Holiday Card from Delta - not as cool.

I'm sorry Delta (and United) but your butts were totally kicked by AA!

Happy Holidays from American Airlines

Happy Holidays from American Airlines

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Queen

A video that has been going around via my friends and fake friends is the Muppets take on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" ... AWESOME. I have now watched it three times and still squeal in delight each time. Luckily I'm back home with my folks thus I have slower internets thus preventing me from watching YouTube all day long.

But if you haven't seen it (re: you've been living under a rock) here it is. Enjoy my friends.

What would you do for a plane ticket?

Ideas for New Years ...

A. Credit card my flight out to DC for a gala hosted by friends
B. Steal parents car & drive to Canada
C. Sleep through it
D. Buy a handle and just see how the night goes

All seem worthy, now I just need to pick.

A Southern Affair

I am excited... I have two friends getting married come the warmer months. One in Alabama and one in Georgia. Excited because for once I get to "travel" to two states I have never been in and they aren't in the Midwest. Yes, I'm excited for the girls but this gives a good excuse to knock off two more states on my little list.

****

On another note, I have accomplished the following in the last week:

- Signed-up for 8 credits of classes for my Masters at GMU
- Filled-out FASFA apps
- Got a house line-up
- Started packin-up my office/apt

Next I need to actually PAY for school, book my flight & UPack services and move out of my apt. That is what "needs" to happen before the end of November. Yikes! I will be spending a lovely month at home with my folks (or on friends couches) and getting ready to take the hike (via plane!) out to VA.

I am giddy with excitement over being a student again (this will definately change come mid-February, I'm aware) and to be back with my Urban Family.

As much as I am giddy, I am sad too, to leave my family and to be poor again. It really hit me when I was standing in Macy's and started to tear-up and pout after realizing that shopping will be a thing of the past. Luckily I have been easing myself into this lifestyle by majorly reducing "fun" purchases (one thing a month baby!).

But there will always be Plan B - marry a sugar-daddy!

Holding Pen

I'm in a holding pen time zone. It's kind of annoying... I have many long days where work is slow, clients are quiet & I don't spend much money seeing I'm trying to save. One day was so dull that I decided to just walk around downtown Mpls and soak in the last few days I have as a resident of the city. As I was sitting outside of the Target on Nicollet Mall tuning up my iPod a man approached me. He had also just walked out of Target and motioned for me to take my ear piece out. I looked at him (probably with a bit of apprehension/annoyance) and he blurts out, "Ma'am...I just spent $15 for a scarf...how does it look?!" After the question he strikes a noble pose. I stifled my laugh and told him that it looked very nice. We spoke for a short while and went on our merry way.

It's moments like those that I'll take away with me in regards to this city. While I'm usually approached (at least 2x week) by people asking for money it was a nice breath of fresh air to get such a silly but honored question. The man was genuine and probably just wanted a compliment from a lady. It actually put a smile on my face and a little kick to my step for the rest of the day. While I praise my home state for their "Minnesota Nice" I don't think we actually live up to it by outsider standards. I think we do a bit more in the country (I forgot that EVERYONE waves to each other when they drive/walk/ride by until the other day when 15 people waved at me during a period of one hour). But I haven't experienced it nor have given it as much - with our general stoic personalities I think an outsider may be confused when they get here. "Why aren't these people smiling?"...."Why don't they come out of their way to see why I'm lost." We are friendly people but that is when it comes to our circles. I don't think we are a great place at welcoming in outsiders. I'm guilty of this and should know better seeing that I have been on the other side.

People think I loved being in the DC area because of the politics or whatever not. Actually it's really because of the openness. It was easy to make friends there because almost everyone was a transient. If you lived there for a semi-length of time you felt obligated to give a bit of guidance to a tourist that has a look of confusion, even if it annoys you so. You welcome newcomers to the group and always invite them to whatever may be going on. You simply understand the loneliness and don't want them to suffer like you had to. You also know that there is no option of "going home" if they are feeling sad.

So while I may feel a bit coupe-d up right now - slow work, moving soon, prepping finances for grad school, perhaps I should enjoy the time of being a Minnesotan and smile a bit more at people and offer a hand of knowledge...you just never know how that can change a persons perception on the place I will always call home.

Season 5

Coming this September - 17th - on a Thursday evening... a crass, outlandish look into the life I lived for 13 months.

Okay, not really, but it is the Season V premier of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

Day man
Fighter of the Night man
Champion of the sun
You’re a master of karate and friendship…for everyone
Day man, day man
Uhh ahhahh
Fighter of the Night man
Uhh ahhahh
Champion of the sun
Uhh ahhahh
Master of karate and friendship…for everyone
Day man, day man
Uhh ahhahh
Fighter of the Night man
Champion of the sun

Hello...LOVER

So the other day I decided to give all wedding gift registries the middle finger. What is typically a bridal shower gift was purchased by me. A single, no wedding (OR boyfriend) in sight, lady said "screw it" and bought a Crock-Pot.

I had gone to the local Target to get a few items (re: popcorn & Lysol) and went through the kitchen appliance aisle to do a little dream shopping. While there I noticed a price reduction for the 4 qt Crock-Pots. I couldn't believe it. The dream is there and WAY cheap. Okay, it's not like they are expensive but they are space-taker-upers and for a lady who moves on average every nine months, it doesn't seem logical. These types of appliances are logical for those whgo are settling down and cooking for more than one. "Well," I thought to myself, "will I EVER be a girl who settles?" The answer...probably not. In all reality, I don't think I'm the settling type and that's okay! So why wait for the beloved Crock-Pot to make my list for a house warming gift or a wedding reistry?

I didn't and I'm beyond happy about my purchase. I hate to say it, but buying it made me feel a little more liberated.

Happy Crock-Potting people!

Heights

Apparently heights mean nothing where I live. As mentioned many times before, I live on the 2.5th story (there's a garden level), as in it's high enough that I wouldn't care to jump from my windows - EVER. Well, okay, I would if there's a fire.

Heights typically give you an additional privacy but not here!

Exhibit A: As I'm munchin away on my lunch yesterday with the living room window open all of a sudden there's a tail...then a body...and some rustling. Yes, a cute little squirrel had managed to climb up the vines and use my ledge for a little lunch elfresco.
Sorry...no squirrel. I was too lazy to get-up and take a photo of him. But this is where he sits often. I wonder if he likes the view the "I-don't-know-the-name-of" Liquor Store, or perhaps the ONE skyscraper you can see from downtown?

Exhibit B: And right now. I'm typing away at some work when all of a sudden I look out my office window at at the face of a man. A man is on the roof of the neighboring liqour store. Men seem to "work" a lot on the roof of that store and I have yet to figure out what the heck they are tryin to accomplish. Again...not the most relevant photo but a much better one - one of the many beer trucks that unload below my window every day.

A Little Ella

Nothing is more relaxing/satisfying than driving downtown Mpls with the windows down and the sunroof open on the Volvo and blaring a little jazz.

It confuses everyone. And I love it.


***

I like figuring out the ROI on things. On a computer, on a guy, on a new pair of shoes but I cannot, for the life of me, figure out the ROI on my future grad school. I have two choices with two different types of programs and in two different locations. What's the ROI on them? Not a darn clue. Of course one is WAY more expensive than the other & located 1,000 miles away from my family but it does allow for greater networking. The head is tired of thinking but I must choose before the end of this week. Words/advice/wisdom are always welcome.

A Step Back in Ag

Coming from a farming community and, of course, growing-up on a 5th generation dairy farm I have always been a major advocate of crop & animal agriculture on several levels. It, like everything else, is a business. Yes, it's a way of life, but so is being a baker or perhaps a coal miner. Often times you find yourself with your work and more than in life of leisure with little money to show for it. But that isn't the point I'm trying to make. With this as a backgroud and also my future (I have gone to school & only worked in Ag) I have been disheartened by what is out there that belittles such a massive and necessary industry. To top it all of, it's not just a consumer. These are people who I call not only my neighbor but a colleague in the industry. While they feel that they are "defending" the virtues of the family farm they are actually harming it by sending out mixed messages to the consumer who wants to trust us and know us! I can honestly say that 98% of all dairy farms in the U.S. are family owned & operated. 98%. How many products out there do you buy everyday can you say were created at/from a family owned & operated place.

This group..... "Family Farm Defenders" http://www.familyfarmdefenders.org/Main/HomePage

is crazy.

I wanted to use a much more educated word for them but after reviewing all that is posted on their site I cannot think of a better word than, crazy.

