Friday, February 03, 2006
Thursday, February 02, 2006
i'm now a homeowner!
er, well, it's a CONDO actually, but still...
started moving in yesterday. more to write when i have time....busy busy busy!!
started moving in yesterday. more to write when i have time....busy busy busy!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
scared to get outta bed...
i find myself awake much earlier than usual, so i start up the laptop and log in. now i'm scared to get outta bed, after finding a personal hero has died...then i read further and read of the death of a cool woman.
Nam June Paik died Sunday - the man's art just blows me away.
then there are 2984 links submitted to TotalFark about Coretta Scott King's death as well. In a rush to be the first to submit the link, it's interesting how her age gets changed around - 78, 79, 64 (?!?)
:-(
Nam June Paik died Sunday - the man's art just blows me away.
then there are 2984 links submitted to TotalFark about Coretta Scott King's death as well. In a rush to be the first to submit the link, it's interesting how her age gets changed around - 78, 79, 64 (?!?)
:-(
Sunday, January 22, 2006
urgh...
shoulda known when i got up this morning that it would be a seizure day - between 3-8 am i kept waking up approximately every 20-30 minutes. i'd see the clock, roll over, and go back to sleep. took 4 trips to the bathroom in those hours. i finally got outta bed a bit before 10. thought perhaps taking a bath would make me feel better - did that, and sat in front of the tv and watched Fried Green Tomatoes - right around "hog boilin' time" was when i found myself rocking in the recliner and unable to control myself - i can remember my head turning to the right constantly and my eyes rolling. then i dunno what happened - wasn't a very severe seizure since i didn't wet myself (i'm sure joanie appreciates me not pissing on her furniture!) but damn if this headache ain't a bitch.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Kat-Napped
what started as just a little trip up to U of I to pick up a check turned into a full-fledged Kat-Napping today.
'twas good to spend some time with my bestest friend - we went to the cemetery to see Mom (still haven't purchased her headstone, it's been on my "To Do" list for a while now)...the weather was beautiful - near 60 degrees in january?!? i suppose i should be scared - these crazy damned climate changes can't be good - but instead we enjoyed the day.
after the cemetery, it was off to pick jacob up - couldn't find any movies that we all wanted to see, so we headed out to play Putt-Putt - yes, miniature golf in January!! things got a bit tense between jake and kat - makes me realize that sometimes i'm glad i don't have kids, and it's good to be an innocent bystander.
after that, we did some roaming around - borders to look for stuff, then linens-n-things and bed bath and beyond to look for new covers for the new bed she's getting. looking at all the housewares freaks me out a bit, cuz i know i'll be unpacking and/or shopping for that type of stuff in the near future...
danny gave me a list of 90 different condos that i may be interested in looking at - i've whittled it down in half. seems that staying on the south side might be my best bet - stuff downtown is so expensive AND small - why pay 50% more and get something half the size?
no major decisions to be made on that stuff till at least after wednesday, when i meet with a lawyer to discuss my disability case and a few other issues. my aunt joan is in town from ohio to work on momma's estate. the plan is to have everything outta the house by the weekend - crazy, but i think it can be done - i just have to pack stuff up and get it moved and go through it later - for now, sifting through boxes and being flooded with memories is just making the task that much harder and slower.
'twas good to spend some time with my bestest friend - we went to the cemetery to see Mom (still haven't purchased her headstone, it's been on my "To Do" list for a while now)...the weather was beautiful - near 60 degrees in january?!? i suppose i should be scared - these crazy damned climate changes can't be good - but instead we enjoyed the day.
after the cemetery, it was off to pick jacob up - couldn't find any movies that we all wanted to see, so we headed out to play Putt-Putt - yes, miniature golf in January!! things got a bit tense between jake and kat - makes me realize that sometimes i'm glad i don't have kids, and it's good to be an innocent bystander.
after that, we did some roaming around - borders to look for stuff, then linens-n-things and bed bath and beyond to look for new covers for the new bed she's getting. looking at all the housewares freaks me out a bit, cuz i know i'll be unpacking and/or shopping for that type of stuff in the near future...
danny gave me a list of 90 different condos that i may be interested in looking at - i've whittled it down in half. seems that staying on the south side might be my best bet - stuff downtown is so expensive AND small - why pay 50% more and get something half the size?
no major decisions to be made on that stuff till at least after wednesday, when i meet with a lawyer to discuss my disability case and a few other issues. my aunt joan is in town from ohio to work on momma's estate. the plan is to have everything outta the house by the weekend - crazy, but i think it can be done - i just have to pack stuff up and get it moved and go through it later - for now, sifting through boxes and being flooded with memories is just making the task that much harder and slower.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
No Pants!!!
damn, i wish i was in NYC today! Improv Everywhere had their 5th annual No-Pants Subway Ride.
i love not wearing pants, and to share the joy of being pantsless with everyone else in the city would be spiffy!
wonder if indy would be ready for something like this some time in the next millenium....
i love not wearing pants, and to share the joy of being pantsless with everyone else in the city would be spiffy!
wonder if indy would be ready for something like this some time in the next millenium....
informative article on Photographer's Rights
here's a snippet from, "New digital camera? Know how, where you can use it" by Andrew Cantor, USA Today, 12/25/05
If you can see it, you can shoot it
Let's get the easy stuff out of the way. Aside from sensitive government buildings (e.g., military bases), if you're on public property you can photograph anything you like, including private property. There are some limits — using a zoom lens to shoot someone who has a reasonable expectation of privacy isn't covered — but no one can come charging out of a business and tell you not to take photos of the building, period.
Further, they cannot demand your camera or your digital media or film. Well, they can demand it, but you are under no obligation to give it to them. In fact, only an officer of the law or court can take it from you, and then only with a court order. And if they try or threaten you? They can be charged with theft or coercion, and you may even have civil recourse. Cool. (For details, see "The Photographer's Right.")
It gets better.
You can take photos any place that's open to the public, whether or not it's private property. A mall, for example, is open to the public. So are most office buildings (at least the lobbies). You don't need permission; if you have permission to enter, you have permission to shoot.
In fact, there are very few limits to what you're allowed to photograph. Separately, there are few limits to what you're allowed to publish. And the fact that they're separate issues — shooting and publishing — is important. We'll get to that in a moment.
You can take any photo that does not intrude upon or invade the privacy of a person, if that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Someone walking in a mall or on the street? Fair game. Someone standing in a corner, looking at his new Prozac prescription? No. Using a long lens to shoot someone in an apartment? No.
Note that the limits have nothing to do with where you are when you take the shots; it's all about the subject's expectation of privacy. You can be on private property (a mall or office-building lobby), or even be trespassing and still legally take pictures. Whether you can be someplace and whether you can take pictures are two completely separate issues.
If you can see it, you can shoot it
Let's get the easy stuff out of the way. Aside from sensitive government buildings (e.g., military bases), if you're on public property you can photograph anything you like, including private property. There are some limits — using a zoom lens to shoot someone who has a reasonable expectation of privacy isn't covered — but no one can come charging out of a business and tell you not to take photos of the building, period.
Further, they cannot demand your camera or your digital media or film. Well, they can demand it, but you are under no obligation to give it to them. In fact, only an officer of the law or court can take it from you, and then only with a court order. And if they try or threaten you? They can be charged with theft or coercion, and you may even have civil recourse. Cool. (For details, see "The Photographer's Right.")
It gets better.
You can take photos any place that's open to the public, whether or not it's private property. A mall, for example, is open to the public. So are most office buildings (at least the lobbies). You don't need permission; if you have permission to enter, you have permission to shoot.
In fact, there are very few limits to what you're allowed to photograph. Separately, there are few limits to what you're allowed to publish. And the fact that they're separate issues — shooting and publishing — is important. We'll get to that in a moment.
You can take any photo that does not intrude upon or invade the privacy of a person, if that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Someone walking in a mall or on the street? Fair game. Someone standing in a corner, looking at his new Prozac prescription? No. Using a long lens to shoot someone in an apartment? No.
Note that the limits have nothing to do with where you are when you take the shots; it's all about the subject's expectation of privacy. You can be on private property (a mall or office-building lobby), or even be trespassing and still legally take pictures. Whether you can be someplace and whether you can take pictures are two completely separate issues.
*woof woo-hack, cough*
i'd say i'm sicker than a dog, but that underplays how crappy i feel...
i was asking Kat for suggestions yesterday on sharp objects used for decapitation, because the kids in the daycare that joanie runs from her home have been coming in with a variety of ailments (head lice, pinkeye, runny noses and colds) but now instead of decapitating the kids, i think i'll use it on myself - my head feels swelled up to about 290 times its normal size, and i can't friggin breathe. it's not just in my head tho, i can feel the nasties rattling around in my chest.
ugh.
i was asking Kat for suggestions yesterday on sharp objects used for decapitation, because the kids in the daycare that joanie runs from her home have been coming in with a variety of ailments (head lice, pinkeye, runny noses and colds) but now instead of decapitating the kids, i think i'll use it on myself - my head feels swelled up to about 290 times its normal size, and i can't friggin breathe. it's not just in my head tho, i can feel the nasties rattling around in my chest.
ugh.
Monday, January 09, 2006
What does YOUR name mean in Kabbalah?
according to www.kabalarians.com, Lori:
makes you very idealistic and generous, with the strong desire to uplift humanity leading you into situations where you can express your desire to serve others. You want to assume responsibilities and to look after people; however, you can become too involved in other people's problems and tend to worry. Your name gives you a natural desire to express along artistic and musical lines. You desire a settled home and family life, and are expressive and attentive to your loved ones.
Although the name Lori creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes an emotional intensity that is hard to control. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system, worry, and mental tension.
hmmm...
makes you very idealistic and generous, with the strong desire to uplift humanity leading you into situations where you can express your desire to serve others. You want to assume responsibilities and to look after people; however, you can become too involved in other people's problems and tend to worry. Your name gives you a natural desire to express along artistic and musical lines. You desire a settled home and family life, and are expressive and attentive to your loved ones.
Although the name Lori creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes an emotional intensity that is hard to control. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the nervous system, worry, and mental tension.
hmmm...
Saturday, January 07, 2006
WooFarkinHoo!
once again i'm a TotalFarker - Fark's the one website on the net that i pay for. Yeah, just a regular ol' FarkLite Farking isn't so bad, but TotalFark rocks!
Dontcha hate it...
Dontcha hate it when you're chatting with someone about a thing ya recently heard about and your mind goes completely blank about a term that's integral to what you're talking about? i think it was a couple of months ago that this happened with me - i believe it was kat that i was talking with, we were discussing tattoos. i made a comment about those trendy tattoos that the youngsters are getting these days in the area of the small of their backs - told her there was a term for that, but that i couldn't remember what it was, just that it was two words that rhymed together.
and then my mind went blank. doh. and blank it stayed, for a couple of months. 'til i saw the term in a fark discussion - Tramp Stamp - yeah, duh! Tramp stamp!
and then my mind went blank. doh. and blank it stayed, for a couple of months. 'til i saw the term in a fark discussion - Tramp Stamp - yeah, duh! Tramp stamp!
Hello 2006...
first post of the new year - woo hoo!
ringing in '06 was nice, went to a party at angela & diana's - a festive time was had by all.
been keeping busy with a variety of appointments - trips to the doc or therapist, checking out some real estate, blah blah blah...
so i got my half of mom's life insurance policy, which is what is enabling me to look at real estate - big decisions to make in the near future - do i wanna go back downtown, or stay here on the southside? i know that owning a home isn't for me, so do i get an apartment, or go condo? joe everhart's listing some condos in the renaissance tower building - one unit's too small for me, but buying two units and combining them is too expensive for what i want. i have a good vibe about the place though - we'll see what happens.
the check engine and coolant lights are coming on in my car - saturn wants $800 to fix the issue, tho they say it's still safe to drive - is this a sign i need to go car shopping as well and get new wheels? and do i buy or lease? i know suze orman says leasing is stupid, that it's for people that want to drive cars that are more expensive than they can afford - but mom could've easily afforded to buy the saturn she drove and leased it instead - my situation with a car is similar to the real estate issue, i guess...i could now afford it, but do i want to make that sort of commitment?
i guess mom's death has made it clear to me how silly most personal possessions are - in the grand scheme of things, they're so totally unimportant. i don't have any major desire to own a home, and it's not like i'm gonna have any offspring to pass things along to, so why buy? when it comes down to it, we're all mortal and it's all rental while you're on this planet anyhoo...
ringing in '06 was nice, went to a party at angela & diana's - a festive time was had by all.
been keeping busy with a variety of appointments - trips to the doc or therapist, checking out some real estate, blah blah blah...
so i got my half of mom's life insurance policy, which is what is enabling me to look at real estate - big decisions to make in the near future - do i wanna go back downtown, or stay here on the southside? i know that owning a home isn't for me, so do i get an apartment, or go condo? joe everhart's listing some condos in the renaissance tower building - one unit's too small for me, but buying two units and combining them is too expensive for what i want. i have a good vibe about the place though - we'll see what happens.
the check engine and coolant lights are coming on in my car - saturn wants $800 to fix the issue, tho they say it's still safe to drive - is this a sign i need to go car shopping as well and get new wheels? and do i buy or lease? i know suze orman says leasing is stupid, that it's for people that want to drive cars that are more expensive than they can afford - but mom could've easily afforded to buy the saturn she drove and leased it instead - my situation with a car is similar to the real estate issue, i guess...i could now afford it, but do i want to make that sort of commitment?
i guess mom's death has made it clear to me how silly most personal possessions are - in the grand scheme of things, they're so totally unimportant. i don't have any major desire to own a home, and it's not like i'm gonna have any offspring to pass things along to, so why buy? when it comes down to it, we're all mortal and it's all rental while you're on this planet anyhoo...
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Mikhail Saakashvili - wtf?!?
so, this link on fark takes ya to a facial recognition site, where you can see what celebrities you resemble. i plugged in the pic from xmas of my brother and our brother and sister...
results:
i most resemble Mikhail Saakashvili, president of Georgia (apparently, to a lesser extent, i also resemble Albert Einstein, Alec Baldwin, Alanis Morrisette, and Saddam Hussein)
adam most resembles Kimi Raikkonen, race car driver
paige resembles singer Shania Twain
matt resembles musician Charles Aznavour
alrighty then...dunno what i think of those results, but hey, at least i learned about a couple people i didn't know about before i uploaded that pic... *8-)
results:
i most resemble Mikhail Saakashvili, president of Georgia (apparently, to a lesser extent, i also resemble Albert Einstein, Alec Baldwin, Alanis Morrisette, and Saddam Hussein)
adam most resembles Kimi Raikkonen, race car driver
paige resembles singer Shania Twain
matt resembles musician Charles Aznavour
alrighty then...dunno what i think of those results, but hey, at least i learned about a couple people i didn't know about before i uploaded that pic... *8-)
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
learning lessons...
throughout this experience of my mom's illness and subsequent death, i've learned quite a few things - things about myself, things about other people, family & friends, yatta yatta yatta...
i've found that some of the bonds i have with people are stronger than i ever imagined - my cousin joanie's been such a tremendous help to me. not just in putting a roof over my head (yeah, i could stay in momma's house if i wanted, but i don't wanna) but also just being such a tremendous emotional support. i'm damned lucky to have her.
then there are people that i didn't know cared so much about me - friends that showed up at the funeral home or called just to tell me they were thinking about me and offered to do anything i needed. sometimes i get all wrapped up in feeling crappy and feel utterly alone - this experience has proven to me that NO, i am NOT alone.
and there are a few people, people i considered friends, that haven't said a word to me throughout. guess those bonds of friendship weren't what i thought they were. *shrug* regardless, i'm damned lucky to have the friends and family that i do have.
i've found that some of the bonds i have with people are stronger than i ever imagined - my cousin joanie's been such a tremendous help to me. not just in putting a roof over my head (yeah, i could stay in momma's house if i wanted, but i don't wanna) but also just being such a tremendous emotional support. i'm damned lucky to have her.
then there are people that i didn't know cared so much about me - friends that showed up at the funeral home or called just to tell me they were thinking about me and offered to do anything i needed. sometimes i get all wrapped up in feeling crappy and feel utterly alone - this experience has proven to me that NO, i am NOT alone.
and there are a few people, people i considered friends, that haven't said a word to me throughout. guess those bonds of friendship weren't what i thought they were. *shrug* regardless, i'm damned lucky to have the friends and family that i do have.
Monday, December 26, 2005
playin games...
joanie's dad & stepmom got me a spiffy card game for christmas - Tri-Virsity - it's a combo of rummy and scrabble, really, a card game in which you spell words and try to run out of cards before your opponents. definitely gonna play this one again.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas!
i've had as nice a christmas as possible, considering it was without mom. joanie and her family have been soooooo wonderful to me, making sure i'm feeling included in the holiday festivities. yesterday afternoon i went to adam's and met up with him and codi and matt and paige - sheesh, the disconnect adam and i have from matt and paige really sucks. they don't know me too well, and that makes me feel like shit. *sigh* all i can do it work to make it better from this day forward...
after adam's, i came back to joanie's and had festivities with her in-laws - they even had presents for me. we baked cookies, had a nice ham dinner, and then opened presents.
this morning, we all opened more presents - i'd told ashley yesterday that once xmas was over i wanted her to help me get some new shoes at the store she works at, since i'd seen some really spiffy chuck taylors and vans there - well, there's no need now, cuz i got em for christmas!
joanie headed to her dad's while i invited kat and jake over for presents - now i'm just soooo tired i don't think i'll make the trek out to the east side to meet up with joanie's family. i'm wiped out...
this morning's rain and sleet mix has now turned to snow - for a while it wasn't sticking, but now it appears to be doing so...
*yawn* time for a nap...
after adam's, i came back to joanie's and had festivities with her in-laws - they even had presents for me. we baked cookies, had a nice ham dinner, and then opened presents.
this morning, we all opened more presents - i'd told ashley yesterday that once xmas was over i wanted her to help me get some new shoes at the store she works at, since i'd seen some really spiffy chuck taylors and vans there - well, there's no need now, cuz i got em for christmas!
joanie headed to her dad's while i invited kat and jake over for presents - now i'm just soooo tired i don't think i'll make the trek out to the east side to meet up with joanie's family. i'm wiped out...
this morning's rain and sleet mix has now turned to snow - for a while it wasn't sticking, but now it appears to be doing so...
*yawn* time for a nap...
Monday, December 19, 2005
*yawn*
sitting in the dark and writing to the blog, cuz i can't sleep right now, got too many thoughts running through my mind. it's a good thing i've got an appt with the therapist tomorrow (as well as one with the shrink) because i've got a lot of things on my mind and i need to unload...
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