i just can't help myself

This is the reason I can still name all of the states in alphabetical order. My own song gets less songy from Oklahoma to Wisconsin, but I still know them.

(The ends cuts off, but you still get all of that fifty states in ABC order goodness.)

h a double-l o w double-e n spells halloween

Okay, just click the link. Does anyone else remember this? This song pops into my head much more often than just at Halloween. Gotta love elementary school music class.


Oooh, oooh, another one! (You have to add the lyrics yourself, but here you have what I can give you.)

Okay, um, yeah, I could be at this for a long time. I need to stop now, yes?

on october 31st, in 1864...

Home Means Nevada

Written & Music by Bertha Raffetto

Way out in the land of the setting sun,
Where the wind blows wild and free,
There's a lovely spot, just the only one
That means home sweet home to me.
If you follow the old Kit Carson trail,
Until desert meets the hills,
Oh you certainly will agree with me,
It's the place of a thousand thrills.

Home means Nevada
Home means the hills,
Home means the sage and the pine.
Out by the Truckee, silvery rills,
Out where the sun always shines,
Here is the land which I love the best,
Fairer than all I can see.
Deep in the heart of the golden west
Home means Nevada to me.

Whenever the sun at the close of day,
Colors all the western sky,
Oh my heart returns to the desert grey
And the mountains tow'ring high.
Where the moon beams play in shadowed glen,
With the spotted fawn and doe,
All the live long night until morning light,
Is the loveliest place I know.

Home means Nevada
Home means the hills,
Home means the sage and the pines.
Out by the Truckee's silvery rills,
Out where the sun always shines,
There is the land that I love the best,
Fairer than all I can see.
Right in the heart of the golden west
Home means Nevada to me.

this is ground control to major tom

Okay, two countdowns right now.


Five days until Election Day! I'm anxious and nervous about this. I cast my vote yesterday. I was going to vote the day before, but I was sick and lazy that morning. I'm only a bit sad that I didn't bring Pic with me to vote. She's come with me the last two times I've voted (okay, so once she was in utero and neither of us had much choice, but she was there). Next time, though.

Two days until National Blog Posting Month! I'm on the November blogroll. I was afraid Mrs Kennedy (and Co?) was going to be too innundated with us last minute additions to get mine up in time, but she rocks. So, steel yourselves to read even more pointless ramblings from me (or avoid it, I suppose, but that's not much fun for me). I know that Ms B, whose most awesome derby name is The Furie Queene, is participating...who else will be joining in next month?

it's not even halloween yet, people

Okay, so I know that Halloween is only about three-and-a-half hours away, but it's not yet here. Therefore, I maintain that the freaking mall should NOT yet have the Creepy Claus station set up. Now I have to avoid the mall for two full months people? We often walk the mall when the weather is too crappy for much outdoor time. The Santa Claus kind of freaks me out and I certainly am not getting pictures of Pic with him. I do not want to pay $13 for a grainy picture that I'll never display anywhere.

Speaking of pictures (and the mall), we went to get Pic's All Hallow's Eve pictures today. We get professional pictures taken twice a year, once for her birthday and once for Halloween. This year, she's a monkey princess (if a flower girl dress is going to be that expensive, she's sure going to wear it more than once). Actually, the idea was hers. Since she made that choice, she has, several times, changed her mind about her costume, though. At one point, she wanted to be Aurora (from Disney's Sleeping Beauty). At another point, she wanted to be an elephant. However, we made her stick with monkey princess (because we're ogres, I know).

We are planning to go with a different photographer the next time we have pictures taken. I'll tell you more and let you know how it goes in February*, I suppose.

Anyhow, let's recap: yea for pictures! boo for Santa Claus!

--------------------------------------------

* How do y'all pronounce "February"? Do you pronounce that first "r" or no? Coach J and I have been discussing this lately (because, y'know, we only discuss the really important issues) and I'm just curious. (Now you'll be nice and self-conscious whenever you say "February." You're welcome.)

pic behind the shutter

These second two are from Cardo's third day in the hospital. Pic slept for about three hours and then got up. About four hours later, she slept for about another two hours. I could hear her clicking away with the camera (there are many more of these kinds of pictures), but I was too tired to get up.

it's rambly, but maybe you can use it as a sleep aid

Apple Hill: About week-and-a-half ago, we made the trek to Apple Hill with our dearly beloved friends, Auntie C and Uncle A. This was shortly after we learned that we had our first cases of strep throat (part of what led to Cardo’s heart problems).

A couple of days before we went on this outing, Cardo, Pic and I went to one of the (many) local parks to feed our going-stale bread to a group of ducks, geese and a swan. When we were finished playing at the park, we realized Cardo’s car wouldn’t start. We once again called on the help of Auntie C and Uncle A and this is when Uncle A told us he had strep also. He said he thought it was from Pic’s besitos (C and A had watched Pic over the weekend while I was at the hospital with Cardo). By the time we went to “pick” apples, though, we all felt markedly better.

So, anyhow, on that Saturday morning, C and A picked us up and we ate breakfast at Mimi’s and then headed over to California. The Hill (as it hereafter, in this post, shall be known) was crowded, somewhat mobbed actually. The last time we went, it was summer and there was barely anyone there. This time, there were enough people there to make me somewhat ill at ease. I’m seriously grateful that I did not have to drive at all that day.

