The Big Rant

2003-08-11T09:39:00.000-04:00

It's not that I haven't had much to say, maybe I've had too much?

schmedgar: I took Friday afternoon off, went to register for Otakon and then hung around for a couple of hours, did some shopping, watched some really funny short videos (You're under Arrest mini videos) then walked to the Inner harbor and took the water taxi down to the vet to get Edgar sedation. Took the water taxi back to fell's point and was on my way home when I found an old friend in a bar we used to go to (that has changed hands several times since then)
schmedgar: went in a had a couple beers with her and some other people. then went home, and walked the dog
schmedgar: played on my keyboard for a while then watched a dvd
schmedgar: Saturday am took edgar to be groomed at 8:30, went and had coffee with Carol went back to Otakon from 11-5. Picked up Edgar, went to dinner with some friends, played keyboard for a while, played bingo on vzones.
schmedgar: Sunday, went to farmer's market at 8, stayed until about 10:15, walked over to Otakon because I particularly wanted to see Piano, left there around 3, went to the wine company, then home, walke dthe dog, packed up a picnic and went to the jazz concert in the park.

was in bed by 10.

2003-07-24T12:44:00.000-04:00

Apart from the picture over there ---> I've pretty much stayed away from newsy items here. But I have to ask about this. What would possess anyone to think that killing Hussein's sons would stop attacks against US troops? I mean, it's not like they were personally responsible for the attacks, so why wouldn't anyone who has been paying any attention at all realize that killing the sons was much more likely to increase attacks against the military? Um, don't we have specialists who can figure this kind of thing out. I swear Americans are completely stupid when it comes to understanding basic cause and effect.
For example, if a state elects a new governor and two months after s/he takes office the states economy falls apart, can it really be the new Governor's fault? um- duh.

2003-07-22T08:38:00.000-04:00

it's just after 8 and I've been very productive already. The poor dog is getting his summer itchies which is miserable for both of us. He does a lot of spinning and growling and trying to get his tail. His preferred time and location for this activity being the bed at 5am. So I decided just to get up and away. so between 5 and 7:30 I took out the garbarge, did some laundry, spent extra long in the shower, packed up more food for lunch than I can possibly eat all day, including green beans and corn on the cob, put away a bunch of clothes, washed dishes, and watered everything.

I haven't had a morning like that in a long time. I had forgotten how good it felt.

2003-07-21T13:51:00.000-04:00

I had jury duty on Friday. I actually don't mind it that much even though it's lost time. It's like air travel, you spend all day doing what people tell you to do (watch this video, sign in for your money, watch the movie, got to lunch, get you job slip, watch another movie, go home) and chattign with whomever ends up near you. I wasn't supposed to take a sewing needle so I took my latch hook and did some of that instead. Read a bit, tried to stay awake. It was fine *shrug*

Bought lots of good food this weekend, since I have the new refrigerator I have renewed interest in shopping and preparing stuff. I've also been trying to be good and take lunch to work to save a few bucks and eat stuff that's good for me. It's much easier to do that when I am going to the farmer's market regularly and buying locally grown stuff.

I also finally go to see the Hours which I'd been wanting to view. I adored the book when I read it over a year ago. I didn't want to like it because I thought it was going to be a nasty rip off of Virginia Woolf but the book was fantastic. the movie was fine but didnt blow me away. I kept wondering, if I hadn't read the book would I have responded to the movie more? I will say that Nicole Kidman was excellent as Virginia Woolf and I fully intended to hate her in that role.

2003-07-17T10:17:00.000-04:00

I have been obessing about how so many people waste other people's time or are just generally thoughtless about how their behavior affects others. Unfortunately, once I start thinking this way, I can't let go and I start making lists in my head of all the examples I see of it. This is not healthy thinking- I need to be smacked.

2003-07-15T13:45:00.000-04:00

I saw an ad for this breast cancer fundraiser when iwas up visiting my parents last week. I've been thinking about ideas for various bra-like things to submit for it. I think that I might try making a purse or a miniature beaded bra. I have jury duty on Friday so I may be able to start workign on something when I'm there.

Oh and about a year ago Darcy asked me about Citizens on Patrol. I joined our local COP group for a variety fo reasons- to become more familiar with Police procedure and activities, to get a new view of what is going on in the neighborhood, just to be involved in a neighborhood activity, and also because I thinkit's important that the citizens show support of the police force in this city. We tend to bad mouth the city government and the cops but aren't always aware of the pressures those people are working under. I also really believe that the squeaky wheel gets the grease and so I'm happy do do my share of squeaking and I think that going out with COP helps the sqeaking process.

2003-07-11T10:16:00.000-04:00

oh and I added some things to my netflix queue: I've been wanting to watch the BBC adaptations of the P.D. James mysteries; I fall asleep when I watch them on the tv (and my reception is lousy anyway) so I have "Death of An Expert Witness" now and have added the rest to be sent soon.

2003-07-11T10:09:00.000-04:00

I have been terribly lax in blogging and I need a new layout. Piffle *smacks self*
Lets' see, the briefest rundown of events:
was in NYC visitng Tina last week and spent Monday shopping in the fabulous wholesale sequins and beads and other useless items shops. I've always wanted to go through those places but never had a chance when they were open and I was alone. I found some great deals on cheap jewelry but didn't really buy much, considering. It was alittle too overwhelming. But hey, it is always good toknow what's out there in case you ever need to make a skating costume or to whip something up for a drag show.

Tina is an excellent hostess and let me dictat what food we ate- specifically, I had to have these goat meat tacos I'd had last year- they are delicious!!!

Then went on to my parent's in Massachusetts where I realized that it is amazing that children ever grow up to be adults when they seem not to have any ability to think through the consequences of their actions at all. I would watch the 10 year olds and wonder "whatever made you think that was a good idea?" But we had fun and I played games with them and was generally a good aunt.

The Fourth was quiter than usual. We have always had a huge party- family and whoever else we wanted to invite. This time it was just family and was very pleasant because there was actually time to talk to people. I really enjoyed it despite getting a nasty sunburn.

The week back has been quiet except that my refrigerator dies and I had to get a new one- puts a real dent in my spending money. Sears was um- 6 hours late delivering but I got the delivery charges credited back and a $50 gidt card for my inconvenience. Uh huh. It made me wonder, if I accept the money, have I sold my right to complain to the higher up people about it? All they would be likely to do would be give me money anyway but I feel like they should know that it is a major inconvenience to be stuck all afternoon and evening. They didn't deliver until after 9pm. But Iguess they can get away with this because we are all so easily paid off?

2003-06-29T18:34:00.000-04:00

OMG!!!! Tina's cat is the cutest cat I have ever ever ever ever met in my life!!!!! (apart from cats I actually own, of course). His name is Kookie and he spends half his time upside down with his front and back feet all mixed together.
And I am now his unofficial Godmother because he loves the toys I brought him. He even go up on the counter and asked to play with one after he lost the first one.

2003-06-26T12:07:00.000-04:00

How did it get to be Thursday already? *watches the week whip by*
*yawn* work's been boring but lots of time to play. Took the day off yesterday and helped with a newsletter mailing for the Friends of Patterson Park, then lounged about watching stuff on tv and dvd and not snuggling with the dog (too hot for that).
Lat night though, got together with nieghbors to make a 4th of July banner for the Municipal band concert next week. I have to say, our banner is truly glorious. It isnt quite done yet but the start is spectacular.

Erm, getting ready now for going away next week. A couple days in NYC to eat tacos- um, I mean, visit Tina, then on up to MA for the family picnic.

2003-06-23T10:18:00.000-04:00

Busy weekend, and only got raiend on twice, oh wait, does an hour driving in a torrential downpour count as once or more than once?

Saturday was the Baltimore Songwriter's Festival which was the one festival I really really really wanted to get to this year. It is completely crunchy granola folk music- nothing to buy, just open mic where each person only gets to sing 3-4 songs. Some of them are really good, some of them are really bad, but it is so much fun!!! It was sunny out my window when I woke up but it got cloudy and breezey, a little cool for my taste but the rain held off until about 3:30 so they got a good 4 hours in. they started up again afte rthe first rain ended but when the big cloud rumbled that was the end. I was so happy to get to see any of it though, I'm not complaining.

As it turned out, I was scheduled to do Cititzens on Patrol ride around with the Park police on Saturday. For the first hour we drove around in a monsoon, so there wasn't much to see in terms of people activities. It was very interesting though to see the park in that weather. We drove through a few puddles of pretty deep water which made me a bit nervous. The officer did tell one man to leave a prostitute alone and another couple to put their dog on a leash. But it was pretty quiet.

Sunday started out cold but ended up to be a beautiful day. I have done something to my right foot, stress fracture or something, so I've been trying to stay off of it but I couldn't stay in all day so I taped the toes together and did my usual walking. There is a store down the hill that does that computer analysis of your foot and walking pattern (to sell expensive shoes) so I may go there this week and have it done because it doesn't seem to matter whether I wear expensive shoes or cheap ones, they still hurt after an hour or so. i did get a ride back up the hill so I wasn't totally cruel to myself.

2003-06-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

DVDs I have from Netflix (or on their way)
Rashomon Foreign

Escaflowne: Vol. 1: Dragons and Destiny Anime

Sister Wendy: Disc 1 Special Interest

DVDs in Your Queue

Daniel Deronda
Television
Now

The Avengers '66: Vol. 1
Foreign
Now

P.D. James: Expert Witness: Disc 1
Television
Now

P.D. James: Expert Witness: Disc 2
Television
Now

Sailor Moon S: Vol. 1
Anime
Now

Urusei Yatsura #2: Beautiful Dreamer
Anime
Now

Tenchi the Movie: Tenchi Muyo! In Love
Anime
Now

Ranma Forever: Vol. 1
Anime

2003-06-19T12:22:00.000-04:00

My dad is such a goof. he doesn't like my phone because it is a bit crackly and I haven't been able to fix it yet so he sent me a new one *rolls eyes* but that isn't the goofy part of it. In with the new phone he includeda t shirt and a sweatshirt- both things I gave him for father's day or birthday about 19 years ago. Silly. Ok, so the tshirt is a bit bright, if he'd worn it for all those years it would be a much more acceptable color, don't you think? The sweatshirt is absolutely my worst possible color- maroon. I guess someone will be getting them back in his christmas stocking- heh heh.
The real question now is, will he be returning the dvd player I gave him this year?

2003-06-15T11:46:00.000-04:00

The dog and I have completely different idead about what is good weather. He's been loving the cold and damp, and especially how it's making the grass grow like crazy. He has short little legs and loves to run through the tall grass. But yesterday it got hot and humid (yayayayayayayayayyyy) and now he's moping around like he's going to die *rolls eyes* silly doggie.

Yesterday went to Bark in the Park with Sky hOundz trials. It's the one where they have a certain amount of time to catch as many frisbees as they can. I stayed long enough to judge a bandana contest and then headed out for shopping. We went to Target; now I try to support small locally owned stores, and prefer to buy from small businesses, but damn! Target has a lot of stuff I want! So I went a little crazy and bought pretty much two of everything I saw. Is it my fault that I fell for the demon curse of the underpaid? I got hats and bags and shies and skirts and hair dye and shirts and cat food and really cute garden gloves for kids um, and other stuff two, it seems. now I feel like I have some summer clothes to wear in the event that it stays hot and humid.

I'd like to know who thinks it's a good idea to give children firecrackers? even small firecrackers? Even apart from the obvious danger to themselves, firecrackers ended up costing me a lot of money last year when I had to had my fence replaced because some kids threw firecrackers onto a pile of trash and my fence burned down. I've also heard that the kids like to throw them at the drug users and prostitutes. As much as I'd like to see both of those groups gone out of the neighborhood, I think there are better ways to achieve that goal. I'm a little worried the poor dog is going to have a heart attackone day, barkign at the noise.

2003-06-13T12:13:00.000-04:00

I think I figured out why the weather is bothering me so much, it isn't really the lack of sun because I'd be in work anyway. Mostly, I think it's because a lot of my social life revolves around activities in the park and so many of them have been cancelled or just haven't been very enjoyable in the cold and damp.

It's been a quiet week after my trip to Texas. I hate traveling with my boss because I get so annoyed with her and then I'm annoyed all week. It's hard not having enough to do in the office, as much as I am able to entertain myself with online playthings, it still is just too much time thinking about other people's behavior. *sigh* I really should just find a new job that will be more challenging and less annoying.

2003-06-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

when did Blogger change on me?? hhmmmm.

Had a very very wet weekend, Saturday I gave up on the whole dryness thing and spent a couple of hours in the rain walking the dog to be groomed, getting coffee, doing some edging in the park. wet wet wet wet wet.
Sunday, had my quick trip to Texas for work. I really didn't want to go, the weather was nice here and I hated to miss it after the spring we've been having. But had to go anyway. the trip was ok, my boss wasn't feeling well so she didn't run up quite the bar tab I've seen her manage in the past. I just can't believe that she doesn't see how unusual it is to drink as much as she drinks, I mean, I don't know anyone else who feels the need to carry vodka in a water bottle onto a plane. She's at the stage where she makes comments about her drinking but isn't open enough for me to be able to discuss it with her and it is a real problem. She is late to work more days than she is on time but she always claims tot have another reason like the painters are coming, or she has a stomach bug, whatever.
Anyway, got to Dallas and checked in at the Omni Mandalay which was a veyr nice hotel in a completely fabricated town-like area. It was nice and warm and quite peaceful. the company wined and dined us pretty well. Sadly, iw as hoping to meet up with Debi but her cell phone proved that it is evil and conspired against me. *sniff* piffle.
Monday was spent all day in a windowless meeting room and then shuffled onto an airport shuttle and back to fly home. They fed us frequently to keep us quiet and I did manage to pilfer many snacks into my bag so I wouldnt' starve at the airport. Not a concern, really, they fed us so much.

It was so quick, I'm not sure I can really count this as a trip to Texas or not *shrug*

2003-06-05T09:57:00.000-04:00

Better mood today- um so far, anyway. Got my sleeping fixed and that helped a lot.

I have way overdosed on Revolutionary Girl Utena (link opens a new window with music and graphics). I didn't mean to but I forgot to update my Netflix queue. As an aside, I love the word queue- all those e's and u's together. I don't mind the whole sort of lesbian plot or even that everyone is fighting for control over a female character, It bugs me that they are supposed to be fighting for some greater good, or something like that, but they always duel for reasons that a petty and trivial. It's just a bit too weird and annoying for me. And is Utena really so dense that she can't figure out what's going on?
So I finally went back to netflix and got the rest of them off the list and added other stuff. There are dvd's that have been on the list for months and keep getting bumped to the bottom *shrug* I guess I just want to remember they exist. I've really been enjoying the Avengers and have reverted back to my very early goal of being Mrs Peel when I grow up. Anyone know of a good deal on a black leather outfit?

2003-06-03T13:50:00.000-04:00

I didn't start today annoyed but I seem to be spiraling down that way. Oh well, I'll just try to stay hidden in my office and not bother anyone. If only they'd leave me alone too.

Spent the weekend in Massachusetts at my parents. it was nice, but, of course, rainy.*rolls eyes* at least yesterday was sunny and I was traveling rather than just sitting in my office all day. Didn't do much at my parents, just a low key visit. Sunday was a big family party to celebrate my cousin's graduation and commissioning into the Marines. It was nice but a little wedding-ish (probably wouldn't have thought it was like a wedding if his mother didn't keep saying, "It's not a wedding").
Visiting my parent's really throws off my sleep patterns so I always need a couple of days to recuperate. Usually, I dont' sleep much the night before because I am thinking about packing and this past week I didn't sleep because my social worker kitty cat decided to invite a stray cat in and they spent all night chasing each other around and about. So I get to my parents and want a nap immediately, the sofa in the living room is SO comfortable!!! but then I think I should stay up late, and then I sleep "late" (um- is 8:30 late? they seem to think so) and then I want a nap because I really wanted to sleep later but I'm not mature enough just to ignore my father's little pointed remarks about how much we all sleep. I can't help it, I need 9 hours of sleep a night. It's very predictable. I can function with less if I know I'll be catching up sometime but the weekend is when I'd do that and that's when I visit.

ok, I am way too cranky to keep going. piffle.

2003-05-29T10:05:00.000-04:00

I finally gave up yesterday and just stayed home. I had decided that if I heard raindrops when I woke up I wasn't going in. And that's just what I did.
Watched Spirited Away and loved it as much as I expected to. Somehow, I thought there would be totoros in it but I wasn't disappointed anyway. Also watched some of the promos from the NewType USA DVD. The security guard in our building gets the magazine and loaned it to me. I don't actually care so much about reading about the stuff though, just like to watch.
The sun came out briefly at around 3 and I grabbed the dog and ran him up to the park. It felt so good to be out there. the weatherman says that we haven't had a full day of sun in over amonth. Explains a lot.

2003-05-27T11:42:00.000-04:00

The weather is really getting to me these days. I need a sunny day when I'm not at work!!!!

That having been said, the weekend was good. Spent Saturday in the park, damp and dreary but watching guys with great legs and tight shorts riding in bike races. Also, met a wonderful french bulldog named Nash who gave me kisses.

Sunday was Farmers market and then shopping at the big craft store. Caught up on my DVD watching so they could be returned to Netflix, even got a little napping in on the side.

Yesterday I was a bit miffed because the big boss decided to have a Memorial Day cookout and it was expected that we would all be there to entertain the legions of trainees from other countries. Given how the weather was all weekend, I didn't want to leave the house at all and was downright cranky about it. When we got there, though, the sun did finally shine some and it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. First off, the Nigerians were all dressed to the nines in beautiful colors and textures. the food was ok, but the company was good and having the sun out really helped things. I got to talk to some people I don't usually get to and that was nice too. I actually now want to go to Nigeria should the occasion arise and am trying to make it happen.

It was sunny when I woke this morning but it's cloudy again now *sigh* Even having a really cute umbrella isn't helping much.

2003-05-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

Erm weather was yucky over the weekend so I was very unproductive. My life is so pathetic that the big excitement is the fact that the groomer found a mizzle she could get on Edgar. So he got a ffull grooming and is finally not a stink-o-matic puppy.

2003-05-15T09:41:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I possibly cheated on this?

Which Silver Screen Siren are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-05-14T13:18:00.000-04:00

I haven't been blogging- probably the longest I've ever gone without an entry of some sort. Everything's ok, I'm just trying to figure out how to apologize gracefully to a good friend for ignoring her for er- more than a month? *blush*

I hadn't been online much until the last week. But then Thori finally broke my will and I signed up for a trial on Vzones *hangs head in shame* I had been resisiting because I don't really need another thingie like that but, I somehow thought I'd be able to resist and would just do the free week and see what the fuss is about. For the most part, I'm not good at just hanging around and chatting, it's too much work for me. But Vzones has enough other things to do so it is quite fun. Ok, so it's really all about winning prizes, shopping and decorating.Nothing wrong with that, is there? My avatar wears EMBE (Eva memorial bunny ears)- I tried a few other looks but now I'm used to them. *sigh* maybe when I'm rich I'll get something new? But she's looking right cute with her cool sunglasses and cigar.
Being on Vzones makes me realize how much I missed the old *insert your own reference to the guild that must not be named here*. I was really just getting to know everyone when it was poofed so I feel like I have a second chance now.

Erm- in other news, went to the Blues festival in the park. Baltimore has the weirdest damned weather so there are whole days when you might never have on the right thing even though it changes every 5 seconds. Usual Sunday- farmer's market, etc. called to wish Mom happy day. regular stuff.

2003-05-08T16:03:00.000-04:00

I've discovered that I can hear the Writer's Almanac every morning at 6:30, which is lovely because that's about when I get up so I can set the clock radio to let me listen just before I start my day. Garrison Keillor gives bits and pieces of history and people's birthdays and then reads a poem. It's a peaceful way to start the day. It occurred to me today to go back and check on what he had done on my birthday last year and I discovered that I share my birthday with Anna Freud. *shrug* seems to make a difference for some reason?
Anyway, the poem he read, by Charles Simic suits me perfectly, I think and so:

The Altar

The plastic statue of the Virgin
On top of a bedroom dresser
With a blackened mirror
From a bad-dream grooming salon.

