| Day of Listening Part 2, Hippo Birdie to me, and other stuff |
[Nov. 29th, 2008|01:09 pm] |
So yesterday after I did my Day of Listening post I then tackled a project that's been hanging over my head for a while: clearing crud off of my desktop computer. This took HOURS. Thank God for my laptop which helped distract me while I dealt with click, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait, click, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait, lather, rinse, repeat. I started around 2pm, took a brief break for dinner, and only got to a point of "Good enough to be done for now" at around midnight. Yeah.
Protip: If you are going to be in a situation of being stuck waiting for HOURS, TV Tropes is your friend. (No, I won't link. Then I won't see you guys again for days.) It's all about using that time-sucking power as a force for good, people.
So that's why I didn't get around to answering the questions yesterday, but I shall today! Especially since it's a nice way to pass the time as I sit here on the couch with a Luna draped across my wrists. (She says hi.)
( Answers thisaway ) |
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| National Day of Listening |
[Nov. 28th, 2008|02:50 pm] |
Today is the first annual National Day of Listening. I find this to be a very nifty idea. I also see no need for it to be limited to people you can talk to.
So! I want to listen to you guys! By which I mean read, though I suppose there could be voice posts as well if people were so inclined.
I'll start off with some questions from the website. Feel free to answer or ignore as many as you like. Replies can go here or post in your own journal. And by all means spread the love around! Encourage others to participate! Come up with questions of your own! I'll do some answering of my own in a later post, so if there's anything you'd like to hear me natter on about let me know!
And thank you in advance for enabling my geekiness. =)
( Questions! ) |
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| That's the stuff |
[Nov. 26th, 2008|07:16 pm] |
Got off work at 3 today which allowed me plenty of time to get home and do Thanksgiving prep. I'm just in charge of dessert this year so my part was easy. I made apple cake since I figured that would be appropriately seasonal as well as not too heavy for post-turkey nomming.
Four day weekend, which is also of the good. I intend to knit and clean and play with my spinning wheel and read. Or kick back on the couch with things like the Deadliest Catch marathon and never stand up again. Either/or. Regardless, I'll consider it a weekend well spent.
Now all I have to do is get through the night not eating that yummy-smelling cake. CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT, I TELLS YA. |
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| We gather together to watch cheesy movies.... |
[Nov. 22nd, 2008|11:12 pm] |
I'm a little stunned that Thanksgiving is coming up so soon. It's not as though we didn't have a proper fall with pretty leaves that lasted for a while. Or nice crisp weather. But I feel as though November should've lasted longer. Who knows? Either way there will soon be lots of turkey and, in a week (Nov 29, mark your calendars) will be my birthday. So there's really no wrong to be found here.
Tomorrow I'll be doing the traditional brunch plus local Thanksgiving parade. Afterwhich I'll... do something. Not sure yet. Depends on how awake I am and how frakking cold it may be outside. I mean I love cold weather but DAMN.
Went to see Twilight last night. I wasn't planning on going but one of my movie buddies from work asked if our movie-watching gang wanted to go see Twilight and NONE OF THE OTHERS KNEW WHAT IT WAS. THEY JUST FIGURED IT WAS A POPULAR MOVIE SO WHY NOT?
Naturally I filled them in on the best details over our pre-movie dinner. They are now well aware of how Twilight means never having to say you're kidding. One of them spent the entire movie laughing. Like she couldn't breathe for laughing. It was awesome.
(And we made sure to sit in the back so as to try to contain any obnoxiousness coming from our end. We didn't go in intending to harsh anyone's squee or anything like that.)
And now I watch a Semi-Homeade Thanksgiving which features a dessert with FOUR KINDS OF SUGAR ON TOP OF IT. INCLUDING MAPLE SYRUP MIXED WITH POWDERED SUGAR. Much like Twilight, you can't make this shit up. |
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| Post-election thingness |
[Nov. 8th, 2008|06:34 pm] |
Today has been a nice fall day, with rain and relaxing. My week was insanely busy with post-election squee and a HUGE project that had me staying late on Thursday. So do a whole bunch of nothing today has been nice.
I'm sure by now you've seen Change.gov, which is oh so shiny and reminds me of things like yes, we are going to have a president who doesn't try to define birth control as abortion. (It's a slow process of realizing all the awesome, lemme tell you. I'll be walking along, doing my thing, and then go "Oh my GOD he had an entire mention of SUPPORTING THE ARTS!" There's just too much awesome to take in at once.)
Apparently some Republicans got together and did their reply to Change.gov, which is Rebuild the Party. Based on the list of people working on this it doesn't seem to be an official Republican Party thing so much as a thing made by Republicans. Which is good because if this was an official reply to Change.gov I think my suggestion to them would be "You can start rebuiilding your party by understanding how what you have here is in NO WAY a real response to what Change.gov represents. And until you get that you will be going nowhere fast."
Semi-related to this, I have an honest question though it may sound rhetorical. You know all the folks who said it was unAmerican to criticize Dubya and the current administration because that's the office of the President and "real" Americans do not disrespect it? What are they going to do when Obama's in charge? I mean it's safe to say he'll be doing things they don't agree with, since they didn't vote for him. Will they not say anything? Will they finally understand our point of view? Or will they find some way of saying that Obama's not the real president without ever understanding how their reactions relate to ouros?
Again: I'm not being rhetorical or snarky with this. I'm actually curious to see how that pans out as the years go on. |
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| Yes yes, oh god yes we can |
[Nov. 5th, 2008|10:57 pm] |
The mood at work was celebratory. There was actual spontaneous high-fiving. It was hard to stay focused what with the remaining excitement, the exhaustion of staying up late, the crash of coming down off of the excitement high, and so forth. Plus we all wanted to sit and talk about how we'd spent the night before (common phrase: "And when FOX NEWS called Ohio for Obama I knew something amazing was going on") and how awesome the election had been.
It's a definite contrast to 2004. I was dork enough that I actually - happily - wore purple today to represent our red and blue working together. Big change from 2004 where I felt like I'd jsut found out that the entire country hated me personally. (Not that certain pockets aren't still qualifying for that, CALIFORNIA WE'RE LOOKING AT YOU, but still) I wore red, white, and blue on election day and felt happy about it.
The line for voting was longer than it was in 2004. I checked back on my notes from 04 and the line then (same polling location) had bunched up upstairs but once down the stairs it went out the door. This time it was bunched upstairs, went down the stairs, and then wrapped around the downstairs 3 times before the door.
There's so many things to see and read today that make you tear up. But as much as I got weepy yesterday it didn't really fully hit me until I was driving home from work. I think because that was the first time I could sit alone with my thoughts and not have to think ahead to work or where I had to be. I was listening to my upbeat mix via my iPod and Everything is Everything ("After winter, must come spring...") got me sobbing. In the best way possible.
I now close this out with the oh so true words of my Older Brother: "[A]fter the last eight years we've all earned a new puppy." |
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| OH MY GOD!!!1 |
[Nov. 4th, 2008|11:06 pm] |
WE DID IT! THANK YOU GOD WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 |
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| RadioTBQ: Election Eve! |
[Nov. 3rd, 2008|08:28 pm] |
I am INSANELY worked up over this election. I'm dying over things I hope to God don't pass, and I'm bouncing with glee over casting my vote.
My state doesn't have early voting so we'll be blowing our wad tomorrow. Polls open at 6. I'm going to head over sometime in the 7-8 range to hopefully get the first wave of commuters out of the way. I'm prepared for this to be long. I'll bring something to read and wear comfy shoes and we'll see how it goes.
Anyway, some links on this election eve:
538's Nate gives a rundown of what to look for on election day in terms of when you should be cheering or trying to throw up.
If you haven't voted yet, make sure to check out these anti-gay, anti-choice measures. Read carefully, some of these measures are sneaky and aren't worded in a way to make it obvious as to what the measure is really about. Take a sec to click the link and find out what's what.
Finally, if you vote you can get free ice cream, free coffee, and free sex toys! GOD BLESS AMERICA, PEOPLE. |
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| Politics n such |
[Nov. 2nd, 2008|11:33 am] |
I just had far too much fun sending book samples to my Kindle. Why is this defined as too much fun? Because my Kindle hasn't been delivered yet, that's why. (Though as of yesterday it has been shipped! EEEEEEEEEE!)
I am also looking forward to Election Day like a kid on Christmas Eve. Yes, as a child I would look forward to Election Day on Christmas Eve. I was a very nerdy and prescient youngster. Did I mention how the other day I had a nightmare that I slept through the election? Obama won but I was all "I didn't get to vote!! WAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"
Though it's worth remembering that there are things going onto the ballot that have nothing to do with the presidential race. Senate seats are up for grabs, local political positions may be open, and of course there are the various propositions and referendums and what have you. If you haven't voted yet it's worth it to check out what's on the menu. Ballotpedia is one place where you can get a rundown. Take a lesson from me, because I only recently found out about Question 1 which is a sneaky attempt to try to set things in motion to overturn the CT ruling that allows gay marriage. (And if anyone is reading this who can vote in CT, please vote no on question 1).
I point this out not just to advocate against question 1, but also to demonstrate that it just goes to show that you could be a political news, gay-rights info junkie like I am and still have stuff sneak by you.
And while I'm on the subject, if anybody out there can vote in California or knows someone who can vote in California, please vote/ask them to vote no on prop 8. To all reports the anti-gay marriage "Yes" voters are putting out a killer campaign and it's going to be a close one. Making things potentially worse is the concern that if Obama has a significant lead as election day wears on, there could be people in CA who decide not to bother to vote and thus not vote on prop 8 either. So please please please get the word out that we need all the No on 8 voters we can get. |
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| Pictures! |
[Oct. 31st, 2008|10:04 pm] |
Okay, my camera and my computer are finally talking to one another. So I have lots of pictures for you all!
I won't kill your browsers by putting them all here. Instead I've uploaded them to my flicker account. I'll put previews here and if you want the rest you can click to see the sets.
( My spinning wheel )
( Rhinebeck 2008 )
( Me in my Halloween costume - I'm the economy! ) |
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| Not quite dead |
[Oct. 30th, 2008|08:18 pm] |
Feeling a bit better today. Fever went down. Still tired and mentally loopy but that could be due to the cold meds too. Either way I was able to make it into work so that was of the good.
Last night I had a nightmare that I slept through the election. Obama won, but I didn't get a chance to vote! I was quite upset.
...as though there was doubt that I'm a nerd.
(And I just ordered a Kindle for myself. Which doesn't relate to the dream, but does relate to being a nerd) |
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| I wasn't even handling any rats... |
[Oct. 29th, 2008|07:20 pm] |
Have apparently caught plague and/or Martian Death Flu.
On the upside, was able to leave work early to go home and nap and snuggle with cats. Cats thoughtfully provided much purr therapy.
Downside is 3 hours of sleep and I still don't feel hugely better.
Going to be a waaaaaaaay early bedtime for me. |
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| At least there's an upside? |
[Oct. 21st, 2008|09:46 pm] |
My internet was down when I came home.
So I made apple cake, courtesy of ![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/userinfo.gif) versailles_rose's recipe.
Who wants some? |
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| The newest member of the family!! |
[Oct. 19th, 2008|05:46 pm] |
Okay, I took all kinds of pictures of the festival and my new spinning wheel and when I went to upload them for some reason my camera and computer decided they weren't speaking to one another. Clearly I'll have to send them to couples counseling.
I am way too brainless right now to try to problem solve this, but damned if I'm not going to post a picture of my new baby! So out comes the trusty camera phone, which doesn't take the best pictures in the world but will at least do as a stopgap for now.
( Spinning wheel, this way! ) |
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| Home! |
[Oct. 19th, 2008|01:23 pm] |
Am home safe and sound. Going to unpack and nap and cuddle cats, not necessarily in that order. Will post more later (hopefully with pictures).
Spotted on the drive home: A car with a bumper sticker for McCain, a bumper sticker for Palin, and a bumper sticker that said "Some choices are wrong." Hmmm, gotta say I couldn't agree more.
(Oh ironic juxtaposition, how we love you) |
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| Random things from NY Sheep & Wool |
[Oct. 18th, 2008|06:51 pm] |
Am back in my hotel room after a looooooooooooooooooooong day during which I did my part to help the economy. I am the best patriot. Notable purchases: A spinning wheel, and a weaving thing. Don't ask. I mean I'll go on about it later, but I swear I was only going to get the spinning wheel as far as new hobbies went! Honest!
Place was HUGE and I'm still not sure I saw everything. What did I see everywhere? Clapotis (Clapoti?) TONS of folks were wearing them. The only thing that came close in terms of random people I saw wearing a similar thing? Obama buttons. Awwwwwwww yeah. Almost makes up for the "Women for McCain" bumper sticker I saw on my way out.
Did not meet up with Ravelry people because I was too busy shopping to head over to the lunch meetup. Be amazed I stopped shopping long enough to have lunch.
And now I am back at my hotel room and I am never moving again. Did I mention the part about being on my feet nearly the whole day? Yeah.
Also my nose may have a sunburn. Go fig! |
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| *thud* |
[Oct. 16th, 2008|08:53 pm] |
Work was INSANE today. But luckily I got everything done by the time I had to leave so I didn't have to stay late like yesterday. I am totally burnt out though so right now I'm just catching up on my reading and watching TV.
I did want to share this, though: Obama talking to Joe the Plumber. Here's the awesome thing: Obama spends over five minutes talking with this guy and giving him a thoughtful answer to his questions. Also, Obama doesn't do the politician thing and try to say things to make it sound like what Joe wants to hear. He basically says "Yes, there is a chance that you might be paying higher taxes under my plan. That is frustrating. However I feel too strongly about tax cuts to the $250,000 and under people to change my plan." Which... when has a politician done that? Ever? Outside of Jed Bartlett? And for McCain to have taken this moment and turned it into "Obama is picking on poor Joe the Plumber and everyone like him!!!" just misses the point by several extremely wide country miles.
(And, because it bears repeating: "Health" of the mother! In AIR QUOTES!! WTF???) |
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| Radio TBQ |
[Oct. 15th, 2008|09:06 pm] |
As I sit here trapped in cat bondage (seriously, Mac is lying across my wrists like a pair of extremely dense yet furry handcuffs) and waiting for the debate to begin, I have time for some links.
( As always, tags indicate topics )
Finally, outside of the cut so more can see it: stoney321 is doing a 3-Day walk for breast cancer. she explains why far, FAR better than I ever could. All I can say is that her doing these 3-Days is just one of the many reasons why I think she is utterly awesome, and if you have a couple of bucks to spare (hard in this economy, I know) please follow the link and donate. As she says, even if it's a dollar, it's a dollar more than she had before. |
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