Apparently it is possible to duct-tape someone to the ceiling.

Helicopter game. Don't be fooled by the word "fun" in the URL. Yes, it starts out as being fun... like most addictions do. Before you know it, "fun" has turned into "obsession". Where am I going in my little helicopter? Is there an end to this green and black tunnel? I DON"T KNOW... because I can only get 1014.

Song for the Day:
Mad World - Gary Jules (mp3)

The highlight of Donnie Darko was the choice music... including this masterful remake of the Tears for Fears classic.

Out East
After dropping Phebe off at the airport tonight, I thought, "Hmm, I'm going to see what Mark is up to." I should have known better. The guy is always in Utah or Seattle or the Netherlands... never in town. Sure enough... he's at Creation. Yeah, everybody is at creation... he is hanging out with our friends from the road -- Shane, Christie, and Keith-Bo. I'm so jealous!

But I saw Jessica and Stephen at the grocery store and I bought a little gerber daisy plant, so I'm happy anyway. (I'm so excited about the plant... it is my signature flower. And that is why I'm sad that June is ending, because they are on my June desktop by Mamselle.)

Now I watch Donnie Darko, and then I sleep. Michael's sister is coming to stay at my house tomorrow, and I need to fix up the house before then.


You Have the Power of Teleportation!


What's Your Magic Power?
I wish. (via webhedfeat)

Happy Birthday to Phil! Hopefully Jesse called with my greetings as well.

Things You Don't Realize You Take for Granted
#327. Mac'n'Cheese

His Dark Materials -- series I'm supposed to read. (personal reference for when I forget again)

Friday Five
1. How are you planning to spend the summer [winter]?
Not much different than how I spent the spring.

2. What was your first summer job?
I think I started working in my dad's office when I was 14 or 15... answering the phone and helping set up their computer system. (Ah yes, a computer geek so young.)

3. If you could go anywhere this summer [winter], where would you go?
I'm holding out for autumn... then hopefully, I'm off to Oz.

4. What was your worst vacation ever?
The summer after my 8th grade year. Hands down, the worst family vacation ever. There was a whole series of crappy events, but the real bad part came when we were at Seven Falls in Colorado, and my sister got hit by a falling rock and had to be taken to get stitches. For the rest of the holiday, she was an absolute bear because she hadn't taken her senior pictures yet, and she was so concerned about there being a scar on her face. You had to be there, I'm sure.

Coming in a close second was the year that I was carsick the entire time, and we got in a train wreck.

5. What was your best vacation ever?
I just liked going up to Minnesota, which we did quite frequently. One year was particularly fun when my cousins' cousins were up there too... so there were just a bunch of us kids taking the boat out and playing on the raft and playing Atari.

Song for the Day:
Oh What A Beautiful Morning - from Oklahoma

~Oh what a beautiful morning
Oh what a beautiful day
I've got a glorious feeling
Everything's goin' my way~

I actually woke up singing children's songs... but I couldn't help but sing this one on the way to work.

Mmm... I am thrilled. I have a good feeling about something. I think something good is on the verge of happening for a group that deserves it. And if it does, I am honored to have had the joy of being just a little part of the chain reaction.

A Conversation
The first thing my boss said to me today...
Bossman: You're looking like a superfan today.
Me: Oh I am a superfan.

Listen, if clients are going to give me free clothing, I am going to wear it. That's all there is to it.


Song of the Day:
Flicks - Frou Frou (mp3)

~people concertina to my
private magic lantern move for me
with the senses all inclusive
in the theatre of triggered memories~

It's an Imogen-type day.

A very merry half-birthday to me...
My mom just sent me an email wishing me a happy half-birthday. I didn't realize we were celebrating half-birthdays... but I'm thankful for the thought all the same. :)

Supported the local scalper ring, and we got $70 tickets for $40 to the hockey game Saturday. Best seats I've ever had anyway. Good game with a win in overtime.

Unexpected houseguests have kept me busy over the weekend.

And I'm officially moving bedrooms. It kinda stinks lugging stuff across the house... but I found the box of cds that I have been looking for since I moved in a year ago. So that was nice. I can listen to The Jayhawks again.

A client told me today that my boss was saying good stuff about me behind my back. That feels good for a change.

Merlin... I mean, really. This was one of my greatest childhood toys. I don't know why this came to me today, but I just remember spending hours with that little game. It was good for those long, agonizing roadtrips to Colorado when we were kids. Of course we had to fight over it.

I just got a call from my favorite person at Random House. Before he got to the point of his call, he asked if it would be okay if he sent me a copy of the Order of the Pheonix audio book. I said, "Sure." :)

Sideman clearances and corporate maintenance today, so this will probably be the end of me.

Hot Air Balloon Sighting:
Saw another one drifting on the northern horizon on my way home from work last night.

Lutefisk... people don't take the time to think about lutefisk nearly often enough. And after reading that, I'm glad I didn't hang around Decorah for Nordic fest and the lutefisk eating contest.

Proof That Married People Turn Into Each Other:
Was talking to Jack today as he was driving. In the middle of conversation he says, "Oh crap, did I take the wrong exit? .... Where am I?" (which seems to happen during every conversation I have with his wife these days.)

This... is awesome. I have never seen toilet paper cores put to such good use. (And that's impressive coming from the Toilet Paper Elf herself.)

I was trying to decide exactly when the whole TP Core joke began. It doesn't go all the way back to Michigan, does it? I definitely remember doing it in Pittsboro, but did it start when I lived with you guys?

Perhaps you're looking for a new brand of toilet paper... you might want to try this. If nothing else, they'll send you free stickers.

I
love
THESE
SOCKS!

What your desktop really does when you think it is idling... Icon Wars. (via webhedfeat)

Hot Air Balloon Sighting:
Last night I heard all the dogs in the neighborhood going berzerko... then I heard it. The unmistakable noise of a hot air balloon burner. I pulled open my shades to find a rainbow balloon literally right outside. I grabbed my camera and went outside to snap a couple photos as it was landing in my subdivision. Yay! I love them.

Also emailed back and forth with Arminta last night. Seems they are really busy helping out a friend right now. Plus they have a new song and are making a video. They are such cool people. I told her they ought to play at the pub down here.

Mmm... time to work.

I came across a postcard from Fiona while going through my desk over the weekend. Need the Australian Slang Dictionary to translate though... "take a squizz", "it's ridge-didge Australian", "flat out like a lizard drinkin". yeah. funny stuff.

Got a good laugh out of this article last night, only because the writer apparently does not even begin to have a clue:
Movie industry battles film piracy on many fronts

"The good news for the movie industry is that very few computer users have the broadband Internet access or the memory to download an entire feature film. (Even with broadband it can take three hours or longer to download a movie; with dial-up connections it can take all day.)"

He would be right... if it were 1995. Broadband ain't just for the rich folks anymore. And as for memory... goodness... computers these days come with ridiculous amounts of memory. But whatever.

Stop the piracy. We'd hate to have to give our multi-million dollar actors a paycut.

I admit I clicked this link just to make sure it wasn't my dad: Deer Knocks Iowa Man Off Motorcycle. It wasn't.

Completely Random IM Quote for the Day: (from Viro)
"peeing is wonderful... God is pretty ingenious when it comes to waste removal... no?"

Song for the Day:
Ravens - Paul Schwartz Project (real audio)

So I've been stuck on him this week... and this song in particular. The chord progression during the orchestral parts has the most beautiful and chilling resolution.

Aha! For anyone who didn't believe me, my favourite Blue Bunny ice cream made the Splendid Table's list of the Best Ice Creams in America. Duh, of course... it's made in the Ice Cream Capital of the World, after all. I was driving with the biggest smile on my face. Yay!

