Facebook has just disabled my account. The only reason I can figure is due to a hacking incident two days ago. Because, otherwise, no reason to disable it.

Fucking facebook.

Update: I just got an e-mail from them. It is because of the hacking incident and I can get my account reinstated. I have started the process. I guess I'm not so mad, although receiving the e-mail first would have been helpful.

Oh, Facebook. How I love you. And yet, loathe you.

See, I like keeping up with my actual friends. The ones I know in real life, and the ones that I only know from the interwebs. (Oh, blogfriends. Blogfriends are good.)

However, people I knew in High School? Especially the people who didn’t talk to me for my last two years of High School? Yeah, I could skip them.

I could also skip the people from high school who only talk about their kids in their status updates. (Actually, I could skip all people who do that. It’s called maintaining your own identity. Try it sometime.)

Other things I don’t need to know:

• Your stance on vaccination. Mostly because if you are talking about it, you are anti-vaccination. Which, FYI? Polio = Bad.
  
• Your political opinion, if you insist on implying mine is stupid while telling stories of how someone mentioned Obama and it made you “giggle.” Especially if the reasons for your opinion are solely religious.*
  
• Actually, your religion. Sorry, don’t care.
  
• Also, how much you miss your boyfriend. Text that shit, don’t write it on his wall. Also, learn to survive three days without your boyfriend.
  

Mostly, if I don’t know you in real life, you’ve been put on my “Limited Profile” meaning you can see my basic info. No wall posts, no status updates, no pictures. Also, I’ve hidden you from my news feed. There are a few exceptions, people who I remember fondly or who’ve made witty comments on posts or are witty in their own posts.

But, for the most part, if I haven’t spoken to you in 16 years, I really have no need to do so now.

*This person was unfriended and subsequent friend requests were ignored. Look, you can have your own opinion, but when you start treating other people as stupid for their own, that’s not cool and it doesn’t make you look good.

Last week I had a subcontractor up from Alabama. At one point he asked me, “Is Richmond considered the South?”

I’ve been asked that before. I tend to give the same response. See, during the Civil War/War Between the States/War of Northern Aggression the Southern states seceded from the Union. And formed their own country, the Confederate States of America. Of which Richmond was named the capital. Thus, Richmond is now and forever will be considered the South.

So, I told him, “Yes. Capital of the Confederacy right here. Also, the Sweet tea line is in Fredericksburg.”

Now, you may think that the Mason-Dixon line is what defines the South. But, it’s really the Sweet tea line. Sweet tea is a Southern institution. If you are in a restaurant and you order iced tea and they don’t give you a choice, you are getting Unsweet tea and you are in the North. Or anywhere but the South. If they ask “Sweet or Unsweet” you are in the South.

Note: Sweet tea is not the same as Unsweet tea with sugar packets. At all.

Today is Drink Wine Day.

Or that I'm even anyone who should be writing about politics. (Disclaimer: My political views are probably best described as liberterian.)

Today is an historic inauguration. Well, I suppose they are all historic, but to me this election has shown how far the country has come. Don't get me wrong, we still have a long way to go with regards to racial and gender equality, but we have made great strides in the last 40 years.

I'm excited that Obama will be our President; I know there are many people that feel he's going to screw up the country, but in my opinion the Bush administration accomplished that very well.

I am also concerned. There seems to be this pervasive optimisim that everything will be fixed right away. It won't; it will take time. Obama will screw up and, if he's like most politicians, he will defer blame. He'll do things I don't agree with. I expect this, and I'm OK with it.

Quite frankly, I would have voted for McCain if he had been the McCain of 2000. (And had also not chosen Palin as his running mate, but that's a whole other story.) I would have voted for the McCain who gave his concession speech. I could not vote for the McCain who ran the campaign he did, the McCain that wouldn't admit that the outgoing administration had made serious mistakes. The McCain who took too long to admit that there is an economic crisis in this country.

I think Obama will be a good president because I think he's picked a strong group of advisors and I believe he'll listen to them. I also think he can't live up to the hype surrounding him. I don't think anyone could.

(I welcome differing opinions, as long as they are respectful- feel free to post those. "Obama supporters are stupid and don't know what they are doing," is neither a respectful nor constructive statement. Also, I've already heard it.)

From our local NBC affiliate's web site:

"A fire spokesman said one firefighter was was injured while fighting the fire on the second floor. He actually fell thru the floor. He injured his back and shoulder. But, is expected to be okay."

I've shared this entry from Janet (Slice of Pink Janet, lest you get her confused with Fond of Snape Janet) on Google Reader, and I'm sharing it with you now. As a woman, I am insulted that McCain chose Palin as his running mate assuming that women would just vote for another woman. You know, ignoring the facts that she's unqualified and we have opposing beliefs on many issues. Some of those issues? Abortion. I am pro-choice, she is not. Sex education. I support comprehensive sex education, she supports abstinence-only (and yes, abstinence should be included in comprehensive sex ed, it being comprehensive and all). (Also, worked out well for your family there, eh Palin?) I am definitely for equal pay for equal work. Oh, and gay marriage. I really think that the 50% divorce rate has done more to damage the sanctity of marriage than that would. Oh, and if two consenting adults want to make a commitment to each other, who am I to say they can't? Palin is against it and supports an amendment to say that marriage is between a man and a woman. Oh, and she does not support providing benefits to same-sex couples. She also favors teaching of creationism/intelligent design in schools, which I am opposed to as it is strictly a religious doctrine not supported by actual science.

According to Women Against Sarah Palin, she is also against Polar Bears. (She does want them removed from the endangered list.)

While I don’t like McCain’s choice of running-mate (I think it smacks of “Oh, I need something to trump the African-American thing. Quick, get me a woman!” and that there were more qualified people for the job.) I am really not happy with the media's coverage of her daughter's pregnancy. Palin’s daughter being pregnant has no bearing on the campaign. Does this make Palin less qualified for the job? No. Does it mean she’s a bad parent? No. Is it a family matter? Yes.

Now, it is interesting to note that Governor Palin is a proponent of abstinence-only education in schools and the situation is further proof that that doesn’t work. However, this is a matter for the States and not the Federal Government.

• Bob called me last night (Bob is, in fact, my uncle) to tell me that they'd had to put Bear down. Bear was my grandfather's dog, and also the best dog ever. He was great with kids, great with my granddad (who had a lot of trouble getting around due to his RA), and always happy to be with his people. And his people? All people. Bear also had arthritis which until recently was responding well to medication. Recently it had gotten so bad that he couldn't make it down the steps to the yard and Bob or Steph would have to carry him outside to do his business. Bear wasn't a complainer, but he was in pain. I have not doubt that Bob and Steph did the very best for him and I'm going to miss that funny-looking dog. (He was a german shepherd/basset hound.)
• On a lighter note, msnbc had a headline on their site that said, "Aborigine wants boomerang back." I thought that was the point of a boomerang.
• Tomorrow I am going to see Sara Evans. I can't wait! I love Sara Evans.
• My bike was one of the best purchases I have ever made. Even when I don't feel like going (and seriously, I need to get back in shape, so I am making myself) once I'm out there, I love it. I mostly ride trails (there is a really good system here in Richmond) and while I'm doing so, I feel like I'm ten again. Also, yesterday I may or may not have crashed into a tree.

So, about the last entry. The person in question is a member of a group I belonged to in Raleigh, and I just don’t like her. Since she bases her self-esteem completely on what other people think of her, she can’t accept that.

I suppose the possibly interesting part is why I don’t like her. The whole self-esteem issue is a big part. She’s also one of those women who will not be happy unless she is married. One day I’d like to be in a long-term, committed relationship, but if that never happens, I will be OK. I’ve made a life for myself that I like. Consequently, people who are not content in the moment (I do mean overall, because everyone feels discontent sometimes) annoy me.

As another example of the above, when she’s talking to a group of people at an event she’s always scanning the room to see if there is a more interesting conversation going on. Many people have picked up on this. It’s always a good idea to send signals that you are not interested in the person to whom you are speaking. People love that.

She’s also really obsessed with being part of the “in crowd” as she defines it.

Then there’s the whole issue of her always asking for other people’s help, but being the one to help. I stand corrected- she will offer help if she thinks she has something to gain from it. And by “something to gain,” well, see the part about the in crowd. And when she does ask for help, it’s always along the lines of “come help me paint, and please bring your own supplies, because I am way too poor (cheap) to spring for a few paint rollers/brushes.”

The moral of the story is that she is not the type of person I choose to associate with. I am selective with my friends. My friends add to my life; they do not define who I am and they certainly don’t define my self-worth.

If I refused your Myspace friend request, your LinkedIn network request, and you found out about my going-away party because you tried to throw an impromptu get-together on the same night, why would you try and friend me on Facebook?

This is clearly a rare alligator:
"Three Central Florida deputies are being reprimanded after an officer was bitten and hospitalized by an 8-foot alligator."
(From Local6.com in Orlando.)

On the Today Show this morning, it was mentioned that people are wondering if Michelle Obama is "too sarcastic and too independent." Whilst I am not sure that one can be too sarcastic or too independent, I can't help but think that's code for "is not afraid to have her own opinions."

While talking about the flooding in the Midwest today, Matt Lauer brought up the point that the flooding in 1993 was a "100-year flood event" and then expressed surprise that floods of that magnitude were happening a mere 15 years later. What he's missing is the fact that a 100-year flood is not necessarily a flood that occurs every 100 years, but a flood that has a 1% chance of occuring in any given year.

An article on MSNBC about new security measures for visa-free travel into the US contains the following:

"There are currently 27 countries whose citizens are not required to obtain visas for U.S. entry, including those in most of western Europe as well as Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore."

I had thought that Andorra's location in the Pyrenees between Spain and France would place it in Western Europe.

I've updated my 100 Things About Me list after Bud IMed me all the things in it that are no longer true. Apparently, he must fill the next year's mocking quota before he leaves for Iraq, so he's not got much time left.

As an extra-special bonus, here are 20 more things:

1. Although my new vet told me that it's statistically unlikely, both of my cats have chronic diseases.
   
2. This makes them uninsurable.
   
3. I don't like to wear shorts.
   
4. .I spend the summer in skirts.
   
5. I used to want to have kids.
   
6. Now, I'm not sold on the idea.
   
7. I can't even decide if I want a dog.
   
8. My dream horse is a Percheron/Thoroughbred cross.
   
9. I prefer to live in an area where I can walk to restaurants, shops, and the library.
   
10. Right now, I'm in the suburbs.
    
11. I often get called “Jennifer” at work.
    
12. I am the shortest of four siblings.
    
13. I am addicted to Sudoku.
    
14. And crossword puzzles.
    
15. I like citrus scents.
    
16. I don't generally wear perfume.
    
17. I hate washing my car.
    
18. I also hate when it's dirty.
    
19. I am trying to buy greener.
    
20. I love my DVR. I will not go back to having to watch TV shows when they air.
    

I've updated my About page. I will update "100 things" soon.

So, I am getting a new phone today. I am also planning on changing my calling plan. Should I go ahead and change my phone number as well?

It would give me a local number, but would require me to memorize a new number. Also, maybe I forget to give everyone my new number (excluding the ones I didn't "forget" to.) What then?

See, I am confused. So internet, what would you do? (Mind you, I've had the same number for about 5 years now.)

Recently, I've been doing a lot of reading about religion. I'm bothered by a lot of things done in the name of religion (none seems immune). It has also always bothered me that people equate religion with morality. I've known immoral people who consider themselves to be good Christians. I know many Christians who wouldn't raise a finger to help another person. I know many atheists who are kind and caring and give back to the world. I believe that morals and religion are independent of one another.

Some background: I was raised as a Presbyterian and confirmed as an Episcopalian. However, I've never had that all-encompassing faith that there is truly a god out there; I've been jealous of people that do. Even as a child, there were things in the Bible that just didn't make sense to me. Take the three wise men for instance. For them to have come from the East (let's, for fun, assume that means Arabia), that star would have had to have been in the sky for an awfully long time. Jesus would have been a few months old by the time they got there.

Many religions, when taken as a group, are ridiculously intolerant, which to me seems contrary to the entire idea of religion. (Here I must stay that I am talking about the religion as a whole, and not individuals. That said, how can one say one believes fully in a church and yet not adhere to all of the doctrines of said church? Do you really just get to pick and choose?)

My readings and journey have lead me away from Christianity. I don't know that I believe in god, and I don't really believe that Jesus was more divine than anyone else anymore than I believe that Joseph Smith was. Religions are creations of man.

That said, I still feel a spiritual hunger. A search for something. I don't know what I'm looking for. I do hope I know it when I see it.

My first step is going to be exploring Unitarian Universalism. It's a liberal fellowship without a creed. Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven principles.

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
   
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
   
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
   
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
   
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
   
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
   
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
   

Those are seven principles that I can fully support

We've had workers in the office all week, finishing up punch-lists from the move. Yesterday, one of the workmen was going on and on about how he shouldn't have to do something- the drywall guys should.

His boss very calmly explained to him, "Yes, but they're going to expect us to do the painting, because we're the painters."

Someday, I would love to buy a fixer-upper in an up and coming neighborhood and do a green renovation on it. Recycled glass counter tops, cork and bamboo flooring (unless there are hardwoods already, which, well, hopefully there are), energy efficient windows, on-demand water heater (if feasible), radiant floor heating, and some tube lighting. I love older neighborhoods and older homes and the whole process would be fascinating.

So, I drive around the southeast a fair bit, and I have noticed a few things.

Virginia has signs saying, "Speed checked by RADAR and VASCAR" and "Speed limit enforced by aircraft." The latter causes me to picture A-10s strafing speeding cars. That would slow people down! Even me (maybe)!

When I drove into Georgia last night I saw a sign that read, "Speed detected with detection devices." GA is all, "Yea suckers! We have detection devices, and we are going to use them. What ever they are!" (Eyes could be considered detection devices, no?)

In South Carolina, you will see exits labeled things like, "Exit 27. Road 99." South Carolina is all, "We're too lazy to name our roads. You think we have detection devices?"

I check my stats fairly regularly, and I know that there are more people reading than my regular commenters. (Hi regular commenters! Love you!) But! Guess what? Today is a great day to de-lurk. Leave a comment, let me know who you are. You can leave an anonymous comment if you like, as long as it has clues (such as your e-mail address) that let me know who you are.

If you're reluctant to do that, at least shoot me an e-mail, mmkay? watergirl.michele at the google mail.

Headline from today's paper* "New Laws Protect Victims- and Bears".

*I'm not supposed to get Monday's paper. I pay for a subscription for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I generally get Monday's anyway, as an extra-special bonus, I presume.

OK, so, as we all know, I am back on the online dating. I've reactivated my profile on eHarmony. Now, I don't pay for it, because I think eHarmony is actually the worst online dating site out there. However, I find it amusing to see which guys close me right away, and what reason they give. (Most common reason: "Other".) Anyway, I received some new matches today, and 4 of them closed me before I even got up. One of them was from Midlothian, VA, and he gave two reasons:
1. I think the physical distance between us is too great. (Fair, except that TRgirl and Randy live up there, so I know that it's not actually that bad.)
2. I don't feel that the chemistry is there.

That one I find odd. I mean, you don't feel any chemistry with my profile? What? How did you expect there would be chemistry after reading one page about me?

I checked out his profile anyway, which contains this gem:

Some additional information (name deleted to protected privacy of strange man) wanted you to know is:

* We are too quick to judge, I believe in giving people a chance. That goes with dating too, if you're reading this, you too are probably picky, which is why we are here, single, and looking. That's fine as we shouldn't settle and we want to be happy, but don't be afraid to go on ONE date with someone, you may learn a lot more in person and realize they are someone special!

I posted this over on my myspace, but y'all need to see it too.

Check out this video: impatient kitty



Add to My Profile | More Videos

So, I've become obsessed with Real Estate again. (No, I don't know why. Can't actually buy now.) The house I live in, although I love it, is probably more than I want to spend and also needs a lot of work. Also, it's on the opposite side of the county from both work and the barn. If I buy in the town the barn is in, I can get something like this. Note the price. Much more affordable.

(There are about 7 houses for sale in that neighborhood, which makes me wonder, but still, it's very close to the barn.)

ETA: I changed up my mind. Want this one.

Well, kind of. My first review is up over at A Girl Must Shop. It will surprise exactly none of you that it is a review of laundry detergent.

I have not gotten over the dog thing yet. Of course, I also didn’t mention it to my landlord when she called to ask me how things were at the house and if I was going to renew my lease. My mom is all, “No dog! Vet bills!” and while she has a point, I can’t stay away from this page.

When I saw this headline on CNN: "Pregnant lady chases pirates at box office" I was compelled to click on it. Unfortunately, the story was not nearly as interesting as I thought it would be, as I had read the headline as "Pregnant lady chases pirates at post office".

On June 9, I'll be walking in the Triangle Race for the Cure. If you feel so inclined as to sponsor me, you can go here. Muchas gracias!

(For those of you who are not local, 25% of the local chapter's proceeds go to the National Foundation. Oh, and we've got 2 large teaching hospitals and many pharmaceutical companies locally, so even what stays local can have a larger impact.)

Another interview, this time with the lovely Janet.

1. You're off to meet a person you've know through blogging for quite some time. You've thoroughly enjoyed reading their posts and felt some sort of connection...but IRL this person just rubs you the wrong way. Do you stop reading their blog? Well, I hope that doesn’t happen. I’m not sure if I’d stop reading their blog. Probably not. There are several blogs I read even though I am quite sure I would not be friends with the blogger IRL.

2. You're stuck somewhere for an hour longer than you thought you'd be. What's the one thing in your purse you're most happy you put in there that day? Hopefully I knew I was going to be waiting and I put in a book. But otherwise, my cell phone.

3. Do you remember the first thing you bought with money from your first paycheck? If not, how about your first major purchase ever? No, I have no idea what I bought with my first paycheck. My first major purchase ever was my bed. Which is why I need a new bed.

4. Are you quite honest with your friends, or do you tell little white lies like, no, really, that dress looks FINE on you? I do tell little white lies. With the dress example, if we were shopping together, I’d suggest you look for something else. But, if you showed up somewhere (like a party) wearing it, I’d tell you it was fine. Why make you self-conscious at that point? Plus, I have one friend who does say whatever comes into her head, and she can be very hurtful, although she’d tell you she’s only being honest.

5. Do you like dainty teacups or coffee mugs best and why? Mugs. Do I really seem like a dainty teacup person? I’m not a fan of the dainty. Probably because I’m built like a linebacker.
   

So if you want to play along and now be interviewed by me, please leave me a comment or send an email saying: "Interview me."

* I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
* You will update your weblog with the answers to the questions.
* You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
* Then others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions and so on.

Interview questions, courtesy of the smart, funny, beautiful Michelle:

1. If you could have any job in the world what would it be and why? I would really love to teach math at the community college level. I love algebra and calculus. Yes, I am weird. However, I do have a plan for opening my own plumbing business.
   
   
2. If your house were on fire and you could only take three things with you - you have to be able to carry them all - what would they be and why? (Pets are safe already). Hmm.
   • My painting over the fireplace- I bought it at an auction a few years ago. It’s by a local artist, I bought it because it spoke to me.
   • My striped afghan. My uncle’s mother knitted 4 afghans for me. I’ve had them for years now. I’d miss them, but the striped one is my favorite.
   • My purse. Can’t not have that.
   
   
   
3. What prompted you to start a blog, how long have you been blogging and what has made you stay with it? I started a blog as a means of keeping in touch with people. I’ve been doing it for about 3 years now. I stay with it mostly because I’ve made several friends through blogging. Someday I hope to meet the NE crew. For right now, I just know Stewie in real life.
   
   
4. You have a horse and cats - you have to give one or the other up - which goes and which stays? Well, actually, I don’t have a horse. But even if I did, it’s likely the horse would go. The cats are there every day, and I know that I can ride someone else’s horse. Plus, I can sell a horse. No one would pay for my cats.
   
   
5. Best book you have ever read? This is a tough question. I love books! I’m going to say Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute. It’s the first Shute book I’d ever read. It’s a book where everything happens for a reason, and everything works out. Reminds me to take things as they come.
   
   So if you want to play along and now be interviewed by me, please leave me a comment or send an email saying: "Interview me."
   * I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
   * You will update your weblog with the answers to the questions.
   * You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
   * Then others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions and so on.
   
   02:00 PM - Comments (4)
   
   
   

1. If you are going to send out mass requests for moving help (and include me), you should probably have helped at least one of our mutual friends move in the time I’ve known you.
2. Also, you shouldn’t change the date repeatedly because “the date isn’t good for most people.” Perhaps they just don’t want to help you. (If you are always a taker and never a giver, well, people will be disinclined to help you.)
3. And really, you shouldn’t change one of those dates into a painting party. Especially if you are going to ask people to help you paint and, oh, by the way, please provide your own equipment.
4. However, I am allowed to laugh because you are offering people alcohol if they come help you paint. That should work out quite well.

Did you ever find yourself in a situation where an incident has upset you or made you angry, and you just can't let go of that anger? It's just simmering, there all the time? So that just reading some words or a name actually makes your shoulders tense up? And you want to kick someone?

Yea, me neither.

I have, on at least 2 occasions now, answered a question in such a way that my psychiatrist was shocked. You would think that would be a difficult thing to do, but no.

About 2 months ago:
Dr.: You’ll be working in Gainesville? And what will you be doing there?
Watergirl: Designing a wastewater plant.

Tuesday:
Dr.: When you’re back in town, do you do much socially?
Watergirl: Definitely. I went out to dinner with friends Friday night, had a pizza/movie night with another friend on Saturday, and tonight I’m going to play pub trivia.
Dr.: Any dating prospects?

Apparently he did not expect that question to be answered with peals of laughter.

I am leaving for Gainesville on Sunday. I am halfway through The Tenth Circle by Jody Piccoult. It's the last book I have. So, I need suggestions on books to pick up for the trip. Tell me what you've read lately that you enjoyed and why. Please. It's a reading emergency.

To: Watergirl
From: Angeler
FW: City crime rates-interesting reading

Congratulations – you grew up in the Safest city of America and now live in the 8th safest city!

New look! The brilliant, talented, and highly pulchritudinous Megan created this after receiving the following information:

"I want the masthead to be this picture, and also I would like purple."

Alas, the picture is not me, but I wish it were. Love riding on the beach. Many thanks to the also brilliant, talented, and smashingly lovely Janet for allowing me to use it.

Love it! Tell me you love it too.

(P.S. Emails welcomed along with comments. watergirl.micheleATgmail.com)

• The Turkey Shoot was a success, and although it completely wore me out, I can’t wait to do it again next year. I am sorry to report, however, that there were several stuffed animals that did not make it.
• We are also running a haunted house. I have said that the only way I will help out (I did help move stuff in and sew curtains. (Fishing line is terrible thread.)) is if I can be a cashier. For those of you playing along at home, this means my thought process goes something like “Shotguns good. Costumes bad.”
• I ate dinner in my hotel suite last night. I was very thankful not to have to go out. Believe it or not, eating out every day gets tiresome.
• Almost everyone loves the new hair. I have heard “cute”, “sassy”, and, in an announcement to the State Fair, “I like it.” It’s drastic enough that 6 men have noticed it. One of them had the lone dissenting opinion. “It looks weird from down here.” (I was sitting up in the crow’s nest.) It should be noted that his opinion no longer counts.
• It has suddenly gotten quite cold. Well, it wouldn’t be too bad, but when you go, over the course of 2 days, from mornings in the 60s to mornings in the 30s, you really notice it.
• I did not run the entire week of the shoot. First of all, lots of walking at the fair, so my legs hurt. Second of all, completely and totally exhausted. Tonight, I am running. On the treadmill. (See above, re : cold. Did not bring cold weather running gear. Also, not willing to run in a strange city in the dark.) Eventually I will make it out of the first week’s program.
• Cdub has to give Orion antibiotics for a UTI (she’s taking care of the boys while I’m here). She called last night to say, “He spit it out three times!” He’s stubborn, but not terribly combative about it.
• I really need to start saving for/planning my trip to Ireland. I think I need an actual vacation next year.

Dear Ashley Furniture of Raleigh,

Recently I purchased my first brand new set of furniture, and I gave your store my business. After dropping down more cash than I pay in rent every month, I was informed that the furniture would not arrive for 3 weeks.

When your distribution center called to set up a delivery time, I told them that I needed to have it by 5PM, as I had plans that night. Unfortunately, I have a job and a life, and I cannot sit around all day waiting for my furniture.

I made arrangements to work from home tomorrow. The distribution center called today and told me my furniture would be delivered between 3 and 7 PM. When I said, "But I told you I can't accept delivery after 5," the response was, "Well, don't you have a friend or a neighbor who can accept delivery?" I'm sorry, this is furniture, not a book or a jacket. You'll forgive me if I want to make sure that it is a.) what I ordered and b.) in perfect condition before I accept delivery.

Oh, you can try and be there by 5 tomorrow, but if I'm not there when you get there you will charge a re-delivery fee?

What's that? Reschedule? Hmm, but you can't tell me what time you will come on that day either, can you? I fail to see how that helps. At all.

I have 2 more rooms in my house that need furnishing. I do know where I won't be going.

Thank you for making my first furniture buying experience , um, memorable,

Watergirl

P.S. Thanks for calling me the morning of delivery to tell me that I won't be getting one of my pieces as it was damaged in shipment. I am so thrilled with the idea of having to go through this again.

PM to me: We use will, not would, because we use the present tense.

Sorry for the lack of posting- I've been busy and messy-headed.

I'm headed out to Charlotte in about 15 minutes. I'll be making the drive on about 4 hours of sleep.

Saturday I'm having a party. Technically, it's a game night, but I'm calling it a party.

Monday I go back to Charlotte and come back Thursday.

My furniture should be delivered Friday.

PM: The rep for those pumps is Michael Knight.
WG: Does he drive a black Trans Am?
PM: Huh?

Dear Wilo EMU,

I know you are a German company, and it is thus completely understandable that your main web page is in German. But you really should have a talk with whomever translated the pages into English (which appeared to be in-house), because, well, Unterwasserpumpen is not, in fact, English. (I suggest "submersible pump")

Watergirl

or, as it is more accurately called, "babbling". About unrelated things

1. Karen's entry today struck a chord with me (not the podcasting part). It's something I need to remember, a saying I need to own. (Sidenote: I want a Superhero necklace. Chlorine, please.) Maybe a mantra I chant, to remind myself to let things be? A sign I put up in my cube? (The cube, it needs decorating.) On the fridge, definitely.

2. I was talking to TRgirl tonight about how I am thinking about switching therapists. For a long time, my therapist has been fixated on my need for cleanliness and order. Which, yes, I like things neat and clean, but vacuuming twice a week when I have two cats is not ridiculous. She had the insight that perhaps we are now working on things that I am uncomfortable with. This is true- what we are currently working on is uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because I am doing what I need to do for me, but it is causing me to feel guilty. About things I should not feel guilty about, but I do. Sometimes doing what I need to do for me is difficult because of this. I'm not sure exactly how to handle it.

3. I think that I learn something from every guy I've dated. Recently, I learned not to tell them about the blog, because then when you break up with them, they can read it every day for 3 months. Which is kinda freaky. The most recent allowed me to face something that's been kicking around in the back of my mind for a while now- something tough, something I didn't want to think about, but something I needed to confront. (He's still a jackass, though.)

4. Why does my iPod insist on all the Sarah McLachlan?
   

I signed up for this over at Janet's.

Rules: Leave me a comment; I'll send you a cd without the playlist. (Note that you will have to give me your address for this to happen. I promise not to stalk you; I do not have the time.) You listen to the cd and post on your blog what the songs are and who they're done by. If you don't know, tell me a bit about the song, and who, if anyone, you suspect it might be. Then you will continue the CD Chain by making your own CD without a playlist and sending it to your commenters!

My review:

1. Surfin' USA by the Beach Boys. When I stared this CD at work today, this made me smile.
   
2. In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry. Woo! 2 songs I know!
   
3. Summer Afternoon by Jimmy Buffett Phoebs and I love Jimmy Buffett! I have not seen him in concert since the week I broke my leg.
   
4. Kodachrome by Paul Simon Janet loves to take a photograph!
   
5. Summertime from Porgy and Bess Gershwin!
   
6. Summer in the City by (I think) The Lovin' Spoonful I adore this song. I dance around the house when it comes on the radio. Needless to say, I played it a few times before moving on.
   
7. Summertime Blues Not sure who this version is by- not Alan Jackson, not Eddie Cochran.
   
8. I have never heard this song in my life. It is sung in a falsetto.
   
9. Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts I once had a friend who called me "Jasmine". Also, Mom loves Seals and Crofts.
   
10. Dancing Days by Led Zeppelin I knew there would be a Zepplin song! This is a good one (my favorite: Fool in the Rain)
    

Who's playing?

Here are two pictures of the far wall in my bedroom.

It is very, very empty. I'm thinking I should add maybe a storage bench? Some examples are here, although I don't think either of them would be what I went with.

Also on that page are possible replacements for the Picasso poster, which is going because a.) he's not one of my favorites and b.) I think it's too muted for the room. (My landlady left it, and I am free to replace it.) I like the door pictures- the Spain one is my favorite. Thoughts?

Also, guess where I am going tonight? Charlotte! Again! But this time I have a cool rental car (well, it's cooler than my car anyway).

And Orion would like me to tell you that he wants to go out.

My therapist asked me today if I'd thought about getting back into the dating scene. My answer, "I've thought about it. The problem is, I'm having fun right now."

Finding someone to date is work. My therapist compared it to a job search (which, really, we all know how that went for me for a good long time. Why wouldn't I want to get back into that?), where you are reviewing resumes to see if you find someone who fits. I hate that part of dating.

I think when it comes to men, maybe I'm more of a window shopper. You know, view from afar, have your little happy "what-ifs" and move on. If I see a cute halter top in a store, I can imagine wearing it and all of the fabulous things I will do in it (Parties! Clubbing!). Would I try it on? No, that would ruin the fabulousness. (Why no coach, I don't need any shoulder pads. Brought my own. I'll just be over there, tackling running backs.) Guys can be like that- you meet them in a group setting, you imagine what they would be like as a boyfriend. Then, they become the boyfriend, and suddenly, it's not so fabulous. Looked great on the rack! Try it on and wonder, "What was I thinking?"

So, really, probably not ready to start dating again.

On Sunday October 8 I plan to join thousands of others who will participate in the 18th Annual Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope. The Walk for Hope is 10k walk that raises funds to promote scientific research into the causes, cures and to discover more effective treatment of mental illness. If you'd like to make a contribution toward my fundraising goal ($200? Can I raise $200?) please go here. (If you are not comfortable donating on-line, please e-mail me and I will let you know where you can mail it.)

Please do not feel obligated to give. However, all donors will get a picture of me looking loverly on walk day!

On Monday I got home to find a package notification on my door. I had no idea what it could be. I walked over to the office to get it (possibly the one negative of my move is no office to accept packages) and discovered that it was my Bloggers Fuel review package. (I found out about this from Monique.) Free coffee! Free hat! Free mug! Now, I only started drinking the coffee yesterday, so I am not ready to write a review yet. But I can tell you that so far, it is good stuff.

This how it works: Janet gave me the letter "S"; I'll write ten words beginning with "S". When you leave a comment on this entry, I'll give YOU a letter (if you want to play) and then you post this in your blog...et cetera, et cetera.

1. Solie Even though he's not mine, I do think of him as a little bit mine. I mean, I fell off of him and broke. That has to give me some claim, right?
   
2. Sand and Surf Beach weekend!
   
3. Sailing Did you know that when I lived in MA, I spent a summer racing Lightnings? We went all over Southern NH and Eastern MA. I miss it, but not enough to make it fit into my schedule.
   
4. Shrimp I am allergic. It's sad.
   
5. Summer is almost here. This year, I have gardens to tend!
   
6. Sutton was the name that Jasper had when I adopted him. It didn't suit him at all.
   
7. Spain I spent a summer there as an exchange student when I was in high school.
   
8. Subaru Outback This is the car I want. Phoebs and Bud each just bought them, so I'd be a big 'ol copycat. But I have wanted one for a while.
   
9. Sandals I love sandals, and am loving that sandal season is here.
   
10. Sister We never got along growing up, but I'm glad she's my sister.
    

Found at Janet's, about 3 days ago, and I am just getting around to it now.

* I AM: single again. And happy about it.
* I WANT: a station wagon. Seriously. Who am I?
* I WISH: that I could go up and see Peg. But I am very busy until July.
* I HATE: asymmetry.
* I MISS: my grad school friends.
* I FEAR: growing old alone.
* I HEAR: my space heater. The temperature in the office is controlled by the men. They even passworded the thermostats!
* I WONDER: how the boys will adjust to the new house.
* I REGRET: not answering a card I received in January.
* I AM NOT: as independent as I think I am.
* I DANCE: all the time.
* I SING: in the car, at work, at home.
* I CRY: when others cry.
* I AM NOT ALWAYS: patient.
* I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: the horse listen to me (also involves legs!).
* I WRITE: because I enjoy it..
* I CONFUSE: toile with tulle, just for a second, when I first read the word.
* I NEED: more business casual clothes.
* I SHOULD: really have packed more things.
* I START: things early, but
* I FINISH: them just on time.
* I TAG: if you want to be tagged, be tagged.

First phone tapping, now this.

As Benjamin Franklin said, " They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Janet, she is interviewing people today.

1. Do you say meaner things to your friends or your enemies? Well, I try not to say mean things at all. The meanest things are to the other drivers. And also my inner monologue is mean.

2. What is the last thing you want me to know about you? Hmm... I'm not quite comfortable putting it out there just yet. I'll tell you in an e-mail, though.

3. What is one question you wouldn't want me to ask you? Don't ask me about my dad.

4. Would you ever date someone significantly younger than you? Probably not. I tend to date men older than I am- younger ones remind me of my brother.

5. Are you happy with the person you are becoming? Yes.

6. Is there a wrong that you have righted in your life? I don't think so.

7. What's the one thing you want most in life and do you think you'll get it? Marriage and kids. I don't know that it's in the cards for me.

I first saw this over at The Noodle Incident and then over at Michelle's. We all love books! I stole Michelle's modified version.

1) Total number of books I own?
I don't actually own that many-probably about 75. I don't have the room to keep them, so I usually give them away, donate them, or sell them to used book stores. If I keep it, it means something to me.

2) The last book I bought?
I just bought a cookbook (Easy Basics for Good Cooking) off of half.com. As far as reading books go, I've been doing the library thing lately. I did buy James Patterson's 4th of July at the used bookstore a few weeks ago.

3) The last book I read?
4th of July by James Patterson

4) What I am currently reading? Wyoming Stories, by Annie Proulx. We're discussing Brokeback Mountain at book club next month.

5) Five books that have meant a lot to me or that I loved the most
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson
Trustee from the Toolroom by Nevil Shute
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

Y'all play along!

I totally figured out last night how to import my old blog (the original one!) into MT with the correct date/time. Well, it's not so much import as copy/paste/change date, but still! All my entries in one place! Well, not yet. But soon.

It may appear that I am stealing this from Michelle, but I thought about doing this when I was getting ready for bed last night. So, it's really a case of great minds.

Anyway, here is a list of things that made me happy this week.

1. Talking to my brother 4 times. He's one of my favorite people, and yet we don't talk much. I will try to rectify that.
   
2. Jasper being very appreciative because I took him to the vet. (He gets a steroid shot every 5-6 weeks. He understands that before the shot his mouth hurts, and afterwards it doesn't.)
   
3. A good ride yesterday. I learned canter leads. And also felt comfortable at the canter, finally. (Probably because I was thinking about leads and not about the canter. Revelation: I tend to overthink things.)
   
4. My plans to make Easter dinner for Cdub and D.
   
5. Jenna's latest post. I'm happy for her. Although I would be tempted to respond to "You never buy me nothing!" with a "No, only sometimes do I buy you nothing." Because confusing kids with proper grammar = fun!
   
6. Long talks on the phone. It's been a phone week.
   
7. Spring. And flowers.
   

I thought I would take the time to help out some of the people arriving here from search strings.

1. moravian spice cookies recipe Because I love y'all, I will share my secret recipe. Ready? Here it is: Go to A Southern Season. Buy Moravian Spice Cookies.
   
2. 2006 raleigh tir na nog st patrick s day photos I was there, but took no photos. Sorry.
   
3. culpeper walmart march 22 in line you were behind me black toyota brown I was not in Culpeper on March 22 (I can prove it!). Also, I do not think Toyota makes a black-brown car.
   
4. i saw you culpeper walmart daughters No, because I saw you first.
   
5. kezar lake maine blog One entry. Not the entire blog.
   
6. songo pond Actually, it's a lake. A big lake.
   
7. gapsim I so cannot help you.
   
8. orion nicknames Ri, RiRi, You little brat!
   
9. stuck in customs fedex As I have tried to explain to my boss, there is nothing I can do about it.
   
10. watergirl glasses They are reading glasses with an anti-glare coating that I mainly use for working on the computer. Nine West frames.
    
11. puerta vallarta dentists Well, my teeth were fine when I was there, so I can't help. Also, it was over 10 years ago.
    
12. stage ii dbp This I can help with! E-mail me!
    
13. if you were stranded on an island with a friend what would u bring First of all, it depends on the friend. Second of all, we know we're going to be stranded? And we've agreed to this?
    
14. plus sized z cavaricci jeans My advice on this is NO! Don't do it! They are so late '80s Jersey, and also, not really flattering.
    
15. get some sleep tonight Will do!
    
16. 40 gal. water heater vs.5 0 gal. water heater The difference is 10 gallons.
    
17. ultimate strength hand salve review kiehls It's the best hand cream ever!
    
18. janet weight loss/ 2006 photos I don't know if she's trying to lose weight or not. I don't really care about her weight. And if she were trying to lose weight, as her friend, wouldn't it be really sucky of me to post pictures on my blog?
    
19. watergirl tv show Boring, or Theater of the Absurd?

    (Please note: this is the clean stuff. Not only do I attract the crazies in person, but also on the internet.)

    06:16 PM - Comments (2)
    
    
    

For most of the readers of this blog, today will be like any other day. Work, family, friends. In the developing world, March 22 will be like any other day as well. That's because 14,000 people — including 11,000 children — will die because they lack access to clean water and adequate sanitation. Women and young girls in developing countries will spend more than 200 million hours walking to the nearest water source just to get enough of this basic necessity to support their families for one more day.

For information on World Water Day, click here.

For more information on the global water crisis, visit WaterPartners International.

I rent.

Found at Janet's (apparently together we will come up with great ideas, but the execution will be lacking.)

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all... But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you. Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses. Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others. Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life. Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

Janet has one. Goofy Girl has one. Megan has one. Smoochdog has one. Monique has one. Now, I do too. My Johari Window.

You'll also note the lack of "looks for validation from the internet".

Shamelessly stolen from Janet.

This is how it works: YOU leave a comment, copying the questions and filling in the blanks about ME even if you don't have any idea what the answers are. Be honest...or make something up....it's up to you and it's all fun :-)

My name:
Where did we meet:
Take a stab at my middle name:
How long have you known me:
When is the last time that we saw each other:
Do I smoke:
Do I drink:
When is my birthday:
What was your first impression of upon meeting me:
Do I have any siblings:
What’s one of my favorite things to do:
Am I funny:
What’s my favorite type of music:
What is the best feature about me:
Am I shy or outgoing:
Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:
Do I have any special talents:
Would you consider me a friend/good friend:
Would you call me preppy, average, sporty, punk, hippie, glam, nerdy, snobby, or something else (what):
What is a memory we have once had:
Have you ever hugged me:
Do you miss me…do you think i miss you:
How well do u know me?
What is my favorite food:
Have you ever had a crush on me:
If there was one good nickname for me, what would it be:
What’s your favorite memory of me:
Who do I like right now:
What is my worst habit:
If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what one thing would I bring?
Who are my favorite sports teams?
What was the last thing I said to you?
Will you repost this so I can do it for you?

In North Carolina, if you kill a 92-year old retired preacher, we will put you to death 21 years later. If you shake your infant son so hard that cause his eventual death, we will fine you $1,000 dollars and put you on probation for 2 years.

It should be noted that Perrie Simpson did take responsibility for and express remorse for his actions, a crime that he committed at 21 years old. The crime was brutal, and Simpson should have been punished. However, executing the 42-year-old is not the same as executing the 21-year-old.

Jessie Ullom has never admitted in court that he shook his son. He was convicted of child abuse in March 2004, after the incident. After Christian died, in December of 2004, he was charged with involuntary manslaughter. He pleaded "no contest" both times. Had he plead guilty, he would have at least, in some way, admitted guilt. At his sentencing, the judge said that because of his time served in Iraq (served after the Army should have discharged him because of the child abuse conviction), he could be considered "an authentic American hero." The fact that he's both a baby-killer and a statutory rapist (Christian's mother was 15 when he was conceived.) should really mean that he can't.

Maybe not you, but me.

Found at monique's.

Addendum to number 3: Those candles are not lit by watergirl, as watergirl's cat has been known to set himself aflame.

What breed of horse are you? Find out!

I found this at Michelle's.

I am way nerdier than she is.

I've been tagged.

Four jobs I've had in my life: Cashier, General Physics Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Engineer

Four movies I could watch over and over: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Zoolander, Patriot Games, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Four places I've lived: Brick, NJ; Amherst, MA; Sunderland, MA; Raleigh, NC

Four TV shows I love to watch: Battlestar Galactica, Gilmore Girls, The Amazing Race, Lost

Four places I've been on vacation: Puerta Vallarta, London, Berlin, and Maine (hard to pick just 4!)

Four websites I visit daily: Bloglines, GMail, Television Without Pity, and Merriam-Webster's Online

Four of my favorite foods: Pizza, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Feta Cheese, and bread (good bread. Not Wonder Bread.)

Four places I'd rather be: the beach, a lake, Boston, on a horse

Four albums I can't live without: Moondance by Van Morrison, Born to Fly by Sara Evans, Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits, and John (Cougar) Mellencamp's Scarecrow

Four people I'm tagging if they want to be caught: Jenna, Goofy Girl, Dreadmouse, and Megan

Look, y'all, Goofy Girl and I are soulmates!

You Are A Blueberry Martini

You are a eclectic drink - liking to change drinks and venues often. You are usually the first of your friends to find a cool new dive bar or cocktail. You should never: Drink mystery drinks strangers hand you. Unless you want to wind up in foreign country. Your ideal party: Is mobile, hopping from party to party. Your drinking soulmates: Those with an Orange Martini personality. Your drinking rivals: Those with a Chocolate Martini personality.

Found this over at Monique's.

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

Found this at Megan's and Janet's

Step One

• Post an entry on your blog with 10 holiday wishes.
  
• The wishes can be anything at all, big or small.
  
• The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
  
• If you wish for real life things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.
  
• Post these guidelines so that the holiday joy will spread.
  

• Surf around your blogroll (or friend's blogrolls, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list.
  
• If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true.
  
• Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free--do it.
  
• You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call.
  
• There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.
  

1. A peaceful holiday season
   
2. A new job
   
3. A trip to Ireland this spring
   
4. Anything off of my wishlist
   
5. Good Coffee
   
6. Lose 15 lbs (again!)
   
7. A trip to Boston this spring
   
8. A camping companion
   
9. A winter weight duvet
   
10. Happiness for those I love
    

to my new home. Megan made it all pretty for me. I love it!

The lovely Jenna has tagged me with a meme.

5 Things

10 years ago – I was a junior in college, working in the Physics Department and at my hometown’s water treatment plant.
8 years ago - I had moved to MA and started my Master’s Degree.
4-7 years ago – I finished my Master’s and took a job in NC.
2 years ago – I was transferred to another office within my company.
Now – I am still here, considering finding another job. I have taken the PE and am waiting on results. I am getting more involved with my community here- I joined the Jaycees last night.  

Five yummy things:

1) Chocolate
2) Spinach Artichoke Dip
3) Feta cheese
4) Starbucks Skim Mocha, no whip.
5) Pepperoni Pizza

Five songs I know by heart:

1)  Moondance (Van Morrison)
2)  Suds in the Bucket (Sara Evans)
3)  Sin Wagon (The Dixie Chicks)
4)  Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
5)  Paradise by the Dashboard Light (MeatLoaf)

Five things I would do with a lot of money:

1) Pay off my debt.
2) Travel
3) Buy a house.
4) Buy a horse.
5) Send Goose to college.

Five places I would to escape to:
1) Peg’s
2) Maine
3) the beach
4) Ireland
5) a tent somewhere

Five things I would never wear:

1) Gauchos
2) Capri Pants
3) Skorts
4) Halter top
5) Fanny pack

Five favorite TV shows:

1)  The Amazing Race
2)  Gilmore Girls
3)  Battlestar Galactica      
4) CSI 5) Cold Case

Five things I enjoy doing:

1) Kayaking
2) Horseback Riding
3) Cooking
4) Traveling
5) Playing with the boys

Five Favorite toys:

1)  Kayak
2)  Orion
3)  Fred (Peg’s cat)
4)  my hiking boots
5) My Canon A75.

Five people who get this meme:

How ‘bout 2? Megan and Janet.

I certainly don't want it as a cake. 

Last night I dreamed that Jenna came to visit and she made my bed.  (I have dreams involving bed-making more than I care to admit.  One caused me to be mad at Phoebs for an entire day.)   And she's not allowed to make the bed anymore, because a.) she moved it so that it was against the wall, which I hate, and b.) she forgot to put the mattress pad on.  (In the dream I was nice and told her, "Thanks!   You didn't have to do that!" even though I was mad that she did it wrong.)

I love Megan for doing this!

1.  Webster's defines success as "favorable or desired outcome" or "the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence". What's your definition of success? 

I think that setting goals an attaining them is one measure of success, but to me the biggest measurement of success is having a loving family and group of friends.  I think that being a good person and making the world just a little bit better is really the most important thing. 

2.  What experiences did you have this week that brought you joy?

My ride last night.  Hanging out with my sister, brother-in-law, and their friends last weekend. 

3.  Did you learn anything this week? Do share!

That the shoes my dad bought me in Maine make my ankle swell. 

4.  What do you believe is true even though you can't prove it? (Thanks Janet!)

That everything will be OK in the end. 

5.  When an atheist swears on a Bible before they testify in court do they have to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth since they don't believe in God?(Thanks Janet!)

They don't have to do that anymore, one can just make an affirmation that they will tell the truth. 

6.  Why do people have crushes on celebrities? Is it because they're handsome or pretty? What about crushes on those who aren't handsome or pretty? Who is your biggest crush and why? Have you ever had a crush on a character a celebrity has played and not the celebrity him or herself? (Thanks Janet!)

I think it's because celebrities are idealized people.  You don't tend to see their flaws.  If it's on a celebrity not handsome or pretty, I think it's the "Hey, that could be me!" aspect.  I don't really have a celebrity crush right now.  Real life is more interesting. 

7.  Yesterday Janet was talking about a fantasy wedding and I wrote a whole story of what her wedding would be like (should she ever decided to get married again!). If you were getting married (or had to do it over again) what would you do?

This is a difficult question for me.  I'd like to get married someday, but I don't really like weddings.  I think I'd like to fly down to St. Thomas, just the two of us, get married on the beach, and honeymoon there. 

8.  Wedding registries: buy from the list or freestyle it? (Thanks Krista!)

I buy from the list.  I don't even have to think about it?  Yay!

9.  The garter find/toss experience: cute or tacky? (Thanks Krista!)

Tacky.  Hate!

From the Divine Megan

1.  Have you ever had a pet? If so, tell me about it (them)

I've had many pets.  When I was little, we had a black standard poodle (Magic), a white cat (Kitty), and a calico cat (Itch).  Then we got a Dalmatian (Sparky).  After Sparky came Marty the cat, and Rocky the dog.  Now I have the boys, Jasper and Orion.  Jasper has no teeth, but claws.  Orion has no claws, but teeth.  Jasper is sweet, loving, and well-behaved.  Orion has an attitude and behaves like a bratty two-year-old. 

2.  What is the quirkiest thing about you? (Thanks Krista!)

That I talk to things.  The boys, other people's dogs, the television, plants, my car. 

3.  Name three things you like about sex? (Thanks Jimbo!)

Only three?  Oh, wait, my family reads this site. 

4.  Have you ever had a lucid dream (i.e. a dream in which you knew you were dreaming)? What did you do in it? (Thanks Krista!)

No. 

5.  What bothers you more: people who are late or people who are early and why? (Thanks Michelle!)

People who are late.  I think it shows a lack of respect for me and my time.  (I am talking about people who are constantly late, not people who run into traffic once in a while.)

6.  What city would you most like to visit and why? (Thanks Michele!)

Currently, I want to visit Galway, Ireland.  It is supposed to be beautiful, friendly, and have a vibrant Irish music scene. 

7.  What are you doing this weekend?

I am going up to visit TRgirl and Randy.  Tomorrow TRgirl and I are going to Petersburg National Battlefield and then out with some of her friends.  Those are the only definite plans we have. 

I've decided to start playing Megan's Friday Questions game.

if you live in a state where there are Food Lions.

Seriously y'all, the people most affected by this are the people who can least afford it.  I'm not wealthy, and I don't have a lot to give, but if we all give what we can, it will make a difference.

The joy that is TRgirl's 27th birthday is mitigated by pictures of the devastation in Louisiana,  Mississippi, and Alabama due to Hurricane Katrina.  Although I don't know anyone directly affected, I know several people whose family and friends were.  Please consider donating what you can to disaster relief.  Here are several organizations:

• Episcopal Relief and Development
• The American Red Cross
• America's Second Harvest

Dear Ion (aka 2.0.1),

You joined us yesterday.  We haven't met yet, but we will.  I'm so excited and can't wait to hold you.  You are a very lucky little boy.  Your mommy and daddy are two of my favorite people.  Be good to them.  Your mommy even gave up the car she loved for you.  Now she drives a 4-door automatic.  I don't think she'd do that for anyone else. 

Sweetheart, I won't lie to you.  Life is hard, and there are times of incredible sadness.  But that is forgotten in times of joy, like the births of new babies.  I promise you that the good in life far outweighs the bad. 

You will learn this, because you come into this world in love.  Not only your Mama and Daddy, but your Grandmommie, your Uncle Johnny, Jbabe, and me.   Many more, I am sure, but these are the people I know. 

Grow strong, grow brave, and be nice to Gully.

Love,

Watergirl

First off, Jenna had the right answer to yesterday's quiz.  She wins a fabulous prize! 

Secondly, I am off to Maine today.  Well, actually I am off to Culpeper today and Maine tomorrow (time: 0 dark 30), but the point actually is that I will have no computer!  For over a week!  Y'all play nice now.

This picture of me was taken about a week before the September 11 attacks.  Angeler and I were headed to Berlin to attend Caroline and Axel's wedding.  We turned our layover at Heathrow into a 2-day sightseeing juggernaut.  I found the Londoners to be kind, helpful, and charming.  The hotel staff even forgave us for crashing in the wrong room (long story, that). 

2 days after we returned, the world changed.

What I remember most about this time is seeing on the news the expressions of support from places I had just been.  In a scary, confusing time this brought comfort, to know that we were not alone, to know that it wasn't just the U.S. that was attacked.

To the people of Britain and especially the Londoners, we feel your sorrow, we feel your pain, we feel your anger.  You are not alone.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 

There's this thing going around the blog world called the interview game.   Zoot was interviewed by Bad Penguin, who was interviewed by Blue Poppy, etc.  Anyway, when  Zoot posted her answers, she offered to interview others.  Since I am shy and retiring, I was all, "Pick me!  Please?"  Anyway, here are her questions and my answers.  Any of the five bloggers who read this here thing and want to play, let me know.  Rules at the end. 

From a co-worker:

"I've given up looking for logic.  It just gets too frustrating."

   

I told you 2.0 would know.  They are petunias.

I have Sting's Englishman in New York stuck in my head.  Luckily for my co-workers, I know exactly 2 lines.  And am not afraid to sing them.

Ri woke me up at 0500- he was being all lovey and snugly.  I thought it was sweet, until I realized that the real reason was that they had managed to lock themselves in the bedroom.  (Jasper's reaction to this was, "I will lay down next to the wall and go to sleep then.")

I drove all the way out to the barn last night.  They had predicted showers, so I had my raingear on, but when I got there, it was thundering.  And we do not ride in thunderstorms, horses being flight animals.  So, I had to reschedule.  But I did get to see the new filly (<1 week old).  Foals?  Have funny tails.

Tonight, we are going out to celebrate Cdub's birthday.  Early, but I am a proponent of the Birthday Week.  Because we are very mature, we are going to play video games.

We are not allowed to drink the water at the office (some sort of problem with it.  I don't know, and they haven't asked me to check it out.), which means no coffee.  People going to be crabby around here!

Babu:  Why do they need an ATM right in the restaurant?

Watergirl:  I guess if they don't take credit cards here and you have no cash?

Babu:   Oh, I did that at a drive-thru once.

WG:  Once, I went to Cup A Joe to buy some coffee, and I went to pay, and the girl told me, "We don't take credit cards."  I had to write a check.

Babu:  Who writes checks anymore?

Today is 2.0's xth birthday.  (Not sure she wants me sharing the value of x.)  Rock on, girl!

Indulge me for a bit, as I am about to go on a rant.  Cdub and I went to see Sin City this weekend.  (Weird, violent movie.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.)  Afterwards, we went over to Jack Astor's for dinner.  (Fish and chips, yay!)  As we were walking in, I was nearly run down by two girls.  The younger of the two was ten if she was a day.  And wearing more makeup then I wear in a week.  Actually, if, for example, Kimmy came in to work wearing makeup like that, I would ask her, "Is it whore day again?"

Now, these girls were apparently there for some celebratory cheerleading dinner.   I have no issues with cheerleading- it's gotten to be quite a tough sport.  However, I do have issues with making 10-year-olds look like streetwalkers.  In this instance it was the makeup, but I spend enough time in Target to see the clothing that they are selling to this age group.  It all seems to come from the Britney Spears' line.  Now, I have been told if you aren't willing to buy clothes like that for your daughter, you wouldn't find anything to clothe her in.  I daresay that if no one bought such clothing, it wouldn't be sold.

It sends a message to the girls, that message being that their worth is tied to their attractiveness to the opposite sex.   Not their minds or their ideas , but their bodies.  I am a woman who works in a male-dominated field; I am able to do so because countless women struggled to break down gender barriers.  ( Most of my colleagues are gender neutral; the fact that I am female means no more to them than the fact that I have ears.  However, it is not that uncommon for me to be treated as the cute little blonde girl.)   Yet, the women of my generation, for whom the gender gap is the narrowest it has ever been, are raising girls that are sexualized from a very young age. 

The most interesting part of this, to me anyway, is how society will react when these girls are older.  Society still expects girls to be chaste and pure, an expectation that is not placed on boys (who are supposed to get in on with whom if not the chaste and pure girls?).  For example, it is common knowledge that Bud spends weekends at his girlfriend's, or she with him (they live 4 hours apart).  My father knows this, and it causes him no distress.  I mentioned to him (after napping while with the family in VA) that I'm not used to napping by myself, and he put his hands over his ears and said, "LA LA LA LA."  (BTW, if you think I didn't get some pleasure out of explaining to him that usually when I nap the boys join me, and that nothing remotely sexual was intended by my comment, you don't know me at all.)   This is a not uncommon double standard.  (Note:  I am not judging Bud.  He is an adult.)  We are raising girls to focus on their sexuality, and will label them sluts when they do so. 

Today's children grow up a lot faster than we did; we can at least benefit them by instilling them with a sense of self-worth not tied to their looks. 

[\End Rant]

would this make sense.

"The military has completed an investigation into former NFL star Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan that aimed to address concerns raised about whether the Army held back information, but its findings won't be made public."

(Note:  Quote taken from this article.)

Look, I don't talk about TV too much, because there are sites that do it much better.  This actually isn't about TV, but the quote is taken from last week's Joan of Arcadia.  (Shut up.) Responding to the question, "What do women want?"  Helen Girardi says,  "She wants to be respected…listened to…understood…she wants flowers…she wants to laugh…she wants to trust you…she doesn't want to read your mind…she wants to be valued for who she is…and sometimes she wants you to just shut up and stop trying to fix things."  (Actually, first she said, "Shoes," to which some people took offense, but I found it funny.  The kind of thing I might say to Bud, if he asked.  Actually, currently I would prefer a fabulous handbag, but shoes are always good.) But seriously, that is all good advice.

The last part is what I want to talk about. Women tend to be venters.  We talk about a problem, rail about how back work is, how much we can't stand our families.  Generally, we are just talking.  We don't want you to tell us how to fix it.  Either we know, and don't want to, or we realize things will sort themselves out.

"But Watergirl, how can a guy tell if you want advice?" 

Well, I can't speak for all women, but if it's me, I'll say things like, "What do you think I should do?" or "What would you do?"  (Sadly, the man who needs to see this the most will not, as he doesn't know this here blog exists.  Why?  Because he would tell me how to make it better.)

I like it how it is. 

As an American, one has the right to disagree with the government, and even speak out about it.  However, when you volunteer for the Army, it's fair to expect that you might be sent to war. 

It was beautiful weather for riding last night.  And today?  I'm wearing sandals!  Bring it on, Spring!

... that you may or may not know about me (idea stolen borrowed from many other bloggers).

1. I don't like raw tomatoes.  I've tried, but no.  I will eat them cooked, however.
2. Because of this, I do not own ketchup.
3. I don't like raw onions either.
4. Jasper is named after this Canadian National Park, which I hope to visit in the near future.
5. Orion was named (not by me) after the constellation, but I like to tell people he was named after the electrode company. 
6. I am a natural blonde.
7. Also, the hair is naturally curly.
8. I love coffee.
9. Most of my friends are older than I am. It's fairly evenly balanced right now.
10. I like North Carolina, but I miss New England.
11. I do not miss New Jersey.
12. Except for the pizza.
13. I will not wear clothing with obvious branding.  If you want me to advertise for you, pay me.  I will not pay you for the privilege.
14. I am horse mad.
15. I consider myself a dressage rider, even though I have ridden in exactly 2 about 7 shows.
16. I prefer a paper planner to a PDA.
17. I drive a Nissan Sentra Ford Escape.
18. I bought it because it fits me I love it.
19. I'd like something bigger, but whenever I drive an SUV, I miss my car.
20. I cannot parallel park.
21. I love bridges.
22. My favorite pizza toppings are pepperoni and mushrooms.
23. I love to cook.
24. I am a good cook.
25. I don't cook for just me.
26. I cuss like a sailor, especially when mad.
27. There is one word I do not use. Ever. 
28. I went to Annapolis for a year.
29. Leaving was the best decision I ever made.
30. I love hardwood floors.
31. I have never lived anywhere with them.
32. My beverage of choice (non-alcoholic) is Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
33. There really is no alcoholic beverage of choice.  I vote for them all!
34. I have been to Spain, Germany, the UK, Mexico, and Canada.
35. I am the oldest of four.
36. The youngest and I are separated by 14 years.
37. Parties make me nervous.
38. But I force myself to go.
39. I have a good time once I get there.
40. I love road trips.
41. Actually, I love most trips.
42. Only one of my cats has front claws.
43. But that's OK, because the other one is the one with teeth.
44. I take hot showers. 
45. I cannot grow ferns.
46. However, I have no problem with African violets.
47. You want me on your trivia team.  My mind is an amazing repository of useless knowledge.
48. I am repulsed by and drawn to snakes.
49. I would like to get a fish tank again, but am afraid Orion would knock it over.  Or drown in it.
50. I hate hamburgers. I started eating them again after 20 years. No idea why.
51. But sometimes I crave a big, juicy steak.
52. I make my bed every morning.
53. I have a weakness for chocolate.
54. And a certain Van Morrison song.
55. No, I'm not telling which one.
56. I love Italian food.
57. And Mexican.
58. And Thai.
59. I'm meh on Chinese.
60. Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby is the best ice cream ever.
61. I also like mint chocolate chip.
62. But so does Orion.
63. I love cities with good public transportation.
64. I don't understand why one would drive when that is an option.
65. I am allergic to shellfish.
66. I wasn't always.
67. My Epipen is in my purse.
68. One of the reasons I love to go see my aunt in Culpeper is because I can curl up on the couch, reading and drinking coffee, all day.
69. I could do that at my house too, but I don't.
70. My aunt's house feels more like home to me than my parents'.
71. I have been known to go days without eating meat.
72. I love shoes, but also love being barefoot.
73. This works out well, as Jasper likes me to scratch him with my toes.
74. I am not very good at sleeping.
75. I prefer white wine to red.
76. I would love to study linguistics.
77. My sister and I shared a room growing up.
78. I can't imagine not having siblings.
79. I am very close to my mom.
80. Not so much to my dad.
81. My comfort meal is grilled cheese and tomato soup. 
82. I am the only member of my immediate family of legal driving age who doesn't drive an SUV. Now Bud and Goose don't.
83. My mom and I are the only ones whose vehicles aren't blue. There are only 2 blue cars left.
84. My favorite breed of dog is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
85. I am a very good cashier.
86. When I give a presentation, I have to have a plant in the back of the room telling me to slow down.
87. Because I can talk very fast.
88. I insist that people use coasters in my house.
89. Even though I hate my end tables. I have new end tables. I like them.
90. I am terrified of fire.
91. I had more fun and did less work as a grad student than as an undergrad.
92. My favorite city in the U.S. is Boston.
93. I spent more on video games than gambling in Las Vegas.
94. I want to go back and do more hiking. 
95. Cdub and I like to get to the movies early so that we can play House of the Dead. 
96. We suck at it.
97. I know from personal experience that when you are in a wheelchair, people pretend to not see you.
98. I was probably the same way.
99. I love buying makeup.
100. I don't wear it often.

Q:  One time, when Cdub was over, did Orion try to eat the same piece of fuzz off of the carpet 4 times?

A:  Yes.  He would taste it, decide it wasn't food, and spit it out.  Then, he would see it again and, apparently forgetting his previous experience, would repeat.  He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Q:  Speaking of Cdub, did she tell you she wants to build her own home entertainment system hooked to a computer?

A:  Yes, yes she did.  Immediately after she told me she couldn't figure out how to work her new cell phone.

Q:  Did you recently have a conversation with your father in which he tried to convince you that arsenic was biodegradable?

A:  Yes, yes I did.  He did not believe me that this was not possible since arsenic is a.) toxic and b.) an element.

Q:  Interesting.  So, you tell him how to do police work, right?

A:  No, never. 

Q:  So, when Bud bought the timeshare in Maine so that he could spend a week skiing, did you tell him that he could go to Sunday River, which was supposed to be a great ski area?

A:  Yes, and he told me I didn't know what I was talking about.

Q:  So where did he go skiing when he went to Maine?

A:  Sunday River.

Q:  Did you spend most of yesterday clicking on the pictures on this website and laughing, even though you know that the original flier was made by an autistic boy looking for his stuffed frog?

A:  Yes, yes I did.  This one is the best. 

Q:  You do realize you're going to hell?

A:  Yes.

Q:  Did you suggest to the safety department that Paige's father should have a new nickname?

A:  Yes, yes I did.

Q:  And what is it?

A:  Babu

Q:  ??

A:  Long story

Q:  Did you tell Jasper he was a good boy because he was eating yesterday?

A:  Yes.

Q:  Did he look at you like you were crazy?

A:  Yes, yes he did.

Q:  Is this format designed so that you can string together a bunch of unrelated stuff and call it an entry?

A:  Certainly not.

Dear Paige,

You have now been in this world for a full day.  Although you seemed reluctant to join us, we're glad you're here.  I know the world seems big, scary, with insurmountable problems -  sometimes it is.  There is also a lot of beauty, kindness, and love. 

I'm going to talk to you about your daddy.  Nothing against your mama; I just don't know her very well.  Your dad and I, we work together.  He's been with our company exactly one year longer than I have.  He's good people.

Your daddy was very excited about you.  When he shared the news with us he was grinning from ear to ear.  He has spent the months since reading about pregnancy (he knows more about it than at least one of his female co-workers (not this one!)) and shopping for baby things.  Little girl, you have been loved since the moment you were known.  Remember this always.

Now, some advice for dealing with your dad.  He likes schedules.  He does not like things that don't go according to schedule.  You can either a.) learn to live by his schedule, or b.)  teach him to not worry about the schedule quite so much.  Trust me, Option A will be much easier on you. 

Your dad will be very overprotective.  At times you will find his level of protectiveness stifling.  (Trust me; my own dad is a cop.  I know from overprotective fathers.)  Remember that he does this out of love, and the desire to keep you safe and happy at all times.   He will do his best to protect you from all injury (physical and emotional); the most difficult lesson for him to learn (and learn it he must) is that he can't. 

Remember that your father's taste in music is suspect.  (Dude, Clay Aiken?)  Follow your mother's lead on that one.

As for me, well, you should treat me kindly and with respect.  I know several cute boys around your age, which won't matter to you for a few years, but in time will be very important.  We have the boy with the horses, the German boy, and the boy who won't actually join us until April.  If those don't work, I'll keep my eyes open. 

Little girl, I hope you always find beauty and happiness.

Overheard in the hallway at work:

"Basically, what they are doing is not buttering all sides of the clock."

Don't you just hate that? 

Hope all y'all who are traveling have a safe trip.  I am off to the metropolis that is Culpeper.  Hopefully, I will remember to take pictures, unlike the Raven Rock SNAFU.

Today on the earthlink home page, "Coach Wannstedt to Quit Losing Dolphins"

I mean, you think he could lose something no one would miss, like rats or something. 

It's important.  Also, you might get to hear a conversation similar to the one I overheard which went as follows:

Girl behind me:  Would you rather have two big spiders or like hundreds of little ones?
Her SO:  Two big ones. 
GBM:  Well, I didn't mean hundreds of little ones.  I meant like 70.
HSO:  Two big ones. 
GBM:  Oh.  I'd rather have little ones.  They have smaller mouths.

For the record, I vote no spiders.  At least not in my house. 

One no longer has to cook grilled cheese, as it is available frozen (I believe you can find it next to the frozen PB&J).  I am breathing a sigh of relief, as I haven't cooked grilled cheese in so long, what with all the work involved. 

Also, one no longer has to cut up vegetables and/or meat to cook in the crockpot; there are now pre-prepared crockpot meals available.  I thought the point of the crockpot was to not have to eat frozen dinners.  Maybe I'm just not lazy enough.

So, as I was driving to work yesterday, I was thinking about how I never describe myself as a woman.  When I am with my friends, we are a group of women.  When I am by myself, I am a girl.  I don't know why I don't apply the word "woman" to myself.  Maybe it's because I don't feel like a grown-up yet.  Remeber when you were a little girl/boy and all you wanted was to be a grown-up?  I'm still waiting for that to happen.  I mean, I take care of myself and the boys, I pay my bills, I live by myself, so there is some component of adulthood there, but grown-up?  Not so much.

Oh, and when someone gestures in my direction while saying, "That lady," I turn and look behind me.