Oh! Excuse me

Cold weather means blankets over some of the more delicate plants... I had a sheet on the railing that I decided I would use but discovered that I had waited too long to move it this evening.

It already had tenants.

Lizards. Not moving lizards are cold lizards.

So that occupied area got folded over, tucking them in and the rest of the sheet got used. Hopefully it won't get down to freezing tonight.

Liam wandered up and he is now in the cat condo on top of Vain's crate. It's good practice for next week when he's got to be contained after his surgery.

He's been in the house a few times tucked under my arm during the dog cycling in the evening and last night he got to sit on my lap while I was at the computer [dog crates are right behind me] so it's not totally foreign.

Still, he locked the front legs around the door of the crate in a death grip but once I got him in the crate [a nice new wire crate with towel] he became quiet, looking around to see what's around his crate, kicking back. More interested in washing up. Cat hygiene.

Acts like it's a normal thing to be in a small wire crate on top of a huge crate, indeed, in a room of huge crates full of his friends.

The village idiot, Pris, can see him from her crate and is dancing around trying to get him to play. Goofball.

The temperature is about 45 degrees at the airport - my thermometer says it's about 52. We rarely get as cold as the airport because of the trees, but it will get fairly nippy.

Tag: pets and winter

Red flag warning...

Face man
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

For those that aren't current in national weatherspeak, a red flag warning is issued "WHEN VERY FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE SPREAD OF WILDFIRE ARE OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL OCCUR WITHIN 24 HOURS."

Around here, red flag warnings go hand in hand with low temperatures... Tonight they say it's going to stay clear with a low near 34. Tomorrow it's supposed to drop to 33.

If not tonight, then definitely tomorrow night it's time to snatch Mr. Kitty and put him in his condo in the dog's room.

Mr. Kitty's real name is Sweet William - Liam for short, Face Man for fun. The picture above was taken the day after he "introduced hisself" and we're calling him about 7-weeks-old then. He's close to 6 months now.

He came onto my property one Saturday morning after a storm - straight-up screaming like a mockingbird for someone, any one. So someone went to check him out. Pris.

Pris is my rescue Rottweiler of indeterminate age - we'll call her 4 years old. The other two dogs watched - I yelled myself hoarse to get her back from a contact with a cat I assumed was rabid.

I mean, really? What cat in it's right mind would approach a strange dog?

A 105 lb dog that has the most intense 'stare' you never want to be on the front side of?

A newly weaned kitten of Maine Coon cat heredity, that's what. They're nothing but a dog in a cat suit....

Anyway, finally having to take off an overshirt to use as a leash, I got Pris away from him and put her up in the house. I lured him into the open for a can of tuna... As I was trying to keep her from flipping him on his back, I saw just how tiny he was. I then went out and bought him real cat food... He's been here ever since.

It took a week of using a flexileash and a pinch collar to get Pris over the thought of a cat sandwich - if that was ever her thought. I kind of think that his yelling brought out the mother in her... because while I know nothing of her history before I adopted her, I do know that she had had a litter at the probably ripe age of 8 months old. So, perhaps I misinterpreted her.

Now she either ignores him or plays with him. Everyone else is the same - but they have had a cat before.... But never one that chose them.

Anyway, I can't let him loose in the house because I don't want a confrontation between him and the cockatoo [a smallish one] and I want to have him neutered before he gets supervised run of the house. That's gonna happen next week.

Yo! Merry Christmas, Liam.

Tag: pets and winter

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Eleven weeks and holding...

It's coming up on 11 weeks! I didn't do the math right, duh, since I quit smoking but the scale's not lying - I've picked up around 15 pounds and tonight after stepping on the new, weight watcher scale - I decided that's enough.

The extra weight irritates/depresses me and that puts a squelch on anything creative I want to do. So, out of irritation and an excess of energy I started an exercise regimen outside tonight while the dogs were out.

