That girl in black.... and other fashion colors

Back from the Abyss

2009-12-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

Things are good. My new year resolution should be to blog more.

Work has been a major stressball the last year. The state is running out of money, and they cut human services, as that is the major draw on the budget. Everyone starts panicking. My coworkers and friends have lost their jobs, and more are on the way. I've learned that being part of the medicaid police team is one of the more secure positions to have.

My son has by turns been making me proud, and crazy. He got a girlfriend for the first time this fall. And thankfully realized only a month or so in that she was a debbie downer. He stuck it out for probably a month longer than he could have, and felt reasonable remorse when he finally let her go. I may have been intrusive when I told him that he really needed to have a girlfriend that supported him as much as he did her. But I didn't want him to follow a similar path as I did, by getting wrapped up in the romance of young love, only to find out a few years later that you really should have waited.

His grades are causing me chest pains. I've gone Van Halen (have you seen Junior's grades?) at least a dozen times the last semester. He wanted to stick out chemistry and alegbra II even though I was stroking out at mid-terms first quarter. Now that it is time for semester grades to go on the books, he's failing chemistry. I've talked to his primary imp, we met with his chemistry teacher... oy. Thankfully next semester, they are finally adding back in his study skills class. That will allow him a two hour block every other day to be able to catch up. But I bet he'll still be taking science his senior year.

Home is good. Real good. I've finally been able to let some old ghosts fade away. I'm sad about it, but you can only wait for so long. Life has worked out the way it is supposed to. And this boy I have has put up with a lot from me. I'm very lucky. And he has no idea how lucky HE is, ha! One of these days he'll believe that I'm the coolest girl on the planet.

My youngest brother is on his way home from California. Got laid off by the railroad in June or July, went out to Barstow to stay in the system. Received recall notice few weeks ago. We are super excited to have him home. My mother will be able to sleep better at night.

Brother #1 also has the cutest baby girl on the entire planet. Every picture of her hijacks my hormones. A happy baby and very smart parents. There's no reason she can't be a future president.

Auntie Has to Brag...

2009-05-07T13:57:00.001-07:00

This is about the most adorable Holt baby girl... since me, of course!

Yes, Trix... I know. I'd be worried that he's your daddy, too!

In other news that makes me smile, I have been able to spend a lot more time with my shoe girls. Even if it is us venting about annoying work related stress.

With one of them running the Legends shoe store, it has given us a whole new arena in which to nosh. Right now, Yard House is my favorite, followed closely by Granite City. We are checking out either Los Cabos or Cheeseburger tonight.

And, y'all librarians will be proud of me... did my part to contribute to Wyandotte county's municipality. Got a speeding ticket around the south side of the speedway. Even though everyone drives it as a 50mph zone, it really is a 40!

Muttering Curse Words Under My Breath

2009-04-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

... I'm going to have to end up going to see the next Twilight movie. Michael Sheen is to play the baddest of the bad guy vamps. I was really hoping to avoid the treacle of more Stephanie Meyer writing.

There are few things more

2009-03-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

There are few things more delicious than a pizza lunch. It was necessary today.

Pain

2009-03-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

I wish the weather could make up its mind.

Me: Oy, my head and face are killing me this morning.

Barometer Headache: good morning!

Me: (bleep)

Sad

2009-03-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Neil Gaiman's father passed away suddenly. Even when you are an adult, and realize these things are inevitable, it is still sad.

Geek Afterglow

2009-03-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

Don't mind the mussed hair and breathy sighs of contentment....

After seeing Watchmen both in IMAX and standard theatre, I am very tired, and think I will get a good night's rest.

It. was. so. good.

For every little thing they left out, they seemed to make up for it in another fashion. I noticed more on the second viewing, so understood why some of the changes were made.

Trailer for Transformers in IMAX made it look every more bad ass than the prior movie. No mean feat. They did not show the same trailers in Topeka at the regular theatre. Though Topeka did show Public Enemies and Terminator, so that was a bonus.

And hoo boy, I think Patrick Wilson is pretty hot. That was a little change from the comic that I did not mind one bit!

omgomgomg

2009-03-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

I have ticket (confirmation) in hand for Watchmen, in IMAX, first show tomorrow.

Waiting to Pass Judgment But

2009-03-05T07:23:00.001-08:00

Waiting to Pass Judgment

But the new U2 album better be freaking amazing. Otherwise they may have totally jumped the shark.

Holy Fracking Campfires It has

2009-03-04T18:11:00.001-08:00

Holy Fracking Campfires
It has been a nerve-wracking day.

However

2009-03-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

However, it does appear they confirm back to me as a picture message, rather than a text message. That is annoying, especially if I'm going to be charged as if it were a photo transfer.

But otherwise, YAY for text blog updating!

testing to see if mobile

2009-03-04T14:29:00.001-08:00

testing to see if mobile post makes it to my blog- UPD: it would, if I werent retarded and put a period btwn blogger and com, instead of a space

Two (or more!) for One

2009-03-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

And no, I'm not talking about shopping specials or swing parties.

Missy expressed a feeling I've had about blogging. There are lots of things going on, many thoughts that deserve to be expressed, yet not as much ambition in which to impart them. Therefore, my awesome idea of the day is to combine two services into one.

For a while, I have been crushing on Twitter. Short, stream-of-consciousness blurbs, max of 140 characters. You can update from web, text, or a myriad of cellphone internet applications.

I don't have an internet phone, nor do I wish to pay all that upgrades would entail. Therefore, I'll just try to incorporate it into my blogging. Blogger would be more convenient if there were a text update feature. I'll have to check into that.

My Myspace page has been abandoned for Facebook. Facebook at least will let me update my status and reply to my friends' comments and updates by text. Imagine my surprise when my ex husband's current wife sent me a FB friend request. We are cool, and it wasn't totally out of character, but standing back and taking an objective look.... that does seem odd.

The last of my paternal grandmother's family went through a health scare in January. It reminds me a lot of when my grandmother died several years ago. This time, fortunately, auntie recovered, rather than slipping away within four weeks. She is not happy at all about moving into assisted living. And while I understand and want to advocate for her, I also fear there won't be anyone around when she really needs help. That is something none of us in the family want to happen.

She is a strong woman, and has already pretty much bounced back to normal. However, she is over 80, and to the point in her life she is disappointed to still be alive. That is a hard argument to refute. Her husband has been gone for well over 20 years. She does not have any children of her own, therefore no grandchildren. My first cousin has been close to her, and looks after her finances and has always made sure she is around for holidays and family events. I'm just not sure how to make her feel better about still being here, other than our own selfishness in being happy she is.

February and our birthdays were lovely. We had a long weekend with the monster, as he was out of school. I spent some quality time with my shoe girls, and introduced them to the awesomeness of a fabulously lazy Sunday in the city. Coffee waiting for things to open on a Sunday morning, then Grinders for lunch, on to antique shopping downtown (and in Leawood with my boys the week before). Followed by shopping, then dinner at Mac Grill, and a sleepy ride home.

We are convinced we are going to open coffee shop/fancy bakery/Italian home cooking restaurant/bookstore in one of the hip urban areas. Some little cozy store front in a rehabbed apartment building, so we can live upstairs. My boyfriend will be able to display art pieces, and play music in house anytime he wants. And speaking of pretty things, we'll have to plan a Seattle visit soon. Have to get up there and see my new niece!

And oh my god... WATCHMEN STARTS FRIDAY! I am so excited to see this movie.

A Very Cute Placeholder

2009-01-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

There is much to catch up on... but to tie you over, here's some eye candy.

Auntie Lyndy is very pleased to introduce Beatrix Bessett Holt, born January 20, 2009!

Sqee!

2009-01-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty darn excited to receive my "Neverwhere" DVD. It is on the way to me!

Upside!

2009-01-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

Guess there is a perk to having to move our offices clear out to Forbes...

We'll be on hand when the Jayhawks come back home!

Oops!

2008-12-29T12:18:00.001-08:00

HP (my new parent employer) may be violating trade sanctions against Iran.

Awesome!

2008-12-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

Bubble calendar

Happy Holidays from the HoBoAd family

2008-12-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Quick and dirty family photo for the holiday cards. While that usually would be the way I like it, I am disappointed in my hair's performance.

And here's the reason we can no longer to standing family shots. Mom would need to stand on a box!

Young master prior to winter formal a couple of weeks ago.

January 23

2008-12-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

Oh.my.god... I can't wait!

