Finger Painting?
I haven't posted in a while, but it's not really my fault. My apartment is still torn up, but hopefully today or tomorrow the nice painters will show up and make it so I can put it all back together. (pretty please?!?) It shouldn't be too hard for them. We hope something like painting a wall/ceiling bit doesn't tax them too much.
Anyway, the weekend rocked. I went to see the Bourne Supremacy w/ Katie Saturday afternoon, and then Katie, Chris and I drove to SC to see Jenni. We chilled w/ Jenni and Chad and Erik, played video games etc., and then it was on to the dna show. I must say, the show rocked. We were in and out b/c of food and drink necessities. Saw Seconds Before and Down and Above play. Must say, both bands were on. Great toons, got my dance on. Yay.
Sunday I slept in late, did some cleaning, watched the tele, and then went for a run. After the run I talked with the parents about their impending visit, and then went to Kris's for dinner and a movie. Went to bed at my normal time, and could NOT sleep! So, I'm sleepy today. It will be an early night for me...after I finish my errands.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
The sky is falling, Chicken Little!
Well, the ceiling is anyway. I went to work, and was having a good day, got lots done, and came home about 4. Walked in the door to my apartment and just stared. It looked like a mini ground zero in there. Plaster and sheet rock everywhere, like a mini bomb had just gone off. Then I looked at the wall/ceiling. The slanted part was missing a 7.5 by 4 foot section of plaster, that was now on the floor. And, another 8foot by 3 foot section was about to come down. I got out the broom, swept up the stuff on the floor, and left the stuff on the counter (I was NOT about to go under said about to fall section to clean up the other stuff).
Later last night, the second section fell. My toaster is full of plater, so is the foreman grill and the oven, and the counter and floor are scratched. I'm glad I don't own this building, and I'm just renting...but still?!!? Since when do ceilings fall down? Eep.
Oh, but the best news about this is, there is a section in my bedroom just about to fall. So I spent late last night moving my computer and my bookcase and hoping that the fallout wouldn't include where I'd be sleeping.
They're at my house today (the maintainence men) to redo the kitchen, and they'll redo my bedroom while they are at it. But sheetrocking is messy, and I'm NOT looking forward to cleaning up their mess when they are done! AND I just cleaned! Ugh.
(PS, my roommate's car battery was dead when she tried to start her car last night as well.)
Well, the ceiling is anyway. I went to work, and was having a good day, got lots done, and came home about 4. Walked in the door to my apartment and just stared. It looked like a mini ground zero in there. Plaster and sheet rock everywhere, like a mini bomb had just gone off. Then I looked at the wall/ceiling. The slanted part was missing a 7.5 by 4 foot section of plaster, that was now on the floor. And, another 8foot by 3 foot section was about to come down. I got out the broom, swept up the stuff on the floor, and left the stuff on the counter (I was NOT about to go under said about to fall section to clean up the other stuff).
Later last night, the second section fell. My toaster is full of plater, so is the foreman grill and the oven, and the counter and floor are scratched. I'm glad I don't own this building, and I'm just renting...but still?!!? Since when do ceilings fall down? Eep.
Oh, but the best news about this is, there is a section in my bedroom just about to fall. So I spent late last night moving my computer and my bookcase and hoping that the fallout wouldn't include where I'd be sleeping.
They're at my house today (the maintainence men) to redo the kitchen, and they'll redo my bedroom while they are at it. But sheetrocking is messy, and I'm NOT looking forward to cleaning up their mess when they are done! AND I just cleaned! Ugh.
(PS, my roommate's car battery was dead when she tried to start her car last night as well.)
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Rain, Rain, go away. Come back another day.
On second thought, the rain wasn't so bad. I ran my first 5K today, the "Hairpin Run" in Door County. So named because about 1.5 miles into said run, you run down the 'hairpin curve' on some road. So, you start by running up this REALLY BIG HILL, and then you run up and down some more hills, and then you run down a hill and around this curve, and then you finish on this really long straight flat part. We woke up this morning, and it was pouring. So I sighed and thought to myself, "If only I hadn't actually pre-registered for this madness." But I had, and my mom and dad paid for said madness, so I was going, even though bed was a good place to be w/ the rain pouring down and the window open. Still, it wasn't a bad thing, because I talked a whole bunch of my cousins into sharing the madness with me. We started the weekend w/ just my brother and my uncle running it, and them having conned me into running it. By race time, it was my brother and his girlfriend, my cousin and her two children, my other cousin M who had the homecoming party on Friday night (more below), and my uncle. Going from 3 to 8 people. Whee!
So, the horn (airhorns are prefered instead of guns aparently) went off, and up the hill we went. My uncle was convinced that sprinting up the hill was better than taking it easy, since you didn't burn out so fast that way. Hell, what do I know, I followed his advice and tore up the hill. As my dad said (sorry if this offends any animal lovers) I ran up that hill like a raped ape. Then it was the long, wet trudge to the finish line. At least I gave it my all when I got to the end, and ran accross the line feeling good. I took 461st. (at least that was out of 800 people. I don't feel quite like a slow slow idiot.)
The rest of the weekend was fun as well. Wednesday night I went to Spiderman 2. May I repeat Katie's setiment...if you haven't seen it, get your lazy bum to the theatre pronto. Thursday I got up early and went riding/training horses w/ my good friend here. I didn't ride too much, in anticipation of the afore mentioned race. Friday I did my laundry and washed the Super Saturn, and then I went up to DC w/ the fam and went to M.'s homecoming from the armed services party. Good times! Saturday was play at the beach day w/ my bro and his girlfriend, and then out to the cottage to eat yummy food and shoot off big big fireworks. Damned mosquitos there ate you the second you went outside though. Nasty critters them. Sunday was the race, as mentioned, and now i'm sitting on my bro's laptop, getting pissed at the little mouse thing, and gonna order chinese and watch Kill Bill. Good weekend all around I think!
On second thought, the rain wasn't so bad. I ran my first 5K today, the "Hairpin Run" in Door County. So named because about 1.5 miles into said run, you run down the 'hairpin curve' on some road. So, you start by running up this REALLY BIG HILL, and then you run up and down some more hills, and then you run down a hill and around this curve, and then you finish on this really long straight flat part. We woke up this morning, and it was pouring. So I sighed and thought to myself, "If only I hadn't actually pre-registered for this madness." But I had, and my mom and dad paid for said madness, so I was going, even though bed was a good place to be w/ the rain pouring down and the window open. Still, it wasn't a bad thing, because I talked a whole bunch of my cousins into sharing the madness with me. We started the weekend w/ just my brother and my uncle running it, and them having conned me into running it. By race time, it was my brother and his girlfriend, my cousin and her two children, my other cousin M who had the homecoming party on Friday night (more below), and my uncle. Going from 3 to 8 people. Whee!
So, the horn (airhorns are prefered instead of guns aparently) went off, and up the hill we went. My uncle was convinced that sprinting up the hill was better than taking it easy, since you didn't burn out so fast that way. Hell, what do I know, I followed his advice and tore up the hill. As my dad said (sorry if this offends any animal lovers) I ran up that hill like a raped ape. Then it was the long, wet trudge to the finish line. At least I gave it my all when I got to the end, and ran accross the line feeling good. I took 461st. (at least that was out of 800 people. I don't feel quite like a slow slow idiot.)
The rest of the weekend was fun as well. Wednesday night I went to Spiderman 2. May I repeat Katie's setiment...if you haven't seen it, get your lazy bum to the theatre pronto. Thursday I got up early and went riding/training horses w/ my good friend here. I didn't ride too much, in anticipation of the afore mentioned race. Friday I did my laundry and washed the Super Saturn, and then I went up to DC w/ the fam and went to M.'s homecoming from the armed services party. Good times! Saturday was play at the beach day w/ my bro and his girlfriend, and then out to the cottage to eat yummy food and shoot off big big fireworks. Damned mosquitos there ate you the second you went outside though. Nasty critters them. Sunday was the race, as mentioned, and now i'm sitting on my bro's laptop, getting pissed at the little mouse thing, and gonna order chinese and watch Kill Bill. Good weekend all around I think!
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
FINALLY!
Some decent weather! It's 80 outside and sunny. The best part is, I get to go enjoy said weather in a little while. Yup, you heard right. I'm going to leave work and go boating. Suntans galore! I don't know if we're waterskiing, or just pleasure riding, but it will be grand fun indeed.
Tomorrow I leave for GB for a long fourth holiday weekend. I'm going to go see SpiderMan 2 Wed. evening (after a yummy supper of Frank and Pat's Pizza). Thursday I'm gonna play w/ horses, and probably Monday too. My friend Shona and I are gonna go train some, and I'll finally get to see her Arab. Friday I'm gonna go to the dr. and then up to DC for a BBQ at my aunt and uncle's place. My cousin is coming home, so-in family tradition-it's time to party. Saturday is playing on the lake and supper at the cottage, like traditional fourth weekends, and Sunday is "the hairpin run". If you scroll down to previous posts, you will see that I'm going to run in a 5K on the 4th, which is suddenly this coming Sunday. I'm not sure I'm ready to run that far. Anyone who is a distance runner knows that that is not at all far, but for me, it's practically a Marathon. Let me have my rollerblades anyday. Still, I'm gonna prove to me that I can do it.
So, it will be a full weekend, and I have a feeling I will be sore when i get back to the cities! I just hope they don't pack up that finish line at the race before I manage to cross it. I'll position my mother at the end to make sure they don't. She'll give them what's for if they try to ruin my accomplishment!
Some decent weather! It's 80 outside and sunny. The best part is, I get to go enjoy said weather in a little while. Yup, you heard right. I'm going to leave work and go boating. Suntans galore! I don't know if we're waterskiing, or just pleasure riding, but it will be grand fun indeed.
Tomorrow I leave for GB for a long fourth holiday weekend. I'm going to go see SpiderMan 2 Wed. evening (after a yummy supper of Frank and Pat's Pizza). Thursday I'm gonna play w/ horses, and probably Monday too. My friend Shona and I are gonna go train some, and I'll finally get to see her Arab. Friday I'm gonna go to the dr. and then up to DC for a BBQ at my aunt and uncle's place. My cousin is coming home, so-in family tradition-it's time to party. Saturday is playing on the lake and supper at the cottage, like traditional fourth weekends, and Sunday is "the hairpin run". If you scroll down to previous posts, you will see that I'm going to run in a 5K on the 4th, which is suddenly this coming Sunday. I'm not sure I'm ready to run that far. Anyone who is a distance runner knows that that is not at all far, but for me, it's practically a Marathon. Let me have my rollerblades anyday. Still, I'm gonna prove to me that I can do it.
So, it will be a full weekend, and I have a feeling I will be sore when i get back to the cities! I just hope they don't pack up that finish line at the race before I manage to cross it. I'll position my mother at the end to make sure they don't. She'll give them what's for if they try to ruin my accomplishment!
Monday, June 21, 2004
Road Blocks of a Different Sort
I went to GB for the Father's Day this past weekend. Man, I've heard the old joke about there being four seasons in WI, Spring, Fall, Winter, and Road Construction, but that was rediculous. And, MN has the bigger problems. I'm happy to report that the bridge work by Menominee is better, or at least, temporarily over (if they decide to demolish the other side, it will be a few more months of ick). But, from the St. Croix to the twin cities is a pain in my bum. I swear! It is a good thing I left GB later than normal, or I'd have been really stuck in traffic.
The weekend was good. Had a good time with dad, did some shopping w/ mom, drove around in the little cabriolet (won't have it much longer, since the parents are going to sell it. The property is going to get a road soon, as in next week sometime. Well, at least we'll have the culvert in, and then we'll just have to order the gravel to make the road. No more going way past the entrance so you can get down the ditch safely! Yay.
So, now here's the week again. Where does the time go?
I went to GB for the Father's Day this past weekend. Man, I've heard the old joke about there being four seasons in WI, Spring, Fall, Winter, and Road Construction, but that was rediculous. And, MN has the bigger problems. I'm happy to report that the bridge work by Menominee is better, or at least, temporarily over (if they decide to demolish the other side, it will be a few more months of ick). But, from the St. Croix to the twin cities is a pain in my bum. I swear! It is a good thing I left GB later than normal, or I'd have been really stuck in traffic.
The weekend was good. Had a good time with dad, did some shopping w/ mom, drove around in the little cabriolet (won't have it much longer, since the parents are going to sell it. The property is going to get a road soon, as in next week sometime. Well, at least we'll have the culvert in, and then we'll just have to order the gravel to make the road. No more going way past the entrance so you can get down the ditch safely! Yay.
So, now here's the week again. Where does the time go?
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Road Blocks
Every time I've tried to write here for the last week or so, something has come up, or I've had writer's block. It's not like nothing's happening, lots is happening, it's just that whenever I try to make the words leave my head and transfer themselves down my fingers, though the keyboard, and onto my screen, a roadblock goes up. I suppose makes sense. I mean, this IS construction season after all. Every time I drive on I94, it seems like they have put up more barrels or rumble strips, or other traffic impeding apparati. Why not so in my brain as well. It's summer, and the warm days and gorgeous nights make sitting in front of a computer another type of block. I can't type when I want to run and play in the out-of-doors.
Katie made it up to the cities at last! Yay. I'm so excited that one of my best friends is finally here and we can enjoy the city together. Jenny made it to England ok, and I'm watchin the airfares so I can go visit. Jenni has had her baby, and he's the cutest little button I've seen in a long time, even when he makes his big stinks :P I still have two whole months of playtime left before beginning my masters. All these are good and happy things that have happened. Still, the roadblock exists and it's hard to write much about them.
I spose, it's probably because the main people who read this blog, read Katie and Jenny's blogs, or know Jenni, so they already know these things, and so I don't really have to blog it. Still, I want to. So there :P Ok, three year old mentality aside, it's just been difficult to turn my computer on at home at night when I've had one on infront of me all day at work. I'll get better at posting, I'll just have to do it during the day!
Every time I've tried to write here for the last week or so, something has come up, or I've had writer's block. It's not like nothing's happening, lots is happening, it's just that whenever I try to make the words leave my head and transfer themselves down my fingers, though the keyboard, and onto my screen, a roadblock goes up. I suppose makes sense. I mean, this IS construction season after all. Every time I drive on I94, it seems like they have put up more barrels or rumble strips, or other traffic impeding apparati. Why not so in my brain as well. It's summer, and the warm days and gorgeous nights make sitting in front of a computer another type of block. I can't type when I want to run and play in the out-of-doors.
Katie made it up to the cities at last! Yay. I'm so excited that one of my best friends is finally here and we can enjoy the city together. Jenny made it to England ok, and I'm watchin the airfares so I can go visit. Jenni has had her baby, and he's the cutest little button I've seen in a long time, even when he makes his big stinks :P I still have two whole months of playtime left before beginning my masters. All these are good and happy things that have happened. Still, the roadblock exists and it's hard to write much about them.
I spose, it's probably because the main people who read this blog, read Katie and Jenny's blogs, or know Jenni, so they already know these things, and so I don't really have to blog it. Still, I want to. So there :P Ok, three year old mentality aside, it's just been difficult to turn my computer on at home at night when I've had one on infront of me all day at work. I'll get better at posting, I'll just have to do it during the day!
Thursday, June 10, 2004
AMBITION!!!
I suddenly have the urge to go home and clean my room. If I could leave now from work, that's exaclty what I'd do. Here's to hoping the urge lasts. Maybe I can leave a bit of that urge here in this post. *** There. Now, when I read it again at home, I'll be like...Must...Clean....Room, and the compulsion to do it will be strong. I'll look at this and remember how eager I was to live in a clean room again, and have all my paperwork taken care of, and how exciting it will be to be done. Hmmmm, yup, 4 hrs from now I'll be working on getting this ambition back.
update
I did get the room clean and the paperwork taken care of. Now, of course it's a bit messy again, but the paperwork is still all good, and I'm excited. Yippee.
I suddenly have the urge to go home and clean my room. If I could leave now from work, that's exaclty what I'd do. Here's to hoping the urge lasts. Maybe I can leave a bit of that urge here in this post. *** There. Now, when I read it again at home, I'll be like...Must...Clean....Room, and the compulsion to do it will be strong. I'll look at this and remember how eager I was to live in a clean room again, and have all my paperwork taken care of, and how exciting it will be to be done. Hmmmm, yup, 4 hrs from now I'll be working on getting this ambition back.
update
I did get the room clean and the paperwork taken care of. Now, of course it's a bit messy again, but the paperwork is still all good, and I'm excited. Yippee.
Whee!
I went running last night, and I ran a lot faster than my pace! I went w/ Kris, and her pace is so very much faster than my pace. 2 mph in fact (which is a lot when running) and so I ran 2.5 miles at her pace, then I walked around for abit while she ran another 1.5 mile lap, and then we ran home. I went another mile and just faster than my 'old' pace, but it wasn't quite as fast as her pace either. Yippee!
So, to answer my old post, I went to the movie and figured out the shrunken head. It was a good movie; they left a lot out from the book though. Still, I enjoyed it, and look forward to the fourth movie.
Tonight I get the joyful tasks of doing paperwork, and going grocery shopping. I told Kris we should go rollerblading today (last night), but I have since changed my mind. I went climbing, for a walk, and for a run on Sunday; climbing and for a walk on Monday; for a walk tuesday; climbing and for a run on Wednesday. I think it's time to settle down and take a day off. Or, maybe I could do situps and such today? Nah. I'm really getting myself into the groove though. I feel icky if I don't work out. Like, not quite w/ the world unless I've done something active for the day. Now I need to alter my diet, and we'll actually be on our way to getting in the shape I've wanted to be in for the last few years, and been to lazy or complacent to do. Go me!
Now, if I keep it up, I might actually NOT look likea fool in the Fourth of July run that I'm doing. It's 5K, and I'm doing it to get my uncle and brother off my back about it, since I've been telling htem for a few years that I would do it with them. I just hope they don't pack up the finish line stuff before I get there...talk about nightmares :P I'm trying to go faster, I might even not be last if I keep this up!
I went running last night, and I ran a lot faster than my pace! I went w/ Kris, and her pace is so very much faster than my pace. 2 mph in fact (which is a lot when running) and so I ran 2.5 miles at her pace, then I walked around for abit while she ran another 1.5 mile lap, and then we ran home. I went another mile and just faster than my 'old' pace, but it wasn't quite as fast as her pace either. Yippee!
So, to answer my old post, I went to the movie and figured out the shrunken head. It was a good movie; they left a lot out from the book though. Still, I enjoyed it, and look forward to the fourth movie.
Tonight I get the joyful tasks of doing paperwork, and going grocery shopping. I told Kris we should go rollerblading today (last night), but I have since changed my mind. I went climbing, for a walk, and for a run on Sunday; climbing and for a walk on Monday; for a walk tuesday; climbing and for a run on Wednesday. I think it's time to settle down and take a day off. Or, maybe I could do situps and such today? Nah. I'm really getting myself into the groove though. I feel icky if I don't work out. Like, not quite w/ the world unless I've done something active for the day. Now I need to alter my diet, and we'll actually be on our way to getting in the shape I've wanted to be in for the last few years, and been to lazy or complacent to do. Go me!
Now, if I keep it up, I might actually NOT look likea fool in the Fourth of July run that I'm doing. It's 5K, and I'm doing it to get my uncle and brother off my back about it, since I've been telling htem for a few years that I would do it with them. I just hope they don't pack up the finish line stuff before I get there...talk about nightmares :P I'm trying to go faster, I might even not be last if I keep this up!
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Shrunken Head?!?
I looked at the website for Harry Potter more this week as I bought tickets and became addicted to the hippogriff game. What the? Is it just me? I don't remember there being a shrunken head in that book. Or any book. I think I'll reread that book tonight/tomorrow a bit before the movie opens. Or, I can just wait til tomorrow evening to figure out wny my memory sucks. Or, maybe they are introducing peeves as a shrunken head? Time will tell!
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
I'm entitled to a little down time...
So I did this:
Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com
So I did this:
| T | Tough |
| R | Realistic |
| I | Inspirational |
| C | Crazy |
| I | Innocent |
| A | Accurate |
Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com
Super Size Me
Yesterday I was busy at work with files all day, so when I got off work, I decided I needed a treat. I went to B&N for a book, but didn't find one. Then I went to get groceries, and found a book at the grocery store. Weird, I forgot to look for that authoress when I was at B&N though. Then I ate a quesadilla and drove to Uptown for the movie Super Size Me. Great film. Really funny, and disturbing at the same time. I laughed a lot, and cringed a lot, and recommend everyone go to see it. Especially if you tend to eat a lot of fast food. I haven't eaten at a McDonald's for about 5 years, unless you count the 1 snack size yogurt parfait and the 2 apple pies I know about in the last five years. No meals, anyway. I tend to avoid fast food on principle, but mostly because I get physically sick every time I eat it. I can eat some Arby's, the potato or chili at Wendys and subs. That's about the extent of my 'fast food' intake.
Not that I'm getting all up in the faces of people that do eat it. It's just I can't, and since I can't, I don't. And now that I haven't for a really long time, I feel sickened by the thought of putting that much grease into my belly. The average burger/fry/soda combo scares me. This movie validates much of the problems I have with this food. The nice nutritionists in the movie say you should eat at a McDonald's type establishment only once or twice a month, because of the high fat content and the fact that it doesn't meet most of your nutritional needs. I think that would be good enough for a 'treat' for people who need/want/like it. I won't give anything else away, but if you have a chance, to watch it.
I have my vices too, of course. Like last night, for instance. When I was at the grocer purchasing my book, and milk, I bought a half gallon of ice cream. Ice Cream is just as bad for you as fast food. If you eat it all the time, you'll have the same problems. I don't intend to eat it all the time though...it's just it made me giggle so hard when I saw it, I had to have it.
I bought Bunny Tracks Ice Cream. It made me laugh because I was thinking about the bunnies on the property from this weekend. The baby bunny that came shooting out of the bonfire (apparently he decided to take up residence) and then the Mommy Bunny that gave us "evil death looks" for tampering with her baby bunnies. So, the ice cream was only fitting. Talk about impulse buying though :P I had a bowl last night, and maybe I'll have one tonight, but I doubt it. I had chili and a crossant for lunch, and I'm having a piece of cake from a coworker's daughter's wedding leftovers for dessert, so I don't think I'll need the bunny tracks tonight. Besides, when will I have time? I am climbing right after work, then eating a small amount and going rollerblading after that, and then trying to finish my book. No time at all. Gotta get in shape-the movie has inspired me to exercise more and eat better, and do my situps. Ugh--now it's in writing and I'll have to do it!
Yesterday I was busy at work with files all day, so when I got off work, I decided I needed a treat. I went to B&N for a book, but didn't find one. Then I went to get groceries, and found a book at the grocery store. Weird, I forgot to look for that authoress when I was at B&N though. Then I ate a quesadilla and drove to Uptown for the movie Super Size Me. Great film. Really funny, and disturbing at the same time. I laughed a lot, and cringed a lot, and recommend everyone go to see it. Especially if you tend to eat a lot of fast food. I haven't eaten at a McDonald's for about 5 years, unless you count the 1 snack size yogurt parfait and the 2 apple pies I know about in the last five years. No meals, anyway. I tend to avoid fast food on principle, but mostly because I get physically sick every time I eat it. I can eat some Arby's, the potato or chili at Wendys and subs. That's about the extent of my 'fast food' intake.
Not that I'm getting all up in the faces of people that do eat it. It's just I can't, and since I can't, I don't. And now that I haven't for a really long time, I feel sickened by the thought of putting that much grease into my belly. The average burger/fry/soda combo scares me. This movie validates much of the problems I have with this food. The nice nutritionists in the movie say you should eat at a McDonald's type establishment only once or twice a month, because of the high fat content and the fact that it doesn't meet most of your nutritional needs. I think that would be good enough for a 'treat' for people who need/want/like it. I won't give anything else away, but if you have a chance, to watch it.
I have my vices too, of course. Like last night, for instance. When I was at the grocer purchasing my book, and milk, I bought a half gallon of ice cream. Ice Cream is just as bad for you as fast food. If you eat it all the time, you'll have the same problems. I don't intend to eat it all the time though...it's just it made me giggle so hard when I saw it, I had to have it.
