I know it is 3am where you are, but WAKE UP. It is Jukebox Friday and I've found myself at a computer with abilities to pull vids from youtube. Isn't it exciting? Yes, I know all y'all are snoring away.... Oh fine, on to the musak.
Muse, Starlight
...this has become the go-to song when driving back up the mountain. It's grown on me.
Nena, 99 Luftballoons
...I played this song a lot when I was in Germany (lame, I know), and I've traveled with it ever since. Plus there seems to be a lot of German themes here in Lebanon.
1. Soccer Eurocup - GO GERMANY ALL THE WAY! The German flag is flying everywhere here...never knew soccer could be so much fun. Plus we are now in an area where we can get the games in the same time-zone (well, close enough anyway)
2. My poor German skin that I've managed to baby enough so it hasn't burned. Yet.
3. We went and saw "Das Leben der Anderen" which was so good. I can't stop recommending it!
So that's that. Happy Jukebox Friday - I'm headed back out to do vacation-y things.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Things that amuse/interest me here
* Hawa Chicken shops (I say it like a ninja...HAWA!)
* The people who have lived here a long time but don't really know Arabic. They can get away with only speaking French and this amazes me
* The signs / tv or movie captions / instructions all in three languages
* My poor poor butchered French pronunciations
* Huge Jesus on wheels (he moves around a certain street we drive through...it's like "FIND THE JESUS!")
* The freedoms here that I can't decide if they are good or bad (eg: drinking alcohol in cars)
* The traditions (eg: there is a specific kind of rice pudding you serve to all the visiting guests after you have a baby)
* Lizards in the garden
* My "quest" to try all different kinds of man2ousheh to see if the man2ousheh here in Brummana is really the best in all the land
* The old old old buildings that are so pretty in their ancient-ness
* The religious shrines that dot the sides of the roads
* The veiled women walking with their skimpy dressed friends
* The staring....everyone stares at everyone else in cars. (Not just because I'm the blondie.)
* The millions of flower boxes put up along fences in the villages
* The kindness of a total stranger to take off her bracelet and give it to me after I only commented that it was pretty. (this kindness is very common in the older generations, but you don't apparently find it in the younger generations. the girl, Issan, who gave me the bracelet will always be remembered when I put on the bracelet!)
* When going to the movies you sign up where you will be sitting in the theater
* The ability to find a full dinner for $2
* Paying for things in US dollars
* Planning out our perfect beach day for tomorrow
* How cheap it is to get a manicure, pedicure, and eyebrows done ($30 dollars and they do such a good job!!)
* Sitting at a restaurant by the sea with the breezes hitting my face
* Picking out the girls who had nose jobs
* Learning tons of Arabic in only the week I've been here
* Truly amused by the fact that so many things simply don't have a system here (especially traffic. and the fact that I didn't even need a visa when I entered at the airport. we decided it was probably because it was 430am and the guy didn't feel like filling it out!)
* All the flags flying around here due to the soccer Eurocup that is happening. People take soccer here very seriously! (go Germany!)
* Burger King and almost every place delivers here. Oh, and you can tell the guy to pick up something from the store along the way...
* Around every corner is an amazing view
I'm sure I'll keep thinking of more.
* The people who have lived here a long time but don't really know Arabic. They can get away with only speaking French and this amazes me
* The signs / tv or movie captions / instructions all in three languages
* My poor poor butchered French pronunciations
* Huge Jesus on wheels (he moves around a certain street we drive through...it's like "FIND THE JESUS!")
* The freedoms here that I can't decide if they are good or bad (eg: drinking alcohol in cars)
* The traditions (eg: there is a specific kind of rice pudding you serve to all the visiting guests after you have a baby)
* Lizards in the garden
* My "quest" to try all different kinds of man2ousheh to see if the man2ousheh here in Brummana is really the best in all the land
* The old old old buildings that are so pretty in their ancient-ness
* The religious shrines that dot the sides of the roads
* The veiled women walking with their skimpy dressed friends
* The staring....everyone stares at everyone else in cars. (Not just because I'm the blondie.)
* The millions of flower boxes put up along fences in the villages
* The kindness of a total stranger to take off her bracelet and give it to me after I only commented that it was pretty. (this kindness is very common in the older generations, but you don't apparently find it in the younger generations. the girl, Issan, who gave me the bracelet will always be remembered when I put on the bracelet!)
* When going to the movies you sign up where you will be sitting in the theater
* The ability to find a full dinner for $2
* Paying for things in US dollars
* Planning out our perfect beach day for tomorrow
* How cheap it is to get a manicure, pedicure, and eyebrows done ($30 dollars and they do such a good job!!)
* Sitting at a restaurant by the sea with the breezes hitting my face
* Picking out the girls who had nose jobs
* Learning tons of Arabic in only the week I've been here
* Truly amused by the fact that so many things simply don't have a system here (especially traffic. and the fact that I didn't even need a visa when I entered at the airport. we decided it was probably because it was 430am and the guy didn't feel like filling it out!)
* All the flags flying around here due to the soccer Eurocup that is happening. People take soccer here very seriously! (go Germany!)
* Burger King and almost every place delivers here. Oh, and you can tell the guy to pick up something from the store along the way...
* Around every corner is an amazing view
I'm sure I'll keep thinking of more.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Flash Mob
I might have just done the coolest thing EVER. We all participated in something called a "flash mob"....Nothing dangerous...a mere artistic gathering of people doing something(s) quirky. Today we gathered in martyr's square, listened to directions on the i-pods. first it instructed us to walk towards the clock tower square in downtown beirut waving and high-fiving everyone we see (in cars, standing outside buildings, etc). We get to the clock tower square and were instructed to find a unique position that we wish to freeze in. Then, the whole mob of random people froze in positions for five minutes. N& I chose to hold hands. I was looking up at the clock tower and N got to look around. After five minutes, we all walked away as normal. It was so much fun!!! If I see any pictures posted with us in them, I'll throw it up here.
I've seen it done around the world, but I never thought I'd have the chance to participate! That's all the time I have to write....off to do something?
I've seen it done around the world, but I never thought I'd have the chance to participate! That's all the time I have to write....off to do something?
Friday, June 20, 2008
Photos
Photos are up on my photo album site from the first few days here. In the middle of loading them onto facebook the power cut, so now facebook is giving me problems. Power cuts are very common here and usually the generators kick in pretty instantly...last night it took the systems about 10 minutes to kick in though. One of the quirks of this place. :)
We've done a lot of recovering from jet lag around home here, but yesterday we did get out to Bsous to the silk factory museum there. It was super interesting and the gardens there were amazing. I'm really glad we went!
As some of you may have gathered, yes, a frickin spider (we think) bit MY EYE. It happened in the middle of the night and was really painful. It is still tender today, but not too bad. Luckily it was my upper eyelid area and, oh yeah, WASN'T POISONOUS. I was pretty traumatized! Everyone polled here claims to never even heard of anyone getting bitten by a spider or even stung by a bee here. How (un)lucky am I?!?!
Today dad A. will fly in to Lebanon from Dubai and we'll all get to be together on one continent finally. Other than that, we're playing it by ear. Like now I'm going to have tea and biscuits outside in the gorgeous weather. Ummmm, it's been gorgeous every day...300 days of sunshine this lovely place has. Enjoy the pictures!
We've done a lot of recovering from jet lag around home here, but yesterday we did get out to Bsous to the silk factory museum there. It was super interesting and the gardens there were amazing. I'm really glad we went!
As some of you may have gathered, yes, a frickin spider (we think) bit MY EYE. It happened in the middle of the night and was really painful. It is still tender today, but not too bad. Luckily it was my upper eyelid area and, oh yeah, WASN'T POISONOUS. I was pretty traumatized! Everyone polled here claims to never even heard of anyone getting bitten by a spider or even stung by a bee here. How (un)lucky am I?!?!
Today dad A. will fly in to Lebanon from Dubai and we'll all get to be together on one continent finally. Other than that, we're playing it by ear. Like now I'm going to have tea and biscuits outside in the gorgeous weather. Ummmm, it's been gorgeous every day...300 days of sunshine this lovely place has. Enjoy the pictures!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
I hate you Jet Lag....
I'm not really sure why, but I didnt' sleep on any of the plane rides to here at all. I napped in Heathrow a teensy bit, but either security alarms or passengers headed to Hong Kong interrupted. 10 hours in Heathrow was a bit much. Our sensibilites wore out in the last 1/2 hour we were there (sooo close!!) and we ended up changing dollars to pounds. Had some great italian sandwiches and beer though...
So far I've noticed Lebanon is much more vibrant in the summer. The last time I was here was November, which, in all honesty, wasn't a bad time to be here either! The grape vines overhead the porch are full of grapes and the flower vines are all in bloom up the trees & fences. Today was great hanging out in Broumanna and around the house as I was not up to much of anything else. Having tea in a lush summer garden is a pretty amazing thing. Momma (Mom A.) fusses enough about that I feel very well taken care of.
Tomorrow morning I am promised my favorite food manousheh jibne for breakfast and we'll go from there. Yalla, I'm headed back to sleep off a groggy head. Just popped in to let you know I'm safe and sound.
So far I've noticed Lebanon is much more vibrant in the summer. The last time I was here was November, which, in all honesty, wasn't a bad time to be here either! The grape vines overhead the porch are full of grapes and the flower vines are all in bloom up the trees & fences. Today was great hanging out in Broumanna and around the house as I was not up to much of anything else. Having tea in a lush summer garden is a pretty amazing thing. Momma (Mom A.) fusses enough about that I feel very well taken care of.
Tomorrow morning I am promised my favorite food manousheh jibne for breakfast and we'll go from there. Yalla, I'm headed back to sleep off a groggy head. Just popped in to let you know I'm safe and sound.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
For laughs...
* There is a great post over at dooce.com which is actually a guest post by 1/2 of sweet juniper. I dont have any kids, but the parenting duo that writes for sweet juniper have some amazing posts that any one can enjoy.
* Along the lines of lolcats is another new favorite "awww" website: Cute Overload.
A favorite from there:
* As always, making fun of celebrities can be soooo incredibly funny. Go Fug Yourself. Included in a recent post was a line I would like to steal: "But if you think that's as wack as it gets, just wait, because at the film's premiere she crashed the Wackmobile straight into Lake Crackpot."
* All along, VH1's Best Week Ever have been blogging hilarious things about Top Chef. How did I miss this? The finale recap was great. And this gem about Lisa was priceless.
* Continuing my French music addiction.... (and it will make you go "awww")
There, that should keep you entertained for at least a little bit. I'll be back in a month to continue this partay....
* Along the lines of lolcats is another new favorite "awww" website: Cute Overload.
A favorite from there:
* As always, making fun of celebrities can be soooo incredibly funny. Go Fug Yourself. Included in a recent post was a line I would like to steal: "But if you think that's as wack as it gets, just wait, because at the film's premiere she crashed the Wackmobile straight into Lake Crackpot."
* All along, VH1's Best Week Ever have been blogging hilarious things about Top Chef. How did I miss this? The finale recap was great. And this gem about Lisa was priceless.
* Continuing my French music addiction.... (and it will make you go "awww")
There, that should keep you entertained for at least a little bit. I'll be back in a month to continue this partay....
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Now that I've pulled myself together for the day...
Hey, I forgot to mention that it was my parents 20th wedding annivesary yesterday. How fantastic is that?! Their wedding was SO rockin you can't even imagine!
I'm the one on the lower right with the PERMAGRIN. The other little cuties are some of my girl cousins on my mum's side. Those were the exciting days of becoming a 'real' family, getting my ears pierced, being tall (I was always the "tall" girl until I was 12!), having adorable french braided hair, and wearing a cute puffy-sleeved peach dress with a bow on my ass. Also, when I was that age I wanted to be "prom queen or a nurse" when I grew up and constantly wished I was 14. I thought 14 was a magical age or something. Ok, so I was a little naieve and weird.
