Archive for July, 2005
Even though we’re merely heading into August, the summer is nearly over for this family. One week from today my three stepdaughters will return home to New Mexico with their mother. For a few weeks after that, my husband and I don’t seem to notice the warm sun, and then before we know it, it’s autumn.
The last week is always strange. We know the end of our visit is close at hand, emotions are on overload, and that leads to squabbles here and there. Meanwhile, we try to pack every last bit of fun we can into the time we have left. So if I’ve been scarce lately… That’s why.
July 31st, 2005
I’m going to pretend that I didn’t read the reviews. I’ll convince myself that the official website didn’t completely suck. I will even try to forget that I’ve heard it’s nothing more than the deformed bastard offspring of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Top Gun. All for one simple reason…
I like jets – a lot!
Therefore, I’ll be seeing this movie tonight. If we’re lucky, there will be a few other geeks there. Maybe some locals from CalTech and JPL, who will also look beyond the bad press in hopes of seeing some nifty air combat scenes… Fingers crossed!
July 29th, 2005
Took the day off work to make our annual pilgrimage to Raging Waters. Now that’s the right way to spend a Wednesday. What a blast! The only bad part will be returning to the office drudgery for two more days before the weekend arrives.
For the Mr. and I, the highlight of the day was freefalling down the four story vertical ramp of Dropout. You literally catch air for a second, it’s freaky. It seems that no matter how many times I go down that slide, every time I hit the top of the stairs I get nervous.
When I think about it, I don’t take physical risks very often. It’s never been my style. When your childhood was filled with physical danger, you naturally avoid it as an adult. But I must say, it’s good to break out of the mold and prove something to yourself now and then.
July 27th, 2005
THIS WEEK: TEN FAVORITE TV COMMERCIALS
1. Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids.
2. I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!
3. My bologna has a first name…
4. Don’t ya wanna be a Pepper too?
5. Bonkers, they’ll bonk you out.
6. Do you have any Grey Poupon?
7. Rrrrruffles have rrrridges.
8. This is a job for Kool-Aid!
9. Are those Bugle Boy jeans?
10. Calgon, take me away.
July 26th, 2005
Happy Monday! Aren’t you excited about the week ahead and all the wonderful things you’re going to accomplish? Yeah, me either… So please allow me to divert your attention with an interactive joke.
As a kid, I had this friend named Tony. He tried to convince me that his parents named him after his toe and knee. At first I didn’t believe him, but then later on I met his sister, who was aptly named…
Okay, now that you’re dying to know the punchline, let me show you how to obtain the answer. First, head to your Windows Start menu and open the Calculator, which should be in the Accessories folder.
Next, if your calculator isn’t already set to Scientific mode (and why wouldn’t it be?) make the switch by clicking View on the menu bar, and then selecting “Scientific” from the drop-down options.
Make sure that your input selection is for Binary, as pictured above. Just mark the radio button next to the words “Bin” and you’ll be ready to input this string of numbers. Simply copy and paste the following:
1010010101011111101011001110
You should have something that looks like the above. Okay, now you’re ready to make the magical transformation from Binary to Hexadecimal by clicking the radio button next to the word “Hex” like this…
Hope you enjoyed this little diversion!
July 25th, 2005
I declare jihad on the hairstyle known as the “Fauxhawk” – Not to be confused with its badass cousin, the Mohawk… The faux is a pathetic attempt to be edgy while still holding down an office job.
The first time I saw one I thought it was interesting… For five minutes. But now I’m seeing them everywhere, on a wide range of men from age 15 to 50 – The fauxhawk has become the 21st century mullet!
Death to the fauxhawk. Either go all the way by shaving the sides and dying the remainder blue, or just accept the fact that your life doesn’t have room for interesting hair and move on. Thanks for listening.
July 23rd, 2005
Ever have one of those low self-esteem days when you’re feeling ugly or fat or just… boring? Today I uncovered a secret way to pull you out of the doldrums: Analogia – Their “Star Estimator” will analyze your features and pinpoint three celebrities you most resemble.
I was flattered to find out that my features somehow make me a likely match for famous supermodel Heidi Klum, ass-whooping hottie Uma Thurman, and former Punky Brewster child star Soleil Moon Frye. Now I’m no dog meat, but that was a bit of an ego boost.
Before you think it’s all fun and no science, you should know that the brains behind the process is Optical Recognition Objectives – Software used by government agencies and casinos to find criminals.
Now go on and upload your picture and be flattered… But remember to come back afterward and tell me which three celebrities might secretly be your distant cousins. Enjoy!
July 21st, 2005
It was too hot to sleep last night, and when I’m deprived of my full eight hours I turn a little grim. Today I found myself imagining how the lives of the people around me would be different if I were dead… And no, I’m not depressed, just way tired.
Naturally, I began to wonder what might be missed the most about me. From my experience, what really endears people to us are little quirks. Yet these are the very same things that grate on our nerves in everyday life, aren’t they?
While I remember wiping my grandpa’s sweaty kisses from my cheek as a kid, today I’d give anything for just one more. So what will my family be likely to miss about me? I tried to think of my quirks and I came up with nothing… Impossible!
July 20th, 2005
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