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| 27 October 2006 ~ Friday For various reasons - whether paranoia or common sense - I've decided to become more private on the internet. I don't get much traffic in the first place, but I've realized that the more I put myself out there, the more prominent I become. The attention not longer appeals to me. I do like the idea of making friends with people I might not ordinarily meet - that's how I met Brad and a couple of good friends. This site doesn't get much traffic - mostly friends and family - and I hope it stays that way. I have thought about not keeping a "blog" at all, but it's kind of nice being able to tell all of my family/friends back East the same story, at the same time. (wow, that's a nice run-on sentence.) So, we'll see. I've made some of my entries on the vox account private, so if you want to read them you have to become a member and I have to add you to my neighborhood...or something like that. If I could password protect this site and give that information to only those who I want to have access, I would probably do that. I have also made quite a few photos on my Flickr account private. I've left the "generic" photos (photos not prominiently featuring me, B, the "kids" and my various family members) public. I don't mind those being seen by people I don't know. In fact, I like input from strangers on my technique. So, if you want to see my personal photos, you'll have to become a member and I'll have to 1) add you as a contact and 2) designate you as friend or family. I'm not sure exactly how to do this other than sending you an invitation to join Flickr (just email me). In the invitation I can go ahead and designate you as family/friend and, once you sign up, you will have access to my photos. You don't have to post any photos of your own and if you already have a yahoo account, then you have access to Flickr. It's all up to you. I still think Flickr is a wonderful way to share photos. The files tend to get too large and it will bog down servers if you tend to send them to large groups. So, that's about it. I don't have much else to say. B and I are doing well. Jester had a haircut and now shivers all the time. Precious is back on thyroid supplements. Work is work. I did apply for another job (finally!) but I haven't heard from them. It's unfortunate too because, while it consisted of quite a bit of admin work, it sounds like a pretty good fit. A majority of the job would be research and that's what I love to do. Plus, they are in the midst of opening an office here in Portland (they are HQd in California....kind of like my firm) and I would work from home until the office is set up. It's a reputable firm and seems pretty stable...no more unstable than my current employer. So, that's about it. I hope you all are doing smashingly. -M |
| 02 November 2006 ~ Thursday I need to point out that I've got some weird allergy/cold hybrid "thing" going on, so if I make less sense than usual then we'll just attribute it to the illness. I was standing in the kitchen, at this office, this morning when I couldn't remember if I had put on deodorant this morning. It brought back a memory of me in high school when I realized, halfway to school, that I had forgotten to put on deodorant. I freaked out. Being a teenage girl is fun in that you have awesome moments of throwing dramatic fits. I knew in that moment the fact that I had forgotten deodorant would be the end of life as I knew it. I would lose all of my friends, not get into college and be an all-around failure in life. Being a teenager is fun. These days, if I forget to wear deodorant, I just make sure to stand next to someone who hasn't bathed in days. This also works well when you find yourself having a rather gassyday. -M |
| 03 November 2006 ~ Friday Song of the Day: Letter to God by Sheryl Crow Did I ever tell you the bagel sandwich story? Who cares, I'm going to tell it anyway. Before it went out of business, we used to get bagel sandwiches for Thursday breakfast. (Perhaps the only perk we get here at work - breakfast is provided on Thursday.) The "restaurant" itself was manned by a bunch of angst-filled, "I'm cool and you don't understand me and my woe" women. They would only be nice to you if you were like them - covered in tattoos and piercings. I never could win those women over with my charming, Southern ways. Seriously. I can be as angst-filled as the next person. I'm a Gen-Xer afterall! We created angst and woe! I was just never able to pull of the "alternative" look. Bitches. Anyway at the time, PonyM and another co-worker had been sent away to purgatory. (This is common practice in architecture - from what I've been told - companies often loan out their employees to other firms when they don't have much work going on and the others do.) I decided it was unfair for PonyM to not partake of the deliciousness that is a bagel sandwich (also known as heart attack delight - egg, cheese & bacon on a buttered bagel) made by (hopefully) washed and uncaring hands. So, I packaged one up tightly and called our messenger service to rush it over to her. It arrived, still warm, in a box marked "confidential" and "rush" because I did not want the receptionist to open it up and eat the goodness. Plus, I thought it was hilarious. Kind of like this picture: Have a good weekend. (Also, in my head this post was a lot funnier than what it ended up being. Pity) -M |
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| Fear my angst! |
| 07 November 2006 ~ Tuesday Song of the Day: Lubbock or Leave It by Dixie Chicks What does it say about this country that this story was the "Breaking News" headline on MSNBC's website and not this story? Pathetic. I think we should rethink the electronic voting machine turn this country has taken. Sometimes technology is not a good thing. It's far too risky - and far too important - to trust something that can be easily hacked. I really love how Oregon handles elections - we vote by mail. We get a form, fill in the bubbles and mail or drop off our ballots. You get time to fully research your choices and, if you don't trust the US Postal Service, you can drop off your ballot. -M |
| 08 November 2006 ~ Wednesday Song of the Day: Perfect by Alanis Morissette Thus far I am very happy with the results of the election. Our government was designed for checks and balances and when you have one party in full control, you do not get this. That's why when the Republicans first gained the majority in 1994, I wasn't too upset. Granted, in 1994, I was 19 years old and just forming my political opinions. At this point, though, I'm not getting my hopes up too high. When things start turning for the better - and unfortunately "better" subjective - I will gradually start letting my political guard down. What has me upset, though, is voter turnout. It was slightly higher than 40% yesterday. Some news outlets are saying this is "really good" and much better than in previous midterm elections. I think this is pathetic and we, as Americans, should be ashamed of ourselves. I also think that if you don't like the results of the election AND you didn't vote - then shut your mouth. You have no right to complain because you did nothing to affect the outcome. It's shameful to those who fought so hard for our right to vote (with the exception of white men who have pretty much always had the right to vote). To let 40% of our country decide YOUR fate is ignorant. I am the first to admit that in the past (almost) 13 years - since I've been eligible to vote - I missed 2 elections. They were primary elections and, to be honest, I forgot about them. I have never missed a general election. There is just no excuse. I am very happy that the measure to require parental notification for abortions failed. Period. Years ago I quit discussing politics with anyone who didn't agree with me. It's not that I'm not open to differing ideas and opinions - I like knowing all sides of the issues and being fully educated. I just don't discuss them with people of opposing viewpoints. This is a result of being surrounded by people who would belittle me and flat out tell me that I was wrong every time I opened my mouth. I couldn't give my opinion - whether rationally or dramtically - without being made to feel stupid and insignificant. So, I stopped. Even now, I freeze up when discussing issues with people. I just cannot do it. It's part of why I'm super sensitive to how other people treat/perceive me. Even though I shouldn't, I care what other people think of me and if they think ill of me it tears me up inside. It doesn't matter what Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." It's a nice sentiment, though. I need to give a huge WOWZA to my husband. At the beginning of the hockey game last night (and I use the words hockey & game lightly), he told me what the score would be (Spokane 5/Portland 2)...he was correct. I'm still amazed that no one scored a goal in the 3rd period. I'm thinking he has some mind control ability, so if I ever do anything unusual (which, for me, would have to be VERY unusual) just blame him. Also, while it's nice to have "the youngest team in the league" seeing the Hawks lose on a Tuesday with only 2,000+ in attendance sucks. Plus, my feet were aching and I was sleeping. Wah. Wah. Wah. Oh, and people, a linesman is NOT A REFEREE!! Quit calling them that - they do not call penalites...they drop the puck and STAY ON THE BLUE LINE! Hence the name linesman. I'm sure B will correct me on the complete duties of linesmen but THEY ARE NOT REFEREES!! So, for the love of Yahweh, stop it! Finally, bye bye Rummy! Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya! -M PS This makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Good things do happen. |
| 21 November 2006 ~ Tuesday For a couple of summers prior to moving to Knetucky, I would go up to visit my aunt and cousins for a week or so. I always had a great time. It gave my 9/10 year old self a great sense of independence. In 1985 (my last summer living in Louisiana), after just returning from my annual trip, I was standing in line with my mom at Wal-Mart. My mom told me she had a surprise for me and I knew exactly what she had gotten me. "A little brother!" Much to my dismany, my gift was not al ittle brother but something much better. A puppy. A friend of our had two Chihuahuas (evil little things) who had just had a litter of puppies. I was able to pick out the one I wanted and her name ended up being Wheatie. The next year we moved to Kentucky and I started going to Louisiana to visit my grandparents in the summer (until they eventually moved to Kentucky). In the summer of 1987, while I was away, Wheatie started having seizures. The vet never could tell us if she was actually having seizures because he never witnessed one. She continued to have them every so often and there never seemed to be a set pattern. I don't remember ever really being stressed about the seizures even though they could be frightening to witness. She always seemed to bounce back quickly . In the fall of 1993, Wheatie was diagnosed with diabetes. Every day (with the exception of about 4 times) I gave her two insulin shots a day. I even postponed going away to college, opting to continue going to the community college, so I could take care of her. Her blood sugar was never regulated and she ended up dying in September 1994. Her last week of life was horrible and she died alone in a cage at the vet's office. So, you can imagine how all of that came rushing back when a week ago, I awoke to Jester having a seizure. In those few minutes of his little body being stiff with his eyes fixed wide open staring, scare and confused and his head swaying back and forth, I was transported back in time. Our vet was able to see him and ran a total body blood test. All of the things that would cause a seizure (blood sugar, liver, calcium) were normal, so he has been given the vague diagnosis of "epilepsy." There really isn't anything that can be done unless he has another seizure. It's quite possible that it will never happen again. The vet did say that Jester's white blood count and globulin level were elevated which could indicate and infection. He's on antibiotics just in case it's an infection in the brain (which could also cause a seizure). He has been fine since then and is back to running away from me every time I get near him for fear of me cleaning his ears, poking or prodding him for one reason or another. After a few days of relief, the rain is starting to come back to the region. Normally I don't get sick of the rain until the Spring, but this is so ridiculous. I hope everyone has a nice and safe Thanksigiving weekend (except for my friends outside of the US - I hope you have a nice Thursday). We have two hockey games this weekend - the one on Saturday is the annual teddy bear toss. We still need to make a trip to the Dollar Tree to pick up some stuffed animals. Hopefully this year B won't lose his wedding ring as he's tossing the toys. I plan on tossing with my right hand and wearing no jewelry. -M |
| 27 November 2006 ~ Monday Wow. It's really nice working with high speed internet. Too bad I can't work from home. So, the Winter Hawks gave me a great birthday present - they beat the #1 team! I know they did it just for me. It would have been nicer had they not waited until overtime to score a goal, though. I had a really good birthday without the Hawks. I'm not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow, but since I get two free lunches this week I'm not going to complain too much. We woke up this morning to a dusting of snow and have been experiencing off an on snow all day. We've gotten some pretty big flakes but nothing has stuck around for very long. They're saying we might get more snow and ice overnight. It's really strange because I don't remember moving to Canada. Memo to B: I can't print. Please help. I love being married to a techie. Of course, it's probably just an FPP. I could print t work, but I don't think our color copier thing will handle my cards. XOXO -M |
| 30 November 2006 ~ Thursday Song of the Day: Give a Man a Home by Ben Harper All up and down the bus mall (where my office is located) you can expect to be hit up for change at least 3 or 4 times. The older panhandlers are not intimidating and, for the most part, don't bother anyone. There is this one lady who sits in front of the Kitchen Kaboodle and wishes everyone who walks by "good morning" or "afternoon" obviously depending on the time of day. She has a gold little cup in which she collects spare change. She rarely actually asks you to spare any change. People sit and talk with her, buy her coffee and bagels and regard her as another part of Portland. An establishment, if you will. There are times where she will miss a day and when she shows up, she sometimes has a black eye or other bruising on her face. I haven't seen her in the past two weeks and this morning, in her spot, was a makeshift memorial with a bouquet of flowers and various cards and poems. I'll miss her. -M |