Short Attention Span Friday

Due to my wonderful blogger friend Sloth's recent announcement of her "retirement" from blogville, I am adopting her short attention span tradition in her honor. Yay! It's short attention span Friday!

Today I bring you: Tales of the Sick, Bizarre and Stupid

Squeeze Play?
This morning, on the way to work I witnessed an act of sheer stupidity. I was sitting waiting for a green light behind many cars (probably 20 or so) when this idiot in a white FIERO (yes, Fiero) comes up on the left, passing all of us in the ONCOMING LANE. There was traffic coming! Anyway, he wanted to get into the gas station that was on the corner, and he made it in time before getting squished by oncoming traffic. However, after pulling up at the pumps, the door opens and out of the Fiero comes this HUGE man - I'm talking like a 400 pounder. It was so funny. Itty bitty car, great big guy! Bwaaaahahaha!

Passive Agressive Nazi Gardeners, I Say!
Seems that the Victoria City Council hired some gardeners to arrange some potted flowers of purple and white in some garden beds downtown. The intention was to arrange them in nice, eye-catching geometric shapes. Six of these garden beds, however, were left in the shape of swastikas...during a time when the city was hosting hundreds of Jewish people to celebrate the eight-day Hanukkah festival! They are claiming that it was an accident and they didn't realize what the shapes "inadvertently" formed. Yeah, riiiiiight, whatever. Idiots.

OMG, What is THAT in the Road!?
Not too long back, I got fed up with this stupid pillow and decided to get rid of it. The fabric was printed so that it was a rainbow trout, about 5 feet long but very similar to this picture. The damn thing had been around too long and was starting to come apart...seams splitting and his tail got ripped partially off in a pillow fight. It was time for the trout to go. I asked Chris to get rid of it, and what does he do? He put the damn thing in my car! So I go out to go to work, and here's the damn fish! There is this park by the river that I cut through on the way to work to avoid a daily traffic jam, so, on a whim, I threw the fish pillow out of my car in the middle of the street. I drove away laughing, thinking of the reactions of people who will come across this giant trout laying in the middle of the road in this park! Bwaaaaahahaha! What I would have paid to see/hear their reactions!

We love the Moon!
My son informed me, last night, that the moon is his girlfriend. Uhhhh...what? I guess that's ok with me.

Pugsley
Well, I couldn't get so lucky as to have Pugsley's seizure be a fluke. He had another seizure yesterday when I was home for lunch, so off to the vet he went. They did a bunch of tests and everything came back normal, so they're assuming that he is epileptic. I now have a prescription for phenylbarbitol to go fill for him. Two pills a day...oh joy!

Bad Hygene Gone Too Far
Check this out... dude claims that he dumped his canoe over in a river, and lost all of his clothes (except for the ones he had on). He spent the rest of his trip in the same clothes, damp and dirty for 6 days. When he arrived home, he found this plant growing out of the lint in his belly button. WTF? A seed must have gotten in there and germinated. There are more pics over at his page. This is among the wierdest things I've seen in a while.

Have a Happy Friday and Wonderful Weekend, Peeps!

Tattoo of the Day

I know, I know...I've been neglecting my tattoo goddess duties.

I present:

Proudly sported on the hip of none other than the goddess Inanna Moon. Kick ass!

the Answers

...to the world's most confounding mysteries, right here Ladies and Gentlemen! LOL

not really

just the answers to your questions from my previous post. :)

My responses in bold italics...


jp (www) said:

Ok, I'll bite. No, really I will. Guard your neck. Oh, you tease ;)

A.
(1) Friday Night Lights - The best HS football movie ever made. Excellent stuff. Hmmmm...not real big on sports movies, but I'll check it out on your recommendation.
(2) The Summons - John Grisham at his best. A very quick read, but a great story. Oooohh, I like Grisham.
(3) Eminem - Encore - Slim Shady's newest is very well done, although you have to listen to it more than once to appreciate it. I've heard it is very good and have been meaning to scope it out.
B.
(1) How's it hanging? A little lighter these days ;)
(2) Are you ready for Christmas? Darn tootin! I have just a couple of little piddly things to get, but no big deal. A lot of banana bread to cook, though.
(3) Can I get sloppy seconds on that rice krispy treat in your sidebar? Certainly! Though I think it's a ricecake.



Derek (www) said:

A.
1. Disorganized Crime. Is just flat out funny. I should watch it tonight. I will check that out
2. Books...Books...I'm sure that your local newspaper will suffice. I get my news online - foxnews.com & msnbc.com mostly
3. The Coasters "50 Coastin' Classics" from Rhino Records. Far out, man!
B.
1. Where are my taquitos? En el Mexico or in the fryer
2. What did you get me for Christmas? A swift kick in the arse. LOL Just Kidding
3. That's not a rice krispy treat, it's a cookie, isn't it? What's doin' the humping, a turd? I think it's a ricecake...or maybe oatmeal cookie. It's the little monster that's taking over fark.com.



Aimee (www) said:

A. 1. "The Usual Suspects". Doesn't matter how many times you've seen it, it's still awesome. Or if you're not in the mood for that one, try "O Brother Where Art Thou?". Also always good. Or if you have the boy at home and want to keep him entertained as well, go for "The Princess Bride". Oh, I love the Princess Bride (have it in my library) and O Brother Where Art Thou? is one of my favorites! I haven't seen the Usual Suspects, though...so a renting I will go. lol
Man, I can't even make it through the first piece without breaking the rules! Sorry.

2. "Ahab's Wife". I could not put it down. Fantastic read! Hmmmm...cool!

3. "Blues for Allah" by the Grateful Dead. It's perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. I love the Dead, but haven't heard that album. Sweet!

B. Can I get back to you on these questions? You pretty much answer all my questions all the time anyway... You have a good point there.



Omega (www) said:

(A)
1. 'Memento'; second reccomendation, "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me'. They'll be put on the list.
2. Anything by Andrew Vachess, the best noir writer of the past twenty years. His books start with 'Flood'. Noir....groovy!

3. Faithless, 'No Roots'. Hmmmm...never heard of them. Interesting.
(B)
1. What is your earliest memory? I would have to say it was when we were playing dress up with the neighbor girls. They dressed me up in a little sailor girl dress and made a huge fuss over how cute I was. I wore that dress for like 3 days. That, or when my big sister ripped my arm out of the socket. hmmmpf.
2. If you could have a house anywhere in the world, where you live? The Greek Island of Santorini
3. What celebrity do you think you most closely resemble? Hmmm...that's a tough one. I don't know - Cybil Shepherd or maybe Charlize Theron on a bad day? LOL


Tricia (www) said:

1) Practical Magic Love that movie!
2) The Feast of All Saints Anne Rice Added to the list
3) The Roots- the seed http://www.okayplayer.com/theroots/ I'll check it out


1) Who is your favorite actor? Johnny Depp
2) If you have a daughter what will you name her? Isabelle
3) a) Do you still have my thong? Yes
b) Did you remember to wash it? Hell no, I'll never wash it! LOL



Inanna (www) said:

1. Schindler's List One of those I've been meaning to see...
2. The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon Added to the list
3. Metallica - Metallica Yes, very good

1. If you were Derrick's age, what would you dress up as for Halloween? Probably Kim Possible - she rocks! ...or maybe a Powerpuff girl
2. What is the best advice you ever received? Don't sweat the small stuff and to believe in the power of unconditional love.
3. Afterlife or reincarnation? Actually, both...I think we stick around until we get it right and then we get our reward.

Thanks for playing, folks! I promise I have a real post coming.

Recommend, Ask, Pass Along

I stole this from Inanna, who stole it from Ang, whole stole it from Fresc, who stole it from someone at Intellectual Poison.

(A) First, recommend to me:
1. a movie
2. a book
3. a musical artist, song, or album

(B) Ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want. Answers will be posted this week--great time for strangers to say hi.

(C) Then go back to your blog, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything; say that you stole it from me.

WTF?

Found this through Tarantino's page (yes I know how to hyperlink, but I'm being lazy about it, ok? Check the sidebar.). All I have to say about it is WTF?

Fry Day Conglomeration

The Candy Gods Favor Me!
I found something very special...Baskin & Robbins sugar free mint chocolate chip hard candies! WOO HOO! I am in chocolate minty heaven!

The Anticipation is Terrible!
As many of you may know, Willy Wonka has been remade starring Johnny Depp as Willy. I have mixed feelings about this. I'll be going to see it as soon as it's released - my sheer curiosity will not allow me to wait until it's on video. I am a big depp fan, but worry that this one might have been way too much of a stretch. How can ANYONE outdo Gene Wilder as Wonka? I just don't know if it can be done. It may be like a rubber-necker seeing a horrific car accident, but I'll be there. LOL Curious? See the trailer here.

Pugsley
Thank you very much for the kind words and wishes for my dog, Pugsley. He is doing just fine since the other night. No seizures. He is acting just like his old self, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

Santa
Derrick got to meet Santa last night. We went to see the Jolly Holiday Lights - a huge display put on each year to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation, and Santa was there, so D told him about the Rescue Heros Police car he wants. He was very excited!


Have a Great Weekend, All!

Worried

My dog, Pugsley, is getting up there in age. We don't know exactly how old he is because he was a rescue dog - he was dumped because he had been hit by a car and was all scarred up. He had a broken back leg that caused the joint to be malformed and that joint won't bend, so he wasn't "perfect" anymore. The vet guessed that he was about a year old when we got him, so that would make him about 9 now.

About a year ago, Pugsley's eyes started looking a little cloudy. The vet confirmed that cataracts were forming. Perhaps he was older than we thought? Who knows? Now, the cataracts have completely clouded his eyes and he is blind. I could get surgery to fix this for him, but the cost would be in excess of $1500 - money that I do not have. Despite being blind, his quality of life is pretty good and he is very loved. We're ok with the fact that he's blind, and thought that we should have several more years with Pugsley as he is otherwise a very healthy dog.

Now, I'm really wondering. Last night, as usual, I carried Pugs down the front stairs (he won't tackle them now that he's blind) and set him down in the front yard to "do his business" before bed. He sniffs around the front yard and comes back up onto the porch when he is done. I stepped inside for a minute and when I came back out, I could hear him snorting which was not unusual. He loves to flip over on his back and roll around in the grass.

It was dark, but I could make him out a little, wiggling around in the grass. It became clear quickly, however, that something was wrong. He was on his side, kicking his legs frantically, and snorting at a very rapid rate. I went to him, and saw that he was frothing at the mouth! He looked like he was having a seizure! I scooped him up and brought him in the house and he was kicking and snorting the entire time. I laid him on the floor and grabbed a towel to wrap him in, and he continued to seize for a few more minutes. When he came out of it he was panicked, anxiously trying to get away from me. I let him walk for a minute, and he was wandering around, looking very confused and bumping into things. He would not stop moving, and he was alternating between breathing very heavy and snorting. It took me nearly 30 minutes to get him to settle down.

After he settled down, I went to bed and laid there worrying for a long time about what I should do. I settled on the idea that I would take him straight to the vet in the morning. This morning, however, when we got up he was acting perfectly normal. I don't know if I should take him to the vet or just wait to see if it happens again. This is so scary - I don't want to lose him.

Please say a prayer or send some positive energy (whatever your thing is) for Pugsley as the road ahead could be a rough one. Thanks.

Ding a Ding Dang My Dang a Long Ling Long

"Soon I discovered that this rock thing was true
Jerry lee lewis was the devil
Jesus was an architect previous to his career as a prophet
All of a sudden, I found myself in love with the world
So there was only one thing that I could do
that's ding a ding dang my dang a long ling long"
-Ministry, Jesus Built My Hotrod

The Best Concert EVER
I've been to a LOT of concerts in my time...but the best of all (so far) was Lollapalooza 1992.

In Order of Appearance, If I recall correctly:
Jesus & Mary Chain
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Ice Cube
Ministry
Lush
Red Hot Chili Peppers
...all in one fabulous day!

I went to see the show in Minneapolis with one of the most wonderful guys I've ever known - Jason, affectionately known as JEK. We simply had a blast.

I wore my favorite black mini tankdress (oh how I miss that dress - I literally wore it out) with my black 12 hole Doc Martins. Cool and comfy, I was ready to kick some ass! I was able to sneak in a huge water bottle filled with blackberry Clearly Canadian and Vodka in my backpack (hee hee).

We managed to wiggle our way up close to the front, so we had a really good view. It was a very warm day, so soon we were quite damp. With all of the bouncing around, moshing and general jumping up and down, we were soaked by the time Pearl Jam came on. Oh, the joys of swimming in the musky scents of a hyped up crowd. LOL

All of the bands put on a terrific show and the sound was great. Members of some bands would come out and jam with the other bands, and it was just so cool. Chris Cornell from Soundgarden came out and sang with Pearl Jam. Flea came out and played with Soundgarden. Al Jourgensen from Ministry would come out on stage and talk to the crowd (and spray us down with hoses) as they were changing the stage between bands.

I'm not much of a rap fan, but Ice Cube did deliver a good performance. The funniest part was when he did Ice T's Cop Killer. All of the cops/guards were standing surrounding the crowd up on the track, somewhat above the crowd, looking disgusted. At Ice Cube's urging, the entire crowd continued to flip the circling helicopters off as they filmed the crowd. Put THAT on the evening news! LOL


Although all were good and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Chili Peppers kicked serious ass, my favorite performance of the day was Ministry. They had a simple stage setup, but Al's microphone stand was elaborately decorated with bones...so wild! You can see it in the pic. He also had a giant tricycle decorated in the same manner that he would ride around the stage. Crazy! One of the coolest parts was when they started to play "so what" - the beginning has a very deliberate, driving beat and the entire crowd began to jump straight up and down to the beat, in unison. It was so cool - I love it when the crowd moves as one like that.

Although, much to my chagrin, Jane's Addiction did not play, we did get to see Perry. He was dressed up in drag and served as a stage assistant for Jim Rose's Circus Sideshow! They put on a great show with Mr. Lifto picking up large bricks and such with various pierced parts, Matt the Tube, various contortionists and people eating light bulbs and jumping up and down on glass. I love sideshows. They are a freakin' riot. As a side note - If you ever get a chance to see the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus - GO! They are fabulous.

Jason and I wandered back to the campground and fell into our tent exhausted after the show was over. Damn, what a fine day it was!

Can't wait to see who is playing on Lollapalooza 2005.

True Confessions

I am a much happier camper today. My little psychological experiment worked! I felt depression coming on, pushing it's way into my psyche like a nasty little virus, so I just decided that I was NOT going to let it in. Instead of getting depressed, I got pissed. I stomped my feet, cursed, spit and jumped up and down and damn if felt good. After that, I felt much better and was able to go on with my day in a productive manner! Woo hoo! The power of exercising mind control on yourself...

Trashman, you may have been right, though...I did eat some crackers after my little tirade, so the carbs might have helped as well. ;)



And Now, for Something COMPLETELY Different:

A little sexy fun list for some shits and giggles. Thanks to Vader (who's surprised here?) for the list.

If you want to play:
1. Copy this whole list into your journal/blog.
2. Bold the things that are true about you.
3. Whatever you don't bold is false.

PART I

01. I've had sex in the past five minutes.
02. I enjoy oral sex.
03. I scream loudly during sex. (not often, though)
04. I love sleeping with more than two people.
05. I own at least two books about sex.
06. I've peeked into the locker room of the opposite sex.
07. I have taken money for sex.
08. I've had sex while under the influence of a controlled substance.
09. I've been in porn movies. (home ones)
10. I have been the odd person in a threesome.
11. I have published the sexual exploits of a past relationship without telling my ex.
12. I have lied to a lover about having an affair.
13. I have been told that I'm the best lover a person has ever had. (more than once)
14. I like and Respect Jenna Jameson.
15. I like slow sex.
16. I have learned a lot sexually over the past year.
17. I have a sexual fantasy about another blogger. (more than one)
18. I've been told I'm a great lover.
19. I carry a condom at all times.
20. I'm interested in trying suspension.
21. I've broken a bone while having sex.
22. I have had a wet dream that I am ashamed to reveal.
23. I have had sex in the rain.
24. I have had sex while someone else watched.
25. I would get plastic surgery if it would improve my sex life.
26. I would like to have sex right now!
27. I like to play with food.
28. I like sex that's hard and fast.
29. I always brush my teeth after sex.
30. I shave my pubic hair.
31. I have traveled out of town to have sex.
32. I have fantasized about having sex with my brother-in-law/sister-in-law.
33. I have had sex with a person from a country other than my own.
34. I dress to look sexy. (sometimes)
35. I have had sex with twins.
36. I have had sex with someone I met over the internet.
37. I have more than ten sex toys.
38. I like the way I look naked.
39. I have lied to get a person to have sex with me.
40. I change from one sex position to another in a specific order each time.
41. I saw my parents having sex.(gah!)
42. I get cable just for the soft porn.
43. I think legalized prostitution can reduce some crime.
44. I have a list of people I would like to see naked.
45. I am regularly tested for STDs.
46. I am one kinky bitch.
47. I'm always hungry after sex.
48. I enjoy phone sex.
49. I have been arrested for being naked in public.
50. I have had sloppy drunk sex with a stranger.

