Here I Go Again

I have a lot to say today apparently. Deal with it.

I just got done reading this woman's blog (it's not linked here so don't bother looking) and it was pretty interesting. First off, she's another person disillusioned with religion, namely Mormonism. I know next to nothing about Mormonism so I'm not going to attempt to comment about it but I did feel a kinship with her regarding how I feel about religion. However, what really made me do a double take was that she was ranting about her husband. That's something that I've totally avoided doing on my blog. Even if I weren't being stalked by people he works with and for, I still wouldn't do it. I don't think a public blog is the place to air your marital woes. There are basically two people that I complain to about my husband and it doesn't happen that often since we don't really argue too much. You can't go by these last three years because I don't count them. I remember back when we first got together and we were sitting together in a chair and my then-sister-in-law said that we should enjoy that while it lasts because eventually we won't want to sit next to each other. Is it any wonder her marriage didn't last? 11 years later and C and I still sit together on the couch or even in the chair if we're in the mood to squeeze our fat butts into the same recliner, lol.

Another reason why I wouldn't post our arguments online for strangers to read is that when we do argue it isn't over something dumb like money. It's over real issues that are totally nobody's business. Also, I think it would be a form of betrayal to my marriage and to C specifically to post about our problems online rather than go to him. Furthermore, I don't want advice from people that I don't know, lol.

So, climbing down off of my soapbox there is one reason in this world that would turn me to lesbianism: A woman sits on the toilet and doesn't pee all over the freaking bathroom. So, there.

Good Things

Sometimes, I can still be surprised by something about Vermont. Normally this time of year, our highs would be in the 30's and 40's or so and we'd have already had a good snow. So far, all we've had is a dusting of snow and it's currently sunny and 65 outside. It's a record high and it's completely gorgeous outside. I hauled my capri's out of the closet for the occasion, lol. Yeah, it's supposed to turn gross and snow, but you have to look at the positive and enjoy it occasionally.

Crazy Day

Yesterday was wild. The youngest child woke up with a stomach bug and was dog sick until about noon. If there is anything more heart wrenching than a sick child I don't know what it is. And she doesn't have enough meat on her bones to go an entire day without eating, lol.

Secondly, I got in my car yesterday morning as usual. When I tried adjusting my rear view mirror, it came off in my hand. It made me nutso driving around without my mirror but with a sick child, I didn't have time to get it fixed so that's on the agenda for today. Also, when the windshield dudes put it on, they positioned it too high and so my hand hits the roof of the car when I try to move it. Suffice it to say, it needs fixed.

Thirdly, I've had insomnia since we put the house on the market. I honestly can't remember the last time I got a good night's sleep. Now, on top of not being able to go to sleep and stay there, I'm having the weirdest dreams. And they're incredibly vivid too. I won't go into the details since I find relating dreams to be tedious, but it's strange to say the least. I wish they would stop.

Oh. And FedEx did quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever seen yesterday. We were expecting a delivery yesterday that contained something that was worth a substantial amount of money. And I'm talking substantial. I would say the amount but it seems like bragging and it's really nobody's business anyway but it was a-freaking-LOT. Did they knock on the door? Well, seeing as how I was home all day with a sick kid, I would have to say no. Did they leave it in the screen door or on the porch? Nope. They left it in a clear bag, swinging in the wind, from a nail on my mailbox. Can you believe that??? Hanging on the road where anyone could've taken it. Geez.

Now, it's about 7:45 in the am, I've been up for little over an hour and I'm ready for a nap. Insomnia sucks.

Did You See It Coming?

This is my Thanksgiving Day post. I know. I'm 2 days early but what I have to say should be reflected upon beforehand.

This holiday is probably the oldest American holiday. Seeing as how it's an observance of the infamous celebration between the Native Americans and the European colonists, who would later become known as the Pilgrims, I can't think of an older American tradition. Do we even know what we're celebrating anymore though? Children are still taught that the "Pilgrims" came over on the Mayflower in search of religious freedom. They met the "Indians" and shared with each other their various ways and traditions. I'm getting this from my kids and out of a book published in 1990. (I know. That's a while ago but it's writings are still shared and taught to U.S. children.) The European colonists actually came to America to establish shipping routes back to England for fish. The first Thanksgiving that was shared between them and the colonists was the first step that led to the decimation of Native Americans and their eventually been herded onto reservations. This certainly wasn't what I was taught in school but learned as an adult.

Now, I teach my own children that Thanksgiving is simply a gathering of family and friends for an elaborate dinner. I don't teach them the Pilgrims and Indians story since I think this would be hypocritical. I also set them straight from what they are taught every year at school.

If you stop and think about it, most American holidays are falsely celebrated. Christmas certainly has lost all meaning throughout the centuries. Today it is a contest to see who can beat whom out on Black Friday for the best deals and then to see who can stuff the most presents under the tree. Veterans Day is not a celebration of our nation's heroes but rather an opportunity to spout various political views and, at least in our town, to protest the military out in front of the recruiting offices. Easter. Come on!! The Easter bunny and Easter eggs are a complete and total slap in the face to the religious tenants of the day.

Is this a completely pessimistic view? Hell yeah it is and totally true! Do I feed into it? Hell yeah I do! My turkey is thawing in the fridge and I already have a plan set out for Friday. The amount of presents under our tree every year is shameful. Even the dog has a stocking. Then what the heck is my point here? There really isn't one since nobody is going to change their ways. I just think that it's important not to lie to our kids and ourselves about holidays and their true meanings. I also think that being a submarine religious type is hypocritical but again, that's another topic for another day.

Eat, drink, and be merry. Make a good wish on the bone, stuff yourself until you have to unbutton your pants, and then pass out in a tryptophan induced coma. That is what Thanksgiving is all about in my house.

Game Day

I have one thing to say today:

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

Oh. My. God

This confirms that people have absolutely lost their freaking minds and that we're surrounding by idiots.

1 Shot in Conn. Playstation Waiting Line
Friday, November 17, 2006 10:53 AM EST
The Associated Press

PUTNAM, Conn. (AP) — Two armed thugs tried to rob a line of people waiting for the new Playstation 3 game system to go on sale early Friday and shot a man who refused to give up his money, authorities said.

In other states, customers pushed and shoved their way to the shelves to get at the limited supply, and in Kentucky, four people were grazed by BBs fired from a passing vehicle as they waited for a Best Buy store to open.

The two gunman in Putnam confronted 15 to 20 people standing outside a Wal-Mart store shortly after 3 a.m. and demanded money, said State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance.

"One of the patrons resisted. That patron was shot," Vance said.

He said the two gunmen fled after shooting a 21-year-old Massachusetts man in the chest and shoulder. The victim was taken to University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. There was no immediate word on his condition.

Vance said police were searching for the suspects, both believed to be in their teens. He said one was wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun, and the other had what appeared to be a shotgun.

Aside from the police tape, things had returned to normal by midmorning at the Wal-Mart store in rural Putnam, a town of about 9,000 residents near the Massachusetts and Rhode Island borders.

Short supplies of the PS3 and strong demand led to lines of buyers, some waiting for days, outside stores across the country.

In Palmdale, Calif., authorities shut down a Super Wal-Mart after some shoppers got rowdy late Wednesday. In West Bend, Wis., a 19-year-old man was injured when he ran into a pole racing with 50 others for one of 10 spots outside a Wal-Mart.

In Lexington, Ky., someone fired BB pellets from a passing vehicle at people waiting outside a Best Buy store, according to WKYT, whose own reporter said she was among four people grazed while she interviewed buyers in line.

A Best Buy in Boston, aware it had only 140 of the consoles, got smart about the big sale — its employees gave out tickets to the first 140 people in line so everyone could go home until the store opened.

Sleepy

1 1/2 hours sleep is enough in one night, right? The wind was blowing and it was raining to beat all hell. It was absolutely the craziest weather. It was 66 degrees at midnight. In Vermont. In November. That is just unreal. It felt like a summer night. All this combined resulted in a bad night's sleep. This also means that my day is probably going to suck. I have several phone calls I have to make today none of which are going to make my life fun. The kids get out of school early today because of parent/teacher conferences which I have to attend for the oldest kid. Early days suck as do p/t conferences. It all sucks. And I'm obviously still in the same bad mood that I was last night.

But, it's Friday so things are bound to get better, right?

I'm Back. Again. For the Third Time Today

I'm annoyed. I posted a classified ad online for our house as a rental earlier tonight. I just went to check on my listing and there was some other schmuck that copied my posting almost WORD for FREAKING WORD only changing pertinent info like school district and town since their house is in Jay Peak and mine isn't. I am so completely peeved. C says I'm being petty but it wasn't his words that were copied. Although, most Vermonters that we've run across in our 2.8 years here haven't exhibited a normal level of intelligence let alone having a firm grasp of the English language. I suppose I should cut this idiotic moron some slack but couldn't resist replying to his listing with a scathing and sarcastic e-mail.

PEOPLE SUCK!!

And speaking of being petty, I wish someone could explain to me and draw a definitive line between being petty and letting yourself get walked all over. I'd really like to freaking know.

