Your Mileage May Vary

@ A247

Background Noise: Only

Last Visited: Long Ridges Gallery

Random Thought: This should be the fastest moving day ever; hopefully they'll do me a favor and remove this extra desk nonsense

Mood: Not as angsty as my background noise might imply; i blame the random shuffle for that one

The first time i bought these shoes they were $35; now they're $80; however, they were basically one of my favorite pairs of shoes of all time, so my question now is, do i (a) buy them again anyways even though they're more expensive (b) buy them in the two remaining colors because they're awesome and wonderful and i should pick them up while they're still around or (c) sigh and say that season was over and i should find a new pair to adore. 

Thoughts? 

(You might be wondering why i'd need to buy them again; well, the short answer? I managed to destroy the heel on one if not beyond repair than close to it. Actually the story of the destruction is pretty funny, but i'm so not even close to being witty enough this morning to tell it well, so, um, you'll have to call me to hear it... though, those who've heard it already don't think it's that funny at all. Maybe it was my delivery.)

The pictures are from my various ramblings this weekend (please see the Long Ridges gallery); I think i've finally gotten a handle on using that wide angle lens; it's still not my favorite, or rather, this couldn't be the only lens i took on a trip as it's range is limited, but, i think some of the pictures i've gotten with it are quite nicely dramatic, so, who knows Dave, you might have to loan this one out to me for a while. 

Oh, and by the way, the best-tacos-ever place in Pescadero? Makes the most amazing burrito i've ever eaten; the view that came with it was also pretty mind blowing. 

Expression:

I want my html-only editor back

Background Noise: fox; i'm not too proud to admit it 

Last Visited: Did humans colonize the world by boat? I think the more interesting question is why would everyone put that option out of the realm of possibility? 

Random Thought: holy crap, crystal skulls aren't just a figment of Lucas's imagination 

Mood: thesaurus says: enervated 

I'm going to start by saying this isn't an apology, exactly. See, i've kinda fallen in to a bit of a black hole lately, pretty much being consumed by (a) work, (b) working out, (c) things that are on my calendar, (d) sleep, and when i feel the need to run away (e) in my car with my camera. Everything else in the realm of reality? Um, not in mine right now. 

This, honestly, makes me feel like an ass; i'm not returning emails as quickly as i should, i'm blowing off phone calls, i'm not responding to facebook notifications unless i have an extra 15 seconds... you get the point. Also, this makes me feel fairly boring; i haven't kept up on all of my news or gossip, and honestly, half the time i'm in a situation where i'm supposed to be conversant, i'm not focused and more over really just too tired to be charming. 

... But that isn't exactly an apology; it's more of a back handed explanation. I can't entirely be sorry because i need to be off the map for a bit right now. It happens. So, um, there. (I actually am kinda sorry though.) 

OT, Moment of Truth got renewed? Seriously? Please let me know that that particular fact isn't going to make it into the annals of history; i can just see some future Indiana Jones trying to decipher what that show indicates about our culture; it might rank somewhere around the gladiators in the colosseum. (And not in the fun, "boy isn't Maximus the man" kind of way, but the "oh, we're going to kill 10,000 people just because we're bored and it's funny" kind of way; though, by killing so many people i suppose the Caesars were just doing their part to stave off global warming...*). 

Oh, right, i was actually posting to say that i tried a new wide angle lens with my camera tonight, the results have been added to my Party, Horses gallery, and i'm trying to decide what i actually think of them. 

... now i need sleep. 

* please see The Black Plague may have caused the Little Ice Age

Expression:

Thou art to me a delicious torment

Background Noise: Sneaky Red
Last Visited: comfy; miss comfy.
Random Thought: “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.” -Emerson.
Mood: consult your gut and decide

Names have been changed to protect the theoretically innocent.

Micha: I'm not in the mood to watch Brazil anymore.
Grace: Good, me neither.
Micha: This is what i have...

{They scan the never ending list of movie files available on Micha's computer}

Grace: i should make you watch a chick flick
Micha: i could be down with a chick flick
Grace: you're kidding; god, i should punish you with Coyote Ugly for saying that
Micha: no, no, what's that one with Marilyn Monroe?
Grace: Some Like it Hot?
Micha: yeah, or, hmm...
Grace: well, you have An Affair to Remember - but that's so long
Micha: Oh! I've got it!
Grace: what?

