Monday, September 05, 2005
Sunday, September 04, 2005
CNN.com - Hurricane Maria forms in Atlantic - Sep 4, 2005
"'On this track, Maria should remain well to the east of Bermuda and only pose a threat to shipping interests,' said Stacy Stewart, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center."
'My Pet Goat' -- The Sequel
"Simply stated, the president and his top advisers chose vacation over action."
Scotsman.com News - International - Nation which began as joke mourns its leader and greatest ambassador
"IT WAS created as a joke and is not shown on any map, yet since it was founded in 1947 the Free Republic of Saugeais has boasted a president, a prime minister, customs officers and a national anthem.
Now the tiny, little-known independent state in eastern France has been thrust into the limelight following the death of its beloved president, Gabrielle Pourchet, who died last week aged 99.
Named after the upper valley of the River Doubs, a region near the Swiss border known since the 12th century as the Saugeais Valley, the 1,000-square-kilometre Republic of Saugeais lists 4,500 citizens and includes 11 municipalities. "
Now the tiny, little-known independent state in eastern France has been thrust into the limelight following the death of its beloved president, Gabrielle Pourchet, who died last week aged 99.
Named after the upper valley of the River Doubs, a region near the Swiss border known since the 12th century as the Saugeais Valley, the 1,000-square-kilometre Republic of Saugeais lists 4,500 citizens and includes 11 municipalities. "
Scotsman.com News - International - Beleagued Bush forced to admit US is unable to cope
There is no shame in asking for help. There is even less shame in accepting help when it is offered.
Louisiana's Wetlands @ National Geographic Magazine
This article is from October, 2004. It appears none of our politicians or political appointees read National Geographic. To quote the article:
The storm hit Breton Sound with the fury of a nuclear warhead, pushing a deadly storm surge into Lake Pontchartrain. The water crept to the top of the massive berm that holds back the lake and then spilled over. Nearly 80 percent of New Orleans lies below sea level—more than eight feet below in places—so the water poured in. A liquid brown wall washed over the brick ranch homes of Gentilly, over the clapboard houses of the Ninth Ward, over the white-columned porches of the Garden District, until it raced through the bars and strip joints on Bourbon Street like the pale rider of the Apocalypse. As it reached 25 feet (eight meters) over parts of the city, people climbed onto roofs to escape it.
Thousands drowned in the murky brew that was soon contaminated by sewage and industrial waste. Thousands more who survived the flood later perished from dehydration and disease as they waited to be rescued. It took two months to pump the city dry, and by then the Big Easy was buried under a blanket of putrid sediment, a million people were homeless, and 50,000 were dead. It was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.
When did this calamity happen? It hasn't—yet. But the doomsday scenario is not far-fetched. The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists a hurricane strike on New Orleans as one of the most dire threats to the nation, up there with a large earthquake in California or a terrorist attack on New York City. Even the Red Cross no longer opens hurricane shelters in the city, claiming the risk to its workers is too great.
KR Washington Bureau | 09/02/2005 | Experts: Focus on terrorism delays FEMA response to Katrina
"As federal officials tried to get some control over the deteriorating situation in New Orleans, chaos was being replaced with bureaucratic rules that inhibited private relief organizations' efforts.
'We've tried desperately to rescue 250 people trapped in a Salvation Army facility. They've been trapped in there since the flood came in. Many are on dialysis machines,' said Maj. George Hood, national communications secretary for the relief organization.
'Yesterday we rented big fan boats to pull them out and the National Guard would not let us enter the city,' he said. The reason: a new plan to evacuate the embattled city grid by grid - and the Salvation Army's facility didn't fall in the right grid that day, Hood said in a telephone interview from Jackson, Miss.
'No, it doesn't make sense,' he said.
The Salvation Army, along with the American Red Cross and other relief organizations, is supplying meals to refugees in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. But Hood said good supply lines to keep relief stations stocked with bottled water, food and gas still haven't been established.
'The problem is we're running out of food and supplies, and getting replacement food and supplies in here is a big problem,' he said. 'The infrastructure is clogged.' "
'We've tried desperately to rescue 250 people trapped in a Salvation Army facility. They've been trapped in there since the flood came in. Many are on dialysis machines,' said Maj. George Hood, national communications secretary for the relief organization.
'Yesterday we rented big fan boats to pull them out and the National Guard would not let us enter the city,' he said. The reason: a new plan to evacuate the embattled city grid by grid - and the Salvation Army's facility didn't fall in the right grid that day, Hood said in a telephone interview from Jackson, Miss.
'No, it doesn't make sense,' he said.
