My Horizon

10 Things I Learned at Denver's 2011 Race for the Cure

2011-10-03T16:51:00.000-06:00

1. $35 is a freaking deal for the rollercoaster experience that is the Race for the Cure

2. Running a race at 7 am with 55,000 of your closest friends is surprisingly not crowded.

3. You will VERY much appreciate the participants who wear bright orange instead of pink, reminding your eyes that they are not colorblind.

4. You need to watch your step lest you trip over the smashed guts of a poor road kill raccoon that did not get cleaned up before the race.

5. If you ask for the free spray on tattoo to be put on your boob they won’t even balk, but you will reconsider and then have them put it just below your clavicle.

6. In order to entertain yourself while participating, you might judge all the funny/moving statements on people’s shirts. You will decide that, “Saving Second Base” will be your favorite.

7. You will find that you can move twice as fast while you are chasing down the guy wearing a headband with boobs on the top of it just so you can get a picture. It’s amazing what will motivate you to “give it your all”. Now if only every race had something like that to chase!

8. Pink tutus and feather boas have replaced fun pink socks as the fashion statement items of choice. You might get secretly jealous that you don't have one either, (but you would NEVER admit that...not even in a blog.)

9. Many people choose to run with pink signs on their backs with the names of who they are running for. The ones that moved me most were the ones without names and just simple things like “My Mom”, “My Sister”, “My Grandma” and of course, “My Father” and “My Grandpops”.

10. If you have the emotional temperature of frozen yogurt, you will surprise yourself and become a bit overwhelmed by the entire event and the memories of those you have lost to breast cancer.

10 Things I Learned at My Sister's Las Vegas Wedding

2011-09-11T21:00:00.003-06:00

They sell souvenirs at the wedding. Mugs. Bumper stickers. Bobble Heads. License plates. Posters. Gum. Sunscreen. Shot Glasses. Bubbles. T-Shirts. Elvis Hair. Back Scratchers. The only things I wanted, but they didn't have…bottled water.
Who knew you could get a fabulous wedding dress in 2 weeks for only $100. It will have a train, but no bustle.
Having a sister that likes to “play with your hair” can pay off when the hotel salon calls you the morning of your wedding and says they had 5 people call in sick and will no longer be able to accommodate you and do your hair for your wedding. The results can be PERFECT!
The ONLY good non cheesy wedding card will be about Vegas and when YOU find it, you will have to do rock, paper, scissors with your siblings (which you will lose (paper sucks)) to see who will get to buy it, and you will be stuck with some other lame old lovey dovey card about how the best thing about marriage is not having to hold farts in.
The wedding chapel will broadcast your wedding live on the Internet, so that all your loved ones not in Vegas (and any other random people in the world) can watch you get married.
Bring the $60 cash that you will need to purchase your marriage license (open till midnight 365 days a year), or else you will have to borrow it from a sister who will then joke about “owning your marriage” until you pay her back. J
If you are kind enough to babysit your niece, you should at least have her to the chapel on time, because apparently, the bride and groom aren't the only necessary people. For some crazy reason they want their daughter to be there too.
The Elvis who marries you may be so considerate as to bend down during the ceremony to ask if you are exchanging rings. He won’t know your names or refer to you by name at any point in the ceremony.
If you have already arrived in Vegas, and your sister (who is the bride) texts and asks what the chances are of getting a picture of your deceased mother to be displayed at the wedding is, say yes. Then enlist the help of your siblings, email archives, a smart phone, the USB cable, and a quick photo machine at a photo processing center. In less than an hour you have exactly what the bride requested, and your siblings are heroes!
If you and your two other siblings are planning to do a relay of a sprint triathlon at 6 am the morning after a Vegas wedding, quit planning that now. It will be a waste of time, since you will all choose to sleep in and then never even mention to one another that you missed it.

"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"

2011-06-02T11:08:00.000-06:00

I prefer to think that it was Oscar Wilde that coined the phrase, but no one knows…. But it is part of my life. J

It all started when I got sick of the nasty carpet in our family room. It looked like this:

Then I discovered that underneath the nasty carpet was this:

So, with a bit of help and a lot of resolve, the carpet went “away”.

I am soooo happy with the results. However, this was my “fabulous” MIL’s response.

“Linnea, I am not happy you removed the carpet. That room is going to be SO VERY cold now without that carpet. How dare you think that you know better than the professional master that built the house! He put the carpet there for a reason (to keep the house warm) and who do you think you are to remove it!”

I, however, LOVE the floors and I made sure to get the some great soap and a nice hardwood floor moppy type thing so that my MIL will have an easier time of cleaning it. See how nice I am. J

10 Things I Learned at My 1st "On the Road" and "All Women's" Triathlon

2011-05-24T17:28:00.000-06:00

This past weekend I took my triathlon “show” on the road. Thanks to my FABULOUS friend and former roomie, Karen, I loaded my bike in my trusty handy dandy Element and drove to American Fork, Utah for my first (and probably last) all women’s race. This new venue and experience provided me with plenty-o-things that could make my “10 Things I Learned…” list….I had to narrow it down for you to these:

1. For some reason the girls set up next to you will have found bringing a Fondue Pot to the race (and enjoying Fondue in the transition area) a necessity. I kid you not. Nothing says “race” like fried meat and melted cheese… well, I guess they weren’t THAT ridiculous, they did the chocolate dipped fruit thing. Still…WHO DOES THIS!!!

2. Naming a port-a-potty “Honey Bucket” doesn’t make it any less disgusting. A portable crapper by any other name still smells just as … I still want to puke.

3. It wouldn’t be a real race if I hadn’t learned some sort of wardrobe lesson, and this one is it. If your bathing suit is now a tad too big, and you have a larger than average bust, pushing off the wall will probably pull your suit down and create some SERIOUS drag, not to mention the “joy” of having to figure out how to stuff yourself back in while you are swimming.

4. At least 4 of the 1000 Women in the race will be downright rude and mean (and somehow I think I found all 4 of them). “Get out of my way!” “Move when you hear me coming!” “Kill yourself on the gravel, just don’t slow me down!” AS IF I wasn’t faster than them at some point to be ahead of them…. I wish I could do an evil laugh. J

5. If you haven’t raced in 5 months, you might forget you are even racing and just be celebrating the fact that you made it up the giant hill for 3 miles before you think…”CRAP…why are so many people passing me?! Oh, it’s because I am only going 14 mph!!!”

6. A race with 1000 women participating should have better food than Diet Coke, Chocolate, cookies, and orange slices. I felt like I was 7 years old and it was half time at my soccer game! Give me some REAL food!

7. Having assigned transition spots saves tons of headaches in getting set up. I was very lucky and got the BEST spot (right by bike in and out and run out). I think they took pitty on the not so “competitive looking” women and put them in the best spots. It rocked!

8. At first you will be overjoyed that the water in the outdoor swimming pool is over 80 degrees. By the time you are done with 200 meters of the swim, you will be annoyed that you are sweating and wonder if you will pass out from dehydration before you finish.

9. The kids that line the run course will all want to give you five. If you happen to miss one, and she starts crying, it is kind to go back and make sure she gets five too.

10. The announcer at the finish line will announce the finish of EVERYONE, except you if your name is not pronounceable. From now on I might just start registering with the phonetic version of my name, though now that I think about it, that may not help. J

FYI: Karen KICKED BUTT as did her Sister Bekah in their 1^st tri! These two will be powerhouses in the world of triathlon!

10 Things Linnea Learned about Becoming an Aunt

2011-03-29T12:56:00.001-06:00

1. If you are having “creative differences” with your Dr, you can decide to change doctors, even while you are in labor.

2. If your sister chooses to go to the Olive Garden for dinner (and not home) the wait staff and mgmt will keep a close and fearful eye on her and your table as your sister eats dinner while experiencing strong contractions that are 4-5 mins apart.

3. The server will also bring you a huge pile of extra mints with the check and wear a look of extreme pity.

4. C Section babies don’t get their head’s squished so they come out looking pretty “normal”

5. There are some “new mothers” who SOMEHOW have cute hair and makeup and pjs as they take their little 5 hour old newborns for a walk in the hallways. How is this possible?!?

6. The hospital provides the cutest, most fashionable, highest quality mesh underwear for the new mothers to wear. They like to joke that it is the latest “secret” that Victoria has introduced exclusively for hospitals as a gift to new mothers!

7. Breast Feeding: TONS more work than I thought it would be. It may be free but it is NOT easy.

8. Linnea can actually make it through a major three day event without having a wardrobe malfunction, crashing anything, breaking anything, but will lose her keys in the hospital.

9. Blood. Blood. And MORE Blood!

10. The doors in labor and delivery are surprisingly sound proof, which was kind of disappointing. We were looking forward to the yelling, and screaming, and swearing, and “You are NEVER touching me again!!!” tirades.

A Maria Gem

2011-01-19T17:09:00.002-07:00

On Monday I got into a “spring cleaning” type kick. I was obsessed and cleaning out junk as fast as I could from all over our house. At one point Maria was just standing back watching in awe at the speed I could just huck, chuck, and shred. She called Gary over and whispered to him, “Gary, look, Linnea is getting rid of all the crap in this house. I bet we are next.”