Two pebbles from the grave of a rock star,
A small, grinning windup monkey,
A bronze Egyptian coin
And a red movie-ticket stub.

A splotch of sunlight on the framed
Communion photograph of a boy
With the eyes of someone
Who will drown in a lake real soon.

An altar dignifying the god of chance.
What is beautiful, it cautions,
Is found accidentally and not sought after.
What is beautiful is easily lost.

2003-05-08T09:03:00.000-04:00

It's not that I don't have anything to write about, everyday I think of zillions of things to put here, I think it's that I've been doing "deep" thinking (well, for me anyway) and I've been too busy to have the time to write things out fully so it seems silly to start them.
Actual facts: did some edging in the park last night- only had time for about 45 minutes worth of work and had several visitors so didn't get much done really. Cut a bunch of cans to be put on the tree, which is getting cuter daily. It should be ready for photos this weekend. Decided that I always agree with Simon Cowell (on AI) and I even like the way he presents his criticism. Josh should have gone weeks ago though.
If you eat snack/nutrition bars, I highly recommend the Curry Cashew Mojo bars, they are chewy and crunchy and just a wee bit spicy. Very tasty. I think they are more satistifying at 3:30 pm than something sweet.

So here are the variety of topics I've been thinking about- feel free to select one and write up an essay for me:

1. the impermanence of experience (experience as in things like going to a movie or a concert, not in terms of thingks like, I have professional experience coordinating clinical trials)
2. can someone with as much education as I have ever be considered a folk artist?
3. Have you seen this ebay gallery?
4. Maybe I'm a conceptual artist wannabe? Or am I just a Faux wannabe?

Oh, and while surfing around for conceptual art stuff, I found Soundtoys. But be careful Erik says it made him install stuff.

2003-05-06T08:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Sigmund without whom half of the words I use daily would not exist and I would have no convenient way to dwell upon my inner environment.

In other news- Morning Edition did a piece on audio blogging. This is one of those things that I think seems like a great idea but I wouldn't be able to use becaue I'd giggle at it.

2003-05-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

You know it's been a good weekend when you wake up on Monday and still feel just a bit tired. Spent Friday night at the wine company chatting with different people and then ended up at a restaurant called Red Fish where I had a very tasty pasta dish. I have lost my tolerance for alcohol so I've really cut back on my drinking- good for reducing my calorie intake and my expenses and I also find that it is nice not to have a hang over on Saturday mornings. Not that I had that many hangovers but I really hate to lose a whole weekend day that way. Nowadays, even 2 glasses of wine will do me in.
Saturday started earlyish with a trip to the Perk and then Carol and I adopted a path in the Park to love and care for. In response, it kicked our butts when we started our nurturing program by spending three hours doing edging and weeding and trash picking. It's hard to rehab those inner city paths! The path we selected is fairly well used by people doing drugs so we were being careful and expected to find a good amount of stuff. But we actually didn't find any needles at all- just vials and caps.

After we decided that we wouldn't be able to get to our respective houses if we did more, I went home and actually started real work on my backyard project. I think I have mentioned that my yard has been a problem, it gets sunlght unevenly and now my neighbor's Alanthus tree blocks even the afternoon sun. Although sanitation told me that I could have him cited for it, the people at 311 say no. Typical. Anyway, I have decided to create my own found object garden back there, I'd been collecting stuff but hadn't put anything together yet. So Saturday I finally started putting up some of my soda can flowers an the cd's I've been decorating. It's very cute! I"ll do pics when there's more there to see.
Saturday ended the usual way- walked the dog, went to the Sip and Bite, tried to watch tv but was too tired
Sunday was early again. The Farmer's market opened so we were there bright and early. It was still pretty empty (it used to open in June so, I think not everyone knew it was opening so soon) so it was easy to see all our friends and we had a big old hug fest. Moved from there to shopping for garden decorations at DJ Liquidators, then to lunch, then to Franks for annuals for the flower boxes. then walked the dog, meant to go back to do some edging in th epark but it was 4 o'clock already.
Late afternoon/evening was spent at the Austin Grill where Buckwheat Zydeco was playing. I enjoyed the concert but had the unusual problem of being too popular and having too many poeple to hang around with. I was there for the music, but most of my friends were there to socialize, so I kind of blew them off. *shrug* I can socialize with them anytime but how often am I going to be 4 feet away from Buckwheat? Plus, they hit a very wrong note with me when they started complaining that I wasn't drinking. One thing about spending time in a bar, it makes me see how stupid most people look when they have had a couple of drinks. Since I already knew I didn't want to go out after the concert, I had decided not to get myself into that state. Plus, I suspect it probably isn't very safe to walk around the Park intoxicated.

So I went home after the show and planted one of my flower boxes. I was trying to make it nice and full like the ones my neighbor does but I just can't make myself stuff all those little plants in together like that.

After that, I think I managed to stay awake until about 9:00 and then conked out in front of the tv. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2003-04-30T08:57:00.000-04:00

Apparently, the new Iraqi freedoms don't include protest?

2003-04-29T15:20:00.000-04:00

I had a busy weekend but it was nice. Saturday started out very rainy but once I took enough ibuprofen my headache went away and I headed over to Patterson Park to see what I could do for the day's events. Two big exciting things were happening- the Kinetic Sculpture Race and the Boat Lake opening. Because of the rain, most of the boat lake events were cancelled but the race was still on. I have pics I'll post soon. Oops, said that last year, didn't I? This year I promise to get something up!
Anyway- the rain stopped just before the vehicles arrived so we spent the day watching the moving art go through the sand trap and the mud pit. By that time, the sand was more like gel and quite slushy. It was all very exciting especially when the children started going through the mud and losing their shores.
The weather Sunday was perfect so we walked down to the Perk for a good hit of caffeine. Their Cafe Con leche is quite delicious and my punch card was full so I got mine for free which is one of those silly things that makes me extra happy. Carol then decided to play hooky from whatever she had planned so we had an impromptu run to the mall to go to the dollar store and get her film developed. After returning home, I took the dog out for his walk in the park and to collect coke vial caps for a project I am working on. Spent the early part of the evening at the Wine Company and then went home to work on my Nervousness project.

As an aside- does anyone know anything about this site? I received something from them and it makes me nervous.

2003-04-25T20:16:00.000-04:00

Had a really nice girlie girl day today. I met my friend Gloria for lunch in the neighborhood she and I used to live in, many moons ago. Then we went to the Walters Art Museum which I hadn't been to in eons. It's a museum lover's museum. One in which you can get completely lost and one minute yo are looking at naked Greek men and the next at an Egyptian mummy. I had just been having an hankering to go to it again, Gloria wanted to see the Faberge Menagerie. It kind of goes without saying that that exhibit was wonderful. The workmanship on the animals is amazing and the Walters always does spectacular special exhibits. But, for me, the real highlight of the day was the Origins of the Russian Avant-garde exhibit. Now, if you had asked me beforehand, I wouldn't have had any opinion at all about this topic. But I adored the exhibit and there was a portrait, called Verka, which was the most arresting portrait Ihave ever seen in my life. Even Gloria, who didn't like the rest of the exhibit, loved that one piece.
After that we wandered aimlessly around the museum until I started seeing things about the upper kingdom and the middle kingdom and knew it was time to go. Oh, but, they also have one of those Assyrian Winged Geniuses with which I fell in love in London.
After we wer cultured out I insisted on shopping a bit and dragged Gloria to A People United- one of those, buy stuff for more form us because we give more back to the people who made it places. I bought a sweater very similar to one I own already and wear all the time (but a bit more mustardy) and a tunic top pretty much identical to what I was wearing at the time but, again, a bit more mustardy. At least I know I'll wear them.
Then Gloria headed home and I lost the bead store struggle and bought way too much."oh but I was looking for these just a month ago and had run out, oh but this is only $3 and the other one I liked was $7. Oh but Ilike the $7 one better- Iguess I'll buy both." Uh huh *sigh*.
Then on to the Wine company by way of a crowded bus. I have no tolerance for drinking any mroe so I had one glass of wine. Sort of makes up for the beads, Iguess. Popped into the supermarket and then headed home and voila! here I am.

2003-04-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

I guess I forgot what real spring is like? I don't have the right clothes for what we are getting now- cool mornings, constant threat of rain, warmish days. I'm not complaining, my little wee baby lettuces are loving it.

My leg is a bit on the itchy side but not unbearable. I'm liking the location because I can show it or not, as I choose. In a different world, or if I were a different person, I would like to have some kind of a flower design on my wrist, just a stylized bud, something simple like that. But I'd want it too close to my hand to be easily covered if I go to a business meeting. Shelley, I think a chemical structure would be great but people will probably think it's the structure for am opioid or something.

American Idol is making me get all groovy on 70's and 80's music- Blondie, early Billy Joel, etc. Yeah, even a little Abba.

Note: politcal commentary below:

You know, I kind of joked about how long it would be before we attacked our NATO allies who didn't play the way we wanted them too.I was thinking more of Germany, but then I saw this. We are becoming an even uglier playground bully than we were before. It would have been one thing if Iraq had attacked us and they refused to ally with us in defense- and no, I'm sorry, but what happened on 9/11 DOES NOT count as Iraq attacking us. But to threaten a country that has always been an ally because they didn't agree with an aggresive action we were taking is ridiculous. In fact, not having the support of the UN actually helps the Bush adminitration succeed in wha tthey really want- control over the entire oil producing Middle East. If the UN had backed us, we might have to *shudder* share!!

2003-04-18T15:42:00.000-04:00

*dances in* The dog was being groomed today so I figured I might as well take the day off from work because, somehow, even though the two things aren't at all related (I mean, the dog goes at 8 am, I could easily have gone in to work afterwards), it made some weird sense at the time.
So, I thought I needed more to fill the day and so away I went to the Baltimore Tattoo Museum which I'd heard good things about. It was total kismet for me there. I walked in and mentioned my idea for the kanji and the lotus and the artist Bill Stevenson had allkinds of lotus pictures available because he loves to do lotuses and has a very beautiful one on his right forearm. I was a little nervous because I couldn't remember whether my other tattoo had really hurt or not, I was with Cali and Michelle so I might have been putting on a brave face. I kept looking at him like he was crazy when he would tell me do do things but he was wonderful and very easy to talk to for the 45 min-1 hour it took. For the record, it stings now and, yeah, I'd say it hurt atthe time, but it didn't hurt so much that I couldn't carry on a normal conversation. We chatted about various topics, sexual harrassment, Eastern philosophies, ebay. the usual small talk. I'll have pictures of the tattoo tomorrow, the badage will come off this evening.
It is much bigger than I was imagining I'd get, but I 'like the size it is. I had been playing with lots of lotus pictures and had a few ideas that I liked but I kept picturing something different so I was really delighted when the first idea he showed me was just like what I pictured. We discussed colors and I could tell he wan't thrilled with orange as a possible color but then I said "well, a pinky orange" (because I couldn't think of the words coral or salmon) and his eyes lit up. He had mixed a beautiful coral color once and had never actually used it on anyone. I think I may have converted him- it was exactly the color I had in mind.
The people in the shop were all very nice and chatty, they had constant traffic in and out, people looking to cover old tattoos (I"m not sure what happened to Mandy, but apprently she isn't getting married next week and her ex is), for piercings, etc. I'll probably go back again someday. I still have that Shaker design in mind and, while looking for the lotus, I remembered some cool designs by Edouard Benedictus (scroll down the page) that I'd love to have somewhere.....

Can you believe that I already want to add to it? I'm thinking about some chinese style clouds with the kanji for "breathe". I think I"d like it to be on the same leg and I htink there is room underneath.

2003-04-16T16:15:00.000-04:00

A couple of quick notes on things:

I don't have a full tattoo design yet- I'm thinking of a three petal lotus design in between the kanji fo rmelancholy and peace. The colors would be black ( for the kanji) and then I'd go with orange and gree to match my other tattoo and all my clothes. There are two lotus designs in this painting that would work, in different colors. My boss, who, mind you, does HIV prevention, said to me the other day "Don't get a tattoo, you are going to get HIV from doing that". For the record, there is no documented case of anyone acquiring HIV from a reputable tattoo parlor. She really shouldn't drink.

I was describing one idea for the tattoo to my friend Carol, I was thinking about having the peace and melancholy kanji on differen tlegs, peace on the left, melancholy on the right (outside ankle) with maybe a flower or a chinese-y cloud design. Then I thought, "Oh, I'm too old to get a design like that" THEN I thought, "Wait, if I got it when I was 20, I'd still have it so...." I think I'll still go with both on the same leg with the lotus.

Last night we did a bazillion eggs. Interestingly, I was with 3 laboratory type people and for some reason, I was the person mixing up the dyes and reading the instructions. We did a lot of drippy eggs this year. Once again, due to our vigilence, we managed, also, to have an equal number of blue/green/purple eggs and orange/pink/yellow.

2003-04-15T15:49:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that the United States has concerns about two of Iraq's neighbors -- Syria and Iran -- but that "there is no war plan" to attack other countries.

hhmm, should we be reading his lips? or Bush's lips? or maybe Bush Sr.?

2003-04-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

*giggles* so I come in early to print out my tax forms and stuff and I find all kinds of other people's forms already at the printer and my coworkers has the "Where to file" web page up on his computer.

Oh, and, when I packed up my bits and pieces of paper I put them in an old Otakon (anime convention) bag because it was nice and smallish and could also hold my coffee cup. When I walked into my building, the guard says "Hey, I know that bag! I go every year". Mind you, I feel alittle weird there since I, by myself, increase the average age by lots, but he's at leastmy age, and a big Black guy who I just can't imagine fitting in. I said "You must have been dressed up because Ihaven't seen you, what were you, a Sailor Scout?" He said "Yup, Sailor Mercury!" The funny thing is that for the first year I worked here, he and I barely spoke to each other, not much more than a mumbled good morning.

Oh, but I started the morning being mean to some poor coffee bar person because she told me that they don't allow refills in other people's coffee cups. So I asked if I could just pay the regular price but put it in my own cup anyway. I'm really trying to be good and reduce my use of trashy junk. She was reluctant to do even that until I said "That's fine, I'll go to the other coffee shop". But she wasn't happy.

*wanders back in* oh, and I wanted to mention that I dropped by the tattoo parlor I've selected for my next tattoo. I have an idea for what I want but can't decide where to put it so I was mostly there to see if they had any flash I might be interested in as a small addition. I think I've come up with a nice design for my ankle but I'm still workign out the details. I've wanted kanji for a LONG time but wasn't exactly sure which but I htink I've settled on "peace" which could be either a politcal or a spiritual statement. I'm debating now whether it will be by itself or have a design around it.

2003-04-14T08:51:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to fillin space to push that yucky ranty post down a bit.
Hey, I bought two hats yesterday!! I hope I have the nerve to wear them when the weather is a bit warmer. I also started a wee art project in the back yard to try to make some use of the junk that's been hanging around. Eventually, it should look like hanging junk with paint. WooHoo!!!!
I'm a little nervous today about an email I sent to my boss on Friday- oh wait- nevermind, she will be in late.
We are doing Easter eggs tomorrow- I will try to recharge the camera batteries so I can get pictures.

more later possibly- I have been so bad about keeping up with other people's blogs, I want to go catch up.

2003-04-12T15:05:00.000-04:00

I have set up a Nervousness object here. It's peace related so it won't appeal to everyone.
Oh, and I did a good update to the 2321 blog.
Today it finally feels like real spring so I'm waiting for my lettuce to pop up, I did some back yard cleaning (not rats- yay!!!) and I've thought through some of the work related rant issues. I think I may have figured out a possible plan for solving at least some of the problem and I feel better. I'm a bit sleepy, though, from staying up most of the night fretting about work. What a waste of time.

2003-04-11T22:25:00.000-04:00

I try not to rant about my job here because I get into phases when I can rant away for weeks at a time and no one would ever want to come back. But right now I am so angry with my boss I could spit. It started with the fact that she made a huge mistake in editing a document and, for three days, has absolutely refused to acknowledge that she might have been responsible for this mistake, That wouldn't be so bad but she has tryed to place the blame elsewhere and that really annoys me. You know? I mean, ok, no on elikes to say "Oh wow, I really screwed up? but couldn't she have the grace to say something like "Gee, I don't really know how that happened, I was sure I was editing the correct document at the time but we must have had a mix up in communication."? Instead, she came up with things like "The document was corrupt." and "I had a hundred people check the document and it was fine." even though I can prove to her that the document is not corrupt and having a hundred people check it wouldn't find the problem. The thing is that I am tired of feeling like I am always covering for her and not knowing what exactly she is telling our big boss about things. I'm the one who has to call the reviewers and apologize for the sloppy editing and it makes me feel like an idiot and when she goes up and tells the big boss that the document was corrupt, it makes me look like I'm doing my job sloppily because I didn't notice that the thing was redundant and poorly written.
To make matters worse, she and I are "friends" and so we go to teh wine company together usually at least once a week. This evening, we got there, I opened a bottle of wine but drank less than half, she had a few stiff drinks and then she starts telling me stuff she's going to put on my evaluation. She wouldn't tell me the good stuff, but she did say that unde rthe "bad" column she is going to put that I keep her out of the loop on stuff I do. I find this particularly infuriating because, not only do ZI write up almost everything I do and tell her about it routinely, I have a meeting every week where I essentially discuss my work with everyone in our group, get feedback, and get the information I need from them about how to proceed with things. My coworkers tell me that if we didn't have my meeting each week they wouldn't know what was going on half the time. I make a point of getting the appropriate information out to people, even if that sometimes is just "this problem came up and I have taken care of it this way"
Of course, I, stupidly, am the kind of person who falls for this crap all the time. So I do, in my heart, feel like the mistake is ultimately mine because the big boss once said "Anne has good attention to detail so she has final say on what goes out for review." So, I do really believe that when I took my boss's word for it that the document had been checked over by a bunch of people instead of just checking it myself, I was the person who really made the mistake. But then there is a more rational- maybe- part of me that thinks that I shouldn't always have to accept the blame for the fact that my boss lacks attention to detail. She has a mind like a sieve and when I asked her about it to begin with she confused the protocols we were working on, when she gave me the hardcopy review she had it mixed in with reviews of two unrelated documents

2003-04-11T13:34:00.000-04:00

Aha!!! I was sure I couldn't be the only person who is constantly annoyed by the ridiculous, and useless, security measures that so many places have instituted. Here is a list of some of the worst.

2003-04-10T10:35:00.000-04:00

Shelley makes an excellent point about not undercharging and Iknow I have to be careful about that. Hey, maybe we can set up an international consortium so that we can make tax deductable trips to nice places? (that means I go to visit New Zealand not that New Zealand comes here, of course). I think I've settled on a name but now I'm thinking I shouldn't put it here in case *looks around* there are spies of some sort. Uh huh.
I started a brochure with my skills and stuff and it's making me all puffy and full of myself.

Carol was suggesting some sort of Fresia's Fuzzy Friends name which has the advantage that I'd probably never have to wear a suit. But since my fuzzy critters aren't very friendly it would sort of be false advertising.

2003-04-09T12:47:00.000-04:00

Since it's spring and I'm feeling the need tomake some changes in my life, I'm thinking about starting up my freelance business again. My expertise is in clinical research quality /data management and general regulatory stuff. Pretty dull but it's a job and it pays pretty well and I'm not bad at it. The thing is that I need a good name for my business. Id' go with a variation of my own name , like Fresia Quality Resources, or something because I really like my last name but it is hard for other people to pronounce and I don't want to make it difficult for any possible clients. I googled "Quality resources" and didnt' find much so I htink I may go with that as part of the name but I need a catch first part. There is already a "Blue Mountain Quality Resource" company. Nice name but doesn't really say what they do up front. So If anyone can think of anything good, let me know, ok?

Right now I'm just writing up a brochure and maybe ordering cards. You know, I've gotten so that I can name a salary in a job interview pretty well, but now coming up with a reasonable hourly rate is very difficult. Since I am still employed full time, I can charge much less than someone who is a full time freelance person (because I don't need to cover healthcare expenses and things like that) which I think is good for beginning to build a client base. Ideally, I'd like to build up enough of a base that I could switch to working part time and have more flexibility in terms of where I want to live and things like that. Not to mention, have some extra income for a while?

