Oh hildy, I'm bursting out of my shirt (as I'm bloated). Excuse? "Oh, I'd never seen a proposal."

I'm sorry, wha??? This needed to be done at 7 pm? Fart on that.

Thing is, none of our computers require passwords to login because we are so small & not networked so there are emergencies when someone is out and we need XYZ budget. However, mine is now protected. Ha. Bleeeppp.

First of all, welcome to JDG! I've never actually been to one of those murder mystery weekends, but I have been to brunch at a restaurant that was also hosting the denouement of such a weekend. It did add some extra value to my eggs Benedict, I'll say that. Tell us how it goes! Also, what kind of an old house? I have a dream of living in a rambley old farmhouse in the country, with lots of land and many efficient servants who look like Colin Firth. Whether they are shirtless or not remains to be determined
and ska? that coworker is beyond ridiculous. Do you think she's snooping around on your computer trying to collect dirt on you or something equally nefarious, or is she just being stupid? Still dumsquizzled over here...

If it's dirt, she is barking up the wrong computer as I'm the "IT" department. And if she tries shit, she best watch herself as we sit next to each other --- and truly, she just opened a bunch of random proposals. Nothing too shocking (and I don't think there's anything in my email...)

I honestly think she's just that stupid.

JDG that sounds like fun. Real life Clue!

I fired a woman for going through my desk and snooping on my computer, skagirl. That co-worker's behavior is completely unacceptable. Have you thought of talking to your boss? Maybe after you feel calm and have thought it all out, you might want to consider the "I thought you would like to know" conversation. I would want to know if someone was snooping around the office at 7 PM. Is that a normal time for her to be working at the office? I think her behavior is very odd. Plus, she is as dumb as dirt. Couldn't she cover her tracks better than that?

Hey, JDG! A murder mystery weekend sounds so intriguing - I've always wanted to do that. I love mysteries - Elizabeth Peters, Martha Grimes, Janet Evanovich, and Sue Grafton, just to name a few of my favorites. I doubt I would do well at guessing the murderer however. I usually get caught up in the story and don't even speculate. I am a character driven mystery reader.

....a moment to dream of shirtless Ranger....



You are nothing if not consistent, Hildy! And by the way - you only have a window air conditioner!? Everyone must be going shirtless at Casa de Hildy.

Unfortunatly, I had to cancel the mystery weekend. Turns out the cost was per night, not for the weekend, and frankly, at that price, we could go to the Hershey Spa and I could take a bath in chocolate. But we won't, because we don't have that kind of money, since we just bought a 150 year old Brick 3 story house in the country. While I long for shirtless handsome effiecient servents, it is just my husband and I. He likes to go out and play in the mud, and since we have 10 foot ceilings, and I am short with a bad back, we haven't finished painting the first floor. I pray for bad weather, so he will work inside with me.

So I will not be solving crimes this weekend. Any other suggestions? We need a break from our house, and since we have lived in this area (for 1 1/2 years, renting the first year) we have not made friends, so interactions with others would be good. How do childless adults make friends when they move someplace new? I am younger then most of my co-workers (I am 35, and they consider me a baby) so that hasn't worked out. I guess when I have kids I will meet them at playgroup.

For now, my new best friend is Tivo, which my husband gave me for chirstmas. It is wonderful. I can do a search on, for example "Probst" and it will give me a list of any shows he will be on, and will tape them for me. He thinks it will make me watch less (but better, more efficient) TV, but it hasn't happened yet. It is too much fun.

I think the best way to meet new friends is to take a class, JDG. There are always community classes offered around places. Try the local library - that's a good place to start. Or maybe a reading at a local book store. Yoga class is a wonderful place to meet nice people. Start with a gentle class to meet some gentle souls - and as a special added plus, it will help your back.

You know it's odd, but I have friends of just about every age. One day I'm at lunch with a dear friend in her seventies, one day with a dear friend in her early twenties. I've always been like that. Maybe one of those nice folks at work warrants a second look? Just today, a lovely lady in her eighties who has friends all over the globe told me she wants us to go to lunch and see a Wednesday matinee. I said "I would love to!" She's a pip. (I love that word.)

If that doesn't work, how does your husband look shirtless? Anything like Colin Firth? You'd get Hildy at your house in a New York minute for coffee if she saw a Colin Firth look alike playing in the mud somewhere. And if he's more like Jude Law? Well, that would work too!