Very Army, albeit lightweight on the repetitions for the first few days. I'll talk to the doctor on Friday about getting more aggressive and the resident cyclist at work about where to take my mountain bike for a tune up.

If I start working the nastiness out at night I'll sleep better and I might have a chance to get back into the art pieces I have on hold.

I'm being reasonable about the exercise and weight loss, not radical [at least at the moment]. I'm not 30 so things are a little more resistant to change. I just figure that if I can quit smoking cold, I can drop the weight or at least tone everything up to an acceptable point. When I quit smoking I said I would accept staying the same clothes size and so far - it's not a problem.

Tag: smoking, Quitting, Health

Haven't we been through all this before?

From WaPo:

"Democrats fumed last week at Vice President Cheney's suggestion that criticism of the administration's war policies was itself becoming a hindrance to the war effort. But a new poll indicates most Americans are sympathetic to Cheney's point.

"Seventy percent of people surveyed said that criticism of the war by Democratic senators hurts troop morale - with 44 percent saying morale is hurt "a lot," according to a poll taken by RT Strategies. Even self-identified Democrats agree: 55 percent believe criticism hurts morale, while 21 percent say it helps morale."

Ah, no shit sheriff! Soldiers need to feel that they are being supported and with the Democrats [and others] tearing into the policy and leadership in a vocal and visual way... that doesn't help them at all. And damn it, it should be all about the soldiers. Not some freshman politico making noise for his own crowd.

But, it's not just the freshmen is it? NPR lays out Congressman John Murtha's attack of Nov. 17:

"I like guys who've never been there to criticize us who've been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there, and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done. I resent the fact on Veterans Day he criticized Democrats for criticizing them."

The best response to date was by Ralph Peters three days later.

Looking at it from the then battle dress uniform crowd: We - the military as a group - hated the anti-war left's actions during the Gulf War... and to a certain extent, the Fourth Estate who vocalized/parroted for them by the numbers.

It's bad enough that Cindy Sheehan is making every soldier's committment to their oath a cheap gesture. But, that's a place I don't want to go tonight... er, this morning.

Sheehan just needs to go home and go forward from there. And that, Mabel, is just my own, personal $.02.

Tag: Politics, Cindy Sheehan and Iraq.

Isn't that cute...

[Affecting a baby-talk voice:] It's goin' home to Mama!

Mother Nature has already made the short list for Person of the Year - the bitch can give it a rest already...

Previous: This has been 'one of those' years

Tag: tropical storm, NOAA, Mother Nature, TIME 2005 Person of the Year.

Harry Potter goes to South Australia

The Age answers a question that I have never gotten around to asking:

"For The Philosopher's Stone (2001), Radcliffe, then 11, was paid $400,000, which rose to more than $4 million for The Chamber of Secrets (2002) to $8 million for The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) and about $12 million for the The Goblet of Fire, which opens in Australia on December 1. He has just signed on for a fifth, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, for which he will earn about $20 million. His family manages his assets and he is completing school with a tutor on set."

Radcliffe is in Adelaide to make December Boys, based on a 1963 novel by a Queensland author, the late Michael Noonan.

Tag: Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter

So that's what it was...

From News.com.au:

SCIENTISTS have figured out why alcohol makes ugly people seem more attractive - otherwise known as the "beer goggles" effect.

"A phenomenon which has caught out millions of people over the years, the beer goggles effect refers to how having too much to drink can make someone you find repulsive suddenly exude all the charms and allure of a supermodel."

One more reason not to drink past your internally set limit.

Tag: Beer, humor and alcohol.

Into the maw of retail...

Yesterday, I didn't dive into the earliest part of The Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Frenzy, I went and got my nails done first ;) THEN I went to see what was going on.

There is nothing like a pedicure to get your blood running [this was my second one]. A friend said she knows of a Spa that offers a pedicure that lasts around an hour. I think I want to research it. Wha...