Things Linnea did in 2010 she had never done before

2011-01-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

1. Been a bridesmaid
2. Visit Spokane
3. Enjoy the capital of the USA
4. Play racquetball
5. Bowl with Greyhounds
6. Wrecked my scooter without losing my pants
7. Hula Hoop (I did lose my pants once on this one though)
8. Get on the JumboTron at a MLB game
9. Tried Hot Wasabi Peas

Linnea's 2010 in Numbers

2011-01-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

One: Number of wedding rehearsals Linnea did with her zipper open.
Two: How many times I fell in love this year (Yes, Artur knows)
Three: Movies viewed in the theatre (Eclipse, Toy Story 3, Hubble 3D IMAX)
Five: The number of 14 lb bowling balls I have lost in weight.
Four: Months it took to listen to the War and Peace audio book (60 hours and 38 mins)
Fifteen: Number of time I decided NOT to kick my mother in law out of the house
2221.65 Miles Biked
109,835 Calories Burned Biking

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

10 Tips I Learned at the Mack Wedding

2010-11-16T10:22:00.001-07:00

1. Trust the GPS in the unfamiliar town! Even if it is 2 AM and your hotel is 20 feet away and the GPS is sending you another .5 miles to get there. If you don’t you could end up doing an illegal U Turn at 2 AM on to a one way street, realize your mistake, pull up on the sidewalk and drive on it, blow a kiss to the car that you did all this in front of, realize that car is a really a cop, pull into a different hotel, park, and hide in the bushes for 3 minutes to make sure the cop is gone.

2. Check your zipper before the rehearsal starts

3. 10 Diet Cokes on girl’s night out will almost be enough to help you keep up with the sheer energy of the “blushing” bride.

4. 12 Girls can fit into a Volvo at 1 am, but breath mints and open windows are recommended

5. Chanel lipstick works in a pinch to decorate the happy couple’s getaway car.

6. Elegantly sliding down the banister while holding a glass of Champaign when you are introduced at the reception can end with a lot of laughter and rug burned knees -- April :-)
7. You can easily curb problems of the groomsmen throwing Jordan almonds down the bride's dress if your best man is a precision pitcher with a wicked fastball and access to anything that can substitute for a baseball.

8. Ordering onion rings a sushi place will probably turn out to be a very disappointing choice.

9. Climbing on all the pipes at the rehearsal dinner location may be all fun and games, till you realize you were flashing most of the wedding party while posing for a picture in one.

10. It is wonderful when the wedding is amazing, and the marriage even better! Love you guys!

9.5 Things I Learned in my 4th 5k Race

2010-10-02T22:24:00.000-06:00

1. If your Mother In Law does most of your laundry, and she does some pretty darn crazy things sometimes, you may find (1 mile into the race) that the t-shirt you grabbed early in the AM, but didn’t put on until closer to race time, may not be quite as clean and “scent free” as you assumed it was since it was hanging in your closet amongst all the clean shirts.

2. If your favorite running skirt is now too big and does not stay in the places it is supposed to, and you buy a “not as nice” replacement, it may lead to chaffing in unpleasant places. The Body Glide you bought for your last triathlon will work MIRACLES in preventing further chaffing.

3. The replacement skirt from #2 may have some “quality control” issues that won’t come to light until 2.2 miles in the race when you can not kit your full stride anymore because the hem stitches from both legs of the “undershorties” have come loose and tangled together. It is NOT an easy problem to rectify while running.

4. The paramedics working the race, for some reason only known to them, will be stationed at the bottom of a big freakin hill (pretty much all of mile 2 was a giant hill), and not the TOP.

5. Even if you cut 6 minutes (yes…6 Minutes!!!) off your time, your fabulous friend’s fabulous 9 year old son will still beat you.

6. You might just be devastated when people (read “men”) you THOUGHT were your friends finish the race ahead of you, but don’t wait to high five you at the finish line. Freakin Jerks. :-)

7. A small, inaugural 5k race to benefit a local elementary school had the BEST food, best goody bags, and best sponsors of every 5k I have done thus far.

8. The clothing I own that actually fits me is now officially 65% race t-shirts and athletic clothes, 25% socks, and 10% regular work clothes

9. Your cat can be almost as good as an alarm clock if the alarm you set (and triple checked) doesn’t go off.

9.5 The running training I did (which is run exactly 4 times in the last 3 months) is enough so I can’t say, “I really need to learn how to run!” this time.
Next up:
One Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
One Bolder Boulder 10 k
One Olympic Distance Triathlon
One trip to the nuthouse

10 Things I Learned at the "Run The Rock" 5k

2010-08-15T15:10:00.001-06:00

1. A race billed as “A challenging 5k Mountain Race” really means “Please pay us $35 to torture yourself”
2. After this torture, any other 5k would be a piece of cake!
3. Trail Race = Piles of horse crap to be avoided
4. When the trail takes you through a campground where campers are in the middle of enjoying their breakfast, the campers will take time to bang their pots and plates and cheer you on.
5. Don’t forget your headband because sweat in the eyes will only add more torture to the already torturous run.
6. Did I mention this race was torture?
7. Running down mountain slope trails can be almost as torturous as running up them, especially when combined with #3.
8. I just suck at running and I really need to actually do something about it and not just whine all the time about how I really need to do something about it.
9. The dog that ran with the woman that won the 40-49 age group will also receive a first place medal. (I was kinda jealous). :-)
10. This list may come across more whiney than most, and it really was torture…but I LOVED it! The weather was perfect, the scenery beautiful, and the atmosphere amazing!

PS. I couldn't have done it without the two best cheerleaders and fellow racers in the world! Cynthia and Lindsay kept me going! Without them this race would have been just a hike in the woods. :-)

10 Things Linnea Learned in her 4th Sprint Triathlon

2010-07-25T14:17:00.000-06:00

Sunscreen should NOT be optional
Picking up your race packet the day before the race (if it is not out of your way or inconvenient) means you can sleep in an extra hour or so
Continually ignoring that you need to train for the run portion can cause you 51 mins of grief while you torture yourself “chasing” the 350 lb guy that is 75 meters in front of you for the whole 3.5 miles and never catching him
The sunburn you get as a result of #1 will wear you out for the rest of the day more than the race ever could
Lotion makes the body marking numbers come off before you have to go to church in the morning with your age in big black permanent marker on the back of your calf
I am still freaked out every time I strip out of my wetsuit that my tri shorts will come off too
The BEST answer when people ask, "Did you win?" is "I am still alive, so yes, I won."
If you have a new triathlon watch, you need to remember to ACTUALLY use it; otherwise it is just a watch
Receiving an encouraging text message from a friend (who is crazy to be up that early on a Sat (and not even doing the race)) right before you head for the starting line is a good thing to calm nerves
All those energy/recovery balls, gels, bars, capsules, gummies, powders, mints, mixes, etc are actually quite useful in this environment. I had been avoiding them (in favor of using up my own natural “energy stores”), but I felt MUCH better throughout (and after) the race taking advantage of some of those things.

Seriously, how many more lessons do I have to learn? I guess that if I ran out, I wouldn't have anything to blog about though. :-)

THE 15 Things I am going to do between June 21, 2010 and September 22, 2010

2010-06-15T17:42:00.000-06:00

1. Spend a day reading in the Brazilian Hammock (prereq…put hammock up)
2. Bonfire
3. Have a water fight
4. Attend a movie in the park
5. Attend a “Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks”
6. Camp for two nights
7. Swim the whole length and back of the gravel pond at Chatfield Reservoir (more than once)
8. Fly my kite
9. Make homemade ice cream
10. Work up to do one pull up (is this even possible in 3 months?)
11. Go out for breakfast at Toast
12. Sleep under the stars
13. Enjoy a meteor shower (if there is one to be enjoyed)
14. Learn to hula-hoop
15. Visit Wash DC

Anyone have any of these things that I can crash? Better yet, anyone want to join me for any of them?

Lessons I Learned in my 3rd Sprint Triathlon

2010-06-06T13:19:00.003-06:00

1. NEVER sacrifice comfort for fashion! They sell specific triathlon clothing for a reason, and ignoring that and wearing what is “cutest” can (and in my case did) cause severe pain. I decided my favorite bike jersey looked better with my shorts and running skirt than my tri tops. My arms were extremely chaffed on the run by the end of the first mile.

2. The wetsuit I bought (see previous post) and had never swam in, turned out to be PERFECT. A black sports bra is perfect for camouflaging the “runneth over” parts.

3. If you are swimming backstroke, remember to check OFTEN to see if you are off course, or at least hope you can hear the people telling you that you are headed in the WAY wrong direction (like backwards and out to sea) (this wasn’t me, but I did try to get the girl’s attention).

4. Biking may be a great way to have dropped 53 pounds, but apparently you still have to do plenty of training in the swim and run if you want some real change. The only advantage was there was 53 pounds less of me that I had to drag around the reservoir.

5. Dropping 53 pounds will help you go from placing next to last out of everyone last year, to placing 198 out of 222. :-) On the bike leg I placed 156 out of 222.

6. It sounds ridiculous (and people look at you funny) if you blame chaffing on your ARM for your slow as snails run time.

7. Orange goggles are practically USELESS when you are swimming in to the sun. Time to buy some goggles that double as sunglasses.

8. The flock of geese that is swimming though the course -- aren’t scared of you, and probably won’t get out of your way.

9. The volunteer lady that is stationed about ½ mile in to the run course will try to lie to you and tell you, “you are almost there” to keep you motivated. I let her know on the way back (when I was only ½ mile from the finish) that NOW I was almost there.

10. It is still fun to do!

I Now Own a Wetsuit!

2010-06-06T13:17:00.000-06:00

I bought a wetsuit! I can’t believe it! Now I have to be committed to triathlons! Anyhow, the Saturday before Memorial Day I was at REI and I knew I needed a wetsuit for the DAC Tri the Creek. They only had one triathlon wetsuit and it was looking like it had been at the store for quite a while. It was a sleeveless Women’s XL. I had researched them enough to know that a Women’s XL is meant for women up to 180 lbs, which is SOOO NOT me. But I was feeling good that day, and the price was definitely right ($153 marked down from $220). I tried it on, and got it closed. It was kind of tight up top and a felt like my “cup runneth over”. I didn’t buy it.

Then comes Tuesday. I was 5 days away from the triathlon and I needed a wetsuit. (Yes, I am that wimpy). So, at work I decided, “Heck with the ‘cup runneth over’ stuff”, I was going to go buy that darn wetsuit. So I RACED over to REI on my scooter. (Raced is defined as 34 mph on my scooter). I knew $153 was a GREAT deal for this wetsuit and I wasn’t going to find a better deal and I knew I could continue to “shrink” into it.

They still had it, so I grabbed it and took it to the cashier. I told her, “I have decided I can’t live without this wetsuit. Ring me up!” Wanna know what this wetsuit rang up at? Really? I just about died! $74! That is correct - $74. Can you say “GONGA”!

$25 Is Just TOOOOO Much

2010-04-16T14:23:00.004-06:00

I can't find my work ID badge. They want $25 to replace it. I don't want to pay $25. I started an "End Badgelessness" Campaign. Here is the email I sent out the everyone in my building, and pictures of "End Badgelessness" Headquarters.

Help for the Badgeless

Please donate to this serious cause. $25 to replace a Employee ID badge is a serious obstacle that some of our own can not afford. Please donate to the Badge Relief Fund to help others who are less fortunate than you (here to after referred to as "badgeless"). The badgeless have been relegated to outcast status at 10G. These people can no longer enter the building. Please help them get off the streets and back to work! There will be a collection tin at tomorrow's 'Beat Work Stress with Nachos'. Please give what you can. If everyone in the building gave just 75 cents, that would be enough to save one whole badgeless person! Have a heart!

My total collections thus far today! - Mostly in nickles and pennies.

More 5K Lessons Learned

2010-03-22T15:46:00.003-06:00

1. A race will still be held if the entire course is iced over and the temp is 17 degrees
2. The water at the aide stations will be frozen solid under such conditions
3. Gardening gloves will keep your hands warm
4. Three long sleeve shirts, two pants, a fleece jacket, a turtle fur collar, and a hat will be just enough to keep you warm for the whole run.
5. A great song to have your ipod play right at the time you hit the last ¾ mile that is all downhill is Pink Floyd's Run Like Hell.
6. A 7 year old boy can get second place in the 18 and under male category
7. Whoever orders the race shirts will somehow get women’s sizes where the XL would only fit a toddler – or the 7 year old 2nd place finisher
8. If the first shirt you have on is a skiing base layer, and it is two sizes too small, it may cause you problems by riding up and taking your sports bra with it.
9. It can be very “problematic” to rectify the problem described in #8 when you have 2 shirts and a jacket on over the problem, are running in freezing temps, and are trying to stay modest.
10. It will still be a super fun experience!

I Just LOVE Government Office Buildings!

2010-03-09T12:41:00.003-07:00

What is the least expensive way to convert a men's restroom to a women's one?

Add a feminine products dispenser next to the urinals.

Dealing with the Taunting

2010-02-24T08:57:00.004-07:00

Why is it that you can drive past a specific Dairy Queen 900+ times in your life and not think anything of it, but as soon as you are in a weight loss competition, nothing looks more desirable than the plastic ice cream cone on the sign! There it is - every day - taunting me!

How do I deal with the taunting? I stocked my fridge.

Why NOT to Shop at Night Markets

2010-02-19T16:18:00.002-07:00

How long did I actually wear these socks?

10 HOURS!

The First Weigh In

2010-02-19T09:56:00.003-07:00

When my co-worker and I drew up the contract for this competition, it seemed his biggest concern was that the weigh ins be fair, accurate, and practically impossible to cheat at. We decided that we would weigh in at home on certain days that that our spouses take a picture of our toes on the scale with the weight displayed (everyone knows you have to weigh nude for accuracy). That, among other rules and prizes, were put into a scribbled out contract and we signed. The appointed day for the first weigh in came. That morning I woke up a little nervous, but fully committed to this contest (I have yet to tell you about the prizes and consequences). As I prepared for the weigh in moment, I eyed my scale and warned it that it better be on it's best behavior over the next two months. I had chose this scale for it's many virtues, different profiles, and the many things it measures like bone mass and hydration levels. I had, however, overlooked one of it's biggest "features".

I stepped on the scale in all my birthday suit glory and was ecstatic at the weight it displayed. I grabbed my cell phone w/camera and prepared to snap a picture of my toes and the display. Right at that moment a glimmer caught my eye. It was that moment that I noticed the worst feature of all about my scale. It is made of Highly Reflective Glass! There was NO WAY I was going to take the picture as requested. NO WAY! NO WAY EVER! AIN'T HAPPENING! I took a picture of the scale without my toes or any reflections in it and hoped it would be good enough for the co-worker. I sent him a text message informing him he would not EVER be receiving a picture of the weigh in as stated in the contract. The resulting text conversation went like this:

Me: We are going to (well I already do) have a problem with the scale picture taking.
Him: Did your hubby nix it? Is it too revealing for me to see your toes?
Me: Nope, it was all me that nixed it.
Him: Are you conceding? Cool!
Me: Well, the issue is that my scale is reflective glass.
Him: Well, Linnea, Mine is glass also and I had my wife take the picture at an angle and close as to block the reflection

UGH! NO MERCY!

Why am I so susceptible to getting myself in over my head?

2010-02-04T09:36:00.001-07:00

It seems I no matter how ridiculous a challenge is, I just keep jumping in head first! Is there some sort of disorder that causes this? Is it treatable, or am I doomed to a life of spontaneous commitment and resulting torture? Last year it was the triathlon that turned into TWO triathlons, which has turned into FOUR triathlons this year. One of these triathlons is scheduled to be an Olympic distance one. EEEK! In all my wisdom, I figured that these FOUR freaking triathlons would be much easier to do, if I didn’t have to lug all my extraneous weight around while training. Logical conclusion? Yes.

You might be thinking that the FOUR triathlons is where I got in over my head, but you are wrong.

To make a long story short, a co worker and I made a weight loss bet. Over lunch one day, we discovered we weigh exactly the same and both wanted to drop some of it. A week later we signed the contract for the bet. We have till March 31st to reach a certain weight. There is about $150 in prizes at stake for this bet. Now, allow me to tell you a bit about the guy I have to beat. He is two inches taller than me and massively muscular. He is also 18 years older than me (which I suspect is all I have going for me). The weight we are trying to reach by March 31st is also his target weight. My target weight would still be about 1000 lbs less than even that. He also spent a good portion of his life as a personal trainer. Ugh. Wish me luck!

A Perfect 10 Year Aniversary Post

2010-01-28T17:35:00.003-07:00

This is a transcript of a chat conversation I had this morning with my friend Brett.

Brett: so...
me: as you were saying...
Brett: did i mention i decided to try out eharmony?
me: are you getting married? not that I recall...
Brett: just wondering if there are more quality people out there than the ones that i sometimes date...you know, like cute smart girls who maybe work at hooters...
me: and...
Brett: (that's where you laugh and say "yeah, i know of someone perfect for you that fits that mold!")
anyway... the way it works is that you get anywhere from 1-8 "matches" a day...
me: i can't wait to see where this is going!
and one of your "matches" today is someone I know?
Brett: well, linnea... you receive an email about each one with their name and age in the morning.
so when i was looking at them on my blackberry, i got one that said "eharmony would like to introduce you to linnea, 33!"
me: you should totally take her out! I bet she is AWESOME!

Artur and Linnea's 10 Year Aniversary--Today!

Guess What Song...

2010-01-06T12:04:00.001-07:00

....we had too much fun with at the office today.

Linnea Buys a Ticket

2009-12-23T03:23:00.002-07:00

I finally got this to be right side up and with sound. Be impressed. Be VERY impressed (with both my ticket buying skills, and my video editing skills - which are both about the same level).

My Day in LuKong

2009-12-22T21:51:00.004-07:00

I have been informed that my pictures are "boring"...so here is some video snippets of some daily moments that may prove less boring to watch...perhaps. Arwyn and I made it with Artur in mind, but hey...why not just open it up to the world...right?

Taiwan Day 2

2009-12-17T23:06:00.003-07:00

Things Taiwan Does Well Part II

1. Pineapple Cake
2. Oreo Milkshakes
3. Giant Carved Wood Tables
4. Masks for Scooter Riding (I have GOT to get one of these)
5. Christmas Cards (which is weird to me since they don't celebrate it)

Things Taiwan Does NOT Do Well Part II

1. Smog Control (Yes this can make the list twice)
2. Kiwi Milkshakes
3. Notify you that the "colored tofu" you are eating is really congealed pigs blood
4. Joke when you pay the $79 NTD bill in $1 NTD coins
5. Insulation

12 Hours in Taiwan....

2009-12-16T23:10:00.003-07:00

Things Taiwan Does Well...

1. Orange Juice
2. Scooter Traffic
3. Chinese Food
4. Recycling
5. Make Garbage Pleasant (the Garbage Truck sounds like an Ice Cream Truck which I think could turn out to be quite a let down under the right circumstances)

Things Taiwan Does NOT so well...

1. Sidewalks
2. Mosquito Control
3. Smog Control
4. Mattresses (is that how you spell it?)
5. Hot Water Heaters (I thought I was DONE with cold showers after living in Tbilisi).

I Finally Got a Picture of This!

2009-10-07T17:03:00.002-06:00

I have been hoping this would happen again for a long time so I could catch it on film! The batteries in my FIL’s remote went out and this was his solution. Too bad the camera on my phone isn't better.

It gives you a second burst of CO2!

2009-09-25T14:53:00.002-06:00

Monday this week was a VERY cold and VERY rainy day. I got home early and curled up to watch the older Waffle Episode of Good Eats. I was so enthralled with the idea of waffles and double acting baking powder (it lets off a second burst of CO2 when the batter his 120 Degrees)! On Wednesday night I was all primed and ready to get home from work and go running. I first stopped at the store on the way home from work for a few things. While there I was again enthralled with the idea of waffles and double acting baking powder! It was again cold and rainy, and being the cravenly runner I am, I decided to swap running for waffles! Be honest, you all would have done the same thing! Anyhow, off I went in search of Double Acting Baking Powder. It sounds like a specialty item so I hoped they had it. I didn’t know it at the time, but it turns out that most baking powders ARE Double Acting, but I didn’t know that and I bought one anyway.

While making my waffles and using my NEW DOUBLE ACTING BAKING POWDER, I remembered that I had recently already bought baking powder. I decided to brave my giant spice cabinet mess to see if I could find it. I did find it, and two others as well. I checked the expiration dates on them and just about died laughing. I guess it has been a while since I cleaned out the spice cabinet. I laughed just long enough to take the above picture and then pitch the extraneous expired double acting baking powders in the trash. I guess it is sad when your house clutter even expands to the spice cabinet!

The waffles were FANTASTIC and I am certain it is all because of the second burst of CO2 when the batter hit 120 degrees! Gotta love Alton Brown!

10 Things My Second Sprint Triathlon Taught Me

2009-09-21T15:47:00.002-06:00

1. I actually felt a lot more like running about 10 minutes after the race then while I was doing the race.

2. The idea of post race food did not make me want to puke.

3. You can cut 15 minutes off your time even if your 5k run time is 5 minutes slower than the first one.

4. Biking in flip flops is A-OK and if you don’t have clipless pedals, it is MUCH better than biking in your running shoes!

5. Since they write the ages at the end of the year on everyone's right calf, I spent the whole 5k looking at the calves of the people that passed me to see how far behind I was getting. Then, for the rest of the day, I found myself checking the calves of everyone in front of me for their age.

6. Bring a bright streamer or tie thingy to mark your bike transition location so you can find it easily.

7. The people with kids will still forget the baby powder for their socks

8. A single French braid is perfect for racing with long hair

9. Body Glide will actually make your permanent marker body marked numbers bleed down your skin.

10. I don’t believe that the wetsuit made me much faster (though I understand that it is scientifically impossible for it NOT to make you faster), but it DEFINITLY gave me more confidence.

How I faired on my “5 Things to do before my second triathlon” goal list

1. Train for real (example: Lose 700 lbs)
A: I biked to and from work most days. I did not do much running or swimming. I lost 20 lbs…680 lbs to go before next triathlon.

2. Practice open water swimming using REAL swimming
A: Tried but the swim beaches were closed

3. Work on my “running a 5k while tired” time
A: That will still be a goal for next time as well

4. Find some sort of triathlon clothing so I don’t change during transitions
A: I bought some tri shorts on clearance at a running store and got a tri top for $10 off of ebay. Both performed very well.

5. Register early and by mail to save about $50.
A: This should always be a goal…yes?

My STILL Funny Mother In Law

2009-09-13T19:51:00.004-06:00

So, while Artur is in Italy, his mother, Maria, is running one of his businesses. This is what she chose to wear today. I feel kind of like the mother to a 3 or 4 year old who just HAS to dress themselves. I can't decide if it is the sweater vest over the Florida Gators T-Shirt, the gardening hat, the pink striped pants, the 10 different colored socks, or the normal Nikes that are my favorite part. :-)

10 Things I Learned About Summer in Arizona

2009-08-21T14:21:00.003-06:00

1. Roadrunners are NOT the same size as coyotes!
2. A gallon of water will not be enough to keep you hydrated
3. There is a “cactus line” on the mountains, just like there is a timberline.
4. Rattlesnakes like to hide in missile silos
5. You won’t sweat; the water just evaporates right out of you.
6. They sell 85 SPF sunscreen.
7. Any and All outside activity needs to take place before 7 AM
8. It is easy to get a plane ticket TO AZ, and nearly impossible to get one FROM AZ.
9. Even the water that comes out the “cold” side of the faucet is hot!
10. I can’t think of a sum of money that would encourage me to live there.

Pictures to come.

Triathlon

2009-07-12T13:55:00.005-06:00

11 Things I Learned By Doing My First Triathlon

1. If it is an open water swim, and you have never done one before, you might forget how to swim (even if you are a great swimmer) and have to do the half mile doing some sort of modified breast stroke/doggie paddle.

2. Make sure your timing chip is properly secured to your leg before you do the swim.

3. Timing chips cost $97 to replace.

4. If you are a slow, fat triathlete (or probably even if you aren’t), everyone (even the extremely fit hot guys) that passes you will tell you, “Good Job” or “You are almost there!” or “It’s just around the corner” or “Keep it up”.

5. It is easy to make the volunteers all over the course laugh (in a good way, not AT you).

6. It will be at least an hour (and probably more like 6 hours) before you feel like eating, even though you may be starved.

7. The extra pair of goggles you bring in case someone forgets theirs will be useful.

8. People are tough enough to do the run even though they forgot their running shoes (yes, barefoot).

9. While they are announcing the age group winners, PAY ATTENTION because you might have placed 3rd in your age group and not realize it! (this was NOT me, but the “wait around an hour after he is done to give Linnea a high five as she crosses the finish line” guy)

10. While they are doing the drawings for prizes, PAY ATTENTION or you will not know you won something, or make sure you have someone paying attention for you. (This was me - $25 gift card)

11. Being “Tricked” into doing a triathlon isn’t so bad as long as you have the most wonderful friends supporting you, cheering for you, and celebrating your success with you!

5 Things I Will Do Before My Second Triathlon

1. Train for real (example: Lose 700 lbs)
2. Practice open water swimming using REAL swimming
3. Work on my “running a 5k while tired” time
4. Find some sort of triathlon clothing so I don’t change during transitions
5. Register early and by mail to save about $50.

Why I LOVE Bike to Work Day!

2009-06-24T08:01:00.005-06:00

1. The stash of stuff you get. It is like Trick-Or-Treating for organic food!
2. Free bike helmet.
3. Free Breakfast
4. Free Lunch

Ode to My Swedish Goggles

2009-06-23T12:32:00.005-06:00

I am doing that triathlon…in just over two weeks. I am going to DIE! However, I must pause for a moment and share the bright spot of my training…my goggles (my pair pictured above). I LOVE THEM! I have used many many many different pairs over my lifetime as a competitive swimmer and nothing comes even close to these fabulous gems! The best part is that they are only $4-6 a pair and they work perfectly. They never leak. They never come off, even when doing racing starts. They don’t fog. They come in every color imaginable. I love them. They do take a bit of getting used to (like one to two days) since they don’t have any eye padding, but that is what makes them so spectacular. Also, you have to assemble them yourself, but that is easy and fun. Anyhow, they are the Swedish kind and you get them at any swim store, or even online. If you are taking up swimming in any way, shape, or form…you must get these. If only the rest of this triathlon stuff were so easy.

The Universe Must Hate Me

2009-06-03T13:50:00.004-06:00

I think I have done something terrible, well actually horrible. Last night, while I was talking with my sister in Taiwan, I was also chatting on and off with a friend. Now this friend is a pretty talented and funny guy who also is also dedicated to his life as an amateur triathlete. While chatting with him, he sent a link to a triathlon on July 11, 2009 and told me to do it (I am paraphrasing here). I laughed out loud at the thought, because I have been pretty adamant about not running again (see the Bear Creek Trail story—though this is more of an excuse than a reason these days). I have really no desire to get up at the crack-o-dawn at cock-a-doddle-do hour and swim in freakin cold H2O, bike 14 miles, and then run 3.X miles in what I can only imagine would take me three hours.

ANYHOW, the point was I laughed out loud at the suggestion, and my sister heard me. I told her why I laughed, at which point she proceeded to not only try to talk me into doing it, but telling me I should. After laughing back and forth about it and telling her there was pretty much no way I would be doing it, she wouldn’t give up.

So, I proposed a deal. Without looking at the calendar I told her that if it was on a Saturday and not a Sunday, I would do it. NOW, I knew this was a very very safe deal to make since pretty much every event of this type is held on Sundays. The chance of it being a Saturday event was like .0000000000000001% of .00000000000001%.

You can guess, without looking, what day of the week July 11, 2009 is…Yup, a Saturday.

Look At Me...I Am Artistic!

2009-05-13T14:45:00.003-06:00

Well, not really, but again, I did this one blog design all by myself! Anyone want me to do one for them some day. I am getting pretty good...for an artistically challenged computer geek. :-)

I did this one too....

http://berhankids.blogspot.com/

Anyone? Anyone? Eh...I didn't think so. :-)

One Momentus Occasion

2009-05-10T18:23:00.004-06:00

OH the Poor Ozone Layer!

