Anima

2006-03-15T20:31:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I've never jived with "anima" as my title. It was something I came up with on the fly - the meaning was cool enough - because I was just ready to start a blog; and when I get an idea in my head, it has to be NOW.

So - I'm writing here to tell you that anima has changed. After three years, I've finally come up with a name and made the decision to move to WordPress. I love Blogger; don't get me wrong. I got my start here - but WP has drawn me like a moth to a light; I can't deny it.

anima isn't going away, it's just changing - a new look, a new name - a new beginning. Life is about change, after all. Some things must end for new ones to be born.

Sorry - getting a little misty-eyed and sentimental. This blog means the world to me. It's my vehicle to voice my opinion, thoughts and life to the world. Because of this blog I have met and befriended many wonderful people. I'll miss anima @ Blogger. That's the truth.

But the rebirth has happened: Sunshine & Farts makes its debut to all of my loyal and beloved readers. This blog will stay as is - all old posts shall remain - but this shall be the last. So come on over, have a look, get settled - and don't forget to change your bookmarks & blogroll links to http://sunshineandfarts.com/.

Thanks for the great times, Blogger.

2006-03-14T16:42:00.000-08:00

Am I a total nerd for getting all excited about a quiz that told me which punctuation mark I was? Not really.

Am I a total nerd for getting all excited because I'm just finishing up one of my new favorite books, Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss? Absolutely.

Dash
You scored 15% Sociability and 52% Sophistication!

There's no denying that you have a certain flair. You don't mind being around others, especially your little brother, the hyphen, but you rarely emerge except when needed. You respond well to those who know how to treat you, but have only contempt for those who don't--you tend to embarass them every chance you get. Your only enemy is the colon--he will sometimes try to move in on your turf.

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 1% on Sociability
You scored higher than 33% on Sophistication

Link: The Which Punctuation Mark Are You Test written by Gazda on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

2006-03-14T12:56:00.000-08:00

Instant Messenger Phishing Scam Alert

So I was chatting with Rose via Yahoo! Messenger a few moments ago when something odd happened.

She was Idle for quite awhile - which isn't unusual, we just chat here and there throughout the day - but then this strange message popped up from her:

ok everyone I uploaded a few pics to this geocities site http://www.geocities.com/theserealpictures please go take a quick peek ty 1736

Not even thinking, or reading it all the way through, I clicked. It brought me a Yahoo! Photos sign-on page.

Hold on, I thought to myself. Something isn't right. I closed the window and went back and read the message and realized this was NOT from Rose.

At the same time, she sent me a message asking if I'd gotten a "weird" message from her a moment before; that others were telling her they'd gotten the same thing. She said just before it went out, she was knocked off - saying she'd logged in elsewhere.

I started doing some research online and found out this was an instant messaging phishing scam. Please see here for more details: Please Log In - YM Phishing; this is a link to TrendMicro. There's also more info on this scam here: Yahoo! Phishing Attack uses Geocities.

That logon page was the exact one that came up when I clicked on Rose's link. Thankfully I didn't log in, but the same thing had happened to her a few days before - and, not thinking, she had. Which explains how they got into her account to send the phishing scam through her IM list today.

She's changed her Yahoo! account password, and we're fairly sure that's all they were able to get into - as her Yahoo! email is just a spare, spam-catcher account. But if this were to happen to someone like me, who uses their Yahoo! email for just about *everything*, they'd got all kinds of good info on me (including the sign-on and password to my bank).

I (as Rose will later) am writing this to warn you. The more people who are aware of these scams, the less likely they will be to fall prey to them. Visit the sites listed above, learn about the scam and what the fake Yahoo! Photos page looks like (though, remember, it could be a totally different page depending on what the scammers create).

So if you ever run into this sort of IM quirk again, you know what it is and you know what to do. Please, everyone, be safe online - it's dangerous out here.

2006-03-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

Spring snuck up on me! While I was cooped up in the house recovering from the flu, Spring happened. When I stepped out of my house to go to work this morning (first time in over a week), I was delighted to feel the warmer air, see the plants blossoming, and green leaves appearing on the trees. Nothing quite refreshes my soul like the coming of Spring.

Though I probably would've stayed home and in bed if I knew what would be facing me when I came in today. Before 9am, I'd already had a wacked-out hard drive and a dead motherboard. Very nice.

I'm working on the hard drive - trying to save the data. The motherboard has to be called in (thank goodness they're under warranty). There's tons of other catch-up work and I honestly haven't stopped since I unlocked my office (actually, there was someone asking for help before I even had the key in the door).

Then I get an email from an employee having a problem (the problem being that he can't figure out how to use his email program, even though we've sat down with him one-on-one numerous times). I give him some instructions to follow and writes me back saying "I get a box labled blah & blah". Since this isn't what he should be seeing, and isn't related to the instructions I sent, I have to respond back with, "You get a box where?"

His response?

"On my screen."

I'm not sure if he's trying to be cute, or he's really that daft. With this one, could be either one.

Don't you wish you had my job?

Update

He told on me! When I responded back saying, "I'm aware it's on your screen but I need to know what you're clicking and where", he apparently got miffed and went to the #1 and complained about me. You'd think I'd be upset, right? No, I'm used to the petty, immature bullshit that goes on around here.

So the #1 came to me and asked if I'd go down and personally look at it. The #1 was aggravated at him - not me - and I asked him if I could please, first, finish working on this busted hard drive. Because this employee can't work at all - can't do squat with no computer, and to me, that's a bigger priority. As far as I know, the other employee is working just fine; he's just "confused".

He said ok, but I know he wanted me to go down right away. And you know what? I could have, in all honesty. I'm running diagnostics and chkdsk on the drive and it takes awhile to complete; currently I'm just looking up some info on it. But I refuse to be pushed around by these moronic, pompous asses. Yes, the employee in question is one of the highest ups. Yet, is it my fault he isn't qualified to do his job? No.

I will help him - don't get me wrong - but I won't run down there at his beck and call *for no good reason* when I'm busy working on real problems that are actually affecting someone's work. I won't. And I feel sorry for the #1 because he has to listen to their whining, but I just can't make myself cater to immature and stupid people. I can't. I know that's not the best work ethic, but working in this enviroment - with all the bullshit, favortisim and politics that go on daily - has murdered my work ethic.

Which is why I'm seriously thinking about looking for a different job.

2006-03-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

Today I got a very strange spam mail in my Inbox. Not that they aren't all strange, but this one really seemed to stand out.

First, it made it through my spam filter by appearing as a simple forward. Inside I found this gem:

How are you,

Order Hudeea-Li,fe.

Hoo,dia-Li,fe is fastest and most effective appe,ti te sup,pre-ss,ant.

No funny taste in mouth.

I know it's a way of writing "appetite" to sneak through the filters, but I totally read it as "appa-tee-tee"; not quite sure what an appateetee is, but this stuff will supress it.

That isn't so strange. But the little limerick included at the end of the letter certainly was:

Of the Witch of the West.
That little time with lyre and rhyme.
Lift high my banner out of the dust. .
The Modern Man I sing..
The rest of us pinned the kid down on the ground..

You really have to wonder who sat and took the time to come up with this? Or was it randomly generated from some awful English-speaking poem generator the spammers use? I mean, what the hell is any of that supposed to mean?

And am I the only one who finds that last line a tad disturbing?

2006-03-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

Let me preface this by saying that I have a tendency - when I'm relaxing at home with Baret and feeling silly - to sing-song out random phrases and make weird noises. The happier I am, or the more caffeine I've had, the worst this becomes. Blame it on the A.D.D.

My strange call-outs are not something I ever intended to share with the world, but it's truly the only way I can explain to you how Baret and I got onto the subject of duck dicks, and, therefore, duck sex.

After downing nearly half of my English Breakfast tea this morning, and feeling giddy at the fact that I'm no longer achey and sweaty with fever, I was being even more than my usual, silly self and I yelled across the room to Baret, "Suck a duck!" To which I then added, "Suck a duck's dick!"

Don't ask why - this is just me - accept it.

Baret then said, "I wonder what a duck's dick looks like. Google it."

Yet neither of us were prepared for the image you see floating over there on the left.

I was intrigued, to say the least, and began reading up on the mating rituals of these large-membered ducks (which are Argentine lake ducks, if you must know).

One researcher believes they may use this long appendage to "lasso" the female duck, who is often resistant to mating. Honestly - how could I not share this information?

And this is no Internet joke, folks. That's a real duck schlong, and this info comes from none other than National Geographic. I know it's all a bit twisted (this info, not his cock), but admit it - this is oddly interesting information.

The researchers did point out that this duck had a particularly larger-than-normal penis - they know this because most Argentine ducks are only about 8" long! Only. Right.

Not to fear, gentleman. The ladies aren't going to think you inadequate because you can't measure up to the Argentine lake duck. Big is nice - but no woman has ever wanted to be lassoed by her man's penis.

2006-03-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Since one of my best friends is blonde, there are few blonde jokes I haven't heard or used. But this one takes the cake - I'm still laughing hours later. The Mother of All Blonde Jokes, imho.

2006-03-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

I, like the rest of the world I'd imagine, have been down for over a week with the fucking flu. No, not the "flu" - the "fucking flu". It sucked; it still sucks.

I'm on Biaxin, because I then developed a chest cold along with the fucking flu. The shit works, but I'm fuzzy-headed, have dry mouth that could match the Sahara Desert and a really nasty taste in my mouth. Blech.

But that's not why I'm writing. I'm writing to tell you about One Million Blogs. For a mere $1 you can be immortalized on the million blogs project - $1, so why not do it?

You also get a nifty little icon for your site with your number placement on the million-slot grid. Cool, huh? So grab a space before they're all gone!

2006-03-02T05:46:00.000-08:00

So the word is now that Bush and Co. knew all about the possible levee breaks, the massive damage Katrina would likely do, and a whole slew of other things they claimed - after the fact - that no one could possibly have known the scope of.

I'd like to quote our esteemed President, four days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the southern U.S. and my home state:

I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees that gushed deadly flood waters into New Orleans.

Which is very interesting, considering there is now a video showing a group of officials telling Dubya that very thing BEFORE Katrina hit. The video can be found at an article on this mess at CNN.com.

Just gives you mountains of faith in our government, now doesn't it?

2006-02-27T05:03:00.000-08:00

This Johari thing I nabbed from Rose is really cool - so, please, DO ME, DO ME, DO ME!!

2006-02-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

Calling all who know that SOME things should never be:

Paris Hilton has been asked to star in a movie.

That's nothing.

It's a movie about the life of Mother Theresa, and Paris has been asked to play THE Mother Theresa.

No, I'm not joking. I'm SO not joking, and so upset that this might transpire, I have called my legion of gnomes to help me stop this from happening:

Please go - read - and SIGN. Link and pass it on. We cannot let this happen.

Paris No Mother Theresa which explains the reason for No To Paris Hilton As Mother Theresa.

I, and the Universe, thank you.

2006-02-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

Guys, if you find that most girls online give you the cold shoulder when you try to chat them up understand that it's because 99% of the men that contact them are like this:

vishal_gets: hi
vamp_lynx: hi
vishal_gets: hi
vishal_gets: how r u ?
vamp_lynx: Ok.
vishal_gets: i am vishal
vishal_gets: 22m
vishal_gets: and u
vamp_lynx: All that info is on my profile. Didn't you look at it before you IM'ed me?
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: what do u do ?
vamp_lynx: i work with computers.
vishal_gets: i am also
vishal_gets: i am computer eng & now i am network admin
vamp_lynx: Ok.
vishal_gets: u r looking so beuatiful
vishal_gets: after see ur profile
vamp_lynx: Ok, thanks.
vishal_gets: u r 28
vamp_lynx: Yes.
vamp_lynx: Brb
vishal_gets: hello
vishal_gets: are u busy ?
BUZZ!!!
vamp_lynx: Don't you know what "brb" means?
vishal_gets: ya
vishal_gets: be right back
vamp_lynx: Well....why were you buzzing me?
vishal_gets:
vishal_gets: nothing
vamp_lynx: Nothing?
vishal_gets: i think u r busy so i buzzing u
vamp_lynx: I told you "brb"
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: i told u "valy"
vamp_lynx: No you didn't.
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: as u wish
vishal_gets: tell me about ur office time
vamp_lynx: What?
vishal_gets: i means whats office-time scedule ?
vamp_lynx: I work 8 hours a day, if that's what you are asking.
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: valeria, are u in office ?
vamp_lynx: Not right now.
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: valeria tell me something
vishal_gets: i am confuse
vamp_lynx: What?
vishal_gets: valeria, are u married ?
vamp_lynx: No.
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: i am also
vishal_gets: nice to chat with u
vamp_lynx: Ok.
vishal_gets: have u any bf ?
vamp_lynx: Yes.
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: but haven't any gf
vamp_lynx: Ok.
vishal_gets: do u want to make my gf ?
vamp_lynx: "Make my gf"? What does that mean?
vishal_gets: i mean do u want be my gf ?
vamp_lynx: Are you serious?
vishal_gets: i am realy serious
vishal_gets: because i need girl who understand me & i am undestand her
vishal_gets: all that thing u have
vamp_lynx: "All that things u have". You don't know me. Do you regularly ask complete strangers, who are already in a relationship, do be your girlfriend??
vishal_gets: i tell u truth
vamp_lynx: What truth? That you're weird?
vishal_gets: no
vishal_gets: i am not
vamp_lynx: You are asking a complete stranger to be your girlfriend - one that you've talked to all of 5 minutes. Yes, that is weird.
vishal_gets: i am sure that i havent any gf
vamp_lynx: So?
vamp_lynx: Go find one - don't pick up strangers online, weirdo.
vishal_gets: because if u think
vishal_gets: i am not that type of person who cheat other
vamp_lynx: I think that I have a boyfriend and I don't KNOW you.
vamp_lynx: I don't cheat either - but you're asking me to!
vishal_gets: ok
vishal_gets: just forget about it & lets chat
vamp_lynx: What is wrong with you?
vishal_gets: u know i havent any luck
vamp_lynx: It has nothing to do with luck. Maybe you try hitting on people you know, from your own country, who aren't attached. Just a thought.
vishal_gets: i never get love in my life
vamp_lynx: Perhaps because you're going about it in the wrong way.
vishal_gets: so tell me that whay
vishal_gets: what am i doing ?
vamp_lynx: Here's a few tips: 1) Meet a real person and get to know them first, 2) Be in the same country, it helps and 3) Don't ask people that already are in a relationship. This should be pretty obvious.
vishal_gets: thanks
vamp_lynx: I mean, you didn't think of any of that???
vishal_gets: u r my best friend
vamp_lynx: Um, no I'm not.
vishal_gets: but whats proble have u
vamp_lynx: That doesn't make any sense.
vishal_gets: plz
vishal_gets: only u which solve my problem
vamp_lynx: What??
vamp_lynx: Your English is getting steadily worse.
vishal_gets: ya
vishal_gets: but try my best
vamp_lynx: I see.
vishal_gets: valeria tell me that what am i doing to get girl ?
vamp_lynx: I don't know - try not doing it online with people from other countries.
vishal_gets: i never try in online
vamp_lynx: You just did
vishal_gets: but i only know that i love u
vishal_gets: if u belive or not
vishal_gets: in our india nobody cheat their gf as compare to ur country
vamp_lynx: You DO NOT love me, crazy man!
vamp_lynx: You're asking ME to cheat on MY boyfriend, stupid!
vishal_gets: i love u because i like foreginer
vishal_gets: i like ur face
vishal_gets: but why ?
vishal_gets: i am looking young ,smart & cheerful
vamp_lynx: I have a boyfriend. I don't know you.
vamp_lynx: I don't like you.
vamp_lynx: I sure as hell don't love you.
vamp_lynx: We've been talking all of five minutes.
vishal_gets: plz dont break my hert
vamp_lynx: I'm not.
vishal_gets: ok
vamp_lynx: You are breaking your own heart with your weird thoughts of "love".
vishal_gets: ok foerget about it
vamp_lynx: Not a problem.
vishal_gets: do u intrest in ssex ?
vamp_lynx: What?
vishal_gets: i means, have u ever enjoy sex in ur life ?
vamp_lynx: That's none of your business.
vamp_lynx: I'm leaving for work now. Goodbye.
vishal_gets: noooooooooooo
vamp_lynx: Yeah, I have to work.
vishal_gets: hello
vamp_lynx: No, goodbye.
vishal_gets: plz
vamp_lynx: Bye
vishal_gets: i never asking again
vishal_gets: i am not that type person
vishal_gets: plz
vishal_gets: dont go
vamp_lynx: I HAVE TO GO TO WORK
vishal_gets: tell me that when to me again
vishal_gets: plz

2006-02-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

You all remember "Hotline" from the small paper. Well, it's garnered its OWN PAGE on my site. Check it:

Hotline Hilarity

You guys have read all the others here on my blog, but the * ones are all *new*! Enjoy!

2006-02-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

Shanna's morning cocktail, to combat this damn cold/upper resp. infection she's got:

1 Mucus Relief DM (for the nastiness I'm coughing up)
2 Extra-Strength Tylenol (for the fever and subsequent achy body)
1 Amoxicillin (for the infection)
2 Wal-Phed (generic for Sudafed, for the sinuses)
and a partridge in a pear tree.

Since I'm all hopped up on meds, I'm pretty incapable of writing anything worthwhile. I'm going shuffle back to bed now. Be well.

2006-02-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

I'm sick.

I just downed some Wal-Tussin (generic for the Robitussin), which is supposed to - as the bottle reads - make my coughs more "productive".

That's what I need right now, too - more productive coughs to get this nasty congestion out of my throat.

I don't seem to have fever today, as I did yesterday, but I'm still not feeling my best.

Anyway, just thought you should know that if you need your coughing to be more productive, get some Wal-Tussin. That is all.

2006-02-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

So I'm late on this, but if I was on time with it, well, it wouldn't be me.

And I gotta be me. (Little Friday cheese for ya.)

Anyway, let's talk about Super Bowl commercials. You know you love 'em. They had some pretty good ones this year - but two really stood out.

First, the Budweiser: Clydesdale American Dream; I cried like a damn baby. It was so touching and sweet. Animals - gets me everytime. In case you missed it, grab a tissue:

Budweiser: Clydesdale American Dream Superbowl Commercial

Next. fucking Westin - first smoke-free national hotel chain. Big whoop. Yes, kiss my ass - I'm glad you're so proud of yourself, Westin-folks. Really. But me? I'm not impressed, you pompous asses.

You guys stockpiling those cartons of cigs like I told you to? If not, you'd better start - it will be completely illegal to smoke in five to ten years.

2006-02-08T05:08:00.000-08:00

People never cease to amaze me.

Everyone at work and, likely, everyone in our mother agency (i.e. close to 9,000 people) received a phishing scam at work yesterday. This isn't uncommon - our mail filters knock out a lot but it's impossible to stop them all.

Dear VISA Credit Card Member ,

VISA Credit Card is devoted to keeping a safe environment for its community of consumers and producers. To guarantee the safety of your account, VISA Credit Card deploys some of the most advanced security measures in the world and our anti-fraud units regularly screen the VISA Credit Card database for suspicious activity.

We recently have discovered that multiple computers have attempted to log into your VISA Credit Card Online Banking account, and multiple password failures were
presented before the logons. We now require you to re-validate your account information to us. If this is not completed by February 31, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely, as it may have been used for fraudulent purposes. We thank you for your cooperation in this manner. In order to confirm your Online Bank records, we may require some specific information from you.

Please Click Here or on the link below to verify your account http://www.visa.com/verification/update/

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please understand that this is a security measure meant to help protect you and your account.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no choice but to temporary suspend your account.

VISA Credit Card Security Team

The links, obvious by running the mouse over them and glancing down at the window bottom, went to some cosmec.net site; not Visa. No surprise there, as this is an obvious phishing scam.

Yet, no matter how many times I have told my users that 99% of all such emails are scams, that there is nothing to be done, that online companies will NEVER ask for you to verify your account via email - for the love of all things holy and sacred just delete the goddamn thing - they will still, without fail, flip shit when things like this appear in their Inbox.

One clever fellow pointed out to me that Visa does not have his work email address so this was an "obvious scam". No shit, Sherlock.

One angry employee wanted to know what authorities he could report this "attempted criminal fraud" to, as it was a crime against he and the state. As if we've never gotten such things here at work before, and he's never even heard of a "phishing scam".

I tried to explain that this was not an isolated attack and that the email was likely sent out by a legion of zombie computers rather than a single person. Nothing could be done, it was a minor inconvenience, there were no worries if they knew - as they should - not to click on any of the links. Please, just delete it.

Yes, I could offer up a few places for them to report it, but why open another can of worms?

I shudder to think how many didn't even bother to contact me, but simply clicked on the links and offered up their user names and passwords.

Welcome to my world, eh?

2006-02-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

Twenty-five years ago today, my reign as coddled "only" child came to an end with the birth of my little sister.

Let's just say that, being the resident one-and-only for over four years, I wasn't altogether pleased about having to share the love.

As she grew, however, I learned that having a little sister was actually pretty cool. You had someone to play with, and, even better, someone to order around. I did my fair share of both.

As a child, she was loads of fun to be around with a zany sense of humor. I will never forget seeing her running around, red, plastic tweezers in hand, pinching everyone on the butt and giggling, "Tweezer, tweezer, tweezer."

She was headstrong; even then. For years Mom thought Amb been dutifully taking the vitamins she was being given every morning - until someone decided to clean under the couch cushions. Underneath lay a cache of once-dampened Flintstones vitamins.

As a teen, she was still funny, but more cynical, and cool. She always had her hair done and the latest fashions; she was always more into that stuff than I - who lumbered around my teen years with dirty hair and over-sized t-shirts.

Then she became a young woman, and I really can't begin to tell you how proud I am of her - and how blessed I feel to be able to call her my "sister". She's smart, warm-hearted, fun and funny. She's about to graduate college - the first of our small brood to do so; did I mention I'm proud? I wish you could meet her because to know her is to love her.

So today, she celebrates her 25th birthday and I'd just like to wish her a great one, and to let her know how much I love her and cherish our relationship.

Love always & all ways,
Yo Big Sista

2006-02-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

This Muslims-pissed-off-over-Muhammed-cartoon is getting way out of control.

I see it like this:

What do you think would upset a prophet more? Some person of a differing religion drawing an offensive image of him? Or thousands of his people causing pain and suffering to countless innocents and their property in his name?

Does anyone stop to think before they act anymore? Does anyone have any damn sense left?!

I mean, what's their logic here?

"Hey, they drew Muhammed, and Muslims, in a bad light. We'll show them! Let's go riot and tear things up and really make an ass of ourselves!"

Could they possibly be doing anything more to give the cartoon credibility? First, they're drawing worldwide attention to it, and then, they're portraying themselves in the same way they're angered that the cartoon is portraying them!? Amazing, isn't it?

No. Just very, very sad.

2006-02-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

Yea! I just got in a CD I ordered a few weeks back, Monster Ballads, because I'm a total sucker for some sappy, 80's rock hair-ballads.

So the Superbowl is this weekend, and I honestly only know this because I'm dating Baret, who's a football fan (though not a rabid one - he could go a season with only seeing a game or two). I still don't know where we'll be or who we'll hang out with; regardless, I'm sure we'll have a blast.

Well, I have recently completely re-designed skatoolaki.com; hop on over and check it out. I like it; it's simple and clean. I'm really getting the hang of Dreamweaver - it could possibly be the best purchase I've ever made.

So you heard about the tornadoes that hit the New Orleans-area (mostly surrounding) this week? Can't catch a break in SW Louisiana these days, folks. There are still people without electricity, phones...and, worst of all, homes. Even as close as Baton Rouge is, we still don't realize how terrible things still are down there for thousands of people; they're still living this nightmare daily.

And hurricane season starts back up in a few short months. -sigh-

Ok, I'm outta here for now. Hope you all have a great weekend.

2006-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

Monday night, Baret and I, had a wonderful dinner out with a few members of my family: my Mom, my sister, my brother and his girlfriend (and, technically my little niece, even though she was napping in Amanda's stomach).

We - as always - had a wonderful time, laughing, gabbing and making fun of any and everything. There really are no boundaries with us; there's little we won't touch.

I noticed something while we were chatting, eating and giggling, though. It was my Mom. She didn't say all that much, now that I think about it, but rather sat there with this complacent, very peaceful "glow" about her. I caught her, a few times when I was talking, just staring at me with this smile on her face. She was just kind of watching all of us talk and interact, and .... smiling.

She was proud of us - of each of us - it was obvious. She was enjoying watching her three grown children talk and get along.

It almost made me want children. Ha ha.

But it was so cool, and I loved her so much right then - for noticing, for loving us so much, for being such an awesome mom. She wasn't perfect, who the hell is? But she did the best she could and she always put us first. She loved us - she still loves us - and she'd do anything for each for us. She made holidays and growing up fun; and for that I, and my brother & sister, are completely blessed.

It makes me realize what a kickass grandmother she's going to be. She's still young, still fun. That little niece of mine is going to have such a great family; I hope she knows what coolness she's about to be born into.

The coolest-in-the-world, wackiest great-grandpa anyone could ever ask for.

A young, fun, loving, yet strict grandmother who's going to color with her and, at the same time, give her some structure.

A goofy, drunk - yet fun - grandfather, who is going to fill her head with music trivia and bring her to every friend and family member's house in the known world to show her off.

A sharp, funny aunt who is absolutely amazing with children and will play with her for hours without ever getting bored and will dress her in cute, trendy outfits from the moment she pops out of the womb. Who doesn't want a funny, fun aunt who keeps you in style?

A wacky & kooky, warm, understanding aunt who's going to teach her the zodiac signs along with her ABC's, and pour as much esoteric knowledge into that little noggin as possible. She'll also probably sneak her booze when she's 13, too.

She's also going to have two loving and loveable parents - a sometimes aloof, but very intelligent father who's going to read her history books to put her to sleep and a sweet, doting mother who is going to spoil her rotten. She'll get love and knowledge from them. Mom will teach her to garden, and Dad will teach her how to load a gun (not that I approve, but -sigh- he will). Mom will play dress-up with her, and Dad will let her watch History Channel specials with him. When Mom's not around, he'll also let her listen to metal and will try to instill an appreciation in her of good, hard rock music. Mom will teach her to quilt, and Dad will let her play with his old Legos.

Yeah, she's gonna be a happy kid surrounded by love, music, and knowledge. Lucky little bitch.

And it's all - really - because my Mom raised three awesome kids into three totally cool adults. So, thanks, Mom.

2006-01-27T05:03:00.000-08:00

California, the most extreme non-smoking state, has now decided that secondhand smoke is a "pollutant" - on par with diesel exhaust, arsenic and benzene.

Mark my words - and I'm putting it down here in this blog for posterity - in a few more years smoking will be illegal. Period.

I plan to start buying cartons of Camel Ultra Lights and hoarding them in my attic right now. Those who love to smoke, and those, like me, who enjoy an occasional puff may want to do the same.

2006-01-26T06:06:00.000-08:00

The horrible story of seven siblings being killed in a car accident yesterday in Florida is haunting me.

The children, 15-year-old driver Nicki Mann; Elizabeth Mann, 15; Johnny Mann, 13; Heaven Mann, 3; Ashley Kenn, 13; Miranda Finn, who was either 8- or 9-years-old; and Anthony Lamb, who was almost 2 years old, were crushed in between a stopped school bus and the truck that piled into the back of them.

Authorities are investigating how Alvin Wilkerson, the truck driver, - who suffered only minor injuries - failed to see a large, yellow bus and a car stopped in front of him. They are, thankfully, looking into the possibility that he was...you guessed it...on his cell phone.

I don't in any way mean to make light of this tragedy, but if he was on the phone, perhaps it will be the wake-up call America needs to make talking & driving illegal.

