"Welcome to the inner circle of tax data geeks."

Cool Treasury Data on the Revenue Effect of Past Tax Bills

The real purpose of this post was to see who’d click through to an entry titled “cool data…”

Just In Time For Fall

New leaf-peeping foliage app from Yankee magazine

Yankee's new Leaf Peepr app, free and downloadable for iPhones and Droids, lets users check color status by region or zip code, and also offers interactive elements like the ability to upload new reports and photos to YankeeFoliage.com's fall foliage map. Leaf color on the Leaf Peepr app is coded as green, turning, moderate, peak, fading and gone.

Read more.

Caution: Language Not Appropriate For Small Ones

In Case You Were Wondering

Bert and Ernie - not gay

Chicken Little

Paltry Poultry

Play With Your Furniture

With right tune, musical desk reveals its secrets

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/living/article/With-right-tune-musical-desk-reveals-its-secrets-1734531.php#ixzz1UD5f6Ct5

Amazing

The Good Stuff

Bad Hair

Okay, so this pic says so little but this is about fair play.

Love those glasses.

A Thousand Words

This picture says so much. Let's just start which Who is that guy with the goofy grin? This is circa 1970? I imagine the subject may know the answer.

But what else? He's making pizza. A family ritual. Every Saturday night, followed by Sonny and Cher and The Carol Burnett Show. The way I remember it, though, the crust was my job and the camera was his so I have no idea what happened here. Oh, and did you notice? The pizza was rectangular? Made it on a cookie sheet. Continued that tradition with my kids, too.

Also, the counter top is not red. It used to be red. So, this photo must have been after a very expensive kitchen remodel. I also want to point out the radiator but I can't, really. It's hiding behind the ventilation between the counter top and the stove. See it there? Right behind the toaster?

The Toaster?! That's the toaster. I'm telling you. It's a legend.

See, now? You thought this was about about the guy with the goofy grin. (Love that guy.)

Danny Westneat | Report we've had '78 minutes of summer' hit a nerve | Seattle Times Newspaper

Danny Westneat | Report we've had '78 minutes of summer' hit a nerve | Seattle Times Newspaper

Lady Bug

From Drop Box

Don't Worry, It's Natural

From Drop Box

Last week I saw a sign that read, "Pretty Clean," which was the name of a housecleaning service and I thought that was a pretty good name for a pretty good service.

Before that, I saw one that read, "Fish With Confidence." I really like the idea of confident fish.

Summer

Kudos

A friend of mine wrote this, available on Kindle from Amazon on July 15. Laura and I went to high school together. We were in the same graduating class, cheering on the football and basketball teams with our skillful dance moves at halftimes, taking the Pom Pon squad to Number One at State competition.

Okay, I'm exaggerating, but only slightly.

It's been about 25 years since I last saw Laura in her California home, pregnant with her second daughter. After that we pretty much lost touch with one another, until we reconnected roughly two years ago on Facebook. (See? There's a perfect example of how social networking works.)

That's where she posted about NaNoWriMo which gave me the inspiration to write a novel myself. Laura is my muse, my biggest fan, and the one who gave me my first big break as an author. Okay, still exaggerating, but only slightly.

With her encouragement, I wrote 50,000 words in thirty days and I'm almost halfway through a second draft of what came out of it. She also directed me to On Writing by Stephen King which led to many other books on writing and publishing. Enough to encourage me, at the same time overwhelming me to the point of giving up on the possibility of ever being published.

It's nice to know it can be done and it can be done people who love life, love their families, and love to write.

Congratulations to my friend, Laura! Thank you for your inspiration. I can't wait to read it!

Lilies

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Turtle alert! Flights delayed at JFK as terrapins cross runway

One tweet explained why the reptiles avoided airport security: 'We go straight to the runway because it takes 5 hours to get out of our shells for the TSA ...and the shell pat down option is too awkward.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2009791/JFK-Turtles-Flights-delays-New-York-airport-mating-turtles.html#ixzz1QoCMSpst

Politics | Colbert gets conditional OK on campaign finance | Seattle Times Newspaper

Politics Colbert gets conditional OK on campaign finance Seattle Times Newspaper

"I don't accept the status quo," he told the crowd, brandishing a portable credit card processing machine. "I do accept Visa, Mastercard or American Express."

Overlook Glen

That’s the name of a housing development that placed an advertisement on the front page of the Seattle P-I’s website. I’m thinking Overlook anything was a bad idea from a marketing prospective. Why would you want Overlook in the name of something you want people to look at? And while iPad wasn’t a sexy name, it was, nevertheless, enthusiastically adopted by popular culture. By the way, if you want to take a look at Overlook, you can win an iPad.

It’s better than Probe, I guess.

But, never – never - should you overlook Glenn.

Drowning Here

Went to the dentist yesterday where they cleaned my teeth with some super-charged water pick that sprayed highly focused water at my gum line. All I could think was I hope she doesn’t slip with that thing and That air hose is useless, stuck to my lower lip. I’ve usually swallowed whatever detritus they were hoping to suck up before they ever get around to it anyway, so what’s the point?

I Just Went to the Library In My Pajamas

I can now check out digital books online from the King County Library System, straight to my phone. From my living room, while drinking coffee, in my pajamas. Sweet. I downloaded The Confession by John Grisham this morning and the process was surprisingly simple and quick and, besides the property taxes imposed on me for the privilege (which I unhesitatingly voted for), it was free. I'm very excited about reading it.

I just finished In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan which was very interesting. I listened to the audio version which was about 6.5 hours long, the perfect length for a weekend road trip. If you liked Super Size Me or Nickel and Dimed, then you might like In Defense of Food. I guarantee it will change the way you look at food (and food-like substances).

(Michael Pollan also wrote The Omnivore's Dilemma which I haven't listened to but is on my list.)

Very Cheesy. Very Funny.

Major Remodel

How to ride naked

Naked cyclists have to adhere to rules too — some pretty darn good ones.

Story and pics at Seattle's Big Blog

Duck!

What did the parrot say to the rubber duck?

Polly wants a quacker.

Deep

A problem cannot be solved by the mind that created it.

-Albert Eistein

17,782 Ducks get in line at Magnuson Park

Rubber ducks make up world's longest row of rubber ducks in Seattle, WA, Sunday, June 5, 2011. Yellow rubber ducks stretched one mile long at Warren G. Magnuson Park.

(Seattle Times, pics)

Checking In

It's been a while. Thing is, I can't think of anything to say. Or write about.

Right now I'm sipping a latte outside a Nordstrom just as it's opening, purses beckoning for me to browse the half-yearly sale. I've been good today. I had oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and I've done my walk for the day. But the last few days I've been pretty damned lazy. Not walking, eating out, and not writing a single word.

I guess you could call it a vacation and excuse me for my lax behavior. Lazy is what you're supposed to done on vacation, after all. We're in Vancouver (WA) today and should be home tomorrow. Yesterday, we explored Camas (WA) and Cascade Station in Oregon. Last week we explored the Columbia River waterfront on the Washington side, downtown Vancouver, Uptown Village just north of downtown, and the historical Hough District including the Historical Museum in the old Vancouver Library.

Between last week and this, we ventured to the Oregon coast where we walked on the beach, did a little gambling and shopping, more eating, and where I sang Crazy by Patsy Cline in a karaoke bar. I suppose that was interesting.

Did I mention eating? It's hard to eat well on a road trip unless you're lucky enough to bring your kitchen with you. We did find some gems along the way. Something to look forward and plan for next time. That's my favorite part about travel. Finding really good food and the adventure of discovering it.

The stores are open and my cup is empty. Time to walk on.

Star Wars Day

May the 4th be with you.

Morning Toast

I prefer my toast in the morning and I love the way it smells, unique but appetizing. Hubby is on a business trip so I indulged in a little solo toast. I took my time, butter, jam, espresso. Satisfying, but somehow not quite fulfilling.

I made a video. It's raw and amateurish but I know there are voyeurs when it comes to toast. Don't watch if it's not your thing.

It's been my experience, however, that many think it's magic.

The Other Toaster

I feel a little dirty. Like, perhaps, I shouldn't be telling you this. My husband brought home a newer, younger toaster.

He's often talked about bringing a newer model into our home - for years, in fact. I was the one who resisted. I've been faithful to one toaster for so long, the idea of trying something new - especially with the old toaster watching - feels more than awkward. It feels plain wrong.

My toaster and I go back nearly 50 years together. You don't just toss that aside like it didn't matter. Like it wasn't significant. My faithful toaster still resides in its usual space, underneath the counter. I've not displaced it. Meanwhile, the Other Toaster still sits, unopened, untouched in its box on the counter. I can hardly bear to look at it, much less toast with it.

And even though I haven't made a single move towards the new toaster, the old one protests by making toast even less appealing than before. It's never in the mood, it seems, to get hot on both sides of the bread. I have to stop and start and constantly readjust just to get a little toast. Is that too much to ask? I don't ask often. Maybe once a week, if that. But still, it takes coaxing.

My husband has been patient. He's waiting for us to get acquainted before he starts toasting on his own or we start toasting together.

I'm not willing to give up toast. I like toast. I'm even willing to try new things. But a new toaster? I hope my husband knows how much I love him just to even consider it.

Shelter

From Drop Box

Taken with my HTC EVO.

Hang It

The only trouble with getting caught up on laundry is I run out of hangers. Ideally, I would have some laundry in the hamper awaiting the wash cycle or some in the dryer waiting to be folded. Or, both. There's some exact formula which maximizes hanger usage and minimizes actual work to be done. Such as wearing whatever just came out of the dryer rather than putting it away. Or putting the same sheets on the bed (after washing, of course) so you don't have to wrestle folding a fitted sheet.

The dishwasher holds a similar property. The best time to unload one is just before dinner. Set the table from whatever's in the dishwasher and you don't have to put it away (which is the whole argument for having two dishwashers - one for dirty, one for clean).

Here's my cleaning tip for the day: don't. You can't tell how dirty your house is until you start cleaning it. And if you can't tell it's dirty, why start?

So there you go.

Something About Turnips

The blood bank parked their mobile unit in our parking lot today. You could pay your taxes and bleed all at the same time.

I'l have to talk to the marketing team about putting our logo on the bus.

Warning

This office is chronically low on chocolate. Until supplies are restored, you can just forget about getting your tax return prepared.

Declaration

LET IT BE KNOWN that folding fitted sheets is NOT a form of witchcraft.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

The Weather Beat | After more than two weeks: one dry day | Seattle Times Newspaper

Lamentations of the Father

Lists

I make lists so as not to forget things.

I keep forgetting to look at my list.

It's a Book, 29 Words....

Moby-Duck: The True Story of 28,800 Bath Toys Lost at Sea and of the Beachcombers, Oceanographers, Environmentalists, and Fools, Including the Author, Who Went i...

The title is so long it doesn't fit on Amazon's site.

Dude, you're seriously going to want to be on my charades team this year.

Announcing the PlayWrite Gaming Tablet

Aside from being the thinnest, lightest, and most energy efficient tablet device available today, the PlayWrite has the capability to run an unlimited number of games on its revolutionary operating system.

Learn more here.

100

Goals are wonderful things. Or terrible. I guess it depends on where you're at. They can be daunting or trivial. But they're always excusable. It's easier to delay what can be done today until tomorrow. Always.

But the sense of accomplishment when one reaches one's goal is just that. A sense of accomplishment. Something to be proud of. Even better when one reached the same goal yesterday and the day before. The goal morphs and it becomes about the streak, the number of days one can string together more than the goal itself.

There is always adversity. Each and every day. It doesn't matter the goal, there are forces determined to get in the way, temptations to distract. Some distractions are good and worthy things in themselves, but distractions nonetheless.

Congratulations, if you have a goal and have found the fortitude to meet it. Good for you.

(Btw, my goal is to walk every day. Today is day 100. Haven't missed a day yet and it feels good.)

Planning for Future Emergencies

(Note the date sequence.)

http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/

Report: Sex can stop a heart, so have more sex (CBS)

Problem: Sex can literally break your heart.

Solution: More sex.

The Gun lobby's solution to gun violence: Pack more heat

What Where They Thinking?

More here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/5550079867/in/set-72157626326720170/

and

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014564465_boat22m.html

Tooth Decay

Have you ever had a case of gingivitis? Let me tell you, it makes menopause look like a cakewalk. I woke up Friday morning with a swollen gum between two teeth. I thought maybe something was stuck in there. Saturday it was more irritated and my gums were now swollen in front and in back of a tooth. I wasn't too worried about it. It didn't hurt and I figured whatever was irritating my tooth would eventually work itself out.

Sunday morning I woke up in a sweat. If you are female and around my age, this is not an uncommon occurrence. My temp was 99 but the glands in my throat were swollen. I took some Advil, took the day off work (like I have time for this) and spent most of the day in bed. I was feeling better by late afternoon and figured it was better to take care of myself than crank out a couple more tax returns.

Monday, temperature was 102, throat glands very painful. Again, the Advil did a good job of managing everything but I called my dentist. Something was most definitely going on.

Gingivitis? Are you kidding me? I don't know how this happened but I did share a toothbrush with my grandson last week. Probably a mistake in more ways than one. I read online that gingivitis often occurs in puberty during hormonal changes. Damn, this getting older! I'm definitely experiencing hormonal changes.

Because of menopause, I'm thinking, I got something that's worse. Night sweats galore! Temp is 101 this morning. Throat is sore, it's hard to eat anything that isn't soft. Good news, Advil and a stronger-than-Listerine rinse is providing relief. Other than that, I'm trying to let this virus run its course. No need to see my doctor unless the fever doesn't start to abate soon.

Oral hygiene wasn't the problem. I've always gotten glowing reports every six months from my dentist. But it's a problem now. My gums are very sensitive to brushing and flossing is nearly out of the question.

I'll be happy when this goes away, glad to have menopause as my only affliction. This is nonsense.

P.S. To add insult to injury, I also have bad breath. (That's the injury.) The worst of it is I don't know I have bad breath. (That's the insult.) Someone had to tell me. I can't taste it or smell it. I'll try to avoid close contact but if I notice you backing away, don't worry about it. I know.

Just Another Day

It’s tax season here. Well, everywhere I suppose. I live at the office now and eat two-thirds of my meals here. I’m deprived of sleep but have an ample supply of coffee. The only way I can tell that one day has become the next is that my clothes have changed. I'm thinking about hanging a sign in my window that reads HELP! NEED LATTE!

The IRS has ruined another weekend, I might add. It's bad enough that I work weekends as it is, but to tack another one on for good measure is just rude. April 15th is a Friday so what's wrong with just getting it over with? The 15th is a holiday in DC - that's why - so while they get a day off, I'm at work. And the next day, and the next day, and the day after that, ruining yet another weekend.

Here's the catch for the procrastinators who owe. Your taxes are really still due on the 15th. Bet they didn't tell you that, did they? When the 15th falls on a weekend or a holiday (as it does this year), it is considered timely filed on the next business day (this year, the 18th). If your return isn't postmarked by then, penalties and interest go back to the due date of April 15th.

I'm thinking about changing the sign in my window to read HELP! NEED CHOCOLATE!

Since You Asked

Okay, nobody really asked but here it is anyway.



Note my place card. A loyal reader. (Thank you, Sandy!)

Prom Date

We went to the prom last night (the annual Commodore's Ball at Rainier Yacht Club). Got my hair done (which involved exactly thirty-eight bobby pins and industrial grade, anti-gravitational hair spray). Got my makeup done. (My washcloth revealed similar industrial strength products were used.) Bought a new gown. (It was beautiful.) Took two days to get ready. Meanwhile, Handsome put on his tux and was ready in about five minutes.

We had a wonderful time. I only attend one ball per year and it's magical. The commodores of each yacht club attend a total of fourteen each year. I can't imagine it's as magical for them.

In some ways, it's a silly, over-the-top affair. Middle-aged people, all dressed up, dancing the night away to music older than the DJ, music they know the words to, the women dancing with each other on the fast songs, the men joining in on the slow ones. Lights turned low, disco ball shimmering.

It's true, there are more important, more worthy things to worry about and spend time, energy, and money on. But for one night, it's nice to dress up and celebrate. Celebrate with the people you care about, enjoy each other's company, and take a time out from daily woes. Transformation, for just one night. That's what makes it special. And worthy.

And now that Cinderella is home, her face scrubbed, hair combed out, wearing her regular old clothes, it's time to contemplate real life again. Back to work. Laundry, dishes, toilets. Grocery lists and a few hours at the office. But it's worth it, for that one night to dress up as a princess and dance the night away with a prince.

I have some very lovely pictures. From prom, and other adventures, and I know I've been slow to post. I might have some time to get caught up later this week. I'll try to get some prom pictures up this evening. (The roast is already in the crock pot so I might have a little time right after the ironing.)

Cinderella, out.

Leftover Valentine

up to the minute

this is live up to the minute blogging. I am currently on my treadmill dictating this post into my phone while walking at 3 miles per hour. there was a moment of sun today but I missed it. I worked straight through it. when I got home it was dark and it was raining. my only option was the treadmill. or so I thought.

I always thought dancing with good exercise but that seems to the mostly true when you don't intend to do it. at a nightclub for example are party. personally I like to dance wall in cooking. this might explain why some of my recipes turnout and some of them don't. I wonder if that's what happened to my christmas cookies this year. instead of watching the pot to boil I turn my back on in the kneeboogie.

so I tried to dance video on tv instead of my walk today. it's almost as moronic dancing by yourself as it is to be alone in a room on a treadmill dictating 1 blog. it was a dance instructor and his students, mostly female mostly young. macgyver pretty funny to watch but I cheered for the old lady in the back. it wasn't long until the old lady and I were just shuffling side to side trying to keep rhythm with the beat.

and 5678

sorry old lady you're on your own.

I still think dancing is good exercise. but I thought I should a few minutes on the treadmill just to be sure. I know I'm the 1 making the rules here I wanted to make sure today's episode counted.

my next published book - okay my first published book - ruby of photos take endurance 365 days of walking. problem is there's nothing much photojenic about working out on a lid on an elliptical machine in a hotel weight room or walking on a treadmill in indoors. but I've got to say I'm glad no 1 was here take pictures of me dancing in my living room.

lindsay dot out

Finally, Something to Write Home About

As a sometimes visitor to Vancouver (WA), I am surprised at the scarcity of quality eateries here. With Portland so close, I suppose no one thought it was worth it to have a restaurant on this side of the river. During one of my walks, I came across a diner that looked interesting. It had black and white checkered floors, red stools affixed on one side of a counter, the other side promising home made malted shakes and a "Grandma's Lasagna." Even though it was closed, it oozed nostalgia and I wanted to give it a try.

I asked a local shopkeeper if the food was any good and she said it was okay but nothing to write home about. Piqued, I asked her where I would go if I did want to write home about it and she replied Azteca Mexican Restaurant. I concluded, we have different mothers. Also, there are no foodies in Vancouver.

During one very special night out, at Red Lobster which is as good as it gets here, or so I thought, I asked the waitress what I ask almost everyone I meet here: Where are the good restaurants in Vancouver? (No offense intended to Red Lobster, or Azteca, but I'm looking for a restaurant where the best wine offered is not a Chablis, pronounced ShaBLISS.) I had just about given up hope when our server suggested three restaurants: 360 Pizzeria, Lapellah, and Roots Restaurant and Bar. Turns out all three are related to one another, each featuring a farm-to-table, local, sustainable, food philosophy that is not only trendy but tastes good - although I didn't know all that at the time.

Last night , we tried Lapellah which turned out to be a delicious oasis in a Fred Meyer parking lot. It's a stone's throw from the Columbia River, although you can't see it because Highway 14 passes between the restaurant and the view. Portland's airport is just across the river so the view also includes low flying jumbo jets. There's a popular restaurant just on the other side of the highway that has a much more spectacular view, if that's what you're into. But the food isn't nearly as good. Not even close.

Lapellah was worth taking a couple spins around the parking lot to find a place to park. I knew it as soon as I took in the smells from the kitchen just inside the door. The interior has been made to look like salvaged warehouse space with distressed wood floors that appear to have earned the description through actual wear and tear. Chandeliers hang in a room featuring exposed red brick walls and clean, silver, ducting twisting overhead, a glass divider wall made with embedded glass plates of assorted hues and textures, and as soon as I saw the wine rack and the specials written on the mandatory chalkboard (one of which we ordered), I knew I was in for a treat.

We ordered a ridiculous amount of food (for two) although it was difficult to choose because each item on the menu tempted us. We took turns reading the descriptions aloud, our mouths watering. (Kudos to the menu writer.) We had the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Calamari (lightly fried and plated with marinara sauce, black and green olives, and sprinkled with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese), the aforementioned chalkboard promoted appetizer special of the day (roasted asparagus, crispy ham hock, two slices of a baguette, and a poached egg), the Lapellah hamburger, and a piece of banana cream pie that wasn't really a pie. (I can't describe it adequately but it was more like the cream filling served on a sugar cookie but much better than that. I highly recommend it.)

To me, the standout was the burger. I ordered it with cheddar cheese, bacon, and a fried egg. It was stacked as tall as my water glass and I wondered why fresh Bibb lettuce was among the toppings. Was it a nod to (or a spit in the eye of) nutrition? A joke? The answer didn't matter because I ate the whole thing, the flavors blending into a perfect recipe for yum. Absolutely, the best burger I've ever eaten, bar none. And still, right now, I want more.

It was a Monday night and the tables were filled. The aromas were alluring, the food was a combination for the senses, the service was friendly and professional, the interior was interesting and private, and - bottom line - the food was good. Very good.

Definitely worth writing about.

70

I've walked every day for the last seventy days, regardless of weather or what city I'm in. Today, I'm in the Portland area where it's raining. I've brought my rain/cold weather walking clothes, the sum of which is more than the rest of the clothes I packed for a single overnight. It includes spandex pants (to wear under jeans), a light-weight sweat-wicking high-tech undershirt, a ditto (see preceding description) jacket, a hooded rain coat, waterproof pants (for over my jeans), gloves, and my Jack Daniels Field Tester baseball cap. This is serious business.

Alas, however, I forgot my shoes. I did not travel barefoot but wore only my shoes for ordinary walking. I left behind the shoes for purposeful walking, or walking for a purpose. Not on purpose, mind you, I just forgot them.

And so, I did not walk to the local mall in the rain to get my after-walk treat of a scoop of ice cream. Too bad, too, as I had already decided I would have Jamoca, an exotic departure from my usual order. Sigh. Instead, I was forced (for the sake of my suede non-walking shoes and the feet inside them) to use the elliptical trainer in the hotel's workout room. Pedestrian, non-walking.

It was much harder than simple walking. And since it wasn't walking, my non-walking shoes and their occupants fared just fine. And now, back in my room, I'm considering standing out on the balcony in my rain gear just to justify having brought it. Maybe I can order ice cream from room service since, after all, I probably expended more calories not walking than if I had.

Non-walking counts as walking today, since I'm making up the rules, making today Day 71.

Impostor

Watch Me

The best people-watching in the world has to be at any American Mall. Frankly, it reinforces the notion that anyone can find true love. Maybe not at the mall but look around and what do you see? Sometimes, that which is most unattractive about us - overweight, sloppy, and spending money we don't have. And yet, these same people are walking hand in hand with someone. If you felt lonely on Valentines Day, know that you are not alone and take a trip to the mall. There, you will find hope for love although I doubt love, itself.

I walked at the mall this morning to avoid the snow. I'm outside Portland and had packed rain gear but no boots. As I looked outside my hotel window at the giant white flakes, Accuweather was reporting rain. Maybe they should drop the first two syllables from their name as I perceive that as false advertising. I think everyone is already comfortable with the idea that Weather is never more than a guess anyway and it's far more accurate to just look out the window.

The Vancouver Mall has everything. It has the usual anchor stores: Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears, JC Penny. It also has a tattoo parlor, a boxing club, and a place where you can get a contractors license. It has a number of coffee shops (where I am enjoying my post-walk latte) and an ice cream shop (where I had a scoop of chocolate chip mint after yesterday's walk). Here you can find skinny jeans for plus-sized women (I'm not really sure how that would work) and information on an upcoming Ultra Short Film Festival. (Perhaps the festival in its entirety lasts five minutes.) It's interesting to note that a scoop of ice cream is two dollars less than a cup of coffee anymore. I'm thinking my daily cup could be replaced by a daily scoop.

I see mall workers preparing to open their shops. One worker was camped in the doorway of a shop waiting to be let in like a high-end homeless person. Of course, there are people here who appear to be truly homeless, taking aadvantage of a warm, inviting place. There are people here who are physically and mentally handicapped in addition to the economically challenged. One young man, dressed entirely in black, sat alone on a bench holding a single long-stemmed rose, two days after Valentines Day. Maybe he was waiting for his one true love. Here, at an American Mall.

We No Speak Americano

50 Days and Counting

An update is here.

Duck, Duck, Goose

Going and Gone

Good News

Today is National Pie Day (which of course is not to be confused with pi day). Too bad I didn't know that before I baked a pan of brownies. Turns out I have a couple of crusts in the freezer. (I never make it from scratch.) I also have pecans and Karo syrup.

I'm thinking the brownies will freeze well.

Catching Up

It's been a busy week between grandparenting and, you know my real job. Today I'm hanging out at the mall and avoiding the rain. Today also marks the 32nd consecutive day of walking. For the most part I've been able to do my walking outside which is how I prefer to do it even if it is raining. I took advantage of a ride going my way and ended up at the mall with all the senior citizens who walk the circuit before the shops open. I walked forty minutes while listening to most of a podcast regarding tax law changes.

It's not as dull as it sounds. I got a call from my brother who arrived in WA this morning. I am at this moment about an hour and a half from where he is. Cool.

I am taking a post walk coffee and muffin break contemplating when I'll get to see him while posting this entry and managing my various electronics. For power management purposes I listened to the tax podcast and am posting from the iPod rather than the phone since. I dont have access to my charger. The phone is on standby ready to receive texts, email and, of course, phone calls. Very geeky.

I have my rain gear in my backpack so after a quick check at Macy's for any sales that are too good to reasonably ignore, I'll don my gear and head back home on foot.

The only other news to report is that two spaces are not required after a period and that "rule" is, in fact, wrong. This information rocked my world so I checked three reliable sources (including the Chicago Manual of Style) to verify this is true. It is true but I can't help it. This will be a difficult habit to break. And I can starts sentences with "and" and end them with "with." To what is this world coming?

Librarian of the Year

Entertainment | Seattle's Nancy Pearl named 'Librarian of the Year' | Seattle Times Newspaper

Her blog is here.

Her action figure doll is here. Really.

Crushed

Taken with my phone, edited with picnik in Picasa.

Electronic Nightmare

It's not like when I was a kid: Rip open the package, start playing. Now my toys come with manuals and online user guides. For crying out loud, my freakin' shoes came with a DVD. wuwt?

Good news: I've upgraded my camera. Twice. I got a new phone and a new camera. The phone is an HTC EVO that has, among other things, an 8mp camera. For those of you who have been viewing my photos, I want to point out that's 2.5 times more than my old camera. On my phone. I think this bears repeating because it blows my mind. My phone takes better pictures than my camera. (Okay, maybe not literally but you get the idea. Get this, information for my old camera can be found on the Olympus website under archived products.)

The new camera is a Nikon Coolpix S8100 (in red, to boot). This camera captures images at a whopping 12.1 mp. That's almost four times as many megapixels as what I've been getting. I know, I know. It's not all about the megapixels. But it's a ginormous step in the right direction.

I've already posted a couple of photos from the phone and I had intended to post some from the new camera from my walk this morning but I was forced into formatting the memory card after I had taken a few photos so they got wiped out. Too bad because it was such a beautiful day today and I got some nice shots.

Bad news: I spent half the day fiddling with all these gadgets. Syncing, downloading, uploading, ripping, charging, troubleshooting, and a reboot in a pear tree. There are wires everywhere as each devise claims an outlet or a USB port. To make matters worse, my Olympus and my iPod Touch are throwing such tizzy fits that I don't know if I should give them more attention or a Time Out.

Meanwhile, there's still laundry and whatnot, and I have to go back to work after two long holiday weekends. And if that wasn't enough, I think I'm out of cookies.

Mrs. Stroller?

My last name gets misspelled and mispronounced all the time but this is the first time I've seen this.

Frozen Ice Drops On Boat Cover*

Went to the marina today to check on the boat. Although temperatures are below freezing, there is no wind and plenty of sunshine. I contemplated taking the boat out for a New Year's Eve cruise and wanted to make sure she was ready. However, when I advised the Captain of the Double Jack, he said Are you crazy?

I made sure the electricity was on and the lines were okay. (The level of the lake changes. It's two feet lower in the Winter and ours is not a floating dock.)

While I was verifying the information on the change in water level, I came across this site about submerged wreckage in Lake Washington. Pretty cool stuff and some interesting pictures, mostly of submerged aircraft.

*Not our boat cover, btw.

Seattle's zoo loses a sloth bear to liver cancer

Local News | Seattle's zoo loses a sloth bear to liver cancer | Seattle Times Newspaper

The bear died during a health examination to evaluate symptoms of lethargy... . "When keepers noticed a sudden, drastic decrease in the bear's activity, we immediately scheduled a health examination... ."

What constitutes a drastic decrease in activity in a sloth?

Coulda been the booze.

NYE

I went for the most beautiful walk this morning (and washed it down with two leftover cookies afterward, the last of which shall not remain uneaten if I have anything to say about it). My weather widget advised it was an atypical 21 degrees but with the proper clothing and a mindset that oxygen isn't strictly necessary, I ventured out.

Absolutely worth it.

Brrr

From Drop Box

A little chilly on my walk this morning. Taken with my phone's camera (HTC EVO).

Notice

Due to technical difficulties I will not be working today. I've tried signing in. Really, I have. But I keep getting kicked out or blocked from signing in and so now I'm giving up.

Blogger and Facebook are working fine.

Clairvoyant Dream

The other night I had a dream that my stepson showed up at my house at 7:49 am - 41 minutes before I was expecting him.

The next morning, he showed up at 7:48 am. That really happened.

Next, I'll try dreaming about winning the lottery.

Important Distinctions

From Ron's Log in Desert Hot Springs.

Nice Story

Fairies

are good. As are cookies. If one is visited by a Cookie Fairy, well, there's nothing better.


I didn't make any cookies this year. (The truth is, I made five dozen inedible cookies, so that doesn't count. I didn't eat them.) But right now on my kitchen counter I have red and green sugar-coated butter cookies, brittle, peppermint brittle, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter kisses, oatmeal, sugar cookies, and cookies for which I know not the names.


What to do now but eat them? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between.


Good thing I got those walking shoes because I'm going to need them.

Cleaned Up

Before and After

What Is Meatless Chicken Anyway?

Kung Pao Chicken is on the left under Poultry and on the right under Meatless Chicken Dinners. This confuses me. Get this - the meatless chicken Kung Pao Chicken is MORE than the meatful Kung Pao Chicken.

Better get pizza.

Bummer

Another Way To Look At It

Winter Solstice is just another name for Beginning of Summer. Here, where I've now lived more than half my life, Summer takes a while to ramp up. Might as well start now.

Re Do

I put my underwear on inside out this morning. Not on purpose, mind you. And not backward, either, which would have presented a whole different set of uncomfortable issues. I was nearly dressed when I discovered the error and the question at that point was, Who cares? And, Should I leave them that way or fix them? Or, Should I wear them again tomorrow?

No one.

Fix them.

No.

I'm glad there will be more daylight in the coming days.

The Light

What if the Light you see at the End Of The Tunnel is just the bedside lamp? Or the one in the ceiling over your hospital bed? It makes sense that would be the last thing you see before it's "lights out, " as they say.

I imagine it could be disappointing to think of The End this way, that The Light is nothing more than an ordinary light bulb. Worse yet, that we are simply moths.

Solstice

I don't like to look at it as the First Day of Winter. Too depressing. Makes me want to hibernate. No, I like to think of it as The Last Day that Days Get Shorter. More hopeful than Three More Months of Shitty Weather.

Yum

(Image from here.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: This is the best pie ever (if you're not averse to alcohol).

Vaginal steam bath finds a place among Southern California spa options - latimes.com

Vaginal steam bath finds a place among Southern California spa options - latimes.com

"...There's a bigger picture that we're really missing."

Well, we are talking about Southern California here.

Dresses And Asses

Laurasmagicday writes:

It's been forever since I bought a new holiday dress. The invitation says "semi-formal." So I walk up to my closet and check out what made it up north and isn't in storage in LA. Hmmm. I stick my arm into the wall of hanging clothes and practically pull a muscle to give them room to breathe. Slide. Slide. Slide go the hangers as I asses in seconds whether the dress in my paw will work, or not.

I really want a new dress too. I found it about five minutes before I was supposed to be dressed and ready for the office holiday party, having lost all track of time. My husband called wondering where I was. I dropped the dress and ran out of the store, went home to don what-I-always-wear, and made it to the party a half hour late.

Did I mention I was hosting?

I've since been back to the store, but "my" dress was gone. Maybe next year.

"...I asses in seconds..." Me, too. I often feel like I have more than one ass so my New Year's Resolution is to narrow it down to just one ass. I bought those goofy walking shoes - the kind that have soles shaped like boat hulls - and will try to get out to walk every day.

This may not seem like such an accomplishment where you are but it's dark and wet here so I'm giving myself points for adding the requirement that my walking must be done outside. There's really no need for this requirement as I own a very expensive and equally dusty treadmill. Even in the rain I'd rather be outside so that's the plan.

To my friend, Laura, congrats on the new dress. Sorry about the asses.

Windy

That's not shrubbery. That's the top of the neighbor's tree in our yard. Missed the house by about a foot.

Gold To Go

http://www.gold-to-go.com/en/

In case you haven't finished your shopping.

Dancing

Contributed by Phil (messing around with the fire pics)

The Institution

Found this on Facebook. I don't know if my friend Teja wrote it or if she got it from somewhere else....

So let me get this straight... Larry King is on his 8th divorce, Elizabeth Taylor is possibly getting married for a 9th time, Britney Spears had a 55-hour marriage, Jesse James and Tiger Woods, while married, were having sex with everyone; and yet the idea of same-sex marriage is still going to destroy the institution of marriage? Really?

Let It Rain

We've had 5.68 inches of rain so far in December. At least it's not snow.

Humbug

One of the problems of goofing off all week is having to make up for it on the weekend and you can see how well that's going so far. Further, a downside of belonging to social clubs is the expectation that you will be social. It's been an exhausting week of holiday parties and holiday bazaars and now I'm paying the price.

To be truthful, I was only involved in one holiday bazaar but it seemed like several and it was a partial disaster. I agreed to bring red and green sugar-coated butter cookies made from a recipe that has been in the family since forever. I decided that for the freshest cookies, I should wait until the day before the bazaar to make the cookies which is exactly when I realized I couldn't find the recipe. It was there the day before, I promise. I obtained another copy of the recipe just in time to discover the sugar in my pantry was really flour. This necessitated a late night trip to the grocery store and frantic mixing of dough the following morning. I found that red and green sugar crystals were hard to come by but, fortunately, I only had to go to two stores to complete the shopping list.

I made five dozen cookies before I tried even one and when I finally tested for quality I found them wholly unacceptable. The only way I would sell these cookies would be anonymously. Still, I couldn't bring myself to share them. My stepson pronounced them fit for human consumption and so he got them all. Sucking up to the cook never hurts.

The other project for the bazaar was to produce cards (of the greeting variety) from some of my photos. I printed a total of sixty on card stock and sold some as a collection of six for five dollars, with smaller cards sold individually for one dollar. I sold twenty-one (with envelopes).

When printing the cards, I had some expectations of what would sell and selected my images accordingly. I favored winter themed photos and boating related photos and was completely surprised when I sold none in those categories. The images above were selected for the winter cards. There were fifteen of the first image, and five of the second, all of which came home with me (which is to say if you receive one of these from me in the mail, you are receiving a reject).

All of the boating-related cards had captions on the reverse side indicating where the photo was taken and I thought that would interest the boating-related audience that made up the shoppers at the bazaar. They were smaller cards, sold individually for one-dollar. I only sold one of these but I didn't keep track of how many copies of each image I printed so I'm not entirely sure which image sold. I thought these would have sold better considering the bazaar was at the yacht club.

I thought wrong. The images that sold best were from my Fallen collection (on the Photos page). I selected five images, printed four of each, and sold them all. These were, in fact, some of my favorite images but ones that I thought wouldn't sell because we are beyond Fall and I printed them on a darker card stock which (I thought) did not enhance the image. Who knew?

Live and learn and better luck next time. It was a fun experiment and I look forward to trying it again. In the meantime, I should probably get to work.

(I've published the rejected photos are on the Photos page.)

Mmmm

Need I say more?

Introducing the Hot New Social Network, PhoneBook « Borowitz Report

Introducing the Hot New Social Network, PhoneBook « Borowitz Report

We No Speak Americano ft. Cleary & Harding

We No Speak Americano ft. Cleary & Harding from vepaks on Vimeo.

The Wackness

See this movie.

My Favorite Things

I lost a favorite mug nearly eleven months ago but have managed to replace it with two others that will never replace its memory but will comfort me in my quest for not only a good cup of coffee but one that delivers. What, you ask? Satisfaction, my friend. Java should never be taken lightly - neither in its composition nor in it's delivery.

The new cups are:

1. A plain white one that features Snoopy on one side, lying on the red roof of his doghouse, which satisfies my need for whimsy at any hour, and
2. A tiny cup and saucer that I purchased from an antique shop in Poulsbo, which replaces the Starbucks shot glass I broke and satisfies my need to draw a shot of espresso in something that isn't labeled with a logo.

I'm behind on posting photos but I have several that I would like to get organized and posted.

Stay tuned.

Home Again

Travel day today. Goodbye, sunshine. Hello, rain.

(Wish our extra hour was in Southern California.)

No Pot For You

No more psychics or bail bonds paid for by the California welfare system. No more bingo halls, gun shops, bars, race tracks, smoking shops, tattoo parlors or cruise ships either. Where's the fun in that?

Pumpkin

Just finishing my first cup of coffee, lounging around in bed, wearing a yam and pumpkin enzyme peel on my face. Great way to start the day.

Yesterday's headlines in The Desert Sun included:

Suit Filed By Man Accused in Priest Attack

Police Search Plaza After Copper Theft Attempt

Was the white collared man violent? Did he hurl insults? It's dangerous to be Catholic anymore.... (You can find this article in several papers but I couldn't find the one linked to The Desert Sun.)

I actually had to read the second one to realize a police officer wasn't either the perpetrator or the victim.

The coffee fairy just showed up to refill my cup and I've moved on to a tomato lycopene masque. Feeling lazy, are we? I usually have several hundred words written by this time but I haven't even started yet. But my skin will radiate so that's something, right?

Nothing planned for the day. I'm thinking about hopping a local bus just to see where it takes me. Cheap entertainment, and the buses are air conditioned. Yesterday was The Living Desert which was fabulous and the day before was putt-putt golf. Meanwhile, we've been eating and drinking ourselves across all of the Palm Springs/Palm Desert area and counting ping pong as our exercise.