It is about to rain again. Basically, the rain gods only liked my young-maiden-sacrifice thing for a couple of days here. They're back to being vengeful and mighty. Ugh, the rain means AGAIN there is no sun out today. The thing I'm most worried about on this trip overseas is the sun burning my delicate skin. While we here in WI have enjoyed a nice winter since last September (ok, fine, we're about a week into spring), Lebanon is about 4 months into summer already. I spent the 1/2 day of sunshine we've had outside and already burned my shoulders. The one spot I didn't put sunscreen on and left unprotected for 15 minutes. I am soooooo going to stick out like a pale thumb over there.
I'm the one on the lower right with the PERMAGRIN. The other little cuties are some of my girl cousins on my mum's side. Those were the exciting days of becoming a 'real' family, getting my ears pierced, being tall (I was always the "tall" girl until I was 12!), having adorable french braided hair, and wearing a cute puffy-sleeved peach dress with a bow on my ass. Also, when I was that age I wanted to be "prom queen or a nurse" when I grew up and constantly wished I was 14. I thought 14 was a magical age or something. Ok, so I was a little naieve and weird.
It is about to rain again. Basically, the rain gods only liked my young-maiden-sacrifice thing for a couple of days here. They're back to being vengeful and mighty. Ugh, the rain means AGAIN there is no sun out today. The thing I'm most worried about on this trip overseas is the sun burning my delicate skin. While we here in WI have enjoyed a nice winter since last September (ok, fine, we're about a week into spring), Lebanon is about 4 months into summer already. I spent the 1/2 day of sunshine we've had outside and already burned my shoulders. The one spot I didn't put sunscreen on and left unprotected for 15 minutes. I am soooooo going to stick out like a pale thumb over there.
bada bing baby!
- People, please focus. We only have 3 days left until I depart. Wait, it's probably just me frakkin out. Pardon.
- I will have internet access in Lebanon, but I'm not sure if I'm really going to blog. I'll be updating twitter (see right hand side of my blog) and skimming through facebook world. You can always go play music over at my music blog. There is a neat feature on blogger where you can write up entries and choose a future date to post them, but I forgot about that feature until yesterday. I don't think I could write up 32 posts today to cover while I am gone.
- We are not bringing pie filling over to Lebanon on this trip, but there has been a time where it was definitely stashed in someone's luggage back to Lebanon. Apparently you just can't find that stuff there. We are, however, trying to pick out a laptop for n's sister and buy it in the next three days to take.
- Why, yes, I am fully packed. Yes, this is very odd for me. I also have all my outfits for the next few days all planned out. *somebody's excited*
- Ugh, I am so sleepy this morning. I can't think of anything else I wanted to mention.....
- I will have internet access in Lebanon, but I'm not sure if I'm really going to blog. I'll be updating twitter (see right hand side of my blog) and skimming through facebook world. You can always go play music over at my music blog. There is a neat feature on blogger where you can write up entries and choose a future date to post them, but I forgot about that feature until yesterday. I don't think I could write up 32 posts today to cover while I am gone.
- We are not bringing pie filling over to Lebanon on this trip, but there has been a time where it was definitely stashed in someone's luggage back to Lebanon. Apparently you just can't find that stuff there. We are, however, trying to pick out a laptop for n's sister and buy it in the next three days to take.
- Why, yes, I am fully packed. Yes, this is very odd for me. I also have all my outfits for the next few days all planned out. *somebody's excited*
- Ugh, I am so sleepy this morning. I can't think of anything else I wanted to mention.....
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
My Dad
I had a pretty strong connection to my dad right away even if I didn't meet him until I was eight. I distinctly remember my parents wedding day (how many kids can say that?) and I think it was just meant to be how everything worked out. He's my dad through and through. I'm the one who would sit in the basement (his woodshop) and watch him make things out of wood. He would even give me scrap wood for me to make cool tables and things for my Barbie empire.(hey, my entire walk-in closet at that house was Barbieland. or 'a mess' if you asked my mom.) He's a fantastic wood craftsmen and I'm pretty proud of every little gift I have made by him. There's something special about holding a wooden pen made by dad.
I've (shamefully) given my dad so much hell through the years, but, you have to believe I have a huge amount of respect for the guy too. He's the one I could whine at to get my way and can be quite a teddy bear. I will always cherish how he was the one who ultimately soothed out so many stresses with the wedding. Even though it wasn't his thing to have a huge formal wedding (he would have really liked for everyone to grab a cheeseburger from the Burger King drive through, wave, and leave), he was there for me.
I have so many crazy good memories about dad. Him dressing as Santa Claus, driving through the streets of C-ville embarrassing me by yelling "WE GOT PIZZA HUT" out the open window (and honking the horn), teasing me about boys, always getting us ice cream, regaling us with tales about the dump, giving us rides on the tractor, walking through the woods, singing Elvis songs, making me watch John Wayne movies (OVER AND OVER), talking like Arnold Schwarzenegger (making t-shirts with him looking like Schwarzenegger!), all his dad-isms, ALWAYS CHANGING THE OIL ON MY CAR, and so on (this list could carry on a long time)
I know I didn't cry or get emotional when he walked this little girl down the aisle and I know I didn't cry when we had our father-daughter dance (I was sooo happy that day!) .... but today as I write these words I'm filled with tears knowing how much my dad means to me. He's bitchin, trust.
I've (shamefully) given my dad so much hell through the years, but, you have to believe I have a huge amount of respect for the guy too. He's the one I could whine at to get my way and can be quite a teddy bear. I will always cherish how he was the one who ultimately soothed out so many stresses with the wedding. Even though it wasn't his thing to have a huge formal wedding (he would have really liked for everyone to grab a cheeseburger from the Burger King drive through, wave, and leave), he was there for me.
I have so many crazy good memories about dad. Him dressing as Santa Claus, driving through the streets of C-ville embarrassing me by yelling "WE GOT PIZZA HUT" out the open window (and honking the horn), teasing me about boys, always getting us ice cream, regaling us with tales about the dump, giving us rides on the tractor, walking through the woods, singing Elvis songs, making me watch John Wayne movies (OVER AND OVER), talking like Arnold Schwarzenegger (making t-shirts with him looking like Schwarzenegger!), all his dad-isms, ALWAYS CHANGING THE OIL ON MY CAR, and so on (this list could carry on a long time)
I know I didn't cry or get emotional when he walked this little girl down the aisle and I know I didn't cry when we had our father-daughter dance (I was sooo happy that day!) .... but today as I write these words I'm filled with tears knowing how much my dad means to me. He's bitchin, trust.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Resisting open bar.
To-Do List (ever changing)
- Laundry
* Travelling with clean clothes would be nice, dontcha think?
- Make copies of important paperwork
* Losing said important paperwork and not having copies would suck. This concludes my essay on how it would be to lose important paperwork overseas without having copies.
- Tell post office to hold mail
* I don't think the post office could start doing origami with our months worth of mail to fit it in our tiny mail box. They might go "postal." That sounded funnier in my head.
- Pay another month rent
* Shelling out money for time not spent here. Hmpf.
- Make sure change of clothes packed in carryon
* Did I tell you about the time I went to Germany and they lost my luggage? And then I had to borrow clothes from strangers because it took about a week to get it back? THAT WAS NOT FUN.
- Take care of relative's last requests for things we have to drug-mule overseas.
* It is always an adventure to carry 20 things of denture cream, vitamins, face creams, pie filling, laptops, ETC ETC.
* Sidenote: The show on Nat'l Geographic "Locked Up Abroad" is fantasticly scary.
- Get reading material
* I haven't found a good book to take along. Please suggest some in the comments. I like to read anything and everything. (from fluff books to mythology)
- Get wedding gift
* Yes, we have a wedding to go to on Saturday. Must resist open bar. Throwing up on the plane the next day would not be my (well, anyone's) idea of a great time. Oh, yeah. I also get motion sick on planes and transportational units. Alcohol increases the motion sickness. That was a mental note to myself. SELF, PAY ATTENTION.
- Email parents itinerary
* They should know what's going on, shouldn't they?
- Ask some friend to take us to the bus station on Sunday. (we take the bus from Mkee to OHare)
* Preferrably we won't ask a random stranger and end up in Tulsa OK.
- Look into registering marriage in Lebanon.
* You have to register marriage, wait 1 year, become citizen, pass go and collect $200. Take a ride on the reading rainbow and watch out for the flying monkeys.
- Make sure various items in carry on are under 3 oz.
* ...So then I can pay $8 for a bottle of water past the checkpoint. Oh, I suppose to keep the gel bombers at bay. I'll go along with this.
- Get pest control guy to take care of wasps nest
* DESTROY.
- Laundry
* Travelling with clean clothes would be nice, dontcha think?
- Make copies of important paperwork
* Losing said important paperwork and not having copies would suck. This concludes my essay on how it would be to lose important paperwork overseas without having copies.
- Tell post office to hold mail
* I don't think the post office could start doing origami with our months worth of mail to fit it in our tiny mail box. They might go "postal." That sounded funnier in my head.
- Pay another month rent
* Shelling out money for time not spent here. Hmpf.
- Make sure change of clothes packed in carryon
* Did I tell you about the time I went to Germany and they lost my luggage? And then I had to borrow clothes from strangers because it took about a week to get it back? THAT WAS NOT FUN.
- Take care of relative's last requests for things we have to drug-mule overseas.
* It is always an adventure to carry 20 things of denture cream, vitamins, face creams, pie filling, laptops, ETC ETC.
* Sidenote: The show on Nat'l Geographic "Locked Up Abroad" is fantasticly scary.
- Get reading material
* I haven't found a good book to take along. Please suggest some in the comments. I like to read anything and everything. (from fluff books to mythology)
- Get wedding gift
* Yes, we have a wedding to go to on Saturday. Must resist open bar. Throwing up on the plane the next day would not be my (well, anyone's) idea of a great time. Oh, yeah. I also get motion sick on planes and transportational units. Alcohol increases the motion sickness. That was a mental note to myself. SELF, PAY ATTENTION.
- Email parents itinerary
* They should know what's going on, shouldn't they?
- Ask some friend to take us to the bus station on Sunday. (we take the bus from Mkee to OHare)
* Preferrably we won't ask a random stranger and end up in Tulsa OK.
- Look into registering marriage in Lebanon.
* You have to register marriage, wait 1 year, become citizen, pass go and collect $200. Take a ride on the reading rainbow and watch out for the flying monkeys.
- Make sure various items in carry on are under 3 oz.
* ...So then I can pay $8 for a bottle of water past the checkpoint. Oh, I suppose to keep the gel bombers at bay. I'll go along with this.
- Get pest control guy to take care of wasps nest
* DESTROY.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Really? I haven't mentioned this in the last 20 seconds?
In one week I will be in London-town napping off a long flight and preparing for boardage of a plane to Lebanon. This creates a massive to-do list for this week which includes fun things like "get reading material" and not fun things like "tell apt. office we have a wasps nest on our balcony." The list is long. I generally like to-do lists though. Keeps my brain focused. Otherwise I'm all "OOH SHINY."
Hi, in one week I will be in London-town. Did I mention that yet? Oh. Ok. Well, you can perceive my excitement. Excitement over travelling. In one week. To exciting places. Not that there hasn't been excitement around here. How many ways can it rain? I'm reminded of Forrest Gump quote, "One day it started raining, and it didn't quit for four months. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath."
Friday's rain:
- Downpour in the early afternoon
- No interruption of my plans
- Tornado sirens going off in late afternoon, but no weather here at the apt. to warrant concern. I don't even think we had a drop when there were actual sirens going off.
- I still put laundry in in the basement in case I would have been cooped up down there. Might as well be productively safe?
Saturday's rain:
- sunburned by the pool in the morning
- in the immense humidity discover our central air is broken
- crazy fast moving storm.
