THE CUBICLE ZOO

Re:3

2011-04-25T07:01:00.001-05:00

hello! http://100pour100-photo.com/link_friend.php?ibtopicid=59i5

Re:

2011-04-23T13:10:00.001-05:00

.. http://tools-pro.com/link_friend.php?eluckyid=5fom3

spam/virus whatever

2011-04-22T09:58:00.001-05:00

I did not send an email out from this address, please disregard as spam/a virus/malware whatever.

I'm looking into where the hell it came from

Brenda

Re:

2011-04-22T07:49:00.001-05:00

http://pelotarimarmandais.fr/link_friend.php?byCID=5xjsx

2011-01-27T15:01:00.001-05:00

http://cosasdeperro.com/images/gift.php?ID=xa9

2011-01-26T05:05:00.001-05:00

http://alpencrosserblog.freehostia.com/images/gift.php?lucky=62y

I HATE this time of year...

2009-02-09T06:11:00.002-05:00

Wake me when it's over???

Bloody Wednesday

2009-01-22T06:06:00.003-05:00

Ahhhh, nothing like a good blood letting of the company to top out an otherwise wonderful week.
I've been through many Bloody Wednesdays and Black Fridays throughout my life in Corporate America. Aside from the 2 layoffs due to buy outs, I remained unscathed through each one. Just lucky I guess....
Regardless, it doesn't make the day any easier seeing people be escorted out.
What I don't understand is why companies don't do like Unions do and request everyone to take a pay cut before resorting to chopping staff. I know most would take a cut.
Or even have a "voting of the island" process.
Why do I suggest the voting out process? Because a lot of the people that were let go yesterday had many many years with the company and were GOOD employees. How do I know that? Because they were "go to" people. I have under 2 years with this company and I learned very quickly who were the awesome people in IT and who were pains in the ass. These people got the job done and done right.
There are contractors on those goofy ass visas that are still there. There are consultants still there. Yet GOOD people got chopped. I really don't understand that.
I will be curious to see what happens to the contractors and consultants. Aside from layoffs, they are taking away our 401k match and no one is getting a merit increase in 2009. Ok, well I want to see these special visa contractors go away before you start taking MY stuff away.
I've said it before and I say it again, the downfall of the United States is Corporate America, it's greed, deceit and unethical ways of doing business.
It's very unfortunate, as I like my job. I like working for a big company. =(

Israel

2008-12-29T06:37:00.001-05:00

Barak: Israel in 'all-out war' with Hamas

Do you think President Elect Obama has his head in his hands about now saying, "Man, I really don't fuckin need this right now....". ?

Holiday Greetings

2008-12-24T05:54:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays!

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

2008-12-02T06:13:00.007-05:00

Why the excitement???

Because this....

arrives............TODAY!

This is mine and my sons Christmas present this year.

How old am I again?????

I'm SO excited!

Thankful

2008-11-27T09:25:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Hitting Home

2008-11-18T06:05:00.002-05:00

50 percent more US children went hungry in 2007

Children left under Nebraska's safe-haven law

Citigroup to cut more than 50,000 jobs

So by all means...let's help other countries first.
Let's bailout wallstreet because they got greedy and got busted for it.
Let's bailout the big 3 because they are too stupid to figure out how to build quality cars and run a decent business.

This too shall pass...

2008-11-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

It's snowing.
And that's all I have to say about dat...

The Month From Hell

2008-11-15T09:40:00.001-05:00

The Cube Monkey has been MIA. Actually I've been whirling around in the gates of hell for the past 30 some days. Thankfully, things seem to be leveling out.

Work goes nutso trying to achieve PCI compliance.
My Grandfather took to his deathbed.
My friend gets diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Mr. Stomach Flu visited the house.
A week later I contract the cold from hell. It's been more than 2 weeks and still lingering. The past few years my hubby and son would get the horrible colds and it would pass me by. The Doc said "well, what comes around goes around..". Guess my number was up. lol
I end up 2 weeks behind in my college course. The prof has been very understanding, but communicated that if I don't catch up and keep up, I will flunk.

So now...

Work has calmed down to an enjoyable pace.
We buried my Grandfather this past Monday. He was 94 and tired of having to have people wipe his ass. He wanted to go. He had a long and wonderful life, so while it is sad...we were happy he got what he wanted.
My friend is "ok" for now. Just had her 2nd round of chemo and feels like dog shit which should pass in a few days. Also, her sister is now in town. =)
Stomach flu has left the building and the cold is getting better.
I am pretty much caught up with my school work.

On a fun note....I'M GETTING A WII FOR CHRISTMAS!!! I'm so excited! =)

What a weird year this has been....

Relief

2008-11-04T23:13:00.001-05:00

The world will never be the same.

Early Voting

2008-11-03T22:37:00.001-05:00

The hubby and I decided to go early vote last nite since the mucous monster had me bed ridden all weekend with a death grip on a bottle of nyquil.
I tried to go before work yesterday morning, but the line was over a block long 1/2 hour before it opened.
We got there at about 5:45 and again, the line was all the way down the front of the building, which is an old shut down builders square building, so it's pretty huge. We were prepared to wait a few hours.
We "thought" the line outside was the worst of it. hahahaha
Found out that was the easy part.
We were only outside about 15 minutes. Once inside the fun began. 3 hours and 15 minutes of standing and sitting and waiting. Some folks had been there going on 4 hours.
They passed out clipboards to fill out while outside in line, which helped the process. Come to find out they were processing 1000 voters an hour. They had processed over 4000 voters on Sunday and close to 10,000 yesterday.
I didn't like it, but I did it. A small price to pay to attempt to change the world.
My husband, whom is VERY quick to get VERY cranky from lack of food (we left our dinner 1/2 cooked to go vote) and had his knee replaced in May (my knees hurt from standing, so I KNOW his did) didn't complain. He brought up the fact that there are countries where you risk your life to vote and people do it anyhow, because it is THAT important.
We decided it was a pain in the ass to wait that long, but at the same time, it was AWESOME, in every sense of the word, to see that kind of turnout.
We took our 14 year old, so he could experience the process and this historical event. He was less than thrilled with the wait and grumbled a bit. But once we got our ballot and hit the booth, I think he was a little excited. I told him "we did it...we helped to change the world". I think he actually had a look of pride.

American Morals

2008-10-15T20:07:00.001-05:00

I think what bothers me about everything that is going on is that if American's had morals we wouldn't be in this mess.
no?

WTF?

2008-10-15T17:54:00.002-05:00

Is all I have to say.
How do you go from feeling/thinking you are healthy as a horse to being diagnosed stage 4 cancer. Blood, bones, liver....
No, not The Cube Monkey...thank god, but a very good friend, and someone that doesn't deserve this shit...
Please....positive thoughts and prayers to my friend.
I am so done being an adult. I SO want to be a kid again with no worries.