The Salvation Army, along with the American Red Cross and other relief organizations, is supplying meals to refugees in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. But Hood said good supply lines to keep relief stations stocked with bottled water, food and gas still haven't been established.
'The problem is we're running out of food and supplies, and getting replacement food and supplies in here is a big problem,' he said. 'The infrastructure is clogged.' "
An Angry 'Times-Picayune' Calls for Firing of FEMA Chief and Others in Open Letter to President On Sunday
We heard you loud and clear Friday when you visited our devastated city and the Gulf Coast and said, "What is not working, we’re going to make it right."
Please forgive us if we wait to see proof of your promise before believing you. But we have good reason for our skepticism.
Bienville built New Orleans where he built it for one main reason: It’s accessible. The city between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain was easy to reach in 1718.
How much easier it is to access in 2005 now that there are interstates and bridges, airports and helipads, cruise ships, barges, buses and diesel-powered trucks.
Despite the city’s multiple points of entry, our nation’s bureaucrats spent days after last week’s hurricane wringing their hands, lamenting the fact that they could neither rescue the city’s stranded victims nor bring them food, water and medical supplies.
Meanwhile there were journalists, including some who work for The Times-Picayune, going in and out of the city via the Crescent City Connection. On Thursday morning, that crew saw a caravan of 13 Wal-Mart tractor trailers headed into town to bring food, water and supplies to a dying city.
Television reporters were doing live reports from downtown New Orleans streets. Harry Connick Jr. brought in some aid Thursday, and his efforts were the focus of a "Today" show story Friday morning.
Yet, the people trained to protect our nation, the people whose job it is to quickly bring in aid were absent. Those who should have been deploying troops were singing a sad song about how our city was impossible to reach.
We’re angry, Mr. President, and we’ll be angry long after our beloved city and surrounding parishes have been pumped dry. Our people deserved rescuing. Many who could have been were not. That’s to the government’s shame.
Mayor Ray Nagin did the right thing Sunday when he allowed those with no other alternative to seek shelter from the storm inside the Louisiana Superdome. We still don’t know what the death toll is, but one thing is certain: Had the Superdome not been opened, the city’s death toll would have been higher. The toll may even have been exponentially higher.
It was clear to us by late morning Monday that many people inside the Superdome would not be returning home. It should have been clear to our government, Mr. President. So why weren’t they evacuated out of the city immediately? We learned seven years ago, when Hurricane Georges threatened, that the Dome isn’t suitable as a long-term shelter. So what did state and national officials think would happen to tens of thousands of people trapped inside with no air conditioning, overflowing toilets and dwindling amounts of food, water and other essentials?
State Rep. Karen Carter was right Friday when she said the city didn’t have but two urgent needs: "Buses! And gas!" Every official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency should be fired, Director Michael Brown especially.
In a nationally televised interview Thursday night, he said his agency hadn’t known until that day that thousands of storm victims were stranded at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. He gave another nationally televised interview the next morning and said, "We’ve provided food to the people at the Convention Center so that they’ve gotten at least one, if not two meals, every single day."
Lies don’t get more bald-faced than that, Mr. President.
Yet, when you met with Mr. Brown Friday morning, you told him, "You’re doing a heck of a job."
That’s unbelievable.
There were thousands of people at the Convention Center because the riverfront is high ground. The fact that so many people had reached there on foot is proof that rescue vehicles could have gotten there, too.
We, who are from New Orleans, are no less American than those who live on the Great Plains or along the Atlantic Seaboard. We’re no less important than those from the Pacific Northwest or Appalachia. Our people deserved to be rescued.
No expense should have been spared. No excuses should have been voiced. Especially not one as preposterous as the claim that New Orleans couldn’t be reached.
Mr. President, we sincerely hope you fulfill your promise to make our beloved communities work right once again.
When you do, we will be the first to applaud.
The Bursting Point - New York Times
The scrapbook of history accords but a few pages to each decade, and it is already clear that the pages devoted to this one will be grisly. There will be pictures of bodies falling from the twin towers, beheaded kidnapping victims in Iraq and corpses still floating in the waterways of New Orleans five days after the disaster that caused them.
