November 30, 2005
If Pat Morita was #1, who's #3?
Stan Berenstain, a co-author of the Berenstain Bears books, died. I loved those books growing up; I had a ton of them. My favorite was The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room. I so wanted Brother and Sister's bedroom at the end, when it's all cleaned up and their toys are in neatly labeled boxes and Brother's reading in a little chair in the middle of the room. That's how I wanted my room to be. Never happened. I do get a similar feeling when I go into The Container Store. I go in there and get delusions that one day my apartment can be that organized.
November 28, 2005
I'm thankful for the quiet (hint, hint)
I love 4-day weekends. The problem with coming back after the long Thanksgiving weekend is that everyone at work has to talk about their holiday. And the thing is--and here's where I sound really cranky and annoying--is that I just don't particularly care. Sure, there are a few coworkers that I'd like to hear what they did. And I have no problems comparing notes with my friends. But for the most part? I don't need to know. Really. I'm sure they all had lovely Thanksgivings and it was relaxing and nice to see family, etc., etc. Because the typical coworker isn't going to go into how Aunt Sue ripped into Cousin Jen over the stuffing. You know?
On a more positive note, it was actually kind of nice to go back to coming into work a bit earlier. I had been coming in around 8 the past couple of weeks, but am back to 7:30. The traffic is just so much easier to deal with at 7:30.
Tonight: Barenaked Ladies!
Current song in my head:
"La Vie Boheme" from Rent--I don't actually know it, so I just keep hearing those three words over and over and over; very annoying
November 23, 2005
Kitty cat jealousy
The vet appointment went well last night, except for when Colin peed on me as I tried to get him into his carrier. He's not such a fan of the carrier. In the last year, he's lost over 4 pounds. That's about a third of his body weight. Crazy! He's at a good weight now. I'm jealous. I wish I could lost weight like that. I imagine that someone else having total and complete control over what you eat is helpful. It's not like he can ever be like, "I could go for a donut. I think I'll stop at Krispy Kreme on the way home."
Current song in my head:
"Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
November 22, 2005
Best. Day. Ever.
I don't mind Tuesdays, because I have the Gene Weingarten chat to look forward to (and the chat about life at work before it also entertains me). Today is a particularly good Tuesday, as tomorrow is the last day of the work week, and it will be a short day. And I went out to lunch, which was enjoyable. And yummy. Plus, there's a retirement party this afternoon, so there's guaranteed cake. But then, we got called over to the other side of the floor. It was someone's birthday. There was cake. Today is a Two Cake Day. Nothing can beat a Two Cake Day. I am very happy about this. Report on the first cake: Very good. The cake was moist and the frosting wasn't too heavy.
Colin might not agree about today being a good day, though he doesn't know it yet. We head to the vet for a checkup this evening. Ruh roh!
Current song in my head:
"We Like to Party" by the Venga Boys
November 18, 2005
Ah, averages
I heard on the radio the other day that the average single person goes on eight first (blind?) dates a year. I'm wondering who the people are out there that make up for me totally bringing down the curve on this one. I mean, eight? Really? Dang. I know that's less than one a month, but still.
In practical news, here's a chat about how to defeat the imminent robot rebellion. I love the Washington Post for many reasons, but the diversity of their online chats is right at the top of my list.
And I just realized that the name of the male non-MC lead character (played by Michael York in the movie) in Cabaret is Brian Roberts. I am excessively amused by this. Well, it is a somewhat generic American name. I shouldn't be surprised at it popping up the way it does.
Current song in my head:
"Don't Tell Mama" from Cabaret
November 16, 2005
November 14, 2005
Taking good care of it
Watching Prison Break, they keep saying "Over the wall": "We have 18 minutes to get over the wall." "I need to get over the wall to see my daughter before she dies." "How long before we can go over the wall?" And so on. And so now I have the song "Over the Wall" from Kiss of the Spider Woman in my head, in which they say "Over the wall" over and over and over. Ack!