And the most awesome part? Len Wiseman won't be directing. Not a guarantee the dialogue won't be any less corny... but we can hope.

With Watchmen March 6, Harry Potter July 17, and three Avengers movies in production...

It's a good time to be a geek!

Wait for It....

2008-12-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

The Lawrence police chief's response is classic!

Columbia chief issues ‘warrant’ for KU players
The Associated Press
Published Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. CST

LAWRENCE — Columbia’s interim police chief is taking the sting out of Missouri’s loss to Kansas with a little humor.

Capt. Tom Dresner put out a news release announcing that he intended to issue warrants for the arrest of the entire Kansas football team. The charge: robbery, stemming from the Jayhawks’ victory over his Missouri Tigers.

The release — addressed to Lawrence Police Chief Ron Olin — said Columbia’s Major Crimes Unit is poised to carry warrants to Douglas County authorities. The Lawrence Journal-World reported Tuesday that Dresner said “It was a robbery in plain daylight.”

In response, Lawrence Mayor Mike Dever said he thinks “there needs to be a warrant against the entire MU football team for impersonating a top 10 team.”

Pow- zing- wocka wocka!

Seriously...

2008-11-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Brad Pitt needs to lose the mustache. Or at least incorporate it back into a goatee.

It's killing my fantasties. You can't be a hot super daddy and have a porn 'stache.

Sorry

Check, 1, 2... Is This Thing On?

2008-11-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

Sorry about that. Whole lotta life going on. And how about that election?!?!? Good times.

With the change in computers (and subsequent harddrive failure), have been sadly bereft of photos. Now thanks to the lovely boyfriend, you too can see where we've been over the last several meantimes:

There was the girl in black's 20-year high school reunion (beware of receding hairline glare):

Then our family road trip to Sioux Falls (and side trip over to Pipestone, MN):

And then I realized I don't have photos of it... but boyfriend also got a new toy! A bass amp. My dad still didn't fall for the ploy of us "holding" his jazz bass for him, though. Dangit.

And I still haven't read "The Graveyard Book". Double dangit.

Your Wednesday Moment of Zen

2008-10-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Listening to Jim Steinman songs is always interesting.

The spoken word "Wasted Youth" from Bat II:

Wasted Youth
I remember everything!
I remember everything little thing,
as if it happened yesterday
I was barely seventeen,
and I once killed a boy with a Fender guitar

I don't remember if it was a Telecaster or a Stratocaster
But I do remember that it had a heart of chrome,
and a voice like a horny angel

I don't remember if it was a Telecaster or a Stratocaster
But I do remember that it wasn't at all easy
It required the perfect combination of the right power chords
And the precise angle from which to strike!

The guitar bled for about a week afterwards
And the blood was true, dark and rich... like wild berries
The blood of the guitar was Chuck Berry red
The guitar bled for about a week afterwards
But it rung out beautifully
And I was able to play notes that I had never even heard before

So I took my guitar
And I smashed it aganist the wall
I smashed it against the floor
I smashed it against the body of a varsity cheerleader

Smashed it against the hood of a car
Smashed it against a 1981 Harley-Davidson
The Harley howled in pain
The guitar howled in heat

And I ran up the stairs to my parents bedroom
Mommy and Daddy were sleeping in the moonlight
Slowly I opened the door
Creeping in the shadows right up to the foot of their bed
I raised the guitar high above my head
And just as I was about to bring the guitar crashing down upon the center of the bed
My father woke up, screaming "STOP!"

"Wait a minute. Stop it boy. What do you think your doing?"
"That's no way to treat an expensive musical instrument"
And I said, "God-Damn-It, daddy,"
"You know I love you, But you've got a hell of a lot to learn about Rock n' Roll"
.
.
.
.
.
To which my ipod then switched to the crunchy power chord opening of A Perfect Circle's "Weak and Powerless". That was a good day.

Good Thing He's Still a Cute Boy

2008-10-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

Neil Gaiman cut his hair short. I don't think I like it. Not that he nor his wife really care for my opinion. Just saying.

His new book arrived at home Monday. Haven't had time to read it yet. Thankfully I have most of next week off from the store. A shoe girl Sunday this weekend and possibly RenFest next Saturday. It's only taken me two years to get back there.

Hopefully Neil will get lazy and let his hair grow back long.

Now I realize why I like his beard picture so much... he looks like my boyfriend, as a brunette!

Kill, baby, kill

2008-10-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

Probably a good thing I wasn't able to watch the debate tonight. Just reading the news coverage makes me want to kick Palin in the box and shove her.

She brings up Biden's son going off to Iraq to criticise war funding... and thinks her family is going to remain off-limits? I won't even give her the compliment of thinking she's a bitch. The dumb twat is more delusional than I thought.

I cannot wait for the morning assessments.

In brighter news, think I finally got the iTunes issue resolved! Pulled everything into a new file, and reconfigured where iT went to look for files. Here's hoping!

I Hate iTunes

2008-10-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

10 gb of music, copied onto three DVDs and loaded the correct way onto the new computer.

Then why doesn't iTunes recognize the file? It is making me go and look for the file for every song I want to play.

On the old system, we had to remove all my iTunes files and reload them back on. I was able to click and play without issue.

Times like this, make me think I need a bigger iPod, or at least some type of external USB drive.

Props to Leelu for the news

2008-09-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Alaska Women Reject Palin

The part about the conversative radio host makes my stomach turn. He's a maggot hypocrite, himself.

Igor is a popular boy

2008-09-20T14:52:00.001-07:00

Not only is Igor shaming me with all his facebook friends..... but now he gets a cute litte movie in his honor.

It makes me want to watch Nightmare Before Christmas again. They even make the scientist look like Burton's.

Jon Stewart is a Stud

2008-09-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

I've always liked Jon Stewart. Now I think I might have a crush on him.

The video is old, still pretty cool. His intro from September 20, 2001... coming back on air after the NYC terrorist bombings.

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/43270/The_Daily_Show_9_11.html

Blogger is Killing Me

2008-09-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

Ever since we've changed to the new computer and Vista, my browser freaks out trying to sign on to Blogger. Some days it resolves itself and will cooperate if I come back to it later. Today it just wants to make me (further) neurotic.

One wedding down, another later tonight. Who knew the local museum of natural history was the happening place for social functions? We went to a wedding there in July, one this month, and have been there for a couple of other functions.

Met my dad's cousin from Wichita today. Kinda made my dad sad, since he's realized "there aren't a lot of us left." From my grandmother Holt's family, there were five Cropp kids. Uncle Elvis died when I was still in school. Aunt Hazel died right after I got married. Aunt Minnie died right as 2001 ended, and Gma (Ruby) died in 2003. Only Aunt Edith is left. She nor Hazel had any children. Between Elvis, Minnie, and Ruby, they have only a handful of surviving heirs. My dad is Ruby's only bio child, although she had four other stepchildren.

Most of the time, I don't feel bad for not having more children. I've never bought into the theory that you have to have children to prove you're a success in life. But after watching my dad talk to his cousin, who has eight grandchildren, and three more on the way, it makes me a bit remorseful.

All in all, it is a fleeting guilt. My parents are comparatively young, close to retirement, but not yet 60. Then after they got divorced and remarried, they've been busy working and rebuilding their home lives. Even should I have had a number of children, they were still too busy in their own lives to be a big influence.

My Seattle brother and his wife are expecting a baby mid-January. We tease my parents that even 15 years they get a new grandchild, whether they've earned it or not. Andrea jokes we really don't have to wait that long! Maybe I can rent grandchildren for them. At the rate my siblings and I are going, they won't have great grandchildren until they are 90.

Buttons are an Underrated Fashion Statement

2008-09-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

Dan is much more funny and effective with is political coverage. Could be because he's bald?

Regardless, he gave a picture reason to rip off his blog today:

I dislike Sarah Palin even more with every new story.

Not Rainy Days, but Mondays Get Me Down

2008-09-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

A new week at the new job site... a new way to be locked out of my system. Today it was the fact I needed to reset my login password.

Easy enough, other than the server dishing out our connection is at the old site. So it still considered me locked out. It took me calling my info to the tech over there and having them log in as me (over there) to convince the splitter here I was legit. Thankfully we are in the last couple of weeks of split personality.

Barring a cosmic or karmic backlash for optimism, I should be able to spend most of the week nights home with my boys. Only have to work one more night this week. Two weddings on Saturday, both sides of the family.

And Happy Birthday to my girl Donna M! She was my divorce settlement. A former sister in law, still my home girl.