Eekk, am I really that much of a grown up? *pulls out toys and sits on the floor to play*

2003-04-08T10:25:00.000-04:00

*sniff* will it ever be real spring or will we just all have sinus headaches until one day when it's suddenly 100 degrees outside? The weekend was cool but at least it was sunny so it felt like spring was a possibility. Ugh but snow/sleet in April??????
I planted some lettuce seeds on Sunday so I guess I should be happy about the current weather since lettuce likes it to be cooler and you are supposed to plant it early. So maybe I'll have some nice salads soon?
Oh, and I completely forgot to spring forward on Sunday so what had been a nice leisurely morning turned on me sudenly. Not that I had any particular plans but it was that losing an hour which, for me, happened at 9:30, that was kind of a shock. Walked a lot of Sunday though, in the sun. Went to the coffee shop, took the dog out, then walked down to the other coffee shop to do some journal writing (the stuff that goes in a book and not in a blog), then had a beer and pizza at the wine company and walked back. I usually take a taxi home but the one advantage of this- otherwise wretched- time change is that I can now walk back through the park after the bar closes.
I usually enjoy the wine company but the hard part about socializing regularly in a bar is that you don't get to pick who you end up being with. Som sometimes I'm in there hoping a particular person will drop by, but just as often I've got my finger crossed that someone else won't. It isn't always the same people, varies from week to week.

Information item for the day. It's unusual for me to approve of the "news" on Netscape's front page but this is a useful bit of knowledge for anyone who thinks it's fine to guzzle gas and oil. oops, and I wasn't going to be political today! I suspect I won't be able to be unpolitical for a while.

2003-04-04T09:35:00.000-05:00

I had my first war dream last night. That's what I get for falling alseep during the news on tv and waking up to the BBC, I guess. In the dream I was experiencing all the things we've been hearing about, people who were all dressed alike but some were the enemy and some weren't and not knowing which ones to shoot (I think I had a gun). I was running around in a city for a while and was very concerned about not getting teh wrong people but also not being gotten by the bad guys. Yuck. then I was suddenly (as in dreams) on a ship- um maybe a space ship? and was crying about how I couldn't stand the ambiguity of it all.
I think the dream represents pretty well my thoughts about the whole thing. I have no doubt that Hussein is just as bad as he's been made out to be and I do believe that the Iraqi people (most of them) will be better off without him but the issue is, unfortunately, not that black and white- it's not just about oppression in some small country that is half way around the world because, quite frankly, Bush hasn't shown much interest in women and children and oppression in this country. It's hard to trust someone's who is telling us first that the point is to get rid of Husseein, then that it is to liberate the people when it is so clearly about a million other things as well- yes some of it is oil and some of it is finishing Dad's work.
So it all comes down to the same old quesiton of whether the end justifies the mean. But what the end is is incredibly murky. Getting Iraq is not the war, it's just a battle; one that we will no doubt "win" but it's easy to losetrack of how the war is going when you pay too much attention to each battle by itself.

2003-04-02T09:53:00.000-05:00

Oh the weather is so beautiful today!!!! I missed the squalls the other day because I don't have a window and they don't let me out to see the weather when I'm at work. But today i could actually wear a skirt and a tank top (under a sweater, mind you) and my denim jacket withmy new skating pins on it. WeeHee. Soon I'll be able to wear my new funny little pink skirt with the ruffle. Carol will make fun of me but so what?? it's not like she hasn't made her own fashion statements this past year, what with long hair and girlie clothes and stuff.

I've been reading John Berger's "The Shape of a Pocket" but it's a wee bit deep for me. Maybe I shouldn't be reading it on the bus? I get lost sometimes becaue I am not entirely familiar with all of the works of art to which he refers but I am still managing to enjoy his prose which sometimes is similar to Virginia Woolf's non-fiction. I sort of have this feeling that I will all of a sudden just GET what he is saying. I just finished his essay on Brancusi, an artist whose work I've always enjoyed but never really understood, What always impressed me about it is that whenever I see his sculptures, I always think "ooh, dated late 1960's" when , infact, many of the most famous pieces were done around 1940. Berger considers the best of Brancusi's work to represent the core of the object being sculoted. that is, the piece isn't a bird in flight but the core of the flight of the bird. A little abstract but I think I'm beginning to see it....

2003-03-31T12:36:00.000-05:00

How could that last post have been six days ago? Oh wait- it wasn't really, it was actually made mostly on Saturday but I edited something I posted on Tuesday so that's why it looks that way.

For those of you that don't know, because her blog has been down forever, Tina has left for Mexico to get married this weekend. WooHoo!! Sadly, I wasn't able to go with her, I still don't have a passport and was away so much these past two weeks and stuff. *sniff* but it's warm there and it's cold here and it actually snowed on me yesterday. My boss is again telling me to get my passport so they can send me places (warm places, might I add). But I'm just not really in the mood.

I have more to say but no energy to say it and I need to finish up a report for work. *yawn* I miss the puffy bed!!

2003-03-25T18:47:00.000-05:00

Still in DC at World's and having lots of fun. I've been hotel hopping looking for good deals and am now at the Crowne Plaze which is being renovated and is gorgeous. The bed is all big and puffy and has a pretty (or maybe handsome is a better word) comforter on it. I slept in this morning after weeks of popping up at 4:30 so I feel really like I"m on vacation now.
Spending 8-12 hours a day watching skating has taught me that I'm not really a hardcore skating fan. I couldn't do this for every vacation and I haven't even been spending as long at the rink as lots of people. It's too much sitting in a really fake environment- I feel like I need to take vitamins! But I will say that skating fans are nice and generous people, I've been given lots of ticket upgrades by people who had extra seats, and was even offered a ticket to the exhibition on Sunday.
The MCI Center let us bring in food so I've been picking up tasty things and then setting up campsite at my seat. it's the only way to stay awake that long. I'm particularly fond of Dim Sum for that, and the MCI center is right next to Chinatown (such as it is) so I've been bringing in a nice selection of dumplings to snack on. Taro root are the best!!!

OK, this is 20 cents a minutes so I'm signing out now!!

An interesting news story

2003-03-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

Um- in reference to a comment posted earlier- real Americans come in all shapes and sizes and opinions. That is what has made our country great.
I am curious to know other people visions of the US in the next, say, 10-20 years. Apparently, many people think that this action in Iraq will somehow make us safer, or maybe it's jus that the gas for their SUV's will remain cheaper than anywhere else in the world so we can maintain our spoiled teenager lifestyles? It's not like all the people that hate us are hanging around in Iraqi office buildings or are going to be scared off by the "shock and awe" of a bunch of bombs that are exploding thousands of miles from where they are plotting their next attack.

Personally, I think that soon we will be living under exactly the same threat that Israel lives under daily. We'll be paying what they pay in Canada or Europe for gas, we'll learn real secuirty techniques instead of these half-assed bag checks that most places call security. But hey, I would be more than happy to be wrong about this.

Haven't done the Tuesday Too in a while. I have all kinds of rants about the stupidity of the security at the MCI Center, oh, and on the Greyhounds Bus too- I mean, how does putting an id tag on a bag guarantee that it won't blow up? *rolls eyes*
Anywayyyyy....

1.) Is the justice system in the US really fair? Why, or why not?

Well, I don't believe that it is possible to go into any judgement without some preconceived notions (which is why we have things like juries, so that all sides can be represented) so the justice system will always be inherently flawed because that's how people are. But is it unfair? um- well, I guess that I feel like it appears unfair because many of the systems around it are flawed (eg the police arresting more African Americans, FBI covers ups of various investigations). But I think that ultimately I believe the system works as well as it can. JF points out about some courts being conservative and some being liberal- I guess you might have noticed a slight liberal bent to my politics BUT I think that different approaches fit different times in history, the problem with the Supreme Court is that it can't change fast enough always to keep up with the climate of the country.
Like most Massachusetts Liberals, I am a firm believer in rules and regulations, so in terms of justice I'd be pretty conservative (I'm not sure why people assume liberals are somehow against rules). Put them in jails, rehabilitate them (actually, I really would like to see most criminals out working their way through prison, I coudl find plenty of jobs for them to do- alley clean ups, shoveling snow, etc.), get them off the street, I don't want to see them!

Ok, that was lots of pointless blather!

2.) In a crisis are you a leader, or a follower? Why do you take that role?

I can be either, like jf, it depends on what the crisis is. I am very detail oriented and tend to be able to identify flaws in plans so I guess I'm really more of a right hand man than the actual leader type.

3.) Is there some reason for your madness? What is it?

Yup, spring! and I'm on vacation! and I'm still having a ball at the figure skating competition!

2003-03-23T10:11:00.000-05:00

OK, so this morning I went to my volunteer assignment and now I suddenly have free internet access- woohoo. It's slow here (I'm credentialing judges and officials and they've mostly all checked in already) so I can play and bit. I'm also working with a guy who works for ABC and am learning quite a bit about how skating events get televised, all the timing it required, how they decide which camera goes where, etc. Very interesting, actually. But then, I'm very easily amused *shrug*.

2003-03-22T15:14:00.000-05:00

Just a note- I am away at the World Figure Skating Competition and having a wonderful time except that I can't find cheap internet access. As a result of getting to meet many skaters and coaches I have fallen in love with the entire Israeli team- they are adorable, as is a young aldy from China named Fang Dan (um or Dan Fang?). I didn't think I'd be impressed by seeing these people up close but I admit that when I caught a glimpse of Timothy Goebel my little heart went pitter pat. Oh and Evgeny Platov smells very very good.
That might be it- I've been doing volunteer stuff which has been excellent for meeting people. It makes me feel alittle more like I'm part of what's going on.
Now I'm on my way to the Bead museum which is across the street from the Kinkos I'm using for internet access. Then a quick stop at my hotel room and on to watch some practice sessions. I'm hoping that the all access day pas I have for today will allow me to take food in since I can't really refinance my house soon enough to be able to afford the food at the MCI Center.

That's all the news from DC. I have some actual skater gossip but that would be right tacky to post.

2003-03-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

Some useful links for people who oppose the dictatorship of that cowboy who doesn't have support from even half the country:
Women in Black
Peace Response
Nonviolence.org
Protest.net
Independent media
Common Dreams
United for peace
Not in Our Name
Fuck the War

2003-03-18T09:37:00.000-05:00

Bush makes me sick. I haven't been ashamed to be an American since I was an 19 yr old radical feminist who wanted to over throw the government in favor of socialism.

2003-03-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

I am still very tired from whatever the disease was tha I had. Everyone tells me that the current stomach bug takes two weeks to get over. So I'm about a week into it now. I made myself be up and about on Saturday but then was exhausted on Sunday.
I needed a pair of black pants and a white shirt to wear this week when I'm volunteering at World's (woohoo!!). I do own som black pants but the ones Ihave are either corduroy and getting greyish or are kind of summery so I wanted something more in between. I never actually wear white shirts because I read once that people with my coloring shouldn't wear pure white so I don't usualy buy them. Thanks to Target I am now fully wardrobed for my figure skating experience and I have some very snazzy pink polka dotted pajama bottoms too.
Sunday, it was all I could do to get myself out of bed and moving at all. I got up around 8:30 but decided at about 9 that I needed a nap. I then kind of dozed in and out while watching the Baltimore Museum of Art to designs and costumes from the Ballet Russe. It was a very enjoyable exhibit even though I had to keep sitting down to rest. We also went through the Cone Collection which I didn't like when it first opened a while ago. Since then, they have renovated it and it was much better this time. There is a very cool virtual walk thorugh of the Cone sister's apartment too but it made me feel a bit motion sick to do it becuase you have to stand so close to it.
Now I'm back in the office, busy today and tomorrow and then out the rest of the in DC. WooHoo!!

2003-03-13T13:31:00.000-05:00

Let's see- home computer still not working but I really haven't tried very hard to fix it. Stomach still iffy. I'm craving salt but I think I'm fully hydrated. Work is still too busy and I'm out all day tomorrow at a training. WooHoo. That's pretty much it. Hoping to get out and enjoy the weather this weekend.

2003-03-10T08:07:00.000-05:00

*whines and complains* I ate something on Saturday that nearly killed me, or I just wish it had. I was so sick! I don't think I've ever been that sick before. Spent the night tossing and turning on the futon in the guest room; must have been feverish because I just couldn't be the right temperature. Why does the local Fox station think people want to watch "A Different World" back to back at 3am? What ever happened to the old days when they had good movies on then?

I'm still feeling groggy and can't quite look at food yet but I came to work to get a few things done before we start screening new participants.

Oh and something is wrong with my computer, it won't turn on. Everything else plugged into the same outlet turns on except for the computer. I was too sick to really try to fix it yet.

2003-03-04T16:14:00.000-05:00

Still not feeling very bloggy.
RE: Memento- I watched it Sunday. I had heard lots about it and seen the previews. But, while I can't come up with any particular criticism of it, I wasn't blown away by it. The acting was good, the story line was excellent, they did a good job with the whole backwards thing, but *shrug* I don't know. It didn't do for me what Pulp Fiction did. I watched parts of it a couple of times. Maybe I'd like it better if I watched the whole thing over again.

2003-03-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

My Big Fat Greek Weekend

Mary Ellen had the very very bright idea of going to Samo's for dinner tonight (it's a smaller Greek restaurant around the corner from Ikaros). I am still craving more cheese pies so I was happy to agree to the plan. Nowe I just have to figure out what to do with myself for another hour.....

2003-03-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

Had two excellent social events so far this weekend. Last night we went to Mick O'Shea's to say good bye to Alyson, our paralegal from the Community Law Center. *sniff* They are a very fun group of people to hang out with, I have to say. I only knew a few people there and everyone else made me feel very comfortable.
Today I went to a 50th birthday party for my friend, Gloria, at Ikaros Restaurant in Greek Town. Carol hasn't dug her car out yet so we took the bus, it was very very easy as pie. The food was fantastic and there was way too much of it- OMG Greek Cheese Pies!!!!! I filled up on the appetizers and bread and brought home most of my chicken shish kabob which I then had for dinner. MMMMMMMM. It was a nice mix of people, several of whom I've known for many years (I've know Gloria since 1985 or 86). Aftyer lunch we popped in to a small greek grocery and I bought some bread. I've been trying all night not to eat it, been successful so far but it's only 9:30.

2003-02-28T10:39:00.000-05:00

Today's snow wasn't too bad- big pretty, fluffy flakes. Edgar had a great time bouncing around, it was about as deep as his little legs and nice and fluffy. he got my floors very very wet when he came in.
It turns out that our building isn't freezing just because they won't heat it. It seems that once the thermostat is turned down, if a room heats up because of say, a bunch of computers, or a space heater, the AC comes on to cool it down to the temp designated in the computer. Aparently, at least one lab had to shut down a study they were doing because the assay has to be run at room temperature and the temp in the lab doesn't meet the qualifying range. Mind you this is a study that would bring in easily $50,000 in money to the Institution even apart from what it brings in for salaries, etc.

I'm looking forward to watching Memento this weekend, I've heard lots about it. I also have Revolutionary Girl Utena but I wasn't paying enough attention so I have the second dvd but haven't seen the first so I dont' know if I should just hold onto it and wait fo rthe first or go ahead. I guess I'll wait and see what else is going on this weekend.

2003-02-27T09:45:00.000-05:00

*wanders around* Not feeling very bloggy today. Work is moderately busy for me (but no on eelse) so I am a raving lunatic in the office. Since I don't really want that to carry over to here I think I'll just complain that it's snowing again. I am never good at this time of year and this is really getting me down. For years I've considered moving back to Massachusetts but haven't mostly because I hate winter so much. Part of me thinks that if I survive this I might as well move back but the rest of me thinks I'm just using my tolerance up again. I don't know why people think I should like winter just because I'm from up north; I didn't choose to be born there, afterall.

2003-02-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

Tiare FM le Ryhtme des iles I sthe station I spent the most time on today. Probably more fun if you speak French but a nice mix of music.

2003-02-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

I had to do something with all my MP3's when my computer was reformatted and I haven't put them back on my computer yet. So yesterday I turned on Real Player looking for a radio station. The Public radio station out of Towson State is supposed to be really good, it has a great mixture of folk, rock, alternative, oldies, world, etc. I really enjoyed it. But today it wouldn't play so I started surfing around. I have to say, I had a very good time listening to stations from Thailand, China, and French Polynesia. I highly recommend surfing aorudn someday if you are so inclined. It is very interesting!

2003-02-24T15:55:00.000-05:00

For no particular reason, I have selected March 3rd to be GATS* day

* Give Anne Totoro stuff.

2003-02-24T15:12:00.000-05:00

I heard an interesting talk today by someone from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. I have worked in HIV/AIDS research for almost 10 years now but the statistics never cease to amaze me. For example, did you know that there are over 120 million babies born every year in the developing world and less than a million of those mothers have access to HIV counseling, testing, or drugs to prevent transmission of HIV to their baby?

Now, if you've looked at any news site today, you may also have seen that VaxGen is claiming that their AIDSVAX may be effective in non-white populations. *rolls eyes* I wouldn't recommend rushing out to buy stock quite yet.

2003-02-23T19:18:00.000-05:00

*klunk* Five hours at the best Craft Show in the universe. My feet are killing me but, sadly, my bank account is not much different than when I went in. I really wanted to buy two nice pieces of glass, one for me and one for my mother, and either a ring or a pair of earrings. When I first walked in, I wanted one of each of everything. It is all high end stuff and so one doesn't purchase lightly at this show. it is also a HUGE show, the only way I survive is by eliminating entire classes of objects from consideration. I just walk right by the booth no matter how nice the display is. Today my goal was to look hard at glass and earrings, moderately at pottery, glance at textiles in case there was someone fantastic that I thought my sister should know about, and pay no attention at all to metal, wood, or woven textiles. I was pretty successful but still exhausted. I went through once without any intention of buying, just marking down booths I wanted to go back to. But after I'd been through the whole show and had had lunch and has seen all the top end $3000 items, the $100 items I had been considering looked pretty paltry and uninteresting.
In the end, I bought two pieces from Jemerick Art Pottery. Nice pieces but almost utilitarian because they are intended mostly to maintain the art and crafts feel in the dining room. Pretty and well made, but not exotic.

At this show, I always look for a particular bead artist, Valarie Hector. I've know her work for years and it is always interesting. Some years I have disliked her styles very much, other years I love everything. Last year her stuff was great, this year, I am less impressed, her work is detailed and interesting but I don't think it would stand out among a group of good beaders if you didn't already know it was hers. It seemed to be mostly netted and peyote stitched seed beads, nice golors, but not special considering how much she is asking for them. On one hand, I have tremendous respect for her because she really gets top dollar for her work and when you work mostly with seed beads that is hard to do. But on the other, I just dont' see how a necklace that is made of nothing but seed beads (no clasp even) can command the same prices as her other work which includes precious metals.
Hey, but good for her.

OK, time to put my feet up!

2003-02-19T16:26:00.000-05:00

The past two days have been lovely, just above freezing and sunny so it feels very warm. Quiggle is a great idea, Miss Crink, but I went with trying to do a sculpture of Edgar, long and low. The snow is a bit too powdery though, what do the pros do? They must spray it with water or something to get it to stick. One ear keeps kind of crumbling. I don't know if other southern cities do this, but in Baltimore, when people dig out a space, they reserve it by putting things like folding chairs, milk crates, strollers, boxes, etc. there when they leave. The weird thing is that people respect this and I've never seen either the things or the spaces get stolen. Now yesterday, Carol noticed that one of the drug look outs was sitting in a parking space chair but the view must not have been very good because he didn't stay long.

My knee is much better today, shoulder still sticky though. My bus isn't running yet so I'm not going to work until it does!

But Darcy, we aren't supposed to get this weather. This is the most snow in something like 81 years. But I have diet coke and coffee so I'm set. The only thing I don't have is a new topic. Any suggestions? I could talk about quiggles but what is there to say?

Hey, when can I read your blog again, Darcy?? *sniff*

2003-02-18T19:09:00.000-05:00

*limps in*
Good News, I got Diet Coke. It was a gorgeous day out there today, took Edgar out for a bit which he loved. Went to lunch at Carol's then we walked down to the Patterson Perk. The walking wasn't too bad in the Park but I tried to bend my knee the wrong way going down some covered up steps so I'm a bit sore now; between that and a sore shoulder form shoveling I'm feeling pretty much like a wreck.

