Off to Columbo

Columbus actually, but bad investigative TV is much more fun.

Any fellow geeks out there? Check this out.


Which Programming Language are You?


I was SO hoping to be Java. Pout. I don't think I could even identify Prolog if I saw it written, but I do like the description.

Good weekend. Bridal shower. Impromptu BBQ set up by the spousal unit. Fun with kerpupples at the dog park. LOVE the dog park.

Sweet Girly Retro Purple Smirk

I love that none of the songs on this Random 10 were released before 1993 (I'm not counting the Sublime song on here since it's a Marley cover). What a great year. Back when I was unlucky in love but having a great time being so, working like a madwoman getting an engineering degree, and not gunning down any of my fellow students.

Seasons Change - Expose
The Metro - Berlin
I Love You So Much It Hurts - Patsy Cline
Highway Patrolman - Johnny Cash
New Agenda - Janet Jackson
The Gypsy Baron, RV 511 - Einzugsmarsch - Strauss
Scherzo #2 in B Flat Minor - Chopin
The Reflex - Duran Duran
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses - U2
Trenchtown Rock - Sublime

Lots of blog controversy this week, which leads me to my weekly smirk.

Folks like James and Creepy sneer condescendingly at Christians because they believe in something they have no proof of. [Interesting side note: why just Christians? Why not Jews and Muslims and Hindus and.....]


Personally, I think that this incident proves that there just might be a god, and his name just might be Prince. Another reason for me to worship his Purpleness.

And in case you couldn't tell....I'm a girl. Mostly.

You Are 72% Girly

You're a pretty girly chick, and you're not ashamed to admit it (or wear pink). But you're also practical. You can hang with the guys, as long as they're not too gross!

How Girly Are You?

Gross-out

I am a festering pustule.

Actually, I am two.

I'm feeling better, but now I'm suffering from the delightful consequence that oft comes from me getting sick. Or sunburned. Or stressed. Or a hair crossed the wrong way. That consequence is a fever blister. Yes folks, I am an unfortunate carrier of herpes simplex 1. And I'm having an outbreak.

Not just one. Two.

And one is nestled firmly in the corner of the mouth, the most painful place to get one. Youch. It cracks every time I open my craw.

Ooh, here's a comforting fact I just found about this particular strain:

"In very rare cases HSV- 1 can spread spontaneously to the brain, causing herpes encephalitis, a dangerous infection that can lead to death."

Cool, huh?

And just because I know you're dying for it, here's a peek at my herpetic ulcers.

My new baby

I know what you're thinking. Crazy b!@ch got another freakin' dog.

Ha. If the city I lived in would allow it and the spousal unit wouldn't strangle me, I just might do it. Alas, not to be.

So, allow me to introduce you to my new...
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orchid!


Picked it up 2 weeks ago on special at the grocery store. And I haven't killed it or turned it blue yet. In fact, the buds have been blooming nicely so far.

How's yours doing, Chelene?

And take a look at my purse. Baby needs a brand new bag, wouldn't ya say? Any suggestions? I've been drooling over Netflix for purses, but the spousal unit is wary so I haven't taken the plunge yet.

Misled

I had people yesterday telling me they thougtht I might have strep or bronchitis. I was thinking hantavirus since we'd gone to New Mexico to help the mother-in-law unit with some yardwork over the weekend.

Went to the doctor. Strep? Negatory. Bronchitis? Nope. Flu? Nada.

A measly upper respiratory infection. I was sent on my way with a prescription for cough syrup with codeine and a note to get off work for yesterday and today.

I'm feeling somewhat better today, but not well enough to work.

Anyway, on to the tale of deception.

On my list of upcoming trips I had included a work trip to New York city, during which I'd hoped to meet the luminous Chelene in person. We were told last month that the summer meeting would happen in The Big Apple.

Last week we were polled for weekends we'd be available to make the trip. Once results were in, we were sent an email detailing the dates and location.

