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02.28.2003:: Friday Five!
1. What is your favorite type of literature to read (magazine, newspaper, novels, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)?
These days usually novels but nothing too heavy. I used to read a lot of nonfiction in my younger days.2. What is your favorite novel?
Hmm, probably my favorite of all time would have to be anything written by the brilliant and sadly, late, Douglas Adams. Notably "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." He wrote with astounding wit, humor and this way of yanking your head around, gently, and making you see the absurdity in life, and then laugh about it. I think my favorite over the past year would have to be "Good In Bed" by Jennifer Weiner. It's excellently written and gets the concept across that a woman can be beautiful and vital at any size.3. Do you have a favorite poem? (Share it!)
Okay, I love haiku but don't know any off the top of my head. Other than that I have to admit I'm not a huge poetry buff. Years ago, being incredibly silly, my friend Meg and I used to amuse each other by spouting off "The grizzly bear is huge and wild... He hath devoured the infant child... The infant child is not aware... He has been eaten by the bear." Short, easy to remember and devastatingly ghastly. And of course we were never in favor of children being eaten by bears. It was just the idea that anyone, infant or not, could NOT be aware of being eaten by a bear that got us going, I think. Next!4. What is one thing you've always wanted to read, or wish you had more time to read?
"A Beautiful Mind" that Jz gave me for a present last year. And all the novels that are gathering dust on my nightstand, from the book buying runs we make every so often to Borders.5. What are you currently reading?
"Jemima J" by Jane Green
02.27.2003:: Mail Order Bride
It's a movie, not even in theatrical release yet. Red Elvises did the music for it and appear all too briefly at the very end for a few seconds. I saw it screened at the American Film Market film festival in Santa Monica on Friday and Monday. We're hoping it gets bought for theatrical release. So far the only country that has bought it is, strangely enough, Iraq. It's very funny, which it's supposed to be, and takes place in New York and in Russia. I ended up on Monday having a long "Hollywood-type" lunch and drinks with various people associated with the movie, including Oleg from Red Elvises, Robert Capelli, Jr. who plays the male lead, Anthony Santini, in the film, the producer whose name is Sergey, Robert's friend J. Eddie Peck (who has been on some daytime shows among other things. He just finished a lengthy run as Dr. Jake Martin on All My Children), Schramm who is a new member of Red Elvises and some other interesting people. Sergey had a video camera on people as they talked and cell phones kept ringing all around...it was possibly the most "LA" thing I've ever been at in my life...I just kept my mouth shut and drank it all in for a while. Later, Oleg asked me to take some pictures. I'll put up some more in a few days.
I helped Jz get her brand new website, Purpledog.net up and running tonight. No real content yet but I'm sure she will come up with something cool for it. I'm going to teach her all the extremely basic HTML I know and then I'm sure she'll surpass me eventually because she's a very smart girl.
Gawd, did American Idol suck this week! Group 4 had very little to offer without Frenchie, in my opinion. Patrick has a nice voice but those damn spike bracelets are SO eighties, or maybe late punk-era 1970s, and the way he has his beard tied into a little obnoxious tail just looks stupid..again, in my opinion. Josh the singing Marine sings really well...he's a little "straight arrow" acting but I guess that's why he's a Marine...very Mom and hot dogs and apple pie and all that. Takes all kinds. I can't stand Corey. I don't like his attitude, didn't like his hat or the way he looked down. I don't give a rat's ass how well he sings, there's just too much about that guy I don't like. None of the girls were any good and one of them looked way too much like Britney Spears. I can't believe they're bringing back some people who didn't make it to the top 32 for the wild card show...wild, huh? Oh well...it should be an interesting show when the Top 10 gels into place.
Must. Go. To. Bed. Kaytalina tired.
02.20.2003:: Poetry-Boy???
Oh my God, Trista chose Ryan?!! Yeah, he's cute, but what a little boy he seems. Hmm. Oh well. I just knew she'd choose Charlie, but if she's happy, I don't care. Oh, but wait, I didn't care all that much in the first place really. I liked Bob. He should be the next Bachelor.
02.19.2003:: Short-Answer Survey
Here's a cool survey sent to me by my friend Ealasaid. Feel free to use it to send to your friends or put on your own site if you have one.
* Your name spelled backwards:
Tyak (sounds like some sort of Tibetan goat, huh?)* Where were your parents born?
Father, in Alabama, moved to Florida as an infant; Mother, in rural North Carolina* What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
Mahjong Towers, and boy was I pissed when it barely let me play it for five minutes (or maybe for a couple of days...maybe) before refusing to work any more and demanding payment for the full version! Grr. I don't mind demos but be a little generous, jeez.* What's your favorite restaurant?
I have several: Cheesecake Factory (yum, salads that rock! Screw the cheesecake, which is excellent, of course, but way too full of sugar for me), Olive Garden, Red Lobster, La Cabana for Mexican food (best in Venice, CA) and Claim Jumper.* Last time you swam in a pool?
Dude...it's been literally years! Can't recall... I honestly own a bathing suit I bought several years ago that I've never used.* Have you ever been in a school play?
Nothing I can remember other than the occasional Christmas pageant. In 2nd grade I got sick and missed one and was really upset. I think we did "Our Town" in high school but I don't think I was actually in it. It's all a blur.* How many kids do you want?
I've toyed with the idea over the years, but actually, none. I don't think I'd be good at parenting, I'm much too selfish.* Type of music you dislike most.
Old timey "twangy" country, violent-sounding/female bashing rap or Britney Spears/Kylie Minogue type crap. But if forced to listen to any of that I guess I'd have to take the country.* Are you registered to vote?
I'm embarrassed to say the only voting I've done recently was for American Idol.* Do you have cable?
Yes! We just recently got digital cable on 2 of our 3 TVs. And Showtime! Now I can see The Chris Isaak Show! Woohoo! And HBO...now I can continue my avoidance of "Sex in the City" by choice. Yay!* Have you ever ridden on a moped?
No, just on the back of a motorcycle once, briefly and quite slowly (it was my now-late uncle's bike). I was a young teenager and wished mightily that he'd drive faster.* Ever prank call anybody?
Heh heh, when I was about 14 or so, at a slumber party...not since. And actually, it was my friend who did it then. She convinced some poor schmuck that she was his girlfriend, stranded at the bus station. She called him back five minutes after hanging up and there was no answer. To this day I'm convinced he hung up and headed off to the bus station to pick up "Kitty," who my friend impersonated.* Ever get a parking ticket?
God, yes. Bastards. Hah. I fought the Law on the last one and the Law won.* Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
Absolutely not! I parasailed once and loved it....I might hang glide someday, but probably not. Apparently, things that send me UP in the air work better for me than things that only take me down to the ground.* Furthest place you ever traveled
England, 3 times. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Want to go again someday!* Do you have a garden?
No, I have several indoor plants I've so far managed to not kill. Although here's a tip: Don't let your bamboo plant get too much light. It will turn yellow and die. Said the guy at the bamboo kiosk at the mall when I went to replace my plant, "It's hard to kill bamboo!" Apparently not for some people. Duh.* What's your favorite comic strip?
I don't really read comics much...maybe Peanuts or Garfield.* Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?
Whoever said I did? And I'd never attempt to sing it on national TV either.* Bath or shower, morning or night?
Usually showers, either time, depending on time and my mood. Sometimes baths to relax, with plenty of bubbles or bath bead thingies.* Best movie you've seen in the past month?
Definitely "The Banger Sisters" on DVD.* Favorite pizza topping
Mushrooms. But I don't eat as much pizza as I used to since totally changing my eating habits last year.* Chips or popcorn?
Neither, but if I had to choose I'd say lite popcorn, just a little.* What color lipstick do you usually wear?
Usually reddish brown when I wear it, usually a M.A.C. shade* Have you ever smoked peanut shells?
Huh? You can smoke those? Why on earth would you want to?? I don't get it.* Have you ever been in a beauty pageant?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, no.* Orange Juice or apple
Neither, I like Diet V8 Splash - lots fewer calories and tons less sugar. Not enough diet flavors though. I emailed the company, Campbell's, I think it is. They emailed back telling me where to find the stuff. What we have here is a failure to communicate.* Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine?
Jz, we went to the Cheesecake Factory in Sherman Oaks. It was yummy.* Favorite type chocolate bar?
Since last August I don't eat chocolate bars per se any more. Not like Snickers, anyway. But sometimes I like a Pure Protein bar or one of those sugar-free kind you can buy at a drug store.* When was the last time you voted at the polls?
Eons ago in Florida, probably* Last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
Hmm, that would have to have been back in the late 80s in East Texas at Jz's parents' house.* Have you ever won a trophy?
I don't think so...I once won a Science Fair ribbon in 8th grade. And a couple of ribbons for a cat I entered in the Household Pets Division of a cat show at a shopping mall when I was ten. Back then kids could wander around neighborhoods alone without too much worry (my 8-year-old friend was with me). But even so, how I managed to walk over to the shopping mall carrying our cat without my mother knowing I took her is a mystery to me. The cat didn't seem to mind.* Are you a good cook?
I can cook chicken, hamburgers, lasagna and most breakfast foods with the exception of bacon. I technically could probably manage to get just about anything cooked if I had a recipe, the right ingredients and enough time, but I'm certainly no gourmet.* Do you know how to pump your own gas?
Sure, it's 2003, who doesn't?* Ever order an article from an infomercial?
No, just a set of CDs as a gift, from one of those "not sold in stores" TV commercials.* Sprite or 7-up?
Diet either but I prefer Diet Dr. Pepper.* Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work?
Not since way back in the dawn of time during part-time jobs held during college.* Last thing you bought at a pharmacy?
Hair dye.* Ever throw up in public?
Ew! Depends on one's definition of "public." I think the last time that happened I felt sick while in a car parked at a McDonald's, and I got out of the car and did it by a trash can over by a wall, but it was dark and I doubt anyone saw me. If you throw up outdoors and no one sees you does it still count? Yuck, don't answer that.* Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love?
I have to choose?!! Both! But really, what good is money if you have no one to share it with who isn't only after you for your money? So I'd have to say love. And then if my love and I could please get the million dollars, that'd be great. Unmarked bills, please. Heh.* Do you believe in love at first sight?
I think on very special and rare occasions it could possibly happen.* Ever call a 1-900 number?
You mean like phone sex with bored, underpaid call center employees who eke out their livings by talking dirty to strangers? Eww, that's like, sooooo stoopid!* Can ex's be friends?
Only with "y"s. (With any luck I'll never see most of my ex's again.)* Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?
I guess Jz, in 1990. And she was good enough not to laugh at me for being a complete basket case.* Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby?
Yes, I was born with lots of dark curly hair. Kept it all through babyhood too.* What message is on your answering machine?
Not sure, I didn't record it. Just something like "We can't take your call right now...leave a message and we'll call you back" or something. The usual, it gets the job done.* What's your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character?
Any of Gilda Radner's: Judy Miller or Lisa Loopner or Rosanne Rosannadanna. Gilda was one of the great comedians of our time.* What was the name of your first pet?
Billy, a German Shepherd mix. My parents got him and named him before I was born. Given my now-late father's penchant for naming pets the obvious, it's a wonder that dog wasn't called "Shep" or "Blackie," now that I think about it.* What is in your purse?
Trust me, no one really wants to know this! But I'll tell you anyway. Wallet, keys, cell phone, a pen, hand lotion, various lipsticks that I usually forget to use, breath flash strips and lots and lots of little pieces of paper.* Favorite thing to do before bedtime?
Check my email/Update my website. Sometimes read.* What is one thing you are grateful for today?
Being alive, having people in my life who love and like me and having a job. Oh wait, that's 3 things. I'm also grateful that I haven't lost the ability to count.*Snerk!*
02.17.2003:: Monday Mission
My Monday Mission is usually to get out of bed and just do what needs to be done toward getting ready to go to work. But here are Promo Guy's questions:
1. For me, breakfast usually consists of a bagel and cream cheese. And I wait until about 10AM to eat it, mostly to avoid eating a mid-morning snack. What do you like to eat for breakfast? Do you even eat breakfast?
Every weekday morning I eat two slices of whole grain toast with a little peanut butter on them. I'm as predictable as, yes, toast. On weekends it varies; sometimes I don't even eat breakfast on a weekend morning.2. Back in 1990, I worked at a radio station in the Promotions Department. Our office was directly below the DJ booth. One day there was this thundering bass booming from upstairs. It was just a huge booming sound, with an amazing beat. My manager and I bolted out of the office and up the stairs to the production room. When we opened the door I was smacked in the body by a wall of sound. What I heard reminded me of "Super Freak" but the bass was thumping like I'd never heard before. Then the vocals began, it was a "rap" I would never forget: "My, my, my music hits me so hard, makes me say 'Oh, My Lord, thank you for blessin' me, with a mind to rhyme and two hyped feet.'" The song was MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" and it blew my mind. What was the song that "blew your mind" and is etched in your brain forever? Recall the moment and why it remains in your mind.
I was in a car with Jz and the Red Elvises' CD "I Wanna See You Belly Dance" was in the CD player, which she had gotten from a friend, who was also a friend of the band. When the title track played I remember liking it a LOT. It was like nothing else I'd ever heard before. That was over four years ago and every new song they do still amazes me.3. Do you like to gamble? Have you ever won (or lost) big?
I love it when I can afford it, but I'm not a high stakes gambler by any means. A couple of times in the distant past I won half-box "triples" at a horse racetrack in New York back when I lived there. Each half-box bet involves an investment of $6.00. On one of them I won $88. I once had four of the six numbers in the New York lottery and only won $25. And once in Vegas, on a dollar slot machine at the MGM Grand, I won $200 - that was about the luckiest I've been with gambling.4. Some people find comfort for their troubled mind in food. Others find it in music or books. What do you turn to for comfort when you are troubled or worried?
Me? I just panic! But other than that, I just take deep breaths and try to find a solution. I'm very problem-resolution oriented, I guess. And sleep is always good too.5. When was the last time you felt apathetic? What was it about? Hmm, not sure. I'll get back to you on that one. Maybe about cleaning my room.
6. I just read that Google bought Pyra Labs (Blogger.com). Although Blogging was going "mainstream" before this, it most certainly will now have greater exposure, and one assumes, bring us even more Bloggers. Is this a good thing?
More bloggers? Sure, bring 'em on. I really don't know.7. What did you do with all your free time before you blogged?
Free time? Hah! WHAT free time? I never really have any of that, I just wedge my website design and updating in wherever I can.BONUS: Should I stay or should I go now?
I should go. Definitely go. I have to go to work! Ack, look at the time!
02.15.2003:: In Defense of the "F" Word
Browsing around on the Internet earlier while putting off doing what would actually be productive, I had a thought to visit The Onion, a site I haven't been to in too long. Here's a very funny article about a woman who supposedly never swore in her life and suddenly started doing it, much to the amazement and delight of her 30-something children: "Kids Excited Mom Learning To Swear."I love it. This totally cracked me up. Go, Onion!
I love words, as anyone even remotely calling oneself a writer should. I don't believe certain words have any sort of power unless people assign power to them, although there are many words that conjure up horrible images without much help, such as those associated with any sort of cruelty or other heinous crimes against human dignity. Common swear words though, unless used abusively toward another person, should really not be on the Top Ten List of Most Heinous World Problems. I mean, come on, somehow, when one of my toes runs into an immovable piece of furniture and pain shoots through the appropriate nerve endings like a bolt of lightning, the phrase "Oh fudge!" just doesn't work for me.
If you're easily offended by four-letter words that begin with "f" and end with "u-c-k," don't read the next paragraph. Okay? Okay.
Strictly my own opinion here, but the word "fuck" happens to be one of my favorites. It's so cute and short and, well, versatile. It can be used for the act that can create life or as part of a phrase expressing utter exasperation, as in "Oh, for fuck's sake, Eric, will you just shut the fuck up already?" (Name used completely at random and not meant to indicate any actual person, living or dead, blah blah blah). In some languages, as I understand it, there is no word that translates as "lovemaking," and the equivalent of some form of "fuck" is a viable substitute. But don't quote me on that, because unfortunately I'm so hopelessly American that my command of any other language beyond English is severly limited to less than ten, and in some cases, less than two, words and phrases. You want Spanish? Sure you do, since I live in Southern California and have no good excuse...I can ask how you formally are and tell you my name in Spanish, but that's about it. I can ask where the library is, or where the chicken is, in French. In German I can ask where the bus is and more or less announce to anyone who really wants to know that the cat is under the bed. In Russian I can say "yes," "no," "good morning" and "whore." I haven't ever managed to even learn how to ask "Where is the whore?" in that language, or indeed even make all the sounds of their 33-character Cyrillic alphabet. I'm hardly ready for a trip around the world. But I do believe I have a pretty good grasp on English. Now granted there are more eloquent ways to express oneself than by turning the air blue with "foul" (Not to be confused with "fowl" as in the aforementioned French "Ou est la poulet?" phrase) language. But let's face it, for many of us, swearing is fun.
Yes, it so the hell is. Sometimes. Shit, I like it.
But having said that, I think the delight of the article, and the point of it, is the glee the woman's children feel to find that their mom is finally lightening up and learning to just let go and express her feelings in the four-letter way. Here's how it all started, may the Onion forgive me for quoting (and may the Grammar Police look the other way with the first three words of this quote!):
[ "Me and Michael were going to the nursing home with her to see Grandma," James said. "Mom was already worked up because she couldn't find the right container for the ham. So we go out to the garage and a light bulb blows. She says, and I quote, 'This fucking house is falling apart.' We could not believe Mom said 'fucking.' We begged her to repeat it, but she wouldn't. She just said, 'Oh, you two be quiet.'" ]
Hee! I know how not being able to find the right food container can set me off. Click the link above to read the entire story. Must have been a slow news day in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and thank the humorous heavens for that!
02.14.2003:: Happy Valentines Day!
Hey, I'm going to do my very first Friday Five! Thanks to Ealasaid for the inspiration and link. This is possibly the longest answer to a Friday Five in history, but here goes:
The Friday 5:
1. Explain why you started to journal/blog.
I've always enjoyed writing but for some weird reason have always sucked at keeping handwritten journals, at least as a so-called adult. I am attracted like a moth to a flame to my computer though, so the concept of typing my thoughts and putting them on a page of my own design for anyone to see is strangely appealing to me. I originally got the idea of doing an online journal from a fellow Southern California transplant, Shelley, who I found on the Internet by searching for "Red Elvises." That led me to her journal, Shelleyness, which I thought was a cool concept.2. Do people you interact with day to day or family members know about your journal/blog? Why or why not?
Yes, most do now. When I mentioned my website to some co-workers I had to stop and think 'Have I ever written anything that would seem strange or offensive to people who have to work with me on a daily basis?' - only because it doesn't always bode well to have one's co-workers think one TOO strange... or, in my case, too weird. If your friends think you're weird in one way or another they will usually put up with you anyway unless what you're doing is illegal or waaaay beyond the bounds of morality, and even then some will still deal with it...or else they wouldn't be your friends, right? But co-workers are under no such obligation.3. Do you have a theme for your journal/blog?
Uh, "Some Sort of Design That Doesn't Suck?" With any luck maybe it'll be slightly funny at times.4. What direction would you like to have your journal/blog go in over the next year?
Updated regularly!! And containing more of my fiction writing, much of which exists only in my head at this point.5. Pimp five of your favorite journals/blogs.
Well I already mentioned Ealasaid's very intelligent and well-written Ego, Ego, Ego! above, and my original inspiration Shelleyness. And there's the one written by one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner ("Good In Bed" and "In Her Shoes" are her first two novels, both excellently written fiction about interesting and vital women, not to mention great reads!): SnarkSpot. And since I don't really have the time to read a LOT of blogs and so on (partly because of spending way too much time at TWoP),there's one I've read on and off for a while: Freak Magnet, and one that looks pretty interesting and has kick ass design that I've recently come across: Beer Mary's Rant-O-Rama. I love just about anything that has that - O - thing going on in the middle of it! "Land - O - Lakes," "Bag - O - Rocks," "Bucket - O - Chicken"...you get the idea. Although since the Healthy Eating way of life began last August, I haven't loved the bucket - o - chicken so much in a while. Is that five? Am I done? Time for bed, before I become too Full - O - Crap!Oh, Puppy Progress Report: Skyler continues to improve and now it's barely noticeable that he's favoring his back left leg at all. The vet didn't even need to wrap his little leg, it's just healing nicely on its own and he seems to have no pain. You'd never know he was neutered earlier this week either. He's amazing. And still, in my not-so-humble opinion, The World's Cutest Puppy. I fully realize other people with dogs may not agree, but he really really is. You'd just have to know him. *snerk*
02.13.2003:: Skyler is home!
Our baby is home now and doing fine. He seems to be feeling much better and even tries to jump around and play some, putting a little weight on his leg now. Nothing much seems to faze that little dog, I'm happy to say.The big reality TV news was all about Frenchie getting booted off American Idol for indiscretions in her past that involved posing on a porn website. It's true that wasn't the best job she could have chosen, but everyone makes mistakes, and she was over 18 when she did it. And she has a magnificent voice... it's just such a shame she won't be allowed to compete. It would've struck such a blow for talent over size. Ah well, Ruben made it into the top ten anyway, and he's much bigger, girth-wise, than Frenchie. He seems like such a nice guy too, and what a beautiful voice! My God, I was watching him sing on his first night and I had the thought that he just couldn't hit a bad note. Kimberly Locke made it too. She looks to be about a size 12, the national average for women. So she's not a toothpick either, but not all that fat. Still, I think it's terrific that none of the top 3 this week were classic beauties or "perfect" looking people. Clay has a gorgeous voice too, so maybe he'll make it as a wildcard pick. I hope so. Ruben and Kimberly were exactly the two I voted for, so it was interesting to see that I agreed with the rest of America. Kinda scary actually, but I do think the best two made it through this week.
