I turned the heat on last night. Discovered that only one of the heaters in the living room works.. so I will have something for the handyman to look at. I'm going to call the management company, too, to see what their rates are for taking a look at something. What I'm finding out is "the man" will still come to look at stuff - he'll just charge me for it now.
I listened to snippets of Wildflower - Sheryl Crow's latest - on iTunes. It's a good album. I don't think I'll buy the whole thing, but 4 or 5 of the tracks are worth having.
I finally got to watch Commander in Chief last night. It's my favorite new show.. although I kept waiting for people from "The West Wing" to enter scenes. Heh. And she's right, in some ways it's less about a woman as president than it is about an Independent as president - someone with no party backing. That's a big part of why it'll be different from West Wing. I hope this one makes it.
Okay, the Scion is no longer the ugliest car. This one is.
Yeehaw - it's Friday. I don't know yet what I'm up to tonight. Right now, going to bed at 8:00 sounds like a good plan, although I don't know that I'd ever actually DO that. I have a massage appointment on Saturday afternoon. Two HOURS - heavenly. I'm all excited. And now I'll run off. Have a good day. Ciao.
Yay - The Office got renewed for 13 more episodes. Honestly - it's the funniest show on TV right now. Sadly, I betcha My Name is Earl won't last. It just can't be funny forever. I have Commander in Chief on the Tivo right now.. I have to watch that tonight.
Smellen-Helen is going to have that bambina any day now. If you could hold off just one more day though, hon, that would be great. I'll be done with the sweater sleeves tonight, and I can put it together. Clench! Heh.
The week is flying by...hope yours is good. Ciao.
9/28/05 5:25 AM
Yawn. Good Morning. The pager has been going off since - oh, I don't know - 4:00 or something. It's not any of my stuff, but I get the notices anyway. Yeah. This was a good idea. It's good to know, though, that the rest of 'em will get paged if any of my stuff DOES go down - and then it'll be glorious payback time! ::insert maniacal laughter here::
I did much better on the food thing yesterday. PB toast for breakfast, salad for lunch, chili for dinner. It's amazing how much better I feel when I don't eat a lot of junky stuff. Heh.
I watch that Extreme Makeover Home Edition show and I weep every week. But doesn't it seem like they're a little grim-reaper/angel-of-death-like? I knew it was just a matter of time before they showed up where the hurricane was.. and they brought the First Lady with them.
You realize that this means that someone actually had to... well.. you know... eesh! I can't even say it.
Everyone - say it with me:
Happy Birthday Mare!
You look marvelous. And not a day over 35 and some months.
That's it. Ciao Bellas. Have a good one.
9/27/05 4:56 AM
Note to self: NO SUGAR TODAY. Yesterday I had:
1. a dilly bar
2. TWO pieces of treatza pizza from DQ
3. a cupcake
Then I came home and twitched from the sugar high, and went to bed at 10:00. Eeeesh. No good. Only healthy food today, please.
I just checked the football pick'em. Oh my God. I suck! I obviously have to use a new method. I'm just going to start going with the color uniform I like the best that week. I can't do any worse than I'm doing now.
This is why no one will ever steal the Hello-Kitty Saturn.
You won't be able to read this unless you register at startribune.com... but the gist of it is that my new neighborhood was named one of the 100 best US cities for young people. Largely because I moved here. (well, I just made up that last part).
I need to get the winter clothes out tonight. This is a whole new deal. At the old place, I had so much closet space that everything could just be out at the same time. No more. It's good, though. Forced me to ditch the stuff that I don't need. I'm going to do this again tonight.. if I haven't worn the summer stuff at all, it's going to Goodwill. So have a good day. Ciao.
9/26/05 4:55 AM
Feels like YEARS since I've been at work. That's the sign of a good long weekend. Am I ready to go back yet? Yeah, I guess so.
The saddest line in this story, that captures best what happened with all these hurricanes: "I had a little piece of paradise, and now I guess it's gone." Made me cry.
Bulletproof vests - or not-so-much. These guys are gonna be in a lot of trouble.
Aww - RIP "Butch" from Little Rascals. I couldn't remember what he looked like, but I found his picture here.
Even though I'd never marry him - You Go Demi! Way to get the younger guy!
