Thursday, September 03, 2009

I Can Relate

Somebody else posted this, but I could relate to almost all of these...thought you all might get a kick out of it too, enjoy!

1. More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3.I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

4. Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

5. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

6. The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

7. Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

8. There is a great need for sarcasm font.

9. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the f*** was going on when I first saw it.

10. I think everyone has a movie that they love so much; it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

11. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

12. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

13. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

14. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

15. A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

16. Was learning cursive really necessary?

17. Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

20. My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads. Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us." Classy, bro.

21. Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

22. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

23. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

24. While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart.

25. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

26. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

27. I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

28. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

29. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

30. Bad decisions make good stories

31. Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

32. Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

33. If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

34. Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from; this shouldn't be a problem....

35. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

36. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

37. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

38. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

39. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.

40. I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'

41. While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that when Chinese athletes don't win, they are executed.

42. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Darnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

43. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

44. I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

45. Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...

46. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

47. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

48. It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

49. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

50. I think that if, years down the road when I'm trying to have a kid, I find out that I'm sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.

51. Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

52. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my a$$ everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

53. It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.

54. I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

55. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

40th Class Reunion

Last month I returned to Onawa for my 40th high school class reunion. It's almost unbelievable that it's been 40 years since I went through the hell known as "high school". Strangely, it was soothing to be able to visit with people I hadn't spoken to, or even thought about, since 1969. It was good to see that the years hadn't really changed them all that much. Through all the love and hate; births and deaths; the achievements and set-backs; the sorrow and joy of living for 50 some-odd years, they were still the kids I knew way back when. There were the nerds, the partiers, the goofballs and the watchers all laughing and crying and talking at once. It was almost too much to take in.

My class was defined by the war in Viet Nam, hippies, sex, drugs and rock and roll. We questioned everything - and every one. Especially authority. We were wild and wildly inspired. We partied hard and studied harder. We were driven to greatness by our need to change the world. And we succeeded. Boy! Did we succeed.

Our class produced engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, nurses, college professors, teachers (ho-boy, were there teachers!), business owners and even an admiral (ret.) in the navy. We've traveled the world and now we're home again. Mostly retired, but still active in the every day business of making this world a better place.

I had an epiphany during this weekend. These people were my friends - had always been my friends. They'd been there for me, even through all the angst of teenage yearnings and fears. They knew me and accepted me for what I was and what I've become. That's one of the good things about attending a small school. You literally know everyone in your class - there is no hiding in a sea of nameless faces, known only to your clique. All your classmates know your good points, and your bad. But it's nice to know that they still liked me even then.

Here's some of the pictures taken during that weekend. Enjoy!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: 40th Class Reunion
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox slideshow

Friday, July 10, 2009

New Raised Flower Bed

I've hated the spot on the north side of the garage for years. It's been nothing but a weed patch. So this year I decided to put a raised bed in there where I could have a pretty flower garden. (And, yes, I know I need to paint my garage again. Maybe next year...)

All things considered, I think it turned out pretty well. Of course, I had some help (thanks again Della and Don!). I did unload 136 landscape blocks from the back of the pickup by myself though. Gary and Bettina stopped by to see our progress as well. I won't post the picture of Bettina flipping me the bird - lol.

So, if you've been wondering just what the heck I've been up to - here are the pictures.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: New Raised Garden
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox slideshow

Monday, June 22, 2009

Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa (live, HQ)

This amazing a capella choir uses their hands to simulate an African rain storm.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Celtic Bagpipes

For those of you who like a little more "traditional" celtic pipe music, this guy is pretty darned good.

Red Hot Chili Pipers

I saw these guys over at Sawdust and Cowpies. Man - those Scots really know how to kick up their...um, heels. LOL!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sheep Art

For those few people who aren't following LOTD, here is a cool video Cary featured the other day. Amazing what some talented people can do with money and time.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Baltimore Oriole

A Baltimore Oriole! Isn't he beautiful? I think an Orchard Oriole was at my feeder today too. Not as bright as this guy, but very pretty as well. He and the grosbeak were squabbling over who should get to eat first. My neighbor has a "regular" oriole feeder and two days ago I saw two males going at it over feeding rights. That's what prompted me to put out an orange and see if I couldn't entice one over to my yard. And it worked!
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Look what came to my feeder today! I've never seen this kind of bird before, but he was easy to identify. His mate was on the feeder earlier (I'm assuming since it was another bird that I've never seen before either), but she couldn't hold a candle to this bright boy!
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Monday, March 09, 2009

Allman Brothers Band

This is a video shot in 1982 of an outdoor concert - somewhere. Not sure where, but I wish I would have been there. The Allman Brothers are my all-time favorite band, and this song is my favorite song. This isn't as "slick" as the studio version, but I like it more because of that. Dickey could really make that guitar sing! (Be sure and turn off my embedded player over there on the left.) Enjoy -



...and I just found another one. I guess this was in Gainsville, FL. Here they are playing Statesboro Blues -

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Ameriquest Commercials

Ameriquest is the corporation that got into loads of trouble for their subprime mortgages. At least they used some of their money for funny commercials.





Sunday, February 08, 2009

Saturday, February 07, 2009

Not Dead - Yet

Just a quick note. I had my gall bladder taken out on Wednesday and I'm not exactly bouncing right back like I thought I would. Gah! The trouble with getting older is that your body mutinies on you when you need it the most.

I can't sit at the computer for very long and so I haven't been visiting your blogs like normal. But I did want to say a few things:


Cary - Stop making me laugh!! Please!!!


Tanna - I hope you are feeling better. Flu sucks.


Mari - I love the rain too and I'm glad you're finally getting some.


Reenie - She's lucky to have you as a friend. I know how hard this is for you too. My thoughts are with you both.


Tammy - Leave your poor husband alone! LOL


That's it for now. Sorry about that. I love you all and miss reading you. I'll be back soon - I promise!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

eTrade Baby Outtakes

One of my favorite Superbowl commercials last year was the eTrade baby sitting at his computer and talking. Well, he's back again this year with more pearls of trading wisdom. Here is a video of the baby's outtakes - things you won't see during the big game. Heh.

Check it:

Friday, January 23, 2009

40 Inspirational Speeches in Two Minutes

Damn you Cary. You always find the cool videos first. I don't care because I'm going to post this one too. Thanks kiddo! ;>

I liked the Star Wars one too, but you can check that out yourselves if you like. Enjoy!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Verdi - Traviata

I just saw this over at Cake Wrecks and thought it was just too cool not to share! Enjoy.

Still Here!



Tanna recently told me that I've been "pretty quiet" lately. Hmmm...guess I have! There's been various reasons for that. Maybe it's the below zero temperatures with double digit (minus) wind chills for the entire month of January. Or, maybe it's the snow up to my ass.


Bettina snapped this picture of me filling the bird bath the other day. Yep, we have THAT MUCH snow. Oh, and I don't want to forget the layer of ice that's under it making it treacherous to walk or drive. I haven't driven out of town for weeks (I'm a scardie cat driver).


It's cabin fever, folks. The dogs and I are ready for some warm, DRY weather! Shorts, tank tops and flip flops. Uh huh. You know what I'm talking about.


Here - this might help. Go watch Jay and the guys cook chicken and dream about that summer sun.

There now. Isn't that better?