I've never had a million dollars...
Earlier this year, I complained about how I lived in DC for 5 years without ever seeing a politico; soon afterward, I found myself sitting next to James Carville at a Nationals game. Recently I was talking to a coworker about how a lot of tv shows and films shoot in DC, but I've never seen one (other than purposely going to an O's game that they were using in The West Wing). Well, that changed this weekend.
As I walked from Metro Center to the American History museum, I noticed some odd cordons and banners near the Federal Triangle Metro stop. There was nobody around, and it kind of looked like there was some sort of flu shot clinic happening later on. After hanging out in the First Ladies exhibit for a while, I headed back.
Police were preventing cars from entering that block of road, but pedestrians were OK. I noticed a line of buses and there seemed to be a LOT of people milling about. And there was a huge line, stretching well past the cordons. I was about to ask the t-shirt vendor what was up when I saw the sign saying that The Visiting was filming and that if I didn't want to be included, I should stay out of camera range. And the scene apparently was people lining up for vaccinations--from some sort of alien infection. A couple of people even had on those face masks. There were a lot of production people milling about with headsets on, and some official person was saying something over a loudspeaker about setting up. No, I didn't see Nicole Kidman, or the new James Bond, or Jeremy Northam, but it was still neat. I would've stayed longer, but was feeling a bit ucky (maybe I should've had something to eat that day), so hastened home.
Very neat. Now I need to think of something else that I haven't experienced around here, casually mention it, then wait for it to happen.
Current song in my head:
"The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem
November 11, 2005
More bad carma
I'm sorry, but what did I do to piss off the car gods? No, seriously? My front right tire had a slow leak for a while. Turns out there's a nail in it. And how did I find this out? When driving on the Beltway, just after 270 and 495 merged, my tire just decided to quit and went flat. Whee! The AAA guy got there very quickly--apparently I was a priority, as I was on the Beltway. Hey, at least it was early afternoon and traffic was fairly light. I would've changed it myself, except...I was on the Beltway. No way I was trying that. So I got to get a new tire for my car. Hurrah.
On the bright side, I got quite a bit of Christmas shopping done. I'm now done with my mom and Kathy and Robert, and have gotten something for my dad. This leaves the grandmothers, another for my dad, and whoever I get in the Secret Santa exchange. Of course, this means that I spent a boatload of money today, between presents (and some shoes) and tires.
Current song in my head:
"Fix You Up" by Tegan and Sara
November 09, 2005
The O's love my friends and family
I went yesterday to pick up the package that had been sitting at the post office since Saturday (because my mailperson doesn't bother trying to actually deliver them to the apartment; if I get a package, he or she just shoves the slip into the mailbox, like, thanks, mailperson, but Carrie or I was home all day). Turned out to be two packages, that looked very similar, other than the boxes being slightly different sizes. One was my jersey and the other was my present from my sister--a variety of O's items so I can totally dork out my car in Oriole gear. It is, quite frankly, awesome. Some of it will undoubtedly wind up in my apartment or my office at work, which is also fun.
Anyway, I was so like a kid at Christmas. I wore the jersey around the apartment all night and sat there playing with my new stuff. Whee!
November 07, 2005
Honnnnnk
As is typical for me, I got sick on a weekend. Nothing big, just your run-of-the-mill cold. I spent yesterday feeling miserable, blowing my nose and coughing. But this morning I woke up feeling a lot better. Not 100% better, mind you, but not bad enough to miss work. So instead I'm trying to be subtle about any coughing and nose-blowing, because if I'm not, I'll be inundated with people badgering me about whether I'm sick and how I'm feeling, etc., etc., which gets real old real quick.
November 05, 2005
November 04, 2005
They say it's your birthday...
TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (November 4)
There are so many opportunities to revel in your power this year! Your career sprouts wings, and you no longer feel bound by the forces that kept you down before. Give love another chance in December. Doing business with family is favored in the spring -- together you could make a mint! Love signs are Taurus and Gemini. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 33, 20, 36 and 38.
Link
IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY
You need to take charge and start making those changes you have often talked about but, for one reason or another, never quite got around to. You may be another year older but you are also another year wiser, so put what you have learned to good use and the next 12 months will be many times better than the previous 12 months.
Link
Happy Birthday
You will have some very unique ideas, but if you jump from one thing to another, never finishing what you start, you aren't likely to make gains. This is the perfect year to formulate partnerships and make promises or commitments that will alter your future and bring you recognition for what you do best. Your numbers are 2, 12, 15, 29, 33, 41
Link
Birthday Horoscopes for 11/04
The November 4th person has a way of getting things moving, they do this with grace and charm. The ruling planet for this day is Uranus (Why do I always get smart aleck e-mails every time I mention this planet?) which gives this person a lovable eccentricity. They have a new approach to a lot of old ways. As a mate the November 4th person is well balanced. They give and receive the same and have a habit of only seeing the good in all those around them. The mate of this person should realize that they have something special and not take advantage of such a kind soul.
A look ahead; Reality makes no considerations for practice of faith.
Link
November 4 Birthday
In the year ahead, you are likely to be emotionally restless, looking for new experiences. You will be more able to have fun, and you'll look to add a bit of adventure to your life. You may feel somewhat unsettled this year, and travel is possible. Legal matters may need to be attended to. You could struggle with some indecision about where your life is headed. In the last few months of the period especially, you may encounter some "roadblocks" in your path, and you might have some struggles with authority figures or circumstances that feel limiting and oppressive. However, Jupiter is transiting your Sun from December 2005 until August 2006--a transit that will help to expand your world, keep your spirits rather high, and offer you opportunities to find greater self-expression in your world. The period ahead of you will be characterized by general "busy-ness", expressiveness, and mental activity. Travel may be in order, and some form of publicity is likely. This can take the form of being called upon to express yourself. Alternatively, there can be an increased need to express yourself and to discuss your personal life with others. You might find that you are less in touch with your emotions simply because you feel the need to, or are pressed to, define them! There can also be some tendency towards being nervous and restless. More attention to schedules and deadlines is also in order. You may experience a "speeding up" of your emotional reactions. You are more willing to take risks this year. Surprises come your way, and you may do things or experience things that you never imagined. This is a year when you can expect the unexpected. You are seeking emotional excitement, whether this is a deliberate or subconscious thing. Try not to push yourself or make impulsive decisions in the first part of the period (until January), while Mars opposes your Sun.
Link
November 03, 2005
And this year won't involve Colin Firth
On the Today Show yesterday, they mentioned that it was the anniversary of last year's presidential election. (Which, yeah, kind of depressing.) Anyway, that made me realize that a year ago, I was gearing up to head to England; I went a year ago today. My birthday will be a bit different this year--less hanging around Leicester Square, more spending time with friends. The trip last year rocked, but there's something a bit sad about going through the day without anyone acknowledging it.
I had been debating about whether to take a vacation day tomorrow. I have the time built up, but was a bit iffy on it. It's not like I'm swamped at work, but...Then my boss sent out an email saying, "Tomorrow is Barb's birthday, but she'll be out, so we'll take her to lunch at some other point." Heh. I like it when other people make my decisions for me.
Current song in my head:
"Round and Round" from The Fantasticks
More random thoughts
I was driving to work this morning and after making a left at a traffic light, I started to think about the wonder that is the traffic light. When were they invented? How long into the car era before they were widespread? How did they deal with traffic before that?
Well, at least I found answers.
November 02, 2005
Cutest. Thing. Ever.
Need a little pick-me-up? Check out the video here of little Tai Shan (a.k.a. Butterstick), the baby panda, taking some of his first steps. Terminally adorable.