Quickie

2008-09-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

Have been working a lot, both places.

At least our team is moved out to Forbes and is set up. Tomorrow we'll start unpacking and try to get back to normal. My boss and best girl go to Alabama on the 8th for a week. Can't say that I'm jealous, especially during hurricane season. Pretty soon Sharona and I will have to go to Oklahoma to learn their system. Yee freaking haw.

McCain (and his choice for veep) makes me want to puke. Thankfully I don't put much stock into polls. My vote is not going to be reflected on any poll. I don't answer the phone for solicitation or telemarketing calls. That includes political parties.

Chiefs fan are going to have a long (and torturous) season.

Catching up

2008-08-26T20:10:00.000-07:00

If I posted on a more consistent basis, I would have been able to title this "closing tabs". However, I don't, therefore, I shan't.

Instead, you get random thoughts:

I really shouldn't watch inspirational political speeches during PMS week. Apparently I didn't get home in time to see Kathleen baby's speech. It will be interesting to see how Hillary's speech is analyzed.

The loving boyfriend bought us a new computer over the weekend. I don't remember the specifics, but it has a humungous harddrive, and can crunch video like Samuel Jackson. All I know is that I have to learn Windows Vista, and resave all my favorite websites. Now Junior will be able to save all the anime youtube videos he wants, without making boyfriend scroll forever to get to his websites.

Speaking of which... one of the goblin kids made a youtube video that made me smile. Not only did he do a clever job, it included Conner MacLeod. Of the clan MacLeod, born in the year 1518 in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel. And I cannot die.

We moved Angela of shoe girl fame to an apartment in the city Sunday. It makes me sad that all my girls are leaving. Now it is just me and the godmother to run errands. Which does suck, since she refuses to go to Mezcal for margaritas, due to the poor service and mediocre food.

Our office moves to new digs this weekend. I'll be happy when all our crates are delivered, and I can stop feeling like a nomad. It would also me nice to actually get confirmation all the archive files I sent for imaging have actually been DONE, and I can save the electronic files on my personal drive.

Recently preordered Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book". Glee!

I really need to look at quitting the shoe job, or severely paring down my hours. (Beyond all the housework to do) I have yet to print any family photos from 2007, much less the Portland trip with Angela. Then there is the fact 2008 is almost 3/4 over. I printed off Vegas pics in February, and have let to work with them. All the supplies are here to do 2007, Portland, Vegas, and 2008... just not the time. Then there is Junior's junior high book... oy. I'm giving myself palpitations!

Sioux Falls with the inlaws in October... I rather am looking forward to that trip. It will be nice simply to enjoy the ride and time to catch up. Maybe by then I'll have last year's photos to show off!

Terminal

2008-08-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

Our home computer monitor is starting to die. You can sense there are problems. The last couple of nights, I've come home, sat down to read the news, and thought... "hmm, that display looks dark."

Even after degaussing, it goes dark again quickly. Even while typing this, the brightness cycles. Wax and wane, "wax on, wane off."

So now we must decide. And I am no good with the electronics.

PS: Michael Phelps reminds me a pterodatcyl. A fiercely strong pterodatcyl... but still!

Decisions, Decisions

2008-07-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try and actually get hip... by adding a song ringtone to my phone. I know, it's a big commitment.

The practical side of me has put it off for so long since I usually have the phone on vibrate. In the office, we can't have our phones making noise. At the store, I'm not supposed to have it with me, anyway. Any time outside of that, I'm usually in my truck (with the stereo blaring = can't hear the phone, anyway) or asleep (don't want to hear it).

But when I call my girl in Portland, I always enjoy hearing her Jayhawker ringback tone. And it has impressed me and the boyfriend that Rush has severals song available through Verizon. I've been less impressed with Everclear's selection. *sidebar rant* For all of Art's talent in songwriting and composing, his taste in selecting album singles is awful. Other than 'Santa Monica' (which is only available in a ringback tone?) I dislike most all of the other tone options.

What is a girl in black to do?

I've narrowed my options down to such:

Ring tones (song that plays to me when phone is ringing):

Jayhawk fight song "I'm a Jay, Jay, Jay, Jayhawker!"
Far Cry intro by Rush (good drum into)
Spindrift by Rush (good guitar lead)
Heroin Girl by Everclear "Esther used to be the kind of girl you'd never leave"
Don't Tell Me by Madonna
Music by Madonna (yes, I love me some techno disco music!)

Ring back tones (songs played to people calling me) ((these are much more likely what I will put on my phone))

Jayhawk fight song
Santa Monica by Everclear
Music by Madonna
Like it or Not by Madonna "this is who I am, you can like it or not"
Queen B by Puscifer (Maynard James Keenan from Tool) "this lovely lady got the thickness, can I get a witness?"

I guess I also need to see if I can designate different ringback tones for different callers. I know you can set a ringtone identifer for my contact list, so different people play different songs to me.

My mother is even ahead of me in this area! She has a tone of the Wicked Witch of the East saying "I'll get you my pretty!" when her sister calls her. And she has Dorothy saying "I don't think we're in Kansas any more, Toto" when my brother calls her from Seattle. She has the Looney Tunes theme go off either when I call her, or my youngest brother here in town calls her.

It's bad when my mom is more hip than I am!

US Policy is to Not Deal with Terrorists!

2008-07-24T08:55:00.001-07:00

I take a couple of sick days off work... and see what happens?

My coworkers are a wenchy bunch. Do they not realize how hard it to pull together that much chocolate under duress?

They even tortured me and made him go "hi-YA!", just to watch me hop up and scurry about, trying to find him.

But being the crafty girl I am... I was able to sneak up on one of my lesser-suspected coworkers, just in time to see her spin around from putting him back in her drawer.

AHA! Ninja skillz rule.

Update:

Now Po is back where he belongs: on my desk, making me smile!

You Can't Fix Crazy

2008-07-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

I would, however.... like to choke and beat the ever-livin' snot out of it.

Started off my day (and week!) with a call from my state program manager for appeals. She always starts off most conversations in an accusatory tone. A downside to being a contractor is that everything is our fault. Even when we are saving their bacon. But they never remember that kind of stuff.

After listening to her tell me I changed mode of operation without her permission or approval (she's a control freak), I tried to tell her (in a diplomatic way, of course) three times she was reading the document wrong, and we hadn't changed anything in 10 years.

This is only 8:30am, mind you.

Finally she actually reads the document, and finally admits the reason she had her panties in a bunch was due to a political fight on their side of the fence. As is most of the time she calls me up wound. She probably didn't appreciate my "we'll be happy to change the wording to your preference. I'll just need an email or something in writing to keep on file." Too bad. Get burned enough times, and you start keeping a documentation file.

The part that probably aggravates me more than anything, is the lack of support from my team's state program manager. While I have a woman I report to for appeals, my team's program manager over utilization review is *less* than inspiring. It's just a downer, since the woman we had at Blue was a LOT smarter, nicer, and willing to defend us against their political reindeer games. Not so much anymore.

Oy.

Not The Headline I Wanted

2008-07-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Chiefs make Yahoo's front news page... but it's nothing flattering

Happy Canada Day, Eh?

2008-07-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

I just now got around to changing my work calendar (4pm)

Happy Canada Day, eh?

Oy!

You Know, the Irony Is Too Much

2008-06-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

My fortune from the regional chain grocery store's Chinese deli:

"Every man is a volume if you know how to read him"

The obvious question is... which volume?

War and Peace?
Dante's Inferno?
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish?

Or my personal favorite...
.
.
.
Wait for it
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Fun with Dick and (mary) Jane

My boyfriend is going to kill me.

I Don't Think This Is A Compliment

2008-06-22T17:19:00.001-07:00

Film Pig Stee's comment on the new Weezer album.

Oh, Stee.. howst thou wound thee.

Malcontent Humour

2008-06-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

While in Branson, my rockstar boyfriend texted his bandmates a pic of him framed with the Shoji Tabuchi theatre sign. His title caption read: "It's Showtime!"

We picked up trinkets for the mates while at Silver Dollar City. When D told G he was bringing back a souvenir, G replied "is it an Asian fiddle player?"

Later, D texts G: "I'm bringing over your souvenir. I'm tired of feeding him."

Those silly boys

Peeved

2008-06-20T07:21:00.001-07:00

I love getting new music... picked up the new Madonna (don't be hatin'!) and Weezer (geek!).

Neither album has lyrics included. Weezer never does. Guess they are too cool that way. Granted, the songs aren't really that hard to follow. But I like reading the poetry and thought process.

