November 29, 2005

So...How Much did YOU Eat?

Gawd, I feel fat. Ug. I was so bad this past 4 day weekend...bad bad bad. I ate turkey, stuffing, rolls and potatoes (POTATOES!) and pie and cheesecake and more and more. I haven't had potatoes in like 6 months and DAMN were they good.


How much do you suppose you gained over the holiday. Oy.

*urp*

'scuse me!

I've been on a plateau from hell for the last few months. After dropping about 75 pounds, it's like my body caught on to what was going on and said "oh, no! We're not having any more of that, now!" Scrreeeeecch! The losing stopped. So, as the book suggests, I'm starting over.

You see? Thanksgiving was kind of like my "last hurrah." I porked, yes I did.

As soon as I get my protein supply well stocked, I'm going to do "phase one" again. That means the smallest amount of carbs I can possibly consume - no pototoes, corn, rice, pasta, bread or sugar of any kind. I've done it before, I can do it again. I'm hoping it will "kick start" me back into losing mode as I'm not where I want to be yet! Wish me luck.

Ketosis coming, kids. Get ready. lol

Oh, by the way, I turned off that blasted word verification in my comments. If it was pissing ME off, it had to be pissing some of you off. :D

November 28, 2005

How Fragile We Are

Contemplative today, perhaps from having had too much time to think over the weekend, the lines from the song "fragile" are coursing through my mind.

So much to think about.

The human heart, feelings, emotions make us such fragile beings. Many of us are suffering and no one has any idea. The silly, happy-go-lucky guy you see every day at work may be going home at night to drink himself into oblivion, crying as he wallows in despair. You never can tell. Some of us hide behind the walls we build and let no one see our pain. We shut down, we drink, we abuse ourselves, we lash out. Every one of us deals with troubles differently. We have no right to judge anyone until we've walked in their shoes. ...and sometimes that is just not possible.

I hide, too. I withdraw. I don't talk about my darkest moments here. Something about it just makes me feel too vulnerable, and I feel ashamed of my weakness. Some of you have seen my demons and understand. Others have seen them and hate me because of them. Yet others have no clue.

Someone I care about very much nearly killed himself this weekend.

This post is a mess, of this I am aware. It's not really meant to be coherent as I am also painfully aware of the way I'm stumbling over my words and emotions today. I am not in a bad place, just trying to sort through it all and make some sense of it. Bear with me.

I think about how I would have felt had he succeeded. Would I have ever known what happened? Perhaps not. Would I have thought that it was because of something I said that I never heard from him again? Possibly, though I would have had nothing to do with the reason he would have gone away. It's hard, sometimes, to remember what a small part we play in this world and that the majority of things that happen have nothing to do with us personally.

All I know is that had he died and had I been aware of how and why, I would have been crushed.

There are some people I meet that I just feel a connection with - like we're kindred spirits and that we're meant to care for each other. I can't explain it and it amazes me. I know that these characters I've come to care for are made up in my mind of only what I know of them - only what they've shared with me and allowed me to know. There are so many facets to a personality that it seems nearly impossible to completely know someone. As soon as you think you do, they will change.

Sometimes it works out wonderfully and I am rewarded with a wonderful friendship, but other times it doesn't. It hurts when it falls apart, but there is always a lesson to be learned in it. It is a challenge to find it and learn from it.

Someone else I care about very much had a brother kill himself recently.

Someone else I know is going through a very painful divorce.

I wish I could take away their pain, all of them, but I know I can't.

We all have our demons, and we all have our ghosts. Life dishes out plenty of adversity and feelings often get hurt, hearts crushed, hopes dashed, and spirits broken. ...yet we plod on, and keep making ourselves vulnerable because we are searching. We need those connections, those rewarding friendships, those relationships. Without them, we are cold, empty shells.

Although some times there is a big part of me that wants to build the wall to insurmountable, I would much rather take the chance of getting hurt, adding to the scars, than to never again feel the joy, contentment and happiness brought by the love of another. It is so very much worth the risk.

...and I can't allow myself to forget that I must always seek out the lesson.