I'm contemplating a snow sculpture out front, any ideas?

2003-02-18T11:09:00.000-05:00

2003-02-17T12:18:00.000-05:00

*peers over the snow bank looking for an air lift*
Um, if anyone happens to be going by, I need some diet coke, popcorn, crackers, and chocolate. Edgar needs stilts poor baby dog. He won't even go out the front door. Or the back door. I did find some canned biscuits in the refrigerator and threw those in the oven with grated cheese on them this morning. MMMMMMM baked cheese and fake butter flavor. Can't go wring with that.

I was going to brave it and go up to the store but after shoveling mine and part of my neighbor's (and not even very good shoveling, really, just barely a path) I can't figure out a way to get to the store without walking half a block through two feet of snow.

In other, not very useful, news, I found a patchouli votive candle that has the best scent of any candle I've ever smelled. I just wish I knew where I got it. It's strong enough to fill the whole house and the scent is not at all perfumey, quite earthy, almost musky. I'll be very sad when it is all burned up.

2003-02-16T09:21:00.000-05:00

I'm experimenting with a webcam. Mostly to use for 2321 surveillance but right now it's just showing snow through the window. That's all there is to see right now anyway. Oh, and I haven't put the refresh tags in yet either but the view hasn't changed much since I got up- just a bit deeeeeeeeper.

2003-02-16T08:12:00.000-05:00

snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow

2003-02-15T12:06:00.000-05:00

correction- slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush slush

2003-02-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow snow

are we at war yet?

2003-02-14T14:26:00.000-05:00

Work computer is still messed up- WHHAAAAAA- it's going to be upgraded and stuff, I'm going to lose my pretty wallpaper and my passwords and things like that.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Smooochies for all!!!!!

2003-02-12T17:53:00.000-05:00

I somehow blew up my internet connection at work, I can get to the network drives and seem to be able to ping things but can't get e-mail or any webpages. My God, I spent a whole day a work without internet!!! It was awful- um- productive, yes, but awful nonetheless!!! The little bit of time I did get to spend on email was at a computer whose monitor is so bad I'm thinking about filing a workman's comp claim for eye strain. *nods*
Erm- missed all but three singers in American Idol last night. I actually did call in for that woman I liked so much even though she sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" which is a song I detest unless it's being sung by Crinkle the weird thing is, I swear to God, I typed that sentence before I knew that she had it in her blog today. Creepy, hey?

2003-02-11T14:56:00.000-05:00

Does anyone know if this :SpamBattle.com - STOP SPAM!! - HIT THE SPAM COMPANIES RIGHT WHERE IT HURTS!! actually works? On one hand, I figure that electronic mail is better than getting phone calls or paper mail but I am really fed up with getting 20 mlm schemes in my box a day.

2003-02-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about Kohlberg's theory of Moral Reasoning; riding the bus does that too me.
I'm also having one of those mean, nasty, selfish days. I want to go get lunch becuase I am starving but I dont' want to have to get coffee for the whole office and they will wheedle me until I agree to do it. I just get annoyed when Ihave to carry drinks, i dont' know why but drinks is the problem. At least it isn't raining, there have been days when I've asked if someone would come with me because it's been raining and it isn't possible to carry 4 cups of coffee, lunch, and an umbrella. I wish I were a better person and would just do it out of the goodness of my heart.
I'm thinking about this because the bus was crowded this morning and for some reason the peopel standing won't move back so the people getting on have no where to go. So I got on and was standing in the crowd up front and knew that there was plenty of room in the back but I thought "I just don't want to push thorugh the crowd to get there" it's such a hassle inthe winter with coats and the student's backpacks. But It was the right thing to do and i knew that it would actually benefit me in the end because I was more likely to get a seat in the back. But I wish I were thekind of person who just does the right thing because it is the right thing.

2003-02-10T09:26:00.000-05:00

My political statement for the day

2003-02-08T16:25:00.000-05:00

BTW, Tina (link not provided as her blog is dead at the moment)- aka gilbertvasquez- is getting married on April 5th. WooHoo!!!! Anyone want to go to Mexico with me to celebrate with her and her intended and his family? You can e-mail her at gilbertvasquez@yahoo.com

2003-02-08T16:23:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't been around much, just been busy. Most of my blogging has been concentrated on the drug house surveillance; it's very time consuming and makes for a serious obsession.
Saw Chicago the other day and liked it a lot more than I thought I would, although I was sorry that they left out some of the songs. Is that Catherine Z-J's real singing voice? It was certainly worth the price of admission though.
OOHHHH!!! Today I bought myself a big present!! I got, on sale, a BIG stuffed Afro Ken!! WeeHee, I love that silly dog and all his hair do's. I wish the big plushie came with more wigs but I'll settle for the big rainbow afro. You know, it's interesting to me that when I did a Google search for afro ken most of what I got were other people's blogs. By all rights, none of us should care abotu him at all anymore, he is like so 2002! Oh but still cute for sure. So go here and scroll down to see a picture if you dont 'know what I'm talking about. Oh and if anyone ever sees those really really cute (I mean it this time) cherry tree afro kens, I MUST have one!!!!!!!.

Tomorrow I'm going to DC for training to be a volunteer at the World Figure Skating Championships- WooHoo!!! I've never even been to a major skating competition and here, at my first, I'll be working, I am smartly doing all my volunteer shifts the week before it actually starts so that I"ll have time to go see the real stuff. I'm kind of excited, will find out tomorrow what my actual job will be.

2003-02-05T08:43:00.000-05:00

Oooh now see THIS is how I am going to bond with my nephews. They are all trading card obsessed. It's so weird. I think it's bizarre that my nephew's favorite gift was those plastic card holders for displaying your special holographic Yu Gi Oh cards. Ok, I admit to a little excitemnet about it myself. I just hope they have cuter quiggle cards than in the online collectible series.

Heh heh, this time last year I was up to my ears in smoochies! I think there are still smoochie remnants in the dining room.

Oh, and I wanted to reassure everyone that, while I am still doing surveillance, I am being very cautious. I also make a point of noting whether anyone seems tobe paying attention to my house in particular. I actually think it's a little weird that they don't spend more time looking around and taking note of things. If I were engaging in illegal activity I'd be scanning the area constantly. I guess it's part of the "don't look suspicious" theory but there is no way that groups of 5 and 6 people going up to the back door of a house doesn't look suspicious.

I'm learning lots.

2003-02-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

Today is an ugly rainy day. But, on a happy note, I have an adorable umbrella I got at Ikea. it is blue and it has ears? or horns? or are they ears? Anyway, it also has eyes and a mouth and it reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are. It's very cute. My neighbor, Carol, has one too and if we go out together we will be very very scary!

Otherwise, continuing the surveaillance around the corner. It is very time consuming. Oh shoot, I forgot to recharge the camera batteries *sigh* O and, yes, I am completely addicted to American Idol. I can't help it!

2003-02-03T10:09:00.000-05:00

I linked this on the 2321 blog but I wanted to put it here too. It is very gratifying to find this kind of work being done in the city.

2003-02-03T09:31:00.000-05:00

*klunk* I am exhausted!! I did too much work this weekend and now I need 3-4 days off. I got rid of 4 huge bags of stuff to Goodwill (and an exercise mat, thank you Carol). It felt great! I did my taxes on Saturday night, piddly crap little refunds but at least I don't have to pay any more so that's good. Organized a gazillion papers, put all the magazines away, finally touched up the bathroom paint which was left a mess by my ex. Walked around the park 3 times, went and got pet food, cleaned up part of the back yard, chanegs the batteries in the smoke detectors, create large bags of trash in the basement, got some good footage for the 2321 blog, um, what else?

Things I did not do: finish putting together the new chairs, organize the bookshelves. but , in all fairness, I hot thepart of cleaning where everythign seems to be worse isntead of better and I can't really get to the shelves at the moment.

Entertainment? Oh yes, watched Pecker which is one of John Water's best movies although not his most daring. I had forgotten about all the wonderful little details in it. "Full of grace! Full of Grace!"

2003-01-31T10:04:00.000-05:00

WooHoo- I got a check for $100 dollars in themail yesterday for some survey that I completed online. I'm not really sure which one though. But it will be a nice chunk of change towards my next tattoo.
I finally finished watching The Royal Tenenbaums which I got from netflix. I really liked the beginning but I wasn't satisfied with the way the movie progressed. I felt like the characters didn't really develop, they were sort of handed to us full sprung from the writer's head and then stagnated. But, in all fairness, I didn't watch it under the best circumstances; it got split up over 3 nights and I kept dozing towards the end. So I may get it again sometime when I can give it a better shot.

2003-01-30T09:57:00.000-05:00

I appreciate everyone's concern for my safety. First off, when teh flash accidently went off, no on eactually looked at my house or appeared to identify it as the house that the flash came from. it was a one time occurence (and I could have been taking pictures of my cat, which I have done on occasion with flash, in that room and it would have looked exactly the same from the outside). Secondly, I hardly consider a blog that isn't linked from anywhere but my little old personal blog is posting pictures all over the neighborhood. I would bet a lot of money that these people are not spending their evenings surfing the web. But to make people feel more comfortable, I will make the blog private so it is accessible only via a direct link and doesn't appear on the blogger page.

On another note, I believe that this fear is exactly why the dealers have taken over parts of the city.I am lucky that I have the option of leaving. If I feel threatened, I can go stay with someone else, or move, or just go away for a week or two. It is risky, but playing it safe has not been very effective, when do we take a stand? I was being pretty much hands off but the fact that there are children being taken in and out of the house, and 4 children living in the house immediately next to teh one that burned the other day changes everything. We aren't talking just about adults screwing up their own lives. (yes, Carol, I almost used the f word).

2003-01-28T13:27:00.000-05:00

Thanks Darcy!!! *slurps cocoa*

In an attempt at keeping up with documenting the goings on in my neighborhood, I present to you 2321 E. Fairmount. I'm doing this to keep up with the data I want to have for the police when I give them my full report. Hee hee. Life in the big city at it's finest.

