LJ Idol Presents:

Trying to figure out whether to take a "bye" for this weeks topic..

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While you are thinking...

[FIRST POST]

(this is your first, n'est-ce-pas?)

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yes, it is, what do I do with it? *thinks* Does it do anything cool?

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Not yet.

Eventually, having a bunch of them might mean something to someone, someday.

It mostly serves to tell you that I made a note in my little spreadsheet, and visually tells ME that I did (so I do not double-count).

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I think they dance when you're not looking at them.

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ewok-626.livejournal.com

Yay, first!!

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Morning.

Second I see?

ETA: Yup

Plans include not hanging in the GR, packing more boxes, dealing with snow & ice, and figuring out how to deal with the emotional ramifications of ... meh.

Oh, and seeing friends. I hope.

Edited Date: 2008-12-16 10:51 am (UTC)

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My plans also include telling the CEO of my company that his latest idea is a complete waste of time, also telling him that any hope of a pay raise has now faded completely and basically trying to make him feel like the idiot he is.

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Ohhh, I like your plan. I wish I had done something like that years ago, when I had a job.

Instead, I went nuts. [No, seriously, I did. Hospital and everything.]

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My last two emails included the phrases "it's a complete waste of ****'s time" & "and since the possibility of any kind of pay raise has completely faded,"

It's the LITTLE things in life that I find amusing.

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If you were closer I'd totally help you pack boxes (as long as it's not too heavy stuff). I'm awesome at IRL-Tetris.

-Alexandra

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Oh thank you for the offer!

I have moved so many times now (and not military-connected either) I can look at a collection of "stuff" and say whether it will fit or not in the vehicle.

Spatial-skills I got. Logic and verbal, not so much.

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That, I cannot do. But I'm good at twisting and turning things to fill boxes without shake-space. I think when I shipped my stuff back to Sweden from the US after living there for a year (I'm a packrat and accumulated SO MUCH STUFF), I used a grand total of maybe 20-30 packing peanuts.

Not looking forward to resolving the logistics of possibly moving the boy here in about a year, though. Transatlantic moves seem rather intimidating.

-Alexandra

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Surprisingly I'm a great packer.

imafarmgirl browbeats me into packing her boxes for her to mail. Aren't I a good friend?

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Best friend ever!

-Alexandra

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*s*....once it's done you'll be a happy camper.. :)

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I hope "seeing friends" is on your list too - tomorrow night at 7pm is my team's (work) Christmas dinner at PF Chang's. Knight can't make it due to work, so if I don't get to see you TONIGHT you may be dragged by your ears out to Chang's tomorrow! ;)

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EEK!

(And gee... my boys wanted me to take them to dinner tomorrow night - that would work...)

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LOL - it's up to you if you think the boys would want to hang out with my co-workers or not!

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Just so we're clear - are you coming over today or tomorrow??

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*looks out the window*

I am gonna try for today.

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Sounds like a plan. I'm usually home by 6:00, maybe 6:15 if I get delayed. Don't feel rushed to get to Lex by then - just get there in one piece! :)

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Will do, Sis!

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johnmill79.livejournal.com

Oh, I should've tried for it this time! So close to being first. Ah well, I'm off to work. Wish I could just sit here and play in this thing, though. Will enjoy this too warm day.

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Want some snow??

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johnmill79.livejournal.com

No way! lol I'm actually surprised we're avoiding it. I think we've been trapped in a bubble or something.

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You sure? Because it is snowing REALLY HARD right now. We got plenty here in central Kentucky...

I am sure I could send some your way.

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Feel free to send it my way, here in Delaware. I'm not a fan of the stuff, but it's better than the rain we got all last Winter. I'd rather have a foot of snow than a foot of rain.

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Keep the snow to yourself... I don't need it here! LOL

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Want to talk about coincidence?

About five minutes ago, a "Winter Weather Advisory" popped up on my weather widget. It says to expect about an inch of snow, followed by sleet and freezing rain.

