I got this lucky shot tonight.
We walked to campus for some exercise, and decided to go to the capital too. Unfortunately I forgot my camera.
If you live in Austin, be sure you visit this city once in a while. Remember why you moved here (or have stayed here) in the first place. It's pretty amazing.
22 August 2006
21 August 2006
16 August 2006
No Joke
This is a true story. I finished my lunch today and opened one of my drawers to put my extra napkins away. I discovered that I had some bite size chocolate treats left from the Office Depot thingy about a month ago(that's another story altogether), so I decided to eat them before they got too old. These treats consisted of a)tiny bite-sized Snickers, b)tiny bite-sized 3 Musketeers, and c)small Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate.
I kid you not, after eating those I am in a much better mood. I'm not depressed about my job; I'm seriously thinking of applying for some classes (something I've been putting off for a while); I'm excited about the prospect of cooler weather in a few months (tell me I'm crazy now). Chocolate is amazing.
Now let's just hope I don't want to kill someone when I inevitably come down from my small chocolate high.
I kid you not, after eating those I am in a much better mood. I'm not depressed about my job; I'm seriously thinking of applying for some classes (something I've been putting off for a while); I'm excited about the prospect of cooler weather in a few months (tell me I'm crazy now). Chocolate is amazing.
Now let's just hope I don't want to kill someone when I inevitably come down from my small chocolate high.
15 August 2006
NYT
I have a rant. Here it is:
I found this New York Times article through Gawker in which the author (Stuart Elliott) writes about his surprising discoveries when he traveled outside of New York: On the Road, an Ad Landscape That Is Increasingly Familiar
Call me...whatever you want to call me, but I couldn't stand it. I'm tired of being stereotyped by the New York media. We don't all ride horses or farm in the rest of the country. Goodness! This was the email that I wrote to the editor:
"NYT,
I realize that it's a slim chance this email will be read, and I also realize that it won't matter to many at the New York Times what some random Texan thinks about your articles. I am only writing this to make myself feel a little better; like I've at least tried to right some kind of wrong today.
Stuart Elliott's article, "On the Road, an Ad Landscape That is Increasingly Familiar," has to be the funniest thing I've read today. Is it really true that people in New York don't realize that the rest of the country is living with the same things they are? Yes, we drink overpriced coffee; yes, we pay too much for gas; yes, we actually have the amazing internet--not just in our homes (egads!), but also in our hotels. Motels, even. Is it any surprise that a national chain such as Starbucks or Cingular would make their services available to those of us in the middle of the country? Doesn't "national chain" mean that it will be in places other than New York?
Wait, maybe I should just feel sorry for you guys. Visiting New York, we were hard pressed to find Lone Star or Shiner, two of the best reasons to live in Texas. You don't have HEB or Central Market, great grocery stores with low prices and high quality. You have to have Blue Bell ice cream shipped to you, when we can just walk to the nearest convenience store to find pure ecstasy in gallon form.
I find that we as Americans in general tend to be naive and think we're incredibly special, and some New Yorkers (some, mind you) tend to live in a bubble. While I love Austin, I realize that others might not be able to stand the heat (100 degrees is a norm, guys) or might not find Alamo Drafthouse (voted Best Theater in America by Entertainment Weekly) that exciting. And while in my previous paragraph I listed things you don't have in NY, I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see a presence of any of those items in your stores or streets. Maybe that's because I realize there's a world outside of my city limits."
Is that too....ranty? I don't know. I read over it a few times and edited a lot, and I don't really care if it's published. I just wanted to make sure I did something about the way I was feeling as a result of that article.
Whew!
Rant, cease.
I found this New York Times article through Gawker in which the author (Stuart Elliott) writes about his surprising discoveries when he traveled outside of New York: On the Road, an Ad Landscape That Is Increasingly Familiar
Call me...whatever you want to call me, but I couldn't stand it. I'm tired of being stereotyped by the New York media. We don't all ride horses or farm in the rest of the country. Goodness! This was the email that I wrote to the editor:
"NYT,
I realize that it's a slim chance this email will be read, and I also realize that it won't matter to many at the New York Times what some random Texan thinks about your articles. I am only writing this to make myself feel a little better; like I've at least tried to right some kind of wrong today.
Stuart Elliott's article, "On the Road, an Ad Landscape That is Increasingly Familiar," has to be the funniest thing I've read today. Is it really true that people in New York don't realize that the rest of the country is living with the same things they are? Yes, we drink overpriced coffee; yes, we pay too much for gas; yes, we actually have the amazing internet--not just in our homes (egads!), but also in our hotels. Motels, even. Is it any surprise that a national chain such as Starbucks or Cingular would make their services available to those of us in the middle of the country? Doesn't "national chain" mean that it will be in places other than New York?
Wait, maybe I should just feel sorry for you guys. Visiting New York, we were hard pressed to find Lone Star or Shiner, two of the best reasons to live in Texas. You don't have HEB or Central Market, great grocery stores with low prices and high quality. You have to have Blue Bell ice cream shipped to you, when we can just walk to the nearest convenience store to find pure ecstasy in gallon form.
I find that we as Americans in general tend to be naive and think we're incredibly special, and some New Yorkers (some, mind you) tend to live in a bubble. While I love Austin, I realize that others might not be able to stand the heat (100 degrees is a norm, guys) or might not find Alamo Drafthouse (voted Best Theater in America by Entertainment Weekly) that exciting. And while in my previous paragraph I listed things you don't have in NY, I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see a presence of any of those items in your stores or streets. Maybe that's because I realize there's a world outside of my city limits."
Is that too....ranty? I don't know. I read over it a few times and edited a lot, and I don't really care if it's published. I just wanted to make sure I did something about the way I was feeling as a result of that article.
Whew!
Rant, cease.
14 August 2006
Useless Information
My friend Marci has forced me to do this. Not against my will, mind you, but still...
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Convenience store (Citgo)
2. Blinn Junior College Theater student worker
3. Tour Guide, SHSU
4. Administrative Assistant, UT
Four Movies I would watch over and over.
1. The Princess Bride
2. Shakespeare in Love
3. Spaceballs
4. Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
Four Places I have lived
1. Burton, TX
2. Huntsville, TX
3. North Austin, TX
4. Central Austin, TX
Four TV shows I love to watch
1. House
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Project Runway
4. Right now, Sports Night
Four places I’ve been on vacation
1. Germany
2. Cozumel
3. California
4. London
Web sites I visit daily
1. Page 2
2. Dooce
3. Email sites
4. Myspace (hangs head in shame)
Four of my favorite foods
1. Chocolate anything
2. Lime & Black Pepper chips
3. Tuna sandwiches
4. Trudy's queso
Four places I’d rather be right now
1. Bed
2. Beach
3. London
4. Somewhere where I make more money
Four friends I think will respond
1. Casey?
2. Rebecca?
3. Random reader?
4. Stalker?
Have at it, kids!
Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Convenience store (Citgo)
2. Blinn Junior College Theater student worker
3. Tour Guide, SHSU
4. Administrative Assistant, UT
Four Movies I would watch over and over.
1. The Princess Bride
2. Shakespeare in Love
3. Spaceballs
4. Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
Four Places I have lived
1. Burton, TX
2. Huntsville, TX
3. North Austin, TX
4. Central Austin, TX
Four TV shows I love to watch
1. House
2. Gilmore Girls
3. Project Runway
4. Right now, Sports Night
Four places I’ve been on vacation
1. Germany
2. Cozumel
3. California
4. London
Web sites I visit daily
1. Page 2
2. Dooce
3. Email sites
4. Myspace (hangs head in shame)
Four of my favorite foods
1. Chocolate anything
2. Lime & Black Pepper chips
3. Tuna sandwiches
4. Trudy's queso
Four places I’d rather be right now
1. Bed
2. Beach
3. London
4. Somewhere where I make more money
Four friends I think will respond
1. Casey?
2. Rebecca?
3. Random reader?
4. Stalker?
Have at it, kids!
