Diagnosis

So...... I mentioned back in July that I was seeing a Neurologist to try and clear up what had been feeling like, and what had already been diagnosed by other doctors as, Restless Leg Syndrome. This Neurologist had already decided I was too young for RLS, and promptly sent me for an EEG, where they tested my brain waves and put goop in my hair, an EMG where they tested how fast the nerves in my legs sent signals to my brain by using something similar to a taser on legs, and an MRI.

Well a normal 2 out of 3 ain't bad!

My EMG was the only one that came back with positive results. The verdict was neurophathy, which maybe isn't so 'positive'... The doc wasn't so decisive on the cause, but did mention that neuropathy is an early indicator of diabetes. You know, that disease that is completely preventable? And one that both of my grandparents suffered from?

Yeeeeah.

So this diagnosis, along with some other things, is what really pushed me to make some lifestyle changes/choices.

Never in my life did I picture myself sitting across from a doctor at the age of 25 discussing diabetes. Or weight. Or health in general. Talk about scare you straight.

Right now we're working to find something to calm the inflammation in my legs. And no, we haven't found it yet... And as you well know, I'm working to get back down to my fightin' weight.

There just seems to be a bunch of little glitches that have added up over the years... And it's either been because I've switched insurance so many times, or because the symptoms have come and gone, or because I've been just plain lazy, but it seems they're all catching up to me now. I'm hoping by taking care of some, that others might take care of themselves.

Wishful thinking? ...You don't say.

To one of the best...

HAPPY 20TH SEASON! ... MUCH LOVE!!

...keep 'em coming Groening... (:

"Turn Me On, Dead Man"

The following will tell the fascinating story of why Paul McCartney felt the need to let the world know that he was still alive and with us on the cover of Time Magazine in 1969, and why one dj's accidental report of a fatal car accident in England caused mass hysteria in Detroit, MI and beyond.

.....My first quarter of college, I took this PR class with this enormous, boisterous, collection of energy for a professor. He was extremely entertaining... We didn't know much about him other than he preferred to be in the audience, he wore a lot of black, and he worked as a preacher on the weekends.

Our grade basically depended on this big final project, where we had to take something... Literally anything... Analyze it, then break it down and present it to the class.

It didn't take me long to decide what my project would be based on, being the Beatles freak that I am/was. In fact, I had just come across this insane conspiracy theory about Paul's untimely death in 1966 and the remaining Beatles' (namely John's) attempt to cover it up. Starting with Sgt Pepper's, but culminating on Abbey Road... Both through their lyrics and album contents. The theory leans entirely on the the crux that instead of admitting to Paul dying in a car crash and possibly slowing down their success, the remaining three held a look-alike contest, and the winner, William Shears, was soon filling in for Paul everywhere... Press junkets, on covers, in photoshoots, etc. He was introduced in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band as "Billy Shears". There is said to be only one discernible difference between the two, and that is a scar that the 'real' Paul had right above the left side of his lip.

My project basically picked apart the clues that had been uncovered by fans obsessed by the theory. There are literally hundreds of lyrical, visual, play-it-backwards, add-it-up-type clues out there... Which I fully encourage you to explore, but for the sake of a focused post and one that won't take forever to write, I'll pick apart the Abbey Road cover... And perhaps explain a bit about why the lyrics scared people into believing our beloved Paul was a goner.

- Abbey Road, 1969 -

• To start, if you'll notice, some have taken the four to be resembling a funeral procession. John, being dressed in all white as the priest, Ringo in black as the undertaker, Paul is barefoot (as corpses are not traditionally buried in shoes), his eyes are closed and he is out of step with the other three, and George is dressed casually, suggesting he is the grave digger.
• Paul is also seen to be holding his cigarette (called "coffin nails" in England around this time) in his right hand, while widely known to be left handed, furthering speculation that an impostor was in his place.
• The white VW bug in the background's license plate reads "LMW 28IF"... Some have interpreted this to mean "Linda McCartney Weeps, 28 If"... Because on the release date of this album, Paul would have been '28 if' he had lived.
• Did you notice the hearse on the right?
  
• There are three men standing on the sidewalk to the left, all dressed in white. These men are said to represent the three remaining, living Beatles.

Lyrical Story Line... Many took "A Day in the Life" to explain the events that took place the morning Paul stormed off in the middle of a recording session for the Sgt. Pepper's album at 5am in 1966: He blew his mind out in a car/ He didn't notice that the lights had changed / A crowd of people stood and stared / They'd seen his face before / Nobody was really sure if he was from the house of Lords.

And perhaps the most spirited of the findings, was on the White Album (where else?). People claim if you listen to "Revolution 9", and the part where a deep voice repeats ...number 9... number 9... number 9... backwards, you can distinctly hear ...turn me on, dead man... turn me on, dead man... turn me on, dead man... Of course, you'll need vinyl to test the theory. And I'd gladly loan you mine, if I wasn't so anal about scratching it up. Let's just take the crazies' word for it, k?

......In the Life magazine interview reassuring fans that he was not dead, McCartney stated, "Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated," and paraphrasing Mark Twain, he continued, "However, if I was dead, I'm sure I'd be the last to know."

Girls Gone Wild

Last weekend, for Wynn's 1st, we decided to take the monsters down to American River and swim and hike and stuff. ...This was Wynn's first trip to the river, and while we were sad to see that some of our favorite trails were overgrown... (Well, more scratched up than sad, actually... after not believing they were overgrown and diving head first through bushes to try and find the non-existent path I was sure was there)... We made new trails and found new spots.

I love that our dogs love water. Nothing is more entertaining.

Copy cats.

Do you see that little nub? That's Thel's head.
I think she's finally realizing there's a world of swimming
beyond just having your feet touch the ground.

Splash loud and carry a big stick.

Husband with the munchkin.

Heirloom

While digging through my hope chest today, I came across these hand-stitched table linens. My father's mother passed when I was in 8th grade, and my aunt was nice enough to pass these on to me. I certainly didn't realize/appreciate the treasure I was inheriting then...

50 minutes later...

I think doctors have it in their heads that if they move you from the lobby to the exam room that maybe the wait will seem shorter. Or that maybe you won't realize how late they really are.

I can't stand unpunctual people. (This rule really mostly applies to professionals.) ...And you know, I'll give you a few courtesy f-ups, but if your tardiness is perpetual, I mean, that's just outright inconsiderate. There's only so many times I can be inundated by the same educational, pharmaceutically-sponsored posters on these walls. ...The tissue was sponsored. The Tissue.

That "M.D." at the end of your name does not give you a pass on everyday decency. So keep your damn appointment times.

WWYD

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?"

~ Robert Schuller

tisk tisk

Looks like somebody didn't do their homework...

...I'm just teasing. See my white flag? It's right here. What? You don't see it? That's odd.

UPDATE (9/25):

Way to rack 'em up, John..........thanks A.

Also, I'd like to state for the record - My beef really is with Palin, and less with John. I just find his tactics a little shifty here, and leave it to me to call him on it.

UPDATE (9/26):

I think Johnny came to his senses and decided this debate thing was too big to back out of... Debate's ON, bitches!

(photo courtesy of Reuters; article 1 cached for your pleasure, article 2 cached the same)

Is Fall already here? Really?

I saw my first dried up oak leaf of the season on the ground today. It was on my driveway. And I might have gone back outside to take a picture to post if my first instinct wasn't to stomp on it.

Finals

As you know, I'm in the midst of joining the masses and obtaining my California Real Estate Person's License, and this morning was my first 'final exam' for one of the classes I'm taking. There's three classes total.

It was kind of a crock, because it was online and fully open book, which translates to google one tab over. But 'final exam'. Wow... That hasn't been in my vocabulary for 3 years and 3 months now.

My first reaction is to cringe at how much time has passed. But my second is kind of loving it. I miss school. And have every intention of somehow making my way back that direction...

