good news. I'm very happy for them.
Preamble: Just after Christmas I got two letters. One was from the Housing Benefit office telling me they'd overpaid me on rent assistance.
At full rate, the payment used to be £30 per month less than the rent. With my earnings taken into account that comes down. My earnings have been a tad eratic for first few months of work - first month included training days, but was a short month on shifts. Third month and fifth month earned a small bonus. Prior to Christmas they suspended payments on my claim until I provided wage slips for three months and a couple of weeks later, they reinstated my claim, and as the figure they were prepared to pay was £40 less than before I foolishly assumed they'd recalculated (right?) .
The letter that came after Christmas showed they'd recalculated again and come up with a figure £70 less than before (so, £100 less than rent) retrospectively applied tothree months and they're taking back the overpayment at just under £54 per month. So, basically pretty fucked on the rent :p
The second letter was from the NHS telling me the dental treatment I recently had and wasclassed as free as a JSA claimant, was not free, as the treatment occurred when iwas not a JSA claimant. Except, the treatment was started whilst i was on JSA - and I deliberately stayed on JSA enduring all the indignities of the fucking 'work programme' for almost four months longer than I had toin order to get that dental treatment because I know I'd be unable to afford the NHS charges once I signed off. The dentists cancelled my appointment three times, across three of those months because theyhad equipment thatbroke down and they had tosend off to the US for a replacement - whic then was difficult to get set upand theyhad to get someone in to sort it out, and then the anaesthetist was ill - etc.
When they cancelled that third time, I'd been near to tears and had explained to the receptionist that I was coming under a lot of pressure to sign off from unemployment but didn't dare until I'd had the treatment, which was necessary but wholly unafforable even at NHS rates to someone working 15 hours a week. They said not to worry, because it would all go through as part of the original treatment plan which began when I was a claimant and therefore continues on that basis.
So - after a week or so of trying to work myself up to make a call I spoke to the dentists and the lass I spoke to said she'd look into it. I then took another week to work up to ringing them again to find out what was what, before I would have to start trying to gather the mental energy to phone the NHS repayments people.
This is the happy bit:
I spoke to the dentists just now. The receptionist wasn'tthe one who'd originally agreed to look into it, so I had to explain the situation again. She went off to see what was what and I was expecting, I dunno - that I was going to start having to write letters or make calls to the NHS, or that there wasn't anything they could do once it's been dated as that date for treatment. She instead came back and said XXX is actually dealing with this now. She's in email communication with the NHS peeps, and is trying to sort it out at their end, so not to worry.
I then phoned the Housing Benefit repayment people and explaine dthe situation to a nice chap who assured me that if I put that in an email to the assessment office they would take my circumstances into account and reduce the repayment rate. It's still going to sting my finances, but not by as much.
Now I just have the traditional January-oh-shit-I-may-not-have-busfares-for-the-last-week-of-work panic to contend with and hell, I'm almost there on that... just need to get to the end of next week.
I'm feeling quite relieved. The next month or so won't be easy, but I don't think I'm looking at the castostrophe I thought I was.
I'm glad it's working out better than you thought, Dana.
Sounds like a real pain to deal with. Good job dealing with it anyway.
Thanks:) I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself for doing it. I was a whisker away from putting it off again.
Thanks:) I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself for doing it. I was a whisker away from putting it off again.
You should, you done good. :thumb:
From my cousin's wife:
I get email updates on Glenn's
gofundme page. Reading the comments, from people who worked with Glenn, and people who just met him working, he sounds like someone I'd like to know and have for a friend. Of course if he'd been killed people would fall all over themselves to eulogize him, but these people sound genuinely happy he's improving. I'm sure he must kick kittens when nobody's looking. :lol2:
Huh.
Just got a call from my wife. Looks like I'm going to see Springsteen tonight. We have the option of getting tickets in the "press box" for $110 each. Why not? I've never seen Springsteen. I understand he puts on a good show.
Press box? I'm green with envy.
Hell, Springsteen! I'm green with envy!
Dang...! Awright now!
wager he does jefferson airplane and/or bowie covers, the band is known to pull that sort of thing off quickly and make it work...
I'm keeping my reaction under control until I'm actually in the place. Seems too good to be true. Cheapest tickets on StubHub right now in the nosebleeds are around $500 each. And is anyone going to ask to see my press ID? Or is the ticket the ID?
We'll see.
But it will be sweet if it works!
Just wear a fedora with a little sign stuck in the band that says "Press."
I've heard more than one person say that they were not fans of Bruce's, but once they saw him live, they converted. I hope you two have fun! Looks like you're enjoying it so far.
Wow. No way is that guy really in his 60s. Three hours of nonstop music. No break. He played The River for like two hours, and it was good, but I only knew maybe 3 songs. And then the last hour was all favorites.
Make you want to buy a motorcycle and run off to the Jersey Shore?
I remember hearing him talking on the radio about his old man breaking his balls, telling him often that the Army would straighten his ass out.
As he got closer to his draft physical he got wilder and was living like there was no tomorrow, because that was a possibility in those days.
As a result, the old man told him more and more often the Army would straighten his ass out.
He flunked the physical and told his father.
The old man said, "Good".
So a few observations.
He really engages the audience. About a third of the way down the floor, there was a narrow stage/ walkway that cut the floor into sections, and he routinely went around the edges of the crowd and onto that walkway to get IN the crowd. He must have palm tapped a few hundred fans over the course of the show.
See that bright lit up part of the crowd? That's him on the little walkway. He crowd surfed at one point from that spot back to the main stage. Kind of got stalled for a minute or so as the crowd stopped passing him toward the stage and just held him. That's got to be both a huge ego boost and also a little scary to be giving yourself over to the crowd.
Having an entire stadium calling "Bruuuuuuce" during the quiet moments is almost indistinguishable from booing.
He got actual good natured booing when he worked The Giants into the lyrics of some song I don't know and the audience reminded him that he was currently in Skins territory.
I got an actual chill in my spine when he started off (iirc) Thunder Road with just a handful of notes, and then the crowd started singing it, and the band stopped playing it and let the crowd do the song by itself for about 15 seconds or so. And the crowd was GOOD. He started chuckling. It made him happy. And then the band took over the song.
He took maybe a 45 second break where the lights went off and he went to the rear of the stage. And then came back for an encore. I figured there would be one song. Played Born to Run. It was good and I thought that was a nice way to end the show. They turned on all the house light. But then he went right into Dancing in the Dark, and took turns pulling a couple women up to dance with him on stage. OK so that was the end. No. Then he said that he doesn't normally play this, but for some vets in the crowd he would. Played Rosalita. He started to sound a little tired at points during this song. He'd been singing for three hours by then and Rosy is a high energy one. The house lights had been on for a while, so surely that was it. Nope. He went right into Shout. And then he was done.
Fantastic show. He had limitless energy and his voice was good.
What a great experience! Thanks for sharing it with us. :)
[YOUTUBE]u9y6N1W8D1E[/YOUTUBE]
This is from a while ago, but it made me like him a little more.
He's real people. :thumb:
He is, dare I say, an
artist.
The band is so pro, they know where their cue is to come back in, and are waiting patiently for it, and hit it when it happens, even though they can't see him.
The audio is so pro, they can all hear the Boss perfectly in their in-ear monitors, even if he's 30 feet offstage with a wireless mic.
The thing I love about cats and dogs is they don't have time for self pity. Neither does this guy.
[YOUTUBE]VjLzhE7RNZU[/YOUTUBE]
[YOUTUBEWIDE]VjLzhE7RNZU[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
My 1991 VW Passat Estate passed its MoT (annual road worthiness test) today.
It was Dad's car but he gave up driving several years ago so it was signed over to me.
I kept my horrible little Peugeot, a mere sixteen years old, on the basis that the Passat would probably reach the end of the road sooner rather than later.
Dad's mobility is so poor that he can only get into the VW and even that tends to be a long winded process.
There's always the possibility of the need to take him to the hospital or Doc's at very short notice as well so that's another reason I've ended up with two cars.
It passed first time so no repairs or maintenance were needed. It has only done just over a thousand miles since the last test so it hasn't been exactly punished and has a total mileage of 68k.
I shouldn't think that either car is worth much more than scrap value and they probably cost more to tax and insure than they are worth.
I never thought that I'd say this, but I look forward to the day when I can give up driving.
With a bit of luck I'll keep one or both cars in serviceable order until that day arrives.
I just had a phone call from Buster. He sounds exactly like I figgered.
He's sending candy!
I emailed him before Christmas that I had some of those small round tins I'd send him if he promised not to send me candy, but never got a reply.
Oh yes you did. I said this would probably be my last year for making candy and thanks anyway. But, But who knows?
My cousin (the stabbed-in-the-head-with-scissors-one) called me today!
He's been home for about a week, still in intensive speech/occupational/physical therapy. It's a little heartbreaking to hear him try to speak, with the really (really) bad stuttering and cluttering and word choice issues, but you can definitely tell it's "him" in there. He knows what he wants to say, and got downright fluent for a few short periods when talking rapidly about concepts he felt strongly about, rather than chitchat. He's been told that they expect him to make a 100% recovery, in about a year's time. I told him I personally anticipate half that, if not less. First they were all, "he'll wake up in another two weeks" and he was all, "fuck you, I'm waking up today." Then they were all, "he'll be ready to go home in another 3 weeks," and he was all, "ha ha, suckers, looks like you meant 5 days." So now they say a year; idiots don't know a good bet when they see one...
He still can't draw for shit, but they did some kind of special hand-eye-coordination test that they give to brain injured patients, which somehow magically tells them what capacity is actually inside his brain vs. what he's currently able to make his hand do--and the lady said he outperformed a non-brain-injured person, even now. So they say he'll get full recovery for that as well.
The only thing they don't expect him to get back is the right half of his right eye's vision, which is gone because he apparently also had a mini-stroke at some point during all this, and that's a done deal. But they said his left eye will eventually compensate to the point that he won't notice it unless his left eye is completely closed.
But goddamn it was good to hear his voice again.
That's very good news, I figured he'd get mobile and be able to communicate with some rehab, but I wondered if he'd lose his profession he's built his whole life around. So that's really good to hear. From everything I've read about him, he's a happy person, probably a morning person(yuk), and better at his profession than anyone else. In other words, he's got all the right stuff to come back.
How are they doing with the bills?
That is very good news Clod.
How are they doing with the bills?
Doing okay for now. And their lawyers are very confident that the park will be taking care of things once the slow legal gears have a chance to finish turning.
So glad he's going to be ok, Clod.
Good to hear that Clod. Give him our best.
I got a tin of chocolate goodies from brother b. And a funny disclaimer letter. Good stuff, buster! Thanks!
A belated public thank you to the marvs Dwellar who wired some money to me last week when I was in need. It meant I didn't have to start using the Arabic way of wiping myself as I was able to buy toilet paper.
And the care packet of sugary goods from one of my regular saviours.
And the phone, so that I am in contact with the world.
I do thank people personally, but I don't like to boast about the really lovely things people do for me in case I embarrass them or it encourages other people to come and steal my Jelly Babies... That's not a euphemism.
I'm off to hospital for a sleepover tomorrow, so Mum sent me a balloon. She likes sending balloons. They come in a box with a small pack of chocs, so I'm never going to get thin at this rate! But it did make me smile. I'm assuming I'm forgiven for wasting Police time by letting someone steal my phone :lol:
I may have mentioned here, somewhere, that I got a letter over Christmas telling me I owed NHS dental services several hundred pounds for dental treatment that I was supposed to be exempt from because of claiming Jobseeker's Allowance at the time treatment started. The treatment had continued, because of several postponed appointments (the dentists were having some issues at the time), past the point when I signed off JSA. When the dentists had sent in the paperwork, they'd put the date I went in for the treatment under deep sedation, instead of the date when that round of treatment began.
I spoke to the dentists and they said they were emailing the NHS and not toworry. Then I get another about ten days ago, from the NHS telling me I have still not sorted out the money I owe them, they've added £50 costs and the next step is taking me to court. I phoned them, explained what had happened with dates oftreatment and that my detists had said they were emailing them - was told there was no email on record, they'd had no contact from the dentists - but would put a stop on the account for 21 days whilst I try and sort it out. Spoke to my dentists - they'd sent two separate emails, to the correct email adress and received an automated reply telling them their email had been received and they would be contacted in the next few days. That was in early January.
Bless them, they phoned the NHS and got them toaccept that there had been an error on the dates and that treatment was to be dated to the first visit. But - they now needed proof that I was on JSA at that start date.
So that left me having to call the Jobcentre Plus hotline. The only point of contact for anything to do with JSA , it can be an hour or more on hold and the advisors are often less than helpful.
I've been putting off calling them. Just the thought of having to explain the situation makes me feel tired. And then there's actually getting through to them. No good trying at just any time of day - pretty much the only way to get through to them is to call during their first hour (8-9am) so there are only two days a week I am even about at that time. This week I am on holiday from work and decided to get it out of the way early. I was on the phone at about 8:30, on hold for about 30 mins. Just as I was starting to get really hacked off with the Four Seasons hold music, someone answered.
The call took less than three minutes. The advisor was very helpful. Oh, right, she says, I'll get you a letter sent out. It'll be with you in th next few days. And, yes, by all means I can send it to an alternative address where the dog won't shred it.
This makes me feel pretty groovy.
Franz Kafka is alive and well and working in the Civil Service.
Whatever you do, do not enter into dialogue with HM Revenue and Customs. :eek:
But well done in triumphing over the forces of bureaucratic darkness. :thumb:
... snip ... bureaucratic tedium...
So that left me having to call the Jobcentre Plus hotline. The only point of contact for anything to do with JSA ,
The call took less than three minutes. The advisor was very helpful. Oh, right, she says, I'll get you a letter sent out. It'll be with you in th next few days.
This makes me feel pretty groovy.
The fact that things went so smoothly with a call to your govt bureaucrats must mean that
Mercury was retrograde...
snark
can you get one of those cages to catch the mail?
or just attack a box below the letterbox (on the inside)?
can you get one of those cages to catch the mail?
She could if she were in charge, but we all know who's in charge of that house. :lol:
Hah.Unfortunately not. It's a UPVC door with the letter box right at the bottom. Cage wouldn't fit and no way to nail it on anyway.
What I need, really is an external letter box. But as I don't have a garden it would need to be a decent, secure one. It's on the long list of shit I need when I earn proper money again.
Follow me here, I know it's an out there idea, but...
Perhaps the dog could be trained to not eat the freakin mail!
:p::lol2:
Yeah...I have tried. For most stuff he trains pretty easy - but there are a handful of things that he is immovable on and the post is one of those things.
Send yourself some mail with hot pepper on it. ;)
Send yourself some mail with hot pepper on it. ;)
Where's that LURVE button when you really need it!
or in it. That way, Carrot could still be trained to fetch the mail without damaging it? ?? :lol:
That's a really good idea lol
I just bled my radiators. I've never bled radiators before. Now that my gas and electric are on a pay as you go meter, I've had to start being far more energy conscious (by no means a bad thing - really wish I'd gone pay as you go years ago) and am basically not using my gas heater at all. I am instead relying exclusively on the central heating which is much more energy efficient. Trouble is the radiators haven't been bled since the current boiler was fitted 8 years ago. The upstairs radiators were barely working.
I looked up a how-to guide and it seemed simple enough (tho I've been burned before on that kind of assumption). Borrowed a radiator key and ...
It was so easy! Done and dusted in ten minutes, including the time to repressurise the boiler in between each radiator. And only one of the three radiators squirted vile brown liquid at me, at a sharp upwards angle that totally bypassed the rag I was using.
Now the upstairs of my house has working radiators. And I feel quite pleased with myself for doing something I'd never done before and which sounded horribly technical and hands-on until I actually looked up how to do it.
Very good.
I love forced air. I don't miss radiators at all. Well done
Electric baseboards they always work. As long as there is electricity.
[YOUTUBE]Cn_vvVza-2s[/YOUTUBE]
Via glatt's earlier Springsteen posting and lj's followup of the beer chugging moment... another great Springsteen moment occurred last night, he pulls this 91-year-old fan out of the audience and dances with her.
I may have posted these before. But it would have been when Diz was alive.
Found these on an old card my Mum is still using, and they came up unexpectedly and they shocked me. But in a good way. It's been long enough now that losing him still hurts, but I can glory in his beauty.
RIP Dizcat, I adored you. Even when you were a sod.
Glorying in the beauty is the best part. Good for you.
This made me smile the other day:
[ATTACH]55516[/ATTACH]
Is that real? I'm super curious who paid for it.
I suspect the oil sheiks who were in a world of hurt till the Gulf War. I wouldn't be surprised if Schwarzkopf is getting free gas for life. :haha:
I had my yearly licensing inspection for my kitchen today and passed as expected. It's a small thing, but it makes me happy. Now I'm making curry. That makes me happy too.
Whatever makes you happy, makes us happy.
Is that real? I'm super curious who paid for it.
The Washington Post could probably tell you.
Looks like Thursday, Feb [strike]28, or 26[/strike] 25.
Going to ride the Harley to work today, and I'm off tomorrow, which will be 78°. Taking it for inspection stickers. And then a long ride.
Max mowed the grass today. It was pretty impressive. The best part was that he really wanted to do it. In fact I got annoyed with him for bugging me about it and finally relented.
He did a good job.
My best friend in all the land (i.e. the person who knows me better than anyone, besides my mom who I miss so much every day ) bought me a laptop that I didn't ask for or even wish for (mine having gone missing when my car was stolen last summer.)
This means I can go to the library and do job hunting (maybe get just one of normal job to replace my weirdly houred rwo jobs ) or even just relax at a table with my own stuff. I've been given the gift of more self-sufficiency at the hands of someone else's sufficiency.
It is nice to be loved in spite of self-loathing. Who would have thought? :)
I may even find a way to afford interwebz again. Without having to live in a house full of doles. Working hard may be its own reward after all!
^this makes me happy too :)
All of this makes me Happy.
Thanks monster and fargon. :)
Infi, you deserve it.
I was reading some of the posts about Claudette just the other day. Not everyone can afford to share, but for those who can, and do it when the people they love are there to appreciate it, are magical.
It's Max's 7th birthday today. I'm happy about that, but I always think about what a difficult baby he was on his birthday. He was nearly the death of me. Literally. Lucky he's a smart, well natured child most of the time or i'd wonder why I did it (more often), haha
I never have to go through Hector's road test again.
It's Max's 7th birthday today. I'm happy about that, but I always think about what a difficult baby he was on his birthday. He was nearly the death of me. Literally. Lucky he's a smart, well natured child most of the time or i'd wonder why I did it (more often), haha
I never have to go through Hector's road test again.
The next one will be easier. :bolt:
Well obviously there's not going to be any next one for me. Not so true for monster though I guess. haha She still has one midget to go doesn't she?
yebbut it's Thor :eek: :bolt:
That boy can get behind the wheel legally in July .......
Sat at home anxiously as Hector drove them to Polo practice tonight. bad call in hindsight -his curfew is 10pm and they don't get out of the water til 9:30. He was so desperate to do it I didn't think it through. It's only a 10 minute drive, but Thor dawdles. can you hear the Jeopardy music in the background?
If he doesn't make it, at least you're aware of contributing circumstances, but he still might make it if he drives real fast. :haha:
Is Thor unbruised and completely dressed? ;)
:)
My youngest is road tripping this week in someone elses car.:thepain:
What's making you happy today?
I gots no chillrens. Driving age, nor otherwise.
:jig:
But you got babbits and squirls.
Now that is enough to make anyone happy :)
Okay, steak and a blowjob might help, but sometimes you have to enjoy what you get.
For me, it was a very simple pleasure this morning.
I had my morning bottle of sippy-drink (Fresubin - prescribed to help my recovery, not doing anything for my waistline though!) and I thought it was lemon. The lemon one is yucky, but they gave me a lot of them. Assorted flavours? Hardly. I think it was a deliberate slight because I specified No Banana Flavour.
Anyway, sucked it up like the medicine it is, only to find when I stopped to draw breath that it was actually chocolate!
Nom nom nom. Was not left with a bad taste in my mouth.
Via glatt's earlier Springsteen posting and lj's followup of the beer chugging moment and my posting the 91-year-old fan he danced with... this hits just keep on coming, another great Springsteen moment occurred last night,
Bruce Springsteen gives 9-year-old fan the best tardy note ever
A young Bruce Springsteen fan got out of being late to class in the most rock ’n’ roll way possible — by getting a note signed by The Boss himself!
The 9-year-old devotee, Xabi Glovsky of Claremont, Calif., was at the singer’s sold-out show in Los Angeles Tuesday night with his dad, Scott Glovsky, when they caught the rocker’s eye with a homemade sign.
“Bruce, I will be late to school tomorrow. Please sign my note :),” their poster read.
And once the concert ended, that’s exactly what he did.
“Dear Ms. Jackson, Xabi has been out very late rocking & rolling. Please excuse him if he is tardy,” Springsteen scrawled on a piece of loose-leaf paper after he had security personnel escort the father-son duo backstage.
Twist... Mr Jackson sues for possession of the note. :lol:
Why in hell would a parent hang Xabi on their kid?
I can see Xabi and Scott duking it out in the mud, the blood, and the beer.
To be fair, this same parent took him to a Springsteen concert.
Only out of guilt for saddling the kid with a name, nobody can pronounce or spell.
Or maybe couldn't get a sitter.
Or trying to top the ex-wife.
Or to help pick up chicks.
Or some other evil intent.
I can see Xabi and Scott duking it out in the mud, the blood, and the beer.
Excellent 'Boy Named Sue' reference. Outstanding, really.
I've worked really hard over the last couple of months and it's starting to pay off. Most of my weeks I'm taking around $1000 worth of orders or more. My target is $1500 steady by the end of the year, so it looks like it should be achievable. This is because I am asking a bit more for most of my cakes, and also because I'm producing more intricate styles which allow me to ask a premium price. Ideally, I'd like to get to a stage where I only have 3 or 4 orders each week, but they're all worth about $500. At the moment, I do probably 7 or 8 orders per week with only one being in the price range I'm targeting. This means a lot of remembering to order bits and pieces from my suppliers etc. Obviously with only 3 or 4 designs to think about, there's a lot less running around, which leads to more profit. It's been a good first quarter though, and my business account is starting to look good. I'm hopeful it will be good enough to allow me to buy a new (second hand) car for work before long.
I'm mostly happy that I don't have any orders this week, so I get to have a breather over the easter break. :)
What, no crucifixion, or Easter bunny cakes?
Nope. haha I will probably do some for the kids towards the end of the week, but nothing too fancy I don't think.
... My target is $1500 steady by the end of the year, so it looks like it should be achievable. ...
So your business plan is to let them eat cake, to bring in the bread, so you'll be rolling in dough. :3_eyes:
Not exactly rolling in it, but if I can get up to $1500 turn over per week, that will pay me a living wage over here. I appreciate the humour though. I wish I could cook up those kinds of jokes. They always seem to fall flat though.
badumtss!
She'll be here all week, try the cake.
Via glatt's Springsteen posting and the beer chugging moment and the 91-year-old fan he danced with... now this
Bruce Springsteen Cancels North Carolina Show Over Anti-LGBTQ Law
"Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry—which is happening as I write—is one of them."
Pretty amazing that he cancelled two days out.
Agreed.
Someone explain to me how the government is trampling on some people's freedom of religion?
The government is trampling on my right to tell you what religion you must follow.
Just saw a "Libertarian" on bacefook complaining about Cuomo manning up for once and banning state government travel to NC.
How is this different than the bakers who were destroyed on social media and the news, charged, sued and forced to pay over $100,000 in fines?
On it's face, the bakers were taking a stand in favor of discrimination and Springsteen is taking a stand against it.
HTH?
Nope - both were taking a stand on their beliefs.
Some agree with one and not the other. Two sides of the same coin.
So the bakers refused to serve anyone? Explain
My girl is so hype to be playing Water Polo for U Mich this afternoon in B1G club championships. makes me happy. Got my Mich Kit and earrings on, about to leave......
Exciting stuff Mon! Hope it goes well:)
wiiiin! back again tomorrow for more!
Why not? You posted it, I'm asking about it.
How is this different than the bakers who were destroyed on social media and the news, charged, sued and forced to pay over $100,000 in fines?
On it's face, the bakers were taking a stand in favor of discrimination and Springsteen is taking a stand against it.
HTH?
Nope - both were taking a stand on their beliefs.
Some agree with one and not the other. Two sides of the same coin.
So the bakers refused to serve anyone? Explain
Not here UT.
Why not? You posted it, I'm asking about it.
Maybe because THIS IS THE "WHAT'S MAKING YOU HAPPY TODAY" THREAD and your questions aren't making him happy anymore! Try going back and putting some smilies in your posts; or, starting a "What's making you unhappy today" thread for your questions.
Sheesh, some people, he acts like he owns the place or somethin'. :p:
Yeah, some nerve, everybody knows "Bob" Dobbs owns it. :yesnod:
I thought Zanthrax owned it
Three days into a 10 day course of antibiotics and strong steroid ointment, and I am feeling better than I have felt in months.
Mariwhaaaaaannnaaaaaaa...:fumette:
"I get the eateez from my weedies!"
I got a funny card from a nice lady today. Made my day. Thanks sundae.
I don't really deserve the kindness, but somehow she makes you feel like you do.
Carruthers, could you pm me a mailing address for her? I'm not sure I have a recent one.
I don't really deserve the kindness
Stop it! You do so deserve kindness. Unless you've been killing people and burying them under a patio (hobos excepted) without telling us, I see no reason why you wouldn't deserve kindness and friendship. You're a lovely woman, with a good heart, a wicked sense of humour and a metric fuckton of good stuff to offer the world. I'm glad to call you friend, and I know Sundae is too.
I know it's hard for you to accept - but we like you. You're one of us.
[sinister chanting]
One of us!
One of us! [/sinister chanting]
Carruthers, could you pm me a mailing address for her? I'm not sure I have a recent one.
Of course!
It's a bit late here and I'm on my iPad which isn't the most convenient piece of kit.
I'll fire up the PC and send the info first thing in the morning. :thumb:
On Wednesday I wrote the last 2 checks in my checkbook.
On Thursday I open the safe and guess what, no more checks... dumbass mumble mumble.
Thursday afternoon I ordered checks online, opting for 4 day UPS delivery because of this 3 day weekend.
Saturday I get an email from Deluxe saying my checks had been shipped and expect delivery on Thursday the 2nd.
But when I clicked on the UPS link to verify the date, it said delivered on Friday... yesterday.
That's crazy impossible, but sure enough, they were in the front door.
God, I love UPS. :heartpump
Nothing like my FexEx experience last week, which sure the fuck can't go in this thread. :mad:
I've been offered a job, subject to pre-employment checks. I'm looking forward to it though it's something of a sidestep as far as career goes - not into academia, but into another customer service role. I am also a tad nervous about how I'll cope with the hours - it's 35 hours a week, but it's a shift rotation between 8am and 8pm. On the other hand, it's a half hour journey to work rather than 2 to 2.5 hours! So I'll be exchanging the 12-14 hours a week I currently travel for my part-time job, for 5 hours a week for the full time job. So, in truth I'm only adding about 10-12 hours a week out of my house.
It looks like it might at times be quite hectic and stressed. It also looks like it might at times be fun and rewarding. I'll be working as a claims handler for an insurance company.
Assuming all the pre-employment checks go ok, I have a 1st August start date. First four weeks are training. I gave my notice at my current job yesterday. Bit sad, but also quite excited.
I think that sounds great dana! You never know where such a position might lead. And to have a better commute is calming itself. So happy for you!
Well done, Dani! Good for you!
What does Carrot think about it? :)
What Carruthers said.
I bet Carrot will love it.
Sounds like a good move - exchange all those hours on the bus you didn't get paid for for some you do.
As to stressful job - just shuck it off as you leave for home each day. And start saving for your trip to Arran ... ;)
This sounds like a good step, congratulations!
Friend's daughter/son's friend on way home from hospital after 11 hour brain surgery Monday. :D This is making me happy. Everything else is pissing me the fuck off, but this is making me happy.
I'm happy to hear this good news too. . :-)
I went to an epee tourney in Freehold yesterday and beat the best Vet in the building. I also feel like that was rich levy letting me through a line of traffic to get out of a gas station.
I went to an epee tourney in Freehold yesterday and beat the best Vet in the building.
Go, hillbiffy, go!!
PRAISE EVERYTHING THAT IS HOLY AND ALSO UNHOLY PRAISE WHATEVER WANTS PRAISING
SHE HAS A JOB.
And a good one, too, from a resume perspective and also a job satisfaction perspective. Only part-time for now, but goddamn will we ever take it. This is seriously an unbelievable weight off our shoulders.
An after-school group leader at my kids' school. It's not what you know...
So far, I've found five (5) little green flakes in my Ramen noodles.
It's like I'm rich, or something.
:jig:
I’m not sure that ‘happy’ is quite the word, but I’ll press on, all the same.
We’re in the middle of a four year program to commemorate the 1914-18 War.
On the 1st of this month, the first day of the Battle of the Somme was marked by ceremonies in the UK and France.
July 1st 1916 was the bleakest day in the history of the British Army. Nineteen thousand soldiers died that day, most within the first thirty minutes after 0730 when they went ‘over the top’.
My Grandfather (Dad’s dad) served in WW1 and was wounded while in France as far as we were aware. I’ve never known anything about the circumstances surrounding the event and Dad said that he’d never spoken much about his experiences.
Having followed the Somme commemoration it prompted me to do some more research about grandad. Records of WW1 wounded were released into the public domain in 2013 but I was unaware of this.
A quick search turned up
www.forces-war-records.co.uk so I paid up for a month’s subscription. It didn’t take too long to find Grandad’s hospital admission record for August 1917 which recorded:
Ailment: Gunshot wound V1, bullet.
(V1 - Gunshot wound of the abdomen.
Simple flesh wound or contusion in the Army Wound Classification System).
The only treatment recorded is the administration of 500 units of anti-tetanus serum on 20/08/1917.
In his later years I visited Grandad in hospital and his pyjama jacket was undone revealing a savage looking scar on his abdomen. I have difficulty in squaring that sight with the Army category of ‘Simple flesh wound’.
Unfortunately, nowhere in that record does it mention where he was when wounded or the location of the field hospital. However he was a member of 91st Field Company Royal Engineers and a timeline of the Company’s service indicates that he was in Belgium near Ypres when wounded. His unit went to France in July 1915 and served there, including several battles in the Somme offensive, until mid 1917 before moving north to Flanders.
Repatriation soon followed and a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps was effected in the closing months of the war.
I’m pleased (perhaps happy) that I have been unable to unearth these details as I was able to fill in the missing spaces for Dad, who is now ninety-one.
That's very cool, Carruthers.
I tried to research Grandpadigr's military records a good while back (he died in '77). Unfortunately, a fire in the early 70s destroyed the entire floor of the gov't records repository where his Naval records were stored.
All his brother could tell us was that Grandpadigr was involved in the Battle for Saipan (as a gunner, we don't even know what kind of ship he was on) and at some point he received a Purple Heart.
Wish we knew more. A lot of those guys back then were forced to do things they didn't think they were even capable of, and just couldn't/wouldn't talk about it. And, now they 're leaving this world at an alarming rate, and we'll never know what they did when they were saving the world.
did you sneeze?
Hah! No, these flakes were all brand new, no used flakes in m'Ramen...:D
... a savage looking scar on his abdomen. I have difficulty in squaring that sight with the Army category of ‘Simple flesh wound’.
I believe the use of the term "Simple" in this context refers to the wound being entirely open (i.e. grazing wound), regardless of its size, rather than having an entrance; or, entrance and exit with cavitation.
Wounds that create cavities are much more difficult to prevent infection from setting in. Complications of infection give rise to secondary injury; so, those flesh wounds are labeled "Complex."
A complex flesh wound may not look like much, just a small entrance wound, until the its cavity is explored while a simple flesh wound with a large surface area may look gruesome.
Hope that helps.
@sexobon
Thanks for that clarification, I'm grateful to you.
It would never have occurred to me that there was a medical (surgical?) definition of the term!
Saw Mr Carr yesterday. Always a happy event.
Do not let the self-effacing persona he presents fool you. The man is all man and can undertake anything from riding horses (I picture him bare-backed and stripped to the waist) to charming mothers, to looking after pets, to surviving a zombie apocalypse.
I usually swoon over the larger men. Someone to bounce on. But there is much to be said about sinewy strength, honed from years of battling buddleia. And after all, the organ that matters can't be shown in polite society.
The brain. The brain, you mucky lot...
So yes. Happier today for seeing Carruthers yesterday. And talking to DanaC. And knowing I have a ticket to Castle Limey in a few weeks. I'm all Cellared-up.
Saw Mr Carr yesterday. Always a happy event.
Do not let the self-effacing persona he presents fool you. The man is all man and can undertake anything from riding horses (I picture him bare-backed and stripped to the waist) to charming mothers, to looking after pets, to surviving a zombie apocalypse.
I usually swoon over the larger men. Someone to bounce on. But there is much to be said about sinewy strength, honed from years of battling buddleia. And after all, the organ that matters can't be shown in polite society.
The brain. The brain, you mucky lot...
So yes. Happier today for seeing Carruthers yesterday. And talking to DanaC. And knowing I have a ticket to Castle Limey in a few weeks. I'm all Cellared-up.
The semblance of a blush has risen, unbidden, to my manly cheek.:blush:
new outrageously-expensive-for-me earrings. :D
They actually look this cool IRL!
I started my new job on Monday and so have just completed the first week of my five week classroom based training :)
I think I am going to like this job. I had no idea insurance was so interesting!
The chap training us is awesome. He's a natural teacher (as well as very knowledgeable about his subject).
The cpmpany seem to be really good employers - they certainly are willing to invest in their staff - 5 weeks classroom training (with half a day per week spent up on the floors, shadowing one of the claims handlers whilst they work) followed by 3 weeks in 'creche' which is taking calls and doing some of the claim handling work, but in a separate area, with masses of support and someone on hand at all times to step in if needed.
It's 35 hours a week - training is 9-5, once we go onto the floor we'll be working rota shifts between 8am and 8pm. You work in teams of about 8-10 people, so the whole team are on the same shift. Some saturdays (with day off in the week) I think they said it was something like 1 in 4 saturdays. But the way they work the shifts is one of those things that changes according to staffing levels and business need.
Open plan office, but ....I get my own desk!!!! Yey. No more hotdesking or sharing headsets :) This will be first time I'll have had my own desk in over a decade.
Lots of room for progression, or movement within the company if I end up staying and don't bugger off into an academic job (I'm still keeping an eye out, but they are few and far between if you aren't prepared to relocate to another part of the country, which I am not) and the pay is ok. Not great - but ok.
I get the impression the people working there work hard but have a laugh as well. Very telling that many of the people I've met there have been working there for decades.
The ethos seems to be that as long as the work gets done and we are doing our best then it is fine to have a laugh and a bit of chit chat because - as the manager of the Home section says 'you spend far too much of your life in work to not be enjoying it'
There's a metric fuckton of stuff to learn. My head is spinning with it all and we're still on the theoretical stuff. Which is waaaaay more interesting than I ever would have imagined.
Had our first shadowing session yesterday and the claims handler I listened in to was brilliant. In the two hours I spent shadowing her she took 5 calls - three were dead simple, and were instant declines or authorisations and a policy information request, 2 were much more involved, with her organising surveyors to look at stuff and asking all sorts of questions about the situation, all were completely different. Whilst she wasn't taking calls she was jumping onto the section tasks list and dealing with some of those - mainly redirecting emails to more appropriate specialist teams, but also requesting further investigation into a suspected attempt at fraud, and trying to figure out why a 3rd party was enquiring about an outstanding payment when the system showed a payment had been made.
So - it's not just sitting taking calls all day - though there will be days where that is the majority of the work (like when the floods were happening and they were inundated with insurance claims). Some days the phones are really quiet - might only take 6 or 7 calls in a day - other days you take lots of calls, but there's always something to busy yourself with if the calls are few and far between.
I'm also on a permanent contract for first time in a decade (with a six month probationary period) . Annualised hours - so they can ask you to do overtime (but not excessively so - there won't be expectations of doing back to back 12 hour shifts and they have to give at least 48 hours notice at a minimum, but they try for 72 hours or longer) and those are paid at overtime rates, depending whether they are within normal operating hours, or fall on a public holiday and you get the hours back later in the year. Usually, what happens, apparently, is that overtime happens quite a bit in winter, and those hours will usually be given to you in summer.
No doubt there will be corporate and bureaucratic nonsense aplenty, but the immediate level managers seem to mitigate a lot of that by being decent human beings. They all seem very down to earth, and so far the ones I've met all started at the bottom so know what the work is actually like. I can't speak for the higher level management, because they're up on high :P Two of the people in our training group are already long-standing employees who've chosen to move from motor insurance to home insurance - they seem happy and have both been with the company in one dept or another for over 20 years (one started 30 years ago, but took a 6 year break to bring up babies and then came back)
There's no such thing as job security these days, but this seems about as close to that as it gets as long as you don't take the piss or do something shady. So that's a plus.
The job, I think will be fun, interesting, varied, occasionally frustrating, occasionally uplifting and with a good sense of camaraderie.
This will be first time I'll have had my own desk in over a decade.
What? Are you counting high school, or something?:eyebrow:
You've told on yourself a little bit, there, Dana. You might be older than I thought you were.;)
You didn't share a desk in high school?
LUXURY!
Pssh. The best we could afford was low school. Damn near scraped the ground with our faces, it was so low.
Our new house has appliances, beds and cable/internet. No living room furniture for another month, but fuck that. It's time to finish this move.
Dana, it sounds wonderful. Very happy for you.
Thanks youse guys :)
What? Are you counting high school, or something?
You've told on yourself a little bit, there, Dana. You might be older than I thought you were.
Oh Grav, you say the nicest things :P
This first week has floored me - I was so tired last night - but also wired. Partly this is because my body clock is set to working one day on and one day off - suddenly I'm going in every day! And partly because there is such a lot to learn - it's very intensive. My head is spinning - I can't believe how much we've covered in this first week.
When I started on Monday I thought wow, five weeks, that's a long time to be in training. By Friday I was thinking wow, how the hell are we going to cover all this stuff in just five weeks :P
This is my first proper full-time job in a decade. The last time I worked regular full-time hours was when I was a literacy tutor 2004-2006. I've had times of doing a lot of stuff - like when I was juggling full-time university and council work, but I wasn't full-time out of my house, I was working from home a lot, and on my own schedule. Even when I was doing my PhD and teaching, I was only away from home for a portion of the week - with periods of business and periods of slack. Then working part-time jobs, or home-based jobs.
That said, I've reduced my travel burden from around 13 hours a week across 3 days to around 7 hours a week across 5 days. So that takes some of the sting out of it :)
New job for Dana, new house for Syc, visit from Sundae on the horizon. All good! All making me happy!
Sent by thought transference
Good stuff folks! keep it coming.
Headed over to Victory Brew Pub for dinner and a flight with the woman and her parents.
Good food + good people = good times.
A flight is a grouping of something similar (e.g. flight of stairs, flight of geese). Borrowed from the world of wine tasting where wines of the same type are sampled, without elaboration it just means several drinks.
Going by the name of the place, probably beer.
Exactly! Thank you, sexo. The flight is 5 different beers. I've always been into wine tastings, but living on the east coast of the US makes it VERY expensive to taste quality. I've been getting into beer tasting more over the last few months. This particular establishment offers a variety of micro brews which cover a broad spectrum from the watered down crap like Bud or Coors to the darkest of dark toasted or chocolate or coffee beers.
:yum: :yum: :drool: :jig:
I am flat out exhausted from fencing yesterday. I was on my game in the NY open tourney I got crushed at last year. I managed to come in at 21/64 which would have meant a rating upgrade except somebody dropped out before the de. I had nothing left for the Vet event right after. The guys who only fenced the Vet mostly did better. But a great day of fencing and I dropped the overall winner at the train station on my way out of Poughkeepsie so I made nice connection.
Since we moved Tango over here Sunday night, she has been upstairs mostly...either hiding in one of the alcoves on Michelle's dresser or laying on the small set of steps that lead to our bedroom. She's been exploring the house, but those two spots have been her safe spots.
Today, we noticed that her food bowl was empty for the first time since Sunday. And when I came up here tonight, she didn't follow me. She was hanging out in her cat condo. She's getting comfortable here...we are too.
(Of course, just as I finish typing this, she starts calling for us. She'll be fine though.)
Did I mention that the Mrs and I bought a house last month?
When I joined Cellar 15 years ago (!), I was a 25-year-old punk that had just moved to Philadelphia. Buying a house, getting married and having kids were all 3 big no's for me.
And so here I am now...I turn 41 soon, I live in suburban Kansas City (me...a suburbanite...that wasn't supposed to happen either), I'm happily married (for the second and last time), I have a 13-year-old son (though not related by blood, I love him as if he were my own flesh and blood) and I own a house. Well, WE own a house...an old farmhouse (complete with a barn!) that has survived the suburbanization of Johnson County, Kansas.
And it feels damn good.
On the first day of my summer vacation, I woke up. Then I went downtown to look for a job. Then I hung out in front of the drugstore.
Then I hung out in front of the drugstore.
On a bench? Or didja lean against the wall with one foot propped behind ya, and a cigarette behind your ear, like the tough kids?
On the first day of my summer vacation, I woke up. Then I went downtown to look for a job. Then I hung out in front of the drugstore.
Hang in there...3 more days.
I was referring to jim's vacation...me, vacation? Hahahhahahahahaaaa...say that again that's funny.
And then, it's from Sister Mary Elephant. You didn't know? For shame!
Derp. Didn't make the connection.:redface:
Hang in there...3 more days.
:D:D:D
What's making me happy [strike]today[/strike] tonight.
A Perseid Meteor Shower, the best in a decade!
Go! Go outside now!!!
[size=8]He said yes.[/size]
Can't say who just yet. But this place being what it is, at least a few of you will very much recognize the name. I am beside myself. Still keep questioning whether the phone call even really happened. In a few days I get to pitch the already-sanctioned ghostwritten memoir of a really cool dude. And there is absolutely no way they will say no.
What's making me happy [strike]today[/strike] tonight.
A Perseid Meteor Shower, the best in a decade!
Go! Go outside now!!!
In a thunderstorm? We won't be seeing it.
[size=8]He said yes.[/size]
Can't say who just yet. But this place being what it is, at least a few of you will very much recognize the name. I am beside myself. Still keep questioning whether the phone call even really happened. In a few days I get to pitch the already-sanctioned ghostwritten memoir of a really cool dude. And there is absolutely no way they will say no.
:)
Don't know what this means, but, if you're happy, I'm happy for ya.:)
Drinking beer and organizing. Yeah. I'm weird....I love to organize my shit. And tonight, I'm gonna go the fuck ahead and rent a goddamn movie from On Demand. fuck it...:p:
We got everything out of the old house yesterday. I have junk haulers going over there tomorrow to clean the rest of our unwanted crap out.
Remind us never to move again...
Drinking beer and organizing. Yeah. I'm weird....I love to organize my shit. And tonight, I'm gonna go the fuck ahead and rent a goddamn movie from On Demand. fuck it...:p:
Damn. If you were closer I'd hire you to organize the hell out of my house. And then, if I had money left over I'd let you organize the hell out of my life.
Damn ADD makes it hard to organize
[SIZE="7"]SQUIRREL![/SIZE]
:drool:
Sometimes, all you need is a small fan to make all the difference.
Our house's second floor (where my office is) is warmer than the first floor, and I don't want to lower the thermostat. So I pulled out a small fan we had at the old house that we didn't use, and...ahhhh...
Thank you for your good wishes and support as I begin a new adventure!
Starting next week, I will be in Detroit for 10 weeks, helping set up offices that will serve as headquarters for folks working voter registration drives. It utilizes some of my core strengths while providing service to others and opportunity for growth. I could wind up traveling to other states depending on how polling goes and/or where needs arise.
This is the kind of work I've wanted to do for some time, but hadn't found the right opportunity. Now I have, and look forward to the challenges and benefits of the role. I had originally applied for a position closer to home, but this is where the help is most needed right now. It will suck to be separated from my family for 10 weeks, but they are very supportive and I love them so much for that.
Let's do this!
Also, Seahawks versus cowboys, starting now.
Also, Seahawks versus cowboys, starting now.
Fucking ouch, Romo got sat down hard, very hard. Hope he's OK.
As much fun as it is to make fun of the Cowboys (and Jim), Tony Romo can't seem to catch a break. He's out until midseason because of a broken bone in his back. That sucks.
ow, ow, ow, ow, ow.. very unfortunate. It was a clean tackle, and a very awkward landing. Sorry man.
Just dropped a small fortune on new clothes for the job. Down 3-4 sizes on shirts and 2 on pants. Worth every penny.
Ultimately, I'm gonna have to have plastic surgery to remove excess skin (and hence lose more sizes), but this works for now.
We were down at the Nelson (our Art Museum) out and about catching Pokemon last night...and I think I got winded maybe once, because I was doing a lot of steps. That felt REALLY good.
As much fun as it is to make fun of the Cowboys (and Jim), Tony Romo can't seem to catch a break. He's out until midseason because of a broken bone in his back. That sucks.
Mother. Fucker.
Catch 22 now for him. If Dak does great, will they keep him in? If he sucks, will the season be too far gone to save?
Hoping for something in the middle I guess. I want Tony to get his ring.
Phone call with DanaC last night.
I think her mind is honestly even filthier than mine.
[COLOR="White"](Yes, I did say I'd do Chorlton, but you were the one who brought the tail into it)[/COLOR]
And yes babba, it's a competition :p:
As much fun as it is to make fun of the Cowboys (and Jim), Tony Romo can't seem to catch a break. He's out until midseason because of a broken bone in his back. That sucks.
It's at the point where I wish Romo was on a different team because I would like to root for the guy. Hall of famer and a good dude.
I love Detroit. I have met so many awesome people here over the past 2 years and seen so much awesomeness. I'm not pulling up the stakes and moving the family here, but this is a very underrated town.
Dwellars.
Introduced to the P method of breathing by Limey. She's not actually a doctor (unlike DanaC) but her practical advice on dealing with breathlessness really helped.
Had a major phone emergency, helped out as always by the Mighty Carruthers. I have a new phone, even if I can't work it yet. In fact it's driving me crazy (crazier) but I know I'll work it out.
And kind thoughts and messages for the poor sad sack that I am. They are always treasured.
Oh and I got two new items of clothing for £3.49!
I got a pair of white trousers from the clothing exchange when I was at St Anne's. Lovely, but limited. Doubt I'll be wearing them again now September's come. And I loved, loved, loved my white dress, but hey - you can get bored with anything. So I bought some fabric dye and salt, and now have lilac trews and dress. I was concerned it looked very grey when I first took it out, but that was probably because it was midnight. May not wear either again until next year - see above re September - but feel all crafty and clever about it.
Glad to know it helped.
Dyeing success is awesome, isn't it!? :D
Phone call with DanaC last night.
I think her mind is honestly even filthier than mine.
Jeez, share the love...
Chorlton cum hardy? are they taking the piss?
Got a letter from Sundae yesterday. Sat with Daniel and read every word. Had to explain a lot to him too. We spent over an hour just reading and talking without any electronic interruptions. :)
I tried not to be patronising and pitch it too low. Figured you'd be able to explain anything too English at least.
Glad you enjoyed it.
<3 Loved every word. I'm AMAZED how you filled every square inch of space with writing. I think you missed your calling. You should be an author.
4 weeks ago, I came to Detroit with rough sketches and ideas about the future and the project. Today, we have 3 offices staffed with 200 awesome employees. This city and its people have welcomed us warmly into their communities, and we are incredibly grateful for that. 41 days until Election Day. I really don't care who you vote for, so long as you vote.
I'm just glad he's managed to not get killed to death while there.
It's OK, I don't let my son drive outside the neighborhood yet, the D is still safe. But now it's fall, remember....
[YOUTUBE]aktLRiWXfqg[/YOUTUBE]
Gave a presentation today to an autism treatment group, with the agreement that all attending members would get a free copy of my book. 14 people RSVPed, 40-50 showed up. I had to text my mom 5 minutes before starting and ask her to go to my house and get more books. But it went well, and I managed to clear out almost all of my remaining promotional copies, which is awesome. (I was supposed to give them away at the Chicago AutismOne conference in May, but the shipment was screwed up and they didn't get into my hands until the last few hours I was there.) Hard to say if positive word-of-mouth will lead to any real sales, but it was a successful event, at any rate.
Word of mouth can't hurt. It's a good book.
that is Fabulous, Fodclobble :D Very happy for you, the book is most excellent, I recommend it frequently
....and I think word of mouth is generally the way to go to get your momentum in such a specialist interest area. Because that travels to the people who need to know and the people who don't but like to learn who then recommend it further, and bypasses the fluffy-only audience
My son chipped in a shot on the 18th hole for an eagle and won $400 in a tournament doing so! Round 2 today.
Sounds like somebody should be taking dad out for dinner.
Wow! Which son is this?
Son1 - The older boy.
Sounds like somebody should be taking dad out for dinner.
Thats EXACTLY whats happening for my B-Day since he couldn't make the festivities with my parents and the rest of us. Kind of excited - He told me we are going to
Firebirds. Neither of us have ever been as its way outta our typical budget.
So yeh, yesteday was my B-Day and I turned 52. Feeling ok about it, I guess. I reflect A LOT more than I used to though. Realizing that 75 is closer than 25 is kinda freaky. ANYWAY, whats the thing that makes me Happy you ask? Well my daughter wrote a really nice Happy Birthday post for me and this is the pic she chose. I totally love it.
That's really nice. Good smiles on everyone.
That's a good looking fam right there, Classic.
That kid in the red shirt is kinda goofy-looking, though.:p:
Hey, just cause you're getting old doesn't mean ya hafta grow up!
Happy Belated Birthday Classic!
Thanks guys. Funny (I think so anyway) thing as I was taking a selfie with Son1, he turns his head grabs something from around his ear and then comes back for the pic. I look at his hand it was a :joint:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! (x52)
What an excellent picture! Happy Birthday!!
I fixed my son's tenor saxophone today and I'm maybe a little more pleased with myself than I should be, but yeah!
Two of his valves weren't working because it got bashed by a snare drum last night in a crowded band room. He tried bending a lever back to get it to work, but had limited success. I couldn't even see what was broken. We planned to just rent a sax for a month or two while the repair guy kept it in his shop. It would be a couple hundred bucks but at least I could be sure a pro would do it right. My son would have none of it though. He ran down into the shop to get my screwdriver set, so that motivated my to get involved in the repair before he broke the thing even worse.
[ATTACH]58128[/ATTACH]
So this is the deal. There is a little steel shaft, maybe stainless steel, even, that goes between two posts welded to the sax. It's basically a screw. The threads screw into the post on the right, and the shaft has a head like a screw over to the left. Two brass sleeves fit over this particular shaft, and various levers and pads are welded to the sleeves. The snare drum hit the lever on the end there and bent it back a little bit. This made it no longer work the valve on the mouthpiece. Then the force was also transmitted to the sleeve and bent sleeve A so imperceptibly that you can't even see it in the picture. You could feel, though, that the sleeve was jammed and wouldn't allow a couple other valves to open.
So I carefully unscrewed the shaft holding these two sleeves, and removed the sleeves. Once I had them off, I could easily feel where sleeve A was bent by sliding the shaft in and out until there was resistance. I wanted to bend it straight again, but brass is very soft and brittle, and I was terrified of breaking or kinking the sleeve. So I found a drill bit with the same diameter as the sleeve and drilled a hole in a little block of maple. I went to my BAND SAW and cut through that drilled hole. This gave me nice firm supporting pads for the jaws of my vise. I clamped the sleeve carefully just below the bend, and bent it straight with my fingers. I would bend it incrementally, and then test it by trying to slide the shaft back into it and feel if it would bind up.
Anyway, that's all a little long winded, but the end result was that I totally fixed it. It all fits together nicely and the levers and valves just work smoothly. It took about as much time as driving to the music store to rent a new sax.
Lucky you had a band saw, where'd you get that again?
Thanks guys. Funny (I think so anyway) thing as I was taking a selfie with Son1, he turns his head grabs something from around his ear and then comes back for the pic. I look at his hand it was a :joint:
Noyce.
That boy's a keeper.
Add saxophone repairman to the (very long) list.
That man really is a Glatt of All Trades.
Nice picture of the kids, it's a shame that ugly fucker with the beard photobombed them.
Thanks all. Damn kid seems like he is getting more like I was every day.
Happy Birthday Classic!
Lovely photo. My word, there's no missing that you're one family :P
23rd wedding anniversary. She ain't killed me yet...
[COLOR=LemonChiffon]YET is the operative word...[/COLOR]
The day is young! :) Congrats to you both.
Maybe because she hasn't been able to find what box the weapons are in. :lol:
Did ya ever wash your pu$$y? Poor little calico female moved in with us and she is a flea magnet. I put Walmarts spot on her between the shoulder blades. They all eat Kit an Kaboodle and canned Friskies. All are in/out cats. She has this big swatch of white across her front. The others don't have this affliction yet. I see on the net to try Bentadine.
tarheel
Saw an awesome set of boobs this morning.
With nothing between me and them but air.
Tell ya about it later.
So, she paid the bail bondsman, but the jail wouldn't release my buddy till 6 am the next morning. Fuckers. I said to buddy's gf, this sucks. Now we gotta drive three hours back home, and be back up here by 6 in the damn morning. She asks if I could bear staying the night in a motel, so she don't have to do all that driving again, alone. I tell her a motel is right out, as I have less than a hundred bucks left on me. I thought it was gonna be a pay-the-guy-pick-him-up-get-the-fuck-home-situation. Chick says she'll pay for the room.
Room.
Not rooms.
Room. Singular.
Turns out they've stayed here before, and a single room with two beds is $128. A room with just a single bed is $110. Is this ok with me? Meh, I'll live.
So, we eat, have a few drinks. Kill time.
It's bedtime, and I have no problems. Off comes the hat, t-shirt, the shoes and socks, and I'm in my shorts and underwear in bed ready to lay awake all night. For one, I'm in a strange place, ain't no sleep happening for me, period. For two, I'm in a room with another man's woman, a pretty damn good-lookin' woman. Ain't no sleep happening for me, period.
The little pull-chain light in the "closet area" is left on. Plenty of light by which to see.
At around 2 am, I hear girl stir and sigh. A few minutes later, I hear her sigh again. Then she gets up and goes to the bathroom. Like she's the only person on the planet, she gets up, and walks across the room. Wearing a pair of little, little, black panties with a row of little tiny red ribbon bows around the top, and nothing else.
She left the bathroom door open while she peed.
My mind is now going 16,375,917 miles per hour.
I was wondering, in the porn movie of my mind, how the next 45 seconds might go. And then, how the next 2 hours might go.;) She walked back to her bed, and I laid there with a tent pitched in my bed. At 4:30, she got up again, still just in the little black panties with the little tiny red ribbon bows around the top, took a shower and with the room lights on, came back outta the bathroom, saw me sitting on the edge of the bed, and says just way too damn nonchalantly, "Oh. I didn't know you were up." She then put her hairbrush in her pocketbook, and then picked up her shirt and put it on. Just the shirt. For the next 15 minutes she walked around in just a shirt and those little black panties with the little tiny red ribbon bows around the top.
I was fucking dying. Dying.
I don't think I have to tell you what part of me was as clean as it has ever been when I got out of the shower.
She's like 5'10", athletic build, got her own murdersickle, dark red hair, and boobs that Bob Segar sang about (two points of her own, standing way up high, way up firm and high). She could not hold a single pencil under these breastages, and they are not small.
I will remember those breastages and those little, little black panties with the little tiny red ribbon bows around the top walking in from the bathroom in the very early morning for the rest. of. my. life.
Even if I live to be 10,000 years old.
BTW, dude's outta jail, urrbody's home, and I still have an erection.
Oh yeah, some of those close encounters are more memorable than getting laid.:beer:
I'm thinking either I have a poor memory or you don't know how to phuck.
tarheel
Long ago and far away, a friend invited me to a weekend long biker party his club was throwing. It started to sprinkle so the friend's girl and I ducked into a two man pup tent to do some lines. She was wearing a scoop neck blouse and when she leaned over the mirror all I could do is stare at those beautiful braless breasts. Years later she was my girlfriend for a couple years and we phucked plenty, but that display in the tent is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her.
Who da mods? This is the only thread I can't get. Just a black screen and comment arrow at the bottom.
tarheel
Long ago and far away, a friend invited me to a weekend long biker party his club was throwing. It started to sprinkle so the friend's girl and I ducked into a two man pup tent to do some lines. She was wearing a scoop neck blouse and when she leaned over the mirror all I could do is stare at those beautiful braless breasts. Years later she was my girlfriend for a couple years and we phucked plenty, but that display in the tent is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her.
♪ ♫Now nothing seems as strange as when the leaves began to change♪ ♫
♪ ♫Or how we thought those days would never end♪ ♫
♪ ♫Sometimes I'll hear that song and I'll start to sing along♪ ♫
♪ ♫And think man I'd love to see that girl again♪ ♫My nieces' HS volleyball team won state semi-finals tonight. Going back tomorrow to win state. Wow, what a great bunch of kids, and i got to be with my family and the community watching it happen. I am so proud. Wish them luck! :)
I begin my journey home tomorrow. :)
I hope you have your address written down.
Congratulations. I know y'all happy.
tarheel
I MET MY GUARDO CAMINO!!!
2.5 hours of moderate to high intensity...but I find him to be mellower at 55 than at, say, 35.
Did I mention I'll be in Philly next week? First time in town in 8 years.
Did I mention I'll be in Philly next week? First time in town in 8 years.
We need to catch up! Lets make this happen. Jim!!!! Paging Jim, UT, Bruce ... who else is here?
I work 9-9 all week the week of the 5th. Mike is taking vacation. If you're in town on Sunday the 4th or 11th, you guise are welcome to meet at my place. I've got lots of room
I'll be in town Friday and Saturday...Classicman and I are trying to come up with something. Suggestions?
I'll be in town Friday and Saturday...Classicman and I are trying to come up with something. Suggestions?
Go across the river to a certain Nissan dealership about lunch time and say hello to the kid.
tarheel
I'm available all day Friday, but only till 1ish on Sat.
Scheduling change out of my control...whole trip is fucked/canceled.
Happy that my daughter just heard from her first college. She got in, and they gave her a nice scholarship! Ursinus college, just across the street from UT's old run down house.
The scholarship blew me away when I saw the dollar amount, but then I compared it to the full price and it's not so impressive after all. $35k scholarship on a $65k sticker price. Ugh. $30k per year.
Still, she got in and they are giving her $140k over 4 years.
And she likes the school, so even though this is her "safety" it's great news.
Nice!
I gave out my PO Box address 2 weeks ago, mainly as a joke to see if people would actually send me their unwanted Kellogg's food products (due to the whole Breitbart thing). A friend of mine decided to be a joker and is sending me travel guides from all over the place. I only found out it was him a few days ago. I love it though...I enjoy that sort of thing, and rarely get anything sent to my PO Box anyway.
Happy that my daughter just heard from her first college. She got in, and they gave her a nice scholarship! Ursinus college, just across the street from UT's old run down house.
The scholarship blew me away when I saw the dollar amount, but then I compared it to the full price and it's not so impressive after all. $35k scholarship on a $65k sticker price. Ugh. $30k per year.
Still, she got in and they are giving her $140k over 4 years.
And she likes the school, so even though this is her "safety" it's great news.
Solid! It's an exciting time.
Well done sir, sorry about the tuition but we are in a higher ed bubble. What is she going to study?
She's interested in some sort of science.
My hope is she picks a lucrative field. Something like chemistry. But I think she's going for bio. She likes working with animals.
Awesome! Awesome awesome! Hope she finds this a windfall. A small liberal arts college is a fine way to go in my opinion. (Cos that's what I did, at Albright, roughly an Ursinus sister school up the road)
(A few days before I went to work for the narcissist, I got an email from Ursinus asking for an interview for a job opening I had inquired about. Had I not already accepted... well I suspect it would have been perfect. )
She's looking at a handful of schools. All similar to Ursinus. Small liberal arts places. I think she will fit in well at one.
Congrats glatt. Great school. My daughter went to Neumann University. Not on par with Ursinus costwise, but I still feel your pain. Does that # include books and food?
That number includes food and books and misc fees.
morning ski, three days running
So, she paid the bail bondsman, but the jail wouldn't release my buddy till 6 am the next morning. ...
I will remember those breastages and those little, little black panties with the little tiny red ribbon bows around the top walking in from the bathroom in the very early morning for the rest. of. my. life.
Even if I live to be 10,000 years old.
BTW, dude's outta jail, urrbody's home, and I still have an erection.
A little late but,
pics or it didn't fappen
Thanks folks, I'll be here all week, Try the chicken breast...
That feeling when: 70% of the way through your financial year you've invoiced as much business as in the whole of the last financial year ...
[COLOR="Silver"][SIZE="1"](after losing a major client who represented around 40% of your income)[/SIZE][/COLOR]
Yesterday I was really happy for a trivial thing, but that's sometimes the way it works, isn't it?
I needed to deal with some stupid red tape at the courthouse on the will/estate I'm dealing with. I was dreading it because visiting this clerk is by appointment only and I didn't have an appointment.
Found the last spot in the court parking lot, and I paid for 2 hours of parking, just in case I was going to have to sit there for a while to wait my turn to be helped.
They had a miniature Christmas tree with a train running around it on the counter, Christmas music softly playing, and a candy jar. And the clerk in the back of the office looked up and saw me standing there, and came right over to help me. She updated and notarized my document and didn't charge me the two dollars I was expecting them to charge. It went so smoothly. She was so friendly. And I was back to the parking lot in under 5 minutes. Cars were circling at that point, looking for spots. So I gestured to one guy where my car was and he waited while I pulled out. I had to pass him as I pulled away, so I rolled down my window and grabbed my almost 2 hours of paid parking slip off the dash, and passed it over to him. He was confused at first, but then said "Awesome! Thank you. Happy Holidays."
So that's it. Gave me a boost that lasted most of the day.
Yesterday I was really happy for a trivial thing, but that's sometimes the way it works, isn't it?
I needed to deal with some stupid red tape at the courthouse on the will/estate I'm dealing with. I was dreading it because visiting this clerk is by appointment only and I didn't have an appointment.
Found the last spot in the court parking lot, and I paid for 2 hours of parking, just in case I was going to have to sit there for a while to wait my turn to be helped.
They had a miniature Christmas tree with a train running around it on the counter, Christmas music softly playing, and a candy jar. And the clerk in the back of the office looked up and saw me standing there, and came right over to help me. She updated and notarized my document and didn't charge me the two dollars I was expecting them to charge. It went so smoothly. She was so friendly. And I was back to the parking lot in under 5 minutes. Cars were circling at that point, looking for spots. So I gestured to one guy where my car was and he waited while I pulled out. I had to pass him as I pulled away, so I rolled down my window and grabbed my almost 2 hours of paid parking slip off the dash, and passed it over to him. He was confused at first, but then said "Awesome! Thank you. Happy Holidays."
So that's it. Gave me a boost that lasted most of the day.
This made my day! Thanks.
Boss who sits behind me is out for Christmas vaca. :D
~ it's way more trivial than all your happies, but this one is mine and I'm keeping it ~
Have maintenance move him while he's out.
That's huge. Enjoy it.
Yuge.
Got Mr. Clod to take Stepson out shopping today. They replaced all the basics (he'd outgrown pants and sleep shirts, and destroyed underwear and socks) and also bought several nicer items to, quote, "spiff up" his wardrobe, as Stepson has recently decided he'd like to be the kind of guy who wears fashion-forward dress shirts with vests and/or ties on a regular basis. Happy #1 is I didn't have to deal with any of that, but Happy #2 is Mr. Clod made it clear to Stepson that these voluntary nicer items counted as Christmas presents, which means I have less stuff to panic-purchase in the next week.
Bonus Happy #3, the suit place they went to for some of the dress shirts was going out of business, and Mr. Clod picked up two really nice suits for himself for like $50 each.
Mr Clod fills the breech. Cool! :thumb:
Mr Clod fills the breech. Cool! :thumb:
Clodfobble was that grateful? Mr. Clod's lucky day!
Gives new meaning to "Once more unto the breach"...:D
Momdigr's homemade chili.
Great day for chili, too. Just enough snow to tell it happened, the teensiest icicles on the tree limbs, and high of 25.
:yum:
I heard Putin's stealth bomber has the radar signature of a sleigh and eight Reindeer.
About two months ago I had my tires swapped over for winter. I think I posted about this. Anyway, a bolt attaching the upper rear control arm had sheared and was in an inaccessible place for drilling or easyouting or anything. A long saga ensued where I had some back and forth with some junk yard on ebay and I eventually got my part, then I got some more parts as money filtered in from jobs. For two months the fucking car has been up on jack stands and life has been pretty fucked as far as everything since I live in east cornflake. Some very helpful friends have helped out along the way but I am averse and generally reluctant to ask for help.
Finally, today I got the rear suspension back together except I forgot to get a new knuckle bushing, but that will be here tomorrow. No one, not even the dealer had the bolt that is supposed to connect it to the control arm. Luckily the hardware store had a similar metric bolt, only it was a series 8.8 rather than a 10.9. Fuck it, I'll drive slowly until I can get one from Korea.
I replaced the rotors and pads on one side in the back, and will do the other side in the morning. The guy at NAPA mentioned that I would probably need to grind the metal of the pad to ensure it didn't bind otherwise the pads would wear unevenly. A fucking light went off. That explained an awful lot. In retrospect I remembered that, but had forgotten to do that over the past few pad changes.
Things came together more easily this time, but it was getting dark by the time I had finished side one.
So, I'm fucking stoked that my car is back on the road.
Hell Yeah.
I completely understand that feeling!
Well done!
My dad had a rough month, but he's finally able to get out and do the things he likes to do, the things that keep him going and awesome. I'm so very grateful for that. Seeing him out and about yesterday was the best start to a new year.
My dad had a rough month, but he's finally able to get out and do the things he likes to do, the things that keep him going and awesome. I'm so very grateful for that. Seeing him out and about yesterday was the best start to a new year.
That makes me so happy for you.
im, your post makes me happy today.
Thank you.
Aside from a really good day At my new job, I know even happier After reading IM's post.
pffft dude.
you had a really good day at your new job? Now that's just piling on!
happy happy joy joy!
WTG!
Yeah, what the hell, man?
I love this thread. Great job, classic!
Thanks all... and glad to hear it classic!!!!!
Thanks. I'm back in advertising sales though. I REALLY REALLY didn't want to go here, but the opportunity presented itself and the man I am working for is a very nice guy. So far so good. Then again, everything is great as long a you are selling enough... and usually there is never enough. We shall see.
I'm also looking at flipping some houses and after a few local seminars I'm starting to get my network together. This part interests me a lot and I'm hopeful about it.
Be careful, classic. If people are good at flipping houses, then they flip houses--they don't teach seminars about it. I know more than one person who has lost a ton of money on what they thought was an easy flip.
Brilliant sunshine on sparkling snow, 5 degrees outside, fire in the fireplace. Threading another warp on my loom, making soup. A perfect winter day.
Sounds wonderful. :thumb:
The fact that this day can only last another 12 hours or so.
Brilliant sunshine on sparkling snow, 5 degrees outside, fire in the fireplace. Threading another warp on my loom, making soup. A perfect winter day.
A fixed point in time.
A pint, infused with lime.
After being really ill all weekend - actually having been really ill all week and somehow managing to work, I then sank into full on flu on Friday night- I was dreading today. I was dreading the week - I was so wiped out I just could see the week being horrible - and then this morning I woke up feeling much, much better . It's still there and I have been using my inhaler a lot more as breathing is bad, but I woke up feeling like myself and, by the time I arrived at work, with energy and enthusiasm.
So now the week is not stretching ahead as a horrible unconquerable mountain after all :)
So the Commies were right, work makes you strong. :haha:
I got out of bed unassisted and didn't have to chew thru the restraints.
celebrate those milestones
I got out of bed unassisted and didn't have to chew thru the restraints.
:devil:
PA Farm Show horse events, roping, barrel riding, pole cutting, etc. Teen girls with erect nipples bouncing. Wholesome family entertainment. :D
I was summoned as a "standby" juror. It turned out that they had enough people and I didn't have to go in.
The last time I was on "standby", I not only had to go in, I was selected to serve on a jury.
So, I've got the day off. Me happy.
Nice, sexo:)
I am enjoying my Saturday. I got up a little late - but not crazy, waste the day late. I am sitting here, with a smoke in my hand and a steaming hot cup of coffee on my desk. Carrot has had a little morning walk and should be good for a couple of hours for his main walk.
I worked last Saturday and had the Wednesday prior off in lieu - so I didn't have a proper weekend break from work, and then went straight into a week of the most hated shift: 12-8. Mornings mainly spend arsing about, getting ready and walking the dogs, then off to work, get back to Mum's about 8:45 and off for another dog walk - by the time I am home and done with giving Carrot his supper, changing out of my work clothes and making a bite to eat, I have maybe an hour or two at most and it's time for bed.
Don't have to that again for another 5 weeks - yay :)
So I now have a proper weekend stretching ahead of me and next week's the 8-4 shift so I'll be having to get up mega early, but will be coming home in daylight. Hurrah.
I was summoned as a "standby" juror. It turned out that they had enough people and I didn't have to go in.
This was me ... except I didn't have to lie and say I was working.
I keep going round and round with these people. I can't serve properly on a jury because I can't hear shit. In a quiet courtroom with everyone speaking into a PA system I might catch 90%, but I've been in courtrooms and that ain't the case.
The woman from the jury board calls me up and says, "Well, you can hear me!" Yes, if everyone in the courtroom spoke on my special phone linked to my hearing aid I'd hear them too. She wouldn't give up.
The last time they sent me a letter, instead of telling them I'm hard of hearing, I said I'd be glad to serve and look forward to keeping the defendants from getting fucked over like the County Court did to me.
I was excused.;)
Ha! Nice! I normally take the "Everyone is guilty or they wouldn't have been arrested in the first place/throw the book at them approach." They haven't invited me in yet. I've changed my stance lately. WTF, I think I'd be a far better/fairer jurist than some so I'm OK with doing it.
I've never been on a jury.
I've been in front of a few of them...I don't like juries.
Going for a hike somewhere on the Olympic Peninsula with BelovedDaughter today.
See ya!
It's a pretty nice day for a walk by the river. A little sunshine for a change (I remember it fondly), about 65 degrees, hardly any wind.
Maybe before the--checks tv schedule--woops, no walk today. Packers vs Falcons at 2pm. Go Pack!
Going for a hike somewhere on the Olympic Peninsula with BelovedDaughter today.
See ya!
Nice!
So it's Falcons and Cheatriots.
Think I'll make other plans.
Too bad. I normally enjoy watching the Superbowl.
Yeah, I'll watch it just because I've seen every one, and watch it with the same people every year.
At least the ones that are still alive.
Seriously unhappy about it. I'll be looking for alternate plans. I hope Brady breaks in half and the Falcons stomp the crap out of them. Don't remotely see that happening, but ...
<<<<< I'll be over there not caring.
Maybe I'm in the wrong thread... "happy"
Anyhow the hike was really nice. It *did* happen and I do have the pics to prove it.
Surprised PoloGirl with a brand new sewing machine of her own -she's happy :)
Wasn't today, it was yesterday...
Decided to cop a "fuck it" and head up to Downingtown for lunch with Lumberjim. We met at A Chick-fil-A and shot the shit for 30 mins or so. Damn I wish we lived closer. I'd definitely hang out with him more. The other part that made me happy was he gave me a gift. A sampling so to speak. :joint:
Going for a hike somewhere on the Olympic Peninsula with BelovedDaughter today.
See ya!
Maybe I'm in the wrong thread... "happy"
Anyhow the hike was really nice. It *did* happen and I do have the pics to prove it.
[ATTACH]59242[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]59243[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]59244[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]59245[/ATTACH]
Good looking people and nice country you got there.
Very nice to finally "see" DofV. I love the dogpack too!
The dog is carrying the gear and still pulling on the leash. :haha:
Beloved Daughter is a very pretty girl.:love:
Well, it's Friday, so, there's that.
I got the drawer frames for my bench completed today. I built the bench out of Rock Maple (we were at the beach...) in 1980 and have always meant to do something with the underneath. I finally got fed up with lack of storage space in my tiny ass shop so I decided to make a shit ton of drawers.
After too many stupid attacks to count and dealing with my *ready to shit the bed* thickness planer, I finally cobbed this catastrophe together.
I should make notes because next time I do it I will do it a lot differently, only by the time I need to do this again, if that time ever comes, I won't remember a fucking thing that I learned.
Now I have to make 18 drawers. Built on a foundation that is not square, plumb, or straight, this whole project has been an exercise in abandoning the remotest pretense of perfectionism. It's all plus or minus an eighth.
snip--
Now I have to make 18 drawers. Built on a foundation that is not square, plumb, or straight, this whole project has been an exercise in abandoning the remotest pretense of perfectionism. It's all plus or minus an eighth.
Laudable.
This is why you were exhorted to do your best, not do your perfect.
This is how shit gets done, the triumph of the tangible good over the possibly perfect.
Good job.
Not a *perfect* job.....
Just good natured-ly yankin yer chain.
Welcome to my world.
Looks good from here.
Goalie Boy played and rocked that net and the team won. He was given the game puck.
They should win, after all they were voted best by an unbiased public. :king:
watching john carter with family. :)
I thought it was good. Not fantastic, but, a decent flick. If your one of those tha has to analyze everything to the point you destroy anything good, ya probably won't like it.
Unless you like that sort of thing.
If your one of those tha has to analyze everything to the point you destroy anything good, ya probably won't like it.
Unless you like that sort of thing.
:D
My 1992 VW Passat Estate passed its MoT Test (annual safety check) yesterday, I'm very pleased to say. :thumb:
It was Dad's car but he gave up driving some years ago and handed it over to me.
My own car was a ghastly French abomination about which I shall say no more other than I parked it on my neighbour's drive last November while she was away for nearly five weeks and didn't use it once during that time.
It made sense to dispose of it so I treated it to a day out at the local breaker's yard. They paid me £55 ($69) and I also got a refund on tax and insurance. :)
You can't help yourself, it's inborn for you Brits to want to crush anything French. :haha:
You can't help yourself, it's inborn for you Brits to want to crush anything French. :haha:
I'm sure that particular vehicle was exported to the UK as revenge for the French defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. ;)
Oh, you were driving a Payback Saloon 2000. :lol:
I'm going on a second date. :)
I'm going on a second date. :)
Here's some advice from Idris Elba.
[YOUTUBE]NUKvq3PwEoI[/YOUTUBE]
Curious, how are you with the criss cross?
I'm going on a second date. :)
Yay! [emoji8]
Sent by thought transference
I got the drawer frames for my bench completed today.,,
I finished the drawers without significant incident and made some hasty pulls out of parrel beads I had around the shop, ran out of screws that were the right size so I used other screws with a small washer.
I began populating the drawers yesterday and continued today. I need to get my shop up and running again because deadlines, but the idea is to make the things I use all the time easily accessible and the odd stuff sent to overflow parking.
It's a work in progress, retraining myself not to walk across the shop to get a rasp or mallet.
All organized like a capitalist tool. Cool, that's where the money's at. ;)
You just want to get in his drawers, too.
A sighting of Carruthers in teh Cellar!
Sent by thought transference
A sighting of Carruthers in teh Cellar!
Sent by thought transference
This and footie nice work.
Skiing at Gore Mtn with Pete. Still the fastest chick on the hill!
A sighting of Carruthers in teh Cellar!
[YOUTUBEWIDE]s6jYoagXmZE[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
:):):)
[YOUTUBEWIDE]s6jYoagXmZE[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
:):):)
Roight!
Skiing at Gore Mtn with Pete. Still the fastest chick on the hill!
A couple more inches today. What guy doesn't want a couple more inches. ;)
Roight!
Roight, Bob's your uncle. :thumb:
Actually, we cut it ahhh... short to beat the storm back home. Still we got 2 full days of downhill in only missing the planned xc day. It shifted to snow around daybreak here, so we'll get the xc in here this afternoon.
Really nice work Foot3.
Oh, and thanks all.
Climate change/Global warming...
Without any warning, over a period of several days, the Blizzard of 1958 dropped as much as five feet of snow in eastern Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The wet and heavy build up caused considerable damage due to tree limbs that broke and fell causing the electricity to be knocked out in many areas.
Gouldsboro, PA, located in the Pocono Mountains received five feet of snow, Morgantown fifty inches, thirty-five inches fell in Stroudsburg, and Allentown received twenty inches. In the Philadelphia about a foot and a half built up before it was all over.
;)
In that case it must have been two storms, because... :D
Top ten snowfalls in Philadelphia history
1. 31 inches, Jan. 6-8, 1996 (27.6 inches fell on Jan. 7).
2. 28.5 inches, Feb. 5-6, 2010 (21.9 inches fell on Feb. 6). Area high: 30.0 inches in Ridley Park, Delaware County.
3. 23.2 inches, Dec. 19-20, 2009 (22.5 inches on Dec. 19). Area high: 25 inches in Swedesboro, Gloucester County.
4. 21.3 inches, Feb. 11-12, 1983 (21.1 inches on Feb. 11).
5. 21 inches, Dec. 25-26, 1909 (15.5 inches on Dec. 26, 1909).
6. 19.4 inches, April 3-4, 1915 (19.0 inches on April 3).
7. 18.9 inches, Feb. 12-14, 1899.
8. 18.7 inches, Feb. 16-17, 2003 (16.0 on Feb. 16). Area high: 24.5 inches in city’s Byberry section.
9. 16.7 inches, Jan. 22-24, 1935.
10 (tie). 15.1 inches, Feb. 28-March 1, 1941.
10 (tie). 15.1 inches, Jan. 26-27, 2011 (14.2 inches on Jan. 26). Area high: 19 inches, Verga, Gloucester County.
Some of us have experienced most of these! (I was in Reading in 1983 so that counts! 6 out of 11!)
You're right, Philly weather says 11.4 inches over the three days, although Wilmington, Trenton and Allentown got a foot and a half.
I lived in Secane in 1966 and we got walloped Christmas weekend and again New Years weekend. I've got pictures of my car drifted over with just one front fender showing. :lol:
Wait, Lancaster got 13", Reading got 16", and Morgantown got 50"? :eyebrow:
Elevation. Nope Morgantown is only a couple hundred higher.
56 degrees yesterday, so checked the beehives. 7 look very good, flying around. 2 hives are dead. 2 more weeks and It will be time for sugar syrup and pollen patties to get them started for the year..
Tagalongs and Samoas!!!!
Girl Scout cookies came yesterday!
Fuck yeah!!!!:devil:
56 degrees yesterday, so checked the beehives. 7 look very good, flying around. 2 hives are dead. 2 more weeks and It will be time for sugar syrup and pollen patties to get them started for the year..
If you ever take a road trip to Better Bee, stop by. I'm on the way, about 10 miles from them.
The next movie I want to see badly enough to take the muscle relaxers that will allow me to survive that long in a theater seat opens in less than 2 weeks when I was sure it'd be a late-summer feature! Yay, early theatrical awesomeness! (we need a Kermit Flail emoticon or something)
If you ever take a road trip to Better Bee, stop by. I'm on the way, about 10 miles from them.
Could happen, although a trip there could be damaging to my credit card.
Today music is making me happy.
Being able to work on my creative writing (a/k/a "slapping my imaginary friends around") is making me happy.
Temperatures above freezing are making me very happy!
Having a little kingdom of solitude all to myself (a/k/a my computer room, NO CATS ALLOWED) is making me happy.
The fact that I've kept a single pet alive and healthy for over 15 years is making me happy.
The fact that the sweet family living in the other upstairs unit in my building don't have to move is making me happy.
The fact that I have a tiny but solidly built little "family" around me makes me happy whenever I slow down enough to remember how lucky I am.
See, I may be mouthy but I CAN do something other than babble science and be a jerk :D.
The fact that I have a tiny but solidly built little "family" around me makes me happy whenever I slow down enough to remember how lucky I am.
Nice:)
Went to see "her" perform this weekend. Met some of her family and friends too. Awesome.
Pens go from 0-3 to 4-3, that was something to watch.
It's good to see Crimson Ghost again. How's things? Mrs Ghost?
Could happen, although a trip there could be damaging to my credit card.
I hear the new ones are made of tough plastic. :D
They could've made a much worse Kong movie than Skull Island. I didn't go for the plot, and despite making my neighbor giggle at a less than perfect time, I wasn't JUST there to ogle Tom Hiddleston. He was actually one of the quietest, least-developed characters in the bunch. The fact that Skull Island gave us beautifully designed & executed CGI, no human characters grandstanding for attention (I'm lookin at YOU, Jack "Carl Denham" Black...), and LOTS of monster fights made me happy. The fact that I saw all the really sweeping sequences on big screen made me happy. The fact that I'll get to go see it again when my sweetie & friends go is happiness waiting for the right time to happen.
The last sentence in that post made me smile.
Got a call from SonofV today. He wants to visit this weekend. We're gonna work on our costumes for SakuraCon.
I'm happy!
daughter of glatt just heard from her second college. Dickinson. They gave her what I understand is a pretty good deal, although I still have sticker shock.
Annual sticker price cost of attendance is $69.1K but her special price is $24.3K.
By way of comparison, in-state University of Virginia is $30.4K. Rumor has it that UVA is much less likely to give scholarships, they mostly do loans. So these private out of state schools are actually cheaper with their scholarships.
But she got in! She's currently 2-0. Waiting to hear from 3-4 more.
That's very exciting! You have a lot to be proud of. My congratulations to her, and to you and her mother. WTG!
Congrats V. on seeing Son of V and
D of G - Whoa!!!! Thats a great accomplishment. Her tuition is outstanding.
Today I got out of bed early and worked out. Yay!
Today I got out of bed early and worked out. Yay!
Knock that shit off right this minute!!
You're raising the bar for the rest of us!
Went out to dinner with a good friend, fancy place that opens at 5pm with a line down the block because they won't take reservations. 45 minute wait for a table, and both bars backed up three deep. $9 for a glass of Cabernet, $6 for Beam and ginger, $10 for a burger to $25 for a steak. Her son is a chef there and the owner comped our meal and drinks for four. I did take care of the waitress and Jazz Trio though. Splendid night. :thumb:
Only the highest calibre of ladies and gentlemen tip the dinner band. :thumbsup:
the owner comped our meal and drinks for four.
Awesome.
Only the highest calibre of ladies and gentlemen tip the dinner band. :thumbsup:
Sounds like patting m'self on the back, but, if they're good, I always send the band drinks at some point.
Helps get your requests played.
the owner comped our meal and drinks for four.
Awesome.
Only the highest calibre of ladies and gentlemen tip the dinner band. :thumbsup:
Sounds like patting m'self on the back, but, if they're good, I [strike]always[/strike], a lot of times, will send the band drinks at some point.
So, Toad is wrong about that "highest calibre" bit.;)
Helps get your requests played, though.
Not patting myself, Relieving the embarrassment of the waitress getting stiffed on the bottom line... what's 30% of 0?
The three piece Jazz combo? Well jazz is not my forte, the only thing I could request is "Take Five" and that might be an insult. :lol:
The guy who was I presumed the leader, playing an upright piano, and was dressed perfectly for an 1890 NOLA whorehouse.
They were nice to listen to with no urge to sing along or intrusive on conversations... just a little toe tapping. ;)
Oh, and when the ambient noise overwhelms my hearing aids so I can't follow the conversation (or get bored with it) I could crane my neck a little like I was watching the band and not seem rude. Worth every penny. :blush:
What's making me happy today is the memory of my experience with these lovely women yesterday.
Me and Twil!
[ATTACH]59863[/ATTACH]
Me and
Oh So Final and
Moe Yadown, two members of my favorite team on the
Rat City Rollergirls, the
Sockit Wenches.
[ATTACH]59864[/ATTACH]
The successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, will be launched in October 2018; and if all goes well, will help work out some of the hardest current questions about the nature of the universe.
...some of the hardest current questions about the nature of the universe.
Those answers and explanations will only lead to more questions about the nature of the universe.:o
Really really cool! I was listening to that guy Lawrence Krauss on it
They want to study exploding stars (supernovas) to work out the nature of the universe.
There's one exploding star every 100 years PER GALAXY.
So how do you find an exploding star? Because the universe is very big and old, if you hold up a dime, and extend your arm out, and aim it up into the sky, that dime's worth of area will contain like 3 exploding stars.
if you hold up a dime, and extend your arm out, and aim it up into the sky, that dime's worth of area will contain like 3 exploding stars.
In that instant of time? In a day? A year? A century?
I think it's really really cool as well, but it's something that we'll see in a couple years. So doesn't have that immediacy for me.
I'm going camping this weekend with the troop. The rain is supposed to be tapering off just as we get there, and Saturday looks acceptable in terms of weather.
oh uh yeah i dunno, i figured it was just how many are in the process, i dunno how long it takes them to explode
Oh, yeah. Good point. They probably take a while to explode.
Nope
Most supernova take a fraction of a second up to a couple seconds to explode. What we observe as the actual supernova is the light and energy that come out of that explosion. Typical supernova get brighter during the first 3 weeks or so after that very fast explosion.
http://askanastronomer.org/stars/2015/11/19/exploding-stars/The successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, will be launched in October 2018; and if all goes well, will help work out some of the hardest current questions about the nature of the universe.
Yes, the star of stars,
but note the only answer.It's time to feed the head.
It's time to feed the head.
:eyebrow:
head
hed - noun
the upper part of the human
a thing having the appearance of a head either in form or in relation to a whole
the front, forward, or upper part or end of something
adjective
chief; principal. "the head waiter"
verb
be in the leading position on
give a title or caption to.
Be in charge of.
move in a specified direction.
shoot or pass (the ball) with the head.
lop off the upper part or branches of (a plant or tree).
of a lettuce or cabbage, form a head.
Getting pleasure by licking, sucking your penis
Military term for toilet.
Feed your head
an exhortation to use drugs.
ReeeMEMberrrr... What the dormouse saaaaaaaiiiid...
I read that last night, and woke up today singing it.
Damn yer eyes.
I read that last night, and woke up today singing it.
Damn yer eyes.
Jambi.
Twil and I are trackside at the Championship Bout of season 13 of the Rat City Roller Girls!
At halftime of the undercarriage, it's 87 to 84, Throttle Rockets over Grave Danger.
The Championship Bout will be Sockit Wenches vs the Derby Liberation Front.
GO WENCHES!
50 to 75 DLF at the half.
GO WENCHES!!
It'sh shunny and sheventy-eight degreesh.:jig:
Dickinson College is the lucky winner. They get to have my daughter in their class of '21!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The stress level in the glatt household just dropped by several notches. There was actual laughter last night. Good to hear her laugh. It was agony for her to decide between the schools and the offers they gave her.
One of them, Ursinus, came back after she declined them and said "what if we gave you even more money?"
I bet she couldn't bear to go to that college...
Weight off here too -Hex is going to be a husky Michigan Tech
Nice! Congrats to him and the beestmonsters
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
thanks =to Glattlet too -we know someone at Dickinson -another Brit Expat sprog who will be a junior next year.
loving it by all accounts
Dickinson is Rosie O'Donnell's callme mother.
They wouldn't let me attend so you know it is a fine degree-granting institution.
Dentist appointment in 30 minutes
I hope the dentist finds a cheap and effective way to get 'er done.
If there's a hammer and a chisel on the instrument tray, run.
Thank goodness it won't be Dented XLNs of Blew Belly ;)
If there's a hammer and a chisel on the instrument tray, run.
Hey, I resemble that remark!
You must've remembered this from one of my old posts. I'm touched.
... True story: During a subsequent annual dental sustainment training period, I was assisting my supervising dentist in a four hand procedure when from the next treatment room I heard WHACKA ... WHACKA ... WHACKA! I looked at the dentist and he said That's the dentist from Jordan who's unit is here training with us. He went to dental school in the US and knows how to drill; but, he doesn't have drills back home so he's using a mallet and chisel. He said he doesn't want his troops to get used to the drills.
I keep a dental mallet and chisel (along with various tooth forceps, periosteal elevators, excavators ... etc.) in my field dental kit to this day. We don't need no stinkin' drills. :D
Weight off here too -Hex is going to be a husky Michigan Tech
Good news!
I have recovered from my earlier "mistakes" with Picasa, and I have only 56 images left to resize and rename.
The captions are all written.
Soon, a thread here will have many posts added to it.
Now it is soon.
and soon it is now.
If it be Yuge, why not start a new thread?
Happy today?
In addition to being adequately medicated, I am still happy I didn't die,
again. Different house, different tree. This one is a good sized Buckeye, just coming in to flower now. But the branch that had to be removed was killed by that fucking english ivy. It has been looming over Twil's truly lovely Japanese Maple, just leafing out now, and also above the clear corrugated plastic roof of the deck cover. The branch you see is thoroughly dead, years dead now. And it is as big around as my leg near the trunk.
I took advantage of a break in the rain last week to get up there and bring it down. This time, there was room for my big ladder, but, friends, I am not happy on a ladder, or the roof. Nope, nope nope nopenothankyou. I'll try to keep these in a logical sequence, what I see I didn't include in my photojournalist/lumberjack adventure was a wider shot of the roof that precluded me from positioning the ladder closer to the ends of the branches to be removed. Wasn't possible.
So. Here in the first picture you can see the old dead branch overlaps the maple quite a lot. You can also see lots of the dead skeleton of the fucking english ivy running up the trunk. That got removed too, though it was merely ugly, and not a hazard to breaking shit or hurting people.
[ATTACH]60516[/ATTACH]
The second shot is a bit more of a closeup, as close as I could get with my limited zoom while standing on the ground. You can see the dead stuff easily now. This large branch is where I leaned and lashed the ladder before I started cutting.
[ATTACH]60517[/ATTACH]
Picture three shows a stump of a small branch to the left of the ladder that I removed to clear my way toward the tips of the branch. There was a minimal up and down the ladder, I hate going up that ladder. My boots are big, and on the step where the locking hooks for the extension rest on some rung, I can *barely* get both boots on the rung. It's just... I don't like it. So I minimized the number of trips, and that's why you don't see the strap tying the top of the ladder to the branch. This was before I traveled up there to strap in. Sorry.
[ATTACH]60518[/ATTACH]
And here in the fourth picture you can see a lot more clear daylight where there used to be that big branch stretching to the sky. It fell into the maple. I worked it through the maple down to the ground.
[ATTACH]60519[/ATTACH]
Here I have repositioned the ladder to give me access to a number of smaller deadwood that I cleared out. I still strapped in, but I only had to set the ladder one time. Not much of a before and after, the before pic is really in the previous post, and here you can see the after and where they landed.
I can still see some deadwood that *could* be removed, but nothing urgent. I'm done trimming this tree for now.
[ATTACH]60520[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]60521[/ATTACH]
Gravdigr Tree Guy: Alrighty then, sir, that'll be $450.
Gravdigr Tree Guy: Sir? Sir, are you ok? Let me help you back up. How many fingers do you see?
And that's hittin 'em with the bill, not a tree limb.
My Uncle was getting old so he paid a guy to do it. Then after tree guy left he put up a ladder to paint the cutoffs. Spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. :(
Kitten has returned home after three days' shagging ....
Happy because my wife's company is being sold and her boss who founded the company and is retiring will make good on his promise to take care of the key employees who have stuck it out all these years and helped build the company up to what it is today. She will get a super good bonus in her next paycheck, she can finally cash in her 20,000+ shares of stock and also exercise her options on the other 100,000 shares she has.
This has always been something we hoped would happen but in knew the reality of it happening wasn't something you could take to the bank as they say, but now we can! This will be her 20th year working there and there have been plenty of down years where paychecks were reduced or even deferred until times got better. This makes up for all the worries and headaches, sweat and toil over the years!
The downside is that the IRS will get a big chunk but that's just the way it is. We'll do everything we can to lower the taxes but they are what they are.
Congratulations Chris, now she can stay home and keep an eye on you. ;)
Warm weather has finally arrived! I have the sore gardening muscles to prove it ...
Thanks Gravdigr for your post. I was thinking of you the whole time. I don't have $450 for this job, so I feel I got away with one. There's a big, old fucked up cherry tree in the front yard that's gonna get much the same treatment.
xoB, I am sorry and a little chilled to hear about your uncle. Fuck, he was on my mind too, despite not knowing his name.
On a lighter note WTG HOUSTONS!!!!!
I'm happy now because I am finally checked in at the urgent care office. I've been having a lot of trouble breathing. Stressing me the fuck out.
Not good. Maybe some sort of allergic reaction?
https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html
Turns out congestive heart failure is a real thing. Do not fuck with it.
Well, shit, V...:(
They weren't just trying to scare the shit out of ya like they do sometimes?
wow. I'm sorry man. That sucks.
What about treatment? Are you going for the traditional blood letting; or, should we start saving our leaches for you?
I suppose there are other ways to bring your systemic pressure down; but, they won't be as much fun.
Lets see, my Pacemaker/Defibrillator combo was $43,000 (plus installation:rolleyes:) and keeps everything working together. Plus if my heart stops it gives me a big shock. That hasn't happened so I don't know how big but I was warned if someone was touching my... uh, touching me, they'd get a big shock too. Gotta get the battery replaced every five years or so, but other than that, merrily I roll along.
I think that's the worst case scenario if you stay on top of it, so don't freak out and stay proactive on this. You can do this.
Well shit BigV! Do what the doc says. You'll get through this. x
https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html
Turns out congestive heart failure is a real thing. Do not fuck with it.
fuuuuuuuuuuuk.
Sorry man.
This is not generally the type of thing I come to the happy thread for, but I won't give you shit because your heart might not be able to take it. :( Hope the symptoms are relieved soon.
I'm happy now because I am finally checked in at the urgent care office. I've been having a lot of trouble breathing. Stressing me the fuck out.
I'm home and THAT MAKES ME HAPPY!
This is not generally the type of thing I come to the happy thread for, but I won't give you shit because your heart might not be able to take it. :( Hope the symptoms are relieved soon.
Point well taken.
The initial post was simply true, and the follow up posts were here because it was easier to maintain the continuity through my phone in technologically and logistically difficult circumstances. I closed the loop just now, again, on *happy* point.
A new, different thread is due.
"Earache My Eye" is playing on the radio as I post this!:devil:
Today a dentist named Dr. Sager is making me very happy! He's in Bozeman, MT and I will be singing his praises for YEARS at this rate.
My "difficult" root canal turned out to be way worse than expected. The root of the tooth in question forks deep in the upper jaw bone, but the nerve canals in mine didn't follow the normal route. Turns out there was also a not-supposed-to-look-like-that partial THIRD nerve path connecting the forks! When he hit that part and it hurt, he put a Novocaine shot directly into my hard palate, not gums but the super-thin tissue on the roof of the mouth.
In under 24 hours I could no longer feel where that injection went in! He managed to get enough anesthetic into that terrifying spot for an injection without leaving any bruising--and I know there was Novocaine in the needle because the partial nerve path immediately went numb.
I'm approaching 72 hours out from the procedure. The bone around that extensive work no longer hurts AT ALL. And in a couple of weeks I get A REAL CROWN, since it turns out I have the fancy-a$$ Medicaid dental that doesn't put a cap on annual dental work costs and WILL pay for a porcelain crown or two a year.
Plus on the way back I got to visit the Mineral Museum at Montana Tech, where among other spectacular exhibits they have a full Siberian cave bear skeleton (his name's Boris)!
[SIZE="5"]IT'S FRIDAY!!![/SIZE]
I was looking for an excuse to drink...:D
We've been trying to gently convince stepdaughter that she needs to apply for a better job since basically day one of her current job. It was always meant to be a shitty stepping-stone gig, and she has done an admirable job of rising to the occasion and increasing her confidence, which was really the only roadblock to her employability in the first place. It only took about 3 months before she first said with wonder, "Everyone I work with is kind of... a lot dumber than me." Yeah, honey, we know. But she didn't follow through on the "so get a better job" conclusion. She's convinced that she'll make some mistake and get fired from any job that's even slightly harder than the one she's at.
But today she told us a complicated tale of work drama that basically boils down to three things: upper management is embezzling money, the last person to catch them red-handed was fired, and they just tried to sucker her into a situation that would put her name on their latest fraudulent transactions. Fortunately she played dumb and "accidentally" deleted the transaction, so they had to abandon the attempt.
But she only did it because she didn't want to get fired like the last person that caught them. I explained to her that this is not about not-getting-fired, this is about not-going-to-jail. These people will not hesitate to throw her under the bus, and she needs a new job immediately.
All of which is in the happy thread because she is, now, applying for new jobs. If it takes the threat of jailtime to get her ass in gear to improve her own life, then whatever, I'll take it.
Awesome! Get a new job or you are going to jail. I like it.
Goalie Boy got an award at school tonight. The award, in fact. The show-closing Soaring Eagle principal's award. (They are the Eagles)
:D
I will post pics in the proud parent thread some time, but I'm too impatient.
I had previously promised him he didn't have to go to the stupid pre-graduation "pinning ceremony", but they emailed us and said he was getting one of the ten "big" awards, so please attend. There were 8 "core values" awards (two representing each of the schools fur buzzwords), and he wasn't called up... and then one named for the first (disgraced imo) principal, and he wasn't called up.... and then the principal's award. Braggety-brag-brag-brag.
I was sure it would be the Sulura Jackson award (a principal who moved away and was later found to be a plagiarist, and topped that achievement off by sending a condolence letter to a staff member at her new school which still had our school's name in it....) because there always seems to be a fly in the beestmonster ointment.... but it wasn't!
And the principal raved about him and said all the things I think...and and and.....
:)
.....This has been the worst ten days in our family's recent memory, I will probably never share details. Trust me, it's been grim.
So THIS really helps
***STANDING OVATION***
***WILD APPLAUSE***
CONGRATULATIONS PARENTS!!!
And job well done, Goalie Boy!
I'm glad for something good, the beestmonsters deserve it!!
I'm glad ya found a bright spot, Monster. Sounds like ya needed one.
Go, Goalie Boy!!!
And good on his parents, too!:beer:
[Size=1]Raisin' good kids 'n' shit...[/size]
Way to go! That's fantastic!:celebrat:
W00t!
Good goin goalie boy:)
Spent 40 minutes on the phone with the IRS and the guy was able to help me! That included him waiting while I went down the hall and faxed him some forms and then came back to my desk. The key is to call first thing in the morning. They are fresh and your day isn't busy yet.
I tried calling an hour before they closed on Tuesday and waited on hold for 45 minutes before I gave up and hung up.
Then yesterday, I tried the call in the morning trick, and I got an a nice employee who was incompetent, after being on hold for 35 minutes to get them. She sent me away. Said my problem was impossible and transferred me to another department to make an appointment to come in person. I was on hold with that department for 10 minutes before they answered and told me the next available appointment was after the deadline the IRS had given me to respond to their letter.
But today's dude answered the phone in only ten minutes, and he actually looked for ways to solve the problem. And he found them. I praised and thanked him profusely at the end of the long call.
Low expectations are the key to happiness.
Low expectations are the key to [strike]happiness[/strike] life.
Fixed it.
S/he who expects nothing shall not be disappointed.
Point well taken.
The initial post was simply true, and the follow up posts were here because it was easier to maintain the continuity through my phone in technologically and logistically difficult circumstances. I closed the loop just now, again, on *happy* point.
A new, different thread is due.
As promised.Fucking tapatalk. Yay! You were helpful.
I recently started to get tons of ads in my tapatalk feed. I'd go to the cellar on my phone and every third post was actually a tapatalk ad. Fuckers.
So I went into the app store on apple and changed my review from a 5 star review to a 1 star review and complained about the latest update. How dare they serve me ads when I paid full price for the app?
They responded, and 3-4 emails later, including me providing proof of purchase, and they updated me to VIP membership for free.
I shouldn't be happy about this, because it's a net negative. They screwed me over and then stopped screwing me over after I jumped through some hoops. But it's the low expectations thing. I'm not getting ads any more. Yay!
Oh man, I should try that. The new ads are a pain in the ass. Wonder if I can find my email receipt...
Send an email to Support <support@tapatalk.com> with a screenshot of your purchase history of the app.
If you have purchased the app in the past and would like VIP (ad-free) status, please send us a screenshot of your purchase history, along with your Tapatalk ID.
Here is how to get your purchase history:
If you purchased Tapatalk through Google Play Store: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2850369?hl=en
If you purchased Tapatalk through App store: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204088
Thanks, glatt! Giving this a go myself now - for both android and apple :D
No more TW. Not for me, anyway.
Gotta love that ignore list, man.
:jig:
I use a different tact. I scan for 85% if it's in there I know he hasn't thought out an actual reply.
being there for my kids.
I was emancipated at 16, Beest and I have been together since we were 18, I had no idea adult kids can be independent and still need/want/appreciate occasional parental involvement. It's wonderful. :D
That made me smile, monster. :) You guys are awesome.
It's the way you raised them, as a tight family with engaged parents. So I'll bet they will always be comfortable with you being involved, and bounce options off you for your opinion when making some decisions.
That said, I'm not sure about their future spouses if they weren't raised that way. You might be seen as an evil banana lady. :lol:
Think about how awesome you'd be if monster was your mom.
Think about it.
Shiver. I'd be the fucking president.
monster crushes parenthood!
Happy I saw my kid this weekend.
aw thanks guys, you just made me cry in a way that's so much nicer than the usual
I've located a stash of the last factory windshields for my truck in the world. Aftermarket windshields will seal out weather, but are a different shape that doesn't match the surrounding trim and looks like shit.
This glass being so rare, I'm paranoid about shipping a box that's 40" x 54" x 9". So even though it'll be more expensive, Tuesday I'll go to Ohio to fetch it. Win.:jig:
This the SSR?
ETA: Gone to YouTube to watch the top go up & down.:D
Tomorrow is day one of my holiday :)
I don't go back to work until 18th July.
Awesome.
Wow! Have a great time and don't get bored now!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Alright, you'll be free to storm the Bastille!
This the SSR?
ETA: Gone to YouTube to watch the top go up & down.:D
Yes.
Dana and Bruce's excellent SSR adventure?
Tomorrow is day one of my holiday :)
I don't go back to work until 18th July.
Awesome.
:devil:
Doing anything special?
[SIZE="6"]IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!![/SIZE]
And more importantly, it's Friday night!
I just learned that I'm getting a 3% raise starting this month. Woo! A quick lookup of the CPI shows 2.2% this year, so that's an actual real increase in income for me of 0.8%. I ain't gonna complain. This is good.
The family will have it spent before he gets home. :haha:
Yes, 3% of a couple hundred thousand is a good raise. ;)
:devil:
Doing anything special?
Didn't see this :P
I've just been doing nice things. Half-day trips to local beauty spots and cool places with mum and the dogs, or seeing friends, interspersed with pottering and box sets :)
I got 8 hours of sleep last night.
The last time that happened was April 12th.
I am going to a grandsons birthday party. He invited me and my wife. Briar(helluva name) said be sure to come pa pa I love you so much. Whoo hoo.
The last time that happened was April 12th.
This is very specific.
Just Fitbit data.
Can you tell from the data it collects that you had sex? I mean does a graph/chart indicate
here you were probably rolling over in your sleep? Here,
bow chika bow wow?
...pottering and box sets :)
:jig:
Vodka.
Prolly won't be quite so happy later today...
I found my wallet.
Right where I left it. Sunday. :facepalm:
Have you seen my leatherman? I can't find it.
Really? Jim sent me one for my birthday.[emoji481]
Have you seen my leatherman? I can't find it.
Do you still have the holster?
Nope. I lost it all.
It's a black holster too. Nice and stylish and impossible to find in the bottom of a bag.
The last place I remember using it was on the scout trip, but I was careful to put it in my checked bag. Maybe it's still in that bag when I put it away. Seems unlikely though.
It's not like me to lose stuff.
I went to a place that sells returns/overstocks/closed store sellouts and found a set of computer speakers by Philips for $10. They even came w/a little tiny sub-woofer. I ain't gonna disturb the neighbors, or anything, but, they sound pretty damn good for little tiny speakers.
Woot!
Not a fucking thing, not one fucking thing. :(
I've reached a point in life where a birthday is just another day, I don't get all excited like when I was a kid, nor do I dread getting older because I'm pretty much enjoying life as I age.
Yesterday, the 25th was my 61st birthday and I did something I have never done before. I bought a brand new "off the lot" vehicle. My whole adult life I have only ever bought used cars. Mostly because I couldn't afford a brand new one and I tend to be kind of cheap with things like cars. Used has been fine, the car needs to stop and start and have good air conditioning.
But since my wife's pre-retirement bonuses came in upon the sale of her company and we have paid off all our debt we felt the time was right for a new car to take us into retirement when that happens. A car payment was not in the cards before but now is ok, we got a really good interest rate and the wife says it will be fine. My wife still drives her company lease car with the lease good for another 18 months. After that she might buy it or just get another lease car, she plans to retire in 2020 so her ride is taken car of for a few years.
I decided to get a Ford F150 pickup with the 4x4 Lariat Super Crew Cab package and added the top trim package with most of the bells and whistles. Having a pickup makes it easier for camping, fishing or going to the lumber yard and the cab is big enough for 4 passengers to ride comfortably. The bed is rhino lined and has a folding torneau top that locks and is pretty moisture resistant.
Congratulations! Nice and shiny. Sweet ride.
Nice, although a tough color to keep clean. :lol:
Nice, although a tough color to keep clean. :lol:
Well, I didn't want black or white or red so then you are more limited as some models only ship with certain colors to choose from. I've always favored blue and the other blue is much lighter, this one was the best of the choices on the lot.
Kind of a cool feeling when I got the email indicating we had paid off my AMEX bill in full.
From the Irritated thread - "On the bright side, bottled 60 pounds of honey last night. Now I can't find my jar labels (mildly irritated). "
No longer irritated. Found and printed my honey labels.
[ATTACH]61360[/ATTACH]
Have you seen my leatherman? I can't find it.
Maybe this belongs in the irritating thread. I still can't find my leatherman. It was a gift and I just looked up what it would cost to replace it with the same model. Holy crap was it expensive.
Around $125.
I'm thinking it was stolen from my checked luggage by TSA. It's not like me to lose tools I cherish, and I remember putting it in my checked luggage. It's either that, or an unknown boy scout in a dorm I was sleeping in. The hypothetical scout could have stolen my wallet and phone though and didn't. I think it was TSA. Dude looks at x-ray of bag, see the multitool. Pretends to check something else out in the bag and slips the tool into his pocket. Simple and fast.
If I had known it was so expensive, I would have left it at home.
That is definitely irritating. We had a camera, with vacation film, stolen from a checked bag back in the day. Unacceptable.
Nowhere man... I'll buy a bottle if yer sellin... PM me.
glatt - the phone and wallet are trackable and you'd have immediately known. The leatherman, not so much. Still wouldn't put it past a kid.
Mea Culpa.
I just got an email from my aunt. Sent to all my cousins with a picture of something she found at the cabin a week after I flew through security.
[ATTACH]61422[/ATTACH]
My apologies to the fine professionals in the TSA of Ft. Lauderdale and to the entire Boy Scout organization for even hinting that they might have questionable character. It was me. I misplaced my multitool, and my aunt found it. It was all me.
But I'm getting it back!
:jig:
That ain't no Leatherman.:eyebrow:
BTW, are you
wearing your scarf today?
I'm happy about stuff that makes me happy.
Boy, I sure hope I didn't make anyone else happy with that post.
we planned an adventure to picnic dinner in a park way outside of Rome allegedly full of original aqueducts ....and it worked!
Yay! Hope we'll get pictures when you guys get back.
we planned an adventure to picnic dinner in a park way outside of Rome allegedly full of original aqueducts ....and it worked!
w00t!
One of the chemo drugs, which made me very sick, has been eliminated from my "cocktail"! The oxaliplatin caused all sort of nasty side effects, like making food taste awful, being overly sensitive to cold to the point of pain (drinking and touching), and painful tingling in my hands and feet. I ended up dropping nearly 20 pounds from it - from 110lbs to 90lbs. I requested to have my dosages lowered, so my doc did that with capecitabine and just totally eliminated the oxaliplatin. I'm much happier so far - not as sick. Also, my CT scans are showing either no growth or just very slow growth so far. The type of cancer I have cannot be cured, the drugs only prevent growth, so, so far okay.
beest is picking up your oxaliplatin..... starting again on Thurs. ding ding round two. Good luck with your next phase.
I'm so sorry for Beest, that stuff sucks! I purchased a dozen of the one-sized stretch gloves so that I could get things out of the refrigerator and freezer. I could only drink room temperature or hotter beverages. I hope his side effects aren't as bad as mine were.
How did he manage the trip?
This is the second time around, we know what's coming. Eating gelato every day here in Rome in anticipation of the frozen dessert desert :D such a struggle :lol:
Pete Zicato is back! [emoji7]
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
beest is picking up your oxaliplatin..... starting again on Thurs. ding ding round two.
:fingerx:
They found the motherfucker
guilty. Minimum 8 years, maximum life. Sentencing October 12th.
I'm so proud my cousin was able to testify in the same room with him.
Give him Life without parole... or food, or water, or air. :mad2:
Hang 'em high, and make sure they're dead.
Beest is home after an unexpected 5-day stay in the hospital. All fixed up and ready to fight some more. I missed him. And I was there a good deal of the time. We are so lucky to live where we do.
That said.....hospitals suck and I saw stuff here that I can't even imagine happening in the most underfunded NHS hospitals. No pillows to be found in the ER for example. ...and yet one miraculously appeared when I threatened to head up to the geriatric ward and mug a granny/distract her with knitting while I stole one
welcome home Beest.
[COLOR="Silver"][SIZE="2"]don't, um, complain about the pillows.[/SIZE][/COLOR]
The worst, slowest time I ever experienced was waiting in a hospital.
Fuck cancer.
Time to re-engage Beest-Mode!!
Glad to hear that you are better.
I'm glad you're home Beest.
Sorry that trouble put Beest in the hospital in the first place...fuck cancer and fuck chemo. Glad he is back in the nest with Monster.
I dunno, we haven't heard from Beest. He might have enjoyed five days of not getting calls to unload groceries, plus hot and cold running young nurses. ;)
...plus hot and cold running young nurses. ;)
Yeahyeah, nice and hot.
If I'm just looking.
If'n I'm actually
ailing, I prefer my nurses 40 pounds overweight, 50 years or older, 25 years on the job, not phased by anything. Y'know,
the good ones.
I got my flu shot, nice and early.
Tonight we're going to Julia's on Broadway to see Le Faux.
Gonna be great! As is everything Twil arranges. :heartpump
I got my flu shot, nice and early.
Thanks for the reminder.
What's making you happy today?
It's Friday. My bartendress is off tonight. Ima try and get freaky w/her.:jig:
Wish me luck.
Thanks all! It worked!
:doit:
That makes me happy for you.
Woo! Gravdigr got lucky , y'all!
Does that make her a gravdigrdigr?
Honey, I got some honey from nowhereman and like it. Different than any honey I've ever tasted. It doesn't overwhelm me with super icky sweet like it was thick sugar, it's a more subdued and interesting flavor. I like it a lot. The only problem is I bought some as Christmas gifts and I may have to do more shopping now.
They don't know the honey. They can't handle the honey!
Two thumbs up.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Does that make her a gravdigrdigr?
She
acted like she dug it.
That's really all I ask for.:D
Second hand happy...
Popdigr got a sattv bill last month for $91. Called them up "I can't [won't] pay that." Dude said "Can ya pay fifty?" Popdigr says yeah. Little victories, and all that.
He just opened the bill a minute ago.
$39 - w/no channel loss.
This is Direct, btw.
Two little green flakes in m'noodles this morning.
'S gonna be a good day, Tater.
My guy has read the manuscript, is "very impressed" and has no major changes! He has passed it up the chain to make sure the corporate overlords are cool with it, too, but he anticipates they will be. Next comes delivering the whole package to my agent, and the nail-biting sales phase, and plenty more stress before it's all a done deal... But his approval is 1.) a critical step and 2.) personally very important to me, so yay!
Yay Clod.
Yay, I can't wait for the next book.
I just discovered a consignment shop nearby that sells outdoor gear only. Picked up a nice lightweight down backpacking jacket for $70 when it retails for $200. I'll be coming back regularly.
Is a backpacking jacket different from a regular jacket that you happen to wear a backpack with?
Mine stuffs itself into its own chest pocket.
Hmm... digital gram scale. No wonder you've been throwing money around. :lol2:
24th wedding anniversary
______________
We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark.
:facepalm: ;) :lol2:
Thanks much. I don't know why she puts up with my shit, but she does.
Y'know...If she'd killed ya when she met ya, she'd prolly have been out for a few years by now.
:D:p:
This didn't really make me happy, but, made me feel good that there are still good people in the world.
I don't know any of them, but...:(
Retired Marine Keeps Promise Made In Bunker In VietnamSigh. Made me tear up. And I’m at work.
Also makes me glad, Grav. Thanks.
No matter how many times ya hear it...
Marines are different from the rest of 'em.:devil:
Annual review. Apparently I'm OK. Maximum merit pay raise. Boss put money where mouth is.
[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]In case you haven't figured, I'm a pretty low self-esteem kind of a person IRL[/COLOR]
Awesome, Mon.
I'm working up my self-review thingie prior to my one-to-one with team leader in Jan. They start hassling you with reminder emails from end of November. - I fucking hate it. I hate, hate, hate it with a vengeance.
But Dana, you can channel that hate into the motivation to get it done... or kill your boss. :D
Oh! You posted - that reminds me why I came into this thread in the first place ...
What's making me happy today: I came home from work this evening - it was cold and dark, and my front door is currently busted and having to be kept closed with stoppers (the lock smith fitted them to the door frame) when I'm in and padlocked when I am out - so it is not fully closed into the UPVC frame and there's a big draft coming through - Carrot in tow, feeling vaguely harassed by the day (when the weather is like this a day in home insurance becomes a bit of a sprint ) and there, poking through my letter box was a Christmas card from across the pond.
Very funny, as always, and totally put a smile on my face. In fact, I knew by the envelope which card it would be and was already smiling as I opened it.
It's funny, when I went to the post office I mailed a package and 6 cards going overseas. When I got home I glanced at the receipt and it said "Green Succulent" 6. WTF? I figured out it that round green stamp they put on overseas mail. :smack:
This:
Once a Long Shot, Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate Race
https://nyti.ms/2C8yEQzI guess we now know what a Republican has to do to lose in Alabama - by 0.8%.
Kind of. I think it was as much a repudiation of Trump as anything. Roy Moore had been elected to several previous offices, and if he'd been up for Senate during a Dem presidency, I think he'd have won in Alabama just fine despite the scandals.
But whatever -- he didn't win tonight, and that's what matters.
I'm not a big Christmas person - find it all a bit stressful (time, money etc) up until a couple of days before - once it's pretty much too late to do anything else or buy anything else I accept that it is Christmas and stop stressing out.
However there are one or two Christmas traditions that I like in the run up. I usually, most years, buy at least one or two presents from Firebox, because they are awesome. They have really cool stuff and their customer service is brilliant. I think there's maybe been 1 year in the last decade that i haven't bought at least one gift from them. Probably longer than a decade, actually - could even be 15 years.
There are just so many cool little touches in the Firebox shopping experience - like the fact that they include a little packet of sweeties as a freebie in each delivery. That kind of thing goes a long way :P
The reason I'm talking about it in here though is because I have just placed an order for two gifts for Sophie and Amelia and the order confirmation page made me grin. And that made me happy, because it made me feel Christmassy. Because it's Firebox.
Here it is (anonymized obv):
Order confirmation
Order number: (#***********)
Your order (***********) is being processed like a fine slice of plastic cheese and you'll soon receive an email to *************@*****.com confirming all the juicy details.
Now switch off your computer/phone/Firebox-browsing device, go and get some fresh air and tell no one of what you've seen here today.
Hah I just got the order conf email:
ORDER CONFIRMED, DanaC
Next up, dispatch
Thanks very much for your order. You really are rather nice.
This "exciting" email is to confirm a few things you probably already know.
1. Your online shopping skills are truly exceptional.
2. Firebox has strong feelings for you.
3. See 1 & 2.
If you're reading this then it's already too late to make any changes to your order. Sorry! No begging please.
We'll drop you another email to let you know once it's out the door. Help the anticipation build a little. Get the juices flowing.
YOUR DELIVERY ADDRESS
Soon your one-of-a-kind parcel will be extravagantly chauffeured (in the back of a van) to this address:
Cannabidiol.
[SIZE="1"]Ok, tetrahydrocannabinol makes me happy, too. But today in particular? I'm all about the CBD.
Ahhhhh.[/SIZE]
You're not on their map, you should tell them so people can find you.
Cannabidiol.
...is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” and can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC.
What kind of communist, twinkle-toed, John Wayne-hatin, piece o' shit came up with
that?!?!
:joint::p:
What kind of communist, twinkle-toed, John Wayne-hatin, piece o' shit came up with that?!?!
:joint::p:
Inorite!? :rolleyes:
Happy = Day trip to Tug Hill Plateau xc skiing with Pete today.
I got a very interesting piece of mail today . . .
Back in the late '90s, I worked for Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports) in their San Francisco consumer advocacy office. It was a grant-funded position that lasted three years. During that time, I contributed the max to a retirement fund which Consumers Union matched.
Today's mail included a nice letter from the retirement fund, letting me know that they're offering a one-time option for people who are at least 59.5 years old, no longer work for Consumers Union, and have at least $10,000 in their retirement account.
I can either take a lump sum payment ($22,706, less taxes), roll it over into an IRA, or turn it into a monthly annunity ($186) that starts paying immediately and pays out until I croak.
What to do? What to do?
I'd never notice $186.
Take the chunk and put it in something similar, or roll it.
Then again, if the $186 would make a noticeable difference, then that might be the thing to do. Maybe that matches nicely with a monthly bill. Hey, free electricity/groceries/heat/water/[COLOR="SeaGreen"]weed[/COLOR] for life!!!
Yeah, that wasn't any help at all.
I got a recent offer from a similar pension fund - they wanted to buy me out because if I take the money now it's the cheaper option for them, and it was impossible that putting it into a new scheme (i.e. IRA in your case) would bring me the same income that is available under the current scheme. My financial adviser said stick. YMMV.
less taxes
Roll it over and avoid that if you are making ok money now. You'll pay taxes on that monthly annuity too, right?
I'd never notice $186.
Take the chunk and put it in something similar, or roll it.
Then again, if the $186 would make a noticeable difference, then that might be the thing to do. Maybe that matches nicely with a monthly bill. Hey, free electricity/groceries/heat/water/[COLOR="SeaGreen"]weed[/COLOR] for life!!!
Yeah, that wasn't any help at all.
I did consider that $186 a month isn't much, but
would cover my TV, phone, and internet bills. Of course, I could croak at any time, so I'm not convinced an annuity is a good thing.
Besides, I've decided I need a fence along my southern property line - the asshole neighbor on the other side has forced me to take him to court because he won't pay his share of the cost to repair my road (logging truck damage). That southern boundary is 310 feet, and I want a GOOD fence that won't crap out 10 years from now - I've decided on clear-coated cedar with metal posts in cement. I don't want asshole neighbor or his seven brats crossing my property line ever again. That's an $8200 bill.
Plus, I've got to pay the full road repair cost myself, and will
eventually get repaid by asshole neighbor. That's $5900 to me (with an eventual $4747 repayment).
And, I'm going to have the road construction crew move some land around my property to give me a flat/terraced back yard (20% slope back there right now) and build a 20' x 30' graveled pallet so I can one day build a nice outbuilding. That's another $5000 for a total of about $19,000.
My initial thought is to take the lump sum payment, pay for all this shit, put whatever's left over into my IRA, and put the eventual payment from asshole neighbor into the IRA as well.
I got a recent offer from a similar pension fund - they wanted to buy me out because if I take the money now it's the cheaper option for them, and it was impossible that putting it into a new scheme (i.e. IRA in your case) would bring me the same income that is available under the current scheme. My financial adviser said stick. YMMV.
Yeah, I need to talk to a money guy. *
sigh* I hate money problems, but at least this is a GOOD money problem.
:rolleyes:
Roll it over and avoid that if you are making ok money now. You'll pay taxes on that monthly annuity too, right?
Yeah, I'm bringing in enough right now to live on, but see my previous post . . . lots of expenses coming up that I don't want to go into debt over.
Not sure about paying taxes on the annuity, as Washington state has no income taxes . . . ?
Gotta get a money guy, I guess. ;)
No WA taxes but the Fed gummint do take a bite.
[YOUTUBE]UXdTH5RTNSI[/YOUTUBE]
I guess for me it would depend on how much retirement savings I already had. $186 a month isn't a ton, but unless you die in the next ten years, it is more than the payout. You probably won't die in the next ten years. But if I already knew I was going to be okay--through existing 401Ks, other pensions, or whatever--then I'd probably take the lump sum just for the convenience of it. Long-term fixed income is subject to the whims of inflation anyway.
So that lump would be about $15,000 after taxes? I can see the advantage of doing the shit you have/want to do now and be done with it. I would roll it into an IRA but you have to decide what works for you because you're mileage may vary.
I think you need
CROWS on that fence. ;)
...but the Fed gummint do take a bite.
[YOUTUBE]UXdTH5RTNSI[/YOUTUBE]
Somebody please tell
Ndamukong Suh.
Somebody please tell Ndamukong Suh.
I dunno. I could probably make it on $20 million. :rolleyes:
City of Detroit's 1 or 2[%], so you've got 43 [% of the deal], then you throw your agent fees, that's 45...
Jerry Maguire only gets 2%?? :eyebrow:
My daughter is home from college for spring break! She'll be there when I get home from work.
Happy Friday indeed.
You didn't buy her a ticket to some decadent spring break location? :elkgrin:
Hows she enjoying college life glatt? (remind me - which year is she in now?)
She's doing great. Very nice to have her home. She's in her first year.
5th clean PET scan last week. I am a very fortunate man.
My daughter is home from college for spring break! She'll be there when I get home from work.
Happy Friday indeed.
Yay! Me too but mine is in her last semester and has a job interview over break. I'm almost done adulting!
My daughter is home from college for spring break!
Spring break? Hell ye--
Wait...
Home?!
She's doing it wrong.
I'm sure it suits Dad just fine, though.;)
Hooray for glatt and nowhereman! I demand more good news from more people. The littlest things, I don't care, spit 'em out...
My good news: despite everything else, work is finally on the cusp of some forward motion next week. It may go one of two ways, but both are positive for me.
I demand more good news from more people. The littlest things, I don't care, spit 'em out...
I didn't go to jail today.
Or the hospital.
Yet.
:fingerx:
I demand more good news from more people. The littlest things, I don't care, spit 'em out...
My good news is that I received a letter from HMRC (the IRS's brother in arms) that I actually understood.
It took about a dozen readings and extensive use of a calculator, but understand it I did! :thumb:
Huzzah!
I'm super happy with the Paralympic stuff I'm seeing. These are real athletes doing damn exciting things. Unfortunately, the Navy Seal Cnossen makes me feel like a damn slacker when he's working on his 2nd Masters Degree from Harvard while training for and winning biathlon Gold.
Slacker?
Most men would do sinful things to have your house, family, and Benny. You're too close to see your own accomplishments.
I'm visiting a friend in Butthole, MT. The first morning I was here, I woke up with the
mother of all earworms. Naturally, I had to share this infection with my friend (pass that crazy shit on, man). Two days later, we're
both caught in a double-negative buffalo-earworm vortex of massive proportions.
This evening, after some purposeful self-medication, I stepped out onto the second-floor deck to enjoy a cig in the warm, spring evening air. I mean, it's just
perfect out there tonight. As I gaze out over the site of Sitting Bull's camp at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, I
begin to notice a subtle shift in the buffalo-earworm migration pattern.
Ah-hah. The worm has turned!
Eager to bring buffalo salvation to my friend, I race inside and announce "Hey, I've got another song in my head!"
Without a beat and wearing a completly deadpan expression, he says, "Hold on. Let me leave the room first."
:lol2:
[SIZE="1"]I dunno. Maybe you had to be there?[/SIZE]
Two's company, three's a crowd. Seems like she figured it was either her or the earworm and you know how earworms are.
Two's company, three's a crowd. Seems like she figured it was either her or the earworm and you know how earworms are.
I
do.
That's why I'm trying to pass that shit on!
Unfortunately, he just triple-backflip headbutted me with
this.
Motherfucker! :mad:
Bummer, it's almost as though he pulled a Trigger on you.
(Sorry I missed the "he" in your previous post and used she in my reply.)
Fortunately, I was listening to The Magnificent Westerns Album by The City of Prague Philharmonic on Amazon music a couple days ago which conferred partial immunity to Westerns earworms for now.
Bummer, it's almost as though he pulled a Trigger on you.
Oh, you did not just . . . By god, you did. Well done, sir.
(Sorry I missed the "he" in your previous post and used she in my reply.)
No worries. :)
Fortunately, I was listening to The Magnificent Westerns Album by The City of Prague Philharmonic on Amazon music a couple days ago which conferred partial immunity to Westerns earworms for now.
I've heard Big Pharma is working diligently on a generic, non-habit forming anti-Westerns earworm lozenge. I'm all about that.
Oh yeah.
Meanwhile, the buffalo returneth.
Pfffft.
Leaving Skamania Lodge now to go to the trailhead of the Beacon Rock trail at Beacon Rock State Park.
Pics later
My kids are all home and it's REALLY nice <3
:cry:
all done. one buggered back off already. Then summonsed another to haul over some extra shit she forgot.....
it's fabulous, but I wish beest were here to enjoy it too
I imagine that feeling will never really go away. It's how you know he was special.
The fruit and veg stall at this morning's market had the first Jersey Royal spuds of the season.
Let joy be unconfined! :)
My training was cancelled yesterday so I blew off work and had a great ride yesterday.
The fruit and veg stall at this morning's market had the first Jersey Royal spuds of the season.
Let joy be unconfined! :)
It's nice to see someone that excited about taters.
Or disturbing. I get nice and disturbing mixed up a lot.
It's nice to see someone that excited about taters.
Or disturbing. I get nice and disturbing mixed up a lot.
Surely you mean distubering? ;)
That joke needs to be removed at the root.
or we could keep chipping away until the nightshade
Possibly mastubering? :cool:
Someone stole m'taters! I've been distubered!
Somebody stole yer taters, that's not good.
You should launch an a peel, so everyone can keep an eye out. Want me to mash something together?
You're sounding awfully chipper today.
Stop that! Stoppit right now.
Silly.[/GrahamChapman]
:footpyth::D
I've gotten desperate, and thus I'm trying a session in a sensory deprivation tank today. Certainly can't make the tension worse, at any rate. I'm really looking forward to it, if only for the solid hour of silence.
I've gotten desperate, and thus I'm trying a session in a sensory deprivation tank today. Certainly can't make the tension worse, at any rate. I'm really looking forward to it, if only for the solid hour of silence.
My relief is playing music with other people. All life's troubles disappear for the duration of the rehearsal/session ... bliss ....
But do tell us about your experience (or lack of it!) ;)
It was pretty awesome. There were a couple times I felt my body start to loosen cognitively--the kind of "where does my skin stop and the water start" dissociation that's ideally supposed to happen--but then I'd notice the change and sort of snap-to again. But it was intensely physically relaxing, and my lingering neck/back soreness from the wreck is much improved, at least temporarily. (For those worrying, I've already seen my chiropractor, and there's no lasting damage, just the equivalent of a sharp muscle pull.) They say I'd get better at the brain-relaxing with another float or two. Overall, not life-changing, but highly recommended. [emoji106]
I've wanted to do that, like, forever. Literally since I saw Altered States the first time.
Today was my last day in my current team - I have tomorrow booked as a holiday, and Monday I start my 4 week training for the specialist team.
This makes me both happy and a little sad. Probably should have gone in the bitter sweet thread - but hey ho :P
What is making me happy is the wonderful card and giant bunch of flowers my team gave me at our comms meeting today. I was really touched. Nikki said not to read the card til later - she meant not til I'd gone home, but I read it a little later in the afternoon - awwww, the messages were so lovely. I could honestly have just sat and sobbed.
An awesome group of people, and an awesome team leader. Am going to miss working side by side with them - though as I am not moving very far away I will still see them in passing, and we can hook up for lunches or after work drinks as and when our shifts converge.
I wish you the best of luck, my friend!
For the last couple of weeks my 1992 VW Passat has been less than cooperative when I need to select second gear.
All manner of 'discouraging words' have been heard on such occasions.
I asked a mate, who is a mechanic and does all my repairs and servicing, to have a look.
He needed to go and collect a car for his next job so drove mine there to get an idea of the problem.
On return he removed the moulding around the gear lever and spotted a circlip which had removed itself from a spindle resulting in excessive lateral play.
A quick reinstatement of the clip and all is well!
Nothing nastier than excessive lateral play! Lovely quick and cheap fix, though!
Nothing nastier than excessive lateral play!
'It wobbled about a bit' doesn't really have the same gravitas! ;)
Edit:
Lovely quick and cheap fix, though!
That's the best bit. It didn't cost me a brass farthing!
Payback for Normandy, Battle of Britain, etc.
Payback for Normandy, Battle of Britain, etc.
:):):)
Considering its age, the car isn't doing too badly, although when something minor is amiss I do wonder if it's a precursor to a catastrophic failure.
If today's problem had been say, a major gearbox or clutch problem, I'd have had to give serious consideration to replacing the vehicle.
It's only done 71,000 miles so, in terms of its age, that's nothing.
Given that I do one grocery shopping trip a week, and the usual litany of hospital and Doc's appointments for Dad, it is only chalking up a total of about a thousand miles a year.
That's why I'm attempting to keep it going. There's no point in shelling out vast sums of money for a new, or newish, car and watching it depreciate by the day on the drive.
Anticipating the worst for this morning, I had a look at the VW website last night and prices for the current version of the Passat Estate are well north of £20,000!* :eek:
That's not a road I wish to drive down if it can be avoided.
*$27,000
'It [COLOR="Red"]wobbled [/COLOR]about a bit' doesn't really have the same gravitas! ;)
[aside]
Years ago, a friend of mine in Seattle encountered a chair on the curb near his apartment. The chair had a sign on it: "Take me. I wobble."
My friend took the sign (but not the chair) and displayed it on the front of his refrigerator.
I think of that "Take me. I wobble." sign often. I should wear it on my back at all times.
:D
[/aside]
You should launch an a peel, so everyone can keep an eye out. Want me to mash something together?
I posted it on youtuber but it went viral so now there's famine in Ireland......
Printing , matting and framing photographs for a group exhibition. I belong to the New England Large Format Photography Collective and we are having our first museum exhibit in June. It's a big deal for us, having had gallery shows previously but nothing on this scale. The nuseum is even using one of my images for their "Upcoming Exhibitions" web page. I'm so chuffed.
oh hai nowhereman! Where ya been?
Printing , matting and framing photographs for a group exhibition. I belong to the New England Large Format Photography Collective and we are having our first museum exhibit in June. It's a big deal for us, having had gallery shows previously but nothing on this scale. The nuseum is even using one of my images for their "Upcoming Exhibitions" web page. I'm so chuffed.
Is that at Lyman Allyn?
Printing , matting and framing photographs for a group exhibition. I belong to the New England Large Format Photography Collective and we are having our first museum exhibit in June. It's a big deal for us, having had gallery shows previously but nothing on this scale. The nuseum is even using one of my images for their "Upcoming Exhibitions" web page. I'm so chuffed.
Congratulations! Please link to the page when it's up, if you don't mind sharing that with us, I'd love to see.
It's Lil' Griff's GraduBirthday weekend! Now I am old. Was given a senior coffee at McD's this week... should I be pleased about the savings?
Wow!! She was single digit age just a moment ago.
Seeing the young mens and womens grow up is a true joy. Being a near-step-grandfather now, I finally see it. I would have demanded to be a parent if I had known how totally freaking amazing it is.
Brains, beauty, and grace. Grifftopia does it right.
I am constantly amazed.
Ya done
something right.
Lil'Griff is killin it at every level.
[eta] omg, that dress is pure class
Brains, beauty, and grace. Grifftopia does it right.
Too be fair, she'll always be my little middle school nerd.
Ya done something right.
One time, I married the right gal.
Lil'Griff is killin it at every level.
[eta] omg, that dress is pure class
Lol, her sister mailed it to her on loan.
I know what you're feeling Griff. I love the Zings. But I also miss the little Zings that were.
Griff, you'll have to go to your user CP and keep an eye on the number of downloads for that last image. You might end up in violation of rule #2 - Do not try to break the Cellar. :D
Yesterday I was going through a desk drawer looking for something and found a number of pictures of the Griftopia girls over the years. Always beautiful, always smiles bright and shiny as a new penny, their happiness just glows.
Limey - making photographs, working my bees and prepping the greenhouse for spring.
Bruce - yes, it's a really nice museum that shows a lot of photography
monster - here's the link to their Upcoming Exhibitions page - scroll down for our show -
https://www.lymanallyn.org/category/exhibitions-2/upcoming-exhibitions/Gonna be a long work day but we made it. We rode herd on 3 octogenarians yesterday which can be difficult but we meditated on patience. Diploma and cudgel in hand Lil'Griff is free to roam this world.
Diploma, cudgel, killer smile, and a head full of Griftopia training on doing the right thing. I feel much better about the future, thanks Griff and Pete!
This is the highlight of my day:
Hi everybody!
I will come back with an update soon, the Cliff's notes version is things are good, have been dating a woman I met on acceptable cherub, she lives about an hour away and is a real sweetheart from the midwest, transplanted to VT.
She has a fantastic sense of humor and we laugh a lot. Making up for lost time in that and other departments.
The kids are getting older, taller, smarter all the time.
It seems like only the other day when I was searching for parenting advice for my newborn and one of the top hits was:
Bringing up the shorties so they aren't completely messed up
The day is young. #caveat
You know Neal Brennan, co-creator of Chapelle's Show? My fast internet-clicking fingers managed to score front row seats when he comes to Austin in October. Hooray!
:thumb: he is brilliant ~ we had previously agreed on the awesomeness of his last special
Ah, yes! I wish to renew my subscription to that agreement.
It was pure luck that we got in--his first show sold out before I even knew tickets were for sale, but then they added a second show, by which point I think most of the "refresh-refresh-refresh-refresh-BUY" fans already had their tickets.
Hey Clod, have you ever seen the band Vintage Trouble? I recently caught them (along w/Alabama Shakes) on Austin City Limits (they, Vintage Trouble, were great, btw) and the camera panned around the audience a little, and there was a very Clodfobble-esque young lady in the crowd.
A very Clodfobble-esque young lady...
Sorry, wasn't me. (I was busy peeing in the liquor store.)
Wow.
I'd almost forgotten that.
:lol2:, indeed.
Thor passed his driving test. NO MORE CHAUFFEUR DUTIES (for me... bwahahahahaha.....)
Got a postcard from Billy today, he's on vacation in Germany. :)
Wonderful!
I bet I could find the picture I took of us at dinner, from back in the day...
I've been exhausted all week and went up to bed at 8:30pm last night. I got three more hours of sleep than usual and feel great this morning. Sometimes it's the little things.
wow. 9 hours of sleep. That's the dream man.
I think you'd certainly dream with nine hours. I was just starting to dream this morning when my alarm went off after 3 hours :/
Don't panic, I'm on my way to bed now so might even get 5 tonight :)
A few things are making me happy today
I am still employed
I have finished framing the deck and filling the framing with gravel
Twil and I are on a road trip leaving this morning
I heard from one of my dearest friends this morning
I spent $4 on a couple lottery tickets this week and I am wringing the last drops of potential bazillionaire-hood from those 400 pennies
My stepdaughter, M, is happy with a gift I got for her, and I am very happy that she's happy
I have a full, hot, fresh cup of coffee waiting for me, just over there
I leave you now, because, coffee
A few things are making me happy today
--snip--
I spent $4 on a couple lottery tickets this week and I am wringing the last drops of potential bazillionaire-hood from those 400 pennies
--snip
this just in, thank you Google News:
Mega Millions Results: Jackpot grows to record $1.6 billion after no winner drawn Friday
There was no winner for Friday's Mega Millions lottery drawing, which had a record jackpot of $1 billion. The prize has now grown to
a record $1.6 billion if a ...
WLS-TV
one hour ago
:eek:
I've been exhausted all week and went up to bed at 8:30pm last night. I got three more hours of sleep than usual and feel great this morning. Sometimes it's the little things.
what sleep app are you using?
I've looked into a number of them but they all seem to be basing conjectures on your breathing and noises.
This is a fitbit which measures pulse and wrist movements.
FYI fitbits are pricy, but there are a number of clones on aliexpress for a reasonable price.
You had at least seven REM periods when that many or more dreams could have graced your night.
I love to dream and the dreams I dream. I have been working on lucid dreaming for years, with cycles of varying success.
Most recently (in my 70's) I have been enjoying what I call epics (a 'la Demille and Homer). They can be scary or funny, but they are always long and complicated and great.
Also making me happy is that after about 10 weeks, my hip replacement seems to be taking hold. Healing makes me happy.
Also making me happy is that after about 10 weeks, my hip replacement seems to be taking hold. Healing makes me happy.
That's awesome.
But how does it really know you are in REM sleep? it's just monitoring heart rate and movement and sound.
Another question
What do you do with the information?
I don't know how accurate the report is. When I am clearly awake and up and moving around and have a memory of that, I have looked at the report later and they got it right. However there have been times where I have woken early and just stayed as still as possible trying to fall back asleep again, and the fitbit thought I was asleep.
So it gets things wrong sometimes.
I've found that looking at the data sometimes gets me to change my behavior to improve my habits. Not so much with sleep, although I did go to bed early that one time, it's more with exercise. I make an effort to get my steps in, and if I really haven't walked much in a day, I'll often take a walk after dinner. My paying attention to my fitbit encourages me to do that.
I approve.
I just submitted the final chapter of the book I've been editing/proofing since forever.
Hallelujah! Bring on the dancing boys. :D
Yes dear...
[YOUTUBE]9PO9pDWMOLc[/YOUTUBE]
Well that respite didn't take long. They just asked if I was interested in proofing another book (100 pages) with a crazy turnaround time.
Ah well, no rest for the wicked. :rolleyes:
But thanks Bruce, for the dancing boys! HA!
Well that respite didn't take long. They just asked if I was interested in proofing another book (100 pages) with a crazy turnaround time.
By the end of October.
That line is going in the book, btw.
By the end of October.
That line is going in the book, btw.
Heh.
Actually, they want it done by Nov. 2. Hell, I can do that in my sleep. :eyebrow:
Heh.
Actually, they want it done by Nov. 2. Hell, I can do that in my sleep. :eyebrow:
So, the good news is, I've apparently impressed them with my analitude (and speedy response) regarding the written word and its associated punctuation and final presentation. They have multiple additional jobs for me, if I want them and have the time.
*
sigh*
I just got my life back after two
long months, dammit! :rolleyes:
And this evening, I got a call from my longtime friend/client/former employer (the guy who owns a town in MT) who is desperate for my help.
Goddammit.
I am valued, needed, and in demand (
and I can continue paying the bills). *
bliss*
I told my friend that he'd better fucking take his usual winter vacation in Cabo and invite me along.
Be pleasant, be gracious, be cool... if they can afford you. ;)
Does it still feel good to feel wanted?
What good news did you get?
Does it still feel good to feel wanted?
Yes, and even better, it feels good to know that I apparently have a great ongoing gig! When you're a freelancer, you're looking for a new job every freakin' day. Once in awhile, you get locked into something sweet, and you ride that wave as long as you can. Unfortunately, sometimes that wave peters out.
For example, the last two ongoing proofing/editing jobs I had (roughly three years each) were eventually outsourced to India. I find it hard to imagine that people in India have a better grasp of American English and its excentricities than, say, I do, but there you go.
So, yeah. I'm still stoked. I like the work (when it's not dumped on me at the last minute!) and they like my work, so what's not to love?
Currently, I'm taking a week off, and I'm loving
that even more. :)
I'm off this week, too.:D
I'm off this week, too.
I'm heavily self-medicating today in your honor, my honor, and in response to the insanity that hit my hometown overnight.
God rest their souls. :sniff:
I just finished the chapter files for another book - this one on voice/speaking disorders - with the front/back matter and references still to come. Even though there will be more files to work on before this project is completely finished, I feel like I just climbed Mt. Everest - my proofreading projects are (nearly) done!
:devil: :cheerldr: :tuba: :fumette: :beer:
Hooray, good on you. :folks:
I've been giddy ever since I walked up today. I'm expecting my 1TB SSD to arrive that I ordered yesterday. Got a good deal on it for Cyber Monday yesterday.
High JackieG welcome to the cellar.
I've been giddy ever since I walked up today. I'm expecting my 1TB SSD to arrive that I ordered yesterday. Got a good deal on it for Cyber Monday yesterday.
Hi Jackie, and welcome!
I'm an old lady and hopelessly non-technical. What is a 1TB SSD?
I'm
also giddy about receiving an order I made recently. :)
My telephone system (landline/ answering machine) has been crapping out for some time now. The whole shebang is at least 18 years old, there is a ton of "snow" on the line, the wireless phone battery now lasts only about an hour before it needs a charge, and for the last eight months or so, I've been getting endless (fake) charity calls - least five or six a day.
My new phone system has the ability to block calls/numbers. I can't wait to set it up!
:shotgun:
What is a 1TB SSD?
One thick-bodied stainless steel dildo.
You're :welcome:.
:p:
Also a one terabyte solid state drive. A hard drive with no moving parts.
...I've been getting endless (fake) charity calls - least five or six a day.
This morning [strike]I received[/strike] the caller ID ID'd a number as being from one of my (dead for 5-6 yrs) best friends' father. What's even worse, the father has been dead for at least 35-40 years.
I think the number was spoofed.:lol2:
One thick-bodied stainless steel dildo.
You're :welcome:.
:p:
HAAA! :D
This morning [strike]I received[/strike] the caller ID ID'd a number as being from one of my (dead for 5-6 yrs) best friends' father. What's even worse, the father has been dead for at least 35-40 years.
I think the number was spoofed.:lol2:
A few weeks ago, I got a call from a number I didn't recognize. I picked up the phone and said "Hello?" A young man said, "Oh gramma, I'm so glad you're home. I'm in trouble and I
really need your help."
"Oh, that's too bad," I said, "but I guess you're going to have to take care of your OWN shit, because I don't have any grandchildren."
*
click*
Heh.
I just finished the chapter files for another book - this one on voice/speaking disorders - with the front/back matter and references still to come. Even though there will be more files to work on before this project is completely finished, I feel like I just climbed Mt. Everest - my proofreading projects are (nearly) done!
:devil: :cheerldr: :tuba: :fumette: :beer:
DAMN, Edna. I've got
another Project Manager asking for my time. In particular, she says: "It’s time sensitive and we need someone on this that can work quickly and meet deadlines."
Unfortunately, I'm awaiting the final files for another project (front/back matter, resources, etc.), so I can't really commit. So I suggested the two Project Managers work out a way that I can complete
both of their projects.
BTW, this new project pays .75% mor than the one I'm already working on. The bidding war progresses . . . :D
:devil:
[youtube]GXE_n2q08Yw[/youtube]
BTW, this new project pays .75% mor than the one I'm already working on. The bidding war progresses . . .
You're worth every penny. :notworthy
You're worth every penny. :notworthy
Thanks, Bruce! I had to turn the new project down, since I'm due to receive the final files for my current book next week.
Ah well. At least word is getting around that I'm good at what I do and can be depended on to meet even the craziest deadlines. My client is a BIG global company and their editing/publishing arm puts out roughly 2000 books a year, so I think I'll have lots of work going forward. Yay!
:thumb:
BTW, this new project pays .75% mor...
Three-quarters of a percent? 75 cents? 75%?
I confuse so easily.
:p:
Three-quarters of a percent? 75 cents? 75%?
I confuse so easily.
:p:
Yeah, I'm paid by the page. Typical rate is $2 per page. The new job offer came in at $2.75/page. Super rush jobs bring $3/page.
I'm never going to get rich doing this, but it pays the bills and it's work I like. Plus, I can work in my jammies and do bong rips whenever the hell I want; I'm my own manager.
:yesnod:
Three-quarters of a percent? 75 cents? 75%?
I confuse so easily.
:p:
y'know that part where some other kid in the class is confused and courageous enough to answer the question *you* had?
this is that.
thanks Grav. :)
y'know that part where some other kid in the class is confused and courageous enough to answer the question *you* had?
this is that.
thanks Grav. :)
Yeah, I think I screwed that up. I'm a word girl; numbers are not my thing. :rolleyes:
But now you know what I
meant to say. S'all good. :D
I haven't taken a
real vacation in about 10 years. I'm long overdue.
To treat myself, at the end of January I will be spending 10 days at this place . . . .
Playa Laguna Beach Villa, Sosua, Dominican Republic <- more pics at link
And guess what? It's FREE! (It's my nephew's place).
[SIZE="5"]WAHOOOO!~[/SIZE] :cheerldr: :rasta: :devil:
Your nephew has nice digs!
Better find out if Trump will let you come back as he's a little pissy about traffic from that direction. ;)
I've got an idea, why don't take a boy toy with you for protection. :D
Your nephew has nice digs!
Inorite?!
He and his wife got it in a "fire sale." Seems the millionaire that owned it, bought it as a tryst palace. Wifey found out and said "Sell it NOW or it's time for a divorce and I'll take half of everything." So he put it on the market at some ridiculous price and my nephew and his wife snapped it up.
Hella deal! Now they rent it out for weddings and business retreats, etc. for a few hun a night, while they stay in a $50/night hotel for the duration. They're not getting rich, but it helps pay the bills.
:cool:
Better find out if Trump will let you come back as he's a little pissy about traffic from that direction. ;)
I've got an idea, why don't take a boy toy with you for protection. :D
Is your passport up to date? ;)
Yeah, but he's on a list...more than one, actually.
Had to go check, yup good till July of '21. :D
Sun sets today at about 4:15. We'll have about 8 and a half hours of daylight today.
Thankfully, we'll lose only another five minutes of daylight until the winter solstice, thee, here comes the sun, baby!
Right, this time of year it's about as dark as it gets. :(
We'll have about 8 and a half hours of daylight today.
Ah, the Pacific Northwest. Home of the moody "grunge" artists with seasonal affective disorder.
Chateau Limey will be on a new, smaller island sometime in the New Year.
Yay! Pictures pictures pictures pictures...
Y'all come and visit now, d'y'hear?
You may regret those words. :lol2:
Who you callin moody!?
Call 'im random!
[SIZE="1"]squee[/SIZE]Call 'im random!!!
:lol2:
You may regret those words. :lol2:
Nope. (Just not all at once! [emoji23])
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Oh dear, you mean I should cancel the ship charter. :lol:
Just got a raise - hot damn! I'm working on the bibliography and front matter for my current book project and they decided they weren't paying me enough, I guess. Instead of $2/page, I'm now getting $2.70/page.
w0oT!
Go Hot Glinda!
:cheerldr:
Just got a raise - hot damn! I'm working on the bibliography and front matter for my current book project and they decided they weren't paying me enough, I guess. Instead of $2/page, I'm now getting $2.70/page.
w0oT!
Mahvellous!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Did they hear the other group had offered more money?
"A federal judge in Texas said on Friday that the Affordable Care Act's individual coverage mandate is unconstitutional and that the rest of the law therefore cannot stand." -- from one of many stories flittin' around the ether.
Can it be? Is that awful law on it's way out? Mebbe, mebbe not. Today, however, the thought it might be headin' to the graveyard is enough to put a bounce in my step.
And take that bounce out of the step of 10,000,000 others.
My step, happily, is unaffected.
My problem: how?
-----
EDIT: "take that bounce out of the step of 10,000,000 others."
Good.
To hell wid 'em...with their bouncing and their bebopping all over the place.
And their Dan Fogleberg records...
The Muppets are making me happy today.
Thanks for your good wishes, everyone!
Did they hear the other group had offered more money?
That was for a different book project/project manager from the same company, which I had to turn down in order to finish the last bits of my current project.
I don't fully understand the company's heirarchy and range of services. I do know it's
very broad. They're primarily a business management and software provider, but they have an editing/publishing arm that produces 1500-2000 books per year.
Within that publishing arm are multiple project managers competing for available vendors like me to work on various book projects. The PMs have some sort of list they consult for approved editors/proofreaders, and one or another may not have dug deep enough to find out if I'm currently working on a different project. So I occasionally get queries from different PMs asking if I'm available to work on
their project when I haven't yet finished my current project.
Y'know. The right hand often doesn't know what the left hand is doing. And so it goes . . .
;)
That's what I mean, I wonder if the left hand found out the right hand offered more money and figured they better up the ante to keep in the running on future projects.
That's what I mean, I wonder if the left hand found out the right hand offered more money and figured they better up the ante to keep in the running on future projects.
Oh my, but you're a cunning creature. :D
But truthfully, my current PM raised the rate because the author wanted me to do a little additional work. Beyond checking the final proof bibliography against the author's original manuscript, the author asked if I could also do a bibliographic crosscheck against the citations mentioned in the final proof chapter files (to make sure the chapter citations match the bibliographic citations).
Guess what? They don't. A LOT.
So. I'm assuming the author has had a chance to review the chapter files I submitted and likes my work.
And I'm assuming that the author is deeply interested in getting this edition of the book perfect. Because (I'm assuming) the original author of this book (and many others on matters concerning the throat and speaking) died earlier this year, and this 10th edition is meant to be a sort of tribute + all-inclusive, major reference work that updates
all the shit that came before it. And so that's why, I'm assuming, they gave me a better rate for the whole book (320 pages), even though the extra work I'm doing concerns only the front/end matter (52 pages).
I don't know if any of this is true, but you got me thinking and I've had several cocktails, so there's that. :p:
Bottom line? Evidently, I'm a fucking genius when it comes to this picayune shit, but by god there's a spot on the planet for me!
:thumb:
Evidently, I'm a fucking genius when it comes to this picayune shit...
Man, I know how ya feel. It's a burden sometimes ain't it?
:p:
Man, I know how ya feel. It's a burden sometimes ain't it?
:p:
Yabbut,
someone's gotta do it. :D
BTW, I finished my book project at 2 a.m. Sweet relief!
Now, I've got metric butt-tons of holiday pet sitting staring me in the face. :neutral:
I got all I can handle just being sexy.
A surprise Christmas gift out of the blue, a 73 year old book from a guy in Texas I've never met. I had him build a transmission for me 18 months ago and we correspond regularly, but this was a shocker.
Lucky xoB!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I would read that cover to cover many times.
My 1992 VW Passat passed its annual test today!
Total mileage is just over 72,000 and I've only done 1,280 miles since the last test.
I hope that it survives another twelve months but if a sudden catastrophic failure is visited upon me I shall treat it to a day out at the scrap yard.
I'm kind like that.
No sentimental bullshit, eh.
No alimony either. :haha:
That car ain't even broken in yet. Check your belts and hoses, and replace as necessary. Change your oil once a year at least, and drive it every once in a while. You may also want to replace the ground wire. That's all I can think of right now.
That car ain't even broken in yet. Check your belts and hoses, and replace as necessary. Change your oil once a year at least, and drive it every once in a while. You may also want to replace the ground wire. That's all I can think of right now.
It also had necessary maintenance and servicing today.
I take it to a mate who is a mechanic and he carries out any work needed.
He also takes the car to the testing station for me.
If it fails the test, as has happened once or twice, he'll do the required work after calling me and then present it for re-test.
It gets driven once a week when I go into town for grocery shopping (twelve miles there and back) and there are the inevitable trips to the Doc for Dad which fill in the gaps.
I tend to charge the battery during cold weather the day before my supermarket run.
If anything stops me doing that Dad thinks that starvation will strike in an instant! :eek:
Never be afraid of old equipment, as long as it's maintained. Got a picture handy?
My 1992 VW Passat passed its annual test today!
Total mileage is just over 72,000 and I've only done 1,280 miles since the last test.
I hope that it survives another twelve months but if a sudden catastrophic failure is visited upon me I shall treat it to a day out at the scrap yard.
I'm kind like that.
Wahey!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Never be afraid of old equipment, as long as it's maintained. Got a picture handy?
Apologies for the less than perfect photos which were taken this morning during the supermarket run...
[ATTACH]66337[/ATTACH]
It's never going to win anything at a classic car show but condition is pretty good for its age so I'll keep it going as long as possible.
[ATTACH]66338[/ATTACH]
Not the tidiest, I will admit, but hoses are all in good condition, no leaks, belts all OK.
The rocker cover gasket was replaced this time last year.
USP? It goes! :thumb:
Carruthers (1992) has GrandCherokeeOne (1994) beat by two years.
Anyone have and older daily driver here in the Cellar?
I know Bruce probably has us beat with something, idk if it's his daily driver or not, though.
Nope, my daily driver is also the newest at 2006.
Today, I'm happy to be alive. Honestly felt like I was dying yesterday.
On January 26, after two days in the DR, I began feeling cold symptoms; scratchy throat, primarily. After two or three days, that turned into chest congestion. Another two or three days and it moved to my sinuses. That rotation has been going on ever since. Symptoms have been mild but ongoing for two solid weeks.
Yesterday, I woke up in a coma, or damned close to it. Full-on flu symptoms, complete with a splitting headache, chest congestion and heavy coughing, a chill that I simply could not quell, massive body aches, and utter exhaustion/fatigue. I managed to get out of bed and move to the sofa in front of the TV, where I stayed the entire day. Got up only to drink fluids, or soak in the tub trying to stop the chills.
This morning, the headache and chills are gone, body aches are nearly gone, but the cough persists, and of course, I'm weak as a newborn pup. BUT, I think I'm going to live, and for that I am happy.
I'll be seeing the doctor Monday afternoon. I set up the appointment on Friday because the never-ending cold was really worrying me. Now this weird one-day flu thing. :eyebrow:
I'm convinced I contracted some sort of tropical cootie sickness that just won't stop. I'll be asking for a complete blood panel and whatever else is needed to look into that. Updates as they become available.
:thumb:
Did you get a flu shot this season?
Do you have any fragmented memories of being probed aboard an alien spacecraft?
It's good that you have a doctor's appointment. There's no law saying that if you catch something on the flight over that you can't catch something else while there too. The CDC has current info for clinicians on what travel related illnesses to look for.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/dominican-republicIt's good that you have a doctor's appointment. There's no law saying that if you catch something on the flight over that you can't catch something else while there too. The CDC has current info for clinicians on what travel related illnesses to look for.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/dominican-republic
This is excellent information. Thank you! I'll be mentioning this CDC page to my doctor.
Did you knowingly (or UNknowingly) participate in any voodoo rituals?
Srsly, tho, feel better.
Soon.
Did you knowingly (or UNknowingly) participate in any voodoo rituals?
Srsly, tho, feel better.
Soon.
I avoided all potential voodooism, as far as I know. ;)
Still feeling pretty punky, and have really been taking it easy. Dragging myself to the doctor's office later this afternoon. Wish me luck!
Glinda how did the Doctor visit go?
Doc said "Yep, you've got the flu. Go home and sleep it off. Give me $20." :rolleyes:
For what it's worth, he's pretty sure it's not a weird tropical disease or a voodoo curse.
Still wiped out but feeling a bit better each day. Good thing, because I have a new pet sitting job and a new proofreading project starting tomorrow.
No rest for the wicked (or the cootified) ! :rolleyes:
I'm glad it's not some tropical Cooties. Get Better Soon.
Our February Christmas with Pete's old man was trimmed down to a diner visit because the flu took out half the family. Feel better Glinda!
Thanks for your good wishes, everyone. I can't remember the last time I got the flu . . . I sure don't remember getting slammed so badly. The latest complication (started yesterday) is conjunctivitis. Yay.
Today should be interesting. One of my pet sitting clients is out of town for a month (Costa Rica), and I'm job-sharing their visits with another pet sitter. She got the first week, during which time the client's home was buried in a foot and a half of snow. This wouldn't typically be a problem for my 4WD truck, except this particular client lives on a very steep private road (not plowed) way the ever-lovin' fuck on top of a local mountain.
The other sitter has only been able to get up to the house a few times in the past week (she's got a little SUV, but no 4WD). Says the closest neighbor has been going to check on the cat when she hasn't been able to get through. Yesterday, the other sitter actually walked up the mountain. Jesus, God.
There's no way I can do that, given my current state of health. I just hope my truck can plow through whatever's up there now. Wish me luck. :(
The good news is that it's raining like it's the end times right now, so hopefully the rain is busting up some of that snow. The possible bad news is that it's 38 degrees here and there's no telling what the temp is up on top of that mountain.
:neutral:
I went to the Container Store today, got everything I wanted, and still stayed under $100.
Then I got a 15% off coupon to come back, which is great because it turns out there is more I want. :)
I was talking to a friend from Idaho who didn't know what a Container Store was, and me and my other friend were like OMG LET US TELL U ABOUT THE THING
if it's not under $100 it's
PLEASE HAVE A COMPLETE LIFESTYLE THEY ARE ONLY $1200
DO YOU NOT HAVE A MUD ROOM? YOU ARE MISSING OUT
PEG BOARD IS FOR THE LOWER CLASSES
all that said i do enjoy it there
also i enjoy the irony that the store itself is a container
I once bought some shelves off Craigslist, and I needed replacement parts, and they had them at the Container Store, and when I went to the container store, the shelves that everything in the store was on were the kind of shelves I was buying parts for.
I was like yo dawg i herd u like shelves
I once bought some shelves off Craigslist, and I needed replacement parts, and they had them at the Container Store, and when I went to the container store, the shelves that everything in the store was on were the kind of shelves I was buying parts for.
I was like yo dawg i herd u like shelves
I just Ecosiaed Container Store, turns out that’s a thing.
And now I just Googled Ecosia...
Ve haf vays to make sie buy das baume. :haha:
I just Ecosiaed Container Store, turns out that’s a thing.
And now I just Googled Ecosia...
motherƒucker. I Googled Ecoasia and learned I could Ecosia Google, so I had to do it to em
The good news is that it's raining like it's the end times right now, so hopefully the rain is busting up some of that snow. The possible bad news is that it's 38 degrees here and there's no telling what the temp is up on top of that mountain.
:neutral:
Made it. No stress, no strain. Oh, there was still a lot of snow up there, and in some places it was very icy/slippery, but none of it was tougher than my Silverado.
:cool:
motherƒucker. I Googled Ecoasia and learned I could Ecosia Google, so I had to do it to em
I have amused myself.
Made it. No stress, no strain. Oh, there was still a lot of snow up there, and in some places it was very icy/slippery, but none of it was tougher than my Silverado.
:cool:
bravo
Made it. No stress, no strain. Oh, there was still a lot of snow up there, and in some places it was very icy/slippery, but none of it was tougher than my Silverado.
:cool:
Excellent, you da boss. :thumb:
it *is* a low IBU, but I'd try it.
recently I had one named... Atlantic Hazy IPA from Frontstreet... First street... fuck I don't remember but I do know it was DELICIOUS. I had it at a seafood joint in Aberdeen on the way back from the coast. Would. Happily. Drink. Again.
I've never been a huge fan of IPAs - probably because I don't drink enough beer to know any better. Nevertheless, I find that IPAs are a bit too bitter for me. I do however keep a few random bottles of craft beer in the spare fridge at all times. Just in case a visitor drops by. ☺
Last night I made pork chops with potatoes and sauerkraut (gramma's recipe), which calls for half a beer. Pulled this one out of the fridge and couldn't believe the "embiggen" on the label. :eek:
Until a month ago or so, I'd never heard this word. It was Cellar dwellers that enlightened me.
You lot are an amazing collection of brilliantly impressive weirdos. I thank you all for sharing your madness with me.
I am embiggened. :D
Thank Homer Simpson for edumacating us.
Citrusy? Have to be hot a thirsty for that methinks.
Embiggen...I thought I invented that non-word.
Where mah check?!?
I've been thinking about giving up thinking.
It's just something I've been thinking about.
I've been thinking about giving up thinking.
It's just something I've been thinking about.
That thinking feeling.
Best avoided.
A text conversation:
Pologirl: you didn't order cat socks to my apartment did you?
Pologirl: as in socks with cats on, not socks for cats?
monster: I mighta
Pologirl: Oh lol, they're cute, but I thought I was going crazy for a sec
Pologirl: So they are mine? So I can open them?
monster: YES! for you
Pologirl: Thanks :)
Pologirl: trying on
monster: I heard cat socks alleviate thesis stress and similar ailments
Pologirl: **sends pic of no-show cat socks**
Pologirl: I think I can feel it working already
Pologirl: **Sends pic of thigh highs** They're really comfy, I love them
[ATTACH]66544[/ATTACH]
::happyhappyhappyhappy::
Grandmadigr turned 101 today.
:celebrat::celebrat::celebrat:
Hey, happy birthday Grandmadigr!
Grandmadigr turned 101 today.
:celebrat::celebrat::celebrat:
A good innings!
Grandmadigr turned 101 today.
:celebrat::celebrat::celebrat:
Wowsers! HB GMD!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Just before mom was buried, I removed the big pavé diamond ring that she'd worn for years. When I finally got home, I wore it for awhile in her memory, but eventually stashed it somewhere in my house so it wouldn't get lost or stolen.
Of course, I lost it. Completely forgot where I put it, and I've been looking for it for a year and a half.
Found it yesterday! w0oT!!
:cheerldr:
Oh, and Happy Birthday, Grandmadigr. :)
Nice gams for 101 years old!
Why is it girls taking pictures of their feet, or are aware someone else is, [strike]always[/strike] usually stand pigeon-toed? :confused:
It's like duck lips for feet.
It puts you off-balance, which means means vulnerable and thus attractive. Feet turned outward shows that you are ready for running/pouncing/fighting. It's not all for the camera; a lot of women just stand that way naturally, the same way men hook their thumbs into their belts to draw attention to their schwanz.
When only one foot is turned in: Right pigeon-toed, left brain. Left pigeon-toed, right brain. Guys want a gal who's right pigeon-toed in public and left pigeon-toed in the bedroom. Pictures are presumed to be going public.
In this case, I suspect she rotated her legs so the cats' eyes were facing forward for the picture.
It should also be noted that women's legs are more loosey-goosey in general, with our inefficient rotational hip design.
...the same way men hook their thumbs into their belts to draw attention to their schwanz.
Look. Look at it!
Look at my Schwan's!!!
[ATTACH]66557[/ATTACH]
I appreciate yall's B-Day wishes toward Grandmadigr.
She's been doing great lately. No talking to the dead relatives, or talking out of her head and such in quite a while. And, outside of an iron supplement, no meds at all.
Today my mobile phone contract cancellation has taken effect.
It was costing me £17.50 ($23.10) per month and was rarely used.
I still have my old PAYG phone which I kept going by using it once a month and that's all I need.
There's £9.50 credit on it and that will be sufficient for months.
I only need the mobile for when I'm out of the house so Dad can get hold of me and I'll make what few calls I need to from the home landline.
I feel curiously liberated.
I've used Tracfone ever since I got my first cell phone. It costs about $80 a year. Liberating indeed!
If they would let you use the data ports on their fones...
Or let ya get pics off one of their fones that don't use data cards...
Or let ya bluetooth photos off the fone...
Or had customer service that was actually worth a shit...
Or, meh, you get the idea.
But they are cheap. My TracFone only cost $4. Wasn't even on sale.
I've used them for a number of years, but TracFone is basically useless and a joke for anyone who actually uses a cell phone.
If they would let you use the data ports on their fones...
Or let ya get pics off one of their fones that don't use data cards...
Or let ya bluetooth photos off the fone...
Or had customer service that was actually worth a shit...
Or, meh, you get the idea.
But they are cheap. My TracFone only cost $4. Wasn't even on sale.
I've used them for a number of years, but TracFone is basically useless and a joke for anyone who actually uses a cell phone.
Which makes them perfect for me!
I can get pics off my phone (I just email them to myself and open the email on a computer). Bluetooth? I don't know nuthin' about no Bluetooth. I can make calls and send texts, but the calls are iffy out here in the mud and the blood and the beer. Usually I have to go stand out in the front yard.
But the reception issue isn't related to Tracfone - at least not in my neck of the woods. The problem is there are damned few cell towers here. Friends with Verizon can't even get reception most of the time. So I figure, why pay for a "prime" service plan when I can get the same lousy reception for $6.50 a month? :D
Bottom line, I HATE cell phones, but I have one . . . just in case I break down on the road, or get stuck going to some pet sitting job out in the boonies (might not even work then, but better safe than sorry).
Bottom line, I HATE cell phones, but I have one . . . just in case I break down on the road, or get stuck going to some pet sitting job out in the boonies (might not even work then, but better safe than sorry).
Dittos.
ETA: My other Tracfones, I could do the email thing, but this one won't attach the pic to the email. It
says it's doing it, it ain't doing it.
Dittos.
ETA: My other Tracfones, I could do the email thing, but this one won't attach the pic to the email. It says it's doing it, it ain't doing it.
Time to splurge and spend $10 on a Tracfone phone. :3eye:
I haven't mastered this one yet.
I got an email from Billy today, he just got my Christmas card I mailed on December 3rd. :facepalm:
Successful construction of baked onion bhajis to send away with Mr Limey tomorrow as a gift for his host for two nights away back on the Old Island. Except I'd rather keep and eat them. Will have to make more for Food Night here on New Island on Thursday I think.
Sent by magick
Food night, that sounds interesting. Weekly? Everybody brings something or a few cook each time when their turn comes up? At the bar or is there a community hall/room?
This guy at the bar, one of the regulars, occasionally brings food to the bar (for urrbody, not just himself), which is also a 200 seat restaurant.
He's brought spaghetti, and chili, a couple of times. Dude's kinda strange. He's bought a raw steak to take home and cook hisownself, and he's brought his own steak for them to cook.
Weird. But they don't seem to mind.
Food night, that sounds interesting. Weekly? Everybody brings something or a few cook each time when their turn comes up? At the bar or is there a community hall/room?
Weekly in the winter. Everybody (that turns up) brings something. In the bar (though there is a community hall, too).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
This guy at the bar, one of the regulars, occasionally brings food to the bar (for urrbody, not just himself), which is also a 200 seat restaurant.
He's brought spaghetti, and chili, a couple of times. Dude's kinda strange. He's bought a raw steak to take home and cook hisownself, and he's brought his own steak for them to cook.
Weird. But they don't seem to mind.
Sounds like a bit of an odd duck.
Weekly in the winter. Everybody (that turns up) brings something. In the bar (though there is a community hall, too).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Y'all are very intentional with your island living. When my friends lived on an island in Maine it seemed similar.
I wonder if an island induces we're in this together, it's us against the world?
Successful construction of baked onion bhajis to send away with Mr Limey tomorrow as a gift for his host for two nights away back on the Old Island. Except I'd rather keep and eat them. Will have to make more for Food Night here on New Island on Thursday I think.
Sent by magick
I had to look that up and now I'm contemplating trying to make them myself. They sound delicious. :) Thanks for expanding my must-try recipe list!
I had to look it up, too.
I got the annual begging for a donation letter from the Fire Company today. They mentioned when I shop on Amazon if I go to SmileDotAmazonDotcom instead of AmazonDotCom, and select the name of the Fire Company(or any charity), Amazon will kick back 0.5% of my purchases to them.
I logged in to check it out, but haven't checked to see if the prices are the same both ways. Amazon claims they started this separate system to be spread by word of mouth through charities, friends, and neighbors. The 0.5% comes from the savings of not having to advertise. Sounds like bullshit to me, but I can see where if you're buying something online why not get it from Amazon and help your charity.
As their advertising rates are routinely in the "6% of sales" range, you can rest assured it's bullshit.*
*Bullshit that the percentages aren't higher, I mean. The money really does go to the charities, and the prices of the products are the same. The catch is you have to type in the "smile" bit at the beginning of the address (or bookmark it or whatever) every single time. You can't just say "I designate this charity for all my sales forever."
I didn't know that, they didn't make me designate when I signed in so I guess I have to at checkout. :facepalm:
You would not believe the Goddess that just got out of a car @ my neighbor's house.
:drool:
Smokin'.
Maybe she got the wrong address.... you could give her directions, hm?
I got the annual begging for a donation letter from the Fire Company today. They mentioned when I shop on Amazon if I go to SmileDotAmazonDotcom instead of AmazonDotCom, and select the name of the Fire Company(or any charity), Amazon will kick back 0.5% of my purchases to them.
I logged in to check it out, but haven't checked to see if the prices are the same both ways. Amazon claims they started this separate system to be spread by word of mouth through charities, friends, and neighbors. The 0.5% comes from the savings of not having to advertise. Sounds like bullshit to me, but I can see where if you're buying something online why not get it from Amazon and help your charity.
Been using Amazon Smile for years. Prices are the same ...like CF says, just bookmark the smile link to your account
Maybe she got the wrong address.... you could give her directions, hm?
[YOUTUBE]urykSPJxmQQ[/YOUTUBE]
Been using Amazon Smile for years. Prices are the same ...like CF says, just bookmark the smile link to your account
Yes, it's been around for six years and I'd never heard of it. I asked several people and got a blank stare. Got it bookmarked now.
I've made it as good as I can.
Now comes packagin' it up & sendin' it out (over and over and over...)
Time to start sumthin' new.
I'm tickled this afternoon having just won a radio contest!
I was the first caller to identify this soundbite:
[YOUTUBE]TR5phuvnn8g[/YOUTUBE]
What I won:
KOMO Afternoon Soundbite
Tune in ALL DAY to KOMO News Radio and you could win!
Listen at 4:30p as we play the Sound bite of the day. Correctly identify who it was and you could win:
A pair of tickets to see
Ciara
Friday, September 13th at the Washington State Fair!
Pre-sale starts Wednesday, April 24th at 10 AM with pre-sale code: radio.
Regular on-sale, Saturday, April 20th at TheFair.org!
And, a ride on the Kitsap Fast Foot Ferry!
Sprint across the Sound at a top speed of 35 knots aboard the M/V Finest! / Summer sailings begin the first Saturday in May and run through the end of September!
Plus, Breakfast/lunch for 2 at the Sunbreak Café in Auburn!
Serving award winning breakfast and lunch since 1982!
Extra degree of difficulty: I was driving home on the freeway at the time. Anticipated the contest on the car radio, dialed immediately via wireless headset, first ring, first caller, first answer!
First time, no warmup!Yes, woot!
I have fun winning even if the main prize was a mystery to me until I asked my daughter who the heck was she. Turns out she's married to Russell Wilson, QB with a new $$$$$$$$$$$ contract with the Seahawks. BelovedDaughter says she's not so much of a fan of Ciara because she thinks she's a distraction for Wilson. Football nut, my daughter!
Drowning them in the shit they're bitching about...
[SIZE="1"]hackspitgarglesputtergrnklnrx[/SIZE]
Ooh, look another chain post well within the editing timeframe:
What's making me happier than that other post?
The liquor store has been open for 4 minutes. Happy, Happy Joy Joy!!!!!![/Snoopydance]
We have a squrl that has become very friendly, he's taken the cookie out of my hand a few times. He took it from Momdigr's hand the other day and she about squealed.
My cat-napping neighbor came over a day or two ago with a plastic grocery bag. There was a dead squrl inside. It had been run over right in front of our house(s). He wanted to know if I could ID it as Our Squrl™. It looked like every squrl ya ever seen, teeth on one end, bushy tail on the other.
We didn't see Our Squrl for a few days, and we were worried he was now eating the big cookie in the sky.
Saw Our Squrl yesterday morning. He came and got his cookie without hesitation, right outta my greasy little palm.:D
ETA: If you follow my squrl adventures, you've seen my posts about Three-Leg. We'd given up on her, as it had been a year or more since we'd seen her. My buddy says he saw her the other day. Confirmed sighting. This squrl was hanging around his house when he/we bought it. Three-Leg is over ten years old we think. And still going!:cheerldr:
We are spending the day in Wilmington, NC to a medical specialist. 60 miles one way, but closer than Chapel Hill. She will be tired by the time I get home. Go to sleep early so I can kick back and smoke purple haze and watch SG-1 all night. Probably have chocolate milk too.
Sent from my moto e5 supra using Tapatalk
How was that chocolate milk?
I'm still happy with the Yanks bottom of the 9th last night. Colombian kid Gio Urshela walks them off again. He was supposed to spend the year in Scranton but instead he's claimed ownership of 3rd base.
Well, yeah he did, cuz...Scranton.
I don't know that it actually made me happy, but iI got a li'l boost out of it.
I found one of my pictures on the interweb!
It's on one of those photo aggregating sites.
The only site I posted the pic on was Teh Cellar. It generated a coupla comments here.
Here's the page it's on. I'm curious if anyone here will remember the pic.
Do
you know which one is my pic?:3eye:
[QUOTE=Gravdigr;1032803
Do you know which one is my pic?:3eye:[/QUOTE]
I think it's the wind turbine blade on the extended semi/artic making a right turn.
Finally got something right today!
Awesome Henry!
Did you find a mechanic who could fix it?
yep...one alternator, one power steering fluid pump, and I'm a road rat again
...along with other stuff.
I think I'm done making all the demolition cuts.
I'm *sure* I'm done for the night.
hot tub plus bourbon plus good music == good time
good night.
I made a small crack this morning in Minifob's neverending negativity about his physical size. (Hint: all the people telling my son that "his time will come," or "he'll have a growth spurt soon," or "nobody grows at the same rate" is not helpful, because it reinforces the idea that being tall is important and necessary and inevitable. He will not be, and he needs to become at peace with that, not add fuel to the disappointment by pushing it into the future.)
Anyway, the angle I took this morning was that professionally funny people are often at physical extremes--either extremely tall, or else extremely short. See Kevin Hart, Jon Stewart, Danny Devito, Patton Oswalt... He was (at least briefly) pleased to consider that being short might be a necessary side effect of being a performer.
Buster Keaton was under 5'5" and wore a 6 1/2 shoe.
Tell him to look up actuarial tables for tall people.
And remind him that big people are a waste of energy. ;)
Dropper down, clean decent, nailed the split logs... extreme forest bathing I guess.
Grav's back
Now cut that out!:D
Sorry, no can do.
I'm happy to see Gravdigr back in the cellar again.
I made a small crack this morning in Minifob's neverending negativity about his physical size. (Hint: all the people telling my son that "his time will come," or "he'll have a growth spurt soon," or "nobody grows at the same rate" is not helpful, because it reinforces the idea that being tall is important and necessary and inevitable. He will not be, and he needs to become at peace with that, not add fuel to the disappointment by pushing it into the future.)
Anyway, the angle I took this morning was that professionally funny people are often at physical extremes--either extremely tall, or else extremely short. See Kevin Hart, Jon Stewart, Danny Devito, Patton Oswalt... He was (at least briefly) pleased to consider that being short might be a necessary side effect of being a performer.
right on Dr. Fob. How tall is he predicted to be? Does he aspire to be a professional comedian?
Being tall hasn't many advantages for me, although I am useful at getting things off high shelves.
I'm often accosted by strange ladies in Tesco for that very purpose.
Sometimes I'm accosted by perfectly normal ladies as well.
But not often.
I'm happy today because I'm done moving backwards on the bathroom demolition/reconstruction project.
Today I will sister one of the littler beams, replace the subfloor boards, including carving the cutaway for the toilet drain, tarpaper for a vapor barrier, one sheet of half inch pressure treated OSB, another layer of tarpaper, another sheet of half inch pressure treated OSB, both of which will need to be puzzle-pieced back into place under and around the toilet flange and under the remains of the vanity. Then I can bring the toilet back in from the hallway where it's been for a couple weeks and reinstall it in the damn bathroom.
That's what happy looks like to me.
Just haaad to have that hot tub dintchya?:eyebrow:
I kid.:stickpoke
You, sir,...
You'll hear the story.
For now, beam has been half-sistered!
Want coffee now.
right on Dr. Fob. How tall is he predicted to be? Does he aspire to be a professional comedian?
No one has given us an adulthood projection, but he's been hovering around the 10th-15th percentile since he was maybe 5 years old. My brother is 5'7", uncles are 5'6" to maybe 5'9". My dad is 6'0" and Mr. Clod is 5'11", but it doesn't seem to have come through...
He aspires to anything that affords him tons of attention and applause. :)
Still, he may have to diet if he loves horses and wants to become a jockey.
Despite their light weight, they must be able to control a horse that is moving at 40 mph (64 km/h) and weighs 1,200 lb (540 kg). Though there is no height limit for jockeys, they are usually fairly short due to the weight limits. Jockeys typically stand around 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) to 5 ft 6 in (168 cm).
No one has given us an adulthood projection, but he's been hovering around the 10th-15th percentile since he was maybe 5 years old. My brother is 5'7", uncles are 5'6" to maybe 5'9". My dad is 6'0" and Mr. Clod is 5'11", but it doesn't seem to have come through...
He aspires to anything that affords him tons of attention and applause. :)
That's Just where Goalieboy was and he ended up being a perfectly respectable averagish 5'8.5ish. And if he was any bigger he certainly wouldn't have a chance of being one of the Baja car drivers. wouldn't be able to get in it. Pologirl was always the shortest on the team by quite a bit, used it to her advantage -no-one expected her to be rough or fast so they left her alone and realized their mistakes too late. So many opportunities to use it to your advantage. Good luck to him finding his way
to take advantage of it
The seventh of seven floorboards has been hammered home.
Good night.
I managed to resolve a really tricky claim this week. Well, 3 claims with overlapping damages.
PH has been a pain in the butt throughout. Mistakes made on our side as well which meant she was even more of a pain - by the time the claim was referred up to me by the rapid handler, she was at breaking point.
Our adjustor scoped works in total for the claims at £6.5k
Policyholder has quotes - lowest of which (and her preferred choice of contractor) was a little over £12k.
She absolutely does not want us to use our network contractors (which would leave he with nothing to pay except the excess, regardless of how much the job turns out to be once work begins)
She absolutely cannot afford to make up the difference between our limit of liability and her contractor.
It's taken me 6 weeks to get this resolved - getting the contractor to requote without drying costs (we have a drying company who would deal with it separately or provide separate costs not included in the adjustor scope)
Getting chased by the customer and then chasing her contractor on her behalf.
Going line by line to remove little bits that aren't really damaged by the peril, or get him to justify why that should be included
Getting chased by the policyholder, chasing him on her behalf
Rinse and repeat
When the scope was finally agreed we were left with a £4.1k shortfall on what we could offer.
Policyholder now phoning daily and crying.
Back to the contractor.
I negotiated him down £3.5k to do the work. Got my tech expert to authorise an offer for half the remaining shortfall - then added in drying costs that had already been costed by our drying company, which in truth were probably now an overestimate given the length of time elapsed since the leak
Policyholder ended up with an offer that covered the full cost of her works, with a couple hundred left over to rent a dehumidifier for the last bit of drying, and another couple of hundred left over to offset against her £700 excess.
Policyholder has been left with only £500 out of pocket expense and I just saved the company about £1.5k once the additional costs that tend to occur when a claim goes through the network are taken into account.
Her most recent email to me had a smiley face in it.
Good goin', that's job satisfaction right there!
Yeah man - I really got a kick out of that one.
Way more fun than telling 'John' (don't call him Mr) that I am not sending anybody else to his house because he got aggressive and threatening with one of the decorators :P
You do the job in return for money so you can buy food and shelter so you can do the job, that's everyone's base plane.
Above that the reward, the pleasure, comes from doing a great job which often goes unnoticed by bosses who are just trying to make sure everyone is doing their minimum.
The self satisfaction of making personal goals, from knowing you're better than the average bear :thumb:
all demolition complete, floor swept.
tarpaper in house, measuring and cutting and installing tarpaper vapor barrier next
Then the same with the pressure treated plywood underlayment
Then purchase, measure, cut, install cement board.
**THEN** the toilet can be reinstalled
Sounds like a reasonable substitute for a weekend at Brunhilda's house of pain.:eek2:
I like it because it feels sooooo goooood when it stops....
I know, I had a marriage like that.
I'm happy because, as of today, I've lived longer than all three granddaddydigrs.
They all died @ 50.
I went them one better.
I made 51 today.:cheerldr:
And I don't feel a day over 80.
Happy Boithday, Mr G!
And many more of 'em! :thumb:
Happy birthday man!
Did they have heart problems?
Two did. One was strangled in his sleep with his own belt.
I know it sounds like clapping myself on the back, but you can't know how heavy this has been weighing on me for the last two years. After the turn of the year last year, I was genuinely starting to worry.
But, I'm good (enough), for now, and I think I've turned the corner on this latest experience. So...
I'm happy, for the moment.:)
I'm sure I'll be pissed off and back to normal in no time...
I know it sounds like clapping myself on the back, but you can't know how heavy this has been weighing on me for the last two years. After the turn of the year last year, I was genuinely starting to worry.
You have company, it turns out this is a common thing that people consider hard and worry about. I looked into it when I was in my thirties, when I had a bit of it, because my dad died at age 38.
Congrats, digr! And happy birthday!
My dad felt something similar, except his turning point was the moment my marriage lasted longer than his had.
I thank you, sirs and madams.:D
I like you guys.
You are all my internet family of choice.
#prettyhappy
Sorry I haven't been around lately - it's summer pet sitting time and I'm on deadline with a book, but I just HADDA share some good news . . .
[SIZE="7"]There is a For Sale sign in front of my fucktard neighbor's house.[/SIZE]
[CENTER] :devil: :cheerldr: :tuba: :celebrat: :bass: :joint: :thumb:[/CENTER]
YAY!!!
Yeah, it's not quite noon yet, but I'm gonna pour myself a cocktail anyway.
And load up the bong. ;)
What are the chances to new owner could be worse? Probably pretty low. :yesnod:
What are the chances to new owner could be worse? Probably pretty low. :yesnod:
Exactly. Even if the buyers are
bunners too (man, I hope not), there will be no nasty history between me and them, so it's all good.
:)
Exactly. Even if the buyers are bunners too (man, I hope not), there will be no nasty history between me and them, so it's all good.
:)
Congratulations (if that's the right word) on the imminent departure of your neighbours!
We had experience of an unpleasant and anti-social bunch next door some years ago.
A couple and their teenage son and daughter moved in after the elderly widow owner died.
The contrast between occupiers couldn't have been greater.
The 'gentleman' of the household was ill-tempered, aggressive and generally disagreeable and was very rough with their dog.
The son, who'd be about seventeen, was always disappearing into the garden shed with several of his disreputable looking mates each equipped with a bulging holdall.
They'd all emerge, similarly encumbered, a while later. Heaven knows what was going on but I doubt that they were holding meetings of the Louis Vuitton Appreciation Society.
They hadn't been in the house for many months before the 'For Sale' sign appeared.
I remember returning home with my dog after a walk and seeing a police van moving slowly along the road and I instantly knew where it was heading.
Not surprisingly the police took away the son but, in a scene straight from a French farce, no sooner had they left than the estate agent appeared with prospective purchasers for a viewing.
I don't know what the boy was arrested for on that occasion but some time after they moved he appeared in court having carried out a serious assault on someone at a booze fuelled family shindig in a local hotel.
If memory serves correctly, he ended up as a guest at one of Her Majesty's 'hotels'.
Appalling bunch.
The 'gentleman' of the household was ill-tempered, aggressive and generally disagreeable and was very rough with their dog.
That's it, string 'em up! :mad:
That's it, string 'em up! :mad:
Exactly! He was, and probably still is, beneath contempt.
This makes me happy:
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1908/MoonSaturn_Patonai_1280.jpg
The fact that it happens every month this year is also great, but it doesn't make me happy that I already missed most of them.
From today's
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.htmlSee those streaks? Those are anchovies like them or not. :neutral:
Just keep them off m'pizza.
Dad had his cataract op earlier this week, so thankfully that's out of the way at long last.
He was only in hospital for a few hours and was rather wobbly when he came out but when we got home he asked for sausages, baked beans and fried egg on toast and to 'put it on a large plate'. ;)
If his appetite ever falters then it's time to worry.
I had to remove the dressing the following morning which was held in place with micropore tape.
I know that he was a bit bruised and somewhat sore, but for a man who won WW2 single handed he has a remarkable repertoire of winces and general grumbles.
He has to have a plastic eye shield on overnight for the first week so we have to do the tape removal every morning.
That's a minor problem and he's already doing the crossword again so onward and upward!
Glad he's doing well!
Sent by magick
Cataract surgery is one of those modern miracles that I still occasionally marvel at--elderly folks who would have gone totally blind in olden times, just popping in for a quick procedure and back to full vision a day or two later! Glad he's on the mend, Carruthers.
Cataract surgery is one of those modern miracles that I still occasionally marvel at--elderly folks who would have gone totally blind in olden times, just popping in for a quick procedure and back to full vision a day or two later! Glad he's on the mend, Carruthers.
Thanks, Clod!
I understand that it's the most commonly performed procedure in the NHS.
Actually, I've just done a quick search and find that approx 330,000 cataract ops are carried out annually in England alone.
Drifting a bit now, but my neighbour's son needed to demolish a substantial brick wall and his neighbour, who is an ophthalmic surgeon, offered to help.
He wielded the sledge hammer with surprising enthusiasm and said that it 'makes a change from doing cataracts all week'. :eek:
Glad to hear about Dad doing well.
Glad to hear about Dad doing well.
what Grav said.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Dad does a lot of reading and we rely quite heavily on the TV for information and entertainment so I dread to think what life would be like for him if those two pursuits had become impossible.
I know that he was a bit bruised and somewhat sore, but for a man who won WW2 single handed he has a remarkable repertoire of winces and general grumbles.
Ha! Well played.
No wonder he was stumbling around, glad he'll be able to see again. Better hide the car keys though... He'll be sneaking out to pick up chicks. ;)
Better start actually cleaning the house again, too.
:p:
Better start actually cleaning the house again, too.
:p:
Be honest. You've been reading Dad's daily routine orders, haven't you? :rolleyes:
We replaced our air conditioner in August. And it was instantly a HUGE quality of life improvement. Our old AC was not sized correctly for our house, and we had put up with a hot house for years. The old AC ran basically continuously during the peak of the summer.
This new air conditioner actually works, and it is a pleasing temperature when you walk into the house.
Well, we got the September power bill yesterday, covering the first entire billing period since we got the new AC. The bill was less than half the bill for last September and about a third of the power consumption since last September, and you might think that it's just because it's a different year and the weather was different, but we had a hot September this year.
This AC is so much more efficient, saves money, and is way more comfortable. I'm kicking myself for not replacing it sooner.
So the thing cost a little over $6000, and we saved $60/month during AC usage so far, so we just have to use it for 100 months and it will pay for itself. I figure 4 cooling months a year, or 25 years, and it will pay for itself. Honestly though, it's not about the money. I'm much more comfortable and I cut my carbon footprint significantly.
:jig:
We replaced our air conditioner in August. And it was instantly a HUGE quality of life improvement. Our old AC was not sized correctly for our house, and we had put up with a hot house for years. The old AC ran basically continuously during the peak of the summer.
This new air conditioner actually works, and it is a pleasing temperature when you walk into the house.
Well, we got the September power bill yesterday, covering the first entire billing period since we got the new AC. The bill was less than half the bill for last September and about a third of the power consumption since last September, and you might think that it's just because it's a different year and the weather was different, but we had a hot September this year.
This AC is so much more efficient, saves money, and is way more comfortable. I'm kicking myself for not replacing it sooner.
So the thing cost a little over $6000, and we saved $60/month during AC usage so far, so we just have to use it for 100 months and it will pay for itself. I figure 4 cooling months a year, or 25 years, and it will pay for itself. Honestly though, it's not about the money. I'm much more comfortable and I cut my carbon footprint significantly.
:jig:
it will also have increased the value of your property
Heat is gone. I am a much happier Gravdigr today, and yesterday.
could use a little here overnights -gonna be just a touch over freezing tonight, apparently :eek: Should still be reaching room temperature in the day for a week or so at least
If you leave your windows open it's guaranteed to be room temperature.
really? how does that work then?
What is room temperature? The air temperature in the room?
If you leave your windows open it's guaranteed to be room temperature.
If you are an Eskimo, then no. It is too hot.
Hey tw--from one "person who regularly misses evolutions in language and genuinely doesn't want to hurt people's feelings but sometimes it's hard" to another... you may want to know that "Eskimo" is now considered a racial slur. People of that heritage prefer "Inuit."
Like I said, not accusing or haranguing you, just keeping you up to date to prevent future social gaffes.
"Eskimo" is now considered a racial slur. People of that heritage prefer "Inuit."
And Martin Luther King called them Negros. I never knew why the word changed. Or when. It just suddenly happened.
So, why is the word Eskimo wrong? What changed? Did those people become experts in accounting software?
BTW, you are not among those who constantly post personal insults as proof that everyone else is wrong. No reason to apologize for posting in a adult (logical) manner. Those other people are politically ... 'Nazi like'. They need to apologize for being themselves - just like The Don. Since they (not you or I) want to turn the Cellar into a cesspool of cheapshots. And want to wreck shit.
Meanwhile, cited is curiosity resulting in a logical question. What changed, when, and why?
From Google:
2. either of the two main languages spoken by indigenous peoples of the Arctic (Inuit and Yupik), forming a major division of the Eskimo-Aleut family.
So Inuit is one type of Eskimo? And Yupik is another? Is Google politically incorrect?
And do they not know what room temperature really is?
Natives of the northern climes from Greenland all the way through Canada and the US to Siberia belong to two language groups, Inuit or Yupik. Whitey called them all eskimos. There has been a long debate about where the word came from but the way it was used is on par with nigger. Some Alaska natives want to be called Inuit but some don’t because Inuit is not a word in the Yupik language. I don’t know why they can’t add it but I suspect there is more to it than that. Maybe they’ve been taught/or they feel, they are different and resent being forced to identify as Inuit.
tw,
The word Eskimo derives from phrases that Algonquin tribes used for their northern neighbors. The Inuit and Yupik peoples generally do not use it to refer to themselves. The governments in Canada and Greenland have ceased using it in official documents.
The most commonly accepted etymological origin of the word "Eskimo" is derived by Ives Goddard at the Smithsonian Institution, from the Innu-aimun (Montagnais, see Algonquian languages) word ayas̆kimew meaning "a person who laces a snowshoe", "snowshoe-netter" or "to net snowshoes" and is related to "husky" (a breed of dog), and does not have a pejorative meaning in origin. The word assime·w means "she laces a snowshoe" in Montagnais. Montagnais speakers refer to the neighbouring Mi'kmaq people using words that sound like eskimo.
Some people consider Eskimo derogatory because it is popularly perceived to mean "eaters of raw meat" in Algonquian languages common to people along the Atlantic coast. One Cree speaker suggested the original word that became corrupted to Eskimo might have been askamiciw (which means "he eats it raw"); the Inuit are referred to in some Cree texts as askipiw (which means "eats something raw").
In Canada and Greenland, the term "Eskimo" is predominantly seen as pejorative and has been widely replaced by the term "Inuit" or terms specific to a particular group or community. This has resulted in a trend whereby some Canadians and Americans believe that they should not use the word "Eskimo" and use the Canadian word "Inuit" instead, even for Yupik people. Section 25 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982, recognized the Inuit as a distinctive group of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
While Inuit can be accurately applied to all of the Eskimo peoples in Canada and Greenland, that is not true in Alaska and Siberia. In Alaska the term Eskimo is commonly used, because it includes both Yupik and Iñupiat. Inuit is not accepted as a collective term and it is not used specifically for Iñupiat (although they are related to the Canadian Inuit peoples).
In 1977, the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) meeting in Utqiagvik, Alaska, officially adopted Inuit as a designation for all circumpolar native peoples, regardless of their local view on an appropriate term. As a result, the Canadian government usage has replaced the (locally) defunct term Eskimo with Inuit (Inuk in singular). The preferred term in Canada's Central Arctic is Inuinnaq, and in the eastern Canadian Arctic Inuit. The language is often called Inuktitut, though other local designations are also used. Despite the ICC's 1977 decision to adopt the term Inuit, this was never accepted by the Yupik peoples, who likened it to calling all Native American Indians Navajo simply because the Navajo felt that that's what all tribes should be called.
The Inuit of Greenland refer to themselves as "Greenlanders" and speak the Greenlandic language.
Because of the linguistic, ethnic, and cultural differences between Yupik and Inuit peoples, it seems unlikely that any umbrella term will be acceptable. There has been some movement to use Inuit, and the Inuit Circumpolar Council, representing a circumpolar population of 150,000 Inuit and Yupik people of Greenland, Northern Canada, Alaska, and Siberia, in its charter defines Inuit for use within that ICC document as including "the Inupiat, Yupik (Alaska), Inuit, Inuvialuit (Canada), Kalaallit (Greenland) and Yupik (Russia)."
In 2010, the ICC passed a resolution in which they implored scientists to use "Inuit" and "Paleo-Inuit" instead of "Eskimo" or "Paleo-Eskimo". American linguist Lenore Grenoble has explicitly deferred to this resolution and used "Inuit–Yupik" instead of "Eskimo" with regards to the language branch. In a 2015 commentary in the journal Arctic, Canadian archaeologist Max Friesen argued fellow Arctic archaeologists should follow the ICC and use "Paleo-Inuit" instead of "Paleo-Eskimo".
But, in Alaska, the Inuit people refer to themselves as Iñupiat, plural, and Iñupiaq, singular (their North Alaskan Inupiatun language is also called Iñupiaq). They do not commonly use the term Inuit. In Alaska, Eskimo is in common usage.
Alaskans also use the term Alaska Native, which is inclusive of all Eskimo, Aleut and other Native American people of Alaska. It does not apply to Inuit or Yupik people originating outside the state. The term Alaska Native has important legal usage in Alaska and the rest of the United States as a result of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.
The term "Eskimo" is also used in linguistic or ethnographic works to denote the larger branch of Eskimo–Aleut languages, the smaller branch being Aleut.
Under U.S. and Alaskan law (as well as the linguistic and cultural traditions of Alaska), "Alaska Native" refers to all indigenous peoples of Alaska. This includes not only the Iñupiat (Alaskan Inuit) and the Yupik, but also groups such as the Aleut, who share a recent ancestor, as well as the largely unrelated indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast and the Alaskan Athabaskans. As a result, the term Eskimo is still in use in Alaska. Alternative terms, such as Inuit-Yupik, have been proposed, but none has gained widespread acceptance.
And Martin Luther King called them Negros. I never knew why the word changed. Or when. It just suddenly happened.
So, why is the word Eskimo wrong? What changed? Did those people become experts in accounting software?
...
Meanwhile, cited is curiosity resulting in a logical question. What changed, when, and why?
Sexobon's post gives some partial answers, but overall I've found answers to this sort of question to be fairly irrelevant. The only reason to want to know "why" is so we can better predict people's behavior in the future--but this is the kind of change that will always remain completely unpredictable. What's more, to believe you can identify a logical reason for it is to imply that some other language changes (or indeed, this one) may not be legitimate because they aren't logical. But that only denies reality. They aren't logical, and there is never a unified, uncontradicted reason why--but they *are* nevertheless real, with potentially real consequences.
Ironically, this means that the only logical thing to do is accept this sort of thing immediately and move on, because you'll never get the satisfaction of an answer so there's no point in wasting time searching for one. It's the logical person's equivalent of "God did it." Why did other people behave irrationally? Because they're other people.
Sexobon's post gives some partial answers, but overall I've found answers to this sort of question to be fairly irrelevant. The only reason to want to know "why" is so we can better predict people's behavior in the future--but this is the kind of change that will always remain completely unpredictable.
Any answer that does not also say why is best treated as a myth or lie
Reasons why also separate comments from the nasties with comments that actually contribute something. Sexobon's comments demonstrate that plenty of contradictory expressions are acceptable - somewhere.
Since this is the internet (it is everywhere) I think I will just be politically correct and call them "Pale Face". The term is accurate.
Except those that come from America. Then maybe using the 1930 term "Hey Joe" is acceptable.
No. That won't work. Because some Joe's, who open a window, might find room temperature too cold. How political correctness has changed things. Say anything and someone is always insulted.
Well he is still a mafioso type - The Don. And that is an insult with plenty of well documented reasons that justify the insult. No reason to be politically correct with names that accurately define that Pale Face.
When The Don opens a window, is that to throw the woman out before Melania opens the door to enter? Well that will keep the room temperature down. And no Pale Face is insulted.
What was the question?
Any answer that does not also say why is best treated as a myth or lie
The only "why" that matters in this case is the demonstrable fact that people respond the way they do. If you have been given information, and refuse to alter your behavior accordingly, then your frustration and/or confusion when someone inevitably calls you racist will be illogical. You have the facts, the outcome is predictable, and the choice to avoid it (or not) is completely on you.
your frustration and/or confusion when someone inevitably calls you racist will be illogical
The frustration and/or confusion will be logical, since he is not racist. As much as they would protest, the person calling him racist when he is not is the one who is illogical.
Ironically, this means that the only logical thing to do is accept this sort of thing immediately and move on, because you'll never get the satisfaction of an answer so there's no point in wasting time searching for one.
It's not that easy, no matter what you call northern natives some will be offended because they don't agree.
During the civil rights movement some wanted to be addressed as Negro, Black, or African American, and were offended if you didn't guess the one they favored. :crone:
About the only thing of interest to this old honky is the reference to eating raw meat.
For some reason, when I was in high school (Southern California, 1950's) a commonly heard epithet was "Eat it!"
The response was often "Eat it raw!"
In 1980, our HS football cheerleaders were chanting
Eat em up!
Eat em up!
Rah rah rah!
But we all know it was really
Raw raw raw!
Eskimo might have been askamiciw (which means "he eats it raw").
I eat raw beef with garlic salt on it YUM!!! So does that make me an Eskimo? I kinda hope it does.
At Penn State football games, the entire stadium sings Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline". Then somebody (being politically correct) banned the song because it promoted pedophilia. Eventually, sanity returned a year or two later.
Does that make anyone happy today? Or, as a victim of a pedophile, angry?
Still cannot remember what the question was.
… Inuit … Yupik … Iñupiat … Inuvialuit … Kalaallit … Aleut … Athabaskans … Eskimo ...
LGBTQIA+ … Rainbow flag
IYIIKAAE+ … Northern Lights flag
Common usage generic term … Chillout(s)
LGBTQIA+ … Rainbow flag
What is the "I" for?
The frustration and/or confusion will be logical, since he is not racist. As much as they would protest, the person calling him racist when he is not is the one who is illogical.
Oh for sure--
their behavior is totally illogical, as is most of human behavior. I fucking hate it. But you have to interact with humans to get things done in life.
When my kids are being illogical about what shoes they're going to wear, I can sit them down and have a 20-minute discussion about it--after which they will not have changed their minds one bit--or I can present them with an equally illogical false choice that gets us out the damn door. You have to learn the game, even if the game is stupid, or you won't get anywhere. The game, in this case, is a very simple, if no less stupid, one. 1.) You say "eskimo," you get called racist. 2.) Being
labelled as racist stands in the way of many things in life, no matter how true it is or isn't. 3.) Therefore, don't say the word. Or do, and suffer the consequences. But don't act like you didn't know what the consequences were.
What is the "I" for?
I is "intersex," what used to be called "hermaphrodite."
It's all just a big game of see who you can control, see how much fun it is to wield power and, of course, re-elect Trump in the process.
Nobody has labeled my racist ass and I can't see how it would stick if they did.
At least it wouldn't stick as far as my foot would be up the ass of whoever called me that.
Better not be a fuckin' Eskimo. I hate those motherfuckers.
Oh for sure--their behavior is totally illogical, as is most of human behavior. I fucking hate it. But you have to interact with humans to get things done in life.
With these you'll always be ready for an Eskimo kiss.
[ATTACH]68874[/ATTACH]
Better not be a fuckin' Eskimo. I hate those motherfuckers.
I've noticed that, all the times I've been to your house I've never seen an Eskimo. I just didn't want to mention it because it might be a sensitive subject. You known, like an Eskimo ran over your puppy or something.
My neighborhood is clean, as we say. Eskimo-free.
We don't take kindly to no blubber-eaters around here.
Um, don't be too hasty, one of their traditions is to share their wife on cold night in the igloo. :cool:
(You realize how bad any of us could be made to look, if any of our posts was taken out of context? :D )
Don't run for office. :headshake
[YOUTUBE]K13hH0pJx5s[/YOUTUBE]
We're on vacation in NYC this week, and this evening we shared an elevator with a nice man taking his dog out for a walk. After he got off, I told Mr. Clod that the guy was
Clinton Kelly, who I used to watch all the time on
What Not To Wear. Mr. Clod adamantly disagreed, but I proved him wrong by googling the name of Clinton Kelly's dog. I win, motherfucker! :lol:
Kewl. What kind of wood ya got drying?
I cut a lot of ash because the Emerald Ash Borer really did a number here. In the future I intend to cut a little cherry and maple for home use.
Let me know if you ever come up with flames in the maple or cherry. And be very careful with the new toy, of course.
I need one.
An Eskimo?
[YOUTUBE]UHuhG2vx1is[/YOUTUBE]
:D
I'm cleaning the gutters and that makes me happy.
I didn't hit that fucking deer. It was damn close though.
I didn't hit that fucking deer. It was damn close though.
they need not to fuck while crossing the road
Mr. Clod and I went to a costume party this evening, my first Halloween costume in maybe 20 years. He dressed as a Mormon, I was dressed as a cowgirl but with all my clothes on backwards.
In other words, he was "missionary" and I was "reverse cowgirl." [emoji38]
A straight shooter and a trick shooter.
In other words, he was "missionary" and I was "reverse cowgirl." [emoji38]
That's funny.
Let me know if you ever come up with flames in the maple or cherry. And be very careful with the new toy, of course.
Will do!
A straight shooter and a trick shooter.
hm.... what else rhymes with shooter????
That brings us to an ACTIVE _OOTER situation.
hm.... what else rhymes with shooter????
...an overlarge, overstrong Texas one...
I'm cleaning the gutters and that makes me happy.
See how happy I am?
[ATTACH]68942[/ATTACH]
I am happy, really. It's down off the roof without having dragged the gutters with it. That's two years accumulation of life under the canopy of the temperate rainforest. The gutters were filled with material, it was like a peat bog, 4"x4"x60', roots, worms and all. I still have a wheelbarrow filled with material I couldn't fit into the already fully full 96 gallon yard waste container.
Damn that's a lot of debris.
that my peg is intact
lol
You read the transgender thread huh?
lol
You read the transgender thread huh?
Yep. Posted too. Just addin' to the high-larity.
We just saw Parasite. Fantastic movie. Go see it.
We just saw Motherless Brooklyn, adult entertainment.
Luce's new user title
I felt inspired.
My son just got his first college acceptance today!
Get this: The University of Mary Washington, a decent school, and a safety for him, came to his high school to do interviews, and the deal was, they would tell you on the spot at the interview if you were in or not. So we just got a text from him that he's in.
No details on financial aid or anything like that, so I guess the paperwork is still coming, but my baby is off to college!
"I Love Lucy" connection with UMW.
I would ask what you mean, but you probably don't know.
I would ask what you mean, but you probably don't know.
Work on it.
OMG, finding out big stars dress just like me. :cool:
Okay but to be fair, those clothes are often given freely to celebrities so they can act as a walking advertisement. Anyone nominated for an Oscar gets
a gift bag of designer merchandise worth six figures.
The people you want to scoff at are the rich-but-not-famous who spend this kind of cash because they want to be just like the celebrities.
That's true, otherwise the picture would not have been captioned with all that information. I had to copy the caption information over because the caption was unreadable when shrunk to the acceptable width for posting here.
Yes, I wonder about people who buy that stuff. Do they feel they're getting their money's worth? Do they think the public notices or cares? Do they wish the tags were on the outside? Do they know red states buy Wranglers and blue states Levis?
The first public performance of the Oban Brass Quintet is what's making me happy. The awesome power of social meeja found three other crazy brass players of the right instruments within a reasonable distance of our nearest big town to add to Mr Limey and me and we met and rehearsed last Friday and did a public gig (Christmas carols at a food and crafts market) today. It's not about the carols, but about the fact that by great serendipity we like each other and are of approximately the same playing ability and we all want to meet once a month and play stuff.
I'm made up, I truly am.
That post made me very happy. Well done limey!
I'm made up, I truly am.
Yes you are.
...made of sugar and spice,
And everything nice...
And brass, apparently.:D
pt in abouy week hopfully i csn takr thi fuvcking sling off
I knew you didn't know.
We have a "What is it thread?" and a "Who is it thread?.
Think of this as "What is the connection?"
It is just kind of a joke.
we like each other and are of approximately the same playing ability and we all want to meet once a month and play stuff.
I'm made up, I truly am.
Hot damn, after wandering the wilderness you've found your tribe. That's fantastic, more important than the rabble appreciating your skills.
pt in abouy week hopfully i csn takr thi fuvcking sling off
Did they give you exercises to do, like big rubber bands on a door knob to pull and stuff?
The first public performance of the Oban Brass Quintet is what's making me happy. The awesome power of social meeja found three other crazy brass players of the right instruments within a reasonable distance of our nearest big town to add to Mr Limey and me and we met and rehearsed last Friday and did a public gig (Christmas carols at a food and crafts market) today. It's not about the carols, but about the fact that by great serendipity we like each other and are of approximately the same playing ability and we all want to meet once a month and play stuff.
I'm made up, I truly am.
Makes me so happy :)
:tuba::tuba::tuba::tuba::tuba: :D
I just noticed those tuba players are all doing 69 :eek:
Two big wins! You people rock.
Dinner with BelovedDaughter tonight ahead of the holiday
Dinner with BelovedDaughter tonight ahead of the holiday
Shipping up to Boston where Lil G is spatchcocking a turkey.
Also, I found this, which is even better.
Before I could complete it, I was quickly overtaken
By the angry spirits of Ronald and Nancy Reagan
:devil:
Spatchcocking still sounds a little dirty.
That's why I like it...:D
From my copyeditor (i.e., professional Grammar Nazi):
"The author’s attention to factual details like proper nouns, etc., was particularly exact, and left me with fewer changes and queries than I can remember having to make in a long time."
This is the kind of compliment I live for. :joylove:
If you do it all the time, and I'll bet you do, they'll come to expect it rather than appreciate it.
Be sure to throw in one editor cringing zinger. :lol:
I'm not sure Clod would risk that slipping through to print!
It occurs to me that the editor was probably annoyed because it looked to the boss like they had done nothing. So they needed to write something to explain the lack of their own work product.
Heh... He did get me on a couple of factual errors--but at least two of them were taken directly from an American Heritage textbook! We're talking geographical place names, and family trees of famous politicians. Moral of the story, don't trust American Heritage books from the 60s.
And I just found an error that the copyeditor missed!
MWAHAHA I AM UNSTOPPABLE!
And I just found an error that the copyeditor missed!
MWAHAHA I AM UNSTOPPABLE!
Still my hero.
I'm happy because my resignation was effective 12/20.
Would that be 12/20/2020?
Congratulations!
Thanks fellas! 12/20/19 (merica style) to be clear.
I'm happy because my resignation was effective 12/20.
w000T!
Dobby is freeee!!!:drunk:
That means you are unemployed for Christmas, we'll have to take up a collection to buy gruel. ;)
I'll just shoot a deer or something... [COLOR="Silver"]says the guy who makes almost half as much as his wife on a good year[/COLOR]
I'm happy that Griff is happy.
You didn't say retirement.... What's next?
Other than less hate in your belly I mean
I don't know why I've intentionally bypassed this thread. #masochist
You all are members of my extended-family-of-choice #pikachu (I choose you!)
Seeing your happy activates my happy. I like happy. #nohashtag
I'm sitting here in the tub, delicately pecking out my reply on my phone... When I got in, I thought ooooohhhhhhh, what a shameful waste to *not* indulge/partake benefits from what I'm ALREADY PAYING FOR. Why would I skip a day!?!? #humblebrag #sorry #sorrynotsorry
Then to see the happy of my friends..
That's what's making me happy today.
You didn't say retirement.... What's next?
Other than less hate in your belly I mean
I'm gonna look around a bit. I may head back to the non-profit I worked at before.
Ski instructor. Red Bull bicycle stunt rider. Mountain hiking instructor. Timber framing teacher. Dog exerciser. Goatherd. Fencing coach. Child rearing instructor. The possibilities are endless. :thumb:
You could make a series of YouTube videos about how to build a house from scratch, and watch that sweet sweet advertiser money roll in!
Ski instructor. Red Bull bicycle stunt rider. Mountain hiking instructor. Timber framing teacher. Dog exerciser. Goatherd. Fencing coach. Child rearing instructor. The possibilities are endless. :thumb:
Pretty light on income production. When I retire I want to do some of that adaptive skiing seems like a good fit.
You could make a series of YouTube videos about how to build a house from scratch, and watch that sweet sweet advertiser money roll in!
lol
Take Benny to Hollywood, get him into TV and movies. That dog has star qualities...charisma...and you can be his manager. Just keep him away from Harvey Weinstein. You'll rake in a hefty percentage until Benny gets spoiled, arrogant, and sues you for emancipation.
It may be a little late to become a Billionaire but anything is possible. You could be the next Col Sanders but you're probably too ethical to make millions.
Appreciated, y'all are pretty funny.
Bruce's Christmas card.
Me too. [emoji16]
Sent by magick
Our 20 year old fridge shit the bed. I picked up a new one yesterday and the old lady and I wrestled it into the house and drug the old one out. Cris Cringle Crisis averted.
Plus we skied for the cost of a charity donation today.
Shame the old one wasn't working a little the Electric company would have bought it and hauled it away.
Christmas is over.
Well, almost.:)
Y'all do look happy.
Yes they do.
Now that right there is America, more than a Bald Eagle, more than the flag, cohesive, loving, got your back no matter what family, that's the real America.
Well that and a couple of dogs. :notworthy
Mr Limey has just gotten hisself a job. We Limeys are celebrating! [emoji3060]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Didn't he do well? :)
I have just raised my mug of tea in salute!
Mr Limey has just gotten hisself a job. We Limeys are celebrating! [emoji3060]
A little quiet time for Mrs. Limey?:cheerldr:
Mr Limey has just gotten hisself a job. We Limeys are celebrating! [emoji3060]
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Outstanding. Being out of work sucks. I spent half of 2015 out of a job.
Congrats Mr Limey!
what She Said!
Huzzah! Go forth into the world, work that job for its full worth, and fight to keep it.
Mr Limey has just gotten hisself a job. We Limeys are celebrating! [emoji3060]
YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Go Mr. Limey!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Mr Limey says Thank you, all. 10 months out of work was a hard row to hoe.
Sent by magick
Mr Limey says Thank you, all. 10 months out of work was a hard row to hoe.
Sent by magick
I feel that. I was out for only 6 months.
The Cellar and its Dwellars.
You all make life better
They do, don't they?
:jig:
Dad has a new pair of glasses.
I admit that that's a fairly mundane thing to visit happiness upon me, but it signifies the end of something of a saga.
He should have had an eye test last spring but as he was awaiting a cataract operation there was no point in doing it.
He eventually had his op in September but needed to wait a minimum of six weeks before having a test.
Because of his age and poor mobility the optician came to the house to conduct the test as they have done on several occasions before.
A couple of weeks later the new glasses were delivered but made matters worse so he was no further forward.
I chased up the optician and after some to-ing and fro-ing it was agreed another pair of specs would be provided based on the existing prescription with some alteration to their physical construction.
Eventually they turned up but were just as bad as the first pair. Back to square one.
We were told to expect a re-test but after a lengthy silence I called the optician and a re-test was duly carried out.
Two days ago a third pair of specs was delivered and, mirabile dictu, were perfect. I do like a happy ending.
It's easy to grab the over used word 'stress' but I live in a constant state of 'what's next?' and I do not handle this tension well.
Anyway, let's end on another happy note.
The chap who delivered the glasses has an unusual surname which attracted Dad's attention.
It turned out that he had been at primary school with the man's father which must have been about eighty-five years ago! (Dad is ninety-four).
Off to do the lunch now. Smoked Haddock since you ask. ;)
You're a good son, Carruthers. He's lucky to have you.
Two days ago a third pair of specs was delivered and, mirabile dictu, were perfect.
You certainly have a different grasp on English, had to look that up. :D
I do like a happy ending.
Sometimes we long for just an ending, any ending.
It's easy to grab the over used word 'stress' but I live in a constant state of 'what's next?' and I do not handle this tension well.
In missives, drama can be substituted for the word stress sometimes.
Clodfobble nailed it. :yesnod:
You're a good son, Carruthers. He's lucky to have you.
I'm with her!
You're a good son, Carruthers. He's lucky to have you.
Thank you, Clod. You're very kind. :blush:
You certainly have a different grasp on English, had to look that up. :D
Clodfobble nailed it. :yesnod:
Yes, I occasionally chuck in a bit of Latin free, gratis and for nothing.
See what I did there? ;)
Thanks, Bruce.
I'm with her!
And thank you, Griff. :thumb:
I'm going to Florida.
on Monday
I'm going to Florida.
on Monday
Yay!!!
Sent from my SM-J327U using Tapatalk
It's warm down there take your short underwear. ;)
Maybe she'll find herself some dangling Chads.
Does that mean you have to come back before spring break?
It means you're upsetting me with your insensitive/assholish comments. I hope you step on a lego.
I think I lied about the happy thing anyway. It's scaring the shit out of me. But I'm packed and I'm doing it. I have no hotels booked, just flights and a car. Not novice to roadtripping, just novice to doing it alone. oh well. No going back now unless they decide I look like a terrorist or coronavirus courier.....
That doesn't work for me. Have a safe trip anyway.
Florida is up to their ass in hotels and motels, that won't be a problem. You can do this standing on your head. :yesnod:
I had Spencer over this weekend. We spent the day out in the shop playing with tools. He's making a bowl out of some burled cherry I had. I think he might be warming to the idea of coming to live with us.
I'm going to Florida.
on Monday
We are too. Key west. Look us up.
...unless they decide I look like a terrorist or coronavirus courier.....
Do
not wear your hijab, and try not to sniff too much.
:p:
Have a good time.
I had Spencer over this weekend. We spent the day out in the shop playing with tools. He's making a bowl out of some burled cherry I had. I think he might be warming to the idea of coming to live with us.
This sounds like a great idea.
I saw pologirl play polo yesterday. She was awesome, of course. She didn't start either of the two games because they were easy ones, but got in to even it up once the non-starters let the other teams get too far ahead. (they won both which was all that was required). Today there are two more games. The first in a couple of hours is the big one against Florida University A Team, the favorites to win the conference. The second is another easy so she may not get in at all, especially if she plays the whole of the first game, which is likely. It makes me happy so see her play. It's a little chilly and breezy here (for Florida). The pool is outdoors, so the wind is causing a few problems
Happy probably isn't the right thread, I now realize, but I typed a shit-ton, so here it stays.... I am happy Thunderboy has no additional points on his License....but.....
I cannot believe how easy it is to get out of points on your driver's licence is here/how fucked up the system is.
First, we went to court at 9am for Thunderboy's "informal hearing" about his 3-point 53 in a 40 speeding ticket from December (the first day driving after he blew a 4-way stop and took out two other cars and the front bumpers off the minivan (for which he got 2 points and a $130 fine because we just dealt online not knowing any better....)).
There were maybe 100 people there, many seemed seasoned offenders and even they were surprised by the volume. I think it might have been first session after the holidays....
anyhoo, one by one, they were called out of the courtroom by the cops who booked them. Thankfully, he was among the first. No hearing, pretty much "ok, so I'mm'a change this speeding ticket to a double-parking which has no points and is $200. OK?" So no points. (when he was pulled over, the cop told him to go to court to avoid points, otherwise we never would have been there (bless his little shiny badge))
Took the little shit to college for his one class. Tried to grocery shop in the interim but couldn't actually find a store despite/because of my new GPS (hate GPS but got one for vacation)
Picked LS up, and on the way home took him to another court two miles down the road from the first to deal with the ticket for the accident while I was on vacation that totaled the car that still wasn't fixed from the last accident). Went to desk, he asked about the fine and points. Nice woman at desk said "$180 and two points ..how is your driving record?" He told her 2-3 points. She said "would you like me to talk to the officer and see if he's ok with changing it to something without points? It will cost $20 more" so ... of course... cop said yes, another $200 but no points. Another citation for double-parking.
So OK this was good for us for WTF?
Also, whilst I'm almost ranting, How much of a joke is it that the "pre-check" status to get through security at the airport more easily -previously awarded to less-likely-to-be-a-terrorist profile people (Old white people, children, business people who have taken that plane every day for the last 10 years...) is now for sale. And only for sale.
and yes. He paid.. Pretty much all of the $ he earned over the summer has been spent on fines/cost related to hit shitty driving*. Dear Michigan, I am so sorry. But my needs are greater than yours and I don't let him drive on roads with speeds likely to cause injuries. If that helps :/
*he also bought a computer. twice, because the idiot left it in the car which he left unlocked so it was stolen
I saw pologirl play polo yesterday. She was awesome, of course.
I love watching her play. And I (guiltily) love watching others watch her play
After 8 years, she's suddenly in a completely new place where no-one knows her (she went to college in the town where she went to high school, so many of the players on the opposing teams knew her)
In the game against the main oppo on Sunday -hosts University of Florida, I particularly enjoyed the moment when she received a pass and the oppo coach screamed in panic "She's a SHOOTER!!!!!!". Too late, though :D
(good job refs are not armed... :o)
(many players will receive the ball in the goal but won't shoot or are shit so can be ignored. In these instances (at high school level), asshole coaches yell "not a shooter" to tell their team to get ready for the counter-attack. :/ I suspect this is what made her the player she is ... in her first game as a freshman on varsity at high school, the oppo coach yelled that ..and she scored. He yelled "she's a shooter" the next time, but didn't need to say anything after that :D)
With PA state cops I had two offer higher fine but no points on the spot, and 1 for two going to court. 1 For 1 with local cops in another town. I did learn when you send a written request to the local count requesting a hearing, use the back of a register receipt if necessary, but do not use fancy stationary from Smithsonian with an antique gun on it. :facepalm:
After 8 years, she's suddenly in a completely new place where no-one knows her (she went to college in the town where she went to high school, so many of the players on the opposing teams knew her)
This has to be awesome for her.
I think it's awesome and frustration in equal parts because yes, she surprises them with ability, but also they don't know her well enough to trust her calls on plays etc. It was fun though :)
I like finding new words.
This morning I came across "jobsworth."
I won't give a definition yet, just ask if I should have known it before.
It is applied to a kind of person we all hate to encounter.
Define it for us if you can do so off the top of your head.
I like finding new words.
This morning I came across "jobsworth."
I won't give a definition yet, just ask if I should have known it before.
It is applied to a kind of person we all hate to encounter.
Define it for us if you can do so off the top of your head.
It's a term which, I'm 99% sure, originated in the UK and, as such, gives me something of an advantage in defining.
