Halloween 2005

Last night the hubby and I attended a halloween party.
He dressed as Napoleon, I as a butterfly.
Willy Wonka and an Oompa Loompa were there, as was the
whole Month Python crew and everyone from Gilligan's
Island and Scooby Doo. Nick, er, I mean Napoleon was
quite popular and even got out on the dance floor
to show off his signature moves.

Pumpkin Patch Outing

Last week we visited Marris Farms in Buckley..
We walked through the corn maze's and picked a pumpkin.
I especially liked the goat walk, and roasted corn,
this will likely be an annual fall traditional.

McDonald's

I generally eat at McDonalds maybe once a month. It just isn't my first choice when eating fast food. I am however very suseptible to gimmicks designed to draw in feeble minded idiots like myself. I now find myself eating more than my fair share of grilled chicken burgers every week in an attempt to win a prize in the Monopoly game.

I have amassed over 30 pieces, and now I am to the point that I only gain duplicates. I am frustrated and tired of eating McD's crap only to be dissapointed with each meal. I am addicted to the gambling nature of the game.

I am also playing the online version of McD's Monolpoly game, but doing no better there. The odds are likely better that I'll spontaneously turn into a frog overnight than that I'll win a car or money from McD's.

The online game is sooo rigged. I am peeved. Send your extra pieces my way, feed my addiction.

Showtime

Things are going pretty well at the Gottman lab, this week is moving time. The lab is moving from the U district in Seattle to downtown Seattle, not to far from the molten piece of crap we know as the EMP.

In any case, the prof I work with mentioned last night that Showtime may be sponsoring a 2 year study on none other than the topic of sex. I don't know what they want "us" to study and whether it will involve me, but if nothing else it will likely mean cameras around the lab.

As far as the other research being done on married hetrosexual couples, there isn't much to say, because I quickly learned I can not say anything, especially not here on the blog. I can not divulge the details re: the annoying couples, the mean ones, what they fight about, etc...

I wonder if I should even be posting about the Showtime thing.

Red Nose and Underoos

Today hasn't been one of my best days. While at work, I apparently got red ink on my hand after using an inky pen, then proceeded to wipe my nose leaving a large smudge/circle of red ink on the tip of my nose--no exaggeration, I looked like rudolph.

I didn't realize I had done this until walking into a co-workers cube, she said flatly, "why do you have red stuff on your nose?" I appreciate her honestly, some people just let you go the whole day looking like a fool.

Awhile back I purchase a couple pairs of colored pants from Nordstrom for $11. I must say, always being a skeptic, I was sure the pants were going to dye my legs colors--I figured there had to be a catch to $11 pants. Well, all seems good two weeks later--except the fact that they are more "low-risers" than I realized, I am having a hard time not sharing my under-roos with the workplace. Sigh.

Shakin' Things Up

I'm shaking things up with the blog, need a little break from the normal routine. Don't expect a dramatic (or probably even noticable) difference, but I will be posting about more "traditional to blog" topics, such as nothing--traffic, politics, my views on random people and the random things they do...

Blog Logo

Ok, so I've been meaning to give a shout out to the guy who created my blog's logo, but haven't gotten around to it (shame on me seeing as how it's probably been over a month I've been using his design) in any case, for the few readers I have that also maintain blogs--if you ever need a logo, Johnny Retail can do the job.

Visit his page, leave a comment with a description on what you are looking for and no doubt you'll receive a prompt and helpful reply.

Anniversary Ticker

This is a test. I'm wondering if this ticker is static or if it auto-updates daily, hourly, etc..
Shoot, the text isn't showing above because it is black and my background is black.

My Travels

Above is a map showing (in red) the states I've visited.. I haven't actually yet been to MA or NH, but will in a few days, so I marked them off, in advance.

Create your own personalized travel map.

Fire Drill

I hate fire drills. But I suppose I'd hate
being caught unprepared in a burning
building even more. Here's a picture of
my group outside the company parking garage.

Can we go back in the building yet?

I have to be Pedro

Ok, so the department here at work is entering a chilli cook-off and part of the tradition is picking a theme for your group and dressing up. Our group has chosen the name "Dynamite Chilli" for our recipe and we've got a Deb look alike, a Napoleon wannabe and an uncle Rico. We don't however, have anyone that'd be a good fit for Pedro--so your's truly got drafted.

So needless to say, I'll need to be finding ways of making myself appear less pale and less feminine. I have been searching for a "Pedro" wig and mustache, but the Halloween stores have all sold out.

What to do...

Girl's 2005 Wine Weekend

Pics from my wine tasting trip in Yakima, WA. Among many wineries we visited, Kiona, Eaton Hills, Willow Crest (or creek), BuckMasters, and many others.

In case you can't determine which one is me due to my ever changing hair--I am the one in the burgundy vest.

Busy Weekend

So, I was in Yakima over the weekend--tasting wine with the girlfriends. Just thought I would announce that in case I actually have one or two regular readers that noticed the lack of weekend posts...

Anyhoo... Hope your Monday is off to a good start. I may post pictures from the trip later.

Useless Advice

I asked a question of my blogging friend "Just Plain Useless" who is one of four self-proclaimed "Useless Men". He gave me an answer that was somewhat useless, but very funny. So I thought I'd post the question and answer here for your enjoyment.

Dear Useless Men,

Here is my question: Why is it that most bloggers feel the need to delineate that their blogs are a place for their random thoughts, isn't that understood? all blogs=random thoughts.

Thanks,
Beth

Dear Beth,

Oh ho ho, and woe to the uninitiated!

There aren't many different people on the planet, much less the internet. Five or six, total, to be nearly precise, or almost exact, depending on how you look at it.

A demonstration! You are walking down the street. It may not be a street. It may be a lane, or an avenue. It might even be a boulevard if you're feeling fancy. The point is, there you are, and you're walking down it. Or up it. Definitely not across it, unless you've looked both ways, and then given a third glance in the direction you looked in the first place just in case any traffic snuck up on you while you were attending to the other direction.

Suddenly, here comes your brother-in-law! Amazed to have randomly run into Josh at such an odd juncture (seeing how it is hypothetical and all, you consider showing up in hypothetical situations a character flaw, but refrain from mentioning it, as Josh is the melodramatic sort). You embrace him warmly and ask him how things are going! Josh looks at you, perplexed.

"Josh," you exclaim!

"It is I, the person who married your sibling!"

Then Josh says something curious, and all at once you realize he doesn't have the mole. You know, the one you can't help but look at it, and you know he sees you looking at it but he doesn't say anything because everyone he ever talks to just stares at it, and if he went around confronting everyone all the time then how would he have time for the finer things in life, like croquet?

So, no mole, no Josh. How can this be? The secret lies in the fact that due to genetics and science, there are only so many 'archetypes' of people scurrying around out there. This guy just happens to look a lot like your Josh and, given similar life experiences, based around the way he looks, he thinks and acts the same way too!What a lesson!

You bid farewell to this person, oddly contented, knowing you have learned a new thing about the universe, yet feeling strangely empty as you realize you're not as special as you once thought you were, and that you probably have over a thousand clones out there in the wild somewhere, too. A safe distance away, that's when Josh sighs with relief and breaks into a jog because, really, you're a total weirdo and he totally can't believe you just fell for that.

Sincerely,
Just Plain Useless

Nonsense Lyric of the Week

This one kind of breaks the mold. In that it is understandable, not crazy, but funny and goofy. I couldn't resist posting it as it made me laugh out loud.

Taken from "Gold Diggers" by Kanye West.

She was spose to buy ya shorty TYCO with ya money
She went to the doctor got lypo with ya money
She walkin around lookin like Michael with ya money
Should of got that insured, got GEICO for ya moneeey
If you aint no punk holla

We Want Prenup
WE WANT PRENUP!, Yeaah
It's something that you need to have
Cause when she leave yo ass she gone leave with half
18 years, 18 years
And on her 18th birthday he found out it wasn't his

Alphabetical Emails

Ever seen emails in an inbox collected alphabetically? Betcha haven't, huh? The idea came to me several weeks back and since then I've saved an email whose author's name started with "a", then "b", etc. In any case, within a few weeks I worked all the way to "n". Due to privacy concerns, I can not post the full shot of my inbox, but you get the idea.

Times Around the World

Here's a handy little resource should you be curious as to what time it is right now in say, Istanbul (7:16 this evening).

Nothing

The purpose of this post is nothing in particular. I promise to limit it to three paragraphs or so.

Ever realized that people only ask you how your weekend was on Monday? Try mixing things up at the office. Wait til Wednesday and strike up a conversation with a co-worker asking how their weekend was. No doubt you'll get a perplexed look as they wonder why you waited a whole two days to inquire. (note: this will only work if you avoid any weekend related chatter Monday and Tuesday)

I realized recently that ASAP doesn't mean what ASAP means. I mean, when one writes ASAP, it means, "give it to me now you procrastinating, unorganized creep." Where as, when one writes "As soon as possible" it conveys a much more courteous, considerate tone. I think I am going to discontinue the use of ASAP.

G is a rebellious letter. I noticed it is the most common source of pronunciation foibles. Apparently it experiences joy in seeing us flounder. Where did it get permission to slip itself into words like bologna, dough and cough without purpose? Take that as a lesson, don't be a "letter g" in life.

Saturday Celebrity Dish

Leah Remini was born June 15, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York. Her father, George Remini, is Italian and her mother, Vicki Marshall, is from Monoco.