Someone needs to explain to me how "Joey" hasn't been cancelled yet. It sucks. Everyone knows it sucks, everyone says it sucks. "Headcases" went away after just two episodes! Why does this stay on the air?
IssyCat was walking around this morning making old-man hrumphing noises. He seems fine, is eating and all. Nothing looks like it hurts him. So I'm writing it off to the fact that he is an insane cat. That's all I know for now, and I hope you have a quality day. Ciao.
9/25/05 2:44 PM
We've got the game all wrapped up, so it's not that interesting to watch. And what do I do when I'm bored? I meme. From Jenni
1) What color are your kitchen plates? fiestaware in orange, yellow, green, red, blue
2) What book are you reading now? Sweet Eyes by Jonis Agee
3) What's on your mouse pad? i don't have one of those.
4) What's your favorite board game? X-treme Candyland, or Cranium.
5) Favorite magazine? ::blushing:: O - the Oprah Magazine.
6) Favorite smell? Cossetta's - it smells EXACTLY like my Gramma's kitchen.
7) Least favorite smell? bad kitty box.
8) What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? must. have. coffee.
9) Favorite color(s)? purple, pink
10) Least favorite color? brown
11) How many rings before you answer the phone? one or two.
12) Future child's name? not likely.. but if i did: boy: Michael (after Papa), girl: Zoe.
13) Chocolate or Vanilla? chocolate
14) Do you like to drive fast? fast.
15) Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? no, i sleep with the real-life animals (Maddy and Issy cats).
16) Thunderstorms: very cool
17) What type was your first car? a 1974 Pinto Station wagon. i drove it once when it was out of oil. evidently, that's very bad for a car.
18) If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be? The Dalai Lama
19) Favorite alcoholic drink? a nice Chablis
20) What is your sign and your birthday? Sagittarius, Nov.29
21) Do you eat the stems of broccoli? yep. i love broccoli.
22) If you could have any job, what would it be? if money wasn't an issue - i'd be in the infant room of the Day Care Center. i love those little babes!
23) If you could have any color hair, what would it be? well... when i have HAIR again, it will be purplish-reddish.
24) Is the glass half-full or half-empty? half full. definitely!
25) Favorite TYPE of movie? comedy or musical
26) Do you type with your fingers on the right keys? yes, and FAST (100 wpm)
27) What's under your bed? nothing. well, unless Issy is sleeping under there.
28) What is your favorite number? 29. it's my lucky number.
29) Favorite sport to watch? Hockey
30) What is your single biggest fear? you know... i've stared down almost all my fears: losing my family, being alone, death. i can handle just about anything...
31) Say one thing about the person who sent this to you. Jenni is one of the coolest women i've ever met. i'm glad that i know her.
32) Favorite CD? what's a CD?? Favorite song on my iPod these days: I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.
33) Favorite TV Show? Um.. West Wing.
34) Ketchup or mustard? Ketchup
35) Hamburgers or hot dogs? Jucy Lucys from Matt's.
36) Favorite soft drink? coke with grenadine (REAL cherry cokes)
37) The best place you have ever been? this is tough... i really, really like Santa Barbara, though.
38) What screen saver is on your computer right now? all the album covers from my iTunes.
39) Burger King or McDonalds? McDonalds
40) What did you want to be when you were little? a ballerina
9/25/05 10:32 AM
I ended up running around every second of the day yesterday: lunch with CuzBoy, Mall of the Universe, Chatterbox. It was SO fun. Unfortunately, there are no pictures to document any of it. I'm tired today, and it's rainy and kinda cold out there. It's the perfect day to bundle up on the couch, watch football and knit. So that's what I'll be doing. And you? Ciao.
9/24/05 9:57 AM
Happy Saturday. It really looks and feels like Fall today. I might have to dig out the sweatshirts soon.
I played with the iPod Nano last night.. I have about 790 songs on it right now. I want to try some pictures, too.
Let's look at a little weekend news:
Doesn't all this bad weather seem slightly apocalyptic? I'm waiting for locusts and plagues next. But Rita has been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, so hopefully the worst is over for now.
Like I've said - I've never even heard of this Mindy McCready before.. but this girl is a train wreck. Who knows? All this bad publicity may be good for her career. It's getting her name out to all of us non-country music people.
Well - That was fast. I couldn't even get through the first episode. Maybe mental illness isn't funny after all.
I'm meeting my Good Ol'CuzBoy for a little lunch today.. he hasn't seen baldChele yet, and I wouldn't want to deprive him of that opportunity. Tonight is the let-chele-have-a-drink-again partay. Tons of fun to be had by all. Hope your day is exciting as well. Ciao
9/23/05 11:46 PM
My Day - by Chele
1. Got up
2. Decided not to blog
3. IM'd with all my internetweb peoples
4. Went to Mall of the Universe - bought one of these
5. Lunch at Famous Dave's
6. One of my favorite people got some bad news - met for a chat at the lake (send good karma)
7. Came home and played with Nano
8. Another one of my favorite people came over for pizza on the deck
9. Had to go to one of my favorite stores to buy a plunger.. plumbing problems! eww. all fixed now though
10. Decide I should tell the internet all about my day
11. Go to bed so I can go play more tomorrow
That is all. Buona Sera.
9/23/05 9:53 AM
VACATION DAY, WHOOP!
You all wish you were me. Well, except for the no-hair thing. I'm gonna go play. Ciao.
9/22/05 5:16 AM
It looks like we'll all be watching Hurricane Rita for a while. Wow - Category 5. I never was this aware of hurricanes before this year. Reading that article, though, it seems like everyone has learned their lesson. Well, except for the dumbass at the end who said that she and her husband are going to "ride out the storm" in their wooden house. Why not just drop the body bags off TODAY for them? WHY are people like that?
I watched CNN's coverage of the crippled JetBlue plane's emergency landing at LAX while talking to Dave and texting (is that a word?) it to Jenni. It was surreal. Thank God it landed safely. And note to self: no booking trips on JetBlue.
It's a good thing that Daunte Culpepper is still confident in his ability.. because the rest of us aren't-so-much. Sunday's game will be important. If they win it, there's still hope. If not - well - GO LIONS!
I missed the premiere of Lost last night - too much storm and plane coverage - but here's the synopsis, and now we're all caught up.
Kate Moss is all on-the-drugs, and losing contracts left and right. Take a look at this picture, though. Does she have the crazy-eye thing going or what?! EEEEK.
I'm still not thrilled about JD Fortune being chosen as INXS' new lead singer. I liked Marty more.. and Mig was a lot prettier!
Good God. Amsterdam really is sin city now, isn't it?
Tomorrow is a vacation day. I have no doctor's appointments, nowhere to be, nothing planned. I just wanted a day off that was ALL MINE, just for play. [[checking the weather]] - And it's supposed to be sunny and 67 degrees tomorrow. YES. Perfect! Of course, first we have to get through today. It's been just particularly chaotic at work all week. Everyday I go in with a plan: I have to get X, Y, and Z done. Everyday I hit the door and there are 24,743 immediate, urgent problems that have to be dealt with and plan XYZ goes out the window. It's not a bad thing, though. I'm never bored, and I never have the same day twice. It's just that the in-basket piles up frequently. So once again today, it's just shut the door for an hour, turn on the tunes and get stuff cleared off. I can do it.
I hope your day is excellent. Ciao Bellas. TiAmo.
9/21/05 5:20 AM
I was an utter lazy girl last night. Got home, and first hung out on the deck for a couple hours, then moved inside and hung out on the couch. Watched the Big Brother and Rock Star season finales.. The ones I wanted to win didn't, so eh. And yet I will watch them again next year. What's wrong with me, anyway??
Man - Mindy McCready is one f'ed up chick. I don't even know who she IS, really (some country singer-girl?), but I feel sorry for her. Go thru spin-dry, why dontcha.
From now on, there will be no more content on my blog. Just a blank page with my name on it. Whatever. I think we have a high opinion of ourselves.
Good health news - a generic version of AZT will be available soon. And bad health news - what is up with the bird flu thing? Should I be worried?
Two days of crazy busy at the workplace. I did the thing when, at 3:00 yesterday afternoon, I thought to myself "I'm so glad it's Thursday", and then realized it was only Tuesday. And then I wanted to weep. Heh. That's what I know, kids. Feel free to tell me a few stories. Ciao.
9/20/05 4:14 AM
Bleagh! This is early, even for me!
