Happy Valentine's Day, Gang at Meet Market!

Guess what I got for Valentine's Day? A new ipod engraved with Happy Valentine's Day from Mr. Yogi. I am so happy. Plus, he put the whole thing in a beautiful red box from Kate's, so he knew I wouldn't be able to guess what it was until I opened it. He pointed out that it isn't pink (heh, how'd he know I wanted pink?), because it turns out the pink one is not out until next week, plus it has far less storage capabilities. He knows that since I have become obsessed with electronics, I would want the most storage possible. Heh. More Power!

How marriage can transform a person! When I first met Mr. Yogi, and really until very recently, he was the worst gift giver in the world. He used to hand me two CDs in the original Sam Goody bag as a Valentine or birthday gift. Though I always loved him dearly, the thought of never receiving another romantic gift again did grieve me at times... But look at this! I know it's electronic, but it's still a romantic gift - it a gift box even!

His beautiful pic-i-nic basket arrived this morning too. He is very happy. It's filled with yummy delicacies, and I'll pick up a few more things to nibble on while we watch my most favorite romantic movie, Truly, Madly, Deeply.

Or maybe I'll just nibble on Mr. Yogi.
(Look at me with the innuendo. I think I've been hanging around y'all to much.) :D

Happy V Day all! Yogi that is FABULOUS! I remember you were talking about the Ipods way back in the thread. Haven't been here in a while, trying to catch up. Had some dumb virus for 3 days, couldn't really even read email! That's what you get working with kids. Anyway! My fiancée is dragging my off to NYC tonight for dinner. I say dragging because I really haven't gotten out of bed since Wed. Oh well. I love the hotel - Tribeca Grand. If I knew I was up to it, I would ask Skagirl for dance place recs. We like to go to a different place each time. Hope you all have a great weekend. And Last Dodo, before I looked at your phonepic, I said "What do I think this person looks like?" And all I could come up with, I swear (it may be the virus), was that little cartoon penguin/dodo guy...opus! Glad to see you are 4-d.

Yogi, I'm so happy for you. And yay to Mr. Yogi to buy the one with the more storage.

Happy Valentine's day everyone.

Thanks for the picture skycatcher, that was very nice. And Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Dodo, if that's a retro haircut, you're in good company. Last time I saw, David Bowie was sporting a do like that, it looked pretty darn decent. Like it does on you - good recovery!

Oh, and cal, if your niece decides to go shave, without sounding like I'm posting at www.makeupalley.com, I'd recommend a nice Venus razor. I sound like a shill, but boy, it really is made for a woman's, er, special needs. Also this stuff called "Bikini Zone" which is a post-shaving analgesic cream for, um, sensitive areas prone to razor bumps. (And you can use it on your legs, too). It has been the only advice I've ever used from Seventeen magazine that worked - too bad I was 40 when I read the article! D'oh!!!

I go for protein food at the fair, and pray hopefully that Porky's Delight (maker of the real porkchop on a stick) and the MN State Fair mend their differences. I also adore the wild-rice sausage booth. And the 50 cent all you can drink milk booth!!! (Fortunately, there are several dessert booths nearby.)

I can definately second the Venus razor. Actaully since i started shaving my mom told me to use these straight razors but since they came in pretty colors they where considered a woman's razor. When i went of to college i decided to get a better razor. It works so well. I think it is made by Gilette.

anyone know what the song that was playing at the end of the last episode of survivor? When Jenna was on the boat? Thanks.

suctionprints some recipes would be great, thank you! I'm meeting a friend today for a cuppa and was planning on having some pavlova, will think of you when I do! As for the prawns, there's nothing better than grabbing a kilo or so of fresh prawns and peeling and eating them on the beach. For those of you in the US, prawns = shrimp.

Yogi, what a wonderful man you have there.

Well guys, I'm off to have a swim before meeting my friend, so see you all tomorrow!

Hi, I'm a little new here, but I thought I'd de-lurk cause you all just seem so friendly. I'm from Oregon, which has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. We have coast on one side of the state, valleys and moutains in the middle and desert on the east side. I've watched Survivor from the begining, and have kept watching it all through the seasons. I also lurk on the Smallville threads and love both Miss Alli's and Omar's recaps.

