I'd have a LOT to comment on regarding this article - I am very vehement about my feelings towards absolutely intolerant and ignorant people - but we're having a bad morning here at work: the pipe system is fubar, and thus we have no working toilets. I'm kind of dancing in my seat, trying not to think about anything liquid. I think I'll leave early...for now, here's the article that is pissing me off:
CONSERVATIVE STUDENTS, LIBERAL PROFS
(AP) -- At the University of North Carolina, three incoming freshmen sue over a reading assignment they say offends their Christian beliefs.
In Colorado and Indiana, a national conservative group publicizes student allegations of left-wing bias by professors. Faculty get hate mail and are pictured in mock "wanted" posters; at least one college says a teacher received a death threat.
And at Columbia University in New York, a documentary film alleging that teachers intimidate students who support Israel draws the attention of administrators.
The three episodes differ in important ways, but all touch on an issue of growing prominence on college campuses.
Traditionally, clashes over academic freedom have pitted politicians or administrators against instructors who wanted to express their opinions and teach as they saw fit. But increasingly, it is students who are invoking academic freedom, claiming biased professors are violating their right to a classroom free from indoctrination.
In many ways, the trend echoes past campus conflicts -- but turns them around. Once, it was liberal campus activists who cited the importance of "diversity" in pressing their agendas for curriculum change. Now, conservatives have adopted much of the same language in calling for a greater openness to their viewpoints.
Similarly, academic freedom guidelines have traditionally been cited to protect left-leaning students from punishment for disagreeing with teachers about such issues as American neutrality before World War II and U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Now, those same guidelines are being invoked by conservative students who support the war in Iraq.
To many professors, there's a new and deeply troubling aspect to this latest chapter in the debate over academic freedom: students trying to dictate what they don't want to be taught.
"Even the most contentious or disaffected of students in the '60s or early '70s never really pressed this kind of issue," said Robert O'Neil, former president of the University of Virginia and now director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.
'It puts a chill in the air'
Those behind the trend call it an antidote to the overwhelming liberal dominance of university faculties. But many educators, while agreeing students should never feel bullied, worry that they just want to avoid exposure to ideas that challenge their core beliefs -- an essential part of education.
Some also fear teachers will shy away from sensitive topics, or fend off criticism by "balancing" their syllabuses with opposing viewpoints, even if they represent inferior scholarship.
"Faculty retrench. They are less willing to discuss contemporary problems and I think everyone loses out," said Joe Losco, a professor of political science at Ball State University in Indiana who has supported two colleagues targeted for alleged bias. "It puts a chill in the air."
Conservatives say a chill is in order.
Prof. George Wolfe of Ball State Univ. was accused of anti-Americanism in his peace studies course.
A recent study by Santa Clara University researcher Daniel Klein estimated that among social science and humanities faculty members nationwide, Democrats outnumber Republicans by at least seven to one; in some fields it's as high as 30 to one. And in the last election, the two employers whose workers contributed the most to Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign were the University of California system and Harvard University.
Many teachers insist personal politics don't affect teaching. But in a recent survey of students at 50 top schools by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a group that has argued there is too little intellectual diversity on campuses, 49 percent reported at least some professors frequently commented on politics in class even if it was outside the subject matter.
Thirty-one percent said they felt there were some courses in which they needed to agree with a professor's political or social views to get a good grade.
Leading the movement is the group Students for Academic Freedom, with chapters on 135 campuses and close ties to David Horowitz, a one-time liberal campus activist turned conservative commentator. The group posts student complaints on its Web site about alleged episodes of grading bias and unbalanced, anti-American propaganda by professors -- often in classes, such as literature, in which it's off-topic.
Instructors "need to make students aware of the spectrum of scholarly opinion," Horowitz said. "You can't get a good education if you're only getting half the story."
Conservatives claim they are discouraged from expressing their views in class, and are even blackballed from graduate school slots and jobs.
"I feel like (faculty) are so disconnected from students that they do these things and they can just get away with them," said Kris Wampler, who recently publicly identified himself as one of the students who sued the University of North Carolina. Now a junior, he objected when all incoming students were assigned to read a book about the Quran before they got to campus.
"A lot of students feel like they're being discriminated against," he said.
Divergent opinions
So far, his and other efforts are having mixed results. At UNC, the students lost their legal case, but the university no longer uses the word "required" in describing the reading program for incoming students (the plaintiffs' main objection).
In Colorado, conservatives withdrew a legislative proposal for an "academic bill of rights" backed by Horowitz, but only after state universities agreed to adopt its principles.
At Ball State, the school's provost sided with Professor George Wolfe after a student published complaints about Wolfe's peace studies course, but the episode has attracted local attention. Horowitz and backers of the academic bill of rights plan to introduce it in the Indiana legislature -- as well as in up to 20 other states.
At Columbia, anguished debate followed the screening of a film by an advocacy group called The David Project that alleges some faculty violate students' rights by using the classroom as a platform for anti-Israeli political propaganda (one Israeli student claims a professor taunted him by asking, "How many Palestinians did you kill?"). Administrators responded this month by setting up a new committee to investigate students complaints.
In the wider debate, both sides cite the guidelines on academic freedom first set out in 1915 by the American Association of University Professors.
The objecting students emphasize the portion calling on teachers to "set forth justly ... the divergent opinions of other investigators." But many teachers note the guidelines also say instructors need not "hide (their) own opinions under a mountain of equivocal verbiage," and that their job is teaching students "to think for themselves."
Horowitz believes the AAUP, which opposes his bill of rights, and liberals in general are now the establishment and have abandoned their commitment to real diversity and student rights.
But critics say Horowitz is pushing a political agenda, not an academic one.
"It's often phrased in the language of academic freedom. That's what's so strange about it," said Ellen Schrecker, a Yeshiva University historian who has written about academic freedom during the McCarthy area. "What they're saying is, 'We want people to reflect our point of view.' "
Horowitz's critics also insist his campaign is getting more attention than it deserves, riling conservative bloggers but attracting little alarm from most students. They insist even most liberal professors give fair grades to conservative students who work hard and support their arguments.
Often, the facts of particular cases are disputed. At Ball State, senior Brett Mock published a detailed account accusing Wolfe of anti-Americanism in a peace studies class and of refusing to tolerate the view that the U.S. invasion of Iraq might have been justified. In a telephone interview, Wolfe vigorously disputed Mock's allegations. He provided copies of a letter of support from other students in the class, and from the provost saying she had found nothing wrong with the course.
Horowitz, who has also criticized Ball State's program, had little sympathy when asked if Wolfe deserved to get hate e-mails from strangers.
"These people are such sissies," he said. "I get hate mail every single day. What can I do about it? It's called the Internet."
[again, from CNN - 12/30/04]
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
oh, deer!
The excitement of the morning: there is a beautiful deer with a broken leg on the street outside my parents' house. She is so frightened; it's so sad! I called the police a few minutes ago and Animal Control just showed up, the woman is talking to the deer to calm her down...and they've just shot her. Oh, the poor, sweet deer... Well, at least she is out of her misery now. She kept struggling to move further, and I know it must have been hurting her something awful. My goodness, I wonder what the neighbors are going to think when they return to their house and find their yard covered in deer blood and frantic deer tracks!
What a start to the morning...wasn't exactly what I was hoping to have to see.
What a start to the morning...wasn't exactly what I was hoping to have to see.
Friday, December 17, 2004
hey you Vassar kiddies
This has been in my AIM profile for years; I figured it's time to retire it, now.
I scored a 93% on the "How Vassar are you?" Quizie! What about you?
I also just realized that I've been an AIMer for almost 10 years now. That's an awful long time. Heh, my geekiness shows through all over the place...
But not nearly as much so as when I look at my old code from my old computer science classes...I cannot believe how long ago that feels, by now! But today I logged into mote33 (the Vassar CS site) for the first time in ages, and spent some time poking around, checking out our old pimped-out ASCII versions of Checkers and Connect 4 and Battleship, among other things. Ah, I miss C++ so damn much. I hate having a job where I'm writing in VB all the time. Because when the work day is done, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer and code more! =\ Even though my dream is to one day write a computer game...
Ah, I'll stop bitching. Well today I'm headed back to CT! I have been in Long Island for the past week visiting my oldest sister; we both work during the day (I love telecommuting - all I need is an internet connection and my cell phone and I'll all set anywhere!) and then hang out in the evenings. Last night we even went to see one of those drive-through Christmas light thingies. I'd never seen one, and while it was fun, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting LIGHTS, LIGHTS, LIGHTS EVERYWHERE! But didn't quite get that...it was still neat, though.
We also did some crafting earlier this week. Sarah made different kinds of tree ornaments, and I managed to finish one entire sock (my first ever)! YAY! (Well, except for tying up all the loose ends, it's done.) Now I'm about 1/4 of the way through my next one. Then I'll have my first pair completed! (Duh, I know - but I had initially been planning on knitting one sock for Sarah, then two for Bethany, then one for Sarah, so that Sarah wouldn't get the 2 bad beginner's socks and Bethany the more "professional" ones...but Bethany's yarn hasn't yet arrived. I'm so sad!)
Well, I ought to go finish packing for the potentially long drive back to CT (I am scared to see what the traffic will be like at 5 today) and of course getting some work done. I will add more some other time, I am sure.
Ciao for now!
I scored a 93% on the "How Vassar are you?" Quizie! What about you?
I also just realized that I've been an AIMer for almost 10 years now. That's an awful long time. Heh, my geekiness shows through all over the place...
But not nearly as much so as when I look at my old code from my old computer science classes...I cannot believe how long ago that feels, by now! But today I logged into mote33 (the Vassar CS site) for the first time in ages, and spent some time poking around, checking out our old pimped-out ASCII versions of Checkers and Connect 4 and Battleship, among other things. Ah, I miss C++ so damn much. I hate having a job where I'm writing in VB all the time. Because when the work day is done, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer and code more! =\ Even though my dream is to one day write a computer game...
Ah, I'll stop bitching. Well today I'm headed back to CT! I have been in Long Island for the past week visiting my oldest sister; we both work during the day (I love telecommuting - all I need is an internet connection and my cell phone and I'll all set anywhere!) and then hang out in the evenings. Last night we even went to see one of those drive-through Christmas light thingies. I'd never seen one, and while it was fun, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting LIGHTS, LIGHTS, LIGHTS EVERYWHERE! But didn't quite get that...it was still neat, though.
