jali's house

Moved To Wordpress Stuff

2007-10-21T19:48:00.000-04:00

Here's the new address: http://jalishouse.wordpress.com/

Retread Stuff

2007-10-19T10:45:00.000-04:00

I'm much greener than I was in May when I wrote this little piece. I no longer drive "Guy" the 50 mile roundtrip to work every day. I ride in a commuter van with 8 other sweet people, and I've made a great friend because of the ride.

Here are my thoughts from back in May:

I commute to Buckhead from Riverdale daily and I want to share my thoughts with that guy.

That guy is the driver who fights to position himself in the far left lane then decides that going with the flow of traffic is too much to ask of him, so drives 10 or so MPH slower than all the other cars on the highway (except the poor drivers behind him).

Dear That guy,

I realize that I am not an emperor of the world (as you obviously are) so should feel honored that you cut me off this morning in your haste to get into the far left lane of the "Connector" this morning. I'm beginning to understand that I probably don't need to drive at the speed I wish - you're there to regulate the speed of all the cars behind you and the crisp 40 MPH you determined should have been good enough for me. It was really fun watching all the cars jump in front of you, delaying us further.

I leave my home at 7am so that I'll make it to work by the 8:30 start time my boss has dictated. I drove behind you wondering if you were self employed with no appointments since you obviously were enjoying the lovely view of the downtown highway and were in no rush to get anywhere.

I made 2 efforts to pass you. Each time you sped up and drove bumper to bumper with the car ahead of you to prevent my move.

I want to thank you for ensuring that I don't suffer from low blood pressure (marked increase in my numbers I'm sure during the ride).

I have on last thought for you: *^&%^&(*( ^&^%&^ )*(&*&^^!!!!!!!!

Now that I ride in the HOV lane (I say H.O.V. and my daughter Brooke says hov - like it's a word - she's wrong of course, but she lives in Delaware and that's how they are up there) I see the emperors blocking traffic every day. I'm thrilled as I speed past them.

I suppose this is a commercial for ride sharing - help save the planet and lower your blood pressure at the same time. I'm saving time and money too. My monthly cost is $87.50 - MUCH cheaper than the $60 parking bill I paid plus the cost of 4 tanks of gas per month. Think about it - maybe you can form a car or van pool in your community - or join an exisiting one.

Stub Stuff

2007-10-17T08:41:00.000-04:00

I've had this blue ticket stub for almost 2 years. It has it's own place on my desk at work. I usually don't follow instructions, but for some reason I felt a real compulsion to obey the ticket master. Number 757709 was my ticket for some drawing or the other and since it says. "keep this coupon" I'm holding on to the sucker.

It's amazing how many of my hopes and dreams have gone into my purchase of these tickets. As the number calling guy or chick begins saying the winning number, I stand in amazement - 7... YES! I have a seven! 5... Hey. That's two for two. 7... Oh. My. God. I have three of the numbers already! My little heart starts racing. I begin to sweat. 7... This is my lucky day. FOUR numbers. Woo-hoo.

I glance at my neighbor to the left. What a coincidence - he has 7577_ _ too. I sneak a look at the ticket on my right - she's another winner - maybe.

I realize that the winning numbers are the last two and that everyone has 7577_ _. My plans for my winnings are dashed as the number caller says, "9", then "6". No one raises their hand to claim the prize. The caller repeats the numbers and gives the winner 30 seconds to claim their prize.

I wait, hoping that the winner has walked away or is stuck in the bathroom or lost their winning ticket. I scan the ground for the winning ticket. Nope.

The 30 seconds finally pass and the caller begins the sequence. I won't be fooled again and I don't even look at my ticket this time until after the first four numbers have been called.

My beating heart won't be controlled and again my mouth is bone dry with anticipation. C'mon zero-nine. Mamma needs a new pair of shoes. C'mon zero-nine.

The next number is "0". Aaaaaaaah! Imma win... imma win... ooooh... Imma win!!!.

I prepare myself for the long walk to claim my prize. I wonder if I have time to add a little lip gloss and I suck in my stomach, ready to go.

"3".

I pretend to be happy for the bitch to my right who just won. Look at her - all smug and happy. Hmmmph.

Pro Choice Stuff

2007-10-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

Here are a few of the reasons I'm Pro-choice!

Silly jali Stuff

2007-10-12T23:19:00.000-04:00

I've been asked repeatedly throughout my life to refrain from singing.

I ignored that request back when I was 4 or 5, riding in the Dodge Dart with my family, singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" at the top of my lungs. (until my mother snatched off her flip flop and bopped me in the head)

I ignored that request when I forced my parents and their guests to be my audience as I performed my rendition of the "Alice in Wonderland" album in our living room. I could see the "request" in my parent's eyes, but since we had company, I knew that the request would remain unspoken, and since their friends were way too polite to do anything but smile politely and listen, while praying for the album to end, I had their captive ears.

I ignored that request when driving my children and their friends to the skating rink. I wisely used my time to share amazingly hip rapping skills along with my clear pure voice with all those in the mini-van.

I still love to sing. I've finally accepted that others don't understand my talent and don't appreciate my selfless efforts to entertain.

I sing along with the radio (even though I rarely know what I'm actually singing about (since it's a "crunk" station and I'm just cranky) in the car all the time. Songs get stuck in my head and I find my self singing if I'm walking alone and not really paying attention.

I usually shop late at night in the neighborhood Kroger grocery store. The store plays an in-house radio station that plays a lot of music I know.

The last night I shopped there was a real memory lane experience for me. "Africa" by Toto was playing as I walked through the produce section. Coincidentally, the showers over the veggies came on, so I was feeling the African jungle thing and I guess I was moving to the music as I sang with the lead. A cute guy stopped in the aisle and was staring a me. "Whoa", I thought, "I must be looking pretty good tonight if I'm stopping men in their tracks".

Dumb jali didn't consider that her performance might be a little much at midnight in Kroger.

I finished my performance and the guy turned to move on.

"No", I thought, "Not yet." I wheeled my cart and followed him, then did my "Boom chick a wah-wah. (You know, like the Axe commercial). I thought it would be funny and a great conversation starter.

It wasn't my greatest moment.

The guy stammered that he was in a relationship and that he'd better be going.

I guess I just amazed him by making a spectacle of myself.

Some people dance to their own beat. I sing to my own tune.

Stuff stuff

2007-10-10T21:32:00.000-04:00

I am officially a snot factory. I must have lost 20 pounds in snot and phlegm since Sunday night. I went to get some "Musilex (however it's spelled) and learned that a small bottle of the stuff costs $22.99. I bought the store brand for $8.99 and it worked pretty well.

I've been sick at home for the last couple of days and I've already gone through a box and a half of tissues. I'm writing this with pieces of tissue stuck in each nostral and I'm breathing through my mouth. I can't taste or smell anything. I have a headache. I'm grouchy as hell.

I'm writing this from my laptop AT HOME!!! Yup - I moved and have the internet at home so I'll be able to see all the videos posted to your blogs. I listened to two episodes of Laurie and DD's radio show. I'm a big gil now!

Tomorrow from work I'll send myself all my links to your pages and I'll be able to visit again. I got a couple of links from the addys I remembered, but I want to see you all.

I love my new apartment except for the occasional bug I've found. The place was spotless on inspection but once I moved in they started to show their nasty little faces. The exterminator was here yesterday and hopefully there will be no more. I'm sure it's like a comedy watching me trying to kill a bug - I'm scared it might get on me so I sort of jump around (moving target)screaming curses at the bug. I went out and bought bug spray and I DROWN their little asses in poison. I drown them. I left a bug where he croaked to warn all the other little fuckers to go away. I think it's working except I'm afraid of it every time I check to make sure it's still dead. I'll probably get Jack (my 16 year old baby)to move it for me (that's why you have kids) tomorrow.

I live in the same complex as ex-husband number two - my son Jack lives with him so I get to see him all the time now. He comes to eat although he insists he just wants to see me, and I've been trying to fix his favorite dishes and I send him home (down the block) with a plate for his late night snack with instructions NOT to feed his pops although Charles probably has a good burp courtesy of the evil ex-wife.

I'm getting used to life without Adrian. No more on that.

I'm watching the movie "Overboard" again tonight - it's one of my favorites (I have so many favorites it's ridiculous). "If you have a baby, you won't be the baby."

I'll be posting the film festival winners soon - I'm just a lazy ass sometimes. Sorry.

News Stuff

2007-10-05T10:46:00.000-04:00

Since this is my first entry for the week, I searched and searched, vowing to impress you guys.

In my travels across the 'net, I found the following article.
September 28 2007: 11:15 AM EDT
SEATTLE (AP) -- Ever wonder what the Seahawks' locker room tastes like after a big game?

Apparently, Jones Soda Co. thinks Seattle NFL fans want to know. The company started taking online pre-orders Thursday for a five-pack of sodas with flavors it says reflect the hard work of professional football players.

Clare Bowles, a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based company, said the four literally named flavors -- Dirt, Sports Cream, Perspiration and Natural Field Turf -- are "pretty lifelike."

"Perspiration Soda is kind of salty tasting," she said, with a slightly higher sodium content than the average soda, with a smooth, "stinky football sock" finish.

A sip of Sports Cream Soda conjures up the experience of rubbing ointment into an aching muscle, while Natural Field Turf Soda is like "playing tackle football, and you get tackled really hard, you're down on the ground and you get a little bit of the grass in your teeth," Bowles said.

The only sweet soda of the bunch, Sweet Victory, has a berry flavor.

Each bottle features the photo of a Seattle Seahawks player. Limited quantities of the five-pack will be sold in select stores starting Oct. 1.

I love football, and I've been known to enjoy a salty or tangy flavor now and then, but Perspiration Soda just ain't for me.

Did anyone catch the Chris Matthews show last Sunday evening? He used the word "dissed" twice in a discussion about the Republican candidates skipping certain debates they were invited to. Dissed. WTF???

Interesting News

Okay, it's not really news, but since the site is new to me I'm posting it as news: http://www.j-archive.com/

While I'm at it, one of my favorite game makers has added a new game to his site. It was done as a commercial job but it's as much fun as the others I've played: http://shingakunet.com/special/10054301/0285/

Personal News

I had the pleasure of having brunch with restaurant gal and lex here in Atlanta a few weeks ago. This was our first face to face meeting and we laughed and talked for hours like old girlfriends rather than like strangers.

It's amazing how close we can get through our electronic connections. The three of us were able to confide in each other without hesitation since we are already friends. I was able to tell them things that I hadn't been able to discuss with others that I see on a regular basis. My online friendships are important to me and I trust my long distant friends.

I won't share any of their hilarious stories - they'll probably blog about them sometime in the future.

I hope to see both of them again soon and hope that others may want to hang out with us next time. Tina, cleopatra and mist1 - I'm sorry that I was so last minute in making arrangements that we couldn't get you. (I moved that weekend, so things were really confused)

Dallas December 6th - 9th. Any takers? (send me an email - I'll send you my #)

Have a good weekend. I'm off to play trivia - I'm at level 13 badge - I'm addicted.

Info Stuff

2007-09-26T11:30:00.000-04:00

This link is the best thing I've found on the web to date! It's a wonderful find. You will thank me.

The page shows how to get past the recordings for many companies and get to a customer service rep without using up your whole lunch hour wading through their systems.

Ta-dum! www.gethuman.com

Share it with someone you love.

Game Stuff

2007-09-19T09:32:00.000-04:00

Where's jali?

I've been playing trivia EVERY SINGLE DAY - all day at this addictive website. I'm not listing the addy yet, I want to give you a chance to back away and run from the room.

The site is amazing! If you like music there are quizzes on every type of music you can imagine. do you love movies? There are literally thousands of movie quizzes. Literature, humanities, science, geography, history, celebrities, people, sports are just some of the other topics available.

I thought I knew alot about my "Friends". I clicked the "TV" link, then went to the listing for the letter "f" and found a page with a listing of "Friends" quizzes which blew my mind!

I've joined the page and I play in tournaments daily - I look at it as brain exercise for the brain addled. I was invited to join a trivia team and I'm having a ball hanging with the cool kids.

I decided to star my own trivia tournament thing which you can find at Play our Daily Trivia Game! New Questions Daily!.

If you don't like my general quiz, then click the top of the page in the left corner where it says "fun quiz". That's the main screen and you can choose from there.
I'll paraphrase Paula Dean, "Come on y'all, let's play!"

Wedding Stuff - Sonia and Tai

2007-09-13T08:36:00.001-04:00

I don't know if any of you remember me mentioning, a few months back, that I was honored by a couple getting married and asked to do a poem as part of their wedding ceremony.

The wedding was held in a gorgeous old mansion in town (Atlanta) on a Friday night. The actual ceremony took place in the garden - the evening was beautiful - and we happily assembled outside, preparing for the formal rites.

This is the beautiful couple.

The gentlemen (I call the photo "The Usual Suspects) to the right ROBBED me the night before the wedding.

I was invited to hang out with the crew after the rehearsal and the groom's mother cooked up a storm. Homemade fried rice - noodles - homemade eggrolls - much better fare than any restaurant and I felt right at home at the couple's gorgeous house. Ater dinner the guys 'generously' invited me to hang out with them in the basement. I should have known that they were pros - they had a real poker table set up just like at the casinos. I innocently anted up my hard earned money and was taken to the cleaners in the first couple of rounds.

Since the wedding was held in a lovely old mansion, I expected a sedate reception with chamber music playing discreetly in the background. Instead the crowd partied like it was 1999. The bride and groom made sure that there were no strangers at their reception. We all hung out together like old friends and I had a blast!

I'm looking forward to the first anniversary party!

You Pick 'em Film Festival Stuff

2007-09-05T16:40:00.000-04:00

Pick your top 5 from the list below. (Yeah - I know your personal favorite may not be listed - but just do it MY way)

Snatch
Lock, Stock and 3 Smoking Barrels
Trainspotting
A Walk In The Clouds
Babe
Clueless
Tombstone
Monsters, Inc.
Finding Forrester
Disney's Beauty and Beast
Men of Honor
The Color Purple

Now add 5 movies that are your favorites - it's okay if they're duplicates of some of mine.

I want to hold an online film festival - the top movies here (and on your blogs if you want to participate) will be viewed in the month of October and we can discuss them.

To particiapte: post your favorite films and ask your readers to pick 5 of yours and add 5 of their own. We should be able to come up with the top 5 films from all participants based on list duplications. Please drop me a line if you want to do this and I'll count your blog's results. We'll post the names of the movies at the end of September.

Holiday Weekend Stuff

2007-09-05T08:38:00.000-04:00

I had a ball this weekend folks!
On Saturday I attended the Decatur Book Festival in Decatur, Georgia. I took MARTA (public transportation) from my home in Riverdale and the ride was great. It seems that the crazies follow a regular workday schedule and no one offered to sell me DVDs or gum or tried to convince me to give my life to Jesus on the ride.

DragonCon was held in Atlanta this weekend too and there were a few interesting looking characters from SciFi/Fantasy land on the train that morning. I was tempted to get off the train and take a quick peek, but one of my favorite authors, Terry Brooks was scheduled to speak at 12:30 and seats were limited so I stayed on my train.

I'm an early bird (I HATE being late!) and I was in Decatur by 9:30 and I had time to look around, get some coffee and attend a seminar.

I live in an apartment and I've killed every plant I've ever known, but I decided to see what Walter Reeves (a locally famous gardener) had to say. He has a radio show and writes a weekly column in the newspaper. He's written quite a few books on gardening. (I paid attention during the intro)

The audience was mainly white haired southern ladies in pearls with a few husbands in attendance but just about everyone was friendly and I sat way in the front of the auditorium next to a sweet faced elder and her boyfriend (they acted as if they were on a date - I decided they were a new couple)

His talk was a lot of fun! He spoke of the reasons he got into gardening and related the story of how his parents met (a set up) and and how his mother was health conscious way back in the 50s.

He had the crowd sing along with a song about gardening. We had to stamp our feet and bang on the benches. I had a ball!

After he spoke I had time to look around downtown Decatur - I walked over to the Children's Pavilion and listened to a story for a few minutes, strolled through the Food Court, had a another coffee, and then browsed through a great little shop that sold imported home accessories. I love stores like this although most of the items are waaaay out of my price range. I just had to buy myself a souvenir of the day and I chose three delicate glass bracelets that were on sale (unbelievably cheap). The owner wrapped them very carefully, gave me a gorgeous gift bag to carry -and treated me like a valued customer. Whenever I run into some cash, I'll make it a point to patronize her shop.

Terry Brooks (author of the Shannara series, the Landover series and more) is an attorney who started writng just for the love of it. He's a New York Times bestselling author and I'm sure he's pretty wealthy, but he was down to earth and genuine. He took time to speak to all of us who waited for autographs - I even met his wife. he talked about his early career, what inspires him, how he developed his characters and his love of the craft. I was charmed by Mr. Brooks.
Tina Mcelroy Ansa (author of the series of books set in the fictional Mulburry, Ga.) spoke in the late afternoon. She read us the first chapter of her new novel and she inspired me - she started a publishing company, DownSouth Press in the spring of this year and I was so moved by some of the things she spoke of that I had to give her something. She was busy signing autographs, so I asked her husband to give her the glass bracelets from the little store for me. He took my hand and led me to the front of the line, introduced me to his wife and Tina was gracious enough to put on the bracelets immediately and she gave me a hug.
The day was perfect! I started writing as soon as I got home, and I didn't stop until maybe two the next morning. I wrote all day on Sunday (I didn't bathe until after 5pm) and then went to a cookout.(future post - I had a ball!)