At the risk of sounding cliche, just remember that you matter and that someone (you may not even know who) cares about you very much.

November 25, 2005

SASF v.11.25 - Tryptophan Stupor

Jeez, I almost spaced off the fact that it's Friday! Dang holiday. Yesterday was the usual chow-fest. The food was great, the company was nice, and I slept great last night. I did, however, lose something - my mind, I believe. I got up this morning at 5:30 and went shopping. Yep. Well before dawn, I was dressed, out of the house and I walked into Target as they opened the doors at 6. It's the first time I've done that, but it was worth it! I got some SWEET deals. Everything I bought was at least 50% off and I got practically all of the holiday shopping done for the D-man. *yawn* Yeah, it's catching up to me.

I've spent the afternoon searching for the place where I'll get my tattoo. It's been an interesting endeavor, indeed. I still have three more shops to visit.

So...considering that, let's get on with the show!

***
In the Spirit
Being the day after Thanksgiving, we also did the traditional putting-up of the Christmas tree. D keeps rearranging the ornaments which is pretty amusing to watch.

These people, however, really got nutty with the lights. Damn, I'm impressed. Makes me think of Electric Light Orchestra - remember them? :D

Damn, I bet it's annoying to be inside the house when that's going on, though.

***
Adventures in Lobotomy

"Freeman was featured on the front page of the New York Times and other national dailies and periodicals regularly over the following years, undoubtedly persuading many surgeons to adopt the technique, and many thousands of patients and relatives of patients to opt for it. The popular coverage was universally optimistic, with headlines such as: "Psychosurgery Cured Me", "Wizardry Of Surgery Restores Sanity To Fifty Raving Maniacs", and, memorably (and tragically incorrectly), "No Worse Than Removing Tooth"."

Click the title of an amazing lesson in the history of the lobotomy. Veggies, anyone?

***
Flippin' the Bird

...and now, another interesting history lesson:

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future.

This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew".

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew!

"PLUCK YEW!"

Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually hanged to a labiodental fricative 'F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute!

It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrws used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."

And yew thought yew knew everything!

***
Just Plain Freaky

This is one of the freakiest little pieces of internet goodness I've seen in a long time. Yikes. ('tis work safe, but has sound)

Nice Kitty. heh *backs away slowly*

***
Jumpin' in the Leaves


The D-Man having a blast.

***
Blue Balls?

Someone has far too much times on their hands. Gives the term blue balls a completely different meaning. It kinda sucks you in, though.

***
Wax Off

I am sorry to report that Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid) passed away this morning at home at the age of 73. Story here. Rest in Peace, Pat.

***
What NOT to Do

Since the majority of you are aware that I am about to get my first tattoo, I thought I'd share a few "don'ts" regarding this subject.

First, for the gamer:

Umm....no. Just no.


This stabbed beet symbolizes a deep hatred of vegetables. heh


Nice. Even the lion is rolling it's eyes.


Check it out, guys! It makes it look like I'm wearing Grandma's church clothes ALL the time!


ha ha ha ha ha! ...and your public education betrayed YOU!

***
Y'all have a fabulous weekend, now. Be good to each other and play nice.

Celti

November 23, 2005

I used to be Really Good at Tag

Aww, hell, I've been tagged, thanks to HEP. I'll gitcha. lol

Weapon(s) of choice: My Keyboard, a microphone or a Ruger Super Redhawk 44 Mag, depending on the situation.

Relative Psychosis: I have several relatives that cause psychosis. lol Oh, all right...generally unstable, from what I hear. ;)

How Hard It Can Be: It doesn't really matter how hard, as long as it's HARD.

So, What's Next? The murder and ceremonial baking and eating of a large, innocent bird.

I'll Name That Tune In... as much time as I damn well please. ...or maybe I just won't. It's up to me, now, isn't it? heh

I'm not tagging - it's my policy. Play if you like. :D
Respond to the blue ones. Win fabulous prizes.

***

...and NOW, for something completely different.

Survey time! Woot!
Please tell me - which one would be better for my tattoo?



***
...and to those who are celebrating tomorrow:

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2005

Ink Jitters

I just had to share this with you. I thought it was simply brilliant:


(clicky clicky to make it bigger)

I love everything about it - the lighting, the pose, the tattoos, the muscle tone. It's just an awesome photograph. As you can see, it's the work of Scott Church, one of my favorite photographers. He rocks.

Anyhoo...it reminded me of my upcoming new adventure - my first ink. Squeee! I'm starting to get the jitters about it. Did I choose the right image? Is the location I chose for it the right spot? Should I do this? Is it going to hurt like hell? Gah! The answers to all of the above are probably yes, but I'm getting nervous. I'm also concerned about the fact that wearing a bra might be a bit uncomfortable for a few days. I'll probably be getting it within the next few weeks.

For those who don't remember, this is pretty much what it will look like if all goes well. (image is not exactly work safe - that's why it's not right here for the world to see. lol)

As the time gets closer, the more nervous I get. I need reassurance, people. Tell me to do it and it will be the coolest thing ever, please. lol

November 20, 2005

Brrrrrr!

Well, yesterday was quite a full day. D and I went shopping in the morning for hats and gloves (where do they always GO at the end of the season??), went and had lunch with daddy, took back cans & bottles and then went to see Harry Potter. It was very good - I'll probably post about it within the next couple of days (sorry Owl - lol!).

Last night was our annual "Fire in the Sky" celebration to kick off the holiday season. There is a big parade with Santa and street vendors & such, and then fireworks - lots of very impressive fireworks. It was rainy and very chilly, but we had a good time. We went to the celebration with D's grandparents and then went to dinner afterwards. D fell asleep with his head on my lap before the entrees arrived. Oh well...it was a quiet dinner for which I was thankful. Grilled Salmon de Burgo. mmmmm.

So, when we arrived home, I noticed it was a bit chilly in the house. Upon checking the thermostat, I discovered that it was 60 in the house and it was set to 68. Wha...? After a considerable amount of time toying with the thermostat and furnace itself, we determined that it just was not working. Gah! We called our furnace guy friend Lee, and he said he'd come look at it in the morning.

Upon waking this morning, it was 56 in the house. Brrrrr! I turned on the heat lamp for the frog and the snake and turned the oven on with the door open, but it's still quite chilly in here. Lee is here now, and said there's a switch gone bad and he doesn't have the right part. Ohh, I hope he can fix it. It's only 35 degrees outside! *shiver*

***UPDATE***
It's fixed! Hooray for furnace-man friends! He cleaned it all out and fixed the switch and we're all warm and toasty now. yay!

November 18, 2005

SASF v.11.18 - Expelliamus!

...that being what will be said to the next demanding salesperson who enters my office! muaaahahaha!

It's been an exhausting week. I've had entirely too much work to do at...well, work, and home life has been hectic as well. Gah! I am looking forward to lots of entertainment and relaxation this weekend.

Between taking my kid to the doctor (ear infection, both ears. gah!) and people slamming me with work demands today, it's been a genuine struggle to get this done. It's after 2 and I'm still trying to eat my damn lunch! sheesh!

Movin' onward...

***
Smile Quest

After having a shitty week from the burning pits of hell last week, I've been adding to my list of things that make me smile this week. Here are the latest additions:

Things that make me smile: (or giggle, or both)

My son's Happy Feet dance

Pudding!

The fact that my Rosemary is blooming

Being referred to as "completely snoggable"

A fresh pedicure & purple toenails

Joaquin Phoenix playing Johnny Cash (ooooh, Mama)

The Weebls Kenya cartoon

Vodka & Pink Lemonade

Guys who walk around with their pants riding too low so they look like they have a load in their pants. (morons! *snicker*)

1st Season of "Lost" on DVD

Mike's Internal Monologue

The release of Goblet of Fire

*GRIN*

***
Entirely Too Excited



Speaking of Goblets of Fire, today is the day! Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens today. I will openly admit that I am WAY too excited about this. I loved the first three movies (as did D) and have been reading the books for the last few months. I am totally looking forward to seeing this movie.


As the characters are growing older, their interests are expanding to...other things. (*snicker*)

Go ahead, call me a geek or whatever - I don't care. Everything I've read or seen about the movie has simply fueled my excitement even more. Here is a very interesting review that you might enjoy if you're interested in this type of thing.

I don't think I'll fight the opening night crowds tonight, but might try to catch a matinee tomorrow with D. Squeeee!

***
Soldier Whales Burning Large Drugs

This is one of the funniest reporter snafu's I've seen in a long time. Just go watch it. Warning - might cause uncontrollable giggling.

"Hey! Let's go for curry."
bwaaahahaha!

***
Ronald! I'm shocked!



***
Nekkid Craps

Two bored casino dealers are waiting at the craps table.

A very attractive blond woman arrived and bet twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) on a single roll of the dice.

She said "I hope you don't mind, but I feel much luckier when I'm completely nude." With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice and yelled, "Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!" As the dice came to a stop she jumped up and down and squealed.

'YES! YES! I WON, I WON!"

She hugged each of the dealers and then picked up her winnings and her clothes and quickly departed. The dealers stared at each other dumfounded. Finally, one of them asked, "What did she roll?" The other answered, "I don't know-I thought you were watching."

Moral of the Story - Not all blondes are dumb, but men are men.
(thanks, michelle!)

***
It's Quizzy Madness!

Who writes these dumb things, anyway?

Gummy Bears

You may be smooshie and taste unnatural, but you're so darn cute.


You're an Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity
You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off
And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave
When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable








Barbara Stanwyck
You scored 30% grit, 14% wit, 57% flair, and 16% class!
You're a tough dame, a bit of a spitfire, and you can even be a little dangerous, but you do it with such flair that almost all is forgiven (and even when it's not, you're still the most interesting woman in the room). You can be witty and charming, all right, but you have a tough streak that keeps you focused and sometimes deadly. You've had quite a climb to get where you are, but you're a hard worker and you mostly deserve all you get...and then some. You might end up destroying everything around you, but you must admit...you've got style. Your leading men include Henry Fonda, Fred MacMurray, and when you forget yourself, Gary Cooper.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test.


Link: The Classic Dames Test

Sweet! I like her! ... but only 14% wit?

***
Need to Get Defragged?

So, how long have you been a tech-support manwhore?
A few months. A friend was having trouble connecting to the Internet, this really attractive girl, and the idea just popped into my head: "Wow, it would be really nice if I could get sex for this." I placed an ad on Craigslist that read, "WILL FIX COMPUTERS FOR SEXUAL FAVORS," and I've had an overwhelming number of responses.

hee hee hee hee

Why didn't I think of this when I was doing tech support? ...and I still clean the nasties off of all kinds of PCs and do it for free. hmmmm...lol

***

Well, you all have a simply wonderful weekend. I'm looking forward to destressing a bit. Hey, I'm stressed but at least I can still smile!

*smooch*
Celti

November 16, 2005

I'm a Flake

It snowed last night - the first snow of the year. My son was so excited he about turned himself inside out trying to get his coat and boots on. I love snow - love to play in it, sled, ski, make snow sculptures...it makes the world look so fresh, clean and beautiful. Yeah, yeah, it makes for shitting driving conditions, but I like everything else about it.

I was sitting there with the lights off last night, watching it come down out of the sky and I remembered some images I had saved a long time ago. I had found a website that talked about a man named Wilson Bentley (The Snowflake Man) who photographed snowflakes under a microscope around 1902. His photos are fascinating.



It is said that no two flakes are exactly alike – just like people. Some of them are very similar, but not exactly alike. Although some are more aesthetically pleasing to individual eyes, they are all beautiful and unique in their own way. Wow, that sounded like such a cliche. Erg.

Wikipedia (I freakin' LOVE that place) explores the interesting question of why the arms of snowflakes are symmetrical, and why no two snowflakes appear to be identical. "The answer is believed to be due to the fact that the distances between snowflakes are much greater than the distances across snowflakes.

The symmetry of snowflake arms is always six-fold, which arises from the hexagonal crystal structure of ordinary ice along its 'basal' plane. There are, broadly, two possible explanations for the symmetry of snowflakes. Firstly, there could be communication (information transfer) between the arms, such that growth in each arm affects the growth in each other arm. Surface tension or phonons are among the ways that such communication could occur. The other explanation, which appears to be the prevalent view, is that the arms of a snowflake grow independently in an environment that is believed to be rapidly varying in temperature, humidity and so on. This environment is believed to be relatively spatially homogenous on the scale of a single flake, leading to the arms growing to a high level of visual similarity by responding in identical ways to identical conditions, much in the same way that unrelated trees respond to environmental changes by growing near-identical sets of tree rings. The difference in the environment in scales larger than a snowflake leads to the observed lack of correlation between the shapes of different snowflakes."

Hmmm...very interesting. Science rocks, doesn't it?

I digress.

We are all flakes (some of us more than others. Lol). Some are more intricate while others are simpler, some lacy, some smooth...

Yes, I am a flake. I imagine myself to be like this flake:

Intricate, complex, detailed, complicated.

As I look out into sky at the millions of flakes, I think of all the people I know and how we collide and melt into one another some times. Is it fate that brings two flakes together? Why do some just bounce off eachother and move on while others cling like magnets? Once they melt into each other, can they can separate and ever really be what they once were? No, not really. They are still the same flake, but they are forever changed.

Let it snow.

***
On a completely different subject, I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with my comments code. I have received so few comments lately that it's starting to give me a complex. Are they working or have my posts just been sucking ASS lately?

Sorry...lunch sucked and now I'm grouchy. grrrr.

November 15, 2005

The Ripple Effect



As each drop hit the surface, I sat mesmerized as every single one would create and intertwine with looping, concentric circles, just as any of us do when dropped into this world. We join the pool and immediately those who birthed us, parents circle us, then their parents from the circle besides, extended family, community, the friends we make as we grow, the teachers we find and their friends, their teachers, their families, until we're all interconnected to a myriad of each others circles, to all the circles, always moving and changing, but always connecting. And yet, if I held a hand so as to block drops from falling, the change made to the patterns by the absence of one was imperceptible: even if twenty or thirty drops hadn't fallen, while the pattern would be completely different, very few of us would be able to perceive our differences.

Each of us matters, each of us is part of a wide, arching pattern of connection and community. Without us, the pattern is not the same, and yet, even without any one of us, it keeps moving, keeps growing, keeps branching out all the same. What we do always sends out ripples what we do not do is not without impact, either: without action, the pattern is different than it would be otherwise. We and all we do are all essential and inessential all at once, in perfect, beautiful and bittersweet paradox.

Beautifully penned & photo by Heather Corinna

November 14, 2005

The Calm After the Storm

Well, Friday ended up being quite the shitty day for me. That nasty, demon-filled dark cloud that I've been running away from for weeks finally caught up to me. I went home, put Chris in charge of the little one, sedated myself and went to bed at 7:30. It was just what I needed.

As if mother nature was empathizing, we awoke to stormy skies on Saturday. Seems she had a few surprises in store for us...

Twisters! We had at least three good sized ones hit the area Saturday afternoon. One of them forced the evactuation of the stadium just prior to the start of the Iowa State game, but they didn't take a direct hit. The towns of Woodward and Stratford, on the other hand, did. It's reported that somewhere around 70 houses were destroyed and one person was killed. The one that hit Stratford has been declared an F3 with winds of aroudn 150 mph.


This is why we all have basements. Gah!

Some Woodward residents took some pretty amazing home video of the tornado that hit their area. You can watch it by clicking on the "Viewer Captures Roaring Tornado In Woodward" link near the center of this page.

Damn, I wish I would have known about them before it was all over - I would have gone a chasin'!

We didn't get much rain in Des Moines. I cleaned my kitchen while it sprinkled in the morning and then the D-man and I enjoyed an afternoon of shopping, garage sale perusing and leaf-pile jumping that was very nice.

We picked up a couple of videos on the way home - a batman flick for D and the first disc from the first episode of Lost for me. I'd been hearing so many people talking about how awesome it was, so I had to check it out. I watched the first four episodes only to go back and get disc two last night. As soon as I get caught up with the series on DVD, I think I'm going to start watching it each week. It's official - I am hooked. Damn good show! Damn it! lol

Have a Happy Monday, everyone. Be good to each other, you hear?

