Semiresponsive's not just a state of being...

So I locked myself out of my house this morning.  Called the landlady to see if she was going to be in the area or headed my direction so I could get to work reasonably on time.  Nope.  No such luck.  So, I ponied up and called the locksmith.  $52 later I was in my house and now owned a spare key.  This would not have been so bad had I not locked myself out of my house this past Sunday and spent $60 being let back in.  I just pissed away $112 dollars.  Not fun.

One hour to live. What do you do?
Submitted by Jeff Zie.

 I'd likely be spending time with those dearest to me.

TMI

1. Which traits from your parents do you see in yourself?

I'm a lot like my mom.  I've got a short temper - I wish I didn't have that and I work hard to combat it.  I have my dad's work ethic and for that I'm both proud and greatful.

2. Which traits from you/your partner do you see in your children (if you don't have kids, which would you like to see)?

I don't have kids and I don't have a partner.  I'd hope that my kids get the best of me and the best of him.  Isn't that the most we can hope for?

3. How did you get the birds-and-bees talk?

You know, I don't remember ever getting the talk.  I'm sure I must have, but it was evidently so not-traumatising that I've forgotten it.

4. What was your favorite childhood book?

That's very difficult because I was huge reader as a kid.  I don't think I had one favorite book.

5. What is your favorite piece of erotic literature?

No real favorite.  Most things aren't erotic to me the second time I read them.  They really only do it for me the one time.  So I'm always looking around for new stuff.

Bonus: What is the one thing you wish you could go back and tell yourself as a child?

Ease up on yourself a little.

Double Bonus: If your life were a book or movie, what would the title be?

Soundtrack to Life

Want to play?  You can play here.

What is the birth order in your family? Do you think it has an affect on your personality?
Submitted by aynge.

I have an older sister and a younger brother which makes me the middle child.  I'm my mom's only child, though, and grew up in her house. 

Characteristcs of being an only-child:

• Pampered and spoiled.
• Feels incompetent because adults are more capable.
• Is center of attention; often enjoys position. May feel special.
• Self-centered.
• Relies on service from others rather than own efforts
• Feels unfairly treated when doesn't get own way. 
• May refuse to cooperate.
• Plays "divide and conquer" to get own way.

I don't feel like any of those describe me, but I could be wrong I suppose.  :o)

Characteristics of being the middle of three kids:

• Has neither rights of oldest nor privileges of youngest.
• Feels life is unfair.
• Feels unloved, left out, "squeezed."
• Feels doesn't have place in family.
• Becomes discouraged and "problem child" or elevates self by pushing down other siblings.
• Is adaptable.
• Learns to deal with both oldest and youngest sibling.

Holy Fuck.  This morning I got a call from a company called ACS.  I've never heard of this company before but evidently they got my information from a company I received a loan through last year that was paid in full in December.  This ACS company told me that the company I got the loan through was pressing charges (for nonpayment) on three counts - the only one I remember now is a Fraud charge.  The information from the ACS company sounded a little strange and I knew I'd paid the account off so I called the company I got the loan through - sure enough this is a scam from a company in India.  My loan company told me to call the Department of Homeland Security to make the report of the call.  In the end everything worked out fine, but let me tell you how freaked out I spent the better part of the morning being.

I had my identity stolen about six months ago and it's been nothing but a battle since then (I'm fighting another battle on another front with FedEx/Collection over a $900 bill for a package I supposedly sent to Kuwait from a state I've never lived in along with a person I've never met).  Be careful with your personal info people - it's important.  I'm part of the internet generation so I've never thought much about entering personal info online.  For the most part, sites are now secure.  But, I forgot a cardinal rule (something I never should have done since I spent the better part of my teen years hacking) - no information is truely safe.

So, anyhow, if you get a call from a company called ACS, it's fraud and you're supposed to call the Secret Service/Department of Homeland Security immediately to report it.  The number is 989-497-0580.  Here's to hoping what happened to me doesn't happen to you!

Bea Arthur passed away on Saturday at the age of 86, which leaves us wondering: Who was your favorite Golden Girl?

I didn't have a favorite, I loved them all.  I still watch that show whenever I get a chance.  Which, admittedly isn't all that often because while I have a television now (go me!) I still don't have cable, satellite or even antennae.  Yeah, turns out TV's not that great an attraction for me. 

And, Tony, see?  I haven't *left* Vox.  :o)

What's your favorite TV commercial?
Submitted by MexicanRobot.

Lol, I have no idea what my favorite commercial should be.  My TV died about 5 months ago and I haven't bothered to replace it.  I think I've seen exactly 6 commercials since then.

I used to love that old commercial...I think it was for Lifesavers...with the kid and the dad sitting on the porch with the sun going down and the dad says "going...going...gone" and the sun goes down right on cue and the little girl looks at her dad and says "Do it again daddy."  Yeah, that's a good one.  Wish I could find a clip of it...

Okay, so I'm doing thise for two reasons.  1.) I haven't posted in - my God, it's been a while.  2.) 16 people - yes, 16 actual people, no exageration - have sent me this over the course of the last three months.  I get it.  :-)  I'm doing it.

From what I understand, you bold if if you've done it, italicize it if you want to do it and leave it plain if you haven't done it and don't want to do it.  Even if I'm wrong, that's what I'm doing.  :-)

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.

4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person.
41. Sung Karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.  Girl Scout cookies currently for sale if anyone is interested.  ;-)
62. Gone whale watching. 
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
65. Gone sky diving. 
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.

 

TMI

Well, I did it.  This morning I voted for Barack Obama.  This former dyed in the wool Republican voted for a Democrat.  And I feel really, really good about it.  I truely believe I just voted for the next President of the United States.  It's exciting.  It's not going to be the first time I voted for a winner but I feel this sparkle of excitement to watch the returns come in this evening.

I also voted against the crappy Amendment 2 thing that's going on.  Honestly what difference does it make in my world if gay couples can marry?  Seriously, what is it?  Like 8-10% of the population is homosexual?  And the argument is that it could potentially cost tax payers more money in state funded family insurance plans.  Give me a freakin' break.  That's not enough reason to legislate against people commiting themselves to one another.  It's hard enough to find a person worthy of that commitment without having someone tell you that doing it is wrong.

In other news - not so good news - my brother and his wife lost the baby.  She had a D&C last week at about 16 weeks and they estimate she lost the baby around week 12.  Very sad news.  My brother was crying when I talked to him and that's a strange thing to witness.  Both seem to be doing a little better now but I'm sure the loss will stick with them.

I leave for North Carolina tomorrow.  I'm thrilled.  I get to spend a week antiquing - assuming my mother and (who are actually very excited to see one another) don't kill each other.  Beautiful pictures will be coming soon.

And just to keep people updated a little by what's been going on, pictures!

Not sure if this video will come through - but it's a good example of what an idiot I can be.  Lily turned 6 (see other pic below) and the adults decided to play in the bouncy house after the kids left.

 It's highly possible that Jeny and Frances will kill me for posting that, but I'm cool with it.  ;-)

Lily Opening Presents

Before this there was a wedding and after was a Halloween party.  I haven't yet received pics of the halloween party, but it was great. 

Things have been going really well here lately.  Gotta love life coming together!