Again, gotta love BoingBoing. This is what every collector needs.
6 minutes ago
Thursday, January 31, 2008
flexible faced man's mug shot
This article on BoingBoing is why I love the Internet so much.
If I ever get a mug shot (hopefully never), I'd like it to look like this.
stinky fat man falls off his stool
We were at our favorite bar the other night after work for a couple of drinks. We'll call this bar Indignity. We go here once or twice a week and the bartenders all know us. We're friendly, good tippers and we don't give them any trouble, so they like us (unlike too many people down here, we don't cause problems at bars).
Sitting on our stools, we were chatting up our favorite bartender, we'll call him Willy. Willy lives near us and we always compare stories about what is going on in our neighborhoods. All of a sudden Steven looked over and a HUGE fat man who had been sitting a few stools down from us had fallen off his stool and was on the ground. WTF?
First, a little background about the fat man. There are actually 2 fat men. And they are lovers. Combined, these guys must weight 1000 pounds, I kid you not. And they stink. I mean that literally. These are the smelliest people I have ever sniffed. You can smell them coming from 50 feet away. We have decided that they must not shower often, for whatever reason. When they sit at the bar, the bartenders lose business. I'm not kidding. Everyone knows about these guys. When they come in they drink 20-30 drinks between them. It is unbelievable. And they are lousy tippers.
Anyway, back to the fat man on the ground. Steven pointed to the man on the ground and I immediately went over to him, thinking he must have had a heart attack. Everyone was around him and he was saying that he was OK and to give him some space. Apparently he had not had a heart attack, but as we would later find out, sneezed a few times, became dizzy and fell off his stool. Now if that were me, I would immediately go home. Not this guy. He and his almost-as-fat partner got back on their stools and kept drinking. True story.
The next time we were in the bar, our favorite bartender showed us the area of the patio where the guy fell. There is a rather large depression in the tiles. I couldn't believe it.
Normally, I wouldn't post stuff like this becuase I'm not a hater. But when we saw the guys back at the bar the next night I figured they didn't really care about what happened. And so I blog...
Sitting on our stools, we were chatting up our favorite bartender, we'll call him Willy. Willy lives near us and we always compare stories about what is going on in our neighborhoods. All of a sudden Steven looked over and a HUGE fat man who had been sitting a few stools down from us had fallen off his stool and was on the ground. WTF?
First, a little background about the fat man. There are actually 2 fat men. And they are lovers. Combined, these guys must weight 1000 pounds, I kid you not. And they stink. I mean that literally. These are the smelliest people I have ever sniffed. You can smell them coming from 50 feet away. We have decided that they must not shower often, for whatever reason. When they sit at the bar, the bartenders lose business. I'm not kidding. Everyone knows about these guys. When they come in they drink 20-30 drinks between them. It is unbelievable. And they are lousy tippers.
Anyway, back to the fat man on the ground. Steven pointed to the man on the ground and I immediately went over to him, thinking he must have had a heart attack. Everyone was around him and he was saying that he was OK and to give him some space. Apparently he had not had a heart attack, but as we would later find out, sneezed a few times, became dizzy and fell off his stool. Now if that were me, I would immediately go home. Not this guy. He and his almost-as-fat partner got back on their stools and kept drinking. True story.
The next time we were in the bar, our favorite bartender showed us the area of the patio where the guy fell. There is a rather large depression in the tiles. I couldn't believe it.
Normally, I wouldn't post stuff like this becuase I'm not a hater. But when we saw the guys back at the bar the next night I figured they didn't really care about what happened. And so I blog...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
installing ubuntu on windows (feisty fawn)
I have wanted a dual-boot Windows/Linux system for a while. I know nothing about Linux and being in IT I probably should. I tried to install Ubuntu manually, but it was a nightmare for me. Being a Windows guy, all the commands I am familiar with are useless in Linux.
I found a cool tool that will do much of the install work for you. Wubi is a Linux installer that installs like any Windows application. All you need to do is download the installer and run it. Easy. Your PC will reboot and walk you through the Ubuntu install process, including helpful tips along the way. Anyone can do this.
Now I have my dual-boot system with Windows XP and Ubuntu. I had to warn Steven about it though, because I know he will freak out if he sits down at the desk and their is an unfamiliar desktop staring back at him!
Once the install was complete, Ubuntu promptly booted up and even found all of my devices, except for the network printer. I am working on that. It has the drivers for the printer and can even see the printer, but it is having a problem authenticating to my Windows 2003 server. It was getting late so I'll tackle that another day.
I also need to find a way to connect to our Exchange 2003 server. If I can have my Exchange email without using a browser, this might actually replace the Windows XP installation.
Last night was a big technology night for me. I also found an affordable way to remotely back up my email. iBackup is the first cost-effective resource I have found that supports Windows Server 2003 for networked backups. Ideally I'd like to be able to remotely backup all of our iTunes music, but we have around 50GB of the stuff, and it was always going to be hundreds of dollars to do that. I've tried tape backup (I forget to change the tapes), SANs (they die after a while), even mirroring directories to other PCs (problematic)...I knew that an online backup was the best way. iBackup gives me 5GB of online storage space for $10/mo. While its not enough to back up our music, it will back up the Exchange databases and I'd like it to grab the registry as well. You can schedule backups, and while the tool is a little limited, it is better than what I have been doing to backup my data: nothing.
I found a cool tool that will do much of the install work for you. Wubi is a Linux installer that installs like any Windows application. All you need to do is download the installer and run it. Easy. Your PC will reboot and walk you through the Ubuntu install process, including helpful tips along the way. Anyone can do this.
Now I have my dual-boot system with Windows XP and Ubuntu. I had to warn Steven about it though, because I know he will freak out if he sits down at the desk and their is an unfamiliar desktop staring back at him!
Once the install was complete, Ubuntu promptly booted up and even found all of my devices, except for the network printer. I am working on that. It has the drivers for the printer and can even see the printer, but it is having a problem authenticating to my Windows 2003 server. It was getting late so I'll tackle that another day.
I also need to find a way to connect to our Exchange 2003 server. If I can have my Exchange email without using a browser, this might actually replace the Windows XP installation.
Last night was a big technology night for me. I also found an affordable way to remotely back up my email. iBackup is the first cost-effective resource I have found that supports Windows Server 2003 for networked backups. Ideally I'd like to be able to remotely backup all of our iTunes music, but we have around 50GB of the stuff, and it was always going to be hundreds of dollars to do that. I've tried tape backup (I forget to change the tapes), SANs (they die after a while), even mirroring directories to other PCs (problematic)...I knew that an online backup was the best way. iBackup gives me 5GB of online storage space for $10/mo. While its not enough to back up our music, it will back up the Exchange databases and I'd like it to grab the registry as well. You can schedule backups, and while the tool is a little limited, it is better than what I have been doing to backup my data: nothing.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
my experience at the polls
In Massachusetts, voting is a breeze, at least in my experience. You walk in, tell them your name and street, and they send you to the voting booth. Easy. In Florida, notsomuch.
First, you need a voting card. That isn't very hard. You apply, it comes in the mail. The hardest part is keeping track of it, but thanks to "I love to file" Steven, ours were safe and sound in the file cabinet.
When you arrive at your polling place you'd think you would need to give them your voting card. Oh no. They don't need that. They need your license. So...why the cards? Anyway, they slide your license through a card reader that spits out a receipt of some sort. The80 year old woman young lady who was operating the machine was intimidated by the technology, that I could tell right away. The guy in line in front of me had a problem getting past her and so did I. But, I wasn't going to forgo my democratic rights. I stuck with it and she finally got the receipt to print that I needed to bring to another old biddy poll worker who took that and brought me to the voting station.
Florida currently uses touch screen voting machines. I read an article in the paper today that they are going away. That makes me sad because they are pretty cool and easy to use. You get a little pen and you tap, tap, tap in your votes. Plus, it is very quick. And at the end you push a big red, flashing button that reads 'VOTE'. I shit you not. It's a fun time.
First, you need a voting card. That isn't very hard. You apply, it comes in the mail. The hardest part is keeping track of it, but thanks to "I love to file" Steven, ours were safe and sound in the file cabinet.
When you arrive at your polling place you'd think you would need to give them your voting card. Oh no. They don't need that. They need your license. So...why the cards? Anyway, they slide your license through a card reader that spits out a receipt of some sort. The
Florida currently uses touch screen voting machines. I read an article in the paper today that they are going away. That makes me sad because they are pretty cool and easy to use. You get a little pen and you tap, tap, tap in your votes. Plus, it is very quick. And at the end you push a big red, flashing button that reads 'VOTE'. I shit you not. It's a fun time.
today is the florida primary
But it doesn't really count because the Democratic powers-that-be have taken away our delegates as punishment for having our primary too early.
I was just reading this article on cnn.com and it describes how Hillary is the Democratic favorite for our state. McCain and Romney are duking it out for the republican lead in Florida.
It should be an interesting day, even if none of this is binding. They are expecting a record turnout at the polls. I'll update later about my experience. I am going to vote after lunch. I don't like to do these kinds of things on an empty stomach.
I was just reading this article on cnn.com and it describes how Hillary is the Democratic favorite for our state. McCain and Romney are duking it out for the republican lead in Florida.
It should be an interesting day, even if none of this is binding. They are expecting a record turnout at the polls. I'll update later about my experience. I am going to vote after lunch. I don't like to do these kinds of things on an empty stomach.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Watch out for Dad. He's been drinking coffee again!
Click on the image to enlarge.
This is a funny ad.
Click on the image to enlarge.
This is a funny ad.
waiters use nodding trick to boost restaurant tabs
This is a very interesting article from BoingBoing. I wonder if it is true?
Over at 43 Folders, Merlin Mann mentioned the "Sullivan nod," which, according to Wikipedia, is a "sales technique used to create a subconscious suggestion to a customer to purchase one particular item out of a list of like items."
A Sullivan nod is executed by nodding slightly, by approximately 10–15 degrees, when the item it is hoped the customer will choose is reached. The key is to make the nod perceptible, yet subtle, so as to not distract. The nod is best done with lists less than 5 items in length. Studies have concluded that 60–70% of the time, a Sullivan nod will result in the customer choosing the 'recommended' item.
The Sullivan nod has been used for years, but I just heard about it. Consultant Jim Sullivan, the creator of this technique, claims it "even works over the phone for room service orders." Link
Over at 43 Folders, Merlin Mann mentioned the "Sullivan nod," which, according to Wikipedia, is a "sales technique used to create a subconscious suggestion to a customer to purchase one particular item out of a list of like items."
A Sullivan nod is executed by nodding slightly, by approximately 10–15 degrees, when the item it is hoped the customer will choose is reached. The key is to make the nod perceptible, yet subtle, so as to not distract. The nod is best done with lists less than 5 items in length. Studies have concluded that 60–70% of the time, a Sullivan nod will result in the customer choosing the 'recommended' item.
The Sullivan nod has been used for years, but I just heard about it. Consultant Jim Sullivan, the creator of this technique, claims it "even works over the phone for room service orders." Link
snubbed at the fancy sofa store, sort of
Steven and I have been looking for a new sofa to replace the one in our Florida room. We bought it from the guys who owned the house before us and it was perfect because we didn't have furniture for this room. It was virtually no hassle for us because the furniture was already in the house when we moved in. But its been a little while now and we both agree that this furniture isn't our taste (think 1980s Golden Girls). We've been looking around a lot for replacement furniture and think we have found a suitable replacement for the stuff, but we're still looking just in case we find something we like better.
Yesterday we were at the Galleria Mall looking around in Artefacto (I couldn't find a company link, but this article describes their expansion from Brazil to the US). This is a pretty fru-fru place and both of us were in t-shirts and flip flops, which is standard weekend shopping wear. I noticed when we first walked into the store that the receptionist paged someone from her phone, but no one came out to the sales floor. That was fine with me, we were just browsing. A minute later two more gay guys came into the store, but these two were properly dressed for shopping in these kinds of places - they wore black pants, button down shirts with thin sweaters over them and shoes. When a salesperson finally came out onto the floor he rushed over to the other homos and began gushing about how beautiful their furniture was, etc. He paid us no notice. We continued to browse around the store and admire their things. Finally, a woman came up to us and introduced herself because the guy was still fawning over the other gays. I will say, however, that when someone appeared with glasses of mimosas, they offered us some first (we declined), which I thought was nice. And smart. Get everyone a little buzzed and they are much more likely to buy a $4000 sofa. Good strategy!
Anyway, this isn't a rant. It is more of an observation. It definitely pays to dress for success down here, even if the weather doesn't fully call for a sweater. Plus, I try not to pay attention to people who take themselves too seriously.
Yesterday we were at the Galleria Mall looking around in Artefacto (I couldn't find a company link, but this article describes their expansion from Brazil to the US). This is a pretty fru-fru place and both of us were in t-shirts and flip flops, which is standard weekend shopping wear. I noticed when we first walked into the store that the receptionist paged someone from her phone, but no one came out to the sales floor. That was fine with me, we were just browsing. A minute later two more gay guys came into the store, but these two were properly dressed for shopping in these kinds of places - they wore black pants, button down shirts with thin sweaters over them and shoes. When a salesperson finally came out onto the floor he rushed over to the other homos and began gushing about how beautiful their furniture was, etc. He paid us no notice. We continued to browse around the store and admire their things. Finally, a woman came up to us and introduced herself because the guy was still fawning over the other gays. I will say, however, that when someone appeared with glasses of mimosas, they offered us some first (we declined), which I thought was nice. And smart. Get everyone a little buzzed and they are much more likely to buy a $4000 sofa. Good strategy!
Anyway, this isn't a rant. It is more of an observation. It definitely pays to dress for success down here, even if the weather doesn't fully call for a sweater. Plus, I try not to pay attention to people who take themselves too seriously.
fitting start to a monday
I got up extra early this morning to go to the local lab for some routine blood work. During my last physical, my doctor asked me to stop by the lab and give them some some blood so they can check for cholesterol and all that good stuff. I put it off for a week and decided that Monday morning was going to be the day to do it.
It was 50* when I left the house this morning. I cranked up the heat and the butt warmers in the car and set off for the lab, but when I arrived IT WAS CLOSED. Not just closed for now, but closed, moved out, left no forwarding address. Fuckers.
I found their new address when I got home, but now I have to get up extra early again this week and do this bullshit. I mean, it's not bullshit, but I really value my sleeping time! I can't have anything before I go to the lab, so I want to do it as early as possible to get it out of the way. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
One thing I noticed as I was driving around so early this morning is that people drive s-l-o-w so early in the morning. Usually I am posting about how fast the assholes down here drive, but more than once I had to look around at the other cars to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. The traffic on a few streets was crawling along at 15 mph and it wasn't because there was a wreck or a lot of traffic. People were just driving slow.
Florida is such a strange place.
It was 50* when I left the house this morning. I cranked up the heat and the butt warmers in the car and set off for the lab, but when I arrived IT WAS CLOSED. Not just closed for now, but closed, moved out, left no forwarding address. Fuckers.
I found their new address when I got home, but now I have to get up extra early again this week and do this bullshit. I mean, it's not bullshit, but I really value my sleeping time! I can't have anything before I go to the lab, so I want to do it as early as possible to get it out of the way. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
One thing I noticed as I was driving around so early this morning is that people drive s-l-o-w so early in the morning. Usually I am posting about how fast the assholes down here drive, but more than once I had to look around at the other cars to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. The traffic on a few streets was crawling along at 15 mph and it wasn't because there was a wreck or a lot of traffic. People were just driving slow.
Florida is such a strange place.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
itunes party shuffle - wish list/file for later
I wish there was a way to use the 'Party Shuffle' feature on iTunes where you could choose all categories, but filter out ones you didn't want. Right now we are cleaning the house and listening to our iTunes library. It seems that every other song is a Christmas tune. Just now we caught ourselves singing along to Jingle Bell Rock. While this is a great song, it is almost February for Christ's sake. It is such a pain to go through the iTunes library and remove all the Christmas songs.
Does anyone know how to do this? There must be a hack somewhere. I need to look into this. In the meantime we're going to rock out to Dolly Parton's Christmas carols. Merry Christmas!
Does anyone know how to do this? There must be a hack somewhere. I need to look into this. In the meantime we're going to rock out to Dolly Parton's Christmas carols. Merry Christmas!
Friday, January 25, 2008
vintage mtv from 1983
Oh boy, this made my day. Vintage MTV from 1983. I put in on in the background and just listened while I worked. It even has commercials. This is the way MTV should be. I can't remember the last time I saw a music video on MTV and that's why I don't watch anymore.
From BoingBoing
From BoingBoing
let me touch your cookies
I have been listening to the XM Boneyard all week long. I usually switch between channels, sometimes soft rock, sometimes dance, sometimes 80s & 90s. This week I wanted something a little, er, harder. XM channel 41, the Boneyard, is great! That's where I heard the rockin' Poison song the other day. They play Black Sabbath, Ozzy (they like him) and all kinds of great metal hair bands.
This morning I was listening to a song I had never heard before. The lyrics were "let me touch your cookies, let me eat your cookies". Oh my! I think it is this song. I have that line stuck in my head now.
This morning I was listening to a song I had never heard before. The lyrics were "let me touch your cookies, let me eat your cookies". Oh my! I think it is this song. I have that line stuck in my head now.
my csi dream
I have crazy dreams. I'm not sure why, but I kind of like them. Most of the time I can't remember them after I fully wake up, but sometimes they are crystal clear. As was the case with a dream I had last night.
In my dream we lived in a city (probably Boston) in a duplex house. On the other side of the duplex lived a college professor. I remember walking outside of the house and seeing a young guy sleeping in his car. He had the window rolled down and was actually sleeping with his head out of the window. At first I thought he was dead but as I approached he awoke and told me that he was waiting to see the professor so that he could sign the papers required for this kid to get back into college. Apparently he had dropped out but was worried what his parents would do to him when they found out, so he was going to re-enroll. The problem was that they professor needed to sign off on something to let him back in.
Fast forward to inside the professors house. I wasn't there, but it was one of those scenes where I could see what was going on. The professor was signing the paperwork and telling the kid how the process worked and how he would need to restart his student loans, etc. All of a sudden the kid grabs the professor, pulls down his pants (his own pants) and forces he professor to snort some sort of drug. At the same time, the window in this room opens up and one of the kid's friends takes a picture of this seemingly inappropriate behavior between the kid and the professor. I bet it was a ploy to extort money from the professor or a way for the kid to not have to return to school, I'm not sure.
Upon realizing what was going on, the professor pulls a gun from somewhere and shoots the kid. The kid's friend scatters, but there is gunfire exchanged. The professor isn't hurt. Shortly after, the professor is seen outside, on the phone with the police, looking for the kid's friends.
And that was my dream. It totally sounds like an episode of CSI, I think. Maybe the network will buy my idea (dream). Heck, they sure aren't getting many ideas from their writers these days.
Dreams are so interesting to me.
P.S. The person who played the professor in my dream was a real actor. I could picture him when I first woke up, but now I can't remember who he is. He was one of those actors that would play the dad on a Lifetime movie. Darn, I wish I could remember who he was.
In my dream we lived in a city (probably Boston) in a duplex house. On the other side of the duplex lived a college professor. I remember walking outside of the house and seeing a young guy sleeping in his car. He had the window rolled down and was actually sleeping with his head out of the window. At first I thought he was dead but as I approached he awoke and told me that he was waiting to see the professor so that he could sign the papers required for this kid to get back into college. Apparently he had dropped out but was worried what his parents would do to him when they found out, so he was going to re-enroll. The problem was that they professor needed to sign off on something to let him back in.
Fast forward to inside the professors house. I wasn't there, but it was one of those scenes where I could see what was going on. The professor was signing the paperwork and telling the kid how the process worked and how he would need to restart his student loans, etc. All of a sudden the kid grabs the professor, pulls down his pants (his own pants) and forces he professor to snort some sort of drug. At the same time, the window in this room opens up and one of the kid's friends takes a picture of this seemingly inappropriate behavior between the kid and the professor. I bet it was a ploy to extort money from the professor or a way for the kid to not have to return to school, I'm not sure.
Upon realizing what was going on, the professor pulls a gun from somewhere and shoots the kid. The kid's friend scatters, but there is gunfire exchanged. The professor isn't hurt. Shortly after, the professor is seen outside, on the phone with the police, looking for the kid's friends.
And that was my dream. It totally sounds like an episode of CSI, I think. Maybe the network will buy my idea (dream). Heck, they sure aren't getting many ideas from their writers these days.
Dreams are so interesting to me.
P.S. The person who played the professor in my dream was a real actor. I could picture him when I first woke up, but now I can't remember who he is. He was one of those actors that would play the dad on a Lifetime movie. Darn, I wish I could remember who he was.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
pink upholstered vagina couch
My friend Andreas sent this to me. I have been saying for the longest time that I wish someone would make a vagina couch. Regular couches are OK, but to be able to watch The Office while nestled in between upholstered labias* while resting your head on an upholstered clitoris is simply the best thing in the world. Thank goodness someone came up with this.
This was posted on the "Best Of" Craig's List. If you're ever looking for something to do, check out the 'best of' list. It is really funny, and in this case, quite useful for whomever becomes the proud owner of the pink upholstered vagina couch.
My spell checker questioned the word "labias". Is it labia or labias? Is it like a pair of underwear or a pair of socks? I should find out.
tisko tanci
I saw this video on BoingBoing. It is just to good to pass up. The next time we have people over I want to have this on in the background with no sound. I think it would be a hoot to just have the two "tisco tanci" on the TV.
back from radio silence
Phew! I am back. I was home sick yesterday and didn't read any news or post on my blog.
I spent the day watching movies, including The Nanny Diaries, Harry Potter 5, Muriel's Wedding, and She-Devil. What a day!
I had already seen Muriel's Wedding and She-Devil, but they are both good movies and I like to see them every now and then, especially Muriel's Wedding, which is a classic. Of all these movies, I would suggest watching MW if you haven't seen it. It was released in 1994 and is quite a movie. It deals with being unpopular, cancer, death, all kinds of things. It is dark, but, oh, such a good piece of cinematic genius.
And to top off my day of TV watching, we watched a show about what earth would be like if there were no humans around. Chernobyl is a great example if this.
Today I am feeling MUCH better and things can carry on from here.
I am sad to hear about Heath Ledger. I wonder what happened to him.
I spent the day watching movies, including The Nanny Diaries, Harry Potter 5, Muriel's Wedding, and She-Devil. What a day!
I had already seen Muriel's Wedding and She-Devil, but they are both good movies and I like to see them every now and then, especially Muriel's Wedding, which is a classic. Of all these movies, I would suggest watching MW if you haven't seen it. It was released in 1994 and is quite a movie. It deals with being unpopular, cancer, death, all kinds of things. It is dark, but, oh, such a good piece of cinematic genius.
And to top off my day of TV watching, we watched a show about what earth would be like if there were no humans around. Chernobyl is a great example if this.
Today I am feeling MUCH better and things can carry on from here.
I am sad to hear about Heath Ledger. I wonder what happened to him.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
vintage poison
I wasn't going to post this, but I have to. This song is on the radio right now and I love it. The reason I'm posting this is because the YouTube version, which is vintage MTV (totally recorded on a VHS tape) is just too good to pass up.
Please, please, I beg of you, turn this up loud and rock out.
Please, please, I beg of you, turn this up loud and rock out.
cat sneaks into suitcase, flies from Florida to Texas
From South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Cat sneaks onto Dallas flight in owner's suitcase
By Sally Apgar
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
January 22, 2008
When Kelly Levy came home late Friday and her cat, Gracie Mae, wasn't sitting on the bottom step waiting for her, she knew something was terribly wrong.Gracie Mae, a shy 10-month-old tabby, was in a delicate state of health and still had stitches after being spayed a few days earlier. Levy had last seen her tiger-striped cat a few hours earlier that evening when she left the house to take her husband and his very large black suitcase to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International for a flight to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Levy immediately checked a crawl space in the wall of the bathroom where the cat, who is afraid of loud noises and raucous humans, would often hide. But sweet talk didn't illicit a response from the crawl space."I started to tear the house apart. I was frantic. I couldn't find her," Levy, 24, said Monday.Meanwhile her husband, Seth, 34, had landed in Dallas and couldn't find his black Samsonite suitcase at baggage claim.Levy called her father, who came over. He used a hammer to take out two bathroom tiles and part of the bathroom cabinet to open the crawl space. But no Gracie Mae. Levy wandered around her Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood in the dark, calling for the cat.The next morning, resolved to find her, Levy made "lost cat" signs to post around the neighborhood. Just as she was leaving the house, her cell phone rang with an unfamiliar area code and number.
As she recalls, a man said: "Hi, you're not going to believe this, but I am calling from Fort Worth, Texas, and I accidentally picked up your husband's luggage. And when I opened the luggage, a cat jumped out."The man agreed to hold onto Gracie Mae until Seth could pick her up later Saturday.Levy figures that the cat quietly crawled into the suit section of the suitcase and hid.They threw the suitcase in the trunk and never heard a sound from it."My poor cat, who just had surgery, survives being packed away in the suitcase, going through the Fort Lauderdale baggage process, going through the X-ray, being loaded onto the airplane, flown four hours to Texas and unloaded," Levy said.Then, after being thrown onto the conveyor belt for baggage claim, Levy said her cat was "picked up by some strange person, driven to his house and unpacked."Gracie Mae returned safely home Sunday night on an $80 plane ticket.Most of all, Levy said she wants to thank the "wonderful good Samaritan who took care of my cat and even bought her a pet taxi for the flight home."
Calls to the number Levy captured on her cell phone went unanswered, so the identity of the good Samaritan remains unknown.An American Airlines spokesman said he was unaware of the cat's situation and could not comment on it.
Cat sneaks onto Dallas flight in owner's suitcase
By Sally Apgar
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
January 22, 2008
When Kelly Levy came home late Friday and her cat, Gracie Mae, wasn't sitting on the bottom step waiting for her, she knew something was terribly wrong.Gracie Mae, a shy 10-month-old tabby, was in a delicate state of health and still had stitches after being spayed a few days earlier. Levy had last seen her tiger-striped cat a few hours earlier that evening when she left the house to take her husband and his very large black suitcase to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International for a flight to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Levy immediately checked a crawl space in the wall of the bathroom where the cat, who is afraid of loud noises and raucous humans, would often hide. But sweet talk didn't illicit a response from the crawl space."I started to tear the house apart. I was frantic. I couldn't find her," Levy, 24, said Monday.Meanwhile her husband, Seth, 34, had landed in Dallas and couldn't find his black Samsonite suitcase at baggage claim.Levy called her father, who came over. He used a hammer to take out two bathroom tiles and part of the bathroom cabinet to open the crawl space. But no Gracie Mae. Levy wandered around her Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood in the dark, calling for the cat.The next morning, resolved to find her, Levy made "lost cat" signs to post around the neighborhood. Just as she was leaving the house, her cell phone rang with an unfamiliar area code and number.
As she recalls, a man said: "Hi, you're not going to believe this, but I am calling from Fort Worth, Texas, and I accidentally picked up your husband's luggage. And when I opened the luggage, a cat jumped out."The man agreed to hold onto Gracie Mae until Seth could pick her up later Saturday.Levy figures that the cat quietly crawled into the suit section of the suitcase and hid.They threw the suitcase in the trunk and never heard a sound from it."My poor cat, who just had surgery, survives being packed away in the suitcase, going through the Fort Lauderdale baggage process, going through the X-ray, being loaded onto the airplane, flown four hours to Texas and unloaded," Levy said.Then, after being thrown onto the conveyor belt for baggage claim, Levy said her cat was "picked up by some strange person, driven to his house and unpacked."Gracie Mae returned safely home Sunday night on an $80 plane ticket.Most of all, Levy said she wants to thank the "wonderful good Samaritan who took care of my cat and even bought her a pet taxi for the flight home."
Calls to the number Levy captured on her cell phone went unanswered, so the identity of the good Samaritan remains unknown.An American Airlines spokesman said he was unaware of the cat's situation and could not comment on it.
last night's debate
I have to say something about last night's Democratic debate. I don't like to mix politics with the important stuff, like who Britney is currently dating, but I am making an exception this one time.
First, what's up with Hillary and Obama? They bickered the whole time. I HATE that kind of stuff. Focus on yourselves and your issues and leave the mudslinging to the pigs. And John Edwards? He just sat there. At first I was thinking that he was being sly by not saying anything so that people would think he is the sanest of the bunch. But, he didn't have a ton to say during the whole thing, so I don't know. I like him, though. He is the salt of the earth.
I think Obama is a good candidate for president, but not for this round. I think he needs more experience. Maybe he can run in 2012. Some of his responses sounded empty and his only comebacks where hits at Hillary. To me, she is the best candidate. She has the most experience and can handle herself with her critics.
Anyway, that's how I feel. Carry on.
First, what's up with Hillary and Obama? They bickered the whole time. I HATE that kind of stuff. Focus on yourselves and your issues and leave the mudslinging to the pigs. And John Edwards? He just sat there. At first I was thinking that he was being sly by not saying anything so that people would think he is the sanest of the bunch. But, he didn't have a ton to say during the whole thing, so I don't know. I like him, though. He is the salt of the earth.
I think Obama is a good candidate for president, but not for this round. I think he needs more experience. Maybe he can run in 2012. Some of his responses sounded empty and his only comebacks where hits at Hillary. To me, she is the best candidate. She has the most experience and can handle herself with her critics.
Anyway, that's how I feel. Carry on.
Monday, January 21, 2008
lipstick & leather
I am rocking out to the XM Boneyard station right now. The song that is currently playing is 'Lipstick & Leather' by Y & T (whoever they are). At first I thought they were singing about 'Pig Skin Leather', which would be appropriate for the upcoming Super Bowl. Lipstick & Leather, well, I guess that could work too.
Another song that I mess up the words to is Janet Jackson's new song 'Feedback'. When I hear it on the radio, I hear her saying 'Feed Bag'. She's got her feed bag, feed bag. Poor thing. And she's heavy like a first day period. Oh my.
Another song that I mess up the words to is Janet Jackson's new song 'Feedback'. When I hear it on the radio, I hear her saying 'Feed Bag'. She's got her feed bag, feed bag. Poor thing. And she's heavy like a first day period. Oh my.
your own paparazzi
Time Magazine has an article with a twist on the paparazzi. I don't think I want to do this for myself, but it would be a riot for someone else. Any volunteers?
From the article:
Struan Vaz and Paige Hill emerged from a performance of the Nutcracker by Ballet Austin last month and were assaulted by photographers and reporters who pursued them for several blocks, snapping shots and asking personal questions. Amid the blinding flashbulbs and rapid-fire interrogation, the pair held their composure, but the attention overwhelmed them a little. "A couple of times, Paige tried to run away," says Tania Cowher, one of the paparazzi on the scene that night in the Texas capital, "so we ran along with her." They chased the couple all the way to the nightclub Qua, where Vaz and Hill were met by a crowd of adoring fans.
All the hoopla on the street and at the bar confused passersby, some of whom took pics of the action with their camera phones, while others asked the couple, both 30, who they were. "We were like, 'We're nobody,'" Vaz says. Actually, Vaz is a high-tech entrepreneur, and Hill works on a city councilwoman's re-election campaign, but in terms of celebrity status, even locally, they are indeed "nobody." Vaz, as a surprise for his fiancé, had hired Celeb 4 A Day, which provides personal paparazzi to private individuals who want to experience some of the trappings of fame. (Friends played the fans for free.)
Even as real celebrities battle those pesky cameramen on the streets and in courts for intruding on their lives and trading on their images, some regular folks, from parents hosting teen birthday parties to Gen Xers out on the town, have decided that the attention could be fun--and worth paying up to $1,500 for. Cowher launched Celeb 4 A Day in Austin in November and is expanding to Los Angeles this month and San Francisco in February. There are similar companies, like Private Paparazzi in San Diego and Personal Paparazzi in Britain, and wannabe big shots in other places have taken matters into their own hands, hiring freelance photographers to trail them.
The trend is driven by the twin obsessions with chronicling one's life and experiencing fame. "We live in a culture where if it's not documented, it doesn't exist," says Josh Gamson, a University of San Francisco professor of sociology who studies culture and mass media. "And if you don't have people asking who you are, you're nobody." University of Pennsylvania sociologist David Grazian, who wrote On the Make: The Hustle of Urban Nightlife, calls personal paparazzi reality marketers, who make the act of being photographed more meaningful than the actual photos. "The goal isn't to produce a product," he says. "It's to heighten the experience of the event. In that sense, there doesn't even need to be any film in the camera."
Phillip Barker agrees that a photographer is a powerful status symbol, even if it's also an indulgence in narcissism. Barker, 29, posted an ad on Craigslist for a paparazzo to accompany him and 14 male friends during a bar-hopping birthday party in Chicago last November. Many of the responses were hostile ("You vain vain [expletive]," one read), but a woman, Mandy Johnston, took the job--delivering to the guys afterward an elaborate package of digital photos and prints and, during the evening, unexpected VIP stature: the crew skipped to the front of the line at several clubs. "We got in faster because of Mandy. People thought, These guys are important people," Barker says. He's considering hiring her again, perhaps for his upcoming 30th-birthday weekend in Key West, Fla. "Celebrities are always whining about people following them around," he says. "We're like, Are you kidding? That's our dream!"
From the article:
Struan Vaz and Paige Hill emerged from a performance of the Nutcracker by Ballet Austin last month and were assaulted by photographers and reporters who pursued them for several blocks, snapping shots and asking personal questions. Amid the blinding flashbulbs and rapid-fire interrogation, the pair held their composure, but the attention overwhelmed them a little. "A couple of times, Paige tried to run away," says Tania Cowher, one of the paparazzi on the scene that night in the Texas capital, "so we ran along with her." They chased the couple all the way to the nightclub Qua, where Vaz and Hill were met by a crowd of adoring fans.
All the hoopla on the street and at the bar confused passersby, some of whom took pics of the action with their camera phones, while others asked the couple, both 30, who they were. "We were like, 'We're nobody,'" Vaz says. Actually, Vaz is a high-tech entrepreneur, and Hill works on a city councilwoman's re-election campaign, but in terms of celebrity status, even locally, they are indeed "nobody." Vaz, as a surprise for his fiancé, had hired Celeb 4 A Day, which provides personal paparazzi to private individuals who want to experience some of the trappings of fame. (Friends played the fans for free.)
Even as real celebrities battle those pesky cameramen on the streets and in courts for intruding on their lives and trading on their images, some regular folks, from parents hosting teen birthday parties to Gen Xers out on the town, have decided that the attention could be fun--and worth paying up to $1,500 for. Cowher launched Celeb 4 A Day in Austin in November and is expanding to Los Angeles this month and San Francisco in February. There are similar companies, like Private Paparazzi in San Diego and Personal Paparazzi in Britain, and wannabe big shots in other places have taken matters into their own hands, hiring freelance photographers to trail them.
The trend is driven by the twin obsessions with chronicling one's life and experiencing fame. "We live in a culture where if it's not documented, it doesn't exist," says Josh Gamson, a University of San Francisco professor of sociology who studies culture and mass media. "And if you don't have people asking who you are, you're nobody." University of Pennsylvania sociologist David Grazian, who wrote On the Make: The Hustle of Urban Nightlife, calls personal paparazzi reality marketers, who make the act of being photographed more meaningful than the actual photos. "The goal isn't to produce a product," he says. "It's to heighten the experience of the event. In that sense, there doesn't even need to be any film in the camera."
Phillip Barker agrees that a photographer is a powerful status symbol, even if it's also an indulgence in narcissism. Barker, 29, posted an ad on Craigslist for a paparazzo to accompany him and 14 male friends during a bar-hopping birthday party in Chicago last November. Many of the responses were hostile ("You vain vain [expletive]," one read), but a woman, Mandy Johnston, took the job--delivering to the guys afterward an elaborate package of digital photos and prints and, during the evening, unexpected VIP stature: the crew skipped to the front of the line at several clubs. "We got in faster because of Mandy. People thought, These guys are important people," Barker says. He's considering hiring her again, perhaps for his upcoming 30th-birthday weekend in Key West, Fla. "Celebrities are always whining about people following them around," he says. "We're like, Are you kidding? That's our dream!"
a va-jayjay with teeth?
Teeth, is a new movie that is coming out about a teenage girl who learns that her vag has teeth. I shit you not. This is wrong on so many levels. Who thinks of these things?
Wikipedia has an interesting article on vagina dentata, which is a folk tale about women with toothed vags. Oh my. This movie makes that folk lore a reality.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
it's a dog's life...
Millie has a dog's life. I mean, really. Most of us are focused on routine maintenance. However, Millie doesn't even need to worry about it. We just take care of it for her. She went to the vet. Today Millie had her teeth cleaned and a pedicure. Unfortunately for Millie, her pedicure is quite short...and, I am sure she's never had her teeth cleaned before. But, as usual, Millie is ready to lead a dog's life for another six months or so before she needs her anal glans squeezed, worms checked, teeth cleaned, nails cut, and various other sundry details taken care of...it really is a dog's life.
wtf? very scary "monster"
What the fuck is this thing? I would run the other way if this was coming toward me. Apparently it is a chair. I know someone is going to try and fuck this chair, because that's just what you do when there is a gaping hole like this staring you down. A gaping hole with giant teeth.
a book i want: confidential
I REEALLLLY want this book. Will someone buy it for me?? Here's a blurb about it, from defamer.com:
"Elevating the fun of celebrity lookalikes to the level of coffee-table art, photographer Alison Jackson poses the rent-a-doppelgängers in a wide variety of scandalous and humiliating poses in her book Confidential (examples include "Brad Pitt shaving Angelina Jolie's legs; a jailed Paris Hilton paying another inmate to scrub her toilet bowl; and a masked Michael Jackson putting lipstick on a crying baby," reports Page Six). We particularly enjoyed the above image, pulled from the book's website, imagining Jack Nicholson taking full advantage of his Hurricane Harbor family pass. It's just the sunny, festive tonic we all could use during these cold days and nights of placard-wielding strife. The uncensored picture can be found at Taschen.com."
britney is in the shower
Here is Britney's manager, Sam Lufti, barging in on Britney in the shower. Can't the girl catch a break? My word. Leave her alone for a bit. That's probably why she is so crazy.
Click to listen:
/britney.mp3
Click to listen:
/britney.mp3
when it rains, it pours
Somehow we have scheduled a million things for today. Friday. A work day. Why can't we be like normal people and do these things on the weekends?
Here's what we have going on today:
* Junk Be Gone people are coming to remove all the crap from our driveway, including "the pile" and a load of concrete that we had removed from the driveway. They are bringing a bobcat, that's how much crap we have to get rid of.
* A stucco guy is coming today to fix cracks on the outside of our house and make some cosmetic patches. He will be here today and tomorrow.
* Millie is at the vet having her teeth cleaned, her nails clipped (HALLELUJAH!) and some routine blood work done. They have to put her under to do her teeth, so its a big deal. I had to sign all kinds of forms. She isn't going to be happy with us tonight. Poor thing. She won't let anyone touch her nails, so it's a blessing that she needs to go under for this other procedure. I don't think we have ever successfully cut all of her nails. One vet even gave us a bunch of doggie Valiums to give her, but that only made her drunk and mad when we tried to cut them.
Needless to say, today will be busy. But at least it's Friday! I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it.
Here's what we have going on today:
* Junk Be Gone people are coming to remove all the crap from our driveway, including "the pile" and a load of concrete that we had removed from the driveway. They are bringing a bobcat, that's how much crap we have to get rid of.
* A stucco guy is coming today to fix cracks on the outside of our house and make some cosmetic patches. He will be here today and tomorrow.
* Millie is at the vet having her teeth cleaned, her nails clipped (HALLELUJAH!) and some routine blood work done. They have to put her under to do her teeth, so its a big deal. I had to sign all kinds of forms. She isn't going to be happy with us tonight. Poor thing. She won't let anyone touch her nails, so it's a blessing that she needs to go under for this other procedure. I don't think we have ever successfully cut all of her nails. One vet even gave us a bunch of doggie Valiums to give her, but that only made her drunk and mad when we tried to cut them.
Needless to say, today will be busy. But at least it's Friday! I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it.
unwrapping the mystery of a fortune cookie
My friend CT sent me this. It's pretty interesting. I just thought these things had always been around.
From the International Herald Tribune (click for full article):
"Some 3 billion fortune cookies are made each year, almost all in the United States. But the crisp cookies wrapped around enigmatic sayings have spread around the world. They are served in Chinese restaurants in Britain, Mexico, Italy, France and elsewhere. In India, they taste more like butter cookies. A surprisingly high number of winning tickets in Brazil's national lottery in 2004 were traced to lucky numbers from fortune cookies distributed by a Chinese restaurant chain called Chinatown.
But there is one place where fortune cookies are conspicuously absent: China."
From the International Herald Tribune (click for full article):
"Some 3 billion fortune cookies are made each year, almost all in the United States. But the crisp cookies wrapped around enigmatic sayings have spread around the world. They are served in Chinese restaurants in Britain, Mexico, Italy, France and elsewhere. In India, they taste more like butter cookies. A surprisingly high number of winning tickets in Brazil's national lottery in 2004 were traced to lucky numbers from fortune cookies distributed by a Chinese restaurant chain called Chinatown.
But there is one place where fortune cookies are conspicuously absent: China."
Thursday, January 17, 2008
rock hudson and bea arthur
As if is wasn't enough fun just having these two gay icons together, here are Bea Arthur and Rock Hudson singing about recreational drugs in this great video.
seasons 52
OK girls and boys, listen up. There is a really GREAT restaurant where you can get a good, filling meal and the entrees are no more than 475 calories. I shit you not. And if you know me, you know how much I love to eat.
Last night I had my first experience at Seasons 52. Steven has been here a few times (there are a few scattered around the Fort Lauderdale area) and for some reason I have been a little resistant to go. But last night we met a friend of his from work and we all headed over for some din din.
I would call it a fancy restaurant, because the ones that I frequent have paper napkins and plastic cups, neither of which you can get at Seasons 52. We sat in the bar which had comfy booths (we actually had a large round banquette for the 3 of us) and a guy playing piano with soft rock hits that we all know the words to. The only problem is that the bar area is first come, first seated, so we had to hover around tables that looked like they might open up. We weren't alone and there are few things that I hate more than battling retired ladies for a table (they might hit you with their purse, trust me). Anyway, we got a great table.
For an appetizer we had Grilled Steak & Cremini Mushroom Flatbread with Salmon Valley blue cheese . My word, this was delicious. And remember, under 500 calories divided by three people = not a lot of calories.
For my entree I had the BBQ Grilled Chicken Salad romaine lettuce, spinach, corn, peppers and crumbled blue cheese. Mmmmm is all I can say. And there was plenty. It didn't seem like they skimped on the chicken or the blue cheese, which are two of my favorites.
Dessert is really cool because they come to your table with all the desserts in little shot glasses and you pick what you want and the waiter hands them to you. No waiting needed. We had Old Fashioned Carrot Cake, Pecan Pie with Vanilla Bean Mousse, German Chocolate Cake and one other that I can't remember. They are very yummy and not big at all. Oh, and they cost $2.25 a piece. You can't beat that!
With drinks, appetizers, entrees, and dessert it can be a little pricey for a midweek meal, but it is a great experience and one that you should definitely try if you're near a Season's 52. Take a peek at their menu.
Last night I had my first experience at Seasons 52. Steven has been here a few times (there are a few scattered around the Fort Lauderdale area) and for some reason I have been a little resistant to go. But last night we met a friend of his from work and we all headed over for some din din.
I would call it a fancy restaurant, because the ones that I frequent have paper napkins and plastic cups, neither of which you can get at Seasons 52. We sat in the bar which had comfy booths (we actually had a large round banquette for the 3 of us) and a guy playing piano with soft rock hits that we all know the words to. The only problem is that the bar area is first come, first seated, so we had to hover around tables that looked like they might open up. We weren't alone and there are few things that I hate more than battling retired ladies for a table (they might hit you with their purse, trust me). Anyway, we got a great table.
For an appetizer we had Grilled Steak & Cremini Mushroom Flatbread with Salmon Valley blue cheese . My word, this was delicious. And remember, under 500 calories divided by three people = not a lot of calories.
For my entree I had the BBQ Grilled Chicken Salad romaine lettuce, spinach, corn, peppers and crumbled blue cheese. Mmmmm is all I can say. And there was plenty. It didn't seem like they skimped on the chicken or the blue cheese, which are two of my favorites.
Dessert is really cool because they come to your table with all the desserts in little shot glasses and you pick what you want and the waiter hands them to you. No waiting needed. We had Old Fashioned Carrot Cake, Pecan Pie with Vanilla Bean Mousse, German Chocolate Cake and one other that I can't remember. They are very yummy and not big at all. Oh, and they cost $2.25 a piece. You can't beat that!
With drinks, appetizers, entrees, and dessert it can be a little pricey for a midweek meal, but it is a great experience and one that you should definitely try if you're near a Season's 52. Take a peek at their menu.
another stupid email from the american family association
I received another silly email from the American Family Association, whose job, it seems, is to try and rule the world. I particularly liked this one because they want everyone to get all mad about Diane Keaton's slip-up the other day on Good Morning America. Here is the point that I pose: this is a morning show. Kids are at school in the morning. And even if a kid is home for some reason, I can pretty much guarantee that they aren't watching GMA. Period. Get over it, AMA. The network screwed up, it was kind of funny. No one was hurt. Let's move on to more important issues like ending this expensive war or talking about how funny the last episode of Family Guy was. Come on now.
From my email:
"ABC allows f-word during Good Morning America show
File a complaint with the FCC against ABC and your local station for airing the f-word.
Dear Mark,
This past Tuesday (Jan. 15), ABC network broadcast stations aired "Good Morning America." During the course of the program, ABC affiliates chose to broadcast actress Diane Keaton's blatant use of the f-word. Transcript of interview with Diane Sawyer:
Keaton: "Those lips, I love them. I would like to have lips like that. Then I wouldn't have worked on my f---ing personality. Excuse me, my personality. If I had lips like yours, I'd be better off. My life would be better. I would be married. I have these thin lips."
Sawyer: "My mother is going to work on your personality with soap in your mouth."
ABC and your local station have been warned about allowing the f-word on the public airwaves. The network could have easily muted the obscenity. But it chose not to. The network stations purposely chose to violate Federal and FCC law by airing the program. Here is your opportunity to make the networks more sensitive to your concern. Please file a complaint with the FCC against ABC stations for the broadcast of indecent language. "
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
i'm eating like a 5-year old
Monday night Steven made a roast chicken, lima beans with ham, and mashed potatoes with gravy. I wasn't feeling great on Monday night, so I was kind of picky about my meal, which is rare for me. Add to that the fact that neither of us was sure if the chicken was still good and it took forever to cook (we ate at almost 10 pm) and also that we didn't have a gravy strainer-thingie (the gravy was all oil - I couldn't eat it)...I wasn't loving my dinner.
Last night I stopped at the grocery store to get the fixins for hamburgers and french fries (oh, so healthy). I bought bulky rolls, french fries AND onion rings. Oh, and some junky food like cheddar cheese triscuits and Hanover garlic bread nibblers. And some ice cream. What is going on with me? It's like I'm pregnant. Oh no, what if?? Just kidding.
Sooo, we cooked up all this goodness and ate it while we watched some Nova show that Steven wanted to watch. I wasn't interested in it, so afterwards I retired to the other room (the room with the comfy chairs!) and read my book club book. I love this book so much. I am such a girl sometimes.
Last night I stopped at the grocery store to get the fixins for hamburgers and french fries (oh, so healthy). I bought bulky rolls, french fries AND onion rings. Oh, and some junky food like cheddar cheese triscuits and Hanover garlic bread nibblers. And some ice cream. What is going on with me? It's like I'm pregnant. Oh no, what if?? Just kidding.
Sooo, we cooked up all this goodness and ate it while we watched some Nova show that Steven wanted to watch. I wasn't interested in it, so afterwards I retired to the other room (the room with the comfy chairs!) and read my book club book. I love this book so much. I am such a girl sometimes.
dollhouse hat/britney update
I don't know if this is true or not, but this is a funny post from What Would Tyler Durden Do?
I really hope this is true. I love that hat. And it is so appropriate with all this Britney foolishness.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
i am a slacker
Well, not really. I have been super busy at work and haven't had time to post. I hope to be able to post later today or tomorrow at the latest. There is all kinds of news going on, so check back soon!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
the tree is alive
It's a little like Where's Waldo, but can you spot the GIANT iguana in our neighbor's tree (click the image for full size)? This is the biggest lizard we think we've seen since we've been here.
Yesterday we had one about this size in our yard. It could have been the same one because we've learned that they can swim, so perhaps he lounged in our yard yesterday then swam over to sun himself in our neighbor's tree.
Welcome to the wild kingdom, known as south Florida!
our pile is alive
We are in the middle of a big project at our house. I feel like we're ALWAYS in the middle of a project at our house. Note to self: buy a new house next time or a condo.
We've removed all the plants around our house in preparation for the new paint job we're going to give it. Currently our house is yellow. We don't love that color and we're looking at painting it a cream or tan color, which makes it look updated and not as old.
The problem that we've run into is that all the stuff we've removed is now piled up in our driveway. We are having a guy come over and remove some extra concrete from the driveway, but until he comes we can't have the trash people haul away all this debris (we have to pay to have them haul stuff away and one trip is cheaper than two).
In the meantime, we have been creating a giant pile of crap in front of our front door. The problem with this (besides our neighbors probably hating us for the unsightly mess) is that the pile is alive. Every time we walk by it we hear things scurrying about in there. I can't even imagine what is living in our pile and the snake incident doesn't help things much! I just run by the pile and try not to focus on the critters that have taken refuge in there. Argh!
We've removed all the plants around our house in preparation for the new paint job we're going to give it. Currently our house is yellow. We don't love that color and we're looking at painting it a cream or tan color, which makes it look updated and not as old.The problem that we've run into is that all the stuff we've removed is now piled up in our driveway. We are having a guy come over and remove some extra concrete from the driveway, but until he comes we can't have the trash people haul away all this debris (we have to pay to have them haul stuff away and one trip is cheaper than two).
In the meantime, we have been creating a giant pile of crap in front of our front door. The problem with this (besides our neighbors probably hating us for the unsightly mess) is that the pile is alive. Every time we walk by it we hear things scurrying about in there. I can't even imagine what is living in our pile and the snake incident doesn't help things much! I just run by the pile and try not to focus on the critters that have taken refuge in there. Argh!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
j. alexanders
I have to rave about a restaurant that we love, J. Alexanders. It's not fancy, bu their menu is great and the staff are so nice and make you feel like you're dining at an expensive place. If you've been to Houston's, this place is a blatant rip off similar, but I like their menu much better.
Last night we ate there and while it was very busy (after all, it is winter in Florida and the population down here has swelled a lot). There was a wait when we arrived, but we had a drink and people watched.
After we were seated, we ordered their queso dip. It is cheesy goodness served with salty tortilla chips. Steven ordered chicken fingers with baked beans and macaroni & cheese. I had a chicken salad sandwich with orzo salad. This is definitely my favorite selection on their menu.
Take a peek at their menu and if you have one nearby, give them a try. You won't be disappointed.
Last night we ate there and while it was very busy (after all, it is winter in Florida and the population down here has swelled a lot). There was a wait when we arrived, but we had a drink and people watched.
After we were seated, we ordered their queso dip. It is cheesy goodness served with salty tortilla chips. Steven ordered chicken fingers with baked beans and macaroni & cheese. I had a chicken salad sandwich with orzo salad. This is definitely my favorite selection on their menu.
Take a peek at their menu and if you have one nearby, give them a try. You won't be disappointed.
Friday, January 11, 2008
don't mess with an octopus and his mister potato head
Check out this article, Octopus jealously guards his Mr Potato Head toy from BoingBoing. Poor guy, all he wants is some stimulation! And some plastic to wrap his tentacles around.
100 people banging a drum, from 1 year-old to 100 year-old
This is a wonderful video of 100 people banging a drum, one for each year. It's pretty cool!
Unknowing twins marry each other
Oops.
LONDON, England (CNN) -- British twins who had been separated at birth learned they were related only after they had become husband and wife, a senior British lawmaker said. The marriage has been annulled.
The couple's identities have been protected for legal reasons.
Their case was first highlighted by Lord Alton of Liverpool during a discussion on donor conception in the House of Lords in December, but only came to light Friday.
The peer told the House of Lords that a court annulled the union as soon as the twins' true relationship became known.
"They were never told that they were twins," he said during the Dec. 10 debate on a law covering human fertility and embryology. They had been adopted by separate families and "met later in life and felt an inevitable attraction, and the judge had to deal with the consequences of the marriage that they entered into and all the issues of their separation."
No further details about the couple have emerged, and it is not known when the marriage took place or how long they were together before they discovered the truth.
Adoption groups said Friday the case proves the need for openness and transparency during the adoption process.
Mo O'Reilly, director of child placement for the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said released a statement saying: "Thirty or 40 years ago it would have been more likely that twins be separated and brought up without knowledge of each other."
However, she said, greater emphasis in recent years on ensuring adopted siblings stay in touch meant this "traumatic" case will remain "incredibly rare."
Daisy O'Clee, a spokeswoman for the agency, said that of more current concern is the lack of legislation surrounding fertility treatment.
Under British law the parents of a donor-conceived child do not have to declare that fact on the child's birth certificate, O'Clee told CNN. This means a child conceived with a donor sperm or egg may never know their true origin.
Lawmakers will vote Tuesday on whether to pass a law covering human fertility and embryology that would relax the rules on who can have fertility treatment.
O'Clee warned that in its present form the proposal does little to address the rights of donor-conceived children.
"The rights of donor children are being ignored," she said.
LONDON, England (CNN) -- British twins who had been separated at birth learned they were related only after they had become husband and wife, a senior British lawmaker said. The marriage has been annulled.
The couple's identities have been protected for legal reasons.
Their case was first highlighted by Lord Alton of Liverpool during a discussion on donor conception in the House of Lords in December, but only came to light Friday.
The peer told the House of Lords that a court annulled the union as soon as the twins' true relationship became known.
"They were never told that they were twins," he said during the Dec. 10 debate on a law covering human fertility and embryology. They had been adopted by separate families and "met later in life and felt an inevitable attraction, and the judge had to deal with the consequences of the marriage that they entered into and all the issues of their separation."
No further details about the couple have emerged, and it is not known when the marriage took place or how long they were together before they discovered the truth.
Adoption groups said Friday the case proves the need for openness and transparency during the adoption process.
Mo O'Reilly, director of child placement for the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said released a statement saying: "Thirty or 40 years ago it would have been more likely that twins be separated and brought up without knowledge of each other."
However, she said, greater emphasis in recent years on ensuring adopted siblings stay in touch meant this "traumatic" case will remain "incredibly rare."
Daisy O'Clee, a spokeswoman for the agency, said that of more current concern is the lack of legislation surrounding fertility treatment.
Under British law the parents of a donor-conceived child do not have to declare that fact on the child's birth certificate, O'Clee told CNN. This means a child conceived with a donor sperm or egg may never know their true origin.
Lawmakers will vote Tuesday on whether to pass a law covering human fertility and embryology that would relax the rules on who can have fertility treatment.
O'Clee warned that in its present form the proposal does little to address the rights of donor-conceived children.
"The rights of donor children are being ignored," she said.
adult entertainment expo
This is a great blog post about a woman's first time at the Las Vegas Adult Entertainment Expo. Good times.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
big black snake
I saw a big black snake slither his way across my backyard this afternoon when I was home for lunch. I'm not sure exactly what noise I made, but I am still freaked out! YUCK.
who is this?
I had no idea who this was. And I'm still not sure I believe it, but supposedly this is Kathy Griffin. From TMZ
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
giant ass bag of pecans
We received a giant ass bag of pecans today in the mail. Wowzers, we're going to have to make a lot of pecan pies! I don't know what else you use pecans for. Any ideas?
dump cake
I've actually had this cake before and it is pretty good. What is interesting is that you don't mix up the cake batter, you just "dump" it in!
You can substitute other canned fruits, but we like the following mixture best.
1 (1-pound, 13-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow or white cake mix, preferably without pudding added
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, thinly sliced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple with juices in the bottom of a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the cake mix over the top, then the chopped nuts. Dot the top with the thin-sliced butter and bake in the center of the oven 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12 servings.
This is from the Sun-Sentinel
You can substitute other canned fruits, but we like the following mixture best.
1 (1-pound, 13-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow or white cake mix, preferably without pudding added
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, thinly sliced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple with juices in the bottom of a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the cake mix over the top, then the chopped nuts. Dot the top with the thin-sliced butter and bake in the center of the oven 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12 servings.
This is from the Sun-Sentinel
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
happy birthday elvis
For Christmas I received a cocktail-a-day calendar...from my 12-year old neice. But that's another story.
Today's calender page alerted me to the fact that today is Elvis' birthday and to celebrate, we should be drinking Blue Hawaiian drinks. I, for one, am not going to do that, but the drink sounds interesting:
1 ounce light rum
1 ounce blue curacao
1 ounce cream of coconut
2 ounces pineapple juice
pineapple wedge
maraschino cherry
Shake the liquid ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with pineapple and cherry.
Happy birthday, Elvis! Wherever you are.
millie has a boyfriend
With all this talk about the crazy hounds next door to us, I thought it would be nice to post some good news about Millie...she has a boyfriend!
I have a small window of daylight between the time I get home and when it gets dark, usually about 40 minutes or so. As soon as I get home Millie is dancing around me, waiting for her dinner. Immediately after she eats it is time to go out. Lately I have been piling her into the car and taking her down the street to the dog park. I love the dog park as much as she does because we both get to carouse with the pups. It's a lot of fun.
For the past few weeks, every time I have taken her to the park, there is a weimaraner who is also there. He is very cute and just a hair bigger than Millie. Also, he still has his nuts, which I think is funny because you don't see that too often anymore (it's a good thing).
Normally Millie doesn't love other dogs, but she will tolerate them if they allow her to be bossy. This dog, we'll call him Smokey (cuz he's grey), just LOVES Millie. He will run up to her and give her bum a good sniff. She'll do the same and then they will chase each other around the park. Smokey likes to play it cool, though. He'll play with her for a few minutes and then go sniff a bush for a bit before returning to play some more. He's a laid back kind of guy.
What I find even funnier is that Smokey makes noises exactly like Millie does. If you've never met Millie, she has a tendency to make a crying/whining/whimpering noise for no apparent reason. Well, so does Smokey. It's a riot to watch them run around together with both of them making these noises. I wonder if it is their way of communicating their love.
Smokey did something really gross yesterday. I don't know if this is how he was committing himself to Millie or if he is just being a dog, but when Millie was peeing...I can't even write this, it's so gross...Smokey was in back of her LAPPING IT UP. Ewwww..... I bet Smokey's owner couldn't wait to get a big face full of tongue after that one.
I have a small window of daylight between the time I get home and when it gets dark, usually about 40 minutes or so. As soon as I get home Millie is dancing around me, waiting for her dinner. Immediately after she eats it is time to go out. Lately I have been piling her into the car and taking her down the street to the dog park. I love the dog park as much as she does because we both get to carouse with the pups. It's a lot of fun.
For the past few weeks, every time I have taken her to the park, there is a weimaraner who is also there. He is very cute and just a hair bigger than Millie. Also, he still has his nuts, which I think is funny because you don't see that too often anymore (it's a good thing).
Normally Millie doesn't love other dogs, but she will tolerate them if they allow her to be bossy. This dog, we'll call him Smokey (cuz he's grey), just LOVES Millie. He will run up to her and give her bum a good sniff. She'll do the same and then they will chase each other around the park. Smokey likes to play it cool, though. He'll play with her for a few minutes and then go sniff a bush for a bit before returning to play some more. He's a laid back kind of guy.
What I find even funnier is that Smokey makes noises exactly like Millie does. If you've never met Millie, she has a tendency to make a crying/whining/whimpering noise for no apparent reason. Well, so does Smokey. It's a riot to watch them run around together with both of them making these noises. I wonder if it is their way of communicating their love.
Smokey did something really gross yesterday. I don't know if this is how he was committing himself to Millie or if he is just being a dog, but when Millie was peeing...I can't even write this, it's so gross...Smokey was in back of her LAPPING IT UP. Ewwww..... I bet Smokey's owner couldn't wait to get a big face full of tongue after that one.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Do Monkeys Pay for Sex?
This is an interesting article from Time.com. I wonder, do they really?
"It turns out that one of humanity's oldest professions may be even older than we thought: In a recent study of macaque monkeys in Indonesia, researchers found that male primates "paid" for sexual access to females — and that the going rate for such access dwindled as the number of available females went up."
possibly the best video I've ever seen
I tried to embed this into the post, but it wouldn't let me, so you'll have to click on the link to watch.
This is quite possibly the best video I've ever seen.
This is work safe: Spoiled Beauty Pageant Queen
This is quite possibly the best video I've ever seen.
This is work safe: Spoiled Beauty Pageant Queen
One Laptop Per Child
This is a great video of a kid showing his dad how to use his new OLPC device. Very cute!
not all dogs are created equal
There are a lot of dogs in our neighborhood. A lot. Most of them are nice enough. Millie doesn't love other dogs as a rule, so we usually keep our distance when walking around the neighborhood. One problem we have, though, are our next door neighbor's dogs. They hate Millie and they hate us. With a passion.
I'm not sure when these dogs began to loathe us. When we first moved into the house both Steven and I met the dogs and I remember one even sloppily licking my hand. They seemed like normal dogs (they are both boxers, one is old and the other is not as old). But something changed and now they want to bite us (I'll get to that in a minute).
I think one thing that hasn't helped in this situation is the fact that Millie and these dogs are arch enemies. If I had to venture a guess as to why, I'd say that it is probably because the dogs each think that the other is on their property. Our lawn mixes with the neighbor's lawn and there really is no defining point between our two yards. That's fine with us, but for the dogs this is a big problem.
99% of the time the dogs don't meet face to face, but every now and then the boxer dogs will be outside when we come out with Millie. The boxers aren't on leashes (problem #1) and the owners don't seem to understand that these dogs are vicious (problem #2). Last week I came outside with Millie and the two boxers charged at her and there was a big dog pile fight. It was quickly resolved, but I'm sure it left some lasting impression with all the dogs that they aren't friends. And since Steven and I are Millie's owners, we must be the enemy too.
All this leads me to yesterday. We have been doing a lot of yard work in preparation for painting our house. We have removed so much vegetation from around our house, I have no idea where we have been keeping it all. Yesterday I was moving brush from the back of the house to the front of the house where we have a giant pile of yard debris. Our fence door and the neighbor's fence door are right next to each other. We have a wooden fence and they have chain-link. The problem with their fence door is that if the dogs push up against it (say, for example, when they are barking and snarling at us), the door will open and viola!, the dogs are loose. This happens occasionally, and it happened yesterday.
As soon as it happened, I noticed something different in the dog's eye. It's kind of hard to explain, but it wasn't puppy love. It was the thirst for blood. My blood! I'm not sure I have ever seen this look directed at me from a dog before. I'm not exactly sure what I said to the dogs while this was happening, but I could have been screaming at the top of my lungs for all I know. One of the dogs was right in front of me, blocking my exit and barking madly. What was especially scary was the way the dog was positioned: in front of me, down in a crouch. I know this was because this beast was deciding whether or not to bite me. I really thought I was going to get bitten, which I don't think I have ever felt before.
To our neighbor's credit, whenever they hear doggie commotion, they come outside immediately and bring their hounds inside. Luckily, yesterday was no exception. The woman next door was very apologetic and seemed genuinely concerned when I told her I thought her dog was going to bite me.
We continued our outside work and at one point the dogs came towards the fence again. This time I wasn't playing around, so I took a ladder and barricaded the dogs in. They could bark at me all they wanted, but I was all set with loose vicious hounds chasing me. I'd had enough doggie aggression for one day.
Our neighbor suggested us (and Millie) meeting their dogs so that we get to know them a little better. I'm up for anything because these dogs are getting on my nerves! Woof.
I'm not sure when these dogs began to loathe us. When we first moved into the house both Steven and I met the dogs and I remember one even sloppily licking my hand. They seemed like normal dogs (they are both boxers, one is old and the other is not as old). But something changed and now they want to bite us (I'll get to that in a minute).
I think one thing that hasn't helped in this situation is the fact that Millie and these dogs are arch enemies. If I had to venture a guess as to why, I'd say that it is probably because the dogs each think that the other is on their property. Our lawn mixes with the neighbor's lawn and there really is no defining point between our two yards. That's fine with us, but for the dogs this is a big problem.
99% of the time the dogs don't meet face to face, but every now and then the boxer dogs will be outside when we come out with Millie. The boxers aren't on leashes (problem #1) and the owners don't seem to understand that these dogs are vicious (problem #2). Last week I came outside with Millie and the two boxers charged at her and there was a big dog pile fight. It was quickly resolved, but I'm sure it left some lasting impression with all the dogs that they aren't friends. And since Steven and I are Millie's owners, we must be the enemy too.
All this leads me to yesterday. We have been doing a lot of yard work in preparation for painting our house. We have removed so much vegetation from around our house, I have no idea where we have been keeping it all. Yesterday I was moving brush from the back of the house to the front of the house where we have a giant pile of yard debris. Our fence door and the neighbor's fence door are right next to each other. We have a wooden fence and they have chain-link. The problem with their fence door is that if the dogs push up against it (say, for example, when they are barking and snarling at us), the door will open and viola!, the dogs are loose. This happens occasionally, and it happened yesterday.
As soon as it happened, I noticed something different in the dog's eye. It's kind of hard to explain, but it wasn't puppy love. It was the thirst for blood. My blood! I'm not sure I have ever seen this look directed at me from a dog before. I'm not exactly sure what I said to the dogs while this was happening, but I could have been screaming at the top of my lungs for all I know. One of the dogs was right in front of me, blocking my exit and barking madly. What was especially scary was the way the dog was positioned: in front of me, down in a crouch. I know this was because this beast was deciding whether or not to bite me. I really thought I was going to get bitten, which I don't think I have ever felt before.
To our neighbor's credit, whenever they hear doggie commotion, they come outside immediately and bring their hounds inside. Luckily, yesterday was no exception. The woman next door was very apologetic and seemed genuinely concerned when I told her I thought her dog was going to bite me.
We continued our outside work and at one point the dogs came towards the fence again. This time I wasn't playing around, so I took a ladder and barricaded the dogs in. They could bark at me all they wanted, but I was all set with loose vicious hounds chasing me. I'd had enough doggie aggression for one day.
Our neighbor suggested us (and Millie) meeting their dogs so that we get to know them a little better. I'm up for anything because these dogs are getting on my nerves! Woof.
Friday, January 04, 2008
139 Norfolk
One of my favorite sites, PITNB, featured a cool place in Manhattan: 139 Norfolk, New York City's only drive in! What a cute idea. Check out their website. You get your own car and everything! It's pricy - $150, but you get to watch whatever movie you want and you get 2 t-shirts, popcorn and your movie listed on their website. Very cute, indeed!
be careful driving in south florida
Broward and Palm Beach County officials have been searching the 2,000 miles of canals that line this region recently, searching for stolen cars. What they have been finding is really interesting...and scary.
it's raining iguanas
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- Wednesday night's bitter cold temperatures rattled tree-dwelling iguanas in South Florida.
The large green reptiles drop out of the trees and litter the ground when temperatures drop in sunny South Florida.
The lizards are not dead. Most of them are alive and are simply cold. When the weather returns to the warmth they know and love, they will spring back to life.
"It is as if they are in suspended animation," said Robert Yero, park manager at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne.
At Bill Baggs park on Thursday, it was raining iguanas. The critters could be found underneath buttonwood trees and beneath a sea grape. "We have found dozens on the bike path after a major cold snap,'' said Yero. "When they warm up in the sun, they come back to life.''
The iguanas are exotics from Central and South America. Most of them were house pets at one point, and then released into the wild by their owners when they got too big.
In their new home in the wild of South Florida, they feed on vegetation.
''They really are taking over,'' Yero said.
i heart dolly parton
Steven has recently realized the wonderful invention of OnDemand TV. It seems like forever that I had been trying to get him to enjoy some instantaneous television entertainment with me, but I never had much luck. Until recently...
The night before last I was flipping through the free movies section of our OnDemand catalog. There were great movies in there. Sometimes the free movie section is a little lacking, and its apparent why some of the movies are free. But this time there were some good ones, including two Dolly Parton goodies: Straight Talk and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. As good gay boys, we have seen them both in the past, but you should never miss an opportunity to watch Ms. Parton strut her stuff on the big screen.
That night we watched Straight Talk. What a cute movie. You can't help but love her.
These movies are extra appropriate right now because a group of us have planned a trip to Dollywood in April. We have booked a log cabin in the Smokey Mountains! We're going to tour Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It's going to be a blast, y'all!
The night before last I was flipping through the free movies section of our OnDemand catalog. There were great movies in there. Sometimes the free movie section is a little lacking, and its apparent why some of the movies are free. But this time there were some good ones, including two Dolly Parton goodies: Straight Talk and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. As good gay boys, we have seen them both in the past, but you should never miss an opportunity to watch Ms. Parton strut her stuff on the big screen.
That night we watched Straight Talk. What a cute movie. You can't help but love her.
Last night we enjoyed The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This is classic Dolly. And it features Mister Burt Reynolds! The singing and dancing are wonderful. If you've never seen this gem, fire up your Comcast OnDemand and make it a priority to watch it!
These movies are extra appropriate right now because a group of us have planned a trip to Dollywood in April. We have booked a log cabin in the Smokey Mountains! We're going to tour Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It's going to be a blast, y'all!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
wanna see my caucus?
I'll admit: if I was quizzed on the workings of a caucus, I would get a big fat F.
With today being the start of the Iowa caucuses, I thought it wise to find out just what the heck all the hoopla is about.
Cnn.com has a great tutorial on what a caucus is and how they work. Plus, its just plain fun to say "caucus". I am trying to work it into as many conversations as I can today.
Iowa Caucuses 101
Cnn.com has a great tutorial on what a caucus is and how they work. Plus, its just plain fun to say "caucus". I am trying to work it into as many conversations as I can today.
Iowa Caucuses 101
afternoon research item
Rideaccidents.com is a comprehensive site of carnival accidents. It's a little gross at times, but I had fun looking at all the rides I went on as a kid and wondering how I wasn't hurt!
http://www.rideaccidents.com/
http://www.rideaccidents.com/
kathy griffin and anderson cooper NYE clip
This is a great clip of these two, from CNN's NYE special. Be sure to watch the part where Kathy quips about her balls being cold. Anderson doesn't miss a beat.
british man puts out fire with aunt's underwear
From the Sun-Sentinel:
British man puts out fire with aunt's underwear
Associated Press
9:33 AM EST, January 2, 2008
LONDON
From baggy knickers to the ultimate hotpants: Jenny Marsey's miraculous underwear saved the day by doubling as an emergency fire blanket when her kitchen caught alight.Son John Marsey and his cousin Darren Lines were frying bread in her kitchen Sunday when fire broke out and Lines grabbed the nearest thing from a pile of washing to put it out _ his aunt's billowing extra large powder blue underwear.He doused it with water, tossed it over the fire and put out the flames, said a spokesman for the local Cleveland Fire Brigade, speaking anonymously in line with department policy.Lines' swift thinking saved the kitchen of the home at Hartlepool, northeast England, but left Marsey's underwear slightly scorched.``It could have been a lot worse,'' said Marsey. ``My family could have been in hospital but the knickers saved the day. I'm just grateful to the boys.''The fire brigade spokesman said that the general principle _ using a large, wet cloth to cover a grease fire _ was a sound one. As for using underwear: ``Clearly it depends on what size you are,'' he said, ``but I don't want to go there.''
British man puts out fire with aunt's underwear
Associated Press
9:33 AM EST, January 2, 2008
LONDON
From baggy knickers to the ultimate hotpants: Jenny Marsey's miraculous underwear saved the day by doubling as an emergency fire blanket when her kitchen caught alight.Son John Marsey and his cousin Darren Lines were frying bread in her kitchen Sunday when fire broke out and Lines grabbed the nearest thing from a pile of washing to put it out _ his aunt's billowing extra large powder blue underwear.He doused it with water, tossed it over the fire and put out the flames, said a spokesman for the local Cleveland Fire Brigade, speaking anonymously in line with department policy.Lines' swift thinking saved the kitchen of the home at Hartlepool, northeast England, but left Marsey's underwear slightly scorched.``It could have been a lot worse,'' said Marsey. ``My family could have been in hospital but the knickers saved the day. I'm just grateful to the boys.''The fire brigade spokesman said that the general principle _ using a large, wet cloth to cover a grease fire _ was a sound one. As for using underwear: ``Clearly it depends on what size you are,'' he said, ``but I don't want to go there.''
baby it's cold outside
Brrrrr from south Florida! As predicted, the temperature steadily dropped yesterday. We even had to put on the heat last night, a rare occurrence at our house. Both Steven and I felt like we spent all night getting warm. Usually the covers are thrown everywhere, but last night we both protected our respective portions of the blanket like guard dogs.
Millie, impervious to the cold, was ready to go outside this morning for her walk. I fumbled for my sweatshirt and we braved the wind like champs. It had been a whole year since the wind burned my hands, but I felt that familiar tingling sensation this morning. Ouch.
When I got into my car to leave for work, the temperature was a balmy 45 degrees. Now, I know if you're in the north this won't sound cold, but trust me, it is pretty chilly when the temps were in the 80s just two days ago.
As I was driving along, the temperature dropped a bit to 42 degrees. The fierce Florida wind chill was making things even worse! I am now safely at my warm desk at work. Hopefully I won't have to scrape ice from my windshield on the way home.
As I was driving along, the temperature dropped a bit to 42 degrees. The fierce Florida wind chill was making things even worse! I am now safely at my warm desk at work. Hopefully I won't have to scrape ice from my windshield on the way home.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
which state is this?
I have been testing out Google's free website ananlytics program to see where the traffic on my blog comes from. Clicking on what I thought was the state of Massachusetts, I was presented with the state pictured above. I must not have been very good at geography as a kid, because I would fail the test if someone asked me which state this was.
Who drew this? A 5-year old kid? The top part of the state looks OK, but what the happened to the Cape and Islands? They are completely unrecognizable! Is Google trying to capture web traffic that happens in the bay? I wouldn't put it past them.
doggie mansions
My friend ES sent me a link to this place, Doggie Mansions. For as little as $10,000 (yes, that's ten-thousand-dollars), your pet, too, can have a mansion to call their own. A few logistical questions immediately come to mind: who cleans this mansion? Do you have to hire the lollipop kids from The Wizard of Oz? Also, in the picture, the treats are in a closed jar. Does that mean that the dog has to get their own food? Or should the mansion be staffed with a "caretaker"?
Each Doggie Mansion comes with a TV that plays Benji or Rin Tin Tin. Is that all it plays? Millie is pretty partial to Animal Planet. Or My Dog Skip?
Perhaps the person in the picture isn't really a 3-year old girl, but a small, 45-year old housekeeper. Hmmm...
sperm travels at 7 inches an hour
This article from Slashdot, describes how scientists want to use sperm's ability to move 7 inches per hour, to power new "smart probes" in patients.
I love that I was able to use the words "sperm" and "probe" in a single sentence.
lindsey lohan in italy
What Would Tyler Durden Do has some great pics of Lindsey Lohan in Italy with a gross dude. His comments are pretty funny, too.
Check them out here: http://www.wwtdd.com/post.phtml?pk=3325
south florida is freakin' COLD today!
It is wicked cold here today in south Florida. When I left for work this morning the temperature was 51 degrees. I just came back from lunch and it went up to a whopping 59 degrees. The two factors that are making it so freaking chilly here today are a cold front from Canada that has somehow made its way down to us, as well as a strong offshore breeze. So, its windy and cold here today. Bleh.
The forecast calls for frost in some parts of interior Florida, and near freezing here in Fort Lauderdale. I know that I may sound like an ass complaining about the weather when it is 15 degrees in many parts of the country, but having been here for a while now, my blood must have thinned, because if its below 70 degrees, I shiver! Our house feels like a suana, though, which is nice.
The only good thing about this cold weather is that if it gets cold enough, all those little iguana bastards will freeze to death. I've heard stories about years past when it has been cold like this. You'll see dead iguanas everywhere. They just roll over and die.
The forecast calls for frost in some parts of interior Florida, and near freezing here in Fort Lauderdale. I know that I may sound like an ass complaining about the weather when it is 15 degrees in many parts of the country, but having been here for a while now, my blood must have thinned, because if its below 70 degrees, I shiver! Our house feels like a suana, though, which is nice.
The only good thing about this cold weather is that if it gets cold enough, all those little iguana bastards will freeze to death. I've heard stories about years past when it has been cold like this. You'll see dead iguanas everywhere. They just roll over and die.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
a proper new year's eve feast!
Last night I made us a feast worthy of a new year. Originally we had planned to go to a party with some friends, but we were both tired, especially Steven. So, instead I whipped up a yummy dinner. It was really good, but there are a few things I'd change if I made this meal again.
We started out with Blue Cheese Gougeres. They were really good and all the eggs made them the consistency of a popover, which was a nice surprise. I would make them again.
We also had Roast Beef with Spicy Parsley Tomato Sauce, Brussell Sprouts without Pancetta (our local Publix had no pancetta), Horseradish and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, and Brownies with Ice Cream.
The few things that I would do differently next time would be to use a more tender piece of meat. The steak was pretty tough. Also, the potato recipe called for 4 pounds of spuds, but I used about half that amount. When the time came to add the sour cream, I looked at the recipe and forgot that I used fewer potatoes. Oops. They were good, but very creamy and a little sweet. The spicy sauce for the steak wasn't very spicy. In fact, it was kind of sweet. I'd skip that next time, or jazz up the sauce a bit to make it more spicy. An idea might be to add the sauce to the steak towards the end of its time in the oven. I have to think about that for next time.
All in all, it was a good meal and fun for me to make. Steven is the defacto chef in our house, so I don't get a lot of opportunities to cook. He simply makes better meals that I do. But it was nice to treat him last night! Happy New Year everyone!
We started out with Blue Cheese Gougeres. They were really good and all the eggs made them the consistency of a popover, which was a nice surprise. I would make them again.
We also had Roast Beef with Spicy Parsley Tomato Sauce, Brussell Sprouts without Pancetta (our local Publix had no pancetta), Horseradish and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, and Brownies with Ice Cream.
The few things that I would do differently next time would be to use a more tender piece of meat. The steak was pretty tough. Also, the potato recipe called for 4 pounds of spuds, but I used about half that amount. When the time came to add the sour cream, I looked at the recipe and forgot that I used fewer potatoes. Oops. They were good, but very creamy and a little sweet. The spicy sauce for the steak wasn't very spicy. In fact, it was kind of sweet. I'd skip that next time, or jazz up the sauce a bit to make it more spicy. An idea might be to add the sauce to the steak towards the end of its time in the oven. I have to think about that for next time.
All in all, it was a good meal and fun for me to make. Steven is the defacto chef in our house, so I don't get a lot of opportunities to cook. He simply makes better meals that I do. But it was nice to treat him last night! Happy New Year everyone!
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