Hey guys! You have no idea how excited I am to actually leave this place for a week, it's like way off but I'm dancing already! Problem is I don't know if I would want to come back, Luckily I'm going when it's cold, probably the only thing that will make me go back :)
Yogi whenever I get all the plan information do you want me to email it to you?

Hi everyone! I'm glad that you guys had a good time at the SMM. Next time, I'll be there.

Babalu, I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for Mr. Lu. I hope that his radiation treatments went well and are successful.

Oh Pip, such sad news about your aunt! And after all she and the family have had to cope with too. I'm sending you and her lots of love, and I'm glad that she is doing better. Keep us posted mate.

Yogi what does it say about you that you've got a million bizarre tales to tell? Well, it says to me that you have had such an interesting life, one filled with adventures and characters - in other words, a life lived. Not an existence. I've found all your stories interesting, some hilarious, some intriguing, some sad. You go, girl!

The IEP meeting has been put off to next week, but we still had a meeting about Big Little Aussie's upcoming school camp. The school are making some great exceptions for him, such as having him call me twice a day so that he feels safe, and organising some food that he likes etc. I really want him to go on the camp, I think it will help him to become more independent, and just have some fun. I think he will have a great time, especially if he feels safe, which I think he does now. I meet with the high school counsellor this afternoon.

Woodlock I can pretty much guess how excited you are! Good for you mate. I reckon you will have a blast in NYC! But is NYC ready for you - that is the question! Heh.

Babalu am so glad to hear that Mr Lu is doing better. And I'll bet that that had a lot to do with the care you gave him. Hugs to you both.

Because I am finding out about your plans and intentions for visiting NYC here at the Meet Market along with everyone else, I'm not quite sure what you are planning, but definitely do not make any plans without sending me an e-mail. Since we haven't exchanged e-mails in many months, I have sent you an e-mail through TwoP so that you will have my address again. Do not make any plans dependent on me without sending me an e-mail first.

I'm glad that things went well with Big Little Aussie, Aussie Girl. Camp is a wonderful idea. I'm sure he will have an excellent time there.

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt, PiP. How horrible for both her sons after so recently loosing their father. I hope that she recovers well and soon.

I love sushi! If you don't like sushi, I've got to tell you that crack is not for you.

Yogi, you got mail sweety! Belive you me I am not depending on anyone sorry if it came out that way.

Thanks for the e-mail, Woodlock. I'm glad to hear you have holiday plans so well in hand. You will have an excellent time. In fact, you probably won't want to go back. There is nothing in the world like NYC at Christmas time, I promise you. I have seen many places and beautiful sights, but every year I am again astonished by the wonder of it.

On the other hand, the RNC is not a wonderful sight. I prepare to flee as politicians and protesters converge on the city. It's going to be hell. Of course, this only makes Mr. Yogi more obstinate about staying put. No one is going to get him to leave his city, by God! What a roach he is. Ugh. Fine, I will send him good thoughts from far away.

Hee, Yogi, I did the same thing with the DNC in Boston--ran to another state for the entire length of the proceedings. Are you going hiking?

Yes, Hildy. Blissful hiking on my beloved mountain... sigh. Though I have no fiesta ware in my plans, it promises to be an excellent little holiday.

By the way, was the fiesta ware still there? Do you have juice glasses? I wonder if I could get a blue fiesta ware juice glass on E-bay.....

Well, I don't know about blue, but they have juice glasses...

yogi, you do know there's a ton of repro Fiesta ware around, don't you? They have a huge display at Field's in Mpls. Or, are you going for the real thing, which I understand because I guess they haven't put all the old colors back into circulation...

Babalu, sweetie, I'll call/email you early next week. I'm chained to the front desk at work all week, and not only do I need to be precise with my lunchtimes, but I also am barely able to complete sentences that don't involve salary ranges. Ugh.

PiP, healing thoughts to your aunt - if she made it this far, she should do alright.
On a lighter note, there are plenty of other nice Japanese dishes to try if you are stuck in a Japanese restaurant again - tempura, teriaki, soups, broiled steak, even sushi made with lovely cooked ingredients. Don't be afraid to talk to your waitstaff!

Maybe I'm nuts, but I think it's going to be a gloriously easy few days to be in NYC next week. So many of my co-workers aren't coming in, and I think tons of people will be taking vacation or working from home. I predict I will get a seat on the subway on my commute and the streets will be less crowded. Of course, I don't work near MSG and don't have to pass through it to get to work. I think it will be Jewish holiday or Good Friday level empty.

