Gimpy

The fog comes on little cat feet.
It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.
~Carl Sandburg

It has been a while, and for that, I apologize. I have good news and bad. I shall start with the bad, so that my post ends on a good note.

I found out on Friday that one of my favorite teachers ever - a well-loved art teacher from middle school - died Thursday from a two year battle with cancer. He nicknamed me "Gimpy" because, well, I was always hurt. Really not much differently than now. During that time I had torn a ligament, gone to the hospital for a few days because I couldn't walk, ran into walls, cut myself, bruised myself, twisted things, became familiar with faceplants to the floor.

He was one of those way-cool teachers people loved to have - even if it was a little off-beat. Coolness is often off-beat, though. He made art fun - and he's one of the main reasons I still invest so much time into my artworks. He got mom and I both involved involunteering at the schools, though mom earlier and moreso than myself. He came to each and every one of my art competitions, and gave me guidance on how to better improve my skills. I was actually just thinking of calling him the other day, see how things were going, see if he wanted any help in the classroom while I had days off to do so and wasn't in school. You know, give back to the guy who gave me so much.

Now while only one or two of you even may have known him, it doesn't matter to me right now if those few of you who read this know or care. I need to explain, and keep it for myself. I graduated with his son, and I haven't seen him since graduation... and I'm sharply reminded of how delicate life is, and how quickly time moves us forward into the future. It was strange enough while being at Miami to think that I had graduated high school already - even stranger subbing at the high school now and not thinking that, well, I belong there. It is home, and the people are family. I could fill this blog with 'I wish'es and 'I shoulda's, but that'd only annoy you and depress the hell out of me. I wish I could have said goodbye. I wish I could have given back. I wish -

The list is endless, and it should be. Because it drives home, to me, that even when I'm having issues with my health, when I can't get the energy to drag myself out of bed, when I'm sick of being at work because I had a bad day... I can't take it for granted that the people I know are there with me. That I need to say what I feel or think or such when I think and feel it. That I need to tell people how I feel so that they always know where they stand with me. I have few enough people that I trust with everything to not give them that respect and knowledge. It's one of the reasons I always make an effort to tell both of my parents that I love them before we split ways - to sleep, to go to work, run errands. Though the likelihood of anything happening in that time is minimal - it can happen. Just over a year ago dad had a heart attack. What if he'd not survived it? There was no warning. So every night, before every trip in the car if others are home, we remind each other of the love. Because we never know.

"Success is blocked by concentrating on it and planning for it... Success is shy - it won't come out while you're watching."
-Tennessee Williams

That was the quote from my little day-by-day calendar for the weekend. Pretty fitting given my news.

So, I've pretty much resigned myself to reapplying to grad schools again... this fall. I mean come on. Crappy economy? Check. A non-4.0 GPA in college? Check. An intent to study military history? Check. Refusing to go if I don't have a full ride? Check. Competing against a HUGE increase in people applying to graduate schools? Double check. Yeah, prospects look... erm... great. Not.

Add to this getting a letter in the mail from UC (University of Cincinnati for those certain people that don't know.) Mom throws it at me. Not good news. It's like one sheet thick. Horrible news. Nothing good comes from colleges in one sheet. Ever. I found that out last year. (I learned a lot about applying to grad schools last year. And the resultant mailers.) Instead of pitching it like I intended - why do I want to look at another rejection letter? I have enough from last year - I opened it. I didn't apply to UC last year because the application date was different than I thought it was. SO I wanted to open it and see how they phrased rejections.

Note: Places like Uni of Tennesee? They don't sugarcoat it. And aren't too kind about it.. they rather come off as the opposite. Other places like to break it to you easy. (I like these types of places. I don't feel like such a complete failure.) Other's just tell you as it is without any spin on it. "I regret to inform you.."

We all know how these letters start. All rejections start in a similar fashion. Unless it's like job searching, where they just don't respond. That's also a pretty easy way to figure out you suck.

So imagine my suprise when my one-page letter mailed to me starts out: "I am pleased-"

Wait what? Pleased!?

"-to inform you that the Department of History has voted to admit you to the M.A. program in the fall quarter of this year and to offer you a Graduate Teaching Assistantship-"

Teach! I got my teaching assistantship!

"- [....], plus a University Graduate Scholarship. Assuming satisfactory academic progress, in the second year of the MA you will also be offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship..."

Now, I took out how much they're offering me - you can IM me if you want to know, it's better than what Louisville offered me last year for sure - but HOORAH! An assumed full ride (tuition plus fees, if I am correct) plus a stipened teaching assistantship?

If nothing else, I am going to grad school this fall. I'm waiting for all the other schools now, but I have at least a strong offer that will be hard to turn down. I can save so much money staying home and having free food, rent, and insurance. And I really don't feel safe living much closer to campus than I already do. It sure isn't Miami. But it offers me education, a job, and free tuition. And a purpose. And a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I like warm fuzzy feelings inside.

So that's that. The good, the bad, the ugly. And a bit of stuff in between.

Star Wars Quotes

Though not what I'd first intended when I made this post - I'd intended to talk about ice and snow - I decided to light on some Star Wars quotes. Why, do you ask? Well... mostly because of the one on Wookieepedia today. It cracked me up. And then I figured I'd post others that also amused me. I know, before I post this, that only one - or maybe two - people will get the quotes. Especially since they will be taken out of context and likely irrelevant for anyone who has not read the expanded universe in Star Wars. I shall put the books that the quotes were taken from if applicable (or known - I'm using wookieepedia to help me as I don't feel like typing them up myself) or some such reference. Basically, I plan to post several of the ones that make me laugh. Regardless if anyone else gets them. Becaue they make me happy. Sooo, enjoy, those of you who get the jokes!


--------------------

GM: "Jedi is your character class. You're sort of warriors with arcane abilities—"
Qui-Gon: "Like fighter/mages?"
GM: "—fighting for justice."
Obi-Wan: "Ah, paladins."
GM: "No. You draw upon the power of the Force—"
Qui-Gon: "The Force?"
GM: "The Force is an energy field—"
Obi-Wan: "Energy? But energy is force times distance."
Qui-Gon: "And 'power of the force' would be distance times the derivative with respect to time."
GM: "You're monks."
Qui-Gon: "Got it."
Obi-Wan: "But monks can't wield—"
Qui-Gon: "Shut up. He'll take away our laser swords!"
―Star Wars gaming session role-played in Darths & Droids


--------------------

Wedge: "Commander Wedge Antilles and Wraith Squadron reporting for duty, sir."
Han: "Welcome aboard Mon Remonda. Let's get the rest of your pilots in...so I can get out of this torture suit."
Wedge: "But, sir, I was just going to say how smart you looked in your uniform. I think we ought to stay here, in uniform, a couple of hours so the holographers can capture the image. You know, for the historians."
Han: "Wedge, I think I'm going to have you killed."
Wedge: "Yes, sir. I trust you'll wear your dress uniform for an event like that."
Han: "You know, I'd be the laughing stock of the New Republic if I ever brought up one of my officers on charges of insubordination."
Wedge: "Yes, sir, I was sort of counting on that."
― X-Wing: Iron Fist


--------------------

"Blackmoon Eleven, what did you think you were doing going after an entire squadron?"
"My job."
"That's 'My job, sir.'"
"My job, sir."
"Son, if you develop piloting skills in proportion to your nerve, someday they'll call you the greatest pilot of all time.... Blackmoon Eleven, are you still there?"
―Gavin Darklighter and (unbeknownst to Gavin) Wedge Antilles, Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand


--------------------

Celchu: "I've been reviewing engineering records and damage statistics."
Janson: "While we've been maneuvering?"
Celchu: "Restraining myself so you could keep up with me left me plenty of time for intellectual pursuits. I also composed a symphony and drafted a plan to bring peace to the galaxy. Anyway, without shields, these things come apart under any missile hit. But they're structurally tough, more so than X-wings, so they hang together after taking more collateral damage or laser hits. I'd like to see how much maneuverability they lose with a set of shields, hyperdrive, maybe a gunner's seat installed. If it's not too great a loss, we may have a viable fighter-bomber here, something useful in fleet actions against capital ships."
- X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar

--------------------

Darklighter: "Is there a problem here, Private?"
Trooper: "Sir, I tried to stop them, sir, but they said it would be okay to enter your office. They said you wouldn't mind."
Darklighter: "Did they? And did they say who they were?"
Trooper: "Just some old guys, sir."
Darklighter: "And you let them in there? Why didn't you stop them?"
Trooper: "I tried, but they took my blaster away from me."
Darklighter: "And your comlink?"
Trooper: "They took that, too. They told me to wait here for you, otherwise I'd be guilty of abandoning a post, sir."
*****
Darklighter: "He described you as 'two old guys.'"
Antilles: "No respect among the young anymore, is there, Tycho?"
Celchu: "None, Wedge, none at all. Probably the fault of the command staff."
Darklighter: "What are you two doing here?"
Antilles: "We heard from various sources that you're going to be going to war." We're too old to fly, but not to help out. You need us, you've got us."
Darklighter: "You may want to reconsider that offer. This isn't going to be pretty at all."
Celchu: "War never is, Gavin. Let's just hope, together, we can make it very short."
- Dark Tide I : Onslaught

--------------------

Wedge: "A noble of Cartann comes to you and says, 'I know we have no diplomatic relations yet, but I'm here to request asylum in the New Republic.' What do you say?"
Wes: "Is she good-looking?"
- X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar

--------------------

Wes: "Diplomacy means saying something soothing as you squeeze the trigger, right?"
- X-Wing : Starfighters of Adumar

--------------------

"They're just... different. Hand them an ordinary set of instructions and they'll carry them out in an ordinary fashion. Hand them an objective without instructions and they accomplish it some strange way. Like that whole fake Millennium Falcon ploy, and what Piggy was doing, and the data they got off Commenor's planetary computer net. I'm having a hard time anticipating them."
―Wedge Antilles to Wes Janson, X-Wing: Wraith Squadron

--------------------


"Pirates," Piggy said, interrupting. The Gamorrean settled into a stuffed chair situated between Janson's sofa and the bar, near Donos and Castin.

"Pirates to you, too," Phanan said. "Is that a new greeting? Something Gamorrean? 'Scabrous pirates to you this morning.' "

" 'And bleeding pirates to you.' " Face gave his wingman a formal bow.

- X-Wing series

--------------------

Wes: "Sure. It's simple. You're dead. I'm not. Let me demonstrate." He stood up on his bed, then began bouncing up and down. "Did you ever do this as a kid?"
Myn: "Of course."
Wes: "Did you ever do it as a grown-up?"
Myn: "Of course not."
Wes: "You say 'of course' a lot, and it's always wrong. Tell me, Myn. How do I look?"
Myn: "Well, stupid."
Wes: "Exactly! When was the last time you looked stupid?"
Myn: "I don't know."
Wes: "Try to understand this. I'll say it slowly. I want you to remember it for the rest of your life. You can't look dignified when you're having fun."
- X-wing: Solo Command

--------------------

Wedge: "Sithspit! What's that?"
Wes: "That's the sun, Wedge. It's after dawn."
Wedge: "Well, it offends me. Turn it off."
Wes: "It's a hundred thirty, hundred forty million klicks from here."
Wedge:"Go up in your X-wing and shoot it down for me."
- X-wing: Starfighters of Adumar

January Update

I figure I should go ahead and post again... I'm sorry I keep forgetting to. It's been hectic. You'll hear why.

1. Grad Apps (again) - they still suck to fill out. Grad school = good. Apps = bad.
2. Archivers - working just often enough to not be home, not enough to get full time benefits or a set schedule.
3. Subbing - I began substitute teaching at Mason, and am about to for Lakota and Kings. Meaning once I do, I'll balance four jobs.
4. Make that five jobs - still doing freelance this and that when I'm not subbing and working at Archivers and sleeping.
5. Planning the glitter takeover of Winnipeg. Why, do you ask? Because I know it'd annoy Leigh to get another glittery card. This time, it's glitter war.
5. Still getting Cris' Christmas stuff together *shifty eyes* I can't send it yet, because I keep finding stuff to send!
6. Getting sick - I've already gotten two bugs from Archivers. And not the cute crawly types. The make-you-sick types. The types I could live without.
7. Working manias at Archivers - so much fun, so very much work. That's why I get the added bonuses to do it I guess.


