You were probably right! I remember taking this thing sometime in high school and being upset because it scored me high on Narcissistic and Histrionic. I have apparently gotten worse over the years.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
I'll Miss You, Jeannie
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, since it's the time of year when we specifically get together to enjoy our family, and eat, and there isn't any of the attendant stress of Christmas gift-giving to take the shine off of it.
This Thanksgiving was extra-special, and really exemplified why I love the holiday. My Aunt Jeannie came out to visit! Dad's little sister, who I hadn't seen since I was just a very little girl, and my youngest sisters had never met, came out to stay with dad over the holiday, and we all got a chance to meet/reconnect. I had such a great time with her, I'm really kicking myself that all these years, I've had an aunt that's only 4 years older than me, and we never got to know each other before now. I'm looking forward to future visits, and plotting how I can get Russ and myself out to Vegas so we can see her on her own turf, and maybe meet my uncle, too!
So for a wonderful Thanksgiving, thanks Jeannie, and I'll miss you. Here's hoping we manage to get to see each other again before another 20 years pass.
Friday, November 23, 2007
I'll Miss You, Santos
This morning, I overslept and didn't wake up until I heard the kiddo making noise over the baby monitor. So I dragged my ass out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen to fix his breakfast and a pot of coffee for myself. Stumble downstairs for a smoke while everything is heating up. The nicotine helped, so I managed to trudge rather than stumble back up the stairs to assemble Roy's tray and fix that first, blessedly reviving, hot, sugary and creamy cup of coffee for myself.
Grab the filter to pull it off of the carafe, and spit! Dirty drawers! The damned thing is stone cold. Peek inside the filter.... grounds are still completely dry, and none of the water has moved up into the filter as it should. I ended up having to boil water on the stove-top and pour it through the filter just so I could get some nasty over-perked sludge to make it through the morning.
My first Bodum Santos lasted a year, and then the heating element died. The coffee I was getting from the machine was so wonderful I went ahead and replaced it with another one. This one only lasted me 3 years - not a sufficient return on my investment for a machine priced over 100 dollars. It makes a great cup of coffee, but it's a bitch to clean, since even with my tiny hands I can barely fit one inside the carafe to scrub it out, and every time you try to give it a good cleaning, you're taking the risk of it not coming back on. So, while I love you, Bodum Santos, I had to replace you with a different brand.
Here's hoping the new Oster I ordered arrives before I expire from caffeine withdrawal tomorrow morning, and lives longer than the Bodum did. That morning cup of coffee is too important to me for me to screw around with unreliable machines.
Grab the filter to pull it off of the carafe, and spit! Dirty drawers! The damned thing is stone cold. Peek inside the filter.... grounds are still completely dry, and none of the water has moved up into the filter as it should. I ended up having to boil water on the stove-top and pour it through the filter just so I could get some nasty over-perked sludge to make it through the morning.
My first Bodum Santos lasted a year, and then the heating element died. The coffee I was getting from the machine was so wonderful I went ahead and replaced it with another one. This one only lasted me 3 years - not a sufficient return on my investment for a machine priced over 100 dollars. It makes a great cup of coffee, but it's a bitch to clean, since even with my tiny hands I can barely fit one inside the carafe to scrub it out, and every time you try to give it a good cleaning, you're taking the risk of it not coming back on. So, while I love you, Bodum Santos, I had to replace you with a different brand.
Here's hoping the new Oster I ordered arrives before I expire from caffeine withdrawal tomorrow morning, and lives longer than the Bodum did. That morning cup of coffee is too important to me for me to screw around with unreliable machines.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Simply Wonderful - Roast Chicken with Lemons
The recipes I always like the best are the ones that require just a few ingredients, and very simple preparation. If those two requirements are met, I don't mind if the dish itself takes a long time to cook, I can start dinner earlier. I just don't want to spend more than half an hour actually preparing ingredients. Whenever I see a recipe that calls for 2 tsp of this, 1 tablespoon of that, 3 tsps finely minced garlic, 4 tablespoons of shredded this, etc, I just cringe. Those are the dishes that I save for the weekends, when the additional work involved is less daunting.
A really simple recipe, however, just seems to have an extra edge to it. I marvel at how just a few ingredients can produce such a satisfying flavor. When I'm serving it to guests, I feel smug that so little effort produced such rave reviews. Last night, I tried a really simple recipe out of Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, and it's one of those recipes. So simple it's easy enough for weeknights, and really tasty.
All you need are: roaster chicken, 2 small lemons*, salt, pepper, roasting pan w/ rack, some kitchen string.
*the lemons need to be small enough that you can cram them into the bird. If they're too large, you'll split the birds rib-cage, which, while it doesn't affect the taste, makes it look it's harboring an alien.
Preheat your oven to 350°. Rinse and completely dry the chicken. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper, inside and outside, and rubbing it into the skin to really distribute it well.
Roll the lemons across a cutting board with the palm of your hand, sort of squishing them up as you go to soften them up a bit, then poke the hell out of them with a skewer or knife tip or fork. Cram the lemons into the chicken.
Put the chicken on the roasting pan breast side down, and sort of loosely tie up the legs. The goal isn't to keep them from moving or to make the ends meet, but just to keep them from spreading apart too much and splitting the skin during the cooking process.
Put the bird in the oven, and leave it there for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn it over, trying not to tear the skin on the bird and let it cook for another 30 minutes. When that time is up, raise the heat on the oven to 400° and let it cook for at least another 20 minutes, more until it's done.
There's no need to baste the bird or use any additional cooking fat. And the point of not tearing the skin is that, if you don't, the chicken will swell up with the juices. It won't hurt if you do tear the skin, though.
Leave the lemons in the chicken when you carve it, and serve the pieces with the juices that run out of the bird. For a 4 lb bird, with my oven, total cooking time was 1 hour, 35 minutes.
This chicken was amazingly juicy and flavorful, and the lemon wasn't a dominating flavor at all, the meat was infused with just a hint of citrus tang to it. I'll definitely make this one again.
A really simple recipe, however, just seems to have an extra edge to it. I marvel at how just a few ingredients can produce such a satisfying flavor. When I'm serving it to guests, I feel smug that so little effort produced such rave reviews. Last night, I tried a really simple recipe out of Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, and it's one of those recipes. So simple it's easy enough for weeknights, and really tasty.
All you need are: roaster chicken, 2 small lemons*, salt, pepper, roasting pan w/ rack, some kitchen string.
*the lemons need to be small enough that you can cram them into the bird. If they're too large, you'll split the birds rib-cage, which, while it doesn't affect the taste, makes it look it's harboring an alien.
Preheat your oven to 350°. Rinse and completely dry the chicken. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper, inside and outside, and rubbing it into the skin to really distribute it well.
Roll the lemons across a cutting board with the palm of your hand, sort of squishing them up as you go to soften them up a bit, then poke the hell out of them with a skewer or knife tip or fork. Cram the lemons into the chicken.
Put the chicken on the roasting pan breast side down, and sort of loosely tie up the legs. The goal isn't to keep them from moving or to make the ends meet, but just to keep them from spreading apart too much and splitting the skin during the cooking process.
Put the bird in the oven, and leave it there for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn it over, trying not to tear the skin on the bird and let it cook for another 30 minutes. When that time is up, raise the heat on the oven to 400° and let it cook for at least another 20 minutes, more until it's done.
There's no need to baste the bird or use any additional cooking fat. And the point of not tearing the skin is that, if you don't, the chicken will swell up with the juices. It won't hurt if you do tear the skin, though.
Leave the lemons in the chicken when you carve it, and serve the pieces with the juices that run out of the bird. For a 4 lb bird, with my oven, total cooking time was 1 hour, 35 minutes.
This chicken was amazingly juicy and flavorful, and the lemon wasn't a dominating flavor at all, the meat was infused with just a hint of citrus tang to it. I'll definitely make this one again.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Book Report: Twilight and New Moon
Twilight and New Moon are the first two books in a 'young-adult' series by Stephenie Meyer. Arabella is the teen-aged child of divorced parents - a flighty mother who takes up new projects and causes as quickly as she loses interest in them and a thoroughly grounded father, the local sheriff of a small town in Washington state called Forks. When her mother remarries, 'Bella leaves sunny Phoenix and moves back to terminally overcast Forks, to give her mother the freedom to travel with her new husband, a minor-league baseball player. There's nothing to do in Forks, and 'Bella knows she's going to hate it... until she meets the Cullens, the strange and exceedingly attractive family of a local doctor in town. They're rich, they're eerily graceful, and the most beautiful of them all is a boy named Edward who appears to be about the same age as 'Bella. They're also always absent on the few sunny days that Forks gets. 'Bella finds herself strangely drawn to Edward, although he can't seem to stand her. Then BAM! he miraculously rescues her from a near-death situation involving a skidding van, and 'Bella has a mystery to solve. Eventually, she figures out that the Cullens are vampires, but despite this, 'Bella falls head over heels in love with Edward, and amazing to her - he with her.
I nearly put Twilight down and didn't finish reading it. The writing was very well done, and the story was moving along well enough, but 'Bella's love is full of the typical selfishness and shallowness of a teen-aged girl. Lie to your family? Deliberately hurt anyone else you love for the sake of 'the one?' No problem. And why does she love Edward? He's controlling, is dangerous to her, and constantly mocks her clumsiness and assumes she's incapable to doing anything for herself. But he's beautiful... every page of the story, which is told in first-person, drips with descriptions of Edward's heart-stopping beauty and grace. 'Bella finds herself constantly amazed that someone as gorgeous as Edward would be interested in her. At that point, 'Bella was just pissing me off, and I wanted to reach through the pages of the book and smack some sense into her, or at least lend her a little backbone. Big danger appears - which, I might add, the Cullens are directly responsible for - and Edward rescues 'Bella, and the tale ends with 'Bella and Edward vowing to be together for ever and ever... and 'Bella hoping that eventually Edward will make her a vampire too.
New Moon was a vast improvement, largely, I think, due to the prominent absence of Edward for the majority of the book. For someone who had just declared his undying love (ha ha, get it?), he sure was quick to dump her ass and leave town, leaving 'Bella shell-shocked and in a zombie-like state while she tries to pick up the pieces of her life... something that might not have been so difficult if she hadn't gleefully alienated anyone else she had a relationship with for the sake of Edward. Gradually, 'Bella begins to recover. She finds a best friend in Jacob, who brings some sunshine and fun into her life. Unlike the exceedingly paternal Edward, Jacob gives 'Bella a chance to bloom. His sunny personality helps draw her out and 'Bella finds herself wondering if maybe loving someone who is also your best friend might be better than spending the rest of your life pining after someone who is so obviously bad for you. It was nice to see 'Bella starting to grow up a little bit. Of course in a tale revolving around supernatural creatures, things can't stay that way, and Jacob's puberty hits him way harder than most. And Edward returns, and 'Bella finds herself faced with having to choose between her best friend and her first love, who happen to be mortal enemies.
The writing was great throughout. It's not Meyer's fault that I can't stand the sort of woman who will devote her entire existence to pleasing and appeasing one controlling bastard, without recognizing that a relationship where only one side is making any compromises is a sure way to end up beaten down and abused. In fact, I think that was my biggest problem with Edward throughout - his profile is that of the classic abuser - isolate the woman from her friends and family, belittle her abilities, make her entirely dependent on you, and then when the belt comes out, she can't just leave you - she has no where else to go. Thankfully, by the end of New Moon, 'Bella is starting to show some glimmers of maturity and backbone, and is not just happily going along with whatever Edward suggests. The writing, Jacob's character, and the hope that 'Bella will continue to grow up some more, is enough to make me pick up the third book to see what happens. Since it's marketed to the 'young-adult' audience, you also don't risk stumbling into any LKH-style S&M scenes. I'm curious to see how Eclipse (book 3) turns out.
I nearly put Twilight down and didn't finish reading it. The writing was very well done, and the story was moving along well enough, but 'Bella's love is full of the typical selfishness and shallowness of a teen-aged girl. Lie to your family? Deliberately hurt anyone else you love for the sake of 'the one?' No problem. And why does she love Edward? He's controlling, is dangerous to her, and constantly mocks her clumsiness and assumes she's incapable to doing anything for herself. But he's beautiful... every page of the story, which is told in first-person, drips with descriptions of Edward's heart-stopping beauty and grace. 'Bella finds herself constantly amazed that someone as gorgeous as Edward would be interested in her. At that point, 'Bella was just pissing me off, and I wanted to reach through the pages of the book and smack some sense into her, or at least lend her a little backbone. Big danger appears - which, I might add, the Cullens are directly responsible for - and Edward rescues 'Bella, and the tale ends with 'Bella and Edward vowing to be together for ever and ever... and 'Bella hoping that eventually Edward will make her a vampire too.
New Moon was a vast improvement, largely, I think, due to the prominent absence of Edward for the majority of the book. For someone who had just declared his undying love (ha ha, get it?), he sure was quick to dump her ass and leave town, leaving 'Bella shell-shocked and in a zombie-like state while she tries to pick up the pieces of her life... something that might not have been so difficult if she hadn't gleefully alienated anyone else she had a relationship with for the sake of Edward. Gradually, 'Bella begins to recover. She finds a best friend in Jacob, who brings some sunshine and fun into her life. Unlike the exceedingly paternal Edward, Jacob gives 'Bella a chance to bloom. His sunny personality helps draw her out and 'Bella finds herself wondering if maybe loving someone who is also your best friend might be better than spending the rest of your life pining after someone who is so obviously bad for you. It was nice to see 'Bella starting to grow up a little bit. Of course in a tale revolving around supernatural creatures, things can't stay that way, and Jacob's puberty hits him way harder than most. And Edward returns, and 'Bella finds herself faced with having to choose between her best friend and her first love, who happen to be mortal enemies.
The writing was great throughout. It's not Meyer's fault that I can't stand the sort of woman who will devote her entire existence to pleasing and appeasing one controlling bastard, without recognizing that a relationship where only one side is making any compromises is a sure way to end up beaten down and abused. In fact, I think that was my biggest problem with Edward throughout - his profile is that of the classic abuser - isolate the woman from her friends and family, belittle her abilities, make her entirely dependent on you, and then when the belt comes out, she can't just leave you - she has no where else to go. Thankfully, by the end of New Moon, 'Bella is starting to show some glimmers of maturity and backbone, and is not just happily going along with whatever Edward suggests. The writing, Jacob's character, and the hope that 'Bella will continue to grow up some more, is enough to make me pick up the third book to see what happens. Since it's marketed to the 'young-adult' audience, you also don't risk stumbling into any LKH-style S&M scenes. I'm curious to see how Eclipse (book 3) turns out.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Black-Market Milk
Russ and I have already had to deal with the depressing knowledge that when the Farmer's Market season ends, we'll have to go back to buying our dairy products from the grocery store. We were looking forward to just two more weeks of real, raw, farm fresh milk and butter though. Seriously, if you haven't had raw (meaning unpasteurized) milk before, it's like sex without a condom... there's just so much more enjoyable about it. There's none of that gummy milky after-taste at the back of your throat. The flavor seems both fuller and more delicate. We liked it so much we were discussing the possibility of doing regular pickups somewhere nearby after the market ended, so we could keep the milk-love going.
Trust The Man™ to spoil the fun, though. Russ and I showed up at the Archwood Green barns yesterday, rubbing our hands in anticipation of our next batch of fresh milk and butter, only to find our milk vendor had only a supply of baked goods, some canned vegetables, and this article from the Washington Post sitting out on a shelf, to explain why there would be no more raw milk or butter forthcoming.
I already knew half the stuff I was buying at the farmer's market existed in a legal gray area at best. I figured it was somewhat like illegal fireworks though... as long as no one was complaining, the cops would leave you alone. I should have known that the state that tried to starve out the homeless by outlawing private food donations and thought the hopsicle was a danger worthy of regulation wouldn't be able to resist sticking their nose in the farmer's market business though. The Post devotes most of the article's space to a Charlottesville farm that we hadn't dealt with before, but Mark Nolt was responsible for the fantastic milk we were drinking, and Satyrfield farms are regular vendors at Archwood Green barns.
Russ and I have endured food-poisoning from the 'inspected' kitchens in Warrenton's restaurants enough times that we're leery of eating out in general. We've never had so much as an upset tummy from something we've picked up at the farmer's market. We know from experience that inspection and certification means very little in terms of actually making you safe. We'll continue doing what we can - even if it means clandestine sales to avoid the feds - to continue supporting local growers and producers. That white gold - and knowing my food money is going to my neighbor, not Venezuela - is worth it to me.
Trust The Man™ to spoil the fun, though. Russ and I showed up at the Archwood Green barns yesterday, rubbing our hands in anticipation of our next batch of fresh milk and butter, only to find our milk vendor had only a supply of baked goods, some canned vegetables, and this article from the Washington Post sitting out on a shelf, to explain why there would be no more raw milk or butter forthcoming.
I already knew half the stuff I was buying at the farmer's market existed in a legal gray area at best. I figured it was somewhat like illegal fireworks though... as long as no one was complaining, the cops would leave you alone. I should have known that the state that tried to starve out the homeless by outlawing private food donations and thought the hopsicle was a danger worthy of regulation wouldn't be able to resist sticking their nose in the farmer's market business though. The Post devotes most of the article's space to a Charlottesville farm that we hadn't dealt with before, but Mark Nolt was responsible for the fantastic milk we were drinking, and Satyrfield farms are regular vendors at Archwood Green barns.
Russ and I have endured food-poisoning from the 'inspected' kitchens in Warrenton's restaurants enough times that we're leery of eating out in general. We've never had so much as an upset tummy from something we've picked up at the farmer's market. We know from experience that inspection and certification means very little in terms of actually making you safe. We'll continue doing what we can - even if it means clandestine sales to avoid the feds - to continue supporting local growers and producers. That white gold - and knowing my food money is going to my neighbor, not Venezuela - is worth it to me.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Winning the Layoff Lottery
Well Smithers and Burns got their way, and the bloodbath has started.
These days are always the hardest for me. The constant "are you okay?" pings. The constant emails from folks saying "Well, nice working with you." Showing up for meetings only to find out that the majority of the folks running the show are gone. Chaos! Tension! Tears! Wondering why the hell they're keeping on one jackass that never did much of his own work anyway, but letting go the actual productive members of their team. I'm so glad I work remote, so don't have to be in the office for this round.
In this case though, it's at least partly tears of joy. Russ got the word this morning that he was being let go. With the severance package, it evens out like this: instead of Russ quitting in March, just after we get our bonuses as we'd planned, Russ gets paid pretty much through March, is still eligible for bonus, and gets to take the next four months off while we get house ready for market. Win!
So don't be sad for us. We're not. The only way this could have been better is if Smithers and Burns weren't such cheap pricks, and instead had done what AOL did a few years ago, and based severance partly on years of service. Then we'd be cracking open the champagne. Four months ain't bad though. ;)
These days are always the hardest for me. The constant "are you okay?" pings. The constant emails from folks saying "Well, nice working with you." Showing up for meetings only to find out that the majority of the folks running the show are gone. Chaos! Tension! Tears! Wondering why the hell they're keeping on one jackass that never did much of his own work anyway, but letting go the actual productive members of their team. I'm so glad I work remote, so don't have to be in the office for this round.
In this case though, it's at least partly tears of joy. Russ got the word this morning that he was being let go. With the severance package, it evens out like this: instead of Russ quitting in March, just after we get our bonuses as we'd planned, Russ gets paid pretty much through March, is still eligible for bonus, and gets to take the next four months off while we get house ready for market. Win!
So don't be sad for us. We're not. The only way this could have been better is if Smithers and Burns weren't such cheap pricks, and instead had done what AOL did a few years ago, and based severance partly on years of service. Then we'd be cracking open the champagne. Four months ain't bad though. ;)
Saturday, October 06, 2007
You Save NOTHING!
I was shopping on Amazon today, reading customer reviews on various Capresso products, and one of the reviewers said:
So I checked it myself.
Amazon says the Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder has a list price of $120.00, and their price is $89.99, so "You Save: $30.01 (25%)".
Capresso says the same grinder costs $89.99.
You save nothing.
Amazon says the Bodum Chambord 8-Cup French Press has a list price of $37.50, and their price is $29.99, so "You Save: $7.51 (20%)".
BodumUSA says the same french press costs $29.95.
You save less than nothing.
To be fair, Amazon actually was discounting Dyson. And Bissell wasn't offering prices on their web-site. But for Vornado, of the 4 items Amazon was selling, one was priced the same, one was priced rather higher, and two of the products were not only marked higher on Amazon's "list price" but one, has a list price of $80 with a savings of 1 cent and is actually $10 cheaper direct from Vornado.
Lesson: for larger items, especially if you don't have an incentive like Amazon Prime to shop Amazon anyway, shop around! And don't be fooled by "You save!" because sometimes, you don't.
"I just checked the Capresso website and they list the 560 at $90, the 565 at $140. Amazon has inflated their MSRP's to the point that I will now research every item I purchase from them."
So I checked it myself.
Amazon says the Capresso Infinity Burr Grinder has a list price of $120.00, and their price is $89.99, so "You Save: $30.01 (25%)".
Capresso says the same grinder costs $89.99.
You save nothing.
Amazon says the Bodum Chambord 8-Cup French Press has a list price of $37.50, and their price is $29.99, so "You Save: $7.51 (20%)".
BodumUSA says the same french press costs $29.95.
You save less than nothing.
To be fair, Amazon actually was discounting Dyson. And Bissell wasn't offering prices on their web-site. But for Vornado, of the 4 items Amazon was selling, one was priced the same, one was priced rather higher, and two of the products were not only marked higher on Amazon's "list price" but one, has a list price of $80 with a savings of 1 cent and is actually $10 cheaper direct from Vornado.
Lesson: for larger items, especially if you don't have an incentive like Amazon Prime to shop Amazon anyway, shop around! And don't be fooled by "You save!" because sometimes, you don't.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Book Report: The Book of Joby
Fantastic! That's the first word that springs to mind when I try to describe this debut masterpiece by Mark J. Ferrari. I ordered it at the urging of Patricia Briggs and because the premise sounded promising, and it was one of those books that made me spring out of bed first thing in the morning so I could get my reading time in before the day started.
It's that "same stupid bet" between God and Satan. Let's take some poor human, and Satan can take his best shot at him - ruin his life, his health and his hope, and see if he renounces God. This time, the stakes are higher: should the candidate fail and Satan win, the Creator will destroy all creation and start over, this time heeding Satan's instructions, especially as regards to that pesky "free will." In addition to the higher takes, their candidate is an especially heart-breaking target: a nine year old boy named Joby. Satan has until Joby's thirtieth birthday to do his worst - short of ending his life - to Joby.
Joby at nine years old shines with an inner brilliance that puts anyone he comes into contact with in awe. He's a natural leader, with courage, intelligence, creativity, and an incredible heart. And then the wager begins, and all the minions of hell set about doing everything they can to destroy his spirit, condemning him to a life filled with small tragedies and mediocrity. Everything that gives Joby hope or purpose is snatched from under his nose just when it has a chance to fulfill a dream. Every time he has a chance to do something good, his efforts turn into a disaster. Ferrari gives you just enough time to fall in love with Joby, and then sets the minions of hell to work.
The Book of Joby combines angels, demons, Arthurian myths, fairies, reincarnation and left me wishing desperately that there really is a place called Taubolt. Some folks might be a bit put off by the ending, since it's a touch sneaky, but you are forewarned in the opening chapters to be very careful of your interpretation of God's Word. Ferrari does a wonderful job of keeping the reader hopeful through a story filled with tragedy, and I really enjoyed the dialog between characters and the multiple points of perspective used in telling the tale.
It's that "same stupid bet" between God and Satan. Let's take some poor human, and Satan can take his best shot at him - ruin his life, his health and his hope, and see if he renounces God. This time, the stakes are higher: should the candidate fail and Satan win, the Creator will destroy all creation and start over, this time heeding Satan's instructions, especially as regards to that pesky "free will." In addition to the higher takes, their candidate is an especially heart-breaking target: a nine year old boy named Joby. Satan has until Joby's thirtieth birthday to do his worst - short of ending his life - to Joby.
Joby at nine years old shines with an inner brilliance that puts anyone he comes into contact with in awe. He's a natural leader, with courage, intelligence, creativity, and an incredible heart. And then the wager begins, and all the minions of hell set about doing everything they can to destroy his spirit, condemning him to a life filled with small tragedies and mediocrity. Everything that gives Joby hope or purpose is snatched from under his nose just when it has a chance to fulfill a dream. Every time he has a chance to do something good, his efforts turn into a disaster. Ferrari gives you just enough time to fall in love with Joby, and then sets the minions of hell to work.
The Book of Joby combines angels, demons, Arthurian myths, fairies, reincarnation and left me wishing desperately that there really is a place called Taubolt. Some folks might be a bit put off by the ending, since it's a touch sneaky, but you are forewarned in the opening chapters to be very careful of your interpretation of God's Word. Ferrari does a wonderful job of keeping the reader hopeful through a story filled with tragedy, and I really enjoyed the dialog between characters and the multiple points of perspective used in telling the tale.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Well That Was Easier Than I Expected
We finally got the last of the mechanical malfunctions I was whining about taken care of. Russ fixed Livvy's computer and sent her home with a surge protector and a ram upgrade,was able to recover all of our pictures/mp3s and place them on a bigger, better drive, and our TV was completely repaired on Tuesday. As soon as he got the time, it was like knocking over dominoes. Having an electronically/mechanically inclined husband is a real bonus.
I just have to comment about the TV repair. I've heard so many horror stories about people taking their big flat-screens in to be serviced, and waiting months to get their television back, that our experience was just really nice in comparison. Russ had done some research, so he already had a pretty good idea of what was wrong with it, and had priced replacement parts. Panasonic was prompt and friendly, and the authorized service shop they had contact us - G&E TV Service - was very nice, and quickly picked up our TV and took it in for diagnosis and repair.
Friday evening, a little over a week later, the manager calls me up to let me know the repair is complete, and he wanted to schedule time on Tuesday to return the TV to us. I say "Great!" while privately thinking "Dammit, another NFL weekend on the little TV!" He launches into a frustrated speech about how wrong it is that the parts are so expensive, and apologizes for the high cost of the repair - the total of which is lower than the techs had estimated, and lower than Russ and my private estimation. I tell him it's okay, that Russ and I had been prepared for as much, and we were happy to hear our TV was done. The manager pauses, probably because he'd called prepared to defend himself from an explosion of bitching about the high cost of an out-of-warranty repair, and then says "Actually, if you're around tomorrow morning, I can have your TV delivered between 12 and 2pm." Awesome!
Sure enough, the tech was back with our TV the next day by 1pm. The faulty part is replaced, the firmware is up to date, and we had our big TV back in plenty of time to watch the Ravens' embarrassing loss to the Browns. But a rant on the Ravens' D isn't positive, and I meant for this to be a positive post.
It's so nice to have everything working again.
I just have to comment about the TV repair. I've heard so many horror stories about people taking their big flat-screens in to be serviced, and waiting months to get their television back, that our experience was just really nice in comparison. Russ had done some research, so he already had a pretty good idea of what was wrong with it, and had priced replacement parts. Panasonic was prompt and friendly, and the authorized service shop they had contact us - G&E TV Service - was very nice, and quickly picked up our TV and took it in for diagnosis and repair.
Friday evening, a little over a week later, the manager calls me up to let me know the repair is complete, and he wanted to schedule time on Tuesday to return the TV to us. I say "Great!" while privately thinking "Dammit, another NFL weekend on the little TV!" He launches into a frustrated speech about how wrong it is that the parts are so expensive, and apologizes for the high cost of the repair - the total of which is lower than the techs had estimated, and lower than Russ and my private estimation. I tell him it's okay, that Russ and I had been prepared for as much, and we were happy to hear our TV was done. The manager pauses, probably because he'd called prepared to defend himself from an explosion of bitching about the high cost of an out-of-warranty repair, and then says "Actually, if you're around tomorrow morning, I can have your TV delivered between 12 and 2pm." Awesome!
Sure enough, the tech was back with our TV the next day by 1pm. The faulty part is replaced, the firmware is up to date, and we had our big TV back in plenty of time to watch the Ravens' embarrassing loss to the Browns. But a rant on the Ravens' D isn't positive, and I meant for this to be a positive post.
It's so nice to have everything working again.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Aaaah..... the beauty of unmoderated comments
This link is probably the most shared url between AOL employees at the moment.
Any bets on how long that link will still be live? It's over a week old, so I hold out a shred of hope that Leonsis has noticed the comments already, and has deliberately chosen to let it stand. It would be even nicer if he took a lesson from them, and went and kicked the two executives in question in the shins - figuratively speaking, but literally would be super-cool.
Any bets on how long that link will still be live? It's over a week old, so I hold out a shred of hope that Leonsis has noticed the comments already, and has deliberately chosen to let it stand. It would be even nicer if he took a lesson from them, and went and kicked the two executives in question in the shins - figuratively speaking, but literally would be super-cool.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Adventures of Livvy Sawyer and Huckleberry Anna
The other day after Livvy and I spent a nice afternoon with 'Pa, we decided to work off the copious amounts of candy and sushi we had devoured by taking a walk. By the way we seriously ate so much sushi that the waiter was laughing at us. He's all "you fatties want dessert? Of course you do!" I was so affronted that I smacked him across the face with our picked clean ten pound sushi boat. Who's laughing now guy?
Anyway, about a half a mile into what was supposed to be a three mile walk, I mention to Livvy that I had mapped out a five mile route and was meaning to try it. She jumped at the idea, and that was it . . . we were committed. About two miles into the walk I start hearing this high pitched squeal. I wasn't sure what it was, so I turned to Livvy to see if she could hear it too. Turns out it WAS Livvy, her little footsies were hurting because she had to borrow my shoes. Me, being the amazingly generous soul that I am, offered to switch sneakers with her so that she would stop whining.
So we stop in this sweet little cul-de-sac to switch, and when Livvy whips out her damaged footsies, I almost puked. At some point between when we started and when we stopped Livvy's feet had become so abused they looked like raw hamburger meat. It was frightening. I managed to keep my cool while she stuffed raw pulsating flesh wrapped in cotton into my new running shoes. Luckily my foot sweat is magical, and her feet healed instantly.
Another mile or so into our walk, I begin to worry seriously about the dog. It is not a cool day, and Rora is built more for arctic climes. I also did not think to bring any water, because the walk was supposed to only be three miles. Thankfully in the distance we spy a sparkling brook, at the bottom of a sheer precipice. Rora smells the water, and she is practically pissing herself to get to it. Livvy and I resourceful adventurers that we are, decide to brave the chasm to hydrate my dog. With Rora in tow, I scramble down the rocky cliff, while Livvy acts as my anchor. Once at the bottom, my sweet puppy frolics in the brook and sucks down about a gallon of water. Satisfied that she probably won't collapse from dehydration, I turn back to begin my ascent. It becomes clear to me that I will not be able to make the climb without letting go of Rora's lead. In a panic I call up to Livvy, and explain the situation.
Livvy full of piss and vinegar shouts down "Throw her up to me!"
I see that there is no other option, so I grab Rora by her ruff and launch her toward Livvy's waiting arms. Livvy catches her and pulls her to her heaving bosom. It was fantastic!
Then we walked the rest of the way home.
Anyway, about a half a mile into what was supposed to be a three mile walk, I mention to Livvy that I had mapped out a five mile route and was meaning to try it. She jumped at the idea, and that was it . . . we were committed. About two miles into the walk I start hearing this high pitched squeal. I wasn't sure what it was, so I turned to Livvy to see if she could hear it too. Turns out it WAS Livvy, her little footsies were hurting because she had to borrow my shoes. Me, being the amazingly generous soul that I am, offered to switch sneakers with her so that she would stop whining.
So we stop in this sweet little cul-de-sac to switch, and when Livvy whips out her damaged footsies, I almost puked. At some point between when we started and when we stopped Livvy's feet had become so abused they looked like raw hamburger meat. It was frightening. I managed to keep my cool while she stuffed raw pulsating flesh wrapped in cotton into my new running shoes. Luckily my foot sweat is magical, and her feet healed instantly.
Another mile or so into our walk, I begin to worry seriously about the dog. It is not a cool day, and Rora is built more for arctic climes. I also did not think to bring any water, because the walk was supposed to only be three miles. Thankfully in the distance we spy a sparkling brook, at the bottom of a sheer precipice. Rora smells the water, and she is practically pissing herself to get to it. Livvy and I resourceful adventurers that we are, decide to brave the chasm to hydrate my dog. With Rora in tow, I scramble down the rocky cliff, while Livvy acts as my anchor. Once at the bottom, my sweet puppy frolics in the brook and sucks down about a gallon of water. Satisfied that she probably won't collapse from dehydration, I turn back to begin my ascent. It becomes clear to me that I will not be able to make the climb without letting go of Rora's lead. In a panic I call up to Livvy, and explain the situation.
Livvy full of piss and vinegar shouts down "Throw her up to me!"
I see that there is no other option, so I grab Rora by her ruff and launch her toward Livvy's waiting arms. Livvy catches her and pulls her to her heaving bosom. It was fantastic!
Then we walked the rest of the way home.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
My, he grows up fast...
The tooth count stands at 10+ now, and we seem to have finally hit a teething lull. The kiddo is sleeping through the night again, and his usual cheery self during the day.
We have a vocabulary now, too! "Go" "No" "Up" "Momma" "Daddy" "Booga" "Hi" and "Bye Bye"
And over Labor Day, Roy got to take his first hike. We drove up to Shenandoah National Park, had a picnic at Big Meadows, and then took the Story of the Forest trail. It's probably the wussiest trail at the park, but Roy walked a full third of it on his own. I can't wait to get him back out to the park again, because his walking has already greatly improved, and he's even doing short runs. He's using his new skills to insist on pushing the grocery cart around the store for us when we go shopping, too.
Best of all, from a time-saving perspective, Roy now eats his meals on his own. That's at least an hour and a half each day of my time freed up to cook, or do the dishes or other work, as long as I'm still in the kitchen with him.
I swear, with every day that passes, the kiddo becomes more fun.
We have a vocabulary now, too! "Go" "No" "Up" "Momma" "Daddy" "Booga" "Hi" and "Bye Bye"
And over Labor Day, Roy got to take his first hike. We drove up to Shenandoah National Park, had a picnic at Big Meadows, and then took the Story of the Forest trail. It's probably the wussiest trail at the park, but Roy walked a full third of it on his own. I can't wait to get him back out to the park again, because his walking has already greatly improved, and he's even doing short runs. He's using his new skills to insist on pushing the grocery cart around the store for us when we go shopping, too.
Best of all, from a time-saving perspective, Roy now eats his meals on his own. That's at least an hour and a half each day of my time freed up to cook, or do the dishes or other work, as long as I'm still in the kitchen with him.
I swear, with every day that passes, the kiddo becomes more fun.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Seven! Ha ha ha ha! I count seven teeth!
After what seems like a week of teething misery, the kiddo has finally managed to push an additional tooth to the surface. This one is a molar on his lower left! Woo! That makes seven, and the matching tooth on the lower right looks about ready to pop through any day now as well.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
If you don't have anything nice to say....
This is more of the straw that broke the camel's back, than the full source of my frustration, but the next person who brings up that fucking study telling me how bad television is for my child's vocabulary is going to send me into a screaming hissy fit.
Defensive much? Yes! Next time someone feels compelled to offer me unsolicited advice on parenting, most especially if they do not themselves have any children, I hope they keep it in mind, and keep their damned mouth shut. I feel guilty enough about what time I don't get to spend with my baby as it is. But unless you're offering to come out and babysit him so I can take more than a 5 minute shower, and oh, I don't know, actually put on some fucking makeup and brush my hair afterwards, I don't want to hear how bad TV is for my child. He's going to watch it, if only so I don't stink. I am doing the best I can for my son, and until Russ and I can move down to a single-income family, it's not going to get any better.
I love my little boy with an intensity that makes the Arizona desert sun seem like a balmy day in Hawaii by comparison. But I work a full-time job, and I cannot spend every waking second interacting with him. I'm up by 5am at the latest, every damn day. I get up that early, just so I can have a cup of coffee and an hour of time where I am not at someone's beckon call. From 7am until 930pm at night, I am on duty full-time, either working, or watching Roy, or cooking, or doing housework - normally some combination of any three at once. Since April 9th, 2006, I have not had more than 4 hours in a row to myself (that 4 hours on my own was my Mother's day present). You know what? It's fucking exhausting. I have to schedule time to brush my teeth or wash my hair. Most nights, even if I wanted to stay up late and actually take some time to relax, I'm so tired I just fall asleep on the couch anyway. If I thought it wasn't worth it, I'd put him in daycare. But I think it's important that he spends time with me at this age, and for that reason, I keep doing it.
But it means that I'm really worn out. I'm tired in a way that I am positive none of the rest of you have experienced before. Try working 15 hour days for a year and a half straight without a single day off in a double-job (staying at home with the kiddos and not working does NOT count). I am hanging onto my sunny disposition, and not losing it in front of the kiddo through sheer willpower. So your mouth might be saying "the experts™ say this is bad for your child" but my exhausted ears are hearing "I think you're a bad parent" and that isn't helping.
So the next time you see a study in the news that shows what a bad job I'm doing, refer to the title of this post, and keep it to yourself.
UPDATE: Yes, in case it isn't obvious, it's that time of the month too. I considered deleting this after I wrote it, but I really feel the need to get it off my chest... so I'm going to let it stand.
Defensive much? Yes! Next time someone feels compelled to offer me unsolicited advice on parenting, most especially if they do not themselves have any children, I hope they keep it in mind, and keep their damned mouth shut. I feel guilty enough about what time I don't get to spend with my baby as it is. But unless you're offering to come out and babysit him so I can take more than a 5 minute shower, and oh, I don't know, actually put on some fucking makeup and brush my hair afterwards, I don't want to hear how bad TV is for my child. He's going to watch it, if only so I don't stink. I am doing the best I can for my son, and until Russ and I can move down to a single-income family, it's not going to get any better.
I love my little boy with an intensity that makes the Arizona desert sun seem like a balmy day in Hawaii by comparison. But I work a full-time job, and I cannot spend every waking second interacting with him. I'm up by 5am at the latest, every damn day. I get up that early, just so I can have a cup of coffee and an hour of time where I am not at someone's beckon call. From 7am until 930pm at night, I am on duty full-time, either working, or watching Roy, or cooking, or doing housework - normally some combination of any three at once. Since April 9th, 2006, I have not had more than 4 hours in a row to myself (that 4 hours on my own was my Mother's day present). You know what? It's fucking exhausting. I have to schedule time to brush my teeth or wash my hair. Most nights, even if I wanted to stay up late and actually take some time to relax, I'm so tired I just fall asleep on the couch anyway. If I thought it wasn't worth it, I'd put him in daycare. But I think it's important that he spends time with me at this age, and for that reason, I keep doing it.
But it means that I'm really worn out. I'm tired in a way that I am positive none of the rest of you have experienced before. Try working 15 hour days for a year and a half straight without a single day off in a double-job (staying at home with the kiddos and not working does NOT count). I am hanging onto my sunny disposition, and not losing it in front of the kiddo through sheer willpower. So your mouth might be saying "the experts™ say this is bad for your child" but my exhausted ears are hearing "I think you're a bad parent" and that isn't helping.
So the next time you see a study in the news that shows what a bad job I'm doing, refer to the title of this post, and keep it to yourself.
UPDATE: Yes, in case it isn't obvious, it's that time of the month too. I considered deleting this after I wrote it, but I really feel the need to get it off my chest... so I'm going to let it stand.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Hot Fuzz
Some day, they'll allow you to buy movies pay per view style on their theater release date but until then, I'll probably not see movies until after they make it to DVD. And I saw Hot Fuzz last night. And if I were to give Shaun of the Dead a 5 stars out of 5, I would give Hot Fuzz a 10 on the same scale. I laughed so hard I woke the baby up. It was brilliant on so many levels... words fail. I just loved it. Too bad it's too gory to watch around the baby, because I want to watch it again as soon as possible.
Monday, August 06, 2007
All Of Our Warranties Must Have Expired This Month
Our empire is crumbling! Everything is breaking around us. First Russ and I came down with sinus infections. Then, since I was too tired and sick to cook, we managed to get food poisoning eating chinese delivery, and spent the entire weekend in utter misery. On top of that, Livvy's computer is dead, and now Russ is reduced to trying to recover her data and price out the replacement parts. Our mp3/pictures/print-server failed somehow as well, so we have to figure out how to recover the data from that. I'm typing this on my new laptop for work, since I managed to drop my old one and fry the hard drive on it, and Russ ended up having to do some sort of voodoo to recover the seven years of work documentation I had on it. And we sat down last night to watch the first pre-season game for NFL, to find out that the big TV in our living room is having some sort of problem with resolutions higher than 480, and showing weird fuzzy red lines. So now we have to take that in to get it serviced too.
I'm wondering what'll happen next? Termite infestation? The roof collapses? Sheesh.
I'm wondering what'll happen next? Termite infestation? The roof collapses? Sheesh.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Compensation at least... but not Justice
Forty-two years after they were wrongfully convicted of a murder that the FBI knew Joseph Salvati and Peter Limone had not committed, a federal judge has ordered the government to pay more than 101 million dollars to Salvati, Limone and the estates of Henry Tameleo and Louis Greco.
Salvati, Limone, Tameleo and Greco were convicted of the 1965 murder of Edward Deegan, which FBI officials knew at the time was actually committed by one of their own informants, but allowed the prosecution to continue in order to protect their informant. And then they dragged their feet for decades in admitting it, in order to cover up the fact that they'd let four innocent men go to prison.
Tameleo and Greco died in prison. Salvati served 29 years before his sentence was commuted. Limone served 33 years before he was freed in 2001.
Now, six years after that, Limone, Salvati, and the families of Tameleo and Greco have finally succeeded in their malicious prosecution suit against the government.
Salvati, Limone, Tameleo and Greco were convicted of the 1965 murder of Edward Deegan, which FBI officials knew at the time was actually committed by one of their own informants, but allowed the prosecution to continue in order to protect their informant. And then they dragged their feet for decades in admitting it, in order to cover up the fact that they'd let four innocent men go to prison.
Tameleo and Greco died in prison. Salvati served 29 years before his sentence was commuted. Limone served 33 years before he was freed in 2001.
Salvati and Limone were exonerated in 2001 after FBI memos dating back to the Deegan case surfaced, showing the men had been framed by Barboza. The memos were made public during a Justice Department task force probe of the FBI's relationship with gangsters and FBI informants James "Whitey" Bulger and Stephen "the Rifleman" Flemmi.
Now, six years after that, Limone, Salvati, and the families of Tameleo and Greco have finally succeeded in their malicious prosecution suit against the government.
The FBI encouraged perjury, helped frame the four men and withheld for more than three decades information that could have cleared them, U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner said in issuing her ruling Thursday.She called the government's argument that the FBI had no duty to get involved in the state case "absurd."
This is not justice. Justice would be putting the FBI agents involved in this case in the same cell they consigned Tameleo and Greco to death in, and leaving them there to rot. At the least, though, 101 million split four ways is some form of compensation.
In other news, Mark O'Hara, of Tampa, Florida, was released from prison this week. He was serving a 25 year drug-trafficking sentence for possession of 58 vicodin pills that the prosecutors acknowledge he wasn't selling, and that he had a valid prescription for. Nonetheless, they charged him with trafficking, and apparently refused to allow the fact that he had a legal prescription for the drug as a defense. According to the prosecutors, the mere possession of the pills constitued drug trafficking. He served 2 years of the sentence before an appeals court ordered a new trial for him, with a decision using words like "absurd" and "ridiculous" to describe the state's position, rightfully pointing out that under their theory, simply walking out of a drugstore with a prescription you've filled makes you a criminal. But hey, at least it only took 2 years instead of 33 in prison before he got any sort of relief.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
WTF - Albo running un-opposed?
The greedy lawyer-cum-legislator that figured out the easiest way to drive new business to his practice was to pass ridiculously unfair traffic fines targeting VA residents is actually running for re-election to his District 42 House of Delegates seat unopposed.
Isn't there any resident of Springfield *cough* *dad* *cough* willing to step up to the plate and try for election to the House of Delegates based on opposition to Albo's 'fine the poor into bankruptcy' fee-scheme? I say, write-in Roy Bilby for District 42 Delegate! Or not... but you'd think someone would see this as a golden opportunity to break into politics.
If you don't live in Springfield, you can at least sign the "Repeal the VA 'Civil Remedial Fees' for Traffic Offenses" petition (VA residents only, please). Over 153k signatures so far.
Me, I'm just very grateful it's been almost 8 years since I've had a traffic ticket, and that I have less than a year left to go in this crazy nanny-state.
Isn't there any resident of Springfield *cough* *dad* *cough* willing to step up to the plate and try for election to the House of Delegates based on opposition to Albo's 'fine the poor into bankruptcy' fee-scheme? I say, write-in Roy Bilby for District 42 Delegate! Or not... but you'd think someone would see this as a golden opportunity to break into politics.
If you don't live in Springfield, you can at least sign the "Repeal the VA 'Civil Remedial Fees' for Traffic Offenses" petition (VA residents only, please). Over 153k signatures so far.
Me, I'm just very grateful it's been almost 8 years since I've had a traffic ticket, and that I have less than a year left to go in this crazy nanny-state.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Vacation Wrap-up
Well we've been home for over a week now, and I finally feel somewhat back into the swing of things. The drive home was easy, and since we grabbed 64 to C-ville and then took 29 the rest of the way home rather than going up 81 to 66, the last few hours, which are normally the worst, actually were rather pleasant. I don't know if you've been on 29 between Charlottesville and Warrenton lately, but they've increased the speed limit to 60 for most of it.
The Dallas trip, lacking the torrential downpours and flooding that marked the OK leg of our vacation, turned out to be actually vacation-like. We got some time to really relax, including pool time at Richard and Leigh's. Roy got his first taste of what a swimming pool was like with an inconclusive verdict. As long as mommy or daddy was actively holding him, and another kid was in the pool, he liked it. Otherwise, not so much. But he took his first long walk (long meaning in excess of 5 steps) in order to greet his baby cousin Anna.
We had Richard, Leigh and Anna over to Mom and Neil's for dinner one night, and here's a good shot of Grandma with her Grandson and his Cousin:
We even had an evening off where just the three of us were able to relax, while Mom and Neil were out at a gig.
This is probably my favorite picture from the entire trip, because Russ and Roy both look so outrageously happy in it. :)
So now that we're home, Roy is walking all over the place, although for only short distances, and has started feeding himself. He had pancakes and banana chunks for breakfast yesterday. Russ and I are still trying to get back into a work-week mindset. That's the only problem with a vacation that long - your body forgets how to manage a 40+ week.
The Dallas trip, lacking the torrential downpours and flooding that marked the OK leg of our vacation, turned out to be actually vacation-like. We got some time to really relax, including pool time at Richard and Leigh's. Roy got his first taste of what a swimming pool was like with an inconclusive verdict. As long as mommy or daddy was actively holding him, and another kid was in the pool, he liked it. Otherwise, not so much. But he took his first long walk (long meaning in excess of 5 steps) in order to greet his baby cousin Anna.
We had Richard, Leigh and Anna over to Mom and Neil's for dinner one night, and here's a good shot of Grandma with her Grandson and his Cousin:
We even had an evening off where just the three of us were able to relax, while Mom and Neil were out at a gig.
This is probably my favorite picture from the entire trip, because Russ and Roy both look so outrageously happy in it. :)
So now that we're home, Roy is walking all over the place, although for only short distances, and has started feeding himself. He had pancakes and banana chunks for breakfast yesterday. Russ and I are still trying to get back into a work-week mindset. That's the only problem with a vacation that long - your body forgets how to manage a 40+ week.
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