December 2003

Wacky weather today. It's spring-like! Woke up to 45 degrees and rainy. More evidence of global warming?!?

This is potentially a disaster for the beef industry. So chele will do her part - I'm gonna eat even MORE steak, just to show my support. Let's all go to Howie G's!

::: chele's head explodes :::

Oy. No more bad plane stories. Not until everyone is safely back here with me.

There's something about this that just doesn't seem right. Fish that glow in the dark? How can this be?

Tonight is cousin-christmas at CuzGirl's house.. then I think we're just about done with all the celebrating. Thank God. Ciao, bellas.

Even though yesterday was fabulous fun - the Orphans had brunch at the Hilton, and we ate and drank Mimosas and laughed and laughed for hours! - TODAY is my favorite day of the year. On December 26, we're farthest away from all the holiday hoo-ha. Does that make me scrooge-like? I must say again, though, that doing holidays with the orphan group was fun and stress-free. A new tradition may be in the works.

Yeesh. Bad news must come in One, Two, Threes.

Here, Beagle! C'mon - speak!

Here's a good stupid criminal story for ya. I guess if they were smart they wouldn't be criminals..

The KFAN restaurant is open. Oh yeah, we're going.

Yes, chele has to work - at least for a few hours - this morning. And she's none too happy about it! Then if I'm especially brave I'm taking a run out to the Apple Store to pick up a couple of firewires for the iPods. Ciao, bellas! Have a good day.

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Some updates, because this stuff is just TOO good.

Awww, what a shame. Jesse Ventura's show has been yanked from MSNBC. Now really - who is surprised by this? Anyone? Anyone? ... Yeah, that's what I thought.

James Garner will now be a regular on 8 Simple Rules. Cool. But I don't know about the David Spade thing...

It's a pretty scary Christmas season, isn't it. Lileks wrote about "Orange Christmas". It's a worthwhile read.

I'm officially done with all my shopping now. It wasn't even too busy. I'm gonna make some chocochip walnut cookies for the soiree this evening. Be safe, youse all.

Merry Christmas Eve.

Mad Cow Disease has struck in the US. I still don't think that fact alone is enough to get me off red meat. In fact, yesterday I got a box of SIX bacon wrapped filets from my GC. MMMMM... steak....

The only things that saved the teenage sniper from getting the death penalty are that it's almost Christmas and that he looks really young. He knew - exactly - what he was doing. Good news is that he has to face several more trials.

This headline made me laugh. I think I'd probably skip this restaurant.

I'll watch this new reality show. (I don't know why I like them. I can't help it...)

There aren't going to be many people at the Vikings vs. Cardinals game on Sunday - but Mac will be there. You'll have great seats!

I used to hate the smell of incense when I was a little kid. I'm sure I was asthmatic even then - I'd choke and gasp when they'd start up with it. And my mom would just shoot me "the look" and tell me to be quiet. Nice.

CuzGirl and I are going to have a little lunch today (she has to work, poor thing). I might try to brave Target to spend a couple of gift cards. Tonight is Orphan Christmas Part I - gathering at Mare's house for board games, movies and libations. It'll be fun. Hope you have a good day as well. Ciao!

Today on iTunes: Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going"... the ultimate winter song.

I had the oddest dream just before I woke up. I was back in the old neighborhood where I grew up. I was walking down the street, wearing a green gingham (that's plaid for you boys out there..) dress that needed to be ironed. As I got in front of my mom's house, Sis3 came out and gave me a hug and offered to iron my dress. Then my mom came out onto the front steps wearing a bike helmet. What. The. Hell.
This is year 5 of being unceremoniously tossed from my family of origin. Most times I don't mind. When I start to feel bad, all I have to do is think about how I used to feel after being around them for about an hour or so.. there's only so much criticism and contempt one can take. But I still dream about them at Christmas time. Longing for what can never be - I think that's what my therapist called it. Anyway - if anyone can decipher the meaning of that dream, I'll give ya a cheleprize!

Um - Thank you, sweetheart. I think.

I don't get this. How do you forget that you have a loaded derringer in your carry-on bag? Mac - make sure you leave all your handguns, bazookas, and other various and sundry weapons at home today. Oh, and have a good trip! I miss ya already..

This makes me so sad. How can no one miss this man?

YIKES! I'll take the 20 degree temps here. At least the ground stays in one place.

Time to wrap it up. Have an excellent day.

I'm just realizing that I got through one of my least-favorite days yesterday.. the 21st is the shortest day of the year...and starting today, the days get longer. Well, by seconds at first, yes, but we're on the way back up now. Eating kept me distracted yesterday. Good Ol'Cuz Boy surprised me with a trip to Cossetta's for lunch, and it was dinner with Dame last night.