Early in her career she starred as Charlie Briscoe, on the 1989 sitcom Living Dolls. She went on to play Stacey Carosi on several episodes of the sitcom Saved by the Bell and currently has a leading role in "The King of Queens" as Doug Heffernan's (Kevin James) wife, Carrie--a series that began in 1998. Kevin describes Leah as having "the mouth of a construction worker in the body of a model."

Unique facts about Leah--she has appeared in television advertisements for Quaker State motor oil and once was a telemarketer. She was married to singer Angelo Pagan on July 19, 2003; the wedding was featured in the February 2004 issue of InStyle magazine. Leah and Angelo have a daughter named Sophia Bella who was born on June 16, 2004 a day after Leah's 34th birthday.

Leah auditioned for the role of Monica on "Friends" and oddly enough shares the same birthday as Courtney Cox who was chosen for the role of Monica.

Friday Night Poetry Reading

Not all poems that I post are what I'd call award winners, many just simple. But diversity is key.

Cape Valley, 1995

She was caughtin the moment of Chardonnay,
passing through roomslike six o'clock sunlight,
bonded to Italian crystal
that kissed her madly.

She swayed over the sweetness
of teeth
and lips
and tongue tips,
and the currents
of pressed rivers
that travelled from her goblet
into her elegance of awkwardness.

Mina Hanley

It Figures

In dressing this morning I was at a loss as to what to wear with my new plaid pants. I shifted the hangers this way and that, looking for any neutral top whose style would cooperate with the pants. After rejecting a few possibilities I came upon a cream, long sleeved shirt and thought "oh, how nice, I forgot I had this.."

Now, sitting in my cube at work, it is all coming back to me as to why the shirt made it's way into the back of my closet. My thighs, and anything else that comes in contact with my arms for that matter, is covered in a thin layer of cream colored lint... Ugg, of course, this is my lot--bad karma.

And, on another note... I have like a hundred things to accomplish at work before the end of today, and wouldn't you know it I've already encountered two techincal difficulties that make it impossible to accomplish the 10 to-do's that have to be done before I can complete the other ninety.

Nonsense Lyric of the Week

I like this song, but still, weird it is.

Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy

Drop a heart, break a name
We're always sleeping in, and sleeping for the wrong team

We're going down, down in an earlier round
And Sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded god complex, cock it and pull it

We're going down, down in an earlier round
And Sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded god complex, cock it and pull it

I've Become a Celebrity

Amazingly the writers of Southpark came upon my blog, loved it and wanted to work me into a future episode--blogging is so hot right now, they say. On the left is their sketch of me which they've asked me to approve. Not bad I say. I told them I'd allow them to write about me if they'd agree to include my hubby Nick, in the episode also--below is the sketch of him they sent back...
They haven't yet released the script, which is concerning as I haven't actually seen an episode of South Park--but I hear the characters often say and do things that perhaps wouldn't be good for my image. I'll have to get my lawyer involved in all this. If you don't believe this story, phooey on you. Oh, and coincidently, I stumbled across a website that allows you to create a South Park character--how odd is that?

Gotta Love Dilbert

Saturday Celebrity Dish

Don Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November29th in 1964. Cheadle is an American actor who first became well-known for playing the district attorney on the television series Picket Fences. Since then he has appeared in films including Rosewood, The Family Man, Out of Sight, Traffic, and the 2001 version of Ocean's Eleven. These last three motion pictures were directed by Steven Soderbergh; who has said that Cheadle is one of his favorite actors to work with.

Cheadle was nominated for a 2005 Academy Award for his portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda, a story about a Hutu hotel manager in Rwanda who sheltered hundreds of Tutsis and other refugees from murderous militias during the Rwandan genocide in mid-1994. Cheadle most recently starred in Crash (along with several other actors), where the issues of racism and crime are woven throughout the movie.

Cheadle will soon make his directorial debut with the adaptation of Elmore Leonard's Tishomingo Blues.

Randsom Note Creator

I just found the neatest website, flickr. It allows you to create a letter that has the randsom note, cut-from-newspaper look without the scissors and papercuts! Check it out! This would've been awesome to have had access too awhile back when a co-worker and I devised a caper involving the 'napping of an unamed red and white rat.

Karate

Not many people know this, but I am a boxer at heart. I love perfecting a good punch. But I don't have much appreciation for kickboxing or other types of classes typically offered. So I thought I'd check out Karate, and while it doesn't involve punching per se, I figured I might enjoy learning how to perfect my posture and what-not. The class I observed this evening was pretty much abusive yoga--aggressive style... I really don't like yoga and I don't like being yelled at. Dissapointing. So I'm still on the look out for an outlet for my energy. I need to find a real boxing class.