- sirens go on, then off. then on. of- no, on. off? WHAT?
- listening to news on TV "at 124th report of funnel." Am reminded HELLO, I LIVE ON 124TH. have N tell me he thinks this is all "cool." I am decidedly anti-scary weather.
- Rains on and off the rest of the night.
Sunday's rain:
- Go out in the morning to a park. The park that is now a lake. Pretty darn freaky to see submerged playground equipment.
- Make eye appt. for N.
- 10 mins before appt skies break open and shower FURY upon the lands. The N still convincing me to head out with him. Um. No. Cancel appt.
- Storms on and off. Scary lightning. I hide out at computer to subside fears.
- Go to open window at night when rain stopped and have window completely break out of its sill. Add "fix window" on to-do list.
The greatest part of all of this were the TV weather reports. I'm not going to turn the seriousness of a tornado into a laughing matter, but c'mon, they were simply fantasticly crazy. ALL WEATHER ALL THE TIME. WE GOT EVERYONE IN THE STATION RIGHT NOW FOR YOU FOLKS. WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THIS FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY. Lots of that. This was putting all their degrees to use(but things I could find out for myself on this thing called "the internet").
Other amusing highlights:
- They let people call in with what they are experiencing. "UHH Richard we have a car in the median and the people, the people look OK, but we have EMT on the scene. Wait, no one is moving really quickly. I think the people just have a broken-down car. We're not seeing any rain here at this point."
- The weather people kept being handed pieces of paper on-air with updates. It was all about how fast the weather person could read the paper, process it, and get the information out with out fumbling all over the words. It was like seeing a brain melt.
- I should have turned the live weather reports into a drinking game.
* phrase "super cell" = sip of beer
* phrase "take cover" = yell out "TO THE BATCAVE"
* funnel cloud spotted = take a shot & head to basement
* >50 mph wind = shake up a good martini
...etc
So besides weather antics, and a to-do list, I've only really had to keep my brain calm from the excitement of travelling. Because I'll be on a plane in a week... have I mentioned that?
Hi, in one week I will be in London-town. Did I mention that yet? Oh. Ok. Well, you can perceive my excitement. Excitement over travelling. In one week. To exciting places. Not that there hasn't been excitement around here. How many ways can it rain? I'm reminded of Forrest Gump quote, "One day it started raining, and it didn't quit for four months. We been through every kind of rain there is. Little bitty stingin' rain... and big ol' fat rain. Rain that flew in sideways. And sometimes rain even seemed to come straight up from underneath."
Friday's rain:
- Downpour in the early afternoon
- No interruption of my plans
- Tornado sirens going off in late afternoon, but no weather here at the apt. to warrant concern. I don't even think we had a drop when there were actual sirens going off.
- I still put laundry in in the basement in case I would have been cooped up down there. Might as well be productively safe?
Saturday's rain:
- sunburned by the pool in the morning
- in the immense humidity discover our central air is broken
- crazy fast moving storm.
- sirens go on, then off. then on. of- no, on. off? WHAT?
- listening to news on TV "at 124th report of funnel." Am reminded HELLO, I LIVE ON 124TH. have N tell me he thinks this is all "cool." I am decidedly anti-scary weather.
- Rains on and off the rest of the night.
Sunday's rain:
- Go out in the morning to a park. The park that is now a lake. Pretty darn freaky to see submerged playground equipment.
- Make eye appt. for N.
- 10 mins before appt skies break open and shower FURY upon the lands. The N still convincing me to head out with him. Um. No. Cancel appt.
- Storms on and off. Scary lightning. I hide out at computer to subside fears.
- Go to open window at night when rain stopped and have window completely break out of its sill. Add "fix window" on to-do list.
The greatest part of all of this were the TV weather reports. I'm not going to turn the seriousness of a tornado into a laughing matter, but c'mon, they were simply fantasticly crazy. ALL WEATHER ALL THE TIME. WE GOT EVERYONE IN THE STATION RIGHT NOW FOR YOU FOLKS. WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THIS FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY. Lots of that. This was putting all their degrees to use(but things I could find out for myself on this thing called "the internet").
Other amusing highlights:
- They let people call in with what they are experiencing. "UHH Richard we have a car in the median and the people, the people look OK, but we have EMT on the scene. Wait, no one is moving really quickly. I think the people just have a broken-down car. We're not seeing any rain here at this point."
- The weather people kept being handed pieces of paper on-air with updates. It was all about how fast the weather person could read the paper, process it, and get the information out with out fumbling all over the words. It was like seeing a brain melt.
- I should have turned the live weather reports into a drinking game.
* phrase "super cell" = sip of beer
* phrase "take cover" = yell out "TO THE BATCAVE"
* funnel cloud spotted = take a shot & head to basement
* >50 mph wind = shake up a good martini
...etc
So besides weather antics, and a to-do list, I've only really had to keep my brain calm from the excitement of travelling. Because I'll be on a plane in a week... have I mentioned that?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Cast away the clouds....
Song can be heard here
Close up our umbrellas
Walk around until we don't remember
What it was that made our years so dark
There's music in the park
Take a look around
Seems we've cast away the cloud
To which we once were bound
Let's take this day and run
Our season has begun
Skies are clear so far
Have a little more faith in me
Open my arms wide
Tell you come on in
There's just enough room here inside
For you to settle in
I don't care where you've been
Grateful for the view
Raise the blinds
And let the morning sunshine filter through
No storms to relive
Let go and forgive
Skies are clear so far
Have a little more faith in me
Close up our umbrellas
Walk around until we don't remember
What it was that made our years so dark
There's music in the park
Take a look around
Seems we've cast away the cloud
To which we once were bound
Let's take this day and run
Our season has begun
Skies are clear so far
Have a little more faith in me
Open my arms wide
Tell you come on in
There's just enough room here inside
For you to settle in
I don't care where you've been
Grateful for the view
Raise the blinds
And let the morning sunshine filter through
No storms to relive
Let go and forgive
Skies are clear so far
Have a little more faith in me
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Major WTF-AGE
I had a dream last night that I was working back at my high school job, Mills Fleet Farm. Every customer that came through my line had a problem with their order and the POS (haha, "point of sale" - funniest supervisory abbreviation ever) kept yelling at me. At one point I had to ring up some bulk candy and they kept telling me to hit the "potatoes" button to ring up the bulk candy. POTATOES! (Even though there was clearly a "raisins" button in my dream.) After that, I kept the cash drawer open too long while a person counted out 35 cents in change and the whole computer systems froze.
Then a guy came through the line to rob me and I broke his arm across the counter...but..by the power of he-man and all things strange... he turned into a giraffe. Giraffe you say? Yes, I say. Giraffe. As I called 911 I had everyone yelling at me that I killed a giraffe. I had to explain to the 911 person that a giraffe just robbed the store and I killed it.
I don't remember how that was resolved in my dream, because I believe people kept coming through the line after that and everything was normal. (remember previous mentions of 'major continuity issues' in my dreams?) The last part I remember was when I couldn't get gloves to ring through, so the customer comes behind the counter to try scanning himself. I kept yelling at him, "Sir, sir, you can't be behind here!!! Please return to the other side of the counter!!"
And he didn't turn into anything. Thank the mighty giraffes!
________________________________________
UPDATE
Looked up meaning of giraffes in a dream:
Giraffe
To see a giraffe in your dream, suggests that you need to consider the overall picture. Take a broader view on your life and where it is headed.
To dream that you are riding a giraffe, represents your desire to stand up amongst the crowd. You want attention, but aren't getting it.
So I killed my broader view on life for attention? Hmmm....
Then a guy came through the line to rob me and I broke his arm across the counter...but..by the power of he-man and all things strange... he turned into a giraffe. Giraffe you say? Yes, I say. Giraffe. As I called 911 I had everyone yelling at me that I killed a giraffe. I had to explain to the 911 person that a giraffe just robbed the store and I killed it.
I don't remember how that was resolved in my dream, because I believe people kept coming through the line after that and everything was normal. (remember previous mentions of 'major continuity issues' in my dreams?) The last part I remember was when I couldn't get gloves to ring through, so the customer comes behind the counter to try scanning himself. I kept yelling at him, "Sir, sir, you can't be behind here!!! Please return to the other side of the counter!!"
And he didn't turn into anything. Thank the mighty giraffes!
________________________________________
UPDATE
Looked up meaning of giraffes in a dream:
Giraffe
To see a giraffe in your dream, suggests that you need to consider the overall picture. Take a broader view on your life and where it is headed.
To dream that you are riding a giraffe, represents your desire to stand up amongst the crowd. You want attention, but aren't getting it.
So I killed my broader view on life for attention? Hmmm....
Friday, June 6, 2008
Ahem.
All day long on Fridays I keep wanting to post more and more videos. Could really clutter this place up. SO, I decided to create my own music blog. I'll post videos, links, lyrics, pictures, and anything that relates to what kind of music I'm listening to.
Check it out:
http://sfoofiemusic.blogspot.com/
I've added a snazzy fun poll to the right hand side, so make sure you vote and check back often. That is, if you like really random music. Cuz that's what I like.
Check it out:
http://sfoofiemusic.blogspot.com/
I've added a snazzy fun poll to the right hand side, so make sure you vote and check back often. That is, if you like really random music. Cuz that's what I like.
Extra special bonus Jukebox Friday
Then I got to thinking about cousins graduating, The Child graduating 8th grade, my little brother graduating 8th grade, summer on the way, people leaving on vacations, needing a pick-me-up, dancing, and cute pandas. So, I love this song & I love pandas. Perfect combination.
Rusted Root, Send Me On My Way
Rusted Root, Send Me On My Way
Juekbox Friday- Rock out some deep feelings....
This is very applicable for my week. Not going to delve further into it, I just know this song fits. This is the old skool Skillet - when I first realized that you can talk about God/Jesus/cool things and still rock. Sorry if it is a bit rough for all the mellower folks.
"I Can"
Looking on the sad times, the guilt and all the shame
I have learned to submit my existing hurts and pains
All the grief I've learned to set aside
'Cause I am, I am, I am
Feeling underooted feeling undermined
Can this grace of God cover me this time?
When I feel the pain I know why I feel strange
When I hear the rooster crow I am ashamed
Jesus on the cross and this cross upon my back
I have learned to submit then I whine about my lack
Sometimes I drop my cross, deserve a little rest
That's when I run to you and I nail your feet and your wrist
I'm feeling underooted feeling undermined
Can this grace of God cover me this time?
Do you really love my soul, even after I hated you?
Do you really know my name, can I really come to you?
Are you really more faithful than the changing of the seasons and the morning sun?
Do you really know my name, can I really come to you?
I can, I don't care if the rooster crows
I can
Oh fine, you want mellow? How about a bedtime melody? I can do that too. This one is really cool:
(1:02) "dream of Paris, France...."
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A celebration!
Yesterday my candidate of choice sealed up some delegates for his bid to become the democratic nominee. I'm going to celebrate.
Be prepared for more of this:
Now on to some funny quotes:
End with evil otters:
Be prepared for more of this:
Now on to some funny quotes:
In spite of all evidence to the contrary, the entire universe is composed of only two basic substances: Magic and bullshit.
They all laughed at Albert Einstein. They all laughed at Columbus. Unfortunately, they also all laughed at Bozo the Clown. ---Carl Sagan Broca's Brain
Once at a social gathering, Gladstone said to Disraeli, "I predict, Sir, that you will die either by hanging or of some vile disease". Disraeli replied, "That all depends, sir, upon whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."
Q: How many existentialists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: Two. One to screw it in and one to observe how the lightbulb itself symbolizes a single incandescent beacon of subjective reality in a netherworld of endless absurdity reaching out toward a maudlin cosmos of nothingness.
Never settle with words what you can accomplish with a flame thrower.
The body is mortal and subject to incredible pain. Life is antagonistic to the living. The flesh can be sawed, crushed, frozen, stretched, burned, bombed, and plucked for music. The dumb are abused by the smart and the smart destroyed by their own cunning. The small are tortured by the large and the large destroyed by their own momentum. We are able to walk on air, but only as long as our illusion supports us. --E. L. Doctorow
A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.--William James
"They say only 10 percent of the brains function is known. Apparently, the function of the remaining 90 percent is to keep us from discovering its function."
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell out of here." (Michael Scott, The Office)
End with evil otters:
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Today's events
0700 - Wake up too early
0800 - Oh, crap. Gotta get ready in 10 minutes to take N to work. N laughing at me.
0810 - Drive N to work to save a bajillion dollars over the next two months
0845 - Breakfast
0900 - Start online stuff
0947 - Start to dread working out
1000 - Dread working out. Dang, just wasted 13 minutes.
1002 - Dread working out
1003 - Get ready to work out. Dread.
1005 - Force myself that all will be ok. Insane feelings of dread.
1006 - Leave to go work out.
1130 - Return from working out. Determine I still hate it.
1131 - Feel slightly better that I worked out, but know tomorrow I will dread/hate all over again. Dread/hate/dread/hate.
1147 - Still in gross workout clothes, watering plants.
1200 - Decide it is lunch time. Dang, just wasted 13 minutes?
1240 - Done with lunch, lounging on couch watching some stupid TV show
0100 - Remind myself not to get sucked into some stupid TV show and turn off TV.
0101 - Go from room to room picking up stuff.
0102 - Get sucked over to computer to write something random and dumb on Twitter. Read the news. Remind myself to keep reading news and useful things.
(0300 - Still on computer. haha, j/k.)
0200 - Back to picking things up. (gotta change the sheets today and prepare for laundry day tomorrow)
0500 - Wondering: where did my day go?
0600 - Pick up N from work to save a bajillion dollars over the next two months.
0630 - 1030 - Listen to cranky N demand dinner in 2 minutes. Calmly prepare supper ignoring Mr.Crankypants. Throw crackers his way to stave off his demands. Know N by now to know that he is just hungry. Wonder why men make insane/cranky demands instead of just calmly waiting for dinner. I eat sensible dinner. Check on N to make sure he balances his gross things with sensible vegetable things. N returns to normalcy. Almost adorable. Talk with N about my day. N tells me about his day. We discuss life and trip things. Let N show me funny things he finds on the internet. Remind him that I'm so much cooler than WoW. Lose attention of N to WoW. Start to wonder if I should learn to play WoW to vie for attention. Get attention of N. Try to convince him to go for bike ride. Lose attention of N. I play Wii, play on internet, watch TV, and/or do general putzing around. N pays attention to me randomly. Just getting into conversation or something super amazing on the internet when cranky N demands bedtime. Wonder why men make insane/cranky demands instead of just calmly waiting for my 2 minute bedtime routine. Calmly prepare for sleep. Vie for attention of N. Lose attention of N to his sleep. Feel all sappy in my heart over sleeping N.
1030 - 0700 - HAVE REALLY WEIRD MESSED UP DREAMS.
(last night it was snowing outside in May and I was playing floor hockey in my old high school gym.)
I will treasure these days always.
0800 - Oh, crap. Gotta get ready in 10 minutes to take N to work. N laughing at me.
0810 - Drive N to work to save a bajillion dollars over the next two months
0845 - Breakfast
0900 - Start online stuff
0947 - Start to dread working out
1000 - Dread working out. Dang, just wasted 13 minutes.
1002 - Dread working out
1003 - Get ready to work out. Dread.
1005 - Force myself that all will be ok. Insane feelings of dread.
1006 - Leave to go work out.
1130 - Return from working out. Determine I still hate it.
1131 - Feel slightly better that I worked out, but know tomorrow I will dread/hate all over again. Dread/hate/dread/hate.
1147 - Still in gross workout clothes, watering plants.
1200 - Decide it is lunch time. Dang, just wasted 13 minutes?
1240 - Done with lunch, lounging on couch watching some stupid TV show
0100 - Remind myself not to get sucked into some stupid TV show and turn off TV.
0101 - Go from room to room picking up stuff.
0102 - Get sucked over to computer to write something random and dumb on Twitter. Read the news. Remind myself to keep reading news and useful things.
(0300 - Still on computer. haha, j/k.)
0200 - Back to picking things up. (gotta change the sheets today and prepare for laundry day tomorrow)
0500 - Wondering: where did my day go?
0600 - Pick up N from work to save a bajillion dollars over the next two months.
0630 - 1030 - Listen to cranky N demand dinner in 2 minutes. Calmly prepare supper ignoring Mr.Crankypants. Throw crackers his way to stave off his demands. Know N by now to know that he is just hungry. Wonder why men make insane/cranky demands instead of just calmly waiting for dinner. I eat sensible dinner. Check on N to make sure he balances his gross things with sensible vegetable things. N returns to normalcy. Almost adorable. Talk with N about my day. N tells me about his day. We discuss life and trip things. Let N show me funny things he finds on the internet. Remind him that I'm so much cooler than WoW. Lose attention of N to WoW. Start to wonder if I should learn to play WoW to vie for attention. Get attention of N. Try to convince him to go for bike ride. Lose attention of N. I play Wii, play on internet, watch TV, and/or do general putzing around. N pays attention to me randomly. Just getting into conversation or something super amazing on the internet when cranky N demands bedtime. Wonder why men make insane/cranky demands instead of just calmly waiting for my 2 minute bedtime routine. Calmly prepare for sleep. Vie for attention of N. Lose attention of N to his sleep. Feel all sappy in my heart over sleeping N.
1030 - 0700 - HAVE REALLY WEIRD MESSED UP DREAMS.
(last night it was snowing outside in May and I was playing floor hockey in my old high school gym.)
