Items in bold are things I've done, items in italics are some I'd like to do. I've added a few thoughts in parentheses. Via Malia
01. Bought everyone in the pub a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula. (I wouldn't be blogging, I'd be dead of emotional trauma.)
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Done a striptease
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Touched an iceberg
20. Slept under the stars
21. Changed a baby's diaper
22. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
23. Watched a meteor shower
24. Gotten drunk on champagne
25. Given more than you can afford to charity
26. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
27. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
28. Had a food fight
29. Bet on a winning horse
30. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
31. Asked out a stranger
32. Had a snowball fight
33. Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier
34. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
35. Held a lamb
36. Enacted a favorite fantasy
37. Taken a midnight skinny dip
38. Taken an ice cold bath
39. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
40. Seen a total eclipse
41. Ridden a roller coaster
42. Hit a home run
43. Fit three weeks miraculously into three days
44. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
45. Adopted an accent for an entire day
46. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
47. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
48. Had two hard drives for your computer
49. Visited all 50 states
50. Loved your job for all accounts
51. Taken care of someone who was shit faced
52. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
53. Had amazing friends
54. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country55. Watched wild whales
56. Stolen a sign
57. Backpacked in Europe
58. Taken a road-trip
59. Rock climbing
60. Lied to foreign government's official in that country to avoid notice
61. Midnight walk on the beach
62. Sky diving
63. Visited Ireland
64. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
65. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
66. Visited Japan
67. Benchpressed your own weight (That one gets even funnier as I get older.)
68. Milked a cow
69. Alphabetized your records
70. Pretended to be a superhero
71. Sung karaoke
72. Lounged around in bed all day
73. Posed nude in front of strangers
74. Scuba diving
75. Got it on to "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
76. Kissed in the rain
77. Played in the mud
78. Played in the rain
79. Gone to a drive-in theater
80. Done something you should regret, but don't regret it
81. Visited the Great Wall of China
82. Discovered that someone who's not supposed to have known about your blog has discovered your blog
83. Dropped Windows in favor of something better
84. Started a business
85. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
86. Toured ancient sites
87. Taken a martial arts class
88. Swordfought for the honor of a woman
89. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
90. Gotten married
91. Been in a movie (amatuer)
92. Crashed a party
93. Loved someone you shouldn't have
94. Kissed someone so passionately it made them dizzy (I'd like to think so, but I have no proof.)
95. Gotten divorced
96. Had sex at the office
97. Gone without food for 5 days
98. Made cookies from scratch
99. Won first prize in a costume contest (I was second as Miss America. I lost to a woman in a fuzzy cow costume. Oh, the humanity!)
100. Ridden a gondola in Venice (I rode the gondola in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. I hope to do the real thing someday.)
101. Gotten a tattoo
102. Found that the texture of some materials can turn you on
103. Rafted the Snake River (Jet-boating counts, doesn't it?)
104. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
105. Got flowers for no reason
106. Masturbated in a public place
107. Got so drunk you don't remember anything
108. Been addicted to some form of illegal drug
109. Performed on stage
110. Been to Las Vegas
111. Recorded music
112. Eaten shark
113. Had a one-night stand
114. Gone to Thailand
115. Seen Siouxsie live
116. Bought a house
117. Been in a combat zone
118. Buried one/both of your parents
119. Shaved or waxed your pubic hair off
120. Been on a cruise ship
121. Spoken more than one language fluently
122. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
123. Bounced a check
124. Performed in Rocky Horror
125. Read - and understood - your credit report
126. Raised children
127. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
128. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
129. Created and named your own constellation of stars
130. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
131. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
132. Called or written your Congress person
133. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
134. ...more than once? - More than thrice?
135. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
136. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
137. Had an abortion or your female partner did
138. Had plastic surgery
139. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived.
140. Wrote articles for a large publication
141. Lost over 100 pounds
142. Held someone while they were having a flashback
143. Piloted an airplane
144. Petted a stingray
145. Broken someone's heart
146. Helped an animal give birth
147. Been fired or laid off from a job
148. Won money on a T.V. game show
149. Broken a bone
150. Killed a human being
151. Gone on an African photo safari (Desperately want to.)
152. Ridden a motorcycle
153. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100mph
154. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
155. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
156. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
157. Ridden a horse
158. Had major surgery
159. Had sex on a moving train
160. Had a snake as a pet
161. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (Don't want to have to hike back up, though.)
162. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
163. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
164. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
165. Visited all 7 continents
166. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
167. Eaten kangaroo meat
168. Fallen in love at an ancient Mayan burial ground
169. Been a sperm or egg donor
170. Eaten sushi
171. Had your picture in the newspaper
172. Had 2 (or more) healthy romantic relationships for over a year in your lifetime
173. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
174. Gotten someone fired for their actions
175. Gone back to school
176. Parasailed
177. Changed your name
178. Petted a cockroach
179. Eaten fried green tomatoes
180. Read The Iliad
181. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
182. Dined in a restaurant and stolen silverware, plates, cups because your apartment needed them
183. ...and gotten 86'ed from the restaurant because you did it so many times, they figured out it was you
184. Taught yourself an art from scratch
185. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
186. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
187. Skipped all your school reunions
188. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
189. Been elected to public office
190. Written your own computer language
191. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
192. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
193. Built your own PC from parts
194. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
195. Had a booth at a street fair
196: Dyed your hair
197: Been a DJ
198: Found out someone was going to dump you via LiveJournal
199: Written your own role playing game
200: Been arrested
September 30, 2004
Random Rantings & Ramblings
I watched enough of the presidential debates tonight to be able to say that, yes, George W. Bush is indeed the war president. I'll take peace over war any day I can have it, so I'd like a peace president, please. Plus, Kerry is way taller than Bush and that has to count for something.
Know what I hate? I hate it when little pipsqueaks try to argue the Bible with me. I didn't spend seven hours a week in church for 21 years getting whomped upside the head with the Bible to hear some fool try to twist it around to suit his political persuasions. Either be a Christian 100% and follow everything it says rather than accept buffet-style Christianity, or shut the fuck up. And I'm not referring to the debates, by the way. I didn't hang around long enough to see if the Bible entered into it at all.
Speaking of fuck, several of us at work were let know today that we cuss too often and too loudly in our office and we "need to tone it down." I'm trying, goddammit!
Know what I hate? I hate it when little pipsqueaks try to argue the Bible with me. I didn't spend seven hours a week in church for 21 years getting whomped upside the head with the Bible to hear some fool try to twist it around to suit his political persuasions. Either be a Christian 100% and follow everything it says rather than accept buffet-style Christianity, or shut the fuck up. And I'm not referring to the debates, by the way. I didn't hang around long enough to see if the Bible entered into it at all.
Speaking of fuck, several of us at work were let know today that we cuss too often and too loudly in our office and we "need to tone it down." I'm trying, goddammit!
September 29, 2004
Ouch
The good news is that the preliminary results of my dye test are looking good. The dye went through the uterus and the Fallopian tubes and no blockages were visible at all. The radiologist confirmed this, but nothing is official until my OB/GYN gets a gander. So HOORAY!!! Fertility drugs, here I come.
The bad news is that I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach nine times hard by a jack-booted thug. The HSG was not an easy test for me. (Gents, there are details coming up, so be strong of heart.)
I was pretty worried when I saw the speculum sitting on the sterile tray. I loathe them like nothing else on earth, evil chrome ducks that they are. So there I am, lying on my back, thinking of the Queen like a good girl. Then he inserted the speculum and opened it. I have very good reason to think that he set it on "cue ball" diameter. I'm reasonably certain that he should have been able to see up through my body cavity to the undersides of my hair follicles as wide as that thing was.
Then came the catheter. Lucky for me that it wasn't a urinary catheter. I think lucky, anyway. The catheter was supposed to be inserted into my cervix, but it took somewhere in the neighborhood of fourteen tries, each of them painful. But then the good ol' medical professional grabbed a tongue depresser (or a hockey stick, I'm not sure which) and tucked that up there right alongside everything else and he started trying to manually dilate my cervix. Oh, holy ow. Ow. And ow again.
Matt was holding my hand and being a good husband while all this was going on, so he gets points for that.
Five to seven minutes into all of this, the doc achieved some sort of success with the catheter and released the speculum (thankyoubabyJesus). But then he inflated a small air bladder on the end of the catheter, which opened up my uterus nice and wide and also resulted in some rather spectacular cramping on my part. After that little bit o'heaven, he started injecting the dye and moved the X-ray machine over my lower body. We were able to watch the dye pooling in my uterus and then making it's way through first the left and then the right Fallopian tube. It was quite interesting and actually took my mind off the heinous pain.
I'll spare you all the tidying up details. The rest of the story is kind of boring but involves lots of physical discomfort from the dilation of the cervix. My pending step-mother assures me that it will go away by tomorrow morning, but I'm still going to tell my boss that I can't do any manual labor for a few days, "On account of my uterus." That usually halts the questioning process dead in its tracks.
So, thanks so much for the well-wishes. Chris, I'd be curious to chat with your wife about her process. She must have a way higher pain threshold than me!
Finally, Extra-Special Bonus Credit and Most Honorable of Mentions goes to my friend Carla, who sent me a yippy-fun care package that arrived yesterday. It included another six episodes of The L-Word, a print issue of The Onion, a CD copy of David Sedaris Live at Carnegie Hall, and last but not least, a package of tissues from MikWright, one of the funniest greeting card companies ever. These tissues have a 1950's era photo of a very highly groomed woman sitting on a couch next to a six-ish year old girl who looks a bit miffed. The caption says, "Monica, dear, that was a precious little story. Now, be a sweetheart and fix mommy another martini." Heh. Thank you so much, Carla!!!
The bad news is that I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach nine times hard by a jack-booted thug. The HSG was not an easy test for me. (Gents, there are details coming up, so be strong of heart.)
I was pretty worried when I saw the speculum sitting on the sterile tray. I loathe them like nothing else on earth, evil chrome ducks that they are. So there I am, lying on my back, thinking of the Queen like a good girl. Then he inserted the speculum and opened it. I have very good reason to think that he set it on "cue ball" diameter. I'm reasonably certain that he should have been able to see up through my body cavity to the undersides of my hair follicles as wide as that thing was.
Then came the catheter. Lucky for me that it wasn't a urinary catheter. I think lucky, anyway. The catheter was supposed to be inserted into my cervix, but it took somewhere in the neighborhood of fourteen tries, each of them painful. But then the good ol' medical professional grabbed a tongue depresser (or a hockey stick, I'm not sure which) and tucked that up there right alongside everything else and he started trying to manually dilate my cervix. Oh, holy ow. Ow. And ow again.
Matt was holding my hand and being a good husband while all this was going on, so he gets points for that.
Five to seven minutes into all of this, the doc achieved some sort of success with the catheter and released the speculum (thankyoubabyJesus). But then he inflated a small air bladder on the end of the catheter, which opened up my uterus nice and wide and also resulted in some rather spectacular cramping on my part. After that little bit o'heaven, he started injecting the dye and moved the X-ray machine over my lower body. We were able to watch the dye pooling in my uterus and then making it's way through first the left and then the right Fallopian tube. It was quite interesting and actually took my mind off the heinous pain.
I'll spare you all the tidying up details. The rest of the story is kind of boring but involves lots of physical discomfort from the dilation of the cervix. My pending step-mother assures me that it will go away by tomorrow morning, but I'm still going to tell my boss that I can't do any manual labor for a few days, "On account of my uterus." That usually halts the questioning process dead in its tracks.
So, thanks so much for the well-wishes. Chris, I'd be curious to chat with your wife about her process. She must have a way higher pain threshold than me!
Finally, Extra-Special Bonus Credit and Most Honorable of Mentions goes to my friend Carla, who sent me a yippy-fun care package that arrived yesterday. It included another six episodes of The L-Word, a print issue of The Onion, a CD copy of David Sedaris Live at Carnegie Hall, and last but not least, a package of tissues from MikWright, one of the funniest greeting card companies ever. These tissues have a 1950's era photo of a very highly groomed woman sitting on a couch next to a six-ish year old girl who looks a bit miffed. The caption says, "Monica, dear, that was a precious little story. Now, be a sweetheart and fix mommy another martini." Heh. Thank you so much, Carla!!!
September 28, 2004
Wish Me Luck!
I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to have my hysterosalpingogram, the dye test that will tell us if I have any blockages in my Fallopian tubes. It's the next step on the road to fertility treatments, and should be the only thing standing between me and a big dose of fertility drugs.
My doctor thinks this is the only testing that we'll need have done before we start the TTC process in earnest. Due to my endometriosis, there's a chance that I could have some scarring in my Fallopian tubes, which could prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in my uterus.
Neither the doc or I think that there's much chance that I have any problems along that route, but he's a little conservative and wants to be 100% sure before we do much more. Anyway...wish me luck! I'll post tomorrow night and tell you all the gory details.
My doctor thinks this is the only testing that we'll need have done before we start the TTC process in earnest. Due to my endometriosis, there's a chance that I could have some scarring in my Fallopian tubes, which could prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in my uterus.
Neither the doc or I think that there's much chance that I have any problems along that route, but he's a little conservative and wants to be 100% sure before we do much more. Anyway...wish me luck! I'll post tomorrow night and tell you all the gory details.
Lucky
I came home from work and hopped in Matt's pickup. We headed out south of Cascade to an 800-acre cattle ranch, which is owned by an 80 year old woman. She leases her land for grazing, and it's just beautiful. The western edge follows the North Fork of the Payette River and it's tremendous elk habitat.
Elk were why we were down there: the elk draw in plenty of trespassers who come to poach off her land during hunting season. We met up with one of the city police officers (a neighbor of hers) and headed out on the four-wheelers to post all 800 acres as being closed to trespassing and hunting.
Cascade during the fall is so beautiful, especially down along the river where the cottonwoods and aspen are turning gold and shades of orange from peach to bronze. We saw a small flock of cinnamon teal floating in the river current and laughed as this year's calves spooked and bucked at our approach.
Times like this make me feel awfully thankful to live in such amazing country.
Elk were why we were down there: the elk draw in plenty of trespassers who come to poach off her land during hunting season. We met up with one of the city police officers (a neighbor of hers) and headed out on the four-wheelers to post all 800 acres as being closed to trespassing and hunting.
Cascade during the fall is so beautiful, especially down along the river where the cottonwoods and aspen are turning gold and shades of orange from peach to bronze. We saw a small flock of cinnamon teal floating in the river current and laughed as this year's calves spooked and bucked at our approach.
Times like this make me feel awfully thankful to live in such amazing country.
September 27, 2004
Playing House
Okay, I've never played The Sims before, so I'm not an expert.
But...should I be worried when someone who is already emotionally and mentally unstable states that it makes her "want to become a parent that much more"?
But...should I be worried when someone who is already emotionally and mentally unstable states that it makes her "want to become a parent that much more"?
My Kinfolk and Their Catch
Love the decor here in Akaska...
For lack of anything else to post this evening, I present you with a photo of my husband's sister and her husband. They recently went to South Dakota and sent us this photo. I think those fish may be walleye. I'm having a problem imagining the origin of this sign:
"Hey Coy, how 'bout a picture?"
"Okay, Clem. Can we get the mess a' walleye in the frame?"
"Dunno. Too bad there aren't some handy hooks on this here sign."
And I thought Idaho was weird.
September 26, 2004
Fine, Be That Way!
We made an offer on that new house Friday. We said we'd give them $2000 under their asking price, and the sale would be contingent on the sale of our house. They'd have the right to continue marketing their house, but would have to give us 5 days notice if they got a better offer. That would give us the opportunity to speed up the closing on our place, or drop our offer and they'd sell to someone else. We didn't think (nor did our realtor) that it was a bad offer.
We (and our realtor) thought their counter-offer was over the moon ridiculous, though. The guy wanted $5000 earnest money, where the norm up here is $500. He wanted us to drop the contingency on the sale of our house and buy his place out-right. I guess he thought we were Rockefellers in disguise or something. Then he wanted to see a spreadsheet with our asset vs. debt ratio for his personal approval.
Say it with me: Beg pardon?
This guy wanted to see our bills, vs. our income, vs. our capitol. What the hell kind of position could he be coming from? Is he looking to get into identity theft or something? We told him to pound it out his ass, in polite, real-estate worthy terms. The realtor wouldn't let me trace my hand with middle finger extended on the response. Party pooper.
My dad thinks that no one would make such an arrogant/desperate counter-offer unless they were in pending serious financial trouble. Wouldn't that be ironic; Matt and I buy the house at the bankruptcy sale for thousands less? Heh.
In the meantime, we've decided to leave our house on the market. If it sells within the next 30 days or so (and the other place doesn't sell), we'll come up with another offer and see what happens. This means I have to continue to keep the house immaculate for the drop-in real estate visits. Sigh...