November 11, 2005

SASF v.11.11 - Where the Hell Am I?

Ok, peeps, my profuse apologies but I don't know what the hell I'm doing or where I'm going. But here I am! lol

After posting to the new blog for a week, I find myself missing the interactions that I have had here. I've also had some feedback from several who find Live Journal confusing. I think what I'm going to do is post here most of the time, but keep the Live Journal going in case I want to post something there. In those cases, I'll post a link here to it so you'll know it's there.

Anyhoo...today, I'm going to post SASF here and there both. Yeah, don't know if I'm coming or going but at least I'm moving! lol

Enough blather - on to the fun stuff!

***
World's Tallest Dog

Meet Gibson. He's a 42.2" Harlequin Great Dane and he's recently been awarded the title of tallest dog in the world by the Guiness people. He lives in Grass Valley, California and he is 7'2" when standing. Dang, that's a big dog!

***
Gosh!

Real Idaho legislation designed to lavish love and attention on Napoleon Dynamite, of all people (or characters, for that matter) and the creators of the film...

"WHEREAS, any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote "Nay" on this concurrent resolution are "FREAKIN' IDIOTS!" and run the risk of having the "Worst Day of Their Lives!""

bwaaaahahahaha!

***
Nature's Masterpiece


Sometimes, there are surprises like this that just take your breath away.
*sigh*

***
Heaven is Hotter Than Hell

The temperature of Heaven can be rather accurately computed. Our authority is Isaiah 30:26, "Moreover, the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun and the light of the Sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days." Thus Heaven receives from the Moon as much radiation as we do from the Sun, and in addition 7 x 7 (49) times as much as the Earth does from the Sun, or 50 times in all.

The light we receive from the Moon is one 1/10,000 of the light we receive from the Sun, so we can ignore that.

The radiation falling on Heaven will heat it to the point where the heat lost by radiation is just equal to the heat received
by radiation, i.e., Heaven loses 50 times as much heat as the Earth by radiation. Using the Stefan-Boltzmann law for radiation, (H/E)^4 = 50, where E is the absolute temperature of the earth (-300ºK), gives H as 798ºK (525ºC).

The exact temperature of Hell cannot be computed. However, Revelation 21:8 says "But the fearful, and unbelieving ... shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." A lake of molten brimstone [sulphur] means that its temperature must be at or below its boiling point, 444.6ºC.

We conclude, then, that Heaven, at 525ºC is hotter than Hell at 445ºC.

Yowza!

***
Can you Read This?

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

***
You Worry About Squirrels in the Bird Feeder?

How about this pesky invader? lol




Persistance Pays!

***
Just Plain Silly

If you're in the mood for some some good ole' silliness, this should do the trick. Dang freaks. lol

***
Just Plain Wierd

On the other hand, if you're in the mood for something down right wierd, THIS should do the trick. Um....yeah.

***
On a More Serious Note

I couldn't let today, Veteran's Day, go by without remembering my friend Pod. Pod was a neighbor, friend, helper, and just a super-sweet man. For those of you who don't know, Pod passed away in April from complications of Hepatitis. That's him in the pic on the left, making kissy faces at me in my living room.

He would always bring me flowers & shower me with affection (sometimes too much! lol), and was always willing to help with whatever I needed. This day last year, I took Pod out to lunch calling him my favorite vet - he was a veteran of the Vietnam war. He was so surprised and I don't think I've ever seen him smile that much. I miss Pod very much, and think of him daily. Pod, if you can hear me, I love you and miss you buddy, and I wish I could take you to lunch again today. You'd better have a huge hug waiting for me when we meet again (I know you will).

I'll have to call my uncle Davey today, too, as I do every Veteran's Day to thank him. He fought in World War II, and was among the troops that landed on Omaha Beach where most of them lost their lives.

Thank you to Denny. He's a Vet and a blogger buddy.
...and thank you to Jack .
*hugs*, guys.
There are others...let me know if you think of any that I should mention.