I have never bothered to go shopping on Black Friday before, but I have heard all about it. So, I made sure that I wouldn't end up diving into Target until 11:30 a.m.

There were two people in the salon when I got there so there was no waiting in line for a pedicure. Wonderful stuff.

I went into Target, I had forgotten they just opened a Starbucks in there which was a treat... I went looking for Christmas socks, but they didn't have the type I was looking for, but that didn't stop me from filling up my 'cute and strange, colorful sock fetish.'

Went to a Super Wal-Mart, didn't find what I was looking for there, either. This time it was a particular design of jeans. Then went to Sam's Club, and then went home.

All in all, a very booring shopping experinence. I like them that way.

It probably would have helped to have had list, but I really have everything I need.

The one think I was really looking for was a T Mobile retailer, but didn't find one that had the Sidekick II on hand. I'm debating getting one so that I can blog as I go - that, and it has a camera. I have a Sony Mavica that is the best camera I have ever owned and perfect for what I use it for [photographing art pieces], but compared to my PDA and/or cellphone, it is huge. If I decide against a Sidekick, I'll pick up a Nikon digital to keep in my briefcase or purse.

So, today I'm launching back into the Maw... only this time with my sister. Wish us luck.

Tag: black friday

Yum...

I just got back from a phenomenal Thankgiving feast put on by a friend of my sisters.

Dinner for about 20 served on the veranda of their log house... sigh.

So, uh... I am stuffed on: turkey, ham, asparagus and hollandaise sauce, green bean casserole, Waldorf salad and a wondrous coconut cream pie with a 4 inch loft of meringue - that tempted me for thirds [small bits mostly of meringue].

The slight buzz comes from two Michelob Amber Bock's not chased by coffee.

The dogs have been out, the next plan is fix their dinner and then I'm going to bed... oh, at around 8 p.m.

I'm off tomorrow and I don't plan to go shopping until after 11 a.m. and then only for a pair of slacks. The locusts should be done by then I hope.

A comment going out through the ether: Happy Thanksgiving to all and may all have a safe upcoming Holiday Season.

Tag: Thanksgiving, holiday season

This has been 'one of those' years

Delta...

Well, duh. Who’d a thunk it?

Six days until the official end of the destructive 2005 hurricane season and we have another widget forming in the Atlantic. Weather guru doesn't think its going to make landfall... We'll see.

Tag: tropical storm, Delta

Fall is the season for a vacation

Nice, crisp air this morning. Leaves are falling. New shoes.

Alas, no vacation this year - next year I plan to go back to Chicago in March if things work out.

So a big vacation, length-wise is probably not in the cards next year either. However... There is a conference that is scheduled every other year, last year it was in Melbourne, Australia and I gave myself the trip for my birthday. Next year it will be in the city of Skopje in Macedonia at the Modern Art Museum. Looking at the flight cost - I just might do it.

Ticket prices to Oz weren't too outlandish for a flight route that long, around $1,300. Rates are about $300 higher with the gas prices I guess... I would like to go visit a friend in Brisbane next year if things work out. Depends on what I do about the house. . . [everything depends on what I do about the house.]

Tag: vacation, Australia, Macedonia

It would be hard to top that accomplishment

Being from old class - I don't normally recognize trash, but the November issue of Vanity Fair has one really priceless letter responding back to Nicky Hilton.

The October issue – other than featuring a profile and an obnoxious cover of Paris Hilton, spoke to the younger Hilton sister, Nicky. In that interview she made the following comment:

"I just want to say to these writers, 'I'm 21 years old, I run two multi-million-dollar companies, I work my ass off. Like, what were you doing that was so fucking important at that age?' I feel very accomplished for my age."

So, the letter I am refering to goes like this:

Nicky Hilton asked, "I'm 21 years old, I run two multi-million-dollar companies, I work my ass off. Like, what were you doing that was so fucking important at that age?" I would like to respond to that. When I was 21, I was busy working toward my Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Minnesota. I was the first to synthesize the compound okadaic acid -- shown to be the leading cause of breast cancer.
- Steven F. Sabes
Wayzata, Minnesota

Woof! I liked the twist that Gawker put on their item... you'll see it, the "do you sell handbags in Japan?" rant. Too funny.

Now, I recognize that she's making the slap at journos [bad habit to pick up girlfriend]... I guess it all just boils down to class. I can't tolerate folks that can't hold their alcohol and I just don't appreciate folks, especially younglings, that can't handle their 'money.'

Column doesn't mince words

I just read an op-ed column by Ralph Peters that appeared in the Nov. 21 edition of the NYP, "How to Lose a War."

His lead: "QUIT. It's that simple. There are plenty of more complex ways to lose a war, but none as reliable as just giving up."

Ouch! Nothing like calling it like it is.

Tag: War, Politics

Tourists, pills and booze

While it might sound like a twist on the Warren Zevon song, "Lawyers, guns and money" it's actually from CNN:

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - A French woman who is terrified of flying admitted in an Australian court Monday that she drunkenly tried to open an airplane door mid-flight to smoke a cigarette.

Bizarre. I can't say I EVER wanted a cigarette THAT much.

From what the AP report said, her lawyer told the judge she has no memory of what happened on the flight and that she has a history of sleepwalking. Yah, blame it on the sleeping tablets and alcohol taken before takeoff. Duh.

But where was her husband and what was he thinking when she got out of her seat with an unlit cigarette and her lighter in hand?

Kudos to the stew [cough], sorry, flight attendant who intervened and took her back to her seat.

An honest exchange regarding music appreciation

Sunday, I was wandering around in my local Wal-Mart looking for the Pussycat Dolls CD. I wanted to see what it was on it other than one song I liked.

Scanning the racks, I was crisscrossing the aisle as two youngling males were seating themselves on the floor to watch a program that was on one of the TVs.

The second time I came into the aisle, one of them looked up at me and I smiled and said, "Haven't found it yet."

Helpful, he asked what I was looking for and so I told him. He and his friend might have been 11-years-old.

He said, "Oh, I don't listen to that music." I said that was too bad. He said "what I listen to is over there." I asked him what that was. He said AC/DC.

I couldn't help it. It was out of my mouth before I could think. I said, "I grew up listening to them, I've moved on."

He looked at me, smiled and said, "That's cool."

I have been giggling about the exchange off and on for a week.

Harry Potter: OotP set for 2007 release?

I understand the principles have signed on [per IMDB the cast listing todate for Order of the Phoenix is Daniel, Rupert, Emma... and Jason Issacs (oh, goody goody, but then he got to rock out in this book)]. Ummm. With a different director.... David Yates.

Whoa, whoa, whoa... That's the part I really don't get. Wouldn't you WANT continuity? Consistancy?

Anyway... echelons above my involvement! I do remember hearing that Rowling was going to be pressing for an 18 month rotation of movie releases. DVD release the summer prior, please [next summer]. That rotation would work out to about 18 months - fall release as usual - if they start filming summer of next year. So, promo the current film for the next 4 months... time off - prep for the DVD release... and SOMEWHERE slip us a new book?

Tag: Harry Potter, Order, movies

Goblet of Fire? Smokin'.... SPOILERS

This movie is hands down best of the lot to date in spite of it's being abbridged. It had to be, geez, the book is 734 pages long...

The book was reviewed, trimmed down of what was not necessary for the plot to run smoothly at racing weight and it was still 2 hours and 37 minutes long.

If you haven't read the books, there is a bit of a "huh?" reaction. For example... Death Eaters really weren't explained as to who they are, what their tie in is, the viewer just sees them on the rampage after the World Cup.

Now, that being said: MIND YOU... there were pieces of the story I would have liked to have seen:

Purely humour - the wizard staffer in the kilt/poncho, and Archie of the flannel nighty.

How would they have portrayed the Veela.

I wanted to meet Bill, of course, the rockstar-looking, Gringotts-employeed Weasley and his brother Charley the dragonmaster.

Rita Skeeter busted and captured by Hermy as a bug in a jar.

I did not miss not seeing Dobby again, or Winky at all. Missing the House Elf thread was no problem. Not having Winky however, knocked out the Minister's Box scene at the World Cup.

I would have liked to seen Harry working through the Imperious curse.

The critical parts that are in the movie, not necessarily listed in order:

Frank and the meeting at Riddle House. [First question that came up at that time was - who is that other person in the room with Wormtongue and Voldemort?

The Portkey transport.

The Tent. [I want one!]

The Game - we only get to see prior to the umpires loosing of the quaffle. We don't get to see 'the game,' that would have added a good 30 minutes to the movie.

The post-game terrorism - the chaos and fear portrayed was very convincing and even put me on edge.

The initial Goblet of Fire introductions to include seeing the ship surface and the carriage glide in.

Moody's introduction to and demonstration of the three Unforgivable Curses was very well done.

Fred and George's attempt to put their name into the Goblet.

Champion selection.

THE FERRET!

Dragon viewing.

Informing Cedric about the dragons.

Dragon baiting.

The angst of having to ask girls to the ball - though Fred's asking of Angelina was well done.... the twins are maturing handsomely.

Cedric paying Harry back for the Dragons.

Bathroom scene - be sure to watch the mermaid in the stained glass window. And yes, People magazine has it right to refer to the vision of Harry sans shirt as "calfcake."

Neville and the gillyweed - not 'by the book.' Who cares, it was a good scene. I like Neville.

The Lake - that, in all it's glory was very, very well done.

The pensive scene. Different twist.

The maze. No nasties except Krum.

Voldemort's rebirth was awesome and the entire cemetary scene was perfect. Ralf Fiennes was superb! The joining of the two wands in the Priori Incatantem scene was well done. Missed the webbing bit though it wasn't really necessary. Was there Phoenix song? I don't remember.

The return with Cedric and the Cup was what I hoped to see, so of course it was perfect.

Moody's exposure. Different, but worked out OK. Was really looking for a view of the foe glass.

All in all - I will go see it again at least twice.

For the record.... I refused to be interested in the Harry Potter books through all of the initial rage until my sister told me that they were good. We have approximately the same taste in books so I decided to read them just before Goblet was published and before the first movie. I have been a fan ever since.

Tag: Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire, movies

For a good time call...

And a great laugh, call (888) ELF POOP (353-7667).

Virgin Mobile and it's 'Chrismahanukwanzakahan' celebration.

Eight weeks and counting

It's hell to want something and not know what.

This is the first time I have quit where the want is not necessarily for a cigarette. Maybe a piece of chocolate will deflect it. Sometimes Habanero pistachios or Wasabi peas from the Fresh Market does the trick.

When I quit for 2.5 years, it was the same cold turkey route... and I can't remember if I had a specific craving at all.

I'll get it straight later.

The Squatter I & II

The Squatter I
Originally uploaded by newsgrrl.

Taken this morning after getting new photos of my ragamuffin Maine Coon kitten, Liam who is probably right around 5 and a half months old now. More on him later.

This lizard boy has been a resident of the bird house for several months. I first noticed him when I was sitting out on the steps of the decklette with a cup of coffee and wondered when the bird house had gotten a 'tongue.'

He's very cool about my coming up and doing the landlord number. The house hangs from the same magnolia tree as the earlier related wasp nest incident.

Just when you think it's safe...

I know this has been a year of record for the amount of named storms to occur, but I cannot remember a hurricane season that persisted into mid November like this year has.

I stopped watching the NHC Web site two weeks ago... have to give credit to Drudge for tipping on this.

