It is the little things that make me happy. I have now lived in Finland for almost 2 years. It was somewhat of a culture shock when I first moved, but nothing that sent me running for the next plane back to Beantown. Life is a journey and I have a philosophy that every day I should learn something. It doesn't matter if it is something small or big or about me or the world. Learning should never stop.
I learned something today. It is the little things at work that can make you feel good about your job and your ability to do it. In the States it is common to commend someone for a job well done. If they have performed well in a difficult or stressful situation, a simple "Good Job!", or "Thanks so much for your hard work, I appreciate it." From my experiences in Finland, not so much of that here. It is sort of expected that it is your job and you do it. Period. At the end of a successful project the team will most likely go out for beer or have a launch celebration, but individual compliments are hard to come by.
So ..my project from hell is proceeding and I had to give a 2 hour presentation today (complete with a snazzy powerpoint slide presentation, pivot tables, charts etc) - at the end of it, the Project Manager said "I had a feeling you knew what you were doing. Now I KNOW you do. I am very happy." - That is HUGE for me!
Suddenly I am not as stressed as I was before, even though I still have 346356 meetings a day and 3636456 things to get done. That simple little "I am happy." from my PM made a TON of my stress go away...
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....now time for a hot cocoa to celebrate...then back to the grind....
...did I mention it has snowed already here?...brrr....slippery ice covered sidewalks are scary at o'dark thirty in the morning...
Friday, October 28, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
..finding my "happy place"...
...okay. It is really hard to find my "happy place" right now. Work is absolute madness. I have 346356 meetings a day and 3636456 things to get done from said meetings, but no time to do it. Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE to be rushed?... holy mother of god this is frustrating... I feel like I have to hand hold everyone through the tasks which they are supposed to get done and if I don't do it the tasks WON'T get done....
I think some 80's music is in order on my headphones today and a big sign on the back of my chair that says "Cranky Pants. If you value living don't bother me."......
I think some 80's music is in order on my headphones today and a big sign on the back of my chair that says "Cranky Pants. If you value living don't bother me."......
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Mmm..Pasta
Ouch! My Liver! MIDNIGHT!! (long post folks)
So, I am back from a week in southern Italy. Sun, pasta, wine, scooters…did I mention past and wine..oh and more wine..and more wine..and more wine..and pasta..and a bit of wine. It was a week of laughter and fun. 8 Americans, 1 Canadian and a Finn all converged on the unsuspecting Hotel Residencia Le Terazze for a week of what turned out to be tons of fun.
Day 1
Mira and I arrived on Saturday afternoon and caught up with Brian and Pepe his disturbing South American accented alter ego. Poor Brian lost his camera, hadn’t slept for almost 2 days and had to endure ME all the way from the airport in Napoli to Sorrento. It was the full Planes, Trains and Automobiles experience. Let’s face it, I can’t be quiet. It is physically impossible for me. I have a mouth that just doesn’t shut up. Ever. After getting totally robbed by the Taxi driver – 42 freakin euro for a normally 23 euro taxi ride - (can you say little button next to the gear shift which adds 8 euros every time the little old bastid hit it surreptitiously while changing gears?) we arrived at the hotel. What do I find 2 terraces over from us? An energetic group of geriatrics from, of all places, New Frickin Hampshire! They heard my loud voice on the phone with my stepmom, who has the uncanny ability to bring out my latent Boston accent that I worked very hard to lose, and one little old lady decided to come over and say “Excuse me, but I heard an American accent.” They were very nice and were surprised to find that 6 out of the 8 Americans were all from New England at some point in their life. – spooky-
K, D, Mel, Laura, John, Patricia, and Sarah were all up the hill at the little village (Sant’ Agata) getting munchie stuff so we could all nosh and get reacquainted. Fast forward to dinner at the restaurant in the hotel next door (our’s didn’t really have one) and K has a brilliant plan..again. She buys 4 bottles of Cianti from the restaurant and we treck them back the 60 feet to our terrace. We proceed to crack em open and fun and hilarity ensued. It had been so long since we were all in one place (for those of us who knew each other previously) that we couldn’t stop cracking up. We had a blast. Opening our arms and hearts to the new ones (shout out to Sarah, Patricia and Brian) and it turns out they are as nuts, or even MORE nuts than we are in some cases! Happy happy joy joy it was great…up until… MIDNIGHT!!!! There is nothing that can prepare you for having an old man in his old-man jammies come storming out of his door and without preamble or any kind of nicety yell: “MIDNIGHT!! MIDNIGHT!!! “ at you. Okay..I can understand someone requesting that you keep it down cause they are trying to sleep, but JESUS..it was a SATURDAY night and the carriage had JUST turned back into the pumpkin fer chrissake. Needless to say we all mumbled “..um..sorry” like chastised children and decided to call it a night. Of course the giggling just got worse everytime one of us cranked out “MIDNIGHT!!!” in a stage whisper!... Good times…
Sorrento is a beautiful place. Really. One thing though. The drivers of the cars are nuts, but the scooter drivers are worse. Seriously. I knew that Italy had some scooter action going on, but WOW. Freaky. Dad’s with their little 5 year olds in front of them zooming through traffic missing car bumpers by mere inches… I think they teach them early. Mira and I had contemplated renting a scooter while there before we arrived…after arriving and SEEING how they drove..NO FRICKIN WAY!!!
Days 2-6
Because I am horrible at remembering exactly which day we did what…here goes:
Ristorante Museo Caruso
- This restaurant was so yummie that we went there twice despite the cost. The entire restaurant is dedicated to the famous opera singer from Naples, Enrico Caruso. It is (as the name says) a beautiful museum dedicated to the memory of the opera singer and his love for good food. The atmosphere is decidedly upscale and the service is wonderful. Gotta give MAD props to Reno! Reno was the waiter from heaven. What a guy! Funny and incredibly accommodating. He recommended a local wine that was fabulous on our first visit! The second visit was decided to be our “dress up” event – which Mira said for her meant shoes and socks. John recommended we book a chef’s table and let the chef have at it. What a great decision. DUDE..it was AWESOME. D and K were incredibly generous and wouldn’t let any of us pay. Duane said it is a tradition in the UK that when someone invites you out for a birthday dinner that THEY pay. I am very grateful for their generosity…although it probably means they won’t be able to eat for a month in the UK!...
…Back to the Hotel and more booze…and a drunken call to Sug (you knew it was coming)
Capri
- … the island of Capri is lovely. We took the ferry over and decided to take a boat tour around the island so we could see La Grotta Azzurra (The Blue Grotto). HOLY HELL was there some CHOP on the Med THAT day. I thought I was gonna toss! There was some serious nausea all around from the trip out to the Grotto. Anywho..the Grotto: It was “discovered” in 1826 by a German writer (August Kopisch). It is a natural cave and the magic of it is that sunglight, passing through an underwater cavity and shining through the water creates a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern. Breathtaking. To get into it, the big boat we took to the cave moors outside and these men in little row boats row up and help you down to their boat and you sit on the bottom of it. There are usually a max of 4 people in the boat with the “driver”. When he gets to the opening he tells you to duck – trust me he means it – and then pulls the boat via a chain anchored to the wall through the opening. The rock of the opening passes within about 6 inches of your head..creepy! Once inside, they row you around and when the boat turns you see the reflection. It is gorgeous. The whole time the drivers are sining opera. Lemme tell ya, there is nothing like it… Of course the drivers foot that ended up in Sarah’s“area” was an unexpected feature of the trip for her…
…The Gardens of Augustus – Mira’s work mate mentioned that we MUST go to the gardens if we want to see an absolutely beautiful view. She was right. Gorgeous. We have some amazing photos. The flowers were just beautiful and everything was so peaceful. The group ended up having a foto taken of us by a very nice lady (American) who was so patient. And funny. She made sure at least most of us had a photo of the group. Gotta hand it to that lady – she was able to figure out multiple digital cameras AND Sarah’s actual film camera (seriously.this camera is so old I expected an archeologist explination to accompany it).
…back upup (aka hotel) more booze
“Girls Day” – aka lazy day
K, Sarah, Mra and I decided to laze about one day while everyone else went downdowndown (aka Sorrento). We lounged by the pool and tried to recover from our hangovers…We read a bit and at about 3 decided to head upupup (aka Sant’Agata) for some lunch. Can you say 2 hours to get food? We were some seriously cranky women by the time our food arrived. The temperature also dropped at the village and being in shorts, sandals and various very light clothing (not gonna give you the low down on all our outfits..that would be way too girly for me) we hopped in a taxi back down.
…later dinner..and …um..more booze…
Shopping and the Marina
- we ambled through the shopping area and looked at the goods for sale…some interesting stuff there… like a WINE shop! Mmmm…wine…
…later…dinner and um…more booze…
Pompei
- The one thing that the Hotel manager guy actually got right..was his private guide for us for Pompei. Raefaelle (totally butchering the spelling). He was GREAT. He took all 10 of us on a 2 ½ hour tour of the ruins of Pompei and gave us a great history lesson. Very nice man! He was so worth the 100 euros for the 2 ½ hours…really..rockin. Pompei is a really great archeological site and if you ever have a chance to see it..GO! Some of the group wanted to see Vesuvius, but unfortunately the weather was way too cloudy for it. – sad. I have seen a volcano (an actual active one) and I was hoping that they could see it.
