Return Trip

Cool quiz:

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Bill Weasley

Your perfect HP man is Bill Weasley.

You like guys who are cool. And not cool in that fake, dicky way, but actually cool. He's so cool that they couldn't find any actor to adequately portray him, so they decided to just leave him out of the movies rather than risk not doing justice to his coolness. He's like the Chuck Norris of Harry Potter: plain freaking awesome. When Voldemort says "You-Know-Who", he's talking about Bill Weasley.

(Fanarty by The Starhorse http://the-starhorse.deviantart.com/ Used with permission.)

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

_____

In another very cool quiz, I find I'm definitely a right-brained person:

You responded as a right brained person to 15 questions, and you responded as a left brained person to 3questions. According to the Hemispheric Dominance test, you use your right brain the most. The summary briefly describes your dominance type.

Some of the traits associated with the right side of the brain are listed in the table. Not all of the traits will apply to you. Remember, we use both side of our brain, but your right sides gets the most exercise.

Go here to find out what it all means for you... and holy crap is this spot-on for me:

If you are predominantly right-brained, you may also have trouble outlining (You've probably written many papers first and outlined them latter because an outline was required). You're the student who needs to know why you are doing something.

(A tip of the cap to Joanie!)
_____

Oh, sure. I go ahead and order this little gem, which I LOVE, and looks snazzy as hell on the shoulder of the snappy teal trapeze dress I just bought, and now the designer comes up with this, which I'm lusting over with all my heart.

Ahem. Christmas list. Hint, hint, hint...

(P.S. Accessoire shipped really fast, and I'm very pleased with the quality of the pin I bought. I'll definitely be a repeat customer.)
_____

Giggle of the Day:


see more puppies
_____

The memes just keep rolling in. This one's from caltechgirl:

Do you remember your first favorite song?If so, what was it?

Jesus Loves Me

What do you refuse to eat?

Boiled okra, runny eggs, sweet potato casserole

Have you ever injected any kind of drug before?

Self? Lovenox. Ick. Cats? All kitten and annual vaccines except rabies.

Do amusement park rides make you sick?

Nah. I love that stuff.

Who is your favorite Star Wars character?

Obi Wan.

What kind of cheese do you put on your sandwiches?

Amish yogurt cheese -- YUM!

What was the first thing you ever learned how to cook?

Fried bologna sandwiches

Did you ever collect beanie babies?

Nope. I have collectible dolls out the whazoo, but no beanies.

When was the last time you got a haircut?

September.

Have you ever been to a bachelor/bachelorette party?

Yes. My own and others. Hate them with a passion.

Where are you most ticklish on your body?

Not telling. Not for anything or anyone.

Have you ever bailed anyone out of jail?

No

What's the last board game you played?

Noodleboro Fun Park Sharing Game... with my nieces [BTW -- These games really are quite cool, and kids love them.]

Do you still own any VHS tapes?

A few. But no TV, much less VCR, to play them

Do you shop at JC Penney's ever?

Once in a blue moon

If there was a real Jurassic Park, would you visit it?

Probably not... unless it had a spa

Do you ever read the newspaper?

Every day

Do you eat your mac & cheese with a fork or a spoon?

A fork

Is there any medicine/pill you take everyday?

Not any more. Yay!

How many 20 dollar bills do you have on you right now?

Seven

Would you do meth if it was legalized?

Not on your Nelly

Are you afraid others will judge you from reading some of your answers to survey questions?

Nope

Do you think Obama will be assassinated?

I don't want to even pursue that line of thought

Have you ever made out with someone and then never saw them again?

Yep. I'd do it again, too

Do you drink egg nog?

Yes. The Princess Mom used to make it for us when we were sick

What are you wearing?

Slacks, blouse, pearls and heels

Feel free to jump in and post your own!
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:



That has to be the strangest vocal pairing in history.
_____

One more thing...

While you're celebrating all the things you're thankful for this year, drop a few bucks here in thanks for the men and women who've served this country so well and could use a hand in return.
_____

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Drive-Bys

Here's a new meme:

The meme is simple - go to the 6th file of photos on your computer. Choose the 6th photo. Post it.

This is Curacao on December 13, 2006 -- one of my many cruises with The Princess Mom.


As Helen says:

PS-I tag anyone who wants to do this, but please leave a message in the comments telling me you've done the meme. It's a pretty cool meme, and I am one nosy bitch who'd love to see your photos and will be coming by.

Me, too.
_____

Results

We think http://getonthe.blogspot.com is written by a woman (79%).

Well, I should certainly hope so. Only 79% though??? Go here and check your own blog out!

Found via Breda.
_____

Giggle of the Day: It's Marmoset Monday! (Scroll down to find it. It's worth it!)
_____

The Republican party in Illinois should have been doing this for a long, long time. Still, it's a step in the right direction.
_____

Aw, Jeeze:


more animals
_____

Christmas things that remind me of The Princess Mom:

Christmas Club accounts
Doing each other's stockings
Layaway plans
Dates stuffed with cream cheese and rolled in granulated sugar

More to come...

Drive-Bys

Saw this little test about the MMPS profile of my in a couple of places:

ISTP - The Mechanics

The independent and problem-solving type. They are especially attuned to the demands of the moment are masters of responding to challenges that arise spontaneously. They generally prefer to think things out for themselves and often avoid inter-personal conflicts.

The Mechanics enjoy working together with other independent and highly skilled people and often like seek fun and action both in their work and personal life. They enjoy adventure and risk such as in driving race cars or working as policemen and firefighters.

Oddly, my blog doesn't match my own personality type. Go figure.

Check out your own blog here!
_____

Understatement of the Day:

That's not relevant, but it was weird.

_____

Giggle of the Day:


more lol celebs!
_____

Bet you didn't know most toilets flush in the key of E flat. There ya go.
_____

Reservations are now open for BlogHer. See you there?
_____

Because I'm into book memes lately, here's one from CrankyLitProf:

–Share seven random or weird Book Facts about yourself.
–Then tag seven other people.
–Notify the seven others that they have been tagged.

1. I am RARELY found without a book or a magazine in my purse. I get antsy if I don't have reading materials with me.
   
2. I have bought seven copies of Life of Pi thus far, and I can't seem to keep one on my own bookshelf. I keep sharing them with others because I love that book so much.
3. I read in bars.
   
4. My friends all know not to talk to me in a bar when I'm down to the last eighth of a book, as I am compelled to finish and get really cranky if not allowed to finish.
   
5. I can blast through half a dozen books in a weekend (but I don't get anything else done when that happens).
6. I once bought books for sixty kids. I'll do it again some time, too. That was WAY too much fun.
   
7. I vividly remember getting my very first library card and the day I was allowed to go to the library on my own for the first time.

_____

Ear Worm of the Day:



(Because it's Friday, and JihadGene says, "Let's Dance!")

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:


more animals
_____

That's all for today. I'm outta here.
_____

Oops! One more thing. I had dinner at this terrific restaurant last night, but the thing that entranced me about it the most was that it had this cool hand dryer in the restrooms. Holy moly! I want one for every room in my house that has a sink in it!

That Dyson guy is a genius.

Drive-Bys

Tammi got tagged by Army Wife with a book meme:

The rules are: Pass it on to five other bloggers, and tell them to open the nearest book to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence on that page, and also the next two to five sentences. The CLOSEST BOOK, NOT YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST INTELLECTUAL!

The book is "The Granny" by Brendan O'Carroll:

She spent a moment thinking about Frankie, then she climbed the stairs with a heavy heart, but brightened when she saw Pierre standing in the bedroom wearing only a pair of g-string underpants, which made him look a little like an under-nourished sumo wrestler. They made love for three and a half hours, and Agnes Brown entered her forty-ninth year a satisfied woman.

* * * * *

With just five weeks left to the due date of her first birth, Cathy was excited. She was also looking forward to being a mother. She also hoped the baby would improve things and bring her and Mick closer together.

Heh. I love me some Brendan O'Carroll.

Tag your own selves. So there.
_____

Seems to me the wrong guy is going by the name of Narcisse here. And that mother should have her head examined.
_____

Ear Worm of the Day (inspired by "The Chiselers"... and you'll just have to read the book. See page 126, and just try and keep a straight face.):



I'll be giggling about this all night.
_____

Have you donated to Valor-IT yet? If not, why not... and don't forget my challenge!

Brawndo??? Hard to believe anybody would actually buy such stuff, but.... Heh.
_____

Giggle of the Day:


more animals
_____

Quote of the Day:

An extensive new research study has found that unhappy people watch more TV while those consider themselves happy spend more time reading and socializing.

If that's true, I must be the happiest girl in the whole U.S.A.


_____

Drew Peterson continues his campaign to pollute the potential juror pool. The man couldn't get any more offensive if he tried.

Genius.
_____

In order to bring real change to Illinois, the public needs to get a lot angrier than it is.

You can say that again.
_____

Alan Keyes never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think he's faded out of the picture, he pops back up again.
_____

Have you taken me up on the challenge yet? I'll extend the offer until I have at least three more of you to match.

Drive-Bys

Ear Worm of the Day:

Here

"I Love This Bar"

We got winners, we got losers
Chain smokers and boozers
And we got yuppies, we got bikers
We got thirsty hitchhikers
And the girls next door dress up like movie stars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

We got cowboys, we got truckers
Broken-hearted fools and suckers
And we got hustlers, we got fighters
Early birds and all-nighters
And the veterans talk about their battle scars

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

[Chorus:]
I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just walkin' through the front door
Puts a big smile on my face
It ain't too far, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

I've seen short skirts, we got high-techs
Blue-collar boys and rednecks
And we got lovers, lots of lookers
And I've even seen dancing girls and hookers
And we like to drink our beer from a mason jar

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Yes I do

I like my truck (I like my truck)
I like my girlfriend (I like my girlfriend)
I like to take her out to dinner
I like a movie now and then

But I love this bar
It's my kind of place
Just trollin' around the dance floor
Puts a big smile on my face
No cover charge, come as you are
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar

We got divorcees and a big bouncer man
An old jukebox and a real bad band
We got waitresses and we got barflies
A dumb-ass and a wise-guy
If you get too drunk just sleep out in your car

Reason number 672 why

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
Play it on out boys
Beer-thirty's over
Got to take it on home

Hmm, hmm, hmm I love this bar
I just love it

I've known and loved a joint or two like that. (Yeah. I have my classy moments.)
_____

Have YOU read every blog? (Holy cats, did he put me in some fine company!)
_____

Quote of the Day:

One of these days, the stars and the planets, as well as my internet connection and my health, will all align perfectly. Mercury will be in retrograde and the weather will be balmy and breezy. I’ll win the lottery and build a special room with excellent feng shui, perfect lighting and Antonio Banderas wallpaper. Then, I’ll be able to write more consistently.

Yep. That's an excuse I can get behind.
_____

Giggle of the Day (in honor of the Princess Mom!):


more animals
_____

Head Scratcher of the Day:

"It's time for you to step up and stop all the drama and stop all the nonsense and stop making these bad decisions and be a person who's going to help your family and is going to help our community," Cuthbertson said. "For some reason, I still believe you can do it."

Well, good luck to you, Your Honor.

Tootin' the Horn

I'm really excited because Team Coastie is growing by leaps and bounds:

	Soldiers Angel - Holly Aho
	Leslie's Omnibus
	Brown Hound
	The American Pundit
	The Political Jungle
	Pirate's Cove

We've about doubled Holly's and my initial donations, but we want MORE.

Holly has a list of demands here:

1. Publicly admit the Coast Guard team is a formidable competitor (trackback to this post for proof)
2. Watch The Guardian (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0406816/)
3. Have 4 new donations to your team today (use links below), and encourage donations to the Coast Guard team for the rest of the day today.

1. But of course they are!
2. Dudes, if I had a television and VCR/DVD player, I would. Is it okay if I just watched the clips on IMDB?
3. Here's my very own challenge! For the first four of my readers who donate $25 or more and join Team Coastie today, I will match each one with $25 of my very own. C'mon! How often can you double the value of your own donation?
   

BTW -- Here are a few examples of what the Coast Guard has been up to lately. Show'em some love, will you?


_____

Update: My colleague Andrew made a deal -- he donated to Valor-IT, and I matched him here as well at Valor-IT! One down, three to go. (C'mon. Make me spend more money!)

Drive-Bys

Desert Cat, he makes me laugh!
_____

Congratulations, General Dunwoody!
_____

MMMmmmmmmmm!!! Bacon!
_____

THIS is NEWS?
_____

I always wondered why only girls were targeted for this vaccine. This is very good news, indeed.

Whoa, Nelly!

Out of the blue today I got a text message from an old friend who I haven't heard from in at least a couple of years.

This is a girlfriend who I traveled with extensively when we were both showing cats.

Who remained my friend after we both stopped showing.

Whose company I cherished.

Who loved my mom (who always said Cheryl was her favorite of all my friends).

Who I helped move from Gray's Lake, IL to Miami, FL with an ancient and arthritic chocolate Labrador Retriever and a stone deaf blue-eyed white American Shorthair cat -- in the middle of August.

Yeah. That kind of great girlfriend.

Time, distance, a lost cell phone (mine), a couple of moves (hers) and pure laziness on both our parts have found us out of communication... but not out of each other's hearts.

Tonight I have to tell her about this. And this. Geeze! I'm not looking forward to this, even if I am delighted that the doors of communication are back open. Wish me luck. And a BIG box of Kleenex.

Tootin' the Horn

Have you donated to Project Valor-IT via the Coasties' team button yet?

If not, here's a little inspiration.

I dare ya not to have a tear in your eye and a spirit of generosity in your heart by the time you're done.... And do like Chuck says -- sit on your hands through the whole thing.

Now hit the button below and make me proud.

Drive-Bys

I had an IM chat with this lovely lady today, and, by golly, we're going to be roomies at BlogHer.



I imagine it'll be like a blogmeet on anabolic steroids -- bigger, more muscly and a lot more intense. Can't wait!
_____

I love Ed Koch:

It was shocking to learn, “Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. had to gather the chief executives of the nine biggest American banks and cajole them into accepting about $25 billion each in new capital. But having pleaded with the banks to take the money, and putting no government officials on bank boards, the government had little power to tell them how to spend it. Treasury officials also refused to tell banks to reduce their dividends or to increase their lending by any specific amounts.”

