tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-171305952024-03-12T22:07:05.591-04:00the nonessentialsno requirements. only options.jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-68395621396326221072009-01-06T00:48:00.002-05:002009-01-06T00:56:29.698-05:00movin' out.i love that billy joel song, movin' out (anthony's song) particularly this verse:<br /><br /><br />You should never argue with a crazy mi mi mi mi mi mind<br />You ought-a know by now<br />You can pay Uncle Sam with the overtime<br />Is that all you get for your money<br />And if that's what you have in mind<br />Then that's what you're all about<br />Good luck movin up cause I'm movin out<br /><br />well i'm doin' just that: movin' out. well kinda. i mean this little corner of the interwebs will still be here. for now. i'm just craving a fresh, new start. i hope you'll feel the urge (and heed said urge) to follow me over to the new digs. you might like the place. it might take a little bit of getting used to, but i think it'll be pretty cool.<br /><br />please come visit. often & long. <a href="http://mybiglittleworld.wordpress.com">my BIGlittle world</a> is my new personal blog where you can check me out on a regular basis. i've also cracked open a couple of newer blogs with a much different focus than this here personal one (or the newer personal one). i guess you could say i'm branching out with sharing my ideas and thoughts. while i wouldn't pretend to think that i'm an important person, i do believe that what i have to say and what i hope to represent in this world can be of some value to someone. you can find the links to my new blog-ventures at <a href="http://mybiglittleworld.wordpress.com">myBIGlittleworld</a>. i hope you'll take just a few minutes to check them all out.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-7374061142991588062008-12-31T02:51:00.005-05:002008-12-31T09:18:17.471-05:00see it. be it.on this last day of 2008, many people are thinking about, talking about, or avoiding the age old ritual of new year's resolutions. most folks plan to lose weight or stop smoking/drinking. those are the most popular new year's resolutions. most of the same folks lose their momentum sometime around february 1st or shortly after the super bowl game, whichever comes first and it's no wonder with all the beer, nachos, and burger ads. the reason most folks fail at keeping their new year's resolutions is not because they are stupid, lazy, or gullible (although some may, indeed be all three). they fail because they never quite get past the setting the resolution stage. they never set up a game plan for succeeding.<br />looking back at the goals i have accomplished and those that i have failed to accomplish, there is indeed a common thread. those goals that i managed to accomplish were goals that i planned out step by step. i figured out what steps i needed to take to be successful. i considered what obstacles i might face and how to overcome them. i considered a plan B, plan C, and vowed to be flexible in case there was a need for a plan D. but most importantly, i imagined myself being successful. i utilized the power of the human mind (and i'm living proof that little can indeed be large when it comes to brain power).<br />most successful people will tell you that it takes visualizing the end result to get to the end result. if you cannot imagine yourself being successful, you are less likely to be successful. ask any top notch successful athlete or entrepreneur and they will tell you that visualization is definitely a factor in increasing your probability for success.<br />i often refer to the practice of visualization as playing a self-made movie in my head. is it any wonder that i harbor fantasies of being an actress? you get to make up the script, the wardrobe, the lighting, the cinematography, set design, everything! and you can even alter details on a whim and in a split second--or less. you get to be the hero (or the bad guy, if that's your kinda thing). i like the little movies in my head far better than some authentic hollywood products these days. of course, serial killers often used the power of visualization to, ahem, acheive their goals.<br />now i'm not saying that you'll definitely be successful if you sit around daydreaming all day about landing an incredible job, hooking up with that hot guy/girl, or getting super fit. no see dude, you actually have to DO the thing you picture yourself doing. the visualization part makes you more comfortable in doing it, helps you improve your actual skills in doing whatever you need to be doing, & reinforces progression to a positive outcome. that nike ad really did have something going for it you know?<br />so, as ya'll get ready to throw yourselves into the new year with new plans, goals, and aspirations, remember that you can help yourself become successful by picturing yourself actually being successful. and how cool is that?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*check out this </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.google.com/search?q=the+power+of+visualization&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">google search on visualization</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> to help you locate helpful resources for your particular goals. </span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-26505739025916547642008-12-30T18:33:00.003-05:002008-12-30T18:42:58.896-05:00house.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYSLvtVSn9OmC4LvbPGXBWSoxihUSfzpY1tshZBg14YYuR1ow1Q0HP_kq_9RsvnZ_A4rXRgjPQH8YtKUlZ7FC6AtchUreKFGeZstZciHUBgylbmJ3PhU6TahCgXe2JrdMIJGd/s1600-h/myhouse.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYSLvtVSn9OmC4LvbPGXBWSoxihUSfzpY1tshZBg14YYuR1ow1Q0HP_kq_9RsvnZ_A4rXRgjPQH8YtKUlZ7FC6AtchUreKFGeZstZciHUBgylbmJ3PhU6TahCgXe2JrdMIJGd/s400/myhouse.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285730956214491522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >This is a really interesting online test. It's based on the Draw-A-House test.... well it IS the Draw-A-House test. I'm not sure the results are entirely accurate for me, but who knows...I'm always learning something new about myself and the world around me. Here's what my results said: </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><b><br /></b><blockquote><b>Based on your drawing and the 10 answers you gave this is a summary of your personality:</b><br />Your house tells the world that you ought to be a leader. You are a freedom lover and a strong person. You love your house and family. You are a gifted artist as well. Once you have a problem, you need a friend with you. Your life is always full of changes. You are very tidy person. There's nothing wrong with that because you're pretty popular among friends. Your life is always full of changes.<br /><br />You will avoid being alone and seek the company of others whenever possible. You love excitement and create it wherever you go. You see the world as it is, not as you believe it should be.<br /><br />You added a flower into your drawing. The flower signifies that you long for love. It also safe to say that others don't see you as a flirt. You don't think much about yourself.</blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Your turn! If you click <a href="http://drawahouse.com/takethetest/index.asp?street=ea08c5e8eec43e90e70918b218de4678">this link</a> you will be able to draw a house too and see what your drawing says about your personality. When you have drawn your house it will be added to my street, Pleasant Cove, which is a collection of all the houses drawn by people I know.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-29670064468469058732008-11-17T02:19:00.002-05:002008-11-17T02:25:16.540-05:00now i'll be hearing kim carnes singing in my head for a week. or more.i got this from <a href="http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/">Secret Agent Josephine</a> . kinda cool since it was only 2 questions. short & sweet.<br /><br /><p><em>Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...</em></p><h4>You Are a Bette!</h4><p><img src="http://vintagegriffin.com/images/uploads/mm.bette_.jpg" alt="mm.bette_.jpg" /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.</span></p> <p> </p> <strong>How to Get Along with Me</strong> <ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">* Stand up for yourself... and me. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* Be confident, strong, and direct. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* Give me space to be alone. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.</span></li></ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <strong>What I Like About Being a Bette </strong> <ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">* being independent and self-reliant </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* being courageous, straightforward, and honest </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* upholding just causes</span></li></ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <strong>What's Hard About Being a Bette </strong> <ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* never forgetting injuries or injustices </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* putting too much pressure on myself </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right</span></li></ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <strong>Bettes as Children Often </strong> <ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* are sometimes loners </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* seize control so they won't be controlled </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* figure out others' weaknesses </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* attack verbally or physically when provoked </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings</span></li></ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <strong>Bettes as Parents </strong> <ul><li><span style="font-size: small;">* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* are sometimes overprotective </span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;">* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid</span></li></ul><br /><br />http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-27695880204863877352008-11-14T00:48:00.002-05:002008-11-14T00:53:33.496-05:00inner peace.it's been a hectic week. really.<br />yet in the midst of the fast pace and the craziness, i'm finding more of me. i'm becoming more and more centered and balanced. i'm trying to see beyond the surface to the truth. lately, it seems that i have these sort of epiphanies -- or maybe they are really psuedo-epiphanies. is there really such a thing?<br />at any rate, i don't want to get all spiritual and mystical on ya'll, but it's true--in the middle of all this frenzy i'm finding the calm.<br />must be one big effin' storm on the way.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-59911442325169188762008-11-05T09:15:00.002-05:002008-11-05T09:31:32.383-05:00change.tuesday, november 5, 2008 will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest days of our time. change has certainly come to america and the world. while i did not support our new president elect with my own vote for my own reasons, i was indeed moved by the moment. the record turn outs proved that each vote really does count. i hope that this shows many others that they, too, should vote because they DO have a voice in our government. i am indeed proud to be an american. i am proud to have witnessed another barrier broken.<br />i am still concerned about what happens now. i am one who can be moved and affected by words, but for whom actions are key indicators of true intention. i will wait. i will watch. i will support and i will celebrate, but i will insist that our president be held accountable for his words and his actions. i am hopeful. cautiously hopeful.<br />i want to break out in dance and song (not a pretty sight for onlookers i'm certain) to celebrate one more barrier broken, and yet at the same time, i know that this historical moment cannot overshadow the realities of the world of politics. barak obama is a politician, no matter how different he may present himself to the world. our society asks, no demands, that politicians please all the people all the time. this is an impossible task. i know that there will be times that i agree with our new administration and there will be times that i disagree, as with all administrations that i have followed in my adult life. now is the time to set aside differences and disagreements and work for improvements for ALL americans.<br />preseident-elect obama said that he hears even my voice and that he is dedicated to being my president, too. my hope is that he will be my president by his actions, not just his title. my hope is that he fulfills his campaign promises and that my fears of what is to come will be quelled.<br />congratulations mr. obama. congratulations america. thank you mr. mccain for your graceful and respectful concession speech. thank you all who voted in this election to prove that each and every voice really does count.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-39522921067574084622008-10-24T12:23:00.003-04:002008-10-24T12:26:54.155-04:00addition.our new addition is settling in just fine. it's been 24 hours since we picked her up and she seems to have accepted us. us being me, ainsley, & petey.<br />i'm just letting her get used to things while letting her know the new boundaries here.<br />i just found out she makes a mean fart for such a little dog.<br />you can find her pictures at <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/jadalton/">my flickr account</a>. <br />i did decide to change her name from hattie-belle to orie. it was my grandmother's name.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-27430272646132297132008-10-20T11:23:00.003-04:002008-10-20T11:31:14.221-04:00dilemma. (i kannut spul. i has phd)the hair. it sucks. i'm trying to grow it out and i'm at one of those truly sucky growing out stages. god help me but i really wouldn't mind going back to the super-short razor cut i had previously.<br /><br />with a little teeny headband. natural curls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5pO0_NCMcWT8ukASTAUhDG4tjjRqYZpgQY70XKj5GPyIFGeawd7lMgud8OszxG3nKnneTulxhmuAhx3YctLWMmr-ypaM8n0Camva8tt_iQoBZA4oWefNgye3Lh2lZP2kRnUQ/s1600-h/1020band.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5pO0_NCMcWT8ukASTAUhDG4tjjRqYZpgQY70XKj5GPyIFGeawd7lMgud8OszxG3nKnneTulxhmuAhx3YctLWMmr-ypaM8n0Camva8tt_iQoBZA4oWefNgye3Lh2lZP2kRnUQ/s400/1020band.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259257329173816066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />without the headband. natural curls. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONO3PIWF3X_aCbB6kpuEp5Vgd4j02DaNNEScIb6_zJ8_txJ6lBDN8ltbfq4joCwapRjtGBnnAmc1GXTS7TX5rBTXd4kFqr3CXkHwr80k6GiBNYlRZrqaAV6itNNBiMgtwZ7Tc/s1600-h/1020noband.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONO3PIWF3X_aCbB6kpuEp5Vgd4j02DaNNEScIb6_zJ8_txJ6lBDN8ltbfq4joCwapRjtGBnnAmc1GXTS7TX5rBTXd4kFqr3CXkHwr80k6GiBNYlRZrqaAV6itNNBiMgtwZ7Tc/s400/1020noband.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259257322865680786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />without the headband. curls smoothed out a little bit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEByrKNJLrx578AReHS6VE8YFDwvvHGH6-CAcx5n_dqNW1nALlD1OQ0Iyn1hGXjjLzpqduQsDPCAAWRhuM5_EoZcw5MsIHT1fGmajSst3bH4O9ku2m-wQi7ZZ93CgUZKql25dC/s1600-h/1020smoothed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEByrKNJLrx578AReHS6VE8YFDwvvHGH6-CAcx5n_dqNW1nALlD1OQ0Iyn1hGXjjLzpqduQsDPCAAWRhuM5_EoZcw5MsIHT1fGmajSst3bH4O9ku2m-wQi7ZZ93CgUZKql25dC/s400/1020smoothed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259257323048159234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i think i'll play around with the flat iron tomorrow morning. or i'll get my hair cut. maybe.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-56814007082069301712008-10-19T10:34:00.002-04:002008-10-19T11:28:56.444-04:00chill.this morning the air was definitely chilled. my outdoor thermometer (an old fashioned type one) says 45 degrees although it feels much chillier than that. i think it's officially fall and i love it. so does petey. he's escaped this morning and is stalking around in the yard. he comes to the door to peek as if to say "neener neener neener!" before dashing off to stalk all manner of invisible creatures. he's such a goob.<br /><br />yesterday, ainsley and i went to central park for the "my dog loves central park country fair" and had a blast. she wore her vest and was very good the whole time. ok well except for that one time she and noah and the other cci dog (acre i think is his name--something like that anyway). ok maybe it was more than once, but i digress. she was wonderful as usual. she had her picture taken with Clifford the Big Red Dog. she really liked clifford. we scored some big time schwag--even some schwag for petey! we also saw more dogs in once place than i have ever seen in my entire lifetime. it was crazy wild in a good way. we saw big dogs, little dogs, in between dogs, working dogs, playing dogs, dressed up dogs, naked dogs, all kinda dogs! it was awesome! it made me kinda warm and fuzzy inside to realize that so many new yorkers are dog people! :-)<br /><br />i talked to many of my family members this week which was really nice. i don't get enough time to just catch up anymore and i got to do that with my two aunts and two of my cousins. i'll be seeing aunt cookie and uncle butch when i go down to alabama/florida for a wedding this coming halloween weekend, which is, incidentally, also my birthday weekend. i got my uncle butch a cool gift just for the hell of it and my aunt cookie's birthday is coming up the weekend prior to the trip. i've gotten her a pretty cool gift also. so cool i wanted to keep it for myself :-) but i won't.<br /><br />speaking of gifts, my aunt kat sent me an early birthday present. i wore it to central park yesterday. it is maroon and says "southern girl" on the front and on the back it says "southern girls love their bulldogs". my alma mater is miss. state university and the bulldogs are our mascot.<br /><br />and speaking of mascots, sort of, i met some really nice people at the canine companions for independence (CCI) booth at central park yesterday. CCI is the agency that bred, raised, and trained ainsley. ginger is a lady who lives on long island and is acre's partner. (there will be pictures later on my flickr page). she was so nice and sweet. i enjoyed talking with her. another lady, alice is a puppy raiser and her neice, eve, was with her and her released puppy. sweet ladies. i really appreciate puppy raisers for all they do because if it weren't for puppy raisers like alice and eve, i wouldn't have my ainsley. i also met lisa, one of the trainers at the CCI northeast regional center. she and one of the dogs were working very hard giving out brochures and speaking with fair-goers. she was very nice and helpful. if you know me, i really like meeting interesting and nice people. if you're a jackass, not so much. (yes, i have picked up that phrase which i abhor! i think it is a yankee thing, i dunno).<br /><br />speaking of jackasses, kinda. a little girl (about 9 i would guess) got stuck in the lavatory on the train as we were waiting for departure at penn station. her dad kinda pissed me off. at first he was really pushy and mean with her before she went into the rest room. i just didn't like his attitude with her. she waited her turn to the lav and went in, then she couldn't get the door to open. it must be soem kind of complicated button & lever mechanism, but she couldn't figure it out and she paniced. initially, her dad was upset at her and he seemed to be embarrassed by the whole situation and he seemed to be embarrassed by her. he kept yelling at her through the door to keep trying to open the door etc. eventually, the guy started panicing too. he got on the emergency intercom and was trying to get train personnel to come help his daughter. all the while, i might add, people were pouring onto the train as boarding was going on and this goober dad was running around (almost stepping on ainsley a few times--which woulda been bad for him) yelling and just generally not keeping his shit together. the train started moving and she was still stuck. she was crying and she was really freaking out. my seat in the disabled seating area was right across from the door to the lav so that's how i witnessed all this shit so clearly. several other male passengers tried to get the door open but it wouldn't work and they tried to talk elizabeth (the little girl) through opening the door, but she was just too freaked out. finally, a train conductor (a really really hot dude, by the way) showed up and he managed to get the door open. there stood little elizabeth, a beautiful little girl with dark curly hair, all red-faced and crying. what did her dad do immediately? no he didn't hug his little girl or try to comfort her in any way. he just lit right into the conductor yelling at him about them not getting there immediately to help him. the whole time, elizabeth was just standing there trying not to cry. i took her hand and had her come sit in my seat and let her love on ainsley a little bit, and talked to her to help her calm down. it didn't take much to help calm her down but of course it was me doing this and not her dad, who should have been doing it. now i realize that he was freaked out but his first priority should have been his daughter. he didn't even ask her if she was ok or reassure her or anything! and at the same time, i can readily admit that, not to long ago, that would have been me, only worse, in reacting to a stressful event like that. so i can understand how he was feeling and how he could have reacted the way he did. i also realize that elizabeth will always remember his lack of concern for her. i couldn't help but wonder if he treats her like that in general.<br /><br />anyway.<br /><br />i do need helpful advice if anyone has any (or just plain old advice is fine, too). i have been researching iphone VS. blackberry as i want to upgrade. i'm also trying to figure out do i want to get different devices for different functions or do i want the most all-in-one device there is. anyone have an opinion? for example, do i want to get a phone that covers the phone/email bases and then get a separate mp3 player for music, podcasts, and videos? i was even thinking i could keep my current phone (the fairly new NV2 banged up as it is) and get an ipod touch or other ipod for music, podcasts, games, etc. basically, i need access to email, phone, and calender in a phone. i have become very dependant upon my gps navigation service through my current (and previous) phone models so that would be something i'd like to keep. i heavily use my phone's calender feature, but i would really prefer to have something that would sync with my google calenders so i have just one interface rather than two separate interfaces for my calenders (personal, teaching, administrative, etc). it's easy for something to get lost in the shuffle there.<br />i've already done one of those pre-approval things for an iphone 3g, but do i really want to take that plunge? my current service is with verizon. another option, <span style="font-style: italic;">maybe</span>, is the new tiny little ultra mobile pc from asus. i saw them in target last week. i don't know what features it has or what the true functionality of it is, but it's there. it might be a possible alternative.<br />anyone? bueller? bueller? bueller?<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-84107190640054170632008-10-14T09:36:00.002-04:002008-10-14T09:49:37.462-04:003 day weekend.back to work today after a three day weekend. as per my usual, i accomplished 80% of what i intended to do in the last 20% of the weekend (3-day or not). at least my yard is mowed, cleaned up, new plants are situated (although not planted), new psuedo-king bed (2 twins butted against each other in a king frame with a king mattress pad & cover) is set up, dishes are washed, clothes are washed, rugs are vacuumed, and i'm sure there's stuff i did that i forgot i did that should be on that list.<br />also saturday i babysat a friend's 7 mo old gsd puppy (luna) and in order to keep her extremely tired for the whole night, i took the dogs hiking at south mountain. ainsley had a friggin' blast running through the woods, bouncing up the hills, chasing other dogs, and (YES) swimming in the creek! luna had to stay on-leash because i had no idea how she'd react. she was awesome! she had such a good time. she was so funny and cute and listened to me so well! she's growing up! i took them to south mtn off-leash dog park afterwards and they played more. we then drove around taking a bit of a scenic drive before heading home and sacking out by the firepit in the yard. i really enjoyed seeing the fall colors especially the blazing reds mixed in with the yellows and greens.<br />took ainsley to brookdale dog park the next day after walking around our neighborhood. she was so tired she didn't play too much.<br />today, i am the one who is tired before the day has even started.<br />happy tuesday!<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-31608549261886474422008-10-10T09:20:00.002-04:002008-10-10T09:23:13.396-04:00true & funny. really, really funny.i've been reading danny at <a href="http://www.dadgonemad.com/">dad gone mad</a> for a while now and almost always get his stuff. i do have my off days y'know. danny doesn't seem to have off days. ever. well. even his off days are documented in a way that makes you wish it had been you. sometimes.<br />go read danny's post yesterday about <a href="http://www.dadgonemad.com/2008/10/atonement.html">atonement</a> .<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-28511886770442025712008-10-09T21:26:00.003-04:002008-10-09T21:50:43.371-04:00boil.politics may be the most prominent topic on most people's minds right now. i refuse to write about it here, but trust me, i do think about it. i just get so frustrated when i listen to all the arguing, mud-slinging, and judgment calls on both sides of the so-called political aisle. i can feel my blood begin to boil. i'm not interested in my blood boiling right now.<br />so ya'll just carry right on.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-89327256397460313372008-10-08T19:40:00.003-04:002008-10-08T19:44:01.894-04:00hump dayi'm glad it's hump day, but it doesn't seem like it should be wednesday already. i have way too much stuff to get done and nowhere near the appropriate amount of time in which to do it.<br /><br />i posted a bunch of new pictures on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jadalton/">my flickr account</a> so go check 'em out if you want.<br /><br />here's looking at a long and seemingly endless weekend to come.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-39732417419062561802008-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:002008-10-07T08:00:01.092-04:00plans.for some people planning comes naturally. for others, it is a necessity, perhaps only for the preservation of their own sanity. for me, i struggle with it in many ways and in others, it is the focus of all my energy. in more plain words, i tend to be a dreamer who shies away from making responsible preparations for the future.<br /><br />this has certainly got to change.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-52597528548186077532008-10-06T08:00:00.000-04:002008-10-06T08:00:00.330-04:00strength.with each passing day, i find more strength where i least expected to find it.<br />in myself.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-16842758258813058002008-10-05T08:00:00.000-04:002008-10-05T08:00:00.507-04:00i <3 my brudderi always looked up to him.<br />i always will.<br />i always needed him.<br />i always will.<br />i always loved him.<br />i always will.<br /><br />happy birthday brother.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-8800823926935280612008-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:002008-10-04T08:00:00.829-04:0010-4.what is the message that life, the universe, God, fate, whatever seems to be sending to you today?<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-87844685983124569112008-10-03T08:00:00.000-04:002008-10-03T08:00:00.670-04:00silence.sometimes i sit in silence and listen.<br />then i realize there really isn't a silence at all.<br />the little things i don't notice are all up in the silence.<br />they just get a little rambunctious when i'm paying attention to the quiet and not the noise.<br />funny thing.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-73655132843170509272008-10-02T08:00:00.000-04:002008-10-02T08:00:00.201-04:00ponder."everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it" -- confucius<br /><br /><br />what do you think of this quote?<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-23596373875363886842008-10-01T08:00:00.001-04:002008-10-01T08:00:00.547-04:00where the hell did september go?ok i just cannot believe that september has come and gone that fast. it just isn't right. time does not necessarily fly in the presence of fun, because while fun has been had this past month, it has not been the majority activity. *sigh*<br /><br />what's in the works for your october? are you looking forward to ghosts and goblins at month's end? are you looking forward to fall festivals and fairs, not to mention cooler weather? i personally am looking forward to the day that it is chilly enough to relish a bowl of hot homemade veggie soup with a piece of cornbread (not them damn corn "muffins" the yankees seem to believe are the same thing).<br /><br />so what's your favorite thing about october?<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-23886070657162733642008-09-30T22:25:00.003-04:002008-09-30T22:37:59.432-04:00crack!so. about 2 weeks ago i twisted my foot some kinda funny way and it was hurting. pretty darn bad. but i kept on keeping on because, as you all know, i'm oh so busy. so here it is, 2 weeks later and it ain't feeling much better so i got a friend to take me to one of them there immediate care clinics--you know, not quite ER and not quite a bonafide doctor's office. well looks like i've been crunching around on a severe sprain and thus rendered it inflammed. at least it isn't a stress or hairline fracture as i was suspecting. the doc gave me permission to take aleve every 12 hours, charged me up the wazoo for a compression thing for my foot & ankle, and told me to come back in a week if it wasn't better.<br />oh and see, i've been without my vehicle because my brakes went out about the time that i eff'ed up my foot so i've been walking to the train station (1.5 miles) two times a week to go to work. i was eating tylenol rapid release tablets like they was candy. dude. i had friends pick me up at night since it was usually kind of late when i got in.<br />i go to pick up my truck tomorrow (hopefully) and part with more of my hard earned cash. (boo-hoo). i think i'm gonna start walking to the train station when the forecast is for decent weather. i can always call a friend or catch a cab if the weather is frightful or it's super scary late.<br />i've done a great deal of cleaning in the basement and some progress has been made on the "decor" of "le cottage". photographic evidence will surely follow at some point in the unforseeable future.<br />someone i love and respect so very much is having some extremely serious health issues and i hope that those few readers that i do have will keep my uncle butch in their thoughts and prayers. he needs every little bit that he can get. he's most definitely one of the good ones. that i guarantee.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-47546725655498708462008-09-22T22:34:00.004-04:002008-09-23T13:26:20.628-04:00scent-sational<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">update: so i drug all the furniture from the downstairs living room onto the patio. it looks like i'm having a garage sale or fixin' to start a big assed bon-fire! the latter of which is not such a bad idea at this point. i have figured that the source of the scent is the sofa. the chair and the chaise--not so much, but the sofa...as soon as i took it out of the living room i could tell the difference. so i've coated the sofa in as much Natures Miracle Odor & Stain Remover junk as i could (as much as i had) and then tossed on a little Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator just for safe measure. the covers for all the upholstered items have been washed and dried. they look and smell just fabulous, tyvm. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">now the problem is this: what if all that de-odorizing doesn't work? do i toss a perfectly good except for the smell sofa that goes with the chaise and chair? toss sofa, sell rest? have it professionally cleaned? have it reupholstered? good lord i don't have time for all this! someone help me! i'm drowning in stuff i don't wanna deal with!!!!! aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh......</span>......</span><br /><br />ok. i really don't like being extra sensitive to smells. especially when it smells like cat or dog piss. and especially when i cannot locate the source of said smell.<br />i've stripped all the covers from the sectional to throw in the wash. the cushions are all outside airing out. i've used nearly a full bottle of Febreze Extra-Strength on the cushions, sectional, rug, and other crap in the living room.<br />oh and reckon i should start dating again?<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-7454237783540971222008-09-17T11:14:00.004-04:002008-09-17T11:25:30.575-04:00how cats can make you do things you don't really have a strong desire to do.so, yesterday afternoon, i was working away in my new home office location when i happened to look up and look out the window. what did i see? my crazy yellow cat walking down the sidewalk to the house next door. so, naturally, i called after him through the open window (it was nice a breezy yesterday). he started walking down our driveway towards the gate, so i headed down to open the gate. he decided at the last minute he didn't want to come through the gate so i left the gate open and piddled around with the flower beds hoping he'd go ahead and come on back in the yard.<br />i ended up piddling with the flower beds for about 3 hours or more until everything had been uprooted and moved and replanted. i shit you not.<br />somewhere towards the end of the 3+ hours, petey decided he was ready to come home but couldn't for the life of him figure out how to get back into the yard from the neighbor's yard. i had to lean over the fence and pick him up by the scruff of his neck (and yes he did have to stretch a good bit towards me so i could even reach him). he was promptly locked inside the house. he sat at the french doors staring out and "meow"-ing.<br />melanie & noah came over. i haven't seen them in well over a week or more. it was so good to see them. of course, melanie was like "what the heck are you doing?!!!" she always shows up when everything looks its worse. she thinks i'm a total slob.<br />so that's how i got a whole new, cleaned up, nicer looking set of flower beds against my front fence. i have petey to thank for that :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-72718107133181180062008-08-13T23:53:00.004-04:002008-08-14T00:23:26.599-04:00karma: bitter bites or warm caresses.Boobs, Injuries, & Dr Pepper is a blog i've been reading for over a year now, maybe longer. i originally was attracted to the blog because crystal, the mama and creator of BIDP, lives in my home state of mississippi. i've learned so much from reading crystal's entries and have come to have great respect for her. recently, a bit of crazy crisis occurred over at the BIDP ranch regarding little miss mini-me of BIDP, virginia.<br />so crystal's little girl, <a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2008/08/update-and-general-crap.html">virginia has been saving all her moolah to buy her very own nintendo ds</a> and was thrilled to be able to buy something of her very own with her own money. remember how that was once upon a time? yeah, i thought so.<br />after virginia became a full-fledged, card-carrying member of the american consumer population, crystal treated the kids to <a href="http://www.redrobin.com/">Red Robin</a> up in the Memphis area. it wasn't a little deal. it was a BIG deal. money's tight for most folks these days and treating a bunch of little <strike>heathens</strike> angels is getting more and more expensive every day it seems. so anyways, they had a fairly poor experience that escalated to a great big giant circle jerk that <a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2008/08/no-not-upset-livid.html">resulted in poor virginia being entirely crushed.</a> imagine the poor child crying her eyes out and thinking only of how others were effected by HER actions. i love this kid already. that's saying a lot.<br />so anyways. crystal and the BIDP crew were <a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2008/08/pleasantly-surprised.html">pleasantly surprised</a> when the <strike>circle-jerkers</strike> restaurant people fell all over themselves to make amends of all sorts to little miss virginia and mommy crystal. they did so much that they upped the ante and really <a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2008/08/wow.html">WOW</a>ed the BIDP crew with their sincerity and commitment to their customers.<br />now, little miss virginia is wowing them right back and insists on paying <strike>back</strike> <a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2008/08/forward.html">FORWARD</a> all the kindness that she and mama crystal have received from the internets in the wake of this cruel experience. mr paul, a member of our US armed forces, sent little miss virginia a replacement nintendo ds and now little miss virginia wants to literally pay it forward by donating that nintendo ds to a deserving child. if you know of a child who deserves a brand spanking new nintendo ds, check out the link "<a href="http://boobsinjuriesanddrpepper.blogspot.com/2008/08/forward.html">FORWARD</a>" for details on how to nominate a child.<br />crystal has been through so much trauma, pain, self-defeat, and agony; yet she focused more on what she could do to help others with her story, how she could turn hell into just a little bit of heaven. it's clear that her little girl has certainly taken on her mama's sensitivity, empathy, and kindness.<br />all in all, this experience reminds me, as many experiences these days do, that karma can be a bitch or an angel. which one would you rather deal with? your answer should guide your own actions. you really DO reap what you sow.<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17130595.post-32787629374838985232008-08-10T16:08:00.002-04:002008-08-10T16:21:47.652-04:00settling.i'm sorry to say that i'm still settling into my new rental home a/k/a The Cottage and recovering from lap-band surgery. yes, you read that right. i moved into the cottage on august 1st and on august 6th, i had lap-band surgery. yesterday was a VERY uncomfortable day for me recovery wise, but i was still out and about and piddling around. i have to be doing something! today, i'm feeling much better and have been able to eat some moist pureed foods. i'll pretty much be on moist, soft foods for 5 weeks. i've already lost 15 lbs as of the day of surgery due to the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. i don't own a scale (yet) so i'm not sure where i'm at right now. my gut is bloated beyond belief due to the air that is squirt into your abdomen for the laparoscopic surgery. i'm finally fartin' & burpin' it all out after eating Gas-X Extra-Strength chewables like they were candy. whew.<br />i have promised my friends i'd take photos of the new place and all, but i have a really good excuse for not having that done. i can't find my camera. it can't be too far because there are only a few more boxes that i haven't gone through and unpacked. maybe i'll find it tonight and i'll post some stuff up for you.<br />while i haven't been hungry, i have been thinking about food and one of my flickr faves, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/splatgirl/">splatgirl</a>, has posted some scrumptious photos of recipes she's put together since taking part in her community coop garden this summer. check out <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/splatgirl/">splatgirl's photostream</a> to drool over them yourself. while you're there, check out all of her home projects. she's got the coolest house ever and she's incredibly creative. i'm in lust with her handmade bags!<div class="blogger-post-footer">feed the creature</div>jachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300145808062407196noreply@blogger.com4