TGIF. It's been a long week, simply in the fact I've been tired all week. It's my own fault since I went to bed late most nights this week, and I worked out each of the 4 previous days. LOL...The working out part is not the bad part.
Why do they put those stupid sticky strips across the top of new CDs? They are a major annoyance when all you want to do is get your new CD open and in the player. Instead you spend 10 minutes just trying to get the damn thing unsealed.
So what did I get?
I ordered from CDNow Ivy's Long Distance, Massive Attack's Protection, and Hooverphonic's A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular. I'm listening to Massive Attack now. Turns out that Weather Storm on their album is the same song on my Craig Armstrong CD, just a slightly different version. [Ok, there's actually two Craig Armstrong songs on here. I shouldn't be that surprised since I knew the two worked together, LOL.]
I've been working out a good bit this week. And staying up late. That combination makes me a tired girl. *yawn*
Tonight at the gym, the fire alarm went off in the middle of class. This left us all standing around in the parking garage for 30 minutes. So instead of a 1 hour intensive class, I was left with only 30 minutes. But I couldn't leave until we were let back in because my stuff was up in my locker. :S
Finally, our drought stricken area is getting rain. Lots of it in fact. Flooding is possible with rain totals or 3 or more inches. Feast or famine I guess.
Enough tired rambling.....
You preach it Wil! Of course I'm part of the choir, LOL. ;)
But I completely agree that big business is doing their damnedest to take away our freedoms when it allows them to make more $$$$. And we can't just sit around and let them do that. We can't just sit back and trust Congress to do what is in the interest of Joe Citizen. What we can do is write our Congressmen and Senators, reminding them of what is important to their voting constituents. And we need to get the word out.
Ahhh....spent a peaceful day at Sandy Point State Park which is actually a beach on the Chesapeake just off the Bay Bridge. It was strange being at a beach that looks directly at a pair of mismatched suspension bridges. I'm used to be looking out toward the Atlantic, seeing nothing but the horizon. And the sand was different too. Trucked in orange sand rather than the finer whiter sand natural to the shores of New Jersey. But I managed to get some sun and swim, so that works for me. :)
And with all the attention given to attacking Iraq, this article points out plenty of reasons why we shouldn't and also looks a Bush's track record in Texas.
Personally, I think attacking Iraq has got to be one of the stupidest agenda Bush has put forth yet. Along with his support of sending the logging industry in a forest fire prevention, but that's a whole nother story.
Why should we go into Iraq when not a single other country will support such an attack? Not even Canada! We look like the bully that doesn't care what anyone else thinks. (Well, in fact Bush apparently doesn't care or is too stupid to notice) Granted, yes Hussein is a problem. But going in with guns blazing makes us look like even more a bad guy. (Or perhaps we are the bad guy in this instance?)
Get a clue George, It's the economy, stupid. You can try to distract us with talk of war. But what really concerns the American public is the economy, retirement benefits, healthcare, and other domestic issues. History will mark you as a complete putz for diminishing all the progress Clinton made to eliminate the deficit. You will be known for balooning that deficit to historic highs. That's not a positive legacy.
[Okay, I know Bush aint reading this blog, but it's better than talking to my TV screen when his stupid mug appears, LOL.]
Scandal fatigue: Putting the corporate crime wave into perspective...just what the title says. Sizes up what the WorldCom and Enron scandals equate to dollarwise. It's enough to irk anyone living on 5-6 figure salaries.
Somone gave me a burned copy of No Doubt's Rock Steady album. It's a kick ass album that supercedes what they accomplished with Tragic Kingdom (which I do own). Whoever produced this album did an awesome job, it sounds incredible whether playing on my puter or on my car stereo. There are not too many groups that play on the radio that actually have a unique sound or are as talented as these guys--and that I enjoy listening to as I do No Doubt. Most of everything else that I tend to listen to is more ecclectic and not the typical radio fare.
I'm even more pathetic than I thought....I've reached 470,569 on Collapse. Still Level 10. LOL.
How is it we have so many hot sunny days during the week, and the moment I consider going to the beach, it gets gets cloudy and rainy? Where's the justice in that? I guess I'll try going to the beach tomorrow.
Yes, Gee's allergies are acting up again. The big question is what the hell is he allergic to? The next step is to change his diet to see if a food product is his problem. I'm so not looking forward to that if I need to keep each of my two cats on a different diet.