It's in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Don't get me wrong - I've heard Maine is beautiful, especially in August. But I seriously doubt there is a Century 21 in K'port. I've the right to be disappointed if you whet my appetite for filet mignon and then serve me lobster instead.

Death warmed over

That's me today. I don't think my chest has ever hurt this much. I'm coughing up Nickelodeon slime.

Trip to Columbus this week - off. Seeing my doctor at 1:30.

Another trip has changed too. I'll write more about that when this elephant gets off my chest.

Random 10 and Weekly Freaky

OK, I know I said I was going to start a series. So this week I'm giving you a picture of something that freaks me out - the hairless cat. It's just wrong for a kitty not to have any fur. I can seriously picture a horror movie where people are being devoured by these beasties.

And now for the music. And yes, I am aware of the missing acentos in my espanol (great, now a missing tilde too), but I tried to follow instructions for typing these characters, and it no worky.

Estoy Aqui - Shakira
Halo - Depeche Mode
Mr. Man (Duet With Jimmy Cozier) - Alicia Keys
Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis Presley
Passover - Joy Division
The Sleeping Beauty Suite, Op. 66a - Tchaikovsky
Door - Luscious Jackson
Girls - The Beastie Boys
Machine Head - Bush
With A Shout - U2

Post yours here.

Dark days

Though I am relieved that Imus and Rutgers have mercifully shrunk back into oblivion, I'm horrified at what happened to make it so.

Now they are showing the tributes to the people that died at VA Tech. The one about the Holocaust-surviving instructor who died trying to ensure that his students escaped tugs particularly hard at my insides. This takes me back to the days following 9/11. I think I wept for like a month straight.

Lucky for me, I have the spousal unit and the kerpupples to keep me happy and centered.

Are you feeling dark too?

Ending on a less gloomy note, here's a vid of Sasha proving that she's smarter than a blanket, with Roscoe watching nervously off-camera.

Going, going.....where?

Here's a layout of the trips I'll be taking this year so far.

UPDATE:
NEXT WEEK - work trip to either or both of Columbus, OH and Birmingham, AL. I can feel your jealousy seething through the screen.

May - wedding, Sanibel Island, FL. Lovin' the beach time.

July or August - comany meeting, NYC. You bet I'll be looking your ass up Chelene. With any luck the meeting will be scheduled the weekend of the Barney's warehouse sale.

August - wedding, Orange County, CA. This is family, will be good to catch up.

September - possible week's vacation. Our plans to drive the Belgian and French coasts with friends have fallen through. So we're kicking around - Yellowstone and Montana (the spousal unit is a rabid camper), Prague, Spain (not sure where), or Ireland. Thoughts?

A Jetta-son of topics

So I have to thank Sarah again for including me on this most prestigious list of Thinking Bloggers. As such, I must pass on the love myself. I tag the following:

Mur - for wonderful tidbits from down under that I'd never find on my own as a Yank

justacoolcat - for his intriguing Random 10 lists (Steve Jobs also thanks you for my increased rate of iTunes purchases), his non-rabid liberalism, and of course his ninja bunnies

Snay - for his hilarious adventures in pizza delivery

Chelene - for her wry wit, lively yarns of dating, working, eating at restaurants I never get to go to, spirit consumption, and her razor sharp fashion sense

Tanya Espanya - for her tales of kooky relatives and upbeat sense of humor


The rules:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the origin of this award, and
3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

Goo Goo G'joob

You Are the Index Finger

You are ambitious, driven, and capable. You aren't afraid to take responsibility for your actions - or place the blame on whoever deserves it. You are honest, free thinking, and objective. You see things in your own way - and you aren't afraid to let everyone know about it. You get along well with: The Thumb Stay away from: The Ring Finger

What Finger Are You?

I am the pointer
They are the lame ones
I am the index

Thanks to Sarah Ashlee for pointing me to this quiz. Though she's a pinky and I doubt she points much. Unlike me. Goo goo g'joob.

