25 February 2007
Democratically
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
22 February 2007
Tips for the DIY porn addict
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
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!) |
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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15 February 2007
LJS-World Traveller Wannabe
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!) |
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
13 February 2007
Sweet flakes of corn
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 7th 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).
07 February 2007
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
05 February 2007
Baby, it's cold outside
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!
02 February 2007
Domie's Thirteen
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!) |
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
29 January 2007
Nerd crush alert is at "red"
I can't wait until this series comes out on DVD. Yum.
28 January 2007
Committed
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.
26 January 2007
Ere, I saw Elba
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.
25 January 2007
Third Thursday
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!) |
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
24 January 2007
San Jose Rumblings
Anyhoo...back to San Jose. Running is great b/c of the weather, I'm about to go grab a few miles before din-din. I've met some real kick ass people here, and the environment (well, what's left of it anyway) is great for business and building a company. Lots of excitement and money and ambition. The world is my oyster here in San Jose, too bad it's so damn smoggy.
22 January 2007
Black Math
Girl, you have no faith in medicine.
Nor should you...
18 January 2007
Thursday Thirteen!
It’s not a half marathon. It’s a 13.1 mile journey that will lead you to the promised land of high endorphin levels, free Whole Foods two bite brownies at the finish, accomplishment, and insane joy. The many months of hard work is about to pay off, and you'll pleasantly surprise yourself if you just let it happen. If you’re crazy enough to try running a half, this may either encourage you or scare you off. Like I said, depends on your level of crazy. Mile 1: And we’re off! Ladies and gents, this is the first segment of I take this mile really slowly, or at least I try to, because a) I want to savor this first mile and b) I don’t want to start off too quickly. Mile 2: The course takes us past the old Tiger Stadium, and into Mexicantown. The aroma of freshly baked tortillas has tempted me to stop both years. Yum! The music is lively and I’m getting ready for the Bridge. Mile 3: This is the mile where I huff and puff my way to the top of Ambassador Bridge. The effort is well worth it: seeing beautiful Windsor and downtown Detroit at sunrise from the bridge is awesome. Mile 4: The LJS that runs up is the LJS that runs down. The downhill part of the bridge into Canada, and I waved hi to my Canadian. Welcome to Canada, eh! Mile 5: Under the bridge and into Windsor…the merry runners run! This is a pretty boring mile, in terms of scenery and how I feel. Mile 6: It’s time for GU! There are lots of folks outside cheering us on, and we run along a beautiful riverside park. Hello to the Windsor Marching Band! Mile 7: We head towards the tunnel, and there’s a rest station in front of a Tim Hortons. This is very tempting. Right now I’m very positive that a double chocolate donut would do wonders for my time. Mile 8: The underwater mile! It’s the only major marathon that has an underwater mile, and wow! There is no headwind. I start preparing mentally for miles 9-11, because they are rough on the grey matter and the gams. Mile 9: Welcome back to Detroit. Yes, you’ll be safe. No, you shouldn’t wear a St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt. We run past Cobo Hall, and Joe Louis Arena. The headwind that we didn’t have in the tunnel comes back with a vengeance. Mile 10: This is the mile that I spent 6 months training for. It’s really really dull here-there’s nobody there cheering you on, the crowd has spread out. That darned wind! This is the turning point for me where I go from enjoyment to survival. Mentally, I can finish the full marathon! But, my quads doth protest. This mile marks the longest Gurjit ran up to the race. Mile 11: We’re getting closer to Tiger Stadium, ready to head back to Ford Field. I can SEE Ford Field. I pull together all of my confidence, concentration, and craziness to keep on running. My ego tells me that I cannot walk, and my stupid legs listen. The ROTC boys give me some Gatorade and a Jolly Rancher. Food candy and eye candy? Yes please, I’ll have another. Mile 12: I’m wondering if that burning tingle in my legs will be the last thing I ever feel before I pass into a Jolly Rancher-induced coma. I know that I’m almost done; I have just one point one more miles to go. I hold on, trying to save energy for the sprint toward the finish. My mantra? “I am a bad-ass. I am hard-core. I rock.” No…seriously. It is. Mile 13. Yeah. Literally, it’s all downhill from here. The final sprint into the stadium, down the tunnel and into Ford Field makes everything pass by in a blur. The finish is on the 50-yard line; our heart, our soul, our drained bodies embed into the fake grass. I do believe that Ber and I melted into the end zone after we finished, and Gurjit and I were able to watch the women’s marathon winners come in. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you 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
15 January 2007
Animation, suspended
13 January 2007
This lil piggie
1. Last year I ran 584 miles...nearly enough to see Francis. My first goal is to increase the number to yearly miles by 20%, so my goal miles for 2007 is 700. Last January, my monthly total was pathetic...~23 miles. I'm already on track to double that.

2. There is a hill in the Arb that is steep and long and I hate it (Tiff you may remember it? The one off of Geddes.). My second goal for 2007 is to LOVE that hill. So that means lots of hill repeats.
3. A spring half marathon: maybe the Martian Marathon half or the Ann Arbor Dexter half.
4. A fall half marathon (or full!?): the Detroit Marathon is very enjoyable.
12 January 2007
The post where I contemplate Oprah's soul
My tasty lunch includes some yogurt which has the "approved BESTLIFE" label emblazoned on its front. So, I was curious..what is this BESTLIFE that my yogurt knows about? Are the little yeasties having a ball in the jar? Are they have a ball in my tummy? What is their little secret...to the BEST LIFE? I must know! Easily enough, there is a webpage where I can go to and find out.
Although I have very little experience with yeast, I'm pretty positive that yeasties do not look like Oprah and Bill Greene. But their warm, smiling faces greeted me and invited me to be "Free to work out, free to eat responsibly, free to live the life you want and deserve to live."
Hey, not a bad idea. I'm all for that! And it's awesome that Oprah is reaching out in this way and encouraging folks to embrace this philosophy.
What I do have issues with is...that this whole "BESTLIFE" branding obscures the goal. And it seems more like a marketing ploy, and less like an sincere effort when you've got Hellmann's mayo giving you recipes on the home page. Is a yogurt less nutritious or satisfying if it doesn't have the warm and welcoming "approved BESTLIFE" emblem?
Maybe it's just easier to imagine the little yeasties having a ball in my tummy. All this branding stuff is just way to hard for this little pirate to process.
11 January 2007
Thursday 13-my first
1. Waking up by Francis calling me (although in person is way better) 2. Making fresh coffee in the morning 3. Having breakfast at home 4. Listening to "The Environment Report" on NPR 5. Getting some fresh air on the way to school 6. Blog stalking the pirate galley 7. Chatting with Francis throughout the day, and Tina if she's around 8. Playing with Howie Katt when I come home from school 9. Leisurely making dinner 10. Listening to the evening NPR shows: "The World", "News and Notes" and "On Point" 11. Talking on the phone with loved ones 12. Reading and settling into bed 13. Dozing off with Howie Katt snuggled into my shoulder (when I'm with Francis, then I enjoy snuggling with him) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you 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
10 January 2007
Ms. Bean
I think tonight I'll be experimenting with my latte: Starting with the yummiest Decaf coffee ever (hey, even pirates need to sleep!) and topping off with steamed milk flavored with Kaluha.
Sounds yummy huh? A Kaluha latte! I'll let you know how it turns out.
:) LJS
PS...I'm LOVING my iPOD!



