If you really want to hear our views

Yes, it's nearing that time again, which everyone who hasn't been living on Neptune for the past oh four years must know. Election day = November 4th. So everyone in the States who's registered, please express your opinions with a vote. For everyone not in the States, you can virtually vote on If the World Count Vote.

It's been a long long long time

Movie: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. An entertaining adventure film continuing the long, and I mean long, running series. The one character asking, “How much of human life is lost in waiting?” made me think of how long viewers have to wait for Spielberg and Lucas’s next installments. For the love of all that is sane, Raiders of the Lost Ark was 27 years ago. Anyway, to tie in the Mr Pilkington’s “Do We Need ‘Em?”-- how about those Siafu ants which were voraciously swarming upon and munching on the bad guys. In real life, these ants are not as large and are slower moving (and also not native to Peru.) While they have shearing jaws and move in columns of up to 50 million, they rarely take human life unless there’s a reason someone can’t escape. Disability or illness. Since they consume crop pests from insects to large rats, it appears we do need ‘em. Sorry Karl. Stuff of nightmares, they are.

Pilkie's making podcasts again

As marketing for his newest book due out in the next few weeks, Karl Pilkington now has his own blog, Karlology. He also teamed up again with Ricky & Steve for another podcast series. Here are some highlights from the K-Man:

• If this is still in, then it didn’t go well.
• I have not got room for a live owl, never mind a dead one.
• They all went mimimulistic.
• If something’s not used over 3 months, chuck it out, it’s not needed.
• I don’t wear a tie. I would if it had pockets.
• Any problem solved is a new problem made.
• Look at me, I wouldn’t survive as a gay man.
• This is a made up man and I know I don’t like him.
• The in-your-face woman and the in-your-face man, I don’t want any of ya.
• Water’s just happy where it is.
• That’s like having a no trespassing sign and they’re just going “bollocks to that.” (re: slugs)
• Brains that don’t wanna do what their owners are good at. Let’s go to the extreme: people with no legs who wanna be swimmers. Don’t be stupid.
• A plumber who can plumb is annoying when he chucks it in.
• Problem I’ve got with me legs, how they sort of come alive at night. (re: Restless Leg Syndrome)
• They’re not problebleming me.
• What was the last thing that was invented by nature?
• Never seen a track in its life, that track suit.
• Doesn’t Jane get annoyed? Doesn’t she feel like she’s been ripped off? (re: Ricky's weight gain)
• Food’s too nice now.
• A fat person’s always got the fridge open.
• Same with babies: sometimes you just wanna slap their head. Not hard.
• You might’s well be some sort of moth. (re: Anne Frank)
• There’s a woman in the loft, it’s just the norm. With all the Jewish people around, everyone must’ve had a Jew in the loft.
• A squatter with a diary. (re: Anne Frank)
• Your eyes get bored of anything. That’s why relationships break up, Me eyes want a change.
• I don’t want to be annoying meself.
• If I’ve got a better vocab, I’ll have a good little chat.
• If you bore yourself, what’s the point?

Erin wants to know...

Directions! Now, Here Is What You Are Supposed To Do...And Please Do Not Spoil The Fun! Hit Forward, Delete My Answers And Type In Your Answers. Then Send This To A Whole Bunch Of People That You Know...And Send It Back To Me So I Can See Your Answers, The Theory Is That You Will Learn A Lot Of Little Known Facts About Those You Know. Remember To Send It Back Please.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
> > Yes. A girl my mother went to school with.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
> > Friday night
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
> > printing yes, cursive no
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
> > roast beef
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
> > Only the one I live with :)
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
> > Yes
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A Lot?
> > Yes, sometimes too much
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
> > no
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
> > not unless my life depended on it
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
> > Captain crunch
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
> > no
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
> > not physically
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
>> vanilla, but I can't eat it because I'm lactose intollerent
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
>> their eyes
15. RED OR PINK?
> > Pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
> > Being friendly doesn't come naturally
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
> > my grandpa Carlson
8. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
> > Yes.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
> > I am wearing a black, red and blue flowered skirt with black shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
> > french toast
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
> > the hard drive whine
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
> > Green
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
> > apple pie
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
> > Randi
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
> > extremely much
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
> > Hockey
27. HAIR COLOR?
> > brown/chestnut brown?
28. EYE COLOR?
> > green
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
> > I did but had to switch to glasses
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
> > Swedish kaldormar
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
> > Happy Ending
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
> > Kabluey
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
> > black
34. FAVORITE SEASON ?
> > Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
> > Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
> > Pies: raspberry, strawberry, peach, pear, apple, pumpkin, any pie!
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
> > not sure
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
> > People I don't sent it to
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
> > Just finished "The Book Stops Here" by Ian Sansom
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
> > gateway symbol
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
> > an episode of Brothers & Sisters
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
> > music I like
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
> > Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
> > Scotland
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
> > Crocheting
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
> > Jamestown, NY
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
> > everyone

Images of broken light which dance before me

Movie: Across the Universe. A visual and auditory masterpiece. Vibrant, stunning, trippy, and creatively crafted by the perhaps brilliant director Julie Taymor. B might have called her a genius. Not to take anything away from her or the actors who performed spectacularly, but there were things I couldn’t help wondering as someone who lived through the majority of the 1960s. First, B and I were singing along and using the same inflections and nuances that the Beatles did, which the actors did not. Especially the high notes. Where was the scream at the beginning of “Revolution”? Where was Shakespeare at the end of “I am the Walrus”? (Granted, they did have background talking, but it was far from King Lear.) The word died in “Oh Darling” isn’t died, it’s “dieieieieied.” (Or similar.) I could list probably a hundred more examples but won't. And “While my Guitar Gently Weeps” was just painfully slow.

Second, is it possible to think of those songs not in terms of what was happening at the time they were written and released when you’re as ancient as me? For example, can “Dear Prudence” be about anyone besides Prudence Farrow? Thirdly, not lastly, but I’ll stop there so as not to sound like I’m slagging off the film, the singers seemed to sing the songs, and just that. (See above, lack of Beatles nuances.) This seems to be a plague of today’s commercial music. Lack of putting one’s soul and guts into a song. No substance. Just notes. The exceptions being Dana Fuchs who played Sadie (and who could step right into any Joplin biopic), Joe Cocker (who always puts everything he has into a song), and Bono. So, watch it and enjoy it for what it is, but buy the Beatles albums.

A very very fine house

Find out the value of your home in years to come at Home Value Calculator.

Carried away

Movie: Sex and the City. Watched this last weekend with B who spent a great part of the often times seemingly interminable two and a half hours calling the main characters (especially Big) rather unsavory names, the only printable one being, "Idiot!" A chick flick for fans of the original television series. I have sincere hopes that Carrie never wore any of those old clothes she was trying on. "Some labels are best left in the closet" indeed. B was more frightened by the scene of Sarah Jessica Parker without makeup. I'd really like to know who has three friends that can take off and fly to Mexico with you just because you've been jilted rather than say, "Get over it, he wasn't worth it." And the truly pressing question, does Miranda call her son Brady Brady?

Get a good job with more pay and you're okay

If you're lucky enough to save some money each month, you can find out how what you save compares to how much the average American saves at Bankrate. I'm still trying to figure out what banks are giving 6% interest rates.

You know I love you still

Yesterday a brother-in-law once again stated that he thought there were no good songs on the Beatles "White Album." I scoffed aloud & he challenged me to name one & the first one I thought of was "Birthday." Unfortunately, he didn't give me time to name others. IMO nearly every song on the double album is good. Here's a list of what I consider exceptional:

• Back In The USSR-- The answer to the Beach Boys' "California Girls" and Chuck Berry's "Back in the USA."
• Dear Prudence-- Written for Mia Farrow's sister Prudence.
• Glass Onion-- Playfully refers to a bunch of other Beatles songs: Strawberry Fields Forever; There's A Place; Within You, Without You; I Am The Walrus; Lady Madonna; The Fool On The Hill; Fixing A Hole. Lennon wanted Badfinger to use the name Glass Onion. They chose Badfinger after "Badfinger Boogie," the original/working title of "With a Little Help from my Friends." Perhaps they'd have had better luck with Glass Onion.
• Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da -- I was very young when it was released & it was easy & fun to sing with.
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps-- I became tired of this one because it was played & covered to death, but the brilliance remains.
• Martha My Dear-- Written about Paul's sheepdog, or Jane Asher. Jane probably hopes it was the dog.
• I'm So Tired-- Me too
• Blackbird-- Musically inspired from a Bach piece, written for Black women.
• Piggies-- humorous social satire from Harrison.
• I Will -- Beautiful McCartney love song.
• Julia -- Dedicated to John's late mother and Yoko.
• Birthday -- Paul rocks
• Yer Blues -- Those were my teen years.
• Mother Nature's Son -- I find myself humming this all the time.
• Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey -- John rocks
• Helter Skelter -- Paul rocks again. Who knew.
• Long Long Long -- Beautiful love song (to God) by George.
• Revolution 1 -- I prefer the faster single version, but this is excellent too.
• Cry Baby Cry - Although the final song, "Good night" was written as a lullabye, this one fits in my mind better. I hum this a lot too. And have been to Kircaldy.

It's just that mean old Texas sun

Texas Ranch House: another installment in the PBS House series. The premise is to go back in time to an era, in this case 1867, and live as they did then. But in interviews, several participants stated that they were told to bring their 21st century values with them. Either they misunderstood or the show’s producers wanted to defeat the entire purpose. Which they sure did.

Most of the Cowboys seemed immature and I hate to say lazy because when they worked, they worked well, but they sure needed to wake up long before 9 o’clock, especially to avoid some of the day’s heat. They childishly resented their first foreman, The Colonel, for his strictness. Lucky for them The Colonel was fired over an altercation with Nacho the Cook, perhaps provoked by Nacho’s whining and lack of cleanliness. Cowboy Ian left before the halfway point, using the death of a friend to get out while the getting was good. I don’t want to sound uncaring, but what else could he do besides attend the friend’s funeral? Guess if I was a fellow Cowboy, I’d have felt hurt and abandoned. Before long, Nacho’s filthiness & sickening all the Cowboys got him fired. If only it improved from there.

The ranch owner, Mr Cooke, is the henpecked wimp of his “bloviate” wife Mrs Cooke. They live in the Big House with their three daughters who seemingly did little besides eat and make a couple corn husk dolls. Only a few times did Mr Cooke go on the cattle roundups and then didn’t last long, which couldn’t have commanded respect either. The Cooke family seemed to keep themselves separate and above the Cowboys, not sharing enough food, causing further resentment. Especially since they had a garden full of veggies they neglected because they “weren’t vegetable people.” If I’d been a Cowboy, I’d have snuck in the garden during the night, taken produce and blamed the Comanche’s who had no problem spiriting away several horses.

The girls shouldn’t have been surprised when the Cowboys showed little interest in dancing with them at the Fandango. And when the Cowboys returned from the cattle drive to find four lazy women hadn’t done dishes for eight days or picked up a shovel to move manure from the front door so they wouldn’t be infested with flies, they must have been livid. I was. The maid of all trades living with the family seemed superfluous since the three daughters should have taken care of the house. (Then again, see above.) Maura said she was told she’d be allowed to ride with the Cowboys and I don’t understand the producers thinking behind this because it wasn’t done then and she needed to live within societal restraints, not try to prove herself as some hero with a personal agenda.

The participant who seemed to most understand his role was the Comanche chief Michael, although he was far too lenient on everyone. Any Cowboys riding up to him and saying “Howdy” would not find themselves taken in to play the flute. I was hoping when he returned to the ranch to negotiate, he would take the Cooke women, as they sure deserved it. For not defining the terms of the negotiation, Mr Cooke was negligence to the point of stupidity, then in the final episode blamed Jared who seemed to be the most easy going, straightforward Cowboy. Simply appalling behavior of Cooke. I was glad all the Cowboys stuck by Jared and said adios to the ranch. Back in 1867 word would have spread about Cooke’s actions and he would have found it nearly impossible to find anyone to work for him.

Final word: praise must go to Shaun who took over Nacho's duties and showed diligence & patience & maturity beyond his years.

I am a goat girl

Find out How many goats are you worth?

Personally, I am worth 4. Not sure out of how many, but apparently I'm almost golden, except for the fact I'm not. I'm the silver egg, second choice, let's say. So THEY say.

