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