So, how am I celebrating my first weekend with internet at home? By going out of town. I’m going to be the fifth wheel with my parents and brother and his girlfriend. Meeting them at a campground. Should be lots of fun. Tomorrow night, when we go out for Valentine’s Day will be about the only truly awkward part of it.

Unless they start into trips this visit. I counted, and including this one, I’m already planning 5 trips north this year. And Mom would like me to come up for Easter. I really don’t see that happening. I don’t mind the fact that they haven’t made it down much in the last couple of years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I need to make up for it by taking too many trips their way.

For that matter, the three times they were here last year were all trips to other places where they visited me on the way back.

In other news, I ran twice this week. Only about 2.5 miles between the two, but it’s a set in the right direction. Definitely need to get new running shoes, however.

Donald was down visiting and speaking in a couple classes yesterday, so I went out to dinner with him and Pete last night. A fun time was had by all. Made me stay up later then I would have liked, but it was well worth it.

Bought gas on the way into work this morning so I could leave with a full tank. It’s up to $1.84 a gallon. Can’t believe it! It’s climbed at least 30 cents a gallon in the last month. This trip is going to be very expensive.

I think I’ve made a colossal mistake. I listened to The Music Man soundtrack this morning. Bet I have it stuck in my head all weekend. Not fun, but I guess it could be worse. It could be Annie. :)

Think this will finally catch me up on quizzes. I’m sure I’ll be way behind when I get back, however.


! You are most like An Emerald !
Caring, giving, - and very emotional. You're the
person
people turn to with a problem. You worry about
everybody,
and genuinely want to help - a little too much
sometimes.
As an emerald, you tend to take a more backseat to
the other
gems, but your inner beauty soon captivates those
who take
the time to get to know you.
Congratulations ... You're the selfless gem
everybody needs as a friend.


?? Which Precious Gem Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

That certainly makes me feel good about myself. Although I think I have a new motto. "The balance of power is too unfair. I don't have enough." :)

Have a good weekend everyone.

Morning. Time again for the Thursday Threesome, brought to us this week by Voltaire and The Back Porch.

I've got to start with the quote. It's great by itself.

::The secret of being tiresome is to tell everything. --Voltaire::

Onesome- The secret of: Can you keep a secret? Have you ever blabbed? What was the consequence?
I honestly can’t think of a time I kept a secret I knew was a secret. There were times when I said stuff I didn’t know was a secret, but it was never for anything of any consequence, so it really doesn’t stick out in my mind.

Twosome- being tiresome is: What's the one subject you get on your soapbox about?
Well, the last two days has been politics. This is especially true when the news media isn’t telling the whole story or obviously spinning things out of control.

Threesome- to tell everything. Have you ever had to fess up or come clean about something to save your skin or someone else's?
Yeah. Just the usual however. How broke something when we were kids, that kind of thing. Nothing major again and nothing recent.

Boy, I’ve just got tiresome answers this week.

So, last night, I posted my first review from home in a long time. Little House in the Big Woods. Sure loved it! Why did I wait so long between rereads? But can anyone tell me why the series is called the Little House on the Prarie series since that's the second book? It's driving me crazy. Is it just because of the TV show?

Traffic has become impossible lately. It was backed up for forever when I finally left at 6 last night. At least it's only like that at commute times around here. Still, considering I now have to commute across town, it frustrates me.

Went by the library last night to pick up some books on tape for this weekend. And my request for The Eyre Affair was in, too. Can't wait to start that. Hopefully tonight as soon as I finish my current novella, Unveiled. It's so short, I'm hoping to finish it before the guys come over tonight.

Speaking of which, looks like I'll be their driver all semester. Really don't like having to come back over here after we're done, adds about 40 minutes of drive time to my evening, plus it means I can't do anything at home like watch something I've recorded that I haven't had a chance to watch yet. This will come into play when I am wanting to watch 24 next week.

Speaking of watching things via tape delay, I was highly disappointed with 7th Heaven last night. Ruthie and Peter decided to do a different President's Day project by digging up or making up as much dirt as they could about Washington and Lincoln. Naturally, that caused a mess and they got in trouble for it. I thought, since they got the idea from modern news, maybe the program would go on to point out that maybe we're trashing our current leaders too quickly and the media needs to take a step back sometimes. And yes, I'm including Clinton in this. But I guess this issue wasn't politically correct enough (as deemed by the media) to get dealt with.

