More ramblings

I got to work at the crack of dawn

No traffic

And no badge

So off to the coffee shop since I couldn't get into the building

The good thing about it being so "warm" is that I put on a lighter coat

The bad thing was my badge was in my parka

The sad thing is, after coffee and reading a few pages of my book when I got back to work there were still only three cars in the lot. Yep, I was in that early.

Ok, so, finally someone pulled in and I went in with her

Spent the day listening to my British co-worker present our training class

He sounds SO much better than I do even though we talk about the same stuff

Sigh..............

Started to pack my office for the move Friday

Then, I left

Holy crap, I didn't know what to do with myself

I was home by 4

I picked up yet more poop

Oh, yeah, REH, about the poop pick up

It gets so darn cold here that the poop freezes hard to the ground, dirt, or snow

And when it's 30 below out the last thing I will do at 5:30 in the morning is follow the dogs outside to pick up their poop as it graces the yard.

So, I have to wait till it warms up enough to pry it from the tundra.

Today, being at least 40 degrees allowed me to pick up a ton of it

A lot of snow had melted so more poop was exposed

In the last two days I picked up three grocery bags of it

Grant you a lot of snow goes into the bag too but still, lots of poop

If I wait too long and the snow melts and floods the yard the poop gets way to mushy to clean up so this just above freezing temp is ideal.

So there you have it. Poop duty in the frozen north

My life would be easier if I sucked it up and went out with the dogs each morning, but DAMN it's just too cold.

I made a flank steak for dinner

Covered in a peppercorn sauce

And made au'gratins

Fantastic dinner

And then spent the evening snuggling puppies and watching Enterprise

I'm working from home tomorrow

It's supposed to snow

And I don't want to be out in it

And since I'm going to be gone for almost three weeks straight I figure I can do this and not feel guilty

And my boss didn't care

But getting up before 5 is starting to wear on me

It's only 9 and I want to go to bed

And the cats are already begging for their 10 snack

I guess since they got dinner early the assume I owe them snack early as well

And they are probably right

That way I can go to bed early

And read till I fall asleep

Ahhh, an almost completely perfect day

Except for all the poop

That was just kinda gross

And stinky

Ramble

I had fun with Girl J on Saturday night

I managed to make 4 whole pages for our garden scrapbook

4 pages in 6 hours

I guess the stop at J Jill

And the shoe store

And the ice cream shop

And Maurice's

Probably helped keep us from making much progress

Then I went home and caught most of Torchwood

That show rocks

And then as much Graham Norton as I could watch till my eyes closed

It was after midnight

WAY past my bedtime

Sunday I got up and made eggie in a basket

Cleaned up a little

Dropped a key off at Momma G's

Went to our friends house

There was a party for our friends Will and Tia

It was their wedding we met at

They live in California

But came to town for winter carnival

It was fun

Then home

A little more cleaning

Some laundry

Simpsons

Hope Floats

Started to cry when she danced with her dad

I don't even really like this movie

But I think between PMS, the hubster being gone, and well, me, just being me

I'm all emotional like

I hate when I get like this

I should probably just get it over with by watching While you Were Sleeping

A good cry, some sleep, and then a busy week at work

He'll be home before I know it

Yawn

I don't think I would make it through a whole movie

I should probably just stick with a movie I don't really like

I would love to do the 3 day walk for cancer

Anyone want to join me?

Cash in the Attic

20 things for a Friday

1. I actually started cleaning out the attic

2. I threw several bags of stuff away

3. But not the first edition copy of Sex and the City

4. Turns out it's worth a few hundred bucks.

5. Pack rat finally paid off

6. The hubster is off to Germany today

7. I'm going to miss him

8. But there is a box of macaroni and cheese with my name on it

9. And total control of the remote

10. The couple who's wedding we met at will be in town for a week

11. I can't wait to see them

12. The hubster and I were having a morning snuggle

13. And Sophie kicked me in the head

14. You know that stupid email that you open up and it tells you to stare at the screen and then suddenly a spooky face appears and a loud screaming noise echos from your computer

15. Yep, just heard that scream come out of another cube somewhere in the room

16. I should probably go pry the person off the ceiling now.

17. Girl J and I are good for each other

18. We are helping one another to be stronger and braver

19. It's supposed to be warm this weekend

20. That just means I get to go out and pick up poop

21. I think I prefer the below zero temps - less work for me.

The latest and the short list

The hubster heads to Germany again on Friday. Sigh..................But, I have an evening with the Shoe Whore planned for Saturday which will help take away the lonelies. We are going to a scrap night at the local Archivers store. 5-11pm dinner included. It should be fun.

Of course we will be meeting slightly before that to hit up the shoe store.

I am just a couple of pages away from done in reading the third book in the Golden Compass series. And I have to say that overall I liked them.

My work schedule had me traveling for three weeks solid. I was ok with that but then I realized the other night that I wouldn't last that long without seeing my puppies (and the hubster of course). So I am coming home for a short weekend after week 2. I was sitting in the living room reading with Lily sound asleep in my lap and I knew that I had to come home at some point.

