Angel Cole's Work in Progress

This is why I'm so often barefoot...

2011-07-11T13:34:00.000-05:00

I shared this picture earlier today on Google+ (I'll be posting my thoughts on G+ tomorrow), but it was cute and thought that the rest of you would enjoy seeing it.

In regards to my NaNoWriMo experiment, I'm a bit behind if I'm going to reach 50,000 by the end of the month, but that's okay. I'm getting through the hard part right now--at the end of this chapter I should hopefully be able to let loose and fly without providing context/exposition every fourth paragraph. That's the hope anyway. Still, I'm averaging not quite 1,500 words a day. I'm happy with that!

Total Word Count: 16,026

Holly: 1, Shelob: 0

2011-07-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

"Watch out, Sam. There's a spider web across the length of the kitchen."

I'd just finished eating the last piece of bacon, tormenting Nala mercilessly the entire time. The cat has on more than one occasion licked up the bacon grease off of a plate if no one's watching.

She's a smart cat.

Sam was in the process of packing his lunch, and I'd looked up just in time to see a single thread of the web glinting in the morning light. Heeding my warning, he came to a dead stop, looking for it. I pointed it out to him, and he tore off a paper towel and proceeded to knock it down, no spider in sight.

"That's weird. Definitely not a cobweb," he noted as he threw the paper towel away.

"Don't tell me things like that," I shuddered. Spiders and I... well, we're not friends. "I'm just wondering how you'd missed it."

Sam shrugged. "It was up pretty high."

Knowing my fear of spiders, Sam proceeds to amuse and distract me as he finished packing his lunch. In the course of cleaning up breakfast, all thoughts of spiders and webs disappeared from my brain. Mission accomplished, he kissed me and then headed to work.

Later in the afternoon, I realized that there was far too much blood in my caffeine system. Understanding the direct relation between my writing and caffeine intake, I walked back into the kitchen to make another batch of coffee. I set it to brew and then tidied a few random things around the house while I waited. Re-entering the kitchen, I poured myself a mug and went to fetch some half-n-half from the fridge.

Walking along I caught a glimpse of black and felt something brush against my hair. Immediately I started batting at my hair, thinking a fly had somehow managed to get into the house and avoid the cats. I look around, surprised that I cannot hear it buzzing.

Now, my eyesight isn't the best in the world. In fact, it's pretty atrocious. Because of this, I often make assumptions based on the general size and color of objects.

So here I am, batting at the air about my head like a madwoman at what I think is a fly, when my brain repeats what it just realized: I cannot hear the fly buzzing. Pieces snapping into place in my brain, I shrieked and ran into the laundry room. I pulled clothes away and ran my fingers everywhere, trying to find any trace of the bug. Coming up with nothing, I turned and looked back into the kitchen.

Sure enough, there in the middle of the kitchen, hanging at about head height, was a spider dangling at the end of its thread. In my delusional state I'd been playing tether-ball with an arachnid.

Blood pounding, adrenaline pumping through my system, my vision tunneled down to where all I can see is this spider. Briefly I toyed with the idea of exiting the back door and walking around to the front of the house and just waiting for Sam to come home so he could deal with it. I discarded the idea, unwilling to call my husband home to deal with a spider yet again. (Yes, this has happened on multiple occasions. I fear, loathe, and hate anything with eight legs. It's irrational and I'm not proud of it, but there you go.)

Eyes darting about for something, anything, to deal with this intruder, they lit upon a broom in the corner. I reached out and grabbed it, not comprehending the fact that the dustpan was still snapped onto the end of it. I spun around, broom in hand, and with a resounding crash I smacked the spider out of the air and to the floor.

What followed was five minutes of me pounding the broom and dustpan into the floor with all the incoherent rage and violence of any murder done in passion. When I finally stopped, all that was left was a shattered dust pan and a messy ball of spider guts.

Breathing heavily, I slid down the wall and sat on the floor, closing my eyes and waiting for my body to calm down. Minutes passed, and when I opened my eyes I could not help but start laughing.

Nala was licking up the remains of the spider, purring the whole while.

Total Word Count: 14,544

Camp NaNoWriMo

2011-07-08T11:38:00.001-05:00

At the end of June, Sam started bemoaning how he needed to start working out more than just twice a week. He'd plateaued on his weight loss over the course of the month and was wanting to kick his butt into gear. Completely understandable. Problem is in the past when we've tried to make a commitment to more exercise or different eating habits or [insert good habit here], we typically do well for a few weeks and then fall off the wagon.

I had the brilliant idea of making a one-month commitment to a goal. As this blog has shown, I can usually force myself to do something for about a month. A whole year... not so much, but a month I can handle.

So the last day of June, Sam came home from work and again mentioned a desire to increase his exercise. I found myself saying, "I'll make you a deal."

Deal? What "deal?" You said nothing about a "deal" to us! my inner lazy child started to wail.

"Oh?" was all Sam said, unaware of the internal panic and confusion my words had caused.

"How about for the month of June, you try to exercise every single day. In return, I'll try to write at least 1,000 words a day on a story."

Where did that come from? my other inner voices wondered, flabbergasted.

How should I know? Y'all are the ones who supply my ideas. Just roll with it, I replied.

(Please don't send those gentlemen in their nice white coats after me. I'm not truly crazy. Promise.)

Sam agreed to this experiment, and I'm now supposed to write a story.

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short, occurs in November each year. I learned of it back when I was college, and while I've always been intrigued by it, I've never participated. Partly it's because November is always a crazy busy time in my life. Mostly, however, I just never felt like I had a story to tell.

Well, apparently I'm not the only one who never has time in November but seems to have plenty of time in the summer, so this year they're doing Camp NaNoWriMo, which I'm trying out. We'll see how it goes. I still don't really have a story of my own to tell, but I'm enjoying my foray regardless. If everything goes well, I may even share it on this blog once it's completed.

Or not.

Either way, we'll see how this turns out. Currently I'm right on target for hitting 50,000 by the end of the month--providing I do today's 1,500 this afternoon. Onward and upward!

~~Total Words: 11,680~~
Total Words: 13,062

Just like riding a bike

2011-07-07T13:28:00.000-05:00

I promised all of you that I would be back on July 7, and true to my word I have returned.

Yes, I know you have missed me greatly. Rejoice! For the time of parting has passed.

Or something like that.

It was nice to take a break from the blog for awhile and not feel guilty about it. It's probably something I'll do again at some point. For now, I'm excited to be back, and I'm going to try and make it worth your while.

(Notice I've made no promises as to how successful at that I'll be.)

The past month has been filled with good times with friends and family, games, books, movies, and a plethora of happy memories. Hopefully at some point I'll remember to share them with all of you. If not, just know that the past month has been put to good use.

And now, to celebrate my return to the interwebs.... a cat picture!

A Leave of Absence

2011-06-13T11:33:00.002-05:00

No, I'm not dead yet.

However in the past couple of weeks Sam and I have been kept pretty busy with friends/family coming to town to visit, and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down any for the rest of the month. This weekend is Sam and I's second anniversary, the following week my parents will be down for a day or two, the weekend after that is Hip Gamer's birthday, and then the following week will be my I'm-going-to-be-a-hermit recovery time. That weekend will then be Independence Day, and then Sam's 'weekend' will happen.

With all that in mind, I've decided I'm just going to take the month of June off, since I've already missed a week of blogging goodness due to the (excellent!) problem of a social life.

So, until I come back on July 7th, I'll leave you with this adorable picture:

Too Cute

2011-06-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

I find this absolutely adorable for some bizzaro reason. Go to Boing Boing to find out it's details.

Flaming Hamster Wheel*

2011-06-03T11:50:00.001-05:00

After our adventures with the zoo, we had one of many cookouts from that weekend. Of course I was still in shutterbug mode, so I made a nuisance of myself taking pictures of people.

It would be easy for me to overwhelm everyone with the shots, so I'll restrain myself to just one particular picture. It's been well received elsewhere, and really I just want to show off the pretty:

Hi-Res version.

I've been told it looks like a band poster/album art. I just like the way the lighting came out.

(*The blog title is a reference to the first band name Rapier Wit ever suggested to Sam nearly ten years ago.)

Lions and Tigers and Cute Baby Elephants!

2011-06-02T13:13:00.000-05:00

Ever since I went off to college, I've made it to the zoo at least once a year. Most years, I've gone to the OKC Zoo. However, I have also made it to the Fort Worth Zoo, Tulsa Zoo, and Wichita Zoo during that time.

Again, most of those times were with Sherri. (In case you were unaware of the fact, Sherri is obsessed with the zoo. Really obsessed. Like, she's-been-getting-a-Zoo-Friends-Pass-for-several-years now-as-all-of-her-friends-trade-off-buying-it-as-a-Christmas-present kind of obsessed.) Occasionally it's been without her, but on those rare occasions I typically was accompanying a small child.

Therefore, it came as no surprise when Sherri informed all of us that she was going to the zoo on Saturday, and we were more than welcome to accompany her. Our friends Rapier Wit and Literary Cat were in town, and Walking Hyperbole's birthday was this past weekend, so a trip to the zoo seemed an excellent idea.

Unfortunately, Sherri ended up not getting to go with us on Saturday because of family, but the rest of us decided to go ahead and brave the heat and crowds because, well, it's the zoo! And we had plans! And there were animals to see!

(Sometimes I channel my inner five-year-old. I'll try to keep her under control.)

Since all of us have visited the OKC Zoo multiple times in the past, we did not do a full tour, instead choosing to visit the exhibits that most interested us that day. In particular, we were on a quest to see the baby elephant, Malee. I think Adorable Nurse would have thrown us to the alligator if we had skipped the baby elephant.

We did see several other animals, of course, and I even managed to grab a few decent shots along the way. Even though I've posted most of these elsewhere, it's my blog and I feel like showing them off. After all, not everybody frequents the same places I do!

One of the first animals you see when you enter the zoo is a rhino. As this was my first trip with my new camera, I was looking forward to giving it a workout here.

These are a couple of the prairie dogs that were brave enough to risk the heat. Even though the predicted high was only for the high-to-mid-80's, by the time we left that afternoon it was pushing 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Needless to say, most of the animals were taking an afternoon nap.

They looked quite adorable too.

Not all of them were snoozing the afternoon away, however. The black bears were full of energy.

This grizzly just kept walking the same circuit over and over again. It made me wonder what he was nervous about.

Of course, other animals were lucky and could just go for a swim to cool off. The sea lions were quite happy to be aquatic animals, and would have have teased the other animals if they'd been nearby to see.

Eventually, we succeeded in our quest and found the new Elephant Exhibit. (It's gorgeous!) Malee was also very active and willing to show off for the throngs of humans who'd gathered to gaze adoringly at her.

(Once again, I apologize for the lack of updating. I blame it on so many fantastic people coming to town for Memorial Day, the last of whom are finally home. Don't worry, I'll more posts about our adventures in the coming days.)

The Fuzzy Pack

2011-05-27T12:37:00.000-05:00

Another trailer for your viewing pleasure...