Strange and stranger

Last year I was sitting on the steps of my front decklette, having a cup of coffee and gazing at the smallish hybrid magnolia tree that came with the property. While pondering that hybrids are distinctive from the wild variety I have many of [they have rust colored undersides to their leaves], I noticed a tubular 'something' on the underside and got up and took a closer look. Wasp nest. Ewww.

I am not a believer that all life has a right to exist... wasps rank right up there with hairy, rosebush-eating caterpillers. So, I took a pair of cutters, removed the four leaves with 'tumors' and placed them in a bucket of water. I couldn't bring myself to squash them.

Fresh, clean bucket and nothing in the water but the leaves...

Later that day I went to see what was in the water from nests. I wish I had had my camera. Mud, which was expected. And spider children. Not just one variety of spider either... at least three, in with the wasp children [pupae].

The only thing I can think of is that they were birthing rooms of opportunity that the spiders took advantage of - those that hatched first got lunch.

I mentioned this to my sister and she laughed. She said I should keep a diary about all the strange things I come across... I laughed.

I'm not laughing anymore - I'll blog instead.

An auspicious week on tap

Harpy Birday to me....

I had the last of my vacation scheduled for this week - it was cancelled and I have to work on my birthday Wednesday. Boo hiss. All because someone didn’t bother to check and see if someone else had scheduled during that time frame.

So, I put in for the Fridays before Christmas and New Years… a no no and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Not too much they can say about it – my original leave request was submitted in January. The vacation that bumped me is to conduct the wedding of a child - important I suppose... even though I find marriage highly overated.

Not that I wouldn't consider marriage again; I would just consider all sides this time.

Anyway, the big birthday was last year……… spent over a week in Melbourne, Australia.

Wonderful.

I want to visit there again… but also take the time to visit an artist friend in Brisbane. Next year would be nice. Depends on what I plan to do about “the house” as to whether I can afford the airfare.

Not so fun thing this week is I have a follow-up doctors appointment on Thursday. Maybe I will actually get to meet the doctor this time.

So far - eight weeks of no smoking and I still want something, just not sure what it is. My friend in Cocoa Beach suggested a replacement addiction… Bob’s a funny guy.

I wear one of those Italian charm bracelets and I actually found a no smoking charm to remind myself of how well I’m doing. It joins the dogs, art, philosophy, military and flag of Australia charms. The idea of the bracelets is fun…I first saw them at the 2005 Eukanuba Classic dog show in Tampa - I volunteer to assist a dog breed club in their ‘Meet the Breed’ booth – not my breed mind you and the booth has won their group the last two years. Funniest thing was that the Rottweiler booth took best in show… that had me laughing. Anyway, in regards to the bracelets, every dog person there had one… and so I decided to get one and it has been something that I gradually add charms to. I have six links not filled with anything and I’m one of those people that will take their time making a selection.

Going to go see Harry Potty on Friday hopefully if I can get my work done early. Since I have to work Sunday as well… I have Friday off but can only take it if I have all the pages done in advance. I hope that won’t be a problem.

Would really like to see Breakfast on Pluto, but it’s not being released in this area. Bummer.

"Wicked" lost me

I just finished "Wicked" by Gregory Maquire and "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt. If I had to chose between the two to recommend, I would recommend Angels.

I liked the premise behind "Wicked," it just felt tortured getting from the beginning to the end, like walking in shoes with no arch support... just felt wrong. Now, I like satire. I also worship at the altar of wicked clever fantasy. The beginning through where she left the school to go to the Emerald City was fine... however, for me, the tempo changed and he lost me in the Emerald City.

Anyway, that's my take on it after a first read, but I'll give it another look after I finish his other books, "Mirror Mirror" and "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister."

For what it's worth, I plan to see the musical when it comes to Tampa. I definately want to see the musical.

