So I'm going to too! Yes, I am now on the new version of Blogger. New Blogger means new template, so I'll probably be tinkering around a bit more. I really like the fact that it makes it easy to create lists, and I also like the fact that the time will show when I actually published the post, not when I started it. For some reason, that always bothered me.
Christmas is almost officially over in our household. Mike took down the outside lights yesterday, and I took down most of the inside decorations. My village is staying up since that's really a winter thing, and the tree is still up since I ran out of energy. Christmas always goes by too fast. We went to Milwaukee and as always had a wonderful time. I got to spend some extra time with my family, and we also met Laura's fiancee's (Dave's) parents. They are great people, and it was fun to spend an evening with them. They brought over a game called Mad Gab, which was a hoot. You have to sound out nonsense words and guess what phrase they are. For example, Finned Easel turned out to be Vin Diesel. This would be even more fun if there was alcohol involved. As it was, we did pretty good.
We don't have any plans for New Year's. We usually don't do anything anyways. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing something by not going to a big party or bar celebration, but I'm not too big on getting drunk just because I think I should. That's not to say no celebrating will be going on tonight-if the wind dies down, we'll throw a couple of steaks on the grill. We have a bottle of champagne that may or may not still be good. We also picked up a bottle of Absolut Ruby Red Vodka, which tastes wonderful with cranberry juice. Gotta love Friar Tuck and the Saturday afternoon tastings!
Whether you're staying in or going out, have a safe and Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Buy This CD Now!!
This has got to be the most awesome Christmas CD I've heard in a while. It's fun, upbeat, and it just plain rocks! I've listened to it twice in a row now, and I'm hooked. It doesn't matter what your musical taste is, you will like this! I'll even make it easy for you, click here.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Meet the Cats
As promised, here are the pictures of the girls. As I type this, they're both hanging out on the couch with me.
This is Hershey. She's very affectionate, and actually comes when you call her name. Mike wants to rename her Piggy because she's always at the food dish. She also gets really excited when you change the water dish, she'll jump and try to get at it while you're picking it up.
This is Bootsie. She was very nervous when she first arrived, and is still a little scared of loud noises. She's curled up next to me right now and her tail is on the keyboard, so I'll blame her for any spelling mistakes. She's also very affectionate, and is more of a lap cat than Hershey.
They're both really well adjusted after only a few days. Larry came over tonight, and while Bootise ran away, she came out after a few minutes to say hello, and they've both been out since. It's been interesting so far having two cats. Growing up, we always had cats but only one at a time. They both have distinct personalities, and they get along really well. Right now, you would think that they have always been here. There's always an element of uncertainty when you adopt a new animal, but I think we got lucky. Saturday is their first trip to the vet, so we'll see how that goes. I got a recommendation from a lady at work for a different clinic, so hopefully that will work out.
This is Hershey. She's very affectionate, and actually comes when you call her name. Mike wants to rename her Piggy because she's always at the food dish. She also gets really excited when you change the water dish, she'll jump and try to get at it while you're picking it up.
This is Bootsie. She was very nervous when she first arrived, and is still a little scared of loud noises. She's curled up next to me right now and her tail is on the keyboard, so I'll blame her for any spelling mistakes. She's also very affectionate, and is more of a lap cat than Hershey.They're both really well adjusted after only a few days. Larry came over tonight, and while Bootise ran away, she came out after a few minutes to say hello, and they've both been out since. It's been interesting so far having two cats. Growing up, we always had cats but only one at a time. They both have distinct personalities, and they get along really well. Right now, you would think that they have always been here. There's always an element of uncertainty when you adopt a new animal, but I think we got lucky. Saturday is their first trip to the vet, so we'll see how that goes. I got a recommendation from a lady at work for a different clinic, so hopefully that will work out.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
New Additions to the Family
We finally took the plunge and adopted not one but two cats today. We are now the proud owners of Bootsie, a 3 1/2 year old black and white domestic short hair, and Hershey, a 3 year old grey and white domestic short hair. We weren't originally looking for two (well, Mike wasn't), but these two were already a pair. They both came from the same owner, and the humane society is affiliated with a fund that pays the adoption fee for the second cat. So we thought about it and decided we would be able to handle two cats.
Today was their first day with us. We got to know their meows right away because Hershey cried the whole way home. Once in a while Bootsie would chime in with her thoughts on the matter. When we got home, Bootsie headed for the guest bathroom and stayed there while Hershey explored the rest of the house. Bootsie eventually made it to our bedroom, where she spent most of her time under the bed. When she did come out, she would kind of slink around the room like she was still nervous. It's only been in the last couple of hours that she's been out of the bedroom and hanging around with us. Hershey, on the other hand, is not as nervous. She is pretty vocal, and I swear she comes when you call her name. She was adopted from the humane society when she was a kitten, then brought back, so she's familiar with the drill. But she's not going back again :)
They are both sweet and affectionate cats, and it has been such fun watching them explore. I will definitely have some pictures up shortly.
Today was their first day with us. We got to know their meows right away because Hershey cried the whole way home. Once in a while Bootsie would chime in with her thoughts on the matter. When we got home, Bootsie headed for the guest bathroom and stayed there while Hershey explored the rest of the house. Bootsie eventually made it to our bedroom, where she spent most of her time under the bed. When she did come out, she would kind of slink around the room like she was still nervous. It's only been in the last couple of hours that she's been out of the bedroom and hanging around with us. Hershey, on the other hand, is not as nervous. She is pretty vocal, and I swear she comes when you call her name. She was adopted from the humane society when she was a kitten, then brought back, so she's familiar with the drill. But she's not going back again :)
They are both sweet and affectionate cats, and it has been such fun watching them explore. I will definitely have some pictures up shortly.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
My Drinking Personality
Yeah, this totally fits!
| You Are a Strawberry Daiquiri |
 You're a fun, playful drinker who loves to party. You may get totally wasted, but you're always a happy drunk! |
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Oh Deer Me
Well, this morning I decided to talk about how the world couldn't be all that bad since O.J.'s book and interview about how he would have killed his wife got yanked. Thankfully News Corp, which owns Fox Broadcasting and Harper Collins, realized just how tacky this whole thing was. Or how tacky all of the sponsors who probably would have yanked ad money thought it was. Either way, done deal except for bootleg copies on YouTube and eBay.
No, instead on my way to work this morning I tuned in to the Bob and Tom show, and caught them discussing a story about a man who was arrested for having sexual relations with a deer carcass. They were serious, here's the story. All thoughts of how the world maybe wasn't so bad after all flew out of my head. Not just a deer, but a carcass.....that had been laying in the ditch.........His lawyer was trying to argue that since the definition of an animal included the word "living" that the carcass was not an animal and therefore no crime had been committed. That may be the case, but that's just sick.
No, instead on my way to work this morning I tuned in to the Bob and Tom show, and caught them discussing a story about a man who was arrested for having sexual relations with a deer carcass. They were serious, here's the story. All thoughts of how the world maybe wasn't so bad after all flew out of my head. Not just a deer, but a carcass.....that had been laying in the ditch.........His lawyer was trying to argue that since the definition of an animal included the word "living" that the carcass was not an animal and therefore no crime had been committed. That may be the case, but that's just sick.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Ridin' The Rails
This weekend I went on an adventure. Mike had to be in Milwaukee on business on Thursday, and I was going to go with him so I could see my family. The problem was I couldn't get off work on Thursday, only on Friday. So Mike went up on Thursday and I went on Friday to meet him. Instead of driving, I took the train.
It's been many years since I was on Amtrak, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. When I got to the station in Champaign, I was surprised by how many people were already there, and by how many people showed up afterwards. Then I took a good look at the crowd and figured it out. Many of the riders were college students, presumably going home for the weekend. With the fare being relatively inexpensive, this would be a good option, especially if the students don't have a car on campus.
The train to Chicago started out in Carbondale, so there were already quite a few people on the train. I was lucky to get a window seat (I love looking out the window!), and my seat mate ended up being one of the many college students. She had a laptop with her and watched Memento during the ride. That's such a good movie, and it was really hard not to shoulder surf (although I couldn't hear anything). I had plenty to keep me busy anyway, I brought my iPod, a book, and a book of crossword puzzles. Amtrak's policy towards food is bring whatever you want, so I also brought some snacks and a soda. I would hate to get stranded on a train without chips!
The train started rolling, slowly, slowly, and then stopped. We were barely up to the north end of town. We then sat and waited, and waited some more. Finally after ten minutes they announced that we were pulled over to a siding to wait for a freight train. It ended up being a half hour wait until we could go, then we had to back up practically to the station to get on the main track. Once again, here we go!
We had to pull over again later on to let the southbound Amtrak pass. All told, we were delayed for an hour. Good thing I had a two hour layover in Chicago! They kept thanking us for our patience. As if we were going to get off the train? Definitely a good thing I brought snacks....
So we rolled into Union Station and my first priority was to find where I caught the train to Milwaukee. I won't elaborate on my second priority but it involved standing in a long line. After that, I stopped at one of the restaurants and grabbed a bite to eat. There was also a bar in the station, and just in case you didn't want to stop at the bar you could stop at the little beer wagon and buy a can of Miller Lite or something. Gotta love the train!
The trip to Milwaukee was much shorter (and also full), and we got into the station just about on time. I got off the train and walked out into a monsoon. The wind was blowing, it was sleeting, and there was thunder and lightning. Mike's parents were there to pick me up, and they pulled up just as I walked out of the station. Talk about great timing!
All in all, it took 6 1/2 hours (including layover) to get to Milwaukee from Champaign by train. Considering it takes about 4 hours by car, yes, it was a longer way, but it was also fairly convenient. I didn't have to worry about driving, and the fare wasn't much more than a tank of gas. It's nice to know that we have this option if we want it.