So...thanks!

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*curtsies*

You're welcome!!

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*lives in California to avoid that stuff*

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thepheenixeyri.livejournal.com

::misses snow something owful:: :(

At least I can live vicariously through yall. :d

Phoenix

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Yes please! I want a white Christmas!

Can you ship some over, in time for next Thursday? :-)

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Funny you should ask that.

My son has this nifty idea to replace "snow flakes" with "snow puppies."

The theory is that we would not have to shovel them, they would float gently to the ground, then hop up on their little legs and run away, preventing the need for salt, sand, etc.

Everyone could have a snow puppy all winter long. And they could sleep in the freezer, to come out for a quick pick-me-up in the middle of a hot summer day.

[My son... takes after me... can you tell?]

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I've got the farrier coming to shoe my horse, and I'm going to sit down to draw for a bit, since I've not been able to the last two weeks or so.

Provided I can tear myself away from editing over on WikiLurv (http://www.wikilurv.se).

Also, we had an earthquake this morning. It was rather interesting. I've never had an earthquake before.

-Alexandra

Edited Date: 2008-12-16 02:03 pm (UTC)

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Where are you located that brought on an Earthquake?

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Lund, Sweden. I don't know that earthquake is the proper term, or if there's an alternate term for it or something (there are two words in Swedish), but we had a 4.7 quake here centered on Ystad.

Possibly the biggest one in a hundred years, they say.

-Alexandra

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Yep, earthquake is the correct term if the Richter scale was 4.7. Glad it wasn't any worse than that.

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imafarmgirl.livejournal.com

I overslept. I gotta hurry up and get moving. First day back after five off for a broken heater. Might be a rough one!

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Trying to figure out what on earth to write for this week's topic. Happy topics are so much more difficult to write than unhappy ones... at least for me.

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Why does a favorite story have to be happy?

[asks the woman who still could write about fuzzy bunnies...]

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The story doesn't have to be happy, but the topic is still a "happy" one seeing as it's a "favourite" story... Does that make any sense at all or am I just babbling?

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yeah, ok that makes sense.

I haven't slept in a while...

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That's no good. How late/early is it in your neck of the woods? It's just coming on 1pm here.

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Oh I got up about this time yesterday, well, a little earlier than this.

Insomnia is nothing new to me.

[7am]

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Gah! Sorry to hear it.

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You make perfect sense. Happy stories are more difficult to write than sad ones because, I think, "happy" is one of those emotions that doesn't naturally pull in readers. For instance, there's nothing sensational or tragic about "happy"...you know what I mean?

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Precisely!! For writing purposes, unless you're an exceptional writer, happy often equals dull. With tragedy you can make others gasp or sympathise. With happiness, you occasionally just end up sound like you're bragging.

Glad I wasn't talking complete nonsense :)

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Bliss to the point of tears can't draw someone in?

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It certainly could, but I've yet to find any story that's ever elicited that sort of response from me. Including movies, btw.

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Lol - we're so on the same wavelength this morning.

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Wondertwin powers?

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heh - anything's possible. By the way I keep meaning to tell you this. If this doesn't make you giggle, I don't know what will - see comments (http://agirlnamedluna.livejournal.com/527879.html).

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Oh Noes!!

But now that I have seen that, does that mean that this is the end of you?

We can't have that!!

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I'm fine! Looks like I predicted wrong! lol. And of course, I couldn't resist using the icon.

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You know, I find writing happy stories easier than sad ones... but it seems I brought a lot of smiles in my Idol entry... it is a great happy story I love sharing.

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I think that "happy" stories can be sensational if they're exceptionally inspiring. For example, when Obama won for presidency, it was beautiful for his supporters. I cried. : )

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*no comment*..I could that one to a different place...*eg*

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your favorite story could be heart-wrenching.

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As today is already over, I'm about to go to sleep since I have to work tomorrow.

I had a personal day off today though, which I was desperately in need of as work is quite stressful right now.

I started my Christmas shopping, but didn't get far, unfortunately. Lunch with a friend was great, as I found Italian sausage pizza. Yes, I know, small things and all that.... But it was very good!

I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

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Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!

Kicks self for the time zone changes...

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Thank you!

Timezone changes are a pain, but it means my birthday can go for two days not one.... sort of.... :-)

It's good to be back!

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ewok-626.livejournal.com

Happy Birthday!

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My wife took yesterday off from work, so we spent the whole day vegging, playing Civilization III. I won with a space race victory; first time ever! Yay!

Today's the day to do some Christmas shopping. Yay again!

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tryslora

We have power!! *dances gleefully* Now I have to figure out how to clean up the mess/laundry while still getting small children to a zillion weekday actvities.

But... POWER!!!

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caersidi.livejournal.com

Also thinking about what to write this week.

Have a book club Christmas do tonight so busy reading the short book we have for it though expect discussion will be quite light.

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Yay, I actually wrote the entry, rather than use up my bye..

I'm a glutton for punishment.

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We have a winter weather advisory - because any time we have ANY ice of ANY amount it's a bad thing. We're not built for it, and people are stupid.

Unfortunately I really need to get some things done at work, even though I'm still sick. My fever is gone though.

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I'm not sure where you are, but it sounds a lot like where I am: Delaware. We have a winter weather advisory for an inch of snow today. Granted the "Followed by sleet and freezing rain" is pretty nasty, but when I lived in Buffalo they would have laughed and this and told you about the time their car got stuck under 7 feet of snow in the course of one night*!

*True story. Happened to me my first real Winter in Buffalo.

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It isn't "really cold" in Maine until the ocean freezes solid enough to drive on it either.

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Here in Delaware, at the slightest hint of snow, the smallest dusting, the stores become crammed full of people. Those people aren't there for canned goods, or flashlight batteries, or things that might actually come in useful if something were really happening.

Those people are buying bread and milk.

Seriously.

Bread and milk. WTF, Delaware?

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That happens here in MAssachusetts as well. You'd think that these people's cupboards and fridges were completely void of anything if they hear of a flake of snow falling. It's such a strange behavior.

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I could understand if it were canned goods, dried stuff, or anything that would keep if power went out/they were snowed in. I know it's just a dusting, but I can appreciate them being prepared. Bread and milk though?

They're just weird. :)

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Everybody wants French Toast when it snows!

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Ah, never thought of it that way. :-D

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I keep milk in all three forms of "storage" around because I only cook with it. I don't drink it.

dried, canned, and Permalat.

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What's Permalat? I know the other two.

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Think milk-in-a-box.

It can be used just like fresh milk, but it is treated and packed in special boxes for longer-term storage.

It doesn't taste tinny like evaporated or condensed milk.

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Ah, I know now. Never used it, but I can see the draw to it.

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Louisiana. There is no snow. I repeat. There is no snow. There is drizzling rain, and there is a 30 degree temperature and the wind chill is in the ::gasp:: twenties, and this may cause ice on bridges (which I have to cross) and overpasses.

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I can understand Louisiana a bit better, since they truly aren't prepared for icing due to their location, but Delaware? It's like they think snow never happens. We live in the NE US, and they don't even have plows, just trucks to drop a salt slurry?

Bah!

But yeah. Good luck with the other drivers in LA.

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I think it's because Delaware/Maryland/Virginia are just south enough and closer to the ocean so that snow either shouldn't arrive or, if it does, it melts the minute it hits the ground. So it's natural that nobody would be prepared for the onslaught of ice or snow actually sticking.

My husband lived in Oklahoma for 5 years before moving back up this way. While he was down there, he experienced a few terrifying ice storms -- terrifying because, of course, they're not prepared for ANY kind of weather like that, people don't know how to drive in that sort of weather, and everything became a huge mess :shudder:

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Delaware's yearly snowfall is somewhere in the range of Buffalo's monthly Winter snowfall, which we thought was hilarious. What we didn't know is that the rest all comes down in the form of rain, which sucks. This is going to be our second Winter in this area, and last year was super rainy. We're hoping for a little more snow, even if it means dealing with poor drivers. :)

I'd imagine most places in the south get kind of crazy with even the smallest amount of snow, and super crazy with any amount of ice.

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Really? I never would have guessed that :shaking head: But which would you rather have -- blizzards or torrential downpours?

I'm 2 miles from the ocean, so the temperature has to plummet and remain there for us to get whalloped. Those who live further inland get whalloped anyway, no matter what.

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Honestly?

Blizzards.

But the comparison isn't quite fair. It's not torrential downpours that we get, it's just slightly rainy all day. It's not even the wetness that really bothers me, it's that it's dark and dismal, drizzling rain, every day. It's just blech, you know?

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Yeah...we're currently having that bleak drizzly stuff too :( It's supposed to be changing to snow sometime later today and going through tomorrow afternoon. Couple of inches at the most. I'm so happy I'm not at work fending off the "I NEED BREAAAAD!" crowd!

Me? I like an old-fashioned blizzard once in a while. I'm realizing, though, that the older I get, the less tolerant I am of cold, so I'm beginning to lean toward the torrential downpour :(

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I don't necessarily like the cold. The blizzard appeals to me more because I can cuddle up on the couch with my wife and dogs than any other reason.

I DO prefer the cold to the hot. I can always put on more/heavier clothes to stay warm.

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As long as the power stays on I don't mind a good blizzard. Being inside and watching the snow fall and knowing it is useless to try to go anywhere is a good thing. And taking he dogs out to play in the snow is too much fun!

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DQ Blizzards are yummy. The rest? Not so much!

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pinkslit.livejournal.com

the greatest summer of my adolescent life was spent in dover. you don't hear of people being from DE often.

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I've only met a handful of people that could say they were from DE. I live in DE, but am from NY. :) I love the area, and plan on staying here for quite some time, barring unforeseen circumstances, of course.

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I did my undergrad work up at SUNY Buffalo - I lived there from 1985 to 1990. When were you there?

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2000 to 2007. Started in Lancaster, ended up in Tonawanda with a great house. Felt like moving and ended up here in DE. No particular reason; just wanted a change.

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One of my old roomies in college lived in Tonawanda! Weird, eh? :)

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supremegoddess1.livejournal.com

...and I'm in the middle, with 1996 to 2000.

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Hurray for no more fever.
Boo for still sick.

Double-boo for ice.

*glares out window*

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I'm sure it's worse where you are. I just wish I could be one of those people who would just call in one more day.

Why can't I be one of those people?

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I could call in for you?

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heh. thanks

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Good morning! Well, I suppose I have to actually go to work today after being out since last Wednesday afternoon. They had to fix the office furnace. Drat!

But I am here in town at the local office so no long commute for me today.

It's snowing lightly. It's supposed to get worse tonight. Is it wrong of me to wish for a snow day tomorrow?

I am glad I got my entry in early. I immediately knew what I wanted to write about this time, which was a change.

I'll be around most of the day so you're all stuck with me! See ya in a bit!

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hullo....

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Hi Charlie!

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thepheenixeyri.livejournal.com

::waves* at Charly (Yes that change in action marks was deliberate...):d

How ya be?

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Hi Charlie!

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So far we're just getting rain :pouts:

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Snow stopped for now. The weather report calls for 3-6 inches by late tomorrow morning.

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They're saying 1-2" over here,but I'll be surprised if that actually happens.

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mshades.livejournal.com

Got lots of things to do between now and Friday, so I'm glad I got my entry off quickly....

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*this week's moving faster than last week*

Bloody fucking comcast...yes I'm going to use curse words..

I can't even get my emails right now...(may have to go to pobox webmail instead even though it's clunkier than shit)

*waves*

I'm not grouchy... yet.. :)

Happy birthday to Marion and pawpower4me...

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libra-dragon.livejournal.com

Still freezing
Need to venture out and hope my car starts
Pondering what story to use for this...talk about open ended and so many options.

Take care all and have a good one!

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no kidding...my mind is all over the place trying to find a good place to land!

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I'm awake and dressed, which is more than I can say for this same time yesterday, LOL. I've even got lunch packed so that I won't have to go back out into this weather later - w00t! And I reheated my SF Cinnamon Dolce Latte that I brought yesterday evening (my morning is usually spoken for, between sleeping and GR time) so I'm all ready to head out to work in a few minutes... if I leave here by 8:30 I should have NO problem getting to the office by 9:00, since it is usually not more than a 15 minute drive.

Also, happy birthday

desert_rose!

(Isn't it amazing that AS SOON AS you hit post is when you spot the typo?? LOL!)

Edited Date: 2008-12-16 01:24 pm (UTC)

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Heh, I've edited my post twice since posting it!

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*and I noticed that you came back to edit*..

*wiggles eyebrows*

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shhh, don't tell anybody ;)

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I always edit typos. I'm type-A that way!

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Like when you realize a split second before you slam the door on your finger that your finger is in the wrong place but you don't have enough reaction time to get it the fuck outta there!

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Yeah, kinda like that - only LJ is less painful!!

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Thank you very much!

Curious now- what was the typo? :-)

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Instead of writing "I'm awake and dressed" I had typed "I awake and dressed."

Yeah. Not so much!

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Good Morning! I'm here! I'm alive!

I've got today, tomorrow, and Friday off from work because I worked all this past weekend. Next week is ~~Pie~~ Pastry Platter Hell Week, and I'm really, really hoping I don't get roped into the production line. They're fiddly and full of details and make me squirm :shudder:

I need to do my Christmas shopping. Yes. I haven't bought one blessed item. I'm hoping Amazon will ship by early next week so I don't have to go out into the middle of this rainstorm we're currently having.

Edited Date: 2008-12-16 01:31 pm (UTC)

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Hi Kizzy! Yay for time off! I got spoiled having the 3 days off. I will have a vacation next week though and all through New Year's week! Yay.

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YAY!!!

Unfortunately everyone at Current Employer had to take their vacations before Thanksgiving week. which is understandable. Makes it difficult for the people who have school-aged kids, though, especially at this time of year.

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Can't open eyes....

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*brings coffee to you*...

Smell the coffee... is that working???

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I am chugging it now. One eye is open. ;)

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:stands over the bed with a pair of cymbals:

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tigrkittn.livejournal.com

You're MEAN! *laughs*

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But notice how I didn't actually use them :)

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tigrkittn.livejournal.com

LOL! Good point!

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I hate it when I want to write my entry and I'm stuck at work with too much to do to even get an outline done!

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*sticks fingers in ears*

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*drips cold water on head*

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haha, thank you. ;)

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sydb42.livejournal.com

We got some freezing rain/sleet and have snow coming down now. Not all that thick, but it's still coming. Word is that driving conditions are going to be less-than-ideal this morning and only be worse this afternoon (you know, when the schools are letting out). Our schools are open, many surrounding counties are not.

My attitude about school is, if it's open, you go. My husband, however, thinks that since the traffic is likely to be dicey and school is winding down for the break anyway, that we need to keep our daughter home from school. Remembering past incidents where school was in session and then even with early release kids were stuck on buses for many hours before getting home, I reluctantly agreed and we are keeping her home from school and he is working from home today.

Which of course means that most likely all the dire predictions about more ice and snow won't happen. Heh.

Trying to figure out what my favorite story is. I asked my husband yesterday evening what story I tell so much that he's sick of hearing it, but he couldn't think of any (the question is, is he being sweet or is he just not paying attention when I talk)? ;) So, I'll be perusing my journal and seeing if anything jogs my memory reading past entries and going from there.

