I know that I have mentioned my computer troubles in the past. It's not terribly surprising considering the age of my dear old laptop. Seven years old!! Still, in the past seven years the old gal has given me a lot of support.
Being who I am and being from Scottish/Lutheran stock - I couldn't bring myself to buy a new computer while the old one still did most of the things I needed. So, I suffered. And suffered beautifully if I do say so myself. We're good at that where I come from. And Della (my old Dell)stayed. She did what she could but never surprised me by reverting back to her old reliable ways.
I could have kept on using Della but several things lead to her demise. Oh sure, she was limping along - but in the end she wouldn't allow me to access Facebook. And that was the death knell.
Not that Facebook is so terribly important to me - but the fact that the whole system crashed every time I opened it? Combined with the fact that I couldn't use gmail, couldn't access a few job-search sites, and never knew if the old girl would start up again? Recipe for a new sheriff in town, if you ask me.
Yesterday, after yet another crash, I finally got back online, went to Consumer Reports and picked out my new baby. Fortunately for me, the local Best Buy had her in stock! Last night I hooked up Sheba the Toshiba and flew all over the internet. I'm very happy with the new addition to the family.
A friend recently commented that it would be a good thing for my wallet when Muffin returned home. I agree. No more shopping for me... At least, not until next month!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Random Musings...
A title inspired by some recent happy news. It's a good thing.
Anyway, here are some Random Musings for Thursday:
1. Saw Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince yesterday. I liked it. I know it's not action filled, but I still liked it. Perhaps I'm just blind to all things HP, but in my defense, I haven't read the book since it was published so the movie was still entertaining. Also, is it me or is Draco turning into a little hottie? Sacrilege? You betcha!
2. My Mom is Awesome. She sent me the aforementioned book as well as the previous one in the series while I was on two different deployments. She always packed the best care packages. I would receive one, run to my state room and relish every item. From socks to rice cakes to fancy smelling bath accessories to Harry Potter books. She always surprised me with things that I didn't even know I wanted. Love you Mama!!
3. Speaking of HP... watching the movie and reading the books reminds me painfully of my own Hermione Granger tendencies. Oh, I was nothing like that in grades 1-12 or even in my first attempt at my undergraduate degree. However. When I went back to college for my second attempt at a bachelor's degree? I was hopelessly addicted to getting the right answer and showing the professors how much I was paying attention and doing the work. If you have ever seen the movie where Ms. Granger is all "Ooo,Ooo!" while raising her hand? Yeah, that was me. Circa, 2000. I'm a dork.
4. Speaking of my undergraduate degree... it took me nine years to complete. Nine. Freaking. Years. Such a ridiculous time period prompted my shipmates on USS First Ship to nick-name me "Doc." Because they felt that after all that time I should have a stinking doctorate. Now, honestly - doesn't a doctorate take a little longer than nine years? Hmph. They should have called me "Master" for a graduate degree instead. In fact, I kind of like that term... Master. Hmmm... awesome.
5. Along that particular thought train... I believe that I might, just might, use the word Awesome too much. It seems to be a word that I use in nearly every post or comment. In my defense - I have, at least, graduated from my preferred term "Word" which I used throughout high school and even college. I like to be succinct in my terms of appreciation. In the late 80's and early 90's "word" was an easy way to do just that. Then, during the grunge era, I upgraded to "awesome." Now, I'm just woefully out of touch with the times.
6. Hmmm, did I mention that I love words? Love them. In fact, I think I could have been a philologist (ha! look that one up!). I love being able to use just the right combination of words to express what I am trying to communicate. It literally pains me to see how our society is bastardizing their word choices and abbreviating even the smallest of contractions. Yes, I'm guilty of it too - but I vow to read to my daughter and instill in her the attraction of a diverse vocabulary.
(Um, please note that the subtitle says "textual" not "sexual" - I had to clarify that point for myself. Seemed a little unclear. *cough*)
7. Not only do I love words for communication purposes, but I love them in book form. I love to read. Love, love, love books. I like reading "cozy" mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, historical classics (not so much modern classics) the occasional smutty romance and anything I see at the library that has an interesting cover. Cover art is CRUCIAL! If it sucks, I automatically assume the book sucks too. Because I'm shallow that way.
8. My love of the written word also extends to audio books. I swear, if it hadn't been for audio books I don't know how I would have survived the last five years. An hour commute - each way! I managed to make my way through a few on the Top 100 Books list and am dubious as to their judging criteria. War and Peace? Hated it! Now, Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife (a book NOT included on the top 100) LOVED IT! Loved every steaming moment. whew!
9. Now, that being said - if you happen to like sci-fi/fantasy with a whopping dose of smut? I suggest checking this lady out: Christine Feehan. She is very entertaining. Especially for those of us without a significant other. *ahem*
10. Finally... my movie tastes. They run toward the historical dramas (love the costumes!) sci-fi/fantasy (no, really?) mysteries and anime. My netflix queue currently sports a wide range of BBC mysteries and anime with a smattering of Japanese classics (Akira Kurosawa!) as well as a few American/English Classics (Alfred Hitchcock!). I love anything that is based on dialog. To me, a witty conversation is more entertaining than explosions. Also, I hate Will Ferrell. And anything like his work. There is a decided dearth of comedy in my queue. My brother claims that I am a comedy snob. Can I help it if my mind was set on Monty Python twenty years ago? I think not!
So. That's a little randomness about me. Hope it wasn't too off-putting! Please forgive my lack in comedy taste - it's in the same vein as my lack of horror taste. After seeing The Exorcist I have never felt the need to see another horror movie as long as I live.
The End!
Anyway, here are some Random Musings for Thursday:
1. Saw Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince yesterday. I liked it. I know it's not action filled, but I still liked it. Perhaps I'm just blind to all things HP, but in my defense, I haven't read the book since it was published so the movie was still entertaining. Also, is it me or is Draco turning into a little hottie? Sacrilege? You betcha!
2. My Mom is Awesome. She sent me the aforementioned book as well as the previous one in the series while I was on two different deployments. She always packed the best care packages. I would receive one, run to my state room and relish every item. From socks to rice cakes to fancy smelling bath accessories to Harry Potter books. She always surprised me with things that I didn't even know I wanted. Love you Mama!!
3. Speaking of HP... watching the movie and reading the books reminds me painfully of my own Hermione Granger tendencies. Oh, I was nothing like that in grades 1-12 or even in my first attempt at my undergraduate degree. However. When I went back to college for my second attempt at a bachelor's degree? I was hopelessly addicted to getting the right answer and showing the professors how much I was paying attention and doing the work. If you have ever seen the movie where Ms. Granger is all "Ooo,Ooo!" while raising her hand? Yeah, that was me. Circa, 2000. I'm a dork.
4. Speaking of my undergraduate degree... it took me nine years to complete. Nine. Freaking. Years. Such a ridiculous time period prompted my shipmates on USS First Ship to nick-name me "Doc." Because they felt that after all that time I should have a stinking doctorate. Now, honestly - doesn't a doctorate take a little longer than nine years? Hmph. They should have called me "Master" for a graduate degree instead. In fact, I kind of like that term... Master. Hmmm... awesome.
5. Along that particular thought train... I believe that I might, just might, use the word Awesome too much. It seems to be a word that I use in nearly every post or comment. In my defense - I have, at least, graduated from my preferred term "Word" which I used throughout high school and even college. I like to be succinct in my terms of appreciation. In the late 80's and early 90's "word" was an easy way to do just that. Then, during the grunge era, I upgraded to "awesome." Now, I'm just woefully out of touch with the times.
6. Hmmm, did I mention that I love words? Love them. In fact, I think I could have been a philologist (ha! look that one up!). I love being able to use just the right combination of words to express what I am trying to communicate. It literally pains me to see how our society is bastardizing their word choices and abbreviating even the smallest of contractions. Yes, I'm guilty of it too - but I vow to read to my daughter and instill in her the attraction of a diverse vocabulary.
(Um, please note that the subtitle says "textual" not "sexual" - I had to clarify that point for myself. Seemed a little unclear. *cough*)
7. Not only do I love words for communication purposes, but I love them in book form. I love to read. Love, love, love books. I like reading "cozy" mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, historical classics (not so much modern classics) the occasional smutty romance and anything I see at the library that has an interesting cover. Cover art is CRUCIAL! If it sucks, I automatically assume the book sucks too. Because I'm shallow that way.
8. My love of the written word also extends to audio books. I swear, if it hadn't been for audio books I don't know how I would have survived the last five years. An hour commute - each way! I managed to make my way through a few on the Top 100 Books list and am dubious as to their judging criteria. War and Peace? Hated it! Now, Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife (a book NOT included on the top 100) LOVED IT! Loved every steaming moment. whew!
9. Now, that being said - if you happen to like sci-fi/fantasy with a whopping dose of smut? I suggest checking this lady out: Christine Feehan. She is very entertaining. Especially for those of us without a significant other. *ahem*
10. Finally... my movie tastes. They run toward the historical dramas (love the costumes!) sci-fi/fantasy (no, really?) mysteries and anime. My netflix queue currently sports a wide range of BBC mysteries and anime with a smattering of Japanese classics (Akira Kurosawa!) as well as a few American/English Classics (Alfred Hitchcock!). I love anything that is based on dialog. To me, a witty conversation is more entertaining than explosions. Also, I hate Will Ferrell. And anything like his work. There is a decided dearth of comedy in my queue. My brother claims that I am a comedy snob. Can I help it if my mind was set on Monty Python twenty years ago? I think not!
So. That's a little randomness about me. Hope it wasn't too off-putting! Please forgive my lack in comedy taste - it's in the same vein as my lack of horror taste. After seeing The Exorcist I have never felt the need to see another horror movie as long as I live.
The End!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wordy Wednesday - More Clouds!
Take a guess...
Here's another vantage... Figured it out yet?
Yeah, I know... Clouds can be confusing. However! I'm going to go ahead and tell you what I thought when I saw these particular formations last week!
Aslan (from the Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe)! And... A Shark! Which, honestly if you pit Aslan against a silly little shark - well, we should not be surprised that he turned out on top. Right?
I love how the moon is his eye in this picture...
Here's another vantage... Figured it out yet?
Yeah, I know... Clouds can be confusing. However! I'm going to go ahead and tell you what I thought when I saw these particular formations last week!
Aslan (from the Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe)! And... A Shark! Which, honestly if you pit Aslan against a silly little shark - well, we should not be surprised that he turned out on top. Right?
I love how the moon is his eye in this picture...
grrr... fierce shark!
Lions and sharks over suburbia!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
An Award!! Yay, Bling!
I know it happened last week... And I'm lame because it took me so long to re-post - HOWEVER! Both Bev and Amber D. were kind enough to give me this awesome award:
Here's the hard part... I'm supposed to tag 15 bloggers and brighten up their day! Holy cow!
It's so hard to choose! I'm gonna list some of my favorites as well as a few newer blogs that I've started following because I think you need to take a look at how AWESOME they are! Here we go!
1. Breedale from Perpetually Changing. She's a great friend of mine, an adamant vegan, an English professor AND has recently welcomed a new baby girl into her family! Yay Baby J! Can't wait to meet you! Your mom is incredible!
2. Babe from Babe in Babeland. She is hip, she's cool and her new baby girl is absolutely precious! Check her out!
3. JoBart from Barbara's 365. She's a sistah from across the pond! Her two lovely children are picture perfect! Also, I just love reading her English turns of phrase. Totally Awesome.
4. Kris from Blah, blah, blah. She is a hometown girl (meaning Hampton Roads) and has a sweet blog about her very interesting life (moved back from ALASKA!) - go and see!