What a long strange trip it should be

Check out (from your local library, literally) the book 1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die. If you're like me, and I pray you're not, you need to do a lot more travelling. Here's what I've seen so far:

1. US Supreme Court
2. White House
3. Capitol Building
4. Washington Monument
5. Ford's Theatre (spooky!)
6. Library of Congress
7. Lincoln Memorial
8. Arlington National Cemetery
9. Empire State Building
10. New York Public Library
11. St Patrick's Cathedral
12. Plymouth Rock
13. Casa Loma
14. Toronto's Union Station
15. Bannockburn Battlefield
16. Edinburgh Castle
17. Forth Railway Bridge
18. Glenfinnan Monument
19. Palace of Holyroodhouse
20. Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews
21. Stirling Castle

Quote for the day

"Why does it look like it's been thrown on the floor?"

-- BDT at age 6 regarding whole wheat spaghetti but who ate & enjoyed it nevertheless.

They didn't spell compliment right either

According to BlogThings, people like me! They really like me! Let's all laugh at that.

People Definitely Like You

You are very well liked, and many people admire you. You are friendly, well mannered, and fun to be around. Of course, you're not perfect... but that's okay. Your friends are usually willing to accept you for who you are! What People Don't Like About You: People don't like that you're quite sensitive and easily offended. People feel like they have to watch their words around you. People don't like that you secretly are annoyed by them. You may think they can't tell, but they can. People don't like that you forget them easily. No one wants to be friends with someone who doesn't remember their name! What People Like About You: People like that you are genuine and real. They can count on you to be yourself. People like that you can defend what you believe in calmly and rationally. You stand your ground and gain respect. People like that you take responsibility for your actions and admit your mistakes. They appreciate your maturity.

That's what I want

If you use the Simple Savings Calculator it will do the math for you and figure out how much you can save over a certain amount of time. I don't know who's managing to swing over 6% interest these days, but if you save a $100 a month at 2.5% interest for 10 years your total = $ 13,618.96. If you plan on living a long time and save $100 a month at 2.5% interest for 50 years your total = $ 119,408.87. Good luck everyone!

It's not easy being green revisited

Choose your favorite color from a few possibilities at this site and it will tell you what your personality is like.

My favorite color is green, so!

• Green is the color of healing.
  
• 
  Green personalities want to help every one. They are natures mothers. These people are usually in the medical profession or some occupation which helps people.
  
• 
  Preferring to watch rather than to become involved in others business, they usually keep their thoughts secret. Others see them as good listeners because of this quality. This characteristic makes them wonderful counselors. Others take for granted that the green personality can see more than one side to a situation without bias.
  
• 
  Green personalities make others feel at home in their house by putting them at ease immediately. They try to take care of others with all the care their mothers gave them.
  Peacemaker is their sworn duty. They want harmony in every one's life. Green personalities may even stop an argument between others by starting one themselves.
  
• 
  Others think that green personalities make the best of friends because they are jovial, caring and can keep a secret.
  
• 
  In order for a green personality to feel good about themselves, they have to be helping someone or something. Nurturers by choice, they are the ones who take care of animals, humans and plants.
  
• 
  Green personalities need to be careful not to make martyrs of themselves. This is something they easily can do

Today's misspelled word, as seen on the web

Chaous.

That would be Chaos, or if you're on the side of evil in Get Smart, Kaos.
"Missed it by that much!"

it's my birthday!

Birthday Meanings

Is your birthday day 11 of the month?

Your Life--You are gracious, elegant and prudent. People admire your qualities and some even become jealous of you. You are realistic, flexible and adaptable. You are remarkably kind and moral person.

Your Love--You are willing to sacrifice yourself for the one you love. Your lover will always have your gentleness, care and loyalty. You will always be happy to hang around the one you love.

Question of the day

If you see a dress in the thrift shop that looks exactly like one back home in your closet, is it time to donate your closeted dress to said thrift shop?

I got lost on my wedding day

If you've ever wondered how you would rate as a husband or wife in the 1930s, (and who hasn't?), you can take the test to find out at 1930s Marital Scale. I rated as an average wife with a score of 47, but that might be because I'm not married.