...more meowycakes

I could use a hug like this right now :)

2010-11-04T23:27:00.001-04:00

DSC01578
Originally uploaded by junku

Thanks for sharing Jun!

This photo makes me happy

2010-07-13T17:18:00.001-04:00

39756040.DSC_6515
Originally uploaded by junku

because it involves two things I love - hoodies and cats. :)

Been a while since I blogged and I apologize to my 7 faithful readers. :)

2010-03-24T01:14:00.002-04:00

I have been under a rock called life.

It is spring break right now and I am kitten sitting a sweet little pain in the ass named Assless Chaps. Well, actually she was originally called Bulldog when they thought she was a boy, then John Wayne because she has a sheriff badge spot on her chest, then Diva Boots becase it looks like she is wearing thigh-high boots --- but currently we have setttled on Assless Chaps because it looks more like she is wearing assless chaps and it's funnier. She's 9 weeks old and hilarious.

I had H1N1 a few months ago. Yes, I had the hamthrax. Sicker than a dog, but when you have almost no immune system, it is a harder hit as opposed to normal people getting a bug. When I kicked the H1N1 I then caught a nasty bronchitis a month later. Which brings me to my next woe of having a suck-ass lingering cough for the last 6 weeks that no one can seem to figure out. It requires codeine for me to sleep at night and the 'Tussin every 4-6 hours, and 1-2 cough drops in my mouth continuously while I am awake...this has been my life in class and at work. People who don't know how sick I was think I am dying of emphysema or whooping cough because I hack so horribly.
I am taking the usual load of courses required for a pre-med sophomore, but man, it's kicking my butt. All I can say is ...Shakespeare, what was I thinking?

Okay, the kitten is ripping across the desk - I just had to delete a string of little paw tracks of random key strikes, so I will pop back later.

xo Rox

Rika & Fuwari

2009-07-09T22:32:00.001-04:00

_MG_9142
Originally uploaded by junku

Just a quick cat view.

Meow!

Thanks junku!

...Getting ready to fly out to Phoenix tomorrow to see 311 - will try to blog while on the road.
:D

Roxy & Jesh

2009-05-05T01:04:00.005-04:00

Roxy & Jesh
Originally uploaded by cbturtlegirl76

This past weekend was Maryland Sheep & Wool 2009 and even though I didn't get to go to both days, I spent an amazing Saturday night with online friends that I have know for years through the Knitty Coffeeshop and Ravelry. This piccie is one taken by Cristi (thank you!) while we were all at Pam's house - I was getting an awesome hug from my little NJ sister Jesh. I've known her since 2006 but we've never met in person til this moment. Also met my Amazing Asian Trifecta sistas Karen aka cooknknit and Tania aka mikomiao - as well as the uber fabulous Rosi G. and equally fab Denise aka BoricuaKnitter424 Alice aka yarnkarma with sweet hubby Jeff and Valerie & her sweet hubby Dustin. Two words sum up the weekend: GOOD TIMES!

Side bar - today we had a good-bye lunch with Cristi (it was Pam, me & John) at DuClaw and googly eyes. Cristi's piccies will follow at some point because I'm lame and keep forgetting to carry a camera these days.

where the pinecone pointed... or "thanks, Bradley!"

2009-04-01T00:50:00.001-04:00

where the pinecone pointed... or "thanks, Bradley!"
Originally uploaded by こんにちはキティ harajukuroxy アン

The pinecone story.
I had been in the park for over 2 hours searching & walking around, looking for Bradley (Nowell's) memorial, late for an appointment...getting pretty frustrated because there are 1000's of markers and I'm so fried that they all started to look the same. As I'm walking row by row, I'm like apologizing to those who I have to step over and totally doing the respect thing. Finally, I stopped walking because I was so mad. I'm on Shakespeare Lane, but I just can't effing find the site. Then I saw one of the employees with one of the groundsmen & I flag him down to ask if he could help me find the marker. He was very nice but flatly stated he could not tell me which way to go unless I had permission from the Nowell family. I explained that I had come 3000 miles from Maryland to see this and that I was part of The Spot ( www.sublimespot.com ) & we were honest, respectful fans and weren't going to do anything weird & all I wanted was a picture & a meditation moment. He was silent for a second, then said he was sorry that he couldn't tell me but I might feel better if I looked over my left shoulder for a while. Then he smiled & wished me good luck, then walked away.
Aha.
So I take a deep breath, turn around and start walking back down Shakespeare. It's really quiet now, but I'm mad late for my appointment.
I stopped and copped a squat in the grass next to a family of headstones (Martinez, I think) and asked Brad to help me find his marker. Just asked into the open air, prayed that he could give a sign that I was close or something...

*thump*

A large pinecone fell straight down on the ground in front of me. I looked at it and saw it was pointing down to the curve at the far end of Shakespeare...then I spotted a colorful lump.
I hopped up and grabbed the pinecone and followed the colored thingy to about 200 yards... it was a plush flower with a smiley face that was laid beside Brad's marker :D

Uploaded by こんにちはキティ harajukuroxy アン on 27 Mar 09, 9.41AM PDT.

Plurk

2009-01-18T13:27:00.001-05:00

Plurk.com

Just in case you haven't seen one today LOL

2008-12-06T20:12:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Alana at PassionpartiesbyAlana.com

hmmmmm

2008-11-14T20:57:00.001-05:00

hmmmmm
Originally uploaded by こんにちはキティ harajukuroxy アン

Deep in thought. I'm taking one of my many math tests. Need coffee.

♪♪ oh, my dear ♥ birdies, sweet ♥ little feathered ones ♫♫, why don't you come closer, ♪ just a little closer ♫, so that we can become good ♪ good ♪ friends ♥...

2008-10-14T18:14:00.001-04:00

♪♪ oh, my dear ♥ birdies, sweet ♥ little feathered ones ♫♫, why don't you come closer, ♪ just a little closer ♫, so that we can become good ♪ good ♪ friends ♥...
Originally uploaded by <andreea>

I love Pitsi!!

Hii-chan Caturday

2008-10-04T18:27:00.001-04:00

Hii-chan
Originally uploaded by KSQ

Just because we all need a cute Japanese cat piccie ;)

Thanks KSQ!

Hatchlings?

2008-09-28T00:56:00.000-04:00

Kitteh kisses!!!!

2008-09-24T20:34:00.001-04:00

_MG_6170
Originally uploaded by junku

...courtesy of junku.

Stitchy time

2008-08-22T16:06:00.004-04:00

I enjoy peeking in to supereggplant.com every now and then but I always like to refer back to Mariko's tutorial on how to make custom tote bags. I have some cute cute cute fabric laying around so I might just get my sew on.

What Is This?

2008-08-19T21:49:00.001-04:00

What Is This?
Originally uploaded by Radio Rover

...as asked by my friend RadioRover.
Anyone know? I think this was taken in Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay.

Michael Phelps

2008-08-17T14:38:00.002-04:00

...is the effing MAN! He made Olympic history ON MY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Congratulations Mike! It's good to be an American & a Marylander today :)

Today I am 15. *wink*

Caturday (almost)

2008-08-08T23:19:00.001-04:00

_MG_3166
Originally uploaded by junku

Kin is so sweet & cute.

Welcoming the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Woo!

plurk me!

2008-07-18T00:35:00.001-04:00

Plurk.com

2008-07-14T15:03:00.001-04:00

I wonder about this ping.fm thing --- how many of you guys are using it? :)

book worm

2008-07-06T13:12:00.001-04:00

book worm
Originally uploaded by wongwong

Favor the dog. :)

oh yeah

2008-07-03T20:57:00.001-04:00

oh yeah
Originally uploaded by こんにちはキティ harajukuroxy アン

..so I get to vent for a little bit... just bear with me...

Without getting into too much drama, I am trying to find a balance between the old me and the new (ha) me. The old me was/is a complete insane workaholic with very little sleep and very little time for my friends & family. Benefits: a respectable paycheck and at least one day to knit with friends about once every 2-3 weeks, and most of my bills were getting paid on-time or almost on-time. The new me is only slightly less insane, but with less income, more books and missing my friends even more...but a perfect GPA for 2 full semesters now -- with 23 to go, and an interesting round of creative banking every month to see which bills get priority in the funding pool.

I don't have discretionary spending anymore - every penny is claimed even before my paycheck reaches my hands, so I am trying to knit through my current stash and revive my collection of hair and makeup trinkets to avoid buying anything new, in order to try and catch up, but also keeping my creative & girly urges satiated.