Pam's memorial service was yesterday. I'm sure her family found great comfort in the fact that so many friends and colleagues attended the service. It was so packed that they had to place more chairs out to get everyone seated. And several of her friends from Tennesee and North Carolina travelled up to Maryland for the service. A few even told their stories of how Pam touched their lives. Each story just reinforced the fact that Pam was such an open, loving, compassionate woman, that was quite giving to all those around her. That she served as a role model to so many. And she enjoyed good food, good times, and good friends. And knowing her love of photographs and pottery, her family placed out a great number of photographs with her and friends and family, and they put out some of her favorite pottery pieces that she had collected. Though Pam is no longer be with us, but her kindness and strength will live on in the hearts and memories of those whose lives she touched.
Apparently the class went on as scheduled in the North Carolina University this week, as students discussed their summer reading assignment that included a book about the Quran. Only two students opted out of the assignment. And the professor found the discussion/participation level higher than he would have expected otherwise. I'm glad that the injuction sought against this class was overruled and these students had the opportunity to explore the subject matter. It gives these 18 year olds the opportunity to learn about another culture/religion and understand where worshippers of Islam are coming from.
I'm pathetic....I reached 391,099 points on Collapse, a Yahoo game. I got up to Level 10, baby. Like I said, I'm pathetic.
I'd like to know what the FBI thinks it's accomplishing by leaking info to the press in its anthrax investigation. All they've managed to do is implant the picture of Hatfill into the minds of the people of Princeton, NJ before they went around asking if anyone had seen him there last September. And they managed to destroy the man's reputation, without any proof that he perpetrated these acts. The only thing they have on this guy is he lied about seeing military action in Africa (thereby losing his security clearance) and he worked at Detrick. Oh and he happens to be a reclusive weirdo. [As I heard from a friend, who heard it from a friend who happened to be his neighbor in Frederick.] But if we round up all the reclusive weirdos in the country on suspicion of terrorist activities, we wouldn't have anywhere to put so many people.
Bottom line is the guy is a virologist. Anthrax is a bacteria. He never worked with anthrax [according to Washington Post]. He never even worked with other bacteria. Sounds to me like someone in the FBI fucked up by leaking the info OR they are trying to give the impression to the American public that they are on the verge of cracking this case, when in fact they are not. Or they know who it is, but can't implicate the person, so they have chosen a patsy instead.
All I know is I doubt Hatkill is the anthrax mailer. The rest is a media three ring circus act.
I'm at the point now where I try to read all my news. I'm sick of a the TV news stations/programs playing on the emotions of the American people post-9/11. I'm sick of scrolling ticker headlines. I'm all newsed out at this point. Should I go crawl into a hole now? ;)
One day down, four to go. I did manage to get some gifts mailed out today. And two experiments written up in my notebook. Otherwise I feel unaccomplished and uninspired. Could someone turn off the heat? I'm overcooked. ;)
Yeah, yeah, I know. I need to stop bitching about the heat. With any luck a front will push through giving the area relief.
Turns out one word doesn't fit with the rest of the piece I wrote Friday. I overlooked it, having added the phrase, "It's okay," late in the process of writing the piece. "It's all right" might be more suitable. Not sure what else I could put there that wouldn't be so casual. Maybe I should just delete the phrase altogether and let it stand without anything more added. I'll need to think about it awhile. Something may come to me later.
I had posted it in a place I have posted in the past. It's nice to know someone was paying attention and took the time to point out something that didn't quite fit right with the rest of the piece. [That doesn't mean that I think folks don't pay attention; that simply means I do appreciate a critique here and there. :)]
I feel barely recovered from last week, and now I've got to start a new week. I hope to God this one is less emotional than the last, though I won't hold my breath. There's a full moon this week and the heat hasn't broken yet. Sounds like an equation for general bitchiness to me. The only good thing is I'm no longer suffering from PMS. That goes in my favor. LOL.
I don't write often enough these days, but the way I was feeling last night, I felt the need to put some words on paper. A therapy of sorts. Tonight I polished it up a bit. And since it's short, I decided to post it here. It's modeled after the characters of Michael and Nikita from La Femme Nikita, but it's not at all an LFN story. Just an idea that arose some time ago when I was researching the mythology/history of Valkyries. Based on info I found at The Viking Answer Lady page.
The Valkyrie
The stench of death is thick around me filling the cool morning air. Unable to escape the smell, I gently stroke my steed, trying to ease his distress. Though we’ve both seen death and destruction far too many times before, it remains unsettling.