We chose some already-picked apples at the first farm we visited. I think we each had one of that lot and Pic ended up eating three more that day (we really have no self-control when it comes to fruits). At one of our stops, Pic rode an entirely too expensive mechanical dinosaur ride. (I just thought I’d make it clear it wasn’t a real dinosaur.) She got to take home a dinosaur toy that was supposed to make sound, but didn’t.










We ended up not picking any apples from any apple trees (hence my use of “pick” above). Apparently we need to go in September next year. We stopped at a few more farms, though, taking it all in. At one farm, there was a clown wandering around (oh joy of joys). I very much avoided him. Cardo joked with me about the clown. At the next farm, though, it was his turn to avoid a fear – there was a stall that sold emu oil (I didn’t even ask) and the man had his pet emu there. (By the way, it’s pronounced “e-mew.”) Freaked Cardo out. Pic, Auntie C, Uncle A and I, however, went over to check Winston the (female) emu out.

At some point along the way, we came across a small pen with very, very well-fed animals. There were little cups of feed and Pic got to serve up some pellety stuff to sheep, goats and alpacas. (There were also pigs and donkeys, but they weren't allowed to have the feed. They were eating plenty of whatever it is they eat, though.) After we were finished here, Pic complained, "Now my hand smells like animal food!" Yep.









At our last stop, we stood in the “express” pie line for something like forty minutes and bought a few different kinds of apple pies. Auntie C and Uncle A bought a caramel-apple pie and a traditional one. As I’ve mentioned before, we bought a whole wheat and honey apple pie and a pecan-crunch apple pie. (The former is still in the freezer and the latter is still only partially eaten. It’s good, but Cardo’s not so into sweets and I always (sometimes) wait for him to have some pie. Actually, that pie is probably sprouting some fuzz right now.)

It was a long day, but it was fun. It was nice to get out and get away from our woes here. Cardo was a bit tired, but seemed to feel well overall. Next year, though, we are going back in September and buying a freaking bushel of apples.

[I’m sorry this ended up sounding like, First we did this and then we did that and then we did that…blah, blah, blah. I should have written about it sooner. Also, I shouldn’t have written about it when I was so freaking exhuasted.]

Um, hello? Where are all of your apples?

and even more insomnia

[Google Image...I only wish my tea looked that good]

I feel a long night of no sleep and a ridiculous amount of tea coming on. I have oh-so-much reading to get through. Reading that I'd like to be finished with, um, two days ago, but alas.

Why do we need sleep? I remember reading some Dean Koontz book quite some time ago and Deliverance Payne (I believe that's how her name was spelled) didn't require sleep. I don't believe that the green-eyed monster has ever before or ever since so completely possessed my whole being.

Anyhow, off to more freaking reading, dish washing and not sleeping.

another moment of genius!

Okay, so this time, as others, genius means something more like "ability to read and successfully follow instructions."

So, I've signed up for November's NaBloPoMo and I've added a little badge over there on the right. I hope to soon see this here blog on the list, but I just signed up and I don't know if I get some kind of confirmation e-mail or what.

I'm a bit nervous about making this commitment, because I'm afraid that I won't post every day. (Already with the negative thinking, I know.) I have another commitment for next month that is, in the grand scheme of my not-so-grand life, a bit more important, but NaBloPoMo should be much more fun.

yet another sprint

Okay, I need to take a freakin' shower, so I'll be somewhat quick here.

I'm still sick. I still despise being sick. I came home last night, stripped off my socks, shoes, jacket and pants, went upstairs, read for a minute and proceeded to sleep for almost thirteen hours. And, I'm still sick! (That's a pissy exclamation point, not a happy one.)

At 10:50 yesterday morning, I rushed out of my building and down to my car. I managed to successfully navigate myself to the cardiologists' office (I think three or four of them work there). Again, I was the youngest person around by about four decades. (One of these things is not like the others, one of things just doesn't belong....) Cardo was already in the exam room when I got there, but the nurse had yet to come in and check him over.

She came in shortly after I got there and informed us that Cardo still won't be able to pick up Pic for another four weeks or so. Also, Cardo could possibly be on his meds for another year or two (or maybe for the rest of his life). The meds, by the way, are the major factor in his exhaustion. They are blood pressure meds, but he's taking them for other reasons (his blood pressure is already on the low end of healthy, so anything lowering his blood pressure, of course, makes him tired).

Cardo's back at work today, for the first time since Wednesday the 8th. I hope he takes heed of the Nurse B's warning and sits when he's tired and leaves if he has chest pain.

On to other fun stuff. I'm still sick. Oh? I already informed you of that? Sorry.

Cardo's car wouldn't start this morning. It has only worked half of the time for the last two weeks. I keep telling him that we should just leave it in the garage and use mine and the bus (and our legs...except he's still relegated to shortish, easy walks), but he insists on using it. Every couple of days, he or someone else will "fix" it and he'll be sure that the problem is solved. Um, no.

