Another reason to hate Madonna

Gotta give it to old Madge. She has been annoying me more, and longer, than just about any other ubiquitous celebrity. And she's at it again.

As if Barack Obama wasn't having enough trouble regaining his traction after McCain began diminishing him as a mere "celebrity" like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton, he now has The Madonna Factor to deal with. For in her new concert tour, she has a short film that compares McCain to murderous dictators, like Hitler.

Way to go, you wretched, selfish nitwit. Now it's going to be just that much harder for Obama to claim to represent and be in sync with the heartland.

I have no problem with performers using their art to express their beliefs. I am 100% in favor of them using current events to inform their art. I'm listening to Bruce Springsteen now and I grew up on John Lennon.

But that's not what the bleached blonde blow-hard is doing. There's no ideology here. She's just trying to distract the public from her (and A Rod's) marital problems by doing something "outrageous." Why couldn't she just tongue kiss Britney again?

There goes $400

That's how much it cost to get my holiday airline reservation from Chicago to Key West fixed. The flight I was originally booked on was cancelled, and the airline put me on a later -- not earlier -- flight. According to their rules and regulations, I can connect in Miami in less than an hour.

Trust me. It cannot be done. Not in Miami, nor in Tampa. When flying out of Chicago in December, we frequently have weather issues which delay take off. When changing planes in either of those airports, it takes longer to get through all the holiday travelers and arrive at the American Eagle gates than the rulers and regulators seem to realize. Combine a later arrival with a distant terminal and this Gal finds herself separated from her checked bag and under a lot of stress as she starts her vacation.

So I switched myself to an earlier flight out of O'Hare and hopefully that $400 will be an investment in peace of mind.

Even better, I hope I forget about the $400 in the hubbub of the holidays. I know better than to argue with the American reservation rep, because she has no choice in the matter, but this really sucks.

DAY 24 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

The Yellow Submarine Handheld Pinball Game. I picked this up for my ready-to-enter-third-grade nephew, who doesn't really care much about the Beatles but wants to be in on it when his older sister and I go all Beatlemaniac. We took a moment to look at the illustration of the Pepperland-era lads on the back (he admitted that the only Beatle he can ever identify easily is Ringo because he's the shortest), and then he began to play with this remarkably low-tech toy. He had a terrific time and enthusiastically announced his progress as became more adept.

My favorite moment was watching him with Grandma, my mom, as she put his head next to his while he added up his score. She was so proud of his math skills, he was so proud of his manual dexterity, and I was so moved to see how comfortable, happy and close these two are. The plastic pinball game was only $7, but as the MasterCard commercial says, some things are priceless.

The only thing worth meowing about

My cat Charlotte doesn't talk much. She's gentle and affectionate, but overwhelmingly silent. Except when I'm standing at the kitchen counter. For there, tucked beside the microwave, are the Whisker Lickins. She does love those tender treats.

First, no matter where she is, she will sense I am standing at the counter and will suddenly appear by my side, gazing up at me meaningfully. If I don't get what she telepathically is trying to tell me, she will stretch herself to her full length and touch my leg. Finally, if that doesn't work, SHE SPEAKS! Her rare meow is surprisingly deep and throaty for a cat so small. It's as if Miss Thing is the feline Lauren Bacall.

DAY 23 -- 08 August Happiness Challenge

My trip to Linens 'n' Things. My home needs a lot of work. The carpet needs replacing, the walls need painting, the bathroom is out of date, my bedroom ac is only making it through the summer thanks to prayer. All of this costs money, and I'm trying to be more fiscally responsible -- just in case the rumors are true and I find myself unemployed when the new year dawns.

All of this makes me kind of sad, too. I believe this place has potential and I'm looking forward to fixing it.

In the meantime, there are a lot of little things I can do to make it a bit more habitable. Today I stopped at Linens 'n' Things and took advantage of their store closing sale. I got two nice, soft throw pillows for the sofa, new shower curtain liners and a spray bottle of Scrub Buster, which I hope will help with the hard water stains in the bathroom sink.

It was a sensible use of my money, and the small improvements I've been able to make cheered me up. I'm only sorry for the people who work at Linens 'n' Things.