2009-05-06T19:44:00.005-06:00

I don't have the most mechanically gifted husband. So, when the house started to smell like a two stroke engine, I knew something was wrong. This was going on in the backyard. Perhaps one of you will know how to fix it. Don't you just love Spring!

So much dignaty lost...

2009-05-06T17:37:00.001-06:00

I was cruising along on Spike at about 32 mph in the left lane when the car in front of me pulled into the center lane to turn left, revealing a red SUV in front of him that was completely stopped. I was about 10 yards away at that point so I SLAMMED on my breaks. With about 6 feet to go before rear ending the SUV at 20 MPH and what I can only imagine would have been me flying through the air over the top of the SUV, I ditched the scooter in the right lane with out looking. Turns out, there was a huge 16 passenger van there that was luckily paying enough attention that he didn’t hit me, run me over, or kill me. He stopped about 6 inches from me. As I was picking myself up from the pile of scooter and me, I made sure to wave to everyone that I was okay. As I was doing so, my pants fell down…so much for dignity.

Coming Soon....

2009-05-01T16:28:00.001-06:00

....the story of how I kept my life, but lost my dignaty.

She's On to Me

2009-04-22T10:10:00.003-06:00

This morning I caught Maria doing something weird yet again. When she saw me getting ready to take a picture, she got mad and started yelling at me for leaving stuff on the stairs. She used the yelling to distract me while she destroyed all evidence of the weird thing she was doing. I think it shall be harder in the future. :-)

One more....

2009-04-20T19:51:00.003-06:00

Right after my last post, I opened another cupboard and found this one too...

The Fun Continues....or the Madness Never ends?

2009-04-20T18:38:00.006-06:00

Today I went to get a box of cereal, this is what I found...

...which made me think of the other two things I found in the last day...

Orange Peels on the top of the office desk.

Orange Peels in the top of Gary's closet.

Yes, Maria strikes again. Aparently orange peels need to be dried before they hit the compost pile. The other reason she says is that they prevent something bad from happening.

My New Favorite Store

2009-04-15T14:57:00.002-06:00

....it covers my two greatest needs and is a few blocks from my office.

Okay, I bet this is getting old....

2009-03-27T10:39:00.003-06:00

Garry "shoveling" the snow with the broom. The really weird part is that we own like 4 snow shovels! Also, note...his robe.

My Still Weird MIL

2009-03-14T13:52:00.004-06:00

So, I have been collecting pictures from around the house to show you guys exactly how weird she is. Remember her "thing" about where my little Star Wars Kinder Surprise Yoda needs to be sitting. See this post of you don't. Well, here are the two locations is it apparently IMPERATIVE that Yoda be. One is on the top of a picture frame on the near the kitchen desk. The other is on top of the phone jack that we don't use anymore. I also like that he also has his own stocking all ready for Christmas time. I wish I had a stocking that was 10 times bigger than myself.

Just to mess with my MIL, this is what Jordan does to Yoda. It is usualy a few hours, and Yoda is back on the phone jack place of honor.

Blog Vacation.....

2009-03-10T19:43:00.001-06:00

I am bored of blogging. I might just have to stop all together.

Bored and Sick Leads too....

2009-02-21T21:31:00.002-07:00

Today I am bored. Today I am sick. I think these two things led to me loving this clip on youtube. I actually have looked for a way to record it so I can listen to it in my car. I must be delusional.

Bored...

2009-02-21T14:30:00.001-07:00

Yup...I am getting pretty bored of blogging. Perhaps I will be in the mood someday.

"The Office" = My Office

2009-01-30T21:44:00.004-07:00

I was going to blog about this almost two months ago, and I can’t believe it slipped my mind.

On Dec 4th the episode of The Office, "The Surplus" this happened:

Oscar, the office accountant, tells Michael that he has a small budget surplus of $4800 left to spend that day, or it would be lost. Michael asks the staff for suggestions and they end up split half and half over getting a new copier or new ergonomic chairs.

Now, flash forward one morning to December 5th in my office. My boss, a guy named John, sent an email out…and this is the very conversation that resulted, I didn’t change a thing.

From: John
Sent: Fri Dec 05 10:24:01 2008
Subject: purchase ideas

Team;

There is a pot of money available to purchase something that costs less than $5,000. Is there anything we would like in this price range? A decision has to be made soon. I am open to ideas.

From: Bryan
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: purchase ideas

Enterprise FAX server

From: Audrey
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 10:55 AM
Subject: RE: purchase ideas

New wide-screen monitors for a few people?

From: Linnea
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 10:56 AM
Subject: RE: purchase ideas

Flat screens....

From: Bobby
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 10:59 AM
Subject: RE: purchase ideas

This would be nice to get a few in and we don’t even need to have two per workstation. I second the idea of wide-screen monitors

From: Bryan
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 11:00 AM
Subject: Re: purchase ideas

I like your idea better. And maybe some office chairs that were made within the
last 25 years.

From: Audrey
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 11:03 AM
Subject: RE: purchase ideas

Isn't that what was on 'The Office' last night?

From: Audrey
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 1:41 PM
Subject: RE: purchase ideas

Someone said something like 'Why is it that I've been engaged twice in the last 5 years, but have only had one chair?' I don't follow it well enough to know any character except Michael and Dwight.

From: Linnea
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 1:50 PM
Subject: RE: purchase ideas

11 of these = $2189.000 (Picture of monitor)

OR

11 of
these = $2244.66 (Picture of Monitor)

With plenty to spare for chairs... :-) We don't have to vote or fight about it.

My New Design

2009-01-30T16:18:00.002-07:00

I just need to announce that I did this new design all by myself. It didn't download or upload it from anyone else. I am so so so pleased! I hope this feeling of accomplishment lasts a while. :-)

Zoo Poo

2009-01-29T08:59:00.004-07:00

This morning my hilarious sister that lives in Taiwan posted some pictures. I grabbed a few to post here because I just HAVE to know what the scoop is. These are all from restrooms and exhibits in a zoo in Taipei. Ideas? Anyone?

Things I Have Done...

2009-01-25T21:44:00.004-07:00

I guess the idea is to bold the things you have done. Here is my list of 99 things where I bolded in black only the ones I have done. I bet Arwyn's list would be much bolder!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a Mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (But only if Karaoke Counts)
11. Bungee jumping
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight (Oh Puh-leees...who hasn't)
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you were not ill (But not since I grew up)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (of the sun or moon...I think both).
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (Again...OH PUH--LEES!)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Does Minnesota count?)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Since I don't care about money).
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold girl scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (Saved it from what?)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in times square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (twice)
76. Seen the changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had Chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (icky!!!)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Anti-Social ...or?

2009-01-22T18:37:00.003-07:00

So, yesterday on my way home from work I stopped at the grocery store. For some reason I was overcome with joy that I almost NEVER run into people I know there. Perhaps two or three times a year I see someone from church, but NEVER anyone from work or play. Whenever I shop anywhere else, I always run into people that I don't mix in my private life. Thus...I am very grateful that my grocery store is mine and mine alone.

This Time...Self Inflicted

2009-01-17T14:03:00.003-07:00

So, the next day I also got made fun of. This time I chose the socks and the shoes for a reason. I rode my scooter and I needed WARM socks. The pants were long enough, it shouldn’t have mattered. But APARENTLY when you sit in class all day with the same people, sometimes things just slip and get seen.

What should have been seen all day:

What accidentally got seen:

And I finished this afghan today, and I realzied, I think I like mismatching stripes in my life...

Embarrassing Day....

2009-01-14T18:13:00.006-07:00

So, I am in a training class this week downtown. Today when I got up it was dark and I was very tierd and in a huge hurry to make it to class on time. The class had lots of fun giving me crap for this combination:

Not only do the shoes and the socks leave a bright impression, neither matched my olive green and orange sweater. :-)

Dissertations by a Quiet Show of Force

2009-01-02T20:36:00.003-07:00

This year I conducted a covert experiment on a friend. The experiment was to see how many email “dissertations” I could get him to write to me. I defined dissertation as any topic he wrote more than 200 words on in one email. The longest one was 1239 words. I don’t want to embarrass him, so in this post he will be known as Quiet Show of Force (QSF). Today I finally tallied them up and there are 25…I think 25 is a dang big number. So, if anyone needs some in depth info on any of these topics…let me know.

Dissertations written by QSF this year…

1/17/2008 – Colorado Primary System

1/18/2008 – Party Politics

1/23/2008 – Economics

1/30/2008 – Caucus Delegates

2/11/2008 – Swimming Pool Touchpad Usefulness

2/14/2008 – Growing Tomatoes

2/29/2008 – How to Dress for a Caucus

3/11-2008 – Official Statement and a Disclosure Statement

4/22/2008 – Fastskin vs Lazr

4/23/2008 – The merits of attending CU over NU

5/23/2008 – Why QFS is a QFS

6/13/2008 – How to spend a day in Washington DC

6/18/2008 – What to do the next time in DC

6/25/2008 – Why QFS moved out of an apartment

7/3/2008 – Triathlons

7/3/2008 – QSF’s current apartment (bonus for including his landlady’s name)

7/18/2008 – A Girl

7/18/2008 – A Girl Cont

7/28/2008 – How to tell the boss of QSF bad news

8/18/2008 – A play by play of the Denver Oyster Race

9/19/2008 – Parking at the Denver Botanical Gardens

10/13/2008 – What is wrong with the QSF’s home computer

10/22/2008 – An Idea for a cooking blog

11/19/2008 – How to run a wings eating contest at Hooters

12/31/2008 – What sucks about getting rid of Shanahan

Summer Stowaway

2009-01-01T20:38:00.003-07:00

I am a pretty big fan of Wallace and Grommet, so I was secretly thrilled when I found that this Were Rabbit decided to come live with us this summer, but now I think he wants to go home (he has stopped raiding the vegetable drawer in our fridge and I have WAY TOO MANY bean sprouts left now). If he belongs to you, or someone you love, let me know so he can go home. Here is a picture of him from all angles to facilitate proper identification.

