Oct. 31: Treats for you and Erin

Cute Overload has some good Halloween pics this week. Here are a few, just to make you go, "Awwwwwwwwwwwww!" before you go out and stuff your bellies until you can't move. All photos are clickable for larger versions.



Yeah, so it's not very Halloween-y, but it's my treat for, um, Debbie McGomey today:



This guy is piiiissed. (Check out Stuff on My Cat for lots more.)


Dress your cat up as a Rice Krispie square and you're just asking to get smothered in your sleep:






Scout would so not appreciate this:


Oct. 31: Monthly summary

Books I read this month/culture I absorbed


  • Vic and I had tickets to see Camelot (starring Lou Diamond Phillips—ick!) but I had a killer headache so Wellington went in my place. They both enjoyed it.
  • Most of the books I picked up in October were holiday-related

Movies and TV shows worth mentioning


  • So far I haven’t watched any of the new shows on TV, but I’m enjoying the new episodes of my old favorites. Loved the season premiere of 30 Rock.
  • No movies in theaters

Special days I celebrated and how


Today is Halloween. I shall report tomorrow.

I was a sickie


  • Two headaches that lasted a whole friggin’ week each. The second one, last week, was a real killer and pretty much incapacitated me.
  • The yucky cold I had, which lasted just a couple days, was nothing compared to my noggin pains.

New recipes or restaurants I tried


It doesn’t involve a new recipe or a restaurant, but we went to a lovely dinner party with Vic’s cousin Ed and his wife, Bonnie. I like them very much.

Special or unusual purchases I made


  • Stuff for our neighborhood Halloween party
  • Halloween décor
  • Jack’s birthday party supplies

This month’s disappointments


  • One of my friends lost her beloved job. She could keep it if she moved to India but she does not want to move to India. She doesn’t live in an area where jobs like hers are plentiful, so she’s understandably worried about finding something she likes as much. Sucks.
  • We had to cancel our Halloween party because of that aforementioned migraine.

My accomplishments


  • I’m totally taking credit for good parent-teacher conferences we had with both our kids’ teachers this month
  • Katie started piano lessons. Alright, this isn’t my accomplishment, exactly, but it’s something of which I’m very proud.

Work stuff


  • I worked many days with my database clients
  • I started volunteering in Katie’s classroom. It’s a kick; I love getting to know some of Katie’s new friends and seeing how they all interact. I get to read individually with a few kids that are building their reading skills. It’s fun, even though I have to remind them often that verbal abuse is a form of help.
  • I agreed to be a co-room parent with The Other Lori. It ought to be fun to work on classroom stuff with her. The Other Lori’s son and Katie have gone to school together since preschool and are good pals.

Things I’ve figgered out


  • My kids’ classmates’ parents that don’t volunteer to help, even when The Other Lori and I beg them, are not very nice. I’m sorry. It needs to be said.
  • “Dancing Through Life,” one of the songs on the Wicked soundtrack, is how some people live every day. There are people who truly believe in the notion “life is fraughtless when you’re thoughtless.” Part of me envies them for being able to glide over things that stop me (and usually break my feet), but another part of me finds it sad—and in some cases, aggravating—that they never seem to feel anything. I probably don’t need to be this cryptic—the person/people I’m referring to have no idea they are this way and are probably not even aware of the Internet, much less my blog—but I’m too GD nice. (Right?)

Coming up next month


  • We’re going to see my favorite comedian, Jim Gaffigan (no, Erin, he is not a televangelist)
  • The kids have a Fall Family Festival at school—basically a big ol’ carnival and raffle, etc.—that The Other Lori and I are working hard to prepare for. Anything for the PTO...
  • Jenna Graves is getting married
  • Pat Knudson is having a home blessing/housewarming party at her new place in Washougal
  • Katie and I are going to a Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes show
  • Jack’s turning 6 and we’re planning yet another pirate-themed party for him and his buddies
  • We’ll be giving thanks with Darlene and Wellington on Thanksgiving Day


Oct. 30: Easy costumes

It's not too late. If you're still looking for the perfect Halloween costume, Forbes.com is here to help. They've got celebrity masks for you to print out and wear, like this creepy Fred Thompson one (click it if you're brave). It makes me shiver in fear, but I'm not sure if it's because Fred Thompson looks so scary without eyes or he looks so scary overall. I love the Stephen Colbert mask; it's not funny so much as it's AWESOME.