11 August 2006
Adorably sweet
If you are allergic to cuteness, I don't think we can be friends.
Or we can, but you'll have to watch videos like this with me when we hang out, so get used to it.
Sports Night
If you love (or even like) sports and/or TV, you owe it to yourself to watch this show. I saw it for a while when it was new on ABC, and then I religiously watched the reruns on Comedy Central at midnight. Now I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy the DVD.
If you're cynical as a means of existence (like the boyfriend can be sometimes), you might find the show a little cheesy at times. You might think the stories are a little trite, or predictable. But I still maintain that as long as predictable stories are well told and well acted, they'll always be worth your while. Always. Transamerica was pretty predictable, but it was still a good movie. (Coincidentally, same female star.)
Do yourself a favor and rent this show. Or add it to your Netflix queue. If you hate it, I'm sorry. If you love it, let's discuss.
09 August 2006
Hottest coolest time in Texas
I've had some kind of life lately. What's that all about? I'm supposed to not do anything productive in my day to day existence and then write about insightful thoughts I have. Oh well.
I went to Schlitterbahn recently and had a grand ole time doing so. My cousin pointed out during our visit that people our age were floating the river rather than coming into the park to ride rides. While I see the allure in that (no kids, no lines, no overpriced admission), I still really like the smell of sunscreen and the anticipation of going to a water park. I still enjoy the thrill of finally getting to sit in your tube after waiting 15-45 minutes and be shot around a water ride for 5 minutes (if that). I still want to ride the tram from park to park and remember the days when I didn't care what I looked like in a bathing suit. (Although according to my cousin the backs of my thighs looked better than some high school kid's in front of us. Ahh, how wonderful women are.)
I guess our next adventure will be floating the river, even though I'm not a good swimmer at all (I'm one of the freaks who never learned to tread water as a child). At the end of the day, tired and thirsty, the idea of just floating with a cooler full of beer within arms reach was tempting. But I'm glad we took the time to make what could be one of our last trips to a childhood favorite without our own children in tow. I recommend it. Recapture your youth people. And do it on the Whitewater Rapids tube ride.
I went to Schlitterbahn recently and had a grand ole time doing so. My cousin pointed out during our visit that people our age were floating the river rather than coming into the park to ride rides. While I see the allure in that (no kids, no lines, no overpriced admission), I still really like the smell of sunscreen and the anticipation of going to a water park. I still enjoy the thrill of finally getting to sit in your tube after waiting 15-45 minutes and be shot around a water ride for 5 minutes (if that). I still want to ride the tram from park to park and remember the days when I didn't care what I looked like in a bathing suit. (Although according to my cousin the backs of my thighs looked better than some high school kid's in front of us. Ahh, how wonderful women are.)
I guess our next adventure will be floating the river, even though I'm not a good swimmer at all (I'm one of the freaks who never learned to tread water as a child). At the end of the day, tired and thirsty, the idea of just floating with a cooler full of beer within arms reach was tempting. But I'm glad we took the time to make what could be one of our last trips to a childhood favorite without our own children in tow. I recommend it. Recapture your youth people. And do it on the Whitewater Rapids tube ride.
02 August 2006
Ugh
So I didn't want to make this blog about my grumblings with work, but I feel I'm forced to in this entry. Mainly because the co-worker I usually vent with won't be back until Monday, as she is frolicking somewhere in the Far East.
A decent sized shipment of packages came in today just as I was taking the mail down. Which meant I left the office, got in an elevator, walked a ways to another office, and reversed the trip. It took about, oh, 3-4 minutes. On my way back, I met the delivery guy, which in my mind put the time between his leaving the office and my returning to the office at about 2 minutes or so.
The evil co-worker obviously signed for the packages, as she was the only one in here. But she neglected to take the extra minute to look at our tracking book and find out just which packages we had received. She waited until I walked in to the office with papers in my hand to ask me to take care of it. She actually said, "Can you take care of those?"
Now look, I know I don't have a lot of work. And I know that she probably has a project or two on her desk. But I also happen to know that she was chatting at that time (the tell-tale break between short bursts of typing gave it away). WHA?! Sure, evil co-worker, I'll do the job that isn't necessarily mine, but can actually be done by anyone in the office. Because god forbid work break up your chat time. I tend to leave my friends hanging on chat when work comes up. But I can understand if yours are too important. I can also understand your need to delegate work when the real boss isn't around, since that's obviously your only time to feel some real power.
I know you can't tell from this post, but I really don't hate my job. I actually like it for what it is. I'm just allergic to the evil co-workers of the world.
A decent sized shipment of packages came in today just as I was taking the mail down. Which meant I left the office, got in an elevator, walked a ways to another office, and reversed the trip. It took about, oh, 3-4 minutes. On my way back, I met the delivery guy, which in my mind put the time between his leaving the office and my returning to the office at about 2 minutes or so.
The evil co-worker obviously signed for the packages, as she was the only one in here. But she neglected to take the extra minute to look at our tracking book and find out just which packages we had received. She waited until I walked in to the office with papers in my hand to ask me to take care of it. She actually said, "Can you take care of those?"
Now look, I know I don't have a lot of work. And I know that she probably has a project or two on her desk. But I also happen to know that she was chatting at that time (the tell-tale break between short bursts of typing gave it away). WHA?! Sure, evil co-worker, I'll do the job that isn't necessarily mine, but can actually be done by anyone in the office. Because god forbid work break up your chat time. I tend to leave my friends hanging on chat when work comes up. But I can understand if yours are too important. I can also understand your need to delegate work when the real boss isn't around, since that's obviously your only time to feel some real power.
I know you can't tell from this post, but I really don't hate my job. I actually like it for what it is. I'm just allergic to the evil co-workers of the world.
01 August 2006
I'm old
I've recently discovered that I'm old. It's been creeping up on me lately, but now it's just obvious. Here's why:
a) I think I'm constantly talking about how something on my body hurts, whether it be my head, my shoulders, my legs, etc. This may just make me a hypochondriac or an annoying jerk, but I think it makes me sound old.
b) I have thoughts like, "How do those kids only get a few hours of sleep one night and want to party again the next night? Don't they get tired?"
c) I usually eat immediately when I get home from work (or from aerobicizing). When I come home from work, I usually walk in the door around 5:30. By 6, I'm eating my dinner.
d) On most Fridays, I'm good until 10 PM. Then I collapse in a heap on my bed, wondering how I got by on so little sleep in college.
e) A lot of people under 20 bother me. Not all, but most. They're loud, obnoxious, have no regard for others, and usually have more money than me. Bitches.
a) I think I'm constantly talking about how something on my body hurts, whether it be my head, my shoulders, my legs, etc. This may just make me a hypochondriac or an annoying jerk, but I think it makes me sound old.
b) I have thoughts like, "How do those kids only get a few hours of sleep one night and want to party again the next night? Don't they get tired?"
c) I usually eat immediately when I get home from work (or from aerobicizing). When I come home from work, I usually walk in the door around 5:30. By 6, I'm eating my dinner.
d) On most Fridays, I'm good until 10 PM. Then I collapse in a heap on my bed, wondering how I got by on so little sleep in college.
e) A lot of people under 20 bother me. Not all, but most. They're loud, obnoxious, have no regard for others, and usually have more money than me. Bitches.
27 July 2006
Pop Tarts
Remember these? The original Pop Tarts, sans icing.
I personally believe that when the icing came out on the tarts, the civilized world ended. I don't see the need for it. Pop Tarts have plenty of flavor already. And the crust/bread/whatever-that-is-that-holds-in-the-filling is so yummy. Icing just ruins it.
I think the icing was invented for people who constantly want more in their lives and aren't ever satisfied with what they've got.
Or it's for people with a bigger sweet tooth than mine. I prefer the first explanation, as it makes me sound like the greatest person in the world.
21 July 2006
Locusts attack!
So I walked to the nearest Subway, which is on campus in a busy cafeteria environment. The university I work at (like many universities across this great land) holds what seems to be a plethora of camps for youngsters; sports camps, cheerleading camps, and camps like Boys State and Girls State, places for young politicians to hone their lying skills. (Actually, that's not what it's for--they teach government procedure and such, but I like the politicians thing better).
As I'm walking into the building, I see lots of girls who are either much shorter (cheerleaders) or much taller (volleyball players) than me; all are skinnier and much louder. I make my way to the Subway, and lo and behold, all of the kids have decided to eat fresh. I guess I should be happy that young children are choosing sandwiches over pizza or hamburgers, but do they have to do that during MY lunch break? The line at Subway goes past the restaurant next door, and I feel sorry for the guy standing at the register watching us all wait to be served by his competition. I didn't get my food until 20 minutes later.
I write this blog for two reasons. One, to profess my love for that Subway, the only place where I'll stand in a god awful line with obnoxious stick insect girls for 20 minutes. Two, to tell all the obnoxious stick insect girls that may be reading this to go somewhere else and leave the good stuff to the grown-ups. You may be taller than me, but I weigh more than you. I think I have the odds.
As I'm walking into the building, I see lots of girls who are either much shorter (cheerleaders) or much taller (volleyball players) than me; all are skinnier and much louder. I make my way to the Subway, and lo and behold, all of the kids have decided to eat fresh. I guess I should be happy that young children are choosing sandwiches over pizza or hamburgers, but do they have to do that during MY lunch break? The line at Subway goes past the restaurant next door, and I feel sorry for the guy standing at the register watching us all wait to be served by his competition. I didn't get my food until 20 minutes later.
I write this blog for two reasons. One, to profess my love for that Subway, the only place where I'll stand in a god awful line with obnoxious stick insect girls for 20 minutes. Two, to tell all the obnoxious stick insect girls that may be reading this to go somewhere else and leave the good stuff to the grown-ups. You may be taller than me, but I weigh more than you. I think I have the odds.
19 July 2006
18 July 2006
17 July 2006
Netflix
A while back a friend of mine recommended Netflix. I thought about it but decided that I liked going into a video store and seeing what movie might catch my eye. But recently I've had to face the fact that I just don't go to video stores anymore. I still might join a local one, just for the hell of it, but I basically refuse to go to Blockbuster or the like because they just never have what I want. Plus the people there are very pushy about trying Blockbuster Online.
The other night, the same friend mentioned that a movie (Breakfast on Pluto) was on her list, one that I'd been dying to see but just never got around to renting. (Luckily the boyfriend had it and brought it up this weekend). And in that moment, I realized how much I wanted to join Netflix. I wanted to give in and make my list of movies that I can brag about/share with my friends. I wanted to be able to say "Yeah, I've seen that" or "No, but it's on my Netflix list." I guess I became a bit of a sheep in that moment, but I believe it's worth it.
So, this morning I headed over to the promised land. And I picked my membership plan (1 movie at a time, unlimited movies each month, $9.99). And I made my queue (first, Word Wars, then Transamerica, then Sports Night, then....).
I should receive my first movie within one business day. I am sooo going to take advantage of this newfound curiousity. I hope it delivers everything it's promising.
The other night, the same friend mentioned that a movie (Breakfast on Pluto) was on her list, one that I'd been dying to see but just never got around to renting. (Luckily the boyfriend had it and brought it up this weekend). And in that moment, I realized how much I wanted to join Netflix. I wanted to give in and make my list of movies that I can brag about/share with my friends. I wanted to be able to say "Yeah, I've seen that" or "No, but it's on my Netflix list." I guess I became a bit of a sheep in that moment, but I believe it's worth it.
So, this morning I headed over to the promised land. And I picked my membership plan (1 movie at a time, unlimited movies each month, $9.99). And I made my queue (first, Word Wars, then Transamerica, then Sports Night, then....).
I should receive my first movie within one business day. I am sooo going to take advantage of this newfound curiousity. I hope it delivers everything it's promising.
14 July 2006
Geez
Are you into strange and jaw-dropping occurances in nature? Then this link is for you! Two Headed Kitten
Yes, that's right. The kitten has two faces. I watched the entire video with my mouth hanging open from sadness-disgust-amazement.
What makes it even sadder is that the kid in the video knows this cute little freak isn't going to make it.
What the hell do they feed the cats in Ohio?
Yes, that's right. The kitten has two faces. I watched the entire video with my mouth hanging open from sadness-disgust-amazement.
What makes it even sadder is that the kid in the video knows this cute little freak isn't going to make it.
What the hell do they feed the cats in Ohio?
12 July 2006
The Onion
Most everyone I know reads The Onion, the satirical publication with articles that I often forward to friends. This guy has seemingly no idea of what The Onion is. (I promise it's worth your time.)
I think the best pointing out of his lunacy comes from Sufficient Scruples, who gave the aforementioned idiot the Official Stegosaurus of the Week Award...meaning he has more brains in his ass than his head.
Enjoy.
I think the best pointing out of his lunacy comes from Sufficient Scruples, who gave the aforementioned idiot the Official Stegosaurus of the Week Award...meaning he has more brains in his ass than his head.
Enjoy.
11 July 2006
Mother
My mom is coming to visit tomorrow. It's sad that part of my excitement of her arrival is linked to the fact that I will get a free lunch...and quite possibly some pity money. Pity for the fact that I can't seem to figure out how to hold on to money when the weather is hot.
Something else that's sad: after having several beers over the weekend, I noticed that on Monday morning I could almost smell Shiner. I promise to join a support group before I actually order a 9 AM beer.
I love these guys:
Something else that's sad: after having several beers over the weekend, I noticed that on Monday morning I could almost smell Shiner. I promise to join a support group before I actually order a 9 AM beer.
I love these guys:
10 July 2006
Title
I am sad because Italy won. A big bunch of babies with nice hair.
I am happy because Oscar is coming over this morning to (hopefully) rid us of cockroaches. Please, everyone cross your fingers with me. Knock on some wood if you've got it handy. For god's sakes, pick up that head's up penny you see and think of us. Anything else for good luck? Which shoulder do you throw spilt salt over again?
I am tired because I had a lot of beer this weekend...which progressed to a lot of sleeping this weekend. Which meant that when it came time to go to bed last night, I was not having it. I stayed up too late. I woke up with thoughts of taking a sick day.....just to sleep. I have got to figure out a different way to make money. This 8-5 thing is for other, better people.
I am impatient for Thursday night. The long distance boyfriend will be in town, and we will be at the Drafthouse at 9:45, ready to sing along to Queen songs.
I am happy because Oscar is coming over this morning to (hopefully) rid us of cockroaches. Please, everyone cross your fingers with me. Knock on some wood if you've got it handy. For god's sakes, pick up that head's up penny you see and think of us. Anything else for good luck? Which shoulder do you throw spilt salt over again?
I am tired because I had a lot of beer this weekend...which progressed to a lot of sleeping this weekend. Which meant that when it came time to go to bed last night, I was not having it. I stayed up too late. I woke up with thoughts of taking a sick day.....just to sleep. I have got to figure out a different way to make money. This 8-5 thing is for other, better people.
I am impatient for Thursday night. The long distance boyfriend will be in town, and we will be at the Drafthouse at 9:45, ready to sing along to Queen songs.
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