The Bachelorette, well, it was the Return of the Rejects show, and Bob just shone as the best of the bunch. Now talk about a nice guy! He seems like he'd be a terrific friend. Now what was UP with Rob's hair? Hard to believe he makes it look that weird on purpose! All shaggy but not like it just accidentally fell down that way, more like he moused and gelled it into submission, down, elf-like, around his ears. I wonder how many hours he has to spend in front of the bathroom mirror to achieve that look? Hmmm. And I can't believe that woman in the audience asked Trista about her orgasms, or lack of them! Ewww, actually - not something I have a burning need to know about her!
And last but not least, Celebrity Mole - what a surprise! I had thought the Mole was either Kathy Griffin or that cute young kid, Erik, but it turned out to be Frederique the Victoria's Secret model. But Kathy was the winner, woohoo! She's so nice, she deserves it. I sure would like to win even half that amount of money myself though...half of $233,000 would go a loooonnnngggg way with me.
Still waiting for P to get her car and take us for a ride!!! Now I'm ready to win something big too! Oops, that reminds me, I should check my Lottery numbers. Hah! As if.
02.12.2003:: And one more redesign!
Okay, anyone who saw this site yesterday, forget that you saw it. This one is better. I think Jz was right - she liked my old logo better, and I think I do too.Guess what? Our friend P (of P&P) won a car yesterday!!!!! Holy crap, yes!! From a radio station, after a great deal of effort collecting points for their game for a very long time. She earned that car and really really really deserved to win it because she's a good person who should get something really good. About time! Yay! It's just so amazing for all of us and almost doesn't seem quite real just yet. I've never known anyone who won something of such major significance before. I think we'll all be even more blown away when we actually see the car. Watch for pix on this very site.
On a sad note, our little puppy Skyler is at the vet again. He fell and hurt one of his back legs, so the vet wanted to x-ray him. NOw since he's a Westie, a very active little boy, the chances of him lying still for the x-ray were slim and none, so they needed to give him a little anesthesia, and since they were going to do that, why not go ahead and neuter him now. They said he's old enough, even though we had planned to wait until he was closer to six months old. He's four and a half months old now. Because of his age, they had to use a special anesthesia, which of course was much more expensive. But his safety is important, of course. He should be fine, it's just so upsetting to us both that he has to go through it all. Updates soon on this.
02.11.2003:: At Last: a Redesign!
I haven't updated in the past week because I've been working on this redesign, and I have to say, I rather like it. I'm proud of the fact that it's hand coded. My limited but somewhat effective HTML skills are all well-dusted off now and quite pushed to their limits. But it's done. For now at least.Anyway...Do you like it? Is it just too weird? Yes? Yay, that's kinda the point.
There's so much going on and I'm too tired to adequately write about anything right now much beyond the fact of how tired I am. It's so sad about the loss of the Columbia crew. It's beyond ridiculous and tragic that plans for going to war with Iraq are still apparently going full steam ahead. Damn Bush! Damn damn damn. And on to something even more mindless...
Reality television tonight yielded only the lamest "Joe Millionaire" there could ever be. What a cheap ass way to try to get people to watch this assinine show for one more week - after teasing us unmercifully all this time that the knuckle dragger (hmm...should "knuckle-dragger" be hyphenated? Are there more than three people in the entire sentient universe who would give a rat's ass?) would choose between the two remaining girls, then they up and hit us at the end with that "tune in next week to see who he chooses!" cliffhanger-wannabe shit. Argh. So next week he'll tell them the truth, all the previously rejected girlies will return and we'll see who tears whose eyeballs out and stomps them into a bloody gelatinous mess all over the freakin' chateau.
Ahem...
Nevermind...I'm just tired and cranky. Will be in a better mood tomorrow.
Okay, here's an "up" note, for me, at least -- On the 21st of this month I'll be going to a film screening! Red Elvises have done another soundtrack! The result is a new movie called "Mail Order Bride" (working title was "The Russian Job") and they have a cameo in it. I can hardly wait!!!
There. I'm in a slightly better mood already.
02.04.2003:: I'm such a lazybutt...
Confession time: I haven't worked on my novel AT ALL since the end of November. And yes, I'm virtually hanging my head in shame...well, okay, right now I'm staring at my computer screen, but I promise that later I will hang my head in shame for at least a nanosecond or two. I have Writer's Guilt over this, really, I do. I wish I could say that I'm organized enough to schedule a certain time for writing and disciplined enough to stick to that and actually make words and sentences and paragraphs and transitions and a finished novel suitable for at least reading if not publishing come out of the hiding places in my head and appear in my Word documents as if by magic, but alas... (love that word "alas," ah... almost as much as I love the word "hence...") if I said all that I would be verbose...and lying. I have not totally abandoned my characters, and I WILL finish "The Theory of Swimming." I will work on it soon. I promise. I swear. Damn. I'll do it before I get my life organized, because if I wait till after I accomplish that it won't happen until the sun goes supernova and whatever bacteria (and cockroaches) are left are plunged into a world of eternal darkness with a side of ice floe.Hmph.
Okay, so how about American Idol? Tonight I liked...Kimberly from Katy, TX...not crazy about her persona, as viewed previously - apparently snubbing the other girl from her group who made the cut, but she sure can sing. And the African American girl whose name starts with a "T" (can't think of it right now, unusual name), really liked her voice a lot. The guy in between them, J.D., was pretty good for a guy. He was certainly, in my opinion, the best guy on there tonight. Poor big dude, forgot his name too, got overly criticized for his clothing choice...thought it was a singing competition, not a fashion competition - none of the thin contestants got critiqued this way. I felt bad for him that his daddy stepped in to argue with Simon, how humiliating! But he didn't seem bothered by that. And the last girl who sang tonight, Julia, she who was snubbed by blonde Kimberly who sang first...well, Julia isn't the most spectacular-looking girl but damn, she can sing! I like her. I hope she continues. And the highlight of all this, for both Jz and me? We both learned how to send text messages on our AT&T Wireless cell phones, in order to vote! Woohoo! Who says television isn't educational?
And later, in between watching our tape of Gilmore Girls we took time out to watch The Osbournes, a great reality show that I forgot to mention the first time I mentioned my new realityTV-addiction. I love this show! It was a little surreal watching it in between the tape of Gilmore Girls...quite a mind-shift there...but hey, the O's went to Vegas and Ozzy did a show there and Kelly celebrated her 18th birthday there and rode the New York New York rollercoaster that my friend AP from Chicago once tried to get me to ride with her (I still suffer guilt feelings over being such a chicken and not riding it!). And Jack tried like hell to drink and avoid the Venetian's overeager security guards who were trying like mad to keep underage Osbourne kids from drinking so the Venetian could save its own ass and not appear on camera as a hotel where underage kids drink alcohol. Good fun, all of it, very interesting to watch. Sharon Osbourne rocks, I have to say, she's a terrific mother, laying down the common sense approach to life, never getting overly frustrated, never yelling at the kids, just letting them know what's right and what's considerably less acceptable. Those kids, I also have to say, have zilch taste in friends...Kelly's friend was dancing on a table wearing shorts and a bra, and Jack's friends include that creepy Dill guy (Jason? Is that his first name??) and the rest of the odd assortment of apparent (alleged!) hangers-on/starfuckers. Except for Mandy Moore, she's a friend of his and appeared on one episode. She's okay. But I'm talking about his guy friends, all of whom look a lot older and shaggier than him. Camera time? Exposure? Possibly fourteen and a half minutes of fame? Let's go on over to the Osbourne's house, heh. Now next week they'll be showing Ozzy and Sharon's wedding vow renewal, which happened on New Year's Eve and was attended by tons of people who aren't all hangers-on and/or starfuckers, because many of them are stars themselves...more, if you use the term loosely. Such as Marilyn Manson, who reportedly stuck close like glue to Ozzy most of the evening. Our friend Jay Aston (singer of the very cool band Gene Loves Jezebel and also extremely nice guy) was there too, so I'll have to look for him, if by chance he got anywhere near a camera and wasn't edited out of what later became this episode.
We're thinking about a road trip to Arizona in April! Seems that if we ever want to see our friends in Mesa we'll have to go to them. Since Jz is unexpectedly actually getting money back from the IRS this year, that could happen. More as plans develop. Okay, so goodnight...must take puppy outside and then go to bed...last night I woke him up to take him out for his last go-out of the night...he was soooo cute waking up! He's a good dog.
02.03.03:: - Oh, my aching back!
Well, great, I just took the following "What X am I?" test (thanks to E's honey's website that I checked out for the first time tonight - Go Antwon!):
I am Schedule R — Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.Used exclusively by retired folks, I help reduce tax burdens for those who are over age 65, or who have been rendered permanently and totally disabled.
Gee, way to keep feeling young, huh?! This is at least a timely little test, given that it's February already (Where oh where did January GO?!). I did my taxes online last weekend. It took me till 4am and I think I fell asleep about 6 times at least. I tried to use the same program as last year but clicked on the wrong link, the one for the long form, and it wanted to charge me a buttload more than I wanted to pay, so I went back and tried it again, this time clicking on the 1040EZ form (pathetic, I know, that someone my age - nunyabizness - can still use the EZ form, but what can I say?), but the damn thing did the same thing and again, asked me all the boring questions about stuff I don't have, like interest income (no interest!) and capital gains (no capital!), and again proposed charging me $20 for Federal and $15 to file CA state. Uh, nice try, but no thanks. Off I went, again, to our ever-so-helpful (uh huh) government's site to look for another service offering free Federal tax filing for income slightly higher (thank God!) than the one I managed to eke out last year. So with the new site and a hell of a lot more clicking, I finally emerged victorious and with my Fed and state taxes electronically filed. I'm just too lazy and disorganized to fill out two pieces of paper, sign them, put them in envelopes, find stamps and mail the damned things in, but willing to spend hours online in the middle of the night to get it done. Besides, e-filing is much faster for getting one's refund, so naaaaah!. Had I clicked on the right thing in the first place and understood that the "free" limit for income meant the figure on one's W-2 form, not the amount after the personal deduction, it would've sped things up considerably, I'm sure. But there you go. All's well that ends well, to be trite about it.
So, Ho...I mean "Joe" Millionaire...yeah, so what, exactly, do these women SEE in this guy? My guess is: nothing...or a free trip to France, perhaps. The more I watch this show, and believe me, I mainly watch it now because of the train-wreck value plus an insane desire to find out what happens in the end, the less I like the rather neanderthalic type of guy that Evan Marriot seems to be. Just my opinion, mind you, but well...his brain cells seem like they went on "Survivor" and got voted off! Now the remaining women, at this point only two - Sarah, the fully-clothed-bondage-film girl, and Zora, who is SO Shannon from the first "Bachelor" except that she kisses after making a point of announcing that she won't ("My little rule!" - how's that again, dear?) - just seem to be there for the jewels and the joy(??) of lounging around a big giant chateau in France with little to do all day. Poor Sarah, her smoking buddy, Melissa, got sent home. Now who will she smoke and snark with? She and Zora have never been all that buddy-buddy like she was with Melissa. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, but am I the only one who sees absolutely no chemistry between the guy and any of the girls he kept around in the last couple of weeks? And what was up with those "dates?" He flew each one to another part of France, the French Riviera for Melissa and presumably the same for the other two, although it wasn't specified I don't think, and then had them each flown home alone...smacks of Fox Network-sponsored booty call to me! How tacky is that? Sarah was actually trying to teach him about food, and feeding him! And after he kissed her goodnight at her hotel room door, she went to his room and practically threw herself at him...his profound words? "I didn't mind." Yeah, I'll bet! Oh well...every week the idiocy gets better...it's just amazing to hear some of the utter stupidity that comes out of his mouth. Gee, I could maybe even miss Melissa with her idiotic mutterings like claiming if she won the lottery she'd go to Third World countries and bathe their children, because she's a "mercenary!" Ha! Hee! Snork! That's a good one...gotta find a foreign government willing to pay people to come to their country and bathe their poor little starving children, that'll be the day. Nevermind that she (hopefully) meant "missionary" and that feeding them would be ever so much better. But actually, I think I kinda liked Melissa. Can't blame a girl for trying, and she was pretty, in a way, with all that curly hair and big eyes. But, oh, yeah, she did tell the world last week that she was going to shave her bikini line. Melissa, Melissa Melissa...hope she had a safe trip home. Now WHEN is The Amazing Race 4 going to start? Not soon enough!!