A few things about me...

continually updated... most recent update 2/5/8

I have four dogs [Rottweilers], a cat [he showed up/adopted us in July 2005 after a storm... prolly about 7-weeks-old at the time] and a 20+ year old Goffin Cockatoo.

I have two Toyota's with mileage over 150,000. I LOVE Toyota's. One is practical, the other is 20 years old and classified an antique and takes the place of the sports car that I miss owning.

I used to turn on the TV only to watch movies [DVDs/VCRs], I don't have cable or satellite TV. Now I watch everything on my Mac.

Did I say I <3 Apple. I have a Mac Mini and an PowerBook. I sold my first iBook - a graphite clam and my second iBook to my boss. She also <3s Apple. I said someday I'll try the Core Duo route... I'm buying one this week.

When not at the computer or working on art, I'm reading.

A J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, fanatic since highschool and a fan of C.S. Lewis, Narnia, since early college.... enough said on that.

I am retired from the U.S. Army, airborne qualified among other things.

I never wanted children, I have a hard enough time keeping up with myself and the dogs.

I have been married/divorced twice and am (rather) comfortable single.

My father was a Army Air Corps navigator and bombadier who served at one time with General Paul Tibbets.

My sister is an IRS auditor.

My sister, myself, my father, my fathers brother's grandaughter - all are dyslexic.

I cringe at the thought of having visitors in my home.

I try to be at least 5 minutes early for meetings... old habits die hard.

The last movie I saw in a theatre was "Sweeny Todd." I'm not comfortable with horror movies and comedies on the theme of "Friends" I find sophomoric. The newest Bond movie was awesome.

I can appreciate making lists, occasionally they are useful.

I enjoy my job. Completely. (FYI my full-time job involves a mix of journalism and web design. I like the people I work for and I like the people I work with. The one I didn't like recently left.)

I will go to a Thai restaurant over any other variety once a week if given a chance. Don't know what I would do if I saw an Indian restaurant in the area. Coconut curry curls my toes.

I love to doodle - it leads to art.

My favorite jewelry designer is Tabra Tunoa... I will spurge on her earrings via eBay for personal rewards of things well done.

I like to make my own iced mocha latte's. I used to only drink expresso run through a Krupps in coffee fashion. I've converted back to a French Press. I like Starbucks, but will drink Pilon or Bustelo anyday. Currently off coffee at home, but drink it at work.

My eleventh grade Art teacher wanted me to apply for an art scholarship. My father said 'You can't eat art,' so I didn't.

Now that's a look!

I really needed a good giggle and this did it.

Long day.... long week really and seeing this after getting the 'chores' done just made the end of the week too good.

Whether I believe it or not...

The results from the blood panels I had run are 'fine.' 'No problems.' 'All within limits.' I'm healthier than I gave my self credit for.

And it has been seven weeks since I quit smoking.

Damn!

Very cool. Now I can find a personal trainer and get back in running form [dances off into the other parts of the house singing].

Clicking her [ruby slipper] heels - Judy's history

For now, but she'll be back in one variety or another. Her rolling was actually faster than I would have bet on.

Waiting to hear what the J-schools are going to spin. Still would be nice to know the truth [naive sigh], but, I bet we never do. Maybe she will let us know via her blog someday. Ya' think?

Times and Reporter Reach Agreement on Her Departure [NYT]

My earlier: This Miller thing is getting more ridiculous...

I learned a new word this morning

Brobdingnagian: \brahb-ding-NAG-ee-uhn\, adjective: Colossal; of extraordinary height; gigantic. -- as a noun: a giant. [Often misspelt Brobdignagian.]

Hmmm. As a human... Liam Neeson?

Thanks to Dictionary.com for the education.

A hell of a way to start the week

Long story - no time to go into it tonight, too tired - but it's all about fasting prior to a blood test, folks not following directions resulting in my getting locked onto my property.

I think Jon Friedman's got something there

His discussion that Mother Nature should be Time Magazine's Person of the Year is a classic. Of course... the comments on the 15 minutes of fame for some folks being over already are also dead-on.

'Breaking' with coffee and a blog

Great article... The perfect workplace crime: The blog break

I do it, but my boss knows I do and the nature of my job allows, no, requires crusing the 'net for content. :) Hell of a way to run a railroad.

Writer crushes...

Maureen Dowd got my attention with a piece published Oct. 30 in the NY Times magazine - subject: What's a Modern Girl to Do?

If you want to read it, Times Select will require you pay [pppttthhhhttttt] - I printed a copy out for myself knowing that it would go poof.

The article is not quite what would be considered feminazi... but, definately blunt trama for those not associated with the concept.

One of the key lines: "So was the feminist movement some sort of cruel hoax? Do women get less desirable as they get more successful?..." Whaaa. If you haven't been in the position - you really don't know what she's up about. I have and do and it had me thinking about it frequently over the past week.

Dowd goes on to write, "[Sylvia Ann] Hewlett quantified, yet again, that men have an unfair advantage. "Nowadays," she said, "the rule of thumb seems to be that the more successful the woman, the less likely it is she will find a husband or bear a child. For men, the reverse is true."

Not sure if I buy all of her premise, but quite a lot rings clear. Something Anderson Cooper came up with around Sept. 27, ties into this from another angle... and that is from "Going gray."

Coop said, "Premature gray means you reap the benefits of living the righteous life without having to actually live the righteous life. You get to cut in line. So consider yourself lucky.

On the other hand, women don't get a free pass." No shit, sheriff.

Coop's got a book deal in hand, so that will be one to wait for.

Dowd's book, "Are Men Necessary: When Sexes Collide," is up to be published within the next month by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Might make interesting reading... once I get through "Wicked," "Mirror Mirror" and "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," all written by Gregory Maquire. I put down "The City of Falling Angels" by John Berendt to finish "Wicked." Last time I take a book not in the que to the doctor's office to read.

How is it so far? It's not easy being green.

Let me know when it's over

I'll continue to read what is being printed regarding Judy Miller - but it would be nice if someone would just let me know when it's over.

It's been five years since the last doctor visit....

Yeah, fine.

I know there's something not right... It's tangible, I can feel it. High blood pressure in reaction to the stress of stopping smoking cold? Maaaayybe. So that's why I have a doctor's appointment.

Maybe I didn't mention that significant event here? Somehow I forgot to write that six weeks ago yesterday I stopped smoking. Actually that's the day I wrote down, but I think it's actually anniversaried on Wednesday.

Whatever! Six weeks of no addiction. Six weeks of having to find something else to obsess over. Six weeks of not being able to have a cup of coffee at home without getting twitchy. Six weeks of not stuffing my face - that's really different, there really is no driving need to eat going on here [cool].

So? I don't make coffee at home anymore. I eat breakfast of orange juice and eggos. And what is really interesting is that, well... I'm not getting twitchy for a cigarette. The desire, the 'what I want' has no name... I just want 'something.' Odd. Not complaining. Just odd.

A fun [not] result of taking a vacation from seeing a doctors - and - getting a new one to boot: I have about seven to nine tests that I have to get completed in the next few weeks - I guarantee you that one will be put off till I can no longer avoid it. Gack.

Chest X-rays, blood test, bone density scan... other things and a two week return to meet the doctor that I never saw Friday. Thank goodness the PA was competent. Gives a good shot, ya hey flu season.

Had an EKG that looked great - a good thing since I really want clearance to start running again to keep away the 'stopping smoking = weight gain' jinx.

So many changes have spun off this decision. The purchase of a Vita-mix 'blender' to aid in the dietary change. If I can start running/biking seriously, I will buy myself an iPod - one has to reward oneself for deeds well done.

So far, I haven't seen a weight gain [seriously knocking on wood]... just want to stay on top of it.