Comments (22)

By kilax, April 29, 2008 5:54 am

Ooo… I can’t wait to see what it looks like fully grown!

Steven has a green thumb. I kill plants. Data does too (although we have different methods – I don’t chew on them).

I’ll just add “taking care of houseplants” to my list of domestic skills that I stink at. Also on the list:

• cooking
• sweeping
• mopping (Thanks for the correction, Nilsa S.!)
• making the bed (I do it, it just looks awful)
• putting the dishes into the dishwasher
• closing the shower curtain after showering
• wiping my feet off so the floor doesn’t get all wet after showering
• vacuuming
• dusting
• patching walls
• painting
• hanging frames
• leaving my clothes on the drying rack for too long
• stacking things up on the floor and not putting them away
• sewing buttons
• okay, sewing at ALL

And to be fair, a few things I am good at:

• sending out birthday cards, anniversary cards, thinking of you cards
• taking the trash out
• bringing in the newspaper
• baking banana bread
• protecting the car
• finding “Infiniti-approved” parking spots (used to be “Saab-approved”)
• getting the mail on Saturdays
• feeding Data on Saturday and Sunday mornings so he’ll STFU and let us sleep
• changing Data’s litter
• putting groceries away
• opening new DVDs
• getting my clothes out of the dryer in less than 2 days
• cutting up lettuce, cauliflower, carrots, celery, and strawberries
• pushing very heavy things up the stairs

Ha. I’m good at all the things that really matter.

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Today’s Idiom: to throw down the gauntlet – to challenge someone

Steven thought he was better at Xbox Tetris than me, so I had to throw down the gauntlet, and show off my mad Tetris skills.

Comments (13)

By kilax, April 28, 2008 5:36 am

PETA has announced a $1 Million Reward for the first scientist to produce and market in vitro meat.

“In vitro meat production would use animal stem cells that would be placed in a medium to grow and reproduce. The result would mimic flesh and could be cooked and eaten.”

Would you eat it?

PETA’s argument for in vitro meat is that it would stop animal suffering, and lessen the affect that harvesting animals has on our environment. They also added as a disclaimer – “Of course, humans don’t need to eat meat at all… But as many people continue to refuse to kick their meat addictions, PETA is willing to help them gain access to flesh that doesn’t cause suffering and death.”

I think this is a very interesting idea. But besides all the political BS that it incurs, I wonder, would carnivorous humans go for this? If it cost the same, and tasted the same, looked the same…

Would you eat it?

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Today’s Idiom: to go up in smoke – to come to no practical result

My plan to exercise 3 days a week went up in smoke when I kept getting home late from work. But I’m going to figure out a way to work exercise into my schedule. I have to.

Comments (12)

By kilax, April 27, 2008 7:30 pm

Can you guess which score is mine, and which is Steven’s?

You know how I can tell I’m getting better at bowling? I get pissed off when I throw a bad ball. Before I would just laugh about it.

Of course, I don’t get as “frustrated” as Steven does when he is doing poorly, but I’m working on it.

Comments (11)

By kilax, April 26, 2008 8:54 am

Have you ever seen a cooler USB Flash Drive? I think not.

Yesterday I picked up an issue of Star Wars Insider to read on the train ride home. I actually used to subscribe to this magazine, when I was in high school, but haven’t since.

So I’m reading this article “100 Best Things About Star Wars… Ever!” and when I get to the end of it, the next page is an advertisement from titan magazines for Heroes magazine, Star Trek magazine, Smallville magazine, Lost magazine… you get the idea.

I’m thinking, “What a bunch of worthless magazines! Who would want to read that?!”

As I sit on the train. With a copy of the Star Wars Insider.

Hmm. Time for a reality check, Kim.

Comments (9)

By kilax, April 25, 2008 5:57 am

If you could “uninvent” any past invention, which one would it be? (Consider all the ramifications of eliminating the invention.)

The Alarm Clock. It’s a not a responsible answer, but think of how much better you would feel if you woke up naturally, with the sun, rather than to some beeping or loud music! Maybe it would change our society, and everyone would be more lax with work hours and deadlines.

Okay, let’s just get rid of clocks altogether!

Comments (10)

By kilax, April 24, 2008 8:04 am

Do you think some people consciously don’t respond to emails so they can’t be held liable for the email’s content?

I do.

Of course, I’m not talking about personal emails. And I’m not this skeptical about everyone I interact with.

