Happy hearts day, all!
This has been a decidedly non-sentimental Valentine's day, but by design, so I'm okay with that. I only sent out a couple of Valentine's day cards and made decadent chocolate cupcakes for my office mates. Geoffrey picked up two dozen donuts for his staff (if you have a Tim Horton's near you, I highly recommend the Cream Cheese Croissant).
Geoffrey and I decided that with finances being a little tight we would share a gift. This year, it's The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: the Complete Short Stories, a big beautiful hardbound set. It's slightly oversized and very heavy. I love it! We also had lunch together and grabbed a yummy bit of carryout from the on-campus Middle-Eastern restaurant on campus for dinner (there are serious advantages to working on the same campus).
In addition to displaying yet another piece of evidence of my geekiness, I would like to use my corner of cyberia to proclaim my love for my husband Geoffrey.
I love you!
And now, here's my pick for "Ladies Choice" at Skate World and the accompanying sentimental song lyric, dedicated to my love:
The Luckiest by Ben Folds
I don't get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here
And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest
What if I'd been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?
And in a wide sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest
I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you
Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away
I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest
^_^
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
More sentimental lyrics
At one point, like a lot of people my age, I made a lot of mix tapes. Geoffrey once noted that this Toad the Wet Sprocket song seemed to make it onto every one of them. It's a beautiful song, very simply arranged, and I love the lyrics:
"I Will Not Take These Things for Granted"
One part of me just wants to tell you everything
One part just needs the quiet
And if I'm lonely here, I'm lonely here
And on the telephone
You offer reassurance
I will not take these things for granted
How can I hold the part of me that only you can carry
It needs a strength I haven't found
But if it's frightening, I'll bear the cold
And on the telephone
You offer warm asylum
I'm listening
Flowers in the garden
Laughter in the hall
Children in the park
I will not take these things for granted
Anymore
To crawl inside the wire and feel something near me
To feel this accepting
That it is lonely here, but not alone
And on the telephone
You offer visions dancing
I'm listening
Music in the bedroom
Laughter in the hall
Dive into the ocean
Singing by the fire
Running through the forest
And standing in the wind
In rolling canyons
I will not take these things for granted
Many of my romances had a very strong telephone component. Nothing thrilled me more than hearing that a fellow normally wasn't one for talking on the phone and lo and behold, two hours have gone by. Even now, I love talking on the phone with my husband - his voice is so sweet to me. And yes, he did once tell me that he wasn't all that great on the phone.
^_^
"I Will Not Take These Things for Granted"
One part of me just wants to tell you everything
One part just needs the quiet
And if I'm lonely here, I'm lonely here
And on the telephone
You offer reassurance
I will not take these things for granted
How can I hold the part of me that only you can carry
It needs a strength I haven't found
But if it's frightening, I'll bear the cold
And on the telephone
You offer warm asylum
I'm listening
Flowers in the garden
Laughter in the hall
Children in the park
I will not take these things for granted
Anymore
To crawl inside the wire and feel something near me
To feel this accepting
That it is lonely here, but not alone
And on the telephone
You offer visions dancing
I'm listening
Music in the bedroom
Laughter in the hall
Dive into the ocean
Singing by the fire
Running through the forest
And standing in the wind
In rolling canyons
I will not take these things for granted
Many of my romances had a very strong telephone component. Nothing thrilled me more than hearing that a fellow normally wasn't one for talking on the phone and lo and behold, two hours have gone by. Even now, I love talking on the phone with my husband - his voice is so sweet to me. And yes, he did once tell me that he wasn't all that great on the phone.
^_^
Friday, January 20, 2006
Here Today
Urgh.
I am sleepy. I called in sick today because I know it will be a full week next week. It's oddly warm outside (well, for January, anyway). And one of my bestest friends, Lori, called me last night because she was reading through a bunch of my old high school looseleaf notes. Apparently they fill an entire GAP bag. Those notes are more than 15 years old. Yikes. So, in honor of old memories and nostalgia, here is one of my favorite Paul McCartney poems/songs. On the Tug of War album it's simply, "Here Today," but in Blackbird Singing: Poems and Lyrics 1965 - 1999, it's actually titled, "Here Today (Song for John)."
And if I said
I really knew you well
What would your answer be?
If you were here today.
Well, knowing you
You'd probably laugh and say
That we were worlds apart.
If you were here today.
But as for me
I still remember how it was before
And I am holding back the tears no more
I love you.
What about the time we met?
Well I suppose that you could say that
We were playing hard to get,
Didn't understand a thing
But we could always sing.
What about the night we cried?
Because there wasn't any reason left
To keep it all inside,
Never understood a word
But you were always there with a smile.
And if I say I really loved you
And was glad you came along,
Then you were here today,
For you were in my song
Here today.
^_^
I am sleepy. I called in sick today because I know it will be a full week next week. It's oddly warm outside (well, for January, anyway). And one of my bestest friends, Lori, called me last night because she was reading through a bunch of my old high school looseleaf notes. Apparently they fill an entire GAP bag. Those notes are more than 15 years old. Yikes. So, in honor of old memories and nostalgia, here is one of my favorite Paul McCartney poems/songs. On the Tug of War album it's simply, "Here Today," but in Blackbird Singing: Poems and Lyrics 1965 - 1999, it's actually titled, "Here Today (Song for John)."
And if I said
I really knew you well
What would your answer be?
If you were here today.
Well, knowing you
You'd probably laugh and say
That we were worlds apart.
