45 posts from April 2008

Bet you thought I was full of shit when I said I get quake-predicting back aches.

Quake hits Iran, about 100 lightly injured: TV - Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080501/w...

It said those injured in the quake, which struck at 4:45 a.m. (0015 GMT), were treated on the spot, state television reported. The tremor hit an area around the city of Boroujerd, about 320 km (200 miles) southwest of Tehran, it said.

First, thanks to wildly inaccurate time estimations, I ran 9 hrs worth of test tables in under 2 hours. Yeaaaa!! This compensated nicely for my first total brain fart night (Wed) when I ran 2 hrs worth of tests in 4 hrs because I kept f-ing them up over & over & over - and the same f ups every time. I swear, I was down by a good 50 IQ points. I had to give up testing and just go home.

Anyhooo...
I missed Carlos' going away party tonight (technically, it was Carlos, Melvin & Scott's going away party) because of workout. But Carlos will in the office for 2 more days and I said I'd wear my stripper shoes on Fri. And I will - at least for a little while.

Nicole, my instructor (pic snagged from her myspace without permission)

Workout went really well tonight. I definitely prefer when (rather than teaching me a routine and doing it with me, over & over) Nicole shows me a move, then watches as I repeat it several times, pointing out what's good/bad. An observer, who provides "here's what you're f-ing up and how to improve it" critique, is what I crave the most - because it's what's lacking the most at S Factor.

I took a lot of breaks tonight so I didn't end up exhausted (or whatever the hell happened last week) but I still feel that I did a good workout and, more importantly, learned a lot! Tonight I did some climbing (my Left leg moved!!), controlled slides, forward spins, backward spins, and "flying" (spins with no legs on the pole) and really felt good about most of them. And I did them all without my gloves - just my hands on the pole. That's big - I'm usually too slip/slidy to pole bare handed (feels like an inch of butter between the pole and my fingers). Since the spins are progressing nicely, I've decided it's time for an additional focus: I'm aware that when I spin I usually look like I'm in pain (cause I am, or I'm concentrating so much on not falling) - which is not exactly sexy. So I want to have Nicole start paying attention to my head position, eye contact with the "audience", and reminding me to SMILE.

On the way home, I didn't stop at 7/11 to see Brohat. I thought it would send the wrong message (interest in him - when all I'm actually interested in is the positive attention / ego boost).

I hope some of you made it to $0.31 scoop night at BaskinRobbins tonight. The line at mine was still gawd-awful at 9:30p - including multiple cars double-parked on the street while their owners stood in a line that looked over a hour long (doesn't BR close at 10p??).

I just finished my dinner (yes, at 10:30pm) - a big packaged salad (mexican fiesta flavor) with some chopped up chicken breast. Nummers! I'm craving some dessert but not gonna have it because sugars make me crave starches and I'll just end up eating even more.

I need to go deal with Boo (who is ultra-pissed about not being let outside tonight) and with the fact that I'm experiencing one of my post-workout major body temp drops (I'm guessing my temp is currently in the high 96s and will bottom out in the low 96s if I don't get some more clothing on ASAP). Have a good night, or morning, everyone!

There are some really good deals in there (extra 10% at Sears; extra 10% at Kroeger markets) - though it occurs to me that those of us getting e-deposits can't take advantage of any of them, which is kinda screwed.

Get More with your Economic Stimulus Check

http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2008/...

This week, the first round of rebate checks are heading to homes across the country. Under the economic stimulus package, individual taxpayers can expect to receive up to $600, while married couples can receive up to $1,200. The hope is that you'll spend that money in order to pump about $5 billion into the US economy. Since Uncle Sam is twisting your arm to go on a shopping spree, here are some stores that will give you a little more bang for your rebate check.

Were there any unusual earthquakes around 5am PDT? I read that Reno has been shaking, nearly nonstop, for 2 months now and no one knows why - maybe they had another big one? I ask only because my back went into intense "earthquake ache" around 1:30a. I finally got to sleep around 2:30am, by sprawling sideways across my bed, along my pillows with my feet hanging off the side of the bed. Woke back up around 5, back still bothering me and HAD to get out of bed - severy antsies (ansies? ants in my pantsies?). Anyhoo... maybe just paranoia on my part but combo frequently indicates earthquakes in bizarre locations.

I finally took 1/2 a xanax (to chill my brain) and 1/2 a darvocet (to chill my knee) and headed back to bed. The darvo is still working great - but I need to remember to take another 1/2 before workout tonight. And let's not forget the 1/2 a (prescription) amphetamine I took to get me through the day/workout. Who needs food & rest when you have coffee & pills? (don't bitch at me - I'm not serious!)

Speaking of workouts: I scheduled a 2hr private class with Yannori for May 11. That's gonna be a killer - but she's a good instructor so it's money & time well spent. I was actually craving freestyling today (to Morcheeba "One Love Karma") but know I would have hated it if I'd actually had the opp. But, still, I'm considering going back to S Factor next session - maybe even 2 classes a week (1 in OC and 1 in LA - with Coco). But that's all just big talk/dreams right now - sign ups are still 4 weeks away and the next session doesn't start for 7 more weeks. Plus, I still need to check out Kristin's new studio/classes.

There was another episode of MIA kitties last night. Boo was missing for so long that I was freaked out to the point of nearly being in tears - I really convinced myself that loud cars had scared to off to the point of being lost. I've confirmed that they're popping the broken crawl space screen, which leads to the side street, open (after I wedge it shut). I need to block it but don't have anything to put there (such as a potted plant) that won't be stolen before I get home. So I guess Boo is going to be stuck inside till the weekend, when I can buy slab of wood to close the exit. I'll made a new screen later (there are about a 15 others so airflow is not a problem).

Haven't gotten around to putting away my clean laundry. It's in piles on my (dirty) bedroom floor. Most of it will have to be re-dried to remove wrinkles. I've reached amazing new levels of "I can't be bothered" at home. Pathetic.

Still hoping for a miracle diagnosis/cure from the metabolic tests. Follow up is May 8.

Oh... I heard from the FGNs!! Can you believe that? It's been over 6 months since we've had any contact - probably more than a year since we've actually talked. They invited me to a Master's Degree party for Riley (Drew got his a couple years ago). I have 10 days to think of a present (I got Drew a $125 bottle of champagne).

What else? Miss Kitty's party this Sat night. I won't be in theme (Sunken City) - other than maybe the totally cute teal glitter eyeliner I bought last week (cause that's what every 45yr old needs).

Okay... I'm gonna go buy some shoes.

06 One Love Karma

Morcheeba

They're the little sisters of the shoes in my banner (which I own)!! MUST OWN THESE!!! (as most women, and some men, know: the right shoes magically transform you from size 22 to size 2, around age 26, and every desirable person's fantasy. It's true - I read it on the internet!! Well, I will read it on the internet, right after I post it).

I found the other shoes about 6 months after posting my desire so maybe these will come to me too.

They look like they're made by Pleaser (kinda scared that I can spec that on sight alone correction: I have been outdone. Lucia, at the OC SFactor studio, noticed the key on the back - which means they're Penthouse shoes and they come in pink & black too). They look related to the "Delight-662" model (my banner). S Factor is selling them for a fair price ($50) - but I think I can find them cheaper. Besides, if I call S Factor they'll turn out to be out of my size or I'll have to buy them online and their shipping is way overpriced.

Please send good shoe juju. THANKS!! FOUND - Penthouse "PH601". I just need to decide if I want size 9 or 10. Double thanks - I just ordered them online.

Need These Shoes!!

These are next (already found - just need to justify them). Oddly, they're the same price as the shoes above. Of course, I'll need to buy more ribbon to accommodate my fat legs (but the fact that they can do that is what appeals to me)

Penthouse Ph423-Chasity

1 comment

Brussels Sprouts:

• The new driving tend that I've observed: People in the #2 lane maniacally cutting off traffic to get into the #1 (fast) lane, where the drive too slow for about a block, then maniacally cut across 4 lanes to get to the exit/interchange as they're about to pass it. As near as I can figure: They're on wireless cell calls, get the mental message that they need to change lanes but they don't get the message about which lane. They go to the fast lane out of habit and their brain corrects the mistake at the last second. Instead of not being complete and total retards, by doing something like... I dunno... driving to the next exit and then backtracking... they risk life & limb of themselves & everyone around them in order to make the desired exit.
• Weekly meetings
• My complete and total paranoia when one or more of my kitties is missing
• Needing to repair the crawl space screens around the bottom my house (there are a lot of them and they're all disintegrating - which is how Boo is getting out front)
• No one has coordinated a going away party for Carlos. I heard that it's supposed to be tomorrow night - but no info has been circulated and I already have a commitment tomorrow.
• Watching a woman re-park her car about 8 times, in the 7/11/ parking lot, only to finish with her car straddling 2 spaces as she went to have her nails done. I really wanted to go over and bitch slap her.
  
• Being ignored

• My kitties
• The relief I feel when my kitties magically reappear after being MIA
• When I stop petting Moshi and he starts swatting at my hands to get me to start again
  
• That the insane heat wave broke today (it's wonderful outside today - perfect temps with a nice breeze)
• The smell of beach bonfires at night
  
• Getting not one, not two, but TEN $2 BaskinRobbins gift certificates from a coworker - because the one by him closed and I happened to mention there's a BR just 8 doors from my house.
  
• TODAY IS FREE SCOOP DAY AT BEN & JERRYS
• Today is also $1 scoop night at participating BaskinRobbins (any every Tues thing)
• Tomorrow, Wed Apr 30, is $0.31 scoop night at participating BaskinRobbins - and it somehow supports fire fighters
• Bananas that are just perfectly ripe
  
• Coincidentally keeping my mouth shut, and just doing a "WTF?" hand/shoulder gesture, when I saw Brohat at my local 7/11 today. He was walking behind his boss and gave me the "shhhh" sign. I assume his Long Beach boss doesn't know that he's also working at another 7/11 in Balboa.
• Getting a hug and "you smell good" from Christian, the other 7/11 clerk.
• People (including me) exposing their food rituals/issues, thanks to BoBavey's 8 things post

blahblahblah... if you don't know the intro/instructions by now, too bad.

1. I only recall having one birthday, in my entire life, that did not completely and totally suck ass (typically the worst day of my year). It was my 26th and spent with Joel. The fact that, by the next year, they resumed sucking is why I quit having them. I still get older, I still have astrology signs. I just no longer have birthdays. And I don't think it's remotely cute/funny/endearing if someone ignores my wish to have the day ignored. In fact, it pisses me off in the extreme.
   
2. I experience even the slightest disappointment about 10 gabillion times stronger than happiness. It's one of 2 reasons why I have a difficult time forgiving people.
3. The other reason is that people I care about don't (ever) apologize to me or ask my forgiveness. There is, apparently, some link between traits I find attractive in friends & the lack of an ability to apologize (at least for serious problems/hurt - people have no prob apologizing when it doesn't mean anything). It's what ended my friendship with Joel.
   
4. If asked about when I lost my virginity, I'll usually claim it was shortly before my 20th bday, with my boyfriend of the time. That was actually the first time I lost it and paid attention (aka: was in love). In actuality, I lost it in the summer of my 18th year to some random friend of a friend - a guy about whom I remember nothing. I was sober but all I remember of the event is the friend & the guy (who I didn't know prior and never saw again) coming over, that it happened, and where it happened (parent's bedroom)... no memory of the experience itself. I have no idea why I gave it up to that guy. I don't regret it - just don't remember why I did it.
   
5. I was a varsity swimmer in high school & won multiple first place medals at the CIF finals in both my Jr & Sr years.
   
6. I have lived, and expect to continue to live, my entire life in SoCal.
7. One of the greatest gifts I received from spending roughly 10+ years living in the gay community (I only went to gay clubs, I shopped at gay-owned businesses, I marched in all the gay rallies...) is that I became totally & completely comfortable around men, ZERO intimidation factor, regardless of their income, attractiveness, or appearance. This is most frequently displayed in my habit of coming on to guys who are TOTALLY out of my league while all the cute girls/guys, who are in that person's league, stand around like dorks... wondering why the hot guy is talking to me.
8. I am severely allergic to aspirin.

Bonus: I truly believe I'm going to get to meet Gael Garcia Bernal one day (and that #7 will come in handy).

I'm up a little early, thanks to the major construction going on outside my home. The city's water pipe replacements have finally hit the intersection and the street that runs along my house. I managed to sleep through part of it (despite it shaking my home like an earthquake) - till the crew took a break and one of the cats became un-terrified long enough to start crying for me, which prompted me out of bed. The crew is back at it now and kitties are all hidden (Espressa is in the closet, Boo is probably back under the bed, and Moshi is probably chillin in the backyard or under the house). They've been doing most of the blocks in 4 days - so I'm figuring on another water disconnect notice for Wed or Thurs. I expect they'll be back to do the street in front of my house in a few weeks (looks like they're doing the entire side street first).

I never came up with anything productive to do on Sunday. Bought some CD/DVD envelopes for some stuff I'm copying; and found the last remaining male/male kitchen faucet adapter at HomeDepot (that took some effort). That's about it. I wanted to return an audio cable to BestBuy but I can't find the receipt - which is totally strange because I'm pretty anal about receipts plus it was the one the HDTV converter box was on so I know I would have kept it in case that had to be returned. But where is it?!? I'll give myself another week then attempt to return without a receipt since I have NO need for the cable now (purchased a much better item online) and even $2 (I think I paid $13) would be better than having yet another useless cable around the house.

Pole dance bible

I started watching "Pole Dance Bible", a stripper pole instructional DVD from Japan, last night. Damn if that isn't the BEST instructional video I've ever seen, despite the fact that I don't understand Japanese. But even my computer is pissy about playing it (Region 2) so when I went to bed I started ripping it to avi (anyone know which rip format has best quality?!?) and will try watching that version tonight.

Sooo... guess I'l jump on the Monday list thingie then get ready for work.

ToDo:

• Knee exercises (boy, my knee really does NOT like barefoot/sandals anymore!)
  
• "8 things" post (tagged by AmyH, I think) Done
  
• Bug HR for phone # for 401(k) people Done
  
• Call 401(k) people BY 2P (they're east coast and close at 5) - get new pin / adjust contribution to max - Done, except only up'd to 10%. I'll check the effect of that and then, maybe, up it again.
  
• Vacuum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (whole house! seriously, it's gross in here!)
• Take at least 1 box of crap out of the house (charity or trash)
• Put away clean laundry
• Organize the linen closet
  
• Finish burning DVDs Done
  
• Mail stuff to Cranky & CupCate
• Figure out what is f-ing wrong with my f-itty-eff-eff printer
• Confirm Julie still wants an airport pickup on Sun evening Done
  
• Look for a new gardener - maybe even a landscaper (sprinklers & sod & a real yard?!?)
• Think about calling Justin's housekeeper referral again (but don't actually do it yet)
• Wed night: Workout (# 7 of 10)
  
• Bug Yannori Done (May 11, 2p) & Kristin about privates; decide whether or not to buy another 10-pk with Nicole
  
• Call MetLife and make appt for adjuster to look at rear damage (from 2.5 yrs ago!) so I can get it repaired, or get a check
  
• Ask Voxy neighbors: Does anyone have experience with guys driving by their home on a Sat/Sun, claiming to work at a repair shop on the weekdays, and offering to do their needed car repairs in their driveway for cheap? I don't know whether or not to do it (90% of what needs to be fixed is cosmetic - they said they'll leave it prepped for painting).

• Soda! (well, not so many)
• Buy new bath sheets (I've want them but don't need them)
• Completely waste the weekend doing nothing
  

Well, looks like it's going to be a billion degrees again today (high 90sF) - with "bonus" humidity and no ocean breeze. And I don't have A/C. It's only 12:15 and I'm already in full melted-veggie mode.

On the brightside: It's freakishly quite/peaceful outside. Partially because the heat is keeping people inside, partially because religious types are still at church, and largely because "The Church of Screaming Into Microphones" is no longer meeting at the school across the street. HURRAH!!!

I must have slept poorly cause today I'm mildly sore all over (anyone wanna crack my back?) and SUPER tired. I remember being really stressed out (over all kinds of nothingness) when I tried to doze off so I finally added a Xanax and conked out around 2 (I'd been in bed since around 11:30). Funny that my nutritious breakfast of ice cream (Haagen Dazs single serve "Dulce de Leche") didn't miraculously "cure" me. I was so sure that would work.

It's shaping up to be yet another completely wasted weekend day - which pisses me off (how many more am I going to waste away?). But everything I think of doing is immediately followed with a reason why it's lame:

• house cleaning - too hot (plus I hate doing it)
  
• film festival - too far
• kayaking - blah; not today
  
• workout (pole practice) - waaay too hot and energy waaay too low
  
• run errands - most are wish items, not needs, so waste of money; waste of gas; too hot; sunday sale crowds; and could easily be put off
• go to an air conditioned restaurant - not hungry

What do the rest of you do with your Sundays?

As of today, Boo has figured out how to escape the backyard.

She had been whining to go out all day. When the sun was setting, I finally felt up to sitting outside with her. I called & called her but got no response. I finally opened the front door anyway, figuring she'd eventually show up, and found her already out front.

She immediately ran off and I haven't seen her since. She's black and it's now night. I have a pretty good idea where she's gone but I'm not certain. I'm sitting in the living room with the door open, hoping she gets lonely and returns soon.

She doesn't have enough common sense to survive outside.

This is not good. Not good at all.

Update: Boo was where I thought. After a couple hours, I was able to coax her out with dinner treats. I locked all the cats in the house as I went out to check/block the exit I suspect she used (there are 2, 1 is larger than the other). Thank gawd I brought a flashlight. When I went to check the spot, there as a black widow spider weaving a large web from the exit hole to the trash can - at the exact spot where I'd likely be putting my foot Wednesday night (to move the can out for trash day). I'm not sure whether or not I killed it. I'm afraid I might have just pissed it off. I blocked the whole with a rock (which Moshi has dug out before) and will, for now, hope for the best. I don't want my kitties bitten... let alone me!!