When the timing's right...

A Test in Control

Self and portion control, that is.

...I'm down 20lbs. That feels pretty damn good to say. And trust me, it's been a long time coming...

I'm finding that the less I indulge, the less I crave the indulgence. Don't get me wrong, my couch cushions would tell you that my do-nothing-all-day indulgence is still alive and kicking. But the chocolate and the french fries indulgences. ...Not so much.

...I'm gonna go high-five myself now.

Set Your Tivos

My husband's into this thing of sending me articles and factoids he picks up throughout his day. He does this because he knows these articles and factoids are never something I'd cross when left to my own devices. When it comes to websites, we definitely run in different circles..... He's more google news, sacbee.com, forbes.com, the what's-actually-going-on-in-the-world type of surfer.... Where as I - I am the less-noble perezhilton, myspace, fark.com and of course the mindless self indulgence bloggy type of browser. Yep, I do my best to steer clear of the heavy/have-to-think-to-read stuff.

So Matt's like my portal to the outside world. Hey, not everyone has their very own portal.

...The first official Presidential Debate of the season is set to take place this Friday, September 26th, at the University of Mississippi.

In an odd coincidence, Friday also marks the 48th anniversary of the famed debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. The first debate ever televised*... (Remember the footage of like the glowing, young Kennedy and then the ugly, profusely-sweating Nixon??)

Anyway, this President will also be the first elected into office, since Kennedy, that isn't coming from either a VP or governor's chair.

...I loved Kennedy. You know that weird question they ask in those weird interviews... "If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?"... My answer was and will always be JFK. Even though I wasn't present, I just feel like he represented not only simpler times, but more hopeful times. And today, when it seems like you have to hold on to your optimism with a white-knuckled grip, I think sharing a cup of coffee across the table of someone who represents the epitome of hope would just about make my life. I would ask him about all the plans he had for this country... What his hopes had been.

And I know I'm not alone when I say that, just as they did in their times, we need hope and we need change in ours. ...At least I know I do.

And I won't get into all the things in the press and in the media that have to do with politics, that absolutely make me question the hope of our future. But I am genuinely terrified.

(*information provided by The Museum of Broadcast Communications; photo by NY Times photographer George Tames)

Not news to me

So I've never really been a part of an economy this bad. Not consciously, at least. ...This will be the last full week of the month, and I am still jobless.

Here's an interesting article, though. OK, maybe more scary and disturbing than interesting.

(Cached for your pleasure)

Happy Wynnie Snout Day!

To my dearest, cuddly, plant-eating, grunt-full, charming, sloppy, dirt-loving, stubborn, entertaining, tongue-obsessed, loyal, bed-wetting, sensitive, destructive, best little addition to our family we could have ever asked for...
Happy year one Wynnie Poo! ...And here's to us being one year closer to out-growing your adorable, but oh-so-tired puppyhood.

We love you!

Why, Hello Neighbor

The other night we heard car doors slamming, which is odd because our bedroom is located at the back of the house. ...Construction on the homes behind us look like they're about 2 months away from completion.

A few months ago I posted pictures to give you an idea of just how close we would be with our new neighbors, and I thought now would be a great time to give you an update on the two-story.

Helloooooo, Neighbor.

This is what will soon be their balcony... And the last picture I will ever take from this angle.

We've been fortunate enough to have "open space" at the end of our cul-de-sac, where The City is doggedly putting forth the effort to preserve a dying breed of shrimp... And up until a few months ago, we didn't have ANYTHING behind us. So it's been kind of nice.

Here's to happy space sharing.

True Love

So I guess it's time you're finally introduced to what I can only describe as my interpretation of audible bliss... In my life, where interests seem to come and go, in the case of The Beatles, I just can't seem to get enough.

I know I'm not the only person that shares this infatuation/true love, but I have a strong belief that I may be among the few that hold the strongest of passions for these boys.

...So strong in fact, that these guys can lift me out of the worst of moods... Especially if I hear them on the radio, being that it's such a rare occasion these days. I own each of their records on vinyl. I can't say I'm a 'uge paraphernalia freak... But I have partaken in a collection of the band's bobble heads. I've had the distinct pleasure of seeing Paul twice, in LA then in Sac. I bawled incessantly at both. Yes, I was 'that' girl.

My favorite Beatle was John. ...It's something about his rebelliousness. His conviction. And it always seemed that I knew which elements of the song were his. He had this completely different approach... Not that Paul's angle wasn't brilliant. And not that their angles' combined weren't absolute masterpieces....... Then there was George. The "quiet Beatle", who had a brilliance all his own. Never quite recognized to the extent that it fully deserved.

Point being - you don't/can't know me without knowing my love and respect for this band.

And, along with all my other posts, I can't explain my logic on this one... But this song has always been my favorite track.* So here's your earful for the week:



...I hope you enjoy as much as I always have.

By the way... I am willing to give my left arm to see LOVE in Vegas. Any takers?


*I chose imeem.com because in the beginning, it allowed the entire song to be embeded without a sruggle. Apparently that is no longer the case. My guess is that it's the artist's choice to shut down any "unauthorized distribution" of their music... Which is a shame. Everyone should be able to hear this art. ......In any case, I still encourage you to explore this recording. Overprotected or not.

Laura and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Since last week, I have really been trying to switch into my proverbial 'productive gear', and begin splitting my days between powering through my three online real estate classes (you know, the ones they require you to take before you can actually even register for the state exam), and hunting down a job. Let's just put it this way: I am ready to find a job. I am ready to be a productive member of society again. And if no one out there is willing to give me a job, then dammit, I will go sell some friggin' houses...

.....I suppose it's not until something is gone until you realize just how absolutely dependent you are on it. At 10am yesterday, my laptop decides to do the crash thing on me. And I am rendered completely useless. All of this motivation and would-be productivity flies out the window. I was lost. Suffice it to say, I probably could have done some job hunting in a newspaper... If I had one. And if I had the patience for the small print. And I suppose I could have maybe picked up a text book. .....I was LOST I tell you.

So what's the next logical option to fill up my day? Why, Netflix of course! Because I had Carrie Bradshaw coming in mail!! And after checking the mail for the 3rd time, it was here! Season 5! I popped it in and promptly realized - I had miscalculated and managed to miss an ENTIRE season. Something like 16 episodes. How does one do this? Dare I watch it out of order and go against the very reason I Netflixed this damn show in the first place?? ...Grumbles. Back to square one. With not a stitch to watch on normal television. I'm going on my 4th day sober of no new SATC and the withdrawals are beginning to weigh heavily.

So I spent the afternoon dusting. Dusting is no Carrie Bradshaw, let me tell you.

Continuing with my domesticity, I whipped out the cookbook and started some lemon chicken concoction for dinner. I was timing it to where it'd be on the table when Matt walked through the door. It was perfect (if I do say so myself)... Everything laid out... Baked chicken, parm rice, balsamic salad, wine... All he needed was his butt in the chair. And as I sat to wait, and pull my meal a little closer... The sky fell. Well, it was my wine, actually.

This small glass of burgundy I had poured for myself had suddenly become this crimson tidal wave, successfully drenching my 10-months-new beige carpet, in a more than conspicuous area. So five minutes later, instead of Matt walking into a nice, calm, dinner-on-the-table, aroma-in-the-air, household... He walks into a wife on the floor in tears, with soggy pink towels and a cold dinner. It was a mess.

Ask me how you get red wine out of beige carpet. I still don't f-ing know! But some site said club soda and salt, and so that's what we went with when a damn bottle of Oxy Clean crap didn't work. It's now down to a light pink carpet blemish. I say "blemish" to make myself feel better, but let's not fool ourselves. It is a very LARGE blemish ...And let's just say we are now in negotiations of how and when to professionally clean and/or replace this room's flooring.

So, in conclusion, here I am sitting on said living room floor, with my desktop comp perched nicely on my coffee table and my ass perched nicely on a bed pillow on the floor. (The internet refuses to work at the back of the house, where the office is located.)

...Hey, at the very least, I'm resourceful.

Dawn

An angel, robed in spotless white,
Bent down to kiss the sleeping Night.
Night woke to blush; the sprite was gone.
Men saw the blush and called it Dawn.

A poem from my childhood. Used to be a fav.

(poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar, The Vintage Book of African American Poetry)

What happened to the magic?

Here's the problem I have with grown up birthday presents. (Probably my only problem, actually.) .......They're rarely surprises anymore, ya know? What happened to the magic?

Matt's getting set up with surround sound for his early October birthday. ...We went and window shopped at Best Buy the other day and immediately got our hearts set on the speakers that blew my hair back and that we could feel in the soles of our shoes.

The effect we're going for... With 5 speakers instead of 1

If I could delicately sum up my philosophy on big purchases, it would sound something like this: 'Go Big or Go Home'. ...I just feel like if you're going to spend all that money - you may as well spend that much more and get the stuff you REALLY want... Do it right the first time and don't regret it later! ...I digress....

Now, any time we turn on the tv, he can't stop talking about it. ...He's even suggested the unspeakable. ...To wait to watch some of our Netflix until this system gets fully installed.

Um, not in the cards, My Friend. Not. In. The. Cards.

...And now the words are already starting to form in my head for the blog I'll post once holes start being sawed through my ceiling.

(photo by/for Memorex)

Summer Send Off

Last night we went to a 2nd annual bbq hosted by The Ruin's guitarist/one of Matt's best friends, Ryan... We got to see the boys play one last time before they head into the studio.

It's so crazy to think that it's already September. MID September. It is true that time flies when you get old, huh... I'm not ready for summer to end.
Here's Kris, lead singer, and Matt in action... I was using the SLR Matt bought me last year for my birthday all night last night. ...And every now and then I'll catch these crazy shots where light shows up where it shouldn't, and not a bit of it's on purpose. But it's fun. And always a pleasant (albeit unexpected) little treat...

Adventures of Thel & Wynn

Wynn: "Hey Thelma, what's this green stuff called again?"
Thel: "It's called grass, Wynn... Remember? We used to have it in the backyard."


Wynn: "Oh, yeah. I remember.................That didn't last long."

Brown Thumb

I have been meaning to pull these hideously large poppy-type bushes that, while still in their dainty little six-pack/4-flower cups looked all colorful and harmless, but upon planting erupted into these brown, unmanageable weed-looking eye soars, for weeks now. I really did start with the best of intentions.

I know nothing about gardening. Never bothered with it before. ... For those of you who are newcomers like myself - allow me let you in on a little secret: It's no walk in the park. Maybe I missed Botany 101, but my brown thumb has gone far beyond these poor front-yard flowers/bushes. Cite 8 dead plants in 4-month time span while waiting for this lovely house to be built. Rack 'em up. Eight. Among the losses were Lucille, Juanita, Ingrid, Peter and Wowie. (RIP.)

Moving on. The builder really got it right. I guess they've got professionals for that sort of thing. These plants are also in my front yard and don't bloom often, but when they do, they provided a nice contrast to the bloom-less ugliness that were my efforts... You know, until I finally rid my yard them this morning.
I think we're going to follow the leader and plant a bunch of these in the back and hope Wynn doesn't mistake the buds for chewing gum.

Ha! Who am I kidding?

So what? It's new to me...

Morning.

One minute I'm peacefully enjoying my ritualistic water, recliner and TBS Sex and the City rerun... LOVING the fact that Big is hating married life and wanting Carrie back. And suddenly, homegirl goes and gives it up! Carrie cheats on Aidan while he's refinishing her floors. I was jilted. Aghast! To be truthful, I couldn't get it out of my head all day.

Night.