Don't mind me, darling; I'm just over here ruling with an iron fist. Or something.

Happy Birthday, Brenton! My little Aussie cousin... though, goodness, he's probably not so little anymore. I just haven't seen him since he was probably 9 or so, which makes him forever that age in my mind.

80's Ending: "This short film is a wonderful parody on the ending of every 1980's movie you've ever seen!" (And that's the truth.)

I just spent the last hour reading this story of a guy who deposited one of those fake junk-mail checks. Not a measly little $5 one either... try $95,000... and it cleared. It is truly hilarious.

Reasons to Own Large SUV:
#4. Business Owner Chases, Runs Over Robbery Suspects In Hummer

Some day I am going to get this Blue Screen of Death T-shirt from Errorwear. (Embrace your computer problems.) Though the Not Responding one is quite funny too.

BugBear Virus Count: 4

(Hey, T, what do you think about michael driving the bus for Steriogram?) :)

Friday Five
1. Is your hair naturally curly, wavy, or straight? Long or short?
Long (center of back), wavy, thick, and red.

2. How has your hair changed over your lifetime?
When I was younger it was straight as you can get and thin, thin, thin.

3. How do your normally wear your hair?
Away from my face. But I don't have a normal "style", per se.

4. If you could change your hair this minute, what would it look like?
I just wish I could wear it sleek and smooth without a gallon of product weighing it down.

5. Ever had a hair disaster? What happened?
Those perming years back in junior high. Ugh.

A Conversation
Karl: Have you had any Dr. Pepper today?
Me: I just opened one...
K: Okay.
Me: Why, are you going to start keeping a tally for me?
K: No, I'm just making sure you're alright.
Me: Oh thanks.

Addiction suggestion noted.

Song for the Day:
The Dark of the Night - Paul Schwartz Project (Real Audio)
~In the dark of the night
When the shadows are long
And the stars are alight
There's a fire in the air
And a breath on the wind
With the scent of your hair~

in·tern
n.
1. A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training
(See lackey, peon)

I determined today, as I stare at this massive mess on my desk, that I need an intern. I don't think I'll ever get to get one, but the idea is a nice one. With two (maybe three) colleges in town offering Music Business as a major, there have got to be plenty of kids who still think that working in the industry would be "cool" whether they get paid $2 an hour or not.

Lucky Duck
Last night Tina announced that she is going to Australia with Chanel's family. (I knew they were going to ask her, because I talked to Sharon a couple weekends ago...) So yeah, I am super excited for her, because how awesome would that be to have someone pay for your ticket overseas... but at the same time, I might be an eensy-weensy bit jealous.

Good Ol' Rocky Top
Tailgate party over at Barry's.

I'm Not Idiot
Pixel in Motion... not quite Pixar, but the characters are kind of cute. I liked watching the animations and trying to figure out where the audio is from. (South Park, The Lion King, As Good As It Gets... and is the 3rd one on the top row from Time Bandits?) The one with the light saber is kind of funny too.

Impossible Songs to find online:
"Live & Learn" by Joe Public and anything by Ozark Mountain Daredevils... not even "Jackie Blue"... but what I really want is "Chicken Train" or that Colorado song.

Wait a second... who is "nobody you remember"? Drive me crazy, will ya?

(And if anybody else, *ahem Tash*, has not picked a flower on my Guestmap, why don't you go ahead and do that today?)

Fate, It Seems, is Not Without a Sense of Irony
9|11 Survivor Dies of SARS

Okay, my first thought was the obvious one... dang, that sucks. Move to Hong Kong to start a new life, and -- whoop -- there goes the day.

But see, this is where my lack of sensitivity comes in. When I read the headline, I had envisioned this man scrambling down stairs and out the doors ... fleeing from wreckage and debris. One of those people you saw on television covered in grey dust with streaks of natural skintone only where tears had left their trails.

No, the guy didn't even make it there. He missed his train. He didn't even work there every day. He was just meant to go there for a meeting.

I don't know. I'm sure the guy and his wife and probably everyone he knew were grateful that things happened the way the did in order to prevent his being there. But to say he "escap[ed] death" seems a bit of a stretch to me.

But that's me.

Arg!
Hi. I am so looking forward to that movie, and not just because he is beautiful. Anybody who doesn't want to see it probably didn't like Goonies.

Creative Use for Blogger Award:
Today it goes to Johnny Rays Grill who uses it to post their daily special.

Bruce + Holly
The little 2-screan theatre downtown must have a letter shortage, because on their marquee, it reads:
BRUCE ALMIGHTY -- HOLLY HOMICIDE

I was a bit alarmed as I listened to NPR on my way to work this morning as they reported the statement from North Korea. I know I should be concerned from a human-on-this-planet perspective... but I find that I'm mostly concerned as a niece-with-an-uncle-in-Japan.

I will be mauled by a mob of midgets.

How will you die? Take the Exotic Cause of Death Test

You think you've seen about everything by now, hmm? Oh yeah? I don't think so. I am quite sure you have probably missed The Shrine to Don Knotts. I can feel the love though. The Incredible Mr. Limpet was, for lack of a better word, incredible.

MASH: You played it in high school... now you can play it online. Here is my result... not too far from what I'm doing right now, hmm? (Names omitted to protect the innocent -- though I wasn't too disappointed by who it turned out to be.) :)

"Your husband's name is **** and you have 0 children. You're a Attorney Assistant who drives to work every day in a Purple Mini Cooper.
It's truly a wonderful life when you consider the countless romantic nights you have spent with **** in your house in Nashville. "

Song for the Day:
Far Far Cry - Jon Anderson

Song for the Night:
Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics

I Should Have Called in Sick
Because, darnit, I'm sick of working. I cannot focus on anything today. Bouncing off the walls, I tell you. Karl suggested I make coffee. Somehow I don't see the logic in that, but anything to get me away from this massive pile of work on my desk.

Nevermind... I found one.

Song for the Day:
Morning After - Howie Day
~what could be so wonderful about this
what could be so wonderful?
the half light wakes you up the morning after
fall down with me
and roll around now~

*Waves to David* We were cohorts in crime about 10 years ago. Ahh yes, such fond memories of attending hockey games (die Thunder Bay!) and admiring the Canadian flags on the local college campus. Yes, those were the days.

Speaking of memories... last night smelled like Michigan. It was warm and muggy. Would have been a perfect night for the traditional end-of-tour cigar down at the Pointe with the boys watching the sun set over the lake.

Star Warz: Crapisode I... mildly entertaining, if you have nothing better to do.

I can't find my song for the day.

To Dad: Happy Fathers Day! I wish I could be there to hug you!
To Mom: Happy Birthday! Glad the vase arrived on time!

I cant wait to go home.

After having played around with the new Dell Axim X5 this weekend, I determined that it is quite a handy little contraption... though I don't think I am to the point where I need on of them yet. I'm still fond of writing phone numbers on my wrist... nature's notepad.

Legal Alien - Don't miss this one for the Friday Fun. Every week a new riddle. Good good.

Sisterly Advice for the Day:
"Before you have kids, make sure you buy a dog and try to dress it... for practice."
(Apparently my squirmy niece was not cooperating when it came to getting to her bathing suit today.)

The Matrix vs. Monsters Inc.
Are they the same movie? (Listen and decide)

Human body power vs. Human scream power
Phone booths vs. Closet doors
Neo vs. Boo
Morpheus vs. Sully

It's something to think about. :)

Happy Birthday Matty-D & Bilen!

Tea & Toast: interesting place here. What got me reading in the first place was the picture of the sign at the top that reads: "no one really goes to toast & tea for the drinks, but we make sure our drinks won't kill you. this is something you must remember." How brilliant is that?

Not exactly SuperMario Bros. Not exactly English either. Click the button to start. Shift+Z to jump.

Fashion Dig: exploring 20th century style... this place makes me think of Fiona! Vintage clothing is so cool.

Hot Air Balloon Sighting:
Last night I did not get to UPS before it closed, but I was glad. Because otherwise I would not have had to drive back south, and I would have missed the hot air balloon on the horizon. I decided I am going to keep track of how often I see them. It just makes me happy.

Friday Five
1. What's one thing you've always wanted to do, but never have?
Be a part of an archaeological expedition.

2. When someone asks your opinion about a new haircut/outfit/etc, are you always honest?
I'm someone who tends to see the good in everything... but Manda has started to teach me the delicate art of informing friends when things are not so flattering. It's not like she would go up to a stranger and tell them they need to consider a larger size in clothing or something... but she could say to me, "Honey, that isn't the best idea." Which I appreciate.

3. Have you ever found out something about a friend and then wished you hadn't? What happened?
Ugh. Yeah. Something we're still dealing with over here. No further explanation right now.

4. If you could live in any fictional world (from a book/movie/game/etc.) which would it be and why?
Umm... today I'm going to say Narnia... who wouldn't want to hang out at Cair Paravel?

5. What's one talent/skill you don't have but always wanted?
I want to be fluent in another spoken language.

BugBear Virus Count: 3 emails caught by antivirus since Tuesday

Great Blog Title for the Day:
My Boss May Have Tourrettes: tales of working life

In a postscript to my Beckham post, I came across this:

English superstars Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, and soccer star hubby David Beckham desperately want America to love them. So far, the country has collectively yawned. It doesn't help that in every photo the paper-thin Posh has a big ol' sour puss face.

My thoughs exactly. They also second my thoughts on Hugh Jackman and Mariah Carey.

Obscure Reference
Normally Radio Paradise provides my listening pleasure when I venture away from stuff I already own. However, today I discovered Pure Obscure Radio. Some of it makes me want to jab things in my ears, but they played Kraftwerk.

More Sadness
Nate just told me that our friends' dad died a couple weeks ago. What's worse is that Jon and Anna were friends from high school days back in Iowa... but their parents and Anna had moved to Murfreesboro a year or two ago, and I have yet to even hook up with them. I hate when friends' parents die, because it seems to bring my own parents' mortality into perspective. You were the coolest, Ed.

Song for the Day:
First Lullaby - Gooding

SADNESS!

The Fabulous Girls' Weekend of Joy and Wonderment in Indianapolis is postponed. Disappointing? Yes. Non-reschedulable? No. It's better this way. (I understand, and I love you! You just have to promise to make lasagna on Saturday night in memory of Mama's.)

Found a new band that I love! Matson Belle. Not normally a fan of chick singers, I think I dig this group because she kinda sounded like Bjork in the first song I heard. They throw in some strings and a cool middle-eastern groove. It's nice.

Had a good time with Nate this morning reminiscing about when the seven of us lived at The Fold starving for the sake of our art. Fun times. May Phyllis the Cat live forever in our memories.

Happy Birthday to Hanna!

This guy brings up an internal debate I had with myself recently -- Laziness vs. Cheapskatedness. I had finally rationalized spending the money on ordering a super-late lunch from Off the Grill by saying that it would be my only meal for the day. (Plus free delivery... can't beat that.) But then when the food finally came, I felt so guilty. Here this guy came out in the rain to bring me my food that I was too lazy to go out and get myself... while I'm standing there in my pajamas. I just wanted to explain to the guy that I was working from home and had been too busy to even get dressed yet, much less go out to get groceries... since I cannot spend less than 45 minutes at a grocery store. It's true. So I gave him a really big tip to make myself feel better.



Okay, so Hans and I played three games of Myth Saturday night. The past three nights I have had dreams of those little guys walking around all over the place. Lots of little arrows. It's sick, isn't it?

Where There's a Will
I just got confirmation. At the end of July, my cousin Will and two of his friends are coming to stay with me. I think it is going to be cool. He is a great kid, even though I cannot say that he and I have ever done anything outside of family gatherings. (Though you may recall that he was my first mate when I was sailing last summer.) What in the world am I going to do with three 18-year-olds?

Actually, we are going to a little drum corps event. I think that will be a good time.

Grass is Greener on the Other Side of the Pond
A little rant here... but maybe someone can help me out. I am just trying to figure out why, exactly, I am supposed to care about David & Victoria Beckham. I forget where I read the article... it may have been in a magazine... that said they are going to try to raise their profile in America, since they are the media darlings of the UK.

Yes, the fabulous footballer may be going on an American tour coming up... even though, as Bill pointed out, most Americans couldn't name any other soccer player "if you held a gun to our heads". And I am wondering if Posh is aware that her spicier days were largely ridiculed by pretty much everyone I have ever met. (Never mind that she looks like an über-bitch in nearly every photo I've ever seen of her.)

BBC asks "Do the Beckhams get too much attention?"

When you can find reports on how they installed a $150,000 bed in their limo, I would tend to say yes.

F-L-O-R-I-DA (I had that Van Morrison "Gloria" song in my head... and Florida almost works.)
Manda sent me pictures. Yay. Good times.
▪ Manda & Me at the Crazy Buffet. (Jack & Erik to the side.)
▪ Brandon & Heather: Brandon was on the road with me and Jack.
▪ Cake-- our magnificent cake creation. (Didn't turn out too bad, eh? Water is good.)
▪ Make a wish... blowing out the candles. (Leslie in the background.)
▪ Alex & Erik at the airport. (Thought that was such a cute picture.)
▪ Airport... (Matt, Manda, Jack, Me, Alex, & Erik)

And the photo half the people who find my site from a search engine have been looking for...
▪ The Fabulous Tie Skirt... (I was kicking my foot back; there wasn't some sort of freakish wind thing going on.)

Pretty Layout:


If ever I needed another reason to completely love Orlando Bloom, this just provided it:
http://www.orlandomultimedia.net/images/magazine/pavement/pavement3.jpg

(Cut-n-paste, because linking isn't allowed)
He's not so bad when he's not blond, huh?

Now I have to go find a birthday present for bossman's daughter. (For the record, I barely had one party ever when I was a kid... much less having two parties each year, one for the children and one for the adults... but whatever. Seems to be quite the trend these days.)

Big Brother?
This brings computer geekiness to a whole new level. Their refrigerator, toilet, litterbox, front door, microwave, and garbage can, among other things are wired up to the internet and will tell you the last time they were opened or whatever and for what duration. Not only that, but the trash bin has a barcode scanner, so you also know exactly what was thrown away as well.

Little Brother
Talked to Mom today. Her car is parked out in front of the local cinema this weekend, because they wanted some foreign cars on display to promote 2 Fast 2 Furious. Apparently my brother put new rims on the thing for the occasion. (And the little punk is going up to the lakes for the 4th, so I probably won't see much of him while I'm home.)

TROGDOR the Burninator
I really want to get a Trogdor shirt. (For those who don't know... this is the original How to Draw a Dragon email that birthed Trogdor. You can play the game too.) He's even in the urban dictionary.

Dutch Artist Photographer, Astrid van Loo takes 101 Photographs of people from her hometown from the ages 0-100 and makes them into banners hung over the city. I think it is cute that all but two of the gentlemen over the age of 65 wear ties.

She is also involved with the Time Tales project which is a showcase of old photographs found in people's attics or at flea markets or whever one finds old photos.

When I was living alone in the ghetto, my colleagues insisted that I purchase pepper spray. (I think that was after I told the story of the crazy lady across the street who was yelling about killing all the white people.) Though it isn't stab-proof or bullet-proof, I think this No Contact Jacket (for Women) would have been cooler. When armed, you can trigger an electric current that will surprise and stun any attacker enough to quite possibly make an escape.

For my job, I babysit two messageboards that belong to two of our clients. The one is largely frequented by teenie-boppers and a few of us who actually have a clue. Most topics hover around the entertainment that is popular right now or how cute people are. On the other, the majority of the users, I suspect, are at least 10-15 years older than me, and conversations tend to be more of the theological, philosophical, and child-rearing nature. I barely even pay attention to that one, because they really take care of themselves over there as far as answering questions and such. But yesterday, for the first time ever, I had to send an email to someone because their actions on the site were inappropriate. Someone from the latter board. It was weird. Father of two -- and poor kids, their dad is freaking obnoxious.

Mc.Clintock.com -- this person is doing an inventory of his home... online.

Friday Five
1. How many times have you truly been in love?
That's debatable.

2. What was/is so great about the person you love(d) the most?
In the words of a friend, "It's easy to love people who love you, isn't it?"

3. What qualities should a significant other have?
I've got my whole "pre-king david" criteria developed six or seven years ago, I think.

4. Have you ever broken someone's heart?
I think I may have, but it was an accident.

5. If there was one thing you could teach people about love, what would it be?
Some people think that their love is clearly expressed through their actions, but I have learned that there is nothing more important than actually telling the people you love that you love them. Be they family, friends or significant others. I never want to live with the regret of not having told someone.

Song for the Day
Say the Words (Now) - dc Talk
~Say the words
Say the words
Say I love you~
Gotta love Matt's remix.

I think they're back -- yay!

Has anyone else been moved over to this new-fangled Dano version of Blogger yet? And if so, did you lose all of your old posts in the process?

Oh crap.

Hmm... new Blogger. It's not that I'm ordinarily averse to progress, but dang... everything's a-changin' on me these days.

And wouldn't you know, last night a saved a bunch of links here (without publishing) that I was going to write about today. Gone. We'll never know.

So today I'm naming the baby. (I say this as though I really do have a say in the matter. My suggestion of "Danielle Valentine" was already rejected.) :) Manda's middle name is Gaelic, so I think we ought to have her middle name be Gaelic as well. (I say "her" because I think the first boy has to be named after Jack -- John with a "G" middle name, and then be called Jack.) Baby Names of Ireland is a great site with lots of names, plus the pronunciations for those who are prone to pronounce "Caoimhe" as "cow-immy" when it is really "kee-va". (They even have .wav files. How nice.)

Patent Pending
So today I had a great fashion idea. I'm going to create little tassles and other snap-on decorations that can be attached to the little rivets on your jeans pockets. I see this becoming a huge fashion trend. You can snap on the pink ribbons for summer. Or snap on the gold sequins for clubbing. It'll be huge, I say. ;)

Eric is leading the Scum of the earth. That's so awesome.

I am going home over the 4th of July. Yippee! The one thing I want to try to find is an old green button (like the pin) that says "I Read". It was for some literacy campaign or something back when I was in grade school. It was no mini-button that has become hip these days either. I'm talking about the full-on 3" diameter green button. I think it's in my old Strawberry Shortcake tin -- but where that is... I'm not sure.

And while looking for buttons, I came across this. It was so funny to me: "Put patients at ease with this campaign-style button pin with the message 'I Love Being Your Hygienist.'" I'm sorry, you can love being my hygienist all you like, but that isn't going to stop me from instinctively biting your fingers when you stick them in my mouth.

Mike Edwards, lead singer for musical group Jesus Jones ("Right Here Right Now"), has written a book about his adventures that is available for download.

Oh Baby
Did I mention I'm going to be an auntie???? I'll have to fight Kris for favourite aunt rights. It's still a bit shocking... but my Manda is having a baby. Jack is going to be a father. That idea is going to take some getting used to. The question is whether they will actually name the child or just call it "baby" like they call each other.

The Simpsons Archive... entirely too thorough.

