I really, really hate walmart, but I needed squeeze bottles, I couldnt find appropriate squeeze bottles in town. See, they either didn't have tops, or they were an ugly brown, or the opening was too small, none appropriate. I am looking for a good container for my screen inks. i found a nice bottle at a recent trip to walmart but they were out. I did find a different sort of squeeze bottle which works.

This is all very fascinating, isn't it?

Right now I'm trying to reclaim a screen, I messed up a design and want to do it again.

I'm getting a deluge at my email on this account. If you sent me an email here in the last 10-15 days and I haven't replied and you're pretty sure I don't hate you that might be why. They're trickling in in no discernable order, they hop around from day to day. I get a bitchload of spam too, so I'm getting spam from two weeks ago. Does that penis enlargement offer still stand, I wonder?

Ok, I think I'm going to like this grad progrm thing. Tonight we watched Naqoyqatsi (updated to reflect correct title of film. i'm a dumbass) and after had a bit of a discussion. It was...well, something. That's for sure.

I had a pre-class hummus and an adult beverage (on campus! can you believe it?) and now I just need to pee and then head to class. I'm as ready as I'm going to be. I'm knee deep in self doubt--not just because of class, but other stuff I just don't want to get into. Let's just say I'm kind of regretting what i said to the exboy the other night and that no wonder I'm single, I'm just a bitter old hag who didn't enjoy her youth while she had it. But I will not apologize, I was just stating a fact. This isn't the time for positive, uplifting messages, though. I'm glad I'm not going to traditional grad school, I'd be dying right now--from old age, of course. I feel so old hanging on campus, but hey, I did get double carded for my adult bevvy. Probably just standard precaution, though. Luckily my class is a bunch of older folks, I think I'm one of the younger ones. It's all about perspective these days.

Dr Gay, let's move to Austin, Tx. do you thing A would be down with it? I want to be Dorothy.

The close up

Labels: pictures

I did not let my sniffles get the best of me.

Mom and I went out Sat morn to try the estate sales. I really just wanted her to see the house over in Charlotte Park. the one built in the 50s without many changes to the decor. We looked at the sewing machine (didn't work quite as well as we'd hoped), I noticed that the vibrator HADN'T been sold, so I took a couple of pictures.

In addition we hit a neighborhood garage sale. I got some odds and ends, most notably another fondue pot. This one actually has instructions nd is a bit newer. Let the fondue parties begin!

I then headed over to Stevo's birthday but on my way decided I couldn't wait another moment and got in the queue for new tires. In between I stopped by, bid Stevo a happy birthday, and headed back to get the new tires (they're lovely, by the way).

I ended the evening by stopping by the Wash for brie and cannolli, then to the tres crow for Glossary and the Carter Administration. Both rocked the house, and I had fun chatting and seeing people I hadn't seen in one hundred years.

The pirate shirts are a hit, by the by. The screen probably won't last too much longer.

I did spend a little too much time in smoky bars so I'm paying for it today. Still, it was worth it to see some excellent music.

Labels: pictures

Mmm. Tyler Perry. Essentially a how to book on every damn thing. Dr G, I think you would really like Madea.

I first found out about Madea from my coworkers, then saw clips here and there and decided I need to be Madea. It's never too early to start.

Labels: books

Wow. Everything I know is wrong.

Labels: books

It's now been nearly a year since the breakup (it happened the same day KAtrina hit the gulf coast--there's some symbolism behind the whole thing that i'll tell you offline) so last night we celebrated the one year anti-versary. We spoke briefly, apparently he's drinking in moderation.

Me: Remember when you asked me to help you quit drinking and then resented me for it when I tried?
Him: Yeah.
Me: You motherfucker.

Yes, just to get it out of the way I did see a very old vibrator at an estate sale this morning...the lady in line in front of me was buying it. It was still in teh box, a box emblazoned with the word "VIBRATOR" just like that in all caps. It had to have been from the 40s or 50s. Amazing.

I did just ok with my shopping. I bought some odds and ends, including a lovely bunch of buttons. Still, no sewing machine.

Last night I headed Mercy Lounge-wards to see The Alcohol Stuntband. Pretty early on I was feeling rather icky but I was intent on staying for the whole show. Unfortunately the hipster kids and my allergies had other plans in mind. Well, all the hipster kids did was stand around in their retro eighties ironic clothing styles making me feel old for remembering the first time such styles were popular.