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We keep switching back and forth between snow and sleet/freezing rain.

I was supposed to pick up my moving truck a 9:00am but moved it back to 1pm.

I wish the nasty weather would be done already, but I guess I am out of luck there.

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Moving truck rental = $200.00
Boxes/packing material = $100.00
Moving in the sleet? = priceless

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Heh.

Riiiiight.

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theafaye.livejournal.com

My husband's reply was exactly the same when I asked him!

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tigrkittn.livejournal.com

I can haz naptiem nao? Plz?

I'm at work. Tired. The coffeemaker is broken. Two different things I want to spend time writing about are roiling around in my mind and I have to spend the next eight hours working?? *pout!*

Made a connection this morning between someone I know now and someone I knew 15 years ago... they "feel" the same, like same spirit, same emotional core. It's mysterious and I don't know what to do with it, but I'd hate to think I noticed that for no reason.

Sorry. Babbling. Lack of coffee becoming critical.

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*hands you steaming cup of coffee* cool about the re-connect!

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ewok-626.livejournal.com

Morning!

I am headed over to John's mom's to watch her puppy for the day. So Santino will keep Isabella occupied while I get a nap on the couch. haha

Am going to finish writing Christmas cards out today. If you want one, go over to my page. Comments screened there, so leave your addy. :D

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Afternoon!

I started Yule shopping SO early and now it looks like I won't be done in time!!! Boo!

Gary, do you reckon that one day we'll go back to 1 pm SGT (Silly Gary Time) as deadline for topics and voting? I'm asking because 7 pm is 1 am for me, and by then I'm usually trying to frantically get some sleep before the little one wakes up for the first time!

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That's what you get for living in Fake Time!!!*g*

kithan hasn't been doing well over the last few weeks and doesn't have the same sort of poll-making time access in the afternoon. Which is why I moved it to when I get home at night so that I can post it.

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No no, I live in The Ultimate Time. The time SO good (because I live in it), that only a select number of people get to live in it!

It's currently 890786 AM here. But ssshhh, don't tell anyone!

I understand though, poor

kithan. I hope she feels better soon =/ Nobody else stepping up to help this year?

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Only a select few want to live in it!

Siggy Idol needs to come to Real Time!! She told me!

I've had a couple volunteers - but let's face it, I need a special sort of person. Putting up with me is bad enough. But it also has to be someone that I know that I can trust with the position. It's my baby after all and I'm giving full access. Not something I'd do lightly.

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Yeah I understand. I wish I had more time ... j/k haha

hopefully it will sort itself out :)

(if you read articles about a sleep-deprived lunatic who went on a killing spree ... LOL)

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I would have assumed it was you regardless!!!

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Someone would have to be crazy to work for you.

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True.

Which is actually another good distinction. (and I know you know it but I'm saying it out loud for anyone following along.*g*)

Most of the people volunteering think they are coming into a partnership. Assistant is just that, someone who assists. They work for me helping out.

I don't want a partner. Just someone to help out where I need them.

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supremegoddess1.livejournal.com

you have another volunteer, should you need it.

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Admittedly, 7pm is 7pm for me, but I tend to stay up until 1am my time anyway, just because I'm weird that way, LOL!

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LOL well before having my daughter I was a night owl and frequently up until the wee hours ... now I start yawning at 9 pm, if not much earlier haha

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emosnail.livejournal.com

Destilling!

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Whats that pump?

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emosnail.livejournal.com

Distilling rather. Making tequila today, brandy tomorrow! (=

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More veggies!

[see down-thread I think]

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Cool. Did you get my text?

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emosnail.livejournal.com

haha yeah just responded. Sorry for the delay, was busy with the distillery and such.

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*hops into gr briefly, sets out plate of bree, sweet raspberry sauce, and crackers* Hi everyone, there's a messful of clients out in the lobby so I'll check back when I can! Hope everyone is good.

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Snags crackers and brie! Thanks! I needed a snack!

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