Why is it that everyone has to blame someone else for everything that happens in this world? Are we so tightly wound that we need to place blame for every occurance in our lives before we can feel that we've acheived justice?
Here are some excerpts from an AP story:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered ice, water and packaged meals Wednesday to residents who rode out the storm, but some officials in hard-hit areas criticized the agency's response..."I don't know what could have been done better since the materials were in place before the hurricane. We're doing everything we can to get water and ice to whomever remains."...He said it was difficult for many residents, trapped behind miles of downed trees, to get medical care, food or water....Some rural residents said they felt forgotten after the storm..."They are still stuck on Katrina, and Rita's done some hellacious damage up in these woods."
If you don't want to be forgotten then GET OUT. I'm pretty sure they made an effort to get you to leave BEFORE the storm, but you were too stubborn to leave your house. You know what, it's your own fault!
This week's other headlines:
Brown Blames La. Governor, N.O. Mayor
Ex-FEMA Director Brown Blames Others
Former FEMA Director Brown blames 'dysfunctional Louisiana' for Katrina response
I'm possibly ultra-sensitive to this issue today because yesterday I spelled Jordan wrong on my newsletter that goes to around 2,000 people a week. Everyone in this office was exceptionally quick to point out that the blame was mine. Others were equally quick to suggest I fix the error, which makes me laugh since it's an email. What exactly do you want me to do? Travel back in time? My boss asked me "what happened?" this morning, not to blame me for it, but to understand the process leading up to the error so he could properly "disperse the blame elsewhere".
The whole blame game is just unbelievable to me. I am adult enough to accept the fact that I committed this majorly erroneous typo (it's one fricken letter!). Why must we point fingers at others to cover up for our own role in something? I'm not saying that others were not equally at fault for the error (after all, I'm only the content editor, not the copy editor or proofreader), I'm just saying that when something like this occurs, why can we not learn from the error or mistake and move forward with that knowledge instead of blaming everyone and pointing fingers and denying responsiblity.
Are we that insecure?
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Word of the Day: Halcyon (or is it VPL??)
halcyon \HAL-see-uhn\, noun:
adjective:
1. Calm; quiet; peaceful; undisturbed; happy; as, "deep, halcyon repose."
2. Marked by peace and prosperity; as, "halcyon years."
September has been the fastest month in history. I blink and it's over. In fact, I don't even remember it. What did I do yesterday? I am all of the above right now. Just happy and calm and quite and peaceful. Life couldn't be better. What more is there to say really? The word of the day always manages to say it all.
The only topic I heard worth discussing today (and just barely at that) was from the Gene Weingarten chat on the Washington Post. When I get really bored at work, I tend to spent the entire day reading the chats. Click, submit, click, scan chat, click, submit. If you work with me, you fully understand that statement.
...Anyway, this is a topic that is regularly discussed on Gene's chat. Here is a post from today:
Arlington, Va.: This question is posed by a woman who (of course) spent years trying to avoid VPL only to find out men actually like it. How has the increasing prevalence of thong underwear among young(er) women affected the VPL phenomenon? Are you guys disappointed? Or do the low slung pants with visible thong strap still work for you?
Gene Weingarten: It's a demonic development. A disaster.
One of my biggest pet peeves is the visibility of underwear lines on women. It looks ugly and almost embarrassing at times because it pushes fat in directions it shouldn't be pushed. Why do men find this attractive? It bunches, it gets all uneven, and then women end up picking it out of their a** all day. How, JUST HOW, is that attractive? I understand that I do not have the mind of a man, so I shouldn't presume to *know* why, or even be ABLE to know why, even if I'm told flat out, but the way I see it is, if you detect the fact that there is no vpl, are you not more curious as to whether the woman is wearing them at all, or perhaps wonder more what they may look like? If you see vpl, you can pretty much assume they're ugly granny panties, can't you? Ew. I'd rather date a woman who wears a thong than granny underwear -- lines or no lines -- anyday. Am I wrong in my thinking?
adjective:
1. Calm; quiet; peaceful; undisturbed; happy; as, "deep, halcyon repose."
2. Marked by peace and prosperity; as, "halcyon years."
September has been the fastest month in history. I blink and it's over. In fact, I don't even remember it. What did I do yesterday? I am all of the above right now. Just happy and calm and quite and peaceful. Life couldn't be better. What more is there to say really? The word of the day always manages to say it all.
