Merry Christmas.

Just a bit of something new to satiate Hyperion, and well...my own need to blog but either forgetting to do so or getting too wrapped up in extraneous stuff.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas. Peace, joy and merriment to all.


:) LJS

Coming to a school near you...

Why oh why am I getting emails from my athletic department advertising for television?? Big Money...no whammies....

he next two Michigan football games (Eastern Michigan on Saturday and Purdue next Saturday) will be aired on the Big Ten Network.

The network's distribution partnerships allow for the satellite providers and cable distributors to carry “overflow” games so subscribers will have access to all Big Ten Network games when multiple games are being aired at the same time.

As the Michigan State/Northwestern game is also on the Big Ten Network at the same time, tomorrow's Eastern Michigan game (12 noon start) will be aired on DirectTV channel 219, AT&T U-Verse channel 644, DISH Network channel 441 and WOW channel 334 (for customers in Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio).

For other cable customers, the decision whether or not to air Big Ten Network "overflow" games will be made by their cable operator. Channel assignments for next week's Michigan-Purdue game (12 noon start) will be released on MgoBlue.com as they are made available.

If you would like to get DirectTV, DISH Network or AT&T U-Verse, just click on the name of the company and you will be directed to their web site.

If you have any comments or questions about the Big Ten Network, please direct them to bigtennetwork@umich.edu. We have had numerous messages already, and we may not be able to respond to them all. We still encourage our fans without the Big Ten Network to call their cable operator. We know it is frustrating, but the only way the cable providers will add the network is by hearing from their consumers. You can also call 1-800-WANT-B10 to record a message or patch through directly to your cable company.

Tend to those tender ears?

So...yes "Elephant" is blasting my ears out today. At least my ears will be happy before they completely and utterly fail...one day.

Something to cheer me up? They put in bike lanes on Packard St. so now the bike lane extends nearly completely to home.

:)

Tonight...we dine!

This is an adorable take on "300"...not to be mistaken with this slightly more mischievous one. Don't worry y'all....it's all Safe For Work.

And here's a new favorite from Mr. Breakfast. Baked Cinnamon French Toast. Yum!

PS....I now surpassed 400 citations in my EndNote library. Awesomely nerdy. Yeppo.

Smash some 'Kins

I'm still waiting for "Icky Thump" and "Easy Tiger" to show up on my doorstep as a thanks from Jon and Steve for guesting on their show. Until then I'm making due with the Smashing Pumpkins which may be better than being on a James Blunt bender.

One of my favorites, is "Stand Inside your Love" and the video is gorgeous.



And I'm desparing over my data. The avian overlord is *helping me* by hanging out on my shoulder and jonesing for some more peanut butter crackers. I'm just happy he's getting along better with me, although he DID bite the Mr. today. Oooops.

Mr. Breakfast

For anyone who loves breakfasts, here is an awesome place for inspiration. Hello Mr. Breakfast! Who, if you look very closely, bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Clean.

The site is very very good and funny AND is devoted to breakfast. Needless to say, it's made my Ka-Tet. I finally found a recipe for really yummy Mexican coffee that we had in Cozumel.

We'll be making crepes with lattes this Sunday, and I'm sure there's an apple topping recipe somewhere.

My birthday weekend was wonderful. I'll write more about it soon. If you haven't yet seen "Wallace and Grommit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit", I highly recommend it!

:)

It's alllll about me

Well my fine ladies and gents, it is nearing that time of the year when you get to celebrate another turn of this celestial orb with me. And if you are as excited as I am, then life is good indeed. yes, I am happy to be turning 32.

I’ve had scores of people ask me what to get me for the big day. (They are actually legion. But hey, I’m not counting.) Money is no object, so they say. Well for all you good good folks out there with so much discretionary funding, I’d like to pique your interest in:

1. I need angel funding for massively awesome start ups that will save the planet, help you be a well person, and provide our investors with a one hundred billion % return on investment. Get in now, at the ground floor folks.
2. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart have repeatedly asked if I can come and star on their shows. I just need the travel money to get to NYC. Come on Colbert Nation, make Papa Bear happy!
3. There’s this thing called World Peace that I’m all interested in.
4. Ryan Adams he is stalking me…again. So I need to get a good lawyer this time.
5. Now is a good time of year the hang out at KJ, so I hear.
6. Lloyd Carr has asked me to “fill in” for him the rest of the year, so I’ll need a good UofM sweater and hat. It’s important to at least look cool when I'm cussing out our hand-picked second-rate team.
   
7. The rest of my “why yes like I really am like totally shallow” wish list is at tiffany.com
8. I’ve heard that the position of AG is up for sale. Although I’m not a lawyer, I’m sure that I can lie, skeeze and sleeze with the best of them. Plus I’ve heard the corner office is something worth seeing. You can PayPal to LJS4AG. Thanks and I'll totally remove your parking tickets.
   

And now for you who know (and lurve) my sarcasm, then you know better. Big wet sloppy kisses and meaningful hugs are at the top of my list, and I’m hoping to get plenty of ‘em on the big day.

DS-230?

This is for one specific person (heya!)
Is this the correct form? It's v2 from James's Shortcuts.

NO NO NO NO

"But the fundamental question is, is the world better off as a result of your leadership?"

Power is but an illusion unless you're an ass

Does anyone else kept up with the states jockeying for position this primary season?? First New Hampshire ("the little state that could") followed by Florida ("more cowbell!") and Nevada ("I've got your dice, right here"). Now enters Michigan ("what's a CAFE standard") into the dirt-covered oval, where states are trying to assert their impact on the primaries. I knew it was going to happen, our party chair said as much this spring in the convention.

Michigan Democrats Urge DNC to Stop New Hampshire Double Standard

The following letter was sent to Democratic National Committee Chairman Dean by US Senator Carl Levin and DNC Committee Woman Debbie Dingell.

September 4, 2007

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Chairman, Democratic National Committee
Democratic Party Headquarters
430 South Capitol St., SE
Washington, DC 20004

Dear Governor Dean,

America has many strengths. Two of its greatest are our strong democratic traditions, and the rich diversity of our people. We Democrats take pride in the fact that, of the two major parties, we best represent this diversity.

It is therefore hard to understand how one of our most important democratic processes -- the nomination of our candidates for the presidency -- has been unduly dominated by two states, neither of which is particularly reflective of this diversity.

New Hampshire and Iowa have had a hugely disproportionate impact on our presidential nominating process, with more access to candidates and visits from candidates than probably all the other states combined during the primary and caucus season. Other states, including Michigan, have issues critically important to them. These states would like candidates seeking their support to understand and address these issues, and urged the DNC to make the process more democratic and thereby more reflective of our diversity.

The DNC approached this issue cautiously and with due diligence. A Commission representing diverse party constituents was appointed to make recommendations. The Commission then held a series of comprehensive public hearings. Ultimately, the Commission recommended a modest change in the traditional schedule, which New Hampshire opposed. It recommended that two caucuses be held, then two primaries, and then the "window" for the rest of the states would open.

On August 19, 2006, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) set the dates for the selection of delegates to the 2008 Democratic nominating convention as follows:

• at Iowa caucuses held no earlier than January 14, 2008;
• at Nevada caucuses held no earlier than January 19;
• at a New Hampshire primary held no earlier than January 22; and
• at a South Carolina primary held no earlier than January 29.

The rest of the states could then hold their caucuses or primaries to select their delegates after the opening of the "window" on February 5, 2008.

Michigan Democrats, while disappointed our state was not selected as one of the four "pre-window" states, announced we would abide by the DNC calendar, unless New Hampshire or another state decided to ignore the rule establishing that sequence and that calendar.

On August 9, New Hampshire's Secretary of State, with the support of the state's Democrats, indicated that he was going to hold the New Hampshire primary before January 19, 2008, a clear violation of the DNC rules. This announcement was made at a joint public ceremony and in partnership with South Carolina Republicans who had announced that they would hold their GOP primary on January 19.

One of New Hampshire's purposes was to push the New Hampshire primary ahead of the Nevada caucus which the DNC's rule had scheduled for January 19. New Hampshire's transparent action reflected its determination to maintain its privileged position of going immediately after Iowa, despite the DNC calendar.

Those of us who fought hard to loosen the stranglehold of New Hampshire on the process saw you stand by silently.

But when the Florida legislature changed the date of the Florida primary to a date before the window opened, you promptly determined to punish Florida Democrats by threatening to not seat their delegates if they abided by their legislature's decision. You still maintained public silence about the New Hampshire Secretary of State's decision to violate the DNC rules, a decision, again, which was supported by New Hampshire Democrats.

In the past, New Hampshire maintained its discriminatory privilege and dominating role because our party would not take them on and because of the gun that New Hampshire holds to candidates' heads, insisting that they pledge not to campaign in any state that encroaches on their primary.

Our national party began the process of taking that gun away from the heads of our candidates when we changed the sequence and put New Hampshire third instead of second in the period prior to the opening of the window. The battle that we fought was over the sequence of the primaries and caucuses. New Hampshire either pushing ahead of its assigned position or increasing the distance between its primary and the opening of the window for the rest of the states violates the purpose of the rule.

It was a hard won, albeit partial, victory, allowing our party to better reflect the diversity of America and to begin to inject some fairness in a process for states whose role had been diminished election after election by the dominance of two states.

Michigan Democrats are determined to fight to maintain that victory. We object to your continued silence in the face of New Hampshire's stated intent to violate the DNC rules. As Chairman of the Democratic Party, you had the obligation to state your intent to apply the rule to New Hampshire Democrats when its Secretary of State announced his intention to move the New Hampshire primary prior to January 19. Selective enforcement of our rules undermines the progress achieved -- to open the process potentially for all states.

We have not seen any public statement from the DNC following New Hampshire's announcement on August 9 that they would move their primary before January 19 in clear violation of the DNC rules. Your silence in the face of New Hampshire's action is a stunning contrast to the DNC's reaction to Florida.

In the face of New Hampshire's decision to violate the DNC rules and your silence concerning that decision, and given our strong feelings about the need to reform our nominating process to make it fairer, Michigan's Democratic leadership decided to elect our delegates on January 15, 2008, the date the Michigan legislature set for the Michigan primary. (See attached statement.)

Someone has to take on New Hampshire's transparent effort to violate the DNC rules and to maintain its privileged position. Hopefully the DNC will, and you will, promptly urge our candidates to stop campaigning in New Hampshire because of the New Hampshire's expressed intent to violate the DNC rules.

New Hampshire's gun remains at our candidates' heads and they fear the repercussions to their campaigns in New Hampshire if they don't sign the New Hampshire pledge -- dramatic proof, if any more were needed, of the disproportionate impact of the New Hampshire primary.

Maybe Florida will join us if we have to take our case for the seating of our delegates to the Democratic convention in Denver. And maybe Nevada will insist on maintaining the number two position assigned to it. Maybe one or more of our Democratic candidates will join us. In any event, there cannot be one set of rules for New Hampshire and one set for every other state. We are determined that Michigan not be bound by rules that are not effectively enforced against other states.

Sincerely,

Carl Levin Debbie Dingell.
United States Senator DNC Committee Member

Enclosure

cc: Democratic presidential candidates
Members of the DNC

Those billions are busy

Thanks Sparky for the bestest Daily Show clip I've seen in awhile.

Fear me!

An oldie but goodie.

VIKING KITTENS!

Welcome!

It's 6:30 pm on a Monday, and it just occurred to me why I haven't had many visitors to ye ole Scarlett cubicle today.
I've had my earphones in all day, listening to either my podcasts or music. I've been intently focusing on my data (or my myriad blogger updates), aka staring at my monitor. My cubicle faces against the group, so it seems like my back is turned.

And...I have a giant knife (why? i was cutting bread for lunch, i swear) on my papers next to my tea mug.


Doesn't THAT sound inviting? Come on over and see me sometime.

I hate Mondays?

Well, not really. Today has been really good, considering that it is a Monday and it is the first one in a few weeks that I've spent without my honey.

But, there are these mitigating factors.
1. Good bye Gonzo. It's about mo-fo time.
2. Somehow my meager stipend got supplemented. Why? I don't know but it's all good. Now I can buy the name brand Ramen noodles. And if I save up, maybe splurge out to dinner at the 24 hour greasy spoon.
3. Hypey is bitchin' about something, so that must mean that the world is spinning normally on its axis.
4. My work husband is now here at school. Which is really great! Now I have my real husband and my work husband all at the same place. But unfortunately, my work wife is not here and I still miss her tremendously.
5. Meet The Press was awesomely awesome this week. Everyone need to hear John Warner talk about Iraq.
6. I woke up with my kitteh.
7. Lunar eclipse tonight y'all!

I'm this book? Cool.

Just as long as it's not the movie version, I'm cool with it. :D

You're The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!

by C.S. Lewis

You were just looking for some decent clothes when everything changed
quite dramatically. For the better or for the worse, it is still hard to tell. Now it
seems like winter will never end and you feel cursed. Soon there will be an epic
struggle between two forces in your life and you are very concerned about a betrayal
that could turn the balance. If this makes it sound like you're re-enacting Christian
theological events, that may or may not be coincidence. When in doubt, put your trust
in zoo animals.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

International LOLCATS!

Check out International ___Day, where we celebrate the LOLCAT!
:D

Pet for rent?

I recently heard that in San Francisco, one can "rent a pooch" for a day. My brain is still hurting from this. Why?
Because it caters to the solipsism of those who want a dog but don't want the full time responsibility. Maybe it is a degree of awareness and responsibility that one can recognize that they can not properly take care of a dog. But, I feel that it is unjust to not have a pet bonded to a owner or family. I wonder how socialized the pets will be, getting flung from person to person without any real companionship for the animal. In short, this rent-a-pooch company is treating the dogs as a means to an end and I don't like that.
My suggestion is that if someone is really wanting to take care of a dog for a day, then go to your local animal shelter and volunteer to walk dogs or be a kitty cuddler. These dogs and cats are in need of good hearted people to love them, even if it is just for a day. Animal shelters will train you to walk a dog and they welcome any time you can offer. It's free to volunteer and you'll be doing a great thing. And who knows? Maybe you'll find that you can take care of an animal full-time and you'll bring home a grateful and loving companion.

On another note, check out International ____ Day. August 2nd is when we swoon over Ryan Adams.

The First EVA LOLManx

Kinky Jane is retired...so is Spunky Dick

Heh. Clean your minds. If you all remember, last year I had a "name my running shoes" contest (11 April 2006). Since I had two new pairs, it was double the fun! I wound up naming my shoes
Kevin Bacon (thanks Hypey)
Spunky Dick and Kinky Jane

These shoes are now retired. Poor things. They logged many hundred miles (yay) and were starting to disintegrate (boo). So. New shoes time. They are great so far, I'm breaking them in. This year I have (again) two pairs, Saucony Omni 6 and Brooks Dyad 4.

Sooooo...help me name my shoes again. I do have door prizes this year!

Oh Hai

There are a few new things here in my den, I hope that you will hang out with my Ka-tet.

Ever since Kukka-Maria retired from blogging, I've been awash in sorrow. What was I going to do without looking at a cat-blog everyday? Well, I have found cheezburger, and added him to the Ka-tet. The LOLCAT phenomenon is something that you either love or hate. I totally dig it- especially the Oh Hai.

Next up, is Dragon's Kitchen. She has plenty of delicious recipes to bring more sunshine into your summer. Try the Killer Mac-n-cheese!

And if you need a reason (besides sunshine, beautiful weather, lovely flowers and great running) to celebrate a day, check out International ____ Day. Today is Julistmas, but check out July 28th.

Good night, Travis

Why hasn't anyone reminded me how freakin' awesomeness that is Travis? I'm digging the podcast of "All Songs Considered", NOT for Bob's weird taste in music (exhibit A-Laurie Anderson) but more for the live concerts. So far, I have OK Go, Ben Gibbard, The National and now Travis in concert. Yay.
I'm very excited to be getting Harry Potter tomorrow, but I'm conflicted because I have so much work to do! I know if I get the book, then I'll read it non-stop and forgo things like eating, sleeping, working, running, bathing. Ahhh, nothing like obsession eh?

Gone Postal, I have

Yeah, I'm a sucker for sweet romance. Thankfully, there's The Postal Service-side project of Ben Gibbard. Imagine your honey singing this to you...

"Brand New Colony"


I'll be the grapes fermented,
Bottled and served with the table set in my finest suit
Like a perfect gentlemen
I'll be the fire escape that's bolted to the ancient brick
Where you will sit and contemplate your day

I'll be the waterwings that save you if you start drowning
In an open tab when your judgment's on the brink
I'll be the phonograph that plays your favorite
Albums back as you're lying there drifting off to sleep...
I'll be the platform shoes and undo what heredity's done to you...
You won't have to strain to look into my eyes
I'll be your winter coat buttoned and zipped straight to the throat
With the collar up so you won't catch a cold

I want to take you far from the cynics in this town
And kiss you on the mouth
We'll cut our bodies free from the tethers of this scene,
Start a brand new colony
Where everything will change,
We'll give ourselves new names (identities erased)
The sun will heat the grounds
Under our bare feet in this brand new colony
Everything will change, oOo oOo.

Randomness

My respect for "All Songs Considered" is wavering with Bob's glowing review of Laurie Anderson's weird album.

Why do people use so much paper towels when drying hands?

I think that I'm getting *too* old for Cedar Point, my head is still spinning. But I'm totally going back.

My run last night, was totally kick buttocks. I rock, once again. Training for the Detroit half begins in three weeks.

Spy Mommy just doesn't have the same ring as Spy Daddy.

Yeah, maybe that new Smashing Pumpkin's album isn't so bad afterall.

When the family takes a family vacation without you, then there's something up.

OK I'm getting hungry. Dinner!

Happy Birthday!

It's my beloved's birthday! Yay!

LJS gets all sweet

Aren't these really sweet lyrics? :) LJS

To Sing for You-Donovan

When you're feeling kind of lonesome in your mind
With a heartache followin' you so close behind
Call out to me as I ramble by.
I'll sing a song for you,
That's what I'm here to do,
To sing for you.
When the night has left you cold and feeling sad,
I will show you that it cannot be so bad.
Forget the one who went and made you cry.
I'll sing a song for you,
That's what I'm here to do,
To sing for you.
When you feel you just can't make it anymore,
With your head bowed down you're staring at the floor,
Search out to me with your weary eyes.
I'll sing a song for you,
That's what I'm here to do,
To sing for you.
Now every man he has his work, you know,
And to find out mine, you ain't got far to go.
Call out to me with your weary eyes.
I'll sing a song for you,
That's what I'm here to do,
To sing for you.
To sing for you.

Where HAVE I been?

Hexing my former employer takes up lots of valuable time. Sorry y'all. I'll return when things are less crazy.
:) LJS

Quote of the Day

"There is no reason, he said, that “a good M.R.I. scan in the hands of a good surgeon” combined with an X-ray shouldn’t be enough to make a diagnosis." Dr. Laine

NY Times Health article

Well, I beg to differ. Without getting too nerdy on y'all.

:) LJS

Ever run from Dexter to Ann Arbor?

(I changed back to my old template, did you notice? I like this one better, because I don't think that an anime evil sorcerer is really representative of my pirate alter ego. Plus it was not as presidential.)

So, back to the program!

The first half taught me how to dream.
The second half showed me how to push myself.
The third half made me run happy.
The fourth half taught me to respect the distance.

Overall, I am not at all displeased with my run (~2:30:00), especially considering that I had decided to run the half marathon event only four days prior to the race, . But, I had not prepared properly. Since the Martian half on April 1st, I had not really been training but rather running with no immediate plans to train. Soooo...no 8, 10, and 12 mile training runs prior to the Dexter-Ann Arbor half.
Around mile 8, my body began to explain to me why training runs are important. I got tired easily and needed to take walking breaks more often. I needed to drink more Gatorade, and eat more chewy carb stuff. My mind, weak and flabby from a lack of long hard training runs, was making me feel even more tired. I wasn't enjoying it as much as I did the Martian. Was it a lack of training? I'm thinking yes. I vow to not take this distance for granted, and not let my silly ego get a say into which event I'll run. (bad ego, BAD)
The route itself is gorgeous. They close off a scenic road that goes along the Huron River, with lots of rolling hills and beautiful vistas throughout. It was fun, in theory, to run from one city to another. There was a bit of rain, sometimes drizzling and sometimes pouring, but it was welcome. It was much better than hot and humid! But at the race's end it was difficult to tell where the rain started and the sweat stopped. I had to stop to use the *restroom* and I had the bad fortune of getting the *restroom* after a half-naked ugly sweaty man had spend a few quality minutes in there. It was grosser than gross.
At the end of the race, I was overcome by such a feeling of happiness and sense of accomplishment that I haven't felt since the first half I ran (with Ber). I think it was because we came in right next to a woman who was completing her first half, and she was overcome with joy and began to cry. It's so wonderful to see that, people crying for joy.
My knee is so not happy right now and I'm thirsty and tired and hungry and still so happy. I think that I'll be happily retired my shoes at week's end. They've been good to me, three half marathons and countless other miles.
Run long and taper.
:) LJS

Pirate for President

With all the people already in the 2008 presidential race, I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring. After serious consideration how this would impact my husband, my friends, family, and my kitty cat, I would be remiss if I didn't share my exceptional talents as a pirate with this glorious nation.

So, first things first. Let's talk about important issues!

Will Jack White compose my campaign song?
Of course Jack will, because he and I are like super tight pals.




Who will be my co-president?
Well, duh. Wonder Power Twins. We will totally snark evil Republicans.


Do I have a shady real estate deal?
I'm not saying that I don't. But I'm not saying I do. I prevaricate. You decide.


Why am I skipping Iowa?
Because their state flag is like, totally ugly. And I'll kick Hillary's butt based on my super famous name (everyone loves LJS!) anyway, so why bother to go eh?

When is your book coming out?
Great question! It's called my thesis and we expect first printing sometime right before the general election.

Are there any shady characters associated with me?
Nope, it really was curiousity.

Quote of the Day

"What if you knew that every time you flipped on your light switch, a mountain top in West Virginia just blows up?"

Kathy Mattea

Typhoid Mary

I'm sure that y'all have heard about this fine gentleman who, knowing he had a drug resistant form of TB and told to remain under solitary confinement, travelled by plane to Greece to get married then tried to sneak back to the USA via a flight from Prague to Montreal. Then, he drove to NY and got tagged there. The man is currently under quarantine. I personally think that if he's so happy to give this form of TB to other people, then we shouldn't be obligated to treat him. Let him hang out in the hospital for ever and ever and ever.

In his words, “I’m a very well-educated, successful, intelligent person.” Really? I guess that intelligence and well-educated doesn't necessarily translate into being thoughtful and considerate person.

I am flabbergasted as to why he is not facing prosecution. I mean, it's against the law to knowingly transmit AIDS. Why is this case any different?
Grrrrrrrr.

Bizzaro Monday

On weeks that there's a holiday, my schedule get allll thrown about. So, I've thought today was Monday. It IS Tuesday right?

Anyhoo. Here at school, I am quickly assaulted with all the work I'll need to do this week. Well, maybe next week too.

I saw a wee squirrel and chipmunk today, they are so adorable. I hung out for a few minutes under my favorite tree on campus. Maybe it's my favorite tree ever.

