Thursday, December 2, 2004

Shaken, not stirred

A 10,000 drink I do love a good martini

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Any blogger who mentions Kolchak:The Night Stalker and Wiseguy in the same post has gotta be good.
Good idea

As someone who has made a few (OK, maybe many) ill-advised calls while drinking a few (OK, maybe many) vodka martinis, I think it maybe a good idea for the phone company avert potential disasters. Who you gonna call?

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Maybe it's time
to hit the gym when Amazon recommends a Philips HeartStart Home Automated External Defibrillator. I mean I know I've been slacking on the health front, but ...

Saturday, November 20, 2004

It's a mad, mad world
Are You Kidding Me? I don't know which disturbs me more -- that people have created a peep show composed of garden gnomes or that someone is stealing them.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

In the who would have thought it department

David Lee Roth a NYC Paramedic Seems Diamond Dave has given up singing with "California Girls" to saving Bronx women.

Thursday, November 4, 2004

You say you want a revolution

During my morning blogroll, I was amazed at the number of bloggers who said, "Get out and vote." But far too many meant to add "for my candidate" or I will shred you with my rapier wit. On the other hand, I read some really good stuff from both sides of the fence like The Bleat on teaching his child about respect for the office and Tequila Mockingbird on why she voted for Kerry.

The story of this election may very well be voter turnout. Maybe not enough in this category or that category, but people got off their butts and voted. Imagine that democracy in action.

Tuesday, November 2, 2004

Do it
As my old political science professor used to say, "Preserve your right to bitch." Go vote.

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Help ... Can't stop

There is a hobby rapidly spinning out of control at my house. It started with a little 10 gallon fish tank. I bought it to give me peace after stressful days. I bought the cheap setup at Wal-Mart and away we went. A frog, a few tetras, a little catfish and 2 red Dwarf Gouramis found a home in my little tank.

And it did give me peace. All was working well ... a little too well.

My husband decided he needed some peace as well. But his fish of choice lovingly refered to as the "man-eaters," would not go in my community tank. So we bought a 29 gallon. Everything was fine until 2 of the man-eaters decided to pair up and make little man-eaters. This meant the rest of the man-eaters were no longer allowed in 90% of the tank, thanks to vicious pair hearding everyone away from their brood.

Enter a 2nd 10 gallon tank for the three evicted from the family tank.

Not to be outdone by my husband's 2 tanks. I find a good used 55 gallon tank and it moves into our living room. It was quickly populated with kissing gouramis, catfish, tetras, dwarf rainbows, red-tail sharks, snails and ghost shrimp.

By this time, I've been spending far too much time researching fish on the Internet. And that's how I discovered nano-reefs -- a small way to test the saltwaters as it were. Enter a 12 gallon show aquarium with live rock for the reef, a couple of turbo snails, a blood shrimp and a clownfish (I can't turn down the 7-year-old who's seen Nemo too many times.)

At that point 2 more of the man-eaters have decided to settle down and the single girl is no longer welcome which is where our sixth aquarium comes in.

"Hello, Aquariums Anonymous..."

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

Tour de Lance

I know it may seem strange for fat woman to be a bicycling fan, but I am. I have a red, white and blue Trek that is way out of my league. I love watching Lance. I adore the idea of the brash Texan taking the beloved Tour away from the French for a sixth time. But I must admit I am getting sick of one thing this race -- Sheryl Crow. I think I've seen more of her this week than I saw of Lance's former wife in the 5 years they were married. Attention fawning sportscasters: She's a singer, not a bicycling expert.

Saturday, June 19, 2004

If I never see another beheading video or photo, it will be okay with me. In my job I see some of the worst things that human beings do to each other, but I never thought I would see the results of 2 decapitations.

Saturday, June 5, 2004

Jury duty

On the back of my notice for jury duty this week was this exemption: Enrolled in a public of private of secondary schools.

My first thought was "Didn't anyone proof this?" My second thought was "I hate jury duty."

I didn't get picked. But I'm sure it would have been interesting hearing the case of "The neverending car alarm." Key the People's Court music.

Friday, May 28, 2004

Hmmmm
Why is it when a conversation starts with "I hope you take this how I mean it," you won't.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Right here in my neck of the woods ... er, desert
CNN.com - Student drinks lab chemical on a dare Since this story broke through my workplace, I won't comment. But I know what you're thinking.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

Your pet what?
My Pet Fat is billed as a diet aid. I don't think I need to carry a blob of fat in my pocket -- considering I carry plenty of it on my belly, my hips, my thighs, my butt ... you get the picture.
Should have read the fine print
Was so excited by the new Blogger templates, I didn't save my settings. Now I have to restore my links, comments, site meter, etc. But after that, I really will have something to say ... er, write.

