Good News on a Bad News Day
In what I consider to be fantastically good news on an otherwise awful news week, my son called last night to say he got his first set of official Army orders.
If you haven't been following along, my son is in the Army in basic training and will graduate September 22. He is (going to be) a Cavalry Scout. You may know Cavalry Scouts best as protrayed by Robert Duvall as the character (Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore) in Apocolypse Now! Yes, he said "I love the smell of napalm in the morning" and yes, I am vehemently anti-war, but that's the job my son chose and I give you the example as a point of reference only. They have a long and illustrious history which began in the Civil War where they rode horses and did reconnaissance missions.
The Cavalry Scouts of today hold onto their traditions and history with pride. They wear the 'saber', an emblem of two crossed swords and their dress uniforms include yellow kerchiefs around their neck, the hat and spurs. When you get your spurs, I guess it's a really big deal. They still do reconnaissance missions only they do them in Abrams or Stryker tanks and Humvees now instead of on horseback.
Anyway. So, back to the good news. He is going to
Schweinfurt. Germany. That's in Europe! I am going to go to Europe, y'all. Mr. Q doesn't know this yet, but we are going even if we have to beg, borrow and steal to do it. But the really good news, to me, is that the squadron he will be attached to spent 12 months in Iraq and recently got back. So, that means he won't be going to Iraq any time soon.
Hopefully, the good news stays good news. I know that I am excited that he will get to see beautiful parts of the world and I still pray that he won't see combat, at least in Iraq.
Just wanted to update you, in case, you know, you'd like to share my excitement. Also, I needed a brief break from the news. I am seriously getting upset by how horrible the situation is in New Orleans and Mississippi. And the awful stampede in Iraq. I just don't have the words. It's hard to comprehend. All of it.
Twenty-five Questions
This has been seen everywhere, but most recently at JoFo the MoFo. 1.When you look at yourself in the mirror, what’s the first thing you look at?
First, I check to make sure there isn’t anything stuck in my teeth. Then I do a nose hair check. After that, I look at my eyes, or more accurately, the bags under my eyes. Attractive, eh? 2. How much cash do you have on you right now?
$6, a veritable fortune for me these days. 3.What’s a word that rhymes with “TEST”?
Jest. 4. Favourite plant?
Lilac tree. 5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
A “restricted” number. If you restrict your number, don’t expect me to answer the phone. 6. What is your main ring tone on your phone?
Ring, ring. 7. What shirt are you wearing?
I’m topless. Ha! Gotcha. I was just seeing if you were actually paying attention. I am wearing a black, silk, knit, Joseph A. shell under a suit jacket. 8. Do you “label” yourself?
With like a label machine? That would be weird. 9. Name brand of your shoes currently wearing?
Two Lips. 10. Do you prefer a bright or dark room?
It all depends on what I am doing. I guess darker is better. Actually, when I get home and the whole apartment is lit up with candles, that is my favourite. 11. What did you have for breakfast?
What is this “breakfast” you speak of? You mean coffee and cigarettes? 12. Since question 12 is weirdly missing, make up a question.
Who made up this meme? Were they 14 years old by chance? 13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Probably itching and scratching. I got a wee little sun poisoning from Sunday when we laid out by the pool all day. It’s wicked itchy. 14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say?
“Not at a bar?” That makes no sense by itself, so for your edification, here is the whole conversation between me and Mr. Q’s dad, or as we call him, Lorenzo the Magnificent. LtheM: Where are you? Me: Gramma’s house. LtheM: Not at a bar?Me: Not yet! 15. Do you ever click on “Pop Ups” or Banners? Not on purpose. 16. What’s an expression that you say a lot?
Goodbye please. 17. Who told you they loved you last?
You would think that it was my husband, but I think my son said it last. He called last night and said, among other things, that he loves me. I think all Mr. Q said this morning was ‘have a good day’. 18. Last furry thing you touched?
I’m going to go ahead and say my cat, Pi. 19. How many hours a week do you work?
Define “work”. If by "work" you mean being at the office, then 45-50 hours. If you include home and school, then it’s more like 80-100. If you mean actually “working” as in expending energy, I’d say about 15 minutes. 20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed?
Too many to count. I have taken dozens of rolls and I haven’t had many developed since about 1995. 21. Favourite age you have been so far?
This age. Thirty-six. I have a perfect partner, I look better than ever, I feel better than ever and I am finally on a path to doing what I want. 22. Your worst enemy?
Time. 23. What is your current desk top picture?
24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
“I don’t know.” Said just now, when someone shook a snow globe sitting on my desk and asked me why it was so fun to shake it. 25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to go back in time and fix all your mistakes which would you choose?
Mistakes? I never make misteaks so I’d take a million bucks obviously. Duh!
This has to be one of the most heartbreaking things I've read today (hurricane Katrina coverage notwithstanding).