Richard Fuld

2008-10-07T06:27:00.003-05:00

Usually when I have mindless tasks to do at work, I'll turn on CNN live if there is something interesting to listen to. As of late, there has been ALOT of interesting things to listen to.
Yesterday I listened to Congress back Richard Fuld against the wall. Richard Fuld is/WAS CEO of Lehman Brothers Holdings.
What bothered me about this is what has been bothering me about corporate america for a very long time.
Mr. Fuld was trying to justify the millions of dollars that he feels should be paid to executives out of the taxpayers very generous 700 billion dollar bailout while his employees and shareholders walk away holding dick.
People think this only happens occassionally. It happens everyday. It has been happening for years.
Now I really don't care if Executives make billions of dollars a year, but ONLY if their employees are being paid appropriately and the company is strong.
I have been laid off by 2 large corporations over the past 10 years because of corporate buyouts. The executives walked away with millions. The employees got about 2 weeks severence. Check the stats on employment and I think you can do the math at how far 2 weeks severence goes.
Yes I am employed. Yes I am thankful, but every year it gets worse. Executive pay has gone up over 200% in the past 10 years, while employee pay has gone down.
I now make 5000 less than I did at my previous job. Most folks I know are in the same boat.
Companies are on hiring freezes. Bonuses have gone out the window (except for the executives, of course). Pensions are a thing of the past.
Yes, American workers are VERY hard working. Companies spend billions of dollars a year on research groups trying to figure out why moral is so low with the american worker and how they can make it better.
Hello?

BIDEN - PALIN DEBATE

2008-10-03T06:31:00.003-05:00

Palin kept talking about being one of us. The Joe 6 packs - soccer moms', etc...
I thought about this.

Ya know....for a boss, I don't WANT someone that is just like me. I don't want an equal.
I want someone that I can look up to for guidance. I want someone that I think about and am just in "awe" of their intelligence and leadership. Someone that I aspire to be like.
I want someone that doesn't talk down to me, but "leads" me with confidence.
Someone that empowers me to be the best that I can be.
I have friends for camaraderie.
America doesn't need camaraderie....we need a leader.

Something the security world has been saying for years...

2008-09-09T05:22:00.003-05:00

WMD report: US remains 'dangerously vulnerable'

The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Specialist) is the gold standard in the information security world. It is a highly valued certification.
I have this certification.
Most folks think that information security deals with just computers and networks.
Not true. The study gets into physical security as well.
I read alot of infosec news, blogs, etc.. and often the topic comes up about how safe the U.S. is since 9/11.
Mostsecurity experts agree that we are LESS safe. We are less safe because the world hates us now. We have a bully for a boss and he'd rather punch you in the face than to sit down and discuss with you.
What gets me is all the people that fall prey to the "fear tactics". They think we are more safe and think voting someone in like Bush will keep us safe.
Think about your life back in school (elementary, middle school, high school) didn't you just want to beat the shit out of the bully? You normally just avoided him. If you ran into him now, what would you do? Most would not fight. Most would talk.
Folks, we are NOT more safe than we were 8 years ago. We are LESS safe.
99% of the controls that have been put in place are nothing more than security theater.

And if nothing else scares the bijeebers outta ya...

2008-09-09T05:16:00.002-05:00

READ THIS:

http://www.newamericancentury.org/

Names of some of the founders that wrote the Statement of Principles?
Jeb Bush
Dick Cheney
I. Lewis Libby
Dan Quayle (really?)
Donal Rumsfeld
Paul Wolfowitz

Dirty Bush Tricks

2008-09-09T05:09:00.002-05:00

I think these are nasty tricks to pull right before an election.
Bush is blaming the entire mortgage mess on congress...You know if it were a republican congress he wouldn't be doing this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/opinion/09tue1.html

And NOW Bush is saying he will bring home 4000 troops from Iraq and send more into Afghanistan. Gee....wasn't that Obama's idea?
Either that or he's hoping it will cause a quagmire and then McCain will be a shoo-in as the only person "hero" that can fix the mess.

Be afraid....be very afraid.

Time To Relax...

2008-08-28T05:39:00.004-05:00

Today my Mother celebrates her retirement. She lives 4 hours away and I cannot be there. So here are my thoughts on this day.

A few years ago I told my Mother “the older I get, the less stupid you become”. She looked at me funny. I don’t think she quite understood what I meant by that. I think I hurt her feelings, which was not my intent. I certainly have never thought of my Mother as stupid. Quite the contrary. I’ve always thought my Mother to be a highly intelligent woman.
At the age of 35 my Mother found herself widowed with 4 children under the age of 14. Being children, we were selfish. Of course we had no clue what she was going through, nor did we attempt to try. We were used to being the center of our parents’ world. We leaned on our parents for support. My Mother and Father were used to leaning on each other for support. And then he was no longer there. Now when I look back, I am amazed. My Mother has always been a very strong woman, but I can’t even imagine going through what she endured and lives to tell the tale.
We were not horrible children, but I know we were pretty rotten to her the majority of the time. As she was trying to digest the loss of her husband and raise 4 kids on her own, we were busy being kids and not understanding the major curve ball that life had thrown her way.
Through all of this, my Mother continued to do as she had always done. She got up every morning and she went to work. I have never known my Mother not to have a job. I have never known my Mother to give less than 120% in her work. Some jobs she loved. Some she hated. But she always gave her all. Her work ethic is stronger than anyone I have ever known.
My comment to my Mother was in regard to what I learned by watching her through the tough times growing up. She didn’t know it then, just as I didn’t know it then, but she was teaching me many valuable life lessons.
As I hit certain points in my life, I can look back and have those “ah ha” moments and I am humbled and can understand.
Marriage, the birth of my son, worrying about health and money, trying to have a life of my own, trying to be successful in a job. All of these things my Mother has experienced. Now I can understand some of the things she went through and with every “ah ha” moment, my respect and gratitude for her grows even deeper.
My brothers, sister and I thankfully didn’t turn out to be murderers or knocking over liquor stores, but we didn’t always follow the right path in life. Sometimes we would start down a good path, just to take a bad turn, for whatever reason. But my Mother was always there for us. Her love never waivered.
In the end, I think we turned out ok. My older brother is an OSHA Manager. My younger sister is a Medical Assistant. My younger brother is an AutoCAD Operator, and I am an IT Security Analyst. All of us…get up in the morning and we go to work. From what I can tell, we all give 120% in our jobs. We do our best when we love it. We do our best when we hate it. And there is only one place we could have learned such a work ethic. And that would be from our Mother.
Although we joke wondering what she will do with herself not working her usual 60 hour weeks, on this day of celebrating my Mothers retirement, I can think of no one on this earth that deserves to sit back, relax, and enjoy life more than my Mom.

Kindergarten vs. High School

2008-08-28T04:17:00.004-05:00

So I've been reading this blog lately by this crazy little Indian woman in North Carolina (Hi Ilina!).
Her post yesterday made me think about something similar that I was going to write about regarding my day yesterday.
If you don't have time to read her post, in a nutshell, she took her little boy to his first day of Kindergarten.
I missed my son's first day of kindergarten 9 years ago. I was not able to get off of work. My husband took him and filmed the entire thing, including the almost mile walk. =)
I'm not sure if I'm thankful I missed it or not, although I think I cried just as hard because I "did" miss it.
Yesterday I took my son to his first day of High School. He was VERY nervous. I'm sure he was scared, although he kept saying he wasn't.
When I was his age, we lived in a rural area. Our High School had maybe 1400 kids in the school. My graduating class was a whopping 329 students and that was BIG for that school. The school was one level and sat in the middle of a cornfield.
When we went for orientation last week was when MY fear kicked in. My sons' school is an inner city school. 4 levels. I couldn't even tell you how many kids attend. Police and security guards walk the halls. I'm surprised they are not wanded and frisked by the TSA as they walk through the doors. Although I am thankful for all this security since my son was jumped last school year by some gangster wanna-be's.
As we walked the halls last week, I was wide-eyed. Amazed at the size of the building. Anxiety kicking me in the ass at every turn.
The other thing that was kicking me was realizing that this is the beginning of his major growing up. This is where he begins to decide what he wants to do in life. Where he begins to prepare for college. Where he will start to become a man. Again with the mortality crap. I am not aging gracefully.
My co-worker whom is in her 50's tells me that getting to the point of accepting your mortality is a long and very painful process, but once you get there, is really wonderful. It's that point in a womans life that all these women authors write about....re-inventing yourself. I remember telling my co-worker, "well, it sucks and I just reeeeally wish it would be over with". She laughed.
So, I worried all day, thinking about him standing in the middle of bustling hallways, looking at his schedule, looking at room numbers, getting lost, getting overwhelmed and his eyes welling up with those big tears. I worried as to whether he had someone to eat lunch with. Hoping he would meet up with some of his buds from middle school. My son is very much like me and doesn't have a big group of friends.
Arriving home from work I was excited to ask him about his day. After the conversation, my fears were squashed.
Me: So how was your first day of High School?
G: Good
M: Well, what happened?
G: Nothing
M: Did you find all your classes?
G: Yes
M: How was Chinese class (he was very excited that he got to choose Chinese)
G: Fine
M: Gee, can you elaborate a little on your first day of school?
G: (chuckle)
The end...

If you've never read the cartoon Zits, you should....

My Life in 6 Words

2008-08-27T21:20:00.002-05:00

So I guess I've been tagged by Dirt and Noise.
I won't be tagging anyone since Dirt and Noise and an occasional stray are my reading audience. lol

So my life in 6 words:
1. midlife
2. wife
3. mother
4. hopeful
5. humorous
6. successful

hmmm...looks better than I thought! hahaha

More pics from the Alpaca farm

2008-08-15T20:12:00.007-05:00

Farmer Joe? Looks thrilled don't he? It had rained like a snot that day and the Alpaca poo was schlicker than a wet booooger. He was NOT happy to be there...

Can't say as I blamed him.

This was taken last weekend. These are the "girls". They were in a front pasture. I stopped. They stared. End of story.

GDog Gets a Job

2008-08-14T05:27:00.015-05:00

My son is only 14 years old, but when a co-worker mentioned that a local Alpaca Farm owner was looking for someone to uhhhh...clean up the uuuuuh poop, I raised my hand. I call him my little Alpaca Pooper Scooper now. hahahha Actually I think he's been liking it.

I've seen Alpaca's before, but had never spent a significant amount of time with them. Turns out they are very gentle, intelligent, curious creatures. And VERY soft.

This is Kalfa the guard dog. That is her job, it is what she was bred and trained to do. Guard the Alpaca's. She is of a some sort of turkish breed and Kalfa means "assistant" in turkish.

They stare a alot. They are very skiddish. They come to you on their own terms.

I love this little (?) girl. I mean, look at that "do". And the fluffs of fur coming from the ears. hahaha

I was sitting on a stump near these gals, hoping they would come up to me. This one did and I was waiting for her to spit at me. Yes, they spit, but only when they are mad. Thankfully, Alpaca's don't get mad often. Thankfully, she was just being curious. lol

This is the new baby. She was only 5 weeks old at the time of this picture. She weighed 27 lbs at birth. Surprisingly the Alpaca's really don't weight as much as they look. It's mostly their fur or "fiber" as they call it. This baby's mom weighed about 120 lbs at the time of this baby's birth. Think of that in human terms. If you weighed 120 lbs and had a 27 lb baby. ummmm ouch?

Another pic of da baby. The owner grabbed her and let us touch her. Unbeeelievably soft! Turns out that Alpaca fiber products are becoming increasingly popular. Sweaters go for upwards of $400. Why? Because they are softer than cashmere. The fiber is hypoallergenic because it contains no lanolin like wool does. It is 10 times warmer than wool. A pair of socks will run you about $10. Also, because the Alpaca's are still fairly rare in the U.S. There are only about 100,000 of them.

So, while the GDog does the pooper scooping, I've been sitting in my car enjoying my surroundings doing Algebra homework. Turns out the setting is good for the Cube Monkey to study. I occassionally stop and take in the clean air (much cleaner than our city dwelling) and breath deep the smell of hay. I reeeally miss the country. I really miss having farm animals. We had sheep and a few other animals growing up. I miss 4H and FFA and going to the fair every year. Funny how smells bring back so many memories.

I'm schliding...I'm schliding...

2008-08-01T06:07:00.003-05:00

It is my complete and utter opinion that adult learners (30 and over) are forced to take Algebra in order to weed people out of the education system. Seriously...I have met so many people who say that Algebra was the reason they dropped out of college!

I find it very strange that so many people didn't/won't finish college because of a subject that they will 99.9% NOT use in the rest of their lifetime.

Cook Out!

2008-07-26T21:03:00.008-05:00

Last nite my BFF and I got together for a cookout while her hubby and my hubby were hangin together at "their" house. This was our dinner! Chicky 'bobs and some veggie concoction that me bff whips up that is totally awesome!

In attendance was my bff's granddaughter, so I made sure that I had the proper backyard fun for her. This friggen scary frog pool! She wouldn't get in it, but threw everything (including my shoes) into it. hahahah That's ok, I don't blame her, the damn thing IS scary.

The previous nite my son and I were blowing this pool up and this made me chuckle! I mean, come on, look at the pool....the water doesn't even come up to the ankles. I'm guessing the signage is meant for small animals? bugs? The same people who need the same signage that says to remove the suppository from the foil before inserting? The same folks that need to know NOT to use an electrical appliance in the bathtub?