The only topic I heard worth discussing today (and just barely at that) was from the Gene Weingarten chat on the Washington Post. When I get really bored at work, I tend to spent the entire day reading the chats. Click, submit, click, scan chat, click, submit. If you work with me, you fully understand that statement.
...Anyway, this is a topic that is regularly discussed on Gene's chat. Here is a post from today:
Arlington, Va.: This question is posed by a woman who (of course) spent years trying to avoid VPL only to find out men actually like it. How has the increasing prevalence of thong underwear among young(er) women affected the VPL phenomenon? Are you guys disappointed? Or do the low slung pants with visible thong strap still work for you?
Gene Weingarten: It's a demonic development. A disaster.
One of my biggest pet peeves is the visibility of underwear lines on women. It looks ugly and almost embarrassing at times because it pushes fat in directions it shouldn't be pushed. Why do men find this attractive? It bunches, it gets all uneven, and then women end up picking it out of their a** all day. How, JUST HOW, is that attractive? I understand that I do not have the mind of a man, so I shouldn't presume to *know* why, or even be ABLE to know why, even if I'm told flat out, but the way I see it is, if you detect the fact that there is no vpl, are you not more curious as to whether the woman is wearing them at all, or perhaps wonder more what they may look like? If you see vpl, you can pretty much assume they're ugly granny panties, can't you? Ew. I'd rather date a woman who wears a thong than granny underwear -- lines or no lines -- anyday. Am I wrong in my thinking?
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Word of the Weekend: Busy
The National Book Festival was awesome, even though the schedule was pretty tight. I couldn't get to everything I wanted to see because there WASN'T ENOUGH TIME!! I wanted to see:
Unfortunately, you couldn't feasibly get from the reading to the signing in enough time to actually get the $30 hardback book you bought after standing in the 45 minute line at the Sales Tent signed by the author. I wanted to get a book signed by Irving, because he's my favorite author, but he refused to sign any book other than the hardback of his new book. He wouldn't sign my beloved copy of Widow for One Year! I did, however, manage to get Sue Monk Kidd's signature. And a whole lot of inspiration. So it was well worth it.
After the book festival, I went to a concert at the 930 Club where my coworker Steve's band, Trip Lizard, was playing. I've never been to the 930 Club for an underage show and let me tell ya, there were plenty of 16-year-olds there. I was young once, yes, but I was never a 16-year-old slut. Who gave these girls permission to leave the house looking like cheap whores? Are they dressing for 16-year-old boys or are they trying to impress older guys? Either way seems like a losing endeavor.
Sunday I spent six hours at ESPN zone with my friend Kim watching the Steelers game on the big screen with three guys we didn't know. At half-time we discussed the bizarre fact that none of us had ever been on a date on Monday. Is there a reason why people don't date on Mondays? I have never spent six hours watching football before. The guys we were with had been there all day. OMG. FOOTBALL OVERLOAD. The Steelers lost, but it was great fun anyway. (Right Kim? Sorry your team lost!!!)
Other things I did this weekend: attended a sleepover with my bible study girls, won Clue Master Detective: Mrs. White in the Billards Room with the POISON. Hung out at a cool U St. pub called Saloon, hid 2 geocaches and found 3, had my condo appraised for $50K more than I bought it for and watched a movie. Crazy busy weekend.
John Irving  | David Baldacci  | and Sue Monk Kidd  |
Unfortunately, you couldn't feasibly get from the reading to the signing in enough time to actually get the $30 hardback book you bought after standing in the 45 minute line at the Sales Tent signed by the author. I wanted to get a book signed by Irving, because he's my favorite author, but he refused to sign any book other than the hardback of his new book. He wouldn't sign my beloved copy of Widow for One Year! I did, however, manage to get Sue Monk Kidd's signature. And a whole lot of inspiration. So it was well worth it.
After the book festival, I went to a concert at the 930 Club where my coworker Steve's band, Trip Lizard, was playing. I've never been to the 930 Club for an underage show and let me tell ya, there were plenty of 16-year-olds there. I was young once, yes, but I was never a 16-year-old slut. Who gave these girls permission to leave the house looking like cheap whores? Are they dressing for 16-year-old boys or are they trying to impress older guys? Either way seems like a losing endeavor.
Sunday I spent six hours at ESPN zone with my friend Kim watching the Steelers game on the big screen with three guys we didn't know. At half-time we discussed the bizarre fact that none of us had ever been on a date on Monday. Is there a reason why people don't date on Mondays? I have never spent six hours watching football before. The guys we were with had been there all day. OMG. FOOTBALL OVERLOAD. The Steelers lost, but it was great fun anyway. (Right Kim? Sorry your team lost!!!)
Other things I did this weekend: attended a sleepover with my bible study girls, won Clue Master Detective: Mrs. White in the Billards Room with the POISON. Hung out at a cool U St. pub called Saloon, hid 2 geocaches and found 3, had my condo appraised for $50K more than I bought it for and watched a movie. Crazy busy weekend.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
FIRE
I have no idea why I'm posting this photo on my blog. Is that a good enough reason to do it? I took this picture while camping in Western Maryland with friends over the weekend. I just like it. Do I really have to have a better reason?
Word of the Day: Motivation
I posted three questions on the Washington Post chat with Sandra Brown today and all three were answered by her. I'm feeling great amounts of motivation to write today. Tomorrow it'll probably all subside into a small pool in the tip of my pinkie where I can't access it, but today I can dream of finishing three books a year, large royalty checks and the abnormally large fan base I'll one day have.
In order to write and make a career of writing, one has to possess motivation to a degree that most people would shudder to think about. This kind of motivation is not a regular and cultivated characteristic of human nature. Some people just seem to be blessed with more than others. I like to think that just the fact that I have essentially two day jobs gives me more of a chance at successfully executing my writing career, but there's certainly no guarantee. It's all about putting in the time.
Here are two quotes from Sandra Brown that I hope to remember forever:
"I think it's more important that you have the self discipline to sit down each day and write until your mind is beginning to get muddy with thought."
"But if I have a secret to my success, it's no secret at all -- you have to write, write, write. As far as I know whether you're writing your first of 66th book you can only put one word on paper at a time and at some point you've got to put in the time."
In order to write and make a career of writing, one has to possess motivation to a degree that most people would shudder to think about. This kind of motivation is not a regular and cultivated characteristic of human nature. Some people just seem to be blessed with more than others. I like to think that just the fact that I have essentially two day jobs gives me more of a chance at successfully executing my writing career, but there's certainly no guarantee. It's all about putting in the time.
Here are two quotes from Sandra Brown that I hope to remember forever:
"I think it's more important that you have the self discipline to sit down each day and write until your mind is beginning to get muddy with thought."
"But if I have a secret to my success, it's no secret at all -- you have to write, write, write. As far as I know whether you're writing your first of 66th book you can only put one word on paper at a time and at some point you've got to put in the time."
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Another Word of the Day: Boycott
boy·cott ( P ) Pronunciation Key (boikt)tr.v. boy·cott·ed, boy·cott·ing, boy·cotts
To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion.
Who's going to the National Book Festival on the mall on Saturday?? ooh ooh ME ME! I'm so excited to see my favorite author: John Irving, among others, such as Sandra Brown, a fine mystery writer with 51 best sellers to brag of, and David Baldacci, a thriller writer whom I was very envious of in my late teens for pulling in a multi-million dollar contract for his first series.
The only potential problem I see is that this anti-Iraq-war protest is going on at the mall on the very same day and already some authors, such as the one in this recent article in The Nation, are boycotting the Festival in a show of solidarity with the protestors. Okay, we get it. You don't agree with the war. But does that really mean that you can't support books because it happens to fall on a particular Saturday when anti-war protestors will be trying to make a statement? And this is supposed to somehow show your defiance to the Bush Administration?
I say we stop mixing our peas and mashed potatoes. It's apples and oranges. What does attending a book festival have to do with protesting a war? Nothing. Exactly. Let's try to keep it that way.
Word of the Day: Fallacy
fal·la·cy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fl-s)n. pl. fal·la·cies
A false notion.
A statement or an argument based on a false or invalid inference.
Incorrectness of reasoning or belief; erroneousness.
The quality of being deceptive.
It sometimes amazes me the way people see things so differently in life. How can one person view an issue with a totally different perspective as another when we live in the same world? It's like we literally each have a different set of eyes. Or, as my friend Kim said today, we're all wearing different colored glasses (which she was quick to point out was not an original thought). Since I can't find the original person to whom to attribute it, I'll give it in Kim's words:
If someone with blue glasses looks at something yellow it's green.
Someone else has on red glasses and looks at something yellow, it's orange.
Person1: it's GREEN, can't you SEE it?
Person2: it's ORANGE and it will always be orange and you can't say anything to change my mind ever.
For instance, it seems that some people (I dare say, mostly religious types) believe that the hurricane in New Orleans was brought on by God to cleanse a sinful city. One person stated that evidence of God's plan is contained in the word Katrina, which apparently means "cleansing". This same person said that God may have created Bird Flu (avian influenza) to wipe out an unbelieving and sinful America. "God's wrath is raining down on us."
How much of this can we stomach before we realize that we've just taken on a God-complex and distorted God's original intent. I'm not saying that God *didn't* send Katrina to serve a purpose, but it is beyond my human nature to presume what that purpose was or even that Katrina was his design. The thing that bothers me most about this is that we tend to believe self-appointed modern-day prophets who, because they hold a trusted position in society, can say anything they want and we'll believe it.
I suppose this guy, and all the others, are holding council with God that the rest of us are conveniently not invited to attend. I don't buy it.
A false notion.
A statement or an argument based on a false or invalid inference.
Incorrectness of reasoning or belief; erroneousness.
The quality of being deceptive.
It sometimes amazes me the way people see things so differently in life. How can one person view an issue with a totally different perspective as another when we live in the same world? It's like we literally each have a different set of eyes. Or, as my friend Kim said today, we're all wearing different colored glasses (which she was quick to point out was not an original thought). Since I can't find the original person to whom to attribute it, I'll give it in Kim's words:
If someone with blue glasses looks at something yellow it's green.
Someone else has on red glasses and looks at something yellow, it's orange.
Person1: it's GREEN, can't you SEE it?
Person2: it's ORANGE and it will always be orange and you can't say anything to change my mind ever.
For instance, it seems that some people (I dare say, mostly religious types) believe that the hurricane in New Orleans was brought on by God to cleanse a sinful city. One person stated that evidence of God's plan is contained in the word Katrina, which apparently means "cleansing". This same person said that God may have created Bird Flu (avian influenza) to wipe out an unbelieving and sinful America. "God's wrath is raining down on us."
How much of this can we stomach before we realize that we've just taken on a God-complex and distorted God's original intent. I'm not saying that God *didn't* send Katrina to serve a purpose, but it is beyond my human nature to presume what that purpose was or even that Katrina was his design. The thing that bothers me most about this is that we tend to believe self-appointed modern-day prophets who, because they hold a trusted position in society, can say anything they want and we'll believe it.
I suppose this guy, and all the others, are holding council with God that the rest of us are conveniently not invited to attend. I don't buy it.
Monday, September 19, 2005
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Who knew that for one day a year there's an actual day set aside where you're encouraged to talk like a pirate.
Word of the Day: Single
When did "single" become a bad word?
My friend Kim, who works for the census bureau, sent this document with all kinds of interesting facts about single people in celebration of:
Unmarried and Single Americans Week
Some interesting facts:
87
Number of unmarried men age 15 and over for every 100 unmarried women in the United States.
100 million
Number of unmarried and single Americans. This group comprises 44 percent of all U.S. residents age 15 and over.
33%
Percentage of births in 2002 to unmarried women.
I personally feel that being single is great. Are we so bored with ourselves that we need someone around all the time to occupy us, or are we really not complete without someone else to make us feel whole? I don't subscribe to that line of thought. Single people are, in my opinion, happier with their lives than the average married person. Don't we have enough of our own crap to deal with without adding someone else's baggage? In a world that caters to couples, is it not that much more gratifying to accomplish something on your own that some couples can't even manage? Example: buying a house. Singles have to pay the same amount for a house that most people think is barely affordable on a double income. Singles pay more taxes. Singles have to suffer being asked "when are you getting married?" by all those married people who think being single is eqivalent to the plague. You know, it's really not all that bad. In fact, I prefer it.
52 reasons why it's great to be single
My friend Kim, who works for the census bureau, sent this document with all kinds of interesting facts about single people in celebration of:
Unmarried and Single Americans Week
Some interesting facts:
87
Number of unmarried men age 15 and over for every 100 unmarried women in the United States.
100 million
Number of unmarried and single Americans. This group comprises 44 percent of all U.S. residents age 15 and over.
33%
Percentage of births in 2002 to unmarried women.
I personally feel that being single is great. Are we so bored with ourselves that we need someone around all the time to occupy us, or are we really not complete without someone else to make us feel whole? I don't subscribe to that line of thought. Single people are, in my opinion, happier with their lives than the average married person. Don't we have enough of our own crap to deal with without adding someone else's baggage? In a world that caters to couples, is it not that much more gratifying to accomplish something on your own that some couples can't even manage? Example: buying a house. Singles have to pay the same amount for a house that most people think is barely affordable on a double income. Singles pay more taxes. Singles have to suffer being asked "when are you getting married?" by all those married people who think being single is eqivalent to the plague. You know, it's really not all that bad. In fact, I prefer it.
52 reasons why it's great to be single
Friday, September 16, 2005
Why does Ford's Theatre want to ruin my Christmas?
Today is the day that I usually order my "A Christmas Carol" tickets for Ford's Theatre for December. I get so excited about this that I put a reoccuring reminder on my outlook calendar to remind me not to be a day late in ordering the tickets, lest I get seats in any other row but the 1st. It's a tragedy to watch the play from a lessor row.
I was somewhat dismayed when I logged on to the page today to read the review and dutifully buy my tickets only to learn that the theatre has decided to continue with the version of the play they performed last year. Two years ago, the play was lavish with fluffy white and red materials, a plump and wonderful Santa and plenty of traditional Christmas cheer. Last year, the play was ridden with scenes I so vividly remember, such as the part played by the ghost of Christmas Present, who was a Jamaiican man on stilts, only partially dressed in a hideous robe. Or take for instance the 15-minute scene during which I swear I nodded off from boredom, where several women in bright orange, green and turquise danced around a maypole. There was also the matter of the set, which featured Scrooge's office desk perched upon a stack of old treasure chests draped in chains.
Oddly enough, I don't remember any of these nuances written into the original book by Dickens. And frankly, I doubt Dickens would be all that thrilled that Ford's Theatre has taken such liberty with his masterpiece. Upon leaving the theatre, I felt so dejected by the whole experience that I felt for a number of days as if Christmas had been ruined. Yes, ruined. That might seem harsh, but true, nonetheless. Two years ago, we left the play feeling as if each fluttering snow flake that fell on our way out was laced with magic. Last year, we left the play feeling like Santa had just been run over by a snow plow.
My question is this: How could they allow this to continue for another year? In the days following the opening of the play, the reviews were just as harsh as mine. Everyone gave it a huge thumbs down. And yet, this year the website says something to the jist of "because everyone loved the play last year, we're bringing it back." Are you blind AND stupid? No one liked that play. And the worst part is that I did not buy my tickets today. Nor will I. At all. Ever again. Until they restore Christmas.
I was somewhat dismayed when I logged on to the page today to read the review and dutifully buy my tickets only to learn that the theatre has decided to continue with the version of the play they performed last year. Two years ago, the play was lavish with fluffy white and red materials, a plump and wonderful Santa and plenty of traditional Christmas cheer. Last year, the play was ridden with scenes I so vividly remember, such as the part played by the ghost of Christmas Present, who was a Jamaiican man on stilts, only partially dressed in a hideous robe. Or take for instance the 15-minute scene during which I swear I nodded off from boredom, where several women in bright orange, green and turquise danced around a maypole. There was also the matter of the set, which featured Scrooge's office desk perched upon a stack of old treasure chests draped in chains.
Oddly enough, I don't remember any of these nuances written into the original book by Dickens. And frankly, I doubt Dickens would be all that thrilled that Ford's Theatre has taken such liberty with his masterpiece. Upon leaving the theatre, I felt so dejected by the whole experience that I felt for a number of days as if Christmas had been ruined. Yes, ruined. That might seem harsh, but true, nonetheless. Two years ago, we left the play feeling as if each fluttering snow flake that fell on our way out was laced with magic. Last year, we left the play feeling like Santa had just been run over by a snow plow.
My question is this: How could they allow this to continue for another year? In the days following the opening of the play, the reviews were just as harsh as mine. Everyone gave it a huge thumbs down. And yet, this year the website says something to the jist of "because everyone loved the play last year, we're bringing it back." Are you blind AND stupid? No one liked that play. And the worst part is that I did not buy my tickets today. Nor will I. At all. Ever again. Until they restore Christmas.
Word of the Day: Nihility
ni·hil·i·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-hl-t, n-)n.
Nonexistence; nothingness.
Is it bad that I don't have anything of significance to say? For what seems like an entire week? I suppose I should allow for the possibility of the existence of a non-week. A week of nihility; but I still don't trust it.
You know how there are those types of people who have to have the attention on them? They are very childish in their pursuit of the spotlight. Is this a character trait one recognizes in themself or is there some sort of ego-screen that filters out all of your own annoying behaviors? I'm just curious because last night I went to a dinner party that should have been a bunch of 30somethings having adult conversation, but turned into three 30somethings dominating the conversation at an extreme decible while 7 others watched in pained horror. Do you not see how annoying you are? Or do you like yourself that way?
So...yeah. um. Other than that, there's only this darn nihility hanging around the room like secondhand smoke. I feel like we've signed a waiver not to create any drama for a full week. At the beginning of the week I felt an ominous sense of dread, like the world was strangly silent (the precursor to trouble). Now I just feel like I missed the boat.
Nonexistence; nothingness.
Is it bad that I don't have anything of significance to say? For what seems like an entire week? I suppose I should allow for the possibility of the existence of a non-week. A week of nihility; but I still don't trust it.
You know how there are those types of people who have to have the attention on them? They are very childish in their pursuit of the spotlight. Is this a character trait one recognizes in themself or is there some sort of ego-screen that filters out all of your own annoying behaviors? I'm just curious because last night I went to a dinner party that should have been a bunch of 30somethings having adult conversation, but turned into three 30somethings dominating the conversation at an extreme decible while 7 others watched in pained horror. Do you not see how annoying you are? Or do you like yourself that way?
So...yeah. um. Other than that, there's only this darn nihility hanging around the room like secondhand smoke. I feel like we've signed a waiver not to create any drama for a full week. At the beginning of the week I felt an ominous sense of dread, like the world was strangly silent (the precursor to trouble). Now I just feel like I missed the boat.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Are you Serious?
I just read this article from the Washington Post:
SAN FRANCISCO -- Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools was declared unconstitutional Wednesday by a federal judge ruling in the second attempt by an atheist to have the pledge removed from classrooms. The man lost his previous battle before the U.S. Supreme Court
I used to recite the pledge of allegiance every day at the beginning of class for almost 12 years. Why does one man -- an atheist of course -- think so highly of himself? He's either a really angry, spiteful person, or he's looking for fame.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools was declared unconstitutional Wednesday by a federal judge ruling in the second attempt by an atheist to have the pledge removed from classrooms. The man lost his previous battle before the U.S. Supreme Court
I used to recite the pledge of allegiance every day at the beginning of class for almost 12 years. Why does one man -- an atheist of course -- think so highly of himself? He's either a really angry, spiteful person, or he's looking for fame.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Word of the Day: Perquisite
perquisite \PUR-kwuh-zit\, noun:1. A profit or benefit in addition to a salary or wages.
