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.
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