Friday's Random 10

You Could Be Mine - Guns N' Roses
Il Mare Calmo Della Sera - Andrea Bocelli
High Hopes - Pink Floyd
Where Did It All Go Wrong - U2
Underneath It All - NIN
El Farol - Carlos Santana
Tomb of the Boom - Outkast
Blue Monday - New Order
Let's Get Retarded - Black Eyed Peas
Breathe - The Prodigy

I'm a busy, busy, busy bee with work. But my mind's eye still glances over you all periodically. Hope you're having a good Friday!

ENOUGH!!!

Will somebody please, please, please get fucking Don Imus and the fucking Rutgers basketball team off my television? Please?

Yesterday morning, the Today Show dedicated the whole first half hour to this drivel. The spousal unit finally changed the channel in disgust.

I hate to say it because I think he's creepy, but I agree with Imus - he's apologized enough.

I'm wondering why anybody is so surprised that this happened. WHAT? A shock jock made a nasty comment about someone? Blast! And how about all the rappers and comedians who say the same thing? Why is it sometimes OK? Wouldn't it be more effective for the black community to police themselves (I feel similarly about the Muslim Middle East and terrorists, BTW)?

I'm of the opinion that the team members, and most certainly the coach, are hamming it up immensely. They keep saying it's especially hurtful because he doesn't know us personally. So you're saying this would be nicer or more appropriate coming from your boyfriend, or your teacher, or your boss? Get a thicker skin, ladies. There's many worse things that could happen to you. Life is not all lollipops and hugs and butterflies and somewhere deep inside I think you know that this man bore you no ill will. He's just trying to get paid by spewing the nonsense his listeners want to hear.

And it is nonsense. I've seen interviews. There's not a nappy haired young woman in the bunch. Can't speak to Imus' other characterization, but I doubt he'd be privy to that information either.

Some years ago, Howard Stern got yanked off the air in Denver because he made comments that were offensive to surviving Columbine family members. There was no big to-do, no massive media coverage. His advertisers yanked their money and one day he was just gone. Why can't that happen now?

If it's written, it must be

Trying out a new category here, kids. Lemme know if I'm biting off more than I can chew.

The category is - things that either freak me out or make me smirk. I'll kick the series off with the latter variety.

Today's smirk - Wikipedia.

Specifically, a quote from the glorious Michael Scott in last week's episode of The Office:

"Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information."

Don't get me wrong - I'm certainly not bashing the place. I love it and visit it nearly daily. But due to its nature, you certainly have to carefully scrutinize what you read there.

Just like pretty much the rest of the Internet.

Dogorama

So my mom came into town yesterday for Easter, and we went to the most delicious brunch. My favorite foods were the crab claws, the curried shrimp bisque, and the key lime pie.

She also came into town with the intent of adopting a dog as a friend for Dogster, her little Corgi cross. She lives in a small town, and there are many more dogs for her to choose from in the shelters here.

Today while I worked, I sent her to the same shelter where Ripley got locked up for 3 days when she got picked up by the po' pos. She came home and asked for my help in choosing between 2 dogs - a Shih Tzu and a Corgi/Border Collie cross. There was no question in my mind - it was the Corgi all the way. My mom was able to bring her home immediately, and we christened her Daisy.

We got her homee, and she's just the sweetest girl. Daisy even tolerated Sasha's advances, and gave her a good play. So until tomorrow morning, there are five, count 'em Ripley Roscoe Sasha Dogster Daisy, yes FIVE dogs in my house.

I hope they drive the neighbors nuts. ;)

Rest in peace, friend

So about the friend...his family took him off life support on Tuesday.

He was leaving his apartment complex, hit 2 parked cars, and went through his windshield. His blood alcohol level was .09. The guy rarely drank, so this suprised us. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt.

Dammit Rick - why couldn't you put your seatbelt on?!?!?!?!?

We're headed to his memorial service at noon. His brother asked people to bring pictures of him to share, so we're taking this one.




