Wow, what a difference
Blockbuster Video, WOW!
Okay, who DOESN'T remember that commercial? And if you do, who doesn't have it stuck in your head right now? haha!
Anyway, every other week, along with my paycheck, I get a UPMC EXTRA - the newsletter for my company. In it there are updates on what's going on in the UPMC world, yadda yadda yadda.
Well, yesterday I got the new extra and was pretty excited about
this article entitled "UPMC discharges first patient implanted with permanent assist device heart". Following is a brief excerpt:
'On July 20, UPMC discharged its first patient to be successfully implanted with a permanent assist device heart. The HeartMate XVE Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) was implanted into a 58-year-old Allison Park, Pa., man July 2. It was placed as a permanent implant in lieu of a heart transplant, as opposed to the traditional use for this type of device.'
Very cool things going on here in the medical world of Pittsburgh.
I will once again be leaving town this weekend (though briefly) to journey up to Michigan for a mini-reunion with some college friends. I know that my triumphant return on Sunday will be awaited anxiously by all. :)
Go psychologists!
Psychologists Group Backs Gay Marriage
HONOLULU - The nation's largest association of psychologists is backing same-sex marriage. The American Psychological Association's Council of Representatives made its support official Wednesday, the first day of the group's annual convention in Waikiki. The council also expressed opposition to discrimination against lesbian and gay parents.
It also found same-sex and heterosexual couples remarkably similar, and parenting effectiveness and children's psychological well-being unrelated to parental sexual orientation.
(click on the title for the full article)
Another Reason I love the Zoo
Oregon Zoo To Release Endangered Sea Turtles
PORTLAND, Ore. - Endangered western pond turtles that have spent nine months being nurtured at zoos in Seattle and Portland will get their first taste of the wild Wednesday when more than 125 of the amphibians are released into ponds in the Columbia River Gorge.
Only a decade ago, western pond turtles were on the verge of extinction in Washington state, when fewer than 200 were left in the wild, said Oregon Zoo conservation scientist David Shepherdson. Now there are nearly 1,000 of them living primarily in three areas in Washington state, he said.
LimoZZZZeeen!
I promised stories from my weekend, so here is the first one:
The wedding took place in Wisconsin, with the reception at Lake Lawn (in Lake Geneva). This was about 25 minutes from the church, so there were two limo's that were going to take the wedding party from church to reception. The first was for the bride, groom, best man, and maid of honor. The second was for the rest of us (6 people). We were (amazingly) ahead of schedule, due to extremely efficient photographers, so they were taking some extra pictures of the bride and groom in the garden. As we stood watching the Country Thunder traffic crawl by (traffic was pretty awful), we noticed smoke coming from the hood of limo #2 and a LOT of water pouring out from under the front end of the car. The smell of antifreeze drifted our way. oops.
SO, limo #1 leaves with bride and groom, best man and maid of honor as the rest of us sit inside broken down limo #2 drinking miller liter out of a cooler (kindly provided by the groomsmen). we couldn't drink ON the premesis, but in the limo is okay. Windows rolled down, smell of antifreeze slowly fading, we drank and waved at all the passing traffic, getting the occasional wave, honk, finger pistol, or strange look from those driving by. 45 minutes later, limo #1 returns for us, stocked fully with cold champaign (to be consumed out of red plastic solo cups, of course). 20 minutes later, upon arriving (FINALLY) at the reception, the groomsmen were affectionately calling me 'buzz girl' (which, at this point, was no misnomer). A few quick pics and we were off to cocktail hour. woo hoo!!
Okay, that's all you get for now. I won't be telling these stories in order, so you'll all just have to live with that!! This was one of my favorite moments from the weekend though...we all bonded in our broken limo.
Words beginning in F-L
Love-Sick Bird Risks All to Fly Back to His Mate
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - Distance proved no obstacle for an intrepid New Zealand tomtit, which apparently dodged predators and braved open seas to fly more than 37 miles back to his lady-love.
Flu Shot Doesn't Prevent Kids' Asthma Flare-Ups
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - It's recommended that children with asthma get an annual flu shot, but a new report indicates that this does not prevent asthma exacerbations. In fact, there's a hint that influenza vaccination might make asthma worse.
Scent of a Woman
A few weeks ago, I waiting for the bus in front of Starbucks, sort of leaning against the window half asleep. Some guy comes over and asks me if I'm feeling okay. I sort of give him a 'why are you asking me' look and just respond that i'm tired. The conversation continued roughly as follows:
HIM: Well, you looked sad.
ME: no...just tired.
HIM: oh, do you work here.
ME: ...yeah...
HIM: What do you do?
ME: Research (I should have said i play around with people's brains. Dammit!!)
HIM: Well, I work for .....
He proceeded to then tell me how he sells designer perfumes (out of a messenger bag) for low prices. He told me I looked like an angel (yep, he's selling something) and I should smell like one too. Apparently I was pungent or something. He pulled out several perfumes and had me smell them (two of them made me sneeze and one made my eyes water) and kept asking me what I wear. I told him I had a perfume I was happy with, and he then tried to get me to buy a 3 gallon bottle of it (well, not really). He tried to tell me my perfume cost $75/bottle, when I somehow only pay $35 (yes, i'm cheap) and the bottle has so far lasted me 7 months with less than a third of it gone. There was nowhere to run. I was too tired to protest. I showed NO interest and barely feigned politeness. Then (hallelujah music and the parting of the clouds here), the bus arrived.
I told him sorry, that was my bus. Good luck and sorry if I wasted his time, to which he responded: Well, you did, but that's okay.
Jackass.
You can hang up on telemarketers or tell them to take you off their lists. You can shut the door in the faces of door to door salesmen (or not even answer the door in the first place). How do you avoid the guy who corners you at the bus stop? There's nowhere to go! I don't think I could POSSIBLY look intimidating enough that people wouldn't approach me. I guess I am an easy target. True, I never actually BUY anything, but I just can't get rid of them!! I even get stuck talking to the Mormon missionaries on the bus (though here I have some defense, in that they can't tell me anything I haven't heard before, and anticipation is key in situations like that!).
Any suggestions (not involving firearms or any other weapon..i'm not a very violent person by nature)?
The Return of the Schna
I have returned to the fair land of Pittsburgh, PA (which I learned this weekend was once affectionately called "Pig Pen" (Pgh, Penn.) by the locals). The trip was great, and I have many a story to tell. However, I'm tired and I just got back, and I don't want to overwhelm you all now. Must ease back into things, no? :)
I am pleased to have made it through two flights without too much anxiety. Flying into Chicago last week was pretty terrible, and fortunately I was able to fly standby and get in well before my scheduled flight (stupid storms in Chicago). Coming back, I landed in rain in Pittsburgh...big surprise.
Just watched the movie "Autofocus" with Greg Kinnear and Wilem Dafoe. Still formulating an opinion. Started reading "Trainspotting" this weekend...digging it so far - very good.
Oh, oh...AWESOME Cubs game on Thursday. They won 13-2...lots of home runs (including an Aramis Ramirez grand slam (4th GS I've seen in person this season -second for the Cubs (2 for the Pirates))). Anyway, more tomorrow. Pleasant dreams! :)
Kabob, Kebab, or Shish?
Last night a question was raised as to the meaning of Shish Kabob. In looking at a menu, Shish Kabob appeared to be lamb on a skewer, Shish Tawook was chicken on a skewer, and Filet Mignon Kabob was Filet on a skewer. So, Shish wasn't the skewer, nor was Kabob. There was speculation that Kabob was lamb, but that didn't seem to be the case either. So, I looked it up. Courtesy of www.dictionary.com, here is the definition of Shish Kabob:
A dish consisting of pieces of seasoned meat and sometimes vegetables roasted on skewers and served with condiments.
When I just searched Kabob, I got the following:
First, there are three ways to spell kabob, the other two including kebab or kebob.
Second, these two definitions:
Shish kebab
n : cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables [syn: kebab, shish kebab]
So, apparently the shish and kebab, kabob, kebob are all more or less synonymous.
Mystery solved. :)
Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...
Man Pleads Guilty to Keeping Tiger in Harlem Apartment
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York man who kept a pet tiger in his Harlem apartment pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a charge of reckless endangerment but pledged to try and get the animal back.
Antoine Yates, 31, kept a 400-pound Siberian-Bengal tiger called Ming in his seven-room apartment last October.
An the big cat news continues...
I suppose there isn't much to say other than WHAT AN IDIOT!! Poor tiger. :(
A glimmer of hope
Just when I thought I had lost all faith in humanity...
Well, not really, but it made for a dramatic beginning.
Seriously though, it has been a long time since I have had any sort of encounter with the general public (outside of my own group of friends, that is) that has been exceptionally positive. HOWEVER, in the past two weeks, I have had two moments that went above and beyond the expectations I had come to have of people. One was from a good friend, but it went above and beyond all expectations I would possibly have of a friend. The other occurred today at the seamstress shop. I will tell the latter first.
I am in a wedding this weekend for a good friend I've known since I was young (I avoided saying 'little' here so that I wouldn't be mocked....I've known her for a foot...in other words, I was four feet tall when we met and I'm five feet tall now. HA!). ANYWAY, as the wedding is in Wisconsin and the dressed came from the burbs of Chicago, I was not able to try on the dress. SO, I sent my measurements to the bridal shop so they would order the correct size. I put way too much trust in people to be intelligent. They orderd me a size that was SO HUGE, not only did I walk all over the skirt (which is to be expected), but the top didn't even border on being decent. So I took it to the seamstress. Many dollars later, I get the dress back. The skirt was easy...just had to be hemmed. The top finally fit, but did this weird buckling thing in the front. This was due to way too much material. So I took it back to see what she could do (she being the seamstress). Today, I picked up the top (which doesn't buckle..yay! it would have been so much better of course if they had just gotten the size right in the first place!).
She didn't charge me anything. I was dumbfounded. True, she had fixed it in the first place, but when I got it back, it DID fit the way we had pinned it. I just didn't realize the problem until I got the chance to move around in it a bit. ANYWAY, I don't know if it's a good thing or a sad sign that this seems like such an exceptional thing to have happened. Alas, I will just be extremely happy that the dress fits, it's done in time for me to leave tomorrow, and I didn't have to pay any extra.
The second story involves a good friend from college. She lives in Michigan in a house right on the lake (Lake Michigan, that is). This summer, she organized a big reunion for the sorority to which we both belonged and through which we met (yeah, yeah...laugh all you want. I was in a sorority). I was able to find a ride out (Thanks V!) , but no way home from the reunion. Too poor to fly or rent a car, I had resigned myself to not going. Now, said friend, whom we shall call Benz, has been wanting to come out to see me since I moved back to the midwest (east? i don't know...), to no avail. SO, she offered to buy me a one-way plane ticket from Michigan to Pittsburgh (via Chicago Midway..woo hoo!). Honestly, reading the email she sent (in which she made said offer), I was struck dumb. No words (and that's a big deal for me!!).
So, the point of telling this story...to speak to the other, positive side of things. There is a lot of shit going down, true. However, there are still people who do honest work and still friends who would give whatever they can just to see you for a weekend. And so, while this could totally be turned into an episode of Seventh Heaven or Everwood (or
insert family oriented WB show here), things aren't all bad. :)
OH, oh...back to the wedding thing...I am flying out tomorrow night for Chicago. That means that, post tomorrow and pre-Monday, there will be very little (if any) posting from me. However, I'm sure I will have plenty of stories post-weekend (I'm digging this whole post- pre- thing).
Speaking of meat....
Dangling from Meat Hooks, for Fun
MIAMI (Reuters) - Law enforcement officials in the Florida Keys are mystified by a bizarre new pastime -- young people dangling themselves from meat hooks on a popular sandbar.
For the full story, go
here.
Ah, the fun things kids do with their time nowadays. :)
So, about a week ago, I finished the book
Stiff by Mary Roach that I was reading. I recommend it highly to all who are not squeamish about reading about dead bodies. Actually, most of the book has an aura of respectful detachment which makes it far easier to read. I can say I learned quite a bit (including, oddly enough, that you really can't trust all Reuters odd news articles, as the author more or less disproved a story that was run about two crimatorium workers cutting off and selling the fleshier parts of their patrons (those parts not seen even in open caskets) for food. Yum...people butt).
I have also decided that, when the time comes, I want to become human compost. Oddly enough, in doing a search for info on this, I was not able to come up with much other than reviews of the book (
Stiff). Anyway, the idea being that a body is frozen with liquid nitrogen, broken into small pieces (perhaps using ultrasound to be less violent than other means, like hammer), thawed, and turned into compost. The family then is able to take the remains (cremation=cremains, compost=???) and use them to nurish a tree or bush. This is more cost effective and environmentally friendly than cremation (and somehow to me it seems a bit LESS morbid, but i may be weird).
Anyway, point is, I recommend the book. :)
Midnight Musings
Oh how I long to be a person who could be content with blissful ignorance.
The more I become aware, the less I want to know...and the more I need to know.
It becomes increasingly difficult for me to sit back and not speak out. I know that there are people I care about, people I'm friends with, people whose company I enjoy, who I also happen to disagree with on certain issues. So I avoid these things, for fear of offending, alienating, boring, or in any way turning people away.
Where is the balance though?
I like to be liked by people...I'm not one to "rock the boat". In fact, I do my best to avoid conflict. I try not to piss anyone off. So sure, I haven't made many enemies...if any...and I typically get along with just about everyone. Does this make me socially irresponsible?
I'm always curious what people I know think I believe. I tend to think that, when not given any reason to believe otherwise, people attribute or project their own opinions or beliefs onto their friends. It's funny, because there is NO WAY this could be true of me. I have been friends with way too many people with extraordinarily diverse ideas and beliefs about things. I can't possibly agree with them all, right?
So, what's my point? I don't have one. It's late, I'm tired, I'm rambling....
I guess this might be a bit of a warning that I may start speaking up a bit more (as in earlier posts) about things. Who knows? I guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out. *evil laughter*
goodnight.
I'm back!
WOO HOO!
Yes, it is late in the afternoon of the day of my return, as my computer here at work is currently being read its last rites. I was finally able to procure another computer to use though, so here I am!!
This morning, I went to the dentist for my routine cleaning appointment. I got the offical all clear (no cavities...go me!!) and went on my way to work. Immediately after having my teeth cleaned, I LOVE the way they feel. Clean, smooth...almost like that first day after getting your braces off. I'm always reluctant to eat for the first time after a cleaning. Ah well.... This appointment, I didn't even get my typical scolding for not flossing my teeth often enough (does anyone really??). On the downside, having to keep my jaw open that wide for half an hour while someone pokes around with metal things in your mouth (no kinky comments!!!) has left my jaw feeling a bit angry, which is causing mild head pain. Being at work is not helping.
My weekend was excellent. Despite the rain, we were able to go to the baseball game yesterday and watch the Pirates complete their third consecutive home series sweep. Go Pirates (pronounced like "pilates", of course)!! I went on my fourth Just Ducky Tour...QUACK QUACK QUACK. We caught two more mice (woo hoo, they're EVERYWHERE). Hmm...ate too much. Went to Kennywood for some wild rides.
Wow, I'm realizing there is so much I have to blab about and none of it is interesting, so I will leave you with this conundrum:
Is a short haircut with a large "tail" in the back a mullet or not??
Behind the Wheel
Well, I did it. I got off my lazy ass after two years and FINALLY got a Pennsylvania Driver's License. woo hoo.
Surprisingly, we were in and out in just under 45 minutes. I even had time to get breakfast before having to coming into work.
Postings will be few and far between over the next couple of days, as I will have a college friend in from out of town. Tomorrow we're taking a famous Ducky Tour. QUACK QUACK QUACK!!
Friday it's a trip to Kennywood (est. 1896), for rides on roller coasters that require the staff to push-start them out of the station. Good times! My friend leaves Saturday. :( However, the fun continues as it is beach towel night at the baseball game, and I WANT A BEACH TOWEL!
Alas, I am off to scan a brain. mwwaahahhaa!!
I'll leave you with
this article related to yesterday's post (thanks michelle for the tip!).
Oh, oh, and I've decided that since there are loads of free condoms all over the place around here, anyone who wants some just needs to send me your address and I will mail you as many as you like. :) Spreading the love...oh yeah.
Dial, Irish Spring, or Dove?
Tarzan's Escaped Tiger Eludes Fla. Search
LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. - A 600-pound tiger eluded capture Tuesday morning after escaping a day earlier from the home of an actor who played Tarzan, even though officials said the cat had only roamed about 200 yards from his home.
Sipek has another tiger, two lions, a black leopard and a cougar on his property, the Palm Beach Post reported. The cats, mostly castoffs from zoos, are usually kept in a mazelike series of interlocking cages.
This would NOT be the Tarzan to whom I am related, of course. HOWEVER, to my eternal delight, the Tarzan to whom I'm related (Johnny Weismueller) WAS mentioned by Stewie in an episode of The Family Guy.
Documentary Aims to Show Bias on Fox News
The film, "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism," draws on clips compiled during weeks of round-the-clock taping of the network to demonstrate what the filmmakers believe is a pattern of right-wing bias and support for the Republican agenda.
Fox news supporting the Republican agenda??? Wow, I'm shocked.
Bush Wants Ore. Assisted Suicide Law Axed
I posted this article because I have strong feelings on the subject. To spare you all my ranting moment though, I will let you just read the article. However, I will say that as the weeks go by, I tend to like The Shrub less and less.
Alas, I will be off my soapbox soon...
These next few articles all deal with AIDS, which is a topic particularly important to me as it is directly related to the work that I do. I see people almost everyday who are dealing with AIDS. While fortunately most of these people have enough assistance to be able to get the HIV meds they need, they don't all have access to all the services of the wealthy and employed. They come to our study to make money, and sometimes in order to get the MR scan or the Neuropsych testing that they can't afford otherwise. I shudder to imagine what it's like for those in countries not in the same economic position as the U.S.
Since the 80's and early 90's, we don't hear so much about AIDS. The media frenzy died away and people tend to forget that it's a problem. It's not that big a deal anymore, right?
Anyway, forgive me for stepping outside of my attempt-to-not-be-too-political posting habits, but this is one of those things about which I feel I have a responsibility to be aware and to speak up about...otherwise, what the hell am I doing in my current job? Anyway, here you go:
Generic Drugs Extend HIV Patients' Lives
France Accuses America Over HIV Drugs
Annan Says AIDS Fight Must Match War on Terror
MTV chief says Bush AIDS policies will not halt condom adverts.
I don't think I have to point out how ridiculous an abstinence policy is in regards to fighting AIDS. NO ONE EVER HAVE SEX!! That will solve all our problems.
Here I come to save the day!!
Now that I think of it, I actually have a mighty mouse T-shirt....
Anyway, figured I would update everyone on the mouse happenings in maison de la Moose (here):
We have caught 5 mice in our no-kill trap, though one mouse decided that it was hungry for some face, and since the other mouse's face was the only face available...it got messy. Since then, we have caught three more which have all been released in the park about half mile away (hopefully that's far enough), where they will probably be eaten by snakes or large birds of prey, but at least they have a fighting chance (and i don't have to see it or know about it). We have taken down 2 in our kill traps, combined with the 3 they got downstairs makes 10. Hopefully there aren't many more left. I did learn, while releasing one of our little furry friends at Frick Park, that they also make no-kill rabbit traps. So if you happen to find rabbits under your kitchen sink or in your basement, there are options! ;)
Alas, I have not checked the trap today. In fact, I never check the trap. I fear that face will once again be on the menu, and so Jon checks the traps. However, once he guarantees me that the only cuisine has been dog cookie, I take the traps, carry them all the way to the park, and let the little mice go. Go me!!!
Will keep you updated as we catch more (or hopefully discover we've gotten them all).
oh oh, and Michelle was right. They are some weird, freaky, part kangaroo mice. After letting them go, instead of just running away, they hopped in a weird zig-zaggy pattern...they could get some serious height too! However, they're terribly cute, and I'm happy that I didn't have to kill them.
Hmm...were there more lyrics, other than "here I come to save the day; Mighty Mouse is on his way" or something like that? If it weren't so frickin' hot in here, I would look it up. Ah, a project for tomorrow (as I'll be working an 11 hour shift...oh yeah!! *duff man music*).
Another (not) Manic Monday
Oh, what I wouldn't give for a little chemically induced mania at the moment, but I am trying (once again) to lay off the caffeine. On a related note, I saw "Coffee and Cigarettes" yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Then I proceeded to have a lot of caffeine before bed, and I did indeed dream very fast (like a camera on an Indy race car, with everything zooming by...).
Saturday evening, we saw Verdi's "Requiem", a piece I enjoy very much. I always find it to be an interesting experience riding the bus downtown (or home) while all dressed up. Especially if I get stuck riding in the back, on the benches that face into the middle of the bus (as opposed to the seats that face the front). For some reason, these seats are slightly higher than the rest, and so my feet don't rest flat on the ground (NO SHORT JOKES!). In normal circumstances, this isn't that big of a deal, but try sitting on those seats while trying to cross your legs so that no one can see up your skirt! For those who have never experienced the state of being too short for most seats, you may not understand just how difficult it is to cross your legs without being able to rest your foot firmly on the ground. Try it...you'll see!
So I'm hoping this (short) week will be better than last, in regards to work. It already has the makings to be another one of those days (though I packed my lunch today so as to avoid a repeat of the beefaroni ordeal!).
Come to think of it, that last time I ate one of those little Chef Boyardi microwave meals, I ended up with sauce on my chin. Hmm...I'm beginning to smell a conspiracy here....
What would I look like bald?
Today is one of those days, which comes at the end of one of those weeks. If I were the type to pull out my hair, I would be bald by now, from about the elbows up. On days like today, computers make me cross-eyed and people make me want to practice
defenestration. Were I not obligated to be at work tomorrow (yes, on a Saturday) to work some lovely, unpaid hours of overtime, I would be getting freakin' TANKED tonight. However, after being sick all week and with the morning looming way to near (I can already hear the alarm clock buzzing...), I must abstain from the boozing for this evening. *sigh*
Any suggestions as to good, quick stress relievers while at work? I've tried chocolate cake...helped a little. I've tried making a fool of myself by getting Beefaroni on my face and having my boss have to point it out to me...didn't help at all. I've tried caffeine...now my sentences are just a faster version of in coherence and confusion. If only our damn windows opened...
Spamalot
Lead Trio Set for Broadway-Bound Monty Python Show
NEW YORK (Reuters) - David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry and Hank Azaria were named on Wednesday as the leading trio for next year's Broadway-bound production of Monty Python's "Spamalot."
"Spamalot," to be directed by Oscar and Tony Award winner Mike Nichols, is billed as "the musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,"' the 1975 comedy directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones.
Ah, Monthy Python on the stage (with David Hyde Pierce, no less!). That could be an interesting show...
Speaking of entertainment, the new
King Arthur movie is coming out soon (or did yesterday? i don't know...), starring my favorite actress (*sarcasm is dripping here*) as the dashing queen-to-be, clad in leather bikini and body paint. Apparently, the costume originally called for full body armor, but the actress (Keira Knightley, for those who may not know) would not have it and insisted on baring as much of her body as possible (because leather bikini's are PERFECT for fighting in battle). I think what ruined her for me was seeing her first in Bend It Like Beckham and second in Pirates of the Carribean (though she was basically just a pretty face with a couple of bad lines in the latter). Am I the only one who thinks she looks like Winona Rider, only taller and skinnier? Anyway, I'm certainly not going to see this movie for gratuitous shots of Ms. Knightley (now, put someone like Lena Olin (see photo below if you are unfamiliar with her)in a movie, and I will go see it regardless, because she is hot (AND a really damn good actress on top of that)!).
Hmm, "King Arthur" DOES have Clive Owen (see below) in it, who I like, but I'm not sure if watching him is enough to get me to go see it. Probably not.
Alas, I await GOOD movies!! Please, please????
Any suggestions of good movies anyone has seen (and "Spiderman 2" should not be mentioned here!)?
Blargh!
Wow, nothing fun in the news today, I'm still getting over a cold, and my stupid credit card company has fucked me once again. I hate arguing with customer service people. I KNOW that their jobs are terrible, and I certainly feel for them, but it doesn't make talking to them any less unpleasant. I argue, I try to convince them that I did everything exactly the way I was supposed to, and when a stupid technical error occurs on their part, that I SHOULDN'T BE CHARGED THE DAMN FEE FOR IT! But they are powerless. Buggers.
Since I'm already bitching...
I once again experienced the obnoxious, LOUD cellphone bus rider yesterday. After a long day at work, during which I felt like crap, I get on the bus (got a seat!), hoping to just read my book on the way home. I make it one stop, when a girl sits down across from me, talking so loudly on her cellphone that I can't read. "blah blah...they left me a $0.53 tip...whaa whaa...oh my god....blah blah....like, i only make $2.83 per hour...blah blah blah...." *grrrrrr* I'm fairly good, when i'm reading, at tuning out background noise. This, however, just cut through in that obnoxious, whiny, barely post-pubescent, girly way.
*sigh*
Tonight, I do laundry. Is it foolish to wish for one uneventful laundry night? For one quiet ride home on the bus? For one hand grenade when I need it most? Yes, yes...I fear that it is.
Two Moose Crash July 4th Parade in Utah
BRIGHTON, Utah (AP) - Everybody, and apparently every thing, loves a parade. Two young bull moose, each more than 6-feet tall and weighing hundreds of pounds, crashed Brighton's Fourth of July celebration.
Full story.
I love Moose. How awesome to almost be trampled by two bull moose on the fourth of July. What a way to go...
Nostalgia and Cunt
Tonight, we had people over for BBQ chicken and brats. Of course, beer has to be involved. As the food stops flowing, the beer starts flowing harder. This led to fun things like drinking Jenga (to which I was only a witness).
In drinking Jenga (oh, thanks to Topless Jenny for this present!), there are such blocks as 'drink 1', 'slam drink', 'give 2 (drinks, that is)', and 'crazy'. Crazy basically means do something that would be a dare in Truth or Dare (hence, the nostalgia). In true Truth or Dare form (aka junior high maturity level dares), Coral had to call Barnes and Noble and ask them if they had the book "Cunt". Upon hearing that they did, she became outraged and told them that she had found this book in her 15-year-old daughter's room. The worker found her a manager, who proceeded to say things about censorship, blah blah blah (the manager did an excessive amount of talking). Coral continued (with a straight face) to say that her daughter was a good girl and didn't even know what cunt meant. Then (again with a straight face), she had us ALL crying and practically rolling on the floor with the following quote:
"I haven't raised a hand to my daughter in fifteen years, but I just came out of her room after spanking her tushy!" (including 'spanking her tushy' into the conversation was part of the dare). Silence on the other end of the phone...then a hesitant, "I understand...." from the manager. Finally, Coral ended the conversation, and we all laughed heartily.
*tears*
Ah, quality moments of immaturity are few and far between. Gotta love 'em. :)
Beautiful Night for Baseball
*sigh* This has been a great night in baseball (it would only be better if houston and st. louis had lost, and the diamondbacks would win. though on the d-back front, at least they FINALLY fired Bob Brenley. woo hoo!!).
The Cubs beat the White Sox. ALWAYS a good thing.
Then, there are the Pirates, who now have a 7 game winning streak going on (including a sweep of the cardinals, so all Cubs fans must also be loving the Pirates right now (myself included, of course)).
We had planned on going to the game tonight because it was fireworks night. True, they do fireworks once a month after the games, and on average every 13 days in Pittsburgh (for one reason or another). This way, we didn't feel we needed to deal with the craziness of taking the buses out to the Point downtown on the 4th to see fireworks. The display after the games rivals any 4th of July display anyway. Alas, I digress... (big shocker!)
So, it turned out that tonight was a double header (against Milwaukee). Two games for the price of one; Rock on! First game included a grand slam, an in the park home run, and several awesome defensive plays. This game was won (by the Pirates) 8-1.
Game 2: Jason Bay gets 8 RBIs, Randall Simon makes a diving catch from first, only to then turn it into a double play (Scored: Double Play 3), Jack Wilson makes one of the most amazing catches I've ever seen (see *** at bottom for details), and the Pirates end up winning (hee hee...again!) 13-2. Amazing. Good times were had by all (and there were 30,000 people there...probably another season record!).
*sigh again*
Being at games like the two tonight is what being a baseball fan is all about to me. And then...fireworks. Couldn't have been much better.
So now, I should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day of sleeping in and then preparing for our cookout shindig. Hope everyone has a GRRRRR-EAT weekend.
***Jack Wilson's AMAZING catch:
A ball is hit over Jack Wilson's head (he's the Shortstop, for those who don't know). He runs it down, dives in the direction of left field, glancing back over his shoulder to see the ball, makes the over the shoulder catch while flying head first in the same direction as the ball, lands on his face (feet to home plate; head to outfield), and SOMEHOW is up and turned around quickly enough to make the two runners on base actually RUN back to the bags to avoid a double play. Somewhere I'm sure there is a video replay of this (perhaps at www.pittsburghpirates.com). I'm too lazy now to look it up. Goodnight!
Weekend Festivities
In reading through the news of the day, I came across
this story about the world's largest bratwurst, which is to measure approximately 40 feet long (and will be put in a 40 foot bun, complete with condiments!). Wonder if we could get that for our cookout tomorrow night?
I just began reading a new book entitled "Stiff" about the many (often times unusual) things done with human cadavers (for example, using heads as practice for plastic surgeons, or using full bodies as once-live crash test dummies). More on this book as I get further into it...
However, I found
this story today about the types of coffins in which people can be buried (which got me to thinking more about what we do with bodies after they cease to live). Fish belly, anyone?
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Here is another story on the Netherlands government rejecting wooden shoes, tulips, and windmills as national icons for their official EU symbol.
I was particularly fond of the "nice, but totally nutty" comment. There is serious truth to that...if you've never witnessed hundreds of clog-wearing, brightly colored dutch people (this refers to their dress, not that the people painted themselves in bright colors and ran around naked or anything. That would be a WHOLE different story) dancing in the streets, you've never witnessed true "nuttiness".