/end rant

GO CELTS!

2008-06-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

I hope Boston wins tonight. Not only for Paul Pierce... but also for anybody but the Lakers.

Happy Birthday, Goddess

2008-06-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

You are dearly missed. : (

Bye, Bye, Love

2008-06-11T20:57:00.001-07:00

bye, bye, sweet caress
Hello Branson family togetherness
It will be a miracle if I don't cry

My maternal grandparents have been gone for a number of years, but most of gpa's siblings are still alive. They are getting up in age, so we're reviving the Redmond reunion. Aunts and uncles are coming from Florida, Washington state, Ohio, and Oklahoma, along with their respective entourage of children. It will be nice to check in with everyone, although I never see or talk to them outside of these events. They won't believe how big my monster boy has become!

Both of my childrens are looking forward to a day at Silver Dollar City. Although I'm not much on the Ozark amusement park theme, it will be nice to see them happy.

Branson has been developing the downtown landing area in front of Lake Taneycomo, and that I'm excited to see! Lots of new shoppings and entertainment venues, along with condos and hip attractions.

My personal travel agent has been eagerly building an itinerary of local business and attractions to seek out. Hopefully this won't be the never-ending view from my driver's windshield:

Sigh

2008-06-04T21:19:00.001-07:00

I should have stayed home

This Time I'm Happy to Be Wrong!

2008-06-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Everclear show is not Thursday night.... it is Wednesday night!

AND

It's free!!

AND

It's all ages... so I can take my monster boy!!!

I've talked to my girl Donna in Lawrence, and she can go with me, as well. This will be a good time. Donna went with us to a lot of EC shows in the past. Good times!

I don't even care now that I got called in to the shoe store last night. I' m going to have fun tomorrow night... with my boy, which makes it all the more fun!

Damn

2008-06-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

I just saw, tonight, that (the new) Everclear will be playing in KCMO Thursday night. The "KC Power and Light District"? Librarians, is this a cool or fairly accessible area?

I'm already scheduled to work both Thursday night and Friday (day and night), so it would require some last-minute schedule wrangling. Additionally, Rush is Saturday night, so it would be extra mileage for the week. Then there is the whole boyfriend having to miss band night. Besides, this is not the Everclear band I drove to Omaha in a snowstorm to see... nor saw no less than nine times in one year. Okay, so all they did was tour for most of that year, straight. Still makes me feel like a fan.

poop

This really doesn't help my dour mood. All weekend, I had to listen to the 19-year old store teeny bopper prattle on about her social life. And she's so "pumped" to go to Rockfest this weekend. She's so oblivious to anything outside of her little atmosphere, she doesn't realize how exasperating she comes across. You want to take her Lowe's, just to whack her with ever karmic 2 x 4 in stock.

The good news is that I don't have to work at the store again until Thursday, and it will be a light weekend. Neil and the boys will make me feel all better come Saturday night

Sad

2008-05-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

I think Pamie and Stee broke up. They both look so sad in pictures lately.

George Clooney and his girlfriend broke up. And in all truth, my shoe mob godmother would probably be happier if she kicked out her boyfriend. He's not worthy of her.

To balance out the spectrum, at least there is Angelina Jolie. It makes me smile she's happy being pregnant. And that Brad Pitt is so nice and seems to really be enjoying his life with her. Not like the boy would be complaining... but you know what I mean.

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of...

2008-05-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

I spent the evening at a lovely garden wedding of an old friend.

Once the photographer puts up the photos, I'll have to pull one in of the parent's garden. Up on top of a hill, overlooking the southwest side of town. With the storm rolling it, it made for some pretty awesome scenery.

Q & D

2008-05-23T21:21:00.001-07:00

Quick and dirty

... because a girl can hope.

1. came back from "bachelor party" night with the geeks. Not too bad. Dinner at Red Robin, then a showing of "Iron Man". Total. bad. ass. I cannot wait for the sequels. Also showed trailer for Dark Knight. It was all I could do not to squeal. Even ice cream after the show seemed anti-climatic.

2. My pop AW's in the hospital. Not sure what is wrong with him. X-ray showed his implant pump is working fine. That is not much relief, however, since he's still having painful leg spasms. MRI tomorrow on his hip, I'm trying not to worry. The good news is I'll be able to get some scrap booking done while I sit and keep him company.

3. Geek Brian's wedding Sunday night. I'm looking forward to getting all the wedding stuff behind us, and I'm not even in the wedding! A small part, maybe, serving champagne at the reception. But I have to buy or use a fancy dress, which I'm not looking forward to. That means I'll have to get my hair done, and there is a chance of rain, blah blah blah. Would just much rather lay at home in my sweats.

4. the weird neighbors across the street sold their house and moved out. New neighbor seems like a nice enough older mom. However, one of her people insist on running a table saw at almost 11:30 p.m. Asshats. Some of us are trying to sleep (or at least need to be allowed to go to sleep!) Good news for my much-neglected readers, though!

Yikes, that reminds me... since I haven't updated in like forever!

5. The Police show last week? Muy. rockin! The Sprint Center is pretty darn cool. I totally loved the whole not having to climb a ton of stairs to get to your seats. Seemed to be well-planned out, and we were able to exit, get to the parking garage, and out driving in relatively quick time. My sense of direction downtown is very poor, however, so we took a half hour longer getting home than we could have.

6. my monster boy turned 15! Everyone spoiled him even more rotten than he already is. It was a good time, especially since we ate out, so someone else got to clean up the mess!

Days in Des Moines

2008-05-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

Lyndy has to go to a conference (bad):

But at least the room is nice! I could lie sideways on the bed, it was that big:

The downtown area was renovated for a hipster vibe. I think I paid the most money ever for Mexican food, at a bistro "Dos Rios":

On the last day, we spent our lunch break exploring the capitol building:

Downtown at night was neat, but not necessarily safe for a girl away from home and on her own:

Yes, well... um. Hey Look, a Bunny!

2008-04-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

You Are a Powdered Devil's Food Donut

A total sweetheart on the outside, you love to fool people with your innocent image.
On the inside you're a little darker, richer, and more complex.
You're a hedonist who demands more than one pleasure at a time.
Decadent and daring, you test the limits of human indulgence.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatdonutareyouquiz/

/Ed: I will neither confirm nor deny any allegations at this time.

Happy Birthday!

2008-04-21T20:40:00.001-07:00

Yikes ! J'ai presque oublié de souhaiter à mon employé préféré par joyeux anniversaire ! Il a rendu le dang déprimé de regard ainsi souhaitable !

Please forgive his mullet. He's Canadian.

Eh?

There Will Also Be...

2008-04-21T19:54:00.001-07:00

No Parking (on the Dance Floor)-- Midnight Star

There Will Also Be

2008-04-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

No Parking (on the dance floor) -- Midnight Star

Excuse me, madam
You're standing still in a no parking zone
You don't get a move on that body
I'll be forced to give you a ticket
So get with it

There's a party tonight, you're in a red light zone
If you don't want a ticket you better move on
If you break the law you gotta pay your dues
Ain't much better if you play it by the rules

Cause it's so easy, it's so right
It's so easy to rock it with your body, baby
It's so easy, it's so right
It's so easy if you drive it all night

No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor
No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor

Let me hear you blow your horn
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep} Shake it, baby
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep}
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep} Rock it, baby
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep}

Movin' violations are easy to fix
Just tell the deejay to fix it in the mix
Shake it up and shake it on down
Let me feel you movin', you gotta get down

Cause it's so easy, it's so right
It's so easy to rock it with your body, baby
It's so easy, it's so right
It's so easy if you drive it all night

No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor
(I wanna say it again)
No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor {Ah...}

{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep} Shake it, baby
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep}
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep} Rock it, baby
{Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep}

Rock it
Work it
Shake it
Don't drive it
Baby, baby, baby

Don't park your booty, don't park your can
It's time to party, it's time to jam
Don't park your booty, don't park your can
It's time to party, it's time to jam

Don't park your booty, don't park your can
It's time to party, it's time to jam
Don't park your booty, don't park your can
It's time to party, it's time to jam

No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor (No, no)
No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor (Ah...)

No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor
No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor

No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor
No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor

No parking, baby
No parking on the dance floor
No parking, baby

For Degolar

2008-04-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Other things there will be, in addition to blood

McSweeney's makes me giggle. Their list of lists will make you giggle, too!

I'm Hoping This Will Prompt My Delivery

2008-04-16T16:27:00.001-07:00

I still don't have my Amazon order, dammit!