The Things You See

I was at the mall today and saw the most idiotic thing: Two guys, probably around the age of 20 or so, camped out in front of WalMart, tent and all, with a sign saying, "PS3". Yes. That's right. They were camping in front of the WalMart waiting for the release of the new PS3 tonight at midnight. What freaking morons. A.)If, for some odd reason, I decided to camp out on the cement in front of WalMart on a night where we're getting 50mph wind gusts, I certainly wouldn't admit why. And 2.) While walking in the mall entrance, I overheard one of their friends saying how they saw one of the guys' girlfriends getting into the car with another girl. If I were either one of their girlfriends, I'd be getting into the car of another guy while saying, "Get a life." This system is going to cost between $500 and $600. Can't we all think of something more worthwhile to be spending that kind of money on??? Maybe I'm finally at that point in my life where video games just aren't as life consuming as they used to be because it sounds completely ridiculous to me to spend $500+ on a damn game. JMO though.

I wish like heck that I'd had my camera on me cuz I sure as shoot would've taken a pic and posted it here, lmao. And yes! Our mall has a freaking WalMart in it. That's how special Vermont is. Don't be too jealous.

Two More Things

I e-mailed XM yesterday about the commercial thing and this was their response:

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, An arbitration panel recently ruled that Clear Channel has the right to include commercials on the music programming that it provides XM. Because of their early investment in XM, radio broadcasting company Clear Channel Communications provided programming for their music channels (KISS, Mix, Nashville, Sunny and WSIX), as well as content for select talk channels.

As a result, these channels will start to carry commercials this spring. At the same time, XM will add new commercial-free music channels of its own so that subscribers will see no reduction in the total number of commercial-free music channels.

So, I guess that answers that question.

Secondly, I decided to keep the picture blog private not that I've updated it recently or anything, lol. If you would like the link, e-mail me and I'll send it to you. I think, with the new Beta Blogger, in order to view this blog you would need a Google account which is free. I'm sorry if this is inconvenient for some, but I don't want strangers or people that I just don't like looking at personal photos.

Blogging, Blog, Blog, Bloggerson

I touched on this topic about a week ago, but didn't really get into the meat of it. Starting my blog three years ago and then becoming a regular reader of various other blogs has been a learning experience...A journey if you will. From the blogs I read on a regular basis, I've been able to notice a trend: You blog like hell the first few weeks, then you trickle off to posting once a week or so, then it goes down to once a month and then, sometimes, they stop posting altogether. I also have theories as to why this is so...

Some people, I think, just lose interest. It was fun at first like anything considered trendy and now they're over it. Some people just get too busy and can't find the time. These are understandable reasons in my opinion. And then you have Blogging Pressure. This should become a psychological term, I'm telling you. I've noticed that people start worrying about what people think of their blog and living up to some, imagined or otherwise, expectation that their readers have of them. A certain someone I know recently started a blog and they fell to Blogging Pressure after only two posts, lmao. They became too obsessed with finding something "interesting" to post and just stopped. True story. Another person I know, after having read their blog for quite some time, basically dropped off of the face of the Earth never to be heard from again after falling prey to Blogging Pressure. NDM, you know who you are, heheh.

I, on the other hand, could care less. If I worried about having interesting posts, I would have stopped years ago. When I post, I just say whatever happens to be on my mind at that moment. I'm having a conversation with whomever happens to stop by my blog that day. At least that's what I do now. When I first started out, my blog was private, meant for family and friends, and was about our daily family life. It was pretty boring and I have no idea why anyone stuck around. Now, since I made my blog public a few months back, I have regular readers that I don't know on a personal level which I have to admit is pretty cool. Do I cater to these people or anyone else?? No way. Do I worry every day that I'm being entertaining enough to keep people around? Nope. Do I expect my readers to agree with everything I have to say? Not in the least. In fact, I'd be disappointed if they did. I hate conformity more than I hate stalkers. Actually, stalkers aren't all bad so I'll say I hate conformity more than I hate...my neighbor's band. There, that's a good one. Conformists are also butt-kissers ya know.

I'm digress. My point, if I even have one, is that people should blog for themselves. Stop worrying so freaking much. Ya know? Aren't there bigger things to nurture your ulcers? Global warming, our corrupt government, that person behind you tail gaiting you because you're a freaking slow driver?? These are issues of concern, not if some random person thinks your blog is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. Oh. And don't become a freaking blog groupie. I hate that. People who follow someone's blog religiously and then, while their nose is plastered to the author's butt, comments on their brilliance as a writer on every single post, agrees with them on every single issue, and never let's the author know when they're overreacting and being an idiot. Dogs shouldn't be allowed in restaurants for any amount of time and for any reason. Maybe you can get away with this in L.A., but that's about it. Get over it. (There's an actual point to that.) Blogging shouldn't be a popularity contest for pete's sake. Are we still in high school here????