I find it incredible that this is happening and no one is calling foul.

Where are all the hotshots who supported Paulson in his psyching us all out by conveying that if we did not follow his plan, we would find ourselves in another Great Depression?

Why aren’t they at the very least denouncing what is now happening? We are keeping alive, in addition to banks, other institutions that have done a terrible job and were greedy.

And...

Everyone is lining up to get their federal handout.

AIG has come back for more and is to receive a total of $150 billion. The three American car companies, General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, have received $25 billion and want another $25 billion of taxpayers’ money.

Why not let them be bought by others in bankruptcy? There are those who say we are bailing out companies in order to prevent massive layoffs. In my view, those layoffs will come sooner or later anyhow because those companies are run by incompetents and no longer able to compete, while foreign companies like Toyota, manufacturing their cars in the U.S., are selling them and not seeking to be bailed out.

They make cars Americans want to buy.

Too right.
_____

So part of the Palin smear was a hoax? That still doesn't wipe out this damning with faint praise. McCain owes Palin a big apology. As does the MSM.

Don't worry. I'm not holding my breath. And, like Baldilocks, I'm truly disgusted with McCain.
_____

Quote of the Day:

"Considering how taxpayers' money around Washington isn't respected, a day shouldn't go by without having an inspector general checking on it," said Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member on the Finance Committee.

_____

Giggle of the Day:


more animals
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:



A "Let's Dance!" especially for JihadGene.

No dancing... no life... indeed.

Tootin' the Horn

It's that time of year again -- Soldiers' Angels need your help in order to be able to provide laptops with voice-control software, Wii game systems and personal GPS devices to disabled military personnel.

Laughing Wolf gives you some background on how Project Valor-IT got started here.

As for me, since I've lived near the ocean and on Lake Michigan, this year I'm joining the Coasties' team:



Right now it's just me and Holly Aho. Frankly, I couldn't be in finer company. Unless, of course, you care to join us.

I don't care whether you donate five bucks or five thousand. Just donate what you can, please.

Drive-Bys

If you're like me, you hate, hate, HATE the fact that things like erectile disfunction drugs are advertised during prime time.

If you hate that, you'll hate this even more.

Nice.
_____

AD has gifted me with an ear worm and a sight it'll take days to scrub from my psyche. Yeesh!
_____

My BlogDaddy calls my reaction to the news of the potential siezure of IRAs and 401ks "hysteria," but then he handed me back the reasons for exactly why it's not:

“From where I sit that’s just crazy,” said John Belluardo, president of Stewardship Financial Services Inc. in Tarrytown, New York. “A lot of people contribute to their 401(k)s because of the match of the employer,” he said. Belluardo’s firm does not manage assets directly.

Higher-income employers provide matching funds to employee plans so that they can qualify for tax benefits for their own defined-contribution plans, he said.

“If the tax deferral goes away, the employers have no reason to do the matches, which primarily help people in the lower income brackets,” Belluardo said.

I don't know about you, but my employer matches a whole hell of a lot more than $600 a year, and I certainly don't want to lose that. Neither should you. However...

Under Ghilarducci’s plan, all workers would receive a $600 annual inflation-adjusted subsidy from the U.S. government but would be required to invest 5 percent of their pay into a guaranteed retirement account administered by the Social Security Administration. The money in turn would be invested in special government bonds that would pay 3 percent a year, adjusted for inflation.

In addition, my current contribution to my 401k is strictly voluntary. I certainly don't want the government telling me I have to contribute 5% of my salary to a fund run by those most altruistic folks in DC to manage for my future. Oh, wait. We are already required to fork over a large chunk of our income every year to Social Security... and we all know how well that seems to be working.

$80 BILLION of our own money they're trying to take away, boys and girls. Wrap your head around that one for a while. And remember that it's people in the lower income brackets that'll be hurt the most.

Make this an opt-in program for those folks who don't want to be responsible for their own futures, and I've got no problem with this. But for those of us who choose to steer our own destinies, no thanks.
_____

And since I haven't done a Blogthing in a while:

What Your Home Says About You

You come across as very intellectual. People take your wisdom seriously. Your hygiene is passable, but you may be hiding some dirty secrets. You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are not a very nurturing person. You have enough trouble taking care of yourself. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are not a very self sufficient person. You depend on others more than you realize. Your friends see you as accommodating, peaceful, and forgiving.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

But I'm not done decorating yet, either.
_____

Oh, what the hay. Here's one more:

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere. You're the type of person who goes along to get along. And you're definitely afraid of rocking the boat. Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart. You'll put up with a situation that you don't like in fear of changing it. Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

_____

Couldn't resist. Here's one more:

You Are Grape

You are bold and a true individual. You are very different and very okay with that. People know you as a straight shooter. You're very honest, even when the truth hurts. You are also very grounded and practical. No one is going to sneak anything by you. People enjoy your fresh approach to life. And it's this honesty that makes you a very innovative person.