Speaking of Archivers/Mania stuff, I've gotten great reviews. That makes me a happy - if tired - person. Only thing I was told to improve on from last mania was... go ahead, laugh - to be louder. All but what, one or two of you have seen me in action. You know how quiet I am not. I've been a goalie, a referee (and now, a sub >.<), I am anything but quiet. My boss heard me across the store, over mania, and over the other customer chatter. She said I scared her I was so loud, each time I made announcements. We were both amazed that I was told to be louder, because I had people pleading with me to lower my voice. But if that's the only complaint, it's not bad. It really isn't. And I'm slowly learning the ropes. Which is nice. And I have some kick-ass co-workers that make the job fun. Of course, I come home covered in glitter and paper cuts. But if that's the worst your job does to you I guess it's not that bad. :)

Got some sweet stuff at Christmas. New to-go pocket camera. Awesome books. Etc.

My ratties are being sweet little angels still, and my gerbils are as well.

My hands are covered in bandaids to keep from re-cutting my fingers with the paper.

Still planning the glitter revolt. Have some awesome plans in mind.

Cris is in Mexico, so I wish her a very safe trip back to Texas later this week.

And with that, adieu!

Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad! Frohe Weihnachten!

Well, ladies and gentlemen - as few as you are that read this - I sent out my Christmas Cards - BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I know, this is usually late for most people (like, four days before the date) but if any of you have come to graduation or such, you just KNOW how horrible I am at getting things out in time for anything. Heck, for my birthday (9/17) the thank yous weren't written and sent out till... Halloween. So the fact I had these sent out in a 'timely' fashion is pretty good for me. If not for the normal person.

I get to open Cris' present tonight. This makes me super excited - I've not been able to have a Christmas Eve present opening in several years (only time I can is if it's been sent to me - family-to-family presents are ONLY opened on Christmas). My aunt hasn't sent me a physical gift for a while - and no I'm not complaining, just stating the facts - and hers was always my Christmas Eve gift so I could call her in LA on Christmas Eve and wish her a Merry Christmas.

So we won't have a White Christmas tomorrow, but I did get something - as un-wintery as it is - that made me happy today : a huge rain shower. Been pouring rain - made for an amazing day to sleep in and listen to it pound against my window. I love rain. Absolutely love it. Black ice due to freezing rain (like yesterday after work), not so much. Went skidding through the roads a few times - was not a fun experience.

Since I'll be in KY tomorrow for Christmas, I figure I'll post a good, accurate account of Christmas. ;) Ladies and gentlemen, I present: Jeff Foxworthy's 12 Days of Christmas:




And now, for a bedtime story.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas:
A Christmas Tail, from my furry friends

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;


Gus & Wes

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;



And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,



When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.


Corydon

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.



The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,



When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,


L-R: Corydon, Teagan, Shiloh

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.


Santa Maus

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;


Jasmine

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!


Molly

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"


Molly

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,



So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.


Shiloh

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.



As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.



He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;



A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.


Teagan

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!


Teagan

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;



The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;



He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.


George

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;


Khan

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;



He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,



And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;



He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.



But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."



Happy holidays, everyone, from my family to yours!

Furry Love,
Molly, Jasmine, Khan, George, Wes, Gus, Teagan, Shiloh, & Corydon

Be Jealous

I have taco dip.

You don't.

Be jealous. Be very jealous.

Though a party would have been more fun than just having a batch of taco dip.

But taco dip is still worthy of jealous. Right, Beth? ;)

Wierd Al-ness

Weird Al Songs - the first is a music video, the second is just the music (someone else made up a vid. not that great.) In tribute to Cristina. ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Amm3UuZ0k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di1guIh3H1k


Other various YouTube Videos:




Love Story - Taylor Swift
Okay, so, she isn't often someone I like. But... Romeo and Juliet! And Medieval! And Renaissance! And dance! And and and... I just saw the music vid today; pretty sweet for a history person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXKAzgBMWxc


This one is the live CMA Awards show. I didn't see it on TV, but I heard about the 'stupidness' of it from my uncle... so I had to look. Such gorgeous 18th Century dance by the extras!

