Montly archives
2004 :: Day One
Why anyone would want to hear about my New Year's is beyond me. Still, there will be at least one person with a vague interest, mostly fueled by the ramblings (of the spicy internal monologue variety) resembling something along the lines of, "Was bare skin showing, and is there photographic evidence?"
S deserves a purple heart for what he endured last night. Frankly, he may have been the one man in the entire universe who had it right and should therefore be the envy of every red-blooded man alive. He showed up around 8 - Em & M still in pajamas. Liquor was promptly served :). Picture his world: in the apartment of 2 hot chicks, serving them liquor, watching them slither from one flesh-baring getup to the next, constantly being asked, "How do my legs look in this one?" or "Should I be wearing a bra with this?"
E and I made it up to him later. There's about a dozen photographs floating around my website (or soon will be after I stea, er, borrow them from S) where he's getting love from 12 random ladies. FACT: if you're a single guy trying to pick up women, having gorgeous female friends increases your stock exponentially.
When the clock struck 12 it was pandemonium-a-plenty. I received phone calls from 2 people very dear to me, toasted with my friends, and took 60 seconds to look around the restaurant and soak in heaping portions of nuzzling couples and adoring friends.
All in all the evening was an astounding success for the simple fact that I was surrounded by people I love (by proximity or by phone). Check out some pics in the galleria.
PS* This entry wouldn't be complete without giving hella-kudos to our server Ryan (see gallery). After we bought the first round at the bar, he comp'd the entire rest of the evening! Not only did he comp our bill, he sat through pictures, served at least 15 other people coming in and out of our booth, and was a general hero for putting up with our antics (not to mention big mouths) all evening.
Design v1.0
Because I told Dave I would introduce him to the rest of the world, I now am. Dave, World. World, Dave. Dave is a 6'4-ish, smart-mouthed geekazoid of monumental proportion and stature. He does, however, have some taste in the areas of music and video games. My soul purpose in 2004 is to get him switched over from POS X-Boxes to PCs. It will happen. Oh yes, it will happen. Anyone wishing to reach Dave and give him sh*t about his unhealthy taste in consoles can direct emails to my inbox. I will be sure he hears from each and every one of you.
I have an announcement to make. It should come as great surprise to the mass population that a complete redesign of my website is well under construction. V1.0 should be released sometime this month and will blow each and every one of you away. Any one of you opinionated blogging regulars with suggestions or comments are welcome to post. I will most likely promptly ignore you or shoot down your lame-ass comment for the world to see - however, if your suggestion is acceptable you will receive major props :).
24 hour log
Last night was something to remember. Or rather, pass out and forget. Either way it was a blast and full credit goes to my girl E and later S who joined us out.
6:00 - Maggs is sad because 42 isn't the right answer
7:30 - Em comes home from breakdancing and promptly tells me that she's taking me out.
7:31 - My snotty self tells her it's ridiculous, splotchy doesn't go with anything in my closet.
7:45 - We are walking to Ike's. Apparently black goes with splotchy
8:00 - First martini is served sans dinner. We decide tonight is going to count.
8:15 - We're telling each other how pretty and wonderful we are.
8:20 - Second martini is served. Our bartender Sharky is questioning whether serving that second drink was a smart move. Nice girl with red hair sitting next to us is chatty. She also has a smart striped purse.
8:40 - Walking back to the Newsroom is ridiculous. Weather is 10 degrees and windy; decide ducking in to McCormick & Schmick's is a good idea. Mainly because of the prospects sitting at the bar.
8:41 - 2 absolute cape cod's please :)
8:45 - Em finds out her cute man is dating the Bea-Arthur look alike working behind the bar. Hilarity ensues.
9:05 - We're back on track to the Newsroom. Yay!
9:07 - 2 absolute cape cod's please :)
9:10 - S shows up and decides the pah-ty is finally getting started.
9:17 - E chats up a table of Eau Claire transvestites. Er wait, Eau Clairians transplanted here.
9:23 - Photos ensue - see them here.
9:24 --> 11:30 - Margaret leaves her memory at the door. Apparently along with her sobriety.
9:25 - - 2 absolute cape cod's please :)
11:30 --> 1:45 - D.R.I.N.K. ensues (bar downtown). Margaret has forgotten her sobriety at the last bar. Decides there's little point in going back for it and charges full steam ahead to the next stop: Tequilla Rose. Actually, there may have been more like 3 Tequilla Rose stops. Em & Maggs are booty shaking, body movin' dancing queens. Well, that's what the circle of people around us were calling it anyway.
1:46 - We leave S to it with Em's Irish drinking, wait, Irish soccer-playing buddies and cab it home.
8:30 am - Maggs wakes up to what's officially been awarded and named "The Worst Hangover".