….right…more booze…
Summary
It was a great trip and we met some new people who are now counted as friends. I know I left a TON out of this ..but hey..my fingers are tried from typing…. Interesting note: the 49 Things may officially be 50. Sug has the final say, but it is nice to know that “IT” is an actual mute button… :)
So, I am back from a week in southern Italy. Sun, pasta, wine, scooters…did I mention past and wine..oh and more wine..and more wine..and more wine..and pasta..and a bit of wine. It was a week of laughter and fun. 8 Americans, 1 Canadian and a Finn all converged on the unsuspecting Hotel Residencia Le Terazze for a week of what turned out to be tons of fun.
Day 1
Mira and I arrived on Saturday afternoon and caught up with Brian and Pepe his disturbing South American accented alter ego. Poor Brian lost his camera, hadn’t slept for almost 2 days and had to endure ME all the way from the airport in Napoli to Sorrento. It was the full Planes, Trains and Automobiles experience. Let’s face it, I can’t be quiet. It is physically impossible for me. I have a mouth that just doesn’t shut up. Ever. After getting totally robbed by the Taxi driver – 42 freakin euro for a normally 23 euro taxi ride - (can you say little button next to the gear shift which adds 8 euros every time the little old bastid hit it surreptitiously while changing gears?) we arrived at the hotel. What do I find 2 terraces over from us? An energetic group of geriatrics from, of all places, New Frickin Hampshire! They heard my loud voice on the phone with my stepmom, who has the uncanny ability to bring out my latent Boston accent that I worked very hard to lose, and one little old lady decided to come over and say “Excuse me, but I heard an American accent.” They were very nice and were surprised to find that 6 out of the 8 Americans were all from New England at some point in their life. – spooky-
K, D, Mel, Laura, John, Patricia, and Sarah were all up the hill at the little village (Sant’ Agata) getting munchie stuff so we could all nosh and get reacquainted. Fast forward to dinner at the restaurant in the hotel next door (our’s didn’t really have one) and K has a brilliant plan..again. She buys 4 bottles of Cianti from the restaurant and we treck them back the 60 feet to our terrace. We proceed to crack em open and fun and hilarity ensued. It had been so long since we were all in one place (for those of us who knew each other previously) that we couldn’t stop cracking up. We had a blast. Opening our arms and hearts to the new ones (shout out to Sarah, Patricia and Brian) and it turns out they are as nuts, or even MORE nuts than we are in some cases! Happy happy joy joy it was great…up until… MIDNIGHT!!!! There is nothing that can prepare you for having an old man in his old-man jammies come storming out of his door and without preamble or any kind of nicety yell: “MIDNIGHT!! MIDNIGHT!!! “ at you. Okay..I can understand someone requesting that you keep it down cause they are trying to sleep, but JESUS..it was a SATURDAY night and the carriage had JUST turned back into the pumpkin fer chrissake. Needless to say we all mumbled “..um..sorry” like chastised children and decided to call it a night. Of course the giggling just got worse everytime one of us cranked out “MIDNIGHT!!!” in a stage whisper!... Good times…
Sorrento is a beautiful place. Really. One thing though. The drivers of the cars are nuts, but the scooter drivers are worse. Seriously. I knew that Italy had some scooter action going on, but WOW. Freaky. Dad’s with their little 5 year olds in front of them zooming through traffic missing car bumpers by mere inches… I think they teach them early. Mira and I had contemplated renting a scooter while there before we arrived…after arriving and SEEING how they drove..NO FRICKIN WAY!!!
Days 2-6
Because I am horrible at remembering exactly which day we did what…here goes:
Ristorante Museo Caruso
- This restaurant was so yummie that we went there twice despite the cost. The entire restaurant is dedicated to the famous opera singer from Naples, Enrico Caruso. It is (as the name says) a beautiful museum dedicated to the memory of the opera singer and his love for good food. The atmosphere is decidedly upscale and the service is wonderful. Gotta give MAD props to Reno! Reno was the waiter from heaven. What a guy! Funny and incredibly accommodating. He recommended a local wine that was fabulous on our first visit! The second visit was decided to be our “dress up” event – which Mira said for her meant shoes and socks. John recommended we book a chef’s table and let the chef have at it. What a great decision. DUDE..it was AWESOME. D and K were incredibly generous and wouldn’t let any of us pay. Duane said it is a tradition in the UK that when someone invites you out for a birthday dinner that THEY pay. I am very grateful for their generosity…although it probably means they won’t be able to eat for a month in the UK!...
…Back to the Hotel and more booze…and a drunken call to Sug (you knew it was coming)
Capri
- … the island of Capri is lovely. We took the ferry over and decided to take a boat tour around the island so we could see La Grotta Azzurra (The Blue Grotto). HOLY HELL was there some CHOP on the Med THAT day. I thought I was gonna toss! There was some serious nausea all around from the trip out to the Grotto. Anywho..the Grotto: It was “discovered” in 1826 by a German writer (August Kopisch). It is a natural cave and the magic of it is that sunglight, passing through an underwater cavity and shining through the water creates a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern. Breathtaking. To get into it, the big boat we took to the cave moors outside and these men in little row boats row up and help you down to their boat and you sit on the bottom of it. There are usually a max of 4 people in the boat with the “driver”. When he gets to the opening he tells you to duck – trust me he means it – and then pulls the boat via a chain anchored to the wall through the opening. The rock of the opening passes within about 6 inches of your head..creepy! Once inside, they row you around and when the boat turns you see the reflection. It is gorgeous. The whole time the drivers are sining opera. Lemme tell ya, there is nothing like it… Of course the drivers foot that ended up in Sarah’s
…The Gardens of Augustus – Mira’s work mate mentioned that we MUST go to the gardens if we want to see an absolutely beautiful view. She was right. Gorgeous. We have some amazing photos. The flowers were just beautiful and everything was so peaceful. The group ended up having a foto taken of us by a very nice lady (American) who was so patient. And funny. She made sure at least most of us had a photo of the group. Gotta hand it to that lady – she was able to figure out multiple digital cameras AND Sarah’s actual film camera (seriously.this camera is so old I expected an archeologist explination to accompany it).
…back upup (aka hotel) more booze
“Girls Day” – aka lazy day
K, Sarah, Mra and I decided to laze about one day while everyone else went downdowndown (aka Sorrento). We lounged by the pool and tried to recover from our hangovers…We read a bit and at about 3 decided to head upupup (aka Sant’Agata) for some lunch. Can you say 2 hours to get food? We were some seriously cranky women by the time our food arrived. The temperature also dropped at the village and being in shorts, sandals and various very light clothing (not gonna give you the low down on all our outfits..that would be way too girly for me) we hopped in a taxi back down.
…later dinner..and …um..more booze…
Shopping and the Marina
- we ambled through the shopping area and looked at the goods for sale…some interesting stuff there… like a WINE shop! Mmmm…wine…
…later…dinner and um…more booze…
Pompei
- The one thing that the Hotel manager guy actually got right..was his private guide for us for Pompei. Raefaelle (totally butchering the spelling). He was GREAT. He took all 10 of us on a 2 ½ hour tour of the ruins of Pompei and gave us a great history lesson. Very nice man! He was so worth the 100 euros for the 2 ½ hours…really..rockin. Pompei is a really great archeological site and if you ever have a chance to see it..GO! Some of the group wanted to see Vesuvius, but unfortunately the weather was way too cloudy for it. – sad. I have seen a volcano (an actual active one) and I was hoping that they could see it.
….right…more booze…
Summary
It was a great trip and we met some new people who are now counted as friends. I know I left a TON out of this ..but hey..my fingers are tried from typing…. Interesting note: the 49 Things may officially be 50. Sug has the final say, but it is nice to know that “IT” is an actual mute button… :)
Friday, October 14, 2005
Alcohol and emotion
Right, so the other night I was out with Mira and we had dinner..and a few drinks. So drinks turned into more drinks..and before I knew it I was a bit tipsy. I think we were preparing our livers for Italy. Anywhozamawhatzit..discussions turned to "Who do you turn to (partner's, husbands, wives..etc excluded) when you really need to talk or just wanna hang out without having to say much." Long topic I know, but after many drinks, condensed conversation is not even remotely possible. I don't think she even finished the question before I answered it. I am not trying to disrespect my other very close friends, but let's face it: Most people have a friend that they can tell anything to. That friend that can know what you are thinking just by looking at you..and sometimes they don't even have to do that. So close that you almost share a brain. You know the type. That friend that puts up with your moody crappy attitude when you are tired and hungry. That friend that will not tell you how much they are not fond of your current S.O until AFTER you break up. That friend that you can call at 3AM..broken down on the side of the road 100 miles away and they will come get you. The one who you can show up on their doorstep and with just a glance and no questions asked they know that you just need to "be" and they hand you a drink without pushing the subject. The friend who will look at you and say "You are being a complete bitch."...and coming from them you know it is true.
The friend who no matter how long it has been since you last spoke..when you call or they call..it is like you just finished a conversation 5 minutes ago and are picking up from where you left off before the stupid call waiting beeped in... That friend that you will drive 70 miles each way several times a week to feed their cats and clean the litter boxes cause they are on vacation. That same friend who you will totally forget to pick up at the airport because you are too stupid to put the return flight information on the CORRECT day in your calendar thus resulting in said friend and spouse spending ungodly amounts of money on a taxi home from the airport to an entirely different state, and they STILL talk to you.....
Hours and hours of laughing so hard you almost pull a muscle...The friend who will honestly look at you and say: Yes that DOES make you look fat... I don't think I have to keep going...
Anyway..so I looked at Mira and without even thinking about it "Sug" came out of my mouth.
Totally serious. Sug is that friend.
Nothin but love for you SUG.... and incase anyone was curious..her actual name is Beth...and even though I live 7,000 miles away from her right now..she is still my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way.
...wow..I am way too mushy...
The friend who no matter how long it has been since you last spoke..when you call or they call..it is like you just finished a conversation 5 minutes ago and are picking up from where you left off before the stupid call waiting beeped in... That friend that you will drive 70 miles each way several times a week to feed their cats and clean the litter boxes cause they are on vacation. That same friend who you will totally forget to pick up at the airport because you are too stupid to put the return flight information on the CORRECT day in your calendar thus resulting in said friend and spouse spending ungodly amounts of money on a taxi home from the airport to an entirely different state, and they STILL talk to you.....
Hours and hours of laughing so hard you almost pull a muscle...The friend who will honestly look at you and say: Yes that DOES make you look fat... I don't think I have to keep going...
Anyway..so I looked at Mira and without even thinking about it "Sug" came out of my mouth.
Totally serious. Sug is that friend.
Nothin but love for you SUG.... and incase anyone was curious..her actual name is Beth...and even though I live 7,000 miles away from her right now..she is still my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way.
...wow..I am way too mushy...
Monday, October 10, 2005
hmmm...
Have you ever had that moment where something is said at just the right time and in the right way that you start laughing...and can't stop. Everytime you try to stop, a new fit of giggles wracks your body. You laugh so hard your stomache muscles ache, you can't breathe, tears come streaming from your eyes...
...well if you haven't then you are missing out on a great thing. It happened to me this weekend. I laughed so hard I cried. My stomache hurt, my cheeks hurt from laughing so long and so hard. It was so liberating...
...try it sometime....
....one line did it..."...that's not Nancy..."
...well if you haven't then you are missing out on a great thing. It happened to me this weekend. I laughed so hard I cried. My stomache hurt, my cheeks hurt from laughing so long and so hard. It was so liberating...
...try it sometime....
....one line did it..."...that's not Nancy..."
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Fusche 2:15
A reading from the Book of Fusche (ardent follower of the FSM) Chapter 2, verse 15:
One needle, one phlebotomist, 3 minutes, 5 vials of blood, no bruising. All praise to the FSM.
Now I can relax for my trip to Italy.
And it was decreed if thou hast need of drawing of the blood thou must seek the
ministrations of the mystical metal implement which shall be wielded by those
adept and trained in its use. Thou must not subject thyself to charlatans posing
as an Adept in the vestments of the mystical white lab coat. If thou dost do so,
thou whilst be set upon by darkening of thy skin in those areas where the vile
impostor hath, as such, jabbed thine formerly pristine area. Ye shall suffer
great discomfort and agitation; bringing about great bitching and moaning which
shall fall upon thine companions ears much like the sound of one's fingernails
being draggeth upon a chalkboard. So go forth ye to the true Adept for thine
drawing of the blood. Ye shall know them by the mystical name of: Phlebotomist.
Cleanly and precisely shall this Adept place the mystical metal implement to
thine skin drawing forth many vials of thine valuable life force leaving not a
blemish to mark its passing."
One needle, one phlebotomist, 3 minutes, 5 vials of blood, no bruising. All praise to the FSM.
Now I can relax for my trip to Italy.
Monday, October 03, 2005
:)
Tom Delay - indicted
Judith Miller - singing the truth about Mr. Cheney's chief of staff
CT Civil Unions - same rights, different word..are gays now "civilized"?
Just wanted to share the happiness..
:)
Judith Miller - singing the truth about Mr. Cheney's chief of staff
CT Civil Unions - same rights, different word..are gays now "civilized"?
Just wanted to share the happiness..
:)
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
brain...dead...must...revive
Okay..so I have been brain dead and hella busy lately. Sue me.
Between looking for a flat to buy (holy hell there are some real dumps out there), visiting the dentist twice for fillings, 439064 meetings a day, planning for Italy, visiting the bank and getting an education on how mortgages work here, fighting with the frickin IRS in the States (doesn't bode well I know) and social engagements I am down right over extended!...
Good news: Kristin arrived safe in India. At least I hope so. A blog entry showed up on her blog so I am going to assume it wasn't a random person entering stuff. If it was they need to really get a life and they are so not as cool as she is. I am going to do the safe assumption and believe she is all safe and sound :)..not to mention her IM says she is in Bangalore :)
Another good thing. The West Wing started again in the states! Thank god for an s-video port on my video card (and an s video cable :) )and the internet. Woohoo..back in the mix! Disclaimer: Not that I would EVER download anything from the internet..I have never even seen this magical thing called the world wide web..
Desparate Housewives started again too! - small victories I know.
The Folks are still radically remodeling the house I grew up in. I am afraid when we go for our visit at Christmas that I won't recognize it at all. They have put all new windows and doors, redid both bathrooms (at the same time...note to Papa..not smart disabling both bathrooms at once) and the kitchen. They have repainted the whole thing inside, put a new floor in the kitchen, new carpeting in the living room, a whole new electrical system - got rid of a window and put in sliding doors to a 15x24 deck they are having built off the back....
At least the "guest room" - formerly known as MY room - is still in the same place. Okay..I really need to get over that. I am over 30 and haven't lived there for over 16 years and I still think of it as "my room". Having my giagundo bedroom set from the house I sold when I moved to Finland in that room doesn't help dispell the childish possessive streak I have for that mauve room. Mauve. Yes Mauve. Some people would call it Pink, but don't do it in front of me!
It was the first home "remodeling" project I ever did. Papa taught me how to strip wall paper, spackle and sand until the wall is smooth and how to paint edging and walls without leaving brush stroke marks. We spent a week doing that project together. It was one of the best bonding experiences with my Papa. 13 Years later he beamed with pride when I showed him my first home - completely remodeled by me and by hand. All fresh clean striped walls, spackeld and painted, sanded and poly'd hardwood floors (after ripping out wall to wall orange shag carpeting and finding beautiful solid oak floors beneath which just needed a little love and tenderness), freshly repaired ceilings with recessed lighting, a brand new italian tile floor in the kitchen... I cried when he saw it. So did he. I let him put up my new mailbox (him being a postman and all)... Point..it is probably going to happen all over again here in Finland. Part of me is sad that Papa won't be here to see it done. I am still holding out hope that we can get him and my stepmom on a plane to Helsinki...
right...back to work for me..
Between looking for a flat to buy (holy hell there are some real dumps out there), visiting the dentist twice for fillings, 439064 meetings a day, planning for Italy, visiting the bank and getting an education on how mortgages work here, fighting with the frickin IRS in the States (doesn't bode well I know) and social engagements I am down right over extended!...
Good news: Kristin arrived safe in India. At least I hope so. A blog entry showed up on her blog so I am going to assume it wasn't a random person entering stuff. If it was they need to really get a life and they are so not as cool as she is. I am going to do the safe assumption and believe she is all safe and sound :)..not to mention her IM says she is in Bangalore :)
Another good thing. The West Wing started again in the states! Thank god for an s-video port on my video card (and an s video cable :) )and the internet. Woohoo..back in the mix! Disclaimer: Not that I would EVER download anything from the internet..I have never even seen this magical thing called the world wide web..
Desparate Housewives started again too! - small victories I know.
The Folks are still radically remodeling the house I grew up in. I am afraid when we go for our visit at Christmas that I won't recognize it at all. They have put all new windows and doors, redid both bathrooms (at the same time...note to Papa..not smart disabling both bathrooms at once) and the kitchen. They have repainted the whole thing inside, put a new floor in the kitchen, new carpeting in the living room, a whole new electrical system - got rid of a window and put in sliding doors to a 15x24 deck they are having built off the back....
At least the "guest room" - formerly known as MY room - is still in the same place. Okay..I really need to get over that. I am over 30 and haven't lived there for over 16 years and I still think of it as "my room". Having my giagundo bedroom set from the house I sold when I moved to Finland in that room doesn't help dispell the childish possessive streak I have for that mauve room. Mauve. Yes Mauve. Some people would call it Pink, but don't do it in front of me!
It was the first home "remodeling" project I ever did. Papa taught me how to strip wall paper, spackle and sand until the wall is smooth and how to paint edging and walls without leaving brush stroke marks. We spent a week doing that project together. It was one of the best bonding experiences with my Papa. 13 Years later he beamed with pride when I showed him my first home - completely remodeled by me and by hand. All fresh clean striped walls, spackeld and painted, sanded and poly'd hardwood floors (after ripping out wall to wall orange shag carpeting and finding beautiful solid oak floors beneath which just needed a little love and tenderness), freshly repaired ceilings with recessed lighting, a brand new italian tile floor in the kitchen... I cried when he saw it. So did he. I let him put up my new mailbox (him being a postman and all)... Point..it is probably going to happen all over again here in Finland. Part of me is sad that Papa won't be here to see it done. I am still holding out hope that we can get him and my stepmom on a plane to Helsinki...
right...back to work for me..
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Who knew Ellen was to blame...
If it weren't for the huge number of people who look to this man as a spiritual leader I would laugh.
And I quote:
Only 283 people? Wow, someone was not really doing their job properly. This is Hollywood folks there are more gay people in 2 square miles than that entire list! On a side note it is nice to know that God likes musicals....maybe he is a FOD? Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that :)
FOD= Friend of Dorothy. For all you people not up on the homo lingo that means gay.
And I quote:
Pat Robertson on Sunday said that Hurricane Katrina was God’s way of expressing its anger at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its selection of Ellen Degeneres to host this year’s Emmy Awards. “By choosing an avowed lesbian for this national event, these Hollywood elites have clearly invited God’s wrath,” Robertson said on “The 700 Club” on Sunday. “Is it any surprise that the Almighty chose to strike at Miss Degeneres’ hometown?”Robertson also noted that the last time Degeneres hosted the Emmys, in 2001, the September 11 terrorism attacks took place shortly before the ceremony.
“This is the second time in a row that God has invoked a disaster shortly before lesbian Ellen Degeneres hosted the Emmy Awards,” Robertson explained to his approximately one million viewers. “America is waiting for her to apologize for the death and destruction that her sexual deviance has brought onto this great nation.”
Robertson added that other tragedies of the past several years can be linked to Degeneres’ growing national prominence. September, 2003, for example, is both the month that her talk show debuted and when insurgents first gained a foothold in Iraq following the successful March invasion. “Now we know why things took a turn for the worse,” he explained.
In order to avoid further tragedy, Robertson called not only for the Television Academy to find a new heterosexual host, but to bar all homosexuals and bisexuals from taking part in the ceremony.
He said employees at the Christian Broadcasting Network had put together a list of 283 nominees, presenters, and invited guests at the Emmys known to be of sexually deviant persuasions.
“God already allows one awards show to promote the homosexual agenda,” Robertson declared. “But clearly He will not tolerate such sinful behavior to spread beyond the Tonys.”
Only 283 people? Wow, someone was not really doing their job properly. This is Hollywood folks there are more gay people in 2 square miles than that entire list! On a side note it is nice to know that God likes musicals....maybe he is a FOD? Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with that :)
FOD= Friend of Dorothy. For all you people not up on the homo lingo that means gay.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Guilty Pleasures and Shite
Right..so I have this guilty pleasure. I can't help myself...but I have to watch Footballers Wive$. It is complete trash TV..but I am addicted. I also have to watch Bad Girls. I know it is also complete trash, but without my 800 channels of cable that I used to get in the States there are few options for me to feed my TV Addiction with. I already read 4 books a month and play squash and am beginning my Finnish classes at the University again..so don't even start with the "get a hobby" crap. TV is my de-res time. I miss 800 channels.. Okay I don't miss 800 channels... I miss the Discovery Channel, TCM, E, Bravo, NBC, ABC, and Comedy Central. I also miss Showtime... Damn it! I want to be able to see REAL TIME, the West Wing, Inside the Actor's Studio, 20/20, The Daily Show, The L Word, random comedy specials with stand-ups that make you spit out your diet coke from laughing so hard.
I am not going to say Finnish TV is complete Shite, because it has its share of social porn (Cheaters anyone?) and imported British TV as well as US TV (albeit 2 seasons behind). If it wasn't for the net, I would be HOPELESSLY behind on the whole Jimmy Smits running for the Pres thing. Last season's West Wing is running now..at 11:15 in the frickin evening! S-video cable and a video card to the rescue thank goodness...
Maybe it is a good thing I can't watch so much TV? Nah... Screw that shite, I love TV!
I am not going to say Finnish TV is complete Shite, because it has its share of social porn (Cheaters anyone?) and imported British TV as well as US TV (albeit 2 seasons behind). If it wasn't for the net, I would be HOPELESSLY behind on the whole Jimmy Smits running for the Pres thing. Last season's West Wing is running now..at 11:15 in the frickin evening! S-video cable and a video card to the rescue thank goodness...
Maybe it is a good thing I can't watch so much TV? Nah... Screw that shite, I love TV!
Friday, September 09, 2005
cough..hack..sneeze..sniffle..BASTARD!!..and the radio
Okay so as I posted earlier - I have a WICKED chest/head cold. I am up all hours of the night coughing and hacking up disgusting icky yuckiness out of my lungs and my sinuses are so full I feel like I am walking around with an extra 10lbs just in my head. Let's not go anywhere near the amount of extra weight I am carrying in other places - I am a cranky yank right now - Not to mention that with the stuffed sinuses comes the inability to hear anything which isn't shouted or roared at me. note to self: look both ways 3 times before crossing the street/train tracks/etc until I can hear properly again
I spent the last 3 days on a Certification course which my employer requires I pass. I took the exam and now have to wait for 3 weeks or so for the results. Three days of a very nice man droning on and on about BS 7925-1 and 2..IEEE 829..all the technical mumbo jumbo. The whole while I am hacking up what remains of my lungs, single handedly depleating the national supply of nose tissues and infecting the entire air space with my germs from hell. I would have much rather stayed home in bed with a nice cup of tea and some chicken soup, but my employer paid a large amount of money for me to be there. -Holy hell I miss Campbell's or Progresso Chicken Soup - As Mira has noted in humor, the common cold, broken bones, the plague - all are cured by Chicken Soup from an American point of view. DAMN RIGHT! - Chicken Noodle, Chicken and Stars, Chicken and Rice...yum. A bit overly salty, but very yummy for those people (like myself) who have extreem difficulty tasting ANYTHING because of completely blocked sinuses. Not only was I at this course, but I had to return to my office each night to do work because one of the projects I am on is at a critical milestone today. Not a fun week. I think it is sweats, tea and a dvd with a nice beef stew for dinner. - and before you even ask I make my OWN from scratch...I might have time constraints so I am not so sure on the stew at this point..watery beef stew is icky..and a good one takes hours of stewing.
Onto the BASTARD part. One word: VETO. Frickin Arnold "Itty Bitty Balls" Schwarzenegger is going to veto the law that the California Legislature just passed which would make marriage between "2 persons". I can't stand this crap. If the conservative right wing blinder wearin mo-fo's don't want gays to "marry" then don't use the frickin word! Let's face it..marriage is not a secular word..never has been. Call it "Flying Purple Elephants" for all I care! Every time the word marriage is used, the religious nutters pull a huge hissy fit. The US is supposed to be all about equality and abhorring discrimination. Oh wait..right..that is only if you are white and straight. Sorry my bad.
Bastard part 2... I arrived home at 8 last night from work to find a letter in my mail. It was from the Helsingin Kaupunki Terveyskeskus (Helsinkiy City Health Center). Now, I speak Finnish and I read Finnish and I can even write in Finnish (albeit slowly with spelling mistakes as I pointed out earlier..spell check and re-reading 3 times before hitting send or snail mailing is important still) so I was not overly put off by the letter being in Finnish. As stated earlier, I have Lesbian Cooties (thanks Dr. Kristin for giving it a name!). The whole reaaaaaaaaaaaaaly high white blood cell count thing (seriously outside the "standard deviation"..whatever that means). Anywhoo..Dr and I have been trying to figure out what the hell it is. Without going into the loooooooong version here is the deal: She is at a loss. She referred my case to the University Hospital - because I have to see a hemotologist, an internal medicine specialist and if necessary an endocrinologist. - Back to the Letter - The letter is NOT from the University hospital but the city. They have reserved 3 appointments for me:
Now..I have been going through this since the beginning of July. I am really sick of being prodded and havin people in white lab coats go "hmmm...mmmm..hmmm" and then not being able to tell me what is wrong. These 3 appointments are for fricking OCTOBER! The blood stuff - October 6th. The Dr consult October fricking 24th..and the UltraSound 17th of October. BASTARDS!!!! I am in Italy from 15-22 Oct!!! Now I have to 1.) call my Dr and find out of the Helsinki City Health Center is the place she had my stuff sent to and NOT the University like she said. and 2.) Reschedule the ultrasound for a date before I go to Italy - which I am not sure will be possible..which will then move my actual Dr. consultation even further... Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick.. I mean seriously..it will be 4 months of this crap by the time I see the Hemotologist/Internal Medicine Specialist/Endocrinologist..
Radio:
My workmate/friend/political debate punching bag Phil has a "radio show" here in Finland. Okay not a radio show but a podcast from Radio Free Finland. He has approached me about being a guest on his show. An hour long discussion about lesbians in Finland(from a foreigner's point of view). There are several issues I can see popping up with this. Among them are that he and I are hot heads when it comes to politics. He is a Libertarian...nuff said. I am a die-hard bleeding heart liberal (those Log Cabin Republicans are just big fat liars..to themselves and the gay community)... We have some seriously good old fashioned shirt sleeves rolled up debates (arguments) about politics. - not so sure if it won't spiral down to me giving him a verbal spanking on US Law and the Constitution for an hour regarding gay rights, gun laws and the war on drugs..not to mention education, social programs, the welfare system, social security and health care... Should be interesting... or a complete blood bath...
I spent the last 3 days on a Certification course which my employer requires I pass. I took the exam and now have to wait for 3 weeks or so for the results. Three days of a very nice man droning on and on about BS 7925-1 and 2..IEEE 829..all the technical mumbo jumbo. The whole while I am hacking up what remains of my lungs, single handedly depleating the national supply of nose tissues and infecting the entire air space with my germs from hell. I would have much rather stayed home in bed with a nice cup of tea and some chicken soup, but my employer paid a large amount of money for me to be there. -Holy hell I miss Campbell's or Progresso Chicken Soup - As Mira has noted in humor, the common cold, broken bones, the plague - all are cured by Chicken Soup from an American point of view. DAMN RIGHT! - Chicken Noodle, Chicken and Stars, Chicken and Rice...yum. A bit overly salty, but very yummy for those people (like myself) who have extreem difficulty tasting ANYTHING because of completely blocked sinuses. Not only was I at this course, but I had to return to my office each night to do work because one of the projects I am on is at a critical milestone today. Not a fun week. I think it is sweats, tea and a dvd with a nice beef stew for dinner. - and before you even ask I make my OWN from scratch...I might have time constraints so I am not so sure on the stew at this point..watery beef stew is icky..and a good one takes hours of stewing.
Onto the BASTARD part. One word: VETO. Frickin Arnold "Itty Bitty Balls" Schwarzenegger is going to veto the law that the California Legislature just passed which would make marriage between "2 persons". I can't stand this crap. If the conservative right wing blinder wearin mo-fo's don't want gays to "marry" then don't use the frickin word! Let's face it..marriage is not a secular word..never has been. Call it "Flying Purple Elephants" for all I care! Every time the word marriage is used, the religious nutters pull a huge hissy fit. The US is supposed to be all about equality and abhorring discrimination. Oh wait..right..that is only if you are white and straight. Sorry my bad.
Bastard part 2... I arrived home at 8 last night from work to find a letter in my mail. It was from the Helsingin Kaupunki Terveyskeskus (Helsinkiy City Health Center). Now, I speak Finnish and I read Finnish and I can even write in Finnish (albeit slowly with spelling mistakes as I pointed out earlier..spell check and re-reading 3 times before hitting send or snail mailing is important still) so I was not overly put off by the letter being in Finnish. As stated earlier, I have Lesbian Cooties (thanks Dr. Kristin for giving it a name!). The whole reaaaaaaaaaaaaaly high white blood cell count thing (seriously outside the "standard deviation"..whatever that means). Anywhoo..Dr and I have been trying to figure out what the hell it is. Without going into the loooooooong version here is the deal: She is at a loss. She referred my case to the University Hospital - because I have to see a hemotologist, an internal medicine specialist and if necessary an endocrinologist. - Back to the Letter - The letter is NOT from the University hospital but the city. They have reserved 3 appointments for me:
1.) go get stuck with needles again - thankfully not Vampyrella this time..although I must wait and see if THIS person is a far-sighted vampyre too -
2.) Ultrasound on my tummy - goopy stuff and a black and white image..although why my tummy I have no idea...
3.) Actual consultation with the Dr.(s) who will be trying to determine what kind of Lesbian Cooties I actually have...
Now..I have been going through this since the beginning of July. I am really sick of being prodded and havin people in white lab coats go "hmmm...mmmm..hmmm" and then not being able to tell me what is wrong. These 3 appointments are for fricking OCTOBER! The blood stuff - October 6th. The Dr consult October fricking 24th..and the UltraSound 17th of October. BASTARDS!!!! I am in Italy from 15-22 Oct!!! Now I have to 1.) call my Dr and find out of the Helsinki City Health Center is the place she had my stuff sent to and NOT the University like she said. and 2.) Reschedule the ultrasound for a date before I go to Italy - which I am not sure will be possible..which will then move my actual Dr. consultation even further... Jesus H. Christ on a pogo stick.. I mean seriously..it will be 4 months of this crap by the time I see the Hemotologist/Internal Medicine Specialist/Endocrinologist..
Radio:
My workmate/friend/political debate punching bag Phil has a "radio show" here in Finland. Okay not a radio show but a podcast from Radio Free Finland. He has approached me about being a guest on his show. An hour long discussion about lesbians in Finland(from a foreigner's point of view). There are several issues I can see popping up with this. Among them are that he and I are hot heads when it comes to politics. He is a Libertarian...nuff said. I am a die-hard bleeding heart liberal (those Log Cabin Republicans are just big fat liars..to themselves and the gay community)... We have some seriously good old fashioned shirt sleeves rolled up debates (arguments) about politics. - not so sure if it won't spiral down to me giving him a verbal spanking on US Law and the Constitution for an hour regarding gay rights, gun laws and the war on drugs..not to mention education, social programs, the welfare system, social security and health care... Should be interesting... or a complete blood bath...
Monday, September 05, 2005
Horrors..and a bright note
Okay. The news (american) has been saturated with coverage of the disaster in the Gulf Coast of the US. I have avoided posting on it and tried to keep my shock and horror to myself about the behaviour of some of the citizenry and the government of the US in respect to this disaster. I have failed. I was a victim of my political outrage at a fellow foreigner here in Finland. Phil got my goat and got it good.
So I am going on record: The Federal, State and Local governments as well as the emergency relief organizations and agencies failed the people of New Orleans. The behavior of roving armed gangs is abhorent and no amount of "gun control laws" - as Phil likes to think is responsible for this - would have stopped this. People broke into stores and stole the guns. Simple as that. The relief organization, strategy and execution has failed. Mr.director of FEMA has not done his job. People are dead and more continue to die. It is devestating and horrible. Shame on the government, shame on FEMA.
There I said it.
On a bright note, I saw the Northern Lights for the first time this weekend while away at cottage. It was breathtaking. I have also developed a horrible chest cold...
So I am going on record: The Federal, State and Local governments as well as the emergency relief organizations and agencies failed the people of New Orleans. The behavior of roving armed gangs is abhorent and no amount of "gun control laws" - as Phil likes to think is responsible for this - would have stopped this. People broke into stores and stole the guns. Simple as that. The relief organization, strategy and execution has failed. Mr.director of FEMA has not done his job. People are dead and more continue to die. It is devestating and horrible. Shame on the government, shame on FEMA.
There I said it.
On a bright note, I saw the Northern Lights for the first time this weekend while away at cottage. It was breathtaking. I have also developed a horrible chest cold...
Friday, September 02, 2005
ahhhhhhhhhh
It says NY is 3.5 back :)
I am off to cottage again this weekend for the "crab" party. They aren't really crabs, and they aren't really crayfish...they look like miniture Lobsters... Anyway...lots of them and drinking..and reading a good book along with going to Sauna :)
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Moo..
There is an old saying the French use to describe most non-french speaking their language "Vous parlez le français comme une vache espagnole" which means: "You speak French like a Spanish Cow". I have heard this once or 400 times in my life. I speak French well enough to offend an entire country. And when it comes to the French, merely being NOT French offends them. Of course I am half French (thanks Dad) so I am only 1/2 as despised. That is until they find out exactly how poorly I speak French (again Thanks Dad) and then it is even worse. Having a French papa should mean that I speak French well. Right? Wrong.
Anywho..there is a point to this. I was writing an email in Finnish this morning requesting information about something. The sentence I was writing referenced "in the mornings". Example "I like to exercise in the morning". Finnish makes you pluralize it (don't even get me started on the difference between partative, plural and plural partative..it will give you a headache) so it comes out "in the mornings" meaning every morning or some mornings.
Simple examples are the best I can give you. If you want something happens 1 time (today or tomorrow) there is a specific way to write it by conjugating the word. The same goes for something that happens many times or during specific time frames (like weekends or in the mornings). There are many many rules in Finnish, and to give you all the permiations of this would hurt MY brain and ruin the fun.
So this is what happened:
I wanted to ask "Does it fit if we could come in the mornings?"
I wrote: Sopiiko jos voisimme tulla ammuisin?
Spelling counts folks. By missing one "a" and adding an "m", what I actually wrote was: "Does it fit if we could come I would moo?"
Apparently I speak Finnish like a cow too! Moooooooooooo
for your edification:
aamuisin - in the mornings
ammuisin - I would MOOO
Anywho..there is a point to this. I was writing an email in Finnish this morning requesting information about something. The sentence I was writing referenced "in the mornings". Example "I like to exercise in the morning". Finnish makes you pluralize it (don't even get me started on the difference between partative, plural and plural partative..it will give you a headache) so it comes out "in the mornings" meaning every morning or some mornings.
Simple examples are the best I can give you. If you want something happens 1 time (today or tomorrow) there is a specific way to write it by conjugating the word. The same goes for something that happens many times or during specific time frames (like weekends or in the mornings). There are many many rules in Finnish, and to give you all the permiations of this would hurt MY brain and ruin the fun.
So this is what happened:
I wanted to ask "Does it fit if we could come in the mornings?"
I wrote: Sopiiko jos voisimme tulla ammuisin?
Spelling counts folks. By missing one "a" and adding an "m", what I actually wrote was: "Does it fit if we could come I would moo?"
Apparently I speak Finnish like a cow too! Moooooooooooo
for your edification:
aamuisin - in the mornings
ammuisin - I would MOOO
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
mmmm...The Onion...
Your Horoscope
By Lloyd Schumner Sr.
Retired Machinist and A.A.P.B-Certified Astrologer
August 31, 2005 | Issue 41•35
Aries March 21 - April 19
It's bad enough that you earned the undying enmity of a murderous elephant, but this particular bull is a member of the Azuma ninja herd—unusually cunning, stealthy, and skilled in the use of blowguns and exotic poisons.
Taurus April 20 - May 20
You'll be relieved when you're assigned to be a lighthouse keeper 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, especially when you think of how close you came to being named manager of the Detroit Tigers.
Gemini May 21 - June 21
Hopelessly lost on America's backroads, you will stumble upon an isolated, acid-washed, hair-metal-loving small town that doesn't realize the Cold War is over.
Cancer June 22 - July 22
You're suddenly a very hot commodity when Sony announces that the next generation of recordable digital media will be synthesized from your heart's blood.
Leo July 23 - August 22
You've always thought that breast implants were kind of sad, but you'll wind up with nine of them anyway.
Virgo August 23 - September 22
It's important to keep yourself looking and feeling good, but your relentless reapplication of home permanents is beginning to seem disturbing.
Libra September 23 - October 23
It's not that people mind it when you rappel in through skylights, but it does clash strangely with your love of making an entrance by popping out of cakes.
Scorpio October 24 - November 21
Your graffiti tags are as distinctive as they are funky, which is why you shouldn't even bother lying to the people of Jerusalem about what you did to the Wailing Wall.
Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
It doesn't matter if you've done nothing wrong and been charged with no crime. CNN's Nancy Grace is certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're guilty and should be "put down like a dog."
Capricorn December 22 - January 19
You'll become a living symbol of what's wrong with paddling in public schools after you repeatedly break into Birmingham, AL's Jordan High and demand to be spanked.
Aquarius January 20 - February 18
There's been a lot of trouble and turmoil on Wall Street lately, which is probably why they keep asking you if they can stay on your couch for October.
Pisces February 19 - March 20
The stars foresee a vast change in your future. Soon, the world shall grow cold, the nights will wax longer, and the world shall become covered with ice for many months.
By Lloyd Schumner Sr.
Retired Machinist and A.A.P.B-Certified Astrologer
August 31, 2005 | Issue 41•35
Aries March 21 - April 19
It's bad enough that you earned the undying enmity of a murderous elephant, but this particular bull is a member of the Azuma ninja herd—unusually cunning, stealthy, and skilled in the use of blowguns and exotic poisons.
Taurus April 20 - May 20
You'll be relieved when you're assigned to be a lighthouse keeper 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, especially when you think of how close you came to being named manager of the Detroit Tigers.
Gemini May 21 - June 21
Hopelessly lost on America's backroads, you will stumble upon an isolated, acid-washed, hair-metal-loving small town that doesn't realize the Cold War is over.
Cancer June 22 - July 22
You're suddenly a very hot commodity when Sony announces that the next generation of recordable digital media will be synthesized from your heart's blood.
Leo July 23 - August 22
You've always thought that breast implants were kind of sad, but you'll wind up with nine of them anyway.
Virgo August 23 - September 22
It's important to keep yourself looking and feeling good, but your relentless reapplication of home permanents is beginning to seem disturbing.
Libra September 23 - October 23
It's not that people mind it when you rappel in through skylights, but it does clash strangely with your love of making an entrance by popping out of cakes.
Scorpio October 24 - November 21
Your graffiti tags are as distinctive as they are funky, which is why you shouldn't even bother lying to the people of Jerusalem about what you did to the Wailing Wall.
Sagittarius November 22 - December 21
It doesn't matter if you've done nothing wrong and been charged with no crime. CNN's Nancy Grace is certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're guilty and should be "put down like a dog."
Capricorn December 22 - January 19
You'll become a living symbol of what's wrong with paddling in public schools after you repeatedly break into Birmingham, AL's Jordan High and demand to be spanked.
Aquarius January 20 - February 18
There's been a lot of trouble and turmoil on Wall Street lately, which is probably why they keep asking you if they can stay on your couch for October.
Pisces February 19 - March 20
The stars foresee a vast change in your future. Soon, the world shall grow cold, the nights will wax longer, and the world shall become covered with ice for many months.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
IT HURTS!!
Okay..I forgot to include our lovely experience shoe shopping...this picture does not do the individual justice.. I tried to do the super secret sleuthy type shot of the front..but this is the best I could do. You are seriously missing the painted on pink eyebrows and rolls of tummy...not to mention the blood red fingernails of giganitc proportions complete with glued on fake diamondy stuff..
WARNING: May cause spontaneous bleeding from the eyes:
WARNING: May cause spontaneous bleeding from the eyes:
Big Thumbs
Right..so I get to work yesterday and feel like a 100 lb truck is sitting on me. I was totally wiped out from the weekend. The liver is starting to wake up again, and cursing green stuff as the spawn of satan (if I beleived in him). I look at my watch trying to figure out what time it is in the UK having said so-long to K and D several hours before at an indecent time in the morning. Not that I was indecent...okay I am an indecent human being..but I was appropriately clothed at that moment and the little saucy swear like a sailor side of my brain was still asleep even though I was upright. And don't even start on the "duh subtract 2 you idiot!"... I am not good with math. Math is evil. Math is an abomination :) I can barely add, so subtraction is asking a great deal from me.
Right, where was I... Oh watch..math..K and D...right.. So I look and my watch says 11:40. Which in my brain (remember no math) is thinking ..okay they should be back in the UK by now. I get my handy-dandy trusty-leave-it-in-a-bar mobile phone and proceed to text K thanking them for the lovely visit. Do I get a response? NO! I have to go to the web and figure out if their flight has landed in London. THEN I look at my blog this morning and I see K has commented on my weekend diatribe. Of course her comment gave me the warm and fuzzies and momentarily forget she didn't text me back. NOW as I am writing this I remember something. K is INCAPABLE of texting 2 words in under 3 minutes. Seriously..that woman is the WORST texter I have seen in a long time. On top of the fact that she doesn't own a Nokia phone, she can't even use predictive text.
One word says it all: SHUTHOG Disclaimer: K I adore you and you know it honey. One day she is on a terrace having a glass of wine enjoying the sun. As I have always called or texted her when I am feeling very relaxed on a terrace in the sun consuming alcohol, thoughts of me and the little Finn pop into her head. So being the great sister/friend that she is, she decides to text me. Predictive text on her phone made Sitting into Shuthog?!?!?! I thought it was her big thumbs because the key sequence for sitting with predictive text on (english) is: 7488464 ...but then I checked the sequence for Shuthog and it is the same... and it isn't even a word!!
Maybe I should be glad she didn't try to text after the plane?
Right, where was I... Oh watch..math..K and D...right.. So I look and my watch says 11:40. Which in my brain (remember no math) is thinking ..okay they should be back in the UK by now. I get my handy-dandy trusty-leave-it-in-a-bar mobile phone and proceed to text K thanking them for the lovely visit. Do I get a response? NO! I have to go to the web and figure out if their flight has landed in London. THEN I look at my blog this morning and I see K has commented on my weekend diatribe. Of course her comment gave me the warm and fuzzies and momentarily forget she didn't text me back. NOW as I am writing this I remember something. K is INCAPABLE of texting 2 words in under 3 minutes. Seriously..that woman is the WORST texter I have seen in a long time. On top of the fact that she doesn't own a Nokia phone, she can't even use predictive text.
One word says it all: SHUTHOG Disclaimer: K I adore you and you know it honey. One day she is on a terrace having a glass of wine enjoying the sun. As I have always called or texted her when I am feeling very relaxed on a terrace in the sun consuming alcohol, thoughts of me and the little Finn pop into her head. So being the great sister/friend that she is, she decides to text me. Predictive text on her phone made Sitting into Shuthog?!?!?! I thought it was her big thumbs because the key sequence for sitting with predictive text on (english) is: 7488464 ...but then I checked the sequence for Shuthog and it is the same... and it isn't even a word!!
Maybe I should be glad she didn't try to text after the plane?
Monday, August 29, 2005
bashed, befuddled, boozed up,
Holy hell my liver is crocked! Thank goodness I don't have to have any frickin blood tests for a while. I have learned something new though. Green stuff is bad. Very very bad. Okay not all green stuff..lettuce is okay, green beans, broccoli, asparagus... Liquid green stuff is deadly however.
K and D arrived on Friday evening after the thunderstorms from hell cleared out complete with a thank you gift of Kraft Mac N Cheese!!! Earlier the rain was coming down in sheets to the point where it was like white out conditions. I seriously think D is a rain magnet. After Cal-ass and Brugggearafdfvaergaerg (whatever the hell that city in Belgium is called) he brought it to Finland. At any rate,we all decided to go have a few cocktails. It is only fitting after they flew from the UK...libations would be required! We walked to Hotel Torni and went upstairs to the tower bar. That is when the boy saw the bottle, the bottle that will be the bane of my existance from now on. Folks, Absinthe is deadly stuff. Flaming green absinthe shots that D said would taste like a Good 'N Plenty but burn a "bit". A bit?!?! Okay he didn't say a "bit"..but I wasn't expecting the firey decent of this stuff (even without the flames) down my esophagus and searing every centimeter of my intestines as it worked is way thru my tummy. 15 minutes later I was right and truly drunk. Fastest drunk I ever got. But we continued on bravely consuming more alcohol for a few hours and discussing Kevin Bacon. Hey..I did say we drank absinthe..what were you expecting a dissertation on EU polotics while weighing the positives and negatives of a socialistic society as it relates to Finland?? As it was only, at that point, 2 AM and the bar staff really wanted to go home, we moved onto another bar called Bakers where we proceeded to continue drinking copious amounts of alcohol and discuss all manner of things which slip my mind right now. It was also a night for the traditional drunken Fusche phone call to my Sug in San Diego :) She puts up with so many drunk calls from me :) We finally dragged our behinds back to the flat at 4:30 :) Just in time to make little munchy tummies happy with ham, cherry tomato goodness, cheese, crackers etc.
Saturday Morning was not a good morning. Okay it was 12 minutes before noon, so it still counts as morning. Everyone was hung over, the firey ball in the sky (which Beth has termed the Day Star) hurt our eyes and we needed new shoes. The weather was okay..but D was in the house recovering from a combination of his cold and the green icky death stuff he made us drink, therefore the rain held off until, funny enough, he started feeling better. We proceeded to go to Saga and D experienced bear and smokey tennis court (Finnish tar shnapps). The weather was just starting to spit a bit of rain when we went into the restaurant. However, when we were eating it proceded to come down sideways and hard. Again..D is a rain magnet. The wine there proved to be total shite. I mean really..who knew a Cote du Rhone could taste like water. We actually sent the bottle back! That thing was horrible. Even though we all vowed we were "not gonna drink and f&%¤ing Merlot!!"... we did. It was the only semi full bodied wine in there that we were pretty certain wouldn't suck eggs. When we left the restaurant we headed to Storyville to listen to a swing band. Just as a note for anyone going there..go early and get a table. That place packs up right and quick..not to mention annoying people not knowing the meaning of personal space and practically sitting in D's lap or humping his leg because they have no concept of HOW to dance let alone what a beat is. The band was called Fat Sam's. Really quite a good band. They had the place jumpin... A nice selection of good swing music and some really nice guys in the band. American Swing in a Finnish bar played by a Scottish band?!!? Yep and it was good.
It finally proved to be waaaaaaaaaay to crowded and annoying to us so we went upstairs to the piano bar (with no piano player), had another drink and then headed back to the house. 3/4 of the way there I realized I forgot my bag at the bar with my cell in it. I hauled butt back there and got it. Run run run, wheeze wheeze wheeze..I make it back to the gang. Tummies decide they are hungry..so K, D and I go to the little all night grill joint around the corner from my flat to get a burger. BIG mistake. The nastiest, sloppiest, goopiest, icky combination of crap you could ever imagine was loaded into this "burger". It was practically soup with a bit of meat! Needless to say..our tummies were not as pleased with this!
Sunday...rain, rain and more rain. We opted to cook breakfast (brunch folks as it was 1:30 in the afternoon) and watch a DVD while Noah built the ark and we all got loaded 2 by 2 into it. Not kidding..I was going to grow webbed feet! DVD was DOGMA...Kevin Smith rocks. We have all seen it before, but let's face it..that is one great flick.
Sunday night - Ravintola Garlic :) Yum Yum Yum. We ended up consumig 2 bottles of wine at dinner - oh and I forgot to mention the 2 we had at the house before we left. The pattern here is becoming clear to me... After dinner we walked to Ahven (a bar close by) and had an after dinner drink - which I proceded to dump some of it onto myself with no idea how I did it. Walked home and put our little bums to bed as K and D had a flight at half past OH MY GOD in the morning back to the UK.
...my liver hurts.... 6 weeks from now..Italy!!!! I think my liver will have recovered by then...
K and D arrived on Friday evening after the thunderstorms from hell cleared out complete with a thank you gift of Kraft Mac N Cheese!!! Earlier the rain was coming down in sheets to the point where it was like white out conditions. I seriously think D is a rain magnet. After Cal-ass and Brugggearafdfvaergaerg (whatever the hell that city in Belgium is called) he brought it to Finland. At any rate,we all decided to go have a few cocktails. It is only fitting after they flew from the UK...libations would be required! We walked to Hotel Torni and went upstairs to the tower bar. That is when the boy saw the bottle, the bottle that will be the bane of my existance from now on. Folks, Absinthe is deadly stuff. Flaming green absinthe shots that D said would taste like a Good 'N Plenty but burn a "bit". A bit?!?! Okay he didn't say a "bit"..but I wasn't expecting the firey decent of this stuff (even without the flames) down my esophagus and searing every centimeter of my intestines as it worked is way thru my tummy. 15 minutes later I was right and truly drunk. Fastest drunk I ever got. But we continued on bravely consuming more alcohol for a few hours and discussing Kevin Bacon. Hey..I did say we drank absinthe..what were you expecting a dissertation on EU polotics while weighing the positives and negatives of a socialistic society as it relates to Finland?? As it was only, at that point, 2 AM and the bar staff really wanted to go home, we moved onto another bar called Bakers where we proceeded to continue drinking copious amounts of alcohol and discuss all manner of things which slip my mind right now. It was also a night for the traditional drunken Fusche phone call to my Sug in San Diego :) She puts up with so many drunk calls from me :) We finally dragged our behinds back to the flat at 4:30 :) Just in time to make little munchy tummies happy with ham, cherry tomato goodness, cheese, crackers etc.
Saturday Morning was not a good morning. Okay it was 12 minutes before noon, so it still counts as morning. Everyone was hung over, the firey ball in the sky (which Beth has termed the Day Star) hurt our eyes and we needed new shoes. The weather was okay..but D was in the house recovering from a combination of his cold and the green icky death stuff he made us drink, therefore the rain held off until, funny enough, he started feeling better. We proceeded to go to Saga and D experienced bear and smokey tennis court (Finnish tar shnapps). The weather was just starting to spit a bit of rain when we went into the restaurant. However, when we were eating it proceded to come down sideways and hard. Again..D is a rain magnet. The wine there proved to be total shite. I mean really..who knew a Cote du Rhone could taste like water. We actually sent the bottle back! That thing was horrible. Even though we all vowed we were "not gonna drink and f&%¤ing Merlot!!"... we did. It was the only semi full bodied wine in there that we were pretty certain wouldn't suck eggs. When we left the restaurant we headed to Storyville to listen to a swing band. Just as a note for anyone going there..go early and get a table. That place packs up right and quick..not to mention annoying people not knowing the meaning of personal space and practically sitting in D's lap or humping his leg because they have no concept of HOW to dance let alone what a beat is. The band was called Fat Sam's. Really quite a good band. They had the place jumpin... A nice selection of good swing music and some really nice guys in the band. American Swing in a Finnish bar played by a Scottish band?!!? Yep and it was good.
It finally proved to be waaaaaaaaaay to crowded and annoying to us so we went upstairs to the piano bar (with no piano player), had another drink and then headed back to the house. 3/4 of the way there I realized I forgot my bag at the bar with my cell in it. I hauled butt back there and got it. Run run run, wheeze wheeze wheeze..I make it back to the gang. Tummies decide they are hungry..so K, D and I go to the little all night grill joint around the corner from my flat to get a burger. BIG mistake. The nastiest, sloppiest, goopiest, icky combination of crap you could ever imagine was loaded into this "burger". It was practically soup with a bit of meat! Needless to say..our tummies were not as pleased with this!
Sunday...rain, rain and more rain. We opted to cook breakfast (brunch folks as it was 1:30 in the afternoon) and watch a DVD while Noah built the ark and we all got loaded 2 by 2 into it. Not kidding..I was going to grow webbed feet! DVD was DOGMA...Kevin Smith rocks. We have all seen it before, but let's face it..that is one great flick.
Sunday night - Ravintola Garlic :) Yum Yum Yum. We ended up consumig 2 bottles of wine at dinner - oh and I forgot to mention the 2 we had at the house before we left. The pattern here is becoming clear to me... After dinner we walked to Ahven (a bar close by) and had an after dinner drink - which I proceded to dump some of it onto myself with no idea how I did it. Walked home and put our little bums to bed as K and D had a flight at half past OH MY GOD in the morning back to the UK.
...my liver hurts.... 6 weeks from now..Italy!!!! I think my liver will have recovered by then...
Friday, August 26, 2005
Oh the SHAME!!!
Okay. Yesterday I left the office early to go on a drinking fest with my department. Don't you just love a country that encourages you to "bond" with your workmates by copious amounts of alcohol?!! There wasn't even a need to claim "tummy flu" or "migrane"! The afternoon (which I count as anything after 12pm and before 12AM in this instance) of libation indulgence was sanctioned and also paid for entirely by my company! Finland - the land of opportunity and "networking" thru slurred speach and really hot rooms where you sweat your pahtooty off while somone pours a ladle full of water on rocks which are so hot they could sear the skin off your bones... makes sense to the Finns and who am I to rock the boat when there is free booze and food!
This "team building" event was out in a place called Marskin Maja. I could give you the whole history lesson on who Mannherheim was but that would bore you and you would be drooling and snoring before you finished reading any of it so I won't. It was a lovely location in the middle of nowhere about 1 1/2 hours from Helsinki. Very nice place with saunas and a beautiful lake and 70 of my co-workers.
They had all these activites planned. The invitation stated: "Remember the proper equipment: shoes, clothes ". I was a bit concerned at this reminder. Does this mean that people are going to show naked? Shoes and clothes...what if I was a nudist? But I digress...no shock there.. Right activities.. Okay so there were 5 different things which everyone was "encouraged" (Read: required) to do. One event was a 3 part brain challenge thing which involved crossing an imaginary swamp with 4 pieces of long wood and 5 small wooden blocks with all 5 of your team members standing on the wood at the same time and having to pass forward the last "log" to the front and inch forward a board at a time to the other side while balancing on your makeshift balance beam. Part 2 was a bottle which had 8 strings attached to it -4 at the neck and 4 at the bottom - threaded through this wooden box frame at each corner (2 in each corner for the mathmatically impaired). There were 2 mugs in opposite corners of the box frame. The object: once you lift the bottle from the ground it can not touch again and you must fill BOTH mugs to the top in under 8 minutes. Part 3 was moving a stack of tires (arranged in pyramid form with the biggest on the bottom) from around 1 pole to a second pole. There is a 3rd pole which can help you move them since no 2 tires can be "in motion at the same time" and no larger tire can be on top of a smaller tire...get the idea?..it is much easier to show you how to do it..but this being the web and all..use your imagination.
I actually enjoyed those 3 activities. There was also moutain biking, learning how to use a kick bike - in essence a scooter for adults without the motor -, canoeing and then the last "activity". At this point in the afternoon I am wondering: 1.) where is the booze damn it! 2.) I didn't sign up for things that make me sweat. 3.) Where is the booze?!
"To the SHAME James and step on it!"... I actually had to do something I swore I would never do. Nordic Walking. HOLY HELL is that stuff embarassing. You are probably thinking to your self "nordic walking?..do Scandinavians walk in some odd way that other humans don't?"... Folks..they do it with ski poles! I am not joking. It is entirely shameful and embarassing. Not only because you look like a right twit and only OLD people do it, but because if you have the co-ordination of a cow like I do..you can't even do it PROPERLY!!! OH the opprobrium!!! <-word of the day
Thank goodness for the copious amounts of alcohol after that. Little did I know I had to debase myself before I could drink. Now I have to nurse my hangover. Bright spot: K and D arrive in 11 hours for a weekend sans goose liposcution and free of shitty Californian wine. :)
This "team building" event was out in a place called Marskin Maja. I could give you the whole history lesson on who Mannherheim was but that would bore you and you would be drooling and snoring before you finished reading any of it so I won't. It was a lovely location in the middle of nowhere about 1 1/2 hours from Helsinki. Very nice place with saunas and a beautiful lake and 70 of my co-workers.
They had all these activites planned. The invitation stated: "Remember the proper equipment: shoes, clothes ". I was a bit concerned at this reminder. Does this mean that people are going to show naked? Shoes and clothes...what if I was a nudist? But I digress...no shock there.. Right activities.. Okay so there were 5 different things which everyone was "encouraged" (Read: required) to do. One event was a 3 part brain challenge thing which involved crossing an imaginary swamp with 4 pieces of long wood and 5 small wooden blocks with all 5 of your team members standing on the wood at the same time and having to pass forward the last "log" to the front and inch forward a board at a time to the other side while balancing on your makeshift balance beam. Part 2 was a bottle which had 8 strings attached to it -4 at the neck and 4 at the bottom - threaded through this wooden box frame at each corner (2 in each corner for the mathmatically impaired). There were 2 mugs in opposite corners of the box frame. The object: once you lift the bottle from the ground it can not touch again and you must fill BOTH mugs to the top in under 8 minutes. Part 3 was moving a stack of tires (arranged in pyramid form with the biggest on the bottom) from around 1 pole to a second pole. There is a 3rd pole which can help you move them since no 2 tires can be "in motion at the same time" and no larger tire can be on top of a smaller tire...get the idea?..it is much easier to show you how to do it..but this being the web and all..use your imagination.
I actually enjoyed those 3 activities. There was also moutain biking, learning how to use a kick bike - in essence a scooter for adults without the motor -, canoeing and then the last "activity". At this point in the afternoon I am wondering: 1.) where is the booze damn it! 2.) I didn't sign up for things that make me sweat. 3.) Where is the booze?!
"To the SHAME James and step on it!"... I actually had to do something I swore I would never do. Nordic Walking. HOLY HELL is that stuff embarassing. You are probably thinking to your self "nordic walking?..do Scandinavians walk in some odd way that other humans don't?"... Folks..they do it with ski poles! I am not joking. It is entirely shameful and embarassing. Not only because you look like a right twit and only OLD people do it, but because if you have the co-ordination of a cow like I do..you can't even do it PROPERLY!!! OH the opprobrium!!! <-word of the day
Thank goodness for the copious amounts of alcohol after that. Little did I know I had to debase myself before I could drink. Now I have to nurse my hangover. Bright spot: K and D arrive in 11 hours for a weekend sans goose liposcution and free of shitty Californian wine. :)
Thursday, August 25, 2005
um..er...yeah
Right..so I have decided to pick a new word every day to use in my blog. Don't even start on my inability to post every day. It just means that on those days I don't post I must add additional words to make up for the lack of posting. Sort of like a complex quantum calculus equation where the coeficient of my stupidity is compounded by the lack of imagination and subsequently divided by the number of pages in a really cool thesaurus (bet you thought I didn't know what one was!) which is directly related to the quantity of wine and/or beer consumed the night before divided by the hours slept and factored to the 10th power. For all you math geeks out there, it is pretty obvious I know NOTHING about calculus. I only took enough math in school to graduate and promptly forgot almost all of it the minute I finished the test. Seriously..I can't even add properly..I require a computer or a calculator to do it all for me and with the use of webbank here in Finland I never even have to balance my cheque (note the Eurotrash spelling) book because they don't use cheques in Finland at all. They look at you like you are a freak if you ask...
Right where was I..oh..words and my use of them..So, in other words, if I am an exceptionally lazy cow (let's face it..I am always a lazy cow) I have to use more neat-o keen words. Not that it is usally a problem. Hell I can never tell a story in under 20 minutes without several tangents leading off to more tangents and then I have to "bring it home" as Michael tells me. I suppose that means my goddess title is appropriate. Although I have always kind of been a bit chagrined by that moniker...I never thought of myself as a wordy bitch (that is K's job with her blog entries..although I could run a close second)..but I guess I can be that way. I also can not speak without using wild (neat-o but not so keen word alert)gesticulations, subsequently knocking over drinks within a 3 foot radius of my windmilling and decidedly clumsy appendages which are not to be confused with the noodly appendages of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM). Seriously clumsy here folks. Wait..was that a tangent?
:)
Right where was I..oh..words and my use of them..So, in other words, if I am an exceptionally lazy cow (let's face it..I am always a lazy cow) I have to use more neat-o keen words. Not that it is usally a problem. Hell I can never tell a story in under 20 minutes without several tangents leading off to more tangents and then I have to "bring it home" as Michael tells me. I suppose that means my goddess title is appropriate. Although I have always kind of been a bit chagrined by that moniker...I never thought of myself as a wordy bitch (that is K's job with her blog entries..although I could run a close second)..but I guess I can be that way. I also can not speak without using wild (neat-o but not so keen word alert)gesticulations, subsequently knocking over drinks within a 3 foot radius of my windmilling and decidedly clumsy appendages which are not to be confused with the noodly appendages of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM). Seriously clumsy here folks. Wait..was that a tangent?
:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