I spent all day writing on Monday and I'm proud to say that I'm on page 86 of my novel, Granny and the story is getting better and better. I'm learning that my characters have things to say, and that I have to craft the story around the points they need to make. I was crying with Geneva (my star) as I was writing and I think this is going to be really good.

http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2007/index.html
http://www.walterreeves.com/
http://www.tinamcelroyansa.com/
http://www.downsouthpress.com/
http://www.terrybrooks.net/archive/index.html
http://www.dragoncon.org/

How was your weekend?

Hormonal and Other Stuff

2007-08-29T09:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a bad day.

I argued for over an hour with strangers on line about the PETA protesters. I was very annoyed with a coworker (still a bit pissed) over stupid shit. I was frustrated by my slow moving programs - all of them! I was hot as hell! You know that feeling that if one more thing happens you just might cry?

Yesterday was no different from my average Tuesday. People are argumentative online every day. My coworker hasn't changed. It's actually cooler in Atlanta this week than it's been for the last month.

Why the grouchies yesterday? I forgot my patch - my hormonal patch that I'm supposed to stick to my belly on Sunday. I was distracted after my shower by a computer game calling me (effing Zuma - can you believe it?) and I forgot all about it. I made it through Monday without incident, but yesterday I was the bitchiest nice girl you'll ever meet.

I rented a movie over the weekend and watched it last night, "March of the Penguins." I want a penguin for my next boyfriend! I'm not kidding! Penguin love is so charming and sweet. I'm sure you've all seen this movie - I just happen to have a "contrary gene" - if EVERYONE goes to see something, I won't - I don't like to jump on the bandwagon, but I really made a mistake in missing this on the big screen.

Who of you still haven't rented Snatch? Did you hear me last time? Follow my instructions now and take thee online to Blockbuster.com and rent this movie - or you can go old school and go to the store. Guy Ritchie is my dude!

There's a Ritchie film that I can't get my hands on: Revolver. Please send me a line if you have a copy - I NEED to see this. I'm willing to give...um...just contact me.

I want to get serious about an Atlanta Metro meet/greet. Who's down? C'mon, it'll be fun: food, drinks, jali talking about herself... good times.

Where's Mike Stuff

2007-08-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

Does anyone know what happened to Mike of "Nonsense Served Almost Daily"? There are posts in Japanese on the site now. I really miss him.

Memory Stuff

2007-08-24T08:31:00.000-04:00

I had a great childhood. My mom was an avid reader and would forget about the chicken and rice on the stove (pre-smoke alarm days - she invented "blackened" food)and travel to Europe or Africa or outer space while sitting at the kitchen table. She would literally lose herself in a novel.

I wanted to be just like my mother and I couldn't wait to learn to read. I remember that special moment when those odd squiggles on paper made sense to me and I was thrilled to be able to read all by myself. "See spot run" may not seem to be the most exciting sentence ever written, but I proudly read it aloud at the dinner table to my parents and sister (who was a baby and couldn't read - ha-ha) every night for about a week or so.

A couple of years later, my parents subscribed to "The Happy Hollisters" series of books for kids. We'd receive 2 per month - my sister and I would each grab one, go to our respective corners and devour the new stories. I'd use the night light after bedtime to sneak in a couple of extra chapters - these were detective stories and a chick needed to know 'whodunnit' as soon as possible!

By 4th or 5th grade the nuns wanted to expose us to Newbury award winners so we read "A Wrinkle In Time" and "From The Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" - amamzing stuff for a kid. I borrowed my first "Narnia" from the school library and at around the same time snuck peeks at an "Iceburg Slim" one of my friends found. We were shocked and titillated by the graphic language and sexual situations in the Slim novels. We all pretended to understand much more than we actually understood (something I've done through the years, unfortunately).

My parents gave me a Reader's Digest Young Adults subscription for my birthday when I turned 13 - one book by mail per month with 3 or 4 novels condensed in each. I read "Little Women", "The Good Earth", "The Grapes of Wrath", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "The Call of the Wild', and my favorite novel ever written, "Pride and Prejudice" (which I re-read every year.)

As a young teen, armed with a library card, I spent hours choosing new worlds to explore and new authors to love. I read "Portnoy's Complaint", "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Native Son", various Agatha Christie mysteries and "The Hobbit".

All this book talk is the result of someone asking me what was the greatest gift my parent gave me. The love of reading is my immediate answer.

What do you read?

Quiz Stuff - this is easy!

2007-08-21T13:42:00.000-04:00

Match the pet to the TV show:

Freeway
Married With Children
Marcel
Brady Bunch
Astro
Frasier
Buck
Hart to Hart
Tiger
Jetsons
Eddie
Friends

Brief Complaint Stuff

2007-08-21T13:05:00.000-04:00

On the news:
Early today, one of the morning show newscasters actually said, "Good news, the hurricane won't be coming to the US or even to the Cancun area so vacation areas won't be affected."
WTF? Good news?
What about the rest of Mexico? Are they celebrating the gulf coast's good fortune as they fight to preserve their own lives and property? The "me" attitude kills me.

On media coverage:
The newspapers and TV reporters are a bit too gleeful in reporting the Michael Vick story. After being convicted by the media, PETA and the public, then thrown to the wolves by 3 co-defendants, I don't see how he could have done anything other than plead guilty. I don't know if he's guilty or innocent of the actual crimes since allegations are all I've heard - it seems that some are quick to judgement - with or without facts.

On PETA:
The PETA marchers in Richmond, Virginia showed their love for their animals by dressing their dogs in #7 shirts in the HOT Virginia heat. I'm sure the dogs were thrilled to leave their air conditioned homes and wear cotton shirts over their fur to stand in the hot sun. What fucking hypocrits!

On language:
Why is the removal of the uterus called a hysterectomy? Why not a uterectomy? My very charming hysteria remains intact despite the hormone patch I wear. Embarrassado: why should we be embarrassed to be pregnant? If men had babies the word in Espanol might be something like "perfecto" or "gusto" or something positive. Oh - am I a man now? I don't have a womb so how can I be a wo(mb)man? At least I don't have to have another "happy period."

On marketing:
Those brats on the AT&T commercial that want their parents to switch phone, cell and internet services or "they'll be at the Wilson's" are the most annoying children on TV these days. I'd tell them, "see ya." No non-wage-earning individual has any say in utility choices in my house. Any negative comment would lead to loss of use of said utility.

What A Fool Stuff

2007-08-17T10:27:00.000-04:00

I ran across the lyrics to this, one of my favorite songs of all time today, and the truth in these words still amaze me. I had a long conversation with someone back in my long ago just last night, but the difference is, that what we had (back in Delaware) was real. I never imagined we would talk about the good times the way we did last night, or that I would be moved to tears. I hope to speak with him again soon.

I've run into a couple of PP's (partners from the past) who these lyrics really DO apply to. My memory might be of my escape from their clutches - they remember the "good times."

What A Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers

"He came from somewhere back in her long ago
The sentimental fool don't see
Tryin' hard to recreate
What had yet to be created once in her life

She musters a smile for his nostalgic tale
Never coming near what he wanted to say
Only to realize
It never really was

She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He's watching her go

But what a fool believes ... he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems ... to be
Is always better than nothing
And nothing at all keeps sending him ...

Somewhere back in her long ago
Where he can still believe there's a place in her life
Someday, somewhere, she will return

She had a place in his life
He never made her think twice
As he rises to her apology
Anybody else would surely know
He's watching her go

But what a fool believes ... he sees
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems ... to be
Is always better than nothing
There's nothing at all
What seems ... to be
Is always better than nothing
There's nothing at all
But what a fool believes he sees ...
No wise man has the power to reason away
What seems ... to be
Is always better than nothing"

I'm Back Stuff

2007-08-16T10:56:00.000-04:00

The name of this photo is "sick jali" - stuff like this happens when I have time on my hands and NOTHING to do. This is a camera phone shot of "sick jali" looking bored and grouchy. The hair is artistically arranged (heh-heh-heh)

Hi Everybody,

I have tears in my eyes from reading all the womderful notes you guys sent me. Thanks so much all!

I'm back at work today (finally) and will spend the time visiting all of your pages instead of writing. I REALLY missed you blogland family!

I Love U Guys Stuff

2007-06-28T18:15:00.000-04:00

My beautiful daughter Dalerie just read me all the comments, and I am so touched. Everything went fine...Although I am still trying to fart so that I can go home(wish you were here smile). I love you guys!!

Medical Stuff

2007-06-25T08:11:00.000-04:00

The answer to last week's movie quiz is Snatch. If you haven't seen it, get to steppin' and rent the DVD immesdiately.

I'll be out of here for 4 - 6 weeks folks. I'm having "use it or lose it" surgery, otherwise known as a hysterectomy tomorrow. I don't have the 'net at home so I won't be able to visit with you guys until I come back to work.

Please KNOW that I love you guys!

Movie Quote Quiz Stuff

2007-06-20T09:04:00.000-04:00

All the quotes below are from my new favorite film of all time. The dialogue is so well written and performed that I'm going to watch it again tonight. Do you guys know this outstanding movie?

(Hint: the director of the film uses one of his wife's musical hit's during a long scene involving a neck and a window.)

(Hint: The star of the film also appeared in a film where adrenelin was very important)

"Why the *beep* do I want a caravan thats got no *beep* wheels!?"

"For protection against what? Zee Germans?"

"Would you like to claim anything?"
"Yea. Don't go to England."

"You been using dog *beep* for toothpaste, Mullet?"

"I *beep* hate pikeys!"

'what do you mean look inside the dog, he aint a tin of baked beans is he??'

"You mean Boris the Blade... Boris the Bulletdodger?"
"Yea"
"Why do they call him the Bulletdodger?"
"Because he dodges bullets, Avi."

"The fact that you've got "REPLICA" written down the side of your gun, and the fact that I've got "DESERT EAGLE .50" written down the side mine, should precipitate your balls into shrinking, along with your presence."

BIG HINT BELOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This should make it easy!

Weekend Stuff

2007-06-18T08:31:00.000-04:00

Oh, the exciting life I live!

I think most people look forward to the weekend so that they can attend fabulous parties, do cool stuff I've never heard of, and generally just have a ball beginning Friday night and lasting until the late hours on Sunday.

I, on the other hand, leave work on Friday evening smiling, ever hopeful that I'll be a part of the weekend fun, but knowing that since I have nothing planned, the chances for excitement are slim to none.

Slim to none. Damn.

I imagine myself a party chick, a fun person - maybe even one of the cool kids.

Nope.

On Friday, immediately after work, I went to the first meeting of the Science Fiction Book Club that I started. There were five of us there discussing the book, Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein. We talked for about two hours and parted, secure that every single point made in the novel was discussed repeatedly from every angle. I only drank sweet tea (unlike others and you know who you are!) so I can't blame gin for my geekiness this time. I guess I just love gatherings like this with other sci-fi lovers. (Anyone is welcome to join - send me an email.)

After an exciting ride home on public transportation I began my Friday evening ritual: I turned on the TV and watched crap until Adrian got home from work and took over posession of the remote so that he could righteously take over the control of the crap we watched until I went to bed.

Saturday morning held the promise of possible excitement and I suppose fighting for a dryer at the laundromat might be considered excitement by some. I get pissed when people wash their clothing elsewhere, and try to grab up all the dryers so that we suckers with clothes in the wash get stuck waiting in the non airconditioned space for a lot longer than needed. I'll admit it: I'm a snitch sometimes. I asked the attendendant to limit the dryers the "washed my shit elsewhere" lady could use and she was pissed with me. Pissed probably doesn't really cover it. The young chippie threw me a few looks of death and mumbled under her breath, but I stood firm in my righteousness and used the very dryer she had her cold little heart set on. Ha!

After all the excitement (cue crickets) it was time to take my 15 year old son to get his weekly braids. He uses a different hairstylist or salon every week, so I never know where we need to go and how much the braids will cost me. He likes to surprise his old mom, not with gifts, but with situations. He was the kid who would tell me in the car, on the way to school that he needed exactly $3.27 (no checks) in a legal envelope that very morning so that he could go on the trip with his class, "it's the last day, Mommy!".

This week, my wonderful (dripping with sarcasm) ex-husband decided to put his spin on things so that I learned AFTER I drove to his house and waited in the Atlanta heat and humidity for days it seemed, that in celebration of Father's Day, he would be taking our child to the hairdresser although my participation in payment was still required. He'd call me later to let me know.

Hot and annoyed I decided to stop for gas on the way home. There were lines since the price for regular was only $2.89. I finally made it close to a pump - the guy in front of me had a mid-sized car, so I didn't anticipate a long wait.

Wrong!

Dude decided to wash his windows with the convenient squeegie and the free inky water (that's NEVER changed) at the side of the pump. Usually it's cool, since it takes time to fill up a tank. The only problem was that dude wasn't gassing up. He was window washing. Yup - On one of the hottest, sweatiest days of the year, this fine young cannibal decides to wash his windows KNOWING that there was a long line of hot and sweaty people waiting to buy gas.

Once he finished his car hygeine he begins his STROLL to the convenience store and cash register.

After a wait that seemed like forever, he finally returned to his car (that I was beginning to think he abandoned) with a 64 ounce fountain soda and what looked like nachos. He spend a ridiculous amount of time placing his food and drink in the car then sidled over to the actual pump and finally started filling his tank.

As he pulled out I beeped my horn and stuck out my tongue. He pulled around the pump area and into a regular parking space in front of the store. He strolled back over to me and asked, truly mystified, why I stuck out my tongue. Clueless isn't just a movie.

I explained that watching the car wash ritual and then waiting for someone in the brutal Georgia heat wasn't as much fun as it sounded.

He was truly apologetic and offered to take me out as a peace offering. Since he was humble, cute and available...

Did you guys think I'd go out with a selfish dude like that? (those of you who are saying, "begger can't be choosers", need to quit!)

Of course I declined. For someone with no other offers on the horizon, I just may have blown a good thing, but insensitivity and lack of empathy aren't really that high on my list of qualities in a man.

I was pleasantly surprised that the braids were a mere $25 this week and that my son was actually ready to leave for home by the time I arrived. Since it was "defer to him, shut up and just be nice" weekend (Father's Day) I dropped Jack off with his dad and went on to explore bigger and better things.

(Adrian left the house early that morning to help a co-worker with his fledging landscaping business. This guy worked every Saturday for a couple of hours and needed a

little extra help

and offered Adrian $60 or $70 to go with him. He neglected to share some pretty pertinent information with Adrian. He was doing a new Senior's complex and anticipated the work to last the whole day. $60 to work in the sweltering heat for a whole day isn't cool.)

I had an afternoon of unlimited opportunities ahead of me so I went home and watched more crap on TV.

I sent Adrian encouraging texts during commercials like "don't be a doo-doo head" and "I forbid you to sweat" to help his torturous ordeal pass more quickly. (He calls me annoying for very legitimate reasons).

Adrian has a very light complexion, and was a brighter red than "Larry the Lobster" when he got home that night. Adrian was pissed and we spent most of the evening cursing the demon that spawned his coworker who paid Adrian a measly $70 for more than 12 hours of hard labor in the hot sun.

Following that special brand of excitement I went to bed and slept restlessly until my Tylenol PMs kicked in. I take the Tylenol so that my bad dreams last quite a bit longer than necessary.

Sunday was so eventful that the day passed by in a blur. Grocery shopping and hair washing were the main two fun activites of the day.

Last night as a special treat, A and I went to Blockbuster to return tapes and pick up a few. Of course none of the recent releases were available, so we picked the best of the worst (after Adrian checked EVERY SINGLE FUCKING TITLE in the store).

We watched the beginning of a truly awful film and decided to just quit and go to bed.

How was your weekend?

Bloggity Blog Hater Stuff

2007-06-14T10:48:00.000-04:00

It always amazes me that most of the people I know in RL don't read blogs at all. I send out links to wonderful pages and great information by outstanding writers, but they're just not interested. I'm surprised by the number of people who have never heard the term "blog" before and who ask me exactly what's the point. I generally go into the shortened "from the word 'weblog' " explanation and give them a quickie on some of the types of pages I've seen - I've offered links to different blog hosting services and waited for the announcement that there's a new kid on the block out there.

I've watched people's eyes kind of glaze over sometimes when I'm discussing blogging, and I realize that this phenomenon just isn't for everyone. (My head realizes it - but my heart still doesn't get it).

I've been warned not to give up too much info about the wonder that is jali - if I do, the "internet stalkers" will get me. I've been told that my online family members are actually nuts who type with one desperate hand while naked and masterbating and that it's impossible to make real friends online.

I've met some of you guys - and you're as perverted as me - and I loves ya.

Are your RL friends and family members bloggers? If not are they supporters?

Sexy Stuff

2007-06-12T12:24:00.001-04:00

Justin didn't have to bring sexy back. Sexy's been here for a while!

Bunch 'O Stuff

2007-06-11T09:36:00.000-04:00

Are you in the mood for some rambling on and on, with no real main point?

Here ya go:
I'm a walking, talking (well sometime mumbling) racial stereotype - so I've been told by unnamed family menbers. I love fried chicken and watermelon is my favorite fruit. I'm an embarrassment to some. (sidetrack" I hate the words "embarrasado" and "hysteria" because of they seem to imply that pregnancy is an embarrassment and that hysteria is a women's thing) back to our story

I have family members that don't want me to order these delicious treats when out in public. They want to keep my behavior a secret. These family members would probably try to "pass" if they were a little lighter in complexion and anything that points to "non-mainstream" as one cousin calls it is taboo to them. (sellouts!!!)

These are the same family members who looked at me in disgust when I first started loc'ing my hair and my head was covered in the little baby nubs. (you cut all processed or relaxed hair off so that your hair will loc and the new growth is twisted into little baby dreads which I call nubs). One relative started calling me "Whoopie" (for Ms. Goldberg) - another asked if I were a gay radical since I "wanted to look like one". Yet another would hum the "Roots" theme music when I'd walk into a room. These are college educated people with ingrained self hatred I suppose.

I didn't realize how closed minded my own family could be - or how much some of them judge a persons's worth by their appearance.

I can be cruel sometimes, so if I find myself out and about with one of these pretentious biddies, I'll always be sure to order my chicken fried and my watermelon cool. The horrified looks on their faces is always worth it.

I don't dislike Paris Hilton. If paparazzi followed me 24/7, I'll bet they'd find some dirt to publish. I don't run around "commando" style (except possibly on laundry day) so there wouldn't be interesting snatch photos, but I'm not as sweet as I used to be. (can anyone name the movie the bold face quote is taken from?) and I'd probably be caught doing something embarrassing.

It's true that Paris has been a bit of a media hound, but I think that it's gotten way out of her control. I didn't laugh when she was sent back to jail last week. I tried to imagine the feeling of being confined even just for a week and I hope she's okay. (I just got stopped for tags and could have gone to jail myself - the officer was pretty cool in just writing me a ticket.) If her mother had given her more than just an appreciation for material things then she may not be in this situation. If I can have empathy for others without home training, then I can feel concerned for Paris Hilton too.

Confession time:
I've been watching quite a bit of Far from reality TV. I'm fascinated by the girls in "Charm School". Fascinated. No one I know speaks the way they do, dresses like them or fights so easily. It's like watching a National Geographic special on hyenas or tarantulas - they're ugly but interesting.

I've also been watching the "Real World Reunion" of the Las Vegas group. Oh. My. God. (this time TV character quote). The two black chicks, Alyssa and Aryanne (however you spell it) are such dramatic little twerps. They're either crying, shouting or doing that black girl neck thing. I can't seem to look away.

Saddest confession - I watch "My Sweet Sixteen" in horror, but I keep tuning in. Total lack of class or kindness and these are children. The parents (loosely using term) are idiots with too much money.

In the last month or two I've also watched Australia's Next Top Model, America's Next Top Model, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and Top Chef.

I think I need to step away from the television.

Game Stuff (Must be a TV person from the 80's and 90's)

2007-06-06T12:06:00.000-04:00

Match the characters to their partners. Then Name their shows.

Thomas S. Magnum
Mel Sharples
Sonny Crockett
Heathcliff Huxtable
Kate McArdle
David Addison
Insp. Steve Keller
Laura Holt
Carol Kester Bondurant
Dr. Robert Hartley
Felix Unger
Jonathan Quayle Higgins
Oscar Madison
Alice Hyatt
Rico Tubbs
Lt. Mike Stone
Remington Steele
Clair Huxtable
Allison Lowell
Maddie Hayes

SPOILER BELOW SPOILER BELOW SPOILER BELOW SPOILER BELOW SPOILER BELOW SPOILER BELOW

answers:

Thomas S. Magnum and Jonathan Quayle Higgins - Magnum P.I.

Mel Sharples and Alice Hyatt - Alice

Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs - Miami Vice

Heathcliff Huxtable and Clair Huxtable - The Bill Cosby Show

Kate McArdle and Allison Lowell - Kate and Allie

David Addison and Maddie Hayes - Moonlighting

Insp. Steve Keller and Lt. Mike Stone - The Streets of San Francisco

Laura Holt and Remington Steele - Remington Steele

Carol Bondurant and Dr. Robert Hartley - The Bob Newhart Show (original version)

Felix Unger and Oscar Madison - The Odd Couple

Blog of The Week Stuff

2007-06-06T09:50:00.000-04:00

http://problemchildbride.com/blog

Go to this weblog.

Read it.

Laugh.

Rinse.

Repeat daily.

She's Scottish (think Trainspotting but no heroin) so take your time reading. Have a ball reading the archives. Share her with your friends.

She's Out! Stuff

2007-06-05T10:14:00.001-04:00

She's gone. Out. Done. Over. Through. Flunked. Expelled.

'Bout time!!!!

Movie Stuff

2007-06-04T16:12:00.001-04:00

I spent part of the weekend watching rentals from Blockbuster. I'm doing another unsolicited review.

Paycheck was a movie I don't remember adding to my Blockbuster queue and I reluctantly sat down to watch it. When the beginning credits listed Ben Afleck as the star, I almost turned it off (despite his lovely face and physique - he's sexy as hell to me, but he doesn't seem to usually pick movies I like - except for his Kevin Smith appearances - Chasing Amy is a great movie IMHO)but decided to give it a few minutes - I'm glad I did. Sci-Fi!!!!!

I love Sci-Fi and any movie based on a Phillip Dick story is worth watching. In Paycheck, Ben Afleck's character Michael Jennings is an engineer who works on secret or classified projects then has his memory erased for that period of time. We watch the erasure process - dangerous - but worth it to him. The jobs generally last for less than 3 months.

His buddy James offers him a job that's expected to take 3 years and convinces him that the big ($90,000,000) paycheck will be worth it.

I don't like spoilers so you have to rent it to get to the meat. I thought it was good.

Alpha Dog on the other hand could have been called "F'd up people behaving badly". The acting was decent - in some cases excellent, but the (true) story was appalling. It's difficult for me to imagine young men and women really doing all the things the film shows us. The message I got was parents with money lack parenting skills. (I thought Justin Timberlake was great - I just hated the movie) Quote from Adrian: "That was foul."

Slingshot stars David Arquette and Balthazar Getty. This is the convoluted film from hell. I have nothing else to say.

I just took a look at my Blockbuster queue and saw that Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow was another film I watched (well tried to watch) this weekend. Despite the sci-fi I could not watch this boring (boring like the Superman TV show from the 50's boring) movie for more than 20 minutes. Do not rent this unless you're having trouble sleeping or you want to punish someone. Yawn.

Scrubs Stuff

2007-05-30T09:26:00.000-04:00

Before reading this thread: I never really thought much about the TV show "Scrubs". After answering quite a few of the questions correctly I've come to realize that...

I'm a Scrubbie - and I'm proud. (you know, like Trekkies - only we just wear scrubs...or date scrubs...or we scrub non porous surfaces)

I've decided to have a Scrubs trivia game (yes I copied some of the questions from the Dope board.)

1. What actor does Dr. Cox dislike with an amazing intensity?

2. Why does Carla's brother HATE Turk?

3. The show has taught us the way to stop men from listening to women's conversations. What technique is used?

4. Why was the original divorce of Jordin and Dr. Cox invalid?

5. Name Ted's a capella band.

6. What did The Janitor get as a birthday gift when he turned 12?

7. What's a "stinkbug"?

8. What did J.D. do to get Turk's frat brothers so angry?

9. What disease does Turk use to get Carla's sympathies?

10. Who's sister did J.D. take to the fair with Dr. Cox and Jordin?

Nice Guy Stuff

2007-05-24T13:07:00.000-04:00

I've been hitting links all morning and came across a page I like. (link http://www.heartless-bitches.com/rants/niceguys/comments35.shtml) The page had a whole section dedicated to "Nice Guys" and I was inspired to write a bit about nice guys here.

I've dated guys that I had to leave because of boredom. For some reason, my friends and I classified these dudes as "nice guys" and we decided that "that" type of dude wouldn't cut it - not for the fly chicks of Hollis, Queens in 1975.

The basic premise carried over into my adult life and I never questioned the authenticity of the title I hung on these dudes. I just avoided them (nice guys)as I did the dentally impaired (no teefus), the commonsenseless (stupido), the too cheap to tip idiots, the still living with their moms goofballs and the too much cologne - too little soap gents (stinkies).

I have coworkers, neighbors and associates who I deem "nice guys" based on one commonality: boooooooring. They'll tell me stories of women who dump them for "bad boys" and wonder why "nice guys always finish last." i use to sympathize - now I know better.

I realize that the self proclaimed nice guys aren't necessarily nice -a guy can be as boring as hell because he's a self centered bitch. Some of the boring guys can only discuss Star Wars or Spiderman with any animation - ask about the federal deficit or the immigration debate and the conversation falls flat.

I dated a guy a few years ago that I decided would be good for me because he was so nice. (meaning not very hot, but not embarassingly uncool) He seemed generous and kind - he invited me to Atlantic City for our first date for dinner.

We took a long walk down the boardwalk and I learned that he was an excellent listener (know better now translation: he had ZERO to add to the conversation.) The first kiss was miserably unsexy but I looked at his lack of skill as charming - I would teach him. (never again)

As we began dating more frequently, (I was determined that I needed a "nice guy" so I told myself to stick it out) I learned some disturbing things - he didn't tip well( he wasn't generous unless there would be a direct benefit to himself), and he could be unbelieveably set in his ways. He was corny - he wanted to walk around the mall holding my hand and I went through with it reluctantly the first couple of times. The third weekend in a row that he wanted to take me to the mall (to fucking walk around holding hands) was the eyeopener. I couldn't hack it with this boring, selfish, color by number stay within the lines guy anymore.
Nice guys that finish last aren't really nice guys at all (I said "atall" like Forrest Gump). They're whiney boring guys.

W.T.F. Stuff

2007-05-23T15:35:00.001-04:00

Complaining Stuff

2007-05-22T16:18:00.000-04:00

1. I'm sick to death of the Oil of Olay commercials featuring 22 year old models illustrating how well their "age defying" shit works. Do they think we're really that stupid?

2. I'm sick of the car commercials quoting prices and showing vehicles with a small print disclaimers advising that cars as shown are about 6,000 bucks more than the prices they just quoted. All of the car companies do it.

3. I'm sick of late night TV being "sell you some stupid shit you don't need" for 3 easy payments of $29.95 time. Natural cures the gov't doesn't want you to know about, weight loss miracle drugs, hip-hop abs, penny stock investments, miracle workout your lower abs balls, government home auctions, clear your acne like Britney did in these (retouched) photos, make you glow - then get you a man miracle face powders, Jack LaLane miracle juicers, choppers, fryers, broilers, steamers, dehydrators, vacuumers, air purifyers - these are almost all available for 4 - no, call within the next 6 minutes and we'll make it just 3 easy payments of $29.95.

4. I'm sick of the phone company offer to try our service for a month and if you don't like it, the calls are on us - yeah, but you're still stuck with their phone.

5. I'm sick of the Allstate commercial claiming new car replacement (if you pay the premium) for up to 3 years if your car is totaled. I wonder how many cars the adjusters actually concede are totaled and how many they claim can be repaired.

6. I'm sick to death of playlists on every FM station. Payola must die!

7. I'm sick of TV newspeople trying to make themselves celebrities. Just read the news!

8. I'm sick of Rosie O'Donnel. I don't care about anything to do with her life.

9. I'm sick of Britney/Paris/Lindsay/etc.(same M.O. different names)

10. I'm sick of the Republican Party. Period! The Democrats aren't far behind.

What are you sick of?

Blogger Stuff

2007-05-17T10:42:00.000-04:00

You guys are literally the best!

I'm going to name a few of the bloggers who touch me: (in a good way)

damien (DD)@Almost Infamous, Amadeo Sogni, cp @An Oxymoron Is Not An Idiot With Zits, matt @ Animal Mind, Awaiting, laurie @Beauty and the Beer, Bugwit, tom @Party Vikings, christina @Call Me soccer Mom and Die, CeCe @CeCe's Style, C @C-Writing, girlanddog @Dog is My Co-Pilot, esLocura @EsLocura's Asylum, trying2beme @Finding Me...All of Me, heartsinsanfrancisco @Guilty With an Explanation, hot coffee girl, taz&pig (the blog in hiding), kav @kav's blog, d @l.i.t.s.w.a.b., lbb @lightning bug's butt, little lamb at Lamb Chop, mac @Macarena de Verano, fairmaiden @Maiden New York, donna @Monkey Business, steph @Much Ado About Sumptin', rev.steve @My Big Fat Friggin Head , lynn @My Mixed Company, mike @Nonsense Served Almost Daily (where the hell is he???, miss ann thrope @OMFGWTF, lex @On Second Thought, mr. fab @Pointless Drivel, Problem Child Bride, frank @Reap The Whirlwind, Restaurant Gal, rhys @ Rhysently, the midget @Sanity Interrupted, bambi @Single life in your 30's , chase @Taste The World, Kiyotoe @The Dragon, jeremy @The Starving Artist Speaks, dawn @Tiny Voices In My Head, mist1 @To Do: Get Hobby, dirk @Too Disgusting to Contemplate, Too Compelling to Ignore, katrice @Wait...I'll Think of Something... , winters, eddie @eddie, are you kidding?.

Despite my best effort not to miss anyone special I probably did and I'm sorry.

You guys are my family online - some of you are becomming my family in RL too.

Soccer Mom or Die Stuff

2007-05-15T16:04:00.000-04:00

I didn't plan to post at all today, but I stopped by at http://soccermomsdie.blogspot.com/ and was compelled to complete this.

Two Names You Go By:
1. Jali
2. Jill

Two Things You are Wearing Right Now:
1. Hippie Shirt
2. Favorite Bra

Two Things You Want in a Relationship:
1. Genuine Friendship
2. Sex

Two of Your Favorite Things to Do:
1. Read
2. Roller Skate

Two Things You Want Very Badly at the Moment:
1. See all of my children together - it's been over a year since we were all in Fla.
2. To go home.

Two Pets You Had/Have:
1. Chubby - dog
2. Ermintrude - dog

Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Masterbated
2. Watched Malcolm in the Middle reruns and Sportscenter

Two Things You Ate Today:
1. Muffin
2. Cole Slaw

Two Longest Car Rides:
1. Georgia to Delaware about twice a year
2. Georgia to Florida

Two Favorite Holidays:
1. November 20th my B-day of course
2. Whatever holiday is next on the calender

Two Favorite Beverages:
1. Sweet tea with lemon
2. Bombay Sapphire/tonic/lime

Odd Stuff

2007-05-11T13:55:00.000-04:00

Anyone remember these guys?

MUNDANE SECTION - MUNDANE SECTION - MUNDANE SECTION - MUNDANE SECTION

My pen is almost out of ink. I usually wait until there is no ink left to replace it, but I'm thinking about going to Staple's today and I just might buy a new pen. I haven't been to Staple's in a while so there just might be new items I can use. Maybe I'll go online a little later to see what they have to offer and I can make a day of it. Wow. That'll be fun!

Someone gave me one of those red buttons from Staple's a little while back. I had it on my desk for a few days, but it seemed that everyone that passed my desk had to push the button and make snarky comments, so I put the button in my top desk drawer and finally took it home,along with my birthday cards from people in the office. (jali looks in drawer to see what's in the drawer)

Wow! Here's a pen. I guess I won't need to go to Staple's after all.

END MUNDANE SECTION-END MUNDANE SECTION-END MUNDANE SECTION-ENDMUNDANE SECTION

I don't want to hear that this whole bloggity blog is mundane.

Will be back to edit. Quick post due to orders from miss mist. (love to say that)

Bunch 'O Stuff

2007-05-04T08:56:00.000-04:00

I watched the classic film, "A Pocketful of Miracles" last night. It's one of my favorite stories of all time and the character interaction, the acting and the direction (by Frank Capra)are all outstanding. It's the story of Apple Annie (Bette Davis), a Broadway street vendor and Dave the Dude (Glen Ford) a local mob boss with a big dream. Annies sells Dave the Dude her lucky apples and his businesses (shady of course) are all successful. I don't want to give away the story so I won't say anything more, but LISTEN TO ME - GO GET THIS MOVIE AND WATCH IT THIS WEEKEND.
Some of the cast: Bette Davis, Glen Ford, Peter Falk, Hope Lange, and the debut of Anne Margaret.

I watch TV regularly, so I see certain commercials on a pretty regular basis. I have a new love/hate list.

The "Mother's Day" Publix (local supermarket chain) commercial showing 3 dads and their kids preparing a special breakfast for their moms is sweet. I stop to watch every time it comes on. (stopping on a dime get's more difficult with age - it's comedy watching me jerk to see the commercial if I was doing something else and my chiropractor loves it)

I hate the commercial that explains that one would need 2 trucks to pull 20 trillion pounds unless you use the "whatever truck they're advertising" with the enclosed pull thingie (cue to a guy showing us the enclosed thingie). Do most truck buyers across the country actually haul shit? In Atlanta, most truck owners use their trucks to 1. block the highways during rush hour, 2. make it difficult for non-truck people to back out of parking spaces, and 3. generally block the view of people driving behind or besides them so.

Speaking of TV - the last episode of House moved me to tears. Both brothers (ages 10 and 14) were willing to die for the other. Amazing story despite the crazy medicine and crazier ethics.

I pick Melinda Doolittle to win Idol this year. She's an amazing talent. People may hate the show so: Turn it off - there are other channels to watch and other things to do. I don't understand the people who "vote for the worst" - why screw up someone's chance for something you claim to hate? Sabrina was voted off waaaay to early because of the bullshit.

Village People Stuff

2007-05-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

I may have posted this sometime in the past - it's worth the re-mix!

Old Craving Stuff

2007-05-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

I'm just posting photos of snacks from my childhood that I really miss. I'm just in a nostalgic mood.

Drake's Cakes aren't readily available in Georgia which is a good thing since I don't need the extra fat. I can't decide which is best: Devil Dogs, Yodels, Funnybones, Swiss Rolls or the Apple Pies...damn, the thought bring a tear to my eye.
(Little Debbies are the popular snack cakes here. Sigh)

I miss the Good Humor truck and the Good Humor dude on the beach! The boxed bars found in the grocery store just aren't the same to me. (Another tear)

Wise Onion and Garlic potato chips - I haven't seen these for years - the bag in the photo isn't the one I knew and loved.

The Cadbury "Air Bar" with the bubbles was my favorite - alas - can't find them these days. My father got a case of these at an estate sale and all of us were hooked.

What snacks do you miss?

Copied from a Forum Stuff

2007-04-23T16:57:00.000-04:00

This is cute.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished
cleaning up in here."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"I will knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY
"Stop crying before I give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your dinner."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room looks like a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

They did. And I turned out just like her.