But one person I send emails to consistently responds by phone, even when I request an email response.

I understand it’s much easier to respond by phone! It probably takes less time. And believe me, I hate feeling like I am being interrupted by Outlook all day, responding to emails, and searching for information.

But I do need some things in email form. Prices. Delivery Dates. Contract Agreements.

I’m not asking for this information so I can use it to pinpoint blame on someone, I just want a concrete record of the conversation. I don’t want to have to search for scribbled notes, or have to rack my brain to remember a credit that was quoted to me, or the delivery date of a crucial item.

It’s been a long work work. And guess what? I get to work on Saturday too. Yay.

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Today’s Idiom: Skid Row – disreputable part of town, inhabited by derelicts and people “on the skid.”

It’s hard to say exactly how many areas of Chicago could be described as being part of skid row.

Comments (14)

By kilax, April 23, 2008 6:04 am

I called my dad yesterday to tell him how excited I was to see a grey Lamborghini Murcielago on my walk to the train Monday night in Chicago.

“It’s one of the things I love out there, dad” I proclaimed. “As soon as the weather gets warm, you see all these awesome cars – Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis…”

“Yeah. I didn’t see anything like that on my way home from work Monday.”

“What, you didn’t see any Lamborghinis?”

“No,” he replied. “I don’t think there are even 10 people in Waterloo [Iowa] who can pronounce it.”

Ha ha.

“I was really excited to see it,” I continue.

“Yeah. It’s nice to know that at least someone enjoys what they’re driving.”

Yeah, that guy in the Lamborghini and Steven in his Infiniti.

The point of me writing this is not to point out how funny and sarcastic my dad is. Nor is it to bore you with another post about cars (although I probably have).

I just wonder… why do I notice these things? Why do cars interest me? Why don’t they interest some people? Why do I get really excited when I see a nice car?

My dad is a mechanic, but I know nothing about how cars WORK. I just know when I see one I like – it’s usually streamlined, aggressive, and curvy.

I have a list of the cars I would like to own. But I haven’t even driven a quarter of them. It’s just an aesthetic thing.

Maybe it’s time for me to get in the garage with Steven… and help him with the project car. Oh yes. The infamous (in my mind) Datsun 1978 280Z. That’s a whole ‘nother post.

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Today’s Idiom: to carry the day – to win the approval of the majority

Kim’s suggestion to go to Red Robin for lunch carried the day, although not everyone got the Gardenburger Royal Red Robin burger.

Comments (7)

By kilax, April 22, 2008 8:03 am

Everyone’s outside wearing their new spring gear, and I’m walking around, looking like Frumpy McFrumperson.

I hope it rains.

I need to quit sleeping on the train and start getting more sleep at home. Even if that means going to bed at 9:00, it’s better than waking up feeling like Tired McGrumperson everyday.

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Today’s Idiom: crocodile tears – insincere tears

When I found out they were breaking up I did shed a few tears – but crocodile tears. I wanted to comfort her, but really, I thought it was for better that he was leaving her.

Comments (11)

By kilax, April 21, 2008 5:45 am

A few of my colleagues have been using “be well” in emails and text messages.

What is “be well”? Is it synonymous with “take care”? I’ve only started hearing (well, reading) it now, and I’m kind of curious who else is using it, or where it came from.

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Today’s Idiom: to beard the lion in his den – to visit and oppose a person on his own grounds

There was no other way to file a complaint effectively – I had to go to the store and beard the lion in his den.

Comments (22)

By kilax, April 20, 2008 10:48 am

It’s time to spill the beans – we have exciting news!

Steven and I have been having a lot of discussions lately – about our home, our finances… we’ve been discussing our plans and our future.

Even though we’re so young, and have been married less than 8 months, we feel like we’re ready. We’re in the right place emotionally and ready to share our love with a new member of the family.

Things have been going really well at work for both of us. We both got unexpected raises this year, and are both on very good terms with our bosses and coworkers.

We started preparing the house a few weekends ago – rearranging the room and making sure we were happy with the space. We’ll want to paint eventually, but it doesn’t need to happen right now.

We did let the news slip to a few people. I must say that Steven’s guy friends from work we’re very proud of him.

We haven’t told all of our family yet, but we know they are going to be really excited. And we don’t think Data will mind either.

I just know we’ll be happy with a new member in the family…

… the Infiniti G35 Coupe. Welcome Home.