After all was said and done, and everyone was gone, my son and I enjoyed a nice fire that he created for marshmallow roastin to which we discovered someone had thrown away the marshmallows.
No harm no foul, we sat on the swing and enjoyed each others company. That's a rarity with a 14 year old. =)

College Algebra and Martini's

2008-07-23T19:04:00.002-05:00

What do they have in common?
Well, other than college Algerber making me want to drink a martini and then shove the olive pik in my eye.....umm....nothing really.

Ignorance

2008-07-23T05:47:00.003-05:00

Well now, this is just stupid...
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/16955865/detail.html

A few stooopid owners ruin if for the good ones.

Love,
Petey

The ultimate slap in the face...

2008-07-18T05:33:00.002-05:00

Where I work, we have a pretty good cafeteria. They have a mean cheeseburger.
The hubby had a total knee replacement back in May and has been on medical leave and enjoying the summer with our 14 year old son.
A lot of folks. who have experienced it, had warned us that recovery from a total knee replacement is a very slow and painful process. We were prepared.
Well, he blew through the first 2 weeks of therapy in the short 4 days he was in the hospital. He finished up the remaining weeks of therapy the first 2 weeks he was home.
He's been walking 4 to 7 miles a day. The doctor said he is at the place in recovery that most folks aren't at until 6 months out. He looks rested and content. bastard.
So I invite my husband and son to join me for lunch at my place of employment yesterday.
I might mention that my husband is a VERY good looking man anyhow. He also has gorgeous jet black silky hair with about 3 grays. And NO hair loss.
We order our food and hit the checkout line, I don't know the cashiers name, but she is always nice and we always exchange pleasantries. I say "I brought the family in today".
Her response? "ohhh how nice (pointing to my husband), is this your oldest?".........

Meanwhile, back on the Corporate America farm...

2008-06-30T04:50:00.000-05:00

Nielsen oursources to India

Corporate America is what is wrong with the U.S today....

ID10T

2008-06-17T04:29:00.004-05:00

I'm an Information Security Professional by trade. I rarely use the ID10T error funny because it's just downright cheezy and degrading. After all, we ALL were new at everything at one point, except Matthew McConaughey, he was born just downright gorgeous, ehem....anyhow I read quite a few security blogs a coupla mornings a week to stay caught up on things. Once in a while you come across something so believable, yet unbelievable at the same time.

Amusing Moment On a Train

Author: Dave Lewis
June 16, 2008 at 5:39 am · Filed under Dumbass

I have these moments when I get to ride the train where I see and hear some of the oddest things. Last week I was riding the train when I heard this guy in the car behind me exclaim “ah crap” and begin dialing his cell phone.

“Uh hi honey, sorry to wake you. Could you login to my email for me?”

Ah, the fun begins I thought.

“OK, my user name is [REDACTED] and my password is [REDACTED]”

Sigh, some folks just don’t get it. But, it gets better.

“No sweetie, that’s for my Gmail account”

Score.

At this point I glance around the train to see that I wasn’t the only person that found this fella’s call amusing. There were smirks to be seen. Then this takes a darker turn, for him at least.

“Now, sweetie I’ll need you to order a wireless router from [REDACTED] and my credit card number is 5, 5…

He proceeded to read out the entire number with expiry date and CVN. I was a little worried for the guy at this point. But, I guess Darwin was right. Then I heard a woman’s voice utter, “jackass”. I glanced up to see a little old lady shaking her head as she looked at the loud talker in disgust. A smile crept across my face.

I think what is the funniest AND the scariest about this true story is that the guy is probably a Network Administrator or something for some big company. hahahha

I'm all Aleve!

2008-06-16T05:34:00.003-05:00

After taking on a rhododendron overgrown so badly it could ring the doorbell, 2 shrubs that looked like Don King on a bad hair day = much Aleve for the Cube Monkey this beautiful, sunny Monday morn.

Crazy Ass Drivers

2008-06-13T17:02:00.001-05:00

Ever notice how those with the most religious stickers on the back of their car drive the slowest? One would think they would feel the safest. no?

thank GOD

2008-06-13T05:24:00.003-05:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/12/marine.puppy/index.html

Not much disturbs or shocks me these days, but when humans do shit like this, I just have a very hard time wrapping my head around it. Especially humans that are in a position where they are "expected" to protect the innocent.

The GOOD thing is that his life is fucked ... for a "few" years anyways. =)

The Cube Monkey - Fashion Magnet

2008-06-12T04:30:00.006-05:00

I've always owned about 3 pairs of shoes (tennis shoe, dress shoe and sandal). And I usually buy them at payless. My most recent shoe splurge was on generic Crocs that I bought at CVS for $7. Hey, I'm all about comfort! This practically sends my mother in law into a coronary. She owns about 80 pairs of shoes and none cost below $50.
So, I made my mother in law proud the other nite.
I needed new pants, so I headed off to the local mall after work. After spending WAY too much money at Lane Bryant, I headed over to Game Stop. Well, it was right across the hall! And I needed a new game for my DS. Then I started walking out and off to my left was a shoe store much like a shoe carnival or such. I have been looking for a good comfy pair of tennis shoes so that I could start working out again. Didn't find anything......
BUT...what I DID find made me utter words that I don't believe have ever, or at least, I have never allowed them to escape my lips "those shoes are just TOO cute for words and I HAVE to have them!"

And have them I did! Although I gagged momentarily at the price tag ($60), they are more comfy than any shoe I have ever owned and they look good with casual dress/work pants.
SCORE!

Too much death...

2008-05-31T12:09:00.002-05:00

I feel like Phoebe on friends when she is shooing the bad karma/vibes away from her body with her hands when I think about how I feel right now.
Too much death this month. Too many bad feelings. I hate when I feel "off". And that is what death does for me. It makes me feel unsettled. Like the world isn't right.
A close friend of the family died last nite. He was my brothers best friend since they were like in kindergarten. He was 47. It was expected, but then again, death always shocks. He was suffering greatly from the ravages of cancer, so I try to look at it as he hopefully won't have to suffer anymore.

No Hope?

2008-05-23T18:14:00.003-05:00

and I quote an email.... "She had been spiraling downward for the last two years – depression, etc. XXX committed suicide. No hope left in her. She left notes for her family. Very sad. "

No hope? jesus christ..that's all we have in life is "hope". No hope?...................... "why"?

WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T YOU CALL ME?????? YOU KNOW I WOULD HAVE COME...

