Life

Is anyone else watching LIFE on the Discovery channel?

Holy smokes does that camera crew deserve an Oscar or something.

It's an eleven part series about life on this planet, different species of animals and what adaptations they have developed to survive. It's not too over the top in narration - no pushing to "save the planet," or cease our use of fossil fuels - but it does mention man's touch. It's a close up, detailed look at some of the most interesting animals on earth. Even the bug one - and I do not like bugs AT ALL - was fascinating. The one fly that extends it's own eyes way out to compete with other males?
Wild.

There's a section on fish, one on mammals, one of insects, one about birds, there are a few that mix it up. And at the end of each episode is a blurb about what it took for the camera crew to get the angles, the shot, how long it took for the animals to cooperate for the piece. It took them three years to film what was edited down to the eleven hours we get to see.

I am perhaps overly impressed but it's just insane to watch. Highly recommend it:

This is me, and that's some awesome television right there.

We're Not Gonna Take It

Inconceivable. And yes I do know what that word means. Again with the saving of the really bad, annoying chick. And letting the young, hot, stud dancing with Edyta go home. Where is the logic?
If women vote why do the lousy women contestants stay? I sure vote for the hot studly things.
On the up side, the fake movie promos were super funny and I am excited for the movie themed dances next week.

This is me and DWTS should only let smart people vote.

Wait A Minute

You know, the rumba does not have to be disgusting. Just because it's a slow, controlled, and mostly romantic dance does not mean it's raunchy. Who decided that?
Jonathan was dancing with the wrong Anna, did anyone else notice that? But I, again, appreciated the professionals dancing what it SHOULD look like so it's easier to compare.
Erin's tango could have been sharper, it felt like she was a little bit nervous. Maybe she was worrying about her feet too much and not getting into the character.
Evan's tango had weird lighting but I did love Anna's dress. I also liked that there was so much content - it really was a tango - and not just a lot of showy stuff.
Niecy's rumba was very touching. She does not have the technique, especially her feet, but she does have the emotional involvement to each and every dance. It's an interesting contradiction.
Aiden's rumba was an improvement from his dances previously I thought. He pooped out a little at the end, maybe he remembered what he was doing and got nervous. I was a little distracted by Edyta's dress. Who designs her outfits? And how do they stay on?
Nicole had the same deal with her I-can't-really-call-it-a-dress. Her rumba was elegantly danced but she needs to move her hips more and I think her arms are supposed to be straighter at times.
Jake's tango was interesting. I liked his passion for it but he was too happy for a tango. It was both sad and amusing when he slipped on the heel lead and nearly fell. Sad because he almost fell, but amusing because the slip was during a heel lead and the judges are always harping on heel leads.
And WHO keeps voting for Kate Gosslin? Because I am not. Her tango was not that good. The best part was when Tony flipped her at the end. And nearly all of that was Tony. That man is sure earning whatever money he gets for this show.
Chad's rumba was amusing in a lot of ways. He needs to keep his head up when he dances - I don't know if it's because Cheryl is so much shorter than he is or what - and finish his movements. Also the feathers on the floor were funny.
Pamela's rumba was hot but she didn't do a lot of dancing. I felt that Damian danced around her a lot. And she was also wearing a sheet, which was weird but apparently normal for the rumba.

This is me and that's the dances for this week.

Census 2010

There has been a lot of advertising for the Census lately, and I am puzzled on both sides of the discussion.
First to the masses: Is it really that big a deal to fill out our names and ages and mail the thing back? People crying about the invasion of privacy and the inconvenience and how they don't want to aid the corrupt government. It's a prepaid envelope and we tell more about ourselves on Facebook daily. What's all the fuss about?
Second to the advertisers: Do you really think that we believe our communities will change if we fill out the Census? Let me tell you that the South Central Jungle is not going to get more buses, better hospitals or anything else just because we fill out the Census so why is that the main explanation on the commercials?
Also, the method of delivery is slightly flawed. If it's such a big deal, spend less money on ads and more money on people - who could benefit from the job - collecting forms. People could work their own neighborhoods and it would be more of a community effort and less of another piece of paper the government wants us to fill out.
Thirdly to whoever decided that this was a good time to start the Census: It's TAX TIME people! Who is going to be inclined to send more paper to the government when the IRS is already taking money and requiring a lot of forms to be filled out and signed?
I ask you. Who?

This is me and we filled out our form but we don't buy the hype.

Breath Of Clean Air

It's not that I don't shower on a regular basis - because I do - but today I realized exactly how good it feels to be clean.
I haven't been feeling good that last few days so I've bummed around the house a little bit. Today though, I was feeling better so I got up, showered, put on clean clothes, remade the bed with fresh sheets and pillowcases and I realized that I felt really good.
Better than I had felt in a while.
Some of it must be because I don't feel lousy physically, but the sheer cleanliness factor was a huge deal mentally. I felt lighter, more awake, ready to work. I even opened some windows, washed a few dishes, did the laundry. It was awesome.
Aren't you glad when I share?

This is me and showering is excellent.

Season Ten-tion

I love Tom Bergeron. The oddly large headed, wears shorts in rehearsal, quick with the quip, Tom Bergeron. There is a host who deserves some sort of award. I really hope he doesn't decide to leave the show.
Reba was a good guest to have, though I thought it odd both songs were off her newest album. Usually they perform one from the new and a classic from the past.
Chelsey and Derek's acoustic paso doble was interesting. I am thinking it would be harder to dance with less music than with a full orchestra. And Mark played a mean guitar.
UN - believable!! I can NOT believe they saved Kate again. That woman bugs me so much and she CAN NOT DANCE. Why does America vote for a person who can not dance on a dancing competition?! It's not like singing where a people can have opinions on different styles or preferences. In dance, if you don't move your feet, then you're not dancing. And she wasn't even in the bottom two. People stink.

This is me, so annoyed with American voters tonight.

Anything Goes

Can you believe they sent Shannen home from DWTS last week when there were so many other options? I was amazed and disgruntled. The stupid viewers chose her over Buzz who is sweet and a legend but can't dance and more to the point, over KATE who is mean and snarky and bitter and whiny and also CAN'T DANCE. Didn't even try to dance her routine. Shannen improved from her first week performance. Whatever her personal life she was getting better as a dancer, on a show called DANCING With The Stars. Uneducated masses should not get to vote. People need to put aside the tabloid magazines and judge only on the dancing. Annoying.
But it's done and it's a new week and so here we go.
Because two different dances in a night is not enough the producers have three tonight. I did appreciate the professionals demonstrating what the dances should look like.
Evan's quickstep was quick, which is the first thing, he needs to keep his knees together for the side to side thingys - I'm so technical - but it was fun, controlled and hopefully the viewers aren't retarded.
Buzz's waltz was touching and the story was very much there - war veteran coming home, daughter to greet him - but he's just old and he isn't a dancer.
Does anyone else want to vomit when Jake starts his "my feelings hurt" whining? Man up buddy. It's a good thing he dances fairly well because the attitude is irritating. His quickstep was not too bad, not as sharp as it could have been and he seemed hesitant in his footwork but fun.
Niecy's waltz was soft and lovely. I didn't see the controversy that was supposed to be going on, she tripped once or twice and I think Louis just outed himself, but I liked it anyway.
Chad's paso doble was not as powerful as I would think he could be. Put the foot down like you mean it. Boom! His arms were good and his feet were much better.
Pamela's paso doble was interesting. I think she may have missed a step at the beginning and didn't get it back. She tripped on the slide but the emotion was palpable and her lines were good and she didn't let nerves get to her.
Aiden was certainly trying hard in his quickstep. His knees were bent nearly always and that didn't look right. I don't know if it was the quickstep in general or just his but they seemed to skip around and then stop and do a move. Little bit awkward.
I didn't get the ripping off of the blindfold at the end of her waltz but the amusing part was Erin was a perfect dancer with it on. Her feet were awesome.
I have to give Kate credit for actually doing all the steps this time instead of giving up. She wasn't consistent enough. I only saw the anger when she tried to hit Tony and then she was weak and just walking, not dancing.
Nicole's quickstep was fast and fun but it didn't seem very quickstep-y. It was more of a jive or a jitterbug in style and performance but there wasn't a lot of dancing.
As far as Brook's hosting is going, she is asking better questions in the interviews but she needs to learn to get out of it faster - she keeps cutting people off. And I think she's nervous about it. She's been a host before yeah?

This is me and that's the night's dancing.

Quote Of The Day

"What you do speaks so loud, I cannot hear what you say."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is me, and that's good.

Fly Me To The Moon

Here we are again, Monday night, and what's with all the questionably famous celebrities and their extremely professional dance partners? None other than Dancing With The Stars.
Oooh, the secret is out! Nicole let it slip that the producers hand out the music. We've suspected as much but never been sure; now we know who's house to cherry bomb. Excellent.
Mark should have listened to Shannen when she said she wanted to do an easier routine and do it well because it wasn't all that. I thought it was slow - especially for a jive - not a lot of energy and her feet were heavy. What are the judges talking about?
Aiden just needs to man up, what was that "you're hurting my feelings" business? His foxtrot was a good effort but he needs to smooth his movements out. I respect Edyta to the skies but I don't know if I can vote for this guy.
Have I mentioned that I want Evan to do well? I think I did. So I worry when his jive started out awkward but it relaxed well enough - it was an odd song - and he seemed to have a good time.
Niecy's foxtrot was amusing, she certainly can bring the performance. It was smooth but I think she needs to be bigger. Her steps, her arms, it all needs to get bigger.
Jake's jive - why do they ALL have to wear high water pants to dance the jive? - was high energy and very fun. He missed some steps in the middle and his knees could have been higher but it was not bad overall. Chelsey's shoes were awesome.
Buzz and his wife are adorable and Ashly is cute and all of that but he is not a dancer. I really wanted him to do well at the smooth dances but his foxtrot just didn't gel. He forgot the choreography and Ashly had to guide him around the floor. The judges are being very generous with their comments.
Nicole was right to be nervous about her music - that was not a jive-y song. But it went well considering - she could have been more definitive with her arms, some of her moves were hesitant...A 10! Are they serious? Let's just scrap the next eight weeks shall we? Whatever.
Erin totally deserves a medal for that foxtrot - to that song no less - she was really graceful and soft with it and she did a solo too. I like her.
P.S. If they need help, I'd be happy to look for Maksim's bicep. Just sayin'.
Pamela is surprising me. I would not have thought her an adaptable person but there it is. Her foxtrot was spot on and fun and she WAS the character. Who knew? Does anyone else think Damian looks like Louis' brother?
Chad just needs to relax a little and he would do really well. His foxtrot was not as bad as the judges comments would suggest. He needs to finish his movements and r-e-l-a-x.
Does anyone else want to smack Kate upside the head? To be that whiny and shallow and then to turn around and not even put forth an effort in the dance. I really feel bad for Tony. He is too nice a guy to have to dance with that every week.
Tonight must be the night the judges let them get away with everything because they are being VERY nice. To everyone.

This is me and this was not my favorite week for attitudes. Oy.

Question Of The Day

Why does canned papaya taste SO much better than fresh? Is it merely the juice that it comes packed in? Is it because I didn't have to pick out all the seeds myself? Is it because the stuff they sell in the stores is or isn't completely ripe? What's the secret?
(Okay, that's more than one question for the day.)

This is me and I can't understand it.

RomCom Commentary

I'm flying solo this weekend because Tarzan is out of town at Youth Conference and I decided to stock up on the romantic comedies (RomCom to those in the know) that would make him gag if he were here.
And as the crushes unfolded I noticed a trend.
Enter two people who are put, put themselves or find themselves in a complex situation where they discover things about the other person. When the twist in the plot comes each finds they prefer the person they know, despite the surprises, mishaps, miscommunications and cue the happy ending.
I, at least, have frequently dismissed movies as fictitious, exaggerated and generally unrealistic, but the principle here is not as unlike life as I originally thought. Getting to really know a person - not the superficial stuff, but genuine things - is the best way to fall in love with them.
In short, time spent is affection earned. Which is something I have heard my whole life but didn't really get until now. And it's brilliant.
A guy named Spencer once wrote:
"Soul mates” are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price. …"
-Spencer W. Kimball

This is me, and lest you think I based the preceding on a small selection, let me list a few: The Proposal, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, The Wedding Planner, 50 First Dates, Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past, The Notebook, Shallow Hal and parts of others. (I did say I "stocked up.")

I Think They Should Be Included

I realize St. Patrick's Day was over a week ago, but there are still Irish themed shows on my DVR from that day and one thing I have noticed as I wade through them all; - in the discussions of music and influence especially - where are the Irish Rovers? It seems a blatant oversight that they get no mention.
They are the first group that I knew of that had a folksy, banjo-y sound - remember I was an 80's baby and it was all synthesizer, all the time when I was growing up. It was listening to The Irish Rovers that awakened an interest in my ancestry and in Ireland.
Were they omitted because they were famous only after they moved to Canada? Despite having all been born in Ireland, and immigrating merely to get wider coverage? And yet Michael Flatley gets tons of coverage, interviews and air time and he, he is from Chicago.
That's right boys and girls, the Lord Of The Dance was not born or raised anywhere near the Emerald Isle.
I guess I understand Enya receiving accolades for increasing the awareness of Irish music but what about U2? Bono gets to stick his rock and roll colored glasses in for comments quite often.
And it's not just modern artists either; The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers and The Chieftains all got mentions and interviews if there was someone left alive or descended from one of the members.
And nothing about the The Irish Rovers. I think it's a royal gyp. I love them and I think they deserve a mention and so here is one of my favorite songs of theirs:


This is me and I feel The Irish Rovers could at least get a mention.

Delinquent

How sad is it that I missed blogging the first night of the tenth season of Dancing With The Stars? If there is anything consistent in my writing it is that I put in my two cents every week, sometimes twice a week, for DWTS. This is not to say that I won't give you my two cents, in case you were worried.
I am pleased with a few of the alterations to this, the tenth, season.
For one, the change in female co-host. I hope that Brooke Burke will do a better job than Samanthan Harris did. I think I hope that. I can't decide if I'd rather Sam be a poor interviewer - which means it'll be hard for Brooke to do worse - or that Sam just read off the cue cards, and it's the producers who suck and therefore the questions this season will be just as forced and leading as in the nine past ones. Quandry.
Secondly, there are only eleven couples (only eleven, she says, which is like, he's only a millionaire) which is the smallest group since season three. I think it will be to the good.
I don't think I like the 'celebri-quarium.' Having to walk through the dance space and out the back where the viewers get to look at the back of the rest of the contestants. It's awkward. Not my favorite change.
I was not surprised that Chad Ochocinco had fast feet - he is a football player - and his hip movement in the cha-cha was very good. There's no question that Cheryl is a good teacher and plays to her student's strengths. I was a little surprised at how much her dress distracted me from the dance though. I don't know if it was the camera work or that it was an odd outfit.
Shannen Doherty was a lot more nervous than I would have expected from an actor. Her waltz (don't make me rant against the Viennese again.) was good, a little tight, but if she relaxes she could be great. Mark is hilarious - I don't know if it's on purpose - and hopefully it will help her nerves.
That was two digs at Maksim in 30 seconds - 'playing the field' and 'I asked for Tony' - but he's a good sport. And he is a hard taskmaster. Erin Andrews is super tall and she played the sexy well but there was something wrong in her knee/leg area during her cha-cha, maybe she isn't comfortable with her height?
Jake Pavelka might be hot, but he better not treat DWTS like The Bachelor. We need not the emotion bud, we need the skillz. His and Chelsey's waltz was very fast, and I don't know if that was on purpose. He needs to straighten his knees more, rise and fall, rise and fall.
Niecy Nash is very bubbly and she seems fun. She does not have any inherent talent for dancing though so Louis is going to have his work cut out for him. She needs to work on her feet, a lot, but the personality is there.
I really, REALLY want Evan Lysacek to do well. I think he's dreamy and Anna totally deserves a good partner. I liked his waltz, his elegance and I think being a skater gives him an advantage but I he messed up his feet a few times so there's room for improvement.
Why do they always give the old guys the cha-cha first? Let them do something they've done before for the first dance. I think Buzz Aldrin will be a novelty for a few weeks, but the man is 80. Good shape or not, his cha-cha was not all that. Ashly is cute and she's sweet - did you catch her counting out the steps for him in the middle? - and her costumes are great, but they're not likely to get too far.
Nicole Scherzinger is a lot less annoying and self-centered than I expected her to be. Which is good. I don't mind being wrong in that way. Her waltz was graceful and pretty but I have to agree with Len Goodman that there wasn't a lot of actual dance footwork. Derek gets a lot of accolades for his choreography so I am sure he will catch her up quickly.
Aiden Turner is awfully cute and funny and the accent doesn't hurt. I want him to do well for Edyta's sake. His cha-cha had the right steps but he needs to work on transitions and finesse. They were just steps for him, not a dance. I hope that changes.
Sadly, Kate Gosselin seems to be exactly what I expected her to be. And I feel bad for Tony because he's a nice guy. Her waltz was slow and awkward, she missed her cues and her steps were hesitant. Not the best waltz of the night.
Pamela Anderson seems younger than I remember seeing her in previous appearances. Her cha-cha was sexy and her feet were better than I expected though she did forget her choreography in the middle. She started well and the end was over the top but better than I thought it would be. I'm having a hard time matching the dancer to what I thought of Pamela Anderson.
And that was my recap of the first show of the tenth season. I haven't mentioned the judges yet because they seem to be exactly the same. Len is brutally honest, Bruno is disgusting and Carrie-Ann is constructively critical. And Tom Bergeron is awesome. That's all.

This is me and that's the start.

Cats vs Dogs

Nothing too thought provoking but jokes about dogs and cats amuse me. This is one of the ones I like the best.

A dog thinks: Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... They must be Gods!
A cat thinks: Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... I must be a God!

This is me, amused by simple things.

Doing A Jig In My Head

I am back - barely - and I am proud to say that I was part of a three person team who moved an upright grand piano out of a moving truck, down a ramp, across ten feet of sand, up a brick porch, across a threshold and into a living room - all without scratching anything, or killing anyone.
It was a moving miracle.
But that, and a large number of other things also needing to be moved, did a number on my arms, hands, shoulders, back, knees, hips, feet, and shins. Are there any parts left? If so they probably hurt too. So my celebration of the Green did not involve dancing.
Maybe next year.
I did not deny my ancestors however. I proudly displayed the colors:
Target, 2/$1.00. And doesn't my hair look really red today?


This is me, and Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!

She's Outie

Because I know you would all be worried if I didn't post something, I'll be out of town until late Friday night - in The Desert - at my parents' new house and as we know, the Internet coverage there is not spectacular. Plus I expect to be exhausted and fall down asleep at 8pm.
But don't fret, I will bring pictures, I promise.

This is me, and just so you know.

Shout It Out

Shout is the greatest laundry product I have ever used. And I say this without receiving any credit from the company or any free stuff. (Though if the manufacturers WANT to send me some free Shout I certainly wouldn't say no. Have I mentioned it's awesome?)

Here's a list of things Shout has managed to get out of clothing: Wax - yes, my coat appears all better - spaghetti sauce, blood, grass, sweat, strawberries, straight up grime and grease. It really does do all that the commercials say it does. I have learned that the older the stain is the more soaking time it needs, but it will eventually come out. Which is awesome.

This is me and I love me my Shout.

Oscar's 82

It's been such a busy couple of weeks, Tarzan and I nearly forgot to watch the Academy Awards tonight. Fortunately the DVR was not so preoccupied.
Of course, the DVR is stupid and doesn't know to record the ENTIRE show and not just the pre-determined time slot, so we missed half of the Best Actor presentation, all of the Best Actress and Best Picture segments. We sat through three hours worth only to miss the climax.
I feel cheated.
But only slightly cheated since we didn't see any of the movies anyway - we will eventually, we're just not as motivated to fight crowds on the opening weekend anymore.
These are my comments on the parts of the show we did see:
Did anyone else notice how gigantic the dresses were this year?
The speeches were really heartfelt and short. Do you think they were planned that way or that the microphone people were really on the ball and just timed the cut off at a good point in the winner's speech?
Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were not as funny as I expected them to be. Actually, most of the jokes were stiff and not funny. We laughed hard at Steve Martin slapping Alec Baldwin when they were sleeping and I thought Neil Patrick Harris' opening number was good. I forget that man can sing.
I missed them not performing the nominated songs all the way through, as has been done in years past.
Harold Wheeler! The same guy who leads the orchestra that can play anything on Dancing With The Stars was leading the music for the Academy Awards. That was a surprise and a pleasant one.
If they were looking to raise the ratings I don't think this year is going to do it, but it wasn't too boring. Pleasant enough to have on in the background while I was typing emails for my parents' new house and getting pictures of my brother's new daughter. (Photos to come of all of that I promise.)

This is me and the Academy Awards were on.

DWTS: Season Ten

Can you believe ABC is launching the tenth season of Dancing With The Stars? One would think there couldn't be enough B-through-F list stars to fill that many seasons.
Apparently there are more than enough. Witness the newest selection - with my two-cent opinion added in for free. Aiden Turner: Star of a soap opera, fairly young, good looking and partnered with Edyta Sliwinksa. They won't win but he might make a good showing. He might also have three left feet. He'll be nice to look at while it happens.
Buzz Aldrin: Are they for real? The man has walked on the moon - does he really need to destroy all our impressions trying to dance? Ashly Costa, was Ashly DelGrosso when she danced on the show many moons ago. I don't see them lasting a long time. She's too easy going and he's kind of elderly.
Chad Ochocinco: I like me a Bengal now and then but what is with Cheryl Burke (who obviously isn't the new host for the season) and all the football athletes?
Erin Andrews: A sportscaster. I know her not at all but she's dancing with Maksim Chmerkovskiy so for her sake I hope she's good.
Evan Lysacek: He's my choice for winner at first glance. He's young, he's an athlete, he's hot and women vote. It would be nice to see Anna Trebunskaya place.
Jake Pavelka: This man is good looking and a pilot but he's a reality star - The Bachelor, natch - so I have little hope of a top three, although his partner is Chelsie Hightower and she does well as a teacher.
Kate Gosselin: I'm really annoyed that she's even considered a star and I am sad that Tony Dovolani got saddled with her. I predict a brief effort and a quick dismissal.
Nicole Scherzinger: Derek Hough sure has all the luck. Lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls? Young, hot, truly famous and likely very flexible.
Niecy Nash: Another reality TV show associate, and since DWTS is the only reality show I follow...she could be funny, she could be annoying but Louis van Amstel's her partner. I love him.
Pamela Anderson: Now here is an actual celebrity. But they have her dancing with a new guy, Damian Whitewood who could be Louis' little brother.
Shannen Doherty: Another real star though I have heard she can be touchy on set. Mark Ballas has his work cut out for him. She's tall too and he is not so much.

This is me and thank goodness for television.

Not Proverb Worthy

Have you ever had one of those days when your mind is just blank? You want to be funny, witty and interesting for the peeps who read your blog, but there isn't anything there. Your life doesn't seem to be doing anything new or be in any way different from the last six months and there's no clever way to spin it into a lively post about laundry cubes or other people's children in the supermarket. There's just nothing to write about.
I think I just had a whole month like that.
I could have posted about the Olympics but I haven't watched most of them yet. I KNOW, the suspense is killing me to find out who won the hockey gold medal...The only sport I religiously follow is figure skating but ATL is in the middle of finals and since Tarzan isn't fun to watch any sport but football with, they are all DVR'd - yes, all nine four-hour broadcasts - until she can get over here and we can enjoy it together.
I could have posted about the house, but I don't want to jinx it - especially considering the way things have been going thus far. More jinxing we do not need.
I could have posted about my new niece, except she isn't born yet. You might want to get on that E and S.
I could have posted about the candle that practically exploded and dripped wax down the right sleeve of my USC jacket but I didn't think to take pictures until after I blotted it all off, and really, it wasn't that exciting in the end.
So what does that leave us with? Housework, which I am notoriously bad at - though I did fix the dishwasher anchor screws when they fell out - and making food for Tarzan, which he eats no matter what it looks and tastes like, up to and including the biscuits that got really overdone last night.
I've heard it's an old Chinese curse "may you live in interesting times."

This is me and no curses here folks. Move along.

Next Year I Want To Bring The Napkins

I would not have guessed finding blue and yellow M&Ms would take so bloody long.
Apparently I was wrong.

This is me, glad the cub scout Blue & Gold dinner comes around only once a year.

So There

I am starting a nationwide - if not world wide - boycott of Bank of America. (Oh heck no I am not advertising for them.) Every experience I have had involving the corporation suggests that they stink. None of the employees I have worked with know what they are doing, their timing blows and they're not very nice. There has been no explaining of what they want, no timeline of when they want it and absolutely no concern for the client.
I think I try to be a forgiving individual, and I don't like to vilify anyone or thing. Yes, I whine and I complain but I am always willing to give second chances and I trust until I am given a reason not to.
Well here is my reason not to. And this is not the first time, so I am outie as the kids are saying these days.
I tend to agree with a dear friend who put it succinctly when she said, "B of A is evil."

This is me, and I will never deal with Bank of America again. Nev-er.

Didn't Buy Us Dinner First

I suppose it was inevitable, living in the Jungle as we do, where we do, but we've been living here eight years and nothing has ever happened. I suppose we got a little complacent? Here's what happened.
I went out this morning to run some errands, came home around 1:30pm. Tarzan came home at 4:30pm and asked when I had last been outside because somewhere in that window, someone - or probably several someones - stole the ELECTRIC MOTOR that opens and closes the gate at the back of our property.
Where we park the cars.
This thing weighs 80 pounds, give or take, so I pretty sure it wasn't a spur of the moment theft. It took tools.
For one thing, the perpetrators cut the chain connecting the motor to the gate. They also snipped the electrical wires - which had the unexpected bonus of cutting power to the shed where the washer, dryer and water heater are - and cut the bolts that held the motor to the ground.
No, these boogers came prepared.
Interestingly enough they didn't bother my car at all, which WAS locked but is not any great fortress even so. It was broad daylight, which might have been a factor. It makes me less trusting of our neighbors which is sad, since we've got a decent relationship with most of them.
Tarzan is taking it kind of hard. He's the great, white, hunter/protector and all that. Invasion of his space isn't something he takes lightly. (Editor's Note: I am instructed to say that he was bothered by it only for an hour give or take and then decided it was funny.) I suspect my reaction will be subtler, subconscious, probably in the form of dreams.
But wait, it gets better.
The best part is, after stealing our motor, leaving bits of metal in the dirt and LIVE WIRES lying around free, the thief(s) CLOSED THE GATE. Sure, steal and pillage but don't forget to close the gate, the cat might get out? Where's the logic there?
We've reported it to law enforcement and have a makeshift lock on the fence but the likelihood of getting the motor back is slim to none. In the meantime we have to get an electrician to come over and reroute power for the shed. And try to forget we've been violated.

This is me and I'm not quite sure how to feel right now.

Even I Could Play It

Curling is the greatest Olympic sport. I know, everyone loves the Alpine skiing, the ice skating, the fancy snowboard flips and what have you, but I like the curling. Do you want to know why? I am going to tell you and think about this carefully before you comment.

It's the only Olympic sport where one does not have to be in great physical shape to play.

Sure, training is involved but most of it involves standing around and looking serious. It's an Olympic sport but the only thing that needs to be super fit is the rock. That and the brooms. It's like a cross between bowling and shuffleboard - only slower than either one.

In a seemingly but not completely different vein, I have never had much to say about the clothing for any of the winter sports - can you say thermal spandex anyone? - but the Denmark girls curling team's outfits are totally awesome. I want one.

(This picture does not show the skirts, which is the coolest part and I am sure someone else could find a better one but I am what you get.)

This is me and my Olympic dream is still alive.

Think Of All The People

Who else thinks a temporary solution to the unemployment problem could be to hire census workers to go door to door taking information instead of mailing out the form and hoping to get it back?
Not a lot, but it worked before.

This is me and I'd volunteer to do it.

Maybe He Has Better Things To Do

I love the Olympics and I am definitely enjoying watching all the events. I am also liking the commercials for the country where they are being held. There are a lot of celebrities from there apparently and they comment and suggest we all move there too. Some I like, some I don't know, some I don't care, but there's one missing that I think should have been - Michael Shanks - maybe he was invited and said no, maybe they couldn't find him, maybe he's off world, but knowing what I do about him I would have liked his commercial.

This is me and all of that was just so I could whine some more. I is talented.

Flour Power

I did not think it made much difference what kind of flour I used - in fact, the (multiple) recipe books said enriched white flour would be just fine - but they lied.
They lied all over the place.
After trying a LOT of different combinations of flour, egg, salt, water and oil - those same books all have their own idea of what works best - and getting crumbly, gluey, sticky and tough doughs I almost gave up trying. Bless Tarzan for eating them all, every time, or I would have.
As I was grocery shopping one of these last times - in a market I don't frequent all that often, it being on the other side of town - I passed a display that had semolina flour on sale and I thought, why the heck not try it one more time with the flour the recipes mention first - and then dismiss with the "or enriched white flour" lie.
And can I just say - SO. MUCH. BETTER.
SO. COMPLETELY. ENTIRELY. BETTER.
Suddenly all the "just do" this and "quickly, the dough will clump up and form" myths came true and faster than you can say spaghetti I was rolling out nice, smooth, stretchy pasta dough. Boom.
It is all in the semolina flour baby, and don't let the snarky recipes books tell you otherwise.

This is me and I ate the ravioli this time, that's how much better it was.

In Case You Were Interested

Thought for the day:
Carpet tacks are sharp. Don't jab at them with your thumb. It hurts.

This is me, and I might have missed my calling as a poet that's so brilliant.

That Parade Passed Me By

Can someone please explain teen angst to me? Not what it is - I've seen it enacted a ridiculous amount lately - but why it is. I was a teenager once; I dated boys and I fancied myself in love with these boys. But I never expected to be with any of them forever. I didn't sink into depression when we broke up nor did I want to skip out on my college acceptance so we wouldn't have to be separated. I never stalked a guy - well not really - and I NEVER beat up another girl over some dude.
Was that abnormal? I'm wondering if I somehow missed a vital part of growing up because I never felt the need to perform a "cleansing" of my apartment when a boy turned out to not be everything I wanted. If television, music, magazines and movies are to be believed - I know, no one with brains thinks any of that should be believed, but some people DO - than every relationship is the only possible hope for mankind and when it ends we should go out and slit our wrists. At sixteen. Or even twenty-five. Oh no, teen angst does not stop with the teenagers. What IS that? It can't just be that sex changes everything because in a lot of cases there is no sex. Like on Gilmore Girls - Rory is hung up over EVERY boy that she's ever dated and she doesn't sleep with any of them until the first one gets married. Not that the character is the end and be all of examples but it's one I'm familiar with. I could cite chicks from all the sitcoms, most movies and songs too.
What is the deal?

This is me and I just don't get it.

Weird Dream #32

My dreams sure are the dumping ground for my brain.
Last night I dreamed George Harrison - only he wasn't a Beatle, he was a cowboy - was at my parents "new" house - only the house was not one I have ever been to - for a neighborhood party. He was hitting on me - I didn't mind since I wasn't married - and he gave me his belt to hold, only some kid took it while I was working the cotton candy machine and I chased her all the way to her house in the city to get it and then drove back to the ranch where George was giving riding lessons - three levels of difficulty all at once.
It got muddled after that. There was a fence I had to climb over and then my mom wanted something but George was busy...it was weird.

This is me and I have NO idea where some of that came from.

Holy World Peace Batman!

It's been a while since I commented about CuteOverload but this post yesterday was excellent.

Apparently they just weren't that hungry:

Or scared:

I mean, if the cheetahs and impalas can do it...what is wrong with the rest of the world, I ask you.

This is me, and that's cute.

I Knew 17/20

This meme comes to you today courtesy of Uncle TD and I am proud to say I know stuff not in my decade. Leave me your score in the comments. No cheating!
1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D.. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil
2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
D. Rudolph Valentino
E.. Fabian
F.. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay
3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and...
A. It's you
B. He is us
C. It's the Grinch
D. He wasn't home
E. He's really me an
F. We quit
G. He surrendered
4. Good night David...
A. Good night Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night Gracie
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve
5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B. Dork
F Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo
7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I'm telling Mom
8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...
A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV ratings
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F. The Amer ican way
G. News headlines
9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear
B. It's time to do your homework
C. It's Howdy Doody Time
D. It's Time for Romper Room
E. It's bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scoopy Doo Time
10. Lions and tigers and bears....
A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I'm scared
E. Oh my
F. Help! Help!
G. Let's run
11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone...
A. Over 40
B. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don't know
F. Who says, 'Trust me'
G.. Who eats tofu
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway
13. Brylcream...
A. Smear it on
B. You'll smell great
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Grease ball heaven
E. It's a dream
F. We're your team
G. A little dab'll do ya
14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill
15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...
A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno
16. Name the Beatles...
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo>
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. I wonder, wonder, who...
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?
18. I'm strong to the finish...
A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I'm the hero
E. And don't you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bruto
19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today...
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you're on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we're watching you
E . Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you're a hit
G. Smile, you're on TV
20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors

This is me and I the answers are as follows.
1-D,2-G,3-B,4-A,5-G,6-D,7-C,8-F,9-C
10-E,11-D,12-C,13-G,14-G,15-B,16-G,17-D,18-B,19-A,20-F

Double Edged

Did anyone catch this little tidbit in the entertainment news? Samantha Harris leaving DWTS?! It couldn't be true. Who else could ask such leading questions? Or try so hard to incite a hair pulling cat fight in the green room? This is as big as Bruno not coming back to make inane rhymes and drool over the females. (Should that happen I'd be first in line for the lottery tickets because apparently it's my day.) But Sam leaving...at first I was so excited I'm sure they heard the squeal in The Frozen North.
BUT
Then I considered the possibility that they might choose a replacement who is even worse. I know. Such a thing is not possible. So I searched a little bit to find who is being considered to stand next to the great Tom Bergeron.
I thought this poll was amusing and enlightening. My vote is Drew Lachey of course - he was really funny when he filled in for Sam before but chances are they will choose a woman - diversity and Drew doesn't look as good in an evening gown - so I think I hope it's Melissa Rycroft. I definitely don't want Paula Abdul, at least I don't think I don't. Mario Lopez is right out and if Cheryl Burke is co-hosting she isn't dancing which is too bad as she's one of my favorites.

This is me, on the edge of my seat. We'll see March 22nd for sure.

Highway 20 Drive

I heard this song on the radio yesterday - and I've heard it before - but I was touched this time in particular how rare the sentiment is in our society. Divorce is so common and children are often used as pawns or possessions. I liked how this song, which was about a break up true, was to the child after a break up:

Zac Brown Band More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

And I remembered the father in Clueless saying "you divorce wives, you don't divorce children."

This is me and I hope this song touches some people.

Setting The Record Straight

Oh, oh, oh. The truth comes out!
For yeeeeeaaaaars now, for ten years in fact, Tarzan has been teasing me about THAT ONE letter, THAT ONE summer when I broke up with him and he was so devastated he turned to the first girl he saw, made out with her a bunch and would have gotten engaged if his parents hadn't stepped in and told him he was moving too fast. Not that I am jealous because, hello, obviously he and I got it worked out, but I have held to the resolve that I hadn't broken up with him. I remember the letter and I wasn't ending things; I was just clarifying a point and warning him I was going to be a high maintenance woman - I am, it's true - and *I* was surprised and a little miffed when he stopped writing me after that. We have never been able to clear it up either because though I saved all his letters he was sure he threw mine out, especially the one were I broke up with him.
Not so. Last night we were cleaning out the file cabinet to make room - ten years of bills and warranties takes up space don'cha know - and what did we find but a bunch of old letters. From me.
And - being me - I sat down to read them right away to find my proof.
Side note: What a difference 10 years make. I was such a little dictator back then. Lecturing and warning and explaining things. Very big sister-y rather than girlfriend-y.
But proof I did find. Not THE fateful letter. That might be in another stack or it might really have been thrown out. But all the making out and dating of this "rebound" girl Tarzan was seeing in his despair was going on while we were still writing each other. So ha! Ha ha!


This is me and I am vindicated! It is sweet.

Grocery Day

I was standing in a very long line at the grocery store today because today is the first day of the sales week and in a normal place the yellow signs would move and people would shrug and say "oh, look at that," but in The Jungle if one does not get to the grocery store on the first day of the sale...the store WILL RUN OUT OF FOOD. Or so the peeps in my neighborhood think because there were hundreds of people in the store today buying things that WEREN'T EVEN ON SALE.
So I was standing in this infinite line to buy the three things that I needed not really noticing the insanity of those around me, until one of the kids of the lady behind me hauls off and kicks me in the back of the leg. I turn around and the lady is chewing her kid out, I mean up and down and right and left - in a language I don't speak so maybe they were just passing the time, I don't know - but not once do either one of them talk to me. They barely even LOOK at me. No apology, no shrug, no mime about how the kid worships the devil and will be exorcised when they get home.
Nothing. No-thing.
Now this kid is probably only six, and a girl - go ahead, smite me for my sexism, do it, I dare you - so the chances are small I will have a bruise, but still, it hurt. And it's just not polite to ignore the person your kid kicked in public. I'm not the violent type, nor am I the dramatic-scene-in-a-grocery-store type but what if I was? The police might have been called. I might have beat up the lady AND the kid. Bad publicity for the store. Lots of things could have gone way worse. Is it too much to expect an apology?

This is me, accosted by a six-year old.

Some Cousins Visit

I totally forgot to post this until BHB asked me where the videos were the other day.
Some of my cousins - my mother's brother, his wife and their kids - came to visit over the New Year's holiday. This is their family:

My mom's younger brother - this shot basically sums Uncle TD up:
Or maybe this brief clip:

Anyway...he and his wife were so good to host the party:

This is as much of our family who could make it - Tarzan was working, my brother's wife is pregnant and not up to driving all the way and of course M2 and PIT weren't able to make it from The Other Side of The World:
My mom and Uncle TD live fairly close to each other down here but their older two siblings live way up in The Frozen North. This is my mom and both her brothers:
They hadn't seen each other in probably 15 years - it's a long way and none of us exactly got in on the ground floor of Google - but somehow that didn't seem to affect our ability to laugh and talk for hours. Family is great that way don't you think? But with my getting sick immediately following their departure - I totally blame them for my cold - I forgot to recap the adventure including videos of Big Booty. Maybe you had to be there because this was not a complicated game but it was mighty hilarious to watch:

It's really amazing when you consider that none of us are drunk.

This is me, and my roots - which might explain the technicolor leaves.

Weird Dream #31

That was, quite possibly, the most continuous dream I have ever had. And I finished it before I woke up. (That really is weird.)
I was living in a dorm of some sort, maybe as a WAC or a WAV, at the start of WWII. On my first day there I met two girls - we were all walking down the very narrow corridor carrying dishes of food, couldn't pass each other, so we chatted and became friends - and they stayed my friends for the whole war. In a very Where The Boys Are moment we met three guys, with names like Biff, Joe and Buzz, and we fell in love. (I think mine looked like Tarzan, their faces were all very fuzzy.) In addition to our official duties we gave shows in a very USO-esque way. My guy and I couldn't sing so we danced. RHM was there, she waved at me from a parade she was marching in, until I remembered she couldn't have been alive in 1943 - could any of us? - and she changed to a baby who I found in a pile of orphans. It wasn't too hard as she had told me how to find her; she would be the only one who didn't "smell like milk." Somehow all seven of us survived the war - in separate units; I spent some time in an army hospital nursing soldiers - and the celebration was fantastic when we were released to go home. Sadly, the first of my friends to leave died when her plane crashed and because of that the rest of us drove or took the train. My soldier and I were married but apparently had a falling out. We were reunited years later for a benefit to save a theater - all very Barkleys of Broadway except the dance routine was more Dirty Dancing - and made up. There was more to it, something about us teaching dance classes and helping the theater owner find the love of his life. The longer I am awake the vaguer the details become.

This is me and that could be a full length movie - albeit a boring one.

In The Spirit

Tarzan and I really love The Melting Pot as you maybe could tell seeing as I mentioned it here, here and here. But as I also think I mentioned, it gets to be a little pricey so we go only once or twice a year. This does not prevent us from wanting fondue more often than that however and despite our best efforts I haven't made one at home that I like enough to try a second time.
Today that changed. I made a fondue that didn't clump up and, with a minor adjustment to the Worcestershire sauce, I would totally make again. And because Tarzan's love and adoration is apparently not enough, I submit it for your approval as well. In the lovely fondue pot that Tarzan bought for me I tossed in:
3 cloves minced garlic and let it toast itself for 10-15 seconds (our fondue pot is non-stick but if yours is not or you're using a pot on the stove throw in a tablespoon of butter before the garlic.) Then add
1/2 cup chicken stock (the recipe I stole parts of this from asked for white wine, but I don't have any and in most cases you can get away with the substitution. Other recipes asked for beer but I wonder about that...) Then add half of
6-8 oz. Fontina cheese, grated (available in the specialty cheese section - near the deli - of most grocery stores) AND
6-8 oz. Gouda cheese, grated (again, the original asked for Butterkase but suggested Gouda as an alternative which seemed to work) and tossed with
1/3 cup of flour
Mix until the cheese is all gooey, then add
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce (I only added one and I think it needs a tiny bit more)
1 teaspoon of mustard powder
3-4 green onions chopped
Mix that all around and then add enough of the remaining cheese to make a thick concoction. Apparently it's supposed to have the consistency of honey not concrete when done. I needed to add a bit more chicken stock as Tarzan urged me to put in ALL the cheese but it didn't seem to affect the mixing.
Then we dipped in bread cubes, steamed broccoli spears, apples and mushrooms.

This is me and sometimes I surprise myself.