Aw Yogi, you could never be anything but warm and fuzzy! You're Yogi!

Raen, it's hot as blazes up here, speaking of shirtless, everyone - men, women and children are walking around mostly in various stages of undress. It's just too bloody hot for clothes. Too hot to live.

Ska, I hope you're feeling better - kick her up the arse, as we are wont to say here.

Hello to JDG - here comes the Judge! Welcome! It's nice to have another septic tank on board! Ha!!!

Aussie girl I avoided discussing the word Seppo because [shhh]One third of the HoPs and Ms Alli are, you know American, and I am much about the love but also all about the fear, so I didn't want to bring up the fact that we nickname them after inferior toilet systems which may or may not contain shit.[/shhh]

It should be hastily brought up that the term is Cockney rhyming slang, brought to this place by the Poms.

raen, laughing my head off!!! You're right, let's blame it on the Poms!

Here comes raen, bringing in the diplomacy from Down Under. So now I shudder to think what the answer might be, but I must ask (I'm brave like that.) What the heck is a Pom?



Thanks, Aussie Girl. I feel better now!

How did I miss seeing Zron's post from earlier today? The fabulous gentleman that navigated the waters of TARcon with such finesse? The husband of the lovely and charming Mrs. Zron, sharer of nachos? Your perspective is most welcome.

I believe a Pom is an Englishperson, but I'm not positive.
And shirtless Ranger? Oh. My. Perhaps I need to go switch on my air conditioner after all. I love those books, and you're right, Yogi, Pip is a great word.
Also, now that I think of it, the thought of shirtless Morelli is also very heat-inducing.
Oh, and I went and saw those Peachy Pictures, that was good fun! And then wasted about 45 minutes reading through a thread at another site where an S7 production assistant was spouting off. Fascinating.
What? Yes, I am procrastinating again. Just be thankful I haven't tried to build Survivor Parcheesi this time around.

Yeah, pom is Aussie slang for English, there are several "legends" about why, one of them is that the side of the ships bringing prisoners from England had Prisoners Of Mother England, so POM(E) written on them.

But I don't know for sure. We often say Pommy more than we ever say Seppo.



Yeah I love it when TARflies post because I've usually seen their mug at missdonna's TARCon photo site and that makes it more fun.

Hildy I read that site too (I think) with Deana and Christa posting. That was cool.

Your post inspired me to meander over to the TARflies Times; I haven't been there in months. (What! I really don't want to write this story!) But it reminded me that Zron's diary of a greeter was hilarious each and every time.

And yeah, Deena and Christa were posting on that thread, too. They really would be better off here, chatting about semi-naked men instead.

--or maybe other Survivor past contestants could just get semi naked and chat. Hmm I think I may have just crossed a line. Bad raen! Bad!

I feel like I'm budging my (half Canuck, half Pom - the *shame*) self in here, but just wanted to ask for a link to the thread (on another board???) with the S7 production member blabbing. Also...the Peachy pics? Can we have a link? Or should I just e-mail you?

And you 'strines (oh god did I get that right?) complaining about the heat? I have no water 'cause my water pipes are frozen. It is shiveringly cold here in beautiful BC, and I dream of 40C heat. Um, OK - I dream of 26C heat.
And on the subject of nationality - are you all trying to take over my country starting with the ski hills, or what? I can't get anywhere near a hill without being surrounded by big tanned friendly people speaking like the Crocodile Huntah.

raen - I was going to make a crack about a Barclay's, but I won't, and if there are any Brits in here, *please* don't spell that one out.

Oh, raen, we all crossed that line long ago around here. We can't put more than two posts together without taking someone's shirt off. It's sort of the Survivor Meet Market hobby. Maybe it is from seeing all those Pearl Islands Survivors in various states of nekkidness?

And thanks for the translation - it's most helpful. Maybe one day I will be fluent enough in Aussie to avoid being called a tank filled with waste products were I to ever visit. I can't help but find that a bit depressing.

Are you a Morelli or a Ranger girl, Hildy? I believe both have been scruffy and shirtless from time to time. And may I add that you have taken procrastination to great heights. You, Ms. Hildy, are a pip!



Who wouldn't?

CheekyLotusEatr I sent an email with the address of the thread at the other forum. Just erring on the side of linking caution because I'm not exactly sure if Miss Alli wants us linking to other fora.