Shock and Awe

2008-05-23T04:55:00.002-05:00

I live in a different city than I grew up. So about twice a week I will go out to my hometown newspaper website and "catch up". At my age, I also read the obits.
Imagine my shock when the first name that popped up on the obit page was a gal that I was best friends with for about 10 years. We were inseparable.
We parted ways about 6 years ago. It was hard remaining close whilst living in different cities. Also, we both changed. I married, she didn't, but desperately wanted to. I had a child, she didn't, but desperately wanted one. I had gastric bypass and she was totally against it. More and more as we got together a coupla times a year, our conversations were filled with conflict.
Over the past few years I have been "maturing", hitting that age where you think about what matters and what doesn't. I thought about this gal many times and the stoopidity of our conflicts. I thought about all the wonderful times we spent together. There are very few people on this earth that I can sit and talk with and never run out of things to say and not bore the living hell out of me. After 10 or so years of friendship, we could still sit for 24 hours and just b.s. about everything and anything.
She was alot of fun, she had an infectious laugh, she was very smart, etc... and I missed her.
I attempted to contact her twice over the past year. She never responded. I guess we were beyond repair.
I don't know what killed her. All signs point to suicide, but I don't know.
Whatever it was, I am saddened more than I could ever imagine.

Choices

2008-05-10T06:33:00.008-05:00

It's 7:35 a.m. and I wanted to write a new post, as I've been wanting lately to put more effort into my blog. Alas, I have school work that should have been done Thursday nite.
So since my bff and I are going shopping for a futon this afternoon and then pickling our brains with a little of this:

and this:

Whilst we do this:

Being 45 years old, I guess I have to take the high road and complete my assignments.

Twitter - I don't get it

2008-04-13T18:21:00.001-05:00

So unless you have a blackberry or something that you can be connected to and updating 24/7, I don't understand the advantages of Twitter.
I donget it...

NOT F'n FAIR

2008-04-11T23:56:00.002-05:00

My brothers best friend is dying of cancer. From everything that I've been told and all the research I have done...it's pancreatic...although though this has not been teh definitive diagnosis.
Last I knew, he was in remission and had gone back to work and fine.
I'm learning, as of today, that hospice visits once a day and it's just a matter of time.
My brother is the only person I know that has/is best friends will the same people he was best friends will when he was in 1st grade!
This person is like a brother to me.

Ok...so SOMEONE...tell me how the FUCK to get yer head wrapped around this one!!!?

W....T....F?????

2008-04-11T06:01:00.003-05:00

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/15848052/detail.html

Personally I think the punishment should fit the crime. I feel a nice 2 x 4 up his ASS would suffice.

It's about friggen time...

2008-04-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/04/10/missing.marine/index.html

I want that job...

2008-04-10T05:46:00.001-05:00

As I was walking out of work yesterday, through another department, I happened to catch glimpse of a folder on a shelf that was labeled "Rolex Secret Shopper Program".
uhhhh.....

And now for something completely different...

2008-02-09T18:12:00.001-05:00

People keep sending me "angel" , "get to know you survey", "friendship"

emails, etc...
I've made one up of my own.
List your the top 5 moments (excluding birth, marriage and sex) of your
life, so far:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Why I don't do dog rescue anymore

2008-02-07T06:08:00.001-05:00

This is Sonny and Ashley.

Sonny was one of our first fosters back in 2001 or 2002. One of over 100. He was a puppy of about 5 lbs. Looked to be about 6 weeks old. Laying in a cage by himself, sleeping, sickly, at a humane society. He was the only puppy on the "kill side". The building has 2 sections. The "kill" side and the "adoptable" side. ALL black dogs and dogs that appeared to be pitbullish, rottweilerish, etc.. are immediately put on the kill side. Don't be outraged, this is common practice most everywhere. Very young puppies don't last long in any shelter situation, especially without their mother because of disease.

So we took Sonny home and nursed him to good health and he was adopted by a very wonderful woman. Sonny is now, as you can see by the pic a very big pup....I'm told close to 200 lbs.

This same woman adopted Ashley from us about a year later. I honestly don't remember Ashley's story.

The woman whom adopted these pups was in her 40's. She died of a brain tumor last week.

Now, it is in the adoption contract that the rescue take back the dogs if the owner cannot care for them anymore. The rescue takes ultimate responsibility of the dog throughout it's life.

What breaks my heart is that these 2 dogs, no matter how loving or well behaved they are, because they are very large and rottweilerish, will probably spend the rest of their days in the concrete floored kennel. It's not as bad as the pound. They will be fed, they will get exercise and "some" attention, but kinda reminds me of the old folks in a nursing home, that spend their days sitting in a wheelchair against the wall, just passing time until they die.

So how do you look a pup in the eyes, that has lived it's life in the comforts and love of a house and family and all of a sudden they are sitting in a kennel without constant play and affection, and convince them they did nothing wrong?

This is where I'm not sure that I believe in the "no kill" thing.

The dilemma...Which would be worse? Putting the dog down? Or having them live out the rest of their life in a cage?

Alright! Alright already...

2008-01-31T06:33:00.001-05:00

Update: I didn't get an IPod. I opted for a Zune and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

I give up.
I want an IPod...

Hard as a rock!

2008-01-26T06:47:00.000-05:00

One of the 'cons' about hitting middle age is that you hit that point in the matrix where the number of physical tests that are recommended for your "age group" goes up.
So now I'm supposed to periodically have:

the yearly poke and feel
a year physical
my boobs smoooshed
a stress test
a camera up my ass
a bone scan

I'm sure there are more, but I don't want my insurance company to drop me.

So, yesterday I had the bone scan. You lay on this x-ray like table and a big metal arm thing x-rays you from right below the breast to the top of the thigh.
This test checks for bone loss in menopausal years.

GOOD NEWS! Doc says I have very minimal bone change in one area (he didn't say where) no biggie. He also said my spine was better than perfect. I don't know how anything can be better than perfect...but I'll take his assessment. He said at this rate, I should never break a bone in this lifetime. Which is a good thing considering my husband is already badly arthritic stricken.
Just means I'll be able to help his old cobbled ass when he falls and breaks a hip and his life alert doesn't kick in.

The most rediculous thing heard on New Years Eve...

2008-01-24T04:28:00.000-05:00

This may just win, hands down for the stupidist thing heard in the year 2008....

This gal and her bf were very drunk. I asked "so who's drivin home?" She's says "he is". I'm like "uhhh....he's really trashed". She says.......

"Oh don't worry, he's a really good drunk driver."

Bin Laden ...where are you?

2008-01-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

I think the same people hired to look for Bin Laden, are the same people looking for this dude. WTF?

Who did it?

2008-01-18T07:13:00.000-05:00

12% of Pakistani's believe that the U.S was behind Bhutto's killing. I wouldn't put it past them.

http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/menu-234/0801138110194615.htm

I love a survey to see how many American's believe the same thing.
Bush is afterall the anti-christ....

Arthur Itis?

2008-01-18T07:03:00.000-05:00

Right after the New Year my left hand started hurting really bad. Just my thumb and first 2 fingers. I kept running my brain through the events of New Years Eve...did I hit my hand on something? Did I punch someone? I kid...I've never punched anyone in my life that wasn't a sibling and I honestly was not THAT drunk New Years Eve.
The pain didn't go away. I developed a little lump of sorts between my first 2 knuckles what appeared to be a swollen muscle or tendon. I couldn't figure it out. I was thinking that maybe I was developing arthritis. But why just there and why all of a sudden? Like over night.
Then my brilliance appeared.....
My diagnosis? Nintendo DS bad for old people.
I bought myself a Nintendo DS months ago. I bought it for the Brain Age and Flash Focus games (right).
My son and hubby got me the new Zelda game for Christmas after my brother and sister in law told them of my addiction to the original Zelda game on the first Nintendo (late 1990's?).
I had realized that if I wasn't eating, sleeping, working or doing school work, I was playing Zelda. Good god. It has become my crack.