Micha: Fight Club!

I heart my friends.

Expression:

Money, Spending, and Technology Adoption Rates

Background Noise: seems like a GG afternoon
Last Visited: Horseback riding near Bodega Bay
Random Thought: we can't be lost, we don't know where we're going
Mood: good

OMG, i got flowers for Darwin Day! awesome!!!

Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and humanity held on or around February 12, the day that Charles Darwin was born on in 1809. Specifically, it celebrates the discoveries and life of Charles Darwin -- the man who first described biological evolution via natural selection with scientific rigor. More generally, Darwin Day expresses gratitude for the enormous benefits that scientific knowledge, acquired through human curiosity and ingenuity, has contributed to the advancement of humanity.

Now that is a holiday i can get behind.

Sort of switching topics, i find this chart by the New York Times displaying how American's spend their money quite fascinating; want to know the breakdown of the lowest, middle, and highest income brackets? want to watch adoption rates of technologies over the last 100+ years broken out by income? what to see how the general population breaks up their budgets as a comparison factor for how you live? It covers a lot of ground, and i keep seeing new things each time i look at it. Anyways, happy Darwin Day!

ps: sigh, Senate Approves Telco Amnesty, Legalizes Bush's Secret Spy Program

Expression:

Finally, something takes me away

Background Noise: Goodbye Until Tomorrow
Last Visited: facebook
Random Thought: 5k? Bring it on.
Mood: drained.

Oh, Friday... hello, darling, i've been looking forward to you all week. Every morning when i've woken up i've thought that you were here and was crushed each time i realized you weren't. But all that is behind us now, love, and we can look forward to this weekend, the 5K, and next week in Tahoe.

Brought to you from my iPhone and the letter Z.

Expression:

Sniffly.

Background Noise: Dancing, Elisa
Last Visited: a very happy website
Random Thought: sometimes you have to make up for things you didn't even realize you missed
Mood: so sniffly

Never underestimate the wisdom of Rogers and Hammerstein:

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings These are a few of my favorite things Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes Silver white winters that melt into springs These are a few of my favorite things When the dog bites When the bee stings When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad

And never underestimate how absolutely lovely picking the right gift can make one feel; even if one might have half spoiled the surprise. Seriously, giving presents is almost more fun than getting them. Almost.

Expression:

Storms Approaching

Background Noise: Just Friends, Amy Winehouse
Last Visited: barb's lovely new blog
Random Thought: you could turn a girls' head by backing her up
Mood: rapidly heading south

The other day a complete stranger called me a depressive, narcissistic, workaholic.

... and while i'd be perfectly willing to give you the occasional "workaholic", um, i really can't agree with the "depressive" or "narcissistic" parts. I could be wrong - lord knows that happens - but, really? Me? Narcissistic? Are we kidding? I was half worried that my facebook profile might in any shape or form indicate such a description, but... well, that's for you all to judge, i suppose.

Honestly, if you pull "depressive" or "narcissistic" when describing me or any of my profiles please let me know, because the only thing that indicates to me is that i'm slacking on maintaining my online form.

But generally, things are going really well. Sure work is driving me absolutely crazy, but U of M has begun to play football, i'm wearing smaller jeans than i was last week, i have friends i love hanging out with, and a crazy cat who is terribly entertaining.

Oh, and i have a killer camera kit ready to roll home to Michigan with me on Wednesday.

And, let's not forget, not only will i be home for my birthday for the first time since i've been out here in the land of the setting sun, i will actually be at the Big House for a game on what is looking to be a lovely Michigan Fall Day.

So, if it looks like i'm overly cranky or crabby, short tempered, or overly snarky, please forgive me and try pinging me again when i'm not at work; you'll find my mood drastically improved. Hmm... maybe i just shouldn't update facebook when under the influence of DA8....

Expression:

Not a Geometry Jedi

Background Noise: I Melt With You
Last Visited: starbucks
Random Thought: Yoda, with all your great powers, you should have at least been able to hover your way home instead of sleeping on the floor at the office.
Mood: caffeine starting to flow

Last night at Target the customer's in line in front of me decided to pay with cash - a $50, a $10, two $1s, one quarter, and an series 1995 $20. The girl at the counter (who i'm assuming was perhaps just-of-legal-working-age) looked at the twenty slowly, a look of confusion coming over her face. She turned to another counter and called that cashier over,

"What is this?" she asked.

He, and I, looked at her aghast, "a twenty," he said.

"This is money?" she countered back obviously not convinced.

I had to jump in, "you've never seen one of those before?"

"No," her voice now filled with wonder that another person was backing her cashier friend up, "this is really money? How do you tell if it's real?" she was now holding the bill up to the light looking for a water mark.

"There's a stripe down the side," i answered (how many bills did i check at the movie theater? at the coffee bar? well, actually, i only checked them when i wanted to be annoying, but that isn't the point - and no, i didn't use that damn pen).

She saw the stripe, decided to believe me, and finished ringing up the customer.

When it was finally my turn to check out she was a little embarrassed, a little confused, and very, very young. "I've really never seen one of those before." I said something that i hope made her feel more comfortable, decided to use my debit card instead of cash, and went home.

The thing i have trouble believing out of the whole exchange is how it was possible this girl had never seen that particular bill before. I mean, the new (monopoly looking) bill was only introduced in 2004 and is hardly out of circulation. And though i'm getting more used to seeing Mr. Jackson's giant face staring gravely up at me (as if to say "can you believe the inflation rate in this country? All my attempts at killing centralized banking didn't seem to work") the new bill still looks more like play money or even the Canadian bills than real currency.

How funny someone as young as her thinks the opposite.

Expression:

Sweet Cream Biscuits and Thimbleberry Jam

Background Noise: The Kill
Last Visited: the 10-second interview... which, took much longer, actually
Random Thought: Thimbleberry jam: cheap at $19.99/ jar
Mood: nope, still doesn't feel like a work day

I so should be updating my Leopard install right now - on my laptop, the desktop is (kinda) done. ish. Yep. I should start that.

... But i need to find another ethernet cable... and... well, i'm trying to figure out what to make Brett engrave on my iPhone with his nifty spiffy laser. I mean, my name, obviously. But... he has a really cool programmable laser... i kinda want an image of some variety aswell. Because goodness knows i'd never normally be able to get an image so that means i'm pretty much required to now do so.

I could go with the block M (go blue!). Then again, that seems a bit too easy. How about this?

Sure, it's a bit girly, but it would be distinctive. What do you think?

Should i get this design engraved on my iPhone?

• Yes! I love it!
• Yes to the name, kill the bird
• Don't get either

Created on July 6, 2007

View Results

more at twiigs.com...

But enough about phones; lord knows things have gotten out of hand with this whole thing - there's even (gulp) an iPhone Musical. Kinda. It's both brilliant and horrifying.

Besides, there are other things going on: my parents bought a boat for the little yellow house (to go along with the dock, the new windows, new appliances, new floors, paint (colors!), and hopefully a deck replacement. There are a whole bunch of movies out to see, and plane tickets to buy and books to read... really, there's more to life than technology.

... though i have to admit... having background music while reading a book in the park with no headphones necessary is really nice....

Expression:

High Volume Day

Background Noise: Don't Look Back In Anger
Last Visited: email backlog
Random Thought: i'm not calm enough yet to have the conversation i need to have
Mood: tired, trying not to give in to the old stress

Hi. So it's another month again, and i have a feeling today will be another blit of small postings instead of one big one - which is great because a) i don't have time to write one big one b) a heck of a lot has happened since i was here last and c) well, because i honestly will probably keep forgetting some little detail or another and i'll just have to post again. Oh, and d) because i don't think i'm actually fully ready to dive back into work and this will be a great distraction.

My rent has apparently gone up again - this time by $109. Charming. I loved the email i got from my apartment manager (isn't he leaving? when?) after i dropped off my rent check last week (early, because i was going out of town) when he said "remember, this month your rent is going up" - it's funny because i never got the first notice. I'm guessing he put a note in my mailbox, but as he knows i almost never check my mail and as i've specifically requested that all changes to my rent be emailed to me because of the above... yeah. Love the notice is "by the way, you're short on your rent and i'll need that other check."

Which i need to remember to get tonight.

Party.

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