Memories...

Karen had a link to this on her blog. It's pretty neat!

You said your birthday is 5 / 19 / 1981
which means you are 25 years old and about:

64 years 6 months younger than Walter Cronkite, age 90
59 years 10 months younger than Nancy Reagan, age 85
56 years 11 months younger than George Herbert Bush, age 82
49 years 8 months younger than Barbara Walters, age 75
47 years 6 months younger than Larry King, age 72
41 years 3 months younger than Ted Koppel, age 66
37 years 10 months younger than Geraldo Rivera, age 63
34 years 10 months younger than George W. Bush, age 60
29 years 10 months younger than Jesse Ventura, age 55
25 years 7 months younger than Bill Gates, age 51
20 years 9 months younger than Cal Ripken Jr., age 46
14 years 11 months younger than Mike Tyson, age 40
10 years 10 months younger than Jennifer Lopez, age 36
5 years 5 months younger than Tiger Woods, age 30
1 year 1 month older than Prince William, age 24

and that you were:

20 years old at the time of the 9-11 attack on America
18 years old on the first day of Y2K
16 years old when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash
13 years old at the time of Oklahoma City bombing
13 years old when O. J. Simpson was charged with murder
11 years old at the time of the 93 bombing of the World Trade Center
9 years old when Operation Desert Storm began
8 years old during the fall of the Berlin Wall
4 years old when the space shuttle Challenger exploded
2 years old when Apple introduced the Macintosh
2 years old during Sally Ride's travel in space

Try it here.

I'm Back!

Hey everyone! I'm back from Rusty's. I'll share my adventures from the weekend later; I'm beat and my computer isn't working so I'm using Chris's. Among other things I had a run-in with a Virginia state trooper and got to ride on the racetrack at Lowe's Motor Speedway. I'll update when I get a chance. I hope my US readers had a good Thanksgiving and my international readers had a good weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy early Thanksgiving, everyone! I won't be around for a few days. I'm leaving bright and early tomorrow morning to go to Rusty's and I'm coming back Sunday. Don't eat too much (except March--he can eat all he wants since he has his elastic-waist pants.)

TV Musings

March called me out on my procrastination. I got around to watching The Office and ER on Friday night so I'll try to remember what happened. I'm glad Jim's back. The whole vibe of the office was off without him. I loved the Dwight/Andy interaction. I wasn't crazy about the Andy character till I saw how he and Dwight played off each other. I loved Lazy Scranton, Creed, and the look Stanley gave the other black guy when he tried to do the solidarity chest bump. Things should get interesting from this point on.

I thought ER was pretty boring. What was the deal with how the homeless children were dressed? Were they extras on the set of A Christmas Carol? That's pretty much all I have to say about last week's ER.

In other TV news, Scrubs is coming back soon on Thursday nights at 9. Thanks, NBC, for putting every show I watch (except The Simpsons) on one night which also happens to be the night I don't get home till 9. What the hell am I going to do if they move American Idol to Thursday night, as people are speculating?

Also, the producer of Ugly Betty and The Office is creating a game show called Identity. According to the article, "Contestants will compete for $500,000 by matching up 12 strangers with identifying characteristics - shoe size, occupation, weight, etc. The show is as much a social experiment as it is a game show." Could be interesting for us sociology/psychology geeks.

Source

Happy Birthday!

Happy 26th birthday, Rusty! I love you and I'll see you in 3 days! Here's your blog present:

Elliott discussing how badly he wants to jump your bones with Dale Jarrett (Looks like Dale is in agreement!).

Luke Wilson making a booty call to you.

Guilty Pleasure Saturday #4

Cheryl Lynn "Got to Be Real." Sorry, B, no 80s hair metal this week!





I never had a second thought about this song until I was watching Season 4 of Sex and the City and the episode The Real Me came on. Carrie (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) is in a fashion show comprised of models and "real people" from New York. She comes out in her glittery underwear and blue coat, strutting down the catwalk to this song, when she falls flat on her face. I can't stand Carrie more of the time, but the moment when she gets up is so triumphant. It struck a chord with me, especially considering some things that were going on in my life at the time, and even though this song has nothing to do with overcoming hardship, that's what I choose to have it mean for me.

What's the Buzz?

What's the consensus on switching to Beta? Will I lose everything I've ever posted? I've heard people talk about backing up your blog, but I'm not sure how to do that without going into each post individually and copying it. I know a few of you have switched, so how was it? I kind of want the "Switch to Blogger Beta!!!!" thing to go away.

TV Musings will come after I actually get a chance to watch my shows; last night was a little busy.

Catching Up With Old Friends

I'm so excited! 49 Up was just released on DVD yesterday and should be waiting for me in my mailbox when I get home from work today. This is the 7th in a series of DVDs examining the lives of a group of people from different socio-economic backgrounds since age 7. I highly recommend this series. They can become a little repetitive watching them back-to-back as I did (after all, they were made to have 7 years in between!) but they are probably some of the best DVDs I'm received from Netflix. The voyeur in me loves watching everyone's ups and downs but I don't know what I'll do now that I have to wait 7 more years.

Good God

I hope this is a hoax, but I don't think it is:

JUDITH REGAN’S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH O.J. SIMPSON

“O.J. SIMPSON: IF I DID IT, HERE’S HOW IT HAPPENED”

TO AIR AS A TWO-PART SPECIAL ON FOX

Special to Air Over Two Nights:

Monday, November 27, and Wednesday, November 29

Source

My Shit List

MBNA: I did a balance transfer with a 0% APR till January 2007. I haven't used the card for any purchases, just my transfer. Last month I received a statement in which I was charged 50 cents interest; this month 63 cents.

Remedy: I hate to quibble over such a small amount of money, but my patience is shot. I call and have the 50 cents credited. I just e-mailed them about the 63 cents. This card will be closed when it's paid off in January.

Verizon: A few months ago I paid my phone bill online. It cleared though my bank. When I checked my account balance Verizon's website, my payment didn't show up.

Remedy: After being on hold for over 20 minutes I was told my payment was credited, it just wasn't showing up online. I don't really have any options since Verizon is the only phone carrier here.

Panera Bread: I went to get a $15 gift card for a Christmas present. The girl accidentally rang it up as $50. The manager tried to do a refund. When I checked my credit card statement online it showed a $50 charge and a $15 charge. When I called and spoke to the general manager, she told me to come in and she would credit both charges. When I went to Panera after work on Friday (which was out of my way) I was told I had to bring my credit card statement.

Remedy: I went in on Saturday morning with my statement and waited about 20 minutes because I apparently I showed up at the exact moment everyone in York decided they needed over-priced hot chocolate and muffins. $65 was credited to my account, but it's too soon to show up on my online statement. Hopefully it went through ok. If it doesn't I'm going to curl up into the fetal position and cry. I'm happy with the way this was handled, but I probably won't go to Panera because I don't like it that much anyway.

Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazine: I paid my subscription via check and it cleared. October comes around and I receive no magazine. I'm told that the magazine was returned undeliverable. They had my old address for some strange reason which makes absolutely no sense since I received a whole year's worth with no problem, I've lived at this address for almost 2 years, and I never received this magazine at the old address. October's magazine arrives. December's magazine arrives. Where the hell is November?!

Remedy: I e-mailed customer service requesting November's copy but I haven't heard back yet other than an automated response. I love this magazine but I'm not renewing it next year.

Real Simple magazine: I subscribed to this magazine last year but I decided not to resubscribe because at $30, it's a little pricey. I ignore all renewal requests. I check my credit card account online and, lo and behold, I'm charged around $30 for a new subscription.

Remedy: I called and had my money credited. Was on hold for vast amounts of time. Wasn't planning on renewing anyway, so not a huge deal.

Cingular Wireless/AT&T Wireless: Chris and I got new phones and signed up for a family plan which should have come out to the exact same monthly charge as our two individual plans, which were both in my name. I receive three bills from Cingular totaling around $100 for a $59.99 plan.

Remedy: I pay said bills because I'm not in the mood for fucking around. I call and am on hold for inordinate amounts of time. I'm told I need to call such and such number because two of the bills are actually from AT&T. I'm transferred to a defunct number. I go to the website and call that number, which is also defunct. I e-mailed customer service and was given an explanation as to why I was charged so damn much but it made no sense. I'm waiting to see if I get a credit this month.

Choice Discount Cigarettes: I have a coupon for a buy one, get one free Cash 5 lottery ticket. I go to the store to purchase said ticket. I idiotically do not check the ticket before leaving the store. I get home and realize that I was only given one line of numbers.

Remedy: Nothing. It was only a buck and I never win anyway.

M&T Bank: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeevil bank. A few years ago they lost my $100 deposit and, even though I had the goddamn receipt, took WEEKS to give me my money, which I only received after writing a nasty e-mail. This was after many phone calls and many trips to the branch where I made the deposit, which of course was an extremely inconvenient branch that I just happened to go to that one time. This is about something else though. I bought a gift card for someone for Christmas and I don't remember if I used my check card or one of my credit cards since the transaction isn't showing up anywhere yet. If I did use my check card, I overdrew my account by about $5 since I don't get paid till Wednesday. If this is the case, I'll admit that it's my own idiotic fault, but it's something that could normally easily be remedied by going online and transferring some money from my savings. Unfortunately I can't do that since their online banking isn't working and I can't do it by phone since I only receive online statements so I have no clue what my savings account numbers are. The numbers I have are from my old accounts from before Evil M&T took over. Of course there is nowhere on M&T's website to inform them that online banking isn't working.

Remedy: I think I was able to do the transfer. The website was working, albeit slowly as hell, for about 2 minutes, but then it sort of petered out. I'll be royally pissed if I'm charged $30 for overdrawing $5. It's my own fault if it happens even though I could have fixed it in 2 minutes if online banking were working properly. M&T sucks massive ass, but it's the only bank that has branches in York and Harrisburg, where I work. When I get a different job (hopefully in York this time) I will be switching banks with a quickness.

I think I'm going to drop out of society.

Guilty Pleasure Saturday #3

Britney Spears "Everytime"



I know, I know. I roll my eyes at L. whenever she makes me listen to a Britney song, but I actually like this one. She can't sing worth shit, but I think this song is pretty. And Stephen Dorff is hot. This is a pretty timely choice considering their shocking divorce. I actually had this saved as a draft 2 weeks ago. Maybe I'm psychic.

TV Musings

I was pretty happy with last night. The Office wasn't back up to season 1 standards, but I'm glad that they're moving the plot along towards getting the gang back together. I miss Jim's and Dwight's interactions. I loved the faxes from the future and the fact that Michael's ring tone is "My Humps." I also loved Jim's "Say what you will about Michael Scott, but he would never do that." Next week's episode should be good and since Earl is super-sized so I might get to see The Office live for once.

ER was great last night! Shawn Hatosi was excellent as the DID patient and I'm starting to love Morris. I laughed last night and I almost cried at the end. The only thing I was so-so about was the Gates/Neela kiss. That was sort of strange. I've also always wondered why people are able to randomly get it on in the County General ER without any ramifications. I can't imagine I'd be able to make out with someone out in the open and work and not get in trouble. I didn't even hate Pratt last night. I encourage anyone who has given up on ER to come back. But don't hold me responsible if next week Carter takes everyone to Africa and Morris gets killed by a copter, Abby is run over by an errant tank, and Gates and Neela are killed by a schizophrenic shooter (since ER thinks all schizophrenics are violent) while having sex in the med supply room.

Que dia loco!

I had some...interesting...things happen to me today. I had to cover the front desk which is always a barrel full of awesomeness. A woman brought her son in for an eval and when he went back with the doctor he took his mom's book of crossword puzzles. I refused to interrupt the eval to get her book so she yelled, "This is bullshit!" and stormed outside. Then she called the director to complain that I wouldn't let her get her book. She came back in and sat in the waiting room for a few minutes and then came out saying she had to leave because she was allergic to the carpet fibers. She asked me to call her when the doctor was ready to talk to her. I did and of course she didn't answer her phone. At least her son was polite.

Later on I was yelled at because I told a woman what her payment was. Keep in mind the payments are set by the insurance company, not me personally.

On the way home one of the roads home was closed because a crane was trying to get a disabled helicopter off the top of the hospital. I pictured it falling and giggled. Those of you who know my feelings about ER know why.

I waited in line for 45 freaking minutes to vote. I didn't appreciate standing outside in the cold and drizzle to vote for people who are probably going to win anyway. That wasn't really weird but it was annoying. Not as bad as the hour plus I stood in line to vote against Bush though.

As I was doing the dishes (people ALWAYS call while I'm doing the dishes) I got a call asking if this was the (Chris's last name) family. I said, "Ummm..." Then the woman asked if I was Chris's son. Noooooo.... His daughter? Wrong again. The lady? Yeah, but I ain't no lady. She wanted to know if I was interested in a free burial site. I had to decline that tempting offer.

Best. Ice Cream. Ever.

Ben and Jerry's has a new flavor called Vermonty Python. It's heaven in a bowl! Coffee ice cream with cookie crumb swirl and little fudge cows. I ate the whole damn pint in 2 sittings. Sorry, Phish Food, but I have a new favorite flavor.

Guilty Pleasure Saturday #2

This week's entry is "Careless Whisper" by Wham. God, this song is cheesy.



The tube socks! The feathered hair! I miss the 80s.

*Thud*

I'm posting this picture because Rusty isn't posting the Ace pics I send her on Saturday hotness because she thinks I'm an insane stalker. Where the hell did she get a crazy idea like that?!

Swiped in the name of hotness from rickey.org.

TV Musings

I didn't really care much for The Office again last night. I don't think I'm going to risk getting in trouble for leaving work early on Thursday nights anymore. I was trying to be home by 8:30 in case my VCR got screwed up but the show hasn't really been worth it yet this season. I do think the drunkenness of Andy and Jim was a set-up for the future merger episodes though. Maybe it'll get better once everyone's back in the same place.

ER was good last night but I heard a nasty rumor that Carter is going to be on 4 episodes this season. Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! WTF?! The show is called ER, not John Carter. I would be in favor of having another helicopter accident if it killed Carter.

I've Been Tagged

Dim tagged me, so I have to try to think of 5 interesting things about myself.

I have a knack for memorizing songs. I can hear a song that I haven't heard in a decade and still remember every lyric perfectly. Unfortunately, my knowledge of song lyrics has taken over some brain space that would better be spent storing useful information.

I am EXTREMELY neurotic. Everything must be in its place at all times or I freak out. If there were a fire at my house I would probably take the time to straighten everything up before escaping. This trait did not serve me well when I did in-home work and had to go into cockroach-infested, piss-smelling homes. I get this trait honestly, as both of my parents are this way; my mom moreso than my dad. I would lick the floor in my mom's house and think nothing of it. I'm also a germophobe, but only about other people's germs. I know where my hands have been. Other people, not so much. I obsessively use hand sanitizer at work and won't even turn off the light in the bathroom there without using a paper towel.

A bunch of people are talking about how they met their significant others. I met Chris while working at the hospital in the dietary department. How glamorous, right? I was a freshman in college. One of my first memories I have with him is when we were sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch and one of the cooks sat down and said, "Do you know why they call it bacon? Because it has fat in it." You commonly hear gems of wisdom like these at Memorial Hospital dietary. We never really talked much until he got his eyebrow pierced and he got fired because he refused to take it out. I went over to his place, got him drunk, and took advantage of him. We both still have an intense urge to push a food cart down the stairwell.

My digestive system is FUBAR. I have, or have had at some point in my life, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and something else that's a little um...personal.

I've been best friends with Rusty since 1st grade (about 20 years). We lived a mile apart for about 17 of those years and 15 minutes apart for the rest of the time till she moved to North Carolina. We also lived together all 4 years in college. We've had so many insane things happen to us that we were able to fill up pages upon pages in our yearbooks chronicling those things. I don't think there's anything we don't know about each other.