Keira Knightley doing her best impression of Braveheart is NOT considered legitimate pirate talk, it's just plain goofy. Pirates don't need to be told about freedom.

I've got more to do. Enjoy your bizzaro monday!

The Wall

Hyperion finally is reissuing his story "The Wall", please head on over and check it out. It really is Hyperion's most important stories.
:) LJS

Le meuble est mort, vie le meuble

I'm having one of *those* days where the couch and I are doing some serious bonding. I feel like not doing a darn thing, but I suppose that may be because my morning/early afternoon was so eventful.
For starters, my honey left for a week to go back to our "Montreal home" and I miss him tremendously. I've taken up my habit of having my digital pictures folder open, ready to show a picture of him at a moment's notice. But this absence is only one week instead of 6, so I'm thankful for that.
And, I forgot I signed up to walk in a holiday parade today for our congressman, John Dingell. A phone call at 9:15 am reminded me of my obligation. My brain is getting moooshy, must be old age, because I usually don't forget these sorts of things. Anyhoo. The parade was for ~ a mile, and our job was to walk behind the car carrying Mr. Dingell and his wife (they were waving to folks), and throw candy at the kids watching the parade. It was so much fun! I really enjoyed seeing the Dingells again, as they are very nice people. It is my hope that politicians are as nice and sincere as the Dingells. Again, I was reminded that it's really easy for us to get involved. There were about 10 kids who just walked up and asked if they could help, and they did. I think that our country would greatly benefit from folks doing something more to get involved in their local goings on. Did you know that the "average American" watches 4.5 hours of TV a day? I wonder what great things we could do if we gave up an hour of TV each day?
What would you do with an extra hour a day?

This land is our land

Thanks to the rocking gal-duo of DebBer, we have a car on loan. I used the car today to drive up to my favorite park, Gallup Park, for a nice long-ish run.
The park was filled with lovely people, all enjoying a great late spring day with their families or enjoying a bit of running or biking. I love going to the park to see people relaxed and loving life. That's not the curious part though, although it is truly joyful. What I love the most about going to parks around here is seeing such a wide diversity of people. The promise of peace, love and equality is especially evident in public lands such as parks, or walking on sidewalks through my neighborhood. Look at the old couple strolling along, or the family on bicycles, or the couple hand-in-hand. Watch as I zoom past you with my lightening fast running. Ha ha ha. Not.

Perhaps a park can be an Eden, where we are all children of sunshine and joy.

Enjoy the lovely weather!

Tagged Got I, Fun!

Many thanks to Sparky Duck for tagging me on such a soul-revealing "it's not a meme" about my life. If you have the chance, head on over to Sparky and give the boy some love. He's realizing that he and cheese are at a gastrointestinal impasse, with he being on the losing end.

What were you doing 10 years ago?
OMG. I am old. I graduated college 10 years ago!? And I'm STILL in grad school?? Anyhoo. I graduated in May 1997, and planned on starting my internship at UM in June 1997. May was spent with my best friend Tina, who had come up from Charleston for graduation, and many good times were had. We spent a week in Wheeling then drove down to Charleston where I stayed for...I'm thinking...nearly two weeks. It was the best month ever: we drank a ton, hung out in the sunshine, went downtown many times, and went a'boating every day. No responsibilities, no work, nothing to do but enjoy life in a way that only a 21 year old can.

What was I doing a year ago?
Hmmmm. I was not drinking a ton, hanging out in the sunshine, boating and going downtown. But I did/do have a boyfriend. :) And, I spend the last week of May 2006 visiting him in Montreal. And it was lovely.

Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. Chips and Salsa
2. Doritoes
3. Cheesy Poofs
4. Cheese popcorn
5. Chocolate chip cookies

Five songs I know all the lyrics to:
This is tough, I think that the reason why I can sing along is because of the music.
1. "I can tell that we are going to be friends" -The White Stripes
2. "Dancing Queen" -ABBA (no giggling! I love this song!)
3. "Road to Joy" Bright Eyes
4. Our national anthem
5. The Spongmonkey's "Quiznos song


Five things I'd do if I had $1000000:
1. Pay off my student loans
2. Buy a modest house
3. Put all the rest into a balanced portfolio, with a small percentage saved for any future wee pirates' Harvard education.
4. Sound boring? Just wait and see all the fun I'll be having since I'd be able to retire at age 40 with no house debt or student loan debt! Muhahahaha!!!
5. I'd buy you a monkey, I bet you always wanted a monkey!

Five bad habits:
I don't have bad habits, I have character flaws. And, man, are they a doozy.

Five things I like doing:
Running, cooking, researching, yoga, gardening

Five things I'd never wear again:
White eye shadow and blue mascara
That lilac-colored sweatsuit "adorned" with black leather trim.
My Elms uniform
Moon boots
Ripped jeans

Five favorite toys:
Blue Thunder, my honey's bike
My iPOD
Red 1 (I know, I know...it's not a toy, it's an instrument. But, I love it)
My bicycle
My espresso maker


I guess I'm supposed to "tag" 5 people, but...I don't roll like that (today). So, if you like this, put it up.
:)

Sparky's Apple Cake

Awhile ago, I copied Sparky Duck's recipe for apple cake and I've recently had a chance to make it. The cake was delicious! It's light and fluffy and just enough cinnamon spice. I agree with Sparky's recommendation to use a KitchenAid-the batter was very sticky. I included an extra egg, I always do that to make the cake a little bit lighter. And I used nutmeg instead of allspice.

Delicious with sour cream icing or caramel ice cream...or...both!
Enjoy! :) LJS

Mrs. Duck's Apple Cake

3 cups of Flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 beaten eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups chopped peeled apples
1 cup toasted chopped peacans
2 teaspoon lemon peel (we didnt add this and it was fine)
powdered sugar

1.Grease and lightly flour 10 inch tube pan or bundt pan. Stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice and a 1/4 tea of salt. Set Aside

2.In another mixing bowl combine sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium for 2 minutes. Add dry flour mixture and beat on low until just combined. Fold in Apples, pecans and lemon peel (if using). Pour entire batter into the prepared pan.

3.Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour or till wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake on wire rack for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar. Cover and store in refridgerator until its ready to be served.

This comes from the Better Homes and Gardens New cookbook.

International Goings On

This week promises to be very exciting over at International ____ Day. There's lots of hugging, kissing, and a celebrity smackdown just to keep everyone on their toes.

Today, May 7th, is International Geosmin day. What are Geosmin? Go check it out.

Get your motors running for May 8th, when my favorite River Midget Tobias tells us how to go for test drives.

May 9th, International Celebrity Smackdown day, will forever be heralded by Yoko Ono fans everywhere as the day when Linda finally gets her comeuppance.

Catch a friend or two or three on May 10th, where Chelle not only enlightens us but also encourages us to be there for our friends.

Hate rap music? Well on May 11th, stop hatin' on a genre day, maybe you can find something cool where you never thought possible.

Leave it to Dragon, the lovely and talented Canadian Iron Chef extraordinaire, to deem May 12th as International Kiss the Cook Day. Give up the love for your cook!

And if you are feeling adventurous, stop on my May 13th for International Hug a Panda Day. Newcomer Sparky Duck is holding his own in this wild and crazy week!

InsJOKEide

Honey, this is Kip. See the resemblance??
:)

Drivers R Us

In every nook and cranny of this lil world, I've noticed one universal truth.
Ready for it?

People are so not Zen with their cars.

From Montreal to Xi'an, from Waimea to Barcelona, yes even in small town Americana. I've noticed that most of us (myself included) just go on auto pilot and tend to ignore the world when behind the car. My mom used to call it the "booger picking effect"-how many people have YOU seen picking their nose in the car? Many!

Perhaps going the tree-huggin' hippie route of bicycle and public transport has reawakened my senses. Maybe it's just a pesky need to keep vertical and breathing. But, I've become more aware of cars and the havoc they wreck (pun intended). I was wondering if it were possible for us to get Jesus, in a car sense. Perhaps a 12 step program where we reaffirm our:
1 Control of the vehicle.
2 Control to NOT drive over bicyclists. Please remember our skin does NOT shear, despite the awesome speed of our two-wheeled, non-polluting bikes.
3 Ability to see a stop line
4 And, going with #3, actually stopping AT said line
5 Cool quotient. Please, no ABBA unless you're the neighborhood, completely benign, pimp daddy.

These are only 5 steps, but they're a good place to start. And, remember folks, we do appreciate you stopping at the stop line.

Hey, enjoy the weather! :)

International Day

Looking for a holiday? Stop on by International ___ Day, where I and other folks find creative and unusual reasons to celebrate each day!
I've got May 1, May 9, May 20, and May 25!

Neighborhood Stereotypes

I met the neighborhood pimp-daddy yesterday. I mean, every neighborhood should have a pimp-daddy (in addition to the crazy lady with 90 cats, the guy with rusted cars in the front yard, and the couple who keeps their windows open while having sex). At least, in my mind, they should. Keeps life fun ya know when there are interesting people around. Note that I haven't said dirty people, druggies, stalkers or flashers (because y'all know how I like to jail flashers). Harmless characters, just living their lives.

So...said pimp-daddy parks his car next to my empty car space. I was taking out my trash, and after 3.5 hours of spring cleaning. I had waved to him to be, ya know, neighborly...and he gets out of his Lincoln with Tom Petty "A little love is hard to find" blaring on the radio (no irony intended).
He comes over and gives me a warm handshake and introduces himself. I asked him if he has enough space to get out of his car. He asked me what I do in my spare time. Another warm handshake. We parted company.
Ladies, this gentleman is like Smoove B come to life. It wasn't so much in that he asked what I liked to do, he asked "what does a fine lady such as yourself enjoy in her spare time".

Well...now that you are asking...this lady likes to...
1. spend time with her husband
2. and her 90 cats
3. while he works on his rusted cars in the front yard
4. but before we engage in loud activities, with the windows open

Pavlov's Piratess

I really am still a pirate under all that awesome anime. I won't be blogging per se for the next few days because I'm under going some serious training.
Read all about my adventures with the DoggerLords and KittyQueen at The Trained Human!

:) LJS

Still in progress

Like the new template? I'm still working on it. :)

Artist in residence

Laine is taking a design class, and she comes up with some zinger projects. I really liked her latest design! She asked us for some feedback and so I gave some. If you have some time, stop by her Lair and check out a very creative lady!


{Ahem}
Welcome to another edition of Masterpiece Design. I am your hostess.

I am so very pleased to be discussing this masterpiece with you, indeed! This piece has an immediate appeal, and also invites the viewer to draw deeper into the work. The near-fractal nature of the ring geometry challenges the viewer to witness their own reaction to chaos and confusion. The clever use of shading and gradations of the usually boring "black and white" theme piques the curiousity of the viewer. I allowed myself to be welcomed into the each layer of rings, and delightfully found that each layer revealed truths about human nature previously hidden.
Because the rings nearly touch, and some do not touch at all, it reveals the isolation and sadness that each of us face in a society where we are more connected but feel more lonely. The process of looking at each ring as a separate entity, but then at the piece in its entirety reveals an optimisitic spirituality of the artist. She is, undoubtedly, conveying a message of hope and community to the viewer. This art reviewer was thoroughly delighted with this piece and walked away from viewing the piece only after several hours of thoughtful contemplation.

Piratess no longer! LJS is converting!

I think that I'd like to change up my persona, being a piratess gets kinda boring when your high seas are the Great Lakes.

Great thing about pseudonyms, aliases etc is that they are so changeable. I'll still be your Lady Jane, but instead of an epee, I may wield something with a bit more velocity.

Impulse

If I never have to say "I can't/won't buy this because I'm a graduate student", it'll be a day too soon. Being creative with finance and making sure my head stays out of Credit Card Land often means not getting a CD or a book (or that trashy gossip mag with Angelina on the cover)that I'd like to read. My impulse purchases are thus rare.

But, when done, it is a celebration worthy of many words. Oh yes.

Yesterday I bought Bright Eyes new album "Cassadaga", inspired by the town Cassadaga, FL.
Apparently, Cassadaga, FL is a hot-spot for psychics and all sorts of crazy wisdom. The album seems to reflect both the mystique and the energy of the town, not that I've been there.
My ears are so very happy. This is a country-twanged album, with lots of complex lyrics and melodies, much like "I'm wide awake, it's morning". But Cassadaga has a sophistication that was lacking in the bare-bones IWAIM. Although Cassadaga is not as much of a "protest album" as IWAIM was, one can easily find the anti-war sentiments that is prevalent in many of Bright Eyes more current works.

So, check out the NPR link I put in yesterday. "Middleman" is my favorite. It's great music.

:) LJS

A Bright kind of day

Yay! Bright Eyes has a new album out, Cassadega. NPR has three songs available for your listening pleasure.

Another thing, I set my Shuffle to play songs in reverse album order, so the last song of the album is played first. This has been very interesting, because it has kinda put my music cosmos into a strange wonk-and I'm totally enjoying both the music but also how I react to expecting an album to be played in a certain way and it doesn't happen.

These little things to throw off your schedule, your routine, your cosmos is really fun. I highly recommend it! What are some things to try?
playing your music in reverse order, sleep on the OTHER side of the bed, sitting on the floor to watch TV like you did as a kid, move your furniture around, put your coffee cups into a new cabinet, walking around backwards, talk to your local squirrels, etc..

Enjoy! :) LJS

Alienated

Runners, my friends, have a strange sense of humor. You see, our idea of having fun on April Fools Day is to wake up at a very early hour to run our guts out. Today was the Martian Marathon, where southeast Michigan gets invaded by little plastic aliens and endurance runners (or, in my case, endurance wroggers-a slow running/jogging pace) lined up at 8:30 am to tackle a lovely course through two colleges and a very nice string of rolling hills and metroparks.
I ran with G-man, and we had fun getting into the spirit of the theme. We wore little bobble glow-in-the dark antennea headbands for the first mile. This race was not the size of Detroit's marathon, and it was nice to have a small group of runners. The race was really well supported-there were aid stations every two miles. Although it would have been nice to have a more energetic crowd, the ducks and skunks did their best to liven up the weary runners.
Miles 9-12 went much better here than during both times at Detroit, maybe because of there not being a very strong headwind. The finish was good, and they had pizza (!!) for us afterwards.
It was definitely a 2007 goal to run in a spring half marathon. But I went into this race feeling really unprepared, so I approached it like I would a long run-enjoy it, don't worry about pace or time. But...as it turns out, I did pretty well for slow wrogger such as myself. I guess I was really enjoying it! I set a good time (2:27:49) which is really motivating for this year's Detroit!

Now I'm convalescing and eating dinner. I made Dragon's recipe for Killer Mac-n-Cheese. It is super-delicious! Have you visited her lately? You really should!

:) LJS

Biking to a theatre near you

Awwww yeah! Once again, I am mobile. The bike has been tuned up and it is running great! The gears are switching with ease and the new handlebar grips are awesome. I'm very much looking forward to some wonderful biking weather!
:D LJS

After thought: The opportunity afforded by bicycling to enjoy the lovely Michigan spring/summer/fall is also an opportunity to come face-to-face with the careless driving behaviours of its denizens. Nonetheless! I love biking.

The worm is mine OK?

Ever have one of those afternoons where your reality is spinning faster than Jenna Jameson on a Astroglide bender?

Yeah? You too? Well, slide on up to the LJS Saloon where the booze is strong. Your hostess is not known for her charm and wit, but she'll scare up a bit of sociability just for you.

Sarah is on the jukebox, and a bottle of Anejo awaits. Let us saturate ourselves in the sweet revelry of just going along with the day's events, shall we?

Maybe I'm not ready just yet for the sociablity part.

Window Dressing

Tiff's March 26th posting, entitled "I'm not her", set off a legion of thoughts ranging from the near sociopathic jealousy of the always put-together girl on the 9:40 bus to the uber-feminist "fuck the Man for trying to make me shave, wear makeup, and push up my breasts in order to fit into the so-called ideal of beauty". The question of "how much is too much" is really appropriate here, especially when it comes to us gals.

I am of the less-is-more sort, but not in a uber-feminist sort of way. I do like feeling like I didn't scrape myself off of the gratings of the latest car that tried to hit me, so there's basic every-day sort of stuff like showering, brushing teeth and hair, and clean clothes (makeup and blow dried hair's optional). And then there's days when I like to feel more dressy-so some makeup, maybe fuss a bit over my 'do, and some extra nice clothes.

I really like to see people when they're not all dressed up or make-up-ed up (how's THAT for a new word?). My favorite is to see people running-watching hot people run notwithstanding-because I can see the real person, the blood, sweat, and tears. I like being able to see people's eyelashes, they're really pretty and soft. I like seeing freckles, large pores, and the wrinkles. It's great to see people blush. I love seeing my honey's freckles and moles on his left cheek.

Sometimes I feel like we put alot of effort into window dressing, without paying too much attention to what's in the proverbial store. Sure we can blame clever marketing, society, movies, the Media etc. But, ever wonder what would happen if we were all perfectly coifed and Photoshopped? I'd hate to see what would happen if we all looked like Cosmo or GQ cover people-it would be quite boooring to me. So, many kudos to Tiff and all the other wonder women who let us see that they're beautiful on the inside, no window dressing necessary. It's not laziness, it's freedom.

:) LJS

International Barn Overlord Day

Go visit the Overlord, he's out done himself today. And, he turns 7 this week. I'll be making a beef-jerky cheesecake for the Man later on, any ideas for a topping?
:) LJS

Wedding Photos are up!

It's so hard to believe it's only been 10 days since Francis and I got married, I guess that the distance makes each day drag like molasses in January.
Our wedding was so happy and joyful. I know that it'll be amongst many many more. I've uploaded some photos (in no particular order) in my flickr account.

Next week is the Martian half. Awwwwww yeah! But for now I'm going to immerse myself in the awesomeness of "Deadwood". It's a great show, and it's GREATLY expanded my vocabulary of rotten things to call drivers who do not share the road. Muahahahaha.

:) Ahoy! Lady (that's Mrs. Lady to you) Jane Scarlett

Evil Genius?

Dude...I'm on par with...Al Gore???

I am 58% Evil Genius.

Evil courses through my blood. Lies and deceit motivate my evil deeds. Crushing the weaklings and idiots that do nothing but interfere in my doings.

Take the
Evil Genius Test
@ FualiDotCom

My new cause

Today, during lunch, I discovered a shocking silent epidemic that's overtaking millions of American households. I was eating my vegetable soup, and was horrifed to notice the label had mentioned that all of the vegetables were...chunky. It made me wonder how did the vegetables get chunky. What are “they” hiding from us? The truth is out there, and....dammit, I'm going to do something about it!

Now imagine you're a wee pea vegetable, and you're growing up in a vegetable soup farm. Life is good, but you begin to notice that you're given a bit more Pepsi, you have a lot less room to play than the rest and, most importantly, you have so much spare time that you're at level 60 in WoW. One day, one fateful day, you look up from your veggie couch and notice millions of other vegetables all in a row...all drinking protein-enhanced Pepsi and slogging on cheesy poofs. Then you collapse because you can’t hold up the heft of your massive pods.

Awwww. Poor pea.

Do you think that, after all that suffering, your benevolent vegetable farmer would reward you with a little metal plaque or perhaps an upgraded video card? No! Poor vegetables. They are sacrificed like lemmings: usurped from their comfortable (if not cramped) abodes, chopped and boiled nearly-alive and then…of all indignities…called…Chunky.

Like I said...silent epidemic.

I hereby propose a new campaign. The “Pirates for the Emancipation of Rotund Vegetables” group. PERV’s everywhere will lobby for ethical treatment of veggies. We’ll have a two pronged approach. The first one is to campaign for free-range vegetables. When veggies can roam free, they taste better.

The second approach is to reduce the stigma of “chunky” that dominates our current soup market.

(btw...how can a vegetable be both fat-free and chunky?)

Join me, and become a PERV. Together, we can make a difference.

Ahoy! :) LJS

A musical non- meme

Sparky sorta tagged me to do this, and since my stud muffin of a husband is back in Montreal, I'm not as busy as I was last week. I plan on slash and burning my iTUNES-I have nearly two weeks' of music on here, some of which I've never listened to.

So, its list 7 songs that you are currently really really into, no matter what they are, and then tag 7 more people to do it.

1. "How we operate" by Gomez-the beat is really tricky and neat. I like how it sounds kind of naughty.
2. "Under the Boardwalk" by The Drifters-It's one of my favorites
3. "If New Orleans is Beat" by The Tragically Hip
4. "Train Under Water" by Bright Eyes-Yum. Conor.
5. "I am the Walrus" by the Beatles-I could be the Walrus, I'd still have to bum rides off of people
6. "Let Down" by Radiohead
7. "The Shadowlands" by Ryan Adams-the best song from his Love is Hell LP, and that's saying alot considering that "Avalanche" and "I see monsters" and "Wonderwall" is also on it.

I guess that podcasts of NPR, "Meet the Press" and Phedippidations don't count...but they should.


Who is tagged?
Tiff
Spiffy (thanks for getting around to the last one!)
Lainie
Mad Dog Sweeney
Ber
Dragon
Tobias

Pancake love

I love hearing how couples meet, and I love pancakes too. Imagine my uber-joy when I heard this morning's Storycorps on NPR's Morning Edition. It's about how a husband and wife met each other at their job.
It IS the absolute cutest story you'll hear all day, maybe even all week! It's got...heart-shaped pancakes. OK OK OK...I'm swooning! Listen to the story, the link is near the title. The Storycorps music is really cute too.

Talk to Lady Jane! Tell me how you and your hunny-bunny met. I'd like to eventually start a book about these "meetings", so I may a) put it up on a separate blog and/or b)contact you to see if it'd be OK if I talked to you more to get a longer story. As supreme piratess of...my own little world...I'd have to retain any and all copyrights to what I'd written. (sorry for that legalese, now back to our originally scheduled blog)

And, my hunny is arriving in...7 short short hours. I'm so excited! Happy Friday all!
:) LJS

Another "report", another Beta version

OK. Y'all know the rules of the beta version, but for you newbies...here's a run through, with the following premises.
Premise, the first: I am very pessimistic when it comes to my research. Maybe I'm too tough on myself, maybe it really is garbage.
Premise, the second: When I get pessimistic, I get snarky.
Premise, the third: It's always better to write *something*, even it's snarky and poorly done than to sit on your bum waiting for the perfect version to appear to you like a burning bush.
Premise, the fourth: These are soooooo not meant for public viewing. Beta versions are meant to remain in the hallowed bytes of my pseudonym's blog, never to see the light of day.

With that in mind...here's a beta. The details have been changed to protect the...well...me.

Summary: Tissue from two specimens were examined by _____. As to why I examined them, your guess is as good as mine. Because my oh so optimistic impression of these experiments is something along the lines of “well, we don’t have a hypothesis, a well-designed study, or a regular supply of specimens, so we’re going to do this instead”. In light of the fact that I’m not too busy today and that I know it’s always better to at least appear busy (thanks Ms. Train!), I am writing up a report. Well a “report” in the broadest sense of the word. This “report” is more like a series of well placed, important sounding words that are meant to impart onto the reader that a) I am indeed very busy, b) I am indeed smart (well, smart enough to use big words appropriately) and c) truly believe that my thesis work is not a joke of cosmic proportions.

*************************************************************
More kvetching: I wish that people would f*&$ing leash up their f&*$ing dogs. I don't CARE if you have invisible fense...when I see two 90 pound dogs barking and running toward me, I tend to freak out. Happened to me twice today during my run, through the tony part of town too.
*************************************************************
Happy Birthday Sweet Pea. You're seven, but you'll always be my little darlin'.

I want 2CU (on the road!)

I'm a running nerd, well...I enjoy it very much. But there was a point in my life where I was hanging a bit too much on the couch and enjoying the cheesy poofs a bit too much. And one day I decided to get off of the couch because I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded and I had always wanted to run. My friends, Matt and Kathy, were my inspiration. So, I started on a simple plan...to get my inertial ass from the couch and moving. My first race was a 5K on July 4th 2003 in miserable hot and humid conditions. I finished with a pace over 13 minutes/mile with a combination of running and walking. But you know what? I finished!

I tried a program that's similar to the "Couch to 5K" or C25K plan that Steve Runner talks about this week in his GREAT podcast, Phedippidations.

There's so many 5K races in the spring, give it a try!

Here's another great program.
The Cool Running C25K program

If you've ever thought about giving running a try, I highly recommend listening to this week's podcast. It's very encouraging (and funny!) and when you DO start to run, remember that you'll always have a lil piratess in Michigan to cheer you on. I know if I can do it, then you can too!

I must admit that I still enjoy hanging out on the couch with cheesy poofs, in moderation. ;)

See you on the road, fellow runners!
:D LJS

The second bestest moment of last week

Yeah. Not the best time to be having a bad hair day. But, isn't Jen lovely?

Seek, and thou shall find

On March 15th, Francis and I are getting married! :D

Democratically

Since I'm waiting for the sidewalks to get cleared up before I go for my Sunday long run, I thought I'd regal y'all with my awesome goings-on. Yesterday I attended, nay, I was a delegate, at the winter convention of the Michigan Democratic Party. BTW, it's super easy to be a "delegate" of a political party-just be a member of the party at least 30 days before the convention and then show up. You'll have voting rights then. :D
So, Delegate LJS woke up way too early for a Saturday and rode to the convention with some fellow Dems. I dressed like a graduate student (khakis with tshirt and sweater), with a bit of extra makeup so I wouldn't scare the masses. NB this point-it will come into play later on. It was good to see people I had met earlier, and it felt like I am becoming less like a stranger and more like a participant. Yes, my stalker was there too and was a bit stalkerish.

(Now don't act too suprised that I have a stalker. My divine sensuality combined with my killer intelligence and awesome legs would almost dictate that I have at least 2 or 3 stalkers in each state. Still, repeat after me. "Stalker. Ewwwww.")

Since it's a non-election year, we broke up into caucuses in the morning. I went to the Justice Caucus (of which I am a deputy treasurer) and the Blogger Caucus and learned alot about issues that are important to these groups. I had lunch with the folks in the 15th congressional district-a very nice meal hosted by our congressman.

**NOW BEGINS THE SECOND AWESOMEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK**
During lunch, the other two girls I was with asked "Would you like to get your picture taken with Granholm"? Now, for all of you in the know...I absolutely ADORE Jennifer Granholm, our current govenor. She's up there with John Roberts in terms of geek crushes. So, I answered "oh yes" and for 2 minutes we held audience with JGran. She's even more energetic and prettier in person-periwinkle is her color indeed. For 120 seconds, I could think of nothing but "dammit I should have worn something nicer today". But at least I wore makeup.
**NOW ENDS THE SECOND AWESOMEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK**

Later, I'll muse about the irritating politics of hand clapping, standing O's, the appropriate use of the "woo woo" in public venues, and the inexplicable P-factor (the "thing" that makes someone a good politician). Trust me, that's at least an essay's worth of deep thoughts.

And, the photo is forth coming. Don't be jealous Ber, I have something for you.

My insanely bright and talented readers, you are wondering "so what was the first aweomest moment of the week"? Wait and I'll tell you.

Later.

:) LJS

Tips for the DIY porn addict

1. Secure your wireless network
2. Remove all sharing capabilities in your folders, with your software. iTUNES automatically allows you to share your music, podcasts, and videos.

Why such sage advice? Because sometimes pirates find things that are too much even for our stout tummies.

:) LJS

Lil LJS has her Thursday Thirteen

On my long run, I had a brilliant idea for today’s Thursday Thirteen. I forgot exactly what that idea was, but rest assured it was brilliant. So it got me thinking “gee, I must be getting old because now I’m forgetting my brilliant ideas”, followed quickly by a knee-jerk “well, just because I’m aging doesn’t mean I’m getting OLD”. So here I offer thirteen points of evidence that Lady Jane is not getting old, mostly generated to mollify my phobia with facing mortality. An alternate hypothesis is “thirteen signs that LJS is more than a little nutty”. Take your pick. 1. I love to read kids’ books. Case in point: the Harry Potters, Eragon, Little House on the Prairie. 2. I still talk to animals, and I firmly believe that they talk back. Case in point? This morning I spent a few minutes communing with the (rather large) squirrels on the diag. I think I’ve perfected their come-hither chirrup, but they always seem to go away when I tell them I won’t feed them. 3. When I drive long distances I bring my favorite stuffed teddy bear, Toby, and have chats with him about anything and everything that bugs me. 4. I get excited and super happy about all the good things that happen to my friends, loved ones and me. 5. My iTUNES is filled with hip alternative music like John Coltrane, The Beatles and Elvis. (yes, Virginia, there is such thing as sarcasm) 6. I don’t FEEL my age. Never have. I perpetually feel 4-5 years younger than my chronological age. 7. My massive toy collection will one day come alive and bring forth the revolution in my name. 8. Everything new is cool and fun and exciting to me. 9. I wish we all had recess. Don’t you? 10. My younger sister seems sooo much more mature ;) 11. I sing with the radio in the car and do the “butt dance” if the song is very jam-worthy. 12. I prefer to think of the wrinkles near my eyes and my smile line as evidence of a happy life instead of signs of aging. 13. Today is sponsored by the letter T and the number 13. Thank you Sesame Street! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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LJS-World Traveller Wannabe

Thirteen Places on Earth that LJS would like to visit 1. Italy-This kind of goes without saying. But, I can see myself saturated in Italian grappa, artwork, and mountains for a month. Or several. One of my “things to do before I die” is to spend a day inside the Sistine Chapel to adore the works of my fave TMNT-Michelangelo. Plus, I’ve heard the Dolomites are breathtaking. 2. The Colorado “fourteeners”-a bit of heaven on earth. No visas, sherpas, or extreme gear required. 3. Any marathon course-it’s a goal, and I wouldn’t be as lazy if *someone* would train with me. I’d love to see the world from mile 26.2. It’s just that the training is tough and lonely. 4. Mt. Everest trek-After years of ego-cruising on the thought I can scale Everest, I’ve returned to earth. But I’d still like to trek to the base camp or Kala Pattar. It’s still not an easy trek-you do go to 5400 meters. So, instead of climbing Everest, I’ve decided to climb… 5. Kilimanjaro-it’d be great to see the icefields before they melt 6. The Gemini and Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea 7. New Zealand-The Milford trail is the “finest walk on Earth”, so I’ve heard. Regardless, two islands of great beauty. Not to mention…I *may* just run into Viggo Mortensen and a few hobbits. 8. London, Paris, and Berlin-all the museums, all the history. 9. Torres del Paine-I’ve seen trek pictures of this national park in Chile and I fell in love. It’s been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1978. Mountains, clouds, beautiful water. Heaven. 10. Biking across ‘Merica from the saddle of a hog. Just letting the wind and skies guide the way, leaving our troubles behind. 11. Any of the sites where the Leakey’s dug 12. The Galopagos-ahhhh evolution at its finest. 13. India-spending a month, or two, or three in India sounds very exciting to me. I’d love to get a feel for the diversity in the culture and visit all the non-touristy places. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Sweet flakes of corn

Never mind that the USA doesn’t have a woman president. Never mind that most women still make only 70% of the salary of their male counterparts for equivalent jobs. Never mind that women comprise a woefully small percentage of tenured university professors. Oh no. The true TRUE mark that women still haven’t “made it” in today’s society is the urinal hanging out in the ladies room at McGill University’s Chemistry Building.

Why, oh why?

Is it an old men’s room converted? Is it a new social experiment in retraining women to try to stand and peee? Or..perhaps they are far ahead of our time in recognizing equal and fairness for everyone?

In preparation for the massive amounts of snow that we’re about to enjoy, I thought a contest was appropriate. The name of the contest is “guess what the map means”, akin to a Rorschach Test. Creative interpretations and drawings are welcome. Dance videos are not welcome, unless you’re Kukka-Maria, because I’d hate to bust the bandwidth of my Canuck hosts. My personal guess is that it’s a 7^th grade health class diagram gone horribly horribly awry. And, many karma points to anyone who can figure out what those large bat-like splotches are on the left (no, your other left).

Cavorting, canoodling, and deep thoughts

Although Wednesdays are synonymous with hard work and getting lots of things done, I mean it is known as “hump day” in the American workforce, leave it up to a pirate to find a way to the Promised Land of halvah and slackerhood. Normally the slacker lifestyle (as I like to call it) is not for the faint of heart-you have got to want to slack. In the three hours I’ve been “at work”, I managed to completely and utterly get no work done yet on sheer accident. I like to call it Slacker Nirvana. Here’s how it’s done folks.

10:20 am: Show up to work, after a nice breakfast and morning phone call with your hunny. Delayer your outer wraps, because, even though it’s 150% warmer today than yesterday, the temperatures rival McMurdo’s.

10:25 am: Re-apply said layers, because there’s a fire alarm going off

10:45 am: Enter the warmth and shelter of the chemistry lab. Ask yourself if the smell of acetic acid in the hall complements the dark purple shirt you’re wearing or if maybe you should go for the sweet almond aroma of cyanide.

10:50 am: Start your daily barrage of emails, spam blocking, and blog stalking. Start chatting with your hunny. Check in for your flight, see new post-doc J’s (who, btw, is very awesome) pictures of her and her hunny, and schedule long runs for the next two months with G-man. Open your data, and contemplate the fact that the past week of experiments have ended very very poorly. Avoid looking at the spoon as an agent of hari kiri.

11:20 am: “Why yes, I’m still free for lunch”. Conversations about deep issues like canoodling with Angelina Jolie, phallic symbolism inherent in the shape of a guitar, global warming, and dental care in the UK ensue.

1:20 pm: Pick up prescriptions so that you can avoid being in a coma for the month.

1:45 pm: Return to the lab, and write in your blog. Mild guilt-related twinges over a lack of efficiency are best neglected. Surf gossip rag website(s) and quietly debate the finer points of Jessica Simpson finding herself a whole bunch of collagen.

4:15 pm ETA: Yogi Deb picks me up for yoga class.

6:30 pm ETA: Arrive at home where mountains of chores await. Your day of Slacker Nirvana is over.

I hate slacking off like this completely. My philosophy on slacking is that it is best applied as a seasoning-like one would salt and pepper a tomato. Best in small doses. Seeing as I’m so excited to see my hunny, I doubt I’d be too terribly efficient anyway. I’m going to try to get some work done. That is, unless there’s new photos of Angelina and Brad.

Ahoy! J LJS

Baby, it's cold outside

Yeah, the obvious thing to do today is kvetch about the frigid temperatures. But I've been itchin to write some fiction, any ideas? Because I'm sure that you'd much rather NOT hear about my conspiring samples. They haaaaate me, I tell ya.
Oh yeah, saw Joshua Bell on Saturday. Wowza. He can make a violin sing.
The den will be a bit empty, starting late this week. I'll be up in Montreal. Howie's skills as a guest blogger are not quite up to the standard of adequacy that we expect here in the Den. So..I encourage y'all to visit the pirate galley. There are two new additions!
Ahoy!

Domie's Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Dominique that Lady Jane admires and/or remembers fondly 1. Those lovely chats at night while drinking tea 2. Skipping anthropology class to live life 3. She knows how to have fun in a way that is joyful and doesn't hurt or harm other people. Good clean fun. (at least that's what they can prove) 4. She's stubborn, but not stubborn enough to try new things. Now she likes popcorn! 5. Thank you for introducing me to the world of "two-for-one" movie deals 6. She's really brave when she's up against the wall 7. Comment dit-on "bait"? 8. Rearranging everything in Kip's room, then decorating it "under the sea" 9. Her hugs make me feel loved 10. She's always on my side, even when I'm wrong, and she's always there when I fall to both laugh with me and clean up my tears 11. Someone else is as fanatic about Harry Potter as I am! 12. "Well, Larry told me class was going to be boring, so I'm doing my nails instead" 13. Knowing that hundreds of miles can't separate love between two sisters by choice. Je t'aime Domie. I'm glad you're my older sis. Kisses and hugs, LJS Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Nerd crush alert is at "red"

Oh. my. goodness. Four hours devoted to the Supreme Court justices!?! YES! I wonder how much time they'll devote to my uber nerd crush, John Roberts.
I can't wait until this series comes out on DVD. Yum.

Committed

I thought about this on my long run yesterday, the idea of committing to doing something. My mom used to (and probably still does) say that "don't do it half-assed", and I think that the work ethic stuck with me. I try not to commit to anything, be it work or leisure, if I can't do it whole-heartedly. I'm sure that most of y'all are like that too.
So, it grinds my teeth to no end to hear people saying that other commitments prevent you from doing something you said you'd do. In other words, your commitments are preventing you from following up your commitment. Sounds rather mental eh?
From M.D.'s to No D's, I've heard the reason/excuse of "I'm so busy" in regards to why they are shirking their duties in other arenas. Honestly, I don't give a damn how busy you are. You promised or committed yourself to do something and you should a) follow up on your promise or b) be man/woman enough to say "I'm sorry, I can't do it". Even if that commitment is something as inane as posting on a community blog, it's still a commitment.
Yeah, it may be *just* a blog and maybe I'm taking it way too seriously, but when I was asked to be on the Barn, I said "yes" because I knew that it'd be fun and that I would do my best to play by Hypey's rules.

Ere, I saw Elba

I'm really REALLY happy to see that Hyperion is mostly back from exile, although now this means I'll have to stop slacking from the Monkey Barn. As always, Hypey's exploits are great reading...check out his glorious return to cyberspace and see why he loves Yoga Booty.
Seriously though, go and visit Hyperion and throw the lad some beef jerky please. It'll brighten his day. There's an address too if you are inclined to send him a postcard.

Reverse jet lag sucks. It's 12:21 am and so. not. tired. But it's great to be home, my throat and eyes are happier and believe it or not...I missed the cold grey Michigan winter.
There's no place like home, and I'm glad to see Hypey's home (of sorts) and I'm happy to be home.

Third Thursday

Thursday Thirteen Thirteen things that I loved doing as a kid (ages 2-10), in no particular order. 13. Staying up and giggling with my sister in bed 6. Play at my gramma's by the lake 9. Hanging out with my cousin and my sister on Saturday night while my parents bowled 12. Being smarter than all the other kids. As a nerd, it was all that I had going for me. 2. Playing all day, every day in the summer 7. Seeing things for the first time 11. Visiting my grandparents-even though my gramma made me eat liver and cut my bangs way too short, they made the visits fun and special 4. Riding on my yellow banana bike 1. Toys! My favorite were my Pink Panther doll, Chutes and Ladders, and Hungry Hungry Hippo 10. Helping my dad with what he had brought back from hunting 3. Dressing up for Halloween and getting all that candy, candy candy 5. Believing in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy 8. Going to the park and playing on the curly slide Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants