Goodest Day to you! I'm all excited and surprisingly AWAKE on this Monday morning. Literally didn't even open the front door yesterday. It was a good day to spend indoors, and I got a lot of putting-stuff-in-order done.. and baked some kick-ass pumpkin bread, too. Speaking of asses, I watched the Vikings get theirs handed to them. Yeah, Smoot.. how's that trash talk working for you NOW? And if Culpepper goes out for the season? Yep - stick a fork in 'em. They're done.
Quote of the day today (do you ever look at those on the sidebar? Sometimes I forget to..): "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." Very cool. Cross your fingers and send me some good wishes. Ciao, Bellas.
PS. Boo, Halloween, Scary... Etc.
10/30/05 11:48 AM
I want to show you all the nature that's in my backyard:
There's three of them.. I think they're all girl deer (whatever those are called).
The obligatory 'arty' shot. The colors back there are just gorgeous. The grey day doesn't really do them justice.
10/30/05 7:51 AM
I'm always sad when daylight savings time ends. All the clocks went back this morning (did you remember to do that?). It's really grey and dreary out there, all the leaves are down, suddenly - it's late fall. The time change messed up my wake-up time, too. So as long as I'm up this early, let's go look at the news:
I do all my banking online. I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually been to the physical bank in the last 3 years. In fact, I had to go there to drop off some paperwork a couple of years back and I didn't realize that they'd MOVED. This is such a far cry from my dad's banking days.. he used to handwrite deposits and withdrawls in people's passbooks (and it never occurred to them that they could FORGE that number, I'm sure.), and he balanced the ledger by hand. When it was off by a penny, we'd go down on the weekend and he'd look for it. Now do you understand where I get my OCD tendencies? Heh. When he retired and they sold the bank back in 1980, NOTHING was computerized. Unbelievable.
Ugh. Doesn't it get harder and harder to read news like this every day? There's just too much evil in the world.
Rosa Parks will lie in honor at the Capital - how cool. And gosh, maybe I'm just overly emotional today.. (what day of the month is this, anyway? heh.), but this line from the story made me tear up: "I'm colorblind. You don't get any blessing from hating people. If more people were colorblind there would be more peace". True dat.
You knew it was only a matter of time: first Rocky comes out of retirement.. and now Rambo will, too. How sad. How very sad. (And Stallone is looking like 20 miles of rough road, isn't he?)
It's raining now. Looking more and more like a good day to just be inside and maybe do some baking, watch the game, do a little knitting... mmmm. Come on over and keep me company! I'll put on more coffee. Ciao, Bellas. Have a good day.
10/29/05 6:41 PM
You may call me the halloween scrooge. I hate, hate, hate halloween. Hate the dressing up. Hate everyone else dressing up. Hate the scary monsters. The pumpkins. The witches and ghosts and goblins. Blech. Why don't we just have international "give the kids candy day"? I could get behind that. I'd ask for candy too. I just don't want to have to dress up to get it. People have tried to get me past the hate. I've dressed up for work and for costumes parties and all that. I still hate it. And it's waaaay more than a day now. This is halloween weekend. I was down on Grand Avenue today, and all the businesses were giving candy to kids.. there were approximately 500,000,000,780 children there.
Met up with Brandacious and Smellen (Jr. and Sr.) for coffee this morning. (Smellen Jr. is possibly the cutest baby in the world. Well, the world right now, anyway!) Just as I got there I realized that I didn't have my cell phone OR my pager with me. Now, I spent the first 30+ years of my LIFE not having a cell phone. But oh my gosh - when I realized I didn't have it I almost had a panic-moment. I had to go back home to get it before I started the afternoon of shopping.
And how I shopped. I bought CLOTHES, at last. Not enough, but it's a start. Then I found a little yarn store! It's pretty tiny, but they stock all my favorites. Got some groceries. Now I'm home doing laundry (the dryer buzzer just went off. Damn thing scares me every time), and enjoying a quiet night at home. I don't get enough of those lately. So? Tell me what you're up to...Buona Sera.
10/28/05 5:00 AM
The work dinner turned into a much better deal - we went to Bakery on Grand and hol.ee.hanna - was it good. I was actually a tad disappointed with my cassoulet - it was a little TOO done. But the dessert! The dessert made up for everything! It was a Pavolova - merengue with chocolate and creme and raspberries and powdered sugar and oh-my-god, to quote Stewie Griffin from Family Guy: There was an orgy in my mouth! Heh.
Last day of the budget hoo-ha at work, and then a weekend that's not too solidly booked. Yay. And yes, I have a voice again. Watch out world. I'm never gonna stop jabbering now. Mwah hah hah. That is all. Have a day. Ciao.