What Color Purple Are You?

Drive-Bys

Desert Cat linked to an article that stood my hair on end:

Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts — including 401(k)s and IRAs — and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration.

Oh, HELL NO!

I'll cash those accounts out, take the tax hit, and stuff every single dime under my mattress before this happens to MY money.

Bend over and grab your ankles. The redistribution of wealth is just beginning.

It's going to be a LONG four years.
_____

Walrilla strikes again.

(I'm thinkin' we might want to be gifting him with a bukkit of his own next time the BlownStar Blodgers get together. We can fill it with Shiner Bock, even.)
_____



Much as I love my Boys in Blog, I'm thinking I just may have to attend BlogHer 2009, as I missed the last one held in my own back yard.

Since I won't want to miss a minute of the action, I'm thinking of booking a room. Anyone interested in sharing?
_____

Drive-Bys

I have only one response to this, and that is this. 'Nuff said.
_____

For all you guys who ever needed an excuse, memorize this phrase: "alternating intermittent exotropia." (I'm pretty sure that this guy coined that handy medical term.)
_____

One more thing you'll have to worry about if you're driving in or around Chicago any time during the next four years:

If you see a motorcade with police cars, black SUVs and guys with sunglasses talking into their cuffs, don't try to cut it off.

_____

Baldilocks has a point:

I call on Captain John S. McCain, USN (ret.), Republican, Senior Senator from Arizona, to put a stop to the public smearing of your erstwhile running mate, Governor Sarah L. Palin, Republican from Alaska.

I don't care what your political affiliation, this is just sour grapes and crappy politics. At a time when the Republican party should be facing the fact that they have serious work to do to regain credibility with their base, there is no place for this junior high back-biting. It does nothing to help their image.

Mr. McCain, it's time to put a halt to this. It's those ribs that should be barbequed; not your former running mate.
_____

P.S. -- This is disingenuous and self-serving, but it doesn't work because she smirks her way through the entire interview. Can you say "bitter bitch"?

Drive-Bys

Mmmmmmmmmm... BACON! (Egad.)
_____

I giggled myself silly over this. It's certainly one of my favorite ad campaigns.
_____

And speaking of giggles...


see more puppies

Pedal to the Metal

I've been working on a novel on and off for a couple of years. Either I need to finish the sucker or quit. I need a really big kick in the butt, so here's your chance. Give it up, or keep on going?

Set in the world of cat shows, a mystery, and here I am plopping you right in the middle of the whole darned thing (right in the middle of the 1990's cat show world):

“Oh, Dahling, I had no idea you were this forceful,” Tish murmured in my ear. “Quite luvely, actually. Dottie gave me no clue.”

“Oh, Darling, before you arrived today I had no idea you were a man, much less gay, actually,” I simpered back insincerely.

Tish’s head whipped up, he regarded me solemnly for a moment, and then a big grin split his face and I got a glimpse of a gold tooth. “Oh, Sweetheart, Dottie likes you, but does she really know just what you’re made of?”

“Hell, Tish, I don’t know what I’m made of, but I think we’re going to find out together. How does that suit you?”

“Like my favorite Calvin Klein jeans,” he replied.

To write, or not to write?

Drive-Bys

Ear Worm of the Day:


_____

Aw, geeze! Gwynneth Paltrow copycatted the Princess Mom and hit the red carpet dressed as the Maidenform Woman.

TPM did it better, of course, and wouldn't have been caught dead in those fuggly-ass boots. So there.
_____

Drive-Bys

This old meme has been making circles back around the blogosphere, and since I didn't do it last time...

My band? Retail Testing
Our album? A Tree At All
The cover?

Wanna make your own? Here are the rules swiped from Tammi and Rave:

1. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The First random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2. Go to random quotations: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3

The last four words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album. If you want to do this again, hit refresh to generate new quotes, because clicking the quotes link again will just give you the same quotes over and over again.

3. Go to Flickr's 'explore the last seven days.' Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover. Put it all together, that's your debut album.

There ya go!

Update:

My bloggity buddy Moonbeam McQueen upped the ante and added two new steps to the meme:

4. Go to Blogger. Click on “Blogs of Note.” Then, click on “Next Blog.” The title of the first English language blog you see is the title of your album’s upcoming, chart busting, #1 (with a bullet) hit song.

5. Finally, go to the Rock Star Name Generator to find out what your band member name is.

Well?

#1 With a Bullet? Huffmania
My Rock Star Name? Maggie Cherry

_____

I knew I liked this guy for a good reason. Clearly he's living my life in a parallel world.
_____

Aw, Gee, How Cute! of the Day:


see more puppies
_____

One more note -- If you've got strong feelings about this election and you haven't voted yet, get your behind to the polls tomorrow, no matter who your candidate is. And no whinging when the results come in, either -- especially if you didn't vote.