But I am very please with the new band website layout: http://www.everclearonline.com/. They are back with Capitol, so hopefully they'll get more exposure. And this picture pleases me to no end. It would have been better had it been the original three, but we can't have everything, now can we?

Not Only Is It Tax Day....

2008-04-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

but it is the release date for the new Everclear album!

It's Been a Long Winter...

2008-04-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

I realized the other day, it had been awhile since I bought new music. And now the clouds have parted, sun shines down from above... are angels singing? As well they should!

Order Date: March 22, 2008 Order #: 105-5074222-4294609
Recipient: thegirlinblack
Items:
1 of: Violent Femmes [Original recording reissued]
1 of: The Vegas Years
1 of: The Odd Couple

Fear not, I have no illusions for the Everclear cover album. I buy it more for loyalty and sentimental reasons. Though I do like their rendition of Hall and Oates' "Rich Girl". EC used to always play "American Girl" as an encore song back in the late 90's. I liked Craig's lead vocals on "Sin City" better.

The Gnarls Barkley album however, glee! I listened to it on MSN earlier, and loved all of it. And the Femmes is simply a shout out to my school days. Last fall, I bought a compilation album that included live versions of the first album. But they just didn't carry the appropriate degree of angst, I guess.

And I'm hoping the rerelease might boost the CD audio level. It's a bit tortuous to listen to my older CDs on the iPod with newer CDs. Older ones are so echo-y and quieter than the new technology. It makes me fiddle with volume more, or hurt my ears if I don't turn it down before the song shuffle.

See What Happens When Sasha Plays?

2008-04-08T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm Exhausted!

2008-04-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

But North Carolina is going home. And Kansas is going to the NCAA championship game! That my friends, is worth a little stress. Even Sasha agrees....

YES!

Sasha Sez:

2008-03-30T20:03:00.001-07:00

Oh no, Davidson... you aren't going to the final four!

God love him, he saved the day. That's my boy!

As Promised

2008-03-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

Pics and debrief of Portland!

A souvenir within two hours of landing. Sweet!

Flew in just before dinner on Wednesday. Off to a yummy dinner and pint night at Rock Bottom Brewery downtown. Gotta love the Max transit system, we just had to stumble out the front door and onto a train back. Wendy's boy Erhard was not able to join us, as he was cramming for a fireman exam and I didn't want to catch his cold.

Later that night, went to meet some chums of Wendy's at the Dublin Pub. No linkies for that, it was a dive. It DID however have more delicious beer! The only one I didn't like was the Nitro, tapped through a nitrous oxide line. Quite a disappointment after drinking nice ambers most of the night. I'm still bummed I never did find any black currant ciders this trip. : (

Thursday, it was a wine tasting tour. Started with Wi-llam-ette (dammit!) Valley vineyards. Pretty lookout lounge, nice samples, and not too bad with the pricing. Picked up a pinot gris (yummy!) and a cab sav for the rockstar.
Nicky and Wendy

After a scenic drive in which Garmin took us over the Wheatland Ferry, Garmin loves ferrys!

we ended up at the Sokol Blosser vineyard. We had a exceedingly addictive dessert wine, and a nice Frenchie somilier. Or whatever they call the people dispensing the tasters. Picked up a meditrina and a reserve pinot noir. Of which apparently for what the Portland wine valley is best known.

By then, understandably, we were in serious need of some good food. Stopped in Dundee for a nice lunch at Calamity Jane's. They have some serious burgers! One of the boys with us managed to eat a 2/3 lb burger with two eggs, ham, and a side of fries. We had the defib paddles at the ready.

'Ar' driver Mike at Argyle winery.

We ended up right down the road from Argyle vineyard. They are unique, in they offer tasting for champagnes. I had to abstain, as I managed to leave my jacket behind at Jane's. I'm not sure how that happened... since all we were doing was giggling like madmen, and trying to get Wendy out of there before she wanted to take everyone's supersized beer mugs home in her purse. Oh, it was a fun day!

We decided we couldn't top such a good time, and stayed in Thursday night. After a run to the closest Fred Meyer (only like three Walmarts in Portland, total. Weird!), we stayed in for pizza and ice cream. As is turned out, going out with her bud Nicky would not have been much fun, since his Tennessee Vols lost that night.

After a quiet night of responsible sleep, it was off to the airport in the morning. Wendy's brother and Garmin were the heroes for getting me back to my boys in one piece.

I'm Baaaack!

2008-03-28T17:07:00.001-07:00

Debrief and pics of Portland to follow...

In the while, thought I'd share my latest theme song with you:

Like it or Not by Madonna
You can call me a sinner
Or you can call me a saint
Celebrate me for who I am
Dislike me for what I ain't

Put me up on a pedestal
Or drag me down in the dirt
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But your names will never hurt

I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruit
Is yours to take

Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me
Or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no

Cleopatra had her way
Mata Hari too
Whether they were good or bad
Is strictly up to you

Life is a paradox
And it doesn’t make much sense
Can't have the femme without the fatale
Please don’t take offense

Don’t let the fruit rot under the vine
Fill up your cup and lets drink the wine
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know

I'll be the garden
You'll be the snake
All of my fruit is yours to take

Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop
No no, you know

This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop

No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know
No no, you know

You Can't Have Everything

2008-03-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

The weather will be yucky for my trip to Portland. But I'm pretty darn excited to see my girl Wendy!

Quick up and quick back, then a day together with my boys.

Probably Better I Missed It...

2008-03-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

I had to work at the store this morning, so didn't get home until after the game. Sounds like it was a heart failure finale. KU rallies past Texas for Big 12 title

Spring Forward

2008-03-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

After weeks of feeling burnt out, fed up, and generally annoyed by others... turns out I just had PMS. Wonders what a time change, KU wins (and KSU losses!), and my SharonA starting at the shoe store can do for a girl.

The Husky Boy and his lovely wife are coming to visit this week. It also coincides with junior being on spring break, so he'll be able to glom some serious spoilin'. They plan on spending most of Monday downtown; for the parade, telling lies at Donnie's, and making up new ones by the time I meet them at El Agave for dinner. Didn't St. Patrick like margaritas, as well?

My feel bads got hurt last week, by the Amazing Francisco tell me I was not cheery enough to carry a Barbi pink purse. But it was so cute! Besides, if I'm listening to the Little River Band and
Fleetwood Mac in my truck, how can I be too goth for pink? True, I have Tool and Puscifer in my case as well... but I think it's just a rebellious crush on Maynard James Keenan.

I didn't make any progress on my Vegas cropping, as hoped. But we did have a delicious pizza lunch in Meriden. Maybe I'll get to it after the Easter crush. Who knew Easter is the biggest sale season for shoes?

"It Was as if a Million Geeks Cried Out, and Then Were Silent"

2008-03-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

D & D co-creator dies at 69 (dude!)

Also sad, Jeff Healey died. I like his music.

Funny!

2008-02-29T16:44:00.001-08:00

The Television Without Pity crew liveblogged the Oscars.

Next year I can reclaim four hours of my life, and be more entertained!

De do do do

2008-02-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

de da da da
Is all I want to say to you
.
.
.

My lovely boyfriend mentioned lately "we haven't gone anywhere for awhile". Now I realize why... all we've been doing is buying concert tickets!

He goes to OKC in April for Rush with his childhood buddy. Then we go to KC in May for The Police (happy anniversary, honey!). June brings back Rush in Starlight Theatre, a venue we've not seen them in before.

That's above and beyond the struggle I'm dealing with, trying to decide whether to treat my son to a concert. Already missed the Three Days Grace show this week, and My Chemical Romance comes to Memorial Hall April 15.

Crikey! Looking at Ticketmaster, The Presidents of the United States are coming to Beaumont March 1!

They aren't kidding about the rock-n-roll lifestyle being hard to maintain.

One Benefit to Age

2008-02-17T17:55:00.000-08:00

When I turned 36, I told my lovely boyfriend I was worried he could trade me in for two 18-year olds.

Then I remembered, he had already turned 42... I could trade him in for two 21-year olds. Which meant I'd be able to take my dates to the bar and get them drunk!

Now 38 doesn't sound so bad! You still can't take two 19-year olds to the bar.

Boy Toys

2008-02-16T11:38:00.001-08:00

And we didn't even have to go to Canada for it!

At this rate, I won't have to talk to my boyfriend until 2009.

I Heart Pamie

2008-02-15T07:39:00.000-08:00

and here's why: yearly Valentine's poems

Bow to His Geekness!

