Bastille Day

Posted on July 14, 2003 by Frog

Happy Bastille Day (or is that….Jour Heureux De Bastille). Bastille Day became a French national holiday in 1880 and in 1848 the motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” (and the current flag–I think) were officially reinstated. I’m pretty sure that the 3 colors on the flag represent the 3 parts of the motto. Let’s put aside our recent national hatred of all things French and have a sip of French wine today. Regarding our recent national hatred–the French don’t care, they are too busy smoking cigarettes, sipping coffee and thinking about another fabulous meal.

Here are some interesting articles (that have nothing to do with being French):
Caring for Your Introvert
Brights
Fact Check, much?

Posted in Generic Thoughts | Comments Off

Old Hickory

Posted on July 12, 2003 by Frog

This morning I looked out into the backyard and noticed a largish branch had fallen out of one of the hickory trees. (As a side note, we had a poplar go down last year and it really banged up the hickories. We weren’t sure one of them would survive ). Rather than being upset about this, I did a little dance. When I pointed it out to the better half he said simply, “Smoking.” That’s right at some point today I’ll hack that branch into smaller pieces and add it to our collection for our next smoking round. We have a water smoker like this and we smoked as recently as last weekend.

I finished Harry Potter yesterday and was sorry to see it end. I just hope the next book will be out before I’m 40. It will be interesting to see how the final 2 books turn out. I certainly hope it turns out better than the sorry excuse for a storyline that has recently befallen Geo. Lucas and his Star Wars franchise.

Posted in Eating | Comments Off

That Smell in the Refrigerator

Posted on July 10, 2003 by Frog

Our refrigerator has smelled like something crawled in there and died for days now. I finally cleaned it out and could find absolutely no evidence of any crypt creatures. Could it be that a few things were a little past their prime and those smells banded together?

I did find that the fruit cake we stashed in the back had leaked and gunked up in a few spots. Doesn’t everyone have fruit cake in the back of their refrigerators?

Yesterday when I got home from the office, I was greeted by 8 piles of vomit…yes, it does seem that the vomit at my house “greets”. As I was dragging the trashcan and paper towel roll around, I noticed that there was actually vomit in one of the food bowls. What cat vomits in his own bowl or in the bowl of his buddy? As I dumped that mess into the trashcan, I proclaimed to our little rat-cats that didn’t mean they’d get different food only that I’d wash the bowl. I don’t think they cared. Outside they ran. Yeah, buddy, go chew on some grass and then really get to work on that vomiting.

Posted in Eating | Comments Off

Can’t Watch the Promos

Posted on July 8, 2003 by Frog

Is anyone else highly disturbed by the commercials for the new FX series Nip Tuck?

I’m seriously grossed out whenever one of the two ads for Nip Tuck comes on. I usually watch FX while walking on the treadmill (because Buffy is on in the morning) and I thought it was bad enough having to watch a gazillion ads for “when your period doesn’t behave” and whatever sex, drugs and guns movie is going to play during primetime. Now I have to either look away or close my eyes when the Nip Tuck ads come on.

I will say this for FX they sure do market the heck out of their shows. First I was bombarded by Lucky ads, then Orlando Jones ads and now this latest show.

Posted in Watching | Comments Off

Tunes (Free)

Posted on July 5, 2003 by Frog

Thanks to you, Barry White. Now when I hear it thunder I’ll think it is you singing instead of the angels bowling.

I’ve got some used CDs that they wouldn’t let me trade-in. Give me the details in the Comments section if you want me to mail one or two to you….these are all I have and when they are gone, they are gone.

Fastball-All the Pain Money Can Buy
U2-Achtung Baby
Matchbox 20-Yourself or Someone Like You
Jude-King of Yesterday
The Crystal Method-Vegas
Creed-Human Clay
Damion Wolfe-he’s a local artist

Posted in Listening | Comments Off

Baby Talk-Monster Truck

Posted on July 3, 2003 by Frog

On the way to work today I saw a jacked up pickup truck with the license plate “Big Twuc”. Dude, if you are going to show us how macho you are by spending lots of coin on jacking up your truck then don’t use baby talk on your license plate.

And, why is it that I live in a town where needing a step ladder to get into your truck is fashionable?

While I’m at it is anyone else disturbed that sweet little Calvin has been turned into this evil pissing child?

Posted in General Spleen Venting | Comments Off

Wednesday Rain

Posted on July 2, 2003 by Frog

After all the rain we had this spring, it hasn’t rained in 2 weeks. Today it is and I’m so glad. The yard needed it and my windshield was becoming a dried-out-repository for bug carcasses. Enough already with the dead bugs.

Here’s a good article from Arianna Huffington.

Yesterday I read some of the About Time book and actually had a few “ah ha” moments. Yes, I was chuckling over a science book. Life is great.

Posted in Generic Thoughts | Comments Off

Cat Scratch Fever

Posted on July 1, 2003 by Frog

I was reading the NY Times online (so much easier to read than my own online hometown newspaper) and came across this article . Since I’ve been known to say I’m itching while I’m actually scratching I found this article to be interesting. Also, it uses the term positron (who knew that wasn’t totally a Trek word)–ok, I’m sure anyone who passed Bio in college knows that’s a real word. I had Broom Hilda (like the cartoon) for Bio in college and got a D….must have been nodding off during positron discussions.

Speaking of scratching, Leon (the cat) couldn’t get enough last night. He would not let me stop. I was happy to oblige since there were 2 deer in the backyard last night and since Leon was on the back of the sofa I could kneel on the sofa, scratch him and watch the deer. One was in the actual grass until I cranked AC/DC on the porch speakers. They are beautiful animals until they decimate my hostas and azaleas. I’ll have to get pictures developed and have my version of Wild Kingdom on this site in the future.

Please, stay on the edge of your seats in anticipation.

Posted in Generic Thoughts | Comments Off

Brand New Day

Posted on June 30, 2003 by Frog

Today is the first “real” day at the new job. I’m working for the better half now and am no longer a consultant at the Commonwealth of Va. I went from a job that could have been cut at any moment because of budget woes to a job that pays me $0.00. Great plan, eh?

I made chicken salad for lunch from some of the leftover grilled chicken from our porch party. I have to say it was whippin’ good. That is one of the perks of hiring your spouse–she brings in lunch.

The perk for me is that I have my own desk. I used to share one cube with 3 other people. Another perk is being able to update my blog and not worry about the boss seeing me do it–not that I ever did that as a consultant–honestly, it is true.

Here’s something that made me lay my head down on my desk and laugh .

Posted in Generic Thoughts | Comments Off

Porch Party

Posted on June 29, 2003 by Frog

We invited family and extended family to a porch party yesterday. Extended family barely RSVP’d and didn’t show. The rest of us seemingly had a good time. Although, I usually get that impression and then all hell breaks loose later. I’ve decided that I just don’t have the energy anymore to figure out everyone’s motive. Maybe I’m paranoid in thinking everyone has a motive and I should just get over myself. My father still isn’t talking to me–which is an amazing feat considering he was invited to my house, showed up, ate food and then took some leftover lumber home. Probably no one else noticed. I did and I guess this is just the way it is.

Not to be a total downer….my sister got the job at NASA and will be moving to FL in August. This is a big summer for her…gets her PhD and a new job and will have some time to get articles ready for publication. WHOOOOOOHOOOO. Double-kudos to you.

Today we’re headed to Mt. Crawford, VA to get some books for our week at the beach (which is not until August). Mt. Crawford is home to a serious book fair and we usually try to go once a year to stock up on reading material for the beach…and beyond.

The better half got the latest Harry Potter for his birthday and cruised through it in 2 days. I have to finish my book about time before I can read it but semi-dry science is having a bitter battle with my need for Harry. We’ll see which one wins.

To end this totally disjointed entry–I think I bruised the top of my left thumb turning off the water in the shower this morning. We have a long handle that controls the shower and my hand slipped off it and my thumb raked across the long skinny end. Man that hurt.

Posted in General Spleen Venting | Comments Off