If you were here today.
But as for me
I still remember how it was before
And I am holding back the tears no more
I love you.
What about the time we met?
Well I suppose that you could say that
We were playing hard to get,
Didn't understand a thing
But we could always sing.
What about the night we cried?
Because there wasn't any reason left
To keep it all inside,
Never understood a word
But you were always there with a smile.
And if I say I really loved you
And was glad you came along,
Then you were here today,
For you were in my song
Here today.
^_^
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Bad chicken(pox) leftovers
I wouldn't believe this if I had read it.
Or if a fortune teller had predicted it.
Or if someone had written about it in a blog and I thought, wow, that could be me!
But it happened: I, ladies and gentlemen, have managed to reawaken the dormant chickenpox virus that apparently has been hitching a ride in my spinal column, and now have a case of the shingles. Right on my left keister.
This is not something I would wish on anyone. Now thankfully, it's not as though I "caught" it from somewhere or that I could really give it to someone else unless they had never had chickenpox before (and came in contact on an open sore on my usually very covered butt). But it's not pretty and it kinda hurts, like being burned with a curling iron. And it takes a while to heal - two weeks on an anti-viral waiting for the shingles to scab and fall off. Mmmmmm-hmmmm tasty! I should go suck down a pound of tomatoes 'cause I don't think I'm getting a cold sore anytime soon.
So, sorry if this is more personal than you ever wanted to know about me, but it's just kinda funny (this usually happens in older people) and I am bound to ruminate on it in at least a couple more posts.
Oh, and for more information. not that you can do anything to prevent shingles really, I recommend this site: Shingles, an Unwelcome Encore
Or if a fortune teller had predicted it.
Or if someone had written about it in a blog and I thought, wow, that could be me!
But it happened: I, ladies and gentlemen, have managed to reawaken the dormant chickenpox virus that apparently has been hitching a ride in my spinal column, and now have a case of the shingles. Right on my left keister.
This is not something I would wish on anyone. Now thankfully, it's not as though I "caught" it from somewhere or that I could really give it to someone else unless they had never had chickenpox before (and came in contact on an open sore on my usually very covered butt). But it's not pretty and it kinda hurts, like being burned with a curling iron. And it takes a while to heal - two weeks on an anti-viral waiting for the shingles to scab and fall off. Mmmmmm-hmmmm tasty! I should go suck down a pound of tomatoes 'cause I don't think I'm getting a cold sore anytime soon.
So, sorry if this is more personal than you ever wanted to know about me, but it's just kinda funny (this usually happens in older people) and I am bound to ruminate on it in at least a couple more posts.
Oh, and for more information. not that you can do anything to prevent shingles really, I recommend this site: Shingles, an Unwelcome Encore
kodamakitty.com!
How's this for a cool Christmas present? The hubby decided to immortalize me on the web by securing the following:
kodamakitty.com
kodamakitty.net
kodamakitty.org
all of which currently link to this site until I can figure out how to create my own webspace.
I also received my very own pro-Flickr account with with to inflict my camera mania on an unsuspecting public:
www.flickr.com/photos/kodamakitty/
It's a lot like being given my own little plot of land for a garden. Now I just need time to grow something other than weeds!
^_^
kodamakitty.com
kodamakitty.net
kodamakitty.org
all of which currently link to this site until I can figure out how to create my own webspace.
I also received my very own pro-Flickr account with with to inflict my camera mania on an unsuspecting public:
www.flickr.com/photos/kodamakitty/
It's a lot like being given my own little plot of land for a garden. Now I just need time to grow something other than weeds!
^_^
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Holiday Blogthing
Ack - Christmas is only a week away. I can't even end that with an exclamation point because it's so odd and bewildering to me. Most of my shopping is done, so that's not it, and the kiddies at work have been mostly quiet, so that's not it - hunh. Maybe I'm actually mostly prepared for this Christmas and thus my lack of overexcited panic. I have a tendency to try to do too much the night before and it's really starting to be a drag, so for Christmas this year I started around Thanksgiving to pack up the gifts I buy all year round. It pleases me to no end to find the perfect gift for someone and find a way to pack it up for maximum "ooohs" and "ahhhs."
The only gifts I don't have, and am not even sure I will have, are for my myriad of cousins. My mom is one of nine siblings and each of them has at least one child, if not four. I am one of 22 first cousins, and we have started to reproduce, so I have second cousins as well (is that right - they're my second cousins? I never quite understood how that worked). Needless to say, getting more than just a trinket or candy for all of my cousins has been a pain in the rear. Not because they expect anything, but because I don't want to leave anyone out. I suspect that next year we older, professionally employed cousins will have to be part of the name draw for a gift exchange.
Anyway, here's a bit of fun, in the form of my Elf Name:
^_^
The only gifts I don't have, and am not even sure I will have, are for my myriad of cousins. My mom is one of nine siblings and each of them has at least one child, if not four. I am one of 22 first cousins, and we have started to reproduce, so I have second cousins as well (is that right - they're my second cousins? I never quite understood how that worked). Needless to say, getting more than just a trinket or candy for all of my cousins has been a pain in the rear. Not because they expect anything, but because I don't want to leave anyone out. I suspect that next year we older, professionally employed cousins will have to be part of the name draw for a gift exchange.
Anyway, here's a bit of fun, in the form of my Elf Name:
| Your Elf Name Is... |
 |
^_^
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Blue Man Group in London!
