Friday, March 21, 2008

Jared at The Gospel-Driven Church reminds us of today.

Today is Good Friday. Good Friday. The day of Christ on the cross. Good.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
-- 1 Peter 4:13

Rejoice in sufferings?

This is not possible except for those who see being like Christ, who see being in Christ as the greatest good, the highest value, the best pleasure of all pleasures.

Amen, brother. Amen.

Happy Easter Weekend, friends. I pray you know the joy of His suffering and rejoice in His grace.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

I’ve got a backlog of work that I can’t get done because of fires I’m fighting for HQ. Add in the farewell luncheon on Tuesday, which meant there wasn’t a whole lot of work done by me since I was running around prepping for the lunch and then running around cleaning up after the lunch. For every step forward, I’ve taken 2-3 steps back every day this week. It’s really tiring and frustrating.

So OT is on the dock for the weekend. And possibly next week as well. Joy.

It’s Easter Weekend. The Cooties are coming up for the weekend and I will spend Saturday with them as planned. We have a family meeting on the agenda to discuss Disney trip logistics - just two more months and I am counting every day, believe me. We’re doing our family lunch together. And then we’ll cap the day by going to church in the evening as we usually do on Saturdays. I’m looking forward to that.

But then I fear that I’m going to have to put in a couple hours of OT on Sunday. I’ll be working tonight after I get Jesse to bed. I’ll work tomorrow night, as well. And I’ll probably work on Monday night, too. But I think that I’m going to have to clock in at some point on Sunday. There’s that much to do.

Stinks, except for the comp time I’ll be able to accue and then use for the vacation instead of annual leave. That’s the only good part.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

7. We bought out plane tickets for the California trip in July-August. We decided that it was better to just go ahead with the way the economy is and that gas prices will ensure nothing but higher rates the later we waited. So we bit the bullet and are planning on a full week in California to visit with Beau’s family and sightsee. We’ll be flying with Jet Blue since they had the best rates, with non-stop flights from here to there. We bought a seat for Jesse - I plan to call the airline next week to give them the heads up about our plan to use the carseat for the flights and to see what we need to do for that. We also reserved a rental car for the week. Hotel will come next if we end up not getting a timeshare unit, but we’re still praying that will come through. Either way, we’re looking forward to the trip and I’m going to start gathering information about the places we want to visit and have Beau start contacting cousins.

8. I stopped at the library to drop off some things that were due and as I pulled into my parking spot CD 5 of Nora Roberts’ Blood Brothers finished. Since I was stopped, I put CD 5 away and tried to put CD 6 into the player. However, the player didn’t like CD 6 and spit it back out - several times. So I put it away and took that in with me as well. I let the librarian know about the problems with CD 6 - she attached a note to it and set it aside. I put it back on hold this morning so that I can finish it - both the audio and dead tree versions. I’m about 2/3 through it, so finishing the dead tree version shouldn’t take too long.

Anyway, listening to someone narrate love scenes is both amusing and disturbing. However, the narrator is quite good and has a nice voice. Fortunately, Nora doesn’t include too many love scenes in her thriller-romances anymore.

So into the player now is Lost Light by Michael Connelly. Can I reiterate how much I like Harry Bosch? This one is read by Len Carriou - he has a nice voice, too.

9. My brain is tired after doing half of the last minute task requested by HQ. I have to deal with the other half tomorrow, which involves typing a boatload of checks. In the meantime I have a huge stack of prisoner medical that I was going to work on this week that is languishing in my inbox. *sigh*

I’m going home now.

1. Having a baby is really expensive. I’ve been trying to get reimbursed from my Flexible Spending Account on the last little bit we paid to the hospital for the time I spent in there, but the claim was rejected because they needed the itemized report. So I called INOVA yesterday and I was told I had to pick it up from their office this morning since HCFA won’t allow for faxing. Fortunately, their business offices are on the way to work, so it was supposed to be a 5 minute detour. However, the chick I talked to yesterday did not leave the report at the front desk as she said she would and I had to wait 20 minutes while she checked my ID and then went to print the report, which is 10 pages, btw. She assured me that the last bit we paid is combined charged that are on that report, but I couldn’t see where. I’m trusting she’s right and that I’ll get my reimbursement because today is the last day of the grace period for 2007 accounts.

[UPDATE]: I missed the grace period date - it was March 15th. Dang it. Well, we’ll see if they’ll do it anyway.

2. I’m severely aggravated by our HQ right now (it started at about 5pm yesterday actually) because they are asking me to do something today that they could have asked me to do months ago. But it must be done today to meet their audit requirements.

3. I think David Cook may win American Idol this season. He really is that good.

4. Priscilla Presley impressed me with her dancing last night. However, she is really scary to look at and I can’t help but wonder how much scarier she is in person. Oh, and I heart Steve Guttenberg. I still have two more of the ladies to watch - probably tomorrow since we have small group tonight.

5. I got voted out of the Survivor game yesterday. I think it was supposed to be a blindside, but I sort of knew it was coming. I was told by someone in a loose alliance that someone was defending me too hard and it caused everyone to get skittish about me. I was admonished to tell that person to cease and desist, but I have no clue who it might have been.

6. How is it already almost noon?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

We got video gold last night.

Watch here.

Monday, March 17, 2008

I think some of the guys at The Thinklings may need this site at some point.

This site is for U2 fans suffering from Bono Fatigue as a result of an over-consumption of U2 music, Bono interviews, Africa-related relief ideas etc. (BF can manifest in many ways. If you don’t have it, you’ll know it when you get it.) Since people at this site are recovering from BF, and are hoping to work through it and re-introduce U2 back to their lives, please do not post band photos, art or quotes unless absolutely necessary to your comment. Give others a chance to walk through this at their own pace. Thanks! Heal and enjoy.

Heh.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Beau and I just watched the first two episodes of HBO’s John Adams miniseries, based on David McCullough’s bestselling book. I have one word for it so far ... brilliant.

I can’t wait for the next episode next week.

When I saw the Play-Tone logo at the end of the first hour, which we came into about 5 minutes late, I knew it was going to be good. Tom Hanks is great at this format. Does everyone have a MySpace page except for me?

[UPDATED Mon 6:30am]: If you missed the first two hours last night, here’s HBO’s schedule of showings of the series for the next couple of weeks, all HBO channels. It’s On Demand as well, if you’re willing to pony up the dough for what you missed - I think it’s well worth it.

Friday, March 14, 2008

On a much lighter note, Jesse and I made a trip to BJs this morning. Normally, Beau does most of our grocery shopping. However, I’m in charge of the farewell luncheon for a departing manager so it was up to me to buy the stuff I’ll need to make the bulk of the food for the lunch. Why is a long story that I will refrain from sharing.

We do potlucks, but we are also a single male-dominated office and while a couple of them do cook, most don’t. And because of the circumstances that put me in charge of the thing, it also means that I’ll be doing most of the rest of the cooking to ensure we have enough food. So on the menu (I’m listing just the items I’m making - there are other tasty dishes that others are bringing):

Corned beef and cabbage (we have a huge corned beef, so half will be taken to the potluck)
Cheesy hash brown casserole (my usual contribution)
Pasta bake with alfredo and chicken
Meatballs
Ham Rolls (these are easy to make and always a winner - the recipe is my mother’s, if she permits I’ll post it)

Amazingly, with the money already collected and promised, I’m even in my spending. So I may actually make money on this luncheon and that hasn’t happened, ever. Of course, I’m sure there’s something we’ll need last minute, too.

Anyway, Jesse is such a patient little boy. He hung out in the cart and just took everything in as I put it in the cart. He never whined or tried to get out until we got out to the car. Towards the end he did lean his head against my side, so I knew he was getting tired. But he never complained. I’m such a fortunate Mom.

I just saw the scariest video on the potential for terrorism. It’s classified, so I can’t say what it is or who made it. But I will tell you that it is truly horrifying and at first blush tells me that we are not safe anywhere. Truly safe air travel will only be possible if we’re all traveling nude and even then there’s the potential for horrible death because of the measures evil will take, besides the obvious terror of having to travel nude.

Not that this will stop me from stepping on an airplane in July, but I will be watching everyone like a hawk, believe me.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

So the news story of the woman who sat on her boyfriend’s toilet for two years is just sad. Bizarre and sad.

Kory McFarren, the woman’s boyfriend, told The Associated Press he wasn’t to blame, although he says he should have gone for help sooner. But he says after a while—quote—“you kind of get used to it.”

Huh?

I really hope that Beau wouldn’t wait two years to get help for me if I wouldn’t leave the bathroom for more than a couple of hours of my own volition. A couple of days later, he should be calling doctors, the fire department, someone. Two years later, he is criminally negligent. My 2 cents.

[UPDATED]: For whatever reason, the link to the story I linked is no longer. So here’s a new link for you. And a snippet:

“The unfortunate thing is this truly is a case of two people, in my opinion, with diminished mental capacity,” Whipple said.

McFarren did not answer his door Thursday, but later called The Associated Press and said he was done giving media interviews. He said he did nothing wrong.

“The only thing I am guilty of is I didn’t get her help sooner,” he said.

On Wednesday, McFarren said his girlfriend, Pam Babcock, 35, had a phobia about leaving the bathroom.

I’ve pasted the entire article behind the link.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Don’t have tons of time for a longer review. Finished listening to City of Bones by Michael Connelly. I had not read any of his books before, but I got one based on a recommendation from my friend Felicia. Me likey a lot. My new favorite cop character is Harry Bosch. 4 stars out of 5.

Now in the playa is Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts. I’ve always only read dead tree versions of Ms. Roberts’ novels. It’s interesting to hear what she wrote. And to have it read by a man. The narrator is really good, though, so it’s an enjoyable listen so far.

All books are borrowed from the library, of course, so my sidebar list of pending reads will fluctuate based on what is available at any given time.

What a great show last night! Who doesn’t love The Beatles? Thank you Sony and Michael Jackson for releasing the catalog for AI use this season. About last night - I pretty much agree with Jaynee on her assessment of AI’s performances.

I was working on jewelry last night so I didn’t actively watching until about 9:30pm. No one sounded terrible, but there were definitely performances that stood out. My favorites were:

Chikezie - amazing
Jason - he has a really nice voice that grows on me each week
Carly - she may be the strongest woman this season, but there is one close behind her
David Cook - I loved his version of Hello last week. I loved his version of. He’s very talented.
Brooke - she is still my favorite of the women. I love her style.
Amanda - she is unique, isn’t she?
Michael - still love him. I think it’s as much because he’s older and seems more mature as much as I like his voice.
David Archuletta - aw, David. I’ve been there - it’s awful to stumble on the words from the git-go. But you’re safe, don’t worry.

Other thoughts:
Kristy Lee Cook does this weird thing with her eyes when she’s trying to be intense. It’s more scary.
David H won’t last long mostly because of his stripping background, I think.
Syesha and Ramiele are forgettable.

That said, I think this is the strongest top 12 in a long time.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

A bit of random:

1. The open house last weekend was very successful. I posted about it at my business blog. I also have a couple of new custom orders. I’ll be busy for the next couple of weeks on my growing list of custom pieces. And I made a tidy sum to add to the Disney fund - the total receipts were more than I had prayed about (I prayed about a ballpark figure, nothing specific), which is awesome.

2. Beau got another internal email sent to the PHC faculty about the acceptance to their offer for the Government position. So now we just wait to hear about the Poli-Theory slot. And we continue to pray hard for God’s will - it would be nice if God’s will fits our desires, of course, but if not then we’ll deal with the disappointment.

3. I’d love to petition my congressmen about abolishing this crazy Daylight Savings Time idea. However, I know it won’t go anywhere since Congress just lengthened DST last year. Neither my dog nor my kid are clock watchers so they are not on board with the time change yet. As far as the dog is concerned it’s actually a good thing since it moves the early morning barking to later. But it makes Jesse’s bedtime challenging since I want to put him down at the usual time, but his body clock thinks it’s too early.

4. I’ve got a hankering for Indian/Indonesian food, so I’m on the hunt for some good recipes. Related, we got Thai take out a couple of weeks ago and the lemongrass-peppercorn pork was delicious. I’m looking for a recipe for that, too. Also, with St. Patricks Day next week, we’re doing the corned beef and cabbage thing with my parents on Sunday. I can’t wait!

5. Survivor Pool - Somehow I’m still in the game. And mirroring the show, our game has also switched up the tribes, so I now have tribemates who are completely unaware of my plea to be voted out. Of course, there’s the chance that one of the people who stayed on my tribe spilled the beans, but I think I’m safe for a bit because I’m the highest point person now. My ally is on the other tribe now, so I have someone after the merge, if we make it that far. And I’m working on a new alliance with a couple of people who came to my tribe in the switch.

I think that’s about it for now.

Gross.

The man has three teenaged daughters. I can’t imagine what they think about their father now. Makes my heart break for them.

OK, that was more than one word, but that is the one thing I keep thinking about since the news broke yesterday.

There’s a new video clip at WC.