Trick or Treat!

Go ahead and help yourself! Happy Halloween!

You Look Like Somebody I Used to Know

When I was young, probably 7,8,9 somewhere in there, we decided that my sister looked more like our best friend's sister than like my sister. So when we went out in public, we would have our story all ready. They were sisters and I was the neighbor...in case anyone should ask. Now that I'm much, much, much older, I can see that they looked nothing alike. Their coloring was similar, but that is where it ended. My sister and I don't look alike at first glance, but if you look again you'll see it. In truth, we have the same shape eyes, nose, mouths...they are just somehow different looking on each of us. Another truth is that our different personalities probably make it even harder to see the similarities.

I see a similar phenomenon with my own kids. Sometimes it is like one of those trick cards with the holograms, where different pictures appear depending on how you have them turned...oh, look! They're so different! Oh wait, no look...they're actually identical when you look at them from here... And you've all seen the families with kids who look like they came from the cookie cutter. One kid after another and unmistakeably siblings from top to toe. And then there are the two boys you knew all through high school without ever realizing they were related because they looked unsimilar enough to be different species practically!

What is it like in your family? Are you look-alikes or opposites or something in between? And how do you feel about that?

Fancy Dress Party

It is almost Halloween, so on this lovely Choose and Defend Wednesday you get to Choose a costume to wear! Yay! It is a general sort of choice, of course...although feel free to get as specific as you want in comments.

So, this Halloween do you want to be...

Scary?


Or do you want to be...

Cute?

I almost added a third category of Sexy, but by executive decision disqualified it. Maybe you can convince me it could be cute...feel free to attempt this defense. Choose and Defend is the game. Let's play.

A New Direction

I think I need a change. Lately, embarrassing as it is to admit it, I have been a little focused on "finding someone". I thought it would be nice to maybe be part of a couple again...or at least to date a little bit. I don't think it is going to happen for me though. I look at myself and feel discouraged. I look at my family's attitudes and feel even more discouraged. Maybe it isn't like this for everyone...probably it is not, but my sons are awful and rather mean when it comes to the idea of their mom and "some guy". I mean, a telephone call or two is enough to have me branded with some big scarlett letter...Not an A...maybe an S or an H. I think, what's the point? Really, do I need this pain and aggravation? Right now, I'm tired and down and I'm thinking no, I don't need this pain and aggravation.

I'm going to focus my energies (what's left) in new directions. I think frustration could lead to different physical activities. I could become a work-out queen! I am going to sharpen my mind, read more non-fiction, focus on important issues of the day. I can sink into despair or I can drive myself forward into interesting new experience, unhampered by fruitless and rather pointless expectations. I can be a whole new woman. Strong and independent! Forever. Can I live with that? I might have to.

Mr and Mrs Broom

Let's celebrate a Taraday, shall we? Instead of emailing this joke, it is going up right here for your viewing pleasure.



Two brooms fell in love. They decided to get married. It was a joyous occasion. The Bride Broom had never looked more lovely. The Groom Broom couldn't have been more proud.

On the way to their reception, the Bride Broom leaned towards her Groom Broom and said, "Guess what? There is a little Wisk Broom on the way!" The Groom Broom was astonished! He said, "How can that be? We haven't even swept together yet!"

I'm pretty sure she was sweeping around...

We Didn't Start the Fire

I BURN with excitement for our Saturday Scavenger Shots! That's right...AlienCG said the word and the word was BURN! There are a number of connotations for this word. I decided to go with a couple of reruns that seem to work well...

In this picture, you can see that some of my CDs are BURNed, rather than factory direct. 'Cause that's how I roll.

A lot of us are BURNing the candle at both ends. These only BURN at one. Often, I don't even BURN my candles. They sit around, they are pretty, and I sniff them once in a while. When my kids were small I got out of the habit of BURNing candles, because it was just too uncertain as to whether they were actually out of reach... Now I could, but I forget. 'Cause that's how I roll too.

Thanks for stopping by to feel the slow BURN of my blog. Don't forget to check with the Alien over at Swamp Gas & Moonlit Reflections to see who he is going to tag next :-) BURN, baby, BURN!