We also did some crafting earlier this week. Sarah made different kinds of tree ornaments, and I managed to finish one entire sock (my first ever)! YAY! (Well, except for tying up all the loose ends, it's done.) Now I'm about 1/4 of the way through my next one. Then I'll have my first pair completed! (Duh, I know - but I had initially been planning on knitting one sock for Sarah, then two for Bethany, then one for Sarah, so that Sarah wouldn't get the 2 bad beginner's socks and Bethany the more "professional" ones...but Bethany's yarn hasn't yet arrived. I'm so sad!)
Well, I ought to go finish packing for the potentially long drive back to CT (I am scared to see what the traffic will be like at 5 today) and of course getting some work done. I will add more some other time, I am sure.
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
who knew??
Well, apparently SOME people did, but I certainly was not aware of this:
(again, from CCN.com - 13 December 2004)
STUDY: Christmas deadliest day for Americans
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Christmas is the deadliest day of the year for Americans with 12.4 percent more deaths than normal, researchers said on Monday.
More Americans die from heart attacks and other natural causes on Christmas, the day after and on New Year's Day than on any other days of the year, the researchers reported.
It is probably because people are feeling too busy or too festive to go to the hospital over the winter holiday season, the researchers wrote in Monday's issue of the journal Circulation.
The researchers, sociologist David Phillips of the University of California San Diego and colleagues there and at Tufts University in Boston, found a 4.65 percent increase in heart deaths and just shy of a 5 percent increase in non-heart deaths over the 14 days spanning the December holidays.
They did not count deaths from suicide, murder or accidents and took into account the perilous effects of a cold snap on health.
"We found that there is a general tendency for cardiac and noncardiac deaths to peak during the winter, but above and beyond this seasonal increase, there are additional increases in heart attack and other deaths around Christmas and New Year's," Phillips said in a statement.
In all, Phillips and colleagues counted more than 42,000 "extra" deaths during the holidays over a 26-year period. Only two years did not see this phenomenon -- 1973, when oil prices peaked and people tended not to travel, and 1981, when a severe recession also kept Americans at home.
"Of all the things we considered that might impact the increase in holiday deaths from natural causes, only two were consistent with our data," Phillips said.
"One possibility is that people tend to delay seeking care for symptoms. Another is that there are often changes in medical staff during the holidays and, consequently, the quality of medical care might be compromised."
The report fits in with a study published in March that found heart attack patients sent to hospitals during the winter holidays are more likely to die than those admitted during the rest of the year,
Clinics, emergency rooms and other health facilities do not operate at top efficiency over the holiday period, said Dr. Trip Meine, a cardiologist at Duke University in North Carolina, who led the study released at an American college of Cardiology meeting.
(again, from CCN.com - 13 December 2004)
STUDY: Christmas deadliest day for Americans
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Christmas is the deadliest day of the year for Americans with 12.4 percent more deaths than normal, researchers said on Monday.
More Americans die from heart attacks and other natural causes on Christmas, the day after and on New Year's Day than on any other days of the year, the researchers reported.
It is probably because people are feeling too busy or too festive to go to the hospital over the winter holiday season, the researchers wrote in Monday's issue of the journal Circulation.
The researchers, sociologist David Phillips of the University of California San Diego and colleagues there and at Tufts University in Boston, found a 4.65 percent increase in heart deaths and just shy of a 5 percent increase in non-heart deaths over the 14 days spanning the December holidays.
They did not count deaths from suicide, murder or accidents and took into account the perilous effects of a cold snap on health.
"We found that there is a general tendency for cardiac and noncardiac deaths to peak during the winter, but above and beyond this seasonal increase, there are additional increases in heart attack and other deaths around Christmas and New Year's," Phillips said in a statement.
In all, Phillips and colleagues counted more than 42,000 "extra" deaths during the holidays over a 26-year period. Only two years did not see this phenomenon -- 1973, when oil prices peaked and people tended not to travel, and 1981, when a severe recession also kept Americans at home.
"Of all the things we considered that might impact the increase in holiday deaths from natural causes, only two were consistent with our data," Phillips said.
"One possibility is that people tend to delay seeking care for symptoms. Another is that there are often changes in medical staff during the holidays and, consequently, the quality of medical care might be compromised."
The report fits in with a study published in March that found heart attack patients sent to hospitals during the winter holidays are more likely to die than those admitted during the rest of the year,
Clinics, emergency rooms and other health facilities do not operate at top efficiency over the holiday period, said Dr. Trip Meine, a cardiologist at Duke University in North Carolina, who led the study released at an American college of Cardiology meeting.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
wow
I thought this was pretty intriguing. And quite impressive:
FROM CELL PHONE TO SUNFLOWER: Scientists make phone cover that turns into flower.
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- Scientists said on Monday they have come up with a cell phone cover that will grow into a sunflower when thrown away.
Materials company Pvaxx Research & Development, at the request of U.S.-based mobile phone maker Motorola (MOT.N), has come up with a polymer that looks like any other plastic, but which degrades into soil when discarded.
Researchers at the University of Warwick in Britain then helped to develop a phone cover that contains a sunflower seed, which will feed on the nitrates that are formed when the polyvinylalcohol polymer cover turns to waste.
"It's a totally biodegradable and non-toxic plastic," said Pvaxx spokesman Peter Morris.
"This is the first product that we've made public. We're working with blue chip companies and will introduce several products next year," he said, adding it would be used in electronics, horticulture, ammunition and household cleaning.
The company's new plastic, which was created over the past five years but was in development for longer, can be rigid or flexible in shape.
Some 650 million mobile phones will be sold this year, and most of them will be thrown away within two years, burdening the environment with plastics, heavy metals and chemicals. A biodegradable cover can offer some relief for nature, Warwick University said.
Motorola said it had not yet decided if it would introduce a model built with the new plastic, and that it would take until at least the second quarter of 2005 to get a commercial product.
"(To improve) the quality (of the plastic) is something we're working on," said Motorola project manager Peter Shead, adding the new plastic may be used in snap-on covers first.
Many young consumers buy cheap and interchangeable plastic covers to personalize their standard phone.
from CNN.com - 7 december 2004
FROM CELL PHONE TO SUNFLOWER: Scientists make phone cover that turns into flower.
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- Scientists said on Monday they have come up with a cell phone cover that will grow into a sunflower when thrown away.
Materials company Pvaxx Research & Development, at the request of U.S.-based mobile phone maker Motorola (MOT.N), has come up with a polymer that looks like any other plastic, but which degrades into soil when discarded.
Researchers at the University of Warwick in Britain then helped to develop a phone cover that contains a sunflower seed, which will feed on the nitrates that are formed when the polyvinylalcohol polymer cover turns to waste.
"It's a totally biodegradable and non-toxic plastic," said Pvaxx spokesman Peter Morris.
"This is the first product that we've made public. We're working with blue chip companies and will introduce several products next year," he said, adding it would be used in electronics, horticulture, ammunition and household cleaning.
The company's new plastic, which was created over the past five years but was in development for longer, can be rigid or flexible in shape.
Some 650 million mobile phones will be sold this year, and most of them will be thrown away within two years, burdening the environment with plastics, heavy metals and chemicals. A biodegradable cover can offer some relief for nature, Warwick University said.
Motorola said it had not yet decided if it would introduce a model built with the new plastic, and that it would take until at least the second quarter of 2005 to get a commercial product.
"(To improve) the quality (of the plastic) is something we're working on," said Motorola project manager Peter Shead, adding the new plastic may be used in snap-on covers first.
Many young consumers buy cheap and interchangeable plastic covers to personalize their standard phone.
from CNN.com - 7 december 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
so not right
I just had a dream that Barb (Dan's little sister) took pony-riding lessons. On a horse that had blue hair. And that we had to fill it up with gas before the next rider could take her turn.
All very, very odd.
I wonder what's going on in my mind...
I'm also very upset right now because I'm working on knitting the first sock in the 2 pairs I am making my sisters for Christmas, and while everything is going okay, I just cut THE WRONG PIECE OF YARN off of the project!! I'm so afraid that's going to ruin everything. :( :( Cross your fingers for me that that's not the case!!!
Today is my appointment with Dr. Mills in Boston (FINALLY!). I hope that it's all good news. I haven't been nearly as good about my PT lately, since my hip really feels good and I have been using it pretty much as normal lately, and thus haven't felt the need to do exercises so much as just USE the thing. But my physical therapist should know better than I what's good for me...so I hope I didn't just fuck everything up.
We'll see! I'll be sure to keep this journal updated.
All very, very odd.
I wonder what's going on in my mind...
I'm also very upset right now because I'm working on knitting the first sock in the 2 pairs I am making my sisters for Christmas, and while everything is going okay, I just cut THE WRONG PIECE OF YARN off of the project!! I'm so afraid that's going to ruin everything. :( :( Cross your fingers for me that that's not the case!!!
Today is my appointment with Dr. Mills in Boston (FINALLY!). I hope that it's all good news. I haven't been nearly as good about my PT lately, since my hip really feels good and I have been using it pretty much as normal lately, and thus haven't felt the need to do exercises so much as just USE the thing. But my physical therapist should know better than I what's good for me...so I hope I didn't just fuck everything up.
We'll see! I'll be sure to keep this journal updated.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
good quotes
I had written these down a while ago while reading The Grapes of Wrath, but I never got around to sharing them:
"The monster... had ... goggled his mind, muzzled his speech, goggled his perception, muzzled his protest."
"I got to figure. We all got to figure. There's some way to stop this. It's not like lightning or earthquakes. We've got a bad thing made by men, and by God that's something we can change."
"The monster... had ... goggled his mind, muzzled his speech, goggled his perception, muzzled his protest."
"I got to figure. We all got to figure. There's some way to stop this. It's not like lightning or earthquakes. We've got a bad thing made by men, and by God that's something we can change."
Saturday, November 27, 2004
i can't believe it's been 5 years.
Well, last night was Farmington High School's class of '99 high school "reunion" thingy - I use the quotes because it was just a gathering at the local bar, not this big organized event. People just showed up between 5 and 8pm, and we stood around in groups talking to people we hadn't seen in ages, for the most part. It was kind of a trip, because people generally looked pretty much the same but a bit older, so it was this weird Twilight Zone return-to-high-school thing, but we were forced to make awkward conversation with people who we weren't ever friends with in high school, and hadn't seen in over 5 years. Odd, all very, very odd. In any case, I actually enjoyed myself more than I thought I would; I managed to spend time only with people that I really wanted to talk to, and avoided (sometimes blatantly) people who I didn't want to talk to. I made it a point not to talk to anyone who I never talked to in high school, because I mean come ON, if we didn't give a shit about each other then, why should we start bothering now?
In any case, it was at the very least a kind of interesting night. I'm glad it's over; next we'll have to see how everyone's changed in 5 more years...!