I know, I know... and you're welcome.

Oct. 28: Very bad people

Whew. I’m feeling so much better now that my headache is gone. The best part is that now I can return to being a critical self-righteous beeyotch. Life is good.

You might remember that I find great amusement in Republicans getting caught (literally) with their pants down. I don’t reserve that joy just for the G.O.P.; it’s for anyone who claims to have all the answers and is then found doing exactly what they preach so viciously against. The most outspoken of these criminals—often Republicans—tend to have the most to be ashamed of.

That’s a lot of words to introduce a very simple—and disturbing—list. Armchair Subversive reveals hypocrisy of the most vile. I’m with my friend Sheila on how this kind of criminal should be punished: “Take anyone who ever hurt a child and do the following: 1. Do to each person all of the things that they did to hurt a child, [and] 2. Execute them in the most painful way possible.”

(Yes, I know liberals are not supposed to favor capital punishment. It’s one of my libertarian leanings. I will not apologize.)

Oct. 29: Monday meme

First, my headache finally disappeared yesterday. Hooray!

Today there are 13 questions in a Halloween-themed Monday Meme:

What are the scariest movies you’ve ever seen?

Terminator, They’re Playing with Fire, When a Stranger Calls (the original). My list is short because I really, really hate scary movies.

What was your favorite Halloween costume from childhood?

Probably the Holly Hobbie outfit my friend’s mom made for me. My mom still thinks the funniest one was when I went trick-or-treating as a “mother.” I don’t remember what I wore but I carried my doll and got asked a lot what I was supposed to be. What I do remember is that by that age, Mom never cared much about our costumes (poor me, poor Kath!) and that was one year I think she would have preferred we not go out at all. Don’t worry, Mom, it’s a scar that ensures good costumes for my kids every year. They don’t mind that you hated Halloween.

Money is no object, nor is outrageousness: what is your fantasy Halloween costume?

Disgruntled Postal Worker

When was the last time you went trick-or-treating?

Um, I’m embarrassed to admit I went my junior year in high school. People at just about every house told us we were way too old to be trick-or-treating. Maybe because we dressed up as punk whores???

What’s your favorite Halloween candy?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Tell us about a scary nightmare you had

The first nightmare I remember having is Cruella DeVil trying to grab me (she was in a doghouse) and she was screaming and really mean.

What is your Halloween superstition?

I don’t think anything weirder happens on Halloween than any other day.

What is your creepy-crawly fear?

‘piders. Dur.

Tell us about a time when you saw a ghost or heard something go bump in the night

Fortunately, I don’t have any personal stories of the supernatural. But one time, when Karen and I lived in our townhouse in Murrayhill, I heard a guy outside our apartment yelling, “I’m bleeding… somebody help me… I’m hurt… call 9-1-1…” It woke me up and totally freaked me out (I was never so glad to have a second-floor bedroom window). I remember waiting until he stopped whining, and then peeked outside and no one was there. I figured he was drunk and finally found his way home or something. Nothing about it in the news the next day, anyway.

Would you ever stay in a real haunted house overnight?

Only with someone super cuddly like Jim Halpert. Vic would be okay too.

Are you a traditional jack-o’-lantern carver, or do you get really creative with your pumpkins?

I’ve always been a traditional carver, and pretty sucky at that. Last year Vic used one of those cool stencils and all the special tools and made some really neat jack-o’-lanterns. He said they weren’t too hard and did them again this year, so I’m more inspired to try that kind of thing. This year I had a Cinderella pumpkin and stuck different sized beads onto it with colored-head pins. It’s cute.

How much do you decorate your home for Halloween?

