While simultaneously blogging and folding laundry, I am also getting ready to go out tonight.
Tonight, Jon and I are going to see the movie Big Fish. I'm looking forward to this. We are going with a couple of friends. After my self imposed imprisonment this week due to the cold weather, it's going to be nice to hang out with some new people.
Tomorrow, there will be more of that as I am going to a party.
Go SOCIAL LIFE!!!!!
January 31, 2004
The Laundromat
Yes. I did my incredibly large load of laundry today. As I suspected the laundromat was full of people hogging up the driers. As a matter of fact, there were four women there doing their family's laundry together. When I put laundry in the incredibly large $5 machine, almost all of the driers were full. By the time my laundry was almost dry, they had emptied almost all of the driers and walked out with 8 full sacks of laundry. That was probably the worst and most selfish drier usage I've seen yet, in my days of doing laundry.
I learned today that washing all your clothes in one machine is just as effective as washing it in many different machines. My laundry was sorted by whites, blacks, greens and blues, browns, oranges, purples and red which is usually how I do it. Today, I wasn't in the mood to fight for a small machine so that's why I chose the SUPERLOADER. It paid off. I saved at least $10 and it took less time. I saved more time by not folding my laundry there. Granted I had to spend the time folding at my house, but getting out of that zoo was a priority.
Also, I ran into my lovely neighbor from next door which made the time go by even faster.
The best part is that all of clothes are clean and April fresh.
I learned today that washing all your clothes in one machine is just as effective as washing it in many different machines. My laundry was sorted by whites, blacks, greens and blues, browns, oranges, purples and red which is usually how I do it. Today, I wasn't in the mood to fight for a small machine so that's why I chose the SUPERLOADER. It paid off. I saved at least $10 and it took less time. I saved more time by not folding my laundry there. Granted I had to spend the time folding at my house, but getting out of that zoo was a priority.
Also, I ran into my lovely neighbor from next door which made the time go by even faster.
The best part is that all of clothes are clean and April fresh.
Presidential Match
Are you having trouble deciding 
which candidate supports your own political stance? There's no need to worry any longer.
With the help of PresidentialMatch.com, suggested by Jon, you can answer a questionaire which will direct you to the candidate best suited to your own political needs.
I was surprised to learn that Kerry matched my requirements 100 per cent.
which candidate supports your own political stance? There's no need to worry any longer.
With the help of PresidentialMatch.com, suggested by Jon, you can answer a questionaire which will direct you to the candidate best suited to your own political needs.
I was surprised to learn that Kerry matched my requirements 100 per cent.
Snow Claims Another Victim
What's the least practical object you can think of using to get your car out of a honking pile of snow?
Champagne glass?
Swing set?
The Sunday Times?
An empty can of Coke?
An inflatable doll?
An ironing board?
Well, if you guessed ironing board you would have not been alone.
This morning when I took out the trash, and smoked my first cigarette of the morning outside to keep my house spring time fresh, a man was shoveling his car out from under a huge a pile of snow with an ironing board he found leaning against the tree in front of my building. I watched him as he tirelessly removed about 5% of the snow barricading his car into the drift. I was amused when he got back in the car and tried to get out by shifting ever so slightly back and forth trying to get over the two foot high snowy lump blocking his tire. I was even more amused when he got back out of the car and walked back over to the ironing board and attempted to clear away another 5% of the offending pile.
When I got back in the house I could hear his car revving madly against the forces of nature as he started the cycle of futility all over again.
Honestly, whatever happened to kids shoveling snow for extra money? Oh yes, that's right, they have become the latest target of muggers that find earnest hard working preteens easy victims of their malicious crimes. In the latest story out of Long Island, I heard these monstrous bullies/criminals walked away with a huge booty of $28.00. If only those kids could have been here this morning to help that guy out. But then I wouldn't have had this amusing story.
Champagne glass?
Swing set?
The Sunday Times?
An empty can of Coke?
An inflatable doll?
An ironing board?
Well, if you guessed ironing board you would have not been alone.
This morning when I took out the trash, and smoked my first cigarette of the morning outside to keep my house spring time fresh, a man was shoveling his car out from under a huge a pile of snow with an ironing board he found leaning against the tree in front of my building. I watched him as he tirelessly removed about 5% of the snow barricading his car into the drift. I was amused when he got back in the car and tried to get out by shifting ever so slightly back and forth trying to get over the two foot high snowy lump blocking his tire. I was even more amused when he got back out of the car and walked back over to the ironing board and attempted to clear away another 5% of the offending pile.
When I got back in the house I could hear his car revving madly against the forces of nature as he started the cycle of futility all over again.
Honestly, whatever happened to kids shoveling snow for extra money? Oh yes, that's right, they have become the latest target of muggers that find earnest hard working preteens easy victims of their malicious crimes. In the latest story out of Long Island, I heard these monstrous bullies/criminals walked away with a huge booty of $28.00. If only those kids could have been here this morning to help that guy out. But then I wouldn't have had this amusing story.
January 30, 2004
Chocolate Protest
From French News.com
Bastard Chocolates from Brussels
A well-known chocolatier from the Tarn has created a 40kg bust of Nicolas Sarkozy in protest against the European commission directive permitting the sale of chocolate containing vegetable oil, as chocolate. Why Nicolas Sarkozy? Because the chef d’œuvre was supposed to be delivered on Saint-Nicolas’ day. Unfortunately, although the chocolatier Yves Thuriès convoyed his statue to Paris in person, it only reached the deputy prime minister in the New Year as he has been rushing about all over the place
as usual.
The big beef is that, since August 2003, 5% vegetable oil may be added to chocolate without being mentioned in the ingredients. “This is imitation chocolate, a fish finger of a chocolate,” thundered Monsieur Thuriès. “There should be an indication on the packet. It is the beginning of all sorts of bastardisations. It is as if beetroot juice could be secretly added to wine or margarine to butter.”
Before there is too much muttering about bloody Brussels, it should be recalled that the ungastronomic nature of the chocolate directive has to be laid at the door of the British government who, some ten years ago or more, successfully fought for the right to preserve intact their own hallowed gourmet names in milk chocolate, complete with secret soap ingredient.
My Brother and Me
I wasn't entirely happy with the photo I posted last time of my brother and me so I took it down to rework it. I did the best I could. I cropped out the white space leaving only the roller streaked image that I originally scanned.
Here we are. My brother (the new dad) and me, nearly four years ago on the day of his wedding.
Here we are. My brother (the new dad) and me, nearly four years ago on the day of his wedding.
Self Promotion
My readership is up.
According to Extreme Tracking, this January I've had over 1600 visits, up from 800 in August. It goes up every month.
I wonder if when I finally do write my book, I can use these figures as part of my pitch.
According to Extreme Tracking, this January I've had over 1600 visits, up from 800 in August. It goes up every month.
I wonder if when I finally do write my book, I can use these figures as part of my pitch.
Friday, finally
Friday night is finally here and I can finally breath a sigh of relief. For two days, my time is my own. Friday night is the night I clean, but cleaning is so boring. I wish there were some way I could blog and clean at the same time. I guess I'll just have to resort to catching up with someone on the phone while I clean. I want to clean tonight so I don't have to worry about it this weekend.
Do you remember last week I said I was going to sort and do my laundry? Well, I never did it. So now, I am out of socks, practically out of underwear and the last thing I want to do tonight is go to the Laundromat. So, I will do what I did last week. I will clean the house tonight and get the laundry ready to do in the wee hours of the morning. At my 24 hour Laundromat I'll be able to get a really early start, before the women with big families come and hog up all the driers and large load machines. My Laundromat is cool in that if you do your wash in entirely cold water, you save 25 cents.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to drop it off this week. Somehow, I'm always out of money by the end of the month. I'm going to have find another way to supplement my income. Does anyone have any ideas that don't require me to work hard, leave my house or turn off my television or computer? Yeah, I didn't think so.
My how I'm rambling. I must feel really comfortable with you all. You bring it out of me.
I feel so much better now. Thanks for listening. You're the best.
You always make me feel like I'm the only person in the room.
Do you remember last week I said I was going to sort and do my laundry? Well, I never did it. So now, I am out of socks, practically out of underwear and the last thing I want to do tonight is go to the Laundromat. So, I will do what I did last week. I will clean the house tonight and get the laundry ready to do in the wee hours of the morning. At my 24 hour Laundromat I'll be able to get a really early start, before the women with big families come and hog up all the driers and large load machines. My Laundromat is cool in that if you do your wash in entirely cold water, you save 25 cents.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to drop it off this week. Somehow, I'm always out of money by the end of the month. I'm going to have find another way to supplement my income. Does anyone have any ideas that don't require me to work hard, leave my house or turn off my television or computer? Yeah, I didn't think so.
My how I'm rambling. I must feel really comfortable with you all. You bring it out of me.
I feel so much better now. Thanks for listening. You're the best.
You always make me feel like I'm the only person in the room.
The Friday Five
Here is this week's Friday Five.
You have just won one million dollars:
1. Who do you call first?
My mother.
2. What is the first thing you buy for yourself?
New shoes.
3. What is the first thing you buy for someone else?
A house for my friend Maria and her family.
4.Do you give any away? If yes, to whom?
Yes. My parents.
5. Do you invest any? If so, how?
Yes. Real Estate and art.
You have just won one million dollars:
1. Who do you call first?
My mother.
2. What is the first thing you buy for yourself?
New shoes.
3. What is the first thing you buy for someone else?
A house for my friend Maria and her family.
4.Do you give any away? If yes, to whom?
Yes. My parents.
5. Do you invest any? If so, how?
Yes. Real Estate and art.
January 29, 2004
Extra Extra
According to Extra in a story about The Apprentice, Donald Trump's executive search/reality show, Donald Trump says that sex does sell.
Meanwhile, knowing that sex sells, the women turn to the oldest trick in the book. But will it backfire? Of course, the woman-worshipping Trump says, "Since when don't women use their sexual appeal?"
But in the real business world, do women try to woo Trump, and does it work? Trump says, "Absolutely and absolutely, they have used it and it works."
Thanks for the reality check, Mr. Trump.
Horoscope Update
None of the great things that were supposed to happen today according to my horoscope happened today.
Bummer
Bummer
Drinuses
My sinuses are so dry
They are hurting my eyes
which are burning
from the pressure
of my shrinking sinuses.
Self indulgent, yes
But an update, none the less.
They are hurting my eyes
which are burning
from the pressure
of my shrinking sinuses.
Self indulgent, yes
But an update, none the less.
My Wonderful Horoscope for Today
Virgo Horoscope
Thu Jan. 29, 2004 by Astrocenter.com
Whatever projects you've been working on, dear Virgo, perhaps job-related, perhaps personal enterprises, are apt to finally come to a head at this time. Success is definitely in the wind, along with a marked increase in income and acknowledgment from those who matter. This of course is going to boost your confidence, not to mention your mood. You might already be fired with plans for new trails to blaze. Try to stay down to earth. You won't want to miss anything!
Thu Jan. 29, 2004 by Astrocenter.com
Whatever projects you've been working on, dear Virgo, perhaps job-related, perhaps personal enterprises, are apt to finally come to a head at this time. Success is definitely in the wind, along with a marked increase in income and acknowledgment from those who matter. This of course is going to boost your confidence, not to mention your mood. You might already be fired with plans for new trails to blaze. Try to stay down to earth. You won't want to miss anything!
January 28, 2004
Sidewalk warmers
I was just thinking this morning, as I trudged over the snow covered ice ridden sidewalks of Astoria, how cool it would be if civil engineers could design a city where the sidewalks were heated from underneath, preventing ice and snow from sticking to the sidewalks.
Snow way
I thought it was cold here, going down to single digits with the wind chill factor.
Reading Human Mishaps and Oddities, a blog out of Minnesota, I realize now that we have it good here. During the day today, A experienced temperatures of -11 degrees. We haven't had temperatures like that except for in the evenings when I'm inside snug as a bug in a rug.
Today actually wasn't as cold as it's been. My bank run wasn't as cruel and unusual as it has been due to the biting weather. There were no celebrity spottings today, which now I'm looking for. I didn't tell you, but the other day, last week before my Alex Baldwin sighting, cutting across 32nd street I saw Brad Pitt bundled up standing in front of a little hotel. I couldn't see his full face but I could tell by the eyes. The eyes gave him away.
The daily walk has been good for me. It's forcing me to get in that exercise you're supposed to get every day. Maybe something good will come out of it, like my getting into shape or dare I say, losing weight.