Ah, this would be veddy veddy cool, indeed:
Blue Man Group opened at the New London Theatre in London on November 10. To celebrate, we’re giving away a trip to the United Kingdom for one lucky winner and their guest.
The prize package includes hotel accommodations at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel, as well as airline tickets and ground transportation for the grand prize winner and one (1) lucky guest of his/her choice.
Prize Package Details:
Round trip airfare for two (2) from one domestic U.S., Canadian, or European location to London, United Kingdom
Three (3) nights stay at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel
One (1) breakfast for (2) at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel
One (1) dinner for two (2) at Origin Bar and Dining Room
Two (2) tickets to Blue Man Group at the New London Theatre in Covent Garden, London.
To enter the contest (there's also one for the new show at the Venetian in Las Vegas) click here.
Here's crossing my fingers that I or Geoff are randomly chosen! ^_^
Blue Man Group opened at the New London Theatre in London on November 10. To celebrate, we’re giving away a trip to the United Kingdom for one lucky winner and their guest.
The prize package includes hotel accommodations at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel, as well as airline tickets and ground transportation for the grand prize winner and one (1) lucky guest of his/her choice.
Prize Package Details:
Round trip airfare for two (2) from one domestic U.S., Canadian, or European location to London, United Kingdom
Three (3) nights stay at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel
One (1) breakfast for (2) at the Jurys Great Russell Street Hotel
One (1) dinner for two (2) at Origin Bar and Dining Room
Two (2) tickets to Blue Man Group at the New London Theatre in Covent Garden, London.
To enter the contest (there's also one for the new show at the Venetian in Las Vegas) click here.
Here's crossing my fingers that I or Geoff are randomly chosen! ^_^
We hold these truths to be self-evident....
*chuckle* It would be interesting to see what happens when e-mail forwards are dissected as folklore and common wisdom. In the meantime, here's a thought-provoking one forwarded to me by my good friend Ann:
Ten Thoughts to Ponder
Number 10 - Life is sexually transmitted.
Number 9 - Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
Number 8 - Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.
(Hey! Who's going to make me a sandwich? How's my hubby supposed to know which of the two I am?)
Number 7 - Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.
Number 6 - Some people are like a Slinky.....not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Number 5 - Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
Number 4 - All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
Number 3 - Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents?
Number 2 - In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
AND THE NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2005: We know exactly where one cow with mad-cow-disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America but we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration.
^_^
Ten Thoughts to Ponder
Number 10 - Life is sexually transmitted.
Number 9 - Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
Number 8 - Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.
(Hey! Who's going to make me a sandwich? How's my hubby supposed to know which of the two I am?)
Number 7 - Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.
Number 6 - Some people are like a Slinky.....not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Number 5 - Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
Number 4 - All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
Number 3 - Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents?
Number 2 - In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
AND THE NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2005: We know exactly where one cow with mad-cow-disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America but we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located. Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration.
^_^
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Just wanted to share the silliness....
A long lost idol of mine sent me an e-mail with this link and I just have to share:
The Llama Song
As the composer puts it, "Not suitable for people who dislike Llamas."
In other news, there really hasn't been any other news. I sing in the Detroit Archdiocesan Chorus (an Archdiocese is an entity that encompasses a number of local Catholic Parishes). The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, where we perform for various masses and ceremonies, is governed by Cardinal Adam Maida. I generally don't think too hard about the politics of the Roman Catholic Church, which I know is not a good thing, necessarily. The truth of the matter is, I started in this Choir when I was 15 and have been a member off an on now for more years than not. I love my choir director and I love the music we perform. This time, our next concert is Dave Brubeck's "To Hope!" which is a jazz-infused mass. I don't think the choir parts are as challenging as the score, which is good, and it means that the jazzier stuff will happen with the instrumentalists.
This weekend passed way too quickly. We stopped by Alex's house to wish his girlfriend Kara a happy birthday. Seeing my brother with his friends and living on his own (with a roommate, but still...) was a little odd, like watching episodes of the Rugrats All Growed Up. I am very proud of my little brother. He really seems to have found his footing with Nursing. Saturday was spent lazing around in pjs and working on clearing the huge amounts of paper I have covering the dining room table. So many plans - so little time. Today sped by too - Geoff spent time with his grandfather and I worked on our household budget before going out and buying groceries. We've been eating out way too much lately.
Oh - and I got my digicam back. I had accidentally injured it and the Geek Squad at Best Buy clucked their collective tongues and promised not to promise anything (it's very difficult to think of them as single units - they're really Borg/Agent like in their demeanor - do they train that into you, or are you hired based on your ability to speak in clipped monotones while smiling mirthlessly?) Apparently, the warranty I had purchased was merely an extension of the manufacturer's warranty and really, at the end of the day, didn't do squat for me. You know, if I can mangage not to break something within the time frame of the manufacturer's warranty, then dollar per day I've probably broken even.
Ah well, I need to head off to bed. I have some pre-work work that should have been done during the time I spent not working on stuff Saturday.
^_^
The Llama Song
As the composer puts it, "Not suitable for people who dislike Llamas."
In other news, there really hasn't been any other news. I sing in the Detroit Archdiocesan Chorus (an Archdiocese is an entity that encompasses a number of local Catholic Parishes). The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, where we perform for various masses and ceremonies, is governed by Cardinal Adam Maida. I generally don't think too hard about the politics of the Roman Catholic Church, which I know is not a good thing, necessarily. The truth of the matter is, I started in this Choir when I was 15 and have been a member off an on now for more years than not. I love my choir director and I love the music we perform. This time, our next concert is Dave Brubeck's "To Hope!" which is a jazz-infused mass. I don't think the choir parts are as challenging as the score, which is good, and it means that the jazzier stuff will happen with the instrumentalists.
This weekend passed way too quickly. We stopped by Alex's house to wish his girlfriend Kara a happy birthday. Seeing my brother with his friends and living on his own (with a roommate, but still...) was a little odd, like watching episodes of the Rugrats All Growed Up. I am very proud of my little brother. He really seems to have found his footing with Nursing. Saturday was spent lazing around in pjs and working on clearing the huge amounts of paper I have covering the dining room table. So many plans - so little time. Today sped by too - Geoff spent time with his grandfather and I worked on our household budget before going out and buying groceries. We've been eating out way too much lately.
Oh - and I got my digicam back. I had accidentally injured it and the Geek Squad at Best Buy clucked their collective tongues and promised not to promise anything (it's very difficult to think of them as single units - they're really Borg/Agent like in their demeanor - do they train that into you, or are you hired based on your ability to speak in clipped monotones while smiling mirthlessly?) Apparently, the warranty I had purchased was merely an extension of the manufacturer's warranty and really, at the end of the day, didn't do squat for me. You know, if I can mangage not to break something within the time frame of the manufacturer's warranty, then dollar per day I've probably broken even.
Ah well, I need to head off to bed. I have some pre-work work that should have been done during the time I spent not working on stuff Saturday.
^_^
Friday, October 28, 2005
Big giant bags of candy
I really like giving gifts.
That's probably the understatement of the year, if you ask anyone who knows how much I love shopping for people, figuring out the proper presentation and then watching them "ooooh" and "ahhhhh." So, it makes sense that I really do like giving out candy on Halloween. This year, I bought five ginormous (giant + enormous = ginormous) bags of candy. I can't remember which one of us decided this last year, but in the Lagman-Sperl household you get both chocolate and non-chocolate candy. Oh, and if you're older than say, twelve, you have to explain what the heck you are. Be creative! I'd give up candy for someone saying they're a cog in the corporate machine or soul-less cube farm lackey.
Choir rehearsal has been moved to Sunday night, probably to allow those of us with candy dispensing tendencies can go home and spread sugar induced joy throughout the land.
The other upside of Halloween? Those giant bags will be on discount the very next day and it will keep my office candy dish supplied. I'll be able to pimp that stuff out for weeks!
^_^
That's probably the understatement of the year, if you ask anyone who knows how much I love shopping for people, figuring out the proper presentation and then watching them "ooooh" and "ahhhhh." So, it makes sense that I really do like giving out candy on Halloween. This year, I bought five ginormous (giant + enormous = ginormous) bags of candy. I can't remember which one of us decided this last year, but in the Lagman-Sperl household you get both chocolate and non-chocolate candy. Oh, and if you're older than say, twelve, you have to explain what the heck you are. Be creative! I'd give up candy for someone saying they're a cog in the corporate machine or soul-less cube farm lackey.
Choir rehearsal has been moved to Sunday night, probably to allow those of us with candy dispensing tendencies can go home and spread sugar induced joy throughout the land.
The other upside of Halloween? Those giant bags will be on discount the very next day and it will keep my office candy dish supplied. I'll be able to pimp that stuff out for weeks!
^_^
Sunday, October 23, 2005
I am truly blessed!
Today is my birthday, but we started the celebration early by having a small dinner party yesterday. Actually, if the celebration includes receiving roses from Geoff's brothers and family in the mail (always a classy way to receive flowers) and the frantic cleaning that occurs before one has people over, then the partying began Friday afternoon. Geoff and I did some errand running, including gathering enough stuff for a triple batch of his mom's chili recipe. Being OCD about having people over, I shooed Geoff to bed and continued cleaning for the rest of the night and grabbed a short nap on the couch while waiting for the giant monster batch of chili to cool down enough to be put in the refrigerator.
We started Saturday's festivities with a trip to the Westview Apple Orchard out in Romeo. It's more geared towards kids, but it was kinda fun to watch kids run around and be, well, kids. The place doesn't have the whistles and bells of a mall or an arcade and it was nice to see that it didn't need it. It was a little chilly and I was dressed more for style than comfort, but it was a beautiful day and I got to nap in the car while Geoff and our friend Doug sat up front. We brought home Red Delicious apples, cider and pumpkins and donuts. Geoff doesn't like apples any other time of year and we haven't managed to get out to an orchard for a few years with crazy schedules, so it was well worth the drive and the cold to visit one.
When we got back, Sara joined us, bearing the most adorable birthday cake - it was yellow cake with white frosting and a hunormous Hello Kitty! I unfortunately bumped my brand new digital camera a little too hard at the cider mill (thank goodness for the extended warranty), so I don't have a digital image to share at the moment, but when I get the film developed, I'll have to show it off - it was absolute genius.
The full dinner party started at 6:00 with the arrival of more friends: Lori and Steve, Patti and Ann Marie, Curt and Fern and Sonia. We had a log in the fireplace and I got to pick the music (a mix of stuff on my iPod, the soundtrack to "O" from the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the Barenaked Ladies's Stratford soundtrack to "As You Like It"). There was chili, burgers, salad, and of course, cake!