Weird Dream #30

I can only imagine what Tarzan or the cats were doing to me while I slept early this morning. I dreamed that I was on the Iron Chef America TV show and there was a lot of high speed chopping going on. In fact I was pulling a Morimoto using two knives at once and looking for a third. (Have you seen that man chop? Amazing.) The clock was ticking down and I wasn't done yet, I needed to complete the cheesecake for dessert - by chopping all the fruit into tiny little pieces - and record my sound bites for the show's trailer and did I mention the chopping? I couldn't dice fast enough and I was running out of time. I was halfway out of the bed before I woke up because I was running from one thing to another, chopping, always chopping.

This is me and once again I woke up tired.

As A Concept I Like It

Does anyone else watch the Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie? It's a show on the Home & Garden network - naturally - where this Australian landscape designer renovates backyards. I've only seen two or three episodes and I already want to punch the guy in the head. (I know, it's Jane berating another television show, shocker.)
But this show illustrates the exact reason why I left the design business. (Plus it has the added irritation of all television reality shows. How do you get picked for these things? And who pays for it all? the sponsors? Do they get a say in who is chosen then? How much of the drama is scripted? Or edited?)
Maybe it's all in the editing but this Jamie person comes on the scene with the client, declares himself the seer of all that they need and then hands down the commandments from on high to the plebs who work in his office. He doesn't spend a lot of time on site, he doesn't listen to their suggestions, he doesn't acknowledge that there might be a problem in getting a 6-foot item through a 3-foot space, he rarely helps with the labor and often adds items to the list without changing the timeline and then when the team has worked it all out without his being there, Jamie takes the credit and hosts a party.
I was one of those plebs for a long while and I did enjoy a lot of aspects of the profession. I made some good friends and even made good money but I am not sorry to not be working with attitudes like that anymore. Some of you may think I'm whining (I surely am) or being illogical (highly likely) but when you take that kind of crap every day for seven years it starts to wear on a person.
Maybe I just had bad luck with the offices I've worked in, maybe it's not them it's me and I'm too sensitive but I have never met a designer (that's architect, landscape, interior etc.) that I liked as both a person AND a professional. It's either one or the other. And I didn't want to become a person I didn't like. So I left.
I may watch the show again, I like the idea of it, and it might give me ideas of what to do with our postage stamp of a backyard or I might not watch again. It depends on if Tarzan is there to keep me from throwing my shoe through the television screen.

This is me and some of us were made for the 9 to 5 world. And some just were not.

Blah De Blah Blah

Being sick really takes the will to think out of a person. Tarzan and I have been laying around for the last three days doing nothing. We've slept in, whined a bit, drunk hot things and then gone back to bed. It's been a party I tell you.
And it's raining. It's been raining for three days and it's supposed to last all week. The Jungle needs the rain and it's actual heavy, drumming, rain complete with thunder and lightening - which is rare - but it's also not conducive to my going outside.

This is me and am I boring enough for you?

I Need A Moment

HOW did I NOT KNOW until TODAY that Pete Carroll OFFICIALLY resigned as head coach of my alma mater?! It was announced on Sunday and we get the paper every day. HOW did I miss that? This is big news people, big news. The end of a dynasty. Like when all the Mings were gone.
It is not as much of a surprise as one might think despite my protestations. We knew he would leave eventually but why now? (I would want to go out on a high note if it was me.) And WHY of all people in the short list to replace him did they pick this guy?
Don't tell me it would be a coup (koo) if Norm Chow came back to the team either because when you look at HIS short list for the past couple of years, it is not all rainbows and kittens.

This is me and it's not unexpected news but I wasn't entirely prepared either.

Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Just when you thought I had posted the best that there was, oh no, it gets better.
Two raccoons...and a possum. Oh yes, a possum. And I have seen them with my own eyes. Apparently we are living in the Woodland and not a Jungle after all.

This is me wondering when Smokey gets up.

Right On Schedule

What I hate the most about being sick is what it does to my ears. Not to say that the constant blowing of the nose is a party or hacking up stuff as gross as my cat's hairballs is all fun and games, because it isn't. The sinuses and the headache aren't very enjoyable either BUT the part of having a cold that bugs me most is the near constant snapping and popping of my ears. When I chew, swallow, talk, breathe. It's so very annoying.

This is me with my "winter" cold..

Astonishing

How is it the same man who can replace the wax ring on the toilet (to stop the leaking) and replace the garbage disposal - totally hot by the way, watching all of this go down - how can that same man miss the sheets when he comes to bed and fall asleep - still in his jeans because he "didn't notice" - pinning me down the entire night - which caused me to have horrible dreams about mazes and locks - because he's between the comforter and top sheet rather than under them both like a normal person? I ask you.

This is me and that's Tarzan.

One Step Behind

You know what I need?
I need a least a week between the end of one year and the beginning of the next year. A week to prepare for the new year. A week when things are open so I can make copies and buy all the paraphenalia that I will need to set up all the things for the next year.
And I know, we all have to deal with it - my whining is not new nor unique - but jeepers. If Julius Ceasar can change the calendar all around for his purposes can't someone speak to Washington and get me a week so I'm not starting already behind?

This is me, feeling rushed.

LEGO Rocks

There is a lot of superlatives and raptures I could write, but really, if you're a fan of LEGO, there is no need, and if you're not, what I love about it won't matter. So with less hyperbole from me this was quite possibly the best present I got for Christmas:

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Not the most useful gift to be sure, nor the one I will use with great frequency, but I think I like it best:

And frankly, how can you not love what they do with LEGOs:

This is me with a renewed love of the LEGO.

Happy New 2010!

Remind me to make sure Tarzan has his computer the next time we leave my parents house. Gah! For the last week he has pretty much monopolized my computer since he forgot his out in The Desert. I didn't even get to Mafia Wars on FB - and you know it's bad if that's how it's rolling.
Still, it has been a heck of a week, between seeing my parents, helping Tarzan's family clean out his grandfather's house, cleaning, trash and donation transporting and carting people back and forth from the airport. The good news is the work is done - for now - and Tarzan has another week off from school. Boo' to the 'yah for his district.
One of my goals for 2009 was to post at least twenty times a month and for the most part I managed it but I did fall short - sorry May, June and also December. It seems like an appropriate blog resolution so we'll see if I do better when you all know what the plan is. Along that vein, I thought it would be bad form to not start this year off without a word or three. So, that's my poorly worded apology for being absent so much and I will try and get some pictures and holiday memories up here.

This is me, to a new year.