What also worked nicely was that the In-laws offered us symphony tickets for that very weekend I am home to visit. So, we won't be together for Valentines day, but we do get to go out on a date that Saturday. It's too crazy to try to go out for V Day anyway.

My travels will take me to S. Cal and Austin TX again. I get to go to New Jersey toward the end of March. Which will be great since I have a good friend there.

And going to S. Cal allows me to visit my family while I am there.

Well, that's about all for now. I have to say I'm sorry to you all for how long my question/answer post ended up being. Dang. So, here it is in short, "non-fiction" form.

Kell:
"If you could go back in time, what time period would you go to and who would you want to meet there?"

I would go back to the Renaissance period and I would want to meet Michelangelo - and if I lucked out his sometimes friend and sometimes rival Leonardo would be with him. And I'm not talking about that pathetic boat boy, I'm talking about the real Leonardo!

"If there, heaven forbid, was some disaster and you could only grab 2 pairs of shoes, which 2 would grab?"

if I had to just pick two, I would pick my black pumps with the flowers painted on them and I would probably pick the black and pink Mudd sandals that I live in in summer. That way I cover the comfort and the stunning good looks.

"What was your favorite date with your hubby?"

That would have to be our first official date. He flew out to see me about 2 weeks after the wedding From the airport we went to San Francisco. We ate at my favorite place, Calzones, and then had coffee and dessert at the Italian coffee house across the street. We danced in the street with the street musicians, and then headed back to the bed and breakfast inn he had surprised me with earlier. Not only was it perfect in every sense of the word as far as dates go, but also, this huge spark had ignited between us the first time we met. And a couple weeks later for our second meeting it was amazing to know that the spark was still red hot and real

Jay:

"What is the best book you've ever read?"

That would have to be In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke. That was the book that started my romance with the author and his amazing characters and writing.

But, I have very fond memories of A Separate Peace because it was the first time I learned that books could move your soul. And that was an amazing moment and probably when I fell completely and totally in love with reading.

"What is the best movie you've ever seen"

That would have to be Star Wars

Karen:

"How did you meet your husband?"

Well, we met at a wedding in Vegas. My roommate had been invited to the wedding and we decided to make it a major girl road trip. Hubster was the best man in the wedding so he had flown out from Minnesota. After the wedding ceremony we spent the night exploring the town, a whole group of us spent well into the wee hours of the morning talking, laughing, drinking, and smoking cigars. Funny thing was, I married the best man, and my friend married the brother of the groom. It was a good wedding.

"Are you planning another tattoo? Of what and where?"

Well, I was just telling hubster that I think I am done getting inked, but he told me that you can never have too much ink. And, he's probably right. But for now I have no inspirations or ideas so I have to say that I am done. But, if I had to get one tomorrow, I would have a daisy put along my bikini line

Christy:

"Did you ever have a vivid dream that when you woke up you thought it really happened? What was it?"

Well, I once had a dream that when I woke up I truly and deeply wished it were real. It was very strange, the world had actually blown up, but I was with a group of children as well as a young man my same age. For whatever reason we were safe in a furniture store. When the world had finished exploding all of us climbed on the roof of the store and looked out at the most brilliant sunrise I have ever seen. And the wind was softly blowing our hair, the young guy took my hand and we stood there, with the children, and we knew that everything was going to be all right.
ok, now, I know that seems very strange, and you are probably wondering why I wished it were true, but while I was dreaming, it was the most peaceful, beautiful feeling. I cant really describe it. But I was almost crying when I woke up to discover it wasn't real

"And what do you mean they drive on the shoulder?"

Well, they don't have right hand turn lanes, so you use the shoulder when you need to turn onto a road on the right. But apparently in Austin that translates to a third lane for the entire trip. And not only that, but we watched several cars use the dirt as another lane. So, you have people driving in the two normal lanes, the shoulder, and in the dirt.

Joel:

"How many Countries you've visited and which do you like the best? "

I have not traveled to many countries. But I have been to Canada, Mexico, and Germany. All of which I loved but for completely different reasons. I hope to add Belgium and even maybe Italy to my list before the end of the year. My great dream is to see Florence. And the hubster and I plan to spend our tenth anniversary in New Zealand.

Mike:

"If you had to pick one author or actor to accompany you on a cross country road trip, who would it be?"

I guess if I could travel cross country with anyone it would have to be Nigella Lawson. She's funny, she loves to eat, and she's just girly girl enough to be a blast but not high maintenance. So I know that we would have a great time, she would stop and eat at all kinds of quirky places with me, and I know she would be game for finding the best truck stop pie in the country.

"What is your all-time favorite food?"

Hamburger, shake and fries.

"is there any song or movie that you secretly love, but would be embarrassed for us to find out? What is it?"

I would do anything for love by Meatloaf.

REH:

"Blond, Brunette or Redhead?"

Tall DARK and handsome

"What is the best thing about where you live?"

The quality of life

"What is the worst thing about where you live?"

The fact that it was 30 below this week with wind chills toward -45

"Will you be my blogger princess?"

Yes, of course I'll be your blogger princess

Tory:

"What person, living or dead, would you most like to have a conversation with?"

God because it would either be the most interesting conversation in the history of conversations or dead silence.

"What would you consider to be your 'life motto'? or words to live by."

"42"

Ok, ok, how about this: Always give your significant other a kiss and say I love you before either of you have to leave. Even if all they are going to do is go out and mow the lawn.

"Hubster - boxers or briefs??"

Briefs, but he drives me crazy when he wears boxer briefs.

"Happiest moment?"

My wedding day.

"Saddest moment?"

When my Aunt called to tell me my Uncle had a heart attack. It was the first time in my life I was faced with the idea that my family wasn't immortal."(my uncle was ok, but it was a definitive moment in my life and I was forced to deal for the first time with the idea that some day, those I love most in this world will die.)

"Shoes or Hubster, you can only pick one! (I know, I'm mean today!!)"

The hubster

Mike (comes back with one more)

"What do you think is the most abject form of human suffering?"

religious and political fanaticism.

J:

"Do you obey the law because its the right thing to do, or for fear of being caught?"

Well, I guess, for the most part, I obey the laws because its the right thing to do. And that's the truth, honest. Can you imagine if everyone thought they had the right of way? Cars would never move again.

Nettie:

"Well, then, tell us, did you ever get any?"

well, as a matter of fact, this very morning.

"Who's your bestest friend in the whole wide world?"

The hubster. But as for girlfriends, that would be BFFM.

"Will you take the spawn from 2/26 - 3/1?"

I can't, I'm going to be in Austin. I'm sorry

Tink:

"What kind of underwear are you wearing right this very moment?"

Thong

"What's your strangest habit?"

I chew on my lip a lot. And I can't go to sleep unless the closet door is closed, you know, closet monsters.

"If you could jump into a hobby and be perfect at it right away, what hobby would you choose?"

I would play the Oboe.

WWC and The Answers from the Realm of Newt

Triangle

Envy

I know you envy me for my cute sheep slippers

And this is at the Cupcake coffee shop. Any ideas why they would put the leg of a doll on the counter?

There once was an internet princess named Newt. She lived in the kingdom of Camelog with many wonderful people. One day there was a terrible storm, it was so cold and windy that the people all gathered together in the great hall. The good King Jay saw to it that a great fire was built in the hearth. And all the lords and ladies gathered round to share stories and mead.

After many pints of mead and many stories the great Jester REH challenged everyone in the kingdom to ask him questions that he would answer truthfully and honestly. And if he dared to not answer the good King Jay made sure that the armory doors were open to all. Oh, that night our darling Jester REH answered them all.

And then, in her tipsy slovenly, yet cute way the princess Newt scrambled up on the table and said,

"My Turn, My Turn ask me, only, you can't use the pointy thingys to get me to answer you."

*hiccup*

"Instead, I'll let you take a pair of shoes away," she says as she sways dangerously on the table, "and you all know" *hiccup* "how important the shoeses are to me"

"So ask away"

And the first to shout out questions was the princess Kell:

"If you could go back in time, what time period would you go to and who would you want to meet there?"

"Well," says the still swaying Newt, "I would go back to the Renaissance period and I would want to meet Michelangelo - and if I lucked out his sometimes friend and sometimes rival Leonardo would be with him." *hiccup* "and I'm not talking about that pathetic boat boy, I'm talking about the real Leonardo!"

but the good princess is not done, she has more questions to toss out to the dangerously swaying Newt:

"If there, heaven forbid, was some disaster and you could only grab 2 pairs of shoes, which 2 would grab?"

The princess stares at Kell horrified,

"Just two? Just two? Oh my gosh, oh my goodness, my kingdom for more than two."

At this, the princess plops down on the table, much to everyone's relief

"Well, if I had to just pick two, I would pick my black pumps with the flowers painted on them and I would probably pick the black and pink Mudd sandals that I live in in summer. That way I cover the comfort and the stunning good looks."

Now that the princess is in a much safer sitting and swaying position the lady Kell feels safe to ask yet one more:

"What was your favorite date with your hubby?"

The princess blushes at this question. She turns redder than she was before. And she says,

"Oh, that would have to be our first official date. We went to the kingdom of San Francisco after my coach picked him up at the air balloon station. We ate at my favorite tavern, Calzones and then had coffee and dessert at the Italian coffee house across the street. We danced in the street with the street musicians, and then headed back to the bed and breakfast inn he had surprised me with earlier. Not only was it perfect in every sense of the word as far as dates go, but also, this huge spark had ignited between us the first time we met. And a couple weeks later for our second meeting it was amazing to know that the spark was still red hot and real."

The lovely princess Kell seems content and a little too buzzed to ask another question so the good King Jay bellows out his questions:

"What is the best book you've ever read?"