Saturday 9: Choices in Music

1. What was your first favorite song? "Over the Rainbow"

2. Who was your first favorite female singer? Petula Clark

3. Who was your first favorite male singer? Paul McCartney

4. Who was your first favorite band? The Beatles

5. Who is your all time favorite band? The Beatles

6. Who is your all time favorite male singer? Paul McCartney

7. Who is your all time favorite female singer? Barbra Streisand

8. What is your all time favorite LP/CD album? The Beatles' White Album

9. What was your first favorite radio station? WLS in the good Top 40 days, or WLUP in the good old days when it was home to Johnny B. and Steve and Garry

For more information, or to play along yourself, click here.

Welcome aboard, Joe!

I'm happy that Barack Obama chose Joe Biden (though I'm a little pissed that I didn't get my "first to know" email until almost 8:00 this morning). I like that Joe is "colorful" (blabby) because he's as unpredictable as Obama is cool. I appreciate that Biden is smarter than I am, as I believe my leaders should be (I'm scarily certain I could beat many who served the current administration at Jeopardy). I enjoy listening to his realistic approach to foreign policy.

But one of my favorite things about Biden is his enduring support of Amtrak. If we are to reduce our demand on foreign oil, we have to drive less, and Biden believes that a better Amtrak is one of the secrets. Legend has it he makes travels roundtrip between DC and Delaware on the rails all the time.

We have clients in both Milwaukee and downstate Illinois, and everyone (except me) drives. It's not unusual for everyone to take his or her own car, too. Amtrak travels to both destinations, yet I'm the only one who avails myself of it. There are times when it's frustratingly off schedule, but then I've had to wait in conference rooms for coworkers who drove to the meeting but got waylaid by storms or highway construction. The waste involved with those individual cars heading to exactly the place makes me cuh-razy!

My sofa probably knows me better, though

What Your Bed Says About You

Outward appearances aren't important to you at all. You think that the over emphasis on looks to be shallow. You are an organized and disciplined person. You do the right thing because you want to, not because people expect you to. You are not very high maintenance in general, but you are high maintenance about a few things. In relationships, you tend to be quite dominant. You enjoy taking charge. You tend to be a down to earth, practical person. You think in terms of what is actual. You are a traveler. You are comfortable anywhere, and you rarely feel homesick.

What Does Your Bed Say About You?

Thanks to Kwizgiver for pointing me to this quiz.

DAY 22 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

The Fugitive. This classic TV show and I have a special history. When I was a little girl, my headboard was on one side of the wall and the family TV was on the other. The Fugitive was my parents' favorite show, and every week I heard the distinctive theme song and the narrator's deep voice explaining the plight of Dr. Richard Kimble, convicted of a murder he didn't commit, and freed when, en route to death row, the train he was being transported in derailed. I remember how excited my mom was when the show's finale aired and at last Dr. Kimble was exonerated. Consequently I grew up curious about the show.

A local TV station began airing the reruns and I got hooked. The thing of it, it comes on at 11:00 on Sunday nights -- not exactly convenient for my schedule. So I ordered Season 1 and part of Season 2 from Amazon. (So far this is all that's available on DVD.)

So now, like my mom more than 40 years before, I can indulge myself in the lonely adventures of Dr. Richard Kimble and his dual quests -- to find the one-armed man he saw fleeing his house the night his wife was murdered, and to stay one step ahead of the intrepid Lt. Gerard, who may be lurking around any corner. The plots are very sophisticated for the 1960s (even today), and David Janssen makes a wonderful romantic hero. It's fun to see TV stars in guest appearances. So far I've picked out Carroll O'Connor as a cruel sheriff, Bruce Dern as a delinquent teen, Diane Ladd as a waitress in a coffee shop, Robert Duval as an immigrant shipbuilder (with a thick but hard to identify accent), Jack Klugman as a construction foreman …

Oh, c'mon, Barack!

I signed up to get an email from Barack Obama, letting me be one of the first to know who his VP pick is. I have been updating my mailbox regularly since last night. Here it is, after 5:00 on Friday, and I still haven't heard from him!

He has to announce it soon, since he and the Veep are scheduled to appear together tomorrow in the Land of Lincoln (literally, in Springfield at the Old Capitol Building).

DAY 21 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

Yes, it's Friday, and I should have done this Thursday. But yesterday wasn't a good day, and I needed a little distance and perspective to pinpoint the good things about it.

Productivity. I did a lot of work yesterday, and much of it took me out of my comfort zone because I was pinch hitting for my boss. I am proud of what I accomplished, and confident that, for all my faults, I am good at my job.

This blog. It's a good chronicle of my depression. Since it's what my doctors (2 of 'em) call "physical" (meaning caused by hormones, serotonin, etc.) and not "situational" (as best described by Judy Garland when she sang, "Ever since this world began there ain't nothing sadder than a one-man woman looking for the man that got away"), I know it will pass. For evidence, all I have to do is scroll back and see how it came and went before. That's an enormous comfort. It reinforces that I am not a wimp, I am not losing my mind, and it won't always feel like it did last night. Also, it's so very good to have blogosphere buddies like JennyMcB and NoNonsense Girl offer support. (See how sweet they were to me in response to my previous post.) Thank you, thank you.

Lady Sings the Blues

Suddenly, at about 5:00 today, my mood fell through the floor. The IT guys accidentally deleted my Lotus Notes archives, and I was inconsolable. John Mayer is being less than chivalrous to Jennifer Aniston and I welled up. My best friend is going away for the weekend with his family and will be incommunicado between now and Monday night, and I'm desolate.

I'm a hormone hostage. Perimenopause, menopause … whatever. It's a stupid waste of time, energy and emotion.

I've popped a Xanax and am telling myself that this isn't real, that it will pass. But I hate it. I really hate it.

Thursday Thirteen #82 -- Spotlight on a Comedy Legend

THIRTEEN QUOTES FROM
THE ONE, THE ONLY,
GROUCHO

Groucho Marx died the same week in August, 1977, as Elvis Presley. Since Grouch was 87 years old and had been suffering from pneumonia, his death was hardly a surprise and barely newsworthy compared to the King’s sudden and shocking demise.

Because his passing was passed over, I’m giving him special attention in my blog. It’s the least I can do, since his work continues to bring me joy. I smile just thinking of him. Here is a quick overview of one of the most influential careers in Hollywood …

• 26 films, 15 with his brothers
• 11 years as host of You Bet Your Life
• Won an Emmy and received an honorary Oscar (on behalf of his brothers, too)
• Author of (at least) four books
• Though not known as a singer, he performed such numbers as “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It” and my favorite, “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.” (“She had eyes that men adore so, and her torso, even more so!”)

And now, here’s the good part. My thirteen favorite quotes from a career that produced thousands:

1. If you want to see a comic strip, watch me take a shower.

2. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

3. Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read anyway.

4. Last night I shot an elephant in my pajamas. And how he got into my pajamas I’ll never know.

5. Don’t gulp that poison! It’s $4 a bottle!

6. Any man who can see through women is missing a lot.

7. I don’t want to belong to any club that would have someone like me as a member.

8. I have here an accident policy that will absolutely protect you no matter what happens. If you lose a leg, we'll help you look for it.

9. I intend to live forever or die trying.

10. I’ve known and respected your husband for many years – and if you’re good enough for him, you’re good enough for me!

11. Here’s to our wives and our girlfriends … May they never meet!

12. I could dance with you until the cows came home. On second thought, I’d rather dance with the cows until you came home.

13. I wish you’d keep my hands to yourself.


Include your link in the comments and I'll add you here:
1) Sandy Carlson wonders how we should consider these lovely days
2) Anthony North takes on the power of prayer
3) Help Claudia finish her story
4) Gina's Public Diary is a TT devoted to the Olympics
5) Nicholas does a book TT, as only Nicholas can do6) Malcolm remembers 13 forgotten TV shows
7) Yasmin takes us to the beach
8) Nicole Austin shares what she knows about hurricanes
9) Julia takes on the classics
10) B Boys Mom shares what she (and Andy Rooney) have learned
11) Meju came up with 13 real towns with real funny names
12) Joy informs us about grapes from California
13) Lori looks to the future
14) Journeywoman takes a realistic look at what comes after "happily ever after"
15) SJR revisits Dodge City
16) Bernie has 13 problems with the web
17) Yummy shares the secret to receiving better customer service
18) Alice's is a random TT
19) Marcia celebrates a beautiful milestone
20) Lisa offers up more listening options
21)



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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DAY 20 -- 08 August Happiness Challenge

As of this morning, the Cubs are SIX GAMES ahead of the Brewers and 8.5 games up on the Cards. And it's mid-August! When I look at these standings, I'm reminded of a Dusty Springfield song, "I close my eyes, I count to ten, and when I open them you're still here." Only when I close MY eyes and count to ten, I open them and the Cubs are still at the top of the division.

Hey, hey, holy mackerel, no doubt about it.

Dodger blue is definitely his color

I'd prefer to see my beloved future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux back in Cubbie blue, of course, but I believe this is the happiest development I could realistically hope for. For the Dodgers are a contender, and he deserves one last shot at the post-season. As he told the AP, "One off day and I make up 16 games (in the standings), so I'm excited."

DAY 19 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

An hour with my shrink. That nice lady who comes in once a month and straightens out my brain. She gives me new ways of looking at my problems and I leave her office feeling more peaceful, and more in control of my life. For example, tonight we discussed the decision I made NOT to confront a friend about hurting my feelings. I don't believe my friend could handle the criticism nor the stress of such a conversation now, and I am confident I made the right call. Letting it pass is the right thing to do. So why am I still so angry with my friend? How can I put it all in perspective … and put it all in the past? The doc and I talked it through tonight, and I'm grateful for her help and wisdom.

Tuesday Tunes #9

We haven't done a word association in awhile: Remember tell us the first band/artist/song/album that comes to mind when you see these 10 words:

Ending: "Get Back," the last cut on the last Beatles album. (Yes, I know Abbey Road was recorded last, but Let It Be was released last, and that's what I'm going with.)

Long: "The Long Run" by the Eagles

School: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper

Teen: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

Crazy: "Crazy" by Patsy Cline

Search: "Kentucky Rain," by Elvis ("Up ahead's another town I'll go walking through, with the rain in my shoes, searching for you …")

Baby: "Since You've Been Gone," by Aretha (You know, "Baby, baby, sweet baby, I just been so blue ...")

Shoes: "Blue Suede Shoes," by Elvis

Mellow: "Mellow Yellow," by Donovan

Window: "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" by the Beatles

For more about Tuesday Tunes, or to see responses from bloggers who, unlike me, aren't trapped in the oldies, click here.

From Worst to First

Or at least tied for first.

It looks like my beloved future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux will be wearing Dodger blue once more, and will have a chance to play in the post season one more time. Yea!

If he must abandon me -- OOPS! Make that "retire" -- I'd prefer to see him go out with a winner, and, let's face it, even the Padres know the Padres suck this year. Here's to an appropriate end to a stellar career for my favorite Cub EVER!

And thanks to Malcolm for thinking of me when he heard the good news!

DAY 18 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

My best friend lives outside Denver and he tells me that his going-into-sixth-grade daughter is thrilled that her hometown is going to site of both a black's and a woman's names going into nomination for President. She's been pleading to get into the convention center and, failing that, wants to be at Obama's open-air speech.

It doesn't look like she's going to get into either event, and that's too bad. But isn't it uplifting that she finds this so positive and important? Her enthusiasm touches my heart.

Fay may be kind

Heard from my friends in Key West and they are confident they'll be safe (the conditions in this photo aside) and that Fay won't become a hurricane on their island.

Here's hoping they are right!

I do love my baths!

You Are Ernie

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times. You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun. How you live your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

DAY 17 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

Mad Men. This is appointment television for me. It's a potent mix of of nostalgia and my life at the office. Oh, and as mentioned earlier, I love Don Draper.

He lied!

One of my more obnoxious neighbors, Walt, stopped me in the hall last Thursday and told me he was going away for awhile. Hurray! I thought that gave me a week to come in and out of my own home without being ambushed by Walt and his snoopiness. Really, he makes no secret of finding my comings and goings very interesting, and this annoys the crap out of me.

Anyway, yesterday as I was taking my wash down to the building laundry, he opened up his front door and said, "There she goes, doing her laundry again. You wash your clothes more often than anyone else!" What is he? A geriatric version of Rob Schneider's SNL Copy Guy? Who is he doing this play-by-play for, anyway? And isn't he still supposed to be away somewhere? "I wash once a week, Walt, just like everyone else," I said between clenched teeth.

Today we replayed the same damn scene, only I was carrying my garbage out. I came very close to pointing out to Walt that I am not in the practice of laundering my trash, but I remembered that I'm supposed to respect my elders and held my breath until the impulse passed.

I wish there was a way to go out the back door without passing Walt's front door and providing him with free entertainment.

Miss you!

Cubs All-Star Third Baseman and radio voice of the team, Ron Santo is home while the Cubs are away. He's in his late 60s, and he's bravely overcome well-documented health problems, so it was decided it was wise for him to sit this road trip out so he could be fresh and rested for the final stretch (and the playoffs and the World Series).

Be well, #10. I miss hearing your mono-syllabic groans when things on the field go bad, your embarrassed laugh when your parter, Pat Hughes, teases you about hitting on the charter flight attendants, and your insights about what it's like to be a player on the field. I grew up on you, and want to hear how this terrific series ends from you and nobody but you!

DAY 16 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

Elvis. "Take my hand, take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love … with … you!" He's a little overweight, wearing the most ridiculous studded jumpsuit, and after he hits that last note he drops to his knees and spreads out his white cape like some sort of rock and roll caped crusader -- which, of course, he was.

Elvis was just on. The networks are showing concert footage because this is the anniversary of his death. Even when he's corny and campy, like in the clip I just saw, I have fun watching him. And when he's at his best, like the 1968 "comeback" TV special, I adore him. And why wouldn't I? He's The King of Rock and Roll.

Saturday 9: Children and and Ages of Bloggers

1. Do you worry about your next birthday? No. The last one, when I turned 50 on Thanksgiving Day, completely sucked. No birthday will be that bad again.

2. Have you ever lied about your age in the recent past? If yes why? No.

3. Have you ever lied about your age when you were young? If yes why? To get into R-rated movies and to hold the attention of older boys.

4. How much older have you been than a person with whom you were romantically involved? Twelve years.

5. How much younger have you been than a person with whom you were romantically involved? Three years.

6. Have you ever been confused for a sibling, rather than parent of your child? No, because I have no kids.

7. If you have had children, did you factor in age when deciding to have a sibling? I don't have kids.

8. If you have not had children, are you happy with your choice and/or fate? Yes. Happy and peaceful.

9. Do your siblings have kids? Are you close to them? Their ages? Two nephews, 21 and 9. Two nieces, 20 and 16. I adore the 16 and 9 year olds. The older two reside in California, and it's been harder to forge a relationship with them … but we are working on it.

To play along yourself, click here.

How can I NOT love him?

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the face of a 353-game winner, the ninth winningest pitcher in baseball history. I simply adore Greg Maddux. He is the Luke Skywalker to Roger Clemens' Darth Vader.

Clearly he's just a big kid at heart. Maybe he won't retire at the end of this season, after all ...

I Love Greg Maddux

Padres vs. Phillies: Since the outcome of this game will have no impact on the Cubs, normally I wouldn't even have it on. But it's my beloved, future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and the San Diego Padres battling Jamie Moyer and the Phillies. These two pitchers both began their long, successful careers as Cubs in 1986. My team has the dubious distinction of having traded the inimitable Greg Maddux away twice. Oh, break my heart!

Since I may be watching the end of this baseball legend's career, it's time to review all the reasons why I love him:

His single-minded focus has gotten him into the All Star Game 8 times, 4 Cy Young Awards, a record 17 Gold Glove Awards, and six MVP Awards.

He has the face of a Precious Moments doll, but the body of the Pillsbury Doughboy. I love him for this because it means NO STEROIDS. Unlike Roger Cheater McCheaty Pants Clemens, who he simply must surpass on the all time win list before he retires. (As I write this, Greg Maddux is 9th, one game behind that prima donna fart Clemens.)

He's not just a pitcher, he's an all-around ball player. He covers first base better than any other pitcher I can think of, and he's a decent hitter and base runner, too.

He's still married to Wife #1, Kathy, his high school sweetheart. They have two children, Amanda and Chase. When it looked like his career with the Cubs was ending in 2006, he brought Chase out to play catch ON Wrigley Field. I loved that he shared what Wrigley Field meant to his career, and to major league baseball, with his boy.

For years when he pitched, he wore a Mickey Mouse watch, a gift from Amanda.

He raises money through The Greg and Kathy Maddux Foundation and then donates it to charities that help kids and victims of domestic violence. He also donates Padres tickets to children's groups.

His demeanor on the mound is always the same. Whether he is up or down, he is concentrating on the next pitch, the next batter. He appears imperturbable, oblivous to the crowd. He's just gloriously into the game.

He is always modest in interviews. When he wins, it's because of the good fielders behind him. It's never about him, it's about the team. Etc., etc. There's an edge to it, though. When he speaks softly into the mic, I can almost hear Tim Matheson from Animal House, insincerely pumping pledges' hands and saying, "I'm Eric Stratton, damn glad to meet you."

He respects his parents. I heard this from the Atlanta limo driver who took me to the airport this past spring. He performed the same service years ago for Ma and Pa Maddux, and was impressed that Son Greg brought the bags out to the car himself. (I am ready to discuss Greg Maddux with anyone at any time in any situation.)

Is he perfect? No. All vulgar Cubs locker room stories I've heard over the years involve Greg Maddux. He explains this by saying that, with the exception of a high school stint flipping burgers at Wendy's, all of his professional life has been spent in baseball locker rooms. And he simply cannot hold a runner on base. I hate it when rookies steal off him. (Perhaps more than he does.)

When he retires, he will take a piece of this old Gal's heart with him. I know that when he goes into the Hall of Fame, it will be as an Atlanta Brave. But Greg Maddux will always, ALWAYS be my all-time favorite Cub.

DAY 15 -- August 08 Happiness Challenge

The sky. Today it's a clear, cloudless, bright blue. A perfect summer sky. So beautiful I could just sit here and admire it, peering through the tree leaves. I wish the Cubs were in town, for this sky is made for homerun balls.

Shhh! Don't tell! I should be working.

But instead I'm doing this, once again stolen from Kwizgiver. I believe she may be a bad influence on me.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how good are you at Guitar Hero?
Never played. I know: LOSER!

What tv show do you watch most?
Mad Men. I love you, Don Draper.

Do you have a job?
Yes

If you had a paid vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
New York City. I dream of doing it up right, and on someone else's dime.

Do you think the guy should always pay?
No

Have you ever wanted to be on a game show?
No

Randomly click on a song from your playlist. What's the first line of that song?
"I don't know what it is that makes me love you so. I only know I never want to let you go."

Who was your first kiss?
I know this is awful, but I'm not sure I remember.

Describe your dream house.
Top floor, hardwood floors, a big beautiful bathroom

Where did you last go out to eat?
Brian's Deli

What did you order?
Chicken salad san on wheat, lettuce but no tomato

Have you ever been in a car wreck?
No

What do you plan on naming your baby girl?
My baby ship has sailed, but my girl cat's name is Charlotte

Your baby boy?
My boy cat's name is Joe

What's your musical guilty pleasure?
God! I have many! I live in fear that someone will learn that I downloaded Bobby Sherman songs onto my iPod.

What was the last book you read?
Jack and Lem, by David Pitts

Are you happy with the way you look?
No. And you wouldn't be either if you looked like me.

How long does your morning routine take?
20 minutes if I'm enthusiastic about leaving the house. An hour if I'm not.

What is the dumbest thing you've ever done?
Fall in love with Stevie

Do you return the buggies at Wal-Mart?
I don't shop at Wal-Mart. But I am a religious cart returner.

What is your favorite fast food place?
Parky's

Do you have any plans for tomorrow?
I'm getting a massage! Yea!

Are there any movies you've seen more than ten times?
Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music

What are your biggest pet-peeves?
People who smoke in front of the signs that say, "No smoking within 8 feet of this doorway."

What do you usually eat for breakfast?
Can of Slim Fast (well, I don't actually EAT the can, but you knew that, didn't you?)

Do you like to cook?
No

What music genres could the world do without?
Rap and opera

What do you want to do for the rest of your life?
Write

Do you get along with your siblings?
Sporadically

Are you good at Sudoku puzzles?
See Guitar Hero answer

Are you a pack-rat?
Dear God, YES!

How late did you sleep this morning?
No

Are you a creative person?
My employers seems to think so (God bless them, it's payday).

Do you like to sing?
No

How many songs are on your ipod?
2600

What was the last movie you saw in theaters?
Dark Knight

Was it any good?
Yes

What color are your pants?
Blue

What did you do to celebrate last Valentines Day?
Felt bad about myself. Lately it's become a tradition

Is your house clean?
No

How old are you?
I have passed the half century mark

Do you agree with gay marriage?
Yes.

Do you have any plants in your house?
No. The cats view them as a salad bar.

Are you afraid of getting old?
Old, no. Frail and helpless, yes.

What did you have for breakfeast this morning?
Didn't I answer this already?

Who's in the room with you?
Alone in my office. (You don't think I'd be doing this at work if people were in here with me, do you?)

On a scale from 1-10 how's life right now?
8.5

Do you drink coffee?
No

Are you allergic to anything?
Bee stings

DAY 14 -- August Happiness Challenge

OK, it's True Confession time. One of my most shameful guilty pleasures is watching Nancy Grace on CNN Headline News. She's abrasive, obnoxious and about as real as a $3 bill. Yet, like professional wrestling, she makes damn fine television. Once I tune in, I cannot look away, and I am entertained. (I wish they'd quit running promos for Glenn Beck's show during hers, though. There's something disturbing about him that's downright skin crawly.)

I, on the other hand, HATE IT

This weekend is the Chicago Air & Water Show, an event that many in the Midwest look forward to. But I dread it.

The Blue Angels began practicing today. I work on the 37th floor of an 80+ story skyscraper, the second tallest in Chicago and 16th tallest in the world. When those Navy jets buzz by in formation or fly upside down on their way to the Lakefront, I just want to shudder and cry. All I can think of is 9/11.

The fear won't ever completely go away, will it?

Thursday Thirteen #81 -- "She said, she said"

13 WILD QUOTATIONS
FROM WILD WOMEN

Each year, for either my birthday or Christmas, my oldest friend gives me a page-a-day desk calendar filled with “Wild Words from Wild Women.” If one strikes my fancy, I tear it off, leave it on my desk for a while and, when I have collected 13, they magically become my TT!

1) “If you take too long in deciding what to do with your life, you’ll find you’ve done it.” Pamela Shaw

2) “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. A woman must do what he can’t.” Rhonda Hansome

3) “Love is or it ain’t. Thin love ain’t love at all.” Toni Morrison

4) “You don’t get ulcers from what you eat. You get them from what’s eating you.” Vicki Baum

5) “It is best to act with confidence, no matter how little right you have to it.” Lillian Hellman

6) “Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.” Marilyn Greist

7) “The way to a man’s heart may be through his stomach, but that’s only if you twist the blade and lift up.” Shelia Kay

8) “Character is what you know you are, not what others think you have.” Marva Collins

9) “Self pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.” Maya Angelou

10) “She’s my best friend. She thinks I’m too thin, and I think she’s a natural blonde.” Carrie Snow

11) “My weight is always perfect for my height – which varies.” Nicole Hollander

12) “It takes 20 years of hard work to become an overnight sensation.” Diana Rankin

13) “A nymphomaniac is a woman as obsessed with sex as the average man.” Mignon McLaughlin

Leave your link in the comments and I'll add you here:

1) Baby Mama shares 13 facts about her pregnancy
2) Sandy invites us off to sea
3) Anthony North takes on conspiracy theories
4) Hootin' Ani shares her favorite commercials
5) Sue looks back on 1967
6) Claudia shares 13 fascinating weight loss tips
7) Nicole has done a bit of research on the Olympic ceremonies in Beijing
8) Mocha Mom concentrates on the tiny nation of Maldives
9) Nancy remembers her 13 favorite gifts
10) B Boys Mom focuses on the Olympics
11) Lori shares 13 very funny quotes
12) Jackie has an important decision to make
13) SJR's TT is just toooooo cute!
14) Poppingbubbles has collected 13 awful pickup lines
15) Shelia does her first Thursday Thirteen -- go welcome her!
16) Rasmenia shows us Monet's France
17) Toni raises some questions about blogging
18) Lisa finally finishes what she started so many weeks ago
19) Yasmin invites us along to the movies
20) It's Elaine's first TT -- stop by and say hi!
21) Jen gives us surfing destinations
22) Barbara highlights her favorite girls names
23) Popart Diva's TT is positively intoxicating
24) Small Reflections joins me in the art of musing
25) Chris takes us out for fine dining



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DAY 13 -- 08 August Happiness Challenge

Retail Therapy. I am considering the purchase of either a new pair of sandals (in some nice shade of purple) or experimenting with different concealers from Sephora. Probably the latter, because it's cheaper and less seasonal. These are small things, I know, but thinking about them, shopping for them and finally making my purchase decision makes me happy.

Naturally I stole this

And of course it was stolen from Kwizgiver. I have 33 minutes until my next meeting and it seems like an absolutely FABULOUS use of my time!

If you got trapped in an elevator with someone, who would you want it to be?
Someone from Building Maintenance. Or someone who doesn't have a lot of ailing, hospitalized friends. I was stuck with such a woman -- Ruthie. She spent the whole time we were trapped describing her elderly friends' maladies. (I still remember her tsking and saying, "Her skin feels like paper!") If we hadn't been rescued soon, I was going to start screaming.

What is your favourite cereal?
Post Great Grains -- the one with nuts and raisins.

Do you own any cowboy boots?
No

What is something you would never do in public?
Pick my nose.

Have you ever had really strange dreams?
oh yeah

Name a friend or loved one who has passed away?
Grandpa

What's your earliest memory?
In the living room, in front of the picture window, trying unsuccessfully to climb onto the red ottoman. I've mentioned this to my mom and because of the red ottoman, which she got rid of when we moved, she estimates I was almost two.

Have you ever broken a bone before, and if so, how?
Clavicle. Fell down the stairs at my cousin's house.

Have you ever stepped in dog poo?
Yes.

Ever bitten your toenails?
No. Is this even possible?

Who is your all time hero?
I wish I was like Jackie Kennedy Onassis. And I'm not.

What colors do you think mix well?
Royal blue and black.

What did you eat recently?
Pizza

What was your favorite cartoon movie as a child?
Mary Poppins. (Dancing penguins, the horse race ... there were animated scenes in that so I'm sticking with it.)

What's your favorite movie now?
The Way We Were

Do you paint your toenails?
Technically speaking, they were painted for me by Marie at Salon 212.

Is your computer a fast and awesome computer?
At work, yes. At home, not so much. But that's because I (I'm embarrassed to even say this) still have dial up.

What do you do, or want to do for a living?
I am an associate creative director.

If one of your long lost exes called you and asked for you back, would you take them back?
One I would. Sigh.

Have you ever been a Heartbreaker?
I hope not.

What's your favorite instrument?
Sax or piano

What is a country you want to visit badly before you die?
Ireland (Kwizgiver's answer, but it's good)

Have you made a bucket list?
No

What things in history amuse you the most?
Elections

Have you ever eaten lipstick?
No

What are 3 accessories you have to be equipped with when you go out?
KEYS (I am obsessed with not being locked out), iPod and purse.

Have you ever licked a window before?
No

If someone dared you to run across a busy street for 1 thousand dollars, would you?
Yes, and I wish someone would.

Would you kill someone for 9 million dollars?
No

Who is your worst enemy right now and why?
Rhonda, my downstairs neighbor. She's a rude bitch.

Have you ever been in a physical fight with anyone before?
Yes, in my late teens with my older sister. The whole thing was skin crawly and I never want to go through it again.

What brand of cell phone do you have and what service provider?
LG and AT&T

Do you wear slippers or socks?
Neither

Do your feet stink?
No

Have you ever picked your butt in public?
Well, it was during a movie so it was really dark and I don't think it should count.

What is the strangest pet you've ever owned?
My cat, Reynaldo. He is very, very strange indeed.

Do you love life or hate it?
Love it

Who is the hottest person in the entire universe in your opinion?
I don't know definitively, but his name is Bruce (either Springsteen or Willis).

What do you do every night before bed?
Pee

This leaves me with 12 minutes to go.