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Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Katrina - What A Bitch

My heart goes out to everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina. I can not even imagine what you must be going through. I have been glued to CNN all day and each picture and story more heartbreaking than the last.

On a positive note there was a report that people as far away as Oklahoma and Arizona were offering people displaced by the storm a free place to stay. Help is pouring in form all directions. This is the America I'm talking about. Why does it always take a tragedy to bring us together.

Here's how you can help
Craigs List
American Red Cross
Mercy Corps Northwest

Facelift

Hope you all like the new look....yeah still a blogspot template. I did customize it a little. Oh yeah and a random picture of Gizmo. Enjoy!

Monday, August 29, 2005

Two Cents

All over the blogosphere debates are raging about the war in Iraq, right vs. left, blue vs. red, etc, etc. I’m no expert or analyst I’m just an average citizen with an opinion. Here it is.

On terrorism and Iraq...

Why is this argument still marched out in defense of this war?? This war has nothing to do with terrorism. This war was started under false pretenses, i.e. WMD. It was only after not finding any did the focus shift to terrorism and finally spreading democracy became the main focus.

That is what angers me about this war. When the reason we went to war turned out to be non-existent...like everyone except The White House had been saying all along...what’s the next move? Play the terrorism card...then play the spreading freedom and democracy card. Iraq is not the only country in the world that is not a democracy. Oh yeah...those other countries don't have any wealth or natural resources we can exploit.

On everything else...

Yes you can disagree with the government and still love your country. Isn't that the point of democracy anyway...not this "new" freedom of speech in which you are free to say anything as long as it supports the current administration. I am so sick and tired of the “America: Love or Leave It” attitude. Whatever happened to America: The Great Melting Pot, or Land of the Free and Home of the Brave? It’s easy to stay silent. It takes bravery to speak out.

The most upsetting thing is how divided we’ve become. There seems to be no middle ground on any issue. No one is willing to listen to any other point of view. I’m not pointing fingers, right, left, Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, it doesn’t matter. There is no discussion it is either one way or the other.

How far does the pendulum have to swing before it comes back towards the center? I came across a great quote the other day:

"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag, carrying a cross." - Sinclair Lewis

Admittedly "fascism" is a harsh word...but think about what is going on. Just today I saw on the news that a group I've mentioned before has now shifted their focus from cable TV to Starbucks. Apparantly cable TV isn't the downfall of America as originally thought. It's Starbucks, specifically one quote by one author that was used as part their "The Way I See It" series printed on their paper cups. I'm no huge fan of Starbucks but come on!

I’m tired of all the arguing. I’m tired of all the self-righteousness. I’m tired of this “Stepford” mentality to blindly follow the leader and don’t ask any questions. I’m tired of people being held up as moral beacons because of their job title instead of their deeds. I'm tired of the people that have had all the rights and all the power in this country for centuries are now screaming from the roof tops about how "marginalized" they've become. I’m tired of terms like “moral majority” and "liberal media".

I’m so tired I’d love to take nap but am afraid of what I’ll wake up to.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

F.R.A.P

Uh...that would be Frenetic Random Ass Post. It's been almost a week since my last post so I'm just spilling it all.

Kicking the Habit...

Glad to say still smoke free and have surpassed the two week mark and am about a day and half away from the three week mark.

The Giz....

The Giz is doing great!! We've started home schooling her. So far she knows "sit" and "down". She went to a BBQ last friday at a co-worker's house and had a German Shepard on the run. She's such a bad-ass! Although will have to nip that in the bud...don't want her to be a bully...she has little dog syndrom for sure.

Goings on...

Not much to report. I found out that our office is moving...AGAIN. I've been with this company for five years and this will be the 5th office I've worked in. At least this one we have signed a three year lease...so guess won't have to do this again for three years. On a positive note I will have my own office...uh wait...not only will I have my own office but it is a corner office. A CORNER OFFICE. Don't ask cause I don't know. Actually aside from the corner office I'm excited about the new office space it is by far the best one we have had so far. There is a patio right off the kitchen complete with tables and chairs, there is a fitness center and showers in the buidling that we can use for free there is also a ping-pong table! There is a deli and Tully's coffee right next door and the best part it will decrease my commute by at least 1/2. I won't even have to get on the freeway if I don't feel like it is that much closer!!!

That's about it.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Unbearable Cuteness

Here's The Giz in a saucy little outfit.....


....don't be jealous!

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Kicking The Habit - Part 4

Well it's been a week since my last "Kicking The Habit" post. I am please to report I am still cigarette free!! I'm well on my way to the two week mark. The hostilitiy issues seem to be dwindling as I'm not nearly as inpatient and short with people. I'm also happy to report the CRAZY food cravings seem to going away. I don't feel the need to constantly eat. All in all I'm doing pretty good...a lot better than I expected.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Karma...Sweet Beautiful Karma

This is kind of a long story but bear with me.

The lease on our apartment was up on June 30th and we opted to renew for another year. We asked if there were any 4th floor apartments available. We were informed that nothing was open right now but that apartment 307 would be coming up at the end of July. If we wanted that apartment we could transfer our lease. Sweeeeet!!

The manager starts talking up this apartment to us and telling us how great it is and that it has a great view of Lake Washington, overlooks the pool area instead of the parking lot, plus it has vaulted ceilings and they are going to put in hardwood floors and all this stuff. The apartment wouldn't be avail until probably mid-July but even though our lease was up June 30th we could go ahead and renew and then just transfer it to the new apartment in August no big deal. Double Sweeeet!!

Flash forward to a few weeks later. (You should look at this post if you haven't already). What you don't know is that on the very same day that the bathroom ceiling came down we also found out that we would NOT be moving into apartment 307. What you say? How can this be? I'll tell you. We did not get apartment 307 because the idiot leasing assistant (not the manager) who is about as smart as a box of hair rented it to somebody else and I quote. "I'm really sorry, I forgot we were holding that apartment for you guys and I rented it on Saturday." All I have to say is that it's good thing this exchange happened on the telephone, had it been in person she would have lost a limb. Coupled with the ceiling incident and then having to deal idiot girl AND finding out that we would not be movin' on up like George and Wheezy. IT WAS NOT A GOOD DAY!

After calming down a day or two we figured the least they could do since they gave away our apartment was to make some improvements to our current apartment. We called up the manager, who was falling all over herself apologizing, (we were like whatever, save it) we then calmly informed her of our demands. We requested a new stove, new dishwasher, new washer, new dryer, all new blinds throughout, and new insides for both of the toilets cause we were tired of jiggling the handle all the time..oh yeah and they could paint one of our walls a lovely green color. She could not grant our requests without getting approval from the "head office". Okie dokie we'll be waiting for your call back then. After a couple days I got a phone call and wouldn't you know it they agreed to EVERYTHING.

So here's where the story goes from good to SPECTACULAR. Oh but first, we got all the new stuff and it is GREAT!!! Especially the washer, dryer and dishwasher they are super quiet!! LOVE THEM!!!

Monday night we are sitting around watching TV and I see flashing lights go by the window and then a moment later another set of flashing lights and then another. What the hell's going on? So I stepped outside to investigate and there are FIVE fire trucks in the complex. I can't see any flames or see any smoke, but it smells like something is burning or has burned. I keep standing out there hoping to find something out and then all of a sudden the fire trucks start to leave. They were only there maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I'm thinking it must have been a false alarm.

The next day I am coming home from work and what do I see but one of the balconies is charred. Are you ready? Guess what apartment it is??? Yeah that's right 307...the very apartment we were supposed to get. Naturally I was curious to know what happened. Turns out the new tenant in 307 was smoking on the balcony and caught it on fire! I about died I couldn't believe it this was the coolest thing I heard all year!

Not only did they spend about $2,500.00 on new appliances and other improvements to our apartment but the person they rented 307 to SET THE PLACE ON FIRE!!! I can't wait until I have a reason to go the office....you so know I am bringing this up. It's too good.

DISCLAIMERS: 1). There were NO injuries, none whatsoever, zero, zilch. Otherwise the story isn't nearly as good and I'm an asshole. 2). There was no structural damage to the building only cosmetic.

Monday, August 08, 2005

The Beautiful Pacific Northwest...and A Little Excitement

Sunday was such a gorgeous day that we decided to drive to Mt. Rainier. It's to believe that in just over an hour from the city and you are surrounded by nature. I love the Northwest!! Enjoy these photos from our drive.

This is the "postcard" view we enjoy on a clear day. In fact this picture probably is on a postcard somewhere. I didn't take it, just grabbed if off the net. That's Mt. Rainier in the distance. See...this is proof...it doesn't rain here ALL the time. Actually we have had an entire week of clear blue skies, sun and temps in the 80's. The forcast for this week is more of the same! Did I mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Northwest?



Here is a view of Mt. Adams on the way to the Sunrise Visitor's Center at Mt. Rainier. Mt. Adams is not visible from Seattle, but easily visible from Yakima, in eastern Washington state. This is an added bonus enroute to Mt. Rainier.


Further along...here is a Mt. Rainier looming ahead on the road to Sunrise.


And finally here is Mt. Rainier from Sunrise.


Here's Chuck and The Giz settling in for the ride back home.


Completely unrelated to Mt. Rainier but a little exciting none the less. This is two of the five fire trucks in the parking lot of our apartment complex. We are not sure what exactly is going on. I'm hoping we find out soon...I'm hoping all is well in Building 3 where the trucks seem to be concentrating. More details as they become available.


(EDIT - 08/09 - 9:01AM: Turns out the balcony on apartment 307 caught fire, not sure if it was an unattended BBQ or what the deal actually is...but interesting indeed!!)

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Saturday, August 06, 2005

Kicking The Habit - Part 3 or No People Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Post

In my last post, Kicking The Habit - Part 2, I was trying to make it to the 24 hour mark without having a cigarette. Well I am happy to report that I MADE IT!!! In fact it's been 51 1/2 hours since my last cigarette. I won't lie there were some tense moments, but I made it through. The crankiness seems to be getting better although flare ups are still pretty common. All in all I would say that I'm doing pretty good. Chuck would probably disagree cause most of my crankiness seems to be directed toward him...sorry!

I'm probably going to gain a ton of weight though. I had the stoner munchies like crazy last night. We went to the store and bought frozen pizza, doughnuts, cookies, tortilla chips, ice cream and taquitos. Today I had doughnuts for breakfast, chips for lunch and frozen pizza for dinner. Oh well I'm not going to feel guilty about it. Granted not best things to be putting into your body but better than inhaling smoke. Once I am over the cigarettes for good then it's back on the diet wagon and eating healthy.

As hard as this is (and I realize I have only just begun..I mean 51 1/2 hours is hardly anything) I already realize this is probably the best thing I have ever done for myself. I am starting to feel the difference. I haven't needed to take my allergy pill for the last couple of days. My teeth are starting to look better thanks to not smoking and the twice daily use of my Sonicare.

Well wish me luck...tomorrow is another day...just to be on the safe side if my number is on your caller-id it would still be cool if you pick-up!

Friday, August 05, 2005

Kicking the Habit - Part 2

Today is NOT a good day. I want a cigarette so bad. If you read Part 1 you know that I am trying to quit. You also know that I am on the patch but have been smoking up to 5 cigarettes a day. Well my friends I haven't had a cigarette since 7:30pm last night...that is over 19 fucking hours. No cigarette before I went to bed last night, no cigarette when I got up this morning...none all day.

Now if you read any of the comments posted under Part 1 you will see that I posted back and was all positive and damn near a ray of freak'in sunshine. Well I am here to tell you the ovewhelming urge to mame and kill others is back...OH it's back HARD. I have NO patience for people today. I'm at work so it doesn't make it any easier. If anyone comes up to me and talks for longer than 5 seconds I just want to punch them in the face. I don't even care what they are talking to me about. They could be saying I look good, or they are going to give me money, or take me out to lunch, buy me a car...don't care. Still wanna punch 'em.

There are two people here, one male and one female, that the actual sound of their voice.....even when I was smoking...drives me completely and totally C to the R to the A-Z-Y...CRAZY. Okay, so for the female it is mostly the sound of her voice, but the male it's not only the sound of his voice but the stupid shit he says. The other day he said "yummers." As in, "Have you ever made homemade carmel corn? It's Yummers." Uh that's right people, yummers, what a fucking knob! So, wouldn't you know it, today of all days, both of them decide to engage in a conversation WITH EACHOTHER just on the other side of my cube wall. In all seriousness I had to leave the building. This is NOT good. I can't be smack'in up co-workers. Although these two need some smack'in up (did I mention yummers?). I'm too pretty to go to jail....plus my ass would probably be traded for a carton of smokes...where would that get me? I'm trying to quit...HELLO!

I don't want to smoke but I don't want to be this cranky either. Maybe I'll start abusing prescription drugs, just until I quit smoking. Then it's off to Betty Ford. That'd be pretty cool hanging out with doped-up/cracked-out celebrities like in 'Postcards From The Edge' and then Shirley MacLaine would be my mom...how cool would that be?? That ain't gonna happen so I'll probably end up punching someone. If your phone rings it could be me making my one phone call...PLEASE pick-up!

I'm really really really going to try and get through this day and hope that tomorrow is better. If I hold on until 7:30pm I can say I haven't had a cigarette in the last 24hrs. That's pretty cool...24hrs people!! That's like a whole day!

Now I feel better! (still wanna punch someone though)