It's Going to be One of Those Days
Karl is in the other room singing "Living on a Prayer". After every line, he yells, "Come on!" And I don't think he is going to stop until we have an office sing-a-long. Here comes the key change.

I have officially done nothing today. But I did have...

Fun Times at the Drive-Thru
Nadia: And what can I get for you today, Danielle?
Me: What the... huh? Wait a second. Is there a camera in there?
Nadia: No, I have... x-ray eyes.

Hello, Ty! Mmm.

We'll Always Have Paris...
But I've never been to Paris. Does anybody ever "always have" any other place?
Sure they do, these people will always have:
▪ Baghdad
▪ Vancouver
▪ Casablanca
▪ Rome, or Madrid
▪ Morocco
▪ Akron
▪ Uzbekistan

▪ Starbucks?

Another test... could you pass 8th grade math? (I got 13/16 -- Magna Cum Laude! Not too bad for not having pencil & paper.)



I'm not telling until you do.

Pop Quiz, Hot Shot
Is it art or is it just plain, old crap?
(I got 10/16... there's more crap than I thought.)

Swiss, Swedish, Danish or Dutch?
(I got 8/16... those darn Swiss.)

Identify Michael Jackson's nose
(I got 12/15... it would have been 14 if they had left his sisters out of it.)

I Got Free Coffee, I Got Free Coffee
I got free coffee, hey hey hey hey.

I wasn't going to stop, but I saw Dan's jeep there meaning that he was back from his vacation. So I stopped in to say hello and get something since I'm out of cream at home. He just gave me a free latte so that he didn't have to so over to the register. Yay.

Gerber...
I think that I have outgrown college food. It's weird. I tried to eat pasta from a box tonight, and it just didn't taste good anymore. I guess once you know how to make real fettuccini, the "fake stuff" doesn't cut it.

Big Group Hug
I'm so excited -- I got my Saso cd in the mail today. I'd be listening to it too, but I left it in my car which is parked a mile away from my house. Don't ask.



Thanks to Dave over at Re:zine, I discovered how much Google is trying to cater to everyone. Hackers, dyslexics, Klingons, pig-latinos, and Elmer Fudd. Bork, bork, bork.

Condolences to Cory & family. She was like a Grandma to everyone in the gang... she came to all our shows, after all. Such a spirited woman -- I think we all thought she was going to live forever. Sorry.

Happy Birthday (yesterday), Naten Doten! You're like my brother, even though I already have one. You have so much in common with him, after all. You both play Tony Hawk with a passion. You both used to torture my Barbies. And I think I've known you both forever. Don't move before Independence Day, because I'm looking forward to coffee.

And you thought I had good links... WebhedFeat.com -- now he has good links.

42 Wallaby Way
Finding Nemo was really sweet. Surprisingly long for a children's flick. Of course the little fishies had to be aussie. The animation was really incredible, which I was expecting it to be... but it still was breathtaking. I loved Nemo's gimpy fin. (Big thanks to Jesse for getting me in the "stage door".)

Last night I went on the "Ghosts and Gore" walking tour of Franklin. It was pretty interesting, though nothing incredibly shocking was learned. Heard about a few of the "haunted houses" down there. I just kinda like history, so it was fun for me to hear about the old buildings.

Umm, I'm Getting Raped and Pillaged Over Here...
Now I must go practice Age of Myth. Hans and I played online the other night until 4:30 am. The first game it was us vs. the computer. But the second game... well, I don't know what happened. Either it was me against him and the computer or there were three teams... but wow, I lost huge! At one point I was down to one villager and a town center in flames. I did make a mini-comeback before they completely annihilated me. Good times. :)

Song for the Day:
When Doves Cry - Prince
~You've got the butterflies all tied up
Don't make me chase you
Even doves have pride~
I was thinking about this song on Friday, and then I heard it on the radio yesterday... right after they played "Jenny (867-5309)"! What a coincidence!