Each battle brings forth more idealistic young men dressed in their pageantry ready to serve their monarch. Some are not more than boys who have followed in the footsteps of their fathers and brothers who came before them. And this, their debutant, gruesomely welcoming them into the world of killing, fear, and death. When the fighting moves on to another venue, all that is left behind is the battle-scarred earth littered with piles of wounded and dead bodies.
A strand of my blond hair whips across my face as I turn toward the south. I snatch it and tug it back behind my ear before riding onward, weaving in and out of the rows of bloodied bodies. Many still clutch their guns, while others, their limbs severed from their bodies. A grisly sight I’ve grown accustomed to; one I cannot run from.
Amidst the death, I see movement. Then, I hear a muffled groan. His eyelids flutter briefly, as I dismount. When I reach his side, I know that I’ve found one still clinging to life with every breath. His eyes flutter again. Rich green in their hue, I find them quite striking. His reddish brown hair curls around his face, dampened by his own blood. Or perhaps by that of another.
When his eyes open again, I see recognition in them. His bloodstained hand reaches to touch my cheek. His skin, coated in the morning’s dew, feels cool and wet against mine. I’m certain his blood now colors my milky white skin.
“Sweet Valkyrie, you’ve come for me,” he breathes as his knuckles faintly brush against my hair. I release a tear as I nod in answer.
I can see it so clearly. He led the charge, shouting to his men to keep advancing forward. And when the lines broke down and the melee had begun, he fought alongside them, plunging his bayonet into each enemy soldier that crossed his path. Even into the soldier who struck him from behind. With reflex action, he jabbed its sharp edge behind him, finding his attacker, killing him. Wounded, he struggled to remain in control, to stay upright and moving. Despite the blurring of his vision caused by blood loss, he saw a flash of black as a raven flew overhead. A few steps later, his body crashed to the ground bearing the weight of another man thrust against his chest in the chaos of the battle.
Holding his head in my lap, I know he is the one I sought. Brave. Valiant in his efforts. And beautiful, his face sculpted with great care. A favored son. The one that will return with me.
Scooping my arm beneath him, I elevate his upper body. He grimaces as I do this, his breath coming rougher and his skin looking more pallid.
Gently stroking his cheek with my free hand, I whisper, “You don’t need to fight it anymore. It’s okay. The battle is over.”
At hearing my words, I sense a greater ease in his green eyes, eyes that normally would hold such intensity. Wrapping my cloak around him, I prepare to lift him. While cradling his weight against me, I feel an ache inside me, a sadness I normally would not feel. How many eternities has this been, and how many more will there be?
The wind, sensing the moment of our departure, uplifts the white feathers of the cloak, fluttering them. I close my eyes as I sense him struggling with his last breath.
Yes, it is time. Time to bring my chosen one from the battlefield to the other side. Perhaps there he will finally find peace.
Between the heat/humidty and all the events of the last week, along with having PMS, I think I reached emotional burnout/exhaustion last night. It was not a good feeling. I feel a bit better this morning, more rested, but still anxious about a slew of things from work, to relationships, to those I care about dealing with cancer.
Yesterday, Bill left for an unplanned vacation to Vermont with his 10 year old daughter. He took the time unpaid since he had no more vacation time and our workplace has decided to enforce a policy of no going in the hole in using one's vacation time. Basically you can't take the time until you accrue it.
Anyhoo....this concerns me since A. he decided to have a additional course of chemo, B. both his father and brother died of lymphoma, C. he just was on vacation 2 weeks ago in Maine. He hasn't said it publically, but he did mention to someone that the lymphoma in his knee did not get completely wiped out by the chemo, while the rest of his lumps did disappear. Obviously this warrants concern.
With Pam's cancer, I knew in the last several months it would probably kill her. And with Harvey's glioblastoma, it's only a matter of time. But with Bill I always believed that he could beat this. And now a big chunk got taken out of that belief. It scares me to think I could lose yet another person dear to me in such a short time. I want Bill to beat the odds not only for himself and his young daughter, but also for me. I don't know that I or anyone in the office could bear to lose him AND Harvey.
God, this cancer shit sucks......
Trust. It's something you take for granted until someone breaks that trust. And unfortunately there are times in life you trust the wrong person/people. I know I tend to try to think the best of people. But every so often I get burned.
It hurts when gradually you find that someone you think is your friend goes out of their way to exclude you and take jabs at you. Subtle ones at first. But gradually it becomes more evident. Yet it's not how I got treated that bothered me at first. It was how this pair of friends had begun to treat other people. Not sure why its usually that part that always clues me into someone's nature. That I accept the poor treatment of myself, but when I see other people being treated poorly, I realize the 'friends' ugliness.
When I talked to another friend at work who's known the two far longer than I, she explained that these two have a track record of doing this sort of shit. They are the type that are exclusive rather than inclusive. As long as I did things in common with them, I was included. But when I showed my independence, that was not acceptable. For I'm an inclusive type. And an independent type. I don't need to be a part of any group to have an identity. I guess that's threatening to them, I dunno.
It was nice to find out that I was viewed differently than the other two, even though I spent a good bit of time with them. That I give off a much more positive energy. The only question now is how do I deal with the situation. I work closely with these two women, so therefore I need to keep some sort of pleasantness between us. But on the other hand I will not act as if things are status quo. I will not be treated as some sort of second-class citizen, nor stepped-on when the mood suits. I will not serve as a means of self-empowerment for them. I deserve far better treatment.
It will be interesting to see how things play out.
I got bad news last night. A friend and former coworker passed in her sleep yesterday morning. She had been battling breast cancer the last few years. Through it all, Pam always held her head high and had been determined to beat the disease. Unfortunately, the disease spread and the repeated chemo weakened her body.
She had always been kind to me, always included me when she could. Whether it be a Christmas party or a tupperware party, even after I no longer worked there. She shared the same wedding anniversary date as my parents. April 24th, 1971. Unfortunately fate did not give her and her husband any children. But she doted on her nieces and coworkers children. For she loved children. She loved life.
I can't help but cry as I remember all the things that made her dear to all of us who were fortunate enough to know her. But I try to take comfort in the fact that she is no longer in pain. Pam will certainly be in my thoughts often throughout today. She is a special lady who touched the lives of so many. She will not be forgotten.
Sorry to be so quiet....everytime I actually write something Blogger goes down or my ISP gives me trouble. Go figure.
It turns out that there is a huge age gap between the coworkers in question having the relationship. I had no idea the guy is in his mid to late 40s. I thought he was in his mid to late 30s. And she is only 28. Interesting.
We all decided to act as if nothing had happened since it would appear that the happy hour was used as their 'coming out.' Since they never go to happy hours normaly, and well, we don't like ms. thang, we thought this the best course of action. No one likes to be used.
Now granted most of the building knows, but I don't know that anyone said anything to them to acknowledge it.
I had typed up a nice entry about this article . But it went poof. Bummer. I will say it was amusing to read about the female crow who made hooks out of straight wire to retrieve food, while her male counterpart did no such thing, but instead would steal her hooks or the food she retrieved. The stereotypes remain intact even in birds. ;)
Went to happy hour late last night. I missed all the action as two co-workers got real amourous and left. These are two people who work in the same department. And apparently left everyone with their tongues wagging, since these two were all over each other and the relationship is new. Most felt that the guy who's worked there a long time should of had more restraint since they were around coworkers and that both should be concerned whether it is gonna work out between them first before giving everyone a show. The other interesting aspect of it was another guy had asked her out a few weeks ago. She told him she doesn't date guys from work. I had made the comment to Charlie the other day when he told me that story that she was giving the guy a line. Turns out I was right. And I had no idea about her having the hots for this guy--I had no inside info.
I've had this girl pegged from day one. Fake, Manipulative, and an Attention seeker. Do I get a prize for being right? LOL. Oh yeah, and annoying as hell. Glad I'm not the only one that sees this now, LOL.
But otherwise happy hour was nice. The weather was perfect, the musician playing at the crab shack was entertaining and had a broad range of tunes, and the atmosphere was light and playful. Couldn't ask for much more! :)
What a crock of shit. The lawyer for the students who have filed a suit against a university for requiring them to read a book about Islam for a class is arguing that the book does not contain the tenets that the 9/11 hijackers followed. Hello, idiot. Most muslim are not extremists. The class was certainly trying to shed light of what the typical Muslim believes. And this lawyer argues that the book isn't comprehensive enough. It doesn't show both sides--doesn't show why some Muslims hate America. And that it depects Islam in too favorable a light. Sounds like he is a Muslim-hater to me.
That's why these kids should be reading this book. We all need to understand other cultures in order for them not to be foreign, in order not to fear the unknown. Because it is fear and hate that supports terror and crime. Not the religion of Islam.