Take some time to think of, to thank, or to honor veterans today. They fought so that we can be free. They deserve our thanks.

Have a great weekend!
Celti

November 10, 2005

Still In the Game

I'm still playing the Half Nekkid Thursday game, folks, just over at my new place. I'm getting braver as this game goes along. hee hee! Felt that I had a little making up to do since I fudged last week.

and, as promised, SASF will be up there tomorrow!

Please come on over and see my new place. I don't want to get lonely over there, you know!?

November 07, 2005

Beannachd Leibh

...to my blogger home.

...and hello to my new LJ Home! I've moved my regular posts. Click on the picture to visit me at my new blog.

November 04, 2005

SASF v.11.4 - Gotta Do What You Gotta Doo

There are some things that just have to be done...like going to the restroom, the loo, the WC, the toilet. We all do it. Some of us just do it with more style than others. There's a whole world to explore out there on how we deal with this issue.

***
Peculiar & Interesting Recepticles


For the Minimalist, we have the Hatbox Toilet. Yes, that's a toilet.


...Or these lovely urinals for guys who...never mind. Ew!


You know, when touring the castles of France, I found myself looking around wondering "where in this place did they go?" Well, perhaps this was the kind of thing they used! Anyone know?


Something about this just seems so very wrong...lol


Ahhh..the pay potty. This one is from England, but they have these babies in France, too. One time, while I was out and about in Paris, I used one of these. You put in a franc (about $.20 at the time) and the door opens automatically. You go in, do your business, and when you exit the door closes behind you. On this particular occasion, a young man blasted into there as I came out. He must not have had a franc or whatever. What he must not have realized is that they're self-cleaning. When the door closes, jets of hot soapy water spray down the inside to clean it for the next patron. The jets started up and you could hear him yelling, pounding on the door, trying to get out. He came out looking like a drowned rat. The old lady sitting on the bus bench next to me and I exchanged a look and burst out into giggles. Poor sap.


bwaaahahahaha! I'd bet the ones with the more appreciative looks get the most use. lol


This, my friends, is a turkish toilet. They have them all over Europe. You can imagine my face the first time I walked into one. Your feet go on the "treads" to the sides and you squat to do your business. Nothing to sit on - that's right. It's a very interesting "experience." Let's just say that it's not advisable for someone with bad balance or slippery shoes.

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Education des Toilettes

This site provides QUITE an eduction on toilets around the world. Enjoy!

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Do Up Your Own Loo

Trendir.com has got some really cool potties you can buy for your WC. It's where some of the ones above came from (click the link for details or to just check them out). In fact, Trendir.com has some pretty damn cool stuff for ALL of your house!

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Damn, I need one of these!

Living with two "boys," cleaning the toilet area is not always a joy. Oh hell, let's face it - it stinks! They aren't the best with their aim, not to mention splatter. Perhaps I should install one of these on the wall:

Think it would do any good?

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Speaking of Droppings

I guess Civet Cat droppings make fabulous coffee.
Eeeeewww eww ewwwwww!

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Throw in a Giggle

This, having absolutely nothing to do with toilets, had to be shared. It made me giggle like a fool. This guy's got TALENT.

My, what a big Trombone you have!

Shake it, baby! lol

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Movin' On

Speaking of what you gotta do, it's time that I tell you, or rather show you, what I have up my sleeve. I'm moving, kids. I have a new blog home you can find right here. Please update your links and come on over to see me. This blog will stay up for at least a while, but I'll be posting to the new one instead of here.

C'mon, come check out Live Journal. There are perks you never imagined on Blogger and it's where all the cool kids play (or so they say. lol).

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Have a fabulous weekend!
Celti

November 03, 2005

HNT 'n' Stuff

ha ha ha - the title reminds me of Puff 'n' Stuff.

Being Half Nekkid Thursday and all, and since I've been a busy bee and don't have any new & groovy pics of my own skin, I give you my favorite pinup:


Bettie! Can't go wrong with Ms. Page. I didn't want to disappoint all you pervs skin aficionados out there. heh heh

I'll be providing more details on the upcoming "event" I referred to in my last post. Some of you will have an e-mail coming from me very soon. Everything's almost ready. I promise not to take too long.

