Seven.Caged.Tigers

Stupid damn quiz. I was hoping for something cool and creative and neat. And all I got was this:

“Sweet Dreams” (by Eurythmics)
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody’s looking for something
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

Which 80’s Song Fits You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I guess it could have been a heck of a lot worse.

I feel like a big ol’ dork. I posted pictures of the kitties on a site called RatingPets.com. Anyway, it seems Dewey’s kitten picture is faring the best. Followed by Sara and then Max. But at first, Max was winning. So here are the stats:

Dewey: 7.81/10
Max: 5.95/10
Sara: 6.42/10

Like I said, I’m a nerd. But a nerd who has lots of cats. I guess that might make me the “cat lady” if I wasn’t already married.

I’m actually starting to get opportunities to design sites for real. I’ve already presented two quotes, one for $350 and one for at least $650 to my husband’s side-business (Turtlehut.com, they host this site for free because they rock). Basically they are trying to use me as a contractor for some of the people that host sites on their servers. Honestly, I enjoy design and if it means a few extra thousand a year I’m down with that.

That is as long as I’m not made to do Flash. I hate Flash. It makes zero sense and I think it’s completely unneccessary. Good design doesn’t require moving pictures or really fancy navigation. I can do that all by hand…aside from the moving pictures part. That’s another story entirely.

And I bounced a check. It was not my fault. And I’m not just saying that. See, Marshall Fields double charged my check card for a purchase on Saturday. They almost refused to take care of it, but I think they got the hint that I wasn’t leaving the counter until they fixed their mistake. Mistake has now been fixed. And I’m officially a happy camper. Although I’m wondering if they will have refunded me twice. I’ll feel a bit guilty, but then again the double-refund would definitely cover any bank charges for the bounced check.

I hate being an adult.

Must I even mention to anybody that knows me that this is absolutely, completely correct. So correct in fact that I am freaked out:

Congratulations! You’re a Long Island Iced Tea!

What Drink Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I stumbled upon a bone chillingly bizarre site. It actually SELLS these things (apparently), but somehow I don’t see any children loving a fur-and-eye toy. But the place looks “serious” as far as that goes.

So yeah, I am officially freaked out by “Softys”. I’m not sure what they are but they certainly are unique. Uh. Yeah. From what I can tell, it seems that they hail from some alien landscape (Japan?) and that they are indeed intended for some level of collector. Oh yeah. They also cost $35! I’m not that insane…

Here’s a lovely sample (named “Cooter” by the people at the site):

JT and I began working on our bedroom last night. We pulled down the ugly chair railing and got most all of the sanding, patching, and nail pulling done. I can’t wait to have red walls. It’s to be a dream come true.

But sometime during the work, the screen door on the back didn’t get properly slid back in place. It doesn’t fit the track correctly, so we don’t use it often. If it doesn’t get shut right it just falls over. So it did that and the cats made a run for freedom. Well…two of them did. Dewey and Sara headed out. Dewey didn’t get far and I saw him through the bedroom window. I ran out to grab him. JT did the same. On the way out, I noticed Max was too stupid to leave. Sara on the other hand made a real bid for freedom. JT tried to grab her and she ran. We tried to lure her in with the laser pointer. She didn’t care. She ran back and forth, back and forth. Let me just say she is VERY quick. Anyway, JT finally caught her. Of course this was after the neighbors got an earful with our cussing and yelling at Sara. I’m sure they think we are child abusers.

Consider me entertained. I always like a good jab at the president, and when it comes in the form of a phony $200 bill and a stupid cashier I’m all the happier. According to The Smoking Gun Website, a fellow in North Carolina managed to spend a $200 bill bearing the image of President Bush at a Food Lion. The cashier even gave the guy $50 change. I’m pretty positive he never figured he’d get away with it. I mean come on, look at this:

If anybody thinks THAT is real, they need to be immediately quarantined so as to not spread whatever brain-eating virus that they’ve clearly contracted.

Gender Genie!

This really is pretty cool. Basically, enter your text into the box provided and choose fiction, nonfiction, or blog accordingly. Apparently some math alogorithm is then used to determine whether the author is female or male. Some words are more masculine than others.

My results are as follows:

Words: 1037

(NOTE: The genie works best on texts of more than 500 words.)

Female Score: 975
Male Score: 1691

The Gender Genie thinks the author of this passage is: male!