Halloween Memory

This one goes out in honor of today's Taraday wherein we are encouraged to share a Halloween Memory.



The first time we held hands was under the guise of not getting separated in the haunted house. We were both inexperienced enough that it was thrilling just to be moving through the dark together, bumping into one another, our fingers clasped tightly. Each time one of the scary creatures would jump out at us, I had an excuse to press my face into his flannel shoulder and feel his other hand between my shoulder blades pulling me close. Between the darkness and the excitement of this new physical contact, we were both somewhat dazed when we exited into the cool, still slightly lit evening air. My heart was pounding and I know my face must have been flushed with pleasure and eagerness. We looked at each other...he said, “Again?”

What Day of the Week Am I?

You Are Monday

Like this day of the week, you are ruled by the moon. More than anything, you are flexible. You are moody and impressionable. You are easily influenced by the world around you. And while you can be temperamental, you eventually adjust. While Mondays tend to be the hardest day for people, you don't mind getting back to regular life. You're the one waking up early and making the coffee while everyone else complains.

What Day of the Week Are You?

I couldn't get deep enough inside of my own brain to think of a topic today, so Blogthings Quiz it is! Once again, I see that Blogthings totally gets me, man. But Monday...true as it is, it is a little sad isn't it? haha! Well, what day are you?

You Won!

You just won the lottery! Congratulations. Financially, you are set for life. Since it is Wednesday there is just one thing left to do, you must now Choose and Defend what come next.

Will you....

Live a life of true and complete leisure?

Or will you....

Continue to do some sort of work, maybe something you love that doesn't pay well, or a business you've dreamed of?

Don't be shy...tell us! What would YOU do? Choose and Defend.

A Library Kind of Life

I don't think I've done a library post in a while. As with any other kind of job, there are highs and lows, positives and negatives.

Here is a negative - The Crazies

When you have a public place, like a library, you are going to have crazies. It is inevitable. Last night we had a doozy. He started over at the Adult Reference Desk. He wanted to leave some flyers he had written up about our "Founding Fathers". I don't really know what that was about, but there is an area where people can leave free handouts for others, so he was told he could leave them. But that wasn't enough. He also wanted to have some signage placed on the door of the building that would direct people to his handouts. Um, no can do. Our directive when people get confrontational is just to ask them to fill out a comment card so that we can have a record of their concern and can respond to them in writing. He refused and said he would simply tell his story on a call in radio show. Fair enough. And over there at the Ref. Desk, they were done. But HE was not done. He wandered over to the Children's Room and started perusing the display cases. He found something which did not please him. One of our cases has a Halloween display. Half of it is "books that will scare you" - Halloween stories from our collection. The other half is "books that scare us" - Featuring books that have been defaced in some way, with instructions and suggestions on how to properly treat library books. His objection was to this image:His fervent belief is that showing a book with the first President all colored on was disrespectful. We explained that defacing books is, yes, disrespectful, but that the point of the display is to help people understand how to treat books. He just wasn't having it. He wanted the book taken out of the display. Again, he was asked to fill out a comment card so that his concerns could be addressed in writing. Again, he declined. Was it over? Not quite. He came back again this morning to complain about these affronts to his person. He spoke to the administrative secretary...comment card....no... His next step was City Hall where he demanded to speak with the City Manager. He didn't care to leave his name or contact information, quel suprise. Anyway, end result? Lots of time spent on this guy. But no signs for his very special handouts and George stays.

I could write a bunch of positive stuff easily. I just got through doing a storytime and that is enough positive interaction to make everything worthwhile. When I see parents and kids sitting and reading together, or kids excitedly choosing books with their eyes all shining and smiles on their faces, wow! It is awesome. It is why I love the library. Even with the crazies.

Tagged by Delectable Daffy

Here are the Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

And we're off!

1. I am kind of afraid of dogs I don't know...and even some dogs I do.

2. I took private skating lessons from when I was 7 or so, up until I was about 15. Roller skating. Um, it was cool back in the day! Yeah, thats it...

3. I am not too into make-up, but I love buying different lotions and things like body sprays.

4. I find it hard to toss pens that aren't working anymore. It is like I think someone is going to come up with a cure someday.

5. Seeing a parade in person takes my breath away. It doesn't even have to be a huge, fancy one.

6. For some reason I am fascinated by different sorts of bowls. They are useful and can be so beautiful and unique. I tentatively collect ones I find at thrift stores.

Now for the tagging. Always hard, because so many don't love it as I do. But it must be done, so please play if you're at all interested.Please?

AlienCG, Cricket, Churlita, K_sra, Mrs. Hairy Woman, and Tara.

Thanks!

He's No Friend, an Acquaintance At Best

Welcome to another edition of the hottest blogging activity ever, Saturday Scavenger Shots! Okay, that was a little bit of editorializing there, but still....
Cricket picked the word NUISANCE for this week. What a good challenge! I tend to think of something that is a NUISANCE as more of an inconvience than a menace. But I think that is also a bit of editorializing. Here are a couple NUISANCEs in my life:

My toilet is running, my toilet is running! What a NUISANCE. I know I should just tell the landlord and they would tend to it. Or I could probably even fix it myself. I just haven't done either of those things yet.

Between my not-often-appearing allergies appearing and my car worries and stuff, I am currently sporting some real unattractive baggage under my eyes. It is a NUISANCE to look tired. People comment on it, and that just makes me feel worse, although I know that isn't their intention.

I was going to take a picture of one of the crickets (no relation, I'm sure) that like to come in near the front door in the evening. They are a bit of a NUISANCE, but compared to most insects that can invade a home, not so bad. They come right under the door, attracted to the light I suppose, and sing their little songs. Last night, I didn't see any though...so no picture. I guess it is cooling down enough that they might not be making so many appearances. A small NUISANCE that might be over for the season.

Thanks for stopping by and not making a NUISANCE of yourself! You are the perfect guest, always. Check with Cricket to see who she will tag for next week :-)

Soup without the Nazi

Tomato soup...mmmm...so soothing and delicious....

Corn chowdah! I love the chowdah!

Did you know that today's Taraday is Soup Day? Now there is something to celebrate. Soup can be a perfect food. You can just open a can or you can slice, dice, and simmer to your heart's content. It can be a thin savory broth or thick and full of chunky goodness. Soup can be clear or cream based. It is a great start to a meal if you are dieting (well, maybe not the cream based) because it is a healthy way to fill up before you hit the main course. I know for a fact that works. I mean, I don't serve courses at home...but when I eat out and they offer soup or salad before, don't you always feel like that is plenty and then all of a sudden they are taking that away and setting down this plate of pasta or whatever? Yeah, me too. Soup IS a meal! At work I like to drink Campbell's Soup at Hand. Especially during the winter, which is supposedly on its way at some point. All this soup blogging is totally getting me in the moood for soup. That's okay, because I can totally have soup for dinner if I want it. You know how you talk about some things and get in the mood for them, but you are probably not going to get them anytime soon? This isn't like that! I can have soup! And so can you. What kind of soup do you want?
Just in case you need help, you can check the Wikipedia for a pretty large list to choose from...HERE. Dang, Wikipedia really does have everything...

They Say We Won't Make It Far, Unless We Drive There in a Car

I've had my car trouble lately, haven't I! Makes me want to throw up my hands and forget even owning an automobile. I'd love to actually, but public transportation sucks pretty hard here. And I do feel obligated to have a reliable vehicle for the kids' sake.
But say that you decide not to drive. You're going somewhere within a reasonable distance for a change! For this Choose and Defend Wednesday, tell us what you do to get from Point A to Point B when you can do it under your own power.

Do you...

Bike

Or do you....

Hike

You know what to do! Choose and Defend!

Occam's Razor

You know it right? All other things being equal, the simplest solution is best. Like, say you are driving along and your car just...won't go. You step on the gas and NOTHING. Sputter, sputter, die. Oh merciful jeebus, what now? Dollar signs swim before your eyes. You want to rend your clothes and fall to your knees...but wait! Guess what? Did you know that sometimes if you put in a fuel pump you will get a bum fuel float? Hey! It did seem like that "full" tank wasn't going down as quickly as usual. You, my friend, are out of gas! The skies open and the light of a thousand angels beams into your weary soul. Saved.

Moon Madness? Nah, Probably Just the Regular Stuff.

Spooky, eh?

I think the actual full moon was last night, but the loony stuff is still bouncing around. It has just been one of those weird, out of sync days. Actually, come to think of it, I believe it has less to do with the moon and more to do with fire. There is a big burn not too far away, there is wind, and there are the regular Autumn spores in the air as well. It is all combining to make me feel pretty stuffy headed...and therefore, weirder than usual.

I did have a nice quiet weekend though. It seemed like Girlie Girl and Handsome Lad were in hanging out kind of moods. The weather was more moderate than it has been in quite some time, although I do hear the heat is returning.

My car was out of commission all weekend, but I did have Secret Agent Man's car. He was very patient. Possibly mostly because he worked both days. I gave him a ride to and from, so he was okay. Several hundred later, I have my car back, again. Please automotive gods, take pity on me and grant me some relief from repairs until after the holidays - at least!

I hope no one minds, but I put a little thing in my sidebar with the Saturday Scavenger Word of the Week. I thought it might be nice to have it somewhere easy to see until Evil-E is back from his hiatus. So anyone who wants to play can just stop in here if they don't regularly read around to all the players and see what's up. And I figure if I sidebar it, you don't even need to read my posts if you aren't into it...just check for the word and you're golden, man!

Everything Will Be Fine Someday, Some Other Day

Rah! I got to choose this week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word and I decided to go with FACE. Then, I went and totally took the easy way out :-) I just couldn't resist, alright. So sue me...

Miss Personality's silly FACE

Love Bug's happy, happy FACE

laura b's old FACE. Boo!

Little Prince's brand new FACE. Woo!

Well, let's FACE it...that wasn't so original, but hey! Three out of four photos were extremely cute FACEs if I do say so myself. Thanks for showing your FACE round here!

For next week's word I am tagging.... Cricket @ Churp, Churp. Go, gurl.

They Don't Call Me Lablahblah For Nothing

I am sensing that this is going to be one of those blathery posts. I don't have a clear topic in mind, yet I am writing. Usually not a good sign. Still, we all need to clear our minds now and again. Some of us more than others.

- My car wouldn't start last night. I pretty much know what the problem is and hopefully it won't be too costly to repair. I went out to the parking lot after I got off work and it was a no go. I called Kick Back Dude, who lives very near by, and he came to my rescue. I had to let my Auto Club go, even though I knew I'd regret it, but luckily he still has his. Yay! He had my car towed to WTG's house, where his 'guy' can work on it. I was able to borrow Secret Agent Man's car for today. Anyway, I hate my car. No, I love it, but it is frustrating me. Still and all, I was lucky. I was able to get me and my car home, plus have a loaner for today. So, the whole thing could have been much worse.

- I am sick of the Presidential race. I wish it were over, one way or the other. Well, I have my preference, but I am just sick to death of the rhetoric and the posturing and even the comedic takes on the candidates' collective stupidity. And there is the pessimistic and dare I say, realistic side of me, that feels no matter who is elected things aren't going to go so well for the foreseeable future. So, uh, vote AlienCG 2008. ;-p

- I was kind of a bad friend, but it was unintentional. I hadn't heard from Team C in awhile. I emailed him nearly a month ago and hadn't heard back...I didn't follow up with a phone call or anything, I just waited. And instead of assuming something might be up, of course Miss Low Self-Esteem went right to - Well, he is clearly blowing me off here. So, a couple days ago I sent off this rather snooty little message, very "it's been great knowing you" sort of thing. I don't know why...maybe just feeling low, you know? He called me right away apologizing and telling me this truly awful story about a family problem that he's been dealing with. I felt like such an ass. He did too, actually. He was so sorry he hadn't spoken to me about what was going on...he had wanted to talk to me, but had felt so overwhelmed with what he was dealing with...he wouldn't have hurt me for the world. Geez, I felt awful, but of course how could I have known? And he understood that and we made up. I do feel like I need to sometimes stop and realize that not everything is about me. In fact, very few things actually are!

- My Onion Personals friend, the Activist, is still emailing me and calling me, but we don't seem any closer to actually meeting. It's a bit silly. I think we are both way too shy and hesitant and afraid of overstepping somehow. This seems more and more destined to be a common interests, isn't it cool we found each other, but that's as far as it goes sort of friendship. Well, thats fine. It's good. But damn, you know? I am sort of hoping to actually date at some point. It might not happen in this lifetime. Maybe next time round, if one believes in that sort of thing....

- And...I guess that is it. I have spilled my guts. I think it helped me, as it usually does. Not sure what it did for you, but if you are still reading you rock, man. Have a great weekend. ♥

Poetry in the United Kingdom Floats

I found out from Daffy @ Almost There that today is National Poetry Day in the U.K. Even though I am not in the U.K. I couldn't pass up participating. The theme for this year is apparently WORK. I actually wrote and posted this little piece sometime last year, but since it fit with the theme I decided to put it up again for all to "enjoy". haha!

In the Conference Room

In the Conference Room we gather
Coffee cups in hand
The more organized among us
Bring pencils and pads
But most of us know
That will just make it harder
To peel a banana or destroy a donut

In the Conference Room we gather
The Director speaks first
She is quiet and humorous
But her word will be law
Each Assistant Director speaks
They are equals on the flow chart
But any fool can see who rules

In the Conference Room we gather
Let us go around the table
Gleaning knowlege from one another
Will it be about work?
Mostly no
But some people do take
Some mighty fine vacations

In the Conference Room we gather
Eyes on our watches always
Must she ask another question?
Did he have to bring that up?
Will this meeting ever end?
Finally it does
And we are released for another week

By laura b @ My Boring Life

You too can write poetry! You don't have to be British or even, as the above example proves, talented. Just do it :-)

1,000? Is That Even Legal?

It is true. This is officially my 1,000th post on this blog! Since it is Wednesday, I will turn this into a Choose and Defend post as well. Totally at my own expense, of course.

What would you Choose?

Writing 1,000 posts in a three and a half year period?

Or....

Having a life?

Okay, now Defend! And thanks for celebrating 1,000 posts with me. I appreciate each of you with all my heart.

Double 2 for the Secret Agent Man

Secret Agent Man has been caught on camera sitting with his grandma at his birthday lunch this past Sunday.

I canNOT believe that my little guy is 22 today. Paul Secret Agent Man came into the world at 4:02 am and was the smallest of all my babies at 7lbs 8oz. He joined the family when we were living in Las Vegas, thus becoming the only child born outside of California. He came home to a puzzled 14 month old brother and two still young and relatively inexperienced parents. And I assure you that son #1 did nothing to prepare anyone for son #2. He was sooo sensitive...one of those new babies who every evening had to cry and cry just to release the pressure of the day. Good times.

Secret Agent Man was always a good student. I never had a worry during his school career. He did his work competantly...and does to this day as a college student. He has a crew of friends that seem to sort of circle in and out of his life. You won't see someone for a while, then all of a sudden, there they are again! He's had his scraps and made a bad choice or two, but I will say he has always handled his knocks with stoicism and acceptance. I admire that. I don't know yet what path Secret Agent Man will ultimately take with his life...he is still a student, working part time at a supermarket...he still lives at home with his dad...but I know that he is brimming with potential and when he finally decides on a goal I feel confident that he will achieve great success. He has that quiet determination that will serve him well. I have always felt that Secret Agent Man is vulnerable in some unclear (to me) way, but I also have felt his fortitude. I love my Secret Agent Man.

Happy 22nd Birthday!!!!!

My Burger is Talking About Me

What Your Burger Says About You

You are a compassionate and caring. You know how to enjoy life while still looking out for others. You are likely a fairly picky eater. And you're secretly a little squeamish about some foods. You tend to gravitate toward strong, pungent foods. Even if it means having bad breath! You consider yourself a healthy eater. But you're not about to sacrifice taste or quantity! You are emotional. You have a big heart, and you tend to go for comfort foods.

What Does Your Burger Say About You?

And to my burger I reply, "Right on, my friend, right on."

You Used to Be Cool, Man!

Little Prince gets his sleep on.

Ugh, I just cannot catch up on my sleep! I need to go to bed earlier, but to have any sort of evening at all, get some things done and have some down time where I am not unconscious, it gets to be around 11:30 or 12 before I tend to shut down. During the school year, I need to get up around 5:45 to get the morning going on. I guess I'm getting old...it just isn't enough. But I think my perpetual state of slight to severe tiredness isn't helping with my moody-ass nature. Maybe I will just have to give up reading...but I'm not sure the rest would be worth it.

Anyway, I had a weekend. It was my Saturday to work. Sunday my dad and stepmom came over. Some of us went out to lunch as sort of an early celebration of Secret Agent Man's birthday. Then a smaller some of us decided to go to a movie. Since my dad was paying I suggested some movies I knew they might enjoy. They aren't too into indie films, you know? So we ended up seeing Lakeview Terrace. It was well acted, but it was one of those movies that I kind of felt I'd seen it before. It must be really hard thinking up original movie plots.

Later, I babysat the three babies while their parents were enacting some sort of little personal psychodrama. I didn't even want to ask. I was suckered in by the idea of it being a one hour visit, but it was really three hours. Not that I don't love the babies, but by 9:30 on a Sunday evening I am feeling less tolerant of diapers, bottles, and endless games involving stuffed animals and action figures going to the park and then becoming sick and having to be offered medicine in various flavors...yeah, don't ask. haha!

So now it is Monday, one of my late days, so I don't get out of here until 9. Girlie Girl was home sick today, although she says she feels much better now. Handsome Lad was home one day last week, so I am hoping they've now both had whatever this is...and that I'm not going to get it. Wish me luck.

I hope you all had a good weekend and that you have a great week ahead. Don't forget to pass the word of the week around, since our buddy Evil-E is on hiatus. The word is FACE. Pass it on.

All Work and No Play Makes Me a Dull Doll

Our Candidate for Nothing AlienCG @ Swamp Gas & Moonlit Reflections gave us this week's Saturday Scavenger Shots word. DULL. The word is DULL, but it is not a DULL concept! Please to enjoy:

Here is a very DULL pencil. No doubt one of the reasons no one really cared to champion pencils on Choose and Defend Wednesday :-)

The walls of my cubicle are a DULL beige color, as are the upper cabinets and the desk top. DULL, DULL, DULL.

Fortunately, no one objects to me livening up my DULL space with my own colorful, shall we say, stuff! DULL no more!

I enjoyed this week and hope you did too. I am happy to tell you that not one of you are even remotely DULL! Alien tagged me next, so I am able to pass along the news that next week's word will be... ... .... FACE. Have fun with that!

Serenity Now, Insanity Later.

For some reason, that old Seinfeldism keeps going through my mind. In my life though, it is reversed. I am feeling a little of that old wicked insanity lately, but feel confident (for absolutely no good reason) that serenity is on the way. Wishful thinking? Possibly. I guess it is good to know that I am still capable of throwing those wishes out there and having a part of me still believe that they could come true. Even if they never do wishing isn't such a bad thing.

This post, as I read it, seems to make even less sense than when I began writing. It's staying though. Welcome to my head.

Send Me a Letter, Drop Me a Line....

Do you know what day it is? That's right, kids, it is indeed Wednesday. Some people call it Hump Day (okay, I do too), but here it is Choose and Defend Wednesday! Play along. It isn't at all painful.

This week you are sitting around somewhere, no keyboard in front of you, and you are asked to write something. It doesn't matter what, just write dangit! Oh, but you will need something with which to write.

Would you like....

A Pencil?
Or would you prefer....

A Pen?

Choose and Defend this highly controversial choice! Um. Yeah.