Corporal Thomas Strickland, 27, of Fairplay, was a member of the Army’s 48th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), according to Wes Tallon, county communications director.Here is his
blog. And in his last post, written two days before he was killed when his truck overturned in Iraq, he says:
What the fuck has my chain of command been doing? We were winning somewhat when I left. And now we're being pinned down in our own fucking homes? Insurgents are pushing locals out of their homes and taking over my area at will? What kind of fucktarded plan have we been half-assedly executing? Obviously the kind that neglects sound contact with locals. Obviously the kind that gives further distance to unbridged gaps between soldiers and locals. Obviously the kind that has shown enough weakness when confronted by the insugency that it has been encouraged to grow.
Back home (the USA kind)I have no home, no job, and my commander in chief is on vacation (he's about 20 days behind Ronald Reagan right now in the race to become the most vacationing president ever. Hey W! we all got our fingers crossed! Here's to you and two more years of presidency...er vacationing!). Luckily pretty much everything that is important to me can fit into the back of a truck. Luckily I just paid off one of those.
In their fear to build relationships and get out of their hiding holes the FOBbits
above me have fucked my friends and I.
I just don't know what to say. There is no justice in this world.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS - BRING THEM HOME NOW!
[via Shakespeare's Sister.]
Scattered and Torn
My thoughts have been scattered lately. I am all betwixt and between about spilling my guts and not, sorting out feelings and not, writing it here and not.
Rambling on and on about pms, too many bills, crazy traffic, annoying co-workers and such is getting to be a bore, I'm afraid.
The problem is that I am very good at compartmentalizing. This is useful. It can also be crippling. I don't deal with things. They sneak up on me.
I was watching the tele on Saturday or Sunday with Mr. Q and a video came on for Green Day's "Wake me up when September ends". It looked like a typical teenage love story kind of video - two high school kids hanging out, kissing, sharing fun times and then... the boy is screaming at his girlfriend "I'm doing this for US! I thought you would be PROUD of me! I thought YOU of all people would understand!" and the girl is crying hysterically. In our typical, slightly cynical fashion, we look at each other on the couch and go "heh. I wonder what he DID?" Surely something dumb.
The next scene is the boy getting on a bus, entering boot camp, getting his head shaved, etc. then going off to war. As soon as we saw the clippers touch the boy's head, Mr. Q gasped and I burst into tears. The waterworks that followed were like none seen in ... well, a really long time. I was crying hysterically and couldn't stop until well after the video ended.
I was shocked by how hard that caught me off guard. I haven't cried about my son joining the Army since he left. I have tried to be brave and only think good thoughts about how it will be a positive and valuable experience. I have tried to have faith that he won't be sent anywhere that he can't handle. I have supported from afar the Cindy Sheehan's of the world without really doing much. I have regretted how hard I lobbied for Josh to get out of his commitment and just be a free-wheeling civilian because he is so young and I don't want him to fight in a war that is WRONG on every level.
But the truth is, I am terrified.
I am sad that what is left of my son's innocence will be or could be shattered very soon like so many lives and limbs that have been shattered and destroyed by an IED or stray gunfire. Or that an IED or stray gunfire will take my baby boy from me in a brutal and violent and totally unnecessary way. I am terrified that he will be sent into a situation that he can't handle because he is so young. So many boys have fought and died and, so much of me feels like they were too young to know what it was they were really doing. I am so scared that he will be lost and lonely and broken and I won't be there to soothe him or comfort him. I am angry that his Army experience could very well involve the killing and dying of people he's never met and never would know if not for this violent occupation in a country that wasn't even a threat to me, my family, my way of life, or my country - no matter what kind of bullshit they tell us or what kind of bullshit some people still believe.
The only thing I know to do is to send my most positive vibes and best wishes to all of our kids out there and send my son the things he needs, including a card or a letter telling him that I AM proud of him and what he is doing, and that is all. I wish I could do more. It breaks my heart that there is so little I can actually do.
He will be graduating from boot camp September 22nd. If anyone would like to send him a postcard or letter,
email me and I can give you his address. He loves to get mail. After graduation, I can update you with his new address.
Also, I just now decided that I want to be here on September 24th:
If you live in LA or Orange County or anywhere near,
email me about that too and let me know if you plan to go. I'd love to get a group together.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS - BRING THEM HOME NOW
100% Nerd
Ta Da! The meme we've all been waiting for. I'm a nerd. But you knew that already, didn't you?
Modern, Cool Nerd
100 % Nerd, 56% Geek, 43% Dork |
For The Record:
A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd and Geek, earning you the title of: Modern, Cool Nerd.
Nerds didn't use to be cool, but in the 90's that all changed. It used to be that, if you were a computer expert, you had to wear plaid or a pocket protector or suspenders or something that announced to the world that you couldn't quite fit in. Not anymore. Now, the intelligent and geeky have eked out for themselves a modicum of respect at the very least, and "geek is chic." The Modern, Cool Nerd is intelligent, knowledgable and always the person to call in a crisis (needing computer advice/an arcane bit of trivia knowledge). They are the one you want as your lifeline in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (or the one up there, winning the million bucks)!
Congratulations! |
|
Spotted at
Shakespeare's Sister.
This is either random or retarded depending on how you see it
I am writing-challenged today so for filler purposes only, here are five random thoughts for a Friday.
1. I went from an Adorable Little Rodent to a Maurading Marsupial and then back to a Rodent - all in one day. I was momentarily excited to see that I rose significantly in the ecosystem only to have my blogcitement crushed like the rest of my hopes and dreams. If you don't know what I am talking about - it's totally pointless and irrelevant but for people like me who are constantly seeking affirmation it's a source of both elation and strife -
The Truth Laid Bare has a ranking system for weblogs called the Ecosystem. I started, like we all did, as an Insignificant Microbe, so it's been a thrill to make it to furry, four-leggedness. The problem inherent in following this silly thing is that the more readers I get (i.e, the higher the life form that I am listed as), the more likely it is that a) my writing has become
mediocre way too easy to understand; b) I have finally started catering to the lowest common denominator; or c) aliens have abducted me and this is my evil twin writing here now.
Whatever. It was a surprise and an honor to be a Marsupial for part of a day. I think they need a Duck-billed Platypus category for those of us who are too brilliant and too enigmatic to ever make it to the Big Time and don't really fit in with the rest of the drivel out there. What do you think?
2. August is the most hideous month. August is the new
Tuesday. Also, it's hotter than Hades here right now and my delicate constitution can scarcely cope. *whine*
3. Talent shows at work are just a bad idea. I won't elaborate on that.
4. I just realized why I cry when rent is due. It's not because rent is so expensive, although that is definitley a factor. It's not because I am too poor to pay it, although that is a matter of perspective. It's because rent coincides with PMS. D'oh. Anybody got any remedies for that?
5. George Bush is a wanker. I mean, it goes without saying, right? I haven't said it lately so for the record: George W. Bush is a Big Wanker. I wish I was more articulate but that is all I can muster today.
Told you it was all random. I will collect my thoughts and be back on Monday with something thought-provoking and/or hilarious. In the meantime, have some fun this weekend!
Ms. Q Goes (Back) to College
So, last night I went back to school. Having gotten my lower division out of the way last May (finally) it’s on to Higher Learning. So far, all I know is that I need to be *high* just to deal with the traffic and parking. That? Was a nightmare, and I am not exaggerating. It took one hour and 10 minutes to go 20 miles. Not awesome. I was hating humanity with every fiber of my being. Southern California traffic – it’s legendary but come on! Anyway, I finally made it to campus and, magically, the stress melted away and I went to class and I was in another world. I love being on campus. It’s such a soothing place to me. It’s like Tiffany’s to Holly Golightly. I always feel like nothing too terrible can happen to me when I am there. It’s a hopeful place. A full-of-promise place. A make-your-dreams-come-true place.
[Of course, I am the first person in my family to seriously go to college so I am pretty idealistic about it. But I don’t apologize for being sappy. That is how I feel. Sue me!]
After going to community college for what seemed like a hundred years, I am now at a real, honest-to-goodness university – the 4-year kind! Woot! I really didn’t ever think I would end up here.
I am very grateful for my two-year college experience. I met some great professors and had fun learning new things and new ways to look at the world. For a second, I was going to compare the two different schools but now I realize that is totally unfair. Suffice it to say, the university is way nicer, physically, than the community college and so far, after only one class, I am really excited about it.
In a somewhat ironic twist, the first class I attended was a core, general ed requirement, but it’s awesomely promising – American Studies. The prof is young, hip, very East Coast, Ivy League-educated, energetic, and very enthusiastic about the subject and the result of that is: I am now very enthusiastic about the class. I am easy, y’all – just pretend to be excited about something and I am so there! I think it is going to be very interesting and challenging. Not in the algebra kind of way where you want to slit your wrists, but in the ‘make you think’ kind of way.
What I like about American Studies is that it looks at the cultural history of America and how ordinary people lived. I already know who the famous, influential people were – presidents and such – what I’ve always been interested in was how common folk lived and how they influenced history.
Tomorrow, I do the whole thing over again for my other two classes – Descriptive Linguistics and then Human Growth & Development. I just hope traffic is a little bit easier. It certainly couldn’t be worse! (I know. I just jinxed it.)
And now for something completely shallow...
I
must have
these.
Alas, I need school books, too (among other things). And I really don't need more sneakers. But... aren't they too cute?
Damn, it's hard to be a grown up!
I really want to understand
Chris, of
Rude Cactus fame, has an excellent post today which I am linking and quoting verbatim because it's just that good and it's better than I can do right now, me being brain-dead and all.
Without further adieu...
Ignorance is Bliss
For the last couple of days, we've been inundated with the story of Thomas Herrion, the San Francisco 49er backup lineman who died after a game on Saturday night. He was 23 years old. And while this story is tragic - and don't get me wrong since it really is tragic - I'm not exactly sure why I've seen so much of this story. It, in various forms, is repeated over and over again - on the local and national news, on cable news networks, in the papers and all over the Internet. But for some reason, I haven't seen anything about Sgt. Nathan K. Bouchard (age 24), Staff Sgt. Jeremy W. Doyle (age 24), Spc. Ray M. Fuhrmann, II (age 28), or Pfc. Timothy J. Seamans (age 20) who died when an improvised explosive device detonated in Samarra, Iraq on August 18th. Nor have I heard much about Army Sgt. Todd Partridge who was killed on his second tour of Iraq last week. And I've certainly heard absolutely nothing about Army Spc. 4th Class Brian Derks, a 20 year old from Michigan who was killed while patrolling Baghdad. Come to think of it, we really haven't heard a hell of a lot about any of the 1,812 fatalities to date in Iraq much less the 13,877 wounded in action. But we sure have heard about a football player on a team with a payroll in 2004 of $63,033,817 and a median salary of $562,000. With numbers like that, I guess we shouldn't expect to hear about folks who only make, on average, $33,927 a year. Despite the fact that there are more of them (around 1,398,833) and they're fighting (and dying) for our country.
All facts and figures are freely available from the NFL, ESPN and our fearless leaders at the Pentagon who, despite the fact that they seem to have the judgment of a 10 year old hopped up on Twinkies and Ritalin, keep damn fine records.
For what it's worth
I have nothing to say today. Nothing whatsoever. Shocking, I know. I'll be back tomorrow when I'll be a basket case about the first day of school at a new campus and not knowing where to park or where my classes are or what books I need and feeling guilty for leaving my husband at home alone for two whole nights per week, et cetera.
'Til then, ciao bellas and bellos.
Full Moon Fumbles, or: The tale of Butterfinger Bernie
I have done
vast amounts of research and I am skeptical of the alleged effects of the full moon. Except that I see the effects every month and they are hard for me to dispute. I also see them to a lesser degree during the new moon. Anyway.
There are the rowdy neighbors who become rowdier this time of the month, and my husband's insomnia which gets worse this time of month, but I prefer to notice the more subtle effects. Case in point: starting yesterday I became a little more klutzy. In other words, I drop things a lot.
ASB also
admitted to having a similar problem on Wednesday. I didn't think much of it. In fact, I pretty much chalked it up to hormones and/or having a difficult week myself.
But then, last night, me and the Mr. went out to dinner (in a REAL restaurant). I ordered a coke (note: "coke" is Texan for a soft drink) and after finishing the first one, I sucked on my straw until it made that funny/rude noise and thought, "geez, Bernie (our waiter was named Bernie) sure is inattentive". We had gotten a lovely, secluded and very cozy booth and it was divine. Except the wait staff kept forgetting we were there. And it was so cozy me and the Mr. kept kicking each other in the shins and stepping on each other's toes. It was a very nice restaurant nonetheless.
I had a point. What was it? Oh yeah. Well, Bernie came whizzing around the corner and did his patented "walk by quick grab" of my ice-filled but liquid-free glass which I had conveniently set near the edge of the table. Well, Bernie had butterfingers and proceeded to drop and then bobble the glass of ice until it landed squarely in my lap.
He wasn't much more coordinated when he tried to pick ice out of my lap. It was everywhere and Bernie was profusely apologizing. Mr. Q uttered a choice word and I just sat there like a dumbass not knowing what to do. I delicately picked the remaining ice out of my lap and Bernie cleaned up the rest.
Hey, it's not the first time a server spilled on me and it's probably not the last. But I am curious if people notice a more klutzy general public during the full moon? I'm pretty much a full-time klutz, but it seems a bit more pronounced right now. If I have to choose between complete lunacy or klutziness, I'll take the klutziness. At least it's entertaining.
Something
Thanks for all of your kind words; it really means a lot to me and my family.
I thought I should post something about now but I'm a bit discombobulated this week. I keep thinking that I am forgetting something. I know I have a good reason for being a space case, so I am just going to go with it until my mind comes back or I get fired whichever comes first!
I only have a few days left before school starts again though so I reckon I should try to get my act together soon. This weekend will be my official weekend of pampering. Firstly, I am getting a haircut. Remember
this cut?
Well, scissors haven't touched my hair since that day (February 14th to be exact) and now it looks like this:
Wow, huh? It grew out nicely I think. I'm going to keep growing it until I get tired of it or have a nervous breakdown from the length of time it takes me to blow dry it in the morning. I've got some freaking thick hair, y'all.
Secondly, I am getting a mani and a pedi. How girly of me! I know. Who am I and what have I done with me? I blame Mr. Q. He has totally turned me into a girl and... I have to admit, I kind of like it. And it's only once in a while that an opportunity presents itself to get fully pampered, so I am taking it.
Thirdly, I'm getting a massage here. That is a graduation gift I received from the tres generous Quilty family last May. I decided to wait and use it when I was more stressed. I think now qualifies.
In summary, I've had a pretty grueling week (and might I add, I got more sympathy from you guys than I did from my co-workers). I have the opportunity this weekend to get pretty and relaxed. I am going to take it, dammit! If I learned anything last weekend (besides that my family already thinks I am high maintenance) I learned that life is too short to not take advantage of fun, nice things whenever you can.
7:00 pm Sunday
On Sunday night at 7:00 p.m., my grandfather died while I held his hand.
Rewind 11 days, on a Wednesday morning at home with my grandmother, my grandpa started acting kind of funny. I wasn't there, but my uncle and grandmother let me know that he was in the ICU of a hospital near his house in Las Vegas. We weren't sure, but it sounded pretty serious. He had intracranial bleeding due to ruptured blood vessels. Grandpa Don was 86 years old and had already had a few health problems in the past six months. While he was in the trauma ward of the hospital, the bleeding in his brain suddenly got worse and at that time my Grandpa Don pretty much lost consciousness or awareness. They put him on a ventilator and a feeding tube.
Over the next few days, Don would respond by wiggling his fingers or toes. My grandmother and Don had advance directives and had discussed what to do many, many times. She felt it was hard to pull the plug when he could lie there and look at her but once the doctor said he was paralyzed on his left side, would never recover and would never be able to paint or draw again, she was able to have the life support removed.
Grandpa Don and my Grandma Betty were a very hip, bohemian couple. I always admired their ability to just pack up and move anywhere they felt like going and living life on their terms. My grandma was a minister and my grandpa was an artist. They had moved to Mexico and lived in a village near Guadalajara for many years. They landed in Las Vegas 12 years ago or so and just ended up staying. They didn't have much money or possessions, but they loved what they did and how they did it and always had just what they needed.
On Monday last week, they moved him to a facility in Summerlin and signed him on to Hospice services. Over the week, he became less and less responsive. Thursday he would still wiggle his toes if you tickled his feet. By Friday that had stopped.
Throughout the course of the week, most of the family flew in or drove to Las Vegas to support Grandma. By the weekend, my uncle, my dad, my two cousins and one of their spouses were there. I got there Friday afternoon. I was shocked that someone had shaved Don's beard off.
Don was born in 1918 (I think) in Toronto. He was in the Canadian Army and after getting out, he took a trip to New York. He lived in Manhattan for a few years. I'm not sure what he did after that. When he turned 41, he said, his hair turned white overnight . No one in our family had ever seen him without white hair and a full white beard and moustache. He was striking, all the more so next to my olive-skinned, dark-haired grandmother. I never knew my real grandfather so when Don married my Grandma, he became my de facto grandfather. I loved his art, his wicked sense of humor and his intellect. He was stubborn and codgery and totally into mischief. My grandmother also has those same traits.
Over the years, we had seen very little of each other. Earlier this year, we visited and have talked quite a bit since then. Throughout my life, every visit was better than the last and we were looking forward to perhaps seeing him again very soon.
Sunday, August 14, around five o'clock in the afternoon we noticed a change in Don's condition. Once we were able get his pain and discomfort under control the end came very quickly. His organs started to shut down and it was obvious that the end was finally near. I sat on the side of his bed and held his hand. My uncle and dad were in the room and my grandma was seated in a chair next to the bed. My cousins had left earlier in the day to go back home but they had been there all week and Don knew they were there.
The final hour was very serene and calm despite the thunderstorms that had been brewing and raging all day outside. When my grandfather took his final breaths, I was holding his hand and my grandmothers hand. She whispered "it's okay" and he left.
We had tears and a lot of laughter through the last week. We shared stories and dreams and wishes. I saw a person cease to exist on earth. I saw a woman say goodbye to her partner of 35 years. I got a lot closer to my dad and my uncle and cousins. I saw people who lived life on their own terms approach the end of their life with no apparent regrets. I saw myself able to comfort people in a time of need. I was proud of what I witnessed and what I was a part of. I wouldn't trade the last four days for anything.
I've had it up to here!
Two things, quickly, while I am still officially on my lunch break.
1. I just spent $52.52 to fill up the gas tank of my reasonably fuel-efficient mid-size car. It now makes more sense for me to go on welfare than actually work. How do lower wage workers manage to afford to break even at this rate? Add childcare to that and we are seriously kidding ourselves if we think all Americans earn a living wage. Some of us do, but that is rapidly disappearing. And don't tell me to take the bus or the train, it's not like the bus or train are that economical either. At least where I live.
I am just kidding about going on welfare. Please don't send hate mail. All I'm saying is that if we want people to get off of welfare and go to work, why do we make it so damn hard for that to happen?
2. My lovely, thoughtful, and uber-intelligent boss asked me during the lunch hour to call so-and-so's secretary to see if so-and-so could meet with him this afternoon. Being the LUNCH HOUR, so-and-so and his secretary were at - get this - LUNCH. I leave a message for the secretary to call me if so-and-so can meet with my boss. She calls back after LUNCH and leaves a message to say that my boss and so-and-so have talked already and they are going to meet.
I called my boss just now and asked (very, very sweetly) "if you are going to call so-and-so directly and ask for a meeting, why did you ask me to call his secretary and set up a meeting?"
He says, "Well, when I called at first no one was there. So, I wanted to make sure that I got a message to him". To which I replied: "No shit, Sherlock! They were at LUNCH. And that still doesn't answer my question." gah.
No, I didn't actually say "No shit, Sherlock" but I wanted to. Why some people seem to
live to waste other people's time is mystifying to me. All this wasted time adds up. If I added up all the minutes I wasted on his behalf, I could... I don't know... spend five weeks on vacation. Like on a ranch in the middle of Texas, for example.
Anyway, how are you this fine afternoon?
Impress me!
If you have some time to kill, impress me with your knowledge of
moi by taking a little quiz I made up just for you!
Take the Q-Quiz.
Important Note: there are NO wrong answers! This quiz is for entertainment purposes only. All of the answers are correct in some way or another so don't take it too hard if you don't get a high score! It's my first attempt at a quiz and it makes me laugh, so please enjoy!
I fully expect all 5 of you to take it. Come on, you know you want to! Even if you don't think you know me well enough, or you think you do horribly on quizzes, just take it for the fun of it. Please.
For the record, I
saw this at stole this idea from
Jim in Tonic .
Fill 'er Up
This morning, while stopping for a bottle of water and a pack of gum at the gas station, I saw that the low fuel warning light had come on in my car (my car is a better communicator than most people I know). Checking the car's computer, I was informed that I had 50 miles to empty. For a brief moment, I considered putting in a couple of dollars of gas to get me to tomorrow when I get paid. That idea was quickly poopooed when I checked out the prices of gasoline at my neighborhood petrol station. $2.96 for regular unleaded. $3.06 for super unleaded (and wouldn't you know, my car prefers the higher octane?).
Three dollars and six cents for a gallon of gas. Before my European friends read me the riot act, I know it's still cheaper here than there. And I don't want any comments about how a gallon of Nyquil is $95 or some crap like that. I don't need a gallon of Nyquil and I (hopefully) never will!
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that I am paying a lot of money just to get to work. Add to that my husband who works in the field and sometimes has to fill up more than once per day in his Jeep. We spend more on gas than some people make all month.
For reference, here is a list from our local newspaper of the cheapest gas in town:
This was the posted price for a gallon of regular, observed Monday at San Clemente gas stations:
• Exxon — $2.59
• Arco — $2.59
• Arco — $2.59
• Valero — $2.61
• Mobil — $2.65
• Mobil — $2.65
• Shell — $2.67
• Union 76 — $2.67
• Union 76 — $2.69
• Chevron — $2.75
• Chevron — $2.76
• SC Car Wash — $2.78
• Shell - $2.83
• Union 76 - $2.89
Those were from two days ago. I think gas went up 10 cents since then.
I am going to have to take a second job soon just to be able to afford to drive to my first job. What is wrong with this picture?
Cindy Sheehan: Required Reading
If you aren't completely appalled, you haven't been paying attention.
We've heard this and seen the bumper sticker, but it seems the time is grossly overdue to reinforce this idea.
Avid readers of the news, blogs, et cetera, are most likely familiar by now with the story of
Cindy Sheehan, a woman who is right now camped out just outside of the entrance to George W. Bush's Crawford, TX ranch where he is spending his annual month-long August vacation. Her son, Casey, was a soldier and only 24-years old when he was killed in Iraq. She is asking for a meeting with the President to discuss his reasons for the war.
There is a lot of support building at this moment for Cindy who is a co-founder of the
Gold Star Families for Peace group and she has testified on the Downing Street Memo/Minutes in June.
From the GSFP website, the objectives and questions are relatively simple and straightforward:
George Bush said speaking about the dreadful loss of life in Iraq in August: (08/03/05): "We have to honor the sacrifices of the fallen by completing the mission." "The families of the fallen can be assured that they died for a noble cause."
1) We want our loved ones sacrifices to be honored by bringing our nation's sons and daughters home from the travesty that is Iraq IMMEDIATELY, since this war is based on horrendous lies and deceptions. Just because our children are dead, why would we want any more families to suffer the same pain and devastation that we are.
2) We would like for him to explain this "noble cause" to us and ask him why Jenna and Barbara are not in harm's way, if the cause is so noble.
3) If George is not ready to send the twins, then he should bring our troops home immediately. We will demand a speedy withdrawal.
Some of her more powerful words from today's
update:
"why do the right wing media so assiduously scrutinize the words of a grief filled mother and ignore the words of a lying president?"
Good question, indeed. If the President feels so completely justified in this war and occupation, why is he afraid to give a small portion of his time to this grieving mother to explain his position? Why can't he acknowledge her tremendous loss and the ultimate sacrifice that the Sheehan family and over 1800 other American families have made for this invasion? Is it too much to ask? I know he doesn't feel that it is too much to ask the young people of America to die for a war that should have and could have been prevented. And why is the mainstream media largely ignoring this story (ditto for the Downing Street Memo)?
If you need to catch up:
Shakespeare's Sister,
DailyKos,
Meet with Cindy just for starters.
Another small post I read comes from
Out of the Night. This is an excellent blog and is written by an amazing person (who I happen to know) who has counseled, written about and been an activist for Vietnam veterans since the war in Vietnam. The author, Bill Mahedy, says:
Very few Americans are bearing the cost of this war, many are profiting and profiteering from it, but it is the soldiers and their loved ones who bear this enormous burden. Let's wake up to what's really going on.
I am sure Cindy Sheehan couldn't agree more.
Note to self: No More Online Quizzes
You must be pretty peeved right now then, eh?
What pisses you off?
Created by ptocheia
Cheeky lured me in, once again! *shakes fist* I am a sucker, I know! About halfway through this one, I just quit answering because it made absolutely no sense! gah. And, I actually have work to do today.
I have no willpower whatsoever. If you can resist clicking on these, will you please tell me how you do it?
Must. Exercise. Self. Discipline.
Drama-free Zone
Happy Monday!
This weekend was mostly terrific. There were some standout moments in there but these are the ones I can talk about! *wink*
The most blogworthy thing, I suppose, was a funny encounter with the Blockbuster guy and an introduction to the Neighbors from Hell. I am actually a little relived to be at work instead of home right now because I have a limited capacity to deal with the new spawn of satan living next to me. (But I miss Mr. Q, of course. I hate being at work and away from him, if you must know!)
***
Friday or Saturday, I received a coupon in the mail for $2.99 video rental from Blockbuster, so being the frugal gal that I am, we went there to take advantage of the Big Savings! We picked
Sideways which we hadn't seen yet and went to the counter. I gave the clerk our dvd and the coupon.
Blockbuster guy: That will be $4.30
Me (sweetly): Um, what about my coupon?
BG: Oh yeah, I thought I'd try to screw you out of a dollar. Sorry.
Me (laughing): I knew it!
Mr. Q (jokingly): I can tell you spend your day thinking of ways to screw people over!
BG: Yeah! OK. Now your total is $3.20. You saved a whole dollar! Now, was that worth the drama?
Me (stunned): *blink, blink*
The rest of the conversation was all about what you can buy for a dollar, including 10 ramens, or 3 tacos on Tuesdays (at your local Del Taco, check listings for a location near you). It was a lively and funny discussion with a video store clerk. I guess you had to be there.
[Note to Blockbuster management: This encounter was in no way insulting or offensive. We enjoyed it a lot and we are not complaining. At least he acknowledged our existence as human beings instead of monosyllabically grunting at us and taking our money. We wish more clerks/customer service people had a sense of humor and actually pretended to enjoy interacting with customers.]
***
Just when I thought I couldn't
hate be annoyed by my neighbors any more, we got some new ones. I actually didn't think anyone could be worse than
these people, but we got a new couple in the apartment directly across from us. They moved in Saturday and they make our other neighbors look delightful. They are married and one of them is pure EVIL and I am really upset about it. It's not even funny so I am going to save the details for a more serious post this afternoon or whenever I get a chance to write a bit.
***
There are a lot of miserable people in the world. I am a lot like Woody Allen in
Annie Hall where he says (I'm paraphrasing) if I know there is one miserable person on the planet, I can't be happy. I try to enjoy my day and embrace the good that I've got (I am very fortunate, I realize) but it's hard to truly feel bliss when I know there are people suffering. And right now there are people in my own family who are or may be suffering to some degree or another. It's hard. But I am counting my blessings and looking forward to a relatively drama-free day.
Hope your day is beautiful or spectacular in some way.
Friday, My Love
Friday, my love. At long last. I thought you would never come. I haven't seen you in such a long time. The past 7 days passed so slowly, it seemed like an eternity. So much has happened since we were last together.
I'll tell you all about it later.
Thank you for gracing us all with your presence. I don't mind sharing you with everyone. You are universally loved and adored. It's too bad you only hang around for such a short time. I guess the more precious you are, the more highly anticipated your return!
All my best,
Ms. Q
You are here
My old cute argyle template is gone for now. The template image was hosted and now it's not. I will be working on it later today. I need a host for the image. Anyone know a free image host that isn't flickr? Flickr resizes images so I don't think it will work.
I don't have a clue what I am doing so you'll have to look at this for a while 'til I get it sorted out. UPDATE: Wow. Either I am a freaking genius or this blog stuff is super easy because I just figured out what to do to get my argyle template back up (even though I can't really explain it, and I am sure I did it the hard way) . Thanks to
imageshack for hosting my images.
I can now get on with my life. I have argyle again. *sigh* 50 points to anyone who knows why I love argyle. Mr. Q, you can't play!
That's all. We now return you to your regular programming.
Title? I don't need no stinking title
You will never guess what, or who, this post is about! Duh. It's me. I know it's '
all me, all the time', but it's the only subject I feel that I have any authority to write about.
How are you anyway? That's nice. Enough about you, back to me. I did something highly unusual today-- I went out to lunch. To be specific, I went out of the office and picked up lunch. I am eating it at my desk right now.
What I learned: Lunch food has gotten a lot more expensive and, unless I have premature Alzheimer's, it's gotten a lot smaller, and also not so good tasting. (
Mikey touched on this topic recently).