BabyBjörn

2008-12-17T14:08:00.005-07:00

A few weeks ago I attended a 80s themed baby shower for a colleague and his wife. One of the gifts (as always one of the gifts is) was a BabyBjörn. Tim (or Tom as he has previously been known as here) immediately set out to learn how to use it. Even though there were a few baby size babies there, he found something he liked to carry around much better....and found that the leg hole was perfectly positioned for the tap. The pictures aren't that great because the Polaroid camera's film (remember the 80s theme) went bad.

Cartoon Progress

2008-12-16T13:30:00.004-07:00

After compiling the lists of suggestions and removing duplicates (there weren't that many), I am at about 380 names. That should last me a while, but I think I am going to need more. Craziness! The most submitted name was Speedy Gonzales. The one that I was most shocked to see (as in I would have NEVER remembered it) was Jabbberjaws. The silly shark that always said something like "Nak-Nak-Nak!" like the 3 Stooges. I shall have to go back and see who suggested it and give them some big thanks. Which out of all of these do you think would be the COOLEST printer name ever?

What I Want for Christmas

2008-12-10T21:49:00.002-07:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat2_galley_6&listing_id=18436120

Any takers?

More Help...of the Cartoon Character Kind....

2008-12-03T17:26:00.003-07:00

Today I FINALLY got approval to start naming the 800 or so printers at my job after cartoon characters. I don’t have to do all 800 at once, but I really need to start putting together a list, thus ANY and ALL suggestions will help. South Park and Sponge Bob are off the table. This reminds me of the time that Todd and I tried to name all the Disney full length cartoons!

The ones I have thus far are:

Batman
Boris Badenov
Brain
Buggs Bunny
Bullwinkle
Buzz Lightyear
Calivn
Danger Mouse
Destro
Donatello
Dot
Eyore
Foghorn Leghorn
Gargamel
Gonzo
Hobbs
Kermit
Leonardo
Linus
Marvin the Martian
Michaelangelo
Optimus Prime
Pinky
Racer X
Raphael
Ren
Roadrunner
Robin Hood
Rocky
Scooby Doo
Skeletor
Smurfette
Snagglepuss
Snoopy
Space Ghost
Starscream
Stewie
Stimpy
Tweetie
Wakko
Waldo
Yakko

My Weird Father In Law

2008-11-14T17:20:00.003-07:00

A while ago I posted about my weird mother in law. This post will be dedicated to my weird father in law and the weirdness of his food choices.

For instance he loves:

Smoked Minnows

Chicken Livers

Pig's Feet

Grits

And Banquet Sweet and Sour Chicken

And HATES:

Bow Tie Pasta because he says he feels like he is eating real butterflies.

Now, I am not saying that the things he loves may not have their place and that I think they are gross, I am just saying that it is weird of him to like them, but not the lower list. Hmmm....

Am I Completely Crazy?

2008-11-12T20:36:00.001-07:00

So, every time someone throws their cigarette ashes/butts out their car window while driving...and then I drive over them, I imagine that my car might explode. Am I the only one?

Exactly How Blasphemous is this?

2008-11-06T21:58:00.001-07:00

For the past week I have been working on one server. It is a very important server, and no matter what I do, it will not work they way it is supposed to work. It either works half way, or not at all. I have spent hours building, rebuilding, configuring, and learning command line Linux scripting. Today (before lunch so I may have been slightly impaired from hunger), my boss came in to see how it was going.

I commented to him, “Do you by chance have any type of consecrated healing oil?”… to which he responded, “I guess we could try the laying on of hands.”

I then answered back, “Do you think there is a patron saint of VMware we should be asking for help?” He then replied, “Does this server need an exorcism?”

An hour later, and not at all closer to a solution, my boss returned. He suggested, “Perhaps we should sacrifice something to it?” I replied, “So, now we have run the gauntlet and gone pagan?”

Since we were on the same wavelength at this point we both said together, “…Or perhaps we should just call in a suicide bomber!”

It still isn’t working.

Mission Accomplished

2008-10-22T17:30:00.002-06:00

I told him and all is well.

But I found this, and it made me think of how I was really feeling when I told him.

I hope he doesn’t read my blog one day….Hmmmm…if you are reading this post right now …sorry, but you know I couldn't resist. :-)

Help...

2008-10-18T14:32:00.002-06:00

What is the best way to tell someone that the reason their computer is infected with spyware and had to be rebuilt was because of the porn sites they spent time on? Do you just tell them they need to be more selective of how they find it? Do you tell them that they would be better off buying some DVDs from the local porn shop? Won't this embarrass them? I feel like a doctor that has to tell her patient that he has syphilis.

What people what to know how to do….

2008-10-16T19:13:00.001-06:00

This evening I was trying to look up how to best heat up a leftover steak without ruining it. This result from google intrigued me….. What most people are looking up to learn how to do.

What do you think?

The Elusive Answer

2008-10-02T09:12:00.004-06:00

You are all on the right track.

The song is called "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me". This is not be confused with "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" from U2. Here are the lyrics, the last five lines are the part from my clip.

Hold me, hold me,
Never let me go until you’ve told me, told me,
What I want to know and then just hold me, hold me
Make me tell you I’m in love with you.

Thrill me, thrill me,
Walk me down the lane where shadows will be, will be
Hiding lovers just the same as we’ll be, we’ll be,
When you make me tell you I love you.

They told me be sensible with your new love,
Don’t be fooled thinking this is the last you’ll find.
But they never stood in the dark with you love,
When you take me in your arms and drive me slowly out of my mind.

Kiss me, kiss me,
And when you do I’ll know you that you will miss me, miss me,
If we ever say adieu so kiss me, kiss me,
Make me tell you I’m in love with you.

Name That Tune...Volume 3

2008-09-28T20:54:00.002-06:00

Let's see who is first getting this one!!!!

A Conversation in One Act

2008-09-25T09:46:00.004-06:00

So, yesterday morning me and two guys from work decided to get tickets to the Avalanche Pre-season opener last night. While coordinating the logistics of getting to the game (the three of us work in three different buildings in three different parts of town), this is the conversation we had.

The parts in this play:

Tom: A pretty funny guy
Candi: Tom’s “with child” wife
Marcus: Another pretty funny guy
Linnea: Uhm…me.
Mookie: What Marcus calls any child, kid, or fetus.

Marcus: Don't Need to Ask No Stink'in Wife. I'd like to go. I do ride the bus so I would need a lift to the bus station after the game and I didn't drive to the bus stop today so that means that I have to have Barb pick me up so I guess I do have to ask her if I can go. I'm making the call now.

Tom: since candi is driving down.. we can drive you to the station...or heck we could drive you to the edge of the freeway at least....

Marcus: I have my rides worked out...the K's will drive me to the edge of Denver and I'll thumb from there. I’ve been informed that we have to be prepared to throw our bodies in front of any oncoming puck heading for Mookie, are you ready for this Linnea? When should I be at the building?

Marcus: I can make to the building by 6...I'd like a cold one waiting for me.

Linnea: Sounds fine by me. I don't have a jacket/sweatshirt to get home in on my scooter. Anyone have a giant one they can lend me?

Marcus: you can be the first to wear the Av's jersey we're buying

Linnea: Hmmm...will that be warm enough? :-)

Tom: I have one in my locker in my cube

Marcus: Fine, I'll wear the Av's jersey.

Tom: I could have candi bring my avoholics jersey

Linnea: How bout I just wear the one in Tom's locker (if it is giant enough) and doesn't smell bad.... Then you two can fight over the avaholic one...

Marcus: Naw, I want one with Gretzky's number

Tom: Gordie howe

Linnea: Do you even know what Gretzky's number was?

Marcus: I just know he was one of the greatest Avalanchers to ever lace of a pair of skis

Tom: Or wear a garter

Marcus: Skis, skates it's really all the same...one of those Commie sports

Marcus: Have Candi stop by a pick up a 12'er and some brats...and make sure she cools the beer down...will she be able to lift the grill into your truck?

Tom: Honey... Here is a request for you...

Marcus: It will be good to see you again, Candi. Please don't hurt yourself with the grill...get a neighbor to help you (if Tom hasn't pissed off all of them).

Tom: oh i pissed most off.. a few have been more resilient than i would have thought

Marcus: I just wouldn't want the baby to come early, I know that grill is heavy.

Candi: OK, I can do the beer and brats but don't think I can lift the grill in the
truck. So, any other plans???

Tom: Of course not, the tailgate is too high..Put it in the car.. Geez.. I have to think of everything..

Marcus: Maybe you can stop and buy a hibachi?

Tom to Candi: You know what a hibachi is, Hefe?

Marcus: I just spit sunflower seeds all over my self...Tom, you're the man.

Candi: hahahahaha. I'll do what I can for ya but lifting the grill just isn't gonna happen. Besides Tom has got it locked down and doesn't give me a key for fears that I'll ruin his baby.

Linnea: The Grill "baby" or the real baby?

Tom: We all know the answer to that

Candi: The grill baby.

Marcus: That'll all change in a few months...I feel sorry for the baby already, not that his life is ruined, but T is his dad.

Tom: Ok, candi has agreed to pick us up at pat's.. So hussle up

A Jail Story

2008-09-22T20:53:00.001-06:00

Last week my sister and I went to visit a friend in jail. (Well, actually, more of Verity’s friend than mine, but she won’t go to the jail alone). Next to us in the visiting area were two sisters and their kids. They were visiting one of the sister’s husband/boyfriend/baby-daddy. When the visit was over, the 4 year old boy was just screaming and crying because he didn’t want to leave his daddy. On the way back to the elevators, Ver and I were talking about our families with a lady and her niece that had been visiting someone on the other side of us. The niece (about 15 years old) was FLOORED, FLABERGASTED, and just plain AMAZED that Verity and I have the same MOM and DAD, and that we have two more siblings…from the same MOM and DAD! She was so shocked that we didn’t even bother to tell them that they were actually married too!

You always hear about the break down of the family, but this was the first time I have ever been confronted by someone who thought that a “normal” family set up was extremely “abnormal”.

The Soundtrack of My Life...thus far...and in order

2008-09-22T15:22:00.004-06:00

“Movin’ Right Along” -- Kermit and Fozzie (From The Muppet Movie)
“Daydream Believer” – The Monkees
“Fishing in the Dark” – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
“Desperado” – The Eagles
“Two Princes” – Spin Doctors
“Accidentally In Love” - Counting Crows
“I Won’t Back Down” – Tom Petty
“Stuck in the Middle with You" -- Stealer’s Wheel
“We’ve Got Tonight” – Sheena Easton and Kenny Rogers
“Glad All Over” – Dave Clark Five

I thought about making a playlist.com playlist out of it for your listening pleasure, but who would actually want to listen to the soundtrack of someone else's life! :-) Perhaps I should burn it to a CD now?

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc.

2008-09-20T14:09:00.004-06:00

For the first time in a LONG time I read the first blog I enjoyed. It is the TVGal Blog at zap2it. She had a post about the TV characters she would love to be. So, I started thinking...in my life, which TV characters have I wanted to be. Here is my list.

The first years... (I spent my TV time with Nickelodeon)

Mary Stone -- "The Donna Reed Show"
Patty OR Cathy Lane -- "The Patty Duke Show"

1989-1992 D.J. Tanner -- "Full House"
1992-1993 Blossom -- "Blossom" (only because I was jealous of her hat collection)
1993-1996 Lois Lane -- but ONLY from "Lois & Clark"

Hmmm...no TV during college... so .... Post-college

C.J. Cregg -- "The West Wing"
Kaylee Frye --"Firefly"

What TV character did you want to be (or grow up to be)?

IKEA

2008-09-10T09:11:00.002-06:00

So, I saw this news post just now.

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=99428&catid=346

I don't know how I feel about this. I like IKEA as a novelty, but will I just get sick of them them if they are here? Hmmmm..... I do like ligonberry though. Thoughts?

Where Have I Been?

2008-09-05T16:01:00.003-06:00

It has been a while, but between the Democratic National Convention and my new bike (the pedal kind), I just haven’t had ANY time to think about anything that would be worth reading.

The DNC was extremely anti-climatic for me. I didn’t see anyone famous (though I wasn’t looking either). The best part of the DNC for me was that it was the first time I ever rode my bike all the way to work when it wasn’t bike to work day. It is only 15 miles. I didn’t ride it home though; I put it on the express bus with me and then rode it home from the stop.

I did ride to AND from work yesterday as well. I love bike riding. I think it all depends on the bike though. The first time I rode a bike to work (on a bike to work day), it was my brother’s Mountain Bike. After 5 miles, I was done. I could barely move, walk, sit, sleep…anything for a whole week after that. I was even in VERY good shape then. After those five miles I walked it over to the bus stop a few blocks away and put it on the bus the rest of the way downtown.

My new bike is a hybrid. I love it. It isn’t as FABULOUS as a road bike, but even being as out of shape as I am, I rode it to work after only 2 days of having it. AMAZING!

This brings me to my preferred way of getting in shape. It does not involve gyms and diets and training logs and protein tide me over drinks. When I finally feel like I need a boost to get in shape, I just start doing what people that are already in shape are doing. My only stipulation is that it has to have a purpose beyond “getting in shape”. Like I really don’t like running, but playing basketball…perfect….running with a purpose. Biking just for fun….not so much. Biking to work = Biking with a purpose. Gym = no alternative purpose. Diet = no alternative purpose. Thoughts?

Photobucket Thingy...

2008-08-19T21:35:00.004-06:00

The Rules.....Go to www. photobucket.com(don't sign in)- Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box- Use only the first page, unless nothing there has anything to do with the question.- Copy the html and paste for the answer.

What is your relationship status?

What is your name?

Linnea = Limetree

What is your favorite color?

Who is your celebrity crush?

What band/artist did you last listen to?

Last movie you watched?

Who is your favorite Disney character?

Where is your dream vacation spot?

Dauphin Island!

What is your favorite thing to do?

What do you love most in life?

What's your favorite candy?

Favorite shoe?

Two Sucky Lessons to Learn

2008-08-16T22:52:00.003-06:00

The two things I learned this month while riding my scooter...

1. Don't blow bubbles with your gum if there is a chance you might ride through a pack or knats, mosquitos, or any other kind of bug.

2. Bees can still sting you if you hit them, knock them out, and try to get away from them. The worst part of that is that you get hurt twice, once when you hit them, and once when they sting you!

New Recital...

2008-08-14T20:26:00.002-06:00

This attempt isn't as good, but it was just as fun.

Karma and the Wellington Lake Ducky Family

2008-07-31T16:21:00.005-06:00

Since my “brakes” experience kind of overshadowed my Wellington Lake canoeing, I didn’t get to share my favorite moment from GC with you.

The afternoon of the second day, just after dinner, I was down at the waterfront with a about 10 of the 12 year olds. They were having fun skipping (or at least trying to skip) rocks. Just near our beach there was a kind of cove where a mama duck and 8 of the cutest ducklings EVER were living. Okay, so all ducklings are the cutest EVER.

As the ducks were swimming back to their cove, one of the 12 year olds started THROWING HUGE rocks at the mama and her babies! I told the girl to stop about 5 times before she just turned around and laughed at me and kept throwing! After about another 10 times of yelling at her, I finally got a hold of her and told her to stop and not to even THINK about doing it again. Seriously, what kind of person thinks it is funny to terrorize baby ducks!!!!!!!

Well, about 5 minutes later, this same girl had gotten a hold of a fake fishing pole and had waded out a little ways and was pretending to fish. One of the other first year girls, continued to skip rocks. Well, one of the rocks “slipped” out and totally PEGGED the “rock throwing, duck torturing girl” in the hand. She was crying and left a big bruise and welt. I took her up to the nurse who gave her ice.

It took ALL the compassion and humility I have ever had to not turn to the crying 12 year old and say, “Karma is a bi*** ain’t it.”

The Answer

2008-07-29T22:16:00.004-06:00

The song is the theme song from the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice; the 6 hour versions that is the BEST ever 6 hours in front of the TV you can spend.

I am working on another Name That Tune for this weekend. It will be a totally different genre.

Linnea's Virtual Recital and Name That Tune Game

2008-07-27T17:45:00.001-06:00

The clip is super short so it isn't huge or anything. No hints.

The Top 10 Things That Have Changed About Me in My Old Age

2008-07-26T22:14:00.000-06:00

I no longer kill spiders, unless they are in my bed.
I have no untamable itch to travel
I finally appreciate the art of being “domestic”. (I still can’t do most of it though)
Most of the pictures on my wall are hung in frames and with nails, not sticky tack, tape, and lamination
I enjoy practicing the piano.
I LOVE genealogy (someday I will have to post the amazing story behind this.)
The jewelry I wear isn’t ALL made of leather, rocks, Tabasco sauce bottles, boot laces, and weird metal shapes.
I actually use my crock pot for crock pot cooking.
I pretty much only watch movies that evoke emotions other than fear.
When I have kids, I have no desire to name them weird names.

The Top 10 Things That Haven't Changed About Me In My Old Age

2008-07-26T22:12:00.002-06:00

My favorite color has not changed (how many of you can name it?)
I still joke about serving Lucky Charms out of my crock pot.
I still spend a nice amount of time trying to track down people that have been dear to me at some point in my life.
I still enjoy canoeing, basketball, camping, and game nights.
I do not enjoy summertime. Give me Fall or Spring or Winter, but please…take summer and give it to the people that love it.
I don’t have kids.
I still have lots of creativity, but no artistic talent AT ALL!
I still can’t get up until the last possible minute before I have to leave. I will never be the person who gets up early, runs, reads the paper, has breakfast on the patio, and then gets ready for the day.
I still enjoy a good laugh and try to keep people around that amuse me, and that I can amuse.
I still get acne…when does that go away…SEROIUSLY!!!

Virtual Recital

2008-07-20T20:24:00.002-06:00

During the summer I have LOADS of free time, even though I work full time. Lately I have been buying lots of new piano music. I am enjoying learning most of it. However, I find that I need real motivation to learn them properly. Thus, I am instituting a virtual recital. I am going to learn a piece and then record it and post it. That way I also have some reason to learn a piece well. It will also be a game of "name that tune". I won't post the title, and we will see who can name it first. I will post the piece before next Sunday night.

Brakes

2008-07-17T20:33:00.001-06:00

I was all ready to write a nice little editorial about my one day spent teaching canoeing up at Wellington Lake this week. But, it turns out I had a traumatic experience on my way home that trumped the serene wonderfulness that was my day up there.

On my way home from Wellington Lake the brakes in my car went out, as in…no breaks as I drove the 45 miles down the mountain. Instead of pulling over and doing the sensible thing of calling for a tow truck and getting a lift home, I kept going….in second gear up the hills and first gear down the mountains. It worked out well, and I made it home. I didn’t even need to use the emergency break. I think this experience will not go on my list of brave things done…more like…the STUPIDEST thing I have ever done that worked out okay in the end.

Why I Won't Run on Bear Creek Trail

2008-07-12T15:10:00.002-06:00

I told this story to a friend yesterday, and I thought it might make a good blog story. It is PG-13, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Have you ever run or biked on the Bear Creek trail? It really doesn't matter, but if you have, you can picture this much better. There is a portion of it that is pretty thick foliage on either side for about .5 mile. So thick, you can only kinda see the creek, even though it is maybe 10 feet away. This was my preferred trail. It isn't overly flat, and isn't overly hilly as well, plus it is super pretty and there are just enough people on it to not feel like you are in the middle of no where, but not crowded. One evening about 20 minutes to dusk or so, I found myself on the normal path. About 2.5 miles into the trail, I passed a mid 20s guy wearing super white spandex running the opposite direction. About 3 minutes later I hit my turnaround point and started back. As I came around the corner where I had passed him before, I saw him about 50 meters ahead standing looking at the creek. As I got closer I could tell something wasn't right. I immediately thought, "Ooops…I caught him peeing.” As I got closer he turned around to face me… Turns out he wasn't peeing after all and I came pretty close to getting "squirted", if you know what I mean…as in …I am glad I picked up my pace and he didn't aim better. Now I can laugh about it, but it scared the crap out of me and still makes me want to puke. I haven’t been on that part of the trail since. You can’t make this stuff up I tell you.

How Economical is My Scooter?

2008-07-11T21:21:00.003-06:00

Lately people have been asking me about how economical my scooter is. Here are some pretty solid numbers about my scooter. I have put 7000 miles on the scooter since I bought it in July of 2006. Here are the calculations. I use $3 because that is the average of what I paid for a gallon of gas sometimes $2, sometimes $4.

My scooter gets 100 MPG:

7000 Miles
100 MPG = 70 Gallons
$3.00 * 70
________________
Cost… $210

If your car gets 25 MPG:

The same 7000 Miles
25 MPG = 280 Gallons of Gas
$3.00 * 280
____________________
Cost... $840

Also, in Colorado, a 49cc scooter does not require a motorcycle license or insurance. The registration is $7 for 3 years.

Artur Turned 36

2008-06-30T10:32:00.004-06:00

Not much to say about it though. Our friends Sean and Allison brought over thier Wii so the guys could do the boxing. Since Artur was a fabulous boxer in his day, he of course loved it. I wish I had thought to get this on video instead. All I had was the camera on my silly phone.

Tim's Version of my "heroics"

2008-06-19T16:09:00.001-06:00

One of the guys I work with, wrote this version of my bravery.....

"ok.. so picture this...

2nd game of the day....

The paint was flying fast and heavy..Paint shells exploding in the tree branches, whiting out the tree trunks..The staccato pulse of the enemy's weapons a constant reminder of the danger we were in...
Many was the man who fell to the ground screaming "Medic!!!", "I'm Hit" or "Mother, Help Me!"
So many of our brave boys were laying in paint splattered death at the front lines... Never to reach their objective...

As I walked back to the medic to treat my arm wound, through the din of battle i heard a quiet sobbing coming from a bombed out bunker...

Inside was Linnea, her sneakers covered by a blob of white paint..

She shot herself in the foot so she wouldn't get sent to the front...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

Bravery and Paintball

2008-06-16T13:25:00.005-06:00

Last Friday (6-13-2008), I tried making a list of the bravest things I have done. After about 15 minutes, I had a list of three things.

Spent the night on the banks of the Danube, next to a bar.

Hitchhiked for real (sign and all) from Terezin to Prague.

Stopped a pick-pocket from victimizing a young lady’s purse on the metro in Tbilisi. (I didn’t think this was a big deal, but when we told people about it later they were adamant about not doing this so I don’t get STABBED in retaliation).

I have always considered myself pretty brave, sometimes to the point of stupidity (not like life threatening stupidity, but with more guts than most). So, my list is less than impressive.

I think this was the reason behind my actions during a paintball game on Saturday, that led to this giant bruise.

Sometime soon I will post the story of my heroic, brave, and pretty gutsy decision that had the 45 men thinking I was the bravest and craziest paintball player in a LONG time. I think that fulfills my braveness quota for this year. :-)

Weirdest Mother-In-Law

2008-06-13T12:26:00.003-06:00

I am pretty sure that if there were ever a “Weirdest Mother-in-Law” Award, Maria would win hands down!!!

Now, I am not saying that I don’t love her, appreciate her, and enjoy having her around most of the time but she does the WEIRDEST things EVER!!!

1. One morning a few weeks ago, I went into the kitchen and she had a wet paper towel draped over a whistling teakettle. I asked her why the paper towel. Her response? “I am using the hot teakettle to dry it out so I can use it again.” She was boiling water in the tea kettle JUST so she could dry and reuse a paper towel.

2. So, one day last year I realized it had been at least a YEAR since I had bought trash bags. Even for the most trash conscious households, this seems a little weird. But I finally found out why. Apparently, every day Maria empties the trash from the cans into plastic grocery bags, washes out the trash bags, line dries them in the backyard, and then replaces them.

3. She INSISTS that my ½ inch tall Kinder Surprise Yoda sit ON TOP of the phone jack.

4. Last week Artur found a turkey in our deep freezer that I kid you not, has been there at least 7.5 years. Maria did not want to just throw it away, she wanted to defrost it and put it in the greenbelt for the coyotes and foxes to eat. I explained to her all the reasons that was a bad idea. The one she seemed to believe the most was the poultry bones are bad for canines. SO….I come home to find that she has defrosted the turkey, boiled it to death, and DE BONED it….all so she could “do something nice for the coyotes and foxes.”

More Dragons

2008-06-06T13:18:00.003-06:00

So, one day last year, a magazine was mistakenly delivered to my house. Before returning it, I found this and HAD to try to make it. Now, it is my ONLY cake decorating success EVER. And for those of you who KNOW how un-talented I am when it comes to art in ANY form…I DID IT and it was EASY.

You can find the directions at http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50372

Dragon Building

2008-05-23T10:24:00.003-06:00

So, yesterday I participated in the move of a city agency to a new location. The new building was interesting. My favorite part was the big, green, metal dragon climbing on the outside of it.

The 10 best non-“price of gas” things about my scooter

2008-05-21T15:24:00.002-06:00

Ladybugs catch a ride home on my jacket and come to live with my tomatoes
The smell of Laundromats, Lilacs, Sprinklers, Bakeries, and Mowed Lawns
I get a great watch band tan
7300 miles down...? to go....
If a bird hits you, it doesn’t die
Gawking People
Ignoring other enthusiastic scooter riders when they honk and wave.
Having to get off the thing to push the crosswalk signal button since most traffic lights don’t recognize it
Top Front Parking at Red Rocks
I don’t ever have to give anyone a ride anywhere

Arthur

2008-05-20T12:46:00.003-06:00

So, I had a post up since the last one, but the subject, MADE me take it down. :-)

Anyhow, Three times in as many weeks, Wendy's has advertised some FABULOUS Kid's Meal toys. Every time I just HAVE to have it, and each time I have been saddened to find a silly old Arthur toy. I really wanted the Sports Illustrated toys, and the Scene it DVD games. ALAS, I am stuck with the yellow Arthur toy cell phone/real calculator, the Arthur Stationary, and the Arthur Art kit.

Humph.

My Font III

2008-05-15T13:01:00.002-06:00

So, in playing with the free install of Scanahand, the results were okay, but not as good as the one that Corrine did for me. Here is her explanation.

"Scanahand is limited in that you cannot edit the bearings (how your letters are spaced) in your newly created font. To change the left and right bearings you need to purchase other programs. The other item about Scanahand that concerns me is the signature box. I love the idea of using my signature in a word processing program and not having to really sign the letter that I'm writing. But, I don't want anyone else having access to my signature. Therefore, I sent you the two files; one with your signature and the other without. Unfortunately, in Scanahand you have to load your completed template twice. Once with the scanned template and the second with an edited template. Or complete a second template with the signature omitted. I have found while typing with the handwritten fonts that sometimes the spacing for some of the letters isn't to my liking or to others using these fonts. For example the capital "T" and the capital "J" often seem to be spaced too far from other letters. Or that the letters are too high or low on the baseline. I did change some bearings and baselines in a different program before e-mailing your font to you. If the letter spacing or baselines are not to your liking please e-mail me with the changes that you want made."

For $10, it was totally worth it to have a better looking font.