Cat Variations 6

2011-05-27T10:27:00.000-05:00

Sorry this didn't post yesterday. I was in a happy place hanging out with Literary Cat and Adorable Nurse, and didn't notice the glitch until this morning.

Similar to the previous batch that was mostly a straightforward edit, this set focuses on trying to make the photos soft and gentle. Cuddly even.

Of course, the only cat that's truly cuddly is Nala, though Tiger tries to pretend otherwise. Techie wants to be cuddly, but has no clue how to go about it. At least he doesn't hide quite as much as he used to.

(For the longest time, Adorable Nurse refused to believe that Techie actually existed.)

Which kitty would you want to cuddle?

For high-res versions of the pictures, please visit their Flickr album.

Previous treatments include black and white, seventies, summer, dusty, basic.

Cat Variations 5

2011-05-25T13:37:00.001-05:00

Most of what I've done thus far has involved aging the pictures in some way. For this next treatment, I decided to try a more straightforward feel to them. Most it involved enriching the colors and a little basic editing. Of course, some photos reacted better to the process than others.

For your viewing pleasure, a basic treatment:

To view high-res versions of the pictures, please visit their Flickr album.

Previous treatments include black and white, seventies, summer, and dusty.

It's coming...

2011-05-24T15:17:00.000-05:00

I'm so, so excited! Please, just watch this through to the end. It's worth it. I promise.

Thanksgiving can't get here soon enough for me! (At least in regards to this movie....)

Cat Variations 4

2011-05-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

As I've mentioned before, I've spent a good deal of time going through old family photos, scanning, labeling, and touching them up. Some of my favorites are pictures from the turn of the previous century. While I know that my cats would never in a million years stay still for the old technology to capture them, it's still fun to pretend.

With that in mind, for this next treatment I tried to make them look like old, dusty portraits.

Has anybody found a favorite yet?

To see high-res versions of the pictures, check out their album on Flickr.

Previous treatments include black and white, seventies, and summer.

Marvel(ous) News

2011-05-23T13:24:00.001-05:00

While I'm not a huge comic nerd (I'm not rushing down to my local comic book store every Wednesday), I still grew up knowing a fair amount about the more popular franchises due to their representation in other mediums: television, movies, and novels. This is how I discovered Batman, the Justice League, Spider-Man, the Hulk, and of course, the X-Men.

In fact, the X-Men are what eventually lead me to reading any comics at all. (That and later on Neil Gaiman's Sandman series.) My discovery of X-Men resulted not from the movies that came out out when I was in college, but rather the animated series that ran in the early 90's.

Man I loved that show.

Well, yesterday I discovered something that made me utterly ecstatic, and today I'm sharing it with all of you: all 63 episodes of X-Men (The Animated Series) are available to watch for free on the Marvel Website.

You're welcome.

Cat Variations 3

2011-05-23T10:19:00.003-05:00

I almost left Techie out of this particular batch, because he absolutely refused to stay still when I took this set of pictures of the cats. Then I found the one included here that I'd overlooked several times. You don't see his pretty eyes the way you can with the girls, but it's the best picture of the lot.

For this next set, I wanted a hazy warmth. Something that made me think of lazy summer days, especially since Tiger looks like she's drinking up sunshine in these pictures. I'm fairly pleased with the way they came out. Of course, I'm more interested on what you all may have to say.

Without further ado, the "Summer" treatment:

To see higher res versions of these pictures, check out their album on Flickr.

Earlier treatments include black and white and the seventies.

Cat Variations 2

2011-05-22T15:08:00.001-05:00

It's amazing to me sometimes the differences that Photoshop can make in certain pictures. For this next set, I wanted them to feel like the pictures my Papa took back in the seventies. One of the results was that everything ended up with a blue-green tinge to it, which made Nala's pictures come out so much better than in the black and white photos. By the same token, I feel like Tiger's pictures were much better in the black and white treatment.

Once again, let me know your opinions on the pictures. I'm too close to the project to have an objective view!

Here are my kittens again, this time with a "seventies" treatment.

To see higher res versions, please see my Flickr account.

Previous treatment done to the photos was black and white.

Cat Variations 1

2011-05-22T11:07:00.002-05:00

I love cats. I also love taking pictures.

Especially taking pictures of cats.

In addition, I love playing with Photoshop.

Best part of playing with Photoshop? Playing with pictures of cats.

For a bit of fun and variety, I've decided to do a series of posts containing (for the most part) the same set of pictures with different treatments done to them. I'm curious as to what are people's favorite shots and styles, so if any strike your fancy, please let me know!

To begin with, we'll start with a black and white treatment:

If you'd like to see high-res versions of these pictures, take a look at their album on Flickr.

In preparation for tomorrow

2011-05-20T16:33:00.001-05:00

I have, up until now, avoided anything and everything having to do with the suggestion that the Rapture will occur tomorrow.

However, after seeing this today... I can't resist sharing with you.

Forgive me my odd sense of humor.

Courtesy of Reddit, originally by Jonathon Schwarz

So I ate it...

2011-05-19T15:26:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit of a fan of klaatu42's Talking Animals on You Tube. In fact, last Christmas I exposed you guys to the joy of all of those animals singing.

It makes me smile.

My favorite video of klaatu42's is probably Kitty is a Very Bad Mystic, though I'm also a fan of all of the Jupiter and Kona videos.

However, I found out today that earlier this month, klaatu42 posted a brand new video! So, of course, I feel compelled to share it with all of you.

You're welcome.

Shifting gears

2011-05-17T11:34:00.002-05:00

Summer has arrived.

I know this from several factors. Firstly, most of my friends either just wrapped up finals, graduated, or will wrap up their teaching gig in the next week. Secondly, despite the fact that this past week has been in the 70's, we've already been having humid 90 degree days. Thirdly, in the past month, we've been grilling our food 2-3 times a week.

However, the most important way that I know that it is summer is that my husband has gone missing.

Now, now, don't panic. No need to call the police. I just mean that my husband has moved to summer hours at work. Since he works at a pool store and all, that means I'll see Sam again sometime in October.

I kid. I kid.

I think.

More accurately, this means that his work schedule has now completely shifted. Not only does he work an extra hour each day, but our weekends will now be Tuesday-Wednesday instead of Saturday-Sunday. Starting this week. Except that he doesn't really get Tuesday and Wednesday off this week because his coworker is still subbing for the local school district, which doesn't get done until the end of this week.

But Sam will be getting the afternoons off today and tomorrow.

Why am I telling you this? Because it will likely lead to a few changes around here at the Work in Progress. I'm just not sure what those changes will be. Either you'll be seeing a whole lot more of me because my Husband is Busy(tm), or I'll never be around because my friends will have more free time.

Aren't you glad I informed you of all this?

Here, have a cat picture.

(Papa, if you want to save this picture, go here--it's a higher quality.)

Ecclesiastes 3:4

2011-05-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

To everything there is a season, and the season where Dr. A and Mrs. B led the theatre department I graduated from has now passed.

When word spread that these two ladies were leaving the department, Laurel from A Little White Noise began coordinating a surprise party to celebrate their combined 29 years of teaching. In the end nearly fifty people would come by to see Dr. A and Mrs. B, either at the actual event or later in the evening as the festivities moved elsewhere.

It was strange to get to see so many old friends from that time in my life, particularly because I've moved so far afield from theatre. Unfortunately, I did not get to stay as late as I wanted to, due to the utter exhaustion I was feeling from a week of staying up until 3 am.

Admittedly one of those nights was because we went to see Thor (and I echo Sherri's high marks for that movie!). However, the rest of the week I was wrapped up in putting together a slideshow set to music. Laurel had contacted me the week before the event to put it together, and unfortunately I didn't get the message and a chance to start work until Monday, when the event was Friday. This lead to a week of late nights: collecting photos, tweaking photos, finding music, changing music, splicing things together, inserting new pictures, and eventually burning it all off.

Yes, that was the week I didn't blog anything. What tipped you off?

Still, in the end it was worth it. Everyone seemed to enjoy the slideshow, especially Dr. A and Mrs. B.

Throughout the weeks leading up to "The Festival," I found myself reflecting back on the four years I spent with them. Like many of the theatre students, I had a close relationship with them both. They each in their own ways taught me how to harness my independent streak and channel it in a useful manner. They opened my eyes to possibilities in myself that had never occurred to me before--talents and skills that would have remained dormant without their inspiration.

Most importantly, they showed me that one can be a Christian and yet still live in the world and influence the people around you. Too often Christians hide themselves away from the world, creating and performing only for other Christians. They taught me that we can use our gifts and talents out in the "real world," surrounded by all manners of people and lifestyles that "the church" would not approve of, and still bear witness and remain ourselves.

When I first went to college, I was a young Christian in pretty much every sense of the phrase. Had the Christian university I attended stressed "Christian Theater," I could easily have ended up the type of Christian Artist who looks down upon Non-Christians and abhors the sight or sound of anything potentially thought-provoking or outside of my comfort zone.

That or I'd have gone crazy and moved to a different school after a couple of years.

Instead, I found two teachers who did not hesitate to teach us all that theatre encompasses. Sometimes, this led to them locking horns with the administration. Sometimes it meant upsetting their students by forcing them to consider ideas and lifestyles completely foreign. And sometimes it meant teaching us how to compromise so that our message could be heard, even if it wasn't as overt as originally intended.

While it's true that I've left theatre behind in the sense that I sincerely doubt I will ever design, direct, or run a show again, these are all lessons that I apply each and every day to living. I'm able to acknowledge and contemplate ideas without rejecting them out of hand. It influences my writing, conversations, and debate styles. And all of those skills that they developed and honed in me--organization, design, communication, construction, sewing, drawing, analysis--make me better equipped to handle life as it happens.

Our time together wasn't always perfect. There were times when they made mistakes. There were times when their students (especially me!) made mistakes. But we grew together, and we grew well.

So, here's to Dr. A, Mrs. B, and legacy they've left after 29 years of teaching!

Photo taken by Rebekah Byland

¹ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: ² a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, ³ a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
--Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Shiner

2011-05-16T16:08:00.001-05:00

Our yard is looking pretty ragged right now. Between my project last week (and yes, I am still planning to go into detail about it, give me time!), friends coming to town, and the wonky weather, we just haven't had a chance to get out and mow it the way it needs.

When I got up yesterday, the weatherman was predicting rain for yesterday afternoon through today. With that in mind, I decided that I would help Sammy out and go ahead and mow the lawn. I grabbed my old-lady-gardening hat and headed outside to the garage.

Currently Sam and I have two push lawnmowers--one from each of our fathers. Last summer we had issues with neither one working very well, but this spring Papa got one of them running for us. This was fantastic! Unfortunately, I couldn't for the life of me remember which of the lawn mowers was the working one. However, when I went into the garage, one of the lawnmowers was easily accessible and sitting next to the trimmer, while the other was clear in the back and difficult to reach.

Obviously, I went with the one that was with all of the other lawn tools.

I got it out, checked its oil and fuel, and decided it was ripe and ready to run.

I then proceeded to spend the next 10 minutes trying to get the bloody thing to run. I'd likely have stopped sooner and gone for the second mower, but on three separate occasions I did get it to turn over and start, but before I could increase the throttle it would die again.

Finally I decided I'd give it one last try. I'd primed it, pulled gently back on the pull start until I had tension, and then YANKED.

Next thing I know, something's whipping across my face and my glasses are flying across the yard. Somehow, in the course of pulling on the pull start, it got loose from my grip and pistol whipped me across the face.

Needless to say by the time I finally recovered my glasses, I decided I was done with that for the day and went back inside. Of course, when I talked to Sam later, he explained that the other mower was the working one, because he found it easier to take it out of the big garage door. Which makes sense, except I can never open the bloody thing.

Ah well.

Anyway, this morning, this is what I woke up to:

It's kind of hard to see in the pic, but I have one helluva bruise at the corner of my eye/temple of my forehead. o.0

Disconnect

2011-05-16T16:08:00.000-05:00

The above video is of Mike Rowe from Discovery's Dirty Jobs speaking before the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on the importance of trade skills/jobs. He makes excellent points about how, in general, this type of knowledge and job is looked down upon by American society, and how important it is that people understand and realize the value of it.

He also make a fantastic point about the disconnect many people have about where the conveniences of their lives come from. They don't think about where food comes from, how electricity is generated, or who makes their clothing. This, in turn, leads to a devaluing of the people and processes that bring them into existence--even though everyone wants/needs them.

Another point touched upon is how there are actually many jobs currently available in skilled labor (~450,00 jobs), but there is a lack of qualified workers. One thing he mentioned that especially rang true to me is how the average age of a third of the skilled labor workforce in Alabama is over the age of 55 and looking to retire, with no one to replace them. This did not surprise me at all, as one of the things my Papa talked about for years before he retired was how Boeing would soon be in a world of hurt because their maintenance people were all aging out of the work force, and there were no noticeable upcoming replacements.

Really I'm not doing the video or Mr. Rowe justice; just click play and watch it.

Lust

2011-05-13T16:28:00.000-05:00

As some of you may have gathered, I have a thing for pen and paper games. Well, really, I have a thing for games in general. But I especially enjoy games where you get a half a dozen people together around a table and play--hence why our weekly/monthly games make me so happy.

So the other day I'm killing some time over on the RPG sub-reddit, and people get to talking about customized gaming tables. It made me smile, imagining just how crazy some people can go over their respective hobbies.

And then somebody linked to this.

The first table that I came across was the Emissary.

At first glance, it just looks like a nice dining room table that can set about six people, made from actual hardwood instead of particle board. Nice, but not really anything special.

But, appearances can be deceiving.

By day a mild mannered dining room table...

...by night a fun-tastic gaming table!

(Please pretend with me that I did not just use 'fun-tastic' as a word. Thank you.)

It can have between 4-6 drawer/desktop areas you can pull out, plus an area with extra room for your GM/DM. More importantly, the top of the table can be removed, and underneath is a dropped down space to place your maps and minis. If it gets to be midnight and people need to go home, no worries, just put the table top back in place and come back to the game at a later date and time.

Pretty nifty, and not too badly priced at $1,500. Still, not something I'm going to have taunt me in my dreams because I can't have it.

And then I came across the Sultan Gaming Table.

This is, quite possibly, the most awesome gaming table I've ever come across. Like the Emissary, it has a removable top and 'stations' for players and the DM/GM. However, these aren't some roll-out desk. These come complete with their own drawers, dividers, and map storage areas. For each player. (It sits 6-10 people.)

Tee-hee!

It also has built into it what they call a "Layer Cake," which basically allows you to lay down your maps and then place a translucent sheet of squares or hexes atop them so you can write on the maps without damaging them. Or spilling drinks on them. It also has a plain whiteboard you can place on top of that if you want to draw out the dungeon.

And speaking of spilling drinks, this comes with cup holders at each station. A small thing that made me quite happy.

The DM's station is also pretty freaking awesome, with storage for handbooks, dice, minis, and other odds and ends for the game. The sides of the table can also open up, providing a "bay" for you to roll your dice, preventing mishaps with dice killing minis.

Trust me, when I'm rolling dice, you want something protecting the minis.

Of course, all of this awesome is not cheap. The advertised price before taxes or any added features is $8,850.

Yeah, that's not happening any time soon.

Nor do I have room in my house for such a thing.

But if we ever win the lottery/get a massive inheritance/suddenly start making millions a year...

This is in no way a paid advertisement/endorsement. Geek Chic doesn't even know that I exist. I just wanted to drool and make a fool of myself in public.

Excuses

2011-05-09T16:12:00.000-05:00

I apologize to you my friends. I actually do have things to talk about; a great deal has happened since the beginning of this month. However, my ability to focus and string a coherent thought together seems to have skipped town.

So, once again, here's a random video. I woke up this morning with this running through my head.

Operation almost complete

2011-05-06T10:06:00.000-05:00

Until tomorrow my friends, here's an awesome video:

Radio Silence

2011-05-04T12:06:00.000-05:00

Confirmation of plans has been received.

Materials were delivered this morning.

The Operation is a go.

Good luck, and God speed.

Translation: I have a major project with a quick deadline looming over me. With any luck, it will be swiftly completed and we can return to regular blog posts. Until then, however, talk amongst yourselves.

Seven Memories

2011-05-02T17:05:00.000-05:00

1.

"Hey Holly, I have something to tell you."

I paused in mid-step, unconsciously reaching out with my right hand and grabbing the railing on the stairs. Turning, I looked out the window at the fall leaves covering the ground, phone cradled against my ear. I was surprised that Will had happened to call while I was back in town to see The Tempest, but I considered it a happy coincidence.

"Oh? What's up?" I asked, trying to sound casual. He seemed far too excited for it to be bad news, but I'm naturally paranoid.

"Kim's pregnant! We're expecting a baby next summer! We haven't told hardly anyone yet, so I don't necessarily want to you tell everybody, but I had to talk to you and let you know that..."

I grinned and continued to stand in that stairwell for thirty minutes as Will's joy flooded out of the cell phone.

2.

"What did you think of it?" Will asked as I threw his script down on the desk in front of him.

"I've beta'ed better fanfic," I noted dryly, looking at the bent top page of Car Wars. It really wasn't that bad of writing, but for the past several months it seemed like everyone had done nothing but stroke his ego about his writing, his acting, his singing... really, just about anything he'd done. And, for his age, he was good at those things. But somebody needed to keep him from getting too big a head.

Good thing I was around.

"I understand it's supposed to be a parody, but the characters..."

3.

With practiced ease I slipped around and between tables, taking pictures of all our friends currently at Fazoli's.

"Make sure to get all the cousins!" Kim teased.

"That's what I'm doing," I replied with a grin.

Alumni and current students were all crammed together at the long table, around twenty of us eating and catching up with one another. We had completed a reading for Hero Squad earlier that afternoon and were celebrating with laughter and cheap pasta.

Finally I made my way back over to where Will, Kim, and Sherri were. Will grinned and poked Sherri in the side.

"You know, when I told you to get as many people together as you could, this was the last thing I expected. Thank you."

4.

We hurried along the sidewalk, trying to get back to the theater in good time. "...and then there's option c: chicken nuggets," Will said.

Big T and I had gone several steps before we realized that Will had completely stopped walking. Big T and I exchanged puzzled looks before turning back towards him. Will had taken off his orange hat and looked as bemused as we felt.

"You know... I think that may be the most random thing I've ever said."

5.

A horrible trombone noise filled the apartment, and I awoke with a start. I shot upright on the couch in an instant, looking around a bit in panic.

Sherri and Will started laughing at me and told me to go back to sleep. "It's just the music they play when Godzilla..."

"Wait!" I said, my tired eyes fixing on the television screen. "Is Godzilla using a breath attack and flying?"

They just kept laughing at me.

Grumbling about stupid Japanese monsters, I rolled over and went back to sleep.

6.

"Sorry I don't call as much any more. It feels weird to call a married woman at night."

Will was on his way to Kroger and had needed someone to talk to. It made me happy as we rarely got the chance to talk much on the phone any more.

"I understand. I'm always paranoid I'm going to wake your family up if I call at night, and I hate to interrupt you during the day," I replied.

We kept chatting, catching the other person up on everything new going on in life. After a bit, Will explained, "I was really nervous to send that manuscript to you, you know. All I could think of was you walking into that classroom, slamming my script on the desk and telling me how it was utter crap."

I blinked a few times. That wasn't how I remembered it. Then again, it had happened over ten years ago.

"Well, we both know I wasn't the nicest person in high school..."

7.

I was collecting the last of my things on my desk, making sure I had everything I needed for the upcoming weekend. It was going to be my last state tournament for Forensics. In less than a month I would finally graduate from high school, and in the fall I would be starting college.

Now is no time to get sentimental.

It was a little weird not having Will going with us. We would of course be stopping at the Japanese steak house again (how Mr. and Mrs. H were going to manage nearly thirty high school kids on a weekend trip...). In the past it had always served as a birthday celebration for him.

"Hey Holly, miss me?"

My ears registered who it was before my eyes fully pinpointed where Will was standing. As soon as they had a lock, however, I took off running and nearly tackled him in a hug. "What are you doing here?"

Will laughed, barely managing to keep his balance. "Mr. H was needing another chaperon for the trip, and asked if I'd like to go with...." He laughed again, and I let go of him. "I can't believe I finally succeeded in surprising you."

* * * * *

Happy birthday, Will!

This too, shall pass

2011-05-02T12:40:00.000-05:00

"Do you mind if I step out to smoke while you set up the next board?" Hip Gamer asked as Never Too Old started pulling out a new map and arranging mini-figs on it.

"No, go ahead. It'll be a moment," Never Too Old replied.

Hip Gamer and Something Catchy went outside while Sam and Curly milled around getting drinks and chatting with Never Too Old. Walking Hyperbole had left earlier that evening to rescue Adorable Nurse from a flat tire, so Curly was filling in for him.

I stayed in my chair, feet tucked under me to try and keep them warm. The weather had turned suddenly cold and wet that day, and the house was protesting the abuse. Pulling out my iPhone-turned-iTouch, I first checked in on Facebook and then scanned over Twitter to see what was what. As I idly made my way up the series of tweets an announcement that President Obama would soon be addressing the nation caught my eye.

That's strange, I thought to myself. Why would he be having a press conference this late on a Sunday night?

About that time, Hip Gamer and Something Catchy returned and took their places at the table, and the quest to rid the temple of invading Gnolls resumed.

My character (Moira, not Annie) had just buried an arrow in the shoulder of a Gnoll when the sound of Mario catching a mushroom filled the air. All eyes turned to Hip Gamer as he pulled out his phone to check the text message.

"Holy crap," Hip Gamer said, surprise plain upon his face. "I'm glad Rapier Wit keeps an eye on the news. Osama bin Laden's dead!"

"I had wondered why the President was holding a press conference..." I mumbled to myself, pulling my phone back out and accessing my list of political blogs.

Everyone babbled atop one another as more details of the raid emerged. Poor Never Too Old kept trying to push us through the encounter so we could wrap up for the night, but I at least was distracted from the game.

It was difficult to wrap my brain around the idea that bin Laden was dead. 9/11 occurred my senior year of high school, and in many ways was the defining moment when I entered into the adult world. That day marked the first time when I could truly understand the implications of a major event. Nearly ten years later, the man responsible was finally taken down.

The euphoria of the moment startled me.

It is a bizarre moment to realize that you are celebrating the death of another human being. But I also recognized that I would have felt that same euphoria had I heard that we had captured bin Laden, as opposed to having killed him. It wasn't that he was dead--it was that that particular chapter of our history was now, hopefully, closed.

An end of an era, if you will.

This is all fake

2011-04-29T12:12:00.001-05:00

While checking in on Facebook yesterday, an old high school friend posted a fake trailer called The Batman Complex. It isn't the most well done fake trailer I've ever come across, but the idea of the story it told intrigued me, so I felt like sharing it.

This in turn reminded me of a mash-up I'd seen for Community and 500 Days of Summer, called 500 Days of Brita, which is very well done.

Watching these two fake trailers reminded me a of a different kind of fake trailer I'd come across awhile back, which had excited me greatly until I realized that it was, indeed, a fake: Nathan Fillion as the Green Lantern.

Just a little something to get you excited about the upcoming summer blockbusters, even though none of these will be among them.

Four things

2011-04-28T11:05:00.000-05:00

I've got some stuff to get done today, so I can't focus too much attention on the blog at this moment. However, I have come across a handful a links I feel like sharing.

For Literary Cat: A Dribble of Ink has a post up with a series of links for free downloads of short stories, novelettes, novellas, and one novel that are all up for the Hugo this year. If you're looking for something good to read on the cheap, feel free to go through these!

For Something Catchy: Here's a rage comic that Sam and I came across last night. I have a feeling you'll be able to relate.

For the history buffs: from the article, I have the impression this is only for the iPad and doesn't include the iPhone, but I wanted to point it out because it's pretty freaking awesome. Basically, someone's designed an app that is an interactive newspaper that takes you through the Civil War in real time. Meaning they started releasing articles on April 12, and each day they update with headlines from the actual war, photos, military maps, and other trivia/information that had to do with that day during the Civil War. It's $7.99, but would be an awesome learning tool.

For my D&D buddies: This video is pretty cute, and made me giggle.

Pink

2011-04-27T11:29:00.000-05:00

After yesterday's post with those adorable girls in their Easter fanciness, I was struck by the stark contrast between the subject matter and the dying autumn leaves:

Just a bit jarring, aye?

And so, I decided to tweak the background for the blog. I'd spent time looking through various templates, per Sherri's recommendation, but I actually like the layout of the blog as it is, I just wanted to change the background.

I started thumbing through some of the pictures I've taken in the past month of the arrival of spring. Roses, irises, trees, kitties, lettuce, sunsets.... I had plenty of pretty items to choose from. Eventually I opted for this picture, which had previously served as my desktop wallpaper:

I did a little bit of fiddling, and that's how we wound up with the very girly background. (Yes, my inner sixteen-year-old is not impressed.) Of course, once that was done, I needed to change the font colors and so forth so that it all complimented one another. Because I'm thorough like that.

Spring has finally arrived at my work in progress!

Easter Bonnets

2011-04-26T16:31:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, Sam and I traveled up to Kansas to visit my parents and celebrate Mama's birthday. For those of you playing at home, it also happened to be Easter.

(Which, for the record, was very strange. I can't remember the last time Easter was that close to Mama's birthday.)

Many of the local churches were having Easter Egg Hunts on Saturday instead of Sunday, which meant that the little neighbor girls were all dressed up in their Easter dresses both days. Since my brother and I have yet to provide our parents with grandchildren to spoil, the little neighbor girls fill the void.

So, on Saturday, they had to come over and show off to my parents their pretty new dresses and hats. My mother insisted I take pictures.

Aren't they absolutely adorable?

Here's a solo shot of Big Sis. I think she was regretting coming over and having a strange woman take pictures of her.

Little Sis was also feeling bashful. I absolutely love the way this picture came out, though. Almost makes me feel like a real photographer!

Their mother is close to me in age, so my parents really do view them as surrogate granddaughters.

I think they're okay with that though.

Love you, Mama

2011-04-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

Fifty-nine years ago today, Grandma Nena brought my Mama into this world. Today, she and Papa and a couple of their friends are headed out east to celebrate this fact. With any luck, they'll return a little bit richer than when they left.

Happy Birthday, Mama! It was good to see you this weekend, and I can't wait to hear how your trip went. :-)

Variations

2011-04-20T18:45:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite comic strips growing up was Garfield. Perhaps it was a warning sign that I would one day turn into a creepy old cat lady.

Anyway.

As I grew older, I moved on from Garfield and began paying more attention to webcomics like Bob and George, 8-Bit Theatre, and Penny Arcade. Partly it was because I just spend a lot of time on the internet, and have for well over a decade. Also, I haven't gotten a big city Sunday paper in a lot of years, so the comics section is no longer the be all end all of my news-tainment.

The reason I bring all of this up is that I wanted to share two different variations on Garfield that I've come across in the past year or so. The first is Garfield Minus Garfield, which re-presents Garfield comics with the titular character removed.

Here's an example of a Garfield Minus Garfield strip:

It makes one feel very sad for Jon. It also presents new aspects of humor and insight that that the original strips don't have.

The other variation that I would like to point out is Shut up, Garfield!, which are the same strips as the original, only with all of Garfield's text removed:

These are very reminiscent of my daily life with my three little monsters. I'm consistently telling them things, and this is the exact look I get from them.

And, for those of you who were curious about the original strip, here you go:

Just a little something different to try if you're so inclined. :-)

The outhouse

2011-04-19T11:31:00.000-05:00

Last Christmas when I was home, I asked my parents if I could borrow some of their old pictures. Several years ago I spent a winter going through pictures and scanning them in, but there were still many that I had missed. I had hopes that there might be some which had survived the fire and that I could archive.

I've been working on it off and on since then, and a little while ago I came across this picture:

Taken sometime around 1970, if I were to make a guess.

This, my dear friends, was Grandpa Howell's outhouse.

Grandpa and Grandma Howell were my paternal great-grandparents. They lived in a small town in Kansas and raised twelve children in a ramshackle ol' house that I have the vaguest memories of. It wasn't until some time after my father was born that they got indoor plumbing in that house, and even then Grandpa Howell still preferred to use his outhouse.

I've heard lots of stories about that outhouse.

For example, it was apparently a Halloween tradition in that particular small town in Kansas for the kids to try and sneak into Grandpa's junk yard and knock over the old thing. Grandpa Howell would spend the whole night camped outside with his gun, ready to scare off any teen dumb enough to try it.

As you can tell from the picture, it wouldn't have taken much to knock it over.

There's also another story that my dad likes to tell about certain little boys deciding to send some kittens swimming down there, and Grandma Howell having to fish the poor things back out. Apparently there were quite a few tanned hides that resulted, and that mama cat would have nothing to do with those kittens for weeks.

Don't get any bright ideas.

Laughing Penguin

2011-04-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

This is for Sherri. The cutest sound in the world is in the last 20 seconds or so.

Meet Cookie!

Kitty Blink Love

2011-04-14T13:15:00.000-05:00

It's been two weeks since the last cat picture.

I know, I'm equally horrified by this oversight.

So, today, because I love all of you and Tiger just startled the hell out of me when I went to get something out of the frig:

Happy Thursday!

Roses

2011-04-13T16:53:00.000-05:00

I looked out my window today and immediately had to grab my camera.

My roses are blooming.

Some are just tiny buds.

Others are so close to actually opening up to the sun.

This one is channeling its inner Audrey II.

This is the only one that's grown brave enough to open up. I think it's lovely.

Of course, my roses aren't the only ones blooming.

My pretty irises are getting in on the act too.

They make me smile.

Project Mode

2011-04-12T16:07:00.000-05:00

I'm alive, just busy, busy, busy. With what? Well...

~~Writing a story that my Sammy requested~~
Paring down ~8,000 pictures to about 400 pictures to help out some old friends
Editing those roughly 400 pictures
Reading the five books Literary Cat has loaned/recommended to me

The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jesimin
Three Thursday Next novels
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Leguin

Normal chores and stuff

Really it's the pictures that's soaking up all of my time at the moment. I've almost got them all edited--then I'll begin the process of uploading them, probably to Facebook.

Anyway, that's why I'm scarce at the moment. But I still love you guys!

Have a video:

Smart little girl.

Oh, no. Humans are far too private to ever do that....

2011-04-08T09:31:00.000-05:00

I laughed a great deal at this particular video. It's a little longish (10 minutes or so), but totally worth the time invested. It's a mother's recounting of how she ended up sharing the news about "the birds and the bees" with her 8-year-old daughter, so be forewarned that some, ahem, clinical terms are used. However, if those words don't bother you, then it's a perfectly clean and wholesome story. Mostly.

Mom and Dad just headed back north, carting off our old van with them. We also have an action-packed weekend planned, so it's entirely possible you will not hear from me again until Monday. Have an excellent weekend!

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, George Takei should be Spider-man...

2011-04-07T11:48:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had planned to write this very touching post about Sherri's visit on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, my main hard drive had a catastrophic failure and put the kabosh on that.

And I do still want to get back to that touching Sherri post. Right now, however, I am unable to do so because my parents should be here in about an hour, hour-and-a-half, and I still need to get things done around the house.

So, instead, I present you with this absolutely wonderful video which involves Broadway, Spider-Man, and George Takei.

Will, Sherri, you're welcome.

SW Popsicles

2011-04-05T09:23:00.000-05:00

I came across this a couple of days ago, but just now remembered to share it with you. Courtesy of ThinkGeek:

Plumbers are currently running new pipe under the house. Thankfully, they are not going to be tearing up my floor like they'd originally planned. Woot!

Tradition

2011-04-04T14:28:00.000-05:00

Saturday, in celebration of Rapier Wit's birthday, we went to Ted's Cafe Escandido for excellent Mexican food, and then we proceeded to the local Medieval Faire.

Our group of friends have attended this particular faire every year since '05. Not everyone can always make it (I missed it both years I was in Dallas), but at least four or five of us make it there every year. Part of that is because it always falls the weekend before or after Rapier Wit's birthday, and thus it's become a tradition.

This year we did not dress up in full regalia, partly because it was in the 80's. However, we still had a great time. Sherri got to pet an owl this year. To be honest, I don't know how that matches up with the year she got to ride an elephant (pictured right), but she was pretty excited about it. I, however, did not pet an owl this year, because I made a poor choice in footwear so Sam and I left early. Ah well.

The fun thing about returning to the same faire year after year is seeing people you recognize from previous years, whether that be vendors, other vistors, or those participating in the jousting tournaments.

We of course had to make a stop for the huge glass bottles of root beer that are sold each year. I sometimes suspect that the root beer is why we make this trip each year.

Yes, it's that good.

Through virtue of lack of funds, Sam and I managed to resist purchasing any of the clothing that they sell there. However, I will confess that there were a couple of dresses which I lusted after.

First there was this blue dress, which immediately made me think of my halfling character, Annie. It's totally something that I could see her wearing.

However, the one that really got my heart pounding was this gorgeous outfit:

I make an excellent pirate wench, for the record, and this dress would be perfect. Alas, it was not meant to be.

The other outfit which we came across that excited Adorable Nurse in particular was this awesome steampunk outfit:

Adorable Nurse has a not-quite-obsession with steampunk, so she had a grand time seeing all of the steampunk-style items for sale at the faire.

Here you can see Adorable Nurse modeling that rocking hat.

Isn't this completely awesome? I love the detail work on it!

Of course, Adorable Nurse had to show it to her husband, Walking Hyperbole.

Doesn't he look distinguished? If only he had a cane with a sword in it....

April Fools Day

2011-04-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

Means I cannot trust anything I see on the internet.

As such, I will be abstaining from the internet until tomorrow.

Of course, tomorrow we're going to be celebrating Rapier Wit's birthday and going to a Medieval Faire, so it's unlikely you will hear from me before Monday.

Ah well.

In other news, my sink is now in working condition--at least enough so that I can wash dishes. Sometime next week they're coming back and laying new pipe under the house, as there are leaks down there.

Anyway, here's a Tiger!

Leaks

2011-03-30T11:29:00.000-05:00

Last January, Sam came home for lunch one day to discover that our front yard had sprung a leak. And though it took a couple of weeks, they finally got it and the DSL which had been cut in the process fixed.

Ever since, though, we've had absolutely no hot water pressure in our kitchen sink. All of our other fixtures had plenty of hot water pressure, however. So, periodically we'd mention to our landlady, "Hey, it's pretty hard to wash dishes without hot water."

So, last weekend she sent her son out to replace the faucet.

Isn't it all bright'n'shiny'n'purdy? I even have a spray nozzle now. Woot!

Of course, since nothing ever goes easily when fixing something in this house, it also resulted in... this.

This, my dear friends, is the pan that's currently under my sink catching water from the leak that was sprung. This is also the pan that I have to empty every 30 minutes or so because it fills up. At least, when we have to water to the house turned on.

I'll explain that in a minute.

Our landlady's son spent all day Sunday trying to epoxy the pipes and stop the leak that way. Unfortunately, that stop-gap measure never succeeded.

Landlady contacted a plumber and told us that he'd be by between 8 and 12 Tuesday morning. By lunch time, however, I still had not seen hide nor hair of the plumber, so Sam contacted the landlady. Long story short, the plumber didn't want to be working out in the cold and rain, so he'll "probably be by sometime on Thursday."

In the mean time, we've been turning our water off at the street save for when it's absolutely needed for bathroom purposes. 'Why don't you just turn it off at the shut-off valve at the sink?' you ask? Because when it was installed they put it too close to the bloody wall to be able to turn it. Nearest thing we can figure is that they installed it before they had all the wall paneling up or something.

I swore up and down when we moved in here that I wasn't going to move again for at least three years, due to the fact that the longest I've lived any place since graduating high school is about 18 months.

However.

I'm becoming sorely tempted to start looking elsewhere. Between leaks and the driveway and the DSL and the cracked windows and periodic AC/heating issues... it's starting to become ridiculous.

A Capella Mario

2011-03-28T10:45:00.001-05:00

It's Monday. It's rainy. My sink may or may not be fixed.

Let's brighten our day with a bit of Mario, shall we?

Sam claimed it was one of the best arrangements of the Mario music he's heard. I'm inclined to agree.

Also, go check out his You Tube page. He has a lot of other awesome videos (particularly Ching Chong).

Then and Now

2011-03-26T12:09:00.002-05:00

Eight weeks ago, this was the view out my front door:

So snowy. So cold.

So bleak. So desolate.

A frozen wasteland, if you will.

But that was then...

and this is now!

The trees are blooming.

The grass is green.

And there's color everywhere!

Unexpected pleasures

2011-03-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Nala was curled up in my lap, trying to distract me from my goal of editing pictures for a new recipe. I had wrapped up in my green fuzzy blanket--the night before it had dropped into the thirties, and even though we'd kicked the heater on when we got up, it was still cold in the house. After some coaxing (or, more accurately, picking her up and setting her on the floor) Nala was finally out of my lap, and I reached for the mouse to resume my work.

The phone rang.

Wondering if the fates were planning on driving me crazy that day, I fished out my phone and answered, "Hello?"

"Hey Hols, do you have plans this afternoon?" came the voice of Walking Hyperbole.

My eyes flitted from unfinished chore to unfinished chore which I had ignored in my eagerness to get up an 'interesting article' for my father. "No... not really. Why, what's up?" I asked.

"I need to run to the city to pick up [Adorable Nurse's] birthday present, and I really hate making that drive by myself. Would you like to come with?" Walking Hyperbole asked.

For about 0.02 seconds I thought about the recipe I was working on and all the chores awaiting my attention. Screw it. "Sure! What time do you want to go?" After all, I could probably get a few things done.

Walking Hyperbole said, "I'll be there in five minutes."

"Oh, okay," I said, blinking a little in surprise. "Well, I'll see you--" Click. "--soon then."

I stared at the phone for a count of five, and then oh-my-I'm-leaving-in-a-few-minutes-and-am-only-half-dressed panic kicked in.

Flying about the house like a chipmunk on speed, I quickly finished getting dressed, pulling my hair up, putting my jewelry on, making the bed, picking up clutter, throwing dishes into the sink, and saving all of my photos. As I hit enter on the last file, Walking Hyperbole was knocking on the door.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

I nonchalantly picked up my purse and double checked I had my keys.

"Ready when you are."

The afternoon was just like when we were kids at the local university. We talked the entire drive up, while shopping, through lunch, the entire drive back to town, and then well into the afternoon. Mostly it was about D&D, but also about classes and friends and local politics and things we'd seen and heard on TV/radio.

It truly made my day.

T.V. Tropes

2011-03-23T12:24:00.000-05:00

I spent more time yesterday than I care to admit looking through the website TV Tropes. It started with someone linking to it about Eberron, then moved to looking at Our Elves Are Better, which lead to... there's got to be a better way to do this.

Okay.

Eberron --> Our Elves Are Better --> Can't Argue with Elves --> Babylon 5 --> Badass Boast --> I Am the Noun --> The Thrawn Trilogy --> Nightmare Fuel --> Who Wants to Live Forever --> And I Must Scream --> Fallout --> It Just Bugs Me --> Aladdin --> Clark Kenting --> Magical Girl --> Sailor Moon --> Xanatos Gambit --> Xanatos Speed Chess --> Magnificent Bastard --> Word of God --> Shrug of God --> A Wizard Did It --> Fridge Logic --> Fridge Horror --> Stuffed in the Fridge --> Put on a Bus --> The Wheel of Time

To be honest, I could easily continue from there, but I don't honestly remember the path I took from there to get to The Wesley.

So, basically, if you enjoy having names for archetypes and tricks in stories, it's a place you can very easily lose a week. If you decide to venture forth, I do recommend you have someone who can come pull you out of it.

Just saying.

Rewards of Photoshop

2011-03-21T13:37:00.001-05:00

I am extremely happy to have Photoshop back. I've been using it since high school, and I hadn't realized how much I used the program until it wasn't available to me any more.

But as soon as I got it back, I whipped this up. For those of you who are in my D&D group, I apologize that you're seeing this yet again, but really, I like it and feel like showing it off.

This is Aurora, Something Catchy's character in our game. She's an Eladrin warlock who just happens to be the original sleeping beauty. Also, she's pretty bad-ass, so watch out!

Blessings Continued

2011-03-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

Thirty-nine days after the death of Frank, we welcomed a new, fully functioning computer into the family. This resulted in much rejoicing in our home, and I'm now actually capable of having three different windows open at once.

Plus I have my music back.

And my Photoshop.

*sighs happily*

We have not yet officially named the new computer. It takes a little bit to discover a computer's personality, after all.

Last weekend, Rapier Wit and Literary Cat came down for four days. The first day, Literary Cat, Adorable Nurse, and I walked down memory lane (literally as well as figuratively), made food for the guys, and then had a fun night just hanging out.

The next day I was considerably ill, but it could have been worse, so I'm still grateful.

Saturday all of us got back together to play D&D, and something that I've been planning for months finally occurred to my character.

(My almost-teenage cleric is going to be angsty for a little bit. Lord have mercy.)

Also, Literary Cat loaned me The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin, which is the sequel to the book she gave me for Christmas, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. So far I've managed to keep from disappearing inside of it, but I have a feeling that after I'm done catching up around the house today and tomorrow, I'm going to disappear Wednesday and devour it.

It's good to have friends who feed your addiction.

Sherri made it safely back from her visit with will and family, which I'm very glad for. I've missed my sister terribly.

Overall, there's a lot of happiness in my life right now, and I felt like sharing. I hope things are going equally well for you!

Sketchy

2011-03-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

I felt the urge to do some sketching yesterday. So I gave in, and drew this picture of Annie, my character in D&D.

Tiger's new happy place.

2011-03-15T15:31:00.000-05:00

Sucked in

2011-03-15T13:16:00.000-05:00

Books are dangerous for me.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved reading books. When I was a child, the punishment my parents used to threaten me with wasn't losing sweets or television, but my books. I would spend hours and hours and hours reading.

The problem, however, is that it's very difficult for me to focus on getting anything else done when I have a book. School work, housework, jobs, friends, family--it all has a tendency to fall by the wayside. If for some reason I can't read right then--like when I was having to take customers' calls, for example--I was still focused on the book. Why had the characters done that? How was the author going to tie these disparate plots together? When will they catch the bad guy?

This can be a very bad thing.

The very first test I failed was in first grade. Being a rather bright child, I typically completed my classwork ahead of my classmates and was frequently bored in class. This resulted in my constantly talking to the other students and disrupting class, so my teacher moved my desk to the side of the room and made me sit by myself.

On one such occasion where I'd finish my classwork well ahead of the others in the class, I pulled out a book and started reading, since there was no one nearby to talk to. Next thing I knew, the teacher was going around the classroom asking for everybody's spelling tests. When she asked me for mine, I looked at her blankly and wanted to know what spelling test. Apparently, the class had finished working on whatever project I'd completed, and so the teacher moved on to the next thing, the spelling test. I, however, did not do this, because I was busy reading a choose-your-own-adventure book. Since I wasn't paying attention, she just failed me on my test.

Twenty years later it still pisses me off to think about it, to be honest. I've always privately suspected she forgot I was over in my corner, and then blamed me for occupying myself.

But I digress.

Thankfully, as I grew older, I developed a knack for being able to hear my name and pull myself out of the book I was reading and participate in classes. But that all-encompassing hold that books have over me never truly diminished. After I graduated college and had to start working for a living, my consumption of books drastically decreased. I simply couldn't afford to split my attention off from my work, especially since it had a tendency to be rather dangerous for me.

Now-a-days, I rarely pick up books and read them any more. Not because I dislike reading--far from it. But when I pick up a book, that pretty much means that the next 4 to 24 hours are shot, because I'll keep reading until the book is finished, and I rather enjoy being productive around my home and taking pictures and blogging and gardening and spending time with my friends and... well, you get the picture.

Every now and again, however, I allow myself to go off on a binge. Which is why I disappeared last week.

Sooner or later I've got to learn moderation.

Wandering Toe

2011-03-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

Growing up, my father often told me that his family line frequently manifests a "wandering toe." We have a hard time staying in any one place for a great length of time; we're always looking to the next horizon, wondering what's over the next hill.

We have a long tradition of migrating ever further west, first across the Atlantic, then to Tennessee, and on westward to Kansas, Nevada, California, etc.

More recently, my Grandpa Norman, my dad's dad, worked with a surveyor's team in Kansas and Oklahoma back in the 50's. The majority of the oil wells throughout this area were originally surveyed by my Grandpa Norman. Dad attended over twenty elementary schools as a result, before they finally settled out in California when Dad was in high school.

After Dad graduated from high school, he spent the next thirteen years or so wandering from one machine shop to the next, while his eldest brother went into the navy and off to see the world. When I myself graduated from high school, I headed into theatre, which meant that every six months or so I moved to some place new. Even when I was in college, I was doing summerstock.

Last week it hit me that I was still in one place. My eyes kept drifting to the horizon, my mind wondering what was out there and where we should go next. Texas? Arizona? Washington?

This is not to imply that I'm unhappy where I am--I love living in this small town, close to friends and family. As much as I may complain sometimes, I love this cute little house and the garden we've planted in the back. I love making this house a home and taking care of Sam. This is, quite frankly, the happiest I've ever been.

And, eventually, the itch passed. By the time Sam and I collapsed into bed Saturday after doing our planting, my energies were focused back on the here and now, and the restlessness from the previous week was gone.

I think Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz got it right:

"If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!"

Could have been

2011-03-10T10:58:00.000-06:00

Why is it I always get a flood of ideas of things to write about just when I'm not going to have the time to devote to them?

I ask, because I woke up this morning with a couple three ideas of things to write about, but I don't have the time to devote towards developing them to their full potential right now, namely because my parents will be arriving in about an hour and a half and I have a few other things I want to get done before they arrive.

(Excuse me while I take a moment to take a breath.

...

Okay.)

But I promise I have not forgotten about you, even though I did not say anything yesterday and likely will not say anything else today or maybe even tomorrow. Which is sad, because I have ideas for actual content instead of pictures or videos or links. (Frightening, I know.)

Alas, however, my ideas will have to wait a few days. As such, here's yet another random video:

I was uninspired, until...

2011-03-08T16:16:00.000-06:00

I came across this slice of my childhood:

Some day I'll have something interesting to talk about again. Until that time comes, enjoy this filler.

Pretty cool, NASA, pretty cool.

2011-03-07T11:00:00.000-06:00

This goes out to my father, and all other fans of the original Star Trek series.

Bill Shatner rocks. That is all.

We are not amused

2011-03-04T14:28:00.000-06:00

Yes, Tiger finally got us to open the box. She even shared it with Nala.

Devil in the Details

2011-03-04T13:59:00.000-06:00

Despite our best efforts and intentions, I still don't have a computer.

When we ordered all the pieces and parts for the new compy, we selected an AMD Phenom II six-core processor and an MSI motherboard. We also picked up 4 gig of ram, several fans, and a new case. Everything else we already had and could easily transfer over.

Wednesday night, before I'd even finished taking all of the dinner dishes off of the table, Sammy was pulling out his card table and starting to open boxes up. It had the general feeling of Christmas morning--lots of oooooh shiny moments.

It took about three hours, but soon enough we had everything put together, and it was time to turn it on for the first time. With great joy and trepidation, Sam reached out and pushed the power button.

The box lit up, the drives all indicated that they were happy and ready to go, the motherboard has all of its little lights come on... and no video signal.

This was frustrating, as it was problems with video that caused Frank to go buh-bye.

So we proceeded to do a couple of hours of troubleshooting, and eventually determined that even though everything has power, the hard drives were never being accessed. Did a little more digging and determined that the bios wasn't even pulling up.

We then commence on a bit of research. After delving through the manufacturer's websites for our new components, we soon figured out that even though the motherboard said it was compatible with Phenom II processors, it wasn't compatible with this particular Phenom II processor.

So what this means is that we've shipped the motherboard back and we're waiting for a compatible motherboard to arrive.

Oi vey.

Italian Spiderman

2011-03-04T11:30:00.000-06:00

This is truly... indescribable. So much so, I just have to post it and share it with you, in hopes one of you might be able to explain it. I think my brain my have melted a little.

The only coherent thought I could formulate when I saw it was that it was totally something will would have suggested for Manly Movie Night.

It has arrived

2011-03-02T14:57:00.000-06:00

It's heeerrrreeee.....

Tiger is so ready for us to open those boxes.

Seven kinds of awesome

2011-03-02T12:51:00.000-06:00

I'm apparently having good luck coming up with fun videos today.

(No, the computer isn't here yet. Yes, I'll let you know when it happens. Trust me.)

As it is, please enjoy this fantastic music video of Scattered Trees' "Love and Leave."

(Found on Boing Boing)

"We were no longer good society."

2011-03-02T11:28:00.000-06:00

I really don't know what I think of this. It's both splendid and awful at the same time.

Out for Delivery

2011-03-02T10:19:00.000-06:00

On Monday I mentioned that we ordered our new computer parts over the weekend. Like any true addict, I've been checking the tracking number every thirty minutes or so.

Which, coincidentally, is about how often I've been checking Words with Friends.

(Tangent: I don't remember ever actually playing Scrabble in real life. I have vague memories of playing Up-Words as a child, but that's as close as I ever came.)

I bring this up because, as of 6:19 this morning, our computer went out for delivery. If this is like when we had the TV shipped to us, it will probably show up close to five this evening. However, because I'm paranoid, and hopeful, I've had the front door open, listening for signs of arrival. Every time someone drives by, I go up on point, hoping it's the new computer.

Alas, it has failed to arrive as yet.

But soon! Soon my precious will be here...

Light Painting

2011-03-01T16:29:00.000-06:00

I found this video strangely fascinating. A lot of you probably won't want to watch more than the first couple of minutes, but I couldn't take my eyes away.

Courtesy of Warren Ellis.

Immaterials: Light painting WiFi from Timo on Vimeo.

Addendum

2011-03-01T15:07:00.001-06:00

Should you decide that it is an excellent day to go out and take pictures of incoming spring-time, please remember to either a) take your keys with you or b) not lock the door behind you.

Thank goodness I had the back door open so Tiger could see out.

That is all.

Hints of Spring

2011-03-01T14:53:00.001-06:00

Today is absolutely beautiful outside. It's in the low-seventies with a light wind out of the south. The birds are singing, the cats are pouncing, and I just had to go outside and say hello to the world.

So, I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and on a whim I took my camera with me.

It's beginning to look a lot like springtime.

Grass is starting to poke its way up in the back yard.

People have been painting the rest of the grass green. (Actually, this is a result of the fertilizer that a certain company in town will put on peoples' lawns, but it always looks to me like they're trying to paint it green.)

Flowers are trying to make their way above ground so that they can bloom soon.

Just like our neighbor's tree.

Some things are already blooming in our yard.

While the holly berries are bright and cheerful.

And the final sign that spring is almost here?

The local wildlife is out hunting!

Rocky start

2011-03-01T13:41:00.000-06:00

"You realize that once summer gets here we're going to have to get up at the crack of dawn to work on the yard, right?"

"Of course I do, Sam. Number one, we'll need to do any watering needed before it gets too hot so we don't boil the plants. Number two, we'll need to do the yard work before it gets so hot that we start to boil too. I have lived through Oklahoma summers before, you know."

"I'm well aware of that. It just occurs to me that if we're going to have to start getting up at six in the morning--"

"--we should start doing it now. Ah well, it'll give us a chance to have breakfast before we start working."

* * * * *

"Holly..."

"mmph."

"Honey bun, it's time to get up."

"nu-uh."

"Yes, it is. We're going to have breakfast before working in the yard, remember?"

"Pillows. Nest. Bed."

"Don't do that, baby girl. Hiding your head under the covers is not going to help. Now come on..."

"But--but--snuggles!"

"We can snuggle later. Now crawl out from under the covers. There we go."

"Sammy is a big meanie."

"Yes, yes I am."

* * * * *

"About done with your cereal and coffee?"

"I have a little more coffee left. Plus I'm trying to come up with a word in my game with Mom."

"Well, finish up. It's nearly 7:15, and I'll need to take a shower before work."

"Alright, alright. You act like it's my fault or something."

"Well, it did take me thirty minutes to get you out of--"

"--which is why we're starting this now, so I'm used to it when it becomes necessary."

"I suppose. Now, are you coming outside or not?"

"I'm a coming, I'm a coming, let me grab my jacket."

* * * * *

"Wow, it's cold out here."

"Too cold, Sammy?"

"Weeeeellllllll, I can almost see my breath."

"Then can we go back inside? Now?"

"Yeah, let's go back inside. At least I managed to get you up this morning."

"Pillows! Bed! Nest!"

Snuggle buddies

2011-02-28T15:37:00.001-06:00

Very mature, guys

2011-02-28T14:44:00.001-06:00

In case you ever wondered what happens when my friends and I get together and play D&D, it typically devolves into something like this:

Flotsam and Jetsam

2011-02-28T13:44:00.000-06:00

My parents came down to see us this weekend.

(This is why I wasn't posting.)

I'm always glad when my parents come to visit, or when we get to go visit them. I realize that this is not the case for everybody--some people deeply dread seeing their parents--but I always really enjoy it. Somewhere along the way I grew up, and my parents and I realized that we genuinely liked each other, rather than just putting up with each other because we're family and ergo love one another.

Blessings abound in my life.

* * * * *

The tax return finally came in on Friday!

*le happy dance!*

This means that Wednesday the pieces and parts for Frank's replacement will arrive on my doorstep. This is a happy circumstance.

Viiiiiideoooooos. Muuuuusic. Photoshoooooooop....

This really makes me extremely happy. I've missed being able to clean up pictures and post things for ya'll.

Especially recipes.

* * * * *

I hate food poisoning.

Sam and I have reached a place that whenever we eat out, nine times out of ten we get something and split it. This helps with both a) costs and b) portion control, since I'm too old for the kids' meals and too young for the senior menu.

The downside is that if we get a hold of some bad food, we both go down for the count.

Unfortunately, this means we also missed Something Catchy's Oscar party, which sucked.

* * * * *

Words with Friends finally succeeded in invading my life.

I've known about it for well over a year, but for one reason or another I never bothered to put it on my iPhone.

While Mom and Dad were down, I got to talking to my Mom about it, and before too long we both had it downloaded and had started a game.

Needless to say, within 24 hours I also had a couple games going with Adorable Nurse and Literary Cat.

* * * * *

Fact: I lack will's discipline when it comes to the 356 days of blogging idea.

Though it took some time, I've finally made my peace with that.

Still, I find it amusing and exciting that by the end of February I already have more posts this year than I did for all of 2010.

If for some reason I suddenly stop blogging for months on end now, it will be because I posted this. I don't know why that would happen--I really enjoy doing this--but whatever the external excuse would be, the root cause would be this little segment.

That's way my luck runs.

* * * * *

Sam and I have decided to try and plant a garden this year.

I have no earthly idea what I'm doing. With our luck, there'll either be an overabundance of produce, or not a single thing will survive. Personally, I'm hoping I take after my Grandpa Jim, who used to grow orchids in his hothouse on the farm.

My husband an I talked about doing a garden last year. (For the record, it still makes me giggle happily inside when I get to call him my husband.) We were poor and living in an apartment, however, and by the time we moved to our little house, it was too late to jump in. This year, though, we decided to make the attempt.

You can blame the movie Food Inc. and the book The Hundred Year Lie for that.

Unintentional Themes

2011-02-24T12:06:00.001-06:00

So, it would appear that this is my video game week, even though that was not my intention starting out.

Life's funny that way sometimes.

Anyway, today's random bit of entertainment comes courtesy of will, who left me this link in my post about Civilization 4.

I laughed for at least ten minutes after watching it, though I do have to warn there is a little bit of language in it. Later that evening I showed it to Sam, and we started looking at some of the other videos that Brental Floss had done of "What if had lyrics?"

They were suitably hilarious, but I will warn that some of those videos (particularly the one for Zelda II: Link's Awakening) are Not Safe For Work.

However, there was one in particular that I wanted to share. It's in a different vein from the other videos that we looked at, and I find it strangely beautiful.

Enjoy!

Epic Win

2011-02-23T13:37:00.001-06:00

Courtesy of Hip Gamer, who spotted it on Game Informer (which has a larger version of the pic).

Fan Art was originally done by Ag+ (you can see the original site here, though I must warn you it's all in Japanese).

I totally wish I could by this as a poster, because I think this just might be the best piece of Fan Art I've come across in any of the fandoms I follow....

Civ 4 is consuming me

2011-02-22T13:40:00.000-06:00

My brother picked up the original Sid Meier's Civilization when I was about seven years old. When he wasn't around, I'd try my hand at it, because if my Big Brother was playing it, then it had to be awesome.

(Big Brother is ten years older than me. This resulted in a lot of hero worship on my part.)

It took me a whole year and multiple tries before I finally beat it on the easiest level, but I was so bloody proud of myself for it.

A few years later, after Big Brother had left to join the navy, I got my hands on Civ II. I played it for a couple of months and then lost interest in it.

Fast forward to college, where I was constantly looking for a game to goof on instead of reading for my classes. One night while going through my old games, I came across Civ again and decided to fire it back up. (DOS emulators for the win!) Things that had confounded me at eight were now blindingly obvious. I set out and beat a game of it in a weekend. Later I pulled Civ II out of storage, and I've periodically played it off and on ever since.

I like to play as the Russians. I don't know why.

Since installing Civ 4 on Friday, Sam and I have been playing it several hours every day, trying to figure out what's new and different. The last couple of nights we've been trying our hand at a multi-player game (which I suspect is a direct result of finally beating FF13 after getting it at Christmas. And by finally beating it, I mean getting all but one of the achievements. *grumbles about stupid Treasure Hunter*)

All of this to say, even though I'm continuing to keep an eye on the internet for new and interesting things, my brain power is currently dedicated to trying to take over the world through religion and culture.

Made my very first lolcat today...

2011-02-21T13:32:00.000-06:00

I hope you like it!

Pssst. Go vote for it!

It's dangerous to go alone

2011-02-21T13:04:00.000-06:00

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the original Zelda's release in Japan.

This makes me happy, but also make me feel incredibly old. I was almost two when it came out.

The first game system I really remember is the NES, which my brother got for Christmas one year, I believe. My father's reasoning was that it would save money in the end, because every time you died in-game, you didn't have to pay another quarter to play again.

My family fell in love with Zelda when they played it. My parents and big brother spent hours and hours drawing out maps for each of the dungeons on graph paper. Not only did they make the layouts, but included what enemies were in each room, where to use bombs, what needed keys, and the best routes to take to find everything and beat the dungeon quickly.

In the intervening years, we have recopied those maps on at least four different occasions, because the previous versions would grow so old and yellow that you could hardly see what was written on them any more.

The Legend of Zelda's been such an integral part of my family's culture, that it became a right of passage to beat the game. I believe I was about 11 or 12 when I finally beat it. I had downloaded an NES emulator onto my computer and started playing through it. Mom saw what I was doing and told me to dig out the NES and play it old-school.

Mom and Dad then proceeded to guide me through the dungeons and give me tips and hints. Prior to that, I had always manned the maps and told them where to go.

It was a bizarre feeling.

This past Christmas, we guided Sam through the game. It was a bit different of course--they had downloaded it onto the Wii, since the NES now lives with Sam and I. Still, after a couple of days Sam had destroyed Ganon and rescued the princess. When he had finished, I heard C-3PO in my head saying, "You are now a part of the tribe!"

(I know the original quote is "we are now a part of the tribe," but that's the wonderful thing about imagination--it can adapt.)

So, it is with great joy that I celebrate Zelda's 25th anniversary!

Never meet your idol

2011-02-19T13:08:00.002-06:00

I completely empathize with Troy (the kid) in this video.

And yes, Community is an awesome show.

Not that I would ever do this

2011-02-18T13:35:00.000-06:00

Never. At all.

Okay, maybe once. Maybe.

Tiger loves socks

2011-02-17T16:53:00.002-06:00

Until tomorrow, my friends.

It's all Star Trek's fault

2011-02-17T15:18:00.000-06:00

"I hate driving in Dallas. Assholes," grumbled Sunshine. Long strands of his hair were covered in oil and sawdust, sticking out every which way. It made him look a little like a mad scientist.

Several of us were sitting on the edge of the stage, injecting more caffeine and sugar into our systems on our break.

"Tell me about it," I replied. "Of course, my Dad would consider it a walk in the park. He went to high school in L.A. after all, and learned to drive there. Though, he says it wasn't nearly as bad back then in the sixties as it is today." I then proceeded to take another swig of Mountain Dew in a vain hope of not feeling quite so bloody tired.

"That explains it!" exclaimed Props Guru, looking up from where he was carving foam a little further down the stage.

"That explains what?" I asked, looking at my other coworkers and seeing they were just as confused as I was.

"You. I've been trying to figure you out for over a year. You grew up in Kansas, went to a Baptist school, and yet your whole outlook is incredibly liberal. I just knew there had to be something," Props Guru explained, long fingers flying about and emphasizing his words.

At the description of me as incredibly liberal. Audio Mentor had to suppress a laugh. I could tell. Honey, his eyes seemed to say. you are a moderate. Don't ever let them try to tell you otherwise.

Before I could say anything, however, Props Guru leaned forward, asking eagerly, "Your dad was a Californian hippie, wasn't he?"

For a brief moment, I considered setting him straight. As far as I knew my father was never an actual hippie, and he'd hated living in California. Dad couldn't wait to get back to Kansas.

But Props Guru looked so utterly pleased with himself.

With a bemused expression, I replied, "More of a biker, but yeah. I guess you could say that."

Sorry, Dad, I thought to myself. I don't have the time, patience, or heart to explain it's all Star Trek's fault.

Hard sacrifices

2011-02-17T14:26:00.000-06:00

I grew up in a union house.

My mother, once upon a time, was a union steward at Ma Bell (yes, back before they broke up into the Baby Bells we all know today). My father has been a proud member of the IAM union for well over 30 years, and even though he's now retired, he still pays his dues to the union.

Papa went on strike five times during his time at "the flying-B ranch," if I remember correctly. As a child, I didn't really understand the significance of it. It just meant that every four years my Daddy would vote on a contract, and sometimes that contract was bad and my father would be home a lot more than usual.

As I grew older, going on strike in my head meant financial worries and stress for my parents--would we be able to pay our bills, have food, etc. The food, of course, was supplemented by the union. Cereal, beans, rice, peanut butter, flour, sugar, canned corn, canned green beans--anything that had a shelf life and was cheap. But the rest of it... I knew families that lost houses, or cars, or got way behind on bills because they were on strike.

My parents lost their first house due to a strike. It's why I grew up in my home town.

But, for all of that, I never remember either of my parents expressing regret for "going on strike." They also instilled in me the idea that it was The Right Thing To Do when necessary.

I remember how angry my parents would get when the local media would try to present the strike as an argument over wages. My father told me more than once that it wasn't about wage increases, but what was happening with the benefits. In the sixties, seventies, and eighties, the company (in exchange for not raising wages at the time) agreed to pay for their employees' insurance, to provide pensions, and to ensure that a worker could not be arbitrarily laid off because they were making too much money in comparison to younger workers. Later on, as health costs started rising and pensions became rarer and rarer in industry at large, they would try to take those away from the workers. And the union, because they could negotiate their contract for the group as a whole, could go on strike and force the company to honor previous agreements and ideas.

Because these people were willing to put their homes and families' well being on the line, they would walk away with a better contract than what they started off with (or, at least, one that wasn't worse than the previous). And because the big manufacturers in the city would provide benefits or increase wages for their workers, the smaller industries in the are would follow suit to a certain extent, and everyone benefited.

Too often, people who go on strike are presented in the media as these lazy, greedy people who are trying to screw businesses out of profits. In reality, these are often people who work in dirty, dangerous, and/or tedious jobs, and oftentimes would work more than 40 hours a week at it. And they'd put everything on the line to help their fellow workers out.

I started thinking about all of this, because I've been keeping an eye on the situation in Wisconsin, where the governor there is trying to push a bill through the legislature to remove the right for public employees to do collective bargaining, a.k.a. have unions. I've also been reading about the thousands of protesters who've been storming the capitol, even to the extent where the governor has been forced to do government business at a nearby corporation because he could not get into the capitol building.

I confess, I did a bit of cheering in my living room this afternoon when I read about various members of the state senate who have gone out of state to prevent there being a quorum so that the legislation does not pass.

Basically, I wanted to let my little part of the world know that I support the workers in Wisconsin. Because I do understand what it's about, and I'm proud of them for making hard choices.

After all, I grew up in a union house.

Brain not working today

2011-02-16T12:58:00.000-06:00

Tried off and on all day yesterday to post. Tried off and on all day today to post.

It just isn't happening.

Part of it is I feel like lately all I've been doing is dropping links on ya'll, and I'm sure that gets boring after awhile. Part of it is that I'm really wanting to get back to posting some recipes, but until we get our tax return and can build a new computer, I flat don't have the processing power to edit the photos.

And trust me, you want me to edit the photos.

Part of it is that I also keep wanting to type up something similar to these posts here, but apparently nothing interesting enough is popping into my head, despite seeing friends all weekend, going up to the city, celebrating Valentine's Day, etc.

So, basically, this is a "I'm not dead yet!" post. Maybe the brain will start cooperating with me again soon.

Maybe.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:59:00.000-06:00

I'm off to continue preparations for my dinner date tonight with my husband. It may or may not involve pasta, salmon, and cheesecake. You'll find out tomorrow.

In the meanwhile, enjoy these fun Valentine's "Facts."

Context

2011-02-11T10:48:00.000-06:00

For about a decade of my life, I worked in theatre in one capacity or another. Over the course of that decade, I had a 20 foot A-frame ladder dropped on me (three times), I fell off the stage (more times), I fell in holes on the stage (twice), fell down a flight of stairs (once), and fell off a truss (once). Those are just the major injuries--doesn't include burns, cuts, sprained ankles, etc.

I tell you this not to make you feel sorry for me, or to comment on my klutziness, or even to brag in some perverse way. I'm telling you this to make my next few statements make more sense.

(It's not whining, it's context.)

The past two days saw snowfall (on Wednesday) and sub-zero temperatures (on Thursday). This meant that every part of my body that was damaged over the time I spent in theatre flared up with pain and refused to let me get anything done.

Yes, even blogging.

And, unfortunately, I won't be getting much blogging in today, as it's finally warm enough that I can move around the house and accomplish things. This is good because the poor house has been neglected (Sammy has been amazing about trying to get the essentials done, but he is working from home as well), and as such most of today will go to whipping it back into shape.

This evening, Rapier Wit and Literary Cat will be coming into town for the weekend, and we're hoping to spend a good deal of time with them. At the very least, tonight will be D&D and tomorrow will be Zios (mmmmmm... good stuff) and general hanging out.

All this to say, if you don't hear from me until next Monday, I promise I'm not dead, just out enjoying the world. That's not to say it's an impossibility I'll post stuff between now and then, but the chances are significantly reduced.

For that, here's a picture of a cat:

This is Nala when we were living in Dallas. Picture courtesy of Sherri.

Sorry about the lack of posting today

2011-02-09T19:45:00.000-06:00

I've been feeling a bit sluggish (in the Ron-Weasley-and-his-broken-wand sense of the word) and under the weather (in the oh-my-God-the-sky-is-falling sense of the word), and so haven't done the updates I'd planned for today.

However, I do have a couple of Star Wars things to share with you before disappearing for the night.

Firstly, check out this awesome poster retelling A New Hope in icon format.

Secondly, take a look at John Scalzi's article about what characters improve, flat line, and decline over the course of the trilogies.

And with that, I bid you a fond adieu.

A little pick-me-up

2011-02-09T10:10:00.000-06:00

It's cold and all of my joints are letting me know it (not to mention my three cats and the snow falling outside).

But I came across this this morning, and it immediately brightened my day. It's from Not the Messiah, which is the oratorio version of Life of Brian.

Enjoy!

Too cute for color TV

2011-02-08T15:37:00.000-06:00

I promise I do other things than look at lolcats, but when I have them delivered each day to my Google Reader... well, I get cute things like this video to share:

Alright, so Sam came home early this afternoon to get out ahead of the storm, and will be making up for it later this evening. But, before the state turns into Snow-klahoma (what a horrible, horrible name), we're going to go walking. If I don't catch ya'll later this evening, I'll see you tomorrow.

Stay warm!

Really, guys? REALLY?

2011-02-08T14:09:00.002-06:00

Apparently there's another huge snowstorm that's supposed to hit tonight.

This doesn't overly surprise me, as I'd been hearing this since the last snow storm finished, but I was still rather hoping it wouldn't happen.

(A girl can dream, yes?)

Now, with all the snow that's been going on the past couple of months, I've heard all types of punny names for it--snowpocalypse, snowmaggedon, etc. Today, however, I saw one that make me want to cry.

Snow-klahoma? Really?!

The possibilities are endless

2011-02-08T13:01:00.001-06:00

What with the death of Frank, coming across this story on Boing Boing was particularly poignant for me.

See, Frank? There are still possibilities for you...

Which is it?

2011-02-08T11:40:00.000-06:00

Once again, thanks to Reddit for showing me this (which I in turn get to share with all of you!).

You can find where it was originally posted on Olly Moss here.

Good morning/afternoon, my dear friends. Hold on to your hats, more snow is coming!

A happy lullaby

2011-02-07T16:14:00.000-06:00

to leave ya'll with for the evening, since Sam's coming home early and should be here before too much longer.

(You can blame this picture for why this song has been stuck in my head.)

If I wasn't having roast for dinner tonight

2011-02-07T15:31:00.000-06:00

I would totally want to make this recipe that Pioneer Woman just posted on her cooking website.

It looks easy peasy, and I actually have four cheeses in my refrigerator right now.

(When Sam and I were at Wal-mart contemplating an emergency replacement for Frank, we saw how the store was quickly being bought out of groceries. [Sherri got the last package of bacon!] We did an impromptu grocery session, which Sherri was kind enough to suffer through after having finished her own grocery shopping, and in the process bought 3 cheeses to add to the one(s) we already had at home.

It was crazy.)

However, I already have a roast in the oven and bread rising.

But I think I might grill up some salmon and make this with it later in the week.

Or maybe for Valentines.

Hmmmmmmm.

*ahem*

Anyway, this is also an excellent opportunity to direct your attention to the link over on the right side of the page for Tasty Kitchen. No, further down, below the labels.

Too far! That's my Flickr photostream.

There you go.

That leads you to my profile on Tasty Kitchen, which has printable versions of the recipes I've posted so far.

Please, go give Tasty Kitchen some love--it's a great website, and has lots of excellent, tasty recipes.

That is all.

To all things there is a season

2011-02-07T14:45:00.000-06:00

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

Grey-green eyes met mine, a hint of panic in them.

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

My hands clenched around the cup of coffee I held, mouth tightening into a thin line. This was not how I expected my Saturday morning to go.

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

It's dead, Jim.

Okay, I didn't really say that, but those were the words that flashed through my brain as that awful sound continued.

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

Finally, Sam couldn't take it any more and turned Frank, his beloved computer built from scratch, off.

The silence was almost worse than the beeping.

"Let me go see what I can find out," Sam said, grim lines appearing at the corner of his eyes.

As he went into the other room to do some research, I closed my eyes, breathing in the soothing steam off my coffee.

It's going to be okay, I told myself. We've fixed Frank before, we can fix him again.

I don't know how long I sat that way before Sam finally returned.

"Well, from what I can tell, that particular sequence of beeps means the video is out. Whether that means the card or the motherboard...." Sam shrugged with one shoulder. "Let's hope it's the video card, because if the motherboard is out, well, if we have to replace the motherboard, we'll have to replace everything. Frank is too old..." Sam trailed off.

Taking a deep breath, he continued on, "...Frank's components are just old enough that they're incompatible with the newer motherboards."

Please, please let it be the video card.

* * * * *

"Just think, honey! You're going to have twice as much video memory. Photoshop'll work like a dream," Sam enthused as he set about switching out the video cards.

"That'll be nice," I agreed, not quite as enthusiastic. I had what felt like a band of Mexican jumping beans doing the Macarena in my stomach.

Sam chattered on as he switched out the cards, occasionally tapping out some upbeat rhythm on the table with his screwdriver.

I kept myself busy taking care of morning chores that'd been neglected in our mad dash to the city to fix Frank.

Finally, the moment of truth arrived.

Sam flipped the switch.

I held my breath.

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

What followed was a string of colorful metaphors, the like of which I care not to repeat in this setting.

Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.

Sam quickly turned Frank back off.

With a sigh he plopped down on the couch, head in his hands. I walked over and began absentmindedly rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's okay, darling. We can rebuild him. Faster. Better. You'll see," I said.

It's going to be a long couple of months.

Coffee is my friend...

2011-02-07T13:55:00.000-06:00

I swear there have been mornings where my cats are doing this:

Courtesy of icanhascheezeburger.com

This morning may or may not have been one of them.

I know it is no where near morning--in fact, it's nearly 2 in the afternoon. I also know I haven't posted since Friday.

There is an explanation for this, which I will share later this afternoon/maybe tomorrow. It is a sad tale full of misery and woe.

(So you can mentally prepare yourself, you know.)

But, I have a roast in the oven and bread rising on the counter. The snow is melting(!), and Sam and I will finally get to go walking again tonight. So things are good.

And now that I have this awkward randomness out of my system, maybe I'll go back to posting things for ya'll.

Kitties and metronomes

2011-02-04T14:02:00.001-06:00

Sam, as many of you know, is a musician. More specifically, Sam has a masters in double bass performance.

My cats, over the past couple of years, have grown used to Sam practicing an instrument, whether that's a double bass, 6-string, violin, or piano. They have also, over the past couple of years, become familiar with the metronome.

Which is why, when I came across this, I about died laughing, because it could so totally have been Techie and Nala.

This is for all you people who like FPS...

2011-02-04T13:07:00.000-06:00

Everyone has something they're not good at. For some people it's writing, for others it's dancing, for a few it's social situations, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

For me, that something is First Person Shooters.

I grew up watching my Dad and brother play games like Castle Wolfenstein and Doom. Later I watched friends playing Halo and Quake. Eventually I married a man who also enjoys the occasional Half Life or Call of Duty.

I, however, am not built to play such games. I have accepted this.

And I do enjoy watching people play these games. But I always wonder, when watching them, just where in the blazes they store all of that equipment--multiple guns, ammo, rocket launchers, grenades, chain saws, crowbars...

And now, thanks to Reddit, I know:

Home again, home again...

2011-02-04T12:07:00.000-06:00

Grandma Nena is finally home after three weeks away.

This is a moment of great rejoicing throughout the land.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, she did not get home as quickly as she could have, but yesterday my parents made the arduous trip through the ice and snow to get her back home.

Three cheers for Mom and Dad!

I'm glad my Grandma Nena is well enough to be home, and praise God that He has taken care of her once again.

It's good to be reminded of the excellent things happening in your life, even if all you can see is a sheet of white every where you look.

And the people cried unto the Lord to save them...

2011-02-04T11:35:00.000-06:00

My magnolia trees are weeping.

They're wondering who they've wronged in life to be afflicted with such a horrible fate. Should they have allowed that squirrel to stay? Maybe they should have stopped dropping so many leaves in the neighbor's yard. Perhaps they simply grew up in the wrong lawn. Whatever they've done, they're crying out for forgiveness and for the warmth and light of the summer sun.

I'm afraid they're going to have a long wait.

I woke up this morning to snow falling at a goodly clip, and they're predicting we'll get another couple of inches of snow today, with the possibility of another big winter storm around Tuesday.

What's happening in your part of the world?