I tried, I really did, but I just had to go. I've mentioned previously how much I love the song stylings of Mr Crofton but even the witty stage banter and clever songs couldn't conquer the massive amounts of smoke present.

So here I am. On vacation from work and sick. I hate it when this happens, I have something like three months of sick time tht will just go to waste unless I stay at this institution until I retire, but who wants to wait around 35 years for a payout?

I'm on vacation because of Denny's annual vet visit. He's now offically a geriatric dog and had the tests to verify that he's as spry as a three year old. He sat just fine for the shots and blood draws but when it came to tonometry (eye testing), the nose drops, and the nail clippings he wasn't terribly happy.

Before the vet we took a trip to the dog park for some good times. Good times, and extra activity to wear out the little monster. After the vet we came back home to nap like the lazy dogs we are. Nap we did, right now we're both sharing couch space and watching DVR'ed programs. I'm remembering why I liked Pee Wee's Playhouse back in the day. I forgot how much I love Pterry and how saucy the show got. One of the episodes I watched was one I remember being censored (the fire safety episode--you can google it if you want to know how it was censored, I'm about to fall asleep again). Oh, and the Del Rubio triplets!

Well, I have two new books to put up here but I'm not really feeling it right now, so check back this weekend. Right now I just feel the urge to eat lots of carbs and drink lots of orange juice.

The full title of this book is "Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America: An Evangelical's Lament." It's going to piss off a lot of people based on title alone. The sort of people who will get pissed off will likely not read this book. That's their own cross to bear (no pun intended), Balmer presents some amazing food for thought. Most importantly how far denominations have come from their founders' ideals.

Labels: books

Ok, Fannie Flagg is just adorable. Her books are adorable. This one takes place in Elmwood Springs, MO, just as her last couple did. If you've read anything by Fannie Flagg then I won't go on, if you liked it you'll like this one.

Let me take a minute to share a memory with y'all (here we go again). When I was a kid I watched lots of game shows and lots of reruns. It should come as no surprise that I really enjoyed Liar's Club. I remember little about it but I do remember there was a celebrity panel who tried to stump a civillian. The other panelists I either recognized or were easily quantified by my mother. I remember Fannie Flagg always wore snug tees with crazy logos. She was trendy before it was a trend! My mom never gave me an acceptable answer regarding her credentials, and that's probably because she picked up a bit here and there. I knew she was the nurse in Grease but that hardly qualifies one for a celebrity panel. But I knew she was a redhead and back then I needed all the redheaded role models I could get--they were few and far between and being a natural redhead really opened me up for ridicule.

Oh, and in looking up some info on Flagg I found out she's a lesbian. So, there you are. Random fact to end your day.

Labels: books

I was often the picked last kid in school. I'm not exactly the most athletic. In fact, I'm so unathletic that a gym teacher took pity on me and let me walk laps on the track instead of participating in team sports that would end with scornful glances from my classmates due to my athletic nonprowess.

But in elementary school I was a LEGEND at Kickball. I was always picked close to first and was almost always the pitcher. I remember one day pitching Kickball in my folding Ferrari knockoff sunglasses. I was that fucking cool. However, that was where it began and ended.

So there are adult Kickball leagues. This is not surprising in the least, what with my generation unwilling to let go of youth.

It's another Saturday night at home, and that's just fine with me. So here are the pictures of the shoes I bought on my estate/garage sale extravaganza with mom.

Labels: pictures

Yep, I love television. I have always loved television. Even when it hasn't been cool to love television, I've loved television. I know that's along the lines of saying you like funny movies, pretty days, and a good meal, but in this case I mean it.

You're wondering why I'm bringing this up now. Well, I'll tell you. My pal K has known me since the heady days of HS and knows me better than I give him credit for. He asks me one day if he can borrow my tapes of the MTV sketch comedy show The State. Does not ask me if I remember The State, does not even ask me if I HAVE video tapes of The State. So I say yes, and I completely forget until I get a call a couple of months later. I'm asked to bring over the tapes, I say hell to the no--first of all, I don't know where exactly they are, secondly I was a bit drunk at the time and not really looking to drive anywhere.

So I find the tapes, drop them off, and eventually get them back. Wow, what a time capsule. I spent much time in college with a book in one hand, my VCR remote in the other, the TV tuned to MTV or Comedy Central. As a result I have several tapes full of sketch comedy and music video goodness.

