Wind back about 20 years. My mom, dad, brother, his pal and I were on vacation. We usually went camping but this year we splurged and got a condo in Hilton Head. Rob and Bert were in high school and while us "grown ups" were going to dinner. Rob and Bert asked to borrow my car - my precious little Honda CRX - to go cruising. Sure, I'm the cool big-sister, here are the keys. Besides, it's a two-seater - they can't exactly pick anybody up in it, can they? :)
Several hours later, while we're in a jacket and tie quality restaurant, in come these two ragamuffin teenage boys, wet and sheepish. ? "Ummm... do you have a spare key for your car?" yes.. and I hand it over. They later tell me they had stopped to fill the tank (points for that), got distracted by some girls and locked the keys in the car - ENGINE RUNNING - at the pump. Brilliant! He thanked me for the spare key and then lit up as he said "Did you know your car floats?", made some whoosh whoosh sounds, and they walked off.
Next day. The boys were sitting on the balcony flirting with some girls down by the pool. It appeared to be going well. I slipped a kiddie CD into the player, slid it out onto the balcony, and hit the ON button with the volume on full and locked the balcony door. The girls walked away. My work was done.
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- The citizens of Amsterdam may now take counsel of talking toilets that expound on the perils of smoking or the futility of war and berate them on hygiene and cleanliness. The first such toilets, fitted with sensors to detect exactly what visitors do and to pass comment if appropriate, were installed in a central Amsterdam cafe Thursday. Creator Leonard van Munster, who sees the project as an artistic venture, will build more if the demand arises. "You might consider sitting down next time," the toilet told a male Reuters reporter politely in a female robot voice. The next user was told that "The last visitor did not take heed of basic rules of hygiene." Depending on circumstances, the toilet might remind you to wash your hands or ask you to lift the seat. "It could suddenly start coughing and warn you about the dangers of cigarettes, or name all the cool movie stars who smoke. It just depends what mood it's in," van Munster said referring to people who sneak off to secretly have a puff. --- CNN http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/ 30/talking.toilets.reut/index.html" title="http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/ 30/talking.toilets.reut/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD...
I want one of these for each bathroom! But I don't want my toilet to be moody - what if it decides to revolt? (if that's not a straight line for my RF2 buddies, I don't know what is...)
1) Am digging being in my 40’s 2) Consider myself West Virginian, though I wasn’t born there and don’t presently live there. 8 generations of ancestors ought to count. 3) Favorite healthy obsession – Genealogy/History (it’s really the same thing) 4) Worst habit – procrastination (I’m avoiding a project at work as we speak) 5) A close second – housekeeping.I’m a clutterbug and I LIKE it. 6) Favorite fiction authors – Lately it’s Dan Brown & Tom Clancy. Love mysteries. 7) Favorite ice cream – Graeters Double Chocolate Chip (slobber) 8 ) Biggest splurge purchases – books and movies 9) I’ve never seen The Godfather or Goodfellas. 10) Would like to try water aerobics 11) Dream vacation – 3 months in the British Isles 12) I think I should dream more 13) Had the nickname Harry Tweazle in junior high school 14) Co-led the Tweazle Club with my pal Harpo (Lea Ann). 15) Harpo and I founded Frog Day in high school, complete with buttons and funny hats. 16) People often thought we were on an illegal drug. We were just goofy. 17) Do NOT understand the Three Stooges. 18) Do not want to. 19) Turn to mush at the sound of a sexy accent. (drool) 20) Sexy accents must be male and not originate in any section of the USA. 21) Become hostile when suffering a chocolate deficiency. 22) My eyes are hazel – green, gold, & brown.I like that they’re fairly unique. 24) Have worn glasses for over 80% of my life. 25) Am debating doing LASIK surgery. Fuzzy vision with glasses is better than no vision from an “oops”. 26) I try and find the joy in the little things 27) I took #26 from chicalookate – we have that one in common J 27) Wonder how many people noticed there is no #23. 28) Wonder how many people looked up to verify that there is no #23. 29) I don’t like being predictable. 30) I like being dependable. 31) #29 and #30 do not cohabitate well and give me frequent headaches 32) Think sometimes having a split personality could be fun 33) So do I 34) Monty Python’s Holy Grail is one of my very favorite movies 35) Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade are 2 more. 36) The Da Vinci Code is a new favorite book 37) I sense a trend. 38) If you don’t get that, read “Da Vinci Code”.It’s damn good. 39) I wanted to work for either the CIA or NASA when I grew up. 40) I did neither, but I do like my job. 41) I wish the creative side of my brain would switch on more often. 42) I wish I’d taken the SAT’s, just to know what my score would’ve been. 43) I forgot what my ACT score was, so maybe #42 isn’t so important. 44) I love staring at the moon and stars. 45) I enjoy not conforming to the rules. 46) I refuse to put 50 items on this list.Wooo I’m such a rebel! 47) Frank Burns Eats Worms. 48) That Peanut Butter Jelly Time link on my previous blog is damn funny. Click it!You know you want to! 49) I miss Calvin and Hobbes. 50) Technically, this is #49 since I skipped #23.