Drive-Bys

If you live in or near Des Plaines, you know that The Choo Choo is a tradition in town. Seems our wonderful mayor has designs on that particular piece of real estate, and wants tear the building down.

Stop by here and give him a piece of your mind, will ya? Even better, stop by and have a bite to eat. You'll be glad you did!
_____

Mamacita is on a tear:

Yes, I did receive your email explaining how you had to work late last night and were really, really tired, and when the alarm went off you just couldn’t get up, you just COULDN’T, so for the sake of your health you turned over and went back to sleep, and you thanked me in advance for understanding because you know I remember how it felt to be young and so tired it just wasn’t humanly possible to get up for just a test. I didn’t answer it because it’s hard to type when you’re laughing that hard.

All kids should have a prof so swell as she!
_____

See what you miss when you don't go to blogmeets?

Hmmm...

I'm thinking Joanie and Nancy and I should give those guys a run for their money. We could call ourselves the Hell's Belles or some such blather.
_____

Giggle of the Day:


more animals

(That strikes really close to home today!)

In Memorium

My BlogDaddy has lost his best furry friend. Stop on by and give him a hug.

There's nothing harder and no bigger privilege in the world than to stand on this side and send your best pal over the Rainbow Bridge.

My heart goes out to you, Kevin!

Drive-Bys

Saw these and immediately thought of this guy and this guy. (Oh, yeah. They remind me of Guy, too.)

(Blame it on Julie, not me, okay?)
_____

Incredibly Stupid Quote of the Day:

There have been moments in the general election when the one-sidedness of our site — when nearly every story was some variation on how poorly McCain was doing or how well Barack Obama was faring — has made us cringe.

As it happens, McCain’s campaign is going quite poorly and Obama’s is going well. Imposing artificial balance on this reality would be a bias of its own.

Pot? Kettle. Kettle? Pot.

Sheesh.
_____

These pictures are just incredibly cool.
_____

When you see that I grew up on stuff like this...



... you cease to wonder why I turned out the way I did. Frightening, isn't it?
_____

Drive-Bys

You Should Be Allowed to Vote

You got 15/15 questions correct. Generally speaking, you're very well informed. If you vote this election, you'll know exactly who (and what) you'll be voting for. You're likely to have strong opinions, and you have the facts to back them up.

Should You Be Allowed to Vote?

Just so you know.
_____

My sister had a cat she nicknamed MOTAC ("Minion of the Anti-Christ"). Seems Maeve's got a MOTAC of her own. Is it any wonder that this...



... made me think of her?
_____

Giggle of the Day:


more animals

This, too.

And if cats don't do it for you, how about a puppy?



(Via Julie)
_____

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:

_____

I've always been better at remembering faces than names. This test confirms it! I got a 100% Recognition Score and a 79% Temporal Memory score (which would probably have been higher if I'd know from the get-go that's what was being measured).

How about you?

(Thanks, Elizabeth!)
_____

For those of us singletons who'll never bake a cake because we're afraid we'd eat the entire thing, this is just the coolest:

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour (that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips(optional)
a small splash of vanilla essence

Spray PAM in mug.

In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla essence, and mix again.

Pour mixture into mug.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (This can serve 2)

And why is this is the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

(A tip of the cap to the Sweetheart of Shell Knob, MO!)
_____

An argument my brother will raise the next time Sainted SIL complains...
_____

These are graduate students? I'd expect this from teenagers, but not from grad students. Kellogg is a prestigious school, and I'm sure they're livid about this.
_____

Shot hot tea right out my nose when I read this.
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:

Drive-Bys

Yum!
_____

Giggle of the Day:


more animals
_____

Face/Palm - The Musical. Just try and keep a straight face. I dare you!
_____

This reminds me of Velociman:



There's nothing sweeter than the adventures of one man and his monkey.

Drive-Bys

Quote of the Day:

The bottom line is that while our opinion leaders in politics and the media have been playing up a nonexistent war, Americans have been learning to become more comfortable with themselves and with their neighbors. The eight-year Clinton Administration did nothing to make it harder to be an Evangelical Christian in America. The eight-year Bush Administration did nothing to make it harder to be gay. While there are certainly differences of opinion at the margins—and marginal differences always appear greater than they truly are—we have converged to become a free, tolerant society.

So why does the mythical culture war persist? Easy. It serves someone’s interests. In particular, it serves the interests of our political elite. “I am fighting to defend you in the culture wars” translates into “If I can convince you that the other guy will interfere with your lifestyle, your partner, or your family, you will vote for me no matter how corrupt and incompetent I might be.” The media loves it because it’s a great (and never ending) story. It creates tension and conflict where there need not be any, heightens the stakes of even minor disputes, and sells copy. (For those beginning to wonder, this phenomenon is called a “convergence of interests,” and is quite common in oligopolistic industries. It is not, in any sense, a coordinated conspiracy. So don’t use my stuff as a launching pad to go there).