So far I've watched many, many State episodes and honestly, it's just as funny now as it was then. See, I suppose it's my old age, but when I go back and watch progrms I loved in college I often find the humor doesn't hold.

In addition to the State, I've also watched the short-lived sketch progrm Exit 57 and long-lived sketch progrm The Kids in the Hall. KITH is on DVD now so I'm collecting the sets as I can afford to buy them. Exit 57 will likely never show up on DVD. You probably don't remember it, but it featured Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Mitch Rouse, and Jodi Lennon.

And the music videos. I had totally forgotten about Juliana Hatfield.

unfortunately I was in the market for a used sewing machine in decent shape for a decent price. Did not find such. Well, did, but would almost rather buy a new one with a manual and all that jazz.

But yeah, I found one wonderful estate sale with a bunch of fantastic shoes in my size. Mine! And the lady took amazing care of everything. And then another garage sale with a lady selling off her hand painted Dr Scholl's from a local store. I happen to know that these shoes regularly retail for $160 new. Pictures later.

It's looking like mom's going to give the idea of teaching me how to sew the ole college try. However, she doesn't want to teach me on her machine. It's probably nothing personal (sob!) so she's hatched a plan! We're going to estate sales, thrift stores, and garage sales to see what we can find. I did some early scoping out of the nearby thrift stores and found a few, but I'm just not sure what to look for. I nearly bid on one on ebay, but was advised not to. Glad my mom is the expert.

Oh, and my future husband Chris Isaak co-hosted Regis and Kelly this morning. Sigh. He's so lovely. Oh, and absolutely hilarious I might add. He made everything Kelly said look terribly scripted. Hi Chris! I'm willing to relocate! I'll even make an exception to my "no more musicians" dating rule!

Ok, so lots of people died today. Someone died while you read that sentence. In fact, you just died a little more while you READ that sentence.

But someone died in my building. Before you ask, no, this isn't common, as far as I know it's the first time it's happened in the time I've worked there. Apparently a gentleman died of a heart attack. When I told my mom that there was a body downstairs she asked me if I put on a striped shirt and took some friends on a camping trip to see it (she actually made this reference more than once in regards to this).

It's pretty sad, actually. This gentleman was such close proximity to some of the best medical minds in the country but due to an unfortunate series of events none of them are able to help him.

I ran across this article on fark.com this morning.

I say it is complete and utter bullcrap.

See, I've been a redhead all my life, as in, I've never dyed my hair (except for the time I tinted it even redder with a rinse). I'm not one to kiss and tell, when you don't kiss there's nothing to tell. As in, I'm not exactly pulling leg left and right. I'm not even getting hit on. Well, sort of, the last time was at a local show by some drunken idiot (no, not THAT drunken idiot--we don't speak and I think he was out of town).

I think maybe they mean hot redheads. Or thin redheads. Or forceful redheads. I'm really not any of the above.

I think the redhead thing is a big myth. I keep hearing that men love redheads but I've yet to reap the rewards of that. I'm walking proof that it's a myth. Either that or the rest of me is so offputting that it cancels out the redhead appeal.

I really, really hate therapy. I only go once a month but the one day I do it's a real bringdown. Today was no different. I've really been doing great these past few weeks, but right now I feel so down. We talk about the same thing every time, and I'm really just ready not to talk about certain things except with certain people. I think good friends are the best therapists, and I'm not just saying that because Dr Gay has officially passed is boards and now is Gay, PhD, LP.

We're talking Gleemonex Blue and White Capsules for another 6-9 months, she doesn't wish to take me off until we're well past the SAD season.

I've had some crazy nostalgia going on lately. I suppose these things happen when you get older. It doesn't help that I just got an email from my university alumni association with a picture of my freshman dorm in mid-demolition. It seems they're getting some fancy dorms with commons areas that include TVs and kitchenettes and single rooms with double beds. We're talking mini apartments. My senior year dorm has already been torn down. My other senior dorm was fairly new, but instead of being the much sought after building it'll now be the old dorm.

The new dorms even have a freakin ELEVATOR. Back in my day we had to turn in our student IDs to get the elevator key, a key which could only be kept for an hour for an elevator that was old and terrifying.

Ok, so I'm watching Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. Now, I may've put a gloss on the original, but was it this bad? I mean, Katie is no Baby and Javier is DEFINITELY no Johnny. Not to mention the piss poor acting. The one thing it has over the original is the location. I really, really want to visit Cuba now, but only if I can go in the 1950s. I consider the original a classic, but I realize that I'm in a small minority.

But it is Swayzeriffic. Love the Swayz!

Ok, now that it's over I can say definitively that no, there's no way I'm putting a gloss on the original. This Havana Nights business is crap. Oh wow, you know, Jennifer Grey was no classic beauty but first off, that's a big part of the character. Second off, Grey can act. This ingenue in Havana Nights cannot. No sir. Shame on you, Swayze.

Today I started the day cleaning the house some more. I finished in my room, worked on the craft room, then headed for the laundrette. Ugh. It's such a depressing place, really. My next washer/dryer set will definitely be high capacity. Allegedly they are, but when washing my comforter it really never gets clean. About once a month or so I head to the laundrette to use their HE washer and dryer set. Now, before you tell me, yes, I know I can drop it off for cleaning but that costs twice what it does to do it myself AND they sometimes make me wait until the next day to pick it up. Therefore, I'll happily spend a little over an hour in the dreariest place in my hamlet. So I make it through my entertainment magazines and continue readin the new Fannie Flagg book, but that Fannie Flagg, oh man. When I say "filthy whore" I mean it as a term of endearment, those close to me know I never use the term "whore" as an epithet. Anyway, when I read a few chapters of this book I always end up in tears and I'm only halfway through!

Then after lunch, more cleanup, and a face mask I headed to the grocery store where I saw a high school classmate who I haven't seen in thirteen years. Long time, but she looks much the same, only with darker hair and a cute little boy. I remember shortly after I moved to TN she was one of the first people who talked to me due to similar schedules. Now, we were by no means friends, in fact we were in very different social circles so we weren't really anything, other than sharing some classes occasionaally. But it was awkward because I am socially retarded. I remember back in HS I thought she was the prettiest girl in the school, and she's still a lovely girl. But being a girl, and being thinner than I used to be I immediately start the comparisons in my head. I realize that I'm slightly under my HS weight, my breasts are essentially the size they were back then (even after surgery), due to a recent trim my hair style is essentially the same as it was back then, and I'm dressed in much the same way I dressed back then (t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops--shut up, I've been cleaning all weekend). My glasses are a different style, I'm sure I have a few more lines in my face, but thriteen years later it's essentially all the same.

And to end this, did any of you happen to catch the Dateline that aired tonight with Pentecostal pastor Carlton Pearson? Amazing story.

Soon, Dr Gay will be one year older. Everyone wish him a happy birthday. Happy birthday Dr G! Let's all celebrate by eating pocky and watching the Golden Girls.

I got the Fall Movie Preview in the mail yesterday and finished reading it today in between house cleaning bouts. My bedroom is very clean, still needs a little work, but there's floor not covered by shoes, clothes, and unmentionables. There was so much dog hair, though. Seriously, I need to do this more often. I watched Sense and Sensibility while I cleaned--you know, the wonderful thing about having a bad memory is that you can watch the same movies and it's all new again. I remember seeing S&S in the theatre, obviously liked it well enough to tape it from HBO back in the college days, but the only bits I remembered (possible spoilers!) were Emma, Kate, and Hugh, lots of sheep, and Kate getting sick. But I loved it all over again. Alan Rickman can sneer like nobody else (he sneered at me once! I'll tell that story off line, though, it is not something I wish to share on the blog) but he can brood as well.

But we're here to talk fall movies. Some of the highlights from the issue:

• All The King's Men. I tried to read the book but couldn't. Do not remember why. Fat suits are just weird, though, and even a serious movie is hard to take seriously when an unrealistic fat suit is involved. BUT it's loosely based on Huey Long and since I do love Louisiana I will have to check it out.


• Idiocracy. I remember reading about this last year and telling my boyfriend at the time about it. We were both incredibly excited about it. Mike Judge is amazing, have I ever mentioned that a friend of mine says he's a regular in the restaurant where she works? Ok. I'll stop there. This entry is starting to become semi-starfucking and that's not what I want to be about.


• The Queen. Forget Helen Mirren--I do the second best Queen Liz 2 impression in the world. First best is Scott Thompson.


