Leslie's Omnibus

Drive-Bys

Because I haven't done any for a while, here's a couple of Blogthings:




Your Anti Climactic Fortune



Deep into your future, I forsee: Burnt cookies


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You Are Changing Leaves



Pretty, but soon dead.



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Halloween Horoscope for Leo



You simply have to have the most unique, elaborate, and amazing costume.

You tend to hop from party to event, making sure everyone checks you out.

Costume suggestions: A geisha, samurai, fairy, or pirate

Signature Halloween candy: Skittles

Scary movie you should celebrate Halloween with: The Shining

Leslie

Bus Fumes

It seems our pals the Chinese are at it again with the lead paint thing. Click on the link and watch the video if you have kids. You might just recognize something right out of your own child's toy box.
Leslie

Rubber-Necking

My eyes just about fell out of my head when I read this.

The price of real estate in Chicago is already ridiculously high. $40 million for a penthouse? C'mon.

That's appalling.
Leslie

Tootin' the Horn


My pay Maeve is having a birthday today. Raise a glass in her honor, will ya?
Leslie

One for the Road

TMPAE turns two years old this weekend. I just love the little flirt. She's way too much fun!
Leslie

PSA

Pretty City is sponsoring Pretty in Pink to benefit Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization. 31 days of $31 salon/spa treatments. Most major cities are participating. What a treat!

October 1-31, 2007. You MUST mention that you are booking a "Pretty in Pink" treatment when booking appointments. No coupon necessary. No restrictions apply.
Leslie

Bus Fumes

Yes, I'm having another one of those days. Ack.
Leslie

Traveling Companions


From the archives -- The Divine Miss Marilyn and her "betht fwend," TMBCITW.
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The Carnival of the Cats which goes up every Sunday and the 182nd edition, 9/16, is up at The House of (Mostly) Black Cats . The 183rd edition will be hosted on 9/23 by This that and The Other Thing. There are more weekly cats at Weekend Cat Blogging #120 hosted on 9/22-23 by A Byootaful Life. See you there!
Leslie

Rubber-Necking

There is proof that God does indeed exist, and he has a sense of humor.
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Future Darwin Award winner.
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A thoughtful assessment of the Jena Six and where the true issue lie from a Louisiana native. Read the whole thing.
Leslie

The End of the Line


My friend Denny has lost a dear, dear friend today. Ashley was lucky to own him.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Yummy! Perry's is right around the corner from my office building, and every sandwich on the menu is bigger than your head.
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Leslie

Drive-Bys

I got 100% correct. Did you?
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I had a delicious linguine carbonara for lunch... except for one thing. It was garnished with minced cilantro. Cilantro??? I could understand some flat-leaf parsely, but cilantro?
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Quote of the day:
What possible reason could you have for having that…that…DRESS SPHINCTER right in the middle of your beautiful gown?!
The Fug Girls' take on this dress was funny enough, but Plumcake has had me chortling like a maniac for the last fifteen minutes.
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Okay. This is just wrong. What in the hell are we teaching young girls about themselves these days?
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More of what's wrong with what we're teaching our kids here, here and here. Sheesh!

I'm glad I grew up back in the Dark Ages. I'd hate to be a kid today.
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Is it any wonder that I'm putting this book on my Christmas list?
Leslie

Bus Fumes

Baldilocks has started a new Monday meme -- Pet Peeve Mondays.

Today's post struck hit home with me, as I routinely assist my company's receptionist with telephone and reception duties during her lunch and break periods. She's correct. There's no such thing as telephone etiquette any more.

Peeve No.1 -- A hint to telemarketers and collection agencies everywhere

If you call a number and an operator answers, giving you the name of the company and asking how he or she might assist you, it's really not smart to ask, "Is [formal first name] there?"

You've already given yourself away. You're going straight to voice mail hell... if I don't drop the call accidentally on purpose, first. Part of my job is to get rid of pesky people like you; I'm good at it, and I take great pleasure in doing so.

Peeve No. 2 -- A hint to children of employees

Asking, "Is my dad/mom there?" before identifying yourself and your parent is not helpful. Clearly you have the only parent in the place; therefore, the rest of us must be non-breeders. Show a little respect. We may be non-breeders, but we are your elders.

Peeve No. 3 -- A hint to our regular receptionist's family and friends

Our receptionist has very regimented morning, lunch and afternoon breaks. She's had the same break schedule for 20+ years. Don't call five minutes after the start of her break, be rude to whomever has to deliver the message that you just missed her (this happens 3-4 times daily), and then hang up with a bang. Learn your sister's/friend's damn schedule already. And then use it.

To Nos. 1, 2 and 3 above, when you call someone at their place of business:
  1. Identify yourself by your first and last name and the company you are calling from (if you are calling on business) or relationship to the person requested (if its personal business).
  2. If you think for a moment your name might be difficult for the receptionist to pronounce, spell your name out for him/her.
  3. Identify the person you wish to speak with by first and last name.
  4. Be polite at all times.
Pet Peeve No. 4 -- United Airline's convoluted electronic, press-a-number telephone answering system

Dear United Airline,

Your answering service for making reservations via telephone SUCKS.
  1. That recording guy's voice is like fingernails on a blackboard. That stupid tick-tock noise he does when the system is searching for data makes me want to reach through the telephone and strangle someone.
  2. Did you have to put so many prompts into the automated system? I can bake an apple pie from scratch with fewer instructions and in less time than it takes to get to a real person on your system.
  3. For God's sake, quit outsourcing your operators to India. I want someone who speaks American English to help me. I don't care how polite your reservationist is; what I do care about is speaking with someone who actually understands me so I can get my business done quickly, get off the damned phone and get some real work done.
  4. Couldn't you at least have live operator assistance for you Platinum Plus members? It's irritating as hell for people at that level to bounce around like Tron in your telephone system. These are your best customers, for cripe's sake!
  5. If I billed you for the time my boss and every other Platinum Plus member alone and/or their executive assistants every spend on the phone trying to get through your stupid system, we could bankrupt you in a week. It's rude, disrespectful and a huge waste of time and money from your customers' standpoints.
  6. Oh. I forgot. You don't give a rat's ass about your customers, do you?
  7. Due to all of the above, the only exception I make for being rude is for anyone who has had to slog through your unwieldy and exasperating system. Your reservationists should expect unhappy campers. Every time.
That's all for now. (What did happen to manners, anyway?)
Leslie

Rubber-Necking

I stopped at a local restaurant's lounge for a cocktail on my way home last night. At the other end of the bar were three obviously inebriated *ahem* gentlemen who argued about everything from the Cubs to the White Sox to the Bears to Nascar to Kung Fu. (Don't ask how they made that leap. I still haven't figured it out.)

Except that one of them was so far in the bag that it came out "Tongue Fu."

All I could think was, "I've dated a guy or two like that. In fact, one was a third degree brown belt."

Heh.
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Oddly, that reminded me of Old Crankypants. Just think about the fun he'd have had with that phrase.
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More on the differences between what men and women like in a kiss here. And she's right about the overly slobbery thing. Ish.
Leslie

Traveling Companions

The Divine Miss Marilyn is working on her "pawdicure." By this time next week, those Lee Press-On Nails of hers will be an appropriate holiday color. (We may have to order the red/green combo for the Christmas holidays, then revert to something like the pink/gray combo that reminds me of a French manicure.)

Sometimes it's good to be a girlie girl.
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  1. WCB being hosted this weekend by the Bad Kitty Cats and Meagan
  2. Bad Kitty Cat Festival of Chaos being hosted by Samantha and Jack at the Tuxedo Gang Hideout
  3. Carnival of the Cats being hosted by MomRobin over at The House of Mostly Black Cats and....
  4. Friday Ark
Visit them all!
Leslie

Tootin' the Horn, Part II

Someone I know is graduating from basic training today, as an Honor Grad, no less. Well done, my friend. Your friends are very, very proud of you.

(A tip of the cap to Ragingmom.)
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Beloit College's Mindset List® For The Class Of 2011 can be found here.

My favorite? #49:
Virtual reality has always been available when the real thing failed.
Sad, but true.

(A tip of the cap to my Fairy BlogMother.)
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Looks like Bill Belichick got soundly smacked, and that's good. Of course I'm a Patriots fan. What Beantown Betty wouldn't be? But I want my team to win for the right reasons -- not by cheating.

Thanks, Bill, for costing the team a 1st round draft pick. Good judgment call.
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With all the crappy stuff you hear about the big stars these days, wouldn't it be nice if someone would find this article and play up the fact that, bit of a lad as he may be from time to time, Colin Farrell is a really great guy.

(A tip of the cap to the Homeless Guy.)

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Leslie

Tootin' the Horn

It's always been my philosophy that a gift should reflect the tastes and desires of the recipient, and not necessarily those of the giver.

Having the giftee tell you exactly what he or she wants makes shopping for the perfect gift a snap.

Here you go, Harvey:


Happy 41st, my friend, and many happy returns of the day.

(Photos shamelessly swiped from here.)
Leslie

Rules of the Road

From Catfish, who knew I'd love this!
Leslie

Book Your Ticket

If you're a fan of Gary Jennings' Spangle series...

(See review #1 here.)

(See review #2 here.)


... then you'll love, love, love this book, as well:


My fascination with all things circus continues, especially the grittier, seamier side of the canvas.
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If you recall, I was one of the few folks who didn't go all postal on James Frey when it turned out A Million Little Pieces wasn't the complete autobiographical work that it was marketed as. In fact, as a fictional work, or fictionalized biographical work, it was and still is a gripping read.

Now Frey is coming out with a new book, and calling a spade a spade. Yes, this time it's definitely fiction. I'm looking forward to it, too.
Leslie

Book Your Ticket


This is my latest read, and what a delightful read, indeed! It's a coming of age with animals novel, but with two delicious twists. The first, I won't share. The second is that the dog doesn't die at the end. That right there is enough to sell me, but the plot is great, the characters are rich, and there are some true laugh-out-loud moments in the mix.

If you're looking for something a little quirky, Merrill Markoe mines comic gold here.
Leslie

Bus Fumes

China won't use lead paint on toys headed for the U.S. any more? Yeah, right. Especially when they're spouting this nonsense:
But Wei stressed that most Chinese exports are safe, echoing a line that Beijing repeatedly has used in defending the quality of its products. While acknowledging more could be done, Wei said that 100 percent safety was impossible and warned against overemphasizing what he characterized as limited problems.

“We should not over-propagandize the problem,” Wei said.

It has been proven scientific fact, known for years, that lead is toxic. Why the Chinese are allowing the production of lead paint at all is beyond me.

The absolute arrogance of the Chinese in the face of exposure of these deadly assaults on the health and safety of those purchasing their products is incredible.

Limited problems? Tell it to someone whose beloved pet died, or whose child contracts lead poisoning.

Maintain the boycott, will you?
Leslie

Rules of the Road

What's the most important rule of the road when it comes to railroad crossings?

You don't put your car on the tracks when the signal lights go on, the warning bell sounds and the arm comes down. We've had a spate of train versus car accidents in Chicago, lately, one of which is most certainly a suicide success. Just watch the video.

We also had another idiot deliberately step in front of an el train within the past week or so. I can't find the link, but yes, it happened.

If a car stands no chance against a train, then certainly the human body does not. As far as I'm concerned, if you really, really want to commit the ultimate self-hating act, do it like this guy -- off by yourself where the only one responsible is you, and there are no witnesses.

In train vs. human or train vs. car wrecks, many, many people are psychologically and emotionally scarred for years after. How supremely selfish to sweep complete strangers into your own screwed up mess. How'd you like to be those two little boys who'll grow up with the video evidence that their mother offed herself and, tried to kill them, too. Roeper's right. This is an incredibly senseless act.

Remember -- keep your vehicle off the track when the signals go off. Keep your body off the tracks, as well.
Leslie

A Glance in the Rear-View Mirror

More eloquent than anything I could post on this anniversary of September 11, 2001, is this list.

Never forget.

Never.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Quote of the day:
“Thank you but my father always told me I must ‘earn’ my money,” she said. “If I get money because people feel sorry for me, then the devil inside my head will trick me into trying to look for more money that same way and then I will forget how to work for my dreams.”
Beautiful. Would that more people felt that way.
Leslie

Book Your Ticket

Oh, sure. I whine that writing is not for wimps... and then I hit a gusher of stuff that came spewing out almost faster than my fingertips could type last night.

I've got a whole new character that I adore. (And since I'm in control of the whole story, a character can't get killed off this time unless I want him or her killed off. Most satisfactory, indeed.)

Creating mayhem is more fun than I ever would have thought.

The plot line is starting to really gain momentum. It feels right.

And it was a gas to write it. In fact, I hated to have to power down the laptop and catch the last train home.

Remind me of this when I hit the doldrums again, will you?
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Which Positive Quality Are You?
Your Result: Charity

You are Charity. The spirit of giving has been promoted by every religion. Charity is kindness. It is compassion for our fellow man. Charity doesn't ask anything in return, and in this way it serves as the opposite of greed. "Be charitable with many."

Love

Friendship

Courage

Faith

Peace

Which Positive Quality Are You?

Hmmm...
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What Be Your Nerd Type?
Your Result: Literature Nerd

Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works.

It's okay. I understand.

Drama Nerd

Musician

Gamer/Computer Nerd

Artistic Nerd

Social Nerd

Anime Nerd

Science/Math Nerd

What Be Your Nerd Type?
Quizzes for MySpace


Yes, indeedy.
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You Feel Like You Don't Fit In 17% Of The Time

You experience the ups and downs of life, yet you maintain a positive outlook throughout. You definitely do have a place in the world. There are times when you struggle, yet you persevere. Good going.

Do You Have a Place in This World?
Create Your Own Quiz


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The Friday Ark is up at the Modulator. Remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Cats which goes up every Sunday and the 180th edition, 9/3, is up at This Blog Is Full of Crap . The 181st edition will be hosted on 9/9 by Mind of Mog. There are more weekly cats at Weekend Cat Blogging #118 hosted on 9/8-9 by What Did You Eat?

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Have a great weekend, all!
Leslie

Tootin' the Horn

My approach to match-making is simple -- you create a no-pressure opportunity for people to meet, preferably at a party, in a crowd or the like. You certainly don't give either party a clue what you're up to. You just make the introductions all the way around the room, then stand back and wait.

If you're lucky, they'll connect.

If they don't, no one is the wiser and no one feels obligated.

Seems I'm two for two lately:

Booyah!

(Now if I could only make it work for myself...)
Leslie

Traveling Companions

Long before LOLcats, there was... Gigolokitty! The Divine Miss Marilyn is giddy with delight and relief to see the return of his glorious plushy tushie.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

The Ambulance Driver is in rare form today:
"They come bearing the Mark of the Beast," I inform him. "A Medicaid card. And several of them were asking for you by name," I accuse.
Fine, fine writing.
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Hammer has a pretty good list of American-made products. Here's more information on toys that are made in America and safe for your kids.

While you're at it, go to Etsy for more hand-made products. Deb of Blogblivion and Neatly Tangled fame makes awfully cute baby toys and games for really reasonable prices, for example. See her whole Etsy collection here. Or go to the Etsy main page here and shop for all sorts of cool stuff.

As for foodstuffs, one sure-fire way to know you're buying local is to hit the local farmers market. Or buy organic products whenever you can at the grocery store.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know it's tough to avoid all things manufactured in China. But it's certainly worth the effort to read labels and at least try.

The latest Chinese shenanigans? Go here.

And ask yourself if it's smart business to buy a Lenovo computer. The way things are going, I know I wouldn't.

Yep. They're our allies, all right.
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He's right, you know.

How can I tell?

Well... I've gone back to a novel I started some time ago, and I'm making a serious run at finishing what I started. Urk. Distractions abound. This writing stuff is not for wimps.
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Leslie

Drive-Bys

This has me absolutely drooling. That's going straight into my recipe box!
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More Mattel recalls information can be found here.

And here's information on the FDA and problems with foodstuffs imported from China. For example:
Eighty percent of U.S. seafood is imported, and China has been a major supplier. In June the FDA issued an import alert for some Chinese seafood. Since January, the FDA has rejected more than 200 Chinese seafood import items, including shrimp, eel, catfish and tilapia, according to agency records. The reasons cited in the rejection notices include the presence of antibiotics, salmonella and pesticides.
Yummy.

I love my nieces, but there'll be no more Mattel toys purchased for them until Mattel either quits outsourcing its manufacturing to China or gets control of its outsourced manufacturers. In addition, I'll certainly be careful to find out where the fish I order is coming from. Nothing imported, that's for sure!

(And it's nice to see that I'm not the only one openly boycotting Chinese products!)
Leslie

Tootin' the Horn

For those of you who've been following my story, here's more good news: Sunday evening we had a little get-together. Front row, left to right: The Princess Mom, Cancun Anne (MMPC's mom), Beloved Brother. Back row, left to right: Pater Pete (MMPC's dad), yours truly, TMBCITW, Sainted Son-in-Law, and MMPC.

If TMPAE...

... hadn't had a cold and an ear infection, she and Sainted SIL would have joined us, too.

The family is growing by leaps and bounds, and every one of us is thrilled to pieces.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Poor Elisson! Even cats are stealing his schtick:

(A tip of the colander to, um, I Can Has Cheez-Borg-Er?)
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You're To Kill a Mockingbird!

by Harper Lee

Perceived as a revolutionary and groundbreaking person, you have changed the minds of many people. While questioning the authority around you, you've also taken a significant amount of flack. But you've had the admirable guts to persevere. There's a weird guy in the neighborhood using dubious means to protect you, but you're pretty sure it's worth it in the end. In the end, it remains unclear to you whether finches and mockingbirds get along in real life.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

(Courtesy of CrankyProf.)
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You're Bowdoin College!

Though you say you thrive under the sun, you tend to actually prefer snow. Lots and lots of snow. You're a big Civil War buff, and like to imagine yourself having influence at that time of history. Known for being quite a cook, you've also been known to hit the bottle on more than one occasion. After all, there's not much else to do in all that snow. You love those December Coke commercials.

Take the University Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Interestingly, this is my dad's first alma mater. Thanks, Babs!
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That pesky Christine Thurow is playing temptress again. I want it all. All of it, do you hear me???
Leslie