We (and our realtor) thought their counter-offer was over the moon ridiculous, though. The guy wanted $5000 earnest money, where the norm up here is $500. He wanted us to drop the contingency on the sale of our house and buy his place out-right. I guess he thought we were Rockefellers in disguise or something. Then he wanted to see a spreadsheet with our asset vs. debt ratio for his personal approval.
Say it with me: Beg pardon?
This guy wanted to see our bills, vs. our income, vs. our capitol. What the hell kind of position could he be coming from? Is he looking to get into identity theft or something? We told him to pound it out his ass, in polite, real-estate worthy terms. The realtor wouldn't let me trace my hand with middle finger extended on the response. Party pooper.
My dad thinks that no one would make such an arrogant/desperate counter-offer unless they were in pending serious financial trouble. Wouldn't that be ironic; Matt and I buy the house at the bankruptcy sale for thousands less? Heh.
In the meantime, we've decided to leave our house on the market. If it sells within the next 30 days or so (and the other place doesn't sell), we'll come up with another offer and see what happens. This means I have to continue to keep the house immaculate for the drop-in real estate visits. Sigh...
September 25, 2004
Spoil Me
I've been watching a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer lately. I never watched it when it was actually airing, so I'm catching up via the DVD's.
I'm in the middle of season two: Angel and Buffy did the nasty, Angel's soul was revoked (or whatever you want to call it), and now he's a real smeg-head.
So tell me, do he and Buffy ever get back together again? I looked at several spoiler websites, but I just can't find a concise summary of what actually happens in the next four and a half seasons.
Just tell me!
I'm in the middle of season two: Angel and Buffy did the nasty, Angel's soul was revoked (or whatever you want to call it), and now he's a real smeg-head.
So tell me, do he and Buffy ever get back together again? I looked at several spoiler websites, but I just can't find a concise summary of what actually happens in the next four and a half seasons.
Just tell me!
September 24, 2004
Holy Bazompas, Batman!*
What is it with the mammary gland lately, anyway? First there was the Boobie Name Generator.
Then I click over to Mel's page and actually see her boob.
Finally, I go to Erica's site and discover that the new Louisiana state quarter has come out.
What the heck is up with the bodacious ta-ta bonanza, anyway?
*Very little of this post is work-safe.
Then I click over to Mel's page and actually see her boob.
Finally, I go to Erica's site and discover that the new Louisiana state quarter has come out.
What the heck is up with the bodacious ta-ta bonanza, anyway?
*Very little of this post is work-safe.
Ain't It Grand?
How do you like the restyle? Does it make you feel all warm and cozy, or do you get a nagging feeling you've got some explaining to do? And how 'bout that cute little button over there? You feel like you really need to add some flashy button-style links to your own page, don't you?
Hope you all like it. Major kudos go to Mel of Moxie Design Studios (aka, BlogMoxie). She outdoes herself every time!
Hope you all like it. Major kudos go to Mel of Moxie Design Studios (aka, BlogMoxie). She outdoes herself every time!
September 23, 2004
September 22, 2004
Coming Soon!
Big changes are coming soon to All I'm Saying. But for now I have to get off the internet--my dad is driving back down to Boise and his Caddy was smoking (via the tailpipe), and I need to have the phone line free so that he can call me to come get him if he continues to have trouble.
'Night!
'Night!
September 21, 2004
For the Ladies Only*
*Or for the men with burning curiosity about such things. And are you sure that's curiosity burning? Does it only happen when you pee? (That should run off the menfolk, girls.)
So you know the phrase, "Careful what you wish for--you just might get it"? I've been wishing for a visit from my monthly friend. In fact, I have been on hormones to encourage the monthly friend in order that I may go take a really fun dye test next week. This will go some distance in determining my fertility and whether it's time to hit the fertility drugs or not.
And now it has happened: riding the cotton pony, surfing the crimson tide. And I'm feeling so dragged out. And crabby. And fragile. I've been excited all day about the potential house deal. The next step is taking my dad to see it. Dad is a retired real estate developer and his opinion is gold, if not platinum. He's coming up from Boise tomorrow afternoon to take a tour of the property with us. And just talking to him makes me feel like it's not going to work and that I should just lay down on the floor and have myself a good cry.
I know it's the hormones. I know it's also the stress of home-buying coming back around. Make no bones about it: buying a home could very well be the most stressful thing you ever do in your whole life. It was way worse than planning and participating in our wedding. Who're the fools thinking of getting into the whole mortgage, title company, closing day crap? Yeah, that'd be us.
The good news is that Matt is baking brownies right now and a solid dose of chocolate, butter and sugar should put everything aright again.
So you know the phrase, "Careful what you wish for--you just might get it"? I've been wishing for a visit from my monthly friend. In fact, I have been on hormones to encourage the monthly friend in order that I may go take a really fun dye test next week. This will go some distance in determining my fertility and whether it's time to hit the fertility drugs or not.
And now it has happened: riding the cotton pony, surfing the crimson tide. And I'm feeling so dragged out. And crabby. And fragile. I've been excited all day about the potential house deal. The next step is taking my dad to see it. Dad is a retired real estate developer and his opinion is gold, if not platinum. He's coming up from Boise tomorrow afternoon to take a tour of the property with us. And just talking to him makes me feel like it's not going to work and that I should just lay down on the floor and have myself a good cry.
I know it's the hormones. I know it's also the stress of home-buying coming back around. Make no bones about it: buying a home could very well be the most stressful thing you ever do in your whole life. It was way worse than planning and participating in our wedding. Who're the fools thinking of getting into the whole mortgage, title company, closing day crap? Yeah, that'd be us.
The good news is that Matt is baking brownies right now and a solid dose of chocolate, butter and sugar should put everything aright again.
September 20, 2004
Auuuuugh!
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two misdemeanor drug charges have been filed against actor Macaulay Culkin in Oklahoma County.
Culkin was arrested Friday afternoon while traveling on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City.
Police found slightly more than 0.5 ounces of marijuana and several Xanax pills in the rental car that was being driven by Brett M. Tabisel, 22, of New York.
Is it just me, or does wee Macaulay's mug shot make him look more than a little like Steve Buscemi?
Culkin was arrested Friday afternoon while traveling on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City.
Police found slightly more than 0.5 ounces of marijuana and several Xanax pills in the rental car that was being driven by Brett M. Tabisel, 22, of New York.
Is it just me, or does wee Macaulay's mug shot make him look more than a little like Steve Buscemi?
Just Another Day
Couple of interesting things happened today. One, I found out I scored another two to three pay periods of work. Not bad. Not bad at all.
That's about enough time for us to figure out whether the real estate transaction is going to work or not. We met tonight with the realtors we used when we bought this house two years ago. We talked numbers, and they think we can sell this house in about 30 days for no less than our bottom line. We could potentially get a tidy sum of money above and beyond that, which means...Mama's getting a sectional!
I shouldn't plan, I shouldn't get excited. What I need is to get through the winter in good financial shape, despite the impending layoff. But a sweet house deal would make it so much easier.
That's about enough time for us to figure out whether the real estate transaction is going to work or not. We met tonight with the realtors we used when we bought this house two years ago. We talked numbers, and they think we can sell this house in about 30 days for no less than our bottom line. We could potentially get a tidy sum of money above and beyond that, which means...Mama's getting a sectional!
I shouldn't plan, I shouldn't get excited. What I need is to get through the winter in good financial shape, despite the impending layoff. But a sweet house deal would make it so much easier.
September 19, 2004
Budget, Shmudget
I got some not-so-great news when I got to work Friday morning. Without going into too much detail (because that would be immoral and unethical), our budgets are really bad and I'm facing a six-month layoff starting October 1. This is happening to about a half-dozen of us in the office.
Yeah, I get unemployment. Yeah, there are certainly other opportunities for work in the area, though they're all considerably less money than I'm making now. In fact, most of the area jobs pay less than I'd be making on unemployment. And there are a couple of eensy little loopholes in the layoff language that makes me think that I might be able to squeeze another month, month and a half of work out of the deal.
That news is a big part of why Matt and I are looking at selling our house and lowering our mortgage payment. I'm only guaranteed six months of work every year at my current job, though this is the first time in the four years I've been here that I've been this close to being laid off. The way next year's budget looks (and potentially for the next several years as well), I have about a 90% chance of getting laid off again next October.
I should qualify this by saying that it is totally not the end of the world. We're really doing okay money-wise, though a lower house payment would help. The other thing I keep thinking is that if I get pregnant in the next six months or so, getting laid off next fall would be kind of cool. I'd get to be a stay at home mom, plus we wouldn't be shelling out for daycare, which is so not cheap.
I don't know what to make of it all. On one hand, it's a scary proposition. On the other hand, a six month vacation sounds kind of appealing...
Yeah, I get unemployment. Yeah, there are certainly other opportunities for work in the area, though they're all considerably less money than I'm making now. In fact, most of the area jobs pay less than I'd be making on unemployment. And there are a couple of eensy little loopholes in the layoff language that makes me think that I might be able to squeeze another month, month and a half of work out of the deal.
That news is a big part of why Matt and I are looking at selling our house and lowering our mortgage payment. I'm only guaranteed six months of work every year at my current job, though this is the first time in the four years I've been here that I've been this close to being laid off. The way next year's budget looks (and potentially for the next several years as well), I have about a 90% chance of getting laid off again next October.
I should qualify this by saying that it is totally not the end of the world. We're really doing okay money-wise, though a lower house payment would help. The other thing I keep thinking is that if I get pregnant in the next six months or so, getting laid off next fall would be kind of cool. I'd get to be a stay at home mom, plus we wouldn't be shelling out for daycare, which is so not cheap.
I don't know what to make of it all. On one hand, it's a scary proposition. On the other hand, a six month vacation sounds kind of appealing...
Two More Days
The final Dark Tower book (also titled, "The Dark Tower") is coming out on Tuesday.
I can hardly stand the excitement.
I can hardly stand the excitement.
American Graffiti
I saw some spray-painted graffiti down at the recycle center today: "Ethan W. is spupid."
I'd say Ethan W. is not the only one.
I'd say Ethan W. is not the only one.
September 18, 2004
Land Baron's Daughter
We're wheeling and dealing in real estate, folks. When we bought our current home, we purchased it with an eye to resale value. See, it's zoned commercial/residential and it's right on the main north-south highway that runs through the state, and more importantly, up the road to the new (much-hated by me) ski resort slated to open this fall. Land values around here have gone through the roof.
We're looking at a new house. I ran up three different sets of numbers, starting with the best-case sale price of our current house and ranging to the bottom-dollar we'd accept. I then drew up a list of improvements that we'd want to make to the new place (add a carport and a wood shed, plus a woodstove and pay off the down payment loan I took out of my 401k). Then I ran all three options through a mortgage calculator. Even in the worst-case scenario, our house payment would go down by approximately $200/month.
I'm trying hard not to pee my pants right now from the sheer, heady thrill of it all. Will keep you posted.
We're looking at a new house. I ran up three different sets of numbers, starting with the best-case sale price of our current house and ranging to the bottom-dollar we'd accept. I then drew up a list of improvements that we'd want to make to the new place (add a carport and a wood shed, plus a woodstove and pay off the down payment loan I took out of my 401k). Then I ran all three options through a mortgage calculator. Even in the worst-case scenario, our house payment would go down by approximately $200/month.
I'm trying hard not to pee my pants right now from the sheer, heady thrill of it all. Will keep you posted.
September 16, 2004
Nerd Alert!
I puttered around the house this morning, doing some cleaning and organizing stuff. It was getting close to lunch time and I decided to head up to my favorite produce store/deli for some vittles. I threw on a pair of shoes and headed out the door.
Got to the store, sat there yakking with the proprietor while waiting for my food, and looked down to see that I was wearing one representative from two different pairs of shoes. I have two pairs of Borns that are really similar, and I had a black one on my right foot and a brown one on my left.
It's official: I'm not even 30 yet and already I'm a dotty old lady.
Got to the store, sat there yakking with the proprietor while waiting for my food, and looked down to see that I was wearing one representative from two different pairs of shoes. I have two pairs of Borns that are really similar, and I had a black one on my right foot and a brown one on my left.
It's official: I'm not even 30 yet and already I'm a dotty old lady.
September 14, 2004
Got It In One
Take the What High School
Stereotype Are You? quiz.
Sadly, this was right on the nose. Many will be comforted to know that I went through a radical rebellion and turned (for a while) into a total slut. Via Mel, who was an Outsider.
September 13, 2004
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Yes, folks, I'm one of those lunatics who starts Christmas shopping in July. Weird, but it spreads out the financial burden a bit. And I flat-out refuse to set foot in any kind of retail outlet (other than the grocery store) between Thanksgiving and Valentines Days. Fuggedabowdit.
I'm pleased to announce that I just crossed six co-workers and a close friend off my holiday shopping list at Penzey's Spices. If you haven't heard of them, you're really missing out. My friend Carla, who lives in Madison, WI introduced me to Penzey's. A big highlight of our upcoming holiday trip to see Matt's family near Milwaukee will be going to the Brookfield Penzey's store.
They make these really neato gift boxes that have jars of herbs and spices in them, and then are stuffed with real bay leaves and nutmeg. How cool is that?
I can't recommend the Fox Point seasoning enough. Sprinkle some on microwave popcorn and you've just created Sour Cream 'n Onion popcorn. Mmm!
Anyway, check it out if you need some holiday gift ideas for the cooks in your lives.
I'm pleased to announce that I just crossed six co-workers and a close friend off my holiday shopping list at Penzey's Spices. If you haven't heard of them, you're really missing out. My friend Carla, who lives in Madison, WI introduced me to Penzey's. A big highlight of our upcoming holiday trip to see Matt's family near Milwaukee will be going to the Brookfield Penzey's store.
They make these really neato gift boxes that have jars of herbs and spices in them, and then are stuffed with real bay leaves and nutmeg. How cool is that?
I can't recommend the Fox Point seasoning enough. Sprinkle some on microwave popcorn and you've just created Sour Cream 'n Onion popcorn. Mmm!
Anyway, check it out if you need some holiday gift ideas for the cooks in your lives.
September 12, 2004
Different, But...
I had an acupressure treatment this afternoon for my bad hip. (I know I've mentioned it before, but it totally works better than anything else I've tried for my sciatica.) My dad and I both see this guy.
So I was having my treatment and David said to me, "Your dad tells me that you're trying to get pregnant." I explained the whole situation and said we're still a month or two away from really trying, since I need a test done and then I need to go back to the doctor for an evaluation.
I asked David if he thought there was any help for our fertility troubles through acupressure or acupuncture. He said that there definitely is, mainly through equalizing the female hormonal cycle, which would likely result in easier ovulation without the risks associated with fertility drugs (ie, multiple pregnancies, hormonal problems, etc.).
I got online and did some research in acouple of places.
Anyone know someone who's tried this? I'd love to hear about it. Other thoughts?
So I was having my treatment and David said to me, "Your dad tells me that you're trying to get pregnant." I explained the whole situation and said we're still a month or two away from really trying, since I need a test done and then I need to go back to the doctor for an evaluation.
I asked David if he thought there was any help for our fertility troubles through acupressure or acupuncture. He said that there definitely is, mainly through equalizing the female hormonal cycle, which would likely result in easier ovulation without the risks associated with fertility drugs (ie, multiple pregnancies, hormonal problems, etc.).
I got online and did some research in acouple of places.
Anyone know someone who's tried this? I'd love to hear about it. Other thoughts?
Dear Blogger:
I don't really feel like writing a post to my blog tonight. I don't have anything that interesting to write about. So I was thinking...
...why don't you folks at Blogger create some kind of "Post Aid" or something? It could be a pay-for sort of service (I'd pay a couple bucks to not have to think up a post sometimes), and a blog author could click a button and a default post would come up. I'd totally go in for something cool like a dancing banana, or bunch of dancing badgers singing a stupid song.
People would laugh, they'd trackback, I could go back to sitting on the couch watching "Benny & Joon." Everybody wins.
...why don't you folks at Blogger create some kind of "Post Aid" or something? It could be a pay-for sort of service (I'd pay a couple bucks to not have to think up a post sometimes), and a blog author could click a button and a default post would come up. I'd totally go in for something cool like a dancing banana, or bunch of dancing badgers singing a stupid song.
People would laugh, they'd trackback, I could go back to sitting on the couch watching "Benny & Joon." Everybody wins.
September 10, 2004
Not Again...
I don't know if anyone remembers my post in May about our former neighbor, who passed out while driving and wrecked his minivan (and nearly his grandson). Shortly after the incident, he was told that his brain cancer had returned.
Larry succumbed to his cancer this morning. He leaves behind a wife, several step-children, and two grandkids who had only him for a positive male role model in their lives.
Be at peace, Larry. We'll miss you.
Larry succumbed to his cancer this morning. He leaves behind a wife, several step-children, and two grandkids who had only him for a positive male role model in their lives.
Be at peace, Larry. We'll miss you.
September 09, 2004
Your Friday = My Monday
Yes readers, it's Friday for you and it's Monday for me. That's the big downer about having days off in the middle of the week. Everyone is in a great mood because their weekend is beginning and I'm in a craptastic mood because I've got to go back to work. Sigh... I've only got another month or two of this schedule and then it's back to normal.
So since I know that damn near everyone just dicks around at work on Fridays (and that's why I posted an update tonight--higher blog traffic on Friday), tell me what you're doing, and what you really ought to be doing instead.
So since I know that damn near everyone just dicks around at work on Fridays (and that's why I posted an update tonight--higher blog traffic on Friday), tell me what you're doing, and what you really ought to be doing instead.
September 08, 2004
Happy Birthday to Me!
Yeah, yeah. It's not my birthday yet, as you have doubtless noted via my counter over there at the left. And you know what I want for my birthday, right? My 30th birthday falls on Tuesday, November 2. Hmmm, what else is going on November 2?
The presidential election, dammit!
Do me a favor: go to my member page at JohnKerry.com and sign up as a Kerry volunteer. It's a good resource to help mobilize people who'd like to see a change in the administration. People like you, and you, and how about you?
Via Mia who has a cool new page design.
The presidential election, dammit!
Do me a favor: go to my member page at JohnKerry.com and sign up as a Kerry volunteer. It's a good resource to help mobilize people who'd like to see a change in the administration. People like you, and you, and how about you?
Via Mia who has a cool new page design.
Home Wrecker
I'm on a union break right now. Matt and I made a morning run down to Home Despot in Meridian to get more primer and paint so that we can keep going on our wood paneling tear-down project.
We've decided to attack the hallway next. It runs from the living room to the other bedrooms and bathroom, and it's quite a dark area. Once the paneling is pulled down, we have to clean underneath it. The people who lived here before were chain smokers (I think I've mentioned this before) and most of the drywall and other surfaces in our house have needed a layer of nicotine cleaned off them. It's pretty friggin' vile, and I was amazed and yet not really surprised when we got the first pieces of paneling down and discovered that familiar orange ick underneath.
Matt has gone to a firearms qualifier, lucky devil. All the game wardens have to go shoot several different firearms a couple of times a year to stay qualified and tonight is his night. That means I'm home alone, trying to remove trimwork from doorways (via the hammer and screwdriver method). Hence the break. This is what happens when you leave me unsupervised--I take a lot of breaks.
Maybe the next time I post an entry, it will be pictures of our new, improved hallway. I can't wait to get my hands into some spackle...
We've decided to attack the hallway next. It runs from the living room to the other bedrooms and bathroom, and it's quite a dark area. Once the paneling is pulled down, we have to clean underneath it. The people who lived here before were chain smokers (I think I've mentioned this before) and most of the drywall and other surfaces in our house have needed a layer of nicotine cleaned off them. It's pretty friggin' vile, and I was amazed and yet not really surprised when we got the first pieces of paneling down and discovered that familiar orange ick underneath.
Matt has gone to a firearms qualifier, lucky devil. All the game wardens have to go shoot several different firearms a couple of times a year to stay qualified and tonight is his night. That means I'm home alone, trying to remove trimwork from doorways (via the hammer and screwdriver method). Hence the break. This is what happens when you leave me unsupervised--I take a lot of breaks.
Maybe the next time I post an entry, it will be pictures of our new, improved hallway. I can't wait to get my hands into some spackle...
Kitty!
I'm trying any damn thing I can think of to shove some data through the Blogger system. Nothing wants to post. Maybe a picture of some cute kids will help?
These two are daughters of good friends of mine. Don't you think Tatum (the one on the right) looks exactly like Boo from "Monsters, Inc."?
Olivia and Tatum
These two are daughters of good friends of mine. Don't you think Tatum (the one on the right) looks exactly like Boo from "Monsters, Inc."?
Olivia and Tatum
September 07, 2004
You Can't Always Get What You Want (And Other Wisdom)
I tried to post this last night, but friggin' "Blogwhore" wasn't working right. Sorry for the time lag.
I was thinking today about the best piece of advice/homily I ever heard. It went: if something worries you, change it; if you can't change it, stop worrying about it.
Good advice, huh? It comes from the Dalai Lama. Via Brad Pitt in "Seven Years in Tibet." I'm not entirely sure I should be admitting that last part. It sounds so cool when I just say it is wisdom from the spiritual leader of Tibet. (Rather than People magazine's one-time Sexiest Man Alive.)
Anyone else have some good advice they'd like to share?
I was thinking today about the best piece of advice/homily I ever heard. It went: if something worries you, change it; if you can't change it, stop worrying about it.
Good advice, huh? It comes from the Dalai Lama. Via Brad Pitt in "Seven Years in Tibet." I'm not entirely sure I should be admitting that last part. It sounds so cool when I just say it is wisdom from the spiritual leader of Tibet. (Rather than People magazine's one-time Sexiest Man Alive.)
Anyone else have some good advice they'd like to share?
September 05, 2004
This is Just a Vicious Cycle
I'm starting to feel pretty hungry. It's now 6:30 and I had an apple and some cheese for lunch. I set some flounder out to defrost on the counter this morning. Flounder is still sitting there, I'm hungry, and ain't nobody else in the house to cook it for me. I'm not in the mood to cook--I'm in the mood to sit down and eat a hot meal that someone else cooked!