Thanksgiving

It has been brought to my attention that I have not posted recently. I apologize.

News updates: I got hired today! I have orientation starting Dec. 4th. I'll be working at Archivers, which is a scrapbooking store. It's a part time job, and lousy pay, but a great working environment - clean, safe, friendly, bright, etc. I'm very excited for it. I will also be trained as an instructor for scrapbooking classes, because they asked me to during the interview. Hadn't planned on it, but they said I had the right personality and temperment to teach, and they thought I would be an excellent instructor.

I have one rat named Teagan, who is absolutely adorable. She's a dumbo rat, meaning her ears are on the side of her head, and she's a very funny color - neither grey nor brown, but a combination depending on the light. With the way it shifts, if you pet her, it looks like you're petting aluminum or something. Some sort of metal.

I have two other ratties... that I'm currently trying to decide what to do with. I don't want to return them, becasue they'll be feeders, but Teagan hates their guts. And I don't have the room or the patience to have two rat tanks. So we shall see what I decide to do.

I've been doing a lot of freelance stuff - web design, content writing, marketing writing, writing of any and all sorts, photography. Ain't paying the bills.

I will have a substitute teaching license in a month or so, sooo by January I should also be subbing at local schools.

I am currently writing apps up again for graduate school, we'll see if this year is more successful into getting into schools... that ALSO pay me to go. I did get into two last year. But by time they offered me stuff, it wasn't economical.

So, for the rest of the blog (unless I change my mind by then) will be about Thanksgiving. Which is tomorrow... or today... or yesterday... by time you read it. Everything I'm using is from an email I got from Natorp's weekly newsletter, "In the Garden". Therefore, I did not write any of this, and the quips and blurbs came from the email written by Ron Wilson. So enjoy!

~*~*~*~*~*~

'Twas the Night of Thanksgiving

-'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep. I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep. The leftovers beckoned, the dark meat and white, but I fought the temptation with all of my might.

-Tossing and turning with anticipation, the thought of a snack became infatuation. So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door, and gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.

-I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes, pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes. I felt myself swelling so plump and so round, till all of a sudden I rose off the ground!

-I crashed thru the ceiling, floating into the sky, with a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie. But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees, "Happy eating to all, pass the cranberries please!"

*****

Thanksgiving Forecast - Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an afternoon high near 190 degrees. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder. During the late afternoon and evening, the cold front of a knife will slice thru the turkey, causing an accumulation of one to two inches on the plate. Mashed potatoes will drift across one side while cranberry sauce creates slippery spots on the other. Please pass the gravy. A weight watch and indigestion warning will have been issued for the entire area, with increased stuffiness around the beltway. During the evening, the turkey will diminish and taper off to leftovers, dropping to a low of 39 degrees in the refrigerator. Looking ahead to Friday and Saturday, high pressure to eat sandwiches will be established. Flurries of leftovers can be expected both days with a 50% chance of scattered soup late in the day. We expect a warming trend where soup develops. By early next week, eating pressure will be low as the only wish left will be the bone.

*****

~ Pardon me! Each year, the National Turkey Foundation presents the President of the United States with a live turkey and two dressed turkeys. This has become a traditional holiday ritual, signaling the unofficial beginning of the holiday season, and a chance for the President to reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving. By the way, the President pardons the live turkey and allows the bird to retire on a historical farm to live out the rest of its years

~ Groovy - the stuff hippies put on their mashed potatoes.

~ Turkeys have a persecution complex. You would too if you were cut to pieces, have the stuffing knocked out of you, and get picked on for days after Thanksgiving.

~ Don't take a turkey to church. They use such fowl language!

~ If government officials talk turkey, can we say they speak "gobbledygook"?

~ You know you went nuts at Thanksgiving if the paramedics have to bring in the Jaws of Life to pry you out of the Lazy Boy recliner. Or, if representatives from the Butterball Hall of Fame called you twice.

~ Did you know this about turkeys:
..... that their heads change colors when they become excited?
..... that the heaviest turkey on record weighed 86 pounds?
..... that June is National Turkey Lover's month?
..... that Big Bird's costume is made from turkey feathers?
..... that turkeys have great hearing but no external ears? They see in color, have excellent vision (270 degree field of vision), have a poor sense of smell but an excellent sense of taste!
..... that it takes about 80 pounds of feed to raise one 30 pound turkey?

~ Historically in England, swans, peacocks and cranes were roasted for special occasions. Charles Dickens changed all that thanks to "The Christmas Story" (serving turkey for Christmas dinner.)

~ The top 5 most popular ways to serve leftover Thanskgiving turkey: sandwiches, soup or stew, casserole, stri-fry, and salad.

~ Turkey is the most often prepared sandwich year-round.

~ The tradition of the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving (1621) is full of myth and legend. As best our records can tell us, the original Thanksgiving menu included venison, fowl (probably not turkey), fish and seafood, grains (cornmeal / fried bread, etc), fruits (which included boiled pumpkins), vegetables, nuts and herbs and seasonings. A bit different from today's menu, don't you think?

*****

And to end it all, a quip also from the newsletter I got - but a good blessing nonetheless!

May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey be plump, may your potatoes and gravy have never a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs!

Website Review

Rarely do I find a website review request to be this interesting, but last night, I found one that was pretty cool and worth mentioning. The website address is Acobox.com, and is meant to help bloggers – like you and me – add pictures to our blogs without the hassle of looking through our files or the internet, uploading them, sizing them, etc. Instead, you go to this site and look at pictures already on the site to see which ones you want, then simply hit CTRL+V to add the image. Unfortunately, I spent close to an hour this morning trying to figure this out.

Being a brand new website, it does not seem to be completely compatible with FireFox yet. I ended up having to use Internet Explorer to make this program work correctly – but when it worked, it worked well. I could not get the images to copy over to FireFox at all. A few other problems I had with it included the welcome email going straight to my Yahoo! spam account, which, unfortunately, deletes all spam immediately. I had to do several password resets and take off the spam filter for my password to come through, making it possible for me to login. I still have not been able to see what the welcome email said. When you sign up, too, the text is a bit small and a shade of grey, making it rather difficult to read when casually sitting at the computer.

The pictures this site offers are amazing, however. Bright, vibrant, clear – I love them! They really are a great addition to a blog, without having to do a lot of work to insert them. However, also being a photographer, I have no desire to add to the picture collection at Acobox, due to the fact that I would rather enter the pictures into competitions or get paid for them than to make them public domain pictures of any sort.

All in all, though, it is a pretty cool site. Besides the photographer’s side of my problem, the rest of the issues were merely quirks that I am sure will be worked out soon. I highly recommend it, even if I do need to use Internet Explorer to make it work. It is a breeze to use, once I figured it out. If nothing else, check it out for the breathtaking scenery that has been uploaded to the site!

Politics

First off, during my attempt at getting as sub license, I have discovered something. My fingerprints are unreadable. When the lady jokingly asked if I'd robbed a bank lately, I commented, "Of course, just left there. Could I get fingerprinted, please?" I think that made her day. Unfortunately it's becoming a pain when I can't even get my prints taken.

On a different note, Steph is an Angel. A true angel. And that's not me sucking up to her. She got me a job as a freelance writer, and although it doesn't pay much, it's paying a LOT more than nothing. And she sent one of her customers my way when she had too much to do, so now I have two people that are asking me to do a lot of their orders. One's on jeeps (which, she also sent my way)! If you want to keep a log of what info I've been writing, just ask me for the site. When I started, it was all in latin. You know, that basic filler crap they put in web templates. So now I'm taking care of that problem. ^_^ Perhaps not the BEST work ever, given that I'm doing assignments pretty fast, but still decent I think.

And now for the title of my post: politics. I will be SO very happy when this election is over. I found this while searching the web. The link I got it from is http://wrightrepublican.blogspot.com . It pretty much sums up how I feel about it all. I lose either way I vote.

Anyways, enjoy this satire:

GOP vs Dems

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe I have a right to government protection without paying for it.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe government’s authority is more important than my privacy.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're good people.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because when we pull out of Iraq, I want the U. S. Army to invade Iran.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because air pollution and high gasoline prices are no big deal.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I'm not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because women should have no choice about being pregnant, and keeping thousands of people on death row makes more sense than life without parole.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as Government sees fit.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe business should be allowed to make unlimited profits at the expense of everybody else and hide their money in offshore banks while I pay the taxes.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I believe three or four pointy headed elitist liberals need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe a do-nothing Congress is better than progress.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I don't believe that when the terrorists don't have to hide from us over there, they will come over here and I won't have any guns in the house to fight them off with.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe my kids are safer if my neighbors send their kids to school with shotguns.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I love the fact that I can now marry whatever I want. I've decided to marry my horse.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe I have a God-given right to tell other people who they should marry and not marry.

Dem: I’m voting Democrat, because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn't.

GOP: I’m voting Republican, because I believe oil companies' profits should be supplemented by government tax breaks.

GOP: Makes ya wonder why anyone would EVER vote Democrat, now doesn't it?

Dem: Makes ya wonder why anyone would EVER vote Republican, now doesn't it?

As Time Goes By - Frank Sinatra

GOOD NEWS! Gus is doing MUCH better today, after I spent all evening and night last night getting him to drink his vitamins, and then got up every couple of hours during the night to check on him and coax him into taking more meds for me. He's not 100% yet, but his eyes are open and bright again, his fur isn't all mussed up, he's walking mostly normal, and is eating again.

YAYYYY! Yay yay yay! My buddy is going to be okay!

Yay!

Now, for something I rarely do: post one of these suckers as I have below. I did it for kicks, and ended up finding some very amusing answers. Some of which I may not live down, even. >.< Anyways, I didn't cheat, which I am beginning to wish I had...



~*~*~*~*~*~


I can’t believe I’m doing this… but I am. And some of them either make no sense or are completely ridiculous. Oftentimes both. I’ll post snippets of the song (or perhaps whole sets of lyrics, depending) at the end of the post, after the questions have been all answered.

RULES
1. Put your music player (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.) on SHUFFLE.

2. For each question, press the NEXT button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.

4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

5. Post it.

(PS - I am now tagging everyone who reads this. :P Feel free to just reply via comments or your blog. I'm nosy and want to see what everyone else came up with!)



1.If someone says, "Is this okay?", you say?
Finland / Fisch Slapping Dance – Spamalot
[Yeah…. Yeah I can see myself doing this.]

2.How would you describe yourself?
Listen People – Hermans Hermits

3.What do you like in a member of the opposite sex?
Arizona – Paul Revere and the Raiders

4.How do you feel today?
Rocky Road to Dublin / Kid on the Mountain – Gaelic Storm

5.What is your life's purpose?
Rhythm of the Night – Valeria ; Moulin Rouge
[>.<; Really? Did this REALLY have to be the one to pop up?]

6.What is your motto?
All Right Now – Free

7.What do your friends think of you?
Hogwart’s March – Patrick Doyle
[instrumental]

8.What do you think of your parents?
I’m Gonna Miss Her – Brad Paisley
[erm… eh? Perhaps referring that they want me out of the house?]

9.What do you think about very often?
Up Around the Bend – Creedence Clearwater Revival

10.What is 2 + 2?
Summer Girl – Jessica Andrews

11.What do you think of your best friend?
Awful, Beautiful Life – Darryl Worley
[ :-S ]

12.What do you think of the person you like?
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
[NO! I do not think that!]

13.What is your life story?
Was That My Life? – Jo Dee Messina
[Unfortunately, too true… especially these last few years.]

14.What do you want to be when you grow up?
Christmas Canon – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
[I want to be a child choir singer? I want to join TSO? Though that would be fun. I want to be an eternally awesome Christmas song?]

15.What will you dance at your wedding?
Boadica – Enya
[instrumental – how appropriate! About a historical celtic warrior queen, instrumental, perfect for a wedding! And decently easy to dance to!]

16.What will they play at your funeral?
In The Year 2525 – Zager and Evans
[Also sadly fitting and appropriate, I’d guess. Especially if this 2012 end of the world thing comes to pass… I suggest you read the lyrics. Pretty cool, and creepy.]

17.What is your hobby/interest?
Dixie Land Delight – Alabama
[I do love visiting the Smokies and southern places…]

18.What is your biggest fear?
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
[O.o; I’m terrified of being a British Sailor with nothing better to do? ]

19.What is your biggest secret?
Dueling Banjos – Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
[{Instrumental} YES! I CAN play the banjo! *shifty eyes* Air banjo that is.]

20.What do you think of your friends?
There Goes My Life – Kenny Chesney
[Erm… sorry? 0.o]

21.What will you post this as?
As Time Goes By – Frank Sinatra
[Very suiting.]

22.What's your favorite song?
We Danced – Brad Paisley
[Definitely an awesome song.]





Quips:


1. Finland / Fisch Slapping Song
Schlip! Schlap!
Schlip-a-schlap-a vay
Schlip! Schlap!
Schlap away all day


2. Listen People
And don't you know that,
Everybodies got to lose somebody sometime
But everybody can part
Everybodies got to lose somebody sometime
So take care, that you don't lose your heart


3. Arizona
And you can believe in Robin Hood and brotherhood
And rolling the ball in the hay
And I will be reading you an Aesop´s fable
Anything to make you stay


4. Rocky Road to Dublin
The boys of Liverpool,
When we safely landed, Called meself a fool;
I could no longer stand it; Blood began to boil,
Temper I was losin', Poor old Erin's isle
They began abusin', "Hurrah me soul," says I,
My shillelagh fly; Some Galway boys were by,
Saw I was a hobblin', Then with a loud hurray!,
They joined in the affray. Soon we quickly cleared the way,
For the rocky road to Dublin.


5. Rhythm of the Night
When it feels like
the world is on your shoulders
and all of the madness
has got you goin crazy


6. All Right Now
There she stood in the street
Smiling from her head to her feet
I said "Hey, what is this"
Now baby, maybe she's in need of a kiss
I said " Hey, what's your name baby"
maybe we can see things the same
Now don't you wait or hesitate
Let's move before they raise the parking rent


7. Hogwart’s March [instrumental]


8. I’m Gonna Miss Her

Well I'm gonna miss her
When I get home
But right now I'm on this lakeshore
And I'm sittin' in the sun
I'm sure it'll hit me
When I walk through that door tonight
That I'm gonna miss her
Oh, lookie there, I've got a bite


9. Up Around the Bend
You can ponder perpetual motion,
Fix your mind on a crystal day,
Always time for a good conversation,
There's an ear for what you say.


10. Summer Girl
('Cause) I'm just a summer girl
I wear my flip flops
When I let my hair down
(That's when the party starts)


11. Awful Beautiful Life
I love this crazy, tragic,
Sometimes almost magic,
Awful, beautful life


12. Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they say, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early.


13. Was That My Life
I don't want to be the one who's old before their time,
And lose the wonder that I felt as a child.
I can't run this race believing I might lose;
There's still so much to see, and so much left to do.
Yes, I'll fall before I fly,
But no one can say I never tried.


14. Christmas Canon
This dream
He had
Each child
Still knows
We are waiting
We have not forgotten


15. Boadica [instrumental]


16. In The Year 2525
Now it's been 10,000 years
Man has cried a billion tears
For what he never knew
Now man's reign is through
But through the eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away
Maybe it's only yesterday


17. Dixie Land Delight
Rollin down a backwoods
Tennessee byway,
One arm on the wheel,
Holdin’ my lover
With the other
A sweet, soft, southern thrill.
Worked hard all week;
Got a little jingle
On a Tennessee Saturday night.
Couldn’t feel better
I’m together
With my Dixieland Delight.


18. Bohemian Rhapsody
Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality.
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see-
I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy-
Because I’m easy come, easy go,
A little high, little low,
Anyway the wind blows, doesn’t really matter to me,
To me…


19. Dueling Banjos [instrumental]


20. There Goes My Life
He smiles.....
There goes my life.
There goes my future, my everything.
I love you, daddy good-night.
There goes my life.


21. Time Goes By
It’s still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by


22. We Danced
And we danced
Out there on that empty hardwood floor
The chairs up and the lights turned way down low
The music played, we held each other close
And we danced




(Bohemian Rhapsody YouTube Video – in response to above)