Prime example:
Schlotzsky's Deli. I used to lerve this place. Yummy, yummy sandwiches. Today, much to my chagrin, a small sandwich is $5 something. No big deal, their small sandwiches are huge and fill me up! That is, they used to be huge and fill me up. I ate this one in like 3 bites. It was ok. I would eat another one, if I had it. But, after a drink and chips, I spent over $6 (that I shouldn't have spent, but that's another story). And, I am still hungry. As Cartman would say, "
godammit!!"
On an almost entirely different note: Do I sound cranky? I'm not. But one of my peeves is women with long, fake french-tip fingernails who feel the need to pound on their keyboard in the most grating manner possible, pretending to type as fast as possible but screwing up because of their fake fingernails and, don't tell me you're not because I can totally hear you hitting the backspace key repeatedly. Well, my co-worker is notoriously bad about this and she doesn't care that it is disturbing to everyone around her and if you say something to her like "You need to type louder because they can't hear you in the next building over" she takes you literally and types even louder. And she sits at least 15 feet away from me. As someone said once, it sounds like a squirrel on crack over there in her cube.
I need some Midol.
Updates! Gitchyer Updates Here!
I have good news. As if you really needed to know. I figure if I can spout the bad, I can give the good equal time.
1. The cat now goes potty where he is supposed to go potty. I bought a shiny, new cat box and some spanking new litter (
Tidy Cat Scoop for Small Spaces). I love it. The cat loves it. I can't say enough good things about this litter. No stink! None. It's super scoopable and did I mention no stink! I only plug products that impress me more than I expect to be impressed. Anyway. Yay for no more
shower pee!
2. I am still
a shitty mom missing my kids a lot, but they are doing well. So, that's good. No news is good news, right? Jojo is having a great time at her Dad's. Pvt. J never writes and rarely calls from boot camp, but I last time he did it sounds like he is doing exceptionally well and he's more than halfway done. That reminds me to plan our trip to Louisville for his boot camp graduation in September. Anyone know any good places to stay?
3. I am digging deep within myself to be more compassionate. Everyone who annoys me? Well, I know they aren't purposely trying to drive me insane. The narcissist in me thinks they probably do look for ways to get on my nerves, but I am pretty sure that most people don't even notice my existence. So, it's my deal. I am easily annoyed and people will always be annoying because they will never do exactly what I want them to do. I guess I just have to deal with it. Either that or move far, far away. To a deserted island. And that isn't looking too feasible right now.
4. My new blog will be unveiled soon. I am getting a blogmakeover and as soon as it is complete, I will direct you all there. Look for it sometime near the end of the month. I am getting a new skin courtesy of
Ciao! My Bella Designs. They were having a contest for bloggers a while back and I won a new skin. I figure that if I get a new look I should go ahead and revamp my whole thing. Yay me. See, my life isn't completely tragic!!
5. I'm starving. That's not good news, but I was starting to miss the old me. The me from yesterday. Whiny Q. ;) Also, I'm just trying to see if you are paying attention.
This non-sequiter brought to you by the letters H. U. N. G. E. and R.
A case of the Thumpers
I've been getting a case of the Thumpers. You know,
Thumper: [clears throat] If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all.
That's a problem because that leaves me practically nothing to write about!
I
want to like people and I
want to spread joy and happiness everywhere I go, but lately people have really been getting on my nerves. I mean, not just getting on my nerves, but really making me feel a wee bit hostile. And then I feel like a bad person because I have no tolerance for annoying people.
I think a 'no tolerance for asshats' policy is appropriate. I think a 'no tolerance for stupidity' policy is also acceptable. But this is worse. It's just people that annoy me and, again, I am feeling like a really mean person!
You think I am exaggerating? I know I will regret putting this is writing. It will probably come back to haunt me. But I have to give some examples. Maybe someone can help me overcome my extreme irritability (and before you get all "are you getting you period?"- Yes, I am getting my period, but this goes back further than the PMS, thankyouverymuch.
Exhibit I, People who annoy me:
- my retarded neighbor - constant talking, laughing, being nosy, whistling, being nosy some more, never shutting up.
- her pothead husband- who collects her disability checks. Wow, you actually got a job last week? Good for you.
- my sick neighbor- hawking and spitting the mega loogeys (TM) morning, noon, and night. Not having a job.
- my young neighbors- Monday nights are not for partying. You'll figure this out when you get real jobs.
- interns - the world does not revolve around you.
- everyone on the freeway - you need a bigger truck. And you need to drive like more of an asshole.
- everyone at the supermarket - you need to talk louder on your cell phone, walk slower and park your cart right in the middle of the aisle more.
- everyone at the bank - I know you hate your job, but would it kill you to say 'hello' to your customers?
- everyone everywhere - everyone just seems so whiny it is starting to affect me! I try to be impervious to your negativity but I think you are starting to win. I am officially starting to loathe everyone!
You want to save humanity, but it's people you just can't stand -
John Lennon/rant