It's been many years since I was on Amtrak, and I wasn't really sure what to expect. When I got to the station in Champaign, I was surprised by how many people were already there, and by how many people showed up afterwards. Then I took a good look at the crowd and figured it out. Many of the riders were college students, presumably going home for the weekend. With the fare being relatively inexpensive, this would be a good option, especially if the students don't have a car on campus.
The train to Chicago started out in Carbondale, so there were already quite a few people on the train. I was lucky to get a window seat (I love looking out the window!), and my seat mate ended up being one of the many college students. She had a laptop with her and watched Memento during the ride. That's such a good movie, and it was really hard not to shoulder surf (although I couldn't hear anything). I had plenty to keep me busy anyway, I brought my iPod, a book, and a book of crossword puzzles. Amtrak's policy towards food is bring whatever you want, so I also brought some snacks and a soda. I would hate to get stranded on a train without chips!
The train started rolling, slowly, slowly, and then stopped. We were barely up to the north end of town. We then sat and waited, and waited some more. Finally after ten minutes they announced that we were pulled over to a siding to wait for a freight train. It ended up being a half hour wait until we could go, then we had to back up practically to the station to get on the main track. Once again, here we go!
We had to pull over again later on to let the southbound Amtrak pass. All told, we were delayed for an hour. Good thing I had a two hour layover in Chicago! They kept thanking us for our patience. As if we were going to get off the train? Definitely a good thing I brought snacks....
So we rolled into Union Station and my first priority was to find where I caught the train to Milwaukee. I won't elaborate on my second priority but it involved standing in a long line. After that, I stopped at one of the restaurants and grabbed a bite to eat. There was also a bar in the station, and just in case you didn't want to stop at the bar you could stop at the little beer wagon and buy a can of Miller Lite or something. Gotta love the train!
The trip to Milwaukee was much shorter (and also full), and we got into the station just about on time. I got off the train and walked out into a monsoon. The wind was blowing, it was sleeting, and there was thunder and lightning. Mike's parents were there to pick me up, and they pulled up just as I walked out of the station. Talk about great timing!
All in all, it took 6 1/2 hours (including layover) to get to Milwaukee from Champaign by train. Considering it takes about 4 hours by car, yes, it was a longer way, but it was also fairly convenient. I didn't have to worry about driving, and the fare wasn't much more than a tank of gas. It's nice to know that we have this option if we want it.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Winds of Change
Ahh.....the morning after an election. There's something new and fresh in the air, can you feel it? The sun is shining (or would be in Champaign if it wasn't foggy), birds are singing, people are smiling and happy. What can this possibly be? Does this signal a shift in the political climate? Are the politicians actually going to follow through on their promises and lower taxes, clean out corruption in the government, fix our schools, and give us health care?
What, are you kidding? No, I'm talking about our airwaves. They are now free and clear of muckracking, name calling, and unflattering pictures taken with someone's mouth open. Yes folks, the campaign ads are over. Some of us remember a time when campaign ads were a good thing. They were the equivalent of the whistle stop campaign-they allowed you to get a look at the candidate and hear what he or she thinks is the reason they are qualified to hold office. Now, it's turned into an ugly mess of he said she said, and you get no real sense of who the candidate is as a person and potential leader. Both sides are equally good at this, so you can't blame just one party.
I know I'm not the only one to complain about these ads. Surely there must be research somewhere that shows that the public does not respond well to this kind of advertising. Or maybe I'm wrong, and people don't let this influence their vote (or lack of).
All I know for sure is, my television is now free of name-calling politicians. I can go back to watching a barrage of male-enhancement commercials. Smilin' Bob, how I missed you.
What, are you kidding? No, I'm talking about our airwaves. They are now free and clear of muckracking, name calling, and unflattering pictures taken with someone's mouth open. Yes folks, the campaign ads are over. Some of us remember a time when campaign ads were a good thing. They were the equivalent of the whistle stop campaign-they allowed you to get a look at the candidate and hear what he or she thinks is the reason they are qualified to hold office. Now, it's turned into an ugly mess of he said she said, and you get no real sense of who the candidate is as a person and potential leader. Both sides are equally good at this, so you can't blame just one party.
I know I'm not the only one to complain about these ads. Surely there must be research somewhere that shows that the public does not respond well to this kind of advertising. Or maybe I'm wrong, and people don't let this influence their vote (or lack of).
All I know for sure is, my television is now free of name-calling politicians. I can go back to watching a barrage of male-enhancement commercials. Smilin' Bob, how I missed you.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Kickboxing is Fun!
A friend of mine at work, Jennifer, is a member of a local gym, and they had a "bring a friend" day the other day. She and Leanne, another coworker, go to a kickboxing class, and both of them had been saying how much they enjoyed it. So, when she invited me, I had to take her up on it. What could be more fun than kicking and punching things? Especially on Thursday, when I had a really stressful day at work.
The lady who was teaching the class was the regular teacher. Both Jennifer and Leanne said that when they first started, they thought she was really tough and mean, but they had grown to like her. The teacher was not what I expected. Instead of some skinny, muscular, workout princess, she looked like a regular person. She was a little chunky, but very muscular. She also wasn't dressed in fancy workout clothes, just a t-shirt and sweats. That made me feel a lot more comfortable.
In the yoga class I take, the instructor starts out by chatting a little bit before getting started. Not this lady. Instead, it was turn on the music and let's go!!!! I wasn't familiar with a lot of the moves, but I tried to keep up and when I wasn't sure, I would either move a little bit or just stop and watch. My main goal was to not hit anyone. The class lasted for an hour, and after a while I allowed myself a peak at the clock. I thought for sure it was about halfway through. No such luck! 15 minutes in and I was drenched with sweat. And if that wasn't enough, time for Turbo! Which is instructor speak for "the next three minutes are even higher intensity and a living hell". Actually, I didn't mind the turbo so much, since I couldn't really keep up. The best thing was after turbo you got a short break-enough time to towel off and gulp down some water.
At that point, I didn't think I could make it anymore, but I had to tough it out. I couldn't be a wimp in front of my friends. So more lunges, jabs, cuts, bob and weaves, and two more turbos. After that, we did some stretches to cool down, which I was more comfortable with since they were very similar to yoga stretches. Even so, by the time I was done I was DONE. I think a couple gallons of sweat left my body that night. During our breaks, Jennifer and Leanne kept asking me if I liked it, and I honestly couldn't answer.
When I got home, I was a serious couch potato. I fully expected to be sore the next morning, which I was, but not to the extent I thought I would be. They also warned me that it would take two days. I gotta admit, it was really hard to get out of bed this morning, but as the day has gone on I feel a lot better. They asked me again today if I liked the class, and after evaluating it I really did. If I end up joining the gym, I think I will make it a habit to attend that class.
Next up, bellydancing! That's on Wednesday, with the lady who teaches my yoga class. I'm really looking forward to that!
The lady who was teaching the class was the regular teacher. Both Jennifer and Leanne said that when they first started, they thought she was really tough and mean, but they had grown to like her. The teacher was not what I expected. Instead of some skinny, muscular, workout princess, she looked like a regular person. She was a little chunky, but very muscular. She also wasn't dressed in fancy workout clothes, just a t-shirt and sweats. That made me feel a lot more comfortable.
In the yoga class I take, the instructor starts out by chatting a little bit before getting started. Not this lady. Instead, it was turn on the music and let's go!!!! I wasn't familiar with a lot of the moves, but I tried to keep up and when I wasn't sure, I would either move a little bit or just stop and watch. My main goal was to not hit anyone. The class lasted for an hour, and after a while I allowed myself a peak at the clock. I thought for sure it was about halfway through. No such luck! 15 minutes in and I was drenched with sweat. And if that wasn't enough, time for Turbo! Which is instructor speak for "the next three minutes are even higher intensity and a living hell". Actually, I didn't mind the turbo so much, since I couldn't really keep up. The best thing was after turbo you got a short break-enough time to towel off and gulp down some water.
At that point, I didn't think I could make it anymore, but I had to tough it out. I couldn't be a wimp in front of my friends. So more lunges, jabs, cuts, bob and weaves, and two more turbos. After that, we did some stretches to cool down, which I was more comfortable with since they were very similar to yoga stretches. Even so, by the time I was done I was DONE. I think a couple gallons of sweat left my body that night. During our breaks, Jennifer and Leanne kept asking me if I liked it, and I honestly couldn't answer.
When I got home, I was a serious couch potato. I fully expected to be sore the next morning, which I was, but not to the extent I thought I would be. They also warned me that it would take two days. I gotta admit, it was really hard to get out of bed this morning, but as the day has gone on I feel a lot better. They asked me again today if I liked the class, and after evaluating it I really did. If I end up joining the gym, I think I will make it a habit to attend that class.
Next up, bellydancing! That's on Wednesday, with the lady who teaches my yoga class. I'm really looking forward to that!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Wrinkle Free
I'm glad I was born in modern times. By modern times, I mean the times when women do not stay home and do housework. You've seen the cute little plaques and cross-stitches with the chores list-"wash on Wednesday", etc. Most of those chores aren't so bad. And some days staying home and doing housework doesn't sound so bad either. No, I'm talking about a specific chore on that list, and that chore is ironing. I really hate ironing. Just in case I'm not being clear enough, let me repeat-I hate ironing.
Most of my clothes that need ironing get worn infrequently. They get worn, they get washed, and then they get shoved into the back of the closet until I am either out of clothes or I can sweet talk Mike into ironing for me. The problem is there's always that piece of clothing that I really like, and gets wrinkled really easily. Then I eventually break down and drag out the iron. Of course, I try to rationalize it first-"why bother ironing, it's going to wrinkle as soon as I put it on anyway?" Sometimes I can get away with it, but not always.