And wouldn’t you know it? It works. Millions of Americans—myself included until quite recently—fall for this garbage. We choose a party affiliation based largely on cultural issues, then look the other way at the damage that “our side” is imposing on the country (ourselves included).

Yes, indeedy.
_____

And another thing:



(Thanks, Beth!)
_____

Now go read this piece by Orson Scott Card.
_____

Okay. Enough of standing on my soap box. Here's the Giggle of the Day:


more animals
_____

Drive-Bys

For all those folks who've picked on Blogger... mu.nu is down again, and Blogger's like a Timex that takes a lickin' and keeps on ticken'.

It must be one of those technowhiz v. technotard (like moi) things. I'd rather use something that is relatively simple and works like a champ than something I had to fiddle with constantly.

Whatever floats your boat.
_____

Giggle of the Day:


see more puppies


more animals
_____

Tom Dart has become Chicago's very own Michael Knight. Why? Because one man can (and did) make a difference.

How cool is that?
_____

In one very odd harmonic convergence, the last three books I've read (one romance, one murder mystery and, currently, a thriller) have mentioned, if not featured, this group. How weird is that?
_____

Giggle of the Day:


see more puppies
_____

This place is aptly named... on more than one level! (Can you read the whole thing without laughing? I couldn't.)

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:

____

Quote of the Day:

God damn it all to hell, you're not going to throw out my ducky costume!

Hmmm. Reminds me of someone else I know... and I'll bet he's a blast at blogmeets, too.
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:

Drive-Bys

The view from my company's skybox at the United Center last night (click to embiggen):

Hot chicks and Zambonis. Who could ask for anything more?

Okay. So you could, and you knew I'd give it up for you, right?

Sigh. Why, why, WHY couldn't that have gone into the net at the other end of the ice?

@$*$%^ Chicago teams!
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:



Perzackly.
_____

Tex In The City - Episode I

Seems 'Pup's former classmates took the "class" right out of the word, but that just meant I had much more time with two of my favorite BlownStar blodgers.

We started early Saturday afternoon over a leisurely lunch in the beer garden (where else?) at Jimmy's Restaurant, which is spitting distance from the Depot d'Omnibus. Located right next to another garden spot, Nancy and 'Pup felt right at home.

Next stop? The Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, IL. It's an incredibly lovely building that closely resembles white marble lace. It's beautiful architecture and impeccably-kept grounds make it a "must" for any visit to the Chicago area.

Then we were off to the Chicago Botanic Garden via the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route. Given the late afternoon timing and consideration to 'Pup's arthritis and Nancy's gacked-out knees, we took a tram tour around the gardens to give them an idea of the many different gardens offered and the sheer size of the place. (See pics below.)

Create a Free Slideshow

We took the fast route back into the city, and headed down Lake Shore Drive from the Hollywood entrance all the way down past the Field Museum, Soldier Field and McCormick Place for a view of the skyline. We then headed back in the opposite direction for a quick tour of North Michigan Avenue, including a peek at the original Water Tower.

Finally, we stashed the rental car in a parking garage and flagged down a taxi to haul us to Rosebud on Rush for an al fresco dinner. After a ton of good pasta, we flagged down another taxi and headed down to Howl at the Moon for a little dueling piano action. Aside from one inconsiderate idiot, the evening was entirely entertaining. (In fact, I'd like to give a shout-out to those Purdue and Ohio State fans who turned bribing the piano player into a highly lucrative blood sport. $200 for one song? Dudes! I'm in awe.)

Anyhow, we're older than we once were, so we eventually headed off to our respective night-nights... with a promise to meet again yesterday and do it all over again. More tomorrow!

Drive-Bys

Today's Ear Worm:



This, courtesy of my buddy Sascha, manager of this fine Potbelly establishment. Hearing it playing on the radio when I swung by for my favorite breakfast sandwich was a reminder that the Princess Mom used to call my buddy Hank McAndless "Hanky Panky" with great glee.

Memories of a tall, blonde, mustachioed hottie and of a gleeful Princess Mom = One Very Good Day.
_____

One of the things Nancy and I chatted about during her visit here is the possibility of reviving Christina's old 1,000 word story challenges. Rosie has apparently also expressed interest. Since I'm not quite up to a Blog Novella, yet, the idea of 1,000 words based on a trigger sentence or two has a lot of appeal.

Sharpen your pencils, boys and girls. We'll be getting back to you with the details soon.
_____

Snerk!
_____

Happy birthday, Grandpa! 32? That's amazing.

Drive-Bys

I'm in a bit of a pissy mood because I can't go to Helen this year, so I decided to play some Calvin Ball:

Your result for How good of a Calvinball player are you?...

Your Grade= A+ Good knowledge and excellent strategy!

63% Game_Knowledge and 89% Game_Skill!

Amazing. You are part of the 4.3% of the population that landed in this category.^* You know the game and its history well, and you did amazingly well when it came to playing Calvinball strategically.