We actually did a lot this year—lights, garland, hanging bats, pumpkins and spider eggs. There would be more inside if we’d had the party we planned to host. I used to have a screaming doormat but it freaked out little kids too much.

What will be on your tombstone?

Hell is fabulous, come on down!

Chris, Kirsten and Kathy, you’re tagged. All the rest of y’all, answer in the comments.

Oct. 27: Stuff, I say!

There are some new things on the web site.

  • Presley pictures. She gets cuter every day, no?
  • Bissell family pictures. Lafe e-mailed them along with the news that there will be a new Bissell baby in February. It's supposed to be a boy, but I'm still encouraging them to name him "Jennifer."
  • Lassen family pictures. They went to Disneyland earlier this month. Although these pictures are adorable, Lori's holding onto an even better one for their Christmas card. Can't wait!
  • A few additions to the People We Like page
  • A new section for the PAA Class of 1986. I let our class web site die because the brilliant Mike Devitt couldn't figure out how to work it. Hopefully he'll find this page a bit easier to navigate.

Something that hasn't changed: this *#%&@! headache I've had now for five friggin' days. I hate it. It makes me want to die. It makes me want other people to die also, like the scientists who think it's more worthwhile to develop drugs like Viagra instead of an effective cure for my headache. When I'm able to sleep, I have these very strange hallucinationsas opposed to very normal hallucinationsand it takes a couple hours for me to shake them off. Believe it or not, I haven't even been taking any hard-core drugs (I would, if only those scientists would let some blood back in their brains so they could make me some!). So I don't know where all the psychotic stuff is coming from. I'm pretty sure, though, that I'm slowly going insane. And I'm taking you all with me.

Truly, I appreciate your sympathy.

So far the worst part of this is having to cancel the Halloween party we'd planned with our neighbors for tomorrow night. Katie and Jack are disappointed, but there's just no way I can fake my way through it. Even if I suddenly began to feel better right now, I haven't cleaned the house for five days, nor have I shopped for the ingredients for the Crusty Booger Nuggets I was planning to serve. There just ain't enough time for me to get everything ready, even with Vic's help. Even if my mom and Donna came and rescued me like they did a few years ago... still not enough time. It's that bad.

This morning was Jack's last soccer game of the season, possibly of his life, and he actually made a goal. I missed the game (dammit) but Vic took lots of pictures. If I have the energy to get them off the camera so I can compress and publish them, you can find some here. This next week is his team's pizza party and they'll finally get their coveted bobblehead soccer trophies for a job well done. Jack can hardly wait. Let's hope his name gets spelled correctly on it--one year Katie's said "Katie Manulliana."

Jack's next activity to hate: karate. I'm not counting on him dominating the dojo.

Oct. 26: Headaches R Us

Welcome to Day 4 of my migraine. It truly sucks to be me right now, at least I think it does. I'm hungry but the thought of eating makes me want to hurl. TiVo has, like, 15 shows waiting for me but my eyes hurt too much to watch them. I desperately want to pass the time by sleeping in a dark, quiet room but within five minutes I'm bored silly and feel like screaming. And screaming makes my head hurt even worse, even when I thought that was not possible. Turns out, it is possible.

So there ya go. That's why I haven't been writing lately. Please love me anyway. I would love you.

Oct. 22: Phone salesman audition

My friend Becky just e-mailed a link with this note:

This is a story about a guy, a guy like most of us -- common, questioning his existence, measuring himself to others, never believing in his abilities or his worth. Watch the faces of the judges as this guy walks out on the stage. You can almost see what they're thinking as they pre-judge this guy based on his looks and the fact that he's a cell phone salesman. Maybe this guy stopped believing in what people told him for so many years and ultimately started listening to his passion.

Phone Salesman Amazes Crowd

Wow. This gave me chills. Incredible.

Oct. 22: Monday meme

Is there an emotion that you think has gotten stronger as you’ve aged? If so, why do you think that has happened?
Is anxiety an emotion? It seems like I’m much more anxious nowadays than I ever was as a young adult. I’m pretty sure this is a result of watching the people I care about suffer losses and the helplessness I feel watching them grieve. It’s easy for me to put myself in their place, or in the place of the person they’ve lost, and being in either position really sucks. Being a mom just makes it all worse because I have to worry about two more people and help them process their emotions. Talk about weighty.

What is your most commonly recurring dream? Why do you keep having that dream?
This is weird, and something I’ve considered blogging about before. I often dream that I am a student at WWC again. I’m going to classes and living in the dorm; sometimes I’m married and/or have kids, other times I’m still single but at my current age. Reason? When I left WWC in 1991 I was supposed to finish a religion class over the summer to complete my graduation requirements. I didn’t want to do it. I was tired of being a student. I put it off and put it off and made up excuses and finally just gave up. Five years later I was laid off my job and knew I’d have an easier time finding a new one if I actually had my degree, so I decided it was time to finish it up. By then requirements had changed and instead of taking one four-hour class, I had to take more than 20 hours to complete my degree. I took one quarter locally and for the second one, had to go back to WWC. It was strange to be there again at 27 years old, to be living in the dorm and walking around campus and eating in the cafeteria. I was one of those old weirdos. The only thing I have figured out is that this whole experience—this “punishment” for my ridiculously bad decision in 1991—had such a huge impact on me that to re-live it in my dreams is a manifestation of its accompanying anxiety. Or maybe I’m just a nutjob.

If the U.S. had to give up one state, which one would you pick? Why?
This is an odd question. The only state we could disown that might actually make a difference in our country is Washington, D.C. And technically, it’s not even a state, so I don’t know if that’s cheating.

What is the most unexplainable thing you’ve ever witnessed?
I once saw a woman changing her baby’s diaper on top of a food vendor cart at Disneyland.

What is the biggest advantage men have over women? How about the biggest advantage women have over men?
Duh, men can pee standing up! What I wouldn’t give not to have to touch stuff in a public restroom. But women are allowed to express emotions throughout our lives—we can kiss our sons when they’re adults, we can cry, we can scream like idiots and while people might think we’re wacko, they can’t really say we’re acting inappropriately for our gender.

What one thing have you done that pleased your parents the most?
For my mom, probably giving her grandchildren made her happiest, but I know she is also pleased that I am introspective. For my dad, as much as he loved his grandchildren, I think he was most proud that I got my college degree. He didn’t give a crap about me being introspective; in fact, I think the things he disliked most in me were things he wasn’t about to admit came directly from him. Heh heh.

If you could be the Devil for one day, what would you do?
Gather all the mean people and burn them. Slowly.

If you could have taken one class in school that you didn’t (or couldn’t), what would it be?
Knowing what I know now, I’d have started out an English major, which means there are a lot of classes I would’ve taken that I wish I could have. By the time I decided I wanted to change my major from business to English, I was a junior and would have added another two years to my college career. But knowing that I could still work in the field that I am now, which I love, I wish I’d done something in school that I really enjoyed, something that fed my soul. Instead I went the safe route and took courses that would ensure a job (nothing wrong with that, of course).

What guidelines do you think should exist for gun control?
I think the number of gun owners that truly know how to safely operate a gun is much lower than people realize. I don’t have any great ideas for gun control, but I know that a lot of people who have guns shouldn’t. If someone wanted to put me in charge of deciding who those people are, I’d love the job.

What would it take for you to reconcile with your greatest enemy?
Honestly, I can’t think of any enemies. It’s not that I love everyone or that I’m so likable myself; I usually don’t let people I dislike consume my energy enough to think I’ll feel better if I reconcile with them. Most people that I truly dislike have never been personal friends of mine; they’re politicians and celebrities, so I can’t really consider them enemies, right? Can’t really reconcile with them if I don’t know them.

Copy the questions into a comment and answer them for yourself! Kathy, I'm tagging you--answer this in your blog--and Chris, you’re tagged too.

Oct. 19: Happy Birthday, Ron!