Hi pretty in pinki (boy, with a name like that, Yogi's gonna love you)! Welcome. Lucky you, living in Oregon. I agree that it is one of the most beautiful parts of the world. We spent 2 weeks there and drove from Portland to Crater Lake, across to Shady Cove, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Coos Bay and then down to Gold Beach. Had a wonderful time. Mr Aussie is from Montana, so we've lived there, and I've also lived in other parts of the US before, and I think Oregon is the place I'd go back to and live in in a heartbeat. Those beautiful pines, and that incredibly wild coastline, which is very much like here, at the other end of the Pacific. So, which part are you from? Is it very cold now? Does it snow much where you are? It was really hot when I was there (August), except for Coos Bay.

theboss777, on the Survivor Sucks site, someone said that the song playing was called "A Celtic Heart" by Bernie Barlow. There were more details of it there too. I'm looking forward to hearing it, we've only had the first All-Stars episode here.

Hey Gang at Meet Market

I hope you all had a great day yesterday! I'm glad you're feeling better Ricci. And I do love your name pretty in pinki. (I wore pink myself ever day last week. This week I think I will wear blue.)

I have questions for youse guys~~~

Why do pork chops need a stick? Isn't the stick already built in?

What is Pavlova? Deep fried ballet slippers? I just hope is has nothing to do with the swan.... Heck, I know what prawns are, I eat prawns all the time, but I find it very disconcerting to eat my favorite ballerina!

Happy post-Valentine's all! In Dallas, we all got a surprise for Valentine's - Snow! At least several inches of snow, but it's all gone now.

Fried cheese curd. Now that is yummy stuff. It's very popular in Indian cuisine - we refer to it as paneer. Paneer...*drool*

Hope everyone had a spectacular V-Day!

In Boston, we got a Freaking Valentine's Day Massacre, perpetrated on the hearts of Red Sox Nation by that evil man George Steinbrenner and Fucking A Rod. Man, what a harpoon to the heart, I'm telling you. Bitter, you say? Why yes, yes, I am. I'm SICK TO DEATH of the Fucking Yankees and their over the top spending to win and sense of FUck you entitlement. (Apologies for the language. I don't generally swear, but I tell you, being a Sox fan does that to you.)
So, I have to confess a secret that's been burdening my soul for quite a while. I don't have a stitch of pink garmentry in my closet, and in fact I don't think I own anything pink at all, barring half of my daughter's wardrobe. In fact, I generally wear head-to-toe black on Valentine's Day, a practice begun as a bitter single woman back in college, lo these many years ago. I still do it, for reasons unknown. I'm sorry, Yogi! I've let you down!

Reminds me of one of my local favorites, a salad burrito, basically a tossed veggie salad wrapped up in a flour tortilla, with ranch dressing.

I live smack dab in the middle between Portland and Astoria, right on the Columbia River, and also the border between Oregon and Washington. We have a beautiful veiw of the river right from our house.
We actually did get snow this year, along with lots of ice. Schools were closed for a week. It was horrible because we just had winter break and then added on an extra week. People were going crazy! Last week was so sunny and warm, but now we're heading into a long period of rain and cold weather.

That's so interesting, Psyche. I've had yogurt with Indian food, but I don't recall many cheese dishes. What kind of cheese is it? It it a soft cheese, like cottage cheese? Or is it a bit firmer like mozzarella? Or hard like cheddar or parmesan?



Allow me to join you in the bittah-ness. Give me a break. Steinbrenner is ruining the game of baseball with his outrageous spending. Baseball needs to have a cap on spending. Every other sport does, and it makes the competition exciting and real.

Speaking of sports, I just saw the film Miracle, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It's a true story. I remember the event very, very well, but even though I knew the outcome, I was literally on the edge of my seat in tears. I had to hold myself back from jumping up. It was an excellent story about dreams, competition, and miracles. The whole Yogi family went, and we all enjoyed it immensely. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

And Hildy - I think you are completely fabulous in whatever color you sport. We can't all be pink, you know!

Hi y'all. Speaking of sports, does anyone follow NASCAR? Birdman just won $50 on the Daytona 500!! Go Junior!!
And Yogi I can't wait to see Miracle, I've always liked Kurt Russell and the commercials for the movie look really great.
Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!

Yogi a pavlova is meringue (whipped egg whites, in case the word meringue is not in use there!) with chopped fruit and cream on top. Named after Anna Pavlova.

pretty in pinki that area is just beautiful. We drove from Portland to Mt Hood, and crossed the river into Washington, just so my son could add it to the growing list of how many US states he had been in.

Psyche snow? In Dallas? Incredible.

Hildy I have no idea what you are talking about! Red Sox, Yankees - I'm guessing baseball? LOL. I don't have anything pink in my wardrobe either, but I used to back in the late 80's. Just about everything I owned was pink then. I eventually grew out of my pink fetish.

Yogi I have heard in passing about the movie Miracle, but it is not out here yet. It sounds great, and I can't wait to see it.

I just got back from seeing Miracle, and enjoyed it lots. I remember when it happened, too, but it was great fun to watch. I love to play hockey, although the pond hockey I play is a very different game.

Yogi, have you been able to look through Changing Bodies, Changing Lives yet?

PrettyinPinki, how's the windsurfing on that river? Mr. Hildy looooves your neck of the woods. He's skiied a couple of the local volcanoes and has windsurfed the Hood. We also went to the San Juan Islands for our honeymoon, extremely lovely.
I loved the Miracle on Ice when it happened in real life (I used to be a huge hockey fan, thanks to Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins. Yes, I was alive back then. Shut up.) I was a little worried that this movie might turn out to be a Very Special Hallmark Hockey Film, but reviews--including Yogi's and JDG's--all seem favorable. Perhaps we'll give it a try.
Just riffed on a recipe Yogi mentioned long ago and made a pork tenderloin pan roasted with shallots and apple cider. It was quite delish, if I do say so myself.
Oh, and yes, AussieGirl, the Sox and the Yankees are baseball teams. At least, the Sox are. The Yankees are, in truth, ambassadors of Evil. They work for The Old Scratch who has fiendishly assumed the form of a rich, arrogant old man to further his purposes.

Hildy I heard on the news that Selig still has to approve it - but it sounds like he will. Trust me, Steinbrenner makes me illllll. That's why I loved the Bulls & hate when people compare their run - except for replacing injured people they kept their winners as long as possible. The Yankees just throw money around & yea, they have every right to get whomever they want, but they're so the top 1% of the country compared to the rest of the teams (middle America).

Worst thing? My cousin is visiting me this spring and she asked to go on a tour of Yankee Stadium!!! I don't know how her parents raised her (she should be a White Sox fan who deep down would like to see the Cubs playing & should support the Bo Sox against the Yankees) but they went terribly awry at some point. Sigh. I'm so scared of how the Cubs will follow up this year...after last year's heart attacks...ugh.

I went to school just outside Philly when the Flyers were great winners. Twice I cut school and hitchhiked downtown for the parade. At one point, I was singing and dancing on the back of a pick up truck that had recently been carring chickens down the middle of the parade. I think I was singing Celebrate, as I vaguely recall through the haze of memory and free cheap beer.

Lord, it's amazing I survived my youth. I used to hitchhike all the time, then after I got my drivers liscence, I picked up hitchhikers all the time. Once, I picked up a man who had just gotten out of jail for rape. Once, I got a ride with a man who had just gotten out of jail for assult. He had a gun under the front seat. Oddly enough, nothing bad ever happened to me. All my convict encounters were actually very sweet. The former rapist said the sweetest thing to me. You wouldn't believe it if I told you. He rode with me for several hours and kissed my hand when he went on his way. He was a gallant ex-convict. Mr. Yogi put an end to my gypsy ways. He was afraid something would happen and made me promise never to hitch again. So for some years now, I have been a respectable non hitching, non picking up woman.

Anyway, Hildy, I can't imagine you wouldn't love Miracle. The game parts were truly thrilling - at least I thought so.

And skagirl, if you're cousin wants to go to see Yankee Stadium, she will obviously have to go without you. Don't go over to the dark side, skagirl!!!

Oh, and yum, Aussie Girl! A pavlova sounds like a tasty confection. Have one for me!

I haven't done the Changing Bodies, Changing Lives talk with Little Yogi yet. He has next week off.... and can I say "avoidance"? Why, yes, it seems I can. Bad Yogi Bear.

Hildy, I don't know about windsurfing, but the sailing is great, especially in the spring/summer season. The San Juans are great, I was just up there this past summer when my dad was buying a boat.
Yogi, my cousin used to hitch rides everywhere. Her parents got worried about her though, and bought her a car so she would stop. Turns out that was her plan the entire time.

Yup! I already take a good multivitamin daily. Actually, since I'm on the South Beach Diet, lately I feel like a walking pill factory! In addition, I take fiber and fish oil supplements three times a day, GNC Total Lean to help with metabolism, and Carb Cutters on the rare occasions when I splurge with something not allowed. But it all seems to be working...over an inch and a half lost from around my stomach so far!

In terms of my hair, while I appreciate the compliments, it just was NOT doing it for me. So I played around with it a little bit, went back for some minor reshaping, and now have it like this, which I like a lot better.

So for Valentine's Day, I went to this speed dating/matchup thing called Date Bait at the gay/lesbian community center rather than sit home alone cursing Hallmark. Basically, you get a number and a computer scorecard (like the kind you'd use for IOWA tests, etc.) when you go in, and they go around the room and everyone gets a minute to speak about themselves, and then you get half an hour to mingle and talk to the ones you're interested in, and then you score in the numbers of the ones you're interested in on the card. They run them through the computer and if they put you on their card as well, you're a match. Some people are better at one thing than the other. Since I'm a performer, I have no problem with public speaking and working an audience, and several people even asked me if I did stand-up or something because they said I was really funny and natural. But the mingling part? I'm HORRIBLE at it. I'm very shy and I just feel like a deer in the headlights, although I'm fine if someone else approaches me.

It did reinforce that when it comes to dating, I am primarily older man bait. This particular one was all ages and almost everyone who approached me was in their 50s, and I tend to prefer under 40. (I'm 31.) Still, some of them were fun to talk to, though, so I put them down as potential matches and wound up matching with two of them, and although I'm not romantically interested, both seem like they'd be cool to have as friends. And the one called me today to arrange our date, and Friday he's taking me to dinner and this Broadway play, which I'm excited about, so all in all it was a good experience. Actually, come to think of it, the guy's a Survivor/Colby fan as well...we talked about that and Ryan's Hope (I just threw out in my intro that I love the reruns as a random quirky thing, but sure enough, I had people making a beeline for me going, "So what's Delia up to at this point?" Hee!)...so at least we have some interests in common. I'll let you know how it goes!

I am the world's biggest klutz, y'all. I spent all day cleaning (except for watching Simpsons and Debbie Travis' Facelift) and when I finally decide I've done enough and it's time to sit down with a nice cup of tea, what do I do? I spill half of the Costco-sized sugar all over myself, the counter, the floor, the George Forman, the mixer, and into the dishpan of water that Mr. Blevins was cooling some candles in. And the containter holding the rest of the sugar landed smack dab on my fingers.

Oh, jennblevins, that so sucks. Sugar is the worst thing to clean up in the world. Except maybe sand, which has a sugar like texture. I'm just glad it didn't get into that open-faced computer (didn't you once say you had an open-faced computer in the kitchen?) I can't imagine the sugar would enhance performance.




I have some friends that go to that party, Last Dodo, but don't do the match-up thing. They just sort of visit and mingle, and when the time comes to turn in the computer cards, they just don't do it. But I'm a renegade like that.

The match up thing would make me nervous too. Maybe the reason that the over-fifty crowd came over is that folks generally get more comfortable with this sort of thing with experience. They may have to meet and greet at their work, so this isn't so hard. From what I see, you would be a magnet for all ages because you are downright adorable to look at and, of course, the things you are interested in are absolutely fascinating! How could anyone resist a man who can discuss both Survivor and vintage Ryan's Hope?

I realize this morning that in a way my former hitchhiking has merely changed into a taxi riding habit. I'm probably still riding around with convicts!

Well I never had any fried oreos or anything, but I do love Paneer - is it Panek Paneer that has the spinach? I love Indian food. Date Bait sounds cool. I always wanted to do that (I think I saw it on Sex in the City) or one of those places where you look for dates when you do your laundry!

Yogi,the visual of you dancing the Funky Chicken to celebrate the Flyers' victory is cracking me up, even if I did hate the Flyers with a passion in those days. it was required. We had cousins in Malvern at the time, and there was quite a bit of back and forth ribbing on the subject of the Flyers vs. the Bruins. At any rate, you sound as if you were quite the wild child. I was, too, although I didn't hitchhike quite as often as you seem to have. When I lived in Wyoming, hwoever, I lacked a car and that's how I got to work. Most of the time I knew the person who picked me up, so it was all good.

I'm so happy that both skamadchen and Yogi are sensible on the subject of the Yankees. I realized after I let off that epithet-laden message that I might be offending Yankees fans out there. (Not that, in general, it's possible to pierce through their armor of deluded self-satisfaction, but that's another story.) So, happy that I didn't step on any toes.
As for the Cubs, I hoping that this is the year that all baseball related curses are lifted, although it certainly doesn't look that way, does it? And under no circumstances do you have to accompany your cousin, Skagirl. Give her a subway token and send her on her merry way.
Last Dodo, the hair looks good again. Of course, I thought it looked good the last time. too. and this speed dating thing intrigues me. I would suck at it, but it's still intriguing.

Don't worry, Hildy! There is no piercing the entitlement of the Yankee fan. No curses can penetrate. They are like Darth Vadar, only a machine, with very little humanity left, playing around in their stupid Death Star. It's just disgusting. Where is C3PO when you need him!

When Mr. JDG and I got married, the best man's speech was about how an Orioles fan (him) could marry a Red Sox fan (me) - at least we all hate the Yankees.

Yogi, I reckon you must lead a charmed life, to not have been hurt in your hitchhiking days.

Ricci if you like Indian food, you'll have to come around to my mum's house for a Sri Lankan curry! Even better than Indian food, IMO.

Last Dodo enjoy your Friday night - dinner and a Broadway play! And with a guy who likes Survivor! Sounds good to me.

Well guys, speaking of Survivor, it's just minutes from starting, and I have to go set up the tape. Catch you tomorrow!

I have friends with a mixed marriage in that one is a Yankees fan and one is a Red Sox fan. I don't know how they do it, I honestly don't, b/c they are both very focal, loyal fans.

I am in need of a pampered weekend. Any suggestions of things to do/places to go? (West Coast is too far, otherwise I'd go wine-tasting.)

What about Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, Hildy? I hear it is fabulously pampering, though I have never been there. I'm all about pampering - what are you in the mood for? Spa? Food? Intense Beverage Consumption? All of the above? Alternatively, you could come visit me in NYC, and we could go get pampered together! That would be fun. I never need much of an excuse.

When I first met Mr. Yogi, I made him take me to see Yankee Stadium. It is a measure of this man's love that he endured a game just for me. He is a rabid Met's fan. I tell him to please change sides; it makes our life so hard; he's vile (vile I tell you!) thoughout baseball season, but it's like telling him to cut his heart out. You just can't change teams - though he is a card carring member of the Red Sox Nation. They gave him honorary membership at one of the boards he frequents. They understand.



Charmed is the word. I travelled all over the world and hung out with lots of crazy and unsavory characters. I have to say, they were all pretty fabulous to me. I think it has something to do with really loving people. I really do. When someone is sitting in front of me, I always see their wonderfullness, and it fills me with wonder. I think that always kept me safe. Now that I am older, and my heart is more protected, I am probably a lot less safe, but I still love so many people that I meet throughout the course of my day. It makes even the littlest moments charged with joy and adventure.

Now, I'm off to dance class! Tell me that's not wonderful?

Hildy, my next pampered weekend when I have lots of money will be at the spa at Hershey. Chocolate based spa treatments sound heavenly to me.

Close, Yogi -- there's a pass-through between the kitchen and the living room, and the open-sided computer sits directly below the pass-through, adjacent to Mr. Blevins' desk. (The coffee cups inside the computer come when he's used up all the counter space reachable from the pass-through. Humorously enough, it's usually computer pieces taking up the counter space.) The sugar incident, fortunately, happened on the other side of the kitchen.

Yankees, hmm? I prefer minor league baseball. That way nobody hates you for your preference, because who could hate a team with a frog for a mascot?

I am trying to imagine this sugar atrocity. How long did it take to clean up? You could always use the excuse that it was salt and you left the door open when the salt trucks were going by. Or that you wanted to make his life sweeter.

That is hysterical. GO FROGS!

Thanks...I hope I do!

Passed the state real estate exam this morning! (I'm looking to become an apartment leasing agent because 10 years as an administrative assistant is more than enough...there has to be more to life than "Copy this, fax this, yadda yadda"...I need something where I can actually feel like a grownup, ya know?) But CRAP was it an ordeal!!! Not the test itself--that was actually a breeze--but the getting there! The test itself is at 9:30 am down in the financial district, but there's only a limited number of spots, so the school recommended getting there at 7. I figured that was being overly cautious, but better safe than sorry, so I got up super early to make the 6:35 M9 bus (which was actually kind of a cool scenic route through the Lower East Side and Chinatown), and got there at 6:50...damned if the line wasn't around the block and I wound up being one of the last ones before the cutoff!!! But they wouldn't let us in the building until 8:15, so for almost an hour and a half I FROZE. Seriously...it took a good 15-20 minutes for my hands to thaw out well enough to write legibly once I got in. Then, I was through with the test by 10, but you had to stay until 11:15 to get your results, and you had to leave everything off your desk and stare straight ahead that whole time. No talking, reading, or anything. It was like detention. Drove me NUTS. If I don't have something to do I get really anxious; I even have to read to fall asleep. Moral of the story...if any of you ever decide to take the test here, make sure you go in summer!!!

Tomorrow I have the school exam, which is actually twice as long and twice as difficult, even though you'd think it would be the other way around...and then it's over!!! Then I have up to two years to find an agency to hire me. I'm probably going to wait a little bit just to save some money up as a cushion in case it takes a little while for my first commission. But I was pulling my hair out taking the classes nights and weekends, so you have no idea how glad I am it's almost over!

Congratulations, Last Dodo!!! Hurray for you!

I just had an absolutely Hatchian moment that I just had to share with Gang at Meet Market. I usually don't go to the gym this time of day, but Little Yogi is home and he had an activity there. Long story short, I took this dance class (Oh My Heck!) and then I took a steam and shower. No big deal. Do it all the time. Right?

Well I walk into the steam room, which is not large, and there is this nekkid woman - she had to be seventy if she was a day, doing a forward bend with her posterior facing all the sitting area. Clearly, she practices yoga, because she seemed to think it was important to hold the forward bend for some time after I sat down. Then, after she came up, and I saw her other face, she proceeded to do various other nekkid calisthenics. It was fascinating. She was in positions, well in positions, nekkid as the day she was born, about 2 feet away from me, puffing away, completely comfortable.

Now I go to three different gyms in addition to being in locker rooms of yoga studios and spas. I would have to say, I think I've seen a lot, but after this, well, I think I've seen it all.

And because as Raspberry Tea pointed out, it can't be said enough, GO FROGS!

What happened with the sugar is that I have a large plastic rubbermaid-type container (about maybe 8 by 8 by 12 inches) into which I pour as much of the Costco-sized bag of sugar as I can. (For some reason I can't fathom, they only sell sugar in 5 or 10-pound bags, so a fair amount of the sugar fits ... then I fill the sugar dish in the tea drawer and cook something unhealthily sweet and that's the whole bag.) At any rate the bin was pretty much full, but the dish in the tea drawer was empty , so I was fetching the big bin from the cupboard to refill the dish, and the big bin slipped out of my hands, which were mostly grasping the lid due to poor design of said lid. The lid separated from the bin, the bin starts falling, and I somehow manage to get my hand under it, but not fast enough, because pretty much what that did was cause one side of it to squash my fingers against the end of the counter. Then when the other side came down (by which point I think I'd yanked my fingers away) it did that not-quite-a-bounce heavy things do when they land, which caused the top bit of sugar to fly out in all directions, landing on the more far-flung areas: me, the floor, the George Forman, the dishpan, etc. Then since it landed on an edge, not the bottom, it tipped a bit, which dumped more sugar on the counter, but it finally righted itself. (When I went back to get some sugar yesterday, it turns out after everything settled it was more like 1/4 of the sugar that fell out, not 1/2.)

I actually got very lucky in the clean-up department: there was only about a bottle-cap sized wet area on the counter, so no sugary goo, and the whole thing happened right on top of the dishwasher, so I was able to open the door, stick a container partway under the counter, and brush the sugar in. Then I had to sweep and mop the floor, but the kitchen's so small (my cube here at work is larger) that doesn't take long, and the lousy Swiffer-clone I have is actually good at picking up sugar, who knew? The tea wasn't even cold by the time I was done cleaning, but I put honey in instead.

GO FROGS indeed! The Everett AquaSox are the Mariners' Short-Season Class A team, and their mascot is the adorable Webbly the frog.

Jennblevins I love them! I always enjoy the mascot more than the team though...that's why I love the Philly fanatic. Fortunately the school where I work is the "Tigers" I would really hate to have a non-mascot like "Stateliners or CountySeaters." Of course when I was young I was a ram for a year for team...quite fun. Yogithat is why I quit going to the Y. So much cheaper but the naked in the lockerroom was really getting on my nerves. Oh yeah, there were a lot of little boys in there with their moms after school. To me, if a little boy can walk, point, and talk, the women's lockeroom is not for him. Last Dodo good job! I am confused about the school exam though -what is the difference?

Yogi that story is. Well. Jeez. Go human body? Reminds me of being weeee & seeing the ladies at the swimming pool just kick everything off - the human body comes in MANY shapes & sizes.

Your guess as to why there's two tests is as good as mine, but basically you have to pass both the state test, given by the Department of State in their office, and the school test, given where you took your accredited 45 hours of classes. The state test is 50 questions and easier; the school test is 100 and harder. Both are multiple choice. Not sure why it's that way, but it is.

I think you summed up my feelings nicely, skagirl. I have to say, though without a doubt I am a complete and total fan of the human body in all it's glorious shapes and forms, I was quite amused to be seeing one nekkid and from this perspective. I mean, she's touching her toes and with her legs slightly apart and her butt two feet in front of me. I thought to myself, "how interesting, I suppose if I was a man, this would be a provacative position." Maybe I had such a clinical reaction because of all the bodies I've touched in that pose (because I'm a yoga teacher, folks, get your head out of the gutter.) Also because this woman was so completely unselfconscious. It was fascinating. She even started chatting with me in the locker room while I was drying my hair. Clearly, she thought we had made a connection. Heh! Maybe I should join the Y, Ricci!

Sending the good testing energy to Last Dodo - you get 'em! And since we haven't heard from Psyche in the last few days, sending her good sorting, selling, boxing, and moving energy. I hope it's all going well.

I think Mr. Blevins sounds adorable with his open faced computer, coffee cups and parts all over the kitchen, but we wouldn't last together 5 minutes. He would probably come home one day and all his parts would be in the trash. I'm totally mean like that about clutter. Now that everyone is all about Fung Shui, it doesn't seem as obsessive, but the truth is, I am pretty obsessive about clutter. You are a much nicer person than I am, Jennblevins! (And maybe Mr. Blevins is worth a little clutter too!

I want to go to a chocolate spa!!!

What kind of dance class was it, Yogi? Just being nosy.

Maybe we should have a TWoP Con here: The Spa at the Hotel Hershey

I can see us all hanging out getting a Chocolate Fondue Body Wraps ("Our exclusive formula of warmed moor mud and essence of cocoa revitalizes and nourishes the skin as it relaxes the body. A luxurious body brushing is followed by the fondue application. The body is then wrapped in a soft warm blanket to enhance the total effect. The Hershey Vichy Shower, promoting velvety smooth skin, culminates the effect.") and discussing sex and Survivor.

JDG count me in for that conference at the Hotel Hershey - it sounds heavenly. I love my chocolate, and I love luxury too.

Yogi I'm not surprised that you see everyone in their wonderfulness. That comes out in your writings here! And hey, what an experience with the naked 70 year old, sounds like you handled it quite well, and she obviously did feel that she had made a connection with you.

Well done Last Dodo on getting through that exam, but what an ordeal! I can't imagine why they would make you all just sit there, not talking etc, it sounds like first grade or something. Ridiculous.

Jennblevins your sugar experience gave me a good laugh. But who or what is a George Forman? And what is it or he doing in your kitchen? Translation please.

Saw the 2nd episode of Survivor last night, sorry to see Rudy go, he was great, and of course it was great to see the Prince of Peach looking scrumptious as usual. Maybe I should change my name - perhaps the Princess of Peach????

Mmmmm, chocolate spa .... What's not to like?



Hehe, Yogi. I'm afraid I have plenty of clutter hanging around too (mine tends towards books, junk mail, single shoes, and cross-stitch stuff) so I can hardly blame him. Plus, he is adorable and I do think he's worth any amount of clutter!

All this locker room talk is giving me flashbacks to junior high gym! And scout camp! And trying to change shirts without anyone seeing your bra! Why I was so concerned back then is beyond me now ... it's not like anyone could see anything through the bra.

ETA: AussieGirl, a George Forman Grill is an electric countertop grill thingy that's kind of like a waffle iron, except it tilts -- the idea is it cooks food and the fat runs out. It's good for hamburgers and chicken.

Oh My Heck, JDG, way to make me want to leave my husband and child and run away in the night to be slathered with chocolate fondu. That is just too... decadent? luxurious? delicious? fun? Plus, if we could throw in some talk of sex and survivor, well, folks, I think we have a winner!!!
But someone else will have to room with Jennblevins. I love her, but I hear she's a tad cluttery...

Hurray for Aussie Girl almost being caught up. You're just one week behind, which isn't great, but isn't too terrible. Wish you could come talk with us on the other side, but you probably don't want to be too spoiled. And by the way, I love the name Princess of Peach - it suits you so much, that it's ..... Just Peachy!



It was a NIA class, a type of low impact dance done with bare feet. Usually, it's a bit interpretive, but the teacher was a male professional dancer, so we had a lot of really difficult and much more forceful, strong moves than I've done in other NIA classes. Plus, this man had the strongest legs and the absolutely loosest hips I have ever seen on any man or woman. I have extremely loose hips - lots of range to move, but he was just remarkable. And strong? Wow. I was working it, baby. I normally can dance for hours and not feel a thing, but tonight I am unbelievably sore. It was challenging. But I'm going back next week!

Maybe I'll see the nudie poser again?!? I'll be sure to report back - Heh.

Hi Yogi, I'm also not surprised that you see everyone in their wonderfulness. And what a happy way to live your life!
In my experience, life can suck if you let it. The trick is to absolutely insist on having a good time, and try to make the best of whatever situation you find yourself in. I have to say, my life has been pretty darn fantastic. I have a very loving husband, two wonderful kids, and no matter where I am or what I might be doing I choose to have a great time.
Incidentally, I don't live very far away from Hershey PA. Being pampered in the midst of all that chocolate sounds heavenly! I certainly wouldn't have to try very hard to have a great time there! And Jennblevins can be my roomie, 'cause clutter doesn't bother me at all. (Birdman is definitely worth a little clutter!!)

jenn, I had an annoying couscous accident similar to yours, and three days later I'm still sweeping the little buggers up. I did manage to save about two cups of it, but still...At least it doesn't sound like it crunches when I walk in the kitchen...as much.

Speaking of hitchhikers and limber nudists, I have this weird way of connecting with winos on the bus, even when I'm not really trying. But they are kind to me, generally speaking, and often give me good advice that's easy to follow. "Don't lose that husband of yours!" "Stay pretty!" "Trust in Jesus!" Oh, I will miss this color and pageantry of the #5 line when my union goes out on strike (I work at the transit agency) - it's not a matter of if anymore, but when. Someday I'll tell you the story of the deaf-mute who tried to pick me up. It's a long story, but soon I'll have lots and lots of time to tell it.

Speaking of choco-hydro-therapy, I picked up some chocolate-ginger body scrub for my friend when I was in Toronto this summer. I would have picked some up for myself, but I had to go for the citrus-sea salt scrub. Much the way I'll pick a piece of lemon meringue pie over a slice of chocolate cake, um, three weeks out of the month. Yes, aussie we sure know about meringue over here, and lemon meringue pie is like a bulked-up Pavlova. Speaking of Pavlovian (rather than Pavlova-ian), I just started drooling as soon as I typed the words "lemon meringue". mmm mm mm mmm