10/27/05 5:14 AM
Good Day, Kidlets. Some actual SOUNDS came out when I tried talking this morning. They were tiny and sad, but sounds just the same. Could it be? Will I have a voice soon? Everyone at work either whispers back to me, or speaks R-E-A-L-L-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y to me. Funny. I'm not deaf or stupid. Well... maybe the latter. Heh.
You know, the more I think about this - the 2000th death in Iraq - the more I think ALL the casualties are sad. They're all losses for family, friends, neighbors. Why is the 2000th one more significant than the 2001st, 2002nd, 10,000th, or 1st? It just needs to end. Sooner the better.
Guys - Nicolette Sheridan is available again. Two things: First - I always read her name as "Nicorette", like the quit-smoking gum, when I first see it; and Second - man.. she just gets scarier and scarier looking. Lay off the plastic surgery, honey. Soon you won't be able to close your eyes completely.
This is cool. Go to Google and search "Archive of American Television and look at what comes up. This will keep me busy for a while.
More craziness at work today, and then work dinner tonight. Bah. So better get to it. Have a good day! Ciao, Bellas.
10/26/05 5:13 AM
I just tried to talk (to the cat. how sad.), and all that comes out is a little tiny squeak. Lovely. Guess there will be no talking today, either. Just wait 'til I can talk again. You'll all be sorry! Heh.
The not-talking couldn't stop me from this, though: Best. Italian. Food. Ever. (in a while, anyway....) Had some nice mostaccioli with sausage... mmmm. There were 9 of us there, and every single dish on the table looked good. We'll be back.
And now the clean-up begins. How sad.. I've been to some of these places, and know how pretty they were. I can't even begin to imagine them all torn to shreds.
Note to self: don't vacation during hurricane season, because you might not be able to get out. I'm never leaving the house again.
Well, this doesn't sound good at all. Let's just hire young, healthy workers. Let's make 'em all do jumping jacks every day! I'm guessing that they didn't think that memo would EVER be made public. Whoops. Too bad. Text of the memo is here
Eh - Howard Stern. The Twin Cities was the one market in which he tanked. Proving that we are much more intelligent and classy than the rest of the world.
Oh, No. McDonald's is going to post the nutrition info about its food. It's just been in the last couple of months that I've been able to go back there at all.. ever since we watched Super Size Me last year, I've been horrified at the thought of eating there. But the lure of the fries finally got to me. And now I'm gonna KNOW the calorie content?? ::sigh:: That's the end of that.
The next three days of budget-insanity at work begins today. Having no voice will serve me well for that, since I won't be able to argue with people.. Maybe it will go more smoothly. One can hope, anyway. Be good. Ciao.
10/25/05 5:21 AM
NO voice. NO voice and sore throat and weird runny eyes, but at least I don't have the sneezing and stuffed up nose. I came home from work at noon yesterday (but surprisingly got a lot of work done - brought stuff home). Electrician came so I now have 100% working heat. Good thing, too, because my trusty fancy shmancy digital thermometer says that it's 32.2 degrees out there. Well - no WONDER I have a cold!
Nature story of the day: When I was out in the "deck garage" (what else do you call a storage room right off the deck?) I heard lots of rustling down in the backyard. Holy cow - the most ENORMOUS deer with the most GIGANTIC antlers ever was running around! Of course, I couldn't think of the word antlers... so I called a friend and told her that they were 'deer horns'. Heh. After living here for a few years I will be a wild life expert.
One-year-old's birthday party turns into a brawl. They found a knife hidden under the birthday cake. Nice.. And remember - single people like me shouldn't be allowed to adopt or anything, because we wouldn't make good parents. Whatever.
Being upright is making me tired. Maybe I shouldn't go into work today... but I must. And Mare is all up in my face because the blog isn't up yet. Patience, dammit! Heh. Have a good day. Ciao.
10/24/05 5:01 AM
Let's see - the weekend continued. Saturday night - yada yada yada. Sunday - not that I'm a bandwagon jumper, but holy cow how 'bout them Vikings? It was about as nerve-racking as a football game gets. I had to take a little nap when it was over! And when I woke up, well, I discovered that the cold of death has caught up with me. All the Zicam in the world didn't save me. Great. Maybe it'll shorten the duration of it. I'm gonna try to not breathe on anyone today.
The Wild won on Saturday, lost on Sunday. We're second in our division, right behind Vancouver.
The lowest price for gas around here is $2.27 - down from $2.72 which is the highest I paid this summer. Now that it's been up this high, it'll never come all the way down again, will it? I remember when it went up over $1, and then when it went up over $2. Soon we'll think that these are the cheap days. Sad.