And as long as we're ranting, here's my thoughts on the current flap over Bush's military service. He served somewhere. No, it was not in Vietnam, but he might have been called up and told to go. Sounds like he took full advantage of the flexibility offered by the National Guard while he was in, but made up his time. Above all, he was honorable discharged, which means they thought at the time that he had completely all the requirements. Who are we 30 years later to try to prove he didn't?

So Kerry is a Vietnam veteran. I have respect for him for that. HOWEVER, anyone remember a little guy named Clinton? In case anyone has too short a memory to remember 1992, let's discuss his service record. He didn't have one but left the country to avoid the draft. And the Democrats claimed that kind of attitude was fine from someone who wanted to be President. My how their attitudes have changed when their nominee (and it looks safe to call Kerry that) suddenly has a more presitious record.

Yes, teh selective reporting and postings of others on the internet drives me batty, why do you ask?

Since I'm still behind on quizzes, let's try to do something about that, shall we?

VIOLET You surround yourself with art and music and are constantly driven to express yourself. You often daydream. You prefer honesty in your relationships and belive strongly in your personal morals. Find out your color at Quiz Me!

Does that mean I'm related to Di? :)


Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.

This guy certainly was a loon. What fun. :)

It sure did take longer then it was supposed to last night. Of course part of that was Pete trying to install it on his laptop so we could set the thing up and then transfer it over to my computer since my computer is "too slow" to make it work. Yeah right.

Of course, Windows freezes when you go to load it half the time and Netscape hardly works, so I need a new computer sooner rather then later.

And this is just in the nick of time. I can write my first review at home tonight.

You realize that since I had internet at home, I've started this blog and join two group blogs. No wonder I think I need it at home again.

Of course, I was living about 2 miles from the office, so it was no problem to pop over if I wanted to get on. Now, on the other hand....

So, what else was I going to ramble about? O yeah, people who don't even realize what they are saying. :)

My internet fiend again. Mind you I'm just reading over there, can't take commenting any more, although I can't seem to just read, so you get my thoughts here. I'm going to have to stop since I know I won't be able to keep quiet much longer.

Anyway, over the weekend, he posts a screed about how the Republicans want to take over the government by filling every seat available to them. They want only one party government. So, to make sure that doesn't happen, everyone should vote Democrat. Um, won't that make all the seats Democrat and only one party government? Logic check time.

Then there's Spike Lee. Complaining about an afirmative action bake sale, he says, "Would these students [College Republicans and EOA] be happy if there were no black students here at all?" said Lee. He added with sarcasm, "You'd never win a basketball or football game then." (Here's the link.) Just remember this the next time someone tries to paint all Repub's as racist and liberals as non-racist.

On to happier things.

Don't think this quit fits me, but here are my results anyway.


Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin: a wild ride through
the back alleys of toontown! The only ride
with a PG sense of humour in the G rated world
of Disneyland, you are zany, wild, and a little
bit of a loose screw. Energetic and colorful,
you go at full speed, even though your taxi-car
vehicles actually have four flat tires!
Despite your older humor, you are a kid at
heart and kids most relate to your cartoony
world and like you the best. You've been know
to make the adults a little queasy and a litte
bit dizzy. You leave your visitors dazed, a
little confused, but more often, extremely
amused. You take us to the places we'd never
see in a ride featuring the straight-laced
Mickey, but somehow you're still all Disney.


What Disneyland attraction are you?
brought to you by Quizilla


I'll agree with the title, but I certainly don't think this describes me at all. Sometimes I think hate blinds us to the good in the other side. (Don't worry, that last line made me sick as well.)

I am a Meathead



Which America Hating Minority Are You?

Take More Robert & Tim Quizzes
Watch Robert & Tim Cartoons



And on that note, it's dinner time!

Guess where I'm blogging this from.

If you said I'm working this late at my office, you'd be dead wrong.

If you said Pete and I finally have me up and running on the internet at home, you'd be 100% correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And there was much rejoicing.

Ok, so where was I when I had to leave so suddenly on Friday?

My car seems to be fixed. Hasn't stalled on my three days in a row, which is a step in the right direction.

My roommate's window finally got fixed on Saturday, but I had no trouble finding parking the few days I was on the street. Which was a huge praise.

Did I mentioned having three weddings to go to in March? Now I'm down to one. One couple eloped in December. And the other wedding got called off late last week. Frankly, I'm glad because that friend deserved much better then her fiancee, even if he had such a great name. Which leaves Donald as the only wedding I have that month now. :)

Saturday, the weather was wonderful. Went out and played ultimate Frisbee and had a blast. Came home, showered, and headed out for a book signing, this time for the newest Diagnosis Murder novel. Lee Goldberg is a very entertaining author.

Unfortunately, by the time I came back, a cold and bitter wind was blowing. I hadn't taken my jacket, so I was freezing. And the wind still hasn't died down. I swear, if it doesn't end soon, we're all going to turn into dyhatrated dust and be blown off of Southern CA. We get a couple hours of rain followed by very dry wind. Not fun at all.

Sunday was church, etc. Seth came over last night after the evening service and we hung out for a while, with me beating him at Tetris. He's just about ready to move in since his benefits are starting soon. That would be wonderful, if I had room for him. :) But Jeff just got a job he's really jazzed about, so I'm wondering if this will mean he'll move out and get married soon. If I can just get Seth to wait until the semester is over, we might have room. Life is full of complications. But I like these kind. :)

Meanwhile, Friday I had no control over any of the TV's in my condo. Well, until Monk came on and we all wound up watching it together for some strange reason. :) Anyway, I finished Shades of Earl Grey while sitting on the couch mostly not watching a basketball game. This is the problem with having so many roommates. :) Enjoyed the book and it's cozy feel. And, for nostalgia sake, I started in on Little House is the Big Woods over the weekend. Man, I'm enjoying reading it again. Haven't read any of those books in years and years.

Ok, this week's Word Association

1. Identity:: Theft
   
2. Reveal:: Yourself
   
3. Live:: and in Person
   
4. Attitude:: Adjustment
   
5. Night:: and Day
   
6. Nevada:: Gambling
   
7. Weekend:: Relax
   
8. Write:: What I'd like to do more of
   
9. Friend:: Fun
   
10. Seventeen:: David Meece (for his song "When I Was Seventeen.")
    

And the newest quiz at Jix.

Are you Addicted to the Internet? 43% Average@Internet-User.com (41% - 60%) You seem to have a healthy balance in your life when it comes to the internet and life away from the computer. You know enough to do what you want online without looking like an idiot (most of the time). You even have your own Yahoo club or online journal! But you enjoy seeing your friends and going out to enjoy life away from your computer. The Are you Addicted to the Internet? Quiz at Quiz Me!

I think I'm a tad more addicted then that, but the description is pretty accurate.

So, what have I been up to this week?

I've been parking on the street not my garage because one roommate broke the window on his car. Seemed like he needed the security more then I did.

Youth group was another strange night last night because of various sporting events. Very small crowd. But worship time seemed to go well, so that's always a plus.

My car is at the Honda dealer right now. I was like 1000 miles overdue for an oil change. And it's been stalling on me when it's cold. They say the valves need readjustment and that should take care of it. Hopefully it'll be done about now because I'm about to leave to pick it up.

And my ride is ready to leave, so have a good weekend all.

Better late then never with this week's Thursday Threesome, brought to us by procrastinators and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Anyone-- Has anyone made an impression on you lately? No, not on the national level, but at work or school or just 'around'. ...or even here on the web?
Not really. I guess the closest would be Jerrilyn Farmer for her gracious note back to my fan note after completing Perfect Sax.

Twosome: can Miss-- Speaking of webbish things (and of course we are !), what types of things do you take a miss on at your place and chose not to post about? Just curious...
I seem to post about just about anything. This is because I choose not to tell people in my everyday life about my blog. The only people who know where to find me are those friends I have who live out of town. Which is probably why my blog is so boring. It gets just about everything.

Threesome: a Day-- On a similar note: do you post every day? ...or just whenever? ...or is every session at the computer a spur to work up a little something?
I tend to post four or five days a week. But if I don’t really have anything to say, I’ll just skip it.

Got home last night, and Benjamin was the only one home. Plus he was wanting to work on a paper in his room, so I got my wish. Man, those movies are good. Eric came home in time to watch the second one with me, and I enjoyed it much more then I remembered enjoying it.

In other news, I thought of something else to complain about. (No, you can't complain about how much I've been complaining this week. :) ) I've basically agreed to head up to northern CA to see my family since they can't make it down here over President's weekend. Which means taking time off work since I get none of it off. And which means lots of time on the freeway with all the other people wanting to get away for President's Day/Valentine's Day.

Yep, that's right. I stupidly agreed to go away for Valentine's Day. We will be camping in the trailer. My parents, my brother, his girlfriend, and me. Now, can anyone tell me what's wrong with this picture. Yes, why was I too stupid to pick up on it before. And it was worse when Mom mentioned wanting to go out to eat for Valentine's Day. Can we say 5th wheel? Normally, I wouldn't mind that at all, but that day will be different. Anyone who has any bright ideas on how I can get out of it now, please contact me! :)

Ok, I'm done complaining.

The search for a good tea kettle continues. Went to Sears at lunch and wasn't super impressed with what they had.

Didn't get a chance to talk to the roommate I was refering to yesterday. Hopefully tonight.

And, quiz time. I get to set a standard for the Trixie community with this one. Of course, I'm just following the example of Mike J.


cuddle and a kiss on the forehead - you like to be
close to your special someone and feel warm,
comfortable, and needed


What Sign of Affection Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Now it's time to be a lemming. :) As seen just about everywhere else....



create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

I actually only listed states I'm been in a car in, not states I'm had a stopover on a plane in. :) Still, 16 states is pretty impressive. Only 34 more to go before I'm 50. Trixie camp really needs to get moving. :)



create your own visited country map
or write about it on the open travel guide

Not nearly as impressive, is it? I need to travel more, period, don't I?

Frustrations, they name is me today.

1) It's been Wednesday since I've been able to do anything in my living room. Whenever I'm home, there are other roommates in the living room studying or watching TV. Granted, they say I can kick them out, but the one time I actually tried to take them up on their offer, it didn't happen. So I've been in my bedroom most of the weekend watching what I want to watch. That's going to get old in a big hurry. Seems like I do that almost every day.

2) As a result, I haven't watched Babar yet. And it sure is calling me.

3) One roommate in particular is horrid at cleaning up after himself. Last night, I came home to find the kitchen a complete disaster area. And yet he got upset when I made him clean it up before he started watching yet another movie on the DVD player. He also bought so much food yesterday that hardly anyone else can get food into the frig and he had to overflow from his four pantry shelves onto one of my two with chips and pretzel sticks. Now I know I'm bad about sharing, but this is just over the top.

4) When I got into work today, I was handed some paperwork I should have gotten on Friday. This particular notice changed our payroll tax due date from Wednesday to today, which obviously we couldn't make now. So we'll have to pay a few thousand in penalties when I file next quarter's taxes. I'd better not be blaimed for it, because the fault clearly lies with a couple other people in this office. I really need to get an e-mail out about that, but it's kinda hard when one of the people involved is my boss.

It's not all bad news on the Mark front, however. I finally finished A Certain Justice over the weekend. Might not have if I'd been able to watch Babar, so all good things and all that. And yesterday was a hoot. Went over to a friend house for the Super Bowl and actually got to watch the entire thing this year. Had lots of fun hanging out with friends. Stayed for the premier of Survivor All Stars. While I was expecting the former winners to leave early, I was hoping Tina would stay around longer. I really liked her. It'll be interesting to see if Rich was all talk or not if he ever decides to start fire on his own. I'd forgotten how much I hate that guy.

Got The God's Must be Crazy 2 Pack in the mail today, so I think that's going to be my evening. If I can get to the DVD player that is.

It's finally started to rain!!! They promised us rain today, and we get it just in time to make the commute home bad. :) Still, we need rain like you wouldn't believe.

Thought I'd try something different, doing the word association on Monday this week. :)

1. Ignore:: me at your own risk
   
2. Death:: and taxes
   
3. Missy:: young lady
   
4. Ballet:: dance
   
5. Guest:: towle
   
6. Campus:: college
   
7. Lonely:: one (is the lonelies number)
   
8. Company:: friends over
   
9. Helicopter:: flying
   
10. Sterile:: hospital