The problem with my ironing is that it doesn't look much better after I'm done. When Mike irons my shirts, they stand up and walk back to the closet and hang themselves back up. When I iron my shirts, they kind of slouch back into the closet, yawn, and take a nap. Plus I never seem to be able to keep them on the ironing board-they tend to slide away just when I have them turned the right way. I may have to get a staple gun to solve that problem.
We've made great strides with wrinkle free pants, now the laundry geniuses need to come up with wrinkle free blouses. Or better yet, a home version of a laundy press like they have at the dry cleaners. Until then, there are some shirts I won't be wearing a whole lot.
Most of my clothes that need ironing get worn infrequently. They get worn, they get washed, and then they get shoved into the back of the closet until I am either out of clothes or I can sweet talk Mike into ironing for me. The problem is there's always that piece of clothing that I really like, and gets wrinkled really easily. Then I eventually break down and drag out the iron. Of course, I try to rationalize it first-"why bother ironing, it's going to wrinkle as soon as I put it on anyway?" Sometimes I can get away with it, but not always.
The problem with my ironing is that it doesn't look much better after I'm done. When Mike irons my shirts, they stand up and walk back to the closet and hang themselves back up. When I iron my shirts, they kind of slouch back into the closet, yawn, and take a nap. Plus I never seem to be able to keep them on the ironing board-they tend to slide away just when I have them turned the right way. I may have to get a staple gun to solve that problem.
We've made great strides with wrinkle free pants, now the laundry geniuses need to come up with wrinkle free blouses. Or better yet, a home version of a laundy press like they have at the dry cleaners. Until then, there are some shirts I won't be wearing a whole lot.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Dude, Pass the Doritos
Am I the only the one that's confused by this story? I thought pot was supposed to kill brain cells and cause memory loss, now they're saying it might actually prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. What next, are they going to say that drinking alcohol will actually help your liver in the long run? Eating McDonald's will help you lose weight? Eating chocolate is good for your heart? (Oh wait, that one's true.)
I can already picture the nursing homes of the future, and what festive places they will be. Instead of folks dozing into their applesauce while watching Price is Right and Jeopardy, the residents will be laughing and giggling, munching chips and brownies while watching Comedy Central. The term "old person smell" will take on a whole new meaning. And forget the stereotype of the person forgotten in the nursing home, I bet the relatives will start visiting with the hopes of catching a contact buzz.
Oh, what the future will bring!
I can already picture the nursing homes of the future, and what festive places they will be. Instead of folks dozing into their applesauce while watching Price is Right and Jeopardy, the residents will be laughing and giggling, munching chips and brownies while watching Comedy Central. The term "old person smell" will take on a whole new meaning. And forget the stereotype of the person forgotten in the nursing home, I bet the relatives will start visiting with the hopes of catching a contact buzz.
Oh, what the future will bring!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Urbana Doesn't Completely Suck
In keeping with our summer of doing things in the area we hadn't done before, yesterday afternoon Mike and I went to the International Beer and Chili Festival in downtown Urbana. It was advertised as having over 140 beers to taste, as well as a chili contest. When we got downtown, we noticed a HUGE line of folks waiting to get in. The festival opened at 3, and this was a few minutes afterward, but still......the first 500 folks to get in free received a special glass for the beer tasting, and there were a lot more than that by the looks of the line.
After driving around a bit we found a parking spot and headed to the end of the line. There were actually two lines around the block to get in, and they almost met each other. We saw Kanno and Becca, and for some reason didn't skip in with them. Oh wait, that's called common courtesty not to skip a line. Unfortunately, a group ahead of us didn't know that and we watched two people turn into twelve.
The line really didn't take too long, so we finally got in around 20 minutes later. We paid our 5 bucks and received our "over 21" bracelets, so on to the drinking. In order to taste the beer, you purchase tickets worth fifty cents. Most of the tables (there were 35 in all) were one ticket, and five or six required two tickets. We each got $10 worth of tickets-that's some serious tasting!
I figured out later we each tried 15 different beers. You got a sample cup at each table that was filled with 2 1/2-3 ounces (depending on the pourer). We also made sure to get different samples so we could share. These were all beers from smaller breweries located in the US and various other countries. None of that Miller or Bud stuff here! I discovered that I really like wheat beer, and I think my favorite was Boulder Sweaty Betty Blonde Wheat from Boulder, CO. Mike thinks his favorite was Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA from Illinois.
At some point we took a break from the beer and decided to try the chili. A lot of places had already packed up and left, as they were out of chili. One of the stands had a long line, so we figured that must be a good one and got in that line. The chili was also one ticket and you got a small sample cup for that. When we got to the front of the line, it turned out they only had two bowls left. YES! We rule, we got the last of the chili! I'm glad we did too, because it was really good. They posted the ingredient list, and it contained (amongst other things) maple sausage and brown sugar, which gave it a really sweet taste.
Back in for more beer. We kept running into Kanno and Becca, as well as Darcy, Grady, and Kristina. We were able to compare notes, and were advised to skip a certain table as the pourers were drunk. Gotta love volunteering at the beer festival!
Near the end, we decided to use some of our tickets for more food. Mike got some curly fries, and I got a larger bowl of chili. After the other stuff, it really wasn't that good. As we were standing outside eating, we were approached by a reporter from a local TV station. She wanted to know if she could interview one or both of us. I said sure, what the heck, why not? She made the comment that she was constantly turning down the drunk college kids who wanted to be interviewed. Guess she picked us because we weren't college kids (which was about 90 percent of the crowd). I don't think I realized how buzzed I was, because in the "interview" I rambled on about how great all the beer was. Afterwards, we tried to find the rest of the group so I could brag about how famous I was, but we couldn't find them. So on to the Esquire to get some real food (and more beer), where I ran into an annoying ex-coworker. She told us about her recent trip to Alaska, which I have to admit sounded really cool (no pun intended).
We then went home to watch my television debut. When the story finally came on, I was very nervous to see how it would turn out. Turns out I had nothing to worry about, because my stunning discourse on all the wonderful beer ended up on the cutting room floor. I think I'm relieved, because I'm not sure I really wanted to be on TV.
So there is a good festival in Urbana. Why haven't we been to this before? I don't know, but we are definitely there next year. And we are getting there much earlier-I want a souvenir glass.
After driving around a bit we found a parking spot and headed to the end of the line. There were actually two lines around the block to get in, and they almost met each other. We saw Kanno and Becca, and for some reason didn't skip in with them. Oh wait, that's called common courtesty not to skip a line. Unfortunately, a group ahead of us didn't know that and we watched two people turn into twelve.
The line really didn't take too long, so we finally got in around 20 minutes later. We paid our 5 bucks and received our "over 21" bracelets, so on to the drinking. In order to taste the beer, you purchase tickets worth fifty cents. Most of the tables (there were 35 in all) were one ticket, and five or six required two tickets. We each got $10 worth of tickets-that's some serious tasting!
I figured out later we each tried 15 different beers. You got a sample cup at each table that was filled with 2 1/2-3 ounces (depending on the pourer). We also made sure to get different samples so we could share. These were all beers from smaller breweries located in the US and various other countries. None of that Miller or Bud stuff here! I discovered that I really like wheat beer, and I think my favorite was Boulder Sweaty Betty Blonde Wheat from Boulder, CO. Mike thinks his favorite was Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA from Illinois.
At some point we took a break from the beer and decided to try the chili. A lot of places had already packed up and left, as they were out of chili. One of the stands had a long line, so we figured that must be a good one and got in that line. The chili was also one ticket and you got a small sample cup for that. When we got to the front of the line, it turned out they only had two bowls left. YES! We rule, we got the last of the chili! I'm glad we did too, because it was really good. They posted the ingredient list, and it contained (amongst other things) maple sausage and brown sugar, which gave it a really sweet taste.
Back in for more beer. We kept running into Kanno and Becca, as well as Darcy, Grady, and Kristina. We were able to compare notes, and were advised to skip a certain table as the pourers were drunk. Gotta love volunteering at the beer festival!
Near the end, we decided to use some of our tickets for more food. Mike got some curly fries, and I got a larger bowl of chili. After the other stuff, it really wasn't that good. As we were standing outside eating, we were approached by a reporter from a local TV station. She wanted to know if she could interview one or both of us. I said sure, what the heck, why not? She made the comment that she was constantly turning down the drunk college kids who wanted to be interviewed. Guess she picked us because we weren't college kids (which was about 90 percent of the crowd). I don't think I realized how buzzed I was, because in the "interview" I rambled on about how great all the beer was. Afterwards, we tried to find the rest of the group so I could brag about how famous I was, but we couldn't find them. So on to the Esquire to get some real food (and more beer), where I ran into an annoying ex-coworker. She told us about her recent trip to Alaska, which I have to admit sounded really cool (no pun intended).
We then went home to watch my television debut. When the story finally came on, I was very nervous to see how it would turn out. Turns out I had nothing to worry about, because my stunning discourse on all the wonderful beer ended up on the cutting room floor. I think I'm relieved, because I'm not sure I really wanted to be on TV.
So there is a good festival in Urbana. Why haven't we been to this before? I don't know, but we are definitely there next year. And we are getting there much earlier-I want a souvenir glass.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Goin' to the Windy City
Or Rainy City today, as the case may be. Mike and I are headed off to a much needed long weekend in Chicago.
I especially need it after yesterday's news. I think it will be fine, it's just a little hard to get used to the name change. But we've done it before, we'll do it again.