PART II

1. I have, either currently or in the past, gone over a year without sex.
2. I have a partially used tube of KY Jelly close to my bed. (does astro-glide count?)
3. I sometimes buy clothes specifically to turn people on.
4. I sleep with my socks on.
5. I have gotten someone drunk on purpose.
6. I set aside some time each day to surf porn online.
7. There are nude pictures of me somewhere on the Internet.
8. My family would FREAK if they read this list.
9. I can orgasm on command. (pffft...I wish!)
10. I have had sex standing up.
11. I have leather in my closet and I'm not afraid to wear it.
12. Given the opportunity, I would have sex with a porn star. (only a select few)
13. I know someone who needs a copy of "Sex for Dummies."
14. There is at least one extended family member (cousin, aunt, etc.) I would jump if we weren't related.
15. I think hose are sexy.
16. I think limited nudity should be allowed on television after 10:00 at night.
17. I like ribbed condoms.
18. I am pierced somewhere other than my ears or navel.
19. I have had sex in the shower.
20. My parents caught me having sex.
21. My child(ren) caught me masturbating. (thanks heavens the covers were pulled up!)
22. Watching other people have sex turns me on.
23. I own more than ten porn tapes/DVDs.
24. I have used a vegetable as a sex toy.
25. I enjoy reading erotic literature.
26. I can get wet/hard just by the sound of someone's voice.
27. I have used a sex swing. (but I really want to!)
28. I have employed the services of a professional sex worker.
29. I have a membership on at least one adult pay site.
30. I would give up another habit (smoking, drinking, over-eating) if it meant having more sex.
31. I would consider hiring someone to teach me about the finer points of sex.
32. Given the opportunity, I would appear in an adult magazine.
33. I think reality TV should show who's having sex with whom.
34. I get wet/hard just walking into a Victoria's Secret store.
35. I keep a "Top 5" list of famous people I would like to fuck.
36. I have participated in an orgy.
37. My current sex life is beyond boring.
38. I am actively looking for a new sex partner.
39. I do NOT think having sex always means making a long-term commitment.
40. I have at least one sex toy made of glass.
41. I think anti-pornography laws are too restrictive.
42. People would be surprised if they knew how often I think about sex.
43. I think 16 is a good age to begin having sex.
44. I have special names for my sex organs.
45. I have used sex to get what I want.
46. I think the world would be a better place if people had sex more often.
47. I think some public nudity should be legal.
48. I have at least one sex toy that is blue.
49. I think a blogger orgy would be ... interesting.
50. Just reading this list makes me horny

Hee hee...this was fun. I'm such a bad girl. *snicker snicker*

Angry

I'm not having a good morning. I can't really tell you why. I am just angry.

I just want to kick puppies, push down old little ladies, spike the hot cocoa with ex-lax and say bah fucking humbug. This is not like me, and it concerns me very much.

All I really want for Christmas is to get my car fixed so that I can get the hell out of Iowa.

I need a breath of fresh air.
I need a break.
I need someone who will treat me with respect.
I need to make more money.
I need to feel appreciated.
I need an antacid.
I need a happy pill.

I had a post up with some song lyrics that I just yanked down. I always feel lame for posting song lyrics, but sometimes they just express how I feel so damn well...

We'll see how many people I can alienate this time...how many will bail and avoid me because I'm not shiny, happy, bouncy and flirty. Some will see that I need a hand up, others will slowly back away. Please let them see and understand.

This anger and frustration - I know what comes after this, and I will do what I can to try to fight it off. It is a battle that I have fought and lost too many times. Perhaps I should seek medication.

Ahhhh...the downward spiral, just in time for the holidays.

Password

Work is busy busy, hence keeping me from being able to blog. *pout*

So, here is a joke for you...

A woman was helping her husband set up his computer, and at the appropriate point in the process, told him that he would now need to enter a password... Something he will use to log on.

The husband was in a rather amorous mood and figured he would try for the shock effect to bring this to his wife's attention. So, when the computer asked him to enter his password, he made very obvious to his wife that he was keying in...

P...

E...

N...

I...

S.


His wife fell off her chair laughing when the computer replied:


***PASSWORD REJECTED. NOT LONG ENOUGH***


Happy Friday all!

The Condition My Condition Was In

Hello world! Yes, I am alive and happy to be that way. It has been an extremely long and unpleasant holiday weekend chez Celti. We have been sick. Not just icky sicky…falling down, wish I were dead sick! Monday night I thought I was going to die. I think I would have felt better if I had died.

My wonderful son started out the Thanksgiving weekend by puking all over me in the recliner Thursday night. No warning – we were snuggling and watching TV and he just spewed. Sorry to be gross, but it’s one of the joys of parenthood, folks. I quickly parked him in front of the toilet, stripped myself of my vomit-soaked clothes and put something else on. He was done throwing up by then, laying on the bathroom floor. I stripped him of his befouled jammies, gave him a quick wash-off and got him it new jammies toute suite and put the poor little bugger to bed. He slept for a while, and then threw up all over his bed and pjs. I cleaned him up, cleaned up his bed, new sheets and blankets and back to sleep he went. We did this two more times before morning. Yeah, long night.

Thank heavens by morning the vomiting had stopped. He was feverish and lethargic. I pushed fluids and held him most of the day on the couch. By that night, you could tell he was starting to feel a little better. We took it easy and stayed in all day Saturday and by Saturday night, he was back to his chipper old self.

Sunday night, I started feeling a bit off...not really sick, just a generally unwell feeling. Monday morning, on the other hand, was a different story. When I arose my head was swimming and my stomach was cramping. I tried to psych myself out and convince myself that I was not getting sick despite the fact that I had to make several trips to the loo. Thinking that it wouldn’t look good to call in after a 4 day weekend, I decided to tough it out and go to work.

By the time I dropped Derrick off and got to work, I was feeling horrible. Gut wrenching cramps were doubling me over, and I had to make several more trips to the bathroom. I started to get that urping, gurgling feeling. OMG – I’m going to puke! Convinced that there was no way I was going to make it to the bathroom (it’s quite a walk) and not wanting to spew in the hall, I chose my friendly office garbage can. Since the dumbshit cleaning lady didn’t put a liner in, there was simply no nice way of cleaning up the mess. So...I put the little surprise package in her cleaning closet (today I have a liner. LOL)

I promptly told my boss that I was sick and had to leave and drove my soupy ass home – thankfully an uneventful and quick drive. I went straight to bed and didn’t move again until 5 (7 hours later). I got up when Chris and Derrick came home, moped around a bit and went back to bed at 7 for the night.

To make what is becoming a long post short, I haven’t been that sick in a long time. After 24 hours of excruciating waves of nausea and cramping and horrible body aches, I was no longer convinced that I was going to die. I sat like a quivering lump on the couch all day yesterday, wanting to eat something but so very afraid because everything I ingested (including water) made my stomach hurt so badly. I didn’t even blog on my new computer – that is how sick I was.

Despite having a stomach that is still a bit on the tender side, I am SO very happy to be feeling well again and happy to be back to the blog-o-sphere.

Just In Time

...for the four day weekend, I GOT MY NEW COMPUTER! woo hoo!

My old home PC is toast. After much porn surfing by the ex-roommate (a.k.a. spank monkey) it was extremely infected with spyware, adware and various other varieties of shit. Spank Monkey thought he'd try his hand at fixing it and completely buggered it up, rendering it useless. This was probably about 3 months ago. I've had two friends try to fix it and have tried myself. Having done tech support for a while, I know my way around a PC pretty well, but couldn't get anywhere on this boat anchor.

Last night, I purchased an HP Pavilion from a friend who no longer needs it because he got a kickin' laptop. It's only 2 months old, loaded with goodies, lots of hard drive space, shitloads of RAM, cd burner...the works. YAY! Now I just need to get hooked up with a DSL service and I'll be all set. I'm on dial up for now, just to get back on-line, but it isn't too bad. Hey, at least I can get on-line at home again.

What I am Thankful for this Thanksgiving
(...aside from friends and family, for whom I am always thankful.)

My new computer!

My job where I have access to kickass things like photo-quality printers, wide format, scanners, and I can surf the internet as much as I like as long as my work is caught up.

The South Beach diet for making me feel more in control, and physically and emotionally more confident.

My wonderful son, Derrick. He is the light of my life. Although he's been technically potty trained for a long time now, my little man wore underpants to bed last night for the first time and didn't wet. I am so proud of him.

My wonderful blog friends. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know so many funny, intelligent, nice people as I have through blogging. You guys are awesome.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! (Yes, even you Canadians, Australians...*grin*)

Service Interruption

Sorry for dropping off the face of the earth there, folks. I'm just going through some tough stuff right now, and haven't managed to come up with anything to post about. I didn't come to work yesterday - wasn't emotionally able to face the world until about 3pm. My computer at home still isn't working, but hopefully that will be remedied by the end of the week.

Take care all. I'll be back soon.

Johnny Mainline

We have a friend named John who is a methamphetamine addict. It is really hard to watch the daily rollercoaster ride that is his life.

John is a very creative, artistic and talented person and he is very intelligent. Unfortunatley, meth has a huge hold on him that has crippled him and prevented him from ever having any kind of success in his life...he is a slave to it. He tries and tries, but always ends up back on the shit.

John is like a little brother - you love him but just don't know what to do with him. He comes over when he is high, and can't sit still. He fidgets and looks through all of our stuff, just exploring - trying to keep his mind busy. It drives me nuts. I just want to sedate him so he'll sit down and relax.

John injects the meth - the most addictive and powerful way to do it. That's why we call him Johnny Mainline. He can shoot a quarter or half gram and be high for 3 days. He NEVER does it at our house - we won't allow it.

He arrives, by foot, in winter, beads of sweat on his brow when you greet him at the door. He draws and paints pictures on the basement walls and plays guitar, then draws more. We let him hang out because we know he doesn't have anywhere else to go but drug houses and we know that he comes to be with us to seek peace - it's a safe place for him. We treat him nice and try not to judge him. He almost always leaves a token of some kind - a pillow case, a jacket or sweat shirt...last time it was a little green glass bird.

I know that John is harmless. He never becomes violent or does anything stupid (besides the drugs, that is), but we do watch him closely nonetheless. He doesn't come around nearly as much now that Derrick is around, ashamed of himself I suppose.

I worry about John...a lot. I worry that one of these days we're going to hear that he's dead. He is only in his late 20s and his body is wearing out. If he doesn't have a stroke or his kidneys don't shut down, he could overdose or have a heart attack. We just try to be there for him when he seeks solace. It's really all we can do.

You see, I live in the one of the meth capitals of the world. Iowa is crawling with it. It's cheap and effective, easy to make and easy to get. There are so many people I know that have been hooked by it. It seems it is nearly impossible to get off of once a person gets hooked.

I lost my best friend to meth - no, she didn't die, but she's not my friend any more. She went through treatment 3 times without success, and then got so wrapped up in it that she ended up getting arrested as she and her boyfriend were cooking it. After 3 months in jail, 3 more months in in-house treatment and then a drug-court program where if she tests dirty she'll go to prison, she is finally clean. Her drug treatment taught her, however, that she can't be friends with anyone she was friends with when she was using - even if they don't use. Although she hugs me and tells me how much she loves and misses me when we run into each other, we are no longer friends. Sometimes I think it would almost have been easier (for me, anyway) if she had died. I miss you, Bee.

Tick Tock

Tuesday Tidbits

Pod Update
A lot of you have read here about my nieghbor, Pod. He's the Vietnam Vet who got drunk and fell off my front porch, ending up in the hospital. Well, I took Pod out to lunch on Veteran's day and I am happy to report that he is doing well. Pod hasn't had a drop of alcohol since that day. 36 days sober...that's a big thing for him. It seems that tumble off the porch was a bit of an eye opener for him.

Ebay Hilarity
Check out the latest treasure available on Ebay...

"You are bidding on three real frogs taxidermy doing it threesome style."
Availble for $22.95 strait from the Louisiana Bayou. Bwaaaaahahaha!

Baggy Pantz
The diet is still going very well. I am happy to report that I have lost.....(drumroll please)...28 Pounds! Woo Hoo! It has been tough, but way worth it. I am used to the restrictions now and they seem like second nature to a certain extent. I have been able to treat myself with splenda sweetened ice cream and ricotta chocolate mousse, so I don't feel deprived. It turns out, however, that my body requires more water to break down all of the proteins, so I was getting dehydrated. The skin on my fingers started peeling off! It was wierd. I have stepped up my water consumption, however, and now that has stopped.

I think it's getting to be about time to reward myself with a hot new outfit! I have already been shopping for new jammies for our Kansas City gathering - gotta have something fun to romp around with in the hotel with the girls. I'm thinking black so it doesn't show margarita stains...

Baby Chester
One of my favorite bands is Linkin Park. The other day, just fooling around, Derrick put on Daddy's glasses and, much to my surprise, he looked just like Chester, the lead singer of Linkin Park! Check it out...

No, I didn't have a secret, sordid affair with Chester and then give birth to his love-child. LOL (hmmmmm...)

Love Will Come to You

There are a lot of blogger friends out there right now that are lonely, hurting and searching for love. It is so sad that so many extraordinary people have this empty space in their hearts and can't find someone to help fill it. So, this post is dedicated to all of you. It is one of my favorite songs.

I think, particularly, of my evil twin, Aimee, when I hear this song. She is so deserving of love and it saddens me tremendously that she is alone. Sure, she has her wonderful daughter and a family that loves her and friends who love her, but I think you all know the kind of love we're talking about here.

For you, sweetheart (...and all of the rest - *big hugs* my friends)

Love Will Come to You

guess i wasn't the best one to ask
me myself with my face pressed
up against love's glass
to see the shiny toy i've been hoping for
the one i never could afford

the wide world spins and spits turmoil
and the nations toil for peace
but the paws of fear upon your chest
only love can soothe that beast
and my words are paper tigers
no match for the predators of pain inside her

i say love will come to you
hoping just because i spoke the words that they're true
as if i offered up a crystal ball to look through
where there is now one there will be two

i was born under the sign of cancer
like brushing cloth i smooth the wrinkles for an answer
i'm always closing my eyes and wishing i'm fine
(i close my eyes and wish you fine)
even though i know i'm not this time

i say love will come to you
hoping just because i spoke the words that they're true
as if i offered up a crystal ball to look through
where there is now one there will be two

dodging your memories - a field of knives
always on the outside looking in on other's lives

i say love will come to you
hoping just because i spoke the words that they're true
as if i offered up a crystal ball to look through
where there is now one there will be two

and i wish her insight to battle love's blindness
strength from the milk of human kindness
a safe place for all the pieces that scattered
learn to pretend there's more than love that matters

Gonna Be a Bear

In this life, I'm a woman.

In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear.

When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.

When you're a female bear, you birth your children (who are born the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. ...and he can deal with that.

Yup, gonna be a bear!

Lightening Crashes

I'm feeling sad today...sad, unmotivated, tired, uninspired. It's one of those days when you could just go back to bed and sleep the day away. How much simpler life is when I am asleep - no deadlines, obligations, responsibilities, bills to pay, meals to cook, shopping to do, messes to clean.

It reminds me of one of my favorite songs - Higher by Creed. The song talks about how he wishes he could make his real world just like his dreams.

I guess it's because I've been thinking about my friend, Grace.

(kleenex alert)

Songs affect me so deeply some times. Last night, on my way home from work, a song came on the radio that makes me cry every time I hear it. By the end of the song, I was sobbing. The song is called "Lighning Crashes" by Live.

lightning crashes, a new mother cries
her placenta falls to the floor
the angel opens her eyes
the confusion sets in
before the doctor can even close the door

lightning crashes, an old mother dies
her intentions fall to the floor
the angel closes her eyes
the confusion that was hers
belongs now, to the baby down the hall

oh now feel it comin' back again
like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind
forces pullin' from the center of the earth again
I can feel it.

lightning crashes, a new mother cries
this moment she's been waiting for
the angel opens her eyes
pale blue colored iris,
presents the circle
and puts the glory out to hide, hide

Although it doesn't mirror the situation exactly, this song came out right about the time that I lost my friend Grace. I always think of her when I hear it.

Grace was a coworker of mine years ago. We sat next to each other and became good friends. She married Curt - another coworker of ours and a wonderful guy. They were a great couple and not long after they were married, Grace became pregnant. They were so excited. When Grace was about 5 months pregnant, Curt was offered a great job in Phoenix, and they moved there. Grace and I continued to correspond via e-mail often.

Shortly before her due date, Grace started getting sick. She would vomit a lot and just felt terrible. One night, she was so sick that Curt took her to the ER. They told her that it's just part of being pregnant and to go home and deal with it. They heard the baby's heart beat that night, but the next morning she knew that something was wrong. She was still horribly sick and the baby had stopped moving.

To make a long story short, her baby, Mary, was still born that day via c-section and it was determined that Grace had a serious case of toxemia. Curt and Grace were crushed. They took pictures of her, planned for her burial and planned to take some time off together to help each other heal. The next morning, with Curt by her side, Grace died of an aortic aneurysm - almost literally a broken heart.

I'll never forget the moment when I was told. A mutual friend that I still worked with told me - at first I thought she was just telling me that the baby didn't make it. She quickly made it clear that Grace didn't make it either. It was like someone punched me in the stomach and I couldn't catch my breath for several seconds.

I couldn't make it to Grace and Mary's funeral. It was too far away and I had no vacation time, but my heart was there. They were buried together in the same casket, with Mary cradled in Grace's arms.

My heart still aches for Curt - it has been 10 years now. He lost his precious baby girl and his wife both within 24 hours. Last I heard he was doing ok. I hope he has found happiness.

Wow, this was hard to write about. This story reminds me how important it is to love those who are special to you and to show that love as much as you can now, as you never know when you will lose them.

I got a lotta Nothin'

My mind is a perplexing mess today...a million thoughts all bumping into each other "hey, watch it!" "oh, excuse me!" "what was that?" "What did she say?"

All of this political bickering and fighting in blog land is giving me a headache. It's not that I want to take the easy way out and avoid conflict. A big part of my wants to dive in and rip certain individuals to shreds while brandishing my tongue-sword in the denfense of kindred spirits while another part of my backs.away.slowly, not wanting to offend someone I care about, not wanting to come off like a bitch, not wanting to be attacked, wondering where my rock is so I can crawl underneath in the dark, humid safety of solace. If my mood is good, I want to maintain that if at all possible. It gets lonely under that rock.