Today is a very good day. Without even asking for this benefit, my boss has decided to instate a mandatory telecommute day for each of us. I am thrilled about this. Not only will I be able to roll out of bed and start work without even setting foot near the shower, I will be able to lounge on the couch in my pjs all day and no one can say anything about it.
Now just one small question: Why did they decide to do this? Could it be because they cram people into spaces where no human should be forced to spend 80% of their life? Is it because we're all starting to get a little touchy with each other. For instance, a coworker of mine has taken to saying what I consider to be blashemous phrases in response to anything that annoys or disturbs her. Every two seconds I'm assaulted by her mouth. I'd also like to know if it's considered appropriate behavior for one to come up on a coworker from behind a cube wall in an effort to scare the shit out of her, merely for sport, when the behavior affects 6 other people. How many times is that going to be funny, because it's going on 6 months.
I know, I'm totally obsessed with taking photos of clouds these days, but these are worthy of posting. I plan to decorate the walls of my bedroom, which is painted a deep blue, with a bunch of cloud photos.
Today is a very good day. Without even asking for this benefit, my boss has decided to instate a mandatory telecommute day for each of us. I am thrilled about this. Not only will I be able to roll out of bed and start work without even setting foot near the shower, I will be able to lounge on the couch in my pjs all day and no one can say anything about it.
Now just one small question: Why did they decide to do this? Could it be because they cram people into spaces where no human should be forced to spend 80% of their life? Is it because we're all starting to get a little touchy with each other. For instance, a coworker of mine has taken to saying what I consider to be blashemous phrases in response to anything that annoys or disturbs her. Every two seconds I'm assaulted by her mouth. I'd also like to know if it's considered appropriate behavior for one to come up on a coworker from behind a cube wall in an effort to scare the shit out of her, merely for sport, when the behavior affects 6 other people. How many times is that going to be funny, because it's going on 6 months.
I know, I'm totally obsessed with taking photos of clouds these days, but these are worthy of posting. I plan to decorate the walls of my bedroom, which is painted a deep blue, with a bunch of cloud photos.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Another Beautiful Day
On my drive back from Philadelphia this morning I snapped a photo out the window of my car. It's hard to imagine there is so much strife in other parts of the world today.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Word of the Day: Awkward
awk·ward ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ôkwrd)adj. a. Marked by or causing embarrassment or discomfort: an awkward remark; an awkward silence.
I participated in the strangest of ceremonies on Friday night. It was called a "healing service" and I went with a friend who attends the church where it took place. I've always thought that as a Christian I am very open-minded and wary of putting God in a box. I don't want to limit the power of a God I acknowledge to be an all-powerful being, therefore I try not to restrict the things I can stretch my imagination to believe. However, Friday night proved that I do have boundaries to my faith.
My points of contention:
1) Speaking in tongues is just weird. And who taught them those languages anyway?
In this article, two points are made that I'm not sure I accept.
a. speaking in tongues is the only absolute proof a Christian has that he is born again;
b. it vividly illustrates to the believer the most basic principle of the Christian walk, which is trusting the Word of our heavenly Father. Another article makes a good point that: First, speaking in tongues can be self-induced. Second, speaking in tongues can be group-induced. Third, speaking in tongues can be satanically-induced.
2) There is no way that everyone in attendance can hear God telling them things except for me. Everything anyone said to each other was prefaced with the phrase "God is telling me to say this to you" or "I feel that God would have me say to you..."
3) This guy doesn't even know me, who is he to tell me I'm "cut off from my family" and "longing for God's acceptance?" This series of prophetic statements seems more like astrology than the Word of God.
I participated in the strangest of ceremonies on Friday night. It was called a "healing service" and I went with a friend who attends the church where it took place. I've always thought that as a Christian I am very open-minded and wary of putting God in a box. I don't want to limit the power of a God I acknowledge to be an all-powerful being, therefore I try not to restrict the things I can stretch my imagination to believe. However, Friday night proved that I do have boundaries to my faith.
My points of contention:
1) Speaking in tongues is just weird. And who taught them those languages anyway?
In this article, two points are made that I'm not sure I accept.
a. speaking in tongues is the only absolute proof a Christian has that he is born again;
b. it vividly illustrates to the believer the most basic principle of the Christian walk, which is trusting the Word of our heavenly Father. Another article makes a good point that: First, speaking in tongues can be self-induced. Second, speaking in tongues can be group-induced. Third, speaking in tongues can be satanically-induced.
2) There is no way that everyone in attendance can hear God telling them things except for me. Everything anyone said to each other was prefaced with the phrase "God is telling me to say this to you" or "I feel that God would have me say to you..."
3) This guy doesn't even know me, who is he to tell me I'm "cut off from my family" and "longing for God's acceptance?" This series of prophetic statements seems more like astrology than the Word of God.
Friday, September 02, 2005
A Trivial Ending
BRETT AND I GOT SECOND PLACE!! No one had to kick me out of the apartment for answering all the questions wrong. Although I think Luke considered it when I couldn't answer a Shakespeare question that I really should have known the answer to. But I got a C in Shakespeare!
One small caveat: We were playing Millennium Edition. Does that negate the validity of the near win?
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Word of the Day: Trivial
I've often wondered why I can't seem to remember trivial information. Seriously. None.
Friend: "Remember that scene in the movie XYZ where the ___ ruins the ___?"
Me: "Wait, what movie?"
I know I watched it. In fact, I may have watched it last week. But that doesn't mean I'll remember a single thing about it. Do I have a degenerative brain defect? I swear I got good grades in school. No really, I was third in my high school class. I graduated college in three years. Is it possible that there is a limited supply of trivial knowledge cells and once they're used up you're relegated to an eternity riddled with lost trivial pursuit games?
triv·i·al ( P ) Pronunciation Key (trv-l)adj.
Of little significance or value.
Ordinary; commonplace.
Concerned with or involving trivia.
Biology. Relating to or designating a species; specific.
Mathematics.
OH NOW I GET IT. I'm really more of a reading and writing kinda girl. Perhaps that is why I cannot remember trivial things, since they are synonymous with Biology and Math.
Tonight I am attending a Trivial Pursuit party, hosted by my good friend and close neighbor (we spend 9 hours a day, sometimes more, two feet away from each other).
Here's me, pre-party: "I LUV Trivial Pursuit!"
Here's me, post-party: "I hate you for inviting me to that stupid party!" (said from outside the building, below the window to Timoni's apartment, after my team has kicked me out for losing them points).
Friend: "Remember that scene in the movie XYZ where the ___ ruins the ___?"
Me: "Wait, what movie?"
I know I watched it. In fact, I may have watched it last week. But that doesn't mean I'll remember a single thing about it. Do I have a degenerative brain defect? I swear I got good grades in school. No really, I was third in my high school class. I graduated college in three years. Is it possible that there is a limited supply of trivial knowledge cells and once they're used up you're relegated to an eternity riddled with lost trivial pursuit games?
triv·i·al ( P ) Pronunciation Key (trv-l)adj.
Of little significance or value.
Ordinary; commonplace.
Concerned with or involving trivia.
Biology. Relating to or designating a species; specific.
Mathematics.
OH NOW I GET IT. I'm really more of a reading and writing kinda girl. Perhaps that is why I cannot remember trivial things, since they are synonymous with Biology and Math.
Tonight I am attending a Trivial Pursuit party, hosted by my good friend and close neighbor (we spend 9 hours a day, sometimes more, two feet away from each other).
Here's me, pre-party: "I LUV Trivial Pursuit!"
Here's me, post-party: "I hate you for inviting me to that stupid party!" (said from outside the building, below the window to Timoni's apartment, after my team has kicked me out for losing them points).
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