The one thing I asked for this year is that we pay off my credit card (Cardo recently opened one of his own, although I have NO idea why). After that, I think he should actually fix his car and then sell it (he has said, repeatedly, to me that he just wants to sell it, although he is in love with it) and buy another car (something used, probably). I'm tired of dealing with the car problems and he doesn't need the stress.

Anyhow, this sprint has turned into something more short distance but not so much sprinty. Ah, well.

blog sprint

Okay, so I have about three minutes before I need to get up and earn my meager paycheck.

Cardo has his follow-up with the cardiologist today. He's going to talk to them about why he's been so exhausted lately. Cardo hates to nap and almost all of the time is too wide awake and alert to even need a nap during the day (unlike some people). I think that it has something to do with the heart attack. (Yes, that was kind of a 'duh' statement...I meant it that way.) I don't think that he realizes how taxing that was on his body. I also think that it is, in part, the fact that he is having a break and his body is taking advantage of that.

Anyhow, we are sincerely hoping that he will be able to go back to work tomorrow. We need the money (hey, no pressure or anything). Also, he needs to be back at work. I think that this time off is driving him a bit crazy.

Okay, then, I'll update later. I might be able to go to part of his appointment with him. We'll see.

I've got to go earn my pocketful of change now.

ugh...

I am sick. Again and again and again. It probably has something to do with the fact that I haven't slept in a couple-and-a-half decades. Yep.

Anyhow, when I'm sick, I sing to myself, "I am sick, I am sick, I am sick, sick sick." I know the connotation is different, but oh well.

rss feed

Hey, people! I'm a genius! I've added an RSS feed thingie over there on the right. I have no clue how this works (that genius comment was so not sincere). Now that it's there, I have to figure out how it actually works.


--------------

Okay, I know that it's only been four minutes, but I have absolutely zero idea about how to work this feed reader thing. Unless my Yahoo is just being a pita. I'll try again later.

follow me...

Okay, so I have added a "followers" thing over there on the right. I have one whole follower right now (hi Coach J! I hope you're feeling better). If you'd like to follow me (if you don't already), go ahead and click on that "Follow this blog" link. You can either follow using your name/blog title or you can follow anonymously.

This is supposed to help publicize blogs, but I'm not entirely sure that I get how. Ah, well...

Okay, so I'm off to read more Imperium and watch some Food Network Halloween challenges.

the out-of-towners

We're planning yet another short trip.

We've recently gone to Apple Hill and, before that, to Scheel's. Okay, so Scheel's might not count as a destination to some, but that place is suffocatingly big (and, yes, that makes sense). There's a freakin' ferris wheel in there, for the love of Mike.

Today, we're planning on picking up the wee one a bit early and heading down to Carson. We'll go to the children's museum, we hope (last time we got there too close to closing time). Then, we'll do our annual stroll, checking out the Halloween festivities. I love to see all of the Halloween decorations and Cardo and Pic indulge me.

I'll write more about all of these trips later. (I'm sure droves of you -- if you can count four people as a drove -- will be waiting, anxiously, at the edges of your seats until I post again.) So, until then...

the last one, for now, maybe

We bought humongous pomegranates at Costco. Cardo picked all of the fruit out of one last night and this blurry picture shows just how full it was. I tried to eat all of it during War, Inc., but I just couldn't. Cardo was still eating this tonight.















Just to prove that we are masters of the kitchen, we roasted our first whole chicken last night (no trussing was involved). I'm not a fan of dark meat (it's slimy), so I only ever make chicken breast and Cardo just deals. For this, we put garlic and lime slices under the skin. We also mixed up some paprika (which is apparently a controversial ingredient for roasted chicken), salt and pepper and rubbed that under the skin. The rest of the lime and garlic, we put into the cavity. The chicken totally creeped me out, because the lime wedges under the skin looked like eyes, making the whole thing look like a creepy face (aren't you just craving some roasted chicken right now?). Oh, we also rubbed the outside of the chicken with olive oil.















Here's what my complete dinner looked like. Chicken breast (I don't eat the skin and I only made it through a bit of the meat...the leftovers were used tonight), asparagus (again!) and a wheat HOB roll that I forgot we had hiding in the freezer.















Tonight, Cardo made sopes. We bought the shells at WinCo. He added refried beans, the leftover chicken breast, the greens leftover from our BLTAs, sour cream (he said it tasted weird, turns out I bought fat-free without realizing it...I'm subconsciously health conscious) and parmesan cheese (it's the only grating-cheese we have in the fridge).









Holy-freaking-cow, man. I finally posted all of my back-logged food pictures. Now I'm hungry.



Recently watched: Disfigured, Iron Man and War, Inc.

You should see the html on the section right above.

and it goes on and on and on and on...

...sing it people. Don't stop believin'...I've more food pictures to post. Okay, enough of that total nonsense.








This was a Mamma and Pic dinner while Papi was at work one night. Bean and cheese burritos that I made (put together and heated) and left in a hot skillet for a bit to get that crunch. Trader Joe's canned corn and water finished it out. Simple, but we liked it.













This was this Monday night's dinner for me. Grilled cheese, minus the butter, with thick slices of tomato. I also ate some of that watermelon after Cardo cut it up. (Mmm. Watermelon sounds good right now.)