They are pimping ASS here like crazy. (*snerk* pimping ass.)

Yeah raen I'm not sure either about linking up things - I don't want to incur Miss Alli's wrath - but anyway, if anyone wants to see pics of a mostly naked Peachy, email me, or if it's alright to post the address here, I will.

CheekyLotusEatr, get it right! "Strine" is the word we use for the language we speak - Straiiileeeean - and that is shortened to Strine. But we're not Strines, we're Aussies (or as I said before, Ozzies to you). Here's one for all you septics to work out: emma chisit? Answer tomorrow.

And just for anyone thinking I'm being perhaps disrespectful calling you septics etc, don't worry, I'm married to a man from Montana, and that makes my kids half-septics! Oh my God.......!!!! Seriously, Aussies take the mickey out of all foreigners, nothing personal you know!

Sorry you're having so much trouble heading for the hills, Cheeky, with so many Aussies there. We could do with a bit of your cold right now. By the way, please enlighten me as to what (or who) a Barclay is. A cigarette? A bank? Am I even close?

Raen I've yet to see the ASS ad here, but I guess once the names of the contestants are given out, which I think I heard will be done on the 11th, we'll no doubt be seeing the promos building up to the great event itself.

Are you interstate from me? Channel Nine Sydney has had the ad in pretty high rotation.

Can't help with a Barclay's either, I assumed I was (hee) a real drongo for not knowing so I kept my yap shut, or that it is a Pommie expression. Barclay's bank etc? Ooh maybe that's another rhyme for yank.

Damnit. Well whats an "ocker" then? And why must your slang be so confusing? Hosers. :)

"emma chisit" = "how much is it"? That is my guess. Or is it something filthy?

Um...as to Barclay's, it is rhyming slang, that is all I'm gonna say. Raen is close. And that really is all I'm gonna say lest I get booted out of here for obscenity.

Aussiegirl - No problem with the Aussies here - our countries share a great tradition. The imbibing of large amounts of beer.

Raen - I am off to check out Jeffy sans shirt. Wooooo! (yep, I'm sad) Thanks!

Aussies - read this: http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0...5E13780,00.html

Woah! I wish I could be the rightful King (I mean Queen). Oh well.

oooh I just worked out that Bank doesn't only rhyme with yank! Heh.

You're right about emmachisit.

An Ocker is someone who is overexaggerated in their Australianess. Good examples are Steve Irwin, Paul Hogan and Russell Crowe.

Steve Irwin would be a perfect example if he drank more beer, watched more cricket and went down the pub more often.

Morelli or Ranger--that's like asking whether I prefer Veuve Clicquot or Dom Perignon! To be honest, I'm rooting for Morelli because, well, Ranger's not really a candidate for a solid longterm relationship. That said, Ranger is just my cup of hotness tea and I'm always happy to see him arrive on the scene.
Also, I am undoubtedly very dim, but I still haven't figured out Barclays.

And cheeky, where do you generally ski? I want to torture myself here.

Also, a 3 story brick antique house in the country? Be still my heart, JDG. I don't suppose any neighbors look like Colin Firth?

CheekyLotusEatr, did y'all up there in BC get the day-of-snow-followed-by-rain-both-freezing-cold double whammy we just got hit with down here in Washington? I like snow, but this sucks. It looks like REI or MEC exploded inside my office, there are so many people in hiking boots and wool sweaters.

On the plus side, it was actually warmer last night than it has been recently, so that's good. Also I made a big pot of spiced apple cider last night, which was tasty.

ETA: Ranger. Gotta be Ranger.

I'm totally with you, Jennblevins. Ranger is just my cup of hot tea! Yes, it's true Morelli would make a better long term partner for Stephanie, but that's not what I tune into my Plum mysteries for. I hope Stephanie remains forever young, Ranger forever hot, and Grandma forever nuts.

Are you still procrastinating, Hildy?

I just did two hours of yoga. Yeah me. I haven't been very good about my practice lately (my son had some difficulties that kept my attention these last few months,) and the teacher had me demonstrate a back bend. She said "you do these all the time, why don't you demonstrate." I was thinking OH MY HECK. Will my body remember? Can I still do it? I went right up. Without even a grunt or a hard breath. Yeah for my old body. Sometimes it really comes through! I used a "launching pad" to get up into my shoulder stand though. That was the reward.

yogi, yay for muscle memory. Wish I could get that back for my ice skating practice. I've been doing far too much hugging the boards for my taste.

