note to self

Self:
Please remember to check the pockets of your jeans for missing chapsticks before doing the wash. More importantly, please check for missing chapsticks before putting your clothes in the dryer. You will be glad I reminded you.

irritation

Because i am in a very crabby mood today.....

Some things that really, seriously make me want to punch someone in the face:

1. Cold, clammy feet.
2. Smokers.
3. People who don't take care of their health.
4. The incorrect usage of pronouns. See this post.
5. Misspellings and typos in the newspaper. (Aren't those people supposed to be professionals?)
6. People who don't use their turn signals when driving.
7. Unemployment.
8. George W. Bush.
9. People who swoon over shoes and/or handbags.
10. People who unnecessarily spend $90,000 on a Hummer and then get free gas from the government.
11. Ass-kissers.
12. People who say they will do something and then don't do it.
13. Animal cruelty.
14. PMS.

since i haven't felt like writing...at all

Stolen from Courtney:

1. What is your name? If you don't know already, I'm not going to tell you.
2. What color underwear are you wearing now? None.
3. What are you listening to right now? The din from the computer and the wind outside.
4. What are the last 2 digits of your phone number? Why?
5. What was the last thing you ate? 2 cups of coffee and a banana.
6. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Shiseido Red.
7. How is the weather right now? Windy and overcast.
8. Who was the last person talked to on the phone? Ryan.
9. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? The hands.
10. Favorite Food? Mexican. Or maybe pasta. And I love Mediterranean. Oooh, I love to eat!
11. Favorite Drink? Beer. Are you kidding?
12. Favorite Alcoholic drink? See above.
13. Favorite place to shop? Thank goodness for Amazon one-click.
14. Hair Color? Blonde, but slowly turning brown with age.
15. Eye Color? Blue.
16. Do you wear contacts? Sometimes.
17. Top or bottom? Top.
18. Favorite Month? Any month with no snow.
19. Favorite Fast Food? EW!
20. Last Movie you Watched? "Payback" with Mel Gibson (there was a Mel Gibson marathon on TBS the other day).
21. Favorite Day of the Year? See #18.
22. Are you too shy to ask someone out? Never.
23. Summer or Winter? Summer.
24. Hugs or Kisses? Um.....?
25. Chocolate or vanilla? Definitely chocolate.
26. What books are you reading? "America's Women" by Gail Collins & "Is Paris Burning?" by Larry Collins (see sidebar on the right)
27. What's on your mouse pad? The Kurzweil logo.
28. Favorite Board Game? Trivial Pursuit.
29. What did you do last night? Cooked dinner, did work, and watched Letterman till I fell asleep.
30. Who inspires you? Usually my moods.
31. Butter, Plain, or salted popcorn? Extra butter, please.
38. Favorite Flower? Purple Coneflower.
39. What do you say when you wake up in the A.M? I have to pee.
40. Do you still talk to your best friend from middle school? Oh Lord, yes.
41. What's on your desk? The computer, the mouse dock, a lamp, loads of post-it reminders, usually a cat or 2.
42. Rock Concert or Symphony? Symphony, unless it's Tori.
43. Play or Opera? Opera.
44. Have you ever fired a gun? Yes, at my father's insistence.
45. Do you like to travel by plane? Sure.
46. Right-handed or Left-handed? Righty.
47. Smooth or Chunky Peanut Butter? Creamy.
48. How many pillows do you sleep with? 4
49. City and State you were born in? None of your g-d business.
50. Ever hitchhiked? Never.

something you may not know about me

I am severely allergic to MSG.

I found out the hard way.

it might not be as bad as it looks

We've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing our sunglasses. Hit it.

last 10 songs on itunes:
1. Ruby Soho - Rancid
2. Untitled 1 - Keane
3. That's Just What You Are - Aimee Mann
4. Cheesecake Truck - King Missile
5. Almost - Sarah Harmer
6. Chariot - Gavin DeGraw
7. Happier - Guster
8. Fit But You Know It - The Streets
9. God Trying To Get Your Attention - Keb Mo
10. Into the Light - Cause & Effect

dissatisfaction

malcontented
on the defensive
anxious and impatient
curiously crushed

why?
when?

decision made

The ghosts, who have been sleeping for years, will continue to rest. Provoked, uninvited, buried. But now, a few last words before they are dead forever...

it was almost
a new beginning
the things i tried to vow: be nicer, get healthy
stop fucking around

and then one evening,
high, hot, humid
suddenly it was there grabbing hold to keep me
to see what i had missed
to feel what once was loved
maybe
but now i can't remember
why planets collided
it seems i only knew it from across the pillow

getting crafty

I was skeptical when my mother presented me with a gift certificate for Spirit Work, a local knitting/design/yarn-selling shop. I didn't want to learn how to knit. Rather, I wanted to learn to crochet! Yes, crochet. It sounds so much more sophisticated (it's French, after all, right?) than knitting. Spinsters knit and I am definitely not a spinster.

Despite my protests, I went on their website to check and see when the next beginner class starts. What a relief.

Check out what we're going to learn how to make:

My mind can rest easy knowing I will not be toting around a bag of yarn for tissue-box cozies and potholders and other Havisham-y type creations. Whew.

some things that made me smile today

1. A blast from the past. (10:49am)

2. The 10 degree temperature difference between home and rehearsal. On the warmer side, that is. It was so nice that I managed to get in a 20 minute walk before we started practice. (5:11pm)

3. A spectacular sunset. (7:16pm)

4. WBER: Cars and Guitars by Tori (my favorite!), followed immediately with Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths (her favorite!). Oh, the irony! (7:26pm)

5. Unconditional love and understanding. (11:18pm)

6. Reel Big Fish's cover of It's Not Easy from Pete's Dragon. (11:38pm)

a political prayer

Dear Tom DeLay,



May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your crotch and may your arms be too short to scratch.

Amen.

(At least someone in Texas agrees with me.)

some words about grammar

I want to talk about pronouns.

Pronoun usage in daily conversation has gone straight down the crapper. And I mean it. I'm no grammarian myself, but I know when to say 'so-and-so and I' or 'so-and-so and me'. This is only partially because of grade school teachers. Mostly it is because of my mother, who actually is a grammarian.

Since when has the usage of 'so-and-so and I' in place of the proper 'so-and-so and me' become so socially, conversationally acceptable? It's deplorable. Some people may not care, but it makes my skin crawl. I physically shudder and sometimes condescendingly roll my eyes and shake my head if I temporarily forget myself in public.

Par exemple: Hugo gave the tickets to Penelope and I. Wrong! Hugo gave the tickets to Penelope and ME. (It is also correct to say Penelope and I got the tickets.)

This will be a fun weekend for Sylvester and I. Wrong again. This will be a fun weekend for Sylvester and ME. (It is also correct to say Sylvester and I will have a fun weekend.)

Please people, let's get it right! Stop embarrassing yourselves. You are smarter than this.

(Just in case you don't believe me or think I need to re-take the third grade, here is a website to help you hone your pronoun-creating skills.)