2003-01-27T07:06:00.000-05:00

Not much to say today- feeling anti-social having too much to do at work and wanting to get stuff done at home. House stuff is getting me down, neighborhood stuff is getting me down. People keep adding to the list of things to do and it's still fricking cold out. Woke up at 5am to the smell of smoke and sound of fire engines- the drug morons burned another house three doors away. *rolls eyes* It's time for them to go. Stayed home most of the weekend, crocheted, napped, did some crafty stuff. *shrug* eh, I don't know.

2003-01-23T14:09:00.000-05:00

Store bought Pizelles should come with some kind of warning about what they can do to your mouth! ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!!!!!

2003-01-22T13:47:00.000-05:00

*rolls eyes* Phona always has the best bandwagons to jump on (erm- upon which to jump?).

Ladies and Gentleman- let me introduce you to the Grand Duchy of Shmedgar!

Location: the South Pacific
The Grand Duchy of Shmedgar is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its burgeoning otter population. Its compassionate population of 5 million are fiercely patriotic and enjoy great social equality; they tend to view other, more capitalist countries as somewhat immoral and corrupt.

The large government juggles the competing demands of Healthcare, Social Welfare, and Education. The average income tax rate is 30%, but much higher for the wealthy. A small but healthy private sector is led by the Uranium Mining industry, followed by Automobile Manufacturing and Pizza Delivery.

Crime is relatively low. Shmedgar's national animal is the otter and its currency is the biscuit

2003-01-22T09:47:00.000-05:00

I have a sort of a grammar question for people- when you use the *action* convention (e.g. *blush*) who is the subject of the action? What I mean is, is the subject first person or third person? For example, if I type *smacks erik* and he ignores me and I want to add to it, would I type *smacks erik harder so he knows she is still here* or *smacks erik harder so he knows I am still here*?

2003-01-21T09:09:00.000-05:00

*yawn* this is the problem with the MLK holiday- it follows too closely on the other holidays and the long weekend puts my body back into full vacation mode. Oh, but it is snowing out there so I doubt anyone else will come in today so maybe it will be vacation-y anyway?

For those of you who have been looking for me- I am intentionally cutting back on my online time because I have anumber of other projects I am workign on. This means I have whole DAYS when I don't even turn on the computer. No chatting, no neopets, no email, nothing. EEK. Mostly, I just sometimes feel like I am living through my computer and there are lots of other things to do. It's hard, though, because I love my online friends too....

So the weekend update: went to the symphony on Friday and had a very nice time. The program was light and easy and everythign was excellent except for the teenagers sitting behind us who were too young to be let out by themselves. At intermission, they complained that we were mean to them (not to our faces of course,but to each other). Heh, heh, if they only knew that I checked to see if the seats behind them were taken so I could sit back there and gently and annoyingly kick their seats. Sadly, there were people in them already. It seems to me, that when I was that age, I would have been mortified if an adult had had to look back at me because I was behaving badly. never, in a million years would I have thought they were mean (or if I had, I wouldnt' have said it) especially when the behavior was so obviously inappropriate- chatting about what a nice purse one of them has, opening bottles of soda. I'm pretty sure they were old enough to know that is not what you do at the symphony.

**end rant**

The rest of the weekend was mostly just cold and cold, and then it got cold. Yeah yeah, not as cold as other places but still BBRRRRRRR!!!!! Finally took down my christmas tree- I miss it! I love all my santa ornaments. Went for coffee a few times. The biggest news, I guess is that I finally bought some dining room chairs at Ikea. WooHoo- nice and cheap and will work well.

Also, crocheted like crazy, I was trying to finish up a sweater before my new stuff gets here but I realized that it will mean endless amounts of weaving in ends and I'm just not up for it at the moment. I'm looking for a little instant gratification, baby!

Pretty dull, hey?

2003-01-17T11:11:00.000-05:00

To commemorate the upcoming holiday- here are various quotes by Martin Luther King Jr.:

The means by which we live have outdistanced the ends for which we live. Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.
Strength in Love (1963), Ch. 7

A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on an installment plan.
Strength to Love (1963)

If a man is called to be a
streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo
painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote
poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of
heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great
streetsweeper who did his job well.

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.

If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.

2003-01-15T22:40:00.000-05:00

*wanders in* Still feeling quite random *shrug*

All three movies arrived today. Darcy and Michi, and anyone else, how long does Netflix usually take between movies? I've been very impressed, I put my last batch in for a 9:30 am mail box pick up on Monday and got my next three today. Makes me very happy!!

Heathers was too fabulous!! the hair, the clothes, the teen angst!!! what is not to love about that movie???? I knew there was a reason I've been trying to rent it for like 15 years. I was going to return it tomorrow thinking I could get a new movie on Saturday but I don't know, I may have to watch it again just to see the clothes. It reminded me that in 198- um- 2 I read Women in Love for the first time and one of the things that I remembered most was Gudrun wearing brilliantly colored stockings. If you see the movie, the stockings don't make nearly the impression they make in the book, her entire character hinges on her stockings. That same year, my sister returned from her junior year in Paris and she brought me all sorts of beautiful stockings in brilliant colors. Big flaw in the whole thing is that I have no desire to emulate Gufrun really, but oh I loved those stockings. I had such a hard time wearing tehm fro fear I'd use them up.

In other randomness, I bought myself this today. From this very company but off of ebay so I got a bit of a discount, actually. I'm in the middle of crocheting a sweater at the moment but it should be done by the time the board gets here. Don't ask what I bought yesterday at elann.com *hangs head*

2003-01-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

I feel quite random today- I have lots to do at work which is good actually. I like to be busy after the holidays but some of my coworkers aren't dealing with it very well and I'm kind of in charge at the moment. that really yucky kind of in charge that was never made official but my boss keeps saying things like "I rely on you to keep things in line" Ick.

ooh, Netflix is sending me A Beautiful Mind today, and Heathers which is a movie I've been wanting to see but never could get (or never remembered to get), and also some anime. I think it's a good mix of things and at least Heathers will be good for crocheting to.

Oh, and I'm very tired of being cold!!! Someone please turn up the heat!!!!!

2003-01-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

By way of Erik- Bad FOTR Captions

2003-01-14T12:31:00.000-05:00

If you haven't done so yet- run- don't walk- over to congratulate Heather on running her first marathon.

Big Smoochies, Miss Heather!!

2003-01-14T10:50:00.000-05:00

So, two of my new years resolutions are done- woohoo!! Finishing the sweater was one and getting my neopet's bank account up over two million NP was another. Yeah, they were pretty lame but hey- at least they are done, yes?

I was looking for a specfic yarn today, for a sweater I'd seen that I really liked, and I didnt' find that one but I found lots of other good stuff. In particular, the Canadian site Elann.com has some interesting yarns at pretty good prices. My shopping cart was very active with things going in and out until I finally settled on a reasonable amount of stuff for pretty good prices. They have lots of closeouts and mark downs. I don't actually shop for yarn much but I checked with my mom mid-way through the shopping spree to see whether the mohair prices were ay good and she thought they were so there you go. I think it would be a stroke of luck if you found the exact yarn you were looking for but if you can be flexible you might find something fun.

Oh, I had a rant about the stupidity of people who design public spaces like cafeterias but we all live with the idiocy everyday so no need to read more about it.

2003-01-13T14:32:00.000-05:00

*twirls a la Darcy*
I'm wearing a brand new sweater that I made myself. It's hard to find decent crochet patterns that don't look like they came out of a 1971 Women's Day magazine but this one is cute. I'm all inspired to make another now. Um- right after I take a nap of course.....

2003-01-12T09:38:00.000-05:00

OK- I seem to have survived, will all my innards intact. I even seem to be getting better. WooHoo!

Friday I played grown up for part of the day. Every year John Hopkins University tries to act all politically correct and make up for tha fact that every year they displace hundreds of low income residents who live in the lowest income census tracts and have no where else to go. They do this by having a big Martin Luther King Celebration event which is actually an excellent event, but only because it is organized by Levi Watkins, a man who knew MLK and who really does stand for all he believed in. This year, Danny Glover was the guest speaker and he was very good. Mostly, people just sort of quote MLK but it's always inspiring. This year, with the situation in Iraq and N. Korea, most speakers focused on ML's words of non-violence and war protest. I was glad to hear it.
There aas a brief reception afterwards, I brished Danny Glover but really wanted ti meet Julie Belafonte but they were both whisked away to the airport before I had a chance. I was on tv, though, although I missed it.
After the program I went down to the Wine Company with my companions, had some sushi, and ended up staying forever, even though I only had two drinks (but Karen's drinks count as doubles, especially when she's serving me tequila). I was in a big dicsussion about the three living people we'd most like to have dinner with which morphed into trying to selct just one we could all agree on. Erm, I think we didn't show ourselves in a good light when the person we ended up with was Ed McMahon but our thinking was that he knows and has known everyone, and he may be able to have a conversation without having to take over the whole dionner table. People like Robin Williams were tossed for being too entertaining.
The problem is that you sort of have to decide whether you want people because you want to know more about them, or because they are tremendously knowledgable about something or whether you want people who would be fun to have dinner with. I was trying to for one of each, at my table- Elton John to be an amusing companion, Sarah Ferguson because I think she's probably be ok at dinner and I would like to hear some of the personal side of what goes on in the castle, and then, I don't know, Martha Stuart? Ted Turner? Jane Fonda?

anyway, off to do something useful.

2003-01-09T09:44:00.000-05:00

*rolls eyes* two of my nursey coworkers put it into my head that my stomach problems may be something liek my gallbladder or appendicitis. So now I'm constantyl poking my self to see if it's tender. Can you do that kind of exam on yourself?
This morning when I woke up I had some actual pain- sort of appendixy pain- I panicked a bit and thought, "I can't have surgery!! what about the dog? what about the cat? The house is a mess!! I have a date tonight!!" So, I got up and washed the dishes, tidied up the guest room, changed the sheets on my bed (in case I have surgery and am then bedridden, not because of my date you gutter brains), put in a load of wash, made sure the cat had food and that the dog's leash was near the door, and then made a pile of things I might need in the hospital- pajamas, toiletries, etc. I guess that, if I could do all that, I must not be very sick? It is sort of like carrying an umbrella to keep it from raining.

Now, have I called a doctor or anything? Of course not!!!