nobody here but us chickens

Month: April 2013 (Page 1 of 2)

Grr. Argh.

wm6108I’m feeling a little grumpy with the universe lately.

And I had all these things that I was going to list that were making me cranky, and tell the universe, and more specifically the people in it, right off.

But then Miss W made me play the Doctor Who theme (album version) in the car 3 times on the way to and from taekwondo, and said she totally could have come to visit me as a little girl and said, “I am your daughter!” if she had the TARDIS and that’s just exactly what she’d do.

And the fact that I’m raising this phenomenal, absent minded, loving, generous, free spirited, geeky little bundle of awesome has made me considerably less grumpy with the universe (though maybe not so much certain of the people in it who still have me going grrrrrrrr just a little bit … But it’s enough to mostly ignore them.)

Also, how can you look at this face and not laugh?

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Random Wednesday

wm5910Such a crazy busy day today.

And all my meetings are back! le sigh.

I kind of want this outfit.

I don’t know. I don’t understand the whole Neil Gaiman/Amanda Palmer thing. And I hated Palmer, and then I kind of liked her, because I really liked a couple songs off Who Killed Amanda Palmer, and then I liked a couple songs off whatever that last one was called. But I also still kind of couldn’t stand her. And you know I’ve commented on her ridiculous eyebrows more than once. Mostly I’m sort of meh. But for her to write a poem that blatantly empathizes (and she’d really like you to know the subtle but important difference between empathize and sympathize) with the bomber, and then to deny that it’s about him at all suggests to me that she just thinks that we’re all just a bunch of fucking idiots. Sorry, doesn’t take a Master’s in English lit to be able to interpret your poetry, Amanda Fucking Palmer.

Also, I’m sorry, but monsters DO exist. Why should I try to empathize with or humanize them?

But the photographs in the book (Who Killed Amanda Palmer) are totally up my alley, and I’d still love to own a copy. And I’m still a huge Neil Gaiman fan, have been since Issue No. 1 of the Sandman. (Thank you, Scott Hutchings)

I’ve spent too much time on Amanda Palmer. Dammit.

oh ho ho

It’s Administrative Professionals Appreciation Week. And frankly, I’ve never felt less appreciated.

rain rain rain zen happy rain hand me a cuppa

I need to get some more paracord bracelets done.

I need a tiny Santa hat.

Yes, I do think making a Santa hat for tiny Karl Marx is a good use of my time.

WHAT?!?!!  @#(*^ $%&#*

That Sharpie came off my hand surprisingly easily. I don’t think they’re making Sharpies as well as they used to.

“Is there a library where all the books are?”

And now there’s a Weird Science remake in the works. Come. On.

Hmmm. The problem still lies in who decides what constitutes an imminent threat.

I thought the idea behind not using a curriculum was to allow your child to learn what he or she is interested in at his or her own pace, and not be concerned with the “right information” or staying at grade level. The concept of “grade level” is designed to perpetuate this insane concept that all children of a certain age should be “ideally” at the same place at the same time. There is too much emphasis placed on it. Children should be allowed to learn at whatever level is appropriate to them. Age segregation is detrimental to society.

This just makes me sad. (NSFW)

I really wish I had learned Norwegian.

Hmmmmmm. Yeah, I can see that. Of course, allowing drones to “proliferate” is seriously dangerous ground.

Well. Deke Slayton was a damn good looking man, wasn’t he?

Snow again?? I may actually cry.

So much ridiculous.

Tell Omar to take his finger off the trigger.

I might have pinched a nerve in my wrist.

Someone bring me a sandwich.

This is pretty ok pizza.

I love pizza.

Why is my work internet sucking?

You are such a tramp.

Jesus. All I did was stick a Santa hat on Karl Marx.

And these are the people that should be the only ones allowed to have guns. … Uh huh.

“I like how that thread started out sort of cute and stuff, but then became this super-ugly psychodrama train wreck.”

sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

I kind of love this octopus and how he sort of resembles a light bulb with squiggly arms who wants to hoard your rings.

I really need to learn cross stitch.

run away, yeah

Some animals are more equal than others.

I don’t think it’s appropriate for POTUS to be speaking at a Planned Parenthood event. I don’t care what his political affiliation is.

Wow. Now I’m being attacked by a whole new jack ass. It’s a good day to be me.

God, I am never going to be able to finish reading this article.

Why is catering so flipping RUDE??? We’re paying you a small fortune, suck it up and at least TRY to fake civility.

this tomato loves you

Seriously, the only word I can even utter right now is WOW.

Yeah, so Fioricet is ok. Head still hurts, but not as much, and I care a whole lot less.

I guess that also means no treadmill this evening.

Meatballs are delicious. Unless they’re Swedish. I don’t have anything against Swedes. I feel the need to qualify that lest I draw more fire from people itching to call me racist or something today.

It’s been a rough day.

I probably need to hang this in my office.

Also why didn’t anyone tell me before now that I should check out Parks and Recreation?? That is some funny stuff.

Whip that snap.

I don’t actually go out of my way to be a jerk. … Unlike SOME people.

“No! No no no! You do not shave away your manly beard!”

I’m so sorry.

It’s been stuck in my head for the last hour.

Argh! I checked my gauge! Why is this knitting up small???

I’m telling you. My knitting mojo is OFF right now.

I wish I was going to Texas.

Maybe someone could come give me a wardrobe/closet make over. Cos I admit I need help. Also that dress in that last pic is super cute and I would totally wear that. No skinny jeans, please.

No, really, I always secretly hoped someone would nominate me for What Not to Wear, because they give you money for new clothes.

I’m having a really hard time getting through Sing You Home. It’s just so very way too extreme with the stereotyping. Picoult goes way too far with the obvious to prove her point. It’s disappointing.

In awesome news, the Tell the Wolves I’m Home author will likely be on campus this fall, hosted by us. This won as our pick for the college common read for the fall.

Oh my Christ. This is awesome.

Please don’t eat me! God will not help you, puny human!

HA!

I think I know better than you do what it’s like to be a conservative on the campus where I freaking work.

I was daydreaming the other day. (Shut up, everyone so does too do that. Also I don’t normally call it daydreaming.  Cos that just seems lame) And I imagined that I wrote a monthly column for Reason about being a conservative libertarian on a college campus and each article covered a different topic.

The good news is, I don’t have to train up a new boss.

Beautiful.

Sometimes a cupcake is just a cupcake. Now I want a cupcake. In other words: STOP ASSIGNING RIDICULOUS HIDDEN MEANING TO STUPID SHIT.

Ok. I vote yes on Fioricet. Just in case you were wondering.

la la la

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thursday soundtrack – until we’re gone

thursday soundtrack april pici wonder – chris isaak
crying – roy orbison
ain’t no sunshine – bill withers
wild horses – the sundays
the good life – jace everett
when the lights go out – the black keys
have you ever seen the rain? – creedence clearwater revival
devil’s love song – tishamingo
a thousand miles from nowhere – dwight yoakam
yellow – coldplay
hallelujah – jeff buckley
don’t come around here no more – tom petty
by yourself – the flatirons
middle cyclone – neko case
rock and roll ghost – the replacements
swimming in the swamp – the national lights
one more last kiss – ivy
sworn and broken – screaming trees
the scientist – johnette napolitano

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Random Wednesday

wm8381I’m feeling much less optimistic this morning. My natural cynicism is kicking in.

Oh Dear Lord. “A tragic accident after a church quilting event in Muskegon is now under investigation. Police say Olive Edlredge was run over and killed by her own car Wednesday.”

WHY did I NOT know that Chris Isaak does a seriously fanfreakingtstic cover of I Want You to Want Me???? (video not appropriate for everyone)

Wait. Did I know that??

Yes, please!

“To serve the common good.” Why not just go ahead and say it like a good little communist? “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” If they choose him, it will be a catastrophic failure.

What the hell is a Macklemore?

Giant snails are just another reason to avoid Florida. euch!

You’ve probably already seen it, but this made me a little teary.

CANNOT wait for this album. At least with this one I am guaranteed not to be disappointed like I was with Bowie and MBV.

Whoever told Robert Downey Jr that lederhosen were a good idea should be fired.

What David Sirota really means is “Let’s hope the bomber was a conservative, christian, white male.” He’s wrong that “white men” haven’t been denigrated or targeted or placed on government watch lists as potential terrorists. Pretty simple research could have told him that. “White men” and gun owners in general are being vilified all over the country right now because of the actions of a few. Libertarians, Ron Paul voters, “fringe groups,” etc., have been placed on DHS terrorist watch lists. Sirota’s real problem, as with the rest of the far left progs, is that they so desperately want and need us to be the bad guys, and we so very rarely are.

Enough enough enough. Get a damn hobby.

the trouble is

It was supposed to be thunderstormy today. It’s very much the opposite of that. I was kind of looking forward to thunderstormy.

On the plus, none of my usual Wednesday meetings are happening today. AND it’s Old Dog night! Good day!

I like wish lists. They’re convenient for people who want to give you a gift because you’re awesome, and they’re nice to look at and say, “I think I’ll start saving up for this item,” for yourself. Everybody wins.

Target. So silly.

Neon yellow.

Maybe if CISPA passes, and everyone loses ALL privacy, the progressive left will finally start to listen.

It’s getting gloomy!

hee

Thunder!

I feel marginally better about this as Gaiman is actually penning the script, but am still fairly dubious. And nervous.

No, no, I meant sink. Not skink.

Yeah, I’m not really being at all productive right now.

We need a musical interlude.

Um.

I’d love it if Youtube would quit with the anti gun ads before videos.

Wow, that’s some down pour.

I like old u2.

Oh my goodness.

Almost Hobbes!

“I accidentally called these girls prostitutes in front of them.”

catching sparks off you

Nothing quite like rounding up chicks in a thunderstorm. At least they were in the pen and not loose in the yard.

I don’t know. Offish Old Dog night. The food wasn’t as good as usual. The singing bartender chick wasn’t as good as usual. Just offish.

Any half-witted troglodyte can see she is the only possible choice for the job.

Still not actually starving, cat.

Barefoot Neil. Hee.

The display in the background is the same one that was on my campus right outside my office last week. I think it’s ridiculous that she was arrested, but I also think it’s ridiculous that she couldn’t just settle down when they asked her to. (Language NSFW) And I think she knew she was pushing the cops on it and daring them to cart her off.

Artsy types are so dramatic. This is where my Vulcan brain comes in handy. It keeps my artsy soul from going overboard … most of the time.

I got really behind on 3 people doing stuff.

his boy elroy

I have such admiration for the photographers who are using the old processes. They produce the most beautiful images. I wish I had the time and the money to be able to delve into it too.

I thought that pic of George and Laura Bush with their new grand baby was so sweet. So much happiness in those faces!

And then sometimes I poke my head in that group and it’s just a bunch of asshattery with everyone patting themselves on the back for being so aloof and removed. You know what? Sometimes, it is actually OK to be fucking human and be affected by a tragedy, even if it didn’t happen to you personally. Mocking everyone else for wanting to find some light or hope or a damn human connection just makes you a bigger asshat.

Well, really. Did you expect anything less?

you and me

I’m going to have to shoot some film. I need to get the Yaschicamat out.

Yup. That kid invented a 240something letter alphabet. Damn.

ba-Gawk.

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my brain hurts

FxCam_1366145110314_LucasFor as long as I can remember I have suffered from migraines. That sounds so dramatic. I’ve lived with them. I’ve suffered, yes, but I’ve also soldiered on, shouldered through, sucked it up, and built up one hell of the mother of all tolerances to head pain. At least most of the time. The fact remains that I am in pain more days than not.

I don’t whine about it. I don’t bring it up. I generally only really mention it on days when it actually becomes somewhat unbearable and I am forced to throw up my hands in surrender.

I try not to do that very often.

On occasion, people who have had migraines will say to me, “I don’t know how you can function!” Well. Honestly, what choice do I have? I function until I simply can’t. The world doesn’t stop, my responsibilities don’t go away, just because I have pain. So I suck it up.

If you’ve never had a migraine, you can’t even begin to imagine what it feels like. I am always trying to come up with some way to describe it and I always fail. There simply isn’t anything to compare it to, and I’m just not creative enough to adequately convey the nauseatingly unstoppable severity of this particular agony.

I did discover a musical piece recently that comes kind of close – the House from the Road soundtrack by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. (which I would Youtube you to, but it isn’t there)

Modern medicine has failed me completely, thus far. And, to be honest, I’ve really become pretty fed up with doctors. Particularly their complete disregard for anything their patients are trying to tell them. Listen, pal, I get that you went to school for a ridiculously long time, and that you do actually (usually) know what you’re talking about. But you’re still not me. You don’t live inside my skull. So shut the hell up and hear what I’m saying to you. Just stop. Every single prescription I have been given for the last I don’t know how many years has failed. And I can tell you precisely why. So please stop telling me that we really need to try this beta blocker again, because this isn’t the beta blocker of 10 years ago.

A beta blocker is a beta blocker, my friend. And my blood pressure is still too low for them.

Along with my ridiculous pain tolerance comes a ridiculous susceptibility to side effects of medications. I once tried anti-depressants (which are cross prescribed as a migraine treatment) and stopped sleeping entirely. After day 3 I threw them out.

See? My wiring is all kinds of wonky.

At any rate, I don’t tell you all of this because I’m trying to impress you with my insane fortitude. Although, it is impressive, if I do say. No, today I saw the neuro again, and he finally listened to what I was saying. So I’m really just blathering to say I’m making progress (I think), that I came away with brand new migraine specific meds that no one has ever thought to prescribe me before, and some vitamins that have been shown in sciencish studies to help block the daily pain. I chose to ignore his “exercise regularly (already do daily, pal), and pay attention to what might be triggering them, (That was just insulting. I’ve been getting migraines for more than 30 years, I think I know what triggers them, thank you very much.).”

So this is my “serene-ish making progress” face. Of course it could all still fail. But at least I’m trying to have a little faith.

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“You’re always you, and that don’t change, and you’re always changing, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

wm584133.52 
~The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman 

Which I just this afternoon finished reading to Miss W. And the ending is good but sad and it was hard not to cry, and I’m afraid my voice was rather wobbly.

Neil Himself is going to be in Ann Arbor in July, and I very very very much want to drive over for it. I’m trying to decide if I can justify spending the money, though I know it will be worth every penny, and the new book is included in the ticket price. There is still time to decide, I suppose.

And today is my birthday. And it has been a fantastic day. Reading Neil brings out the “ands” in me, apparently.

I hope you’re all having a fantastic day too. Eat some cake in honor of your humble jentober.

{photo: accidentally strange arm’s length self portrait with my new lens baby spark, from one of my very best friends}

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Random Wednesday

wm8450Maybe the red velvet cupcakes will lull them all into submission …

I don’t want to wear my name tag. I hate wearing my name tag. I hear that in some departments they make you wear it all the time.

Sorry, dolls are mostly just creepy.

Thunder storm! Happy jentober!

This is both hilarious and adorable.

Surely I am not the only one who doesn’t find John Barrowman attractive? People get all swoony. I don’t get it.

Are you reading about Kermit Gosnell? Because you should be.

I’m sorry, but if not missing ONE day of church is more important to you than celebrating a pretty major accomplishment in your child’s life, you are not only a terrible parent, but a terrible christian.

I reserve the right to remain indifferent.

tastes like being poor and small and popsicles in summer

I’m disappointed in the lack of pastry.

This is a very tense week. Very. Very very very.

I’m fairly certain that when someone says “It’s nice to meet you” you’re not supposed to reply “Thank you!”

I do not like stroganoff.

Half-O-Ween?!? I can celebrate it twice?!!!?

ah love ewe!

All these gun companies should come to MI.

I love these. Tea and photography – two of my favorite things.

I saw her on campus the other day wearing a short skirt, no tights, and heels. Her ankle had dried blood on it where she had cut herself shaving. She was headed off to lunch with a desperately bearded hipster. It felt like a date. It was too cold for her outfit.

I’m a pattern collecter. I have probably 6 times more patterns than I will ever knit. I might need an intervention.

So tired of hearing about it. Really. I don’t care. So just stop.

cheata

I like scones.

What does this button do?

I think he’s nervous.

He actually said esprit de coeur.

Stop swiveling your chair back and forth while you speak. You look like a 12 year old.

you bring out the mean in me

Definitely nervous.

I am just not getting a damn thing done today.

Yep. I could get behind a WWBD tattoo. Or a WWJCD. Probably more like JC. Or just J. No, the other JC. I can see where that would be confusing.

Oh there’s some cool stuff here!

ACK!

Smoothie!

I never saw 300.

Oh Lord. He has Howard Zinn on his “Recommended Reading for Secondary English Teachers” list.

We need a Rand Paul break.

I always forget how uncomfortable these chairs are.

I love Madlibs.

She’s not a dean, she’s a director.

Oh Lord. He’s on about carbon footprints.

I’m not sure I would have paired brown with purple, personally.

Wanna play hangman?

fire and brimstone

Man. Everyone’s having babies.

What the hell is this Bitcoin business? (I’ve been REALLY busy)

My head is killing me.

Bill Janovitz has a new album out. Huh. Going to have to check that out.

Listen, pal. Just because I chose not to walk down the doctoral path doesn’t mean I’m not fully capable of it.

It’s just not that hard if you actually pay even the tiniest bit of attention.

I have gotten exactly NOTHING done today. Shut up. I’m not even being slacktacular.

Maxalt comes in generic now. My wallet is happy. And it’s easy to open too because it comes in a regular bottle, not in a gorram blister pack or might-as-well-be-tyvek package.

it’s just the prescription talkin’

There is nothing quite as piercing to one’s migrainous brain as the incessant CHIRPCHIRPCHIRPCHIRPCHIRP of a turkey chick.

robotics

I love this.

This also makes me happy today.

I’ve always wanted one of those Moleskine notebooks. I have no idea why. The kind with the graph paper.

screaming blue cheese!

I’m sorry. I have to vote no on the new Bowie. I know. I’m sad too.

I’m pretty bummed that Christopher Eccleston will not be in the 50th anniversary special. My favorite Doctor.

More tea. Yes, more tea.

Sometimes I don’t catch the typos.

madame

bonsoir

Did I mention that I don’t actually speak French?

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