Go now. Blog forth. Be witty and wise and send me the link so I can check it out if I don't have it already.

Sheesh!

So, I've had nothing to say that past couple of days. Sunday, we went shopping which is always a good time but didn't really get anything interesting. The best thing about it was dinner out at Al's French Frys. YUM but very not good for you. That's why we hardly ever go there but sometimes you just can't resist. Know what I mean?

Yesterday was special however. Bob, my m-i-l's husband stopped in for dinner last night. He's here hunting bear but without much luck. Too bad he's not here for turkey because I've seen about 40 of them over the last two days in the field by our house. Anyway, we had a nice dinner and a nice visit.

Now, I'd like to rant for a minute if I may and I may because this is my blog. Most of you already know about my recent run-in with XM Radio. Well, I was listening to it this morning and on two different channels I heard two different commercials. One was for Proactive and the other was for some real estate thing. WTF?!?!!? I thought the whole freaking point of XM Radio was that there were no commercials and that you could get it anywhere since it's satellite. Neither of which seems to be the case anymore. We live in a mountainous region so our reception can be spotty at times and now with the commercials, I may as well be listening to the regular freaking radio for free. I am soooo NOT a happy customer. As a matter of fact, I'm checking out the XM website right now and this is what they say they offer:

Commercial free music playing each genre

Direct quote from their website. Is that or is that not false advertising, the freaks?

Oh! AND, I got a call this morning from the woman from the at the rental management company confirming our appt this morning. Ummm...That was last Tuesday you schlep. And then she was like, "Oh. I was wondering why we made that appt a week out." Yeah, you dope. We didn't. Then she has the nerve to ask if I would like to reschedule. Lmao. Yeah, right. I actually have another appointment in 15 minutes with another rental management company and then I have a showing scheduled tonight for 6, lol. No calls for a showing for a month and then the very week I plan on taking the house off the market, we get a call. Ironic, eh? So, I gotta get ready for my appointment. Till next time...

Customer Service Woes

I must have a higher standard when it comes to sales, customer service, and product quality than most people. I was infuriated by XM Radio, irritated by bad Chinese, and I refuse to shop at Walmart for a lot of reasons one being that they sell inferior products. Yesterday's experience with Jiffy Lube and Black Inc. Realty was no exception to me bringing out my measuring stick.

First off, I had set an appointment with Black Inc. for them to come out to the house so that we could discuss them managing it as a rental. The appointment was for 9:30 and they no show/no called me. These are the people that we had considered allowing them to watch our house, collect rents, and deal with any maintenance problems that should occur since checking on the house from N.C. on a regular basis would be impossible. Then they don't even bother to show for the appointment. This does not instill a feeling of security in me at all. How am I supposed to consider them to be reliable and at 12% of the rent we'd have to pay them monthly for their services?

Fast forward to yesterday afternoon when I took the 4Runner in for an oil change. I hit the Jiffy Lube as I was pressed for time. They had me in and out in less than 20 minutes complete with an oil change, new air filter, top off of the other fluids, air in the tires, vacuum the floors, and they even showed me how to reset the maintenance light and all for about $60.00. Now this is service. Am I wrong here?

This is what I expect from any place of business where I'm about to spend any amount of money. Not long-ass lines where I'm standing there for 20 minutes at one of two open lanes in a store (Walmart) that has 20-something check out lines, and not rubbery Chinese food, and not to be harassed via multiple phone calls from undereducated idiots.


I'm sorry to have such high standards but if I wanted to throw money away I'd flush it down the toilet myself. And by the way, Walmart could be a whole post unto itself but I'm not in the mood for a Walmart rant this morning.

A Disgusting Issue

Why am I choosing to discuss something disgusting this morning? Well, because I can. People tend to leave the disgusting issues alone all the while wondering about them. Decorum says that you shouldn't discuss disgusting issues in mixed company or just in public at all but I've never been one to allow society to dictate how I should behave. Hence why I also don't believe that children's sports shouldn't keep score, why you shouldn't cry if you don't get a gift bag at someone else's birthday party, and why I also think it's a little on the ridiculous side to make a child who is 8 years old still sit in a booster seat in the car. I happen to follow that last rule just because I don't want to have to pay a ticket if I were to ever get pulled over by the police.

So, what's my disgusting topic you're wondering? Musty nose. At least that's what C and I call it. You know what I'm talking about and I'm not referring to a wine connoisseur's term. I'm talking about that disgusting odor that sometimes manifests after somebody sneezes. What the heck is up with that?!?!?! And what causes it?? And it lingers worse than some other disgusting bodily odors that shall not be named in this post. I just don't know. I was watching Oprah a few weeks back, which is something else I usually avoid doing because of societal standards, but this was an interesting episode. She had a guest doctor on the show that was answering all the embarrassing questions that people are usually too afraid to ask. Why one would choose to do so on an internationally syndicated talk show is beyond my understanding but there ya go. Anyway, musty nose never came up. Everything else under the sun did, but not musty nose. And I know that this is an issue that a lot of people have because you can't hide it and I've been a witness to other people's mustiness.

There you go. My disgusting discussion topic of the day. I think I should make this a weekly feature for those of you too afraid to bring these things up in polite society.Hmmm...

New Management Does NOT Equal Better Management

I decided to try out what used to be our favorite Chinese restaurant for lunch today. It used to be the Dragon Phoenix when we first moved here and they had decent food at really great prices. Then, they got into some trouble for having an underage party in their back room and closed shortly thereafter, heheh. A few months back they reopened under new management and a new name (I can't remember what it is) so I thought I'd grab some take out and give it a try. It was baaaaaad! Over cooked and cold. Needless to say, I won't be going back and as we've tried another Chinese place in town here and they sucked too, I'll have to put my Chinese food cravings on hold until we move. I'm not willing to take any more chances.

I also drove by some new apartment buildings they're constructing in Montpelier. They look really nice but totally out of place since they're modern looking and everything else in Montpelier is Victorian. The contrast is really noticeable and the buildings look incongruous. I bet the rent is astronomical too.

Oh! And last night's new recipe was a huge hit with the whole family. It'll definitely be added to our list of faves. Fun, fun.

Weekends

You ever notice how weekends can seem like a refuge? It's a 2 day vacation away from the real world. The kids are out of school and most people have Saturday and Sunday off. It's time to spend with your kids and spouse as a family, time to go out with friends, time to do some leisurely shopping, or it can just be time to veg out with games or a book which is what I did. I'm reading Kathy Reichs' book, Cross Bones and after I finish that I'm going to read her latest, Break No Bones. Since I found out that the television series Bones is based on Reichs' books, I have become an avid fan. Forensic anthropology is actually very interesting. It would be worth a second look as a career if I could get past the smell and bugs that are involved with the dead. Maggots and the smell of putrid flesh really turn me off. Once, I bought a package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and when I opened them, they had turned and the smell was awful. This was about 4 years ago and I still can't stand the thought of trying to eat that variety of chicken. Also, I once bought a can of tuna fish and when I opened the can there were fish bones and scales in it. It was about 7 years before I ate tuna again, lol. That's just the way that I am and why I'm pretty sure I would have no future in any field of forensic science.

I also bought Dean Koontz's book, Odd Thomas. I've always liked his books but this series has really been getting him rave reviews and I can't wait to get it started. I've also ordered J.D. Robb's newest book which I think will be here sometime this week along with Nora Roberts' new Circle trilogy. I've read the first one and can't wait to read the last two. The 5 1/2 books I'm planning on reading should last me until the weekend, lol. Do you think a person can read too much? I've wondered that about myself. I think my books, however, are going to be a necessary way to lose myself in the coming weeks. I'm not the "Calgon! Take me away!" type of person. Give me a good book and I become totally absorbed. It annoys my kids and the hubby when they try to talk to me and I don't hear them though. Which doesn't bother me cuz I find it funny.
Now, I have to get the house straightened so that I can devote the rest of my day to finishing up Cross Bones.

Shhhh!

I have a horrible headache that has been ongoing for what is now three days. It is hindering my ability to think of something to post. I can't even think of anything else to say right now. So that's it. I'll be back to normal in, hopefully, a day or two. Later.

I Almost Forgot

This is the three year anniversary of my blog. Yup. Three years ago this November I started my blog as a way for friends and family to keep up with our relocation to Vermont. It has evolved somewhat over the years but you have to admit, it's still a blog. Hmm. I don't really know what else I would like to say on the subject. I just figured that keeping up with this for three years was sort of momentous and deserved some sort of recognition.

So, here's to me and the hope that I'll find something more interesting to say over the next three years and beyond!! Cheers!

Outrageous

If I've ever seen anything in poorer taste, I don't know what it would have been. This is the absolute, most disgusting thing I've ever seen. I've never had an opinion of Bill Maher one way or the other before this photo, but I can now see what a complete and total idiot, ass, moron, slimy, revolting piece of filth he really is. There is a special place in hell for him and may his karma get him fast and efficiently.