Interruption of Service

No, I'm not dead, or even sick (unless you count allergies that are eating me alive). Life is currently kicking my ass around the block.


I live in hope that I will return to the memes. With any hope, that will be soon.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Lower 40 Meme, Part One

1) Who is the last person you high-fived? A little boy at Sunday School this morning. For the life of me, I can't remember who, but it was because he hand-wrote something.

2) If you were drafted into a war, would you survive? Nope. Hell no, in fact. Actually, if I were drafted, we are beyond being on our last legs.

3) Do you sleep with the TV on? I can, in the daytime. I don't like to do that at night though, which is why we don't have a TV in our bedroom.

4) Have you ever drunk milk straight out of the carton? Yup, though not for many years.

5) Have you ever won a spelling bee? Yup.

6) Have you ever been stung by a bee? Yup.

7) How fast can you type? Pretty damn fast. If you don't care about accuracy, I'm even faster! :-)

8) Are you afraid of the dark? No!

9) Eye color: Hazel.

10) Have you ever made out at a drive-in? Nope. I've only been to a drive-in twice (maybe), and only to visit a friend who worked there.

11) When was the last time you chose a bath over a shower? Thursday, I think? I'm taking one tonight for sure, though.

12) Do you knock on wood? Yup. When I can find it.

13) Do you floss daily? Nope. Shh, don't tell my dentist! I floss twice a day for the month just before a trip to the dentist. Hypocritical, I know.

15) Can you hula hoop? Not anymore. My brother-in-law has some great Super-8 footage of me doing that when I was about 10.

16) Are you good at keeping secrets? Sometimes.

17) What do you want for Christmas? Books.

18) Do you know the Muffin Man? Nope. I know Simon the Pie-Man, however, which I think is better anyway.

19) Do you talk in your sleep? I've been known to, but I just ignore myself.

20) Who wrote the book of love? Who. Perhaps even the one Horton heard!

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7

Name your seven all-time favorite characters from the Star Trek universe.

1. Data
2. Picard
3. Uhuru
4. Spock
5. Kira
6. Worf
7. Troi

And one I never liked:

1. Crusher

Yes, I was one of the few who liked The Other Doctor better.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Submission :: Entry
2. Lucy :: Australopithecus
3. Feather :: Light
4. Magnetic :: Pull
5. Bowling :: ...for Columbine
6. Stress :: Tension
7. Sweetly :: Angelic
8. Creamy :: Smooth
9. Awaken :: Become aware
10. Beaten :: ...eggs

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Ready or Not

1. When severe whether [sic] happens, generally speaking, are you ready for it?

Yup. Much as you can be ready for tornadoes, wind, snow, ice...etc.

2. If you could wake up tomorrow with a new talent, what would it be?

Keeping my damn mouth shut!

3. What do you strive for in life?

Calm.

4. If you were given a vacation home and you could have it anywhere, what location would you choose?

Colorado, preferably in the San Juans or at least the southwestern corner.

5. Do you feel energized or drained by being in a group situation? If the answer is "it depends," on what does it depend?

Mostly, I feel energized, if people are generally positive. Negative people drain me.

6. When you're sick do you take "sick days" or do you force yourself to continue working?

I call in; no point in getting everyone else sick too.

7. What is your absolute favorite piece of furniture you have and why?

I really love our kitchen table; it's a tangible reminder of my dad.

8. When you go out, where do you like to go? What do you like to do?

When I go out, I go to the store, I go to work, I go to the mailbox, I go to church. So, yeah, sometimes I like doing it, sometimes I don't.

9. How's life? Is it treating you well right now?

Could be worse, but wow could it be better too!

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday Six
(Two questions here are dedicated to Amy, and she knows which ones, and why, I'm sure)

1. What color are you least likely to wear?

Pink.

2. What color do you tend to wear the most?

Blue. Or brown. The colors of the earth

3. What skill would you like to increase?

I really want to learn to play bagpipes.

4. What’s the number one thing stopping you from doing so?

Finding a teacher isn't as easy as it seems.

5. If you had set goals for 2011, which one would you likely be most far away from reaching at this point?

All of them, which is why I don't set goals.

6. Is it a goal you think you can realistically meet by the end of the year?

Nope.

Six Word Saturday

(Link in meme-roll)

Beautiful, active fall day around here.

Grocery shopping first thing, shower, three hours of work, 3 mums purchased for the front porch, laundry finished...

