Rick James, party animal, super freak and funk singer has died at the age of 56. He passed away at 9:45 this morning due to what was reported as "natural causes."
Tell Jim Morrison & Elvis I said "hi", dude.
August 06, 2004
Au Revoir Super Freak
Rick James, party animal, super freak and funk singer has died at the age of 56. He passed away at 9:45 this morning due to what was reported as "natural causes."
Tell Jim Morrison & Elvis I said "hi", dude.
August 05, 2004
Substance, Melancholy & the Blue Moon
Seems that there has been a kind of plague going around. Melancholy, self doubt, and depression have been running rampant. I have found myself to be (in the last week) down, nervous, restless and practically neurotic. I haven't been able to write anything significant - anything with any substance to it whatsoever. Today, however, I feel relieved. I get the impression that lots of us are feeling relief, spirits uplifting and relaxing a bit.
The Blue Moon
On Saturday, July 31 we had what is referred to as a Blue Moon. Technically, this is simply the second full moon in one calendar month. Since the moon is on a 29 1/2 day cycle, this happens roughly once per year.
I have become much more aware, in recent years, as to how the moon affects us.
Lunacy
University of Miami, psychologist Arnold Lieber and his colleagues decided to test the old belief of full-moon “lunacy” which most scientists had written off as an old wives’ tale. The researchers collected data on homicide in Dade County (Miami) over a period of 15 years — 1,887 murders, to be exact. When they matched the incidence of homicide with the phases of the moon, they found, much to their surprise, that the two rose and fell together, almost infallibly, for the entire 15 years! As the full or the new moon approached, the murder rate rose sharply; it distinctly declined during the first and last quarters of the moon.
To find out whether this was just a statistical fluke, the researchers repeated the experiment using murder data from Cuyahoga County in Ohio (Cleveland). Again, the statistics showed that more murders do indeed occur at the full and new moons.
He and his colleagues shouldn’t have been so surprised. An earlier report by the American Institute of Medical Climatology to the Philadelphia Police Department entitled “The Effect of the Full Moon on Human Behavior” found similar results. That report showed that the full moon marks a monthly peak in various kinds of psychotically oriented crimes such as murder, arson, dangerous driving, and kleptomania. People do seem to get a little bit crazier about that time of the month.
That’s something most police and hospital workers have known for a long time. Indeed, back in eighteenth-century England, a murderer could plead “lunacy” if the crime was committed during the full moon and get a lighter sentence as a result. Scientists, however, like to have a hard physical model to explain their discoveries, and so far there isn’t a fully accepted one. Since we know that the moon controls the tides of the oceans, Dr. Lieber speculates that perhaps the human body, which, like the surface of the earth, is composed of almost 80 percent water, experiences some kind of “biological tides” that affect the emotions. When a person is already on psychologically shaky ground, such a biological tide can push him or her over the edge.
But can planetary cycles directly affect individual human events? If the answer is yes, then cycle research begins to look pretty much like astrology, a subject most scientists aren’t too fond of.
Those Crazy Astrologers
An Atomic Energy Commission-funded project at Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, came up with a report entitled “Intriguing Accident Patterns Plotted against a Background of Natural Environmental Features”, which correlated on-the-job accidents of government employees over a period of 20 years with various natural cycles. This preliminary report (the researchers suggested further study was in order) found that accidents peak with the sunspot cycle and — even more intriguing and “astrological” — that people were more likely to have accidents during the phase of the moon the same as or opposite to that under which they were born.
Some really hard and startling evidence might have come out of this research had it been allowed to continue. But alas, that was not to be. Shortly after its completion, the report fell into the hands of Time magazine, which did a spoof on it in its January 10, 1972, issue, under the heading “Moonstruck Scientists”, complete with an old woodcut of maidens dancing in a frenzy under the rays of the full moon.
That was all the Congress needed to kill the project and suppress the report. When I wrote to the Atomic Energy Commission and Sandia in 1972, they stated the report was not for distribution and that no taxpayer could not see it.
Blue Moon in Aquarius - the Water Bearer
Water, in occult studies, refers to emotions, and the water sign Moons are the most emotional of all. With Moon in Cancer or Scorpio, a considerable amount of energy is invested in discovering, experiencing, and digesting emotions. Paradoxically, Moon in Pisces, which is potentially the most emotional, constantly attempts to escape from unpleasant feelings, leading in some cases to an addictive personality or to living in a fantasy world.
Water sign Moons are also very influential in responsivness to other people's feelings. This could explain all of the hurt feelings, comment flaming and stepping on each others' toes that has been going on.
The primary difficulty with water sign Moons is people getting so hung up in their emotions that they lose some effectiveness in dealing with the outside world. With emotions, as with most other things in life, we all need to strike a balance. This moon in Aquarius made us feel restless, and with a full moon at full power, the high-tide swelling emotions and feelings of restlessness, in some, became quite overwhelming.
So, we can all breathe a sign of relief as it has passed. Get ready for the end of this month, though...August 29 is our next full moon. It will be, my friends, in Pisces.
The Blue Moon
On Saturday, July 31 we had what is referred to as a Blue Moon. Technically, this is simply the second full moon in one calendar month. Since the moon is on a 29 1/2 day cycle, this happens roughly once per year.
I have become much more aware, in recent years, as to how the moon affects us.
Lunacy
University of Miami, psychologist Arnold Lieber and his colleagues decided to test the old belief of full-moon “lunacy” which most scientists had written off as an old wives’ tale. The researchers collected data on homicide in Dade County (Miami) over a period of 15 years — 1,887 murders, to be exact. When they matched the incidence of homicide with the phases of the moon, they found, much to their surprise, that the two rose and fell together, almost infallibly, for the entire 15 years! As the full or the new moon approached, the murder rate rose sharply; it distinctly declined during the first and last quarters of the moon.
To find out whether this was just a statistical fluke, the researchers repeated the experiment using murder data from Cuyahoga County in Ohio (Cleveland). Again, the statistics showed that more murders do indeed occur at the full and new moons.
He and his colleagues shouldn’t have been so surprised. An earlier report by the American Institute of Medical Climatology to the Philadelphia Police Department entitled “The Effect of the Full Moon on Human Behavior” found similar results. That report showed that the full moon marks a monthly peak in various kinds of psychotically oriented crimes such as murder, arson, dangerous driving, and kleptomania. People do seem to get a little bit crazier about that time of the month.
That’s something most police and hospital workers have known for a long time. Indeed, back in eighteenth-century England, a murderer could plead “lunacy” if the crime was committed during the full moon and get a lighter sentence as a result. Scientists, however, like to have a hard physical model to explain their discoveries, and so far there isn’t a fully accepted one. Since we know that the moon controls the tides of the oceans, Dr. Lieber speculates that perhaps the human body, which, like the surface of the earth, is composed of almost 80 percent water, experiences some kind of “biological tides” that affect the emotions. When a person is already on psychologically shaky ground, such a biological tide can push him or her over the edge.
But can planetary cycles directly affect individual human events? If the answer is yes, then cycle research begins to look pretty much like astrology, a subject most scientists aren’t too fond of.
Those Crazy Astrologers
An Atomic Energy Commission-funded project at Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, came up with a report entitled “Intriguing Accident Patterns Plotted against a Background of Natural Environmental Features”, which correlated on-the-job accidents of government employees over a period of 20 years with various natural cycles. This preliminary report (the researchers suggested further study was in order) found that accidents peak with the sunspot cycle and — even more intriguing and “astrological” — that people were more likely to have accidents during the phase of the moon the same as or opposite to that under which they were born.
Some really hard and startling evidence might have come out of this research had it been allowed to continue. But alas, that was not to be. Shortly after its completion, the report fell into the hands of Time magazine, which did a spoof on it in its January 10, 1972, issue, under the heading “Moonstruck Scientists”, complete with an old woodcut of maidens dancing in a frenzy under the rays of the full moon.
That was all the Congress needed to kill the project and suppress the report. When I wrote to the Atomic Energy Commission and Sandia in 1972, they stated the report was not for distribution and that no taxpayer could not see it.
Blue Moon in Aquarius - the Water Bearer
Water, in occult studies, refers to emotions, and the water sign Moons are the most emotional of all. With Moon in Cancer or Scorpio, a considerable amount of energy is invested in discovering, experiencing, and digesting emotions. Paradoxically, Moon in Pisces, which is potentially the most emotional, constantly attempts to escape from unpleasant feelings, leading in some cases to an addictive personality or to living in a fantasy world.
Water sign Moons are also very influential in responsivness to other people's feelings. This could explain all of the hurt feelings, comment flaming and stepping on each others' toes that has been going on.
The primary difficulty with water sign Moons is people getting so hung up in their emotions that they lose some effectiveness in dealing with the outside world. With emotions, as with most other things in life, we all need to strike a balance. This moon in Aquarius made us feel restless, and with a full moon at full power, the high-tide swelling emotions and feelings of restlessness, in some, became quite overwhelming.
So, we can all breathe a sign of relief as it has passed. Get ready for the end of this month, though...August 29 is our next full moon. It will be, my friends, in Pisces.
August 04, 2004
August 03, 2004
Amusement
Just a few tidbits of net fun that I found to be amusing today...
uh...nice moves, there.
This guy is a reporter for msnbc.
I'm just a little freaked out by him.
They have just gone too far...
Krispy Kreme donut flavored drinks
Ug! I don't think so.
A groovy little blast from the past...
Come Together
...and, I FINALLY FOUND A PICTURE OF DASTARD!:
(love ya, buddy...come back soon)
uh...nice moves, there.
This guy is a reporter for msnbc.
I'm just a little freaked out by him.
They have just gone too far...
Krispy Kreme donut flavored drinks
Ug! I don't think so.
A groovy little blast from the past...
Come Together
...and, I FINALLY FOUND A PICTURE OF DASTARD!:
(love ya, buddy...come back soon)
July 30, 2004
July 29, 2004
Beatdown!
A fabulous group of bloggers and I have created "Beatdown!" - a place where we all can voice our opinions regarding who needs a beatdown and our reasoning as to why. It's all in good fun, but much of it is oh, so true.
If you'd like to contribute, comment here with your e-mail address (you must be a blogger, though) and I'll add you.
If you'd like to contribute, comment here with your e-mail address (you must be a blogger, though) and I'll add you.