We took a trip to Apple Hill Saturday, and this is one of the pies we bought. This one is pecan-crunch apple pie. Regular apple pie with crushed pecans on top. It's good. (We also got a whole wheat and honey apple pie. That one is still in the freezer. We haven't eaten any pie since Tuesday night, but it's calling me.)

oh the food that we have eaten

I haven't posted any food in quite a bit. Upheaval here at La Casa B has made eating a sporadic event. Anyhow, things are getting more and more back to normal, and so should this here blog. Get ready for a bunch of food pics. (Actually, I think I can only post five or so pictures so there might be two posts...or, maybe we haven't eaten at home that much. Hmm.)











Cardo made this meal. Tuna, couscous and asparagus. It was good. The gigantic mug of hot tea was mine (I was ill with strep) and the Dos Equis was his (he was also ill with strep).













I made acorn squash again. This time, I did one savory and one sweet. The one on the left had thyme (or something), butter and lots o' garlic. The one on the right had maple syrup, butter and cinnamon. Also, hey look, there's more asparagus.
















Cardo cooked again. More tuna (good again), more asparagus (I'm addicted), cauliflower with cheese sauce (some frozen product) and sauteed mushrooms.













This meal was inspired by the pasta dish I had at the Mimi's in Roseville. Whole wheat penne; olive oil; cheese (of some variety); sauteed mushrooms, zucchini and yellow squash. Topped with diced tomato. If I had any idea how to do garlic butter wine sauce stuff, I would have made it (I don't even know what it is, though, so fat chance of me ever making it. It's healthier this way anyway, no?)













This was Sunday night (I turned off the camera's date stamp and I forgot to turn it back on until just now). BLTAs again. Same Trader Joe's artisan bread as last time. Costco turkey bacon this time. Some mesclun, tomato and avocado. I made baked sweet potato wedges to go with them. Um, some cooked more than they maybe should have, but I swear (by the moon and the stars in the sky) that they tasted good.












Okay, so that took me a century-and-a-half to post. Now, I have seven more food pictures (meaning two more posts). There has got to be an easier way to do this. I'm not re-editing anything after this is posted, so please just deal with any wonkiness.

Oh, one more note here. I can hardly believe that for over two decades of my life I didn't find avocado or asparagus worthy of drooling over. What the crud was wrong with me?

a new and sterile me

Okay, so today, we went to the doctor’s office for the twenty millionth time in the last month. That’s a lot of doctor time.

Originally, we were scheduled for three appointments today. One to check up on Cardo’s strep, one to check up on mine and one for a vasectomy consultation. No, we couldn’t possibly just make one appointment and cover all of that. "Yes, please deposit sixty of your dollars into our coffers." Um, no thanks. Cardo cancelled the earlier check-ups and we only went in for the consult.

It turns out that there is a slight possibility that there could be heart complications caused by the in-the-office surgery (the surgery could be done in the office or in an OR, I was just pointing out how low-key it could be). Considering what we are coming off of, we are wary of the possible complications.

I’ll admit that I’m selfish when it comes to this whole sterilization process. Cardo doesn’t mind taking pills, admitting chemicals not produced by his own body into his body. I, however, am so not okay with this idea. Funny, though, because I may be the one who ends up sterile. (That terms makes it sound like I’ll turn into some android or something, so I just like to keep using it. It’s slightly amusing to me. I’m apparently a bit off.)

Our doctor told us that there is a procedure where I wouldn’t have to have surgery. Two little (I seriously hope) coils will be inserted into my vagina, through my uterus and into my fallopian tubes, where they’ll live. I’m guessing that these coils are made of some kind of metal (yes, I’m slightly freaking out thinking that there might be some metal thingies just chillin’ in there). Scar tissue will form and then my little unwanted eggs (no offense ladies, I just have no more procreative use for you) won’t be able to take any more monthly journeys.

I’m obviously not sure about all of the particulars, but we will soon be having a consult with my gynecologist (which means that I’ll actually have to see him again for the first time in several decades (ah, hyperbole, friend of the young and impassioned)).

I have no idea if I’ll have to take hormones or if my body will start up with The Change (dum, dum, dum) or what. I don’t want to have to start taking hormones that my body is now producing. I also don’t ever want to have more kidlets. I also would like to not freak out every few months, wondering where the crap my period is (and freaking out about her makes her stay far, far away…or far, far inside, or whatever).

I just want to be finished with all of this. I won’t take the pill (which should be obvious from what I expressed above), I don’t want to be fitted for a female condom or diaphragm (which are both less trustworthy than a regular old condom, which is what we have relied on always). Oh, and have I mentioned, I don’t want any more kids? Yeah, I thought so. (And, no, no matter how many times you plead with me or try to persuade me that I need to have just one more…I DON’T WANT MORE KIDS. If you’re so eager for more babies to be brought into the world, go ahead and have them yourself. Please. And, if you can’t, I’m truly sorry, but me having another one isn’t going to help.)

Okay, so what do you all think about this whole issue? I’m interested in other opinions…on the sterilization, not on whether I should have more kids. Because, I’ve already been through the “You’re too young to get married” and we’re doing great. And, I’ve been through the “You’re too young to have kids,” and that’s working out pretty freaking well. So, opinions/advice on our vasectomy/tubal ligation options?