I'll keep my own counsel and look forward to reading responses.
I also know what it means and also believe it to be British because people look at me weirdly if I use it here and I have to explain. But it is one I like.
I'll take their word that it's British; but, won't delve into it 'cause it contains the word "job" and sounds too much like work.
I'll take their word that it's British; but, won't delve into it 'cause it contains the word "job" and sounds too much like work.
although it actually relates to not working in a way.
A Jobsworth is someone who uses the "rules" of their employer as an excuse for not helping someone. "I'd love to do that for you, but it's more than my job's worth, they'd fire me immediately...."
I was surprised to find that the ever reliable Wikipedia has a page on the subject:
A jobsworth is a person who uses their job description in a deliberately uncooperative way, or who seemingly delights in acting in an obstructive or unhelpful manner.
The term can also be applied to those who uphold petty rules even at the expense of humanity or common sense.
"Jobsworth" is a British colloquial word derived from the phrase "I can't do that, it's more than my job's worth", meaning taking the initiative and performing an action that is beyond what the person feels is in their job description.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "A person in authority (esp. a minor official) who insists on adhering to rules and regulations or bureaucratic procedures even at the expense of common sense."
Jonathon Green similarly defines "jobsworth" as "a minor factotum whose only status comes from enforcing otherwise petty regulations".
I do have a degree of sympathy for those people in a job which is constrained by burdensome bureaucracy imposed by law and/or employer.
They have responsibility without power and many employers would be happy to show them the door for even the most minor breach of the rules, sometimes known as using common sense.
LinkI read a post yesterday by a fan going to a SF Giants spring training game.
Trying to avoid the exorbitant cost of snacks and drinks that runs rampant currently, he brought a $10 bag of almonds with him.
The ticket taker told him that he could not bring them in and had to pour them out before entering.
I guess he might have said: "It would be worth my job for me to let you put them out of sight."
It's useful term, one that brings to mind DMV's.
Remember
this post from 3.5 years ago?
He said yes.
Can't say who just yet. But this place being what it is, at least a few of you will very much recognize the name. I am beside myself. Still keep questioning whether the phone call even really happened. In a few days I get to pitch the already-sanctioned ghostwritten memoir of a really cool dude. And there is absolutely no way they will say no.
So, uh, the book's finally been announced. I'm happy. :)
www.sidmeiersmemoir.comRemember this post from 3.5 years ago?
So, uh, the book's finally been announced. I'm happy. :)
www.sidmeiersmemoir.com
WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Remember this post from 3.5 years ago?
So, uh, the book's finally been announced. I'm happy. :)
www.sidmeiersmemoir.com
BRAVA!
You were right, they didn't say no.
Congratulations!!!!
So wait. You used to work in video games, didn't you? Did you know him?
I turned off the virus news and turned on some Guy Clark. :)
Got an email from Billy in China this morning, said he's doing fine.
What prompted him was he just got my Christmas card, guess it went on a slow boat to China.
Got an email from Billy in China this morning, said he's doing fine.
What prompted him was he just got my Christmas card, guess it went on a slow boat to China.
i just received a christmas card from the UK. It was one I had sent in a timely fashion, but apparently Beest's cousin had moved and "return to sender" is not airmail. They might have been on ships that passed in the night.
Bezos can suck it.
I ordered a $75 accessory for a particular $425 saw the other day and it arrived, along with the saw.
I was only charged for what I ordered.
Now I have two saws: one that plugs into the wall and one that batteries plug into.
That's probably too many saws.
TL;DR
I saw what you did there.
************************
ha!
likely you can process the "return" of the least desirable saw and they'll say, "OK, just keep it, we don't want to pay for the return".
maybe.
new post, side now.
It's good to see you back here my friend.
I finally saw something move on the International Space Station (ISS) in real time. What looked like a projecting instrument array was retracted back through a portal and a hatch closed behind it. I've been dropping in on the ISS sporadically via the live link; but, hadn't by chance seen anything moving faster than solar panels tracking the sun at an imperceptibly slow speed.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/live-iss-streamWatching the ISS is a great idea, thanks.
Watching the ISS is a great idea, thanks.
Is it the 21st century version of watching paint dry? Because nothing beats imperceptible slowness in my book.
new post, side now.
It's good to see you back here my friend.
it's nice to be back. thanks.
Is it the 21st century version of watching paint dry? Because nothing beats imperceptible slowness in my book.
Well, you could join a Sangha for the same effect but we're practicing social-distancing.
The old High Definition Earth Viewing (HDEV) experiment's term of service expired and the Live Feed cameras are being used to fill the void. The HDEV link is still active though and carries the Live Feed video image (lower definition) too. What's best about it is that the ISS Tracker is still working and appears below the video when you click on the ISS Tracker icon. It's nice to still be able to see where the ISS is over the Earth. I usually keep a couple of windows open to see both the ISS and follow its relative location:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iss-hdev-payloadIt is making me happy just at dark to see Venus visiting with her mythic sisters. Subaru owners take note.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap200402.htmlForgot to suggest binoculars.
Nonsense, I looked at the sky and didn't see one of those labels... not one. :p:
It is making me happy just at dark to see Venus visiting with her mythic sisters. Subaru owners take note.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap200402.html
I saw it! with beest's binoculars and with the telescope we got Bajaboi for $20 from Salvation Army thrift store. I also saw craters on the moon :D
and I got chilly
It's been quite a display recently.
Having missed the first pass of the ISS last night I went out to look for its second appearance.
Cloud in the SW put paid to that but Venus was an admirable stand in.
Our sky has been amazing.
Our orthodontist sent an email several weeks ago letting us know that in addition to canceling/rescheduling all normal appointments, emergency repairs were not considered essential medical treatments under the shutdown orders. Any broken brackets, popped wires, etc. would just have to stay broken until this is all over.
Of course, I knew it was only a matter of time. Minifobette pops her wire out of its socket every couple of months. The first time it happened, I didn't really understand what was broken, and it was about a week before we got in to get it repaired. During that time, the wire tip and its spring were pressing into the soft tissue behind her molar, which grew up around it by several millimeters and ultimately required minor surgery and a lot of pain to have it cut loose again. The second time, I understood that it had to go back in immediately, but in the process of trying to just bend it gently enough to slip it back into place, I popped a whole bracket off her tooth--again, very painful, and again requiring more extensive repairs. Ever since then, the minute her wire pops out we go straight to the orthodontist and just sit in the waiting room until they can fit us in for a repair.
Anyway, sure enough, her wire popped out last night. Fortunately, it turns out that YouTube has lots of good videos about how to open different bracket styles and do a proper repair. And I did it! I opened all four lower brackets with a little tooth-cleaning hook, slid the wire out, slid it back into place on her molar, and closed all the brackets again.
I'm a certified orthodontist now!
That’s freaking awesome! Great job. Seriously.
And I did it! I opened all four lower brackets with a [COLOR="Red"]little tooth-cleaning hook[/COLOR],...
I love YouTube.
It's like the Holiday Inn Express, but actually makes you smarter.
I cut my son's hair this afternoon.
I gained the confidence to do so by watching Youtube videos. I see minor flaws in the haircut, but that's as it should be. We should have a reason to pay the pros to do it. He's happy though, and so am I. I used a pair of old dull clippers my dad used to cut my hair with when I was a kid, and a brand new barber's pair of scissors I drove an hour to purchase from a curbside pickup hair supply place.
[ATTACH]70271[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70270[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70269[/ATTACH]
That's a good lookin young man; haircut's nice too Dad.
Well done!
That's a really nice job!
Nice one!
I'm happy because the replacement circuit board seems to have fixed bajaboi's welder
It worked! Well done and you didn't even have to use the fire extinguisher. :D
Nice work. Those old fashioned clippers sound like a buzz saw. OSHA may require everyone in the room to have hearing protection. They probably zip right through the heavy layers though.
I got tired of going to the barber for just a trim around the ears and cleaning up the back of the neck; so, I bought some full size clippers (not trimmers). I've been doing that myself using the medicine cabinet mirror in conjunction with a large rectangular handheld mirror to see what I'm doing. Works great! I don't have to make a trip to the barber's so often. I still have a head full of thick hair and it keeps it from looking ragged.
FWIW, I did my homework and researched the various models of clippers offered by the major brands. I settled on one and after 4 years of use I can highly recommend it:
https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Speed-Pivot-Motor-Clipper/dp/B000O24BCW/ref=nav_signin?dchild=1&keywords=Oster+Speed+Line+Pivot+Motor+Clipper&qid=1586687333&sr=8-1& (industrial strength, made in USA).
I tried to buy new clippers, but amazon wasn't shipping any until late May or June. So I looked up a local beauty supply chain called Sally's and was checking out what they had. There's a Whal Peanut model with hundreds of really good reviews for $50 or so. The stores are only doing curb-side pickup.
None of them were answering their phones except one over half an hour away. And they didn't have the clippers or scissors I wanted in stock. I had selected a $20 pair of scissors (highly rated) but they only had a $60 pair left in stock. So I tripled my budget on that one. And the $50 clippers were not in stock either. Only a $125 cordless variety.
I decided to make do with the dull old clippers instead of paying the $125 extra.
I just wanted a haircut, not to spend almost $200. Our barber does a good job and charges $14. I can't wait for him to reopen.
I was bragging on glatt’s work to Pete just now, along with his raising a kid who’d let dad at his hair. She loved the results.
How do you like that, the hair clippers I linked to in my previous post are all gone.
My hair doesn't grow evenly and it's starting to resemble a game of Whack-a-Mole with weird long bits suddenly popping up
Minifob's does that, though it's localized--the top-back of his hair (where his samurai knot would go, if he had one) grows about twice as fast as the rest. He has to alternate haircuts with the whole head, and just that portion.
What's old is new again.
[YOUTUBE]-gcuJ0uKn2Y[/YOUTUBE]
My wife was telling me yesterday that she heard on some podcast that America is going through different stages of purchases in this quarantine.
First there was the toilet paper purchases,
then the flour and egg purchases,
then home office supplies and school supplies purchases,
and now it's hair coloring and clippers purchases
We need to figure out what the next step is going to be so we can buy that shit before supplies run out.
What's next?
Please don't say urns.
Bacon is the next shortage.
Lawn sprinklers, garden hoses, inflatable pools, patio grills, and general backyard summer toys.
Then I had better get my Ladder Golf set soon. And buy a pick up load of charcoal.
How do you like that, the hair clippers I linked to in my previous post are all gone.
Cynically, I thought that was one of your criteria for recommending them.
Don’t mind me, I’ve been listening to too much news.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They were available when I posted the link. :(
We need to figure out what the next step is going to be so we can buy that shit before supplies run out.
What's next?
Please don't say urns.
[ATTACH]70316[/ATTACH]
But if you have a warehouse full you can't even give away, just start a rumor it's sold out.
They were available when I posted the link. :(
I figured. I am just in my very dark humor mode.
I'm happy because the replacement circuit board seems to have fixed bajaboi's welder
I just saw this. That's great news. No 500 pound boxes to ship!
Bacon is the next shortage.
All the meats...
All the meats...
NOOOOO!!!
Nice job there glatt. What was the actual clock time? Results are good, regardless....
I'm about 2 weeks past where I would have gotten it cut. If this goes another 6 weeks, I may have to let it grow out. Maybe there will be some kind of movement. I can pretend I give a shit about some cause as an excuse to have long hair again.
Or not, whatevr.
The cutting time was about an hour and ten minutes.
But the set up with cameras and getting a mirror set up in the kitchen was probably an hour. And cleanup was maybe 15 minutes.
Watching YouTube tutorial videos was probably three hours or so.
Shopping online for the scissors and clippers I never bought, and then buying locally was something like three hours.
Editing the video took way longer than it should to get those huge files from the phones to the laptop. Maybe two hours?
You know how these things go. It was a project.
But yeah, a little over an hour.
If it's in front of your eyes or mouth cut it, otherwise fuck it. :p:
If it's in front of your eyes or mouth cut it, otherwise fuck it. :p:
is this a Trump quote?
Nope, from the world according to Bruce.
I got a call from the resident social worker where my Mom lives. I'd sent my Mom a card for Easter and included a couple little treats inside. I sent it c/o the social worker, knowing that the social worker has a good relationship with my Mom and that the social worker also knows how to get and deliver mail, is ambulatory, etc. When the social worker, J, called me she told me she'd given the card I sent to my Mom, she was all smiles and hugged the card to her heart. This was before she'd even opened the card.
Anyhow J told me how happy it made her and how my Mom reached out to J for a hug, how happy she was. This makes me happy too. And a little wistful, it's been months now since I've seen my Mom. The place is on lockdown, has been for months (it seems, time's weird now). The phone sucks for my Mom since the stroke gave her aphasia as a nice little fuck you gift on the way out the door. *sigh*
Still it was nice to hear from a good person helping my Mom tell me how happy she was.
Yeah. Happy, we were talking about what makes us happy. :)
My son, the barber, just finished his application to request a gap year before enrolling in the University of Vermont.
I was worried it wouldn’t be approved, because with the uncertainty around Covid, literally every high school senior should be taking a gap year. But they responded within a couple hours approving his request.
He’s going to do forestry work at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM for most of the gap year. It’s perfect for him.
Nice! So many people underestimate the value of work experience as a teen, plus you can't beat good clean outdoor work.
SonofV has been cleared to return to work!
He is back on the schedule for Sunday morning, 9am. He has a serious case of cabin fever and being back at work will be much better overall, even factoring in the increased risk of exposure to the public.
My hair doesn't grow evenly and it's starting to resemble a game of Whack-a-Mole with weird long bits suddenly popping up
I get some of that with my beard: the cheeks grow faster than the chin so after trimming towards a longish Sigmund Freud (gives my chin a sassy defiant jut) I start getting broader and rounder, fulfilling the Claus.
The wife and I may swap haircuts with our Wahl and its graduated rakes.
That is beyond impressive to a foreign city-ish chick like me.
It's impressive for natives too, well done sir. :notworthy
That's some good wood, sir!
SonofV reported a successful return to work, albeit "odd".
I'm pretty chuffed.
Getting back to work is gonna be weird for everyone, glad he survived.
Are all those trees going to be planks or some for posts and beams?
Right now, I’m guessing what I’m going to need for a not yet designed table for Pete. I will probably turn the rest into sizes more typically useful. I have a lot of projects in my head that probably should be on a drawing table but sometimes you just need to make chips fly
My son, the barber, just finished his application to request a gap year before enrolling in the University of Vermont.
I was worried it wouldn’t be approved, because with the uncertainty around Covid, literally every high school senior should be taking a gap year. But they responded within a couple hours approving his request.
He’s going to do forestry work at Philmont Scout Ranch in NM for most of the gap year. It’s perfect for him.
Groovy UV. One of my alma maters. Took dendrology 101 there. Great course in 1984.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Seems like a good course in 2020. I had a roommate in college who found stoned tree identification to be most soothing.
The expectation he has, based on conversations with Philmont staff, is that he will be cutting down trees and clearing brush in the Fall and stacking it up in big piles every 50 yards or so through the woods.
He's also going to join the skeleton crew that works the winter season. They have the honor of burning all those piles of timber.
All this is in some of the most beautiful country in the US. I'm not sure if he will be hiking in and camping to do this work, or if they stay at the base camp in cabins and drive out to the work site each day on the network of dirt roads on the ranch. But either way, it's exactly the kind of thing he loves to do. Room and board included, I think. The food situation is pretty good too. A step above backpacking food.
He's applied with a good buddy of his that had done trail work with him last summer as part of a trail crew at Philmont, and they worked well together. It should be fun for him, and a lot of hard labor.
Is it habitat restoration?
Wildfire mitigation, I think.
with the uncertainty around Covid, literally every high school senior should be taking a gap year.
Looks like they are. Uni of Mich -my main place of job application- just announced a complete hiring freeze with the exception of the hospitals due to the projected income deficit due in part to the uncertainty of student numbers/tuition fees for next year :(
I had found a job Sunday night with a deadline of yesterday and I was just working on a cover letter when the press release came out :( so after a grocery run and dinner prep, I decided fuck it, banged out a quick cover letter (probably shittiest ever but....) and submitted it at 11:59pm. I guess that made me feel accomplished for a brief while yesterday, even if it was a completely pointless exercise
Well done monster.
I've been in the same position scrambling to meet a midnight deadline for a job posting. I'm glad I did, despite not getting the job. You're doing the right thing for the right reasons. Keep it up.
I cut my hair!
It's shorter and I can spike it again and I can't believe how much happier it's made me. It was driving me nuts. Nutser than I realized, apparently.
I'm no newbie to hair cutting. I always cut my own pre-kids (but it was longer then, which is easier to do on yourself), and beest's, and the kids' until they were middle school, but it does take time and so once we had a little more money and I went shorter and the cheap production-line places like Great Clips were a thing... I paid someone else to do it (and hated every second of it)
And Bajaboi made delicious dinner (which is how I found time. kinda. dinner was ready before I was completely done, so I'mm'a tweek the back another time, but only I know what isn't as I would like it there ;) )
And I ran my 50th mile since Parkrun stopped so that's an accomplishment. Happy is not a word I associate with running.
I cut my hair!
It's shorter and I can spike it again and I can't believe how much happier it's made me. It was driving me nuts. Nutser than I realized, apparently.
...
Gah! I know what you mean. Mine's going to get like that soon (and after not making it to the hairdresser's for far too long far too frequently recently the last time I was there I was crowing that I'd be back on a schedule at last! [SIZE="1"][nope][/SIZE]).
Mr Limey is not, I think, a hairdresser in the making so either I do it myself or go stark. STARING. [SIZE="5"]MAD![/SIZE]
I was in dire need of a haircut before this caper began.
Not only do I now resemble a badly thatched cottage, I'm beginning to feel like one.
Can dry rot in the purlins and Deathwatch beetle be far behind? :eek:
Black beetles that are cutting their capers all over your Morris wallpapers . . . and crawly things never at rest . . .
Wuhan is slowly cautiously opening businesses, most are still pretty empty except the barbers and hair salons are mobbed.
Well, it's taken a month but I finally managed to get a groceries delivery slot *hurrah*
... sort of.
There were no delivery slots available for regular grocery shopping (where you put together your own list) from Tesco, Morrisons or Sainsburys - but there were available slots for Morrisons 'Food Boxes'.
I have been wanting to try one of these - just because I think its a genius idea.
https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes
I went for the meat eaters food box. Contents variable, but should contain something along the lines of:
Canned baked beans, soup and pasta sauce
Milk
Dairy products such as butter and cheese
Bread
Rice and pasta
Meat products, such as sausage, bacon and cooked meat
Vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots and onions
Fresh meat such as chicken or beef
Essential household items
£35 including delivery - supposedly enough basics (not including coffee, tea sugar or breakfast cereal) for 1 week for 2 people - so definitely enough for me for over a week
I will keep trying for a slot for a full groceries list but if this works out then it should at least allow me to cut down my trips to the village shop down to once or twice a week instead of every 2nd or 3rd day.
Pet food I can mainly order separately online and my neighbour gave me a phone number for a local dairy that are doing 3x a week deliveries of fresh milk, butter, eggs and I think yoghurt
The idea of a preset shopping list of basics really appeals to me. I think even without the current crisis, it's a genius idea. And then supplement it with stuff from the local shop - means not having to go to the supermarket at all.
Right now cutting down the number of times I have to go into the shop at all, and also cutting down the amount of time I spend in the shop when I do go in, by reducing the number o items I have to buy in there is a very good thing.
Probably a can of Soylent Green in there for Carrot. ;)
Ha! He wouldnt eat anything green
The grocery store curb side pickup slots for my elderly parents open up at midnight two days before the slots are available. The slots all get snatched up before 1:00 am. My parents go to bed at around 9:00pm. So they miss it.
So we have developed a system where they fill a virtual cart as they realize they need stuff, and then when it’s getting to be time to place the order, my brother in Arizona places the order for them at midnight Eastern time. It’s only 9pm for him, so he just needs to set a reminder, and he places the order.
If you don’t have your cart already full, in the time it takes you to shop virtually, the slots are all full, and you are out of luck.
Our strategy is being tested for the first time this week, so we’ll see how it goes. I expect it to work though, because he will place the order at a few seconds after midnight.
This is going to become the norm and only the connected will get served.
Then they'll expand their capability until everyone can get it and be grateful.
From then on they will choose the availability and quality you get.
Everyone pays with a card so the 2 or 3% being skimmed by the card will drive up prices.
Welcome to 1984.
cut down my trips to the village shop down to once or twice a week instead of every 2nd or 3rd day.
If it's not too nosy, why on earth do you need to go to the shop this often? is it the volume you have to carry? Or do they rarely have the products you need?
Bit of both - I have also been shopping for mum because she also couldn't get a food delivery and is staying completely out of shops.
I don't drive, so whatever I buy has to be carried home - its not a long walk, but there's still a limit to what i can carry - if I am buying milk for both of us, for 3 days, that's about 10 liters of milk. Also, despite the guideline dates, after about 4 days the milk starts to go on the turn, so just based on milk alone, it's 2 trips a week.
I have also been buying tins of other dog food to help eke out the Chappie that they are used to because there were some delays on stock for home delivery - so that's 6-8 tins of dog food in a typical trip. Add in a couple of tins of beans each, a loaf of bread each, a few bananas each and some yoghurts for Ma, 4 rolls of toilet paper each and say, a jar of coffee or a box of tea and it's mounted up already to a sizeable load to carry and only accounts for some of the stuff we need.
It's also only a village store, so it's quite small, and one section of it is the post office. there are only 5 people allowed in at once, it's difficult to go back around to get something you've forgotten as you went past and its difficult to manoeuvre with two shopping baskets (no carts, shop is too cramped). Add in that sometimes you go and they don't have some of the things you need, or they only have a very limited stock of it, so you can't really buy a bunch to stock up - don't get me wrong they do brilliantly, and thanks to them I have managed without a supermarket shop for about 6 weeks and didn't have much in my cupboards at the start of that period. But it' a bit more complicated than doing one big supermarket trip where you can buy everything in one go.
It just ends up with shop visits about every 2nd or 3rd day. They're not all full trips, laden down with bags some of them are top up trips.
I don't like being in there for long - because it is so enclosed. I'm not sure going in only 1-2 times a week would be a safer option if it doubles the length of time i am in there.
Sounds tough, I'm sorry. I hear you re the milk. I was trying to go only once a week but it's just not possible. Here milk does last forever, but I now have two young men in the house who only drink milk or water and whose diet seems to be 75% cereal with milk. I bought 3 gallons on Friday. We might make it til Tuesday. Maybe :/
Did you now it freezes OK though? Just freeze it in small enough amounts that you are able to defrost the whole portion you froze at the same time as IME it separates out as it's freezing, so if you break off a bit of it to defrost, you don't get the proper composition.
Melted ice cream works with Cheerios. :D
Melted ice cream works with Cheerios. :D
I think that is how the "second supper" cereal works round here.
Wegman's wouldn't take my milk bottle returns last week. They paid me for them but now I'm stuck with them. Since this is the happy thread I'm happy my chickens are being productive despite the bumpy weather.
Returns? The sell returnable bottles?
Yeah,I think Griff may be posting from the 20th century.
I've got five or six of them here, too. Half gallons and pints.
There are deposits on those here too. We have a 10¢ deposit on all cans and bottles (except those used for products containing real fruit juice) and the big glass bottles from local dairies have bigger deposits in the $1-$2 region.
Right now Michigan is still charging deposits but not accepting returns :( My garage is overflowing
I have to go to Wegmans tomorrow, I'll look and see if I've been missing them. :confused:
The EU passed a resolution to phase out one time use plastics, like beverage bottles, over the next five years. They may be seeing a lot more glass. I haven't heard how that will go in the UK now under the circumstances.
Are they for refilling or recycling?
I was weeding this evening and observed two people performing silly walks as they passed my house. One knew I was there, one didn't. Both were walking by themselves (but on the phone). I saw others read the signs and smile too :D
Are they for refilling or recycling?
They want one time use items to be of materials that are easily recyclable. The goal is to keep plastics out of the oceans.
Are they for refilling or recycling?
These are for reuse but apparently something has gone wrong in the return chain.
A lot of farms are dumping milk because it's not moving. Maybe they have an over abundance of bottles on hand or the outfit that collects and washes them shut down. The store doesn't have room plus they get to hang on to the 2 bucks until the chain unkinks.
I quit buying milk because I was an irregular drinker. When I started eating cereal again I bought almond milk because it would love me long time. But now I'm going through a gallon a week I can buy either but have developed a preference for the almond milk. I feel like a traitor to my cow roots, pulling teats on a frosty morning keeping my forehead warm against her side.
Our Governor banned returns on the ground that the virus could be on the containers. Stores here currently won't accept returns of any type, not just recyclable containers with deposits
Ah, so there is a method to the madness. Thank you.
Yeah, the system probably isn't as mechanized and sanitary as I imagined.
I checked at Wegmans this ... uh, yesterday morning and they do have them.
In my defense, along the back wall is about a 60 ft section of glass doors and shelves 5 ft high loaded with an amazing array of liquids. It's easy to miss things. :blush:
What dairy are they using down there?
I didn't notice but the bottles were exactly the same.
Hmm, I wonder if Wegmans buys the bottles then hunts a dairy close to a group of stores to fill them? There are 5 stores around here. Would cut down on a lot of costly shipping. I'll check out the dairy next time I go.
Yes! I managed to get a proper supermarket home delivery sorted out.
Delivery due Weds 13th May, so 2 weeks away. I've allowed substitutions on all, so it will be interesting to see what random nonsense they replace any out of stock items with :P
It's from Asda - which I am not mega thrilled about, am not generally a fan, but it's a delivery and its a full shop instead of the piecemeal shopping I've been doing.
Also - the Morrison's £35 food box was interesting - they skimped on the milk (2 pints to last 2 people a week - which is what they claim a food box will do) but included 2x gigantic blocks of Cathedral City extra mature cheddar.
Meat selection was decent: pack of 2 corn fed chicken breasts, a large pack of minced beef, a pack of 16 rashers of bacon and a pack of 8 very good quality sausages.
The rest: Big bag of onions, bag of carrots and a bag of new potatoes, a cucumber, a punnet of grapes, an Uncle Ben's rice sachet thingy, some toilet rolls, kitchen roll, a loaf of bread, a pack of pitta bread, tin of tuna, 2x tins of soup, a bag of penne pasta and some gravy granules.
Not bad for £35 incl. delivery.
Fantastic. Glad the delivery worked out for you.
My Texas land sold today, and I am ecstatic. It's more money that I have ever had before. After I pay off my truck, and buy a pontoon I'm to give the rest to The Lady Keryx. Who will invest it properly.
My Texas land sold today, and I am ecstatic. It's more money that I have ever had before. After I pay off my truck, and buy a pontoon I'm to give the rest to The Lady Keryx. Who will invest it properly.
Whoop whoop! We’d all come visiting but you know how it is!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I guess that we will have to make do with our weekly visits.
I'm to give the rest to The Lady Keryx. Who will invest it properly.
Giving the rest to Lady Keryx IS investing it properly. ;)
My Texas land sold today, and I am ecstatic. It's more money that I have ever had before. After I pay off my truck, and buy a pontoon I'm to give the rest to The Lady Keryx. Who will invest it properly.
Awesome news!
My Texas land sold today, and I am ecstatic. It's more money that I have ever had before. After I pay off my truck, and buy a pontoon I'm to give the rest to The Lady Keryx. Who will invest it properly.
You should entrust the entire sum to your financial adviser or broker who will invest it for you until it has all gone. ;)
Congratulations ��!!!
I cut my son's hair this afternoon.
I gained the confidence to do so by watching Youtube videos. I see minor flaws in the haircut, but that's as it should be. We should have a reason to pay the pros to do it. He's happy though, and so am I. I used a pair of old dull clippers my dad used to cut my hair with when I was a kid, and a brand new barber's pair of scissors I drove an hour to purchase from a curbside pickup hair supply place.
[ATTACH]70271[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70270[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70269[/ATTACH]
What could have been...
Congrats on the land deal, Fargon!
this kind of thing makes me happy today.
[ATTACH]70464[/ATTACH]
:) I knew that would be your post and if it wasn't, it was gonna be mine. Now I can go back to being annoyed by him :p
Urrbody like a post hoe, huh?
:jig:
Orrrrr. just getting bored with the lack of variety in post hoes.....
[ATTACH]70471[/ATTACH]
:lol:
Grav!!! You're back!!!!
:)
Was a mite worried about ya dawg.
I was helping the 75inch make a ramp/jump for his mountain biking cure and in the process of looking for a tool in the basement I found about 8 unused N-95 dust masks in their package.
I was getting worried because I have legitimate, non-covid need of these things for work and you can't get them unless you are a major donor to Trump.
I'm happy now because I've just located a document I've been scrambling to find that will be helpful as I complete my paperwork for my [strike]new job[/strike] background check for my security clearance.
Moving forward again to find the next obstacle.
They make you jump through all those hoops, doing all that paperwork; so, you'll have put too much effort into the process to wanna drop out of it. Then, they'll tell you about the psyche eval for which they'll make you an appointment. After that, just when you think they couldn't ask for anything more, they'll spring it on you that you need to let them take a sample of your DNA.
Sounds like applying for a mortgage or trying to prepare the correct treats to send to school for the Halloween party.
I'd say "I got this" but I don't. What I do have is the will to take the next step. I'm launching my initial login now. This is gonna be so. much. fun.
in the process of looking for a tool in the basement I found about 8 unused N-95 dust masks in their package.
I was getting worried because I have legitimate, non-covid need of these things for work and you can't get them unless you are a major donor to Trump.
Sweet. This also happened to me on Saturday evening.
I was digging around through a bucket of junk, looking for some hose clamps to lock a flip-floppy lawnmower handle in place, when I stumbled upon a big ziploc bag containing half a dozen N95 masks all in their individual plastic wrapping. Also in the bag were two emergency blankets and a half dozen high intensity glow sticks.
I THOUGHT I had another stash of masks somewhere, but couldn't find them a month ago when I was taking inventory. Good thing I was looking for those hose clamps over the weekend. (found the hose clamps too, and fixed the lawnmower.)
[ATTACH]70522[/ATTACH]
I was helping the 75inch make a ramp/jump for his mountain biking cure and in the process of looking for a tool in the basement I found about 8 unused N-95 dust masks in their package.
I was getting worried because I have legitimate, non-covid need of these things for work and you can't get them unless you are a major donor to Trump.
Have you guys built a pump track yet? I'm kind of tempted.
Have you guys built a pump track yet? .
Oh good lord... I misread: Trump Pack
I gotta stop typing that name.
I found something to like about wearing masks in public. I can whistle at an attractive gal; then, look at the guy nearest to me and say: Stop that!
Ha!
Fun times, sexobon.
What's making me happy is that my friend's mum is out of hospital and recovering.
That's actually a few days old news, but I have just been chatting to her so its on my mind.
Clearly her recovery is going well, because Clo's back to being pissed off with her :P
Ha! The way it should be.
I took a shower and am dressed before 11am. Think I might go for a long walk. Woo! Look at me all eager to take on the day.
Carpe diem!
(Ex longinquo tutoque speculetur)
Yesterday, I pulled my "Ministry of Silly Walks" signs to mow the lawn and put them away in the garage because I thought maybe their time was done.... but as I was standing there, some people passed and asked me if I was the one with the signs, their mom had told them about them and how much she enjoyed them every day when she went to get the mail. So I pulled them out of the garage to show them and they're back up, and this afternoon I'm redoing the feet that weren't waterproof enough to weather last night's storm and are a tad limp :D
I think the mom in question was my first "customer" and Bajaboi mentioned seeing her silly walking too
I found something to like about wearing masks in public. I can whistle at an attractive gal; then, look at the guy nearest to me and say: Stop that!
So it's OK to make her feel uncomfortable because you don't have to take responsibility
Ha!
Fun times, sexobon.
:(
Oh, good grief...
If this is addressed to Monster then the best analogy I can give is that you should imagine you are the new boy in prison, in the communal shower, and you don’t know which of the inmates around you has just playfully flicked your arse with their towel.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sure, because that's exactly the same.
I assumed that Sexobon isn't actually doing this but was making a joke
It put me in mind of a friend of mine many years ago, who would sit with his mirrored shades on indoors, and then occasionally tell someone he was watching them.
Couldn't tell where his eyes were looking. He thought it was hilarious.
Got a check from my insurance company for $42.42. Says COVID-19 Auto Premium Relief Program.
my "relief" check for auto insurance was for $10.
$35.24, looks like xoB is buying the first round.
$80 between the two of us
I'll have a sarsaparilla.
That for insurance on two vehicles it will be interesting to see if I hear from the other company.
They pissed me off though because I've renewed and paid for my policy April 1st for the last 54 years. This year I can only get a policy for six months because they stopped writing full year policies in PA. That renewal will come up in October at the same time as state inspection, registration renewal, and going away for 5 to 8 days.
daughter got $21, I 've heard nothing about mine
I found something to like about wearing masks in public. I can whistle at an attractive gal; then, look at the guy nearest to me and say: Stop that!
If I'm wearing a mask AND gloves, I can grab a dumb blonde's pussy and say:
Turn your head to the side and cough. She'll appreciate that she got COVID-19 tested just like the men!
Woke up this morning and was wondering what the squrl was barking about. I had a cookie, and was kissing to the squrl, hoping he would come down outta the tree, when I thought I heard a tiny meow. I assumed it was a bird of some sort.
It was not.
I heard it again, located it out by the trailer in the yard. It was a cat (shocker, I know!). It was a black cat. It was a friendly black cat.
He isn't as slick as ol' Slick, matter of fact, he (I think it's a he) is quite hairy. So hairy, we're not sure of the sex, I've been calling him a he.
He's fairly healthy, no obvious problems. I got a tick off him. He was a little hungry. He dove face first into a bowl of left over chicken. Later, he ate a fair helping of Momdigr's left over scratch-made macaroni & cheese, which is what he will get a little later for second supper. I'll get some cat food tomorrow, if he's still here in the morning.
I think he is someone's outside cat, as he came in but was NOT comfortable with the situation.
It's 8:30ish, making his stay right about 12 hours, so far.
I told him he could stay if he wanted to.
Momdigr was talking to him and accidentally called him Slick.:eek: She looked like she'd swallowed her cud for a moment.
Every cat we've had, was a stray that adopted us.
We'll see.:fingerx:
This is me trying not to be stoked...
Hope Slick 2.0 works out!
Nice!
So, now that it's tomorrow...
Did the cat come back,
the very next day?
The squirrel might think you're an interspecies two-timer; but, the cat can always eat the squirrel.
Oh that made me happy to read, and I needed that, thanks
Hey Grav, how's the kittycat doing?
::sidestep from the "happy"::
daughter got $21, I 've heard nothing about mine
Apparently my insurance company decided to "reduce rates in the future" rather than give refunds. Which is an especially interesting level of bullshit as Michigan's auto insurance law changes on July 2 and all policies will become cheaper.....
....and I would like to say I will be dumping them, but the reality is they will be dumping me first because of my idiot son's two major fault accidents ending with the car being totaled.
::as you were::
Well, he was still here this am. There were no kitteh-friendly leftovers this morning, so when I had breakfast I scrambled an extra egg for the cat. I cooked for a damn cat.:eyebrow:
No pix as yet, but he's black, long hair (near Persian territory), his tail is fat, like a mad kitty's tail, and the tail under the fur is fat, too. He's an average-sized cat, but w/over-size front paws. He looks kinda like Sylvester, all shiny black, with a white chin, white chest spot, and another spot just past his chest, white toeses on the front, two white socks out back.
Thinking about names now we're semi-adopted. Bootsy is in the running, w/a nod to Fargon's Bootsie. His whiskers are stark white and very long, we're considering Monkeyface, and Monkeyboy (cousindigr calls her hubs Monkeyboy). Twosocks is a also a contender (from Dances With Wolves).
The real test will come when I actually buy cat food. A lot of cats leave when I/we invest cash in them. A trip to the everything's-a-dollar store will yield the first bag of food, a brush, and maybe a toy.
I feel bad about this cat coming here. This is/was someone's semi-indoor pet. He doesn't really like two hands coming at him, but yet no protests when hugging him in the lap, or picking him up. He will readily jump into your lap. He's not too wild about scratching/rubbing the back half of his back, he gets a little bitey occasionally, nothing bad though, just nips and light swats to say "I don't like that.". You can waggle him pretty roughly by the tail though, he doesn't care in the least.
He likes to look into your eyes when he's in your lap. I don't mean just looking at you. I'm talking full size eyes, long, looking for something, lingering, into the soul stares.
He's no Slick, but he seems to have potential.
We've asked around the neighborhood a little, and no one seems to have seen him before, or knows anything about him.
Time will tell, I reckon.:fingerx:
perhaps the someone was no longer able to take care of him but couldn't give him up and was trusting that when the time came, Socks would find someone like you
I feel bad about this cat coming here. This is/was someone's semi-indoor pet.
I figure without a collar, they have no claim.
If Slick had roamed and taken up with another fam, I would've wept like a little girl.
Ah, shit, man, what if this cat is some little girl's kitty?[/guiltface]
Cats can get coronavirus. Maybe its owners are social distancing from it. You never know what its contact history could be.
Grav I doubt it is/was. Cats know when they're onto a good thing. More likely someone whose time was up. You could always post a message on local Craigslist/whatever to see if anyone is missing him/her/it. Is there a rescue shelter who might know of reported missing moggies?
I figure without a collar, they have no claim.
could be microchipped. I am not a fan of collars on cats. Neither are cats in the main, from what I have seen.
could be microchipped. I am not a fan of collars on cats. Neither are cats in the main, from what I have seen.
I felt around for a chip. Do they still put them between the shoulder blades?
I wouldn't put a collar on an unfixed/roaming tom. When I've used flea collars (on cats:rolleyes:) I've always left them very loose.
They put our dogs' chips at the base of their neck, between the shoulder blades but kind of higher up. But the thing was so small we never could feel it under their skin--admittedly, though, dogs have thicker skin and fur than a cat. Most neighborhood vets will scan for free, and even some pet supply stores have the scanners.
yes, it's usually there in the loose skin of the scruff and pretty easy to feel. Clod is right, there is usually no charge for scanning. If it hangs around, it's probably because its old home became untenable and it was looking for a new one, so don't feel bad.
Dude, dogs have people; cats have staff.
Congratulations on your new job!
Good to hear your probationary period is still in effect!
Have you guys built a pump track yet? I'm kind of tempted.
Ha! Great idea. His mom is living near some woods with a big hill behind the house. He's been building trails there and set up his crazy jump. I'm waiting for him to post some videos of it to his instagram.
Not really room for a pump track at my place.
I have a spot that's part of my home loop. This is from my ride today. I don't who'd maintain it...
$35.24 ...
Today I got a second auto insurance policy dividend of $17.62.
Running total: $52.86.
I was weeding this evening and observed two people performing silly walks as they passed my house. One knew I was there, one didn't. Both were walking by themselves (but on the phone). I saw others read the signs and smile too :D
I lent my seed spreader thing to a neighbor, who posted this in the basefuck group where she'd asked if anyone had one...
"I just grabbed it while you were mowing your lawn. :) You’re the ministry of silly walks house!! I’ve definitely done a silly walk on your sidewalk."
:D
::sidestep from the "happy"::
Apparently my insurance company decided to "reduce rates in the future" rather than give refunds. Which is an especially interesting level of bullshit as Michigan's auto insurance law changes on July 2 and all policies will become cheaper.....
....and I would like to say I will be dumping them, but the reality is they will be dumping me first because of my idiot son's two major fault accidents ending with the car being totaled.
::as you were::
hmmm... I'll see it when I believe it, but....
Michigan Orders RefundsGot another $43.83 check from my insurance today (because I didn't get the mail yesterday).
I got a second ten dollar check from my car insurance company.
Thx.
But today I feel like I accomplished a lot.
Pics in New DIY thread coming soon!
DJ, that was delightful!
Thank you for posting it. BRB, gotta go to KFC.
They like us, they really like us.
After some delay.
Nice !
I will start pulling supers this weekend. Looks to be a good year.
It became apparent late last year that my 1992 VW Passat Estate (originally Dad’s) would have to be retired, so just before Christmas I placed an order for a new car.
There was something of a waiting list and it was due to be built a week or two into March this year.
The tax and MoT on the existing wagon expired at the end of February so I declared it off road with DVLA and scrapped it a few days into March for which I was paid the princely sum of £155.
I only expected two or three weeks without a car which wasn’t any great problem.
Then the great lockdown started and my car was stuck in Germany for the duration.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to get Dad to a hospital or GP appointment but shopping was a pain in the fundament.
The local supermarket is pretty small but they use every inch of space efficiently and have been remarkable during the lockdown, but it has to be said that they don’t have everything and trips into town by train had to be endured. There’s a substantial walk at either end of the train journey which isn’t too bad if you’re not carrying shopping.
Anyway, fast forward to this week. After four months without a car I finally collected my new vehicle on Tuesday.
After what seemed an age they sorted out the paperwork, registered it with DVLA and handed me the keys.
Because of all the Covid 19 precautions I couldn’t be accompanied on a familiarisation drive so had to make my own arrangements.
Having started the thing (keyless ignition) and moved off, the first thing I did was check the brakes.
There’s no point it persuading it to move if you can’t persuade it to stop.
Having driven it a few yards to the main road I was faced with the choice of routing via the town centre or taking the longer route around the ring road.
I chose the longer route as I had no intention of making a right turn in a (very) unfamiliar vehicle.
Anyway, I got it home without any problems and drove it on a shopping trip yesterday but I think it will be a while before I am used to it.
There are bells and whistles on it of which, as yet, I do not understand the purpose, and some that I understand but am unlikely to use, but I think I’ve mastered the basics.
One particular feature that I find useful is the digital display which indicates the gear in use and gives you a ‘nudge’ when it is time to change up.
I shall now retire with the 400 page manual (I’m not joking) and reflect on a very long four months!
PS I've just realised that I composed the above without using the word 'happy'.
I am! That is all you need to know!
...without using the word 'happy'.
I am! That is all you need to know!
I'm happy you're happy w/your new car. New car,
WOOT!!!
And kudos for keeping the manual transmission alive!
Nice !
I will start pulling supers this weekend. Looks to be a good year.
Happy!
It became apparent late last year that my 1992 VW Passat Estate (originally Dad’s) would have to be retired, so just before Christmas I placed an order for a new car.
There was something of a waiting list and it was due to be built a week or two into March this year.
The tax and MoT on the existing wagon expired at the end of February so I declared it off road with DVLA and scrapped it a few days into March for which I was paid the princely sum of £155.
I only expected two or three weeks without a car which wasn’t any great problem.
Then the great lockdown started and my car was stuck in Germany for the duration.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to get Dad to a hospital or GP appointment but shopping was a pain in the fundament.
The local supermarket is pretty small but they use every inch of space efficiently and have been remarkable during the lockdown, but it has to be said that they don’t have everything and trips into town by train had to be endured. There’s a substantial walk at either end of the train journey which isn’t too bad if you’re not carrying shopping.
Anyway, fast forward to this week. After four months without a car I finally collected my new vehicle on Tuesday.
After what seemed an age they sorted out the paperwork, registered it with DVLA and handed me the keys.
Because of all the Covid 19 precautions I couldn’t be accompanied on a familiarisation drive so had to make my own arrangements.
Having started the thing (keyless ignition) and moved off, the first thing I did was check the brakes.
There’s no point it persuading it to move if you can’t persuade it to stop.
Having driven it a few yards to the main road I was faced with the choice of routing via the town centre or taking the longer route around the ring road.
I chose the longer route as I had no intention of making a right turn in a (very) unfamiliar vehicle.
Anyway, I got it home without any problems and drove it on a shopping trip yesterday but I think it will be a while before I am used to it.
There are bells and whistles on it of which, as yet, I do not understand the purpose, and some that I understand but am unlikely to use, but I think I’ve mastered the basics.
One particular feature that I find useful is the digital display which indicates the gear in use and gives you a ‘nudge’ when it is time to change up.
I shall now retire with the 400 page manual (I’m not joking) and reflect on a very long four months!
PS I've just realised that I composed the above without using the word 'happy'.
I am! That is all you need to know!
Happy!
You'd have thought they could have sent you the manual to read during lockdown!
I'm happy you're happy w/your new car. New car, WOOT!!!
And kudos for keeping the manual transmission alive!
As my Yorkshire ancestors might have said 'it were cheaper'.
Happy!
Happy!
You'd have thought they could have sent you the manual to read during lockdown!
That's a good point! :thumb:
OTOH, I might have been tempted to cancel once the complexity of both car and manual became apparent. :eek:
It became apparent late last year that my 1992 VW Passat Estate (originally Dad’s) would have to be retired, so just before Christmas I placed an order for a new car.
There was something of a waiting list and it was due to be built a week or two into March this year.
The tax and MoT on the existing wagon expired at the end of February so I declared it off road with DVLA and scrapped it a few days into March for which I was paid the princely sum of £155.
I only expected two or three weeks without a car which wasn’t any great problem.
Then the great lockdown started and my car was stuck in Germany for the duration.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to get Dad to a hospital or GP appointment but shopping was a pain in the fundament.
The local supermarket is pretty small but they use every inch of space efficiently and have been remarkable during the lockdown, but it has to be said that they don’t have everything and trips into town by train had to be endured. There’s a substantial walk at either end of the train journey which isn’t too bad if you’re not carrying shopping.
Anyway, fast forward to this week. After four months without a car I finally collected my new vehicle on Tuesday.
After what seemed an age they sorted out the paperwork, registered it with DVLA and handed me the keys.
Because of all the Covid 19 precautions I couldn’t be accompanied on a familiarisation drive so had to make my own arrangements.
Having started the thing (keyless ignition) and moved off, the first thing I did was check the brakes.
There’s no point it persuading it to move if you can’t persuade it to stop.
Having driven it a few yards to the main road I was faced with the choice of routing via the town centre or taking the longer route around the ring road.
I chose the longer route as I had no intention of making a right turn in a (very) unfamiliar vehicle.
Anyway, I got it home without any problems and drove it on a shopping trip yesterday but I think it will be a while before I am used to it.
There are bells and whistles on it of which, as yet, I do not understand the purpose, and some that I understand but am unlikely to use, but I think I’ve mastered the basics.
One particular feature that I find useful is the digital display which indicates the gear in use and gives you a ‘nudge’ when it is time to change up.
I shall now retire with the 400 page manual (I’m not joking) and reflect on a very long four months!
PS I've just realised that I composed the above without using the word 'happy'.
I am! That is all you need to know!
I got a brand new car late last year. We can swap familiarisation stories if you like!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
oof. Touch screen interface... hate. I had an Alpine system with a cassette deck in my CJ-7, that was peak technology.
The more you drive the comfortable you'll feel.
Well teutonic level comfort anyway.
Now the problem is shooing the local babes away. :yesnod:
Now the problem is shooing the local babes away. :yesnod:
If only! :)
Don't let Dad catch you sparkin' in the parlor after he goes to bed.
I'm happy for friends in Ohio because July 1st the state ceased to require a front licence plate. They had been registering their cars in PA for years which was a pain in the ass.
Got up at 5:30 and drove to the West Branch of the Delaware. Apparently the water at reservoir release was 46.5F today. We paddled from Stilesville, NY to Shehawken, PA.
I finally shelved all my dictionaries. I had to move travel books to another case, and have a double row in places but..... :D
oh and the fireworks were THE BEST (although no wind meant shrapnel showers..... I have dandruff like Braille and you could probably build an entire new firework from what was in my bra....
They have fireworks at a school and a fire company that I can hear from inside my house. I didn't hear anything tonight. Might of been called off or I'm getting deafer.
All public fireworks are cancelled here. These were not :) Just professional quality and then some :D
Hmm, do you have a Geiger counter? :lol:
By 10 am, I had completed the cleaning of the garage roof.
Befores:
[ATTACH]70934[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70933[/ATTACH]
Afters:
[ATTACH]70936[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70935[/ATTACH]
Nice work! Roof stuff is fun. Power washing, too.
Now you've taken off the extra layer of protection from the sun and the elements. :p:
definitely one way of looking at it.
that same layer slowed the removal of the element water, which wants to get to the center of the earth. I want to expedited its journey by moving it off the roof most quickly.
Turf, and a goat to mow it. :lol:
Turf, and a goat to mow it. :lol:
You speak in jest, but being famously literal and humorless, I believe you make a good point, one I do support. But, support is key here. The structure was not made to support the weight of a turf roof. Unfortunately. I love the look and the idea but a real turf roof would crush the structure underneath after letting it soak into rottenness.
There's a real green roof at the Blueberry Park nearby, just the roof over the picnic shelter. It's quite solid, post and beam construction with no need for walls. They've even applied a rubber base layer and "walls" along the roof to contain the water from the drip irrigation also installed. There are mostly tiny sedums and other succulents. I do see some grassy volunteers planted by the birds.
[ATTACH]70944[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]70945[/ATTACH]
I find them attractive and I appreciate your encouragement and creativity.
What's that weigh when saturated with water, I wonder...
What's that weigh when saturated with water, I wonder...
Well, are the supports made of African or European timber?
Well, are the supports made of African or European timber?
I heard that in my head with a bad British accent....
ow, my toe!
Don't cross the threads! :eek:
Well, are the supports made of African or European timber?
:lol2:
Got a letter from my Insurance company saying after the two $44 checks I got they are going to continue to send me C-virus discount checks for the next four months. Don't have the heart to tell them about Watkins Glen in September.
I finally - FINALLY - had a haircut this morning.
I was in need of one at the time when lockdown commenced at the beginning of March, and things, not surprisingly, have gone from bad to worse.
I went through the badly thatched cottage phase some weeks ago and had become perilously close to bearing a horrible resemblance to Peter Stringfellow.
I had considered various courses of action during the interregnum, including the 'all off look', a pony tail and even, horror upon horror, a man bun.
I mentioned the latter option to a neighbour who said she wouldn't speak to me if I did that. :)
Anyway, I left behind enough hair (in a rather fetching shade of grey since you ask) to stuff a settee.
Chillingly, I also had to leave contact details which is only to have been expected in the current situation, but on balance I am HAPPY!
Chillingly, I also had to leave contact details which is only to have been expected in the current situation, but on balance I am HAPPY!
Oh, folks, you are in for a treat today--if you look out the left side of our rover, you'll see a beautiful specimen of Contactus tracetus, a rare beast indeed! C. tracetus can't thrive in our harsh American climate, but it does well in calmer, more level-headed habitats of the world. Get some good pictures, because you'll probably never see one of these beauts again!
Oh, folks, you are in for a treat today--if you look out the left side of our rover, you'll see a beautiful specimen of Contactus tracetus, a rare beast indeed! C. tracetus can't thrive in our harsh American climate, but it does well in calmer, more level-headed habitats of the world. Get some good pictures, because you'll probably never see one of these beauts again!
This says it all.
Happy: I'm on vacation and off Bacefook!
Man, that's the epitome of adulthood joy, right there. Relax in a hammock and watch the young people have fun. Vicarious excitement without all the sunburn and sore muscles.
My computer is fixed :):)
It full on died last weekend, and I got it back from the repair shop yesterday.
My computer is fixed :):)
It full on died last weekend, and I got it back from the repair shop yesterday.
Power supply, perchance?
Whatever it was, I hope it wasn't expensive.
Perhaps sabotaged by an animal who shan't be named to increase lap time? :eyebrow:
Power supply, perchance?
Whatever it was, I hope it wasn't expensive.
Alas - Motherboard was kaput
Needed a new board, processor and ram
Not cheap - fortunately the two Js were able to help with the bill )
Alas - Motherboard was kaput
Needed a new board, processor and ram
Not cheap - fortunately the two Js were able to help with the bill )
Ouch! Treble trouble. :eek:
The reason I ask is that I used to help a local computer repair bod and the first port of call for any machine that was dead on arrival was to check the power supply.
Quite often, lightning had created a surge in the overhead telephone line which took the shortest route to earth which, of course, was via the PSU knackering it in the process.
It was a quick and easy repair and relatively inexpensive.
Sorry to hear that you drew the short straw this time.
I knew it wasnt the power supply, because it was drawing power - it would start the boot up process, it wold light up and sound like it was about to start whirring - then just shut down after a few seconds without ever fully booting up
I thought it would be the motor/ fan - alas not :P
From downstairs, I hear Minifobette absolutely shouting and screaming in her room. This would be questionable in any case, but certainly while she's supposed to be in class over the computer...
So I go listen through the door, and eventually figure out that she is in class--gym class. They're doing their start-of-year evaluations (the FitnessGram Pacer Test, for those hip to the jargon,) and apparently the distance learning version involves one kid on the floor in their room doing pushups or whatever, and the rest of the class aggressively cheerleading on camera, complete with jumping, kicks, etc.
My daughter screamed, "Get it, Ethan!" like a rabid MMA fan, then coordinated the other kids in a mass cha-cha slide to celebrate his prowess.
It was super cute.
Had two dr appointments today. 50 miles away. Latest in every week visits for a couple months.
They both cut me loose.
Dobby is free!!:cheerldr:
Again.
Til next time.:neutral:
yay! happy to read that :)
I got a Bug-a-Salt lawn and garden edition today for my birfday from the the kids and my GF. I've always wanted one but couldn't justify the $.
Can't wait to go buy some regular table salt and leave the screen door open!
Have a happy birthday!
Deth to flys!
You are with the right peeps. Happy Birthday Man!
Happy birthday! I should get my mom ones of those. She looooooathes slugs. She generally does not approve of alcohol, but she's happy to use beer on slugs.
What's making me happy? I just rode my bike and crossed 200 miles for July, surpassing my previous monthly record of 175.
Thnaks Folks! I just got some salt but all the flies are hiding bc of the cold. Will report!
Flies flew fleeing desecration and destruction by desiccation bringing briny bloody bits basting baseboards.
What's making me happy? I just rode my bike and crossed 200 miles for [COLOR="Red"]July[/COLOR], surpassing my previous monthly record of 175.
Did you mean August? 200 miles is a lot of time spent peddling your ass around town. ;)
Did you mean August? 200 miles is a lot of time spent peddling your ass around town. ;)
I did indeed, 175 was my count for July.
And you're correct. I'm currently usually averaging about 11mph, with occasional bursts to 12 depending on my route. There are two limits to this: my ability to pedal uphill (there are lots of hills around here, practically nothing flat), and safety constraints. Like, one of my most common routes goes past the local elementary school. There's a very slight downward slope. But it's a curve with street parking on both sides (leaving about 1.75 lanes for traffic), in a residential neighborhood with lots of kids. I could easily do 20+mph if I didn't care whether I hit a kid on a scooter or a car coming through the curve from the opposite direction.
That sounds like a section that gets plenty of concern beforehand and deserves a drink after. :beer:
I assume you're doing this for the health benefits rather than saving money on gas or some altruistic motivation. So got a new reason to want to live long?
edit;
Damn, there must be a hell of a market for salt guns, these are just a few of the V2.0 and V3.0 guns.
Yeah, I'd kind of like to commute by bike to work, but I don't think it's practical. (You Can't Get There From Here, at least not without more traffic-heavy routes than I'm willing to deal with on my bike.) As for a reason? I have no reason for anything. If I waited till I had a reason, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning. (Or any other morning.)
If I waited till I had a reason, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning. (Or any other morning.)
Word.
snip--
As for a reason? I have no reason for anything. If I waited till I had a reason, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning. (Or any other morning.)
Just like every other Blursday here too.
Shot two files yesterday! One simply disappeared. It was on a screen then it wasn't there anymore. Not a trace. The second one I winged and saw it spiral down like a flaming plane from a WWII (the BIG one) film.
I often wish my birthday was a bit earlier in the year. So few flies left. I'm debating leaving some rotten meat in the yard.
That's the spirit, meat wasps for everyone!
Remember this post from 3.5 years ago?
So, uh, the book's finally been announced. I'm happy. :)
www.sidmeiersmemoir.com
Uh... Clodfobble, is that you? Amazon says: "Best Seller"
[ATTACH]71375[/ATTACH]
Clod is the creator of civilization under the pen name Sid Meier? :confused:
Uh... Clodfobble, is that you?
It me! Also this is me, from today (interview starts at 15:55, formatting stops being wonky about 16:20):
[YOUTUBE]h7jRuw3_EcE[/YOUTUBE]
Ha!
"my eyes are up here..."
Ok back to the show!
She'll be taking over the tonight show in a year. :thumb:
I mean, if Jimmy Fallon invites me, I won't turn it down. But you better believe Stephen Colbert gets priority.
Sure, he's okay, too, though I'd rather do his podcast than his show. Everyone knows an hour is more fun than six minutes. ;)
The unlicensed uninsured kid down the hill did this in Dad's yard last night and was not killed. We all get our warning, I hope he's paying attention.
The unlicensed uninsured kid down the hill did this in Dad's yard last night and was not killed. We all get our warning, I hope he's paying attention.
That’s remarkable. I’ve never seen anything like that.
Wow. I assume the car was totaled; did he have any injuries?
What kind of tree was that?
The kid is unhurt, he "fell asleep". The car is out of commission. It was a maple my brother-in- law transplanted years ago. He apparently killed a lot of roots because that kid should be dead. The tree soaked up all that energy and shattered, crazy.
Was the ground soaked? Not sure where the rain stopped, but the ground here has been very soggy all week.
My uncle suggested he could sell some of his weapons to pay for damages. I actually loled. They're dirt poor and armed to the teeth as God™ intended.
Wooow...
Happy the kid's ok.
Wood is tough.
What a great story you made with your camera.
Wow.
Was the ground soaked? Not sure where the rain stopped, but the ground here has been very soggy all week.
Pretty dry here. The showers that were around missed.
I've been on this pandemic-inspired fix up my house jag. Some of you may remember that about 13 years ago I started an ambitious addition to my house project that stalled after double rotator cuff injuries, divorce, depression, and wolves. This year I was determined to get the addition sided. Yesterday I got the gable end completed. I'll post photos later.
It's a huge feeling of relief and accomplishment. I still have two more walls to do but they are smaller and not as complex.
yayyayyay footfootfoot. When you're all done with that, pop over here, would ya?
Bout time, but now I have to do the shit I've been putting off until you finished your siding. :sniff:
Not quite as dramatic as Griff's door and foootsie's work, but I finished the gravel round the AC unit project. Before, it was muddy with a few straggly weeds and became a quagmire when the faucet was in use. I have also worked on the faucet connection being less leaky, but it's just an asshole. I bought the stuff and started this projecct a while back....then stalled. But now I is done and I are very happy with it :D
Very tidy looking.
Tidy, that's the word.
Good job.
My Son, he is making me happy today. He is just few months older.
Got m'car back from the car doctor yesterday afternoon.
New drums, shoes, spring kit for the rear. Apperently, there was a miscommunication and no work was done under the hood, so, I still have the intermittent very high idle issue. If/when I take care of that, that'll be everything mechanical that needs attn.
I was expecting a very large bill, but got out for under $200.
That's not bad at all! Half the time they charge that much just to look at you sideways.
agreed.
Wish I could lend you bikerboi -he's a dab hand on the engine side of things, but you're a tad far away. He bought a "project" bike this summer for $700 including a shitload of spare parts and tools that he had to push to the workshop (my garage), has only spent a few hours actually working on it (several more on research, I think) and maybe $100, but has done all sorts of weird shit like changing the diameter of some holes on the carbs so all the cycles are correct (do I sound like I understood ll that he told me? ;) ) and now he's riding it as his regular bike. Reckons it's worth a few $K. He does similar things with cars too. Weirdo.
oops that turned into a rambling brag, didn't mean it to, but he does impress me. His money sense outside of cars and bikes is for shit tho..... :D
I was ok with the bill, but it really was just a glorified rear brake job...[/meh] I was expecting fair-to-serious problems.
Not to mention the fact that I know the guy. Prolly charged me extra cuz he knows me!:lol2:
$200 for any brake job is pretty unheard of up here.....
Not bad for a drum job but I wonder what took so long. I guess he figured he could slide it down the priority list because you couldn't come yell at him... he had your car. ;)
agreed.
Wish I could lend you bikerboi -he's a dab hand on the engine side of things, but you're a tad far away. He bought a "project" bike this summer for $700 including a shitload of spare parts and tools that he had to push to the workshop (my garage), has only spent a few hours actually working on it (several more on research, I think) and maybe $100, but has done all sorts of weird shit like changing the diameter of some holes on the carbs so all the cycles are correct (do I sound like I understood ll that he told me? ;) ) and now he's riding it as his regular bike. Reckons it's worth a few $K. He does similar things with cars too. Weirdo.
oops that turned into a rambling brag, didn't mean it to, but he does impress me. His money sense outside of cars and bikes is for shit tho..... :D
That is a cool brag. If he's ever bored he can come rebuild my Dad's Farmall H.
That's not bad at all! Half the time they charge that much just to look at you sideways.
You can save a lot of money by walking around to face them. Mechanics hate that one simple trick.
My friends, my family.
Thanks guys. :D
wear scarves, with summer here the same 5 dresses, but different scarves, changes it up!
Also, keep a list of things you need. Great idea...
Also have a couple go - to outfits, when you can't find anything else.. I have some that are comfy and cute, so when I'm feeling bloated or the days that nothing works, they always do! :)
wear scarves, with summer here the same 5 dresses, but different scarves, changes it up!
Also, keep a list of things you need. Great idea...
Also have a couple go - to outfits, when you can't find anything else.. I have some that are comfy and cute, so when I'm feeling bloated or the days that nothing works, they always do! :)
Bit of a non-sequitur there, Metalhead, but welcome!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Fixed the car.
This is the 25 year old one. It has had issues over the years, but was always reliable. Runs like a top.
Well, over the last week or two, it has simply not started. Intermittently. Sometimes it starts. Sometime it doesn't even crank. Just a single click. MOTHERFUCKER. And then a few tries later, it does start.
This is the kind of thing that can cost real money, and can be caused by a number of things.
The battery voltage seemed a little low, so I pulled it out and took it to Autozone. They tested is and said it was good. So not the battery. That was too bad. I figured a battery would be easy to do, and fairly cheap. Kudos to Autozone for not selling me a single thing.
I remembered after we got the automatic transmission cars, I would sometimes get into this Prizm and try to start it without pressing in the clutch, and it would make no noise, just a single click. So I kept thinking about the clutch. Maybe the car didn't think I was pressing down on the clutch.
So I did some research, and watched a few diagnosing videos on youtube. Everybody eventually mentions the starter, after discussing the battery and corrosion on cables. The starter on this car is buried in the hardest spot to reach. Under the intake manifold at the back of the engine, over the suspension, and catalytic converter. Really close to the fire wall. Basically impossible to see, test, or get at without taking everything apart. I so didn't want to deal with it, which means a mechanic would also charge two arms and a leg to do it too.
But that clutch pedal. I kept thinking about the clutch pedal. I've got the factory manual and the chilton's manual, and I looked up the location of the safety start override switch on the clutch pedal, and read about it. Looked at circuit diagrams. It could be the issue, but unlikely. The car doesn't want you to try to start it when it is already running, because you will cause major damage. So they have an override switch so it won't start if you don't press in on the clutch.
Then I went to ToyotaNation web forum to see if they had any insights. First I did I quick search, and somebody mentioned the clutch pedal as a possible problem when a car wouldn't start, and also mentioned bits of broken plastic on the drivers floor as an indicator.
How could I forget? I saw bits of plastic on the driver's floor the other day. I assumed it was just trash my son had left there. BUt there were definitely bits of plastic that I couldn't identify.
So I went out and crawled into the driver's side with a mirror and flashlight and looked up under the dash as I pressed the clutch in with my hand.
The clutch pedal normally has a cushioned bracket on the arm that pushes against the switch. My cushion is completely missing, and the funny thing is the hole in the metal bracket that holds the cushion lines up almost perfectly with the poky bit of the clutch pedal switch, so when you push the clutch all the way to the floor, the metal bracket on the clutch pedal goes around the switch, not depressing it. If you exert a little sideways pressure on the pedal, then the metal plate depresses the switch, and the switch engages.
That explains my intermittent start issue. Sometimes the metal bracket was pressing on the switch when I pressed on the pedal jut slightly differently. Often it didn't.
For what it's worth, My son was recently learning how to drive stick on this car, and he was really giving it a beating. I bet the 25 year old rubber/plastic cushion broke during that process.
So I ordered a replacement cushion from Toyota for $20 for a $1 part, but in the meantime I took a little electrical tape and a felt button and taped a makeshift cushion to the clutch pedal to engage the switch. I tried starting the car 15-20 times, and it started every single time.
So long story short is the car was unreliable for a week or so and had a major problem that would likely have cost more than the car was worth to fix, and I fixed it for free with crap I had lying around the house.
/Happy camper.
Bravo!
Excellent work, detective and mechanic. Oh, and you write well, too.
Good on ya, Glattman!
Prizm. I thought Geo (Chevy) made Prizms.
Nevermind, I just Wiki'd it, and (Today I Learned) found out a Geo Prizm is just a Toyota Sprinter/Corolla.
The car doesn't want you to try to start it when it is already running, because you will cause major damage. So they have an override switch so it won't start if you don't press in on the clutch.
If you press on the clutch pedal the car isn't moving but the engine still is. I'm sure they use one of several ways to prevent you from engaging the starter into the running engine(flywheel).
That switch on the pedal disconnects the starter(engine) from the wheels so you won't squeeze somebody between the car and the wall or another car.
Regardless, you done good, those switches are a pain in the ass see, even harder to get to. My truck has one on the brake pedal so it won't start without my foot on the brake and it's an automatic.
I'm sure you made the kid happy which is a second feather in your cap. :D
Good on ya, Glattman!
Prizm. I thought Geo (Chevy) made Prizms.
Nevermind, I just Wiki'd it, and (Today I Learned) found out a Geo Prizm is just a Toyota Sprinter/Corolla.
Yeah, back when we bought this car, you could get much more car for the same money if you got one with the Geo badge. Otherwise, we would have just bought a Carolla. We got the folding rear seats, remote mirrors, and tape deck for the same price as the base model Toyota that had none of those. :)
That kind of fix is one of best feeling things I know.
Be glad you are here because usually nobody you tell gives a shit.
That switch on the pedal disconnects the starter(engine) from the wheels so you won't squeeze somebody between the car and the wall or another car.
That makes good sense.
Minifobette and I did our first volunteer shift at a local rescue shelter today. She's been struggling with *vague gesture* all of this, and told me during a low point "I just want to play with dogs."
I had to work hard to find a place that would let kids volunteer (and still only with an adult,) but it's not too far away, and their tasks include both dog walking and "socializing," which is literally just "take an animal out and play with it for as long as you want." Plus, the walking will be secretly good for her, too.
One small hitch was that while volunteering slots include weekends, training had to happen on a weekday. So I said fuck it and pulled her out of class. As far as I'm concerned, it's therapy, and thus an excusable medical appointment.
the dog training will enrich her more than whatever they were covering in school.
Sounds like urrbody benefits.
Win.
gives new meaning to "lucky dog"
:)
Yeah, you know what she needs.
They're back!
https://apnews.com/article/wildlife-australia-animals-indonesia-tasmanian-devils-68d6281e4d9342dfbd0d3a5e41ac38c7
Tasmanian devils, which were once called Sarcophilus satanicus or “Satanic flesh-lover,” went extinct in mainland Australia before the arrival of Europeans. Scientists believe the introduction of carnivorous dingoes, a surge in the indigenous human population, and a devastating dry season cause by a prolonged El Nino caused the devil to migrate to present-day Tasmania, said University of Tasmania ecologist Menna Jones.So far, my morning coffee and breakfast soup.
that looks EXTREMELY bitey.
Yikes.
Hopefully this population is
clear of disease.
that looks EXTREMELY bitey.
Yikes.
awww, he just wants a little salami
awww, he just wants a little salami
did you hide the salami?
that looks EXTREMELY bitey.
Yes...
So far my cup of java....
Hopefully this population is clear of disease.
Yeah, I was wondering 'bout the face cancer thing.
Well, happier now since eating my breakfast chili..
They claim to be clean.
Who claims of be clean of what?????
Devil facial tumor disease...
poor little dudes
I have only a bit more siding to put up and the addition that I started 13 years ago will be, well, not finished but sided! That means I can finish running wiring and insulate it. Next spring/summer will be painting the rest of the place to match and replacing some funky trim boards.
tomorrow is a rain day so I will probably work inside the shop making stuffs.
Do we get a video walk thru when you are done?
that reminds me, I need to buy a Lego set for my niece
that reminds me, I need to buy a Lego set for my niece
hahaha! I was thinking about painting the door purple but I couldn't quite bring myself to do it.
Looks good!
Thanks.
Do we get a video walk thru when you are done?
Yes, I'll do that.
hahaha! I was thinking about painting the door purple but I couldn't quite bring myself to do it.
We'll do that one night in your sleep then.
Love it man!
Looking very good. I like colors.
Thanks. It's by far the most colorful house in the village.
My shoulder is starting to feel a lot better. It's been a damn slow haul - 12 weeks or so of near constant pain and not much sleep. I am almost back to full range of movement again and can see light at the end of the tunnel*
* I am reasonably sure it is not an oncoming train
was glad to see this:
[ATTACH]71729[/ATTACH]
My shoulder is starting to feel a lot better. It's been a damn slow haul - 12 weeks or so of near constant pain and not much sleep. I am almost back to full range of movement again and can see light at the end of the tunnel*
* I am reasonably sure it is not an oncoming train
This is good, Pete was struggling with shoulder pain and it did a number on her sleep. (my sleep ;))
:)
Yeah - at least I didn't have to disturb anybody else's sleep (with the possible exception of Carrot)
Hope Pete's has sorted out - not fun.
I've been letting myself go on the computer a bit more during my downtime this past week (didn't intend to spend quite this much time tbh, but I arrived back at the family farm to find a 3 ring fire and it's been kind of hard to look away) - and so far it's not too bad.
I have a day off work today and thinking I should employ some self-restraint and go listen to an audiobook for a bit while i have the opportunity of a mostly computer-free day
:)
Good news on Pete's as well, it was calcium deposits and the Nurse Practitioner was able to use ultrasound and lavage to break it up and remove it. Unbelievably good outcome after so much pain.
ahh - they aren't sure whether mine is a recurrence of calcium deposits (have had calcific tendonitis on and off for a few years) or arthritis. I think they are trying to avoid having people go for face to face consultations and procedures unless its fairly urgent. Doc said if it isn't responding to the meds within 3 weeks I need to go see him. So far so good - think I should be ok.
I've heard mixed reports of that way of dealing with calcium deposits - works really well for some people, but not for everyone. At least I think it was something like that But - the last time I looked into it was when I first had the tendon thing about 6 or 7 years back. I might ask the doc about it if this keeps flaring up.
Back in July, my A1C was 12.3.
They checked it today.
6.6. Wootwooot!!!
LDL was 106.
That is better than my A1c. You are an Awesome Person.
Squirrel-o'mine came over for a visit and was straightening out the placemats at the table and she said, "Here's your phone." FML If I had bothered to have sit down at the table dinner with the kids instead of "Couch Dinner" I would have found my phone days ago.
That's hilarious--er, I mean, sorry for your pain. But also, hilarious.
A1C sounds great. It is nice to have a clear indication of your status and a clear, if not necessarily easy, way to maintain it.
Mr. Digr, that is beyond impressive.
She took me off the metformin, too.
That's a big one for me. I was on 2000 mg a day. One of my other docs said that there aren't too many ppl that can successfully tolerate that much. I couldn't. The most I could do was 1500 mg, and still suffered just crazy diarrhea. Like pouring water out of a bucket.
And now I'm off it completely. For now, anyway. We'll watch the numbers, and see.
What is A1C?
Congratulations even if i don't know for what.
A1c
https://www.diabetes.org/a1c
Wow. That's insane:
"The test results give you a picture of your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months."
I can barley remember what I ate for breakfast yet my average blood sugar levels are determinable 2-3 months later.
Suck on THAT shit grapeseeds
27 years of marriage
What Clodfobble said.
Congrats!
congrats to
Mrs Ghost
![John Dillenbeck]("http://pictures.dealer.com/cherryhillnissan/beb275014046381e016721bd71a97b30.jpg"){kind=link}
![this]("http://thesportboys.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/pickle.jpg"){kind=link}
![I DID ALL THE THINGS]("http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D_Z-D2tzi14/TBpOnhVqyAI/AAAAAAAADFU/8tfM4E_Z4pU/s1600/responsibility12%28alternate%29.png"){kind=link}
![pheasants]("http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HCfDgM8pJI8/TNGJp0AbRiI/AAAAAAAAAHk/cwFIy4xAzcM/s1600/A%2520Pheasant.jpg"){kind=link}
![red deer]("http://wild-scotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Red-Deer-005-Wild-West-Safari.jpg"){kind=link}
![GoogleImageSearchResult]("https://www.google.com/search?q=cockcake&gws_rd=ssl&tbm=isch#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=veCdkQTKbEFJ-M%253A%3BEJgnBMldf-SAJM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.imgur.com%252FSzkG5U1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.reddit.com%252Fr%252FWTF%252Fcomments%252F27jre0%252Fcockcakes%252F%3B960%3B720"){kind=link}
