Lisping (or is it Lithping?)

Note: anyone wearing obvious dentures should not attempt to say "sisyphus" into a microphone. I don't care how "cute" and "funny" that little animation is in your PowerPoint presentation.

Update on things

My hubby has mostly finished with his papers. One was on teaching evolution in schools - something he is pretty passionate about. Another was his German paper which was a review of "Run, Lola, Run". That one meant we had to rent the movie and see it again. Fine by me, I loved that movie. So much anger and desperation and love. The third paper is for his mathematical writing class. Not sure what that one is about - but he looks really smart when he's writing it. He has a cool program that is sort of like programming the math and then it publishes it to another document all formatted and sexy. I should be a technical writer.

Things are a bit tense at work. I don't usually talk about work, but it's been stressing me out. So if I seem stressed - it's work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, I love my boss. It is some coworkers who are bickering and it's very tiring when you sit near them. I'm working on the style guide for our behemoth of a website and I'm trying to sink into my coding cave to avoid listening to them. It's working about 35% of the time. I'm stuck a bit with the website guide at the moment. I'm trying to only code the site in html (xhtml) and css - okay, and a tiny bit of javascript. Which is fine by me - makes it much easier than it is now. But my boss really likes dropdowns. And I've found some css dropdown examples but they seem to assume you have a newer browser. And when looking at our site's statistics, about 40% of the people visiting the site use Netscape 4.x. Ugh! When did that even come out? Years ago. Upgrade, people! My only consolation is that every website looks like crap to them.

Yeah, lots of blah, blah and blah. But if you've read this far and have any suggestions for other sites that use clean css for dropdowns, let me know.

Okay, more later.

Drywall Mania

As mentioned earlier, we spent most of this weekend putting up drywall in my brother's basement. Since he wasn't there and my sister-in-law hurt her wrists, my hubby and I went over to help. I tell you, it is very empowering to put up drywall. I can't wait to have a house. All I will do all day is put up drywall and tear it down.

Me, with plaster streaming down on me as I use a router to trim the edge of drywall above me. Yes, I was wearing goggles. I really should have been wearing a mask. Let this be a lesson to all of you. ALWAYS wear a mask. Also, don't get a facial the day before you start installing drywall. Which I did.

Here is my hubby checking to see if he wired everything correctly. Don't worry, the power was off to that wire. The funny thing was, the flash went off from my camera and he jumped about 10 feet. He thought it was the wire.

Here is my brother's cat, Poco. Named because he was found in Pocatello, ID. He's a tiger/siamese mix. Very cute, very cross-eyed.

Weekend

We spent most of this weekend putting up drywall at my brother's house. He was actually out of town, so we were helping his wife and her father. They are redoing the basement in their condo to make it a more liveable space. It was dirty, hard work, but actually quite fun and interesting. And I've discovered I'm quite good at it. Her dad has a reputation for being kind of a jerk when he's working on projects. But he was fine with my hubby and he was fine with me. Maybe he was cool to me because I kicked his ass at "Oh Hell" the night before and I earned a bit of respect. I'll have to post pictures when I have a chance. My hubby is in the midst of writing two papers for school, so I may not have the opportunity to get back on here until later this week.

And while the weather was great this weekend - it is now pouring outside. Good thing I'm just going to sit at a desk all day. Have a lovely couple of days. More later.

Foot Farting

Today I wore my comfy sneaker pumps to work and, while I love them, they make my feet sweaty. And then, when I walk around, my feet make little squeaky farting noises. So I try to walk to avoid my feet making the little squeaky farting noises and I’m sure I end up looking ridiculous. Whereas people may have heard the farting as I walked, they now think I’ve got something stuck up my butt. No, I was not wearing tights. Yes, my feet still fart when I wear tights.

I also observed that I’m more noticeable when I wear a dress. I tend to wear pants – or "slacks" as they call them here. Today I wore a long, not-sure-how-to-describe-it dress. Buttons up the front, collar, navy slip dress underneath and navy print with small white flowers. And I received so many compliments. Never mind the farting feet – people went out of their way to say I looked pretty today. And how do I look on all other days? It is a pretty dress, but I mean, people actually stopped me in the hall. Still doesn’t make me want to wear dresses every day. Too much sucking my gut in, walking funny to avoid foot farts, hyper conscious of whether anyone can see through my skirt, etc. I prefer pants with a nice sweater. I was going to say: “blouse” – but who am I kidding? I don’t wear blouses.

My new dentist is a little quacky. Or maybe quirky and odd. "Call me Elliot!" he shouted today. He’s short, big bellied, a small head with Spock-like ears. Has obviously spent too much time in the sun. He’s probably around 60-65, but the sun damage makes it hard to be sure. Makes you feel like he’s telling you things in confidence. None of these are bad things, don’t get me wrong, he just took me aback. He came out into the waiting room and sat next to me to tell me how the implant I have in my mouth is “gorgeous, just gorgeous.” And that "he’s on my case" and "he’s looking under every stone" for ideas as to why it might be infected. The antibiotics are still doing a number on me. I just took my third one for the day and I’m waiting for the dizziness to hit. Oh, there it is. Hello dizziness, my old friend.

Thursday

Sorry I've been away. My hubs is in the midst of writing a couple of math papers and has been monopolizing the computer at home. And since I can't blog from work... Here's a brief recap: one of my favorite coworkers gave his notice on Monday. I'm sad. One of my front teeth is actually an implant. And it may be infected. The new dentist I met with yesterday put me on some extreme antibiotics and I'm wiped out already. It's only day one. We've had beautiful weather, but it means the bugs are waking up. My windshield is already covered with suicidal bugs. And we're out of washer fluid and trash bags and cat litter and dishwasher detergent. And now I've got to go and get ready for work.

Did anyone watch the O.C. last night? What was up with Julie's sister's lip? Was that collagen injections gone wrong? Yuck.

Weekend

Gorgeous weather this weekend! It has actually cracked 70 around here and is supposed to be over 80 on Monday! Too bad I can't fit into my summer clothes yet. Well, I can "fit" into them, but it is not a pretty picture. I'm working on it, though. I have been working out at the gym for the last month + 1/2 and I'm now up to at least 4 hours of cardio a week. And then I alternate weights on arms and legs every day - so one day all arms, the next all legs. I'm definitely seeing muscle, I just need to lose a couple of inches. I don't want to get all crazy and go on an extreme diet - I'd like to lose weight and be able to easily keep it off.

In other news, we went to see Kill Bill Vol. 2 yesterday. Excellent movie. Very campy in parts, but I love how Tarantino adds surprises and clever scenes and dialogue. Uma was gorgeous, Daryl Hannah was great, the chemistry between David Carradine and Uma was great. Nice follow-up to the first movie. The first one was definitely his Hong Kong homage and this one is more of a western. Too bad my hubby went to see it on Friday with his buddies. And then intended to not tell me he had already seen it. Even though he knew how much I was looking forward to seeing it this very weekend. How did I find out that he went? By merely looking on the kitchen counter and finding his movie stub! I'm happy he's met people at the university, but they don't seem to understand that we are married and that that means something. You don't convince your friend to sneak around behind his wife's back. That will only cause major problems for you and for your friend. And you do not want to piss me off.

I'm going to be participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this year. My company has put a team together. The relay is basically that you have to walk for 24 hours - taking turns among team members. We also have to raise at least $100 in sponsorships each. So we are having raffles and bake sales in addition to trying to raise our individual sponsorships. I'm all for this charity and I think it is a very worthwhile cause. But I think it would cost me a lot less if I don't participate next year. So far, I have had to provide items for 2 bake sales (3 if you count tomorrow), items for the raffle baskets and then try to hit up everyone I know for donations. I'm very bad at hitting people up for money. I used to be great at it. As a kid, I was always the top magazine/candy/wreath salesman. Now, I just can't seem to ask people. Plus, I don't know as many people out here yet, other than my family. The reason I brought it up is that I'm in the midst of making cupcakes for tomorrow's bake sale. And I love baking, but it is time-consuming and the ingredients add up. And I can't just bring myself to make boring cookies. I have a reputation to keep. So I'm making burnt butter cupcakes with vanilla frosting and white chocolate decorations on top.

Ooh, oven's ringing. Gotta go.

UPDATE: here are photos of the finished product:

Cupcake Cluster

Closeup #1

Closeup #2

Apprentice

Blah blah blah – enough with the recap. Are they trying to fill the whole hour?

I’m getting the feeling that Bill wins. He seems more “Trump” than Kwame.

When is Jessica Simpson not confused? The “biggest rock star in the country”? Omarosa is on crack. And she has her head up her ass.

Frost delay at the golf club because the grass might crack – and then someone is out there mowing the greens? WTF?

The Marquis Jet sign was thrown out? Yeah, that sign was in the trash on purpose.

Omarosa couldn’t handle the breakfast? And then Troy didn’t follow up on the time, etc.? Kwame is really being hurt by his team. He really needs to take charge. What has Heidi been doing all this time? I agree with Kwame on not liking the micromanaging style. I hate that.

I love how Trump saunters into the golf club. And Bill isn’t there to greet him.

“Fired like a dog”? What does that mean, Donald?

I missed the Heidi stressing out part. I was in another room trying to put peanuts down my hubby’s pants.

Bill – you really don’t seem to be handling the pressure very well. You seem to be freaking out. And you are ostracizing your team.

It’s interesting – Kwame’s too laid back and his team needs (wants) micromanaging. Bill’s too micromanaging and his team needs (wants) him to be more laid back. I wonder how they would have managed the opposite teams?

I love how Omarosa snuck Jessica out of the room as soon as she heard Trump was on the way.

Trump is goading Kwame to produce Jessica. And Omarosa is ruining Kwame’s chances here. How do you manage someone like her?

And then Omarosa is in Jessica’s suite wearing hats, etc.? She’s psycho.

Um, Kwame? O. is not a space cadet – she is doing all of this on purpose.

Holy shit – I just realized the show goes until 11p.m.! 2 frickin’ hours! No wonder there is so much fluff.

Damn, Kwame has like 100 ties!

What were those weird clusters of birch trees in the hallway?

Amy – really, you can’t perform better than 100%. I hate it when people say “they did 110%”. Stupid comment.

Ew, Donald called himself “The Donald”.

And Kwame and Bill are both sitting outside of the boardroom thinking that they are the one Trump will choose to stay. My sister pointed out that Bill and Kwame always talk in clichés to each other: “May the best man win”, etc.

Kwame could have fired Omarosa?

Wait – the boardroom was in one “hyuge” studio? Or just for this show?

Trump’s building a hyuge phallic symbol in Chicago. Hee. He said “erect”.

It looks like everyone is back. And Bill chooses Chicago over L.A.

Trump cuts off both Omarosa and Tammy and doesn’t let them finish. Everyone cheers when he does it to O.

Blah, blah, Tammy gets cut off, Sam acts crazy, blah.

And not much of a sneak preview. Lame. Bill wins. I’m sure Trump will offer Kwame and Troy something. He seems to like them a lot.

View from the Elliptical Trainer

I had to do a double-take today when this man showed up at the gym. (drawn in MS Paint in homage to estella) Seriously, as soon as he sat down on the stationary bike, there was nothing left to the imagination. And what MSP doesn't capture is that he had to have been about 70. And the dude had attitude! Amazing. Those shorts were so frickin' short! Crazy characters at this gym.

Also, my hubby thinks he is being stalked by one of the men. When my hubs was finished working out today, he went into the locker room and his stalker was already out of his gym clothes and in his jeans and sneakers (they had arrived at the gym around the same time). Hubs gets undressed, wraps himself in a towel and heads into the sauna. Not one minute later, his stalker is now down to a towel again and enters the sauna as well. Sounds suspect to me.

I'm so sorry

My hubby and I got in an argument because he was running late and snipping at me. Also, I was grumpy. Some background: we share a vehicle. And, since I work about 40 miles north of here, I take the car every day. I drop him off in town so that he can take the bus to school (about a 25 minute ride). After school, he takes the bus into town again and then walks to the gym to meet me after work.

He was so upset at me today that on the bus ride to school he wrote me a letter. With his permission, here it is:

-------------
I'm So Sorry

I'm so sorry that the printer is jammed. You're right, I should have printed it last night instead of this morning at 7 a.m. My apologies. I'm sorry that we're running late because I've forgotten to pack my gym clothes. Of course there is nothing I look forward to more than walking through the rain 2 miles to the gym at 5:30 p.m. to exercise strenuously for an hour. Except maybe the the biology presentation I have to give today. We both know I worked "really hard" on it and I am extraordinarily prepared.

I'm sorry that I can't read the sign in the store that tells us the hours of operation. You think it's because I've forgotten my glasses but really it's because my classes were crushed under a bus on Thursday. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't want you to worry.

I'm sorry I didn't finish my homework, and I'm sorry that my stress is stressing you out. Please forgive me for spending the weekend hiding Easter eggs for your nephew instead of writing my term paper or studying for my algebra exam. You're right - it is my responsibility and not yours - and no, a "B" is NOT acceptable. I understand that now.

I've been foolish and I'm wrong. Can I have a second chance?
---------------------

Man, I sound like a shit, don't I?

O.C.

Just a couple of comments:

So funny when Marissa and Ryan were walking along the boardwalk and she was holding an ice cream on a stick like it was a big piece of dog poo. She never licked it once. And she held it away from her the whole time. Also, are her feet gigantic or what?

Also, is the actor who plays Luke a teenager? He looks like he is at least 35.

Easter/Passover weekend

We were all at my parents' house up in the mountains this weekend. And by we, I mean my two sisters, their husbands, my brother, his wife, my little niece and nephew and my hubby and I. Big family. My mom's birthday was last weekend, but this was the closest we could all get together. So, not really for Easter as we aren't a very religious family and more to spend time with my mom. The weather was perfect, my family is the best. It was all good. We went candlepin bowling on Saturday and then headed to Northampton for some excellent sushi at Osakas. Yummy, yummy food. And then we headed back up into the hills for a long night of playing Spades (card game) with my sister, brother and brother-in-law. J and I won. ;) But it was a long game and I was ready to crash afterwards. And the house was packed with people so I pulled together a sleeping bag and a pillow and crashed in "the pit" - which is the sunken living room. My hubby headed back down the mountain - he didn't want to sleep there. He was a tid cranky and didn't want to deal. He did come back up in the morning around 8:30 - without mochas! That is a tragedy in my house. No mochas! And he brought in a huge cup from Starbucks of regular coffee for himself. So he had obviously been there. Very frustrating and he definitely dipped down in the scale of favorite brother-in-law.

Anyhoo, the weekend was much fun. We colored eggs and hid them along the path to the pond. Teams of egg hiding and then teams of egg finding. And then switching the teams and then re-switching the teams. You had to be there. It was lots of laughs.

Two photos - one of my hubba hubba hubby and one that I'm going to call "Busted!"

Commenting

I love it when people comment on my site. However, if you are going to use racial slurs in your comments, they will be deleted - no questions asked. Take your hate somewhere else. It is not welcome here. You know who you are and if it happens again, I will block you from commenting. There is no room in my world for bigoted people.

Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Apprentice

So, this week, two people are fired in the first half of the show.

And they have to interview with Trump's top executives. That is going to be very tough. And Trump says "have fun!" Yeah, right.

Man, Amy is on the hot seat with Charlie and she's totally not answering his questions.

These people are rough.

Awesome, it all went so fast. No time for them to prepare for these interviews. Although I guess they should have been preparing for this the whole time.

I think it is going to be Bill and Kwame staying. No one is talking about Amy.

They said that Nick's too slick. Exactly.

Amy would get on their nerves. She's irritating. Stepford wife. Empty personality. Harsh. Amy does not interview well, apparently.

Can you imagine Heidi or Omarosa or Katrina in front of that group? Or Sam? They would have totally choked.

And Nick's the first one fired. And, Nick? You can't do more than 100%.

Wow, Amy did not defend herself well in front of Trump. And she's gone.

Now they get to chose a team and a bunch of the last survivors are back.

Heidi is picked last, interesting.

Kwame picks Omarosa for a Jessica Simpson concert?

Heidi and Omarosa are on the same team again? Scary.

Nick is a shithead - yawning during the team meeting? That whole group looks pissed to be lead by Bill.

I think Bill loses based on the "dog does not eat dog" sage advice from Trump. Bill's team does not look loyal. They have all been freshly fired and now they're supposed to be all gung-ho behind him?

Omarosa needs to leave dinner and make the arrangements. And then why isn't she telling them about the phone call? Is she trying to make Kwame lose?

Omarosa is point blank lying to her team about the Diane phone call! She is psychotic! And now she looks like she is going to start crying. I wonder if she is just incompetent or if she's trying to screw things up on purpose.

Bill - you are a prick. Face the facts. If you are so damned talented - why don't you do something?

Why don't they have Jessica Simpson's cell phone number? Or just ask her dad for it? How are they trying to track her down? Omarosa is a freak.

And she needs to do her job. She's so off-base in her comments about Kwame. He assigned her this task and she's failing miserably. And then when he asks her what she needs from him - she says it's under control. There is no way I would want her on my team.

And that's it. Bill looks like he's freaking out on the golf course. Jessica Simpson is confused. Kwame might lose if he can't reign Omarosa in a bit. We saw nothing of Amy, Nick and Heidi in this task. Maybe we'll see more of them next week.

Deer Brains

To the person who found my site by typing in "Deer brains+pictures" in Yahoo - you are way off base. Although I'm sure you figured that out pretty quickly. Who wants to see deer brains? Awful. I need to bleach my site now, thanks.

Bush Knew

Truly disturbing animation of the September 11th timeline. Please do not let this man stay in office.

Monday

I had the most disturbing dreams last night. At one point, I had to wake myself up from the dream and recover a bit. Too hard to explain what they were about because they never make as much sense in the morning.

We finally heard from one of my hubby's best friends. He fell off the face of the earth for about 7 years and we have tried everything to find him. I guess the fact that we were searching in Oklahoma for someone who turns out to have been in Seattle... I'm so happy that my hubby can talk to him again. It was definitely a piece missing in his life.

In other news, we watched 21 Grams and Pieces of April this weekend. 21 Grams hit me pretty hard. I kept thinking about my sister and what would happen if she lost her husband and two kids. I had to keep pausing the movie to calm myself down. Pieces of April was pretty good. I really like Patricia Clarkson. I don't generally like Katie Holmes, but she was good in this.

Corn Pop Krispies!

I've been thoroughly enjoying absolutely yummy Corn Pop Krispies from the beautiful abecedarian. In return, I encourage everyone to visit her girlfriend's jewelry store.

Beautiful, gorgeous, sparkly baubles. By two generous, loving women. What more could you want?

Hellboy

Hellboy is awesome. Such a great flick. Ron Perlman was excellent as Hellboy. I loved Selma Blair's character, Liz. The special effects were great, the music was great. There was bittersweet romance and dark humor. LOVED it. You should really go see it. And stay through the end of the credits.

I just read that the studio wanted Vin Diesel for the role of Hellboy. I can't imagine what kind of crap movie that would have made. There is no way in frickin' hell Vin Diesel could have done this role justice. Ron Perlman is/was Hellboy. He lived that role and he was terrific. And there is no way I would have gone to see this movie if that idiot VD was playing the role. I'm so glad the director made sure the right actor played the part.

Apprentice

Before the show starts, I'd like Nick off the show next. Then Kwame, Troy, Amy and Bill could duke it out.

A Kwame and Troy alliance, eh?

"This" is really the apartment from Big.

What happened to George?

Trump talking about Amy and Bill. Amy, please stop this stupid thing. It is going to hurt your chances here.

Amy, to be a good leader, you must stand up for what you believe. You let Nick belittle and patronize you. You are the only woman left! Come on! Stand up for yourself!

Crap. Missed the sage Trump advice. Too busy playing with my needy cat.

Protege relying on Troy to schmooze the deal.

Cheesy to add one dollar to the price.

Nick is a freak. The looks he was giving Amy were weird. Creepy, even.

Bill said: "her ability" - meaning Amy and not Nick.

Oooh. Yuck. Bill is being a sleeze. Gross. Ugh. Ew. Showing Amy' s legs and then Bill talking like a pig. Awful.

Ew, I hope Nick and Amy aren't in love. I think that is projecting on the part of NBC.

Nick's dad is named MOOSE!?!

Cheesy portrait of Trump as a young man before playing a game of tennis.

Interesting, Troy brings Kwame into the boardroom.

And, ew, Bill is still in the game.

And Troy is out of there. Now that's a bit of a shocker! But is does further prove the point that Trump loves Kwame's MBA.

Next Week.

OMAROSA is back!!!?! What sweet hell is that?!? And two get fired immediately? Probably Amy and Nick.

April Fool's

I love April Fool's Day. As much stress as it brings me to figure out what I'm going to do to people, I love the subterfuge and the lying and the games. I played a great joke on a coworker that I can't discuss. I'm sure you understand. But my hubby? He's received the brunt of my jokes over time. And I had a great one planned. I was going to secure the kitchen sink sprayer into the "on" position with a rubber band and then convince him (easy) to wash the dishes. Only I couldn't find a rubber band. What I found was much better. Black twist-ties. And since the kitchen sink sprayer is black, perfection. But I blew it. I was so anxious and excited to play a prank on him when I got home from work, I overplayed my hand. "When the dishwasher is done, will you empty it?" (knowing he'll fill it afterwards and, thus, has to use the faucet. Which will spray water all over him). And, "Baby, I think there is something wrong with the faucet. I turned it on all the way, and no water came out." Somehow he figured out my ruse. But only after the chicken in the oven started smoking and I had to make several trips to the bathroom (at the other side of the apartment) to fill my glass with water to fill the pan in the oven. He finally caught on by slowly deducing why I would walk all the way to the bathroom and what was "really" wrong with the faucet in the kitchen. Aaagh! Foiled! He found the black twist-ties, removed them from the sprayer, and set them next to the sink. And had a jolly laugh over how he finally figured out one of my pranks.

And then, when he went into the office to finish chatting with his AIM buddies, I put another set of black twist-ties on the sprayer. And left the set he had left next to the sink where they lay. And then finished the chicken and the asparagus for dinner. And called him to dinner. And then we enjoyed the chicken and asparagus. And then, when we were done, I handed him my plate as he went into the kitchen. [sound of water running] "AAAGH!" hee hee hee. He quietly comes out of the kitchen and throws a full glass of water in my face. hee hee hee. 'Cause I totally got him.

And he still doesn't know about the Tanac in his toothbrush. ;)