Life in the minivan lane

I've moved

2007-08-23T07:44:00.000-06:00

I've moved here. I'm password protected, but if you write to me and can prove you're not an insane criminal or a member of my family, I'll give you the password.

Oh what a tangled web

2007-08-04T22:07:00.001-06:00

You're a Spider!

It seems like you have eyes in the back of your head sometimes, and
you have an uncanny knack for creeping people out with that ability. You really
enjoy eating wraps, though you like them even more if you made them yourself. You
work tirelessly so that you can eat, but are good at getting rid of annoyances for
other people. There's always just a little more drama than necessary when you're
around. Oh, what tangled webs you weave!

Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Did I ever tell you about my pet, Tools??

2007-08-04T22:00:00.000-06:00

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

The value of me

2007-08-01T08:53:00.000-06:00

$4340.00

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

Test Result

2007-07-28T09:54:00.000-06:00

I'm recently back from vacation -- my house needs cleaning, I'm a few thousand email messages behind, and about 100 blog posts behind. I also need to post much information on my own blog.

SOOOOOOO -- naturally I stop for a meme

The Which Lolcat Are You?

Your Score: Longcat
78% Affectionate, 27% Excitable, 37% Hungry
Protector of truth.Slayer of darkness.Loooooong.Longcat may seem like just a regular lengthy cat, but he is, in fact, looong. For proof, observe the longpic. It is prophesized that Longcat and his archnemesis Tacgnol will battle for supremacy on Caturday. The outcome will change the face of the world, and indeed the very fabric of lolcatdom, forever. Be grateful that the test has chosen you, and only you, to have this title. To see all possible results, checka dis. My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 94% on Affection

You scored higher than 5% on Excitability

You scored higher than 22% on Hunger

You scored higher than 0% on Felinity

click here to find out Which Lolcat Are You?

Vacation in the Minivan .....

2007-07-15T21:29:00.001-06:00

Vacation in the minivan Day #1.

Wake up ~~too bloody~~ early. Finish packing, do laundry. Go into my office where I had a couple of small items to attend to. Get home, take shower, and dress in business casual type clothes (not what I normally wear to drive). Finish packing the minivan and drive to the movie theater. What?? That's not how you normally start a vacation.

Trade places with Spouse and kids in the line at the theater. Spouse takes kids off to feed them lunch, and I stand in line for an hour and 1/2. Am rejoined by Spouse and Chip, stand in line for another 1/2 hour, and then spend a very few minutes getting picture taken with, and talking to James and Oliver Phelps (more commonly known as The Weasley Twins). Pictures later.

Hop into Spouses sedan and "continue" on my road to vacation by driving to Golf Course Suburb for a baby shower. Niece #1 is having my first grandnephew, so we delayed the start of our vacation travels until after the shower. Chat with family and friends, and then a few hours later, Spouse, Chip, Princess, and GMA-W and GPA-W arrive in Golf Course Suburb. I hop in minivan with all except Spouse. He's not joining us on vacation, as he started a new job last week and (a) it's not really a good plan to take vacation right after starting a new gig and (b) since he's on contract he only gets paid for the time he works -- after a bit of time with no income, we can't afford a week with no pay when there's an option for a week WITH pay.

Drive for a bit and call spouse "where's the camera" (which was used to take pictures of Chip, Ramblingmom, and the Phelps twins)? "In my pocket" so you'll see no pictures from vacation until my return home (and my camera). Now, since we're travelling with GMA-W and GPA-W (a/k/a the inlaws) we can borrow their camera at times. We're also meeting SIL and BIL and their kids. BIL is a very avid photographer or so he pretends. We often see him posing people for pictures and taking pictures and doing all sorts of things with cameras, but we never actually see any of these photographs.

So we drive a few hours, get some dinner, and then drive a couple more hours and find a room with a pillow top mattress (and internet access).

We we're going there may not be Internet access, so you may get the rest of the trip much later.

Order of the Phoenix -- impressions after 2 viewings

2007-07-14T14:11:00.000-06:00

We saw the movie at the midnight release and then a day later Chip *WON* two tickets to another showing for Saturday so ---- I mean what else could we do??

Anyway, now that I've seen it twice I have a few impressions

One thing that always disappoints me about the movies is that they can never match the books. I understand that there's not enough time in 2+ hours to catch everything. They do sort of "fill in" the books for me. For instance, now I have a much better picture in my mind of Luna Lovegood. And let me say that I *LOVE* Evanna Lynch (I think Chip thinks I have a "girl crush" on her). She catches that dreamy/spacey quality of Luna so well. Don't worry, you're just as sane as me. Kudos to casting on THAT casting call.

No quidditch :^(. Didn't get to hear "Weasley is our King".

Jason Isaacs -- WOW -- I really hated him as Lucius Malfoy in this movie - I mean I LOVE the way that Jason Isaacs portrayed Lucius Malfoy and made me hate Lucius. Now lets everybody just calm down... shall we?

Now I might have disliked Mr. Malfoy -- but Umbridge really got my goat (or Centaur in this case). Pure evil. I kept trying to think that maybe if the Ministry really thought that Dumbledore was waging a war against the ministry that might excuse some of her behavior but I couldn't forget that (from the book) she had ordered the dementor attack on Harry. I can't find an excuse for that.

I'm thinking Tonks for Halloween.

What follows is a spoiler for those that have not seen movie 5 AND have not READ book 6.

Cornelius Fudge resigned as Minister of Magic (it was a headline of the Prophet that passed by). Book 6 starts with the introduction of the new Minister of Magic. I've loved Robert Hardy since he was Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small.
I'm going to miss him in the Potter movies.

BYE BYE Siegfried (though I wouldn't cry if somehow Peter Davison managed to get cast in an HP movie).

nearest book meme

2007-07-13T13:12:00.000-06:00

This has been going around. Since I have a lot of "closest books" to my computer (there's a 6 shelf bookshelf nearby -- which is the closest book? The one on the first shelf or the second or the third?). I did have Dora the Explorer Madlibs Junior ON the computer table -- that that doesnt' have the required number of pages.

So I decided that the next time a book lands on my computer table, I'd use that book for the closest book meme. (If you look at my last post - you may understand how this book came to be on my table)

And here goes ...

The game:
1. Grab the nearest book to you.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your blog along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.

From The Yale Book of Quotations edited by Fred R. Shapiro

David Byrne
Scottish-born U.S. Rock musician, 1952

1 And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house
With a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself
Well, how did I get here?

"Once in a Lifetime" (song) (1980). Cowritten with Brian Eno.

2 And you may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?

(OKAY -- so that was a bit confusing as the punctuation is weird enough in a book of quotations so I just counted end of sentence punctuation marks and went from there).

What was I gonna say???

2007-07-13T13:00:00.000-06:00

Ran across the following on Reuters.

Remember your home phone number? Forget it!

LONDON (Reuters) - Can't remember life before mobiles? Chances are you'll also struggle to recall your home phone number and family birthdays.

According to a survey released Friday, the boom in mobiles and portable devices that store reams of personal information has created a generation incapable of memorizing simple things.

A quarter of those polled said they couldn't remember their landline number, while two-thirds couldn't recall the birthdays of more than three friends or family members.

The tech-savvy young fared worse than older people. The under-30s could remember fewer birthdays and numbers than the over-50s, according to the survey.

Two-thirds said they relied on their phone or electronic organizer to remember key dates.

"People have more to remember these days and they are relying on technology more for their memory," said Ian Robertson, professor of psychology at Trinity College, Dublin.

© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

What about the folks between 30 and 50? What do they remember? (Or did the pollsters forget to poll those folks??)

I believe (though I can't verify) that Einstein was quoted as saying that he didn't memorize his phone number because he wouldn't be bothered to memorize something that he can look up.

(I use that philosophy often in my work doing income taxes - no I bloody well don't have the tax tables memorized).

Another predictions quiz -- feel free to copy and keep score

2007-07-09T15:13:00.001-06:00

1. Will Harry die and stay dead at the end of HPDH? (3 points)

NO

2. Will Voldemort die and stay dead at the end of HPDH? (3 points)

YES

3. Excluding Harry and Voldemort, who will be the most prominent character to die and stay dead? (3 points)

Hagrid

4. From HBP (p125, American Hardcover), in the shop while the trio were listening with Extendable Ears, what did Draco show Borgin that scared him? (3 points)

Draco has the Dark Mark

5. Assuming Hogwarts reopens as a school, who will return as a student, which means enrolled in classes whether or not they attend the classes (answer yes or no for 1 point each):

a. Harry?

Yes

b. Draco?

No

c. Hermione?

Yes

d. Luna?

NO

e. Ron?

Yes

f. Neville?

Yes

g. Ginny?

Yes

6. Which will be the most prominent couple to marry, if any, during the time period covered in DH, excluding any epilogue? (3 points)

Bill and Fleur

7. Who will be the unusual person who performs magic for the first time "very late in life?" (3 points)

Aunt Petunia

8. Assuming Hogwarts reopens as a school, who will be the: (1 point each)

a. Head Boy?

Neville

b. Head Girl?

Hermoine

c. DADA Instructor?

Shacklebolt

d. Potions Master or Mistress?

Aberforth (hey -- how far is a barkeep from a potions master??)

e. Headmaster or -mistress?

McGonagall (interim)

9. Where do Snape's ultimate loyalties lie? (3 points)

I say he's a free agent, trying to figure which side will end up on top.

10. Identify the six Horcruxes (asuming 7th soul fragment is in Voldemort's body) (1 point each)

a. The Diary (given)
b. The Ring (given)
c. The Locket (highly suspect)
d. Nagini
e. Helga's Cup
f. The Scar

11. What are Snape's a) patronus and b) boggert? (1 point each)

A cauldron

Harry

12. What is behind the locked door at the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic? (2 points)

Love Love Love (I'm not sure HOW that's behind the door??? Maybe an old Beatles recording :} ).

13. True or False? R.A.B. is Regalus Black (2 points)

Yes

Make up to 10 predictions not covered in the Compulsory Question section. (Up to five points each, depending on accuracy and creativity. Avoid overly obvious (Snape will have greasy hair, Herminone will answer a question correctly)

Neville will do something Incredibly Significant in the upcoming battle (like kill 13 death eaters at once or something).

Molly Weasley will die in order to save one (or more) of her children -- possibly the git (Percy)

And I realize I don't get ANY points for this one -- but somewhere, sometime in the book Jo is going to have Fred and George cause us all to be rolling on the floor laughing.

Dumbledore's inclusiveness is going to be significant, all the "good" magical folk are going to need to work together.

Harry will have a son -- who will look just like his father (BUT -- if he get Ginny Weasley pregnant -- the child will look "just like his father" but have "his other's hair")

AND -- I keep thinking that both Hagrid *AND* Arthur Weasley will die -- every time Harry gets a father figure ...

Predictions quiz #1

2007-07-07T21:20:00.000-06:00

Anyone who wishes is welcome to play along. Keep track when Book 7 comes out. NOTE - some of these contradict others, and some contradict ones from another predictions quiz I'll post. Oh well - tough I don't know what's really going to happen.

1. Hogwarts will be closed for the entire year.

False

2. Harry will enroll in Year 7 classes at Hogwarts.

True

3. Ron will enroll in Year 7 classes at Hogwarts.

True

4. Hermione will enroll in Year 7 classes at Hogwarts.

True

5. Harry will take N.E.W.T. exams.

True

6. Ron will take N.E.W.T. exams.

False

7. Hermione will take N.E.W.T. exams.

True WHAT -- Hermione will pass on taking an exam?? Even if she doesn't go to Hogwarts she'll probably wander by just to have a chance to take an exam.

8. Harry will be Head Boy at Hogwarts.

False

9. Ron will be Head Boy at Hogwarts.

False

10. Hermione will be Head Girl at Hogwarts.

True - will drive the Slytherin's CRAZY -- a MUGGLE as Head Girl!!!!

11. Harry will teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.

Eventually

12. The DADA teacher at Hogwarts will be ________________________. (fill in the blank)

Shacklebolt

13. Harry's scar is a Horcrux.

True

14. Nagini is a Horcrux.

False

15. Slytherin's locket is a Horcrux.

True

16. Hufflepuff's cup is a Horcrux.

True

17. The locket that nobody could open at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place is a Horcrux.

True

18. Harry will keep his Horcrux quest secret from the Order of the Phoenix.

For the first 1/2 of the book. He'll find he needs help from one (or
more) members of the Order. After all these years he'll finally
figure out that it's really OKAY to ask for help from a grownup

19. R.A.B. = Regulus A. Black.

True

20. R.A.B. has already destroyed the locket-Horcrux.

True

21. Voldemort already knows (by the end of Half-Blood Prince) that R.A.B. took the locket-Horcrux from the cave.

False

22. Voldemort already knows (by the end of Half-Blood Prince) that Harry is seeking his Horcruxes.

False (but suspects)

23. Albus Dumbledore is really dead.

He's not only merely dead, he's really most sincerely dead.

24. On top of the "Lightening-Struck Tower," Dumbledore was asking Snape to kill him.

TRUE

25. Dumbledore gave Snape the DADA position because he knew Snape would be leaving Hogwarts at the end of the school year.

False

26. Dumbledore will communicate with Harry through his portrait in the Headmaster's office.

Somewhat (yes -- but not CLEARLY)

27. Dumbledore will communicate with Harry through the Pensieve.

Harry will use the Pensieve

28. Harry will use the Sorcerer's Stone.

False

29. Harry will return to the Chamber of Secrets.

False

30. Harry will be a Prisoner of Azkaban (or at least go there).

False

31. Harry will use the Goblet of Fire.

False

32. Harry will join the Order of the Phoenix.

True

33. Harry will (intentionally) join forces with the Half-Blood Prince.

True

34. Harry will visit a place called the Deathly Hallows.

True

35. One of the Dursleys will learn to do magic.

True

36. Petunia will (intentionally) give Harry vital information before he leaves Privet Drive.

True

37. Ron and Hermione will be a couple.

Absolutely

38. Harry and Hermione will be a couple.

NOPE (They're like Luke and Leia -- brother and sister -- not by blood
but in spirit)

39. Harry and Ginny will get back together.

Yeah

40. Ron and Hermione have already kissed "off-screen" by the end of Half-Blood Prince.

True

41. Sybill Trelawney will make another real prophecy.

True

42. Rufus Scrimgeour will be Minister of Magic at the end of Deathly Hallows.

False

43. Harry will use the Mirror of Erised again.

False

44. Harry will use the sword of Godric Gryffindor again.

False

45. Harry will use the Sorting Hat.

False

46. Harry will use a Time-Turner.

False

47. Harry will use the two-way mirror that Sirius gave him.

True

48. Harry's knowledge of Muggle artifacts will save him from imminent danger.

True

49. Grawp will (intentionally) save Harry/Ron/Hermione from danger.

True

50. The Weasleys' - now wild - flying Ford Anglia will play a significant role in saving and/or transporting Harry/Ron/Hermione.

True

51. Aside from James, Lily, Harry, and Voldemort, there was at least one other person present at the Potters' house the night James and Lily died.

True

52. Bill Weasley will become a full werewolf.

True

53. How did James and Lily Potter acquire their small fortune? _________________________________ (fill in the blank)

They borrowed the Sorcerer's Stone from Flamel

54. Snape is an Animagus.

False

55. We will learn more about the relationship between Lily and Snape.

True

56. A current member of the Order of the Phoenix will betray Harry.

True

57. The Death Eaters will attack Privet Drive.

True

58. The Death Eaters will attack The Burrow.

False

59. The Death Eaters will attack during Bill and Fleur's wedding.

True

60. The Death Eaters will attack Hogwarts.

False

61. The Death Eaters will attack Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

False

62. Draco will abandon the Death Eaters.

True -- but not until almost the end

63. Peter Pettigrew, aka Wormtail, will abandon the Death Eaters.

False

64. Snape will be openly allowed back into the Order of the Phoenix.

False

65. Snape is truly loyal to:
(a) Dumbledore
(b) Voldemort
(c) Neither

(c) Snape

66. Dumbledore trusts Snape because:
(a) Snape made a heartfelt apology
(b) Snape made an Unbreakable Vow
(c) Snape passed crucial secret information to the Order about Voldemort/Death Eaters
(d) Dumbledore had no hard evidence, he just wanted to give Snape the benefit of the doubt
(e) None of these, but we'll find out in Deathly Hallows
(f) We'll never know

(E)

67. Snape began working as a double agent for the Order:
(a) Before the prophecy was made
(b) After the prophecy was made, but before James and Lily died
(c) The night James and Lily died
(d) After James and Lily died

(A)

68. Harry will use, or attempt to use, an Unforgivable Curse.

True

69. Harry will use, or attempt to use, the Avada Kedavra Curse on Voldemort.

True

70. Someone other than Harry will actually finish-off Voldemort, even though Harry will have done most of the work. (i.e. Darth tosses the Emperor, Gollum falls in with the ring.)

True

71. The U.S. edition cover-art for Deathly Hallows, portrays the final showdown.

True

72. The U.S. edition cover-art for Deathly Hallows, portrays Harry and Voldemort reaching for a Horcrux.

False

73. Harry will destroy at least one Horcrux by sending it through the Veil.

True

74. The Deathly Hallows is: (a) at Hogwarts
(b) in Godric's Hollow
(c) a graveyard
(d) beyond the Veil
(e) another name for Horcruxes
(f) none of these, but depicted on the US cover

(B)

75. The final showdown will be at:
(a) the Deathly Hallows
(b) Hogwarts
(c) Azkaban
(d) Veil/Minitry of Magic
(e) Godric's Hollow
(f) The Underground Lake/Gringotts
(g) somewhere else

(B)

76. Harry will survive.

TRUE

77. Ron will survive.

True

78. Hermione will survive.

True

79. Ginny will survive.

True

80. Neville will survive.

False

81. Luna will survive.

True

82. Hagrid will survive.

False

83. Lupin will survive.

False

84. Tonks will survive.

True

85. Molly and Arthur will survive.

False/True

86. Fred and George will survive.

True/True

87. Bill and Fleur will survive.

True

88. Percy will survive.

True (unfortunately -- the Git I say Molly will die to save him.)

89. Voldemort will survive.

False

90. Snape will survive.

False

91. Peter Pettigrew will survive.

True -- and he'll get to go to Azkaban

92. Bellatrix will survive.

False

93. Lucius Malfoy will survive.

False (thank goodness)

94. Narcissa Malfoy will survive.

True

95. Draco Malfoy will survive.

True

96. Harry will become an Auror.

True

97. Harry will become a professor at Hogwarts.

False

98. Ron will become a professor at Hogwarts.

False -- Ron has had ENOUGH of school

99. Hermione will become a professor at Hogwarts.

True

100. Neville will become a professor at Hogwarts.

True (yeah -- I know this contradicts where I said he wouldn't survive)

101. The final word of Deathly Hallows will be "scar."

FALSE

But -- before I heard about the interview the other day I wrote ...

True. (this contradicts what I said about Harry surviving). Harry
will die -- but not before he gets Ginny pregnant. In the epilogue we
will discover that Ginny had a baby boy. Everyone says .....

You look just like your mother -- except you have your father's scar.

This could be true

2007-07-07T07:39:00.000-06:00

What Your Latte Says About You

You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large.
You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious.
Intense and energetic, you aren't completely happy unless you are bouncing off the walls.
You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it.
You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree.
You are deep and thoughtful, but you are never withdrawn.

What does your Latte Say About You?

This could be true -- but then I never bounce off walls (my kids do enough of that)

But they've never been seen together now, have they???

2007-07-05T21:54:00.001-06:00

=
Rita Skeeter = Ann Coulter

Just a thought I had earlier today while listening to HP and the Goblet of Fire.

From Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

"Don't you dare blame your father for what that wretched Skeeter woman wrote!" said Mrs. Weasley, flaring up at once.

"If Dad hadn't said anything, old Rita would have just said it was disgraceful that nobody from the Ministry had commented," said Bill,

Guess there's some folks out there that just never learned the old adage ....

"If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say nothing at all."

Heard it in a love song

2007-07-05T11:03:00.001-06:00

Chip is taking guitar lessons. A few months ago I ask him about piano lessons and he told me that you can't play rock and roll on piano. Goodness gracious great balls of fire, I thought as it became obvious that my childn's musical knowledge was lacking.

So I did a little about that .... made some introductions

Then, last night while we were at Naperville's we listened to

and now Chip knows -- that you can even play rock and roll on a flute.

The Great Flooring Project of 2007 -- TM version

2007-07-04T22:44:00.000-06:00

I often send text messages to Crem -- hey what's a best friend for other than to bother with the mundane details of my life.

Anyway -- I thought it might be interesting to look at the flooring project from the perspective of my text messages.

06/15/07 11:40 a.m
RM: I emailed a picture to [your work] and [other address]. If you have time I'd like a phone consult.

We were having trouble trying to figure out how to fit the flooring under the door jam. We did eventually figure it out. Also, while doing the dining room, we learned a lot of tricks to use when we got to the living room. Crem actually had a grand idea -- but we used a different idea (that didn't involve purchase of a power tool).

06/16/07 4:19 p.m.
RM: You know that puzzle with the 15 pieces and the 16 slots, well we are trying to get the 16th piece in

I think Crem sent a message (that I didn't save) about cutting of the tongue and groove stuff and using glue.

06/16/07 5:01 p.m.
RM: Hey it's true what they say great minds think alike, that's what *I* said. But I also pointed out that a box of flooring was still much cheaper than an install.

06/16/07 5:02 p.m.
RM: I said even if he tries something and screws it up *I* won't be mad.

06/16/07 6:20 p.m.
RM: He shoulda oughta done the thing with the glue. But I said I wouldn't get mad cause he is doing enough of that for the both of us.

06/16/07 6:23 p.m.
RM: Need to go to [grandma's] so tune in tomorrow for the next episode of "As the Floor Installs." hopefully it will be the last dining room episode.

(that was the end of the dining room episode).

06/24/07 4:27 p.m.
RM: I would love to show you my coffee table and see if you have inexpen$ive restoration ideas.

I've had this coffee table since 1982 -- I got it from someone who had it for a few years, and SHE got it second hand. So it's been around awhile and it's STURDY. But it's also been throught the mill and I'm trying to figure a way to make it look pretty again. I had a picture of it on my camera (that I showed Crem that day when the families went out to dinner) but AMAZINGLY enough, I erased the picture from my camera before downloading it. I mean who'd think that I wouldn't have a picture of the damage to a 30 year old coffee table.

07/04/2007 5:52 p.m.
RM: Bloody git. "me: there is the problem" "him: lets try this & this & this" 20 min later "OH there is the problem" ya think? Bloody stubborn git.

OKAY - so sometimes Spouse takes a while to see things ~~my way~~ the right way. And I can vent to Spouse -- but sometimes we just need to not talk about it and I can vent in other directions.

With any luck, tomorrow should be the final "install"ment of the living room version. Then it's move all the furniture back into the living room, and do the same thing all over again with the family room.

Christina -- PLEASE tell me how much I'll love it when it's all done.

Universal truths (or at least planetary truths)

2007-06-26T09:22:00.000-06:00

You MUST check this webcomic, which I read daily. It's about a group of geeks that work for a fictional ISP. I know some about computers, and some about geeks so I find it entertaining most days.

However, TODAY J.D. Frazer had me laughing out loud. Why ????

Funny thing is, I looked about and can't find any references to him having children. I mean, from that comic I'd SWEAR his kids just started summer vacation.

THAT explains it ...

2007-06-19T07:11:00.000-06:00

NOW I get it -- while I was cleaning out the house I found some R.O.U.S.'s hanging around.

Your Love Life is Like The Princess Bride

"Since the invention of the kiss, there have only been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind."

For you, love is like a fairy tale - albeit a fairly twisted one.
You believe romance is all about loyalty, fate, and a good big of goofy fun.

Your love style: Idealistic yet quirky

Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Perfectly romantic

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

Don't blame me -- it's innate

2007-06-19T07:07:00.001-06:00

So -- after the Great Flooring (and redecorating) Project of 2007 is done, if you don't like it, remember it's not inconsistent, it's CREATIVE!!

You Are 86% Creative

You are an incredibly creative person. For you, there are no bounds or limits to your creativity.
Your next creation could be something very great... Or at least very cool!

How Creative Are You?

The Great Flooring Project of 2007

2007-06-16T08:10:00.000-06:00

We are in the process of installing flooring over the first floor of my house. Spouse and I are installing. A while ago we learned that we don't work well together, and if we're working together we have to have one person in charge and one person only doing exactly what he or she is told. I'm much better at taking direction than Spouse. Which is not to say that I'm exactly stellar at taking directions, but I suppose an oak tree is slightly more pliable than a brick wall.

We decided to get some new flooring because our wonderful puppy caused the need in one room (he had some dietary issues), ~~lucky for you~~ unfortunately for you guys - we don't have before pictures of the carpet. And it's also unfortunate I didn't get pictures of the carpet padding while I was painting, nobody will ever get to see how well the carpet padding went with the blue 3M painting tape.

This is taking longer than we expected. I will give kudos to the folks at iFLOOR. They sell both flooring and installation. The salesman we bought our stuff from comes from an installing background. We were having trouble, we went back to the store, and got a "hands on" demonstration. And I'm sure that it will continue to take a while. But I'm trying to remember the "mommy mantra" this too shall pass and eventually it will be done.

After all, myself, my Spouse, hammers, and power tools is not a really great combination.

Spouse at work

we sent this shot to Crem for a phone consult as to what to do with the doorjam.
We're not suppose to "need" to tape the floor, but we discovered it works better.

I'm looking forward to sending the after pictures.

Magicicada

2007-06-10T16:50:00.000-06:00

Ah yes, another 17 years have come and gone and Magiciciada is back. You can find Ciciadas in the Chicagoland area by following this map

We have not been blessed with the cicidas in my neighborhood. I understand it's because of the use of grubix? or something when our development went in.

Today however, Chip, Princess, and I went to the annual Pignic (guinea pig pignic) for The Critter Corral, A Guinea Pig Rescue.

The Pignic was held at a forest preserve in a nearby town. As we were driving every now and then I'd open my car window and say "THAT sound is the cicadas." We hadn't really heard them yet. Little did we realize that once we arrived at the Pignic we would be ~~subjected to the noise for 2.5 hours~~ able to hear the lovely songs of Magicicada.

And now that I got to do that, I'm more then willing to wait 17 years to ~~put up with~~ hear that sound again.

For those of you on the other side of the Mississippi that will never experience it, and want a taste of it, go find a very old gas powered lawn mower. Fire it up. Forget about your hearing protectors. Now get about another dozen or so lawn mowers and fire them up. Then play that sound endlessly for the next 6 weeks.

Interesting California Bill

2007-06-10T15:58:00.000-06:00

Was reading news today and ran across this article about the possibility of a law in California that requires people to spay and neuter their pets. It's passed the Assembly, and now moves to the Senate and then the Governor's desk. There are exemptions for breeders and owners of guide dogs (and some others -- I think there's like 20+ exemptions). Some Republicans consider this bill "micro-managing." Governor Arnie will not disclose whether his dogs are neutered.

There could be a fine for up to $500 for each unneutered animal.

A couple of things stick out in my mind when I'm looking at this ... First of all, I've read between $250 MILLION and $300 MILLION dollars (of taxpayer money) is spend on caring for unwanted animals in California per year.

But hey -- it's the state budget of California -- so really whats a couple of hundred million -- I mean who cares?? right???

OH - and another thing that sticks out in my mind. One common comment is that if this bill passes there will be NO more shelter animals in California for people to adopt. People in CA will have to go out and spend really big money on purebred animals because all the shelters will close down.

To the people of the great state of California ..... If this bill passes, I will personally make you two promises.

1) while there may be a reduction of unwanted animals in California, there will never be complete compliance with this bill and there will still be plenty of mixed breed animals to adopt.

2) even if by some really odd circumstance there are *NO* unwanted animals left in California, I assure you there are enough idiots in the other 47 contiguous states that will be having enough unneutered strays running around, there will be no shortage of unwanted animals.

I've looked at some of the articles and discussion on this bill (I find it far more interesting that whether or not Paris Hilton is in jail and whether or not she's eating) and HAD to laugh at the following quote from The San Jose Mercury News ...

(Assemblyman Plescia, R- Sandiego) said the Assembly should stop crafting legislation in the "crazy bill factory" before Californians pass a ballot initiative "mandating the spaying and neutering of legislators."

Spaying and neutering legislators ...... hmmmmmmmmmmm

What's in a name .....

2007-06-07T20:21:00.000-06:00

My day in reverse.

The last stop of the day was interesting. We had stopped at a teacher supply store to get a "graduation" present for Nephew1, who just "graduated" from Kindergarten. I'm ~~wondering why I'm getting a graduation present for Kindergarten for chrissake and am determined not to spend too much money~~ sure the party won't be too bad.

One of the things I looked at was a trivia/fact book for Illinois. (Who Wants to be a Millionaire Illinois Edition or some such) I thought this might be fun for him, Niece4, Chip, and Princess. So I open up the book to a random page and see the following question ....

Which of the following skyscrapers is not in Chicago

1. Sears Tower
2. Empire State Building
3. John Hancock Building
4. Amoco Building

Now, for those that don't live in Illinois (or don't care) the Amoco Building changed names in Jan. 2001 to the Aon Building. (Incidentally, the book was copyrighted in 2001, which means that was after the name change. I'm reading this going ummm I count two buildings that aren't in Illinois. We ended up getting him a Mad Libs book.

This was not the first glaring error I had experienced this evening -- nope not even. The family and I went out to dinner at Cheeseburger in Paradise. I may very well be ~~corrupting my children~~ raising two little parrotheads.

Anyway - it being Thursday night there was live music. Some guy was singing. He did some Elvis, Bob Dylan, Eagles, finally he did some Jimmy Buffett and

MESSED UP THE WORDS

On CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

His mamma didn't raise him right -- at least MY kids know the words.

I hope they didn't pay him too much. He certainly wasn't worth all that.

He might have sounded better if I was in the bar, and had had a few boat drinks.

Fuzzy takes the hit

2007-06-06T17:51:00.000-06:00

We have neighbors (GreenThumb and CopGuy) that throw two wonderful parties per year. They invite all their friends, and ALL their neighbors (taking the theory that the neighbors can't complain about the party if they're all at the party).

This weekend they had an outdoor party and the weather was lovely. GreenThumb's "baby" TinyPup is similar to this ....

an entire 8 pounds of love. TinyPup is a very social dog, but spent most of the afternoon in hiding. After a while GreenThumb brough TinyPup out and the young girls (I think ranging in age from like 5-8) had a GRAND time playing with her. A few times adult intervention was necessary. I suggested to GreenThumb that I might bring Fuzzybutt by and give TinyPup a break. She said she'd take TinyPup in after a bit and Fuzzybutt could come by. A little after that, GreenThumb was talking to friends or relations, and I looked over and saw the girls, TinyPup wrapped in a blanket and stuffed in a stroller. Needless to say, THAT was the end of that.

TinyPup went inside, I called Spouse (he'd gone home already -- he's not a party animal) and he sent Chip down with Fuzzybutt. Unlike Spouse, Fuzzybutt enjoyed being a party animal, and getting great deals of attention. He didn't even mind the girls fawning all over him (but even put together he outweighed the girls).

Fuzzybutt then went home, where he ~~was subjected to even more torture~~ enjoyed a grooming.

I forget ......

2007-06-06T07:21:00.000-06:00

I wish I knew how to embed music -- I'd insert "Baby Elephant Walk" here. Last night I had a dream that I got a pet elephant and his (or her) entire family. I think I had 7 elephants. I think there were three other young elephants and three adult elephants, and I was walking around with them.

I remember waking up from the dream thinking MAN I must be bloody wealthy to afford the upkeep on those babies

So this morning (realizing that I'm not Freud and looking things up by one word on the Internet is not going to solve all my life's problems I look up elephant in a few dream dictionaries.

This interpretation states:

To see an elephant in your dream, suggests that you either need to be more patient and understanding of others.

I'm sure there's a few people who'd agree that I need to be more patient and understanding. Funny thing though -- it seems like that's 1/2 a sentence it should read suggests that you either need to be more patient or understanding of others or it could state suggests that you either need to be more patient and understanding of others and/or. I'm so impatient of incomplete sentences. I simply don't understand it at all.

This same definition goes on to say that:

The elephant is also a symbol of power, strength, and intellect.

Hmmmm, and I powerful, strong, and intellectual? Most days I don't so much think so.

Now, I am so liking this interpretation: ...

elephant - As a gift: Sense of abundance or prosperity coming. Baby: Good luck or fortune.

Did I mention they were gifts? And there were 7 elephants? And 3 of them were babies?? 7 times the abundance or prosperity and 3 times the good luck or fortune.

This dream dictionary and this dream dictionary both say the exact same thing:

Elephant Dreams
Elephants in dreams may represent knowledge, power, and strength. They are also associated with long memory and "thick skin." However, depending on the dream’s details, the elephant may be a symbol of a large burden. Additionally, in the dream you may be making efforts to remember something important and of great magnitude.

Now what was I thinking????? I forget.

Of course I'm a Goddess

2007-06-04T07:45:00.000-06:00

Which God or Goddess are you like? Your Result: Goddess Bast You are the Goddess Bast. You are quiet and calm, but when need be, you are firm and fierce. You are full of love, and you always care. People often come to you for advise or guidance, and you willingly give it. Congatulations!! You are Goddess!!
Goddess Sekhemet
Budha
The Christian God
You are your own God or Goddess
Jesus
God Zeus
Satan
Which God or Goddess are you like? Make Your Own Quiz

To Christina

2007-05-30T22:54:00.000-06:00

From this site comes my favorite from the vast collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. Before kids I was a member for years and year and years. Actually, I was a member when I did NOT live in Chicago (it was cheap to be a National Associate, and I was in town often enough that it was worth it).

Picasso -- Crazy Woman with Cats (hey - it's been the story of my life at times).

HELP (not)

2007-05-30T19:45:00.000-06:00

We need to replace the flooring in the dining room. I decided before we do the floors we I might as well paint the walls. They haven't been done since we moved into the house, and I've been wanting to paint for a while. The way I figure it, might as well paint over the old -- about to be discarded -- carpet. Doesn't matter if I splash paint all over that now does it.

I'm sure many of you have seen TV shows or commercials or print ads with the lovely couple bonding over redecorating their lovely suburban home. Ah yes, the perfect married couple bonding over cooperative job efforts.

Well, as Bob Dylan would say "It Ain't Me Babe." Spouse and I figured out a long time ago that we don't work well together. I'm not saying that like it's necessarily a bad thing - it's just a fact of our relationship.

SO -- over the past two days I've been doing all the "painting stuff." Prepping the walls, washing, taping, painting, cleaning up, putting on the faux stuff.

I've had some help from both Princess and Spouse.

I'd probably be able to work twice as fast with less than half the help.

I'm just saying. OR -- as Helen Reddy said

Leave me alone won't you leave me alone
Please leave me alone, no leave me alone
Leave me alone, just leave me alone, oh leave me

Can I play too?? Edited (thanks MLL)

2007-05-30T09:50:00.000-06:00

One Feather Tail did this and I was going to but forgot, then it popped up again on Doc Thelma's House (which is private so you might not be able to link to it) and A Squib's Life. I figure it's my turn to play.

What I have done

Those that I have done are in italics, my comments are bold.

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you” and meant it!
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea WAY COOL
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise I'm not good at getting up early, but I am good at staying up late.
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game I guess that depends on your definition? A Cubs game? Yes. A World Series Game, no?
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables Yeah, but going to Farmer's Market is much more convenient.
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Drunk tequila In a margarita
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster see number 31.
35. Scored a winning goal
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Visited all 5 continents
40. Taken care of someone who was drunk Hmmm, maybe part of the reason my ex-husband is my EX-husband.
41. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
42. Watched wild whales
43. Stolen a sign
44. Backpacked
45. Taken a road-trip
46. Gone rock climbing
47. Midnight walk on the beach
45. Gone sky diving
49. Taken a train through Europe
50. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
51. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table, and had a meal with them
52. Milked a cow
53. Alphabetized your CDs
54. Sung karaoke
55. Lounged around in bed all day BEFORE number 93.
56. Gone scuba diving
57. Kissed in the rain
58. Gone to a drive-in theatre
59. Started a business
60. Taken a martial arts class
61. Been in a movie
62. Crashed a party
63. Gone without food for 5 days
64. Gotten a tattoo
65. Got flowers for no reason and given
66. Performed on stage
67. Been to Las Vegas
68. Recorded music
69. Eaten shark
70. Buried one/both of your parents
71. Been on a cruise ship
72. Spoken more than one language fluently
73. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over Well, a job was involved.
74. Walked a famous bridge
75. Had plastic surgery
76. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
78. Wrote articles for a large publication
79. Tried to lose weight seriously
80. Piloted an airplane
80. Petted a stingray
81. Broken someone’s heart
82. Broken a bone Hmmm, does it count if someone else actually broke the bone for me??
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Parasailed
86. Skipped all your school reunions
87. Shaved your head
88. Caused a car accident
89. Pretended to be “sick”
90. Swam in the Pacific Ocean
91. Saved someone’s life No, but saved someone's eyesight.
92. Fainted
93. Been in the room while someone is giving birth (Self only)
94. Hitchhiked No -- but taken rides with strangers.
95. Adopted a child
96. Been caught daydreaming
97. Been to the Painted Desert
98. Called off a wedding engagement
99. Donated your blood
100. Had an out-of-body experience

Edited

Bye Bye Waitress

2007-05-28T17:39:00.000-06:00

There are quite a number of blogs I read on a regular basis (see list to the right, under the Deathly Hallows countdown). Three of these blogs are "servers" of sorts, every one's favorite waiter, the lady that gives us something to go with our caffeine fix, and a good old barmaid. The good old barmaid is retiring from blogging, and I'll miss her insights and commentary on humans.

I'm not sure if these three have improved my tipping practices (I think I've been pretty good all along) but they've certainly made me more aware of my practices. They've also (jointly) reminded me (what I already knew) that "folks is folks" and it's interesting how humans everywhere are the same.

One that that totally amuses me though, these three (wonderful) writers have all had encounters with and commented about ~~cheap mother fuck3rs~~ the more frugal members of our society.

I run a tax business (anyone want to buy it) The thing that I have found to be of interest, is when the ~~cheap mother fuck3rs~~ more frugal folks, is that sometimes the people that ~~whine and moan and complain~~ are apt to try to strike a deal are often ~~loaded~~ not those in the most need.

When the folks go into a restaurant and ask for hot water and lemon (while having brought their own tea bags), or gentlemen go and sit and have "one" beer at Waitress' bar, or have Barista Brat make multiple bar drinks because the first (and second and third) were wrong (and then try to walk out with the extras for free) the folks serving them don't know something that I get to find out....

When these same folks come into my shop and try to finagle their way to get discounts on my services (my friend paid "$x.xx at the competition") ("can't I use this coupon AND this coupon AND this coupon") ("but I got a quote of $x.xx on the phone" when I make the policy and know dang well exactly what quotes are given over the phone) they forget...

I'm doing your taxes honey -- I know exactly what you make, what your mortgage payments are, where you live, what your property taxes are, how much you've made (or lost) this year on capital gains.

So Waitress, Brat, Waiter, the next time someone comes in and tries to pull one over on you -- yeah, you could think that they might need a break, but that could also be the person that makes $180,000 a year and LOSES (yea that's right loses) over $10,000 per year gambling.

At the end of this tax season when my manager and I were looking back and realized, the people that bitched the MOST were also the people that MADE the most.

Surprised??

(NOTE -- there were also a number of people that were wonderful, salt of the earth, and treated us as fairly as we treated them).

It's not my fault man

2007-05-24T17:54:00.000-06:00

Excerpts from this article are below ...

Is Shrek bad for your kid's health?
May 24, 2007

By MIKE MITCHELL Staff Writer

Shrek might be making your children fat.

Shrek can be seen on boxes of sugary cereals, pops, juice drinks, M&Ms, McDonald's Happy Meals and even Cheetos that make your tongue turn green - all foods that nutrition experts consider major contributors to obesity in America.

The article goes on to talking about kids begging mom for (non nutritional) Shrek cereal.

Now, I don't know about where you go grocery shopping, but where I shop most of the products have nutritional information on labels, which I'm capable of reading. Also, when I get to the check out counter, I am pulling out my credit and spending my money. Shrek ain't there buying my groceries.

So -- I guess what I'm saying is that if it's MY money that's going to buy the groceries (or the Happy Meals or whatever), well then I guess

"the buck stops here."

Dear George, Make up your freaking mind!!!!!

2007-05-24T09:32:00.000-06:00

THIS from a speech George W. gave in April .....

President Bush Visits East Grand Rapids, Discusses Global War on Terror
"So no matter how frustrating the fight in Iraq can be, no matter how much we wish the war was over, the security of our country depends directly on the outcome of Iraq. The price of giving up there would be paid in American lives for years to come. ... Success in Iraq would bring something powerful and new -- a democracy at the heart of the Middle East, a nation that fights terrorists instead of harboring them, and a powerful example for others of the power of liberty to overcome an ideology of hate."

President George W. Bush
April 20, 2007

THIS from AP newswire

Gay Arab linguists continue to be discharged

Congressmen seek hearing on specialists dismissed under ‘don’t ask’ policy
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 23, 2007 21:14:27 EDT

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers who say the military has kicked out 58 Arabic linguists because they were gay want the Pentagon to explain how it can afford to let the valuable language specialists go.

Seizing on the latest discharges, involving three specialists, members of the House of Representatives wrote the House Armed Services Committee chairman that the continued loss of such “capable, highly skilled Arabic linguists continues to compromise our national security during time of war.”

*IF* the war is so important to the "security of our country" why are you discharging VALUABLE specialists? It takes a couple of weeks to learn how to point and shoot a rifle, it takes *YEARS* to learn how to be a specialist in a language.

The way I see it, if these folks are not necessary to the conflict, well than it can't be all that important to begin with and

QUIT WASTING MY TAX MONEY!!!!!

I always liked big cats

2007-05-22T21:58:00.000-06:00

What is Your Patronus? Version 1

Your Patronus is the Cougar! The cougar is a symbol of power, swiftness and balance. He is one of the most beautiful creatures in North America and will protect you with his powerful claws. Congratulations!That your Patronus is a cougar says that you are a quick thinker who leads a very balanced life. This quick thinking and balance cause you to often be chosen as a leader. Be careful not to let that power go to your head and you will be an excellent witch or wizard!
Take this quiz!

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V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

2007-05-22T20:52:00.000-06:00

One of the things I love about my friend Crem is that I often ask his opinion on topics, and then completely ignore anything that he says. Anyway, during the week of July 16 the minivan will be heading to Branson, Missouri. Branson is a great vacation for the ~~rest of~~ family. There's amusement parks for the kiddies, and shows for the grandparents.

Anyone who has travelled with their family, and anyone who stays in a condo (or other house type unit - you know with a full kitchen and everything) knows that, really it's more of a change of scene for mom than a real vacation. Not that a change of scene is bad, but it's still not vacation. While I'm ~~stuck~~ in Branson there's going to be what I consider an event of epic proportions. The release of the long awaited final book in the Harry Potter series.

Now, I don't want anyone to think that this is significant only to Chip -- I mean it is but it's also something that Ramblingmom is waiting for.

There was a plan. The plan was that the morning after the release the grandparents would wander down to Walmart and get a copy of the book. Then I would spend the rest of the trip sneaking whatever peeks I can at the book. But I started thinking (and we all know how dangerous THAT can be) I don't WANT to wait, and one thought I had was to find a nearby midnight release party and go with Chip. Well, in this case (as far as I can tell) "nearby" means an hour away in Springfield, MO.

So I asked Crem's opinion "what do you think if Chip and I go on a mini road trip of our own." I don't recall his exact response but it was something along the lines of "it's JUST a book."

Yeah, sure, right, and Guinness is "JUST a beer."

So, I guess the new plan is that Chip and I will be driving to a release party, he's then ordered to read to me in the car on the trip back to Branson. The next day I'm not quite sure what exactly the plan is, but I'm thinking that might be a great day to hit the water park. Ramblingmom can find an umbrella and well hopefully Spouse will make sure the kids don't drown.

SIL is the family trip organizer (have fun honey -- it's that important to you go all out) and she was planning what shows the family would go to on what days. The original plan was for the family to go to some show on Saturday. My response

I think of all the shows the only one that would really interest
Chip is the one you have scheduled for Saturday morning. Could
that be scheduled for EARLIER in the week, as I expect Saturday
morning both Chip and I will have our respective noses buried in a
book.

Oh yeah, we're buying two copies of the book. I'm sure others will want to read them when we're done so we'll sell off a used copy. But I don't think it would be in good taste for Chip to come back from vacation bruised because mom keeps beating him up to get hold of the book again.

personal to the guy I was talking to on Sunday

2007-05-22T20:34:00.000-06:00

Like I was sayin ....

I'm not yet ready to rule out the possibility of being a grandparent.

I invite you to copy this.

2007-05-22T13:01:00.000-06:00

Some questions for us to ponder while awaiting the book!

Which would you prefer for a pet: Hedwig, Crookshanks, Trevor, Fang or Fawkes?

Crookshanks

What would you see in the Mirror of Erised?

A peaceful, well organized home.

What subject would be your favorite at Hogwarts? (assume a nice and competent teacher): Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Divination, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures or Defense Against the Dark Arts?

Divination

Which woud be your least favorite?

History of Magic (yeah I know it's not listed)

In which House would the Sorting Hat place you?

Well, I'm not bright (Ravenclaw), I'm not "unafraid of toil" (Hufflepuff), I'm certainly not power hungry (Slytherin), and I am rather strong so I must be Gryffindor.

Could you see Thestrals?

yes

Which Quidditch position would you prefer to play: Keeper, Beater,
Chaser, or Seeker?

Beater.

Which magical object would be most useful to you, Sneak-o-scope, Foe
Glass, Time-turner, Remembrall, or Pensieve?

Remembrall

What would be your preferred Hogwarts sweet: Chocolate Frogs, Bertie's
Every Flavor Beans, Acid pops, Cockroach cluster?

CHOCOLATE FROGS

Pumpkin juice, butterbeer, or elf-made wine?

elf-made wine

Is your best friend more like Ron, Herimone, Luna, Neville, Ginny or Hagrid?

Hmmm, as he reads this I best be careful. Neville -- he's quiet, he seemlingly hangs out in the background, and the depth of his knowledge is often surprising. He would also stand up to his friends if they were wrong.

Is the most toxic person in your life more like Lockhart, Snape, Umbridge, Malfoy, Filch or Fudge?

Snape

Is your most embarrassing relative most like Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon,
Dudley, or Percy Weasley?

I'm not related to Uncle Vernon. The rest of them ... well, I understand the characters, I'm just sayin'

What shape would your patronus take?

Dog

This never happened when I lived in the city.

2007-05-21T21:54:00.000-06:00

I grew up in Chicago. Within the city limits. I was living in downstate Illinois for (too) many years, and while I was there people would often ask "so where are you from," "Chicago," "what suburb?" I finally took to saying that I was from "Chicago, city of." Okay, I guess if you look at the population of Chicago and look at the population of the collar counties, odds are that more people come from the Chicago area than Chicago itself. But with around 3 million people there, SOMEBODY has to come from there.

When I lived in the city, I didn't live in one of the really BAD neighborhoods, nor one of the really GOOD neighborhoods. I had issues at times, and places where cars broke down where I'd rather NOT have had a car break down (dang Camaro) but I (obviously) lived to tell about it.

So, the other day I'm in white collar suburb and I'm in my minivan. Cars in front of me are not moving, cars behind me are not moving, there's a line of cars to my right that are not moving, and there are construction cones to my left. So three burly guys come up to Minivan, open the back, and proceed to take about 3 computers, a monitor, and a printer.

And all I could think to myself was ...

"well, now that I'm done at the recycling center, it's time to go to the hazarodous waste drop off."

When I lived in the city I NEVER had people come up and take stuff out of my car.

Of course, when I lived in the city these guys would regularly come and just wander to my basement and remove stuff. OKAY OKAY so it was the boy scouts collecting newspapers.

Sheltie (with brains of a fruit fly) would sit and watch them.

click

2007-05-20T23:16:00.000-06:00

Cute picture, huh?

This is a picture from Easter, it's Chip and his "Grandpa" Y. Grandpa Y isn't technically a parent of a parent of Chip - but we call him Grandpa and we love him dearly.

Grandpa Y is INTO origami. Seriously this guy leaves a trail or origami in his wake.

I like this picture, I like "watching" the people I love when they don't know I'm watching. I love watching my children interact with other loving adults. THIS is a picture Crem took that same day.

great minds think alike huh.

Today I have a similar picture -- but unfortunately at the time I didn't have a camera so it's only a picture in my mind.

Chip was in a ice show at the local rink. Crem actually came to watch day 3 of the show. Spouse and Princess went day 1 (when Princess lost her tooth), Princess and I went day 2, we decided that Princess didn't need to go again, so today I went and Uncle Crem (who is as much of an "Uncle" as "Grandpa" Y is a Grandpa) came to watch.

After the show, we had told Chip that he could choose to go someplace for dinner since he had done all the "work" of being in the show. He liked that idea and decided where dinner would be. I asked if he wanted to ride in ye old minivan but he choose to ride with Uncle C. Crem has an electric vehicle and I was following them. (Princess and Spouse did meet us for dinner). We were stopped at a light and I could see Crem talking to Chip and pointing out various and sundry things about his car. I know Crem loves talking about his EV (any EV owner loves to talk about his EV) and it seemed quite like Chip was very interested in the car. Chip is taking after yours truly in his interest in the environment.

Maybe, just maybe someday I'll get Chip and Crem to build me an EV. HEY gas prices being what they are.

News closer to home

2007-05-18T21:22:00.000-06:00

Um, does anyone have the email address for the tooth fairy??? Or her pager number?

Irony

2007-05-18T20:27:00.000-06:00

Once a month (or so) I run the computer (video) for the contemporary worship service at my church. It's really interesting, and I'm learning a bit about the computer program (Song Show Plus), about my own congregation, and sometimes a bit about the world.

This week Rev. Jerry Falwell died. I have absolutely no deep joy or remorse about this. People get old, they die, life goes on. There are some folks that are (rather) dancing on his grave because he did spew a lot of hate. Me, I'm sure that somebody will take his place. There's always another closed-minded bigot around.

Another thing that was (rather) fascinating this week ... The Phelps gang from Westboro Baptist Church (and I will NOT put a hyperlink to godhatesfags on this blog -- not now, not never, not noway) is going to be PROTESTING at the funeral of Jerry Falwell because

There is little doubt that Falwell split Hell wide open the instant he died. The evidence is compelling, overwhelming, and irrefragable. To wit:
1. Falwell was a true Calvinistic Baptist when he was a young preacher in Springfield, Missouri, and sold his soul to Free-Willism (Arminianism) for lucre.

2. Falwell bitterly and viciously attacked WBC because of WBC’s faithful Bible preaching—thereby committing the unpardonable sin—otherwise known as the sin against the Holy Ghost.

3. Falwell warmly praised Christ-rejecting Jews, pedophile-condoning Catholics, money-grubbing compromisers, practicing fags like Mel White, and backsliders like Billy Graham and Robert Schuler, etc. All for lucre—making him guilty of their sins.

Falwell is in Hell, Praise God!!

UMMMM -- yeah Falwell the ultra liberal???

NOW - how do these two things fit. My doing the computer for worship and Phelps.

Well, this week the theme is "Christian Unity" and the metaphor is "Coming Together."

In my prep work, I dug around on the World Council of Churches website. Grabbed some images from the WCC 9th Assembly. Bishop Tutu was there. Lots of other folks as well.

Falwell never was at a WCC Assembly (they have had a thing or two to say about some of his comments -- not very umm flattering).

I've a hunch that Phelps won't be heading up their next Assembly either.

A few weeks ago, many Koreans were feeling remorseful and apologetic about what happened at Virginia Tech (I know our Associate Pastor, who's Korean, was concerned). I didn't really understand WHY, I mean just because of what some dumb idiot does that shouldn't reflect on what anyone thinks about other people in that race, religion, sex, ....

NOW I get it -- if these idiots are what non Christians think of when they think of the term "Christian" -- I'd want to completely disassociate myself.

Well, at any rate, if the folks at Westboro Baptist Church ARE "right" and those that follow their ways are the only ones getting to heaven -- I'm not thinking it's where I'd want to spend eternity.

I'm just sayin...

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

At least I don't need a shopping list .......

2007-05-18T15:47:00.000-06:00

Chip sometimes complains about what I make for dinner (tough noogies). I tell him that if he has any requests he needs to put them in ahead of time.

SO - last night he made a request for today. Cheeseburgers and fries.

HEY -- at least I don't need to write up a shopping list -- it's pretty well stuck in my brain.

10 points to the first person that types in my shopping, AND references the source. I'll be surprised if it's not a lady from San Diego.

Clean AND Green

2007-05-17T10:59:00.001-06:00

You can find the original article here.

Hmmmm, I've been looking for a new gig -- I wonder if I can open one of these???

YO CREM!!! You want to fund me in a new business venture. You can do all the interviews.

X-rated nude car wash gets police all-clear
Thu May 17, 2007 11:50AM EDT

CANBERRA (Reuters) - A nude car wash offering an X-rated sideshow and topless cleaning in Australia's tropical Queensland state has been given the all-clear after police and officials said they were powerless to scrub it.

The Bubbles 'n' Babes car wash in Brisbane prompted a flood of complaints with a topless car wash for A$55 ($45) and a nude car wash with X-rated lap-dance service for A$100. "If it was approved for a car wash then I can't imagine how we can stop them," Lord Mayor Campbell Newman told a council meeting with worried local lawmakers.

Professional car washes have boomed in most cities with drought-stricken Australians banned from washing their own cars due to tough water restrictions.

Queensland police denied any cover-up in a state where their image has been dented by past accusations of police corruption and involvement with organized crime.

The raunchy wash, set up by a strip-club owner, was screened from the public and used recycled water to avoid breaching water use restrictions, they said.

"We don't want any traffic accidents caused by people looking at the girls instead of looking at the road," Superintendent Colin Campbell told local media.

© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies

And we need this because???

2007-05-17T07:40:00.000-06:00

snopes.com is a truly wonderful, useful site. It is an urban legends reference page. If you get one of those emails from BigBrosWife or whoever the person that *you* get forwards of forwards of forwards from, you can always check snopes.com to see whether you've just (once again) received a load of bunk.

My question of the day is this. Why do we need snopes.com? The following is from this article in the Chicago Tribune.
Child finds marijuana in Happy Meal

The Associated Press
May 16, 2007, 12:25 PM CDT

OTTAWA, Ill. -- A 17-year-old fast-food employee is facing drug charges after allegedly hiding marijuana in a Happy Meal that ended up with a young child.

Ottawa Police Chief Brian Zeilmann said a man and his three children went through a McDonald's drive-through Monday to order Happy Meals.

One of the children, an 8-year-old girl, found a lighter, pipe, and bag of marijuana in her Happy Meal, Zeilmann said. Her father went to the police.

A McDonald's employee, Brandon Scott of Ottawa, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

Zeilmann said the owners of the restaurant cooperated with the investigation that led to the arrest.
Copyright © 2007, The Associated Press

Illinois is a great place to live. We get 10 month old Bubba Ludwig with a gun permit, and an 8 year old picking up pot with her Happy Meal.

Tell me again why we need to make stuff up? Truth proves, once again, to be stranger than fiction.

"But she said she wanted a HAPPY MEAL"

Adults today (you're not going to like this)

2007-05-16T18:43:00.000-06:00

There's a lot of talk about "kids today." You know the story "kids today this" "kids today that" "kids, kids, kids." "Back in the day ..." But we've been saying this for quite some years now. I'm sure that Adam and Eve were exasperated with Cain and Abel.

Well, today my mind went wandering (a scary thing, as there's a nonzero chance that it might wander off and not come back) and I started wondering about some things.

"Back in the day" I held the line pretty well. Ah yes, I was not one to wander from the path of righteousness. Because, of course, I ~~was so pure and innocent~~ knew damn well that if I screwed up my folks would know about it before I got home -- and they'd trust whatever any grownup said 100 times more than anything I would say.

One thing I don't remember from "back in the day" (and it could just be because I was young and not aware) was looking for adult help. And I don't necessarily remember the leaders, coaches, etc. necessarily being the PARENTS of my peers. In my 11 years of Girl Scouts, I only recall two years that the leader of the troop was a mom of one of the girls (and man I couldn't WAIT to get out of mom's troop -- I even moved up a year early to get away from mom Of course, mom probably BEGGED Toots & Tommie to take me off her hands).

Now though, it seems that in every activity my kids are in, the adults involved are parents of someone in the group, and in many cases teeth are pulled in order to get the people involved. (Or activities are cancelled).

So my question is this? When you ask "what's the problem with kids today" I'll ask "where are the adults?" Where are the people that are *voluntarily* involved with kids, just because they love kids of a certain age or in a certain activity.

Are we all "too busy"?

And exactly what is it that we are "too busy" doing? (I hate when you ask someone what they're up too and they say they're "busy" are you too dang "busy" to even bother to have a conversation what what you're "busy" doing???)

Now, I know there are single adults out there (or married adults without kids, or adults with adult children) that might take a moment to point out that if they were to start to volunteer with kids, they'd fall under suspicion. What single guy would hang around with a bunch of little kids? So that gives us some other questions, like have we either organized or background checked or otherwise scared off some otherwise interested people? (I remember being a Brownie leader when I was about 20 and someone asking me which kid was mine. I'm like "honey I didn't go having any kids when I was 12")

When the day comes that my kids figure out that mom doesn't have a clue and they can't even bother to talk to me, what other trusted adults will they have to turn to???? I'd much rather have them talk to an Aunt or Uncle or Crem than talk to some other clueless kid.

What on earth is more important than being actively and lovingly involved in the lives of young people? Must be mighty significant cause we're all so dang "busy" doing it.

Yet somehow, I don't feel necessarily safer

2007-05-15T22:21:00.000-06:00

Well, I guess we can safely say that he's not a convicted felon.....

Firstcoastnews.com Article
Toddler Given Gun Permit

CHICAGO (AP) -- Bubba Ludwig can't walk, talk or open the refrigerator door -- but he does have his very own Illinois gun permit.

The 10-month-old, whose given name is Howard David Ludwig, was issued a firearm owner's identification card after his father, Howard Ludwig, paid the $5 fee and filled out the application, not expecting to actually get one.

The card lists the baby's height (2 feet, 3 inches), weight (20 pounds) and has a scribble where the signature should be.

With some exceptions, the cards are required of any Illinois residents purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition within the state. There are no age restrictions on the cards, an official said.

Illinois State Police oversee the application process. Their purpose, said Lt. Scott Compton, is to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons, those under an order of protection and those convicted of domestic violence.

"Does a 10-month-old need a FOID card? No, but there are no restrictions under the act regarding age of applicants," he said.

Ludwig, 30, of Chicago, applied for the card after his own father bought Bubba a 12-gauge Beretta shotgun as a gift. The weapon will probably be kept at Ludwig's father's house until the boy is at least 14.

Associate Press

How many girls do you know named Oscar

2007-05-15T09:06:00.000-06:00

I was talking to a girlfriend earlier, about girl stuff. And I got to thinking ...

Does it surprise ANYONE (okay -- any FEMALE one) that the following was written by a man??
When I have a brand new hairdo
With my eyelashes all in curl,
I float as the clouds on air do,
I enjoy being a girl!

When men say I'm cute and funny
And my teeth aren't teeth, but pearl,
I just lap it up like honey
I enjoy being a girl!

There are some days (weeks, months, years) that being a girl is just not "enjoy"able.

I mean -- if Oscar Hammerstein wasn't already dead for 40+ years, I might be tempted to hunt him down and shoot him.

I'm JUST SAYIN .....

Morpheus??

2007-05-15T08:19:00.000-06:00

?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??

Morpheus
Take this quiz!

Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

I always knew I was a Hufflepuff at heart

2007-05-14T07:30:00.000-06:00

I even TRIED changing a few answers on this one and came up the same.

...and which lesser Harry Potter character are you?

Rather surprised with this result.

2007-05-13T14:35:00.000-06:00

Really??? Oh well I was as honest as I could be ...

You scored as Harry Potter. You can be a little reckless and hot-headed at times, but a more brave and courageous friend would be hard to find.

Harry Potter

90%

Ginny Weasley

85%

Sirius Black

85%

Remus Lupin

75%

Ron Weasley

65%

Albus Dumbledore

50%

Severus Snape

50%

Lord Voldemort

50%

Draco Malfoy

50%

Hermione Granger

30%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...?
created with QuizFarm.com

Way Too Frickin' Cool

2007-05-10T13:53:00.000-06:00

A few months ago, in Scott Adams Dilbert blog he wrote a post titled Too Frickin' Cool, in which he asked people to comment on technology that is so futuristic that they can't believe they are using it.

Well Scott (who, mostly likely, is NOT reading this)

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I first saw this, I double checked to make sure it wasn't an urban legend. It actually has about all the earmarks of an urban legend, a young child, verge of death (think Craig Shergold).

NOPE -- NOT an urban legend. Just plain too frickin' cool!!!!

GPS helps find boy needing transplant
Associated Press
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Police found a 10-year-old boy awaiting a heart transplant by finding his mother's cell phone with global-positioning technology, a technique usually used to find criminals.
John Paul May, of Harrisville, had the successful surgery at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh on Saturday night, but came dangerously close to being passed over for the donor heart until police tracked down him and his mother at a university jazz festival.

The hospital called state police Saturday afternoon because officials couldn't reach May's parents to let them know a donor heart had been found. When police couldn't find the boy or reach him by phone, they contacted Sprint to get the coordinates of his mother's cell phone.

"The only time you can use it is life or death, or to track someone wanted in a homicide," state police Cpl. James Green said. Otherwise, police must get a warrant from a judge.

Using the coordinates, state police tracked the phone to a Slippery Rock University building. Police stopped the jazz concert and announced they were looking for May and his mother, Sue.

The crowd of about 500 gave the boy a standing ovation as he left, said Steve Hawk, a music professor who conducted the concert.

"I've been in the entertainment business for 30 years and never had such an emotional, shocking event happen at something live," Hawk said.

May was listed in critical but stable condition yesterday, according to a hospital spokesman.

Find this article at:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/health_science/daily/20070509_GPS_helps_find_boy_in_nick_of_time.html

And I will consider this post one of the few that's actually WORTH the cyberspace it takes up if just ONE person runs out today and registers to be an organ donor. You can find out how to be an organ donor in your state by clicking on this link.

(Personal note to Crem -- if I know you've filled this out -- you don't need to worry about Donna Natalie Rothschild).

Taiwanese Legislature Brawl

2007-05-10T02:26:00.001-06:00

Yeah -- it may look like inappropriate behavior for elected officials -- but my hunch is there are people sitting around at C-Span going "how can we get OUR guys to do that"

yeah -- it's big, but at least it's ugly

2007-05-09T21:01:00.000-06:00

Chicago will soon become home to the country's largest building. Plans are going ahead to put up this building ...

2,000 feet tall.

As a comparison, the Empire state building is about 1400 feet. The Freedom Tower will be 1,776 feet tall. The Sears Tower is also about 1400 feet.

Looking at this photo, left is south, and north is right. My friend works in the tall white squarish building to the south of the spire.

When I first saw a photo of the spire I called Crem and said something to the effect of "aren't you just glad that you don't have to look at a 2,000 foot ph _ _ _ ic symbol all day every day"

I thought she was a sweetie

2007-05-08T14:23:00.000-06:00

Regular readers may recall Licorice from this post about a happy tail.

She really is a sweetie.

But this weekend I saw a movie, and today I saw a picture of Licorice I hadn't seen before.

NO I don't think she's a bad guy -- but when I looked at the picture -- well you know the teeth just reminded me.

But how do you coordinate 18,000 people with just a megaphone??

2007-05-08T08:43:00.000-06:00

Highlights only -- if you're interested in the entire article, you can find it here on Reuters
Thousands strip for photo shoot
Mon May 7, 2007 8:57AM EDT
By Tomas Sarmiento

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A record 18,000 people took off their clothes to pose for U.S. photographic artist Spencer Tunick Sunday in Mexico City's Zocalo square, the heart of the ancient Aztec empire.

Tunick, who has raised eyebrows by staging mass nude photo shoots in cities from Dusseldorf, Germany, to Caracas, smashed his previous record of 7,000 volunteers set in 2003 in Barcelona, Spain.

Directing with a megaphone, Tunick shot a series of pictures with his Mexican models simultaneously raising their arms, then lying on their backs in the square as well as another scene on a side street with volunteers arranged in the shape of an arrow.

...

"They're losing dignity as men and women," said 63-year-old Armando Pineda, leaning against the cathedral and watching the now-dressed models leave the plaza. "It's an offense against the church."

© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

Quick question .......

How is this an offense against the church. I just checked my Genesis and according to that, God created the following ...

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, then light, firmament, waters, grass, seed, fruit tree, whales, living creatures, winged fowl, beast, cattle, man.

NOWHERE does it say that God created The Gap (or L.L. Bean, or J. Crew, or The Limited, or even Wal Mart).

OHHHHHHH -- the quote was that the posing was an offense to the church. Maybe the CHURCH created Levi's??

Happy Birthday

2007-05-05T08:09:00.000-06:00

It's May 5th. In part of the world we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. HEY -- a party that involves margaritas is not a bad deal in my book.

BUT today is also significant to rambling-mom for two other reasons.

It happens to be niece3's birthday.

Niece 3 is almost a high school graduate, who will be going to college in the fall. I'm quite excited because she's going "away" to college in my town. Course, as a college student I'm sure she won't have much time to join her old aunt in the minivan lane -- but I at least hope to be able to kidnap her for lunch once in a while (especially since her school is right by one of my favorite restaurants).

It also happens to be my best friend's birthday.

So I sit hear, quietly giving thanks that these two wonderful people are in my life. And I'm not calling Niece3 because, well she's in high school and I know better to call a high school kid before the crack of noon on a Saturday, and Crem, well last I checked he wanted a quiet, laid back kind of day so if he needs me he knows where to find me otherwise I'll leave him be and hope his FuzzForBrains

let's him take a nap.

Happy birthday Sweetie, Happy Birthday Handsome, MANY happy returns of the day.

This is like TOOOOOOOOOOO cute

2007-05-05T08:04:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the efforts of one of the volunteers, the Critter Corral, a guinea pig rescue that we've adopted from and have sometimes done volunteer work for now has their own Myspace web page.

I decided to check it out and found this wayyyyyyyyyy tooooooooooo cute video. If you have kids, they'll love it.

The Guinea Pig Way

Add to My Profile | More Videos

News you can use

2007-05-02T07:49:00.000-06:00

Well, at least new I can use. In this blog entry, I mentioned one of my favorite songs and libations. Now, I come to find that Jimmy Buffett is even more intelligent than we all knew.

From Reuters

Fruity cocktails count as health food, study finds
Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:36 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers said on Thursday.

Adding ethanol -- the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits -- boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries, the researchers found.

Any colored fruit might be made even more healthful with the addition of a splash of alcohol, they report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul and colleagues at Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture stumbled upon their finding unexpectedly.

They were exploring ways to help keep strawberries fresh during storage. Treating the berries with alcohol increased in antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity, they found.

Any colored fruit or vegetable is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of compounds called free radicals.

Berries, for instance, contain compounds known as polyphenols and anthocyanins. People who eat more of these fruits and vegetables have a documented lower risk of cancer, heart disease and some neurological diseases.

The study did not address whether adding a little cocktail umbrella enhanced the effects.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

Boat drinks.
Waitress, I need two more boat drinks.
Then I'm headin south 'fore my dream shrinks.
I gotta where it's warm.

YO CREM -- need me to take you out for your birthday??

Favorite quote from the weekend.

2007-04-30T17:51:00.000-06:00

My friend Christina spent the weekend at the Democratic convention in California. She gives a review here.

Reading this reminded me that I heard a sound bite that I liked. Now, I'm with those that are still "dating" the candidates and finding out stuff. Heck I have a couple months until the Illinois primary. I didn't really follow the proceedings in Ca, but I did hear one thing (probably on the radio) that just made sense to me.

People tell me I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I promise you this, I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.

Barack Obama

Can't argue with that.

vacation -- heck I'm MOVING

2007-04-27T07:20:00.000-06:00

I read today on Reuters about a new tourist town in China.

Now a while back in this post I said that ... There are certain places I'd like to go in my life (I'd love to visit Alaska, Paris, and there's this beach I need to go to with my friend, JK). All fine and good places. But I think I've found my slice of heaven.

Excerpts from the Reuters article ...

"Women's town" to put men in their place
Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:09AM EDT
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese tourism authorities are seeking investment to build a novel concept attraction -- the world's first "women's town," where men get punished for disobedience, an official said Thursday.

The 2.3-square-km Longshuihu village in the Shuangqiao district of Chongqing municipality, also known as "women's town," was based on the local traditional concept of "women rule and men obey," a tourism official told Reuters.

The motto of the new town would be "women never make mistakes, and men can never refuse women's requests," Chinese media have reported.

When tour groups enter the town, female tourists would play the dominant role when shopping or choosing a place to stay, and a disobedient man would be punished by "kneeling on an uneven board" or washing dishes in restaurant, media reports said.

© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved.

VISIT??? Hasta la vista boys & girls - I'm moving. Okay I haven't told anyone yet, and I need to get the kids passports and such in order, need to find some jobs, but I've found the near perfect place to live.

Signed -- she who must be obeyed.

A Happy Tail

2007-04-22T20:46:00.000-06:00

My friend over at The Family Blender works at a vet and told of a sad day at work last week. I thought I might send in a happy tail.

Actually, when she first related her sad day at work, I was going to mention a furry friend of mine that I'll call Licorice. Licorice is a very sweet and friendly black lab (or mostly black lab) that was recently released to a local rescue organization. When the rescue worker went to the house to pick up the dog, the kids didn't even say goodbye. If someone tried to take Fuzzybutt from my house, trust that both my kids would be kicking and screaming.

Now, Licorice is sweet (as her name implies) but she's got some skin issues and some ear issues, all that are being taken care of by medicine.

Today, Licorice found her new family.

Her family has a wonderful fenced yard for her. Okay - the fenced yard is an acre in a suburb of Chicago (and in that burb a large yard is considered 1/4 acre) and the house is rather large from what I'm given to understand. There's also an inground pool. Licorice isn't going to be there for long though, as the family will be spending the summer at their Colorado home (which also has an inground pool). (I wonder if they need to adopt anyone else??? I'm available)

I was thinking about this -- judging from the description of their home, I have a feeling that this family ~~is frigging bloody well off~~could, if they wanted to, afford pretty much any dog they wanted. They could get some fancy "designer breed," or the kind of dog that is used as a "fashion accessory" by A list Hollywood Celebrities

But, instead they pick this mangy mutt...

Licorice is going to get exactly what she deserves. And I'm happy for her.

Oh My that is so close

2007-04-20T11:51:00.000-06:00

What type of Fae are you?

Yeah -- but what's her average??

2007-04-20T10:20:00.000-06:00

This picture is from the Chicago Tribune Photo Page

Zoe, a 19-pound Jack Russell terrier and the in-house mascot of King-Pin Lanes in Fox River Grove, steals 8-pound bowling balls from bowlers and carries them around like toys. (Tribune photo by E. Jason Wambsgans) February 9, 2007

To Old Blue Socks

2007-04-19T12:29:00.000-06:00

A personal note to Sock Girl

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

a really, really, really BIG show

2007-04-18T13:36:00.000-06:00

This falls into the "how frigging cool is that" category. Somewhere I saw something about the People's Voice Webby awards, so I decided to go see what was there. There was a whole lot that I didn't vote on, and it's pretty amazing how much stuff is out there, on the web.

One thing I didn't know was out there, and in relation this site really shows us that, well, the World Wide Web, in relation, isn't that big and complex ... because I discovered this web site.

Which just goes to show that we really ain't "all that".

Here are a few of the 975 pictures from the site, go look at more.

I ask you ... how cool is THAT???

Hand me my crinoline

2007-04-11T10:25:00.000-06:00

I took the Bem Androgyny Test to see how "fem" or "butch" I am. Now anyone that knows me knows that physically I'm not a "girlie" girl. I rarely wear makeup, I wear dresses on occasion, but have probably worn hose about 5 times in the past couple of decades, and I haven't worn heels since the Reagan administration.

Needless to say, I was rather surprised that, on this, I tested out as FEMININE.

I'm not talking -20 or -21 or even -25.

NOPE -- I ranked in at ~~-37~~ check that -- grabbed the calculator in case I had made an error (hey I'll admit to mathematical errors) my score a -40.

Which in a way surprises me, I have been known to drive around without asking for directions or looking at a map.

But I suddenly have an urge to go do "guy" things. YO CREM need some help with the batteries soon?

Bem Androgyny Test

See if you are "Butch" or "Fem"

This test is a way of judging how masculine or feminine you are. Answer
questions as the term best fits you according to the following scale:

1 = Never or almost never true
2 = Usually not true
3 = Sometimes but infrequently true
4 = Occasionally true
5 = Often true
6 = Usually true
7 = Always or almost always true

Questions:

1. Acts as a Leader 31. Has leadership abilities
2. Adaptable 32. Moody
3. Affectionate 33. Loves children
4. Conceited 34. Reliable
5. Aggressive 35. Independent
6. Cheerful 36. Loyal
7. Ambitious 37. Individualistic
8. Conscientious 38. Secretive
9. Childlike 39. Sensitive to the needs of others
10. Conventional 40. Sincere
11. Analytical 41. Makes decisions easily
12. Compassionate 42. Shy
13. Assertive 43. Masculine
14. Friendly 44. Solemn
15. Does not use harsh language 45. Soft-spoken
16. Happy 46. Tactful
17. Athletic 47. Self-reliant
18. Eager to soothe hurt feelings 48. Sympathetic
19. Competitive 49. Self-sufficient
20. Helpful 50. Theatrical
21. Feminine 51. Tender
22. Inefficient 52. Truthful
23. Defends own beliefs 53. Strong personality
24. Flatterable 54. Understanding
25. Dominant 55. Willing to take a stand
26. Jealous 56. Unpredictable
27. Gentle 57. Warm
28. Likable 58. Unsystematic
29. Forceful 59. Willing to take risks
30. Gullible 60. Yielding

Answers:

1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____

7. _____ 8. _____ 9. _____ 10. _____ 11. _____ 12. _____

13. _____ 14. _____ 15. _____ 16. _____ 17. _____ 18. _____

19. _____ 20. _____ 21. _____ 22. _____ 23. _____ 24. _____

25. _____ 26. _____ 27. _____ 28. _____ 29. _____ 30. _____

31. _____ 32. _____ 33. _____ 34. _____ 35. _____ 36. _____

37. _____ 38. _____ 39. _____ 40. _____ 41. _____ 42. _____

43. _____ 44. _____ 45. _____ 46. _____ 47. _____ 48. _____

49. _____ 50. _____ 51. _____ 52. _____ 53. _____ 54. _____

55. _____ 56. _____ 57. _____ 58. _____ 59. _____ 60. _____

Column totals: (Add up the values in each of the six columns.)

1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____

Masculine traits: _____ Add column 1 to column 5.

Feminine traits: _____ Add column 3 to column 6.

Bem score: _____ Subtract Feminine traits from Masculine traits.
Masculine traits - Feminine traits = Bem score.
Compare Bem score to the androgyny scale below.

Androgyny scale:

Masculine > +20
Nearly Masculine +10 to +19
Androgynous + 9 to - 9
Nearly feminine -10 to -19
Feminine < -20

Columns 1 and 5 are the "Masculine" traits.
Columns 3 and 6 are the "Feminine" traits.
Columns 2 and 4 are the "Neutral" traits.

Just call 1-800-Darwin

2007-04-11T09:17:00.000-06:00

There are Darwin Awards, awarded posthumously (obviously) to those that, through their own stupidity, have successfully removed themselves from the gene pool. Obviously, some people want to add themselves to the list of recipients.

Here are excerpts from this article from today's Chicago Tribune.

A few questions first ....

1) Why bring a gun to school in the first place?

2) If you're so darn smart about guns, can't you figure if the durn thing is loaded?

~~3) If you do manage to shoot yourself, shouldn't you call for medical help before running to hide the gun by throwing it in plain site (on the grassy knoll?)~~

4) What are they teaching students in Chicago schools anyway?

I had to strike question 3. I mean if someone is stupid enough to bring a gun to school, without checking first to see if it's loaded, they probably don't have enough brains to stop the friggin bleeding.

Gun sneaked into high school
Officials investigate security breakdown after 2 are hurt

By Mary Owen
Tribune staff reporter

April 11, 2007

After two students were shot at a South Side high school Tuesday, school officials are investigating how one of them was able to slip a gun into the building, especially since security had been beefed up at the school following a shooting last month.

Police said a 15-year-old student at Chicago Vocational Career Academy brought the gun to school and accidentally fired it once, striking himself in the left thigh. The bullet also hit the right thigh of a 14-year-old student sitting next to him in class.

The students had been passing the gun between them and thought it was not loaded, Deputy Chief Michael Shields said.

Both students were hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday.

School officials said students enter the building through three main entrances, where they must swipe identification cards. The entrances are equipped with metal detectors.

Chicago Public Schools spokesman Michael Vaughn, said reports that students go through the metal detectors at random were untrue.

"Every student is screened every day," Vaughn said.

However, school security records show the two students did not swipe their cards Tuesday to enter the school, said Andres Durbak, an officer with the district's Bureau of Safety and Security.

Vaughn said they will review surveillance video and conduct interviews to determine how and where the students entered the school, located at 2100 E. 87th St.

Additional security guards were added after two 16-year-old students were injured March 22 when an unknown person opened fire on them in the school's parking lot, Vaughn said. After Tuesday's incident, even more security guards will be at the entrances, he said.

"We'll provide additional presence at the building and talk to administrators and make sure to get the weapons out," Vaughn said. "Obviously, the safety of our students and staff are of the highest priority to us, and we will do everything we can do to beef up security at our school."

Tuesday's shooting occurred about 2:15 p.m during 8th period, police said. One of the students was showing a 9 mm Ruger handgun to another in the back of a science class when the gun went off accidentally, said Assistant Deputy Police Supt. Robert Lopez.

Lopez said the 15-year-old student ran outside bleeding and threw the gun in a grassy area on the east side of the school. Security guards confronted him as he came back inside, and he led them to where the gun was hidden, Lopez said.

He is being treated at University of Chicago Hospitals, while the other student was taken to Stroger Hospital, Lopez said.

----------

mowen@tribune
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

I'm just like everyone else.....

2007-04-09T10:58:00.000-06:00

I thing all the other augustmoms that blog have done this so I guess I should follow along. Many of these interest me because they seem to be written by people who are like, 1/2 my age.

1. Explain what ended your last relationship.

Divorce :}. Mostly we got married way too young and should have gotten married to each other.

2.When was the last time you shaved?

I don't remember. I have very light hair and it's winter here so I'm not seeing a big need.

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 am?

Driving the kids to school (late)

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?

Proofreading tax returns.

5. Are you any good at math?

Not so much.

6. Your prom night, what do you remember about it?

Not really all that much.

7. Do you have any famous ancestors?

Supposedly some pirates ;} ARGH

8. Have you had to take a loan out for school?

No (should have)

9. Last thing received in the mail?

Form from the IRS

10. How many different beverages have you had today?

Coffee

11. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?

Beach Boys and Chicago. They were touring together. I was at home and a guy came to deliver pizzas and had a Chicago & the Beach Boys t-shirt on. I expressed envy that he had gotten to go, and about 1/2 later he called, said he had tickets for the next night, and asked me to go. I wonder what will happen when my daughter is 16 and wants to go on a date with a practically total stranger??

12. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?

Don't think so.

13. What’s the most painful dental procedure you’ve had done?

Wisdom teeth pulled. I was living on the cheap and I went to my girlfriend's brother -- he was a brand new dentist and not quite qualified to do the job.

14. What is out your back door?

Giant doing cartwheels, a statue wearing highheels okay -- a swingset and beautiful yellow forsythia.

15. What did you do last night?

Had Easter dinner at the Sister-in-laws (which was a rerun of Easter lunch).

16. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?

Don't mind -- makes it frizzy and lighter. I don't mind the frizz as long as I have my hair in layers.

17. Have you ever received one of those big tins with 3 different kinds of popcorn?

YEAH -- they are GREAT for storing dog food.

18. Have you ever been to a planetarium?

Yes. Quite a few actually -- I need to take Chip again.

19. Do you re-use towels after you shower?

Yes.

20. Something you are excited about?

TAX SEASON WILL END - 8 days 12 hours and 7 minutes (but who is counting). I see the light at the end of the tunnel (or maybe that's just another train heading in my direction).

21. What is your favorite flavor of jell-o?

What if I don't particularly care about jello??

22. Describe your key chain..

I don't have a keychain. I have too many keys, the car door opener, the thing (with a dead battery) that chirps when I lose my keys.

BEST keyring I ever had was my "Kermit the Frog" keyring. It was a color of green that was never seen in nature -- and it was impossible to lose the keys with THAT COLOR on the keyring.

23. Where do you keep your change?

pocket - and then in a plastic cup on my dresser.

24. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?

Hmmm -- either a couple of weeks ago at a women in business breakfast *OR* would we count yesterday when the kids (and two adults) did a version of Mary Poppins for the family Easter party??

25. What kind of winter coat do you own?

I have a big green down filled thing, and a leather jacket that I got from my sister when she (what's the opposite of outgrew?? grewndown??) it.

26.. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?

Depends on what kind of a mood I'm in, how tired I am, yada yada.

27. Do you love someone right now?

Quite a few someones.

28. Have you ever cheated on someone?

Not since the Reagan administration. Not that I'm all that straight laced -- I'm too tired and don't want to keep track of lies.

29. Do you have a crush on someone right now?

There is a woman that works for me. I am TOTALLY in love with her dog Silver.

30.How many pairs of shoes do you own?

one pair of birks - one pair of gym shoes - pair of Uggs - and a pair of "dress" shoes.

Spring in the Windy City.

2007-04-02T12:56:00.000-06:00

It's SPRING in Chicago. How do I know this ....

1) I saw a robin this morning

2) The Cubs are playing (and losing in Cincinnati)

3) The Sox are playing (and losing at the Cell)

4) The orange signs have flown back after their winter break

Do the still play the blues in Chicago
when baseball season rolls around?
When the snow melts away, do the Cubbies still play
in their ivy covered burial ground?
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
but now they only bring fatigue
to the land of the brave,
the home of the free,
and the doormat of the National League.

Steve Goodman

Obviously -- Spouse was not in this study

2007-04-01T09:08:00.000-06:00

From a study at the University of Vienna
Men drained by bed sharing

Scientists in Austria say sharing a bed with someone temporarily reduces men's brain power.

When men spend the night with someone their sleep is disturbed, whether they make love or not, and this impairs their mental ability the next day.

According to the New Scientist study, women who share a bed fare better because they sleep more deeply.

Professor Gerhard Kloesch and colleagues at the University of Vienna studied eight unmarried, childless couples in their 20s.

Each couple was asked to spend 10 nights sleeping together and 10 apart while the scientists assessed their rest patterns with questionnaires and wrist activity monitors.

The next day the couples were asked to perform simple cognitive tests and had their stress hormone levels checked.

Although the men reported they had slept better with a partner, they fared worse in the tests, with their results suggesting they actually had more disturbed sleep.

But women apparently managed to sleep more deeply when they did eventually drop off, since they claimed to be more refreshed than their sleep time suggested.

Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert at the University of Surrey, said: "Historically, we have never been meant to sleep in the same bed as each other. It is a bizarre thing to do.

"Sharing the bed space with someone who is making noises and who you have to fight with for the duvet is not sensible."

Obviously Spouse wasn't part of the study. He snores too darn much for me to get any rest next to him.

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

Just toooooo weird

2007-03-30T11:59:00.000-06:00

Some things, I just do NOT get. Some artist makes creations out of food. His latest, a Chocolate Jesus.

You can read about it on this CNN article, and many other places on the web.

Okay - I'll admit to looking and I saw the full frontal view. I'll admit it does offend me. And I don't think it offends me as a Christian. I was trying to picture other "chocolate sculptures" in my mind. I mean I think I'd get creeped out at a chocolate David.

Here's what I'm saying ...... there are places for chocolate, and there are places for nudity, and there are certainly places for chocolate and nudity. I haven't found an inappropriate place for chocolate, I'm sure there are places that I'd prefer not to have nudity (like, say, a preschool, not needing a full sized David there). But when it comes to chocolate *and* nudity, I'm thinking behind closed doors and consenting adults.

I'm just saying.

My sweet lord (hallelujah)
Hm, my lord (hallelujah)
My, my, my lord (hallelujah)

I really want to know you (hallelujah)
Really want to go with you (hallelujah)
Really want to show you lord (aaah)
That it won't take long, my lord (hallelujah)

Me -- I'm going back to
The chocolate bunny

I'm just sayin...

The evil Jewish guys are at it again.

2007-03-30T10:26:00.000-06:00

Today I'm grateful for,

Those guys. They are EVIL I tell you, EVIL. So today I'm trying to figure out what to do for lunch. This week is spring break, so my kids aren't going off to school. I'm not getting up as early as I do when they have school, and I haven't ~~made the time~~ had the time to make myself lunch. Around the corner (okay like 1/2 a mile away) is
this Jewish deli that I've been known to frequent.

EVERY day they have Chicken Soup -- you could have it with Matzo ball, Noodles, or Kreplach (Jewish Wontons). Honestly, I can't speak for the Noodles or the Kreplach because I've NEVER gotten past the Matzo.

Every weekday they also have a special soup. Many times I've gone in and had their special soup and I've never run into one that I didn't like. I've had a few that I didn't try because they just didn't sound appealing to me. For instance yesterday was a vegetarian spring vegetable. I'm sure it was tasty but it just sounded too healthy for my tastes.

So, today as I'm debating whether to drive home and make a lunch and bring it back, or go out somewhere I check the soup schedule.

Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup

EVIL I tell you. Evil incarnate.

I better run before the lunch rush.

It's a strange strange world we live in.

2007-03-27T12:40:00.000-06:00

In today's news, there was talk about how global climate changes might cause there to be some novel climates, and how some climates can disappear altogether. You can look here for information from the Proceeds of the National Academy of Sciences.

MEANWHILE -- Levester Johnson of Akron, Ohio is taking his dog out for a jog, as we see in this picture in the Chicago Tribune ...

Yesterday morning, in Akron, Ohio, it was about 54 degrees at 7:00. Certainly not too cold or too warm. It wasn't raining or snowing, and was a bit overcast (so there'd be no problem with too much sun in the eyes).

And in case you're wondering - Mr. Johnson of Akron, Ohio needed to HURRY to jog his dog so that he would

HAVE TIME TO GO TO THE GYM!!!!

From my best guess, Mr. Johnson drives a Mitsubushi Endeavor. According to the Green Guide for vehicles on the EPA website, the Air Pollution score for the Endeavor is a 6, and the Greenhouse gas score is a 4. (As a comparison, the AP score for the Toyota Prius is a 9.5, and the Greenhouse Gas score is a 10. A Toyota Sequoia has a air pollution score of 3 and a greenhouse gas score of 2).

See the epa website for more information.

What day is it????

2007-03-26T09:37:00.000-06:00

This morning I was reading a friend's blog and discovered that today is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day.

SOOOOOOOOO, is there something worth celebrating that you don't have a special day for? I'd like to hear some ideas, and then ~~just as soon as I come up with one~~ I'll tell you my amazingly wonderful idea.

To me this matters

2007-03-23T16:19:00.000-06:00

Current events ....

Super Bowl: I guess the commercials are okay

March Madness: That's something to do with basketball, right?

Sanjaya: WhatEVER

Now *THIS* I do care about ...

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson to Reprise Roles in the Final Two Installments of Warner Bros. Pictures' ''Harry Potter'' Film Franchise

WHEW!!!!! Lays to rest

1) the Hasta la vista Hermione rumors.

2) the Dan will be too old camp

I actually had this discussion with Crem. He pointed out that he thought (or that others thought) that Dan might to "too old" to play Harry when the final movie comes out. NOW --at most by the time the final movie comes out it will be 2011 -- which is ten years after Sorcerer's Stone was first released so he'd have aged an extra three years in the 7 years of school.

Here's my thought ... I need to suspend my belief for the following

some orphan kid finds out he's not an ordinary orphan -- but the child of wizards?

speaking of which, his parents didn't die in an auto accident - but were murdered by the most evil wizard that ever lived ...

now it happens that this evil wizard has a name that nobody will ever say, and he lived (at least in the first book/movie) on the back of some other guys head.

(And we haven't touched on the ghosts, house elves, platform 9-3/4 and the Knight bus and the flying soccer games).

I *think* I can wrap my mind around an "AGED" Harry, Hermoine, and Ron.

I'm looking forward to reading the final book and seeing movies 5, 6, and 7. (However, I am *NOT* looking forward to the series ending. I'll sort of miss speculating what will happen to Harry and Co.)

BURBANK, CALIF., March 23 /CNW/ - Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson will reprise the roles they have made their own: teen wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively, in Warner Bros. Pictures' "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the final two motion picture adaptations of J.K. Rowling's best-selling book series. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

In making the announcement, Robinov said, "When Daniel, Rupert and Emma were first cast as Harry, Ron and Hermione, we knew they were not only talented, but had a very special chemistry. Through the years, and in each of the 'Harry Potter' films, we have watched them grow into extraordinary young adults, as well as remarkable actors. It would be inconceivable to imagine anyone else in the roles with which they have become so identified, so we are thrilled and proud that Daniel, Rupert and Emma have chosen to complete the arc of their characters in the final two films."

Both "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" are being produced by David Heyman, who has produced all of the Harry Potter films to date and was instrumental in bringing the franchise to the screen, beginning with the first blockbuster, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." David Barron, who served as an executive producer on "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and is a producer on the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," will also be producing the final two installments of the franchise.

Producer David Heyman said, "One of the highlights of this journey has been to witness Dan, Rupert and Emma blossom from children into young adults. They have emerged as consummate professionals who are dedicated to honing their craft and striving for excellence. And yet, throughout, they have retained their enthusiasm and spirit, and they remain, to this day, the same wonderful, kind and generous individuals I met all those years ago."

Daniel Radcliffe remarked, "Playing the role of Harry Potter has been an immense privilege, and I look forward to completing the series. I feel a huge sense of loyalty to the character of Harry and the fans who have supported these films over the years. During filming, I have learnt so much, made lots of friends and met people who have changed my life. I am indebted to J K Rowling, Warner Bros. and David Heyman for giving me this fantastic opportunity."

Emma Watson stated, "I could never let Hermione go--she is my hero! I love her too much and love what playing her has meant to me. I am excited and honoured to be finishing what I started and playing her in all seven of the films."

Rupert Grint offered, "Ron Weasley has become a big part of my life and not just because we've both got ginger hair! I've been so proud to play him and loved every second of being part of this world. I'm really looking forward to filming the last two films and being back with my 'Weasley family' and, of course, to seeing my good friends Emma and Dan. Thank you to everyone for being so supportive over the years; we couldn't have done it without you."

Warner Bros. Pictures' fifth film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is slated for release in the U.S. on July 13, 07.

Dan, Emma, and Rupert will go down in history with other famous threesomes.

It must be true -- I took a test.

2007-03-22T17:29:00.001-06:00

Your results:
You are Deanna Troi

Deanna Troi		75%
Chekov		70%
An Expendable Character (Redshirt)		55%
James T. Kirk (Captain)		50%
Uhura		50%
Will Riker		50%
Leonard McCoy (Bones)		45%
Geordi LaForge		45%
Beverly Crusher		40%
Worf		40%
Spock		37%
Data		30%
Jean-Luc Picard		25%
Mr. Scott		20%
Mr. Sulu		0%

You are a caring and loving individual.
You understand people's emotions and
you are able to comfort and counsel them.

Click here to take the Star Trek Personality Quiz

More testing

2007-03-21T18:26:00.000-06:00

You Are 28% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well.

In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

It's not easy being green

2007-03-21T18:22:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure exactly what this means

Your results:
You are Green Lantern

Green Lantern		90%
Spider-Man		80%
Superman		70%
Catwoman		70%
Robin		65%
Hulk		65%
Supergirl		55%
The Flash		55%
Batman		45%
Wonder Woman		45%
Iron Man		25%

Hot-headed. You have strong
will power and a good imagination.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

If you know the answer -- please explain it to me?????

2007-03-19T14:18:00.000-06:00

According to recent news, the U.S. military is having trouble finding enough people to send over to the desert to get killed, so they have lowered their standards and started accepting soldiers that are former convicts.

Check out this article from the Chicago Tribune. I'll pull some quotes below. But a few comments first.

Over the *many* years I've been on Spaceship Earth, I've known quite a few gays, and quite a few lesbians. To the best of my recollection I haven't had any issues with any of them (and quite a few really run times to boot - ever gone square dancing with a bunch of gay boys???) I suppose if I did have any issues there was nothing that big, as I've forgotten about it. OH YEAH -- there was one time -- you'll have to go to the end of this posting to find out.

Over the years, to my knowledge, I've had one close encounter with a former convict. Surgery was needed to mend broken bones, and we took to calling the look I wore for the next few weeks "variations on a raccoon." Really I never knew there were so very many shades of purple.

So really -- who would you rather be "in the trenches" with?? Someone that would rather crack your head open?? Or someone that helps pull you up by the bootstraps when your head has been cracked open??

`Don't ask' rule's serious tradeoffs

Published March 4, 2007

Thanks to the growing demands of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military has had increasing trouble finding and keeping recruits. So it's had to lower its standards. How much? Since 2003, the number of convicted felons allowed to join has nearly doubled--to 1,605 last year. The military has also welcomed nearly 44,000 enlistees convicted of serious misdemeanors. Going from an orange jumpsuit to desert camo must be a refreshing change.

But the Pentagon hasn't eliminated its standards entirely. You still can't serve your country if you have a thing for people of your own sex. And if you are secretly gay, you can be kicked out if your sexual orientation becomes known. Since 1993, more than 11,000 troops have been discharged under President Bill Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. If you were in the Army, would you rather bunk next to a homosexual or an ex-con?

...

Many of those soldiers evicted under the existing policy have vital skills that are hard to replace, such as fluency in Arabic or Farsi. At the same time the military is discharging gays, it is compelled to embrace ex-cons. That's the weird tradeoff we've chosen with don't-ask-don't-tell.

If the policy were only detrimental to gays, it might be justified. But right now, it looks like a policy billed as preserving military effectiveness that actually does just the opposite.

----------

Steve Chapman is a member of the Tribune's editorial board. E-mail: schapman@tribune.com

As promised, I did once take issue with something that one of my gay friends said. He had just finished up his Master's and was going on to his Ph.D. At the time we were both living in a University town and completely surrounded by academic type people.

Since he had finished up his thesis shortly before graduation time, I asked if he was going to go through graduation and invite his family out and such. He said "it's ONLY a Master's." I really laid into him - told him that just because he is hanging around a bunch of Professors and Ph.D.s and such it doesn't mean that a Master's is worthless and how many people in his family have a Master's and how many people in the town he grew up in had a Master's or a Bachelor's or whatever. I laid into him for about 10 minutes letting him know that his recent *accomplishment* was not worthless.

I think I scared the poor boy.

Which just goes to show -- you *DO NOT* put down my friends when you're around me, even if you're putting down yourself.

Mary had a little lamb

2007-03-17T18:23:00.000-06:00

NO -- I didn't have that particular little lamb. I was too busy eating to take pictures.

Lamb Chops with Braised Root Vegetables, Colcannon, and Irish Soda Bread

Lamp Chops

This was, by far, the most difficult part of the process.

Go to Trader Joe's -- buy lamb chops - follow directions. WHEW I'm worn out just thinking about it.

Braised Root Vegetables

2 tablespoons butter
1 pound packaged baby carrots
1 rutabaga, peeled and diced
1 onion, diced
Salt and pepper
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

Heat a skillet with a cover over medium to medium high heat. Add butter, carrots, rutabaga and onion. Cook veggies 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broth or stock, bring to a simmer, and reduce heat and cover. Cook vegetables 15 minutes or until fork tender. Remove from heat and set aside.

Colcannon

2 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 slices bacon
1/2 small head cabbage, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup butter, melted

Put potatoes in saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Cook bacon in skillet over medium-high heat. Drain, reserve drippings, crumble and set aside. In drippings, sauté cabbage and onion until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
Drain potatoes; mash with milk. Add salt, pepper, bacon, cabbage and onions. Transfer to serving bowl. Serve with butter.

Irish Soda Bread

On the south side of Chicago, near 63rd and Cicero is a GREAT Bakery called Winston's. They make GREAT Irish Soda Bread. It's about a 45 minute drive from my house (each way).

Across the parking lot from Trader Joe's in Naperville, is a place called Great Harvest Bread Company. They make a REALLY REALLY REALLY good Irish Soda Bread. It's a 6 minute drive from my house.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

(P.S. to Crem -- Colcannon at Chez Van MUCH better than Colcannon at Ballydoyle)

'Tis herself

2007-03-16T12:12:00.000-06:00

In case anyone had any doubt, I now have scientific proof. (It MUST be true, I read it on the Internet)

You Are Guinness

You know beer well, and you'll only drink the best beers in the world.Watered down beers disgust you, as do the people who drink them.When you drink, you tend to become a bit of a know it all - especially about subjects you don't know well.But your friends tolerate your drunken ways, because you introduce them to the best beers around.

What's" Your Beer Personality?

Lovely Day for a Guinness.

Yep - that's me alright.

2007-03-16T11:59:00.000-06:00

You are 79% Burned Out

You Are 79% Burned Out

You are very burned out.You need a huge break from your responsibilities, starting as soon as possible.And you need this time to reevaluate what you really want out of your life.Because you're working hard and going no where... and that would burn anyone out!

Are You Burned Out?

YIPPIE!!!!

2007-03-14T19:10:00.000-06:00

A while back, Chip and I were sitting, and I was reading parts of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to him. It was rather disconcerting on MY part as he'd have me read bits, and then I'd get tired of reading and then he'd read on ahead and then a night or two later I'd be reading from further ahead.

During this time, I remember reading the "flight to freedom" scene of the Weasley Twins. For those that have read the books, it's where Fred and George decide they've had enough formal education, and leave Hogwarts (in a rather, ummm, distinctive, fashion).

Chip and I were rolling while I was reading that, I don't know whether I had forgotten how funny it was, or if it was more amusing while being read aloud. One thing I remember us talking about at the time was how we hoped that that particular scene would be included in the movie.

So today I was poking around and discovered .....

Bye Bye Fred, Bye Bye George, don't forget to write.

121 days. I think he plans that I'll be taking about 1/2 the 4th going on 5th grade boys to the midnight movie. Uncle Crem are you joining us this time I remember how much you enjoyed it last time (especially the next day).

Riddle me this

2007-03-14T16:32:00.000-06:00

Why on EARTH did someone pay money for a van, and hire people to do this???

I mean I know of a few hundred people that would be more than happy to trade the beginning product for the end result.

THIS is MY life. If you've EVER ridden in my van, read this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEFE3B0Rje0

Make Mine Chocolate

2007-03-14T14:04:00.000-06:00

If you look at the front page of my blog, you might notice some bunnies in the upper right hand corner. I meant to write more about this.

THIS is a good example of an Easter Bunny

THIS is another good example of an Easter Bunny

Personally, I prefer choice #2, as choice #1 will likely be eaten by the dog, and choice #2 will likely be eaten by Rambling-mom.

THIS is a house pet. It could live for up to 10 years. As a former child (some people would disagree with the use of the word "former") and as I mom, I can assure you that no matter how much the kids tell you "please, we promise we'll take care of it," they won't. Three weeks before Easter, ask the owner at any pet store where they $ell rabbit$ what they think of giving someone baby bunnie$ for Ea$ter and they will $ing the joy$ of rabbit owner$hip. (And actually, if you check out the House Rabbit Society website you can find some wonderful things about owning a rabbit). Three - Four months AFTER Easter, ask the rescue workers at any animal shelter or Rabbit Rescue society what they think about live Easter Rabbits and they'll tell you a different story. They'll tell a story of abandonment and neglect.

Now I'm not saying don't go out and get a rabbit. I'm just saying think about it, are you in it for 10 weeks???? Or 10 YEARS. ME, I'm in it for 10 minutes -- make mine chocolate.

OH -- and since Crem doesn't much like chocolate, and has no use for rabbits as pets, and since his dog Fuzz(forbrains) would destroy a stuffed rabbit in less than 5 minutes I've included a picture of an Easter Bunny just for him.

All you need is love

2007-03-11T21:59:00.000-06:00

Okay friends, we're going to get together here to help out another friend of mine. I want to have the combined intelligence of all my readers help out with this one.

My handsome and talented friend Crem has gotten himself involved in a project put on by our young friend, KayLee. KayLee has actually written (rewritten more accurately) a production that will have its world debut on Easter at a family gathering. (It will actually be the first and last showing). At Thanksgiving we did our first production, which involved KayLee, Chip, DNiece#4, DNephew#1, Princess, and yours truly (the only adult in the production). In her second production Crem got a role (mind you, he didn't audition). Crem was ~~very excited to get this role~~ drafted and the other day he was wondering WHY he allowed himself to be drafted.

My immediate answer was "because you love KayLee." (I mean really why else would someone allow themselves to get ~~suckered~~volunteered.) Crem often has the honor of being ~~abused~~paid attention to by the kids at family gatherings.

Now, I don't know what the deal is with Crem -- I'd say he's a sociopath but that's MY gig -- at any rate he claims he's very confused about the entire definition/emotion of love.

Of course, me being the ~~great friend~~smart ass that I am, I pointed out that I've HEARD him tell his dog Fuzz(for brains) that he loves him. Crem points out that it's different with dogs. Ain't that the truth. Dogs carry a lot less emotional baggage.

Then I point out that love is a verb. I believe this quote has been attributed to Stephen Covey -- but I believe it's older than that.

Anyway being older and wiser than Crem I point out that actions speak louder than words, and his actions show that he has human relationships pretty well down. All the kids adore him (in my book any human that is adored by children and dogs is "good people" way deep down -- children and/or dogs don't love you -- well then you're suspect in my book too). And when a friend needs something he's there if he can be (but not to the point of letting himself be taken advantage of.)

I believe a concern of his might be if he actually lets ON to people that he really cares about them then they might take advantage of him.

YEAH HONEY -- like that's stopped any of us to date!!!

This weekend was not the first time we've discussed this issue, and I am MORE THAN happy to discuss this at length anytime (especially if there's a Guinness in front of me).

But I was wondering if my dear readers might have any insight about love. Don't limit this to romantic love -- friends, siblings, parent/child, other adult/child, who/whatever.

Interestingly enough, back in January on Scott Adams Dilbert Blog, Scott did a Romance Survey and asked his readers about the most romantic thing they've done. His comments on the survey are here where he noted that most people found the doing of household chores romantic. Scott, your readers are brilliant people.

All you need is love

All you need is love

All you need is love, love

Love is all you need

(Okay -- so all you need is love and someone to fold the laundry).

40 years of Loving.

2007-03-11T08:26:00.000-06:00

I was reading this article in the Chicago Tribune.

Due to copyrights (and length) I won't put in the entire article but I'll toss in some high points. A couple (Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter) got married. Moved back home to Virginia and got arrested. Why??? Well, white men and black women don't get married -- at least according to the Virginia laws at the time. In June of 1967 the Supreme Court ruled on Loving vs. Virginia which overturned rules against interracial marriage.

A cultural taboo fades

Since then, there has been an almost fourfold increase in interracial marriages, according to a report released last week by the Council on Contemporary Families, though such unions still make up only 7.5 percent of all married couples.

Hey -- on my little teeny court of 14 houses in suburbia, there are 3 interracial marriages. (HORRORS -- what ARE we teaching the children??) Of those marriages, there are 9 (count em) 9 half breeds. What *IS* the world coming to?

In 1972, 39 percent of Americans still favored laws banning them. Thirty years later, that figure had shrunk to 10 percent--and even less among young people, according to the report by the council, a non-profit organization based in Chicago.

But in 1967--13 years after Brown vs. Board of Education declared school segregation unconstitutional--interracial marriage was still taboo nationwide and illegal in 27 states. It was in that hostile climate that the Loving case started in rural Caroline County, Va. Mildred Jeter, 18 and black, fell in love with Richard Loving, 24, a white man whom she had known all her life.

"Almighty God created the races, white, black and yellow ... and placed them on separate continents, and but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages," Bazile said from the bench.

Umm -- first I totally disagree with the statement, but I'm trying to figure out where that judgement fits with "separation of church and state"???

That same year, the once scandalous debate was prompting discussion everywhere. "Star Trek" aired the first interracial kiss on national TV. "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" hit movie theaters, reminding Americans that it was still considered courageous to wed across color lines--even with a groom as elegant as Sidney Poitier.

And when the daughter of Secretary of State Dean Rusk married a black man in 1967, the private decision was considered so politically risky that Time magazine gave it cover treatment.

Politicians daughter??? Marrying the "wrong person"?????

A more diverse country has created more opportunities to meet a melting pot of potential mates, experts say.

Is the country more diverse now than it was in 1967???

Additionally, as couples delay marriage, parents have less influence over the choice of their children's spouses.

Yeah -- my Mother-in-law was sooooooooooo thrilled when Spouse brought me home.

When [Brian Powell] interviewed 1,500 Americans on gay marriage, opponents sounded "eerily similar" to those who once justified laws that banned race mixing, he said.

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Sometimes I look at our country, and our world, and think that there are a lot of backwards notions and closed minded people. On a lot of issues we've come a long way. On many issues we still have a long way to go. But, I wouldn't necessarily give up hope.

From the text for the Loving Decision ...

Marriage is one of the "basic civil rights of man," fundamental to our very existence and survival. To deny this fundamental freedom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial classifications embodied in these statutes, classifications so directly subversive of the principle of equality at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive all the State's citizens of liberty without due process of law. The Fourteenth Amendment requires that the freedom of choice to marry not be restricted by invidious racial discriminations. Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State.

And, for today I'll leave you with a quote from on of my favorite philosophers. Fellow by the name of Keith Koebel, a former pastor of mine. From a private conversation circa 1987

I'm only closed-minded about closed-minded people.
Ain't it the truth Keith, ain't it the truth.

3 cute guys - 3 easy lessons - one theorem disproved

2007-03-09T14:42:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Chip and Princess did not have school. They had an Institute day (an institute day here being defined as "a day when the teachers decide they've had enough of the little buggers and they're sending them home to mom and dad"). Last December we received, as a gift, a membership to the Museum of Science and Industry, Chip, Princess, a friend of theirs, and I went there over Winter break. While there, Chip informed me that he'd like to see Body Worlds 2 and my theory is if it's (a) educational, (b) free (or basically since we only have to pay for parking with our membership) and (c) my kid is asking to do it, it's a pretty sure bet I'll give in without too much pressure. So Chip, Spouse, and I went off to Chicago. We left Princess with Grandma as she would not have had the patience for this particular exhibit.

Crem also wanted to see Body Worlds, so we invited him along (HEY -- since we can bring a guest with the membership we could even afford to treat him - bises Crem - it'll be my treat anytime it doesn't cost me money oh remind me you owe me a Guinness -- HEY I bought the audio tour.) Crem works in the city, so met us at lunchtime. I went down to meet him and get him his ticket. While I was meeting him Spouse and Chip went to the Chick Hatchery. My statement has always been a watched chick never hatches as I've spent a great deal of time sitting at the chick hatchery waiting (and waiting and waiting).

So -- in the like 15 minutes or so that I'm trying to find Crem, get his coat checked in, look for the camera which I thought was in my pocket something happened. I didn't find out about this until this morning as I was downloading these pictures ...

Anyway good thing I didn't have the camera with me. So that disproves my theorem that a watched chick never hatches. Course, I love Crem but I'm going to hang the fellow now cause if I wasn't tracking him down I wouldn't have missed this. Either I'm going to hang him or I'll have him buy me (yet another) Guinness. That last picture is cute -- see the new chick hatches and one of the chicks that hatched earlier goes over and tries to walk all over the new chick. So while disproving my theorem about the watched chick we now have more to prove the theorem that sibling rivalry starts early, and is not species specific.

After this, Chip, Spouse, Crem, and I went to the Body Worlds exhibit. I won't even try to describe how absolutely friggin cool it is, save to say that if it comes to your town GO SEE IT. It will give you a new perspective on a real high tech machine.

So while we're in the exhibit (which spanned a few different rooms) Chip decided that he wanted Uncle Crem to be his buddy (which worked out pretty well as they ended up going at about the same pace). I always have Chip know that he's not allowed to disappear into another (out of site) area without checking in with an adult, and in a case where it's 3 adults to one kid I only need to have him check in with one -- as long as it's the same one.

About 2/3 of the way through Crem asked me if I'd seen Chip - neither of us had seen him in a while so we took off in different directions looking for him. I was heading back toward center and I found Chip and Chip dragged me off to where he had been (behind a great big curtain).

Behind the curtain was a very detailed description of exactly what a baby looks like at each stage of development. Easy lesson #1 -- where do babies come from. Right now my Darling Niece #1 is pregnant (so I was able to point at 16 weeks and tell him that's what his cousin looks like), so Chip and Princess both have gotten a new interest in "where babies come from." OH BABY BABY. [sooner or later I'm sure he'll want details on how the sperm and egg get together - I'm soooooo looking forward to THAT discussion].

After Chip and I finished looking at the baby growth plan, he went and hunted down Spouse. Spouse was in his own world and I had to ~~push him~~ gently encourage him to follow his son. While Chip and Spouse were in the baby room I ran into Crem and said "did you see where he was" "well that takes care of the 'where do babies come from' discussion." I also mentioned that we got down the "why you should never smoke" discussion. Of course Chip already knows the answer to that one "if you ever smoke you don't have to worry about the cigarettes killing you cause mom will take care of it first." Crem also pointed out that the liver does a pretty good job of discussing "why you shouldn't drink too much." (Easy lessons #2 and #3) (Of course, Crem, the liver is NO excuse for you not to buy me one or two pints of Guinness). Then Chip comes out and drags Uncle C into the baby room.

I gotta admit though -- the entire 9 months in a woman's body thing is still beyond my ability to comprehend. Life is an amazing miracle.

After we were done looking at dead bodies, we went to watch the Omnimax film Hurricane on the Bayou. This film was started a few months before Katrina, and filmed before, during, and after Katrina. This was shot by the same people that did Everest. As they seem to do films at places were chaos is about to happen, and they currently have a Grand Canyon film in production, I'd advise not going anywhere near the Grand Canyon.

After the movie, we looked around a bit more, and then went home.

Hard lesson #1 -- NEVER count on rush hour traffic when you have an appointment. I'm just sayin'

This morning Chip was wondering how much shorter one leg needs to be than the other before they put the "extendo" (an orthopedic metal bone extender) on.

In the news today

2007-03-09T10:58:00.000-06:00

An article from Reuters Oddly Enough for entire article click here

Man chainsaws house in two in divorce split

Fri Mar 9, 2007 8:24 AM ET

BERLIN (Reuters) - A 43-year-old German decided to settle his imminent divorce by chainsawing a family home in two and making off with his half in a forklift truck.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© Reuters 2007.

GEE -- I can't imagine why someone would divorce this ~~intelligent, resourceful person~~ bloody idiot.

Butter, Milk, Eggs

2007-03-08T01:47:00.000-06:00

12:30 a.m. -- Rambling is mostly asleep -- dreaming lovely dreams (probably about Sven or something). Spouse comes in "Is this Butter?" "The Dog" I'm like -- is there butter ON the dog?? Nope we seem to have an extra dog around. You go out and walk the collie, and come home with a lab???? Anyway it looks sort kind like it might be the neighbor's dog - but neighbor's dog has just graduated from puppyhood to doghood so we weren't quite sure, and let's face it we pretty much don't see the neighbors (or their dogs) during the winter. In my state we hibernate. In addition, Spouse is reading a tag saying it's from Animal Control and I'm pretty sure Butter came from a pet store.

We tried tying up the dog outside our house and figured out that wouldn't work. I mean we might make the neighbor that owns the dog happy by not having the dog get loose and run over by a car -- but the REST of the neighborhood wouldn't get any sleep. So Spouse goes out to tie up lost dog at neighbor's house. While he's out I get a phone call "there's ANOTHER dog out here." I grab an extra lease, but the other dog managed to decide to wander over to the next block through the yards. (I'm not tramping through my neighbor's yards in the middle of the in my jammies). Finally while we have the first dog under the lamp Spouse notices a tag that says 24 pet find (or something) (why he didn't see that the first time ... you know back when the dog was in our WARM house) so we grab the cell phone and call the 888 number. A guy comes on the phone and we read the number off the tag. He says the name of the dog (Turner or something) and the dog belongs to neighbor's last name. I'm like "OH on such and so street?" So I guess Butter had a previous moniker.

So, we took Butter, tied her to a tree outside her home, and figure she can wake the neighbors at THAT end of the street.

I wonder if Sven is still waiting for me back behind my eyelids??

And when I'm dead and gone

2007-03-06T13:38:00.000-06:00

I find this interesting. I looked at the quiz a couple of times. One of the items I was unsure about was whether or not I was interesting in skydiving. If I say I am NOT interested in skydiving ....

You'll die from a Heart Attack during Sex.

Your a lover not a fighter but sadly, in the act of making love your heart will stop. But what a way to go.

'How will you die?' at QuizGalaxy.com

HOWEVER -- if I say I *AM* interesting in skydiving ..

You'll die from an Unlikely Illness (like the plague).

You will unfortunately succumb to a random and unlikely disease. Only to find out after death that eating more broccoli would have cured you.

'How will you die?' at QuizGalaxy.com

So I guess if I never get around to going skydiving, I'll die from a heart attack during sex, and if I *DO* go skydiving I'll die from an unlikely illness (I suppose one I contract during my skydiving career - maybe the skydiving instructor has some deadly, highly contagious, rare illness).

And when I die, and when I'm gone, there'll be one child born in our world to carry on to carry on...

This just in -- smoking pot makes you stupid

2007-03-06T11:24:00.000-06:00

GENERALLY -- I don't think pot is a bad thing, same with alcohol. There's a way to use things responsibly, and ways to be irresponsible.

What follows is a prime example of being irresponsible.

This is from the Star-Telegram out of Fort Worth, Texas. I'm not naive enough to believe this is the only place something like this can happen.

Teen who taped toddler smoking pot ordered held
By DOMINGO RAMIREZ JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

WATAUGA — The teen accused of videotaping toddlers who were made to smoke marijuana has been ordered to remain in the custody of Tarrant County juvenile authorities.

...

Authorities also have arrested Demetris McCoy, 17, and his friend, Vanswan Polty, 18, both of Fort Worth, on suspicion of providing the pot for the 2- and 4-year-old children during the videotaping. McCoy is the children’s uncle.

Polty and McCoy are each charged with two counts of injury to a child. McCoy was in the Tarrant County Jail on Tuesday, with bail set at $225,000. Polty also was in the Tarrant County Jail, with bail set at $150,000.

The video shows two men who appear to be Polty and McCoy laughing as they light a marijuana cigarette for the children and hold it to their mouths.

The men also ask the children whether they “have the munchies” and call them “potheads.”

The children are seen smoking, coughing and stumbling around, according to the video.

© 2007 Star-Telegram.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.dfw.com

Smoking pot while being around little ones is probably not the best idea. Making a VIDEOTAPE however, is just taking the stupidity one giant step further.

Hey - at least it helps with Darwin's theory -- cause the guys that did this will likely get successfully removed from contributing to the gene pool for a few years.

And *NO CREM* you can't use the fact that one of these guys was an uncle to get out of babysitting. (a) I know you wouldn't do that to my kids and (b) my kids are old enough to know better, and to inform me anyway.

Not gonna go there ... nope not me

2007-03-02T09:04:00.000-06:00

A bit over a year ago for all basic intents I gave up TV. Occasionally I'll watch something with Spouse, Princess, or Chip and once in a while I'll get a Netflix video out (and take two months to actually watch the thing), but generally I don't catch much TV. Yet somehow, even without my vigilance, Anna Nicole Smith managed to have a funeral. Whodathunkit.

Now I pretty much catch all my news from the Internet. In a way it's a bit of a pain and I miss the comic page but I survive. In a way it's kind of nice too - if something doesn't interest me I can look at the next story, if something does interest me I can look up more about it, and there's no wasted paper.

This brings me to the subject of adultery, specifically *me* cheating on Spouse (it follows -- trust me you'll find out later). Now, over the years (coming up on 14) I have joked, teased, wisecracked, I've flirted, and there are some "hot young studs" that I regularly hug (and sometimes tease and/or flirt with). There's even a couple of specific fellows that I will drool if I start thinking of their powerful hands (on my shoulders). I am lucky enough to know a couple of the best shoulder rubbers in the universe. Oh and then there's the default fantasy guy, Sven. Sven is a figment of the combined imaginations of my mom's group. Sven gives terrific massages don't you know.

Now, I know some folks in open marriages - and I'm sure that's okay for some but it wouldn't work for us for a few reasons.

Probably, the most predominant is that's not the deal we went in with -- I guess we're too "vanilla." But, of course, being somewhat of a comedian I've had to come up with some other reasons.

One of my favorites is that I've got a lot going on, I've got a pretty full schedule with my family, my work, friends, I figure the only way I'd have TIME to fool around would be to cut into my sleep. I ain't cutting into my sleep.

Then one of my staff points out that the overall effects of both sex and sleep are pretty similar so that's not a good enough reason. (We talk about all sorts of things at the tax office -- after all taxes are pretty boring -- gotta have something to amuse ourselves).

TODAY though I found out something that is a deal breaker. There are certain places I'd like to go in my life (I'd love to visit Alaska, Paris, and there's this beach I need to go to with my friend, JK), and there are certain other places I'd like to avoid.

One place I've never been, and really don't want to go is jail. I mean I don't know what it's like but I have a feeling it's not like THIS

with people breaking out into song. I have a hunch it's more like THIS

Now, the Illinois legal code is complex. There is a group of people trying to change that, called Clear Initiative (Criminal Law Edit, Alignment and Reform). This is all well and good (generally speaking), I'm sure that things could be simplified and clarified.

However, in their infinite wisdom and in order to help gain public approval they are planning on keeping some old laws on the books. Here's a quote from today's Chicago Tribune ...
But dodging the political landmines wasn't easy. The commission decided, for example, to retain state laws that criminalize adultery and fornication rather than risk opposition from social conservatives.
That's right -- ravamping the state laws but STILL it will be a CRIME to commit adultery or fornication.

What year is this anyway??????

Oh well, I suppose I can't fool around on Spouse -- think of it -- he won't have to divorce me, he can have me locked up.

I guess I'll just have to wait and find my hot young stud when JK and I go to that beach (which is NOT in Illinois).

(Of course, if I could get jail time with a cellmate that looked like this ....)

I'm just sayin'

Jimmy -- is this what you were thinking???

2007-03-01T22:20:00.000-06:00

Jimmy Buffett (musician, philosopher) wrote a song called Love in the Library. Here are some of the lyrics.

Love In The Library
Jimmy Buffett, Mac McAnally

Love in the library, quiet and cool
Love in the library, there are no rules
Surrounded by stories surreal and sublime
I fell in love in the library once upon a time

So today I'm reading a story in the Chicago Tribune ..........

Teen sex in suburban library spurs charges

Tribune staff report
March 1, 2007, 9:06 PM CST

Police credited a staff member for spotting two teenagers having sex in the Woodstock Public Library, authorities said Thursday. Raul A. Tapia, 19, of the 700 block of Oak Street, Woodstock, was charged Monday with criminal sexual abuse for having consensual sex with a 16-year-old girl, a crime punishable by up to a year in jail, police said." The vigilance of the [library] staff led to the arrest," Woodstock Police Sgt. Richard Johns said. Authorities wouldn't say where the alleged incident occurred, other than that it wasn't in a restroom." It was a less-visited area," said Martha Hansen, network administrator for the library. "I can't give any details but it was an extremely isolated incident, and we're confident it won't happen again."
Tapia posted $100 bail.
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Obviously Mr. Tapia had not hear another song Jimmy Buffett wrote, called Livingston Saturday Night. There's one pertinent line in that song ........

Fifteen may get you twenty ...

Next time check her ID

And now -- looking at the weather forecast for the next few days I'll leave you with one of my favorite song AND one of my favorite libations ...

Boat Drinks

I know I should be leaving this climate.
I got a verse but can't rhyme it.
I gotta go where it's warm.

Boat drinks.
Waitress, I need two more boat drinks.
Then I'm headin south 'fore my dream shrinks.
I gotta where it's warm.

I gotta go where it's warm.
I gotta go where it's warm.
I gotta go where there ain't any snow,
where there ain't any blow,
'cause my fin sinks so low.
I gotta go where it's warm.

P.S. personal note to Crem -- I'm thinking I'm needing me some lime juice, I'm just sayin'

How do you spell Princess?????

2007-03-01T12:47:00.000-06:00

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

I've had many prayers over the years. One thing that I've prayed for over and over is patience.

So I've come to a conclusion about G-d. G-d does not look like

THIS

or THIS

or THIS

NOPE -- G-d looks more like
THIS

or THIS

or THIS

Cause G-d is a comedian -- and honey the joke is on me. Cause I prayed and prayed for patience and I did not get
THIS

but I got THIS

So today is a 1/2 day of school, Princess and Chip are home with Spouse and Princess has already managed to .....

Find some powdered vitamins, find some coffee beans, and find something else. Open all the$e item$, and make some kind of concoction.

The thing is that she gets an idea into her head and then takes it upon herself to get herself into T-R-O-U-B-L-E. And she *knows* she's not supposed to do this stuff, I'm not sure if she conveninetly "forgets" or what. For instance, she's managed to get scissors out and cut her own hair -- more than once. We've told her repeatedly NOT to do that. And I can get this with a toddler (gets bored, gets attention) but she's 5 now. It's GOT to stop sooner or later. Right????

I told Spouse with the amount of trouble she gets herself in, she is never getting an allowance. She's going to owe us money until she's like 80.

Imitation being the most sincere form of flattery

2007-02-26T10:21:00.000-06:00

~~Taken, copied, grabbed from,~~ lovingly lifted from Sock Girl

5 Parenting Observations.

If you believe the Old Testament, the first two siblings were Cain and Abel. That's how old sibling rivalry is, and it ain't about to change anytime soon. Leastways not in my house.
A sudden, intense interest in homework planning may be a sudden interest in homework planning. But if it's at 10 p.m., it's more likely a diversion to bedtime.
If any parent always has enough patience for their children, they are either destined for sainthood or (more likley) on drugs.
Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family, Flylady. I don't care if the help ain't up to my standards -- if I get help I ain't turning it down. (This goes for Spouse to).
There are days I'd drop them both off on a street corner with a sign saying "free to good home." But honey -- you know I'd be back for them ~~in a minute or two, an hour or two, a day or two,~~ sometime.

As long as I'm typing it anyway .....

2007-02-25T08:58:00.000-06:00

Last night my Sunday School class had a progressive dinner. For some reason to date I've never actually been to a progressive dinner. And I really like the concept of going from place to place and eating. Just the way things work.

As is the case with progressive dinners, my dinner went one way, and I went another. Bye bye soup. (Actually I had dropped it at the host home earlier and sent the sides with someone that was going to go)

As we got together at house #3 for dessert (lots of chocolate was involved) I received my near empty crock pot and rave reviews for the soup. And I must admit I was expecting rave reviews from my soup, the recipe has been in my family for ~~generations~~ hours. I got a few requests for recipes and figured that I should type it out right away, before I forget it.

BLACK BEAN SOUP KAIROS STYLE
Serves a small African nation, or a few Methodists

olive oil
salt
pepper
cumin
21 season salute (TJs)
1 onion
½ jar Roasted Red Peppers (TJs)
1 Chipolte in Adobo (1 pepper – not one jar unless you’re brave)
2 cloves garlic
2 cans black beans
3 cans Cuban Style black beans (TJs)
1 large or 2 small cans chopped tomatoes
1 bag frozen fire roasted sweet corn (TJs)
Vegetarian broth (I used Imagine brand) (I used about 1-2 cups)

Saute onion, red peppers, and chipolte in olive oil. Toss in soup pot or crock pot. Add remaining ingredients and heat through, or let simmer. NOTE: when chopping chipolte pepper, don’t touch it with your hands and rub your eyes. I’m just sayin’. I’ll chop the thing without even touching it.

Serve as is or with sour cream, rice, and/or andouille sausage.

Chessnuts -- and chess moms

2007-02-24T23:27:00.000-06:00

When Chip was 3, we were watching the movie A Bug's Life. There was a short before the movie, called Geri's Game about a guy that plays chess with himself.

Chip insisted he wanted to learn that, so I taught him to play checkers. He didn't mean checkers. He meant chess. So Spouse taught him to play chess, and he took to it like only a person ruled by the left side of their brain can.

Meanwhile, the wonderful preschool program he was in shut down, so we spent time hanging out with a homeschooling group that had a chess club.

Also, meanwhile Chip was one of the last of his peers to get fully potty trained. This was not unheard of for active, hyperfocused boys. I realized how peculiar this was the day that I showed up at chess club, with a diaper bad. It was just odd.

Anyway time went on and when Chip was in Kindergarten we started the chess tournament circuit. In our chess activities we have had some great travels and met some really wonderful people. I'm glad for almost every minute of it (except some of the uncomfortable benches at some of the tournaments). I've commented I've been really glad that my child chose an activity that does *NOT* involve me sitting on a blanket in the cold and rain. Indoor activity has advantages.

Since Kindergarten we have been suggesting that there might be interest in a chess club at Chip's school. I mentioned this in this posting from November.We've heard some interesting reasons for not having one over the years.

In parallel to this, in our town, USA, chess has been becoming more prevalent, and a few of the other grade school have chess teams. At one school in particular there is a very active chess program, and they have held quite a few tournaments this year.

Chip is not one to let sleeping dogs lay (unlike his Uncle Crem - private joke) so this year he started bugging some of his friends to join him in the tournament circuit. Earlier this year he and some of his friends went to a local tournament and came home with some hardware -- a first place trophy.

Which technically belongs to the school -- since it's a "team trophy"

We went one morning and presented this to the school, and I like to think this might have had a bit of an effect as ...

In the recent school newlestter there was an announcement that the school is

FINALLY

starting a chess club.

It will be starting after spring break, and will be an (ugh) before school activity.

And just a reminder to all you moms out there.

THE QUEEN RULES!!! Makes sense on the chess board, makes sense in my life.

There goes my tbird

2007-02-23T23:56:00.000-06:00

A few years ago my sister had a birthday and reached a new "decade." In honour of this auspicious occasion, she got a new car. Not this car exactly -- but this year and model.

Her tbird is the color "Merlot" (so she calls it "Marilyn Merlot" - I did mention that insanity runs in my family).

Anyway, this year I get to hit a new "decade" (not until October) and I spun this well when I told Spouse what I wanted for my birthday. First I reminded him that Marilyn was a birthday present. With that in mind, my present isn't really all that expen$ive now, is it?? Anyway I don't actually get to cash in my present until December when we go to the ~~Shubert~~ LaSalle Bank Theater to see ...

Okay -- so I don't get the tbird -- I only get tickets to a show but ain't nothing I can do about it because, as we all know (cue music) "Big Girls Don't Cry" But this big girl is going to be singing and dancing and having a grand time the whole night.

If at first you don't succeed

2007-02-23T11:38:00.000-06:00

If at first you don't succeed, try try again.

Some believe in reincarnation. I'm not sure about "what comes next" after death but have, in my (many many) years on the planet given in some deep, and some not so deep, thought.

One thing I've often said is that when I come back I want to be a house cat. Think about the life of a cat, eat, sleep, nap, repeat. Not a bad gig if I do say so myself. That would have been my choice until yesterday.

Crem set up a web cam so he could watch his dog while at work (or for some reason - who really knows why). Anyway I was watching SASTV (SAS -- short for "short attention span") and here's what I saw this morning.

Dog sleeping on one side of the couch.

Dog moves to other side of couch, sleeps some more.

Dog moves back to other side of couch and cleans paws.

Dog sleeps some more.

And, unlike a cat I wouldn't be expected to eat the occasional mouse that runs by, and unlike a family dog there'd be no kids to pull my tail.

I either need a life like that, or maybe the sloth that the Jena University researchers were studying.

I think I'm needing some time for some ~~rest and relaxation~~ meditative contemplation.

Hair today -- gone tomorrow ....

2007-02-22T13:14:00.002-06:00

Back in the old, cold days of January, I wrote in things you might not know that I wanted to grow my hair out to donate for Locks of Love.

Well, I guess my hair must be reading my blog because it finally cooperated.

So now I have a new, short do (however, I do not yet have a picture of myself in the new short do).

I've had interesting reactions.

Chip and Princess both said I look like my sister.

Spouse (and a few other people) said I look younger.

Actually -- if you take those two statements together it's interesting because basically I could be looking "younger," just like my "older" sister.

LOTS of folks said I did and great and wonderful thing. (Let's see, getting too lazy to go get a haircut for a few years -- SUCH a generous spirit I am).

Crem, my best and dearest friend on the planet, said -- well pretty much nothing. He's SUCH a guy. (His talkative, complimentary nature might go a long way toward explaining why he's a such SINGLE guy -- bises Crem -- you know I love you).

When it comes to personal care, I believe in taking care of the basics (you know, brush teeth, shower, put on moisturizer) but I don't go much more than that. And when it comes to my hair I'm pretty much the same way. My hairdresser knows this and has always styled my hair accordingly (wash, brush, GOOOOOOOOOO).

Of course, at this time of year, and in this weather, I pretty much have to use a blow dryer in the morning (I tend to do that if the thermometer is below 0 -- Fahrenheit that it). But this is great -- out of the shower at 7 -- hair dry at 7:05.

Yeah -- I'm such a generous spirit. (Lazy bum more like it).

Clean it okay .....

2007-02-22T13:11:00.000-06:00

Client came in today and told me about something that happened to one of his coworkers (who has two kids).

Drive careful .....

If you drive something that has a tall, flat top -- CLEAN IT OFF!!!

I'm just sayin'

Chunk of ice is blamed for death of motorist

February 22, 2007 BARTLETT -- A 51-year-old Bartlett man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he was struck by a chunk of frozen mud and debris that fell off a truck and crashed through the roof of his car, police said.The accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. at Illinois Highway 59 and Pebble Beach Lane in the northwest suburb, Bartlett Police Cmdr. Patrick Ullrich said.The victim, whose name was not immediately released, was northbound on Illinois 59 in his 1999 Pontiac Grand Am when the piece of debris fell off a truck ahead of him and came through the roof of the car, Ullrich said."It was a large frozen chunk of mud and dirt," Ullrich said. "We think it came off of some type of large dump truck."The victim was alone in his car, Ullrich said. After the debris struck him, the Pontiac continued north for about two blocks and crashed into a landscaped area on the side of the road near Baytree Drive.The man was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:05 p.m., according to a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.Ullrich said the truck did not stop at the scene, but police do not believe the truck driver was trying to flee.Police were asking anyone who saw the truck or have information on the accident to call Bartlett detectives at 630-837-0846.
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Life in the minivan lane

I've moved

Oh what a tangled web

Did I ever tell you about my pet, Tools??

The value of me

Test Result

Vacation in the Minivan .....

Order of the Phoenix -- impressions after 2 viewings

nearest book meme

What was I gonna say???

Another predictions quiz -- feel free to copy and keep score

Predictions quiz #1

This could be true

But they've never been seen together now, have they???

Heard it in a love song

The Great Flooring Project of 2007 -- TM version

Universal truths (or at least planetary truths)

THAT explains it ...

Don't blame me -- it's innate

The Great Flooring Project of 2007

Magicicada

Interesting California Bill

What's in a name .....

Fuzzy takes the hit

I forget ......

Of course I'm a Goddess

To Christina

HELP (not)

Can I play too?? Edited (thanks MLL)

Bye Bye Waitress

It's not my fault man

Dear George, Make up your freaking mind!!!!!

I always liked big cats

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

personal to the guy I was talking to on Sunday

I invite you to copy this.

This never happened when I lived in the city.

click

News closer to home

Irony

At least I don't need a shopping list .......

Clean AND Green

And we need this because???

Adults today (you're not going to like this)

Yet somehow, I don't feel necessarily safer

How many girls do you know named Oscar

Morpheus??

I always knew I was a Hufflepuff at heart

Rather surprised with this result.

Way Too Frickin' Cool

Taiwanese Legislature Brawl

yeah -- it's big, but at least it's ugly

I thought she was a sweetie

But how do you coordinate 18,000 people with just a megaphone??

Happy Birthday

This is like TOOOOOOOOOOO cute

News you can use

Favorite quote from the weekend.

vacation -- heck I'm MOVING

A Happy Tail

Oh My that is so close

Yeah -- but what's her average??

To Old Blue Socks

a really, really, really *BIG* show

Hand me my crinoline

Just call 1-800-Darwin

I'm just like everyone else.....

Spring in the Windy City.

Obviously -- Spouse was not in this study

Just toooooo weird

The evil Jewish guys are at it again.

It's a strange strange world we live in.

What day is it????

To me this matters

It must be true -- I took a test.

More testing

It's not easy being green

If you know the answer -- please explain it to me?????

Mary had a little lamb

'Tis herself

a really, really, really BIG show