• The Black Dahlia. I've always been fascinated by the Black Dahlia murder and the various books that popped up claiming that X was the murderer, here's the proof. But this is based on Ellroy's novel, so no real insight into the BD's past and that sort of thing. Thank the heavens for the internets.


• Hollywoodland. Another movie based on a real life murder that went unsolved. Except that Reeves's death was ruled a suicide.


• Everyone's Hero. A CG baseball movie which I will probably not see, but is notable because it was directed by Mr Christopher Reeve who I love. Love love love.


• The Last Kiss. A friend got upset when I called this "Garden State 2," but let's be fair. Here I'll go on record officially and state that I did not care for Garden State. Oh, and I don't think Jack Black is that funny. There. I feel better now.


• Jesus Camp. Hooray! Back in the 8th grade I was supposed to go to some church camp with my friend Teresa. It didn't work out, and I wish I could remember the denom of the camp. I do know that girls were not allowed to wear shorts or long pants, only skirts.


• Keeping Mum. ooh, Patrick Swayze.


• Flags of our Fathers. I read the book and was amazed. I will probably not see the movie though, I have a very difficult time with war movies. Plus I'd probably break out singing "The Battle of Ira Hayes" at inappropriate times.


• Running With Scissors. Oh, I cannot wait. I loved the book, and it is well documented that I love Mr Augusten Xon Burroughs. I think the casting really, really bites, though. Evan Rachel Wood is too thin and Gwyneth P is too old. Plus, I really didn't picture the Joseph Fiennes type as Neil. More like the Sascha Baron Cohen type.


• Marie Antoinette. That nosedive sound you just heard? That was my straight girl crush on Sofia Coppola going straight down the shitter. Yes, I'll give it the ole college try, but I don't think it's going to be pretty.


• Shortbus. So, I saw a trailer for this before Strangers With Candy. I'd read a hundred years ago that JCM's followup to the Hedwig movie was going to involve explicit sex scenes. I don't know. First of all, do I want to see this in the theatre? Do I know anyone who will go? IF not, do I want to be seen in the theatre by myself? I do love JCM, but I don't know.


• Employee of the Month. The moment I saw this trailer was the moment I realized I was too old--and I was happy about that.


• 49 Up. Where can I find the series? It isn't on Netflix, not at the library, and I'm not even going to bother checking the local video rental megastores.


• The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D. Did you know that I had to change classes in my progrm and that in the class I'll be taking we're studying this movie? Hells yeah.


• A Good Year. Would someone PLEASE bequeath me a cottage en France? I want to ride my bike to the village and stop at the boulangerie pour une baguette et, apres, le fromagerie. Delicieux!


• For Your Consideration. Indeed.


• The Hoax. Ok, maybe. See, Clifford Irving published a interview with Howard Hughes. Amazing, right? Except reclusive Hughes actually broke his, uh, reclusion to state that no, this never happened. So, maybe. Actually, the story would make a better documentary or indie.


• Stranger Than Fiction. I do love Will Ferrell, I do love Emma Thompson. I've seen the trailer for this and it looks excellent. I think Will Ferrell has the moxie to pull it off.


• Borat. I'm not too well acquainted with the whole Ali G phenomenon. I've seen clips and stuff, but beyond that my most exposure to SBC has been in that Madonna video and Talladega Nights. This trailer had both me and mom falling in the floor laughing.


• Let's Go To Prison. Isn't Will Arnett married to Amy Poehler? Because that's a dinner part I want to be invited to. But Dax Shepard again? He was in freakin Punk'd, people!


• Dreamgirls. Maybe, if they had gotten Frenchie from American Idol season 2. I'm so over Beyonce, anyone else?


• Apocalypto. This is where I should say something about Mel Gibson's recent troubles, but no. Too easy.


• Night at the Museum. Exhibits come to life. Therefore, I cannot wait. Back when I was a sixth grader I did an overnight at our local science museum. We ended up camping out near the animatronic dinosaur exhibit. They did turn them off, by the way. It was freakin fantastic.


• Notes on a Scandal. I read this book, the movie should be darkly funny. Excellent casting as well...I love that Dame Judy Dench.

I've mentioned before that this new Gleemonex I'm on (I swtiched from Gleemonex Yellow to Gleemonex Blue and White Capsules) is causing crazy, vivid dreams. Here's a quick recap of some of them:

• Meeting baby Suri Cruise who isn't a baby but a toddler. I advised the couple that no one was going to buy that this is a newborn.


• Walking in on a sort of ex-boyfriend having a threesome with a friend of his and some random crack whore off the street.


• Getting kicked out of my Master's program for using the work copier for school related work.


• Throwing a party at my condo with a local band I like, getting raided by the cops, getting busted because two crashers I didn't know brought small quantities of marijuana, getting arrested, having the cops pick me up at a drugstore where I was buying chewing gum, pencils, and sudoku books (I do not do sudoku so this is random) in case I ended up in jail, having to spend time in jail because the Montgomery Co police (I do not live in Montgomery Co so I don't know where that came from) wanted me to pay $200K to avoid jail time, falling in love with a prisoner from a nearby men's prison, winning the jail beauty pageant and ending a longtime inmate's several year run as winner, and waking up realizing that I'd slept for fourteen hours.

Abort Michael's mission. repeat: Abort Michael's mission!

In an earlier post I asked for help in finding cheap, clearance screens at Michael's. It is becoming increasingly apparent that my local store is an anomaly. I've heard from online and offline pals that the Michael's folks aren't exactly helpful when asked about screen printing, in fact they are almost hostile when asked about it. Sam, that look you got is way familiar to me--I'm more and more realizing that Michael's is a great starting point but not so much for advanced type stuff (unless you're into scrapbooking, of which they have an amazing selection). My store is fairly new but seems to be laid out and stocked different from every other M's store I've ever visited.

Here's an example: The other day I was picking up some basics at Michael's. I found some dirt cheap photographic emulsion in the clearance aisle and grabbed it like I was on Supermarket Sweep and it was a pack of diapers. See, it costs around $20 online when it's cheap, so when it's $7 I'm on it like a bonnet. It's shelf stable until mixed, and after it's mixed it lasts maybe four months when refrigerated. Ok. Getting back on track. I asked the counter gal if they have discharge paste for fabric and she says she doesn't know. I figure what's plastic looking as the going to happen is she's going to finish ringing my order and then ask management if they have it. Didn't happen.

Yesterday I go by the local art supply store. It should be noted that I'm not an artist, I've never taken an art class in my life. I'm a crafter and wannabe artist. I don't know technique, I don't know products, I currently paint with cheap craft paints on discount canvases. I'm fascinated by pop culture and my art reflects that--it's bright, shiny, with no depth and no real personality. OK, so getting back to the point of this paragraph. I am warned by SalK not to expect helpful staff. They're artists, they don't cotton to my type. One dude is willing to help me so I go for it, get my discharge paste, get my discount card, rock. But their screens are outrageous. The two I got at M's for $9 each were $26 at the art supply store. Daaaaaaaaang. So, no. I'll order online. They're cheaper there even with shipping. Or I can reuse the screens I've bought, but I don't really want to do that. Although I'm still thinking about creating a new screen every month, producing a small run, and then removing the emulsion and starting over again.

I have a horrible knuckle popping problem. If I do it too aggressively my entire right hand is in pain for a few days making it difficult to write, craft, or even start my car. If I don't do it at all my fingers become so stiff and it's difficult to bend them. I know that the popping of the knuckles isn't terribly harmful but it is incredibly annoying to those around me.

My knees also pop like crazy, sometimes with slight movements that are mostly unnoticeable to those around me.

I also have a bad habit of popping my gum. I try not to chew gum in public because popping gum is the most annoying sound in the world. I seem to have become what I once hated.

Yesterday I drove through a rainbow. It was odd, but cool. But no, there was no kiss at the end of the rainbow, more precious than a pot of gold. No gold, just the same road that I've driven on since I started driving. OF course, it was raining and scary. It's been rainy and scary the past two nights.

Tonight I was terrified I wouldn't get home in time. I had some errands that should've taken ten minutes or less but ended up taking forty five. The sky was so ominous I was a little worried I'd become the newest resident of Publix. I'd miss my dog, but they were fully stocked on water, cigarettes, and toilet paper. What else do you need in a storm?

But it was much ado about nothing. For all the dark clouds, weather warnings, and wind it was just a little bit of rain. Enough to keep Denny from wanting to stay out too long but not enough for my deck to become a dock overlooking scenic Lake Sheila.

On Sunday Denny didn't want to come inside. I don't like leaving him outside on his lead because of the off leash dogs and because Denny likes to talk to the passersby. On rare occasions, such as sunny days when he doesn't want to come in, I will get the lead out for him.

Labels: pictures

Here's the deal--Michael's craft stores are currently selling some of their Speedball screen printing supplies at clearance prices. If there is a Michael's by you, if they have screens for $9 or less, would you grab them for me? I will reimburse for the cost of screens and shipping AND will print you a copy of any shirts printed from the screens you get. You will find them in the clearance section, they're basically a natural wood frame with cloth. You will be my best friend if you do this. Rock.

I stopped at the neighborhood Target, the one I anticipated would become a SuperTarget. I don't know if it is but it sure is fancy. I bought my first iron and ironing board. It only took thirty years. I know I need one for the screen printing but mom and Sally said that if I want to learn sewing that I definitely need them.

While I was there I got a new set of pots and pans. THey had a big set of Caphalon on sale so I jumped. This means I can get rid of the set I got from my mom, a set SHE got from her mom a few months after she got married.

So, what I'm saying is these pots and pans are older than I am.

I'm feeling awfully sentimental about them. These are the pots and pans I first learned to cook with. Aw.

Please take a moment to read this story in the St Paul Pioneer Press and then come right back.

This makes me so mad. So, your kid reaches in to pet a meerkat and so instead of having your child vaccinated (even though the meerkats were most likely clean) you opt to have the entire family euthanized?

Meerkats are cute but they are nothing to mess with. They fucking eat SCORPIONS for crying in the dark. Scorpions! They do not play, people. They're cute and tough as old boots.

And it's not just children. You know, I have a real problem with unleashed dogs in urban and semiurban areas. I'm really not concerned with how small your dog is or how well behaved you believe your dog is, put the motherfuckers on leashes. My dog is a dream off leash, but every now and then he gets a little overexcited and takes off to love on the nearest child. My dog is big and looks somewhat menacing but he wouldn't purposefully hurt anyone. There have been many times in my neighborhood that my dog refuses to do his dog business because some inconsiderate dog owner has her (and yes, it always seems to be a woman in this case) dog(s) out running free. My dog wants to play. Your dog wants to play. So my sixty pound sweetie starts pulling at his leash and your dogs start running over and soon I'm annoyed, you're screaming in your shrill, high pitched angry mom voice (which really is ineffective, dogs respond to deep, commanding voices, and your shrieking gives me flashbacks to my semi-abusive, anger-mismanaged first grade teacher) and your dogs are terrorizing my dog.

Dogs are like people with Asperger's--no matter how smart they are they may have problems socially. Keep them restrained in public areas, please.

Kids too, while you're at it.

Yesterday was the Martha O'Bryan Ice Cream Crankin. For those not in the know, a group of mostly PC-USA churches (there were a few other denoms represented) get together, make a ton of ice cream, and hand out scoops to the fine, $8 a head paying folks who show up on a hot summer's day. There's entertainment (singers, bands, jugglers), contests, and lots of ice cream. The winner was Chocolate Praline, a flavor I didn't see, in fact, I don't think I've ever tried the winner d'annee because it's usually something I'm not into.

I never do vote for the people's choice, but had I done so it would've been difficult to decide which was the best. Cucumber Lime sorbet was absolutely amazing, very light flavor, the perfect sorbet. Lemon Razzmatazz, lemon icebox pie ice cream with raspberry (apparently they were angling for a win judging by the home made glittery badges several folks were wearing). Buttered popcorn, a flavor that sounds as disgusting as the ice cream was delicious--if you like butter pecan you'd like this--not terribly sweet, buttery flavor. Yummy.

THis is DAvid's arm. It says "Money Pants." I travelled to the Murf to see the Pants. They were really good, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Labels: pictures

This weekend is our very own state's tax free weekend. The point is to save on back to school items, but really, it's just another reason to shop. Of course, I was right out there.

It needs to be known that much of the time I wear walking shoes. Now, you are probably aware that there is no such thing as a cute walking shoe. Seriously, I mean, the cute athletic shoes aren't really athletic in the least. I prefer the Reebok with the DMX technology, and they try to make them better looking than the standard classic white but still, they're walking shoes. Mine were in dire need of replacement so having some free time this weekend and having a 40% off coupon I headed mallward. Mom and I decided to make a day out of it. We started by going to see Talladega Nights.

Talladega Nights--hilarious. Will Ferrell is a fantastic improvisational comedian. The supporting cast is excellent as well. I laughed from beginning to end, and it was hilarious without being meanspirited. It made me miss watching NASCAR with the South Nashville crowd. sigh.

After came the shopping. I wanted to get two things--denim capris and walking shoes. I was successful on both counts, but not without a fight. The weight loss and subsequent depression-driven inactivity have left me unable to find pants sometimes. The mall was frickin packed. Lots of tourists, but it's a tourist-y kind of mall, right? But yes, I did not pay tax on most of my purchases. I did buy matching shirts for the dogs, they were the only things taxed.

But that aside, tax-free weekends only make us lose revenue, something we desperately need, especially with the failure of TennCare (it did make national news, but in case you didn't know it's health care for the uninsured, and boy, is it a mess).

BUT! I do have my back to school capris and reeboks. Actually two pairs of capris. Funny story about one, but I don't feel like sharing here.

There's a Degrassi: The Next Generation marathon on over the next new weekends. I'm watching the big first episode where the old Degrassi folks are gathering for a class reunion while the new class prepares for their first years of high school. I freakin love Degrassi. OF course, my DVR is damn close to full but I'll watch and delete them as fast as I can to make room for more.

Usually I am not one of these "TGIF" kind of people. In fact, the whole idea is extremely annoying, I mean, ok, it's Friday. It's a day of the week. Sure, there's the weekend ahead, but it's like hating Mondays. It's a cycle.

This week, however, has been SO LONG. I've never been so happy to do the big end of week alarm clock turn off. I've gotten almost no sleep, last night I didn't sleep very well either. In fact, that I'm blogging at this hour should say something.

How about you, when do you do your best thinking? For some people it's the shower. For my boss it's on the way home from work. For me it's right before I fall asleep. Unfortunately I rarely remember the details of the ideas I come up with because I fall asleep while I'm thinking them. But last night I started thinking how much fun it would be to do a shirt of the month club. Special shirts that would only go out to club members. I thought originally I could do this for $50 a year which is quite a bargain, am I right? But then I realized that big dummy, I would have to pay for $12 months of shipping chargs. That would take us up to about $120 for a year's membership. But then I realized that if I were to use American Apparel shirts the prices would be even higher, maybe as much as $160. That breaks down to $15 a month which isn't bad, but then who's going to put up that much money in advance, and it's not like the store's been around that long so I don't have much of a reputation, and I'm not that clever, and etc, etc.

And then I promptly fell asleep, which is really what the ultimate goal is.

As for me and the shower, I usually have my weirdest thoughts there. For example, the other day I wondered what happened to Evan Marriott (you know, the original Joe Millionaire? i bet you forgot about him.). I know they have these tablets for writing in the shower, but most of the stuff i think of I'm happy to forget.

I do keep plenty of paper at the bedside but I'm usually getting the good ideas when I'm in between alertness and sleep and I'm just too inert to grab paper and pencil.

(yes, I did steal a carter admin song title for my blog title. Suck it)

When I get new music, whether it be by CD, legal download, or whatever, I put it in a certain playlist for my ipod later on. I rarely get to listen to it but today I put it on shuffle and checked some of it out.

I would like to take this time to announce that I believe I am an emo fan. Or at least an emo BAND fan. IF it is indeed an emo band, but I am guessing it is. If you know will you tell me? It was determined last March when visiting Austin tht they easily had the best band name of all the bands officially playing at SXSW.

Anyway, it's I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness. Fabulous.

You know who else is fucking fantastic? The Alcohol Stuntband.

I posted earlier about the conflict within Bellevue Community Church (you can scroll down, I won't link to it). I'm very interested in the story because of proximity and interest in religious affairs. I'm finding the blog BCC is Broken to be very, very informative.

This morning I realized I was out of cereal for my lunch (yes, shut up). I knew Publix would open too late for me so I stopped at the Krog. Do you know they have no Kashi cereals whatsoever? And that at one Kroger almonds count as snacks but at another they don't? Oh, this is annoying. So now I've got a box of South Beach something something blah blah that I have to finish off this week and I'm precariously low on almonds. As much as I love Publix they don't have the almonds I like but they DO have Kashi. I'll be running all over my sleepy little hamlet for food. Damn.