They offer backwards messages. They do not give sound, proven facts. They seem only to be driven by emotion. I'm appalled at such bold statements they make with such a narrow view.

Hey "Family Farm Defenders" I want to help out the family farm too! Let's think about using more sound practices to create less waste, or restructing out of date pricing programs (one that makes sense...a floor is almost as bad at a subsidy). Perhaps we should think of the consumer while we're at it! Does that consumer want to open a head of lettuce with bugs in it? Does that consumer want to know where their food came from? Well gee...let's show them but in a more appropriate way.

From the Farm

Sent out to all who like to be fed, clothed & sheltered:

I don't know how many of you have heard about or have seen the movie "Food Inc". We just want everybody to know that the way agriculture is displayed in this movie is misleading and false. Our food supply is the most plentiful and safest on earth. The only way we will be able to feed a growing world population is with the use of modern technology in agriculture. We also know for a fact that farmers and ranchers care more for our animals and our earth than anybody else on this planet. By using modern technology we actually use less energy and resources to produce more product, therefore being more "Green".

I encourage everybody to inform other people of the real truth about agriculture when having a conversation about this movie.

I have attached a link to the website for the movie, check it out.

Sincerely

Everybody at Kuball Dairy Farm

http://www.foodincmovie.com:80/

Styx

If I have learned anything this year it's this...

Don't listen to "Come Sail Away" by Styx on your MP3 player while sitting in a public place (e.g. coffee shop, library, etc.) because it is nearly impossible to NOT break into song.

2nd Day of C

In honor of the 12 Days of me (my birthday is right around the corner) I decided that waking up at 6:30 am was a dumb idea so I slept in. It's not like I have be at work at a certain time, I work mainly from home & for the most part visit my clients offices on an "as need" basis. It's the week of the 4th, NO ONE wants you to visit their office. So after I decided that I needed more sleep I go back to bed and promplty drift off into a deep sleep that included crazy dreams.

Some of the dreams are vague now & weird but then the others were all too pratical and confusing. I say this because I have a tendency to dream about work. I also dream about errands that I need to make or bills that I need to pay. This morning I dreamt that I managed to buy AA batteries, pay my Excel bill & go for a 30 min walk. I was excited to think that I had done so much! But no, I just got bummed when I find my mouse still dead (lacking batteries), my pedometer at 25 steps (coffee trip only) and my excel bill still needing to be paid.

This are minor things which don't have horrible results but when this starts going over work stuff it gets annoying and frustrating. I often will believe I turly did send that email made that call. Heck, this morning I dreamt that one client told me that they were going to get the latest InDesign program. I was so excited but then it hit me...dream. DAMN!

So as I put things on hold with my procrastination & lack of desire to work yet I bring to you the best video of the summer...

Arlington: The Rap

It's Summer...

The squirrels in my back alley are making a killing. I just saw one run off with a FULL muffin that was bigger than the size of his head. I think I need to start a health awareness intiative for my neighborhood squirrels...seeing that we may be worrying about obesity rates soon.

On another note, I was super excited about the idea of summer. I now take that excitement back. I forgot that I don't care for hot weather - more like - anything that makes me sweat while standing in one place.

You see, I don't have AC in my little abode, which 9 months out of 12 that's okay, but apparently it's now warm enough out to make my pad uncomfortable at times. I open the window for a nice breeze but then deal with the noise from the liqour store fans right below (go figure a place that sells coolers full of beer would have so many noisey fans!!). It's all good seeing I do live/work alone, thus I really could work in my undies! (Ha! Got you. Don't worry, I don't...gross!!!) Anyhow, these thoughts have left me with mixed emotions about summer.

Maybe I do need a real job in an office where I'll have to wear a sweater cause they keep it so cold, even though they are facing financial hardship with the economy and are doing a million other things to be "green" ... I always loved the irony there.

Men Win

Yes, I just said that. They win. They win in the fact that they have an easier time saying, "no." No, I won't give you money. No, I won't go to your dumb "party". Just "No". I like it. That's probably why men don't have to face invites to things such as Pampered Chef, Mary Kay or Arbonne parties hosted by their friends. I am obviously not the "market" that these parties typically look for. But is there really a market for them?

We live in an industrialized society that embraces convenience. Since when is it convenient to have to go to somebody's house to look at a bunch of scented candles (which, by the way, give me headaches) and then buy them from a catalogue. Re: They aren't even available that night!

Yes, I just dragged my butt on a 35 miles roundtrip (rarely to people in the city host this kind of crap) to the burbs to LOOK at something that is over-priced and being shown to us by some lady with scary, over-manicured hands and so much gold jewelry on that Mr. T is jealous. Now I'm suppose to whip out my credit card and buy a candle or votive or whatever because I feel guilty that I'm not into the product but my friend won't get the "Hostess" gift if I don't SPEND, SPEND, SPEN!!!

I could have solved my lack of candle issue while running my errands at, let's say, Target. To me, candle is a candle. It serves two purposes - looking pretty or making the room smell less gross. I have found that a $2 candle works just as well as a $10 candle.

If we do get food & drink out of this occasion it's typically wine. Supposedly ALL women like wine. Word. Not all women. I would pefer a G & T or even a whiskey on the rocks...probably the latter of the two seeing I'm surrounded squealing women, pretending to like a pastel candle and how it would go lovely with the beige decor in their livingrooms. Okay, lets make that a double on the rocks.

If I want food containers or candles - I go to Target or some other big box store. I use these items right along with my tp & Klennex's ... I think I'll purchase them together. (If there is a TP buying party, may the Lord help me)

If I want make-up - I believe in places call Target, Macy's, Bloomingdales, etc. There they have a women who can help you at any minute and a lot less girly stuff involved.

If I want a pedicure - I'll support the small biz down the street.

I'm a woman. I want convenience and not to be bothered. I'm busy. If I want to gather with you ladies, I just want to hangout and not feel the need to whip out my checkbook. Throw someting on the tube and place a beer or a G & T in my hand and I'll be happy as a peach.

So yes men, you win. Your "parties" typically involve beer (or liqour) and some chili. Only money lost is from the loser who stinks at poker. Hats off to you and your ability to say no. Because of your ability to do so you don't have to go to tool parties (you guys go to Sears or Home Depot ...where they have hotdogs!) or to card parties (your buddies remind you that Hallmark or drug store is down the road).

I guess the only way I can rid of this bad woman trend is by learning to say, NO!

A Night at Mickey's

This past weekend I played impromptu DD for a buddy of mine. While I was yawning through the night hours in my old 'hood in St. Paul, downing glasses of water to stay awake he and some of his friend BS'd the time away. I was okay with that but I knew I needed to get to bed soon and well, why must we stay till close? But we did and that was that. So when it came to my turn for leadership (i.e. he had too many shots) I whipped the car onto 94E rather than 94W where we should have gone.

Friend: "Wha...what are you doing?!"
Me: "We're going to Mickey's downtown. I want a grilled cheese and you need food."
Friend: "ahhhh..okay."

And that was that!

When we walked into the diner it was as if we stepped onto stage with the cast of "A Prairie Home Companion" we were just missing GK. We managed to snag two stools at the south end of the counter near the debutantes who had just finished a show at the Ftiz. Now I'm sure you're picturing a bunch of young ladies, so stop there. Nope, these ladies were dressed in sparkling periwinkle dresses with matching boas. They were all tanned, only to enhance their time aged faces but they wore bright fuchsia lipstick and brunette wigs. They were shove into a both in the midst of an "after wedding" crowd. Just as we sat down they started to sing "Going to the Chapel" for the obvious reasons.

Just to the left of us there was a young couple who looked as if they hadn't slept or eaten in days. The girl, dressed plainly, just sat there, all quiet and sipping on her soup and coffee. The guy next to her never uttered on word. As people started to fill in through the door and line-up against the wall the noise only got louder on our north end when the wedding groupies started to play music on the mini-jukebox.

As I was scanning the crowd there was everything. Everything demographic that makes what I call Minnesota. Not one person in the cramped 50'x 10' diner was like the next. Also, you couldn't pick a person out of the crowd and throw them into a common stereotype.

We had our food, watched the ladies sing a few more songs and tipped the waitstaff heavily. After leaving we may have had an encounter with a two civilians and a fire truck which will be for an entirely different post.

But that evening made me think. As I was digesting all that I had taken in during our 1 hr stint at the diner with a friend, who had never been to MN but has two great friends from here, he noted something that stuck with me..."You people in MN, you're very independent people aren't you? You can't say that about the rest of the country, you can pinpoint them and tell them what they like, but in MN you can't do that...can you?"

That's right. We're odd. We vote for crazy wrestlers to be Gov. We elect our own Supreme Court. Just because you love to read the markets doesn't mean I won't donate to MPR. We love to sit on ice and fish and then complain about the cold. We don't judge if you have super white legs come April.

Yeah, unique. That's us. Uff da!

The Line - BRMC

Life right now ... the encyclopedia answer.

Title: B.R.M.C. (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) - The Line lyrics

I am the line, I hold you near,
There is no burden left to bear, I can see clear,
You're in suspension, you know no love,
There is no story left to tell, You have no wisdom to pass on,
I am the soul of absolution, No man can hurt his own illusion,
My hands are crippled from the pain, You are the splinter in my vein,
You put your head between your hands, and understand, Nothing it is,
I feel the answers keep you scared, I've put the harm inside myself.

I am the line, I hold you near,
There is no burden left to bear, I can see clear,
I am perfected, I know no void,
I have no conscience to keep clear, I understand there's nothing more,
You try to kid yourself with questions, Pleading in time for some correction,
I found you tied onto the cross, with judgement on your every thought,
You know my words all mean the same, you've buried here to isolate,
And in this prison in your mind, Well you were born without a spine.

When did you stop caring?
When did you stop caring?
Where did you stop caring?
Where did you stop caring?

All along,
I've been waiting on the open invitation,
Your silence shown me no relation,
In the rising calm,
Don't you feel alone,
I'll be standing with your sorrow,
Oh he's left me's gone away tomorow,
And we maynever be here again,
We may never be here again.

Pull me up on either side,
Don't leave me standing alone in the light,
Pull me up on either side,
Don't leave me standing alone in the light.

All along,
I've been waiting on the open invitation,
Your silence shown me no relation,
In the rising calm,
Don't you feel alone,
I'll be standing with your sorrow,
Oh he's left me's gone away tomorow,
And we maynever be here again,
We may never be here again.

I did lose, so back off!

A long time ago (last year) I got a subscription to Campaigns & Elections (C&E) magazine for kicks. Once the subscription was up I didn't renew seeing I moved onto Fortune & Foreign Policy - really, I need to limit my reading to 2 hrs/day.

Well I just got an email from C&E with this note:

According to our records, you may not be receiving Campaigns & Elections' Politics magazine anymore. If you've lost your campaign and changed your name to protect your reputation, that is understandable. Otherwise, we want you back.

I want to call them and say, "Why yes, I did lose and YES I want to save my rep!!" Really curious as to how they would handle that call, a call that they brought on. Hrm...

Drool Worthy

Reading the title you may think I'm doing a post on the hottie down the hall (okay, my memory stinks so I have perhaps have a "hottie" make believe image stored in my head and thusly will make it ever difficult for me to actually recognize him in the lobby from here on out).... but with that said - nope this is about what's happening outside of my window right now.

I don't like to think of myself in need for AA - and trust me - I'm not. But hot damn, there are at least 150 cases of domestic beer hanging out within my vision. As in the line of vision I have while trying to work from home. If anything is considered a tease - this is it. To top it off, it's BEAUTIFUL out. As in, the perfect day to crack open a brewskie while sitting on the porch and watch the day pass by. It is probably good that my work does require me to be on the phone nonstop from 9 am - 6pm or else I would meeting my craving right now. Though, if I would handle both at once I could only imagine my next phone call going something like this....

Me: "PSC schpeaking...who's may I help yous?!"
Pro: "Yes, I'm calling about the BIBSTAFF1 - would be be to use this for....etc."
Me: "Whysch YES! Yous can show the kiddies how's itz done on thez wes side of the country!!" *yelling*
Pro: "Okay? Well, then I would like to make an appointment."
Me: "HRM....." *ruffling of papers* "BLEEECH!" *incoherent mumbling* "OK! Found it!!"
Pro: "Ma'am are you okay?
Me: "SHURZ!! What date?? Oops! I just dropped me beer!"
Pro: "I'll call back later." *snap of phone being slammed down*

I don't think my client would appreciate me handling the PSC that way, so I'll just look longingly at the stockpile and make the two guys who are unloading the truck feel uncomfortable with my staring!