Whatever the reason, this man was obviously not paying attention and should be held completely accountable for these senseless deaths.

2006-01-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've all heard New Orleans' Mayor Nagin's little MLK-Day "chocolate" reference by now.

Sure, New Orleans will be a "chocolate" city again, but I think what upset most people is that Nagin was blatantly ignoring the fact that New Orleans is New Orleans because of the wonderful and eclectic mix of many ethnicites. New Orleans will be New Orleans again when it is filled with chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, banana and everything in between once again.

I forgive him - he's under a lot of stress and he tends to say weird, outrageous things from time to time. A few misplaced words are the least of New Orleans worries right now.

Still, even I laughed my ass off when this Photoshop picture made its way into my Inbox; thought you'd get a chuckle, too.

2006-01-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

And you thought you were having a bad day?

Check out the shit my old Dad's been having to deal with:

dealingwithviewsonic.com

There were many times in the past few months, while we were trying to help him with this mess, that I thought my Dad was literally going to have a heart attack while dealing with these people. I've known him all my life, and I've never seen him so upset and angry.

Suffice it say, none of us will ever be buying ViewSonic again. For the sake of your sanity (and heart), I encourage you to buy elsewhere as well.

Also, you can help by spreading the word. Take the URL above - link it, use it, spread it. You have my thanks.

2006-01-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

On the topic of unwanted email - have you ever read the weird paragraphs included with some spam? It's usually spam for an online university degree, penile enhancements, illegal prescriptions, home mortgages and loans. At the bottom you'll see a strange paragraph that, at first glance, appears to be a bunch of random search query words appended to the email.

But have you ever read them?

They almost make sense, in that they are sentences and can be "read" in a linear format. They don't really say anything sensible, but they are....interesting.

Here's one I got today:

flub and tetrode it's denaturalized nodosity a coincidental adouche in objectified the hitching ! wideness !imaginations grant sailorly weldor it uncatechized's edified institutions but uneulogized ! restrictions !bondman the guised it unequalized in frowardly a coliform but mired ! Chiron a loanda aElgin , republicanised in exoticness in puberal it's and endoneurium saffian Mattila illegitimatizes Pareto it periphery's adman trenchantly oscillating !
but foreignization's or crustacean's !

I know it's just "catch" words, but you have to wonder if it's some kind of strange spammer code. Perhaps it can be deciphered and it really reads something like, "Next month we begin Operation Stifle the Suck to prevent the beginning of Armageddon. Team One will be taking out Kevin Federline, and Team 2 will deal with Paris Hilton. These two can not be allowed to put out an album, lest the heavens will rain down hellfire from above and the angels will weep for the rest of eternity, and mankind, as we know it, will cease to be."

Hey, you never know.

2006-01-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

You know those "No Solicitations" signs you can hang on your door? I wish they made them for Inboxes. Except mine would say, "No Solicitations OR Stupid, Pointless Email".

I don't know what's worse anymore - the false stories that no one bothered to check out before sending to all 102 people in their address book, the spam, scams, viruses, and Nigerian 419's, or the absolutely retarded, stupid shit people pass on because they think it's "cute" or "funny" - when it's anything but.

Who has time to sit and read "moving" emails about God, friends you ignore, and missing children who are no longer missing? Who wants to sit and sift through pictures of old comic strips, cute puppies & kittens, or hunky men? What sane person has a hankering to watch corny, over-done and supposedly funny videos sent to them by imbecilic pals?

Not me!

I get enough junk from people I don't know - I surely don't need my address bookers sending me superfluous crap.

Probably the worst person in the world for this, however, is my supervisor. No, seriously. Not only does he send you things he finds f'n hilarious (which aren't), he then comes over to you, makes you open the email and stands behind you while you read/scan/watch it.

It's as awful as it sounds. He's chuckling the entire time, waiting for you to get to the punchline. You do, and you're thinking, "That's it? How fucking dumb!?"

It's like torture because 9 x's out of 10 it isn't even remotely funny or even slightly amusing. Then, because he realizes you've gotten to the end, he's guffawing behind you and you have to pretend to laugh - you have no choice at that point - it would be rude, not to mention awkward, if you didn't feign amusement.

I am now a master at belting out a wholly convincing "fake laugh".

2006-01-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, someone will shoot me a thank-you email after helping them with a problem that just makes all the bullshit I go through on the job totally worth it.

This was one such email:

YOU ARE THE SUPREME CEREBRAL BEING OF OUR STAR UNIT!
you Freakin ROCK!

2006-01-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

If 2006 turns out to be as good as the party that rang it in - I'm ready!

Baret and I went to my family's for New Year's Eve. There were meat, cheese, and veggie trays - chips, crackers and dips galore. Champagne, wine and a keg; all for a bash of less than 20 people.

Everyone ended up getting sotted. I got to see my Dad do a keg-stand, and then my sister - the only non-drinker in the family - do one! She's taken to indulging with us during festivities, so I've named her the "Holiday Drunk". Hey, every family needs one.

I had to put Baret - who could no longer hold himself upright - to bed not long after 1am. He was so sick, he begged me to stay with him, and I passed out right next to him.

The next morning, the former party-house (my grandfather's) had transformed into a hospital of sorts. The able and sober were helping the hung-over to get around and were bringing them water and food. It was hilarious.

Baret and I spent the rest of the weekend holed up inside, playing Everquest II.

I hope all of you had such a happy, and fun, New Year's!

2006-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness Blogger puts in the date for you automatically - otherwise there would be hundreds of bloggers writing posts for January 2005.

That's the hardest part, isn't it? Getting used to writing the new year.

What in the hell happened to 2005?! I know we all say that - every year - but...I mean, time is flying!

I brought in 2006 with the people I love the most; my wacky, amazing family. I used the time - before I got sotted, anyway - to reflect on how blessed I am to have been born into such a special group of people. Each is amazing, beautiful and unique in their own way - and completely cool. I love these people. I love being with them, hanging with them, partying with them - and am so proud to be related to them.

Details to come...of keg-stands, and fireworks and vomit....

2005-12-28T06:22:00.000-08:00

Yes, I've been busy - but it isn't just that.

Honestly, I have so many things swirling around in my head that I WANT to get out, and post about, that I just can't seem to settle on one or stop my mind long enough to get even one down. So I'm in this sort of blogger-limbo. It does suck.

I figured the best way to kill it, was to just *write*. So here I am. Caution, it will likely be rambling and it probably won't make a lick of sense. Forgive me.

Hope everyone had a great winter-ish holiday, whichever your preferred one is. I got wonderful gifts, but that's due to the fact that I have a wonderful mother and an awesome sister who are like goddesses when it comes to gift-picking. Really, my sister, especially, should be the Patron Saint of Gift-Giving - Saint Amber.

To name a few of the awesome gifts I got - more for my own records than anything - was The Secret of NIMH DVD, Resident Evil 4 for the PS2, two great, new coffee table books, my 2006 Witch's Calendar (can't live without it), some cute Tinkerbell pajamas, and some really great clothes. Just so much cool stuff. I'm blessed.

There's more, oh there's so much more I need to say, want to say...but it's all jumbled up again. I'm no good this time of year - this lull between Xmas and New Year's.

But this is a good start, and hopefully I can force myself to post more, and get it all out - yes?

2005-12-23T07:28:00.000-08:00

Happy friggin' holidays.

Sorry if I'm not in the holiday-spirit, but life kind of...sucks.

My grandfather's cat, Charlie, was hit by a car last night. This would be terrible, no matter what. But the problem is that this is the third cat (or, gods, has it been more?) he's lost in a little under two years - cats that he was very close to. My sister and my grandfather are in a lot of pain right now, and there's nothing I can do. And I don't feel very Christmasey.

I come into work only to find out a co-worker's 40-something year old son was killed in a car accident last night. The man had two small children of his own (8 and 13). I feel for the family, and those little girls - all of whom this time of year will is ruined for the rest of their lives. And I don't feel very Christmasey.

We're supposed to get off early at work today, and I have lots to still do - mail things, buy presents, blah blah blah. But my boss took off so I have to stay. I figured, oh well, it'll be nice and quiet - a laid back day, right? But I haven't stopped since I came in and I can't seem to get caught up. And I don't feel very Christmasey.

Bah humbug and bugger it all.

2005-12-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

Why beat a dead horse, right?

Because sometimes you just want to hit something!

Okay, to revisit the Christmas tree stupidity for just a moment, I would like to point out that the "Christmas tree" has about as much to do with "the birth of Jesus" as Santa Claus does.

Ok?

So all you screaming that calling it a "Holiday Tree" is ruining Christmas for the Christians, blow it out your freakin' ass!

Thank you.

2005-12-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

I recently received this email in my Inbox:

To Whom It May Concern: This Is NOT a Holiday Tree

This is a Christmas tree.
It is not a Hanukkah bush,
it is not an Allah plant,
it is not a Holiday hedge.
It is a Christmas tree.

Say it... CHRISTmas , CHRISTmas , CHRISTmas

Yes. CHRISTmas - celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ!!!
If this offends you...too bad.
Get over it ~

You know what I think? I think it's a fucking tree any way the cut goes, and - regardless of what you call it - everyone is still going to purchase them and decorate them in the same ways they always have and for the same reasons.

It doesn't matter what it's called, or who is calling it what. If you want to call it a fucking Christmas tree, call it a fucking Christmas tree.

If the store you are buying from calls it a Holiday tree and that offends you, fuck it and call it whatever you FUCKING WANT. If it offends you THAT MUCH, take some more medication and shop somewhere else.

I'm so sick of all you whiny, fucking people throwing hissy fits because some people decided to call a "Christmas tree" a "Holiday tree" - as if that means everyone in the world HAS TO USE THAT TERMINOLOGY NOW.

Call it whatever you want. No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to say "Holiday" instead of "Christmas", now are they? There is no new law that says you can no longer refer to them as "Christmas" trees.

It's just another thing for you bored, lazy, hypocritical, selfish morons to BITCH about. In the big scheme of things, this means absolutely nothing, but you've got to go and make it "something". You know what, get a fucking life. Even better? Take your goddamn CHRISTMAS TREES and shove 'em up your tight asses.

Happy Fucking Holidays.

2005-12-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

Boycott Wal-Mart for taking CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS

This is the wording on a large yard sign that was left on my doorstep last night. Apparently some well-meaning religious-righter was going around Baton Rouge giving free signs for all of the other religious-righters who might support the cause.

It was very tempting to do a little editing with my Sharpie and stick the sign in my yard with it reading Boycott the Religious Right for taking CHRIST out of CHRISTIANITY. But I didn't feel like getting my house egged or my car keyed, so I decided not to.

Personally, I think it's wonderful that stores are moving to market the "holiday" rather than "Christmas". You'd think the religious right would be happy that the cold, marketing aspect of Christmas might get cut out a bit. But no...all they can see is another attempt to take their Jesus out of the mainstream.

And he is "their Jesus", because the Jesus I know and respect didn't go around pressing this exclusionism on everyone. "It's our way or NO WAY". I never remember reading Jesus saying that; "love your neighbor", yes; "conform or be cast out", no.

And, really, when it comes down to it, Jesus Christ wasn't even born on December 25 - so what difference does it make if the stores are hip to it and choose not to mark the occasion as *only* his birthday? Makes sense to me.

2005-11-30T09:55:00.000-08:00

Really too aggravated with life to write anything of much worth. I have, however, been easing my sorrows by screwing up the lives of my Sims.

Dramatowne is a neighborhood I created just for that - to turn the Sims' lives who live there into a sordid mess that would make any daytime TV slot happy. So far, it's been a success.

There a few families that you'll meet in Dramatowne. I'll tell you about them, since I'll likely be posting their exploits here for you to read when I'm low on content.

The Bradley Family
Dramatowne's religious right. The father is a local priest, and closet-'ho. The identical twin daughters are the perfect match of Good and Evil.

The Montalbano Family
Dramatowne's hottest single gal. Juliana Montalbano is the daughter of Dramatowne's former mayor. She's single - and loving it.

The Bordas Family
Dramatowne's unwed mother. Charlotte Bordas once hung out with her best friend and fellow party-girl, Juliana Montalbano, every night. Now she smells of spoiled baby milk rather than SinScents #7, and the only nights she's still awake at dawn are those that baby Amelia is teething.

The Strumpet Family
Dramatowne's dysfuntional nuts. Edward Strumpet met his wife in a strip club - Big Bubba's Boobie Barn to be exact. Edward still "gets around", however, and Vivian isn't the brighest Crayon in the box. Their son, Richard, appears to be turning out to be a raging queen.

The Bliss Family
Dramatowne's party girl. Mira Bliss was born for one thing - to party; and wish she could kiss girls. Even though Charlotte no longer parties with she and Juliana, it hasn't slowed the remaining two down from painting Dramatowne red. The truth is, Mira is madly in love with Juliana. She wonders if she'll ever be able to share her true feelings with Dramatowne's man-lover.

The Cheater Family
Dramatowne's lower life forms. Gerald Cheater plans to someday win back the title of Crime Boss of Dramatowne - one that was taken from his father many years ago. In the meantime, he's busy trying to raise a family with the hot bitch of a wife he won in a poker bet and their little girl. Paloma, his hot bitch of a wife, however, is busy trying to start a fling with every penis-bearing Sim in Dramatowne. The truth? She doesn't know who Michelle's father is.

That's just a few...more to come, promise. In the interim, why don't you take a minute to read the beginning saga of two Dramatowne families - the Strumpets and the Cheaters.

The very first installment of The Dramatowne Dish:

6:22pm Update:

Melons Family: Candi's Are Dandy

Angelo Family: All American Mobsters

Bliss Family: Unrequited Love

2005-11-27T10:06:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't been around much - been busy. I know, I know, same old song & dance.

I have been tinkering around on a new project, though. You all know I'm a bitch, and that I love to bash on celebrities because, well, they aren't real people. So I created this:

Star Suck

Ya know...just because. Check it out, enjoy, contribute, whatever.

Hope everyone had a happy Turkey-day. Gobble, gobble and all that.

Off to have my first Sunday mimosa.

2005-11-21T11:13:00.000-08:00

Last night my best friend, Nodnarb, and I were discussing the weird quirks of the sound machine he'd gotten me for my birthday, and I introduced him to The God Warrior.

Today, these emails ensued:

To: Me
From: Him

Dear God Warrior:

After review of your appliance we have determined that your sound machine is indeed possessed and should be brought to the nearest church for an exorcism. Only a dark sided thing would have a volume knob with a mind of its own.

In Jesus' name, get that thing out of your house.

Sincerely,
Summer Solstice

To: Him
From: Me

Dearest Summer Solstice,

Like clothes dryers, I believe you are 100% correct that my sound machine is dark-sided. Perhaps it is the work of gargoyles, but as I was falling asleep last nite, the machine turned itself down so low that you could not hear it. I turned it up a little and it sounded *normal* (not dark-sided) for the first time since the first few days I used it.

Where should I bring such an instrument of evil?

Sincerely,
God Warrior

From: Him
To: Me

If you need to return it, you would want to go to your nearest Bed, Bath, and Beyond the Dark Side. I don't know if I still have the receipt, but I'm sure they'll do an exchange for you.

2005-11-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

Today I found out I will not be getting my raise.

It isn't a surprise. I mean, with all the state budget cuts, I knew there was no way it would go through. It still doesn't take the sting away from doing one job (6 levels higher) and getting paid for another (the one that's 6 levels lower than what I should be).

Things like this make it even more unbearable:

I just spent 15 minutes on the phone with an otherwise intelligent individual trying to walk him through setting up a bookmark - and then placing it on his toolbar in an old version of Netscape. 15...minutes.

This phone conversation, dealing with a man who could not - could not for the life of him - figure out how to save the document he was working on:

Me: "Ok, let's just forget all that. I want you to save the file on the Desktop and with a new name."

Him: "Oh, Shanna, I just don't know. I don't get any of this."

Me: "It's ok, I'm going to walk you through it. Okay, you have the document open?"

Him: "Yeah, it's open right here in front of me."

Me: "Ok, click on File and Save as."

Him: "Ok, got it." He proceeds to start reading me everything on the screen.

Me: "Don't read it. I know what it says - ok, just listen to me. Up at the top of that save box it reads Save In - next to it is a little drop-down menu. I want you to choose "Desktop" from it. At the bottom of the little window it says File Name - I want you to type in a brand new file name there. Then I want you to hit "Save".

Him: "Uhhh...ok..um, so you want me to type the word "Desktop" next to File Name?"

But it's all good. This will give me the incentive to start concentrating on my writing, and getting my web design business off the ground - start really pushing it.

I'm still blessed. I still have a job - I have a home, all of my family, a car - my things. There's a lot of people out there have lost everything, that may never get quite back on their feet. Yes, it's rough - it's unfair - it's frustrating - but I'm still blessed. That's how you have to look at it. Right?

2005-11-18T05:12:00.000-08:00

After hearing about the God Warrior on Trading Spouses from Amber's blog, I realized that maybe - just maybe - I need to start watching reality TV. What a freakin' hoot.

God Warrior, eh? More like Psycho Hose Beast for the Lord.

2005-11-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or do you, too, feel people are seriously insulting your intelligence when they send you crap like this?:

Don't laugh at this! Just do it!
My best friend just did this, this morning, wished for her promotion and just got a call and she got it.

Start thinking something you really really want, cause this is astounding. the person that sent this to me said their wish came true 10 mins after they read the mail so I thought what the heck.

You have just been visited by Dr.Suess's Cat in the Hat. He will grant you one wish.
Make your wish when the count down is over.

10..

9..

8..

7..

6..

5..

4..

3..

2..

1..

MAKE A WISH

Send this to 10 people within the hour you read this. If you do, your wish will come true! . If you don't it will become the opposite.

I mean, PLEASE!

2005-11-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

While it may no longer be a hot topic in the news, the nightmare is far from over for thousands of people in southeastern Louisiana.

Please don't forget about them.

2005-11-15T05:02:00.000-08:00

The weekend was wonderful, if not a bit hectic.

Friday night we went to my friend, Lauren's, for her birthday party - and to fix their computer. Saturday we went to Baret's friend's to watch the LSU game (and though I'm not that into football, I have to admit, it was a damn good game).

Sunday we got to relax (though I spent the better part of it recovering from a hangover), and I played some major World of Warcraft. I'm all into it again - letting go of my Sims 2 obsession, which is all I've been playing for a few months. In WoW, I have an Undead Warlock, Vitoria, I'm trying to get to 20 - she's 18 now so we're almost there.

It looks as if we're going to get our hours cut at work. Apparently most state agencies are going to cut 4 hours out of every work week (they have little choice since Blanco cut $341 million from state agencies to help with the hurricane debt) - that's 8 hours a paycheck. It's going to suck ass, but what are you going to do? You just don't realize how far-reaching the effects of these hurricanes can be until something like this happens. Things in Louisiana are going to be fucked for a long time to come.

Oh, and not to be a sell-out or anything, but note the little green & white link on the bottom right there? Totally awesome and affordable jewelry - and I only posted it and joined up because, holy shit, I love the damn site and thought some of you might, too. I've spent over $100 on jewelry so far - pretty insane when you consider it's all $5.99! But I can vouch for the pieces; I love everything I've gotten - the stones are real and the jewelry is truly lovely. I've never had "nice" jewelry; just the teenish-crap I bought at stores like Claire's and Icing. So, just thought I'd share.

2005-11-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Oh, and to the genius that found this blog by typing is really bill gates paying money for fowarding a message into Google:

Yes, of course, he is!

You should also know that Applebee's is giving away thousands, possibly millions, of dollars to people in rural areas; George Carlin and/or Andy Rooney are the authors of every seemingly sardonic, vituperative email you've ever received; many associations donate a few cents towards a dying child for every email of theirs that you forward; and people drop like flies after viewing a doctored photo of a now-dead tourist in the Sundarbans.

Really.

2005-11-08T05:32:00.000-08:00

I had the best birthday weekend ever. I had taken off work Friday and Monday, so it was extra long. It was such a needed break.

Saturday we had an impromptu get-together - all my friends hanging out in pajamas, snacking on junk food, ordering pizza and watching movies (we watched "Serial Mom", "Jawbreaker" and "Napoleon Dynamite" - all stuff we enjoy and had seen before). A great time was had by all.

Sunday, my actual birthday, Baret and I lounged around and I played The Sims 2 most of the day. Quite relaxing. That evening he fixed me up a lovely, candlelit dinner and then we laid out on the air mattress in the living room and watched TV whilst drinking mimosas 'til the wee morning hours. Then we woke up Monday and did the same thing until around noon.

It was exactly the kind of weekend, and birthday, that I needed. Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes.

2005-11-06T04:40:00.000-08:00

I started this little q&a with myself last year on my birthday, so here we go again:

Nov. 6, 2005
Sunday
Age: 28

Who are you?
Just a girl called Shanna, trying to make it in this crazy world.

What religion do you practice?
Shanna-ism. Self-taught and self-made, it's my own personal exploration into spirituality and my own enlightenment. It really doesn't have a name, it's just what I do.

Are you in love with yourself?
Sometimes - most of the time. I don't hate myself as I did when I was younger, and that's important.

Do you trust yourself?
Of course not; that would be silly.

Name one thing you'd like to accomplish before your next birthday.
Be published again.

Where do you hope you'll be a year from now?
Right here, just a little wiser, more mobile and a tad more sane.

What was your biggest accomplishment since your last birthday?
Deciding to get help for my mental instabilities.

End with two quotes; one that sums up last year & one that reflects your wishes for the upcoming one:

End:
"When you respond to life, that's positive. When you react to life, that's negative." - Zig Zahar

Begin:
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." - George Bernard Shaw

Happy Birthday to Me.

2005-11-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

Halloween pics, as promised: (better late than never, right?)

Me & The Hawaiian Pimp

Me & My Sis, Rockin' It In Any Era

Me & My Renaissance Man

The Atheist Priest & the Wanna-be Naked Vampire

Honestly, the Last Full Family Photo Taken Since 1978

2005-11-03T06:33:00.000-08:00

Sisters Share Special Secrets

Tuesday evening my Mom and sister, Amber, took me out to dinner for my birthday and gave me my presents.

Mom gave me a beautiful dragonfly pin and a $100 gift certificate for amazon.com (yes, I've already used it and got some awesome books that I've wanted for oh-so long!). How can you beat a present like that?!

My totally amazing sister put together the sweetest gift for me; honestly, it's one of the most touching and thoughtful and cool gifts I've ever received. Growing up, we were close friends - as all sisters should be - and we had our things that we always did and played at together. Each of the little gifts she gave me had a huge significance.

The first one I'm a little chagrined to admit, because, well, it's weird. But her remembering it was too cool not to mention. When we were young, a faved hobby was to take the Sears and JCPenny catalogs and drop, from varying heights, red markers onto the pages - to see if we could hit the models, and then it looked like blood. Okay, I said it was weird! We joke about it these days, "Why did we do that? We were so strange." So the first gift she gave me was a JCPenny catalog with ribbon wrapped around it, and a red Sharpie attached. Too cute.

As children, we had the same coloring books and would color the same page in each of our books and make our Mom judge whose was the best. So Amb bought me coloring books, and got the same books for herself and we had a coloring contest right there in my living room (Mom judged, she won).

We played Barbies possibly more than we did anything back then, and she bought me a Barbie and an extra set of stylish clothes for her. She'd also bought herself a Barbie, and we sat right there on the floor trying on the clothes and playing Barbies! How fun!

The last gift was probably the most creative. I opened a box with a beautiful, cameo-type broach inside and a printed note. In the note, Amb was telling me a story about it being bought an at antiques shop, and the people came back looking for it...it took me 'til the second paragraph to get that she was referring to our favorite television show from back-in-the-day, Friday the 13th, The Series. It was a cute little story she'd made up, that tied in with the show. She said, "And if you want to return it," and handed me a business card. She'd made a "Curious Goods" business card complete with the actual address and telephone number of the shop from the show! It was too cool.

Seriously? I have the coolest damn sister in the world, and am blessed to have an equally cool family, all-around. Thank you, Amb, for that awesome, nostalgic trip down memory lane. Thank you, Mom, for the chance to, guiltlessly, go hog-ass-wild at amazon.com! The best present of all is having family like you guys (yes, I know how cheesy that sounds, but it's freakin' true). I love you.

2005-11-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

The party this past Saturday was awesome; in the way that only parties thrown by my zany, loveable family can be.

My cousin, the vampire, threatened (and begged, at one point) to get naked for everyone. My sister (a go-go girl), usually the family teetotaler, got sotted on some Southern Comfort mix and began lamenting the plight of matchmaking cows and obsessing over my "patronizing" eyes. My grandfather, resplendent in bright Hawaiian shirt and purple lei, went around telling everyone he was a "Hawaiian pimp". Baret, the smaller version of Robin Hood in his Renaissance-garb, was pulling out his long sword for everyone to admire all night long. My brother, normally the atheist, dressed as a priest and seemed a little too attached to his gold-plated crucifix prop. My Uncle Keith, aka Farmer Brown, kept mysteriously disppearing with my Aunt Lydia, aka Elsie the Cow, to "milk" her. Family friend Daryl, who didn't dress up but still looked like a cross between Danzig and Wolverine, brought over a freaky young girl (very young) who announced to my mother and grandfather how into S&M she was, and bragged about the huge hickey she'd left on Daryl's neck.

And that's just the highlights; I'll leave the rest to your imaginations.

2005-10-31T05:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween - Blessed Samhain!

I hope everyone has a great and safe holiday. Details later today about the fabulous Halloween party my family threw Saturday night. It involves the plight of matchmaking cows, naked vampires, and gallons of Southern Comfort.

2005-10-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

A damn good way to spend a Friday night?

Drinking beer, eating pizza and playing Need for Speed, Hot Pursuit 2, on the PS2 with your man.

Even better?

Totally kicking his ass on the virtual highway.

It's the little things.

2005-10-28T05:25:00.000-07:00

It's Friday; otherwise known in the blogosphere as "the day you can write whatever you want because no one is going to read it". Friday posts are almost totally superfluous.

Halloween is fast approaching - it's my absolute favorite holiday. The family is planning a huge Halloween bash this Saturday; it should be loads of fun. I'm going to be a flapper girl this year; the costume is so cute. I promise pictures this time - no really!

November is next week. Then December and Christmas and, whoops, there went 2005. Over; just like that. Is anyone else even slightly disturbed by the terrifyingly fast pace at which time has sped up?? It's almost unnatural.

Other than that, I really don't have anything else. I got back on Zoloft last night, so hopefully this loopy, cloud-headedness will go away soon. I don't exactly relish feeling like I'm about to pass out every few minutes. But, who does?

Have a great and spooky weekend.

2005-10-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

I'm an idiot.

I'll go ahead and say that now. For someone that's usually passably intelligent, I can do some pretty dumb things sometimes.

So lately I've been extremely light-headed; loopy as all hell, right? It makes it hard to concentrate and sometimes a big "whoosh" of dizziness almost knocks me off my feet. I'm thinking, "Holy shit, I have brain cancer or something." Then I remember; no, dumbass, you just up and stopped taking your Zoloft cold turkey.

"When one stops Zoloft too rapidly a withdrawal syndrome may develop. Among the symptoms that may be experienced are nausea, tremors, lightheadedness, muscle pains, weakness, insomnia, and anxiety." (about.com - Zoloft Withdrawal, MAOIs vs. SSRIs)

Duh.

And I knew it was wrong to stop taking anti-depressants cold turkey. I knew it could fuck me up and cause all kinds of weird withdrawal symptoms. But I did it anyway.

Real smart, eh?

2005-10-26T05:28:00.000-07:00

I'm getting so sick of seeing this piece of shit floating around in my Inbox every other day:

Been sitting here with my ass in a wad, wanting to speak out about the bullshit going on in New Orleans.

For the people of New Orleans... First we would like to say, Sorry for your loss.

With that said, Lets go through a few hurricane rules: (Unlike an earthquake, we know it's coming)

#1. A manditory evacuation means just that... Get the hell out. Don't blame the Government after they tell you to go. If they hadn't said anything, I can see the arguement. They said get out... if you didn't, it's your fault, not theirs. (We don't want to hear it, even if you don't have a car, you can get out.)

#2. If there is an emergency, stock up on water and non-perishables. If you didn't do this, it's not the governments fault you're starving.

#2a. If you run out of food and water, find a store that has some. (Remember, shoes, TV's, DVD's and CD's are not edible. Leave them alone.)

#2b. If the local store is too looted of food or water, leave your neighbor's tv and stereo alone. (See # 2a) They worked hard to get their stuff. Just because they were smart enough to leave during a manditory evacuation, doesn't give you the right to take their stuff... it's theirs, not yours.

#3. If someone comes in to help you, don't shoot at them and then complain no one is helping you. I'm not getting shot to help save some dumbass who didn't leave when told to do so.

#4. If you are in your house that is completely under water, your belongings are probably too far gone for anyone to want them. If someone does want them, Let them have them and hopefully they'll die in the filth. Just leave! (For Christ's sakes, it's New Orleans, find a voodoo warrior and put a curse on them)

#5. My tax money should not pay to rebuild a 2 million dollar house, a sports stadium or a floating casino. Also, my tax money shouldn't go to rebuild a city that is under sea level. You wouldn't build your house on quicksand would you? You want to live below sea-level, do your country some good and join the Navy.

#6. Regardless what the Poverty Pimps Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton want you to believe, The US Government didn't create the Hurricane as a way to erradicate the black people of New Orleans; (Neither did Russia as a way to destroy America). The US Government didn't cause global warming that caused the hurricane (We've been coming out of an ice age for over a million years).

#7. The government isn't responsible for giving you anything. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but you gotta work for what you want. McDonalds and Walmart are always hiring, get a damn job and stop spooning off the people who are actually working for a living.

President Kennedy said it best... "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Thank you for allowing me to rant.

First, and foremost, George Carlin did not write this sorry excuse for a rant. A quick stop over at Snopes before hitting "Send" would save everyone a lot of aggravation.

Yet even people who know it isn't Carlin forward it along with a "this is still hilarious - I totally agree!!" message. Really, you ignorant fuck? Becaue of this disaster, 1,302 people are dead. Yeah, real fucking funny. I can't seem to stop laughing.

It's very easy to look at something so terrible, and bitch about the people who need help - especially the ones audacious enough to demand it. No, I don't agree with the actions of a large number of my fellow Louisianaians, but I'm not ignorant enough to group every single person that went through the nightmare of post-Katrina into a greedy, welfare-addicted, piece of trash.

Have you ever lived in New Orleans? Do you know jack fucking shit about New Orleans? I have, and I do. Here's a little bit of info for those of you that feel justified "agreeing" with the tripe above.

#1. A manditory evacuation means just that... Get the hell out. Don't blame the Government after they tell you to go. If they hadn't said anything, I can see the arguement. They said get out... if you didn't, it's your fault, not theirs. (We don't want to hear it, even if you don't have a car, you can get out.)

News Flash: New Orleans is a city. It is a smaller version of a concrete jungle with excellent public transportation. People don't own cars in New Orleans because it is easier, and more economic, to walk and ride the bus to get around. Much like in New York, Chicago, etc. Not every NOLA-native that is carless is so because they are too poor to afford one.

Of course, there are those that are. The rant claims that "even if you don't have a car, you can get out." Really? I'd like to hear this - how so? Please, enlighten me on how you can get out of the city without a car; keeping in mind, of course, that the airlines were jammed, Amtrak & Greyound had been shut down before the storm hit.

A large number of people stranded in New Orleans during and after Katrina were tourists and/or business travelers; even with all of their money and resources they were unable to book themselves on a flight, a bus, a taxi...what have you. If it was so easy to "get out" - then why couldn't they? Why were a "large number" of people "stranded" in New Orleans tourists? Perhaps it wasn't so easy to get out - ever think of that? How's this? Unlesss you were there and saw what avenues of escape were available and which were endless dead-ends, shut the fuck up.

#2. If there is an emergency, stock up on water and non-perishables. If you didn't do this, it's not the governments fault you're starving.

#2a. If you run out of food and water, find a store that has some. (Remember, shoes, TV's, DVD's and CD's are not edible. Leave them alone.)

#2b. If the local store is too looted of food or water, leave your neighbor's tv and stereo alone. (See # 2a) They worked hard to get their stuff. Just because they were smart enough to leave during a manditory evacuation, doesn't give you the right to take their stuff... it's theirs, not yours.

Have you ever gone shopping for supplies prior to a hurricane? Even before a minor hurricane with little threat, the shelves are quickly bare of essentials like water, non-perishables, flashlights, batteries, radios, etc.

Katrina came quickly; there was little time to prepare. Also, stores and supply shops quickly closed down and boarded up - so places to purchase supplies became even fewer. Again, if you weren't there...what the hell do you know?

Most people who broke into stores did take things they needed to survive. Not everyone was rampantly looting and stealing from their neighbors. Please remember this. Not everyone saw this as a free-for-all. There were real people who were truly desperate getting things they needed to survive.

Yes, there were rapacious looters. As there were in Biloxi, MS after Katrina, as there were in Texas after Rita and as there are now in Mexico after Wilma. I don't see people lumping every one trying to survive into a greedy looter in those places. It happens - everywhere.

#3. If someone comes in to help you, don't shoot at them and then complain no one is helping you. I'm not getting shot to help save some dumbass who didn't leave when told to do so.

I'm getting very tired of this ignorant gripe. In case you weren't aware, the majority of shots fired were desperate people on rooftops trying to get the 'copters attention.

It wasn't 'BANG-BANG' - "Rescue us, motherfuckers, or I'll shoot at you again!", it was 'BANG-BANG' - "Over here! We're over here! Please save us!!". The rescue crews mistakenly thought they were being shot at and retreated. Most of the shots were fired at the ground (or into the water, I should say).

Sure, there were some - some - morons shooting at rescue crews or law enforcement. The majority, however, were not. End of story.

#4. If you are in your house that is completely under water, your belongings are probably too far gone for anyone to want them. If someone does want them, Let them have them and hopefully they'll die in the filth. Just leave! (For Christ's sakes, it's New Orleans, find a voodoo warrior and put a curse on them)

Hey - know what? Fuck you. People from New Orleans, love New Orleans. Refusing to be rescued wasn't just about staying behind to watch the house and possessions. It was shock over losing everything they'd ever had or worked for, and then also having to abandon the city and community they held so dear to their hearts.

These people were shell-shocked, hurt and broken. They've lost everything, and then someone comes along and tries to take them away from what little they have left. Naturally, they're going to balk and refuse to go. They are scared and hurt. Have you ever lost everything you ever had? Didn't think so.

#5. My tax money should not pay to rebuild a 2 million dollar house, a sports stadium or a floating casino. Also, my tax money shouldn't go to rebuild a city that is under sea level. You wouldn't build your house on quicksand would you? You want to live below sea-level, do your country some good and join the Navy.

So next time tornadoes wipe out homes in the central U.S., they shouldn't be rebuilt and the homeowners should be given nothing? When mudslides and earthquakes wreak havoc on multi-million dollar California homes and huge prominent cities, nothing should be done?

If you don't want your tax money going to help fellow Americans that have lost everything, and to rebuild a major metropolitan city and national landmark, exactly what do you want it spent on?

New Orleans is below sea-level so it shouldn't be rebuilt? This is your logic, ignoramus? Sure, let's not rebuild New Orleans; it's just another city - it doesn't serve any real purpose, right?

Here's a few facts for you, about this useless city that you don't seem to think is important enough to rebuild:

The Port of South Louisiana, located in New Orleans, "is the fourth largest port in the world in terms of raw tonnage, and among the largest U.S. ports for several major commodities, including cement and coffee" (wiki: New Orleans).

Oil is pretty important to America, and to the world, wouldn't you agree? New Orleans "is home to the corporate offices of oil companies with major offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the distribution and service centers of offshore equipment suppliers and fabricators. The manufacturing industry is a significant part of the economy, with petroleum, petrochemical, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries all playing a role. The New Orleans region also functions as a mining, processing, and transportation center for other minerals, principally sulfur. Service industries are playing a larger role, with health care and telecommunications leading the way. The New Orleans region is widely regarded as a leading center of medicine and health care in the South". (infoplease - New Orleans)

Louis Armstrong International Airport is located in New Orleans. For a city so unimportant, the need for an international airport seems pretty impressive to me. New Orleans is also a "major rail, highway, air, and river hub" (encyclopedia.com - New Orleans).

The multi-cultural, diverse and unique atmosphere of the Big Easy is responsible for giving us the talents of Louis Armstrong, Truman Capote, Kitty Carlisle, Fats Domino, Jelly Roll Morton, Lillian Hellman and Dorothy Lamour; all from New Orleans (famous Louisianians). It has also been an inspiration to some of America's greatest icons and artists: Tennesse Williams, John Grisham, Stephen Ambrose, Anne Rice, William Faulkner, George Rodrigue; all from or inspired by New Orleans.

Interesting - but let's not rebuild. Who needs it?

#6. Regardless what the Poverty Pimps Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton want you to believe, The US Government didn't create the Hurricane as a way to erradicate the black people of New Orleans; (Neither did Russia as a way to destroy America). The US Government didn't cause global warming that caused the hurricane (We've been coming out of an ice age for over a million years).

I agree with you on this one, though it has little to do with the people of New Orleans. Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Louis Farrakhan, to name a few, are a bunch of self-serving, hypocritical morons.

#7. The government isn't responsible for giving you anything. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but you gotta work for what you want. McDonalds and Walmart are always hiring, get a damn job and stop spooning off the people who are actually working for a living.

I'm not sure who you're aiming this at. If you're using this as an argument against the poor of New Orleans, it's a little late, don't you think? Telling them to "get a job" at this juncture is...a little pointless. And stupid.

The sad thing is, whatever jackass wrote all of this really sees himself as clever and witty. That's the real joke here.

2005-10-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

Last night we held a party at our place to celebrate a close friend's 30th birthday. A wonderful time was had by all, and I was reminded once again how blessed I am to have such amazing and special people in my life; even moreso that I am able to call each of them "friend".

2005-10-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

Holy fuck. Seriously? Is this what it means to be an adult? Is this really what growing up is all about?

As a child, you can't wait to be older - to be "grown up". But grown-ups yearn for the innocence and ignorance of childhood. The grass is always greener, right? Or does being a responsible adult just suck that bad?

I always said I'd never let myself be miserable for something so paltry as security. Of course, I was a bit younger then. I suppose my early twenties weren't that long ago; I'll be 28 in less than two weeks. But I crammed a lot of living into those formative years.

Me, who has faced living in poverty and having no food in my belly or roof over my head - and STILL survived - I always swore I wouldn't get caught up in the "regular" world of working my ass off just to pay my basic bills; that I would never compromise my freedom and happiness for stability. Yet here I am. And now that I'm here, I don't know if I can get out from under it.

I've grown accustomed to my warm meals every night, my comfortable bed, my cute car, my myriad of electronic gadgets and toys. I've come to appreciate the roof over my head and the small comforts of "home". Things I swore I'd never have faith in.

The thing is, I don't know if I've "grown up" or "given in"...

2005-10-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

Just for the record, the latest Nickelback album, All the Right Reasons, motherfucking rocks.

(Thanks, Mom!)

That's all.

2005-10-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

As the weekend draws to a close, I find myself dreading the work week ahead.

Not that there's anything in particular going on, just that I find myself dreading my job all the time now.

Things came to a head with my boss last week; forgive me for not posting an update but I've been trying to make peace with it all in my own head. It's been a rough time.

Basically, I went over his head to his supervisor. I got fussed at because of that - and because of a few other things (all hypocritical, naturally) - but it got him off his ass and they're working on promotion now. Of course, with the budget cuts and huge dent Katrina and Rita have put in the state's revenues, I'm not foolish enough to think it's going to go through. He tries to say it's taking so long because it's such a huge jump (position and wage-wise), but it's a lie. Had they started on this when they were supposed to, the effects of the hurricanes wouldn't be a factor.

But for now I'm playing nice and playing along; seeing what's going to come of it. What else can you do? In some ways, I'm stuck. Looking for a job is not really an option in post-Katrina Baton Rouge (or the surrounding areas), and with my leg problems, I can't afford to leave the state - I need that awesome insurance. Like I said, all we can do is wait and see where it goes.

It's a miserable state, I'll admit. I don't like this - it's all so petty and ridiculous. I just want to go in, do my job - do it well - and come home. All these office politics and ego-trips make me sick.

Anyways, I've got so many great rants in my head. Hopefully things will slow down enough that I can get back to bitching about the world as I love to do. 'Til then...

2005-10-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

adopt your own virtual pet!

2005-10-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

I have never in my life been the target of pure, unwarranted ill-will; not like this. It's like a punch in the gut.

I recently learned that the real reason feet have been dragged concerning my promotion is that my supervisor has been bad-mouthing me and spreading untruths about me to pertinent people. At first, the betrayal crushed me; I give my all on the job. Then I was furious; I cannot stand to be lied about. Now I'm ready to put him in his place; he has no idea that I have such caring allies.

In all of this, something wonderful has happened, too. Co-workers, who know the truth of the situation - that I work my ass off for hardly no pay and he doesn't do squat for his fat check - who have learned of his pettiness are going to bat for me. They are outraged, they are sick of his two-faced games - and they are taking the necessary steps to prove to the most important people in the agency that I am being done wrong. That means the world to me. As much as his selfish attacks left me feeling betrayed, their willingness to stand up and fight for me - when they didn't have to get involved at all - makes my heart weep with gratitude.

The man is selfish and self-centered, and afraid of my abilities. It would be one thing if I was the only one saying it; but it's obvious to everyone. What he doesn't realize is that people around the office constantly tell me, "When I want something done, I come to you - if we go to him, it never gets done." He underestimates my reputation, and that is going to be his downfall.

The nearly unbearable amount of stress and pain this has caused me this past week and weekend is finally clearing, and all of this has - in the end - done nothing but to make me stronger and determined to work even harder at proving my value to the agency. He will not hold me down any longer.

2005-10-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Turn up your nose at red heads! What ignorance! I pity your lack of taste. Why, man, red is the natural color of beauty! What is there that is really beautiful or grand in Nature or Art, that is not tinted with this primordidal color?
- Mark Twain, "Oh, She Has Red Hair!", Hannibal Daily Journal, 5/13/1853

Tuesday night I dreamed about my niece.

In the dream she was about 5 years old, though I thought she'd just been born! I think is so I could see what she looked like. She had strawberry blonde hair, turning darker - what was someday going to be a beautiful red hair like her mother's. She had my brother's big, brown eyes and long, thick lashes. She was cute, smart, funny, loving. She ran up and gave me a big hug and kiss even though - in the dream - we hadn't met yet. I was told she'd been born in "April".

Originally, the docs had said the due date was March 30, but the 3-month doctor visit yesterday came back with an April 30 due date - so half of my dream was right on. As to the sex, we won't know, because the parents-to-be have decided they want it to be a suprise (much to our dismay!). But we all "feel" it's a girl - and, according to my dream, it is.

We know, if it is, the middle name will be "Grace", as it is a tradition in my brother's girlfriend's family that girls have that middle name; I think it's lovely. They're tossing around Ava (Ava Grace) as a first name, and I'd like to see her named after our great-grandmother, Melina. Isn't Melina Grace pretty? They're also thinking of Riley, but that doesn't go so well with Grace.

I'm still getting my mind around this "being an aunt" thing, but I think it'll be fun. My only hope is that I don't get too attached, only to lose her - my brother wants to move out of state someday, and his girlfriend talks about, someday, moving back to Idaho. But that's their choice, and what can you do? The smartest thing would be for them to stay right here, where our family will help them again and again (my parents are already letting them move back home, and are planning on buying them a trailer and sticking them on a lot behind our house - who wouldn't want such help?!)...but they're young, and don't realize yet the bonuses of staying in such a situation; I can only hope that someday they will.

My brother scoffs at the idea of being given a trailer - "I don't want that," he tells me, "that seems so permanent. I don't want to live the rest of my life in Louisiana." And I don't have the heart to tell him, he who is already so worried about becoming a parent, "It isn't about what you want anymore, little brother." He talks about moving to Seattle in four years. Seattle - when neither of them have a full-time job and there's a baby on the way. They have a lot to learn, eh? They'll learn it, but I'm the big sister and I worry - that's my job.

But, still, I'm excited about this baby - I can't help it. I can't wait to meet her (again) - she seems totally cool and absolutely awesome. I think I'll be more than proud to be her "Aunt Shanna".

2005-10-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

This is what it means to earn a paycheck. This is how it is to be stuck in the "machine". This is my life, and, sometimes, I despise it.

When I'm stressed out, my immune system goes on vacation, and I always end up with a nasty cold. True to form, the enormous amounts of stress I've been under lately is catching up with me and, today, I feel like utter shit.

I'm exhausted and achey - I know I'm running a low-grade fever. I just want to sleep; to rest. But I have so much to do here, I can't stop; I don't stop. It never ends. As soon as I get one thing done, someone else is coming in with something else. It's either setting up employees in new locations who lost offices due to Katrina, or getting ready to launch the new program tomorrow, or doing basic troubleshooting and laptop loading...I'm tired. I'm really tired.

I suppose if the other things weren't present - the insanity and stupidity I've been having to put up with in regards to my promotion - I could handle it better. But nearly two years after when-I-should've-gotten-the-promotion, and they're still dragging ass; well, it's aggravating. The best way I can explain the situation to you is this: My job description (and paycheck) is as a "trainee"; I do 80-90% of what my supervisor does (and some things he doesn't even do, like being the web designer) and he makes three times as much - for doing nearly the same job. Point is, I'm going way and beyond the call of duty here; I'm literally doing a job I'm not being paid to do. The closest comparison I can offer is that it's like being hired, and paid, to wipe the tables but working every day as head manager.

I'm being underpaid so much that the promotion - if it ever happens - will be more than a $5/hour raise. And you can see why it's hard to come in every day and deal with the bullshit I deal with; it isn't worth it. I keep telling myself they'll get off their asses and make this happen for me - get my promotion going - but how long do I wait? How long do I put up with the crap?

I like where I work, for the most part - and I like the vast majority of the people I work with (with some exceptions, of course). I don't want to work somewhere else, but the fact is the people that are running this show are clueless and don't give two simple shits about their employees. They don't care. As long as they continue to collect their fat paychecks and can continue to pretend to work, who cares if the place is falling down around our ears, valuable employees are leaving in disgust, and people are doing jobs they aren't being paid for? No skin off of their self-centered noses, is it?

I'm fed up. Fed up enough that I'm doing something I try not to do much these days - blog about work. But I've got to vent; I've got to get this off my chest. This place is draining my will to live these days; I just don't know how much longer I can deal with this crap.

2005-10-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

This week sucks.

So I worked 12 hours yesterday. Not so fun. I came home, exhausted and hungry, and Baret poured me a big glass of wine to help me wind down (I was wired from going-going-going all day). But in my exhausted and empty-stomach state my usual two or three glasses got me drunk. I didn't want to get drunk, but I did and today I'm still exhausted and, now, a little hungover.

Work has really been a nightmare. From fighting just to get the promotion I was promised (and deserve) pushed through, to dealing with the fact that half of our higher-ups are a bunch of moronic monkeys, to my supervisor going out of town a week we have very, major important things going on...I losing it.

And then I find out my 10 year high school reunion is this weekend; Saturday, to be exact. I thought it was further into the month. I want to go, and I don't - and now I can't decide. And I'm too tired to really make a decision...and oh jeez, nothing matters at this point.

I'm numb, exhausted, braindead, dehydrated and seriously PMSing. Stay out of my way.

2005-09-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

Oh dear god.

It was Monday, and I was having trouble getting up so I figured, what the fuck, I'll just go in at 8am and work the regular shift.

Big Mistake.

I got off at 4:30 and started the exodus home. I was doing pretty good, taking all of my favorite back streets, until I came to the last big leg of my jaunt home. It's a major highway that spans across a few other major highways, and traffic on it is always a bear. But today...oh god today...

A little bit down the road, a drive that, under regular fucky-traffic circumstances, could take 5 or so minutes - a little drive that, on a week night with no traffic takes two or less minutes - took me almost thirty minutes to get through. We're talking around 4 and a half miles here!! It was horrible. Is there anything worse than sitting in that non-moving mass of cars just.....W A I T I N G?

No, there isn't.

2005-09-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

The last post may have been a bit premature. We ended up having severe thunderstorms after I last updated; winds and rain that, at times, were worse than what we experienced last night when Rita was making landfall.

But now the winds are pretty much gone, there's only a slight drizzle...and the sun is coming back out. It's humid, but we have power! All is good.

2005-09-24T07:13:00.000-07:00

Weathering the storm...

So far (knock on wood), we still have power. The wind has died down considerably, but there are still strong gusts blowing by. Our fence was blown over, but other than that everything is fine.

Even though the winds aren't as strong as they were for Katrina, it seems like they are - maybe there's just more of it. I could barely sleep last night for the wind howling around the corners of the house. It's been pretty non-stop since after midnight last night.

It's getting calmer now, though so I think we here in Baton Rouge have seen the worst of it. Our families, closer to the storm, are without power but safe.

Just wanted to let you know, we're still here.

2005-09-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

So it looks like Rita is going to come a good bit more our way. Whoopee.

I'm glad it looks like Houston and Galveston will get spared the brunt, I am. And here in Baton Rouge we're only expecting 30-40 mph winds (only, can you tell we're hurricane-weary?), though lots and lots of rain as Rita is expected to make landfall and just sit her fat ass on us for a few days instead of moving on.

The most westerly parts of the state won't fare so well, especially our southwest portions. Again, though, what can you do? When Mother Nature wants to have her way with you, there's little to do but sit and hope she finishes quickly so you can get to putting your life back together.

State workers here in Baton Rouge are only working a half day (I know, I don't see the point either), so we go home at 12pm. It's Hurricane Party ("Rita Gone Wild") the rest of the weekend. What else are we going to do? I'm just hoping we don't lose electricity again because that would truly, utterly SUCK.

If you're in Rita's path - stay safe; I wish you and yours the best of luck.

2005-09-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

Another Day, Another Bitch

First Katrina came raging in, devastating New Orleans and annihilating Biloxi. Now here along comes Rita, the next bitch in line, to wreak havoc on the western edge of Louisiana and desolate the Texan gulf border. Real nice.

And, folks, hurricane season isn't over until November 30.

I suppose nothing can really prepare you for evacuating like that - for leaving behind your entire life (homes, heirlooms, sometimes vehicles, pets, or other family members) with the knowledge that it may be gone when you return. I hope I never have to know.

Baton Rouge is located pretty far north, as far as the coastline is concerned. It's not that we aren't affected when a huge storm blows in, but we're rarely (if ever) affected like those closer to the coast.

I really don't know what to say. As we sit here and wait for another major city, and more precious, irreplaceable quaint towns and charming beaches, to be completely destroyed and all but ruined, what can you say? What can you do? Sit and wait - and hope it won't be as bad as it seems it will be.

2005-09-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know how far the "New Orleans Looter" has traveled into national inboxes (shit, he's made it onto Snopes!), but he's been a staple going around Louisiana for about a week now - and his fame continues to grow. Never let it be said that we Louisiana folk don't have a sense of humor.

How long before this guy gets hunted down by the media giants ands ends up on The Surreal Life or some similar reality show?! I wonder if he has any idea he's "Internet famous".

Sometimes when you can't cry anymore, you have to laugh. And sometimes - you laugh so hard you cry!

2005-09-20T08:22:00.000-07:00

Two articles I feel express my feelings on the race issue (or, better put, the NON-EXISTENT race issue) during the recovery effort in New Orleans:

Incompetence, Not Racism
by Richard Cohen, Washington Post,

and especially:

In Katrina I Didn't See Racism, I Saw Brotherhood
by Rabbi Aryeh Spero, Human Events Online

2005-09-17T05:11:00.000-07:00

The Sims 2: Nightlife fucking rocks.

I purchased it yesterday - with all the hoopla that's been going on around here, I'd totally forgotten it was coming out!

I'd read a little about it, but not much, b/c the excitement would be too great. I know, I really should get a life. Anyway, there's lots of content that I didn't realize would be there but am VERY GLAD it is!

For starters, falling in love with another Sim is a much more complicated thing than it used to be - your Aspirations should be compatible, along with your Zodiac signs, and your turn-ons and turn-offs should be in in sync.

Vampires are a great new addition to the game, the way they walk around with their arms over their faces in classic-Vampire style and hiss periodically is a hoot. Vampires, apparently, do not die of Old Age or any unnatural causes - but they will perish if left out in the daytime; they sleep in coffins that you purchase in Buy Mode. I haven't seen it yet, but apparently a Sim Vampire out during the day will have all his Needs rapidly deteriorate until he dies - or you quickly get him inside and in his coffin. I hope to get one of my Sims turned into a vampire soon by one of the Grand Vampires downtown.

Speaking of the dead, Maxis heard our pleas, and you can now create cemetaries/parks to place your deceased family members when you don't want to get rid of them permanently, but also don't want to be bothered by their restless spirits for the rest of your life. Once these graves are moved to the cemetary, you can visit and mourn them there, or move them back home if ever should so choose. A very cool addition.

There are lots of little things and I can't go into them all, but the ep is amazing. The music is something else - all these different, funky themes of the original The Sims 2 theme on loading/building screens. Very nice.

One of the most fascinating additions for me was the ability to *see* your neighborhood while you are on a particular lot. This, like the new cars, has never been done in a Sims game before. You can see your neighbors around you, and if you're Downtown, you can see the other buildings - just click and go to visit them!

I was so hoping you'd be able to WooHoo in the cars - and you can! New places to WooHoo is always a bonus to sex fiend Sim-players like myself.

Slow dancing is another animation that I really like, along with "The Smustle" - a line dance thing Sims do together that about had me pissing my pants with laughter.

The ability to chat up prospective mates is a nice bonus - you can ask them their skills, turn-ons/turn-offs, how much they make, and what their jobs are. Great for the Fortune Sims on the prowl for a wealthy spouse or Family Sims looking a good supporter to start a family with.

Karaoke is another piss-on-yourself laugh inducer. Sims can sing solo, or pair up with another Sim to make an ass of themselves. Sims with low Creativity skills sound horrible - much to your amusement.

There are so many great things about the game, and I'm just learning them as I go. For any Sim fan out there asking if it's worth it to have - I'd have to give a resounding "Yes!"; even if only for the neighborhood view while on a lot - it makes it so much more "realistic".

2005-09-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today's Baton Rouge Traffic Alert Level is OFF THE FUCKING CHARTS!!

So I just had to share this interesting bad driver experience that just happened to me when I ran out to grab some lunch (which is why I normally don't leave my office for lunch).

I finish up my McDonald's visit, get my food and all, and pull up a bit to leave. But this is one of the McDonald's with the a sometimes-moving lane next to the drive-thru lane, so I stop and turn around to see if anyone is coming. People are; there are two vehicles - a big truck and a beat-up old blue minivan that is crawling.

No problem. So I inch forward a bit more as the truck passes me so that the guy behind me can get close enough to the window to get his food. As I'm stopping - and I'm talking I was inching - you could barely tell I was moving - the woman in the blue minivan lays on her horn at me and slams on her brakes (which wasn't very momentous since she was crawling, too). I wonder what the fuck her problem is - I'm sure not about to hit her, considering I'm at a dead stop. She passes me - ever so slowly - and is giving me the most evil pair of eyes imaginable.

I kind of shake my head at her, like, "What?!" and mouth "I saw you - I SEE YOU!" This seemed to make her angry - go figure, so she stopped again and started yelling out the rolled-down window (I doubt this van had a/c) and throwing her arm out - obviously gesticulating madly.

I'm thinking, this bitch is crazy. So I ignore her as I pull behind her and she crawls up to the exit - which exits into a parking lot. Then she stops. She just sits there and doesn't move. Another car comes up behind me and we're just sitting there, and I've about had it with this non-driving, psycho whore so I lay on the horn at her.

She inches forward just enough for me to get through (because I'm in a Miata - ha!) and as I turn right and speed off, she yells at me, "There's a newborn baby in here!!" And I SO wanted to yell back, "Then you should learn how to FUCKING DRIVE!"

Perhaps if she'd laid off the crack-pipe long enough to let a coherent thought pop into her empty head, she'd of realized that she and her newborn baby were in no real danger - and that the REAL danger was simply HER BEHIND THE WHEEL.

What a fucking dumbass.

2005-09-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

Baton Rouge traffic was a clusterfucky mess long before the city's population suddenly doubled in size; now, it is a motherfucking nightmare.

Even working the "non" regular shift (7-3:30) hasn't helped. Traffic, all day - every day, is like rush hour.

The problem is that, along with the already-horribly inept Baton Rouge drivers, you have a mess of already-insane and psychotic New Orleans drivers who don't know the area - so they're constantly slamming on their brakes, missing turns and cutting in front of you to try and get over to where they suddenly realized they need to be. Or maybe that's just par for the course; New Orleans drivers really are crazy.

People pulling out in front of you is the norm around here - I live with one foot hovering over the brake in anticipation of it because it's such a common occurrence. Now, naturally, it's much worse. I get pretty agitated when someone pulls out in front of me and I have to slow down or brake a bit; but when you pull out in front of me and I have to slam on my brakes so hard that I'm sure my tires are going to start screeching before I can come to a stop inches away from your bumper, we have a problem. This happened yesterday, and so I honked. I almost hit her, I figured the honk was deserved. Do you know what that bitch did?! She flipped ME the bird!!!

If I didn't love my Stella so much and Baret wouldn't have killed me, I would've rammed that whore! So I flipped her back off, and she flipped me back off - and this went on for quite a few minutes, this flipping each other back off until I gave her a thumbs up hand gesture and mouthed because the whole thing was so ridiculous. She was wrong, and she just couldn't admit it. I bet if I'd of hit her (which I almost did) she'd of blamed me.

Every one of my friends calls me up in the evenings to complain about how horrible the drive home was, and we all go over the almost-wrecks we nearly got into. It's that bad.

Think about it. Baton Rouge overfloweth long before this mess - already its streets and highways weren't equipped to handle the growing amount of traffic we were seeing. Baton Rouge had kind of outgrown itself. Now, the city - overnight almost - doubles in size so you can just imagine.

Due to the rising problem of terrible traffic in the city of Baton Rouge, I have created the Baton Rouge Traffic Alert advisory. You should see it up on the left there. Now, when I talk about the god-awful traffic, I have a reference point to show you just how scary and threatening it is.

Today's Baton Rouge Traffic Alert is at RED.

2005-09-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

New Orleans will thrive again. And it's things like this that make me feel that more than ever.

You can't knock New Orleans down - she'll be back; those that love her best will see to it!

2005-09-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is NOT About Race!!

Why does everything - every single fucking thing - have to be turned into a race issue? I seriously believe sometimes that only people who have serious racial problems are the ones that cry "Racism!" every time someone farts near a black person. Seriously - get over yourselves.

It's just nice that, at least, someone with authority is stepping up and saying what's been on every sane person's mind since the cries of "they were left to drown in New Orleans because they were black" started.

Colin Powell, in an interview with Barbara Walters, stated, "I don't think it's racism, I think it's economic."

Somebody pop open the champagne. Someone is actually making sense here.

He went on to say:
"These are people who don't have credit cards; only one in 10 families at that economic level in New Orleans have a car. So it wasn't a racial thing _ but poverty disproportionately affects African-Americans in this country. And it happened because they were poor..."

Amen, brother.

I've been saying that since this started. Yes, most of the people you saw suffering on TV were black. Could it be because 2/3's of New Orleans' entire population are black? Could it also be that an extremely large number of those same blacks are low- or no-income families who could not pack up the Dodge and drive away from the storm? Isn't common sense just too nifty sometimes?

No one left people to die because they were black. That is the most infantile and ridiculous shit I've heard since I noted the lyrics to "La La". There were huge mistakes before, during and after the storm by every branch of government imaginable - yes. But it had nothing to do with race, and helluva lot to do with self-serving politics.

There are people saying "Bush hates black people" or "Bush doesn't care about black people". Let's look at this logically, m'kay? Even if Bush dislikes or doesn't give two figs about persons of color, he would never, in a million years, make this known in so obvious and horrible a way. It isn't part of the political agenda, you see. This man has a huge public image that he is incredibly concerned about - he'd like to stay in power, obviously. To think that he would just shun an entire race during the nation's largest natural disaster just because "he doesn't like them" is...well, it's stupid. Even if it's true that he doesn't like blacks - and I don't know if he gets jiggy with it or not - the fact remains that it isn't the reason things got botched here.

Make it about race, and you take away from what really might've happened. Instead of being upset because you (falsley) think everyone is out to get you, try focusing your energies on finding what DID go wrong; so that it never happens again. This happened to blacks - and *gasp* whites, reds, browns, yellows and any other skin-color that happened to be in those parts of LA and MS when the storm hit. We're in this together. Doesn't anyone realize that?

2005-09-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

It takes a helluva lot to shock me; I've seen a lot and done a lot, well, I've been around the block. In fact, I generally admit that it's damn near impossible to shock me.

But there's little in the world that can prepare you for getting a phone call from your baby brother and hearing him say, "How do you feel about being an aunt?"

Yeah, that shocked me.

I'm getting closer to 30, my younger sister is 24 and my brother will turn 23 later this month. None of us are married, and none of us have given my parents a grandchild.

Set in our ways, I guess it seemed that a new life, a new child, was far - if ever - from coming into our small family. Pretty much everyone I and my siblings knew or grew up around had gotten married and/or produced at least two offspring. It just seemed that wasn't our lot.

But now I think of a little niece or nephew...a grandchild for my parents to dote on, a great-grandchild for my grandfather to be proud of...and I wonder why in the hell we waited so long? Holidays will have special meaning again; when it's all adults, it simply isn't the same. The family is carrying on, and that is a wonderful feeling. Already I'm dreaming of what my niece/nephew will be like, the kind of relationship we'll have, what it will be like to have new life...a child...in the family, around during holidays and special occasions.

In all of the pain and suffering we've seen, in all of the losses that surround us...on the day that - as anyone who reads this blog knows - is most painful for me, a message of light and love and hope has been born.

There is always Light in the Darkness, after all.

2005-09-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

Everyone seems to be upset that their favorite leader or figurehead is getting blamed for this mess.

Let me say this, it's everyone's fault. The federal government, the state and local governments.

The problem with funding to repair levees and build them up to take the brunt of a Cat 5 storm is that it's a long-term solution. It isn't something from which the benefits are immediately felt; in fact, it may never even be tangible. Policitians, and all of govm't, look to the short term; to something they can show and say, "Look all of the good that I have done." - their terms are short, and so the large problems with future implications for trouble are left for the next schmuck to deal with. It is simply the way of American politics.

The chances of a Cat 5 storm coming up and hitting New Orleans as it did were slim - very slim. Some believed it would never even happen, and even those that did never expected to see it in their lifetimes. So it was easy to put off funding, spend the money elsewhere, ignore the problem that wasn't an immediate threat. They took a chance - everyone took a chance - and the worst came to be; they lost the bet.

The only good I can see that may come out of this is that maybe, maybe, long-term goals and progressive measures may get brought to the forefront of our leaders' minds. Perhaps the way things are handled by big govm't and local officials will be changed by this. Maybe they'll start to take care of things that may negatively affect us in the future, instead of worrying about their personal short-term career goals. I doubt it; but I can hope.

2005-09-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Let Bush and co. play their little game and pretend they know what's going on and that everything is now under control...the truth is out there.

How many times do you think you can lie to this country, Mr. President? How many times do you think you can cover up your failings with publicity stunts and deceptive words? How stupid do you think we are?

Coming from the hub of operations for the affected areas in Louisiana I can tell you that everything is most certainly NOT under control; that most people still don't know who *is* in control or what the hell is going on. Let him try to paint a pretty picture - he just continues to dig himself deeper as more people seek to poke holes in each of his cover-ups and lies.

2005-09-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

This op-ed reflects my fears and anger perfectly:
Falluja Floods the Superdome

You might also be interested, as I was, to read this:
Pam: The first hurricane Bush ignored

2005-09-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

I'm so goddamned tired of all the excuses, the lies, the spinning, the slight admittance of guilt followed by a hurried "we've got it now, though". You fucked up - just admit it. There is no - NO - excuses for this, nothing you can say or do that will ever make this right. Our government failed us. Period. The best thing our administration and FEMA and all of the others' responsible can do now is to step forward and say, "Look, we messed up, big time and we're sorry." That I could respect, that I might be able to forgive - a little. But trying to make it "okay" - trying to cover it up with lies and excuses and justifications...no. You have no right.

I've no doubts in my mind that more people are dead because of our government's ineptitude than because of the hurricane. None. No matter what they get on TV and say to try and cover their asses, every single one of them has to go to sleep at night with that knowledge - they will have to bear the responsibility of thousands of innocent deaths - women and children included - on their souls.

You keep hearing them say they "didn't know" and then that they "couldn't get to them". That's amazing, considering I know people personally that made their way in with boats the day after the storm to rescue family. And how can they sit there and say they didn't know!? Everyone knew - as this article from 2002 shows - all of this was predicted. Everyone knew what would happen if a storm of this magnitude hit New Orleans, even down to the percentage of people that wouldn't or couldn't leave! I knew - without power and with only a battery-operated radio - on Tuesday (the day after the storm hit) that the Superdome had been badly damaged. Common sense then told me, with no electricity and no running water, thousands of people who've just lost everything trapped in a hot, unsanitary stadium was simply another disaster waiting to boil over. The fact is, either they knew and acted entirely too slowly, or they didn't and are simply proving to the world that they are the biggest bunch of incompetent morons to ever attempt to lead a country.

Our own government is responsible for more deaths than Katrina. That is a terrifying, and sickening thought.

I believe this open letter to President Bush, that appeared in the Times-Picayne newspaper's editorial section, reflects wonderfully how we feel:

OUR OPINIONS: An open letter to the President

2005-09-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

I'm tipsy. I'm scared, hurt...just heartbroken, and I've had a few glasses of wine as I watch the news again tonight. How else do you cope with this...with something on this cale?

I honestly wasn't aware of the pain...the horror...the NON-help that was occurring in New Orleans until right after it got "fixed"...b/c we had no power and no cable. Looking back now, it is.... Well, there are no words.

I want to thank you all - b/c I know it is very hard for any of us to contribute money or homes or whatever...we're all strapped for cash, who the hell isn't?....but I just want you to know that I so sincerely thank all of you for everything you are doing - even if all you can do is pray.

What I'm feeling now is impossible to describe. To see so many places I have visited all my life, and places I love reduced to rubble and chaos is incomprehensible. There is a huge part of me that feels SO guilty for being "okay". Isn't that silly? But I lived in New Orleans for a time, and I've loved her all my life. I've vacationed in Biloxi and Gulfport...and these places are either gone or changed forever. And, still, I have NO reason to complain...my pain at losing places close to my heart is NOTHING compared to those that have lost their homes/families...well, everything.

I don't have a point to this...I'm just heartbroken, but I wanted all of you to know that I love you and I appreciate your concern, your help, your thoughtfulness...all of it.

Let us all hope and pray that we never see a disaster and such destruction as we have seen here in the past week, again in our lifetimes.

Thanks, AGAIN and many countless times over, to all of you for your help, prayers and good thoughts.

2005-09-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

I've cried a lot for New Orleans today, for her people - one of which I used to be. I cried for Mississippi; I cried for the animals and those people that had to abandon their pets. I cried a lot.

But New Orleans, there's something that hits me especially hard about my beloved city going through such horrors.

I hope you had a chance to meet her before all of this. Yes, she was dirty and trashy and sleazy - and a lot of the time parts of her reeked of piss, sweat and puke. But even then, she stood proud and tall and beautiful. She had her seedy, sexy sides. But she was also elegant, glamorous, unique and very special. She was dark and mysterious - fun and wild, but a true Southern lady all the way. She stood up for what she believed in, and lived that message out loud - as did everyone who loved her and resided within her. She stood for so much. In a sea of tight-assed, conservative, Bible-beaters - New Orleans was a shrine of originality, acceptance and revelry. If she taught you anything, it was to let go, let loose - love and enjoy. At least, that's the message I got from my favorite city.

She'll rise again. Maybe not exactly the same, but matured - seasoned and ready to share a whole new other set of lessons; perhaps that life is fleeting and everything you love and own could disappear in a second - so just enjoy it while you have it. Don't worry about it, don't nitpick about it - just enjoy it. Because it isn't forever.

2005-09-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

The page I've put together, so far:

Hurricane Katrina Info Page @ skatoolaki.com

I'm still working on it, adding more links, categorizing the ones that are there, etc. etc.

2005-09-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm working on putting together a page with links to pertinent info, and all of the places you can donate.

I've just sent in donations to America's Second Harvest, North Shore Animal League, The Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States. It's something, though I still wish I could do more.

This weekend I'm going through my closet and plan to bring loads of clothes to The Salvation Army. I'll be hunting down food banks to dump canned foods into as well.

Again, it is not much but I can't just sit here and do nothing.

2005-09-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

From the Louisiana.gov website:

Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc.

Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc.

c/o Division of Administration

The governor has established this foundation to collect and distribute donations to private and public entities for disaster relief for losses and/or damages brought on as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Please make donations payable to Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc. and mail to:

Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc.
Fed. Tax ID No. 20-3399944
c/o Division of Administration
1201 North Third Street, Suite 7-240
P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095

Phone: (225) 342-7000
Fax: (225) 342-1057

Contact either Maris LeBlanc or Jean Vandal for information and assistance.

Application has been made for nonprofit status and exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and approval by IRS is expected shortly.

The Web site to accept credit card donations and provide other information is under construction and will be linked to the www.louisiana.gov Web site.
-------------------------------------
Also, if you have loved ones in the affected areas that you cannot find, check out the Report Missing Persons page on the Louisiana.gov website.

Please help spread the word. Thanks, Shanna.

2005-09-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

How's this? Power is back on in the house and I can't enjoy it one bit b/c so many are suffering I feel GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is so much....I have to do something.

2005-09-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

The worst article I've read yet on what conditions inside the Superdome were like:

Trapped In An Arena of Suffering

Can you even imagine? Gods.

2005-09-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Jesus, the fires scare me.

I walked into my supervisor's office just now; he's got a small, portable TV on with the coverage of the storm's aftermath. And there's a fire somewhere off I-10.

There's been little fires here and there, started by the goddamn looters, but they've been able to put them out (having to pump water straight off the street because there's no water pressure in the pumps). But this fire is huge, and spreading quickly - and I don't even know if they can get to it.

New Orleans is old and most of its buildings are touching, or part of one another. A fire could sweep through it and destroy so much so quickly. They've got to stop these looters!! They are hurting recovery - they are stopping rescue and relief from coming to the innocent, poor souls who AREN'T doing such terrible things.

There are people begging reporters for food and water! Why aren't we flying over and dropping in supplies - food??? It wouldn't be difficult.

It's just so terrible, so hard and so frustrating to watch - to know it's all going on an hour or a few hours away from you and there is NOTHING you can do.

We, all of us in Baton Rouge, even with holes in some of our roofs and many of us without power, we are SO BLESSED.

This hurts.

2005-09-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

There aren't words. Honestly.

As if the tragedy isn't horrific enough, that relief and rescue efforts are having to be halted to deal with the rampant lawlessness is mind-boggling. They are shooting at rescue helicopters!!!.

For some reason, the state decided we should come in to work today. I really don't think this the wisest of decisions - half the people aren't here (they're stranded somewhere), we aren't (obviously) doing any business, and a good number of people (myself included) are exhausted from living without power for days on end. People have lost homes and loved ones, property and possessions and we're working. State logic; go figure. It wouldn't have been a problem to keep us out until Monday.

But, in a way, it isn't so bad. It's something normal in a week where life seems to have halted and then been turned on its head. I'm here with lights, cold water, Internet access, and air conditioning. I'm getting work done. It feels blessedly normal - I have a feeling, though, that nothing is ever really going to feel "normal" again in these areas.

I keep hearing these stories, of people I know losing homes, losing everything - some don't even have a reason to come back to Louisiana. I know people that can't get in touch with family members who were in the path of the storm. I never imagined I'd see something like this; devastation of this magnitude.

And Biloxi. Waveland. Gulfport. Places near and around those, too. They are gone. There is nothing left. The only other way I could imagine recreating what those places look like now would be if you dropped a bomb on them. Biloxi is losing out on $50,000/day in revenue from the casinos; the casinos - not a one of them - made it. They're all gone, picked up by the storm surge and moved across the highway. It seems almost unreal.

Still processing all this. I'll come back with more later.

2005-08-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been living under a rock or are cut off from all human civilization, you now know that Hurricane Katrina has come and gone from the coastal states - leaving behind massive destruction.

The aftermath has been strange to see. Baton Rouge got a small beating, but made it out well. Nearly 90,000+ people were without power after Katrina knocked us around a bit and some still don't have it today (myself included), but that is such a small inconvenience when compared to what those in the southeastern parishes are going through.

Jefferson Parish, which took the brunt of the storm, is now under Marshal Law. Residents will be allowed back in on September 5 - with ID as proof of residency only - to collect their things. They will then be escorted back out and will not be able to return for at least a month; most likely more. The damage is simply that bad and it will be a long time before it is safe to live there again (damaged buildings, bridges, roadways, and contaminated water being just a few of the factors).

They have finally decided to get everyone out of New Orleans - other than all of the other things they are having to concentrate on (search & rescue, securing the once-leaking levee, etc.) there is a HUGE problem currently with looters. Yes, there are a high number of ~~people~~ scum taking full advantage of the terrible situation and others' misfortune. And these aren't desperate people running out of food or who have lost everything. These are scum of the Earth filling up bags with guns and shoes and running away laughing (seen on CNN footage). I know a wonderful way to deal with that - shoot them. A person who would willfully try to gain from such an event; who would be worried about getting good sneaks and a new, shiny gun at a time like this is not a good person. The world will be just fine without them. If you see people looting, shoot them - and shoot to kill. I lived in New Orleans before and I know the types of people we're talking about. Honestly, I wouldn't even consider a loss of "life" - these same people wouldn't hesitate to shoot a citizen or an officer of the law if they tried to stop them from stealing.

New Orleans, all of Jefferson parish, Gulfpost and Biloxi, Mississippi - the images I'm seeing (for the first time) on TV today are heart-breaking.

As for us, we made out just fine - though we've not had electricity since 11am (as the storm was starting to come in) Monday morning. They say it may be back on tonight, but we'll see. We just couldn't take waiting in the hot house another day, though, so we drove out here to my family's for some a/c and Internet and TV coverage. When we left it was around 90 degrees inside our apartment.

Seeing the aftermath from here is interesting. The city is overflowing with evacuees and will consider to do so as more come in. Since it may be months before they can go home, all surrounding areas - even into Texas - are full up with now homeless people. Schools in even remote towns miles from New Orleans are full of people with nowhere to go. Most of these people have no idea what they've lost and a lot have family members that decided to ride the storm out - and now they don't know if they're alive or dead.

It's all just sinking in still for me. We haven't been back to work yet, though the state may resume operations tomorrow (may not - don't know). Baret is still on call (he goes in for a 12-hour shift tonight), and life is sort of on "hold". Schools can't resume because they are being used as shelters, and LSU has canceled classes until (at least) next Tuesday. The first LSU football game of the season (scheduled this coming Friday, Sept. 3) has also been canceled.

The good news today seems to be that the water has finally stopped rising in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. That's important. Now they are concentrating on getting everyone out, because it's too difficult to do what needs to be done with all the looters making the job worse and more dangerous.

I haven't heard any figures on death tolls yet, but I know it will be high - when they first got into the city after the hurricane passed through the mayor said there were bodies floating in the water filled streets. As this continues, more will die, because the standing water is contaminated and dangerous - and disease is a high risk. There are also snakes to watch out for, and one man reported a shark swimming a street that had become a river the day after the hurricane; with a storm surge such as the one that came in, it's possible.

I'll update as I know more, but at this point, we're all still kind of reeling. Nothing can really prepare you for something like this.

In the meantime, any help you can give, please do. Millions of people are likely homeless now - even $1 will help. Please use the links to contribute something:

Network for Good

American Red Cross

Info & Links from FEMA

And if you'd like to help our furry friends hurt by this disaster:

The Humane Society of the United States

2005-08-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

Stay strong, girl. Don't let Katrina get the best of you.

All those trapped in and around the rising waters - I am praying for your safety.

Love you, New Orleans. Please be okay.

2005-08-29T08:10:00.000-07:00

The power is coming and going, though the news (the cable is coming & going too) says most of Baton Rouge is powerless.

They keep talking about New Orleans - terrifying reports coming in. High rise buildings have upper floor windows blowing out with wind and rain rushing in. The newly-planted palm trees down Canal Street are ripped out and being thrown around. Hundreds of people are calling in, stranded and stuck in their homes. Some rescue workers are having to tell them "we just can't get to you". Gods, why didn't everyone evacuate, or go to the Superdome?

Though I've heard the Superdome has substantial roof damage.

I have to leave the room when they're talking about New Orleans - and the surrounding areas. I keep starting to cry.

We're in a lull now - occasional gusts. As the storm continues to head North, it will get worse for us in Baton Rouge - but nothing like they're experiencing in the Southeast.

2005-08-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

They're saying on the news that power lines and trees are down all over Baton Rouge, but so far, here, we're doing ok. We still have power, but the wind is ferocious at times.

News is slowly leaking in from New Orleans and the surrounding parishes, and it isn't good. They can't get definitive info b/c phone & cell phone lines are jammed. Apparently an apartment building in Jefferson Parish, with people inside, collapsed - and they know no more. 116 people in New Orleans, most in the lower 9th Ward, have called to report they are trapped on the roofs of their homes, and the water is rising around them.

The Superdome has taken a little damage to the roof, and water is leaking in.

We haven't got the most of what we're going to get yet, but at the moment, Southeastern Louisiana is getting hit very hard. Pray for them, please.

2005-08-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

The wind is really, really picking up. It's getting rather frightening - slamming into the house and trees looking like they're bending over to kiss the ground.

Just heard two transformers blow - but the lights went out and came back. We probably won't have power much longer. I'll have battery life on this laptop for at least two hours after we lose power.

2005-08-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

We still have power, but the wind is getting much stronger - some gusts are quite impressive, you can actually hear them hitting the side of the house.

The news says we'll start to see 60-75 mph winds in the next hour.

Rain is heavy, and continuing to fall and grow heavier. It's light out, but very overcast - though it's 8:30am, the street lights are still on.

More to come...

2005-08-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Katrina Is Upon Us

Heavy rains at this almost-8am hour and pretty strong winds, with some really powerful gusts - but nothing like we were expecting. I think we're going to be ok.

And as I write this, a particularly strong and scary gust blew by - and blew out our power (I'm all batteries).

Lights are now going on and off...and the wind has picked up considerably.

Stay tuned.

2005-08-29T04:15:00.000-07:00

So far so good - and I come back with a bit of good news.

Katrina started breaking up as she made landfall (which she's in the process of doing now), and she's speeding up - which means she'll move through more quickly and there won't be as much prolonged high winds in areas.

We still have electricity, but Port Allen, just West of here, is in a blackout, according to the news. Wind gusts are up to 35 and 40 mph; but right now, it's looking pretty good for us - much better than we thought it would.

Slidell, Louisiana is probably going to take the brunt of the storm, and right now the Southeastern part of the state - Buras, Port Sulphur, Plauqemines Parish-area - is getting hit hard as the eye makes landfall; they are sustaining up to (and over) 140 mph winds.

Lake Pontchartrain is still most likely going to flood, and they are still worried about it filling New Orleans. Whatever voodoo charms and protections have been over the city all these years past with hurricanes, I just hope they hold out.

For now, though, in Baton Rouge all is well. Baret just got home - he's tired and stressed and we're going to try to get a little more sleep (a cat nap).

'Til later...

2005-08-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

Been watching a little TV; playing a little catch-up.

Baton Rouge is expected to sustain 50-75 mph winds. The eye should be making landfall in the next hour and a half to two hours. She's coming.

Shelters are full, as well as hotels all the way over to West Baton Rouge Parish, and as far out west as Lafayette to Texas - and just about everything in-between.

The wind is picking up here. It's pretty steady, though nothing terrible, with some gusts, I'd say around 10-20 mph at times.

One more hour 'til Baret can come home (his 12-hour shift ends at 6am). We're both hoping they won't need him to stay, or the weather won't stop him from leaving.

I haven't seen Gia, though I keep calling reassurances out to her, and Jo is still very restless - sometimes meowing and giving me a questioning look. He can't seem to decided where he wants to park himself and is mostly roaming around the house. They're aware something is up; I've read animals can sense a hurricane coming.

Of course the big fear is tornadoes. I've had recurring nightmares my entire life of being chased by tornadoes - usually on a particular highway in my hometown. I'm terrified of tornadoes. I can handle the rest - just don't let me have to live through a twister. -shudder-

2005-08-29T02:24:00.000-07:00

Katrina Comes A'Knockin

It's nearly 4:30am when JoJo wakes me up with his nutty yowling. He's been restless since around 1:00pm - running around the house and making his "crazy meows". Gia's just scared, as always, of the rain and is in hiding. They know something is up; they know this isn't a regular, old storm.

It's raining heavily, and steady and the wind is strong. Nothing to write home about - yet. But some of the gusts are getting up there. A few moments ago, the lights flickered.

One of the things that is so scary about a hurricane is the darkness. You know how the sky darkens during a strong storm; it does the same for a hurricane, only much worse. I'd imagine, as the normal time for sunrise comes around, we won't be seeing much of the Sun.

I'm going to post this, because the lights just flickered again.

2005-08-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

CNN Sucks

You know, it's bad enough - this impending fucking storm - there is no reason for you journalistic getting-off-on-the-tragedy-of-others' sharks to blow this up and make it sound like the end of Earth in Southern Louisiana as we know it just to UP YOUR GODDAMN RATINGS.

Sore spot, forgive me.

But this article, posted at CNN, Katrina may be 'our Asian tsunami' made me want to spit nails. Like I, and all other southern Louisiana natives keeping up with the storm online, need to see SHIT LIKE THIS. Like we're not scared enough or worried enough about our home state and beloved city. It must be nice to write some seemingly brilliant piece of journalism, just frightening and shocking enough to catch the eye, from the comfort of your perfectly safe office THAT IS NOT ABOUT TO BE HIT BY A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE!

Fuck all of you, most who have probably never seen or lived through an ACTUAL hurricane, journalistic types who have hard-ons and wet panties right now at the sheer thought of the damage Katrina is about to cause and all the hours upon hours of rehashing the same shit reporting you're going to do in the aftermath. I hate all of you.

Please note the URL of this particular piece - the tail end - /katrina.doomsday/ Doomsday. Fucking doomsday? It's a goddamn hurricane, not the end of the world or Noah's second coming. It's going to be horrible - absolutely fucking catastrophic. But to you it means ratings - to us it means loss of life, property, places and things we love. It means seeing a huge part of us and our culture destroyed.

There's no need to push this to the extreme. It IS extreme! The flashy headlines - the doomsday heralding - the catastrophic comparisons. Just stop. You are NOT helping.