Pole Dancing In The Dark

Ethnecentric

Sometimes, it is all about me...

I am a seasonal allergy sufferer. Of course that somehow doesn't really cover it for me because I seem to be sneezing year round lately. If it's not pollen from trees, grass, flowers, it's the ragweed or the mold and mildew, and even animals. I am probably allergic to cats. It may just be that I am tolerant of my three. I know I am allergic to dogs. Being enclosed in a home with these open mouth breathers of the animal kingdom is a sure fire way to wind up in bed, eyes swollen shut, sneezing what's left of my brains out. (Don't take it the wrong way, I adore dogs, I really do… just as long as someone else has to shovel, feed, walk and bathe them. Kinda my stance on children as well…maybe I am allergic to them…)

Anyway, the point I was trying to make is that this time of the year is the worst for me, especially when it's this humid. It seems to encourage the cottonwoods to spew their nasty little white floaty things everywhere. It looks almost like snow as it covers people's yards, driveways and pools. These little white tufts of misery are generally my undoing. They send me into a tizzy of hay fever the likes of which most medical science has never seen. And other than succumbing ot the allergy test / shots thing, there isn't much that my doctor can do for me. (I opted out of the shots, mainly because hubster does want children and you can't get the shots if you are pregnant. With my luck, I would get to the first round of shots, then get knocked up. That is a waste of money and time that I just don't have. Child first, then shots.)

The other route is the prescriptions of Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec. All of which I have tried. Usually I'll take them for a month, then the mother of attacks hits, I figure the medication has failed me and I will never take it again. Besides, I don't like taking a pill everyday if my symptoms only hit every once in a while. So, I live on Benadryl. I take it only when my eyes start getting itchy, and it usually side tracks the rest of the misery. The problem there is that it makes me all sleepy tired. Like right now. I spend time fighting to stay away and time gets all strange. I find myself open mouth drooling into the key board reading the same line over and over and over and over and… like now.

Also, my mouth now tastes like ass…

The pursuit of life, liberty and property

Like a few others of the HCBA community, I too have discovered the newest community of bloggers, known as Life, Liberty and Property. I requested permission to join this group that came together with single purpose - to speak out against the slow systematic destruction of every American's Constitutional right to the aforementioned life, liberty and property and the recent astoundingly stupid rulings made by the Supreme Court. I haven't really had much time as of late to put together a good rant against the mayhem as I have been working mandatory overtime and taking care of personal business.
But I just wanted to take a moment to point these folks out to you, my gentle readers. Read what they have to say. It's important, it's necessary, it's our Constitution and our rights.

I also want to let the marhhhhhhhhvelous folks know how honored I am to be counted among them. Thanks for voting for me...

Now, about that initiation rite... can we talk about it first? huh? huh?

I believe in Karma

How does that shoe fit, Supreme Court Justice Souter?

From Freestar Media
Weare, New Hampshire (PRWEB) Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it. A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land.

Go read the whole thing.
HT to Linda. Thanks sisterfriend!

I do have a rant on the whole eminent domain, because believe it or not, I can think for myself... sorta. It's just that I haven't had the time to collect my thoughts.

Zombie Puppies

Resident Evil of Dogs?

Ok, it just makes me so uneasy because of last week's nightmare. I'm not real happy about the experiment all together. I'm sorry, that's just some freaky shit. I'm all about giving our men and women in uniform every chance to survive, but this...

I'm just not sure I can handle the implications of this.

Torture at GitMo?

Apparently there is torture at GitMo, it's just not what the American people are lead to believe from the "evil Media conglomerate™."

As reported by Lt. Col.Gordon Cucullu:
After speaking with soldiers, sailors, and civilians who collectively staff Gitmo, I left convinced that abuse definitely exists at the detention facilities, and it typically fails to receive the press attention it deserves: it’s the relentless, merciless attacks on American servicemen and women by these terrorist thugs. Many of the orange jumpsuit-clad detainees fight their captors at every opportunity, openly bragging of their desire to kill Americans. One has promised that, if released, he would find MPs in their homes through the internet, break into their houses at night, and “cut the throats of them and their families like sheep.” Others claim authority and vindication to kill women, children, and other innocents who oppose their jihadist mission authorized by the Koran (the same one that hangs in every cell from a specially-designed holder intended to protect it from a touching the cell floor – all provided at U.S. taxpayer expense). One detainee was heard to tell another: “One day I will enjoy sucking American blood, although their blood is bitter, undrinkable….”

Read the whole thing.

And then read this: GitMo's Menu. If I ate like that every day I would be pushing maximum density.

