May 01, 2006
¡Gracias, inmigrantes!
Thanks folks.
Courtesy of your boycott I made it to work in half the time AND I got a good parking place.
I appreciate it. Please do it again soon!
Something you can do for Fran's
Even though the Hilton asshats threw them out, it's not over for Fran O'Briens.
Chuck had a great idea of how we can get the word out about how heartless the Hilton people have been.
Go to Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotels.com, etc. and leave a review of the Capital Hilton on each page. Tell the story of the dinners at Fran's, and what you think of Hilton's corporate decision. Be sure to tell them that you will never patronize any of their establishments again. Believe me, their PR people DO read the reviews at these sites since thier customers utilize these sites!
Crossposted at the Cotillion!
I'd just like to point out
So for months now we've been on countdown here at work because they were going to change over the email program to a new server.
D-Day was today, May 1, protests be damned, full speed ahead.
There were meetings and gnashing of teeth and all kids of emails about this for months. MONTHS.
Let me sum up: New server, Switched email access to Outlook and Outlook Web Access for "security reasons."
As FUCKING IF. Anybody out there got a virus that DIDN'T come in via Outlook and IE?
So know we must use IE as somehow this piece of shit knows the difference between IE and IE open in a Firefox tab. And, although it will open in FF, you lose all of your functionality EXCEPT reading and sending mail.
Fucking Bill Gates. But on to my point.
One of the biggest bones of contention across campus has been that people like to forward their mail to a personal account (in my case gmail) and then reply/send from that account.
What we had been told EXPLICITLY is this: You may forward messges to a personal account (in fact we were given reasonably simple instructions on how to do this), however this software DOES NOT allow aliasing messages from your personal account to look as though they were sent from your work account (via bouncing or POP forwarding).
Yeah. Right.
Guess what? I can fucking send ALL the messages I want from my gmail that look like they come from my work address. HOWEVER, I can not RECEIVE a single piece of mail at my gmail from my work address.
Yep. Exactly the opposite. The not-at-all-practicable opposite.
Two fucking hours on the phone with the IT tech, who is also stumped, since I had already followed the instructions in his book to the letter. TO THE LETTER. He even did a VPN and had me show him what I did, agreeing that I had done it correctly.
I fucking quit.
For Helen.....
Inspired by Teresa's comment on this post....
Look at what's happened to me,
I can't believe it myself.
Suddenly I'm up on top of the world,
It should've been somebody else.
Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.
It's like a light of a new day-,
It came from out of the blue.
Breaking me out of the spell I was in,
Making all of my wishes come true-.
Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.
It's actually somewhat appropriate, no?
Helen could use some encouragement and positive thoughts. Drop by and give her a virtual hug, ok?
May 02, 2006
This says it all...
The self-titled "Bubba of Bombast" sums up yesterday's bullshit demonstrations more succinctly than anyone else I've seen:
"I don't believe that you further your cause if you fling shit in the faces of those that you need on your side. Americans really are a pretty tolerant bunch, but they tend to become angry when somebody tries to push them around. Ask Osama bin Laden if you don't believe me.Rob has more. Go read it all.
A slogan such as "I'm Black and I'm PROUD" resonated during the civil rights movement, even among whites, because blacks WERE American citizens asking only for equal treatment under the law. They had a legitimate bitch about the way they were being treated and their cause was just. Even Joe Sixpack could sympathize with their plight.
But we rebel against "I'm illegal-- so what?" That's a lot like jumping up and screaming "Fuck YOU!" to every law-abiding citizen in this country. That kind of slogan resonates, all right, but the wrong way. It pisses a lot of people off. And that AIN'T the way to win friends and influence people.
...
Bejus! Government hassles the hell out of it's legitimate citizens at airports in the name of Homeland Security, while it blithely allows illegals to stream unmolested across our borders. Something is really fucked up in THAT picture. "
What actually happened to the Star 98.7 DJs --Now UPDATED
The official party line is that the Star 98.7 DJs are all on "hiatus" and will be back...
Yeah, after Clear Channel figures out whether or not it can get enough ratings to substantiate firing all of them.
So here's the story for those of you out of the area, or unfamiliar:
Star 98.7 is an "adult contemporary alternative" station here in LA. It has been one of the most popular stations in the area for the last decade or so. It is also the launching pad of one Ryan Seacrest, who along with Lisa Foxx was the host of a morning show -type show during the afternoon drive slot. Due to various corporate acquisitions etc. the station now belongs to that behemoth of broadcasting, Clear Channel (aka corporate muzak).
Seems CC decided that Star was the perfect station to test out its new DJ-less format (think Jack/Alice stations, but more annoying) in a big market. So, as of April 6 or 7, they took all the DJs off the air with NO warning, and refused to discuss the changes with anyone. Announcements were made in trade media, but not to mainstream press or on the station's website. That website was literally revamped overnight, with all references to the DJs or station programming removed. But you can download songs for 99 cents now.
It took me over an hour of googling to find any answers, mostly buried in the comments of this THREE YEAR OLD post. Good thing dude didn't turn off the comments....
Most of the comments are regarding the morning show trio, Jamie, Jack, and Stench. Now, I HATE them. Will not listen to them. In fact, Jamie White makes my skin crawl, but they have been done dirt by CC and the station. I'd vote to bring them back just because I hate what Star and CC have done.
I hope the advertisers start leaving in DROVES.
More info here:
Jamie White's Page
Jack's MySpace
1/07 Update: go here for the details you seek
Update to yesterday
Before we started using Outlook for our mail at work:
Total SPAM received in my Inbox= 0 since October 15, 2005.
After we started using Outlook for our mail at work:
Total SPAM received in my Inbox= 3 in 24 hours.
Yeah, SOOOOOO much safer for us, Mr. IT Shit for Brains.
PS Still not forwarding my mail.....
May 04, 2006
Mark Your Calendars!
This will be a limited release until December 31, 2006
Lucas is still a bastard. He wouldn't do this except that it will make him more money than all his other VHS/DVD releases combined.
h/t DaF at INDC
May 05, 2006
Happy Birthday, baby girl!
Today, my precious pooch, known here as The Princess™, turns 7. She is the bane of my existence and the light of my life, not to mention the hot water bottle on my feet.
Here's to at least 7 more years of tennis ball chasing, long walks with Daddy, and conspicuous amounts of French Fries!
ok, i guess....
| You Can Hang With the Guys and the Girls |
 You've struck a good balance between girly and laid back. You can keep it casual but when you dress up, you are as girly as the next girl. |
from equally girly Jen
May 09, 2006
Calling all art lovers!
Some of you may already be familiar with Holly Aho's work from the Soldiers' Angels auctions. Well, Holly has more of her beautiful work up for grabs!
Go here to see "Fire and Ice" and make a bid!
Why I will not be seeing United 93
I don't need a movie to remind me how I felt on 9/11.
I don't need to see it on a screen to feel the pain and the horror of that morning again.
I don't need actor portrayals to remember the bravery of the men and women who scrificed themselves to crash a plane into a field in Pennsylvania, rather than allow it to be crashed into the Capitol Dome or the White House.
I don't need their sacrifice shoved in my face for the bargain price of $8.50.
It's in my heart. And I will never forget.
The numbers flipped!
Visitor #100,000 arrived at 2:45 this afternoon!
Mr/Ms 100k dropped in from Ingleside, IL by clicking directly on the main index page, and clicked out to see Bou
The rest of the particulars are below the fold. If this is you, stand up and be counted for some linky love!
Read More "The numbers flipped!" »May 10, 2006
May 11, 2006
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
Turns out Dolphins may really be that smart after all......
Dolphins create a signature whistle for themselves that researchers believe is comparable to a human name, suggests a new study.The study, published in this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focused on bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. But the researchers believe other dolphin species, including the common dolphin and the Pacific white-sided dolphin, also possess the signature whistles.
Dolphins now join spectacled parrotlets as the only animals other than humans known to name themselves, though researchers think there may be others.
Read the entire article!
May 12, 2006
The Cotillion is back!
With a linkfest dedicated to United 93. Reviews, thoughts, and why some of us (including yours truly) aren't going to see it.
The new and improved Hamster dance
Aaron has a gift for the bastards that hacked his site....
and if it's down there, you can see it here!
May 15, 2006
Took the weekend off
Of course I missed you all terribly, but sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?
And especially after a day like Friday....
Friday morning, I got up (late as usual) and realized that I needed to get gas. So I dressed quickly and ran out to the car. I get in the car, get it started and realize my sunglasses are upstairs in my bedroom. As anyone who has ever lived in a town house will realize, that means two flights. So I said fuck it and dug in the console for an old pair of hubby's. Which were servicable despite huge scratches. Then I go to back out of the garage, and as I hang the garage door clicker on the sunshade, somehow I hit the button as I am backing out.
Crash. Car, meet door. Door, meet car.
Thank God it stopped and rolled up on its tracks. No Damage.
So I make it to Costco without incident for gas. The whole way, praying that I have enough to make it....and wait in the line.
When I get there, the line fills the entire gas area (which is about 1/3 of the parking lot)... MUCH more traffic than usual, especially for the time of day. Turns out only half the pumps are working for some unknown reason.... Sheesh.
Finally, I get out of there, get on the freeway and make it to work. Our department took one of my colleagues out to lunch for his birthday (and to celebrate his new US Citizenship!), and while we were waiting for him to meet us, the birthday boy got a Jaywalking ticket crossing between his building and ours. Sheesh.
**In CA, jaywalking is defined as crossing the street between two signal controlled intersections not in a crosswalk** (for those USC students on the corner of Hoover and Jeff.)
So the lunch that was supposed to start at 12 didn't start unti 1:30.
And traffic home was a nightmare. When I got on the freeway, I saw the Goodyear Blimp rising from its hangar south of me in Carson, CA. When I transitioned to the 110 freeway, the Blimp flew directly OVER me. As I was passing through Downtown, the blimp was in front of me. That sucks. Photographic evidence when I get it uploaded later!
So I spent the last 2 days curled up with a good book (The Count of Monte Cristo, my favorite)
May 16, 2006
Of Note:
First, there's a new Milblog in town. New Blog, Old Bloggers! Check out Milblogs a group blog featuring the contributions of some of the most amazing people you'd ever wish to know.
Second, for those of you who are interested, Polipundit suffered a major malfunction yesterday and autocratically cut off the group blog...
Lorie Byrd says:
"The fact is that I believe this is the last time I will be blogging at Polipundit.Weird. Especially for people like me who haven't read PoliPundit in quite a while.I received a lengthy email from Polipundit tonight alerting us to an editorial policy change that included the following: "From now on, every blogger at PoliPundit.com will either agree with me completely on the immigration issue, or not blog at PoliPundit.com." I would provide additional context, but Polipundit has asked that the contents of our emails not be disclosed publicly and I think that is a fair request. There has been plenty written in the posts over the past week alone to let readers figure out what happened. Polipundit ended a later email with this: "It's over. The group-blogging experiment was nice while it lasted, but we have different priorities now. It's time to go our own separate ways."...
It would have been nice to have been able to tell friends and family before publicly saying goodbye, but things just didn't work out that way."
Beth of MVRWC has some choice words for PP, and The Anchoress has some very thoughtful words on blogging, dissent, and immigration. There are many more TB's at Lorie's site too, for other people's takes on the issue.
Just an incubator?
New Federal guidlines ask health care professionals to treat all women capable of conceiving a baby as "pre-pregnant" from menarche through menopause.
"Among other things, this means all women between first menstrual period and menopause should take folic acid supplements, refrain from smoking, maintain a healthy weight and keep chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes under control."All women, huh?
I have soooo many problems with this one:
First: We should encourage EVERYONE to be as healthy as possible. Men and women alike. FOR THEIR OWN WELL BEING.
Second: I find this utterly demeaning. As if the SOLE purpose of my body is to carry around my uterus and anything that ends up growing inside it.
Third, and related: So, basically you're saying that if I choose not to have children or I can't have children, I should be preparing my body to have kids anyway? That's insulting on so many levels I don't have room here to go into it. I can just see some poor soul fighting infertility, finally resigning herself to being unable to bear children, and then being told by some twit doctor that she should take prenatal vites and avoid smoking for the sake of her potential children.....
h/t ilyka, who also uses a 4-letter word.
May 17, 2006
On the road again....
I am finally here, ensconced in my lovely hotel room on the UM campus in Ann Arbor, MI. I'm here for a conference until Friday.
So far so good. First of all, let me say I "heart" Frontier Airlines. Cheap, punctual, new planes, and TV. Oh, and free headphones (with a standard jack). You gotta love it. And every plane has a name and a mascot (the animal painted on the tail). Which is awesome. The little girl 3 rows ahead kept telling her mom, "The plane's name is Trixie!" over and over between Denver and Detroit. :) Trixie, BTW, is a Red Fox.
And they fed us Donuts and Sun Chips. Excellent.
The hotel I'm staying in is actually the top floor of the building on campus where the conference is being held. Free wireless (thanks U of M network) and hot beverages whenever I like (coffee, tea, cider, cocoa, etc.), and the conference folks are doing a tolerable job of feeding us. Just hors d'oeuvres this evening, but it was fruit and veggies and a cheese tray, so I pigged out on healthy stuff!
Those of you in "flyover territory," I was thinking of you as I was flying over! Especially this guy, as the map said I went right over his neck of the woods :)
I'm planning on seeing these folks while I'm in town, so hopefully that will work out, unlike the last time I went to a conference and got food poisoning so I didn't get to meet up with Rob.
No Cable!
The cable's out at the hotel, so somebody better liveblog the AI results show!
Elliott and Taylor RULE! </fangirl>
May 18, 2006
Happy Birthday!
To all-around fabulous chickie, amazing photographer, and kick-ass blogger, and my friend: Joanie!
MWAH! Love Ya!
May 19, 2006
Blogger Exists! Film at 11.
Well, ok, no film, but I did have a nice breakfast with Dean this morning.
I can report that not only he is he kind and amusing, he is as entertaining in real life as he is in the blogworld.
And thanks for breakfast. The next one's on me!
May 22, 2006
Data Stolen from more than 25 MILLION US Veterans
Everyone discharged since 1975 (including my husband) has had their personal data compromised because some IDIOT took it home on a laptop without authorization.
Full story here. Mike Hampton has more, including a letter that will be sent to affected veterans(h/t Jawa Howie)
May 23, 2006
So much to write, so little time....
I know I've been rather boring of late. As usual, it's work getting in the way of blogging....
So here's what's on my mind (other than work):
AI: Is it rigged for Katherine? I love Taylor, and I hear he kicked her ass up between her shoulder blades tonight. Will he win?
House: Is it all a dream (a la Pam Ewing and Bobby) or does House really get shot and punch Wilson?
24: Best moments of the night: 1) Marty's face as President Weasel was led away (there's a great line in the Count of Monte Cristo about Edouard smiling a "secret smile" as he "watched a scene that was truly comprehensible only to himself and two others". Her look was exactly as I imagined his face...
2) Anyone notice the name of the Chinese freighter? The "Shanghai" LMAO!!!!
Do I watch any other networks besides Fox? Evidently not....
Anyone else notice?
Thousands of Americans send get-well cards to a horse but ignore our fighting men and women who are wounded in their service?
Grr... Maybe if our soldiers were wounded on TV....
AI blogging: Kat Sucks edition
This is what all the fuss was about? Katherine's rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow? PLEASE. It blew ass. She was on pitch, and that's about all it had to recommend it, regardless of whether she did it better this time or not.
Yes, when you do an iconic song you need to switch it up in order to own it, but SOtR is a CLASSIC. You do not turn it into Britney Spears pop!
Also, you DUMB BITCH, you are a SINGER. You should have that first note in your head. BEFORE you start. If you can hit NO other note on your own, you need to be able to hit the starting pitch.
And what's with the jewelery? Sheesh.
May 25, 2006
Reality TV junkie: OD on finales
For once the guy who should have one DID WIN.
Make that for twice. Congrats American Idol Taylor and Top Chef Harold.
And, BTW, no matter how many fancy edits you used, it was clear that Tiffani was SOOO not going to win. Especially after she tried to claim Dave's dessert as her own....
Grantsmanship be damned.
I have two grants going out for June 1, but I suppose I can take 5 minutes and post a yummy new recipe.
I just found this one, and it is yummy and summery, perfect for the holiday weekend!
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
3 pounds potatoes (about 8 medium sized)
6 hard cooked eggs, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
2 medium dill pickles, finely chopped
1.5 cups Mayonnaise
1/4 cup dill pickle juice
4.5 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Place potatoes in a dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until tender. Drain and Cool.
Peel (if desired) and cube potatoes, place in a large bowl. Add eggs, celery, onions, and pickles.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, dill pickle juice, mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Pour over potato mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Yield: 8-10 servings
May 26, 2006
Whaaa? Oh. Yeah. Sure. Well, It is Friday....
| You Are Dublin Mudslide Ice Cream |
 |
Lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon....
Finished up a draft of the grant and sent it off to the PTBs and was waiting for my DH to get home so we can pack it off to the 'Rents for the weekend when I discovered a voice mail on my phone from this lovely and fabulous lady. I called her back and we chatted for about 30 minutes.
Isn't it funny how sometimes you just click with people, and then when you hear their voice it's almost like you know them already?
Looking forward to many more afternoon chats!
May 30, 2006
Slowly, Slowly
Coming back to life, that is. Been glued to a keyboard for 3 weeks now, trying to get the grants out. One is off my plate, in more capable hands than my own, and the other needs all the TLC I can give it between now and tomorrow afternoon.
It will go out then. Oh yes, it will go out.
Spent the weekend in Fresberg, helping my mother pick paint colors and playing with the kiddies when I wasn't stuck in front of yet another computer. A much needed break, let me tell you.
Two things made me laugh: Christina muses the future, and puts me (ME!?!!?!?!?!??) in charge on an intergalactic women's retreat and fat farm. Although the working with Bou thing is about right. I suspect the two of us would work together pretty well....
Also, sarahk finally posts her 24 finale recap. Involuntary snorting ensued. You have been warned.
May 31, 2006
Drink warning!
Unless your extra little sack works like a camel hump....
I don't know how Bou gets through her days without crashing the car!
Because I feel like being silly...
The other 5s meme:
5 things in my fridge:
-Trader Joe's Milk. It keeps up to 2 months past its expiration date. No, we don't drink a lot of milk, why do you ask?
-Costco tamales. Mexican food is ALWAYS on the menu here. Tamales are my favorite.
-Kraft Italian 4 cheese lo-fat shredded cheese blend. It's not that much more expensive, and I don't have to shred it. And what's better than Asiago, Parmesan, Romano, and Mozzarella mixed together?
-Leftovers. When you cook for two or you eat smart when you eat out, there's always a container of something or other in the fridge.
-cold French Fries. Also known as "FF's" in our house since someone knows what "French Fries" means. Yes, they are for her.
5 items in my closet:
-My academic regalia. It came yesterday and I am sooooo excited. I get to dress up like a real professor for the first time on Saturday at graduation!
-My computer bag. It was a graduation present and it has wheels and a handle so I don't have to carry it. A very thoughtful gift.
-Favors from my friend's wedding last summer. They came out of my purse and got put on the shelf, and there they have been sitting.
-My friend A's birthday and Christmas presents. Her birthday was in January. I am SUCH a good friend.
-My bathroom. You have to walk through the closet to get to the master bath.
5 items in my car:
-my cell phone charger. The damn thing dies at the drop of a hat anymore, so I keep it "hooked up" in the car.
-water bottles. We drove to Fresno last weekend and I haven't cleaned out all of the debris
-dog leash. You'd be surprised how often I realized we had left the house without the leash until I started leaving one in the car...
-Mini hockey player. There's a Carolina Hurricanes mini doll keychain hanging from my rearview mirror.
-Shoes. There's at least one pair of my shoes in the back. I like to keep comfy shoes around in case my feet reject the heels. I think my Dansko clogs are in there...
5 items in my purse:
-my iPod. The headphones live there too. Gotta have it at work.
-my digital camera. You never know when you're gonna want it.
-my card case. DH gave me a lovely gold filigree card case to carry my business cards in for Christmas, and you'd be surprised how often I hand them out.
-lip gloss. Tutti Dolci by Bath and Body Works, Apple Tart or Cinnamon Frosting
-My pain pills. S'posed to take them with food and I eat in the office.
5 people to tag:
Randomly choosing....
Oddybobo
Rachel
Richmond
Rave
Amy
from Marie