There has been a lot of sexy talk going on today (and last night) and it is making me squirm in my chair. Another big part of my mind is taking the rest by the hand and bidding it follow to fantasy land - that vivid, sordid, hot and steamy realm where I can have my way with whom I want and everything goes perfectly. Heh heh...I'd better stop here on this thread...

The way that I can get inside my own head and create my own world, dream, fantasize is sometimes disturbing. There is so much noise yet it is completely silent on the outside. Is it like that for everyone? If I could type fast enough, I would attempt to document the stream of thoughts. Hmmm...maybe I'll try that...
This is an experiment people. Ok...here goes...

dang i know i'm not going to be able to type fast enough for this to work ow that bump on my gums hurts what the hell is that thing it's just a bump did something get stuck in there oh I like this song I need to get this album I'm getting hungry almost time for lunch what will I have can't be carbs damn i miss bread i want a sandwich had chicken yesterday nothing really in the fridge that's all protein getting sick of jerky and no more fucking eggs hey that itches oh well stick to it damn it you still have a lot to lose when should i buy new clothes not until you're done or you won't get to wear them long as they'll be baggy everything is baggy now deal with it it's in style anyway if you want to look like you have no ass that would be something new now wouldn't it you've always had a lot of junk in the trunk ha ha gotta get some new bras damnit stupid thing keeps riding up on my back tighten it a few notches dumbass wait you aren't going to have shit for a rack to be proud of dang why am i blogging i have work to do i'm gonna get busted would they fire me nah they love what I do too much at least my screen faces away from the door so they can't peek but it's on the firewall oh well Kevin doesn't give a shit unless i piss him off and don't do his stuff he's still on atkins i should watch some videos on launch.com no work stupid get your shit done and then you can play hope derrick is having a better day today don't know whether to tell him to kick killian's ass or tell on him why does he pick on him they're only 4 for god's sake summer's streaks in her hair look fucking ridiculous why does she do that damn she's tall.

Ok, that's enough. I was right...couldn't keep up. It's official. I'm crazy. Oh, well...that's ok. I'm comfortable with it. *chuckle chuckle*

Incredible

I had one of the best movie experiences I've ever had this weekend...

Central Iowa has a new mall - the Jordan Creek Town Center. This overdressed suburban behemoth is adorned with a brand spankin' new Century theeater - 20 Screens and more showtimes than you can shake a stick at (21 for just this movie each day).

The snack bar is incredible - anything you might want is most likely there. You can have pizza, ice cream (Edys), coffee (Starbucks), kettle corn...I was very impressed. I had an iced Mocha (yum! 1st one I've had in a month!).

The seats in the theaters are incredible, too. They are so soft, big and cushy. They recline and the arms flip up so you can turn them into a big, comfy couch. Wonderful!

The sound was awesome, the picture was awesome...Oh! Yeah, we saw "the Incredibles" and we loved it. It's a Pixar film (Toy Story, Nemo...) so I knew it would be good. Synopsis: Once one of the world's top masked crime fighters, Bob Parr--known to all as "Mr. Incredible"--fought evil and saved lives on a daily basis. But now fifteen years later, Bob and his wife--a famous superhero in her own right--have adopted civilian identities and retreated to the suburbs to live normal lives with their three kids. Now he's a clock-punching insurance claims adjuster fighting boredom and a bulging waistline. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top-secret assignment.

I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I will just say that I highly recommend the movie. Go see it.

What did you do this weekend?

All I Ever Need to Know

All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand box at nursery school.

These are the things I learned:
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw some and paint and sing and dance and play and work everyday.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out in the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why. We are like that.

And then remember that book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK! Everything you need to know is there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology, and politics and the sane living.

Think of what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

--- Robert Fulghum

Have a great weekend...and be nice to each other. *smooch*

Tattoo of the Day

Sunset

This is the sunset I was greeted with last night when I came out into the world...

It was breath-taking.

I hope the image is still big enough for you to make out the hundreds of huge black ravens in the tops of the trees. When my flash went off, they all took flight...

Foreboding

I try to abstain from political meanderings on my blog as politics often brings disagreement and alienation. I have friends who are Republican, and I respect their right to their own opinions and to choose for themselves. I can't, however, seem to focus on much more than the dread in my heart this morning.

I just read on MSNBC that Bush has 269 Electoral votes so far and that Kerry has 238. With 31 electoral votes still up in the air, Kerry could only reach 269 if he wins them ALL. The winner is supposed to have 270 to win. What happens if they tie at 269?

I also just heard (through the grapevine) that the Florida voting machines were jacked up (big surprise there) and that votes for Kerry were recorded as votes for Bush. WTF? Does anyone know anything about this? I googled it with several different key words and found nothing.

One of my friends stopped by last night. When I asked him if he'd voted yet, he informed me that he had not and didn't intend to. I asked why and he said that he wanted to vote for Nader, but that it was a waste of time. I tried and tried to convince him to go, but he would not. I lost a considerable amount of respect for him just then. I wonder how he feels today.

I got shit-faced last night as I watched the results come in, state after state turning red on the map (how's that for symbolism?). Regardless, I wobbled to bed at 10:30 with fear and dread in my heart. I awoke to affirmation. Although it isn't over officially yet, I anticipate with trepidation the song that the fat lady will sing.

Today is the Day, Cheeeldren!

Monday Morning Mind-Dump

There Are Real Hobbits (or were...)
So, the other day I heard this guy in the coffee shop yammering about something. I caught "they found real hobbits in Indonesia!". Huh? Turns out that some remains have been unearthed from tiny human beings who are being referred to as Homo Floresiensis - they are still examining and studying, but think that they lived around 13,000 years ago and were wiped out by a volcanic eruption. The Dastard has some information about it and some links for your perusal...

KC Count Down
10 weeks until our Kansas City Blogger Party! Woo hoo! So far, Kate the Peon, Pup, Aimee, Jamie and me are going to descend upon Kansas City the weekend of January 15. Pup is in big trouble, guys, so someone needs to come save him from all of these women...or maybe not! HA! Don't know what we're going to be doing, but I'm sure it will be fun!

Birthday Weekend
As most of you already know, I spent the weekend celebrating my son's birthday. I survived the Chuck E. Cheese party with 11 of his little friends. It was pandemonium, but went well.

Here is part of the group with Chuck. Some of them wore constumes, some did not. Derrick was a pirate (forgot to put the hat, eye patch and hook on before the pic) hence the dark eyes. He didn't want to go trick-or-treating because he wanted to go home and play with his new toys so badly. That's ok...I certainly don't need all of that candy around to tempt me.

Funny Kitties
Found this cute video over the weekend. My kid was squealing with delight as he played it over & over. It made me smile.

I Voted, Did You? (or Will YOU?)
I have already cast my vote for the upcoming election. I decided to do it via absentee ballott so I wouldn't have to worry about dragging a toddler to the polls. I've heard of a lot of places that have early polling places set up, but don't know of any around here. No I sit and wait, white knuckled, short of breath...

Cheater Cheater, Carb Eater!
I fell of the wagon a little this weekend on my diet. But hey...it was D's birthday AND halloween. How could I not? I had 2 slices of bread, a pumpkin cookie, a teeny helping of mashed potatoes, a mini peanut butter cup, a few bites of spaghetti...not really all that bad. I can still feel the pounds falling off and couldn't be happier about it. Today, I am wearing a pair of pants that I could not wear 1 month ago...too tight. They are even a little loose. *dance of joy*

Splash!
It makes me happy to run my car though big huge puddles in the street, sending water flying everywhere. Yeeeeaaaaaah.



Happy Monday, Friends!

Yes, Sir, He's My Baby...

Happy Birthday to my son, my love, my baby Derrick!

The D-Man is turning 4 years old today. I can't believe it. It seems like only a short time ago that he was born.

Derrick was born on Beggars Night and came home with us on Halloween - our little pumpkin. He was a very happy baby and never really looked like a newborn. The nurses said that if he would have been a turkey, his little thingy would have been popped out (not THAT thingy).

4 years ago right now, I was laying in a hospital bed, moaning and groaning. He was born at 2:25, so we were getting pretty close.

Tonight, we'll be celebrating by going out to eat with all of the family - his cousin's birthday is today, too, so we always get together. And, of course, he'll get to open some presents. Tomorrow, we're having a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's. Wish me luck, folks, as I'll be in charge of 10 little maniacs from age 3 to 6. Then, immediately following the party, beggars night begins so several of us will be going trick-or-treating together. I'll be lucky if the little bugger is in bed by midnight with all of that excitement and sugar. Sunday, we rest.

I think I got a little carried away on the birthday shopping this year. I guess that's what I get for starting early. I would buy things and shove them in the trunk of my car (best hiding place). When I got them out to wrap them last weekend, holy cow what a haul! I might have to save a few for Christmas...

Shrinkage

Although I haven't stepped on a scale since I did several days ago (and discovered that 10 pounds had disappeared in 10 days), I can tell it is still working. My freakin' jeans are falling off and they just came out of the dryer! Yeeeeeee! (yes, that's glee) Just call me baggy pantz...



There is a problem, though...I think my boobs are shrinking. I'm not so sure that I'm happy about that. Just a few months ago, I sprang for 4 really nice, quite expensive new bras. I put one of them on this morning, and it's too big. WTF? It needs to come off of my ASS, not there! Oh, the humanity!

Samhain

(October 31st -Nov 1st)
Also known as: Halloween, ShadowFest, Martinmas, Old Hallowmas
(Pronounced Sow-en)

The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God and knows that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is a time of reflection, a time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing" (divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life.



Samhain Celebration
Over the weekend, millions worldwide will adorn a witch’s hat, cape, and broom or some other outlandish garb, but how do real witches celebrate Halloween? And where did the holiday originate?

The basis of Halloween — or Samhain — goes back to the middle ages and before. The holiday is actually rooted in a harvest festival first celebrated in the fifth century B.C. by the Celts who lived in what are now Ireland, Britain, and northern France.

Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, for the Celts divided the year into two seasons: the light and the dark, at Beltane on May 1st and Samhain on November 1st. Samhain was the more important festival, marking the beginning of a whole new cycle, just as the Celtic day began at night. For it was understood that in dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings, the stirring of the seed below the ground. Whereas Beltane welcomes in the summer with joyous celebrations at dawn, the most magically potent time of this festival is November Eve, the night of October 31st, known today of course, as Halloween.

The Celtic summer officially ended on the last day of October and the New Year, called Samhain, began on the first of November. On the night between years, the Celts believed that on Oct. 31, Samhain eve, the veil between the living and the dead was lifted, and that spirits would search for living bodies to possess. To frighten the spirits away, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, making them frigid and unwelcoming, and dress up in ghoulish attire, noisily parading around town in an unruly and destructive manner.



Samhain literally means “summer's end.” In Scotland and Ireland, Halloween is known as Oíche Shamhna, while in Wales it is Nos Calan Gaeaf, the eve of the winter's calend, or first. With the rise of Christianity, Samhain was changed to Hallowmas, or All Saints' Day, to commemorate the souls of the blessed dead who had been canonized that year, so the night before became popularly known as Halloween, All Hallows Eve, or Hollantide. November 2nd became All Souls Day, when prayers were to be offered to the souls of all who the departed and those who were waiting in Purgatory for entry into Heaven. Throughout the centuries, pagan and Christian beliefs intertwine in a gallimaufry of celebrations from Oct 31st through November 5th, all of which appear both to challenge the ascendancy of the dark and to revel in its mystery.

One very common misconception about Halloween (and witchcraft in general) is that it is satanic. This is not so. In fact, witches do not even believe in satan or the devil. Witches are generally peace-loving, caring people who respect the earth and the people they share it with.

While doing a little searching around when writing this, I came across this story. It is about a Baptist minister who befriended a witch and attended a Samhain ritual. If only there were more ministers (or people of all religions, for that matter) like this - it would be a much more peaceful world.

Americanization of Halloween
Although Halloween has its origins in Celtic Britain, until recently the holiday was largely celebrated here in unison with Guy Fawkes Day — the Nov. 5 anniversary of a conspiracy to blow up the English Parliament and King James in 1605.

But, fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes have been overshadowed by the American tradition of dressing children up on Oct. 31 and sending them out to knock on doors for candy.

Communing with the Dead
While the modern American version of Halloween — which has recently been exported back to Britain — is a potluck of Celtic, Roman, and Christian tradition, heavily infused with its own commercial traits, practitioners of witchcraft relate more closely to the original celebration of Samhain.

It’s a time to honor the changing season, the dead, those who’ve passed who had a big impact on our lives.

So, dress up, have fun, but remember to take a few moments to reflect upon those who have passed on and what they have meant to us as well as the year that has passed and your goals for the coming year.

Halloween Apple Fun
Apple Magic
At the heart of the Celtic Otherworld grows an apple tree whose fruit has magical properties. Old sagas tell of heroes crossing the western sea to find this wondrous country, known in Ireland as Emhain Abhlach, (Evan Avlach) and in Britain, Avalon. At Samhain, the apple harvest is in, and old hearthside games, such as apple-bobbing, called apple-dookin’ in Scotland, reflect the journey across water to obtain the magic apple.

Dookin' for Apples
Place a large tub, preferably wooden, on the floor, and half fill it with water. Tumble in plenty of apples, and have one person stir them around vigorously with a long wooden spoon or rod of hazel, ash or any other sacred tree.
Each player takes their turn kneeling on the floor, trying to capture the apples with their teeth as they go bobbing around. Each gets three tries before the next person has a go. Best to wear old clothes for this one, and have a roaring fire nearby so you can dry off while eating your prize!
If you do manage to capture an apple, you might want to keep it for a divination ritual, such as this one:

The Apple and the Mirror
Before the stroke of midnight, sit in front of a mirror in a room lit only by one candle or the moon. Go into the silence, and ask a question. Cut the apple into nine pieces. With your back to the mirror, eat eight of the pieces, then throw the ninth over your left shoulder. Turn your head to look over the same shoulder, and you will see and in image or symbol in the mirror that will tell you your answer.
(When you look in the mirror, let your focus go "soft," and allow the patterns made by the moon or candlelight and shadows to suggest forms, symbols and other dreamlike images that speak to your intuition.)

Happy Halloween!

Saturday Afternoon Cooter Pie

I finally got to meet another blogger! Saturday afternoon, Cooter/Ang and I got together for some drinkity drinks.

What could have been a small disaster (aka my bad choice of bars) was diverted when we both managed to descend upon the small, unmarked, closed bar. She had forgotten the e-mail with my directions and phone number, I had forgotten to write down her cell phone number and had chosen a bar that didn't open until later in the day and did not happen to have the name of the bar on the front of the building (I had no idea)! Jeez! So, after discovering the bar closed, I parked my butt out in front and waited. Ang pulled up a short time later, walked to the front of the bar and proceeded to find it closed as well. I flagged her down and we moseyed on down the street to another place that I know about a block away.

First impression of Ang...much taller and cuter than I expected. I've only ever seen one picture of her (on Jay's party) and it doesn't do her justice. She is a cutie pie! She had herself all done up really cute (and here I was in my jeans and black t-shirt, hair all askew. woof) like she was meeting some cute guy for the first time. HEE HEE! I was kinda honored.

So, we picked a booth in the bar and proceeded to yack like we were old friends that hadn't seen each other for a long time...for hours. We laughed and talked about other bloggers & the blog world, my dog, her dog, nieces, nephews, men, my evil twin, my silly kid, bars, blog crushes, geneaology, old blueprints, spank monkey, men, birthin' babies, drag queens, our KC blogger slumber party coming up in Jan, men, sausage and so much more!

After a couple of margaritas, I just wanted to stay there and keep chatting, but Ang had a date with a very special sausage, so we had to break away. Can't wait to get together with her again. Thanks Cooter, I had a blast!

I Like my Butter Whipped

Well, my last post has gone to that great blog in the sky. Although I am angry and frustrated at myself for letting the actions of one person affect me to that degree, I know that I can get over it and move on.

To those of you that contributed your words of wisdom and affection, thank you for helping to whip me back into shape. You guys are the reason why I stick around this place and I love you. You know who you are.

Gawd, I am such a dork.



So, to provide further proof of what a dork I am, I will proceed with the post that I had planned on doing today.

Celti Trivia

I am a strange character...really, you have no idea. I have done some really wierd things. Some of them are impressive, some are not, some are just very odd...

 I used to be a work-out freak. I lifted weights - seriously. At one point I was able to bench-press 200lbs. I was a landscaper at the time, and had no problems tossing railroad ties and river rock around.

 One time, my first time visiting the Mediterranean Sea, I thought it would be a cool idea to float around on a raft. The waves gently rocked me to sleep and I got one of the worst sunburns I've ever had. You see, I wan't wearing a swimsuit top, and my hooters had never seen the sun before that day. They were as red as lobsters and I couldn't wear a bra for a week.

 I have a strange fascination with death and the dead. I spent LOTS of time in the Catacombs of Paris examining the bones and I am very familiar with our local grave yards.

 I used to work as a clown, delivering balloon bouquets and singing to people for various occasions.

 Other jobs I've held:
Delicatessen/Catering worker
Domino's pizza delivery person
Landscaper/Grounds keeper
horticulturist growing poinsettias
gourmet coffee service representative
technical support for an internet service provider
marketing assistant for office equipment firm

I have never been fired from a job.

 I am an animal lover. In the last several years, I have been the proud pet-parent to a rabbit, several snakes, a very large Savannah Monitor lizard, several dogs, several cats and fish. I now, however, have trimmed my zoo down to one dog, one cat, and one snake.

 My Hair - it's gone through many transformations.
I was born blonde (no blonde jokes, damn it!)
I dyed black stripes in it
I dyed it completely black
I dyed it auburn
I dyed it bright red
I went back to blonde
I was the first person at my high school to have a rat tail
At one point, I had my hair long in the back, short and spiked on the top and completely shaved on the sides above and behind my ears. Yes, I confess to having had a bull-dyke mullet from hell. Hey, it was the thing in 1984!

I'll have a Sammich without the Bun

I have a big announcement for my diet support group...

I HAVE LOST 10 POUNDS IN 10 DAYS!

The South Beach diet is working, folks. I am sooooooo excited. The cravings have gone away, and I'm getting used to it, so it should be smooth sailing now. I still miss and long for bread, but it's worth it...every damn pound of it! Weight loss has never been an easy thing for me, so I am so happy to have found something that works.

Thanks so much for all of the encouragement you guys have provided (it worked!) and keep it coming, peeps! Love ya!

Take My Hand

Touch my skin,and tell me what you're thinking
Take my hand and show me where we're going
Lie down next to me, look into my eyes
and tell me, oh tell me what you're seeing

Sit on top of the world and tell me how you're feeling
What you feel now is what I feel for you
Take my hand and if I'm lying to you
I'll always be alone
If I'm lying to you

See my eyes, they carry your reflection
Watch my lips and hear the words I'm telling
Give your trust to me and look into my heart
and show me, show me what you're doing

Sit on top of the world and tell me how you're feeling
What you feel now is what I feel for you

Take my hand and if I'm lying to you
I'll always be alone
If I'm lying to you

Take your time, if I'm lying to you
I know you'll find that you believe me
You believe me

Feel the sun on your face and tell me what you're thinking
Catch the snow on your tongue and show me how it tastes

Take my hand and if I'm lying to you
I'll always be alone
If I'm lying to you

Take your time, if I'm lying to you
I know you'll find that you believe me
You believe me

Hit & Run Celti

Sorry for the lack of updates, folks. I have been busier than...well, very busy at work. Since I have no internet access at home (thanks, John), work is the only place I can blog. Yeah, it sucks.

So, I thought that, perhaps, I could amuse you with some things that have recently caught my attention:

Disturbing Ebay Auctions - It's amazing what some people will put up for sale on Ebay. Some of these are a riot! Be sure to check out "does-your-kid-suck" and "need-wood"

Black Box Voting - Rest assured that this election could make 2000's look like cake.

Our "Terror Alert" System - what it REALLY is all about.

Team America - Putting the F back in freedom

Beef

In honor of my dieting efforts, protein crazed stupor, carb deprived insantiy ensues...



Eat steak, eat steak eat a big ol' steer
Eat steak, eat steak do we have one dear?
Eat beef, eat beef it's a mighty good food
It's a grade A meal when I'm in the mood.

Cowpokes'll come from a near and far
When you throw a few rib-eyes on the fire
Roberto Duran ate two before a fight
'Cause it gave a lot of mighty men a lot of mighty might

Eat steak, eat steak eat a big ol' steer
Eat steak, eat steak do we have one here?
Eat beef, eat beef it's a mighty good food
It's a grade A meal when I'm in the mood.

Eat meat, eat meat, filet mignon
Eat meat, eat meat, eat it all day long
Eat a few T-bones till you get your fill
Eat a new york cut, hot off the grill

Eat steak, eat steak eat a big ol' steer
Eat steak, eat steak do we have one dear?
Eat beef, eat beef it's a mighty good food
It's a grade A meal when I'm in the mood.

Eat a cow, eat a cow 'cuase it's good for you
Eat a cow, eat a cow it's the thing that goes "Mooooo"

Saw a big Angus Steer standing right over there
So I rustled up a fire cooked him medium rare
Bar-B-Q'ed his brisket, a roasted his rump
Fed my dog that ol' Angus Steer's hump

Eat steak, eat steak eat a big ol' steer
Eat steak, eat steak do we have one dear?
Eat beef, eat beef it's a mighty good food
It's a grade A meal when I'm in the mood

Eat a cow, eat a cow 'cuase it's good for you
Eat a cow, eat a cow it's the thing that goes "Mooooo"

WHAT IS 100%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this:

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these
questions.
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%

AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, you can then conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, Bullshit and Ass Kissing will put you over the top.

Muuuuuaaaahahah! Have a wonderful Friday, peeps!

Healing, Withdrawl & The Wonder of a Child's Mind

It's been a looong weekend.

What was to be a weekend filled with fun and Ren Faire glee went to hell in a handbasket when my little man came down with a nasty bug. We had a great day geocaching on Saturday, but Sunday it was apparent that he wasn't right. He was kind of moping around, not very energetic, and wanted to take a nap after lunch which is NOT like him. When he woke up, he was hot with fever.

So the rest of my weekend (and Monday) was spent with a clinging, needy, sick child. I love the fact that he is so snuggly when he is sick, but he doesn't want to let me out of his sight, which is frustrating.

During the times when ibuprofen had relieved his symptoms, however, we had a lot of fun. He has such a vivid imagination! We played with is pirate ship and accessories, played hide and seek and watched his batman movie entirely too many times.


This is me at approximately age 4. It was taken by my grandmother and I found it this weekend as I pawed through a huge box of keepsakes I got when she passed away. I would expect that it was taken on one of my extended visits. I would go and spend weeks at a time at her house when I was a child. Those are some of my most cherished memories, though I don't recall the story behind this picture. In the little bucket that I am holding, there is something that appears to be moss. I had obviously been digging as my face is quite grubby. I wonder what was up with the moss in the bucket. I wonder why I was wrinking up my chin like that.

It is astounding to me how much this picture looks like my son.

Pod Update
Pod is healing up nicely. He looks more like someone beat him up than having fallen down the stairs. (See a couple of posts down if you're asking yourself "who is Pod?")


You can see, in the first frame, the injuries from the first tumble. Note the top of his head - I think that is where he landed. In the second frame are injuries from the second dive. I'm pretty sure he landed on his ear that time, and you can see from the third frame that his ear didn't fare too well. He damn near ripped his ear off and broke the bottom stair in the process. I am happy to report that he hasn't set another foot on the porch and, as far as I know, has been sober since.

Scat, You Nasty Monkey!
Due to my son's illness and spank man's sabotage of my computer, I have been without internet for nearly 4 days. Yes, I will admit there was a bit of withdrawl going on. However, that is not the only Monkey I've been fighting with...

I'm not getting any younger (or thinner) so I decided it's time to see about trying to rediscover sveltie Celti. I started the South Beach Diet yesterday. It basically detoxes your body and then "retrains" it on how to process carbs correctly. For the first two weeks, I am to have as few carbs as possible...little to none is ideal. This means no bread, no rice, no pasta, no potatoes, no corn, no sugar, and no fruit. I thought this would be no sweat. The book talks about the cravings you will have - nah, not me! I love fresh veggies and cheese - I'll do fine. I have been eating veggies, cheese stuffed celery, beef jerky, string cheese...

All was going quite well until a trip to the grocery store yesterday. John and I went to get meat to smoke more jerky. We were walking along talking when all of the sudden I stop and look around. I was surrounded by pop tarts, granola bars, Little Debbie snacks and cereal! I squealed "get me out this aisle!" and ran. He was laughing his ass off! It was like all of those carb filled goodies were closing in on me. Yipes!

Since then, I have been craving like crazy. I want sugar, bread, baked goods. I had no idea how hooked I was on this crap. The book says the craving only lasts a few days and it's been nearly 48 hours now. My, what a test of will-power this has been! Wish me luck, people, I'm going to need it!

Anyone for some beef jerky?

Pod Person Head Over Heels

**UPDATED - SEE BELOW**

My neighbor is quite a character. His name is Podreberac but he goes by "pod". He is a Vietnam vet. I've talked about Pod before, but have to tell you about last night.

Pod got pretty trashed last night. You see, he and John (yeah, he's still there) thought it would be a good idea to tandem dive to the bottom of a bottle of rum. He hung out on our porch, as he often does, enjoying the conversation and friendly atmosphere that he can't find at home.

Derrick and I went to the video rental place to pick up some fresh flicks, Chris was jamming to some CCR and Pod was alone on the porch. Chris heard someone yelling for help, so he went outside to find Pod at the bottom of the stairs, trying to get up. He asked "did you fall down the stairs" and Pod replied "yeah, where the hell are my glasses?" John came to the rescue with a flashlight and they found his glasses, hauled him back up on the porch and sat him down.

When D and I got home, I heard Chris saying something about the nurse being a blonde. Huh? I was informed that Pod had had a great fall down the porch stairs. I went out to check him out and he had, indeed - Pod fell down and broke his crown. He had blood running down his face out from under his ball cap (Navy, of course). I asked him to come inside so I could see to patch him up. He insisted he wasn't hurt. After a considerable amount of coaxing and him refusing, I pointed out to him that he must have hit his head hard if he is passing up on a chance to have me dote over him. That got him moving. You see...Pod has a big crush on me and doesn't hide it.

He came into the kitchen and proceeded to miss the chair and land on the floor. Dear Lord. I picked him up, put him in the chair, removed his hat and assessed the damage. Yep, crashed and burned. He had abrasions high on his forehead with a gash, nasty abrasions on his cheek with a gash and an ugly gash in his eyebrow. I gathered up my supplies and went to work.