I bought Bunny Tracks Ice Cream. It made me laugh because I was thinking about the bunnies on the property from this weekend. The baby bunny that came shooting out of the bonfire (apparently he decided to take up residence) and then the Mommy Bunny that gave us "evil death looks" for tampering with her baby bunnies. So, the ice cream was only fitting. Talk about impulse buying though :P I had a bowl last night, and maybe I'll have one tonight, but I doubt it. I had chili and a crossant for lunch, and I'm having a piece of cake from a coworker's daughter's wedding leftovers for dessert, so I don't think I'll need the bunny tracks tonight. Besides, when will I have time? I am climbing right after work, then eating a small amount and going rollerblading after that, and then trying to finish my book. No time at all. Gotta get in shape-the movie has inspired me to exercise more and eat better, and do my situps. Ugh--now it's in writing and I'll have to do it!
Gotta love fire
So,the weekend rocked. I would have written about it yesterday, but I was so busy...more on that later. Katie gave a good synopsis of the events, so I will sum up :) Friday was a beautiful, if somewhat cold, night. We arrived at the property, and put our stuff in order, and then took a walk around the 20 or so acres my parents own. We were in the NW corner, inspecting fence and I was telling a story, when all of a sudden, a ball of black fuzz goes hopping and speeding off into the distance. Upon further inspection, said ball of black fuzz had two white stripes on it...Meet Mr. Skunk (he lives there, we think). Luckily, he recognized his noisy and somewhat funny smelling two legged neighbors (I think they don't like the smell of fire, really) and was kind enough not to spray us. We walked the property for the rest of the perimeter in the gathering darkness with only a few stumbles, no ticks, and good convo. Friday night was FREEZING in the camper, but I still managed to sleep.
Saturday my mom and aunt made us breakfast at the farmhouse (my aunt lives about 2 min. by car down the road, about a 15 min walk). Then Dad, Ryan, Chris, Katie, Rachel and I set off to the property to haul some auxilary wood for the big bonfire (which was about 20 feet in diameter and at least 8 or 9 feet tall) and we set up some other things. We ate hamburgers for lunch sitting by the big pile, and Rachel and I had to keep getting up and going to get more wood to stay warm. It was sunny for a while, but the wind had a bit of a bite to it. Saturday evening at 4 pm we lit the big pile. It took a while to get going...we tried four different places before it took off. And away it took! The flames were 25 feet, shooting sideways, burning grass and licking at the remains of a pile I insisted we move to the other side of the pile earlier. Those remains were small though, and didn't start on fire. it burned that way for a few minutes, and then calmed down into a normal sized--well a super sized bonfire. I think bonfires are about the only thing that should be super sized. Rachel and I had hauled some trees down to be cut by the chainsaw, but since that never happened, we just threw them on whole..and they burned just fine.
Sunday we had breakfast with my aunt again, and then got ready to do some hiking on Eagle Trail in Penninsula State Park. Renae and Graham had now joined us, and we enjoyed hiking along the bluff, attempting to skip rocks, avoidance of mosquitos and bay flies (more bay flies than mosquitos, luckily) and exploring mini-caves. We were just about back to the one car (one was at the bottom, one at the top of the hike) when the sky decided it was about time to act like Memorial Day in the Park. That is to say, rain like the dickens. By the time we got the other car, people were wet, but not drenched. (Unlike my brother Troy and his gf Amanda, who went kayaking and apparently almost drown. The story got more and more elaborate as the evening went on, as all good tales must, so we're not sure exaclty how much drowning and how much fear of drownign was involved.) We played Spinner (a kind of dominos) with my aunt before supper, and then had a wonderful spagetti dinner before going and starting our own fire in the pit at the property. Can you tell we were fed really well all weekend long?
We woke up Monday to some really heavy rain, and it had been raining all early morning and morning. (from 3am to 9am when we woke). That got me to thinking of our ditch, and its tendency to hold water. So, we packed up, ran everything to the cars, and managed to negotiate the 'driveway' without getting stuck. We had breakfast at my aunt's again, then drove back to GB, said goodbye to Katie, and headed back to MN. A great weekend, and I'm still kinda tired today from it all. Though, being up late last night reading my newest book probably doesn't help.
So,the weekend rocked. I would have written about it yesterday, but I was so busy...more on that later. Katie gave a good synopsis of the events, so I will sum up :) Friday was a beautiful, if somewhat cold, night. We arrived at the property, and put our stuff in order, and then took a walk around the 20 or so acres my parents own. We were in the NW corner, inspecting fence and I was telling a story, when all of a sudden, a ball of black fuzz goes hopping and speeding off into the distance. Upon further inspection, said ball of black fuzz had two white stripes on it...Meet Mr. Skunk (he lives there, we think). Luckily, he recognized his noisy and somewhat funny smelling two legged neighbors (I think they don't like the smell of fire, really) and was kind enough not to spray us. We walked the property for the rest of the perimeter in the gathering darkness with only a few stumbles, no ticks, and good convo. Friday night was FREEZING in the camper, but I still managed to sleep.
Saturday my mom and aunt made us breakfast at the farmhouse (my aunt lives about 2 min. by car down the road, about a 15 min walk). Then Dad, Ryan, Chris, Katie, Rachel and I set off to the property to haul some auxilary wood for the big bonfire (which was about 20 feet in diameter and at least 8 or 9 feet tall) and we set up some other things. We ate hamburgers for lunch sitting by the big pile, and Rachel and I had to keep getting up and going to get more wood to stay warm. It was sunny for a while, but the wind had a bit of a bite to it. Saturday evening at 4 pm we lit the big pile. It took a while to get going...we tried four different places before it took off. And away it took! The flames were 25 feet, shooting sideways, burning grass and licking at the remains of a pile I insisted we move to the other side of the pile earlier. Those remains were small though, and didn't start on fire. it burned that way for a few minutes, and then calmed down into a normal sized--well a super sized bonfire. I think bonfires are about the only thing that should be super sized. Rachel and I had hauled some trees down to be cut by the chainsaw, but since that never happened, we just threw them on whole..and they burned just fine.
Sunday we had breakfast with my aunt again, and then got ready to do some hiking on Eagle Trail in Penninsula State Park. Renae and Graham had now joined us, and we enjoyed hiking along the bluff, attempting to skip rocks, avoidance of mosquitos and bay flies (more bay flies than mosquitos, luckily) and exploring mini-caves. We were just about back to the one car (one was at the bottom, one at the top of the hike) when the sky decided it was about time to act like Memorial Day in the Park. That is to say, rain like the dickens. By the time we got the other car, people were wet, but not drenched. (Unlike my brother Troy and his gf Amanda, who went kayaking and apparently almost drown. The story got more and more elaborate as the evening went on, as all good tales must, so we're not sure exaclty how much drowning and how much fear of drownign was involved.) We played Spinner (a kind of dominos) with my aunt before supper, and then had a wonderful spagetti dinner before going and starting our own fire in the pit at the property. Can you tell we were fed really well all weekend long?
We woke up Monday to some really heavy rain, and it had been raining all early morning and morning. (from 3am to 9am when we woke). That got me to thinking of our ditch, and its tendency to hold water. So, we packed up, ran everything to the cars, and managed to negotiate the 'driveway' without getting stuck. We had breakfast at my aunt's again, then drove back to GB, said goodbye to Katie, and headed back to MN. A great weekend, and I'm still kinda tired today from it all. Though, being up late last night reading my newest book probably doesn't help.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Where were you?
This job is making me feel something I have not felt in a while. I feel really young. Young as in the oposite been around for a while, not necessarily as the opposite of old. Work makes me feel this way. I think it never really hit me before that the people I work with are sometimes much older than I am. I think of them as my peers, even if they happen to be close to retirement age. Even when I hear about one of my unit-mate's getting an honor for being here for 30+ years, it doesn't really sink in.
Working on this project makes it sink in a bit better though. I have to sort through one of the spill sites to organize the file. The file was started in 1968, when the agency opened. It's still going. Even this doesn't really sink in. I don't so much think "this file has been going since more than a decade before I was born" as, "there is way too much of this file, and it's going to take forever to organize...Why didn't someone do this earlier".
What hits me is that today I came across some spills for the site that happened on my birthday when I was 7. Some of my coworkers now were the ones who responded to the spill. That got me to thinking, what was I doing on that day? I was celebrating being 7. I probably had a birthday party of some sort. I would have been in second grade. That's the year I got glasses. I had my neighbor for a teacher. And we had these horrible, horrible math assignments EVERY NIGHT! I probably did my math homework, and read a book. Probably some of my aunts and uncles came for dinner. I maybe played with my friends, Katie or Jenni or Beth or Melissa or Jenny.
Wow. See, now that makes me put things in perspective. Some of the same people I greet everyday, were responding to spills when I was playing 'my little pony' or some such with friends. And the best part is, even though they probably realize this, I'm treated as an adult--my opinions matter. Maybe 20 or 30 years from now, someone else will realize all this about me.
This job is making me feel something I have not felt in a while. I feel really young. Young as in the oposite been around for a while, not necessarily as the opposite of old. Work makes me feel this way. I think it never really hit me before that the people I work with are sometimes much older than I am. I think of them as my peers, even if they happen to be close to retirement age. Even when I hear about one of my unit-mate's getting an honor for being here for 30+ years, it doesn't really sink in.
Working on this project makes it sink in a bit better though. I have to sort through one of the spill sites to organize the file. The file was started in 1968, when the agency opened. It's still going. Even this doesn't really sink in. I don't so much think "this file has been going since more than a decade before I was born" as, "there is way too much of this file, and it's going to take forever to organize...Why didn't someone do this earlier".
What hits me is that today I came across some spills for the site that happened on my birthday when I was 7. Some of my coworkers now were the ones who responded to the spill. That got me to thinking, what was I doing on that day? I was celebrating being 7. I probably had a birthday party of some sort. I would have been in second grade. That's the year I got glasses. I had my neighbor for a teacher. And we had these horrible, horrible math assignments EVERY NIGHT! I probably did my math homework, and read a book. Probably some of my aunts and uncles came for dinner. I maybe played with my friends, Katie or Jenni or Beth or Melissa or Jenny.
Wow. See, now that makes me put things in perspective. Some of the same people I greet everyday, were responding to spills when I was playing 'my little pony' or some such with friends. And the best part is, even though they probably realize this, I'm treated as an adult--my opinions matter. Maybe 20 or 30 years from now, someone else will realize all this about me.
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Ticket? What ticket?!?
So, Sunday night, while Jenny and I were eating food at the Old spaghetti Factory I was blissfully unaware of the parking ticket lurking under the dripping, squishy windshield wiper-blade on my car. Oh, I knew about the possibility of a ticket, since the meter was broken in that lot, and so we couldn't do much about actually purchasing our parking, thus receiving the necessary receipt, as to avoid a parking ticket in the first place. But, I din't have the receipt, so I got the ticket. $50 dollars, but only $25 if you pay within 72 hrs. Kind of them, huh?
Personally, I didn't feel I should pay to park in a location where the pay-meter is broken. It's not my fault I can't pay, so they should give free parking til it's been fixed. I mean, there is limited parking downtown, and I can't be expected to try to find a different lot, farther away, just because this parking company doesn't have the manners to let me pay to park on their little piece of paved ground! Sheesh, what a privilege it was too, let me tell you. At least their little piece of paved ground was closer to the restaurant, and it was raining, so I didn't move my car.
So, I have this ticket, and I don't want to pay. I have been trying to get ahold of them since Sunday about it. But every time I called, the message would say "we're closed, call back between 8:30 and 4:30 pacific time. So I would, but they would still be closed (yesterday). Perhaps this company participates in random bank holidays, which would necessitate closing their doors, in California?!? (I think they were just lazy). Today, I finally reached the 'nice' receptionist. After explaining my problem, she put me on hold, only to tell me she would recend it this time, but next time I have to pay in the pay lot, or go somewhere else. DUH! I would have paid if I could, and I'm to lazy to go somewhere else. Since they took care of my problem, I didn't suggest that if they acquire a working meter. After all, they're making more money off tickets than paying customers anyway, or at least that is my guess.
So, Sunday night, while Jenny and I were eating food at the Old spaghetti Factory I was blissfully unaware of the parking ticket lurking under the dripping, squishy windshield wiper-blade on my car. Oh, I knew about the possibility of a ticket, since the meter was broken in that lot, and so we couldn't do much about actually purchasing our parking, thus receiving the necessary receipt, as to avoid a parking ticket in the first place. But, I din't have the receipt, so I got the ticket. $50 dollars, but only $25 if you pay within 72 hrs. Kind of them, huh?