July 28, 2004
Camp Surreal
The last weekend in July is the Burns reunion. This is when my grandmother's brothers and sisters and their gaggle of children and grandchildren gather in Maquoketa, Iowa to catch up on what's happened for the last year. And eat...and eat more and more. Jinkies!
We usually go...otherwise I'd never see most of these people. They are a buoyant bunch of Scottish jokers. We are descended from our immigrant ancestors who came here from Ayreshire looking for lord knows what.
I digress.
My mom and dad are campers. They have this big fifth wheel that they take everywhere...just haul your own hotel room along behind you and you don't ever have to pack/unpack or worry about what's on the comforter. They camp in thecity town campground and have room in their trailer fifth wheel for us to stay with them.
My parents are considerably conservative christians (ccc's) and always do the right thing. They would never do anything illegal or immoral (take note as this is important).
We pull up to their camp site and park. We get out of the car and walk up to the camper. They are just getting ready to go over to cousin Pam's for sloppy joes and sweet corn, so we turn around and head back to the car. As I get in the car, Chris starts poking me and whispering "did you see what was on the table??? huh? huh?" Uh, no, I didn't. I get out of the car and walk up to the picnic table and pick up the mysterious item just as my dad comes out of the camper. I quickly put it back down and high-tail it to the car. It's a POT PIPE! A little, chrome chamber pipe. WTF? It's the LAST thing that I would ever imagine finding in my parents' posession (aside from, maybe, a crack pipe) and it's laying right out in the open!
Now, I have been known to chief some hay, but this is something that my parents do not know and would not approve of. Why in the world would there be a pot pipe laying on their picnic table?
We go chow down at Pam's with a ton of "kin" that have gathered there. Hours later, after returning to camp (pot pipe still laying there in plain view on mom's gingham table cloth), I can't stand it any more. I finally break down and ask...
"Mom, what is up with what's laying on the picnic table."
She looks at me, blink, blink..."What are you talking about?" (halo gleaming)
"Mom...that metal thing!"
"OH! We found that in the grass."
"Do you know what it is?"
"Well, at first we thought it was part of a keg tapper, but I think it's a pipe for smoking marijuana."
"I think you're right. Why is it laying there on the table like that?"
"We thought that whoever lost it might come looking for it."
I wanted SO badly to tell them that they were NOT going to come looking for it. "Do you think it's a good idea to leave it there considering that it's probably illegal?"
"Well, it's not ours!"
Dear God...
We go outside and I remark to Chris about what they found in the grass. Mom mentions that she thinks there is a part of it missing..."isn't there supposed to be a bowl or something?" There is a lid on it, but it is complete. I pretend to have no idea. "Do you suppose they could smoke crack in it?" Mom wonders out loud.
Oh.dear.God!
"I have no idea, Mom."
So, the entire weekend, the little chrome pipe sits there. Aunts, Uncles & cousins come roast marshmallows by the fire and can see the flames' reflections sparkle on it's chrome surface. Do any of them see it? Put that thing away, for heaven's sake! There it is, right next to the graham crackers and chocolate bars we're using to make smores. I'm having visions of the local sheriff spotlighting the table on his patrol and my parents being arrested for possession of paraphernalia.
At this point, I simply can't stand it any more. I casually reach over and tuck it under the edge of the table cloth. There it stayed. Throughout the reunion and the rest of the weekend.
They probably left it there when they left for home. Wouldn't it be funny if the campground manager mailed it to them?
I hereby dedicate this to Maquoketa, Iowa and the Burns Clan:
The Duel
We usually go...otherwise I'd never see most of these people. They are a buoyant bunch of Scottish jokers. We are descended from our immigrant ancestors who came here from Ayreshire looking for lord knows what.
I digress.
My mom and dad are campers. They have this big fifth wheel that they take everywhere...just haul your own hotel room along behind you and you don't ever have to pack/unpack or worry about what's on the comforter. They camp in the
My parents are considerably conservative christians (ccc's) and always do the right thing. They would never do anything illegal or immoral (take note as this is important).
We pull up to their camp site and park. We get out of the car and walk up to the camper. They are just getting ready to go over to cousin Pam's for sloppy joes and sweet corn, so we turn around and head back to the car. As I get in the car, Chris starts poking me and whispering "did you see what was on the table??? huh? huh?" Uh, no, I didn't. I get out of the car and walk up to the picnic table and pick up the mysterious item just as my dad comes out of the camper. I quickly put it back down and high-tail it to the car. It's a POT PIPE! A little, chrome chamber pipe. WTF? It's the LAST thing that I would ever imagine finding in my parents' posession (aside from, maybe, a crack pipe) and it's laying right out in the open!
Now, I have been known to chief some hay, but this is something that my parents do not know and would not approve of. Why in the world would there be a pot pipe laying on their picnic table?
We go chow down at Pam's with a ton of "kin" that have gathered there. Hours later, after returning to camp (pot pipe still laying there in plain view on mom's gingham table cloth), I can't stand it any more. I finally break down and ask...
"Mom, what is up with what's laying on the picnic table."
She looks at me, blink, blink..."What are you talking about?" (halo gleaming)
"Mom...that metal thing!"
"OH! We found that in the grass."
"Do you know what it is?"
"Well, at first we thought it was part of a keg tapper, but I think it's a pipe for smoking marijuana."
"I think you're right. Why is it laying there on the table like that?"
"We thought that whoever lost it might come looking for it."
I wanted SO badly to tell them that they were NOT going to come looking for it. "Do you think it's a good idea to leave it there considering that it's probably illegal?"
"Well, it's not ours!"
Dear God...
We go outside and I remark to Chris about what they found in the grass. Mom mentions that she thinks there is a part of it missing..."isn't there supposed to be a bowl or something?" There is a lid on it, but it is complete. I pretend to have no idea. "Do you suppose they could smoke crack in it?" Mom wonders out loud.
Oh.dear.God!
"I have no idea, Mom."
So, the entire weekend, the little chrome pipe sits there. Aunts, Uncles & cousins come roast marshmallows by the fire and can see the flames' reflections sparkle on it's chrome surface. Do any of them see it? Put that thing away, for heaven's sake! There it is, right next to the graham crackers and chocolate bars we're using to make smores. I'm having visions of the local sheriff spotlighting the table on his patrol and my parents being arrested for possession of paraphernalia.
At this point, I simply can't stand it any more. I casually reach over and tuck it under the edge of the table cloth. There it stayed. Throughout the reunion and the rest of the weekend.
They probably left it there when they left for home. Wouldn't it be funny if the campground manager mailed it to them?
I hereby dedicate this to Maquoketa, Iowa and the Burns Clan:
The Duel
Silly Quizzes
My outercourse activity is french kissing!
Which Sexual Outercourse Act Are You? (with pictures)
brought to you by Quizilla
Not surprising...
July 26, 2004
Poor Andrea Yates
Most people remember the horrifying story of a Texas woman (in the summer of 2001) who murdered her 5 children by drowning them, one by one, in the bathtub. Although she was covicted of their murders, all along there has been so much focus on the fact that she was mentally ill. Well, of course she was - she would HAVE to be to do what she did.
The latest on Andrea. Poor thing...she won't eat so she's losing too much weight so they put her in the hospital.
"There is apparently a determination within her that wants to put an end to this," her lawyer, Parnham said. "I'm not sure what type of psychiatric medications can offset the reality of what occurred and make her feel better about that."
Warning - Rant Ahead
Feel better??? Why should she be given the privilege of feeling better about what she did? She killed her children! She SHOULD feel bad about it. She should suffer, not be doped up to the point where she has no idea what is going on.
I don't mean to seem unsympathetic to the mentally ill here...I have had my own battles with depression and have had several friends battle mental illnesses. I know the wars that they fight inside their own heads, but they never killed anyone. She knew what she was doing and she knew it was wrong. They have her so doped up now that she thinks her kids are still alive.
She's having such a hard time and won't eat - I say let her starve and stop feeding her medication to "make it all go away." After all, she is in prison to pay for what she did. I don't understand why our tax dollars are being spent to make it easier on her. Absolutely preposterous.
The latest on Andrea. Poor thing...she won't eat so she's losing too much weight so they put her in the hospital.
"There is apparently a determination within her that wants to put an end to this," her lawyer, Parnham said. "I'm not sure what type of psychiatric medications can offset the reality of what occurred and make her feel better about that."
Warning - Rant Ahead
Feel better??? Why should she be given the privilege of feeling better about what she did? She killed her children! She SHOULD feel bad about it. She should suffer, not be doped up to the point where she has no idea what is going on.
I don't mean to seem unsympathetic to the mentally ill here...I have had my own battles with depression and have had several friends battle mental illnesses. I know the wars that they fight inside their own heads, but they never killed anyone. She knew what she was doing and she knew it was wrong. They have her so doped up now that she thinks her kids are still alive.
She's having such a hard time and won't eat - I say let her starve and stop feeding her medication to "make it all go away." After all, she is in prison to pay for what she did. I don't understand why our tax dollars are being spent to make it easier on her. Absolutely preposterous.
July 22, 2004
Celtic Cross Tattoos
I have noticed that a lot of the visitors I get from searches are searching for Celtic Cross Tattoos...so I have created a new page: Celtic Cross Tattoos. Enjoy!
July 21, 2004
July 20, 2004
Poke Me with a Fork, Big Sister
I have only one sibling - my older sister, Paula. She is 3 1/2 years older than I. Ours has not been a happy sibling relationship.
My earliest memory of my sister is a painful one. I was around 3 or 4 years old, and was sitting on the floor playing. She grabbed me by the arm and hauled me upward off of the floor, completely dislocating my arm from the socket. It hurt so bad I peed my pants. I remember having to go to the emergency room and have x-rays to see if it was broken. I still have trouble with that shoulder sometimes if I exert myself...a painful reminder.
Our childhoods were filled with tribulations. We were forced to share a bedroom when we were very young. One time, she coerced me into "playing a trick on mom and dad" and we hid under our beds. When mom & dad came in to check on us before bed, she had climbed back up into her bed, safe and sound. I had fallen asleep under the bed so, as far as Mom & Dad could see, I was nowhere to be found and they panicked. When Paula woke up, she told them where I was and I got in trouble.
She made me eat dog food. She would sit on me and tickle me until I peed my pants, thinking it was funny. She took me out in the woods and got me lost and then left me there. She threw me out of her birthday party because she didn't want "that little brat" pestering she and her friends.