2008-02-14T05:09:00.001-08:00

Igor drove from Chicago to Windsor, Ontario (and back!) yesterday...

for toys!

He works in a sports news room, so I suppose he comes by it honestly. At least it got him out of his mom's basement for the day.

I kid, I kid!!

Once he recovers from the extended exposure to light... he's promised to detail is 37-minute stay in Canada on his blog. Stay tuned!

UPDATE: As promised -- Je suis lovin 'il

Timbaland needs to lay off the steroids

2008-02-09T16:11:00.000-08:00

Timbaland delivers tirade at party

By SOLVEJ SCHOU, Associated Press Writer

People's all-star, pre-Grammy concert with Timbaland ended with a resounding crash when the superproducer and rapper delivered a foul-mouthed tirade against the magazine because some of his friends were apparently left outside the venue.

With a blinged-out cross dangling from his neck, a sweaty Timbaland addressed the crowd at the Avalon Club just after finishing a high energy set with longtime muse Missy Elliott, capping a night of performances from acts such as Chris Cornell, Grammy-nominated band Paramore and One Republic in front of a crowd that included Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Ludacris.

"Next time I have one of my homeboys in line, let that (expletive) in!" Timbaland shouted as the event winded down after 2 a.m. Saturday, adding that he was a "peoples person."

"I don't like to see my people turned around for some (expletive) magazine ... (expletive) y'all!"
After his tirade ended, he walked off stage with music blasting. The party was effectively over.

A source close to Timbaland who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation said the entertainer had been frustrated at what was described as security and production mishaps, and said he didn't mean to lash out at the magazine.

People magazine didn't have an official comment but a source close to the celebrity weekly said they were perplexed as to why Timbaland was upset and that they had considered the event a success. The magazine co-sponsored the party with Verizon Wireless to celebrate Timbaland's deal with the carrier to create a mobile album and content for the network.

Before that, the night was a sea of booze, glitz and lighter vibes, with Elliott wearing a black sweat shirt with "CHING A LING" spelled out in glittering gold letters on the front and a bright gold "MS" ring on her hand.

Elliott led the crowd in singing happy birthday to Timbaland, whose real birthday is in March. Hard-stomping dancers surrounded them. Elliott even joked, "Leave Britney alone! I like Britney," when the DJ started in with a clip of one of Spears' songs while Elliott performed.

Timbaland's discontent, however, could be seen earlier in the evening. As a shaggy-haired Chris Cornell, backed by a full band, rocked out some old hits and a new song in a 1:30 a.m. set, Timbaland stood at the side of the stage with a scowl on his face. But he only had a glowing intro for Cornell, whose upcoming solo album he produced, saying it was "the best" work he had ever done.

Right before he delivered his rant, he threatened to outdo Kanye West, known for his outbursts.

A bevy of other stars, including Jordin Sparks, will.i.am, Fergie and Mario Lopez, flocked to the party, where attendees guzzled beer and vodka and feasted on tiramisu cups and mini burgers in the darkly lit club.

Hilton, wearing pink heels and a matching pink headband, writhed and danced in an upstairs balcony when the DJ spun Spears' tune "Gimme More." Later, Hilton shimmied and stuck her middle fingers into the air as the band One Republic performed onstage below.

"Hannah Montana" teen phenom Miley Cyrus danced barefoot in front of the stage surrounded by a group of friends.
___
AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody contributed to this report.

Top 10 Reasons Lyndy Is Old...

2008-02-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

10. Pants from the Gap or Old Navy do not look good on a post-baby body.

9. Pigtails worn with the wrong outfit looks creepy.

8. The median age of men smiling at not as young as I'd like!

7. "Ma'am". Oy.

6. Cousins I remember being BORN now have three kids.

5. Skin care products are bought based on the ratio of repair, rather than enhance qualities.

4. Canvas shoes all the rage in my teens are considered hip again.

3. Reminder calls have started for my 20-year high school reunion.

2. My son started shaving this weekend!

And the funniest reason that I now am, without a doubt, old:

1. While working with our college girl at the shoe store, I enter my register ID number (1988)... seeing which she exclaims in an innocent voice "that's the year I was born!"

.
.
.
.

Fabulous, I'm old enough to have children in the workforce.

No More Spicy Food Before Bedtime!

2008-02-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

Last night, I had a dream where I was the wife of Neil Peart.
He is the drummer for Rush.

This was weird for two reasons:
1. Neil was not wearing a helmet while driving his motorcycle, and
2. I was a depressed woman in the dream.

Why in the goddess' good name would I be depressed if I were married Neil Peart? Though, he really should stop smoking. As the Amazing Francisco of shoe girl fame says: "he'll get the black lung and die". Then I'd just be a rock and roll widow. Which doesn't sound near as romantic as being the woman that healed Neil's broken, poignant heart.

Last Saturday night at my mom's was a blast. The Andersons all got together to, as my mom said, to "eat, drink, and tell lies". We went through a ton of old family photos of my great aunt Winifred's. She was (I think) the youngest of my maternal grandmother's siblings, and the family historian. She is also a tad dingy, and by far the quirkiest of the bunch. But we all need those family members, to make us look better by comparison.

Even though everyone kept a group of pictures here and there, I don't know if we even made a dent. My mom scored her grandfather's WWI dog tags, his discharge papers, and some war rations. Either she or my uncle had the receipt for a house purchase, $800 and some odd dollars, cash. A lot of that stuff was just awesome. There are two big family pictures, both my great grandparents family portraits.

Here may explain a lot of my upbringing... in my great grandmother's family, there were two girls (out of about 10 kids). That would be my GGma Anderson (Kriepe), and her sister. Apparently the sister was a bit of a harlot, and became pregnant from a traveling salesman. This was seemingly SUCH an embarrassment upon the family, they cut the sister OUT of the family photo, and pasted a Wulfkulhe cousin IN. Yes, kids... I have a photoshopped family heritage!

It was good to have all the cousins there. My younger cousin's husband is home from Iraq, and getting no reprieve from the family abuse. Poor boy, good thing we like him, or we wouldn't try to behave ourselves. Shout out to cousin (and devoted reader) Peggy. This post is for you! Besides, she made the most yummy fudge. She offered to let me take some home, but I would have ate the whole damn thing, and made myself sick.

And then I really would have been the depressed woman of my dreams. Only not married to Neil Peart. That's okay, I have my own rock star at home. Only younger. Then I don't have to worry about him stroking out on me. Though I suppose it would be pretty rock and roll for me to induce cardiac arrest in my dates!

Super Bowl Party Is At Our House This Year

2008-01-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Now let's hope the Jayhawks give us a game to watch!

:::chic not included::: Monster boy can be leased out, however!

Sad :o(

2007-12-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

Terry Prachett diagnosed with early Alzheimer's

Pictures are Worth Many Words

2007-12-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

I don't know if they are worth 1,000... but they are more eloquent than I, at this point in the evening.

Vegas was fun. The weather could have been a bit warmer, the fingerprint trails fewer (dirty doors, dirty doors!), our winnings could have been larger. But all in all, and fun and worthwhile excursion.

Next time, less hiking, and more drinking!

The pretty lobby at Bellagio

Leaving Mandalay Bay and heading back out to the Strip.

Northbound at nighttime

Bright and flashy Binion's, downtown Fremont

We walked to and through 36 different casinos, and have the chips to prove it!

Heading back south the first hiking day.

Pretty pink flamingoes at our hotel... and through those windows, our $40 breakfast buffet.

Paris has a lovely villa set up in their shopping area. Complete with the Eiffel Tower's legs coming through the ceiling!

An omen... the Ventien overshadowing quaint Casino Royale

We boldly went to the Star Trek Experience. I don't know if it was $45 a person worth of cool, but the Borg ride was pretty darn spiffy!