Today went much more smoothly...'nuff said! :)
I saw some of the strangest people at Giant. Normally I shop at Safeway, but since we were by Giant we went there instead. In the first aisle we ran into a guy and his wife/gf. Dude had hair that stuck up in an unruly manner and wore a beach bum type shirt. Come to think of it he was kinda scruffy, too. But the strange part was he was walking around the store with a bungee cord slung around his neck in order to support his arm which I assume he injured. In addition he had two terry cloth hand towels, one to protect his back, and the other to protect his wrist from getting rope burn. Wouldn't it have been easier to used one of those towels or some other cloth as a sling?
Then we saw a mom and daughter who looked the parts of white trash and posterchild for child abuse. Scary. And lastly we saw some dude who was pushing the cart with an evil glint in his eye. "Cross my path and I'll run ya over!" It was a strange trip to Giant. I think I'll stick with Safeway. LOL.
Yesterday I had a FUBAR day...a day where everything I touch goes to shit. Now I need to spend the next two days repeating the experiment I did the previous two days. *sigh*
The weather here has changed from unbearably hot and humid to cool, dry, and almost fall-like. It's the kind of weather you can sleep well in, snuggling up under the covers. I wish I could be playing hookie and enjoying this lovely weather. But unfortunately, I can't. LOL.
Last night I had highlights put into my hair--3 colors. A bright dark red, a dark reddish brown, and a shade of copper. It's an interesting combo that looks good. Must be my way of rebelling against turning 30 soon, LOL. Or I'm just bored with my brown hair.
Now I just need to schedule an oil change for my car and buy a birthday gift for my nephew and then I should have everything I needed to do this week covered. *g*
I'm not sure why but this news story irked me. The Vatican will excommunicate women who dare to become priests, but I don't see such punishment for priests who abuse children. Basically they are saying you can't get into heaven if you are a woman who wants to serve God as a priest, but if you are a pediophile priest, no problem! This is why the Catholic church is not receiving any of my hard earned cash. I'm not tithing in support of their corrupt church that only backs men, including those who would hurt children, and be protected for doing so.
Football season is upon us with the first pre-season game airing last night. Football is the one sport I follow fairly closely. It helps that it only airs on the weekends, lol. And that there aren't threatened strikes every year.
I'm looking forward to my Philadelphia Eagles having a good season. :)
Our ladies night Thursday was quite fun. Candice, the type-A personality that she is, created a fabulous meal that included salad, a mail course of three-cheese spinach roll-ups, and a chocalate torte with raspberry topping. Everyone brought some sort of alcoholic beverage. These included Baccardi Limon in Minute Maid Lime Aid with ice (in the spirit of a Pina Collada), Docs Hard Lemonade, Captain Morgan coolers, Kahlua that we added to Starbucks coffee (yum!), and an assortment of wine. We ended the evening by playing the game Operation. Remember that? The game where you use tweezer to remove plastic bones from the 'patient' while trying not to set the buzzer off by touching the sides of the orifice. I truly suck at that game, which is nothing new. Grace, who had never played kicked our butts--she clearly has the most steady hand. LOL.
I'm gradually getting better. I did go to the doctor, whereby he decided I did not have a sinus infection. Gave me some Flonase and a scrip for some sort of Tussin. So everything is now draining. Such a wonderful feeling....not, LOL. But I guess its better than remaining stuffed up.
1. What is your lineage? Where are your ancestors from?
On my Dad's side, Italy. On Mom's side, Germany. So I presume that makes my lineage European. LOL.
2. Of those countries, which would you most like to visit?
I'd like to visit Germany again. And I wouldn't mind seeing some of Italy. *g* I've blogged about this before, so I'll leave it at that.
3. Which would you least like to visit? Why?
Least is really the wrong term. But I feel less directly connected to Italy than to Germany. Also I've heard from relatives that lived in both due to being in the military that they liked living in Germany better than in Italy. (And these were Italian descent relatives)
4. Do you do anything during the year to celebrate or recognize your heritage?
Not really. At best we have Fritatta at Easter. (That's an italian omelette)
5. Who were the first ancestors to move to your present country (parents, grandparents, etc)?
On Mom's side, Mom herself. She moved from Germany to the US when she was 18. The Cold War had begun to intensify. Fearful of the Soviet Union's intentions, she came to America. I believe that was in 1964.
On Dad's side, my great-grandparents. Interesting enough my great-grandmother and my great-grandfather Leone came over separately from Italy and met in Philadelphia and later married. My great-grandfather had been married before, but his first wife died in childbirth or after childbirth. He left his daughter behind in Italy until after he re-married. Interesting enough this daughter outlived all 8 half-siblings. Interesting how genetics work, LOL.