ixeian's world: probably not normal

Every toxic cloud has its silver lining...


(Hat-tip John Amato)
The Associated Press calls Democrats’ odds of winning a filibuster proof majority in the Senate a “realistic shot.”

Even the top Republican in charge of the party's Senate campaigns concedes that the GOP will lose seats this year — the only question is how many.

With President Bush's ratings at rock-bottom, fewer Republicans signing up to vote, and voters nationally gravitating toward Democrats in public polls, the GOP is bracing for defeats in November that will expand Democrats' now razor-thin 51-49 majority in the Senate.

Democrats have solid chances of winning five seats, according to strategists in both parties and public polls, and realistic shots at picking off another three to five Republican senators...

Fingers crossed ☺

yooomp - v. to eat, with a slurping vacuuming-like action

Usage:
[Mr. B, eating lo mein...]
I yooomped it. I yooomped the worms up.

Tika, beneath the kiwi vine

( Read more... )

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Last night I ended up having to cook, because there wasn't ANYBODY ELSE to do it. I was upset about the situation, since I wanted to make tips. But it turned out to be a really slow night, and I spent most of it sitting on some milk crates, watching movies on my iPod that I had set up in my iLIFE iPod radio on the counter. Take THAT fate.

I still would have rather made the like 30$ or whatever in cash, but at least it was a pretty decent night.

The biggest reason for wanting the money is that I have tomorrow night off to go to the Kid Rock concert at CMAC, so I won't make any money then, and then we're going to Darien Lake on Thursday, so we'll be spending money there. More costs than usual, with less cash. Oh well. I've been able to conserve money enough that it's not a big deal like it always is, I was just hoping to save more money this week.

That's all for now, I'll write in a couple days to let you know how the show and park are.

\/\/

CNN is reporting that Al Gore has accepted a speaking role on the final night of the Democratic convention, appearing on the same stage that Barack Obama will officially receive the Dem's presidential nomination.

"It is unclear what Gore will say in the speech or at what time he will deliver his remarks before an audience that is expected to exceed 70,000 at Invesco Field. The Obama campaign would not comment on the matter."

Whatever the topic (presumably the environment), it's sure to A) inspire and invigorate the progressive base, and B) send Wingnutistan into frothing-mouth fits. ☺

Color me excited!

I just heard from my CO again today. Without naming civilian names, he said he just got another box, this from a twelve year old girl and another person.

Myself, I bought ten packages of peanut M&Ms and another box so I could send all the stuff I've got him. The pile keeps getting bigger and bigger and feels more and more satisfying.

Every man and woman for themselves, eh, Straight Talk?

One is left to wonder where this slimebag would be if he hadn't abandoned his wife & family and married a beer heiress. My guess is nowhere near the Senate (much less the White House).

http://www.StopMcCain08.com
P.S. First idiot that replies to this post with something like, "anyone stupid enough to buy a house with an ARM deserves whatever they get!" or "John McCain is a self-made man!" will be escorted out the back door of this blog and beaten senseless with a ClueBat.

Today was quite hectic at work as I had lots to do before leaving and I couln't stay late due to a doctor's appointment.( Cut for possible TMI  ). The other time waster of the day is the company wide quarterly meeting, this takes a big chunk of the afternoon and is rather boring.

So I was rather rushed this morning, and feeling that I was not getting anything done. I did manage to squash a very big bug and hopefully this will please the rather picky customer. Still, in my self set goals for the day I wanted two data summaries out as well as the defect dealt with (well they call it a defect, but spec changes are not my fault!) and only managed the one.
:(

So I was feeling a bit of a failure as I filed into the conf room. which made what happend all the sweeter really:

SaleGamine is employee of the quarter!

How's that for a nice surprise?

Even better is the fact that when I sent the sole report I got done to testing, the project manager actually sent me a "Well done, this is ahead of schedule" note.

On a seperate note, slamlander and I are still disgustingly happy and content.

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Lying For JEEEZUS: Chris Bird exposes the true nature of the Order Of Canada whiners.

Short version: They're lying about who they are, they're lying about the requirements of the Order, they're wrong on every factual claim, and they're accusing the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of bias on transparently spurious and baseless grounds.

Lying: It's what pro-lifers *do*.

Took a bunch of pictures earlier today - had about a dozen birds (robins, jays, and more) hanging out in the backyard.

I posted the ones that weren't all that cringe-worthy to Flickr.* Click through to see the rest!




* I took over a hundred shots, knowing that 1) I was moving way to much; and 2) they were moving way too much. Someday, I'll get a tripod and/or monopod to keep things steady. That will at least help improve the situation on one side of the lens.

Longtime McCain acquaintance and fellow POW Phillip Butler explains why he won't be voting for ol' Straight Talk (hat-tip wobblerlorri)...


As some of you might know, John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States... ( Well worth the read )

http://www.StopMcCain08.com

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( You are about to view content that may only be appropriate for adults. )

So, I'm perusing the online version of the local paper's headlines, and I see that a local businessman was nailed in a large prostitution sting down in Arizona. As I know several "ex-Valley business leader"s, I figured I'd see if I knew who it was; maybe an ex-boss? =)

I never heard of the guy - and didn't really think I would have - but one of the charges against him caught my eye:

"the use of a wire or electronic communication"

Hmmm... that's a misdemeanor or a felony?

Land of the Free?

I suppose that, in addition to being involved in a prostitution ring, the guy must be a member of the electronic revolution...

In a natural follow-up to yesterday's video - Apocalyptica's cover of One - we break briefly from the format of rock-played-on-orchestral-instruments, and we come to rock-played-on-rock-instruments. Of course, the reason for this is One, as performed by Metallica, from their album ...And Justice for All (Amazon.com).

Now, while this song starts with quiet textures and some beautiful melodic fretwork by Kirk Hammett that should be considered accessible to all, it does transition to some of the heaviest, most powerful work Metallica has ever done. Even if the bass - played by Jason Newstead, who had to step in to fill dearly departed Cliff Burton's unfillable shoes - was recorded with some of the most godawful lack-of-production qualities ever to see a release.

I would expect those of you who don't like such things as heavy metal, distorted guitars, and so forth to shun this video, however, I'd like you to make an exception.

This video is perhaps one of the most innovative music videos to have been made. Despite this being a "promotional video" - which is what the music companies consider music videos: advertising - the band is upstaged throughout by clips - dialogue and all - from the 1971 movie Johnny Got His Gun (IMDB) which is based on the book (Amazon.com) of the same name. The clips are powerful and graphic.

Several themes - and critical issues - are brought up. War: "For democracy, any man would give his only begotten son." The end product of war: "Inside me I'm screaming, nobody pays any attention. If I had arms, I could kill myself. If I had legs, I could run away. If I had a voice, I could talk and be some kind of company for myself. I could yell for help, but nobody would help me." Medical ethics, euthanasia, and extraordinary measures to sustain life: "He eats through a tube. And whatever comes in through a tube has to go out through a tube. He is the armless, legless wonder of the twentieth century. And yet, by God, he's just as alive as you and me."

This should not be watched lightly, but I feel it should be watched. Then again, those who most need to be moved by this are very likely amongst those who would never watch it - and, just as likely from what I know of you, not amongst those who are viewing this on your Friends page.

Watch, discuss.

as a fat woman, when I eat in public, it is a transgressive act.

I am also ALMOST a vegetarian compared to a lot of the people around me (not including all the Indian grad students I work with who are vegetarians). I eat meat occasionally. Probably about two or three times a week. When I was in the hospital (after they got me off the liquid diet, the friday after I was admitted - I was on a liquid diet for 5 days. That's why I lost 10 lbs in the hospital. That and the fact that my body was using up resources like there's no tomorrow trying to get blood around that clot.) they fed me meat AT EVERY MEAL. My digestive system rebelled after a couple of days.

I am NOT a vegan and I doubt I will ever be one. I might, however, start making fuck you food logs again. In the community journal. Oh did I tell you? Katherine and I started a community for that. It's been dead for a few months but I feel like reviving it.

http://fuckyoufoodlog.livejournal.com

Join if you desire!