Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Fuddruckers:

I had the Crispy Chicken New Yorker with bacon and Swiss and a regular Fudd Fries. The beverage was the vanilla Diet Coke I had been sipping all morning.

One of the deputies suggested it yesterday and offered to go get it. I helped him gather the orders and called in the order. Then we both headed out to Fudd to get the food. He’s a good guy and seemed to enjoy the adventure. I think I may have found LW’s cruise director replacement already.

Why this post? Why the new category?

Because it amuses me. I had the thought that Tiger has his “Navel Gazing Report,” why can’t I have my “Lunch Today Was...” post/category? I talk about lunch often enough, right?

So get ready...daily I will report what we did for lunch. Can you handle the excitement?

I meant to post this earlier this morning, but a friend from church (her name is Julie) had major surgery this morning to have her pelvis reconstructed. Via an email update, her surgery went well and the doctor didn’t see anything he didn’t expect to see.

She will be out of commission for about 10 weeks, depending on how well she recovers. She won’t be able to do much in that time - she’ll be bed-ridden for most of that time. She will have a catheter from her abdomen for most of that time as well.

To add to the chaos for her husband and 3 children (at home, she has one away at college), they will have her and her husband’s families at their home for Thanksgiving.

If you think about it, will you please add her to your prayer list for the next few weeks? I’ll try to remember to update on her progress. Thanks a ton!

I missed the opportunity to share an I’d-say-it’s-a-Freudian-slip-if-she-didn’t-say-it-three-times misspeak from yesterday when we first learned of the King of Pop’s home being searched by police while dining on Baja Fresh for lunch.

“Ooh! The police are searching Netherland - you know, Michael Jackson’s home!”

As I said, the name as above was repeated twice more. So my initial thought that I didn’t hear it correctly was incorrect. And I watched her mouth the other two times I could sense it was coming. That was definitely a TH instead of a V being said.

Heh.

One question (OK, there are 2):

After the initial allegations of molestation and his settlement with the families a decade ago, what parent in their right mind would ever allow their boy-child to be alone with Michael Jackson? Especially after he admitted on world television last year that he “sleeps” with them?

I hope they find the evidence needed to convince a jury to convict this guy. And I hope this kid and his family don’t allow MJ’s financial offer to settle the case out of court (because you know he’ll try it again this time, too) instead of going forward with a criminal trial. Any predator of children needs to be behind bars.

I was in my jammies and headed for the bathroom to brush my teeth when the piercing tones of the smoke alarm sounded. It was 10:14pm. Annie was under the bed, but zoomed out and ran for the front door, trying to get away from the sound. I quickly changes into a pair of pants, slipped on some shoes, grabbed my cell phone and purse, snagged my jacket and keys, hooked Annie up to her leash and headed out the door.

Outside the alarm was more piercing, more painful. I knew that Annie had to be in agony, so we ran down the stairs - I was headed for the blessed sound-proof interior of my car. We were on the sidewalk in front of the building when this voice came from above, “They’ve been going off all day.”

I looked up to see two 20-something guys on their balcony, smoking.

“What? All day?” I was horrified at the auditory torture Annie must have endured while I was at work.

“Fire Department was here all afternoon, playing with the alarms. It’s rather annoying.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” I replied. And at that moment the alarm went silent.

Once back in the apartment, I realized that the hand towels that were strewn about my room must have been Annie’s way of displaying her displeasure at the noise. They had been nicely folded in my laundry basket on the floor, which she never disturbs. I couldn’t imagine why she pulled the towels out when I got home. Crazy.

Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I meant to post about this earlier, but I was busy working.

I like to sleep with music on, I’ve mentioned that before. I used to sleep with a Christian music radio station on, but taking a cue from my uncle, I switched to a local classical music station instead. And I’ve loved waking up to soothing, familiar melodies. IMHO, there is no better music to sleep to than classical. And I don’t mean that in a derogatory way at all - I really love classical music.

So this morning was a bit of a jolt, when at about 4am I woke up to Ravel’s Bolero. I was a little out of it, but I did manage a chuckle and thought, “Is this where Dudley Moore shows up?” I fell back to sleep.

Then about an hour later (and just before my alarm went off), I woke back up to that theme from Babe - you know, the one that they added words to and Farmer Hoggett sang to Babe when he was sick? I love that theme - we looked for the music for it for Jane’s wedding with little success. And the full piece is not as sweet as the little portion used for the movie.

(After some research, I found that it’s Symphony No. 3 In C Minor ‘Organ’ by Camille Saint-Saens.) Yay!

For the past year or so, there’s been major construction across from the courthouse. It’s for Patent & Trademark’s new offices. The buildings look OK, but it’s the parking/traffic we’re mostly concerned about. We’re hearing rumors of 7000 bodies in that campus, but only 5000 parking spaces.

“But wait!” we’re told, “Metro is just across the street.”

Yeah, OK. But do they really think that 2000 people are going to take Metro? I think not.

Anyway, last Friday, I noticed weird road work going on Duke Street - turns out they’ve torn up the road (there’s a HUGE hole in Duke Street) in order to begin the work for a pedestrian concourse (tunnel) under Duke Street to the King Street Metro station.

This is a fantastic idea, imho. That is a dangerous intersection for pedestrians. And it’s confusing for anyone who’s not familiar with the area too. The tunnel will make it clear where to go, will protect people from traffic and the elements, and maybe encourage more people to take the Metro instead of drive.

Will I take the Metro? No - I get free parking in a protected garage; Metro would take longer; Metro might cost more out of pocket.

You know how you’ll have those moments in real life that remind you of scenes from a movie? I have had two such moments in the past few days:

1.  On Sunday, at the luncheon, we were all sitting in the living room together, sharing stuff. I got tickled because one couple was sharing together (talking over each other, as one unit) and it reminded me of the Christopher Guest mockumentaries (Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind) where a couple is being interviewed about something and they would do that same thing.

2.  I just had to book a flight for today. I was on the phone with our travel agent and I could hear her typing away on her keyboard and I was reminded of the scene from Meet the Parents, where Ben Stiller is at the airport and the ticket counter lady types hundreds of characters for the simplest information.

Both kind of made me chuckle. Do you ever have moments like that?

I’ve been busy today. I checked in once to see way too many comments to be able to respond to in a few minutes. And I haven’t visited any other blogs yet today either. Imagine work getting in the way of my blog time!

I will try to start responding later this afternoon - I’m almost done with payroll. Our phones are out, which has been nice, no interruptions.

Monday, November 17, 2003

How can we make her go away?

Part of Hollywood Boulevard is now “In the Zone” of Britney Spears. The pop star received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday before nearly 2,000 screaming fans.

That honor used to mean something. Now any two-bit celeb-wannabe can buy their piece of the sidewalk.

I forgot to post about the shows I watched last week. Not that most of you care, or maybe you do. Maybe my ramblings about TV shows are as enthralling as...I don’t know what. So here you go (most of these shows were videotaped and watched over the weekend):

1. 24: The President has bad taste in women, he should remain single, imho. For some reason Jack is annoying to me this season. Maybe it’s because he’s addicted to smack. Is that a Jump the Shark move? Was that needed? I dunno.

2. West Wing: They’re losing me. The dialogue is just as snappy, but there’s something missing (Aaron Sorkin?). Why is Leo so cranky all the time?

3. Threat Matrix: I’m digging this show. Really, if not for the Survivor pool, I’d be watching this “live” every week.

4. CSI: Someone else (I can’t remember whom it was) noted that the crimes being investigated are all of a sexual nature this season. What happened to the inexplicable-and-yet-they-manage-to-scientifically-explain-it spontaneous combustion type dead bodies? William Petersen needs to shave off the beard, I’m hating it. Still loving the show though.

5. ER: Rocky Romano needs someone to love and love him. His crankiness, while amusing in the first 5 minutes of the show, is wearing thin. His moment with the rape victim this week was great, he does have compassion! Bob Newhart will be nominated for and possible win an Emmy next September.

6. Joan of Arcadia: Last week’s episode didn’t end as the others have. There was unresolved conflict. I still really like the show - I wish God would appear as the cute teenager a bit more, although I really love the little girl in the playground. Very precocious.

7. Cold Case: Consistently good show. I like how they blend the older times with the new - younger faces morph to their older versions, the music is brilliantly used. I think the theme of the show is haunting.

8. Navy NCIS: I missed it last week - I forgot it was on. But I like this one too, although Threat Matrix is better, imho. Really, I watch NCIS for Mark Harmon - nice eye candy.

9. Alias: Where’s Will? He needs to come back. Where’s Spy Mom? She needs to come back. I don’t like Vaughn’s wife, she needs to go away, although she does solve the tension issue between Sydney and Vaughn that was going to disappear and destroy the show if they stayed together romantically. Was that a Jump the Shark moment for Alias? How bad is it when you have to Jump the Shark after 2 seasons?

Remember my post about the Tattler verbally attacking another lady in my office? On Friday, a couple of us encouraged the one who got the brunt of the yelling (the timid one) to make a formal complaint. So she did, and was asked to put her complaint in writing, which she did.

I have it on good authority that key people are aware of the situation and are going to try to correct the problem. I don’t know how they’ll do it, but they’ve been aware of the problem with this person for a while now.

I’m relieved to hear that.

I don’t link this with intent to send trolls his way, but I was stuck by a post by Dean Esmay titled, ”Why I Renounced Christianity.” I thought a few of my regular readers, who don’t read Dean, may be interested.

If you must comment at his blog, I implore you to be kind.

LATER: I’ve now taken the time to read some of the comment thread and it’s more disturbing than the original post.

So how do we, who believe, reach out to folks like this, who not only don’t believe but have complete antipathy (hatred?) for God? It grieves me.

I just caught a snippet of Arnold’s Inaugural address...just weird to think he’s the governor of California.

Today, Tony is celebrating his first anniversary as a blogger. Tony is a great read - he brings wise snark to the current events of our day. He’s also a brother in Christ; he and I have had many conversations on matters of faith. I am happy to count him as a good friend in the blogosphere - one whom I would like to meet IRL someday (along with his House Commander™ as well, of course - she sounds like we would be great friends too).

Congrats, Tony.