I don't know what NYC is going to be like. I imagine going through Times Square every day is going to be a pain, but I also hope so many people will leave that I won't be packed in like a sardine on the express train home. I fear work is going to be incredibly boring, especially with Labor Day following the convention. I feel like I need to drink heavily and do many other activities that would piss Republicans off while they are here.

I'm so glad that y'all are going to be there to hold down the fort, ImissEthan and DouginTx, whilst I scurry away to a more serene environment. Mr. Yogi also thinks the city will be just fine, and it probably will. I think drinking a bit more heavily may be in the cards for lots of folks DouginTx! I would imagine that the politicians and journalists, whatever their affiliation, will be imbibing a bit too.

Thanks so much for the link, Hildy, but those glasses don't look anything like my Grandpa's fiesta ware juice glasses. Maybe it wasn't fiesta ware? Anyway his glasses weren't made of glass at all. They were made of that fiesta ware ceramic, if you can imagine it. And they were painted in all the bright fiesta ware colors. I always thought the prettiest were the deep cobalt blue and the light cerrilian blue ones. The ceramic "glass" felt so nice in my hand, and it was so beautiful. It's something I will never forget, the joy of that little juice "glass". Do the ones at Marshall Fields look at all like my Grandpa's suctionprints? Or are the more like the ones that Hildy linked to.

Has anyone ever actually bought anything off E-bay? I find it a bit daunting. Are they safe with your credit card and all that?

Hmmm. Is This more like what you want? I found it under water tumblers. I think it's more in line with your description....
Oh, and I have bought many things from eBay. No trouble--it helps if you check the seller's ratings before proceeding....

I've bought things off e-bay for years, starting with toys and most recently concert tickets. Never had a problem in my dozen or so transactions. Perhaps I would be wary if the person has no selling history, but if there are hundreds of positive feedback comments on the dude, don't worry.

Yogibear I have also bought stuff through ebay without any trouble. I use paypal which is a go between company. It shows up on your credit card as a paypal account. As iMissEthan said, check the selling history. If they have mostly good reviews-then go for it.

Good luck and let us know how you did.

Yogi Bear, I bought stuff from Ebay with no problem. As Teena10242 and iMissEthan point out, the selling history is the key. Paypal is definitely the way to go. You'll have to register with them and verify your checking account and/or credit card. Make sure your seller has sold gazillion items and hasn't had negative feedback. Have a blast, and watch out - Ebay can become very addictive.

I'm staying put for the RNC. Since I live in Brooklyn and work in lower Manhattan (in other words, nowhere near MSG), hopefully it won't impact me. Looking forward to empty trains and streets, though. I figure the most noticeable thing will be, like, 20 out of shape cops per subway platform. Yep, I'm feeling safer already.



Hee! Sounds like a plan. Tie one on for me!

OhMyGosh, Hildy, that is the exact tumbler! Unfortunately, the bidding ended sometime this afternoon before I had a chance to bid. In fact, no one bid on it. I think at $39 it was a tad expensive, but what do I know. I tell you, it would make me so happy to have some juice out of a cobalt blue fiesta tumbler! Now I just need to figure out how to buy the darn thing....

I have a pay pal account for TARcon. I opened it last year and used it once then and then again this year. I have no idea how to access it unless MissDona puts in a link - heh. But I'll figure it out. Thanks for the advice, y'all.

Well from what some of you have said here, I'm glad in not in NYC right now!

We met with the high school guidance counsellor yesterday, and in the middle of that meeting we were notified that my son's teacher's aide funds review has been approved - and it's a HUGE relief to know that we won't have to fight the Education Department like we have had to several times in the past. There has been so much talk here lately about cutting back on funding for special needs kids, so we were thinking we'd have another fight on our hands. I think all the media attention about my friend's case has had a positive effect, in that the Government were intending to make huge cutbacks to funding, but with all the attention focused on autistic children and their families, decided that now was not the time. A good thing too. Whenever we took the Education Department to task, we always won, but it takes so much time and energy and meanwhile, a child has to try to cope without the help he needs.

On top of that, the high school is insisting that my son is also entitled to taxi travel to and from the school, which I had no idea of. We live pretty close to the high school, so we may not use it, but apparently we can live within 25 kilometres of the school and use it. So all in all it was a good news day.