Avon Calling!

2008-01-16T19:20:00.000-05:00

I've decided that I can't pluck the gray/white hairs out of my eyebrows anymore.
I have so many now, that if I continue this ritual, I will look like the Avon lady that used to come to our house that used to shave off her eyebrows and draw them back on.
She smelled too....I still hate the smell of Avon's colognes.
Gawd it's fun getting old.

When Worlds Collide

2008-01-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

I swear this man is hell bent on turning the world on it's ear before he leaves office.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/13/bush.mideast.ap/index.html

How Stoopid Can You Be?

2008-01-09T05:59:00.000-05:00

I am an Information Security Professional. What does that mean?
Well, part of it means that while others read the daily newspaper, I digest articles, white papers, blogs, underground websites, et al. just to attempt to keep on top of a game that changes by the minute....literally.
Anyhow, it's always fun to come across blatant stupidity such as this:
Top Gear Host Loses Money after His Bank Account Got Published in The Sunday Times

Look at me! I'm F'n Einstein!!!

2008-01-05T19:29:00.000-05:00

I knew there was a reason for all these years of misery!

Ok, I'm allowed to poke fun because above my waist has ALWAYS been at "least" 3 sizes smaller than my hips and that is at my lowest weight.

Highlights of NYE

2008-01-02T04:41:00.000-05:00

Wore my Steve and Barry's "Baked Potato" t-shirt, which proved to be quite appropriate by the end of the evening.
Drank shooters of cherry vodka and pomegranete (sp?) Rockstar. Very nummy.
My best buddy and I attempted to cut a turkey ... buzzed. So that was interesting. And no...no one ended up at the e.r.
Met a woman that I went to middle school with. Small world...
Drank alot of Jack and Diet Coke.
Discovered thee most wonderful dessert on earth. Cheesecake like thing flavored with Captain Morgan's. I didn't find the recipe online or I would have linked to it. If I find it, I will fix. Or I'll post the recipe if I get hold of it.
Watched a bunch of middle aged men almost fall over when this very pretty 20 something tried to fix the zipper on her stilletto boots.
Smoked alot of cigarettes.
While out smoking, watched fat naked chick run out on porch across the street to yell at some guy. Fast forward to next cigarette...........2 cop cars at fat naked chicks house.
All in all it was an enjoyable, uneventful nite. Everyone had a good time and no body died.

New Years Resolution

2007-12-31T06:44:00.000-05:00

I stopped making New Years Resolutions years ago, because I never finish anything.
So I'm going to strive for 2 things in 2008. MOVE, as in physically move my fat ass, no matter "how" I have to move it. Walking, cleaning, dancing, etc... and drink water.
Short and sweet.
Yes, I have plans to quit smoking on Valentines Day. We'll see how that goes. lol

My FAVORITE Xmas pic!

2007-12-24T14:24:00.001-05:00

1st Christmas 1994

Almost 14 now...I suppose any picture of my little guy (almost 6 ft now) smiling is my favorite!

Only it's video games and not stuffed animules now.
He's still a VERY good person! =)

Good God...he still believes in Santa... I don't know whether to burst that bubble or not...

Inside the tree

2007-12-18T06:06:00.001-05:00

A Happy Man

2007-12-18T06:04:00.000-05:00

All Hail "The Fruitcake Lady"!

2007-12-14T06:27:00.001-05:00

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/348485/fruitcake_lady/

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fruitcake Lady!

Mood = Sleepy

2007-12-14T06:21:00.001-05:00

We have 4 dogs...yes 4, FOUR!
Don't ever do dog rescue, because you will inevitably end up with more
than the 1 you started with.
For 3 nites now they have been up and down like a pregnant woman. I
keep threatening the blue juice, to no avail.
At work they are giving us a 1/2 day paid as a Christmas present.
So, I'm hoping my boss will ok this afternoon as mine. I'm hoping to
pick up "the beast", see guitar porn below.
Decisions, decisions....a nap or a few nice stiff Chardonnay's and
working on the Mother's digital picture frames for Christmas....

Christmas Stoooopidity

2007-12-14T06:01:00.000-05:00

We always get our son most of what he asks for for Christmas. He is never greedy and there are usually only about 5 to 7 things on his list.
But we always get him at least "one" thing that we think he will like that he never thought to ask for. One year it was a leap frog globe which he played with for hours and hours. Usually whatever we get him he ends up playing with more than the other stuff. So we done good.
So this year he is almost 14 and we decided to get him a Metal Detector.
I do ALL my shopping online. My list starts on Amazon about a month before and then the first payday of the month "click". Within days, Christmas goodies trickle onto my porch from Mr. UPS, FEDEX, etc....
Hubby sends me a text, idiot people sent the metal detector in the original box.
Yep! Sure nuff, on the side of the box BIG picture of a metal detector with BIG letters "METAL DETECTOR! METAL DETECTOR!" Gee, ya think it's a metal detector?
My son thought it was for my brother. I shoulda played along, but I didn't. BUT I did tell him that with all the parties my brother has had over the years, he could probably find alot of beer caps, I mean money in the field next to the house.

Guitar Porn

2007-12-07T21:21:00.000-05:00

This is the hubby's xmas present. If given the choice between "air" and this guitar....the guitar would win out hands down.
I am SO getting blown for this.
It is the "beast" - Ibanez PS-10 going through the process of new strings and a wax job.

BAAAHAHHAHAHA

2007-12-07T21:20:00.000-05:00

Just spent $2500 on xmas presents and notta one for me!

Mystery SOLVED!!!

2007-11-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

For years I have wondered why these kids where their pants down below their butt. I've asked young kids why and they don't have a clue.
It can't be comfortable. It looks stupid. I don't get it.
Yesterday I dropped my son and his buddy off to school as I always do.
I turned the corner and there is this teenage walking, or rather, "trying" to walk, with his pants, I am not kidding, around his calves! It almost reminded me of Monty Python's silly walks.
So, I've come to the conclusion that the purpose of the wearing of the pants so low is that "whomever can wear them the lowest and get to a destination on their own without breaking their nose on the sidewalk....WINS!"

This guy is being protected in jail from the other inmates....

2007-11-30T04:58:00.000-05:00

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/26/body.found.arrest/index.html

Why?

Please adopt me....