It'a happy birthday time again. Today the special attention is all for Ron, my brother-in-law. He's a good guy, so he deserves a whole cupcake all for himself.


So, how are you celebrating Ron's big day? I'm going to take a nap and watch last night's CSI. That's something special that I can't do every day. Thank you, Ron, for giving me an excuse to do lazy-ass stuff.

Kathy has HUGE plans for you today. And my gift check's in the mail. Yeah, that's it.

Oct. 18: Mac & Cheese recipe ho

The lovely Dawn has answered our prayers! She e-mailed me the much-requested recipe this afternoon. Here you go.

Dawn's Macaroni & Cheese


  • Kosher salt
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
  • 1 quart whole milk
  • 1½ sticks unsalted butter, divided
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (4 cups)
  • 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¾ pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
  • 1½ cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)


  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt and pepper and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
  4. Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.


She added this note at the bottom of the recipe: Oh, did I forget to mention the recipe comes from the Barefoot Contessa Family Style Cookbook? Well, it does. Now, I can use it as my own but Ina might get me for plagarism. Although, I did change one ingredient so maybe I'm really off the hook. ha, he, ha.

Thanks for sharing, Dawn! You. Are. Fabulous.

Oct. 18: Drink up

There are just 67 shopping days left until Christmas. Need some fun gift ideas? Here are some beverage-related gift items I found on some of my favorite gadget and parenting web sites.

Penguin Teaboy

Tea too strong? Too weak? Problem solved. Our nattily attired tea penguin always brews the perfect cup. Set the timer for your ideal brew time (from 1 minute up to 20) and he lowers the teabag into the water. When the time is up, he lifts it out. Couldn't be simpler or more fun. 3" diameter, 8" tall. $18.98 at Signals. (Description is from Signals, and picture link goes there. Slightly different penguin tea timers are available at Amazon and Harriet Carter.)

Sherpa Coffee Sleeve

Sip in style, pamper your hand, keep beverages hot (or cool) longer, and save a tree with one of these. Sleeve rolls up for compact storage in a briefcase, bag, or glove box. Combine with a prepaid coffee shop card for a terrific gift. Made in the USA from tan and cream 100% polyester. Machine wash. Two or more save 10%. $10.98 at Signals.

Global Warming Mug

Sure to be a topical topic of conversation, this mug shows off the adverse effects of that annoying global warming. Just pour in a hot cup of coffee, and the ocean starts to spread across the continent as ice caps melt and water levels rise. A pleasant reminder to take care of the planet and knock down your carbon dioxide emission. $12.00 at Uncommon Goods.

AlcoHAWK PRO Digital Breath Alcohol Detector

Advanced semiconductor sensor quickly and accurately estimates Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) using a breath sample. Blow into the mouthpiece for 5 seconds; get a digital LED readout (0.00 to 0.40%) in 3 seconds. Upgraded foolproof design monitors abnormal sensor conditions and ensures a sufficient air sample is tested. Meets rigorous National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards. Runs on 9V battery (included). Remember: Never drink and drive. $139.95 at Sharper Image.

Eiffel Tower Tea Set

I include this mostly because I love any excuse to have the Eiffel Tower in my house. Ain't it cute? Add a little ooh-la-la to the tea party. Includes 2-cup stoneware teapot (9¾" tall) with lid/stopper, plus two 2-oz. cups with saucers. Hand wash. Gift boxed. $24.95 at Sur la Table.

Pick Your Nose party cups

Who knows how to liven up a party? YOU do! Each of these photo- realistic paper cups comes emblazoned with a new nose. When you tip your head to take a drink - voila - you get an instant nose job, and a chuckle from the crowd. Remember, never turn your nose up at a good laugh! There are 24 12-oz. cups in each pack, evenly divided between male and female proboscises (errr, noses). $7.49 at Perpetual Kid.

Cool Shooters Ice Shot Glasses

What's cooler than a shot glass made of ice? Fill Cool Shooter with water or your favorite juice, freeze, and then pop out four fully-formed frozen shot glasses. A great way to add a little nip to your favorite sip! Pure food-grade silicone rubber. $6.95 at Perpetual Kid.

USB Mug Warmer & Hub

It's perfect and it's simple - a hotplate powered by USB keeps your coffee warm. But if Alton Brown has taught us anything is that we hate a single-use tool. That, and sometimes we like our caffeine served cold. No problem, 'cause we've got you covered! Just flip a switch, and the hot-plate turns into a peltier device, quickly cooling to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celcius). Sweet! By maintaining optimum temperatures for your caffeine delivery system, you can enjoy increased work productivity and nice twitchy gaming reflexes. Connection via USB. Cable length: 2 feet. Power consumption: 5.75W. Dimensions: 5.25" x 3.25" x 1.4". $24.99 at ThinkGeek.

Wine Bottle USB drive

Here's interesting packaging for software that basically inventories your wine cellar. Open Cellar is so practical it gives you access to all the information with only a few clicks. The interface is pleasant and intuitive, wine forms are detailed and complete, with numerous reports and statistics. The web-based program offers even more features. About $40 at BeWineConnected.


This last thing has nothing to do with a beverage, but I just had to include it.
Until I saw this, the Gummi Venus de Milo was my favorite shape formed in the gummi medium. But now... oh my lord, how can I resist gummi haggis? I'm only human!

Oct. 16: Eight-legged freaks

I made some of these oh-so-scary Halloween decorations today.



I found the idea in Family Fun magazine. Here are the directions. I followed their steps for the first one but it didn't work very well (it was messy and I cursed a lot). The second and third ones I did my own way and they totally kick 'pider butt. Well, I guess they don't kick 'pider butt yet, because I ran out of 'piders. But I assure you, they will be wicked awesome when I'm done.

We have Hobo spiders in Oregon. They are big and scary and poisonous. People who consider themselves experts say that Hobo spiders are more afraid of us than we are of them but they have not met me. They also say they hide, and the most common bites are from a spider hiding in a shoe and the person not checking for spiders before they put them on.

Do you check your shoes for spiders before you put them on? Sure, if they've been sitting outside for a while, that's probably a good idea. But if they've been in my closet (or, more likely, the middle of my living room floor), I don't look in them; I just shove my foot in and hope for the best.

Last week I opened our front door and saw a giant spider scamper across the floor and go under one of Vic's shoes just inside the door. It was so big, at first I thought it was a mouse or possibly a small horse. I left the door open (so's my neighbors would hear me scream if the big, mean spider attacked me) and grabbed one of the many handy shoes near the door. I bravely picked up Vic's shoe and smashed the H-E-double-hockeysticks out of that big dude as soon as he moved. But before I did, I could totally tell it was a Hobo spider. And it was male, which means it was more venomous. Don't ask me how I know it was male. Trust me. I know.

Moral of the story: if you live in the Northwest, check your shoes for 'piders. Oh, and if you live in the Southwest, check them for scorpions. Ew. I'm all squirmy now.

Also, if you're looking for a cool Halloween decoration, see the pic above.

Oct. 15: Monday meme

Have you ever...


Bought everyone in the pub a drink... NO
Climbed a mountain... YES
Been inside the Great Pyramid... NO
Held a tarantula... GOD, NO
Taken a candlelit bath with someone... PROBABLY
Said ‘I love you’ and meant it... YES
Bungee jumped... NO
Visited Paris... YES
Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise... WAY TOO MANY TIMES IN COLLEGE
Gone to a huge sports game... YES
Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa... NO
Grown and eaten your own vegetables... YES
Slept under the stars... YES
Seen the Northern Lights... NOT TOTALLY CLEAR ON WHAT THEY EVEN ARE... SO NO
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon... NO
Gotten drunk on champagne... NO
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment... YES
Had a food fight... YES
Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier... NO
Taken an ice cold bath... NO
Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar... NO
Hit a home run... NO
Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking... PROBABLY
Adopted an accent for an entire day... NO
Visited all 50 states... NOT EVEN CLOSE
Had amazing friends... YES YES YES
Watched wild whales... YES
Stolen a sign... NO
Taken a road trip... YES
Sky diving... NO
Visited Ireland... NO
Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love... PROBABLY, THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING STUPID ENOUGH FOR ME TO DO
Visited Japan... NO
Benchpressed your own weight... HA! DO YOU KNOW ME???
Milked a cow... NO
Sung karaoke... NO
Scuba diving... NO
Gone to a drive-in theater... YES
Done something you should regret, but don’t regret it... YES
Visited the Great Wall of China... NO
Discovered that someone who’s not supposed to have known about your blog has discovered your blog... NO
Started a business... YES
Taken a martial arts class... NO
Sword-fought for the honor of a woman... NO
Gotten married... YES
Been in a movie... NO
Loved someone you shouldn’t have... YES
Gotten divorced... NOT YET
Ridden a gondola in Venice... NO
Gotten a tattoo... NO
Rafted the Snake River... YES
Been on television news programs as an "expert"... NO
Got so drunk you don’t remember anything... YES
Performed on stage... YES
Been to Las Vegas... YES
Eaten shark... NO
Buried one/both of your parents... YES
Been on a cruise ship... YES
Spoken more than one language fluently... NO
Bounced a check... YES
Read - and understood - your credit report... YES
Raised children... WORKING ON IT
Found out something significant that your ancestors did... HEH HEH HEH... YES
Called or written your Congress person... NO
Walked the Golden Gate Bridge... YES, A FEW TIMES
Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking... YUP
Had plastic surgery... NO
Wrote articles for a large publication... YES
Piloted an airplane... NO
Petted a stingray... NO
Helped an animal give birth... YES
Been fired or laid off from a job... YES
Broken a bone... YES
Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph... NO
Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced... NO
Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol... PROBABLY
Had major surgery... YES
Had a snake as a pet... NO
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon... NO
Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing... NO
Eaten kangaroo meat... NO
Eaten sushi... YES
Had your picture in the newspaper... YES
Gone back to school... YES
Parasailed... NO
Changed your name... YES
Petted a cockroach... NO
Eaten fried green tomatoes... NO
Read The Iliad... NO
Stolen silverware, plates, cups from a restaurant because your apartment needed them... DOES THE WWC CAFETERIA COUNT?
Killed and prepared an animal for eating... NO
Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream... YES
Had to put someone you love into hospice care... NO
Had a booth at a street fair... NO
Dyed your hair... YES
Been a DJ... PROFESSIONALLY? NO
Been arrested... NOT YET
Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment... YES YES YES

Copy the list into a comment and share YOUR answers--

Oct. 14: Funny place names

to·pon·y·my (tə-pŏn'ə-mē) n.

  1. The place names of a region or language.
  2. The study of such place names.

This morning I ran across some unusual place names in the news and started thinking. I tend to do that sometimes.

When you’ve lived in an area for a while, it’s easy to forget that people in other parts of the country find some of our place names hard to pronounce. Clackamas always trips people up. You can tell someone’s not from here by the way they pronounce Willamette (emphasis on the am, please). Aloha, one of the communities on the west side, is not a-low-HA, but a-LOW-a. Champoeg (sham-POO-ee) is, among other things, an Oregon state park. Oh, and if you say or-ee-GONE, you’ll get chased out of the state with torches and pitchfork-waving folk.

What are some of the weird names where you’re from, the ones you’ve become so accustomed to that they’re not weird anymore?

Oct. 13: Better late than never

Sorry I didn't get to this important business earlier today.



Happy birthday wishes to two pretty great people I know: Erin and Jim. Hope you don't mind sharing the cake.

Oct. 12: Whoozy-whatsits

Here's a list, with accompanying photo goodness, of ten items that actually have names. I remember "philtrum" from a Stump the Jock question when I was little. And I've heard the shoelace thing, but I can never remember it when it's in a crossword puzzle.

As for "dingbat," if you use a computer and don't know that term, you must be the other definition of the word.

Oct. 11: Late Monday meme

Oops. I forgot to post this on Monday. What's the point of Monday being Meme Day if I don't post a meme? Solly.



What is on your desktop wallpaper?
Art from Disneyland

What is your favorite zoo animal?
Penguins

What was your favorite toy as a child?
Dolls

What food do you eat too much of?
All food

What kind of hairstyle do you have?
Boring. Shoulder length, wavy, boring.

What was your favorite activity in gym class?
Scooters!

What is on the shirt you're wearing right now?
A big coffee stain

What is the picture nearest to you of?
Me and my seester riding a donkey

What kind of salad dressing do you like?
Blue cheese

Whats your least favorite food?
Seafood

What do you do on a Sunday night?
The Simpsooooooooooons

If you could only use one condiment on your food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Um... ranch dressing, I guess

What color are your sheets?
White

What pair of shoes do you wear most often?
Not any one pair. How do you think that pile by the door accumulates so quickly?

What is your favorite game?
Cranium

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
Mashed potatoes. Everything else is just filler.

What is your favorite pizza topping?
Black olives

What time do you plan on waking up tomorrow?
Eight-ish (no school)

What is your favorite day of the year?
Christmas

Your turn.

Oct. 11: And I Ran...

Gotta love Andy Samberg.



Oct. 9: Sweeney Todd

The trailer for Tim Burton's musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has been released. I think Sweeney Todd's speaking voice sounds an awful lot like Jack Sparrow. And does Helena Bonham Carter look that way in every movie she's in, like she uses a blender for a hairbrush?

The movie has a U.S. release date of Dec. 21. We're seeing the touring Broadway musical in April. You can be sure I'll be sharing a complete analysis and comparison of the two. I hope you can stand the wait.

Oct. 9: One of these things is not like the other

Here's an interesting comparison of Sarah Silverman and Ann Coulter. The responses are good too. Your comment, Lori?

Oct. 9: Eight crazy nights

Today's topic is menorahs. I don't know why either.

First, I'm not Jewish so I claim to be no expert on the history or significance of the menorah. But I've always considered it sort of a sacred symbol, maybe comparable to Christians' nativity scene. Here's what Wikipedia says:

The menorah is a seven branched candelabrum lit by olive oil in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. The menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish people. It is said to symbolize the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25). The Menorah is also a symbol closely associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The Hanukkah menorah has not seven, but nine candle holders.

Now, remember, that's from Wikipedia, so you know it's got to be correct.

Sacred symbol? Then explain these:


Disney's contribution has Mickey and Minnie roller-skating. Yes, roller-skating.


Doesn't the simple structure of the menorah just beg to be constructed as swings and a slide? At first I thought these were salt shakers, but then I thought "that doesn't make any sense!" Hm.


Here's a soft squeaky dog toy because Rover needs to celebrate his Judaism too. When he squeezes it in his mouth, it plays "Rock of Ages." Of course.


This is just downright creepy.




Who thought this was a good idea?




OK, the lasers are an awesome touch




A Hogwart's Menorah. Sure.






This was handcrafted and apparently is not for sale (unlike most of the others), which makes it a little less irreverent, IMO. I mean, it's sorta funny and no one's trying to make a buck off it, right?




This is the weird menorah that prompted my menorah-themed post. I saw it on one of my favorite gadget web sites. Since it's not a gadget I'm not sure why it was there, but whatever... Probably one of the dumbest things ever, wouldn't you agree?

As non-religious as I am these days, I find it a bit surprising that I am still occasionally bothered by what some call "celebrating their religious holidays." I don't know why I care. I make fun of Christian stuff all the time. In fact, when setting up the kids' Little People Nativity Set one December a few years back, I couldn't find one of the wise men so I replaced him with the Little People circus monkey from the Circus Train set. And I decided I liked it better that way so now it's like that every year. (Hey, if the man was so wise, why'd he get himself lost?)

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