And in the "Horoscopes are Real!" Department - this is mine today: A bump in the road may appear in the form of a sudden urge to scarf down any and all greasy junk food, slack off on important deadlines to play 'The Sims' or chase someone that is clearly bad news for you. Watch out for those self-destructive urges! The biggest obstacle is to even notice that they're coming up instead of mindlessly obeying your impulses. If you're able to do that, the rest will be a cakewalk -- really.
What's funny is that just yesterday afternoon, I was just (seriously!) thinking "man, I want to just blow everything off for the rest of the day and play 'Sims' and eat pizza" Eeeek! Guess it's a good thing I didn't do that.
Is this wrong? I am really starting to think that Martha is cool.
Honestly - what is WRONG with these people?? The city flooded last time. It will flood again if Tropical Storm Rita hits. Just. Get. Out.
Good - steal from the company, go to prison. That's the way it should work. For everybody, even executives.
I read stuff like this and I think that I bought my house at the right time. Glad I didn't wait.
I'm less about the hatin' this morning. That's the good thing about being Italian.. you get mad, then you get over it. Sort of. There's one or two people out there on my list, but when you consider the entire population of the earth, well, that's not so bad.
It's also all about the rain (again) this morning. Woke up to lightning and rain and had to run outside to fold up the deck-couch. I'm very very glad that there's no neighbors that can see me running outside in my undapantz.
My friend says that his name is cursed. I say it's not cursed, and now he's going to have a TV show named after him!
Gah. I'm feeling a little blechhy this morning - again. Guess I didn't have enough medicine last time, so must call in again this morning when her office opens. It's gonna be a much quieter, less busy week - and that's a good thing. Ciao, Bellas. Be good.
9/18/05 10:49 AM
I'm all about the hatin' this morning. Heh.
The one thing I H-A-T-E more than anything is the being lied to, or being played. Don't do that to me. Ever. That's a one way ticket outta cheleville, and you don't hardly get let back in again. If you want to dis me, play me, cheat me, steal from me...for God's sake, just do it to my face. I can take a punch. Hell, I've faced down the prospect of dying, so you don't scare me one little bit. I'm not a fragile freakin' flower...
That is all. Ciao. (and no comments. so ha.)
(and this probably doesn't refer to you, either.)
9/17/05 8:31 AM
Yes, I did stay in last night. Cleaned and vacuumed and scrubbed, but have not yet polished - I saved that for today. I've resisted temptation up til now, but I think I will just run over to pick up that stainless steel cleaner and a couple other absolute life necessities. I have to run to the bank, too..got my damage deposit back from the old place. Back when I moved in there, I had to put down $600 in pet deposits in addition to my own $300 deposit. (those damn kitties.. someday they've gotta get jobs and start pulling their own weight around here. heh) - what I didn't remember was that $200 of that was NON refundable. Whatever. They charged me for the primer to paint over the dark walls - but because they re-rented it a week early and I got credit, it off-set the painting costs. So I got all the rest of it back, plus interest. Now I'm no longer tied or beholden to them in anyway, so I can say it: Galtier used to be a nice place to live, but by the end it really, really sucked. And for God's sake - get that pee-smell out of the elevators. If I had to pay $850 a month it damn well should have been as nice as the Taj Mahal. So there.
Just got a call from Lizard Lizard Lizard... might make a quick run to World Market. Then OKLAHOMA this afternoon. It's a good day. Ciao, Amici.
9/16/05 5:32 AM
I was THIS CLOSE ::holds fingers up very close together:: to buying an iPod Nano last night. The only thing that stopped me? Well, they didn't HAVE any 4GB ones in the store. They're incredibly tiny and incredibly cool. I'm certain that I need one. I'm gonna check the Southdale store this weekend.
YeeeHaw! My country-western boyfriend Kenny Chesney is available again. She listed the reason for the breakup as "fraud". What does THAT mean?
I missed the speech last night (see iPod Nano, above). Blah Blah Blah. Talk is cheap. The proof will be in the re-building.
Hmm. Never saw one second of 'Rescue Me'. What was that about?
The last line of this story says it all - "We believe the event may have been alcohol-driven". Gee - ya THINK?? Note to bride: Get out NOW, while you still can!
I've garlic'd and vitamin'd and Zicam'd myself all up.. so now I have a cold that's just lingering there in the background, waiting to pounce the moment I let my guard down (or let the drugs wear off!). I am SO staying in tonight. Honestly. Although I was good and was in bed sleeping by 10:30. I'm learning. Yay - welcome to Friday. Hope your day is awesome. Ciao Bellas.
9/15/05 5:24 AM
It was a perfectly beautiful evening to be on the lake last night. One of my vendors does a customer appreciation dinner cruise every year.. it's the one vendor event that I actually look forward to. This morning I feel like I'm either getting a cold or having the yuckiest allergies ever. Nose, throat, head.. the works. Time to break out the Zicam.
The French Quarter could open again on Monday. At last, some good news coming out of New Orleans.
Yes, I may be tacky... but this is kinda cool. Imagine.. Issy and Maddy on my nails!
The week is just flying by, and dammit.. I think I AM getting a cold. I might seriously blow off bowling Friday night and just stay home. On Saturday I have a chance to see Oklahoma in all its 70mm glory at the BIG screen theater (yay for Tony.. movie-projectionist friend), and there's no way I'm missing that. So today will be all about the Zicam, the Vitamin C and anything else I can think of to stay un-sick. Hope all is well, Amici. Ciao.
9/14/05 5:20 AM
Hmmm. The refrigerator just started making a noise similar to that of a small airplane. Or perhaps a honda motorcycle. Whatever it is, it's no-damn-good. It is truly a good thing that I'll be buying a new one soon. Oh yes, I will. I am now officially an adult (about damn time, eh?) because I am purchasing my very own major appliance all by myself, just like a big girl. I know this whole exercise will cause much consternation and probably make my head explode... but I already bought a house, how much worse can this be?
Yes, I am aware that I just jinxed myself. But I look at it as potential blogging subject matter.
And oh-my-God... we went to The Chatterbox last night. I totally want to re-do my house in early 70s rec-room style now. We had a blast. Six of us played X-treme Candyland... and, like Fight Club, that's all I can say about it. The first rule of Candyland is that you don't talk about Candyland.
I just don't understand the people who said that they had no warning about the hurricane. Hell, I live in Minneapolis and I knew there was a hurricane coming and that it was gonna be bad. How did these people NOT evacuate the nursing home residents? Sheesh.
I really want to see "Walk the Line". Mmmm.. Joaquin Phoenix.. Besides the fact that he's got a really fun name to say, could he just BE any cuter? I could eat him up with a spoon..
This is how I know that I need more coffee this morning. I first read this headline as "Heidi Klum has baby dog". Then I wondered "Why don't they just call it a puppy?" ::rushes to get a third cup of coffee::
What the ....? If this was true of everything, my HEAD would have to come off some days.
What else can I tell ya? Somehow I ended up with stuff planned for every night of this week, too. I started feeling a little better, and then I decided I needed to catch up with every single person I haven't seen in 3 months. This, too, is no-damn-good. I've gotta slow down a little bit. Or else I have to just start scheduling laundry days on the calendar. Have I mentioned, though, that it ROCKS to be able to throw in a load of laundry before I go to bed at night, and throw it in the dryer in the morning? Ahh, the washer/dryer. Swear to God... that's 3/4 of the reason that I bought my own place. Heh. Okay. Off I go. (and some would argue that I'm always a little off! HA! Thanks, thanks... I'll be here all week, two shows on Sunday...) Ciao, Bellas. TiAmo.
9/13/05 5:09 AM
Three words: Punch. Neapolitan. Pizza. And then three more words: Yum. Yum. Yum. If I could only have one food for the rest of my life, it might very well be the Alla Panna Pizza from Punch. What an excellent choice! Smellen picks the restaurants from now on...
New Orleans news for the day. The new FEMA guy has firefighting experience.. bringing a little more to the table, rather than the whole horse-breeding thing. But can you imagine? The article says that in the town of Hopedale - a town of 66,000 - there isn't one structure left standing, and people can't expect to live there again before next summer. I don't know what I'd do.. Time to give a little more to the Red Cross. That's what I can do.
If any good can come of this hurricane, it's showing us that there are lots of gaps in the system.. like the fact that we need to computerize health records.
Blackout in L.A. Whoops! Don't cut all the lines at once. Sadly, when I first heard about it, I immediately thought of terrorism. Life's different now than 10 years ago, isn't it?
I'm anxious to hear Paul McCartney's new album.. Looks like it's due out in December. Just in time for gift giving! (hint - heh)
Oh yeah. Enough with the reality shows, already. I'm even mostly-done with Big Brother. I'm keeping up with it online (reading the summaries, etc.), but I haven't watched a whole lot of TV lately. That's a good thing.
Teri Hatcher is way cool... she seems so down-to-earth. Of course, she's a bazillionaire now, so maybe not quite as down-to-earth as the rest of us..
I'm a little headachey and shaky this morning. Think I need to eat something. I've got a hugely busy day ahead too, so I'm gonna try to just use the 'mind over matter' thing and get past it. It'll be fine. A bowl of oatmeal can do wonders. So with that, Bellas, I'm outta here. Ciao. Have a fine day.
9/12/05 5:08 AM
Well, where the hell did THAT weekend go? I need one more day, please. I did so many things this weekend.. Friday night seems like a long time ago.
I always think that the memory of 9/11 will fade a bit year after year... but it never does. When I wake up that morning and look at the date, I instantly remember where I was and how I felt watching TV that morning. That little knot of fear that kept growing all day, the realization that the world would never, ever be the same again. This year, the siblings of those killed in NYC read their names aloud.
Finally - some encouraging news about New Orleans. There's hope for the city, maybe. And probably far fewer dead than they were once expecting.
Someone needs to explain this to me: It's a publicity scheme? On whose part? The IRS? The Government? Sorry, Mr. Survivor-Man... you have to pay your taxes. All the rest of us do.
So finished up the weekend with a little cleaning and scrubbing, although I still need to tackle the floors again. I am now officially addicted to Method cleaning products, and it's my goal to have every single one of them. They smell SO good, and work really well. I just bought the Wood for Good, the Tub and Tile Spray, and the Wipes. Oh. My. God. I just realized that you can buy it online at this website. This is dangerous information.
That's what I know so far this week... not a lot, but the week's just barely begun. Have a good one. Ciao.
9/10/05 4:28 PM
It's been a busy Saturday. But first, let me just say that I RULE at poker. I won about $15 last night. I'm moving to Vegas. The minute this place is paid off... so I'll be there in 30 years or so.
Anyway... So, today. Nice little morning coffee on the deck. Then off to the Unique Thrift Store (really - that's what it's called) where I got some unique sweatshirts. That's the only clothing I get at places like that - I bring them home and wash the hell out of them, so I know that they are completely disinfected! I got a Vikings hoodie for $2.95, a Michigan sweatshirt for $1.95, and a plain grey one - lighter weight, with "COACH" in big blue letters on the back for $1.95. Good watching-the-game wear.
Then off to buy food - I didn't have a list, which is always a bit dangerous... but I think I got everything I need. Got home, got stuff put away and then dropped by Mare's lanai to enjoy each other's company and the cool breeze outdoors. Then getting together with the gang tonight to play games and hang out. Tomorrow I'm getting together with ::gasp:: the other knitting group. (yeah, yeah... they're not as much fun as my SnB girls, I promise). There are a lot more learners in that group. I don't get as much done.
So a good weekend, if a little busy. I think I'm gonna catch a quick snooze here before I start running again. Tell me about your day! Ciao.
9/09/05 5:20 AM
Happy Friday. Happy payday. Happy birthday if it happens to be yours. I forgot to set up the coffee maker before I went to bed last night, so I had to wait an extra five minutes for my first cup of the morning. Man - you don't know how long five minutes can be sometimes... But now, liquid sanity in-hand, I am ready to tackle the new day.
The evacuation of New Orleans just goes on and on. I truly cannot imagine what it would be like to have to deal with something like that. And clearly, neither can the government.
So - you win a million dollars on a TV show. You appear on subsequent shows. You are basking in your 15 minutes of fame and glory. How do you think the government is NOT going to notice that you failed to pay taxes on that money?? Nope. Not very smart.
Holy cow - I can't believe The Outsiders came out 20+ years ago. Look at that picture... they're all just babies.
Gah - still... so very sad. And just reading Hunter S. Thompson's suicide note feels a little creepy and invasive.
That is what I know for the morning. I didn't get as much cleared off the desk as I wanted to yesterday - therefore I get to tackle the ever-growing pile of stuff again this morning. If I could just get about 2-3 uninterrupted hours it would be done. Unfortunately, that never happens. Still - it's job security, I guess - heh. Have a good day, Bellas. Ciao.
9/08/05 5:07 AM
I got some EXCELLENT news yesterday.. I am back on the road to wellville, after that slight summer detour. There's still a little bit to do yet, but the goal is definitely in sight. Thanks for the good thoughts.. I know they've helped.
This story, on the other hand, just makes you want to cry.. Will life ever, ever be the same in New Orleans? And take a look at the end of this article. I've read in a few places that officials have been trying to keep the media from filming and taking pictures of what's going on down there. And, of course, a little more about Barbara Bush's moronic comment... The White House says it was a "personal observation"... in other words: Shhhh, Mom. Stop talking. The media and reporters are firing back at officials, though. When the FEMA director told Ted Koppel that he "had only just learned of the evacuees stranded at the convention center", Koppel said "Don't you guys watch television?"
Sadly, this guy's 62 mile protest walk probably won't have the effect he is seeking. He's a cop who's mad that he's being assigned a desk job. His boss just says "It's good for him to get some exercise and lose weight before starting his new job"! Heh.
Um, what else? Short weeks fly by..I stayed home to do laundry last night and got caught up with an old friend. Poker tomorrow night (and perhaps I will win one meeeellion dollars this time - though I doubt it. My friends just aren't rich enough for me to retire off winnings from them.) My desk at work is freaky-scary right now. When I left yesterday, I couldn't see it for the paper piles all around. My goal for today is to uncover at least one corner.
It's really raining again. I have to go pull the deck furniture inside. Have an adequate day, kids. Ciao.
9/07/05 5:08 AM
Lately it's all lightning, all the time. More of it this morning. Nothing, though, compared to Saturday when lightning zapped my little creature speaker. Seriously - I saw the flash and everything. I thought they were fried for sure.. especially when they didn't work. I had to turn everything off and unplug it. I put it all back together, plugged it in and it was fine.. but still. Eeeek. More surge protectors for everything.
And - Oh. My. God. Did you hear what Barbara Bush said yesterday while on a tour of hurricane relief centers? She was at the Astrodome, which is where some people will be staying. In a nutshell, she said: "Almost everyone I've talked to says we're going to move to Houston." Then she added: "What I'm hearing which is sort of scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is overwhelmed by the hospitality." Okay... so far - a little weird, but okay. But THEN she said: "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underpriviledged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
WTF???????????????????????????
Shhhh. Barbara. Just stop talking. Stop it. Right now. I have no words.
And the Fema Chief? Oh yeah. He's gotta go. Buh-bye.
RIP, Little Buddy. I'm sad. Who hasn't seen every episode of Gilligan's Island at least 400 times?
A hybrid BMW? Somehow, I just don't see it. If you can afford to drive a Beemer, you're not worrying about gas prices.
Holy God. Does this woman spend ALL her time in court?
I don't care what he says - after being shocked by 2000 volts you're not gonna be quite right after that. He fried quite a few of his neurons, I'm guessing.
There's a meme right here if you want to take a look at that...
And that's about it. Pub Quiz tonight, and a little happy hour gathering with the homies. Then I must do some laundry, because I'm pretty sure that I have no clean clothes left. In fact, I might even have to wear a dress to work today, and that should scare a few people. Behave yourselves, now. I will talk to you tomorrow. Ciao.
9/06/05 4:57 AM
I woke up at 4:30 - wide awake, and feeling pretty good. So let's start a new week and see how it goes, okay? Let me look at the news.. and I found lots of it today.
At first I could understand it.. but now, when it's apparent that New Orleans is virtually destroyed and uninhabitable, and there are places that are willing to house and provide aid to the survivors - why are some people refusing to leave? I agree with the tactic of no longer handing out food and water to those staying (in an effort to force them to leave). It's time to move on. They have to be able to start cleaning up the mess.
It seems like gas prices here have leveled off. The cheapest here this morning is $2.69, the most expensive is $3.22, the average is $2.81. A year ago it was $1.76. It's made me think twice about some trips, and I'm glad I'm closer to work now. Maybe now that oil is under $67 a barrel, prices will fall a bit.