Rest in peace, Rick. I hope you've found a bunch of fellow amusingly Francophobic, kind-hearted techno geeks to laugh your fabulous laugh with. You deserve it.

The nail in the coffin

So the spousal unit and I have been considering a change of residence. We love, love, love our house....BUT: we picked a lot that is too small and we're not crazy about the surrounding neighborhood. Plus the spousal unit's commute to where he's been working of late is horrendous, and since I am no longer constrained by commutes, he gets priority in that arena.

And yesterday, we got a "courtesy warning" from our homeowner's association that we need to curtail our dog's barking habit. That was the last bit of persuasion we needed. We've decided to pack our bags and move house.

You see...our dogs don't bark unless there's something to bark at. Our neighbor behind us has dogs that bark incessantly, and so when they come out and run along the fence, Roscoe will run with them and occasionally let out a bark. But...that's it. They bark at strangers and the doorbell. They howl at sirens. All considered reasonable and in fact desirable (well, maybe not the howling) traits in a dog.

Our bylaws state that an animal on a homeowner's property cannot make "in the reasonabble opinion of the Executive Board, an unreasonable amount of noise". Pretty subjective, eh?

Man, I hate homeowner's associations. Bunch of busybodies need to get their own freakin' lives.

So....we're bailing. We've started searching for reasonable neighborhoods to inhabit. We're thinking either fashionable city digs or a foothills cabin. Enough of these annoying suburban codes. Soon we'll be calling our realtor to get this place on the market.

That's my bitch, bitch

A punch in the gut

We just found out that a friend of the spousal unit's was in a bad car accident over the weekend. He sustained severe head injuries, is in a coma, and may need to be taken off life support.

This hit hard and sudden. We hadn't seen him in some time, but he's a great guy. Friendly, giving - used to housesit for the kerpupples when we'd go on trips. He'd spent some time with the spousal unit recently when he and I were having some trouble.

And then we found this blog post of his. Wow. If only he'd reached out to us back then.


We're trying to find out what hospital he's at. Having been with my grandmother during her last days on life support, I believe that the dying person knows you're there, and that it can make a big difference.

Doggy doins

The good news - Sasha is feeling 1000% better.

The bad news - Sasha is feeling 1000% better. Now the pack dominance dance has begun. Neither Ripley nor Roscoe likes the way Sasha plays, wooing at them and pawing at their backs. Yesterday Roscoe bit Sasha, and she ran off howling and crying. Ripley snarls at Sasha whenever she comes near.

We're trying to intervene appropriately but minimally, as they have to work things out among themselves if the pecking order is to be accepted. However, we've decided that if our 2 other dogs don't accept her into the pack, we'll have to find another home for sweet Sasha. She needs a pack with at least one other dog to play with, and the way the pack stands now I don't think anyone is happy. Plus, there will be times where we'll be away at work all day if I have to travel, and I don't think Sasha will be safe either from our two dogs or from her urge to get out of the yard and roam. I think if she were unhappy enough, she'd jump the fence.

We'll see. Roscoe is slightly less hostile and seems to realize that she just wants to play.

Oh, and did I mention that she appeared from nowhere and ran past me out our side gate yesterday afternoon?

It would have been quite a sight to observe me chasing her. I dropped the bag of yard rakings and bolted after her in my flip flops, calling her name frantically. Sasha daintily crossed the stream in the field across from our house, and I got my shoes stuck in the mud attempting to follow. I caught up with her but she eluded my grasp. Shoeless, I pursued until my feet would no longer allow it. I went back to retrieve my flip flops and lit out in the direction she'd fled. Luckily she hadn't gone far, but unluckily seem to take great pleasure in being chased. Not to be stymied, I decided to switch tactics. I crouched down and called her name in a voice as devoid of emotion as I could muster. Lured into my trap, she walked back to me and I snatched her collar.

Unfortunately, at this point we were not overly close to the house. So I had to duck walk her back home, holding onto her collar as we walked. My glutes, hamstrings, and lower back were not amused.