This suggests that you probably have a natural talent in Calvinball. You have learned that the trick to doing well in Calvinball is not brute strength, but quick wit. With your natural ability you could go far.

You are definitely already talented enough to beat Calvin. A match versus the quick-witted tiger would be close. I'm going to give you the edge, but his superior knowledge of the game might propel him to victory.

* This is a made up number.

Take How good of a Calvinball player are you? at HelloQuizzy

That cheered me up a bit.

And then I got a text message from this Texas pal o'mine. Seem she and her dear hubby are in Chicago for a high school reunion, and I get to take them out on the town tomorrow evening.

If I can't have my Blown-Eyed Blodgers, I'll take a couple of the Blown Star variety!

(I just hope my pals in Helen remember to tip a gallon or two of the Chatham Artillery Battery Acid and Built-In Hangover in my honor.... A real hardship, I know.)
_____

And since I heard him on Steve and Johnnie last night, here's a little Tommy Emmanuel for you...



... and one for Denny and CharlieDelta:


_____

That's all for now. Have a great weekend, y'all!

Drive-Bys

The only politician in Cook County I have any respect for is Sheriff Tom Dart. Is it any wonder?
_____

man in cat suit poops in sand trap

Why me???
_____

For Kerrcarto, CharlieDelta and Paul:


more animals

Can't think of why this might remind me of you...
_____

Snagged this little quiz from Jay:

Your result for The Supervillain Archetype Test...

The Professional

Cool, Levelheaded, Lethal

The Professional is the most dangerous of all villains. You do what you do better than anyone, because, as a Professional, you have standards.

The Professional is like the Crook in that they both desire money. But the Professional wants more than that. The Professional wants job satisfaction. It isn't sadism really, he just wants to be sure that the job is done, and done well. No hard feelings, it's just business. Professionals prefer to work alone, but will work in groups if given incentive.

The greatest weakness of a Professional is risk. A Professional is business-like, but can't resist a challenge. They often use the word "worthy opponent". People like that are easily baited. And if a Professional is eventually cornered (not easy to do), they might lose it.

Sample Professionals: Deathstroke, Bullseye, Revanche

Take The Supervillain Archetype Test at HelloQuizzy

Heh.
_____

Ear Worm of the Day:


_____

Giggle of the Day:


_____

Drive-Bys

For Zonker and JihadGene:



(You know you love it!)
_____

Want to know who to blame for the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac debacle? Just ask LawDog.

Frightening.
_____

The Advice Goddess is on a tear about assholes who are clearly not disabled abusing disabled parking.

There's a guy who does just that every day right next to my train station. Tomorrow I get out the camera phone and take a movie of him parking and sauntering off. Then I'm calling the cop shop, which is right across the street. And I'll have the photographic evidence to back up my allegations. I've had it with this jerk.

(And, yes -- the fact that the Princess Mom couldn't go out unless she was in a wheelchair these last couple of months did bring home clearly how necessary those spaces are!)
_____

Drive-Bys

Got a lot of unused vacation time? Read this, and you might want to rethink banking all that time. I've got 129+ hours banked, and I'm going to be making a BIG dent in that real, real soon.
_____

Giggle of the Day:


more animals
_____

Bwaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha! (T1G rocks. Geeze, I wish he'd move back to Chicago.)
_____

Just for the record, there is no joy in Cubville. None whatsoever.
_____

And on that happy note...


see more puppies

I needz cheerin up. Srsly.
_____

Finally, I don't get paid to endorse products. I only do it when I find something that really blows my skirt up. This game, recommended by the Venomous One, was a HUGE hit with TMPAE on the occasion of her third birthday. Even my brother got in on the fun.

Six pieces. LOADS of fun.

From the Rowdies in the Back of the Bus

From the Sweetheart of Shell Knob, MO:

Updated for 2008!
Chicken

BARACK OBAMA:The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road... ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

SARAH PALIN: BECAUSE, PRAISE JESUS, I WAS GONNA SHOOT HIS SORRY LIBERAL ASS OFF FOR BLOCKING MY VIEW OF RUSSIA!

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of crossing?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmers Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why they call it the other side. Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay, too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never crash.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
_____

And since Jihadgene is holding his usual Friday "Let's Dance!" party, I'll see him a Chubby Checker and raise him a Laura Petrie:

Where In The Heck...

... have I been for the last couple of days? Rejoining the living.

Night before last, I hit one of my favorite late night watering holes and met this reporter from Amsterdam who looks a lot like this guy, but with better hair and accent. Yes, I stayed out WAY too late. And, no, I didn't pinch myself. If that was a dream, I still don't want to wake up.

Anyhow...

Last night I spent texting back and forth with this Cubs baseball fanatic, trying to keep him from committing hari kari over last night's game. Geeze.

Tonight, I'm off to Octoberfest with my firm.

Yup. I'm back among the living.
_____

And you need my ear worm of the day: