I bring you only two things today:
1. This is the message (or the best approximation of it I can manage) on the hand dryer in the bathroom: We have installed a pollution free hand dryer that dries hands while getting rid of the need for concern about disease transmitted from towel waste. This system allows you to dry hands without chapping while eliminating towel litter.
It's just like...wow....I never knew that I should be worrying about diseases transmitted from towel litter. I mean, what the hell disease could that be? It's so disturbing. I wanted to take a picture of it for you, but if you know anything about me or have been paying attention - I'm sure you can imagine the incredible amount of stress I have about just going into a public bathroom, let alone carrying in a camera. Oh, I got chills just thinking about it.
2. Siggy, the iPod has risen from the dead. I had a couple of versions of a joke here, but then decided that my mortal soul is probably in enough hot water without further blasphemy, so I leave it you, Gentle Reader, to make your own jokes. I'm just excited because currently the iPod is working again and I love him. It's like an old friend coming home.
Enjoy Thursday, People. We just have to finish today and tomorrow and then we're golden.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Waiting for Wednesday
Today I'm not admitting that I was wrong. I'm just saying that I've stated something in the past that I was convinced of, but now I'm convinced in a different direction. I'm hardly ever wrong, I think over the tenure of our relationship you would know that by now. But sometimes I change my mind. And that's ok. That shows growth as a person. It should be commended.
In the past I may have told you, or emailed you or whined incessantly for an hour about how much I hate the cold, seasons and the chipper attitude with which people from climates with seasons espouse their LOVE of the seasons. Seriously, the "I love (not heart...because that's a symbol that means love people, not a word to be used...seriously) the seasons, the seasons are great." Well, now I sorta have to take back those things I said. Although to say I am taking them back admits defeat and I will NEVER admit defeat. So I guess I need to amend what I've said in the past.
Turns out, I love the change of seasons. I still hate winter. Winter is a bitch mother whelping demon dogs from hell. Winter is the antithesis of all things good. Winter = bad. Additionally, the humidity part of summer can kiss my .......toe. Kiss is humidity. I'm not impressed by you. However, Fall? Spring? Well, wow. Let me tell you. The change of seasons is pretty freaking amazing.
Fall comes at the end of summer. It's right after August - the month where it is both hot and really, really humid. And then suddenly - cool, crisp, non-humid, perfect fall. Not too cold. Not too hot. Sweaters, maybe a little jacket. Cute outfits with tights (not for me, but other people can rock the look). It's awesome. It comes at such a nice time too. Because I'm tired of being hot and uncomfortable. We had a bit of fall last week...and then this week was just like, "screw you, Rose, I'm going to be hot and somewhat muggy." But I think that the fall is coming back. And I am so ready for it. I bought a crock pot. I can make slow cook meals all day and warm the house. I'm so ready for the fall. I can wear a scarf, but I don't HAVE to do it. The leaves change colors and are really pretty, and it's not like winter when all the trees are bare and you just see the world for the bleak wasteland that it is...oh winter, no.
Spring is awesome too because it's like Winter's PR person doing damage control. Winter makes you hate life and nature in general. Unless you are doing winter in Arizona and then winter is super awesome. Winter is the best. Winter in Arizona is like Fall in cold places. But winter in cold places does nothing for the image of nature. It makes you want to pollute and consume resources because what has nature ever given you except the cold depression of winter. But then, just as you think you can't take it any more. Spring. The first buds on the trees. Flowers start to poke their heads up. It's breath-taking. And it feels so good. That's why people worship the renewal of life in the spring because Winter feels like death and then Spring comes and breathes new life into the world. Amazing.
Come back, Fall. I'll be good I promise. Just come back and make it cold enough for me to wear my grandma's sweater and I'll be so happy. Make it crock pot weather, I implore you. And to those of you without the season change - come visit. It's worth the trip.
In the past I may have told you, or emailed you or whined incessantly for an hour about how much I hate the cold, seasons and the chipper attitude with which people from climates with seasons espouse their LOVE of the seasons. Seriously, the "I love (not heart...because that's a symbol that means love people, not a word to be used...seriously) the seasons, the seasons are great." Well, now I sorta have to take back those things I said. Although to say I am taking them back admits defeat and I will NEVER admit defeat. So I guess I need to amend what I've said in the past.
Turns out, I love the change of seasons. I still hate winter. Winter is a bitch mother whelping demon dogs from hell. Winter is the antithesis of all things good. Winter = bad. Additionally, the humidity part of summer can kiss my .......toe. Kiss is humidity. I'm not impressed by you. However, Fall? Spring? Well, wow. Let me tell you. The change of seasons is pretty freaking amazing.
Fall comes at the end of summer. It's right after August - the month where it is both hot and really, really humid. And then suddenly - cool, crisp, non-humid, perfect fall. Not too cold. Not too hot. Sweaters, maybe a little jacket. Cute outfits with tights (not for me, but other people can rock the look). It's awesome. It comes at such a nice time too. Because I'm tired of being hot and uncomfortable. We had a bit of fall last week...and then this week was just like, "screw you, Rose, I'm going to be hot and somewhat muggy." But I think that the fall is coming back. And I am so ready for it. I bought a crock pot. I can make slow cook meals all day and warm the house. I'm so ready for the fall. I can wear a scarf, but I don't HAVE to do it. The leaves change colors and are really pretty, and it's not like winter when all the trees are bare and you just see the world for the bleak wasteland that it is...oh winter, no.
Spring is awesome too because it's like Winter's PR person doing damage control. Winter makes you hate life and nature in general. Unless you are doing winter in Arizona and then winter is super awesome. Winter is the best. Winter in Arizona is like Fall in cold places. But winter in cold places does nothing for the image of nature. It makes you want to pollute and consume resources because what has nature ever given you except the cold depression of winter. But then, just as you think you can't take it any more. Spring. The first buds on the trees. Flowers start to poke their heads up. It's breath-taking. And it feels so good. That's why people worship the renewal of life in the spring because Winter feels like death and then Spring comes and breathes new life into the world. Amazing.
Come back, Fall. I'll be good I promise. Just come back and make it cold enough for me to wear my grandma's sweater and I'll be so happy. Make it crock pot weather, I implore you. And to those of you without the season change - come visit. It's worth the trip.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Ruby Tuesday
Today we will have a discussion of the bus.
I ride the bus everyday to and from work. I'm fine with that for the most part. I like not having to drive or park and the bus runs on corn cobs, so I'm really doing my part for Mama Nature. I like the bus because I don't have to do anything except walk to it and then I'm good to go - the bus driver does all the work. I often compose blog posts on the bust, but most of the time they don't actually make it on the blog. But man, oh man, they are so good in my head. Alas, so often it's much better in my head than the outside world.
I also love the bus because it's a microcosm. It's just like real life, shrunk down and placed in front of me to study, like my own little petri dish of human amoeba. I like to watch the interactions between people. I observe the habits of people. It's fascinating, like a nature program. There's this guy on there who always puts his stuff on the seat next to him, but the bus gets really crowded, so he usually moves it. BUT he only moves it a little bit and he invades the space of the seat next to him with parts of his bag or by leaning over it. So no one - unless they get really desperate- wants to sit near him. It's an awesome technique and I totally admire it.
Another thing I like to do on the bus is make up stories about the people that get on. These stories are based on facts I collect about the people. I'm good at observing things. Zach calls me a "little Jessica Fletcher" because I'm very observant. So I try to guess where people are from and what they are doing going to school at the same time. At the time I ride the bus in the morning it's a bunch of doctors, dentists, nurses, receptionists and students of the listed professions. I can tell because a) they are wearing scrubs b) they have ID cards identifying them. I'm just that brilliant.
So I do like the bus for the most part, but there is something that I don't like about the bus. There are way too many people invading my personal sphere on the bus. I don't think I've ever been on the bus and been able to escape being touched by someone. I'm not into that. Today a dude managed to touch me twice. Back off dude who is caring two duffel bags at 8:00 in the morning for some unknown reason. Stop touching me. It's not cool. People stand too close, sit too close and keep touching me. I don't know where these people have been or what their personal hygiene habits are. I do know that if someone would invent the human-sized hamster ball complete with air system and all necessary facilities that I've been dreaming of, my life would be tons easier. Why do all the stupid ideas (i.e., flow-bee, the clapper, etc.) get invented, but super awesome ideas like a human hamster ball go unrealized?
I'm going to leave you with that thought for the day. Enjoy. Think positive thoughts for me and maybe I can avoid being manhandled on the way home.
I ride the bus everyday to and from work. I'm fine with that for the most part. I like not having to drive or park and the bus runs on corn cobs, so I'm really doing my part for Mama Nature. I like the bus because I don't have to do anything except walk to it and then I'm good to go - the bus driver does all the work. I often compose blog posts on the bust, but most of the time they don't actually make it on the blog. But man, oh man, they are so good in my head. Alas, so often it's much better in my head than the outside world.
I also love the bus because it's a microcosm. It's just like real life, shrunk down and placed in front of me to study, like my own little petri dish of human amoeba. I like to watch the interactions between people. I observe the habits of people. It's fascinating, like a nature program. There's this guy on there who always puts his stuff on the seat next to him, but the bus gets really crowded, so he usually moves it. BUT he only moves it a little bit and he invades the space of the seat next to him with parts of his bag or by leaning over it. So no one - unless they get really desperate- wants to sit near him. It's an awesome technique and I totally admire it.
Another thing I like to do on the bus is make up stories about the people that get on. These stories are based on facts I collect about the people. I'm good at observing things. Zach calls me a "little Jessica Fletcher" because I'm very observant. So I try to guess where people are from and what they are doing going to school at the same time. At the time I ride the bus in the morning it's a bunch of doctors, dentists, nurses, receptionists and students of the listed professions. I can tell because a) they are wearing scrubs b) they have ID cards identifying them. I'm just that brilliant.
So I do like the bus for the most part, but there is something that I don't like about the bus. There are way too many people invading my personal sphere on the bus. I don't think I've ever been on the bus and been able to escape being touched by someone. I'm not into that. Today a dude managed to touch me twice. Back off dude who is caring two duffel bags at 8:00 in the morning for some unknown reason. Stop touching me. It's not cool. People stand too close, sit too close and keep touching me. I don't know where these people have been or what their personal hygiene habits are. I do know that if someone would invent the human-sized hamster ball complete with air system and all necessary facilities that I've been dreaming of, my life would be tons easier. Why do all the stupid ideas (i.e., flow-bee, the clapper, etc.) get invented, but super awesome ideas like a human hamster ball go unrealized?
I'm going to leave you with that thought for the day. Enjoy. Think positive thoughts for me and maybe I can avoid being manhandled on the way home.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Manic Monday
Today I am working from home. That means I am doing double-duty. I'm doing a little school work (well, so far, no school work, but I have big plans) and I'm doing some housework. Thus far, I vacuumed, clean the bathroom floor, did the dishes and started a little something for lunch. I'm going to go grocery shopping (I made a list and planned meals) after Zach gets home with the car. He's going to come home for lunch and then I'll drive him back to work and take the car shopping, etc. So that's my day. I'm a domestic goddess, although I don't do windows. Anyway because of my exciting day, I've only really got time for some random thoughts and I don't have time to segue between them, so I'm putting up some bullet points. Easy way out? Yeah, yeah it is. Deal with it.
- So I mentioned that I cleaned the bathroom floor. Although that's sort of a loose translation of what I did. I don't think the Swiffer Wet Jet is worth it. But maybe I am incorrectly operating it. Anyway, this does have a point and the point is this - am I the only person in this house that can see when things are dirty? Seriously? How the hell is it that no one else is grossed out by the accumulation of hair on the bathroom floor? You know what I'm talking about people, right? Is it just me? I used to think it was Zach or more generally men, but I've got two other females here and neither of them seemed to think it warranted cleaning either. That's cool. I guess I can conclude that it's just me. Not them. Although I can guarantee that my mother and grandmother would be horrified.
- I just came back. I know it's trippy for you because you didn't even know I was gone, but I totally was. I was gone for a long time and now I am back. In my absence I made lunch for Zach, took him back to work, went to two grocery stores and made pesto salad. It was really hard for me because I'm super sleepy. Also, the blender sucks. That made my job a lot harder. It took me an hour and a half to make the pesto. That's a long time. I put away all the groceries too. Eventful time, no?
- Allow me to say a little more about the pesto. I made it from fresh basil and a little bit of Italian parsley that I got from my grandma's garden. We picked it yesterday and took all the leaves off the stalks and bagged it up for the drive home. She also gave me the very tops of some of the basil (where the flowers and seeds are). Zach and I are going to try drying them and planting them in a pot. I have these two cute windows in my room (if I get around to taking pictures, I'll show you) and a plant stands with some pots of herbs would be awesome there. I hope that happens.
- I'm working on my iPod now. The iPod that Jesse and Adam gave me, and I'm sorry, but it was the best present ever. I mean, at least one of the top 10 I have ever received (and if you've given me a gift, just assume it's been in the top 10 and stop being offended). Anyway, the iPod is sick and has been for awhile. I'm hoping that he might be fixed this time. Anyway, he's getting updated again. So we'll see.
- Oh yeah, while I was making pesto I cut my finger on the blade of the blender. Shut up. It happens. I stuck my hand in there to pack in the basil leaves and I hit the blade and it cut me. And I got a little upset because while it didn't start bleeding until later I thought that might be sort of gross (yeah because I have germ problems). Anyway, long story short, it's only Zach and I, so I'm keeping the pesto.
- And I say all that to say this - one time my mom was making tapioca pudding for dessert and she was also making something else. I can't remember what else because what I'm about to tell you goes beyond horrifying. So my mom had one of those mandolins (not the instrument, the thing that's a box with a blade on top of it and it slices things super thin). Thing about the mandolin is, it's able to achieve those very thin slices because IT'S REALLY FREAKING SHARP. So she's slicing away and suddenly she cries out. I go into the kitchen and she's holding her hand and gushing blood. A lot. A lot of blood. She basically sliced off the tip of her finger. So now she's getting upset and rightfully so, that had to be super painful. So she asks me what to do. I'm maybe 10 or 11? I start to freak out to because I don't like to see my mom in pain. I'm sure most of you will say I just don't do well in emergencies, but it's really only emergencies where I have something personally vested. The well-being of my mom counts. Anyway, so I get my girl scout book which tells us that she needs to apply pressure and keep it elevated above her heart. So we do that and she sits down and finally after a long time (an hour? more?) it finally stops bleeding enough to put a band-aid on it. And this is the best part. While she's still bleeding a little (she may or may not have had the band-aid on), she decides she should stir the tapioca so it doesn't burn...and she gets a drop of blood in the tapioca. I immediately turn to her and tell her she's gotta throw that out now because that's so gross. And she calmly tells me that's not going to happen. I was beside myself. When my dad came home I made sure that he knew what she had done to the tapioca, but he didn't care he ate it anyway. I soundly refused to even look at the tapioca and to this day I can't eat it.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Sunday Afternoon on La My Blog is Better Than Your Blog*
I love that Seurat painting by the way. It's always been one of my favorites. It's awesome. You can check that out on wikipedia. Learn a little something why don't you?
Anyway, here are some pictures from Chicago. I'm the worst at posting pictures, I always, always forget to take them and I often forget to post them. But here you go.
Sara, this blog's for you!
This is Zach and I and J and L on the steps at Millennium Park in Chicago. In front of some sculpture thing.
This is the big silver blob that caught our attention (also at Millennium park) and those are two people in the foreground, who I will name...Ellen and Sam. They are a fictional couple from Michigan who were visiting Chicago for the first time.
This is a sweet garden shot at the park with some of the skyline in the background. Don't you seriously love to look at other people's vacation photos? Most exciting thing ever? Yes.
While in Chicago we went to the Shedd Aquarium, perhaps the greatest place on earth. They have these jellyfish there that are in black tanks with cool lights on them. They say you can't improve on nature, but they are so wrong. You can make jellyfish look even more bad ass than normal if you put them in a tank with some cool lighting. These are one of my favorite things to see. It's really relaxing to watch them.
They have penguins too. The penguins are really cute. Not anywhere near as cute as the sea otters (which we didn't get great pictures of...and I'm not posting a sub par picture because it would detract from the cuteness). Anyway, these are cute too. Pei - this picture is for you!
This is Buckingham Fountain (in the distance- see the big stream of water, yeah, that's it) and J, L, A and I standing around. Pretty sweet. Just so you all can really feel like you were there - at this point I was super tired from walking around for the last 6 hours and I was getting hungry and thirsty. So I was cranky. More cranky than normal...I know...can you even imagine? Well, I'm sure if you've known me for any length of time, you can.
Thanks to Zach for all of the wonderful pictures by the way. This is one that he really liked a lot. It came out pretty cool. That's us crossing the street and heading the place we ate dinner at. It's a pretty nice view of the city.
Finally, here is the newest member of our family. His name is Oliver (Ollie for short) and that's his starfish, Stan. He's a cute sea otter and I love him. Thanks, Zach!!
It was a successful weekend trip. We had a really good time hanging out with the PA people. We also had an awesome time at Grandma's. I didn't want to leave, but alas, the piper has to be paid.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the pictures and the short narration. I must say I'm really surprised that I actually managed to blog anything today, but I guess I am really great. So that sort of explains it. Plus I'm waiting for the clothes to dry. It takes about 3 hours for that to happen. We need to get the landlord over here to fix it.
Goodnight!
* I know that it's La Grande Jatte, but mine's cute too, right?
Anyway, here are some pictures from Chicago. I'm the worst at posting pictures, I always, always forget to take them and I often forget to post them. But here you go.
Sara, this blog's for you!
This is Zach and I and J and L on the steps at Millennium Park in Chicago. In front of some sculpture thing.
This is the big silver blob that caught our attention (also at Millennium park) and those are two people in the foreground, who I will name...Ellen and Sam. They are a fictional couple from Michigan who were visiting Chicago for the first time.
This is a sweet garden shot at the park with some of the skyline in the background. Don't you seriously love to look at other people's vacation photos? Most exciting thing ever? Yes.
While in Chicago we went to the Shedd Aquarium, perhaps the greatest place on earth. They have these jellyfish there that are in black tanks with cool lights on them. They say you can't improve on nature, but they are so wrong. You can make jellyfish look even more bad ass than normal if you put them in a tank with some cool lighting. These are one of my favorite things to see. It's really relaxing to watch them.
They have penguins too. The penguins are really cute. Not anywhere near as cute as the sea otters (which we didn't get great pictures of...and I'm not posting a sub par picture because it would detract from the cuteness). Anyway, these are cute too. Pei - this picture is for you!
This is Buckingham Fountain (in the distance- see the big stream of water, yeah, that's it) and J, L, A and I standing around. Pretty sweet. Just so you all can really feel like you were there - at this point I was super tired from walking around for the last 6 hours and I was getting hungry and thirsty. So I was cranky. More cranky than normal...I know...can you even imagine? Well, I'm sure if you've known me for any length of time, you can.
Thanks to Zach for all of the wonderful pictures by the way. This is one that he really liked a lot. It came out pretty cool. That's us crossing the street and heading the place we ate dinner at. It's a pretty nice view of the city.
Finally, here is the newest member of our family. His name is Oliver (Ollie for short) and that's his starfish, Stan. He's a cute sea otter and I love him. Thanks, Zach!!It was a successful weekend trip. We had a really good time hanging out with the PA people. We also had an awesome time at Grandma's. I didn't want to leave, but alas, the piper has to be paid.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the pictures and the short narration. I must say I'm really surprised that I actually managed to blog anything today, but I guess I am really great. So that sort of explains it. Plus I'm waiting for the clothes to dry. It takes about 3 hours for that to happen. We need to get the landlord over here to fix it.
Goodnight!
* I know that it's La Grande Jatte, but mine's cute too, right?
Today's Blog is Brought to You by the Letter Adam
So I have his blog on my sidebar which means that you've probably checked out his blog, but today is a special day here at My Blog is Better Than Your Blog. Today I'm not writing anything. I don't have the time. I have things to do. I have to pack, I have to go cash this check from my mom (thanks, Mom!) and I need to do a little bit more work today. So why don't you go read about my mom and how bad ass she is, and, in general how cool Adam and I are. Because Adam and I rock!
