This year Paul and I went to Disneyland with his family. Neither of us were looking forward to the drive, but at least it was short (compared to the 11 hrs to Utah we were familiar with). The drive was mostly uneventful. Although LA is not a driver-friendly place, it is alarmingly like driving in Utah--too fast, no signalling, no space between cars, and lots of leap-frogging. It was kind of comforting, in a weird, messed-up sort of way. At any rate, we made it to the hotel and got ourselves checked in. Soon Paul's family arrived, an average amount of hugging ensued, and a plan of attack was devised. We would begin in Tomorrowland and work counterclockwise through the park. This plan lasted precisely 1 land. We skipped Space Mountain because I am a wuss and no one wanted to wait for a hour while I bummed about the park. (They are nice and all.) So we did Innovations which is not anything remotely close to interesting or a ride. We then fled Tomorrowland for the far more happening Fantasyland. We rode the Matterhorn (very bumpy and rough, I'd forgotten that), the Teacups, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (as awesome as ever), and Snow White's Scary Adventures. Fantasyland was getting really, really, REALLY crowded, so we moved over to the other side of the park, which was much less busy. We rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, visited the Tiki Room (which is AWESOME!), and Paul and his family rode the Tower of Terror, while I searched for pajamas which I had left at home. Oops. We had dinner at a nice restaurant in New Orleans Square, After that we went back to the hotel. We arrived just in time to see the fireworks from the balcony. After that we went to bed because we were exhausted.
Day 2 started later than Day 1 and in the California Adventure Park. It's more like a standard amusement park with roller coasters and the like, so not so much my cup of tea. In retrospect, I probably should have gone over to Fantasyland and ridden the Pinocchio ride or something that equally appealed only to me. Of course, if I had done that, I wouldn't have explored the whole park and been able to fill Paul and his family in on the wait times for the big roller coaster or the lauch-you-a-thousand-feet-in-the-air-and-then-drop-you ride, which were remarkably short. Grizzly Rapids looked super fun, but it was too cold for a water ride. (The weather was cool and got progressively cloudy and windy over the afternoon and into the evening. By the evening, I was freezing from the wind, even though I was wearing my trench coat over a heavy cardigan over a long-sleeved shirt. Paul kindly took his hoodie and put it over all my layers, then laughed because I looked like a chocolate kiss.) After that, Paul's dad and brother bailed to watch the Vegas bowl, while the rest of us went back to Disneyland. Paul and his littlest brother, Spencer, rode Splash Mountain together. Then we all rode the Winnie the Pooh Ride, which is the best new ride at Disneyland, forget that Indiana Jones nonsense. They play the heffalump and woozels song while going through a trippy, black light paradise in a honey pot. If one was actually tripping, the heffalumps and woozels would be genuinely freaky. We rode the new Pirates of the Caribbean, which is mostly the same (good). We also fought through some absurdly long lines to get to the Small World holiday ride. It was nice, but I prefer the regular one more. After all that, we rode the train across the park, enjoyed the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Haunted Mansion, which was very fun as well. Way better than the usual Haunted Mansion. Finally, we went back to the hotel and crashed with the goal of leaving for Utah early the next morning.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Back from the Magical Kingdom
Hey, just got back to Provo from Disneyland. It was a great trip, so I'll be sure to write about it when it's not Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas y'all and see you on the 26th. (Unless you are immediate family. In that case, see you in a few hours.)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
So It Begins (Again)
All right, well it's been a super-long time since I blogged, so sorry about that. Luckily Paul and I lead lives of exceedingly regularity. Let's see, since we last talked I've:
-Written two papers totaling thirty pages
-Finished TAing this morning after grading and reporting grades for the final.
-Completed Japanese 201 and am one semester closer to sending the infernal language back to the bowels of hell, from whence it was clearly spawned.
-Bought several pairs of socks
Paul has:
-Been promoted, salaried, and received a raise
-Purchased DJ Hero and now walks around going "wicka wicka what?"
-Washed the dishes too large for the dishwasher
Piper has:
-Recovered from her double ear infections
-Got a bed
-Curled up next to the laptop begging for attention
Thanksgiving was fine; it was just Paul and me. We're looking forward to Christmas and seeing everyone plus visiting a snowy winter wonderland for the holidays before returning to our sunny, 70 degree paradise.
-Written two papers totaling thirty pages
-Finished TAing this morning after grading and reporting grades for the final.
-Completed Japanese 201 and am one semester closer to sending the infernal language back to the bowels of hell, from whence it was clearly spawned.
-Bought several pairs of socks
Paul has:
-Been promoted, salaried, and received a raise
-Purchased DJ Hero and now walks around going "wicka wicka what?"
-Washed the dishes too large for the dishwasher
Piper has:
-Recovered from her double ear infections
-Got a bed
-Curled up next to the laptop begging for attention
Thanksgiving was fine; it was just Paul and me. We're looking forward to Christmas and seeing everyone plus visiting a snowy winter wonderland for the holidays before returning to our sunny, 70 degree paradise.
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: When Blogging Resumes!
It's the most wonderful time of the year when blogging resumes. I'm too excited for wrapping presents and putting up a tree and decorating to type up a full report right now, so look for one later tonight!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Must Reach Thanksgiving
I am still alive.
Paul is still alive.
Piper is still alive.
We are drowning in work and several feet under water.
Piper's busy being expensive and sick (though she is on the mend.)
We will try to dig ourselves out by the holidays.
Blogging should resume then.
Paul is still alive.
Piper is still alive.
We are drowning in work and several feet under water.
Piper's busy being expensive and sick (though she is on the mend.)
We will try to dig ourselves out by the holidays.
Blogging should resume then.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Organ Donation: A Surprisingly Funny Thing
I got a letter in the mail today from the Arizona organ registry, thanking me for signing up. (I signed up when I got my Arizona license last month. If I died before then, I guess Utah got first dibs on my organs.) In fact, it thanked me so profusely and gushingly that I began to giggle. And I really haven't stopped giggling. I'm pretty sure this is not the response they intended to elicit.
But it's just so funny to me. Why wouldn't I donate my organs? It's not like I'm using them. I'm dead! You could perform a disrepectful marionette show with my corpse for all I care. I'm dead! The organ registry even gave me two cards: one for me and one for "a family member or loved one who may make medical decisions on your behalf." So if you consider yourself a family member or loved one who may make medical decisions on my behalf, I'm an organ donor. You can cremate, bury, or donate the rest to science, whichever is cheapest and rocks your socks. (Paul says he has no firm opinion, except that he would prefer I don't die. I said okay; it seemed reasonable.)
Note: If I'm ever making medical decisions on your behalf, your organs are going too. What happens after that is up to you. Except viewings. They are creepy and you aren't getting one. If your mortal enemies need to know you're dead, they'll just have to sneak a peak on their own.
But it's just so funny to me. Why wouldn't I donate my organs? It's not like I'm using them. I'm dead! You could perform a disrepectful marionette show with my corpse for all I care. I'm dead! The organ registry even gave me two cards: one for me and one for "a family member or loved one who may make medical decisions on your behalf." So if you consider yourself a family member or loved one who may make medical decisions on my behalf, I'm an organ donor. You can cremate, bury, or donate the rest to science, whichever is cheapest and rocks your socks. (Paul says he has no firm opinion, except that he would prefer I don't die. I said okay; it seemed reasonable.)
Note: If I'm ever making medical decisions on your behalf, your organs are going too. What happens after that is up to you. Except viewings. They are creepy and you aren't getting one. If your mortal enemies need to know you're dead, they'll just have to sneak a peak on their own.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Incommunicado Again
There was an unfortunate incident involving our phone and a certain man-made body of water this afternoon. So until we get a replacement phone, we are only reachable by e-mail or Skype. Sorry.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Of Chain E-mails and Friends
Recently, I appear to have been swept away by a tidal wave of chain e-mail-esque requests: five favorite albums, fifteen books that changed your life, how long would you survive in a horror film. Okay, that's a quiz, but it functions the same. They're supposed to be interesting and revealing, but they actually provide basic information. If you're friends in real life, none of the items on the lists are surprising. Wouldn't you rather know why, the reasons behind the choices? Is it really that interesting to know that I'm listening to the Killers' "Dustland Fairytale"? Or is it more interesting that I can't stop listening to it because the bridge matches a well-known Chinese drama in a poetic way? Besides, how many books really change one's life? I offer the following list as evidence.
1. The Golden Peaches of Samarkand
2. The Broken Commandment
3. Bolshevik Women
4. Mulian Rescues His Mother From Hell
5. Ethan Frome
6. The Book of Ruth
7. Biographies of Exemplary Women
8. Second to None
9. The Complete Collection of Sherlock Holmes
10. The Makioka Sisters
11. An Injustice to Dou E
12. Chicago Manual of Style
13. Between God and Tsar
14. So Far From Bamboo Grove
15. The Right Women
These are 15 books that--according to Facebook and the lies told there--changed my life. Except very few of them did and those that did did so in minor ways. "The Golden Peaches of Samarkand" is a book on Tang exotica that provided scholarly reinforcement to the idea that Tang China was where it was at, historically speaking. "The Broken Commandment" is the first piece of Japanese literature I read. If you have any shred of human decency, it will leave you weeping and wanting to change the world. "Bolshevik Women" follows female revolutionaries from the late 1800s through the 1940s. Full of statistical goodness, it also makes excellent use of individual case studies. "Mulian Rescues His Mother From Hell" was the first Buddhist text I read and it is awesome! The depictions of Hell stick with you, I assure you. "Ethan Frome" made me love Edith Wharton, who subsequently is one of the few fiction writers I enjoy reading. The Book of Ruth is my favorite book in the Old Testament. The Biographies of Exemplary Women is a Chinese book written ~2,000 years ago. It's biographies of women of outstanding deportment, intelligence, wisdom, chastity, righteousness, and rhetoric. Oh, and there's a kicking chapter of bad examples.
I could go on, but I think I've made my point. Now either make a decent Facebook chain e-mail/quiz or stop sending them!
1. The Golden Peaches of Samarkand
2. The Broken Commandment
3. Bolshevik Women
4. Mulian Rescues His Mother From Hell
5. Ethan Frome
6. The Book of Ruth
7. Biographies of Exemplary Women
8. Second to None
9. The Complete Collection of Sherlock Holmes
10. The Makioka Sisters
11. An Injustice to Dou E
12. Chicago Manual of Style
13. Between God and Tsar
14. So Far From Bamboo Grove
15. The Right Women
These are 15 books that--according to Facebook and the lies told there--changed my life. Except very few of them did and those that did did so in minor ways. "The Golden Peaches of Samarkand" is a book on Tang exotica that provided scholarly reinforcement to the idea that Tang China was where it was at, historically speaking. "The Broken Commandment" is the first piece of Japanese literature I read. If you have any shred of human decency, it will leave you weeping and wanting to change the world. "Bolshevik Women" follows female revolutionaries from the late 1800s through the 1940s. Full of statistical goodness, it also makes excellent use of individual case studies. "Mulian Rescues His Mother From Hell" was the first Buddhist text I read and it is awesome! The depictions of Hell stick with you, I assure you. "Ethan Frome" made me love Edith Wharton, who subsequently is one of the few fiction writers I enjoy reading. The Book of Ruth is my favorite book in the Old Testament. The Biographies of Exemplary Women is a Chinese book written ~2,000 years ago. It's biographies of women of outstanding deportment, intelligence, wisdom, chastity, righteousness, and rhetoric. Oh, and there's a kicking chapter of bad examples.
I could go on, but I think I've made my point. Now either make a decent Facebook chain e-mail/quiz or stop sending them!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
AWOL
Jennifer Bussio is AWOL. We are especially concerned because she has left her brain at home, next to the proper attitude. If you know where she is, please notify us immediately. Do NOT approach her, as she may be non-sensical and exhibiting signs of poor judgment and/or confusion.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Train Keeps A-Rollin'
We keep chugging along down here. We got swamped with guests over the last two weeks, but it has been a lot of fun. First, Nick came down for a couple of days. Together, he and Paul lived the high life for four days. There was endless swimming and eating out. Both parties may never recover. Especially poor Nick, who got a nasty sunburn on his last day. That was also the day we realized we didn't own any sunscreen.
After Nick, one of my fellow grad students came to stay. She's in the Ph.D. section, but she was in my Daoism class and she also works for the same professor as I do. Her husband got a job in San Diego, so they moved out there and she commutes. In the fall, she has a rented room, but it's not fall yet, so she crashed in our spare room. She's a really nice person--she's always going out of her way to help us young'ins--so it was a pleasure to help her for a change. Now, our house is finally empty again, but not for long. The rest of Paul's family is coming down for a visit next week on their way to the family reunion (which Paul and I cannot go to. Sniffle.).
Lastly, I got my hair cut yesterday. It's something I've been meaning to do for a year (yes, I am that procrastinaty). It had gotten so long that it couldn't be done up in a bun (too heavy) and even a two-hair-banded braid wouldn't stay in place--the weight of the hair would pull the top band out of place. I took a picture before I left to get it cut; I didn't realize it, but my hair was down around my hips. That's way too long, even for me! Now my hair is much shorter, with plenty of gorgeous layers and a general good shape. I really like it a lot, though I wanted it a bit longer. I think I'll grow it a little longer in the winter, but keep it short in the summer. Anyway, here are the before and after pictures. Apologies for the before, but it's hard to take a picture of your back while hiding a messy room and a sleeping husband. And after isn't the best shot of me due to the upward angle, but my hair does look fabulous in it.
Before:
After:
After Nick, one of my fellow grad students came to stay. She's in the Ph.D. section, but she was in my Daoism class and she also works for the same professor as I do. Her husband got a job in San Diego, so they moved out there and she commutes. In the fall, she has a rented room, but it's not fall yet, so she crashed in our spare room. She's a really nice person--she's always going out of her way to help us young'ins--so it was a pleasure to help her for a change. Now, our house is finally empty again, but not for long. The rest of Paul's family is coming down for a visit next week on their way to the family reunion (which Paul and I cannot go to. Sniffle.).
Lastly, I got my hair cut yesterday. It's something I've been meaning to do for a year (yes, I am that procrastinaty). It had gotten so long that it couldn't be done up in a bun (too heavy) and even a two-hair-banded braid wouldn't stay in place--the weight of the hair would pull the top band out of place. I took a picture before I left to get it cut; I didn't realize it, but my hair was down around my hips. That's way too long, even for me! Now my hair is much shorter, with plenty of gorgeous layers and a general good shape. I really like it a lot, though I wanted it a bit longer. I think I'll grow it a little longer in the winter, but keep it short in the summer. Anyway, here are the before and after pictures. Apologies for the before, but it's hard to take a picture of your back while hiding a messy room and a sleeping husband. And after isn't the best shot of me due to the upward angle, but my hair does look fabulous in it.
Before:
After:
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Second Great Facebook Dilemma
So, it's been a while. Not much has happened, I've been working, Paul's been working, Piper's even been working (the heat and the large light near our door have been encouraging various bugs to try their luck indoors).
Now that everyone's all caught up, let's move on to the main topic of discussion: The Second Great Facebook Dilemma. When I signed up for Facebook, I knew the day would come: the day when I would have to reject people as friends. I also worried there would be a day where I wanted to stop being friends with someone. And now the day has come. But that's not what triggered the Second Great Facebook Dilemma. I was prepared for that eventuality. I adulted up and hit "ignore." I'm sorry if anyone's feelings were hurt, but I will likely never see them again so the decision was relatively guilt-free. No, what triggered it was learning that some people who I was once good friends with are loon-tastic in one way or another. Well, loony friends and having old Sunday school teachers wish to befriend me. Of course I want to be friends, person I knew for one year when I was thirteen! Inevitably, I find myself thinking, "We came from roughly the same environment. How did you come to believe such crack-smoking libertarian things? or When did you become a street-corner evangelist?" In fairness, if I ever wrote about my political views or religious opinions, they'd probably be asking themselves how/when I became such a godless commie. No one stays the same forever; I suppose some we'll work things out (agree to disagree and continue on our merry way)and others and I will go our separate ways. There's no shame in that. Still, I wish I had set up two accounts: one for current friends or people that I've know for so very long that they could turn out to be axe murderers and I'd still talk to them and one for random acquaintances wanting a "where are you now" update.
Now that everyone's all caught up, let's move on to the main topic of discussion: The Second Great Facebook Dilemma. When I signed up for Facebook, I knew the day would come: the day when I would have to reject people as friends. I also worried there would be a day where I wanted to stop being friends with someone. And now the day has come. But that's not what triggered the Second Great Facebook Dilemma. I was prepared for that eventuality. I adulted up and hit "ignore." I'm sorry if anyone's feelings were hurt, but I will likely never see them again so the decision was relatively guilt-free. No, what triggered it was learning that some people who I was once good friends with are loon-tastic in one way or another. Well, loony friends and having old Sunday school teachers wish to befriend me. Of course I want to be friends, person I knew for one year when I was thirteen! Inevitably, I find myself thinking, "We came from roughly the same environment. How did you come to believe such crack-smoking libertarian things? or When did you become a street-corner evangelist?" In fairness, if I ever wrote about my political views or religious opinions, they'd probably be asking themselves how/when I became such a godless commie. No one stays the same forever; I suppose some we'll work things out (agree to disagree and continue on our merry way)and others and I will go our separate ways. There's no shame in that. Still, I wish I had set up two accounts: one for current friends or people that I've know for so very long that they could turn out to be axe murderers and I'd still talk to them and one for random acquaintances wanting a "where are you now" update.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Epic Struggle of Cat Versus Bag
Well, only two of my Fourth of July photos turned out, so here's a short slide show of Piper going to town with the Ikea bag I use for recycling. She spent an hour playing with it, but she's a quick sucker. Much like the fireworks on the Fourth. :argh:
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wrapping Up Loose Ends
Wrapping up some loose ends, here are the answers to the quiz:
1. Jennifer's last name is:
a. Bussio
b. Muhlestein
c. Bussio-Muhlestein
d. Jennifer has only one name, like Cher
You'd be surprised how often people are mistaken on this.
2. For late night, Jennifer watches:
a. David Letterman
b. Conan O'Brien
c. Craig Ferguson
d. What are you talking about? She's asleep by 10:30 pm!
I can't recommend it in good conscience, but that Scottish Conan can be hilarious. In full disclosure, I do Tivo it and watch the next day.
3. Jennifer rarely reads this kind of book:
a. Fiction
b. Non-fiction
c. Old
d. Jennifer hates reading
Fiction's never rocked my socks. Why read made up stuff when you can read interesting real stuff?
4. Jennifer frequently quotes what TV show?
a. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
b. Bones
c. Dr. Who
d. Futurama
One of the funniest shows ever made. "You watched it, you can't unwatch it," "If that is your freedom day wish," "...and the lies upon lies." Did I mention their spaceship has an Accusing Parlor?!!
5. Speaking of TV shows, Jennifer's favorite is:
a. House
b. Bones
c. Angel
d. Dr. Who
If you missed this one, you are dead to me. DEAD.
6. Jennifer does not own any:
a. Perfume
b. Scrunchies
c. Lipstick
d. Mascara
Don't know why, just don't. I do own mascara, I just never wear it.
7. In Rock Band, Jennifer plays which instruments?
a. Guitar
b. Bass
c. Vocals
d. Drums
e. A, B, and C are all correct
Sadly, it would appear even small children can best me on the drums.
8. Jennifer's favorite color is:
a. Green
b. Blue
c. Yellow
d. Jennifer has no one favorite color
If it's bright and happy, I like it. No pastels, though. It's like they took decent colors and made them ugly.
9. Jennifer hates scary movies EXCEPT those with:
a. Ghosts because they are not scary
b. Vampires because they seek true love, not blood, these days
c. Zombies because she could take 'em in a fight
d. Monsters because they always look fake.
Also, zombies hold a special place in my heart. Thanks, House of the Dead 3!
10. Jennifer loves:
a. Cats
b. Dogs and cats
c. Most traditional pets
d. All animals except pigeons, cicadas and spiders who thirst for her blood.
Quail and I have resolved our differences, whoever asked.
11. Jennifer is married to:
a. Paul
b. That One Guy
c. David
d. Jennifer is married?!!
If you missed this, you are dead to Paul.
12. Jennifer is at school studying:
a. Chinese language
b. Chinese history
c. Linguisitics
d. Law
I'm not in it for the pure love of the Chinese language, people!
13. Jennifer's BA degree is in:
a. Chinese
b. Asian Studies
c. History
d. Dual degrees in Chemistry and History
See my previous comment.
14. Jennifer rarely makes cookies because:
a. She's bad at it
b. She has no time
c. She always eats the dough
d. She strangely doesn't like cookies
I maintain that there is no cookie that tastes better in cooked form.
15. Jennifer dislikes what common flavor?
a. Sweet
b. Salty
c. Sour
d. Bitter
I like sour and bitter things, no one who eats Gushers can complain about sweet. I do really hate salty things though.
16. Jennifer looks forward to the Muhlestein family reunion because:
a. she hates air-conditioning
b. she loves the outdoors
c. she enjoys sleeping in the same room as all her in-laws
d. she likes the Muhlesteins and that is the only reason
I'm sure you are all shocked to learn that.
17. Jennifer nixed Guitar Hero: Smash Hits for her siblings because her mother:
a. complains about the songs' poor grammar
b. hates the merriment of children
c. would explode if she ever heard "Killing in the Name of"
d. Both A and C
e. All answers are correct
I'm pretty sure my mother's head would explode if she heard any Rage Against the Machine song, in fairness to "Killing in the Name of."
18. Jennifer's favorite female singer/songwriter is:
a. Fiona Apple
b. Aimee Mann
c. Tori Amos
d. Sarah MacLachlan
If you don't know who this is, go buy Bachelor No. 2 or the Last Remains of the Dodo right now. I'll wait.
19. Which traditional childhood food does Jennifer NOT like?
a. Peanut butter and jelly
b. Mac and Cheese
c. Tuna fish and crackers
d. Trick question! Jennifer likes all of these things.
Peanut butter is not tasty. End of discussion.
20. The main stone in Jennifer's engagement ring is:
a. Diamond
b. Ruby
c. Sapphire
c. Emerald
See, I told you there would be easy questions.
Now as for a winner who wins prizes, Anon @ 8:08 wins. Guess he or she gets to pick his/her prize.
1. Jennifer's last name is:
a. Bussio
b. Muhlestein
c. Bussio-Muhlestein
d. Jennifer has only one name, like Cher
You'd be surprised how often people are mistaken on this.
2. For late night, Jennifer watches:
a. David Letterman
b. Conan O'Brien
c. Craig Ferguson
d. What are you talking about? She's asleep by 10:30 pm!
I can't recommend it in good conscience, but that Scottish Conan can be hilarious. In full disclosure, I do Tivo it and watch the next day.
3. Jennifer rarely reads this kind of book:
a. Fiction
b. Non-fiction
c. Old
d. Jennifer hates reading
Fiction's never rocked my socks. Why read made up stuff when you can read interesting real stuff?
4. Jennifer frequently quotes what TV show?
a. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
b. Bones
c. Dr. Who
d. Futurama
One of the funniest shows ever made. "You watched it, you can't unwatch it," "If that is your freedom day wish," "...and the lies upon lies." Did I mention their spaceship has an Accusing Parlor?!!
5. Speaking of TV shows, Jennifer's favorite is:
a. House
b. Bones
c. Angel
d. Dr. Who
If you missed this one, you are dead to me. DEAD.
6. Jennifer does not own any:
a. Perfume
b. Scrunchies
c. Lipstick
d. Mascara
Don't know why, just don't. I do own mascara, I just never wear it.
7. In Rock Band, Jennifer plays which instruments?
a. Guitar
b. Bass
c. Vocals
d. Drums
e. A, B, and C are all correct
Sadly, it would appear even small children can best me on the drums.
8. Jennifer's favorite color is:
a. Green
b. Blue
c. Yellow
d. Jennifer has no one favorite color
If it's bright and happy, I like it. No pastels, though. It's like they took decent colors and made them ugly.
9. Jennifer hates scary movies EXCEPT those with:
a. Ghosts because they are not scary
b. Vampires because they seek true love, not blood, these days
c. Zombies because she could take 'em in a fight
d. Monsters because they always look fake.
Also, zombies hold a special place in my heart. Thanks, House of the Dead 3!
10. Jennifer loves:
a. Cats
b. Dogs and cats
c. Most traditional pets
d. All animals except pigeons, cicadas and spiders who thirst for her blood.
Quail and I have resolved our differences, whoever asked.
11. Jennifer is married to:
a. Paul
b. That One Guy
c. David
d. Jennifer is married?!!
If you missed this, you are dead to Paul.
12. Jennifer is at school studying:
a. Chinese language
b. Chinese history
c. Linguisitics
d. Law
I'm not in it for the pure love of the Chinese language, people!
13. Jennifer's BA degree is in:
a. Chinese
b. Asian Studies
c. History
d. Dual degrees in Chemistry and History
See my previous comment.
14. Jennifer rarely makes cookies because:
a. She's bad at it
b. She has no time
c. She always eats the dough
d. She strangely doesn't like cookies
I maintain that there is no cookie that tastes better in cooked form.
15. Jennifer dislikes what common flavor?
a. Sweet
b. Salty
c. Sour
d. Bitter
I like sour and bitter things, no one who eats Gushers can complain about sweet. I do really hate salty things though.
16. Jennifer looks forward to the Muhlestein family reunion because:
a. she hates air-conditioning
b. she loves the outdoors
c. she enjoys sleeping in the same room as all her in-laws
d. she likes the Muhlesteins and that is the only reason
I'm sure you are all shocked to learn that.
17. Jennifer nixed Guitar Hero: Smash Hits for her siblings because her mother:
a. complains about the songs' poor grammar
b. hates the merriment of children
c. would explode if she ever heard "Killing in the Name of"
d. Both A and C
e. All answers are correct
I'm pretty sure my mother's head would explode if she heard any Rage Against the Machine song, in fairness to "Killing in the Name of."
18. Jennifer's favorite female singer/songwriter is:
a. Fiona Apple
b. Aimee Mann
c. Tori Amos
d. Sarah MacLachlan
If you don't know who this is, go buy Bachelor No. 2 or the Last Remains of the Dodo right now. I'll wait.
19. Which traditional childhood food does Jennifer NOT like?
a. Peanut butter and jelly
b. Mac and Cheese
c. Tuna fish and crackers
d. Trick question! Jennifer likes all of these things.
Peanut butter is not tasty. End of discussion.
20. The main stone in Jennifer's engagement ring is:
a. Diamond
b. Ruby
c. Sapphire
c. Emerald
See, I told you there would be easy questions.
Now as for a winner who wins prizes, Anon @ 8:08 wins. Guess he or she gets to pick his/her prize.
Monday, June 22, 2009
You Don't Know Me...Or Do You?
All right, here's the deal. We're going to play a little round of how well do you know Jennifer. Some of the questions are absurdly easy, some are ridiculously obscure. I'll post the answers when I feel like it--probably around Friday or so. I'll post a round for Paul at the same time. Ready? Good.
1. Jennifer's last name is:
a. Bussio
b. Muhlestein
c. Bussio-Muhlestein
d. Jennifer has only one name, like Cher
2. For late night, Jennifer watches:
a. David Letterman
b. Conan O'Brien
c. Craig Ferguson
d. What are you talking about? She's asleep by 10:30 pm!
3. Jennifer rarely reads this kind of book:
a. Fiction
b. Non-fiction
c. Old
d. Jennifer hates reading
4. Jennifer frequently quotes what TV show?
a. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
b. Bones
c. Dr. Who
d. Futurama
5. Speaking of TV shows, Jennifer's favorite is:
a. House
b. Bones
c. Angel
d. Dr. Who
6. Jennifer does not own any:
a. Perfume
b. Scrunchies
c. Lipstick
d. Mascara
7. In Rock Band, Jennifer plays which instruments?
a. Guitar
b. Bass
c. Vocals
d. Drums
e. A, B, and C are all correct
8. Jennifer's favorite color is:
a. Green
b. Blue
c. Yellow
d. Jennifer has no one favorite color
9. Jennifer hates scary movies EXCEPT those with:
a. Ghosts because they are not scary
b. Vampires because they seek true love, not blood, these days
c. Zombies because she could take 'em in a fight
d. Monsters because they always look fake.
10. Jennifer loves:
a. Cats
b. Dogs and cats
c. Most traditional pets
d. All animals except pigeons, cicadas and spiders who thirst for her blood.
11. Jennifer is married to:
a. Paul
b. That One Guy
c. David
d. Jennifer is married?!!
12. Jennifer is at school studying:
a. Chinese language
b. Chinese history
c. Linguisitics
d. Law
13. Jennifer's BA degree is in:
a. Chinese
b. Asian Studies
c. History
d. Dual degrees in Chemistry and History
14. Jennifer rarely makes cookies because:
a. She's bad at it
b. She has no time
c. She always eats the dough
d. She strangely doesn't like cookies
15. Jennifer dislikes what common flavor?
a. Sweet
b. Salty
c. Sour
d. Bitter
16. Jennifer looks forward to the Muhlestein family reunion because:
a. she hates air-conditioning
b. she loves the outdoors
c. she enjoys sleeping in the same room as all her in-laws
d. she likes the Muhlesteins and that is the only reason
17. Jennifer nixed Guitar Hero: Smash Hits for her siblings because her mother:
a. complains about the songs' poor grammar
b. hates the merriment of children
c. would explode if she ever heard "Killing in the Name of"
d. Both A and C
e. All answers are correct
18. Jennifer's favorite female singer/songwriter is:
a. Fiona Apple
b. Aimee Mann
c. Tori Amos
d. Sarah MacLachlan
19. Which traditional childhood food does Jennifer NOT like?
a. Peanut butter and jelly
b. Mac and Cheese
c. Tuna fish and crackers
d. Trick question! Jennifer likes all of these things.
20. The main stone in Jennifer's engagement ring is:
a. Diamond
b. Ruby
c. Sapphire
c. Emerald
1. Jennifer's last name is:
a. Bussio
b. Muhlestein
c. Bussio-Muhlestein
d. Jennifer has only one name, like Cher
2. For late night, Jennifer watches:
a. David Letterman
b. Conan O'Brien
c. Craig Ferguson
d. What are you talking about? She's asleep by 10:30 pm!
3. Jennifer rarely reads this kind of book:
a. Fiction
b. Non-fiction
c. Old
d. Jennifer hates reading
4. Jennifer frequently quotes what TV show?
a. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
b. Bones
c. Dr. Who
d. Futurama
5. Speaking of TV shows, Jennifer's favorite is:
a. House
b. Bones
c. Angel
d. Dr. Who
6. Jennifer does not own any:
a. Perfume
b. Scrunchies
c. Lipstick
d. Mascara
7. In Rock Band, Jennifer plays which instruments?
a. Guitar
b. Bass
c. Vocals
d. Drums
e. A, B, and C are all correct
8. Jennifer's favorite color is:
a. Green
b. Blue
c. Yellow
d. Jennifer has no one favorite color
9. Jennifer hates scary movies EXCEPT those with:
a. Ghosts because they are not scary
b. Vampires because they seek true love, not blood, these days
c. Zombies because she could take 'em in a fight
d. Monsters because they always look fake.
10. Jennifer loves:
a. Cats
b. Dogs and cats
c. Most traditional pets
d. All animals except pigeons, cicadas and spiders who thirst for her blood.
11. Jennifer is married to:
a. Paul
b. That One Guy
c. David
d. Jennifer is married?!!
12. Jennifer is at school studying:
a. Chinese language
b. Chinese history
c. Linguisitics
d. Law
13. Jennifer's BA degree is in:
a. Chinese
b. Asian Studies
c. History
d. Dual degrees in Chemistry and History
14. Jennifer rarely makes cookies because:
a. She's bad at it
b. She has no time
c. She always eats the dough
d. She strangely doesn't like cookies
15. Jennifer dislikes what common flavor?
a. Sweet
b. Salty
c. Sour
d. Bitter
16. Jennifer looks forward to the Muhlestein family reunion because:
a. she hates air-conditioning
b. she loves the outdoors
c. she enjoys sleeping in the same room as all her in-laws
d. she likes the Muhlesteins and that is the only reason
17. Jennifer nixed Guitar Hero: Smash Hits for her siblings because her mother:
a. complains about the songs' poor grammar
b. hates the merriment of children
c. would explode if she ever heard "Killing in the Name of"
d. Both A and C
e. All answers are correct
18. Jennifer's favorite female singer/songwriter is:
a. Fiona Apple
b. Aimee Mann
c. Tori Amos
d. Sarah MacLachlan
19. Which traditional childhood food does Jennifer NOT like?
a. Peanut butter and jelly
b. Mac and Cheese
c. Tuna fish and crackers
d. Trick question! Jennifer likes all of these things.
20. The main stone in Jennifer's engagement ring is:
a. Diamond
b. Ruby
c. Sapphire
c. Emerald
Friday, June 19, 2009
Odds/Ends
Wow! It's been a while; I need to get caught up. First, I bought Piper a harness and leash (she has a breakaway collar, hence the harness). She is always looking out the window, so I thought she would like being outside. I was half-right. First, I bought the wrong size of harness, so I wound up attaching the leash to her collar anyway. I carried her outside, which startled a pigeon, which caused her to bolt inside. At least I know breakaway collars really work. The next day though, she totally bolted outside the front door after I took the garbage out. She made it all the way across the porch to the neighbor's before running back inside the apartment. Today I tried taking her out on the balcony again (without the leash, since she goes into death rolls on it)and she actually walked around for a minute before heading back inside.
Since my previous basil plant died under mysterious circumstances while I was in Utah, I bought another one. I haven't planted it yet, but it is still alive after a week. I'll try to plant it tomorrow. I've been able to resurrect the Zinnias and one of the Indian paintbrushes. Today it looks like the unknown plant is also rebounding. I'd given up on the rest of the plants, so now I'm wondering if maybe I should hold off on ripping them out for a while.
I've got a part-time job for the summer. It's organizing and cataloging a professor's library. I'm trying to play it cool, but secretly I am giddy. I am being paid (well) to organizing and catalog books! It's pretty awesome. Okay, it's really awesome.
What else? Let's see. I've worn Paul down on the second kitty front and found the most adorable orange stripy kitten to adopt. Now I just need to call the landlord and see if two cats is permitted. I'm trying not to get my hopes up and to get my courage up.
I think that's all for now.
Since my previous basil plant died under mysterious circumstances while I was in Utah, I bought another one. I haven't planted it yet, but it is still alive after a week. I'll try to plant it tomorrow. I've been able to resurrect the Zinnias and one of the Indian paintbrushes. Today it looks like the unknown plant is also rebounding. I'd given up on the rest of the plants, so now I'm wondering if maybe I should hold off on ripping them out for a while.
I've got a part-time job for the summer. It's organizing and cataloging a professor's library. I'm trying to play it cool, but secretly I am giddy. I am being paid (well) to organizing and catalog books! It's pretty awesome. Okay, it's really awesome.
What else? Let's see. I've worn Paul down on the second kitty front and found the most adorable orange stripy kitten to adopt. Now I just need to call the landlord and see if two cats is permitted. I'm trying not to get my hopes up and to get my courage up.
I think that's all for now.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Have I No Home, No Shelter, No Place of Refuge?
So I was looking around Facebook, learning about the post-BYU pursuits of my friends (Medical School at University of Illinois at Urbana! Graduate studies in Harpistry at the University of Indiana!) when I saw that one anonymous friend--let's call him Vance Johnson--was a member of the group, "You know You're From Provo When...." There's 75 things you should know if you're from Provo. I don't know 7 of them. I know it shouldn't bother me, but it really, really, really does.
10. You know where every scene of the Mormon "Pride and Prejudice" was filmed.
Now, I have never seen this film, so it definitely shouldn't bother me to miss, yet here it is.
33. You remember when BYU had a moat going around campus and were really quite bothered when they filled it up, but not as much as the ducks who were made homeless by the thoughtlessness of BYU groundskeeping.
I never recall BYU having a moat around campus. There was an open canal across from the Art Museum that was eventually filled in, displacing ducks. I have no idea if this is the moat in question (in which case the author of the list does not understand the meaning of "moat") or merely a fragment of such thing.
34. You enjoyed seeing the ducks in the Timpview parking lot when walking back from "release time."
I didn't attend Timpview, but well, see #10.
56. Jolly Jolly James
I literally have no idea to what this is referring.
59. You know the difference between canyon crap and edgie wedgies.
Ditto.
69. You go to Power Pump every Wednesday.
Ibid.
74. You know you're from Provo when you remember the rope swings on the Provo River trail until they cut them down.
I feel like I vaguely know something about this, but I think it was before my time.
Perhaps some of you could come to my aid and restore my street cred, as it were?
10. You know where every scene of the Mormon "Pride and Prejudice" was filmed.
Now, I have never seen this film, so it definitely shouldn't bother me to miss, yet here it is.
33. You remember when BYU had a moat going around campus and were really quite bothered when they filled it up, but not as much as the ducks who were made homeless by the thoughtlessness of BYU groundskeeping.
I never recall BYU having a moat around campus. There was an open canal across from the Art Museum that was eventually filled in, displacing ducks. I have no idea if this is the moat in question (in which case the author of the list does not understand the meaning of "moat") or merely a fragment of such thing.
34. You enjoyed seeing the ducks in the Timpview parking lot when walking back from "release time."
I didn't attend Timpview, but well, see #10.
56. Jolly Jolly James
I literally have no idea to what this is referring.
59. You know the difference between canyon crap and edgie wedgies.
Ditto.
69. You go to Power Pump every Wednesday.
Ibid.
74. You know you're from Provo when you remember the rope swings on the Provo River trail until they cut them down.
I feel like I vaguely know something about this, but I think it was before my time.
Perhaps some of you could come to my aid and restore my street cred, as it were?
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Trip to Utah
Let's see, on Memorial Day I drove home with Mary, who courteously took the Phoenix to St. George leg of the trip. We made good time (11 hrs including a lunch break and a horrible traffic jam outside of Salem. There should never, ever be a traffic jam near Salem. No one lives there!) and enjoyed an uneventful trip. I came home, enjoyed the presence of much family and some decent sandwiches and Chinese food. Seriously, how hard is it to make a decent turkey sandwich? But I digress. The occasion of my return was my brother's high school graduation, which went off smoothly and mostly meltdown-free. We took pictures, had a tasty family dinner, the usual things. On Saturday, Paul flew in and we shuttled between families for a day. Sunday, we drove home and made better time (10.5 hrs including lunch). I drove almost all the way, from Provo to Kingman. That's like eight hours for those keeping track. I also drove us into Phoenix, so overall I drove around 9 of the 10.5 hrs. I think one person could do it in one day with a strategic long break, but it would not be particularly pleasant. My back and leg were in agony going into Vegas, but by the time we switched everything was sufficiently numb, so it didn't matter. It was a little depressing to return to our sandwich, Chinese, and family-less town, but then I went out swimming and you'd be surprised how awesome you feel lying in a pool looking up at blue skies and palm trees. Really perks you up. Think I burned a bit though. Nothing, well nothing except the back of my neck looks pink, but my shoulders and cheeks have that dry uncomfortable feeling. Anyway, it was great to go and now it's okay to be back.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A Brave New World
As you probably know, gentle readers, I am a notoriously picky eater. And I love Mac and Cheese. These two statements are the foundations of ambitious new summer plans.
First, The Grand Expansion of Tastes. Every day this summer, I will try a new food or beverage. I was inspired by positive experiences with avocados and acai juice (which is delicious, FYI!) and not discouraged by tomatoes (which are, as I had previously believed, disgusting). Yesterday was hibiscus soda. It tasted acceptable, but the smell was awful. Paul considered it palatable. Today's was Wallaby's organic Australian-style pear yogurt. It's delicious and worth the 79 cents.
Second, the Great Mac and Cheese Experimental Taste-Off. I'm attempting to try every brand of Mac and Cheese on the market here. It can't be anything other than straight up Mac and Cheese (no shells, no white cheddar, no jalapenos). I'm taking suggestions, so take note next time you go to the grocery store. Heck, I'll even try any kind of Mac and Cheese you send, provided it meets the above requirements. (I'm not sure any of you care enough to send any though.) Since individual recipes vary, I've been using the my standard tbsp of butter and enough milk to dissolve the cheese powder for all of them. So far, I've tried:
Kraft (standard)--Three stars
Trader Joe's--Two stars
Annie's--Four stars
Simply Organic (Annie's organic line)--Two-and-a-half stars.
Back to Nature--Three stars. (Note: This one was good, but too salty. If you like salt, this would probably be three-and-a-half to four stars.)
Well, that's it. I'll try to finish up the post on my week in Utah later today or tomorrow.
First, The Grand Expansion of Tastes. Every day this summer, I will try a new food or beverage. I was inspired by positive experiences with avocados and acai juice (which is delicious, FYI!) and not discouraged by tomatoes (which are, as I had previously believed, disgusting). Yesterday was hibiscus soda. It tasted acceptable, but the smell was awful. Paul considered it palatable. Today's was Wallaby's organic Australian-style pear yogurt. It's delicious and worth the 79 cents.
Second, the Great Mac and Cheese Experimental Taste-Off. I'm attempting to try every brand of Mac and Cheese on the market here. It can't be anything other than straight up Mac and Cheese (no shells, no white cheddar, no jalapenos). I'm taking suggestions, so take note next time you go to the grocery store. Heck, I'll even try any kind of Mac and Cheese you send, provided it meets the above requirements. (I'm not sure any of you care enough to send any though.) Since individual recipes vary, I've been using the my standard tbsp of butter and enough milk to dissolve the cheese powder for all of them. So far, I've tried:
Kraft (standard)--Three stars
Trader Joe's--Two stars
Annie's--Four stars
Simply Organic (Annie's organic line)--Two-and-a-half stars.
Back to Nature--Three stars. (Note: This one was good, but too salty. If you like salt, this would probably be three-and-a-half to four stars.)
Well, that's it. I'll try to finish up the post on my week in Utah later today or tomorrow.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Siblings?
I'm still recovering from our trip north, but I thought I post some pictures I took with my laptop while watching Bones with my sibbies. I know, you thought they didn't exist. Well they do, and I think the pictures say a lot about them.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Hella Good
So my awesome friend Mary came down and went to the No Doubt concert with me and I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but it may have been the BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE! Getting to the amphitheater was a huge adventure. An adventure driven by Mary because when confronted by the unexpected Mary sees adventure and Jennifer sees plan-ruining complication. We're different that way. Anyway, the first adventure was failing to take the earlier offramp (you betrayed us, Google Maps!) We were stuck in traffic trying to get off the freeway for a good forty-five minutes. During that time, we watched the gas--which was low to begin with--get lower and lower and then the little gas light went on. When we were finally off the freeway, we tried to turn into a gas station, but were foiled by gridlock. We saw another station a little further down the road (and a little further from the road we needed to be on). It was a Sam's Club station, members only. At that point, Mary performed a very bold U-turn and we weathered some more congestion before finally accessing the first station from the side. I should mention that the concert had started by this time.
With gridlock on all sides, we had no choice but to go straight through the intersection, rather than turn left as we needed to do. Unfortunately, the road we were now on was under construction. No turning around for us. Finally, there was an intersection from which we could turn around. Except we couldn't because there wasn't any place to turn left and there was a lot on congestion because first off-ramp from the freeway fed into the road. Then we couldn't go straight anymore because the road was closed and our only choices were to get back on the freeway in the opposite direction or make a completely illegal U-turn and try to wedge ourselves into the congestion. Laughing hysterically we made the insane turn and finally after some 90 minutes stuck in traffic, we arrived at the venue.
By now it was 8:10 pm (concert started at 7:30) and my water bottle had been confiscated. Good thing too, or I would have used it to club to death the people in front of me. But more on that later. Paramore has already started playing, we're in a hurry to get in, we try unsuccessfully to find our seats and trudge halfway through the amphitheater to where we do find our seats. And they are awesome and perfect seats. Except for the two girls dancing and doing karaoke in front of me. Just so you get a clear picture, we are surrounded by 30 yr-olds with beers and Blackberries in their hands. Everyone else in the entire section is sitting down except for these two girls. I passed an executive order to have all fifteen year-old girls taken into the woods and shot, but it must have been non-binding because no one ever came to get them. Now, I don't know if you know this (I didn't), but apparently Paramore sings the theme for "Twilight" and nothing excites fifteen year-old girls more than Paramore and "Twilight." Blessedly, that was the end of the set list and the girls left to use the bathroom or harass the band or something. During the break between sets, the screens showed text messages sent to the concert. One said, "16 yr olds, go home and let the adults enjoy the No Doubt concert." This received a lot of cheers in my section.
The lights dimmed, the seats the girls had been annoyingly bouncing around in were claimed by their rightful owners (it was a sold-out show) and the No Doubt concert began. And what a concert it was. It was loud and they played all the songs you wanted to hear and a few older ones. They changed the songs a bit, but they still sounded great and the band was totally on. I saw No Doubt in a GA concert at UVSC for my eighteenth birthday when it was just them doing whatever they wanted and us moshing happily below. This was more of an 'event' concert; everything was all choreographed and had cool video backgrounds (including vintage, pre-Tragic Kingdom footage). It was so much fun and hardly seemed that any time had passed. The only acknowledgement that time had indeed past came when the band performed "A Simple Kind of Life." Originally a very melancholy song about how the lead singer still single and childless at 30, it took on a more upbeat, nostalgic feeling. (The crowd cheered wildly at the line, "I always thought I'd be a mom." I guess they're fanatical fans of motherhood.)
Speaking of the lead singer, it was great to see the Gwen Stefani of my youth, all tomboy with her wallet chains and combat boots and wife-beater doing boy-style push-ups. I much prefer the you-lookin'-at-me? Gwen to the trend-setting fashionista that's been around since she went solo.
In conclusion, getting there was awesome, fifteen year-old girls are stupid, and the No Doubt concert was awesome beyond words. Also, Libya is a land of contrasts.
With gridlock on all sides, we had no choice but to go straight through the intersection, rather than turn left as we needed to do. Unfortunately, the road we were now on was under construction. No turning around for us. Finally, there was an intersection from which we could turn around. Except we couldn't because there wasn't any place to turn left and there was a lot on congestion because first off-ramp from the freeway fed into the road. Then we couldn't go straight anymore because the road was closed and our only choices were to get back on the freeway in the opposite direction or make a completely illegal U-turn and try to wedge ourselves into the congestion. Laughing hysterically we made the insane turn and finally after some 90 minutes stuck in traffic, we arrived at the venue.
By now it was 8:10 pm (concert started at 7:30) and my water bottle had been confiscated. Good thing too, or I would have used it to club to death the people in front of me. But more on that later. Paramore has already started playing, we're in a hurry to get in, we try unsuccessfully to find our seats and trudge halfway through the amphitheater to where we do find our seats. And they are awesome and perfect seats. Except for the two girls dancing and doing karaoke in front of me. Just so you get a clear picture, we are surrounded by 30 yr-olds with beers and Blackberries in their hands. Everyone else in the entire section is sitting down except for these two girls. I passed an executive order to have all fifteen year-old girls taken into the woods and shot, but it must have been non-binding because no one ever came to get them. Now, I don't know if you know this (I didn't), but apparently Paramore sings the theme for "Twilight" and nothing excites fifteen year-old girls more than Paramore and "Twilight." Blessedly, that was the end of the set list and the girls left to use the bathroom or harass the band or something. During the break between sets, the screens showed text messages sent to the concert. One said, "16 yr olds, go home and let the adults enjoy the No Doubt concert." This received a lot of cheers in my section.
The lights dimmed, the seats the girls had been annoyingly bouncing around in were claimed by their rightful owners (it was a sold-out show) and the No Doubt concert began. And what a concert it was. It was loud and they played all the songs you wanted to hear and a few older ones. They changed the songs a bit, but they still sounded great and the band was totally on. I saw No Doubt in a GA concert at UVSC for my eighteenth birthday when it was just them doing whatever they wanted and us moshing happily below. This was more of an 'event' concert; everything was all choreographed and had cool video backgrounds (including vintage, pre-Tragic Kingdom footage). It was so much fun and hardly seemed that any time had passed. The only acknowledgement that time had indeed past came when the band performed "A Simple Kind of Life." Originally a very melancholy song about how the lead singer still single and childless at 30, it took on a more upbeat, nostalgic feeling. (The crowd cheered wildly at the line, "I always thought I'd be a mom." I guess they're fanatical fans of motherhood.)
Speaking of the lead singer, it was great to see the Gwen Stefani of my youth, all tomboy with her wallet chains and combat boots and wife-beater doing boy-style push-ups. I much prefer the you-lookin'-at-me? Gwen to the trend-setting fashionista that's been around since she went solo.
In conclusion, getting there was awesome, fifteen year-old girls are stupid, and the No Doubt concert was awesome beyond words. Also, Libya is a land of contrasts.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
In Further Honor of Us: 25 Random Questions
Since your love of trivia and my surplus time overlap, I thought I'd pose and answer 25 random questions about Paul and myself. Warning: This is shamelessly cribbed and condensed from a friend.
1. Do you like bleu cheese?: J--not really, Paul says yes.
2. What is your favorite ZZ Top album? Who listens to ZZ Top any more?
3. What is your favorite snack? J--goldfish crackers or hazelnuts, Paul--bagels.
4. What do you think of hot dogs?: They are delicious! (Paul's more of a brat man, technically.)
5. Favorite Christmas movie?: J--How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Paul--It's a Wonderful Life.
6. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?: J--engagement ring, Paul--wedding ring.
7. Favorite hobby?: J--hobbies? Paul--playing video games with his bros.
8. Do you wear glasses/contacts?: Of course, have you seen us?
9. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:J--Dinosaurs! Piper is adorable. I want ice cream. Paul--Delicious, he saw she wasn't dead, or was it a ghost? (Paul is watching Primeval right now)
10. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:J--water, milk, juice. Paul--drinks diet Coke exclusively.
11. Where would you like to go?: J--Bed. Paul--Pipertown!
12. Do you own slippers?:J--I own scooffies, does that count? Paul--no.
13. What color shirt are you wearing?: J--White, Paul--none
14. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?: Yes, and we love to eat bonbons and watch the afternoon soaps. Do you know us at all? One of us wouldn't even sleep in sheets if it weren't for the other.
15. Can you whistle?: J-yes, Paul-yes.
16. Where are you now?: We're both on the couch
17. Would you be a pirate?: J--heck yes! Paul-no.
18. What songs do you sing in the shower?: We do not sing in the shower. Paul talks in his sleep, though.
19. Last thing you ate: J--part of Paul's snack. Paul--Chocolate Chip Molten Fudge Cake.
20. What is in your pocket right now?: Pajamas don't have pockets. Sorry.
21. Last thing that made you laugh?:J--Craig Ferguson's lip-synching of "Oops I did it again." Paul--Something Awful
22. What vehicle do you drive?: Accord.
23. Worst injury you've ever had?:J--broke my finger. Paul--has never been seriously injured. It's like he's...unbreakable...or something.
24. Do you love where you live?:J--yes. Paul--eh, sure.
25. How many TVs do you have in your house?: Two, one's sitting in the living room begging for DI.
1. Do you like bleu cheese?: J--not really, Paul says yes.
2. What is your favorite ZZ Top album? Who listens to ZZ Top any more?
3. What is your favorite snack? J--goldfish crackers or hazelnuts, Paul--bagels.
4. What do you think of hot dogs?: They are delicious! (Paul's more of a brat man, technically.)
5. Favorite Christmas movie?: J--How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Paul--It's a Wonderful Life.
6. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?: J--engagement ring, Paul--wedding ring.
7. Favorite hobby?: J--hobbies? Paul--playing video games with his bros.
8. Do you wear glasses/contacts?: Of course, have you seen us?
9. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:J--Dinosaurs! Piper is adorable. I want ice cream. Paul--Delicious, he saw she wasn't dead, or was it a ghost? (Paul is watching Primeval right now)
10. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:J--water, milk, juice. Paul--drinks diet Coke exclusively.
11. Where would you like to go?: J--Bed. Paul--Pipertown!
12. Do you own slippers?:J--I own scooffies, does that count? Paul--no.
13. What color shirt are you wearing?: J--White, Paul--none
14. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?: Yes, and we love to eat bonbons and watch the afternoon soaps. Do you know us at all? One of us wouldn't even sleep in sheets if it weren't for the other.
15. Can you whistle?: J-yes, Paul-yes.
16. Where are you now?: We're both on the couch
17. Would you be a pirate?: J--heck yes! Paul-no.
18. What songs do you sing in the shower?: We do not sing in the shower. Paul talks in his sleep, though.
19. Last thing you ate: J--part of Paul's snack. Paul--Chocolate Chip Molten Fudge Cake.
20. What is in your pocket right now?: Pajamas don't have pockets. Sorry.
21. Last thing that made you laugh?:J--Craig Ferguson's lip-synching of "Oops I did it again." Paul--Something Awful
22. What vehicle do you drive?: Accord.
23. Worst injury you've ever had?:J--broke my finger. Paul--has never been seriously injured. It's like he's...unbreakable...or something.
24. Do you love where you live?:J--yes. Paul--eh, sure.
25. How many TVs do you have in your house?: Two, one's sitting in the living room begging for DI.
Of Years and Matrimonial Contracts, Part 2
Well, our actual anniversary was last night and it was quite nice. We went out to a local steakhouse for dinner and it was delicious. Paul's prime rib may have been better than my filet mignon, hard as it is to admit. Then we came home and watched the Bones finale. Paul was away on yet another business trip last week, so he missed it. (He was heartbroken about it, I assume you.) No, he most certainly wasn't, but it's my Star Wars*, so he graciously watched it with his full attention. He even told me that a certain anonymous friend of his also loves Bones. I don't want to brag, but I would like to say the number of people who think Bones is awesome continues to increase, while the number of people who think it is lame remains constant at 1 (Paul). I also asked if he had any defining memories, but he didn't. He said he mainly saw five happy years, not any specific events, which was pretty much how I felt. You may awww now.
*This is a reference to How I Met Your Mother (not grandmother/mother-approved). The main character, Ted, is attempting to prove to his friend, Marshall, that he isn't rushing into a marriage. But it's revealed Ted's fiancee has never seen Star Wars, his favorite movie of all time.** It's not just his favorite movie, it's what he watches "when he's home sick with the flu, on rainy Sunday afternoons in the fall, on Christmas Eve, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad." So, as a test of their compatibility, they watch Star Wars. I think you can imagine how it goes.
**This leads Marshall to say one of the best things ever said on television: "The only people in the universe who haven't seen Stars Wars are the characters in Star Wars. And that's cause they lived them, Ted! That's cause they lived the Star Wars!"
*This is a reference to How I Met Your Mother (not grandmother/mother-approved). The main character, Ted, is attempting to prove to his friend, Marshall, that he isn't rushing into a marriage. But it's revealed Ted's fiancee has never seen Star Wars, his favorite movie of all time.** It's not just his favorite movie, it's what he watches "when he's home sick with the flu, on rainy Sunday afternoons in the fall, on Christmas Eve, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad." So, as a test of their compatibility, they watch Star Wars. I think you can imagine how it goes.
**This leads Marshall to say one of the best things ever said on television: "The only people in the universe who haven't seen Stars Wars are the characters in Star Wars. And that's cause they lived them, Ted! That's cause they lived the Star Wars!"
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Of Years and Matrimonial Contracts
Tomorrow will be our fifth wedding anniversary. Can you believe that? Where did the time go? I guess five years isn't very long. I am amazed at how often I still fail to remember foods that Paul hates, for example. I think I named five different dinners in a row on Wednesday that he didn't like. In five years, we've:
Lived in four apartments in two states and one foreign country
Bought a car
Adopted a cat
Accumulated three bachelor's degrees
Entered the world of gainful employment (well, one of us)
Yet, it doesn't feel like much has changed. One of the quirks of time, I suppose. I thought I'd fill the rest of the space with crazy trivia about us or nice sentimental memories, but I can't really think of any trivia and, let's be honest, I'm not much of a nice sentimental memory person. I guess if there's anything I've learned, is that when times are good, it doesn't matter so much whether you're alone or not (though not is better), but when times are hard or bad or just plain miserable, being married makes an unmeasurable difference.
Lived in four apartments in two states and one foreign country
Bought a car
Adopted a cat
Accumulated three bachelor's degrees
Entered the world of gainful employment (well, one of us)
Yet, it doesn't feel like much has changed. One of the quirks of time, I suppose. I thought I'd fill the rest of the space with crazy trivia about us or nice sentimental memories, but I can't really think of any trivia and, let's be honest, I'm not much of a nice sentimental memory person. I guess if there's anything I've learned, is that when times are good, it doesn't matter so much whether you're alone or not (though not is better), but when times are hard or bad or just plain miserable, being married makes an unmeasurable difference.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Crawling Out From Under the Apocalyptic Rumble
Well, I finally finished my semester yesterday at 5:00 pm. Hurray! I'm glad it's over and I'm glad I have the whole summer to build myself back up. It's been over a hundred for the last week or two and I haven't even gone swimming. That's how busy I've been. I was working on my seminar paper, which only served to remind me how out-of-shape I am writing-wise. I'm hoping the professor doesn't read the non-translation part too critically. It was a really interesting topic (a little-studied apocalyptic scripture--medieval Daoist apocalypses are the best apocalypses) and I'd like to do more work on it in the future. It fills me with grand plans...charts on walls, databases...I might still be a little obsessed with it.
Anyway, I also "summered up" the blog here. I think it looks nice, bit more summery and beachy. Oh, and I added the kitten because seriously, bathing kittens? Hilarious! Almost as funny as thug puppets.
Anyway, I also "summered up" the blog here. I think it looks nice, bit more summery and beachy. Oh, and I added the kitten because seriously, bathing kittens? Hilarious! Almost as funny as thug puppets.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Why Won't It End?
Why won't this semester end already? I'm sick of papers and knowing there are finals that should be studied for. Why can't we end it here? Whatever I have, I have. Typing until midnight or one in the morning has lost its charm.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Hey Man, Can You Spare $25?
Perhaps some of you have noticed the little logo in the right corner, you know the one that says "Kiva: loans that change lives." I put it up around Christmas. My mom had asked for some kind of charitable donation as a Christmas gift this year, something like Heifer International. I don't quite remember how I found Kiva (Mary, I think). It's a person-to-person micro-lending organization. It's so awesome I can't clearly explain it, so go to www.kiva.org for the basics. What I love about it is how you can pick precisely to whom the money goes. If you want to support women expanding their clothing-making business in Ghana to pay their children's school fees, you can do that. And trust me, you'll have multiple choices. I personally focus on Central Asia (Team Tajikistan represent!), but that's just me. Another thing I like is that it pools money from multiple donors for a single loan. It's super-hard knowing that $600 or whatever could change a family's life, but how many people have that much lying around? Now how many people have--at some point in their lives--$25 they could spare? And the best part? You get your loan back at the end of the repayment period. That's right, after the loan is paid off, you get your $25 dollars back. You can take the money, you can give it to Kiva itself (to cover overhead), or you can lend it to someone else and start the cycle anew. It's like the $25 that keeps on giving.
In conclusion, micro-lending is awesome, Mother's Day is coming, what would Mom like more than making the world a better place (and maybe some flowers)?
In conclusion, micro-lending is awesome, Mother's Day is coming, what would Mom like more than making the world a better place (and maybe some flowers)?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Earth Week Adventures
Oh, I'm sorry, you thought there was only an Earth Day? Not when you attend a university with a college of global sustainability that runs on wind power. I get a weekly e-mail called the Grist about various ways I should be saving the earth. (Stop eating sugar and start using organic, fair-trade agave nectar instead.) On campus, there was even a solar-powered concert. (It was exceedingly lame. Solar-powered men in capes are still men in capes.) Add to that the proliferation of what Paul calls "smoked-some-bad-granola hippy" grocery stores. Periodically, it gets even to me. Me who:
Recycles everything recyclable (except styrofoam because they don't take here)
Uses her own bags for grocery shopping
Filters her own water (I'm actually okay with tap, but it tastes dirt here)
Lugs a reusable water bottle around
Replacing the lights with CFLs as they burn out
Has a "sensible" (my view)or "Nazi-esque" (Paul's) policy of energy use
Heck, even my cat eats food that contains "no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, rendered meat, poultry or fish, animals or plant meals."
But still, because I am not an agave nectar-consuming, locally-grown produce-eating vegan who bikes everywhere, I am an eco-failure. Sigh. Is there no middle-ground?
Recycles everything recyclable (except styrofoam because they don't take here)
Uses her own bags for grocery shopping
Filters her own water (I'm actually okay with tap, but it tastes dirt here)
Lugs a reusable water bottle around
Replacing the lights with CFLs as they burn out
Has a "sensible" (my view)or "Nazi-esque" (Paul's) policy of energy use
Heck, even my cat eats food that contains "no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, rendered meat, poultry or fish, animals or plant meals."
But still, because I am not an agave nectar-consuming, locally-grown produce-eating vegan who bikes everywhere, I am an eco-failure. Sigh. Is there no middle-ground?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Today's My Birthday, Well Yesterday Anyway
So it's my birthday again...or it was yesterday anyway. It was a pretty chill birthday, mainly because I am so busy right now. Birthdays should not fall between Mondays and Wednesdays this semester. Don't they know I am extra busy those days? Anyway, Paul insisted on a dinner not made by us and presents at the least. So he ordered take-out from P.F. Chang's which we eat while watching Bones. (Squeeeeel! That was an excellent birthday present! And there's another one on Thursday!) Paul got me a new purse and some DVDs and a CD, but the big new is that he's taking me to Tuscon for our anniversary in May! He picked out three B&Bs and now I get to pick the winner and plan a little vacation. He even did a bit of planning himself and found a decked-out Spanish Mission style cathedral with tours and a state park created around the ruins of three other mission churches. This is amazing, because as you'll remember, Paul hates travel. (Why go somewhere when you have a home? You know, that place that has all of the stuff you want.) He also hates bed and breakfasts (he doesn't eat breakfast and especially hates eating with strangers) and looking at a bunch of the churches in similar styles (they all look the same, what's the point of seeing more than one?). So you see, it was really quite the sweet gift. Of course, that's what happens when you have really quite the sweet husband.
I'd like to thank everyone who called or sent their birthday wishes. It's always nice to hear from you.
I'd like to thank everyone who called or sent their birthday wishes. It's always nice to hear from you.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
A Bummer of an Easter
It's been a bummer of an Easter. First, it's the last month of the semester and the last two weeks particularly were extra-busy and stressful. And now I'm sick. Not the low-level cold I've had since who-knows-when, but a nasty one that beats me up and takes my lunch money. I move at a slug's pace and I'm so congested my nose whistles when I breathe. Seriously, there's no excuse for that at my age. I was valiantly pressing on though because I wanted to have a little fun in the little time I have before I go under again. Paul suggested we go to a Russian Orthodox midnight vigil because they're interesting and fun. Unfortunately, there is no Russian Orthodox church here. Oh sure, there's a Serbian Orthodox and a Romanian Orthodox, Bulgarian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, possibly Macedonian Orthodox, and multiple Antiochian Orthodox churches, but no Russian. None of them were very close and the vast majority seemed too small to really be busting out the mosaics of which I am so fond. So we went Greek Orthodox, of which there are many. They're large and fancy and brand-new and everywhere, so we picked the closest and investigated. It's a good thing we did. Apparently, they've been infected with a horrible Protestant sparseness. Maybe it's the practicality (haven't raised the funds for lavish decoration yet, but that's no reason not to start using the building), but there were no mosaics. Just white walls and a big crucifix. There wasn't even an iconostasis. How can an Orthodox church not have an iconostasis? It was very disappointing. Paul was surprised and disappointed by the presence of benches. (True Russian Orthodox churches--which this obviously wasn't holding itself out as--don't have benches. Sitting shows a lack of commitment.) Anyway, we gave up on a midnight vigil and returned home. I didn't even get to go to our own Easter services this morning because I was too sick and apparently a snoreosaurus in the morning (given Paul's fleeing to the couch). I found an Easter talk from President Hinckley, which was nice but not the same. I downloaded the Easter hymns and tried to sing alone but it didn't have enough of a voice. It was really pathetic-sounding.
So, it's been a bummer of an Easter. Now, I have to go take more dayquil.
So, it's been a bummer of an Easter. Now, I have to go take more dayquil.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Further Adventures of Piper McGee
While I try to press through the last month of the semester, I offer adorable kittyness to tide the disgrunted legions over. Miss Piper McGee, as our cat is formally called, has two great passions in life: the Xbox and the printer. She likes to knock discs out of the tray of the Xbox as she "pounces" it and will even anticipate you turning it on. If you sit down on the right side of the sofa, she will sit in front of the Xbox. If you turn the Xbox on, she will come running at top-speed from anywhere in the house. She does the same thing with the printer, except she attacks the arm or whatever the part that moves the ink is called. So far the printer has proved hardy, which is fortunate since she does not hold back. I've added some pictures for your amusement/daily dose of adorable catness.
This is Piper playing dumb. "La la la, I am completely unaware of the printer."
Now she is plotting the printer's imminent demise.
Sad after I've prevented her from slaughtering the printer.
This is Piper playing dumb. "La la la, I am completely unaware of the printer."
Now she is plotting the printer's imminent demise.
Sad after I've prevented her from slaughtering the printer.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Proof of Life
Paul spent the week in Wilmington, North Carolina on business. He says it was a very picturesque but boring town. He stayed in a bed-and-breakfast with theme rooms. ("More tasteful than the Anniversary Inn" he said.) His room was the Cousteau room. Here's a picture of him in it. You don't get much proof of life for Paul, so I thought perhaps you would enjoy it.
He almost got trapped at the Wilmington Regional Airport, but his flight was able to depart in a brief window of clear weather and the weather delays actually helped him make his connection flight. And thanks to the winds, his flight arrived 30 minutes early here. His father, I hear, was not so fortunate. He was stuck in Gainesville, GA last anyone heard. Let's hope he makes it home soon.
He almost got trapped at the Wilmington Regional Airport, but his flight was able to depart in a brief window of clear weather and the weather delays actually helped him make his connection flight. And thanks to the winds, his flight arrived 30 minutes early here. His father, I hear, was not so fortunate. He was stuck in Gainesville, GA last anyone heard. Let's hope he makes it home soon.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A Very Special Double Post: That's What You Get
When you let you heart win. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist!) I'm very excited because a certain event--holiday, even--is approaching. Yes, birthday season is less than a month away. And I already know what I'm getting! No Doubt concert tickets! Hurray! Certain gentle readers (my mom, Mary) will remember that going to a No Doubt concert was how I celebrated my 18th birthday as well. Then, tickets were $35 for general admission. Now, tickets are $80 for mid-level seats. (Which is what I got. There's not point in spending $60 for bad seats when you could spend $80 for decent ones. Whether bad seats should be $60 is another story. Did I mention that Fleetwood Mac tickets are $144 for a half-way decent seat?) Anyway, Paramore is the opening act which really sealed the deal, hence the cheesy blog title. I'm quite excited (did I say that already?) to go (but not to find a parking place--I hope I can get there using light rail). I do feel a little bad though that Paul's first concert experience (at age 27) will be Paramore and No Doubt.
A Very Special Double Post: Talking in Your Sleep
Sorry for the long lag in posting. March is like a marathon, I can only wonder what horrors April will hold. I thought I'd have time to post something over Spring Break, but Spring Break went like this: wander about aimless for 2 days not knowing what to do with self, 1 day on enjoying a vacation, and 2 days of jumping back into the old routine so that homework is finished on time. (It's those Daoist texts, I tell you! They're like word vampires that feed off my precious time.)
Anyway, I am finally getting around to posting. And it's a funny story, so you should read it and maybe comment on it, eh? Paul, as those of you who have lived with him know, is a heavy sleeper. He is such a heavy sleeper that no matter what he is doing or saying, he is asleep if his eyes aren't open for more than 10 seconds. It's the saying that's really tricky. Usually, he can carry on a pretty coherent conversation. But Wednesday, he slipped up. Below is an actual, word-for-word account of a conversation I had with a sleeping Paul.
[Setting: Living room, on our awesome futon sofa]
Me (shaking Paul after he fell asleep during House Hunters): Hey, I think I'll sleep out here on the couch.
Paul: I'm glad you got the den on house #2 that you wanted.
Me: Um, okay. (Pause) Where's the cell phone? I should set the alarm.
Paul: (No response)
Me (shaking Paul again): Where's the cell phone? I need set the alarm.
Paul: What are you going to use for a defense?
Me (giving up on really waking him up): Oh, the usual.
Paul: No, really. Tell me. I want to know.
Me: Uh, knights?
Paul (smiling): Tee hee.
Anyway, I am finally getting around to posting. And it's a funny story, so you should read it and maybe comment on it, eh? Paul, as those of you who have lived with him know, is a heavy sleeper. He is such a heavy sleeper that no matter what he is doing or saying, he is asleep if his eyes aren't open for more than 10 seconds. It's the saying that's really tricky. Usually, he can carry on a pretty coherent conversation. But Wednesday, he slipped up. Below is an actual, word-for-word account of a conversation I had with a sleeping Paul.
[Setting: Living room, on our awesome futon sofa]
Me (shaking Paul after he fell asleep during House Hunters): Hey, I think I'll sleep out here on the couch.
Paul: I'm glad you got the den on house #2 that you wanted.
Me: Um, okay. (Pause) Where's the cell phone? I should set the alarm.
Paul: (No response)
Me (shaking Paul again): Where's the cell phone? I need set the alarm.
Paul: What are you going to use for a defense?
Me (giving up on really waking him up): Oh, the usual.
Paul: No, really. Tell me. I want to know.
Me: Uh, knights?
Paul (smiling): Tee hee.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Facebook Dilemma
I have been invited to join Facebook. By a close, personal friend. (Not all those distant, communal friends I have.) Someone with whom I would like to be in greater contact and is not great at replying to e-mails. (Something about a 17-month old and buying a house and moving and other lame excuses.) The problem is I don't do Facebook. I don't really know that much about it, I don't know how to use it, and I don't want to start. As far as I can determine it's a cross-between a directory and a scrapbook. I don't care about directories and I don't keep scrapbooks. If I did, I don't know why I would want it exposed to the world. Frankly, I'd close this blog if I thought anyone other than people I've told about it ever visited. I don't even like that it shows up when you do a Google Blog Search. Censoring for group consumption and interest is one thing, censoring for total public publication is another.
Getting back on track, I'm torn between possibly being better-connected with a good friend and being more publicly exposed than I like. What to do?
Getting back on track, I'm torn between possibly being better-connected with a good friend and being more publicly exposed than I like. What to do?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
2015
That's how long ASU expects me to be here. From 8/24/2008 to 5/15/2015. That's seven years! I'll be thirty-one before I leave this place. They'd better start stocking chocolate chip ice cream, that's all I can say.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A Fiendish Conspiracy of Unfathomable Proportions
Dear readers, I feel I must alert you to a Fiendish Conspiracy of Unfathomable Proportions (FCUP). Chocolate chip ice cream is ridiculous hard to find here! Seriously, it's one of the basics, people. Yet of the many flavors and brands available at our local Albertsons, only one (Dreyer's) had it. Albertsons didn't have it, Breyers didn't have it, Blue Bunny didn't have it, Blue Bell didn't have it, Ben and Jerry's didn't have it, Haagen-Dazs didn't have it. That's six major brands of ice cream that don't believe in chocolate chip apparently. Assuming that chocolate chip ice cream still exists in other parts of the country, I am forced to make some terrible judgments. Namely, the stores here don't carry it because it doesn't sell. This means there are people in the state of Arizona--a lot of them, it would seem--that do not like chocolate chip ice cream. How is that even possible? What do you find unpleasant? Vanilla ice cream? Chocolate? Seriously, they're delicious and universally liked. I fear something is wrong with the people here. Probably something in the horrible, horrible-tasting water.
Also, they do not celebrate Presidents' Day here. How is that even possible?
Also, they do not celebrate Presidents' Day here. How is that even possible?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Things You Don't Want to Get in the Mail
Things you don't want to get in the mail:
10. Animals (dead or live)
9. Glass bottles with syrups inside
8. Things for someone else important enough not to throw away
7. Anything from the bank
6. Firearms
5. Solicitations
4. Underwear
3. Body Parts
2. Biological Agents
1. Sex Offender Notification
Guess which I got today? Yep, numero uno. I opened my mail box today and right on top was a flyer with the words: "IMPORTANT Sex Offender Notification." My first thought was, well it's probably someone just in the neighborhood who 'likes' little girls." Not good by any means, but not something I have worry about. But nope, I open it up and the first thing I see is my address, #18. Yeah, that came as a bit of a shock. Was not expecting my next-door neighbor, the loud one who loves football and parties. I've only seen him once and I'm definitely not his type so there won't be any extra paranoia, but still. Not the kind of thing you want to get. (Although I suppose it is better than not knowing.)
10. Animals (dead or live)
9. Glass bottles with syrups inside
8. Things for someone else important enough not to throw away
7. Anything from the bank
6. Firearms
5. Solicitations
4. Underwear
3. Body Parts
2. Biological Agents
1. Sex Offender Notification
Guess which I got today? Yep, numero uno. I opened my mail box today and right on top was a flyer with the words: "IMPORTANT Sex Offender Notification." My first thought was, well it's probably someone just in the neighborhood who 'likes' little girls." Not good by any means, but not something I have worry about. But nope, I open it up and the first thing I see is my address, #18. Yeah, that came as a bit of a shock. Was not expecting my next-door neighbor, the loud one who loves football and parties. I've only seen him once and I'm definitely not his type so there won't be any extra paranoia, but still. Not the kind of thing you want to get. (Although I suppose it is better than not knowing.)
Friday, February 6, 2009
And Lo, There Were Shorts!
The glory of humanity is shorts. Yes, short pants. For the first time in five years, I have shorts again and it is the most beautiful thing. Or it was, until the temperatures plummeted back into the fifties with a strong wind. I actually had to break out the granny cardigan yesterday. (Note: I do not think of it as a "granny" cardigan--indeed, it is the anti-granny cardigan if anything--but Paul stubbornly refuses to call it anything but. "It makes the outside match the inside," he says. Bah and pffiffle, I say!) Now I just see my shorts in the closet, looking dejected.
On a completely unrelated note, Muhlesteins and Muhlestein aficionados should had over to Paul's cousin Jordan's website (www.jordanandcrystal.blogspot.com) and watch the video of him doorbell-ditching his baby. Note how long it takes for anyone to bring said baby into the house.
On a completely unrelated note, Muhlesteins and Muhlestein aficionados should had over to Paul's cousin Jordan's website (www.jordanandcrystal.blogspot.com) and watch the video of him doorbell-ditching his baby. Note how long it takes for anyone to bring said baby into the house.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Furloughed!
Furloughed! All ASU employees (and they make it clear that it really is ALL) will be forced to take a mandatory unpaid furlough of at least 10 days between now and the end of the fiscal year (June 30). For those of you who don't know, Arizona is facing a ridiculous large budget crisis ($1.6 billion dollars in the red). I don't know what they've been doing with their money, but the current cuts to the university system alone total $143 million for the remaining fiscal year. ASU is responsible for roughly 1/2 that amount. Various less-drastic measured had already been taken (hiring freezes; thermostats at 65 in the winter, 82 in the summer--that one's my favorite; some layoffs), so apparently this is the next step. Aren't we glad for an employed husband? I am. A LOT.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Army
That's what a group of ants is called. I wondered about it when all the students in my Japanese class stood up for an active demonstration of comparisons. All but three are shorter than me. That's a lot of 5'4" guys.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Brand New Day
Thinking this is going to be one of those lame Obama reflections? Ha! I fooled you all! I love politics much more than the next person and even I have no interest in inaugrations, balls, or speeches. Ignored the whole thing and I couldn't have cared less. Instead, I was ever-so-wisely watching a new episode of Bones on Hulu the day before it aired! Which was good, because it only took Hulu two hours to realize the mistake and take it down.
Getting down to business, it's the beginning of the new semester and I only spent two days consumed with terror/baseless anxiety. I'm taking my first real graduate seminar and it had me frightened to my core. There were PhD people in there. PhD people! (Paul gave many pep talks of the "don't compete with others, just be your best" variety.) I was pretty rattled by the professor just casually handing out 2.5 pages of a classical text to be discussed. Oh yeah, I can totally read and translate that! No...but it did get all worked out when I showed up later for my Chinese class and he remembered how I didn't know classical Chinese. It's probably still going to be a holy terror, but at least now there's going to be some easing of the coursework and his expectations are more reasonable. My other classes are just a continuation of last semester, so things will probably be about the same. My Japanese class might be more of a pain. We started the semester a day behind (according to the syllabus). I was pretty shocked by that. You, the professor, make up the syllabus. Why on earth would you choose to assign work before class begins without telling anyone? Why start behind? It makes no sense!
Getting down to business, it's the beginning of the new semester and I only spent two days consumed with terror/baseless anxiety. I'm taking my first real graduate seminar and it had me frightened to my core. There were PhD people in there. PhD people! (Paul gave many pep talks of the "don't compete with others, just be your best" variety.) I was pretty rattled by the professor just casually handing out 2.5 pages of a classical text to be discussed. Oh yeah, I can totally read and translate that! No...but it did get all worked out when I showed up later for my Chinese class and he remembered how I didn't know classical Chinese. It's probably still going to be a holy terror, but at least now there's going to be some easing of the coursework and his expectations are more reasonable. My other classes are just a continuation of last semester, so things will probably be about the same. My Japanese class might be more of a pain. We started the semester a day behind (according to the syllabus). I was pretty shocked by that. You, the professor, make up the syllabus. Why on earth would you choose to assign work before class begins without telling anyone? Why start behind? It makes no sense!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Have I Told You Lately That I Love....?
Have I told you lately that I love home shows? Not the boring kind in convention centers, but the interesting ones with catchy titles on HGTV. My personal favorite might be "Property Virgins" which follows people who are looking for (but not necessarily **buying**) their first home. Usually, the host asks them for a brief list of things they're looking for in a house. They'll rattle off a generic list like large kitchens, bathtubs, a deck, etc. After watching unhealthy amount of home shows, I've come up with my own list. It's not actually a list of things I'm looking for, but things I don't want in a house.
1. Split-level. One word: ugly.
2. Prominent Garages. Why would you want the most prominent exterior feature to be the garage? When was the last time you said, "Wow. Check out the garage on the left!"
3. Carpet. Anywhere. I actually like vacuuming, but the stuff stains way too easily.
4. Great rooms. What kind of a person wants everything but the bathroom to be in one giant (noisy) room?
5. Chair rails. Useless, useless, useless.
6. Soaring ceilings. Only more space to cool/heat and cobwebs that require ladders to be knocked down. Also, Paul says they make batteries in smoke alarms really hard to change.
7. Fireplaces. Most, okay all, of them are ugly. Maybe if you have an really old, unusually pretty, non-painted brick fireplace, I would still buy your house, but it would be in spite of, not because of.
Now Paul hates, hates, HATES home shows, especially "Property Virgins." But sometimes, on accident, he'll catch a minute or two. Usually, he will only comment on how much he hates them, but tonight, as two newlyweds perused houses, he offered the follow gem: "We will never have a house unless we have kids. Not that I'm trying to blackmail you, it's just two people don't need anymore space them we have now."
Have I told you lately that I love my husband? He's so easily satisfied. I remember back in our last apartment in Provo, he said we could live happily like that forever and he really meant it. He's just always content.
I, on the other hand, now have to convince him that a charming old bungalow, perhaps a craftsman or Spanish revival, is precisely the thing that two people and a cat will eventually need. I don't want to be sixty and still paying rent.
1. Split-level. One word: ugly.
2. Prominent Garages. Why would you want the most prominent exterior feature to be the garage? When was the last time you said, "Wow. Check out the garage on the left!"
3. Carpet. Anywhere. I actually like vacuuming, but the stuff stains way too easily.
4. Great rooms. What kind of a person wants everything but the bathroom to be in one giant (noisy) room?
5. Chair rails. Useless, useless, useless.
6. Soaring ceilings. Only more space to cool/heat and cobwebs that require ladders to be knocked down. Also, Paul says they make batteries in smoke alarms really hard to change.
7. Fireplaces. Most, okay all, of them are ugly. Maybe if you have an really old, unusually pretty, non-painted brick fireplace, I would still buy your house, but it would be in spite of, not because of.
Now Paul hates, hates, HATES home shows, especially "Property Virgins." But sometimes, on accident, he'll catch a minute or two. Usually, he will only comment on how much he hates them, but tonight, as two newlyweds perused houses, he offered the follow gem: "We will never have a house unless we have kids. Not that I'm trying to blackmail you, it's just two people don't need anymore space them we have now."
Have I told you lately that I love my husband? He's so easily satisfied. I remember back in our last apartment in Provo, he said we could live happily like that forever and he really meant it. He's just always content.
I, on the other hand, now have to convince him that a charming old bungalow, perhaps a craftsman or Spanish revival, is precisely the thing that two people and a cat will eventually need. I don't want to be sixty and still paying rent.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Land Without Time
Ah, the best part of vacation. Living in the land without time. (Or grammar.) I swear, it's been Saturday for at least five days now. How will I ever go back to school? I lack any/all discipline and I'm pretty sure my brain turned to mush some time after Christmas. What have I been doing with myself you ask? Lazing about and chauffering Paul around. I did a through memory search and he has driven twice--once out of extreme duress. I don't think he'll ever drive again. It occurred to me that it's awfully convenient that the person who has to fly is the one who doesn't mind and the person who has to drive is the one who doesn't mind.
Lazing about pretty much consists of cleaning, organizing, or decorating...well, maybe not decorating. I have an entire giant Rubbermaid container full of stuff for DI or Goodwill or whoever I find first. (I checked, it will be DI. We're on the same road. It's just so easy to get to!) So, we have a lot of free closet space now and I cleaned up the second bedroom, found places for a lot of stuff, put up some shelves, added a utensil rack to the kitchen--which is the cleanest it has ever been, yea even every square inch, framed some things, washed those things that never get washed, etc. I've been a smidge bored you might say.
Lazing about pretty much consists of cleaning, organizing, or decorating...well, maybe not decorating. I have an entire giant Rubbermaid container full of stuff for DI or Goodwill or whoever I find first. (I checked, it will be DI. We're on the same road. It's just so easy to get to!) So, we have a lot of free closet space now and I cleaned up the second bedroom, found places for a lot of stuff, put up some shelves, added a utensil rack to the kitchen--which is the cleanest it has ever been, yea even every square inch, framed some things, washed those things that never get washed, etc. I've been a smidge bored you might say.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Forgotten Arm
This post was supposed to have been written five days ago and been about these adorable pictures of Piper "helping" us wrap presents and unpack. 
Then, there was another three days ago and it was supposed to be about these--my fabulous new shoes.
I saw them a store window and I remember my grandmother's story and decided to buy them on the spot. (And they were on sale! Score!) But instead my laptop, Sweet Betsy Ross, was infected with a terrible, malicious trojan and I lost days, yes days, battling the archfiend and you in turn lost two posts. And who knows? Those posts could have changed your life. They could have been the blogging equivalents of Rembrants. And now we'll never know. But, with Sweet Betsy reclaimed and oh-so-virus/adware/spyware/malware-free, we can again move forward.
I have recently been struck with a serious craving for a decent Italian soda. My attempts to purchase the syrup had been stymied and I had resorted to club sodas with grenadine, which are delicious, but not what I wanted. I finally tracked down some down at a world market. It was the right brand (Torani) and the right flavor (Raspberry), but somehow it didn't quite hit the mark. Then yesterday, I was almost knocked over by the sudden desire for passionfruit 7UP. I've been nostalgic for Taiwan lately, so it wasn't terribly surprising. I did a Google search and it just so happened that a very large Chinese market was in Chandler and Paul works in Chandler, so I picked Paul up from work (under the devious guise [can guises be devious? probably not] of picking him up from work) and promptly drove off in the opposite direction. The store was quite large and cheap. It looked kind of like Taiwan and it smelled like fish and durians and sold ground pork which is oddly difficult to find, but while it had the right brand of syrup, it sold only the lemon and grape flavors (or "sap" as the bottle's English proclaimed). So we picked up some pork, Meiji almonds, and choco-pies and left. In the car, I mentioned that there was supposed to be another Chinese grocery store on the same road much closer to home, but I had heard only rumors of it. Paul doesn't really like to be kidnapped and taken on multiple exotic grocery trips (he made fun of my willingness to buy meat there but not at Walmart), so I decided I would go by myself today.
I tracked the other store down (turns out it's brand-new) and set off on a wild adventure through West Mesa. I say adventure because the area is always crawling with cops and seems a bit...um, let's say run-down. (Also turns out the store is part of a big "revitalization" push.) Anyway, it was much bigger than the other store and did in fact have my beloved passionfruit syrup. I also bought some plum syrup, which may have been a miscalculation since I realized after tasting it that I liked plum flavored chicken and sweet potato fries, but neither of those taste like anything one drinks. The flavor was dead-on, though, so maybe I can use it in sauces or marinades.
So here I am, enjoying a lovely club soda with passionfruit in the sun while Aimee Mann's "Goodbye Caroline" plays on the stereo. Is there a better way to spend one's time? Okay, enjoying a lovely club soda with passionfruit in the sun while Aimee Mann's "Goodbye Caroline" plays on the stereo on a white sand beach might be an improvement, but this is pretty darn good.
Then, there was another three days ago and it was supposed to be about these--my fabulous new shoes.
I saw them a store window and I remember my grandmother's story and decided to buy them on the spot. (And they were on sale! Score!) But instead my laptop, Sweet Betsy Ross, was infected with a terrible, malicious trojan and I lost days, yes days, battling the archfiend and you in turn lost two posts. And who knows? Those posts could have changed your life. They could have been the blogging equivalents of Rembrants. And now we'll never know. But, with Sweet Betsy reclaimed and oh-so-virus/adware/spyware/malware-free, we can again move forward.I have recently been struck with a serious craving for a decent Italian soda. My attempts to purchase the syrup had been stymied and I had resorted to club sodas with grenadine, which are delicious, but not what I wanted. I finally tracked down some down at a world market. It was the right brand (Torani) and the right flavor (Raspberry), but somehow it didn't quite hit the mark. Then yesterday, I was almost knocked over by the sudden desire for passionfruit 7UP. I've been nostalgic for Taiwan lately, so it wasn't terribly surprising. I did a Google search and it just so happened that a very large Chinese market was in Chandler and Paul works in Chandler, so I picked Paul up from work (under the devious guise [can guises be devious? probably not] of picking him up from work) and promptly drove off in the opposite direction. The store was quite large and cheap. It looked kind of like Taiwan and it smelled like fish and durians and sold ground pork which is oddly difficult to find, but while it had the right brand of syrup, it sold only the lemon and grape flavors (or "sap" as the bottle's English proclaimed). So we picked up some pork, Meiji almonds, and choco-pies and left. In the car, I mentioned that there was supposed to be another Chinese grocery store on the same road much closer to home, but I had heard only rumors of it. Paul doesn't really like to be kidnapped and taken on multiple exotic grocery trips (he made fun of my willingness to buy meat there but not at Walmart), so I decided I would go by myself today.
I tracked the other store down (turns out it's brand-new) and set off on a wild adventure through West Mesa. I say adventure because the area is always crawling with cops and seems a bit...um, let's say run-down. (Also turns out the store is part of a big "revitalization" push.) Anyway, it was much bigger than the other store and did in fact have my beloved passionfruit syrup. I also bought some plum syrup, which may have been a miscalculation since I realized after tasting it that I liked plum flavored chicken and sweet potato fries, but neither of those taste like anything one drinks. The flavor was dead-on, though, so maybe I can use it in sauces or marinades.
So here I am, enjoying a lovely club soda with passionfruit in the sun while Aimee Mann's "Goodbye Caroline" plays on the stereo. Is there a better way to spend one's time? Okay, enjoying a lovely club soda with passionfruit in the sun while Aimee Mann's "Goodbye Caroline" plays on the stereo on a white sand beach might be an improvement, but this is pretty darn good.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Let There Be Rock!
I know I haven't updated for a while; I've decided it's best just to gloss over the past two weeks. So, shipped Paul off to Utah, bought a Billy Joel album, saw Yes Man, made potstickers, cleaned and organized the entire kitchen, found a new haircut, played with Piper, rediscovered Iron Chef. Whew. A thrilling time, I know. Now, for what this post is really about: arguing over VH1's latest top 20 list. Category? Hard rock songs. Here's their list:
20. You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi)
19. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
18. Rock You Like a Hurricane (Scorpions)
17. I Wanna Rock (Twisted Sister)
16. Rock and Roll All Nite (Kiss)
15. Dr. Feelgood (Motley Crue)
14. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
13. Photograph (Def Leppard)
12. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
11. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
10. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
9. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
8. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
7. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
6. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
5. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
4. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
3. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
2. Back in Black (AC/DC)
1. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
You see the outrageous flaws. First, let's all agree that Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister don't even belong on this list. I love Dee Snider as much as the next person, but seriously. Top 20? No. Frankly, the Scorpions and Kiss probably don't deserve the honor either. Although, both songs are legendarily awesome. I'm also kicking off Motley Crue because I just don't like their music and Def Leppard because Photograph is not that great of a song. So, we're down to:
19. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
14. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
12. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
11. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
10. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
9. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
8. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
7. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
6. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
5. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
4. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
3. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
2. Back in Black (AC/DC)
1. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
Now, the question is are we ranking songs or bands? Songwise, it's not that bad, but bandwise, it's criminal! Guns 'N' Roses over pretty much any band on the list? No sir, that is just not right. So, I offer my superior ranking in order of band awesomeness. I acknowledge that once you hit the top five, they're more or less equal.
14. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
13. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
12. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
11. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
10. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
9. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
8. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
7. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
6. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
5. Back in Black (AC/DC)
4. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
3. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
2. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
1. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Songwise, the order is something more like:
14. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
13. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
12. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
11. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
10. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
9. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
8. Back in Black (AC/DC)
7. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
6. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
5. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
4. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
3. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
1. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Still, it's not perfect. If you had to pick Van Halen's best song, would you choose Runnin' with the Devil? And Whole Lotta Love from Led Zeppelin over Kashmir? Sigh. (Shakes head) Oh well, at least I'm posting again. In the last minute, two future topics have been suggested courtesy of House Hunters: bad baby names (Phineas? Is your child a ninety-year-old Amish man?) and absurd Britishisms (there is no such thing as a "cooker").
20. You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi)
19. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
18. Rock You Like a Hurricane (Scorpions)
17. I Wanna Rock (Twisted Sister)
16. Rock and Roll All Nite (Kiss)
15. Dr. Feelgood (Motley Crue)
14. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
13. Photograph (Def Leppard)
12. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
11. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
10. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
9. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
8. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
7. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
6. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
5. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
4. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
3. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
2. Back in Black (AC/DC)
1. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
You see the outrageous flaws. First, let's all agree that Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister don't even belong on this list. I love Dee Snider as much as the next person, but seriously. Top 20? No. Frankly, the Scorpions and Kiss probably don't deserve the honor either. Although, both songs are legendarily awesome. I'm also kicking off Motley Crue because I just don't like their music and Def Leppard because Photograph is not that great of a song. So, we're down to:
19. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
14. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
12. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
11. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
10. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
9. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
8. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
7. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
6. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
5. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
4. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
3. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
2. Back in Black (AC/DC)
1. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
Now, the question is are we ranking songs or bands? Songwise, it's not that bad, but bandwise, it's criminal! Guns 'N' Roses over pretty much any band on the list? No sir, that is just not right. So, I offer my superior ranking in order of band awesomeness. I acknowledge that once you hit the top five, they're more or less equal.
14. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
13. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
12. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
11. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
10. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
9. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
8. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
7. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
6. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
5. Back in Black (AC/DC)
4. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
3. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
2. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
1. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Songwise, the order is something more like:
14. Runnin' with the Devil (Van Halen)
13. Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
12. Walk This Way (Aerosmith)
11. Run to the Hills (Iron Maiden)
10. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
9. Welcome to the Jungle (Guns 'N' Roses)
8. Back in Black (AC/DC)
7. Breaking the Law (Judas Priest)
6. Ace of Spades (Motorhead)
5. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
4. Tom Sawyer (Rush)
3. Enter Sandman (Metallica)
2. Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
1. Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Still, it's not perfect. If you had to pick Van Halen's best song, would you choose Runnin' with the Devil? And Whole Lotta Love from Led Zeppelin over Kashmir? Sigh. (Shakes head) Oh well, at least I'm posting again. In the last minute, two future topics have been suggested courtesy of House Hunters: bad baby names (Phineas? Is your child a ninety-year-old Amish man?) and absurd Britishisms (there is no such thing as a "cooker").
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