Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick

7:43pm: While I'm about... here is a shirt that northofvoontah and I found amusing in Hawaii.



Peek at more ( sun-bathing_beauties. )

7:11pm: You know, I've written many LJ posts in the last several weeks. In my head.

Anyway, the excitement of the moment is that we discovered this morning that our lay-down freezer in the garage has broken. We now have a very unpleasant freezer full of meat/etc., that has been stewing for possibly a week in 80+ weather. And garbage day isn't until Thursday. Not sure what we're going to do about this in the short-term. I guess we'll see what the garbage company says tomorrow.

On the plus side, we've now got some lovely freshly-frozen raspberries to enjoy later in the year.

8:56pm: Hawaii was fun. I read on the lanai, floundered about in the water, and ate a shaved ice the size of my head. And now it is good to be home.

6:54pm: Aloha
I have not yet been devoured by creatures of the deep, or even creatures of just below the surface, although I have given them ample opportunity. Since my last post, we've gone on two boat snorkeling expeditions and on a submarine. I've decided I really enjoy standing in the wind at the rail of the boat. Snorkeling is OK, but I will never be a water baby. We've seen lots of beautiful fish up close and personal and it is pretty cool to hear the constant crackle of fish nibbling away at the reef. I swam above a sea turtle for quite some time, watching him snack on whatever it is that turtles snack on. He had a little old man face and he looked like he was deep in concentration. He was pretty neat. But the best part was the dolphins. We saw three pods of dolphins that day, spinner dolphins and spotted dolphins. I cannot think of an creature more full of joy. It is hard not to smile when watching a couple dozen dolphins leaping and cavorting in the wake, racing alongside the boat. What show offs!

I was a little worried that I would make a spectacle of myself on the boat. While preparing to use the head (toilet) in a one-piece swimsuit, top down, shorts around the knees, attempting to seat myself, the boat kept pitching me forward into the door. I was quite relieved that the clasp held and I wasn't propelled onto the deck in a state of partial undress. It would have been difficult to recover my dignity. I would have had to just keep going, straight over the side and into the sea.

11:25pm: Greetings from Hawaii
We've been enjoying our stay in Maui. The weather has been wonderful and the sunsets lovely. Yesterday I snorkeled about near the shore a bit until I was frightened by a long skinny fish and decided I was done. Tomorrow I am apparently expected to jump out of a perfectly good boat in order to spend more face-to-face time with creatures of the deep (OK, creatures of just below the surface).

Today we drove through the rain forest to Hana. We went in a lava cave and I drank a coconut (not at the same time). It was lovely scenery, but after 5 hours, 58 one-lane bridges, and over 600 hairpin curves along the edge of ravines each way, I'm a little frazzled. I think there is an alcoholic beverage calling my name.

8:58am: Hello! I exist! Work has been very busy and I've been avoiding the computer for non-work activities so my shoulder doesn't fall off (which might actually be a blessing). Not much to report. Emmit ended up getting x-rays after falling out of his tall cat tree. It was decided to be a strain, but it took several weeks of pathetic limping to resolve. He's unhappy that his tree has been removed to the garage. I've been doing aquarium stuff and planting a few things in the yard to varying degrees of success. I'm in a long book funk which is driving me nuts. I am hoping to focus enough concentration to finish at least one of the dozen books I've started recently.

The big thing coming up is that we are leaving for Hawaii next weekend with northofvoontah and MrNorthofvoontah. Seeing as that I burn quickly and am water phobic, I am a little leery. However, rumor has it that Hawaii is quite pleasant and the water is warm, so I'm sure I will adapt quickly.

3:29pm: Amazon Rank

http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/amazon-rank/

10:03am: I had a most excellent time at the comic book convention in Seattle. I haven't been an active comics fan in years, but it is Doug's main geeky hobby, and I still enjoy puttering about the exhibit hall. I love watching people enjoying whatever it is they are passionate about.

We stayed with a friend we haven't gotten to spend much time with the past few years and got to know his family better, so that was nice. Sunday I struck out on my own and walked down to Pikes Market and wandered the waterfront shops, listening to the buskers and watching the fish throwers at the seafood shop. I couldn't have asked for lovelier weather. Then back to the convention for Wil Wheaton's panel. He is such a funny, articulate, and genuine person. He is a joy to listen to. I need to get one of his books in audio book form.

And I am so glad I took today off because 1) I am tuckered out from the long drive and 2) the weather today is the nicest it has been in several months. I would have had a really hard time staying put in my chair working.

9:11pm: My fingers seem to be having trouble with homonyms today. My brain knows the difference, but my fingers type whatever comes out first. I've also been typing "kn" for "n" and "ph" for "f". WTPH, fingers, WTPH?!