Big Little Aussie's godmother flew into town last night - she lives about 2,000 kms away and we don't see her often. She was in transit to her mother's, so we managed to catch up for a quick dinner and it was great to see her. She's a very dear friend of ours and it's always nice to get together.

BTW, hi to Dougintx.

Yogi, try emailing the seller--they may be open to a straightahead purchase. THey also had a yellow tumbler just like that one for sale. $39 did seem a trifle high to me, too. I nearly bid on it but was put off by the price.

No, the glasses I saw were plain glass, and kind of coordinated to the Fiesta ware colors.

But click under "cups and mugs" at this site, and you'll see some repro ones for cheeeeep!

Re: buying from sellers with lots of transactions - my minimum is usually 3 transactions. If the three are glowing with praise, I'll take a shot on the seller, because everyone's gotta start somewhere. Or if a neophyte seller has a lot of good transactions as a buyer, that will also raise their estimation in my eyes.

It's youmid. But I have six ripe tomatoes waiting for me when I get home!

Oh, man, suctionprints, that sounds wonderful. Nothing like a sandwich made with good home-growns!

Oh, yes, dinner was yummy. I made an antipasto salad with cold cuts and cheese, and peppers, herbs and tomatoes from my garden, and served it alongside garlic bread made with garlic and shallots from the garden as well. Perfect for a hot, cloudy day - even better washed down with a couple of ice-cold beers. mmm. Lunch seems a long way off!

Sounds delicious, suctionprints! Say, what's the weather like in TC lately? I always loved August: wild thunderstorms (with walls of water!) followed by blue sky & sweater-weather evenings.

Yogi, I've used ebay without incident: bought some Harry Pottey books from the UK, and some electrical equipment for my son. No problems so far.

AussieGirl, what a relief to have your son's schooling details sorted out with such ease! It's always great to hear when someone has received good news!

Bwah! Exactly! I'm sure you'll be fine, AlmondEyes. And no doubt, the city will be quieter!

Cooler than normal. We haven't had 90-degree weather for ages (maybe early July). The farmers have taken a hit this year, there was frost north of the Cities last week and a lot of crops were damaged beyond help.

I like the cool weather, but it sucks that the farmers are taking losses.

I have tomorrow and Monday off from work. Four days off in a row, whee! And State Fair, here I come! We're going with a big group of friends on Saturday and MrBee's sister and brother-in-law may join us when we go on Monday.

Hi all SMMers! I thought I posted this yesterday, but I seem to have hit the "send to the ether" button rather than the "Add Reply" button...

suctionprints - no worries, mate (how's my 'strine, AussieGirl?). Just call or e-mail whenever's convenient for you.

I just finished Life of Pi, mostly based on yogi's recommendation, though my brother and my mom also recently read it. I second her opinion. Warning, though - a couple of sections are not for the queasy - if you turn away during Nature when the lion pride attacks the wildebeest, you may want to skim here and there.

Now I'm reading I Capture The Castle Dodie Smith, who also wrote The Hundred and One Dalmations - did you even know that was a book? I didn't. She owned the original Pongo. I'm barely 20 pages into it, so it's probably too early to make an unqualified recommendation, but so far it's exceedingly charming.

My fingers are rich purple - between African violet and aubergine I'd say. They're quite hideous, I don't know what possessed me.

Special hug to Ms. PiP just because.

Oh, samina - funny you should say that because it just stopped thundering. It's unseasonably cool, as it has been for most of the month.

Your Strine's great, Babalu! I think we'll make you an honourary Aussie!

Suctionprints your dinner sounded perfect! It's so great to be able to eat a meal that you have grown yourself. Not that we do a lot of that here, but in our previous house we did.

Waves to Samina - just because also!

PiP how's it going mate? Waiting to hear, and sending you lots of hugs too.

Speaking of weather, the last few days here have been quite hot. And it's still winter. I'm thinking of taking the kids to the beach on the weekend, the weather is perfect for it.

TraceyBee enjoy your four days off and the State Fair.

And everybody have a good weekend (though I guess that's a little early for you, it's Friday here, so I thought I say it anyway)!

Wow! Seems like we're getting the same weather as TC! Heavy downpours, thunder and lightning and cold! I was not expecting this weather in August! I miss the warm weather and the sun! There was also flash flooding(!) in Gresham, which is near Portland.
Well, good news about my aunt. They have lowered the percentage of use on the ventilator to 45%. They are also taking her out of sedation and checking reflexes. So far, they have found she is ticklish on the feet and her reflexes have been good. They hope to have her completely awake by tomorow. Thank all you guys for the warm thoughts and prayers!!
Oh, and remember the racoon? My neighbor, er, (how do I put this in kind words?) took care of it. So no more worries about the kitty.
TraceyBee, our state fair is starts today! I haven't been there in years...but I'm thinking about going.
Aww, lu, hugs back! By the way, your husband reminded me of a neighbor I used to have. He had a brain tumor removed and the day he got out of the hospital, he was out mowing his lawn!
Oh, and Yogi, my sister just bought DDR pads off of E-Bay. Apparently, they work great!
ETA: Hugs back, Aussie, my girl! And of course, everyone else too!!!

Hey guys!
You wanna talk weather, How about 110+ at ten o' clock at night no sign of any sort of sun around, beat that ;)
I had to esculate my very first call and my very last today heh, that's one way of starting off a day.

I'm getting in on this hugging business. Why? Just because - heh. G'day Gang at MM!

I'm packing all my cares and woes and heading out. I see lots of painting and hiking in my weeks ahead. I wish I could figure out how to paint and hike together, but the equipment always takes up so much space. Even though I have an itty bitty paint set, the paper is so bulky. If only I could figure out how to have a flat surface to work on that is portable and fits in a back pack... mmm. Probably a German has invented such a contraption. They tend to be both an outdoorsy and engineeringly efficient culture. (Sometimes I like to make up words.) I shall have to look around and see if I can find such a thingy. Perhaps on e-bay.

So I tried to e-mail the e-bay person who is selling my fiesta cup, Hildy but I couldn't find his address anywhere. Why? Because I am a stupid woman. Ugh. I think I will have to put off purchase until my brain starts working properly again. It's so pitiful.

On the other hand, I can figure out your link well, suctionprints. You always know where to find things. I think you should have a job as The Answer Lady! Whatever you need, from food to fiesta ware, Suctionprints has a source. Oh, and I really like the whole fashion entry on your blog. Very fun. I think I may have to get the book.

Great, great news about your Aunt, PiP! I'm very, very happy she is on the road to recovery. I am also very glad to hear that your cat is out of racoon peril. I feel a bit sorry for the racoon, who was, after all, only doing what comes naturally to a racoon. But c'est la vie.

I haven't read the book, but I loved the film I Capture the Castle, Babalu. Have you seen it yet? I saw it in the theatres when it first came out, and now it's on my Netflix list. I liked it a lot. Let me know how the book is. I have now recommended Life of Pi to a ridiculous number of people. I'm so glad at least you enjoyed it, Babalu.

Have fun at the fair, Tracey Bee. Bee (heh) sure to come back and report on all the weird foods you consume this year. I find it fascinating.

Congratulations on good meetings for Big Little Aussie's education, Aussie Girl. How wonderful it is to have that behind you. So, so stressful. Great news about the taxi - wow, why can't I get that going? Getting Little Yogi to school costs me a fortune.

Speaking of Little Yogi, he is very, very happy to be home again. He is tanned and much larger. My mother is distraught. She is planning on visiting the Wednesday after Labor Day. She misses him already.

ETA: Hey Woodlock. Sounds like a good day to spend in the pool with a cool Purple Jesus, or whatever the funky drink you used to drink is called!

Enjoy your retreat over the next few weeks, Yogi Bear.



Touche, Woodlock. You win that one hands down. Ouch, that sounds hot. Is that a dry heat? Oh, hell, it really doesn't matter at that temperature, does it?

Samina, I'm sure we'll all be just fine during the RNC. Maybe we'll get a new shipment of cops just out of the police academy. At least they'll be able to chase someone going faster than a turtle. Heh.

Babalu, my best to Mr. Lu. Hope he's doing well.


Tracy Bee and Pretty In Pink, the state fair sounds just lovely. Have a blast!

Suctionprints, I just had dinner about an hour ago, but your menu is making me hungry all over again.

Has anyone else been addicted to the Olympics? It's terrible; I don't watch the news, or my late night comedians, or anything. It's all Olympics, all the time. I'll have serious withdrawal after Sunday.

And Aussie Girl, the Peachy countdown is T minus 3 weeks. Yippee! Somehow that seems like a long time, and I'll be away on vacation with no access to CBS during the premiere! Boo hoo! I'll have to catch it on tape when I get back. BTW, I hate the ads featuring Stupert, who is way past his "sell by" date at this point.

PiP that's really good to hear about your aunt. Sounds like she is improving each day. Her reflexes seem good. Keep us posted on how she progresses. I remember when Mr Aussie was in an induced coma (after being hit by a bus!) and they brought him around like that. It's really weird to see the life support breathing for someone, but it keeps them still so they can heal. Thinking of you mate, and your family too.

Yogi hope you have a wonderful and peaceful (I nearly said peachful!) time. You sure deserve it, so enjoy yourself. And Little Yogi - I'm glad that he had a good time. Your mum obviously looked after him really well. Are you surprised that Little Yogi grew so much? Some days, I swear, I'll go in to wake Big Little Aussie, and I see his body taking up the entire length of the bed - it seems he's grown an inch overnight. He's already a couple of inches taller than me, at just 12 years of age. And don't get me started on his shoe size!!! Or how often he grows out of them!

Woody you poor thing! Find some air con fast mate! It was like that here in February, like being in front of a furnace. Phew! It's really starting to warm up here, but in a nice way, the chill of the winter air is gone, and the days are lovely and warm. It's only like that for a short time, before it gets unbearable.

Almond Eyes I'm sorry to say that I have not watched as much of the Olympics as I'd have liked, just highlights here and there in the last few days. It's a bit late now, with only 2 days left. Oh well... hope your Olympic withdrawal isn't too bad. (Are you like that with Survivor too?) Hee! Where are you going on vacation? No date set here for Survivor yet, so I can't even begin my Peachy countdown! No fair!

Luckily I have a/c,(Which I think you pretty much have to 'round here), but I had gone out side to dump out the kitty litter, and whoo was it torkin'. Yogi haha you remembered, you know I still have yet to have a real one.
Yay peachy, you know I've said it before but what with all the nudity this show brings, I think he should be nude all season.

Glad you have a/c, Woody. Your summer temps seem pretty similar to ours. Remember to drink plenty of water (throw in a cool Purple Jesus, if you want), but lots of water is essential.

And I've got to say ITA with your Peachy comments - that's the one thing that could improve this show, hee.

Hi! This is the first day I've had in ages...honestly, I think since mid-July...where I don't have to go anywhere or do anything. It's wonderful! And just as well since I'm recovering from a cold that never fully hit but isn't really leaving either. Bleah. So I'm catching up on TWoP in general and I'm way overdue to catch up with all of you in particular!

First off, this is extremely late, but it was so great meeting and having dinner with you, yogi and samina! Thank you for your generosity and the wine and I hope you're enjoying your CDs! We definitely have do it again in the near future!

So the play closed on Friday and it was a great experience for me. I'm kind of going through postshow letdown because it was such a wonderful and talented and fun group of people to work with and hang out with and while it'll be nice having my schedule be less hectic, I'll miss having them around on a regular basis. But our stage manager has already set up an email group for us all to keep in touch, which is cool. This was my first time working with people who were Equity and had Broadway experience and it made me feel really good that the overwhelming feedback was that I could more than hold my own, because in the beginning I felt like I was back in kindergarten! As far as the show itself, some producers did come to see it and seemed to like it, but barring that, the plan is apparently to get together to record an original cast CD of the score and use that as a marketing tool to shop it around while the book gets overhauled as that was the weakest part. As far as me, my theater company is definitely looking to move forward on my play suggestion, and the head of it is pushing me to have a one-man show written by January so we can have a one-person show minifestival with some other members, so I've been going over concepts and song selection ideas. The main thing is, I want it to be about my experiences with men, and I've been through a lot, but I don't want it to be a rant or a pity party; I want to make some serious points, but have it be fun and focus more on what I learned and got out of it, if that makes sense. Finding that right balance of tone is going to be the trickiest part.

As far as the apartment leasing job, I've given it the old college try and I (as well as my friends, family, and therapist) have decided it's time to call it a day and move on. I'm just not cut out for sales. I'm absolutely miserable and a nervous wreck and have had a series of minor breakdowns. It's not worth it. It's the emotional rollercoaster of it all that gets to me the most...the getting my hopes up when I have clients and appointments, having them sink when they cancel or disappear or find a better deal elsewhere, and being a nervous wreck wondering when I'm going to get any money coming in. The final straw was within a very short time period on Wednesday, there was this one girl who desperately needed a place for September 1 that I'd been knocking myself out trying to place for the past 2 days. Make some new appointments for her that morning and she confirms. Actual time comes and she disappears. Doesn't answer her phone, doesn't respond to my voicemails, never even emails me with an explanation. And that's pretty typical. Then I get a group email from the manager bitching us all out for lack of productivity and that if we're not at a certain level by mid-September they'll start firing us. Then the kicker? I discover to my horror that I was thisclose to charging poor Dougintx (who's been wonderful as far as helping to keep me sane through all this) a $2000+ broker fee for a place where if he went on his own, there would be no fee. (As it turns out, I arranged for him to do just that and it wasn't for him, so it's kind of a moot point, but still.)

And that's kind of the bottom line. People aren't idiots, and they can find better deals elsewhere. And I'm discovering more and more that a lot of the places where we charge a broker's fee, people wouldn't have to pay one if they went on their own through the individual management companies (which, to make matters worse, sometimes even have signs on the buildings blaring "NO FEE!!!" with their contact info), and I just can't justify asking people to pay thousands of dollars when I know they don't have to; I feel too guilty. Add to this management trying to make it about me and what I'm doing wrong and being all pissy about me doing the show, and no. Enough is enough.

So I'm going back to temping; it's demeaning in a lot of aspects, but it's guaranteed income and with me getting more back into acting will let me have greater flexibility, and I can leave the job at the office at the end of the day instead of constantly having to think and plan and get phone calls at all hours. Dougintx's friend has graciously agreed to help me overhaul my resume to better reflect my ability and experience so I can get better assignments. And I've already been in contact with one of my old agencies so hopefully I can get something soon! I'm already starting to feel more relieved, and will be even more so as soon as I start getting some actual income again!

So that's it from here, 354 chapters later! As always, hope all is well and now it'll be a lot easier for me to keep up and post!

ETA: So a part of my childhood died today, literally. Laura Branigan of "Gloria" and "Self Control" fame died of a brain aneurysm at 47. The scary thing is, her friend said she'd been complaining about headaches for the past couple weeks, but didn't see a doctor. I guess that just goes to show it's probably better to be overly cautious even when you're sure it's nothing.

Hi everyone its been a while...Last I was here I was planning to go into NYC to meet market. My sister in Baltimore called and told me that the Doctor thought her baby (3yr) had leukemia. My mother had a minor panic attack so I was elected to go down. The good news is it was just low blood cell count and the baby seems to be shiny and happy again. My sister is a bit of a...I don't know. She has never had a full time job ever. She also has only delivered pizza for a few months (otherwise she basically would not have ever worked). It is a weird situation. Last Thursday she turned 28.

So anyway, I was down there quite a bit with a computer with no internet so in my free time I think I finished Chapter IV of my dissertation (5 chapters total). We will see what the old mentor says (takes her about 3-4 weeks) but I could be getting close.

Came back and emailed you all, but I don't see it in here. It must have gone into the wild blue yonder. Is anyone going to the TAR party? I bought tickets for that and will definitely attend. I can't believe I missed my first opportunity to have a meet market.

Time is flying and I am back at school coaching field hockey (Yes I love the Olympics and am totally depressed they are over). It is really hot to say the least. I don't think I would be exaggerating to say this is the hottest it has been for kids pre-season. We are practicing on turf with no shade or breeze. Then we have to go back at night (even if it rains). School starting soon and I can work on my grant. So things are good if not really, really, really, hectic.

Hope you are all well - apologies again for missing out on the meet, it was defiantly emergency material.

Hey Ricci! Sorry to hear about the emergency, but glad it turned out OK. We were just worried that somehow we hadn't made it clear enough how to find us once you got there. And yes, I'm definitely headed to TARCon, along with several others here, so see you there!

Checked in with my one temp agency; she said it's probably going to be slow this week what with the convention, but she'll start keeping an eye out for me. I told her at first, I'm not too picky about salary just as long as I can get something coming in ASAP. I figure this will be a good week for interviewing with other agencies that were recommended to me, then, and I'll have my improved resume by tomorrow afternoon at the latest for doing so. Hopefully by then this freaking semicold will be gone! I also sent off a response and headshot to an MTV casting call looking for all types who appear 21-26 for audience members and regulars for a new game show featuring live rock bands; it sounds like it could be fun and it can't hurt, so what the hell; why not?

Hello everyone. I'm new to this MM, and have been lurking for a little while until I built up the moxie to actually post. But, you guys seem really nice, so I figured I'd say hello! My name is wasimmerdude, and I normally hang out in the Big Brother MM. I'm a rookie teacher in Los Angeles, and am envious of all of you guys from New York who can actually get together for Greek food and other fun! This season of Survivor will be my first posting along with you all, so I hope I can keep up.

I feel sort of awkward and sort of bad for jumping in with you all (basically) mid-conversation, so please forgive me! It's scary coming into an already up-and-running MM, but you seem like a welcoming group, so hopefully I won't get lost in the crowd. I'll try to add meaningful insights often, though I'll admittedly be off to a slow start. I've become addicted to these forums like crack, and I really look forward to chatting with you all from here on out.

Dodo mate, I'm so sorry that things have been so hard for you. I really thought this job would work out well. But never mind. It sounds like you have done the best thing you could in the circumstances, in applying for temp work. That job sure did keep you busy, like you said not having a full day off since July, and if there's no financial outcome, then it's not worth pursuing. At least now you'll have time to come up for air. Keep your chin up mate, and know that we all have you in our thoughts. {{{hugs}}}.

Ricci I'm glad to hear your sister's child is okay. That must have been scary. I know someone like your sister, as far as not working is concerned. My younger brother's ex has never worked a day in her life, and she's now in her mid 30's. She already had two children (whose father was dead) when my brother started going out with her, and they had two children together. For many years he supported her and all the kids. Now she's with someone else and they have a baby also. So she's lived off child support payments or welfare, or both. She's a nice person and all, but I can't help thinking she's missed out on a lot of life. I wouldn't say she's the world's best mum either, and often can't wait to turf the kids over to my brother. They share the custody of the kids 50%, yet it is he who has to pay her. Crazy times.

Hi wasimmerdude - and welcome! It's nice to have you here. You're right, there's a great group of people here. I too am envious of the NY'ers being able to get together. Anyway, don't feel awkward, jump right in - we won't bite, promise!

Welcome, wasimmerdude. I recognize your name. Don't be shy - we were all newbies once, and I remember how welcoming everyone was when I first got up my nerve to post.

Hey, TraceyBee, I'm counting on you for a gastronomic tour of the fair since Mr. Lu and I aren't going this year. What's new on a stick?

Speaking of culinary delights, we discovered an exotic new hole-in-the-wall place right here in our midwestern suburb. It made me feel exactly like I was in Hawai'i - they have just a handful of entrees, such as satay, Indian and Malay curries, chow fun, etc., and a pastry case full of things like buns with sweet bean curd. Their drinks are even more unusual - chrysanthemum tea, papaya extract, and just in case I'm feeling extra nostalgic (!) basil seed juice.

The Last Dodo - sorry things didn't work out, but I'm glad you came to that conclusion sooner rather than later and didn't waste any more time. And I hope this is just the beginning of your exciting life as an [Jon Lovitz voice]ACTOR[/end JL voice].

Glad to see you back, too, Ricci, and VERY glad things are ok with the family.

Hey, wasimmerdude! I'm on the west coast too, and very envious of those darn NYCers! (But I love them just the same.)

Crack as in the drug, or the TraceyBee kind? Lol.
More later. Very busy.

Hiya everyone, special hi and welcome to Wasimmerdude, this is defitnely a good place to be!

Oh i dyed my hair last night it's sort of a honey brownish color, if I knew how to work those confounded whachamacallits like digital cameras I'd be happy :)

Oh and I made the misstake into going into Hot Topic again today this time I got out with a happy bunny t-shirt and it's actually in boy sizes, cause baby doll shirts, while cute look strange on boys heh, and a happy bunny purse for halloween, or you know whenver I don't fell like puttin' shit in my pockets, a happy bunny lip gloss with grape flavor, not that I was going with a theme or anything.
but oh my God! There was this hot guy in there looking at me, and we ended up stalking each other through out the mall, but niether one of us said anything, I could kick myself, but I going to the mall alot now to see if I can find him again.

Last Dodo, that MTV thing does sound fun. Be honest, do you think I can pull off 21-26? If so could you send me the info on where to send headshots?

Wasimmerdude, you are welcome to jump in any time.

Very stressful at work right now, not a lot of time to post. In less than two weeks is our corporate dealer meeting in Las Vegas, which my boss will be attending, and she is in a frenzy of screaming at vendors for not making deadlines and obsessing about details around here. Gah. And that? is why I will never be a manager.

Dodo, good choice on the job front, I hope you find something really soon to tide you over.

Woodlock, you crack me up. If you don't talk to this guy at the mall next time you see him, we will have to come down there and make you be social. And you do not want a bunch of MMers following you around the mall now, do you?

Lu, we will definitely have to visit this tropical place next time I am up to visit you - sounds fun!

Heh. I remember back in Chicago in college dragging practically every friend I had to Leona's for a series of successive dinners because I swore this one waiter was checking me out...or suddenly doing all my homework at Cafe Voltaire every night so I could see this one server again...neither one worked out, but at least I singlehandedly kept the service industry alive!


Go for it! Here's the info.

Tempura-battered, deep-fried corn on the cob and deep-fried Reubens. The former is very good indeed, the batter is nice and light and just adds a little crispness to the ear of corn. I didn't try the Reuben, but the line for them was insane (I was at the next booth getting deep-fried dill pickle chips, the Cajun style ones with hot sauce).

There are also some other new things on a stick, like a little kabob with five or six cubes of different cheeses, but that kind of edged towards being healthy or something.

For those of you playing at home, here's list of tasty Fair treats I have consumed so far this year (I've been to the Fair twice, last Saturday and yesterday, and plan to go once more):

- Deep-fried Snickers
- Pronto Pup (a corn dog, for you non-Minnesotans)
- ice cream sundae with blueberries
- Spam on a bun (the Spam folks were giving out free samples)
- mini donuts
- deep-fried dill pickle chips
- deep-fried corn on the cob
- roasted corn on the cob
- bull bites (little beef tips with spicy seasonings)

It's kind of amazing I'm still alive, isn't it?

ETA: Hi, wassimerdude, welcome!

Heh, I have Happy Bunny Mints that have "POISON" on the cover of the tin, and then that's crossed off and "Mints for Frend(sic)" is written underneath. Hee.

Tracey, yum! Tempura corn sounds like a rustic corn fritter... Hey, Axsel's in Roseville makes bull bites, and they totally rock - great with a cocktail. We're probably not going, but I always like to get dessert and then go over to the "all you can drink" milk booth. Mmmm.

I forgot to tell you this, but my friend came over last week with a beet quiche! He had too many beets from his gardenshare. So he made 4 quiches, ate 1, froze 2 and gave one to me. It was yummy - it had feta cheese in it and cream. He accidently put in too many beets, but you know, I don't think there is a thing as "too many beets". He said he got the recipe from Gourmet.

Just jump in wdude - we're friendly!

suction, I got the bull bites at the Axsel's stand - I guess it's the same place? They're the ones selling the new battered corn, too.

ETA: Eeeee! I forgot to mention the deep-fried Oreos in my post above.

Hi all! I'm back...until Thursday...and realized I hadn't checked in, I don't think. Trip was v. good but very exhausting. Labor in exchange for food & upkeep, I guess.

TraceyBee, I think I just clogged an artery looking at that list, yet now I'm hungry....

PIP & Ricci, sorry for the recent health scares & issues with familia.

Wasimmerdude, welcome, yo! It is a friendly group. School's now in full session for you, or are you still pulling stuff together for your kids?

Hi Wassimmerdude what kind of teacher will you be? I was a history teacher (9th grade) but I now Direct community service programs and internships. Great to meet another teacher that is addicted to the TWOP Boards.

Last Dodo you are younger than 26! I wouldn't have guessed from you mature posts! Wow! Good luck with the MTV thing.

Re: My sister. Yeah what a nut. Can you imagine not working? Ever? Here I am finishing up my Ph.D and she is just hanging around talking about Jerry Springer. Am I whining? Yes I am! This Friday I have a scrimmage (at N. Hunterdon Samina, by you) and it will be the first one my mother ever came to! This is my 8th year coaching and my 9th year at the school (which is all of 50 minutes from my mom) but she has never come to see me in action. Clearly grandchildren trump all.

Thanks for listening to the big whine. I will be happier later after I get my nap.