GAH. My throat hurts. I was gonna have to go home at lunch to meet the electrician anyway (to get the new thermostat installed)... maybe I'll work from home after that. Or just rest. Or something. Anyway, that's what I know. Hope you have good days, kids. Ciao.
10/22/05 3:20 PM
Late! I'm late with the posting today (but give me a break, already. It's the weekend...)
Greatest electrician man in the world was here yesterday and it's the thermostat that was shot. So off to Home Depot to get a new one. Double Pole, thank you very much (yes, I know what that means now. I'm such a homeowner). I'm just a little to scared to be playing with that much electricity, though, so he's coming back out on Monday afternoon to install it for me.
I will have to be patching part of the wall after it's installed, because I couldn't find the exact same size... so off to Target today to get patching materials, plus FOOD (eeek - more food than I've had in the house for a long time), plus a very cool showerhead which I can ALMOST install myself. The old one is on there TOO TIGHTLY! I need to get a wrench to get it off. Or I need a strong boy to come over and take it off for me. Eh - I'll buy a wrench. Heh.
So now I'm all fooded and accessoried up, so I can just rest for a while. I'm going to finish (finally!) the baby sweater for Smellen Jr. Yes, pictures before I give it to her. It turned out very well.
Here are some pictures - first from the hockey game last Sunday. We had awesome seats:
See??? My hair is starting to grow back in. I'm just like a supermodel:
Have a good weekend. Talk to you later. Ciao!
10/21/05 5:04 AM
I have way, way, way too many books. I had to take down two of my bookshelves, because 'the man' is coming at 1:00 today to fix the baseboard heater. It took almost an hour to take everything down off those shelves. It's silly - I probably won't read most of those again.. but yet I hold on to them. Maybe a goal could be to get rid of SOME books. The ones I know I'll never look at. Oh, I don't know. Heh.
In the middle of that project, I had to give Mare some tech-support to set up her new e-mail accounts, and in the process I finally set up my own .rr account. Now that I've had it for almost six months, probably a good idea to use it, eh? It might be a good junk mail address.. or one to give to people that I don't care about hearing from. HA! So if I see you and give you a .rr address, you know where you fall on the chelelist.
Here comes Wilma. So sad. Cancun is so beautiful, and it's going to get just ripped apart.
You know, if your kid dresses in a long black coat and draws pentagrams on the ground, perhaps it's time to get him some help before he kills someone. Every day, I'm happier and happier with my decision to just have cats. They may wake me up at 4:00 to eat, but they'll never turn on me.
Gee, it looks like Jennifer Aniston is recovering nicely from her break-up with Brad. And from now on, I will start referring to all my boyfriends as "delicious".
Oh, this is SO not fair. There should be a rule: if you are a millionaire you can't play the lottery.
JenY is right - it's been a slow news week. And doesn't this happen ALL the time? Or is that only on sitcoms?
The new movie North Country was filmed here. In fact, a couple of the scenes were filmed right outside my office window. So I'm pretty much famous now. Yep.
Welcome to Friday! Have a good day. Ciao, Bellas.
10/20/05 4:56 AM
Good Morning. I'm pretty sure that's what it is. Brought some work home last night, which is my least favorite thing to do.. but I actually got done in about 90 minutes what would have taken me 4 hours at the office. When I'm at work I get interrupted a lot.. Because I had to finish this project, I had to blow off pub quiz (I'm just never gonna get to do that again, am I?), AND a chance to go to the Wild game (::sob!::). I caught most of the game on TV, though, and oh. my. gosh. we're. great. 6-1! AND we've got the #1 penalty kill in the league right now. Just excellent. Then spent some time chatting with a new friend. All around, a pleasant evening.
Why are there always yahoos who think that they can ride the storm out? It's a freakin' HURRICANE, for God's sake. You aren't stronger than nature. This yahoo has kids, though.. not fair to put them in danger just because you're an idiot.
Stop tossing your children away.. Oy. Yeah. So many places won't let me - a single person, degree in education, making good money - adopt a baby. But yeah.. this woman is a WAY better parent than I would be. AAGH. I can't stand it....
Cautiously optimistic. It's an effective drug, but probably too soon to call it a cure. And it's true - even at 5 years, 10 years, 20 years... you just don't know what will happen. You could step off the curb and get hit by a bus. I don't think there IS such a thing as a cure. You just get to the point of acceptance of the unknown - which is what everyone faces.
Bill Cosby is coming to Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon at 2:00. His show is called "An Evening with Bill Cosby". For some reason, I found this funny when I saw it on the marquee yesterday. Perhaps because it was early, and I hadn't had enough coffee yet.
There - that's a lot of news to keep you busy. Have a great day, kids, and I'll talk to you later. Ciao.
10/19/05 5:00 AM
It was a very bad, highly emotional afternoon yesterday. Nothing wrong with me, but a friend got some very scary news which threw the rest of us into a tailspin. No details here.. just asking all to send good thoughts/prayers/light to someone who needs them.
As I was driving home from work (after one quick stop), I realized that I was TIRED.. emotionally wrung out. I had to fight to keep my eyes open on the freeway (this was at 5:15 in the afternoon). Walked in the front door and threw myself on the couch, helplessly exhausted. I slept for an hour, got up and tried to find something to eat, but I was too tired to make anything. I had about two bites of potatoes and broccoli and went right back to the couch again. At 9:30 I gave up and got into bed..
... and promptly at 1:30 AM, I was wide awake. Goddammit. I tossed around for a little bit, but was asleep again by 2:00 and slept until the alarm. Still just a little out of sorts this morning, but I'm hoping that coffee will take care of that.
Someone needs to explain to me how Saddam is very very confident of his innocence. Um.. he ordered the murder of hundreds of people, right? Yeah. Whatever.
So here's hoping for a better day. Be careful out there. Ciao, Bellas.
10/18/05 4:55 AM
I LIKE going to bed at 10:00. Every once in a while, that is. I still can't quite get over the feeling that I might somehow be missing something by going to sleep early (what that something is I don't know..), but I like waking up before the alarm goes off, I like feeling rested - it's not that usual "omg run over by a truck" feeling. I'll probably be back to the old ways tonight - reluctantly dragging myself in there at 12:30.. but for one night, anyway, I feel pretty good.
Maddy-Cat has been chasing a cotton-ball around for the last day. This cat is obsessed with band-aids and cotton-balls. She has been carrying it around, tossing it in the air, batting it back and forth... it's been under various pieces of furniture (and when it gets pushed too far back for her to reach it she cries, and then I have to go get it out for her. Like just now - had to fish it out from under the couch), and when she gets tired, she drops it in her food dish. Yes, she's quite mental.
How long before Rocky movies become really, really pathetic? C'mon - it's GRANDPA ROCKY. He'll be taking swings at people with his walker. I could maybe even see it if he was training some young new fighter... but HE'S in the ring? Well, that's just sad.
I don't wanna talk about the Vikings and their LUV-boat cruise. I'm sick of them. But maybe, just maybe this will help. Their new Security Director is a former FBI agent. They need someone to be the disciplinarian of the team, and their just not afraid of Tice. Agh! Enough talking about them...
I didn't realize that this magazine cover was taken on the day Lennon was shot. It was deemed the top magazine cover of the last 40 years. All the winning covers are here. Interesting snapshots of history.
RIP Charles Rocket. It took a long time for this story to come out - I first read it yesterday, he died on October 7.
Yes, I've often wanted to take the day off work.. but I've never phoned in a bomb threat to do so. Besides, they'd probably call me in if there was a threat - so my plan would be foiled! Idiot.
Time to get myself ready for work. Ciao, Bellas. Have a good day.
PS - Good doctor visit yesterday! Thanks for the well-wishes. TiAmo.
10/17/05 5:06 AM
Let's talk for just a moment about the greatest game in the world: HOCKEY! My favorite player (and newest boyfriend) Manny Fernandez made 28 saves yesterday, and only missed a shutout because they managed to score in the last 13 seconds. The Wild beat Anaheim 4-1. It was a most excellent game, and Jenni and I had a great time.
Am I the only one that hears Fred Flinstone's voice when I read about Tropical Storm Wilma?
I guess it's a big deal that the White Sox are in the World Series. And didn't that one guy used to be on our team? (yes.. all the detailed news you want - right here on cheleblog! "that one guy" - heh.)
Hmmm. Things aren't looking good for NWA's unions.
Madonna the disciplinarian. How can you do that when you spent the 80s dancing around in your bra and being nekked in a book? And oh my gosh.. her kid is NINE? Wow. It doesn't seem like that long ago.
Mary Kate Olsen is not dropping out of school, she's taking an approved leave of absence.. yadda, yadda yadda. AKA spin dry? No, maybe not. Still - have another sandwich, girl. And a malt.
So there ya go..that's what I know so far today. Going to the doc for a checkup this afternoon, so all good thoughts sent my way are appreciated - thanks-in-advance. Talk to you later. Ciao.
10/16/05 1:18 PM
Cleaning update:
My tub STILL has paint in it from when I first moved in..little tiny flecks and specks. You cannot imagine what this does to a girl who is obsessed with cleaning. I've just spent an hour scrubbing and scrubbing. This is my white whale...
10/16/05 10:48 AM
The weekend thus far:
Friday night - played poker and MAN did I lose.. I think I'm down $20. In the end, it would have been much easier to just hand my money to them. Oh well, I would have spent almost that much on dinner anyway, right? (Just trying to make myself feel better..)
Saturday - Went to my association meeting. I'm going to be on the siding committee.. I figure that this is going to be a project that will cost a lot, but add to the value of my place, so I want input. Besides, it's a good way to meet my neighbors. Now, when I'm going nutty from all this a year from now, remind me that I said this, okay?
Then I ran errands, blah blah blah. Came home and did a little cleaning and laundry, and then just had to have an hour nap in the afternoon. I hate that (what if something exciting happens while I'm sleeping??). Then we had fabulous Thando eggrolls for dinner and went to the grocery store. Man - do we know how to lead an exciting life or what? Heh.
Today it's HOCKEY. Did I mention that. Oh yeah, I did. I'm a little whipped up about that.
So here's a meme for you, because I'm too lazy to read the news today. This one is ripped off from Mitch.
Threesies
Three Things I Do Not Understand
1. How airplanes do not fall out of the sky.
2. REALLY, what makes my car run. (combustion engine, blah blah blah.)
3. How men's minds work.
Three Things On My Desk (Home edition)
1. My dad's nameplaque from his desk.
2. A small square box of Godiva truffles (empty, but I can't bring myself to throw it away).
3. A pink quartz heart.
Three Things I'm Doing Right Now
1. Drinking coffee.
2. Listening to Toni Childs - Walk & Talk Like Angels.
3. Sitting on my couch with my laptop doing this silly meme.
Three Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1. Go to Italy.
2. Talk to my sisters again.
3. Own a convertible.
Three Things I Can Do
1. Knit.
2. Manage a 100,000 sf construction project.
3. Face down all my greatest fears.
Three Ways To Describe My Personality
1. Happy.
2. Fiercely loyal.
3. Passionate.
Three Things I Can't Do
1. Ice skate.
2. Swim.
3. Be anything less than who I am.
Three Things I Don't Think You Should Listen To, Ever
1. Gangsta Rap.
2. Overwrought poetry readings.
3. Anyone who tries to tell you what to do or how to live your life.
Three Things I Say
1. "I can't know that."
2. "Call on me!"
3. "Or not-so-much..."
Three Things I'd Like To Learn
1. How to make Easter Bread exactly like my Grandma's.
2. How to play the cello.
3. How to build cabinets.
Three Beverages I Drink Regularly
1. Coffee (with creme brulee or amaretto-flavored creamer).
2. Water.
3. Coke with Grenadine (REAL cherry coke).
Three Shows I Watched As A Kid
1. The Partridge Family.
2. Laugh-In.
3. The Love Boat.
Three Things I Wish People Would Learn To Do
1. Just get along with each other, dammit!
2. Be kind.
3. Be patient.
Tell me yours.. I have to go do something productive. Or not-so-much. Ciao!
10/14/05 4:51 AM
What did I ever do before I discovered the joy of coffee? How in the world did I ever wake up? I have been a very good girl this week.. hardly any running around. I was even in bed last night by 10:00. IssyCat woke up early - around 4:00 - and decided that a lovely way to greet me, his food-provider, was to lick my EYELASHES. EWWWWWW. Lemme tell ya, that will pull you out of deep slumber quickly. And then when I DO sit up and look at him, he's all kitty-nonchalant: "Oh, good morning. Are you awake?" I'm going to wait til he's sleeping and wake HIM up one day. Then I realize - Oh my God, I'm plotting against a feline. I've gone right 'round the bend.
Yes, I do believe that people ARE more rude and boorish. It's my job every day to deal with some of them! Kidding - mostly. 99% of the people I work with are great. But it's that 1% that make my job hard.. and without fail, the ones that are the rudest/whiniest/most demanding.. within 6 months they're gone. Off to make someone else's life miserable. And good luck to them! Or not-so-much.
Man, this school sure loses and then re-locates lots of important musical pieces. They should really clean out and organize more often. (heh. that was just for YOU, knitty-girls.)
Yeah, it's a good idea not to immunize your children. Because NOTHING will happen to them if you don't immunize them. Oh, except for that darn pesky polio thing. Sheesh. You should have to pass a test before you're allowed to procreate.
(What's wrong with me, anyway? I don't know... it's early...)
I worked really really hard and got many many things done yesterday, so I am taking the afternoon off to play and whatnot (I wish it was more of the whatnot, but whatever). Poker tonight, and I will once again attempt to win one meeeeellion dollars off my friends. Condo association meeting tomorrow. It seems like everyone's condo meetings are being held right now - why is that? And then - on sunday Sunday SUNDAY: hockey with the lovely and amazing Plinko Girl. In between all that laundry must be done as well.. and some floor scrubbin'. There ya have it. I will talk to youse later. Ciao.
10/13/05 5:09 AM
Did I mention - HOCKEY IS BACK! Whoop! And it was The Wild over Vancouver 6-0. I'm going to the game on Sunday against Anaheim.. it should be great fun.
Well, Yikes. If this guy really WAS bad-ass like Sawyer, he would have fought the burglars off.
Hold me up, before I tip over from NOT-surprise that The Simple Life is cancelled. Never watched one second of it. See item #1 - I'm real smart.
Now there are video iPods. Oy. Just when I think I'm catching up with all the Apple technology, something else comes along. I don't know that I'd ever watch teeny tiny video.. but who knows? I never understood why I'd want a music iPod either. Or a photo iPod. Or a Nano iPod. Or.. Or.. Or. See? It never ends! I still need a new refrigerator, but it's much more FUN to buy iPods.
Sixteen children. Stop that! Stop it right now! "If the Lord wants to give us some more..." Honey, the Lord isn't giving you all those children. It's Jim Bob.
One last thing (and it's from the Strib online, so if you don't register you might not be able to see it..) - I'm sick of the Vikings and their thug-antics. Here's the thing - if you're 4-0 going into your bye-week, maybe you can have a party. But you're 1-3, you SUCK, you're trying to get a new stadium, and you have a little sex-party on a boat?? And you're propositioning crew members??? FEH. Not cool. I don't care if I ever watch them again. I've got my hockey back, and GO LIONS. Now - wanna know how I really feel about it?
It's on to work now. Have a day, peoples. Ciao.
10/12/05 5:16 AM
I'm feeling - well - marginally better this morning. It's probably a good thing that I'm going in for a checkup on Monday, and that I don't have a lot of stuff going on this week. Going to a happy hour tonight for just a few minutes after work. A million years ago, back in the day, we used to have these all the time. That was when we were lots younger, I think.. Heh. Now it seems like we only have them when people leave. I'll miss this co-worker. Even though we've gone a few rounds sometimes, it's because we both care about the company and what we do. He's been there a long time. There are a few of us in that 'been there forever' category.
See above item: People, TV shows are just for PRETEND. Not for real. Go outside and be around the real people, okay?
That's what I know so far today. Time to get moving. Ciao, Bellas.
10/11/05 10:45 PM
Blech (even though some would say that 'blech' isn't a word..). Home and on the couch all night, because I wasn't feeling well. I hate that. Going to bed now, and hoping that whatever this is just goes away in the night. See you in the morning. Buona Sera.
10/11/05 4:59 AM
Shocking as this may seem - I stayed home last night. Sat quietly after work. Had a little dinner. Cleaned up the kitchen. Watched TV (Bravo has a West Wing marathon going, and I caught two episodes that I missed last year). I was in bed sleeping at 10:30. It sounds so boring when it's 'written' down.. but OMG, was it ever nice. I'm sure after a couple days of this I'll be climbing the walls and the running around will start once again... but for now, this is just fine.
Hmmm. I'll bet she thought that when she got the job as the editor of Vogue Magazine that she had it made.. fabulous, glamorous job. I'll be she never expected that she'd be in the headlines for getting a tofu pie in the face. And it's the second time she's gotten one!
All righty, then. I'm still not quite awake, and there's no coffee left. It's probably not a good idea to start making more than one pot in the morning, eh? I'm expecting - rather, I'm HOPING for - a calm day at the workplace. I've got a couple things left over from last week that didn't get done.
Okay - gotta fly. Talk to youse later, and Ciao.
10/10/05 4:57 AM
Brunch was wonderful! Cirque du Soleil was wondeful! Seeing la bambina was even MORE wonderful! Getting up this morning after all the wonderfulness of the weekend was..well.. NOT as wonderful. Let me just make a solemn vow right this moment that I'm going to go a little slower this week and try to get more rest. I AM too busy. I need to slow down.
Okay, I just looked through all the news and all the blogs and I couldn't find one thing that I wanted to write about. So I think I'm just gonna upload some pictures (if you're in 'em, I'll e-mail 'em to you) and start my day. Slower. Yes. I'm going to go slower this week. Let's see how that all works out for me. Have a good day, kids. Ciao.
10/09/05 8:21 AM
Welcome, Baby Smellen!
YAY! I can hardly wait to meet you...
We saw Thumbsucker. Huh. That's what we both said as we left the theater: Huh. It reminded me a little of Garden State.. almost as though it could be the prequel to it.
Today is Cirque, with brunch before. ALL excited about that.
My allergies have never been worse than they are right. this. second. Watery eyes, sneezing, hacking up a lung.. quite attractive. I'm praying to God/Allah/Buddah/whatever Deity happens to be listening to please send the frost down here to my neighborhood.
I'm off to find some claritin and maybe have one more cup of coffee...Good day, kids. Ciao.
10/08/05 8:38 AM
Good Morning! Happy Saturday!
In a few minutes I am going to meet my used-to-know-from-the-internet-but-now-I-know-in-real-life friends for brunch.. we're adding another friend to our list: Steve from Canadia (isn't that where Canadian people are from?)
Then off to run 1,015 errands. I am wondering how Smellen's baby-getting-out is progressing.. hmmmm? Tonight - well - I don't know if bowling will be on my agenda or not. I want to just run, run, run all the time.. but my poor little self still gets really tired, really fast. It's like I want to catch up on all the fun I missed in August, but I'm still a little run down. Frustrating. Tomorrow is Cirque, though, and I absolutely can't miss that! (I paid too much for the ticket to miss it!).
So onward! I hope you have a wondermous day. Ciao. TiAmo!
10/07/05 5:09 AM
DUH moment of the day: Yesterday at about noon I decided to brave the skyways (downtown Minneapolis is like a habitrail for adults.. we never have to go outside) and go over to the government center to get new license tabs for HelloKitty Saturn. Technically my tabs expired in September, but we get a 10 day grace period. Lunchtime in the skyway is a mess - millions of people everywhere, and you can tell the workers from the tourists. The workers are the ones who will run down the tourists who are walking s-l-o-w-l-y and in groups of 20 abreast. The government center is only about 3 blocks from my office, but it seems longer when you go through the skyway, what with the lollygagging tourists and all. I got allllll the way down there, found the correct line (it's all changed around since last year.. lots more security), got my number, settled in....
Realized I didn't have my checkbook OR my renewal paperwork with me. DAMMIT.
I get to do it all over again today. I think I'm gonna go mid-morning instead.
IssyCat is the slobbiest feline ever. He's more like a dog. This big mook just came into the living room and dragged his butt on the carpet!! NICE. ::: rushing to get Resolve Carpet Cleaner ::: Lemme tell you.. if he wasn't so freakin' cute, this cat would be out on the street....
I'm having some folks over for dinner tonight, and meeting up with some friends tomorrow night for bowling, etc. Sunday I'm going to Cirque du Soleil.. and there goes that weekend! It's all good and fun. Have an excellent day. Ciao.
10/06/05 4:58 AM
Could this be the day that the heat goes on and stays on? Possibly. Brrr. Just ask the folks in Billings Montana. I may have been lying when I said I was ready for winter.
There's lots of stuff today:
Here's our miracle story of the day: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are expecting a baby. Oooh, my mind just reels with sarcastic comments.. A) Hmmm. Maybe he's NOT gay. B) Now Tom will find out first hand that there is such a thing as postpartum depression. C) Doesn't it look like she's wearing a black miracle bra in that picture?
Say it with me: LET'S PLAY HOCKEY! The Wild won their opener. I'm going to the game a week from Sunday.. YAY!
Are they splitting up? Aren't they splitting up? And more importantly... do I CARE that Jessica and Nick may or may not be splitting up? Ah - no.
Melissa Etheridge really is one of my heros.. mock me if you will. (Plus, her hair is really cute. I'm about 3 months behind her in the 'my hair will grow back' department..)
When I saw this headline, I thought "well, here comes the next Dr. Phil". Yep, when Oprah discovers you, you've pretty much got it made.
You see the time-stamp on my entries, so you know how early it is when I get up and start reading and writing.. and you also know how much coffee it takes before I really wake up and start comprehending what I read. So I'm not even gonna TELL you what was going thru my mind when I read this headline. Heh. I need more coffee...
I set the Tivo to record Hot Properties, just because it looks like such a train wreck that I have to see if I can get thru just one episode.
Someone has to explain to me why SIX YEAR OLDS were fighting over a pacifier. Issues. Issues. Issues.
Time is just getting away from me this morning. I am tearing my whole flippin' house apart looking for the instructions for my thermostat. I know I had them.. I remember seeing a whole folder full of instructions for the stat, stove, dishwasher, etc. Where the hell did I put it???? I'm gonna have to look again when I get home. Anyway.. that's what I've got this morning. Have a good day. Stay warm. Ciao.
10/05/05 5:25 AM
Good Day. How art thou? It was an even crazier Tuesday. I worked on just one thing - one really big, really bad thing - all.day.long. In fact, I'm STILL working on it today. My boss said yesterday that ours is the department of misfits, orphans and all the shit that nobody else want to do. It's true! But ours is also the one that controls where people sit, how they work, how they communicate and every nickle that goes into and out of the place. That's a lotta power to give to a bunch of misfits! Heh. I'm hoping today will be a little calmer. And I get to go have some pizza tonight.