I might be dim here, but who are Morelli, Ranger and Stephanie? Will I like them? Are they semi-clothed?

Going back to a conversation from yesterday (internet was down at work today) about making friends as an adult: Yogi, I did take a yoga class last year, it was good physically, but not socially. I do practice at home some. I do need to see if I can find a class that is closer to home, otherwise I may go back. I do need to look into other classes. book clubs and such, available. Tonight my husband (he's the political one) signed us up to go work on the Dean campaign, in hopes that would help us find some liberal friends in this conservative area.

Actually, I do, too. Just not here. I think the thing with my coworkers isn't their age, but that they are all from here, and have their family and circle of friends, and busy lives. I certainly get along with them well at work, eat lunch, hang out and so on. But not outside of work.

Thanks to a recent change in diet, and lots of work around the new house, he is looking better. We were homeless for 2 months before we could close on the house, and lived in an Inn, and ate out every night. And put on lots of weight.

Morelli, Ranger, and Stephanie are characters in Janet Evanovich's mystery novels, To The Nines being the most recent. (Does the series have a name other than "The Stephanie Plum books"?) The books are mainly about Stephanie; Ranger and Morelli are the men in her life. And, yes, they're semi-clothed pretty much at least once a book. Whether you like them or not depends on your taste in books (they're pretty much funny fluff), but I like them!

Yeah, who are these Morelli and Ranger persons?

Cheeky you got it right - how much is it? And thanks for the article on the true King. I reckon he'd make a much better monarch than staid old Lizzy.

Raen, I'm in Brisbane. Still waiting to see some promos, though my son did see one a couple of weeks ago.

Jennblevins' description is perfect. And - Oh, suctionprints, I promise you will LURVE them. They are funny, funny, funny. Hilarious characters. Plus filled with incredibly sexy men. Morelli and Ranger are the material great fantasy is made of. If you are good with books, I have a bunch in paperbacks I could let you borrow, if you're interested.

Well, JDG because I know you are lovely, I'm sure that it's just a matter of time. When I want to make a change in my life, I often make an intention. An intention becomes more powerful when you write it down (which you did here) and when you speak it out loud to either friends or to yourself before a yoga practice or meditation. It's very powerful. And I send you lots of karmic goodness and a homebaked cookie to make it so!



I used to love to ice skate, but I haven't been in many, many years. Yikes! How long do those muscles remember? It would be fun to take a turn around Wolman Rink. I pass it every day on my walk to work and back.

I agree, Morelli and Ranger are wonderful fantasy characters, and the books are laugh-out-loud funny. I tore through them in about a week, and I was chuckling so much my husband got curious and he read them all, too. There are 9 of them (Each has a number in the title--ie, One for the Money, Two for the Dough, etc., etc.), not including the Christmas novel "Visions of Sugar Plums," which is actually rather important to read as there's a plot twist in there that carries over to the next book (To the Nines.)
Yogi, good for you for the yoga! I will state my intention right here of losing weight and getting in shape by June, as I have a college reunion to attend. Vanity is a powerful motivator, I tell you.
I went ice skating just a couple weeks ago, as we live on a pond. It's like riding a bicycle. In fact, I even wear a helmet. I figure the ice is a lot harder than the ground is, and I wear a helmet inline skating, so why not in winter, too?
OH, and no, not procrastinating any more. Finished the more vital deadlines, and the others aren't looming quite so ominously.....

You go girl! I'll stock the pic-i-nic basket with low-fat, low-calorie cookies just for you.

I want to see Calendar Girls this weekend. I love the Calendar, and I like the idea of women over a certain age and body fat percentage being considered sexy. I hope it's good.

PS Can I just say I can hardly sit up my abs are so sore from doing two hours of backbend series yoga after sluffing off on my daily practice. Who knew those abs were so important in the little things like getting in and out of bed?

ETA that I didn't read Visions of Sugarplums. Now I must order it from Amazon immediately. How could I miss a plot twist?

Yogi, have you read To the Nines? Didn't you wonder how Stephanie's sister landed in her situation there?
and good juju to your abs. At least you have some!