1:29pm: Spring must be on its way. The sugar ants have returned! *ziplocks anything sweet*

It may be time for a new modem. My connection has been infuriatingly sporadic the past few weeks. And I didn't even accidentally crush this one like I have a few of the previous ones.

11:20am: Work is seriously kicking my ass this month.

11:14am: new billy movie
Here is the website for the movie, Carmel, that Billy is reportedly currently filming. I wonder what role he has, "crooked art dealer"? "Reclusive artist with a hidden past"? funny friend of reclusive artist? I'm thrilled to hear he's got a new movie in the works.

10:45am: Gabby always spends at least part of the night sleeping draped over my upper arm/shoulder (gosh, I can't imagine why I have shoulder problems), usually with her face pressed to my cheek. Last night I woke up after she had gone off to do some Gabby Things. She had left her toy squid draped over my shoulder in her place.

Last night we listened to a podcast comparing the 1950s and 1970s versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The 1950s movie scared me so much when I was little (never watched the remake - I was even afraid to read the parody in Mad Magazine). Mom couldn't figure out why I stuck the jumping beans my grandparents brought me from Mexico in the freezer. Sure enough, I had pod people dreams last night. Should have known better. "Don't you see?! They're already here!!"

3:31pm: Work was really slow today, so I was able to get caught up on a few errands (such as buying cat litter OMG!, 9-month late oil change, and mailing the last of the Christmas presents). Phew. That is a relief. Now if I can just catch up on my correspondences and sort my tax receipts.

We've got gaming tonight. I wish I was more enthused with my character, but still just not feeling it. But that is my fault and I need to make it work.

But for now, I'm taking a break. Gabby is passed out and drooling on my shirt.

4:13pm: Hello again at longlast. Had a busy weekend. northofvoontah came down to visit and brought me a couple of her cobalt blue dwarf gouramis and we ran out to the pet store and got a couple of red dwarf gouramis to put in at the same time. Unfortunately, this caused a lot of angst and drama with the established tank occupants and much nipping and poking with feelers. Things appear to be settling out some. No one is getting tattered and everyone seems to be establishing their place in society.

northofvoontah also created the most wonderful community lot spa for my sims. I wish I was a sim so I could go there.

10:12am: I'm way behind in all manner of communication and correspondence, but I wanted to be sure to send you all love and best wishes for a wonderful New Year. ♥ ♥ I know I'm not around much these days, but my f-list is often on my mind.

12:39pm: Dear fruitfly that has been in my face all day:

I hope you are enjoying the inside of my sinuses. Now stop messing with my eustachian tubes, you're making my ears feel wiggly inside.

No love,
Me

In other news, I see in the news that the bank down the street was robbed yesterday morning. I had pulled through the drive through yesterday morning and found everything closed up with a note on the door saying, "closed for emergency", which I thought was odd since the parking lot was full of cars. I even peeked in the window (because I am a suspicious soul), but only saw people sitting at desks. Guess I was lucky I didn't show up earlier.

12:38pm: Here are a few pics of our steampunk costumes at Orycon last weekend.



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11:33am: It's that time of year again, and people are posting their holiday card polls. I won't be doing cards this year, so I haven't been replying to the polls, but thank you so much for thinking of me. *hugs*

4:45pm: Urgh. Where did the day go? Orycon was great fun, as usual (even if I did fail my wisdom roll Friday night-cosmos should not be drunk from a tumbler). Both my day and evening steampunk costumes were a success. I was quite pleased. With any luck, I should have some decent pictures to share. We didn't sleep much over the weekend and I am so glad I took today off to recuperate. I am exhausted. I am so behind in just everything right now. Just in time for the holidays.

11:09am: I had terrible insomnia and "slept" on the couch Friday night. I must have at least dozed at some point because I kept dreaming that Squirrel was sleeping in his usual spot on the back of the couch. I kept telling myself in my dream that it couldn't be Squirrel (he died almost exactly a year ago now), that it must be Gabby, but then he'd turn his head my direction or stick out his white feet and I would have to admit it couldn't be anyone else. I wonder if he comes to visit often.

Doug has today off work and is out getting Taco Bell. I'll bet Squirrel suggested it. Squirrel loved Taco Bell. Squirrel used to go through the drive-through with Doug when he was a kitten and Doug would give him bits of burrito and the drive-through girls would give him treats.

10:45am: Welcome to my Garden of ( DOOOOM! )

I apologize for the large picture size. I seem to be having personal technical issues. But this way you can experience the garden as if you were shrunken down.

12:38pm: Gabby stuck her head into my Garden of DOOOM this morning and the sundew stuck to her face. Talk about biting off more than you can chew...

(no cats or sundew were harmed)

8:14pm: \o/

11:35am: