It is officially Springtime in my suburb.
Unlike the pathetic little attempts of the garden perennials, or the fleeting glimpses of red-bellied birds, the one true sign of Springtime in Chicago has come home to roost - there are orange traffic cones all along the road between my house and where I turn off to go to work.
Ah, springtime! The smell of steaming asphault in the air, the honking of horns as fellow commuters give voice (and finger) to their displeasure at the delays caused by new and exciting traffic patterns to maneuver through.
On the way in, it occurred to me that we should have songs to celebrate this phenomenon - this harbinger of barbecues yet to come. CAROLS, even!
Deck the roads with traffic cones
fa lalalala lala la la
Blocking roads right by your homes
fa lalalala lala la la
Honking horns in gay abandon
falala lalala la la la
Cruising down the old Dan Ryan
Fa la la la la lala la la
It's beginning to look like road construction
Everywhere you go
Orange cones every 15 feet
On ev-er-y major street
To show you where you may and may not go!
Traffic cones
Traffic Cones
Standing in the way
Some are flanked by barricades
While others fly away -ay
Traffic Cones
Traffic cones
Make us want to jeer
Thank god my street's not the Borman
Where they deal with these all year!
Oh Traffic Cone
Oh Traffic Cone
You really are quite Orange
Oh Traffic Cone
Oh Traffic Cone
Nothing at all rhymes with Orange
Road Construction on the Eisenhower
Big delays on 80/94
Patching crews working during rush hour
And getting paid time and a half.
Every body knows
To give yourself some extra time
Especially on the Tri-State toll
Although it's been said, many times, many ways
Road construction
Road construction
Road construction's a bitch
(ok - I know it doesn't rhyme - deal with it)
640 days
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Honesty
Almost all of us claim we admire it. To a few of us, it's a deal-breaker. If you aren't honest with me - brutally honest - painfully honest - even if it isn't what you think I want to hear (and may well be!), if I catch you in a lie, it's the deal-breaker.
John at Left in Aboite recently posted about the "demerit" system for men when dealing with the women in their lives. A humorous example of the differences between men and women, but one sticks out - the ominous "Does this make me look fat?" question.
Being fat, I never bother to ask this question. I'd get the answer that Randy gives "What doesn't, Dear?" Randy's not known for his tact. That aside, I also have two eyes of my own and am able to tell that yes, in fact, I do look like a pregnant hippo in those jeans. If I do ever ask something like that, however, I'd really rather know the truth than to hear that I look fine and then look in the mirror and see something unfortunate.
Brutal honesty also means that sometimes we have to look at our own "Truths" and re-examine them in the light of other people's "Truths". One example that comes off the top of my head is that someone I respect told me that I need to work on something in my life. "No shit, Sherlock" was my initial non-verbal reaction, but my inner core said "Why? No. I don't think so"
The thing is, I've been hearing this same thing from a lot of people for a long time - but every time I have "reasons" why I can't or shouldn't or don't want to. Over the last month I've been giving some thought to that, and decided this time to do a bit of work on that very thing. And interestingly enough, it's made some changes.
Oh, not sweeping, monumental changes. Small ones, like smiling when I come down the stairs into the livingroom and see what I've done, or feeling proud of an accomplishment that I'd otherwise just shrug off as "routine". Taking pride in my accomplishments again instead of riding myself for what I've not accomplished has actually added to my strength, stamina and all-around energy, which has allowed me to increase the amount accomplished - which is the diametric opposite of the vicious circle that I'd allowed myself to spiral down. (Mixing metaphors is not something I'm all that worried about overcoming just this week...)
So yes, I should listen when I get "honest truth" from those I trust. Why would I trust someone if I think they would give me poor advice? Sometimes the glass actually IS half full.
Naturally once I've caught someone lying, however, I can't trust them anymore. Especially if I catch it out several times running. Yes, Conservatives, this means you!
I wonder what the world would be like if everyone gave some honest effort toward listening - and applying suggestions - when given honest (constructive) criticism? Not just taking what every Fred, Norm and Phil say as gospel, but listening to friends and family and that tiny little voice inside us?
642 days <-Note! Updated and corrected. Folks, we have 20 LESS days of misery than I previously thought. Not quite time to REJOICE - but 20 days sooner!
John at Left in Aboite recently posted about the "demerit" system for men when dealing with the women in their lives. A humorous example of the differences between men and women, but one sticks out - the ominous "Does this make me look fat?" question.
Being fat, I never bother to ask this question. I'd get the answer that Randy gives "What doesn't, Dear?" Randy's not known for his tact. That aside, I also have two eyes of my own and am able to tell that yes, in fact, I do look like a pregnant hippo in those jeans. If I do ever ask something like that, however, I'd really rather know the truth than to hear that I look fine and then look in the mirror and see something unfortunate.
Brutal honesty also means that sometimes we have to look at our own "Truths" and re-examine them in the light of other people's "Truths". One example that comes off the top of my head is that someone I respect told me that I need to work on something in my life. "No shit, Sherlock" was my initial non-verbal reaction, but my inner core said "Why? No. I don't think so"
The thing is, I've been hearing this same thing from a lot of people for a long time - but every time I have "reasons" why I can't or shouldn't or don't want to. Over the last month I've been giving some thought to that, and decided this time to do a bit of work on that very thing. And interestingly enough, it's made some changes.
Oh, not sweeping, monumental changes. Small ones, like smiling when I come down the stairs into the livingroom and see what I've done, or feeling proud of an accomplishment that I'd otherwise just shrug off as "routine". Taking pride in my accomplishments again instead of riding myself for what I've not accomplished has actually added to my strength, stamina and all-around energy, which has allowed me to increase the amount accomplished - which is the diametric opposite of the vicious circle that I'd allowed myself to spiral down. (Mixing metaphors is not something I'm all that worried about overcoming just this week...)
So yes, I should listen when I get "honest truth" from those I trust. Why would I trust someone if I think they would give me poor advice? Sometimes the glass actually IS half full.
Naturally once I've caught someone lying, however, I can't trust them anymore. Especially if I catch it out several times running. Yes, Conservatives, this means you!
I wonder what the world would be like if everyone gave some honest effort toward listening - and applying suggestions - when given honest (constructive) criticism? Not just taking what every Fred, Norm and Phil say as gospel, but listening to friends and family and that tiny little voice inside us?
642 days <-Note! Updated and corrected. Folks, we have 20 LESS days of misery than I previously thought. Not quite time to REJOICE - but 20 days sooner!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Been quiet here...
Been thinking a lot, cleaning a lot, and then I got a real slug in the gut last night - not a bad one, but I got a letter I didn't ever expect to receive.
Sometimes you do something "nice" - and it actually seems to garner the result you had hoped.
I don't want to talk about it, really... but... it's got me fair speechless.
663 days
Sometimes you do something "nice" - and it actually seems to garner the result you had hoped.
I don't want to talk about it, really... but... it's got me fair speechless.
663 days
Friday, April 13, 2007
Creativity's Muse Awakens
Yet again.
Damn bitch wont let me rest. Anyhow, I saw this awesome turned-wood toothpick-holder-cup thing that BBC had made for one of his ladyfriends at the bank a little while back. I thought it was really nice, and decided I'd trade him craft for craft - even though he says I don't need to repay him or anything, but then it hit me...
WHAM
A pattern I'd seen of an "arrowheads" kind of dealiebop with various and sundry backgrounds and flying geese. I know BBC likes "southwestern", and this in my head "feels" southwestern without actually BEING southwestern, which is ok by me. Simple straight lines and yet complex enough to be intrinsically pleasing.
Gah, I hope he likes beige. I know he likes blue, but I sure hope he likes beige too, because this has "beigeness" written all over it in my head. Beige is a great color - it doesn't show cat hair very well!
So anyhow, I was up for like 3 hours last nite in a frenzy of compositional math, and now today my tummy feels oogie, my head hurts, I feel bloated and want to go curl up and die. Not that the 2 are at all related, I suspect the ooginess has more to do with my being bad and eating leftover stroganoff and mango sherbet.
Will post preliminary photos of the Muse's Inspiration once I've gotten all the fabrics together and something cut & pieced.
I really do hope he likes beige...
667 days
Damn bitch wont let me rest. Anyhow, I saw this awesome turned-wood toothpick-holder-cup thing that BBC had made for one of his ladyfriends at the bank a little while back. I thought it was really nice, and decided I'd trade him craft for craft - even though he says I don't need to repay him or anything, but then it hit me...
WHAM
A pattern I'd seen of an "arrowheads" kind of dealiebop with various and sundry backgrounds and flying geese. I know BBC likes "southwestern", and this in my head "feels" southwestern without actually BEING southwestern, which is ok by me. Simple straight lines and yet complex enough to be intrinsically pleasing.
Gah, I hope he likes beige. I know he likes blue, but I sure hope he likes beige too, because this has "beigeness" written all over it in my head. Beige is a great color - it doesn't show cat hair very well!
So anyhow, I was up for like 3 hours last nite in a frenzy of compositional math, and now today my tummy feels oogie, my head hurts, I feel bloated and want to go curl up and die. Not that the 2 are at all related, I suspect the ooginess has more to do with my being bad and eating leftover stroganoff and mango sherbet.
Will post preliminary photos of the Muse's Inspiration once I've gotten all the fabrics together and something cut & pieced.
I really do hope he likes beige...
667 days
Thursday, April 12, 2007
China takes lead over U.S.
They can do it in China - so why the hell can't we do it HERE?
Why is it so damn hard for us to enforce something like this? Like... if you no hable sufficient englais to make yourself understood - YOU DON'T GET TO WORK THE DRIVE-THRU AT MCD'S?
Or maybe - If you don't know enough english to process a simple order for coffee and a donut - you DON'T GET TO OWN A DUNKIN DONUTS FRANCHISE?
Or if you drive a cab - you best be able to speak totally intelligible English - or we pull your hack license?
China has the right idea. I don't agree with everything there - but THIS! This is a SUPERB idea.
Why is it so damn hard for us to enforce something like this? Like... if you no hable sufficient englais to make yourself understood - YOU DON'T GET TO WORK THE DRIVE-THRU AT MCD'S?
Or maybe - If you don't know enough english to process a simple order for coffee and a donut - you DON'T GET TO OWN A DUNKIN DONUTS FRANCHISE?
Or if you drive a cab - you best be able to speak totally intelligible English - or we pull your hack license?
China has the right idea. I don't agree with everything there - but THIS! This is a SUPERB idea.
Big Business does something right
Can we all give a rousing round of applause to Procter & Gamble, American Express, Sprint Nextel, Staples and General Motors please?
These fine companies did the RIGHT THING. They pulled all their advertising from the radio and TV programs hosted by that vile piece of human sludge - Don Imus.
MSNBC has also done the right thing. They have dropped their simulcast of his "show". Good for them. *applause*
It has come to my attention that this vile cretin is now holding a 40 hour "Radiothon" to raise money for "charity". I urge anyone who reads this to NOT contribute a dime to his effort. Despite the "good works" aspect of this, it's a stunt, and you can easily contribute DIRECTLY to the organizations that he claims to support (if they are ones you also support) without going through him. I would also urge any charity that he claims to support to REFUSE any tainted money from that vile, nasty, ugly, little man.
I would definately urge any WOMEN who have ever listened to his foul verbal diarrhaea to boycott his show and let CBS know that you will be writing to any remaining sponsors expressing your disgust with his misogynist nastiness and demanding they pull advertising.
There is nothing at all "funny" about what he and his vile little ugly producer said about the Rutgers players. There is nothing "funny" about calling ANY women "Ho's" - unless they actually HAVE chosen the oldest profession as their own. Unless Don Imus can show UNCONTESTABLE PROOF that these intelligent, talented, young women have actually taken money as compensation for performing sexual acts, then he needs to be silenced - PERMANENTLY.
I wonder if he has a daughter. I wonder if he'd still be shooting off his ugly, foul, vile mouth if someone raped her because that someone thought she's just a "ho" - not a human being - because Imus refers to women that way. THINGS like Imus need to be removed from this planet.
668 days
These fine companies did the RIGHT THING. They pulled all their advertising from the radio and TV programs hosted by that vile piece of human sludge - Don Imus.
MSNBC has also done the right thing. They have dropped their simulcast of his "show". Good for them. *applause*
It has come to my attention that this vile cretin is now holding a 40 hour "Radiothon" to raise money for "charity". I urge anyone who reads this to NOT contribute a dime to his effort. Despite the "good works" aspect of this, it's a stunt, and you can easily contribute DIRECTLY to the organizations that he claims to support (if they are ones you also support) without going through him. I would also urge any charity that he claims to support to REFUSE any tainted money from that vile, nasty, ugly, little man.
I would definately urge any WOMEN who have ever listened to his foul verbal diarrhaea to boycott his show and let CBS know that you will be writing to any remaining sponsors expressing your disgust with his misogynist nastiness and demanding they pull advertising.
There is nothing at all "funny" about what he and his vile little ugly producer said about the Rutgers players. There is nothing "funny" about calling ANY women "Ho's" - unless they actually HAVE chosen the oldest profession as their own. Unless Don Imus can show UNCONTESTABLE PROOF that these intelligent, talented, young women have actually taken money as compensation for performing sexual acts, then he needs to be silenced - PERMANENTLY.
I wonder if he has a daughter. I wonder if he'd still be shooting off his ugly, foul, vile mouth if someone raped her because that someone thought she's just a "ho" - not a human being - because Imus refers to women that way. THINGS like Imus need to be removed from this planet.
668 days
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
ARGH!!! Mousecicles!
Ok, Al Gore.
It's your fault the heat went out here at work too!
Just because I said so.
Now make with the "Global Warming", Mr. Smartypants.
(They just brought me a space-heater because the furnace went out here. I'm thinking of putting on my hat and gloves.)
It's your fault the heat went out here at work too!
Just because I said so.
Now make with the "Global Warming", Mr. Smartypants.
(They just brought me a space-heater because the furnace went out here. I'm thinking of putting on my hat and gloves.)
Global WHAT, Mr. Gore?
It's fucking snowing.
It's April 10, and it's fucking SNOWING.
Fuck you, Al Gore. Go invent something, like a flowerbed heater.
My evil plot to take over my own livingroom has progressed nicely. I now have control of over 1/2 the area, (even DUSTED!!) and believe I can secure a substantial amount of the remaining insurgent pack-rat piles within a few weeks. I'm not in any great rush here, I'm only forcing myself to put in 15 minutes a day so I don't get all burnt out in one.
I had kind of planned to stop on the way home and get a pedicure, but with the SNOW, MR GORE, I don't want to be leaving the shop with sandals on, so I suppose I'll have to wait until the SNOW, MR GORE leaves.
Gah, I want to slap that smarmy, self-satisfied, LAWYER smirk off his face.
And dump this SNOW down his trousers.
Just to show him how fucking WARM it ISN"T.
I really didn't need this snow this morning, Mr. Gore. Can we like go back to "Global Winter" and let things warm up again?
669 days.
It's April 10, and it's fucking SNOWING.
Fuck you, Al Gore. Go invent something, like a flowerbed heater.
My evil plot to take over my own livingroom has progressed nicely. I now have control of over 1/2 the area, (even DUSTED!!) and believe I can secure a substantial amount of the remaining insurgent pack-rat piles within a few weeks. I'm not in any great rush here, I'm only forcing myself to put in 15 minutes a day so I don't get all burnt out in one.
I had kind of planned to stop on the way home and get a pedicure, but with the SNOW, MR GORE, I don't want to be leaving the shop with sandals on, so I suppose I'll have to wait until the SNOW, MR GORE leaves.
Gah, I want to slap that smarmy, self-satisfied, LAWYER smirk off his face.
And dump this SNOW down his trousers.
Just to show him how fucking WARM it ISN"T.
I really didn't need this snow this morning, Mr. Gore. Can we like go back to "Global Winter" and let things warm up again?
669 days.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
DAMN YOU TIGER WOODS
SOB lost me 100 bucks, that stick-swinging bastard!
*cry*
The whole office hated me on Thursday because I got his name in the Masters pool. Asshat lost. I think I shall have to go find him and hit him over the head with a 5 iron.
672 days (sorta - really 671 1/2, because this is really late)
*cry*
The whole office hated me on Thursday because I got his name in the Masters pool. Asshat lost. I think I shall have to go find him and hit him over the head with a 5 iron.
672 days (sorta - really 671 1/2, because this is really late)
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Today is Friday!
Hah! I bet you all thought it was THURSDAY!
Maundy Thursday, even - if you have that whole Christian thing going.
But the mgmt here gives us "Good" Friday off, so today is Friday for me, yahoodies, I LOVE 3-day weekends.
I've got more to say, but no time to type it now. TTFN!! Have a great Friday!!
675 days
Maundy Thursday, even - if you have that whole Christian thing going.
But the mgmt here gives us "Good" Friday off, so today is Friday for me, yahoodies, I LOVE 3-day weekends.
I've got more to say, but no time to type it now. TTFN!! Have a great Friday!!
675 days
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