Work was absolutely amazing--hardly anyone in the building to hassle me. This is a sign of gorgeous weather outside. Not complaining at all!

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Sleep Deprivation

1. When you’re having trouble staying awake, what are some things you do to make sure you don’t drift off to sleep?

Sing, talk, move (as much as possible), sit up straight, make lists....

2. What’s most likely to cause you a prolonged period of not enough sleep?

Life. I'm serious: I have been sleeping for shit for the past few weeks, and I know it's because of the overload of stuff hanging over us. I have awakened at some point between 2 and 4 a.m. every morning. If it's later, I usually can't get back to sleep, so I know I'm done for the night; if it's earlier, I usually do get back to sleep eventually. The problem is, now, that my guaranteed putter-to-sleeper activity--crosswords--have become really hard to read because I've got Allergy Eyes. It's a pain.

3, When you’re going through a prolonged period of not enough sleep, what parts of your daily routine are likely to change, and how?

I try to cut back on the caffeine late in the afternoon/evening. I really should get some exercise earlier in the day, too, but that just hasn't been making it onto the list.

4. Who in your life seems regularly to have not enough sleep?

Besides me? That would be Beast: he has been under-sleeping for probably the last 10 years.

5. In what ways does your personality change when you go through a prolonged period of not enough sleep?

Bring on the cranky and the tears, the overall lack of focus and distractability, and general aches and pains. Though, to be fair, the latter is probably more about my allergies than the sleep deprivation which in turn is caused (in part) by the allergies.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Do they have the book I'm looking for?

2. This past August; it was as if we were being visited by the plagues of Egypt, modern version.

3. That was a month I never want to repeat. Ever.

4. Last week, Beast seemed so comfortable. [Then Monday arrived, and everything broke down again.]

5. As I said, I don't care what we watch on TV tonight.

6. There always seems to have to be some new twist.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting some laundry at least sorted and a grocery list made, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping, laundry and 3 hours of scheduled work, and Sunday, I want to find out what I can do to help Jet, and meet the kids in my Sunday School class!

Now I Know My ABCs

(Swiped from Kwizgiver )

A - Age: 48 in a little over 2 months.

B - Bed size: Queen.

C - Chinese Food Dish: Shrimp Fried Rice or Shrimp Almond Ding or Chicken Cashew....and some chopsticks.

D - Dentist name: His first name is Joe.

E - Early Bird or Night Owl? Early Bird, especially lately--I can't seem to make it past 3 or 4 a.m. anymore; I wake up, read, go back to sleep eventually. And if I don't do that, I'm awake at 5 and done.

F - Favorite color: Blue

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 171.5 cm

I - Ink as in tatto's [sic] you have: I don't do tats; I do scars. I have a couple of doozies.

J - Job title: Head of Technical Services

K - Kitchen Meal or Restaurant? Snack out of the fridge/cupboards.

L - Living arrangements: Is this where I explain that, while I sleep in a queen-sized bed, Beast has been sleeping in the recliner in the living room for the past month? Or is that overshare? I live with him, Sparky when he comes home from college, and Ruka, the cavy.

M - Month of birth: See if you can't work this out given the info in my first answer.

N - Nicknames: Cat. (Mom?)

O - On time or late: I try very hard to be on time, or early. But sometimes late happens.

P - Pet Peeve: Negative people.

Q - Quote from a movie: "What is your DAMage, Heather?!"

R - Right or left handed: Right.

S - Siblings: Hate this question. I have a brother and a sister remaining.

T - Time you wake up: ...believe I may have answered this somewhere above. Would like to make it to 6 or 6:30 most days.

U - Urgent thing on your to do list: CLEAN SPARKY'S ROOM!!

V - Vegetable you dislike: Brussels sprouts.

W - Wishing for: Some kind of 'cure' for Beast's back that doesn't involve surgery.

X - X-rays you've had: Teeth, lungs, gut.

Y - Yummy food you make: Mac 'n Cheese. The last batch I made was, if I may say so, the best I've ever made!

Z - Zoo Favorite: either the monkeys or the wolves.

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things I've Learned in the Last Few Weeks

1. Sleep is for wimps.
2. Bad shit does seem to all happen at once.
3. Crying is important, but it's annoying when it keeps happening.
4. There's always something worth smiling about...eventually.
5. Anyone who thinks football is fun should talk to a former football player about how his body is feeling today.
6. I can't help but like watching football, even knowing how former football players suffer.
7. Allergy season will come up and kick my butt regardless of how fucked-over I already am.
8. Always, always, always, make sure you know what kind and how much medication the doctor prescribed and take that, not what the pharmacist puts on the bottle!
9. The "Ambien walk" is terrifying to everyone--the walker AND the people in the vicinity. Hide the car keys and all medications, and be prepared to do a lot of cleaning first thing in the morning.
10. If you do it (sorta) right, when the kids leave home, they don't even need you.
11. Yes, I can. I may not like it, but I can do it. Although, I'm pretty sure there is a time coming when I won't be able to do it.
12. Staring nonstop at a computer screen for four straight hours--and I do mean nonstop, without looking down, or around, or at the desk--makes me seasick.
13. I really do NOT have to attend every family event.

And a BONUS: Working maniacally through every (negative) outcome/possibility will make you crazy, and sometimes--maybe even often?--the outcome is actually not negative at all!!

W.T.F.

(Link in meme-roll)
Dogs on surf boards join a Facebook status chain

1) Last week women on Facebook started another one of those supposed "raise breast cancer awareness" status chains which end up just confusing men. This one had me saying "I'm 14 weeks and craving Skittles." Instantly people started asking me if I was pregnant. This has angered some people (including a blogger who posted a rant about it because she says that "pretending you're pregnant isn't cute"). What do you think of status chains like this?

I think they are absolutely ridiculous. I have done them in the past, but I don't anymore, primarily because there's nothing interesting about reading 25 people's statuses like this. And I agree with this blogger, too, for what it's worth: what the HELL does this have to do with breast cancer?? People, if you want to find a cure for cancer, don't buy yogurt, don't buy pink shit to wear, just fuckin' write a check to the American Cancer Society!

2) Do you think people should be able to buy music and share it with everyone he or she wants or should everyone have to purchase the songs themselves?

I think the copyright law is just fine as is. I think you should pay for what you use, but then again I burn library CDs to my computer somewhat regularly. So, I dunno....

3) How often do you (or your significant other) vacuum your house?

We have a roomba we send around every week or 10 days. I need to do the steps with the regular vacuum though; they're getting sorta dire.

4) Monday was National Cheese Pizza Day. What toppings do you like on your pizza?

Cheese, sausage, Canadian bacon, onions and mushrooms.

5) The Thought Catalog has posted a list of great songs to cry to. What is a song that can easily bring you to tears?

"One" by U2. Or the Mary J. version. Either way, the lyrics kill me. And yes, I wrote this before I looked at the link, which has a few songs I've cried to, some I don't know, and a couple that I know and made me go, "Huh?"

6) Beanie babies were a big craze in the 1990s. What is a toy that you collect or used to collect?

Never intentionally collected toys. Sparky has about a billion beanies, though, and we do have dozens of Matchbox cars and Hot Wheels.

7) Buddy, a 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, will be the first animal inducted into the Surf Dog Hall of Fame. Do you enjoy seeing animals do crazy stunts?

Not really. I mean, it's fun to watch for awhile, but then I wonder what the point is, and why we get such a kick out of messing with animals. It's rather embarrassing.

8) September is Fall Hat Month. Do you like to wear hats? If so, what type of hats are your favorites?

I rarely wear hats, and when I do they tend to be ball caps. I have a few others, but basically never wear 'em. I like 'em, but there's not a good time to have 'em on.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
The Strange Stupid Meme

1. According to a news report, Medicare in the US stops plans to stop paying for preventable health problems or complications caused by hospital mistakes, including operations on the wrong person or wrong body part. These mistakes are called "never events." What would you call them?

WTAF?! This is insane! How and why anyone have to pay for this stuff in the first place?! Yeesh. I would call them "Lawsuits Ahoy!"

2. It is the policy of some TV news broadcasters to show automobile wreckage photos as soon as they can possibly get to the scene of the accident. Sometimes the family has not been notified. They get away with it by "not releasing names." How do you feel about this?

It's one of the myriad of reasons I don't watch TV news, especially local news.

3. Did you know that some car dealership service departments charge extra for "shop supplies"? This includes the ever expensive shop rag (retail 99 cents) which can be billed for 10x that much. Have you ever been ripped off by a car mechanic?

It figures, and it explains why I can get my car repaired for a small percentage of what things cost at dealerships. I rely on recommendations from friends, and go back where I'm treated right.

4. In some states, including California, Alaska, Florida and Hawaii, a motorist can be cited for driving too slowly. What would make you drive under the speed limit for a long period of time?

Assuming I weren't following a tractor or a combine, I would drive slowly if my car was broken--flat tire, blown engine, etc.--or if I were in a funeral procession, or to piss off the person behind me. Probably some other reasons that I can't think of.

5. In Arkansas the law states: No person shall drive a motor vehicle onto the premises of a drive-in restaurant and leave the premises without parking such motor vehicle, unless there is no unoccupied parking space available on the premises. Explain this to me. Please.

My guess: some drive-in, somewhere, eons ago, had a problem with drive-through traffic and cornered a state rep who tagged this onto a bill that no one read. I see the point. There is, after all, a difference between a drive-in and a drive-through.

6. But in Indiana, a horse cannot be ridden or driven on the street in excess of 10 miles per hour. Do you drive a fast horse?

I do not drive a horse of any speed.

7. And in the great city of Youngstown, Ohio, you must keep your rats under control. Do you find this to be a problem in your life?

Only in terms of library patrons who behave in a ratlike fashion.

Monday Mayhem

(Link in meme-roll)
Labor

1. In your opinion, what does Labor Day mean to you?

Wow. I'm just going to answer the question because I can't believe what you did there. Up until this year, Labor Day was sort of a silly, historical, three-day-weekend kind of holiday. After the events last spring in Indiana, Wisconsin, and elsewhere I'm a little more aware of what unions have done for our country and how important they are today.

2. How much was the minimum wage when you got your first job?

$2.85 was my hourly salary for the first year I worked at age 16. It went up to $3.35 (I think) after that, but I wasn't around long for that. My next job was about $3.75...and I think the minimum wage pretty much stayed there for the next decade. At least. How retarded is that?

3. What was your first job--as in real actual employee-job?

I worked at my local library as a shelver/shelf-reader. One of my sisters and my brother had worked there before me.

4.What was the best job that you ever had?

I like my current job. A lot. I do NOT necessarily love it each and every day, nor do I like some of what's going on the big picture right now, but the work I do...yeah, I love that.

5. What was the worst job that you ever had?

My first full-time job was insane. I learned so much in a short time, a lot of which has taken awhile to unlearn. My boss was crazy (as in Locked Ward Crazy....twice). The location was beyond strange. By the way, my starting wage there was $10/hour. I thought I was rich. I'd just finished grad school at age 24.

6. Describe your dream job.

I love looking at minutiae, plugging through rules that organize and coordinate things, I like looking at new books (and other media), I believe strongly in the mission of public libraries, I like talking to people about random things and learning random things... What's not to like about my job!?

7. Who has the best job ever?

Anyone who enjoys what they do and feels lucky to be doing it.

8. How do you usually celebrate Labor Day (or whatever holiday your location may have that is devoted to workers)?

Hang loose. We don't usually 'celebrate' it so much as we just crap out and do nothing. That pretty much sums up today; I went to the grocery store, did some straightening up, napped, played Facebook games, talked to Sparky on Skype, washed dishes (by hand and machine) and put them away....

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Sunday 7

Name seven notable people age 80 or up that you’d like to spend an afternoon with to get to know them and how they’ve made a success for so long. [Here's a list of suggestions.]

1. I.M. Pei
2. Maya Angelou
3. Studs Terkel
4. Billy Graham
5. Mel Brooks
6. Helen Thomas
7. Jimmy Carter

Now, that is a dinner party!

Curious as a Cat

(Link in meme-roll)

1) In the middle of the night, you get an urgent call from your best friend in 3rd grade. You haven’t talked to him or her in years. Something terrible has happened. What is it and why is he/she calling you?

I can't actually remember who my best friend in 3rd grade was. I was one of those kids who floated between two different grades, so I had friends my age and friends a year older. It was complicated. So, based on the fact that I can't remember my buddies' names, I have to assume that something awful has happened to our school buildings or town. Why she'd call me in the middle of the night to tell me this is beyond me, though.

2) If you were designing the human body, would you stick with red blood or would you go with a flashier or at least different color?

It would be sorta need if it glowed. Or sparkled. But I'm ok with sticking with red. Guess I'm sort of a traditionalist.

3) What's your best method for getting someone's attention?

Whisper. Remember that commercial?

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Public Domain Photo

Normally I'd be all excited about this photo, but I'm really not looking forward to work tomorrow. We have a new staff person starting, another staff member gave her notice last Friday, a group from our Sister City in Mexico is visiting at the end of the week (which means manic cleaning not to mention Panic Stations for some people), the boss is just going to be ridiculously annoying because of most of these things... All of which means I will get interrupted constantly from doing my actual work. I'm just not excited about any of these things.

I did start a really good book today, the latest by Pronzini, and I'm about halfway through. I've missed some stuff, so it looks like I'm headed back to catch up after this one.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The 20 Questions of Doom Meme

1. Do you believe in Heaven?

Yup. More than ever this week.

2. Have you ever come close to dying?

Not really. Certainly not in any imminent way.

3. What jewelery do you wear 24/7?

My wedding and engagement rings, and an anniversary ring. Ironically, I'm not wearing them now because I spent 45 minutes cleaning my son's guest bathtub earlier.

4. Would you ever consider having plastic surgery?

Only for reconstruction.

5. What do you wear to bed?

Pajamas.

6. Have you ever done anything illegal?

Of course. (See #6 below)

7. Who was the last person that you touched?

Beast.

8. Where did you eat last?

Right here, about 2 minutes ago.

9. Besides your own blog, are there any that you routinely read but never comment on?

Loads and loads. I lurk at at least 20 blogs or blog-like sites. That doesn't even count the meme sites.

10. Ever been involved with the police?

"Involved"?? Meaning? My brother was a cop, albeit briefly. My mom worked for the court system; she knew a lot of cops. Cops come to the library where I work semi-regularly, I've gotten a couple of tickets, I've had neighbors who were/are cops... So, yeah.

11. Do you talk in your sleep?

I've been told it has happened. Otherwise, I wouldn't know.

12. Now a celebrity fantasy. Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend?

Three other people. I'd stay home.

13. Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?

Yes. So far.

14. Where do you wish you were?

Asleep in a comfortable bed that will cure my back.

15. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?

Nope.

16. Is there any type of dancing that you love to do?

I would love to square dance again.

17. Last gift you received?

Lotion, s&p's and a necklace, last weekend.

18. Last sport you played?

Ahhh...ha ha ha...does cleaning bathtubs count? I don't even play mind games anymore!

19. Last place you went on holiday?

I guess that would be Italy, unless you think the mission trip fits the bill.

20. Current Song?

Uhm? I'm watching Criminal Intent.

Unconscious Mutterings

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Cavern :: The Beatles
2. Pharmacy :: Drugstore
3. Local :: Nearby
4. Group :: Collection
5. Brunette :: Blonde
6. Chain link :: ...fence
7. Priority :: ...Club
8. Intensify :: Heighten
9. Foster :: Encourage
10. Secluded :: Hidden

Patrick's Place

(Link in meme-roll)
Saturday 6

1. The weather’s just too hot for you and you decide to escape for a week to somewhere cooler: what’s the first place you’d think of?

The mountains. Always cooler.

2. Months later, the weather’s now too cold for you and you decide to escape for a week to somewhere warmer: what’s the first place you’d think of?

Mexico. Though, to be honest, I'd rather be in Greece or Italy, preferably out of the cities.

3. Severe weather is moving your way. Which are you more likely to turn to first to get information on the storm: your radio, your television or the web?

TV and internet.

4. You find yourself sitting on a screened in porch during a strong thunderstorm: do you find this relaxing or terrifying?

I love thunderstorms! I wish we actually had a screen-porch for this very use!

5. What is your thermostat set to right now?

I dunno, maybe 80ish?

6. How high do you set it at the coldest part of winter?

65 at night and 68 when we're actually trying to function.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Money Grabber

1. Has anyone ever intentionally ripped you off? Or perhaps unintentionally?

Have you heard the phrase caveat emptor? Isn't this all about American business practice? Yeah, I thought so. There are a lot of scams out there; I've been taken in by some in the past. And I'm sure people are all over the intentionality spectrum here.

2. When was the last time that you made a quip that fell completely flat and embarrassed you?

Oh, regularly. I frequently engage brain AFTER speaking. Not by best trait.

3. When you go to sleep, does it you need to be absolutely quiet or do you need a little noise (radio, TV, music or white)?

SILENCE! I keel you! (pace Achmed) I wear heavy-duty earplugs and sleep fabulous. Prior to my discovery of earplugs, I didn't sleep well at all. On the other hand, I have no problem whatsoever napping during a football game or NASCAR race in surround sound. Go figure.

