tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65773992482898231842024-03-13T16:38:03.525-07:00insufficient focusmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-42636036982654333212009-08-15T20:35:00.000-07:002009-08-15T20:39:49.959-07:00It was time to move. Here's my new address!I like Insufficient Focus. Cause it's sooo accurate. But it's easy to misspell and is kind of a hand cramp to type it all out. You would be amazed at the people who don't bookmark.<br /><br />Until I get bored in my new address and decide to come back here you can find random thoughts and distractions over at<br /><br /><a href="http://girlvaughn.com"><span style="font-size:180%;">girlvaughn.com</span></a><br /><br />hopefully the 3 people who read me in Google Reader will update. please please please...mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-84058624259752645352009-08-15T03:21:00.000-07:002009-08-15T03:21:00.797-07:00dare you! and by you I mean me.I've had this one in my drafts for a while. I've been afraid to commit. I get like that. Afraid. Of commitment. Don't tell husband.<br /><br />ANYWAY - it's been in my drafts for so long that I can't remember where I found the link to begin with, I THINK it was from <a href="http://dashislittle.blogspot.com/">Liz</a>. Seems like a Liz thing. And I mean that with the craziest amount of respect possible. Leave me a comment if you also linked to this site so my 12 readers will know who else rocks my world in the creativity department.<br /><br />so.<br /><br />Here's the thing. I like lists. I am trying to get my crafty on because I need even more distractions from my laundry <span style="font-size:78%;">(sarcasm) </span>and I also feel like my brain is going <span style="font-size:78%;">(abso-fucking-lutely true)</span>. This list is perfect because it's A) a list, B) crafty and C) inspiring. It should totally keep my brain going for a bit... And by publishing it here, out loud, I am committing to doing these things. right? I think I will do them in order. hmm. Except that walking is SUPER boring. Hmmm. maybe I will do them in reverse order? No. IN ORDER. 1 per week. How hard is that right? I. Can.Do.It.<br /><br />1 per week. Starting next week because walking is boring. Also, I don't really like poetry. So week 5 is gunna be tough. Also, this list is 100 things long. So I am making a 2 year commitment. sigh. See the first sentence. I.CAN.DO.IT. Also, when it says "draw" I probably won't draw. I suck at drawing. Maybe YOU can do some of the things on here, write about it, email it to me and I will post it on your behalf. We'll get through the list super fast. Just don't do any of the ones I want. Do the (hard) drawing ones. And the walking ones. Email to insufficientfocus at gmail dot com. <span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />i can do it?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kerismith.com/funstuff/100ideas.htm">The List</a>. by Keri Smith. Author. Illustrator. Guerilla Artist.<br /><br />1. Go for a walk. Draw or list things you find on the the sidewalk. 2. Write a letter to yourself in the future. 3. Buy something inexpensive as a symbol for your need to create, (new pen, a tea cup, journal). Use it everyday. 4. Draw your dinner. 5. Find a piece of poetry you respond to. Rewrite it and glue it into your journal. 6. Glue an envelope into your journal. For one week collect items you find on the street. 7. Expose yourself to a new artist, (go to a gallery, or in a book.) Write about what moves you about it. 8. Find a photo of a person you do not know. Write a brief bio about them. 9. Spend a day drawing only red things. 10. Draw your bike. 11. Make a list of everything you buy in the next week. 12. Make a map of everywhere you went in one day. 13. Draw a map of the creases on your hand, (knuckles, palm) 14. Trace your footsteps with chalk. 15. Record an overheard conversation. 16. Trace the path of the moon in relation to where you live. 17. Go to a paint store. Collect 'chips' of all your favorite colors. 18. Draw your favorite tree. 19. Take 15 minutes to eat an orange. 20. Write a haiku. 21. Hang upside down for five minutes. 22. Hang found objects from tree branches. 23. Make a puppet. 24. Create an outdoor room from things you find in nature. 25. Read a book in one day. 26. Illustrate your grocery list. 27. Read a story out loud to a friend. 28. Write a letter to someone you admire. 29. Study the face of someone you do not like. 30. Make a meal based on a color theme. (i.e. all white). 31. Creat a museum of very small things. 32. List the smells in your neighborhood. 33. List 100 uses for a tin can. 34. Fill an entire page in your jounral with small circles. Color them in. 35. Give away something you love. 36. Choose an object, draw the side you can't see. 37. List all of the places you've ever lived. 38. Describe your favourite room in detail. 39. Write about your relationship with your washing machine. 40. Draw all of the things in your purse/bag. 41. Make a mini book based on the theme, "my grocery list". 42. Create a character based on someone you know. Write a list of personality traits. 43. Recall your favorite childhood game. 44. Put postcards of art pieces/painting on the inside of your kitchen cupboard doors, so you can see them everyday (but not become deaf to them.) 45. Draw the same object every day for a week. 46. Write in your journal using a different medium (brush & ink, charcoal, old typewriter, crayons, fat markers. 47. Draw the individual items of your favorite outfit. 48. Make a useful item using only paper & tape. 49. Research a celebration or ritual from another culture. 50. Do a temporary art installation using a pad of post it notes & a pen. 51. Draw a map of your favorite sitting spots in your town/city. (photocopy it and give it to someone you like.) 52. Record all of the sounds you hear in the course of one hours. 53. Using a grid, collect various textures from magazine and play them off of each other. 54. Cut out all media for one day. Write about the effects. 55. Make pencil rubbings of six different surfaces. 56. Draw your garbage. 57. Do a morning collage. 58. List your ten most important things, (not including animals or people.) 59. List ten things you would like to do every day. 60. Glue a photo of yourself as a child into your journal. 61. Trasform some garbage. 62. Write an entry in your journal in really LARGE letters. 63. Collect some 'flat' things in nature (leaves, flowers). Glue or tape them into your journal. 64. Physically alter a page. (i.e. cut a hole, pour tea on it, burn it, fold it, etc.) 65. Find several color combinations you respond to in public. Document them using swatches, write where you found them. 66. Write a journal entry describing something "secret". Cut it up into several pieces and glue them back in scrambled. 67. Record descriptions or definitions of subjects or words you are interested in, found in encyclopedias or dictionaries. 68. Draw the outline of an object without looking at the page. (contour drawing). 69. What were you thinking just now? write it down. 70. Do nothing. 71. Write a list of ten things you could to do. Do the last thing on the list. 72. Create an image using dots. 73. Do 3 drawings at different speeds. 74. Put a small object in your left pocket (or in a bag), Put your left hand in the pocket. Draw it by feel. 75. Create a graph documenting or measuring something in your life. 76. Draw the sun. 77. Create instructions for a simple everyday task. 78. Make prints using food. (fruit and vegetables cut in half, fish, etc.) 79. Find a photo. Alter it by drawing over it. 80. Write a letter using an unconventional medium. 81. Draw one object for twenty minutes. 82. Combine two activities that have not been combined before. 83. Write about your day in an encyclopedic fashion. (i.e. organize by subject.) 84. Write a list of all the things you do to escape. 85. Cut a random shape out of several layers of a magazine. Make a collage out of the results. 86. Write an entry in code. 87. Make a painting using tools from the bathroom. 88. Work with a medium that is subtractive. 89. Write about or draw some of the doors in your life. 90. Make a postcard that has some kind of activity on it. 91. Divise a journal entry using "layers". 92. Divise an entry using "layers". 93. Write your own definition of one of the following concepts, sitting, waiting, sleeping (without using the actual word.) 94. List 10 of your habits. 95. Illustrate the concept of "simplicity".<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">shit, I don't know what subtractive means.</span></span>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-48671957442386975212009-08-13T18:25:00.000-07:002009-08-13T19:29:43.110-07:00Dangerous Neighbors, Hal Fishman, and German automobiles.Today in LA there was a standoff between the poeleece and some dude. I never met the dude. I can't say anything about him. Other people who may or may not have met the dude think it's cool to say things about him. Private, gossipy things. And my local newspapers think it's cool to report this nonsense as news.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailybreeze.com/">The Daily Breeze</a> said:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Neighbors who did not want to be identified said ____ "sounds like he could be dangerous," but he has never caused any significant trouble for them.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"He's got issues. He doesn't take his medication, he doesn't do that well," a neighbor said."</span><br /><br />Yeh, I'm pretty sure Thelma next door is an expert on mental health.<br /><br />Also, this was from an article called: "<a href="http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_13054596">Westchester neighbors say standoff suspect needs meds for mental issues</a>"<br /><br />I'm sorry - but who the fuck cares what the neighbors think? Get a freaking doctor on the phone. Get HIS doctor. But they can't. If someone who actually knows something about this man cannot talk to the news nobody should. And why is this its OWN story? Good grief people - are we THAT desperate for entertainment?<br /><br />And BTW, where is the follow-up mention from the neighbors of what they did to <span style="font-weight: bold;">help</span> this man if he was doing so poorly. Love thy neighbor and all the biblical bullshit? I guess gossip about and slander thy neighbor is good enough. I thought that was only ok when you did it on Sundays. And on the 7th day they talked shit? no?<br /><br />Ok - so you say, well it's the Daily Breeze, circulation <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Bay,_Los_Angeles">South Bay</a>, what do you expect. Right. Well I went looking for ACTUAL NEWS and headed over to <a href="http://www.ktla.com/">ktla.com</a>**** and, lemme tell ya, <a href="http://tv.trb.com/extras/ktla/hal/index.html">Hal Fishman</a> is sooo rolling over in his grave** because freaking <a href="http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-secret-service-chase,0,735045.story">KTLA</a> cited The Daily Breeze. They did say that the police "would not publicly identify" the suspect but apparently KTLA, who is owned by the <a href="http://www.tribune.com/">Tribune Company</a> who also owns the LA Times*, was not bothered by that and cited the Daily Breeze for providing it - along with more genius quotes from nosy neighbors.<br /><br />Also, they did not spell Volkswagen correctly.<br /><br />I guess my point is - don't talk about things or people you know nothing about. Sorry, Thelma, I guess I just assumed you don't know anything about mental health and that you don't have an actual job because you were free in the middle of the afternoon to talk to "reporters" - maybe you work from home. Maybe you are a therapist who works from home. Maybe you are *his* therapist and that is why you didn't want to be identified. Yeh - I'm gunna go with that.<br /><br /> --- uh, also KTLA just updated their story - but they didn't actually change anything in the story they only changed the title to say that he is in custody. The neighborhood still thinks he is dangerous. By the time you click on the link the story will probably be different and Volkswagen will probably be spelled correctly. Trust me it was all there. The neighbors might say I'm crazy but I know typos when I see 'em. (note, I did not proof read this post. Do as I say, not as I do.)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* see, in my head, since the Tribune Company owns both LA Times and KTLA, KTLA should be more reputable. Although I have not read the Times in a while***, so who knows how reputable they actually are.<br />** I dunno maybe he was cremated, he seems like an open-minded guy.<br />***I am NOT renewing my subscription stop calling me.<br />****I don't know why I thought this was "actual news". I think I was looking for a video of his car being rammed. </span>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-56622611008218991332009-08-13T03:21:00.000-07:002009-08-13T03:21:01.237-07:00Superstitions save more than just baseball games.<p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I am really sort of superstitious. If I allowed myself I could easily never step on a crack or wake up at 6:30 am again (9/11). ANNND Since I have enough cute little quirks I don't have a lot of extra time to freak out about weird and seemingly random shit and I need to really focus my crazies. Some things cannot be ignored though. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Many years ago I had the wooooorst stomach ache. I was totally convinced it was gas (sexy) or stress (because husband has me convinced that every ailment is stress related). It hurt so bad I could barely walk, let alone drive, and had to get a ride to work (oh, conservation!). I snapped at my boss (she deserved it). I couldn't eat or sleep for 2 days. And I was just generally miserable (along with everyone around me). I was IM'ing with a good friend about my aches and pains and somehow over IM we decided that I should go across the street from my office to Sav-On and get a snack and some Gas-X. After the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and pills didn't work I FINALLY called my doctor who told me to go straight to the emergency room. So I IM'd my friend again and asked her if she could take me to the ER at around 8 that night (apparently when my doctor says "immediately" I hear "In 5 hours") because Future-husband-to-be had a hockey game and we didn't think it would be worth it for him to miss it just because I had tummy ache. Turned out I had a benign tumor the size of 2 softballs. No shit. I TOTALLY blamed Sav-On. Every time I went into the Sav-On or drove past ANY Sav-On I blamed them for my tumor. Those Peanut Butter cups gave me a TUMOR! (I did not, however, stop eating peanut butter cups. It wasn't their fault, it was Sav-On's fault.)</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">And today I saw a <a href="http://twitter.com/LAsnark/status/3274476166">tweet</a> about the scammers at the Jiffy Lube on Pico and Cloverfield. Ugh. That Jiffy Lube. A couple years back I was pregnant for like 65 seconds and that Jiffy Lube was one of the last places we went while I was still pg. I completely and totally blame that Jiffy Lube for causing that miscarriage. Not because of fumes, or toxins or poor customer service. For absolutely no other reason than I went there and something bad happened right after. Stupid Jiffy Lube.<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Actually. Now that I think of it. Jiffy Lube and Sav-On had to be in cahoots. Because of the tumor I got at Sav-On I lost one my ovaries. And even though the doctors' say that has absolutely nothing to do with fertility or reproduction I just refuse to believe that could be true and I know that my <a href="http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/page?_pageid=33,47493&_dad=ptl&_schema=PTL_EP">LAUSD</a> health classes have taught me more than their med-school-ing, even though I didn't actually *pay attention* in school and especially in health class. Except when they talked about how snorting drugs will make your nose disappear - that shit totally scared me straight. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Moral of the story - don't go to drug stores and don't get your oil changed and you will live a long, healthy life with all of your ovaries. Even if you're a dude.<br /></span></p>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-72833631234165564442009-08-12T17:59:00.000-07:002009-08-12T18:21:43.154-07:00Sometimes the pressure to come up with a snappy title is just too muchMan, I was on a roll for a while there. Random thoughts left and right. Up and down. Forwards. Backwards. Upside down you turn me??<br /><br />Totally lost my mojo after that "hey, you can call me Webster because I totally redefined 'creativy' based on what *I* think is creative even though the most creative thing I have done this year is decide on what to have for lunch" incident.<br /><br />Time heals. Random thoughts starting to pop up again and the urge to whack them back down is lessening.<br /><br />You've been warned.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-22260116376228315892009-08-10T16:30:00.000-07:002009-08-10T16:37:17.380-07:00Wood you like some paper?I saw these cards at Borders recently and instantly and seriously fell in love with them. They're WOOD dudes!<br /><br />I want them all...<br /><br /><a href="http://nightowlpapergoods.com/">Night Owl Paper Goods</a>. Love.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hlT6U8Av2r4/SoCunBNSpNI/AAAAAAAAEhk/NmLblkmtF3o/s1600-h/325p.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hlT6U8Av2r4/SoCunBNSpNI/AAAAAAAAEhk/NmLblkmtF3o/s200/325p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368482741187945682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">for real. it doesn't get any sweeter.</span><br /></span></div>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-70856931653315928502009-08-05T21:03:00.000-07:002009-08-05T21:48:18.918-07:00creative: resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginativeToday someone told me that they thought one of the, uh, <a href="http://twitter.com/girlvaughn"><span style="font-style: italic;">methods</span></a> I use as a creative outlet was, in fact, not creative. That's weird. I mean wouldn't <span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span> know what <span style="font-weight: bold;">my</span> creative outlets are? Isn't that one of those things that's subjective? We don't have to all think alike do we? We don't have to all like and do the same things right? I mean, isn't it BETTER that we don't all love the same restaurants (imagine the wait for a <a href="http://www.mozza-la.com/">table</a>), the same bands (I don't like those big venues), the same shoes (hard enough to find your size). Imagine how much harder it would be to find a significant other if we ALL found the exact same qualities in a person attractive.<br /><br />Be strong. Be different. Be creative. It's scary but critics can't matter when you are answering your calling*. If the comments are not constructive, if they are not from a loving place, don't listen. Unless your creative outlet is stealing, murdering, raping, or lobbying for high fructose corn syrup have the fuck at it. If they don't like what you create they can ignore it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />*no, Twitter is not "my calling" I'm making a bigger point here. sheesh.</span>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-32923705807217135172009-07-31T03:21:00.000-07:002009-07-31T03:21:00.499-07:00I can probably pour milk on my own, right?My <a href="http://twitter.com/boyvaughn">husband</a> cooks. Yep. That's right. COOKS! And he kicks ass at it too. Even if it's "just" salad or heating some leftovers - he has the magic touch for real.<br /><br />The biggest mistake I can make is to not make plans when he is out of town. Like Wednesday night. He was gone for just one night. I thought: "easy. I can make a baked potato. Eat in. Get to bed early. Piece-o-pie."<br /><br />wrong.<br /><br />I SWEAR, all I did was heat, in the oven (recommended) some frozen veggie chicken patties and heat, in the microwave, a baked potato. Yeh Yeh - I know, the oven is better but the chickies were already in there and, bitch please, I do not have the patience to wait an hour for a potato. The chicken was meh - was ok I guess for fake chicken. I think it had freezer burn - it tasted like it had come out of the microwave - mushy and not cooked enough but still hot. And the damn potato was overcooked! AND I burned my thumb on the damn plate.<br /><br />Cereal or eat out with the girls from now on. That's it. No more of this "cooking" stuff for me.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-48381639844470043082009-07-30T03:21:00.000-07:002009-07-30T03:21:00.983-07:00A few more words about 500 Days of SummerSome things I meant to say in my "review" and totally forgot because I was too busy being out of focus.<br /><br />1) Here is a really cool guide to the locations visited in the movie.<br /><br />LAist <a href="http://laist.com/2009/07/27/map_of_the_day_the_landmarks_of_500.php">Map of the Day: The Landmarks of 500 Days of Summer</a><br /><br />2) At the Century City showing we saw what is possibly the saddest movie trailer in the history of movie trailers. I do not cry at movies. I hardly cry at all. That would require a heart. And emotions. ANYWAY - I cried. It sooo hit home for me, but even my friend who comes from a "good, loving home" was reaching for the tissues. It is executive produced by Oprah & Tyler Perry (say what?) and was a Sundance film that earned a gang of awards and was described in one <a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/lionsgate-picks-up-sundance-winner-push-oprah-winf,23317/">review</a> "perversely gloomy." Fuck yeh. I. cannot. wait. to see it, and I am already prepared for the complete and total emotional breakdown I am going to have after I see it. We all need goals right! Man, between this movie and <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/theroad/">The Road</a> - I am looking forward to drinking very heavily those few months.<br /><br />Get your tissues. Check it: <a href="http://www.weareallprecious.com/">Precious</a>.<br /><br /><object height="299" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/10959"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.traileraddict.com/emd/10959" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="299" width="450"></embed></object>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-81695325357415803492009-07-29T03:21:00.000-07:002009-07-29T03:21:00.523-07:0050 words about 500 days<a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/500daysofsummer/">(500) Days of Summer</a>. A review in 50 words (not counting the last 13)<br /><br />I like the new <a href="http://www.mwardmusic.com/">M. Ward</a> CD (music is subjective, fuck off). M. Ward likes Zooey Deschanel. So I go see her new movie.* I really liked it! I thought it was super cute. I want to work at a greeting card company that plays <a href="http://www.black-lips.com/">Black Lips</a> at their parties.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/500daysofsummer/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hlT6U8Av2r4/Sm5b-6FavOI/AAAAAAAAEhY/pJv3LpInruw/s200/poster_500DAYS_FINAL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363325342546836706" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br />* this makes complete sense in my brain. Also, this sentence doesn't apply to the count - because whenever you see "*" on here you should immediately stop reading because it means I am losing my mind. and my focus.</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">oh also, the soundtrack was really good. </span>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-80933999881517311912009-07-28T03:21:00.000-07:002009-07-28T03:21:00.798-07:00sdccSan Diego Comic-Con 2009.<br />Let's get to it bitches. A quick review of SDCC09<br /><br />1) This year the crowds were INSANE. You really need to feel love for your fellow man and your Action Figure collection to brave these crowds. And it is not just in the convention center and the 45 minute wait for an Iced Grande Soy Caramel Latte I am talking about, it's all over the Gas Lamp. Someone was saying they had to wait an hour for a Subway sandwich. SUBWAY! AN HOUR! Eat Fresh?! What?<br /><br />2) There were some cool <a href="http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci09_actionfigs_1.php">exclusives</a> - I am sure I don't need to tell you that! You are a fan. A collector! You knew months ago about the <span class="caption">Jason Voorhees <a href="http://www.shopafx.com/20sandicoin.html#jason">Bust</a> with removable mask, limited to 400 at the Con right?</span> riiight? Oh you were coming here to <span style="font-style: italic;">start</span> your collection. Got it.<br /><br />3) The Sideshow Collectibles booth was amazing.<br /><br />4) Panels - there were some really cool ones. The lines were suuuuper long. You have to really want to have your <a href="http://twitpic.com/bgswy">picture taken</a> by Neil Gaiman. Hopefully you didn't even go to the Twilight panel without a 2 day supply of food and a sleeping bag.<br /><br />5) there were people in crazy <a href="http://www.celebuzz.com/comic-con-costume-mania-g121871/">costumes</a>! Hey look a Storm Trooper!<br /><br />6) The free wi-fi was a nice touch! thank you convention center.<br /><br />So there you have it. Another year down! See ya next year!<br /><br />Full disclosure: I didn't actually go this year. It really is basically the same every year except that it gets a little more crowded and a lot douchier. My back is messed up right now so I just couldn't get my head around driving 2 uncomfortable hours in the car to walk around a bazillion square foot convention center through the CRAZY <a href="http://twitter.com/#search?q=Comic-Con%20crowds">crowds</a> and the "fans" ---<br /><br />A text I got from a friend that pretty much sums up my feelings: "Dear people who think this is cool: Stop coming. There are too many of you and you're ruining it for me"<br /><br />There are lots of people who actually WANT to come here for more than just to say that they went. When <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/207842">Newsweek</a> is doing an article about how to "look like a real fan" you know it is out of control. And the people who make fun of those women, and men, in Wonder Women costumes and talk about all of the "freaks" should really just stay home. This is not for you. It's totally jumped the shark. No longer cool. See there. It's not cool - so why would you go? You can find the exclusives online. You can watch the panels on YouTube. You can watch coverage on G4. Leave the looking like "real fans" to the real fans. There are not enough hotel rooms to go around.<br /><br />See you freaks next year!mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-83224160418357652722009-07-27T11:40:00.000-07:002009-07-27T13:46:05.450-07:00Hush Hush. Keep it down now.You know how people (and by people I mean therapists) suggest that if something is on your mind or if you have something to say to someone that you should write them a letter, you don't even have to send it - you can throw it away, but the point, I guess, is to just get it off your mind.<br /><br />I totally just did that! My "people" would be so proud. But I did it on email. So that I can just delete it instead of throwing the piece of paper away, trying to cut down on waste, y'know. And I didn't input the person's name because I didn't want to accidentally hit "send" - here is the letter in case you need to use it in your office.<br /><br /><br />From: Me!<br />To: DoYouEver.StopTalking@work.com<br />Date: really, every day.<br />Subject: Have you heard that song Voices Carry?<br /><br />SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP<br /><br />Best Regards.<br />Looking frantically for my earphones.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-41559383687403057442009-07-26T03:21:00.000-07:002009-07-26T03:21:00.436-07:00Ow. My eyes.<div> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">There should be a maximum number of fonts and styles in one email. </span> </p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I don't want to promote violence but you sort of deserve a slap to the back of your head if your<u> signature</u> formatting is 4 lines with</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Arial Bold in 10pt in black </span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Arial Bold in 10pt in red</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Arial Bold in 10pt in blue</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Arial regular in 10pt in black</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Trebuchet MS bold italic in 10</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Book Antiqua regular, italics, in 10pt in black </span> </p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">and you are writing your emails in Tahoma regular blue, 10 pt </span> </p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I beg - please stop assaulting my eyes. I get headaches. Really bad ones. Your abuse of formatting is not helping. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I would like to appeal to Microsoft to add one of those cute, but annoying, little animated characters that pop up when you are nearing the limit of fonts that common sense and consideration for your fellow man dictate</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">What should the max be? I dunno. 2? 3? It's like - there isn't a rule - but you know it when you see it. Six is too many. </span></p> </div>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-32915329616808443362009-07-23T18:49:00.000-07:002009-07-23T18:49:00.453-07:00mmmm? - eh.<p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">So there is a new(ish) restaurant in town with a fancy name and bright colors. I want to like it SO BAD. It's got outdoor seating (bring your dogs!), dark wood interior, sangria (!!), takes <a href="http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=30364">online reservations </a>(cuz, y'know I am afraid of talking on the phone), there are lots of friendly servers, and it has a well designed website and menu. In my quest to force it into being my new favorite restaurant I've gone there 4 times in the last month.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">La Grande Orange. A failed love story.<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">First visit:</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">breakfast: hash browns, huevos rancheros, latte. </span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The foam on the latte was beautiful and decent. The hash browns were greasy and delicious. And the huevos rancheros needed salt. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Second visit:</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">breakfast: egg salad sandwich, hash browns, orange juice.</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The OJ was fresh squeezed and yum! </span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Hash browns were a little greasier this time. Still didn't stop me from plowing through them. The egg salad needed a lot of salt. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Third visit:</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">dinner: Sweet potato roll, Seared Ahi Tuna Tacos, red sangria</span>.<br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The roll - omg. Soooo good. The "seared" ahi tacos were completely cooked and flavorless. The person I was with also ordered them and hers came with a side of mayo instead whatever more appropriate but completely forgettable condiment mine came with. It was just a mistake but it was kind of nasty for her to dunk it in the mayo. (unless you like mayo. then you would have been happy.)<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">The red sangria, along with the LGO cocktail she had were both really really good. They also have white sangria during the summer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Fourth visit:</span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">dinner: Sweet potato roll, miso-glazed salmon roll, crunchy tuna roll, red sangria and my friend had turkey meatloaf and a decaf coffee (uh? What?) and warm cookie with ice cream. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Again, the sweet potato roll was really good, altho not as good as the first time. The salmon roll is their "signature" roll and it was just ok. The crunchy tuna roll was equally meh. Her turkey meatloaf looked just like very thin lunch meat style slices of turkey COVERED in gravy (this is bad, unless of course you like your food to be drowned. you probably also like mayo. whatever drowns your boat.). She thought her coffee was bitter. And for desert she didn't think the teeny scoop of ice cream was worth an extra buck.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">They say it's all seasonal and organic. And I am pretty sure they shop at the local farmer's markets - all of these things are a yay. Their food is just really underwhelming. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">I think it is a fine place. Food is very average and very bland - so keep the salt close! I like the atmosphere and will continue to go back and try new things. It's a great place if you want to take visitors who are used to bland chain restaurants (I'm talking to you Cheesecake Factory) but want to try something in Santa Monica before you stroll them down <a href="http://www.mainstreetsm.com/index.php">Main St</a>.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lagrandeorangesm.com/"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">La Grande Orange</span></a> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">2000 Main St </span> <br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">SM CA 90405</span> </p>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-55727787491025530602009-07-22T17:36:00.000-07:002009-07-22T19:43:26.842-07:00Things I did not complain about today.<p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >The strong smell of perfume. Maybe some people like that. </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >People saying "ok, well let me know" after you already tell them that you are looking into something for them.</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >headaches</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >I pulled like 6 loose hairs off my shirt. I'm going bald. </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >The fact that most people spell Comic-Con incorrectly. Comicon. ComiCon. </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >How FULL I was after lunch. </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >My back</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >That sound. WHAT THE HELL WASS THAT SOUND? I had to go and find it</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >The fact that I found the source of the sound and the person is not there to turn it off and it's impossible to access.</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >People who don't know when to stop talking </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Getting a meeting invite at 1:59 when the meeting is scheduled for 2</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >"miso" and "huevos" not being in the Outlook dictionary</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >People who don't publish the whole stories in feed readers. They only publish the headline for for first few lines - NO!</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >That voice. You know the one. </span> </p>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-68748086215066129032009-07-20T19:10:00.000-07:002009-07-20T20:07:44.322-07:00Who doesn't love a circus!<p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Lately I have been thinking to myself "We really need to get to the circus more." I used to go to Ringling Bros as a kid. But nowadays I have concerns about the treatment of the animals, my husband is afraid of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulrophobia">clowns</a>, and there are like <span style="font-weight: bold;">a lot</span> of kids and it's probably looked down upon to go to the circus just to drink.<br /></span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Luckily for me there is a new circus in town. <a href="http://www.cirqueberzerk.com/">Cirque Berzerk</a>! So we grabbed a coupla good friends, hydrated and made our way downtown. The CB peeps describe their show as:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"From stilt walkers to aerialists to punk rock clowns to pro riggers, we work together as a cohesive unit to produce visions of sexy fiery burlesque, dramatic flight and vaudevillian tomfoolery. Cirque Berzerk works with both contemporary music as well as it’s own originally produced score. </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >" </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >My 10 word review: I liked it. Recommend for sure. Could use more edge.</span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >One of the men in our group provided this 2 word review: needs boobs.<br />(the other man in our group agreed)<br /></span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >It was lots of fun! I highly encourage making a trip downtown, having a tasty <a href="http://www.warungcafela.com/">dinner</a> and 7 or 8 beers before the show, getting there a little early to enjoy the "pre-party" and more drinks (I can't encourage beer, they only had Red Stripe and Miller Lite). And planning to stay a little late for the after-party where the performers come out to party.</span></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >If you are going to the show here are three important reminders:</span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >- your feet will get dirty. Wear super fancy or open toe shows with caution. </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >- if you try to clap your hands while holding a vodka tonic it WILL spill down the front of your shirt, even if you pay $2 more for Belvedere. </span> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >- bring cash so that you can get your "Safety Third" <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8695090">shirt</a>. </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8695090"><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ></span></u></a> </p> <p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Life lesson learned from the show:</span><br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >You do not have to be insanely or grotesquely thin to be a performer - but you do probably need to do a lot of yoga and stretching.</span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Pics and reviews:</span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://laist.com/2009/06/10/big_top_tent_pitched_for_cirque_ber.php">LAist</a></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/last-night/deaths-a-circus-cirque-berzerk/">LA Weekly</a></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://losangeles.metromix.com/events/photogallery/photographic-evidence-cirque-berzerk/523995/content">Metromix</a></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.thrillist.com/downtown-la/cirque-berzerk">Thrillist</a></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirqueberzerk/">Flikr pics</a><br /></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Oh, AND they have partnered with the <a href="http://www.changelives.org/home.html">Chrysalis</a> group to <a href="http://laist.com/2009/07/11/cirque_berzerk_partners_with_chrysa.php">provide jobs</a> for the homeless. Come on now. That's awesome.</span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >UPDATE: The husband would like you to know that he is not "afraid" of clowns. He just hates them because they are "evil" - noted.<br /></span></p>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-13556637894961572732009-07-19T15:21:00.000-07:002009-07-19T15:21:00.578-07:00pretend you're not worried about your jobA couple of months ago we went to some craft fair at the California Market Center and I suck because I TOTALLY CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF IT!!! dernnit. I can tell you that <a href="http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/">Intelligentsia</a> was there making tasty coffee, next to them was a stand selling cupcakes, and it was pretty big, with several hundred vendors. Oh and it wasn't your <a href="http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=8fJ&q=crochet+quilt&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=viNhSs_5K5XulAervM2rDw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4">gramma's kind of craft fair</a>. It was all hip and shit. I mean, not to say that your gramma wasn't hip. She could have been. Mine kind of was. She ran a burlesque club. And also worked loading trucks for Pabst. She also had no crafting talents AT ALL and even fewer ways of expressing love.*<br /><br />ANYWAY.<br /><br />If you have some disposable income and your walls need a little newness or you need a card to send, I highly recommend checking out these two businesses that were selling at [?] Show. I really liked their stuff a lot. Made me wish I had more money. And more walls.<br /><br />http://www.creativethursday.com/<br /><br />http://www.mincingmockingbird.com/<br /><br /><br /><br />* for you new moms out there, the inability to express love is not hip. But your kid will probably look to arts, music and similarly fucked friends for approval and therefore could <span style="font-style: italic;">end up</span> sort of hip. So either love your kid a lot and get a cheerleader** or never hug them and get a Picasso***** or a Kurt Cobain. It's up to you. ***<br /><br />** not that there is anything necessarily <span style="font-style: italic;">wrong</span> with cheerleaders. I'm speaking in stereotypes here, people.<br /><br />***don't listen to me. I have cats.<br /><br />*****I actually know absolutely nothing about Picasso. I am just assuming based on the beauty he created that he was sort of tortured and not hugged much, plus it was, what, like the 1800s when he was a kid, probably no one hugged back then. Wow. What has happened to this post? Go to those links. Buy their shit.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-46686894581536546192009-07-16T19:53:00.000-07:002009-07-16T20:23:21.201-07:00I'm Dumb. Bastille DaySo, if it wasn't for a few restaurants around town celebrating with wine I totally would not have known it was Bastille Day on July 14. I said to someone, who doesn't even drink, "Oh, it's Bastille Day" and they must have an "<a href="http://insufficientfocus.blogspot.com/search/label/I%27m%20Dumb">I'm Dumb</a>" section on their blog too because they said "What's Bastille Day?." And I had absolutely. no. idea. But I do know where you could have got <a href="http://www.carolineoncrack.com/2009/07/13/storming-bastille-day-around-town-pro-francais-events/">wine specials</a> had I posted this two days ago.<br /><br />ANYWAY.<br /><br />According to the know-it-alls that contribute to Wikipedia, Bastille Day is:<br /><ul><li>A French Holiday (knew that)</li></ul><ul><li>There is a parade. (could have guessed that - there are probably fireworks too)</li></ul><ul><li>Allie's get invited to the parade. hm. Was King Obama there? hm. Are they still mad over that whole "Iraq" thing? Was he unable to get on to the evite on his BlackBerry? And now France is all "HE DIDN'T EVEN VIEW IT!"</li></ul><ul><li>This shit has been celebrated for like hundreds of years. </li></ul><ul><li>A bunch of dudes (presumably) rushed a prison that only had 7 insignificant inmates (I'm sure they were significant to SOMEONE)</li></ul><ul><li>it's like their 4th of July. Minus the rednecks. eh, too many words. read it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day">here</a>.</li></ul><br />I wonder if people wonder about July 4th? Do you think there is a French blog that wrote:<br />"They celebrate signing a piece of paper with hot dogs, cheap beer, and fireworks?" I think so too.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-7187495128112487062009-07-15T19:03:00.000-07:002009-07-15T19:03:00.166-07:00Even I can't believe this irritates meDear Diary,<br /><br />I am distraught. I don't know what to do. See, at first when I moved to this neighborhood there was one other girl who had the same name as me. But she lives down the street in another neighborhood and when people talked about her they say her WHOLE name. So there was no mistaking who they were talking about. Then about a year ago we got ANOTHER one -- THREE! And she lives on my block. And she wears cute shoes. And then people started to assume that when they were saying my name they meant HER! BUT NO - it was me!! It took awhile for the neighborhood kids but eventually we all got it straight.<br /><br />But now. I knew it was coming. The mailman came last week and asked if my name changed. *sadness* <span style="font-size:85%;">"no…"</span> I sighed. And then today I met her. And she seems really nice. Would it be wrong of me to ask her to go by a different name? Like Ted? Oh but we already have a Ted in our neighborhood. Hmmm. Dirk… yeh, her name should be Dirk. I have to figure out a way to get her to volunteer to be called Dirk. Diary, help.<br /><br />Signed,<br />Should I change my name to Fred?mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-77869507544067609052009-07-15T07:15:00.001-07:002009-07-15T07:29:46.311-07:00not newsSo I have a rare couple of minutes before I have to leave for work - let's check the news and see what is going on in the world!<br /><br />Pop stars are still <a href="http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/michael.jackson.remembered/">dead</a><br /><br />A woman was frightened by <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/15/sotomayor.college/index.html">cricket</a> like 50 years ago<br /><br />A dermatologist has probably seen an <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/14/jackson.klein/index.html">increase</a> in business<br /><br />Drug use is on the rise - oh wait, that's just in our house - husband has a pinched nerve and was given a pharmacy to heal it.<br /><br />People are still <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/07/14/energy.drink.ingredients/index.html">stupid</a> enough to think Red Bulls are good for them<br /><br />I don't read the news for many reasons - it's sensationalized, it's gossipy. it's not "news" - I mean the fact that CNN's <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/15/katherine.joe.jackson/index.html">top headline story</a> is also the top story in their entertainment section should tell you something.<br /><br />ok, so CNN sucks for news... let's try Reuters<br /><br />Christie's has an iPhone <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE56E3AN20090715">app</a>.<br /><br />BBC?<br /><br />Sometimes older <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8152002.stm">people</a> die.<br /><br />NPR??<br />wow - NPR actually has a lot of news news... holy shit, it's depressing.<br /><br />I'm sticking with blogs and Twitter. If something is important it will find me.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-61140523631710381432009-07-13T19:02:00.000-07:002009-07-13T19:17:50.994-07:00smart - fail.One thing I am good at is beating myself up. Seriously. A pro. I am going to be having NIGHTMARES over the misuse of their/they're on the cult posting. I've been thinking about that allll day. For real.<br /><br />I would like to thank my dear friend Tina for pointing out the error - it helps me to remind myself HEY DUMBSHIT WHY DON'T TRY PROOF READING FOR A CHANGE. It's like my own personal hell. It's totally karmic retribution for something I have done. I can spot an error on a billboard a mile away going 55 mph but, fucking hell, I cannot be bothered to recheck a post or an email (I am REALLY bad about checking emails before I hit <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/keyboardsearch_outlook2002.aspx">ctrl+enter</a>.) <br /><br />I was hoping that writing this would just help to get it out of my system - and I totally think it worked! sweet...<br /><br />Oh fuck - I literally just almost hit PUBLISH without reading... ok. hang on. Alright, good thing I did - I found something... publishing in 3.2.1...<br /><br /><br />PS - If you spot an error feel free to email me - not comment. :) And I don't mean like "hey bitch you missed a comma" or "that should be a semi colon not colon colon" or "what's with the love of the ellipses, it's kind of annoying and actually you're not even using it correctly" "- those things I just don't have time for. I mean important things like "A lot is TWO words dumbshit" or "Hey, brainiac you spelled Guy's name wrong" - we all have our cute little quirks right??mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-64664552125511175672009-07-12T15:21:00.001-07:002009-07-12T15:23:34.460-07:00My husband rulesWe just had this exact exchange:<br /><br />Him: You writin' a blog?<br /> Me: Uh huh<br /> H:What's it about?<br /> M: cults<br /> H: cults?<br /> M: uhhuh<br /> H: okee doke, I'm gunna call my mom.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-39555332095928041972009-07-10T17:31:00.000-07:002009-07-13T13:30:52.199-07:00to cult or not to cultSo, I read a lot of blogs. Like, a lot. I read a lot of random blogs about a lot of random subjects. My RSS feed (which does not actually contain any "news" sources) and Twitter are how I get my news. It works for me. So. One of the blogs I read is called <a href="http://progressivebuddhism.blogspot.com/">Progressive Buddhism</a> (shut up) and I was just reading an article called "The Danger of Cults to Buddhism" and by "reading" I mean skimming, reading the first sentence of each paragraph and maybe a little more along the way. (I don't have a lot of time, y'know, I got blogs to read). And I was SORT of excited to read this one, since I have thought about cults a lot lately (don't ask), but like 1/3 through the article I got all annoyed, posted a Facebook message about it and started to go to the next story in the Reader. But. Then I went back to it..<br /><br />Briefly, I re-read this...<br /><strong>You might be a cult if:</strong><br /><br />If bizarre rituals are required by members, including any type of sexual act in order to fulfill some teaching or favor, then it is a cult. If large amounts of money or material items are required to gain favor, or to learn some teaching, then it is a cult. If the 'leader' claims to be a messenger from God or be some infallible prophet or some other mystical cosmic force, then it’s a safe bet it’s a cult. If they have 'secret' teachings or different levels of rank only obtainable through money or other types of personal consideration, and these secrets aren't open to scrutiny, then its probably a cult. If their main concern is to maintain allegiance to one or a few 'leaders' despite the needs of its followers, then it’s probably a cult. If wisdom, understanding and compassion are not given freely, with no strings attached, (with the possible exception of the request for nominal voluntary donations), then it probably is a cult.<br /><br />Then I wondered what the actually definition of a cult is:<br />According to <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult">Merriam-Webster</a><br />1: formal religious veneration : worship<br />2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents<br />3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious ; also : its body of adherents<br />4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults=""><br />5 a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book) ; especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: the object of such devotion c: a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion<br /><br />I dunno. Maybe I'm spending too much time inside but the actual definition doesn't seem THAT bad to me - I mean, relative to other things about religion. Aren't even some "normal" religions kind of "unorthodox"??<br /><br />I mean, it's kind of subjective right? As long as no one gets hurt, who the fuck cares if someone, even a "progressive buddhist" thinks you're in a "cult" - obviously there has been a lot of publicized tragedy surrounding "cults" and I would never encourage anyone to do harm but can't a lot of those things above from the Progressive Buddhist article be applied to other, "normal" religions? I mean, everything at one point was something new, different and scary right?<br /><br />So, like, hear me out for a second (or just stop reading, really I couldn't care less*)--<br /><br />Take this one: </health><span style="font-style: italic;">"If wisdom, understanding and compassion are not given freely, with no strings attached, ... then it probably is a cult."</span> - what about the understanding for gays and lesbians? What about the compassion for the poor, homeless, out of work or just poverty level workers, in our country. I don't see many blogs from the religious right showing pictures of them wearing their rainbow flag togas marching in gay pride parades. Or even allowing basic rights, like, oh, marriage. I see a lot of God-fearing powerful men wanting to remove welfare programs. How is that compassionate? Would people consider their religions "cults"?<br /><br />and, <span style="font-style: italic;">"if the 'leader' claims to be a messenger from God or be some infallible prophet or some other mystical cosmic force, then it’s a safe bet it’s a cult." </span>- um hello, Jesus?<br /><br />Now, I will be the first to admit that I know almost nothing about religions. or cults. But me thinks that as long as someone isn't telling you chop off bunny heads, give your entire salary to dump rocky road ice cream in the rivers, or rape bottle-nose dolphins for salvation, adults should be able to make decisions on their own about how they choose to worship, or not worship. Don't hurt anybody. Don't be a douchebag. Don't force your beliefs on me. But beyond that. Whatev.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">*-note that I could NOT care less.. as opposed to COULD care less. That is totally one of my pet peeves. </span></span><br /><br />UPDATE!! ok, man, I totally did not edit (OBviously - there are too many words here) and I totally did not proof read so thanks to TB for pointing out my using they're instead of their - yikes. sorry. hate that.mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-7227247412411059602009-07-10T08:29:00.000-07:002009-07-10T08:29:00.240-07:00yeh, I'm kinda tiredSo... for like TEN WHOLE DAYS, I was all working out a lot - like everyday... like at all of the gyms I belong to (except one), like at yoga studios, like EVEN doing online yoga AT HOME... I was alll motivated and shit.<br /><br />And there are a few reasons for my sudden motivation but honestly one of the biggest ones is because I thought it would help increase my energy level so that I could get all kinds of stuff done and not be so darn tired at the end of the day. I ALSO thought that because my energy level would be up that, for some reason, I would need less sleep.<br /><br />This is how it went in my head:<br />1) raise energy.<br />2) combat laziness and fatigue.<br />3) need less sleep<br />4) get shit done.<br /><br />but then.<br /><br />I saw something online (that I can't link to because I immediately closed the browser hoping it wasn't true but it's been haunting me ever since) that said athletes need 7 to 8 hours of sleep <span style="font-weight: bold;">A NIGHT</span>! wait. what? How can that be? How can my body be all exercised and lean and efficient and need MORE time to rest.<br /><br />fuck, man.<br /><br />that blows.<br /><br />Anyway, now I'm having back issues and can't go to yoga and was told to do low impact boring shit for EIGHT WEEKS AND I still probably need 8 freaking hours a night to "heal." It's a lose lose not get shit done kind of scenario.<br /><br />bah.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I don't have THE link, but there is plenty <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=7G7&ei=6LZWSq31IoWQsgP69pH0AQ&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=athlete+sleep&spell=1">online</a>. read it. not lying. it says I need MORE sleep. I just don't know how that can be. </span></span>mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6577399248289823184.post-50428398847794692942009-07-09T06:19:00.000-07:002009-07-09T08:52:20.569-07:00It's easy!Without trying too hard you could easily come up with twenty or thirty thousand things people can do to ruin your day. I have two basic things that everyone can do to improve the lives of their fellow humans. There are the really obvious ones like don't kill - which I'm just going to assume are a given and will ignore. The two things that every person should do if they care AT ALL about not being an asshole:<br /><br />1) Don't smell. Leave the smelling to the homeless. They don't have a shower, or a home, or a job and are probably wishing for all of these things or are too crazy to know they should be. You? Take a shower. Like, not EVERYday, (I shower 6 days a week - the 7th day I get to be LAZY! It's how I treat myself -shut up- unless of course I did something to make me really sweaty, then I shower on the 7th day, but I am not happy about it.) - So - don't be smelly, this, by the way, includes wearing too much perfume, wearing clothes that smell like they were washed in a tobacco factory, etc… <br /><br />2) If you are the first person person at a red light, or a turn signal, or in line at a store or restaurant and ESPECIALLY if you are in line at a coffee shop - PAY ATTENTION. I cannot emphasize this enough. As the first person in line you have a responsibility to everyone behind you to know when the light turns green, or the barista is ready for you. Do not make me miss the light because you were sending a text or putting on your makeup. Do NOT keep me from my coffee because you are daydreaming. Be conscious. Be aware of how you are affecting other people. <br /><br />That's all. See how easy it is? Maybe some people just don't care - those people deserve to drive behind people going 10 miles under the speed limit, while that slow driver is texting their friends at every red light about the asshole tailgater (that's you, er, the person who doesn't care) behind them AND stand behind every smelly daydreamer at Starbucks. For eternity. That, by the way, would be my Hell. If there is a Hell I will surely be going there - I will spend eternity in a car without shocks driving behind someone applying perfume with their right hand, makeup with their left hand, texting with their toes and who just happens to be running the exact errands I am running while blasting scat. Because in Hell the only music that plays is Jazz.<br />And Michael Jackson.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(full disclosure: I TOTALLY text at red lights. BUT NOT WHEN I AM FIRST.)</span><br /><br />mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13044554135043380416noreply@blogger.com4