This Will Keep You Busy

2007-11-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.freerice.com/index.php

holla to Missy for the linky

Thankful 2007

2007-11-19T14:01:00.000-08:00

In fine Blogger tradition, here's my list of superficial things I'm thankful for this year:

1. Strongbow cider: Not quite as yummy as the Lucky Labrador's black currant cider, but a pretty darn good alternative.
2. El Mezcal margaritas from the 21st and Fairlawn restaurant: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays are now my favorite day of the week. Other restaurants may have the same special... but this Mezcal makes them the best.
3. Southwest airlines: Last year I touted their travel fund account allows you to cancel and reschedule without penalties. But now, with non-stop flights to all my favorite people... Seattle, Phoenix, Portland-- Holla!
4. The online music sharing website named after a little green fruit: disco is never dead when I can burn a mix CD of all my favorites. iTunes rocks, when you want to burn a quick playlist, though it's like Kelis (... "I could teach you, but I'd have to charge")
5. Cinnamon sun chips: A quite perfect mix of crunchy, sweet, and salt to keep my sanity during long and boring reviews.
6. Minty cool beeswax lip balm: doesn't provide any color to my pale white girl lips... but not as sticky as the color beeswax chaps, and smells great!
7. Peppermint Lifesavers mints: no other kind will do! I scoff at your wint-o-green.
8. Cute spiral notebook journals: without such, I'd never be able to find a weekly planner to suit my desire. And it also lets me get creative without having to work on an scrapbook album.
9. Chinese buffet carryout: now I can sate the rice noodles jones without coerceing my boys into having it as well. It also makes working at the store a breeze. I can run over there in between jobs, or for a decent meal on the longer weekend shift.
10. Online photo printing: you too can go from being 18 months behind on your family albums to caught up in no time!
11. Ultrabronze tanning: cowgirls won't get the cold winter blues
12. Cold tea: all your caffeine requirements, without the sodium side effects!

And most importantly... I am WAY thankful for the Kansas Jayhawks football team! Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!

That's Why I Have the Sticker

2007-11-15T13:44:00.001-08:00

... that says "I Am a Dork".

Thanks to Degolar

Seriously?

2007-11-13T19:54:00.000-08:00

Golf to start drug testing

Seriously, are there that many juiced players out there? I did like the guy's comment of "if Tiger's clean... what does it matter what everyone else is on?"

John Daly has to be freaking out.

Holla Holla Walla Walla

2007-11-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

My brother doesn't update his blog very often. But when he does, he's always funny. That is a kid too smart for his own good. Good thing he's cute, and we love his wife, or he'd be totally unbearable.

Holla Holla Walla Walla - Sept 4 Howdy y'all - just wanted to do some lines in reference to the rockin' Labor Day weekend Megan and I spent in Walla Walla, WA with semi-recent transplant and HuskyBoy enthusiast Karl. Walla Walla (emphaisize the first "Walla" for authenticity) is a lovely little town in the southeast corner of Washington known for onions, travelling salesmen, Seventh Day Adventists, a booming wine biz and the State Pen. I do not know if these things are natural bedfellows - I will leave such conclusions to yourselves.

We rolled into town Friday night after an uneventful drive from the Emerald City and wound up at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, or "The Marc" as the locals know it (http://www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com) . Had I been less mannish in my driving style, we would have stopped at Karl's first, but not remembering the exact exit, I took the one which I believed to be correct and instead took us indirectly to Downtown Walla Walla. The Marc is a large, well-appointed hotel with a nice bar, and as a general rule, folks who know what they're doing behind the stick. A few drinks later, it was off to Karl's for beddie-bye.

The real throwdown started on Saturday. (Karl and I have a pathologically co-dependent and enabling relationship whose antidote usually arrives in about 48-60 hours in the form of our livers audibly screaming for mercy. It is a relationship that was forged in the boozy and smokey kiln of a single night many years ago in Lawrence, KS, was rejoined and steeled for a seven month stint in Minneapolis, MN, periodically rekindled in Kansas City, KS and now regularly revisited in Sea-town or Walla Walla - thank heavens for the temperance-inducing four-hour drive). Suffice it to say, we like Bloody Mary's- that's no epiphanal revelation, so whatever. After a bloody and brekkie at the house, we three busted downtown for a whirlwind tour of the Walla Walla Farmers Market, specifically for cheese from a local producer, Monteillet Fromagerie (http://cheesebyhand.com/?cat=38). We had hoped to go out to the Monteillet farm, but it's a heavy production time, so no tours or caprine fun in the petting pen for us. We grabbed a small round of a young sheep's milk cheese and were outta there to perform my usual border run to Milton-Freewater, Oregon to procure Everclear for the making of limoncello and other sundry liqueurs. (It was a success although our border run for hooch sadly lacked any appearances by Jerry Reed or Paul Williams). Afterward, we headed toward the airport appellation and hung out with Steve and Tim from Trio Vintners. We sampled everything in a bottle plus some Mouvedere outta the barrel, which was the best. (We also ate our local cheese, which I will report was so-so; probably needs a bit more ageing for my taste. Though as the addage goes, I'm mostly in the camp that, along with pizza and the lovin', for cheese, there's only good and better.) Trio's reisling is very nice and eminently drinkable, and the sangiovese and syrah hold their own. They're new-ish, so go buy some wine from these wonderful people. Buy a mixed case - drink half ASAP, then sit on the rest - trust me. By the way, Meg and I had met Steve in serendipitous fashion at a party in Seattle a few months before, but more on that later.

Saturday afternoon we headed down to the culinary NKOTB, Saffron, for a late afternoon snack and drink. Saffron is Mediterranean-influenced with both small and big plates. We had: braised Wagyu beef cheeks - awesome; some forgettable but inoffensive spreads; and some flatbread with finely crumbled Merguez sausage on it - I give it a "good". But they did have a vinho verdi (one of Meg's faves) by the glass, and Karl and I had giant tumblers of red sangria, noting white sangria was also an option. It was a lovely repast for an afternoon, one we'll be sure to revisit in the future. After Karl and Megan indulged me in a bit of one of my other vices (record shopping), we enjoyed a few hours of leisure time and record listening before the dinner hour of 8PM approached.

At 7-ish, we sallied forth on the fifteen mile or so drive to Waitsburg, WA to hit two different destinations. We would bookend the evening at the jimgermanbar and saunter over to The Whoopemup Hollow Cafe (www.whoopemuphollowcafe.com) in betwixt for vittles. It is hard to believe that two damn fine places exist in this tiny town of a population only just north of 1000. It is some serious Green Acres-type stuff as most of the folks out there are Seattle escapees, a freakish number of which had done their time at Campagne (www.campagnerestaurant.com - which Meg and I love, along with Cafe Campagne downstairs) in the Pike Place Market. Jingermanbar is just a nice little slice of a bar and bistro with a good booze selection and a rotating menu written on the roll of butcher's paper tumbling down the wall. I spied a serrano ham in the fridge which is enough endorsement for me. Frankly we were there for the drinks before we sauntered 'cross the way. I spoke briefly with Jim who said they'd be doing monthly specialty dinners, the first of which is wild boar. (Goddamn why don't we live in WW, WA???) Either way, Whoopemup was in our future.

The Whoopemup is all about Southern comfy food. Now granted, we had been imbibing most of the day, but the first thing outta the waiter's (and I believe owner's) mouth was "Oregon crayfish, blah-blah per pound," to which my natural reply is always "bring us blah-blah pounds and bring me a PBR/ Dixie / Olympia (depending on locale, naturally)." It is late in the Pacific NW crayfish season, no doubt, but there is no way that I'm am eating in Waitsburg, WA, being offered peel-and-eat crustaceans, and turning them down. The shells were hard, but there was butter and the late-season makes the claws edibly and deliciously large. The memories begin to get slightly fuzzy around this time, maybe not even from the booze, but from the high of Waitsburg, and frankly, the entire day. I remember having fried catfish (totally edible), and Karl and Meg had some things too, but mostly I remeber being in a small town in SE Washington and enjoying time with my wife, a dear friend, and eats and drinks I had no right to expect I should be having - and that, my friends, is the magic of unexpected dining pleasures. After dinner, we bookended at the jimgermanbar for a nightcap, and headed back to WW, WA - sated and truly delighted.

Sunday - Are there any people in the world who do not enjoy a county fair? (As a youth, I stayed in 4-H just long enough to win a single purple ribbon for making a bat-and-ball rack in wordworking, then beat it out for the greener pastures of pee-wee baseball.) I love me a fair. The rides and food at the Walla Walla county fair were, sadly, standard fair fare - wierdly no awesome Walla Walla Sweet Onion Ring stands....? Anyhow, what they did have was honest-to-goodness para-mutual low-rent horse racing. I love the ponies, and there was no possible better way to cure a groggy start to the day than a Coors or Coors Lite red beer and the thrill of losing $2 on the first bet. This is one of the many reasons I love horse racing: A) You can only lose money every 24 minutes, B) It encourages a modicum of skill in the ability to read a racing form, C) Ignore B and bet on the horse(s) with good names, and D) I don't believe there's a "dry" horsetrack in the US, especially as evidenced this friggin' SUNDAY in Adventist-rich Walla Walla. Hey, I only won a single bet, but it did pay out the equivalent of two more beers.

We spent Sunday night at the home of our new friends Denise and Steve (along with their boys Riley and Finn) from Trio Vintners (www.triovintners.com) - that is to say we met Denise and the boys that evening, but as mentioned, we had met Steve at a party in Sea-town a month or so in the past. Let me cut to the chase - Steve was the bass player for one of the best bands of the mid-to-late 80's, Big Dipper, a fact he very modestly let slide out in cocktail conversation at said Sea-town party amongst a handful of music-crazy Kansans. In the musical tree of Kansas (the state) there is, well, Kansas (the band) and The Emabarrassment. We don't listen to Kansas, but we do listen to the Embarrassment, and thereafter the lovely Bostonian offspring, Big Dipper. Kansans LUUUVVE them some Big Dipper. Suffice it to say, I was floored. I knew Karl and Steve would get along great (verified in the Trio shop on Saturday), and solidified Sunday night over some lovely thrown-together dinner, six (or seven?) bottles of wine and a bottle of my homemade limoncello. We saw a family of seven or eight deer run across the hill behind the house, and if the setting were any more idyllic, I could probably write some really crappy poetry, and then mention the babbling creek that also runs through their yard. After many hours, drinks, and parting drunken hugs and goodbyes, we made our way back to Casa Karlito.

Monday - hangover and drive home, obviously...

For the record, I think my brother totally rocks. How fun would that have been? Not only does the boy live in a place I'd love to be for a long, long, time... but he travels and has an even better time.

Granted, I wouldn't want to deal with their cost of living on a regular basis. A nice starter home, in a good neighborhood? Half a million dollars, oy! But I can't wait to get back there. Besides, his friend Karl is an absolute doll.

Don't Keep It a Secret

2007-11-11T17:01:00.001-08:00

Post Secret is having an event in KCMO tomorrow. If anyone goes, let me know? I'm interested to see what they are like in person.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5528683036

Hidden There, In The Shadows...

2007-11-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

I don't have a valid excuse for being away. Off all last weekend, and not a lot of evening work hours this week. Daytime hours were a bit more taxing. The legal type work I do cycles, wax and wane. Just came out of a waning phase, now it is wax on.

While not writing, did manage to get the laundry caught up and things cleaned up to a more presentable level. The house we thought would be more room than we would ever need is becoming a bit smaller. I get clausterphobic trying to contemplate how to arrange my hobby room downstairs. There are a number of furniture pieces I need to fit in, and yet be able to move around.

It is a bit surreal to read press coverage of the writer's strike, compared to the perspective of those living it. Here you can read Pamie's perspective: http://www.pamie.com/ and her handsome husband Stee's: http://www.plaintivewail.com/.

Stee does a good job of explaining why the writers need to strike: http://www.plaintivewail.com/2007/11/strike.html. He also linked to an article feature the guy who created "The Shield": http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/showrunner-explains-why-hes-on-strike/. I thought it was pretty cool to read this writer's take on Ellen: http://www.pamie.com/archives/pamie/in_defense_o.html

Now I leave you again, fading back to black and other distractions. Tonight, we go to record local "band" Under the Radar. At a coffee shop. Oy. At least all the accessible caffeine will kill the headache their noise is going to give me.

Hopefully next time, I'll be able to catch you up on our recent excursion to Weston. That was a fun time. Even our teenager thought it was a good trip.

Rock Chalk...

2007-11-03T14:46:00.001-07:00

it is a mighty fine day to be a Jayhawk

Booyah!

I'm Conflicted

2007-10-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

I love me some shaggy-haired boys. They always look so cute and vulnerable.

I also love Sasha Kaun. I have to remind myself I'm *not quite* old enough to be his mother.

Imagine my torment, trying to decide if I like his latest hairstyle:

Maybe I'll like it more when it gets longer.

Swim Out Past the Breakers, Watch the World Die

2007-10-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

A long, but not too bad week. In fact, things are better than they have been in a long while. A content Lyndy should make you very afraid.

Cleaning off my desk at work, I was reminded of my most favorest Everclear picture, evah:

KU-KSU football game tomorrow. I'll be at work all day, pooh. Though I know my sports boyfriend will be sending text updates.

Chiefs with the monster boy on Sunday. He is looking forward to the game. I'm looking forward to the time with him. Though not looking forward to the increase in parking fees. Seriously, $22 to park? Highway robbery!

You Will Squeal Like a Little Girl

2007-09-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

Iron Man trailer

Oh man, that is going to be cool.

Don't Tease Us Like That

2007-09-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Brownback: Less than fourth place in caucuses could end campaign (linky)

We Can't Wait to GO!

2007-09-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Break out the party hats, babes... our resident rock star is on tour, visiting the moms. Hookers and blow for everyone, at least until Saturday afternoon.

Lest we become despondent once this last trip adjourns, we have these photos to whet our Vegas appetite!

Yes, kiddies.... that IS a teevee in the bathroom mirror!

This is the Kind of Trip We Want!

2007-09-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

From Overheard in the Office, one of the funniest (and probably only safe for work) sites Igor has exposed me to:

5PM Sounds Like It's Gonna Be Some PTA Meeting
Agent on phone: Good afternoon, Mrs. Arrington*. I just wanted to remind you to purchase a very snug belt before July 20th because you will get your pants rocked off!

6000 Camelback Road
Scottsdale, Arizona

**************************

I don't know if the geeks will be able to match that kind of excitement, but my rockstar was pretty excited to be told "we're going to Vegas, baby!" And I know that by going in December, it won't be 100+ degrees during the daytime.

It also is a double bonus for me, as now that D knows we're going, he will happily take over plans for accomodations and itinerary. I love having staff handle these things! My only standards were to spend at least one day at the Star Trek exhibit, and watch the Bellagio fountain show at night.

(Though I think I'll save my request to shop at the Coach outlet until we get there. He'll need a couple of drinks in him before he'll willingly give me that kind of money.)

If Next Week is as Bad, I'm Done

2007-09-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Good Lord, what a frustrating week! Especially for it being a short one.

All my favorite people stressed out, me off my walking schedule, and seemingly every person I came across was psycho.

THEN, we lose power for 16 hours. We're also going to lose a huge tree in the back yard. But think of all the firewood we'll have this winter!

The highlights of my week are that I finished Son of a Witch, and almost done with Maguire's Stepsister. Not sure what's on the reading agenda after that.

Busy weekend, but should be fun. Taking monster to cyber bowl with the mob. God love him, he still respects his momma even after seeing her socialize.

Wish You Were There!

2007-09-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

The first afternoon, Wendy took us up to Troutdale, to a groovy hotel/ampitheater/restaurant complex called McMinnamin's. 311 was playing the venue, but we just went to the Power Station for food and brew. It was after noon!

Then we headed up the Columbia River Highway for waterfalls. The girls and Tom were brave and climbed down by the water pool at Latourell. Although poor Tom is merely washing his face, the photo does speak to his perspective on our visit. Hey, we told him he was in the pit of vipers!

Here's pretty Multnomah Falls. This being our fourth stop, old Lyndy whined so we could head back to Wendy's and clean up. We did get to meet her nice gentleman friend, and he bought us dinner and margaritas. Smart boy!

The next day was big hike day. We headed through Tillamook to the coast, and hiked down to a secluded beach:

Here's a shot of the point about half way down.
Yes, we're headed for all that sand!

But once we made it.... it was SO worth it! Reminded me a of a Corona commercial; light wind, waves lapping in, absolutely empty. We had the entire stretch to ourselves. If we had planned ahead and brought chairs down, we could have stayed all day.

Unfortunately, we still had to head back UP the mountain! OY-- that's all I have to say about that!

A nice surprise was going through the creamery in Tillamook. Who doesn't love super-fresh ice cream and cheese?

Wednesday night, we took the light rail downtown to the nouveau Pearl District. Lots of renovated warehouses now home to high-end bistros and salons. Ate at Henry's, pretty good and not terribly overpriced.

Then over to Dante's for Exotica a Go-Go. The light rail locked up its brakes on the way home, that was an experience.

Thursday was our last full day there. Headed down to the retail district, for shopping, of course! Lots of fun shops, and Wendy's boy came out to meet us for a couple of hours. We finagled another meal out of him, then walked along the waterfront. The soldiers were there for a concert later in the night, when the Howitzers would contribute to the fireworks display.