Christine Adelhardt berichtet live aus Biloxi. | tagesschau.de
This is also a German video link. For this one, I have a translation thanks to Daily Kos:
TRANSCRIPTION
Zum letzten Stand jetzt live aus Biloxi Christine Adelhardt
Vor 2 Minuten ist hier gerade der Präsident in seinem Konvoi vorbeigefahren. Was sich hier in Biloxi aber während des Tages abgespielt hat, ist wirklich unglaublich. Plötzlich tauchten hier Bergungstrupps auf, plötzlich waren hier Räumfahrzeuge, die hatte man die ganzen Tage hier vorher nicht gesehen, und das in einem Gebiet, indem es wirklich nicht notwendig wäre, groß aufzuräumen, weil hier lebt weit und breit kein Mensch mehr, die Menschen sind weiter innen in der Stadt. Der Präsident reist mit einem Pressetross. Dieser Pressetross hat damit sehr schöne Bilder, die da sagen sollen, der Präsident war da und die Hilfe, die wird auch kommen. Das Ausmaß der Naturkatastrophe hat mich geschockt aber das Ausmaß der Inszenierung hier heute schockt mich mindestens genauso. Damit zurück nach Hamburg
TRANSLATION
On the last state of things here's Christine Adelhardt live from Biloxi
2 minutes ago the President drove past in his convoi. But what has happened in Biloxi all day long is truly unbelievable. Suddenly recovery units appeared, suddenly bulldozers were there, those hadn't been seen here all the days before, and this in an area, in which it really wouldn't be necessary to do a big clean up, because far and wide nobody lives here anymore, the people are more inland in the city. The President travels with a press baggage [big crew]. This press baggage got very beautiful pictures which are supposed to say, that the President was here and help is on the way, too. The extent of the natural disaster shocked me, but the extent of the staging is shocking me at least the same way. With that back to Hamburg.
ZDFmediathek - Verzweiflung in der Anarchie
The report is in German but it contains a video link that really doesn't require much translation.
One of those sleepless nights
I'm having one of those sleepless nights where I just can't seem to fall asleep no matter what boring thing I find to do. I tried watching TV, but I got interested in the movie that was on - "The Forgotten". I tried reading but I just kept reading the same sentence over and over again so I gave that up. Then I started digging around in my desk - which has now been very efficiently organized - and I found some notes I made I don't know how many years ago for a language I was going to create for a story I was going to write. I don't remember what the story was supposed to be about, but the notes for the language are kind of nifty looking. I suspect they would be even more nifty if I'd had any sort of linguistic training. Anyway, I thought I'd share --
a = ah as in father
â = ow as in cow
ä = ay as in hay
e = eh as in net
ê = ay as in hay
ë = ee as in need
i = i as in pit
î = e as in we
ï = i as in night
o = o as in shop
ô = oy as in boy
ö = o as in hope
u = uh as in up
û = oo as in moo
ü = u as in use
y = ee as in need
ŷ = ye as in yell
ÿ = yi as in yipes
bh = p as in pair
c = k as in kite
ch = ch as in German ich
dh = th as in this
f = as v at the end of words
g = always hard
gh = fa as in fin
hr = voiced
q = k in kite
rh
th = th as in think
x = s as in sunset
z = sh as in ship
There is no k.
'at = masculine extension, suffix
'el = feminine extension, suffix
te' = plural, prefix
nê = mankind, plural noun
nê'at = man
te'nê'at = men
nê'el = woman
te'nê'el = women
nêor = gold, the color
nêoret = gold, the metal
nêas = silver, the color
nêaset = silver, the metal
et = metal
te'et = metals
tûra = parent
te'tûra = parents
tûr'at = father
te'tûr'at = fathers
tr'ati = daddy, dad
tûr'el = mother
te'tûr'el = mothers
tr'eli = mommy, mom
sä'am = friend
te'sä'am = friends
And that's as far as I got. I wish I could remember what I was going to write about. I can't find any notes on the story. Oh, well.
a = ah as in father
â = ow as in cow
ä = ay as in hay
e = eh as in net
ê = ay as in hay
ë = ee as in need
i = i as in pit
î = e as in we
ï = i as in night
o = o as in shop
ô = oy as in boy
ö = o as in hope
u = uh as in up
û = oo as in moo
ü = u as in use
y = ee as in need
ŷ = ye as in yell
ÿ = yi as in yipes
bh = p as in pair
c = k as in kite
ch = ch as in German ich
dh = th as in this
f = as v at the end of words
g = always hard
gh = fa as in fin
hr = voiced
q = k in kite
rh
th = th as in think
x = s as in sunset
z = sh as in ship
There is no k.
'at = masculine extension, suffix
'el = feminine extension, suffix
te' = plural, prefix
nê = mankind, plural noun
nê'at = man
te'nê'at = men
nê'el = woman
te'nê'el = women
nêor = gold, the color
nêoret = gold, the metal
nêas = silver, the color
nêaset = silver, the metal
et = metal
te'et = metals
tûra = parent
te'tûra = parents
tûr'at = father
te'tûr'at = fathers
tr'ati = daddy, dad
tûr'el = mother
te'tûr'el = mothers
tr'eli = mommy, mom
sä'am = friend
te'sä'am = friends
And that's as far as I got. I wish I could remember what I was going to write about. I can't find any notes on the story. Oh, well.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | World mobilises to aid US victims
"President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela - a major oil exporting country - said he had offered to send cheap fuel.
The state department has not decided whether to accept it."
The state department has not decided whether to accept it."
Friday, September 02, 2005
From the horse's mouth
President Arrives in Alabama, Briefed on Hurricane Katrina: "We've got a lot of rebuilding to do. First, we're going to save lives and stabilize the situation. And then we're going to help these communities rebuild. The good news is -- and it's hard for some to see it now -- that out of this chaos is going to come a fantastic Gulf Coast, like it was before. Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch."
Hurricane Katrina - President Gates Statement
Texas A & M University Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Just talked to my brother
I just got off the phone with my brother. My sister-in-law has family in Biloxi, Mississippi that no one has heard from since Katrina hit. She has an uncle and several cousins and their families who live(d) there. I had no idea. I thought all her family were all in either Texas or Georgia. If I'd known, I would have called to offer support instead of waiting to hear it from my brother.
According to my brother, they've checked with other family members and contacted the Red Cross and checked the web sites but they haven't found any information on them.
I'm just sick about this. I hope her family is OK.
According to my brother, they've checked with other family members and contacted the Red Cross and checked the web sites but they haven't found any information on them.
I'm just sick about this. I hope her family is OK.
If I were a leading man
Clark Gable You scored 38% Tough, 0% Roguish, 28% Friendly, and 33% Charming! |
You're a helluva guy, a real split personality and a bit of an enigma. On the one hand, you're a man's man, tough talking and ready for anything. But on the other hand, you soften your rough and tumble core with a disarmingly smooth exterior, and you make the ladies swoon. You're equally admired by both men and women alike, drinking other men under the table all the while charming the socks off half a dozen lovelies. You're a commanding presence, and you know how to get what - and who - you want when you want it. You're drawn to women who, like you, are savvy enough to deal with the world on their own terms. You work well with spitfires. Leading ladies include Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, and Jean Harlow. No damsels in distress for you.
|
 |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on Ok Cupid |
Oh, to be a classic dame
Jean Arthur You scored 19% grit, 33% wit, 33% flair, and 26% class! |
You are a little bit of everything: smart, nutty, classy, and even a little scheming when you need to be. However, you aren't exactly the most effective dame around, as you're sometimes given to fainting and mumbling incoherently. But you're pretty steadfast and true, and might I add, cute as a button, even if you're not sure exactly what you want. Still, you end up with the likes of Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant...not too shabby!
|
 |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on Ok Cupid |
Boom!
We're having a little summer squall. There's a bit of thunder and lightning accompanying the rain. I guess this means mowing the grass will have to be put off again. I'm sure that is going to make the Prodigal Son so unhappy.
News on the job front
Just got back from the doctor's office and my blood pressure hasn't improved particularly, but then it's only been two days of taking the meds. I go back Tuesday to have the blood pressure checked again to see if this dosage of meds is working or not. According to the nurse, there should be a significant improvement by Tuesday if the Lisinopril is working.
Anyway, what this means is that I won't start the new job on Tuesday as expected. If things are "normal" on Tuesday, I'll start the job on Monday, September 12.
On a brighter note, I found some really marvelous avocados at the grocery store so I picked up a couple. One is my late lunch, which I'm munching on now, and the other will be had with dinner tonight. I also found some really nice looking red seedless grapes which I've already munched on. They're going to be my snack food of choice until they run out.
Anyway, what this means is that I won't start the new job on Tuesday as expected. If things are "normal" on Tuesday, I'll start the job on Monday, September 12.
On a brighter note, I found some really marvelous avocados at the grocery store so I picked up a couple. One is my late lunch, which I'm munching on now, and the other will be had with dinner tonight. I also found some really nice looking red seedless grapes which I've already munched on. They're going to be my snack food of choice until they run out.
The Interdictor
This is the Live Journal of Michael Barnett who works for DirectNIC, a hosting company in New Orleans which is still up and running for the time being.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Network for Good :: Hurricane Relief Efforts and Preparedness
More links to organizations helping with disaster relief.
The Humane Society of the United States
Another organization accepting donations to help animals in the wake of Katrina.
Direct link to donation page
Direct link to donation page
FEMA: Cash Sought To Help Hurricane Victims, Volunteers Should Not Self-Dispatch
Contains a list of organizations accepting donations.
American Veterinary Medical Foundation
People aren't the only ones who need help in the wake of Katrina.
Grocery Store Wars | Join the Organic Rebellion
Oh, my. I really do believe I'm seen just about everything now.
Cuke Skywalker: "You're my father? That's... That's really impossible!"
Darth Tater: "Search your peelings, Cuke, search your peelings..."
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Thumbs up for local Quizno's
I just got back from Quizno's with dinner - sue me, I wanted a sub sandwich - and I was surprised to discover notices plastered all over the doors and counters that Louisiana residents, with proof of residency, would get 50% off all orders.
Thumbs up, guys!
Thumbs up, guys!
Back from the doctor
And almost $150 poorer. My blood pressure was 162 / 88 which is slightly up and down from Monday's 160 / 100. It didn't help matters that Heru decided to have a poop accident right before I had to go to the doctor's and I had to clean cat poop from my sofa and the carpet. I am happy to report the sofa is clean but the carpet has an interesting yellow stain that just refuses to come out. I guess this means I'll have to rent one of those steam cleaning things and give the living room a good once over.
Anyway, back to doctor talk. I think I like this doctor better than any doctor I've had before. I couldn't get an appointment with my normal doctor until October and that just would not do so I called the Prodigal's doctor to see if I could get in this week to see him. I could and I did. And I like him. He talked to me and explained things and asked questions. We talked about the different kinds of blood pressure meds and the effects they could have and we picked one that sounded like the kind I could live with. It's called Lisinopril. I'm on the 20mg variety to be taken twice daily. I'm to monitor my blood pressure and reduce the dosage to one daily if my blood pressure drops too much. I have a six month prescription at which point I go in for another exam.
As happened four years ago, I expect the blood pressure to make its way back to normal when the stress of being jobless and having a new job and all the things that go with those two states of being resolve themselves into normalcy.
Anyway, back to doctor talk. I think I like this doctor better than any doctor I've had before. I couldn't get an appointment with my normal doctor until October and that just would not do so I called the Prodigal's doctor to see if I could get in this week to see him. I could and I did. And I like him. He talked to me and explained things and asked questions. We talked about the different kinds of blood pressure meds and the effects they could have and we picked one that sounded like the kind I could live with. It's called Lisinopril. I'm on the 20mg variety to be taken twice daily. I'm to monitor my blood pressure and reduce the dosage to one daily if my blood pressure drops too much. I have a six month prescription at which point I go in for another exam.
As happened four years ago, I expect the blood pressure to make its way back to normal when the stress of being jobless and having a new job and all the things that go with those two states of being resolve themselves into normalcy.
iWon News - Dogs go woof over Brazilian puppy love motel
This definitely falls into the category of "Now I've heard everything!"
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
A problem with my checkup
I had the checkup and drug screen for the new job yesterday. The drug screen was all clear, but my blood pressure is up. I've scheduled an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow to get it back under control. It's strange to have to be on meds again after having been off them for almost four years. Last year, at my October checkup, my blood pressure was normal. I guess the worry about work and money and finding a job set it off again.
They also took blood during the checkup, but the results for that won't be in for a couple of days. I wonder if anything will show up there that wasn't there last year.
I'm not sure what effect his will have on the new job. I probably won't know until all the test results are back.
They also took blood during the checkup, but the results for that won't be in for a couple of days. I wonder if anything will show up there that wasn't there last year.
I'm not sure what effect his will have on the new job. I probably won't know until all the test results are back.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Mandatory evacuation of New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina is a category 5 storm that appears to be heading for New Orleans. I've just watched the mayor of New Orleans announce mandatory evacuation for the city. My mind boggles at the kind of devastation a category 5 storm can cause especially to a place that is basically below sea level to begin with.
I weathered a category 4 hurricane almost 40 years ago and I know the kind of devastation that caused.
I hope those people who cannot - or will not - evacuate make it through Katrina.
I weathered a category 4 hurricane almost 40 years ago and I know the kind of devastation that caused.
I hope those people who cannot - or will not - evacuate make it through Katrina.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Pictures at last
I finally got the Prodigal Son to stay in one place long enough to get pictures of the car - a Ford Taurus - his grandparents helped get him. The housesitting friend managed to get caught in a couple of the snaps.
A trip in the way back machine
I took myself to IHOP for breakfast for lunch and as I was leaving, a woman I'd worked with a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away popped her head over the panel separating her table from mine and said hello. It's been years and years since we'd last bumped into each other and I was pleasantly surprised to see her. I always like running into people I know. It makes me feel like I've really put down roots. Anyway, she was there with her partner and so we chatted for a bit and exchanged contact information. Well, she gave me hers since she had a business card, but I did give her this site address so she could hunt me down if she needed to.
She's got two web sites: The I Love Zombies Page and WeedsWorth.com. Check them out. She's got some lovely photos up at WeedsWorth.com.
She's got two web sites: The I Love Zombies Page and WeedsWorth.com. Check them out. She's got some lovely photos up at WeedsWorth.com.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Here a message, there a message
It finally dawned on me to check for new messages on my answering machine today. I had two very interesting ones, both from people at my soon to be new job. Both of them were kind of panic inspiring, but for very different reasons.
The first was from the man who will be my boss. He is going to be out of the country when I start work and he wanted to speak to me before he left. I called him back and left a message explaining that I had been out of town and had just gotten back, and that I would try calling him tomorrow. The panic part is that I may not reach him before he leaves and I won't have a clue what to do at work while I await his return.
The second was from the very nice woman in Human Resources who called to tell me my high school has no record of me graduating in 1974, so could I find my diploma and make a copy for her. Find my diploma? The last time I remember seeing it was five years and two moves ago. So I called my dad, who still lives in the town I graduated high school from, and asked if he would check with the district tomorrow. And then I started to rummage through one of the boxes I haven't unpacked yet - yes, after two years in the house I still haven't unpacked all my stuff - when it dawned on me that I'd never told the woman my maiden name. No wonder my high school has no record of me graduating. So I called Dad back and told him never mind, and I'll call the nice lady tomorrow and tell her what name I graduated from high school under.
The first was from the man who will be my boss. He is going to be out of the country when I start work and he wanted to speak to me before he left. I called him back and left a message explaining that I had been out of town and had just gotten back, and that I would try calling him tomorrow. The panic part is that I may not reach him before he leaves and I won't have a clue what to do at work while I await his return.
The second was from the very nice woman in Human Resources who called to tell me my high school has no record of me graduating in 1974, so could I find my diploma and make a copy for her. Find my diploma? The last time I remember seeing it was five years and two moves ago. So I called my dad, who still lives in the town I graduated high school from, and asked if he would check with the district tomorrow. And then I started to rummage through one of the boxes I haven't unpacked yet - yes, after two years in the house I still haven't unpacked all my stuff - when it dawned on me that I'd never told the woman my maiden name. No wonder my high school has no record of me graduating. So I called Dad back and told him never mind, and I'll call the nice lady tomorrow and tell her what name I graduated from high school under.
Honey, I'm home
We're back from the trip. I took my camera with me and would you believe the only pictures I snapped were of a sunset the first day on the drive down?
I took the shot through the car window just to see what would happen.
I took the shot through the car window just to see what would happen.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Taking a small trip
I'm off to visit my folks for a couple of days. The Prodigal Son and I are driving down in an hour or so and we'll be driving back on Thursday. The folks have agreed to help me get wheels for the Prodigal so he can attend a class he wants to take in October and he can continue to job hunt. He has agreed to pay my folks back as soon as he has a paycheck from which to pay them back.
Even though we'll only be gone a couple of days, the Prodigal's best friend is going to house sit for us so he can make sure the cats get fed and watered and to keep them out of the kind of mischief they like to get into when no one is around to remind them to behave. I've stocked up on cat food for my furry monsters and munchies for the Prodigal's best friend.
Even though we'll only be gone a couple of days, the Prodigal's best friend is going to house sit for us so he can make sure the cats get fed and watered and to keep them out of the kind of mischief they like to get into when no one is around to remind them to behave. I've stocked up on cat food for my furry monsters and munchies for the Prodigal's best friend.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
The Hero and the Crown
By Robin McKinley.
I started The Hero and the Crown last night and I just finished it. I had a very hard time putting it down I was that caught up in it. Wonderful, wonderful book. This was heroic fantasy at its best. And what made it even better, the hero of this book was a girl / woman. My only regret is that I only have two thumbs to give it a thumbs up with.
Ms. McKinley, I think, will join the ranks of one of my favorite authors alongside Patricia A. McKillip, Tad Williams, C. J. Cherryh, and Barbara Hambly.
I started The Hero and the Crown last night and I just finished it. I had a very hard time putting it down I was that caught up in it. Wonderful, wonderful book. This was heroic fantasy at its best. And what made it even better, the hero of this book was a girl / woman. My only regret is that I only have two thumbs to give it a thumbs up with.Ms. McKinley, I think, will join the ranks of one of my favorite authors alongside Patricia A. McKillip, Tad Williams, C. J. Cherryh, and Barbara Hambly.
Here, kitty, kitty
Just because I haven't done it in a couple of months, here are a few snaps of my little furry monsters on this lazy Sunday morning.
Mouse in one of her semi-Alien sleeping poses.
Goblin and Heru sharing the coffee table along with my cross stitch stuff of which you can just catch the tiniest peek.
And last but not least, Rainbow giving me an I can't be bothered look for almost waking her from her nap.
Mouse in one of her semi-Alien sleeping poses.
Goblin and Heru sharing the coffee table along with my cross stitch stuff of which you can just catch the tiniest peek.
And last but not least, Rainbow giving me an I can't be bothered look for almost waking her from her nap.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
The Fair Folk
Edited by Marvin Kaye.
A story collection offered up by the Science Fiction Book Club which contains "Uous" by Tanith Lee, "Grace Notes" by Megan Lindholm (a.k.a Robin Hobb), "The Gypsies in the Wood" by Kim Newman, "The Kelpie" by Patricia A. McKillip, "An Embarrassment of Elves" by Craig Shaw Gardner, and "Except the Queen" by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder.
As much as my favorite author of the bunch is Patricia A. McKillip, the story I actually enjoyed the most was "Except the Queen" by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder. It was written in the form of letters between two sisters and detailed an exile and a reconciliation.
I think the story I enjoyed the least was "An Embarrassment of Elves" by Craig Shaw Gardner. Its attempted humor just didn't fit in with the other stories.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and give it two thumbs up.
A story collection offered up by the Science Fiction Book Club which contains "Uous" by Tanith Lee, "Grace Notes" by Megan Lindholm (a.k.a Robin Hobb), "The Gypsies in the Wood" by Kim Newman, "The Kelpie" by Patricia A. McKillip, "An Embarrassment of Elves" by Craig Shaw Gardner, and "Except the Queen" by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder.
As much as my favorite author of the bunch is Patricia A. McKillip, the story I actually enjoyed the most was "Except the Queen" by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder. It was written in the form of letters between two sisters and detailed an exile and a reconciliation.
I think the story I enjoyed the least was "An Embarrassment of Elves" by Craig Shaw Gardner. Its attempted humor just didn't fit in with the other stories.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and give it two thumbs up.
Friday, August 19, 2005
A good day
It's a good day so far. I went to the job orientation thing this morning, but it turned out to be a pre-orientation which was OK. I filled out all the paperwork for the background check and submitted an actual job application. And I have the appointment for the rest of the stuff I have to do.
I stopped by Michael's on the way home and bought some knitting magazines and some crocheting books. Their cross stitch section leaves a lot to be desired and I wasn't particularly impressed with their knitting yarn either. Then I moseyed over to Starbuck's and picked up an iced mocha for the drive home.
Back in town I decided to treat myself to brunch at IHOP after a trip to the post office to pick up my mail.
And now I'm home catching up on email and the web-y things I do every day. I'm going to fix myself a nice cup of tea and plop myself on the sofa to read.
Later, 'gators!
I stopped by Michael's on the way home and bought some knitting magazines and some crocheting books. Their cross stitch section leaves a lot to be desired and I wasn't particularly impressed with their knitting yarn either. Then I moseyed over to Starbuck's and picked up an iced mocha for the drive home.
Back in town I decided to treat myself to brunch at IHOP after a trip to the post office to pick up my mail.
And now I'm home catching up on email and the web-y things I do every day. I'm going to fix myself a nice cup of tea and plop myself on the sofa to read.
Later, 'gators!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Read, read, read
I haven't felt the urge today to pick up any of my crafty projects, but I did feel in the mood to read. I've managed to finish half the book I'd barely started before I was laid off. It's a book I got through my membership in the Science Fiction Book Club. It's called The Fair Folk and is edited by Marvin Kaye. As far as I can tell, the book is an exclusive to the SFBC. It contains "Uous" by Tanith Lee, "Grace Notes" by Megan Lindholm (a.k.a Robin Hobb), "The Gypsies in the Wood" by Kim Newman, "The Kelpie" by Patricia A. McKillip, "An Embarrassment of Elves" by Craig Shaw Gardner, and "Except the Queen" by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder.
So far, I've read "Uous", "Grace Notes", and I'm half way through "The Gypsies in the Wood". I very much enjoyed the first two stories - the Lee about being careful what you wish for and the Lindholm about the interesting ramifications of scorn. "The Gypsies in the Wood" is the first Newman I've read and so far I enjoy it. I actually bought the book because of the McKillip since she has become one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to get to that story.
I've checked email and done all the 'net things I usually do so I think I shall fix myself some lunch and bury myself in the book again.
Later, 'gators!
So far, I've read "Uous", "Grace Notes", and I'm half way through "The Gypsies in the Wood". I very much enjoyed the first two stories - the Lee about being careful what you wish for and the Lindholm about the interesting ramifications of scorn. "The Gypsies in the Wood" is the first Newman I've read and so far I enjoy it. I actually bought the book because of the McKillip since she has become one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to get to that story.
I've checked email and done all the 'net things I usually do so I think I shall fix myself some lunch and bury myself in the book again.
Later, 'gators!
Christwebs.com
My goodness. I wasn't aware until just now that Christ had given up the religion biz and gone into the .com arena. It's nice to know that he, at least, moves with the times.
And I have to applaud his business acumen. He's charging more for less compared to other hosting providers.
And I have to applaud his business acumen. He's charging more for less compared to other hosting providers.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Omigawsh, I almost forgot
About the idiosyncrasies meme from Karen. It had completely slipped my mind until just this moment - and I'm not altogether sure why or how it slipped back in.
Anyway . . .
(I) I have a problem with eating meat off the bone. Like picking up a piece of chicken and using my teeth to tear the flesh or picking up a pork chop and gnawing the last little bit of meat from that bone all pork chops seem to have. That just bothers me. I think chicken strips and breast filets are the greatest invention of this century. I used to have a problem with cutting meat from the bone as well, but I am happy to report I'm almost completely over that.
(II) Professionally, I'm a 'get it done now' type of person. Personally, everything can wait until tomorrow. I'm the world's greatest procrastinator when it comes to my personal life.
(III) The older I get the more I hate planning things. Like what I want to do on my vacation. How am I supposed to know in January what I want to do in July? Even if I could figure out what I wanted to do that early, what's to say I want to still do it when the time comes? The older I get, the more I discover the joys of doing things spur of the moment.
(IV) I'm a mimic. It was something that started while I was involved in drama in high school and we had to watch people and learn how they walked and talked, that sort of thing, and then get on stage and 'perform' these people to see if the others in the class could tell who we were being. To this day, I still catch myself suddenly adopting the mannerisms or speech patterns of someone I'm with.
(V) Keeping the fork in my left hand and the knife in my right when I eat instead of setting the knife down and switching the fork to my right hand. This is only idiosyncratic behavior in the US since most Europeans eat that way.
Anyway . . .
(I) I have a problem with eating meat off the bone. Like picking up a piece of chicken and using my teeth to tear the flesh or picking up a pork chop and gnawing the last little bit of meat from that bone all pork chops seem to have. That just bothers me. I think chicken strips and breast filets are the greatest invention of this century. I used to have a problem with cutting meat from the bone as well, but I am happy to report I'm almost completely over that.
(II) Professionally, I'm a 'get it done now' type of person. Personally, everything can wait until tomorrow. I'm the world's greatest procrastinator when it comes to my personal life.
(III) The older I get the more I hate planning things. Like what I want to do on my vacation. How am I supposed to know in January what I want to do in July? Even if I could figure out what I wanted to do that early, what's to say I want to still do it when the time comes? The older I get, the more I discover the joys of doing things spur of the moment.
(IV) I'm a mimic. It was something that started while I was involved in drama in high school and we had to watch people and learn how they walked and talked, that sort of thing, and then get on stage and 'perform' these people to see if the others in the class could tell who we were being. To this day, I still catch myself suddenly adopting the mannerisms or speech patterns of someone I'm with.
(V) Keeping the fork in my left hand and the knife in my right when I eat instead of setting the knife down and switching the fork to my right hand. This is only idiosyncratic behavior in the US since most Europeans eat that way.
Yeehaw
I finally got bored with being bored and I just spent the last couple of hours knitting on the scarf I've been working on. I think I'm a couple of pattern iterations away from being done, but my fingers got all cramped so I quit.
And on an additional positive note, I've been offered a job which I have accepted contingent on a couple of exams I have to pass. They shouldn't be a problem. If everything goes well, my first day of work will be September 6th.
And on an additional positive note, I've been offered a job which I have accepted contingent on a couple of exams I have to pass. They shouldn't be a problem. If everything goes well, my first day of work will be September 6th.
BBC NEWS | Technology | Delay for .xxx 'net sex' domain
Quite honestly, I'd rather have all pornography related sites at the .xxx domain than accidentally stumble across material that is personally offensive to me by mistyping a site name.
Yes, having a specific upper level domain under which all adult content is aggregated will make censorship easier, but I don't think that's the true concern. What it will do is make the companies that sell software to block those types of sites all but obsolete since the various browser makers can program in a switch to block or allow the triple x domain with the click of a button.
Yes, having a specific upper level domain under which all adult content is aggregated will make censorship easier, but I don't think that's the true concern. What it will do is make the companies that sell software to block those types of sites all but obsolete since the various browser makers can program in a switch to block or allow the triple x domain with the click of a button.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)