Something Cheeky

So I got a promotion...

2007-06-06T21:07:00.000-04:00

Kinda like totally out of the blue. Basically I've got the title to go with all of the work I have been doing. A let down? Yeah, a bit. To answer your next burning question, yes they gave me more money. When it is all said and done, I dont have to max out my credit cards as fast to pay bills now. Got to love the economy ;)

Drop me a line, I've been a bad blogger but I'd love to hear from all of my peeps out there.

Humbling Facts

2007-05-02T15:06:00.000-04:00

By the numbers

28 Number of committees the ERA ratification bill has been referred to in both branches of the Legislature since 2003.

1 Number of committees in the Florida Legislature that have actually heard the bill since 2003.

2, 520 Number of bills filed in the Florida Legislature this year.

25 Number of substantive bills that haven't gotten any committee assignment this session.

1972 Year Congress approved the ERA, subject to ratification by the states.

35 Number of states that have ratified the ERA.

3 Number of states still needed for the Constitution to be amended to include the ERA.

77 cents What the U.S. Census says is the median figure representing what women made to every dollar men made in full-time employment in 2002.

Happy Birthday to ... me!

2007-01-27T10:05:00.000-05:00

After working 25 days straight, something like 90+ hours a week, a bill conference, special session, a man collapsing from a heart attack in front of my desk, and the boss who helped me get my job telling people he's leaving, I think the least I deserve is a day off with a fruity rum drink for my birthday ;)

Too much work, not enough hours

2007-01-11T00:39:00.000-05:00

That pretty much sums up life in the big city for me. At this rate, I'll be working on maxing out my comp time before the 'big show' even gets cranked up. Not only that but I have a pretty accurate gut feeling that my last day off was January 1 ... such a humbling state of affairs here in the sunshine capital.

Happy 2007!

2007-01-02T17:09:00.000-05:00

May all of you have a wonderful and prosperous New Year!

Good health, good times, good friends, good tidings... all the very best.

Work is kicking my butt

2006-12-19T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here, there and everywhere...As has been the course since I started working for this great state. But it seems now that I am in the thick of it. Now, more than ever I've got to wake up and put my game face on before I get to the office. So much for warm holiday thoughts :(

How appropriate ;)

2006-10-16T10:51:00.000-04:00

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits.
Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle.
Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it.
You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?

If you have the time...

2006-10-04T15:24:00.000-04:00

Please sign this petition to bring the issue of PCOS to the medical mainstream. New research is coming to light that as many as 10% of women have PCOS and only 5% are diagnosed. As our nation becomes more inundated with maladies brought on by lifestyle, it is important to become educated on health issues that present complications that are misdiagnosed.

I've been diagnosed with PCOS and this is a very important issue to me. Thankfully, there are people in my life who have become educated and shared this information with me. Compound that with the dedication I have to know about this syndrome and my pursuit of quality healthcare, I implore you to sign this petition and make a difference. Chances are I am not the only person you know with this syndrome. Help make a difference in their lives if not for me.

The information you are asked to provide for this petition is minimal. You will only receive one follow up email to confirm your signature.

Thank you for your time.

Celtic Horoscope

2006-10-03T16:00:00.000-04:00

You Are A Cypress Tree

You are strong, adaptable, and striving to be content.
You're good at taking what life has to give - even if you don't like it.
A passionate lover who can't be satisfied, you are quick tempered at times.
You hate loneliness, want love and affection, and need to be needed.
A bit of a live wire, you love to gain knowledge any cost... and you can be careless at times.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

Something about a rising sign...

2006-10-03T15:59:00.000-04:00

Your Rising Sign is Virgo

Well put-together and elegant, you sometimes seem standoffish.
And truth be told, sometimes you do feel superior to those around you.

A bit shy and introverted, you tend to stay quiet - even if you're feeling social.
At parties, you can seem like you're very serious while you're having fun.

You clever and ingenious, with an alert and active mind.
Good at facts and figures, you excel at logical and mathematical tasks.

What's Your Rising Sign?

Save Top Gear!!

2006-09-26T09:42:00.000-04:00

I've come to the realization that due to my lack of constant updating, not a lot of people read this anymore. In spite of that, I've got to include this link to Save Top Gear. Those finicky Brits want to cancel the show due to an accident sustained by one of their hosts. But as a consumate car lover and host of the show, Jeremy Clarkson defends the program and challenges the BBC to keep it on the air.

Take a minute, sign the petition and champion free speech. Even if it is for those chaps across the pond.

What's enough water?

2006-09-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

Take a sec to check out this great post about the benefits of drinking water. Part of my summer rejuvenation project has included drinking half of my body weight in ounces of water. Sure it sounds scary but once you get into the swing of things, you'll be amazed how much better you feel. Yes, I still drink other beverages but knowing how much water you're supposed to drink and achieving that goal is half the battle.

Listening to: May this be love by Jimi Hendrix

Sensible Eating and other ramblings

2006-09-14T16:36:00.000-04:00

Here's a call to all of the healthy/vegetarian eaters out there who happen to read this from time to time. I am still on the healthy kick (yay me!) and am trying to delve into the world of Boca Burgers and other meatless but meat-themed products. I've tried the Publix Greenwise and it is pretty good and there is a pack of boca's in my freezer. What would you guys suggest I try next?

I guess I want to try tofu but am totally lost in where to start. Email me or leave comments if you'd like to give me a primer.

And this is a great emag that I've recently come across: Sirens

Ooh my pretty gadget!

2006-09-14T16:21:00.000-04:00

So I've gotta say I'm loving my new shiny electronic toy. No, no not that kind of toy but a Sansa e260 that I was able to get for dirt cheap thanks to a savvy bargain hunter (Z7) and a good friend of this blog (JW). Finally, after my laziness and apathy, I got it hooked up so I can rock out at work. Perfect timing too since it's getting busy and my office is scheduled for computer reinvestment on Monday. (slaps forehead, great timing Raven)

Anyway...so you ask why Sansa and not iPod? Well, it came down to two factors a) fundage and b) storage space. Quite frankly the Sansa was more bang for the buck. I (heart) apple and all but I cant afford their bling. I know my brother has an iPod and loves it but he also conned my dad into tagging it on his order with a reasonable repayment schedule. Not so lucky 400 odd miles away.

My inspiration for this post comes after an especially mentally tiring day. The only way I survived was through the power of meditiation and music. Call it mesmorized by the shininess or something like that.

Track playing now: Thelonius Monk, Bye-Ya

Lifestyles of the humble and healthy

2006-08-08T08:59:00.000-04:00

After trying the Vanilla Chai Tea on a particularly busy errand day, I became hooked on the stuff. Bolthouse Farms has a pretty good chunk of products at the local Publix store. My favorite treats from them come from their beverage line. Be sure to check them out at your local mega market or Whole Foods (if you're lucky enough to have one) or even Fresh Market.

I've got to say, the whole summer of eating healthy revolution has really turned me on to some great stuff. Only reason I wrote about Bolthouse Farms today is that I brought in one of the C-Boost because I am feeling kinda puny and need to give my immune system a helping hand. Some of the other great things I've tried and switched to include whole wheat pasta (never thought I'd see the day!), all kinds of uses for black beans, oodles of products from Kashi, yummy couscous from Near East, and an overall better sense of well being. To be honest, I never gave this lifestyle change much credit but today I can not ever see myself going back.

They call me...

2006-08-07T07:57:00.000-04:00

The Mistress of Cooking with a house that smells so fine you lose track of time, er, um, yeah, something like that.

So after feeling pretty puny for most of Saturday I decided to make up for it by cooking for the rest of the weekend. Lots of good eats to be sure but my dishpan hands are another story. Healthy eats are to be had at my little abode. Hopefully, this cooking trend will last and I can finally have some pennies in my piggy bank.

Uncooperative Blogger

2006-06-08T13:38:00.000-04:00

I really wanted to update today but blogger is crashing on me. Just goes to show how long I've been away.

Honestly, I wouldnt be surprised if people gave up on reading my stuff anyway. The last couple months have been hella hectic.

Quick updates:

Session is finally over
I kick some serious ass at my job
my summer plan is to get into a healthier lifestyle
still living in Tallahassee :( and still broke

S-O-S

2006-05-23T13:05:00.000-04:00

Yeah I am stumping again for my entertainment. I'll keep it short and sweet...Sign it:Save Love Monkey

Thanks!

The World is Round

2006-05-08T12:06:00.000-04:00

And therefore it is impossible that I would have fallen off. Although I have been *swamped* with work. Completely and utterly deluged by public administration.

I figured if there really was anyone out there that still checked this page that it would be nice to know it wasnt a dead link.

I am alive. Thanks for asking. Tip your waitress.

A great show you're probably not watching...

2006-03-10T12:38:00.000-05:00

Hustle now being shown on AMC and it is definitely worth setting up TiVo or DVR or even program your VCR to watch it. The premise is a group of grifters band together in order to run one last con before Mickey Stone retires. Using a group of five pros, this con is a snap. Well almost. Mickey doesn't retire, he just gets hungry for more. And now because of the generosity of AMC and the BBC we get to watch episodes of Hustle.

I was instantly hooked when I saw the first episode and it's a show not often missed when the DVR gets the weekly overhaul. It's got a pretty good slot on Saturday from what the press says but I always tape mine which means there are several opportunities to catch this smart and very entertaining show.

Raise your hand if you're offended...

2006-03-01T12:28:00.000-05:00

(and your mouth is gaping open from the latest round of advertising)

I am a huge advocate of personal responsibility and educated consumers. What I am not a fan of is hokey advertising that treats 75% of the general population like monkeys in an exhibit at the zoo.

Right now my wtf face is turned to the marketers for e.p.t..

Scene: woman running in the park. Bends over to tie shoe.
Voice over: I cant seem to focus, maybe I'm pregnant.

Yeah, stop right there. WTF? W. T. F.? Maybe I'm pregnant? What kind of loss of focus solution is that? Hell, I am without focus on a daily basis but I am damn sure that it isnt because I am prego. This is the kind of advertising that takes us (the viewing audience) as a bunch of buffoons. How in the world does having a lack of focus equal pregnancy? And it encourages stupidity about being smart and practicing safe sex or at least being aware enough of some kind of contraceptive measure if you dont want to be with child after getting it on.

Hooray for getting the word out on drug store pregnancy tests. Boo for being morons about it and cramming the lamest line in the world as a lead-in for your commercial. Seriously. People have bad days and lose their focus. Not everyone is pregnant.

After all this bitching I still dont have a suave way of approaching the "I'm late for my period and holy shit, I might be pregnant" angle. All I know, there has to be a better option than this.

Going for the low blow

2006-02-28T15:41:00.000-05:00

More often than not, good ideas are shelved for those "ideas" that seem to convey the point better by using the easy button. Case in point: deciding which story to make the cover for a nationally published magazine. Do you use the revival of Mardi Gras in devastated, but rebuilding New Orleans or hit another cheap shot at the wahoos in office? While I am all for poking fun at the wahoos, I totally disagree with the New Yorker decision. Sure, there were a lot of problems in New Orleans leading up to and after Katrina but let's really focus on what is important. What is important is that people with money will continue their fun and games while those trying to rebuild their lives after Mother Nature decided she wanted to mix things up a bit still want to carry on tradition. It's a mad mad world and we're all here for the entertainment.

Teaching the Test

2006-02-23T11:07:00.000-05:00

I am a student of standardized testing. PSAT, ACT, SAT, GRE, FCAT, AP, ASVAB and so on and so forth. I've taken a bunch of them. For some, I was taught the test and for some I was actually encouraged to learn information that happened to be on the test. But more often than not these days, students are taught the test.

After being so silent on my blog for so long, I am sure there questions on how this topic came about. In my daily reads of work, I came across an article in the Washington Post about teaching the test. The article is well written and brings up salient points. I think the best line of the article was saved until the end: "the need to prepare for a challenging exam outside of the teacher's control has often produced a remarkable new form of teamwork. Teacher and students work together to beat an exam that requires thought and analysis, not just memorization. If that is teaching to the test, let's have more of it". That is the most honest statement in this whole debate. But I have to add a wrinkle, why must we depend so heavily on standardized testing?

Standardized testing produces statistics and as we all know statistics can be skewed depending on the person taking the measurement. Though these mighty standardized tests are developed to be unbiased and nonsubjective, inevitably there are those pesky questions that scream: I am targeting you, unknowing test taker, and there is more than one correct answer. Muah hah hah hah hah. Ok, perhaps I exaggerate but how are measurements like the SAT and GRE really going to measure my aptitude for collegiate work?

For this blogger, I say it doesnt. I am a student and I love to learn. I dont like filling in bubbles on pesky tests. Dont make me cram in years and years of math classes only for me to slip up and forget basic formulas. Besides in what social science career am I going to need to know derivatives? A disgruntled worker will not come to me and complain because they cannot figure out the calculus derivative.

It's time for education to step up and teach viable and tangible skills that reach beyond taking a test under time constraints and filling in appropriate answer bubbles. Assess what students actually know rather than the information you deem necessary for their success. Increase graduation rates for both High school and college rather than making kids pass a test which is barely viable as an aptitude measurement in the first place.

Scary!

2006-02-14T13:08:00.000-05:00

I know that unwanted body hair is a problem for many, but this new gizmo just looks way too dangerous to even the hair hater in me. Not that I have a back hair issue but as a realist, I know there are ladies out there with the wacky hormones that give them fits. Thanks PCOS!

Pinch me

2006-01-27T11:46:00.000-05:00

You know, for one to grow on. It's birthday time here. Yep, it is today. Not much going on really. Stuck at work but it is a quiet day so far. Since I dont usually make a big deal out of "me" type things, I am sure you're asking why I posted about it today. A lot of people who visit this blog of doom got upset last year when I didnt say it was my birthday. So for all of you out there who missed it last year, TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY.

Thanks for stopping by ;)

Attn: 'The CW'

2006-01-24T14:46:00.000-05:00

Dear big multimillion dollar tv executives in charge of the new 'The CW' (and to all of you programming geeks associated with this budding network):

I am a rare viewer. I actually watch your programming and enjoy it. Especially great stuff like Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars. Perhaps there are several viewers like me out there but it's my time to request from you stuff I'd like to see.

KEEP VERONICA MARS!! It's a great show. The writing is supreme and acting top notch. Give Neptune a chance.

Please, please get Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino coffee or red vines or mallomars or whatever it is they need to get their creative writing juices flowing. Gilmore Girls is a great show but it's having a mediocre season. With the big, bad new shiny network, maybe you guys can get on top of this. Don't let the show flop on this note.

Seriously, do we really need America's Top Model? Or more episodes of Charmed? Let's get programming on here that kicks the other guys in the teeth like Arrested Development, Everybody Hates Chris, why not pick up Kitchen Confidential again.

But please, please no more American Idol crap in the hopes of luring younger viewers. It's just boring programming and most viewers are tired of it. I mean if you want to be really revolutionary, bring back shows canceled before their time from other networks like Eyes.

Good luck The CW, I hope for tv worth watching from you. Please dont disappoint.

Raven

New books

2006-01-23T11:27:00.000-05:00

I've added new books to my "what I am reading now" list and that means I've also put a new review on Amazon.

I am also reading a lot about Scripps for work. It's a lot of watching and waiting really. I've watched it go from inception to approval to now and this will definitely be a tale to tell when it all works out.

Neglectful

2006-01-17T15:17:00.000-05:00

I feel as if I have been so neglectful to my virtual fan club. Let me just say it has been totally crazy at work. Sure, I know that the crazy time is gearing up but there is something to be said about it being already at full throttle right now. Yeah, those aren't the words I wanted to be typing now either as I am sure you all can imagine.

Other than the same old story, I wish I had something more thoughtful to write about. There is just so much going on and only so much that I can divulge on here that I've got to draw it out in bits and pieces. Unless something more earthshattering than what has already happened occurs, understand that the update deprivation of my usual first 5-6 months of the year has settled in. For now, I keep plugging away at the job that keeps the lights on in my house, the roof over my head, over priced gas in my car, food on my table, and clothes on my back.

What have you guys been up to?

What, me worry?

2006-01-06T12:15:00.000-05:00

Dubbya has done it again. Who is he not paying enough to tell him that he looks goofy when he's photographed? I almost want to ask if he had to leave his buddy, Hopalong, on the plane for this photo op (thanks Robot Chicken). Oh how thankful I am that the fate of the nation rests in his outstretched hands.

Welcome to 2006

2006-01-02T11:53:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone! Hope you guys are starting the new year off safe and without too much mischief...

Updates here: after journeying down to southern Florida, I was reminded how I am the best child my parents spawned and how easy it is for me to get a bug when I visit there. I am not that much worse for the wear except for the cough that sends anyone in a 10 feet radius running. Yeah, so pleasant.

The holidays have been good here at Mystique, Inc. Visits with family and friends have reminded us how fortunate we are to be surrounded by such good people. No, we havent won the lottery yet so those in question just tolerate us.

Right now I am working on a side project for a little company I know and if I dont get back to work, I'll be reduced again in galley slave status.

Leave me a note and tell me about your new year...

5 simple pleasures

2005-12-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

I got tagged by amy to do this a while back when I was swamped at work so I decided to jump on it now while I have some time.

Name 5 simple pleasures that you like most, then pick 5 people to do the same. Try to be original and creative and not to use things that someone else has already used.

1. I may not be super fond of the city that I currently reside but there are those small things that make me remember that there are thousands of worse places to be than in the Sunshine state's capital city. Here I include two pictures of springtime here...

First is an artist's rendition of a park not too far from my house that is absolutely gorgeous...

the place I work is lined with dogwoods and it is the only good thing about going there during my busiest time of year.

2. Waking up to an easy day where the rain is dancing across the pavement and I can take the time to marvel at the wonder of nature and snuggle with my honey for the day ;)

3. Going to sleep after a productive day in fresh sheets where you can still smell the laundry detergent (for me it's Tide Coldwater, I only use it on my linens for something different).

4. Enjoying the way my little house smells after having one of these candles going all day.

5. Knowing that the orchid I've been minding and hoping and praying and slaving over actually blossomed for me...

As for the five people here it goes: Jax Peach, Caffeinated Raptor, Lisa, Lucky, and Ash

Photo MEME

2005-12-14T12:03:00.000-05:00

So after a long hiatus, I have returned. Ok, so it wasn't all that gallant of a return but I am back. I got tagged over at Vixen's blog and figured I'd give this Meme a shot.

Go to Google Image Search and type in the city and state/province of the town where you grew up, no quotation marks. Then select the picture you like best from the first page of results and post it on your blog. This is my take:
I lived there until I was 6 or 7...

This is the historical section of the town where I lived until I graduated high school...

Now a picture of the town where I currently reside, well downtown at least...

Evidently I share my name with a lead singer of a band in the UK, who knew? Here is a pic of them:

My grandmother's name came up with this which is perfect since she's a whiz at gardening:

I took some creative liberty with my favorite food. In general it is rather plain but as depicted here it is a whole lot funnier:

This is my favorite pop of all time! (No it is not currently available where I live)

Next my favorite smell:
Mmmmm Macintosh apples...

Finally, my favorite song (Walk on the Ocean by Toad the Wet Sprocket)

TAGGED: Caffeinated Raptor, J.Weston, Lisa, Ash

Slots, unruly kids, and lots of yipes

2005-12-10T14:50:00.000-05:00

So the great people of Florida now have the rules for them to legally play slots...finally. It was a very v e r y long week. I am still in a recovery process to regain my wits about me.

Oh yeah, check out the socalite caffeinated raptor's post on unruly kids. Yeah, he's all heart, lol.

And all that on top of the craziness of the holidays. Sheesh. Now time for a nap since I still woke up at 5am when I've been getting up. Ah thank goodness for a day off.