Assisted suicide is a touchy issue. On one hand, it is incompatible with the physician's role as a healer. On the other, it's a decision that really, ultimately, should be left up to the individual and their families. I don't think the government should be involved in this at all. One more reason, people: LIVING WILLS. Health Care Directives! Do one of those so your wishes are clearly communicated to all. Right now. (well, read the blog first. then do it). Because, you know, we're all gonna go sooner or later anyway. My God, this is grim. Onto something happier.
That's what I know for this moment, anyway. Have an excellent day. Ciao.
10/04/05 5:09 AM
What's wrong with me? I had to run the A/C yesterday and last night because it was so horrible out there (is this October? Really?). Woke up this morning and I am FREEZING! I must have about a 2 degree window where I'm truly comfortable. Otherwise I'm always too cold or too hot. Usually too cold. So I turned off the air for this moment and opened the door.. I can tell that it's ghastly already. I'm really ready to just settle into winter, I think. Now. Let's read this again on January 4 when it's minus 24 degrees out there.
I still like The West Wing.. and it's gonna get killed on Sunday nights. This will be the last season, I bet. Although I think I said the same thing about ER last year, and I'm pretty sure it's still on. Not that I ever watch it anymore..
That about does it. I need to get in to work early to finish up all that I didn't finish on my crazed Monday. I feel bad, wishing the weeks away, but I wish it was Friday already.. Ciao.
10/03/05 5:09 AM
My back does feel better. I could stand up this morning, anyway. I don't ask for much...
I was up WAY too late. At 11:00, I decided it would be a fine idea to watch "Grey's Anatomy" on the Tivo. Excellent show. Then, because I was so whipped up from that, I started watching "West Wing", which was also on Tivo. At about 12:30, I realized that I would be really, really sad when I had to get up in the morning, so I went to bed. I don't think I fell asleep much before 2:00...and yes, I am, in fact, really really sad that I am now awake after just 3 hours of sleep. Weekends just mess me up. I need weekend EVERY day. So massive amounts of coffee are going to be consumed this morning. I will caffeine myself into consciousness.
Eeeek. That's it. I'm not getting on a boat again. This is one of those big tour boats that they tell me will never sink or anything. Nope. Staying on shore now...
I think the Nobel Peace Prize COULD go to Bono or Bob Geldof. The prize is supposed to go to "person who has done most for fraternity between nations, for reducing armies or for holding peace congresses." What they do qualifies..
Oh, I could beat this record. If I started right now, I'd NEVER finish rowing across the Atlantic.
Well, this is just wacky. If they wanna be outside when it's 23 degrees, they can come stand on my deck in a couple of months. I'll give them a beer.
I haven't looked at what's on my work calendar yet this morning, and it's giving me a tummy-ache. I will go do that now, and get prepared for the day. Have a good one, bellas. Ciao.
10/02/05 11:06 AM
Gah! My back! There were one MILLION knots in it yesterday, and she really worked on them. Consequently, I can barely move this morning. I keep telling myself that it's a good-hurt, and that I will feel better tomorrow. Note to self: if you have regular massages, you won't get like this. Schedule them more frequently.
I got nothing else this morning, so I'll leave you with a picture of the orchids I got at the farmers market yesterday. A little reminder that life is beautiful:
Ciao, Bellas.
10/01/05 10:05 AM
We went to the Minneapolis Farmers Market this morning. Why did I never know about this place before?! It's the greatest market in the world, and I want to go back again and again.
While I was there, I got a call that my massage - the thing that I've been looking forward to ALL WEEK - was cancelled because the therapist was sick. This is the second time this place has disappointed me, so let me say it: Solimar Spa SUCKS. The always great and wonderful Life Spa at Minneapolis LifeTime Club, though, had an opening for me. I've been there before. It's fabulous, and I will just always go back there again and again too. Stick with the good places.. that's the moral of the story. And it goes for people, too.
I'm off to enjoy the day! La Vita e bella, eh? Ciao.
10/01/05 6:00 AM
Happy October! October is breast cancer awareness month, and the month that cheleblog turns pink. Time for my more-than-annual PSA:
Mammograms save lives! Early detection is the key. So get regular mammograms, if you're a girl.. especially a girl over 40. And if you're a guy - make sure that your favorite girl gets one. And then give her chocolate when she's done. Heh.
I'm going to have a massage today, and just generally be good to myself. I had to be a little about the hatin' again last night (again, it's quite simple - do not dis me, lie to me, or talk behind my back. I'll be very mad at you, and I don't like being mad.), so it's good that today will be a happy, stress-less day. Hope yours is, too. Ciao.