Grazie…in advance.

insomniac something theatre

Okay, yeah, middle-of-the-darkness, I know. I am up, though, and I have something pressing to discuss.

What are you all going to be for Halloween?

Seriously.

I haven't dressed up for All Hallow's Eve in a very long time (I think the last time was senior year of high school...I was Athena). Pic is going to be a monkey princess. Cardo is not dressing up (he's adamant). I want to be something! (Oh so many meanings behind that phrase, but I'm exhausted and can't/won't go into them now.)

I'm leaning toward witch. I haven't been one (for Halloween) since I was about five, I believe. I just don't want one of those thin plastic-like material costumes. And, I've decided, I want nothing to do with any of the women's costumes from Spirit (the Halloween warehouse thing). We went today, looking for a monkey tail and ears for Pic (didn't find them) and all of the women's costumes looked like something out of a cheesy macho fantasy. There was the overly-sexy nurse, the overly-sexy Snow White and the overly-sexy woman wrapped in Sugar Babies wrappers (I totally don't get this last one).

I'm just annoyed. Actually, when we walked in I announced, "Oh, look, my only choice for this Halloween is to be a stripper."

Okay, so I'm not really a prude, but there's a weird line, for me, between what is appropriately sexual and what isn't. I feel like Halloween costumes should be more than role-playing sex-games outfits. Sure, those costumes have their place, but not on my body. Maybe that's the problem here...I'm just insecure in my own body, but I feel like there's more.

Oh-freaking-kay. I'm exhausted and rambly. I'm still pissed about the costume selection, though.

So, really, what are you guys planning on being for Halloween? Are any of you going for the sexy look? How do you feel about Halloween costumes?

a good eduation

[Ha! Little joke there for those who graduated from the College of Eduation here a few years ago.]


Anyhow, the following is something I scribbled in May. Here it finally is.

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things i learned (or re-learned) in seattle:
if i had the looks, i could be a plus-size model
i still don’t like salmon
there are a huge number of seriously smart people in this world
i don’t handle elevators well
i need sleep

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e un otro post (from who knows when...before the May one)

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Recently, Cardo, Pic and I went to dinner with friends. We were drawing on the butcher paper covering the tablecloths and Pic drew a “people.” It turns out this people was grumpy. When asked why the people was grumpy, Pic responded, “Because he haf a baby.” (She kind of says “haf,” so, yes, I meant to type that.) Oh, great, our secret’s out. Cardo and I are often grumpy. Actually, we’re often frustrated, and “frustrated” is fully-ingrained in Pic’s vocabulary.

ah laziness...

I have a few posts saved elsewhere and I suppose it'd be okay if I finally got around to posting them here. So...

I wrote the following yesterday, sometime.

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I am currently writing a rough working draft of a Burkean Parlor piece. I’m writing about witches and their sometimes roles as doctors [um, yeah, or not]. I cannot shake the lyrics, “I told the witch doctor I was in love with you” from my head. And, when I hear this sung in my head, it is always being performed by the Chipmunks.

Oh, and the other day, I heard “Bad to the Bone” on the radio. This also always immediately makes me think of the Chipmunks. Is this true for anyone else? Does anyone else associate these songs with the strange, talking, long-sweater-wearing animated chipmunks?

Do you all have any other weird song associations?

Ooo, I have another one. “Turkey in the Straw.” I’d only heard that for the first time with Pic was pre-one-year-old. In a seminar one night, we were discussing the list of “What every literate American should know” and “Turkey in the Straw” was included. I pointed it out and my teacher started singing it. I will forever think of him, in his neat sweater-vest and button-down shirt, breaking into twangy song when I hear this.

my thoughts exactly (right now)

There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.
Ken Olsen (1926 - ), President, Digital Equipment, 1977

Just big old distractions, no? Yep. Back to Aristotle I go.

I'm right now stuck between exhaustion and restlessness. Not my favorite place, although it is verrry familiar.

go, coach j!

Coach J finished her first full marathon today. Congrats!

because...

...I've posted all of the other ones.

happiness is...

I have opened Pandora's box. (So entirely not original, but too bad.) Because I'm clueless, I'm just now jumping on this boxwagon (okay, I've killed the trope, I know). One of my students clued me in to this. Thanks. Now for hours of procrastination.

checking in

Nine more reviews to go. Procrastination is so not my friend.

The recording of Celtic Woman I was watching ended and I just caught a snippet of what it takes to become a conscientious objector. The language is written for "he" who would like to be considered one, but I consider myself as such regardless. If I wasn't dead tired, I'd pay more attention, take some notes or something. However...zzzzzzz....

restless

Here I sit, still avoiding oh-so-many reviews. I'm eating wonderfully good turkey lasagne given us by a friend (thanks Coach J...also, thanks to Ms B for your offer of food, I still can't quite believe I didn't take you up on it, let's just say it's been a bit crazy). I'm fretting about the future because that's one of the things I do best.

I'm feeling restless (ah, hence the title! I'm clever that way). I want to be finished here. I want to get on with it already, to move on to our next place. I'm also nervous about it because I don't know where that will be. Somewhere with zero support system, I know. That makes me especially nervous.