5. Tina from Hubby, Boys & Bully ... Oh Wine! She has so many funny posts - I love going over there for a laugh! You should too!
6. Libby from Libby Logic. She is a newscaster who has also recently welcomed a new baby girl into her home! After a very long wait! Congrats!
7. Madame Queen from The Madame Queen. You may remember her from the past... But she's BAA-ACK! And promises lots of fun posts! Can't wait!
8. Maria from Mommy Maria. I discovered her on Twitter! She is blogging about family and her weight loss journey. I am so proud of her courage - I look forward to reading more about it!
9. Samantha from Samanthics. Recently started following her - she has some incredible recipes! Holla - Deviled Eggs! Yum! Can't wait to see more!
10. 1Blueshi1 from Stay At Home Mom Going Quickly Insane. She has been going through a lot lately - no longer stay at home mom and having computer issues. But she is so funny! Go ahead and check her out!
11. KrimmyK from The Official Blog Of Krimsin. Literally JUST started reading her blog - but it is so funny - and I LOVE her layout. Can't wait to read more!
12. Kate from The Sawyers Five. She has an awesome blog with LOADS of incredible pictures - her family is gorgeous! Go and check them out!
13. Travellinbaen from - you guessed it! - Travellinbaen! Such a great blog for so many reasons. Football, philosophy, and so much more! Love it!
And my final two? It's a Mom and Daughter combo!
14. Hokgardner from The days are JUST packed! She's a mom of four little ones and she is so much fun. Runner, Mother, Daughter - in my opinion, she balances life beautifully! Check her out!
15. Knittergran from As the Spirit Moves Me. She recently had all of Hokgardner's family for a visit as well as completed a lovely lace project! She is The Woman!
Wow! That was a lot of linking! Enjoy, you guys! Love your stuff!
Here's the hard part... I'm supposed to tag 15 bloggers and brighten up their day! Holy cow!
It's so hard to choose! I'm gonna list some of my favorites as well as a few newer blogs that I've started following because I think you need to take a look at how AWESOME they are! Here we go!
1. Breedale from Perpetually Changing. She's a great friend of mine, an adamant vegan, an English professor AND has recently welcomed a new baby girl into her family! Yay Baby J! Can't wait to meet you! Your mom is incredible!
2. Babe from Babe in Babeland. She is hip, she's cool and her new baby girl is absolutely precious! Check her out!
3. JoBart from Barbara's 365. She's a sistah from across the pond! Her two lovely children are picture perfect! Also, I just love reading her English turns of phrase. Totally Awesome.
4. Kris from Blah, blah, blah. She is a hometown girl (meaning Hampton Roads) and has a sweet blog about her very interesting life (moved back from ALASKA!) - go and see!
5. Tina from Hubby, Boys & Bully ... Oh Wine! She has so many funny posts - I love going over there for a laugh! You should too!
6. Libby from Libby Logic. She is a newscaster who has also recently welcomed a new baby girl into her home! After a very long wait! Congrats!
7. Madame Queen from The Madame Queen. You may remember her from the past... But she's BAA-ACK! And promises lots of fun posts! Can't wait!
8. Maria from Mommy Maria. I discovered her on Twitter! She is blogging about family and her weight loss journey. I am so proud of her courage - I look forward to reading more about it!
9. Samantha from Samanthics. Recently started following her - she has some incredible recipes! Holla - Deviled Eggs! Yum! Can't wait to see more!
10. 1Blueshi1 from Stay At Home Mom Going Quickly Insane. She has been going through a lot lately - no longer stay at home mom and having computer issues. But she is so funny! Go ahead and check her out!
11. KrimmyK from The Official Blog Of Krimsin. Literally JUST started reading her blog - but it is so funny - and I LOVE her layout. Can't wait to read more!
12. Kate from The Sawyers Five. She has an awesome blog with LOADS of incredible pictures - her family is gorgeous! Go and check them out!
13. Travellinbaen from - you guessed it! - Travellinbaen! Such a great blog for so many reasons. Football, philosophy, and so much more! Love it!
And my final two? It's a Mom and Daughter combo!
14. Hokgardner from The days are JUST packed! She's a mom of four little ones and she is so much fun. Runner, Mother, Daughter - in my opinion, she balances life beautifully! Check her out!
15. Knittergran from As the Spirit Moves Me. She recently had all of Hokgardner's family for a visit as well as completed a lovely lace project! She is The Woman!
Wow! That was a lot of linking! Enjoy, you guys! Love your stuff!
Monday, July 27, 2009
One Hot Mess
Last Thursday I was excited to go to a job fair in Raleigh, NC sponsored by a veteran's hiring service (which is awesome and I am in no way criticizing). I supposed I had pegged too many hopes on the event for it to actually bear fruit. In fact it was somewhat of a disappointment.
During the week, mysainted patient mother helped me to put together the perfect "job fair" ensemble. It included an apple green, stretchy, button down blouse, some navy "booty" pants, a perfect set of necklace and earrings (appropriately chunky to balance the severe look of the blouse and pants) as well as my own pair of rocking brown faux snake-skin heels (bought quite a while ago but properly blogged). I felt as though I were ready to take on corporate America!
Thursday dawned warm and sticky but I was optimistic about the endeavour and strove to maintain a positive attitude - despite my lack of job fair experience and the weather. As I drove to Raleigh, I contemplated my choice in shoes. After all, it had been literally YEARS since I had worn heels for any length of time. Still, they were hot and I felt they would give me good luck.
The job fair was in the clubhouse of the NC State Wolfpack stadium. Kind of an odd choice, but whatever... When I got out of the car my clothes immediately stuck to me like glue. It was over 90 degrees and probably 100% humidity. My sassy hairstyle surrendered to the damp and immediately became limp and lifeless. My cute clingy shirt shortly sported moist areas and my pants - well, let's just say I didn't know I could sweat in so many diverse places.
All of my cracks and crevices were wet. And not in a good way. In short - I was a Hot Mess.
Determined to follow through, I stood, sweltering, in one line to register and many lines around the booths. Of the 25 vendors, seven were from education institutions trying to encourage further education. Which is great! But not what I was there for. Five booths were "service" related and offered veteran assistance and stuff - but not jobs. The remaining 13 were pretty specialized in the type of employees they were seeking. Sadly, I was told by most recruiters that they were looking for more "technical" types and not an MBA-sporting hot mess seeking a job in management or logistics.
BOO!
Still, I picked up some great information and intend to actively search their job openings because hey - they came to a job fair sponsored by a veteran's hiring sevice! They must be cool with hiring veterans, right? The fact that they didn't actively recruit me was because they didn't have a job that would utilize my particular skill sets - right? It's not that I gave a horrible first impression is it?
*whimper*
Needless to say, I came back to my parent's house pretty discouraged. And Friday morning? My legs were killing me! I hobbled around their house like I had just recently experienced a bout of wild drunken sex. I suppose they had seen this particular stagger from me plenty of times before - because they didn't bat an eye.
(insert totally fictional conversation that didn't really happen...but could have...)
Me: "Jesus! My legs are killing me!"
Mom: "Really, honey? There's some aspirin in the medicine cabinet. Now do you want scrambled eggs for breakfast or are you still on that diet."
(God, I love my parents - they are so non-plussed)
*ahem*
The culprit? My awesomemile high 2 inch heels. Damn, looking good is painful. But at least my feet pulled it off. Can they interview my feet?
I wore khaki polyester for seven years and yet, new fangled office attire is beyond me!
During the week, my
Thursday dawned warm and sticky but I was optimistic about the endeavour and strove to maintain a positive attitude - despite my lack of job fair experience and the weather. As I drove to Raleigh, I contemplated my choice in shoes. After all, it had been literally YEARS since I had worn heels for any length of time. Still, they were hot and I felt they would give me good luck.
