Cubans, Cats and Christianity

So, Castro is ill and the Mexicans are demanding a recount of the election (at least those whose candidate lost). CNN has a jazzy graphic over the lack of a cease-fire in the mideast and lots of people have an opinion that Bush, who can't handle the crisis in Iraq and Afganistan that he created, is not handling this situation well. Well, of course, he can only fuck one thing up at a time. Give him a break...

As for me, I'm enjoying the heat, even if it is making my cats ill. I gave in and turned the AC on and now I sit in a sweater and a blanket. I turned it on and have it set at 78 degrees and it doesn't come on often, but it is freezing for me when it does. Still a sweatshirt is better option than cleaning up behind a sick cat.

Elliptical and pool time have me exhausted, but I want to comment slightly on my previous post of yesterday... Yes, I'm implying that the devil and god are one in the same. Blashphemy, I know, but then, ask if I care.

Mahalo.

Curiouser and curiouser

Interestingly, my horoscope today was a huge reference to Lewis Carroll. It is interesting as I have been thinking about doing some writing lately with regard to my favorite character in literature--the Cheshire Cat. I've recently read literati's who've written where the Cheshire Cat is the "god-like" figure in Alice in Wonderland, but I have always thought of the Cat a little differently--more devil-like. Think about it, the way the cat suddenly appears to Alice when she's at a crossroad of sorts? The way it vanishes, the smile that lingers, the advice it gives?

And, on that thought, I leave you with this for the night: If you don't know where you are going, then any road will get you there.

Parteeee

In a few moments, I will log off of Duke for the day, meanwhile, as Duke is in the process of a download, I will make one additional commentary here...

Tonight is the Bachelorette Parteee for Mal and I am in prep for said evening. We went this morning for a run through on the hair for the wedding and it looks terrific... I merely got a haircut, as I am not decided yet on how I will wear mine just yet. The shoes are covered, but everything else is still a toss up. There's time.

Last night the other hostess of the evening and I prepped and made various penis parteeee adornments. Fun stuff. Not a lot of people I would go to the effort for, but then, there are not many people whose weddings I would agree to be a part of either.

Ok, Duke as digested a Joan Jett mp3 lunch and now it is time to vaccuum, shower, chop things and clean the kitchen--amoung other things.

I bid yee all a fabulous Saturday.

Besos!

Construction Ahead

It never ceases to amaze me, from time to time, the incomprehensible driving patterns some people choose to adopt. For example, on a highway ramp where there is construction and a sign posted that says, "be prepared to stop" that someone would actually stop right then and there, with absolutely no other traffic except perhaps me behind them. But, perhaps, that is just me...

Faking it

A few Sunday's ago, I read a chick lit book called Faking It. The ending was hokey, but it was an enjoyable read if you overlooked a few items:

1 - the authors use of the phrase "Cupie Doll" to describe every females lips.
2 - the improbablity that a family of art forgers would go unsuspected for centuries.
3 - that two people could go from meeting in a closet to bad sex to married in 3 weeks.

Now, I was willing to overlook all these pieces in the sake of entertainment, but one thing has been dragging on me for the last two weeks and this morning, at about 5 a.m. Eastern time, I figured it out. No guy will steal 6 paintings for you (for free) no matter how good a kisser you happen to be.

Yep, I could suspend my disbelief on items 1-3, but that last one has me. And now that I have figured out what has been bothering me, I can put Faking It to rest.

Government Entertainment

The United States government has put up a website devoted to the entertainment and enjoyment of those who happen upon it. The FEMA website is supposed to provide its visitors with information on various disasters and helping with emergency preparedness. I came across this useful resource while working on a risk analysis... what I find extremely helpful is the procedure for what to do before and during a tsunami:

Turn on the radio...

Also, you will want to note that you should not go to the beach to watch the tsunami come in... however, they do point out that if you are near the coastal area and can see the tsunami coming in, the chances are that it is too late for you to seek shelter... so I guess, enjoy the phenom???

This, sadly, was not the worst of the government information that I was able to gleam from the web today. No, it seems that the state of Michigan has a mitigation plan to reduce the costs related to flooding in the state. It seems that there will be a huge monetary savings if all structures that lie in a flood area were simply removed. Why didn't anyone think of that before now?

Oh, and by the way, we remain at a terror alert of Yellow. In case anyone was terribly concerned.

G'nite!

Rain, rain...

Rain canceled my walk for this evening. So, to the elliptical I went. The cats are quite pissy about the abundant amounts of water needlessly falling from out of nowhere. They keep checking only to find that it is still wet out there. Vinnie is afraid of thunderstorms, so I had to pry him out of the closet. Lance Bass of N'Sync fame also pulled himself out of the closet this week as well... and the world let out a sigh of.... "WHO?"

I seem to be rather tired suddenly; perhaps the result of just now getting to sit down. I even ate dinner standing up in the kitchen tonight--a habit that I have pretty much broken, but still happens on occassion. Work out, shower, laundry, dishes, groceries, cooking dinner... not bad for a Wednesday. And now, I believe it is time for a falling asleep in the big chair under the guise of wathcing Sex and the City.

Capt'n and I are OUT.

Face lift

Hopefully, this new template for the blog will help eliminate some of the problems of it being randomly broken.

And, now, bedtime.

Sparking Romance?

Apparently, I checked off a box in my SparkPeople account that indicated I would recieve promos from their partners. Today, I opened my inbox to the horror of the reality of this box being checked. It seems, eHarmony is a partner with a special offer to me as a Spark People member.

First, I shrieked in fright at the notion. Secondly, I went into my account and unchecked the box that caused this gem to appear.

eHarmony promotes themselves by being unique in that they give you personality tests and profile you against other profiles that are compatible. Even the best pyscho can lie his way through the personality testing. I know, I've tried eHarmony. The one guy I ended up going out with pretty much was under the impression that we would be married within the month... then, he proceeded at the end of the evening to explain to me that the light in his car was broken because he couldn't figure out how to turn it off, so he smashed it with his fist. It might have shocked me, if the rest of the night had not been so drastically psychotic. There was the serenade ala Billy Joel in the midst of the comedy club and the not letting go of my while we walked down the street and the suggestion that we walk around downtown Ann Arbor at midnight (it was a holiday weekend, so no one was out and it was raining). Those are just the highlights of the evening.

This was a few years ago, but it left such a scar, I've not been able to look at an eHarmony ad without thinking about how I hid in the bathroom at the Club flipping through the numbers on my mobile wondering who I could call to get me the hell out.

And, on that very depressing memory, I bid you all a good night. Wonder Woman is tired.

G'nite.

Explosion Therapy

Anything that starts out with "The great thing about owning a cannon..." is a worthwhile glance. Check it here.

Crushes and Superheroes

The end of the weekend came too quickly. Mom has packed up and is already back home, cleaning up the mess that dad managed to create in just a few short days. I, too, have cleaned up the mess here, taken a nap and prepared for the week ahead by compiling the laundry into one basket and compiled a list of the to-dos.

So many things happening lately, and so much time has passed... but let's begin with an area of utmost importance on my mind lately: Calvin Klein. Mr. Klein and his clothing, fit me quite, quite well: style-wise and fit-wise. Unfortunately, Mr. Klein does not fit into my budget these days, which is rather sad. Mom told me I had to get over my lil' crush on Mr. Klein, but ahhh, it goes so much further than that--after all, I named one of my cats Calvin in his very honor. But, my style seems to always exceed my current wallet--in shopping and other areas of my life. Ah well, you never know.

Still, there were some great Calvin Jeans, and while they were afforable, they we all in the wrong size. Even in my highest heels, a 33 inch inseam is not going to work for me. Then, there were some fabulous shoes at DSW... but I stayed strong, I did not buy those particular shoes--I stayed in budget and bought the only pair of shoes that I had planned--for a wedding I will be in a few months from now.