The good princess smiles and says: "That would have to be In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke. That was the book that started my romance with the author and his amazing characters and writing."

"But" the princess says as she takes another swig of Mead, "But, I have very fond memories of A Separate Peace because it was the first time I learned that books could move your soul. And that was an amazing moment and probably when I fell completely and totally in love with reading."

The good King seem satisfied with the answer and just as the princess takes another sip of mead he bellows out his next question:

"What is the best movie you've ever seen"

The princess looks perplexed, but then the good Jester REH whispers in her ear "He means moving pictures"

"Oh," the princess giggles "That would have to be Star Wars."



The king sits back quiet and content, his queen upon his knee, and beckons to his loyal advisor and barrister Karen

She oh so elegantly puts down her tankard of mead and asks the princess:

"How did you meet your husband?"

Princess Newt blushes deeply, giggles, sways, and says:

"Well, we met at a wedding in the Kingdom of Vegas. For you see, I had traveled with my Lady in Waiting from my homeland of California. And he, my darling prince, along with his freind and armorer Boy J had ridden from the frozen land known as Minnesota. After the wedding ceremony we spent the night exploring the villages around Vegas. He was kind to me, his eyes were twinkling in the moon light, and I knew that some day he would be my prince truly."

The beautiful barrister is not quite finished, one more question while she waits for her tankard of mead to be filled:

"Are you planning another tattoo? Of what and where?"

The princess leans closely toward the barrister, she looks around conspiratorially, and then whispers (rather loudly mind you, she is drunk)

"Well, I was just telling my darling prince that I think I am done getting inked, but he told me that you can never have too much ink. And, he's probably right. But for now I have no inspirations or ideas so I have to say that I am done."

Newt giggles some more and leans closer to the barrister

"But, if I had to get one tomorrow, I would have a daisy put along my bikini line."

Newt then giggles uncontrollably almost rolling off the table.

As Princess Newt is giggling, the lovely tavern owner Christy brings the barrister her mead and asks the princess:

"Did you ever have a vivid dream that when you woke up you thought it really happened? What was it?"

"Oh my gosh," says the princess, "I once had a dream that when I woke up I truly and deeply wished it were real."

And the Princess straightens her gown and sits up a little straighter and continues:

"It was very strange, the world had actually blown up, but I was with a group of children as well as a young man my same age. For whatever reason we were safe in a furniture store. When the world had finished exploding all of us climbed on the roof of the store and looked out at the most brilliant sunrise I have ever seen. And the wind was softly blowing our hair, the young guy took my hand and we stood there, with the children, and we knew that everything was going to be all right."

(author note, ok, now, I know that seems very strange, and you are probably wondering why I wished it were true, but while I was dreaming, it was the most peaceful, beautiful feeling. I cant really describe it. But I was almost crying when I woke up to discover it wasn't real)

The beautiful tavern owner slides the mead a little farther away from the princess and, though shaken, asks another question:

"And what do you mean they drive on the shoulder?"

The princess looks around for her mead, shrugs, and then says, "Well, it's the strangest thing, they don't have turn lanes, so you use the shoulder when you need to turn your carriage onto a road on the right. But apparently in the kingdom of Austin that translates to a third lane for the entire trip. And not only that, but we watched several carriages then use the dirt as another lane. So, you have people driving their coaches in the two normal lanes, the shoulder, and in the dirt, it is a very very strange kingdom, you would think they would fear getting the carriage stuck in the ruts or worse, get a cactus thorn in their horses hoof"

Seemingly satisfied the beautiful tavern keeper Christy heads off to pour some more mead. The Princess Newt finally spots her tankard hidden behind the oil lamp and takes a deep drink.

The next question comes from the King of the Dessert, King Joel. He asks the princess:

"Well, How many Countries you've visited and which do you like the best? "

The princess blushes, "Well, my good King, I have not traveled to many distant lands. But I have been to the lands called Canada, Mexico, and Germany. All of which I loved but for completely different reasons. I hope to add Belgium and even maybe Italy to my list before the end of the year. My great dream is to see the kingdom of Florence in the land of Italy. And the prince and I plan to spend our tenth anniversary in the land called New Zealand."

The Good King Joel bows regally and thanks the lady for her answer.

The next question is shouted by Mike from the kitchen, he is the Princesses good friend and cohort, as well as maker of many luscious meals:

"If you had to pick one author or actor to accompany you on a cross country road trip, who would it be?"

The princess looks slightly stumped and stalls by slugging back the rest of the mead then looking around for a fresh and full pint.

She staggers from place to place till she suddenly spys an unguarded tankard of mead, snatches it up and then goes back to her spot on the table.

"Well, cooky, I guess if I could travel cross country with anyone it would have to be Nigella Lawson. She's funny, she loves to eat, and she's just girly girl enough to be a blast but not high maintenance. So I know that we would have a great time, she would stop and eat at all kinds of quirky places with me, and I know she would be game for finding the best truck stop pie in the country."

But of course Mike isn't done, he has another question to shout from the kitchen and what else would the cook ask?

"What is your all-time favorite food?"

While contemplating answering "Mead silly", the princess looks up and finally says: "Well, I guess that would have to be Hamburger, shake and fries."

Newt thought that would make Mike go back to the kitchen in horror and disappointment but he still had one more question:

"is there any song or movie that you secretly love, but would be embarrassed for us to find out? What is it?"

Newt looks around, takes a deep drink, and says: "I would do anything for love by Meatloaf." and then the princess looks at everyone, their eyes glassy, their smiles lopsided, and she hopes and prays that no one remembers that she just said that.

And then, because he is so good at distraction and making people forget the horrors of life, or in this case, confessions, the good Jester REH steps up on the table, does a flip in the air, lands on his hands, and starts to juggle empty tankards with his feet, all the time rattling off questions to the princess:

"Blond, Brunette or Redhead?"

Princess Newt, watching, head bobbing to the rhythm of his feet answers quickly:

"Tall DARK and handsome"

"What is the best thing about where you live?"

"The quality of life"

"What is the worst thing about where you live?"

"The fact that it was 30 below this morning with wind chills toward -45"

"Will you be my blogger princess?"

At this the princess seems to snap out of the hypnotic movement of his juggling, she looks at the sweet Jester, and whispers "Yes, of course I'll be your blogger princess"

And the tankards go higher, and faster, and faster, and
higher........................

And several people start to play instruments, and music fills the air, and the ever beautiful and charming Lady Tory steps daintily up on a chair and says:

"What person, living or dead, would you most like to have a conversation with?"

The princess frowns and thinks deeply for a moment, and finally says: "God because it would either be the most interesting conversation in the history of conversations or dead silence."

And then, in her beautiful voice she asks:

"What would you consider to be your 'life motto'? or words to live by."

Two deep swigs of Mead and a few moments of thought lead the princess to say this: "42"

and after she can hear crickets because even the musicians are so confused they stopped playing, she says:

"Ok, ok, how about this: Always give your significant other a kiss and say I love you before either of you have to leave. Even if all they are going to do is go out and mow the lawn."

With that answer the crowd seems happy again, the music starts back up, and the lady Tory continues her questions.

"Hubster - boxers or briefs??"

Princess Newt blushes deeper than ever and says, quietly "Briefs, but he drives me crazy when he wears boxer briefs."

and the lady asks another question:

"Happiest moment?"

Newt takes a deep breath and says, with a big smile on her face: "My wedding day."

and the lady still has more:

"Saddest moment?"

Newt drinks a little more mead, slumps a little, and says:

"When my Aunt called to tell me my Uncle had a heart attack. It was the first time in my life I was faced with the idea that my family wasn't immortal."

(author note: my uncle was ok, but it was a definitive moment in my life and I was forced to deal for the first time with the idea that some day, those I love most in this world will die.)

Though the crowd has become more somber, the Lady Tory, as she is so well known to do, brings the mood back up with another question:

"Shoes or Hubster, you can only pick one! (I know, I'm mean today!!)"

Princess Newt looks down at her beautiful red plaid peek-a-boo shoes that she loves so much, and then over at her charming Prince Hubster who is arguing with the village idiot and then looks back at her beautiful shoes, and then at the prince again, as he swears up a storm over the value of currency, and then back at her shoes, and then back at the prince as he continues to argue with the doorpost now that the village idiot has run away, and she contemplates.

And she looks up at the good Lady Tory and finally answers:

"The hubster"

And then Princess Newt takes a long deep drink.........................

And then, the great chef Mike comes out with a huge platter of pork roast with new potatoes and freshly picked vegetables, and just, to set the mood, he asks one more question of the princess:

"What do you think is the most abject form of human suffering?"

The princess looks at him a little blurry eyed, and thinks for a moment. And then thinks for a few minutes more,

"Hmmm," she says "I would have to say religious and political fanatasism."

And with that she picks off some of the tasty dark spots on the roast and happily chews on the succulent meat.

And then, from a quiet corner steps the armorer, Boy J and he asks the princess:

"Do you obey the law because its the right thing to do, or for fear of being caught?"

The princess, somewhat occupied by some hair that has fallen in her face, blows at her bangs, and then looks at Boy J and says,

"Well, I guess, for the most part, I obey the laws because its the right thing to do. And that's the truth, honest. Can you imagine if everyone thought they had the right of way? Carriages would never move again."

Boy J seems satisfied, he grabs another pint and heads back to his warm, quiet corner.

And then, suddenly, the door opens, and along with cold wind and snow come two women, both dressed in fantastic winter dress. Both, with boots made of a fake fur so soft you want to do nothing but pet them all day. The women are sleek, sexy, and full of confidence.

Princess Newt smiles, stands, and says,

"Welcome, my friends, please come, join us. Has the cold weather shut down even your fair establishment?"

"Well," the lovely shoe whore says, "It was a bit quiet and we heard that there was fun to be had up at the castle, not to mention free mead."

And the great jester REH speaks, "Ladies, we were just asking the princess questions, questions about anything, go ahead, ask her."

The shoe whore gets a wicked smile on her face.

"Well, then, tell us, did you ever get any?"

And the princess blushes, and says, "well, as a matter of fact, this very morning."

The shoe whore smiles and then asks:

"Who's your bestest friend in the whole wide world?"

And the princess says, without hesitation: "The hubster. " "But as for girlfriends, that would be BFFM."

And then Newt winks at the shoe whore.

But the shoe whore has one more as she pulls from under her cape a tiny black creature.

"Will you take the spawn from 2/26 - 3/1?"

The princess starts to pout, "I can't, I'm going to be in the kingdom of Austin. I'm sorry"

And then, steps forward the beautiful and feisty Tink. She looks around the room and gets a devilish grin on her face,

"What kind of underwear are you wearing right this very moment?"

The princess, now quite drunk says, "I don't know, why don't you check and see"

And with that she flips up her skirts to reveal a sexy black thong from VS.

And several of the revelers run screaming from the room with the words "My Eyes! MY Eyes!" echoing in their wake.

Princess Newt shrugs, straightens her skirts and looks at Tink.

"What's your strangest habit?"

Newt has to ponder for a while on this one. And after several sips of mead finally answers:

"Well, I chew on my lip a lot. And I can't go to sleep unless the closet door is closed, you know, closet monsters."

Tink doesn't seem very impressed so she asks one more question:

"If you could jump into a hobby and be perfect at it right away, what hobby would you choose?"

"Oh, that's easy, I would play the Oboe."

And with that final answer the room grows quiet.

"Well," Newt says, "who wants to be next?"

Stealing from the Madman

Alright, I'm gonna steal from the Madman. Mainly because I'm sorta out of stuff to write about.

SO, Ask away folks. I can't promise answers as creatively visual as Madman's, but, I do promise to answer them all. Go ahead. Whatever you want to ask. I'll answer truthfully and honestly.

I'll answer all questions posed in the comments for this post between now and Monday night. Tuesday I'll post the answers and WWC.

K?

**************

On another note, Dad read "The Book Thief" and he agrees that this belongs on the top 5 best books ever read by us!

He LOVED it.

**************

Quick summary of Austin:

It was warm.

EddieV's has fantastic steak. Orgasmic actually - maybe the best steak I have ever had.
North by Northwest was - eh...........
Iron Cactus was amazing
Chuy's - absolutely wonderful Tex Mex

The people are wonderful

But what's the deal with driving on the shoulder?

********

Ask away kiddies.............................

Newt thoughts

The hubster was tasked with sending my mom's b-day present out since I am in Austin. But I forgot to leave him the address. So, I gave dad a call. Only he wasn't in. So I decided to google him. (My address book is in my desk at work)



I forgot I have a Grandfather I have never met. He divorced my Grandma when my dad was very young and has never been a part of my father's life since.



But it was weird staring at a name, address, and phone number of a total stranger that I share blood with.



And to see some of the things he is involved in. He is a Mason. And very active in the organization so his name appeared all over the place.



As I was looking through the names on the list I knew that the asterisks next to a name meant they were deceased. I realized I held my breath till I found his name.



I guess I am kinda curious. Who is he, why did he remove himself from my dad's life?

I also forgot that my dad owns a patent. The application and issuance was one of the hits.



And I saw my name on page two. Tied to my high school records.



It was so weird..........................

WWC

Soft

Square

Austin (a lil blurry)

Austin - I'm in love

Ok, so the Newt, sometimes, isn't so smart. I'll actually admit to you all what came out of my mouth last night.

The boss and I had just rented our car which is conveniently located right next to the baggage claim. We are at the first of 5 carousels.

Boss: Hmmm, now we just have to figure out which one our luggage is at.
Newt: Oh, must be 5, there's the tall guy in a cowboy hat.
Boss: Looking at me in a perplexed sort of way

wait for it
wait for it

***Lightbulb***

Newt: Oh, um, duh, we're in Texas aren't we.

As it turns out I did identify the same tall drink of water in a cowboy hat that was on our plane. But still, that's like picking out white trash at a pro-wrestling match.

Now, why am I in love with Austin? One word: WARM

We walked out to get our car, our shoulders did the Minnesota hunch. But as soon as the night air hit our bodies we both relaxed, looked at each other and grinned.

Oh baby that felt good.

Off to Austin

Hey kids,

I will be in Austin TX for the next week as I begin to see the fruition of my project at work. I put in 14 hour days but I think I am ready to roll with it. At this point there really isn't anything more I can do to be ready.

It's in the hands of Kinkos now. As well as all the good people back home still churning out data for me. I think I will show up at Kinkos with doughnuts and coffee. I'm sure they aren't really fond of me given that I just ordered about $10,000 worth of bound, tabbed, and labeled manuals, very few of which were duplicate jobs. But given that more of the data I need will be coming in last minute I'll need to ask a few favors regarding speed from them. As in, here's 8 more 700 page manuals none of which are the same. Can you have those ready by 7 am tomorrow? I know it's 6:30 pm now...................I know, I know, the copy machines do the majority of the work these days and they can print, what, a zillion pages a second. But still, they are the ones that ultimately are the hero's of the project. And I appreciate that.

This would be why I picked a 24 hour location.

Anywho, as I was scrambling last night to get the last of the files I could send over to the print shop ready I was getting messages from our data team letting me know that they were still making changes to functionality so the rest of the information I need really will be coming in last second.

Oh, the wonders of SAP implementation...................

Despite still being on the computer working at 10 at night I am having fun. The adrenaline is pumping. And I'm excited.

We don't actually "Go Live" till March 30th. My boss said something about all of the training team being in Calif. for it. And she mentioned the beach, a lot of drinks with umbrellas in them, and something about not remembering April fools day.

I like that kind of thinking......................

So, Homebloys, know any good places to eat in Austin? I have a few picked out but if you know of any in particular..............

We were sad to learn that at this time of year the bats are down in Mexico.

Dear fellow Homebloy's

The Newt was named "Project Manager" at work. What that really means is I get to work, worry, and agonize my ass off for the next few weeks. I love ya, I'm reading as fast and as often as I can. If I don't comment or post regularly, I swear I'm not going any where or snubbing anyone. I'm just currently buried up to my neck in getting ready for a big training blitz.

Thank god I get to take the project manager hat off in one month. Come February 8th everyone is welcome to stop by our place for a beer or 10.

I love my new job. This is a great feeling to have a project that I actually care about. That has a purpose. And that means something.

It's wonderful. And I'm excited.

I'm just also a little buried.

Love you all though!

WWC and the end of a great book

Strange

A strange and wonderful friendship

A strange and funny man

Black

A princess in black and white

*****

Last night I finished The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It was beautiful. It was heartbreaking. It was amazing. I can't say enough about this book. I don't think I will ever forget the characters I met, fell in love with, adored, and cried over. Ok, I admit it, I bawled. I sobbed.

I will only say that when you get to Part 10 - pg 495 in my version that you read this at home. In a quiet place. Don't finish at a coffee shop or work. Not a good idea.

A few lines - non spoilers from various parts of the book:

*****

"....because I don't have much interest in building mystery. Mystery bores me. It chores me. I know what happens and so do you. It's the machinations that wheel us there that aggravate, perplex, interest, and astound me."

*****

"And then.

There is death.

Making his way through all of it.

On the surface: unflappable, unwavering.

Below: unnerved, untied, and undone."

This book called to me when I was in B&N. I'm so incredibly glad I listened. This now goes down as one of my all time favorite books ever. It's in my top 10, and actually, I think it is in the top 5.

Confessions of a geek

I'm a geek. There is no way around it. And I'm ok with that. Geekdom, frankly, is a pretty good place to be. The people are nice, well, at least the "normal" ones are. There are a few geeks that go overboard and get kinda scary but we try to avoid those.

I love SciFi. In fact it's gotten to the point that I either watch Sci Fi or a show that stars two huge geeks, Mythbusters.

I read Sci Fi. Though I also read a wide variety of books my favorites are in the geek category.

Except James Lee Burke, and he's on a pedestal all by himself way up high in my world.

I relate to geeks, I'm comfortable with geeks, I get them and they get me.

I'm not just left of center, I'm left of reality.

I have a vivid imagination.

At night my dreams take me to some very odd places normally reserved for drug induced psychosis.

I got to thinking about my geekdom when it dawned on me that I really don't watch any television unless it involves outer space or the mythical.

And a happy Saturday was spent deep in the world of Neverwinter. Actually I finished off the game this evening so I went on to Amazon and ordered the other two expansion packs. I've grown very attached to my little monk. She kicks some serious ass. And the little kobold bard that hangs out with her, well, I wouldn't know what to do without him. Grant you he gets himself killed more often than not as soon as a bad guy looks at him sideways but he's funny and kinda cute in a "he's so ugly he's cute" sort of way.

I will not reveal all my geeky ways. I won't make you suffer through them. And a few are just my little secret. Those things about me you might never know.

But we all have to have our secrets right?

Any besides, it keeps me out of trouble. And really, that's all that matters.

So what are you? Jock? Geek? Nerd? Cheerleader? Druggy? Thespian?

WWC and It Called to Me

Dear DSL,

Your service is excellent, I have no complaints. You almost never go out. However, last night you did. And, well, see, it might get me in trouble. I had an assignment due and because of you I have to be late. And that might get me ten pokes with a spork. And that would kinda hurt. So, if you could not do that again I would appreciate it. Or, at a minimum please do not go out on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. K?

Thanks for your consideration

Newt

Brown

The Quick Brown Dog Slept like a Lazy Fox

Shades of sleeping kitty browns

Patterns of my Brown Wood

Pattern

Newt's pajama pattern is Pooh

The Deathcicles hanging from our home - they have reached a length of 3-4 feet.

