A week or so ago, I was in my favorite book store with a 25% coupon in hand. Do they know a mark when they see one? Of course, I can't stop at that one book at 25% off on top of my 10% member discount. I had to check out the sale shelves, the best-seller tables and a few other various and sundry nooks. In this hunt, I came upon a table marked "Must Haves". There was a book titled: "1000 Places You Must See Before You Die". That one was easy to leave befind, because I have my own list of places I want to visit -- I don't have to pay someone else $20 to tell me. There was "1000 Movies You Must Watch". Nope, didn't need that one either. The Ultimate Stupidest Book on Earth, in my opinion, is: "1000 Books You Must Read". Oh, come on! I need to spend $30 to find out that none of the 20,000 books on my shelves are listed?
Another thing that is starting to drive me nuts, is the fact that I am addicted to a certain kind of datebook, and for some, unknown reason, I am so far, unable to find it! The worst part of this is that my search is taking me into every available book store and newstand around! This is dangerous! I'm supposed to be packing up my belongings and getting ready to put this place up for sale. So far, I've just been getting more boxes for more books! My new house is going to need wall to wall to wall to wall bookshelves! I've got to get these all read so I can start getting rid of them. Wish me luck!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
You Know You Spend Too Much Time on Your Computer if....
I put in a long day at work today, working at my computer for 8 1/2 hours, stopped for a quick salad, then went to my Photoshop Class for another couple of hours in front of my computer. Finally home, I sat down in the living room with the TV for company -- the football game was on, and I was trying to read the tiny print on the little scoreboard at the top of the screen. I know, I have a 19" TV, so reading anything isn't easy. I picked up the remote and looked at it for a minute, and finally realized that I was looking for "the button" that would "zoom" in on the portion of the screen I wanted to read.... Then I realized that I can't do that on my TV. I'm sure someone has a fancy set-up where they can do just that, but not my little TV.... Okay, you could call that a Brain Fart.... But wait, I'm not done.
Just a few minutes later, I was going through my mail, and my latest Bead Style magazine had come in. I was relaxing a bit, and sat back to browse through the mag. An ad caught my eye, and I was intrigued. I noticed the "www.blah-blah-blah" in the ad, and reached for the mouse. Ooops! Magazines don't come with a mouse. Again I was out of luck! Am I just burned out? Overtired? Overstimulated? Scary stuff here!
I don't know about you, Dear Reader, but with the advent of internet access at work, if the conversation in the office turns to weather, someone will click into the local weather report. We inform each other of current temperatures, lowest local gas prices, and race each other to see who can come up with a phone number without using a phone book. We've checked specials at our local restaurant, theatre times, and perusing our chosen "home page", can come up with the most bizarre facts, foibles and news du jour.
If you're location is urban, you are probably marvelling that I've FINALLY found the internet. Unfortunately, I tend to believe there are a lot more people who DON'T have this magic access and it would make their heads spin. The scary part is when we find ourselves without these conveniences.
Recently, I've taken full day trips to Chicago or Milwaukee with nothing more than my plain little cell phone to keep me connected to the rest of civilization. While driving, I find myself wondering about closing times at my favorite stores, and even debating the efficiency of driving to a store to see if they have what I want, as opposed to going online to see.
It's really crazy! I've always laughed at people who can't seem to function without their precious cell phones and laptops. I've become one of THEM!!!!!
Just a few minutes later, I was going through my mail, and my latest Bead Style magazine had come in. I was relaxing a bit, and sat back to browse through the mag. An ad caught my eye, and I was intrigued. I noticed the "www.blah-blah-blah" in the ad, and reached for the mouse. Ooops! Magazines don't come with a mouse. Again I was out of luck! Am I just burned out? Overtired? Overstimulated? Scary stuff here!
I don't know about you, Dear Reader, but with the advent of internet access at work, if the conversation in the office turns to weather, someone will click into the local weather report. We inform each other of current temperatures, lowest local gas prices, and race each other to see who can come up with a phone number without using a phone book. We've checked specials at our local restaurant, theatre times, and perusing our chosen "home page", can come up with the most bizarre facts, foibles and news du jour.
If you're location is urban, you are probably marvelling that I've FINALLY found the internet. Unfortunately, I tend to believe there are a lot more people who DON'T have this magic access and it would make their heads spin. The scary part is when we find ourselves without these conveniences.
Recently, I've taken full day trips to Chicago or Milwaukee with nothing more than my plain little cell phone to keep me connected to the rest of civilization. While driving, I find myself wondering about closing times at my favorite stores, and even debating the efficiency of driving to a store to see if they have what I want, as opposed to going online to see.
It's really crazy! I've always laughed at people who can't seem to function without their precious cell phones and laptops. I've become one of THEM!!!!!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Recent/Current Readings/Music
Sure I'm busy, and instead of reading, I should be PACKING all these books, but I just can't help myself!
Lately, I've been catching up with the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum series. My mother is the one who introduced me to Evanovich, and I've undertaken this completely. I started out with the "10"th book, and proceeded to search out the rest. Believe it or not, these books are not easy to come by! I usually pick up used books at rummage/garage sales, Goodwill, and other thrift shops. Over the past year and a half, I've found just ONE book, number 7.... When a temp in our office needed some reading material, I brought in some of the tomes I have here at home. She riveted on the Stephanie Plumb series, and began to ask for more. I then went online to my favorite, Half.com and came up with the rest of the series for about $30, shipping included. I pride myself on being able to find bargains.
So, I am up to Three to Get Deadly, and am taking a slight break before I get to the next episode. They are absolutely addicting, and unless I want to just "check out" of real life, I have to temper my obsession.
My daughter has given me the Carol Alt book about raw diet, which is a little slower going, but I want to absorb what I'm reading. I was literally given a taste of raw diet while I was visiting her last week. I've been eating whole foods, approximately 80% since my bout with cancer eight years ago. Studying nutrition, foods, the human body, so there is a lot of information in the book that makes sense. Also, my daughter swears that she feels so much more vibrant and full of energy when she sticks to the raw diet. I was able to sample a wonderful spinach and garlic mixture over sprouted beans, as well as a taste of the raw chocolate/banana/nut butter shake she has for breakfast. Yum! I have also just received Naked Chocolate, by David Wolfe and Shazzie, which is supposed to be the "truth about the world's greatest food". I've paged through it and it looks fascinating! Can't wait to get a minute to check this one out!
Half Price Books knows a mark when they see one. Before my vacation, I received a postcard from them with a series of discount coupons that covered about one week: 40% off on Monday and Tuesday; 30% off on Wednesday and Thursday; 20% off on Saturday, and 50% off on Sunday..... Do they have a plan, or what. I was able to get out there on Tuesday, and came home with way too many books, and a CD or two; and I waited until Sunday, and took advantage of the big coupon. I came away with a couple of interesting cookbooks (obviously, I'm not completely into the RAW food thing yet), and another book on CD.
THAT one was by Jimmy Buffett, one of his later writings, called A Salty Piece of Land. I've been listening to that on in the car, and it is well worth the time invested. I am a little disappointed that Jimmy didn't read his own book, but with this being my first foray into Jimmy Buffett's writings OTHER than poetry and music, I am pleasantly surprised. The man is a storyteller, and apparently, writing fiction is just a natural offshoot of the rest of his talents. I also happen to have the hardcover copy of this book, and I'm so taken by this book that I am following along in the book when I'm getting ready to go to bed. It's THAT good!
Other books I picked up are about nutrition and the somewhat NEW subject of rebuilding your body. I am scheduled for a bone scan tomorrow, and even with the evidence of my blood test and other clinicals indicating that I am free of cancer still, I am dealing with chronic back pain, bad enough that I cannot sleep comfortably in a bed, a night in a recliner is much more comfortable. Healing nutrition for arthritic conditions, and, once again, rebuilding debilitated tissue.
I heard the newest Eagles music on the Country station I love. When the news broke that the CD was ready in stores, I checked it out. Call me petty, but although the price was right: $11.88, the double CD is presented in a cardboard folder, not your plastic jewel case. I nearly left it on the shelf. I know, it sounds petty, but because of the way I haul these things around and they get would be better off in a sturdy hard case... Oh well. The music is definitely Eagles, and some of it sounds a little "familiar", but isn't that the nature of your favorite artist? The writing is good, the music is good. Some of the pieces will definitely get me into trouble in the nearby burg next summer -- they ticket vehicles driving through town who have the music a little too loud.
Other music? More Jimmy Buffett -- what else?
Lately, I've been catching up with the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum series. My mother is the one who introduced me to Evanovich, and I've undertaken this completely. I started out with the "10"th book, and proceeded to search out the rest. Believe it or not, these books are not easy to come by! I usually pick up used books at rummage/garage sales, Goodwill, and other thrift shops. Over the past year and a half, I've found just ONE book, number 7.... When a temp in our office needed some reading material, I brought in some of the tomes I have here at home. She riveted on the Stephanie Plumb series, and began to ask for more. I then went online to my favorite, Half.com and came up with the rest of the series for about $30, shipping included. I pride myself on being able to find bargains.
So, I am up to Three to Get Deadly, and am taking a slight break before I get to the next episode. They are absolutely addicting, and unless I want to just "check out" of real life, I have to temper my obsession.
My daughter has given me the Carol Alt book about raw diet, which is a little slower going, but I want to absorb what I'm reading. I was literally given a taste of raw diet while I was visiting her last week. I've been eating whole foods, approximately 80% since my bout with cancer eight years ago. Studying nutrition, foods, the human body, so there is a lot of information in the book that makes sense. Also, my daughter swears that she feels so much more vibrant and full of energy when she sticks to the raw diet. I was able to sample a wonderful spinach and garlic mixture over sprouted beans, as well as a taste of the raw chocolate/banana/nut butter shake she has for breakfast. Yum! I have also just received Naked Chocolate, by David Wolfe and Shazzie, which is supposed to be the "truth about the world's greatest food". I've paged through it and it looks fascinating! Can't wait to get a minute to check this one out!
Half Price Books knows a mark when they see one. Before my vacation, I received a postcard from them with a series of discount coupons that covered about one week: 40% off on Monday and Tuesday; 30% off on Wednesday and Thursday; 20% off on Saturday, and 50% off on Sunday..... Do they have a plan, or what. I was able to get out there on Tuesday, and came home with way too many books, and a CD or two; and I waited until Sunday, and took advantage of the big coupon. I came away with a couple of interesting cookbooks (obviously, I'm not completely into the RAW food thing yet), and another book on CD.
THAT one was by Jimmy Buffett, one of his later writings, called A Salty Piece of Land. I've been listening to that on in the car, and it is well worth the time invested. I am a little disappointed that Jimmy didn't read his own book, but with this being my first foray into Jimmy Buffett's writings OTHER than poetry and music, I am pleasantly surprised. The man is a storyteller, and apparently, writing fiction is just a natural offshoot of the rest of his talents. I also happen to have the hardcover copy of this book, and I'm so taken by this book that I am following along in the book when I'm getting ready to go to bed. It's THAT good!
Other books I picked up are about nutrition and the somewhat NEW subject of rebuilding your body. I am scheduled for a bone scan tomorrow, and even with the evidence of my blood test and other clinicals indicating that I am free of cancer still, I am dealing with chronic back pain, bad enough that I cannot sleep comfortably in a bed, a night in a recliner is much more comfortable. Healing nutrition for arthritic conditions, and, once again, rebuilding debilitated tissue.
I heard the newest Eagles music on the Country station I love. When the news broke that the CD was ready in stores, I checked it out. Call me petty, but although the price was right: $11.88, the double CD is presented in a cardboard folder, not your plastic jewel case. I nearly left it on the shelf. I know, it sounds petty, but because of the way I haul these things around and they get would be better off in a sturdy hard case... Oh well. The music is definitely Eagles, and some of it sounds a little "familiar", but isn't that the nature of your favorite artist? The writing is good, the music is good. Some of the pieces will definitely get me into trouble in the nearby burg next summer -- they ticket vehicles driving through town who have the music a little too loud.
Other music? More Jimmy Buffett -- what else?
Hello, IKEA!!
Recently, I found myself about an hour away from home, with some time on my hands. I was on the way home from the Airport, and was going to stop at the vet to pick up my cat, but had some time I had to kill. That was a great excuse to stop at the Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch, and on the way to that stop, I passed the IKEA store, just off the expressway. I thought I could spend about a half an hour there and see what all the fuss was about.
My only experience with IKEA was through borrowed catalogs that I'd mooched off of friends who were in the process of furnishing apartments or "first" residences away from Mom and Dad. It looked cool, but I thought some of the prices were out of reach and I could always furnish through Goodwill, or the local rubbish day.
Immediately upon my arrival, my eyes were opened, WIDE! Not only are high prices NOT the norm here, but the sparse, European styling is not the only choice. I found no less than a half dozen ideas for appointing a bedroom, didn't even bother to walk slowely through the kitchen department.... I made a few purchases in the area designated for office appointments, and nearly bought too much in the children's department. My cats have new bowls, and a new reading lamp has yet to be assembled for my living room/work area.
I am in the process of trying to get my house packed and ready for sale, and at this point, I don't have a definite place to plan on decorating. The reality is that I don't know WHEN I will be moving -- depends on how long the house is for sale... at that point, I can make my plans. In the meantime, I am perusing my new IKEA catalog and planning my new bedroom, living room, dining room, work room, etc, etc, etc....
My only experience with IKEA was through borrowed catalogs that I'd mooched off of friends who were in the process of furnishing apartments or "first" residences away from Mom and Dad. It looked cool, but I thought some of the prices were out of reach and I could always furnish through Goodwill, or the local rubbish day.
Immediately upon my arrival, my eyes were opened, WIDE! Not only are high prices NOT the norm here, but the sparse, European styling is not the only choice. I found no less than a half dozen ideas for appointing a bedroom, didn't even bother to walk slowely through the kitchen department.... I made a few purchases in the area designated for office appointments, and nearly bought too much in the children's department. My cats have new bowls, and a new reading lamp has yet to be assembled for my living room/work area.
I am in the process of trying to get my house packed and ready for sale, and at this point, I don't have a definite place to plan on decorating. The reality is that I don't know WHEN I will be moving -- depends on how long the house is for sale... at that point, I can make my plans. In the meantime, I am perusing my new IKEA catalog and planning my new bedroom, living room, dining room, work room, etc, etc, etc....
Let's Go to Maryland!
Travel.... I love to travel, but I want to be home with my "things" and my animals, and my routine/non-routine. But I have EMBRACED every trip I've taken in recent years.
Up to six years ago, I was "tied down" by a husband or significant other, and THEY did not want to travel. Talk about insecurities.... My one and only vacation with my first husband was a four-day car trip to FLORIDA. We left about noon, and drove throughtout the remainder of the day and through the night all the way to Pensecola. My biggest disappointment was the lack of palm trees! I thought all of Florida had palm trees. No. I was able to spend a half hour in the ocean, and we found his cousin's house, shared supper, and were off again. Yay. There was no other stopping or sightseeing, we were in constant motion, and I am not sure what he was trying to accomplish. I was less than thrilled.
Exciting trips I've enjoyed since then have been long weekends up north, camping on a penninsula on Lake Michigan; camping on the shore of Lake Superior; visiting my daughter at her prestigious college campus in New England; a couple days on my own in Vermont and Maine (not enough time! not enough time!); a wonderful nine days with my daughter, driving from one adventure to another in the State of Arizona; exploring the tropical wonders of Floridas Keys, both alone and with my best friend~~in a tent and exploring the crazy motels from days gone by; my first taste of Las Vegas; and most recently, the exploration on several different trips of the Washington D.C. area.
Why am I writing about this? Why should you care? The facts are: I am a single female, okay, I'm what may be considered "middle age"... disgraceful term, isn't it? The really disgraceful part of this, is that I've just learned about enjoying travel. When I was younger, and had a child to care for, I worked hard, and sometimes earned the right to take time off from work, sometimes, even paid time off. However, I obsessed, and stressed about it so much, that I often cancelled any travel and opted for staying home and tending to business/busyness at home. I currently am entitled to three weeks' vacation per year, and it's all in my hands. The problem at this point, is there are so many places I want to go and things I want to see and do, and there is so little time.....
I root for Maryland at this time, because I've just recently returned from there -- I visited my daughter and her family. We went to the National Zoo, visited Alexandria a couple of times -- it's close by, and my daughter and I both have some favorite shops and cafes in the neighborhood and visited Mount Vernon. The remainder of the time out there was family time and getting ready for a great Halloween Party. I want to get back there and see more of the Smithsonian offerings on the Mall, visit the Monuments again -- I'd seen them once when she first moved out there, but would like to see them in nice weather and at a more leisure pace than the first time.
I want to get out to the shore, see the Chesapeake Bay, and see more places like Annapolis, etc. There is a sheep farm we were going to visit this last time, but the rain was awful and not exactly conducive to roaming through barnyards.
I have friends who are planning trips to Hawaii, Mexico, France, Italy, Africa, Greenland, Belize, and so on..... But there is so much to do in this country!!! I fell in love with Arizona, and am still planning to go back to the Grand Canyon for a backpack hike down the Bright Angel trail. I don't know WHEN I'm going to do it, but I am going to do it. How does one fit all this in, with only three weeks' vacation? I'd apply for a job as an over-the-road truck driver, except, I don't want to be away from home for that much time.... Maybe I should get rid of the house and the job, buy a motorhome, and take this act on the road.... I'll get back to you.
Up to six years ago, I was "tied down" by a husband or significant other, and THEY did not want to travel. Talk about insecurities.... My one and only vacation with my first husband was a four-day car trip to FLORIDA. We left about noon, and drove throughtout the remainder of the day and through the night all the way to Pensecola. My biggest disappointment was the lack of palm trees! I thought all of Florida had palm trees. No. I was able to spend a half hour in the ocean, and we found his cousin's house, shared supper, and were off again. Yay. There was no other stopping or sightseeing, we were in constant motion, and I am not sure what he was trying to accomplish. I was less than thrilled.
Exciting trips I've enjoyed since then have been long weekends up north, camping on a penninsula on Lake Michigan; camping on the shore of Lake Superior; visiting my daughter at her prestigious college campus in New England; a couple days on my own in Vermont and Maine (not enough time! not enough time!); a wonderful nine days with my daughter, driving from one adventure to another in the State of Arizona; exploring the tropical wonders of Floridas Keys, both alone and with my best friend~~in a tent and exploring the crazy motels from days gone by; my first taste of Las Vegas; and most recently, the exploration on several different trips of the Washington D.C. area.
Why am I writing about this? Why should you care? The facts are: I am a single female, okay, I'm what may be considered "middle age"... disgraceful term, isn't it? The really disgraceful part of this, is that I've just learned about enjoying travel. When I was younger, and had a child to care for, I worked hard, and sometimes earned the right to take time off from work, sometimes, even paid time off. However, I obsessed, and stressed about it so much, that I often cancelled any travel and opted for staying home and tending to business/busyness at home. I currently am entitled to three weeks' vacation per year, and it's all in my hands. The problem at this point, is there are so many places I want to go and things I want to see and do, and there is so little time.....
I root for Maryland at this time, because I've just recently returned from there -- I visited my daughter and her family. We went to the National Zoo, visited Alexandria a couple of times -- it's close by, and my daughter and I both have some favorite shops and cafes in the neighborhood and visited Mount Vernon. The remainder of the time out there was family time and getting ready for a great Halloween Party. I want to get back there and see more of the Smithsonian offerings on the Mall, visit the Monuments again -- I'd seen them once when she first moved out there, but would like to see them in nice weather and at a more leisure pace than the first time.
I want to get out to the shore, see the Chesapeake Bay, and see more places like Annapolis, etc. There is a sheep farm we were going to visit this last time, but the rain was awful and not exactly conducive to roaming through barnyards.
I have friends who are planning trips to Hawaii, Mexico, France, Italy, Africa, Greenland, Belize, and so on..... But there is so much to do in this country!!! I fell in love with Arizona, and am still planning to go back to the Grand Canyon for a backpack hike down the Bright Angel trail. I don't know WHEN I'm going to do it, but I am going to do it. How does one fit all this in, with only three weeks' vacation? I'd apply for a job as an over-the-road truck driver, except, I don't want to be away from home for that much time.... Maybe I should get rid of the house and the job, buy a motorhome, and take this act on the road.... I'll get back to you.
TWO AND A HALF MEN
I will shout to anyone who will listen that Two and A Half Men is my ultimate favorite TV show. At the same time, I have to tell you that I do not clear my schedule on certain nights, I don't avoid people.... okay, there are times I just don't answer my phone because it rings at the wrong time. God forbid, if I AM sitting in front of my favorite show, I am not going to interrupt it just to tell some idiot that I really do not need a satellite dish.
Back to Two and A Half Men.... The writers are brilliant, the talents mesh beautifully, and it is just plain FUNNY!!!! Tonight, I came straight home from work, found a can of something to heat up, and sat down to see what I was going to accomplish tonight, a whole night at home, for a change. Browsing the channels, I found TAAHM reruns on a Chicago station, filling space opposite local news. I was there. Turned out to be an episode I hadn't yet seen~~~~ Charlie was pretending to be gay to get in the good graces of a contact that gave him lots of jingle work (he supposedly writes ad copy and jingles for commercials). He was invited to bring his "significant other" to a cocktail party, and proceeded to convince his brother Allen to be his "date". Needless to say, Jon Crier filled the bill quite well, and even elicited a pass from the host in the form of a weekend invitation to Big Sur.
At the same time, the young Jake had heard that one out of three men suffer from erectile dysfunction, and since he didn't have a problem, he figured it was his father or his uncle. Of course, the mother stumbles into all this and is enjoying the discomfort of her over-confident, super-cocky (yes, enjoy the pun)oldest son. I decided right then and there, that this is going to be a series that I am going to own on DVD. My best friend also loves this show, but the rest of my world can't seem to understand the attraction of this mostly sarcastic, basically outright mean cast of characters. I love it! Go Charlie! Go Allen! Go Jake! Keep up the great work!!!!!
P.S. I'm hoping that a good number of these episodes are already written and the Writer's strike will be short-lived.
Back to Two and A Half Men.... The writers are brilliant, the talents mesh beautifully, and it is just plain FUNNY!!!! Tonight, I came straight home from work, found a can of something to heat up, and sat down to see what I was going to accomplish tonight, a whole night at home, for a change. Browsing the channels, I found TAAHM reruns on a Chicago station, filling space opposite local news. I was there. Turned out to be an episode I hadn't yet seen~~~~ Charlie was pretending to be gay to get in the good graces of a contact that gave him lots of jingle work (he supposedly writes ad copy and jingles for commercials). He was invited to bring his "significant other" to a cocktail party, and proceeded to convince his brother Allen to be his "date". Needless to say, Jon Crier filled the bill quite well, and even elicited a pass from the host in the form of a weekend invitation to Big Sur.
At the same time, the young Jake had heard that one out of three men suffer from erectile dysfunction, and since he didn't have a problem, he figured it was his father or his uncle. Of course, the mother stumbles into all this and is enjoying the discomfort of her over-confident, super-cocky (yes, enjoy the pun)oldest son. I decided right then and there, that this is going to be a series that I am going to own on DVD. My best friend also loves this show, but the rest of my world can't seem to understand the attraction of this mostly sarcastic, basically outright mean cast of characters. I love it! Go Charlie! Go Allen! Go Jake! Keep up the great work!!!!!
P.S. I'm hoping that a good number of these episodes are already written and the Writer's strike will be short-lived.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Jimmy Buffett Doesn't Live Here, But I Wish He Did...
I grew up loving the Beatles, didn't like the Rolling Stones - they were "bad boys". The Beach Boys were okay, but Elvis was a bore -- I had to listen to Elvis because my older sisters listened to him, so he was "old" to me by the time I had a choice.
As I started to buy and collect 45s, I did get one Elvis record, but the rest were mostly of the British Invasion: The Kinks, The Animals, the Dave Clark Five -- and yes, every piece of vinyl the Beatles produced. I even got the cleaver/raw meat/broken doll cover of one of the LPs that was quickly covered up. My sister and I spent an afternoon peeling the "innocent" cover off of it, probably rendering it forever worthless..... I never checked that out - I really wasn't interested in selling it.
Even later on, I didn't listen to much else. When Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kiss, Michael Jackson, Bob Seger, and Jimmy Buffett came along, I found Billy Joel, the Guess Who, Barry Manilow (I'll admit it!). I knew some of the other music, but when I did pick up an album, I found I'd like only one or two of the songs out of the whole list. In the late seventies, my whole family (Mom, Dad, sisters, brother and their various spouses found a great local band called the Brite Set, and we followed them around the area. Their shows introduced me to The Who, Leonard Skynnard, and The Boss. I still didn't get far out of my own circle of preferences, which including Harry Chapin and Jim Croce.
The early eighties seemed like the death of music as we knew it, and I found Country. Country music was evolving -- true country enthusiasts claim that was the "Murder on Music Row", but it turned out to be a genre to which I was attracted. Alabama was my first big crush -- I even have a photo of them signing autographs at the Crystal Lake K-Mart. Thinking about that now just blows my mind! Vince Gill has the voice of an angel. Johnny Cash, Mel Tillis, Kenny Rogers, and on and on. I am a true-blue fan of today's country music, and quite a bit of the old country music.
So, how have I become a Parrot-Head? "Margaritaville" has always been one of those songs that caught my ear -- I love the play on words, the change of heart within the song, and the melody's not so bad, either. Three years ago, I was scheduled to travel to Miami for a conference. The conference was only four days, and I had plenty of vacation time, and I needed a vacation. So I took a look at the Florida map and discovered that Miami was at the lower tip of the state. I never knew that, I'd never had any intention of going to Florida. Further search showed that the Florida Keys were just below that. The legend indicated that Key West was 137 miles from Miami, and I was intrigued.
I spent about two months researching and planning a few extra days into the Keys, after the conference. I really didn't have much money, so I reserved a campsite down in the keys, and packed my backpack tent and sleeping bag. Unfortunately, I was going to have to eat out all the time, but I was going to be out exploring most of the time, so it wasn't going to be too bad. I'd discovered a kayak outfitter and scheduled a kayak trip into the mangroves, and I'd found out that the famous Jimmy Buffett had a restaurant on the infamous Duvall Street, I was on a mission.
That trip, I was in the Keys for just three days, but I'd gotten "the Bug" and was hooked on anything "island". I took myself to lunch for my birthday at Margaritaville, and was immersed in the Jimmy Buffett experience. Upon arrival home, I began to buy up old Jimmy Buffett music. The delight I found in the song, "Margaritaville" carried over to his other songs; each was a story, a mini-movie, a little bit of biography. I realize that JB probably hasn't written EVERY song he sings, but I'd be terribly disappointed if he wasn't really as he seems through his music and his other writings.
I've been back to Key West again, and even entered a contest to try to win a job in Key West. My time is too short, or I'd run down there more often, but my state of mind is more and more on Island Time, and specifically in Jimmy Buffett modality. I continue to add to my CD collection of his music, I stream Radio Margaritaville, and I've only been to one of his concerts. Whether or not I get to spend any more time in Key West, I am definitely aiming for a life as depicted.
My favorite JB song? "Fruitcakes"! I feel it is the epitome of the sarcastic, cock-eyed look at people -- sort of the way I see people. I love it! This is the song that makes me think that Jimmy would be a person I'd like to sit down and sip Margaritas with on the lake shore. Okay, if I had to go to the Keys again, I would.... What do you say, Jimmy Buffet? Up for some Heart to Heart?
Sunday, September 09, 2007
This Way, I Didn't Spend Much on Wool....
This weekend, I was looking forward to attending the Midwest Sheep and Wool Show in Jefferson. Arriving yesterday, I was tickled to find out I was parked very near the Stock Dog Demo area. There were only two demonstrations for the day, and I'd missed the first one. I noted the time for the second one, and went inside to find some wool with my name on it. Things inside were so awesome, however, that I missed the second demo.
Coming out of the barn and heading toward my car, I was delighted to see that something was still going on. Turned out that the trainer was holding classes for people who had signed up ahead of time, and I ended up getting some great photos after all. I was stationed near the entry gate, and two women were discussing the merits of the dog they had brought. I overheard that they had entered their "Abby" for an Instinct Test. My ears perked up and I moved closer. Finally, I had to ask about their dog.
Their Abby is a pampered apartment dog, and she performed fantastically. I got very interested in the details, and ended up talking at length with the trainer. She encouraged me to bring my own dog, even checking and verifying that she had an opening this afternoon. She gave me a registration form and told me to think about it. Consider this: Abby is little more than an apartment dog -- woo-hoo! she has a big yard! But otherwise, she also has her own, fluffy bed (or mine...) and probably the World's Largest Treat Cabinet. She's nine years old, and if she's ever seen a sheep before, it was from a car going about 45 miles per hour!
Getting home last night I began with the pep talk, telling Abby she was going with me tomorrow, and she'd better get a good night's sleep. She gave me her "big eye" look and circled around , and went to sleep.
We both woke up early and Abby posted herself at the door, just making sure I wouldn't forget her when I left. I got the usual done, and packed a bag for Abby: extra water bowl -- bottles of water, poop bags, treats...and ..... camera......
Abby gets excited if I let her come along to pick up the mail from our mailbox on the highway. The drive to Jefferson, she was ON and kept watch over my shoulder the entire hour's drive. Once we pulled into the fairgrounds, she spotted some dogs and the excitement escalated. She was definitely "ON". We walked up to the stock dog trailer, and she was VERY interested in the sheep that were penned on the one side. They were very leery of her, so I held her back so she wouldn't start a stampede or anything. We went up to Joyce and let her know we were signing in, then headed for registration. Coming back out, we headed over to watch the stock dog demo, and Abby tuned in immediately as a guy brought the Indian Runner Ducks out and put them in a pen in the center of the arena. She could barely contain herself, and I had to keep a good grip on her leash, because she found a hole in the fence that I'm sure she could have fit through if I'd let her go.
Once the demo started, Abby was restless, but I was able to stay fairly near the fence and get some good photos. Things were good. I was glad she found things interesting, but I was still nervous about what might happen later on in the afternoon. The demo ended, and some other people and dogs came into the arena, and both Abby and I were riveted to the spot until they broke for lunch.
We wandered around a bit, and found ourselves out in the back "40" and watching real stock dog trials. The field they were working was massive, and it was ringed by eight-foot cyclone fencing, a combination that was absolute death for photography. Abby, on the other hand, was mesmerized. The crowd was light, so we sat down in front and watched a couple of trials. The last dog totally botched her test, and Abby was beside herself. I swear she was determined to go out there and help. I was watching the clock, and we had to go back over to the other side for Abby's test.
We walked up as Joyce was finishing her demo, and answering questions. As we stood there, she looked up at me and asked if we were ready. "Us?" I asked? I thought we were last on the list, but since no one else with a dog was around, I figured it would be great to let Abby get it over with.
Joyce knew we had been talking about a nine-year-old dog, but she acted surprised when she saw Abby. I have to say, she does not look nine! I introduced Abby to Joyce and vice versa, then handed the leash over to Joyce, who led Abby into the chute leading to the arena. Abby didn't hesitate. Let me stop here to clarify: Abby, who will not part with me in public to allow me to go to the bathroom without her; Abby, who howled all through my friend, Bruce's talk when he tried to use her as demo dog for Animal Massage; Abby who didn't use to trust ANYBODY..... THAT Abby, went trotting off with the woman who had three sheep waiting at the other end of the arena. Oh, once she looked back at me, but it seemed more to assure me than for herself! It felt like my daughter's first day of kindergarten all over again.
Joyce led her across the arena, then stopped to talk to Abby, and unsnapped her leash with a flourish toward the sheep. Abby started out walking, then with a word of encouragement, she began to trot, and then run toward the sheep. Somehow, Joyce was keeping both the sheep and Abby close to her. I wasn't sure before this what Abby's reaction would be. Half of me was worried that she would chomp onto the leg of one of those creatures and take it down like a lioness on a gazelle (we DO watch a lot of animal planet). Another part of me wondered if she would decide that this was NOT her cup of tea and try to climb the fence OUT!
Well, if I've ever had a doubt that Abby is at least part Border Collie, she has rid me of doubts from here on in. She took off after the sheep as though she knew what the different ques meant. At the beginning, she was a bit too agressive, and Joyce was not holding her back, to make sure that she didn't get discouraged. Once she'd just about winded herself, however, Joyce stepped forward with her staff and started to slow Abby down and direct her a little more. There was one instance when she heard the ducks quack in their pen and she realized she could see them, but it didn't take Joyce much to call her away from there, and back to the sheep. They took a short break at one point, and Joyce worked her again for another few minutes. Joyce was working with a microphone, and announced to the crowd that Abby had done a great job. The audience clapped and Abby had the biggest grin on her face (I didn't catch that with the camera, I was beaming a little too much myself!)
Afterward, Abby took a dunk in the little tank Joyce keeps on the side for just that purpose. We stepped aside, and I thought I could hang around and get a few more photographs, but Abby couldn't wind down, and she wanted SO BAD to get back in there and help whatever dog was working HERD THOSE SHEEP!
I think we have a new hobby.....
Friday, September 07, 2007
Amazing!!!
I guess I needn't be THAT amazed -- after all, children can operate the intricacies of the computer, the internet and even some forms of Photo imaging software. I really don't know why I find it such a challenge. This one scared me -- I thought for sure I was going to get all 351 images posted on my blog!
As you may see, I am making some progress. I have signed up for an online photoessentials course through hp. I have completed Lesson #1 with a 100% score..... Yay -- it amounted to reading the material, downloading the program (which I'd already done), and making a comment on the Chat Board. Oh, yes, there was a quiz -- hence the score. Tomorrow, I'll tackle Lesson #2.... Wish me luck.
My ultimate goal is to conquer this beast and the other beast, my digital SLR camera. I wasn't really afraid of the camera. I'd carried a 35mm SLR for years, and felt pretty slick with it. I did a fairly decent job with that camera... It took me a long time to rationalize the expenditure for a digital camera, let alone an SLR. I was feeling cocky, and not at all afraid. I had purchased an "interim" digital -- a fairly high end zoom camera that took some awesome images. The jump to an SLR digital was daunting. For starters, because I purchased an off-brand lens, it took me three hours and the manual to figure out how to take my first picture. I was sitting in Caribou Coffee and had a VERY LARGE coffee in front of me to keep me company. I don't know if people were staring at me and wondering what I was doing or not. But I finally found the answer. Once I conquered THAT obstruction, it just took a couple of minutes scanning the manual to figure out how to work a few more of the doodads on the camera. I was off and running.....
I've been a crazy person with a camera ever since. I always knew that unlimited photo potential and me would be dangerous. Well, I haven't broken any records, nor made my mark like Ansel Adams just yet.... I have to figure out Photoshop......
I guess the most fun is experimenting to see WHAT I can do with the camera. Above is my favorite recent example: a jellyfish in the crazy, warped aquarium at the zoo, IN THE DARK!!!!!
The last time I was there, I caught one image that was halfway decent.... some thought, some experimentation, and now some practice, this is what I can do.... Only the world awaits!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
I'M SO SLEEPY!
Why is it that everytime I FINALLY get a chance to sit down in front of the computer, I get sleepy?????
LAS VEGAS!!!!! Part I
After a rough winter and even worse spring, I was moping through June, then mentioned to a friend that I needed to use up some vacation days before my anniversary date at work. After some craziness trying to plan and get things coordinated, five of us ended up taking a FunJet to LasVegas.
It was my first time to Sin City, but three of the others had already been there. Unbelievably, we
were able to agree on several options of our trip. Before we left the airport, we encountered a Travelocity kiosk, and were able to score four tickets for the production Phantom (the fifth person had seen it recently in New York); and a trip for two to see the Hoover Dam. Our taxi driver was only too happy to drive us down the Strip so that we could get a good look at EVERYTHING! We stayed at the Stratosphere, so we got the full view of all offerings of the Strip. At the hotel, we dropped our bags, found a place to have lunch, played some slot machines, then were able to check into our rooms and take naps!!!! Turned out we'd all hardly gotten any sleep the night before, and had to meet up by 4 am to drive to the airport. So, naps were agreed upon on all sides.
Meeting up at 4, we headed for the Strip by bus. Those in the Know, led us to the Venetian, where we witnessed the little show where the statues came to life on the hour. We wandered, saw lots of things, then finally had to find a quick place to get something to eat before the show, Phantom. THAT mistakenly led us to a place in the Mirage called Stack. They let us in, but once we were seated, apparently someone who had clout decided that five "old ladies from the Midwest" were not what they wanted sitting in one of their front booths, so they hurried over to tell us that we had 35 minutes to eat, because the table we were at was reserved. They proceeded to treat us poorly, so we ordered iced tea and appetizers. We soon realized that the Golden Bodies around us were what they had in mind for clientele.... median age: 27 years old; median height requirement: women: 5'10", men: 6'4". The five of us looked like we'd just gotten off a bus from Des Moines......
The Phantom was incredible! Our fifth friend busied herself in the casino while we were inside. It worked out quite well. Until it was time to catch the bus back to the hotel. Our cabdriver had told us to skip the buses at night, but for some stubborn reason, three of our party wanted to take the bus "home". I was overtired, overwarm (it was midnight and still 103 degrees) and just couldn't stand on the crowded corner much longer. I kept gazing down the road at the Stratosphere gazing back as if to mock me. Finally one of the women said she didn't want to wait any longer, she was going to walk. I woke up immediately, and told her I was right behind her. All the encouragement either of us needed as we struck out for the hotel. Yes, it was a good mile or so back to the hotel, but I had sensible shoes on, and it didn't hurt a bit. We weren't out to break any records, and the fact that no buses were passing us was certainly some incentive. We saw some sights, and plenty of construction, encountered no trouble, and made it back to the hotel only about 5 minutes after the others (yes, two buses finally went by when we were within about a block of the hotel). We met up with the others right in the lobby, and despite the fact that we were all exhausted, we decided to stop at one of the diners for something to eat. It was 2:00 am when we parted ways, two of us going to bed, the other three headed into the casino again.
At 6:00 am, the phone rang.... time to get up to catch the bus for the Hoover Dam! We took turns in the shower, and were down at Starbucks with plenty of time to catch the bus. The bus driver was a crotchety thing who seemed mad at the world. I figured it was going to be a LONG ride to the Dam. Fortunately, we had to stop at the terminal to get on the REAL bus to the dam. THAT bus driver was handsome, personable, informative, and really seemed to like his job. The hour or so trip to the dam passed quite quickly, and since I had a front seat, I got a lot of photos on the way. The Dam itself was spectacular. Having attended the little film and talk at the beginning, and then going on the guided tour down into the depths of the dam, made one realize the immensity of the structure. It was all good. To be continued......
It was my first time to Sin City, but three of the others had already been there. Unbelievably, we
were able to agree on several options of our trip. Before we left the airport, we encountered a Travelocity kiosk, and were able to score four tickets for the production Phantom (the fifth person had seen it recently in New York); and a trip for two to see the Hoover Dam. Our taxi driver was only too happy to drive us down the Strip so that we could get a good look at EVERYTHING! We stayed at the Stratosphere, so we got the full view of all offerings of the Strip. At the hotel, we dropped our bags, found a place to have lunch, played some slot machines, then were able to check into our rooms and take naps!!!! Turned out we'd all hardly gotten any sleep the night before, and had to meet up by 4 am to drive to the airport. So, naps were agreed upon on all sides.Meeting up at 4, we headed for the Strip by bus. Those in the Know, led us to the Venetian, where we witnessed the little show where the statues came to life on the hour. We wandered, saw lots of things, then finally had to find a quick place to get something to eat before the show, Phantom. THAT mistakenly led us to a place in the Mirage called Stack. They let us in, but once we were seated, apparently someone who had clout decided that five "old ladies from the Midwest" were not what they wanted sitting in one of their front booths, so they hurried over to tell us that we had 35 minutes to eat, because the table we were at was reserved. They proceeded to treat us poorly, so we ordered iced tea and appetizers. We soon realized that the Golden Bodies around us were what they had in mind for clientele.... median age: 27 years old; median height requirement: women: 5'10", men: 6'4". The five of us looked like we'd just gotten off a bus from Des Moines......
The Phantom was incredible! Our fifth friend busied herself in the casino while we were inside. It worked out quite well. Until it was time to catch the bus back to the hotel. Our cabdriver had told us to skip the buses at night, but for some stubborn reason, three of our party wanted to take the bus "home". I was overtired, overwarm (it was midnight and still 103 degrees) and just couldn't stand on the crowded corner much longer. I kept gazing down the road at the Stratosphere gazing back as if to mock me. Finally one of the women said she didn't want to wait any longer, she was going to walk. I woke up immediately, and told her I was right behind her. All the encouragement either of us needed as we struck out for the hotel. Yes, it was a good mile or so back to the hotel, but I had sensible shoes on, and it didn't hurt a bit. We weren't out to break any records, and the fact that no buses were passing us was certainly some incentive. We saw some sights, and plenty of construction, encountered no trouble, and made it back to the hotel only about 5 minutes after the others (yes, two buses finally went by when we were within about a block of the hotel). We met up with the others right in the lobby, and despite the fact that we were all exhausted, we decided to stop at one of the diners for something to eat. It was 2:00 am when we parted ways, two of us going to bed, the other three headed into the casino again.
At 6:00 am, the phone rang.... time to get up to catch the bus for the Hoover Dam! We took turns in the shower, and were down at Starbucks with plenty of time to catch the bus. The bus driver was a crotchety thing who seemed mad at the world. I figured it was going to be a LONG ride to the Dam. Fortunately, we had to stop at the terminal to get on the REAL bus to the dam. THAT bus driver was handsome, personable, informative, and really seemed to like his job. The hour or so trip to the dam passed quite quickly, and since I had a front seat, I got a lot of photos on the way. The Dam itself was spectacular. Having attended the little film and talk at the beginning, and then going on the guided tour down into the depths of the dam, made one realize the immensity of the structure. It was all good. To be continued......
What Happened to Summer?
It's Saturday, Labor Day weekend, 2007. What.Happened.to.Summer?????? Can you believe that this Kayak Girl has not had her kayak in the water at all this season? I have a strange tan across my feet because of the funky sandals I've been wearing around the house and to walk the dog .... my lawn is mowed, but not a flower has been planted. Now I have to trim the front bushes and get the house ready for winter. WHAT.HAPPENED.TO.SUMMER?????
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Computers... Bah-Humbug!
Okay! So I am out of my funk, Officially as of Today. I am unusually cheerful at work, and having a ball irritating everyone with my attitude. I have made a resolution to get some work done, both on the house, and on my computer. I am intent on getting a handle on this beast, and be able to take photos, run home and download them to the computer, all organized and safe, take my time to edit them, and print out prize-winning prints whenever I want them.
So, I got home tonight, ate my dinner, and then proceeded to gather a few of the memory cards I need to organize and copy. Sat down at said computer and proceeded to become even more confused. I have photos saved and re-saved; files are saved and re-named..... It is more than four hours later, and I don't know for sure WHERE or HOW MANY of the photos I've looked at tonight ARE!!!!!!
I've taken the advice of experts, and have temporarily forsaken the professional program of Photoshop that was a gift from my niece. A co-worker of hers suggested that I try and download Picassa, a free program that is immensely easier to use, and I should be happier with that. As soon as I plugged THAT baby in, it sucked EVERY photo on my computer, including all photos that were in my INBOX in Outlook Express to one gigantic file of PHOTOS!! Not only was that somewhat disconcerting, but it did not have the capable of designing a personalized birthday card, which is just one of the tricks I am hell-bent on doing with my photos!
Tonight, I decided to try to use the HP program that came with my computer. A few people have said that it is a pretty decent program. I sat down, pulled up the program, even thoroughly read the tutorial....and plugged in my memory card. The photos flew into my computer, and, theoretically, were ready to work with...... HAH!!!!! Four hours later, I have two discs worth of photos in one file, all of them titled "Jimmy Buffett concert 2007"--twice!!!! For some reason, I have not been able to separate them from each other and make what I thought were simple files!!!! I am just about ready to run to Wal-mart and just dump everything on discs and call it quits..... I am going crazy and it is all a certain, un-named computer Super-Geek's fault!!!!
So, I got home tonight, ate my dinner, and then proceeded to gather a few of the memory cards I need to organize and copy. Sat down at said computer and proceeded to become even more confused. I have photos saved and re-saved; files are saved and re-named..... It is more than four hours later, and I don't know for sure WHERE or HOW MANY of the photos I've looked at tonight ARE!!!!!!
I've taken the advice of experts, and have temporarily forsaken the professional program of Photoshop that was a gift from my niece. A co-worker of hers suggested that I try and download Picassa, a free program that is immensely easier to use, and I should be happier with that. As soon as I plugged THAT baby in, it sucked EVERY photo on my computer, including all photos that were in my INBOX in Outlook Express to one gigantic file of PHOTOS!! Not only was that somewhat disconcerting, but it did not have the capable of designing a personalized birthday card, which is just one of the tricks I am hell-bent on doing with my photos!
Tonight, I decided to try to use the HP program that came with my computer. A few people have said that it is a pretty decent program. I sat down, pulled up the program, even thoroughly read the tutorial....and plugged in my memory card. The photos flew into my computer, and, theoretically, were ready to work with...... HAH!!!!! Four hours later, I have two discs worth of photos in one file, all of them titled "Jimmy Buffett concert 2007"--twice!!!! For some reason, I have not been able to separate them from each other and make what I thought were simple files!!!! I am just about ready to run to Wal-mart and just dump everything on discs and call it quits..... I am going crazy and it is all a certain, un-named computer Super-Geek's fault!!!!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Chicago's Public Transportation -- Best Kept Secret...
I used to visit the Big City Down Below for just a few events, usually within walking distance of the train station, or a cheap cab fare. I've been venturing farther afield since I've been able to find my way around other major cities.... Why not learn to get around in my own back yard, so to speak?
The reason I never ventured onto a public bus in the past is that I had no idea where I was going, nor how to figure out the bus system. For awhile, a friend of mine lived downtown, and she gave me a taste of the "El"; showed me the Blue Line, the Orange Line.... She no longer lives there, so to venture farther, I am on my own. I found a brochure in one of the train stations for using certain buses for particular events or destinations. I found a flaw in the system on Friday, when I traveled south to check out a zoo I haven't visited since my daughter was in second grade.
Drove to a nearby town to catch the Metra; found a parking spot at the far end of the lot about four blocks from the station. Even figured out how to pay the Day Fare for the lot~~ fancy machines! Who'd'a thought?
Once inside the downtown Terminal, I even figured out which door to exit to catch the correct bus. My biggest problem was exiting said bus. The brochure had said to get off on Washington. It just didn't say WHERE to get off on Washington. I got off on the first chance near Washington, no thanks to the VERY unfriendly bus-driver -- according to her, she had no idea where I was supposed to meet the next bus.... Thank you very much.....
Well, I figured out that the little signs at bus stops had a bit of a legend - what bus, where is goes, etc. However, I couldn't find a sign that read "Bus 151". Walking a little ways, I spotted Millenium Park ahead, and the photographer in me took over -- The "Bean" hadn't been exposed the last time I was there, so I HAD to go see it. Got some great shots, too. Okay, so 30 photos later, I find myself on Michigan Avenue, two blocks farther north than I started. I knew that wasn't a bad thing, but I'll be dipped in caramel if I could find a place to pick up the 151 bus, or anyone who could tell me how to find it!!!! Four people sent me blocks out my way looking for a Trolley; three people couldn't speak any English; the Trolley folks informed me that the Trolley wasn't running (wonder why I saw them coming and going once I did arrive at the zoo!); and one kind young man actually handed me a photocopied map and showed me where to pick up the 151 bus (two blocks away). Whew!
The reason I never ventured onto a public bus in the past is that I had no idea where I was going, nor how to figure out the bus system. For awhile, a friend of mine lived downtown, and she gave me a taste of the "El"; showed me the Blue Line, the Orange Line.... She no longer lives there, so to venture farther, I am on my own. I found a brochure in one of the train stations for using certain buses for particular events or destinations. I found a flaw in the system on Friday, when I traveled south to check out a zoo I haven't visited since my daughter was in second grade.
Drove to a nearby town to catch the Metra; found a parking spot at the far end of the lot about four blocks from the station. Even figured out how to pay the Day Fare for the lot~~ fancy machines! Who'd'a thought?
Once inside the downtown Terminal, I even figured out which door to exit to catch the correct bus. My biggest problem was exiting said bus. The brochure had said to get off on Washington. It just didn't say WHERE to get off on Washington. I got off on the first chance near Washington, no thanks to the VERY unfriendly bus-driver -- according to her, she had no idea where I was supposed to meet the next bus.... Thank you very much.....
Well, I figured out that the little signs at bus stops had a bit of a legend - what bus, where is goes, etc. However, I couldn't find a sign that read "Bus 151". Walking a little ways, I spotted Millenium Park ahead, and the photographer in me took over -- The "Bean" hadn't been exposed the last time I was there, so I HAD to go see it. Got some great shots, too. Okay, so 30 photos later, I find myself on Michigan Avenue, two blocks farther north than I started. I knew that wasn't a bad thing, but I'll be dipped in caramel if I could find a place to pick up the 151 bus, or anyone who could tell me how to find it!!!! Four people sent me blocks out my way looking for a Trolley; three people couldn't speak any English; the Trolley folks informed me that the Trolley wasn't running (wonder why I saw them coming and going once I did arrive at the zoo!); and one kind young man actually handed me a photocopied map and showed me where to pick up the 151 bus (two blocks away). Whew!
The Zoo was great~~ even introduced myself to some of the volunteers and got some inside information, such as names, breeding status, etc of some of the animals. Yes, saw two of the young red wolves slinking through the habitat. Hopefully, my two photos of them will come out okay... I do agree with natural habitat for the animals, but at National Zoo and at Lincoln Park, they certainly take "natural" to extremes. The habitat here was so dense and overgrown, it was only a fluke that I was able to spot the two youngsters. They were actually only about 10 to 20 FEET from the fence in a clear spot where the creek went through. People complain about OUR wolves!
The Polar Bear was putting on a show. He had a large, PVC cone that he was trying to sink. He really was animated! We were far above him, watching through glass, but in the right spot, he was quite a sight to see. His partner was much less extroverted, and swimming gracefully on the other side of the pool. There were workman blocking off the viewing area for the underwater window, or those would have been good photos, too. Oh, well..... By 5:00, I figured I'd better catch a Trolley or bus back to the train......
After asking three people, I was directed to the Main Information Office and finally told that the Trolley doesn't run up here except for the weekends. I went out front and figured out I had to cross the street to catch the 151 bus again, and head back to the train station. Goofy thing here was THIS bus went all the way to the train station, didn't have to jump off for anything! Thank God -- no telling where I would have ended up this time!
An hour and a half later, I was back to my car, and nearly kissed the steering wheel when I got in! It sure felt good to step on the gas pedal and go where and when I wanted!!!! The way I use my car, I can't imagine being slave to the Public Transportation System.... Now to solve the gas crisis!
To Be, Or Not To Be, Move, Build, Go Crazy.....
As usual, it is the end of a long day, and I am tired. This is the last day of my vacation, and I have not gotten enough done.
No, I didn't go anywhere. Let's see.... I spent the first day at a seminar; the second day I drove to Madison, about 70 miles away for a Bead Show. Nice, intimate little thing -- I was not overwhelmed, for a change. So many of the shows these days are GIANORMOUS and upon arrival one becomes instantly overwhelmed, and you can never "SEE EVERYTHING"! Not the case here. It was small, lightly attended, and I had a chance to talk with several vendors and other artists. Wonderful!
On the way home from there, I stopped at a house model and talked to a wonderful couple about building a house. Yes, I'm considering......BUT..... first I had to talk to the bank....
Monday found me at the bank first thing. I'd set up the appointment last week, so I had a list of questions for the dear man. He was incredibly informative, and was very patient with my "Okay, if I do it THIS way...." form of questioning. Bottom line was that he wants me to DO NOTHING at all, including building a garage, until I find out what I can list my home for. Turns out the house I was lusting after did indeed go under contract in May, but that fell through. Now the sellers have taken it off the market until next Spring. (??) I have two realtors to call to list my own home, however, after months of neglect (we spend five months cleaning out my mother's home -- going 40 minutes away nearly every evening and on weekends), then spending two months driving my ailing Laborador 70 miles each way to Chicago for doctor visits until he died. Then I allowed myself about a month to grieve, in which I pretty much did nothing at all. Well, almost nothing ~~ my job lately, has been hell, and I've been working like a house elf with about as much respect, so, yeah, I've been pretty much burnt out and exhausted, too. Result is that my tiny, little house looks more like a storage unit than a home. I had been thinking that the property would be split and sold as vacant land, or I would stay and build on it. Turns out, it can't be split, so if I sell, I need to make it look inhabitable. Ew. If I stay, I will probably spend more money, so the smart thing is to move the hell out, and buy something decent!
The Good Thing is that the house I wanted is available, and waiting for me; the Bad News, is that I am packing and cleaning like crazy!~ Talk about an obsession!!! I sure wish I knew what I'm going to be when I grow up!!!
No, I didn't go anywhere. Let's see.... I spent the first day at a seminar; the second day I drove to Madison, about 70 miles away for a Bead Show. Nice, intimate little thing -- I was not overwhelmed, for a change. So many of the shows these days are GIANORMOUS and upon arrival one becomes instantly overwhelmed, and you can never "SEE EVERYTHING"! Not the case here. It was small, lightly attended, and I had a chance to talk with several vendors and other artists. Wonderful!
On the way home from there, I stopped at a house model and talked to a wonderful couple about building a house. Yes, I'm considering......BUT..... first I had to talk to the bank....
Monday found me at the bank first thing. I'd set up the appointment last week, so I had a list of questions for the dear man. He was incredibly informative, and was very patient with my "Okay, if I do it THIS way...." form of questioning. Bottom line was that he wants me to DO NOTHING at all, including building a garage, until I find out what I can list my home for. Turns out the house I was lusting after did indeed go under contract in May, but that fell through. Now the sellers have taken it off the market until next Spring. (??) I have two realtors to call to list my own home, however, after months of neglect (we spend five months cleaning out my mother's home -- going 40 minutes away nearly every evening and on weekends), then spending two months driving my ailing Laborador 70 miles each way to Chicago for doctor visits until he died. Then I allowed myself about a month to grieve, in which I pretty much did nothing at all. Well, almost nothing ~~ my job lately, has been hell, and I've been working like a house elf with about as much respect, so, yeah, I've been pretty much burnt out and exhausted, too. Result is that my tiny, little house looks more like a storage unit than a home. I had been thinking that the property would be split and sold as vacant land, or I would stay and build on it. Turns out, it can't be split, so if I sell, I need to make it look inhabitable. Ew. If I stay, I will probably spend more money, so the smart thing is to move the hell out, and buy something decent!
The Good Thing is that the house I wanted is available, and waiting for me; the Bad News, is that I am packing and cleaning like crazy!~ Talk about an obsession!!! I sure wish I knew what I'm going to be when I grow up!!!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
The World Is My Oyster!
Today is the second day of my vacation!!!!!
It is really weird, I slept all the way to 6:30 this morning, did some computer work, a couple games of Spider Solitaire, then fed the critters, and took off for a Bead Show in Madison. Silly me, I plugged in old Bitch in the Box. I drove most of the way there arguing with her, but not knowing where the hotel was actually located, I finally let her lead the way. About ten miles ahead of time, she took us off the freeway and took me through about half a dozen little towns and finally into the back entrance of said hotel. I had no clue where I was, but I went inside to the Bead Show.
Upon leaving the show, I spotted a Noodles and Company across the street, and being the Carboholic that I am, needed some lunch. I was going to stop at a model home on the way home, and wasn't sure how far I was from the target city. I figured, I'd tell Bitch in the Box the crossroads I was headed for and find out how long it would take to get there. I didn't dare ask for "Home", because I was afraid she'd take me there via the Mackinack Bridge or something. Well, looking up a location by crossroads was a bust. The highway I was looking for has about four names, none of which were recognized by BIAB..... Neither was the Freeway, under the three names I could think of for THAT! Forget it!!!!!
I pressed the button for "Home" and crossed my fingers. She started with: "Go to start of route". I had no clue. Luckily, I have a compass in my car, and I headed for the East exit of the parking lot. That did the trick... Turned out I was deep in the middle of one of those weird megaplexes that contain apartment houses, hotels, shopping centers (several), frontage roads everywhere, and the freeway was less than a mile away. Whew! At that point, I knew pretty much where I wanted to go. I left BIAB on to see what she'd come up with from there. I had purposely asked for "Mostly Freeways" to get there. Believe it or not, she took me way too seriously, and instantly added 20 miles to the route home. When I got off the Freeway, and was heading directly to my home, she kept requesting a "legal U-turn" and wanted me to head for the Freeway again, no matter how far away from it we were traveling.
It is really weird, I slept all the way to 6:30 this morning, did some computer work, a couple games of Spider Solitaire, then fed the critters, and took off for a Bead Show in Madison. Silly me, I plugged in old Bitch in the Box. I drove most of the way there arguing with her, but not knowing where the hotel was actually located, I finally let her lead the way. About ten miles ahead of time, she took us off the freeway and took me through about half a dozen little towns and finally into the back entrance of said hotel. I had no clue where I was, but I went inside to the Bead Show.
Upon leaving the show, I spotted a Noodles and Company across the street, and being the Carboholic that I am, needed some lunch. I was going to stop at a model home on the way home, and wasn't sure how far I was from the target city. I figured, I'd tell Bitch in the Box the crossroads I was headed for and find out how long it would take to get there. I didn't dare ask for "Home", because I was afraid she'd take me there via the Mackinack Bridge or something. Well, looking up a location by crossroads was a bust. The highway I was looking for has about four names, none of which were recognized by BIAB..... Neither was the Freeway, under the three names I could think of for THAT! Forget it!!!!!
I pressed the button for "Home" and crossed my fingers. She started with: "Go to start of route". I had no clue. Luckily, I have a compass in my car, and I headed for the East exit of the parking lot. That did the trick... Turned out I was deep in the middle of one of those weird megaplexes that contain apartment houses, hotels, shopping centers (several), frontage roads everywhere, and the freeway was less than a mile away. Whew! At that point, I knew pretty much where I wanted to go. I left BIAB on to see what she'd come up with from there. I had purposely asked for "Mostly Freeways" to get there. Believe it or not, she took me way too seriously, and instantly added 20 miles to the route home. When I got off the Freeway, and was heading directly to my home, she kept requesting a "legal U-turn" and wanted me to head for the Freeway again, no matter how far away from it we were traveling.
Again, I digress.... I am on vacation! Fun stuff! Bead Show. It has occurred to me that I need to get out of the office I work in and find some means of support either making jewelry, or working with my camera. Being with these like-minded people, I feel relaxed, free, and utterly inspired. Normal people don't notice my unusual jewelry when I am in a mix such as today. At a gathering of artists, my jewelry is always noticed. Of course, at functions such as this, EVERYONE has on some piece of new and unusual bauble, and mine is usually different. You know, for years and years and years, I have resisted doing the craft show/art show scene. But, after reading up on quite a bit of stuff to market my photography and jewelry, it seems that I need to attend exactly that. I've always wished for a marketing person to come forward and just perform miracles, sell my stuff, make me famous.... I guess I'm looking for a Fairy Godmother! I'm essentially living in a place where this kind of thing is sought-after. I'll have to become known as a "local artisan"......
For sale: Hand-crafted jewelry, art photography.....
House: To Buy or To Build.....
Okay, so my situation is slightly unique.... Fourteen years ago, I found this little cracker box to purchase. I was going to "show up" a boyfriend who kept talking about moving up here, but could never get away from the old apron strings -- you know the type -- 40 years old, living at home, trying to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up -- to be fair, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, either, but I at least make my own decisions.... and live on my own.
Anyway, he kept talking about moving up North, and I certianly wanted to, as well. He wasn't doing anything about it, so I did. It was kind of cool at the time. I found an ad in the little Sunday Advertiser: Cute, 2-bedroom Cottage on 12 lots. Dirt cheap! I decided before I saw it that if it was at all inhabitable, I was going to make it mine! Put it this way, it had a roof and windows, and the yard was SPECTACULAR!!!! It is more than half an acre and a veritable clean slate. I had a damned good job at which I was being well-paid and I loved it. I wrangled buying the house, coerced my boyfriend into helping me install a new water heater; found a local handyman who helped me with a few other minor things; at that time, there was a junk man who was all too thrilled to pick up the mountain of trash that we pulled out of the house, the shed, the crawlspace; I even found a used furniture dealer who picked up the vinyl davenport and formica bedroom set. I spent the first winter nearly freezing to death because the place had no insulation, and the gas-fired space heater in the living room was all I had!
The plan was to build a garage with a loft, move in there, then tear down the house and rebuild THAT. My initial plan included just adding on to the house and raising the roof. Then, silly me, I realized that the original part of the house was under constructed: not only was there NO foundation, but the joists were 24 inches on center, not the prescibed 16 inches. I had moved in on December 5th, so I just hunkered down and weathered the winter. I installed my driveway for Mother's Day. I spent the spring and early summer researching the garage. Found out that NO building permit was needed at that time, and all I had to do was hire a builder! I got two estimates for the garage, and just needed to secure the financing. And then I was laid off from the infamous MEGACONGLOMERATE GE. Well, I didn't have to be laid off, I could have moved to New Jersey to keep my job at the same pay, without any help with moving expenses..... Who could resist THAT?
I digress.... the job layoff meant a halt to any building plans. Heck, as the following several years proved -- Yes, SEVERAL years -- it called a halt to any planning I could possibly have done AT ALL! I temped for pittance for way too long. The only reason I didn't LOSE the house was because the bank didn't want the cheap little shack! I eventually found a job, and began to build my life again. I was working two jobs and getting to the point of being able to start thinking about improving my circumstances when I was diagnosed with cancer! I'm fine now, but a year of treatment, several more years of rebuilding my body and paying off medical bills, and I am back to thinking about improving my living arrangements.
SO..... back in January, I started talking to builders to get an estimate on a garage. I figured that if I started in January, I'd have a good chance of getting the garage on my lot by Mother's Day. Well.....it is now August. I have talked with no less than 8 builders. I have two estimates that are enough to install a pool, a bathhouse and hire a cabana boy full time, and no word from the rest of the gang. There were actually two groups of them.... Once the first group was either too high or non-existant, I was so exhausted and discouraged, I started to look for another house. First day out the door, I found my "dream home". It had a yard nearly as big as my current one, four bedrooms, an extra large garage. The icing on top of the cake is that it is within a half-block of the lake! I could walk my kayak down to the water and be off!
But before I could write a contract, someone else had written one, with fewer contingencies. I mourned for a few days, then decided that Someone bigger than me was making a decision for me. I dug up a couple more names, called up builders, and requested more estimates for my poor, doomed garage.......
It is currently three weeks later. I have no estimates for garage in hand. I am tired to death of this so-called game. I called the realtor about the house I so dearly coveted. The contract fell through, and the house is available again. I have made an appointment with the bank; that's tomorrow. I have made another appointment to see said house AGAIN. Monkey wrench: when I called a realtor to take a look at my house and list that, she indicated that it would have to be listed as vacant land and the sale probably wouldn't pay off my mortgage....... ARRRGHGHGHGH!!!!!!!
SQUARE ONE: Call a builder, get an estimate on a garage.......
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Reading, Writing and Music
Yes, I mentioned writing.... I have to do more of it. I need to take my nose out of other people's books first, however.....
Been reading:
Finally read Stephen King's From a Buick 8. Don't ask me why I didn't read it when it came out like I usually do, but, stuff happens, doesn't it? Yes, King has gone off the deep end into outer space Abyss, but this one had enough of his old Thriller style in it to keep me turning the pages. My only complaint is that he kind of summarized the ending, and didn't really end it at all..... I guess it's his way of making you consider that there really isn't an answer. I was disappointed because I read to escape reality -- I don't need more of the same!
Trying to understand Photoshop for Dummies. I'm losing the game.... I've heard over and over again that if you GET it, it is a great program. However, it is also the most complained about program out there. When I lament my lack of understanding to my daughter, I get a mini-lecture that I need to switch over to Mac and leave the PC behind. The whole computer process is starting to feel like a soul-sucking cancer that can't be cured!!!!!
I was stewing a little on Saturday. Back in February, I took the bait, and Pre-ordered the last volume of Harry Potter to guarantee that I would have my very own on July 21st. I should have checked the calender. I received a notice on Wednesday the 18th that my book had shipped. There were some strict rules about the tome not to be delivered before the Saturday release date. That concerned me because the tracking number indicated that it was shipped via UPS, which, to my knowledge, doesn't deliver to residences on Saturdays. The tracking number showed on the website that the book was in transit, and out for delivery on Friday. As of 6pm on Friday, I didn't have my Harry Potter book. I was debating whether to go out and join the masses at Wal-Mart or wherever, and purchase the book again at midnight, when it would be released. Laziness won out; I went to bed instead. After all, I wasn't so excited that I would be reading it IMMEDIATELY!
I awoke on Saturday and nearly forgot about the magic book. I went about my day as usual, and upon returning home at 4 pm, I picked up my mail. There in the mailbox was my Harry Potter book. Strangely enough, apparently UPS has some kind of deal with the post office, so that something like this gets delivered to the post office during UPS hours, then the post office is instructed to hold it until the correct day. Who'da thunk? Anyway, as I said, I haven't cracked the cover yet.... well, I did. For the first time in my entire life, I checked out the last page...... Nope, not gonna tell you.... I am going to read the book from the beginning, and you should too!
While I'm driving around and doing other things, I've been listening to a book-on-CD: Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. Nora has quite a resume of writing.... When Harry Met Sally, Silkwood; and a lot of credits directing. I've not saying that this book sucks - I have laughed at quite a few topics, some belly laughs, some uncomfortable chuckles. The really bad thing about this is that Nora herself is reading the book. I don't think she could be more annoying if she was reading it in Pig Latin. I've seen her on TV, and she IS funny, but she reads with a wry monotone that is akin to scraping fingernails on a blackboard!
Harry Potter will be cracked once I'm through here, but don't hold your breath, I am a slow reader.
MUSIC: Need I say that I am wearing out "Meet Me In Margaritaville"? I'm getting excited about the upcoming Jimmy Buffett concert next week. I know, crazy, but it's going to take me all week to decide what to wear! I'm a newbie where this is concerned. My first JB concert, believe it or not. So I'm a Late Bloomer! Actually, the more I learn about Jimmy Buffett and his music, I realize that I didn't like his early music way back when, and I still don't particularly care for the early music. Some of it was kind of folksy, but a lot of it was difficult to understand the words. I guess I'm a purist. If I can't understand the words with the music, I turn away. That has ended up eliminating a lot of popular music from my personal list! I want to know the words, and I love to sing out loud in the car! "Meet Me In Margaritaville" is apparently a "Best of..." compendium of some really great tunes. My favorite from this one is "Fruitcakes". At first listen, a goofy, fun and tuneful piece that makes people smile. But the deep dark true meaning makes me smile even wider. I love the words and twist of meaning. If you know JB's music, you're probably wondering what rock I've been living under. If you DON'T know JB, you are probably rolling your eyes and wondering what rock I'm living under. C'est la vive!
Been reading:
Finally read Stephen King's From a Buick 8. Don't ask me why I didn't read it when it came out like I usually do, but, stuff happens, doesn't it? Yes, King has gone off the deep end into outer space Abyss, but this one had enough of his old Thriller style in it to keep me turning the pages. My only complaint is that he kind of summarized the ending, and didn't really end it at all..... I guess it's his way of making you consider that there really isn't an answer. I was disappointed because I read to escape reality -- I don't need more of the same!
Trying to understand Photoshop for Dummies. I'm losing the game.... I've heard over and over again that if you GET it, it is a great program. However, it is also the most complained about program out there. When I lament my lack of understanding to my daughter, I get a mini-lecture that I need to switch over to Mac and leave the PC behind. The whole computer process is starting to feel like a soul-sucking cancer that can't be cured!!!!!
I was stewing a little on Saturday. Back in February, I took the bait, and Pre-ordered the last volume of Harry Potter to guarantee that I would have my very own on July 21st. I should have checked the calender. I received a notice on Wednesday the 18th that my book had shipped. There were some strict rules about the tome not to be delivered before the Saturday release date. That concerned me because the tracking number indicated that it was shipped via UPS, which, to my knowledge, doesn't deliver to residences on Saturdays. The tracking number showed on the website that the book was in transit, and out for delivery on Friday. As of 6pm on Friday, I didn't have my Harry Potter book. I was debating whether to go out and join the masses at Wal-Mart or wherever, and purchase the book again at midnight, when it would be released. Laziness won out; I went to bed instead. After all, I wasn't so excited that I would be reading it IMMEDIATELY!
I awoke on Saturday and nearly forgot about the magic book. I went about my day as usual, and upon returning home at 4 pm, I picked up my mail. There in the mailbox was my Harry Potter book. Strangely enough, apparently UPS has some kind of deal with the post office, so that something like this gets delivered to the post office during UPS hours, then the post office is instructed to hold it until the correct day. Who'da thunk? Anyway, as I said, I haven't cracked the cover yet.... well, I did. For the first time in my entire life, I checked out the last page...... Nope, not gonna tell you.... I am going to read the book from the beginning, and you should too!
While I'm driving around and doing other things, I've been listening to a book-on-CD: Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck. Nora has quite a resume of writing.... When Harry Met Sally, Silkwood; and a lot of credits directing. I've not saying that this book sucks - I have laughed at quite a few topics, some belly laughs, some uncomfortable chuckles. The really bad thing about this is that Nora herself is reading the book. I don't think she could be more annoying if she was reading it in Pig Latin. I've seen her on TV, and she IS funny, but she reads with a wry monotone that is akin to scraping fingernails on a blackboard!
Harry Potter will be cracked once I'm through here, but don't hold your breath, I am a slow reader.
MUSIC: Need I say that I am wearing out "Meet Me In Margaritaville"? I'm getting excited about the upcoming Jimmy Buffett concert next week. I know, crazy, but it's going to take me all week to decide what to wear! I'm a newbie where this is concerned. My first JB concert, believe it or not. So I'm a Late Bloomer! Actually, the more I learn about Jimmy Buffett and his music, I realize that I didn't like his early music way back when, and I still don't particularly care for the early music. Some of it was kind of folksy, but a lot of it was difficult to understand the words. I guess I'm a purist. If I can't understand the words with the music, I turn away. That has ended up eliminating a lot of popular music from my personal list! I want to know the words, and I love to sing out loud in the car! "Meet Me In Margaritaville" is apparently a "Best of..." compendium of some really great tunes. My favorite from this one is "Fruitcakes". At first listen, a goofy, fun and tuneful piece that makes people smile. But the deep dark true meaning makes me smile even wider. I love the words and twist of meaning. If you know JB's music, you're probably wondering what rock I've been living under. If you DON'T know JB, you are probably rolling your eyes and wondering what rock I'm living under. C'est la vive!
Everyday Craziness
All right, I do realize I come off as a little goofy. Case in point: I was very excited to attend the Midwest Folk and Fiber Fair just a half an hour from home today. About eight months ago, I became interested in the fine art of wool spinning. Looking into it ever so slightly, I thought I'd check into hand spinning, since it would require very little expense and just a little hand-held tool. When I mentioned this to a co-worker, he was most anxious to upload a full sized spinning wheel from his basement, and my little quest was launched FULL SIZE!
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which side of the fence you reside, learning to spin has opened up an entirely new venue for me. That means that mybrain is just revved up at max RPMs, thinking up great ideas for projects that I will never have the time to execute, even if I live to be 163 years old! A year ago, I started a notebook of IDEAS. I carry it around with me, and in moments of repose, I experience intense bouts of creative muse visitations. The longer I carry the notebook, the more frustrated I become, because I DON'T HAVE THE TIME to do most of the wonderful things I think of!
Obviously, an adventure such as today usually brings up no fewer than 6 to a dozen new ideas and variations of existing ideas. I drive myself nuts! I found yarns that I didn't yet own, others that could be combined with what I do have, and even crafts that I haven't yet tried. For the most part, I was able to resist, but there was one item that I had to ask about, ending up purchasing the yarn to make the item and received the pattern for it free with the purchase. I considered myself very lucky at that. I came away with my head spinning with ideas, and a renewed yen to get my tools out and create!
I met a lot of people, and talked to many like-minded souls, male and female alike. One would think that a YARN show would be strictly female-attended, but there is an incredible number of males in the business and they are not gay -- neither are they single, though, as every one of them had a very close Significant Other helping them with the booth, etc. Some of them were involved because they were the ones who ran the sheep or goat herd; others were in the wheel business, and seemed to enjoy the mechanics of the spinning wheel--every one of them could also spin. One gentleman was the husband of a yarn-shop-keeper, and his talent was as producer/writer of the Care Bears shows. He was touting and signing a murder/mystery book and was so entertaining, I bought his book! Get this: apparently he has a definite "IN" for his book, because he has 12 books outlined and plans to release two a year so far...... Maybe I need to stay home and do my own writing......
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which side of the fence you reside, learning to spin has opened up an entirely new venue for me. That means that mybrain is just revved up at max RPMs, thinking up great ideas for projects that I will never have the time to execute, even if I live to be 163 years old! A year ago, I started a notebook of IDEAS. I carry it around with me, and in moments of repose, I experience intense bouts of creative muse visitations. The longer I carry the notebook, the more frustrated I become, because I DON'T HAVE THE TIME to do most of the wonderful things I think of!
Obviously, an adventure such as today usually brings up no fewer than 6 to a dozen new ideas and variations of existing ideas. I drive myself nuts! I found yarns that I didn't yet own, others that could be combined with what I do have, and even crafts that I haven't yet tried. For the most part, I was able to resist, but there was one item that I had to ask about, ending up purchasing the yarn to make the item and received the pattern for it free with the purchase. I considered myself very lucky at that. I came away with my head spinning with ideas, and a renewed yen to get my tools out and create!
I met a lot of people, and talked to many like-minded souls, male and female alike. One would think that a YARN show would be strictly female-attended, but there is an incredible number of males in the business and they are not gay -- neither are they single, though, as every one of them had a very close Significant Other helping them with the booth, etc. Some of them were involved because they were the ones who ran the sheep or goat herd; others were in the wheel business, and seemed to enjoy the mechanics of the spinning wheel--every one of them could also spin. One gentleman was the husband of a yarn-shop-keeper, and his talent was as producer/writer of the Care Bears shows. He was touting and signing a murder/mystery book and was so entertaining, I bought his book! Get this: apparently he has a definite "IN" for his book, because he has 12 books outlined and plans to release two a year so far...... Maybe I need to stay home and do my own writing......
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
WINAJOBINKEYWEST!!!!!
I didn't.
February 2006, Thelma and I traveled to Key West to see what there was to see. I'd scheduled a kayak trip for the two of us, despite Thelma's protests that she couldn't swim and had never been kayaking. I shushed her concerns when I tempted her with the possibility of seeing Sea Turtles and sharks. The way to a woman's heart......
Anyway, we arrived for the kayak trip, and I talked to the people in charge and explained Thelma's concerns. They obligingly rescheduled us on a shorter trip that would be much more comfortable for such a beginner. We had a wonderful, laid-back tour of the little causeway and through the mangroves. Our tour guide found us lots of sea-life, but alas, no Sea Turtles or sharks.
Upon my arrival home, I went online to see what else Lazy Dog Kayaks had to offer (always have my future trips in mind). Opening page of their website was an announcement to "Win a Job In Key West"! The outfitter was looking for an addition to their staff (which they later named Director of Growth (DOG). The plan was to elicit essays/applications from prospects, along with a $10 fee to cover their expenses. They would hold the application time open until April 30th, 2007. Being an aspiring writer, I saw this as a distinct opportunity. I proceeded to enter "chapters" once a month, each time, using the seasons, current news, things that were happening in my own life, and often quoting Jimmy Buffett songs as part of my 300-word essay. Last fall, I received a phone call from a reporter from the Miami Herald and granted a phone interview that appeared in a Sunday edition. The website had a blog, and my name was on the monthly "favorites" list a few times. About half-way through the "contest" it was announced that a famous Reality Show Producer lived down there and caught wind of the unique employee search. It was proposed that the idea be made into a reality show. There wasn't a lot of information released, but apparently there was some brainstorming going on at the Lazy Dog location. Once April 30th rolled around, my name was still on the list of finalists. I waited anxiously for word about our next step.
That happened to be a five-minute video submission, outlining our current life, or what we planned to do for Lazy Dog. We were going to be judged on creativity, etc. I had no clue -- I love photography and aspire to be a much sought-after artiste, but a 5-minute video of my life?????? I devised a script, had my friend Thelma help me with the first segment, then carried my little digital around, filling in the rest of my script, including help from both my dogs. The final seg, I filmed myself next to my kayak in my dry and grassy back yard, with good ol' JB playing on the boombox in the background. I had to take the memory card to another friend's house and have her husband help me put it together into a MOVIE, on DVD. That was a funny episode -- I spent two evenings going crazy with something that SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE. Giving it over to Matt, I found out my camera records in MAC, and I was trying to work in PC..... fine, I will NEVER get this computer crap straight.....
Anyway, I sent off the DVD, had to go Next Day Air by the time I got it put together. And I WAITED. A week later, I still hadn't heard. I was saving my vacation days for the week they indicated for the interview process at the start of this saga. Finally, the following weekend, I went online again, to see if they'd posted any news there. They had. Seems Amy of New Hampshire had won the job. No interview process, no Reality Show. They'd decided that things were dragging out too long, and just picked someone! They promised that they were still considering the reality show thing, but at a later date.... stay tuned. How do you spell SPLGHFGHFGHGPDPGJGHF?
February 2006, Thelma and I traveled to Key West to see what there was to see. I'd scheduled a kayak trip for the two of us, despite Thelma's protests that she couldn't swim and had never been kayaking. I shushed her concerns when I tempted her with the possibility of seeing Sea Turtles and sharks. The way to a woman's heart......
Anyway, we arrived for the kayak trip, and I talked to the people in charge and explained Thelma's concerns. They obligingly rescheduled us on a shorter trip that would be much more comfortable for such a beginner. We had a wonderful, laid-back tour of the little causeway and through the mangroves. Our tour guide found us lots of sea-life, but alas, no Sea Turtles or sharks.
Upon my arrival home, I went online to see what else Lazy Dog Kayaks had to offer (always have my future trips in mind). Opening page of their website was an announcement to "Win a Job In Key West"! The outfitter was looking for an addition to their staff (which they later named Director of Growth (DOG). The plan was to elicit essays/applications from prospects, along with a $10 fee to cover their expenses. They would hold the application time open until April 30th, 2007. Being an aspiring writer, I saw this as a distinct opportunity. I proceeded to enter "chapters" once a month, each time, using the seasons, current news, things that were happening in my own life, and often quoting Jimmy Buffett songs as part of my 300-word essay. Last fall, I received a phone call from a reporter from the Miami Herald and granted a phone interview that appeared in a Sunday edition. The website had a blog, and my name was on the monthly "favorites" list a few times. About half-way through the "contest" it was announced that a famous Reality Show Producer lived down there and caught wind of the unique employee search. It was proposed that the idea be made into a reality show. There wasn't a lot of information released, but apparently there was some brainstorming going on at the Lazy Dog location. Once April 30th rolled around, my name was still on the list of finalists. I waited anxiously for word about our next step.
That happened to be a five-minute video submission, outlining our current life, or what we planned to do for Lazy Dog. We were going to be judged on creativity, etc. I had no clue -- I love photography and aspire to be a much sought-after artiste, but a 5-minute video of my life?????? I devised a script, had my friend Thelma help me with the first segment, then carried my little digital around, filling in the rest of my script, including help from both my dogs. The final seg, I filmed myself next to my kayak in my dry and grassy back yard, with good ol' JB playing on the boombox in the background. I had to take the memory card to another friend's house and have her husband help me put it together into a MOVIE, on DVD. That was a funny episode -- I spent two evenings going crazy with something that SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE. Giving it over to Matt, I found out my camera records in MAC, and I was trying to work in PC..... fine, I will NEVER get this computer crap straight.....
Anyway, I sent off the DVD, had to go Next Day Air by the time I got it put together. And I WAITED. A week later, I still hadn't heard. I was saving my vacation days for the week they indicated for the interview process at the start of this saga. Finally, the following weekend, I went online again, to see if they'd posted any news there. They had. Seems Amy of New Hampshire had won the job. No interview process, no Reality Show. They'd decided that things were dragging out too long, and just picked someone! They promised that they were still considering the reality show thing, but at a later date.... stay tuned. How do you spell SPLGHFGHFGHGPDPGJGHF?
ELECTRONIC BATHROOM DEVICES or I Think I'm Invisible!!!!
I know, it's been awhile -- I have to get back to the drawing board here. Right now, I have a pressing need to voice my opinion of the latest trend: electronic bathroom devices... You know what I mean: Self-flushing toilets; automated paper towel dispensers. The other day, I heard some news about an automatic bathroom tissue dispenser. Maybe by the time I can't do it myself, there will be an automatic butt-wiper....
For starters, there is the auto-flush. These can be convenient: no need to balance on one foot while trying to flush the toilet without actually touching the lever anymore. Or, they can be a major nuisance!!! How about the Super-Duper Atomic Auto-Flush? If you are unfortunate enough to be sitting when this baby decides that you are finished, you will require an extra plush bath sheet sized towel to dry your derriere! And how about the famous "Bathroom Stall Boogie" for those times when the machine doesn't realize that you are finished, have buttoned yourself up, and don't want to exit the stall leaving the little mess behind you. I don't know about you, but I've waved my hands, bobbed up and down, tried to cover the "eye", all in the vain attempt to get the thing to FLUSH!!!!! Having to lean in and push that tiny nearly hidden button really defeats the purpose of the Auto-flush, doesn't it?
All of this is over and above the original frustration connected with using public rest rooms in the first place. I've often wondered what kind of gyrations a woman goes through to make the kind of mess I've encountered in that little stall at times. I saw a stand-up comedienne once who addressed that very subject. I remember the little dance she did to demonstrate just how badly the toilet gets messed up. I have to chuckle each time I think of it, and really, every time I encounter a not so delicately "watered" toilet seat!
From there, one goes to the sink to properly wash one's hands. There has always been some consternation at the public sink. Either one or the other faucet didn't work -- and who thought up the "separate faucets for hot and cold water" thing? How is that supposed to work? First you scald your hands, then you run ice cold water over them.... so sooth the pain? That is, IF they both work... usually the hot water one breaks... how does that happen? So, okay, cold water only.... And the whole concept of holding the lever down so the water will actually come out -- a person actually needs three hands to wash with these gems. Or, there are the new, improved electronic faucets -- they use an "eye" supposedly: you approach, the faucet senses you, the water comes out..... I really want to know how they work, because 9 times out of 10, I can't get those things to work!!!! I'm invisible to the little faucet guru! I'll stand there, totally at a loss, a ten-year-old girl walks up, puts her hands under the faucet, and washes her hands. I wait till she leaves, put my hands under the faucet; nothing. Somebody, somewhere has all this on tape and is laughing their asses off!
Now there is the automatic paper towel dispenser.... I have never had a problem with those... why is that? Why is that little gem of ingenuity flawless? Strange.
The announcement about the auto toilet paper dispenser said that there would be a measured amount of paper dispensed. Recently Sheryl Crow announced that we should all limit ourselves to only three squares of paper per use. The dispenser people have said that they are aware of the ideals of conserving our resources but realize people need more than three squares to do the job, so they will be setting the dispensers for five squares per dispense. Yay. I can tell you now that I'll probably be taking a little more time in the bathroom when those puppies come out! Check it out! Next time you use the john, go ahead and unroll what you need, then count the squares. See where you sit on the Conservation Meter. Let's all be embarassed.
For starters, there is the auto-flush. These can be convenient: no need to balance on one foot while trying to flush the toilet without actually touching the lever anymore. Or, they can be a major nuisance!!! How about the Super-Duper Atomic Auto-Flush? If you are unfortunate enough to be sitting when this baby decides that you are finished, you will require an extra plush bath sheet sized towel to dry your derriere! And how about the famous "Bathroom Stall Boogie" for those times when the machine doesn't realize that you are finished, have buttoned yourself up, and don't want to exit the stall leaving the little mess behind you. I don't know about you, but I've waved my hands, bobbed up and down, tried to cover the "eye", all in the vain attempt to get the thing to FLUSH!!!!! Having to lean in and push that tiny nearly hidden button really defeats the purpose of the Auto-flush, doesn't it?
All of this is over and above the original frustration connected with using public rest rooms in the first place. I've often wondered what kind of gyrations a woman goes through to make the kind of mess I've encountered in that little stall at times. I saw a stand-up comedienne once who addressed that very subject. I remember the little dance she did to demonstrate just how badly the toilet gets messed up. I have to chuckle each time I think of it, and really, every time I encounter a not so delicately "watered" toilet seat!
From there, one goes to the sink to properly wash one's hands. There has always been some consternation at the public sink. Either one or the other faucet didn't work -- and who thought up the "separate faucets for hot and cold water" thing? How is that supposed to work? First you scald your hands, then you run ice cold water over them.... so sooth the pain? That is, IF they both work... usually the hot water one breaks... how does that happen? So, okay, cold water only.... And the whole concept of holding the lever down so the water will actually come out -- a person actually needs three hands to wash with these gems. Or, there are the new, improved electronic faucets -- they use an "eye" supposedly: you approach, the faucet senses you, the water comes out..... I really want to know how they work, because 9 times out of 10, I can't get those things to work!!!! I'm invisible to the little faucet guru! I'll stand there, totally at a loss, a ten-year-old girl walks up, puts her hands under the faucet, and washes her hands. I wait till she leaves, put my hands under the faucet; nothing. Somebody, somewhere has all this on tape and is laughing their asses off!
Now there is the automatic paper towel dispenser.... I have never had a problem with those... why is that? Why is that little gem of ingenuity flawless? Strange.
The announcement about the auto toilet paper dispenser said that there would be a measured amount of paper dispensed. Recently Sheryl Crow announced that we should all limit ourselves to only three squares of paper per use. The dispenser people have said that they are aware of the ideals of conserving our resources but realize people need more than three squares to do the job, so they will be setting the dispensers for five squares per dispense. Yay. I can tell you now that I'll probably be taking a little more time in the bathroom when those puppies come out! Check it out! Next time you use the john, go ahead and unroll what you need, then count the squares. See where you sit on the Conservation Meter. Let's all be embarassed.
Monday, May 07, 2007
I'm So Confused!!!!
Life is getting way too crazy, and I just checked out for a short time. Most people, including my GP think I am home and nursing yet another bad asthma attack. Actually, the reason I HAD the asthma attack was that my world was closing in on me. It's really handy being off the beaten track -- everyone I know feels that I live "out of the way" and "too far". At times like this, that is fine.
With life spinning out of control at work, it is having a bad effect on my personal life, and my health, and my sanity... -- I have several phone calls from friends I haven't returned since last week sometime. That's inexcuseable!
I have seriously been pretty much bedridden since Friday, and just this afternoon started feeling like sitting up. During my convelescence, I made the following observations:
Paris Hilton was sentenced to 45 real days in jail. First, she was arrested for DUI. Then she was arrested for speeding, and driving with a suspended license. Her words: "I didn't know my license was suspended!" I would like to know what hugely important business Paris is involved in that she forgets that her license is suspended. As far as I know her only business is being Paris Hilton. Which takes this tirade just a little further: the rich bitch must have 40 people around her at all times -- are you going to tell me that not one of them is going to argue with her about going out driving alone in the current state of her affairs? Makes me a little more ill.
Brittany Spears: I wondered who the heck she was when she first broke the sound barrier. Now the hoopla is that she is out touring with her music. My question on this one: What music? Between BS and Jessica Simpson, I am still trying to find out why THEY are famous!!!!
Okay, enough about "Entertainment Tonight". Did you watch the Kentucky Derby? GREAT RACE!!! I saw the interview with another jockey and got a kick out of the comment he made about his horse having "gears" - that he could pour on the gas when he needed it. That certainly seemed to work for Street Sense. Cool race. I watched it between sections of a Rachel Ray Bio. I really feel sorry for all the people who went to all kinds of bother and expense for the, what, three minutes of excitement?!
Which brings me to Rachel Ray... That should have been me!!!! Rachel Ray -- however you feel about her is really something else as a mover/shaker/go-getter. Dishwasher, waitress, candy counter manager, grocery store demonstrator, small town features personality to where she is now....... Whew! I've got to link all my crazy stuff together to make it look like a stepping stone. Maybe my problem is that I still don't know what I want to be..... I'll have to think on that and get back to you.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Bitch In A Box -- the saga continues
I recently answered a survey, saying that "no, I am not the one in my crowd who is first to buy electronic gadgets". I lied -- I didn't realize, that yes, I am! I have an MP3 player -- not an iPod; I have a wonderful digital camera; I have a fancy cell phone that my daughter sent me -- it takes pictures, and I could "text" to anyone if I knew someone who knew how to text back.....
The object of today's tirade is my new GPS -- AGAIN -- or, as I call it: the Bitch In A Box.
I took off from work early today because I had an appointment with a special vet for my dog. I live in Southeastern Wisconsin, and the vet is 73 miles away, just outside downtown Chicago. I map-quested directions, and according to Mapquest the directions were fairly straightforward and simple -- I was confident they were right. I don't go too far out of my own territory, so the Bitch in a Box may have been a mistake. I felt guilty not using her, so I took her out of the bag and plugged her in before leaving.
I started out arguing with her, because I had to go past my local vet's office to pick up x-rays. BIAB was happy when I got back on the road. As we got into the suburbs of Chicago, I knew the best ways to get straight to the expressway, and she kept telling me to "make the first legal U-turn". I kept telling her to shut up. I'm not going to forget about the time she made me do two U-turns in a row. Once on the expressway, I figured we'd be pretty much in sync and she'd do well to get me to the vet's.
Well, I was wrong. For some unknown reason (to me, anyway) BIAB kept trying to get me to get off the expressway WAY before the Mapquest prescribed turn-off. That wouldn't have been too bad, but she was directing me in the opposite direction of where I was pretty sure I wanted to go!!! I held steady, and as we approached the vet's location, she smugly informed me that my destination was "just ahead on the right" as if she had been telling me this route all along.... I wasn't fooled.
Once we finished at the vet, I plugged old BIAB back in and asked her to get me home by the shortest route. Okay! She started right out by getting me out of the parking lot and pointed in the right direction! Not only that, but the 73 mile route from Mapquest became only 70 miles now, so right away, she was winning me over. Instead of east to the expressway again, she headed me north. "Okay, she knows a better route" I thought. Well, we drove, and drove, and drove. "Turn right in 2.1 miles" "Turn left in .5 miles" "Stay on this road for 3.2 miles" "Turn left in .2 miles" -- and so on, and so on.... A half hour later, she'd gotten me 8 miles from the vet's office, it was getting dark, I was hungry, and BIAB was taking me through neighborhoods my ex-boyfriends would not have driven through. I found myself wishing I had a Rottweiler in the backseat instead of a sweet-looking Golden Lab with the friendliest face on the planet.
I followed her directions for another ten minutes, and we had whittled another 3 miles off the original 70. Woo-hoo! I found myself in yet another vaguely familiar-sounding neighborhood, with no sign of an expressway. Another ten minutes and I had 3 glimpses of the expressway, and I was beginning to gain heart again. No such luck. BIAB was bound and determined that I cruise the Northern Suburbs of Chicago, seemingly for eternity! I was tempted to go back to the vet's and just follow Mapquest's directions, backwards. Couldn't have been any worse than what I was experiencing. Finally, finding myself at the 150th stoplight and wondering if my locks were secure -- oh sure, Lone White Woman in Nice SUV -- "come and get me!" written in neon.... I hit the "reroute" button and asked for "Fastest" route. This time, BIAB wanted me to head for the nearest expressway route, which was the southern suburbs expressway, and head south!!!!!! I need to see if there is a "preview" screen to see what in the HELL this thing is thinking!!!!!! I was already in the Northern Suburbs, just a little too far east for my thinking. BIAB was acting bitchy, and I swear, just out of spite, was sending me to the southwest suburbs before she was going to turn me toward HOME!!!!!
I finally found a main artery that I was familiar with -- at least I knew where it would come out. I took it. Several times, BIAB told me to turn right and take some road I knew was going to go through Stop and Go Light Hell. When she didn't get her way, she wanted me to do U-turns. When I kept going, she'd pick another road to try to get me lost. She is amazing!!! Even as we got near home, she wanted me to take some stupid side road that went through a subdivision instead of the straight line highway to home.
I am confused... I didn't see a "scenic route" option, nor a "most stoplights in the world" option. I am going to be taking BIAB for rides to familiar destinations just to see what the bitch is trying to do. This is wrong, as far as I can see. It isn't a tool, it's a Brain-Teaser Toy, destined to drive me crazy, or just someplace I won't be able to get home from!
Maybe my problem is that I am the original "Mrs. Todd" from Stephen King's "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut". Wherever I am, I will find the best, shortest, quickest route to wherever I am going. I have Gazetteers for both Illinois and Wisconsin, along with metro maps for several frequently visited cities, a US Atlas, a World Atlas, plus the Mapquest address bookmarked into my "Favorites"on both my home and work computer. I got lost last week, trying to find a house 30 miles from my house, in a tiny town that doesn't have it's own zip code. The directions I'd been given were null and void when it was discovered that the main road I was supposed to take was out for reconstruction. BIAB couldn't even find the town I was looking for, let alone the street address!
So, what is the solution? Is there a class to learn how to deal with this woman? First thing I want to do is change her voice..... As I've said before - a male, Aussie accent would be Divine....
I think I'll plug her in tomorrow, and give her my work address. I'm 4.7 miles from work, and it's a straight line.... I'll let you know if I have to call in and tell them I'll be late because I'm lost.... Wish me luck!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
I Love the Post Man!!!!!
So, today was drudge, drudge, drudge. Usually, I am a free spirit at work, and get there just before my start time, take about 36 minutes for lunch, instead of 30, and relish the last half hour when I am the only one in the office. Yay! That is the only time I will stay as long as it takes me to finish my work. Of course, no one in "power" sees that side of me, and the little rebel in me refuses to bend to the "accepted" way of doing things. Today, I started 45 minutes early, cut my lunch short by about 5 minutes, and worked an extra 45 minutes afterward. On the way home, I remembered that we were out of dog food as of this morning, and unless I wanted to run out of cat food by feeding my canines cat food, I had to get to the pet store for food. I drove to a neighboring town and hit the box store for my 41 pounds of uncontaminated dog food. Then I decided to treat myself to a decent meal and dropped into the local Mexican eatery -- no, not a Taco Hell, but a real, honest-to-goodness, family-run Mexican restaurant, run by a father and son, waitstaffed with latino senoritas, and patronized by local Mexican people.
Dragging myself home, I stopped at my tilted mailbox (a great game with the local snow-plow driver -- "Get the Mailboxes!!!!!") and pulled out an armload of goodies! I couldn't wait to get them home to see what I'd received.
First, there was the new $3 coupon for the Big Box Pet Store I like; then there was the invitation to the local car dealer offering great prizes to match their numbers. I love going there and arguing with the turkey at the desk about cars, then claiming my $2 McD's coupon, or my $2000 shopping spree on the internet (haven't found anything yet that I want to buy from them). I maintain the hope that one day, they will slip and award me the $10,000 prize.
The best thing I received in the mail today was my long-sought-after 1937 tome by Irving Tressler: "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People". Call me weird, but I found this little gem ages ago when I was about 10 or 12. I'd read just about every other book in the local library (this was also before libraries shared books to expand your horizons) when I came across Tressler's book. You need to understand that I've always been a bit of a smartass, even as a child. This was especially horrid, because I was a Catholic child. Arguments with the nuns about whether or not my pet dog would go to heaven got me bad marks right from the start. Add a sardonic wit, and a penchant for not keeping my mouth shut, and I was trouble right there. Add a book such as Tressler's and all bets are off.
I was browsing the website of one of the large bookstores, when I noticed the button: Used and Out of Print. I'd looked for this book over the years: back at the original library, at book sales, used book shops, other websites, you name it! I hit this button, and typed in the name of the book, and up it came! At a bargain price, no less! I was thrilled and ordered it immediately. Receiving it in the mail at the end of this long and arduous day just brightened everything for me.
For instance, the book opens with "10 Things This Book Will Do For You:
1. Get you out of a mental rut. This isn't the rutting season anyhow. What are you doing in it?
2. Arouse enthusiasm amoung your friends -- enthusiasm for sudden engagements they just remembered.
3. Give you 10-15 more miles per gallon and relieve you of any flat tires you get stuck with.
4. Replace tick-tack-toe games at lectures.
5. Get you out of distasteful social engagements quicker than you got into them.
6. Give you those quiet evenings alone you've yearned for ever since the neighbors "accepted" you.
7. Decrease your influence, enable you to get twice as much done as before.
8. Teach you how to antagonize anyone, anywhere, anytime without the aid of dandruff.
9. Increase your happiness by decreasing that of others.
10. Replace pains in your neck with aches in your sides."
I know, sounds weird, but to my warped mind, it's just a little bit of ice cream, so to speak. I'm actually going to cut this short and go read my new book!
Dragging myself home, I stopped at my tilted mailbox (a great game with the local snow-plow driver -- "Get the Mailboxes!!!!!") and pulled out an armload of goodies! I couldn't wait to get them home to see what I'd received.
First, there was the new $3 coupon for the Big Box Pet Store I like; then there was the invitation to the local car dealer offering great prizes to match their numbers. I love going there and arguing with the turkey at the desk about cars, then claiming my $2 McD's coupon, or my $2000 shopping spree on the internet (haven't found anything yet that I want to buy from them). I maintain the hope that one day, they will slip and award me the $10,000 prize.
The best thing I received in the mail today was my long-sought-after 1937 tome by Irving Tressler: "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People". Call me weird, but I found this little gem ages ago when I was about 10 or 12. I'd read just about every other book in the local library (this was also before libraries shared books to expand your horizons) when I came across Tressler's book. You need to understand that I've always been a bit of a smartass, even as a child. This was especially horrid, because I was a Catholic child. Arguments with the nuns about whether or not my pet dog would go to heaven got me bad marks right from the start. Add a sardonic wit, and a penchant for not keeping my mouth shut, and I was trouble right there. Add a book such as Tressler's and all bets are off.
I was browsing the website of one of the large bookstores, when I noticed the button: Used and Out of Print. I'd looked for this book over the years: back at the original library, at book sales, used book shops, other websites, you name it! I hit this button, and typed in the name of the book, and up it came! At a bargain price, no less! I was thrilled and ordered it immediately. Receiving it in the mail at the end of this long and arduous day just brightened everything for me.
For instance, the book opens with "10 Things This Book Will Do For You:
1. Get you out of a mental rut. This isn't the rutting season anyhow. What are you doing in it?
2. Arouse enthusiasm amoung your friends -- enthusiasm for sudden engagements they just remembered.
3. Give you 10-15 more miles per gallon and relieve you of any flat tires you get stuck with.
4. Replace tick-tack-toe games at lectures.
5. Get you out of distasteful social engagements quicker than you got into them.
6. Give you those quiet evenings alone you've yearned for ever since the neighbors "accepted" you.
7. Decrease your influence, enable you to get twice as much done as before.
8. Teach you how to antagonize anyone, anywhere, anytime without the aid of dandruff.
9. Increase your happiness by decreasing that of others.
10. Replace pains in your neck with aches in your sides."
I know, sounds weird, but to my warped mind, it's just a little bit of ice cream, so to speak. I'm actually going to cut this short and go read my new book!
Monday, March 19, 2007
It's a Technical World
This world today, full of gadgets, toys, items that we just HAVE to HAVE. Tools that we can't live without. Planning a recent trip, I visited the idea that I wanted something to keep me company on a long trip. I'd tried the personal CD player, but apparently purchased such a cheap one that it didn't even work right out of the package. The MP3 Player was gaining ground, then everywhere you'd look, the iPod was wending it's way into our lives.
Call me crazy, but I just didn't want the "i" version of this latest gimmick. Half the world is trying to get me to change over to the MAC for computing, and I resist. I am a photographer and I resist. It is getting to the point that I may be bending, however, but for my last hurrah, I purchased a Creative Zen M for my personal portable stereo. I'm currently using it for photos that I want to show, as well. It works great -- I love the fact that I can work (vacuum, clean house, pack, you name it, and the thing plays away and keeps me going. I love music and usually play it loud. This may save my dogs' hearing. They are really wondering about the sudden bursts of dance, however. Alright, I have come crashing into the 21st Century with my MP3 player. I'm not done, yet.
On said recent trip, as I was signing for my rental car, the clerk asked me if I wanted to rent a GPS unit. Uncertain, I asked if it would be easy to use. He assured me he'd coach me before he sent me off, and I said yes. I was in Washington D.C. for the week, and although I was staying with my daughter, and knew my way into the city and to the airport, there were some side trips I was planning, so I figured the GPS would come in handy. My daughter and her husband had brought one with them when they came to the Midwest to visit, and I got a taste of how the thing worked at that time. I'd looked them up for pricing, etc and decided that they were handy, but just a bit pricey.
Using the GPS in Washington D.C. was quite a treat, however, and despite the new routes and new bridges, the unit got me to and from each of my destinations. I started to make up destinations just to try it out! When I missed an exit, it was quick to recalculate and get me back on track. When I stopped into a nearby Target, I passed an endcap that was advertising a sale on GPS units, and I was intrigued. The sale offered a substantial savings and I couldn't stop thinking about this new, potential toy. I decided that I had enough things to haul home, and wanted to wait until I returned to the Midwest. Upon returning home, I went to Target again, and the sale continued here, as well. I had to have the GPS unit.
My new toy came with it's own batteries, and reading through the brief manual, I learned that even though it was a different brand than the one I'd rented, it worked exactly the same. I put the mounting hardware together, and took the thing to work with me. I only work 4 miles away, and it's a straight shot down the highway, so that was no fun. The real joke came that evening after work when I had to go to a nearby town to pick up a UPS package that needed a signature. I'd never been to that town, and contrary to my usual habits, I didn't consult a map (you should see my map collection!) I had the address of the UPS facility, and entered that into the unit. I was under a time constraint, so I entered "quickest route".
Everything was going well, the unit indicates how many miles you have left to get to your destination, and I was watching the clock. The miles ticked by, the minutes ticked by. The facility was closing at 6:30, and at 6:21, I had 2.4 miles left to go. Barring an encounter with a freight train, I was going to make it on time. The GPS lady said: "Descend exit ramp and prepare to turn right". I did. At the stop sign, the GPS lady said: " Turn right onto the highway". I did. The GPS lady immediately said, "Make a legal U-turn at the first opportunity". I started to argue with her! "Make up your mind! You're supposed to know where we're going! Don't pick NOW to take me on a wild goose chase!!!!!!" I made a U-turn. Don't know if it was legal or not, but I was out in the middle of nowhere, I hoped it wouldn't matter. Heading back toward the freeway to the other side of the underpass, my little bitch-friend in the box glued to my windshield says: "Make a legal U-turn at the first opportunity"!!!!! I nearly ripped her off the windshield and sent her flying into the nearby soggy field. Swearing under my breath, I told her in no uncertain terms that I did not have the time to be playing games. I made another U-turn. I was hoping there was no one observing me doing all these u-turns and talking a blue-streak to no one in particular.
Just a quarter mile down the road, I found the UPS facility with only 2 minutes to spare. Bitch-woman-in-the-box didn't say a word until I was halfway into the driveway! Again, I was telling her off. I was smart enough to shut up as I pulled up to the building, as there were people coming and going in all directions. I used her again coming home, just to see what route she was going to take me. I am the original short-cut queen, so I didn't agree with what she suggested for our ride home. I have mixed feelings about this little genie, and until I get some more experience with it, I guess I'll reserve further comment. I am going to look into changing the voice to something male with an exotic accent -- I didn't think about that when I bought the thing. I'm figuring that kind of option would be great. I'll take directions from a sexy male -- Fabio, Hugh Grant.. whomever! Having a superior-sounding broad telling me to take a u-turn twice in a row just doesn't sit right with me.... we haven't gotten off on the right foot, I'm thinking!
Call me crazy, but I just didn't want the "i" version of this latest gimmick. Half the world is trying to get me to change over to the MAC for computing, and I resist. I am a photographer and I resist. It is getting to the point that I may be bending, however, but for my last hurrah, I purchased a Creative Zen M for my personal portable stereo. I'm currently using it for photos that I want to show, as well. It works great -- I love the fact that I can work (vacuum, clean house, pack, you name it, and the thing plays away and keeps me going. I love music and usually play it loud. This may save my dogs' hearing. They are really wondering about the sudden bursts of dance, however. Alright, I have come crashing into the 21st Century with my MP3 player. I'm not done, yet.
On said recent trip, as I was signing for my rental car, the clerk asked me if I wanted to rent a GPS unit. Uncertain, I asked if it would be easy to use. He assured me he'd coach me before he sent me off, and I said yes. I was in Washington D.C. for the week, and although I was staying with my daughter, and knew my way into the city and to the airport, there were some side trips I was planning, so I figured the GPS would come in handy. My daughter and her husband had brought one with them when they came to the Midwest to visit, and I got a taste of how the thing worked at that time. I'd looked them up for pricing, etc and decided that they were handy, but just a bit pricey.
Using the GPS in Washington D.C. was quite a treat, however, and despite the new routes and new bridges, the unit got me to and from each of my destinations. I started to make up destinations just to try it out! When I missed an exit, it was quick to recalculate and get me back on track. When I stopped into a nearby Target, I passed an endcap that was advertising a sale on GPS units, and I was intrigued. The sale offered a substantial savings and I couldn't stop thinking about this new, potential toy. I decided that I had enough things to haul home, and wanted to wait until I returned to the Midwest. Upon returning home, I went to Target again, and the sale continued here, as well. I had to have the GPS unit.
My new toy came with it's own batteries, and reading through the brief manual, I learned that even though it was a different brand than the one I'd rented, it worked exactly the same. I put the mounting hardware together, and took the thing to work with me. I only work 4 miles away, and it's a straight shot down the highway, so that was no fun. The real joke came that evening after work when I had to go to a nearby town to pick up a UPS package that needed a signature. I'd never been to that town, and contrary to my usual habits, I didn't consult a map (you should see my map collection!) I had the address of the UPS facility, and entered that into the unit. I was under a time constraint, so I entered "quickest route".
Everything was going well, the unit indicates how many miles you have left to get to your destination, and I was watching the clock. The miles ticked by, the minutes ticked by. The facility was closing at 6:30, and at 6:21, I had 2.4 miles left to go. Barring an encounter with a freight train, I was going to make it on time. The GPS lady said: "Descend exit ramp and prepare to turn right". I did. At the stop sign, the GPS lady said: " Turn right onto the highway". I did. The GPS lady immediately said, "Make a legal U-turn at the first opportunity". I started to argue with her! "Make up your mind! You're supposed to know where we're going! Don't pick NOW to take me on a wild goose chase!!!!!!" I made a U-turn. Don't know if it was legal or not, but I was out in the middle of nowhere, I hoped it wouldn't matter. Heading back toward the freeway to the other side of the underpass, my little bitch-friend in the box glued to my windshield says: "Make a legal U-turn at the first opportunity"!!!!! I nearly ripped her off the windshield and sent her flying into the nearby soggy field. Swearing under my breath, I told her in no uncertain terms that I did not have the time to be playing games. I made another U-turn. I was hoping there was no one observing me doing all these u-turns and talking a blue-streak to no one in particular.
Just a quarter mile down the road, I found the UPS facility with only 2 minutes to spare. Bitch-woman-in-the-box didn't say a word until I was halfway into the driveway! Again, I was telling her off. I was smart enough to shut up as I pulled up to the building, as there were people coming and going in all directions. I used her again coming home, just to see what route she was going to take me. I am the original short-cut queen, so I didn't agree with what she suggested for our ride home. I have mixed feelings about this little genie, and until I get some more experience with it, I guess I'll reserve further comment. I am going to look into changing the voice to something male with an exotic accent -- I didn't think about that when I bought the thing. I'm figuring that kind of option would be great. I'll take directions from a sexy male -- Fabio, Hugh Grant.. whomever! Having a superior-sounding broad telling me to take a u-turn twice in a row just doesn't sit right with me.... we haven't gotten off on the right foot, I'm thinking!
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