So instead of waiting, like any normal person would... for the following episodes to play out on TBS or to come through on my Netflix... I rushed out to Blockbuster and rented the following 8 episodes. Uncut. I think I'm obsessed.

Surprise! I'm back on back on the recliner, surrounded by everything I might ever need to never leave this thing again... Red wine, bottled smartwater, chapstick, cuddly mutts, crackberry, laptop, remote, throw, and of course my would-be-blind-without glasses.

It's just me and the City. And the Sex. For the next 18 hours. If I'm unresponsive, I'm not dead.

Update.

It is now Friday, midday. And I've made it through my little sloth-filled marathon. No, I'm not proud. And stop staring down your nose at me.

If you must know, my night of complete vegetation was bliss. And I am now fighting my every urge to go pick up the start of Season 5 just to see more of how the crack I've come to call Big and Carrie's relationship evolves. In fact, I've upped my Netflix from one disc at a time to two. Yes. It's come to this. And you can bet your ass the next disc that will grace my mail box will include Big and his smug little smirk.

Respect

In memory of... Shall you never be forgotten.

Let Go

"If we weren't so afraid to let go, we wouldn't feel so free when we did."

~ Anonymous

And I was ready to break out the bubbly...

Well, at the very least, the ruling stands.

Matt and I spent an hour and a half of our afternoon yesterday in Small Claims trying to conclude what has turned into a 14-month legal battle with an ex-landlord over pro-rated rent and unauthorized use of security deposits. (See here for the full, and dare I say, dramatic backstory.)

In April, Matt and I won a judgment against her for approx. $1,500, after which she promptly appealed. Once our next court date rolled around, she applied for and was granted a continuance.

Five months later, Matt and I are back in small claims, waiting to hear what this woman could possibly say that could possibly change a judge's mind. There's tension in the air. Both of our moods are in the gutter, from the simple thought of having to face this neurotic, cross-eyed ball of hostility.

But she never came.

...All this anxiety. All this worry. I mean, I was expecting a lawyer! ...And she doesn't show.

...What's this bitch's angle? Where's the strategy here? I'm perplexed.

Is she just trying to piss us off? Because I'm way past her ever getting close to under my skin again. All this means is we will be associated with her for that much longer. But to be fair, it will be the same for her. And if I get the opportunity, I won't be an easy associate to be dealt with.

So I guess our next step is to wait on the official letter from the judge. I did ask him to take into account the time "we" spent away from work, only to be stood up by someone who initiated the hearing. "We".

What? Maybe we can rattle a little more money out of this piggy.

Milestone... Perhaps in Healing

Maybe it was too soon. But I couldn't keep putting myself through it.

It's enough that a birthday card will randomly pop up with your signed x's and o's, or your cook book will stare at me in my pantry... It's enough that your crystals serve as a daily reminder in my jewelry box and that I happened across my "something old" white, hand-embroidered handkerchief you gifted me last June. It's all enough. I don't even need these things to miss you. To cry for you.

My last gift from her

...So it turned into an event... Editing your Dallas contact info to not include your name. After only ever knowing it to the contrary.


It didn't feel right...

But something told me it never would.

Summer-Time Tahoe

I really need to get better acquainted with summer-time Tahoe. It's so charming and quaint. And I couldn't help but revel in the people-to-tree ratio... I found it to be nothing less than enchanting.

Up to the Challenge

OK, leaving town on a less-relaxing note wasn't my first intention, but I'm up for a challenge. And leave it up to a man who always keeps me on my toes...

In my last post's comments' section, "hubby" managed to touch on a well-identified button of mine... So maybe I'll reiterate the fact that I don't claim to know all the facts in reference to the upcoming election. In fact - I'll go as far to claim I only know a few.

And maybe I'll repeat that what pisses me off to know end is to see politicians shimmy across that double-wide red line that is a political issue when ever it best suits their interests. That is exactly what Stewart is calling the Rep's out on, and that is exactly what those standing behind Palin are doing. (And this is exactly why I tuned out of politics for 8 years. Because for me - the hypocrisy, combined with the lack of accountability, and then finally W standing on that damn carrier with that damn "Mission Accomplished" banner in background in like '03 is what really did me in.)

George W. Bush addresses the nation from aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003

I wish I could be all "Whoo! We might have a woman in office! ...Let me just overlook the fact that she's against everything I could and will ever stand for..."

Matt asked for me to compare their credentials side by side. ...Well, I wasn't really hoping for homework - but this could help all of us, no? (Info compliments of Wikipedia.... I know the font size is a joke, so click on my little diagrams to enlarge.)

Also, just because it didn't fit neatly under my "Education/Experience" section, doesn't mean it didn't merit some mentioning: "As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, [Obama] helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds. He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel. After announcing his presidential campaign in February 2007, Obama emphasized withdrawing American troops from Iraq, energy independence, decreasing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care as top national priorities."

....I want to state for the record that I just put research into comparing Presidential and VICE Presidential hopefuls here. I've only spent so much time on this because I can't see McCain and his defibrillator finding their way through two office terms. Sorry. If she sees the second seat, she'll see the first. I'm confident in that.

Some lovely highlights I thought were worth the time to mention: Palin hates polar bears - did you catch that? Also, did you notice that she would represent an ENORMOUS step back for our fellow men and women who JUST obtained the privilege of union acknowledgment by the State? OK, and um - this Global Warming thing is a no-brainer, isn't it?? Seriously. "Not human-caused"??? ...You live in Alaska, Lady. Where could it be more apparent? ...Oh, I get it. I guess it is in Alaska you'd be raised with the delusion that, above polar bears, oxygen and this planet's future, oil is number one. It's no wonder you, W, and all the other Rep's can hop scotch across those same jagged red lines.

I heart John Stewart

...Not to get all political on yo ass, because I'm sure the last thing you come here for is a serious discussion on world hunger and trade policies. Or on tax cuts or welfare. Or war... health care... teenage pregnancy. Yes, I think I could probably humor myself and go on with a list of things you likely don't come to my blog to read about.

And I have made conscious efforts over the past few years to really not involve myself in politics, because I can't seem to separate the snakes from the lambs long enough to put emotion aside and brandish logic in a conversation. It hasn't been until recently that I'm inspired enough again to get involved. ("Change!") ....And because I read this the other day and decided I couldn't put it any better myself, Heather Armstrong of dooce.com will relay my Palin opinion for me...

"I am angry. I am infuriated. And I don't think I would be if Sarah Palin were a qualified or competent choice as McCain's running mate. But the fact, the reality is that she is not. And instead of demanding better from their party, instead of going, wait a minute, no, we deserve better than this, many Republicans are contorting themselves into a denial of reality."

Wow. Republicans and contortion? Denial of reality? I am BAFFLED. And LOST. It's so completely OUT OF CHARACTER.

...In all seriousness, I didn't take to this blog to publicize my beliefs and my goal here isn't to sway you (or to offend you)... The truth is ~ it doesn't matter what I think.

I just like to pass on info when people are so kind to pass it on to me... And in keeping with the good fun that is this oh-so-enjoyable posting... John Stewart is pure genius. See for yourself:

P.S. Obama '08.

..........What? ...You SO saw it coming.

Newest Earful

Well, newest to me. And yet another audible delicacy for your listening pleasure...


Maybe this is something we all ask ourselves from time to time. Wanna bet I ask it more than you?

...I leave tomorrow for a girls' trip to S. Lake Tahoe. We have a cabin and an at-home dinner planned for Friday. And then Saturday we are paintin' the town red in honor of Alicia's last hoorah as a single woman. Well, the whole weekend is in her honor, of course...

Hopefully it will be a tad more successful than my bachelorette, in that perhaps she will recall getting up from the dinner table. Yes, I believe all she'll need to do is avoid those damn double sugar-free red bull and vodkas. They'll get you every time.