Two new books and reviews

2005-12-03T23:52:00.000-05:00

I finally got around to changing my reading corner selections. The new books are up there now and I wrote two new reviews on amazon. Linkage is on the left if you are interested. This is making a small dent in my 'books to read' shelf after I went all cartoon kablewie this summer when Barnes & Noble had their clearance sale. Though many will say that my selections arent very thought provoking, I just need to get some reading behind me that lets me pretend that in some alternate life I could be thirty and flirty and thriving or something like that. Sheesh, I remember some of the corniest things...

this is so me

2005-12-03T18:18:00.000-05:00

Your Birthdate: January 27

You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything.
You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life.
Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal.
You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return.

Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone

Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge

Your power color: Cobalt blue

Your power symbol: Dove

Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Reminiscing

2005-12-01T14:08:00.000-05:00

I miss this show. Well I miss it from the early days. TV Squad came up with a decent Top 5 list that was augmented by the subsequent comments left by other readers. As hip and in tune I was with this show, I still have never seen the final episode. I keep telling myself that I'll rent the DVD seasons from # where I stopped to the final season though I just havent forked over the fees to Blockbuster. I think a lot of the flair was gone for me once DD had his tift with Chris Carter. Oh well, things all unravel when we least want them to.

Also on the wire today, the kids over at TV Squad reported that Kristin @ E! is running her mouth about this being the final season of Gilmore Girls. I've got to concur with the comment I left on the page, I wont believe it until I see it. Also, I've put in a word with Ausiello at TV Guide who seems to be good chums with Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino. I sure hope that this isnt it for my show! I still think there are just way too many things to wrap up as it stands now.

Stupid Parents

2005-11-30T15:05:00.000-05:00

Because parents of kidlets these days cant be bothered to pay attention what their kids watch on tv there is a chance we're going to have to pay for it. A la carte tv could be the way of the future if lazy parents of America can lobby their government enough. Instead of having to pay attention to those pesky tv ratings that appear like magic at the top of the screen when a show starts or comes back from commercial, they would rather just pay for the channels that are sanitized for their kids. WAKE UP! If you dont want your kids watching Nip/Tuck then enforce a bedtime because *newsflash* this show comes on at 10pm when your kids should be in bed. Even shows that come on at 9pm are under fire which can be seen as a transitionary time between kid time and adult time but what parent is going to advocate that their 6 year old stay up past 9 on a school night? Thankfully mine didnt and my warped behavior came long after and not at the hands of video killing the radio star.

I am so tired of hearing whiny parents lash out at material that is clearly labeled for a certain age group because they are too lazy to monitor their kids. Sure you can teach them to look both ways before crossing the street and tying their shoes but you cant take the time to say no to letting an 8 year old play Grand Theft Auto? Or a 10 year old listening to Eminem? Parental Advisory Warnings are there to let you know that this is something you should consider before letting your kids get their hands on it.

With this day and age of allowance and child freedom to wreak havoc at the mall unsupervised I understand that slack retailers dont have the time or the resources to check IDs for cd or movies or video games that are rated at a certain level. I mean come on, why would we want to encourage a circle of responsibility by telling the bratty 7 year old kid they cant have the product intended for 17 year olds. Now before anyone jumps on my case by saying "My kid is so much more responsible and mature and stuff than other kids their age, they should be able to choose their consumer products" I will say that there are kids like that out there. But be aware and talk it over with them so you know what the fuck they are buying.

/end rant

Thanks to the responsible parents out there. At least there will be some foundation of responsible kids that can beat up on the brats who think they can run over their parents.

I survived

2005-11-21T10:07:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to check in here to let everyone know that I survived on Friday. Two of the little buggers didnt want to come out and let's just say my jaw is definitely feeling it. Who knew my teeth would be stubborn? Ok, I guess it's not such a big surprise. I am chilling at the house because I way underestimated how much I should talk after the extraction. All the people who know me, I am sure are glad that this has put me on talking restrictions, lol.

Truly Inspired

2005-11-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

These stickers crack me up. If I could only get them here to decorate my cubicle space. I am going to be laughing about these babies for a while. Hopefully all of you readers out there can appreciate them as well.

Been super busy around here with work and stuff at the house. Escaped down south last weekend and am still trying to recover from that. Trying to fight off a throat bug of some sort so I can go through with the surgery tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me on that one kids. I am so nervous about it. Also have been working on the digital christmas list to end all lists. When people force you to make a list, they deserve some of the quirky stuff we put on them.

More to come later, got to get my nose back to the grindstone. I heard the *really* big boss is in town today and he likes to sneak up on people.

Metrospiritual

2005-11-09T10:40:00.000-05:00

During my daily news perusal I ran across this article over at Whitney Matheson's blog (this post, second item) on USA Today. I have to admit it really caught my eye because some of the key questions they asked I said yes to. But upon taking their quiz my results said that I was: You are almost metrospiritual but you need a few more notches on the hipness meter before you can consider yourself a true metrospiritual. Your values are in line with metrospiritual thinking, but your lifestyle choices don't always match up. Either that, or you just can't afford a hybrid Lexus. Ok survey says, Raven can't afford the hybrid Lexus or an iPod (though Zipper and I are entering a raffle for an iPod Nano here at work). I would have to say that my beliefs have really focused on slowing life down and realizing that there are only 24 hours in a day and that the world can't be changed overnight. To be totally honest, I think it has helped. Yoga, scented candles, better understanding of karma and so on and so forth really helps you take a look at things. Now I am not saying I am ready to hop on the vogue metrospiritual bandwagon, but I would have to venture a guess that many people live their lives in this way with or without the moniker.

Not Spoiled?

2005-11-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

Paris and Nicky Hilton want to make sure that the world knows they aren't spoiled. To that I give a hearty and gut busting laugh. These globe trotting heiresses still get an allowance from their dad, Rick. Allow me to interject a quote here before I give you the entire article:
"In terms of the girls being able to support themselves they definitely can but what I do for them is that Kathy and I give them a monthly allowance which pays for their basics, their rent, their car payment and their cell phone bill which can be, depending on the month, quite large."

Ok, so I am supposed to believe that they aren't spoiled yet all their bills are paid for them. Uh huh. Yeah. Sure. And I am also supposed to feel bad because people pick on Paris? I think not. I mean first nick against you is that your name is actually a boy's name but I'll chalk that one up to not knowing the classics and going with "cute". I believe the only time I'll ever use Paris and hot in a sentence is to refer to a location: Gee, Paris is certainly hot this summer. And her idea of getting back to reality with Simple Life please dont make me laugh. This girl needs an honest day's work without the cameras around. Pay your own bills honey.

Read the article that started this rant here.

Censorship

2005-11-04T13:26:00.000-05:00

Most of you who know me could rather accurately pin me as an activist for some of the more liberal causes: gay rights, education for everyone, equal treatment for the sexes, blogger rights, and so on and so forth. With that being said, you can only imagine the other host of topics that would get my blood boiling. Censorship is most definitely one of them. When the retail giant WalMart announced that they were going to start censoring the music that they sold after the whole Sheryl Crow incident which I understand they have every right to do so. But their decision certainly left an impact where WalMart was the only place to purchase music.

Then there is the age old debate on what books are appropriate for students to read. This post actually came as a reaction to an article in the Orlando Sentinel. Granted this article shows the 'oversight committee' granting access to this book, it strikes at the core of the fundamental issues: how can an 'oversight committee' tell me or my kids what to read? The article talks about advanced junior and senior students who had to fight to read a book that certain parents thought was inappropriate. Now if these same certain parents had their way, their kids wouldn't have the opportunity to read classics such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Beloved or Fahrenheit 451. I am always amazed at the power of a miniority regarding questionable content to sway the opinion of the majority. Also the short sightedness of those who go on hearsay rarely read those books that they condemn or take their meaning completely out of context. Lists like these remind us that taking the word of others without experiencing it ourselves can keep us from some of the greatest literary masterpieces.

So for all of those uppity parents out there that will buy their 10 year old kids Grand Theft Auto in any of the iterations but shield them from books that may call into question long standing prejudices.

Quick Week in Review

2005-11-02T10:36:00.000-05:00

It was a total blast to have the one, the only, J.Weston crashing at our place over the weekend. We were totally on the go with this kid and I hope he left well fed and happy with a good time had by all. He did get to see my wacky halloween get up so if you want to see pics, you've got to ask me nicely via email. Also, if you would like to hear tales of my cooking prowess please feel free to ask the afore mentioned J.Weston or ZipperSeven to get a full run down of the food I laid out.

But before the horseshoe's arrival in Tallahassee we had a nice dinner with Z7's parents who gave us some much needed advice. I am sure we'll hear some of the same parental goodness when we visit my parents next weekend. All in all they had some constructive things to say. Which in all honesty, we've heard before but needed to be told again so it sinks in. I hope this gets some career shaking moves started in the right direction for both of us.

I know this is skipping around a bit but I've got to keep some narrative flow to this, lol. So yesterday was torture Raven at the doctor day. Dentist in the am and GP in the pm. Yeah I threw in getting my hair cut in the middle but I needed something mildly rewarding between those two things. The dentist had pretty good news for me and the next step is (ugh) wisdom teeth in 16 days. Send your regards ;) Hair looks good since I dont know when I started miracle gro on my locks. It had only been 2 months at the most and my hair was totally unruly. I am hoping this latest cut will last me at least until the start of the new year. And the dr's appt in the pm had good news for me as well...believe it or not I've lost weight. Yeah, I was shocked too. So onward and upward I suppose is how the saying goes.

Most likely this will not entertain any of my normal readers. Eh, you win some and you lose some. I was just jazzed about the good news and needed to keep some of it for posterity.

Whoops!

2005-10-28T15:54:00.000-04:00

How could I forget The Futon Critic in my list of tv reviewing? I apologize to my dear readers...

More relieving news

2005-10-28T14:23:00.000-04:00

I heard from Jenn yesterday to get the confirmation she's good and weathered the storm along with Penny and Bunny. Hopefully her fishies survived too though it is too soon to tell. Though her new place got a little bit roughed up, she's ok and that's the most important part of it all. I know she's studying for school as much as her brain can take.

Reports from down south are showing definite signs of improvement though still a lot of work ahead. Florida is going to have yet another busy year between appropriating sufficient relief funding and getting everything cleaned up. I've already seen the push for tourists to return and life to get back on track to sunny normality. If ever there was a modern turning point for Florida, I think we're in the midst of it now. While I am not so much of a political pundit, expect to see big things from Florida coming up: legislation, budget appropriations, economic development policies and so on. Despite the hurricane season et cetera, serious forces really are trying to revamp the face of Florida.

TV goodness

2005-10-27T19:42:00.000-04:00

Now I am not one to jump on bandwagons at the drop of a hat. I like to think that I march to the beat of my own drum yadda yadda. But I think this post will bend to the ways of me spreading the love of the things that take me away, at least for the 48 minutes of DVR escapism. Part of this little adventure of life beyond my own extends to spoilers and other slightly fan-ish type things. So I thought I would drop some linkage to those places I have found and grown to love.

Ask Ausiello he publishes every Wednesday and usually answers questions about my top shows (Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars)

Spoiler Fix is a pretty good summation of shows that Vixen actually turned me on to and at the beginning it would definitely quench my thirst for spoilers though now, I think I've only gotten thirstier...

Television Without Pity is a great and snarky look at what's on the tube today.

TV Squad was referred to me by ZipperSeven since it belongs to a family of blogs that he has as part of his daily rotation.

These sites on both Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars

I am admittedly a huge Gilmore fan. I came across this screen cap and more site just yesterday. While I am not necessarily at this level of fanaticism, it's nice to know if I see a killer scene that I can come and find it here.

And I suppose I should mention Kristin over at E! though her spoilers and news tid bits are kinda ho hum compared to Ausiello but appreciated nonetheless.

As for other shows that find their way on to my DVR, I'd rather list them (in no particular order) so that I can endure the mockery later:
My Name is Earl
The West Wing
Supernatural
How I Met Your Mother
NCIS
Desperate Housewives
Criminal Minds
Las Vegas
Out of Practice
Twins
What I Like About You
Mythbusters
Smallville
Alias
How It's Made
Craig Ferguson
Extreme Engineering

I'm probably forgetting a few but they come and go so often...

Ok everybody, tell me your favorite TV addictions.

Hurricane Fatigue

2005-10-27T10:24:00.000-04:00

After hearing reports about life on the beach from J.Weston I am amazed at the sheer number of people who decided that a hurricane preparedness kit was merely a suggestion for living in sunny Florida. Though I am not a native of this state, I have learned a thing or two about preparing for storms. Little things really count like having a manual can opener and some bottled water. To be fair, in all the years I've lived here my family has been lucky. Sure there was the occassional landscape damage and there was minor structural damage to screened in areas but we've had greater damage in regular thunderstorms.

But the past two years have really opened my eyes. I'm sure the news savvy of you out there have heard it all. Now I share my two cents from a here and now perspective. It's definitely been nerve wracking. Frances, Jeanne, Charley, Ivan, Dennis, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma are names I am not soon to forget and there is a good bet a lot of the people I know will not forget either. So are people not as prepared as they should be because they are tired? Unfortunately, that wouldn't surprise me. Few things can compare to a hurricane. Lots of people take them for granted while others live by their movements in the open water. If all of the reports the weather folks are telling us ring true, this is only the beginning.

A small sigh of relief

2005-10-26T09:14:00.000-04:00

After hearing from the golden horseshoe I am relieved and reassured that this man does hold the flippin' golden ticket. As Zipper writes over at his blog, if you're interested in breaking news from the affected Wilma area Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel have excellent coverage. I usually read both of those papers daily for the info that they report on for the Scripps Florida that I watch for work. Actually, if it is a major Florida newspaper, there is a good chance I read it during the week.

Suffice it to say, there is going to be a helluva lot of clean up in South Florida this year. Not only that but it will be hopping at my job here, working for the man. With that, I've got to go. My phone at work has been ringing pretty constantly this morning.

Oh yeah, hooray for fall weather! Finally it's getting to the temperatures I can actually tolerate here :)

A New Look on Debt

2005-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

I found this article while perusing the harrowing accounts of Hurricane Wilma roaring through the state and making sure that my peeps down south are ok through all of this fun Florida weather.

The article has a good discussion on how people who use credit to balance out their bills shouldn't be seen as those living lavishly or having no financial values, rather it is more of a signal of those who are underpaid and/or underinsured. I can attest to a lot of what the writer has to say. By no means do I go out and paint the town red. I am thankful for what I can go out and do and dream about the stuff that 'one day' I'll get to do.

As someone who considers themselves well educated and well grounded it is quite unsettling to know that there are so many of us out there who balance credit with our regular income. Optimistically, I'd love to think that I can get a job that would pay me closer to what I am worth so I could live marginally better. Like everyone else, I know I've made some bonehead decisions when it comes to finances. Considering that I've been living paycheck to paycheck for a while now, most of those missteps havent led me down a dark spiraling chasm of doom yet I know realistically I will have to live with my debt for some time to come. I applaud those who can emerge from the financial labryinth that we seem to be guided into as we get jobs and assume more adult responsibilities. Maybe one day I can join your ranks, but it surely won't be in the near future. I can only wish...

Is Latin a good pre-requisite?

2005-10-24T10:20:00.000-04:00

You Should Learn Japanese

You're cutting edge, and you are ready to delve into wacky Japanese culture.
From Engrish to eating contests, you're born to be a crazy gaijin. Saiko!

What Language Should You Learn?

This is so true!

2005-10-24T07:23:00.000-04:00

What Your Underwear Says About You

You tend to buy new underwear instead of doing laundry.

You're sexy, in that pinup girl, tease sort of way.

The Underwear Oracle

PhD for me?

2005-10-23T04:47:00.000-04:00

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher.
You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Inner Hair Color

2005-10-22T18:34:00.000-04:00

Your Hair Should Be Orange

Expressive, deep, and one of a kind.
You pull off "weird" well - hardly anyone notices.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Pardon the (work) Interruption

2005-10-21T11:09:00.000-04:00

Well after a fun week of work activities, I am proud to report we're back to our regularly scheduled programming.

I'll start off with the not so shocking article published in USA Today about Americans being more rude now than they were 20 years ago. I hate to say it but this does not surprise me. Especially not surprising when people give me the evil eye because I say 'please' and 'thank you'. I am certain that I am in a crowd of a dying subsect of culture that actually uses manners on a daily basis. Though the reference is a bit trite, the sentiment is what it's all about. Adam in Blast from the Past reminds us that "Manners are a way of showing other people we care about them". Which I've got to say speaks volumes of truth. I am continuing on with my one woman campaign to reintroduce manners into society.

Now, moving on to the gem of the local paper here. None other than the Tallahassee Democrat. (When I am in work mode, I've got to scour papers each day for articles that are issue related) Tuesday proved to be a student paper themed day as they posted the truth about financial aid, football scores, and the current tift between the city and the university about condo housing. Sure, I could have linked the other stories but they didn't capture my intrest nearly as much as college kids talking to the reporters about the cool stuff they get to buy on borrowed money. Before I start my diatribe, I just want to make it clear that I understand credit cards are borrowed money. For some reason, school loans fall into a completely different category for me which ruffle my feathers...big time. I've seen abuses of the system where there are those who are truly in need and then those who think they need big things while going to school. My dorm mate in college and one of my apartment mates the first two years of college freely and happily doled out the cash for whatever it was their hearts desired. But I am digressing. I am glad that the students they interviewed thought that they were doing what was in their right by asking for more money, going on shopping sprees and then paying it off later. Great, fabulous. I kinda get the idea that it is the easy way out. I'm not saying students have to be dirt poor but $400 shoes (on their own) in college? I dont get it. I guess I knew that to have money, I needed to earn it. That's just the way I've been taught my whole life. I earned my scholarship that paid the big stuff and started paying the rest through a job I had. It was far from being a luxurious job but it paid my bills for the most part. Am I worse for the wear because I didnt take out loans and had to work? No, I dont think so. There was a point where I was in school full time (17 hrs/semester) and working full time (36-40 hrs/week) and I still came out with a double major in three years. I think the whole spoiled college kid thing came to a climax when some chickie in a sleek black Audi TT cut me off on my way home from work. Who in college can afford a $40k plus car? Thanks but no, I'll slum it in my humble townhouse, hand-me-down furniture, and my relatively cheap car.

Speaking of money, do the people from Desperate Housewives really need a cut of every purchase of an episode for the iPod video? My money (what little of it there is) says no. Read the article here. Now I am starting to wonder if I'll have to pay each time I DVR something just so the Hollyweird people get their cut. Now if I only made a quarter for every phone call I answered...

I was reading Hip Clicks over at USA Today and found that the kids over at How I Met Your Mother have blogs of their own. Take a look, it's pretty funny.

Ever wonder what a well stocked bar included? I know I did. Food Network has this nifty page set up for all of us dolts out there. I dont know if I'll ever get to the well stocked bar stage but I know a little Tiki Bar I can crash if need be.

Ok so the most groundbreaking and astonishing tid bit I have saved until the end. Sit down, because you're going to need to hold on to something when I tell you the news. Just remember, you heard it here first. ZipperSeven and I are ... wait for it ... wait for it ... going to get gussied up for halloween. Now I know you can hardly contain yourselves. I am the same way. This is such a momentous occassion I have even started plans for sewing a skirt. What I once thought was impossible, has suddenly become possible. I will post pics as soon as I can.

My favorite scene

2005-10-14T23:06:00.000-04:00

Sure this is a little off the wall but so is The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. This was one of the best scenes in a movie that I have witnessed in a long time. Hope this doesnt offend anyone. Well it's my blog so who cares!

Listen for the chorus of angels

2005-10-14T22:20:00.000-04:00

That's right folks, I finished the research paper. Two and a half months of research all to be culminated in a 10ish page paper. I dont know what it finally ended up being but it was plenty more than the bare minimum.

Finishing this project reminded me just how long it has been since my lazy ass has been out of school. The headaches, the stress, high blood pressure, anxiety, sleepless nights, random brilliance in the middle of a long awaited sleep cycle...yeah I miss it. I kinda wish it would have been a class to get the constant feeling of learning and interacting but I sure gained a lot from this. But it isnt completely over. The paper was only half of the project. Now on to phase two where I get to make a questionnaire for employees. /schemingly drumming fingers

Hopefully (with fingers crossed) this brings some good omens to my future in grad school. Leave me some good wishes and I promise to come back to blogging. Or you're also welcome to tell me how glad you are that you had a week off from my chatter. Either way, you're leaving me a comment ;)

Let's hear it for social psychology!

2005-10-10T08:45:00.000-04:00

After spending more hours at the library on Friday than I would like to admit, one would imagine my spidey sense for keen research was about tapped. Well that is until I was IM'ed this gem of an article from none other than Zipper from the news outlet of Canadia.

Neat-o stuff, eh?

i (heart) sleep

2005-10-10T08:15:00.000-04:00

In honor of a slow going Monday, I offer this little tid bit of info provided by the illustrious Bradenton Herald. Read it and feel smarty pants. Then you will know why i (heart) sleep so much.

Peace out peeps. I am taking a nap ;)

Wisdom teeth be gone!

2005-10-05T14:00:00.000-04:00

I *know* I am supposed to have my wisdom teeth taken out on November 18 but it's been announced that the newest Harry Potter comes out that day. It looks awesome! So I am going to have to see how it all goes and beg my caretaker to let me go and see it.

/beg PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE /end beg

Blogshares

2005-10-05T12:49:00.000-04:00

Much to the discontent of one ZipperSeven, it seems that I have hit a jackpot or two in the Blog$hares market.

Honestly, I have no idea how it all happened. I just know that I over bought when he went conservative. In the end, he still has more worth in the whole game than I do. If any of you get a minute, this lovely blog and others are featured on the market. Happy trading :)

Dine out tonight

2005-10-05T09:45:00.000-04:00

In keeping with the theme of today's postings, I wanted to remind readers of the Dine for America event going on tonight. They did something similar to this last year for victims of Charley, Jeanne, Frances, and Ivan. Of course this year with the devastation that Dennis, Katrina and Rita brought, the Red Cross needs our help more than ever.

Though I am on a self imposed budget restraint right now, I think Zipper and I will lend our support in whatever small way we can today.

On a lighter note...

2005-10-05T08:45:00.000-04:00

ZipperSeven tracked this down in his morning round of surfing. I've read lots of articles about the facelift Ask Jeeves and I am sad to say that they want to get rid of Jeeves. No, not the site but the man himself! Now to be fair, most of my searches go through the behemoth. But when I am working on a crossword or playing Babble a ton of hints came from Jeeves. So check out the Save Jeeves blog and help this guy's campaign.

Click for a cure

2005-10-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to call attention to The Breast Cancer Site. This site helps fund free mammograms to women in need. As we all know, early detection is the best provention but not everyone has that opportunity. Through a simple mouse click, these people bring hope to thousands of women just through site traffic. Pretty ingenious if you ask me. So if you're reading this, do the clicky linky thing and help a woman in need have hope.

You'll notice the same link in pink on the sidebar. They fund mammograms all year but the October clicks are tripled. Thanks and happy clicking!

This is your American Idol?

2005-10-03T08:24:00.000-04:00

When I caught word of this latest American Idol tid bit I lost it, I really did. I don't watch American Idol. I think it is void of any real entertainment and this is an opinion quite contrary to popular belief. This isn’t a showing of my patented haughtiness, it's that I don’t always adhere to the mainstream. And have no fear, I am not going to slam those who do watch it. We've all got our dirty little tv addiction secrets. Although this show does nothing for me, I know for a lot of people out there this is the penultimate reality show, second only to the latest iteration of Survivor or something. That being said, I am going to get on to the real crux of my post.

In today's day and age and in certain current generations, there is no excuse for illiteracy. Reading is a fundamental lesson taught in elementary schools across the nation. There are thousands of teachers out there right now, assisting kids and adults how to embrace this tenet of communication. Ms. Barrino cites her functional illiteracy to be a fear of misspelling words. I've got to say that I would have the knowledge of reading and writing to have the privilege of making the mistake of spelling a word incorrectly. Everyone misspells something. Blame it on synapses that misfire and let you put i before e even after c. Big deal, erase and move on. But no, not for this American Idol.

How fitting it is that she now has a book that's been published and has a recording contract. Her four year old daughter reads to her. The once hard times that she endured have been swept away with promotional considerations and endorsements. I think what ires me most is that there are people out there who idolize her for being so amazing. And now that she's come forward with this information will rush to blame the school system. Well I'm sorry, the blame here goes back to the so called idol and not to the school. I suppose there will also be a great campaign to feel sorry for her, for all that she's been through; for being a single mother high school drop out, for waiting in the mammoth audition lines for the show and for flubbing her way through scripts citing that ”Oh, I'm sorry, you know, I'm country, you know” and having to endure the harsh judgings of a stodgy brit, a portly record producer, and an all too friendly ex Laker’s girl.

Now with her 15 minutes of fame she feels she can finally come forward and bear her soul to the American people. It's good to know that if you can exploit one of your personal talents that you can ride by on that alone and not worry about making a contribution back to the lemmings that helped you rise to fame. I guess that is what happens when you get a book deal, recording contract, promotional considerations, and endorsements do to a person. And we're supposed to feel sorry for you? Sorry, that is a pill a little too bitter for me to swallow. There are thousands of teachers who put their heart and souls into teaching each day to prevent this from happening. Teachers, who already are paid a measly salary, would stay after school to tutor students in any area of difficulty. Perhaps in a humanitarian effort, Ms. Barrino could take a few hours out of her rigorous schedule to spend time with special needs children who overcame the odds against them to learn to read.

One in five Americans are functionally illiterate. That's a travesty. No wonder the national trend is to leech onto reality programs. The half hour or hour programmed "reality" is that much kinder than the harsh world outside the door.

America, if this is part of your idol system it is high time to rethink the hierarchy. You can't accept felons or those with a checkered past but illiteracy is something she couldn't help. Yeah, I am sure she thought the same when she found out she was going to be a mother. How is it so easy to latch on to a shiny object than to look for what lies beneath, the diamond in the rough as it were? There are thousands of people out in everyday life that should be idols far before the latest singing sensation or the most enduring competitor. I am but one voice clamoring to find stronger and verifiable idols before this nation sinks itself into a ruin that cannot be merely buffed off to give it a new shine. Think of what kind of legacy this leaves for future generations. I can see now what kind of harrowing future lies ahead at the reins of popular culture.

Thank you mom and dad for playing classical music when I was a mere bun in the oven. Thank you public broadcasting for putting letters with colors and pictures on a street that promised sunny days that swept clouds away, for having a cardigan decked man who threw his shoes in the air to take me on a magic trolley ride, and a future trekkie who took us on adventures to every day places and made words leap off the page just by taking a look in a book that showed us the spectrum of reading.

I don't have some high profile background. I did spend some time in a private school but my greatest growth and exploration came because I was enrolled in public schools.

Go Blue!

2005-10-01T18:03:00.000-04:00

Woo Hoo Go Big BLUE!!!

What I wouldn't give to get a graduate scholarship there...I tell ya that's on my top 5 colleges list of places I would like to go if I win a graduate scholarship.

Growing up is not as fun as advertised

2005-09-28T14:23:00.000-04:00

It's Wednesday and it's already been a hectic week for me. Why you ask? Well Monday I got to schedule some fun dental work (wisdom teeth), yesterday I was reminded just how much I want to pursue a graduate degree and today I got to go and make the doctor's visit all women loathe. I love how they tell me my blood pressure is high after I've already told them I'm anxious about this whole deal. Surprise! It's going to be high. Do you honestly think that I look forward to donning the paper gown?

Wisdom teeth get yanked in November and you can be sure I'm marking the days like a kid counting until Christmas. And if you believe that I've got some great swamp land you can buy for a dollar. Just kidding about the swamp land but serious about the teeth anxiety.

School this time around is going ok I guess. This DIS is a lot different than I envisioned it and I am not sure if I jumped to technicolor too fast or if I was just on the wrong channel. I know it would be different if I were in classes but that just wasnt in the cards right now. I'm doing hard core library night tonight so we'll see how it all shakes out.

If someone were to ask me for advice on growing up, I would definitely tell them it is different than anything you could imagine. There are days where you have amazing power and can sit on top of the world, nothing can stop you and life is really cool as a grown up. Then there are days (I've had quite a few recently) where you're reminded just how high the deck is stacked against you and just how much you've got to prove to move ahead. I know this can sound like a broken record from me but I think it is really just all sinking in. I'd like to know a bit better what it is that my life path has in store for me. Nothing earth shattering, just a road sign or two. I'm on a path now that I feel an exit is coming up to a new destination but I haven't seen the sign yet. Turn on the street light for me so I dont miss it.

McDonald bring you enlightenment

2005-09-27T21:22:00.000-04:00

Ronald-son say "good food inside"
"get the super size sushi, it's good"

Yet another harrowing reason I am stuck renting

2005-09-27T13:56:00.000-04:00

"If housing prices go up, apartment and other rental prices will go up as well," said Mark Soskin, an economics professor at the University of Central Florida. "When people can't afford to buy a house, they go to the rental market."

With more people looking for rentals and thousands of apartments being converted into condominiums, an already tight rental market -- occupancy rates are virtually full -- will only get tighter. Rents are expected to increase an average of more than 3 percent this year, according to one real-estate-research firm.

Linda Beach, publisher of Apartment Finder, estimates that Central Florida has lost about 10 percent of its apartment communities to the condo craze this year.

"I've been in this industry for 20 years, and I've never seen it like this," Beach said.

Found here at the Orlando Sentinel.

Woo Hoo!

2005-09-26T09:12:00.000-04:00

I hit 1000 hits on my blog today!

I know this is nothing for people like Vixen who is already widely read. Or Zipper who gets mentioned on Washington Post's Tech page. But for little ol' me, I have to say I am pretty stoked about it.

So thanks to people like you who make this possible :)
Yes, yes kind of like public broadcasting only I dont ask for financial tithes. Though if you want to donate to my fund, drop me a line and we can discuss sponsorship options. Trust me, I wouldnt be saying this if I didnt think I was a solid investment. Ok, ok maybe I would because I need a new bed and Zipper is working the campaign hard for one of these.

Happy reading!

Another Cheeky Blogger

2005-09-25T16:30:00.000-04:00

I ran across this blog the other day but this post really said a lot to me. She hits the nail right on the head if you ask me. So without further adieu, I give you the Million Dollar Question. Sorry it's not the answer to life, the universe, and everything. But somehow 42 didnt come close to cutting it...

Political Tastes

2005-09-22T20:45:00.000-04:00

Your Political Profile

Overall: 35% Conservative, 65% Liberal

Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

Open minded

2005-09-22T14:17:00.000-04:00

As I sit from my measly cubicle in the depths of my "working for the man" office, which I must profess is not nearly as dire as Les Nessman's digs on WKRP in Cincinnati and not nearly as posh as Dilbert's Ultimate Cubicle but of course I digress. I think about all the advocates for various causes. Those who fight so valiantly to get their point across. Really I've got to hand it to them because despite what they have to say, they are free speech advocates.

And in this vein of free speech I've got some time on the soapbox coming to me.

First off, there are some god fearing people here who want to set into the Constitution what marriage is. Sadly, they forgot the first tenet of marriage being love. Instead they want to break all emotional bonds between people and let those who go off in a drunken stupor and get hitched have more rights than same sex couples who are committed to their partners, many of them life partners. Love isnt A or B, it isnt a 1 or a 0, it isnt something that can be confined to strict guidelines. I can only hope that one day people open their eyes and their minds to possibilites that the authors of this sneaky amendment want to pass. This is the article and if you live in Florida or know someone who does, please make them badger the hell out of their elected officials to stop this from happening. Marriage is just a court document, it cannot fully express the bond people create in their hearts.

Second issue, stem cell research...yeah I know, I am going with the heavy hitters today :) Florida recently got in the business of biotech with the groundbreaking of the Scripps Mecca site this week. Well, more accurately, ground was broken to create the permanent facility. The Scripps agreement has been in the works for at least 2 years. Now the advocates in Florida have come together to form Floridians for Stem Cell Research and Cures which was barely a blip on the radar this summer, July to be exact. They are relying solely on volunteers to help gather signatures to get the language on the ballot. This is a statewide issue but is being drummed up in Palm Beach. The local papers have two good articles covering the events here and here. I say go for it in terms of research. Who knows what mysteries we can unlock with these amazingly powerful cells. I read recently that neural stem cells repaired the spines of paralyzed mice. Pretty damn amazing if you ask me. I am sufficiently convinced that through a bit of scientific ingenuity and know how that using stem cells could unlock the cure to some of the greatest maladies that plague us today. I can only hope that the advocates are strong enough to get their word out that this is unlocking life, not taking it away frivolously.

Third, I am going to touch on the Katrina stuff before Rita ever hits. Now the guy over at the Orlando Sentinel must have been listening in on my conversations. I've been saying for a while now Dubbya needs to take lessons from Jebbie on hurricane preparedness. At least his version of the story made it to the press. Pretty funny account too if you ask me. Mine probably would have been too snarky.

And hooray for the guys at NASA who in spite of everything else still want to go to the moon. They are ready to resume operations at Michoud with those crazy kats from Lock-Mart. "In my opinion, we won't be going back to the moon without Michoud," said Patrick Scheuermann, NASA's chief operating officer at Michoud. You guys have my support if that counts for anything.

I've been working on this silly post now for three hours trying to eck some time out to write it all. I was going to go into my votes on the fall tv line up but that'll have to wait for another post. This is what I get for having So long and thanks for all the fish playing in my head.

Renting squeeze

2005-09-21T14:45:00.000-04:00

One of my daily tasks in working for the man includes perusing the various newspapers and political clips in order to find relevant articles to issues before us in terms of up coming legislation. Of course finding things for my job doesn't nearly take as much time as going through all the media stuff does so along the way I read other articles. Any given day will yield such amazing articles as Clinton Condoms, sky rocketing energy costs, Dubbya's latest debacle, and then there are the ones that pretty much tank my day.

Of course not all news is sunshine and farts, but when you're pining away for better times and whatnot you really don't want to hear about how rental property in Florida is getting eaten up. Especially when you're trying to figure out what the next step is. According to this article in the Orlando Sentinel that a "recent report from the Orlando office of Marcus & Millichap forecasts 94 percent occupancy by the end of this year. That's virtually full by industry standards. Asking rents are projected to climb more than 3 percent this year." Not even close to music to my ears. I've already come to terms that I am not going to buy a house until I know I'll live there for a few years and I am not going to bankroll it on a hope and a prayer. Sure I could be considered financially sound but at what cost to me?

Sometimes all it takes is a stiff gust of air to sink me into the throws of Chicken Little theorizing. No, the sky might not be falling but there sure isn't a whole lot to look up to. As ZipperSeven frequently enjoys telling me: I always know how to put a cap on a truly lousy day. I guess that is what I get for being a cynical optimist.

Ads in space

2005-09-21T14:33:00.000-04:00

So I wonder if cup-o-noodles' new ad will bear any resemblance to the scene after scene of noodle cup being consumed at the hands of one Spike Spiegel.

Can't keep 'em down

2005-09-19T15:00:00.000-04:00

Hats off to the teams over at NASA that are making the steps to roll out clear plans to get humans back on the moon by 2018. Sure that seems a long way off but there are several factors to consider. They want to retire the shuttles. Sad, yes but it's a step that is necessary to move towards the future. Or is it a step back to the days of Apollo? Either way, the new space vehicle is going to draw heavily on the technology tried and true at NASA to develop the next step in human space flight.

Also, NASA announced today that returning to the moon would have a $104 billion price tag. "The $104 billion price tag, spread over 13 years, represents 55% of what the Apollo moon-landing program cost measured in constant dollars, Griffin said. Apollo spanned eight years. The objective is to pay as you go and what you can afford, he noted." And in the very same article I would also like to direct your attention to this: "Unlike Apollo, the new lunar lander would carry double the number of people to the surface of the moon — four — and allow them to stay up to a week, or twice as long. It also would haul considerably more cargo, much of which would be left on the moon for future crews." A week on the moon? How cool would that be? Imagine the copious amounts of information we could gather and hopefully make strides to understanding our planet and our moon not to mention other planets in our Solar System.

Mars might be a little bit farther off than previously thought much to the chagrin of space enthusiasts. But as the article points out "If you don't have money to go to the moon before 2018, you sure as hell don't have money to go to Mars" as said by John Logsdon, director of George Washington University's space policy institute.

All in all, remember the amazing fact that members of my generation may actually witness first hand a moon landing. That would only add to our portfolio of life experiences: two Bushes in the White House, economic expansion under Clinton, the hey day of the Gipper, Challenger and Columbia, September 11, Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Katrina, and so much more...

Take stock, we will return to space flight and we will rebuild. It's just a matter of patience and time.

(This post was re-edited for your reading pleasure and the new time reflects the most recent changes)

No I didn't see this live

2005-09-19T13:45:00.000-04:00

It's true, I do love poking the proverbial stick at our C-in-C but this time I have pointed my prod elsewhere. Now I am shaking the muah hah hah hah hah stick at none other than The Donald. I kid you not, I did not think the man wore clothing other than suits and ties. Ok, there was this one time I saw him in a polo shirt but in bibbers?!? For all of you kids out there bibbers are also known better as overalls. We all wore them when we were kids. I could even dig up a pic of yours truly in specially *monogrammed* oshkoshbigoshes but that would take some work of minions in my archive department. Oh but I digress, I think Megan Mullally could slip into the Lisa Douglas role in a snap.

Small snippets of fun times.

Porn for every taste

2005-09-19T09:45:00.000-04:00

Now before you fly off the handle with my title, I must explain where this comes from. Most of you loyal readers know I live with a weather nut who admittedly comes from a family of weather enthusiasts. His webhaunts range from extreme acts of geekery to the trials and tribulations of the internet savvy, weatheriffic, and the autofabulous. So when he sent me this snippet of another guy's blog and the posting on the definition of hurricane porn I had to let the curiosity take the best of me and check it out. The article is well written and well thought out. I've seen many innocents become victims of teh hurricane pron.

I dedicate this to everyone who is intimately familiar with hurricane pron and who are knee deep this season in all kinds of weather erotica.

Hah hah hah hah!

2005-09-16T11:21:00.000-04:00

Thanks to ZipperSeven for this British gem of fun. I am so addicted already! It's a nice break from news stories all day let me tell you.

Reader poll

2005-09-16T09:11:00.000-04:00

I am having a bit of trouble with consistent formatting on el blog of doom. Not sure really what the deal is but I get three different views with the three different browsers I use. So to all of you loyal readers out there, I have a noncontroversial opportunity to comment on my blog...

Please leave me a comment telling me what browser you use and if the font formatting throughout looks uniform or it looks like I got bored and decided to change the font with every sentence, sometimes in the middle of sentences.

This would really help me out and give me some small peace of mind that my internet life isn't as chaotic as PortableFF makes it seem.

Thanks and remember Raven loves you!

Ushering in Fall

2005-09-14T07:40:00.000-04:00

tv season that is. You know it's still 95F here on a daily basis. Anyway, to put a nice cap on a thoroughly icky day, ZipperSeven and I got to settle down with The WB and watch (that's right kids) Gilmore Girls in their mildly triumphant return. I was so happy to see our DVR filling up with shows to watch (usually for me while doing dishes) again. I think I notice this more right now because this week is particularly busy for us here at work. 5 am mornings really sock it to ya at night. At least tomorrow we can look forward to having an episode of Top Gear to watch while cleaning up from dinner.

Tonight I am going to try watching NCIS and maybe catch up on Craig depending on how much I need a laugh. There are always reruns of Sex and the City for a good laugh.

And to finish things off, here's a round of "What's on my DVR" (in no particular order):

Gilmore Girls (last night's season premier to watch again)
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Craig Ferguson (at least two eps by now)
NCIS
Sex and the City (two eps)
Rockfish
Supernatural (I am going to at least give it a try, who knows from there)
Good Eats (come on, it's a given!)
Under the Tuscan Sun (still trying to get ZipperSeven to watch it with me)
The Living Daylights (which is what he's trying to get me to finish with him, lol)
I bet there might even be an episode of Mythbusters on there too

And I think that's it...If there is great demand, I'll update the list when I get home. I know how all of you loyal readers are dying to know what I watch in my idle time. Now for me to get back to work in this "energy conscious" aka really hot office. There were so many complaints yesterday that they turned all the lights back on and were supposed to kick the air down a bit. Lights I can certainly verify but this air situation, that's still waiting to be seen or felt as the case may be. I will tell you one thing, I do love my Honeywell Super Turbo High Performance Fan that was on clearance (my favorite kind of sale) at the meglomart of doom.

Verify this resume

2005-09-13T09:02:00.000-04:00

Hopefully the current administration checked the references for R. David Paulison before saying he's in line to be the new FEMA Director. From what I read he sounds like he knows what is going on and how to handle a disaster. As a Miami native, he probably knows a thing or two about destructive hurricanes.

And another NOLA tid bit that I picked up on from ZipperSeven was a quote from Robert LeBlanc (who everyone in NOLA apparently knows): "I think we need to get this story out. Some of what is being portrayed among the media is happening and is terrible, but it is among a very small group of people, not the majority. They make it seem like New Orleans has somehow taken the atmosphere of the mobs in Mogadishu portrayed in the book and movie "Black Hawk Down," which is making volunteers (including us) more hesitant and rescue attempts more difficult."

So that's got to bring a small glimmer of hope for us here in the outside world. We know that the conditions are horrible, but with people like LeBlanc who as soon as the levies broke was on a boat trying to get people out of their houses, there is hope yet. We're pulling for you Gulf Coast.

Bored at work?

2005-09-12T18:29:00.000-04:00

Just when I thought I was the only government schlep who hid crosswords on my desk! Thank you Senator Coburn. And just for shits and giggles, try Babble. Thanks to C-Span too for bringing us this gem...

Check out the BlogShare

2005-09-12T14:30:00.000-04:00

I signed up for BlogShares today while the server wasn't acting up. It's a pretty nifty concept where the blog acts as a commodity on a market of other blogs. I think it has to do with readership and then incoming and outgoing links. Now for the tech aspects of it all, I would ask ZipperSeven on how it all works.

So if you do in fact sign up, be sure to buy some of my BlogShares. I would like to think I am doing a pretty good job keeping it up these days. ZipperSeven is listed too (of course) and his shares are doing really well.

On another note, I've also added some new reviews to check out on Amazon if you're bored or want to see what kooky books and stuff I've reviewed lately.

Shameless plug

2005-09-10T18:33:00.000-04:00

I usually dont do all of this but I am attempting to clean out my closet. Please suppress your laughter. I've got some clothes on eBay that are too big for me and I am trying to sell them since I never got to wear them. Check them out here and bid nicely.

I warned you this was a shameless plug ;)

Who could forget Mr. Bill?

2005-09-09T10:58:00.000-04:00

Speaking for the first time from the Senate floor, Sen Landrieu started her account of the devastation in the Crescent city. So I guess she forgot about her interview with Anderson Cooper where she couldn't be bothered with giving straight answers. It really all does come down to what kind of dog and pony show you can put on while on the floor. Sure this USA Today article gives me some hope that there is human under that political skin. But based on her pedigree I might be a little off. Then again you've got to see there are clear differences in the reigning family dynasty between this one and this one. So who really knows?

I've got to hand it to her though, she did cite the best PSA announcer, Mr. Bill, as being more informed than Boosh. That got a hearty laugh out of me.

Katrina delays NASA

2005-09-09T09:06:00.000-04:00

As if NASA didn't have enough things on their to-do list, Hurricane Katrina rolled in and made their growing molehill a humungous mountain. But thoughtfully enough, they are more worried about housing their employees than tackling their program. From my human side of the HR movement businesses are taking these days, I give them a hearty pat on the back. I have great admiration for the shuttle program but I have even more admiration for the Administration that takes stock in their employees first and foremost.

The Orlando Sentinel has a good article on Michoud and Stennis. We all would like a return to flight but we have to remember that our human capital on Earth matters most.

Our hearts are with everyone on the Gulf Coast. We live here too and pledge to do all we can to help.

So they thawed out the Duke, eh?

2005-09-03T17:18:00.000-04:00

In this latest article update, Lt. Gen. Honore disembarked the chopper in NOLA and was ready to kick ass and take names to get things done. That's how it should have been done a while ago. Read more about this spit fire and his take charge attitude here. The Duke would be proud that they shared his moniker with this guy.

Political How to guide

2005-09-02T20:20:00.000-04:00

Hey kids, take a look at our nation's most powerful politicos and take notes. This is how you publicly end any hopes of furthering your political career.

Example 1. Hastert's comment reverberated with Fox News anchor Shepard Smith in New Orleans, who said, "In my wildest dreams, I cannot conjure up a vision of this city rebuilt."

Hastert said it makes no sense to spend billions of dollars to rebuild a city that's seven feet under sea level. "It looks like a lot of that place could be bulldozed," the Illinois Republican said in an interview yesterday with the Daily Herald of Arlington, Ill.

Full Text

Sure you're Speaker of the House but who made you God? Hmm not in my book. Enjoy your time now as the top political party because I think the winds of change are going to blow through swiftly. I'm not saying all blue states or all red states but I think there is going to be a lot of purple.

Example 2. Now, almost a week later our famed President now realizes that he's been reticent in finding ways to provide aide to the victims of this horrendous storm. I wonder what was the cause of the delay? Too busy getting oil money kickbacks because of the false panic that was set on the gas market? Not enough right wing voters in the affected areas to take notice? Or were there not hands to keep the puppet strings going in Iraq?

Yeah and who had to point this out to you? That's right, your wife! So does it seem like he surrounds himself with brilliance so that he can ply people with his Southern Charm? Damn, I turned of my charm receptor a long time ago.

Example 3. The religious right. I've had it with them, seriously. Someone should remind them of the teachings they sleep through during service on Sunday. Treat others as you wish to be treated. That means get up and take heed when the mayor of New Orleans says to help him because the people are getting out of control because everything they knew was taken away by the hand of mother nature.

To change gears a bit, I'd like to give a few shout outs.

Here's a round of applause for the state of New York who just donated $2.5 million to the Red Cross for rescue efforts. Talk about giving back to the people who helped you out when you were down and out. That's pretty classy.

Hooray for the people of neighboring states who are opening their hearts and some even their homes to help out the refugees. It is good to know that there are still people who operate on the golden rule out there.

Now will the recent turn of events make people take notice when there are storms a brewin' in the Atlantic basin? I am going to hope that's a big and resounding YES. In some way, we're all going to be hurricane hunters.

Three cheers for Ray Nagin

2005-09-02T13:21:00.000-04:00

He's the guy talking about New Orleans and the one who says he's pissed ON NATIONAL TV. It's about time. Here is the article that says it all.

So powers that be, if you are reading this: How does a terrorist threat that stole thousands of innocents differ from a natural disaster that decimates the Gulf coast? America, the beautiful is wounded and you've got to get out there and help her.

No words to say it

2005-09-02T12:42:00.000-04:00

My head is full of thoughts right now. Ideas and opinions, rants and raves and general whozits and what fors. Of course, I can't find the words to get everything out. Thought it is unfair to make everything snippets, I've got to say something.

1. Hurricane Katrina: what could I possibly say that hasn't already be said? The sheer and utter devastation that these people now face breaks my heart. There will certainly be a long road to recovery for those affected and for the honest people trying to get by right now. Z7 has had a few things to say as well and I think that his thoughts echo mine. Right now he's just a lot better at words than I am.

2. Gas prices: holy mother of god. I knew I was going to see high prices in my lifetime but $3.50/gal? Never in my wildest dreams. What is worse is the run on stations that I saw on Wednesday night and Thursday. I was scared. I saw 5 major hurricanes hit my state within the last year and didn't see this kind of rush. Is it worse in Tallahassee? Yeah it's flipping crazy. And for all of those people who mocked me for driving a Saturn, I know you're not mocking me now.

3. Energy conservation: since I work for the man, things start at the top. Z7 informed me that things are really hairy in my office building today. Here is where my keeping my cool starts. Please wish me luck because I am not good at keeping cool at all. Here's to wishing for an actually cold winter.

4. Working hard for an honest life: things aren't so easy in my little world. Sure compared to what I've already written about things are great. I've been in kind of a slump here with the conflict of what I can do and what I want to do. I have to keep reminding myself that when my time comes it will be even better than I imagine it because I put forth hard and honest work towards securing my dreams. I earn everything I have. I know that there are rewards in this world that are not meant for me now no matter to what lengths I go to secure them. My time will come and I hope that I am ready for all that it has in store.

7 sets of random 7's

2005-08-30T19:07:00.000-04:00

Vixen tagged me for a meme of 7's. I figured that I've got some time that I'll go ahead and throw some attention to it.

7 things I plan to do before I die:
1- Walk along the serene black sand beaches of Hawaii
2- Visit the Sakura and Shogetsu trees in Japan
3- Build and maintain a asian meditation garden
4- Find my path of peace, enlightenment and tranquility in this mess of a world
5- Develop and sucessfully maintain my professional consulting business
6- Spend as much time as it takes to visit spas in the Southwest
7- Own my very own American Bungalow

7 things I can do:
1- Listen intently to people's problems and read into them like a book
2- Worry about other people's issues as well as keeping track of my own
3- Cook meals and desserts like it's nobody's business
4- Remember odd factoids about pretty much everything I read
5- Pick out grammatical and syntactical errors no matter what I am reading
6- Devour books in a day
7- Pick up crazy things with my feet

7 things I cannot do:
1- Drive stick ( I have this hand-eye-foot coordination issue or something)
2- Wear pantyhose every day of the week (no way, no how, don't even ask)
3- Accurately remember lines from movies
4- Decide on how to keep my hair cut (it's been almost 8mos now since I got it cut last and my hair grows super super fast)
5- Go to the grocery store for just one thing
6- Have a logical conversation, digression has nothing on me
7- Make impulse decisions. I am the planner and the schemer as to figure out how it will all work out.

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1- eyes
2- sense of humor, sarcasm and scathing wit
3- compassion for the world around them
4- their ability to know that I can be a bit kooky but it's just something you've got to deal with
5- be able to keep up with witty banter
6- worldly knowledge of things that I do not know about in order to introduce me to them
7- ability to accept that I can be as quiet as a mouse or as ferocious as a hellcat given the situation

7 things that I say most often:
1- wtf?!
2- You've got to be fucking kidding me
3- Bloody hell
4- Isn't that some shit
5- ...in the grand scheme of things...
6- I digress...
7- Tell me how *you* think it is

7 celebrity crushes:
1- Clive Owen
2- Jason Statham
3- Lauren Graham
4- Camryn Manheim
5- Craig Ferguson (if just for the accent)
6- Kevin James
7- Sean Murray cute in that geeky sorta way

7 people I want to do this:
1- ZipperSeven
2- J Weston
3- Lisa
4- Lucky
5- Jenn
6- Ash
7- Well if you are reading this and I haven't tagged you and you want to, gfi

Tiptoeing through confusion

2005-08-26T08:52:00.000-04:00

Things here have been pretty hectic lately. I am sad to say we've had to deal with the less pleasant passages of life and have been consumed with that. Also I am scrambling to get this DIS stuff taken care of as the registration deadline nears. I got socked with graduate tuition that my job does not pay for so I am trying to sort that out to the best of my ability. Lots more stuff but I am just too tired to lay it all out on the table right now. So, faithful readers take heart, I'll be back soon enough, cheekier and snarkier than ever...after my batteries recharge.

Enough already

2005-08-20T13:39:00.000-04:00

Please make the heat stop...I *know* it is Florida and I *know* it is summer but really it's just too much.

Weather as of right now: 95F, heat index 108F, 75% humidity, oh my!

Ranty rant

2005-08-17T10:26:00.000-04:00

I don't know whether I've become more aware of it or that people just think that they can get away with it now with greater frequency but red light running is really irking me. I work downtown. And you see, when I say downtown, I mean that there is a traffic light on every block. Yes, I get stopped at practically every light because I am just a special driver like that. Anyway, since I am usually two cars back from going through the intersection, I get the opportunity to count how many bozos continue to go through the light even though it is red and has been for long enough for them to know that it means stop. Or at least they should know that. Supposedly, the city cops are coming down on red light runners but call me a citizen cop because I'll write down the offending license plate numbers and mail them to you. I guess my biggest concern is that I know people don't pay attention when they are driving anymore. That means as I am trying to second guess what they do, another driver is going to blindside me because they don't have the time to follow simple traffic laws. Many people will see this as a blip in the grand scheme of things but it bothers me to no end. It's right on up there with people not being smart enough to turn on their lights while driving in the rain or using their turn indicator to change lanes, make turns etc. Perhaps I make too big of a deal but maybe not enough people are making a deal out of it. I've said it before but if I had the answers, most likely I wouldn't be sitting here today doing what I am doing. Lucky you, I don't have the answers and I get to sit here and prattle on about life in general.

Hectic Weekend

2005-08-15T10:51:00.000-04:00

Hang on, I've got to catch my breath. Ok, we can start now. What a weekend. For some *crazy* reason I decided to go all gung ho and clean my house. The current operational theory on all of this is that I've got a lot on my mind. I can't organize my thoughts but I sure as hell can organize my house. For as long as I can remember this is how it has always been. I always had a clean dorm room. Always. And I have to say the majority of what I set out to accomplish is done, there are only a few things that I want to go back and tidy up. Today is the first day of school for the hooligans here so it is a perfect excuse for me to leave work and go right home. There is still more of this cleaning bug in me and I know it is just to get my mind to work in different ways. I am dedicated to making sure that I don't waste the time I have anymore. On a separate note, I've got to hand it to Z7, he really came through for me because I know how much he loathes cleaning. He was a trooper about it. Warms the heart of this cheeky dame, I tell ya.

There are other pending issues that have settled around us to make it hectic in other ways but at the core of everything, me and Z7, we're just fine. I know if I didn't throw that in there I would have an inbox of concerned readers (well ok, maybe one or two). With all the things I learn now in my life I can't imagine how amazingly difficult it is to teach kids that families encompass so many things. There is no *one* way to describe them. And I also feel that family is a dynamic concept. A relationship that changes the outlook of those involved on a constant basis. It's a rather remarkable concept. Maybe it is one of those great things that you learn after time and with all the emphasis that is put on early childhood learning, people fool themselves that it just stops after a certain point. Learning occurs over a lifetime. And the decisions we make today affect how we approach situations tomorrow. I digress...

This is one of those moments where I sit back and laugh because I haven't been reading much lately due to my priorities but I've had those moments of revelation. Who knows what brought it on? I don't and I don't claim to make any guesses to it. But life is rarely a narrow road that leads to only one destination.

Tagging back

2005-08-12T19:38:00.000-04:00

List ten songs that you are currently digging ... it doesn't matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they're no good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying right now. Post these instructions, the artists, and the ten songs in your blog. Then tag five other people to see what they're listening to.

1. Sleep to Dream - Fiona Apple Tidal
2. Birdcage - The Wallflowers Breach
3. My Favorite Mistake - Sheryl Crow The Very Best of Sheryl Crow
4. Don't Drink the Water - Dave Matthews Band Before These Crowded Streets
5. The Passenger - The Wallflowers Rebel, Sweetheart
6. Way - Fastball All the Pain Money Can Buy
7. Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something Home
8. Walk on the Ocean - Toad the Wet Sprocket P.S.: A Toad Retrospective
9. Big Time - Peter Gabriel Shaking the Tree: 16 Golden Greats
10. Three Marlenas - The Wallflowers Bringing Down the Horse

So I guess this works that I tag new people now? Ok so I tag Caffeinated Raptor, Syko, Lisa, Lucky, Ash and Jenn

Out of touch

2005-08-11T11:17:00.000-04:00

To all the loyal readers, I apologize. I have been slightly out of touch lately as I am frantically trying to get my lazy ass back into school. Right now things are on the up and up as I have a faculty advisor and a good idea of what topic I'd like to cover. Now I just need to muster the courage and dust off some of that intellect I have been saving for a rainy day. Z7 made a good point in our car discussion last night that I compartmentalize a lot of my intelligence on an everyday basis. Kind of shy away from just what I know because most of the people I have interaction with would be lost if I really got on a tangent. He went on to point out that I try too hard to be a "pleaser". For too long I have made decisions to compromise and to see the situation where it was beneficial for all involved. Two for two, I'm impressed. No question as to why I keep him around. Hearing it from him was excellent motivation to get my initial proposal ironed out. Furious typing and maybe 35 min later I had my draft proposal. Hopefully if my editors can get back to me, I'll get it turned in tonight.

This has been the summer of revelations I would have to say. Nothing monumental but maybe enlightening would be a more apt description. Many things have become clearer as to what is really going on. Don't take the days you have now for granted. You never know what could happen tomorrow. Family is very important but they should be viewed as concentric circles. Remember what's at the core and build out from there. As you grow up, people move in and out of the core and it's your job to keep tabs on things so that the balance doesn't get out of whack. Be honest with yourself. Don't weave a web of fibs to comfort yourself and forget the truth. Life is tough and you're supposed to make the best of it. No one can do that for you. Sometimes the stronger person is the one who can pick up the pieces of the shattered dream and make the mosaic out of it rather than the person with a pristine stained glass window. The road to happiness is a run-down dirt road. Don't let the well manicured median and freshly paved road to failure sway you. Always succumbing to what you want leaves a void in your life. You fail to learn the value of earning what you want. Plastic money can buy the world but it cannot buy your happiness.

More pressing revelations: I cannot make everyone in the world happy. I work quickly therefore it is difficult for me to remain constantly busy. People are going to have to deal with that. With each passing day it is becoming clearer that a change is coming. I know that I need to take the steps to make that change and take the chance that it is a good decision. That in and of itself is a frightening thought.

I'm trading up my plate at the buffet of life. Time for me to find out just how much I can handle.

Welcome home Discovery!

2005-08-09T15:48:00.000-04:00

With a fantastic landing out at Edwards at the wee hours of the morning, Commander Collins brought Discovery and her crew home. A great job by all as we become more aware of the world and the space that we live in. Hopefully we can get some answers and be back on track for shuttle successful shuttle flights before the end of the year.

Cheers to Discovery and NASA! Let's get Atlantis up...

Because I'm an addict

2005-08-04T13:46:00.000-04:00

I cannot get enough of this no matter how much it frustrates me! You better believe I am reading those newspapers hella quick now LOL

And my little brother too

2005-08-04T08:25:00.000-04:00

Yes, he really did mention my little brother Jeb. And yes kids, he is waving to astronauts that can't see him. But since he waves and does goofy hand gestures all the time, this should come as no surprise. Here at Mystique, Inc. we're not sure who got the prez a decent tv but my money is on the people at NASA who wanted to make sure that Boosh knew how far away the astronauts are. Heh heh, at least these people can meet and greet with the President with only wearing socks. Those lacrosse players are probably pissed because of all the flack they got about the flip flops.

Well my commentary on this will probably go over as well as me joking about Dubbya and his mini tv. Guess this is a blog that isn't for the critics.

It's also a shame that I can no longer look at the leader of the United States without being seriously reminded of the guy who does the spot on impersonation of the prez on Craig Ferguson's show. Thank you for my pretty little dvr that lets me watch all of the Fergetron's eps.

And I am going to digress here for a brief moment. When will the brilliant drivers in this beautiful state realize that if it is raining you MUST TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS. Not only that but if you drive a silver car, don't expect me to see you in the rain. It's already dark and cloudy out and your car is so suitably camouflaged. (/rant)

I guess for the obvious superfluous stuff here I don't have a lot to say. Guess that's cool since I am really convinced no one reads this. Oh well. It's free and it's snazzy and it makes me happy.

Godspeed Discovery. You're doing things that kids like us can only dream of. Thanks for doing such an amazing job!