But there must have been some good times...some love. Paula was a very sick child - maybe that was part of the resentment because I was very healthy. Recently, when digging through a box of old stuff at Mom's house, I found a card that I had made to send to her when she was in the hospital. It told her that I loved her and missed her. I must have been about 8.
She was cured of her health problems at age 11. It turns out that repeated bladder and kidney infections (nearly shutting her kidney's down) were caused by the tubes from her kidneys to her bladder being attached to the bladder in the wrong place (the bottom as opposed to the top). They surgically repaired this and she's had no trouble since.
Paula was always skinny. I was the little chubby one. She always got very good grades with little effort. I had to work hard to get good grades. She flew through her teens in a flurry of fun and I struggled to stay strapped into that emotional rollercoaster, terrified by the ride. She got a full-ride scholarship for college, I had to pay for all of it - took me 10 years to pay it off. She always had nice cars - the Audi Fox that was supposed to be my first car got traded in for a nice Cutlass for her. I got the piece of shit Chevy Impala. She met the perfect husband in college and I was still lonely and searching for love years after college. It has, indeed, been very cold here in her shadow.
Years later, we are both women - all grown up. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding when I was 16. I realize now, however, that Mom probably pressured her into it - exactly as she pressured me to have Paula be a bridesmaid in my wedding. She agreed...reluctantly. She has always been "civil" when we see each other (family gatherings - usually at holidays). She gives me the obligatory loose hug (for appearances, I assume) and is nicey-nicey. She is not, however, interested in talking to me or what is going on with me. She moved to Minneapolis and then Colorado. I would go with my parents to visit her at Christmas as such, and usually felt out of place. For a while, I would call her just to say "hi" from time to time. She NEVER called me.
I have seen how some of my friends are close with their sisters. I longed for that closeness - a special relationship that can only be between sisters. A few years ago, the distance (not talking miles here) between us was bothering me so much that I decided to put my hand out to her and offer her my friendship. I could never get her to really talk, so I opted to send her an e-mail. I told her that I was sorry if I ever did anything to offend or alienate her and that I wanted us to be closer. I expressed the pain that the distance between us was causing me. I put my heart right out there for her to embrace. I know she read it because my Mom printed it out and gave it to her when she was staying with them for a few weeks in the summer. She never replied...not a word was ever said about it. Nothing.
That said it all for me. She didn't (and doesn't) care. She doesn't want my friendship. I don't think Paula ever wanted a little sister (or brother, for that matter). I feel like she resented me from the day I was born.
I could not believe that she didn't reply. I was hurt. I was angry. I have never felt so rejected in my life.
I went through a lot of soul-searching after this. Am I really such a bad person? Why would someone not care about their only sibling - especially when they've never done anything to deserve being written off like that? I asked my parents about it - they are bewildered. They said she's never said anything about having a problem with me or being angry with me. After countless hours hashing the whole thing out in my head, I remembered a lot of the things I mentioned above. She does not want a sister. She does not want me. It's nothing I've done...it's all her.
What really drove it home was when my son was born. She did not call, no card, no gift. Nothing. Her husband called to pass along congratulations, but not a word from Paula.
At this point, the only way I know what is going on with her is through news my Mom passes along. I haven't seen or spoken with my sister for nearly 3 years now.
This is all deeply painful for me. Every time I see some "sisters' love" thing in a catalog or book store, it makes me so sad. Deep, profound sadness. The word sister makes me sad. I have found myself wondering if she would even care if I died. I have my doubts.
I have to find a way to come to terms with this. It is a battle that I fight all too often in my head. I guess, as my friend Inanna says, I need to peel the onion...but I don't know how.
My earliest memory of my sister is a painful one. I was around 3 or 4 years old, and was sitting on the floor playing. She grabbed me by the arm and hauled me upward off of the floor, completely dislocating my arm from the socket. It hurt so bad I peed my pants. I remember having to go to the emergency room and have x-rays to see if it was broken. I still have trouble with that shoulder sometimes if I exert myself...a painful reminder.
Our childhoods were filled with tribulations. We were forced to share a bedroom when we were very young. One time, she coerced me into "playing a trick on mom and dad" and we hid under our beds. When mom & dad came in to check on us before bed, she had climbed back up into her bed, safe and sound. I had fallen asleep under the bed so, as far as Mom & Dad could see, I was nowhere to be found and they panicked. When Paula woke up, she told them where I was and I got in trouble.
She made me eat dog food. She would sit on me and tickle me until I peed my pants, thinking it was funny. She took me out in the woods and got me lost and then left me there. She threw me out of her birthday party because she didn't want "that little brat" pestering she and her friends.
But there must have been some good times...some love. Paula was a very sick child - maybe that was part of the resentment because I was very healthy. Recently, when digging through a box of old stuff at Mom's house, I found a card that I had made to send to her when she was in the hospital. It told her that I loved her and missed her. I must have been about 8.
She was cured of her health problems at age 11. It turns out that repeated bladder and kidney infections (nearly shutting her kidney's down) were caused by the tubes from her kidneys to her bladder being attached to the bladder in the wrong place (the bottom as opposed to the top). They surgically repaired this and she's had no trouble since.
Paula was always skinny. I was the little chubby one. She always got very good grades with little effort. I had to work hard to get good grades. She flew through her teens in a flurry of fun and I struggled to stay strapped into that emotional rollercoaster, terrified by the ride. She got a full-ride scholarship for college, I had to pay for all of it - took me 10 years to pay it off. She always had nice cars - the Audi Fox that was supposed to be my first car got traded in for a nice Cutlass for her. I got the piece of shit Chevy Impala. She met the perfect husband in college and I was still lonely and searching for love years after college. It has, indeed, been very cold here in her shadow.
Years later, we are both women - all grown up. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding when I was 16. I realize now, however, that Mom probably pressured her into it - exactly as she pressured me to have Paula be a bridesmaid in my wedding. She agreed...reluctantly. She has always been "civil" when we see each other (family gatherings - usually at holidays). She gives me the obligatory loose hug (for appearances, I assume) and is nicey-nicey. She is not, however, interested in talking to me or what is going on with me. She moved to Minneapolis and then Colorado. I would go with my parents to visit her at Christmas as such, and usually felt out of place. For a while, I would call her just to say "hi" from time to time. She NEVER called me.
I have seen how some of my friends are close with their sisters. I longed for that closeness - a special relationship that can only be between sisters. A few years ago, the distance (not talking miles here) between us was bothering me so much that I decided to put my hand out to her and offer her my friendship. I could never get her to really talk, so I opted to send her an e-mail. I told her that I was sorry if I ever did anything to offend or alienate her and that I wanted us to be closer. I expressed the pain that the distance between us was causing me. I put my heart right out there for her to embrace. I know she read it because my Mom printed it out and gave it to her when she was staying with them for a few weeks in the summer. She never replied...not a word was ever said about it. Nothing.
That said it all for me. She didn't (and doesn't) care. She doesn't want my friendship. I don't think Paula ever wanted a little sister (or brother, for that matter). I feel like she resented me from the day I was born.
I could not believe that she didn't reply. I was hurt. I was angry. I have never felt so rejected in my life.
I went through a lot of soul-searching after this. Am I really such a bad person? Why would someone not care about their only sibling - especially when they've never done anything to deserve being written off like that? I asked my parents about it - they are bewildered. They said she's never said anything about having a problem with me or being angry with me. After countless hours hashing the whole thing out in my head, I remembered a lot of the things I mentioned above. She does not want a sister. She does not want me. It's nothing I've done...it's all her.
What really drove it home was when my son was born. She did not call, no card, no gift. Nothing. Her husband called to pass along congratulations, but not a word from Paula.
At this point, the only way I know what is going on with her is through news my Mom passes along. I haven't seen or spoken with my sister for nearly 3 years now.
This is all deeply painful for me. Every time I see some "sisters' love" thing in a catalog or book store, it makes me so sad. Deep, profound sadness. The word sister makes me sad. I have found myself wondering if she would even care if I died. I have my doubts.
I have to find a way to come to terms with this. It is a battle that I fight all too often in my head. I guess, as my friend Inanna says, I need to peel the onion...but I don't know how.
July 19, 2004
It's all worth it.
I hurt today. This weekend was just awful. Had all kinds of plans for fun things to do...garage sales, the zoo, swimming, etc. It was not to be.
Mr. early riser (a.k.a. my son) slept late Saturday...ahhh, so nice to wake up on my own. Went in to check on him....screech! Felt his face and he was hot as a pistol. My baby was sick. So, the rest of my weekend was spent doting over a sick, whiney, puking 3 year old. Of course, by last night, he was back to his usual cheery, bouncy self. 24 hours of hell with not much sleep. I am so relieved yet so very, very tired.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever shared a pic of my boy on here. I don't blog about him much mainly because I don't want this to become a "my kid is so awesome" blog (although he is).
Here is the love of my life:
left is when he turned 3, the other two are within the last couple of months. He'll be 4 in October.
Since he was feeling better yesterday, we spent the afternoon outside. My ambition, fueled by cabin fever, drove me to weed my garden and ALL of my flower beds. Not smart. Now, not only am I tired, I am very sore.
I would LOVE to take the afternoon off to go home and take a nap, but that's not an option. So sleeeeepy...
Mr. early riser (a.k.a. my son) slept late Saturday...ahhh, so nice to wake up on my own. Went in to check on him....screech! Felt his face and he was hot as a pistol. My baby was sick. So, the rest of my weekend was spent doting over a sick, whiney, puking 3 year old. Of course, by last night, he was back to his usual cheery, bouncy self. 24 hours of hell with not much sleep. I am so relieved yet so very, very tired.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever shared a pic of my boy on here. I don't blog about him much mainly because I don't want this to become a "my kid is so awesome" blog (although he is).
Here is the love of my life:
left is when he turned 3, the other two are within the last couple of months. He'll be 4 in October.
Since he was feeling better yesterday, we spent the afternoon outside. My ambition, fueled by cabin fever, drove me to weed my garden and ALL of my flower beds. Not smart. Now, not only am I tired, I am very sore.
I would LOVE to take the afternoon off to go home and take a nap, but that's not an option. So sleeeeepy...
July 16, 2004
'Quake Watch 2004
Some of you will probably remember this post, where I talked about earthquake problems coming to the midwest. I pointed out this 23 acre lake in eastern Missouri that disappeared like someone pulled the plug out of the bath tub. Although there was no mention of it in any of the articles I read, this lake is very near the New Madrid Fault...a huge fault line that produced a devastating earthquake in the early 1800s. Scientists have been predicting another big one on that fault for years now. My intuition tells me that there is some major moving around going on down there, and something broke loose and sucked down that lake.
That was June 30. In the last month, I have found reports of 5 earthquakes.
June 15, there was a 3.7 centered at Canalou Mo, which is just west of New Madrid.
June 28, there was a 4.5 between St. Louis and Chicago.
This morning at 7:17 am, there was an earthquake that was 3.3 on the Richter scale near where Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri meet.
Last night at 10:30 there was a 3.5 near where Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky meet (very near if not on the fault).
There was another one that was around 3.5 near where Missouri, Illinois and Iowa meet about a week ago.
I'm no fatalist and I don't profess to be psychic, but I predict that these will continue, increasing in severity leading up to a very nasty one.
I guess we'll see...
That was June 30. In the last month, I have found reports of 5 earthquakes.
June 15, there was a 3.7 centered at Canalou Mo, which is just west of New Madrid.
June 28, there was a 4.5 between St. Louis and Chicago.
This morning at 7:17 am, there was an earthquake that was 3.3 on the Richter scale near where Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri meet.
Last night at 10:30 there was a 3.5 near where Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky meet (very near if not on the fault).
There was another one that was around 3.5 near where Missouri, Illinois and Iowa meet about a week ago.
I'm no fatalist and I don't profess to be psychic, but I predict that these will continue, increasing in severity leading up to a very nasty one.
I guess we'll see...
July 15, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
I was just looking for a nice lion because I love them and found this one. I like the peaceful feel of this one with the lamb and the hand releasing the doves.
July 14, 2004
Tidbits of Wit, Torment & Irony
Knee Slapper
First, I want to thank EvilScienceChick for finding this. Farking hilarious! I giggled like and idiot, attracting all kinds of "what the hell is she doing in there" attention to myself here at work. Best laugh of the day so far.
It takes a while to load, but is worth the wait. Their servers can't handle much of a load either, so you might have to keep trying.
Make Love to That Pouch!
So, what the hell is up with that Ugoff guy? Is he real or a figment of BK's ad agency's imagination? Anyone know? I have to say that I am annoyingly intrigued.
MJ Going out with a Boom (literally)!
Rumor has it that Michael Jackson is planning on committing suicide. Get this...on New Years Eve 2004, he plans to trigger a mechanism (in a secret location, of course) that will drop a 3000 pound iron slab onto him, crushing him to bits. And...drumroll, please...it will be broadcast live on the internet! Woot! I'm there. The slab will then lift back up so that viewers can see what's left. Michael even gives his reasoning here. It will be interesting to see if this ends up being a hoax or not.
Smash the Guitar for Mommy
THIS is the summer camp I want to send my kid to. Jeff Carlisi, former guitarist for 38 Special, is the director of "Camp Jam" - a summer camp where kids literally learn to rock. It is in the Atlanta, GA area. If you've seen "School of Rock" (I recommend it), you'll understand. Read the news story for a lot more info.
Sweet Justice
This guy get's what he's got coming to him after creating a little bit of a hostage crisis.
Dandy Blog Link of the Day
My Trailerpark - a touching tale of a bright young lad and the people who live around him.
First, I want to thank EvilScienceChick for finding this. Farking hilarious! I giggled like and idiot, attracting all kinds of "what the hell is she doing in there" attention to myself here at work. Best laugh of the day so far.
It takes a while to load, but is worth the wait. Their servers can't handle much of a load either, so you might have to keep trying.
Make Love to That Pouch!
So, what the hell is up with that Ugoff guy? Is he real or a figment of BK's ad agency's imagination? Anyone know? I have to say that I am annoyingly intrigued.
MJ Going out with a Boom (literally)!
Rumor has it that Michael Jackson is planning on committing suicide. Get this...on New Years Eve 2004, he plans to trigger a mechanism (in a secret location, of course) that will drop a 3000 pound iron slab onto him, crushing him to bits. And...drumroll, please...it will be broadcast live on the internet! Woot! I'm there. The slab will then lift back up so that viewers can see what's left. Michael even gives his reasoning here. It will be interesting to see if this ends up being a hoax or not.
Smash the Guitar for Mommy
THIS is the summer camp I want to send my kid to. Jeff Carlisi, former guitarist for 38 Special, is the director of "Camp Jam" - a summer camp where kids literally learn to rock. It is in the Atlanta, GA area. If you've seen "School of Rock" (I recommend it), you'll understand. Read the news story for a lot more info.
Sweet Justice
This guy get's what he's got coming to him after creating a little bit of a hostage crisis.
Dandy Blog Link of the Day
My Trailerpark - a touching tale of a bright young lad and the people who live around him.
July 13, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
In the spirit of the project I am currently working on...
It goes right down her spine if you can't tell. No, I don't know what those things on the girly's head are.
July 09, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
This one is very, very nice. Definitely a candidate for my own skin. I've been searching for the perfect knot to make my own...
July 08, 2004
...and Now, Something Completely Different
Moving on from the Wierd to the Funny
Winnebago Man
This guy is trying very hard to film a series of commercials (and perhaps an instructional video) and just can't get it right. Beware, there is A LOT of swearing involved, but it is damn funny.
Dog Toy or Marital Aid?
This is a fun game. I'm proud of myself...got 12 out of 14 on the HARD test. woot!
Rock Paper Saddam
You just have to see it to appreciate it. TIGER HAND! RAWR!!!!!
Winnebago Man
This guy is trying very hard to film a series of commercials (and perhaps an instructional video) and just can't get it right. Beware, there is A LOT of swearing involved, but it is damn funny.
Dog Toy or Marital Aid?
This is a fun game. I'm proud of myself...got 12 out of 14 on the HARD test. woot!
Rock Paper Saddam
You just have to see it to appreciate it. TIGER HAND! RAWR!!!!!
Helpless Runts Addict
I bought a box of runts 
and I ate all of the banana ones right off the bat. I can't stop eating them. I put them in the drawer...back out they came, they are chasing me around me office. I can't leave them alone! They're eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeviiiiiiillllllll!
Heeeeeeeellllllllllpp mmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeee!
and I ate all of the banana ones right off the bat. I can't stop eating them. I put them in the drawer...back out they came, they are chasing me around me office. I can't leave them alone! They're eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeviiiiiiillllllll!
Heeeeeeeellllllllllpp mmmmmeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Mad, Mad World
I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very
Mad world
Children's SockNapper?
Some idiot grabs up a little boy, takes him behind a building and...(drumroll please) steals his socks! Shocking! I suppose it could have been much worse, but they are throwing the book at him.
Pervert
Pounds of Meat
I'd like to say "hi" to the Google searcher who found my site by searching for "pounds of meat consumed by Americans each year". LOL
Danzig Goes Down
Seems Glenn Danzig let his asshole side get the better of him. Backstage at some show, Danzig is talking to Danny Marianinho of the North Side Kings. Seems there's a bit of a dispute over stage time. Danny confronts Glenn over his crew dismantling the stage before all of the bands have played. Danzig decides to shove Danny (who is a pretty good-sized guy), who is knocked back and then reacts as any large punk-band man would: he comes forward, fist first, and puts Danzig on the floor. Knocks him flat. Click here if you'd like to see the arrogant little bastard go down.
How Many Voilations?
Seems an internet connection-stealing kiddie porn perv can't do more than a few things at once. Wrong way, perv!
Sex Tent Controversy
Apparently Norway's biggest annual music festival had an interesting attraction on the grounds. A so-called see through "sex tent" was set up so that an artist could film couples who volunteer to have sex in the tent. Those who participate sign a contract before going into the tent, but there have been several people with their knickers in a serious bind over it. I guess I didn't think Norway had that many prudes... more info
Just a Bit on the Wierd Side of Botany
Seems that a "Corpse Flower" is about to bloom in Connecticut. These are VERY rare and very large. The last time they had one bloom in the area was in the 1930's. There is a live webcam set up to watch the ...ahem..."miracle". The view is good if there isn't some loser standing in front of the camera. It honestly looks like something from "little shop of horrors."
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very
Mad world
Children's SockNapper?
Some idiot grabs up a little boy, takes him behind a building and...(drumroll please) steals his socks! Shocking! I suppose it could have been much worse, but they are throwing the book at him.
Pervert
Pounds of Meat
I'd like to say "hi" to the Google searcher who found my site by searching for "pounds of meat consumed by Americans each year". LOL
Danzig Goes Down
Seems Glenn Danzig let his asshole side get the better of him. Backstage at some show, Danzig is talking to Danny Marianinho of the North Side Kings. Seems there's a bit of a dispute over stage time. Danny confronts Glenn over his crew dismantling the stage before all of the bands have played. Danzig decides to shove Danny (who is a pretty good-sized guy), who is knocked back and then reacts as any large punk-band man would: he comes forward, fist first, and puts Danzig on the floor. Knocks him flat. Click here if you'd like to see the arrogant little bastard go down.
How Many Voilations?
Seems an internet connection-stealing kiddie porn perv can't do more than a few things at once. Wrong way, perv!
Sex Tent Controversy
Apparently Norway's biggest annual music festival had an interesting attraction on the grounds. A so-called see through "sex tent" was set up so that an artist could film couples who volunteer to have sex in the tent. Those who participate sign a contract before going into the tent, but there have been several people with their knickers in a serious bind over it. I guess I didn't think Norway had that many prudes... more info
Just a Bit on the Wierd Side of Botany
Seems that a "Corpse Flower" is about to bloom in Connecticut. These are VERY rare and very large. The last time they had one bloom in the area was in the 1930's. There is a live webcam set up to watch the ...ahem..."miracle". The view is good if there isn't some loser standing in front of the camera. It honestly looks like something from "little shop of horrors."
July 07, 2004
July 06, 2004
What do Your Keys Say About You?
I once read that a person's key ring can tell you a lot about their personality.
Here are my keys:
A simply jailers ring with two rings of keys (house/work on one and car on the other) and a big bad real bug encased in acrylic. The inset in the lower right corner is the bottom of the bug, just so you can get a good look at my little pet. LOL I used to have a wonderful, hand woven mini cat of nine tails on there, but I lost it. *pout*
What do you think my keys say about me?
Here are my keys:
A simply jailers ring with two rings of keys (house/work on one and car on the other) and a big bad real bug encased in acrylic. The inset in the lower right corner is the bottom of the bug, just so you can get a good look at my little pet. LOL I used to have a wonderful, hand woven mini cat of nine tails on there, but I lost it. *pout*
What do you think my keys say about me?
Body Worlds
There is an exhibit going on in Los Angeles that I WANT to see. It's called Body Worlds and it looks absolutely fascinating.
Body Worlds at the California Science Center
The German anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens invented plastination in 1977. He transforms real human corpses (bodies donated to science) into intricate and authentic representations of the human body for public viewing - an opportunity previously only available to medical professionals. In this exhibit, you can experience the human body step-by-step - the locomotive system, muscles and skeleton, the nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and reproductive systems.
I was always very interested in human physiology and anatomy in school. I am hoping to go visit my sister & brother-in-law in LA soon - if I do, this will be one of the first things I go to see!
Body Worlds at the California Science Center
The German anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens invented plastination in 1977. He transforms real human corpses (bodies donated to science) into intricate and authentic representations of the human body for public viewing - an opportunity previously only available to medical professionals. In this exhibit, you can experience the human body step-by-step - the locomotive system, muscles and skeleton, the nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and reproductive systems.
I was always very interested in human physiology and anatomy in school. I am hoping to go visit my sister & brother-in-law in LA soon - if I do, this will be one of the first things I go to see!
WTF, Blogger?
What is blogger/blogspots freakin' problem!? I have to refresh what seems like a million times to get a page to come up and sometimes a million is not sufficient. This is yanking my chain something serious.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!
July 02, 2004
Happy 4th of July
...to my American friends. Happy weekend to all.
I still have no internet at home...stupid DIT pukes. I might just sign me up for a new ISP this weekend, me thinks.
Until next time...have some fun with this:Fireworks Fun
I still have no internet at home...stupid DIT pukes. I might just sign me up for a new ISP this weekend, me thinks.
Until next time...have some fun with this:
Are they Serious?
Check this out: Bush/Cheney Campaign Ad
I really can't believe that this ad was approved by dubya and his team and that it is really one they plan to air it. I think they've been hacked. I guess we'll see, depending on how long it stays up there. If it is a hacker's work, they are damn good.
What do you think? Hacked or real?
If it is real...he has lost his mind.
Update: It is not a hacker job, it is a spoof site. The real site is www.georgewbush.com as opposed to .org. Wow
I really can't believe that this ad was approved by dubya and his team and that it is really one they plan to air it. I think they've been hacked. I guess we'll see, depending on how long it stays up there. If it is a hacker's work, they are damn good.
What do you think? Hacked or real?
If it is real...he has lost his mind.
Update: It is not a hacker job, it is a spoof site. The real site is www.georgewbush.com as opposed to .org. Wow
July 01, 2004
June 30, 2004
Adventures of the Traveling Head
Many of you already know that I am a neophyte photographer. I carry my camera with me at all times in hopes of capturing a fascinating scene should I happen upon it at the right time.
Now for a new adventure: I have volunteered to be a part of the Travelinghead Project.
"The travelinghead project is an ongoing experiment in social behavior. It is a work of art, continually expanding through the photographs, ideas and hard work of creative individuals worldwide. The project is a narrative which is open to anyone with a camera!! It is the telling of a story which is written, chapter by chapter through the photos, artwork and 'confessionals' of the people involved.
It is an opportunity for individuals on a worldwide scale to share stories and pictures, create art and document how their life, and the lives of those around them are affected by the same object."
This is Bella while she was visiting Lithium Picnic. He did naughty things to her. LOL
I will be taking it to my favorite coffee shop for some stimulating conversation, perhaps a bike ride or a swim, various car rides and fun with my pets and some herb garden shots. I hope I get the head in the summer time. ...although could have some fun with snow.
I was placed on the "waiting list" to "get head" (LOL) today. I would LOVE to have your input on what kind of fun things I can do with the head for the project!
I'm excited...this should be too much fun.
Now for a new adventure: I have volunteered to be a part of the Travelinghead Project.
"The travelinghead project is an ongoing experiment in social behavior. It is a work of art, continually expanding through the photographs, ideas and hard work of creative individuals worldwide. The project is a narrative which is open to anyone with a camera!! It is the telling of a story which is written, chapter by chapter through the photos, artwork and 'confessionals' of the people involved.
It is an opportunity for individuals on a worldwide scale to share stories and pictures, create art and document how their life, and the lives of those around them are affected by the same object."
This is Bella while she was visiting Lithium Picnic. He did naughty things to her. LOL
I will be taking it to my favorite coffee shop for some stimulating conversation, perhaps a bike ride or a swim, various car rides and fun with my pets and some herb garden shots. I hope I get the head in the summer time. ...although could have some fun with snow.
I was placed on the "waiting list" to "get head" (LOL) today. I would LOVE to have your input on what kind of fun things I can do with the head for the project!
I'm excited...this should be too much fun.
Tattoos of the Day
Seek and you shall Find
I have been getting a lot of hits from people searching for celtic cross tattoos. Well...for you searchers, here are some really sweet ones I have found:
I have been getting a lot of hits from people searching for celtic cross tattoos. Well...for you searchers, here are some really sweet ones I have found:
June 29, 2004
All's Well that Ends Well
Well, last night I was greeted with a dozen roses, profuse apologies and dinner at the restaurant of my choice. The air has been cleared and I am no longer in the crosshairs. Whew! Not enough time to elaborate, but didn't want anyone to worry.
June 28, 2004
Rumble, Grumble, Watch Me Stumble
I had a nice weekend - until last night.
To make a ridiculously long story short, I am being persecuted and punished for something I have no control over whatsoever. After much screaming, yelling, crying, tire squealing, fence crashing, engine roaring, dog grabbing & running, and then more crying, yelling, and resignation I managed to heavily sedate myself and go to bed. After a couple of seemingly restful hours, I began tossing and turning, struggling with the tormented thoughts in my head and wishing for more valium. After a fitful (at best) additional 4 hours, I arose, gazed in the mirror, called in sick and went back to bed.
A couple of hours later, a quick call prompted my wonderful pod person neighbor to bring me more valium, so I am dealing. Not well, but dealing.
Unfortunately, an obligation to a wonderful person I could not let down forced me to drag my sorry ass into the office at noon. So, here I am.
The situation is still not resolved. Unfortunately, the problem lies solely within the head of this person whom I love very much. If he can't get it worked out, I will be forced to purge him from my life. That would be very sad, indeed. I am fearful of what this evening could bring. If you don't hear from me after a couple of days at most, alert the authorities as I may be no longer among the living.
To make a ridiculously long story short, I am being persecuted and punished for something I have no control over whatsoever. After much screaming, yelling, crying, tire squealing, fence crashing, engine roaring, dog grabbing & running, and then more crying, yelling, and resignation I managed to heavily sedate myself and go to bed. After a couple of seemingly restful hours, I began tossing and turning, struggling with the tormented thoughts in my head and wishing for more valium. After a fitful (at best) additional 4 hours, I arose, gazed in the mirror, called in sick and went back to bed.
A couple of hours later, a quick call prompted my wonderful pod person neighbor to bring me more valium, so I am dealing. Not well, but dealing.
Unfortunately, an obligation to a wonderful person I could not let down forced me to drag my sorry ass into the office at noon. So, here I am.
The situation is still not resolved. Unfortunately, the problem lies solely within the head of this person whom I love very much. If he can't get it worked out, I will be forced to purge him from my life. That would be very sad, indeed. I am fearful of what this evening could bring. If you don't hear from me after a couple of days at most, alert the authorities as I may be no longer among the living.
June 25, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
This exquisite tattoo is not only very nice, it screams summer to me.
I have no internet at home right now (damned ISP..*pout*), so have a wonderful weekend people!
June 24, 2004
Apnea's Been 'Tooned
Lithium Picnic is my favorite photographer. He is excruciatingly talented, and Apnea is one of his main models. She is my favorite as well. They do fantastic work together.
One of my fave pictures of Apnea has been tooned! It is so cool.
Below is the original and the toon.
Check out their work...
Lithium Picnic
One of my fave pictures of Apnea has been tooned! It is so cool.
Below is the original and the toon.
Check out their work...
Lithium Picnic
June 23, 2004
Archmage - Caught in the Undertow
My buddy Archmage is going through some serious shit right now. This guy has a heart of gold and doesn't deserve the hell he's being dragged through.
On my way to lunch, after having talked on IM with him for a while, a song came on the radio. I love the song and it gave me the chills - I could almost hear him singing it.
Nothing Else Matters
So close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
trust I seek and I find in you
every day for us something new
open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
so close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
A big hug goes out to you, my friend. Trust your heart and know that you are doing your best. Be strong and you will come through just fine.
On my way to lunch, after having talked on IM with him for a while, a song came on the radio. I love the song and it gave me the chills - I could almost hear him singing it.
Nothing Else Matters
So close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
trust I seek and I find in you
every day for us something new
open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
so close no matter how far
couldn't be much more from the heart
forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters
never cared for what they do
never cared for what they know
but I know
never opened myself this way
life is ours, we live it our way
all these words I don't just say
and nothing else matters
A big hug goes out to you, my friend. Trust your heart and know that you are doing your best. Be strong and you will come through just fine.
June 22, 2004
Congratulations Dana!
...and family. Dana over at note-it posts (my blogger with boobies buddy) finally had her baby yesterday. He was almost 2 weeks late.
Thomas Nelson was born June 21 at 11:51 am. He was 21" long and 8 pounds 15 ounces.
All went well and I am so happy for her.
Thomas Nelson was born June 21 at 11:51 am. He was 21" long and 8 pounds 15 ounces.
All went well and I am so happy for her.
June 21, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
A hoot goes out to my new buddy, JP, and his arm band tattoo. I don't have a good picture of his to feature here (ahem), but here is a really cool one I found.
Arm bands are sexy.
Arm bands are sexy.
Happy Summer Solstice!
I had a lovely summer solstice picture here, but apparently someone didn't like me linking to their server. Pfffftttt! I'm not going to advertise for them, so YANK!
June 20, 2004
Honorary Mention
I am a big fan of advertising. Well, let me rephrase that...creative advertising. This little ad I found on a sidebar caught my eye. Someone with a fairly twisted mind like mine just can't help but click on it.
Although the ad cracked me up something serious, but I was a bit dismayed if not frustrated that the little bunny was not to be found where the link leads to.
Although the ad cracked me up something serious, but I was a bit dismayed if not frustrated that the little bunny was not to be found where the link leads to.
G-Mail for our Troops
Check this out. Some fine folks have started a campaign to get gmail invites out to our troops so they can get accounts to communicate with their friends and family back home. With the large amount of space offered, gmail is perfect for sending pictures and videos back and forth. You can offer your g-mail invites to troops on the message boards attached to the link ("this") above. I will be offering up several of mine. :)
June 18, 2004
June 17, 2004
and now...Something Completely Different
Leave the Fucking Sign Alone!
The town of "Fucking" had a vote on whether or not to change their name.
Holy Shiite!
No wonder the people in Iraq can be quite cranky when they have these monsters crawling around! Camel Spider
Flesh or Food?
Now here's something kind of fun...the Flesh or Food Quiz!
I leave you with...
The town of "Fucking" had a vote on whether or not to change their name.
Holy Shiite!
No wonder the people in Iraq can be quite cranky when they have these monsters crawling around! Camel Spider
Flesh or Food?
Now here's something kind of fun...the Flesh or Food Quiz!
I leave you with...
Shake, Rattle & Roll...Get Ready, Midwest
"WILDWOOD, Mo. - To folks around Wildwood, it is nothing but freaky: an entire 23-acre lake vanished in a matter of days, as if someone pulled the plug on a bathtub.
Lake Chesterfield went down a sinkhole this week, leaving homeowners in this affluent St. Louis suburb wondering if their property values disappeared along with their lakeside views.
Some residents said they noticed that the lake, after being swelled by torrential rains weeks earlier, began falling last weekend. The Englishes said they noticed the drop-off Monday.
By Wednesday, the manmade lake - normally seven to 10 feet deep in spots - had been reduced to a mucky, stinky mess.
David Taylor, a geologist who inspected the lakebed Wednesday, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the sinkhole was formed when water eroded the limestone deep underground and created pockets in the rock. The sinkhole was 'like a ticking time bomb.'
The lake and surrounding housing development date to the late 1980s. The development now includes more than 670 condominiums and houses, about one-tenth of them bordering the lake."
Now, we must keep in mind, friends and neighbors, that this has taken place very near the New Madrid Fault
An eyewitness account from a man who lives by the lake: "...large bass and carp were flipping so much that they buried themselves in the mud, and finally I could see the tear that sucked in 25 to 30 million gallons of water, and 20 acres, in about 3 days. It looks like a large, circular fault line. "
None of the news accounts I have read have mentioned it yet, but my intuition says that this is directly related to the New Madrid Fault. Scientists have been predicting for decades now that a devastating earthquake will take place centering on this fault in the Mississippi valley.
"Three earthquakes occurred in 1811 and 1812 near New Madrid, MO. They are among the Great earthquakes of known history, affecting the topography more than any other earthquake on the North American continent. Judging from their effects, they were of a magnitude of 8.0 or higher on the Richter Scale. They were felt over the entire United States outside of the Pacific coast. Large areas sank into the earth, new lakes were formed, the course of the Mississippi River was changed, and forests were destroyed over an area of 150,000 acres. Many houses at New Madrid were thrown down. "Houses, gardens, and fields were swallowed up" one source notes. But fatalities and damage were low, because the area was sparsely settled then."
For comparative purposes, the great San Francisco earthquake of 1989 was a 7.1.
Growing up in Iowa near the Mississippi, I remember feeling a small earthquake that occurred around New Madrid, Mo. I was putting on shoes and the shaking caused me to lose my balance, nearly falling out of my chair. My mom felt it, too. I looked up and her hanging plant was swinging. It was only, if I recall correctly, around a 3.0. The next time may not be nearly as mild and may very well be coming quite soon.
Lake Chesterfield went down a sinkhole this week, leaving homeowners in this affluent St. Louis suburb wondering if their property values disappeared along with their lakeside views.
Some residents said they noticed that the lake, after being swelled by torrential rains weeks earlier, began falling last weekend. The Englishes said they noticed the drop-off Monday.
By Wednesday, the manmade lake - normally seven to 10 feet deep in spots - had been reduced to a mucky, stinky mess.
David Taylor, a geologist who inspected the lakebed Wednesday, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the sinkhole was formed when water eroded the limestone deep underground and created pockets in the rock. The sinkhole was 'like a ticking time bomb.'
The lake and surrounding housing development date to the late 1980s. The development now includes more than 670 condominiums and houses, about one-tenth of them bordering the lake."
Now, we must keep in mind, friends and neighbors, that this has taken place very near the New Madrid Fault
An eyewitness account from a man who lives by the lake: "...large bass and carp were flipping so much that they buried themselves in the mud, and finally I could see the tear that sucked in 25 to 30 million gallons of water, and 20 acres, in about 3 days. It looks like a large, circular fault line. "
None of the news accounts I have read have mentioned it yet, but my intuition says that this is directly related to the New Madrid Fault. Scientists have been predicting for decades now that a devastating earthquake will take place centering on this fault in the Mississippi valley.
"Three earthquakes occurred in 1811 and 1812 near New Madrid, MO. They are among the Great earthquakes of known history, affecting the topography more than any other earthquake on the North American continent. Judging from their effects, they were of a magnitude of 8.0 or higher on the Richter Scale. They were felt over the entire United States outside of the Pacific coast. Large areas sank into the earth, new lakes were formed, the course of the Mississippi River was changed, and forests were destroyed over an area of 150,000 acres. Many houses at New Madrid were thrown down. "Houses, gardens, and fields were swallowed up" one source notes. But fatalities and damage were low, because the area was sparsely settled then."
For comparative purposes, the great San Francisco earthquake of 1989 was a 7.1.
Growing up in Iowa near the Mississippi, I remember feeling a small earthquake that occurred around New Madrid, Mo. I was putting on shoes and the shaking caused me to lose my balance, nearly falling out of my chair. My mom felt it, too. I looked up and her hanging plant was swinging. It was only, if I recall correctly, around a 3.0. The next time may not be nearly as mild and may very well be coming quite soon.
June 15, 2004
The Feds
Let's just get this out of the way...I think I am paranoid.
I have been noticing these cars around the city...big, black Chevys with no frills - seemingly made to deliberately look inconspicuous. They have antennas on the trunk lids and some pretty sophisticated GPS system type crap on the dash, however. I've seen several...been seeing them more and more. I started paying attention a few days ago, trying to tell if it is the same car I keep seeing. Could be the same car, I suppose, but the driver keeps changing.
They are usually driven by very straight-edge looking guys in black suits and sunglasses. I kid you not. At first, I thought they were undercover cops, but I'm starting to wonder. I don't think they're cops...they're feds. WTF? Why are there so many federal agents driving around in Des Moines, Iowa?
Just another one of those things that make you go "hmmmmmm...?". (yes, I do remember the song)
By the way, much to my dismay, my shoes are still sucking and farting. Go here if you don't have any clue what I am talking about. It sucks (no pun intended) but I don't give a shit.
I have been noticing these cars around the city...big, black Chevys with no frills - seemingly made to deliberately look inconspicuous. They have antennas on the trunk lids and some pretty sophisticated GPS system type crap on the dash, however. I've seen several...been seeing them more and more. I started paying attention a few days ago, trying to tell if it is the same car I keep seeing. Could be the same car, I suppose, but the driver keeps changing.
They are usually driven by very straight-edge looking guys in black suits and sunglasses. I kid you not. At first, I thought they were undercover cops, but I'm starting to wonder. I don't think they're cops...they're feds. WTF? Why are there so many federal agents driving around in Des Moines, Iowa?
Just another one of those things that make you go "hmmmmmm...?". (yes, I do remember the song)
By the way, much to my dismay, my shoes are still sucking and farting. Go here if you don't have any clue what I am talking about. It sucks (no pun intended) but I don't give a shit.
June 14, 2004
Swedish Ham Balls
I made these last night. It's my Grandma's 100+ year old family recipe. She was famous for them in her little town. I had forgotten how good they are. If anyone wants the recipe, leave a comment w/e-mail and I'll gladly share.
Well, I've had a shitty, pissy, pukey morning (not LITERALLY, mind you but wow, that's a lot of body fluids), but things are looking up. Went home and had a couple of left over ham balls (makes me giggle to say the name), then drove to Starbucks to get me a big fat iced mocha. Jammed in the car to two of my favorite tunes (cranked full blast, of course) - Duality (Slipknot) and Slither (Velvet Revolver). Man, they sound good loud. Beautiful day, sun is shining, 77 degrees. Hmmmm...lovely therapy.
I'm feeling much better now.
Well, I've had a shitty, pissy, pukey morning (not LITERALLY, mind you but wow, that's a lot of body fluids), but things are looking up. Went home and had a couple of left over ham balls (makes me giggle to say the name), then drove to Starbucks to get me a big fat iced mocha. Jammed in the car to two of my favorite tunes (cranked full blast, of course) - Duality (Slipknot) and Slither (Velvet Revolver). Man, they sound good loud. Beautiful day, sun is shining, 77 degrees. Hmmmm...lovely therapy.
I'm feeling much better now.
June 11, 2004
The List Game
Directions:
1. Copy this whole list into your journal.
2. Bold the things that are true.
3. Link back to the person you copied from.
{from the Tease)
01.I am perfectly content to sit by myself for hours listening to the same songs over and over again.
02. I'm a loud person.
03. I would love to do country line dancing.
04. I don't really care about...anything.
05. I can completely lose myself in a song.
06. Driving aimlessly while blasting music is therapeutic.
05. I love fall.
06. I hate turtleneck sweaters.
07. My friends mean the world to me.
08. I also hate when people TypE LyKe D1s.
09. I only get 3-4 hours of sleep a night sometimes.
10. I believe that even if they work, long distance relationships still suck.
11. Computers suck <-- but i need them
12. I don't like people
13. I like shopping for shoes.
14. I don't like studying.
15. After high school I'm going to Law school.
16. Sometimes I feel like passing out in the middle of the floor for no reason.
17. I want to go to Europe.
18. I have a lot to learn.
19. I'm vegetarian.
20. I sometimes like to watch the rain and think.
21. I like pop music.
22. Johnny Depp is beautiful. [sexxxy]
23. Groups of the same kind of people make me sick.
24. I can type rather fast.
25. I wish I could sleep better.
26. I wish love was like a movie.
27. I'm not a huge fan of the holidays.
28. I like the movie Star Wars
29. I want to win the lottery one day.
30. I like the Starting Line.
31. I trust people way too easily.
32. I don't have a job.
33. I dont like a lot of people.
34. I like to go stargazing.
35. I know a lot of people, but only have a few close friends.
36. I'm easy to get along with i think
37. I can be a very aggressive person.
38. I like having "beauty nights" with my friends.
39. I need to find something I'm talented in and stick to it.
40. I'm very insecure, even though I don't show it.
41. I really enjoy thoughtful gifts, even if they cost nothing.
42. I never want to live in Australia.
43. I'm too aggressive.
44. I love flavored lipgloss
45. Sometimes words can actually hurt me more than sticks and stones.
46. The movie Honey makes me sick.
47. I like holding hands more than anything.
48. I have no life.
49. Sometimes, I like spending time alone.
50. I'm not a big fan of relationships.
51. It needs to be quiet and dark for me to fall asleep.
52. I miss being kissed.
53. I love to find money in my coat pockets.
54. In the winter i never want to leave my house.
55. I wish I was good with directions.
56. I'm pretty good with forgetting about things.
57. I like to read childrens stories.
58. I dye/cut my hair way too much.
59. Emotional neediness scares the crap out of me.
60. Hearing people say they miss me, when I thought they didn't care, makes me smile.
61. I like the beach.
62. One of my favorite movies is Life as a House.
63. I'm very loud.
64. I feel like something's missing, even though I'm pretty content with my life right now.
65. My hair has a mind of it's own, and that mind is a paranoid schizophrenic.
66. I think meat is gross!
67. For the most part I don't care what anyone thinks of me.
68. I don't like having a boyfriend/girlfriend.
69. the song iris by the goo goo dolls is one of my favorite songs.
70. I've never (really truly) been in love.
71. I get really excited about girls/boys who play acoustic guitar.
72. I have never seen E.T.
73. I am drawn to intellect and humor.
74. I want my hair to be long but I can never grow it out.
75. I hate when people do things just to look important.
76. I love the game twister.
77. I'm not old-fashioned.
78. I watch a lot of TV
79. I'm not picky about anything.
80. I like acting like a kid.
81. I don't understand why everyone feels the need to be obsessed with star shaped things.
82. Music plays a big part in my life.
83. I hate the word "emo"
84. I want silky smooth skin.
85. I love Oprah.
86. Sometimes I think to myself: Wow. People are really stupid.
87. Stupid people annoy me.
88. I may sound sarcastic but I really am serious.
89. I can forgive and forget.
90. I like being mean to people I don't know.
91. I can't stand ignorance.
92. Really tall people scare me.
93. I hate snow.
94. I love to laugh.
95. I don't listen to people that much.
96. I HATE hello kitty gear.
98. I think people throw the word love around too much.
99. I am outgoing
100. I hate when people always have to sound smart like when they correct the teacher.
1. Copy this whole list into your journal.
2. Bold the things that are true.
3. Link back to the person you copied from.
{from the Tease)
01.I am perfectly content to sit by myself for hours listening to the same songs over and over again.
02. I'm a loud person.
03. I would love to do country line dancing.
04. I don't really care about...anything.
05. I can completely lose myself in a song.
06. Driving aimlessly while blasting music is therapeutic.
05. I love fall.
06. I hate turtleneck sweaters.
07. My friends mean the world to me.
08. I also hate when people TypE LyKe D1s.
09. I only get 3-4 hours of sleep a night sometimes.
10. I believe that even if they work, long distance relationships still suck.
11. Computers suck <-- but i need them
12. I don't like people
13. I like shopping for shoes.
14. I don't like studying.
15. After high school I'm going to Law school.
16. Sometimes I feel like passing out in the middle of the floor for no reason.
17. I want to go to Europe.
18. I have a lot to learn.
19. I'm vegetarian.
20. I sometimes like to watch the rain and think.
21. I like pop music.
22. Johnny Depp is beautiful. [sexxxy]
23. Groups of the same kind of people make me sick.
24. I can type rather fast.
25. I wish I could sleep better.
26. I wish love was like a movie.
27. I'm not a huge fan of the holidays.
28. I like the movie Star Wars
29. I want to win the lottery one day.
30. I like the Starting Line.
31. I trust people way too easily.
32. I don't have a job.
33. I dont like a lot of people.
34. I like to go stargazing.
35. I know a lot of people, but only have a few close friends.
36. I'm easy to get along with i think
37. I can be a very aggressive person.
38. I like having "beauty nights" with my friends.
39. I need to find something I'm talented in and stick to it.
40. I'm very insecure, even though I don't show it.
41. I really enjoy thoughtful gifts, even if they cost nothing.
42. I never want to live in Australia.
43. I'm too aggressive.
44. I love flavored lipgloss
45. Sometimes words can actually hurt me more than sticks and stones.
46. The movie Honey makes me sick.
47. I like holding hands more than anything.
48. I have no life.
49. Sometimes, I like spending time alone.
50. I'm not a big fan of relationships.
51. It needs to be quiet and dark for me to fall asleep.
52. I miss being kissed.
53. I love to find money in my coat pockets.
54. In the winter i never want to leave my house.
55. I wish I was good with directions.
56. I'm pretty good with forgetting about things.
57. I like to read childrens stories.
58. I dye/cut my hair way too much.
59. Emotional neediness scares the crap out of me.
60. Hearing people say they miss me, when I thought they didn't care, makes me smile.
61. I like the beach.
62. One of my favorite movies is Life as a House.
63. I'm very loud.
64. I feel like something's missing, even though I'm pretty content with my life right now.
65. My hair has a mind of it's own, and that mind is a paranoid schizophrenic.
66. I think meat is gross!
67. For the most part I don't care what anyone thinks of me.
68. I don't like having a boyfriend/girlfriend.
69. the song iris by the goo goo dolls is one of my favorite songs.
70. I've never (really truly) been in love.
71. I get really excited about girls/boys who play acoustic guitar.
72. I have never seen E.T.
73. I am drawn to intellect and humor.
74. I want my hair to be long but I can never grow it out.
75. I hate when people do things just to look important.
76. I love the game twister.
77. I'm not old-fashioned.
78. I watch a lot of TV
79. I'm not picky about anything.
80. I like acting like a kid.
81. I don't understand why everyone feels the need to be obsessed with star shaped things.
82. Music plays a big part in my life.
83. I hate the word "emo"
84. I want silky smooth skin.
85. I love Oprah.
86. Sometimes I think to myself: Wow. People are really stupid.
87. Stupid people annoy me.
88. I may sound sarcastic but I really am serious.
89. I can forgive and forget.
90. I like being mean to people I don't know.
91. I can't stand ignorance.
92. Really tall people scare me.
93. I hate snow.
94. I love to laugh.
95. I don't listen to people that much.
96. I HATE hello kitty gear.
98. I think people throw the word love around too much.
99. I am outgoing
100. I hate when people always have to sound smart like when they correct the teacher.
June 10, 2004
Buzzzzzzzzz
Been busy as a bee today and yesterday and just haven't had time to blog... POUT
I can AT LEAST do a tattoo of the day, though...
I can AT LEAST do a tattoo of the day, though...
June 08, 2004
June 07, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
Yes, I am an Aries. Has anyone guessed that yet? It is fairly obvious if you know me and know anything about astrology. This is a cool tatt that belongs to, I assume, a fellow fire child. It is a little too satanic-looking for my taste, but very well done as far as tattoos go.
Splashing Around in this Shallow Water
Lots of "interesting" tidbits that have caught my eye over the weekend...
OJ the Idiot
OJ Simpson, our fairest example of living proof that lots of money can get you out of anything, granted a couple of interviews to mark the tenth anniversary ofmurdering the murder of his ex-wife Ms. Brown. Details...
Falling Body Parts
A swanky boat party near Long Island this weekend was interrupted by a severed human hand falling from the sky onto the deck of the boat. Gee...guess that would be kind of a buzz-kill. I'd link to the news story, but there really is nothing more to tell. Police say they have "no idea" where it came from. It's a mystery. Perhaps they should check to see if Abu Musab al-Zarqawi or any of his buddies happened to be flying around the area at the time.
J-Lo Got Married...Again
The main question that comes to my mind is..."who really gives a shit!?!"
Maybe now the media will shut up about her. Although it might be fun to start a contest betting on how long it will last...
Fear & Loathing
I watched Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas several times this weekend. Amazing how Johnny Depp transformed himself into Hunter S. Thompson. He is incredible. It is a very, very entertaining film. Don't stop here, this is bat country!
What does this say about me? Hmmm...
Death of a President
This is what was on my TV screen after Fear & Loathing ended Saturday Evening. My heart began to race and I got very excited until they moved on to announce that it was President REAGAN that had passed away. Dang. Anyway...RIP, Dutch.
For My Male Readers..
I leave you with Understanding the Female Orgasm. Read it, know it, live it. LOL
OJ the Idiot
OJ Simpson, our fairest example of living proof that lots of money can get you out of anything, granted a couple of interviews to mark the tenth anniversary of
Falling Body Parts
A swanky boat party near Long Island this weekend was interrupted by a severed human hand falling from the sky onto the deck of the boat. Gee...guess that would be kind of a buzz-kill. I'd link to the news story, but there really is nothing more to tell. Police say they have "no idea" where it came from. It's a mystery. Perhaps they should check to see if Abu Musab al-Zarqawi or any of his buddies happened to be flying around the area at the time.
J-Lo Got Married...Again
The main question that comes to my mind is..."who really gives a shit!?!"
Maybe now the media will shut up about her. Although it might be fun to start a contest betting on how long it will last...
Fear & Loathing
I watched Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas several times this weekend. Amazing how Johnny Depp transformed himself into Hunter S. Thompson. He is incredible. It is a very, very entertaining film. Don't stop here, this is bat country!
What does this say about me? Hmmm...
Death of a President
This is what was on my TV screen after Fear & Loathing ended Saturday Evening. My heart began to race and I got very excited until they moved on to announce that it was President REAGAN that had passed away. Dang. Anyway...RIP, Dutch.
For My Male Readers..
I leave you with Understanding the Female Orgasm. Read it, know it, live it. LOL
June 04, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
These babies belong to Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. I just think they're pretty groovy and Chester is my favorite little screamer. My only suggestion to improve on these would have been to put some sort of bracelet like "cuff" on them.
I really want to go see the Projekt Revolution tour!
Carb'd Out
I am so sick of hearing all about this carb/Atkins craze crap. Low carb sodas, carb friendly fast food, carb carb carb...ACK! I am so tired of it! Seems everyone is jumping on the low carb bandwagon. Now, I like a good steak, meat is good, eggs are cool...fine. I don't, however, see how a diet that pays no attention to fat intake can be good for you. Your body needs things that can only be found in fruits, breads and such and it seems to me that you would be robbing your system of vital nutrition. Anyway, whatever happened to eating wisely and in a balanced manner and exercising?
Dr. Atkins died and the autopsy revealed that he was overweight, had blocked arteries and various other health problems. Great example, folks.
The next time I see or hear another ad about yet another company that has jumped on the Atkins bandwagon, I am going to scream.
GIVE ME BREAD!!!
Dr. Atkins died and the autopsy revealed that he was overweight, had blocked arteries and various other health problems. Great example, folks.
The next time I see or hear another ad about yet another company that has jumped on the Atkins bandwagon, I am going to scream.
GIVE ME BREAD!!!
June 03, 2004
Botanical Murder
Mowing the yard stinks. It is a pain in the ass and I can never get the damn mower to start.
So Pod, my neighbor I told about the other day, comes over trying to sell me something so he can get some beer & cigarette cash. I don't want his junk, so he ended up being hired to mow the lawn to the tune of $10. Fair deal. Being Margarita night, we go to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner. Upon return, Pod is just finishing the yard.
I notice that a couple of annuals are broken at the edge of one bed...no big deal, they're just annuals & easily replaced. It can happen.
Mind you, I have quite an elaborate layout of plantings...herbs and flowers mostly. MOST of them are in flower beds/gardens with borders, but some are not. I weed on a regular basis, so it is pretty clear (or at least I thought so) what is grass and what is herb/flower.
Walking across the patio, I glance over at the garbage can an notice a large amount of foliage peeking out. Hmmm...what's this? I peek in and my heart begins to race...it looks like branches from my butterfly bush and coneflower stems! I zip around the corner to be greeted by a huge naked patch next to my house. There USED to be a large butterfly bush, lots of gladiolas and three huge bunches of purple coneflowers there. Now, there is bare dirt. He ripped them all up. They were just about to start blooming, all of them. This was one of the spots where the plantings do not have a border around them, so I guess he thought they were weeds.
I am just sick. I kept a firmly clenched grip on my anger and did not rip him a new asshole, but I did tell him about the problem. It quickly became perfectly clear to him (with the help of the tears welling up in my eyes) that I was heartbroken.
I know, they're just stupid flowers...but they are my escape. When I am feeling bad, I submerge myself in them and breathe in their healing aromas. It always works. I have spent the last couple of months planting, weeding, watering, and caring for them just to have them murdered.
Pod said that he would replace the plants. I guess that's noble, but they sure won't be blooming this year. He feels like an idiot. The glads and coneflowers are some of my favorites that I cut and bring into work to brighten my office. The butterfly bush was given to me as a birthday gift. I like to photograph the flowers when in full bloom.
The bush might survive since he didn't rip out it's roots. The coneflowers - not sure, looked like roots were gone, too. The glads are bulbs, so they'll probably come back next year.
Now I just need to figure out what to do with this big naked spot in a yard otherwish filled with herbs and flowers. Guess that's what I get for not mowing the yard myself. Arg!
So Pod, my neighbor I told about the other day, comes over trying to sell me something so he can get some beer & cigarette cash. I don't want his junk, so he ended up being hired to mow the lawn to the tune of $10. Fair deal. Being Margarita night, we go to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner. Upon return, Pod is just finishing the yard.
I notice that a couple of annuals are broken at the edge of one bed...no big deal, they're just annuals & easily replaced. It can happen.
Mind you, I have quite an elaborate layout of plantings...herbs and flowers mostly. MOST of them are in flower beds/gardens with borders, but some are not. I weed on a regular basis, so it is pretty clear (or at least I thought so) what is grass and what is herb/flower.
Walking across the patio, I glance over at the garbage can an notice a large amount of foliage peeking out. Hmmm...what's this? I peek in and my heart begins to race...it looks like branches from my butterfly bush and coneflower stems! I zip around the corner to be greeted by a huge naked patch next to my house. There USED to be a large butterfly bush, lots of gladiolas and three huge bunches of purple coneflowers there. Now, there is bare dirt. He ripped them all up. They were just about to start blooming, all of them. This was one of the spots where the plantings do not have a border around them, so I guess he thought they were weeds.
I am just sick. I kept a firmly clenched grip on my anger and did not rip him a new asshole, but I did tell him about the problem. It quickly became perfectly clear to him (with the help of the tears welling up in my eyes) that I was heartbroken.
I know, they're just stupid flowers...but they are my escape. When I am feeling bad, I submerge myself in them and breathe in their healing aromas. It always works. I have spent the last couple of months planting, weeding, watering, and caring for them just to have them murdered.
Pod said that he would replace the plants. I guess that's noble, but they sure won't be blooming this year. He feels like an idiot. The glads and coneflowers are some of my favorites that I cut and bring into work to brighten my office. The butterfly bush was given to me as a birthday gift. I like to photograph the flowers when in full bloom.
The bush might survive since he didn't rip out it's roots. The coneflowers - not sure, looked like roots were gone, too. The glads are bulbs, so they'll probably come back next year.
Now I just need to figure out what to do with this big naked spot in a yard otherwish filled with herbs and flowers. Guess that's what I get for not mowing the yard myself. Arg!
June 02, 2004
Tattoo du Jour
I like this sad little gargoyle. I am impressed by the way the artist did the little monster's skin. Very detailed.
June 01, 2004
Tattoo of the Day
Can you say OUCH!? I would like to see the front view to see how the ends were finished. This one is really unique. Wonder how long it took...
What Kind of Freak are You?
Get out the hats and let's have a big ol'pity
party. You're repressed. You've got the gift,
but it looks like you're waiting for
something--like a swift kick in the arse. Don't
deny your inner freak. You want to be weird,
people already think you're weird, so stop
fighting it.
Smythe Reisner Abnormality Index (aka Freak Quiz!)
brought to you by Quizilla
Tell me something I didn't already freakin' know!
Memorial Day
Every Memorial Day, our family gets together for a barbeque. We enjoy the day together, camaraderie and good food.
I always spend at least part of the day thinking about my Uncle Davey. My favorite uncle, who lives a few hours away, is a WWII vet. Davey was in one of the groups that landed on Omaha Beach...you know, the battle from the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. Yep...he was there. Only 7 of the men from his group survivied. He was forced to lay low in the edge of the water as it grew more and more red from the blood of his fallen fellow soldiers before a break in the firing gave him the chance to run. It was literally, for him, a blood bath. After that, they went on into France and continued their missions.
Davey did not talk much about the war for years and years after returning. It wasn't until he was about 70 that he was finally able to open up and tell his fascinating stories. He was married when he went off to war...had two little children (a son and a daughter) that he left behind.
Thank you, Uncle Davey, for your sacrifice, bravery and service to our country.
After returning from the war the experience had shaken him and changed him so much that his marriage fell apart, and his wife took the kids and left him. Although he paid child support for both of them through college, their mother lied to them and told them that he did not want anything to do with them. His letters to them were discarded and they never saw them. It broke Davey's heart.
Davey mentioned to me, one time, how much he would like to see his son. He only mentioned it once.
I got into geneaology a few years ago, and had posted some inquiries regarding my ancestors on several message boards. One day, I got an e-mail from a Chuck Burns (my grandmother's maiden name and Davey's surname) asking about the Burns family. I told him a little bit about the Burns clan, and asked him how he was related. It turns out that this man was Davey's son! It had been 40 years since he had seen his father - the last time being when he was a young boy. I corresponded with him for a while, and told him what a wonderful, loving man his father is. He initially did not want to make contact with Davey, but I assured him that Davey would love nothing more than to hear from him. With my urging and reassurance, Chuck contacted Davey by writing him a letter. They spoke on the phone a few times and that spring, on Father's Day, Chuck and his wife drove to Iowa from Oklahoma to pay Davey a surprise visit. Davey said it was one of the most wonderful days of his whole life.
Davey now has his son back in his life. I am so happy that I was able to help get them back together. It is the best gift I could have ever given to him.
I always spend at least part of the day thinking about my Uncle Davey. My favorite uncle, who lives a few hours away, is a WWII vet. Davey was in one of the groups that landed on Omaha Beach...you know, the battle from the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. Yep...he was there. Only 7 of the men from his group survivied. He was forced to lay low in the edge of the water as it grew more and more red from the blood of his fallen fellow soldiers before a break in the firing gave him the chance to run. It was literally, for him, a blood bath. After that, they went on into France and continued their missions.
Davey did not talk much about the war for years and years after returning. It wasn't until he was about 70 that he was finally able to open up and tell his fascinating stories. He was married when he went off to war...had two little children (a son and a daughter) that he left behind.
Thank you, Uncle Davey, for your sacrifice, bravery and service to our country.
After returning from the war the experience had shaken him and changed him so much that his marriage fell apart, and his wife took the kids and left him. Although he paid child support for both of them through college, their mother lied to them and told them that he did not want anything to do with them. His letters to them were discarded and they never saw them. It broke Davey's heart.
Davey mentioned to me, one time, how much he would like to see his son. He only mentioned it once.
I got into geneaology a few years ago, and had posted some inquiries regarding my ancestors on several message boards. One day, I got an e-mail from a Chuck Burns (my grandmother's maiden name and Davey's surname) asking about the Burns family. I told him a little bit about the Burns clan, and asked him how he was related. It turns out that this man was Davey's son! It had been 40 years since he had seen his father - the last time being when he was a young boy. I corresponded with him for a while, and told him what a wonderful, loving man his father is. He initially did not want to make contact with Davey, but I assured him that Davey would love nothing more than to hear from him. With my urging and reassurance, Chuck contacted Davey by writing him a letter. They spoke on the phone a few times and that spring, on Father's Day, Chuck and his wife drove to Iowa from Oklahoma to pay Davey a surprise visit. Davey said it was one of the most wonderful days of his whole life.
Davey now has his son back in his life. I am so happy that I was able to help get them back together. It is the best gift I could have ever given to him.
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