It astounds me how things disappear in my house. What's even more astounding is when the items magically reappear. By themselves. In places I've already looked.
Case in point, my missing Vampire Academy books.
Several friends of mine are vamp-fans, so we swap books. I loaned out my Vampire Academy books -- books 1 and 4 are still out, but books 2 and 3 were returned to me *months* ago (however, I couldn't find them anywhere in my house).
Today, I got a little ambitious and started excavating a pile of (not-so-old) mail, and lo and behold, book #2 magically appeared. This gave me the incentive to look for book #3. I ended up in the sunroom -- where I've looked before. Sure enough, book #3 was right out in the open, sitting on a shelf -- mocking me.
Now, if I could just find Paul's comic inventory books ... and my microplane. *sigh*
Sounds like I have a House O' Doom, in addition to the Sack O' Doom.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Aggressive Driving vs. Driver Courtesy
You'd think I've lived around here long enough to know that there are certain times of the day/month/year when it's not a good idea to get on the interstate.
Case in point: driving in any direction past the ballpark on game day. Plan on congestion and general driver foolishness. What makes it particularly irksome is when the ballgame starts (or lets out) around evening rush hour. (Note to self: get a game calendar, keep it in the car. Plan alternate routes.)
Now, I know there are plenty of people who go to the ball game after work, so don't you think this would be an excellent opportunity for the ballpark and local transit to figure out a decent solution? How about free or reduced parking if you (1) have a game day ticket, and (2) park your car early in the day, i.e., on your way in to work? Then run shuttle buses to and from downtown. (They could even work out some kind of deal for carpoolers.)
I think they dropped the ball *BIG TIME* when they redid the freeway. For all the redesign of ramps and traffic flow, congestion seems to have gotten worse, not better. Did it not occur to anyone that we might benefit from inbound/outbound express lanes (like Chicago)? Especially for rush hour/games/festivals?
One of my biggest pet peeves has to be the right lanes that end right after you get on the freeway. It never fails that X-many yahoos pay absolutely no attention to the "lane ends" sign, which means hotshots gunning it up the right side, and swooping in front of whoever is kind enough to let them in (or more likely, bullying their way over).
"Lane ends" means move over -- preferably now, not later!
Sadly, I've also seen drivers get upset when a car moves over when a law enforcement vehicle is pulled over on the right with its lights flashing. Hello, it's a law in this state!
Do we have to drive aggressively? Or would it kill us to take a moment to actually be nice to another driver?
Isn't the whole idea that everyone gets from Point A to Point B safely?
Case in point: driving in any direction past the ballpark on game day. Plan on congestion and general driver foolishness. What makes it particularly irksome is when the ballgame starts (or lets out) around evening rush hour. (Note to self: get a game calendar, keep it in the car. Plan alternate routes.)
Now, I know there are plenty of people who go to the ball game after work, so don't you think this would be an excellent opportunity for the ballpark and local transit to figure out a decent solution? How about free or reduced parking if you (1) have a game day ticket, and (2) park your car early in the day, i.e., on your way in to work? Then run shuttle buses to and from downtown. (They could even work out some kind of deal for carpoolers.)
I think they dropped the ball *BIG TIME* when they redid the freeway. For all the redesign of ramps and traffic flow, congestion seems to have gotten worse, not better. Did it not occur to anyone that we might benefit from inbound/outbound express lanes (like Chicago)? Especially for rush hour/games/festivals?
One of my biggest pet peeves has to be the right lanes that end right after you get on the freeway. It never fails that X-many yahoos pay absolutely no attention to the "lane ends" sign, which means hotshots gunning it up the right side, and swooping in front of whoever is kind enough to let them in (or more likely, bullying their way over).
"Lane ends" means move over -- preferably now, not later!
Sadly, I've also seen drivers get upset when a car moves over when a law enforcement vehicle is pulled over on the right with its lights flashing. Hello, it's a law in this state!
Do we have to drive aggressively? Or would it kill us to take a moment to actually be nice to another driver?
Isn't the whole idea that everyone gets from Point A to Point B safely?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Random Musings
Is life complicated, or are we the ones who complicate it?
If things were always easy, would we appreciate what we have? Or is it the struggle that causes us to reflect upon the journey?
As people struggle with the current economic downturn, unemployment, and financial hardships, we can learn from those around us, as well as those that have gone before us.
This old-time quote has frequently shown up during hard times:
"Fix it up*, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" (Pioneer proverb, also popular during WWII)
As a society, we have become a little too self-indulgent, turning into clones of Veruca Salt ("I Want It Now!"), rather than tempering our decisions (and purchases) to our current realities. (You see this from the government on down to the Average Joe. ) Too often, we confuse "wants" with "needs".
Do things have to get worse before we can start to become more responsible? (I sure hope not.)
* alternately "use it up" or "use it all"
If things were always easy, would we appreciate what we have? Or is it the struggle that causes us to reflect upon the journey?
As people struggle with the current economic downturn, unemployment, and financial hardships, we can learn from those around us, as well as those that have gone before us.
This old-time quote has frequently shown up during hard times:
"Fix it up*, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" (Pioneer proverb, also popular during WWII)
As a society, we have become a little too self-indulgent, turning into clones of Veruca Salt ("I Want It Now!"), rather than tempering our decisions (and purchases) to our current realities. (You see this from the government on down to the Average Joe. ) Too often, we confuse "wants" with "needs".
Do things have to get worse before we can start to become more responsible? (I sure hope not.)
* alternately "use it up" or "use it all"
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Arrr!
Yep, it's that time again -- "International Talk Like A Pirate Day".
For those who need a remedial course on Pirate, here's a useful link: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/howto.html
For those who need a remedial course on Pirate, here's a useful link: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/howto.html
Friday, September 18, 2009
... but why McDonald's usually sucks
I could go on a full blown rant here, but will opt for the Reader's Digest version:
Lured in by the aforementioned M&R Angus, I decided to give one of the other Angus Burgers a try.
This time, I opted for the Bacon and Cheese (which I think would be more aptly named "Salt Lick"). Don't believe me? Head over to mcdonalds.com, and check out the nutritional info (cleverly named "Bag a McMeal" -- *snort*). That sandwich packs over 2000mg of sodium (86% of your RDA)! Oh yeah, and a whopping 790 calories. (Yikes!)
I personally think that 2000mg of sodium per day is much too high, and try to stay under 1000mg. I obviously missed the mark on this one!
It's interesting to note that one-third of calories and sodium from this sandwich comes from the "premium bun". And if you leave off the pickle and the ketchup, you lose another 300mg of sodium.
I do like the fact that you can go to the website and see how you can customize your sandwich/meal to accommodate your dietary needs. (I'm seeing the feature more often on chain restaurant websites.)
BTW, it figures that one of my first posts is foodie. I'll probably start ranting about Top Chef next ...
Lured in by the aforementioned M&R Angus, I decided to give one of the other Angus Burgers a try.
This time, I opted for the Bacon and Cheese (which I think would be more aptly named "Salt Lick"). Don't believe me? Head over to mcdonalds.com, and check out the nutritional info (cleverly named "Bag a McMeal" -- *snort*). That sandwich packs over 2000mg of sodium (86% of your RDA)! Oh yeah, and a whopping 790 calories. (Yikes!)
I personally think that 2000mg of sodium per day is much too high, and try to stay under 1000mg. I obviously missed the mark on this one!
It's interesting to note that one-third of calories and sodium from this sandwich comes from the "premium bun". And if you leave off the pickle and the ketchup, you lose another 300mg of sodium.
I do like the fact that you can go to the website and see how you can customize your sandwich/meal to accommodate your dietary needs. (I'm seeing the feature more often on chain restaurant websites.)
BTW, it figures that one of my first posts is foodie. I'll probably start ranting about Top Chef next ...
Why McDonald's occasionally rocks ...
Mushroom and Swiss Angus Burgers -- awesome beefy goodness, 'shrooms, and Swiss cheese (which could've been more melty). Overall, a tasty sandwich.
Though the price could be lower.
Though the price could be lower.
What is "The Sack O' Doom"?
I don't carry a purse.
No, let me blunt -- I REFUSE to carry a purse. It's something that's too frou-frou frilly for me. (Kinda like lace.)
But when you haul a bunch of stuff around, what are the options?
I tried a briefcase for a while, but some things just don't fit. Plus people think you're a doctor or a lawyer or some other Really Important Occupation. (Or a salesperson, LOL.)
So I opted for a good ol' shapeless tote bag. Usually canvas. Sometimes it was a giveaway promoting a store (i.e, Macy's), a Broadway musical (aka "Cats", which I've never seen), but usually it's just some pattern or design. My latest Sacks O' Doom were acquired at the Ren Faire, so they have cool stuff like dragons, mystical designs or Celtic knotwork on them.
So, why call it "The Sack O' Doom"? I think it was a name one of my friends came up with -- probably because things disappeared in it (and occasionally made their way out). Maybe it's because I have to dig through it to find stuff (or upend it entirely). Or it's like the magician's hat that you pull the rabbit out of.
Just don't call it a purse.
P.S. When I stood up in a friend's wedding, they made me a matching Sack O' Doom for my outfit.
P.P.S. Can you believe I finally broke down and started a blog? (Tee hee.) Time to unleash my wit on an unsuspecting world ...
No, let me blunt -- I REFUSE to carry a purse. It's something that's too frou-frou frilly for me. (Kinda like lace.)
But when you haul a bunch of stuff around, what are the options?
I tried a briefcase for a while, but some things just don't fit. Plus people think you're a doctor or a lawyer or some other Really Important Occupation. (Or a salesperson, LOL.)
So I opted for a good ol' shapeless tote bag. Usually canvas. Sometimes it was a giveaway promoting a store (i.e, Macy's), a Broadway musical (aka "Cats", which I've never seen), but usually it's just some pattern or design. My latest Sacks O' Doom were acquired at the Ren Faire, so they have cool stuff like dragons, mystical designs or Celtic knotwork on them.
So, why call it "The Sack O' Doom"? I think it was a name one of my friends came up with -- probably because things disappeared in it (and occasionally made their way out). Maybe it's because I have to dig through it to find stuff (or upend it entirely). Or it's like the magician's hat that you pull the rabbit out of.
Just don't call it a purse.
P.S. When I stood up in a friend's wedding, they made me a matching Sack O' Doom for my outfit.
P.P.S. Can you believe I finally broke down and started a blog? (Tee hee.) Time to unleash my wit on an unsuspecting world ...
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