But with that said, I’ll warn that some very feminine words are with, if and not while masuline words include around, what, more, are, and as. That last one is what gets me every time. So say hello to Shelly the MAN!

you are the “you suck, and that’s sad”
happy bunny. your truthful, but can be a bit
brutal.

which happy bunny are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

You are Jean Grey of the X-men!

Always with a sense of grace and beauty. you make
friends easily and are well-liked. You always
attract attention, sometimes it can be
overwhelming.

Which of the X-men do you resemble most?
brought to you by Quizilla

It’s Friday. Go Friday. It’s your birthday…

Uh. Yeah. Call me slap happy. That would be the perfect description for the way I feel. Once again, my weekend is full. Actually, on Saturday JT and I are headed to a wedding/reception in Lansing for (get this) my mother’s cousin’s eldest daughter. So what does that make us–second or third cousins or something? Have I mentioned that even my extended family is strangely close? If not, it’s probably high time I did. We are freakishly close. Fine enough.

JT is also done with classes for a few weeks. He just wrapped up his fourth semester of grad school. Three more to go, and he’ll be primed and ready for a new career. It’s about time, too…since where he works right now is definitely a dead-end place. He is an engineer, but the people at his company are ignorant bastards who refuse to pay employees what they are worth. This degree should get JT a much better salary. Woo-hoo! He’ll basically be the boss of the network administrators. We’ll see if he likes a desk job.

And that’s about it. Hopefully on Sunday we can get going on the red bedroom. I so desperately want that room to be red. I’ve got the paint, the bedding, the valance, the curtain rod, some decorations, and pretty much anything I need. We just have to get it done! I’m so excited. As a kid, when my mom asked what color I wanted my bedroom I replied “red.” Apparently, “red” didn’t translate well land I ended up with “mauve.” That was NOT the color I wanted. So now I get red. My mother will be so very interested…

I’d like to rave on for a moment about one of my very favorite places on the internet. No, not a music or movie site. No, not even a trivia place. Heck, not even Amazon.com or Half.com can compete with this PERFECT shop. Give up?

Well, I’m here to say personally that Berry Sweet Stuff makes the best lotion and soaps I’ve ever had. It is all hand made, and not just that…it’s also natural and for that matter smells divine. I’ve been ordering from Lori for about a year now and have been impressed with every last product she’s provided to me. My favorite scents are by far lemon creme and tangerine jasmine but I like pretty much everything she’s created.

Anyway, I placed an order a week or two ago and was pleased that it arrived so quickly. Upon opening my package, I noted that the lotion came in the wrong side. I e-mailed her, and asked what was up. She was quick and honest to reply. Immediately when I told her she knew what had happened. She is sending another 4oz bottle of lotion and a special little gift of apology. I’ve never, ever, under any circumstances had customer service so accomodating, kind, and receptive.

So thank you Lori and Berry Sweet Stuff. Now all ya’ll have to go buy her out. I promise, you’ve never had lotion and soap this great ever before.

The season of the babies is upon us. I know so many people that are pregnant. It really is insane. JT’s best friend’s little sister just had her little girl. Funny thing is that the shower isn’t even until this weekend. I guess both mother and baby will be making an appearance! The little girl’s name is Gabriella Marie. Very nice.

I’m still waiting for two more friends to birth their kids. Amy, in Japan, is due in October (I think–it’s hard to keep track of these things!) and is moving from her apartment to a dormitory for expectent mothers. Her husband is going to be away at the time when she needs him most, and this place is supposed to help her out. I can’t wait to see her baby. A boy. Most definitely adorable. And then there is Jennie. She too is due very, very soon. This will be her second child, but it has been quite some time since her last (over 10 years). She’s such a wonderful mother, and she and her new husband Ray are just great together. I can’t wait to meet that kid.

Jealous? Maybe…

I’m really not much of a goth. Actually, I’m not one at all. That’s why I wasn’t at all shocked to find that on a quiz I scored as a “glitter goth.” Whatever that is. Actually, I do know what it is but I just can’t imagine being one.