Rock...that's another word that I want to bring back. I love that. I say it a lot too. I can't believe it didn't make the list the other day. Wow.
Also the phrase, "Yeah, no"...it's the nice way to tell someone know. I believe Heidi (Hi, Heidi!) started me using this one because when she was working at the Days Inn, people would ask her if there were any rooms left and she'd say, "Um...yeah.....no." Sort of a nice way to let people down.
Ok, seriously, here's the guest blog (unbeknownst to the author):
http://theadhocproject.blogspot.com/
Rock...that's another word that I want to bring back. I love that. I say it a lot too. I can't believe it didn't make the list the other day. Wow.
Also the phrase, "Yeah, no"...it's the nice way to tell someone know. I believe Heidi (Hi, Heidi!) started me using this one because when she was working at the Days Inn, people would ask her if there were any rooms left and she'd say, "Um...yeah.....no." Sort of a nice way to let people down.
Ok, seriously, here's the guest blog (unbeknownst to the author):
http://theadhocproject.blogspot.com/
Thursday and the Living's Easy
It's Thursday. That's nice. It means that tomorrow is Friday. That means that I'm going out of town tomorrow. That's fun. I'm going to see Grandma tomorrow and some friends from Pennsylvania. That's right Arizona friends, look at the other people stepping up. Feel free to come visit when you get a chance.
Anyway, as has been evident from the past, oh, I don't know, month's posts, I still got nothing. And you know what? I'm starting not to care. I'm happy with the banality. I'm all about things staying on an even keel. Well, I mean, I'm not personally ever on an even keel, but I assume it would be wonderful. I'm guessing that not having your moods change more often than Lyndsey Lohan's hair color (pop culture reference, yes!) would be nice. But I will probably never know that kind of stability. Sigh. Oh well.
As I was saying, I'm into the routine. I love it. I was thinking about the routine this morning. And I was thinking how comforting it is. It's like church. I find it really comforting that every time you go to church, you do the same things. I haven't been to church in years, except recently when I've gone the last two weeks (one more this month and they've got me), but I still know all the prayers, all the parts of the mass, all the places to stand, sit, kneel. It's cool.
And now I'm getting into my daily routine. Wake up with Zach, make breakfast, pack lunch, take bus, work, take bus, home, make dinner, time with Zach. Do it all over again the next day. It's fun. Sure, there is some variation. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes I go in later, sometimes I go in earlier. I'm just so madcap. And I'm proud of it. Rather than seeing it as heinous that I have to do the same things each day, I take comfort in it.
I like plans, organization, knowing what will happen next. My whole life is one big quest to reduce uncertainty. And I love it. And now I have to go. It's time for the 12:45 hand-washing.
Anyway, as has been evident from the past, oh, I don't know, month's posts, I still got nothing. And you know what? I'm starting not to care. I'm happy with the banality. I'm all about things staying on an even keel. Well, I mean, I'm not personally ever on an even keel, but I assume it would be wonderful. I'm guessing that not having your moods change more often than Lyndsey Lohan's hair color (pop culture reference, yes!) would be nice. But I will probably never know that kind of stability. Sigh. Oh well.
As I was saying, I'm into the routine. I love it. I was thinking about the routine this morning. And I was thinking how comforting it is. It's like church. I find it really comforting that every time you go to church, you do the same things. I haven't been to church in years, except recently when I've gone the last two weeks (one more this month and they've got me), but I still know all the prayers, all the parts of the mass, all the places to stand, sit, kneel. It's cool.
And now I'm getting into my daily routine. Wake up with Zach, make breakfast, pack lunch, take bus, work, take bus, home, make dinner, time with Zach. Do it all over again the next day. It's fun. Sure, there is some variation. Don't get me wrong. Sometimes I go in later, sometimes I go in earlier. I'm just so madcap. And I'm proud of it. Rather than seeing it as heinous that I have to do the same things each day, I take comfort in it.
I like plans, organization, knowing what will happen next. My whole life is one big quest to reduce uncertainty. And I love it. And now I have to go. It's time for the 12:45 hand-washing.
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