This is why the economy is heading into recession - people like me have to decide between gas or food 2 out of every 3 times that decision comes up. Tax rebate check? Ha. We paid bills, and bought a floor sample HDTV and floor sample recumbent exercise bike, because both John & I have been making moves to get back into shape. While friends are planning vacations and making big grand purchases, I have to roll loose coins to bring them to the bank to exchange for laundry quarters.
I had a long talk yesterday with a dear friend of mine who knows me well, and supports me unconditionally. She asked me how I felt about cutting my spending and making less and all the little things I've had to do in the last 8-18 months to adapt, make sacrifices, and I thought about it. I'm not bitter like I was at first, because I have a goal in mind that I won't be this poor forever. (Being a med student can't suck this badly, right?)
Oh sure I was super-bitter a few months ago, but I have realigned some of my thinking and am trying to keep a positive spin. I don't own a home like some of my friends, but I do have food, shelter, a car and my little family of John & Angel. And good grades. There are people in my circle of acquaintance that are broke, spending wayyyyyyy beyond the means, divorcing, getting laid off/fired and having to move back home - and they are well into their 30's/40's

So I will work as smart as possible and get through the drudge as quickly as I can manage. Save where I can. Spend wisely, And pray.

Not Caturday yet

2008-06-25T21:04:00.001-04:00

DSC01100
Originally uploaded by junku

...but figured we could all use a smile, thanks to Jun.

Meow!

A bit of vintage culture

2008-05-23T14:52:00.001-04:00

Bieres De Chartres

I am the googly eye queen

2008-05-05T16:00:00.001-04:00

IMGP3788
Originally uploaded by Artsygal.net

I always carry a bag of sticky googly eyes everywhere. This weekend, I ninja'd a few of my friends' cellphones with googly eyes in grand style :)
(Silver Razr - Jas, orange enV - Cristi)

It's one of my trademarks. :)

Fuwari revisited.

2008-04-09T20:56:00.003-04:00

_MG_7863
Originally uploaded by junku

Just a little hello - I was thinking about Jun's food bowls for his kids.
They are from Alessi, an Italian housewares company.

Model: Tigrito

I love these cats by the way :)

Dazzling Pinks

2008-03-31T13:47:00.001-04:00

Dazzling Pinks
Originally uploaded by judwal

...this is an amazing piccie I found via junku's favorites on Flickr. The man can really pick 'em! These are my favorite shades of pink & green and life would be so awesome if I could be surrounded by vibrant shades like these all the time :)

judwal did a fine job - thank you for your art. :)

(more than) Buzz Cut Advice

2008-03-17T00:48:00.001-04:00

Buzz Cut Advice
Originally uploaded by Radio Rover

This piccie is from my friend Ulis aka RadioRover.

Click through and read the caption attached to the picture post - I think it's great.

:) Thank you Ulis!

Haka how-to

2008-03-14T23:44:00.001-04:00

Haka howto
Originally uploaded by Graham Duke

..to continue my fascination LOL

Scroll back a few entries and look for the YouTube Haka clip to see more :D

toasty cat

2008-01-03T23:50:00.001-05:00

Hii-chan
Originally uploaded by KSQ

mmmmm.. Hello Hii-chan. It's 18 degrees here - may I join you? LOL

How to cook rice perfectly

2007-12-16T11:48:00.001-05:00

How to Cook Rice Perfectly

2007-3-7 10:40:00　From:

Letting your rice rest enlarges the window of opportunity for serving perfectly cooked rice

by Niloufer King

Aside from differences in culture, many Americans shy away from rice due to a fear of cooking it. (Hence the popularity of instant rice, which offers "perfect" rice--in exchange for flavor and texture.) While exactly how rice cooks changes from variety to variety, even from batch to batch (brown rice cooks longer than white, for example; old rice absorbs more water than new) getting consistently good results is not impossible. In fact, the method that works best is practically the same as the one on the back of the box. But what the back of the box neglects to mention is the importance of letting the rice rest before serving it.

These days, most rice comes free of dirt, gravel, and chaff so there's rarely a need to patiently pick through it. Washing rice is another matter. Outside the U.S., talc is still sometimes used as a milling aid and should be rinsed off in a few changes of cold water. Though rice with talc should be labeled as such, I rinse if there's the slightest doubt. Some people also find that rinsing washes off loose starch, making the rice less sticky. (In the U.S., rice is enriched with vitamins, but only a small amount gets washed away if the rice is rinsed.)
Whether you soak rice depends on time and tradition. Apart from habit, the reasons for soaking rice are to shorten the cooking time and to allow for maximum expansion of long-grain rice, particularly basmati. A soak also makes the grains a little less brittle so they're less likely to break during cooking. If I'm using older basmati, which needs to be treated carefully if it's not to break, I soak it first. (Recipes vary in suggested soaking times, with 30 minutes most common.) But for most everyday meals, I skip this step and still get good results. If you do soak your rice, be sure to drain it thoroughly or you'll be using more water in cooking than you intended.

Cooking rice by the absorption method is simple and reliable
I grew up in a household that only boiled rice and only basmati at that. We'd tip some rice into a large pot of boiling water, adjust the heat to keep the rice just dancing to the surface, and check it now and again by taking a bite. When the rice was resilient without a trace of central hardness, the water got poured off and saved for soup. To make the rice dry and fluffy, we'd tip it back into its pan, cover it, and cook it further over very low heat.

I now prefer the absorption method. In this more streamlined process, the rice is cooked in a measured amount of water so that by the time the rice is cooked, all the water has been absorbed. As the water level drops, trapped steam finishes the cooking.

For every cup of rice, use 1-1/2 to 2 cups of water (less if the rice is washed first). You'll need to experiment a little to find the amount you like best, but in general, use the larger amount for long-grain rice, the lesser for medium and short. Keep in mind that more water gives you softer, stickier rice--great for stir-fries. Less water will keep the grains more separate and result in firmer rice, a good style for rice salads.
Use a sturdy pot with a tight-fitting lid
You want a pot with a heavy base for the most even cooking, and one that's big enough to provide plenty of room above the rice for steam. A tight lid keeps the steam in. If your lid fits loosely, put a clean kitchen cloth between the lid and the pot. (Be sure to fold it over onto the pot so it doesn't burn.) The cloth also absorbs the water that would normally condense on the inside of the lid and fall back down into the rice, so this is also a good trick to get drier, fluffier rice.

A bit of butter or olive oil will also help keep the grains from sticking together, while a little salt adds flavor.

Once all the ingredients are combined, cover the rice and let it simmer. On an electric stove, use two burners: bring the rice to a boil on a hot burner and then immediately slide it to a burner set on low to continue cooking at a slow simmer.

After about 12 minutes, the liquid should be absorbed, and the rice still al dente. If you served the rice now, you'd find the top layer drier and fluffier than the bottom, which can be very moist and fragile. Here's where you need patience. Let the rice sit off the heat, undisturbed with the lid on, for at least 5 minutes and for as long as 30. This results in a uniform texture, with the bottom layers as fluffy as the top. That a pot of rice actually improves with a rest also gives you more flexibility for cooking the rest of the meal.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Fixing not-so-perfect rice
If you follow these guidelines, perfectly cooked rice is attainable. But it's an imperfect world, and the telephone has a way of ringing at inopportune moments. So here are ways to fix rice that has turned out less than perfectly:

Problem: The rice is still very chewy or hard in the middle after the allotted time.

Solution: Add just enough water to create a little steam, 1/4 cup or less. Put the lid on and cook the rice on very low heat for another 5 minutes.

Problem: The rice is cooked but too wet.

Solution: Uncover the pot and cook over low heat to evaporate the water. Or gently turn the rice out onto a baking sheet and dry it in a low oven.

Problem: The grains are split and the rice is mushy.

Solution: Use the rice for rice pudding and start over if you have the time.

Problem:The bottom layer of rice has burned.

Solution: Run cold water over the outside of the pot's bottom to keep the burnt flavor from permeating the rest of the rice (don't add water to the rice itself).Tip out as much rice as you can salvage.

You can avoid such problems by breaking the cardinal rule of rice cooking ("never lift the lid") and actually looking to see how it's doing. I for one have done so and lived to tell the tale. A quick peek will tell you if most of the water has been absorbed and that it's time to let the rice sit off the heat. The point is to keep the lid off for just a flash.

Anthropologist Niloufer King researches, teaches, and writes on tropical food plants and cuisines, with a special interest in street food.

In honor of Monkeee who is on the East Coast

2007-12-14T13:58:00.001-05:00

Please sir...can I have some more???...
Originally uploaded by law_keven

Hee! Rodents!

Monkeee coming to Maryland - she's in Boston now.

Kids' wisdom

2007-12-14T07:32:00.000-05:00

This was forwarded to me from a friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Little kids crack me up.

How would you make your marriage work?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
Ricky, age 10

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
Derrick, age 8

What do you think your mom and dad have in common?
Both don't want any more kids.
Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure?)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
Martin, age 10

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
Craig, age 9

When is it okay to kiss someone?
When they're rich.
Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
Howard, age 8

What is the right age to get married?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
Freddie, age 6 (very wise for his age)

Is it better to be single or married?
I don't know which is better, but I'll tell you one thing. I'm never going to have sex with my wife. I don't want to be all grossed out.
Theodore, age 8

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

How do you decide whom to marry?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
Kristen, age 10

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OMG the aging process sucks. I just got my updated eye exam and I have been officially prescribed full time-wear progressive eyeglass lenses. (That's no-line bifocals to the unfamiliar)
I knew I was having problems seeing the computer and the teeny tiny detail work on my knitting & beading for the last month or so, and had been prescribed optional near vision glasses in the past... but this is too depressing. Now I have to take my own advice LOL
Bring me my cane & walker and point me towards AARP!

*chuckle*

Rika & Fuwari

2007-11-30T23:29:00.001-05:00

_0010165
Originally uploaded by junku

Celebrities of the Airborne Cats series

Funniest Haka representation eva!

2007-11-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

Tha Haka (Maori war dance) is performed by the New Zealand All Black national rugby team at the beginning of a match. It's pretty amazing.

(APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE FOR THE CONFLICTING DURAN DURAN MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND)

This is a funny take on the same concept:

A way to build customer loyalty?...

2007-11-29T23:24:00.001-05:00

Wax On! Wax Off! II
Originally uploaded by Radio Rover

Only in Annapolis. *shrug*

anthony, me & andy

2007-11-26T22:32:00.001-05:00

anthony, me & andy
Originally uploaded by harajukuroxy

el gato volador

2007-11-20T01:12:00.001-05:00

IMG_0192
Originally uploaded by junku

woohoo

“Airborne cats” Book version

2007-10-30T05:57:00.001-04:00

“Airborne cats” Book version
Originally uploaded by junku

I must have one.

I'm not a political cat

2007-10-07T19:14:00.000-04:00

...but this has made me sit up and take notice.

Do you know who Ron Paul is?

I just learned about him in detail today. In fact, John and I are having a lively discussion about him as I type this. I hate politics. I am not a political person by any stretch of the imagination, but as long as my taxes aren't out of control (hahahaha) and I am still among the Land Of The Free and the Home Of The Brave, life is good. He actually seems pretty promising, and I like the fact that he was a tried & true flight surgeon in the Air Force back in the 60's and that he is from Pittsburgh.

I am a Republican, by party registration, but I'm not too happy with how divided the GOP is right now. I think Rudy Giuliani is great - I did live in the Tri-State Area for many years. But despite the fact that he is the hero of 9/11 and is a very smart man, he has some skeletons in his closet that probably will not make it through Round 1 of the ass-pounding fest that is the next Presidential Election. Hilary? I'm a woman, but I find it hard to get behind her for only being a woman. She's still a Clinton. Obama? No comment. Fred Thompson is another one I like, because he is Arthur From Law & Order and Big John from Days Of Thunder.

(Angel is a fan of Admiral Ackbar, by the way, because she likes calamari. My own threadjack because she is watching Star Wars and twitching)

I don't know. I want to do my civic duty and help put the right candidate in office, but there's just so much information still needing to be sorted out.

The America Express Black Centurion card

2007-10-06T23:47:00.000-04:00

I processed a transaction with one today.

It's HEAVY! Apparently it's made out of anodized titanium and has a special smart chip encased inside.

Wooooo me.

Here's the 411 on it:

From Wikipedia

Annual fee is $2500. Wha?

Sound advice for studying

2007-10-04T22:10:00.001-04:00

from my sister's blog...
~~even though~~
despite the fact that she is a flake and a bitch I still love her.

And yes I hope she read that because she needs to grow up and get her head out of her skinny, pretentious ass.

(Dear God, please forgive me in advance for my meanness, but I am not putting up with anyone's shit anymore and she deserves only my contempt right now.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are having problems studying which I have found myself in my later years...

How to Boost Your Study Habits

Holistic Learning
Smart people don't just learn better. They learn differently. While many students get caught up in memorizing facts, intelligent learners know to seek the bigger picture and connect the facts together. This form of learning I call holistic learning.

Holistic learning is basically the opposite of rote memorization. Instead of reciting lists of facts, rules or formulas, you seek to connect ideas together. Instead of having separate boxes in your head for geometry, algebra or ancient India, you deliberately link facts together, so they form a bigger picture.

Excessive studying shows you aren't learning holistically. It shows that you didn't learn the material the first time. If you properly link ideas together to see the bigger picture, studying should only be a brief refresher.

Holistic learning isn't like a brainstorming technique or mind-mapping. It is fundamentally changing how you look at the process of learning and how you absorb information. As such, there isn't an easy ten step program to master it.

But there are some tools that can help you shift your learning habits so they become more holistic:

Visceralize - You've probably heard of visualizing, right? Visceralizing means taking all of your senses and connecting it to information. Studies have shown that people remember more vividly information that comes to us in an emotionally aroused state. Linking feelings, senses and imagery to bland ideas makes them more real. You probably counted on your fingers when learning numbers, why can't you do the same when you are learning now?

Metaphor - The heart of holistic learning is relating things together. Metaphors are literary devices that link two things that normally don't go together. Come up with metaphors to describe more complicated ideas in simpler terms.

Ten Year Old Rule - Explain ideas to yourself as you would to a ten year old. Sure, this isn't always possible in your last years of a medical degree or learning how to apply neural networks to computer AI. But the idea is that you should be able to "dumb down" an idea enough so it seems obvious to yourself.

Trace Back - Put away your books and start with a random fact or concept. Then relate that idea to another concept in your subject. Keep doing this tracing pattern until you've linked many ideas together. The Gupta Dynasty reminds you of ancient Greece which reminds you of Socrates, reminding you of Confucius…

Refresher Scan - Scan through information in your text book. Notice whenever you encounter information that you either don't remember or weren't 100% sure about. Quickly link that information back to existing ideas through viscerlization and metaphor. If your refresher scan is turning up more than a few points per chapter, you haven't learned it thoroughly enough.

Compress Information - Not all information works well for holistic learning. A common point cited to me is learning anatomy for first year medical students. Anatomy involves learning arbitrary Latin names for hundreds of different elements of your body. There often aren't clear patterns and constructs, just a dry list of facts. When encountering information such as this, your goal should be to compress it. Find ways to group information into smaller chunks of memory through pictures or mnemonics.

Write - Take a piece of paper and write out the connections in the information. Reorganize the information into different patterns. The key here is the writing, not the final product. So don't waste your time making a pretty picture. Scribble and use abbreviations to link the ideas together.

This was written by a Scott Young.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I started the registration process for college classes today. Wish me luck!

Get your Goo on...

2007-09-26T01:08:00.000-04:00

THE GOO GOO DOLLS GREATEST HITS, VOL. 1 - THE SINGLES DUE NOVEMBER 13th, 2007, ON WARNER BROS. RECORDS

JOHNNY RZEZNIK TO GUEST JUDGE ON FOX TV'S "THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND" THIS FALL

August 22, 2007 - Burbank, CA -The Goo Goo Dolls, one of the great American rock and roll bands of our generation have become one of the most globally respected and loved songwriting forces in popular music history.

In recent months, the Buffalo natives set the all-time record for the artist with the most Top 10 hits in Hot AC Radio ever with twelve.

This past week, The Goo Goo Dolls have achieved even greater heights expanding their own record which now stands at 14 successive Top 10s adding singer/guitarist Johnny Rzeznik's solo track, "I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme)" from the Treasure Planet soundtrack and their current Goo Goo Dolls hit, "Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme)" from Transformers soundtrack.
At last, The Goo Goo Dolls have gathered up their most-beloved songs and will release Volume One of a Greatest Hits package, the first-ever of their 21-year career, on November 13th, on Warner Bros. Records in a single-disc package.
The Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles will include the band's three Number One smashes - "Name," "Iris," and "Slide," - as well as the Top 10s "Black Balloon," "Dizzy," "Broadway," "Here is Gone," "Big Machine," "Sympathy," "Better Days," "Stay With You," and "Let Love In," the title track from the Goos most recent album, which has been certified gold.
Each single has scored across the panel at multiple radio formats.
Also featured on the album is a remix of "Feel the Silence" by acclaimed mixer Michael Brauer (The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney). Also expected in early 2008 will be Greatest Hits Vol. 2, which will include new recordings, remixes, a plethora of rarities to include B-sides, some unexpected cover versions of some of the band's favorite songs and more. A DVD/MVI disc of live footage and extras will also be included in the deluxe package with a complete concert from their show at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado in June of 2007.

The band - Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, and drummer Mike Malinin - have been on the road since Spring of 2006, supporting Let Love In and show no signs of slowing down as they've just completed a string of sold-out shows in the UK.
In other Goos-related news, Johnny Rzeznik has been tapped to be one of the celebrity judges on Fox TV's newest American Idol off-shoot, THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND, airing this fall. Rzeznik, along with percussionist Shiela E., Aussie TV personality Ian Dickson and hosted by Dominic Bowden (from "New Zealand Idol"), will narrow down the list of aspiring bands who will perform in front of a live studio audience each week.
The judges will have their say after the performance, but viewers will vote for the favorite bands to determine who stays in the competition.
The season finale brings the ultimate battle of the bands, with the last three groups competing to secure a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "Next Great American Band."
The series premiers Friday Oct 19 (8:00pm PST/EST) on FOX. The show will air in its regular time period on Fridays (8:00-9:00PM PSDT/EST).

The track-listing for The Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles is as follows:

"Name"
"Iris"
"Slide"
"Broadway"
"Black Balloon"
"Dizzy"
"Here is Gone"
"Big Machine"
"Sympathy"
"Better Days"
"Stay With You"
"Let Love In"
"Before It's Too Late"
"Feel the Silence"

Inner Machine Staff googoodolls.com

Monkey Bags!

2007-09-24T23:40:00.001-04:00

Monkey Bags!
Originally uploaded by harajukuroxy

too tired to blog properly but here's a piccie.

Philanthropy Steelers-style

2007-09-19T22:12:00.000-04:00

STEELERS STYLE 2007

Friday, October 5, 2007 – Grand Ballroom, The Hilton Pittsburgh

Co-Chairs - Casey Hampton and Ben Roethlisberger

The annual Steelers Style Fashion Show features current players and their families modeling clothing from Reebok, American Eagle and Hiptique. The Fashion Show is chaired by Greta and Art Rooney.

The evening includes dinner and is then followed by a high-energy fashion extravaganza prominently featuring your 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers and their families.

For more information, or to order your table / tickets please call (412) 802-8256.

Visit www.steelers.com for more details.

About the Charities

The Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

The Starzl Transplantation Institute at UPMC is the world's largest and busiest program, where surgeons perform more types of solid organ transplants than any other institution. On average, a transplant is performed every 12 hours. Since 1981, more than 12,000 transplants have been performed, a single center experience that is unmatched by any other program in the world. The Starzl Institute is internationally renowned for its groundbreaking research and recognized for its seminal contributions in patient care leading to improved patient outcomes.

The Cancer Caring Center

Since 1988, the Cancer Caring Center has provided a wide variety of free programs to help patients and families including children cope with the emotional impact of cancer. Services feature community support groups at 18 locations, a telephone helpline, individual counseling, children's groups, "Live Well With Cancer" workshops, resource library and much more. The Center is a local charity with no national office; all funds raised here stay here to help area residents.

"...blowing a kiss from Philly..."

2007-09-03T22:04:00.001-04:00

IMG_2413
Originally uploaded by KnittingKitty

Thank you Emma!

The Hooters in Mannheim

2007-08-03T01:46:00.001-04:00

The Hooters in Mannheim
Originally uploaded by neilmademedoit

Some great photowork from a fellow Hooters fan in Germany :)

Sleepy Snake eats Mischievous Mouse

2007-07-26T12:50:00.001-04:00

Sleepy Snake eats Mischievous Mouse
Originally uploaded by Mochimochi Land

OMG you have to see these cute, crazy patterns

http://mochimochiland.com

My good deed for the day

2007-07-12T23:15:00.001-04:00

My good deed for the day
Originally uploaded by harajukuroxy

No it's not a tribble - click on the piccie for more deets.

Squirrels

2007-07-11T09:28:00.000-04:00

DonnaSC from the knittyboards had this great post yesterday.

Enjoy!

Typical cat behavior ;)

2007-07-07T20:09:00.001-04:00

SANY1571
Originally uploaded by junku

Hi Kin!

Pretty girl.

i'm gonna get you, sucker!

2007-07-04T22:30:00.001-04:00

i'm gonna get you, sucker!
Originally uploaded by tamelyn

Funny piccie on Flickr

Proof that orange cats are crazy

2007-06-23T17:36:00.001-04:00

IMG_3700
Originally uploaded by Kimberly Jennery

I love this piccie.

I couldn't resist giggle

2007-05-24T10:41:00.000-04:00

Guess who's back? Our favorite liar/psycho Leech - omg it's almost like there's a karma funk groove going on b/c we thought she came into chat last night undercover LOL -- 2 of my friends gave me the 411 update on the following...

From her MySpace page today (direct cut n paste):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Inside Your Mind. 184 unique Q's.*
Inside Your Mind.
What do you like about yourself?:	I can talk to anyone, I'm easy to get along with, and I'm smart.
What do you dislike about yourself?:	I'm stubborn and a little too emotional.
Do you have any special talents?:	Writing, cooking, designing cakes
What are some of your hobbies?:	Computer, reading
Do you accept your anger?:	I don't get angry all that often.
Do you accept your sadness?:	I try not to--it just drags me down, and I don't need that.
Do you accept your worry?:	Worry? What for?
Do you accept your confusion?:	Hey, I'm used to that.
Do you accept your anxiety?:	Most of the time
Do you accept your fear?:	There are very few things that scare me, but I admit when I'm scared.
What is difficult for you?:	Letting my guard down, letting people know that I care
About You.
Favorite color?:	pink
Favorite song?:	Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns'N'Roses
Favorite band?:	Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Favorite movie?:	Breakfast at Tiffany's
Favorite teacher (past or present)?:	John Eze
Favorite book?:	Only one? No fair!!
Favorite thing to do?:	Talk to my friends--in person, on the phone, online, doesn't matter. Oh, and cook! :)
Favorite website?:	www.fantasy-writers.org
Do you like your looks?:	yeah
Do you like your body?:	eh, could be better, but I work with what I've got, not what I wish I had
Describe yourself.
Length of hair?:	just past my shoulders
Color of hair?:	brown
Color of eyes?:	green
Height?:	5'7"-ish
Are you athletic?:	no
Are you healthy?:	yeah, I guess
What emotion do you hide?:	usually all of them, behind a smartass facade
Do you think you’re smart?:	yeah
Are you religious?:	somewhat
What is your religion?:	Catholic
Do you believe in “God”?:	yes
What do you want to “be” when you “grow up”?:	Just want my parents to be proud of me.
Do you get along well with people?:	yes
Are you fun?:	yes
What makes a “good person” just that?:	honesty, being willing to help others
How would others describe you?:	Smart, hard working, always up for a good time, always getting in trouble
Friendship.
How would you describe a “true friend”?:	Sticks by you no matter what
Who is your best friend?:	Jessie
How did you meet?:	English 114, summer semester 2004
Ever meet anyone who was just like you?:	no
How do your friends help you to be more yourself?:	making me drop the goofy bit and be real
Relationships.
Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?:	no
If so, describe him or her.:
What qualities do you look for in a significant other?:	someone I can trust not to lie to me, cheat on me, hit me, or otherwise screw me over.
Ever crush on someone who only liked you as a friend?:	yes
Ever have someone crush on you and you only liked them as a friend?:	yes
In a relationship…
What makes you jealous?:	Very little, unless I have firsthand knowledge
What makes you angry?:	Disrespect, treating me like property
What makes you happy?:	lots of attention! lol
What hurts your feelings?:	When I feel like I'm not appreciated, not loved
What makes you love them more?:	when I'm close enough to see his weakness and he doesn't try to hide
What have you learned about love?:	Sometimes it's worth the risk.
Describe your first relationship.:	Not...too...good!
What benefits come from being single?:	being able to live my life without someone telling me what to do
What benefits come from being with someone?:	Having someone to trust, someone to lean on when life gets hard, someone who loves me even when I make mistakes
Family.
What siblings do you have?:	one sister
Are you a first, last, middle or only child?:	first
If you could change this, how would it be different?:
Do you get along with your siblings?:	yes
What do you like best about your sister(s)?:	She's awesome. She's so pretty, so smart, and so talented. And she'll always tell me the truth.
What do you like best about being an only child?:
Have you ever been embarrassed by family?:	Of course
Do/did your parent(s) try to make you think like them?:	yes
Tough shit.
What difficult experiences have you been through?:	nothing I like talking about
Has anyone close to you died?:	yes
How did you find out?:
Did you get to say good-bye?:	no
Have you known anyone your age die?:	yes
Have you ever been really sick?:	yes
Has anyone close to you ever been really sick?:	yes
Do you have a drug problem?:	no
Do you have a drinking problem?:	no
Are your parents divorced?:	no
Are/were your parents fighting constantly?:	no
Do you let yourself feel emotional pain or make it go away?:	try to make it go away
Do you believe pain makes us grow?:	Depends on the situation
How do you feel when you see a homeless person?:	wish I could do more to help
Do you ever wonder why there is so much suffering?:	yes
What is the biggest mistake you’ve ever made?:
Have you ever thought about suicide?:	not seriously--I think the thought crosses everyone's mind at some point, but I'd never do it
What advice would you give to someone who is suicidal?:	GET HELP! NOW!
Learning lessons.
Do you think people learn from their mistakes?:	yes
Do you think people can learn the “easy way”?:	Some people.
Have you ever learned the “easy way”?:	Not me.
Have you ever learned the “hard way”?:	yes
What is the most difficult lesson you’ve learned?:	There's good in most people, but that doesn't mean they'll choose to do good.
Do you believe things happen for a reason?:	Not always
Have you learned that nobody is perfect?:	yes
What imperfections about yourself do you accept?:	I get obsessive over things I can't quite do, until I do them, then I get bored.
Do you try to look at both sides of a situation?:	Try but don't always succeed
Follow your dreams.
“Follow your bliss.”:	Always.
What does this quote mean to you?:	Means doing what's right for me and the people I love, and everything else will work itself out.
What is your bliss?:
Do you have a dream?:	yes
What is your number-one goal?:	To love and be loved without having to be afraid.
“Do what you love and the money will follow." True?:	if you're smart about it, then sure
If your dream was guaranteed to happen, what would it be?:	To get my writing published
Would you answer differently if the guarantee wasn’t there?:	It's not. But I can still hope.
Do you believe in yourself?:	If I don't, who will?
Growing up.
How old are you?:	21
How old do you feel?:	older than dirt, at the moment--I'm tired!
What do you think is the perfect age?:	Right now.
How old do you think people should be before they…
Get a job::	17
Cook for themselves::	14
Set their own bedtimes::	16
Go away with their friends::	18
Do their own laundry::	15
Have a boyfriend or girlfriend::	18
Date::	17
Kiss::	whenever
Stay out past midnight::	17
Stay out as late as they want::	18
Have their own phone::	16
Drive::	16
Travel alone::	19
Drink::	18
Go to clubs::	18
Get married::	When it's right, age doesn't matter.
Have children::	Not age so much as when they can take care of kids
Vote::	21
Go out by themselves::	16
At what age do you think a person is mature?:	depends on the person
Do you think maturity is a good thing?:	As long as "mature" doesn't mean "stick in the mud."
Do you think all adults are mature?:	no
Do you think a difficult life makes a person grow up faster?:	yes
What IS “grown up”?:	When you make choices, fully aware of the consequences, and choose the way that is best for the people around you instead of looking out for #1.
Are/were you scared or excited about growing up?:
Do you think of yourself as grown up?:	Kind of, but there's something to be said for Jimmy Buffett's way, Growing Older But Not Up, as the song goes.
Do you want to be considered grown up?:
What do you think is the secret to happiness?:	There isn't any big secret.
Random.
What kind of toothpaste do you use?:	Crest Vanilla Mint

Ever wear braces or a retainer?:	no
How often do you shower?:	every day
Do you prefer any shampoo brand?:	not really
What is the weirdest band name you know of?:	Butthole Surfers
What are your favorite dog breeds?:	Boxer, Dachshund, Irish Wolfhound
Who was your childhood best friend?:	not really a best friend but longest-term friend--Daniel T
Are you still friends with them today?:	yes- saw him today actually
How many computers are in your home?:	2
Do you write with your left or right hand?:	left
Do you take any vitamins?:	when I think of it, but usually not
How many doors are in your home?:	what kind of pointless question is that?
How many windows are there?:	enough to let light in
Do you have a collection of change somewhere?:	somewhere. Not sure where I put it, though.
Would you go to jail for a good cause?:	yes
Do you own a bookshelf?:	yes
Are there any objects hanging from your room ceiling?:	no
Are you okay with getting your blood drawn?:	Do it every day to check my blood sugar
How about getting shots?:	Huh-uh. Not this broad.
Do you like getting your picture taken?:	Yes, usually, if I know it's coming
Opinions.
Abortion?:	Bad. Wrong. One of the worst evils in our society.
Birth control pill?:	No major objections, as long as it's not the only method of protection--there's some nasty stuff floating around out there!
Casual sex?:	Bad plan.
Illegal immigration?:	People do what they have to do.
Death sentence?:	An eye for an eye, as Ghandi said, leaves the whole world blind.
Afterlife?:	definitely
Ghosts?:	I've seen too much weird stuff not to believe.
Legalizing marijuana?:	only for medical use
Gun control?:	People who are going to use guns for illegal purposes aren't going to get them legally anyway. Besides, people who need to hunt for food should be allowed to feed their kids. We've eaten deer because that's all we could afford, many times.
Pornography?:	Counts as cheating
UFO conspiracy?:	Conspiracies in general--I don't buy into them.
Natural VS. Artificial medicine?:	whatever works
War in Middle East?:	Ready for it to be over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And her lovely blog posts, since she deleted her Blogger account to hide the evidence of her crackpot ways (again, direct cut n paste):

Monday, April 02, 2007

Hey, shout, summertime blues, jump up and down in your blue suede shoes

Went to Tropicana in Kannapolis this weekend. Swear to god, there were girls there twice my size in clothes that would have fit me. Nasty looking things, didn't even speak Spanish. But then there were a lot of girls there who were little and cute in very skimpy clothing, too, so I only got a chance to dance with one guy, and he only came up to my shoulder. (Would have come up to my chin if I hadn't been wearing my sexy pink stilettos.) All in all, though, I enjoyed it, even if someone buggered out on us for the third time in a row. Just as well--I mean, if people aren't going to dance, they shouldn't go dancing.
Tried to get the crowd together to go for a movie tonight, but everyone's busy.
Finally got Fernando's band's CD in the mail. It's really good. Con Sentimiento Duranguense by Salazar Band--go buy it! Yesterday!

Currently listening :
Con Sentimiento Duranguense
By Salazar Band
Release date: By 31 January, 2006

3:34 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Monday, March 26, 2007

Midnight, getting uptight, where are you?

I called Jose after I left work today, wanted to see if he would meet me at the library. I had a killer opening to a story I'm working on, and I really wanted someone to see it, someone who actually knows me IRL. I don't show my stories to many people, because I've had so many people just not get it. I was hoping he'd enjoy it. Well, he said he'd see if he could go. 2 hours later, almost two and a half, I gave up and went home. In all fairness, he didn't promise to show up, so I can't be mad at him for it. But I am a little disappointed not to get a non-writer/non-geek's perspective on my writing.
I got home and found out that Grandma had surgery on her eyes today and forgot to mention it to me. I was gone to work before she got up this morning, so I had no clue until I got home. I'm slightly confused as to why she wouldn't tell me such a thing--seems to me surgery's a pretty big deal!

5:06 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Stupid girl
Category: Life

Jess, Jose, and I went to Charlotte over the weekend. We were going to go to a club called Skandalos. Jessie and I had been there before, but Jose hadn't. So we got there about 9:30, because I'd been driving rather, ah, aggressively. Club wasn't open yet. So J&J wanted to go eat. I didn't have money, for obvious reasons (i.e., I don't get a paycheck until tomorrow), so Jose, bless his heart, offered to help me out. So we went and ate, and had a great time once I confiscated his damn cellphone and made him QUIT TEXTING AT THE TABLE. (Grr.)
So we got back out to the car, and...I'd locked us out. Yep, that's right. When Grandpa had taken the car to the shop (and dumbass Kenny the Mechanic had failed to get to it, after swearing up and down that he could) I'd taken the keys off my keychain to give him. He gave me his word that the ignition key to my car would open the doors. So I didn't worry about the fact that the old man had dropped the door key somewhere in the car and not bothered to find it. And then by the time we got to Charlotte I'd forgotten all about it...until I went to unlock the car.
There was a Fed guy in town on business who stopped to "help" us. What that really meant was that he stopped to be an asshole to Jess and Jose because they were standing around outside the car, then when I came up tried to hit on me. I turned my best sarcastic-bitch humor on him, hoping it would chase him off, but I think he was into it. Which really sucked, because he may or may not have had good intentions, but he was being so rude! Especially to Jose.
Took me 40 minutes of freaking out to realize I still had roadside service on my cellphone plan, even though Grandma had said she was going to take it off. THEN it took the locksmith another 45 minutes to get there, then another half an hour to get the car open. So by the time we actually got into the car, it was after midnight. I tried to drive, but I was too shaken up by the whole ordeal to even get us out of the parking lot. I swear to God, when Jose said he could drive back, he was my freakin' hero.
The next day, Jess was sick as a dog, and I was so humiliated that I could have crawled up under a rock and never come back out. I'm such an idiot. But at least they were cool about it.

5:56 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

*untitled*
Category: Writing and Poetry

Chasing my own shadow,
running in circles
running on empty
running behind.
Clutter consumes my world.
No time to rest
no time to breathe
no time to think.
Stress panic anger fear
No one helps me
No one can
Nothing they can do
200 percent isn't enough
This doesn't feel like breaking down
I'm starting to d i s s o l v e . . .

6:12 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lord, help us. Please don't ever let her procreate or move within 500 miles of me. Thank you.

PS - her "writing" is complete garbage by the way. Confirmed by 9 other people I am friends with or have acquaintance with who actually write professionally for a living.

the yeast is strong in this one

2007-04-15T12:10:00.001-04:00

the yeast is strong in this one
Originally uploaded by thepriceyoupay.

The obligatory Marmite piccie, now 47% funnier

Sleeping babies

2007-04-15T11:44:00.001-04:00

_MG_8899
Originally uploaded by junku.

I love these cats. They are 3 out of 4 cats owned by Jun Kumagai aka junku of Airborne Cats fame.

He has an incredible Flickr page and a blog called Airborne Cats (you can click thru from Flickr too) --- I never get tired of looking at his work :)

Nora.

2007-04-12T17:42:00.000-04:00

Have a cat.

Cats & Sushi

2007-03-30T18:07:00.001-04:00

39443215.IMG00429
Originally uploaded by junku.

2 of my favorite things :)

woot!

2007-03-16T20:07:00.000-04:00

lalala

2007-02-16T20:50:00.000-05:00

Saw Cowboy Mouth a few eeks ago

2007-02-12T23:28:00.000-05:00

Eeks?

LOL!

http://cowboymouth.com

:D

And

click here for a cool cat piccie!

For CelticCoyote

2007-01-20T19:47:00.001-05:00

Hee! Enjoy! ^^^^^^^^^^^

(here's the original

For CelticCoyote

2007-01-20T19:47:00.000-05:00

Hee! Enjoy!

Happy New Year again --- :)

2007-01-17T00:25:00.000-05:00

Not a lot of time right now - I just got home from work, but it's an insane time frame....since I am in a very intense training session for my new job!

I'll probably be back in over the weekend if not sooner. I have piccies and ramblings I'd like to put up.

*hugs hugs hugs*

Happy New Year

2006-12-31T08:48:00.000-05:00

just a quickie.

God Bless all my friends and family who have supported me all through the year. Talk to you in a few days - with more piccies and deets...

I love you guys!

What kind of pocky am i?

2006-12-23T01:28:00.000-05:00

You Are Green Tea Pocky

Your attitude: natural and zen

Peaceful yet full of life. Deep and thoughtful.

You're halfway to tantric bliss!

What Flavor Pocky Are You?

New beginnings

2006-12-16T11:52:00.000-05:00

I have a new career starting on Jan.02.07

More deets to come.

SNow days!

2006-12-08T01:29:00.000-05:00

I have a bag fetish

2006-12-01T23:48:00.000-05:00

I have been re-evaluating my shopping habits and I have come to the realization that I only like to spend $ on yarn, makeup (although I don't wear it often enough) and bags. I used to have a shoe fetish, but not anymore.

(Must be the age thing LOL)

Purses and makeup make me very happy.

I just bought a Lexie Barnes Flo knitter's purse because it was 1/2 price due to minor imperfections. I'm drooling over the Dooney & Bourke "Bee" design. I want another Coach bag.

There is an awesome OiOi diaper tote that I simply must have. (No babies, I was going to use it for knitting!)

I would be happy with simple black or white clothing and black shoes for the rest of my life if I could just have fabulous bags and MAC makeup.

This is my Lexie Barnes bag in the discontinued "Dutch Treat" pattern...

Chaplin's - The Music Cafe Round 2

2006-10-14T01:58:00.000-04:00

http://chaplinsthemusiccafe.com

Just got back home from Spring City PA and had a wonderful time again!

I saw my love and heartthrob from high school (other than John Vanbiesbrouck and Duran Duran LOL) Eric Bazilian! He was playing a fabulous accoustic show in this WONDERFUL little cafe studio - if you can, you MUST go there to experience the atmosphere and the culture of talented people and the fans who love it. Totally worth the drive and the food.

Rewind back to Sept. 25th, 1987 - I was on MTV's "Music Passport - the New York Edition" with the Hooters when they played at the Ritz during their 'One Way Home' tour.

Here's the proof:

LOL! How 80's was that outfit? That hair? I was ... 16 back then. We did the opening chords for "And We Danced" for the line waiting outside for the concert.... best day of my life.

And fast forward to Oct. 13th, 2006:

After the show tonight, Eric did a little meet & greet with fans (the cafe holds about 80 people plus staff) .... and he walked up to me and said "I remember you"!

I almost fainted. Talk about coincidences - when I showed him the copy of the NYC piccie he said "You'll never believe this but I found the master tapes from than show last week. And now you're here."

He is so gracious and kind, and I felt like I was 16 again. OMG I was blushing and all giddy - I hope to hell I didn't act like a complete idiot dork. But Eric is SO handsome, so gorgeous, so hot... *chuckles*

He has a beautiful wife and children, all whom were there as well and it made me smile to see just how much he loves his family. His show was amazing and he had John Lilley, also from the Hooters, join him onstage for many songs and jokes. I didn't want the night to end.

WHat?!!!!?!?!?!?!???????????

2006-10-12T21:40:00.000-04:00

No MARGARET CHO OR JANEANE GARAFALO?!???!?!!!?!

(those are the two I usually get LOL)

Brent Chapman!

2006-10-07T13:10:00.000-04:00

Who is Brent Chapman?

Read about him here.

I'm a fan, I admit it.

NASCAR, timbersports... and bass angling.

Hee!

I met him at Dover a few weeks ago and he was so sweet!

Yay!

If you can find the kitty porn

2006-09-04T21:30:00.000-04:00

somewhere on this blog or one of my other ones by Sept. 30th 2006 , I will award you with a cool prize.

I have posted kitty porn somewhere in one of 3 locations of places I frequent. Here's your first hint:

Blogger
MySpace
knittycoffeeshop

If you think you've found the answer, post a comment here. I'll email/contact you *wink*

Second Life Online Community

2006-08-09T22:50:00.000-04:00

OMG

my new time waster ---

free and FUN!

If y'all decide to join (remember it's free) please please please use my

SL avatar name "Roxy Tennant" in the space that quotes referrals. I get kudos and free virtual $$

More info here and here

Thanks and see you in there!

xo
roxy

PS - tomorrow (August 10) is National Duran Duran Appreciation Day!!!

WOOP!

Hee! I'm such a geek

2006-07-22T18:39:00.000-04:00

who is also a huge Meg Ryan fan.

Lookit what I found!

2006-06-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

Hahaha YouTube rocks.

I just found this --- brings back childhood memories.

random photos/pics

2006-06-28T18:54:00.000-04:00

Hee- gratuitous cute kitten photo

2006-06-28T13:31:00.000-04:00

Clamshell!

Wheeee!

2006-05-31T20:51:00.000-04:00

New cellphone came today. I can get rid of that POS I've been cursing for 6 months, although I can say I'll be sad to put it to pasture. We've had some good times LOL... I was so excited to get the old phone (a Nokia 3589i) and I bought all kinds of covers for it (Roxy, Hello Kitty) but it was still never the one I really wanted. (John picked that model b/c it was free)
So, I present the newest techie geek gadget-- a Motorola V3c RAZR flippy deal!

Well, sort of -- I did not get the pink one, which I really really really wanted. Mine is graphite gray - they were sold out of the pink ones from Mother's Day and Valentine's Day (bitches)

I also ordered a wireless Motorola H500 Bluetooth headset - the one that came with my phone is black, but I also ordered a pink one from eBay and I will give the black one to John when I receive my pink one.

So I'm just waiting for this mofo to charge up then I will switch the service over. It will be nice not having to smack the phone on a table top or the steering wheel to be able to hear out of it LOL
What sucks though is the fact that I don't really like talking on the phone... not like I used to. I just don't have time! I kind of welcomed the fact that my phone was basically text and VM only for a while because I have gotten to the point in my life that other than customers and work-related stuff I really only talk to my mother, my sister and 5 of my friends from MD, NY/NJ and NH. Everyone else is on-the-fly and text-msging mostly. But don't get me wrong - I love all my friends dearly, but I have found that I only call people when I really have something to talk about or I will do a 30-second check in with whomever. My phone is basically for emergencies and for when I have to do work-related stuff. Unlike my sister who just calls out of the blue every 2-3 months but then will talk for 3 hours about incredibly random stuff. I talk to my mother 2x a week, and my inlaws every 2-3 weeks.

BUT- a caveat: I love text messaging. Love it. That's my favorite mode of instant communication, which makes me wonder why I didn't get the phone that John got (he got an LG-V which is all loaded and jacked up LOL) but then I've been thinking about a pink RAZR for over a year.

A happy moment

2006-05-18T17:53:00.000-04:00

...that I need to relive right now because I am so stressed out.

dee dee dee

2006-05-04T23:22:00.000-04:00

I'm so tired that's the only noise I can muster right now...

It's from Mind Of Mencia - my new underground comedy addiction.

sleeeeeeepy...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Happy Arbor Day

2006-04-28T23:40:00.000-04:00

A quick & dirty post - I'll be back tomorrow.

Did you hug a tree today? Did ya?

:)

xo
Anne

eminence grise

2006-04-25T10:54:00.000-04:00

I learned that phrase today from this website- an artist named Jared Carter from Indianapolis, who is very talented, by the way. It is fascinating.

Here is the official definition:
eminence grise - (French) a person who exercises power or influence in certain areas without holding an official position; example: "the President's wife is an eminence grise in matters of education"

So I would like to call myself an eminence grise LOL

Cats?

2006-04-23T17:28:00.000-04:00

Jen aka chacha from the knittyboards lives right around the corner from me. Literally. On her blog she posted that there's a friendly lilttle kitten that came around the other day that was gray & white and was quite mewly. I was wondering if it was one of these guys (this pic was from last fall but the coloring and markings of each cat are still the same LOL

These are 5 of 10 that I feed regularly. Left to right are: Slinky Baby (the mother), Deez Nutz (the runt), Crunk (big sister), Mathers and Marshall (the twins - Mathers is a girl - she has the white spot on tip of her tail)
Not pictured are Smudge, Foo, Mascara, Patchy and Slinky Gray Baby. They like to come out at night. Deez Nutz is the one I'd imagine pimped herself to chacha because she really is friendly and noisy. *chuckles*

Tagged by Jason

2006-04-16T14:04:00.000-04:00

This was from his MySpace blog:

Monday, April 10, 2006

TAG!
Current mood: mischievous

Each player of this game starts with six weird things or habits about yourself. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own six weird things or habits, and state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose six people to be tagged, list their names, and leave a comment that says "you are tagged", or whatever, and tell them to read your blog.

Weird things about me.

1. I have always wanted to be the voice of a Simpsons character.

2. I LOVE Zombie horror movies, games and pretty much anything to do with zombies. In fact my gaming tag is ZombieAtak. I must be sick......

3. I once crashed a car that I wasn't actually in at the time. (Note: always remember to set the parking brake.)

4. I have eaten large amounts of condiments for money.

5. If I could have One Million Dollars or a pet Dinosaur, I would take the Dinosaur.

6. My high school yearbook quote was from Homer Simpson.

I guess I'm kinda weird but its so hard to come up with stuff.

I tag Brian, Chris, Kat, Tim, Kurtis, and AnneMarie.

So here is mine:

1) I am deathly afraid of the Toilet Tank Monster.

2) I must pet all cats I see. Even if I don't know them.

3) I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE professional timbersports. Matt Bush, Arden Cogar Jr & Sr are my heroes... and there's the NASCAR thing too...

4) I have an extra teeny, tiny toenail on my right pinkie toe, outer edge. Only my manicurist/pedicurist can actually see it and she does a great job of hiding it.

5) My most frequent dream is me as an anime character, usually sci-fi.

6) I wish everything in life contained glitter or Hello Kitty.

I tag Jake, Robyn, Sheryl, Arnaldo, Mara and Kevin.

Ahem that would be the HarajukuRoxy Army LOL

2006-03-30T21:16:00.000-05:00

*giggles*

I am such a dork.

JOIN THE ROXY ARMY CONTEST

2006-03-30T20:35:00.000-05:00

Are you one of me?

(no, not short, fat & Asian *wink*)

Fun, crazy and unafraid to be yourself!

Then -- send me a message or email if you have it with your snail mail addy ( Don't worry - I will keep all your dirty little secrets on the down-low, promise! I have message moderation turned on, so it's all good).

In return, I will send you a Roxy decal for your car/wagon/dogsled to be displayed proudly. (My choice but it will be great I promise!)

But wait there's more!

After affixing said Roxy decal to mode of transportation, take a picture of it. Take a picture of you next to it. Take a picture of you next to it doing something really weird and bizarre or just plain goofy. But just take a picture so we can see who you are and that you are truly Roxy Army material! Then sign my Frappr map too, if you haven't already LOL

(NO PORN PLEASE... I have enough in the bathroom magazine caddy already, thanks to the hubby)

Email it to me - and the best use of Roxy-ism will win an awesome prize.

Wait, scratch that - the best 3 pics will win some mad schwag! Ask my friends - I don't give gifts that suck!

Bonus points if you can tell me who/what "Roxy" is. (besides me) LOL!!!

All requests and photos must be submitted & postmarked by April 30th, 2006 - they become my property that I can blackmail y'all with later on in life hahahaha
Late requests will be used to line the litterbox.

Have fun! Join my army and express yourself!

Love,
Anne aka roxy

I AM ADDICTED TO DOONEY & BOURKE

2006-03-22T22:08:00.000-05:00

HEE.

I have this purse.(in white and taupe)

And this one. (in pink)
And this.(in celery)
And this.(in black)

AND THIS TOO!!!(in white)

I can't get enough. And I haven't even gotten into the Coach fetish yet....

In case anyone cares...

2006-03-11T02:02:00.000-05:00

I'm sick yet again.

A raging case of strep and an oozing ear infection. Thanks to the plane ride back from Orlando, according to my doctor. I get to take 60 yummy amoxicillin capsules over the next ten days and pray that the itch down below does not outrank my throat and ear in irritation and pain.

Snow in the forecast

2006-02-10T21:34:00.000-05:00

4-12 inches depending on where your ass is in Maryland LOL
Which is why I want to go shopping online *cheesy grin*

What do you think about this?

Hey, please click here so I can get credit for directing people to a cute little LYS in Iowa :D ---- I also get credits for free yarn. Woop! Thank you in advance!

I put my shirt on backwards this morning

2006-02-01T09:33:00.000-05:00

Is this a sign?

Because I also woke up with a ridiculous migraine, and I'm about to go work another 14-hr day.

*grumble*

On another, more positive note - my friend Boyd and his lovely wife Tina are expecting a baby!
They have beem trying to get pregnant for 8 years and I just found out yesterday that she is 6 months in. Wooooooo! ( I haven't talked to Boyd since last summer. Punk.) Congratulations, you animal you ;)

Hey, if you live in the MD/DC/Northern VA area and need to buy a car, this is where Boyd works. Go visit him - hee hee. Tell him Mulan sent you!

Okay, I gotta scram. Work, unfortunately calls.

Chuc mung nam moi

2006-01-29T22:51:00.000-05:00

CHinese New Year Happy Message

Hee hee.

Just ate some tangerines, blogged and will finish knitting my red scarf. (a little late, but better that never)

Year of the Dog.

More Vietnamese culture stuff -- very interesting read :)

I'm just angry about general stuff

2006-01-24T20:14:00.000-05:00

We are a little behind on some bills - nothing major or dire - but stuff is a few weeks late. I try to budget us as best as possible, and everyone gets paid in some way, shape or form, but the big companies just make me angry. We'll get a few calls, and I talk to the CSR who makes notes about the payment in progress, blah, blah, blah and all seems to end well on that phone call. Well, I leave for a few hours to take care of errands, come home, and find 30 different call attempts on my caller id. Then the phone rings a few minutes later and it's the credit card company with some rude asshole on the other end who proceeds to hang up on me midsentence.

I am so pissed off because I made over $200 in payments last week to these guys and every record I have available to me shows that payment has been received. Yet these assholes still harrass us. Hang up on us. Act like we're a couple of deadbeats. The only time where I've had a civil conversation with anyone there is when I've called in to them and tracked someone down on my own time. I sent an email and left 3 voice mails to supervisors - but I guarantee that no one will respond, just like in the Best Buy incident last year.

Which brings me to my next state of pissed off.
I am so stressed out that I am not sleeping. I feel fat (well, I am fat but being sick doesn't help) and I am tired of taking drugs to cure my cough, cold, allergies, cold sores, and chronic headaches. I'm not a hypochondriac by any stretch of the imagination because I HATE going to the dr. and I never call in sick unless I am near death. Proof in point - I went to a 6-day business conference last year in Houston while in a state of near-death... turns out I had pneumonia and bronchitis, did 2 cycles of antibiotics and still went to work and to this conference because it was not something I could miss.Also, my store was so understaffed that even when I attempted to take a day or 2 off to rest, I still was called into work. I had to be masked for 6 weeks to keep my germs to a minimum. So all in all I was sick for 3 months and to be quite honest - I have not fully recovered after almost a year.

On the upside -

Chinese New Year is right around the corner.

Ganked from tabbytuxedo's blog

2006-01-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

This is hilarious.
I'm glad I've reactivated comments, because I'd like y'all to contribute, please!

"....So to distract myself from my technology woes, I present you with this meme that I've picked up. I actually saw this and played along on two other blogs, Laura's and Jess's. I'd love to hear what you guys come up with! It's lots of fun.

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL MEMORY OF YOU AND ME. It can be anything you want--good or bad--BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. When you're finished, post this on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you. posted by tabbytuxedo @ 12:59 PM..."

Enabling comments again

2006-01-20T12:22:00.000-05:00

I've decided that that little shit b****buster can kiss my ass.
I ain't afraid of her and she needs to get a life.

some idiot is posting filth on my blogs

2006-01-12T14:28:00.000-05:00

...and I know who it is. Which is why I have turned off comments for a while. It's a shame that there are immature, troubled individuals who can't handle the truth and need to project by expressing themselves in an inappropriate way. I hope they find inner peace and pray for them to get their act together... so much rage, so much anger (and illiterate to boot)

Tropicana Casino - Atlantic City

2006-01-06T13:17:00.000-05:00

Hey!
Just a fly-by.....

Am sitting in in the Business Center at Tropicana checking email and getting ready to get my nails done here in AC.

John is in the Poker Room trying to become the next Chris Moneymaker

Wish us luck.

So I'll be back later, if time permits :)

Love ya!

Anne

Fly-by posting

2005-12-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

Arrrgh.

I haven't been in here for a long time and I'm sorry! I haven't had time to knit, much less sleep or eat a proper meal.
I think I have a vacation coming up in a few weeks but we'll see....

DKNY's Be Delicious

2005-12-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

... is my new favorite fragrance.

*swoons*

Ever wonder how some parents

2005-12-03T22:29:00.000-05:00

...just do not care about anything?

I am trying so damn hard to NOT get the flu. Some little shit kid coughed & sneezed on me, full face (I had to dry my face off while his mother chatted obliviously on her cellphone) and was all gooey & sticky as I took his measurements. I probably was a little too bitchy as I finished up the order, but wouldn't you be if you just got germ-slimed and Mom didn't even attempt to apologize or discipline her no-manners brat?
So - Airborne tablets seem to be helping me fight the battle. I am so drugged up with OTC stuff to try and keep this from going full-blown ill, but man --- I am CRANKY. I was feeling so crappy that we did not go see Aeon Flux opening night. No way man, I went home early and SLEPT.
Went home 2 hours early today because I'm just achy and sore and chilly. One of my buddies called me b/c he had tickets to tonight's Caps/Rangers game @ MCI but I was too tired. Now that's effed up.

(Now some asscracker is out in the hallway smoking like a chimney and the smell is making me more ill.)

And Christmas shopping. *sob*
I have to get cranking, but I dread the thought of the mall. I have to wait til payday, but I'm leaning more and more to the online options, so... what do you want for Christmas, John? Megan? Mara? Mom? Mark? Rach? Poke? Robyn?
*scribbling noises*

I noticed that my gray hair is coming back full-force. It's even more gray than it was b4 I colored it 3 months ago. Is that effed up or what? Is my job that stressful? Am I aging that quickly? I used not not have to worry about more than 2 gray hairs a year, now I seem to be breeding them every 6 hours.

Maybe I'll go back to my skater punk days and get the Tony Hawk 'do --- really short in back and the big, asymmetrical flop in the front with a big bleached-out streak across the bangs.

*looks out the patio door*

Supposed to be snow tonight... hmmmm.... nothing yet.

TTYL,
*smooches*

me

This site best viewed with Firefox

2005-11-29T23:22:00.000-05:00

Sorry, but for some reason IE jacks up my layout and I don't have time to futz with it right now

:(

...more meowycakes

I could use a hug like this right now :)

This photo makes me happy

Been a while since I blogged and I apologize to my 7 faithful readers. :)

Rika & Fuwari

Roxy & Jesh

where the pinecone pointed... or "thanks, Bradley!"

Plurk

Just in case you haven't seen one today LOL

hmmmmm

♪♪ oh, my dear ♥ birdies, sweet ♥ little feathered ones ♫♫, why don't you come closer, ♪ just a little closer ♫, so that we can become good ♪ good ♪ friends ♥...

Hii-chan Caturday

Hatchlings?

Kitteh kisses!!!!

Stitchy time

What Is This?

Michael Phelps

Caturday (almost)

plurk me!

book worm

oh yeah

Not Caturday yet

A bit of vintage culture

I am the googly eye queen

Fuwari revisited.

Dazzling Pinks

(more than) Buzz Cut Advice

Haka how-to

toasty cat

How to cook rice perfectly

How to Cook Rice Perfectly

In honor of Monkeee who is on the East Coast

Kids' wisdom

Rika & Fuwari

Funniest Haka representation eva!

A way to build customer loyalty?...

anthony, me & andy

el gato volador

“Airborne cats” Book version

I'm not a political cat

The America Express Black Centurion card

Sound advice for studying

Get your Goo on...

Monkey Bags!

Philanthropy Steelers-style

"...blowing a kiss from Philly..."

The Hooters in Mannheim

Sleepy Snake eats Mischievous Mouse

My good deed for the day

Squirrels

Typical cat behavior ;)

i'm gonna get you, sucker!

Proof that orange cats are crazy

I couldn't resist *giggle*

the yeast is strong in this one

Sleeping babies

Nora.

Cats & Sushi

woot!

lalala

Saw Cowboy Mouth a few eeks ago

For CelticCoyote

For CelticCoyote

Happy New Year again --- :)

Happy New Year

What kind of pocky am i?

New beginnings

SNow days!

I have a bag fetish

Chaplin's - The Music Cafe Round 2

WHat?!!!!?!?!?!?!???????????

Brent Chapman!

If you can find the kitty porn

Second Life Online Community

Hee! I'm such a geek

random photos/pics

Hee- gratuitous cute kitten photo

Wheeee!

A happy moment

dee dee dee

I couldn't resist giggle