I'm great at making grand plans for the future, not so great on follow-up. Let's all move to Ireland! Okay.... Let's all move to some tiny town in Maine! Um.... Let's convince all of our friends to move to one convenient location so I don't have to deal with my separation anxiety! Yeah, sure....

So, yes, I'm restless. And, yes, I'm stuck here for at least another seven to ten months. After that, I'll be having some kind of break-down. Ah, something to look forward to.

lines to a comstock graveyard

On yonder hillside, bleak and barren,
Lies many a friend of William Sharon,
Who in election's hurly-burly,
Voted often, voted early.
But since old Sharon went to glory
The younger Billy bosses Storey,
And at his beck those sons of witches
Rise, to vote without their britches.
To take a hand in the election
And bustle back without detection.
As we recall those mem'ries hoary,
Let's bless the graveyard vote of Storey.

-- Sam Davis, newspaperman (ca 1880s?)


The preceding has been stuck in my head lately. Nice theme for October and election season.

I used to have this copied out and hung on my dorm room wall. This is from Barbara and Myrick Land's A Short History of Reno. [The one customer reviewer didn't like the book -- "hollower than a gourd," s/he remarks. I can't recommend it or disrecommend (not a word, I know) it because it's been a good eight years since I've read it.]

glorious books

Okay, one last post for now. I guess I need to update everyone on upcoming booksales. (Okay, so maybe I don't need to, but I will. Take it or leave it.)


Grassroots Books is planning three sales for November. They don't yet have a location, but I'll keep you posted when I find out. Here are the dates: the weekends of Nov 7-9, 14-16, and 21-23.

The Friends of the Washoe County Library are also hosting an upcoming sale. I'm still too cheap to go before the really cheap days, but I think we'll browse on the 50%-off day. The dates are October 30-November 9th.

Oh, and Sierra View is also apparently having a sale from October 19th through the 30th. (This is the library that is located in the Reno Town Mall, near the convention center and the Atlantis.)

grazie mille

Thank you to all who kept us in your thoughts while Cardo was in the hospital. Thank you all for all of the help and offers of help. We're just trying to get some rest and to not stress.

can *you* handle the truth?

Here's a profile we looked at in class today. We always look at extra-textual materials for each writing project and this is what someone brought in as an example. We didn't have nearly enough time to talk about everything I wanted to discuss, so I'll open this up for discussion here. (We were working on "reading with our pens," so feel free to ignore the underlining and marginalia as they are class-generated.)

























You can click on the image to make it larger or just click here. We didn't have the picture with the article in class, so you can see that in this link also.

I just found the article reductive and offensive. I do have (and embrace) "that weird way of trying to be feminist." I hate how the remainder of that quote makes it seem that all I "really want is a man to pen the door for [me]." (She doesn't say "all," but that is how I'm reading it right now. Something like, "Okay, take away my reproductive control...as long as you'll open the door when you take me to that museum or for that coffee.") Ugh.

Ultimately, what truth am I being asked to handle here?


--------------------

Edit: In case you didn't figure this out already, this article is from Men's Health. Sorry about that.

all's quiet

Cardo is at home now. He's sleeping on the couch bed, right now, only a few feet away from me and quietly snoring.

He's on a small slew of medications and he has to take it easy for the next two weeks, at least. After that, he'll have to try to keep the stress down. Every time I think of what we have to do (work, grocery shop, pay bills, ecc), I think, "Oh god, that's just too stressful." I'm wary about trying to control his stress level, but I don't want him to go right back to what got him here in the first place.

Also, I can't stop thinking that I'm a big part of what got him here. I'm a constant ball of tension. And, I've been so tired and sick lately that I've been even more keyed up. I need to get my anxiety under control so that it doesn't transfer to Cardo and Pic.

Anyhow, I'm glad to have him back home with us. At lunch today, Pic told him, "I love you very much not in the hospital. Just right here." I agree.

the many woes...

This is what we've been taking on since Friday. That and two matching cases of strep throat (mine and Cardo's) and one maybe case of Coxsackie (Pic's).

We're exhausted. We're playing the "when does Cardo get to come home from the freaking hospital?" game. We think he's okay, but they are observing him. They said he could come home today, but they changed their minds. We're both just tired and upset (even a bit angry for so many reasons) and very thankful we have health insurance.

I have to go pick up Pic so we can go spend another evening in the hospital.

thanks to the good people at...

...the conference this evening.

I've been known to misplace things, quite often.

I arrived at the convention hotel (and casino), found a spot and dutifully removed my radio's faceplate and my registration and insurance information from the glove compartment. I locked the door and rechecked all of the locks. I walked into the hotel, figured out where I was supposed to be and then sat between the doors to the restrooms while I cut another two-and-a-half pages from my too-long paper. Friends came over. We chatted. We headed for our panel's room. Presentations were given, questions were asked and answered. We all headed out, ready to move on to our next activities.

Okay, so the others moved onto their next activities. I, however, was stuck frantically scrounging through my three different bags, hoping to catch sight of my keys. Work keys? Check. Car/home keys? Ha! I went into quiet panic mode and called poor, sickly Cardo, pleading for him to come and fetch me. Then, I told a random conference-name-tagged person my predicament and asked where the lost and found might be. She asked if I had lost just my keys or my phone also.* Just the keys. She recommended I go to the hotel lost and found. I snagged a security guard as he was about to ascend the escalator and he walked me to the security office (nice, nice man). I walked into the security office and blurted out a description of my keys. Happy day!, my keys were there. I thanked all who helped me profusely.

I called Cardo and told him to turn around and go home. I drove myself home (without getting lost), made some bean burritos and here I am.

Thank you whoever turned in my keys. You could have ignored them or taken them or whatever else, but you turned them in (as I would do in your situation also). Thank you.

* Apparently someone had found my keys and someone else's phone near each other. Now, I'll have to contact my friend and find out if she is missing her phone.

27 days and counting

Pic and I will dutifully go stand in line to vote in a little less than a month. If things don't look good after that, maybe this* will be our new home.

Cardo and I are pseudo-threatening to take off, depending. Something's gotta give, right?

*Thanks to the recommendation of my uncle. Of course, we'll have to learn French....

testing...1,2,3

Very soon here (like four days ago), my account has to hemorrhage money so that I can sit for and do miserably on a test or two. I hate standardized tests. I suck at them. The last time I did one of these tests, I was embarrassed with my results. Seriously, people, look at my transcripts. Look at my attempts at writing. Look at my letters of recommendation. Look at my personal statement. Do you really need anything else? Yes? You do? O-freaking-kay, but I'm not happy about this.

blog sprint

Just a quickie here. (I suddenly thought, "Just a pinch between the cheek and gum." Don't ask.)

Okay, so the first night of TurboKick has come and gone. It might kill me, but in a good way. However, like anything else that requires coordination, I have to call out the moves to myself. Aloud, not just in my head. Yes, I'm a total geek. I was the same way with flags in high school. Tonight, my running commentary went something like, "Left, right, left, punch. Left, right left, punch. Left, right, left, crap." So, no, my coordination skills didn't suddenly appear overnight. Ah, well. And, like Ms C pointed out, it's easier on one side than the other (I think it's the right for both of us.) I get into a groove and then we switch sides and I suddenly can't equate "Left, right, left, right" with sides of my body.

Overall, a freaking good workout. I remember why I quit the first time I tried kickboxing, though, and I'm glad this class is small (not 30+ people). This is only for a month and I have Cardo and Ms C with me. (And, of course, there's Ms J and her sister, Ms M.) For whatever reason, it makes me feel better that there are two other people in there who I don't know, also. If I don't collapse from lack of breathing or because my muscles have suddenly mutinied, I'll consider taking it again. After about three months or so, I should have the routine somewhat down.

Okay, I'm off to read about profiles, watch the debate (only twenty-eight days until the election), eat dinner and down gallons and gallons more tea.

tales from a domestic goddess

Hey, so we’re finally not living in the complete disgustingness we were living in just yesterday even. In a fit of domesticity, after Pic and I returned della biblioteca, I donned my Super Mamma cape and made dinner. Okay, so all I made were burritos con frijoles refritos y queso con un lado de maíz [bean-and-cheese burritos with a side of corn], but I didn’t cop out and take us to zPizza, which was my original plan.

After dinner, Pic and I sprinkled the carpet with baking soda (yeah for cheap, ecological carpet powder stuff) and then I washed up the dishes. I vacuumed while Pic clamped her hands over her ears and then I swept and mopped the nastiest of nasty kitchen floors. No huge feat, just habits of nice, clean people, but geez-o have I been lazy lately.

So, we’ll have a decently clean place for about another few hours and then it’ll be back to “Where are all the responsible and clean people?” Ah, well.

scheduled post

I think I may have just successfully scheduled a post for tomorrow at 11:55a. We'll see.

lifestyles of the...

...down-to-earth (thought I was going to type something else, didn't you?).

Last night, Cardo, Pic and I were invited to a dinner to follow a project meeting. Both Cardo and I were nervous about this because we didn't know how comfortable we'd feel last evening and neither of us are particularly adept in social situations. However, we had no reason to worry. While we were both quiet, as usual, it wasn't because the company made us uncomfortable, but because we tend to be this way.

Knowing of these people from the outside would intimidate anyone. Spending time with these people, however, quells all fears that we just aren't up-to-snuff (or something). Yesterday afternoon was the first time I'd met Dr Jones's* wife. I had thought that she would be incredibly intimidating, but I was so wrong. Our hosts and their sons were warm and inviting and fun to be around. The boys played with Pic, showing her their pet and sharing their toys. Pic was so glad to be included. These kids are super-intelligent and super-well-behaved.

Pic was intent on eating and asked our host at least twice, "Excuse me, is it dinner?" We sat down to smoked ribs (we had a Texan in our midst, so we had to have smoked meat), whipped sweet potatoes and grilled corn with chili-butter. Pic weilded her rib like one of those giant turkey legs they sell at Farmer's Market. She also devoured her corn. For dessert, we had pineapple-upside down cake made by Dr Jones's wife (she's a doctor in her own right, but I don't know if they have the same last name...let's see...we'll call her Dr BC for lack of anything better right now -- she has a PhD in Bio-Chem). Pic grabbed a handful of the whipped cream from the top of Cardo's cake and then took off to play with the boys again. Cardo and I ate our cake quietly while one guest raved about it after polishing off his piece. In the car, though, we both raved about the cake also. Dr BC had made it while we were there, so I know it's super-easy to make. Maybe I'll solicit the recipe and make it sometime.

Pic was most disappointed when we had to leave. Dr Jones asked her, "Do you want to stay here and live with us" as we were leaving and she took him seriously ["took him seriously" -- that phrase must be weird for non-native speakers]. She started to go back in and I had to snatch her up and carry her out. She cried for a good ten minutes.

All in all, yesterday was a success. I had expected something anxiety-inducing (not because I dislike any of the people present, but because social events cause this anxiety in me) but I was pleasantly surprised. (Some little bit of anxiety does come up when I think about the future and me being on the hosting end of these kinds of get-togethers, but I have quite a bit of time before I become Dr v.)


* "Dr Jones" is not this person's name, just an apropos alias, I think.

...and more snl

Okay, I can't watch this right now because the little glitches are making me insane, but I'll embed it here and come back to it latah.

i've got you, babe

I like to hold Pic's hand when we're walking. I just like hand-holding. Also, if she trips, I can catch her. I like to tell her, "It's a good thing I was holding your hand." Today, as we were holding hands and walking back home from her school, I misstepped and she told me "That's why I'm holding your hand, Mamma."


Now watching: Muppet Classic Theater

Now Reading: Aristotle's On Rhetoric

snl

Okay, so I'm probably the last person in the television-watching US who hadn't seen these until today, but...

I'm embedding videos here so we can come back to them without having to watch that music video.

vote and stuff

Okay, so I didn’t make it all the way through the debate last night. I was tired. I’ll finish watching it this weekend.

I did listen to this segment on NPR which discussed the ways in which the VP candidates pronounce their words and bits of colloquialism they use and I was somewhat hung up on that the whole time I was watchin’. Darn right!

Only thirty-two more days until the election. I want to be excited about this. I imagine that if I had a host-gene (which I do not), I would have people over for caramel corn and elephant- and donkey-shaped sugar cookies. (Flashbacks to sixth grade…this is why this food seems appropriate.) At the same time that I am excited about the election, I am dreading the outcome. What if, once again, the results aren’t what I desire? Hmmm. Oh, Canada. Sounds good, eh.

Well, much to do today. Must go eat lnnch. And, must continue to avoid looking at self in mirror, because last time I checked, self’s hair was being a total pita.

P.S. Today is the last day to register to vote in this election.

P.P.S Am nervous about meeting with Dr Chair on Monday...means am actually moving on with life and this place that has been home may no longer be so very soon.

buon compleanno

Also, a happy, happy birthday to both Ms B and Ms A! If you need to amuse yourselves, look up "happy birthday" in Google Images. Oh-so-many inappropriate myspace pictures. Ah, myspace.

vp debate anyone?

Okay, so I'm waiting to be able to put Pic to bed so I can watch the debate. I think I might fall asleep during said debate because I'm weirdly beyond exhausted right now.

Anyhow, if you watched the debate, what did you think?

october's nablopomo

I am not participating in a nablopomo this month (but I plan to next month, for the official one, laden with prizes). Anyhow, I like to look up the themes every month anyway. August was Hot! I didn't want to write about that. September was food, I believe. I so could have done that because food occupies 3/4 of my thoughts. I just didn't have it in me to post daily. October is vote. (The themes are just suggestions, not directives.)

Like I typed, I won't be blogging daily this month (not on purpose anyway), but the theme did make me think of something. During the debate last week and several times since, I heard that catchphrase that goes something like "not only is Wall Street struggling, but so is Main Street." The first time I heard it, I thought, "Oh, how catchy." Well, it seems to be more catching than the cold Pic gave me (by coughing directly into my mouth, thankyouverymuch) and I'm already tired of it. I understand how important soundbites are, but ugh already.

Okay, I'm burning my lunch so I won't go back and reread this. My apologies.

turbo kick...

...There should be some kind of registered trademark symbol after TurboKick, but I don't know how to add that.

Anyhow, Cardo and I are officially signed up for a month's worth of kickboxing classes. We'll be going Tuesdays and Thursdays (except, I'll miss the very first Thursday because I must go and embarrass myself professionally).

People of the ether, wish me much luck please. I'm nervous about this. Any who have known me for some time know that I have no coordination skills. I've taken part of one kickboxing class once before and I ended up dropping that.

I have hope for this class for a few reasons. One: My friend, Coach J, is teaching it. Two: Cardo is taking it with me. Three: It's only for a month. Four: The class is capped at fifteen and I think I'll end up knowing most of the people in there (which might actually be more embarrassing...ah, well).

So, yes, on with the luck. I begin Tuesday next.

Grazie.


P.S. I was just looking up 'ether' and the word of the day is 'slugabed.' Look it up. It's what I aspire to. (Here's hoping for no 8a class next semester.) (One more note -- I've been in school so long that last night I referred to a tv series's season as its semester.)