2007-04-23T14:13:00.000-04:00

These questions were sent to me by HotCoffeeGirl.

1. How old were you when you lost your virginity and do you wish now that you were younger or older when you did?
I was 15. My boyfriend Scott (17 at the time) was great! I had a bath at his house (mom and dad were at work) he lotioned and baby powdered me, then let me examine his penis. (I thought it would be like a chicken neck since I'd heard of "boners" - how naive for a 15 year old). We uses a gel contraceptive in something like a chicken baster. It only hurt a little - he took his time. It was a wonderful experience that I wouldn't want to change.

2. Is there a particular moment that you felt truly "grown up"?
I felt "grown up" after my high school graduation when I went to a dinner dance with my parents the week before I left for Virginia Union U.

3. What is the one place that you have not visited but always wanted to?
Africa.

4. What are you wearing today and why did you choose that outfit?
Black slacks, Black and green shirt (nice design) black shoes. Why? - No iron clothes.

5. If people are reincarnated when they die, what animal will you likely return to the earth as?
A cat. I love to be stroked.

If you comment, I'll send you 5 of my own questions.

Good Movie Stuff

2007-04-16T08:39:00.000-04:00

I watched a movie last night that caught my eye at Blockbuster. I'd never heard of it and after watching, I want everyone to see it.

The name of the movie is "A Day Without a Mexican". The film addresses the subtle prejudices that many hold: Using the term, "Mexican" to describe anyone of Latino origin. Someone ignorantly mentioned speaking "Mexican" instead of Spanish. The assumption of many that by looking at an individual one can determine their immigration status. The film took place in the state of California and a mysterious fog around the state has stopped all communication outside of the state. People wake up to find no one of Latino heritage remaining in the state except one newscaster, Lila.

A scene in the film showed a Border Patrol Officer on camera agreeing with a "MinuteMan-like" group of protesters who claimed that "Mexicans were stealing American jobs." Cut to a scene of an orange grove minus the regular migrant workers. The orange crop remains on the trees - there are no competent workers to pick the fruit.

The film went on to show how schools were closed (20% of teachers in California are of Latino heritage)based on the absence of Latino teachers. Supermarket shelves quickly emptied of fresh produce and restaurants were forced to closed due to a lack of supplies and workers.

A state senator had to assume the role of acting governor since the Latino politicians in office were all gone. His wife was forced to actually fix breakfast and deal with laundry since their Latino nanny disappeared.

Latino businesses were looted since their owners weren't there to watch the stores. Major league baseball had to cancel games since many starting rosters include superstar players of Latino heritage, leading to a riot outside the ballfield.

The movie occasionally cuts to a professor quoting statistics on Latinos in California. (It's improtant to see how spin doctors in 2005 have used edited statistics to create a mob mentality of hate in this country)

I won't give away the ending.

Take 98 minutes of your life and give this film a try.

Ask Your Spouse Stuff

2007-04-13T14:58:00.000-04:00

New Phase Stuff

2007-04-05T10:36:00.000-04:00

I didn't write about this when it happened. I wasn't ready to discuss it then - I am now.

My relationship with Adrian has changed. We are no longer a couple. He and I remain roommates and I consider him to be one of my best friends. The age difference is insurmountable. Adrian hasn't experienced the joys of fatherhood yet. My children are big and there is NO possibility that I would ever have another child. He is one of the greatest people I know and I'm positive that he will be an excellent parent.
He deserves a relationship that is better for him overall. I've never loved anyone the way I love A - I've been married, lived with other people - there's no one who can compare to him.

No more on the subject.

Dis or Dat Stuff (again)

2007-03-29T13:09:00.000-04:00

This time: Chick flicks

Pick your favorite in each battle:

Terms of Endearment vs. An Officer and A Gentleman

Romancing The Stone vs. Splash

Steel Magnolias vs. Beaches

Working Girl vs. When Harry Met Sally

The Joy Luck Club vs. The Bridges of Madison County

Bridget Jones Diary vs. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Clueless vs. Bring It On

My Best Friend's Wedding vs. Pretty Woman

The Color Purple vs. Fried Green Tomatoes

Legally Blond vs. Miss Congeniality

Dis or Dat Stuff

2007-03-29T09:53:00.000-04:00

Pleeeeeeeze read post just below this one for my nominations for the Thinking Blog Award

Action Movies - Round One
Pick one from each pair. Yes, I may have skipped YOUR favorite movie - that's what YOUR blog is for.

Die Hard vs. The Italian Job 2003

Face Off vs. Con Air

The Quick and The Dead vs. Tombstone

Aliens vs. The Terminator

Spiderman vs. The Matrix

Lethal Weapon vs. Golden Eye

48 Hours vs. Rush Hour

Bad Boys vs. Men In Black

Independece Day vs. I, Robot

National Treasure vs. Total Recall

Once Upon a Time in Mexico vs. Desperado

True Lies vs. Top Gun

Awards Stuff

2007-03-29T08:57:00.001-04:00

Surprisingly (since I'm really not that deep), I was tagged by the lovely Katrice (http://katrice0321.blogspot.com/)as a nominee for the Thinking Blogger Award (http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.html)

Here are the official instructions:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

Some of the blogs on my list have already been nominated and I want to share pages you may not be as familiar with. It's taken me a while to think about the weblogs that seem to go a little deeper than the average blog. There are many sites that I visit regularly and that I admire for a wide variety of reasons, but the following really make me think:

http://www.mymixedcompany.com/wp/ is the first weblog that came to mind when given this assignment. Take your time in reading her pages. There's a lot to be learned here.

http://problemchildbride.com/blog/ is an amazing writer. Go take a look-see for yourself! I've only been reading her page for a little while and I'm already hooked!

http://kiyotoe.blogspot.com/ makes me deal with issues I'd sometimes rather skip, but I'm a better person/poet/writer because of his great influence.

http://amadeo.blogsome.com/ is an amazing weblog. He tackles a wide array of topics with honesty and insight.

http://www.restaurantgal.com/ is on the surface about the day to day running of a restaurant. It's really about life. Take a look and you'll be another fan.

There are other blogs that I love - really love, that will be honored in the future.

Green Eggs and Ham Stuff

2007-03-28T11:01:00.000-04:00

Foods that I've never eaten and probably never will:

poutine: Poutine (pronounced, roughly, poo-teen, or poo-tin; is a dish consisting of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with hot gravy (usually brown gravy) and sometimes other additional ingredients. The curds' freshness is important as it makes them soft in the warm fries, without completely melting. It is a quintessential French-Canadian comfort food.

Scotch Egg : A Scotch egg consists of a cold, hard-boiled egg removed from its shell, wrapped in a sausage meat mixture, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. The dish was invented by the London food store Fortnum & Mason, in 1738.[1] Contrary to popular belief, it is not a Scottish dish. Scotch eggs are commonly eaten cold, typically with salad and pickles.

Black Pudding a sausage made by cooking animal blood with a filler until it is thick enough to congeal when cooled.

Haggis: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately an hour.

Jellied eel: cooked for approximately half an hour and allowed to cool. The juices then solidify forming the jelly. Sometimes gelatine is added. Jellied eels are often eaten with chili vinegar.

Head cheese: a terrine of meat from the head of a calf or pig (sometimes a sheep or cow) that is usually eaten cold or at room temperature as a luncheon meat.

Kishka: a blood sausage made with pig's blood and buckwheat or barley, with pig's intestines used as a casing.

Me on Meez Stuff

2007-03-28T09:51:00.000-04:00

Meme Stuff

2007-03-27T09:21:00.000-04:00

I got this interesting meme from the sweetheart of the web, http://hotcoffeegirl.squarespace.com/journal/ . Thank you!

Pick a band and answer only using song titles: Jay-Z

Are you male or female: Excuse Me Miss

Describe yourself: Brooklyn’s Finest

Your best piece of advice: Dirt Off Your Shoulder

Describe your last relationship: Regrets – If it’s my current relationship: Never Change

Describe your last crush: Justify My Thug

Say something to someone you have a crush on: Feelin’ It

Say something to an ex: N***** Please

Say something to someone who hurt you severely: U Don’t Know

How do you feel right now: The Ruler’s Back

I want to see your answers!

Whiney Stuff

2007-03-21T08:55:00.000-04:00

I don't have any major complaints today - I'm just gonna whine about the small things that irk me. (I promise not to discuss Atlanta traffic)

Captain D's - a fast food seafood restaurant has been advertising what they call "a seafood celebration". Since they serve seafood every single day of the year why have the celebration now? Was the seafood last month sub par? What should we expect when the celebration is over?

There was a time when ordering chicken wings one would get actual chicken wings. For some reason our society has accepted a chicken wing portion (drummette or flat) to take the place of the whole wing and we don't mind paying full price for less than half of what we used to get.

Hoochies, hoochies, hoochies. (sigh) Those short shorts are really cute. You look really cute. Those goosebumps aren't. Wait until it gets a little warmer to share your assets with us. 'Kay? Lotion on those ashy heels would be nice too.

GWB will allow his staff to be questioned regarding the unjustified firing of the 8 Federal Prosecutors - just not under oath. Is this straight up permission to lie? WTF????!@!

There's a store near me: "Everything $1 And Up". A-Duh! So, nothing there under a buck, and some things might cost quite a bit more. Why shop there? I'll either go to a real dollar store or I'll spend at a premium store.

Whine off. (at least for now)

More Tales Stuff

2007-03-19T08:15:00.000-04:00

This is a story from Adrian's past.

Years back, Adrian drank liquor and smoked weed like crazy (long, long, long time ago folks, long time ago) (anyone get the parahrased quote* here?)

Adrian came in pretty drunk from partying one night and decided he needed to have something to eat to sober up a little. He raided the refrigerator and apparently made quite a bit of noise in doing so. He finally got things put away and was heading to the table to sit down and eat when something startled him and he dropped the plate making a big mess on the kitchen floor.

His mother, awakened by all the noise in the kitchen was pretty angry with poor Adrian. She yelled a bit - all kinds of stuff about irresponsibilty and drunkenness as our hero began cleaning up the mess.

Understand that Adrian drunk is slow-motion man with exaggerated movements.

His mom finally had her say and started to turn to go back upstairs.

Adrian took this opportunity to shoot his mom the bird behind her back.

Mom wasn't quite finished and turned back to say something more and was shocked to see her sweet baby giving her the finger.

Sweet baby (moving in slow motion) wasn't able to pull out of the move and squatted there, middle finger up in the air.

He said both of them froze in position. He could hear the kitchen clock ticking, but he was unable to do or say anything.

His mom grabbed the mop and bopped him on the side of the head, turned and went to bed.

The end. (well, not really - the story comes up EVERY time he calls his mom.)

* quote from Bernie Mac during the Kings of Comedy Tour.

List Stuff

2007-03-15T11:22:00.000-04:00

I think I'll do a list of my favorite British movies.

1. Trainspotting - how can one watch this and not love it? Baked beans for breakfast, "Mother" the drug dealer, the most disgusting bathroom in Scotland, Spud's job interview, poor dead baby on the ceiling, Begbie (the brilliant Robert Carlyle) starting fights, Sick Boy shooting the dog who then bit his master, and Renton finally walking away.

2.The Full Monty - Robert Carlyle stars as one of 6 unemployed and out of shape gentlemen who decide to earn some money stripping.

3. Much Ado About Nothing - I've actually been asked to "turn that shit off" by visitors who'd rather watch Independence Day (booooooo)or other crap. This movie (directed by one of the stars, the fabulous Kenneth Brannaugh) used the original language of the play by William Shakespeare and I understood everything. Great acting - beautiful scenery.

4. Enchanted April - One of the sweetest little movies I've ever seen. Four strangers share a holiday in Italy. Magical.

5. Bend It Like Beckham - Jess has skills on the soccer field. Her parents are "old country" traditionalists who want her to be more like her soon to be married sister.

6. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Hilarious caper film. Twists and turns galore (wow that sounded corny) so don't look away for a second. There are guys, there are bad guys, there are bad, bad guys and there are really bad, bad guys.

7. The Italian Job - Michael Caine is great as Charlie - the cliffhanger ending is amazing.

8. Chocolat - Since much of the film was shot in England I'm counting this as a British film although the setting is France. A lovely film starring chocolate, Mayan culture, magic, the wind and love. A chocolatier opens a shop in a small isolated town in France during the Catholic Lenten season.

Tales From The Crypt Stuff

2007-03-08T08:38:00.000-05:00

Back in the early 80's I was a very different person. Almost immediately after the ink dried on divorce #1, I was ready to broaden my horizons (there's that stupid phrase again) and start hanging out. The "quest for man" had begun.

Luckily, my mom and dad and my sister lived nearby, and they were good and kind people and they allowed me to drop my children off and hit the street once in a while. (no - that wasn't me begging and pleading to get out just ONE night mom, just one night...)

On one of those once in a while dates I went above and beyond my regular beauty regimine and splurged on everything. I was determined to find a new man and the bouncy hair, fresh nails, new outfit and blue suede stilettos (with matching clutch) were all part of my ammunition in the fight for a cute guy with no Jheri curl and all other items on my list.

My prerequisites back then were crazy - tall, well built, great teeth, good nails, great job, funny, very smart, no children (despite the fact that I had 2 of my own), nice apartment or house, disposable income, well educated, very well read, great dancer, nice dresser, compatable astrological sign, close to his family but not dependant on them, not too churchy but spiritual, non Brut wearing, hard worker, street saavy, great kisser, outstanding lover, generous personality, well spoken, well travelled, sports enthusiast... my list went on for days.

The "me" back then would have missed out on the wonderful relationship I have with Adrian. Thank goodness I let go of the unimportant crap and chose the one who is best for me.

Okay, back to the tale:

After almost a whole day of preparation, I was ready to roll. Do you guys remember the old bouncy Oprah hairdo? Me.

Remember the high maintenance 80's look? Me.

Remember the unbelievable clouds of perfume we wore back then? Me.

My girlfriends picked me up last that night and I'm sure that the cabdriver was amused by what I had to say.

"Look at me! I KNOW that I'm going to meet the man of my dreams tonight, girls, how can he resist?"

This ridiculous (but ignorantly sincere) statement was met with silence. My friends weren't in the mood to play along with Jali.

I talked smack for the whole ride to the club. I preened in my seat, tossed my hair repeatedly and crossed and recrossed my legs. I really believed my own hype.

As we pulled up, I reapplied my magenta lipstick (with matching gloss) and shook out my hair for full effect.

"Come the fuck on!" My girl Felicia was getting a bit tired of my performance. I have to admit that I really didn't need to flirt with the cabdriver just to practice my skills, but his reaction gave me the extra "oomph" I wanted.

Remember the "Charlie's Angel's" or "Charlie perfume commercial" walk? Me again. (what a pretentious phoney idiot I was).

As soon as we found a table, a drop dead gorgeous man came over to me. OMG - he was sexy as hell, tall, dark and handsome.

"What are you drinking?" His voice was even sexier than his look.

I wasn't a regular drinker back then, but I had heard of this new concoction called a Long Island Iced Tea and decided to win the man by ordering as a sophisticated woman would. I told him what I wanted and smiled.

I batted my eyes and watched him as he sauntered over to the bar to get my drink. As soon as he was out of earshot I started talking pure smack again.

"See - I TOLD you that I would be irrisistable tonight. The finest man in the place is buying ME a drink."

Cutie pie promptly returned to the table, placed my drink in front of me and said:

wait for it...

it's coming...

almost...

"That'll be $7.00 miss."

Yes, my admirer was the waiter. I don't understand why he didn't ask my girlfriends what they wanted to drink.

To this day if I talk to either one of my girls on the phone they find a way to ask me if I'd like a Long Island Iced Tea. It wasn't funny then and it isn't funny now.

More Rant Stuff

2007-03-07T08:29:00.000-05:00

That stupid commercial with the weak father and the obnoxious kids is back. (you're probably wondering just which of the stupid commercials with the weak father and the obnoxious kids I'm talking about).

It's a minivan commercial and Dad built his boys a treehouse, He's sweaty and tired and is excited to tell them about all the features he included to make their life fun. (how many of our dads actually built us treehouses?)

The children ask if there are leather seats and a DVD player in the treehouse and since the dad didn't offer his two spoiled brat children these luxuries they decide to continue playing in his auto.

I want the commercial to continue to a better resolution. I want Dad to try to start his car and find that his battery is dead since the littlt demons had to have the DVD player on all day. I want him to call the boys little unappreciative monsters and send them to their rooms. I want him to lock his car doors and forbid them from ever getting in his car.

I don't understand why the average guy isn't up in arms based on his portrayal in television commercials. In most commercials either the children or mom have to save the day since dad is just too _________ (naive, gullible, stupid, lazy, ignorant, rash, silly, inept or goofy) to handle the situation. Example: Most of the Sonic burger commercials - the wife knows all - the husband is just stupid.

When did the male of our species become this sad sack? Why do we allow this? Our impressionable children are learning that all men are just plain dumb. We have enough goofy guys in real life (eg: GWB) and we don't need commercial breaks adding to the poor impression of men.

Rant off.

Test stuff

2007-03-05T17:33:00.000-05:00

Create your own Friend Quiz here

This is a jali test. I got it from Dirkie-poo, Mama Mancuso's sweet son.

Greedy Stuff

2007-03-05T13:21:00.000-05:00

Harolds' NY Deli - Edison NJ

I just started the Atkins diet 4 long days ago (it really works!) so I'm really conscious of foods and I ran across this website and wonder just how greedy we are as a people. http://www.supersizedmeals.com/food/
The first photo below is from the Carnegie Deli - NYC landmark and the second is from a restaurant somewhere in Tennessee. The last photo is from the chain, Ruby Tuesday's.

If I go out to eat, I'll ask for a "to go" container with my meal so that I can remove at least half of the food served.

Hobbity Stuff

2007-02-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

The following great menu is from a weblog I read pretty regularly. Check him out: http://seatmytable.blogspot.com/

The writer usually talks about his experiences as a restaurant server, but he's a big Tolkien fan and served this menu at a LOTR trilogy gathering at his house.

1st Breakfast: Chilled vanilla custard served with fresh peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
toast with jam.

2nd Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, sauteed mushrooms,orange slices.

Elevensies: Breakfast sausage links, lembas (basically honey cakes), marinated tomatoes, plain tomatoes, cheeses, pickles, apple slices.

Luncheon: Roast chicken, roast carrots, roast potatoes, blackberry tarts

Afternoon Tea: Baby greens salad with raspberry vinaigrette, scones, tea sandwiches.

Dinner: Rabbit stew, hearty bread, butter.

Supper: Tomato soup, breaded fried mushroom croutons, and apple pie.

Beverages included ales, cider, juices, water, and Ent Draught (pineapple juice, African Rooibos Red Tea, ginger ale, and honey)

I'm really considering hosting a book or movie themed meal. Oooooh - how about Silence of The Lambs?

Book Review Stuff

2007-02-27T08:27:00.000-05:00

I've got a new Border's coupon and I'm ready to use it. I generally head straight for the sci-fi/fantasy aisle so that I can be sure to find something I like. I go to the mystery section next and check for new books by my favorite authors.

I expand my horizons (stupid cliche, but what the hell) at the discount table since I can pick up a hardcover there at less than the price of a paperback. I've found some excellent novels on the discount table in genres that I would have never considered at their regular prices.

"I Am Charlotte Simmons" is a novel that I wouldn't have come across normally. It was published in 2004 and was written by Tom Wolfe. The story is centered on the title character, Charlotte a naive freshman from North Carolina, but the greatest character to me is the fictional Ivy League School, Dupont University, (patterned I believe on Duke) since Wolfe takes us inside the locker rooms and offices of the elite basketball program, into one of the exclusive frat houses, through the freshman dorms, into the newspaper offices, the cafeterias, and the libraries of the school.

Charlotte's rural upbringing doesn't prepare her for the social aspects of college life at all. She was the valedictorian of her high school class, but never socially connected to her peers so while she's able to excell in her college class work she fails to make friends even with her roommate.

This novel is hard to put down, but sometimes a bit difficult to read. The awkwardness and the uncertanties of youth are bared wide open and it may hurt a little to see onesself in one of the characters. Check the discount tables in your local bookstore. There may be a gem waiting there for you.

I'd like to explore a wider variety of reading material. Can you recommend a good novel?

Empress of The World Stuff

2007-02-26T08:49:00.000-05:00

I went to church yesterday as a guest speaker. (no! the church was NOT struck by lightning, and no there was no flood). It was pretty nice - the people were very warm and friendly and the minister didn't take hours to make his point. I didn't get a special feeling or anything - I guess the spirit decided to give me another pass.

After services, I have a crazy urge for pancakes and since I had a book in my purse I decided to endure the crowds at the local IHOP. The place was packed - as soon as I gave the hostess my name, they called for a party of 26 - crazy! The joint was really jumping and the servers and runners were hard at work.

I was seated about 30 minutes later across from four women. I didn't realize that one of the party was the Empress of the World. She made it clear to her server, the guy bussing the tables near her, the food runners, and all of us nearby.

Her eggs were too cold - her pancakes weren't fluffy enough. "Take it all away" we heard her order the poor server, "and bring me a fresh pot of coffee."

The server took my order with a smile, refilled drinks at her other tables and was walking back towards the kitchen when the Empress summoned her back to her table. "How long is it going to take? My friends are almost finished eating." She pursed her lips and gave the girl a snotty look.

"Ma'am, I was just on the way to check on your order." She hurried off.

I could hear the Empress talking to her friends, "no tip for that chick - horrible service."

Her friends giggled. I was disgusted. Why do people try to find ways to stiff their servers?

The runner timidly placed the eggs and pancakes in front of the Empress. "Wait right here until I check the food."

Her regalness tasted the eggs and inclined her royal head. "These will do."

She tasted the pancakes. (sigh) "Alright. Go ahead." She made a shooing gesture at the runner.

My food was mediocre but the server and runners were hard at work. I decided to overtip to make up for the idiots at the next table. Another couple seemed to agree with me and gave the server a $10 tip and thanked her for excellent service (I'm sure so that the Empress and her table could hear). I did the same thing and felt pretty good walking out of the IHOP.

Donna at http://noblelady728.blogspot.com/ tagged me.

Wow! I've been tagged. Hells yeah!

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about him/herself. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things, as well as state this rule clearly for the next tagged people. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged, and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment on their blog that says, "You are tagged," and "tell them to read your blog."

Six weird things about me shouldn't be too difficult - a hard list would be six normal things about me.

1. I speak to my car Guy after he's been parked for a while before I get in. He knows how much I depend on him and I really believe he has a personality. I encourage him - or promise him oil or gas.

2. I truly believe that I'll win a lottery at some point in my life.

3. I love my current job as a receptionist more than any other job I've ever had. When I win the lottery, I'll probably keep working here.

4. I told each of my children that they're my favorite - and each of them believes it.

5. If someone doesn't call me after I've called them, I erase their information from my phone.

6. I'd rather read than do almost anything.

I have to think about tagging someone. Hmmmm.

A Picture Says so Much Stuff

2007-02-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

Disjointed Stuff

2007-02-22T08:24:00.000-05:00

I sat down, determined to write and have nothing really important to say - that hasn't stopped me so far and I won't let it stop me now. If anyone is here in search of enlightenment - stop reading right now! This ain't the place.

I had the stupid stomach virus that the little kids are getting - the only positive is that I think I lost a couple of pounds. (I know... ewwwwww)

I'll admit it on the internet: I watch American Idol - regularly. I vote for the ones I really like too. How many cool points have I lost by making that confession? I know - I didn't have too many to begin with but I want to be real today.

Last night the women were much better than those sad sack 12 dudes that sang on Monday night. My votes went to Stephanie, Melinda, Lakeisha and #4 - the curly hair girl with the long nose. I HATE poor little Antoinella (the remaining half of the Jersey girls) for no good reason. The others were good I guess - just no goose bump moments. Song selection was a big factor to me.

Here's an old entry from the Monday after the Superbowl:
Tony Dungy is my new Superbowl man! He doesn't know about our relationship yet, but I'm sure he'll be happy when he finally gets to meet me.

The artist formerly known as my Superbowl man (Adrian) is back on the "hmmmmp" list. "Hmmmmp" as in "whatever" - not hmmmp like in hump. The humping will of course continue - let's be realistic, but the Superbowl is a year away and he'll need to do a lot of good in the next year to make up for this year.

Adrian blew it with me yesterday. I'm not white hot angry anymore but about this time yesterday I was frantic. Adrian left home at about midnight on Saturday night to hang out with a buddy and his side of the bed was cold at 8:30 when I got up on Sunday morning. He doesn't do this stuff, so I panicked and dialed his celly repeatedly to no response. I dressed (no shower just yesterday's clothes on a scared chick)to go outside - I'm not even sure what my plan was - but I needed to do something.

I got to the front door and MY SET OF KEYS WERE MISSING FROM THE LOCK. This is no small thing. Whoever is at home ALWAYS leaves their keys in the door so that in case of emergency we can get out in a hurry. I remembered locking the door and leaving my keys there on Saturday night.

I tried the door - LOCKED of course.

Adrian finally answered his phone about 9 or so - by this time I was scared and furious. He was so eager beaver to get out that he inadvertantly took my keys along with his own.

He explained that he fell asleep waiting for his boy to drive him home.(Fell asleep -um... how shall I explain? Passed the &%#& out from too much consumption of um...stuff) I 100% believe him. I was still pissed off that it happened.

We had plans to go to his boy's Superbowl party/housewarming. When Adrian walked in the door he asked me if I was still going to the party - before any apology (which I was really expecting) so my answer was "no!"

He grabbed a clean shirt and walked back out, "I thought you would have that attitude." His boy was waiting for him in the car.

I was so pissed off at the time that I didn't want to finish the stupid story. Things are cool again and all turned out well.

Adrian is such a cool dude, that our falling out periods are pretty brief. He puts up with a lot of crap from me - so in turn, I'm learning to put up with his baby crap too.

I wrote a fan letter to the little boy in the Publix commercial with the Valentine's Day cake and I got a response from his mom. His name is Zach Mills, www.imdb.com and will be in a new movie this November. (I love this stuff)

To cheap tippers: Stop that selfish shit and leave 15-20% no matter what! You'll feel better overall and won't look like such an asshole.

Parents: hold your children's hands in mall parking lots! Damn - don't you love them?

Hopefully I'll find something blogworthy tomorrow... or the next day...

Review Stuff

2007-02-19T10:03:00.000-05:00

I'm a Blockbuster online member and I've taken full advantage of the services they offer. I've been watching movies like crazy and I'm gonna talk about one that I watched recently.

Sometimes In April was as difficult for me to watch as Hotel Rwanda was a few months ago. I almost turned it off a few times because it hurt so much, but I decided that my tears were nothing compared to the suffering of those portrayed in this film. One million people were slaughtered in the 100 days of Rwanda uprising - the Hutu nationalists against their Tutsi countrymen.

Idris Elba starred as Augustin Muganza. Damn - I can't even talk about it right now -I'm tearing up already. Please see this movie.

Commercial Stuff

2007-02-15T09:13:00.000-05:00

I've had a couple of weeks to ponder some of life's irritations and true to form, I'm going to write about them.

The first thing that comes to mind is that Nissan commercial that advises "life is 24-7". DUH! Is this new and revolutionary? Are they implying that new cars from other manufacturers only work part of the day, but the Nissan keeps going and going?... Bah!

The unbelievably greedy guy slurping his single serve tomato soup makes me want to scream! Is anyone that hungry or greedy at work? Forget Campbells - I'm buying store brand from now on just because he irsks me.

That car commercial filmed at breathtaking heights driving on 2 wheels (on the "edge") scares the hell out of me. I have dreams like that and to see in heavy rotation is just annoying. I don't need to revisit my bad dreams in primetime.

There's a commercial showing a dad having a difficult time with his two toddlers. One of them flushes his watch down the toilet. The next scene is a woman at a desk hawking car insurance. She's supposed to make his life easier. So... if dad had HER company's car insurance he wouldn't need to shop for a new watch, I suppose.

The couple about to kiss on the couch is stopped - by tissues. It seems the chick has stuffed her hair with tissues (I get the stuffed parallel folks - I'm not that removed from stuffing my bra) but it's yucky to see everything in the room deflate, including the boyfriend when her ruse is discovered.

I'd be hurt and confused if I announced my engagement to the man of my dreams and the first reaction of my family was: "He went to Jared". I'm anti-diamond anyway, but I'll NEVER darken that store's doors.

The "banker's pen" commercials for WAMU need to stop. The premise is that well-to- do white bankers want to fleece the public and the hip AA dude wants to set us free. I don't feel better about myself or my race because another group is clowned. I can't get with stereotyping any group. Imagine if the roles were reversed: there would be a crazy public outcry.

There are many more commercials that just get on my nerves, but I can't think of them right this second. Tell me which commercials you hate.

Protection Part 2 Stuff

2007-02-14T14:41:00.000-05:00

I reached a warm friendly voice on the telephone who was thrilled to learn that so many people are willing to help the women and girls of the community she serves. If any of you are able to send feminine protection directly to this shelter, please do. You can send the stuff attention: Virginia.

Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, Inc.
655 Ethel Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
USA

Phone 404-876-2894 - "Virginia"

Protection Stuff

2007-01-31T08:24:00.000-05:00

I'm having another "great" period. Does anyone not get the sarcasm dripping (just like a period) from my words?

All I needed to do to prepare for this bodily invasion this morning was to find my protective supplies in the cabinet under the sink.

I thought about all the homeless and poor women in the world who aren't able to grab a tampon and go. They don't have the money to buy food - much less feminine products.

We are a global community and I would like to ask my blogger buddies to give. I don't want money. (Yes I do - but not in this case). I would like to start a grassroots effort to provide tampons and feminine napkins to women who need them but can't afford them.

I've been caught out there with no protection and no cash and the 'make do' efforts I've resorted to aren't comfortable or reliable. Imagine this happening every month. Imagine being 14 years old and alone with NO ONR to ask. We pass the homeless every day.

I've been contacting agencies to help - so far no response, but I'm going to find a way. I'm asking that you contact the local homeless organizations in your area as well as social agencies to see where we can send the products. I'm also asking that each of you buy an extra box of whatever you use to set aside to contribute to the cause. You can email me with info - so that we can compile a list of drop off points in different regions. jalicook@hotmail.com or gmail.com.

If you pass this info along to other bloggers you know perhaps we can really make a difference. I call this the protection project. Please guys, let's make a small difference in this big world.

Train Stuff

2007-01-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

I'm back on the bus and train and I'm looking as these moments as opportunities. (Don't I sound like one of those "life trainers"?)

These moments are opportunities since without them I might not have new blogging material; and baby I have blogging material today!

It was 29 degrees in Atlanta Georgia this morning. 29 degrees. Please keep this fact in mind as it has a strong bearing on the next story.

Pretty young girl maybe 25 or so. Diva-ish dress style - appropriate for Saturday night at a club if a limo drops you off at the front door and security can whisk you inside so that you don't even notice a chill. Totally inappropriate for an icy elevated train platform with the winds blowing NNE at 36 MPH. Girlfriend had on stretch Capris slacks with white stiletto pumps. No tights - no stockings - just cold, cold legs in the morning.

Once we boarded the train she sat directly across from me and I was able to continue with my observation (Yeah, I'm nosy as hell). Girlfriend was a big girl and needed to wear big girl clothes to look good. Girlfriend wore a strapless bra that was waaaaaay too small under a skin tight white sweater. The too tight strapless bra created bumps above her breasts that looked like additional breasts. She carried a white summer purse in an effort to pull the outfit together.

These things seemed remarkable to me, but what made her unbelievable was that she pulled a small roll of toilet paper from that white summer bag and proceeded to delicately blow her nose. On a train FULL of people she pulled out a roll of toilet paper. Emergencies happen - it's true. I can imagine being stuck with a roll in my bag and discreetly pulling some out to blow my nose. I can't imagine making a big production out of it.

Another girl decided that she needed 2 seats this morning and leaned on the wall with her feet up in the adjoining seat and started to do what looked like her homework. The riders that were standing there meekly just let her do it. It lasted for just one stop when a chick got on, stood next to the offending feet and glared at the girl who moved her feet and apologized.

In the "self absorbed" standard we've come to accept, at the far end of the train another young woman was having a private telephone onversation. Well, it would have been private if she hadn't shouted into the phone so that everyone with a pulse heard everything she said. She cursed and argued and cussed and yelled and cursed again. Totally offensive at 7:10 in the morning with a variety of riders aboard the train. The N word was used so many times I wanted to scream. Some of us looked up in horror each time a new volley started, but I wasn't looking for a beat down on my way to work so I kept my mouth shut. (yup, a punk)

One great note: I saw 3 different guys give up their seats to ladies this morning. Thank you young dudes! You made my day.

Funny Stuff

2007-01-25T14:01:00.000-05:00

Stuff like this is hilarious to me. I needed this back during marriage #2.

Nigerian Scam Stuff

2007-01-22T08:49:00.000-05:00

This article from the online 'zine of the Detroit Free Press is amazing.

County funds lost in Nigerian scam
Treasurer accused of illegal transfer

The longtime treasurer of Alcona County (Michigan)was accused Wednesday in an embezzlement scheme in which he may have served as both perpetrator and victim, sending up to $1.25 million in county funds and his own life savings to con artists after falling for one of the notorious online Nigerian banking frauds.

Thomas Katona, 56, of Harrisville was charged with nine felonies, including embezzlement and fraud, after a monthlong investigation by state authorities of numerous unauthorized wire transfers he allegedly made of county funds to overseas bank accounts.

The accounts were allegedly controlled by operators of a Nigerian advance fee fraud, law enforcement officials said.

Katona had been treasurer for Alcona County, along Lake Huron in the northern Lower Peninsula, for 13 years. He was relieved of his job in late November, after the alleged fraud was uncovered.

The county, with only about 11,000 residents, is the third least-populous in the Lower Peninsula. The county government has a total budget of only about $4 million.

Court documents said that in August and September, Katona made at least eight unauthorized wire transfers totaling $186,500. Earlier in the year, he sent at least $72,500 of his own money to the same accounts, the documents said.

County officials learned of the unauthorized transfers when Katona was in London, apparently to meet with some of his contacts, and bank records were faxed to county offices. Local bank officials had warned Katona earlier that they suspected he was dealing with Nigerian fraud artists, according to the documents.

A preliminary audit of county finances, which turned up an additional forged document, indicates a shortfall of $1,236,700. It was unclear how much of the missing money was invested in the scheme, officials said.

A spokesman for Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said Wednesday evening that efforts are under way to track the money and the con artists behind the scheme -- variations of which have been on the Internet for a decade. Investigators doubt any of the money would be recovered, spokesman Matt Frendeway said.

Frendeway said details of the circumstances under which Katona was ensnared were not immediately available.

Carolyn Brummond, vice chair of the Alcona County Board of Commissioners, said Wednesday evening that she had no comment. Other officials could not be reached.

Cheryl Peterson, editor and publisher of the Alcona County Review, said Katona had been convicted of a misdemeanor while doing bookkeeping work for a private company several years ago.

"This is a tremendous blow to a small community where we trust our politicians," she said.

Remix (Recycled) Stuff

2007-01-19T08:17:00.000-05:00

Today the shirt I'm wearing is lime green which reminded me of the "Nappy" incident. I decided to repost it today - maybe some of you haven't seen it. Those who have - have a good weekend.

The cutie pie that I'm dating can rest assured that I truly care about him. The reason that he can feel totally confident in my genuine feeling is that I spent the entire morning with him in the Atlanta area one Saturday despite his outfit.

You may wonder, "what in the world could the man have worn to make Jali say all this on the internet." Well I'll share: He wore a lime green "Nappy" track suit... with emerald green and black racing stripes... with the name "Nappy" in bold white letters on the back. (I made a serious effort to research the "Nappy" apparel company, but was unable to find an active link.

I really wanted to share the look with you guys so that you'd really understand how much I care for this man. Remember, it was lime green. With emerald green and black racing stripes. Nappy.) Based on the one example of the design of the "Nappy" people that I've seen, I assume that the company is out of business. They really need to be.

The plan in the morning was to run out briefly to make it to an early morning doctor's appointment. "A" didn't really care what the doctor thought about his outfit. "A" should have cared.

When he got in the car, I sort of shielded my eyes from the glare of the lime green. He gave me that look and I didn't say a word. Not one word until we were on the road. Now let me explain, "A" is a beautiful man. Just beautiful... but remember the saying, 'beauty is as beauty does'? Well "A" decided to do the Nappy lime green track suit that morning.

I offered to play a road game to make things fun. "Let's name all the green things we see while we're traveling." My suggestion wasn't even given a response. "Oooh... there's your car!" Yup, a guy was driving a shiny lime green convertable so I sped up a bit to get a good look. "A" refused to acknowledge the car at all. "Green trees, green grass, green trash can..." I was on a roll playing my game. "A" wasn't amused, but I find my entertainment where I can.

We pulled into the parking garage of the medical complex, and I decided to wait outside and read for a while. "Don't worry baby, I'll see you as soon as you come out of the building." "A" didn't get the joke.

After the appointment the original plan was to fly back home, change into more groovy gear and find some fun or trouble to get into. My stomach wasn't having it. I went into whiney mode. "I'm hungry, I'm hot... I have a headache." I accompanied this much repeated refrain with my patented 'pitiful Jali' look. After about my 12th or 13th sigh and his obvious annoyance at my whining, "A" finally relented and agreed to feed me.

Did we stop at the closest fast food spot where we could whizz through the drive-thru? Ha-Ha. I sped onto the highway with a goal in mind: The Famous Pancake House in Stone Mountain.

The restaurant was crowded (as always). TFPH is my favorite breakfast spot in the Metro area and I was excited to share the experience with the dude of my dreams. The dude of my dreams still wore the lime green Nappy suit with emerald and black racing stripes. He remembered his outfit as we walked past the people sitting outside the restaurant. (see, this is why I need a camera phone - the look on his face when the realization set in was amazing).

I grabbed his hand to show solidarity, but turned away so that he wouldn't see me giggling. The hostess sat us near the middle of the room. "A" was cool - well I suppose as cool as one can be while wearing a lime green Nappy track suit with emerald and black racing stripes and with every eye in the restaurant watching his every move. We ordered, the food was delicious, the conversation great and the time had come to make our grand exit.

"When I get home, I'm going to put this suit in a bag and pee on it". (Yeah, yeah, but you still have it on now.)

I proudly held his hand again as we weaved through the crowded room of staring people. "He's MY man!" (yeah, that was a paraphrased quote by "Squeek" from The Color Purple). As we drove home I notice the engine temp gauge was slowly edging towards dangerous. "A" wisely suggested that we stop at the auto parts store for fluids. (Ooh goodie, another adventure.)

I make the most of each and every shopping opportunity and was cruising the aisles for things I might need, and I suppose that "A" got tired of waiting in the hot car. I looked up and he was standing next to me, sweating like crazy in his lime green track suit with emerald and black racing stripes.I put down the thing-a-ma-bob that I had been examining and followed "A" to the register.

The guy that helped us happened to mention that it was his B-day and that he couldn't wait until he got off. "Um sir.. may I ask you a serious question?""Sure", he was a polite young man.

"If someone gave you a lime green Nappy track suit with emerald and black racing stripes as a gift for your birthday, would you wear it?"

Post script - "A" is finally speaking to me again. Would I do it all over knowing what I know now? Hells yeah! That was the best laugh I'd had for days and the other customers and clerks enjoyed it too. If anyone can find a photo of a "Nappy" track suit, please send me a link!!

Poetry Stuff

2007-01-17T09:27:00.000-05:00

Last night I read a poem at Javaology, a cool little coffee house in downtown Atlanta. Two bloggers from Atlanta were there - I met Mist1 http://mustgethobby.blogspot.com/a couple of weeks ago for lunch and drinks. The other, THE DRAGON (what's with the shouting, dude) http://kiyotoe.blogspot.com/ heard me read, but I didn't know he was from Bloggerland until this morning. I'm looking forward to formally meeting him. (I may have hugged him - that's something I do at these events since the peace/love vibe is strong. If not, I'll be sure to hug him next week)

I love spoken word exchanges. Reading to an audience that's really listening to what I have to say is great for the soul. The feedback they share that lets me know that they "got it" is amazing.

Here's what I read:

True Love

How do I express my love?
How can I share the feeling of joy I’ve felt since this began?
Again. Yes, again.

We start anew.

Should I close my eyes, imagining the last time…
Replaying those moments in slow, slow motion?

The dance.
The poetry
The ecstasy of movement.
The perfect execution of a perfect move.

I shudder with delight – replaying the magic.
I scream again as I did then.
Unable to hold back the feeling.
Unable to quietly sit and allow things to just happen.

I must take part in this.
I have my role to play.
I am a part of the whole.
My screams will not go unanswered.

Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!

Aw hell yeah!

Football season’s back! (Last night I said "Superbowl" instead of "football season".)

Time for me to read and comment all over the net.

Retread Stuff

2007-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hassan the Determined

Brooke the Beautiful (my eldest)

I'm pulling out all the old stories, since things are slow and because I think my kids and my grands are funny as hell. I was having a conversation with my grandson Hassan when he was about 3. We were talking about friendship and I told him that I would always be his friend. He answered, "Grandma, you KNOW you're my boy!"

When my daughter Dalerie was about 3 or 4 years old she decided to have a full fledged tantrum at the mall. She fell to the floor and started thrashing her limbs and screaming at the top of her lungs. The crowd seemed to pause mid sentence - and mid step to see how I would handle this out of control child. I threw down my bags and dropped to the floor, kicking my legs and waving my arms. I shouted, "this baby is driving me crazy!". Dalerie was embarrased as hell. She jumped up, offered me her hand and said politely, "come on Mommy." It dawned on her that her Mommy was a force to be reckoned with. She never tried that shit again.

My daughter, Brooke tells this story, (probably a big fat lie) about me in Pathmark back in 1994 or so. My children have claimed that grocery shopping with me was an embarrassment because I bought so many "no frills" items at the time. They would hate to run into any of their friends at the store who would laugh at the "If you like 'Cheetos', try me" labels on the bag of corn chips that I chose for economy.

I supposedly asked my child to go get me a bag of onions and then took my place in the check out line. Child took a long time to make it back to me with the produce, and I asked her what happened. Her deadpan reply, "I couldn't find the 'no frills' onions." She and her sister, the beautiful Dalerie thought this was hilarious.

Stuff Stuff

2007-01-15T09:02:00.000-05:00

How is it that no matter how little toilet paper is left on the roll, Adrian will find a way to use exactly that amount? Exactly the amount left on the roll!

Does my honey bunny have some sort of super power that regulates his recyling system to adjust to the number of sheets left on the roll? I've been putting his powers to the test these last few weeks just to see what he'll do and he passes with flying colors every time. That sad looking brown piece of cardboard left from the roll is all the evidence I need to see to understand his skill at toilet paper changing avoidance. he is a master of the game.

Yesterday after making ladylike use of the facilities (yeah - fart city for those of you who know me), I reached for the paper and my fingers struck hard cardboard where white fluffiness should have been. The reserve rolls of paper were at the far side of the vanity and I could just touch the paper, but couldn't grab a roll.

My pants around my ankles, I hobbled a step or two in the "croaching tiger" position to reach the paper and caught a glance of myself in the mirror. Not at all attractive folks. The highlights: vast expanse of butt with frowning face to cap it off. Frowning in part because the ridiculous amount of Bombay Gin I drank on Saturday night was being processed by a system that was out of control. (While drinking I pretend I don't know that this will happen). Frowning in part because I was annoyed that I had to be in that position (again, Adrian - again).

Yes I know that checking the roll should be the first thing done, but in the case of Bombay gin overload there isn't time to do anything other than assume the position and pray for accuracy. (I'm on the money most of the time.)

Playing With Photos Stuff

2007-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

These are just some cute photos I snatched from different sites over the years. (Yes, I do have a real post today - see below you naysayer - ). I just love these!

Look at little dude's face. He kills me!

The Grapes of Wrath

Blog Etiquette Stuff

2007-01-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

I suppose this is a poll of sorts and there are no right or wrong answers. (I use to hate to hear that line but I'm using it anyway cause this is Jali's house!)

I've come to know and love a wide variety of people and their pages since I started my own. I'm always happy when bloggers come to vist me and leave a message. It's great when lurkers finally have something to say, and a nice comment from someone passing through is fun to see too. Do any you guys answer every comment made every day? Do you visit every commenter's page and leave a comment there? How about your blogroll? Do you visit regularly and comment?

I try my best to visit every commenter's page (eventually) to at least say, "thanks for the stop-by", but there have been times that I wasn't feeling the page at all and didn't want to keep visiting so decided not to leave a note ( examples: extreme conservative politics - extreme fundamentalist religion - something racist on the page - certain mommy blogs {some are great others not so much}, ). I keep getting this tickle (I guess it's my conscience) telling me that it's just basic courtesy to at least leave a note.

I have a list of favorite blogs that was manageable for a little while, but as I meet new people and check them out I add to my list of favorites and it takes hours and hours to get to see them all. I have a list of second favorites, which to be honest, are people I like but can't seem to get to because of my favorite favorites. (I know these are run on sentences Sister Loyola Marguerite but it's my blog and I'm not even Catholic anymore so get out of my head!)

I see some of you guys have over 50 comments per day and I still see you hanging out all over. How the hell do you do it? I know that since I only blog from the office I have a little less time than some, but some of you truly amaze me with witty or touching posts from the heart on a daily basis as well as thoughtful and appropriate responses on every blog you visit. I give pretty good grumpy sometimes - that's about it.

Ooooh! I have an idea - I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours: Here's Adrian:

He's going to be so thrilled that I posted his photo on the net.

Why I'm Acting Ugly Stuff

2007-01-11T11:01:00.000-05:00

Guy (my 1989 Mazda MX 6 5 speed) got sick on Monday on the interstate. The "Hero" (local response team to highway troubles) guys tried their best to get him started, but Guy just wouldn't get going. The "Hero" guys gave me a ride to work and we had to have Guy towed to a service station. (less than 2 miles $80).

I agreed to the $19.99 charge by Firestone (the robbers)to check Guy out to determine what would be needed to get him back on the road.

The Firestone guy called with a grand total of $537.20 to get the car started - further diagnostic would be done at that point with price to be determined by result of said diagnostic.

We called the towing service and for an additional $110 they brought Guy home.

When I have no car to drive I get to ride on what happens to pass for mass transit in the Atlanta Metro area.

I left the house at 6:30 this morning and walked into my office at exactly 9:00. I live about 25 miles away from where I work. 2 1/2 hours for 25 miles. I'm is a particularly pissy mood this morning and I have nothing else to talk about right now.

Excuse Stuff

2007-01-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Today is my day to hang at the Straight Dope Message Board http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/. I pay an annual subscription to be a member - that's not the reason I'm trying to devote at least one day per week there. I go because of what I learn there. The membership is worldwide - there are conservatives, liberals, religious folk, atheists - it's good for me to hear news and opinions from another's perspective.

I start at The Pit. This is the page where you can rant to the nth degree about anything going on at the SDMB or in the world.

I usually move on to Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share. I'm inspired sometimes to post here based on what I read there. There's a lot of comedy in the world.

I go to the other sections of the board based on my mood at the moment.

Warning: Don't get into a Great Debate without ammunition - you need cites (links to prove your point) to back up any claim. The people who hang out there are pretty tough.

Okay - I've shared a site with you. Hit me back with a page you love.

Oh... how did I leave this out?

FLORIDA!

More TV Stuff

2007-01-05T16:46:00.000-05:00

Anyone remember "Herman's Head" or "Late Night With Joan Rivers"? How about "The Tracy Ullman Show" or "The Gary Shandling Show"? "Married With Children"? "Duets" "Open House" or "Women in Prison"? "In Living Color"?

These are all shows from the beginnings of the Fox Network.

I remember a show about the survivors of a nuclear holocaust - but I can't remember the name of the show. It was a 1/2 hour sitcom and it wasn't very funny - I just want my curiosity satisfied and I feel that you guys should be the ones to satisfy me. It came on right before Herman's Head I think. You'll win 25 cool points for the right answer.

More TV stuff: Name that show!

I'll give you some of the character's names - you gimme the show.

#1 - Mary, Jodie, Chester, Danny, Annie, Burt.

#2 - Danny, Jesse, Joey, Stephanie

#3 - Jefferson, Steve, Kelly, Marcie, Al.

#4 - Joe, Brian, Faye, Roy, Helen.

#5 - Denise, Claire, Cliff, Sondra.

#6 - Diane, Carla, Rebecca, Cliff.

#7 - Joey, Monica, Rachel.

#8 - David, Darlene, Mark, Jackie.

#9 - Kevin, Wayne, Jack, Paul, Norma.

#10 -Gina, Tommy, Bro'Man.

Big Ole' Edit: with answers to quiz - stop here if you didn't play yet.

#1 - Mary, Jodie, Chester, Danny, Annie, Burt - Soap

#2 - Danny, Jesse, Joey, Stephanie - Full House

#3 - Jefferson, Steve, Kelly, Marcie, Al - Married With Children

.#4 - Joe, Brian, Faye, Roy, Helen - Wings

.#5 - Denise, Claire, Cliff, Sondra - The Cosby Show

.#6 - Diane, Carla, Rebecca, Cliff - Cheers

#7 - Joey, Monica, Rachel - Friends

#8 - David, Darlene, Mark, Jackie - Rosanne

#9 - Kevin, Wayne, Jack, Paul, Norma - The Wonder Years

#10 -Gina, Tommy, Bro'Man - Martin

Blogs of the Week (Yeah Right...) Stuff - Ketchup Time

2007-01-05T09:55:00.000-05:00

I haven't been handling my blog business very well. If something is a something of the week, then it should be posted every week. I defy that common sense rule and continue to title this entry "Blog of the Week". (kinda like my "daily" excercise routine...cough - choke)

There are so many outstanding writers out there that it would be possible to highlight a great page every day and still have many more to see.

Today (pretend it's "this week") I'm featuring this lovely lady, http://wwwguilty-with-an-explanation.blogspot.com/. I like her style - a page about mammograms (that dreaded torture) was titled "Tough Tittie. Funny as hell. Click the link, stroll through archive land and drop her a line.

"Last week's" feature (pretend I posted last week) was a sweetheart, and a funny writer, http://maidennewyork.blogspot.com/. She has a hilarious guest poster today that you don't need to miss.

The week before we were (supposed to be) diatribin' with Dark Damian at http://darkdamian.blogspot.com/. Please don't skip the comments, especially from Pirate Laurie.

More Ad Stuff and Random Stuff as Filler

2007-01-05T08:32:00.000-05:00

There's a commercial that irks me. (Well, more than others right now) I suppose the concept isn't bad, but it just doesn't make any sense.

It's a commercial for one of the cell phone companies and it's highlighting the ease in downloading music by using their service.

In order to download, "Rocking the Casbah", one must know the name of the song.

The commercial makes an attempt at humor when immediately after downloading the song, the guy has no idea what the chorus might be. He sings, "stopping the catbox" and his doofy companion agrees. They do a hurky-jerky (to the music) walk to the car and we are to suppose to believe that they will sing "stopping the catbox" for the rest of the day.

I've sung the wrong words to many songs (one of the reasons that "shut up Jali" was a constant refrain in my circle) but I've never been unable to read the title to a song.

Another small commercial irritant: the Sonic commercial with the regular married couple again sitting in their minivan discussing the pleasures of the Sonic dining experience. The guy (representing idiocy) mentioned that his jalepeno pepper thingie is sweet and wonders if the recipe has changed. His wife (representing annoying smugness) lets it drop that he's eating a cheesecake thingie. A-Duh.

This morning the DJ on a local radio station played the complete "Rapper's Delight" (one of the first rap songs). What struck me was that each of the rappers spoke clearly, told a funny story and didn't have to brag about shooting anyone or selling cocaine. Some of todays so called rappers should stop and listen to 8 minutes of fun to a beat.

Most folks are aware that rain is Kryptonite to Atlanta traffic so I was prepared for an ugly ride in this morning. Correction: I thought I was prepared. There were at least 8 or 9 accidents on the local roadways that the radio commentators mentioned briefly and the 'snails pace" known as rush hour here was downgraded to "almost dead slugs pace". I live about 20 miles from my office. I left the house at 7 and got to my building at 8:20. The car that I kindly (BIG mistake) let into my lane left a 5 or 6 car constant gap in front of them, (so 5 or 6 cars were constantly jumping ahead) so again I screwed myself by being nice. I hope the driver had lip reading skills.

I have this image of myself that I continue to hold onto depite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. In my imaginings, I'm 5'9" so my silhouette is long and lean. The stupid elevators in my building here at work have full length mirrors so it's difficult to turn away from reality (especially when you're vain as hell) and once again I was forced to concede that I'm a little teapot... (you all sing the rest of the stupid song) in jeans (casual Friday).

Whoa - Fed Ex just delivered and I have some actual work to do - I'll come back and add some more if I'm able.

New Years' Stuff

2007-01-04T08:23:00.000-05:00

Yeah right. I guess I'm supposed to write about all the "new and improved" happenings in my life since it's another new year. (Yawn)

Nothing new - nothing improved.

It's the same ole' crap from last year, recycled.

I joined a new gym. (We all KNOW how goofy I can be at the gym). I'm sore as hell today - my arms might just fall off and my stomach really aches (but the people at the gym KNOW who's the best at working out)

I'm back on a semi-Atkins/ coffee-OD diet. Whenever I get hungry I drink another cup of coffee. (my system is CLEAN! I mean CLEAN!!!).

My last carb (I tremble at the thought) was a delicious french fry at a restaurant in South Atlanta on Tuesday. My last real carb is a better explanation for that mouthful of crunchity goodness. The carbs found in foods I don't want or like don't count in my opinion.

I really didn't plan to start the diet then, but I said, "these are my last carbs" to my lunch companion as I ordered the mushroom swissburger (medium) and once I say the words out loud, the laws of the universe force me to comply. Non-compliance creates additional cottage cheese on thighs.

I said the words at lunch to a blogger that lives in the metro area (who despite all her positive attributes {smart, funny, pretty and f*^$in' slim like a model} I still like) since the person is in excellent shape and I am not. I suppose I was trying to justify my urge for fatty hi-carb food at the moment. (healthy girl had hummis - grrrrrr).

I can't describe "healthy chick" to you readers since she prefers not to post a photo on her blog so I suppose she doesn't want to be identified online. (the surgery went pretty well and her hair will grow back eventually{so she said}) name hint: movie starring Clint Eastwood as a DJ.

I'm not allowed to mention her real name here either. (why I make foolish promises I just don't know, cause I'm DYING to tell you what her parents actually named her)

What's in YOUR wallet? (C'mon allow me a stupid and current cultural reference here folks - I got nothin' else)

Link Stuff (Lazy Post Stuff)

2006-12-26T09:01:00.000-05:00

Irritating game - addictive though... http://www.dailyhaha.com/_flash/jeu_chiant.swf

More addiction: http://www.bounceawayonline.com/balltoucher.html

One of my favorites: http://www.eyezmaze.com/grow/cube/ - try the other links for other grow games.

Have you solved this? : http://www.fasco-csc.com/works/viridian/index_e.php

Great movie stuff: http://www.stationerymovies.com/

Sick of Reporters Stuff

2006-12-11T09:18:00.000-05:00

T.O. (for you non football fans Terrell Owens is a wide receiver who has been the center of sports media attention for quite some time) was interviewed after the Cowboy's loss last night to New Orleans.

I was impressed by his poise, his acceptance of his responsibility along with the rest of the team for their loss and his refusal to bad mouth anyone at all.

Despite T.O's outstanding effort to avoid conflict by choosing his words wisely, the reporters continued to ask leading questions, it seemed they were hoping to create controvery by using a negative soundbite for a front page story.

He called The Saint's offense "explosive" while maintaining that his own team is good. He said that he was happy to be a Cowboy.

He's been criticized for off the cuff statements made to the media - he's had words (I'm sure) taken out of context and used against him. The camera follows him for reaction shots instead of giving us the replay the viewers really want.

It's true that Terrell Owens has made mistakes in his life - in his career - in his time as a Cowboy, but this overdose of scrutiny is getting to be ridiculous. He is not the devil incarnate (my ex-husband holds that position very proudly) and the kid should be left alone sometimes.

TV Stuff

2006-12-07T09:16:00.000-05:00

Seems as though ranting is my thing.

I'll start with the local news today. I'm sick and tired of the newscasters taunting the poor weatherperson because they don't like the forecast.

"Jim, I wanted to play golf today and all you can tell me is that it's going to rain. C'mon and bring us some sun." (laughter in the background audible since this is obviously soooo hilarious)

I would love to see the tables turned just once!

The newscaster finishes his report about a string of robberies and shootings in the downtown area. The weatherperson has something to say.

"Bill, I wanted to walk downtown safely today and all you can report is crime. Enough with the murders! C'mon, bring us some better news." (cue laughter of the crew)

I'm sick of the "only on 11-Alive" stories. If it's really news then all the major stations will carry it by 11pm. Your "exclusive" regarding the high price of haircuts for kiddies this fall isn't necessary.

I'm tired of the false camraderie of the "news team". The promos for the news (strange concept when you think about it) indicate that the team lives, works and plays together. They pose these days like the actors of the WB did back in the day (here I go with that worn out phrase again) with either the serious newscaster look or the sappy smile frozen on their heavily made up faces.

I feel as though the actual news is much more important than the personalities involved and that I can do without a profile of the sports guy. It's nice that he has children, but his family isn't news. Giving us 3 minutes of his kid playing Pop Warner football is wasted filler.

I really dislike the news people going over the top about the local sports teams as though they didn't go over the top in the other market they just transferred from. I think it's okay to report news from Atlanta and still be loyal to YOUR sports team. I think it's okay to report news from Atlanta and NEVER share your personal likes and dislikes with the public. I just want the news.

I can't imagine making Channel 9's website my homepage. I'm told I could have "up to the minute" weather and traffic reports if I do it. Instead I look out my window for rain. No rain then I assume I'll stay dry. I'm in Atlanta. I KNOW the traffic is going to suck. I can figure out the degree of suckage based on the time of day or the season of the year.

Rubbing hands together in that sexy villianous way. Who will be my next target? Hmmmm.

More Rant Stuff

2006-12-06T08:51:00.000-05:00

Pretty.
Shiny
Flashing.
Lights.

In some circumstances, stopping to see the lights is a great thing. Homes and businesses are adorned to celebrate the holidays and many enjoy the creativity of those who decide to celebrate the season. (see Beauty and the Beer's posts with photos http://www.beautyandthebeer.com/)

In other circumstances, stopping to see the lights is just idiotic. THERE IS NO REASON TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP IF AN OFFICER IS WRITING A TRAFFIC TICKET. We know that the lights are purdy, but we want to get to work. (Yes, you on the Connector this morning!)

What's up with the holiday ties that DON'T MATCH ANY OTHER PART OF YOUR OUTFIT? I'm happy to see so many feeling the spirit of the holiday, but ties should match your suit! "Whimsical" is a look better achieved by infants. You look strange.

Hint - you don't look cute without a coat when it's 20 degrees outside. You look like you just got robbed.

A Bush/Cheyney sticker driver cut me off this morning. I should have expected it since in their mind, I'm sure they were just maximizing their commute and I would have been acceptable collateral damage if I had crashed.

We're doing a "white elephant" holiday gift exchange at the office. We've been told to spend less that $10 since it's just for fun. I'll bet someone (one of the better paid of the office) goes to the $ .99 store for their gift - and I'll get stuck with it. Last year I got a FREE (to the donor) tee shirt that someone didn't want. I traded it for a Magic 8 Ball (woot-woot!) by a holy person who considered it the work of the devil. I made most of my decisions last year based on Mr. Magic. (shut up!)

I'm Full of It Stuff

2006-12-05T09:46:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah - I know. I'm full of "it", but this post is about the opinions of different things I'm full of. We'll talk about the other full of another day.

I'll start with commercials (I love this topic!)

The new Dunkin' Doughnuts commercial has a catchy little tune about the "foreign" words that other coffee houses use. When did "latte" become a word in English? I know that almost everyone understands what a latte is, but the word has been adopted since our obsession with coffee drinks began. When I was young the choices for coffe beverages were, black, dark, regular or light. The song asks, "is it French or is it Italian?" It's Italian.

I love the commercial for the Heissman Trophy with all the mascots racing through the city. I play a little game with myself to see how many I can recognize, and I shout them out (even if I'm alone which is kind of sad when you think about it). The one I never miss is "the Yellowjackets!". The exclamation point is there 'cause that's how I say it every time.

I still hate all the diamond commercials. "Every kiss begins with Kaye." Such bullshit. Every kiss should begin with genuine love for your dude. We are not diamond whores and don't hold out on giving affection based on holiday gifts. The Jared Jewelers commercials are even worse - we are not screaming banshee bitches who would refuse a gift because it came from the wrong store.

There's a goofy commercial for I truck that I like since it's imaginative - the truck is accidently dropped and goes through the different layers of the eart, finally ending up (and upright) in China. The center of the earth creatures are just what I imagined and will continue to believe in.

I hate the f%$*ing "priceless" cartoon for MasterCard because of the gross inaccuracy - the commercial quotes "turkey dinner with all the fixings: $55." In what magic land can a household full of people be fed for $55? It just irks me.

I'm sick of the Lexus commercials with the car outside with the big red bow and the two neighbors both hoping it's a gift for them. In my house major purchases are discussed. Period.

The Volvo commercial with the cute little girl singing irks me too. The implication that if I love my family I have to buy a Volvo is irritationg as hell. My kids love my 1989 MX6!

I don't want to see any more "Krystal Stories". This woman actually says that her coworkers "love her" because she brings them breakfast. Pretty smug aintcha? Oooh - if I want love at work I'll buy it too. Another Krystal Story is by these college dudes who try to eat 12 packs of burgers in 3 minutes. Gross! (I also am a White Castle lover and don't like these imitation burgers at all)

Taco Bell is trying to condition me to expect a "Fourth Meal". WTF???! Isn't obesity a big problem in our country? Now there's a high calorie, high carb, high fat "fourth meal" that we should expect from now on. Great.

Jared of Subway fame is annoying as hell too. We're all glad that you lost weight 10 years ago but c'mon, you're a snarky idiot and the anti McD's commercials are bullshit. I'm not McD's advocate, but their salads, low fat desserts, juices and fruit choices are a pretty good effort. You commercial claims that nothing on their menu is low fat.

Speaking of McDonalds I HATE the commercial where the guy calls his roommate to say he brought chicken sandwiches for lunch. He answers his roommate's questions about mornings like SUCH an asshole, "It's called a Jobbbbbbb..." I want to smack the black off his face. (old saying from my hood - don't be so sensitive).

I have never had and never will have a "happy period." Who makes up this shit? Bah humbug, Kotex.

The dropped calls commercials irk me too. I automatically check my phone if I can't hear the caller speaking. These folks who keep talking must be new to celly use or something.

I feel a little sorry for the 4 dorks with pastel work shirts from the various cell companies who only have each other to talk to. That's a sad life. (I hate the commercials!)

Oh, I have more.... I'll save them for another day.

Additional Stuff

2006-11-27T14:34:00.000-05:00

Adrian fixed my car as a birthday gift. He doesn't get a pass because of it although it cost a lot of money. I'm still pissed! Ever been too angry to even discuss? That's where I am right now.

I go to Dallas Texas for my company's holiday party 12/14 - 12/17. Any of you guys in Dallas? Drink? You see where I'm going...

Football was great this holiday weekend. The college rivalries were fun, but the pro games were HOT! My Giants lost - I'm a little sad, but the Philly loss made up for that (still laughing). I did pretty well at my picks this week. The Falcons got "beat the &%$* up" (paraphrase the movie Friday). Goooooo Saints!

The movie Eragon is coming. I WILL be there on 12/15 in the mall near my hotel (the 4 Seasons in Las Colinas- yes I'm bragging - I can't afford it) to see the movie. I know, I could be doing Dallasy stuff, but I must see this film.

I smoked a ciggie - I was in the middle of the argument and picked up Adrian's ciggie reflexively. I wish I could say that it was nasty, but it tasted soooooo good. Today would make 3 months since I first quit and I blew it last night. Oh well.

I love some of you very muchly too!

Sad Stuff

2006-11-27T10:10:00.000-05:00

This post was inspired by the wonderful Luke at http://www.fantasybeyond.com/urbanknight/blogger.html. I'm in a pissy mood due to relationship shit so a sad post is right down my alley.

Here are my "tearjerkers" in different catagories:

Songs:

Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce - His death makes this song so much more poignant to me.

Mercy, Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye.

Miss Saigon, The Cast Album- almost every song on the album brings me to tears. Now that I've Seen Her - I Still Believe - There are so many - these songs are heartbreaking - I can't listen to the album without crying.

Renee - Lost Boyz - It's like a punch in the stomach for me.

Janie's Got a Gun - Aerosmith - Another punch in the stomach. They made us face the realities of "Middle America."

Stan - Eminem - heartbreaking. Genius.

Books:

Death Be Not Proud - John Gunther - I read this in high school and I still grieve for his son.

Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt - the descriptions of life for his family broke my heart. I cried for Frank as a little boy.

The Color Purple - Alice Walker - I had to stop and start and stop and start - I cried repeatedly.

The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan (also The Kitchen God's Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses) - she's a great writer who has pulled me into the Chinese culture.

Feast of All Saints - Anne Rice - early college days - it really moved me.

A Seperate Peace - John Knowles - this was back in high school and I cried for a long, long time.

Rant Stuff

2006-11-16T09:11:00.000-05:00

My car, Guy needs a rest, so I've been taking the bus and train to work. The ride isn't bad - well most of the time the ride isn't bad.

I just don't understand some people here in Atlanta. There might be many seats available and lots of room towards the back of the bus but certain people INSIST on standing in the front. One guy talks to the driver so his place is pretty much assured. (It's almost like folks are fighting for pole position for the race -The race from the bus to the train at the last stop) The others crowd around the first guy so that people getting on at later stops really have to squeeze past them to get on the bus. This of course adds to the commute time and the annoyance factor.

The cell phone on the bus people get on my nerves too. I don't really need to hear the lastest "crunk" ringtone at 6:18 when I feel I should be sleeping. I don't really need to know what everyone wore to the party last night or who "Nay-Nay" went home with. I wouldn't need to know in the late afternoon, but in the early AM I really don't need to know about your life.

The "tell us all, why dontcha" people irk me too. The sun has not yet risen and most of us are content to sit quietly - reading or gathering our thoughts during the ride to the train. Then YOU get on the bus and seem compelled to share your most mundane achievements with all of us - you just need someone to be your outlet. We watch you scanning our faces as you walk the center aisle - looking for a victim - we who know better refuse to catch your eye or smile - the innocent newbies might say "hello" which is the only opening you need. You launch into a long discussion of the reasons you're on the bus in the first place, what time you left your home, the temperature outside, the forecast for tonight, and what you might cook depending on the price of chicken breasts at Publix. (It's fun to watch the newbie's face change from friendliness to forced after a few blocks of non-stop lip action)

Other quieter speakers can't be heard over her "outside" voice and any competition for our attention is quickly vanquished. We are all forced to hear her opinion of the latest films, music, style of dress, young people, the bitches on her job who are out to get her, her ex-husband and his new wife and whatever was on televison last night. She explains that she's not from Atlanta originally and how the transit system in her hometown is so much better than this. She doesn't care that the person she used to get started has something to say. She has the floor and filibuster (although we have no vote here) it shall be. I call her "sister soliloquy" and I'm sure other riders have their own pet names for her. It's gotten to the point that some mornings there's a audible sigh of relief if she misses her regular bus and an involuntary groan if we see her in line. One older lady phrased is well, "Oh Lawd, here she comes."

The 2 seater people are another annoyance. Why must people ask you to move your belongings to allow them to sit down? Is it possible that you feel your purse needs its own seat? Were you raised by impolite wolves? I see one lady do this every single day. Someone must ask her to move her bag. EVERY SINGLE DAY. How did she NOT learn the day before?

Tomorrow - the wonderful train ride.

Time Off Stuff

2006-11-13T08:44:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came looking for me, asked about me and waited for me. You guys are great.

I have no excuse to give you for not responding to your notes - I'm just full 'o shit sometimes. Please forgive me.

I can't even promise that I won't disappear again - I'll try to give warning next time.

I started a blog for the job and it's turned out well.

I'm going to spend the day - probably the next few days reading all of my "regulars'" pages. I miss you guys!

TV Movie Stuff

2006-10-20T16:35:00.000-04:00

Found this here: http://www.filmwise.com/visual/bigscreensmall_01.shtml

Name the Movies/TV shows - I'll give you a hint for the first one: "You rang?"

Big screen: Raul Julia Small screen: John Astin

Big screen: Dan Aykroyd Small screen: Jack Webb

Big screen: Ben Stiller Small screen: Paul Michael Glaser

Big screen: Goldie Hawn Small screen: Lorna Patterson

Big screen:Christopher Lloyd Small screen: Ray Walston

Big screen: Jim Varney Small screen: Buddy Ebsen

Big screen: Claire Danes Small screen: Peggy Lipton

Big screen: Walter Matthau Small screen: Joseph Kearns

Big screen: Will Smith Small screen: Robert Conrad

Big screen: Jennifer Lopez Small screen: Carla Gugino

Big screen:Christopher Walken Small screen: Anthony Michael Hall

Big screen: Kristy Swanson Small screen: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Big screen: Eddie Murphy Small screen: Bill Cosby

Big screen: Shelley Long Small screen: Florence Henderson

Big screen: Jennifer Grey Small screen: Jennifer Aniston

Big screen: Colin Farrell Small screen: Robert Urich

Big screen: Elliott Gould Small screen: Wayne Rogers

Big screen: Nicole Kidman Small screen: Elizabeth Montgomery

Big screen: Janine Turner Small screen: Barbara Billingsley

Big screen: Harrison Ford Small screen: David Janssen

Big screen: Bill Murray Small screen: David Doyle

Big screen: Alicia Silverstone Small screen: Rachel Blanchard

Big screen: Walter Matthau Small screen: Jack Klugman

Big screen: Heather Graham Small screen: Marta Kristen

Blog of the Week Stuff

2006-10-18T14:42:00.000-04:00

Please take the time to read this wonderful writer's work. She's literally brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Please add her to your blogrolls.

http://mymixedcompany.com/wp/?p=383

Stuff

2006-10-18T09:17:00.000-04:00

I'm in the mood for talk so I'll be going on and on today, probably jumping from topic to topic. (who said that's what I do all the time?)

If there's a state superior court, doesn't that mean by definition that there must be an inferior court?

Today the left lane drivers worked together and we refused to let a single driver who was in the HOV lane get in front of us to avoid the police car up ahead. I watched him get busted in my rear view mirror. It's sad that I felt so victorious, but this happens every day and some times the cheater get theirs. Karma at work. Yay! (?yeah? yah?)

I'm all for any child's adoption. If Madonna will give a baby a better life, then I think it's wonderful. Boo to the naysayers who would rather the baby be left in an orphanage.

My favorite commercial right now is the "Sonic" ad where the husband says he's going to write in his blog about the new ice cream treat to share the experience with his readers. His wife responds, "You mean reader. Your mother." Hilarious.
Second for me is the Dwayne Wade - Cadillac ad when he rides off on a bike after giving the neighborhood coach a new S.U.V. - touching.

High beams in fog is not good. Why don't some drivers know this?

A child's birthday party should include more children than adults, serve foods that children like and liquor should not be the table centerpiece or the highlight of the day.

I'm still afraid to eat spinach. I have frozen spinach in my freezer, and despite my urge to eat it, I just can't make myself. Friends have explained how safe it is - I just don't believe.

I've always wanted a monkey as a pet. (no guys, Lester doesn't count).

My ex-husband (#2) asked me last night if in retrospect I felt that our breakup was a mistake. I had to mute the call so he wouldn't hear me squealing with laughter since he was being serious and I suppose, his version of sweet. I tried to be diplomatic and kind. I wanted to say, "Hells No! It was one of the best things to ever happen to me." I didn't, so I'm expecting something good as a reward for my restraint.

Why must some people answer each and every cell phone call they receive? I don't understand being that available to everyone at all times. I'll no longer stand for it - if you ignore me to talk to someone else - I don't mean a brief conversation then I'm outie!

Passengers going through fast food drive throughs should be ready with their orders - I don't want to sound like a special ed child over the mic: "Um...one - no two small - no (what did you say?) no - make that large fries. (yes the fries come with the value meal) - no cancel that - make it one small fry and an onion ring - no (shut up you guys - I can't hear!) I'm sorry, make that a large onion ring, please. Please hold on for a moment. (c'mon you guys, what else do you want?) Okay, I'm ready, I'd like two fish sandwiches, one superburger with no pickle and a crispy chicken with extra mayo.(no, I'm not asking them to change it now - c'mon now - damn!) Hello, I'm sorry, can we start again? Okay - One large onion ring, one small fry, a fish sandwich, two burgers and a side salad please. No - nothing to drink. Nope." I've gone through this too many times to count.

I just noticed that "Mary Worth" and "Mark Trail" are still on the comic pages of the newspaper. Who reads this stuff? Actually I looked at all the different comic strips and none of them were funny enough to warrant publication in a major newspaper. Some of them are really poorly drawn. (lightbulb) Hey! Maybe I can do it too - I'm not very funny and I can't draw for shit - I could be a local superstar in the newspaper. (I just remembered "Chasing Amy" when poor Banky was ridiculed as a "colorer". I've got to rent it again, soon. - God, my mind is a mess)

I'll be back with more stuff later.

More Football Stuff

2006-10-17T15:21:00.000-04:00

I've seen football "training camps" for women crop up all over the country in the last few years. The following was taken from the Falcons web site regarding an upcoming event here in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Falcons Women's Association invites fans to the Falcons Football Academy to learn the Xs and Os of football through hands-on instruction from current and former Falcons players. Enroll in the NFL 101 session to learn the basics of the game through hands-on instruction, or in the NFL 201 session to learn what the pros know including an opportunity to participate in a flag football game!

I started my love for football as a member of the "Ocean of Soul", Virginia Union University's marching band. (sounds like jali's a talented musician, doesn't it? Nope. I was a pom-pom girl and proud of it! We were high stepping cuties in great uniforms IMHO) For a time, I considered the actual football game to be the intermission between performances of the band and knew almost nothing beyond the fact that the uniforms looked good on some of the players from the back and that we were supposed to play a hot song after every touchdown. During one of these intermissions I asked one the guys about the 1st, 2nd, 3rd down thing and why the numbers kept changing as the team made it's way down the field. After he explained that actual lightbulb going off in my head moment happened and I started paying attention to what was happening on the field. (and finally cheered at the right moments thank you very much)

I'm from NYC and the Jets and the Giants are our local teams. There's an unwritten rule that one must choose one or the other - we're not supposed to root for both teams and my decision was made by my father (the controller of all things electronic in our home - this may have been one of the first man laws) who was an avid Giants fan. It's pretty simple to pick the team you get to watch regularly.

Well, kind of regularly... If the game was a sell out, then we were able to watch it on TV. If the game wasn't forecast to be a sell out then we would literally drive to Dover, De. to watch the game. My father loved the idea of a road trip and the opportunity to hang with his Brother-In-Law and partner in crime, my Uncle Dave. They would drive to Maryland (where beer is sold on Sundays) and get ready for some football! The games may not have been actually blacked out, but since my father was the Emperor of our home and all he surveyed, his word on this was never questioned. I remember even catching a ride up from VUU to Delaware to surprise my Dad one weekend to learn that he decided not to make the trip, and that I was stuck with very little money and classes in Virginia the next day. My family pulled together (after the game of course) and put me on the train and I made it back safely. I decided to concentrate on college football (and my grades too, I suppose) for the rest of the semester.

I didn't return to regular cheering for the Giants until the 1980's. I married and had children in the 70's and found other things to occupy my Sunday afternoons back then. (Laundry, spying on cheating husband - all the exciting happenings in the life of a fly girl.)

After moving back home (sounds sad to move back in with my parents as a divorced adult, but it was great for me! More about all that in a later post) I was able to focus a little attention on professional football.

My dad was happy to have a football partner in the house with him again- My mother and sister made it clear that they would rather eat each others boogers than watch football. My dad and I spent many happy afternoons arguing (he inspired by Georgi Vodka - me with my sense of righteousness) the finer points of the game.

In the late 80's early 90's our Playoff/Superbowl Extravaganzas began. No catering was acceptable at any of our football fests. We would cook for days then solemnly gather at the church of the NFL for that particular game to give praise. We would dress up a little for these particular games - they were more important that even Monday Night Football - these were the playoffs.

Superbowl Sunday dawned bright and clear every year (regardless of the actual weather - happiness makes everything shiny). Some years I was Queen of the pick - others, for example the year I walked into the house singing, "Don't Mess With The Bills" - was the year that Dallas stomped all over the Bills defensive line. Can't pick 'em all.

I guess the point of all these words is that you have to take the time to learn to love the ballet of football. Every offensive movement is a well rehearsed step downfield. If some of you imagine beautiful choreography instead of game playing, you might be able to see a little more of the beauty.

ProBaller Stuff

2006-10-17T14:06:00.000-04:00

This was written mostly on Monday and just never posted. I was too busy reading all of your lovely pages so don't get upset.

The Giants. (to really feel it, please say it the way Mike Ditka said, "the Bears"')

I had a BALL yesterday watching the beloved Giants defense make their "jump shot" celebration move SEVEN times yesterday in the game against the Falcons. Seven sacks - a Michael Vick record. I generally root for the Falcons since I live in Atlanta, but my heart belongs to the Giants. There are a lot of former New Yorkers living here and the cheering section for our team was strong.

New Orleans did it! Sorry rev. steve but I'm happy! Boo Eagles!

One giant sized bag of Lime flavored chips and 2 large jars of salsa and cheese will only last for about 7 or 8 minutes in Atlanta if the Falcons are losing. I can report that the Atlanta fans watching from my home yesterday really started eating when their QB got sacked. They were also very quiet in the second half of the game - as opposed to the loud and boisterous chanting they did during the beginning of the game.

Edit: The game last night was unbef*%^inglievable!

Juast have to post this about my little school:

I attended Virginia Union University, a small historically black college in Richmond, Virginia. As I did a little research this week on an NFL player I knew way back when and have been bragging about for years, I learned that others from V.U.U. played for the N.F.L. Roger Anderson played for the New York Giants from 1964 - 1968. James Atkins played for one season for the Titans in 2003 and one for the San Francisco 49-ers in 2004. John Baker played for the Giants in 1970. Malcolm Barnwell played for five years as a pro, 1981-1985 for the Oakland Raiders, The Los Angeles Raiders , the New Orleans Saints and the Redskins. Carl Bland was another former V.U.U. Panther who's NFL career lasted from 1984-1990 as a Detroit Lion and a Green Bay Packer. There are others: Hez Braxton was a pro from 1962-1963 playing first as a Charger, then as a Buffalo Bill. Mike Brim played in the NFL from 1988-1995 for a number of teams: Phoenix, Detroit, Minnesota, New York (Jets) and Cincinnati. Pete Hunter played as a pro from 2002-2005 for Dallas and Cleveland. Cornelius Johnson was a Baltimore Colt from 1968-1973. Bob Jones played from 1973-1976 for Cinti and Atlanta. Tony Leonard (the guy I knew) played for the San Francisco 49-ers from 1976-1979. Irvin Mallory was a New England Patriot in 1971. Bobby Phillips also played for one year in the NFL: 1995 for Vikings. Herbert Scott's career lasted much longer, 1975-1984 as a Dallas Cowboy. Adrian Wright played for one year for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers in 1987. Pretty good for a small school.

Tagged Stuff

2006-10-11T15:18:00.000-04:00

I'm down with the cool kids, I'm in with the in crowd, I'm one of the boys...
I got tagged!

1. One book that’s changed your life.
A Wrinkle In Time by Madelyn D'Engle. It gave me a love for sci-fi.

2. One book that you have read more than once.
Pride and Prejudice by Austin - I read it every year.

3. One book that you would want on a deserted island
Araminta Station by Jack Vance to take me away from my lonliness, starvation and impending death.

4. One book that made you cry
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston is the first tearjerker that came to mind. The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Good Earth by Pearl Buck - there are so many that have made me cry.

5. One book that made you laugh.
Six Of One by Rita Mae Brown

6. One book you wish had been written.
Another in either Sarah Shankman's or Anne George's series.

7. One book you wish had never been written.
I don't like this question.

8. One book you are currently reading.
I'm re-reading The Old Wine Sellers by Martha Grimes.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read.
Sequel to Tracy Hickman's and wife's series but I'm waiting for paperback - Ca't afford hardcover.

10. One book you're glad to own.
All of them
11. One book from which you must read aloud.
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

I just found the tag at Macarena's site: http://macarena-de-verano.blogspot.com/2006/10/book-whore-one-book.html

Football Stuff!!!!!!!!

2006-10-09T08:20:00.000-04:00

I play "Beat The Hosts" on HBO every week. We pick the teams we like for upcoming games and hope our record is better than the four hosts, Chris Collinsworth, Chris Carter, Dan Marino and Bob Costas.

I printed my picks and brought them home this weekend. "A" and my son, Charlie scoffed at many of my choices for the early games. I asked them to pick right then and there so that there would be no changing of horses midstream (they deny this, but we all know the deal).

I can't take credit for the teams winning any of the games, but I can take credit for picking all eight of the winning teams that played at 1pm EDT on Sunday.

I picked KC over Arizona but I got the next four wrong. Jacksonville killed my Jets and San Francisco shocked the hell out of me! I usually go with the 49-ers but I decided to go with my head instead of my heart this week - bad choice. I'm still waiting for Pittsburg to win...sigh. Let's grab the announcers mic from Jerome Bettis and put him back in the game.

My low of the day: The eagle's win over Dallas. I don't particularly care for Dallas but I HATE the eagles! The pregame show of egg throwing and jersey burning was a great reminder to me of what I don't like. (rev. steve, you're the only Philly fan I love so don't yell at me)

My highlight of the day: Immediately following the TV announcers discussion of Reggie Bush's college record for running TD's from deep in his own territory, Reggie Bush ran for one of the most beautiful touchdowns of the day. His first NFL touchdown and I got to see it! Magic!

I have Baltimore tonight and I'm sticking my fingers in my ears and ignoring all you naysayers! Gooooooo Colts...I mean Ravens! (for the youngsters: back in the day, the Colts played in Baltimore - google Johnny Unitas to see for yourselves)

EDIT: Anyone remember the L.A. Rams? (google Rosie Grier (Pam's needlepointing cousin), or Fred Dryer, Eric Dickerson or the Youngbloods)

Musical Stuff

2006-10-06T08:38:00.000-04:00

The other day I touched on music and how it can affect you (well how it affects me, but I use the language as I wish). Marvin Gaye's music brings out the love, but other music brings out other feelings.

If I'm driving long distance I need hot music from my past to keep me going.

Unfortunately when I start singing (okay, squawking for those of you who've heard me live), I start speeding without realizing it. I'll glance down at the speedometer ( a rent-a-car of course, with a working speedometer since my car doesn't deal with such petty information anymore) and shock myself (ooops - 97 MPH, I didn't mean to do THAT), I'll give the gas a break for a while and go with the flow of traffic. I might stop the CD player and listen to the local radio station for a bit. I usually go for "urban" radio, but once in a while I might listen to country of classical music.

Country music is safe for driving - at least until something like, "Jesus Take The Wheel" comes on. I can't help looking around to see who's listening to the same station and actually letting Him take the wheel while they apply makeup, eat a salad, or argue with their wife. After watching some of the other drivers on the interstate, I make a soon to be broken promise to myself to drive 55 for the rest of the ride.

Classical music is hazardous for me in a car. It usually starts out quietly, so I in turn drive at a moderate pace. The tempo and volume increase so I have to drive faster to keep up. Crescendo! By the time the movement climaxes, I'm driving over 90. The big (f*%^!!) ticket I got on the N.J. Turnpike was a direct result of my listening to classical music.

I can no longer listen to any type of music while walking down the street because I'm overly conscious of the beat, and have to step along with the music. Fine if I'm listening to something with a moderate beat - less fine if a song like "Whip It" by Devo is playing. Imagine watching someone trying to walk down a busy sidewalk as if they were being controlled remotely by a comedienne with a wicked sense of humor. The sexy aura I'm famous for goes right out the window and people literally stop and stare.

Music works for me if I'm making an entrance somewhere and the beat is just right. That awkward walk into the club becomes my personal fashion show down the runway if something jazzy is playing.

Or not.

Sometimes the music changes mid-entrance and I'll find myself prancing to "Country Road, Take Me Home" or something else I hate and I have to admit, the look isn't good. It's hard to do the sexy walk thing with a smirk of distaste on one's lips.

I've talked about me being stoooooooopid in the gym. The "Rocky Theme" is the worse thing I can listen to while working out. Amadeo noted another song that has a similar effect: "The fighting theme for "The Karate Kid". They both make me feel invincible, mighty, dum-dum-dum-dum: Super-chick! I'm answer D on the health quiz - none of the above and my body pays for the music for days after the event.

Certain music is mood killing. "A" and I sleep with the TV on every night, and don't consider program changes while in the mood for love. We've had to stop once we realized that early morning TV includes Gospel Hour and it's hard to feel sexy while someone is screaming, "Jesus". (correction, it depends on who's screaming and in what context, but I think you guys know what I mean).

"Musak" makes my teeth hurt. I hate certain elevators and rest rooms that are wired to the same station that all dentist seem to use. I sort of wait for the drill sound and even though I know I'm not at the torture chamber, my subconscious reacts to the sounds.

Rap automatically takes me back to Afro-puffs and the 'revolution' until I listen to some of the lyrics. "Lean with it, rock with it" or "My laffy-taffy" don't exactly call for social change. Rock isn't good for me at certain times since I'm usually compelled to play the air guitar which doesn't go over too well in the produce aisle. For some reason, when I listen to rock I really believe I can sing and I've scared people with "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" at the wrong moment in time.

Neo-soul and R & B are my favorites for almost everything. Right now Lupe Fiasco just makes me smile - no matter what I'm doing. Ceelo in any form (in any collaboration) is a good mood maker and Jill Scott is inspirational to me (know what I mean? -wink!)

What music works for you guys?

Mushy Stuff

2006-10-04T13:33:00.000-04:00

Marvin is a celebrity I never met, but dreamed of dating when I was a teen. I was convinced that one day he might look across a crowded room and see the chick he had been waiting for; and honest chick, a sweet chick, a chick with great hygiene, a big Afro and great S.A.T. scores. Me.

Instead of my dating dreams coming true, I married A Nightmare on Elm Street (he was going by the name Lester back then - Freddy was the alias he used in the film).

I married the second dude (if you must know his name is Beetlej____ - don't say it 3 times or you'll be very sorry!) instead of waiting for my dreams to come true.

My guy was Marvin Gaye. I remember holding the "What's Going On" album cover in my arms and staring at Marvin's face. I fell in love with him based on his lyrics. I followed Marvin's career closely - I even bought the collabo album with Diana Ross (Love Twins- ewwwww). I actually compared the dudes I dated to Marvin. I played "Come Get To This" repeatedly - even my Dad knew all the lyrics and he didn't really like Marvin Gaye.

It's amazing how music can really transport you to a place you might really need to be in your life. Marvin's music gave me the understanding of exactly what I wanted from love.

I imagined that I'd never find the ideal I'd come to expect listening to Marvin sing. Witty as well as sexy. Confident as well as sweet.

I've found that ideal, my sweetheart: "A".

"A" is more than 10 years younger than me. (shut up some of you guys with the rude comments!) He's close to my height and he is very, very slim. When people meet "A" as my man, some seem surprised. Based on what they've seen in the past I think they expect a six footer with a lot of muscle who's a couple of years older than me.

I've never been in an easier relationship and I've never been happier.

I love you "A".