I especially need it after yesterday's news. I think it will be fine, it's just a little hard to get used to the name change. But we've done it before, we'll do it again.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Another Colts Victory
The Indy Colts won again today, 43-24 over the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see too much of the scorefest. We were at the Third Sunday market in Bloomington this morning, and we didn't get back until halftime. I saw a few minutes of the third quarter, and the Colts scored right away, bringing the score to 27-3. The powers that be at the network then decided that it was too much of a blowout so they switched to another game where the score was 3-0. Yeah, that was much more exciting.........so we watched the Bears instead (hey you have to take what you can get). Mike was very excited that the Saints beat the Packers. Of course, given the way that the Packers have been playing, I'm not sure it counts. But a win's a win, take it how you get it.
We didn't find anything at Third Sunday. For those of you who have never been, it's basically a giant flea market type of place with lots of crafts and antiques. Most of the stuff is not in my taste, but every once in a while you see something nice. I saw a couple of nice pieces of furniture, but didn't have the extra $500-$1000 dollars to spend on it. I did see one of the drivers from Brinks who said "hey, you're the bank lady!". Yep, that's me. The bank lady. However, I prefer my other title, the ATM queen.
We've got storms in our area, which is good because I won't have to water my flowers. I've got a couple of window box and a couple of containers, and a couple of weeks ago I planted some mums. But the mums aren't doing so well, and the rabbits aren't helping any by chewing them up. I was going to post some pictures of the containers but I'm having technical difficulties, so maybe some other time.
We didn't find anything at Third Sunday. For those of you who have never been, it's basically a giant flea market type of place with lots of crafts and antiques. Most of the stuff is not in my taste, but every once in a while you see something nice. I saw a couple of nice pieces of furniture, but didn't have the extra $500-$1000 dollars to spend on it. I did see one of the drivers from Brinks who said "hey, you're the bank lady!". Yep, that's me. The bank lady. However, I prefer my other title, the ATM queen.
We've got storms in our area, which is good because I won't have to water my flowers. I've got a couple of window box and a couple of containers, and a couple of weeks ago I planted some mums. But the mums aren't doing so well, and the rabbits aren't helping any by chewing them up. I was going to post some pictures of the containers but I'm having technical difficulties, so maybe some other time.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Thursday, August 31, 2006
New Addition
I've now got links to different bands/artists I like. This is in no way a comprehensive list, but I figure it's a good start. There's also bands that I like that are no longer together, which makes it difficult. I'll keep adding as I think of more, of course I'm drawing a total blank while I'm doing this. They're also not in any particular order, except for the top three.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Have Flugelhorn, Will Travel
We went to the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival last night, our first time since we've been here. The festival is in downtown Urbana, and it features food and music. There may have been other vendors as well, we didn't see the entire festival. And the sweet corn looked pretty darn tasty!
We went to see the Tons of Fun Band. We had never heard of them before, but Larry kept telling us how good they were. They definitely lived up to their name. They play a lot of funk and R&B, and they even have a real live horn section. It was really fun watching them, and watching the crowd. When they introduced the band at the end, they mentioned that their trumpet player was leaving and moving to Bermuda. Turns out it was Sam Hankins, the much loved jazz band director at Edison Middle School. The jazz band has won many awards during his tenure, and even won a competition at a high school level. He's also played with the Glen Miller Band, the Ojays, and Aretha Franklin, among others. His departure will create a huge musical hole in this community. I feel lucky to have witnessed one of his last local performances.
Tonight it's back to the Sweetcorn Fest to see The Living Blue, a local alternative rock group. That should be pretty fun, and I'm definitely going to have some of that sweet corn!
We went to see the Tons of Fun Band. We had never heard of them before, but Larry kept telling us how good they were. They definitely lived up to their name. They play a lot of funk and R&B, and they even have a real live horn section. It was really fun watching them, and watching the crowd. When they introduced the band at the end, they mentioned that their trumpet player was leaving and moving to Bermuda. Turns out it was Sam Hankins, the much loved jazz band director at Edison Middle School. The jazz band has won many awards during his tenure, and even won a competition at a high school level. He's also played with the Glen Miller Band, the Ojays, and Aretha Franklin, among others. His departure will create a huge musical hole in this community. I feel lucky to have witnessed one of his last local performances.
Tonight it's back to the Sweetcorn Fest to see The Living Blue, a local alternative rock group. That should be pretty fun, and I'm definitely going to have some of that sweet corn!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
I'm so full.....
I woke up really hungry this morning, and decided to head over to Wienerschnitzel. They have signs in their windows advertising they now serve breakfast, so I figured that today would be a good time to try it out. As I drove by, though, it was dark inside and their open light wasn't on, so I kept going. There was one car in the parking lot, but I didn't know if it belonged to an employee or was left there. So instead of having a junky breakfast I had my usual half bagel. Then I thought I'd treat myself to a junky lunch. What I really wanted was a burrito supreme. About a thousand years ago I worked at the Target snack counter. One of the things we served was a burrito supreme, which consisted of a deep fried burrito on top of a bed of lettuce with chili and cheese poured over the top. Definitely not healthy, but good junk. I'm guessing Target no longer serves that, so instead I decided to wander over to the Aroma Cafe. I don't know why I don't go there more often, I work downtown so I have no excuse. Today's special was a supreme quesadilla, with cheese, onions, avocado, tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Quite tasty!! Since it was a nice day, I decided to sit on the back patio and enjoy the sun. I couldn't take too long, as we're short staffed (a bunch of my co-workers are at a conference), so I thought I'd get back and tell everyone who called that no one they were looking for was there. So now I'm back at my desk, digesting. And nobody anyone is looking for is here.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Albacore Tuna Stir Fry
Here's another one of our favorite recipes:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups assorted fresh vegetables, such as pea pods, bean sprouts, and baby corn
1 (7-ounce) pouch Albacore Tuna
3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon sugar
hot cooked rice
In wok or large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; sauté onion and garlic until onion is soft. Add vegetables; cook about 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add tuna, soy sauce, lemon juice, water and sugar. Cook 1 more minute; serve over rice.
I could probably eat this every day. I got the original recipe from Starkist, and made a few modifications. The original recipe calls for frozen vegetables, but I found that too mushy. You can use whatever veggies you want. I've also made it with imitation crab meat instead of tuna, which was really good. Another time I had to substitute regular tuna, which was only okay. And this recipe is very quick. I usually start the rice when I'm prepping the veggies, and the timing works out perfectly.
Enjoy!
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups assorted fresh vegetables, such as pea pods, bean sprouts, and baby corn
1 (7-ounce) pouch Albacore Tuna
3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon sugar
hot cooked rice
In wok or large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; sauté onion and garlic until onion is soft. Add vegetables; cook about 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add tuna, soy sauce, lemon juice, water and sugar. Cook 1 more minute; serve over rice.
I could probably eat this every day. I got the original recipe from Starkist, and made a few modifications. The original recipe calls for frozen vegetables, but I found that too mushy. You can use whatever veggies you want. I've also made it with imitation crab meat instead of tuna, which was really good. Another time I had to substitute regular tuna, which was only okay. And this recipe is very quick. I usually start the rice when I'm prepping the veggies, and the timing works out perfectly.
Enjoy!
Monday, August 14, 2006
I Want A Meerkat
And not just one, because they are social creatures and can't survive on their own. I want a whole family. I've already got it figured out. Since we've already redone the guest bedroom, we'll have to use the office. We'll just take everything out and fill it instead with sand so they can make their burrows. And maybe install some heat lamps, since they are desert creatures. An added benefit-they eat things such as giant centipedes and scorpions, so we would never have to worry about being overrun by those insects.
Or maybe I should just stick to watching Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet. That way sand won't get all over the house.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Champaign's Finest
So I'm driving down State St. today, which is a one way street. There's a car a little ways ahead of me that's in the right lane, and it stops, puts on its turn signal, and promptly turns left. Now, this is a signature move by a Champaign driver. The difference today though is that this Einstein was in front of a cop. So what does the cop do? Turns right..........
And we wonder why the drivers around here seem insane!
And we wonder why the drivers around here seem insane!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
A Regular Wildlife Refuge
Living next to a "borrow pit" lake does have some advantages. If you're a fan of nature, you get to see a lot of wildlife. On a regular basis we have ducks, geese, rabbits, and birds of all sort hanging around. At night you can hear bullfrogs sing. We've even spotted some type of heron, and a coyote running around. We now have a new addition to the backyard family.
Meet the Eastern Ribbon snake.
This isn't the actual snake, he didn't stay still long enough for us to get a picture. Mike's seen him slithering through the grass when he's been out mowing the lawn, and I finally got to take a look at him yesterday. He's about 18 inches long, which means he's a young adult. Their normal size is anywhere from 18-40 inches. They live near water, and eat toads, frogs, fish, and other water creatures. Unfortunately, no insects, and to Mike's dismay, no rabbits. They can be found on the eastern half of the continent, from Canada down to Florida. There's also a Northern ribbon snake, which lives around Canada and the Great Lakes, and a Western ribbon snake. (You can guess where that one lives.) The ribbon snake is also very similar to the Eastern garter snake, which lives in the same areas and habitats. The difference between the two is that the garter has a stockier body, and the lip markings are different. If I'm close enough to a snake to see the lips, I'm too close. Even if it is harmless to humans.
Anyway, there's your nature lesson for today. I've got to finish getting ready to go on our road trip to IKEA-can't wait!!!!
Meet the Eastern Ribbon snake.