Congrats in advance, 'leesh! You deserve all the wonderful things headed your way... (:

Hollow

Warning: Loose-Cannoned, Random-Person-Directed Rant Below

I'm not sure what you envision when you call and leave a message on my voice mail. ...Do you know that I'm screening your call? Do you perhaps expect me to be super unemployed-ly busy? Or for me to be rushing to dial your number back?

We've spoken in... Count the moments. 4 months?

Which, for me, would be fine, if I had heard between now and then that you were... You know... Alive.

I mean, I'm not the give-you-shit type. .....And if I did give you (the reader) the background to this doozy of a gossip column-worthy type story, I'm sure you'd understand.

I've just never really thought of friends ~ I mean like REAL friends as revolving... Coming and going. And it's taken the last few years for me to recognize ~ and maybe not even fully accept ~ that revolving friends are a part of a revolving life.

Wow. I'm like, poignant.

My husband asks me why I keep a number in my phone that only upsets me when it shows up on caller id, or when I think about calling it. ...Which, dammit, he has a point. ...But there is some friggin' sentiment there, you know? You can't just wear that lynyrd skynyrd tshirt from 6th grade (or in my case, Color Me Badd) and then abandon it to good will. ...You HAVE to cut it up and make it into a bandanna or into a do-rag or a patch or pjs or SOMETHING, right?

...At least, that's me. But I'm finding more and more, that not so many people hold my sentiments.

I used to be such a hoarder. I never threw anything out. My logic was that someday I'd be able to use that 'princess' pillow or that two-foot tall purple porcelain clown or that rocking horse frame I carefully glued back together somewhere again along the line. ...This was my mindset ~ Until I got stuck with too many damn Precious Moment figurines and snowflake-knitted sweaters.

...These days I actually pack pretty light. Both figuratively and emotionally.

And you know what? It's about time I learn.

Wind Sun Stars

"May the wind always be at your back and the sun always upon your face, and may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars."

~ Blow, 2001

(photo by Matt Brown)

New Heights Cont'd

Yeah, I guess this pic doesn't prove much, does it? Can you see that speck?

... Cameras don't take well to fast-moving objects, especially in the dark... So we only really had this pic come out. (Click to make larger.)
It's really me!! ... Check out that form! :) ... I can see how this adrenaline stuff can get addicting.

New Heights

It's had to have been 8 years since I've been to a fair... Matt and I went with some friends to Sac's State Fair this weekend. We had ambitions of seeing more exhibits on going on more rides, but we sort of underestimated just how many people would show up on a Sunday. (Uh, Labor Day?) ... We did get to see some good old demolition derby action, and I held the distinct honor and privilege of having one of the pink p.o.s.'s bear my name...She didn't win, but I think she was robbed... She definitely ripped and tore with the best of them. ........So back into the wild, and I'm not sure why I was surprised to observe that every two out of three booths was selling food in this hole of a people pit... Garlic fries, dipping dots, funnel cakes, jumbo pretzels, jumbo corn dogs, blocks of curly french fries, ice cream shakes, ice cream cones, fried Snickers bars. ...Evil temptations, I tell you!! (Except for the fried Snickers. Ew.)

The view from the giant ferris wheel was gorgeous at night.......... Albeit the ride was a bit nerve-racking. The bucket they called the "car" here did not possess doors. Both sides were, like, open. And there were optional seat belts. By optional, I mean nobody checked to make sure you used them, or that the ride started with enough time for you to buckle them. And then no handles, just a large pole built into the middle. Add in Matt's well-timed story about a girl's fall to her death the year prior on this same ferris wheel, and we're set to go...

We survived.

......Speaking of falls, I bungee jumped from 13 stories up that night! :)

I really don't know what got into me. Because I've never had the overwhelming inclination to hurl myself off tall objects. But we saw the crane, and I kind of thought... What the hell?! ......Unfortunately I will have to post pics in a short few. All my camera's pics came out too dark. But I'm pretty thrilled... I just might be ready to move on to the big girl bungee heights in Vegas. Who knows?!

Um, have I yet mentioned my acrophobia?