I'm so screwed. I should just get off my butt and off the internet and cook myself some damn dinner.
I'm so screwed. I should just get off my butt and off the internet and cook myself some damn dinner.
Yoo Hoo! Idaho Bloggy People!
Is there any kind of "ring" for Idaho bloggers? I've seen Blogchalk and all that crap, but I'm feeling like we need our own little circle and a nifty button that we can all paste on our pages.
Since I'm an html eedjit, someone else is going to have to figure all that out. Anyone? Anyone?
Since I'm an html eedjit, someone else is going to have to figure all that out. Anyone? Anyone?
Go With Grace
My grandmother passed away at about 5:30 p.m. yesterday. She went in her sleep.
I sure do miss her.
I sure do miss her.
September 03, 2004
This is Neat
Looks like a bunch of musicians, including David Gray, REM, Jet, and Badly Drawn Boy have created a download-able collection of music, the proceeds of which go to help Sudanese refugees.
Titled Songs for Sudan, the 14-track set became available today (Sept. 3) via download only at BigNoiseMusic.com, which was launched by British-based charity Oxfam to raise money for various causes.
To download the compilation costs $14.31; $8.95 of which will go to Oxfam’s effort to aid the hundreds of thousands of homeless and starving people of Darfur. No artist that contributed to Songs for Sudan will received royalties.
Rebel militant groups took up arms in February 2003 in response to alleged discrimination by the Khartoum government, and began ravaging Darfur villages and homes, either killing the residents or forcing them from their homes. About 50,000 Darfur people are estimated dead and more than one million people have become stricken refugees.
Too bad I've only got dial-up--the conflict would be resolved by the time I was able to download the whole thing.
Titled Songs for Sudan, the 14-track set became available today (Sept. 3) via download only at BigNoiseMusic.com, which was launched by British-based charity Oxfam to raise money for various causes.
To download the compilation costs $14.31; $8.95 of which will go to Oxfam’s effort to aid the hundreds of thousands of homeless and starving people of Darfur. No artist that contributed to Songs for Sudan will received royalties.
Rebel militant groups took up arms in February 2003 in response to alleged discrimination by the Khartoum government, and began ravaging Darfur villages and homes, either killing the residents or forcing them from their homes. About 50,000 Darfur people are estimated dead and more than one million people have become stricken refugees.
Too bad I've only got dial-up--the conflict would be resolved by the time I was able to download the whole thing.
What Kind of World?
I simply cannot understand the mindset behind acts of terrorism like this.
RUSSIA SAYS 10 ARABS KILLED: Andreyev said 10 Arabs had been among the gunmen killed, adding fuel to Russia's contention that Chechen rebels are backed by foreign Islamic militants.
Some officials suggested an al Qaeda financing link to the gunmen.
Couldn't even a wild-eyed religious lunatic see that killing children on their first damned day of school wouldn't accomplish anything? Seems to me that's the best way to achieve the exact opposite of your mission. That's why I'm not sure I believe that the Chechen rebels really are behind this. I couldn't begin to say who was responsible--I don't understand domestic politics, much less international conflict like this, but doesn't it seem incredibly odd that this kind of devastation could be anyone's "solution"?
RUSSIA SAYS 10 ARABS KILLED: Andreyev said 10 Arabs had been among the gunmen killed, adding fuel to Russia's contention that Chechen rebels are backed by foreign Islamic militants.
Some officials suggested an al Qaeda financing link to the gunmen.
Couldn't even a wild-eyed religious lunatic see that killing children on their first damned day of school wouldn't accomplish anything? Seems to me that's the best way to achieve the exact opposite of your mission. That's why I'm not sure I believe that the Chechen rebels really are behind this. I couldn't begin to say who was responsible--I don't understand domestic politics, much less international conflict like this, but doesn't it seem incredibly odd that this kind of devastation could be anyone's "solution"?
September 01, 2004
What a Difference a Day Makes
I had an e-mail from my aunt this morning saying that I should definitely not plan on going to California. They've decided that there will be no service for my grandmother (which still isn't, um, quite necessary), and my aunt tells me there is a considerable amount of infighting between she and her siblings, and presumably my sister. She referred to a lot of fighting, so that's who I'm guessing it's between since those are the people down there right now.
I'm honestly very relieved. It definitely wasn't going to be any kind of fun, and I know that my grandmother would feel that this was right for me. She was always tremendously supportive of me, particularly as far as me leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses went, and was horrified by the treatment that the JW part of my family gave me afterwards. I'm not sure how else I can honor her memory.
In other news, Matt and I started tearing down wood panelling from our dining room today. Half our house is done in this godawful stuff, and we've wanted to get started on it for a long time. So we jumped right in. God, what a mess. It's going to be great when it is all done, and based on what we did today I'd say that it will probably be finished around 2008.
I am sensing that Matt's stress levels are getting a little high right now--why do men feel like everything must be grilled at maximum heat?--and I think I'd better go rescue dinner. 'Night, y'all!
I'm honestly very relieved. It definitely wasn't going to be any kind of fun, and I know that my grandmother would feel that this was right for me. She was always tremendously supportive of me, particularly as far as me leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses went, and was horrified by the treatment that the JW part of my family gave me afterwards. I'm not sure how else I can honor her memory.
In other news, Matt and I started tearing down wood panelling from our dining room today. Half our house is done in this godawful stuff, and we've wanted to get started on it for a long time. So we jumped right in. God, what a mess. It's going to be great when it is all done, and based on what we did today I'd say that it will probably be finished around 2008.
I am sensing that Matt's stress levels are getting a little high right now--why do men feel like everything must be grilled at maximum heat?--and I think I'd better go rescue dinner. 'Night, y'all!
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