I do, however, have a little family skin to show off. My little D-Man turned 5 last weekend, and, as we do every year, we had his picture taken. Well, they turned out simply peachy...

My little guy is growing up so fast. I'm so proud of him I could just burst.

November 01, 2005

Here's to New Beginnings

Right now, as I write this, we are at exactly the new moon - 0% of full.

As I pondered this, I pulled a card: temperance inverted. Meaning: The questioner is surrounded by discord and disharmony. The seeker may be fearful of loss and lack patience. They have difficulty with others and are often filled with distrust. Get in touch with your spiritual nature. There is enough to go around and you have time to fulfill your goals. Wish for the success of others and you'll begin to see positive change for yourself.

Very interesting and, as usual, dead on.

This New Moon is in Scorpio - it is the perfect a time to put muscle behind an intention to break systemic delusions that exist in our lives.

Sometimes referred to as Lunar Samhain, the New Moon in Scorpio is a night when the veil is thin between the living and the spirit world. This year we are lucky enough to have the New Moon in Scorpio fall on the Day of the Dead. Great insights can be gained on this night through contact with spirit teachers: be they animal, mineral, angelic, or ancestral. Open your mind to the wisdom that flows from the other side. Scorpio is the sign that seeks deep truth in all things. The New Moon in Scorpio is the night to acknowledge the ways this questioning process manifests in your life.

This is the most serious New Moon of the year. This is the night of truth and dare. Dare to be truthful with yourself and the rewards will come back tenfold. This is the night to commit to truth-telling with compassion and love.

Use a mirror to take a long look at yourself; go all the way inside your skin, inside your mind, inside your heart. Are you doing and saying things that create fear, alienation, dissatisfaction, and despair in others? What thoughts and actions have you put energy into that are now coming back to haunt you? Are you supporting people that create pain and suffering for you and for others? Are you too afraid to deal with them properly so you'd rather let them go all together? Look at your fear, where it comes from, what makes it worse and what eases it.

This is the optimal night to face your fear head on and make a commitment to letting go of unhealthy and tortuous relationships, jobs, behavior, and habits. A New Moon in Scorpio shows you the truth, shows you your vulnerabilities, and your powerlessness, but it also gives you the strength to let go of destructive behavior patterns, make changes, and learn to be powerful in a positive life-supporting way.

Use your journey to go to the depths of your soul and don't think this will be some kind joyride. If you are real with yourself and dive deep into the core of your unconscious, this will be challenging and scary. If you brave the murky depths you will arrive at that sacred place beyond fear, pain and illusion. There are many ways to do this, but on a New Moon in Scorpio it is best to work in the dark.

Indigenous people use drums and ritual dance to induce a transpersonal state of consciousness. You can try this with a partner who drums while you journey, or use recorded shamanic drumming. Some people gaze into a scrying mirror or a bowl of water to induce a trancelike state. For some visualization or meditation is enough. More than ever, it is all about intention on this New Moon.

Let go of your attachment to suffering: pain, violence, resentment, hatred, judgments, and indecisiveness. When it comes down to it we always have some control over our circumstances. Even in our darkest hour, it is up to us to make change where we can, and where we can't, rise to the occasion and make the best of a bad situation. We must recognize our relative insignificance in the big scheme of things, but we must also take responsibility for the tremendous impact we have on what happens in the world.

But please don't leave yourself hanging in the dark depths - Scorpio rules death and rebirth and New Moons are always a time of new beginnings. Active rebirth from the womb of wisdom is a pivotal part of this ritual; you are not done until this has been completed. It is important to rest after your journey within. Calm and soothe yourself with a hot bath, sit in front of a fire and have a light snack. Use this time to reflect on the truths and the lessons that you learned. When you are rested, take some times to document your journey.

Write down or create a visual representation of the wisdom you received and clearly delineate newly conceived goals or action plans. Scorpio empowers projects and goals that require real commitment to your truth, and as you well know these are the hardest to achieve.