As I cleaned his wounds (removing a rock or two) with peroxide, he kept insisting that he wasn't hurt - seriously reminded of the Monty Python episode where the chap keeps insisting "it's just a flesh wound!" while limbs were being hacked off. Cement and skin just don't go together very well. He wasn't a very cooperative patient - kept looking at me instead of at the light where I needed him to look, kept trying to hug me, and kept dropping f-bombs (not allowed in my house - little ears!).

"Celti, I'm not hurt! Don't worry about me!" (It's just a flesh wound...)
"yes, you are...see the blood?" - show him blood on tissue
"did I really hurt myself?"
"Yes. Look at the light!"
"I need my fuckin' glasses"
"Hey, watch the f-bombs, look at the light!"
"you're so sweet"
"Stop hugging me!"
"I'm not hurt"
"hush"
"awww, fuck"
"Dangit, watch the f-bombs!"
Jab "Did that hurt"
"no"
"Dang, you aren't feeling any pain, are you?"
"nope"
"stop trying to hug me."
"I don't need bandages"
"Yes, you do. Hold still and look at the light"
"You're too good to me. I need a hug."
"Look at the light, damn it! I'll give you a hug when I'm done, okay?"
"Cool. Johnny, did I really hurt myself?"
"Yes, dude, you crashed and burned, man."
"Fuck"
"Pod, one more f-bomb and I'm going to kick your ass when I get done patching you up!"

I applied triple-antibiotic ointment and got him all patched up - had to use bandaids to stick the gauze pads on because I couldn't find the tape. Chris suggested duct tape, but I though better of it - not that Pod would care. I put his glasses and his hat back on, and gave him a great big hug.

"I'm sorry that you got hurt, Pod"
"I'm not hurt."
"aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgh!"

I bet he was a hurtin' unit this morning.

***

I have a picture of Pod somewhere...can't find it, though. I'll take some pictures of his banged-up melon tonight and post them tomorrow.

UPDATE 10/7

Sorry folks, no pictures of the banged-up melon as I arrived home about 20 minutes too late.

Pod came over again yesterday as soon as Chris got home. He was already schnockered and said that he had been drinking all day. I have noticed that Pod has seemed a little unstable lately - a little less sure on his feet and wobbly. I think maybe his meds are out of whack or something.

So, even though he was told that he was now banned from the front porch, that's where he landed when he came over yesterday. You see, my porch is 6' off the ground, about 7 or 8 steps down to a plateau and then there are about 20 more steps to the street. Our front yard is, esentially, a big hill with terraces and stairs.

Very soon after his arrival, a neighbor came by on the sidewalk and stopped to say Hi to the porch-sitters, a common thing. Pod rose from his chair to greet him, and proceeded to, again, take a header down the stairs. This time, however, it was much worse - he took a large planter with him (oy! my plants!) and broke the bottom stair on his way down, completely knocking himself out!

HOLY SHIT! Chris, John, the neighbors, everyone saw it happen. He was out cold, bleeding from various new wounds and Chris said he thought he was dead. All the kings men could not put Pod back together again, so 911 was called. I arrived home to find an ambulance, a fire truck, and a police car completely blocking off the street in front of my house and a crowd at the top of the stairs.

I had to park in the neighbor's driveway, and came up the stairs to see the paramedics surrounding Pod, who was sitting on the stairs dazed and bleeding. "Pod, I told you to stay off the front porch, especially when you've been drinking!" The cop looked at me, confused, and I said "Hi, I live here."

The paramedics determined that he was ok, although quite inebriated, but he did need stitches in his ear. They helped him down the stairs and into the ambulance and took him away to get stitches. He didn't call for a ride home, so we are hoping that they put him in treatment or at least detox.

Oy Vey!

RIP Rodney Dangerfield

Comic legend Rodney Dangerfield has died.

His publicist says Dangerfield died at a Los Angeles hospital Tuesday. He had been in the hospital since an Aug. 25 operation to replace a heart valve.

After the surgery six weeks agao, Dangerfield had a small stroke and developed an infection along with abdominal complications -- and slipped into a coma. But in the past week he had emerged from the coma. His wife, Joan, said, "When Rodney emerged, he kissed me, squeezed my hand and smiled for his doctors."

Dangerfield rose to stardom in clubs, television and movies with his self-deprecating humor. He made his famous lament "I don't get no respect" a catchphrase.

I respect you, Rodney. Rest in peace.

Autumnal Musings

I love Autumn. It is, by far, my favorite season.

I love the way that you can put on a big fat sweater or sweatshirt and jeans and run around outside and not die of heat exhaustion. Bring on the football! Let's jump in some piles of leaves, cover ourselves up and just be silly!

I love how mother nature takes out her palette and paints the world such wonderful colors. As we tromped through the forest this past weekend on a geocaching adventure, my son commented on the beautiful colors and we named them - purple, pink, orange, yellow, brown, green and red.

I love the crisp air. It is so awesome how you can take a deep, full breath and have it feel like menthol, opening up your lungs.

Autumn is such a fun time - a time of anticipation. It starts with the relief from the nasty summer heat which quickly leads to my baby's birthday. He'll be 4 this year. My baby isn't a baby any more (but he'll always be MY baby). He was born on beggars night and came home on Halloween - our little pumpkin. Then, we get Halloween, of course, then Thanksgiving and then Christmas - fun, fun, fun.



Mother nature uses this special time to prepare for winter's slumber. I can feel the subdued excitement in the air just like how I feel when I've had a long, full, rewarding day and now I am so tired - I know that, very soon, I will be able to snuggle up under the wonderful quilts grandma lovingly made and go to sleep.

Sweet Dreams!

Duality

I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache

I am fucking driving myself crazy. I don't think I can live like this any more. I have no control over my home life and I refuse to continue to allow these assholes to take advantage of me.

But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it works it's way inside
If the pain goes on...

I am not their fucking maid. I refuse to allow my child to live in a pig-sty, so I am forced to clean up their shit. I do it for him and for me. I seriously want to just take Derrick and leave, but the only place I have to go is his mother's house. He knows that's where I would be - where else? I can't go to my parents' place because it's too far and I can't sacrifice my job. And, of course, I would have to explain what is going on...

I have screamed until my veins collapsed
I've waited as my time's elapsed
Now, All I do is live with so much hate

I feel so trapped. What the hell happened to the wonderful man I met 10 years ago? It's almost like aliens abducted him and replaced him with this drinking, smoking, selfish shell of a man.

I've wished for this, I've bitched at that
I've left behind this little fact:
You cannot kill what you did not create

I feel betrayed. It's like he couldn't keep a promise he makes to me if he tried. I am so tired of being constantly disappointed. He is the father of my child, so it isn't right to take Derrick away and start over. I can't do that to Derrick. He loves his daddy and it would break his heart if I took him away.

I've gotta say what I've gotta say
And then I swear I'll go away
But I can't promise you'll enjoy the noise

He acts like he's listening when I try to talk about our problems, but it's like he forgets 10 minutes later. Things have gotten so far out of control, that I am not sure talking about it is even worth the breath now. He thinks all I am doing is bitching or he turns it around on himself and just says that it's because he sucks and isn't worthy of me. Damn it, that isn't what I want to hear! BE worth it! Live up to it! Fuck, if I didn't think you could do it I wouldn't still be here!

I guess I'll save the best for last
My future seems like one big past
You're left with me 'cause you left me no choice

Fuck, I don't know what to do. It's my house, god damn it. I can't even buy ingredients for a meal a few days ahead of time - I go to make the meal and half of the shit I bought to make it is gone. I buy granola bars and fruit for Derrick, and Derrick doesn't get any. There is no peace.

I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
If the pain goes on,
I'm not gonna make it!

The first thing I need to do is kick John the hell out. Maybe, if he left, Chris would start "behaving himself" again when not surrounded by his bad influence. After all, he is the one that brings the booze into the house. He says that having John there stresses him out, and he doesn't handle stress well at all. With that source of stress eliminated, we can work on the other issues and the mountain won't seem so insurmountable.

Put me back together
or separate the skin from bone
Leave me all the Pieces, then you can leave me alone
Tell me the reality is better than the dream
But I found out the hard way,
Nothing is what it seems!

It all boils down to the fact that things have got to change. It needs to happen quickly or I won't be able to maintain the shreds of sanity that I have left. Run or stay? Crumble or continue to stand up and fight although it hurts so bad that it has made me physically ill?

I push my fingers into my eyes
It's the only thing that slowly stops the ache
But it's made of all the things I have to take
Jesus, it never ends, it pushed it's way inside
If the pain goes on,
I'm not gonna make it!

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

Sad, Scary World

The offices of the Des Moines Register were shut down today because of a suspicious package that was opened in their mail room. I have heard conflicting information regarding it's contents - a white powder, a brown substance. Employees have been quaranteened, there are men in Hazmat suits, National Guard, Police, Firefighters, Secret Service and FBI agents everywhere.


Mount St. Helens in Washington State is erupting.


Richard Avedon passed away today.

RIP Richard.