Reading Human Mishaps and Oddities, a blog out of Minnesota, I realize now that we have it good here. During the day today, A experienced temperatures of -11 degrees. We haven't had temperatures like that except for in the evenings when I'm inside snug as a bug in a rug.
Today actually wasn't as cold as it's been. My bank run wasn't as cruel and unusual as it has been due to the biting weather. There were no celebrity spottings today, which now I'm looking for. I didn't tell you, but the other day, last week before my Alex Baldwin sighting, cutting across 32nd street I saw Brad Pitt bundled up standing in front of a little hotel. I couldn't see his full face but I could tell by the eyes. The eyes gave him away.
The daily walk has been good for me. It's forcing me to get in that exercise you're supposed to get every day. Maybe something good will come out of it, like my getting into shape or dare I say, losing weight.
Say it isn't Snow
Walked out onto a winter landscape. Nearly a foot of snow.
It's hard to believe that those gentle little flakes could wreak such havic.
It's hard to believe that those gentle little flakes could wreak such havic.
January 27, 2004
The Nominees Are . . . .
The Academy announced it's contendors for Oscars. While I'm writing this, I have Entertainment Tonight blaring on the TV. ET seems surprised that Nicole Kidman was snubbed for her performance in Cold Mountain. I have to say, having seen the movie, I'm not surprised. As much as I like her, it wasn't her best performance and she and Jude Law didn't have much on screen chemistry. Renee Z. should win for her performance because she went beyond the range we've seen from her to now. Although I've heard wonderful things about the performance by Shohreh Aghdashloo in House of Sand and Fog.
I'm hoping that Sofia Coppola wins for directing Lost in Translation but it's naive to believe she'll win over Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings. I hope Lord of the Rings wins for best picture. I believe it was the best picture. Below are the nominees.
Best Actor
Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Ben Kingsley House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law Cold Mountain
Bill Murray Lost in Translation
Sean Penn Mystic River
Best Actress
Keisha Castle-Hughes Whale Rider
Diane Keaton Something's Gotta Give
Samantha Morton In America
Charlize Theron Monster
Naomi Watts 21 Grams
Best Supporting Actor
Alec Baldwin The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro 21 Grams
Djimon Hounsou In America
Tim Robbins Mystic River
Ken Watanabe The Last Samurai
Best Supporting Actress
Shohreh Aghdashloo House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden Mystic River
Holly Hunter Thirteen
Renée Zellweger Cold Mountain
Best Director
Sofia Coppola Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood Mystic River
Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Fernando Meirelles City of God
Peter Weir Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Best Picture
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
I'm hoping that Sofia Coppola wins for directing Lost in Translation but it's naive to believe she'll win over Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings. I hope Lord of the Rings wins for best picture. I believe it was the best picture. Below are the nominees.
Best Actor
Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Ben Kingsley House of Sand and Fog
Jude Law Cold Mountain
Bill Murray Lost in Translation
Sean Penn Mystic River
Best Actress
Keisha Castle-Hughes Whale Rider
Diane Keaton Something's Gotta Give
Samantha Morton In America
Charlize Theron Monster
Naomi Watts 21 Grams
Best Supporting Actor
Alec Baldwin The Cooler
Benicio Del Toro 21 Grams
Djimon Hounsou In America
Tim Robbins Mystic River
Ken Watanabe The Last Samurai
Best Supporting Actress
Shohreh Aghdashloo House of Sand and Fog
Patricia Clarkson Pieces of April
Marcia Gay Harden Mystic River
Holly Hunter Thirteen
Renée Zellweger Cold Mountain
Best Director
Sofia Coppola Lost in Translation
Clint Eastwood Mystic River
Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Fernando Meirelles City of God
Peter Weir Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Best Picture
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lost in Translation
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Mystic River
Seabiscuit
The Subways . . . .Again
Just so you know, I had to wait 15 minutes at 28th street for an N train while Q, W and R trains came and went.
It makes me want to fall down on my knees and scream up towards the rainy heavens while a cameraman on a cherry picker truck zooms out and yell,
"WHYYYYYY?"
(that above image is supposed to make you think of William Defoe on his knees in Platoon)
It makes me want to fall down on my knees and scream up towards the rainy heavens while a cameraman on a cherry picker truck zooms out and yell,
"WHYYYYYY?"
(that above image is supposed to make you think of William Defoe on his knees in Platoon)
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