Maybe these folks have the right idea... Celebrate the shortest day. Then again, maybe they're just crazy people.

This is scary. I wish people I knew weren't getting on planes in the next few days...

Well DUH! Yeah - we better win!

And that is all. For now. Ciao.

I woke up at 6:45 this morning, because Issy-cat had -- hmmm, how to put this delicately? -- laid down the most offensive poop in the history of kitty-poops. It was like a huge, green, toxic cloud was swirling around me. Oh, my God. It was horrific. I now have a series of candles strategically placed throughout the room trying to counteract its effects.

Yikes. It's really sad, but when I hear stories like this the first thing I think of is "it's gotta be terrorists". Life will never be the same after 9/11, will it...

Do you suppose they ever get sick of each other? Or are they really just ONE person - some weird alien thing?

Sorry. It's the toxic fumes.

What a great choice for person of the year. In favor of, or against, the war in Iraq - you have to give credit to the men and women in the trenches. I couldn't do it.. but I'm glad they can.

This is a reminder of why I'm sometimes glad I'm not working at the Daycare anymore. I used to get strep throat at least twice - sometimes three times - a year. The kids were cute, but they were like little germ factories!

What a game! Now THOSE are my Vikings! Randy Moss' hair, though, was a tad scary...

Whoops! Sorry, Mom and Dad.

I've written about this before. Someone still needs to explain to me how this is the team's fault. Did they hold a gun to his head and make him drink?

That's what I know today. I'm going to run to the grocery store before it gets completely insane out there. Have an excellent day.

I hate being only half-smart about computer stuff. Sometimes I know enough just to be dangerous, and that's never a good thing. I'm lucky to have someone who is SO knowledgable helping me.. Thanks, Mac. You da man!

This just makes me sick. and mad. Fine 'em. Take away their licenses to practice medicine.

Uh uh. No way. No shopping for chele today.

Nice fire alarms they've got there. Someone might want to check on those...

It's official. We don't have enough to do in the world. On the agenda today? Baking, cleaning, and categorizing some of the 160+ photos that Mac scanned for me yesterday and putting them into my iPhoto program. (did I thank him for doing that? yep. guess I did...). Let me know what's happening in your world.

I am all upside down on my sleep. I was EXHAUSTED by the time I got home from work last night (the result of only 3-1/2 hours of sleep the night before). So I went to bed at about 8:20. Now it's 1AM... and chele is (fairly) wide awake. uh oh. A little blogging, a little chai and then maybe I can eeek out another 2-3 hours? Like I said - is it possible for my sleep thing to be broken?

Another guilty verdict in the DC sniper shootings. My faith in the system is restored.

"Rock star" Michael Jackson has been charged. Yep. If he did it, he needs to be locked up too. Let's fill up those prisons! (maybe I'm a reincarnated hangin' judge from the old west. Or maybe I'm just mental because my sleep-thing is broken. who knows?)

:-)

Wal-Mart is going to offer downloads for .89 cents (vs. iTunes .99) per song. Yeah - I'd look, I guess. But what kind of selection will they have? And they'll have to work hard to beat the iTunes site.

Uh oh. This is what I've always feared, too! If he were hungry enough, Issy would come after me!

Hmmm. A car without a hood because "women don't want to be bothered with maintenance". It just doesn't sound right to me. But I like the headrest designed to accomodate a ponytail. (link via the (newly engaged!) Freakgirl)

I'm gonna go lay down again. See you in 3 hours.

::::UPDATE AT 5:50 AM::::

I'm awake and very nearly coherent again. Glad it's Friday. Ciao, Bellas.

Fast blog today - I'm already late for work (babysitting machines again..)

Sorry, guys. I know how disappointing this will be if it is cancelled. But for now, it looks like the game WILL go on.

This makes me a little sad. Darby was one of the original Wild players, and one of my favorites. He'll be missed.

Aagh! Has anyone noticed how slow the freakin' Star Tribune website is - or is it just me??

Gotta Go! More later. Ciao.

Oh my. I didn't realize that I needed to add Madz & Izzyman to the Christmas gift list.

Okay, folks - come ON. THIS is gross. What is wrong with people?!

I don't get it. Am I the only person who hasn't seen any of the LOTR movies?

Oy. Did I mention again how I'm glad that I just have cats?

What else can I tell ya? The project at work goes on and on. My voice is back. I still haven't bought any more presents (and at this rate I won't be doing it 'til Saturday - because it's good to wait until the last possible moment, I guess). I'm looking forward to the 'orphan holiday gala' on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I'm a little worried about Mare making the big trip to 'Sconnie this week (yeah, Mare, that's you.. you should probably call and check in every day..) The building is touring its investors thru several of the units today and they chose mine - because of my faboo flamingo bathroom, I'm sure - which resulted in quite the cleaning frenzy last night. AND I've yet to even make a dentist appointment (which I was supposed to do almost 2 months ago).
How's that for getting ya all caught up on chele-life? Folks the world-over are wishing they had such a fun-filled life as mine. Or something. :-)

Have a beauty day, Bellas. Ciao.

We were just talking about the upcoming Peter Pan Movie last night. I was never a big fan of the sappy disney versions.. this one actually sounds good.

Looks like it was a great Wild Game last night. We were watching Monday night football with the fine folks from Sprint, who put on quite the soiree with free food and drinks all night long for their big customers. I do get the good perks sometimes. Makes it almost worth putting up with all the hoo ha.

Glad I missed the Ryan Adams concert.

The iTunes Music Store is awesome. The fact that they've gone from zero to 75 million in 8 months proves it.

I've never had - or been to - a Booya. The whole thing just sounds rather scary to me.

Off to work. Ciao, Bellas.

He told his armies to fight to the death... but when he was captured he meekly gave up and he wanted to negotiate.

I'm so glad that Sandra won Survivor! I wasn't even watching it regularly by the end.. but if that snakey Jon would have won, I'd have never watched it again. Of course, this would probably cause some people I know to vote for Jon. They just don't understand my reality show viewing! For those who didn't watch the show last night - here's a synopsis of the whole thing. chele... writing about and watching crappy TV so you don't have to.

Joe Horn scores a TD for New Orleans... and then calls his mom on his cell phone from the end zone! "Hey Mom! Lookie Hyar!"

Four words: interception in the endzone. And now the Vikings are battling to stay alive. They do this to me every year! They suck me in... and I think it'll be an easy road to the playoffs. And then the choking begins.

Thus another fun-filled week begins. Have an excellent day, Bellas. Ciao.

First, and most importantly: SADDAM HUSSEIN WAS CAPTURED on Saturday afternoon. One of the greatest quotes from this story:
"I'm very happy for the Iraqi people. Life is going to be safer now," 35-year-old Yehya Hassan, a resident of Baghdad, told The Associated Press. "Now we can start a new beginning."
And in Kirkuk, Mustapha Sheriff told the Associated Press, "We are celebrating like it's a wedding. We are finally rid of that criminal."
Saddam, thin, dirty and hiding in the cellar of mud hut, willingly identified himself to interpreters. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark trousers and a long-sleeved dark shirt....."He was a tired man," the general said. "Also, I think, a man resigned to his fate."
Video following that raid -- exclusively shot by CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh -- showed a group of U.S.-led coalition soldiers patting each other on the back -- apparently in celebration -- and taking group photos in front of a military vehicle.
How great for those soldiers! They'll have a story to tell for all time...

Did the system fail Dru Sjodin? I think so - this guy should have NEVER been released. And I hope to God that they never let him see the light of day again.

Nick Coleman writes about Elroy Stock - the guy who used to send diatribes to couples that he believed to be entering into mixed race or religion marriages. Scary.

This year round market idea is great. I've been to the big farmer's market in LA.. I picture this to be a scaled down model of that one. Cool!

I need to be domestic and do some cleanin' up first thing this morning... and then it'll be time to watch the Vikings beat da Bears. Have a great day.

RIP Keiko.

Her husband is an idiot who drank too much, got himself tossed from the game, he had an accident and now she's suing the world. ::sigh:: There used to be this little thing called personal responsibility. He made the choice to drink that much. If she's mad, she should sue HIM.

When will they ever find her? Isn't there some way that they can MAKE him talk?

Oh yeah - THIS isn't cult-like at all. sheesh.

Here's an article about our favorite establishment.

I love living in the city. There are so many restaurants within a quick drive (or walk) from my door. I'd be sad if I lived someplace where Perkins was my only choice for fine dining!

Ahhh - true domestic harmony. It's an episode of Cops come to life.

I did a little holiday shopping yesterday (just wait til you see, CuzGirl..!) I will do a little baking today. And those cards? Well, let's just call them New Year's cards, I guess...
Ciao, Bellas.

This is a happy way to start the day, eh?!? (sorry to all guys everywhere...)

Oh yeah - THIS is gonna work. Light rail = biggest mistake EVER, and it hasn't even started yet.

Do they really think that most priests are celibate anyway? The ones that aren't going after the little kids, I mean. (oh. I'm sorry. Was that mean or sarcastic in any way? I'm sure I'm sorry).

Have a good day - Ciao, Bellas.

Well, that wasn't nearly enough sleep.

Life isn't all sweetness and light at the Brown - Houston household. It's like a real life sitcom.

This is great news. Yesterday was a GOOD day to look at the 401(k) statement.

Every time I even start to think that maybe - just maybe - I could go back to the Catholic Church, I read an article like this, and I know I can't.

Listen. Do you hear it? It's the sound of chele's head exploding as she reads and tries to comprehend this story.

And that is all I know. Have a good day.

Hey! They're using MY line! Whenever anyone at work asks me if I'm busy (an obvious question), I like to answer "Oh, I've just been sitting around knitting.

Well - DUH. Since I had the flu shot, I've had the flu, a cold AND laryngitis. Quite effective.

There's just something - off - about this story. You leave your four young children with two troubled teen runaways? You don't report them missing for hours? Hmmm. It just doesn't sit right.

Hope is dimming in the search for Dru Sjodin. Why won't he just tell them where he put her? Monster.

Joe Soucheray says it all. Lock him up - forever.

We had almost the storm of the century yesterday. The good thing about living in the middle of the city, though? I awoke to the sound of snowplows this morning! Gotta love it.

Um - Thank you? I guess this is what we just always wanted...

What the hell?

Enough of this madness! Ciao!

The Dru Sjodin story just gets worse and worse. I hope to God they find her soon. What must that be like for her family?

I may be the only person in the world who hasn't seen a single episode of The Osbournes. What is with Ozzy anyway? I don't want to start watching... I'm trying to get myself off the reality TV (see? I can if I want to...). But maybe just ONE episode, just to see what all the fuss is about.

Jimmy Kimmel's talk show got picked up for another season. I saw the first few episodes (the Snoop Dog one - in which they were all extremely drunk - was pretty funny). My stance on Jimmy is the same as my stance on South Park. Officially, I'm offended and I think it's silly. (but really it's hysterical, and I laugh my ass off).

This old lady is my hero! The greatest line ever: "I made up my mind that I was going to cause them all kinds of trouble". Watch out, all of you. This will be me in a few - er - VERY MANY - years.

Oh God. It's another storm of the century. Even though they're saying it's not. 3"- 5" inches. RUN!

Justice was served. You can't drive like an idiot, kill someone and get away with it.

I KNEW this was a hoax.

Still no voice - and construction meetings all morning. What I've learned is that if you whisper to people, they will whisper BACK to you! It'll be a quiet meeting then, I guess. Have an excellent day. Ciao.

I'm just a little tired of the whole laryngitis thing. What if my voice never comes back?

So how about them Vikings?! What a game!

And what have you done with your life lately? Read this article about an incredible girl. Then give some $$ to the orphanage. (/end of PSA)

Note to mothers everywhere: stop throwing away your babies.

All righty then. Back to another fun-filled day at the office ::sigh::
Ciao.

Today's iTunes songs: Christmas tunes with Bing Crosby and Dean Martin. Have a jolly, swingin' Christmas. You know they were both drunk of their asses when they were recording this.

Yikes! The east coast really got pounded with snow yesterday. Meanwhile, here in the Twin Cities that seem to be caught-up in some weird time-warp-vortex, it's 30 degrees and we're having an inversion (which is not helping my throat one bit!)

This story is making the "Saturn" chip in my head glow. What!? They can't mess with the mothership!

More proof of global warming I don't care, though. Bring on the warmer winters!

It's Paul Magers' last week at KARE 11 (the local NBC affiliate). This means nothing to people who don't live here. But Paul Magers IS the news here. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

I've gotta start the holiday stuff soon. Not too much shopping, more baking, get the cards mailed. I haven't decorated the house yet.. just not into it this year. Maybe a little closer to the date.

Let's see what those Vikings do today... Ciao.

This morning's iTunes song: Rag Doll. (yeah, yeah... but they're my favorite guilty-pleasure band...)

Have I mentioned that we've hardly got any snow here in the Twin Cities?! (now I've just guaranteed us of a snowstorm, you know). All you east coast people - stay inside!

I already got my flu shot. Since getting it, I've had the flu AND a cold. It's highly effective. But I guess I'm in good company, since even David Bowie has it.

Good news! A new Indigo Girls album in February.

More good news - more research and develop for betterbreast cancer drugs.

This story gives me a weird visual - lady with the big beehive hairdo, all a-flame.

CuzGirl - I thought surely this story would be about you!

How about this? Just send your child to a school that will teach them the basics? Teach them the finer things in life - like knitting and clowning on your own time. ::chele steps off the teacher-soap-box now::

Whatever. Throw him in with the prisoners. That'll make him talk.

Still no voice. Everyone around me is enjoying the making-fun-of-the-sick-girl. Just you wait. Ciao, bellas!

The voice is now completely gone. After my 8:00 meeting yesterday, I sounded like Peter Brady ("When it's time to change, then it's time to chaaaange"). By the end of the day, only certain breeds of dogs could hear me. Today, I sound like Marge Simpson's sisters. Thanksfully I have just one meeting today and I can mostly just listen.

Reason #235 to not become a prosecutor who goes after rappers. How sad.

Lileks is doing something different on his daily bleat. Every day a new picture. Check out today's... how far marketing has come!

This monster fears for his safety?! What about the safety of the girl you abducted (and probably murdered)?! Let the other inmates at him, I say.
The Pioneer Press seems to be a little ahead of the Star Tribune in their reporting of the story. They're saying that they've found blood stains matching Dru Sjodin's blood type in that guy's car.

Oy - why do I even read the news sometimes.....?

I'm going to try not to talk (for a while, anyway... as impossible as that might seem) so I'll have a quiet day. You have a good day as well. Ciao.

Okay - fine. Now I have a freakin' cold. By the end of the day, I'll have a voice that's just a tad lower than James Earl Jones'.

More proof that the real world is turning into Star Trek.

Still no sign of Dru Sjodin. I can't imagne what her family is going through. And yes - I'm starting to think that we should consider the death penalty...

Oh my gosh - how tragic. Nine orphaned kids...

This is the freakiest story ever. eeeeeeek!

Have a good day. Ciao, Bellas.

I was pleased to learn that I live in the most livable state. Obviously they've never been here in January when the temperature is 22 below zero...

Justin Guarini was never my favorite American Idol contestant. The most important item in this article is the fact that the third season premieres on January 20. Dame! We must mark our calendars (and set our TiVos) now!

Here's a little something to do in your spare time: build your own TiVo. I think my head just exploded. (link via Freakgirl)

You knew that sooner or later the Dru Sjodin case would have lawmakers calling for the death penalty.

Question about this article: who cares? Anyone? Anyone? Yeah - that's what I thought... Jesse - just go away.

Coach Tice is ready to kick ass and take names!

Ciao, Bellas. Have an excellent day.

I am fighting off a cold again. Break out the Zicam!

WOW - I've got the huge 7-point lead going in the pick-em pool! Y'all didn't know that a old - er - slightly middle-aged lady could be such a football expert, didya?!

Thank God - they've made an arrest in the case of Dru Sjodin. Now, they've just gotta find her.

I had to laugh at the worst uniform winners. Yeah - the camouflage is particularly bad. (link via dnord.com)

Oh my God this story makes me cry.

Hello??? What year is it again? Perhaps Lafayette, LA is caught in some sort of time warp...

Good news. I haven't had this - ahem - procedure yet, but when I do, you betcha it's gonna be a virtual one.

That's what I've got so far. Ciao.

The first day back at work after a long weekend always messes up my sleep. That, and the fact that the fire alert went off in my building last night. We didn't have to leave - I don't know what floor the fire was on - but sheesh! very freaky. They gave us the 'all clear' at about 11:15, but I really didn't sleep well at all after that.

Is this just a case of sour grapes?

Here's a fun little diversion - Mr. Picassohead

Embarrassing is one word for the Vikings performance yesterday.. Oy. Every year, they suck me in. I think this is gonna be the year we do it. We start off the season reasonably well. And then we absolutely fall apart. (now if Mac is reading this, he's having a heart attack right now. Just calm down! I'm only blowing off steam..). Yeah, we'll be fine. But still...

Off to start the week. Have an excellent day!

Update: Vikes 17, St. Louis 48.

- - sigh - -

Maybe next week against Seattle?

It was a very excellent birthday, marred only by the fact that I lost my ATM card in the same-freakin-machine that I lost one in earlier this summer. Note to self - never use that machine ever again.

Other than that, it was a fabulous day. I got to go to Famous Dave's for dinner (pulled pork samiches... yum...), and watch movies and drink Baileys. Life doesn't get much better than that.

We brought the big ol' recliner chair over to Mac's house. It's more a boy-chair anyway. I'm going to do a little re-arranging in the living room today. I know that someday I'll find the perfect leather wingchair - I need to make a spot for it.

I haven't even read the news yet! But the game is starting, so I must watch it. I'm a little uncertain of the Vikes against St. Louis.