This isn't the actual snake, he didn't stay still long enough for us to get a picture. Mike's seen him slithering through the grass when he's been out mowing the lawn, and I finally got to take a look at him yesterday. He's about 18 inches long, which means he's a young adult. Their normal size is anywhere from 18-40 inches. They live near water, and eat toads, frogs, fish, and other water creatures. Unfortunately, no insects, and to Mike's dismay, no rabbits. They can be found on the eastern half of the continent, from Canada down to Florida. There's also a Northern ribbon snake, which lives around Canada and the Great Lakes, and a Western ribbon snake. (You can guess where that one lives.) The ribbon snake is also very similar to the Eastern garter snake, which lives in the same areas and habitats. The difference between the two is that the garter has a stockier body, and the lip markings are different. If I'm close enough to a snake to see the lips, I'm too close. Even if it is harmless to humans.
Anyway, there's your nature lesson for today. I've got to finish getting ready to go on our road trip to IKEA-can't wait!!!!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Comfortably Numb
Up until a couple of weeks ago, it had been a long time since I had been to a dentist. See, the last dentist I saw made a serious mistake. He told me I had excellent teeth. I interpret that as dentist-ese for "you don't need to worry about your teeth unless you have problems". So, I didn't. Plus, with the move to Champaign, we didn't know the local dentists, didn't have dental insurance....yeah, that's it! But now I have dental insurance, and decided it was time to use it. I got a recommendation from a co-worker, and made my appointment. I did it early enough in the morning so I wouldn't be quite awake yet. It wasn't too bad, he was a nice guy and got my teeth shiny and clean. He did find a cavity, which I didn't even know I had, so we scheduled an appointment to get it removed.
Today was the big day, and I'm happy to report everything went fine. Of course, I can't feel half my face, but I'm okay with that. Before he did it, he asked me if I wanted anesthesia. Hmm..let me think about that.....HECK YEAH!
Plus, this appointment got me out of work early on an exceptionally slow day, so no complaints in that department!
Today was the big day, and I'm happy to report everything went fine. Of course, I can't feel half my face, but I'm okay with that. Before he did it, he asked me if I wanted anesthesia. Hmm..let me think about that.....HECK YEAH!
Plus, this appointment got me out of work early on an exceptionally slow day, so no complaints in that department!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Obligatory iPod list
Here's what I listened to today, and the star rating:
Sevendust "Enemy" -2
Disturbed "The Game"-4
Dream Theater "Status Seeker"-2
Rush "A Passage to Bangkok"-4
Ani DiFranco "Wishin' and Hopin'"-3
Air "venus"-2 (with the potential to increase to 3)
Lacuna Coil "Circle"-4
Velvet Revolver "Slither"-5
Lacuna Coil "Humane"-4
Incubus "Talk Shows on Mute"-4
Simon and Garfunkel "The Boxer"-4
Sarah Brightman "The Second Element"-3
Eagles of Death Metal "Chase the Devil"-2
Fates Warning "Crawl"-not yet rated, probably 3
Fates Warning "Face the Fear"-3
Placebo "Every You Every Me"-5
Madonna "Forbidden Love"-2
Foo Fighters "Resolve"-3
Liquid Tension Experiment "Another Dimension"-3
Sevendust "Enemy" -2
Disturbed "The Game"-4
Dream Theater "Status Seeker"-2
Rush "A Passage to Bangkok"-4
Ani DiFranco "Wishin' and Hopin'"-3
Air "venus"-2 (with the potential to increase to 3)
Lacuna Coil "Circle"-4
Velvet Revolver "Slither"-5
Lacuna Coil "Humane"-4
Incubus "Talk Shows on Mute"-4
Simon and Garfunkel "The Boxer"-4
Sarah Brightman "The Second Element"-3
Eagles of Death Metal "Chase the Devil"-2
Fates Warning "Crawl"-not yet rated, probably 3
Fates Warning "Face the Fear"-3
Placebo "Every You Every Me"-5
Madonna "Forbidden Love"-2
Foo Fighters "Resolve"-3
Liquid Tension Experiment "Another Dimension"-3
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Friday, July 07, 2006
The Price of Cute
I bought these really cute wedge shoes about a month ago, and I haven't really worn them yet. Mostly I've worn them around the house here and there, but I haven't done any serious walking in them. I decided to wear them to class tonight, since the heels are so tall they would go well with the longer jeans I was wearing. After all, I'll be sitting on my butt, no big deal, right?
Wrong. They started hurting my feet pretty much as soon as I got to class. The upper part was rubbing against the tops/sides of both feet. They're slip ons, so I kept slipping them off to give my feet a break. Usually on breaks I walk around the building, but not this time. During the second break, I slipped them off and made a comment about my feet were killing me. A couple of my classmates complimented the shoes, but winced when they saw the blisters in progress. As one of them wisely pointed out, that's the price of being cute.
When I left class, I didn't even bother to wear them, just went barefoot through Parkland's halls and parking lot. I also drove home barefoot. I'm sure they'll break in eventually, we just need some time apart right now.
Wrong. They started hurting my feet pretty much as soon as I got to class. The upper part was rubbing against the tops/sides of both feet. They're slip ons, so I kept slipping them off to give my feet a break. Usually on breaks I walk around the building, but not this time. During the second break, I slipped them off and made a comment about my feet were killing me. A couple of my classmates complimented the shoes, but winced when they saw the blisters in progress. As one of them wisely pointed out, that's the price of being cute.
When I left class, I didn't even bother to wear them, just went barefoot through Parkland's halls and parking lot. I also drove home barefoot. I'm sure they'll break in eventually, we just need some time apart right now.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Fish Tales
I tried a new recipe last night, and I thought it was so good I would share it. It's super easy, and only took about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Chili-Spiced Cod
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 (6 ounce) cod fillets
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
lime slices, to garnsih
On waxed paper, combine flour, chili powder, and salt. Coat cod fillets with mixture. In non-stick 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat, in hot oil, cook fillets 10 minutes or until cod flakes easily when tested with a fork, turning fillets once halfway through cooking time. Garnish with lime slices.
I didn't have lime slices, and I used slightly less than a pound of cod, and it still turned out very tasty. I also used Enova oil instead of vegetable oil. Bon appetit!
Chili-Spiced Cod
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 (6 ounce) cod fillets
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
lime slices, to garnsih
On waxed paper, combine flour, chili powder, and salt. Coat cod fillets with mixture. In non-stick 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat, in hot oil, cook fillets 10 minutes or until cod flakes easily when tested with a fork, turning fillets once halfway through cooking time. Garnish with lime slices.
I didn't have lime slices, and I used slightly less than a pound of cod, and it still turned out very tasty. I also used Enova oil instead of vegetable oil. Bon appetit!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Time moves on
It's been a while since I blogged, but with Sam's situation and a stressful week at work I haven't felt like it lately. I'm also writing the paper for my Tolkien class. I finally settled on a topic, and I think I'm done-I just need to go back through it and make sure it makes sense. The paper is due on Friday, so I have plenty of time yet. This weekend is my last class-yay!
We've been watching Supergroup on VH1/VH1 Classic. It's like a rock and roll trainwreck-put Ted Nugent with just about anyone and there will be hero worship and/or aggravation. Sebastian Bach is 37 going on 16, and changes his mind every 30 seconds. Evan Seinfeld, Scott Ian, and Jason Bonham make up the rest of the band. There were only about 7 or 8 episodes, so thanks to Tivo it was easy to find them and watch them all. It was really interesting to see not only how they all interacted, but how the creative process evolved. They wrote at least one song together, and it looked like they were working on a ballad. Don't be surprised if you see more of "Damnocracy".
Speaking of VH1/VH1 Classic, who would have ever thought 2o-odd years ago that not only would I watch a VH1 network but actually enjoy it? VH1 is okay, but VH1 Classic is a lot of fun to watch. They play a lot of videos, and a lot of oddball ones as well. They have special theme shows mostly devoted to 80's music, and not just rock and metal. They also play a lot of cool weird alternative videos. Another nice thing is the lack of commercials. They have a few, but it's mostly just promotional stuff for their network. The only downside is if you watch it too much you start to get sick of the "in-between" spots. If I have to hear about pizza night at the dj's house one more time I will throw up.
We've been watching Supergroup on VH1/VH1 Classic. It's like a rock and roll trainwreck-put Ted Nugent with just about anyone and there will be hero worship and/or aggravation. Sebastian Bach is 37 going on 16, and changes his mind every 30 seconds. Evan Seinfeld, Scott Ian, and Jason Bonham make up the rest of the band. There were only about 7 or 8 episodes, so thanks to Tivo it was easy to find them and watch them all. It was really interesting to see not only how they all interacted, but how the creative process evolved. They wrote at least one song together, and it looked like they were working on a ballad. Don't be surprised if you see more of "Damnocracy".
Speaking of VH1/VH1 Classic, who would have ever thought 2o-odd years ago that not only would I watch a VH1 network but actually enjoy it? VH1 is okay, but VH1 Classic is a lot of fun to watch. They play a lot of videos, and a lot of oddball ones as well. They have special theme shows mostly devoted to 80's music, and not just rock and metal. They also play a lot of cool weird alternative videos. Another nice thing is the lack of commercials. They have a few, but it's mostly just promotional stuff for their network. The only downside is if you watch it too much you start to get sick of the "in-between" spots. If I have to hear about pizza night at the dj's house one more time I will throw up.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Samantha
After my earlier optimism things went downhill. Samantha had trouble walking starting on Wednesday, and by Saturday afternoon it got to the point where she was continuously falling down. I stayed home Saturday night to be with her, and ended up taking her to the U of I Small Animal Clinic. They wanted to run some tests on Monday, and I elected to keep her there, so they could monitor her. Sunday we went to see her, and there wasn't much change. She still didn't seem to know what was going on, and while she could walk a little, it still wasn't enough. Monday's tests were a severe blow. All the inidications were that she had cancer, starting in her lungs and spreading to her brain, which was causing her symptoms. We could have elected to have more tests done, but there really wasn't any hope. We decided to let her go. We were able to go Monday night and see her one last time. Her last meal was tuna and liver, the equivalent of kitty junk food, and she enjoyed it tremendously. Before we left, they took an imprint of her paws on a clay disc and gave that to us as a memento.
The hardest thing may be the routine. We've developed so many little habits over the years. I usually feed her, but if Mike gets up before me or if I come home late, the first thing I say to him (after hello or good morning) is "did you feed the cat?" I also find myself looking around, wondering where she is, or if I see movement out of the corner of my eye I expect to see her. I know that in time it will get better, but it's hard right now.
Sam, we really miss you. It's just not the same without you. You had a lot of love in your years with us, and you gave a lot of love back. You will always be in our hearts.
The hardest thing may be the routine. We've developed so many little habits over the years. I usually feed her, but if Mike gets up before me or if I come home late, the first thing I say to him (after hello or good morning) is "did you feed the cat?" I also find myself looking around, wondering where she is, or if I see movement out of the corner of my eye I expect to see her. I know that in time it will get better, but it's hard right now.
Sam, we really miss you. It's just not the same without you. You had a lot of love in your years with us, and you gave a lot of love back. You will always be in our hearts.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The little victories
I'm on lunch break right now from my Tolkien class, so I thought I'd check in and update on Sam's progress. We're still not sure what's entirely wrong with her. She's starting to have some problems walking. She tends to fall on her left side, and sometimes she'll just sit there for a while, like she's not sure what happened. She went to the vet on Wednesday, and again it was "wait and see". She went back on Friday, and they drew blood and urine in order to test for possible urinary tract infection, as well as other infections that could cause her other symptoms. I dropped her off in the morning and went to go pick her up at lunch. The vet thinks she may have some limited vision, so that's a good sign. She is concerned that Sam's temperature is a little low, so she recommended a heating pad lined with a blanket. While I was talking to the vet, I looked at Sam (who was in her carrier), and saw something I haven't seen in over a week-she was grooming! I'll admit it-I started crying when I saw that.
So back home and back on antibiotics. She's still stumbling around, but she's also starting to "talk" a little more, and I saw her licking her forearm this morning. She's also been using her box (hooray!), so I'm taking the little improvements. We should have the results of her tests back on Monday or Tuesday, so hopefully it will be something definite where they say "yes, she has this, this is how we treat it".
Other than that, not too much has been going on. I think I'm at the official halfway point with my class, so that's pretty exciting. We spent the morning talking about the mythology behind The Lord of the Rings, and divine foreknowledge vs. free will. I think we're talking about good vs. evil this afternoon. Hopefully the professor will talk about the paper we have to write. I've got a couple of possible topics, but I'm not sure if they would be strong enough. We'll have another test this afternoon too.
I just heard the Xbox 360 start up. I have to admit it's pretty cool, and the high definition picture is incredible. Mike downloaded some movie trailers the other day, and they were amazing. We've come a long way from Atari 2600!
So back home and back on antibiotics. She's still stumbling around, but she's also starting to "talk" a little more, and I saw her licking her forearm this morning. She's also been using her box (hooray!), so I'm taking the little improvements. We should have the results of her tests back on Monday or Tuesday, so hopefully it will be something definite where they say "yes, she has this, this is how we treat it".
Other than that, not too much has been going on. I think I'm at the official halfway point with my class, so that's pretty exciting. We spent the morning talking about the mythology behind The Lord of the Rings, and divine foreknowledge vs. free will. I think we're talking about good vs. evil this afternoon. Hopefully the professor will talk about the paper we have to write. I've got a couple of possible topics, but I'm not sure if they would be strong enough. We'll have another test this afternoon too.
I just heard the Xbox 360 start up. I have to admit it's pretty cool, and the high definition picture is incredible. Mike downloaded some movie trailers the other day, and they were amazing. We've come a long way from Atari 2600!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Not so good news
Well, it appears that Sam's prognosis was a bit premature. She is blind right now, and we're really hoping it's a temporary condition. We're not sure what happened, it may have been brought on by the anesthesia she was under last week. There have been some cases where cats go blind after being under. Sometimes it happens right away, sometimes it happens later. In this case, (if that is what caused it) it happened a week after she had her tests. If it is temporary, her vision could come back in days, weeks, or months. There are a lot of unknowns here. She's not been herself since this happened, and that's been the hardest thing for me to deal with. She just lays underneath the guest bed. She will come out when I feed her, and then she'll spend some time pacing around the house, as if she's trying to get her bearings.
I've also got to put drops in her eyes to make sure they are hydrated. I think I've ended up with more drops on her fur than in her eyes. I'm scared that I will poke her eye with the dropper.
So keep Samantha in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully my next post about her will be better news.
I've also got to put drops in her eyes to make sure they are hydrated. I think I've ended up with more drops on her fur than in her eyes. I'm scared that I will poke her eye with the dropper.
So keep Samantha in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully my next post about her will be better news.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
First class weekend
Yesterday was the first night of my last class. It's about J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (and the Silmariliion, I never read that one). Yesterday's and today's class was spent discussing his background, and the things that made him tick (in a literary sense). The professor is a philosphy professor with a lifelong interest in Tolkien, and he is very knowledgeable about not only the books but also the man. He talks for about 45 minutes, then gives us a 15 minute break. At first I thought that was annoying, as I'd rather get out earlier than take so many breaks. After a while, I started appreciating it, as it gave me a chance to stretch my legs. It also made the class go by quicker, although that could be the subject matter.
Today's session dealt a lot with primary and secondary worlds, and secondary belief. Tolkien thought of the real world as the primary world, and all fiction (even mysteries and other stories that could conceivably happen in the real world) takes place in a secondary world. If the author is good, the reader develops a secondary belief, where he or she believes that the story is true in that secondary world. The same can apply for movies. If there is disbelief, where you think "Oh, this is ridiculous, that would never happen, I can't be bothered with this" or suspended disbelief "I know that's not true, but I'll let it go because it's only a story", then the author has not properly done his or her job.
The idea of secondary belief explains why some books or movies stand out. When I read Stephen King's Dark Tower series, or China Mieville's Perdido Street Station, or even The Hobbit, I am completely sucked into the story and believe that what happens in those stories is absolutely true for that world. And it's not just because they literally take place in another world. Tom Wolfe's I Am Charlotte Simmons is an example that takes place in 21st century America, and you completely believe that everything that happens is true in that world.
Class was scheduled to go until 6 today, but at 2:30 he stopped lecturing and gave us our first exam. This consisted of picking two out of four essay questions and answering them. No specific length, just answer them as completely as you can. So I was home by 3:30, and therefore have a little more weekend than I had originally planned. Not sure what's on tap for the rest of the night, hopefully a martini (or two). If Mike's not "movied out" we'll probably watch one of our recent (or not so recent) acquisitions.
Today's session dealt a lot with primary and secondary worlds, and secondary belief. Tolkien thought of the real world as the primary world, and all fiction (even mysteries and other stories that could conceivably happen in the real world) takes place in a secondary world. If the author is good, the reader develops a secondary belief, where he or she believes that the story is true in that secondary world. The same can apply for movies. If there is disbelief, where you think "Oh, this is ridiculous, that would never happen, I can't be bothered with this" or suspended disbelief "I know that's not true, but I'll let it go because it's only a story", then the author has not properly done his or her job.
The idea of secondary belief explains why some books or movies stand out. When I read Stephen King's Dark Tower series, or China Mieville's Perdido Street Station, or even The Hobbit, I am completely sucked into the story and believe that what happens in those stories is absolutely true for that world. And it's not just because they literally take place in another world. Tom Wolfe's I Am Charlotte Simmons is an example that takes place in 21st century America, and you completely believe that everything that happens is true in that world.
Class was scheduled to go until 6 today, but at 2:30 he stopped lecturing and gave us our first exam. This consisted of picking two out of four essay questions and answering them. No specific length, just answer them as completely as you can. So I was home by 3:30, and therefore have a little more weekend than I had originally planned. Not sure what's on tap for the rest of the night, hopefully a martini (or two). If Mike's not "movied out" we'll probably watch one of our recent (or not so recent) acquisitions.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Update on Sam
Well, her Royal Highness is doing very well. She came home on Tuesday and went straight for her food dish. She then spent most of the night sleeping. That's pretty much a typical night for her anyway. The vet was going to get back to me on Thursday with her lab results. After playing phone tag, I finally talked to her today. Samantha's bloodwork is excellent for a cat her age. There is a little concern that she may have a urinary tract infection. I stopped at the vet's on the way home and picked up some pills. Giving her medication is usually not fun, and I finally have it down to a science. Her pills are ground up and put in a little bit of canned food, which she normally doesn't get. You would think she would realize by now that the only time she gets the good stuff is when she has to take medicine, but she probably just doesn't care. Nothing like beef and chicken entree-yum yum! I'm also supposed to obtain a urine sample when she's done with the medication. I am so looking forward to that.......
Monday, June 05, 2006
Samantha's trip to the vet
Her Royal Highness Samantha visited the veterinarian today for her geriatric profile. This is a series of tests that the vet suggests starting at age 8 (she's 12 now). In the past, I've always declined having her undergo tests. After all, she's been healthy for the most part, and she absolutely hates going to the vet. She goes from my little sweetheart to Raging Demon Queen. She went to the vet in May for her rabies shot, and the vet recommended again that she undergo these tests. Since she was unable to examine her (she barely managed to give her the shot), I thought it might be wise to have these tests done. I could bring her in before work and pick her up on the way home, and they could sedate her in order to draw blood, etc.
After a bit of finagling, I finally managed to get her in her carrier. I recently replaced her old plastic carrier with one of those "duffel bag" type carriers, and it is much easier to carry her in that. She started crying as soon as I started the car. When I got to the vet, I had to wait for a few minutes since they were already pretty busy. As soon as I handed her over to the tech, she started hissing. Yep, that's my little girl!
Around 10 am I received a call from the vet. Surprise surprise, they were unable to examine her, so they needed to sedate her. Had she eaten this morning? I usually give her food in the morning, but I wasn't sure if she had eaten anything or not. They have to wait a certain amount of time after eating to sedate her. So, she's staying overnight so they could wait as long as they needed to before running their tests.
So no furry lump next to my feet tonight. I'm sure she'll be in a fine mood tomorrow when she comes home, but it's for her own good. Maybe she'll get an extra treat or two to make up for it.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Friehouse for Sale!
How would you like to own your very own firehouse in Milwaukee? Granted, the neighborhood isn't the greatest, but still-it's a firehouse! Pole, unfortnately, not inlcuded.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo?
That is the question. But not the Ultimate Question, because 42 makes no sense as answer.
Anyway, I'm debating whether or not to get a tattoo. This is something that I've thought of a few times over the years, but never did anything, mainly because I couldn't decide on what to get. I got the bug a few months ago, and started looking at tattoo forums for ideas as well as tips on what (and what not) to do. I've narrowed it down to two possible choices. The first one is a musical note (or series of notes). Music has always been an important part of my life, and this would represent it well. (Much better than the Pearl Jam tattoo I wanted during the heyday of grunge). The other design I am debating is a paw print. This has a couple of meanings. Not only does it represent my love of cats, but also Eastern's mascot is the Panthers, and the symbol is a paw print. Since I thought of the tattoo as a graduation present to myself, that would fit as well.
The next question is where to put it. I'd like to be able to show it to people, but at the same time I don't want to have it out in the open since I work in a professional environment. The first place I thought of was on the small of my back, but there's not a lot of flesh there and that could hurt. The other place I was thinking about was near my hip bone. Plenty of flesh there so hopefully it wouldn't hurt so much, but one of my coworkers is thinking about getting a tattoo in that spot and I don't want anyone to think I'm copying her. Then again, who cares? She's got a tattoo on her back also, and there's only so many places I can put a tattoo.
The last question is the pain. Some people I talk to say it doesn't hurt so much, and others say it really hurts. Mike thinks I wouldn't be able to handle it, so of course I want to prove him wrong. I have a problem with needles, but this isn't like giving blood, where the needle is inserted into your body. It's more like getting pricked with a pin. Over and over again. Right????
So why do I really want a tattoo? Honestly, I can't think of a good reason besides "I want one". It's not to be a rebel, because tattoos are pretty acceptable nowadays. It's almost more rebellious not to have one. I think before I do anything, I need to visit my tattoo parlor of choice and get more information. If anyone out there has any tattoo experiences (good or bad) and would like to share, please do!
Anyway, I'm debating whether or not to get a tattoo. This is something that I've thought of a few times over the years, but never did anything, mainly because I couldn't decide on what to get. I got the bug a few months ago, and started looking at tattoo forums for ideas as well as tips on what (and what not) to do. I've narrowed it down to two possible choices. The first one is a musical note (or series of notes). Music has always been an important part of my life, and this would represent it well. (Much better than the Pearl Jam tattoo I wanted during the heyday of grunge). The other design I am debating is a paw print. This has a couple of meanings. Not only does it represent my love of cats, but also Eastern's mascot is the Panthers, and the symbol is a paw print. Since I thought of the tattoo as a graduation present to myself, that would fit as well.
The next question is where to put it. I'd like to be able to show it to people, but at the same time I don't want to have it out in the open since I work in a professional environment. The first place I thought of was on the small of my back, but there's not a lot of flesh there and that could hurt. The other place I was thinking about was near my hip bone. Plenty of flesh there so hopefully it wouldn't hurt so much, but one of my coworkers is thinking about getting a tattoo in that spot and I don't want anyone to think I'm copying her. Then again, who cares? She's got a tattoo on her back also, and there's only so many places I can put a tattoo.
The last question is the pain. Some people I talk to say it doesn't hurt so much, and others say it really hurts. Mike thinks I wouldn't be able to handle it, so of course I want to prove him wrong. I have a problem with needles, but this isn't like giving blood, where the needle is inserted into your body. It's more like getting pricked with a pin. Over and over again. Right????
So why do I really want a tattoo? Honestly, I can't think of a good reason besides "I want one". It's not to be a rebel, because tattoos are pretty acceptable nowadays. It's almost more rebellious not to have one. I think before I do anything, I need to visit my tattoo parlor of choice and get more information. If anyone out there has any tattoo experiences (good or bad) and would like to share, please do!
Monday, May 29, 2006
Lazy long weekend
The Memorial Day holiday is just about at a close, and what did we do over this long weekend? Pretty much nothing, which was actually kind of cool. Saturday night we went downtown for a few drinks, and I tried a new beer called Sunrye, which I liked. Mike didn't like it so much, but he had a Guiness beforehand, and this was the complete opposite. Sunday we tried a new (to us) place for breakfast called Sammy's. Good food, but the service was so-so at best. Probably not someplace we'll go back to. In the afternoon we saw the new X-Men movie, which was pretty good. A lot of characters got killed off, but if you stay past the credits you'll see an extra scene which raises some questions. Today we went to Allerton Park. We didn't stay long because it was very hot, but it was still nice to be out there. We also stopped by Circuit City, and their computers were working again so we were able to pick up some movies and music. I got the new Eagles of Death Metal cd, as well as the Raconteurs, and I'm very excited to give those a listen. We've picked up a lot of new music lately, and I'm still trying to catch up.
And of course, the reason for this day off-the men and women who serve our country. I may not agree with the situation in Iraq, but I am very appreciative and supportive of the soldiers who are serving there and in other parts of the world. And of course, the ones who have fought over the years and have given up so much in order to serve their country. To all the veterans, thank you.
And of course, the reason for this day off-the men and women who serve our country. I may not agree with the situation in Iraq, but I am very appreciative and supportive of the soldiers who are serving there and in other parts of the world. And of course, the ones who have fought over the years and have given up so much in order to serve their country. To all the veterans, thank you.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Junk for Sale
The subdivision across the street from us had a community garage sale today, and we wandered over there this morning to see if we could find anything good. I found a couple of books, but that was about it. I am constantly amazed at what people try to sell. One house was trying to sell the Scrubbing Bubbles toilet wand. That's been in their toilet-gross! Another house was selling planters without the plants-just dirty, old planters. We did a rummage sale a long time ago with someone who sold her old underwear-yes, people bought it! I know that one person's trash is another's treasure, but there's got to be a limit! We've got some stuff that we're accumulating and I assure you, our junk is much better!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Relay for Life
The Champaign County Relay for Life is this weekend. It's a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, and Mike and I have participated every year that we've been here. We've had family members touched by cancer, and this is a way to honor not only those who've lost the struggle, but also the ones that have survived. We got involved in this through the bank, which sponsors a team every year. This means we don't have to collect donations, but if you would like to help you can donate online. What we basically do is walk around Centennial's track. The relay starts at 6 PM on Saturday and goes to 6 AM on Sunday. Mike and I are scheduled to walk from 3-4 AM, which is actually a very nice time to walk. The luminaria are lit and it creates a really peaceful atmosphere. Everyone on our team keeps track of how many laps they walk and we tally it up at the end. I know last year we beat the previous year's totals, so hopefully we'll do the same this year. I don't think we get anything special for it, just bragging rights. There's also all sorts of other activities going on throughout the night, such as theme laps and there's usually a band playing at some point. So if you're bored at 3 AM and feel like getting some excercise, come on out to Centennial and walk with us. We'll be easy to spot, we'll be wearing the bright green T-shirts.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Spa Day!
We've been on vacation this week, and boy what a week it was. We went to Phoenix, Arizona on Friday and returned on Tuesday. Phoenix itself was okay, but the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. I could totally get used to seeing mountains every day. And while it was hot, I could tell the difference immediately. Much nicer without the humidity. We did miss the 100+ degree days, that happened after we left. Mike's blog has more detail about the trip, so I won't repeat. But the train ride was really fun, and the scenery around Sedona was just gorgeous.
Today was Spa Day. As an early graduation gift, Mike got me a "Day at the Spa" from BJ Grand Salon & Spa. Talk about relaxation and pampering! The morning started out with a full body massage. Laura is a Director, which is the highest level BJ's has. I could immediately see why. She made me feel very comfortable, and she gave a damn good massage. Even the other times I saw her she was very friendly and kept asking how I was doing, if she could get me anything. In other words, she made me feel like a princess!
Next up was a facial and eyebrow wax with Debbie. I wasn't sure what to expect, since my experiences with waxing at home were dubious. But it only hurt for a second, and the difference is amazing. The facial was so relaxing, and my skin still feels shiny and new. She used a seaweed mask, the first of many seaweed treatments of the day.
Next was a pedicure with Jo, which was also a first for me. This also involved a seaweed treatment, which was a bizarre yet nice feeling. The mixture is warm and you can feel it crackling and popping. This helps release the toxins, and she mentioned that she gave a pedicure once to someone who was drinking vanilla martinis the night before, and after she did the seaweed treatment she could smell the vanilla. Remind me to watch what I eat next time I have this done!
After a short lunch break, it was time for the manicure. Again, there was a seaweed treatment. I'm starting to understand how sushi feels. I gotta admit, my hands were smooth and shiny when she was done. Remember what I said about toxins? She knew that I had eaten a few onions in my lunch!
Last stop of the day was a hair treatment with you guessed it-seaweed! Lori gave me a really nice head massage first, and then it was time for slime. Then a shampoo, and a blow dry, and it was all over. I felt so relaxed, it was almost hard to drive home. This was definitely a wonderful present, and I couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks so much honey!!!
Today was Spa Day. As an early graduation gift, Mike got me a "Day at the Spa" from BJ Grand Salon & Spa. Talk about relaxation and pampering! The morning started out with a full body massage. Laura is a Director, which is the highest level BJ's has. I could immediately see why. She made me feel very comfortable, and she gave a damn good massage. Even the other times I saw her she was very friendly and kept asking how I was doing, if she could get me anything. In other words, she made me feel like a princess!
Next up was a facial and eyebrow wax with Debbie. I wasn't sure what to expect, since my experiences with waxing at home were dubious. But it only hurt for a second, and the difference is amazing. The facial was so relaxing, and my skin still feels shiny and new. She used a seaweed mask, the first of many seaweed treatments of the day.
Next was a pedicure with Jo, which was also a first for me. This also involved a seaweed treatment, which was a bizarre yet nice feeling. The mixture is warm and you can feel it crackling and popping. This helps release the toxins, and she mentioned that she gave a pedicure once to someone who was drinking vanilla martinis the night before, and after she did the seaweed treatment she could smell the vanilla. Remind me to watch what I eat next time I have this done!
After a short lunch break, it was time for the manicure. Again, there was a seaweed treatment. I'm starting to understand how sushi feels. I gotta admit, my hands were smooth and shiny when she was done. Remember what I said about toxins? She knew that I had eaten a few onions in my lunch!
Last stop of the day was a hair treatment with you guessed it-seaweed! Lori gave me a really nice head massage first, and then it was time for slime. Then a shampoo, and a blow dry, and it was all over. I felt so relaxed, it was almost hard to drive home. This was definitely a wonderful present, and I couldn't have asked for a better day. Thanks so much honey!!!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
School's winding down......
Hard to believe that after waiting all semester, school's about to end. In case you didn't know, I am a part-time student at Eastern Illinois University. I'm enrolled in a program called Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, which is a program for us old farts who have been out of school for a while. In this program you can do a portfolio of your work experience and earn college credit based on your experience. I actually was not able to do that since another requirement is college credits through Eastern at the junior/senior level, but it's still a good program. Since the degree is liberal arts, you are pretty much open to take whatever you want. I'm looking forward to my summer class, which is on J.R.R. Tolkien. I'm looking forward to it even more since it will be my last class. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't get cancelled on me!
Another interesting thing about this program is I've never set foot on campus. Eastern's about a 45 minute drive south of here, but all of my classes have been either over the internet or at Parkland's campus. Books are either mailed out or the instructor brings them, and I even have an ID card that allows me access to the online library (and student discounts!). So I will graduate from a college that I have never actually set foot on.
I've also been lucky because my employer is paying for this. I actually got the bug to go back to school in 2000, and started at Parkland College. I earned an associate's degree in business management while working full time, and I learned about Eastern's program when I saw a counselor before graduation. I wish I had known about this program sooner, since that would have saved some time. But either way, I'm glad I went back. It's funny I've taken credits at four different schools to earn this degree-Milwaukee Area Technical College, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Parkland, and Eastern. Guess I'm quite the mutt!
And on a side note-I know all you film buffs love Ebertfest, but for those of us who work downtown, what a pain in the butt!
Another interesting thing about this program is I've never set foot on campus. Eastern's about a 45 minute drive south of here, but all of my classes have been either over the internet or at Parkland's campus. Books are either mailed out or the instructor brings them, and I even have an ID card that allows me access to the online library (and student discounts!). So I will graduate from a college that I have never actually set foot on.
I've also been lucky because my employer is paying for this. I actually got the bug to go back to school in 2000, and started at Parkland College. I earned an associate's degree in business management while working full time, and I learned about Eastern's program when I saw a counselor before graduation. I wish I had known about this program sooner, since that would have saved some time. But either way, I'm glad I went back. It's funny I've taken credits at four different schools to earn this degree-Milwaukee Area Technical College, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Parkland, and Eastern. Guess I'm quite the mutt!
And on a side note-I know all you film buffs love Ebertfest, but for those of us who work downtown, what a pain in the butt!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
An Open Letter To The Residents of My Community
To the occupants of the house on Springfield Ave: TAKE DOWN YOUR CHRISTMAS WREATH!! Today is April 19, not December 19. I'm sure that your wreath was lovely around Christmas, but now it's a dried out yellowish brown hunk of pine on your window.
And to those of you who still have your icicle lights up, take those down as well. That's just laziness.
Thank you.
And to those of you who still have your icicle lights up, take those down as well. That's just laziness.
Thank you.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
A Recycling Challenge for You
I was putting a plastic bag from Target in our bag bin when I noticed they now have 10 Ways to Reuse Your Target Bag listed on the side. Here's the list:
1. Tiny Trashcan Liner-definitely use this one!
2. Doggy Duty-we don't have a dog, but some of our neighbors do.
3. Water Balloon-why didn't I think of this sooner?
4. Roadtrip Rubbish-again, very useful!
5. Soggy Laundry-really, it was from swimming!
6. Ice Pack for Head Lump-usually use Ziploc baggies, but this would be better.
7. Toiletry Tote-an leaky shampoo bottle will convince you of the value of this one.
8. Kitty Litter Liner-more like Doggy Duty, but close enough.
9. Tomorrow's Lunchbag-I feel vindicated now!
10. Care Package Padding-actually it was to return a pair of shoes, but same thing.
We've also used them to dispose of a dead rabbit found under our lilac bush. Yuck!
So that's really 11 uses, and I'm sure there's many more. If you don't already, I challenge you to start putting your plastic bags to good use. What do you use them for?
1. Tiny Trashcan Liner-definitely use this one!
2. Doggy Duty-we don't have a dog, but some of our neighbors do.
3. Water Balloon-why didn't I think of this sooner?
4. Roadtrip Rubbish-again, very useful!
5. Soggy Laundry-really, it was from swimming!
6. Ice Pack for Head Lump-usually use Ziploc baggies, but this would be better.
7. Toiletry Tote-an leaky shampoo bottle will convince you of the value of this one.
8. Kitty Litter Liner-more like Doggy Duty, but close enough.
9. Tomorrow's Lunchbag-I feel vindicated now!
10. Care Package Padding-actually it was to return a pair of shoes, but same thing.
We've also used them to dispose of a dead rabbit found under our lilac bush. Yuck!
So that's really 11 uses, and I'm sure there's many more. If you don't already, I challenge you to start putting your plastic bags to good use. What do you use them for?
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Close Encounters of the Mormon kind
Yesterday I didn't feel like eating the frozen cuisine I brought for lunch, and since the sun was shining, decided to venture over to Za's to get a salad. Za's serves pizza, pasta, salad, and sandwiches, very tasty stuff. You fill out menu cards, which allows you to customize your meal. When I got there, the parking lot was pretty full, but I managed to sneak a spot by the front door. As I was walking in, I saw two college age guys in suits also walking in. I figured they were young professionals on their lunch break. I got in and filled out my menu card, and started waiting in line. One of the young guys was ahead of me, and I noticed he was wearing a name tag which read "Church of the Latter Day Saints". I looked behind me, and there were about ten more guys and a couple of girls, all wearing black suits (the girls were wearing black dresses). Mormons!!
Overall, I don't have a problem with religion. I went to a Catholic grade school and a Catholic high school, and I don't know that I would have a lot of the values I have if it weren't for that. I'm not a religious person, but I respect other peoples religious beliefs. That being said, Mormons kind of creep me out. They strike me as kind of cultish, and they have to wear special underwear. Not to mention the whole polygamy thing. And Donnie and Marie. The other thing that popped into my head was they aren't allowed to have caffeine, so they would be ordering water. Sure enough, they all did. Since I was surrounded by them, I got iced tea just to prove I wasn't one of the clones.
I was able to snag a seat in the restaurant where their whole group wouldn't fit, so none of them sat by me. I was getting close to finishing my salad when I noticed that some of them were already done eating. To kill time, they started talking to a woman sitting at a table by herself reading her book. Where are you from, that kind of thing. I figured they would start talking to her about religion next. At that point, I realized that I would be the next target, since I was also sitting alone reading a book. So I scarfed down my last bite and got the heck out of there. No special underwear for me!!
Overall, I don't have a problem with religion. I went to a Catholic grade school and a Catholic high school, and I don't know that I would have a lot of the values I have if it weren't for that. I'm not a religious person, but I respect other peoples religious beliefs. That being said, Mormons kind of creep me out. They strike me as kind of cultish, and they have to wear special underwear. Not to mention the whole polygamy thing. And Donnie and Marie. The other thing that popped into my head was they aren't allowed to have caffeine, so they would be ordering water. Sure enough, they all did. Since I was surrounded by them, I got iced tea just to prove I wasn't one of the clones.
I was able to snag a seat in the restaurant where their whole group wouldn't fit, so none of them sat by me. I was getting close to finishing my salad when I noticed that some of them were already done eating. To kill time, they started talking to a woman sitting at a table by herself reading her book. Where are you from, that kind of thing. I figured they would start talking to her about religion next. At that point, I realized that I would be the next target, since I was also sitting alone reading a book. So I scarfed down my last bite and got the heck out of there. No special underwear for me!!
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