I Have A New Goal

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get a soldering gun and such. I want to be able to create things like this.

I'm so freaking busy, but I can see over the edge of the huge hole I'm in, so that's an improvement.

Ta, Y'all.

Quick Message

I am so hellatously busy at work I don't have time to do much else. However, I have a small victory I must report.

I went shopping this weekend and tried on a dress. It was too big. I had to go one size lower - and it fit just fine. I've lost a dress size!

Yeah, me...back to work.

Week...From...Hell...

My hard drive crashed yesterday so I spent most of my day cooling my heels. I got it back at the end of the day, so I can only imagine the pain and suffering waiting for me when I open all my emails.

I did get a beautiful bunch of flowers yesterday from me hubby. That made everything enormously better. Then I had a date with a very feisty 7-year-old. We ate hot dogs and played with the dog. It was a very nice night after such a crappy day.

Speaking of crap, I spend all night on the toilet. Not so great. I'm just waiting for today to be over so I can go home and relax. I have pounds of laundry to do, every room in my house is dirty, and we're riding again on Sunday, but I looking forward to not being at work.

On to the pain...

I Survived!

Hello everyone. I survived the MS150, or in my case the MS75. Hubby did the entire thing and for that I am very proud of him. It wasn't easy.

But it was beautiful. The weather was perfect. We arrived in Memphis Friday night and went to an old BBQ place called Rondevu. Good brisket if you're ever in the area. The next morning we woke up very early and made our way to Graceland. I must say, we were pretty impressive in our Bad Dog jerseys. We registered and got our stuff ready. Last time it seemed we waited forever for the ride to start. This year I didn't even have a chance to stretch! The gun went off and we were on our way. I'd like to say for the first mile I led the pack. Then the really hard-core riders started and I was left in the dust.

The wonderful thing about this ride is the people. Each rest stop is staffed by at least 20 people. They yell, scream, hold up signs, hand out drinks, whatever it takes to keep us going. And it wasn't just the rest stops, either. Along the road people would stand outside of their houses cheering us on or just waving as we rode past. Traffic was incredibly understanding. People would sit at stop signs or stop lights until most of us had passed. After the first 10 miles we left the city and headed into rural Mississippi.

I passed the Jerry Lee Lewis ranch. He has a huge iron gate with a piano on it. I passed horses and their colts playing in the fields. I passed over babbling brooks, calm rivers, and tiny lakes. Most of the time I was alone, other cyclists would pass me periodically, but for the most part I set my own pace and enjoyed myself.

At every rest stop I would see my husband and some of our team. (They were usually leaving.) At the third stop it happened. I clipped out of my right shoe, and when I came to a stop proceeded to fall over on my left. I scratched my elbow and leg up some, but mostly I popped up like a mole and acted like it hadn't happened. Between that stop and lunch (the 40 mile mark) a wind kicked up. A strong one. And it was going the wrong way. I caught a ride with a very nice guy and asked him to drop me off at the last rest stop before our hotel. He managed to get lost...twice...but eventually we got there. The last 9 miles (or so they said, it was actually more like 12) were flat. Easy, right? Wrong! The headwind from hell blew continuously...no matter which direction I rode! How does that happen? Pushing my pedals was like trying to ride underwater. And what in the hell is that smell! The road to the hotel was bordered by cotton. they had sprayed the fields with a chemical that separated the boles from the stalk. It reeked. I finally got to the hotel and with arms and legs like jelly checked-in, took a shower, and sat in the lobby waiting for hubby.

The evening was mostly uneventful. Aside from the dining room being -32 degrees it was a nice time. During the day one of our riders had been hit by a car. He was okay aside from missing a lot of skin. He was in good spirits the last I saw him. Maybe it was the pain meds...

The next morning was not too pretty. Hubby and I were a bit sore. The man who'd been hit wore a T-shirt that read, "I am not a speed bump." We got back on our bikes and started out at 7:30 with everyone else. There was no wind today, so the flats were much more enjoyable. I made it to the first rest stop and decided to catch a ride to the third stop, just after THE WALL. If you've ever seen THE WALL, you know why it's capitalized. It is a monster. Long, steep, and unforgiving, this piece of road separates the boys from the men. I knew I couldn't do it, so I wanted to pick up right afterwards. I caught a ride with a FedEx guy.

Big mistake. An hour later he finally drops me off at my destination. What took so long? He likes to talk. To everyone. For a long time. See, FedEx sponsors the ride and they have a lot of riders. He had to stop and talk to each and every one. Then he had to get gas. Then he had to talk to the locals about the ride. Then he had to stop and talk to one of the MS organizers. All the while I'm sitting in the back of his truck with my knees around my ears. By the time I did get back to the ride my body had an hour to cool off. Picking it up again was hard. I only managed to ride 25 miles before I called it quits and headed to Graceland in a comfy van.

The rest of my afternoon was spent talking to other riders, eating good Memphis BBQ, drinking cold beer, and waiting for my husband. When he showed up I was so happy and proud! He looked and smelled like crap, but he'd done it! We packed our gear, grabbed lunch, and headed home. The drive home was the worst part. We were tired, sore, and still a little stinky. But we finally made it and slept like the dead (after a shower, of 'course).

Another MS under our belts. We had a good time. I don't know if we'll do it again next year, now that hubby has completed the thing I think he's done. We'll see. I still have to do the whole thing, I won't stop until I do.

Now I have to get back to the mountain of work that's waiting for me. Ta, y'all!

My 600th Post

Woo-hoo! 600. Who'd a thunk it?

I'm off to Memphis for my MS150 bike ride. I am so looking forward to this. Between my husband and I we have raised close to $1000. That makes a body feel good.

The weather is supposed to be perfect. Tonight I have to do laundry and finish packing our bags. Tomorrow the dog is off to the Doggie Hotel and the cat will gloat about it. We'll be back on Sunday but don't look to hear from me until Tuesday. I'ma gonna need a day off. What I love most about this ride is every 10 miles, at the rest stops, they have oatmeal creme pies. I can eat as many as I want!

Yesterday I shot some footage for a Schnucks commercial. I think I did a good job, I didn't freeze up or look into the camera too often. I gave good answers, I think. Who knows. If you're in the St. Louis area you may see the ol' Barbarian looking sexy and fly, saying something like "Peas." I'll be wearing a black shirt and a gray necklace that is fabulous!

Ta, all.

Kanye - Part II

I read this headline this morning - Kanye: MTV Exploited Britney for Ratings.

The article goes on to say " The network made a "bad move" by having the troubled pop star open Sunday's event in Las Vegas, said West, who feels he should have kicked off the show with "Stronger," the first single from his new album, "Graduation.""

Hmmmm, really? First of all, about MTV using Spears to boost ratings....um, Yeah! Do you think the conglomerate of MTV actually gives a shit about one of it's falling stars? Do you think they care about her mental and physical well-being? Have you seen the publicity her less-than-stellar performance has generated? Here's the thing, Kanye, it's a business. They make money. Other than that, they don't care about anything else.

No, what you really want to get across is that you got snubbed. You feel you are such a musical genius that your music, and only your music, should be worshiped from all angles. Here's the thing, sweetheart, you're not that great. You complain that Justin Timberlake got to perform on the big stage an you didn't. Well...he's a better entertainer than you, dear. A lot of other artists are. The biggest thing about you is your ego, and you're the only one buying it.

No one cares that you've had a hit single. In most circles that's known as a "one-hit-wonder." The question of your talent lasting past the summer has yet to be answered. To me, "Stronger" is an annoying song, I turn to another station when it comes on. The beat is repetitive, the lyrics are juvenile, and it really doesn't stand out. Timberlands "Way You Are" is similar, only it's much better. Sorry.

Get over yourself, and for Gods sake, shut the fuck up. You are doing more damage to your image than anyone else on this planet. Ranting to the media proves that you are not an asshole, but in fact, a whole ass.

Ew!

I left the house a bit early this morning so I stopped by Schnucks to grab something for lunch and dinner (I have class tonight). After getting my goods I head to the check out. In front of me is a man in his 40's, not fat, not thin, not disgusting, but not anything to look at, either. He is standing by the register waiting for the person in front of him to get her bags and leave.

You know how you can see what people are doing even if your not looking at them directly? So I'm putting my goodies on the end of the conveyor belt and this guy is giving me the once over. A complete once over, nice and slow, making sure to linger over my good parts. I was disgusted and became very interested in the candy bars behind me. I'm sure the guy behind me thought I was crazy.

So the Creep pays and it's my turn to check out. El Creepo had a bag of doughnuts, yet it took him a good two minutes to pick it up and go. The whole time he's looking me over like I'm for sale. It was so yucky. People, I have on jeans, a green shirt, and a green sweater - not exactly hoochie wear. And I didn't even have make-up on at that point. So he finally leaves and I complete my transaction, taking care to linger a few seconds before heading out the door.

If that guy was waiting for me outside he was going to get a crotch full of knee, no doubt about it. Luckily (or so I thought), he was gone. I'm getting into my car when a BMW pulls up behind me, blocking my way. It's El Creepo! And he's leering at me still. I put on my best "going to puke" sneer and flipped him off with both hands. I got in my car with every intention of ramming my P.O.S. into his fancy Beemer, but he took the hint and scrammed.

Ugh, I felt like I needed a shower. Booo, creepy Beemer man!

Good Weekend

It was a good, if lazy, weekend. I have found a supreme place to get my nails done. I know you guys don't care, but there is nothing more mundane than sitting in a chair letting someone else do your nails. When it takes a long time it is akin to torture. When it takes a long time, and your nails start to chip and flake immediately after, it pisses one off to no end.

My new place can give me a pedicure and a fill in less than an hour, and the work is great. It's cheap, too.

Saturday night my husband took me to dinner. When we were back in the car on the way home he asks me, "Ice cream or alcohol?"

Hmmm, let me think. "Alcohol."

So hubby takes me to the Fox & Hound Tavern at the Cheshire Inn. I have a lot of good memories from the Cheshire. It's a great place, and I haven't been back in a while. We had the place to ourselves, so we sat in the corner and smooched and talked. It was so nice and romantic. I love my husband.

Then I had to watch my beloved Rams get spanked yesterday. C'mon, guys! Oh well, at least my boss' team got spanked as well, we can gripe together.

Time to Say Goodbye

RIP Pavarotti.

I'm saddened by the news that he has passed away. I didn't know the man, and I wasn't a fan of his musical genre, but there is always sadness when one of the greats dies.

And he was great, no doubt about that. Even into his late 60's he was belting them out with such fervor and passion all others paled in comparison. His legacy is long, and I doubt we will see another like him in our lifetime. So Bravo! Mr. Pavarotti, and may you shame the angels with your talent.

Closer to home, for me, disaster has struck. The constant construction at my job continues. Last week the roofers removed most of the roof on my building. They are supposed to replace it. However, because of the recent rains they haven't done shit (union, don't you know). Therefore the 5th floor of my building is almost completely flooded. One poor professor lost everything in his office and his lab - laptops, computers, books, files, you name it. Nothing is salvageable. Several offices were severely damaged. We have plastic "funnels" located all over the place, catching the still running waters. Can you say lawsuit? If the lazy-ass pieces of shit had laid a tarp over the roof, like they were supposed to, none of this would have happened.

But of 'course they shrug and say, "Sorry." Yeah, right. You'll be sorry when you get a bill for 3.4 million dollars covering the damages your ignorance and apathy caused. Who will be shrugging then, hmm?

Grocery Stores

I have seen an alarming trend taking place in our grocery stores - people who linger at the check-out counter.

More than once this week I have been checking out and the person in front of me (or two spaces in front of me) can't seem to figure out that once their transaction is done they need to get out of the way. Those of us behind them can only go one way, forward, and if their fat ass is blocking the exit than it creates problems.

So for those of you who can't seem to figure it out, it goes like this. Slide your card, write your check, or have your cash ready so when the total comes up you can pay as quickly as possible. Get your cart or grab your bags and move out of the way. Don't stand there and balance your checkbook, count your change, or finish up your cell phone conversation (don't even get me started on that). Just move! All right, put one foot in front of the other and move, move, move.

And if this is too hard for you to figure out, don't get upset when those of us with brains tell you to move. Don't give us evil looks and murmur stupid insults under your breath, YOU'RE the one causing the problem. YOU'RE the one blocking the way, thus YOU'RE the one in the wrong. And if you keep it up, YOU'RE going to find my foot up your ass.

Freaks, Geeks, and a Grandmother of Two

I'm taking Science Fiction Writing this year. We're in the process of reading "1984" by George Orwell. It's a good class, the people in this class are a lot more vocal. The discussions are good.

My professor is cute as can be. He's the typical English professor - long hair kept in a neat ponytail, white oxford covered with the obligatory tweed jacket, jeans and sensible shoes. Little round glasses. He's very easy on the eyes. He's also so laid-back, I don't think a nuclear explosion could ruffle his feathers.

What surprised me was the other students. There are the geeks and nerds, of 'course, but also a large number of older women. Secretaries like me, nurses, and a grandmother of two that is a total riot. I am the freak in this class. Among the Spock and Captain Kirk t-shirts and cotton tops with kittens on them is me. I don't mind. So far it's been a fun experience.

On the first day of class I arrived early. My classroom was still in use, so I sat on the steps trying to pick our the professor. A man came hobbling up to the door using a real walking stick. His hair was long and left to its own devices, by the look of it for a loooong time. He wore worn sandals, faded red shorts, and a safari shirt. He looked like a cross between Banana Republic and Gandolf the Gray. I thought for sure this was my professor. I was wrong. I'm partly relieved.

We are discussing Utopias. I am of the mind that the only way a true utopia can be found is in solitude. Humans contain both good and evil in their hearts. No matter how pretty or socially acceptable a place is, we humans will always muck it up. Jealousy, insecurity, greed, these things will surface no matter how peaceful the pack. Alone is the only way, and even then it is not assured. Oh well, I'll save it for my first paper.

The Old Grind

It was a wonderful weekend. I rode 25 miles without hurting myself, I have a brand new water pump on my car, the laundry is done, the house is clean, cookies were baked, friends were visited, and naps were taken.

If you have never been to a bicycle race I have to say you aren't missing much. It was nice to see my friend compete (she didn't win, but she didn't lag behind, either), but other than that it wasn't very exciting. The most interesting thing happened as we were leaving. The super-duper, die hard, hard-ass riders were racing when we left. We could hear their bikes before we saw them, they sounded like a swarm of locusts, then WHOOOOSH, they passed us in a hurried blur, a stiff breeze followed in their wake. They were probably going 30 - 40 mph. If someone wrecked it would have been an ugly scene. No one did. Oh well.

I made some kick-ass cookies (orange with dark choc. chips) and a delish spaghetti sauce from the cookbook my co-worker gave me. I'm giving the cookies away left and right because if I keep them at home I'll eat them all. Can't do that until after the MS. After a big ride like that I can sleep and eat as much as I want. Two weeks and counting.