Everyone stayed for a good long visit, including a few rounds of "Dance Dance Revolution" (Geoff's present from my birthday last year). Then it was hugs all around and promises to get together soon. My brother Alex called at midnight to wish me Happy Birthday (he never fails to amaze me by remembering to do that every year) and I collapsed around 12:30 am. I got to sleep in today until 1:00 in the afternoon. Geoff's present to me this year, in addition to our buying a new camera and printer set up as a shared item (but it's mostly for me) was a great book on digital photography. It looks like it will be a great read and I can't wait to improve my skills.
My mom met us at the house and then we took off for Windsor for my Goddaughter Amara's birthday party. She is now five and was dressed up as a pirate queen (think Snow White embellised by Treasure Island). My cousins gave me a beautiful basket with a big bunch of Starbucks goodies and I had the traditional Filipino pancit (noodles are eaten for long life). Geoff and I took tomorrow off so we won't have to rush around after a busy weekend.
So I am now 31, but that doesn't bother me. Life is very good and I am grateful for everyone and everything in it.
^_^
We started Saturday's festivities with a trip to the Westview Apple Orchard out in Romeo. It's more geared towards kids, but it was kinda fun to watch kids run around and be, well, kids. The place doesn't have the whistles and bells of a mall or an arcade and it was nice to see that it didn't need it. It was a little chilly and I was dressed more for style than comfort, but it was a beautiful day and I got to nap in the car while Geoff and our friend Doug sat up front. We brought home Red Delicious apples, cider and pumpkins and donuts. Geoff doesn't like apples any other time of year and we haven't managed to get out to an orchard for a few years with crazy schedules, so it was well worth the drive and the cold to visit one.
When we got back, Sara joined us, bearing the most adorable birthday cake - it was yellow cake with white frosting and a hunormous Hello Kitty! I unfortunately bumped my brand new digital camera a little too hard at the cider mill (thank goodness for the extended warranty), so I don't have a digital image to share at the moment, but when I get the film developed, I'll have to show it off - it was absolute genius.
The full dinner party started at 6:00 with the arrival of more friends: Lori and Steve, Patti and Ann Marie, Curt and Fern and Sonia. We had a log in the fireplace and I got to pick the music (a mix of stuff on my iPod, the soundtrack to "O" from the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the Barenaked Ladies's Stratford soundtrack to "As You Like It"). There was chili, burgers, salad, and of course, cake!
Everyone stayed for a good long visit, including a few rounds of "Dance Dance Revolution" (Geoff's present from my birthday last year). Then it was hugs all around and promises to get together soon. My brother Alex called at midnight to wish me Happy Birthday (he never fails to amaze me by remembering to do that every year) and I collapsed around 12:30 am. I got to sleep in today until 1:00 in the afternoon. Geoff's present to me this year, in addition to our buying a new camera and printer set up as a shared item (but it's mostly for me) was a great book on digital photography. It looks like it will be a great read and I can't wait to improve my skills.
My mom met us at the house and then we took off for Windsor for my Goddaughter Amara's birthday party. She is now five and was dressed up as a pirate queen (think Snow White embellised by Treasure Island). My cousins gave me a beautiful basket with a big bunch of Starbucks goodies and I had the traditional Filipino pancit (noodles are eaten for long life). Geoff and I took tomorrow off so we won't have to rush around after a busy weekend.
So I am now 31, but that doesn't bother me. Life is very good and I am grateful for everyone and everything in it.
^_^
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
So...very...tired
Ok, so I'm not raising a child (the puppies are a mere preview to what will hopefully someday be more than just a nice idea) and I'm not taking night classes, but goodness - three nights of rehearsals for tomorrow's choir concert, plus talking with a dozen or so students a day makes me one pooped pooch.
But, if you are in the Detroit area and have nothing to do, here's one idea for Thursday night: http://www.media.wayne.edu
I'll be the one lip-synching stage right.
^_^
But, if you are in the Detroit area and have nothing to do, here's one idea for Thursday night: http://www.media.wayne.edu
I'll be the one lip-synching stage right.
^_^
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Greetings from Vegas!
Hello and howareya from Las Vegas, aka Lost Wages, aka Sin City!
Mi madre and I are on our way to see magician Lance Burton, using comp tickets we earned by sitting through a time share spiel (more on that later). The weather is nice and not very humid. There's a strong wind that will knock you over. But, as my mom pointed out, at least the obnoxious naked lady fliers have been toned down to little provocative business cards.
More later!
^_^
Mi madre and I are on our way to see magician Lance Burton, using comp tickets we earned by sitting through a time share spiel (more on that later). The weather is nice and not very humid. There's a strong wind that will knock you over. But, as my mom pointed out, at least the obnoxious naked lady fliers have been toned down to little provocative business cards.
More later!
^_^
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
"No really, I'm not as addicted to Blogthings as I look...
...I can stop at any time, this is my last one, I swear..."
Ok, maybe not, but this one was so funny, I thought it actually deserved it's own post:
We will return to regularly nonscheduled blogging after these commercial messages...
^_^
Ok, maybe not, but this one was so funny, I thought it actually deserved it's own post:
| You Are a Schoolgirl! |
 You're not quite as wild as a "kogyaru", but with your short plaid skirt and silly white socks, you're still a sexual fetish object. You can usually be seen hanging out in the girly section of the video game places, collecting photobooth stickers of you and your friends. You may not be as innocent as you look. Did those vending machine panties once belong to you? |
We will return to regularly nonscheduled blogging after these commercial messages...
^_^
Friday, September 16, 2005
Another Blogthing and more Blogthings
Heh - I'd like to think this one is true!
| You're an Expert Kisser |
 You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable |
| Your Kissing Purity Score: 40% Pure |
 You're not one to kiss and tell... But word is, you kiss pretty well. |
| Your Seduction Style: Au Natural |
 You rank up there with your seduction skills, though you might not know it. That's because you're a natural at seduction. You don't realize your power! The root of your natural seduction power: your innocence and optimism. You're the type of person who happily plays around and creates a unique little world. Little do you know that your personal paradise is so appealing that it sucks people in. You find joy in everything - so is it any surprise that people find joy in you? You bring back the inner child in everyone you meet with your sincere and spontaneous ways. Your childlike (but not childish) behavior also inspires others to care for you. As a result, those who you befriend and date tend to be incredibly loyal to you. |
Monday, September 12, 2005
ARRRRGH
Ok, I know that there is a very high likelihood that I am the lone reader of my blog. And I am okay with that, really I am. I am sure it is a sign of some burgeoning narcissistic disorder that I like reading about me as if I didn't write it myself.
Anyway, knowing that I am writing about me for me does not detract the joy of finding a comment about one of my posts (I am not so far gone that I will post in response to myself). But so far, 50% of the posts on my blog are from advertising! The last one was for some newfangled way to trade and barter in order to establish an "Interim Monetary System of Heaven on Earth" WTF?????
It's aggravating and certainly discouraging as a blogger, though unfortunately, I think it may be par for the course.
bah
Anyway, knowing that I am writing about me for me does not detract the joy of finding a comment about one of my posts (I am not so far gone that I will post in response to myself). But so far, 50% of the posts on my blog are from advertising! The last one was for some newfangled way to trade and barter in order to establish an "Interim Monetary System of Heaven on Earth" WTF?????
It's aggravating and certainly discouraging as a blogger, though unfortunately, I think it may be par for the course.
bah
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Blogthings
I've posted a few (!) of my Blogthing results off to the right of the page. I was looking at them and realized that there really isn't anywhere for someone to tell me what results they got if they took any of the blogthings. So, if you take one and want to share your result, comment on this post! I always take these short surveys with a HUGE grain of salt (and some of them are just short of being absolutely random) but it cracks me up when they seem more dead on than not. This one kinda cracked me up:
Oh, and for the first time in my life, my mental age is lower than my chronological age! If you were always "four going on forty" you understand how much of a relief that is. Now, when I am 50 acting like a 20-something, then you have my permission, nay my demand, that I be slapped to reality with.....A FROZEN HERRING!!!!
^_^
| You Are 30% Weird |
 Not enough to scare other people... But sometimes you scare yourself. |
Oh, and for the first time in my life, my mental age is lower than my chronological age! If you were always "four going on forty" you understand how much of a relief that is. Now, when I am 50 acting like a 20-something, then you have my permission, nay my demand, that I be slapped to reality with.....A FROZEN HERRING!!!!
^_^
Sunday, September 04, 2005
On a more serious note...
There are a good many places that need our donations. Of course, you should go with one that fits your philosophy and hopefully becomes the one place you concentrate your efforts, rather than a dollar here and a dollar there. Geoffrey and I have decided to send our donation for the Katrina disaster efforts to America's Second Harvest.
We are making a second donation to Unicef, to help with the Tsunami efforts.
The biggest challenge in response to a natural disaster like Katrina or the 2004 Tsunami is not just to respond as generously and as quickly as possible, but to also realize that these efforts are ongoing. They don't end once the donation is sent and the fickle news coverage moves on to other things (note I did not say bigger and better). Even if it means parcelling out the donation and sending only half each time - it's the constant flow of funds over time to the groups that need it that helps.
I am not saying that you should or should not make a donation, or even that you should or should not care. I'm not patting myself on the back and saying, "yay me" for making these donations because I know I could be doing even more. It's just that Geoff and I are often asked for advice and I thought this would be a good time to use that clout. Geoff actually gets all of the credit because he's the one who looked at the different organizations out there and determined that these were two that really seemed committed to getting the job done.
Be safe and be well, people.
L.
We are making a second donation to Unicef, to help with the Tsunami efforts.
The biggest challenge in response to a natural disaster like Katrina or the 2004 Tsunami is not just to respond as generously and as quickly as possible, but to also realize that these efforts are ongoing. They don't end once the donation is sent and the fickle news coverage moves on to other things (note I did not say bigger and better). Even if it means parcelling out the donation and sending only half each time - it's the constant flow of funds over time to the groups that need it that helps.
I am not saying that you should or should not make a donation, or even that you should or should not care. I'm not patting myself on the back and saying, "yay me" for making these donations because I know I could be doing even more. It's just that Geoff and I are often asked for advice and I thought this would be a good time to use that clout. Geoff actually gets all of the credit because he's the one who looked at the different organizations out there and determined that these were two that really seemed committed to getting the job done.
Be safe and be well, people.
L.
Preparing for the start of school
Funny how I haven't taken classes in three years (geez...) and this time of year is always the start of school. I even think about going in to work as "going to school." It's probably because I work at the same University where I completed my undergrad and grad degrees. Maybe because so many other milestones happened within it's landscaped borders - I met my husband there as well as many great friends, some still with me, many dispersed to who knows where. It was a place where it didn't matter that I wasn't the skinniest, or the prettiest, or even the funniest - I could try on a whole bunch of personas and make mistakes. Oh, so many mistakes. But, then again, so many good choices too!
This was also where I got my first job with benefits and my first full-time job. Basically, I have spent all of my adult life "at school." I must say, working where one effectively grew up has an odd effect on one's perception of time. I was never good with timelines (just ask anyone who has ever waited at least 10 minutes for me to arrive anywhere), but this one really screws with my head. The campus is ever changing and new students come in year after year, but I sometimes have to do the math to realize just how far I've come. And, to be honest, I have no intention of leaving anytime soon.
And now, to share with you just how old we really are:
BELOIT COLLEGE'S MINDSET LIST®
FOR THE CLASS OF 2009
Most students entering college this fall were born in 1987. <--I was in the SEVENTH grade, for the love of God!
1. Andy Warhol, Liberace, Jackie Gleason, and Lee Marvin have always been dead.
2. They don't remember when "cut and paste" involved scissors.
3. Heart-lung transplants have always been possible.
4. Wayne Gretzky never played for Edmonton.
5. Boston has been working on the "The Big Dig" all their lives.
6. With little need to practice, most of them do not know how to tie a tie.
7. Pay-Per-View television has always been an option.
8. They never had the fun of being thrown into the back of a station wagon with six others.
9. Iran and Iraq have never been at war with each other.
10. They are more familiar with Greg Gumbel than with Bryant Gumbel.
11. Philip Morris has always owned Kraft Foods.
12. Al-Qaida has always existed with Osama bin Laden at its head.
13. They learned to count with Lotus 1-2-3.
14. Car stereos have always rivaled home component systems.
15. Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker have never preached on television.
16. Voice mail has always been available.
17. "Whatever" is not part of a question but an expression of sullen rebuke.
18. The federal budget has always been more than a trillion dollars.
19. Condoms have always been advertised on television.
20. They may have fallen asleep playing with their Gameboys in the crib.
21. They have always had the right to burn the flag.
22. For daily caffeine emergencies, Starbucks has always been around the corner.
23. Ferdinand Marcos has never been in charge of the Philippines.
24. Money put in their savings account the year they were born earned almost 7% interest.
25. Bill Gates has always been worth at least a billion dollars.
26. Dirty dancing has always been acceptable.
27. Southern fried chicken, prepared with a blend of 11 herbs and spices, has always been available in China.
28. Michael Jackson has always been bad, and greed has always been good.
29. The Starship Enterprise has always looked dated.
30. Pixar has always existed.
31. There has never been a "fairness doctrine" at the FCC.
32. Judicial appointments routinely have been "Borked."
33. Aretha Franklin has always been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
34. There have always been zebra mussels in the Great Lakes.
35. Police have always been able to search garbage without a search warrant.
36. It has always been possible to walk from England to mainland Europe on dry land.
37. They have grown up in a single superpower world.
38. They missed the oat bran diet craze.
39. American Motors has never existed.
40. Scientists have always been able to see supernovas.
41. Les Miserables has always been on stage.
42. Halogen lights have always been available at home, with a warning.
43. "Baby M" may be a classmate, and contracts with surrogate mothers have always been legal.
44. RU486 has always been on the market.
45. There has always been a pyramid in front of the Louvre in Paris.
46. British Airways has always been privately owned.
47. Irradiated food has always been available but controversial.
48. Snowboarding has always been a popular winter pastime.
49. Libraries have always been the best centers for computer technology and access to good software.
50. Biosphere 2 has always been trying to create a revolution in the life sciences.
51. The Hubble Telescope has always been focused on new frontiers.
52. Researchers have always been looking for stem cells.
53. They do not remember "a kinder and gentler nation."
54. They never saw the shuttle Challenger fly.
55. The TV networks have always had cable partners.
56. Airports have always had upscale shops and restaurants.
57. Black Americans have always been known as African-Americans.
58. They never saw Pat Sajak or Arsenio Hall host a late night television show.
59. Matt Groening has always had a Life in Hell.
60. Salman Rushdie has always been watching over his shoulder.
61. Digital cameras have always existed.
62. Tom Landry never coached the Cowboys.
63. Time Life and Warner Communications have always been joined.
64. CNBC has always been on the air.
65. The Field of Dreams has always been drawing people to Iowa.
66. They never saw a Howard Johnson's with 28 ice cream flavors.
67. Reindeer at Christmas have always distinguished between secular and religious decorations.
68. Entertainment Weekly has always been on the newsstand.
69. Lyme Disease has always been a ticking concern in the woods.
70. Jimmy Carter has always been an elder statesman.
71. Miss Piggy and Kermit have always dwelt in Disneyland.
72. America's Funniest Home Videos has always been on television.
73. Their nervous new parents heard C. Everett Koop proclaim nicotine as addictive as heroin.
74. Lever has always been looking for 2000 parts to clean.
75. They have always been challenged to distinguish between news and entertainment on cable TV.
For the mindset lists of previous years, go here
^_^
This was also where I got my first job with benefits and my first full-time job. Basically, I have spent all of my adult life "at school." I must say, working where one effectively grew up has an odd effect on one's perception of time. I was never good with timelines (just ask anyone who has ever waited at least 10 minutes for me to arrive anywhere), but this one really screws with my head. The campus is ever changing and new students come in year after year, but I sometimes have to do the math to realize just how far I've come. And, to be honest, I have no intention of leaving anytime soon.
And now, to share with you just how old we really are:
BELOIT COLLEGE'S MINDSET LIST®
FOR THE CLASS OF 2009
Most students entering college this fall were born in 1987. <--I was in the SEVENTH grade, for the love of God!
1. Andy Warhol, Liberace, Jackie Gleason, and Lee Marvin have always been dead.
2. They don't remember when "cut and paste" involved scissors.
3. Heart-lung transplants have always been possible.
4. Wayne Gretzky never played for Edmonton.
5. Boston has been working on the "The Big Dig" all their lives.
6. With little need to practice, most of them do not know how to tie a tie.
7. Pay-Per-View television has always been an option.
8. They never had the fun of being thrown into the back of a station wagon with six others.
9. Iran and Iraq have never been at war with each other.
10. They are more familiar with Greg Gumbel than with Bryant Gumbel.
11. Philip Morris has always owned Kraft Foods.
12. Al-Qaida has always existed with Osama bin Laden at its head.
13. They learned to count with Lotus 1-2-3.
14. Car stereos have always rivaled home component systems.
15. Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker have never preached on television.
16. Voice mail has always been available.
17. "Whatever" is not part of a question but an expression of sullen rebuke.
18. The federal budget has always been more than a trillion dollars.
19. Condoms have always been advertised on television.
20. They may have fallen asleep playing with their Gameboys in the crib.
21. They have always had the right to burn the flag.
22. For daily caffeine emergencies, Starbucks has always been around the corner.
23. Ferdinand Marcos has never been in charge of the Philippines.
24. Money put in their savings account the year they were born earned almost 7% interest.
25. Bill Gates has always been worth at least a billion dollars.
26. Dirty dancing has always been acceptable.
27. Southern fried chicken, prepared with a blend of 11 herbs and spices, has always been available in China.
28. Michael Jackson has always been bad, and greed has always been good.
29. The Starship Enterprise has always looked dated.
30. Pixar has always existed.
31. There has never been a "fairness doctrine" at the FCC.
32. Judicial appointments routinely have been "Borked."
33. Aretha Franklin has always been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
34. There have always been zebra mussels in the Great Lakes.
35. Police have always been able to search garbage without a search warrant.
36. It has always been possible to walk from England to mainland Europe on dry land.
37. They have grown up in a single superpower world.
38. They missed the oat bran diet craze.
39. American Motors has never existed.
40. Scientists have always been able to see supernovas.
41. Les Miserables has always been on stage.
42. Halogen lights have always been available at home, with a warning.
43. "Baby M" may be a classmate, and contracts with surrogate mothers have always been legal.
44. RU486 has always been on the market.
45. There has always been a pyramid in front of the Louvre in Paris.
46. British Airways has always been privately owned.
47. Irradiated food has always been available but controversial.
48. Snowboarding has always been a popular winter pastime.
49. Libraries have always been the best centers for computer technology and access to good software.
50. Biosphere 2 has always been trying to create a revolution in the life sciences.
51. The Hubble Telescope has always been focused on new frontiers.
52. Researchers have always been looking for stem cells.
53. They do not remember "a kinder and gentler nation."
54. They never saw the shuttle Challenger fly.
55. The TV networks have always had cable partners.
56. Airports have always had upscale shops and restaurants.
57. Black Americans have always been known as African-Americans.
58. They never saw Pat Sajak or Arsenio Hall host a late night television show.
59. Matt Groening has always had a Life in Hell.
60. Salman Rushdie has always been watching over his shoulder.
61. Digital cameras have always existed.
62. Tom Landry never coached the Cowboys.
63. Time Life and Warner Communications have always been joined.
64. CNBC has always been on the air.
65. The Field of Dreams has always been drawing people to Iowa.
66. They never saw a Howard Johnson's with 28 ice cream flavors.
67. Reindeer at Christmas have always distinguished between secular and religious decorations.
68. Entertainment Weekly has always been on the newsstand.
69. Lyme Disease has always been a ticking concern in the woods.
70. Jimmy Carter has always been an elder statesman.
71. Miss Piggy and Kermit have always dwelt in Disneyland.
72. America's Funniest Home Videos has always been on television.
73. Their nervous new parents heard C. Everett Koop proclaim nicotine as addictive as heroin.
74. Lever has always been looking for 2000 parts to clean.
75. They have always been challenged to distinguish between news and entertainment on cable TV.
For the mindset lists of previous years, go here
^_^
Monday, August 22, 2005
Brain Test results
Hmmmm - no big surprise on this one - but the test itself is very visually pretty and interesting. ALMOST worth the $4.95 to see why my answers led to my being classified as Left-Brained as opposed to Balance-Brained or Right-Brained....
Liza, you are Left-brained
Most left-brained people like you feel at ease in situations requiring verbal ability, attention to detail, and linear, analytical ability. Whether you know it or not, you are a much stronger written communicator than many, able to get your ideas across better than others.
It's also likely that you are methodical and efficient at many things that you do. You could also be good at math, particularly algebra, which is based on very strict rules that make sense to your logical mind.
The Brain Test by Tickle.com
Liza, you are Left-brained
Most left-brained people like you feel at ease in situations requiring verbal ability, attention to detail, and linear, analytical ability. Whether you know it or not, you are a much stronger written communicator than many, able to get your ideas across better than others.
It's also likely that you are methodical and efficient at many things that you do. You could also be good at math, particularly algebra, which is based on very strict rules that make sense to your logical mind.
The Brain Test by Tickle.com
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