Leslie's Omnibus

Drive-Bys

cat

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Holy Captain Ahab! How cool is this???
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Quote of the Day:
Don't get me wrong, I think that tattoos on girls are extremely hot, I just worry that in 30 years we're going to have a population of grandmothers who are all sporting wrinkled faded symbols for God knows what that they will have to explain to their grandkids. "Grandma was at Lollapalooza, and she just had to have this Asian symbol that means 'dehydrated' tattooed right here in between her ample bosom." I'm just saying that it could be a problem. Make sure that you triple-check the meanings of any symbols that you're not 100 percent familiar with, and always quadruple-check spelling. Needles don't have spell-checkers.
Perzackly.
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Governor Give-Away
is toying with the idea of another run. So how do the party loyals feel about that?
"Rod Blagojevich couldn’t be elected dog catcher in Illinois," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline), reflecting the broad legislative discontent with Blagojevich.

"The governor has some real serious issues and among them is that he’s had difficulty keeping his word. He’s been a terrible leader. He hasn’t built any bridges. All the opportunity he promised eight years ago? Where’s it at?"

'Scuse me while I clean up after that last spit-take.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

I've been having some over-the-top oddball dreams or bits and pieces of dreams lately.

For example, I woke up this morning not being able to remember anything about what I was just dreaming... except the song that had been playing over and over again -- some Euro-pop techno trash girl group with the lyrics "He's my underwear." Yep. Made me want to bounce right out of bed and dance. (Where in the hell did that come from???)

The other dream that's got me shaking my head is one I've never had before. I dreamed that I was sleeping in a small, dorm-like room, in a single bed with a wool blanket. It was raining very hard outside. I was sleeping peacefully, only to be awakened by the sensation of damp and cold feet. In my dream I awoke to find a leak in the ceiling over my feet. As I watched, more and more moisture began to bead up on the ceiling. Then it started bulging. The next thing I knew, water was bursting through the bulge, and my ceiling was falling down in big hunks of wet plaster all around me. I ran from the room to find out if anyone else was having the same problem. Then I woke up.

Ugh.
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In an odd bit of synchronicity, I found this weird post about underwear.
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Speaking of synchronicity, compare and contrast this story with this one.
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When I first saw this story about the 9-year-old kid banned from his baseball league because he was so much better than all the other kids, I had a similar reaction to Eugene Volokh's -- he probably should have been playing in a different (older) league all along. Kids should compete in leagues where the competition is pretty level.
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Scrabble-Lover's Giggle of the Day:

cat
more animals
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Clearly, politically I'm not a big fan of John or Elizabeth Edwards. I do, however, have tremendous sympathy for Mrs. Edwards, and have absolutely no use for the people doing this.

The woman is fighting cancer, fighting to keep her family together and fighting to keep her marriage together. Pick on him all you want, but leave her alone, people!
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Did you hear about the scum-buckets who robbed the SIFA African Children’s Choir van during their recent visit to Chicago?

Here's an open letter from the group:
Sure, the two laptops, camera and memory sticks that were in the backpacks were valuable. Between that gear and the GPS device the choir’s chaperones have used for the last six months to drive the kids through 22 states, it would cost about $5,000 to replace them. (And a very kind Chicago businessman, having heard what you did, showed up Monday morning and handed the choir a check for $10,000 to do just that.)

But you took something that cannot be replaced. Ever.

On those laptops and memory sticks are photographs of many of the children’s parents. Parents who have died or are going to die very soon, from AIDS. You took the only pictures the children have of their parents.

What price can you put on them?

They’re of no value to you. So give them back, please.
I love my city and I love what these kids are trying to do. This just breaks my heart that they get to see us in this light, and that this city has now stolen precious, precious memories from them.

Give them back, indeed.
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Update: More underwear synchronicity:



That's my favorite Pee Wee Herman skit ever! I'd almost forgotten about it.

(A tip of the cap to the lovely and talented Professor Althouse.)
Leslie

The Mom Update

I spent a lovely day with the Princess Mom yesterday. She seemed a lot more in-the-moment than she has in the last several weeks... when she was awake, that is.

There was an occasional zinger of a "where did that come from?" or two, just when she had me lulled into thinking that the disorientation was completely gone or that she still didn't have a gray hair or two to bestow upon me (like, for example, the fact that she tried to get out of bed and go to the bathroom on her own one night last week, and took a header into her closet in the process).

All in all, though, a very nice day.

We spent quite a bit of time out on the back deck enjoying cool breezes and warm sunshine, and counting the small planes flying overhead on their way in and out of Clow Airport that seemed so close we could reach up and touch them. We talked about family and friends. Cards she'd received. A party she'd attended at my sister's house the day before.

TPM dozed for a little bit, and when she woke up from her nap, in a musing tone she said, "I wonder what will happen after I die?"

"Well, what do you think is going to happen, Mom?"

"I don't know... but I hope I'm going to meet my Lord. It's my dearest wish," she said, and she smiled.

"In your case, I'd say it's quite likely. And that you'll run across more than a few other familiar souls, too."

She looked up and the sky and thought for a moment. "I hope so."

"You'll have to let me know after you get there," I said with a grin.

"Well, I don't know. But I'll try."

"Thanks, Mom."
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Windypundit picked up on a cool idea for a meme:

According to Cory Doctorow at Boing Boing, Maya Angelou once said

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I don't know if she really said that, but I thought it would make a nice blog post to explain how I'd handle those three things, so you folks can learn something about my character.

Here are my three:

Rainy Day

If it's warm, throw on some flip-flops and head out for a walk in the rain. Make sure to jump in every puddle I see.

If it's cold and rainy, I'll make a nice big pot of coffee, plop down on the couch and curl up with a good book... or three.

Lost Luggage

Since I pack notoriously lightly and carry my jewelry and toiletries in my carry-on bag, this really wouldn't be a big deal. If I got the stuff back, fine. If not, I'll take the cash and get new stuff. (I actually had a bag go missing getting off a cruise ship once... and it was shipped home via FedEx within 24 hours. I lead a charmed life sometimes!)

Tangle Xmas Tree Lights

I love a good puzzle. I'd pour myself a glass of Xmas cheer and have at it.

And you?
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Giggle of the Day:

dog
see more
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Coming to Chicago and planning on parking on the streets? Then Second City Cop wants you to know this.

Geeze! This used to be such a friendly city.
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Nucking Futz!
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I needed a cold shower after reading this story. Really.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Gigglefest tonight:

cat
more
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Here's exactly why I adore Jimbo. Dammit. I hate that I'm not going to be able to go to Blogtoberfest.
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Leslie

Rules of the Road

One of the things that's been a joy and a trial through the Princess Mom's illness has been the mountain of greeting cards she's received. They've been a joy because it lets her know her friends are thinking of her. It's been a trial because we have to read each and every one out loud to her, as she just can't seem to focus enough to read them herself... and some of them dredge up some pretty painful emotions for her and for us.

Since there seems to be a spate of folks around the blogosphere going through grave or terminal illnesses with their parents or partners right now, here's some do's and don'ts for sending mail to them:

Don't send a "get well" card if the family has told you they've agreed to palliative and/or hospice care. It ain't going to happen, it hurts to have to read those wishes out loud and it hurts her to hear them.

Do send a "thinking of you" card. That's truthful and welcome.

Don't say you're praying for a miracle. She's not and we're not. We're praying for good days and little to no pain. We're praying for a peaceful ending. She's good with God, and so are we.

Do say you're holding her up in your thoughts and/or prayers. You have no idea how much comfort we get from that support.

Don't tell her the forty different ways you're going to miss her when she's gone. I had to read one letter like that out loud to TPM, and we both ended up in a flood of tears. She's not gone yet! That was morbid and selfish, even if well-meant. It's not about you right now. It's about her.

Do tell her the things you value about her and your friendship in an upbeat, positive way. Keep it in the present. (In fact, you should probably do this for all your loved ones from time to time. Why wait till the end?)

Do tell her what's happening in your world. It keeps her engaged in the rest of the world and not so focused on all the crappy stuff that's happening in hers.

Do bring up funny anecdotes and favorite memories of times spent together. Her short term memory may not be so good, but her long term memory is great.

Do visit or call her, as long as you're willing to do it cheerfully. Talk about the latest movie you've seen, book you've read, your kids or grandkids, your latest round of golf. You won't have this opportunity for very long, and if you're going to take it, you might as well make the most of it. She's still able to laugh, and she'd much rather have laughter than tears. There's time enough for that later.

Thanks your love and support.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

I don't know what I find funnier here -- the subject matter... or the author's name.

(Gleefully swiped from DrunkBunny.)
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Quote of the Day:
I don’t have a Beloved. I have a Beliked and a couple of Befuckeds but no Beloved.
Is it any wonder I love LL?
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Giggle of the Day:

dog
see more dog pictures

A dog after my own heart!
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Aha! I found the perfect kitchen light fixture for a certain colander-obsessed pal of mine!
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Sometimes you feel like a nut...




You Are a Cashew



You are laid back, friendly, and easy going.

Compared to most people, you have a very mild temperament.

You blend in well. You're often the last person to get noticed.

But whenever you're gone, people seem to notice right away!



(A tip of the cap to Jay.)
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Another of the Princess Mom's favorite artists:

Leslie

Road Conditions

Ear Worm of the Day:



Yup. It's been an interesting day at the office.
Leslie

The Mom Update

I'd just like to share a few thoughts that I'm going to lift straight from an email I sent a good buddy yesterday:
It's a funny thing, life, isn't it? Sometimes it gives you shit where you should expect roses... and sometimes it tosses you unexpected blessings in the oddest of places....

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. To be honest, I get most of the good stuff with the Princess Mom these days. I've been asking lots of questions about her childhood, about the kinds of music that she likes, life with Daddy. She does better reaching back into time than she does remembering anything in the present. She potty trained me and cleaned up my poopy bottom when I was a baby. Now I can and do return the favor. (And, yes -- we have lots and lots of conversations about pooping and peeing these days. I find the funny in it where I can, and there's still a good deal to laugh about.)

While I'm visiting and helping out, we spend a lot of time on the back deck soaking up the sun, looking at beautiful flowers and listening to the birds sing. TPM is fascinated by my little nieces, their horde of friends, and all of the games that go on in the swingset in the back yard. Really, there's a lot of sweetness yet to enjoy. (And, yes -- I'm looking for and finding roses in the compost pile.)
I thought as the days go by I'd share a few of her favorite singing artists with you. Today's favorite? Ed Ames:

Leslie

Drive-Bys

Somehow this...

cat
more

... brings to mind this picture of this guy.

I don't know about you, but it gave me the giggles.
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Somehow or other, I don't think this marriage is going to last:

The wedding was on a Michigan beach, the reception was in an art gallery -- but a former Chicago couple's wedding night was spent in separate jail cells after both bride and groom got shocked by a police Taser and arrested at their raucous reception.

Andy Somora and Anna Pastuszwska's July 19 wedding reception in tiny Lakeside, Mich., is still the talk of the town after officers from 14 police departments swarmed the art gallery to quell a melee. The groom's father, uncle, aunt and cousin -- several of whom hail from Villa Park and La Grange Park -- also got arrested.

And the story didn't end after the reception. Two nights later, the bride and groom were again arrested in Michigan -- and again shocked by a stun gun -- after struggling with police investigating a noise complaint, Sepic said. The groom was charged with pushing his new wife down during that incident, but the charge was later dropped as part of a plea bargain, Sepic said.
Classy.
Leslie

Whoa, Nelly!

This is not your usual Midwest roadkill...
Leslie

The Mom Update

This is one of those posts I really wish I didn't have to write. In the past couple of weeks, the Princess Mom has had a couple of setbacks, including two psychotic episodes, that have led the family to make some hard decisions.

The first decision was to take her off all but her heart and anti-seizure medications. The second is no more hospitals. The third was to get hospice care at home.

While she still eats like a horse, she is steadily losing weight. Her short-term memory is spotty. She has less and less energy each day. She has some odd obsessive-compulsive issues.

Yes, we're on that long, slow march to the end. The hospice folks tell us it will probably be a matter of weeks, instead of months.

Mostly, we're not at the crying point yet. There'll be plenty of time for that later. What we are doing is trying to make every day good for her, and enjoy her while we've got her.

Two of my cousins have flown in to spend some time with her. We're encouraging friends and family to do it now. My daughter has spent a good bit of time with her, too, and she's probably been the best medicine of all.

Please keep holding us in your prayers. Believe me, the knowledge that they're there has really helped us to hold (mostly) rock-steady.

And to those of my friends out there who are currently going through the same kinds of travails (and you know who you are), our prayers are with your families, too.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Quote of the Day:
Human beds are simply too small. It would be great if the humans would do me a solid and sleep on the floor. -- Mackenzie
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Found via Jay:




You Are Cayenne Pepper



You are very over the top and a bit overwhelming.

You have a fiery personality, and you can give anyone a good jolt.

You can easily take things up a couple notches, no matter what crowd you're running with.



Which led to this logical leap:




You Are Hot Sauce



You are the life of any party, because you're so good at bringing people out of their shell.

You have a knack for helping people happily embrace their true selves.

You are ambitious, driven, and fearless. You love taking risks.

Your taste in food is 100% adventurous.

You're up for sampling any exotic cuisine or someone's kitchen experiments.

You live for trying new things, and you get sick of eating the same food (even if it's very delicious).



There's no getting away from it, is there?
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The funniest thing I've read all month is here. It's also why I believe little white lies are sometimes a very good thing.
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Giggle of the Day:

cat
more cat pictures
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Ear Worm of the Day:



This one is for Long-Departed Dad and the Princess Mom. Daddy danced left-handed, and the only person in the world who could follow his lead was the Princess Mom. This was one of their favorites.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

A couple of Blogthings I couldn't resist:




You Are Archery



You are a bit of a traditionalist. You like old fashioned things with deep traditions.

You also like to see the result of your accomplishments right in front of you.

If practice makes perfect, that's fine by you. You like to practice a skill.






You Are An Attention Seeker



You're only human, so you can't help but want a little attention every now and then.

You love the spotlight, but only when it's well deserved. You'd hate to be known for the wrong thing.

And you also don't mind sharing the spotlight. You can easily give someone else credit or a complement.

You know there's enough attention to go around, and it makes you happy when your friends shine.



You come across as: Friendly and interesting



People may wrongly think you're: A little more modest than you actually are!



Yup.




You Are a Red Wine Woman



You're not a big drinker, and when you do drink, you go for the best.

You probably know a good deal about wines, and you know how to order a great bottle.

When you drink too much, you tend to flirt - but only in a subtle, understated way.

You prefer to date a man who's worldly and wise. He's got to be as sophisticated as you are.



Bwaaaaaaaaaahahahaha!!! That's me to a "t".
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Global warming? I don't know about for you, but here's how it's affecting Chicago:
August is the wettest and often the muggiest month of the year. Yet, summer heat continues in short supply, continuing a trend that has dominated much of the 21st Century's opening decade. There have been only 162 days 90 degrees or warmer at Midway Airport over the period from 2000 to 2008. That's by far the fewest 90-degree temperatures in the opening nine years of any decade on record here since 1930.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
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To all whose birthday calls I missed yesterday, I apologize. @%#$*^ cell phone was sitting on the coffee table at home... (but I had a hell of a good time with Walt, Zen Master Ken, Uncle Bill, Kat and Gabriel. You guys rock!)
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Ear Worm of the Day:


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One of the nicest guys I know is having a birthday. Go wish Richie a very happy one!
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Leslie

Drive-Bys

Ear Worm of the Day:


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American Airlines is doing what???
American Airlines is charging troops for their extra baggage, a practice that forces soldiers heading for a war zone in Iraq to try to get reimbursement from the military. One of the country's largest veterans groups is asking the aviation industry to drop the practice immediately.
That's just wrong on every level.
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Who asked Suzanne Somers? Nice.
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Giggle of the Day:

cat
more cat pictures
Leslie

Tootin' the Horn

Yup. It's the big one. Every decade has been an improvement, too.

What do I want for my birthday? My Adorable Rodent-hood back. With a little linky love, which I promise to send right back 'atcha, I'll bet we can do it, too.
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A big Thank-You to Jay, who always sends out the first birthday greeting link of the day!

Thanks, Livey!

A big smoocherooni right back at GuyK!

P.S. -- If you're here for the first time by way of one of these fine folks, stop back by and visit again!
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And just to show you how much has changed over time, here's a little blast from my past:

Boston, MA -- Birth to Age 2-1/2:



When I was a baby, my dad would come home from work for lunch. He'd plop me on his lap, and we'd watch Liberace together every day...

Cleveland, OH -- Age 2-1/2 to 10:





(He used to lead daily calisthenics to this little ditty. Gah!)

Glen Ellyn, IL -- Age 10 - 18:





Yeah. TV sure ain't what it used to be!
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It appears I share a special day with Baby Butter Biscuit. Go add your own birthday greetings!
Leslie

Drive-Bys

The Ear Worm of the Day:



Try getting that one out of your head. (And hang in there through the whole screamingly funny thing. The biggest giggle of all comes very close to the end.)

Brought to you via Jihad Gene. Thanks, bro. I really, really needed that laugh today.
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I'm not surprised. Disappointed. But not surprised.
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Zonker has it right. Obama's campaign left themselves wide open for that one.
Leslie

Here's a little Quizzy swiped from Mog:

Your result for The Best Thing About You Test...

Passion

Hot! Passion is your greatest virtue


Passion is an intense emotion that compels feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for anything, and that often requires action. Get that? Requires action. It's very likely you submit to your deepest needs and live life with a flair few others achieve, but many envy. All 7 virtues are a part of you, but your passion runs deepest.

Passionate types: artists, writers, composers, athletes, and heroine addicts.

Your raw relative scores follow. 0% is low, and 100% is perfect, nearly impossible. Note that I pitted the virtues against each other, so in some way these are relative scores. It's impossible to score high on all of them, and a low score on one is just relatively low compared to the other virtues.

YOUR VIRTUES

50% Compassion

44% Intelligence

63% Humility

44% Honesty

13% Discipline

29% Courage

83% Passion

Take The Best Thing About You Test at HelloQuizzy

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Okay. I know I shouldn't find this funny. But I do. I really do.

This, on the other hand, I find revolting.
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My SSIL loves "yard art" with dragon flies and other pretty things. I'm thinking my brother, however, would prefer something like this or this. Heh. (Tempting. Very, very tempting.)
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Ear Worm of the Day:



Fly right!
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Head-Scratcher of the Day:
A New York man who pleaded guilty to murder in Oregon in exchange for buckets of fried chicken will get calzones and pizza to go with his life sentence.
If only it were always that easy...
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Can't understand the judicial system? Just ask folks like these what they're being charged with as they come out of the courtroom.
Well cause she dumb like that. She tried to cheat and all that, you know what I'm saying. I was living with her and all that you know. She's um that type of female. I don't what's wrong with her man, for real, seriously. She's um. Yeah man she's a little bit psycho. Yeah. I could say that. But you know.
MMPC deals with stellar citizens like this every day. Sigh.
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I've just gone nuts over these cool Scrabble tile pendants. At only $6.50 each, they'd make great inexpensive gifts.
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The weirdness continues:
A man accused of stabbing and beheading another passenger on a Greyhound bus in Canada pleaded Tuesday in court for someone to "please kill me," and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Prosecutor Joyce Dalmyn, who argued for the evaluation, revealed new details about the attack Wednesday night. She said Vince Weiguang Li had a plastic bag containing his victim's ear, nose and part of a mouth in his pocket when officers arrested him. The only response officers received from him was: "'I have to stay on the bus forever,'" Dalmyn said.
This is simply the scariest stuff I've heard in a long, long time.
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My family already knows where the Princess Mom stands on DNRs, and we'll respect that when the time comes. If you've never considered your own stance on whether or not you'd want one, I suggest you read this.
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This continues to be a crime -- a crime against Mike Mette.
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Giggle of the Day:

cat
more cat pictures
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:

cat
more cat picture
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A judge in Canada is expected to decide whether a man charged with beheading a fellow passenger on a bus should be sent for psychiatric evaluation.
There's really a question there???
Eyewitnesses on board the bus, which was travelling through a desolate stretch of Canada's vast prairies, said Mr Li, a former church custodian, stabbed Mr McLean, who was sitting next to him, 50 or 60 times.

He then severed his head with a large knife, reportedly brandishing the head to terrified passengers.

According to a recording published on the internet of intercepted police radio transmissions from the scene, the attacker was seen to eat parts of his victim's flesh.
Nah. That's just normal behavior.
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I'm swiping a meme from Moonbeam McQueen.

Rules for ‘Insight To My Heart’

"Post the song that just gets to you every time you hear it.”

That's easy. This hymn was played at my Great Uncle's funeral, and now I can't get through it without a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye:



Gah! It did it again.
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Why do I love Hammer so? Oh, just little stuff like this.
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So tell us, Stingray, what are you allowed to do???

(A tip of the cap to Matt G. Dude, you left me in stitches!)
Leslie

Tootin' the Horn

Go blow birthday kisses to blogger Pamibe!
Leslie

Road Conditions

The Ear Worm of the Day is brought to you by the weather in Chicago:



Ugh.
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Update:
Nearly 90,000 thunderbolts had hit northern Illinois, according to the National Lightning Detection Network. At the storms' peak, it was firing off more than 800 bolts per minute; and that only counts those that hit the ground.

"There was no precedent for this," said WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling. "In every way imaginable, that storm last night was in its own league."
I just happened to be downtown when the worst of it hit. In the 19 years I've lived and worked in Chicago, it's the first time I've ever heard the tornado sirens go off. I've gotta tell you, folks -- it was freaky, freaky weather.
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Simon's cat strikes again:



(OXOXO to my curmudgeonly and adorable BlogDaddy.)
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Looks like Mark Cuban's bid for the Cubbies is gaining some tracking. This would make me a very, very happy lady.
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Okay. Maybe there is a good use for Twittering.
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Well, I hadn't considered this theory before. It's a beauty, I'll admit.
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Now here's a church I could get into! (And I don't suppose I'll be finding one in Chicago, either.)
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Since when does Tyson Foods get to ignore a national holiday in favor of a religious one??? Count me in for the boycott.
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Let's get one thing straight -- when you start bombing people, you are not an activist; you are a terrorist.
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Giggle of the Day:

cat
more cat pictures
Leslie

Drive-Bys

Happy birthday wishes to Blown Star blogger Kerrcarto!
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I am 11% Idiot.
Friggin Genius
I am not annoying at all. In fact most people come to me for advice. Of course they annoy the hell out of me. But what can I do? I am smarter than most people.

That stupid Vonnegut cost me 4 points. I have read him... but I just don't like his stuff.
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Earworm of the Day:



I don't know why, either, but it's been bouncing around inside my skull since about 10:00 p.m. last night.
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Yippee! The Two Fat Ladies DVD boxed set goes straight to the top of my birthday wish list! Man, I miss those feisty old broads.
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Yes, Chicago may be one of the nation's most friendly walking cities... but only because it sucks to drive and park in. No wonder the boys over at Second City Cop get their shorts in a bunch. Da Mair has them doing important stuff like writing parking tickets and clamping cars, instead of giving them the tools and freedom to take care of more important things... like real crime.

Nice to see Richie's got his priorities in order.
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Speaking of crime, I really don't understand the depths of depravity it took to do this.
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And here's a guy who's aptly named. Wurm, indeed.
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While I'm on the subject of things I really don't understand, where were all the other passengers and what were they doing while this guy was elbow deep in gore? It's brain-boggling to me that people could sit around while this was happening:
Witnesses say the victim was stabbed dozens of times in an apparently unprovoked attack Wednesday night aboard the bus, which was going from Edmonton, Alberta, to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

They say the attacker then severed the man's head, displayed it to some passengers and then began cutting up the body.
Nobody tried to stop him???
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Leslie