Right now I'm still in CT (what's new, these days, right?). Well, I guess that's obvious because I was just at my high school reunion, heh. I'm stuck here for a while, though, because I have to figure out all that insurance stuff and go see Dr. Millis in Boston before I can go back to Ithaca! Ugh. So much stupid red tape to deal with. I'm very disappointed that I didn't get to see the doctor on Tuesday like I was supposed to - especially because I had to walk around with my cane all night at my high school reunion, ugh. Oh well. Not many people actually asked, and I'm sure the rest thought I was just being my old eccentric self, heh. I've changed, but they probably don't know that.
Anyhow, so I'm just chilling with the family at the moment. Thanksgiving was really nice; we went to Aunt Yvonne's for the first time EVER (traditionally we have Thanksgiving at my parents' house - it's been that way all my life so far, anyway), and it was really, really nice. She did a great job with everything, and I had fun hanging out with my cousins as usual. Daniel showed me some of his computer science work from school; he looks like such a good programmer! And Erin was there; it's been probably a year since we all got to see her! It was so nice to see everyone again.
Then I drove down to Waterbury to go to a second Thanksgiving dinner at Dan's grandparents' house. I was so nervous about that one! Everyone (Dan, his sister, his mother) had made me scared of that side of his family, hehe. But they turned out to be really very friendly, pleasant people. And it was so nice of Dan to share that part of his life with me. And aww his little cherub cousins were adorable - and they told Danny that they thought I was the prettiest of his girlfriends - nice. They're all good in my book, now! Haha.
Nothing too exciting going on yet today, though. Right now I'm just sitting around reading The Mists of Avalon, which is still a very engaging book. I'm also in the middle of both Catch 22, which is one of the funniest books that I've read in a long time!, and Days of War, Nights of Love, which is a really interesting crimethink piece. They're all going a bit slowly these days because, as always in CT I have much more of a life than I do in NY these days, but I'm enjoying them all, so I'm sure they'll go relatively fast, even considering the amount of time I have to read them.
Hmm, not much else to report on right now. Sorry I keep doing these really long entries but I guess I have to catch up on everything, since I keep going so long between each one. I'll try to be better.
For now, back to my book - ciao!
In any case, it was at the very least a kind of interesting night. I'm glad it's over; next we'll have to see how everyone's changed in 5 more years...!
Right now I'm still in CT (what's new, these days, right?). Well, I guess that's obvious because I was just at my high school reunion, heh. I'm stuck here for a while, though, because I have to figure out all that insurance stuff and go see Dr. Millis in Boston before I can go back to Ithaca! Ugh. So much stupid red tape to deal with. I'm very disappointed that I didn't get to see the doctor on Tuesday like I was supposed to - especially because I had to walk around with my cane all night at my high school reunion, ugh. Oh well. Not many people actually asked, and I'm sure the rest thought I was just being my old eccentric self, heh. I've changed, but they probably don't know that.
Anyhow, so I'm just chilling with the family at the moment. Thanksgiving was really nice; we went to Aunt Yvonne's for the first time EVER (traditionally we have Thanksgiving at my parents' house - it's been that way all my life so far, anyway), and it was really, really nice. She did a great job with everything, and I had fun hanging out with my cousins as usual. Daniel showed me some of his computer science work from school; he looks like such a good programmer! And Erin was there; it's been probably a year since we all got to see her! It was so nice to see everyone again.
Then I drove down to Waterbury to go to a second Thanksgiving dinner at Dan's grandparents' house. I was so nervous about that one! Everyone (Dan, his sister, his mother) had made me scared of that side of his family, hehe. But they turned out to be really very friendly, pleasant people. And it was so nice of Dan to share that part of his life with me. And aww his little cherub cousins were adorable - and they told Danny that they thought I was the prettiest of his girlfriends - nice. They're all good in my book, now! Haha.
Nothing too exciting going on yet today, though. Right now I'm just sitting around reading The Mists of Avalon, which is still a very engaging book. I'm also in the middle of both Catch 22, which is one of the funniest books that I've read in a long time!, and Days of War, Nights of Love, which is a really interesting crimethink piece. They're all going a bit slowly these days because, as always in CT I have much more of a life than I do in NY these days, but I'm enjoying them all, so I'm sure they'll go relatively fast, even considering the amount of time I have to read them.
Hmm, not much else to report on right now. Sorry I keep doing these really long entries but I guess I have to catch up on everything, since I keep going so long between each one. I'll try to be better.
For now, back to my book - ciao!
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
i'm feeling better
It's been a while, I know. Sorry 'bout that. I have actually been pretty busy (wow!). Dan came to visit me up in Ithaca a few weeks ago, and then we both drove back to CT this past Tuesday because I had a meeting to go to for work on Wednesday, and then on Thursday I took my baby to the CIA (Culinary Institute of America, I mean!) for his birthday. It's nice to be back in town, but I today was just a really bad day. I am still trying to figure out all this stuff with insurance - I can't seem to get the proper referrals for the post-op appointments I've had with Dr. Millis, so I had to cancel the one I am SUPPOSED to have tomorrow because I first need to settle all these past denied claims! UGH! It's sooo frustrating - I cried several times today because I am just so damn fed up with all this shit. I have come to the point where I almost wish I didn't HAVE the corrective surgery! I'd almost rather be in pain & having trouble walking than having to figure out all this insurance shit. Goddammit.
My coworker Art has been invaluable in helping me out with all this insurance crap (he really knows his way around, he's been through the same kind of situation many a time), and my boss has also been great about it all, really understanding when I have to figure stuff out at work and make a million phone calls and visits to doctors to get referrals. And best of all has been my awesome surgeon himself, Dr. Millis - he's been so helpful and so accomodating and so understanding about this all. He sounds as frustrated as I am with this whole insurance debacle. People like that have really been making this survivable - otherwise, I don't know what I'd do.
Anyway, after work I stopped at Danny's place because I really wanted to feel better after such a shitty day, but that didn't really cheer me up, either. I won't get into details, but I guess I just feel like there was a time when Dan was excited to see me, and made some effort with me. Now I think he takes me for granted - he knows I love him and want to be only with him, so he's not worried anymore. I understand, but I also wouldn't mind a little attention sometimes. I found myself wondering today what I get out of the relationship - and I know I get a lot! Dan has done me a world of good. I can't measure his actions in terms of the kinds of things I'd do, like buy little presents that make me think of him and tell him I miss him all the time. That's girly stuff, and I don't think I'd even LIKE it if my boyfriend did that kind of stuff, really. But I guess I do sometimes just want some attention, some reassurance. I can't just judge by one night when I was in a bad mood to begin with, so I will have to reevaluate all this stuff later on, but I had to get it out, had to say something. I love Danny so so much and I don't like having these bad feelings, they bother me so much. I have a strong feeling it's me just trying to harden my heart again, so that I don't get burned if Dan decides he doesn't want to be with me, like all my past boyfriends have done. Because I know Dan leaving me would be the hardest thing to deal with, ever. He's become my best friend as well as the person I love. I need to stop being so damned scared of that! Everyone goes through heartache - we have to risk it for people we think worthy of that risk. I need to jump in with both feet, eyes closed, heh.
Anyway, the great part of my night was the last part, when I went out for coffee with Jen Kane!!! YAY! That so made my night. I almost didn't even want to go cuz I was so exhausted from such an emotionally draining day (I was upset just even driving to her house to pick her up!). But I'm soooo glad we went out - we caught up (it's been ages since we've seen each other!) and had some great coffee at Cosi, and I just generally really enjoyed the visit. It's the first time in a while that I've been able to just sit back with a friend and forget about everything else except having fun and enjoying the company. It was really pleasant. I'm glad Jen's been one of my best friends for like 8 years!
In any case, the coffee's keeping me up, but I ought to go try to sleep a bit. I am sure I'll write more soon. --G'night!
My coworker Art has been invaluable in helping me out with all this insurance crap (he really knows his way around, he's been through the same kind of situation many a time), and my boss has also been great about it all, really understanding when I have to figure stuff out at work and make a million phone calls and visits to doctors to get referrals. And best of all has been my awesome surgeon himself, Dr. Millis - he's been so helpful and so accomodating and so understanding about this all. He sounds as frustrated as I am with this whole insurance debacle. People like that have really been making this survivable - otherwise, I don't know what I'd do.
Anyway, after work I stopped at Danny's place because I really wanted to feel better after such a shitty day, but that didn't really cheer me up, either. I won't get into details, but I guess I just feel like there was a time when Dan was excited to see me, and made some effort with me. Now I think he takes me for granted - he knows I love him and want to be only with him, so he's not worried anymore. I understand, but I also wouldn't mind a little attention sometimes. I found myself wondering today what I get out of the relationship - and I know I get a lot! Dan has done me a world of good. I can't measure his actions in terms of the kinds of things I'd do, like buy little presents that make me think of him and tell him I miss him all the time. That's girly stuff, and I don't think I'd even LIKE it if my boyfriend did that kind of stuff, really. But I guess I do sometimes just want some attention, some reassurance. I can't just judge by one night when I was in a bad mood to begin with, so I will have to reevaluate all this stuff later on, but I had to get it out, had to say something. I love Danny so so much and I don't like having these bad feelings, they bother me so much. I have a strong feeling it's me just trying to harden my heart again, so that I don't get burned if Dan decides he doesn't want to be with me, like all my past boyfriends have done. Because I know Dan leaving me would be the hardest thing to deal with, ever. He's become my best friend as well as the person I love. I need to stop being so damned scared of that! Everyone goes through heartache - we have to risk it for people we think worthy of that risk. I need to jump in with both feet, eyes closed, heh.
Anyway, the great part of my night was the last part, when I went out for coffee with Jen Kane!!! YAY! That so made my night. I almost didn't even want to go cuz I was so exhausted from such an emotionally draining day (I was upset just even driving to her house to pick her up!). But I'm soooo glad we went out - we caught up (it's been ages since we've seen each other!) and had some great coffee at Cosi, and I just generally really enjoyed the visit. It's the first time in a while that I've been able to just sit back with a friend and forget about everything else except having fun and enjoying the company. It was really pleasant. I'm glad Jen's been one of my best friends for like 8 years!
In any case, the coffee's keeping me up, but I ought to go try to sleep a bit. I am sure I'll write more soon. --G'night!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
fun geek lore
According to Bill Bryson (don’t worry, this is the last of it – I’m almost done with the book!), DOS “originated as Q-DOS (a play on kudos), and stood, rather daringly, for Quick and Dirty Operating System. When Microsoft bought the firm in 1981, it changed the name to the more staid MS-DOS, for Microsoft Disk Operating System." I guess I pretty much knew all of that, except the "kudos" part. I think that's kinda neat. (Hey, remember those chocolate & granola bars by the same name? Are they still around?)
I also learned 2 more fun facts (from Made In America) in recent days: one, that the "ouija" from Ouija Boards comes, simply, from the concatenation of the words for "yes" in the French and German languages. Another one of those that-makes-sense-but-I-had-never-thought-of-it-before words. And two, "bleachers" were so named for places for baseball fans to sit and watch the game, because those who sat in the uncovered part of the grandstand were "bleached by the sun". Well, I thought they were both neat little tidbits.
And hey lastly but certainly not least(-ly?), Bill Bryson is left-handed - yay! I am glad to hear it - and I'm not surprised. Always good to hear when there are more of us out there, though. Especially when they're as cool as that guy, and know so much.
I also learned 2 more fun facts (from Made In America) in recent days: one, that the "ouija" from Ouija Boards comes, simply, from the concatenation of the words for "yes" in the French and German languages. Another one of those that-makes-sense-but-I-had-never-thought-of-it-before words. And two, "bleachers" were so named for places for baseball fans to sit and watch the game, because those who sat in the uncovered part of the grandstand were "bleached by the sun". Well, I thought they were both neat little tidbits.
And hey lastly but certainly not least(-ly?), Bill Bryson is left-handed - yay! I am glad to hear it - and I'm not surprised. Always good to hear when there are more of us out there, though. Especially when they're as cool as that guy, and know so much.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
who the hell is this chick?
So I saw this in Tanya's LiveJournal and decided I was gonna take it, too. She got Tinkerbell (so very appropriate, she's a little pixie!), so I figured I'd wind up with someone fun like Ariel or something.
You are Katrina. Popular with the guys, and always
confident.
Which Vintage Disney Girl are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
But, no! I get Katrina. No idea who she actually IS. And I'm not confident! This is so weird.
I think she's from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow or something, I dunno. Looks like an older movie.
Hey, at least I'm supposedly "popular with the guys". That's not too bad, I guess. Hehe.
Update: Okay so I took so more of that person's quizzes, and I figured out they're just kind of abritrary. Every time I'd say I'm quiet and shy, it'd come back saying I'm some character who is strong and confident and a natural born leader. -- Eh?? I guess it was probably based on my answer to like 1 or 2 questions. Anyway, this is another one I took:
You are Belle. You are independent and self-aware.
You don't really need a man. They need you.
Which Classic Disney Movie Girl are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Once again, making me sound like a feminist. I wouldn't have posted it, but I like Belle. She's a cool girl.
You are Katrina. Popular with the guys, and always
confident.
Which Vintage Disney Girl are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
But, no! I get Katrina. No idea who she actually IS. And I'm not confident! This is so weird.
I think she's from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow or something, I dunno. Looks like an older movie.
Hey, at least I'm supposedly "popular with the guys". That's not too bad, I guess. Hehe.
Update: Okay so I took so more of that person's quizzes, and I figured out they're just kind of abritrary. Every time I'd say I'm quiet and shy, it'd come back saying I'm some character who is strong and confident and a natural born leader. -- Eh?? I guess it was probably based on my answer to like 1 or 2 questions. Anyway, this is another one I took:
You are Belle. You are independent and self-aware.
You don't really need a man. They need you.
Which Classic Disney Movie Girl are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Once again, making me sound like a feminist. I wouldn't have posted it, but I like Belle. She's a cool girl.
Monday, November 08, 2004
i'm frustrated
Okay, so maybe someday when I'm sick and tired of the current look of this thing, I'll go back and try to change the background stuff again, but for the time being I GIVE UP!! I have been trying for ages to make a background I like, and I thought I was satisfied! But I just realized the other day that, while it looks nice and pretty on my browser (Firefox), the code that I had put into the Blogger.com template to change things around a bit and personalize the site to me did NOT work out nearly the same way in IE. D'oh. Once again, another reason I hate IE! And I would have even said "fuck IE, I don't care if it works with that crappy browser", but of course 99% of the world is still tied by the apron strings to it. So I just couldn't bring myself to let things be - I didn't want IE users to think I had such an ugly (and yes, it was UGLY) site.
I chose this one cuz it's pink, but I don't really like the layout. At least it's kinda pretty...
I chose this one cuz it's pink, but I don't really like the layout. At least it's kinda pretty...
now this is a bit much
CNN.com - The car that can read road signs - Oct 7, 2004
A car that can read road signs for you, and tell you if you're driving well or not? I mean, okay, so it could be a very good idea for a lot of bad drivers out there (perhaps myself included, who knows!), but seriously, what're we gonna have next - machines that dress us and feed us and tell us what to think? Oy.
A car that can read road signs for you, and tell you if you're driving well or not? I mean, okay, so it could be a very good idea for a lot of bad drivers out there (perhaps myself included, who knows!), but seriously, what're we gonna have next - machines that dress us and feed us and tell us what to think? Oy.
late-night thoughts
I wrote this last night on my laptop in kind of a "free-thought" format when these thoughts were keeping me from sleeping - hence the lack of capitalization (I tend to do that when I'm going to be typing a lot - saves strain on the hands or something heh).
i've GOT to stop being so fucking neurotic. i'm gonna ruin this great thing that i have. Dan and i have such a good thing going, and i just sit here and nitpick until we're both pissed off. it's awful. i see myself doing it, and i want to stop it, but it's like a train wreck that i have no control over until it's too late - after the crash, i try so hard to make things better, to ease the pain of the people who are suffering, to administer first aid and make sure they feel okay...but it's all just a bit too late. if only i could have stopped the train from running into that wall in the first place. i need to learn how to be less anxious! i guess it's anxiety, i don't know what else to call it. i just sit here and wonder why i feel like Dan doesn't want to make an effort with me, and then i say stuff to him that i shouldn't, that's uncalled for, and then i spend the rest of the time worrying that i'm going to scare him away finally, that one day he's gonna just give up having to try so hard with me, give up feeling like he has to appease me at every turn. just like all the other boys have done.
i know Dan's not them; that's what i love about him. but i can't seem to get my heart to wholeheartedly believe that. i just get more and more frightened as i fall further and further for him - because there's going to be a point where i'll be lost without him, like i felt when Chris first left me. and my heart wants so badly to ward off that loss, so it puts up these stupid walls to defend itself. but all that does is put an obstacle between my heart and Dan, which is exactly what i DON'T want. i'm so fucking confused. my emotions are so lost. i know that i nitpick because some warped thing deep inside of me wants to see him throw up his hands and give up and run away, so at least this time i'd know WHY the fuck the guy ran. but Dan won't give up, or at least hasn't yet, and i love him for that. there are so many reasons i love him. but i can't seem to get that through to the thing inside of me that wants to ruin all that for me! when i'm finally so happy again - i haven't felt this way about someone in years. he challenges me, he makes me want to be a better person. i know, this is all really stale cliche, but it's how i feel about him - and it's not how anyone else has made me feel, ever. and i guess that's another reason i'm so scared - because i am a person who likes comfort, and mostly resists change. and Dan is pushing my boundaries, and i am trying in my own weird way to reject that. i wish i wouldn't. i'm seeing more of the world than i ever have before. the boy is amazing.
i just hope he keeps not giving up on me until i've given in, and i won't fight anymore, i'll just let myself fall so deep into love i won't be able to ever get out.
i've GOT to stop being so fucking neurotic. i'm gonna ruin this great thing that i have. Dan and i have such a good thing going, and i just sit here and nitpick until we're both pissed off. it's awful. i see myself doing it, and i want to stop it, but it's like a train wreck that i have no control over until it's too late - after the crash, i try so hard to make things better, to ease the pain of the people who are suffering, to administer first aid and make sure they feel okay...but it's all just a bit too late. if only i could have stopped the train from running into that wall in the first place. i need to learn how to be less anxious! i guess it's anxiety, i don't know what else to call it. i just sit here and wonder why i feel like Dan doesn't want to make an effort with me, and then i say stuff to him that i shouldn't, that's uncalled for, and then i spend the rest of the time worrying that i'm going to scare him away finally, that one day he's gonna just give up having to try so hard with me, give up feeling like he has to appease me at every turn. just like all the other boys have done.
i know Dan's not them; that's what i love about him. but i can't seem to get my heart to wholeheartedly believe that. i just get more and more frightened as i fall further and further for him - because there's going to be a point where i'll be lost without him, like i felt when Chris first left me. and my heart wants so badly to ward off that loss, so it puts up these stupid walls to defend itself. but all that does is put an obstacle between my heart and Dan, which is exactly what i DON'T want. i'm so fucking confused. my emotions are so lost. i know that i nitpick because some warped thing deep inside of me wants to see him throw up his hands and give up and run away, so at least this time i'd know WHY the fuck the guy ran. but Dan won't give up, or at least hasn't yet, and i love him for that. there are so many reasons i love him. but i can't seem to get that through to the thing inside of me that wants to ruin all that for me! when i'm finally so happy again - i haven't felt this way about someone in years. he challenges me, he makes me want to be a better person. i know, this is all really stale cliche, but it's how i feel about him - and it's not how anyone else has made me feel, ever. and i guess that's another reason i'm so scared - because i am a person who likes comfort, and mostly resists change. and Dan is pushing my boundaries, and i am trying in my own weird way to reject that. i wish i wouldn't. i'm seeing more of the world than i ever have before. the boy is amazing.
i just hope he keeps not giving up on me until i've given in, and i won't fight anymore, i'll just let myself fall so deep into love i won't be able to ever get out.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
i grew up in a mail-order house
I did! Sounds rather absurd, doesn't it? But Sears, Roebuck, & Co. used to sell houses and the furniture to go inside them, back in the day! Ours is from somewhere around the turn of the century (the 19th to the 20th, that is - I keep forgetting there's been one since then). Of course, ours has since been modified in several ways - like with the great addition my dad put on one side of the house in '91 - but it's still, at heart, a mail-order house. Aww.
Here's yet another fun fact: did you know that Animal Crackers were originally intended as Christmas treats? Hence the strings on the boxes - they're not for carrying, they're actually so that the boxes could be hung on trees! Crazy, huh? Ah, the things I keep learning from Mr. Bryson...
I watched the new version of Freaky Friday tonight ... heh. I actually have to say I enjoyed it! I thought I wouldn't because I really liked the original with Jodie Foster, but this one was a very cute, modernized remake. One of those feel-good teen movies. Gah, as embarassing as it is to say, I have to admit I'm a sucker for those...
I just signed up for StarzTicket today, the movie download website - and so far, I'm pretty impressed! The downloads are usually around 6oomb, and they take only 2 or 3 hours to download, if that. Even on our slow connection! The concept is that there is a somewhat limited selection of movies (the selections get rotated through maybe once a week, I think), and you can only watch those that are currently being offered - no matter when you downloaded the movie, if it's no longer offered by StarzTicket, you can't watch it. But you can download as many as you want, for $12.95 a month! So, I think it's a pretty fair trade-off. And the movie quality's not bad at all - at least not on my 17'' LCD monitor. So, we'll see - I'll give a verdict at the end of this free trial period of 14 days - for now, I'm just gonna enjoy the movies! :)
Here's yet another fun fact: did you know that Animal Crackers were originally intended as Christmas treats? Hence the strings on the boxes - they're not for carrying, they're actually so that the boxes could be hung on trees! Crazy, huh? Ah, the things I keep learning from Mr. Bryson...
I watched the new version of Freaky Friday tonight ... heh. I actually have to say I enjoyed it! I thought I wouldn't because I really liked the original with Jodie Foster, but this one was a very cute, modernized remake. One of those feel-good teen movies. Gah, as embarassing as it is to say, I have to admit I'm a sucker for those...
I just signed up for StarzTicket today, the movie download website - and so far, I'm pretty impressed! The downloads are usually around 6oomb, and they take only 2 or 3 hours to download, if that. Even on our slow connection! The concept is that there is a somewhat limited selection of movies (the selections get rotated through maybe once a week, I think), and you can only watch those that are currently being offered - no matter when you downloaded the movie, if it's no longer offered by StarzTicket, you can't watch it. But you can download as many as you want, for $12.95 a month! So, I think it's a pretty fair trade-off. And the movie quality's not bad at all - at least not on my 17'' LCD monitor. So, we'll see - I'll give a verdict at the end of this free trial period of 14 days - for now, I'm just gonna enjoy the movies! :)
i never liked that movie, anyway...
Turns out that "The Road to Wellville" was the name of a pamphlet done by C.W. Post (inventor of Post cereals), and doesn't have anything to do with Kellogg except that, while at the Kellogg sanitorium, he decided he wanted to make and sell cereal, too. Thus the advent of GrapeNuts, which I've still never tried. Anyway, I hated that movie when I first saw it and it still disturbs me, but I was checking out imdb.com today and there seems to be no mention of any character named Post. Who knows, maybe they couldn't get rights to his name or something. I really don't remember the movie, so I could be wrong. But if I'm right, I hate historical inaccuracies like that. Don't associate Kellogg with Post's pamphlet just for the sake of a "clever" movie name for a shitty movie to begin with!
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
yummy
Okay, check out all of these foods that are, according to Bill Bryson, unique to our hemisphere (and were introduced to the Europeans when they found the New World): white potatoes, sweet potatoes, the peanut, the pumpkin, the squash, the persimmon, the avocado, the pineapple, chocolate, vanilla, cassava (the source of tapioca), chili peppers, sunflowers, the tomato! Even green beans and strawberries were much better over here than there. Those are some of my favorite foods - I wonder if it's a concidence that they are all native to American soil? Mmm....I'm getting hungry just talking about it!
I just finished watching M - very interesting movie. I like the story. I also wonder how many people got the "joke" when MTV ran those ads several (many? - it's been a long time since I've watched TV, particularly MTV) years back with that shuffling guy who was always looking over his shoulder - here's a picture, 'cause I can't seem to do it justice with my description:
Anyway, very good film. One I'd been meaning to watch for a while; it's been hovering around the #50 spot in the imdb.com top 250 movies probably since the list was started, so I definitely have been wanting to see it for a while. I have got to keep working on that list! I keep encountering such good films that I wouldn't probably otherwise have any way of coming across!
I read an article at CNN.com today about the most expensive places to live ("the most expensive housing markets"), and the least expensive. No surprise that the top 4 places on the "expensive" list are in California (La Jolla, Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Palo Alto); the last one (once again not a shocker) was Greenwich, CT. Way to go, my home state. Heh.
The least expensive ones weren't that noteworthy to me. There were 2 from Texas (that might say something about the state that Bush used to govern...but I won't get into that), two from Montana, and one from North Dakota.
I guess U.S. housing markets don't much matter to me; Dan and I have decided that we're moving to Holland, anyway. I don't quite know when, and I'm definitely planning on becoming an expatriate whether or not we go together, but that could be fun. I definitely enjoyed Amsterdam when I was there! And no, that was not just because marijuana is legal there!! Hehe.
But, either Holland or France. I could definitely enjoy both those places much more than here. *Sigh*
Let's see what else...oh, today I had a lot of fun dealing with my insurance company! Mmm yeah I know everyone enjoys that, but I got told that all of these appointments following up on the surgery I had done in April 2004 (a periacetabular osteotomy - I'm sure I'll get into that more another time) weren't covered! I am being denied claims I made - even though I have made dozens of phone calls each time an appointment is coming up, making sure that the correct doctor is sending in a referral and that I'm all set for the appointment, etc. UGH! So, I'm quite upset with my insurance at this point. Of course. I had to email my surgeon and ask him to write a letter to them telling them why I need to have all these follow-up appointment and x-rays and PT. Yeah, like I just like to head over to get poked & prodded at the Children's Hospital once every month or so for my own amusement. Sure, guys. That happens.
It's not like I'm a hypochondriac or anything, either! Before this surgery, I'd never even been near a hospital, really. I hate taking medicine. I hate seeing doctors. This, I definitely wanted to fix up (my hip problem, I mean). And I'm glad I did, it was important. But come ON! I'm probably seeing my doctor less than I even should be, but I need some kind of guidance post-surgery! Like, just before Thanksgiving I'd LOVE to be told that I don't need to use my cane anymore. That would be a lovely holiday present. :)
In other rather exciting news, I'm thrilled to hear Green Day might try to make a movie out of their punk rock opera, American Idiot! More of a movie and less of a musical though, Billie Joe promised. Yay. I'm happy because I was supposed to go see that show last weekend but that didn't happen; now there really are no other chances for me to see it performed live. So hopefully I at least have the movie to appease me! Hehe.
Okay, I've been trying to put it off for as long as possible, but now I must talk politics once again: Shame on you, America. I'm severely, severely disappointed in this country.
I have discussed most of this stuff to death with my friends in the past 24+ hours, so I won't go into much more detail than that. I will just say I really am looking forward to moving out of this godforsaken nation! Ugh.
I have started biting my nails again - something I haven't done in ages. THAT's how bad it's been. THAT's how nervous all this is making me.
But, I'm becoming much more militant and much more vocal, so I guess that's not bad! I'm all about protesting any and every misstep Bush makes from now on. I've had enough.
Whew. Politics are making me very impassioned these days.
As Judy used to say: finis. (For now.)
I just finished watching M - very interesting movie. I like the story. I also wonder how many people got the "joke" when MTV ran those ads several (many? - it's been a long time since I've watched TV, particularly MTV) years back with that shuffling guy who was always looking over his shoulder - here's a picture, 'cause I can't seem to do it justice with my description:
Anyway, very good film. One I'd been meaning to watch for a while; it's been hovering around the #50 spot in the imdb.com top 250 movies probably since the list was started, so I definitely have been wanting to see it for a while. I have got to keep working on that list! I keep encountering such good films that I wouldn't probably otherwise have any way of coming across!
I read an article at CNN.com today about the most expensive places to live ("the most expensive housing markets"), and the least expensive. No surprise that the top 4 places on the "expensive" list are in California (La Jolla, Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, Palo Alto); the last one (once again not a shocker) was Greenwich, CT. Way to go, my home state. Heh.
The least expensive ones weren't that noteworthy to me. There were 2 from Texas (that might say something about the state that Bush used to govern...but I won't get into that), two from Montana, and one from North Dakota.
I guess U.S. housing markets don't much matter to me; Dan and I have decided that we're moving to Holland, anyway. I don't quite know when, and I'm definitely planning on becoming an expatriate whether or not we go together, but that could be fun. I definitely enjoyed Amsterdam when I was there! And no, that was not just because marijuana is legal there!! Hehe.
But, either Holland or France. I could definitely enjoy both those places much more than here. *Sigh*
Let's see what else...oh, today I had a lot of fun dealing with my insurance company! Mmm yeah I know everyone enjoys that, but I got told that all of these appointments following up on the surgery I had done in April 2004 (a periacetabular osteotomy - I'm sure I'll get into that more another time) weren't covered! I am being denied claims I made - even though I have made dozens of phone calls each time an appointment is coming up, making sure that the correct doctor is sending in a referral and that I'm all set for the appointment, etc. UGH! So, I'm quite upset with my insurance at this point. Of course. I had to email my surgeon and ask him to write a letter to them telling them why I need to have all these follow-up appointment and x-rays and PT. Yeah, like I just like to head over to get poked & prodded at the Children's Hospital once every month or so for my own amusement. Sure, guys. That happens.
It's not like I'm a hypochondriac or anything, either! Before this surgery, I'd never even been near a hospital, really. I hate taking medicine. I hate seeing doctors. This, I definitely wanted to fix up (my hip problem, I mean). And I'm glad I did, it was important. But come ON! I'm probably seeing my doctor less than I even should be, but I need some kind of guidance post-surgery! Like, just before Thanksgiving I'd LOVE to be told that I don't need to use my cane anymore. That would be a lovely holiday present. :)
In other rather exciting news, I'm thrilled to hear Green Day might try to make a movie out of their punk rock opera, American Idiot! More of a movie and less of a musical though, Billie Joe promised. Yay. I'm happy because I was supposed to go see that show last weekend but that didn't happen; now there really are no other chances for me to see it performed live. So hopefully I at least have the movie to appease me! Hehe.
Okay, I've been trying to put it off for as long as possible, but now I must talk politics once again: Shame on you, America. I'm severely, severely disappointed in this country.
I have discussed most of this stuff to death with my friends in the past 24+ hours, so I won't go into much more detail than that. I will just say I really am looking forward to moving out of this godforsaken nation! Ugh.
I have started biting my nails again - something I haven't done in ages. THAT's how bad it's been. THAT's how nervous all this is making me.
But, I'm becoming much more militant and much more vocal, so I guess that's not bad! I'm all about protesting any and every misstep Bush makes from now on. I've had enough.
Whew. Politics are making me very impassioned these days.
As Judy used to say: finis. (For now.)
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
baited breath...
Christine and I are watching the election results with baited breath...right now things do not look good. :( CSPAN is reporting 178-112 in Bush's favor, and CNN has him at 193! UGH. That means that he only needs 77 more electoral votes to win...c'mon, Kerry! Let's see you pull through! I want him to take all the rest of the states...I know that won't happen, but one can dream, can't one?
apprehension...
It's 7:32 on the night of Election Day, and things are NOT looking good - already Bush is ahead 34-3. Augh I hate this part...the waiting. I suppose in the end it doesn't even matter who wins, though - I was thinking of just becoming an expatriate either way. But I think I'd be much less inclined to do so if Kerry wins. Oh, god, please let Kerry win...
Well, to take my mind off things a bit, I'm learning to "knit in the round" using two-pointed needles (NOT an easy task, let me tell you!) in preparation for the stockings I'm planning on knitting next (those wristbands turned out awesome), and of course reading more of Made in America:
So, who knew that a "turnpike" is so named "because the way was blocked by a studded pole, or pike, which was turned to allow passage once a toll was paid"? Or that things were originally priced at $1.99 because the ringing of the cash register's opening drawer when cashiers were forced to make change was hoped to discourage them from stealing? (Later on, it was realized that $1.99 seems cheaper than $2, and the method stuck.) Or that the cotton gin is not at all related to an alcoholic drink in name, but instead "gin" is a shortening of "engine"? I guess that one is kind of intuitive, but I know I never stopped to consider it before.
Gah I encounter so many more neat tidbits that I wish I could put up here, but then I'd be essentially rewriting Bryson's book, so I'll try to avoid that! Hehe.
I'm also just beginning to read The Mists of Avalon, another one of those classics that I've always meant to read - and have even owned for years - and just never got around to. So now's the time! It's a very engaging book; I can see why it spent so long as a best-seller. I am still only about 50 or so pages in, but I am definitely enjoying it.
I'm sure there'll be more updates from me as the night wears on...only less than 2 hours until the polls close in many states...eep! =
Well, to take my mind off things a bit, I'm learning to "knit in the round" using two-pointed needles (NOT an easy task, let me tell you!) in preparation for the stockings I'm planning on knitting next (those wristbands turned out awesome), and of course reading more of Made in America:
So, who knew that a "turnpike" is so named "because the way was blocked by a studded pole, or pike, which was turned to allow passage once a toll was paid"? Or that things were originally priced at $1.99 because the ringing of the cash register's opening drawer when cashiers were forced to make change was hoped to discourage them from stealing? (Later on, it was realized that $1.99 seems cheaper than $2, and the method stuck.) Or that the cotton gin is not at all related to an alcoholic drink in name, but instead "gin" is a shortening of "engine"? I guess that one is kind of intuitive, but I know I never stopped to consider it before.
Gah I encounter so many more neat tidbits that I wish I could put up here, but then I'd be essentially rewriting Bryson's book, so I'll try to avoid that! Hehe.
I'm also just beginning to read The Mists of Avalon, another one of those classics that I've always meant to read - and have even owned for years - and just never got around to. So now's the time! It's a very engaging book; I can see why it spent so long as a best-seller. I am still only about 50 or so pages in, but I am definitely enjoying it.
I'm sure there'll be more updates from me as the night wears on...only less than 2 hours until the polls close in many states...eep! =
Monday, November 01, 2004
those darned Dutch
Turns out they've given American English a lot of great words, according once again to Mr. Bryson - among them such gems as blunderbuss, cookie, and waffle. I especially liked learning that we got the odd "How come?" interrogative from a literal translation of the Dutch hoekom, and the word nitwit from the Dutch for "I don't know" (that being Ik neit wiet).
They also gave us those great favorites Santa Claus and Yankee!
I have to say, though, the people that gave us the most fun words were the Irish, although they donated very few: smithereens, lallapalooza, speakeasy, hooligan, and slew were some of the few - couldn't be any more fun! Heehee.
...Oy, I keep getting this awful sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when it hits me that tomorrow is Election Day...oh good god I hope this country doesn't go in for 4 more years of downward spiral... I can't type anymore for now, I need to go cross my fingers.
They also gave us those great favorites Santa Claus and Yankee!
I have to say, though, the people that gave us the most fun words were the Irish, although they donated very few: smithereens, lallapalooza, speakeasy, hooligan, and slew were some of the few - couldn't be any more fun! Heehee.
...Oy, I keep getting this awful sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when it hits me that tomorrow is Election Day...oh good god I hope this country doesn't go in for 4 more years of downward spiral... I can't type anymore for now, I need to go cross my fingers.
more fun things i learned
Wow, Bill Bryson really knows some cool stuff! Let's see...
1. Vamos became vamoose (makes sense) and from there, mosey - that one I was surprised about!
2. The ten-gallon hat is NOT named for the amount of liquid it can hold (I always thought it seemed kind of small for that...) but rather for the braid which decorates it - the Spanish word for braid is galon (with an accent aigu on the "0" there, but I don't know how to code that...I'll have to look into that).
3. The Spanish word for "the lizard" is el lagarto - hence "alligator". Neat, eh?
In other news, I knitted these really neat wristbands today, they were so quick but they look so good! I mean, not on, but the finished product. Er, close to finished - I always put off having to tie up the loose yarn ends, oh how I despise that part! In any case, I think next I'm gonna knit some socks. I have been feeling so productive & creative recently!
I was also gonna watch M tonight (eep scary), but Christine is supposed to call, so I'm gonna read until I get to talk to her (yay!) and I'll watch the movie another night. It's not like I actually have a life; I have plenty of time to watch it! Heh.
Speaking of scary movies, Dan made me watch Dawn of the Dead last weekend (perfect for Halloween, I guess!), which I was so afraid of, but it turned out to be good! I think I might like zombie movies...as Dan and later Kyle pointed out, they present a lot of interesting questions - like: could you kill your best friend if you had to (to prevent the spread of zombies)? Hopefully something you'd never have to consider, but it's an interesting concept...
Um. Not much else to say. I've recently rediscovered how much I love The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books. They are so great. And they are gonna be made into a movie! As is A Confederacy of Dunces. I can't wait. (Oddly enough, both feature Mos Def as principal characters...I find that interesting. I wonder if he's well-read, or if he just liked the parts?)
[later]
In any case, YAY I am in a good mood right now - I just talked on the phone with Christine (The Other Computer Science Girl hehe), and we have plans to hang out at the end of this month when we're both home! AND, I'm talking to one of my best friends in the whole world, Jen - who I had worried didn't like me anymore! So this has all definitely made my night.
1. Vamos became vamoose (makes sense) and from there, mosey - that one I was surprised about!
2. The ten-gallon hat is NOT named for the amount of liquid it can hold (I always thought it seemed kind of small for that...) but rather for the braid which decorates it - the Spanish word for braid is galon (with an accent aigu on the "0" there, but I don't know how to code that...I'll have to look into that).
3. The Spanish word for "the lizard" is el lagarto - hence "alligator". Neat, eh?
In other news, I knitted these really neat wristbands today, they were so quick but they look so good! I mean, not on, but the finished product. Er, close to finished - I always put off having to tie up the loose yarn ends, oh how I despise that part! In any case, I think next I'm gonna knit some socks. I have been feeling so productive & creative recently!
I was also gonna watch M tonight (eep scary), but Christine is supposed to call, so I'm gonna read until I get to talk to her (yay!) and I'll watch the movie another night. It's not like I actually have a life; I have plenty of time to watch it! Heh.
Speaking of scary movies, Dan made me watch Dawn of the Dead last weekend (perfect for Halloween, I guess!), which I was so afraid of, but it turned out to be good! I think I might like zombie movies...as Dan and later Kyle pointed out, they present a lot of interesting questions - like: could you kill your best friend if you had to (to prevent the spread of zombies)? Hopefully something you'd never have to consider, but it's an interesting concept...
Um. Not much else to say. I've recently rediscovered how much I love The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books. They are so great. And they are gonna be made into a movie! As is A Confederacy of Dunces. I can't wait. (Oddly enough, both feature Mos Def as principal characters...I find that interesting. I wonder if he's well-read, or if he just liked the parts?)
[later]
In any case, YAY I am in a good mood right now - I just talked on the phone with Christine (The Other Computer Science Girl hehe), and we have plans to hang out at the end of this month when we're both home! AND, I'm talking to one of my best friends in the whole world, Jen - who I had worried didn't like me anymore! So this has all definitely made my night.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
feeling a little rum-and-water-y?
Still reading Made In America (hey, being in CT for the week and actually having a life is making my reading go a bit more slowly than usual), and still loving it. I just realized it's due back at the library next Tuesday, though, so I don't have much time left, and I'm not very far into it yet! It's a very dense book (like most of Bryson's work where he likes to dole out little-known facts), and often I just want to sit back and let some things sink in, or ponder others.
In any case, here are a few more Fun Facts that I've picked up:
The word "groggy" has its origins in the War of Jenkins' Ear, so named because the Spanish, fed up with British privateers, cut off the ear of an English smuggler named Edward Jenkins. Bryson points out that this war was rather unremarkable (save for its name), but that it was at least etymologically significant: a ration drink of rum and water given to British fleet soldiers by Admiral Edward Vernon - a.k.a. Old Grog. Those who became too drunk on his drink were dubbed "groggy". Hence the title of this entry.
The first metal detector was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, who was called to arms by President Garfield's men when he was shot and the bullets needed to be located. Bell thought that his contraption didn't work because it seemed he was getting readings from all over Garfield's body; it turns out that no one took into account the metal bedsprings the president was lying on. That same incident was also the birthplace of the air conditioner: Washington, D.C. was sweltering that summer, and a way to cool the air in the sick president's chambers was needed. Unfortunately, neither of these inventions helped save the president, but they are still cherished by the beach-residing elderly to this day.
Well, those 2 anecdotes are all I have for now, but I am sure I'll add more later as I continue through this book - it's almost impossible not to share these neat little facts with others! (Which is, I'm sure, what Bill Bryson had in mind when he wrote the book.)
Oh, and one more thing - turns out Dan's birthday (18 November) was "the day of two noons" - the date that the United States adopted the time zone system, and one which in 1883 was widely feared as an apocalyptic event - people worried that their animals would stop producing, and unions went on strike, worried that their workday would be lengthened by 9 minutes on that day. Of course, all people saw when they gathered on the town square was an uneventful clock-resetting...
In any case, here are a few more Fun Facts that I've picked up:
The word "groggy" has its origins in the War of Jenkins' Ear, so named because the Spanish, fed up with British privateers, cut off the ear of an English smuggler named Edward Jenkins. Bryson points out that this war was rather unremarkable (save for its name), but that it was at least etymologically significant: a ration drink of rum and water given to British fleet soldiers by Admiral Edward Vernon - a.k.a. Old Grog. Those who became too drunk on his drink were dubbed "groggy". Hence the title of this entry.
The first metal detector was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, who was called to arms by President Garfield's men when he was shot and the bullets needed to be located. Bell thought that his contraption didn't work because it seemed he was getting readings from all over Garfield's body; it turns out that no one took into account the metal bedsprings the president was lying on. That same incident was also the birthplace of the air conditioner: Washington, D.C. was sweltering that summer, and a way to cool the air in the sick president's chambers was needed. Unfortunately, neither of these inventions helped save the president, but they are still cherished by the beach-residing elderly to this day.
Well, those 2 anecdotes are all I have for now, but I am sure I'll add more later as I continue through this book - it's almost impossible not to share these neat little facts with others! (Which is, I'm sure, what Bill Bryson had in mind when he wrote the book.)
Oh, and one more thing - turns out Dan's birthday (18 November) was "the day of two noons" - the date that the United States adopted the time zone system, and one which in 1883 was widely feared as an apocalyptic event - people worried that their animals would stop producing, and unions went on strike, worried that their workday would be lengthened by 9 minutes on that day. Of course, all people saw when they gathered on the town square was an uneventful clock-resetting...
Monday, October 25, 2004
a whole new kind of Republican
worth the read:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/979/
(Thanks go to Anna for sending that link out in the first place.)
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/979/
(Thanks go to Anna for sending that link out in the first place.)
Thursday, October 21, 2004
slobberchops
Now I'm reading Bryson's Made In America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States. I'm not on a Bill Bryson kick, I just have been meaning to read this one for a while, and I happened to find it in the library the other day. So, anyway, I always learn a zillion neat little facts from his books, I love that. But I always promptly forget them, so I thought I'd record some of 'em here for posterity...or just my own personal reference in the future.
1. Why did we get rid of the word "slobberchops" for a messy eater??
2. I wish I had gotten to see a real, live passenger pigeon. I was doing some research online earlier, because I realized I didn't really know what they look like, and apparently people with stuffed specimens of the bird can make some good money if they eBay 'em! Since they are so rare, or reputedly are - I guess they aren't as rare as some people would like to think (one guy asked upwards of $1 million!), but they still can bring in a couple grand. Not bad.
More later.
1. Why did we get rid of the word "slobberchops" for a messy eater??
2. I wish I had gotten to see a real, live passenger pigeon. I was doing some research online earlier, because I realized I didn't really know what they look like, and apparently people with stuffed specimens of the bird can make some good money if they eBay 'em! Since they are so rare, or reputedly are - I guess they aren't as rare as some people would like to think (one guy asked upwards of $1 million!), but they still can bring in a couple grand. Not bad.
More later.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
i know this is weird, but...
I've decided I'm going to go back and post some very old posts from my other blog on this site - just because I can. Blogger.com lets you put whatever date and time in that you choose, so I am gonna use that to back-post several entires. I know that's odd, but I kinda like having 'em all in one place. Deal with it.
And I've chosen the arbitrary time of 8:48pm for all of my posts, since while most of them are dated, goodness knows at what time they were written.
Update: There weren't as many as I thought there were. Oh well, they're out there anyway.
And I've chosen the arbitrary time of 8:48pm for all of my posts, since while most of them are dated, goodness knows at what time they were written.
Update: There weren't as many as I thought there were. Oh well, they're out there anyway.
spring heeled jack & johnny too bad
For some reason I decided to revive the music of these bands today, after having almost completely forgotten about them for long months...I even went on Amazon.com and bought JTB's Pathwork Girl! It's too bad I couldn't find their demo, that is by far one of my favorite albums ever. I have it on tape somewhere at home; I'm going to have to figure out how to make mp3s of it!!
In any case, it got me thinking a lot. SHJ, especially, brings back a LOT of memories for me - high school, "skankin' at the ska" as Bethany used to say, friends made through music...wow. The CT ska scene really defined a large chunk of my high school career, and is probably what got me through most of it! I was the first Rude Girl FHS ever saw, I do believe...
I miss those days. I was looking at a site that talked about Spring Heeled Jack's reunion show post-Dave (RIP), and I was so sad that I never got to go to that. I think I still have the unused tickets that I purchased, which arrived one day too late at school (after I was already back home at my parents' house). Ugh.
Just the unity of those shows, the unity of the ska scene in general...is there even anything like that out there today?? I guess there must be, I guess I'm just getting too old to know...
I should end this post now; I'll leave you with my favorite SHJ quote: "I'd rather do it now and regret it later..." <3
In any case, it got me thinking a lot. SHJ, especially, brings back a LOT of memories for me - high school, "skankin' at the ska" as Bethany used to say, friends made through music...wow. The CT ska scene really defined a large chunk of my high school career, and is probably what got me through most of it! I was the first Rude Girl FHS ever saw, I do believe...
I miss those days. I was looking at a site that talked about Spring Heeled Jack's reunion show post-Dave (RIP), and I was so sad that I never got to go to that. I think I still have the unused tickets that I purchased, which arrived one day too late at school (after I was already back home at my parents' house). Ugh.
Just the unity of those shows, the unity of the ska scene in general...is there even anything like that out there today?? I guess there must be, I guess I'm just getting too old to know...
I should end this post now; I'll leave you with my favorite SHJ quote: "I'd rather do it now and regret it later..." <3
Thursday, October 14, 2004
IITYWYBAD?
Found out tonight that that means "If I tell you, will you buy a drink?" It's a diner booth placard in The Grapes of Wrath, that Steinbeck kind of just leaves unexplained. Neat, but I'm very glad the internet is around, because trying to figure out that word game would have kept me from enjoying the rest of the book for quite a while! Gah. Sometimes I wish I weren't so easily distracted, so easily drawn in to word games and the like.
Wow the car outside my window does not sound good.
Oooh I think I finished up my scarf today, yay! And I'm getting involved in development of a computer game that is geared towards girls, finally! I'm very excited for that - it's really what I've been wanting to do for a long time. I spoke with the woman about it today; I am waiting to receive their first conceptual CD in the mail, now.
And I finally finished watching Les quatre cent coups tonight, which was...all right. An interesting concept for a movie, and of course with Truffaut it was well-filmed and all, but...it just didn't grip me. If I had seen it in the theater, I think I would probably have been rather bored and disengaged. Bah, maybe it's just the bad side-effect of being brought up in America, where it seems that films must be full of action or else they feel like they aren't moving at all...*sigh*. Or maybe I'm just not cultured enough to appreciate it, who knows.
I've been missing Dan like crazy recently, and unfortunately it seems like the more I miss him, the less I get to talk to him...but that may just be because I have no life at the moment, and he does. I just get so scared that he doesn't like me anymore, at every turn. I know that's so not a good way to be, but it seems I can't stop my mind from assuming the worst.... Pour moi, c'est la vie, je crois!
I think I will go finish up a letter to Jenny, and then get to bed. I need the sleep!
Wow the car outside my window does not sound good.
Oooh I think I finished up my scarf today, yay! And I'm getting involved in development of a computer game that is geared towards girls, finally! I'm very excited for that - it's really what I've been wanting to do for a long time. I spoke with the woman about it today; I am waiting to receive their first conceptual CD in the mail, now.
And I finally finished watching Les quatre cent coups tonight, which was...all right. An interesting concept for a movie, and of course with Truffaut it was well-filmed and all, but...it just didn't grip me. If I had seen it in the theater, I think I would probably have been rather bored and disengaged. Bah, maybe it's just the bad side-effect of being brought up in America, where it seems that films must be full of action or else they feel like they aren't moving at all...*sigh*. Or maybe I'm just not cultured enough to appreciate it, who knows.
I've been missing Dan like crazy recently, and unfortunately it seems like the more I miss him, the less I get to talk to him...but that may just be because I have no life at the moment, and he does. I just get so scared that he doesn't like me anymore, at every turn. I know that's so not a good way to be, but it seems I can't stop my mind from assuming the worst.... Pour moi, c'est la vie, je crois!
I think I will go finish up a letter to Jenny, and then get to bed. I need the sleep!
like father, like son...
Bush I in '88 on why he wouldn't support an assault weapons ban: "But I also want to have - be the President that protects the rights of, of people to, to have arms. And that - so you don't go so far that the legitimate rights on some legislation are, are, you know, impinged on."
lyrics
Drain the pressure from the swelling,
This sensation's overwhelming,
Give me a long kiss goodnight,
And everything will be all right,
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
Give me novacaine.
[Green Day]
the final page is written in the books of history,
as man unleashed his deadly bombs and sent troops overseas
to fight a war which can't be won and kills the human race,
a show of greed and ignorance, man's quest for dominance.
they say when a mistake is made, a lesson has been learned.
but this time, there's no second chance, the hate engulfs the world.
a million lives are lost each day, a city slowly burns,
a mother holds her dying child, but no one is concerned.
[Bad Religion]
This sensation's overwhelming,
Give me a long kiss goodnight,
And everything will be all right,
Tell me that I won't feel a thing
Give me novacaine.
[Green Day]
the final page is written in the books of history,
as man unleashed his deadly bombs and sent troops overseas
to fight a war which can't be won and kills the human race,
a show of greed and ignorance, man's quest for dominance.
they say when a mistake is made, a lesson has been learned.
but this time, there's no second chance, the hate engulfs the world.
a million lives are lost each day, a city slowly burns,
a mother holds her dying child, but no one is concerned.
[Bad Religion]
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
wordplay
I've been reading Bill Bryson, who I adore - his The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way. I also adore linguisics and etymology and all that fun stuff, too. So, while I am nearly through with the book (which I really ought to read again, someday, to pick up on all the stuff I missed the first time - a lot like his A Short History of Nearly Everything), I thought I'd note down a few things that have caught my fancy in the past couple of pages.
my new favorite licence place: RUNVS? (well, without the question mark, but it helps)
my new favorite anagram: The Morse Code = Here come dots
my new favorite palindrome: Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?
And a French rebus: "Ga = J'ai grand appetit" (Say this in French: G grand, a petit.)
A never-erected Burma Shave ad (considered too risque): "If wifie shuns / your fond embrace / don't shoot / the iceman / feel your face."
my new favorite licence place: RUNVS? (well, without the question mark, but it helps)
my new favorite anagram: The Morse Code = Here come dots
my new favorite palindrome: Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?
And a French rebus: "Ga = J'ai grand appetit" (Say this in French: G grand, a petit.)
A never-erected Burma Shave ad (considered too risque): "If wifie shuns / your fond embrace / don't shoot / the iceman / feel your face."
i heart Britney?
So I made out with Britney Spears in my dream last night. I remember that I didn't particularly want to, but we had to for some reason. Hmm. I wonder what that says about me....