Now contrast that to the story of recently released Douglas Wood, who, according to Andrew Jaspan, should have been more grateful to his captors. After all, they fed him. (Bread and water, once a day). They also kicked him in the head, kept him blindfolded and bound for 47 days, shaved him bald, killed two of his colleagues, made him beg for his life, and -- says a fellow hostage from Sweden -- shot several other prisoners in front of him.

What was that you were saying about abuse?

HT: Little Green Footballs

Bakin'

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

...ALLEGANY-CATTARAUGUS-CHAUTAUQUA-GENESEE-JEFFERSON-LEWIS-LIVINGSTON- MONROE-NIAGARA-NORTHERN CAYUGA-NORTHERN ERIE-ONTARIO-ORLEANS-OSWEGO- SOUTHERN ERIE-WAYNE-WYOMING- 1000 AM EDT MON JUN 27 2005

... OPPRESSIVE HEAT TO BAKE WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK THIS AFTERNOON...

Thank the powers that be for AC!

TROPICAL HIGH PRESSURE HAS BEEN DISPLACED NORTHWARD AND EXTENDS FROM THE GREAT LAKES TO UPSTATE NEW YORK AND NEW ENGLAND TODAY.

THIS WILL ALLOW OUR REGION WILL EXPERIENCE ITS HOTTEST DAY IN SEVERAL YEARS TODAY. IN ADDITION... WINDS WILL BE VERY LIGHT AND HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL INCREASE AGAIN TO OPPRESSIVE LEVELS DURING THE AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURES WILL REACH THE MID 90S OVER MANY AREAS... INCLUDING BUFFALO AND ROCHESTER... AND COMBINE WITH DEW POINTS OF 65 TO 70 TO PRODUCE HEAT INDICES OF NEAR 100 DEGREES.

WE ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO SUCH EXCESSIVE HEAT AND HUMIDITY LEVELS.

No, no we're not. Throw a below freezing blizzard at us, we can handle it, but this... not enough ice cream in the world

LIMIT ANY PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT. SUNSTROKE... HEAT CRAMPS OR HEAT EXHAUSTION ARE POSSIBLE WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

Good think I work on computers in air conditioned offices all day, all though the walk to the car may kill me.

THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CONTINUE FOR MUCH OF THE WEEK... ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE SEVERAL DEGREES COOLER THAN TODAY AS MORE CLOUDINESS IS EXPECTED.

My mother told me that this summer was expected to be a cold rainy crappy one... perhaps she should become a meterologist...

I shouldn't complain as there American men and women away from home, suffering in more oppresive heat than this, all for a country they love. So, I am not complaining. Much...

It's a long'un Part III

Part I and II are here:

There was another jolt in timeline as it was night again. Those whom had been captured were all still in their cages. There were also new occupants to the cage farm, more lab rats. Three of them I recognized. (This was the first hint also that I had been watching way to much Farscape.) Crichton, Aeryn and Zhaan were in cages that were across from me. ( And since the actual dream occurred Tuesday night / Wednesday morning, some of the details are starting to get hazy, such is life…) The Crichton and Aeryn had apparently been trying to get my attention between patrolling guards. (Apparently I am just as thick headed in my dreams as in real life.) Finally when they had my attention they filled me in on a plan to get us all out of there. They then told me that I was integral to the plan because it appeared that the scientists were very interested in me, and wanted to keep me undamaged. So, naturally I was the decoy.

I was to escape first to lure the guards away from everyone else. I was to bait them into following me to the dilapidate warehouse where I had already been knocked unconscious in the previous episode of this particular frelled up dream. Once I had them inside, a ambush of resistance fighters was there to pounce on them, allowing me to escape, through an underwater tunnel back to where the main resistance headquarters were.

I was beginning to smell a set up. I said as much. Crichton and Zhaan did their best to ease my fears, and my semi-conscious self thought, "I hope this plan goes better than all the other plans these guys have had." So, it was with an understandable amount of hesitancy that I pulled a bobby pin (which magically appeared) from my hair, and started to work on the lock. It didn't take long and it was in the nick of time to capture the attention of the patrolling guard. I ran quickly to the cage my newest buddies are in to drop the bobby pin, and hauled butt out of the lab.

I was very nearly caught several times by the guards. They weren't your usually clumsy variety, but I could hear them calling out to each other to not shoot me. I was needed alive and unharmed. Suddenly I was this running machine and I got far enough ahead of the pack that when I dove into a little alcove. I hid until the troops ran past me, save the last one. A short squat little guy. Slow mover, easy pickins, very darwinesque. I hold a knife to his throat (have no idea where that came from) and do a little impromptu interrogation. I find out that the reason why I am so valuable is that I have resisted the virus that had turned most of the world into Zombies. The scientists wanted to use me as an incubator so that they could harvest anti-bodies. The rest of the folk in the lab lockup - test animals. The were to be injected with the virus, then with my anti-bodies. Not what I need to hear. I killed him and moved on. (I've never killed anyone in my dreams before, it freaked me a little.)

I finally got back in front of the pack, and led them to the predestined coordinates. Again, with the sinking feeling of déjà vu, I see the enemy on two sides. Zombies, men with guns. But the resistance, no where to be seen. I start swearing a blue streak. I start running towards stacks and shelves of bog knows what. I'm in a blind panic now, wondering who will catch me first. I see the drainage area where the pipe is that I am supposed to swim through and as I get closer a loud roaring of voices is heard. The resistance had arrived and fighting had broken out on all sides. It was a mad house. Someone from what I now considered my side, pushed a large heavy gun into my hands. I turned to start firing on my pursuers…

And then I woke up, heart pounding out of my chest.

I hate Zombie dreams…

Browncoats strike back

For my fellow Serenity/Firefly fans:

The Browncoats Rise Again

HT:To fellow ISN'er, Joe Alias

PS: If you like Sci-Fi and you haven't watched the DVDs of Firefly yet, I urge you to do so.

Peak Liberty

Brad has a wonderful essay on the idea of "peak liberty" and how this nation seems to be sliding backwards on the rights of the people. Go and read it now. I think he pretty much covers my opinion on the matter of "eminent domain" and the matter of the people of New London Connecticut.

It's a long 'un

It seemed as if I were having another one of my insomniac bouts last night. I woke up in the wee hours of the morning and could not get back to sleep. So I decided that the best course of action was to go into work early… really early. And in keeping with the whole illogical theme, I decided to walk, even though it's a 15-mile trek. But the weather has been comfortable of late, so it seemed like a perfectly logical decision. Until I realized that I was walking barefoot down a major expressway in my PJ's, in the dark. It was then I realized that something wasn't right. I also noticed that none of the lights were on over the expressway and I was having a difficult time seeing where I was going.

Just as I was realizing how susceptible to injury (or stepping in something) I was by walking around in my bare feet, I felt the inevitable gag worthy squishing of something unidentifiable in between my toes. I also felt the sharp stab of some hard foreign substance getting lodged in my right foot, just below my big toe towards the side. Instinctively I pick up my foot and reach towards the offending object to realize with disgust that I had just stepped in some unidentifiable pavement pizza, and it was said unidentifiable roadkill's tooth which was now embedded in my foot. I manage to pull the offending tooth out of my foot and calmly try to figure out when I had my last tetanus shot. At this point I also became aware of the fact I was actually asleep in my own bed at home. The clincher being how calm I was in my dream: compared to the fact that I am gagging right now as I talk about it. If it had really happened I would probably be tossing cookies non-stop… hell, I would probably have wound up in a loony bin somewhere.

Anyway, despite the fact that I was on some level aware that this was a dream, it still felt pretty damn real, despite the fact that things kept getting stranger and stranger. So, I continue my trek down 104, but I am now looking for someplace to stop and get some poor kind soul to take me to the hospital so I can have this wound clean, stitched and get the tetanus shot, because I knew that it had been about 13 years since the last one (sliced my finger open with a cat food can - the kitties immediately went on a bagged food diet after that.) So, I run into this really sweet couple that are looking at apartments (at 4:30 AM, mind you.) They let me take along because they want ot make sure that I arrive someplace safe. We find this big yellow house with it lights on, and a kindly woman sitting on the front porch. I tell them that I know this place and that I will be all right here. (In reality, I recognize the house because I pass it every day coming home from work, but I have no idea if an axe murderer lives there or if it's someone sane.)
I thank them, they say goodbye and this kindly grandmotherly type welcomes me into her house. She takes a look at my injury and immediately takes me to the hospital.

At this point in my dream, some sort of time-lapse thing happens because we all know that in reality, I would have been waiting for eons in the emergency room.) As it was, the doctor came in, looked at my wound, checked it (which was semi-painful) to ensure there were no… bits left in it, put a band aide on it and let me go. No shot? Apparently not. AS I was checking out, I checked the time. Suddenly it was 5:30 PM and hubster had no idea where I was. So, I called him to let him know what happened.

He answered the phone in a snit and was extremely mean. He basically told me that I had been a thorn in his side and he was leaving me. There were many other mean things said that made me cry. I hung up the phone, extremely upset. I was weeping a little as I was walking out of the hospital, so I didn't notice how unusually crowded it was. There seemed ot be a huge mob that wanted in. I looked up just in time to see a blond haired man with a grey face looming towards me. There was malice in his eyes as he glared at me with hunger. He lunged with his mouth wide open as if to literally bite my head off when I realized that he was a zombie. (During the dream itself, I thought… oh great, another zombie dream…)

Just has he lunged at me, the crowd around him seemed to swarm around him as if to keep him from harming me. Next thing I know, the kindly granny that took me to the hospital, grabbed me by the hand and we started to haul ass out of there.

Being a dream, the next moment we were standing in her backyard. Her backyard is almost like a fantasy with its picture perfect beauty, riotous colors and chirpy birds. The wind picked up and the bright sunlight disappears, the clouds rolled in, low hanging and bloated. The colors fade and the birds fell silent. A low moaning was coming from the front of the house. First it was just a single voice that grew quickly into a cacophony of undead. The moaning grew louder and louder until I felt my head would burst. The sound crippled me, I couldn't move and I felt my heart was ready to explode from fear. My brain was screaming, "RUN!!!! RUN YOU MORON!!!!" but my legs would not move as I fell to the ground clutching my now bleeding ears and underneath it all I could feel the shuffling of feet growing closer.

I wake up. I'm all achy and clammy and cold, despite the fact that the internal temperature of the house is 75° and I am wrapped in a blanket and comforter. I'm shivering, not so much from the nightmare, because Zombie nightmares are old hat to me, but I am not feeling that well. My throat is soar, my body aches and my head is really pounding. Probably sinuses, I think. I check the alarm clock. It's 5 AM, and I feel horrible. So I close my eyes hoping to get one more hour of sleep in before getting up to go to work. Last thought that I am aware of is "Well, at least the Zombies are out of the way."

Apparently not.

I found myself in a large dilapidated warehouse. I am surrounded on all sides. One side had a quickly disappearing chain link fence being pushed down by masses of Zombies trying to nosh a bit on me brain, The other side a large swarm of military / scientist (whom I am beginning to suspect are responsible for e the former problem) and finally there is a throng of other people bearing weapons that look like they want nothing to do with either of the other groups. A resistance group perhaps? I don't find out, as I suddenly knocked unconscious (in my dream, no less).

I wake up again, this time to the alarm clock. I still feel wrung out / flattened by some unseen Mack truck. I literally fall out of bed. I swear that I have the flu or some such thing because no one could feel this ill and not be sick. I stumble upstairs to grab the phone and call my boss. I call in late. I tell him that I am feeling horrible (and at this point, my intestines feel as if they are filled with snakes squirming all about) and I will be in as soon as I am able. After all, we are working mandatory over time, and we are down two people. Dren (Farscapian for shit) needs to get done. I crawl back in bed.

I woke up in a laboratory like setting. I was stuck in this human sized cage (like an oversized lab rat.) I recognize other people in surrounding cages as being some of those in what I had mentally referred to as a resistance group. (I am also aware how odd that a dream has been so frelling persistent - this has never happened to it and me before's freaking me out a little.) One of them looked over at me and put her finger to her lips in the typical shushing signal. It was unnecessary as were are soldiers tromping around as well as many white-coated scientists, muttering amongst themselves.

End of Part I & II

Oh no, another quiz

Because that cool kid Brad forced me to... yes... he did! Shush!!!

Which OS are You?

I'm going to Dis-knee-land

I'm really quit bummed out right now. All I really want to do when I get out of here tonight is go home and continue my quests through Arx Fatalis. Yes, yes, I know it's a fairly old game and I should have finished it long ago… but I feel as if now it is patched well enough that I can play through it all the way without it crashing and corrupting all my previously saved games. I won't even bother to mention how close I was to finishing the game way back when it happened the last time. I was so angry I nearly threw my computer out the window. Why I was going to take it out on a perfectly good computer, I don't know (shhhhush you… I hear the beginnings of the lecture about how wonderful a Mac is brewing, so shush!)

Anyway, since that was the third time I had to start from the beginning, I decided that I could live happily without knowing how the game ended… or so I thought back then. The thing is, after playing Morrowind through for the second time, I realized that my gaming options have really been limited as of late. I will not break down to purchase a console of any kind because it's against my gaming religion… oh yes, I said religion. So, instead of continuing to pout because Call of Cthulhu has been pushed out to February 06 and because I heard Area 51 wasn't all that good, I decided it was time to see what patches were available and load the game. I played some this weekend, but I cannot put the time into gaming that I used to. Mainly because when I do, my hands and arms start aching within the first couple of hours. Such is the life of a computer geek. So I know that when I get out of work tonight I won't be able to play… unless of course, I want to dose myself with some of my Flexeril so I can sleep… and that never leads to good things.

But enough of my whinging. I know, I do it a lot, but it is just because I am so good at it.

~~~

I came across an article the other day that really struck a nerve with me. It had to do with a consumer safety group called Saferparks. While I believe their intentions are good, I can't say that I am impressed with their response to the situation that happened down at Epcot (Eisner's Pay Comes Off the Top). As a matter of fact, the response of one of these nanny state minded asshats was

""Parents can't possibly assess, you know, whether their 4-year-old child is suitable for a particular motion on a ride. They don't have the expertise to do that," said Fackler."

Um, what?

Parents can't possibly assess something that may not be suitable for their own children? Since when? Now, don't get me wrong, I feel horrible that a four year old boy lost his life on a ride at Disney, but I am wondering at the lack of common sense behind letting him on a ride like that. He's four for bog's sake and any reasonable adult would check out what a ride was before letting their four year old on it, regardless of his height… especially one that has all the warnings reserved for intense rides of that nature. I've been to Disney and I have had relatives and friend work for the mouse and they really do take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their rides. The four year old would have been good in the Magic Kingdom (with the notable exception of Alien Invasion - because that even gave me nightmares) but to go on a ride that "simulates a rocket and spins riders around in a centrifuge" is over the top. Oh, I don't think so.

I know that some regulations on parks should be necessary because people are entrusting their lives with a company to seek a few thrills without actually having to defy death. I also realize that many are dishonest by nature and try to scam the systems to accumulate some wealth. But many of these parks are holders of some pretty expensive insurance policies to ensure that if something unfortunate happens, that they won't lose their entire livelihoods. And I am assuming that if their multimillion dollar policies are the least bit like my puny little homeowners policy, there are quite a few hoops that they need to go through. Plus, I believe these parks are inspected on fairly regular basis.

Also, as in the case of Disney, Themeparks by nature are not some fly by night operations and many people have been going to them for years. I am interested to find out the injuries per volume the big parks have. And when is the last time you have heard of a fatality due to malfunction within theses places? Besides, this child didn't die from a malfunction. There were people getting on and off that ride all day long that didn't have any issues. His mother was right next to him during the ride and noticed that he was suffering some form of distress. I hate to blame her for now she has to deal with the loss of her child, but that is where the blame belongs.

It is the responsibility of a parent to know what sort of ride the child wants to go on and whether or not it is suitable for their child, It's just like everything else, movies, tv, music and video games. Ultimately it's in the parents' power to allow or deny because their child's safety needs to be their primary concern. It is one of the few aspects of their kids' lives that they can exercise some control over.

I'm just a girl

Buy me something...

Your IQ Is 135

Your Logical Intelligence is Genius Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Exceptional

Last IQ test I took said 145... :(

Babylon 5 Quote of the Day

"You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them? So, now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."
-- Marcus to Franklin in Babylon 5:"A Late Delivery from Avalon"

That's refreshing

It's nice to know that so far, some of the exsisting networks still have some sort of moral backbone. Or perhaps it's merely that they are afraid of the backlash.
Networks Snub Jackson Reality series. Well, except for CBS at this moment. After the whole Memo hubbub, it doesn't really surprise me.

Talk about Irony

PETA Workers charged with Animal Cruelty

'nuff said

PS: Go buy a t-shirt from Mr. Catscape. They're slick. :) (I think I should get a free sticker for the promotion of his website... hee hee hee. The little oval one would look snazzy next to the KI one on my car...)

My $0.02

I haven't said to much about the Michael Jackson debacle, just because if you, the gentle reader, are anything like me, you are pretty tired from hearing about him. It's not just general apathy that drives me on this, it more like I knew how it would turn out before it even started. That's not to say that I don't believe he is guilty (because I do believe that he is) but more stemming from the complete lack of evidence and the witness (accusers) reputation for inveigling money out of famous folk really made it impossible to convict "beyond a shadow of a doubt."

Of course, I wasn't privy to all the evidence and testimony that the jury had. I guess I would have had to be there. It's our trial system and sometimes it just plain sucks. But I'll tell you something for free… there is no way whatsoever, I would ever ever let my child sleep with an adult, especially one who has already been accused of molesting children. This mother knew exactly what reputation Jacko had. She should be held accountable for her actions as well.

The thing that disturbs me the most about the whole thing? Jacko's family getting their own freakin' reality show. The man should be shunned, not get more exposure. Asshats! Anyway, here's hoping that no network picks up the rights to that one (gives MTV the evil eye).

A Perfect Fit

The perfect shirt for me...

It's a good thing I have learned to keep myself humble. That way the ego doesn't get bruised when the hatchet inevitably drops. It could happen...

and no, I haven't heard anything, which is why I am worried.

I was wrong

Autopsy: Schiavo Was Not Abused

I was wrong, Mr. Schiavo, for casting dispersions upon your character, as far as accusing you of being responsible for putting your wife into that condition. I am sorry.

That being said, I still think you are a scumbag for allowing her to die by starving her to death. I still think the judge was wrong to merely take you at your word, especially after you went through so much trouble to secure funds to keep your wife alive and comfortable by a malpractice suit. I think that cremating the body just to get back at your in-laws and not allowing them to have a service before doing so was a petty and small-minded thing to do.

But I have learned a valuable lesson, and that is to create a very specific living will.

No way... Really?

Say it isn't so...
Paris to give up public life.

Granted, according to her timetable, there are still two more years left of over-exposure, but still... there is an end in sight. Finally, a Tuesday starting off on a good note. :)

And seriously, I think I may go postal if I hear the combination of two celeBRATies names to indicate that they are together. Isn't it time this country graduated from grade school? Actually, the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that this country on the whole is regressing.

More on that later.

Dreaming

I had this great dream in the wee hours of the morning yesterday that made me aware of two things.
1. I have been spending way too much time watching my DVD's of Farscape. (I cannot help it, the stupid DRD's are still so very cute.)
2. I am completely, thoroughly and irrationally depressed that the Thief series is officially over. (At this point I would really like to blame Warren Spector, but I can't. I realize and understand this is not his fault. Nor was the crap quality of the final game… but that is a whole other rant for another day.)

It was a perfect night for a thief. Lady Luna had taken the night off ensuring no possibility of her silvery blue glow giving away the position of the figure that is intent on sneaking up the lawn of the rambling imposing estate, if there had been anyone looking. There are very few points of illumination along the walls which further confirm the thief's impression that either no one is home, or whomever is had already bid adieu to the day and was now soundly off chasing their own dreams.

Silently the thief sneaks up to the rough hewn stone that encases the grand Victorian style mansion and follows the wall until reaching a short heavy wood door. She muses to herself that the door must be used as a service entrance for the servants. Many live within walking distance to the manor and few lived in smallish homes on the property. The thief had already mapped out the comings and goings of the staff by spending a large quantity of time casing the joint.

She spends a few spare seconds dealing with the anxiety that always comes with the thrill of B & E, it's why she does it. It is a powerful, intoxicating feel to slink through someone's house uninvited and unseen. It's not like she needs the money anymore. She's gotten so adept that her even fence is tired of her appearances, regardless of the cut she gives him. With a nonchalant shrug, she aptly picks the simplistic lock, wondering why she hadn't ever heard of this place being robbed before. It's almost too easy is the thought that smugly travels through her mind as she carefully opens the archaic door before everything suddenly goes black.

(and he blathers at me, p12!!! p12!!! p12!!! I wish that man would learn to speak English a little more clearly.)

She wakes up from the dream, and finds herself in a foreign location. There are many men and women walking around strangely outfitted much like her. Typical thieving styles, dark colors, hoods, belts with pouches, cloaks the whole gamut of instruments of the trade. She tries to recall what happened. She had opened a door and … nothing. Although the pounding and the goose egg on the side of her head helps to job her memory and enlighten on her whereabouts. Obviously, she had been blackjacked. She touches the aching spot tentatively to gauge the damage done. No bleeding, good. Probably some sort of brain damage, but in her self-depreciating way, she figures it wouldn't be like she would notice. It serves her right for being so cocky. She should have backed off the minute she thought it was "too easy." Too easy is a bull's eye for karma's mocking arrow. She chides herself for the unnecessary self-pity and starts taking in more of her surroundings. Most people around her are standing, carrying on conversations as if this was some debutante's party and they were all invited guests. There are those sitting down on solid earth (which she just notices that she is still laying on) with their backs supported by the same rock that she had been sneaking along before being accosted. She couldn’t' shake the impression that everyone was quite comfortable with where they were. She seemed to be the only one that noticed something was amiss, so maybe it was just she.

(Did I mention that it is a freakin' sauna outside? I don't remember a June ever being this hot and muggy. It's like mid August out there. My lawn has already managed to dry up to something resembling hay. I refuse to spend money on something that bitch Mother Nature is supposed to take care of.)

To be con't

Fine, I give up

Because all the cool kidz are doin' it... but it's mainly Brad's fault.

You're a hardworking individual enshrouded by an overwhelming sense of mystery, beauty, and intrigue. Though always on the go, you keep focused, helping -- often rapturing -- those you meet. Take the What Pulp Fiction Character Are You? quiz.

And a huge THANK YOU goes out to Ystros, for helping me with the template from hell. (I personally hate IE, but we can't load Firefox on our workstations here, so... yeah.)

Quizzin'

Right now my co-worker is supposed to be hoggin' all the testing utilities, so that has given me some spare time. Not much, but enough for a quick quiz. The idea was filched from a friend - am not sure how he would feel if I linked without asking - but you get a hat tip anyway. Thanks Ystros. Same author, different quiz.

Your power is: Clairvoyance

Explanation: Your power is that you can
look into the future and see what is coming.
How far and long you can look is all depending
on your skill level. This can, as all powers,
be used in both evil and good. Even if it may
seem like a boring ability it is a huge
responsibility for the carrier, becase they are
constantly tempted with doing the wrongs deeds
(e.g. cheat on a test). It takes high morals to
not be brought down with it.

Therefor you fit with this power quite well.
You take responsibility and do what is the
right thing to do. This does not make you a
saint, since you're only human after all. But
it makes a trustworthy person and you are loyal
to camrades and/or team mates. In school you
were probably a good student. If you were
social varies from person to person, but most
clairvoyant people tend to prefer their own
company or that of close friends and family.
That is because you are wise and knows how to
treasure the reliable in your life, since you
know popularity can be a false element. You are
also not that big on taking risks and prefer
what is already explored. That is because you
don't like suprises, they can turn out bad and
then you won't be in control.
Negative aspects: Since you're always
doing the right thing and being trustworthy all
the time you can become frustrated. Also, all
that you carry on your shoulders may stress you
out. You need to relax to be in good mental
shape.

PS: If anyone has any idea why the template is cutting off in the middle of an entry at the bottom of the page, any and all help would be deeply appreciated.

Goodbye Summer Friend

Just a few quickies:

Thanks to all the helpful desk advice, it is highly appreciated. I did try Overstock.com and their selection - lacking severely. Also, Overstock and I are no longer on speaking terms due to a bad customer service situation that took 5 months to resolve, all their error. Their customer service representatives could have handled it a lot better, and their ability to deal with their vendors is, well, lacking. It will be a very long time before I do business with them again. But I do have to say on their behalf:
1. Their prices are unbeatable.
2. Their CEO supports our troops. Apparently he donated large quantities of Fahrenhype 9/11 to our troops overseas to counter act the morale damage "asshat" Moore did. So, just because my experience with them was a nightmare, doesn't mean that other people will be as unlucky as I. Somehow I just wound up with the Customer Service "shit on me" bulls eye on my forehead.

We have decided on a desk at Staples. It's the Z Line Galaxy desk. It has the same type of look at the Studio RTA, but doesn't cost as much and we can go pick it up rather than have to worry about shipping. Or they will deliver it to our house for free (free free free!!!) But since we are on our campaign of finally getting the house organized, I think we will try and get them ourselves this weekend.

Also, got a bit of bad news this week (actually I heard it last Friday, but had forgotten it in the midst of everything else going on.) I found out that father in law's family (ie his frelling brothers and sister) finally had broken him down about selling the family cabin in the Adirondacks. I am fairly angry about the whole deal, mainly because they are being selfish asshats and taking away the one thing that this part of the family actually enjoyed going to. They are in it for the money, but I honestly don't think they will see as much as they are hoping for.

I can understand why dad is giving in to them though. The upkeep is just too expensive at this point for just one member of the family to manage. And I know that hubster and I cannot share enough of the financial burden to help out. And the brothers and sisters in law are all coping with paying their own bills as well. (And unlike us, they have children.) So, rationally, I know it's the right thing to do, but emotionally, I am angry. At one point last weekend I broke down to mourn this particular loss. No more cabin, no more laughing frogs, no more early morning breakfasts at the cute little country store, no more motoring along the river to the lake, no more smell of mothballs, and no more creepy deer head that I had to duck under to get to the bathroom. Ok, so that last one I am not going to miss so much. But I am going to miss how the air seemed so much clearer up there, the food seemed to taste so much better up there, and Bob Marley seemed to define the days up there.

But I definitely won't miss that evil miniature Doberman barking in the wee hours of the morning (and for most of the day.) It's the only time in my life I wanted to actually drop kick a dog. Little bastard.

Yeah, I know, I'm being selfish. I know there are those out there that don't even have the money to buy one house, let alone have a summer one that is being taken away. But here is a little perspective. Hubster's grandfather bought that property a very long time ago and hand built the cabin that has been our home away from home. It wasn't the Taj Mahal. The hot water tank that was added in later years barely worked and there was an outhouse that we were encouraged to use so that we didn't have to pump the septic tank as often. (I won't miss that either.) But it's for sale now, so there isn't really any point for me to defend myself.

I'm going to boogie, I'm getting cranky…

Updates

Like many of my cohorts, I haven't been around enough to actually update on a regular basis. Part of this is due to the fine fine summer weather, another part has to do with the 50-55 hours a week that I am currently working and the last part of it is due to overwhelming apathy. It's my blog, I may as well be honest. But let's face it kiddies, after a 10 hour day staring blankly at a monitor of some sort, it's not the type of thing I want to continue when I get home. Besides, there are others out there that cover the continuing asshated-ness that comes out of the mouths of our politicians, and do it with much more style than I can manage now. Besides, what can one say other than "Dean steps in it again…" or "Hillary has just redefined irony…"

Anyway, there are real life things that have been clamoring for my attention as of late as well. Like yard work. As much as I hate it (especially since it makes life completely miserable for me due to my allergies) I figure that I really need to do it. Mostly because we just spent all this money to make the exterior of our home look nice, that we don't want the white trash lawn to overshadow it. I have also been spending time with my 89-year-old grandmother. Her health is declining and I don't want to be one of those people that says, "Oh, I wish I had spent more time with her" after she dies. Well, I probably still will but for now I will try to make the most of what is left. (I don't want to sound morbid here, but it is what it is.)

In better news, just got the results from the monster's blood test. It looks like her thyroid has slowed down just a little too much, which is a common side effect of the treatment, but not enough to warrant worry. We could pretty much tell that she was good because she is getting a little pudgy. It looks good on her though, because she has always been an anorexic kitty. She also has stopped licking all her fur off and getting skin infections. And suddenly, she is lovin' the lovin'. She has turned into a snuggle monster. She has also been added to the kitten war page. So has Tigger. (It's Gir's fault.) I have to get a better picture of Casey before she can be entered. Of course that will probably require me having the camera by my side 24/7 and chasing her around the house. Not exactly what I would call fun, but at least it would get my fat ass out of the chair and moving around.

Anyway, there will probably be new kitty pictures very soon… maybe.

As an aside, sites like this should be outlawed if they don't freakin' deliver. I have dined at this den of evil crepey goodness so it makes it even worse. Damn you internet!!!! Damn you to hell!!!!!

As another aside, I have spent the last two weeks shopping around for computer desks (in the little spare time I usually get) and slacked off most of today looking for something decent on line. (Saves on gas money, don'tcha know) I'm getting desperate because ever since we had the windows replaced, my big honkin' corner desk has been sitting out in the middle of the attic. I have my back to the door any time I sit at my computer.... and it drives me freakin' crazy. Anyway, we are looking for something on the smallish side but semi-kickin' style wise. And we need two of them (long story for another day)

I find this stylin' desk at Mart of the Wal. It's online order only, and even though they are on sale for $218.74, guess how much the shipping of this order costs? $162.08!!! PLus, we have to be home when they deliver it because we have to take it off the truck ourselves!

Oh, I don't think so. Besides, my research into the subject explained to me that each desk weighs 86 pounds. Yikes. The desks we have up in the attic now probably weigh 20 pounds each. I found a smaller version of the desk at K to the Mart, so I am investigating that a little more. It's also much cheaper.

But who knew it would be so problematic to find a semi-decent cheap desk?

Well, that's all I have for today. My fingers hurt and it's dinner time.

PS: I have given the hubster access to me blog... let's encourage him now to actually do an entry in it... No pressure, honey... no pressure at all.

Warm Friday Wishes

I received these pictures in my email this morning. Odd thing is Evil Corporate Entity™ blocks these things from being sent out, yet people can send them into the ECE's™ Network. Yeah, because that will keep us secure…

Regardless, these are just little cute fuzzy pictures to make people smile as they start their weekends. I didn't take them, I am not taking credit for them, and I have not altered them. There are website URL's on the pictures themselves, I cannot vouch for the content of said websites as I haven't yet visited them.

All this disclaimer hardly seems worth the efforts… I just need the CYA protection.

Just enjoy the damn pictures, dammit!

Da kitty smile is so worth it. :)

Friends, Countrymen, fellow fur faces, lend me your ear(s)...

Good boy, now go play...

I told you to shut it!

I can see why he feels so secure...

Ok, this one is mine... The supply is dwindling.

Happy Friday.

A New Hope

The Online Coalition, a group of bloggers from left and right, have put
their comment to the FEC online, and they ask every blogger to please
endorse it online.

Just go to Online Coalition and use the "sign here" box over to the right.

Do not let the FEC abridge your freedom of speech!

If the FEC makes rules that limit my First Amendment right to express my opinion on core political issues, I will not obey those rules.