What I love is that the rightful king is a republican (I don’t mean US politician type Republican – I mean monarch-hating republican). Wooo! I’m a republican too, and I was so disappointed when you Aussies didn’t kick her out on her royal butt…we don’t even have the b***s to have a referendum. Sigh I hope the guy hires some lawyers and goes after what’s his – this is a great story because it seems like he really does have a historically accurate claim to the throne.

Hildy: Raen is spelling it out for you!! C’mon! As for skiing – well, prepare to weep. My sis works as an instructor at Whistler/Blackcomb, so I often get cheapie deals on day passes. I am about 2 hours from Whistler (which is not a long distance here) – I also spend a lot of time at Silverstar, Mt Washington, Sun Peaks, various Rockies slopes etc. Right now, I would trade you some good skiing for some Aussie heat and sunshine.

Jennblevins – Argh! Yes, it is slushy and wet and raining and horrible up here, too. I go to university in Montreal so snow is not. welcome. here. in BC. Everyone is hiding timidly in their houses because no one here knows how to deal with actual frozen white stuff falling from the sky. And you have MEC there?! I thought it was Canada only…you lucky duckys. Everyone here is pretty MEC’ed out the whole time anyway, I seriously live in hemp-wearing, granola-munchin’ central. The Gulf Islands. :)

AussieGirl – You’re in Brisbane…? You mean, like, near the…beaches? With the…sunshine? Argh. Want to trade one big cold snowy mountain for one sunny, warm beach?

I did wonder about Stephanie's sister! But I chalked it up to some sort of fictional inconsistency, Plum insanity, or perhaps my increasingly failing memory. Since I missed that, I'll just have to read the whole series again in order - heh.

I had no idea that abs could hurt so bad - it seems like I can do usually do an awful lot of exercise without getting sore at my core. I can feel every single muscle shape. Now I wish I didn't have the darn things! And then my shoulders. Who knew that typing on the computer did nothing to strengthen your core or build upper body strength? And my gosh, all that decorating and undecorating for Christmas should have done something. And what about the repeated raising and lowering of glasses of Christmas cheer. That should have built some nice strength in my biceps at least. When next I see Santa, I'm giving him a talking to.

I have never skied, so I have no snow jealousy. I broke my back when I was young, and I just never felt comfortable taking the risk. But generally, I don't enjoy winter sports that much. I like to be warm. I think the only winter sport I ever enjoyed was ice skating, which I loved doing on the ponds in our neighborhood. I go to ski places in the summer - it's so fun in the off season to hike in the mountains. That's my favorite activity.

I hope skagirl didn't get eaten by her marauding co-worker...

Cheeky, Sadly, I can't trade you for the Ozzie sun and beaches, b/c I'm in New ENgland, and just as cold and miserable as you are. Well, actually, not miserable, as I'm very strange and enjoy the winter. That said--two hours from Whistler? Chartreuse with envy over here. I have got to get Mr. Hildy out of his city job so that we can move further North.
Yogi, besides the plot twist, there's another, new, hot character in Visions of Sugar Plums. I think I have a copy lying around if you'd like to borrow it. (I'm not positive, b/c my parents are currently reading the Plum books and they might have them.) But I'd be happy to check.

No eating of me! Just trying to do "work." Ahem. Right.

I love skating...I skated for real like from 2 - 13. Didn't touch the ice again until college, and found my footing quite easily even though the particular ice hadn't seen a zamboni in weeks & I had crappy rental skates. Even learned a few years back that I could skate in front of clients (and may or may not have been slightly buzzed by the stuff that our former Pres didn't inhale.) Want to go again this year...it's invigorating. I also want to ski before I turn 30.

OMG. My heart just skipped a beat. I've never set a goal for "30"...I need to go lie down...

I'm getting in shape & losing weight...let my cute tight partybody from college turn into lazy Americanski body. Motivating factors: family conditions & a wedding in July - the first I'll be serving in, with a guaranteed minimum of 2 exes in attendance. Already got 2 satisfactory workouts in (not killing self, just getting endurance up to finally try new things & then add the weights which I find easy to do & very necessary once I'm into it again), let myself off last night due to the weather & giving my muscles a rest, and eating well. OK, gotta fix something.

CheekyLotusEatr - nope, no MEC here. But Mr. Blevins is Canadian, so I am well-versed in the art of phrasing things differently depending on which set of parents I'm talking to. I imagine the end look of an exploding REI or MEC would be the same, apart from the labels. (-:

(Mr. Blevins in not much of a camper so, humorously enough, I had to explain to him what MEC is!)