Moving on to other hot issues on my mind right now, it seems SciFi channel is creating or airing a new reality show beginning sometime soon entitled, "Who wants to be a Superhero?" Who, indeed? Wannabes--nothing worse than that. Fortunately, I've always had superpowers and really, I feel no reason to flaunt them. What I do need, is a good costume, but why limit myself to one--I have an entire closet of fabulous costumes... and HEY, I wonder if Calvin Klein does superhero garb? Silly question; it's all he does! :)

Finally, the last issue is that of Duke. There was some conversation of a pirate name, and really that is what Duke is. I dubbed my machine Duke after Hunter Thompson's character in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas--Raoul Duke. For the description of this machine, I wrote it is the great american novel. I went with Duke, rather than any other character name--or even my favorite character name because Thompson was a pirate, he was portrayed by Johnny Depp, who is a pirate and also plays a pirate on screen... but also, because every time I sit to write anything lately, the line from Fear and Loathing comes to me: "Now let's get to the heart of the matter...." Three days ago, my horoscope said that all the talk would get me to the heart of the matter--it is a theme that has popped up lately in my music choices and in the mindless droning of the tv in the background--and I have to think that there are few coincidences and there is a greater cosmic foreshadowing or lesson from the gods that I'm being pointed toward. So, that is the story of Duke. Duke is an inspiration toward finding the Truth.

Cap't Duke and I signing off.

Mahalo.

Welcome, Duke

The new Dell arrived yesterday and I have it almost completely set up now. Almost. The name suggestions were great--thanks! My Dell is now named, and I write to you from Duke.

Soon, Duke will be properly equipped with my iTunes set up and I will be off to bed. There will be more tomorrow.

Until then... besos!

Art Fair and New Dell

My new Dell is set to be delivered today!! Still need a name for it :)

Mom is here and we are heading for the Art Fair today... I'm excited. More later.

Dell Production

I can't be sure, but from the order status page Dell provided, it actually takes longer to box a laptop than it does to get the order, build the machine and test the machine. My new laptop has been in the boxing stage (there is a stage for this whereby they put the machine and all manuals, etc into the box and send to pre-shipping).

With kind of efficiency, I would suspect that they have children making 12 cents an hour coloring in the logo on each box. Get Charlie a new blue crayon and get on with the boxing stage already.

Meanwhile, Super Power B is sqeaking like something fierce is trying to get out of it... which reminds me-I will be requiring a new name for my new laptop. Suggestions?

Finally, Warmth

Well, it was finally warm enough that I went swimming. Actually, it was ALMOST warm enough to give brief contemplation to turning on the AC. It was momentary and I of course did not. I don't like being cold; it is far more uncomfortable than sweating a little.

I would have liked to spend more time at the pool, but the noon hour was passing, the number of children screaming seemed to be doubling exponentially and I hadn't eaten yet, so I left. Turns out, a hour in this sun, even with sunscreen present, was enough to toast my skin a nice brown--any longer and I think I could have had a nice shade of red.

So, I had some lunch, have been adding fluids regularly, took a nap, cleaned some and generally have had a lazy afternoon reading a poorly written, yet charming commodity-fiction that I picked up from the library. "Faking it" was recommended to me and I read another of Jennifer Cruise's books when Mal gave me one for a gift. Her stories, while cellophane are charming nonetheless and for a hot Sunday afternoon in July, well, the thoughts of reading Dante's Inferno were not all that appealing. Which, is why, when I picked it up at the library yesterday, I returned it to the spot on the shelf--without doubt it will be there later, when the air is cooler. Dante, I'm convinced, along with other authors, are meant to be read in the easy temperatures of Autumn.

I'm not sure why that is, but if something is on fire, you don't dump gas on it...

Where, oh, where have I been?

Good evening folks, miss me?

I do apologize for the lack of presence this week, but it seems my trusty "Super Power B" is failing me... I.e. my hard drive is driving itself headlong into oblivion.

Thanks to a friend, it is holding out for a while, and I managed to back my harddrive to my Ipod. That I could do that was news to me, but thankfully I can... so those who teased me for buying "the biggest one" can really go suck it, it has saved me and all my writing, pictures and music while the new Dell is being constructed and delivered.

I also looked at apartments today and think I will be moving back to either Ypsi or Ann Arbor. Novi was an option that I think has gone the way of my hard drive. I simply loved one of the options today, and barring something completely fabulous and nearly free, I have a feeling I will be in Ypsi come October. Still, I need to do some due dilligence and there are a few other factors I need to work on in the next few weeks, but overall, things seem reasonable. More details will follow later--along with requests for boxes and eventually, volunteer slave labor.

Work has kept me busy, but I like it. I realized this morning that I probably need to make myself leave a little closer to quitting time this coming week as I was dreaming in data analysis and Power Point presentations. For those wondering, I work in Quality Assurance, or that is my title, but what I do far exceeds the title on most days or just doesn't really fit so, I go with the flow. I feel lucky that I get the opportunity to contribute in the ways that I do. It's the first time I told an employer that I wanted to be challenged and they have lived up to it. It was slow at first, but it came in floods suddenly one week and that's all she wrote.

Well, a brief update, for sure, and ignoring all the ruckus until another time as I hear the hard drive squeaking sadly and I just got off the ellipital after 30 minutes of max heart rate work out bliss and now that I'm not sweating like a mad fool in this 90+ degree weather, it is time to shower.

Until later, lovelies, remember to eat your veggies :)

Fraud and democracy

Well, Mexico's election have not come without claim of fraud... how is this different than any other election, you might ask? I'm not entirely sure, but the Left is not letting go just yet... Hats off to you Obrador--you will the Gore!

And, for those who think Dubya has not done much outside deplete our resources and create a useless war, well... he founded in 2003 the US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba... is there oil in Cuba we don't know about? You can read about it on the BBC since US news doesn't think it is very newsworthy... afterall, there are no bombs or anything just yet--only a mere $80m pledge to free Cuba. I would like to know who the hell is freeing us from the idiot regime? Don't even tell me that there is an election year coming up and I can vote--that election has already been bought and sold. I eagerly and with vast nausea await the announcement of the highest bidder. Mexico has nothing on us.

I encourage you to visit the July 10 wisdom from Owl Farm. Nothing more need be said tonight.

Here's to a revolution. Mahalo.

The Jokes Over

Coincidence that the day I pick up a Rolling Stone with Johnny Depp on the cover with a Hunter Thompson reference would be the same day that I pop into Ralph Steadman's page to find that his new book, "The Joke's Over" which he not only illustrated, but wrote:

My new book, The JOKE's OVER emerged as a form of therapy after the shock of sudden death following the suicide of my friend of 35 years, Hunter S. Thompson. He always said that he would do it but that does not prepare you for the reality of the brutal act. As I once printed on a brown paper bag in hand set type, damn near 35 years ago, 'I have always known that one day he would take that road, but yesterday I did not know that it would be today'.

Well, I'm excited. The covers look fabulous (yes, there are 2 one for the UK and one for the US). Release in the UK and US occur in the first week of October--so there is still a wait, but I have a feeling, it will be worth it.

Gonzo Pirate

It is the cover of this week's Rolling Stong with Johnny Depp on the cover. At first, I thought it was clever and appropriate, then I thought WHOA, that really is kind of redundant. Nonetheless, the concept provoked a serious image in my head of precisely how a gonzo pirate would look. Rolling Stone is the only publication that could ever get away with calling Depp or his character gonzo pirate. And now, I think I need to transfer the image in my head of this depraved concept and allow it a life unto its own.

Oh, and one more happy bit of news... as I was reading the RS interview, Depp is definately playing Hunter Thompson's character in the adaption of The Rum Diary... which is one of my favorite Hunter books; I have read it more than any of Hunter's publications and started re-reading it again this weekend. I highly recommend it and I cannot wait to see the movie version--I hope Benicio is still on in the production, neither IMDB nor Beni's website list it any longer on his slate.

(Note added later: As much as I love Beni and his work and as much as I would like to see him work with Depp again, I really wanted him to have the opportunity to play in the Rum Diary as it takes place in Puerto Rico, which is where Beni was born and raised until he was about 7 or 8.)

Mahalo.

Gallery

Last night, the Washington Street Gallery in Ann Arbor had a reception for their latest show 12 + 12. Typically, I love going to the receptions because not only do you get to walk around and see the pieces with a lil' plastic cup of wine, but you usually get the chance to talk to the artists.

First off, I have been to this gallery on numerous occassions, so why it was last night that I blanked on its location is beyond me. As, you see, the Washington Street Gallery is in fact located on Liberty Street. So, after dragging SK up and down Washington Street, saying, I swear it is on this block and getting a blister on my toe, we headed over to Starbucks, which being on Liberty prompted my memory as to location.

Upon arrival, it was very, very crowded and not very condusive to seeing the pieces. What I did see, I really liked, and I will have to go back. I've never been to a reception there that was so crowded. We spent more time in looking for the place than we did inside. This is a big show for the gallery, they ahve 12 members and 12 invited guests whose work is displayed and it runs through the infamous Ann Arbor Art Fair, so it is likely that most of the works will sell, too. Indeed, I will be taking mom to see the exhibit when she is here for Art Fair in a few weeks. There are two installation pieces that I cannot stop thinking about.

And now, back to the art of cooking dinner and then playing in my own paints.

Mahalo.

Pirate!

I'm still trying to process Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest. It was slow, and at times confusing... don't get me wrong, it was still enjoyable--but I would like to know why it is that Davy Jones can only step foot on land once every 10 years. If this is a common fact, I must be a bad pirate, but since it was mentioned more than once in the movie, a simple explanation to remind the rest of us would have been helpful.

I don't want to give it away for those who are still planning to see it: so be FOREWARNED, comments to this post WILL contains SPOILERS and as you see the movie, please feel free to post your thoughts as well.

A pirates life

Oh, I'm off to see Pirates in about an hour--if I can get myself in the shower and dressed... LAZY morning by all accounts that will undoubtedly turn into a lazy afternoon.

Landslide!

I don't think that one can call an election a win by a huge margin if there is less than one percentage point between the two candidates. That said, it seems like Obrador lost to Calderon in Mexico. The AP article I read earlier today called it a huge margin... at least the NYTimes has the decency to call it as it is--narrow victory.

Not that Obrador is conceding just yet... he's taken a page from the Al Gore book of defeat.

Calderon is referred to as the "champion of the poor" but I don't think Mexico will see anything major in the next seven years. Not that Obrador would have been more effective... much like the elections in the US, it is a picking of the lesser of the evils... and in this case, it was slim pickings.

For a view on this election that is worthwhile, see the transcript from Subcomandante Marcos' radio address regarding this election. Or more amusingly, the San Francisco Gate's covering of the election... or rather, covering Marcos' radio address. At least, if you are into the politics, it is far more interesting to see a US newspaper covering the story using predominantly the Zapatistas take on the situation.

G'nite.

Independence Day Part 2

Since I was having laptop issues yesterday, I did not get the chance to conclude my thoughts on Independence Day, so I shall today...

It ended up being a rather quiet holiday, surprisingly. Even the pool was low key and relatively calm. I enjoyed the afternoon cooking and painting. My vacation ended yesterday, and today was back to work... fun times playing catch up to a few days away.

The holiday seemed to pass quietly and without much stir. I, for one, am appreciative of that. Especially since we are not free. I saw a t-shirt that I very much liked and seems to echo my own angst lately... "stop bitching and start a revolution"

Of course, that particular shirt was not available in my size... BUT, Mal found one for me while shopping over the weekend that I may end up having to go back for later: Why do I need a boyfriend, I haven't done anything wrong.

Given my mishaps at dating in the last year or so... might be appropriate? Recently, I took out another online personal, the dating pool is quite shallow as I'm seemingly in re-runs now getting the same guys responding that I have already gone out with and ruled out before I had a full drink. Interestingly, I did not include a photo with this ad... J suggested I move to Chicago--they have a larger pool of ineligible men to go through.

Perhaps, part of the problem is that I'm just not that into trying right now. And that brings me back to the idea of freedom--and we are not really free. Even if our government and political situation allowed for our true freedoms, we trap ourselves personally. And how to we begin that revolution? Online dating? An hour on the elliptical? Pilates? New cookbooks? If I find the answer, I'll be sure to let y'all know.

Elections Results ... In recount

Even though I wasn't going to like how the Mexican election turned out regardless of who won, it seems we won't really know who won for a while. In a play book right out of "Elections for Dubyas" Mexico seems to have an issue of claims of frad and ballot tampering on their hands.

It remains to be seen who the bigger crook to get the job of running Mexico will be, which ever one can pull off the narrow margin will be the victor.

ARRRR

Leah commented earlier that her son wanted to be a pirate for Halloween... I say why wait, be a pirate everyday!!! And her son would make a fine pirate!!

Heh, I serve only to be a bad influence on the children of my friends.

Speaking of being a bad influence, I found the cutest onzies -- pink with a pirate symbol on the front... now, I know Baby Z really liked my Supergirl 'S' when I was visiting a week ago, but she might also like a pirate outfit, especially in pink!! Alas, her momma says she has too many clothes, but then, as Aunty Nikki, I really don't see where that is any kind of deterrant...

Ay!

Random bemusement

A lesson I learned today and would like to pass along--just in case you were not aware of this, but apparently, if you drive a 'Vette, traffic light signals (and I would imagine traffic laws in general) are really not applicable to you. Clearly, if you are the driver of a 'Vette, you are far more important and where you need to go is obviously more important than anyone else on the roadways at that particular time.

So, yep, just something to keep in mind when you are sitting at a red light and see the 'Vette pull up behind you, or along side of you, or coming in your general direction... they clearly own the road and do not have time for you, traffic control devices or anything in between as their destination my implode if they do not arrive 5 seconds before the light turns green.

Now that you know this very important fact, you may go about your weekend.

Very quickly...

On Dolly Parton, whom I have long admired and respected...

I subscribe to thinkexist.com daily quote and today's comes from Dolly, and showcases why I love her so (aside from her very gifted writing ability and unique vocals):

Find out who you are and do it on purpose

.
Amen to that.

Independence Day, Part 1

Tomorrow is Independence Day in the U.S. What that means, is that in the true spirit of American holidays, most people have a long weekend in which to overindulge in high fat foods, alcohol and pyrotechnics. The latter two always going well together... Apparently, given the traffic on the golf course, it is also a good time for very bad golfers to give it a go. It is still early, so the drunken guys in golf carts have not yet appeared... they usually are the ones with the balls crashing into my patio screen and carts nearly hitting the trees... this mornings group are just really bad swings.

For example, there is a guy golfing right now who appears to be in hid mid to late twenties and is wearing shorts and a t-shirt--nothing too hideous, but it seems also has his white socks pulled up to his knees. Far too young for that... and could not hit the ball 5 feet over the sand trap. Par for this hole, I doubt very much, is 6... LOL

There is also someone moving into my biulding today, and either the movee or his friend is named Jake... same as one of my cats. So, I have a very confused and frightened kitty this morning as he hears strange voices yelling ::Jake:: every so often. Heh, just wait until the pyros get out there with their fireworks a little later... this weekend it particularly traumatizing for cats. They don't remember it from year to year--all they know is that they are suddenly and viciously under seige.

Now, there is household responsibilities to attend to... so until later today...

A brief moment

I feel I've been neglecting my blog... and I promise myself that I will get back on track by tomorrow.

In the meantime, this link will take you to an article, which highlights one of the very reasons I so admire Johnny Depp.

Until later...