I also had a nightmare, later on, where my sister and mother and I had to kill these weird bugs that worked kind of like a computer virus and hatched from small, red bath-bead-like things. My mother got mad at me when company (my godmother) came over to visit, and I was rather preoccupied with the bugs - whenever I tried to interrupt her to tell her that they were hatching again, she would get angry with me and tell me to be polite because we had company.
Also, my "dad" in the dream was some creepy, completely unfamiliar beer-gutted, balding, dark-haired man who burped as he passed us, waved hello with a beer in his hand, and walked on by as we were busy killing the bugs. Huh?
Good thing that's nothing like my Santa Claus dad. I like mine much better. And I'm pretty sure he would've helped us kill the bugs.
I also had a nightmare, later on, where my sister and mother and I had to kill these weird bugs that worked kind of like a computer virus and hatched from small, red bath-bead-like things. My mother got mad at me when company (my godmother) came over to visit, and I was rather preoccupied with the bugs - whenever I tried to interrupt her to tell her that they were hatching again, she would get angry with me and tell me to be polite because we had company.
Also, my "dad" in the dream was some creepy, completely unfamiliar beer-gutted, balding, dark-haired man who burped as he passed us, waved hello with a beer in his hand, and walked on by as we were busy killing the bugs. Huh?
Good thing that's nothing like my Santa Claus dad. I like mine much better. And I'm pretty sure he would've helped us kill the bugs.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
baby it's cold outside
I'm taking a break from work, not really sure why, but I can't focus right now. But then again, what's new. I don't think I should have gone for this whole working-from-home thing, after all...but we'll give it this year. At least I am producing stuff, but I never feel like it's enough.
Last night I watched some episodes of My So-Called Life (one of the few DVDs I own). I always forget how much I freakin' love that show. ("I freakin' love you, too, Ron Burgandy!") It was so incredibly well done - the acting is impeccable, the stories real, ... I dunno. I guess I just never got over the fact that they cancelled that show after one season, when it was one of the best shows I've ever seen on TV. How could they not see that?
Not that I even watch TV anymore anyway, so I couldn't say if there is anything out now that is comparable. People tell me Sex and the City is good, but I have never seen it. I know it's not the same thing as MSCL, but I guess it would be nice to find another show I appreciate, that I could watch on DVD. One that I don't know every line of by heart, hehe.
I mean of course there's always my Simpsons and Family Guy DVDs, and while they are fantastic, they're cartoons and comedy. Not quite the same thing.
Oh! And I also got a ton done on my scarf yesterday night; I have only been knitting it since Sunday afternoon, when Chandra and I bought yarn together! Yes, I said Chandra - we met up in Wilkes-Barre, PA for the weekend! It was so great to see her; it always seems like it's been too damn long, since I've known her since we were in 4th grade. Anyway, we got our hotel room on Saturday evening and then we out to the races! Pocono Downs is a sulky racing track in WB; I have never been to any kind of racing, so it was a ton of fun. Chandra bet on a random horse named Pieceofcake Kosmos, just because she liked the name. $2. Turns out that horse had *awful* odds, and she ended up making $19 off of her win! Nice job.
We spent some of our winnings on Dunkin Donuts the next morning, then drove around looking for a place to buy some yarn. After shopping for a bit at a mall we came across, we ended up at Michael's Arts & Crafts and bought what we needed, then sat around knitting in a nearby Barnes & Noble. Yeah, we're quite the party girls! Haha. But we always have so much fun together, it doesn't matter what we do. I love that girl.
Umm...not much else to report. Finally bought that toilet paper this morning that our apartment so badly needed. I was gonna try to get Dave to buy it because I feel like I buy everything for the house, but he has been out of town (at home in CT) for the past few days, and the situation was getting dire. Oh well, I'll try next time... I feel like I always end up caving in, though, because we both know if we really need something that badly, I'll just *have* to get it, right?
Maybe next time I'll just hoard the paper in my room and pretend like I don't need to use the bathroom until Dave needs paper, haha. Okay so I know he's a boy and he doesn't use nearly as much as a girl, but I mean I have bought other things which he uses. I dunno. Am I being unreasonable?
Okay, I have GOT to get back to work. I might add more later on tonight, or tomorrow. I feel like I want to start updating this more often, but like I have said before, my life seems to stupid and insignificant. Why write about it for others to see? Well, I guess everyone's doing it...and if everyone jumped off a bridge, you know I would, too! (That was sarcasm. I shouldn't be doing this because everyone else does. I'll have to think about that one...)
Last night I watched some episodes of My So-Called Life (one of the few DVDs I own). I always forget how much I freakin' love that show. ("I freakin' love you, too, Ron Burgandy!") It was so incredibly well done - the acting is impeccable, the stories real, ... I dunno. I guess I just never got over the fact that they cancelled that show after one season, when it was one of the best shows I've ever seen on TV. How could they not see that?
Not that I even watch TV anymore anyway, so I couldn't say if there is anything out now that is comparable. People tell me Sex and the City is good, but I have never seen it. I know it's not the same thing as MSCL, but I guess it would be nice to find another show I appreciate, that I could watch on DVD. One that I don't know every line of by heart, hehe.
I mean of course there's always my Simpsons and Family Guy DVDs, and while they are fantastic, they're cartoons and comedy. Not quite the same thing.
Oh! And I also got a ton done on my scarf yesterday night; I have only been knitting it since Sunday afternoon, when Chandra and I bought yarn together! Yes, I said Chandra - we met up in Wilkes-Barre, PA for the weekend! It was so great to see her; it always seems like it's been too damn long, since I've known her since we were in 4th grade. Anyway, we got our hotel room on Saturday evening and then we out to the races! Pocono Downs is a sulky racing track in WB; I have never been to any kind of racing, so it was a ton of fun. Chandra bet on a random horse named Pieceofcake Kosmos, just because she liked the name. $2. Turns out that horse had *awful* odds, and she ended up making $19 off of her win! Nice job.
We spent some of our winnings on Dunkin Donuts the next morning, then drove around looking for a place to buy some yarn. After shopping for a bit at a mall we came across, we ended up at Michael's Arts & Crafts and bought what we needed, then sat around knitting in a nearby Barnes & Noble. Yeah, we're quite the party girls! Haha. But we always have so much fun together, it doesn't matter what we do. I love that girl.
Umm...not much else to report. Finally bought that toilet paper this morning that our apartment so badly needed. I was gonna try to get Dave to buy it because I feel like I buy everything for the house, but he has been out of town (at home in CT) for the past few days, and the situation was getting dire. Oh well, I'll try next time... I feel like I always end up caving in, though, because we both know if we really need something that badly, I'll just *have* to get it, right?
Maybe next time I'll just hoard the paper in my room and pretend like I don't need to use the bathroom until Dave needs paper, haha. Okay so I know he's a boy and he doesn't use nearly as much as a girl, but I mean I have bought other things which he uses. I dunno. Am I being unreasonable?
Okay, I have GOT to get back to work. I might add more later on tonight, or tomorrow. I feel like I want to start updating this more often, but like I have said before, my life seems to stupid and insignificant. Why write about it for others to see? Well, I guess everyone's doing it...and if everyone jumped off a bridge, you know I would, too! (That was sarcasm. I shouldn't be doing this because everyone else does. I'll have to think about that one...)
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
vanity fair
Well, here I am, home in CT for the week! I'm very glad to be back, for many reasons. My family, my friends, my Danny. I just got to spend a weekend with my boy, and he is wonderful. Now I am at my parents' for the time being; I had a nice dinner with them when I got home from work tonight, and then got to hang out with Marsha! Yay, what a night. :) We went to see Vanity Fair, which was very visually pleasing, but not an outstanding movie, otherwise. It was very pretty, though. I adore the period clothing...I wish I could be glamorous like that. Yes, yes, I'm quite aware that it took many hours and much pain to look like that in those days, but still...it's just such a neat look.
I went to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow the other night with Dan & Co.; that's another time period where the women dressed really well. Hah I guess I should have been born in a different time...or I'll just have to make the best of the times we live in. Which is probably all for the best. I'd much rather have been born when I was. Good fashion or not.
I'm babbling. I think it's because it's late, and I have yet to take a shower. And tomorrow I get to get up early and commute for an hour to work! Woot - wow, am I glad I don't have to do that every day.
Goodnight...I feel like I should start making these entries more...substantial. I guess I have an excuse for now, that I'm just trying to get a hang of this thing. All in due time, all in due time!
I went to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow the other night with Dan & Co.; that's another time period where the women dressed really well. Hah I guess I should have been born in a different time...or I'll just have to make the best of the times we live in. Which is probably all for the best. I'd much rather have been born when I was. Good fashion or not.
I'm babbling. I think it's because it's late, and I have yet to take a shower. And tomorrow I get to get up early and commute for an hour to work! Woot - wow, am I glad I don't have to do that every day.
Goodnight...I feel like I should start making these entries more...substantial. I guess I have an excuse for now, that I'm just trying to get a hang of this thing. All in due time, all in due time!
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
what Family Guy character are you?
Bhavi just sent me this. All I have to say is...I don't know what to say. I guess I should take it as a compliment...but I have to admit, I had been hoping for Brian. He's so classy.
Which Family Guy character are you?
Which Family Guy character are you?
Monday, September 13, 2004
took me long enough, huh?
Well, I am gonna give this thing another go...I can't remember why I got frustrated with this site and decided that I didn't want to post here - there was something I couldn't do that I wanted to be able to do. I'll let you know if I remember what that was (and get frustrated again! heh). In any case, I'm back and I'm going to try to be better about posting! Let's see...so a LOT has changed since I last wrote in June. For one thing, I live in another state! I'm up here in Ithaca, NY just doing my thing as usual. I have the same job; now I work from home. I live with my friend Dave, and we have a really nice apartment just a block down from the Commons, which is awesome. I really don't know many people in the area yet, but I am trying to get involved in things to both get me out of the house and get me meeting some people. So far, so good - we'll see how things go! I figure I'll give this place half a year or so, and if I just really do hate it here, I will see what I can do about moving out. I would hate ditching Dave, but I am not going to spend a year being miserable in a situation that I can change!
Well, I am just sitting here complaining, and I have work to get done. So for now - ciao. I'll write more later, probably. (Especially if I ever figure out what that annoying thing was! Cuz now it's bothering me, and I want to remember...)
Well, I am just sitting here complaining, and I have work to get done. So for now - ciao. I'll write more later, probably. (Especially if I ever figure out what that annoying thing was! Cuz now it's bothering me, and I want to remember...)
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
okay, so here I am.
This is my first official day with a weblog. I have tried to do my own version of this kind of thing in the past, but haven't succeeded (due to a lack of ASP support by my ISP), so...here's to signing up to join the masses of crap that are already out there...!
*Wish me luck.*
*Wish me luck.*
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