The Labor Day Telethon didn't beat last year's total.. only the 3rd time in 40 years that hasn't happened. There are just so many causes that need support.. how is it possible to help all of them?
Ewwww. Ewwwww. Ewwww. Don't look at this picture if you're eating. (see? I told you so.)
Since I'm feeling relatively good and have some energy, I'm going in to work early. I haven't checked my e-mail all weekend, and I am afraid of what I might find in there. If I get there before everyone else, I have a fighting chance of getting a little bit caught up before the chaos of the day begins. Hope you have a good day, kids. Ciao.
9/05/05 1:00 PM
Because I am incredibly lazy and I don't want to type it twice, just go over and read the live journal entry for today. That is all. Ciao.
9/04/05 10:53 AM
Hello! I am back among the upright and the living. Most of Friday afternoon and evening was a blur.. although Ms. Dame brought me treats and we watched DVDs for a while. I definitely remember that! On Saturday morning Mare ran me around to pick up some essentials (kitty food!) and then got me safely back home again, where I remained on the couch for the rest of the day and watched the rain. And oh my God did it rain - thunder and lightning and the whole works. Woke up to it this morning first thing.. but now it's actually clearing up and I see glimpses of the sun. I have cabin fever! I need to get out and about a little bit. Even if it's just sitting on the deck.. I want to be outside.
That's all I've got right now. As soon as I can be out with other REAL people I will have stories! Until then, feel free to entertain me with yours. Have a good day, Bellas. Ciao.
9/02/05 3:27 PM
I'm home. It went well, it looks good. Now all I want to do is take a little snooze, and then EAT (I'm famished! that's my $5 word of the day). Thanks for all the well-wishes.. I know they helped. More tomorrow, when I'm a little less groggy. Ciao.
9/01/05 10:32 PM
I have to be up WAY too early in the morning, so I'm gonna throw a quick note up here tonight. I have to be there at 5:30 AM, and because you never get to stay overnight unless they remove ALL your internal organs, I should be home (with plenty o'painkillers) mid-afternoon. I'll let you know how it all goes.. I'll write after I get all drugged up. Should make for some interesting reading for all of you.
Buona Sera, Bellas.
9/01/05 5:25 AM
Latest IssyCat bizarro behavior: He snuggles up right beside me, with his head resting on my left hand - with which I'm trying to type. I try to get him to just sit on the couch beside me.. he climbs right back up onto my arm. So I've just given up now. He wins. He purrs and looks up at me with those happy contented kitty-eyes... how can you resist a face like that?!?
You know.. usually a tragic event like a hurricane brings out the best in people. Here, it's seemingly bringing out the worst. What is UP with all the looting? The scary thing is the level of lawlessness.. I can almost understand going in and taking food, or diapers or medicine.. but walking away with sneakers? and TVs? and jewelry? just because you can. How can you have sympathy for people like that? I don't. They're going to totally evacuate a fully functioning hospital because the supply truck was held up at gunpoint. I say get all the helpless people outta there, then let the outlaws take care of each other.
Everyone will feel the effects of the hurricane at the gas pump. I filled up on Tuesday for $2.65/gallon. A year ago, I would have been horrified at that price. Today, I am counting my lucky stars that I found it at that price. It'll be way up over $3 this weekend. It is right now. I've been watching the Twin Cities Gas Prices website.. it just makes you want to cry. I'm glad I've moved a lot closer to work, and to where most of my social life centers. Sorry, Cousins.. we'll have to meet half-way for a while.
I don't like to talk about work stuff too much.. but this is a huge GOOD thing for me at work. I have people on both Nextel and Sprint plans.. and now I can have 'em all talking to each other for cheaper rates.
I have no words for this... except: You go, Susan Wood, and f* you, Lester. The day you grow a uterus is the day you get to make decisions about my reproductive rights.
I'm off to get ready for the workplace now.. I need to finish up everything from the week today. I've learned that I can be really really efficient when I know that I'm gonna hit the wall between 3 - 4pm. I've also gotten really good at just shutting out distractions so I can focus.. which is no small feat for me. Basically my whole day is about distractions and putting out fires. I'll say this - I'm learning what I'm made of. And I'm learning that good friends will hang with you thru the tough times.. and the ones who don't? Well.. I didn't need 'em that much anyway, I guess.
