Rhapsody

If You Can't Get Your Kid to Turn Off the Game, It's Your Problem, Lady

2009-12-23T04:01:00.000-08:00

Apparently, there are parents out there who haven't a clue on controlling their kids. Who knew? A Boston mom actually called 911 because she couldn't get her 14-year-old to stop playing "Grand Theft Auto" at 230am. He also committed other 911-involving acts - like walking around the house and turning on the lights. http://wcco.com/watercooler/mom.calls.911.2.1384279.htmlFor wasting the time of

2009: A Year in Review

2009-12-22T11:22:00.000-08:00

I skipped 2008. Time to catch up. Thanks to Avindair for the format!1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?Had an MRI. (To be more concise, about 5.) Got diagnosed with Multiple-Sclerosis. Had a spinal tap. (It's really not as fun as the movie.) Gave myself injections. (Not as bad as I thought it would be.)2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for

Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?

2009-08-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

John Hughes, February 18, 1950 - August 6, 2009

2009-08-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

You'll never be 18 again, but you can watch it in technicolor.I heard yesterday that John Hughes died. I'm 42. I've never had a problem with my age and I still don't. But yesterday, when I heard that the director of those quintessential teen films was gone, my memories took on a more sepia-toned hue. John Hughes wrote and/or directed many of my favorite films of the '80's: The Breakfast Club,

Best Intentions

2009-08-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Writing that the past few months have been a rollercoaster ride would be an understatement. I have been online: emails, Facebook,reading other people's blogs, but just haven't felt up to the task myself. I figure it's time to start posting again. Not to be overly mysterious, but several months back I was diagnosed with a medical condition that my family and I have had to adjust to. In time, I'm

These Boots Were Made for Walkman

2009-07-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

I remember when having a Walkman was "the shit". Of course, at that age, I would have never, ever said, "the shit". It was always better to depend on the radio stations, though. Playing cassette tapes really ate up batteries quickly.Walkman, at 30, a mystery to teenAlejandro Martinez-CabreraWednesday, July 1, 2009What better way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sony's iconic Walkman than to

Doctor Who - Planet of the Dead Trailer

2009-04-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Glee! Doctor Who Easter special this weekend!

Run AWAY! Run AWAY!

2009-03-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

Have you seen any small, white rabbits running around London with great, nasty teeth? Recently, a toy replica of the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch was responsible for a bomb scare in London. Not kidding.

I'm a Millionaire!

2009-02-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

Hey, everyone! I got this email today. Looks like I'm set for life! *****************************************************************Greetings from Dave Yorke, I am Dr. Dave Yorke, Group Accountant (R.B.T.T) However, I have already sent you this same letter by post one month ago, but I am not sure if it did get to you since I have not heard from you, hence my resending it again. I discovered a

Minnesota - Killing Me Softly

2009-01-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

I've started this blog post at least half-a-dozen times in the last few minutes. My current location has me feeling like one cranky bitch. I'm cold. Cabin crazy. House bound. Hungry. Bored. Light deprived. Lonely. Usually, I hit this point around February. Discontent arrived early this year. Where am I? I live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. My family and I have lived here 10 years now.

Looking Ahead

2008-12-31T04:57:00.000-08:00

I woke at 6:00am thinking about the day before me. I've been on PTO (paid time off) since a couple of days before Christmas. Time off that I desperately needed to get my head together again. It wasn't all fun and games, though. Due to work commitments, I thought that I'd have to spend a lot of time working during my "time off." Thankfully, my presence wasn't needed all that much. Today, I'd

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

2008-12-10T05:41:00.000-08:00

A little gift from my favorite Christmas movie, "Love Actually". Enjoy!

Why... So... Serious?

2008-10-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

My son as The Joker!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

A Halloween gift by Edgar Allen Poe...The RavenFirst Published in 1845Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -Only this, and nothing more.'

Come on, Fashion Industry. Make up your minds.

