Rachel and I are on a ride home from dinner, chatting it up. She's trying to remember the name of a famous family who owns the building we are passing by, and being silly I blurt-out "The Kardashians?!" referring to a reality show about some rich family which I've only seen segments of. "That show is so random," I add, "It's like having The Brady Bunch with Dabney Coleman in it. Wait! No, I mean GARY Coleman in it!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Yul Brynner hanging-out with the Kardashians?" I point-out, in a don't-YOU-think-that's-a-wierd-pairing tone. Thinking about the random man who is dating the mom on the reality show, I find myself unable to find another example of a pairing more unnatural.
"That's weird considering he's dead." Rachel reports.
My synapses fail to fire and I assume she's making a joke about the fact that the man I am thinking of has had so much plastic surgery that he might as well be dead.
So I continue on, stretching my arms out in front of me like Frankenstein's monster. I joke about how he's kept alive by batteries, or perhaps a pull chord, "I'm running out of power! Give my cord a pull!" I say in a low voice, pumping my arms up and down slightly and bobbling my head. Thinking about how the man needs his strength, I add, "I'm a famous triathlete!"
"Triathlete? He was an actor!" Rachel announces.
"An actor?!" I'm still not catching my oversight and now we're both completely confused. Amused, but confused.
"Yeah, he was in The King and I. Yul Brynner?"
I burst out laughing and realize my mistake, "I meant Bruce Jenner!"
(And yes, I know now, he's a decathelete, not a triathelete.)
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Another New Collar
Oliver has a new collar, thanks to Jim who was visiting my alma mater a few weeks ago.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sea Horse
I do love these little creatures, and not just 'cause the males are the ones to give birth. I took this at John D. MacArthur State Park where they have a neat little nature center.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Chocolate Killer Cake
I wanted to make a special cake for dinner at Libby's tonight. I got the recipe from a photo subject I met months ago. Needless to say, the cake was too big for my bundt cake pan!
Problem solved with some thread! (I thought about floss, but didn't want any left over minty taste.)
Mmm, how do you like that! You wish you were coming to dinner too, huh! To look at it, you'd never know it's butt was cut off!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Website
A close friend of mine from Ohio University's sister is now an actress living and working in California. In checking out her facebook page, I checked-out her website. I totally took that photo of her on the homepage! It's like I know what I'm doing or something! How cool is that!
Passport
I got my passport, like, wicked fast.
They look cool, all new and stuff. I especially like the inside cover, which does not, as I falsely remembered and reported to my friends, have the Preamble to the Constitution on it, but rather, lyrics to our National Anthem.
They're both patriotic, so I was close. It's not like I remembered the words as being a few lines from "Yankee Doodle". That would be slightly amusing but not my first choice for inside cover art of my passport. I may have actually tried to send it back and ask the government for a different version, "You do have other styles, right?" I'll ask them in a carefully written letter, "Like, how 'bout Neil Diamond's 'Coming to America'? Do you have that one? Or, how about Toby Keith and Willie Nelson's 'Beer for My Horses'?"
Oh great, now that song's stuck in my head.
In all seriousness, they are pretty cool. And Yankee Doodle or no, so is my country, thank you very much.
They look cool, all new and stuff. I especially like the inside cover, which does not, as I falsely remembered and reported to my friends, have the Preamble to the Constitution on it, but rather, lyrics to our National Anthem.
They're both patriotic, so I was close. It's not like I remembered the words as being a few lines from "Yankee Doodle". That would be slightly amusing but not my first choice for inside cover art of my passport. I may have actually tried to send it back and ask the government for a different version, "You do have other styles, right?" I'll ask them in a carefully written letter, "Like, how 'bout Neil Diamond's 'Coming to America'? Do you have that one? Or, how about Toby Keith and Willie Nelson's 'Beer for My Horses'?"
Oh great, now that song's stuck in my head.
In all seriousness, they are pretty cool. And Yankee Doodle or no, so is my country, thank you very much.Muy Mortified
You can imagine my shock when I found this morning that Mark from Coffee Break Spanish left a note on my Coffee Break Spanish blog entry from a few days ago!
And I thought I only had about fifteen readers (After insulting him, I think my readership remains the same).
Anyway, I intend to email Mark and profess my continued and undying love for him and his show. In fact, I just uploaded another 20 episodes last night. I prefer him a "normal dude" too. Tall, dark, nice looking and approachable is far more appealing than drop-dead gorgeous and full of oneself.
Here's what was sent to me...
Mark Pentleton has left a new comment on your post "Coffee Break Spanish":
I'm sorry I was such a disappointment to you, but I kinda like being a 'normal dude'!
I hope this doesn't put you off continuing to enjoy the lessons.
Mark
No longer "mysterious, tall, dark and handsome" Coffee Break Spanish Host
And I thought I only had about fifteen readers (After insulting him, I think my readership remains the same).
Anyway, I intend to email Mark and profess my continued and undying love for him and his show. In fact, I just uploaded another 20 episodes last night. I prefer him a "normal dude" too. Tall, dark, nice looking and approachable is far more appealing than drop-dead gorgeous and full of oneself.
Here's what was sent to me...
Mark Pentleton has left a new comment on your post "Coffee Break Spanish":
I'm sorry I was such a disappointment to you, but I kinda like being a 'normal dude'!
I hope this doesn't put you off continuing to enjoy the lessons.
Mark
No longer "mysterious, tall, dark and handsome" Coffee Break Spanish Host
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Business of Being Born
I just watched a fascinating documentary. I highly recommend it!
The Business of Being Born is "a controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that many expectant parents are now opting for."
Rent it now.
The Business of Being Born is "a controversial documentary takes a hard look at America's maternity care system, juxtaposing hospital deliveries against the growing popularity of at-home, natural childbirths that many expectant parents are now opting for."
Rent it now.
Coffee Break Spanish
Ok, I admit that I was asking for it. Wandering through iTunes, I discovered Coffee Break Spanish. It's this great, weekly pod-cast providing spanish lessons in fifteen minute segments.
I listen to it often when I am in my car. Now that I have a fancy new nano, I have all the previous lessons (I think the course is on lesson thirty-something).
The hosts are interesting. With the show based in Scotland, both hosts have thick accents which take a moment to get used to and understand. Kara, who always sounds like she's about to fall into a fit of giggles when speaking, (though she looks so serious in her headshot!) tells us at the beginning of the pod-cast that Coffee Break Spanish is "where you can learn language with your laddie". Or so I thought, until I figured out she was actually saying latte, which makes far more sense.
I immediately adored Mark, mi professor, until I was crushed to hear him introduce his son, Matthew, on one of the shows. Now, the Mark I envisioned is no more and my dreams of being the wife of a famous pod-caster are gone. How I imagined him disappeared when I looked-up his photo on the web.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Mark is a perfectly nice person, but the mysterious, tall, dark and handsome host with the low voice is just a normal dude now, thanks to my curiosity, and modern technology.
\
I listen to it often when I am in my car. Now that I have a fancy new nano, I have all the previous lessons (I think the course is on lesson thirty-something).
The hosts are interesting. With the show based in Scotland, both hosts have thick accents which take a moment to get used to and understand. Kara, who always sounds like she's about to fall into a fit of giggles when speaking, (though she looks so serious in her headshot!) tells us at the beginning of the pod-cast that Coffee Break Spanish is "where you can learn language with your laddie". Or so I thought, until I figured out she was actually saying latte, which makes far more sense.
I immediately adored Mark, mi professor, until I was crushed to hear him introduce his son, Matthew, on one of the shows. Now, the Mark I envisioned is no more and my dreams of being the wife of a famous pod-caster are gone. How I imagined him disappeared when I looked-up his photo on the web.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Mark is a perfectly nice person, but the mysterious, tall, dark and handsome host with the low voice is just a normal dude now, thanks to my curiosity, and modern technology.