And now for something COMPLETELY silly Of all the crazy things I've seen on the internet, this is probably my mostest favoritest - and you can dance to it! http://www.ebaumsworld.com/peanutbutter.shtml" title="http://www.ebaumsworld.com/peanutbutter.shtml" target="_blank"http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pe...
I'm interesting in renting a few movies - anyone seen them already? See if you can spot what they have in common.
Mrs. Brown One More Kiss Dracula 2000 Reign of Fire Attila
Hint: I've already seen Timeline, that's what has started this latest drool fest.... & nbsp; ok, enough teasing... here is why! Ladies, here is Gerard Butler!
"Little kids have to be nice to little kids, and adults have to be nice to adults." -- Katie
This is the advice our 3-year old gave my husband as he commented on another person's driving :)The quote actually began with "Daddy, that's not an idiot, that's a car."
I thought it was a pretty deep statement for a youngin'
Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well it's you girl, and you should know it With each glance and every little movement you show it
Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're gonna make it after all
My co-worker has been rocking to Korn all afternoon. I'm about to shut down the computer for the night and what pops in my head? The theme to Mary Tyler Moore! I think I'll go toss a beret. Have a good one!
I dig the Olympics but I do miss my Jay Leno fix. Anyhoo... Last night, I've got the tv going in the background while I'm on tblurt and surfing around when I glance up and I see a "pick up" basketball game. Playing are: Batman and Robin vs. Green Lantern and Superman. Wonder Woman and Cat Woman were cheerleaders. After confirming I wasn't hallucinating, I decided to go to bed. It was obviously past my bedtime.
"M-o-o-o-o-o-m, it's BUMBLEgum, not BUBBLEgum." (excuuuuuse me!)
"Nolan and I are getting married today. I'm gonna share my phone, my necklace, and we're going to eat sugar." So I asked.. "Does Nolan know?" "No, but I'm a princess because princesses always have bumblegum. And a lovely dress." (ok, that's enough Disney for awhile!)
"Penguins don't need shampoo!" We were talking about Wendy's Frostys. I said "When you were still a baby in my tummy, I craved Frostys. I ate one nearly every day!" to which Katie added "and it went SPLAT on my head! .. and it was really messy". I was speechless. The only thing I could think to say - once I could breathe again after nearly asphyxiating with suppressed laughter - was "gosh honey, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
I'm not the only one annoyed by Russia's supreme gymnast, Svetlana Khorkina. Sticking her tongue out at the scoreboards, showing off her pictures in magazines to the person who'd bested her in the all around medal, and complaining that she was robbed of her medal by American-biased judges all served to do one thing - piss me off.
When I think "Olympic Athelete" I imagine someone not only who excels in their specialty but also has a heart of gold. I know it's not a requisite but it's my imagination so there :P And showing how I'm not a good sport - I take no small amount of satisfaction in watching those who think they are mighty take a fall (in her case, literally, off the uneven parallel bars - or the American track and field back-to-back-gold-hopeful and master-boaster Maurice Greene settle for Bronze).
If Svetlana couldn't stay in the headlines by winning, I guess she found another way. She's already done the nudity thing by posing for Playboy, I'm only slightly curious what's next.
I have mood hair. I started out life with very light blonde hair, then strawberry-blonde, and it continues to both darken and lighten as I get older (darkening to brown, lightening with gray). However, my skin tone is persistently HONKY. I can't really stay out in the sun very long. This brings up my point - there is a HUGE difference between knowing something and applying that knowledge. Today was absolutely lovely and I was outside for several hours in a swimsuit with no sunscreen. Now I am glowing red and rather uncomfortable... hmm, fancy that. Color me with a big 'Doh'. Hope you had a good weekend, too!
I've talked about my fondness for Mike Keneally's music before, so indulge me once again. Now there's an easy way to try out his music - his new "radio" station www.radiokeneally.com . (Note: it's just getting off the ground so if at first it doesn't run, try, try again - or use the link off to the left (towards the bottom))
Mike has such a wide range that it's difficult to classify him with any label other than "amazing". He plays acoustic guitar fluidly, can thrash and shred electric like no other, is a remarkable pianist and recently expanded into the orchestral realm. He has a terrific sense of humor and his overall message is upbeat. In fact, he's a little loony. I really really really really enjoy his creations. Ok, most of them. But hey, I was a diehard Queen fan ever since they started doing music and there's an album of theirs I STILL can't listen to ;) (Hot Space.. ugh) But I digress. The point I was trying to make is that each song is going to be different from the one before it. Just keep listening!
There are lots of artists that I enjoy, but I feel a strong connection with Mr. K. There's a community of us fans - I think it started on alt.music.mike-keneally (usenet newsgroup). There's a hundred or so regularish posters and several more lurkers. It's family. For anyone who's felt like the world is slightly out of step - too negative, too focused on the material, not appreciative of "art" - this place could well feel like home. I loved it the instant I started visiting there 5 or so years ago - in fact, that's where my husband and I met. The topics in AMMK are occasionally about music but the busiest threads seem to be food oriented. Wonder what that means... anywho, Mikey drops in occasionally as do a couple other of the band members. Very accessible and likable, to say the least. Or I wouldn't still be hanging out there :)
So please tune into Keneally Radio. If you like his music, pop over to Keneally.com www.keneally.com and order a CD or 2. Even if you don't groove on the music, visit us at AMMK. It's a grand place to kick back - just don't mention creamy peanut butter - the cool ones know that crunchy is where it's at. ;)
Hair coloring: There is a fine line between cute (MJ in Spiderman) and clown (Ronald McDonald). It's a shame hair color packaging doesn't distinguish between the two.
Be careful not to use the same finger to "set" your red lipstick that you later use to de-wedge your underwear. Particularly when wearing white pants.
Why do we use red on hearts to mean "I love you" and red on signs to mean "danger"?
Why do the charts use Red for Bush and Blue for Kerry - is the red for "love" or "danger" in this case?
Red applesauce means it's either Valentine's day or someone needs a bandaid.
Why do people call people with red hair "carrot top" if the top of a carrot is actually green?
Why am I still at work and not on my way home? ... It has nothing to do with red, I was just on a roll. Have a happy weekend - hope nothing makes you "see red"!
In the spirit of the Olympic season, here are some strange sports as listed in the book "What Were They Thinking?" by Felton. I'm guessing some potent potables were involved. Andy, if you're reading, I'd love your thoughts on #8.
1. Bullfighting on wheels. In 1901, Henri Deutsch staged the world's first vehicular bullfight. Using a Peugeot, a chauffer and a bullfighter in the passenger seat, they loosed the bull. The bull panicked when it saw the car and the bullfight turned into a chase, with the bull zigzagging across the arena and the Peugeot trying to keep up with him. As the stink of exhaust fumes filled the air, the crowd quickly grew bored and began to leave.
2. Roller basketball. Basketball originated in 1891 and a decade later, roller skating enjoyed a surge in popularity. That's when someone got the idea to combine the two. There was even talk of a roller basketball league, with fifty clubs applying for franchises and some went so far to predict it would replace pedestrian basketball. It didn't.
3. Equestrian basketball. If wheels won't do it, perhaps horses will? The rules were similar to "standard" basketball but dribbling was eliminated and the foul line pushed out 30 feet. Not many points were scored. In a 1929 game, the game highlight was a collision between Horton and Van Iseghan, with the former breaking his leg and the latter suffering spinal damage. (Wonder why it didn't catch on?)
4. Equestrian boxing. There was a write-up for this one, but I couldn't get past the image of the poor horses getting punched in the face... what's that? Oh, it was the riders punching each other? Never mind (Emily Latella)
5. Aerial Golf. Another whacky creation of the 1920's. This sport required 4 players - two in the air and two on the ground. The airborne players took off in separate aircraft, each with a generous supply of balls, and at an altitude of 50 feet or so, dropped the ball as close to the cup as possible. Then the earthbound partner took over, playing the ball from where it landed. ... now, they didn't specify what kind of aircraft but choices were limited in the 1920's.
6. Robot Sumo Wrestling. The All-Japan Robot Sumo Tournament has been sponsored annually by Fuji Software since 1989. Two classes: radio-controlled and stand-alone. Either way, robots that are more than 20 cm or hurl objects at their opponents are ineligble. First prize: one million yen
7. The Eskimo ear-pull. A fixture of the annual Eskimo-Indian Olympics. Two opponents face each other, connected by a length of sealgut fishing line tied to each person's ear. Each pulls back on the line, trying to force the other to give up.
8. Purring. In this ancient Welsh contact sport, two opponents stand face-to-face, grasping each other firmly by the shoulders. At the starting signal, they begin kicking each other smartly in the shins with shoes reinforced with metal toeplates. First one to release his opponent's shoulders loses.
9. Face slapping. This was in vogue in Russia in the 1930's - two guys slapping each other silly until one cries uncle. The most celebrated match was in 1931 and lasted 30 hours until spectators started pulling them apart.
10. The 56-pound rock throw. Introduced in the 1904 Olympic games and won by Canadian policeman Etienne Desmarteau with a manly heave of 34 feet, 4 inches. Why 56 pounds? Good question. It's still performed, like the caber toss, at Celtic/Scottish festivals today.
I was thinking about all sorts of serious stuff tonight. My friend Hardtoimagine has been struggling with some things lately that clang a lot of bells in my own psyche. I was outside tonight, looking up at the limitless sky, pondering all sorts of ponderables... got my daughter to bed, fired up the computer and turned on the tv... and there are all these to-die-for male bodies on my television! I know that I'm a person of substance, not fluff, but day-um! How is a girl to concentrate with all that going on?! MAN I love gymastics! I guess the serious posts will have to wait til the Olympics are over...
We've been playing those silly brain-puzzlers at work again (like the priest one that got me all fired-up) but the one thing I simply cannot figure out ...
I love the Olympics! The opening ceremony Friday was visually intriguing. The "live" statues were fascinating, I couldn't look away. I even found myself wishing for a big screen tv. I could've done with out the inane chatter from the commentators -- why can't someone develop a selective mute that only affects the voices?
Anyways, my favorite part - The competition? Counting the medals? Nope! It's the eye candy! Swimmer s! Weight Lifters! Gymnasts!!! Drool!! I mean.. ahem... I so respect the hours of effort they've invested in developing their muscles... I mean, craft! Yeah, that's it. :oops: Hubba Hubba!
Slightly more seriously - I appreciate the inspiration it gives young children and the (more often than not) putting aside of political issues and coming together for the sport. I signed up for gymnastics shortly after the olympics (just a few years ago.. cough) and I imagine enrollment gets a big boost now, too. I also enjoy the "how they got here" background stories on the athletes. Ok, so the music and commentators on those videos go a bit overboard on the drama... Allow me some syrupy stories to balance the war and political stories that otherwise occupy the airwaves. I love learning who are the underdogs -- remember Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican Bobsled Team? I'm not usually a sports-watcher but I do love the Olympic season! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get my bib ready for tonight's show...
because the priest was THE ONLY MALE, dammit! (see previous blog)
I really butchered my bangs this time
Chocolate poptarts are God's gift to modern woman.
I think I accidently doubled up on my meds... oops
I could try going without caffeine today... HA HA HA HAA!
Wonder if we'll get the data purged from U02 before it fills up and sends the LIMS crashing to the Earth (See, I do think about work once in while)
Judy's oldest son's girlfriend claims to be pregnant - conveniently 2 weeks after he moved away to college. She insisted that he stay here and not leave her. Deliberate ploy?
Is it legal to get your children spayed? then "unspay" them when they're older?
Is it possible to have a cat and not have hairballs all over the carpet?
This training class is REALLY going too damn slow
Did he just say "I think I have a bra on"?
We are the dinosaurs, marching marching...
I love ice cold milk
THIS TRAINING CLASS IS GOING TOO DAMNSLOW
Oooh, look, she's wearing something shiny. (lady passed by my door)
Will whoever took the remote control of my brain, please return it? Or stop sitting on the buttons? Thank you.
Wonder what's for lunch?
THE PRIEST WAS THE ONLY MALE!!!
please GOD pick up the pace before I hemorrage
It was so nice to wake up and find clean laundry this morning, thanks honey!
Wonder if I should publish another installment of the brain game?
That's enough of that, I'm starting to scare myself!
A man walked outside with no raincoat and no umbrella, yet he didn't get wet. Why ? ...... Yep, they guessed it - it wasn't raining.
Here's another one, then!
A policeman was walking past a house. He heard somone cry, "Don't shoot me, John! Don't shoot!" There was one gunshot. The policeman entered the house and saw a lawyer, priest, and an engineer, gathered around a dead body. The priest was immediately arrested.
Four months seems like a mighty long time to be thinking about it, but trying to juggle the schedules of multiple families takes a bit of planning. Especially when two of the parties are ministers. Christmas is one of the two busiest times of year for a minister. It starts with Thanksgiving (usually a combo service with other local churches on the Wednesday prior) and lasts through Christmas Eve. It's also my favorite season of the year so I'm not complaining - it just adds a layer of complexity to organizing our own family festivities when we're scattered across 5 states. Now that my brother is a pastor, we have TWO church schedules to work around. Phew.
The plus side is that we rarely celebrate a holiday on the actual holiday. Why is that a plus? For one, it takes the pressure off to be everywhere at once. Between my family, each spouse's family traditions, and now a grandchild that everyone wants to see, it could be really hairy. We're lucky that we don't have any foot-stampers... those that INSIST that you be there on THE day or they won't speak to you for a year. It's fairly easy going and people just do their best. In other words, the focus is more on the BEING together than the date on the calendar.
Then an aunt pops up with a plan to have the entire family all together for the first time in a decade and the pressure is on to make it there (despite living a state away and having work schedules to juggle, too). And thus the holiday headaches begin... :roll:
I want to sit on a sandy beach and watch gentle waves wash in. I was thinking somewhere on the Gulf of Mexico - like Sarasota Florida - but other places sound nifty, too... Clearwater, etc.
So I need some traveler tips - what spots to avoid, what are cool? My daughter is 3 so family friendly is a must. We probably wouldn't go until Novemberish - hopefully after hurricane season. Thanks in advance!
Here's a puzzle for you -- guess early and guess often. If no one is close after "awhile" (or if I get bored!) I'll start posting clues. Mkay?! "A butterfly fell and a man was killed as a consequence. Why?" Ok, it's been long enough ;) Clue 1: It has nothing to do with the "Butterfly Effect" movie! Clue 2: The butterfly was not alive and its job was to be a warning Clue 3: The man walked into trouble
Ready? The butterfly was a window cling - without it, the man didn't notice the sliding glass door was closed and walked into it.
This particular view is from the Overlook. You can see the New River weaving through the hills. Up and offscreen to your left is the end of the whitewater "ride" and to the right is a dam forming a small lake. This particular spot is special to me because for generations, my family has gone there for special outings. We have photographs from the past 4 decades of this spot, starting with my grandmother up through me and hopefully soon of my daughter.
I hope someday you can go there, too. It's on Route 60 about halfway between Charleston and Lewisburg. Here's their main website http://www.hawksnestsp.com" title="http://www.hawksnestsp.com" target="_blank"http://www.hawksnestsp.com There is a small lodge perched on one mountain with a beautiful view of the gorge. I love eating breakfast at the lodge - try to get a seat close to the window. Watching the mist rise off the river and up over the hills and the hawks circling around ... it's magical. Then you can ride the skylift down the hill and take a jet boat tour of the river that is hilarious. Not only do you see stunning scenery but the owner is a classic example of a "character". I laughed my BUTT off. And to do me proud, please sing the song ...
Oh those West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand! With their summits bathed in glory like our Prince Emmanuel's hand! Is it any wonder then, that my heart with rapture thrills as I stand once more with loved ones on those West Virginia hills? Oh those hills, beautiful hills! How I love those West Virginia hills! If o'er sea or land I roam, still I think of happy home and my friends among those West Virginia Hills!
When times are good When times are bad I'll eat my chocolate with my chocolate coated in chocolate and topped with chocolate After all Beauty is only skin deep And nothing else matters When there is chocolate. --- and let the people say "Amen" !
This is me and my best buddy, Judy (she's on your left). We have MORE fun when we're together than should be legal. As you may recall, she was my cohort in the great "Happy Nev Year" incident. The picture is a few years old, as you may have gathered from the INCREDIBLY fashionable glasses we were wearing. The boneheads? Glad you asked. We were working Help Desk at the time and whenever an especially silly call came in "my mouse has no ball!", the boneheads came out. I hated working helpdesk but we sure had fun!
Enough icky news. I was lucky enough to visit Babcock State Park in West Virginia during the fall. It is truly this stunning. The picture you see here is of the famous Grist Mill. When nature puts on a show as lovely as this, even a picture taken with a cheapie disposable camera looks incredible. This particular image is from http://www.wvepostcards.com" title="http://www.wvepostcards.com" target="_blank"http://www.wvepostcards.com as mine isn't handy.
Many tourists visit W.Va. for the rafting. If you do ever visit my fine home-state, please take time to look up. The hills are glorious and I miss them very much.
My feelings about "assisted" pregnancy have been gung-ho positive. Families who want children and biologically are having problems should have the ability to obtain medical assistance. It's an example of how scientific advances can bring about miracles.
Here is where it gets worse. Couple A has sued for custody of child B because it's biologically their child. That was a few years ago. The court granted Couple B TEMPORARY custody of the child they've raised since birth and recently granted Couple A's husband twice-weekly custody.
The sheer agony couple B are facing must be enormous. The woman was 47 and desperate to have a child when she got the implant of what she THOUGHT was her husband's sperm and another donor's egg. This child has known one family for 3 years and now suddenly will be split into two. Shades of King Herod. The final outcome won't be decided for another few months.
Reading the article made me question couple A's intentions. As a couple themselves struggling to have a child, surely they know this was couple B's last chance (based on her age)? Then I consider the joy they must have felt to learn that instead of a single child, they were blessed with two? I wouldn't want to be any of those people. The article didn't go into any of the family backgrounds, so I pray that this child has a loving, nurturing, supportive environment. Maybe it's the best thing to happen to him. It sure sounds and feels tragic on the surface.
And I'm going to limit my news to the "Offbeat" section and The Onion for awhile. There's just too much.
Let's read that again, shall we?Girl testifies Disney's Tigger molested herThat's what I THOUGHT you said. From CNN ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- A 13-year-old girl testified Monday that a Walt Disney World worker dressed as the beloved character Tigger fondled her breast while she posed for a photo with him and her mother. "I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say," the girl said during the first day of Michael Chartrand's trial on battery and lewd and lascivious molestation charges.
I had to answer the "favorite color" 3 times before I got the answer I liked but...
Hey, it wasn't REALLY cheating, I DO like yellow. I prefer Blue and Purple - but purple gave me the answer.. gulp... George Bush. I may never wear purple again!