4. Do you have a memorable "ripped clothing" moment in your life? No? How about in someone else's? (Come on, you know you have something to contribute!)

I don't think I've ever worn anything that tore embarrassingly, but Beast was playing around at friends' years ago and fell into a tomato stake which missed his skin but tore the front pocket out of his shorts. It was ... not good.

5. What's changed on your blog since its inception? ...a redo? ...a change of pace? ...or is it still business as usual?

What hasn't? When I started blogging--OMG almost 8 years ago!--I had two blogs: one for my reading list, one for daily life. Since then the latter has split, cloned, and spread into about 10 other blogs including this one. It's sorta like my real life. I've also redesigned the look of the blogs repeatedly, though not for awhile.

6. Can you remember where you were in life ten years ago? If you could travel back in time and whisper something to yourself ten years ago, what would it be?

Ten years ago, Sparky was in 3rd grade, Beast was working for the first incarnation of his job here (his company has been bought out, twice, since then), I was working nights and weekends at the library. If I could travel back in time, I'd probably tell myself to buy Apple stock, and be more patient with Beast & Sparky. Not that I'd listen.

7. Okay, let's have it! What's the craziest, most impulsive thing you've ever done?

Throwing garbage back at the people who'd pitched it towards us...on the 4th of July at the lakefront 20 years ago. Everyone I was there with was horrified, thinking I'd started a fight with a bunch of drunks, but they backed down. Never mess with a pissed off librarian!

8. If you were having a bad day what or who would you turn to for comfort?

Books, bath, bed. Any or all of the above. Maybe Beast, if his day hadn't sucked as well.

9. According to the song White Rabbit, "one pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small". If you were offered these pills today, which pill would you take and where would it take you?

Small, of course. Though I'd probably just wave it at my mouth--I just want to be a little smaller, not minuscule!

Six Word Saturday

(Link in meme-roll)

NEVER HIKE ALONE! Just don't. Okay?

I'm talking to myself at age 14 here, as well as anyone else reading this....

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. When I was 10 years old my oldest nephew was born.

2. Corn is my favorite vegetable because it's just yummy.

3. My dream pet is a hypoallergenic dog that isn't weird-looking.

4. God's love surrounds you.

5. If I could live anywhere in the world I'd live in Colorado.

6. Mississippi moon, won't you keep on shinin' on me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early-ish, tomorrow my plans include work (tra la), and Sunday, I want to go to church and then get Sparky's room cleaned up!

Thursday 13

(Link in meme-roll)
Things Starting with D

1. Diamonds. I did not buy any tonight, though I did get all my jewelry (of the expensive variety) cleaned and inspected. The guy that checked everything over is younger than my engagement ring. ...sigh


2. Debate. To go to my nephew's wedding, or not. I'm probably going. Oh, the excitement of seeing my brother again. ...sigh


3. Duh.So much duh in the world. Today's big duh: Sparky posted that he has homework in Chemistry due tomorrow. Yeah, dude; welcome to college.


4. Dante. I'm reading the graphic novel version of Dante's Divine Comedy. It's bizarre; all the characters are dressed like they are extra from Guys & Dolls (the Frank Sinatra/Marlon Brando version).


5. Death. Not going to get into this, but it's coming. Again.


6. Depression. Not going to get into this either, but it's here. Again.


7. Distress. Friends of ours are waiting to hear about a nephew who has gone missing in a wilderness area. He was last seen Sunday. That's a long time to be in the mountains alone with no supplies and probably underdressed for the cold weather that has moved in.


8. Drugs. Always, always, always read the directions, count the pills, and make sure you are taking your meds the way the doctor wants you to do, not three times what was prescribed! Even if the pill bottles says something different, follow the doctor's rules.


9. Da Bears. I hope they lose tonight. I really, really hope they lose!!


10. Dumb. Advertisements. Especially the 64th viewing of almost any GEICO ad.


11. Diary. I should be finishing typing into Blogger my diary entries from our trip in April. I'm about 5 pages (front and back) from being done. But I'm doing this instead.


12. Dirt. There is a lot of it in this house. And I work Saturday. Guess I'll be cleaning on Sunday.


13. Dreams. I had a very strange dream last night in which I was back at my first job, the one where I worked for someone I call PsychoBoss. I'm not sure she was in the dream, honestly, but I wasn't happy about returning to that workplace regardless. Not sure what brought this up last night; I sure haven't been thinking about it, except that my current boss shares some quirks with that boss (though the current one isn't mental...quite).