The job fair was in the clubhouse of the NC State Wolfpack stadium. Kind of an odd choice, but whatever... When I got out of the car my clothes immediately stuck to me like glue. It was over 90 degrees and probably 100% humidity. My sassy hairstyle surrendered to the damp and immediately became limp and lifeless. My cute clingy shirt shortly sported moist areas and my pants - well, let's just say I didn't know I could sweat in so many diverse places.
All of my cracks and crevices were wet. And not in a good way. In short - I was a Hot Mess.
Determined to follow through, I stood, sweltering, in one line to register and many lines around the booths. Of the 25 vendors, seven were from education institutions trying to encourage further education. Which is great! But not what I was there for. Five booths were "service" related and offered veteran assistance and stuff - but not jobs. The remaining 13 were pretty specialized in the type of employees they were seeking. Sadly, I was told by most recruiters that they were looking for more "technical" types and not an MBA-sporting hot mess seeking a job in management or logistics.
BOO!
Still, I picked up some great information and intend to actively search their job openings because hey - they came to a job fair sponsored by a veteran's hiring sevice! They must be cool with hiring veterans, right? The fact that they didn't actively recruit me was because they didn't have a job that would utilize my particular skill sets - right? It's not that I gave a horrible first impression is it?
*whimper*
Needless to say, I came back to my parent's house pretty discouraged. And Friday morning? My legs were killing me! I hobbled around their house like I had just recently experienced a bout of wild drunken sex. I suppose they had seen this particular stagger from me plenty of times before - because they didn't bat an eye.
(insert totally fictional conversation that didn't really happen...but could have...)
Me: "Jesus! My legs are killing me!"
Mom: "Really, honey? There's some aspirin in the medicine cabinet. Now do you want scrambled eggs for breakfast or are you still on that diet."
(God, I love my parents - they are so non-plussed)
*ahem*
The culprit? My awesome
I wore khaki polyester for seven years and yet, new fangled office attire is beyond me!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday Classics - Disney/Barbie Style
This past week I bought my daughter Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus DVD for a mere $5.00 at Target. Little did I know what a profound impact it would make to her life. This is a little girl who LOVES all things "pony" and a mythical pony is the best.
The soundtrack of the movie is based on Beethoven's 6th Symphony - The Pastoral. Very lovely - and also one of the features in Disney's Fantasia. There are many awesome moments in that film, but my favorite was the one with the centaurs and pegasus. As it happens, those scenes were also set to Beethoven's 6th Symphony.
Here is an excerpt from Fantasia - the part with the pegasus - for my Muffin...
And here is the excerpt with Bacchus (God of Wine) and the centaurs. For me. :)
Gotta love the wine. Enjoy!
The soundtrack of the movie is based on Beethoven's 6th Symphony - The Pastoral. Very lovely - and also one of the features in Disney's Fantasia. There are many awesome moments in that film, but my favorite was the one with the centaurs and pegasus. As it happens, those scenes were also set to Beethoven's 6th Symphony.
Here is an excerpt from Fantasia - the part with the pegasus - for my Muffin...
And here is the excerpt with Bacchus (God of Wine) and the centaurs. For me. :)
Gotta love the wine. Enjoy!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday Fun
Muffin is going to see her dad today. While this does pain me - I usually take the opportunity, during my Muffin-less time, to have a little fun. This week - I'm gonna see this:
And I'm totally fine with being labeled as a big. fat. dork. I LOVE this series! Sue me! My Mama sent me this book when I was on deployment and I absolutely savored it! It was one of the few pleasures I had at the time. I loved it.
Thanks Mama - you're the best! Can't wait to see the movie and can't wait to take you with me! psst... Don't tell Dad! :)
And I'm totally fine with being labeled as a big. fat. dork. I LOVE this series! Sue me! My Mama sent me this book when I was on deployment and I absolutely savored it! It was one of the few pleasures I had at the time. I loved it.
Thanks Mama - you're the best! Can't wait to see the movie and can't wait to take you with me! psst... Don't tell Dad! :)
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