3:30 pm - Maggs 'n Em walk to Newsroom for tea. Three cups a piece later, we run to Barnes & Noble in search of bathrooms.
5:28 - Maggs is sitting on the floor of the bookstore, camped out first in the computer section and later the art section. Emily is sitting in front of fiction. We decide we are a couple. A couple of losers.
6:15 - We're at Target now. I picked up the movie "Possession". It's a gift to myself really, a movie I've wanted to see for at least 2 years. I also pick up corn.
6:28 - Clerk giggles because anyone buying deoderant, corn, and a movie at 6:30 on a saturday evening is most definitely a bachelorette.
7:00 - Made it home and eat Em's homemade stew. It is amazing. Simply amazing.
7:45 - Movie goes in. I'd like to take this opportunity to let everyone know 2 things: #1) the movie is fucking fantastic in a way that only a geeky, graphic designing Minneapolite artist and her equally geeky roommate can appreciate; and #2) Jeremy Northam bares such a striking resemblence to B that I am speechless. I'm also reminded how terribly good looking my dear friend B is, at which point Em and I bring up his pictures to 'ooh' and 'aah' at.
The true story of a single Minneapolite and her roommate.
Mona Lisa Smile
Saw "Mona Lisa Smile" tonight. I give it 4.5 stars for the mere fact that if it hadn't been such a chick flick men would love it too (in which case it would have gotten 5). Julia Roberts is beautiful in it.
For the record, I did cry at the end.
Power of 10s
S has a theory, and so it goes....
Power of Tens.
You talk to 10 people...
Of those 10, 1 will give you their phone number...
Of 10 of those, 1 will go out with you...
Of 10 of those, 1 will sleep with you...
Of 10 of those, 1 will be something special...
Of 10 of those, 1 will be Ms Right...
meaning 10^6 or 10x10x10x10x10x10 which equals 1,000,000 conversations before you find the right one.
Sugalishious
Got one of my late Christmas presents to myself today - delightfully delishious music. I have allowed myself to indulge, just a smidgen, in to this pop-thing going on. Lyrics from my favorite song on the album "Angels with Dirty Faces". I am such a girl today!
"Stronger" ~*~*~ Sugababes
I'll make it through the rainy days
I'll be the one who stands here longer than the rest
When my landscape changes, rearranges
I'll be stronger than i've ever been
No more stillness, more sunlight,
Everything's gonna be alright
I know that there's gonna be a change
Better find your way out of your fear
If you wanna come with me
Then that's the way it's gotta be
I'm all alone and finally
I'm getting stronger
You'll come to see
Just what I can be
I'm getting stronger
Sometimes I feel so down and out
Like emotion that's been captured in a maze
I had my ups and downs
Trials and tribulations,
I overcome it day by day,
Feeling good and almost powerful
A new me, that's what i'm looking for
I didn't know what I had to do
I just knew I was alone
People around me
But they didn't care
So I searched into my soul
I'm not the type of girl that will let them see her cry
It's not my style
I get by
See i'm gonna do this for me
v1.0 out 'n abowt
Version 1.0 up and at 'em. What do ya'll think?
Maggs' to-do list:
- finish skinning the blog
- implement customizable themes
- skin the gallery
On a related note, I got word today that I am officially moving in to the role of designer at my company (effective immediately)! Unfortunately we're understaffed so I will only have a set number of hours per week devoted to the new position until I can move full-time. But for anyone who doesn't know I've been after this position for some time, so this is a huge move for me! Yay!
More to come soon ya'll....
Promotion!
It's official - I've been promoted to "Web Designer Developer"! There will be an announcement going out today to some of the teams. Yay!
S, Em, and I are going out this evening to celebrate. As some of you know I've been after this position for some time and will now be able to use my passion to make a living. Hee hee - I'm so excited!
PS* I have THE grooviest sister ever. She went out and bought the Mask of Zorro for me after Christmas and sent it to me virtually next day! I'm not so much in to the Antonio thing, but damn! Thanks sis!
Sopheava Etymology
List of favorite things today:
chipotle || anchor tables (which very few people know were once medieval torture devices) || "The Da Vinci Code" || fur elise || bella || the sound of a violin || kitten fur || flannel sheets || vanilla scented candles || walking home with Em || new job || organic black tea || east asian calligraphic art || friday evening's spent soaking in the bathtub || indigo || venus
Someone asked me yesterday what the hell a sopheava (pronounced SO-FEE-AVA) is. After some careful thought I responded, "It's ME!" I know I'll be asked a hundred times where that name came from so let me put it out in the open once and for all.