Personally, I didn't feel I should pay to park in a location where the pay-meter is broken. It's not my fault I can't pay, so they should give free parking til it's been fixed. I mean, there is limited parking downtown, and I can't be expected to try to find a different lot, farther away, just because this parking company doesn't have the manners to let me pay to park on their little piece of paved ground! Sheesh, what a privilege it was too, let me tell you. At least their little piece of paved ground was closer to the restaurant, and it was raining, so I didn't move my car.
So, I have this ticket, and I don't want to pay. I have been trying to get ahold of them since Sunday about it. But every time I called, the message would say "we're closed, call back between 8:30 and 4:30 pacific time. So I would, but they would still be closed (yesterday). Perhaps this company participates in random bank holidays, which would necessitate closing their doors, in California?!? (I think they were just lazy). Today, I finally reached the 'nice' receptionist. After explaining my problem, she put me on hold, only to tell me she would recend it this time, but next time I have to pay in the pay lot, or go somewhere else. DUH! I would have paid if I could, and I'm to lazy to go somewhere else. Since they took care of my problem, I didn't suggest that if they acquire a working meter. After all, they're making more money off tickets than paying customers anyway, or at least that is my guess.
Monday, May 24, 2004
What a Weekend
Saturday I went to The Movie Troy with Karin and Cliff. I was leary at first, because I have read the Illiad, and I am reading it again. And I wasn't sure about a few of the actor(ess) choices. So, I decided to walk into the theatre pretending that the Illiad doesn't exist, and this was just a nice piece of historical fiction made up by Warner Brothers and the Screenplay-writer. I was pleasantly suprised. Yeah, things don't go exaclty the way they do in the Illiad, but they had to cram 10+ years of warfare and history into 3 hrs. The sets/props/actions were mostly attempting historical accuracy, and I was pleased w/ actor choice in most cases. Yup, as to not give anything away, that's all I'll say--oh and I'd go see it again! Then after it was Baker's Square and Pie, and then Barnes and Noble. A great day indeed.
Sunday I woke up late, because it was raining, and a good day for just sleeping. I finished reading a book, and then went grocery shopping and did laundry. I tried to make banana bread, and never have had a problem before, but this time I wasn't paying much attention, and forgot to add flour, so it became more of a bread pudding. Yummy, just really really sweet and mushy. Failing in that, I went to Old Spagetti Factory with Jenny and had a yummy meal. Then on to Kohls for some good deals on work clothes.
When we got back to my place, Jenny, Rachel and I were looking through old cookbooks. We found a recipe for "Tomato Soup Cake" Giggling like mad women, we decided to try it. So right then and there we did the baking of a cake, including an emergency trip to the grocer to get cream cheese for the frosting! We all thought, it can't taste good--it can't! It's cake w/ tomato soup in it. But, after cooking it, and icing it, and eating it, we were amazed. The thing actually tasted good. So, I took it to work today to share my experiment. Judging by the compliments and the amount of cake gone (almost all) I think Jenny, Rachel and I did a good job! (Or maybe it's just the Icing--wtg Jenny!)
Saturday I went to The Movie Troy with Karin and Cliff. I was leary at first, because I have read the Illiad, and I am reading it again. And I wasn't sure about a few of the actor(ess) choices. So, I decided to walk into the theatre pretending that the Illiad doesn't exist, and this was just a nice piece of historical fiction made up by Warner Brothers and the Screenplay-writer. I was pleasantly suprised. Yeah, things don't go exaclty the way they do in the Illiad, but they had to cram 10+ years of warfare and history into 3 hrs. The sets/props/actions were mostly attempting historical accuracy, and I was pleased w/ actor choice in most cases. Yup, as to not give anything away, that's all I'll say--oh and I'd go see it again! Then after it was Baker's Square and Pie, and then Barnes and Noble. A great day indeed.
Sunday I woke up late, because it was raining, and a good day for just sleeping. I finished reading a book, and then went grocery shopping and did laundry. I tried to make banana bread, and never have had a problem before, but this time I wasn't paying much attention, and forgot to add flour, so it became more of a bread pudding. Yummy, just really really sweet and mushy. Failing in that, I went to Old Spagetti Factory with Jenny and had a yummy meal. Then on to Kohls for some good deals on work clothes.
When we got back to my place, Jenny, Rachel and I were looking through old cookbooks. We found a recipe for "Tomato Soup Cake" Giggling like mad women, we decided to try it. So right then and there we did the baking of a cake, including an emergency trip to the grocer to get cream cheese for the frosting! We all thought, it can't taste good--it can't! It's cake w/ tomato soup in it. But, after cooking it, and icing it, and eating it, we were amazed. The thing actually tasted good. So, I took it to work today to share my experiment. Judging by the compliments and the amount of cake gone (almost all) I think Jenny, Rachel and I did a good job! (Or maybe it's just the Icing--wtg Jenny!)
Friday, May 21, 2004
BABIES!!
Yay, Jenni and Chad have had their little one, Erik! Happy B-day on Tuesday little man! I can't wait to hold him, and when he gets older, take him climbing, and give him candy and...oh wait, Jenni's probably reading this. I can't wait to be really nice and not spoil your child, so that when I have my own (1.3 million years from now) you can't one-up my spoilage :P
Congrats to both of them, and I know they will make excellent parents!
Yay, Jenni and Chad have had their little one, Erik! Happy B-day on Tuesday little man! I can't wait to hold him, and when he gets older, take him climbing, and give him candy and...oh wait, Jenni's probably reading this. I can't wait to be really nice and not spoil your child, so that when I have my own (1.3 million years from now) you can't one-up my spoilage :P
Congrats to both of them, and I know they will make excellent parents!
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Bleepity Bleep Bleep BLEEP!
I am so not fond of Munchenstein right now. Munch, who died a sad death earlier this year is survived by Munchenstein (read Munch in Stein, not 'Munich stein') Munchenstein received a few transplanted bits from Munch, namely a brain (and a spare brain) a mouth, some ears, and probably a kidney. But, alas. Munchenstein is being a pain in my ass.
(for those of you who don't know the torrid history of Munch and Munchenstein, I will sum up. Munch was my computer. It died, so I got a new box and a few new parts, raised the parts of Munch that weren't decrepit and decayed, and made Munchenstein)
So, Munchenstein got sick, he caught 4 viruses in a row. Then his quick launch toolbar (which I was fond of, and he found so useful) launched itself to the moon. He fell asleep a few times and wouldn't wake up, until he was jerked awake by some changes to his voltage. Then, the kicker. He lost his IP address. You should NEVER do that (it's since been learned that his ISP lost his IP address for him, but his ISP is very money hungry and will do anything for the right fee, so they were going to help him get his IP back). So, to remedy all this...Munchenstein was blown up, and rebuilt even better...
Or so I thought. You see, as these things always go, you forget the little things. Like addresses in your address book, or telling Munchenstein to remember the mail (poor, poor emails downloaded into M.'s brain, I've lost you forever). And so, One HD less(because M. won't recognize it) and a different set of clothes (Windows 2000 rather than XP), M. was reborn. Unfortunately for me, he still doesn't remember his IP address. At least we've gone from 169.blah blah blah to 0.0.0.0 But, I need a 66.blah blah blah to get the internet to talk with him. He's being coy, and not remembering how to talk to a server, telling me that his DHCP is all wacky (it's not, I double checked), and just being naughty. So, today I had to download him a new driver, so that maybe, just maybe his little self would remember his IP address. (which is DYNAMIC--hello, you don't have to remember lots of numbers just the first two, stupid Munchenstein!) If this doesn't work, I'll have to perform an "Ethernet card transplant" which could be dangerous and life threatening. In some cases where all this happens, Computer tend to jump out windows or in front of sledge hammers.
And you wonder why I called his father "munch"?!?!
I am so not fond of Munchenstein right now. Munch, who died a sad death earlier this year is survived by Munchenstein (read Munch in Stein, not 'Munich stein') Munchenstein received a few transplanted bits from Munch, namely a brain (and a spare brain) a mouth, some ears, and probably a kidney. But, alas. Munchenstein is being a pain in my ass.
(for those of you who don't know the torrid history of Munch and Munchenstein, I will sum up. Munch was my computer. It died, so I got a new box and a few new parts, raised the parts of Munch that weren't decrepit and decayed, and made Munchenstein)
So, Munchenstein got sick, he caught 4 viruses in a row. Then his quick launch toolbar (which I was fond of, and he found so useful) launched itself to the moon. He fell asleep a few times and wouldn't wake up, until he was jerked awake by some changes to his voltage. Then, the kicker. He lost his IP address. You should NEVER do that (it's since been learned that his ISP lost his IP address for him, but his ISP is very money hungry and will do anything for the right fee, so they were going to help him get his IP back). So, to remedy all this...Munchenstein was blown up, and rebuilt even better...
Or so I thought. You see, as these things always go, you forget the little things. Like addresses in your address book, or telling Munchenstein to remember the mail (poor, poor emails downloaded into M.'s brain, I've lost you forever). And so, One HD less(because M. won't recognize it) and a different set of clothes (Windows 2000 rather than XP), M. was reborn. Unfortunately for me, he still doesn't remember his IP address. At least we've gone from 169.blah blah blah to 0.0.0.0 But, I need a 66.blah blah blah to get the internet to talk with him. He's being coy, and not remembering how to talk to a server, telling me that his DHCP is all wacky (it's not, I double checked), and just being naughty. So, today I had to download him a new driver, so that maybe, just maybe his little self would remember his IP address. (which is DYNAMIC--hello, you don't have to remember lots of numbers just the first two, stupid Munchenstein!) If this doesn't work, I'll have to perform an "Ethernet card transplant" which could be dangerous and life threatening. In some cases where all this happens, Computer tend to jump out windows or in front of sledge hammers.
And you wonder why I called his father "munch"?!?!
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Some things just shouldn't be seen...
They say there is a time and a place for everything. I have to disagree. I also agree with that, "you have to try everything once." statement. I do not feel the need to do things that would hurt myself or my friends. That being said, I'm not going to shy away from things, just because they are the unknown.
No, there are some things that don't need to be experienced. Like for example, seeing one of America's Finest in their underoos. I was going for a walk, minding my own business, staring blankly at the buildings on the side of the road. Then, to my consternation, we came upon a Firehouse. The window was lit by the pale and flickering glow of a television tuned to late night programming. I was still looking blankly at the buildings and windows, when suddenly, painfully, my eyes came into focus on the dorsal side of one of America's finest, changing his clothes in said room. He was in the process of adding pants to his attire. Ugh. Not something I needed to see, but I couldn't seem to turn my brain off fast enough. Now I have the contrast of dark briefs and pale legs burned forever into the part of my brain labeled "shouldn't have gone there". Sigh, note to self: Learn to look at the sidewalk.
They say there is a time and a place for everything. I have to disagree. I also agree with that, "you have to try everything once." statement. I do not feel the need to do things that would hurt myself or my friends. That being said, I'm not going to shy away from things, just because they are the unknown.
No, there are some things that don't need to be experienced. Like for example, seeing one of America's Finest in their underoos. I was going for a walk, minding my own business, staring blankly at the buildings on the side of the road. Then, to my consternation, we came upon a Firehouse. The window was lit by the pale and flickering glow of a television tuned to late night programming. I was still looking blankly at the buildings and windows, when suddenly, painfully, my eyes came into focus on the dorsal side of one of America's finest, changing his clothes in said room. He was in the process of adding pants to his attire. Ugh. Not something I needed to see, but I couldn't seem to turn my brain off fast enough. Now I have the contrast of dark briefs and pale legs burned forever into the part of my brain labeled "shouldn't have gone there". Sigh, note to self: Learn to look at the sidewalk.
Monday, May 10, 2004
T-minus 2 days, and counting
O-chem. Here I go again. Gotta love it, but you know, I'll be glad to have it over. I just studied for abotu 3 hrs (I know, sounds like a pathetic amount), but I'm too tired to study more. I think I'll be going to bed soon, reading a smidge, and going to sleep. I was gonna write about the weekend more. I will have to do that later. There is a nce breeze blowing in the window. I'm tempted, I'm moving...I'm gone!
O-chem. Here I go again. Gotta love it, but you know, I'll be glad to have it over. I just studied for abotu 3 hrs (I know, sounds like a pathetic amount), but I'm too tired to study more. I think I'll be going to bed soon, reading a smidge, and going to sleep. I was gonna write about the weekend more. I will have to do that later. There is a nce breeze blowing in the window. I'm tempted, I'm moving...I'm gone!