\
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Rock of Love II
Hanging with Rachel tonight, we saw a TV promo for the Bret Michael's show, Rock of Love II.
Me - "Oh, tonight's the finale"
Rachel - "Ugh, I just look at those poeple and I get chlamydia"
Me - "Oh, tonight's the finale"
Rachel - "Ugh, I just look at those poeple and I get chlamydia"
Monday, April 14, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Make-up Case
I bought myself a make-up case yesterday (yes, I wear make-up!...sometimes) in an effort to organize the drawer overflowing with crap.
To organize more, I made a border of pockets for the case this morning.
It's not perfect but it's a vast improvement, I think!
To organize more, I made a border of pockets for the case this morning.
It's not perfect but it's a vast improvement, I think!Friday, April 11, 2008
My Bill is How Much?!
I few months ago I was talking with an AT&T representative about my local and long-distance plan. They had a more affordable deal that would save me $30 a month. Sign me up!
The following month I received a bill that showed no signs of the miraculous money saving change. I called, they said not to worry. The bill will drop next month. It has not done so because there was a fee with the change-over. You will see your $30 savings next month, she told me.
I was relieved, really, when my new Indian friend, Preston, who works for AT&T responded to my question about my $224 phone bill this month with, "Oh, that's really weird."
Because really I thought I would hear something more like, "Oh, that's our screw you with the fine print loophole fee!"
Long story short, AT&T effed up and Preston made it almost all better. Next month, I'll get a teeny tiny bill, and this month, he got rid of the ludicrous charges.
Yay, Preston!
The following month I received a bill that showed no signs of the miraculous money saving change. I called, they said not to worry. The bill will drop next month. It has not done so because there was a fee with the change-over. You will see your $30 savings next month, she told me.
I was relieved, really, when my new Indian friend, Preston, who works for AT&T responded to my question about my $224 phone bill this month with, "Oh, that's really weird."
Because really I thought I would hear something more like, "Oh, that's our screw you with the fine print loophole fee!"
Long story short, AT&T effed up and Preston made it almost all better. Next month, I'll get a teeny tiny bill, and this month, he got rid of the ludicrous charges.
Yay, Preston!
Chimps are my Favorite!
Life is worth living. That's what my friend Rachel said as she got comfortable on my couch last night to settle in for an evening of chocolate covered pretzels and a...documentary.
About a gorilla.
Who can communicate though American Sign Language.
Ah, this is the life. We do love our primates.
Koko: A Talking Gorilla.
I had mixed feelings about this story/situation. Koko is an experiment, after all. Taken from her family because of an illness at the San Francisco Zoo in the early 1970s, she was kept at Stanford University for the sign language study after she was free of her illness.
Taken from her family, yes, but worse off? No, not really. First of all, the footage of the gorilla home at the zoo was deplorable. This documentary was done in the '70s so it's interesting to see how things were done then, both in the treatment of animals and the production of documentaries (I've seen better). The zoo had the gorillas on cement. I'm sure it's updated now but, really, Koko had it just fine with her access to a fridge and frequent tree-climbing, something that the gorillas at the San Fran Zoo didn't appear to have.
Koko is still working with Dr. Penny Patterson today. In the footage from the '70s, we also meet Michael. The hope was that the two would breed eventually. I don't think that happened because there was no mention of it on the website. Sadly, Michael died too of heart failure a few years ago. Reading about how Koko dealt with the loss of her friend is heartbreaking. Click here to see the Koko website.
I was excited to see Dr. Roger Fouts in the documentary. He is the author of one of my favorite books, "Next of Kin". It's the story of his experiences with a chimpanzee named Washoe. She was taken from NASA studies and taught sign language by Fouts. Many of the other chimps Fouts worked with were taught to sign too. He would go from home to home where various chimps in the study were living with humans (this is called cross-fostering. I know you were SO wondering) and the stories were hilarious; Moja loved to play dress-up, Lucy would brew tea for his visits and loved to flip through Playboy magazine. Eventually, he established an island sanctuary for them. So, for study purposes, they were taught sign, and for being a chimp purposes, they were brought to the island preserve to play together and communicate in sign and in chimp speak daily. Surrounded by a moat, the chimps were safe to roam because they sink like rocks in water. As a result there was never concern that they would take off and put themselves in danger. One time, Fouts watched as Washoe dashed into the water to pull out another chimp who had somehow made his way into the water and drowned. Instinctively, Washoe knew she would sink just as quickly, but she still went after her fellow chimp. The chimp survived thanks to Washoe's efforts. It can be noted here that it would take many humans to put the weight of a full-grown chimp from the water. The book is a fascinating look into the intelligence and thoughtfulness of the species.
Now, Fouts has a sanctuary for Washoe and her family (she did breed in captivity). They live at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute in Washington. I will have to make it a plan to go there someday.
The Institute is interesting in that the humans have no physical contact with the chimps anymore aside from coming into their large structure to clean their homes or feed the chimps. Aside form that, all signing happens through the cage. I find that so interesting. As though the humans have decided that the chimps may have been born in labs or rescued from flight experiments, but they still belong with one another and only with one another.
In exploring their website, I was sad to learns that Washoe recently died of old age.
Washoe
About a gorilla.
Who can communicate though American Sign Language.
Ah, this is the life. We do love our primates.
Koko: A Talking Gorilla.
I had mixed feelings about this story/situation. Koko is an experiment, after all. Taken from her family because of an illness at the San Francisco Zoo in the early 1970s, she was kept at Stanford University for the sign language study after she was free of her illness.
Taken from her family, yes, but worse off? No, not really. First of all, the footage of the gorilla home at the zoo was deplorable. This documentary was done in the '70s so it's interesting to see how things were done then, both in the treatment of animals and the production of documentaries (I've seen better). The zoo had the gorillas on cement. I'm sure it's updated now but, really, Koko had it just fine with her access to a fridge and frequent tree-climbing, something that the gorillas at the San Fran Zoo didn't appear to have.
Koko is still working with Dr. Penny Patterson today. In the footage from the '70s, we also meet Michael. The hope was that the two would breed eventually. I don't think that happened because there was no mention of it on the website. Sadly, Michael died too of heart failure a few years ago. Reading about how Koko dealt with the loss of her friend is heartbreaking. Click here to see the Koko website.
I was excited to see Dr. Roger Fouts in the documentary. He is the author of one of my favorite books, "Next of Kin". It's the story of his experiences with a chimpanzee named Washoe. She was taken from NASA studies and taught sign language by Fouts. Many of the other chimps Fouts worked with were taught to sign too. He would go from home to home where various chimps in the study were living with humans (this is called cross-fostering. I know you were SO wondering) and the stories were hilarious; Moja loved to play dress-up, Lucy would brew tea for his visits and loved to flip through Playboy magazine. Eventually, he established an island sanctuary for them. So, for study purposes, they were taught sign, and for being a chimp purposes, they were brought to the island preserve to play together and communicate in sign and in chimp speak daily. Surrounded by a moat, the chimps were safe to roam because they sink like rocks in water. As a result there was never concern that they would take off and put themselves in danger. One time, Fouts watched as Washoe dashed into the water to pull out another chimp who had somehow made his way into the water and drowned. Instinctively, Washoe knew she would sink just as quickly, but she still went after her fellow chimp. The chimp survived thanks to Washoe's efforts. It can be noted here that it would take many humans to put the weight of a full-grown chimp from the water. The book is a fascinating look into the intelligence and thoughtfulness of the species.
Now, Fouts has a sanctuary for Washoe and her family (she did breed in captivity). They live at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute in Washington. I will have to make it a plan to go there someday.
The Institute is interesting in that the humans have no physical contact with the chimps anymore aside from coming into their large structure to clean their homes or feed the chimps. Aside form that, all signing happens through the cage. I find that so interesting. As though the humans have decided that the chimps may have been born in labs or rescued from flight experiments, but they still belong with one another and only with one another.
In exploring their website, I was sad to learns that Washoe recently died of old age.
Washoe
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Mac 'n' Cheese
I'm trying hard to be better about what I eat. I've been going tot he gym three times a week and it has made little difference. I have been logging my food for about the last three weeks and that has made no difference on the scale either.
While it is frustrating, I do have to remind myself that my friend Rachel was here last week-end, my Dad was here the week-end before, and my birthday was in the middle. Very little true calorie watching happened. So, I am hoping that I can refocus my efforts now and shave off a few pounds.
I have found over the years that only a few things will lead me to my "ideal" weight; depression, extreme happiness (because I lose my appetite with both), and starving myself (which really isn't starving myself, but rather, eating the appropriate amount of food, which always leaves me hungry). It's a shame that depression is so unfun and extreme contentedness is so ellusive.
Anyway, in an effort to be healthier, I made this mac 'n' cheese from a foodtv.com recipe. It's lower in calories and weirdly, uses pureed squash. I was skeptical, but intrigued.
As it turns out, it's actually quite good!
You can find the recipe here. If you are feeling bold, give it a try yourself. Or, if you're in the area, stop by; the thing with living alone is you have forty-two servings left over after you actually DO cook something.
some ingredience Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Photo Subject
Often when I'm photographing someone for work, I will say, "Ok, turn your face to the light, and just bring your eyes to me"
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Visit With Rachel
My dear childhood friend, Rachel, came to visit, sans three daughters and hubby, for the week-end. Nirvi had organized dinner at the wonderful DaDa restaurant for my birthday and Rachel came to town to be a part of it. I'd file the birthday dinner photos but I'll be here all day upoading. It was a great time, I'll just say that.
Breakfast at JohnG's.
Some Palm Beach shoppers during our brief visit to Worth Avenue.
Some Palm Beach types. (I kept pretending to photograph Rachel in order to actually photograph the creepy locals.
At dinner at DaDas.
Breakfast at JohnG's.
Some Palm Beach shoppers during our brief visit to Worth Avenue.
Some Palm Beach types. (I kept pretending to photograph Rachel in order to actually photograph the creepy locals.
At dinner at DaDas.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Cat Diary
My Mom sent this to me and I thought I'd share...
Excerpts from a Dog's Diary
* 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
* 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
* 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
* 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
* 12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
* 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
* 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
* 5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
* 7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
* 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
* 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Diary
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now..
Excerpts from a Dog's Diary
* 8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
* 9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
* 9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
* 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
* 12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
* 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
* 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
* 5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
* 7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
* 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
* 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Diary
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now..
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
It's My Birthday!
I have to point out the cake in this picture. There was no mold for that badboy. Mom made three cakes; one huge one and two small ones, (can you believe that all three were layer cakes,too?) to make the Mickey Mouse head. I love how I have a fork in my left hand, like, why do I even have to blow out the candles or, cut the cake for that matter? Need we bother even cutting the cake?My Mom is the birthday party throwing rock star!
Hand it over, I've got work to do if I'm going to keep up my pudgy figure! I have two chins to maintain, you see!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
eCards
My thoughtful (and funny) friend, Shannon sent these eCard along to me, as an early Happy Birthday greeting. I love them and wanted to share!
Thanks, Shannon!
She found them on someecards.com
Thanks, Shannon!
She found them on someecards.com
Google Mail
I just went to log on to my email account when this message about the new feature now available in Gmail came up. It brings being lazy, unorganized and slightly thoughtless to a new level (she types while thinking she may have to actually use the feature herself someday)...
| New! Gmail Custom TimeTM | ||
| Ever wish you could go back in time and send that crucial email that could have changed everything -- if only it hadn't slipped your mind? Gmail can now help you with those missed deadlines, missed birthdays and missed opportunities.
|
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