When it came to deciding my domain name/alias/screen name I knew it would have to be something ingenious. After all, it IS 2004 and nearly anything and everything has already been swiped from right out under me. Thus, one evening in (shocker, I know), I sat down and started scribbling jibberish - literally. I found out very quickly that the name I picked must be plucked from thin air and would, in a single instant, be associated with me for the rest of eternity! No pressure at all. So what were these aforementioned words sprawled across my paper? See partial list above as I've included some of them on my list of favorite things today...
At the end of the day, I'm still a homeopathic, zen-loving, spiritually harmonizing bozo and the name I picked also had to be of a certain numerological value. Two favorite words emerged quickly: "sophia" - the greek word for wisdom; and "eva" - derived from the Hebrew word chavah "to breathe" or the related word chayah "to live".
I smushed them and ta-da! --> sopheava.
Sopheava Scrabble Style
Completely pointless entry, but I'm putting it in any-who...
Pholph's Scrabble Generator       My Scrabble© Score is: 16. What is your score? Get it here. |
5:55
Not the best start to my day. I've been tossing and turning all night in a fitful sleep, and now I've woken at 5:55 am only to be absolutely sick to my stomach. I honestly can't remember the last time I vomited. *le sigh*
Before anyone asks, I spent the night in watching movies, so what the... ? Will anyone bring me chicken soup if it's the stomach flu?
Stomach flu update
Dang, this flu has kicked my arse. I would have been on sooner to let everyone know I was OK but I slept 16 hours straight, without getting up even once!
Huge, amorous, mad props go out to D for bringing me the following yesterday afternoon:
1) medicine to help stop me from throwing up (it was cherry flavored kids medicine laced with sugar, but it seemed to do the trick)
2) medicine to completely knock me out - for 16 hours! He thought it would be a 6 hour sleep, but he was off by 10 hours ;)
3) medicine to help with the body aches and head aches (which I will promptly be taking after I finish this update)
4) medicine to break the fever I was running
5) saltine crackers - which I've officially eaten 5 of since 5 am this morning
6) white soda
7) chicken soup, which I will promptly eat as soon as my appetite finds its way home - not nearly as good as Debbie's homemade variety, but it's still soup
I'm headed back to bed now. Thanks to everyone for the concern!
Read idly
Alright kiddies, it's a new day! *claps hands excitedly* Whilst I may have spent 8 hours on the bathroom floor Sunday, and more than 16 hours unconscious between then and yesterday... today is a new day! All will be happy to know I'm sitting here in front of my faithful computer drinking - gather close - water. Yes, the stomach flu may have been strong but it's now fact that I'm stronger.
Read a fair amount the last couple of days, as one often does when laid up in bed. Refer to chart below:
Scenario #1) Rainy day (I'll allow cold to substitute if you're anywhere near Minnneapolis) spent in, looking for a fast-paced, quick read of a good time. Does not require thinking or memorizing, only an attention span long enough to make it the length of a chapter at a time (which, on average, last 2-3 pages). For this scenario I highly recommend "The Da Vinci Code." And believe me folks, this book has hollywood written all over it. Perhaps Richard Gere as the lead??
Scenario #2) Completely tired of all the normal sh*t at the bookstore and looking for something magikal, perhaps a savoring a slight twinge of a time long forgotten. If you're like me and seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy, reading the LOTR books won't cut it. Who can be bothered when Peter Jackson did such a magnificent job telling the tale (even Oscar will probably agree). And with Narnia and muggles being bumped off "everybody's been there and done that" list, "Eragon" shoots right to the top. Yes, yes, at first the book is a bit hard to get in to. There's secret shmeg languages and at times you feel like you're reading The Hobbit. But soon you find yourself longing for a dragon of your own and by then you'll have somehow made it to page 300. Time-wastefully delightful!
It's about that time when I have to get ready for work. I hereby solemnly swear that if I'm not feeling well at noon I will march myself home and back in to bed. Fingers crossed. Wait, er, heart crossed ;).
Healing et al
My sincerest apologies for not writing more this week. As its been, I've been bloody tied up recovering from this -what I've now decided is the- flu. I'm pre-emptively apologizing for the next few days as well since I'm still not 100% and will probably spend much of the weekend nursing myself back to health.
In other news... *everyone should have a massager. There are no words for the genius that is homedics.
*Random question of the day - if you could be any medieval character what would it be? (I know all you closet D&D'rs have your fave's). Out with it!
Creative-O
This was my super-productive, fantastically creative, zen designing weekend! We'll just call it the Spfcdz-Dweekend for short. Yes, yes, every designer has their "way" about them, i.e., the special rain dance they do before the creative gods bestow rain upon their barren canvas, and frankly I am no different. I may have 8 hours a week completely devoted to redesigning our software, however in Margaret time that doesn't really mean jack.
Let's face it. Taking complicated software and dreaming up 4 completely new and different designs, with several modular restrictions, rules, and guidelines ain't no easy task. Fortunately for my employer I'm of the upper east side, anal retentive variety, which means I do my research and take pride in my work. And let me tell you, there was some serious belly-laughing going on as I checked out the competition last week. Ha ha, ho ho, hee hee. With confidence surging, I began to feel that whatever I did would be fantastical.
This is where the process gets a bit murky. As I sit down ready to prepare the first mockup, there's something about the scenario that can only be described as searching for my creative-O. Mysterious and ellusive, will it or won't it make an appearance today?
Unfortunately for me, last week wasn't my week. Just as I would get in to the groove, my time and attention would be distracted as other non-design related issues came along, and would in most cases park itself in the chair next to my desk demanding attention. So whilst the majority of the pop. was taking their Saturday to nurse a hangover or as the French say shop le drop, my creative-O decided to drop by for a slumber party. That's right kids, not only did I get 4 mockups done this weekend, there were 13 variations on the theme! Oh yes, we ate pizza together, stayed up all night together, even lounged around Sunday morning in our pajamas together. Qutie the bonding experience.
So here it is, 3:52 am Monday morning. If my neighbors weren't quite so drunk and insistent on playing music at illegal decibals I would be sound asleep, redesigning away. As it were, my neighbords are drunk and insistent on playing music at illegal decibals which means I'm awake and redesigning away. Ce la vie.
Looking forward to this week! :)
Proposal to Simplify English languag
(c) 2004 T. Oesau
- eliminat "ph". "f" works just as wel. al ocurences of "ph" wil be replaced by "f"
- "i befor e exept after c" wil becom "i befor e. period."
- duble leters wil be purged
- al plurals wil end in "s", not "es"
- capitalizasion - whats the point? the whol of the uper cas is gon
- the sufix "tion" wil be eliminated. al words ending in "tion" wil now end in "sion"
- the apostrophe in contracsions wil be removed
- silent leters ar gon. if theyr silent, they serv no purpos
- al ocurences of "qu" wil be purged wher "k" wil work just as wel
- any combinasion of "el" when not ocuring at the begining of a word wil from henceforth be "le"
- "y" is now always a vowel
the getysburg adres
for scor and seven years ago our fathers brot forth on this continent, a new nasion, concieved in liberty, and dedicated to the proposision that al men ar created equl.
now we ar engaged in a grat civil war, testing wether that nasion, or any nasion so concieved and so dedicated, can long endur. we ar met on a grat batle-field of that war. we hav com to dedicat a porsion of that field, as a final resting plac for thos who her gav thier livs that that nasion mit liv. it is altogether fiting and proper that we shuld do this.
but, in a larger sens, we can not dedicat -- we can not consecrat -- we can not halo -- this ground. the brav men, living and ded, who strugled her, hav consecrated it, far abov our por power to ad or detract. the world wil litle not, nor long remember wat we say her, but it can never forget wat they did her. it is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated her to the unfinished work wich they who fot her hav thus far so nobly advanced. it is rather for us to be her dedicated to the grat task remaining befor us -- that from thes honored ded we tak increased devosion to that caus for wich they gav the last ful mesur of devosion -- that we her hihly resolv that thes ded shal not hav died in vain -- that this nasion, under god, shal hav a new birth of fredom -- and that government of the pepl, by the pepl, for the pepl, shal not perish from the erth.
100 things
- I once ate fish-food. I was also 6 at the time.
- The smell of kitten.... I can't get enough.
- I can't c-c.c....commit to owning a kitten.
- Apparently I CAN commit to this stupid list.
- I know all the lyrics to Christina Aguilera's Stripped album.
- I also know all the harmony.
- I was a cheerleader in high school. GOOOOOOOO HAWKS!
- Green olives make me want to vomit, but pepper-cinis = yummy.
- Undercurrent = favorite martini (sans olive).
- When I took karate lessons in middle school, I accidentally kicked a boy under the belt and started crying. He cried too.
- Chipotle chips + guacamole is my favorite type of chips and, er... guacamole.
- One time in college, I went on a date with one guy, only to end it with another.
- I once went to high school with 5 dress code violations just to prove the point that I could get away with it. And I did :).
- I have a music fetish.
- I also have a fetish about not allowing anyone on my computer.
- The last book I read was a children's book.
- I french kissed 2 french guys in one night (this item should be on every girl's list).
- I'm down with OPP.
- I used to think Freddy Krueger stalked me from behind the neighbor's house.
- One time, a mentally retarded girl living at the agape house down the street chased Shea and me all the way home.
- In grade school, "Ghosts In The Graveyard" was my favorite game to play with the neighbors.
- Close 2nd was "water-balloons".
- I once coded a program to interface with my MP3 database. Picasso would have been proud. So would nerds everywhere.
- I'm incredibly stubborn. Often do things just to prove a point.