I will treasure these days always.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Guilty Pleasures
Ugh...I have so much I could write about that happened in the last few days, but I just spent a bunch of time staring at the blank blog format wondering what to write. It just wasn't coming out. I think it is a way of knowing that the last few days were very special - too special for me to write about them decently. Instead I think I'm going to just throw some other stuff out here that's easier to write about.
I have some things I take great delight in and spend too much time on. So I will share them here:
- LOL Cats. I can has a laugh at every picture. OH, and if you are a dog lover, there's LOL Doggies.
- Pop culture. The N mentioned yesterday "How do you know all this crap?" I swear the most inane pop culture poo seeps into my brain. It is everywhere. I have a love/hate relationship with it all. Seeing Michael Kors talk about how he has an obsession with the tabloids actually made me feel better. He even says "Now I gotta go in and see all this delicious juice." On the downside, there is definitely the hate part of this guitly pleasure relationship. Apparently Ashley Simpson didn't announce her publicity-pregnancy before her publicity-marriage because it "went against her religious beliefs." Quite possibly the dumbest thing I've read. Hey princess, wouldn't getting pregant before marriage go against your religious beliefs? aaaand btw, you have the creepiest dad. EVAR. So I read things randomly, watch E news randomly, and see things randomly on the internet and now I have insane amounts of useless knowledge. I know it is useless and yet I still am sucked into that vortex. The delicious juice vortex.
- Not really a "guilty" pleasure, but I'm including going to church on this list. In these modern times, many of my generation and all over the world simply do not "get" church/religion. (Ashley Simpson?) I like church and a lot of people don't understand that. Especially since I'm still part of what people consider the most bastardized instituion in the Christian world. Whee. I love this ride.
- Chick movies. I begged/whined/sold my soul until I got to see 27 Dresses. 'nuff said. (ohhh, but "The Prince and Me" is the WORST MOVIE EVAR.)
- Cheese. GAAAAAAAAAAH. Cheese has the most evil grip over my diet. I will give up meat to include cheese into a meal.
- French music. I probably will never learn to prounounce "Sacre Couer" or "Chantal" correctly, but I love Frenchy songs. I don't even know what most of the songs mean, but C'est Si Bon!
- Idle retirement. I probably could have done something cooler with this time, but I do love it. I take great pleasure in a simple day. (I guess I did focus on my health and well-being which is definitely cool, but I didn't save a puppy from a gutter in the rain or anything like that.)
- Pillows, blankets, and towels. I love having a lot of them and finding the cushiest ones to snuggle with. I wish I could adopt the snuggle bear and take it home. Snuggly softness rules! (haha, I do love how the clip is labeled as "Snuggle Bear YOU MUST DIE)
- Lime drinks. The new Aquafina Alive in Orange Lime ROCKS. I can get a little caffeine when needed without resorting to diet drinks and aspartame. I love a lime drink in the summertime too. If I had any ingredients for a margarita in the house, it would totally be in my hand right now.
- READING. favorite thing to do is cuddle up with a book (with a margarita, pillows/blankets, in my idle retirement, with a French soundtrack playing in the background)
- Playing Scrabble (and, really, any other board game). I totally came back this weekend to win at the very end in beating K, but I did lose to N last night. Memories are made when board games are played.
I have some things I take great delight in and spend too much time on. So I will share them here:
- LOL Cats. I can has a laugh at every picture. OH, and if you are a dog lover, there's LOL Doggies.
- Pop culture. The N mentioned yesterday "How do you know all this crap?" I swear the most inane pop culture poo seeps into my brain. It is everywhere. I have a love/hate relationship with it all. Seeing Michael Kors talk about how he has an obsession with the tabloids actually made me feel better. He even says "Now I gotta go in and see all this delicious juice." On the downside, there is definitely the hate part of this guitly pleasure relationship. Apparently Ashley Simpson didn't announce her publicity-pregnancy before her publicity-marriage because it "went against her religious beliefs." Quite possibly the dumbest thing I've read. Hey princess, wouldn't getting pregant before marriage go against your religious beliefs? aaaand btw, you have the creepiest dad. EVAR. So I read things randomly, watch E news randomly, and see things randomly on the internet and now I have insane amounts of useless knowledge. I know it is useless and yet I still am sucked into that vortex. The delicious juice vortex.
- Not really a "guilty" pleasure, but I'm including going to church on this list. In these modern times, many of my generation and all over the world simply do not "get" church/religion. (Ashley Simpson?) I like church and a lot of people don't understand that. Especially since I'm still part of what people consider the most bastardized instituion in the Christian world. Whee. I love this ride.
- Chick movies. I begged/whined/sold my soul until I got to see 27 Dresses. 'nuff said. (ohhh, but "The Prince and Me" is the WORST MOVIE EVAR.)
- Cheese. GAAAAAAAAAAH. Cheese has the most evil grip over my diet. I will give up meat to include cheese into a meal.
- French music. I probably will never learn to prounounce "Sacre Couer" or "Chantal" correctly, but I love Frenchy songs. I don't even know what most of the songs mean, but C'est Si Bon!
- Idle retirement. I probably could have done something cooler with this time, but I do love it. I take great pleasure in a simple day. (I guess I did focus on my health and well-being which is definitely cool, but I didn't save a puppy from a gutter in the rain or anything like that.)
- Pillows, blankets, and towels. I love having a lot of them and finding the cushiest ones to snuggle with. I wish I could adopt the snuggle bear and take it home. Snuggly softness rules! (haha, I do love how the clip is labeled as "Snuggle Bear YOU MUST DIE)
- Lime drinks. The new Aquafina Alive in Orange Lime ROCKS. I can get a little caffeine when needed without resorting to diet drinks and aspartame. I love a lime drink in the summertime too. If I had any ingredients for a margarita in the house, it would totally be in my hand right now.
- READING. favorite thing to do is cuddle up with a book (with a margarita, pillows/blankets, in my idle retirement, with a French soundtrack playing in the background)
- Playing Scrabble (and, really, any other board game). I totally came back this weekend to win at the very end in beating K, but I did lose to N last night. Memories are made when board games are played.
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