Barb’s Burblings

This year, instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I came up with 101 in 1001. As described by Triplux,

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e., represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

My deadline is Wednesday, September 17, 2008. This list is below.

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Last night, as I was lying in bed at my parents’ house, I thought about how it seemed like I hadn’t been in Oregon very long. Tonight, as I walked into my apartment, I felt like I had been away forever. It was a good trip, but I am really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. And picking up Colin tomorrow.
…And because I know you’re wondering, yes, I managed to finish both of those books while in Oregon. And made a lot of headway into my book club’s January book on the plane ride today.

By the time I head back to work on January 3, I’ll have been away for almost 2 weeks (my last day in the office having been December 20). And I kind of feel like I’m trying to cram everything into this time period–relaxation-wise, that is. I’ve been reading a lot. Which is good, you know, but I feel this pressing need to get through everything in as short a period of time as I can.
I’m really trying to finish Undaunted Courage, which I’ve been reading off-and-on for the last year and a half or so. It’s actually my dad’s and I really want to leave it here. I have about 10 pages left, so I think I’m safe.
I brought Spook with me. I took it out of the library right before I left. It’s quite interesting and entertaining; I’m going to have to check out her other books. I’m pretty close to finishing that one, too. I’d like to have those two done before I leave.
And I’m proofing a book for work, and making a prelim index for something for work, too. There’s something else that might be FedEx’d here, though it won’t do much good–I leave Thursday. Hopefully it won’t pop up tomorrow, because I don’t need more stuff to bring home.
On the positive side, I’m getting a lot of sleep, even if it has included bizarre dreams virtually every night (e.g., I’m about to leave for London–during the Olympics hosted there–and I don’t have a hostel booked). Plus trying to fit in visiting with my parents and grandmothers.
But it’s been a good week…and there’s still some good times left. I might try to fit in seeing Evita on Friday night. We’ll see.
Current song in my head:
The Office theme (because I’m also trying to get through some DVDs as well)

It’s been a hard couple of days, as an O’s fan, as a Yankees fan (as a Red Sox fan, too, though I’m not included in that group). Elrod Hendricks died. He played for the O’s and a few other teams, won some pennants. But many fans, myself included, know him as the O’s bullpen coach. He was incredibly fan-friendly, always talking to people and signing autographs. He was involved with community outreach. He died on Wednesday night after playing Santa for Baltimore kids on Monday. It’s a major loss for the O’s.
As for the Damon-to-the-Yankees deal…I’m not happy. Damon’s a good lead-off guy, but I don’t want him in pinstripes. A lot of people are upset with him, about loyalty, etc. I recommend checking out Bill Simmons for his take on sports players and loyalty. It always amuses me when fans get really upset about players leaving their teams to play for a rival, as if the fans don’t realize that the players aren’t fans–they’re players. They (for the most part) did not grow up rooting for that team. Why should they pick that team over a few million extra? Ah well.
I don’t always agree with Simmons, but that’s a great column.
Current song in my head:
“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle

I don’t know if any of you actually click on those links to the right of these entries, but let me take a moment to express my appreciation for A List of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago. It covers pretty much all of my favorite shows, provides tons of fabulous links, and has an interest in theater. The entry title for a bit on Alias was a line from 1776–which prompted people to quote the musical extensively in the comments. Fantastic! Now I have those songs in my head, but still. Wonderful.
Oh, and I highly recommend Brokeback Mountain. Heath Ledger can be a bit hard to understand in it, but it’s a great story. Check it out. I only hope that when you see it, you don’t have a group of giggle female college freshmen sitting behind you. That was a bit annoying.

I’m a procrastinator. I like to put things off. I’m particularly bad when it comes to packing. There are times when I get excited about packing, but that doesn’t lead to actually packing. My flight for Oregon leaves at 7 tomorrow morning. I did laundry last night. Tonight I tutor. Then Carrie and I are seeing Brokeback Mountain, because it’s doubtful that either of our families would want to see it. I need to get up at like 4:30 tomorrow morning. Luckily I have a lot of time on the plane to sleep.

I was going to write an entry about all the junk I had to eat this weekend, but something I just saw got my blood boiling.
My company is collecting donations of goods to send to the victims of the hurricanes. We have a specific city in Alabama that we’re sending stuff to, and we got a company to ship everything for free, and it’s all very nice. However. I was in the elevator, where there was a flyer with a list of suggestions for things to donate. The list was under the heading, “Ideas for holiday donations” or something to that effect. Someone crossed out “Holiday” and wrote in “Christmas.”
Are you kidding?

Dear Christians Who Feel Persecuted,
You are not an oppressed minority. Nobody is trying to “take the Christ out of Christmas.” Most people realize that while Christians are a majority of the country, there are people who are not Christians. People who celebrate other holidays. At this time of year! Shocking, I know. Some of these people might even be living in that town in Alabama where we’re sending stuff. How is saying “Happy holidays” offensive? Christmas is a holiday, which, as Stephen Colbert helpfully pointed out, comes from “holy day.” Is Christmas not a holy day? But seriously. Are you just bored with running the country and need to rant about something?
Kisses, Barb

This probably isn’t the best time of year to say this, but…I hate people sometimes.

Kudos to Lisa Winston of USA Today Sports Weekly for realizing that Brian is the best all-around 2nd baseman out there. Woo! And she acknowledges his Gold Glove-caliber play.

1. Sudafed is not effective in this case.
2. DayQuil is.
3. DayQuil and NyQuil should be spaced more than 7 hours apart. Not allowing enough time between the two leads to a drive to work spent trying to determine current blood alcohol content and a morning of wooziness.
4. ColdEeze tastes pretty good until the end, when it gets weird.
5. Puffs Plus and Kleenex with Lotion are both nice, but if you spend over two weeks blowing your nose a lot, your nose will get sore, no matter what.

Last night I made chili for dinner–from scratch. Usually I just get the little chili packet at the grocery store, but last night I did it all myself. And my hands STILL smell like the onion that I chopped up.