2008-10-15T08:23:00.001-07:00

Way back in July 2007 I posted a little rant, Size Does Not Make a Difference about women's clothing. Now I'm seeing with my 11-year-old daughter's clothes. At the beginning of the summer, I bought SportyGirl a couple of pairs of blue jeans at the Big Red Concentric Circles store. They were the store brand, size 10. Fast forward to last week. The same size 10 jeans still fit SportyGirl, but they

Maverick

2008-10-06T19:04:00.001-07:00

You know, the word "maverick" gets thrown around a lot these days, but what does it really mean? The American Heritage Dictionary has two definitions: 1. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.2. One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a

BLOCKED!

2008-10-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

No, not me. Someone else. Someone I thought was reasonably sane... until politics came up. I actually blocked someone on my Facebook account. I expressed my opinions about a certain candidate, as is my right to do, to have her reply, "Puh-leeese." Yes. "Puh-leeese." Much like an eye-rolling 14-year-old. A less than valid argument, I'd hazard to say. So I replied by providing validation for my

After the Smoke has Cleared

2008-10-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

The one and only vice presidential debate for 2008 is over. I didn't need time to parse any of it. Biden was clearly superior in his grasp of policy and articulate in outlining the Obama / Biden ticket. Palin on the other hand... well... it was the aural and visual equivalent of cotton candy. Much too sweet and no substance.And that's all I have to say about that.

In Palin's Name

2008-10-02T16:28:00.001-07:00

(Many apologies to my Babylon 5-savvy readers out there for the title...)Just a little progress report on the Palin Planned Parenthood phenomena from The Democratic Daily: "As of Friday, Planned Parenthood had taken in $802,678 in donations from 31,313 people, said a spokesman for the organization, Tait Sye."Freakin' sweet.

Al Franken HATES PUPPIES!

2008-10-02T16:19:00.000-07:00

The perfect political ad reply to the crap that Norm Coleman's campaign has been shoveling out to the airwaves:

I Pledge to Not be a Dumb-ass

2008-10-02T04:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Teresa over at Anomalous Data posted this email she received from the AFA (American Family Association). If you'd like to see it for yourself, you can find it online. Here's the text: Are you tired of the extremely bias reporting by ABC, NBC and CBS? Do something about it! Tell the networks you are fed up with their attack on conservatives. Join other Americans who are tired of these

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Best VP Candidate the Republican Party can Offer?

2008-10-01T20:49:00.001-07:00

Can anyone in good conscience vote for Sarah Palin? Check out this quote from an Associated Press article in the Star Tribune. ***************************************************************Asked what other Supreme Court decisions she disagrees with, Alaska's governor couldn't name any."Well, let's see. There's, of course, in the great history of America rulings there have been rulings, that's

Make Your Opinion on Palin Heard... and Do Some Good

2008-09-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Since Sarah Palin was picked to be McCain's running mate, I've met ONE woman who's expressed support for her. Every other woman I've spoken to has more or less had this to say, "Sarah Palin doesn't represent me!" Someone came up with the brilliant plan that I've agreed to pass along. It's a way of demonstrating our lack of agreement with Sarah Palin's "moral compass" while simultaneously

Remembering 9/11 with Jon Stewart

2008-09-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

I know it's a few days past 9/11. Doesn't matter. I found this wonderful clip from the Jon Stewart show on Neil Gaimen's journal and had to share it. It's from his first show back on the air after 9/11.

Eat This -- Not That

2008-09-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

The other day the kids and I were wandering Target, doing a little shopping. SportyGirl, always looking for ways to be healthy, found this book, Eat This Not That! For Kids! I was a bit skeptical, but after thumbing through the pages (and seeing the lovely discount coupon) decided to pick it up. To say it was an eye-opener for both the kids and myself would be doing a disservice. I've been a

Surreality Show

2008-09-12T05:53:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the last chapter in the tale of my former boss. Robert Beale has finally been sentenced. James Walsh, writer at the Star Tribune, couldn't have summed it up better, "At his sentencing, Robert Beale alternated between remorse and existential diatribe. He got 11 years to sort things out." You gotta read it to believe what he said. Other RB related postings: Get Used to Wearing OrangeCrazy

Hello? Is this thing on?

2008-09-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

It seems I'm back. My blog has been down for weeks. Perhaps it was up and down. I got sick of trying to reach it and moved over to Live Journal with a new blog, Rhapsody, Too. Not sure which I'll keep going with now. I've got a lot of history here and it would be a pain to move it or archive it. Time will tell.

You're Drivin' Me Crazy

2008-08-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

Nah. I take that back. Not crazy. I'm actually quite impressed. Last Saturday, I gave my son, MonkeyDude, his first driving lesson. A full week before, he'd passed his learner's permit test. We won't have the actual piece of plastic for another couple of weeks. He could have had his permit last year, but we forgot to send him to driver's ed... and he didn't remind us. Driving just wasn't a big

Neil Gaiman - Storyeller Extraordinaire

2008-08-09T08:15:00.001-07:00

I don't know what I haven't done this before now. I just added Neil Gaiman's online journal to my list of blogs. Enjoy!

THANK YOU, SENATOR KLOBUCHAR!

2008-08-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember my post back in November 2007, "Your Papers, Please." I had discovered on a family trip that I'm one of the lucky, lucky people on the Department of Homeland Security's "Selectee" list. I regularly get the "special" screenings, can't print out plane tickets from home or from kiosks, get pulled from the airline gate for additional security checks... lucky me. FINALLY, a

Medora

2008-07-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

These days I'm constantly running to catch up, but better late than never. A couple of weeks ago my parents took the kids to Medora, ND. They went to museums, saw the Medora musical, did the Pitchfork Fondue, went through Theodore Roosevelt National Park and saw wild horses and buffalo, went horseback riding, swam, romped... and had a generally wonderful time.I'm awaiting some pictures that my

Bat Chat and Chewin' the Fat

2008-07-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was... pretty good. The kids and I woke up late. We divied up the household chores... they got a start while I made homemade biscuits and scrambled eggs for bruch. 11:00am was too late to call it breakfast. For the past week, I'd promised them a movie after the weekly house cleaning. What was it to be? There are so many movies we've missed this summer. Something silly like Get Smart? A

Ramblings of a Mad Woman

2008-07-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

Forgive this post in advance, if you please. It will more than likely be rambling, introspective, negative and a little whiney. But I've been way out of the posting habit for more than a few months and need to get back on the bicycle... horse... wagon... whatever it was I fell off of. My brain isn't in a place for flowing prose right now, so allow me to set my thoughts up in neat categories.

Not Too Shabby...

2008-06-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

Your result for The Commonly Confused Words Test...English GeniusYou scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 87% Expert! You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly!

Believe It or Not, I'm Still Here

2008-06-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

No, I haven't posted much lately. No, I'm not likely to post much for at least another week or so. We're busy preparing the NerdPod for Avindair to "depart the fix." In less than a week, he'll be heading off to DAVE School for a year. I'll write more about it later. Right now, I'm just concentrating on him, the kids, and my new job. But, just to show that I'm still here, I stole this from

Your Stupid? Or My Stupid?

2008-05-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

The other day, during my lengthy new commute, I got stuck behind a bright yellow XTerra. The back was covered in stickers expressing the "My incredible, brightly-colored, 4-wheel drive vehicle exemplifies that I lead a life of adventure and I'm better than you!" attitude of its driver. All very well and good, I suppose, except for 10 white sticker letters mounted on the back window, just above

Giving to a Good Cause... or Two!

2008-05-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

Two good causes that are close to my heart are coming up soon. If AIDS or breast cancer have touched your life in any way, please consider donating. Minnesota AIDS WalkLast year, Avindair, our kids, our friend Garrett, and I walked as Team Stone Soup. We won't be able to team up this year, but I still encourage everyone to make a donation to this great cause. No amount is too small, it all adds

Get Used to Wearing Orange

2008-05-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

What d'ya know? The justice system DOES work once in a while! Few things in life put a spring in one's step more than having a former boss convicted of tax evasion. Life is good. From the Star Tribune: Up to 10 years in prison for millionaire tax dodger One of my favorite quotes from the article, "When Beale was arrested in November at a strip mall in Orlando, Fla., he was carrying a fake

Long and Literary Post

2008-04-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

I found this on MagicMarmot's blog.I wasn't going to give in. I mean, post 106 book titles? What am I? Crazy?My English degree won me over and here I am.From MagicMarmot:What we have here are the top 106 books most often marked as "unread" by LibraryThing’s users. As in, they sit on the shelf to make you look smart or well-rounded. Bold the ones you've read, underline the ones you read for school

Happy Birthday, Magic Marmot!

2008-04-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

I took a page from the blog of MadBlonde for this one. She posts pictures of fun birthday cakes for friends' birthdays. Thought I'd try it on for size. Since I'm AT work right now, I didn't want to risk searching for anything NSFW. I couldn't find a marmot cake, but I figured, "Hey! Marmots live in burrows. Rabbits live in burrows. Marmots eat... stuff. Rabbits eat carrots... but they both eat.

So... on Target?

2008-04-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

My Personality Neuroticism40Extraversion20Openness to Experience44Agreeableness27Conscientiousness52 You are a calm person who is considered almost fearless by some, however you tend to lack energy and have difficult initiating activities. You get overwhelmed by too much noise and commotion and do not like thrill-seeking activities. You tend not to express your emotions openly and are sometimes

Crazy talk! Crazy talk! Change the subject!

2008-04-23T05:31:00.000-07:00

"Crazy talk! Crazy talk! Change the subject!" -- Arthur, The TickFans of the short-lived, live-action version of The Tick will remember that line above, delivered frantically by the Tick's sidekick, Arthur. Someone should have thought to offer that advice to my former boss. Last August I posted about the Nerd Clan's pilgrimage to the Twin Cities and what part the company I worked for played in

Tagged!

2008-04-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by CubeZoo! The rules:1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages).2. Turn to page 123.3. Find the 5th sentence4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog.5. Tag 5 people."There's my picture: and I'm his friend - so much so, that had he thought seriously to catch you, I should, perhaps, have held my tongue, and let you fall into his trap." (Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte)And now

Hot and Cold Running Air

2008-04-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

Taking a quick break from working at home today. We're finally replacing our ancient furnace and central air conditioning. We scored a great deal on having both installed at once, and we jumped at the opportunity. The furnace was original with the house, built in 1980. It was loud, smelly, and had an efficiency rating indicated by a pictograph of a neanderthal rubbing sticks together. The A/C was

Positive Post #10

2008-04-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yes. It's been a long time since I've posted. Yes. I feel guilty. Yes. This is a lame-o Positive Post, but here it is. 2007 TAXES ARE DONE! No more tax prep worries for at least... several... months. Hey. I tried.

Stone Soup on TrekMovie.com!

2008-04-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

Proud wife moment! Avindair's latest trailer for "Valdez" has been picked up by TrekMovie.com. Scroll down to "New Star Trek Trailer."Wow!

A 3-Year Old Explains Star Wars

2008-03-31T17:12:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist this. Enjoy!

A Walk Down Horror-Filled Memory Lane

2008-03-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Back in 2002, I co-hosted a few episodes of "Horror, Inc." on KSTC Channel 45 with Jake Esau. When Jake went off the air as TV's Count Dracula and the show was reincarnated with Uncle Ghoulie (Thom Lange) and Carbuncle (Tim McCall), the fans asked that I make a come-back. That led to our independent film group, Stone Soup Films, working as the crew and sometimes cast of "Horror, Inc." in 2003 and

"I Wanna Be Your Tribal Dancer!"

2008-03-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

Friday mornings aren't a good time for puns. Comparing this woman's art to Tina Turner's "Private Dancer"... less than stellar, GeekGoddess. I found this amazing woman on Bohemian Rhapsody's blog. Rachel Brice is a tribal dancer extraordinaire. Check out these videos! I guarantee it will kick-start your weekend. Wait till you see her drop to the floor in this one. Amazing!

Positive Post #9 - Good Dog

2008-03-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Another home-grown Positive Post today.This morning at around 230am, we woke to the sound of dogs barking and our dog, the ever-viglant NerdHound, growling at the window.A few months back, one of our cars was broken into and our GPS stolen. Although we've since installed motion detection lighting and an intrustion alarm system, we're still wary. Tony poked his head out the bedroom window. "The

Woe is Me

2008-03-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

Stuffy nose. A vague fuzzy, humming in my ears. Sinuses that feel like they're packed with wet cement. A painfully red nose. Headache. Muscle ache. Sore throat. Chills. The cold and flu season is my bane this year. I wash my hands. I had my flu shot. I take my vitamins. I even regularly disinfected my desk and keyboard at work. I've had the flu -- twice. It made at least a couple of laps at our

Positive Post #8

2008-03-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I'm a little behind on my Positive Posts. The final week of "Sound of Music" performances really took it out of me. Here's my positive post for the day: "Sound of Music" is done!Even though I'm relieved that it's done and I can get back to my regularly scheduled life programming, I have many positive things to say about it: 1. It was great to be back on stage again. 2. It was great to

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2008-03-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have to share this little St. Patty's Day goodie with everyone. One of our fellow cast members from "Sound of Music" sent this my way today. THANK YOU, Sharon! The best rendition of "Danny Boy"... EVER!

Creepy Argentinian Gnome Video

2008-03-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

Weird news alert! Apparently a small gnome-like creature has been terrorizing a small town in Argentina. According to the Belfast Telegraph, it stalks the streets at night with a creepy sideways walk. Here's the video that was caught. The "gnome" only shows up on the last few seconds of the video.

Positive Post #7

2008-03-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

A replacement for petroleum-based plastics? There may still be hope.

Finally, an Explanation for Nigerian Spam

2008-03-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Who hasn't received one of those odd Nigerian spam emails asking for help in claiming a lost inheritance or other such crap? Ever wonder why the language in them was so... well... odd? It seems that Nigerians have allowed English to go it's own way, with words that survived from early Victorian-era colonists mixed with the syntax and grammar of indigenous African languages. It's either linguists

Now Playing - The Laramie Project

2008-03-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Our son, Monkey Dude, has taken a big step into the world of theater. Last night, I went to the second dress rehearsal of "The Laramie Project" at Maple Grove Senior High School. This is a powerful and challenging story for a high school theater, and I applaud them having the guts to do it. Here's an excerpt from the school's web page dedicated to the show: "In October 1998 a twenty-one-year-old

Always Look on the Bright Side of Death (Warmed Over)

2008-03-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Long pissing, moaning, and whining post ahead... with a happy ending. It's a phrase my family used to use if someone looked very tired or sick, "Oofta! You look like death warmed over!" Its usage was so common, that I never really considered how horribly dark that statement was until I was much older. Today, along with the rest of the NerdPod, I feel like death warmed over. Why? 1.

Positive Post #6

2008-03-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

My mom has a water cooler in her basement. The kind that you'd find in an office breakroom. At least once a month, a delivery guy comes by to haul those big heavy bottles of water down the stairs. Several times a month, my mother has to lift one of those suckers into place. All this just to have good drinking water in the house. It's expensive, it takes up storage space, and it's generally a

Dinner and a Show? See a Loan Officer First.

2008-03-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

It had been a long week: work, school, our son's rehearsals, our own performances, and battling seasonal health crud. We'd hardly seen the kids. They'd pretty much taken care of themselves for the past week. As a reward to them for being so helpful and responsible, and as a treat for ourselves, we decided to go to a silly movie and have dinner out. First stop, the movie theater to buy our tickets

Postive Post #5

2008-03-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Soon, telling someone that they're full of hot air may no longer be an insult. French engineer Guy Negre has developed a 5-passenger concept car that runs on compressed air!For a no-frills, economical, get-around vehicle, he may just have something. Check out the article from BBC news for the details.

Getting High... Legally!

2008-03-08T06:42:00.000-08:00

Time for some silliness! It's going to be a long day at the theater, so I'm putting my brain on hold for a few hours. Behold! A meme ganked from Magic Marmot!1. Did you date someone from your school?Yes. I had a few dates. 2. Did you win anything in Senior's Who's Who?Not that I remember.3. What kind of car did you drive?A dark blue, 1980 Dodge Omni. Loved that car! 4. It's Friday night...where r

DST a Sham?

2008-03-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, am I ever a bundle of rant today. I just got an email from the very thoughtful production manager of the theater where we're doing Sound of Music. She was reminding us to set our clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time, so that we weren't late for Sunday's performance. It got me thinking. What is Daylight Savings Time anyway? What's it's purpose? As a kid, I'd always heard that it had

Who Just Up and Leaves the Work Force?

2008-03-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

There are lies, there are damn lies, and there are statistics. It all depends on how you shift and spin the numbers. In the Labor Department's report released today, the nation's unemployment rolls dropped by .1 percent to 4.8 percent this month, even though employers cut more than 63,000 jobs in February. The highest number of cuts in one month in the past 5 years.So how did our unemployment

Positive Post #4

2008-03-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

Don't pass up this article from Yahoo! sports news. 101-year old Buster Martin, Britain's oldest employee, is training to compete in the London Marathon! When he finishes the marathon, he plans to celebrate with "a pint and a fag" (that's beer and a cigarette). “People ask what is my secret but I haven’t got one. They say fags and booze are bad for you — but I’m still here, aren’t I?”Awesome.

Positive Post #3

2008-03-06T14:53:00.001-08:00

Did you know that there's an entire website devoted to reporting positive news? It's true! The Good News Network founder and editor began her career in television news and production. She started the site in 1997 to gather and disseminate positive news from around the world. So when Star Tribune, CNN and other news sources are getting you down, hop over to the Good News Network and remember that

Postive Post #2

2008-03-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

Good news in the world of AIDS research. Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a gene that blocks HIV. They've identified a gene called TRIM22 that can prevent the assembly of the virus. From the article in the University of Alberta Express News: "This means that TRIM22 is an essential part of our body's ability to fight off HIV. The results are very exciting because they show

Hot, Spicy Little Ranger Number

2008-03-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

Our friend, Pen Master, sent me this quiz to discover which Dungeons & Dragons character you would be. Thank you, Pen Master, you Lawful Good Human Paladin, you! I Am A: Neutral Good Human Ranger/Sorcerer (3rd/3rd Level)Ability Scores:Strength-13Dexterity-13Constitution-14Intelligence-16Wisdom-14Charisma-13Alignment:Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Gygax

2008-03-04T11:07:00.000-08:00

No sooner had I done the positive post below, then I saw this article in the Star Tribune.I'm sorry to report that the co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, Gary Gygax, died today. Many a gamer will be rolling the dice in his memory tonight.

Think Positive

2008-03-04T10:41:00.000-08:00

"Life is what our thoughts make it." -- Marcus AureliusAs I drifted off to sleep last night, negative thoughts kept rolling through my brain. It's easy to let that happen these days. Discussions with co-workers, friends and family turn into massive bitch sessions about the weather, politics, the state of our country, etc.I found myself wondering, "Where's the good news?"I've decided to try a

Public Service

2008-03-02T18:01:00.001-08:00

I'm officially sick and tired of being sick and tired. To help myself and readers of this blog, I'm presenting this handy-dandy frustration relief kit. It's not illegal, won't rot your liver, and if you do it right, will result in a temporary, but blissful lack of consciousness. Thanks to The Crazy Website.

Leap Day Post

2008-02-29T14:39:00.000-08:00

Just so I can say that I posted on Leap Day. Note: I found this image of "Whimsical Leap" on a site called Go Leap. The artist creates these beautiful, colorful sculptures of the body in motion. Worth checking out!

Mini Epiphany

2008-02-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Avindair and I have been doing a lot of thinking about the future lately. A lot. America will be undergoing some painful changes in the next decade, politically, economically, socially. Will our jobs last? Will our kids have a future? And so much more. Try to negotiate the waters of future worry with present tense and near-future needs and life dreams - the stuff that keeps one going - and you'll

Are they taking applications at the Ministry of Silly Walks?

2008-02-26T13:32:00.000-08:00

A tanking U.S. economy and Monty Python. What could they possibly have in common? British InvasionI admit it. I've always been a bit of an Anglophile. As a child, I'd adjust the rabbit ears on our old black and white television to get a glimpse of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" coming in from Canada. Four channels, NBC, ABC, CBS and PBS were all I had to choose from, unless I could hijack one of

AUGH! RUN! It's the 70's!

2008-02-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks to MonkeyDude for torturing us with the piece of 70's memorabilia.

The Next Gen of Trekkies are... Cute!

2008-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Lottery for a Home

2008-02-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

A place to hang your hat. A roof over your head. A safe place for your children to sleep at night.For thousands in the Twin Cities area, it feels like a pipe dream.I just read this article in the Star Tribune, Looking for a place to call home in Plymouth. Over two days, about 3,700 people took applications for Section 8 housing in Plymouth, hoping to be one of the 300 drawn in a waiting list

Two Feel-Good Businesses

2008-02-21T08:16:00.001-08:00

One I've experienced, one I have not.First, the Purple Crayon Factory. I first met Teresa Thomas-Carroll, the director and founder of Purple Crayon Factory, through a business women's networking group. It's rare and refreshing to meet someone who is as enthusiastic about their work as she is. PCF's workshops bring a creative approach to self-reflection, realization of goals, stress management,

Happy Lupercalia! Um, I Mean... Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

Over the years, my interest has waned in "Hallmark" holidays. You know the ones. The holidays that really only serve to fill the coffers of greeting card companies, florists and chocolatiers. My husband shows me he loves me every day of the year... why do I need a card and roses to remind me again on February 14?However, the "love holiday" has been around for much longer than Hallmark. Most

Arise, My Friend

2008-02-14T05:49:00.000-08:00

Soon the rebellion will be crushed and Young Skywalker will be one of us!

Ew?

2008-02-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

Admission to the zoo: $15Stroller rental: $10Seeing your child lick a pig's nose: Priceless(Thanks to my son, MonkeyDude, for the link to the picture AND the commentary!)

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

2008-02-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

It all started back in October with the mother of bad auditions. With one hour's notice, Avindair, our daughter and I decided to audition for the Lyric Arts production of "The Sound of Music". "Don't do "I Dreamed a Dream", it's depressing."I glanced doubtfully at the sheet music for "Popular" from Wicked, then back to Tony. "But at least I know all of the words," I explained. "I don't know the

Cool! I Be Willow.

2008-02-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

Needed a lighter diversion. Found this by way of the Magic Marmot! Which Buffy the Vampire Slayer Character Are You?Created by BuddyTV

Record Profits While Granny Shivers

2008-02-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

In the news today, Exxon Mobil is enjoying record profits. $40.6 billion. Meanwhile, freaking VENEZUELA is helping more than 200,000 low-income American families in 23 states. By the end of this winter, they will have donated 100 million gallons (worth about $200 million) to struggling families that would have otherwise had to choose between eating and being warm. Way to go Exxon. I hope your

Will Insurers of 35W Victims Cash In?

2008-01-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

SUBROGATION is the word that worries survivors of the 35W bridge collapse and their attorneys. Are you familiar with it? sub·ro·ga·tion1 : an equitable doctrine holding that when a third party pays a creditor or obligee the third party succeeds to the creditor's rights against the debtor or obligor; also : a doctrine holding that when an insurance company pays an insured's claim of loss due to

Smile Time

2008-01-28T20:14:00.001-08:00

I've been home sick today... and probably will be tomorrow. Time for silly blog post. I snatched these little funbies from MagicMarmot. Nymphy-nymph-nymph (say that 3 times fast)What type of Fae are you?Singy-sing-sing (okay - THAT I can say 3 times)Find your Celestial Choir

On Thin Ice

2008-01-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

I'm having one of those distracted-by-bright-and-shiney-objects kind of days. Work has been a bit of bitch goddess lately, demanding far more of my brain-share than I can offer her. Eventually something breaks down. For me, this comes in the form of "Ooooo - look over THERE!"Today I got an email through the Star Tribune, promoting the latest Disney on Ice production. Does this strike you as funny

Jonathan Coulton, I Love You

2008-01-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, Trees... I lied. I found this linked off of Wil Wheaton's blog today and I had to post it.Jonathon Coulton of "Code Monkey" fame rants in his blog about negative online commentors. I think the phrase "chicken-shit cockhole" will be a permanent part of my vocabulary from now on. Awesome.

Lutheran Upbringing Gone Terribly Awry

2008-01-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

All those Wednesday confirmation classes down the drain. One would never guess how active I used to be in the church by how I rated on this little quiz. All I can say is it's pretty darn accurate. Thanks to Magic Marmot, from whom I stole this! Your Results:The top score on the list below represents the faith that Belief-O-Matic, in its less than infinite wisdom, thinks most closely matches your

Where's My Brian Been?

2008-01-15T11:27:00.000-08:00

Occasionally, I have times in my life when I'm certain that Igor has handed over the Abby Normal brain to Gene Wilder to install in my cranium. This is one of those times. I have a confession to make. I forgot that my parents were coming this weekend. I forgot to tell my husband that my parents were coming this weekend. In the land of married couples and in-laws, I have broken Ape Law.Granted,

United States Ranks Dead Last

2008-01-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

Regular readers of Rhapsody know, the state of our nation's healthcare system is a hot-button subject for me. An article I read in Yahoo! News this morning is a much-needed slap in the face to all those who espouse the "evils" of socialized medicine. Guess what? Socialized medicine is kicking our U.S. healthcare asses! Fucking, duh. Normally, I'd just link to the article. But this one is

Mommy? Where do baby-cut carrots come from?

2008-01-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Silly, I know, but I've always wondered. What was the genesis of the baby-cut carrot? Thanks to Wikipedia, I now know. And so do you!

New Year's Meme

2007-12-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. Not terribly original, but here it is. I haven't written in a few days and something silly usually gives me a jump-start. Here's to a Happy New Year, everyone! 1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?- Had a movie premiere at a real theater for Stone Soup - Saw Space Shuttle launch- Taped my own piece of video and helped edit it- Traveled by train- Participated in

I Am The Geek Goddess. Kneel Before Me!

2007-12-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

I received 92 credits on The Sci Fi Sounds QuizHow much of a Sci-Fi geek are you? Take the Sci-Fi Movie Quizdigital camera ratings

King Arthur vs Amazon

2007-12-20T08:12:00.000-08:00

In March of this year, I posted a review of a touring production of Camelot starring Michael York. My comments weren't exactly favorable. Oh, who am I kidding? If I could have, I would have stood outside the theater a la "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" screaming, "Run away! Run away!"Back to my point. After the show... that very night as I returned from the Ordway... from Amazon I ordered a DVD

Leavin' on that Midnight Train

2007-12-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

I have an alert set up at Travelocity. Whenever flight prices drop to a few key cities, including my home town, I get an email. I was just informed that the price dropped from $330 to $290. I'm not sure if that's a bargain or highway robbery. One thing's for certain... it's not a train robbery. (EDITORIAL NOTE: Worst. Segueway. Ever.)A couple of weeks ago, my daughter, Sporty Girl, and I went on

D & D & Me

2007-12-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

It's no secret by now that today is a government day at work. After the "Video Project from Hell", I needed to kick back. No. I really don't have the time for it, but my mind needed to grab a magazine and go take a long mental crap. I'll tell you about the "Video Project from Hell" later. I promise. I Am A: Neutral Good Human Ranger (6th Level)Ability Scores:Strength-13Dexterity-15Constitution-

I Otter Know Better

2007-12-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

Your Score: The OtterHere's your results! Your spirit animal has a Nobility ranking of 11 out of 18.Your spirit animal is the otter. Playful, curious and fun animals, they are truly the start of what can be considered a noble creature. Otters are good at figuring things out, and make great friends. You are lucky to have one as a spirit animal. Otters are fairly rare as spirit

Smart Drivers DO Exist!

2007-12-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

I found proof on the road today that smart drivers exist when I spotted this bumper sticker: On the other end of the bumper was another gem that I still can't find an image of. In parody of the "got milk?" adds it read "got photons?"Awesome. And the driver even used his turn signal! Wow!

Does Anyone Fall for This Stuff?

2007-12-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

I got a very special email this morning. I wanted to share it with everyone! *******From: Fletcher Lawrence Subject: special depth that trueto learn how those Good afternoon. Doing good? Email me at ihm@ShineBal.info only. By the way, I am a girl. Hope you will like my pictures.has a from their "I truly believe district if you want. ihm@ShineBal.info*******This one didn't get caught by the