- I fold my underwear.
- I'm obsessed with black, organic tea.
- Brie was invented just for me. Like manna from heaven.
- Everything I know about computers has been self taught. Graphics and design included (would like to thank PrintShop circa 1985).
- My first acting role was in the first grade. I was Door #3 to the "3 Little Pigs".
- I look fantastic in hats. No really, I'm like the mutant who couldn't look terrible in hats, in, er, that one movie. Yeah.
- I'm a hopeless romantic, ergo, true love. The Dread Pirate Roberts will agree with me.
- I used to think that the chorus to the song "Elvira" was actually the phrase "Aunt Myra", written of course about my aunt Myra.
- If you google my name, you'll only find entries about dead people.
- I have a twin sister. Keira and I were separated at birth. We're still trying to work out the whole 2 year age difference/skin color quandry.
- I can't decide whether my name is 2 or 3 syllables.
- I once worked a job picking up doggie doo-doo.
- My first pet was a goldfish when I was 6. I named her Elizabeth (my middle name) because I couldn't think of anything else.
- Shea and I tried to break in to the announcer's booth at FVL with bobby-pins. It worked.
- Shea and I also broke in to the neighbor's house. Luckily they had already moved out.
- Oh, and we once broke in to her old house once by shoving each other through the bathroom window.
- All my ex-boyfriends have been foreign. Every. Single. One.
- I used to spy on my brother and his girlfriend.
- Shea and I drank Diet Coke as kids for a natural high.
- Later, we graduated to whipitz.
- I believe I'm from another planet.
- I used to stuff tennis balls in my shirt when I was a kid, just to see what they would look like.
- My heritage is Scots, Welsh, German, and French.
- I once went to New Orleans with Keira. There are some lucky Texans with the pictures to prove it.
- School bored me so much I stopped bothering. Then I stopped bothering to go.
- On my 16th birthday, I took my driver's test (sick) and got a perfect score.
- When I QA something, I start at the end rather than the beginning.
- I want to move back overseas to learn more languages.
- When looking at text, I can tell the difference between Chinese, Korean, and Japanese characters.
- I once got a bar tab comp'd for my group of friends. It was in the $hundreds$.
- I believe nothing is an accident.
- Someday I want to be a faerie princess.
- I clip my nails weekly. If they get longer than the tips of my fingers they're lopped.
- I say "bubbler".
- Soda is soda motherfucker. NOT pop.
- When my mom was pregnant, the doctor thought I was twins cuz I was so huge.
- I was born at 10 lbs. 4 oz.
- In college, I regularly drove one block down the (giganto, booty kicking) hill to get to class. Fuck if I was going to walk it.
- I walk 25 minutes to work everyday. Even in 0 degree weather.
- My two front teeth are cemented together with a metal bar.
- I can stay up all night playing video games. Mario Kart, Theme Hospital, No One Lives Forever 2. I am their bitch.
- I'm certain mid-western girls don't have rip cords.
- I'm a fantastic cook.
- I'm also fantastic at ordering food in.
- When I was a kid, I went to "Care Bear" camp.
- I used to get so sunburnt as a kid I couldn't move.
- One of my favorite things that I don't get to do anymore is spend a summer day at the lake. Quiet. Secluded. Water.
- The Plymouth A&W still serves my favorite cheeseburgers.
- I still know how to do "Cats in the Cradle".
- One of my eyes wanders to the side.
- I want to live by the sea.
- I have a friend who got arrested in a french maid outfit.
- I used to "cruise" the ave in high school.
- Shea made me laugh so hard once I pee'd on myself.
- There's a video tape to prove it.
- I love living downtown so much, that it rates only second to living downtown in Europe.
- I had a crush on Tim Marsho in grade school, so I played him the Grease soundtrack. On LP.
- I was such a good dancer, that the only way they could keep me from getting bored (see #49) was to make me a teacher. I was 13.
- I taught ballet, acrobatics, tap, jazz, and hula.
- I used to perform hula dancing all over my hometown for special events. Grass skirt, coconuts, and all.
- Barbie was my favorite past-time growing up.
- If I miss out on shrimp and lobster on New Year's Eve, I feel like the apocalypse is near.
- When I was a kindergarten-er, my self portrait had a big ass.
- In the first grade, I used to get chased by all the boys at recess.
- I can't handle pigtails on myself.
- I used to play the piano, flute, clarinet, saxaphone, tenor saxaphone, and the guitar. Now I play Winamp.
- I love being held.
- I also love happy surprises!
- I used to spend hours upon hours swimming in Crystal Lake.
- My roommate thinks I'm psycho.
- She also thinks I'm pretty.
- I once met boys at 1 in the morning by shouting across the lake with Shea. They showed up 20 minutes later in a canoe. They were gorgeous.
