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PFLAG. I'm beginning to like the sound of that.
PFLAG is posting blogs from parents of gay kids. I thought the first one from a dad was touching. It was written in response to a horrible story in Details. For a magazine that caters to the gay sensibility, this article was ill informed and homophobic.
April 30 at 7:24 PM | Comments (2)
PBS
I'm watching the PBS 10 part special called Carrier this week. It's amazing the Pentagon has let them film on the USS Nimitz and it's an amazing series you should be watching. The Marines on the ship are getting hassled because their jets are all busted pieces of crap so the Navy pilots and crew are hurting their feelings. One Marine gives his hard luck story...he was left at a carnival in Texas by his parents. Seriously? Seriously.
The insight into life on a carrier is riveting. Order the series if you are missing it and you'll watch it and insist that others watch it, too.
April 29 at 9:09 PM | Comments (2)
This FLDS Sect thing is a mess
Texas raided the Yearning For Zion ranch in Texas. You've heard about it on the news, I'm sure. They took over 400 children off the ranch and now officials say that half of all the teenage girls are pregnant or have children. Shocking. Bizarre religious excuses cause so much pain in this country and around the globe.
April 29 at 7:45 AM | Comments (1)
I bought a new CD
I randomly bought a new CD yesterday. Dave Barnes. Love it. Someone made a stupid Grey's Anatomy video to his song, Until You. The video is crap, but the song is good. Same goes for what someone on YouTube did to his song, On A Night Like This. So, go...listen and tell me what you think.
April 28 at 7:36 AM | Comments (1)
Mom says hello
My mom is here and we've had a terrific weekend, except the weather has been weird and we've had two hailstorms since they arrived. Saturday night we had people over to the house and we drank a lot of champagne and ate the cutest little tartlets you've ever seen.
Yesterday it was 50 degrees here and we went out to my cousin's ranch and built a big fire and ate ribs and rode around in the Jeep.
I have to work a little bit this morning, but after that we're going for mani/pedis!
April 28 at 7:31 AM | Comments (0)
In case nobody has reminded you lately...
Miss Kelly Clarkson is still the only real American Idol in my opinion. If you doubt me, just go remind yourself my first real favorite song from her. The Trouble With Love Is.
GURRRRRL, she can sang, y'all.
And if you haven't ever seen Love, Actually you are missing a great movie. That scene when Emma Thompson plays "Both Sides Now" and let's go for a just a second and then sucks it up and lifts her head is a bit of amazing acting like you rarely see.
April 26 at 7:18 AM | Comments (0)
Quit Closing The Streets!
Two of the three bridges across the river downtown are closed today, as are more than 10 blocks of Congress and Lavaca, as well as long stretches of Congress and South First Street south of the river. This is becoming ridiculous! I just ranted about this5 days ago!
You cannot have urban density and traffic problems and the close the GD streets every weekend! I am writing strongly worded letters to the entire city council today.
FURIOUS.
April 26 at 6:31 AM | Comments (2)
Funny email my mom sent me
I was walking down the street when I was accosted
by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless
woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.
I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked,
'If I give you this money, will you buy wine with it
instead of dinner?'
Continue reading "Funny email my mom sent me"
April 25 at 9:19 PM | Comments (0)
I'm back!
It is so nice to be home! Plus, when I arrived, my washer and dryer had been delivered and i even washed some clothes last night. Thus ends 55 day ordeal of a battle royale with Maytag!
My mom and stepdad arrive today. You may remember that my mother claimed to have a Posh Spice haircut. We'll see. So, in her honor I ask you to start your Friday with this:
April 25 at 7:30 AM | Comments (1)
No offense, but...
I'm in Indianapolis, Indiana on business. I've been here since Monday and I've had to spend from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. everyday in meetings. The word excruciating is fair when describing the entire week.
I've only seen a very small part of downtown Indianapolis. Uhm...why would anyone live here? What's the draw? If you were a smart, well educated, relatively good looking person why wouldn't you flee as soon as you could get your hands on $200 and a car?
Dear GOD how I miss Austin. I'll be home tonight around 10 p.m. or so.
April 24 at 6:10 AM | Comments (2)
To much crap happens in this city, II
Remember when I said too much crap happens in Austin and you have to avoid downtown because of all the traffic and Will called me an old coot? Well, it happened again last weekend and it's the top story in the newspaper this morning.
Last weekend there was a reggae festival, antique show and some event at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, plus the Austin Lyric Opera had Carmen. The gridlock was so bad that some people never even made it to their destination of choice and even when they got there, there was no parking left.
We've got a problem in Austin as one of the fastest growing urban areas in America. We have no infrastructure to support this influx. We have no East/West highway or corridor, only surface streets and only 2 North/South options. There is also limited parking downtown.
City Council elections are coming up and I, for one, want to know what each candidate plans to do to balance this influx of high-rise condos downtown and this push to get more people in general downtown with the need for some serious traffic analysis.
April 22 at 5:42 AM | Comments (3)
Off like a dirty shirt...
I'm off on a business trip today until Thursday and then my mom and stepdad are coming to visit on Friday. So much to do! Have to arrange delivery of a new washer/dryer, make sure the housekeeper comes and gives the place a scrubbing worthy of a mom visit, get the landscaper to plant some flowers in the dirt patch in the front yard and not to mention all the stuff I have to get prepared for these business meetings! Have a good Monday!
April 21 at 8:43 AM | Comments (1)
Did you have a nice weekend?
I did. Saturday night was a great date night. We had a nice dinner and went to see an 80's cover band. We wound up very close to the stage with a group of people all around our age. We joked that it was like a high school reunion and we all gave each other compliments about how we hadn't changed at all since 10th grade even though we'd never seen each other before. It was great fun to see a bunch of 30-somethings belting out 867-5309, Jenny I got your number!
The date was great and I even went to watch him play softball on Sunday and hung out with him Sunday evening.
April 21 at 8:38 AM | Comments (0)
What I would do in case of a burglar...
Ever wonder how you'd react if someone was trying to break into your house? I do, I've often wondered if I would just scream or hide or crawl out a window. Last night I got the chance to work it out for real.
I fell asleep on the couch and woke up at about 2 a.m. with the lights on, the TV on and as I was coming out of my daze I saw through the window on my front door that someone was opening the screen door. I sat up and just started shouting, "NO. GET OUT OF HERE. NO. NO. NO. and then the door closed and I realized my front window was open and a face appeared. By this time I was on my feet and my adrenaline was pumping. I just continued shouting, "GET OUT OF HERE. GO AWAY. NO!"
Turns out it was my across the street neighbor that was wondering if I knew who's car was parked on the street that left their interior light on. I apologized for freaking out and explained to her that she had just scared me into a panic. I was still shaking when she left. She said I had scared the daylights out of her, too.
Do not come just walking up on my porch!
April 19 at 11:19 AM | Comments (4)
What did I agree to again?
It's funny how I say yes before I really know what I've gotten myself into sometimes. I agreed to what I thought was a panel discussion on new media at the University of Texas a while back. Yesterday I found out it is a convention for the entire state of Texas journalism students, teachers and college professors and it's not a panel discussion...it's a 45 minute presentation on the convergence between traditional media and new media.
Thankfully, I have a staff that can help and yesterday we had three people helping me craft a 45 minute presentation and slide show with PowerPoint.
April 18 at 8:52 AM | Comments (1)
Want
April 17 at 9:16 PM | Comments (3)
So, I had a date.
I had the most normal date of all time last night. He even paid. Shocking.
April 17 at 7:33 AM | Comments (4)
Well, no shit
My horoscope for the day:
You've got to slow down, especially where business is concerned. Things are weirder than they ought to be, but you ought to be able to cope without any serious troubles if you see what's really happening.So, working 12 hour days and sometimes 14-15 isn't normal?
April 17 at 7:32 AM | Comments (0)
More news about retirement....
I just read an interesting tidbit that if a 26 year old were to put $20,500 away for retirement in one year they would have $1 million for their retirement. That's the rule of thumb of how much you'll need to live for 20 years on $50k a year. I immediately thought how screwed I am.
There is hope, though. If I can put double that away in the next couple of years I will be able to get there by my retirement age. So, now the challenge. Can I do it? That's a lot of champagne I'll have to give up!
April 17 at 7:24 AM | Comments (0)
Give the kid a few bucks
When is the last time you've ever even heard of Up With People? Anyway, some kid in Texas really wants to join the program this summer but they require you to come up with $14,000 for your travel, meals and expense. I checked, it's no joke.
So, Ryan created a website and you can go there and donate a little scratch to make a young kid's dreams come true. Let's read between the lines here...a kid from a small town in Texas wants to join Up With People and sing around the world. I feel obligated to help.
April 15 at 7:19 PM | Comments (1)
Your future's so bright
A new study says Gen X'ers are freaking out about retirement.
More than two-thirds of Americans aged 27 to 42 don't think they will ever be able to stop workingYou'd need to have about a million dollars saved to live 20 years on about $50k a year. So, no...you won't be able to stop working. The lottery is not a sound retirement strategy.
My retirement plan is sound. I'll retire to a third world country and eat cat food. See? I'm not freaking out about it at all.
April 15 at 7:28 AM | Comments (3)
OMG: Taxes!
My beloved accountant sent me all my tax information. It came in a beautiful little binder with lots of "Sign here" tabs. It was so cute. Until I saw the amount I have to pay the IRS. Holy BeJesus! So, today I have to the bank and get all this done. I'm so afraid I'm going to do it all wrong, even though there are detailed instructions.
Yet another thing that would not cause me anxiety if I only had a husband.
April 14 at 7:45 AM | Comments (5)
I went to food heaven last night
JM, CH and I went to the Four Seasons newly remodeled restaurant, Trio, last night. While the Four Seasons is a place we often go for drinks, I have rarely had dinner there. The decor of the restaurant was a little bland for it to be the Four Seasons. I found it to be kind of Hilton-esque.
Now, as we know, I'm no foodie. There were three things that I found to be amazing. The parmesan puff pastry bread they brought was unbelievable. The rosemary and lemon chicken I had was very good. I also loved that they brought it to me in a little dutch oven. Presentation goes a long way with me. The best and most amazing food item I have had in a long time was the sweet corn creme brulee. Oh. My. God. I found a recipe online and am probably inspired to try and make it for my own...you know because I believe it would be a great thing to have when I need to eat my feelings.
JM would say I was a horrible dinner guest when I destroyed my dessert to get to the one bite I wanted at the bottom of the tiered banana concoction, but I would say that I just know what I want.
April 13 at 9:35 PM | Comments (1)
I'm done saving things today...
From Overheard In NY:
Environmentalist with clipboard: Excuse me, do you have a minute to help save the environment?
Woman in suit: I'm sorry, I already saved the children this morning and then told the Democratic Party to go fuck themselves three blocks ago, so no, I don't have time to save the environment today. Maybe tomorrow, hippie.
April 13 at 10:59 AM | Comments (2)
Salary Confusion
The Statesman put up a page where you can anonymously put in your salary and then compare it with other people here in Austin. I am in pretty much the right spot for my experience and title by comparison. But, there's always one that confuses the hell out of me.
Title : Experience : Salary
Associate Director, Marketing and New Business Development
1 or less
$120,000
Seriously? One year of experience and you're making $120k? This person is doomed because the next time they go looking for a job with just a few years experience they are going to get laughed at when they ask for this kind of money. I hope this person goes in and kisses the feet of their bosses everyday to be so lucky. Also, who the hell are the morons that hired someone with a year of experience for $120k? I'd like to work for them...they obviously have very low expectations!
April 12 at 9:44 AM | Comments (3)
Too much crap happens in this city
Getting downtown will be nearly impossible this weekend here in Austin. There's a bike thing, an art thing and a run. I mean, I like that there are activities, but it is like this entirely too often here. There are marathons, festivals and parades that block off all of downtown and there are three bridges across the river so when one of them is blocked, you are totally screwed with traffic.
April 11 at 10:59 PM | Comments (1)
Love a good comedy bit
Nerve and IFC put together the 50 greatest comedy sketches of all time. My favorite is probably Sid Ceasar and Nanette Fabray miming a domestic dispute to Beethoven's 5th in the days of live TV. Brilliant!
April 11 at 7:46 PM | Comments (2)
New video!
In which I ramble, accentuate a tooth misalignment and generally bore you as I show you the finished house.
April 10 at 9:03 PM | Comments (3)
VICTORY!
Maytag called. They will call me tomorrow to tell me what store will be delivering me a new washer and dryer. I just have to decide what I want. As soon as I have confirmation of delivery I will remove my nasty post.
I gotta tell you, I could really use a victory about now so this is extra sweet.
April 10 at 2:58 PM | Comments (0)
That's dangerous
This song came on the radio when I was in the shower this morning. My ensuing dance routine nearly tore down the shower curtain and caused a serious head injury. Enjoy.
April 10 at 8:58 AM | Comments (3)
Welcome back, Tina Fey!
NBC recovers from the writer's strike tonight! I've missed Tina Fey so very much. I can't wait to see her tonight.
April 10 at 8:10 AM | Comments (0)
Uhm, that's not my scene man...
Today I had to go to a meeting in a sportsman's store. It was a huge store with a big gun section and a fly fishing section. I got a tour of the guns. There were so many! They made me nervous there were so many in one place. I don't understand why they sell machine guns. But, I did start to think maybe I should buy a gun. I mean, they're right there all shiny and stuff.
I was fascinated by the fly fishing section. You would not believe the detail that goes into tying flies!
April 9 at 10:40 PM | Comments (1)
American Airlines Trouble
American Airlines continued to cancel flights today and will continue to cancel flights through Friday at least. The fleet of MD-80's is the root and the FAA is requiring inspections. American was already in financial troubles and this certainly is not going to help.
It is hard to feel sorry for them. The customer service is laughable and the old janky MD 80's are brutal.
If I were traveling this week and stuck somewhere I would be so bitter. Thankfully, my next business trip isn't until the 21st and I'm hoping it's all settled by then. But, I will rethink my loyalty to one carrier just for the miles.
It's a case of nerves
I came home sick today and it's nothing but 'nerves' that's got me all gross. There's a children's school across the street and can I just say that few things annoy me more than a playground full of screaming children. Why must they SCREAM? STFU you little no-neck monsters!!!
April 9 at 3:46 PM | Comments (3)
Maytag Appliances NO GOOD
Well, Maytag has sent the repairmen for my washing machine to my house seven times. It still doesn't work. Hasn't worked since the day it was delivered from Fry's on March 1. The Maytag people have directed the repairmen to spend over $1,700 in parts alone on the machine and it still doesn't work. I'm going to link to the Maytag site throughout this post and encourage you to link to this post on your own blog so it will be right up top in the search engines when anyone searches for MAYTAG!
So, the washing machine repairs are now about to enter 3x what the machine costs! But, have they replaced it? Nope. We are not 38 days into me having a very expensive paperweight in my house. You know, the Maytag? The one I bought at Fry's?
Maytag's long reputation of having bored repairmen is clearly a farce. The repairmen that have been to my house are having a great time! They have been repairing the worst MAYTAG appliance ever made. Do you have a Maytag? Have you ever bought a Maytag? Don't. Bad machines...those Maytag appliances. Brand new and they don't work. I can't believe Fry's Electronics would sell Maytag Appliances. I would never buy another Maytag. Would you?
Maytag, you may email me to discuss.
April 9 at 7:23 AM | Comments (2)
Wednesday! Welcome!
Ok, so good morning. I'm having coffee and reading the news. Glad I ain't flyin' today, the airports will be a mess. American has already started canceling flights. There's gonna be some bitter infrequent fliers causing some scenes up in the airport. "Y'all can't do this! We have a ticket! We have to be in Phoenix for a wedding!" Whatever.
What else, oh yeah, severe weather threat is on the rise here today and tomorrow. The last hail storm busted my outdoor lights. I'll hold off on replacing them until after Spring storm season.
April 9 at 7:16 AM | Comments (0)
Sound Investment?
CitiGroup may have found a buyer for $12 billion in loans. The amount of risk involved in buying loans from them is staggering and I was shocked to see they were being negotiated at 90 cents on the dollar. I'd give you like 20-25 cents on the dollar and pray like hell I could get $5 or $6 billion out of the deadbeats.
April 9 at 7:13 AM | Comments (0)
Protesting the Olympics?
How are we feeling about protesters snuffing out the Olympic torch in Paris or climbing the Golden Gate Bridge?
April 8 at 7:44 AM | Comments (8)
Channeling Grandma
Today for Sunday lunch I made pot roast with potatoes and carrots, black eye peas, fried zucchini and crescent rolls. With a big pitcher of sweet tea. JM and I sat down at the dinner table and it was like Sunday suppers from back home. Afterwards we sat out on the front porch and finished our sweet tea and gossiped as I occasionally chased birds out of the front yard.
That's about as perfect a Sunday afternoon for me as it can get.
April 6 at 2:12 PM | Comments (1)
That's gonna leave a mark
There are some downsides to having a degenerative nerve condition. I fall a lot and have ruined many pairs of pants with bloody rips in the knees. The other is that my reflexes are slow. Last night I was making me a little fried zucchini and when I was disposing of the hot grease I, for some reason, poured it out over my hand. I looked down and saw the hot grease pouring over my right hand and thought, "I bet that's really hot," and just kept pouring. Then, finally, the pain made its way from my fingers to my brain and I jerked my hand up in the air and let out a scream.
I'm fine. It's only first degree burns. But, jeesh! At least my zucchini was tasty.
April 6 at 10:24 AM | Comments (1)
Well,
They'll finally be pry the gun out of Charleton Heston's hand. He's dead.
April 6 at 9:51 AM | Comments (0)
My mom cracks me up
Today we were talking and I said when she comes to visit I'll take her to my stylist. Here's how the conversation followed:
Me: It'll be fun, we'll do a mini-spa day.
Mom: Well, I don't need a new style right now, it's very short. It's just like Posh.
Me: Like what?
Mom: You know, son, Victoria Beckham. I just had it done. It's short and sassy.
And there you have it. My retired mother is rockin' a Posh Spice hairdo.
April 5 at 11:55 AM | Comments (2)
Hail, y'all
This morning while having coffee the thunderstorm turned into a hailstorm. It's been a very long time since I've seen hail bouncing off the streets. Thankfully, my car was tucked neatly in the garage and I'm waiting for it to completely pass over before I even think about leaving for the office.
I took a video, but for some stupid reason it didn't come out. the hail was about the size of those super balls you get in a gumball machine.
April 4 at 8:13 AM | Comments (1)
Best joke ever
Check out any video on youtube's front page today. Hilarious.
April 1 at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)
Well, that's not creepy at all
Google maps just released their street view maps of Austin and you can zoom right up to my front door and onto my porch in the photos of my street. Seriously? I'm flashing you right now.