Sunday, May 2, 2004

Lesson learned - Gun-safety presenter shoots self. And I can't believe I just hyphenated gun safety.

Monday, April 26, 2004

Love your music, but ...
If I ever find myself in New York and by some strange twist of fate Billy Joel offers me a ride, I'm say "Thanks, but no." Although I probably would ask for an autograph.

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Camping with copy editors and an AME, a sports editor, a reporter, a baby, a spouse and a basset hound.

While it was a blast, some new rules will be instituted on future trips.

1. Never give a person who has been drinking a can of gas to help with firestarting.
2. Do not leave the basset hound puppy where the skunk walked through the night before.
3. 100 bottles of beer (that's a guestimate) + a bottle of wine / 7 adults - 1 teetotaler may not be good math.
4. The clumsy person who can't see in the dark should be escorted around all large rocks.
And the most important new rule
5. Here by known as the 'Vegas' rule -- What happens here, stays here.

No names have been used to protect the guilty. Okay, I'll 'fess up. I'm responsible for no. 2 and 4 and part of no. 5. And the rest of you know who you are and that I think you're swell.

Monday, April 12, 2004

Campaign 2004
Think you know where you stand in this election? Test how your views match with the candidates at AOL Presidential Match I wasn't surprised by my first match, but the second choice was a little unexpected.

Friday, April 9, 2004

Huh?
You know there is something wrong with corporate America when you find Ozzy next to Donny Osmond and Dead Kennedys next to Dido in your branch of the nationwide music chain.

Thursday, April 8, 2004

A little off kilter
Due to a co-worker's vacation and a scheduling switcheroo, I am off for one day in the middle of the week. And I have no idea what to do with myself.
I went to the gym this morning in an effort to avoid the whole 'Person of Size' issue previously discussed. Went to lunch with the spouse. Surfed the Web. I'm running out of ideas. I could do housework but what kind of day off would that be. So I think I'll do a little more surfing, a lot of reading and probably throw in a little quality time at Starbucks. Carmel Macchiato -- nonfat of course.

Friday, April 2, 2004

Super saver means super slow

I have learned I am not a patient person and should just shell out the few bucks for quicker shipping. Super saver shipping took 10 days to go from Nevada to Texas.

But the package from Amazon.com was worth the wait though. The cookbook will get a review later -- after a grocery store run for some ingredients. Both books by Bill Walsh at The Slot were well worth the money. When I got my first job on copy desk, The Slot was one of the few real-world reference sites I found. If you are copy editor, get these books. If you are writer, you need them too. Your copy desk will thank you.

Friday, March 19, 2004

I'm not sure I like this comparison.
But I always like to pass a test.

You are the grammar Fuhrer. All bow to your
authority. You will crush all the inferior
people under the soles of your jackboots, and
any who question your motives will be
eliminated. Your punishment is being the bane
of every other person's existence, because
you're constantly contradicting stupidity.
Everyone will be gunning for you. Your dreams
of a master race of spellers and grammarians
frighten the masses. You must always watch your
back. If only your power could be used for good
instead of evil.


What is your grammar aptitude?
brought to you by Quizilla


Thanks to the bloggers of A Capital Idea and Punctuational for pointing me to the test.
Boom! Crash! Or how I spent my vacation.
So I'm out in the yard watching sweet child o' mine play when I see this car speed down our residential street. I remember thinking 'He's not going to stop.' And he didn't. Ran the stop sign, hit a very large welding truck almost knocking it over, bouncing off and running straight through my front yard into my house. Directly into my bedroom wall, behind which my husband was sleeping. It also went through the area where my child and a bunch of the neighborhood kids had gathered early. We were lucky. No one was hurt seriously. Although I did have the urge to injure the guy who ran the stop sign.

Saturday, March 6, 2004

Who would have thought?

While I am not surprised that David Crosby had a gun and marijuana in his suitcase. I am a little surprised that a N.Y. hotel wouldn't look at the records to determine who stayed in the room last, before rifling through the bag for ID. And I am really surprised that they would turn him in after the employee found the items in question.
Slacker
An apology to the blogosphere. Once again, I've been busy and let time slip away from me.

Monday, February 16, 2004

Superiority complex
Is it wrong that I watch Newlyweds to feel better about myself? I may never be a skinny, blond popstar but I can tell the difference between "lair" and "liar." It's the little things.

Sunday, February 15, 2004

Size matters
I recently caught the rerun of the first episode of Airline. I realize the airline employees put up with a lot of garbage with a lot of tact. More than I would in most circumstances.

But I really question Southwest's P.O.S. policy. I will admit I am biased. I have a weight problem, a serious one although I could pass the seatbelt test. I resent them telling this poor passenger who had already had a tough day that he has to buy an extra seat for "his" comfort.

I've flown quite a bit. I've sat next to screaming babies, in front of seat kickers, behind snorers and in the vicinity of people who don't know when to let go of the perfume bottle's button. These are just something a frequent flier must deal with -- especially when on Southwest's cattle car. Cheap doesn't lead to comfort.

I don't see them calling out the management for a S.B., a S.K., a S.P. or a P.P. Would I blame an infant for crying and make the parent buy a seat far from me? No.

But not only do they ask the overweight man to buy an extra seat, they try to convince him it benefits him. The man gets his car stolen that morning, put on standby and then gets to pay for an extra seat. Wow, his day was very beneficial.

By the way, I'm not crazy about the P.O.S. moniker either.

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

In the beginning
How did people meet before online and speed dating?

Well my family began with a letter dated August 18, 1943 that starts 'Dear Miss Shirley' on Camp Shelby, Mississippi stationery. In that note, my grandfather from Texas introduced himself to my grandmother in Michigan. Two people whose paths wouldn't have crossed if my grandfather hadn't been in the Army with my grandmother's best friend's boyfriend.

He describes himself 'blonde' and '5 foot eleven and weigh a hundred sixty six pounds' from 'a small town in West Texas.' He tells her about Army life in Mississippi -- 'hot, chiggers and snakes.' It was only a little over a page in which he tells her he hopes she doesn't mind him writing.

I guess she didn't because they are more letters for the next three years. Most beginning 'Shirley darling.' They talk about living in her hometown which they didn't and moved to his hometown instead. The love literally pours off the pages. And it wasn't just letters.

They married on this date in 1946. It was a marriage that truly lasted until 'death do us part.' They raised three boys; lost a daughter at birth; had six grandchildren. They believed in 'in sickness and in health.' My grandfather's last years were on a ventilator and my grandmother woke up every few hours to take care of him -- moving her bed next to his hospital bed. They held hands up to the last minute of his life. She survived him by two years. And then the girl from Michigan was laid to rest next to her boy from Texas.

Happy Anniversary, Granny and Papa. I still miss you every day.

Friday, February 6, 2004

i've been here and there


create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

I obviously need to get out more. There are a few more I've been to on the way to some place else. But I don't think they can count.

Thanks to Bill at Off-Topic, JD at What Makes Me Tick(ed), Tom at Prints the chaff and Jeff at Side Salad for letting me follow in their footsteps.

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

It's official ...
I'm a copy editor. Today while playing poker on Yahoo, I got a dirty im from a stranger. And my first thought was "You spelled 'masturbate' wrong" and then "Eww, gross!"

Sunday, February 1, 2004

A day of TV
Most of my day has been in front of the TV. Not very productive but very relaxing after a long work week.

Slept late. Ordered us a pizza online. And parked ourselves in front of the bedroom television.

Started off with the World Poker Tour Battle of Champions 2003. I am really getting hooked on this after watching only a few times. Maybe it's all the poker I played at my grandparents with the family. Although I'm sure it's probably more exciting with thousands instead of loose change.

Watched the Super Bowl. I wasn't really committed to either team. That probably made the game more fun to watch since I didn't have to worry about my team winning. Enjoyed the commercials. Halftime gets mixed results. So-so on Janet. Make it stop on Justin, Nelly and P. Diddy. And not enough Kid Rock (must be a throwback to my teens when I was into the hair bands. And I really didn't need to see Janet's breast at the end. Apparently I wasn't the only one since Survivor: All-Stars issued a disclaimer. More on this from Tom Mangan at Prints the chaff.

Followed the game with CBS I'm rooting for Rupert. Although Rudy is kind of a sentimental favorite because he reminds my of my grandfather. From next week's preview, I don't expect him around for long. Colby is my eye-candy favorite, so I hope he stays in for awhile.

Finishing up with World Poker Tour Ladies' Night and that should be enough television for one day.


Saturday, January 31, 2004

Portfolio
Tonight I put the first page in my online portfolio at News Page Designer. Strangely enough, I was hesitant. I mean people see my work almost daily. But the idea that my peers (and my betters) would be checking it out was a little nerve-wracking. But now that it's done, I plan on keeping it up-to-date and adding more pages from the past. I hope to see some improvement as time passes and get some pointers. But I hope the comments are gently phrased. ;)

Friday, January 30, 2004

Caffeine fix
Starbucks comes to town. While there are some benefits in living in a mid-size town, one of the downsides is things take a little longer to get here. Well today, I paid $3.50 for a grande cappucino. Oh I've had over-priced coffee before in other places. But I must say I enjoyed having it served right here in my own hometown. Even if the poor west Texas kid behind the counter didn't understand coffeespeak.

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Out of sorts
I've been grumpy and lazy lately. Not the best of the seven dwarves. I'm not sure what is going on. Maybe it's the Winter blues. Maybe it's because I'm trying to organize my life and get my finances in order -- which I've never been very good at either of those. Made a stupid mistake that wound up on the front of the local section and I hate that.

But I'm trying to snap out of it. I'm working on some ideas for the blog. I wouldn't mind doing some movie, book and tv reviews. I have lots of stories to tell, lots of opinions to spout and lots of top 10 lists to share. I promise it will get better. Don't bail yet.

Saturday, January 24, 2004

Ten things guaranteed to send me over the edge:

Yes, I know some of these are irrational. But we all have our quirks.

10. Fast food order takers who interrupt. I'll tell you if I want extra cheese, if you will let me finish my damn order. Here is how I like it to go down: Listen to the order, repeat the order, give me the total and say "Thank you, please drive through." Is that too much to ask? And no, I don't want a hot apple pie to go with that.

9. Readers who bend books. Well, my books to be precise. What you do with your books is your business.

8. Clerks who pencil tap while I'm making a transaction. It will only take a second to write my check or swipe my debit card. And the this-job-is-so-boring fidget drives me nuts.

7. Drivers who honk the second the light turns green. If I've sat through the red light, then you can honk and feel free to give me the finger. But if it took a second to get my foot off the brake and onto the gas pedal, there is no need to blare your horn.

6. People who are touchy-feely the minute I meet them. I don't mind a handshake, but I don't need them to hold me while I talk. I think I have personal-space issues.

5. Movie-goers who chat throughout the movie. The repeating of dialogue or the singing of songs is especially discouraged.

4. Celebrities who whine about how tough their lives are and how inconvenient fame is. I pretty sure if you make a career of singing or acting you know you will get some attention. A recent whine from Ashton Kutcher prompted this entry.

3. Speaking of celebrities, Michael Jackson who puts red veils over his kids. Whether he is guilty or innocent, those photos of his kids under red lace veils just creeps me out. It gets at least a few minutes of tirade every time I see it.

2. People who assume they know my politics because of my gender or my profession. I'm especially irritated when they want to push their views without listening to mine.

1. Callers who phone before 10 a.m. I work late, I want to sleep late. If you call my house before that time, I expect a medical emergency or an emotional crisis. A double rant if you are calling to sell me something or remind me of an appointment.

Thursday, January 22, 2004

A pox upon our house
We've all got a nasty cold except for the puppy. She sees no reason why the sick people should (1) not take her out every hour and (2) not play non-stop unless it is time for her nap, of course.

So in honor of our sickness, I declared a "no housework, no cooking, no do-anything-constructive day." I've alternated the puppy's outside breaks with my naps and spent the rest of the time Web surfing. Here's what I've come across so far.

CNN.com - 'TV crack': Pop culture eats itself - Jan. 22, 2004 I think this is a great headline, mainly because I'm addicted to 'TV crack.' As a child of the '70s and a teen/young adult of the '80s, I've enjoyed the VH1.com series on those decades. I will even admit to watching them in reruns.

FOXNews.com - Foxlife - Out There - Don't I Know You From Somewhere? I love these kinds of idiot-crooks stories. This one is an oldie but a goodie. Apply for a job, come back rob the store, and go to jail because they have all your info.

Happy Year Of The Monkey Today is the start of the Chinese New Year. I am a monkey ;) And I love that this site calls us monkeys "erratic geniuses."

I guess that's enough for now. Time for more cold medicine and a nap. COLD-EEZE take me away.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

A professional
Today, I received an important package. Well, it was important to me anyway.

It was the information on my first professional membership. You would think as an educated woman who worked as a radio announcer, a MHMR case coordinator and an advertising designer would have joined a professional organization some time in the last 14 or so years. But I didn't. Maybe it's because I never really considered those other jobs as my profession.

When I graduated from college with j-degree in hand, I expected to be a reporter bringing down scandalous politicians ala Woodward & Bernstein.

I couldn't find a newspaper job in my hometown. So I took a job as a radio announcer for a tiny station. Every other paycheck bounced. But I will say this for it, it brought my husband and I together. I got offered a job at a small-town newspaper, but turned it down for love.

Finally got tired of the paycheck situation, so I switched careers to social services. I worked with people with mental retardation for a couple of years. While that was rewarding, it wore out pretty fast. So I took a job at a classified paper.

While I did get to do some designing it was all ads. Plus I had to work the front counter during the slow time -- which I hated. But I put up with it for almost 8 years.

When I tried out for my current job, I didn't think I would get it. Journalism school had been a long time ago and everything had changed. But from the very first day, it was like I should have been there all along.

Sunday, January 18, 2004

Blogger Faux Pas
I know I should be posting daily, but my computer time was limited the last few days.

Reason 1: Sweet child o' mine (see previous post) is here for the weekend. So we have had lots of fun kid stuff to do. Reason 2: A large portion of today was spent in the car. We traveled to pick up our latest addition. Basset baby girl Lucy has been a big hit with adults and child alike.

On the way home I did find blog fodder though. I always can tell I'm in rural west Texas during hunting season when I see a sign for "deer corn" in a convenience store window. You can buy your six pack of beer and slim jims for refreshment in the deer blind and the corn to lure Bambi in all in the same store. Now that's convenience.

Thursday, January 15, 2004

Sweet child o' mine
Sometimes in life things don't go according to plan. And sometimes that's good.
Babies are often unexpected, but my son was more so than most. I didn't give birth to him; I didn't adopt him. But he's mine nonetheless.
As with most stories, it's best to start at the beginning. Seven years ago, my husband and I were having some marital discord. Scratch that. We were fighting like cats and dogs. I knew something was up. I was unhappy; he was unhappy. So I left.
A few days after my departure, I called the house to tell him I had my half of the divorce filing fee.
And she answered. It was liking hitting tilt on the pinball machine. First, I thought maybe I had the wrong number. No, he was there. She was there. One of the worst moments in my life. Yes, I moved out. Yes, I was unhappy. No, I wasn't prepared for someone to be in my place so soon.
So I did a stupid thing. After they (yes, they) came by to get the money. I went to my former home to get a few things. They were my things and I still had a key, so it wasn't breaking-and-entering. But it probably wasn't a good idea either.
And there it was -- sitting in my former living room -- the crib.
When he found out I had been in the house, he called. It wasn't one of the worst fights we have ever had. A few months later, they came into my former workplace. Normally, I wouldn't have been at the counter. As luck (bad) would I have it, I was. On the day they got their first sonogram. Over the next year, I talked to him one time when he called to tell me a family friend had been in a wreck. And an ugly letter I sent him about getting the divorce finalized and telling him to quit stalling it.
The baby was born -- a boy according to the newspaper. I dreamed about him. I did a very strange thing and bought him a present. But it was never sent. It remained in the bottom of my dresser drawer.
About 7 months later, I get a phone call while in the shower. I was staying with my grandmother who needed a little extra help and my brother was in town for a visit. My brother answers the phone. He shouts through the bathroom door. I tell him take a message and then he says these four words: "I think it's Ken."
I don't know why I took the call, but I was glad I did.
We talked for hours while he drove into town. The new relationship didn't work. She was gone, the baby boy was two hours away. He was coming back from a visit. He asked me out on a date. A date with your ex-husband is a very strange thing. But it was a good thing, the love was still there.
Once the former girlfriend realized I was back, she refused visitation. So we went to court and we won back his father's right. While we were at it, we remarried.
And we picked up his son. He was (still is) the most beautiful child. Big brown eyes, his daddy's smile. I was worried -- what if this 9-month-old child didn't like me. But when I held him -- it was right. He wasn't born of my body, but he was a child of my heart from the very beginning.
For him, this is normal. He has a mommy, a daddy and a chriss.
It's so matter-of-fact for such an incredible bond. He writes me notes, saying "These are just for parents." When he dropped something on the playground, he told the other kid, "That's okay, my chriss will get it." He jumps up and down when I tell him I don't have to go to work and can stay home with him. He has my crooked little finger, defying all the laws of biology. And he has my heart.
No, sometimes things don't happen the way you expect. Sometimes they're better.

Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Reality check
Heaven for sale
People who buy stars are getting ripped off. Who would have guessed? Apparently when you buy one of those "name-a-star" kits, you don't really get the star and the name you give it isn't its official name.

I have two questions about this:
1- Did people really think they were buying a star for $49.95 plus shipping?
2- Do people really care if the star isn't theirs legally?

I once bought my husband one of the Adopt-a-wolf kits. We knew from the get go that we weren't going to be dancing with wolves. It was fun and it supported the pack in Yellowstone. Didn't matter that we wouldn't be bringing a our wolf pup home (probably wouldn't have got along with the rest of our menagerie anyway, especially the rabbit.)

At least some people with their own stars feel the same, a women mentioned in the above-linked article said she knew it wasn't official and doesn't care. She got a map, a certificate and a unique connection to her slain brother. Surely that's worth $49.95

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

And in the news ...

Surely this must be one sign of the apocalypse: ACLU Comes to Rush Limbaugh's Defense

Is that a snake in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?:Man Bitten After Putting Python in Pocket

Ewww: Condom-in-soup case resolved

Monday, January 12, 2004

Does it make me a dork if I am looking forward to the "Survivor: All Stars?" Why yes, yes it does!

Sunday, January 11, 2004

The school of hard knocks
I didn't go to an Ivy League school. It wasn't that I didn't have the scores. SAT, ACT -- while I won't say that I aced them -- were quite respectable. But I chose to attend a community school. I was not going to put my family or myself in debt, so I chose a reasonable school were I could live at home. Yes, I chose this and I have no regrets.

I still had to do the work. I had professors who were from prestigious schools. I went the extra mile -- worked on my school paper, found my own internship, etc.

Yet just a day ago, I heard someone talking about MY school. Something about a relative was coming home to get an 'easy' degree from my alma mater. 'Easy' from someone who never stepped foot in one of my classes.

I wouldn't say my education or my life have been 'easy.' Nor would I say they were 'tough.' Tough is living in a third-world country with no running water or being abused or having a terminal illness. But somewhere between easy and tough, I learned a few extra things besides journalism and poli sci.

Lesson 1: You don't always get what you want. I would have loved to have gone to an Ivy League school, stayed in a dorm and experienced traditional campus life. I would have loved to have a high-paying job waiting for me to graduate. Neither of these things happened though. I didn't die; I adapted.

Lesson 2: You have to work for what you get. There are no free rides even in an 'easy' school. And there are no free rides in life. If you want it, be prepared to do what it takes. Unless you are born independently wealthy, stunningly beautiful, highly intelligent and overwhelmingly charming, you're going to get a little dirty now and then.

Lesson 3: Life doesn't follow your timetable. Things happen when the time is right (usually after you've paid your dues and worked your butt off) and not a minute sooner.

I may have went to an easier school, but I learned a lot more.
So I'm sitting next to my twenty-something co-worker tonight when she bubbles "I wish I was 24." (sigh) My thirty-something self suddenly feels very old.

Friday, January 9, 2004

Meet the blogger
I've been sitting here playing with fonts and colors all morning. Then it suddenly dawned on me -- this isn't page designing. It's blogging. So write something! Actually I probably will continue to mess with design -- it's in my nature.
But for right now, here are few things you should know about me if we are to have a successful blogger-bloggee relationship in no particular order:
- I am more conservative than I ever thought I would be, but still more liberal than most of my family
- The only virtue I require in another person is honesty
- I believe in soulmates
- A certain 6-year-old can wrap me around his finger
- I am overly critical -- of myself and others
- I get along with animals, better than people most of the time
- I am a worrier
- I am a pessimist, but I wish I was an optimist
- I have little tolerance for stupid mistakes
- I'm more emotional and sensitive than people would suspect
- I wish I had more friends
- I'm very disorganized at home and very organized at work
- I'm not a girly-girl
- I like hockey and football
- I wish I was more creative
- I'm a packrat
Well that should get you started. If you want to read some of the best writing on the Web (much better than anything you will ever see here), I highly recommend tequila mockingbird. I will post more links as time allows.
So here's the deal. I was once a writer who became an editor and needs to write again. Thus Chriss' Case is reborn from the ashes of my college journalism years and thrusts its ugly head into the present. Alliteration was popular back then. Besides a case can be something that you make or something that you throw junk into. This blog could very well qualify as either if my mind is working in its normal fashion. Despite my profession, I wouldn't expect perfect grammar or spelling. Everyone needs an editor.