- Pop music is one of my worst habits. I can't get enough!
- I have boring hobbies like reading, writing, and drawering. All that active shit make me want to take a nap.
- One year for Christmas, I gave my grandfather a fly swatter (I was also 4).
- I believe good things are going to happen to me.
Wall-worthy
I am in love.
That's right, there's a new love in my life and it's all digital. I have found that I can take any picture, do amazingly beautiful things to it in photoshop, and then blow it up to an 8x10 photo print.
Damn. Those cheap ass Ansel prints hanging on my walls might finally find their place in the trash. I'm now on a quest for something wall worthy. Yay!
pHotoBug
Today was one of those days. If anything came from the horror that was today, it might be my re-kindled love for photography.
In fact, very few people know that I used to be a hard-core photography nerd. Oh yeah, I have the camera with all the lenses and filters. Since I moved back from Sweden though, digital has taken over. Film is also hella expensive!
Fortunately, that camera and its filters are still sitting in my closet (somewhere!). What I really need to do is sell it and save up a little extra to buy the digital version of the same camera. Graphic design is freagin' fantastic, but I'm finding it hard to gather stock photography for my work.
For anyone interested, check out this amazing photoblog: shutterbug.
And in other news....
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
f-Alarm
Oh my gentle j-j-jesus. It's 2:20am and this now marks the 5th time in the last week and a half that the fire alarm has gone off. Yup. My blood pressure would like to make the following shout outs:
1) to the firefighters for always showing up at least 15 minutes AFTER the alarm starts
2) my ears woulld like to put in a special plug to the sirens in my room, without which there would be no high-pitched ringing right now (and for the next hour)
3) to the nice girl who lives across the hall - we see each other every time this happens
4) my shaking hands would also like to put in a special plug to the sirens, for without them it wouldn't be taking me 20 minutes to write this adoring entry
5) and finally, one overall shout out for either A) the system, or B) the mother fucker who keeps setting it of, for making me feel like I'm back in college all over again
Thanks again everyone. Looking forward to next time!
Saturday Morning 7
1. Public Service Announcement:
Yahoo Messenger is no longer in service at my place of employment. Henceforth that particular IM address is no longer valid (for all you lucky chaps who *were lucky enough to have it). Now is the time you may politely ask permission for my new nick (also accepting bribes).
2. Intervention *may* finally be an option.
Its been 3 nights in a row and I'm dreaming about cats incessantly. Of course Raphael had to go f* it all up by opening his big mouth and suggesting I get a cat over its kittenation, so yes folks, commence dreamation. I saved my 3 adult cats from certain demise on Wednesday night (apocalypse was coming, and why wouldn't it be?!) - I bent down, called them, and they all came leaping and bounding in to my arms, at which point I carried them to certain safety. Last night was something similar - 2 cats of a friend of a friend, which he didn't want, so I became the obvious choice as they adored me (was there any question?). < /big sigh >
3. Sopheava photoblogger
Decided to get this camera exchange on a roll by calling National Camera Exchange. It seems the digital version of my camera runs 1 big-G. Fuck. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Oh well, crappy digital version for now it is (which you can bet I will photoshop the begeesies out of for future reference).
4. Arabian themed music
By complete accident, I downloaded a tune several months ago called "Kurdish Moon". Very Arabian. Very delectable. Of course, finding anything else of that genre has been completely impossible. I have, however, been listening to Rasa, Sarah Brightman's Harem, and bits and pieces of Conjure One which count, but aren't quite hitting my musical soft spot the way Kuridsh Moon does. Anyone have any suggestions?
5. Eat your heart out!
Shea and I are doing the Bowl tonight. *THE Big Bowl, that is. Jealous?
6. Crushes are healthy
Several of you already know what this is about, but I will not divulge any secrets for the remainder. Crushes. Are. Good. So are good friends (thanks Steve - for, uh, draggation!).
This is Keira's site. She is incredibly talented, know everything about web development, and does brilliant work. She can also balance spoons on her nose and is incredibly gorgeous. = All reasons why if you need a web developer and I'm out of the country (gotta plug m'self ;) she is your go-to man. Er, woman. Whatever. Indigo rules!
Enough chatting for this morning. Happy Saturday!
On the subject of...
On the subject of Intervention... art is my crack.
On the subject of Inspiration... music is my catalyst.
On the subject of Divinity... venus runs in my silver blood.
On the subject of Manifestation... light is my muse.
On the subject of Spirituality... vibration rings to my core.
On the subject of Love... calm promises catch my tears.
On the subject of Initiation... ethers sing with my soul.
Today's riddle
Let's play a game ("Give yourself a shake and turn around...")!
First, imagine yourself covered in soft bunny furrrrr. Second, imagine yourself lying down in a (on a scale of 1-10) comfortable position #11 on your back. Third, imagine being able to do your job all day from this position. Your very existence mattering only be comfortable, and by pure luck you're able to do your job at the same time. Fourth, you're incredibly gorgeous. So gorgeous in fact that if you were to be sold at a store it would be a respectable establishment, something along the lines of Ralph Lauren or Ikea - functional yet brilliant. You'd also be featured in magazines.
Wondering what you might be yet? Click here to find out.
(For the curious, huddle in close as the following keywords pertain to the answer: Shea, Chicago, she thought I needed some color, she also thinks she's cute - which of course she is and that's why I love her so much).
Road Trip Music List
Em, as promised here's a spot to brain dump on what we need for this weekend.
Current thoughts:
Dance CD - with Missy, Kylie, Madonna Remix, Britney (eek!), Sugababes
Alternative - Collide, Conjure One, Lacuna Coil, Iris
Hip Hop - Outkast, Jurassic 5, Atmosphere
Latin Mix (I just got the Once Upon a Time In Mexico Soundtrack)
What else?
The Phoenix
Part of me is dying. Shedding the skin. Death and what follows - Rebirth - are the natural progression of life, movement, and evolution. I hold it close that far too much fear (energy) is wasted on death. The process is nothing short of a miracle, a journey in to initiation - and I'm finally ready to let all the old go.
I will allow myself die and rise again, like the phoenix.
*Tomorrow will be a funny post again. Fingers, er, heart crossed.
Design tips for Non-Designers
A list developed by moi - my personal faves:
- Leave graphics and page layout to the people who know what to do with them. *Design will make or break a site, ad, or whatever else it is you're printing or marketing.* Typography, photography, and goodkarmaography all matter - let the designers do their thang.
- Your reader should either know what the point is in all of 2 seconds, or they should be hooked & lured in by curiosity. If you don't hit that window you'll lose your audience.
- Get to the meat of the content - don't leave people searching, reading, or guessing. Ambiguity is for the birds.
- Take pride in your work.
- Ask the people who know what to do for help.
- Use common sense!
- Go outside for goodness sakes, it's gorgeous out. Unless you live in Minnesota this week where it's bloody cold. Then I suggest taking a nap ;).
Journey to Washville
A week ago Saturday (the 17th) I was sitting on my couch, knitting a scarf, doing laundry, making lunch, and watching a movie (I'm a multi-tasker ;). Probably was watching something like "The Red Violin". Most likely eating something like soup. And most certainly knitting something blue.
So I was mid-purl when all of a sudden it sounded like a motorcycle was humping my wash machine! OF COURSE I was shocked by the atrocities going on in my bathroom (well, technically my roommate's bathroom, but seeing as how the washer normally behaves for her when she's around I began to take it as a personal attack on my attention giving skills). So I *RAN* in the bathroom to find some serious gear grinding going on (close to motorcycle/washer humping, only it was more along the lines of washer masturbation).
I promptly stopped the unnecessarily loud grinding nonsense mostly for the fact that it was my kitty blanket in the spin cycle -- and I SWEAR TO GODDESS that if anything happened to that kitty blanket I would probably throw myself in to the Mississippi. With the blanket of course. We go together. We're a pair. A team. ANYWAY...... With superfluous exaggeration I STORMED in the kitchen, *gently* picked up my cell phone, and dialed the front office of my building.
Front Office: "Hello, may I offer to help you but actually give you complete attitude and be of no service?"
Me: "Tempting but no. My washer is broke and I'd like it fixed."
Front Office: "Pity. I rather wanted to give you attitude over the phone and tell you to fix your lame problem yourself, however this is a legitimate issue and you'll need to call 1-800-***-****. They will be the givers of attitude this afternoon."
Me: "Thank you for nothing."
Front Office: "You bet!"
..... 60 seconds later .....
After-Hour-Dispatch: "Hello, may I give you after-hour attitude and be of no after-hour service to your lame after-hour request?"
Me: "Tempting again, but no. My washer is broke and I would like it fixed please."
AHD: "We don't do washers. Only gas explosions, large fires, major flooding, and appliance humping."
Me: "Holy crap, it just so happens it IS an appliance humping issue. Front-office gave me your number."
AHD: "Bugger. Ok, we will unenthusiastically page support. They may or may not ever show up to help you."
Me: "I'll blog about your poor service and tell everyone you have a terrible phone-voice if you don't help me."
AHD: "Bugger. Ok - we'll send help."
Me: "Thought so."
..... 15 minutes later .....
Me: "Hello?"
Paged Support Man: "Eh, hey. *yawns loudly* So, sum'in's wrong?"
Me: "Yes, my washer is unnecessarily masturbating in my roommate's bathroom. And seeing as how she's not around to whip its naughty, attitude-ridden gears in to shape, I am requiring your services."
PSM: "*sighs louds* Uh, k. Page Support Man Senior will come out and look at it. Bye."
Me: "WAIT!"
PSM: "Huh?"
Me: "Can I be EXPECTING your sorry asses to show up anytime this beautiful Saturday afternoon or will you be sleeping instead?"
PSM: "We'll be sleeping. We should have time for you Tuesday."
Me: "Asshole."
PSM: "Bitch."
..... Wednesday afternoon .....
After-Hour-Dispatch: "Christ Margaret, what do you want?"
Me: "No one showed up yesterday. They said they would. Do you understand I'm starting to get extremely irritated?"
AHD: "We don't understand and we also make no effort to sympathize with your lame tenant ass. Buy a house if you don't like it. While you're at it, call your front desk for some attention."
--CLICK--
..... 60 seconds later .....
Front-Office: "Hello and may we service you today?"
Me: "Whoa. Isn't that rather forward? We don't even know each other."
FO: "Ok, first of all get your mind out of the gutter. Second of all, get to the point already."
Me: ----summarizes story ----
FO: "I'm very sorry for your inconvenience. We will get right on top of that."
Me: "Enough with the inuendos already. Please service me."
FO: "*giggles uncontrollably* K."
..... Yesterday (Monday) .....
Primary-Support-Man-Senior: "Hello?"
Me: "It's me again. My washer is still broken."
PSMS: "Yes. Whirlpool should be out later this week to fix it. I love you."
Me: "Telling me you love me doesn't change the fact that my roommate is now going commando. Preach to the choir. And while you're at it fix this situation."
PSMS: "K."
Me: "Bet your ass."
..... 2 hours ago .....
Today I came home from work and found a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW washer hooked up. I am sooooooooo persuasive. I'm also so thankful my roommate doesn't have to go commando anymore.
onestringofwords
This is one of those entries where I force myself to type and I won't allow myself to stop I just have to keep on typing and never think about stopping so that whatever enters my brain just gets put down for the entire world to see almost without a single filter I decided today that IT really is a bunch of bullying prima donnas so I have to rethink how I'm going to deal with them Note to self: be tactile in other news I moved my desk over to IT today dealing with that crowd is extremely different to dealing with anyone else salesmen are easy, clients are a snap, everyone else is cake compared to that lot I will be thinking about this one more in the weeks to come today it was negative 20 degrees when I woke up and the windchill was probably something like negative 45 when I left for work this morning as it turns out the chocolate covered cream filled donut I picked up at D's more than took my mind off the frigidity lunch with P & S put me in to a delightfully glorious sushi coma if ever sushi is your thing and you find yourself in minneapolis you may want to consider martini blue it has its time and place and today hit the ever elusive sushi-spot tonight I got home to a couple of cd's I ordered in the mail these include karsh kale delta goodrem talvin singh and ani difranco I have a few more on order but those will most likely arrive early next week I'm listening to haunted by poe right now ironically one of the cds I didn't just buy thinking that I am haunted and that tunes carry their own weight in my ears I can be randomly stringing words together and there's the music right at my disposal I'm also thinking how random my thoughts are completely unrelated words that jump from one topic to the next almost as quickly as some of my ex-boyfriends were holy crap where did that come from but since I can't stop typing to find out I'll have to go back to track that one down later tonight my roommate is battling in a breakdancing thing at taboo for the oldies amongst my reading crowd this joint used to be called South Beach Keira remembers South Beach with me hee hee hee actually there's a fairly good chance she doesn't remember most of her time there so anyway to try to stay on track for once my roommate is breakdancing tonight at Taboo I am currently sitting in my room with my headphones on listening to a little tune called "Home" by Karsh Kale and hearing a loud thump bump and flop every 60 seconds or so I can only assume she's not landing on her head but attempting some sort of funky trick and hopefully not putting holes in the walls in the meantime I'm going to publically harass her to start bringing her digital camera so others can take photos of her dancing which I will promptly post and she will use to promptly point out that she's probably making faces in them however I think she's lovely ok so I'm starting to get a little tired of this stringing words together thing and will consider stopping just as soon as... I... find... the... exit... key
Favorite Things - January
zen creative jukebox | chipotle chips & guacamole | shaun the sheep | steve's post | emmie | flat screen monitor | flanel sheets | plants | bellow | heat | shutterbug | baxter | clean laundry | my laptop | beaded keychains | s, l, and streusel | raph's kitty cam | sister's good news | color | ohm | making my passion my occupation | caribou soy chai tea xtra hot | homemade scarves | azores weather | bubble baths | victoria's secret scents | sandalwood scented candles | conjure one | beaded tea votives | wishes | klimt's kiss