That aside, I had a fine enough weekend. JT and I went out to eat at BW3 (where I managed to spill my drink…what a freak I am) and on Sunday to Applebee’s for lunch. We don’t generally eat out twice in a weekend, but it seems that sometime Saturday afternoon our cable modem when down. Let me clarify. The cable itself once again snapped and is this time laying in the neighbor’s yard. They are supposed to fix it today. Funny thing is, they think we are sabotaging it. Uh. No. We are computer nerds. We don’t want to lose the internet.

Could the rumors be true? Could it be that Creed (aka “crud,” “crap,” and “catatonically bad”) is breaking up? My musical year woudl be made if this was in fact true. I’ve had a burning, seething hatred from the band and for that matter the self-important pud Scott Stapp ever since they released Human Clay in 1999. I didn’t hate them yet for My Own Prison, but only because I didn’t give them a second thought and NEVER thought they would be popular enough to hack up another song and a whole slew of half-assed singles.

But this…if THIS is indeed the truth I am going to (think about) run around the block naked screaming at the top of my lungs something to the effect of “ding dong the wicked witch is dead.” You think any of my neighbors will think I’m a nutto? Probably so, but come on…the death of Creed calls for a major shin-dig. Too bad none of my friends and local acquaintences are much music fans.

In lieu of the possible (HOPEFUL) breakup I provide to you a few images from CreedSucks.com. I hope you enjoy ‘em.

#1: Cowboy Link [sorry guys, I refuse to edit this pic…I am indeed lazy]

#2: Pompous freak

Speaking of a band sucking, there’s also the following article from here

Creed�s Scott Stapp speaks out about disastrous Chicago show

July 22nd, 2003

MTV reported on Creed crooner Scott Stapp�s comments to the Orlando Sentinel last week about the band�s now infamous Chicago show last December where concertgoers reported that Stapp was �so intoxicated and/or medicated� that he could hardly sing the lyrics to any of the songs, left the stage on several occasions and even rolled around on the stage as if in pain. The event even resulted in a lawsuit against the band, its management and Ticketmaster by four attendees.

According to the Orlando newspaper, Stapp explained the night�s actions as a �symbolic, personal gesture� during the performance of the song �Who�s Got My Back.� The rock star continues, “I had some things going on in my life. I kind of felt alone. And it was a symbol that I didn’t think anybody had my back at the time. Some people get it. Some people don’t.”

The band did issue a group statement apologizing to the fans who thought Creed had put on a terrible show and attempted to brighten the situation by stating that the fans in Chicago saw a �unique� show. The apology apparently was not enough as the four patrons who filed the lawsuit are seeking reimbursement for their tickets and parking fees, as well as asking the judge to consider a class-action suit that can cost the band nearly $2 million dollars.

In his message to the Orlando Sentinel, Stapp mentioned that he was battling an illness at the time and still managed to give his all and was taken back by the legal action taken against them. “We didn’t feel like it was an awful show,” Stapp states, “That’s why it kind of shocked us. … We appreciate the fans. We know that the fans are the reason we are here today. And that night, we gave it everything that we had � like we do every night.”

At the beginning of the month, Creed�s lawyers have filed for a motion to dismiss the class action lawsuit claiming �that you can’t bring a lawsuit against a band for sucking,” according to attorney Daniel J. Voelker, �This is a subjective issue.�

Meanwhile, Creed is in the middle of taking a year off from recording and touring.

Labor day is finished, over, kaput. DONE.

And here I sit with a rotten belly. It’s probably from all that nasty water, but then again it could be just a result of my delicate body. Sometimes I hate myself in that way. Anyway, the vacation was nice enough. JT and I spent much of the time huddled around a campfire, some time shopping, and some other time eating. That’s the usual way that Labor Day in Mackinaw City goes. We stay every year at Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. JT’s been going there since he was like 2 years old. I don’t much appreciate sleeping on a rocky ground and having my slumber interrupted by drunked 19-year-olds abusing both cheap alcohol and cheap blenders, but I lived. Oh, and I very much enjoyed waking them up at 5:30am on Monday.

5:30am you ask? Well, yes! We also walk the Mackinac Bridge. What joy. Really. Walking that damn bridge beginning at 7am in the morning and continuing for about an hour and a distance of 5 miles. But at least this year, the governor could actually make it across without breaking a disgusting sweat. No more John Engler–he was an asswipe. Jennifer Granholm rocks, and is clearly in great shape as for the first time in literal years we were unable to catch up to the Michigan Governor.

Anyway, yeah. I’m alive although a bit sun/windburned.