********************

Seeing as I wanted to start out on the right foot with my resolutions I did go to Barnes & Noble on the 1st. I wandered around looking at the clearance books, the used books, and the new and noteworthy. I perused the new and noteworthy once, twice, and then a final third trip down the aisle, just to see what might catch my eye.

Scanning, scanning, pick one up - eh, sounds ok. Pick up another, nope, no interest. Scan, scan. Oh, wait, what is this, this one hidden on the bottom, deep in shadow.

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. Holding it in my hand it seemed to hum, just a little. There was an energy that I found attractive and alluring. The last time I felt a book hum was "The Thirteenth Tale" and before that, "Shantaram". That feeling that I have to drop everything I am doing in life and immerse myself in a book. That feeling that my life will never be the same by the time I close that back cover.

So I walked with my yet still humming book over to the coffee counter. Over the angelic music wafting from my arms I ordered a mocha, and a cookie (I said nothing about eating better in my resolutions). And then I curled up at the bar (it's not easy to do, but I managed) and cracked open the pages....................

The first chapter: "Death and Chocolate"

Well hell, how can you resist a book that starts like that.

and a few paragraphs later:

.........."The only sound I'll hear after that will be my own breathing, and the sound of the smell, of my footsteps.

The question is, what color will everything be at that moment when I come for you? What will the sky be saying?"

This story, it is narrated by death. And from page one the prose are lyrical and thought provoking and beautiful.

Death thinks he might like a vacation.

"Still, it's possible that you might be asking, why does he even need a vacation? What does he need distraction from?


Which brings me to my next point.
It's the leftover humans.
The survivors.

They're the ones I can't stand to look at, although on many occasions I still fail. I deliberately seek out the colors to keep my mind off them, but now and then, I witness the ones who are left behind, crumbling among the jigsaw puzzle of realization, despair, and surprise. They have punctured hearts. They have beaten lungs."

So far this book has stopped me several times dead in my reading tracks. I back up, I re-read, I contemplate.

I love, word after word after word. I love.

That New Year Smell

Ahhhh, 8 hours and 44 minutes into 2008 and it feels great! It still has that New Year smell to it. Breathe deep kiddies. It's gonna be a great year.

I contemplated what my resolutions would be for the year as I figure, it's worth at least a try to aspire to improve myself, set some goals. Be a better person when 2009 roles around.

So, let's see.......................

1. Do more crafts
2. Keep trying to finish those projects
3. Clean the house more
4. Read more
5. Drink coffee
6. Get lost in Barnes and Noble at least once a month
7. Buy more shoes
8. Clean out the attic

Ok, I'm gonna stop there. The pressure is already getting to me..............

There is a plus side to 2008. A very very very big plus side. This is the year that we get rid of Commander Coo-Coo Bananas. How can 2008 NOT be a good year? Seriously, think about it. After 8 dark and devastating years in which our country was spiraled down into quite a mess, we will all have a glimmer of hope, renewal, and change. Maybe, as 2009 dawns the world won't think so little of us anymore. We can renew friendships with nations that have had to turn their backs on our stupidity and random acts of terroristic war mongering and bullying. Hopefully the next president won't sanction and encourage torture. Hopefully we can begin to fix all the things that have gone horribly wrong.

The Oval Office sure needs that new office smell.

*********

Because I love a good controversy and Mythbusters is my favorite show I am exploring a current Urban Legend/Myth. I'm reading the Philip Pullman "His Dark Materials" series. I heard from a friend that The Golden Compass was the story of kids that set out to kill god. And, well, hell, I gotta look into that. I looked at Snopes. And they said it's sorta true but not really. Not in the literal sense of someone setting out to kill the Christian God but rather a false God. Though who that false god is I guess could be open to interpretation. I finished The Golden Compass and nothing in that story really even hints at that. But it's only the beginning of the full story. And the main character doesn't live in our world but a parallel one with some very different realities. Now, there is a powerful church organization in the story but there is not clear right or wrongness discussed.

I'm only at the very beginning of book 2. So I'll let you know how it all turns out.

So far I think they are a really good read. Much like reading Harry Potter I find myself falling into the books and really being there with the characters. I can vividly see everything that is going on. And that is my favorite kind of book. When I have to pull myself out of the pages and back into my own reality. Nothing is better.

The other idea I like is that in the main characters world everyone has a daemon. Which is an animal companion that you are connected with, they are part of your soul. Until puberty the animal can change into any form. Once you reach adulthood the animal takes on one permanent shape. And that shape reflects who you are as a person.

If we all had an animal companion that we could talk to, that kept us warm, made us feel safe, how much better might our world be? How less lonely would we all feel? The animal lover that I am thinks this is one of the coolest "wish it were real" ideas I have ever come across. And what form would our daemon take?

Well, Happy 2009 everyone. Let's make it a great blogger year!