2007-11-02T18:45:00.001-05:00

12/07/07 - update on El Spankster...he was adopted by a very nice girl. She is a juvenile probation officer and already has another dog named Eddie. =)

Heaven

2007-11-02T18:38:00.003-05:00

Booze and music....what could be better? There are about 500 bottles of booze in this private bar. Some replaceable....some not.

Ahhh those neon lights

2007-11-02T18:38:00.001-05:00

I wish I could play...

2007-11-02T18:37:00.001-05:00

Bubbles!

2007-11-02T18:36:00.003-05:00

Am I blue....

2007-11-02T18:36:00.001-05:00

The Orb

2007-11-02T18:35:00.001-05:00

Streaming in...

2007-11-02T18:34:00.000-05:00

Clouds

2007-11-02T18:33:00.000-05:00

Questionable death...

2007-11-02T18:27:00.000-05:00

seriously...isn't this guy dead

Purple Haze

2007-11-02T18:25:00.001-05:00

UFO in a plant

2007-11-02T18:22:00.001-05:00

Towering Inferno

2007-11-02T18:20:00.001-05:00

and now for something totally different...

2007-11-02T18:17:00.000-05:00

so I could post about the stoopidity of corporate america for decades upon end. If that makes any sense...
But, I decided that my phone takes these awesome pictures. And so my high school journalism teacher told me I have a "photogenic eye", whatever that means...I'm gonna post the pics that I have found to be, ...as it were... "cool" to my eye.

Movement

2007-10-29T05:31:00.000-05:00

I suppose being VERY sore after 3 games of bowling is a sign to move this 44 year old body?

Anniversary

2007-09-22T15:31:00.000-05:00

I always remember. Everyday.
Not a day goes by that I don't think of him.
I was 12, 37 years ago today.
I remember I was new to Junior High. 7th grade. Scared to death as it was.
I was in class and the principal, Mr. McIntyre came to pull me out of class.
Our neighbor was there to pick my older brother and myself up.
Terry said nothing. We knew something was wrong.
We got home and there were cars in the drive. My mother on the couch looking dazed.
Our father had died, she said. The next 15 years would be pretty much a blur.
I usually remember this day every year. Some years hit me harder than others. Most years I hope I forget.
I recall a few days after he had died. It really hadn't hit us kids. We were sitting watching T.V. People were streaming in and out of the house. My mom never seemed to move from that spot on the couch for a week.
I recall the pastor of my grandmothers church saying to someone "It will be much harder in the years to come than it is today". I remember those words vividly. And he was right.
When I got married. When I had my son. A certain smell. A song.
My Dad was da bomb. He was the only person I've ever known to live each day as if it were his last. He told us he was going to die young. He knew it. He was 39.
As I sit here at the age of 44, I always remember the good stuff. I honestly don't recall any bad stuff when it comes to my father.
He introduced music to me. I recall getting off the bus after school, Led Zeppelin blaring on the stereo, the windows rattling. Walking in the house and him sweeping the floor, playing air guitar. Course I thought he was nuts. hahaha
He must have recognized my interest in music as I was the only one that he made sit on the floor with the Album cover to Days of Future Passed by The Moody Blues and pick out everything I could find. What I couldn't find, he would explain to me.
His music tastes varied from Classical, to Big Band to rock and roll...
My tastes are just as varied....from Blue Grass and Gospel to Heavy Metal. hahaha
My father loved life. He worked hard, loading trucks at night....and he played hard.
A life snipped short by an enlarged heart and his refusal to follow the doctors advice and slow down.
I learned alot from him. Alot of those lessons just recently coming into play as I realize mortality.
So this is my tribute to my father. Being old, or rather middle aged, what I think of most is like from that move "The 6th Sense" when all the mom wants to know from her mom is whether she makes her proud. I wish I knew...

What are the odds?

2007-08-19T08:02:00.001-05:00

NewsNet5.com

Freak Lid Accident Critically Injures High Schooler

Lid Flies 224 Feet

POSTED: 6:45 pm EDT August 18, 2007

POLAND, Ohio -- A high school trumpet player who suffered a fractured skull when a metal chewing tobacco lid shot out from under a passing lawnmower was in critical condition on Saturday, hospital officials said. A summer worker on a ride-on lawnmower ran over the lid just as Mark DeMartino, 18, emerged from a Poland Seminary High School building Thursday morning to go to band practice, said school superintendent Robert Zorn. The lid was lifted into the air and flung 224 feet -- directly into DeMartino's head, officials said. The high school senior was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center where he underwent surgery. Poland is about 7 miles south of Youngstown.

GNO!

2007-08-03T14:35:00.001-05:00

What is GNO you may ask.
GNO is girls nite out.
And tonight is the nite.

I don't get it...

2007-07-25T05:19:00.000-05:00

This chick must be three kinds of stoopid. I mean between Paris, Nicky, Brittney and herself. Good God.
I'm guessing these people have enough money to roll their pot in and smoke it.
At first I defended them by saying "they are young, single, rich...let them party...leave them alone". But now they are out partying and "driving"!!! Where's their limo? Where's their chauffeur? Jeeeezus Beeezus...call a friggen cab!
How selfish or as I stated above - 3 kinds a stoopid - can you be? All that money and people at their disposal and they feel the need to get behind the wheel with the possibility of killing someone.
I don't get it.

Meet Petey!

2007-07-24T04:18:00.001-05:00

This is a Pitbull puppy. Her name is Petey. I rescued her and 4 of her brothers and sisters last Febuary. They were found in a box in an alley in week long below zero temperatures. They were starving. You could put your finger up to the first knuckle between their ribs. These pups were awesome. They have since all been adopted to loving homes by a Pitbull rescue in Northeast Ohio. It was the toughest litter I ever accepted in rescue. I was afraid I would make the wrong choice in their adoptions. That I would get snowed by someone and these little cuties would end up in the hands of someone like this. I still worry about them, but try to put it out of my head and trust in the rescue that I turned them over to.
Mr. Vick, they say that when a dog dies, it sits at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for it's owner to either cross over with them or take care of unfinished "business". I only pray that EVERY SINGLE PITBULL you ever owned and that died because of your actions is sitting there...waiting...with teeth bared...just for you.

Corporate buzz words

2007-07-23T05:59:00.000-05:00

Before I got this new job, I had been out of corporate america (swearing I would NEVER go back) for 2 years, I found this guys blog. I could relate to so much of it and he cracked me up. Although I was not familiar with the "new" corporate speak, I am getting a major taste of it now. hahaha
King of the Cubicle did a whole entry on the term "low hanging fruit". I had never heard of that, until the other day. hahaha An ENTIRE power point presentation was wrapped around this term. Yes, the term "low hanging fruit" appeared on every slide. It was all I could do not to giggle in a room of 200 I.T. folks. The term always makes me think of my husband. I dunno why.

Paradise

2007-07-12T18:30:00.000-05:00

a shot of crown royal on ice
a glass of diet coke
a plate of king crab legs the size of a toddlers leg...

Only Maui and a million would be better...

Big Coorporate Stoopid

2007-07-11T05:41:00.000-05:00

I swear to god upper management of big corporate america goes to classes to learn how to be stoopid.
There is no other way to explain it.
There is no way a human being making that much money can possibly "normally" be that stoopid and infuriating.
I swear they are brainwashed after hiring to infuriate their underlings to the point of wanting to slowly and painfully hang themselves with a cat5 cable in the nearest router closet.

4th of July and Sleep

2007-07-06T03:42:00.001-05:00

My niece graduated this year.
I recall waiting for over 12 hours in a hospital waiting room for her to be born. Needless to say, I'm feeling old.
My bro and sis in law had the grad party on the 3rd. Every 4th of July my bro and sis in law throw one humongous shindig. We're talking 100's of people. Tons of food. Tons of booze. Campers, tents, bonfire. The city sets off the fireworks pert near (hillbillie in the blood talk) in their backyard.
This year they had the party on the 3rd, which worked out good, cuz who wants to eat too much crap, drink too much alcohol, stay up till 4 a.m., sleep on a blow up mattress in a tent, just to get up and have to go to work the next day. No holiday should be on a weekday except for Monday or Friday. ha! Anyhow, the main reason they had it on the 3rd was because the city was setting their fireworks off on the 3rd. Why? Get this...they didn't want to pay their city worker double time for the holiday. CHEAP!!!
But it worked out great. Since it was a grad party and not just their annual 4th fest, all the relatives were invited. Relatives I hadn't seen in years! Friends I hadn't seen in years! I was really bummed that the night went by so quickly. I felt like a buzzed up social butterfly trying to catch up with everyone and still have a great time at the same time.
And yes, it's true...we fell asleep prolly about 4:30 a.m. on a blow up mattress in a tent.
And actually on the true 4th we slept with 3 shivering dogs (fireworks), one of which has legs like a giraffe.
4th of July holiday does NOT equal sleep....

I'm officially old...

2007-06-29T04:19:00.000-05:00

Forget the daily checking for reoccurring whiskers that have no defined arrival time. Meaning one day they are not there, that same evening they are 2 inches long....wtf is up with that?
I just got this new job at big corporate. I needed new work shoes.
The Cube Monkey just paid $90...yes Ninety U.S. Dollars for a pair of comfortable sandals made of cork, leather and rubber. I almost crapped myself. Granted, I was treated like a queen by an elderly gentleman who actually measured my flintstone feet and chose about 6 pairs of shoes for me to try on that he thought I would like after telling him "need comfy shoes for work". He was good. He put the shoes on me, even fastened them for me. But 90 DOLLARS!!?? Doesn't that classify as rape or something? The husband feels that for $90 they should provide me with an orgasm every 10 steps. I agree and wouldn't that be sumpthin? hahaha

Stoopid Corporate Trick of the Week!

2007-06-29T03:40:00.000-05:00

The honor goes to the Cleveland Clinic for this gem...

Cleveland Clinic Bans Hiring Of Smokers

Ok, I am a smoker. I totally agree that smoking is a nasty habit. It is the most useless addiction on the face of the earth. And I love it.
Here in Ohio, as in most states, smoking has been banned from most public places. Some places have designated smoke areas, but, for instance the hospitals, you cannot smoke ANYWHERE on the grounds. This is fine by me. It's a health thing, but whatever. Let me go on the record and say I don't agree with banning smoking in private clubs. I just think that's wrong. I mean, how's a gal supposed to enjoy an occasional evening at small town VFW drankin and playing tickets with the family without a smoke? Besides, if majority ruled with a vote by the members, why should the public care?
So back to this Cleveland Clinic thing.
This is not just a matter of you can't smoke at work. You can't smoke ANYWHERE. They are going to drug test for nicotine! They have also removed sugar laden soft drinks and transfats from their cafeteria - BUT you can still get a bacon and cheese crossiant there. And I'm willing to bet dollars for donuts (hee hee) that you will still find tons of vending machines throughout the campus.
So in a setting, where there is a shortage of staff anyhow, they are going to make it even "harder" to find quality nurses and such. In some of the most stressful jobs.
Most people are against this ruling. I would agree. In fact I'm against most of these drug testing things. I don't feel that it's anyone's business what you consume in the privacy of your home as long as it doesn't affect your job and your not consuming human flesh.
There are very few in favor of this. There was a woman that called into the radio the other day. Tried to support this ruling by talking about doctors with ashtray breath. How she remembers going to a few doctors with the most horrid ashtray breath.
I wish I had been one of the radio personalities that morning. I would have asked the woman,
How many kids do you think have puked on that doctor?
How many people do you think he has had to tell, you are dying?
How many stinky, yeast laden vagina's has he looked at?
How many crusty diabetes sores?

If he wants to go home and chain smoke a pack of cigarettes while downing a few shots of Jack, I don't care, as long as he is up to par to handle my health issues the next day.

Jessie Marie Davis

2007-06-25T05:38:00.000-05:00

The Cube Monkey has been following this story pretty closely. I sat restlessly in my monkey cage at big corporate zoo on Thursday and Friday feeling helpless because I felt that I should have been down aiding in the search. I don't know why. I just wanted to "help".
So Friday night I had decided that if they were still going to be searching on Saturday I would go down to help. Alas an intestinal bug that had found it's way into Mr. Cube Monkey left me at home.
We have four dogs....yes...four. Two of them I took to the dog park Saturday afternoon. Whilst walking out the door, the furry ball of neurosis (more on him later) looked at me pathetically. "I will take you on your own walk on the wooded trail later" I told him.
So when I got back Crazy Boy was hooked up and we were off. We live within a hop, skip and a fart of a nice wooded trail that sits on the edge of a part of the Metro Parks. When we walk this trail I always look down the ravines. Why? Partially boredom, partially because I know it' s a good place to dump a body.
On our way back I noticed helicopters circling overhead again and again. They didn't stop.
I told Mr. Cube Monkey that the searchers must have changed their area. They had been searching about 45 minutes south of here. Within a 17 mile area of where Jessie was last seen.
The suspect was a cop, her boyfriend. Now I'm no genius, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to think that he would be smart enough NOT to dump the body close to home.
We turned on the TV. Her body was discovered about 20 minutes north of our house. In a part of the Metro Parks.
I told the hubby how Crazy Boy and I were looking down ravines and stuff "just because". He agreed and said he does that too when he takes the pups for walks down the trail.
Then my mouth opened wide when he said "I know that's the kind of place I would dump your body if I did you in". A nervous laugh escaped my throat. "Exsqueeze me?".
In the end, I informed him that TRUST ME, if you wanted me gone so badly that you wanted me dead, just tell me and I will be out the door "right quick and in a hurry".
Of course I would leave him the house, the 4 furry bottomless stomachs and the 13 year old attitude. =) Cuz I'm giving that way.