Thankfully, it has warmed up here, and most of the snow is gone.

I would love to borrow, if you have a copy, Hildy. Send me an e-mail if you find a copy, and I'll give you my address. I think it's hilarious you have the whole family reading the series.

Glad to hear that you are safe from the nasty co-worker, skagirl. And I agree that moderation in the key to a work out program that you can stick to after the glow of the new year has worn off. Now if only I could practice some moderation. In something. Anything. Except Survivor that is. When is the new season starting? It seems to be taking forever. I am becoming very eager.

For cheekylotuseatr, the best I can do is a cyber trip to my neck of the woods.

Hope it cures some of the longing for the beach.

raen's neighbourhood

Yes Cheeky, I'd trade with you in a minute! I usually love the hot weather, but this is ridiculous. Yesterday the mercury topped the 40 degrees Celsius mark. Turned the tap on the get some water and it came out hot enough to use to make a cup of coffee. Had to run it for two minutes to cool it off. The kids ended up in the yard with the hose on them. And can you believe it - my lipstick melted! A soft, gooey mess. Finally, finally, the storm hit - the first few drops hit the hot road and steamed it up! And boy what a storm - hail, wind, rain - for the first time in days everyone had grins on their faces to know that things were cooling off.

Yes, I'm in Brisbane, the nearest beach is about 40 mins away. After having lived right on the beach for the previous 10 years, it's strange to have to drive so far to get to one, rather than a very short walk. The beach where I used to live is beautiful, pristine really, white sand and rolling surf, and many times only a handful of people on it, for miles and miles (or should that be kilometres?) in either direction.

And Cheeky, re the republican thing - I think the reason people voted against it in the referendum here was that the politicians wanted to choose who would get the top job, rather than the people. Politicians in this country are pretty much distrusted in this country, much more so than in the US, and people said, "stuff you lot", so I guess until the rules of the game change, we'll stick with what we've got. I certainly am for it, but not if the pollies get to choose for us.

Anyway, got to go buy me a new lipstick...!

The Queensland beaches are far superior to the city ones in NSW, our breaches are lovely but crowded and the sand isn't white. And it's lots less fine too. It'll do, though at a pinch.

AuusieGirl, you know it's a really hot day when the tar starts to melt between the cracks in the footpath. That's always been my it's too damn hot litmus test.

Trying…not…to…hate…raen…and…Aussiegirl…
I might be coming to visit Aussie-tralia this year. I have always wanted to. It’s just so damned far away. And I actually read up a bit on your referendum (we looove referendums in this country) and it did seem the question was a bit loaded/spiked. Get ‘em next time.

Hildy – you want to move further north? Are you nuts? Kidding! I hate cold weather/winter with a passion. I shoulda been born on St Kitts and not the country that’s mostly Arctic. Have you been to Whistler? The skiing is…pristine…but the rest of it is…meh. Unless you enjoy paying $20 for a burger and being surrounded by snotballs in Chanel ski gear. Where are you? My bf grew up in Boston…he’s always raving about it.

Jennblevins – You will need to inform your husband that he is confused about his nationality. No Canadian doesn’t know what MEC is! For shame! Hee. I am not totally outdoorsy either, so sometimes I feel left out when everyone is heading off into the mountains with huge packs on their backs. But then I just remind myself that I won’t be lugging around a huge pack waiting to be eaten by a grizzly for the next week or so, and I feel better. My bf always says that if we get married we will be ‘Cananks’ (Canuck + Yank) – your husband already is one. Our snow is gone too, thank you sweet lord. All is damp and misty and green again.

Thanks for the link to your space, raen – I will go and thoroughly check that site out in a bit (I looked at the pics already). It looks beautiful. Really beautiful. A lot like here, actually, except minus mountains and plus extreme heat. I’ve always sort of thought that Canada and Australia had a lot in common. Big. Not too many people. Bossed around by England. Etc. Here is a little link to pics of my home: http://www.vancouverisland.com/PhotoGallery/ (you have to click on the small pic at the top left and then you see the slideshow)

And who said they were worried by how much they’re looking forward to ASS? I don’t think I’ve ever hankered after a frickin *TV show* this way before. It’s beyond sad. I get teary when I think of Jeffy.

That is such a beautiful place, America is such a beautiful country!

Here in NSW the larger beer size is called a schooner. I'd love to live in Schooner Bay!

AussieGirl, I visited Brisbane once, and thought it was lovely. I was there in July, and the weather was very pleasant; it seemed like a great city. I have fond memories of seeing a kookaburra that let me get very, very close.

I loved Australia. I wanna go back!

Sort of like swimming in beer, or my favorite, taking a bath in champagne. MMM.

Speaking of baths (one of my favorite subjects,) I had a nice winter time treatment yesterday - a honey wrap with a milk bath with orange slices. You are covered in honey (who knew it makes your skin-so-soft?) and wrapped in stuff to keep you warm. Then, you jump in a tub full of milk with orange slices, and the honey disolves leaving you with lovely soft skin and yummy smells. I think it could possibly replicated at home, without the wrap, perhaps. You use powdered milk, so no need for dozens of trips to the convenience store. The milk and honey treatment - bath of the gods - and great for your skin too!

It's nice to see you, Tracey Bee. I bet you're dreaming of warmer weather. You must be cold and snowy right now.

I spoke with a friend yesterday who lives in San Diego. It's literally freezing there at night (below 30 degrees.) She casually mentioned that she is so happy to be getting heat this weekend. No, her heat is not out. She doesn't have heat. Or air conditioning either. When I asked her if it was difficult to sleep at night in the summer, she said "Oh no, we have a wonderful tree that shades our house, so it stays nice and cool. San Diego gets over a hundred degrees regularly in the summer - I know I've complained through it enough! I was absolutely humbled. She's a single working mother with three children, one who has special needs, no heat, no air conditioning, and I've never heard her complain. Ack. I think it's because she's originally from Iowa. Sturdy midwestern stock or something.

Hi, yogi! Well, it's cold but not snowy. We had some brisk weather earlier this week - temperatures below zero - but no snow. There's a bit of the lovely white stuff left from before Christmas, but not much. *sigh* See, I like winter. I'm the one you hear whining about the heat and humidity all summer long.

Australia is so beautiful, I wouldn't care if I had to live in Porpoise Spit![/Muriel's Wedding reference]

Back to my favorite topic...so psycho coworker has been flipping out about some application for some fellow and there has been all sorts of drama. Long story short, frankly, I don't give a damn. Anyhoo, she's bitching and moaning about tabs and this and that. She's like, "I just don't get this. It's so different, my generation didn't learn these things."

I stop and say, "excuse me?"

"Yea, like we didn't learn this, and I didn't have my first computer until college (i didn't have my first one until I was a second semester sophomore, but), and in law school I didn't learn. I never even took a computer cllass and never learned how to do this, waaa!"

So I walk her through getting rid of tabs, and for the millionth time, tell her to change the view on her screen from page layout to normal.

Guess how old she is to be from a "different generation"? (hint: I am 26, and she was born three years before me). I'm frickin' glad it's the wekeend.

And I'm over the cold...I can't believe how sunny & FRIGID it is here today. Brrrr.....

Frigid. *Snerk*

There are bushfires north of me and when I got up this morning it was really smokey and I've had a sore throat and a cough. It has dissapated quite a bit now. My eyes are even sore.

Apparently some part of the Pittwater area is on fire, it's a really beautiful natural area so that kinda sucks. I guess it's to be expected, the areas around this city burn every damn summer. I was hoping because we'd had so much rain early in the summer that we might get away with it this summer.

It's dried out so much over the last 3 weeks and becuase of the drought we have very strict water restrictions. Not sure how that will work if the fires come too close to houses on the edge of bushland, bercause the owners normally hose down the gutters and the outside of the house to try and avoid any stray sparks catching alight.

Co-worker is so dumb she has grass growing out of her head. (dirt for brains - colorful southern expression.) It all sounds so exasperating. I would put orange traffic cones around my desk and call it a drama free zone, skagirl.

I was in San Diego during the fires this year. It's chilling to see those black clouds and wonder if any of your friends are loosing their homes. I'm so sorry that you are going through this, raen. I'll pray for rain. Maybe you'll get one of Aussie Girl's magnificent thunderstorms.

I don't understand loving this cold at all Tracey Bee. You and Hildy mystify me. I like to be warm and toasty. Actually, I like complete climate control, and I'm very pleased when nature provides me with that perfect 60 to 75 degree weather. I am not made of hearty midwestern stock, unfortunately. I need to work on my inner pioneer.