Monthly Archives: October 2007

And We Were Gone To Oregon

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It was hard to leave. Literally, difficult. We had to cram all our things in the car (clothes hangers, I miss you, I’m sorry you couldn’t come). We had to clear out of the place and chit chat with the landlord. We had to have our last Seattle clam strips from the best pier with the worst service. Finally, after filling up the gas tank (which read permanently empty due to the weight of the car, hilarious) we got out of Seattle at about 2pm. Less than 2 hours later, I’m taking pictures of the bridge you cross to get into Oregon. The ride was beautiful. Oregon is amazing. Our only goal for the day was to explore Portland, so I could try to make MK love it even though I’d never been.

Every street was lined with trees. It was Seattle’s Pioneer Square, with younger bums and prettier scenery. We drove up and down every street and stopped for dinner near some college park area and sat out in the chill and enjoyed some coffee. Gorgeous.

As a reminder, the fires had already started at this point. To be brief about the issues, MK is also sometimes a realtor and knew well that as soon as insurance checks were written, people would be snatching up fire-free properties. We had planned to make a very, very leisurely trip down the coast, over a week or maybe even two. However, with the uncertainty of the traffic and condition of our destination, we agreed to get down there ASAP. That decision would pay off.

I wish we could have spent more time in Portland, but we were able to get as far as Eugene that night. I, for the first time ever, worked out in a hotel, not willing to skip any days on my Body for Life program. I think I rule. It was negative 1000 degrees in the morning and the car was miserable. So maybe I’m not moving to Oregon after all. Also, the gas is all full service in the entire state, which I think is silly. That’s your random information for the day.

Here are the Oregon pictures.

I’m pretty sure this blog has more crossing state line signs than I ever expected:

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Well, I’m Driving

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Since I’m out and about, I’m stealing other people’s blogs. Well, I got permission. My friend over at Textual Relations sums up this rant nicely. If you like it, go stop by and say hello. He has many, many more rants. And he’s British, and I like people that put “u”s in words. (They’re my favourite…) 😉
If you know me, you know there’s someone in my family (cough*cousin*cough) that isn’t a top tier speller like I was due to this phenomenon.

WTF R U retarded? 4Real, u iz 2 stupid.

27 03 2007

girl textingWhat is it with today’s youth and their inability to string a coherent sentence together? I hate to sound like an old man, but when a 26 year old is bemoaning “today’s youth” you really have to wonder what the hell is wrong with the current generation. I appreciate that with SMS there’s a requirement for shorthand, it’s not only convenient (particularly in the days before predictive texting where you had to bash the same key repeatedly to get the letter or symbol of choice) but economical. Most of the time by shortening individual words you’re able to fit more into one text and cut down the number of messages you need to send, thus saving money. Although given the advance in technology (bringing with it predictive text) and the increasingly competitive offers on the marketplace (many packages now including free texts) neither of these excuses is quite as watertight as perhaps they once were. But nonetheless, they’re valid.

Yet what I fail to understand is why it has to be used on the internet. Even when texting I use it only as a last resort, now that we have predictive texting I usually begin by attempting to write the message out in full using proper English, and only if the message cuts off, or I have more to add, do I then go back and alter parts into “textspeak”. What’s worse is that what was once “textspeak” is now “netspeak”, as if to apply the same shorthand from use on SMS, where it is logical to do so, to the internet, where it is not, is somehow just natural evolution. This is no minor issue either, it’s not all about “good grammar” or anything quite so snobby as that. I fear for a world where the “netspeak” generation actually run things because you can bet it will be a world where the shortcut will prevail. Forget road safety and having a safe working environment, because that would require doing things properly. No, instead expect a world where because everyone is taking a shortcut, people get hurt, or worse yet, die.

Yes, you heard right people, “netspeak” costs lives. So if not for me, if not for yourself (and your own literacy), please, for the sake of humanity, cease being so lazy and actually try using the language skills you’re blessed with.

Thank You

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We appreciate all your well wishes and concern. Fortunately, MK and I are no where near San Diego yet. We drove through OR yesterday and spent the night in Eugene, taking our time. Today we hope to make it to San Fransisco and then San Diego by Friday. We’re hoping that things are fine by then, and if not, maybe we can be of some help.

road trip driving
www.catawba.k12.nc.us

Nerd Workout

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For 3$, I decided it was worth the investment to purchase and attempt a second hand “Power Half Hour” workout DVD. I’m pretty skeptical of things like these. Would it work? Would I be too embarrassed?

I did have to kick MK out of the house in order to get myself worked up enough to attempt the workout. I felt a little too Jane Fonda, and was bummed I didn’t have any spandex tights. That would complete the cliché.

So here I am, three whole days later, letting you know I still can’t walk properly. I got through the whole workout (barely) and went on with the rest of my day. Then I couldn’t walk. For two whole days. I think it worked. Then I found out it was the p90x guy. He’s a big cheeseball, but easy on the eyes.
Lesson learned: It’s worth shutting the blinds and watching a TV trainer for 30 minutes. Changing up your routine is good, and this is one way I bet you haven’t.

power workout dvd
www.ltdgfitness.com

Everybody Gets One

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It’s official, having a star on the Walk of Fame is completely meaningless:

They gave one to Ricky Martin.

First, I thought maybe this wasn’t the real deal, maybe this was somewhere like, maybe St. Louis? But no. It’s the Hollywood one. I was going to stop by and be touristy there since I’ve never been, but it’s too tainted for me now. There’s only one solution:

I want one.

See, if there’s a case for Ricky Martin (Mr. Shake your Bon Bon) to achieve this, well, the rest of us are just one step closer. I’ll vote for you. We’ll all get one.

These Things Kill

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There are a couple things right now I’m pretty sure are contributing to my death. As in, getting me closer to, sooner than is appropriate.

  • The water. The little filter must be out on the fridge, it tastes funny. Not as bad as the tap water, but I’m considering buying some bottled. Not to mention I drink too much of it and then feel bloated.
  • The Red Sox. Did they have to drag that out like that? Stressful. And it means I’ll have to watch more baseball.
  • Caffeine. I’ve had so little for so long, but for some reason lately have been pounding cups of coffee and Enviga. And getting the jitters. No more tolerance.
  • Lysol Disinfectant Wipes. This is basically just me complaining about cleaning.
  • The neighbors. I am most certainly not getting enough sleep to be prepared for my journey what with the obnoxious partiers this weekend. And last weekend. They’re total drug bingers, because they never went to sleep. It stayed noisy.

Isn’t that a lethal combination? I’m all jittery, tummy hurting, sleepy, and still have to get us out of here! Feel sorry for me, and I’ll add you to my will…

pity party of one
www.vintagefilm.typepad.com


Drama queen pity party, blanket for one, please.

This Is What Winning Feels Like

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Yay! Thanks to your three thousands of votes, I was declared the funny and witty champion for this post of mine. So I received world wide acclaim, a Celine Dion CD, Old Country Buffet gift certificates, some J Lo perfume, and the honor of selecting the next topic. Okay, maybe just that last one.

I asked everyone to talk about what t shirt they would wear, if it was the only thing in their wardrobe forever and ever amen. It could say one word. Lots of people wear t shirts, often with really ridiculous catchphrases and things on them, ranging from the wildly inappropriate, to the not funny if you’re not 12, and the just plain odd.
(Don’t click these links if you’re related to me, I don’t want to be grounded.)

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The only t shirts with words on them in my closet these days either say “Texas” (college) or “Boston” (Red Sox). Sports t shirts I like. Otherwise, I’m not really one for trying to convey a message on a shirt. It’s like a more obnoxious bumper sticker without the 2500 lbs. of metal to protect you from someone who disagrees. I know, the debate is freedom of expression blah blah blah versus being tolerant of others blah blah blah.

If I had to buy one in existence, it would probably be this shirt, since this is the favorite word of my brothers and I. Not so much as to express apathy as to make us laugh when we’re telling stories. If I had to create my own, the word I’d define myself with permanently would be “humorous”, because I’d be fine even if I was the only one who thought so.

Here’s a t shirt quilt:

t shirt quilt
www.goosetracks.com

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