I sent you a return item over a month ago. Enclosed were detailed instructions on what to do, including item numbers, prices, and names of all the items that I wanted instead of the creepy railroad vest I had. I verified that I was sending the package to the correct address. I even made sure to sign and date the paper and of course included contact information so you could get in touch with me if you were confused.
Instead, you immediately threw the package into a dark corner and lost it for two weeks. Then, when you found it, it took you almost a week to figure out what to do with it. Then, you mailed it and lost track of it again. I'm sure you send packages with something other than CRAPMAIL. Ever heard of tracking numbers?
I am not hopeful that you will have managed to correctly read the item numbers and descriptions that I carefully detailed for you. I expect to find incorrect-- and what's more-- ugly items in the box instead of the sweater stone, hat, and slippers I requested. I am not hopeful but I am still giddy that the package will have arrived today. Because, dammit, I WANT MY SLIPPERS!
EDIT: Huttah, they arrived today with nary a thing amiss!
Posted on January 30, 2006 @ 5:43 PM | 1 comments
Comments:
Global conspiracies are everywhere.
If you ever find you're being followed by a man in a snappy heather grey wool sweater and flannel lined khakis, please contact the authorities. They may be after your SEO knowledge to use it against their enemies.
I find it highly unlikely that will happen, though. So enjoy the slippers.
By G-Rob, at 6:14 AM, January 31, 2006
OK, so it *could* be the Japanese family across from us, as a psycho religion might be likely trap for someone who's new to the states, but I doubt it. And it's not Jeff, because he's a kinkster and wouldn't pull sick pranks like this.
It's the second time I've found Watchtower 'zines sitting on the banister end in the public stairwell. The first time, they sat untouched on the banister for almost a month before I noticed them and recycled them in a cleaning frenzy. My thought at the time was "eh, Christian propaganda, whatevs." Last night we went down to Jeff's place for some Role Playing and there, sitting in the same spot, where they most decidedly had not been that morning, were two more leaflets.
This time, I was so horrified, I exclaimed out loud to Justin, "Wow, more of the same religious bullshit!" before realizing that whoever put it there probably heard me through their front door. I'm still undecided as to whether this is a good or bad thing. Then I actually *looked* at what I was holding and whispered, "oh, shit, they're Jehova's Witnesses."
I expect that now, a silent war is waging. They will put their propaganda in the stairwell and I will dispose of it immediately. We will both enjoy our parts immensely, though neither of us will be the better for them.
Oh well, at least they have the tact not to knock on our door.
Posted on January 28, 2006 @ 10:12 AM | 7 comments
Comments:
rude j.w.s! no soup for you.
By , at 6:48 PM, January 28, 2006
holy shit, have you ever read amalah.com? it's like a whole world.
By , at 9:38 PM, January 29, 2006
Hmm, anonymous blog comment spam...
it's like a whole world.
And articulate, too.
Thanks anon, but it'll be a LONG while before I feel the need to start reading "I'm a mommy, read about junior's poo and stuff, it's the best poo EVAR" blogs.
...with perhaps the exception of people I know who have squeezed one out already.
By Kat, at 1:28 PM, January 30, 2006
Postscript: In fact, I have seen Amalah's site before, a long time ago. And it is a good blog. I just don't appreciate the off-topic anonymous comment promoting it. It's rude. And while Amalah may be the most articulate baby-blogger ever, I am completely uninterested in pregnancy and infant-rearing myself and therefore don't want to read about it. Unless, as I said, it's a story from someone I know firsthand.
By Kat, at 2:04 PM, January 30, 2006
Perhaps it's just me, but I always wish that Role Players actually had our own propaganda that we could leave. Like a "join the wonders of a fantasy world" or somesuch. I oughta make it, save I don't have the Photoshop skills. I'll get Paul to do it maybe. Imagine though how those people'd feel if they saw that on their doorstep after leaving their own propaganda. Equal opportunity. ;)
-Charles
By Cad, at 4:52 PM, January 30, 2006
Dude! Amalah rox!
By , at 9:54 PM, January 30, 2006
When I role play, I am a wicked ass, card carrying member of the JW's. I am known as "The Elder" and have ammassed +25 dexterity and +35 experience over the past month by leaving leaflets on the banisters in public stairwells all over the city.
My weapon is my leaflet. By way of severe paper cut or intellectual bludgeoning, I will convert you one way or another.
The Elder
Brought to you by the JW's where our motto is: "I seen 'im....seriously."
By G-Rob, at 7:01 AM, January 31, 2006
My general opinion is "mind your own fucking business," but I wonder if there are times when it's appropriate, based on the type of "bad" in the "bad idea."
Please, no names if this is relevant to anyone you or I know. I just want to hear your opinion.
EDIT: Thanks for your comments everyone. Let's narrow it down a bit to three pre-marraige situations:
1) S/he is SO wrong for you.
2) S/he is/has been unfaithful to you.
3) S/he worries me because s/he seems dangerous to your physical/mental well-being.
YES or NO to saying something in each of these situations?
Posted on January 26, 2006 @ 5:59 PM | 16 comments
Comments:
Kat, I post a message to my website www.lettersneversent.com. Not a plug (well, sorta), but it is a great way to get things off your chest. Try it, its theraputic. First time checking out your blog - will be back. Cheers!
By Pete Czech, at 6:10 PM, January 26, 2006
This is a tough situation, as we have previously discussed. I've already told you what I think would be best: write a sincere, understanding email that reiterates empowering the individual and making the best decisions for themselves. You can't control the situation at all, but at least you can bring up your concerns, as any true friend should do.
By Rachel, at 7:12 PM, January 26, 2006
This is always a tough situation. There's no easy litmus test, and saying anything has the potential to backfire on you, damaging your relationship with said person(s). In the interest of brevity, here's my proposed test:
Why is the marriage a bad idea?
--If the answer is "the marriage will be a failure", then you have no right to intervene. MYOFB.
--If the answer is "the marriage will lead to a verbal/mental abusive situation", then you may have a right to intervene gently, but intervention is unlikely to matter worth beans. MYOFB.
--If the answer is "the marital contract is being entered into under coercion", then you may have a right to intervene gently.
--If the answer is "the marriage is being entered into on false pretenses (i.e. he's really been unfaithful, etc.)", then you have a right to intervene, and the other party has a right to know.
--If the answer is "the marriage will set up a physically abusive situation", then you have a responsibility to intervene.
That, friends, is my metric that I made up off the top of my head.
By Cory P., at 12:05 AM, January 27, 2006
Also useful, use a straight-up risk-to-benefit ratio. Will the risk to your friendship be worth it for the projected outcomes?
By Cory P., at 12:07 AM, January 27, 2006
I think Rachel said everything I was thinking on. It depends on the situation. If your friend is getting married for the wrong reasons, not your business. If your friend is going to be in physical danger, your business.
By Lazy Lightning, at 4:46 AM, January 27, 2006
If you don't support the marriage, then you can express that by just not attending the wedding.
By , at 5:20 AM, January 27, 2006
Generally speaking, adults are free to enter into whatever sort of relationship they find most comforting and enjoyable. Even if they find the marriage a soul-sucking wander through a Hell of self-recrimination and regret, they must have been seeking *some* comfort from the decision.
Perhaps I'm not the best source of advice, given my track record. I still believe in the idea of marriage, or at least mutually satisfactory up-shacking, but I think that it's often viewed as the only "moral" way to cohabitate, and that people who are assuredly ill-suited to one another (or to anyone, in some cases) bind their lives prematurely, setting up deeper and longer lasting angst for the future.
I say, Shack Up! After 5 years or so, if you still love the person despite their (by now readily apparent) faults, then ring it up.
Now. . . should you tell someone that they are making a mistake? Depends on how in love they are with their partner, how close they are to you, and your reasons for making your feelings known. Generally being supportive (beforehand, during the giddy hormone rush of unalloyed joy, and afterwards, during the despondent self-recriminating angst-fest of breakup) is the right thing to do.
By , at 11:02 AM, January 27, 2006
I'm with Rachel (and etc.)
Sometimes the bounds of propriety come second.
By , at 12:08 PM, January 27, 2006
Thanks for your comments everyone. Let's narrow it down a bit to three situations:
1) S/he is SO wrong for you!
2) S/he is/has been unfaithful to you!
3) S/he worries me because s/he seems dangerous to your physical/mental well-being.
YES or NO to interference (on a commentary level) to each of these situations?
By Kat, at 12:17 PM, January 27, 2006
1.) No.
2.) Yes.
3.) Yes, depending on the severity of physical well-being.
Cory: nice flow chart, you summed up exactly what I wanted to say.
By Rachel, at 12:34 PM, January 27, 2006
I am going to completely fail to give you the binary answers you want, sorry ;p
1) It would depend greatly on how close you are to the person. Most people have concerns before getting married. If it is something that, based on the nature of your relationship with the person, you would normally be able to discuss with them, then go for it. At least let your misgivings be known. It can be very helpful for your confidence to know whether your friend has thought about the same things that trouble you. Of course, if you don't know the person as well, it isn't really your place to comment.
2) Probably good to let them know, but... make sure that A) the person doesn't already know and has intentionally overlooked/ forgiven the unfaithfulness, and B) be absolutely sure that you are correct that the fiancee actually has been cheating.
3) Much the same as #1 for mental well-being. In cases of physical abuse should always step in, even if you aren't an extremely close friend. Messy territory though, a direct approach isn't likely to work if the person is already putting up with this kind of treatment.
By , at 1:37 PM, January 27, 2006
I would have to say another thing to consider is how well you know BOTH parties, and how sure you are of the situation/reason they shouldn't be getting married. There is nothing more hurtful to a friendship, than hearing someone you trusted tell you not to marry someone, when you know damn well that they don't know your relationship well enough to have any basis for the statement. (but of course, they think they do...and therefore won't listen to your defense.) hope that helps from another perspective.
By , at 2:35 PM, January 27, 2006
Pete: Thanks for visiting! I think I've seen your site before and I may use it in the future. Good idea, too. :-)
§: I'm not sure how effective a form of protest this is for someone in my demographic. For one, I don't know many people who follow traditional wedding etiquette. Second, as someone who doesn't have an established income, attending every wedding everywhere isn't possible anyway, especially because I'm at that age when so many of my friends are being wed in rapid sucession.
BossMan: In general, I agree with you here. In some situations, however, I might worry about a person's ability to escape a marraige (for personal reasons or external circumstances) should it fail the litmus test and things become bad.
Eight 1/2 tails: Yeah, there are some people who are prone to rational discussion about their relationships, like you and I... and some who are not. The other major point in this discussion, which I'm not even touching for reason of length is WHAT approach one should take if commenting on marraige. What works? What doesn't work?
Emi: Good point, because in most situations I doubt someone would know both parties equally well, though it is possible. I've had parents be unsupportive of a relationship, but never really friends. I'm guessing you're speaking from personal experience. What do you say to that?
By Kat, at 3:41 PM, January 27, 2006
Yes, Kat, I am speaking from personal experience. Well, parents' lack of support falls into a sort of understandable (to a certain degree) area...especially if you are living at home with them. They are just looking out for what they *think* is best for their baby. At a certain point though, they do need to realize that their "baby" is an adult and is going to make his/her own decisions. This whole thing makes it hard for the kid to accept the parent's opinion just because they are the parent.
As for friends, I don't have any problems there. Mainly where my above comment was coming from was with regard to family members who are peers, and think they can take the freedom to judge a relationship as a parent would. Again, they have little contact with the relationship on which to base their opinions. In those cases, I think the person should just keep their mouth shut.
By , at 2:16 PM, January 30, 2006
Yah, I think it's definitely best to give a kid enough rope to hang themselves with. That's been Justin's parents' philosophy and (more recently) mine.
I get the overall impression from everyone's responses that, outright meddling aside, there are appropriate and inappropriate instances in which to attempt to dissuade someone.
With so many people I know marrying in the recent past or future, and likely myself included, 'tis good to know what people think. Now, if only I'd asked this before RacheMicah got married. I would have tried harder instead of keeping my mouth shut! ;-)
By Kat, at 2:28 PM, January 30, 2006
Yeek. I weighed in on this one a touch late, but my opinion nonetheless:
1. In the situation where I thought the person was wrong for the other on a fundamental level, I would probably try to explore their reasoning for getting married. I don't think I could do too much in this situation to make a difference, but I'd at least sound things out in the event that the person picked up on any gaps just through being asked.
2. Unfaithfulness is a dealbreaker, in my opinion. If the person doesn't know about it, I would think twice about what the marriage means to them before saying something. That being said, a bridge on an unstable foundation...or somesuch. I'd probably give in and tell them unless I was sworn to uber secrecy on the matter. Been there before...*sighs*
3. Dangerous to physical and mental well being? If this person is any friend of mine, it's worthy of an intervention of sorts. Maybe not like a call them out and force them to hear my perspective kinda thing, but I've never been good at leaving that sorta thing alone. In the long run if they are that dangerous, even if the friend gets mad at you, it's worthy that you tried.
But I'm usually too opinionated. ;)
-Charles
By Cad, at 4:47 PM, January 30, 2006
Posted on January 25, 2006 @ 11:24 AM | 2 comments
Comments:
Great theatre review! Yer published, woo hoo!
By Rachel, at 4:47 PM, January 25, 2006
Congratulations!
By , at 1:30 AM, January 26, 2006
Life can be serendipitous sometimes. Today I was chatting with a woman in the gym locker room (she and I both go to the same workout class) about our metabolisms, and the conversation turned toward aging. She mentioned she and her husband had been trying to concieve for a long time, and had even tried IVF. Then she said they were looking for a donor. I told her I'd considered becoming one. We talked, and I think there may be some mutual interest in pursuing it. If I'm going be an egg donor, now is the time. If it doesn't happen, I'm glad, at least, I reassured her that normal people want to be donors too.**
**If I may be permitted to call myself "normal."
Posted on January 23, 2006 @ 9:45 PM | 2 comments
Comments:
tell her to do adopt one of the many thousands of needy and discarded.
By , at 12:01 AM, January 24, 2006
Please name yourself when you leave comments, anonymous commenting is rude. (Choose "other" from the options in the comment box.)
She *could* do that, but it is no more my place to tell her what to do than to tell someone they shouldn't get an abortion. It's her choice and she's doing what she feels is right for her. That's good enough for me.
By Kat, at 2:35 PM, January 25, 2006
What's new with me? Well, the review, for starters, but I don't want to say anything more till this week's edition is printed. Then I'll link you to the online version. Justin and I got a new rice cooker at Uwajimaya today. And you can read all about my trip to Albany on the SEOmoz blog. (Complete with a few photos.) I drank a whole pitcher of beer... go me!
Posted on @ 12:13 AM | 2 comments
Comments:
wow, those guys look like total nerds. (except for the guy in the glasses /white shirt / black jacket, standing, in the first pic). they must have been drooling all over you something awful.
By , at 9:34 PM, January 23, 2006
Eh. *shrug* They're total geeks, for sure. Nerds, I can't say. Either way, I'm used to the crowd.
By Kat, at 2:33 PM, January 25, 2006
OK, so, I'm going to Albany, New York, not New York city or anywhere *really* exciting, but I consider that a blessing in this case. First, I'm not sure if I want to travel to NYC alone (for safety and for company) and second, I'm only gone for two nights, so being somewhere exciting and not getting to see it would frustrate me. This way I don't have to stress about where I'm going and I can just enjoy why I'm going, which is twofold: to get a bit of training (it's a demo seminar I'm attending) and to meet the Big Names of the SEO industry (who will also be there checking it out). There's a big industry "social" at a local brewpub on Wednesday night so I expect there'll be some fun thrown in there too. I'll be "covering" the event for the SEOmoz blog, too.
I've got comfy lodging, a cushy per-diem, and a mostly-relaxed itinerary. It's easy to think of it as a fun little adventure, so that's what I'm sure it'll be (provided the weather stays mild out there). Bon Voyage!
Posted on January 16, 2006 @ 7:20 PM | 4 comments
Comments:
Albany's nice. We lived in Victor (Suburb of Rochester) for 5 years of my childhood. My grandmother lives in Auburn and my Aunt and Uncle in Newark. (So I've got peeps in upstate NY!) It's a beautiful area.. but can be messy this time of year with slush! Have fun!!
By Lazy Lightning, at 7:54 PM, January 16, 2006
duuuuude. wear something hot.
By , at 9:33 PM, January 16, 2006
happy travels, business woman!
By Rachel, at 10:50 AM, January 17, 2006
I'm sorry we won't be seeing you-- if they send you again, put some extra time on one end or the other and have a visit!
Also, don't forget warm clothes-- were're having a 'mild' spell, but that still means cold!
My security word is cyurvd. Which is a good word.
Courtesy of Planned Parenthood, fucked-uppedness rating= TEN.
Posted on January 15, 2006 @ 12:17 PM | 7 comments
Comments:
Um... holy crap!
Banzai!
By Cory P, at 10:28 PM, January 15, 2006
Wow, so THAT'S how it happens...
Everything is much more clear to me now!
By , at 4:55 PM, January 16, 2006
that makes me never want to have sex again.
By , at 7:13 PM, January 16, 2006
Well, then Planned Parenthood's mission is surely accomplished, Anon!
By Kat, at 7:19 PM, January 16, 2006
that's a good freakin' point!! =-)
By , at 9:33 PM, January 16, 2006
hahaha!
By Rachel, at 10:49 AM, January 17, 2006
I think there are some other subtle bits to this video that you may not have picked up on.
Planned Parenthood has the budget to hire Michael Chiklis (a la The Shield) for a pregnancy video?
Why use a circumsized penis wearing a leisure suit and not one with a big turtle neck on?
Did you notice the vulva's hair on her head doesn't match the hair on her coat? Hmmmmm.
Guys take note, heart-shaped box of candy beats flowers anytime. I'll have to remember that one.
By G-Rob, at 7:34 AM, January 31, 2006
From: NEATEYE
Subject: Gouranga
Date: January 10, 2006 1:57:28 PM PST
To: kat@seomoz.org
Reply-To: nitaigouranga@aol.com
Call out Gouranga be happy
Gouranga Gouranga Gouranga!
That which brings the highest happiness...
Five minutes of research tells me that this particular spam-letter has been around for a long time and is either:
-A viral marketing campaign for a Grand Theft Auto News Site
-Or a spiritual message from a Hare Krishna spammer
I'd rather believe it's the second, just for shits and giggles, because getting spammed by the Hare Krishnas is like getting spammed by the Amish... it's just... wrong!
Either way, good job guys, you got me curious.
Posted on January 12, 2006 @ 12:37 AM | 2 comments
Comments:
Here's some info on the spam.
Joe is a "very enthusiastic person, who wants everybody to be happy."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouranga
By AltherrWeb, at 9:48 AM, January 13, 2006
He must really want me to be happy, because I just got spammed again.
*lolz*
By Kat, at 10:43 AM, January 13, 2006
Hooray! A shogatsu (New Year's) package just arrived from my host family in Tokyo. In it, a slew of Tonari no Totoro goodies that ya can't find here in the states...- 2 Totoro school workbooks (I think, I as best I can figure)
- 2 sets of Totoro stationery envelopes (per my request, as I was running low)
- An *awesome* Totoro tear-away 2006 wall calendar
and finally....
A TOTORO KITCHEN APRON!!! *SQUEE!!* My world is complete! I can die happy!
My host mom must have picked the gear up at Yamashiroya, arguably the best toy store in Tokyo, located just outside Ueno station. (Remember that place, Alex?) It has SIX FLOORS of... everything! I don't know how much stuff I got there after I discovered it, but I have countless Totoro goodies and other odd schwag from them. It's the only place I've seen that much Totoro merch in one place.
[Check out their website for some true oddities, like Willie Wonka Underpants?!?]
Yes, I am that much more of a geek because I'm in love with an animated film decidedly directed toward children... but come on... Totoro is a CLASSIC, and MIYAZAKE made it. *nostalgic sigh* And it's one of the few Japanese movies I can watch without subtitles and really, really, understand the whole thing.
Posted on January 10, 2006 @ 10:26 PM | 6 comments
Comments:
i personaly like the "man hater" and "burning romance" undies... good stuff.
By Bewyldered, at 1:05 AM, January 11, 2006
Yes that place was awesome! It consumed much of my hard won Japanese currency. Too much. Heheh.
By , at 11:05 AM, January 11, 2006
is that thing a penguin?
By , at 3:09 PM, January 11, 2006
No, a Totoro is a...totoro. It's not a stylized other animal. (Kat wants me to type that it is a mammal that lives in the brush, it eats leaves and greens and is magical...that clarify?)\
-Justin
By , at 8:28 PM, January 11, 2006
Does Totoro have any hobbies? Like does it do anything cool?
By , at 10:45 PM, January 11, 2006
Totoros enjoy gardening and dancing. The biggest ones seem to be able to fly...
they're like snuggly forest spirits ^_^
(though they're fictional, not traditional characters)
By Kat, at 12:36 AM, January 12, 2006

This month I start repayment on my student loans. It should be noted that whenever I type "student" I'm tempted to type "stupid," which, in this case, would be appropriate. I owe a grand total of $33,000 (in my name) to be paid in two bits, one unconsolidated (private bank, yuck) and one consolidated (federal) for twelve and twenty years respectively.
The way consolidation works, basically, is that a private company pays off all your individualized loans, lumps them all together and then you pay them back at a frozen interest rate. Huttah.
Well, my consolidation company did their job well, albeit later than expected, with the exception of four cents, which I still owe to the feds. FOUR CENTS, made payable to the U.S. Department of Education. I was almost tempted not to pay it to see if they'd take me to collections, but I thought the image of a four cent cheque was too priceless to pass up.
Seriously, though, is my postage and their processing time worth FOUR freaking CENTS???
Posted on January 08, 2006 @ 3:55 PM | 4 comments
Comments:
that's really funny.
hey who'd you consolidate with? my company is cool but they're bad with paperwork. as in, i want a hard copy record of all this shit (onlin debits) once in a while!! i have to call them for it.
By , at 4:33 PM, January 08, 2006
You do realize this is the US Government you're talking about. Efficiency is not their middle name.
By Louie, at 11:42 PM, January 08, 2006
Especially asstastic since the postage rate just went up to $39 cents.
By Peter, at 12:01 AM, January 09, 2006
I consolidated through NelNet, and I don't think they send statements for autopay either. I don't mind, though, I'm tired of recycling needless paper bills for things I can verify in my online bank statement. :)
Peter: I'm lucky, I don't have to pay for stamps-- Justin's work does it for me!
By Kat, at 9:23 AM, January 09, 2006
And... I just found out that most of my kill fee is going toward covering the cell phone overages I accrued making article related calls during business hours.
Well, fuck.
Posted on @ 10:29 AM | 4 comments
Comments:
Sorry to hear your story was killed. The publication I'm involved with nixed one of my articles last month but didn't offer any compensation. Then, low and behold, what arrived in my mailbox this week? An incredibly high cell phone bill, which can partially be blamed on the interviews I conducted for the article during business hours. If you're gonna freelance, use a land line. Words to live by.
By Brandon, at 5:32 PM, January 09, 2006
Try writing for a locally owned, non-sucky publication and maybe you'll have better luck. Best wishes.
By , at 1:16 PM, January 12, 2006
I tried that-- they weren't hiring.
In truth, I like both the Weekly and the Stranger... but the guys at The Stranger have for some reason always been dicks to me. The tremendous disregard with which they treat applicants is amazing.
Though the Weekly was, effectively, bought out, their staff has been courteous, engaging, and personal. I don't hold it against them for killing the story... part of the reason was that I didn't have time to pursue it.
By Kat, at 1:22 PM, January 12, 2006
I've have some pretty nasty experiences applying for internships and positions at the Portland Mercury, which is owned by the same company as the Stranger. While they haven't been outright cruel, they're indifferent to say the least.
And they're not nearly as nasty as the Oregonian. In the world of NW media, their hiring department seems to consider themselves the local equivalent of admissions at Oxford.
By , at 4:32 PM, January 12, 2006

Our vacation with RacheMicah went a little something like this:
FRIDAY;
-Wake up ass-early, drive and hour and a half to the ferry in Anacortes
-Ride the Ferry to Orcas Island for another hour
-Get to the house, unpack
-Eat dinner at Bilbos
-Buy groceries, go home
-Drink wine and play board games
-Curl up
SATURDAY;
-Get up late
-Do nothing
-Get ready and go to a New Year's Eve party hosted by our friends Anne and Jeff, ex Microsofties with a posh island vacation house
-Eat, celebrate, get trashed (ok, maybe I was the only one who got trashed, but wtf was I supposed to do? it was new year's eve!)
-Do stupid things, then get ill as recounted in my last NYE post
-Pass out
SUNDAY;
-Wake up at noon with a splitting headache
-Spend most of the day in pajamas, hung over
-Expend great effort to walk down the lawn to the boat dock
-Find a cool looking deer skull and swipe some foot bones... hope bones aren't cursed
-Walk back and eat spaghetti dinner
-Watch DVDs of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" and Saved, both netflixed and both hilarious, on Micah's laptop
-Sleep
MONDAY;
-Again, get up too early to drive to the ferry dock
-Drive home in pouring rain
-Eat
-Sleep
Mmm... Eating and sleeping... Spending time with friends...Me likes this trend. Sounds like a vacation, and that it was!
Posted on January 06, 2006 @ 9:52 PM | 2 comments
Comments:
The photo above looks vaguely like you've caught Justin doing something obscene... peeing over the railing, or possibly ON Micah...
By inkandpen, at 7:25 AM, January 07, 2006
that pix of you and justin in the mexican restaurant is adorable.
By , at 5:38 PM, January 08, 2006

A friend of ours recently won a radio contest from a local station... for a full company breakfast catered by Jimmy Dean sausage company. At the time, as this friend was looking for a job, so she offered the party to the venerable staff of The Abbey, headquarters and production facilities for TwistedMonk.com. Monk makes rope, and you can read all about his antics on his blog. You may remember that I went to Folsom street fair in San Francisco with the company in both 2005 and 2004.
Everyone at The Abbey was psyched for what we dubbed the sausage fest, albeit slightly worried. What would a good-ol'-boy Christian company like Jimmy Dean think of feeding a bunch of perverts their delicious, greasy, ground meat? Well, our friend called up the radio station to politely inform them and they ate it right up, no pun intended. We didn't know whether they told Jimmy Dean but we figured our civic duty had been done...
( Read More...)Fast forward to this morning. Delicious breakfast and no shennanigans. There was no staff of twenty choir boys to make our eggs n' biscuits, but one charming, rather curious (although possibly underinformed) woman who, apart from apparently cooking Jimmy Dean breakfasts, runs a nutritional business and is a rent-a-psychic. No joke. (Her plates read "SighKick.")
We glutted ourselves on complimentary coffee, toast, eggs, and, of course, on sausage [hot & maple!] before swiping some radio station schwag. I wonder, do they really hope to honestly promote their station on emory boards/nail files, or were they just trying to get rid of them?
Eventually, we got to the real fun... tying up and hoisting the promoter from the station who was there to observe the event. MUAHAHAHA! A day of moral corruption before 10AM is a good day. ^_^
For a more elaborate and entertaining account of brekkers and bondage, keep tabs on Monk's Blog. You can also see the SAUSAGE FEST photos here!
In other sorta-kinky personal news, I removed the set of nipple piercings I had done on Halloween 2004. A year and a half after, they just hadn't taken and were still causing me daily grief. They were never once infected, mind you, but they were anything but fun. After much contemplation-- because I'd wanted them for such a long time-- and after several restorative attempts, I took them out for good tonight. I will miss their sparkliness and the outrageous looks they got me in the womens' locker room. But I have to say that I feel releived... that's a good thing, since it's only four hours later and I couldn't put the jewelry back in if I wanted to. A year and a half, and they're closed already. Amazing!
[PostNote: I know I said I'd post New Year's Photos last night, but I was knackered. I had to hash out details with the Seattle Weekly after they killed my piece because we were scooped by the Times. Oh well, I still get paid half and without the stress of writing it! A girl could right make a living this way.]
Posted on January 04, 2006 @ 11:32 PM | 2 comments
Comments:
It always seemed to me that nipple piercings would be hard to heal. That's amazing how fast they're closing up!
By Lazy Lightning, at 5:07 AM, January 05, 2006
I was surprised, especially because I had no problems with my bellybutton piercing and I messed with that *all the time.* I never even *touched* these outside from morning and night, when I cleaned them. Oh well... I look forward to having my boobies back.
By Kat, at 9:12 AM, January 05, 2006
This year's celebration marks another to cap a series of interesting New Years after a long dry spell of doing nothing...NYE 2000-- and before-- were spent contemplating a boring evening, usually alone. For the last five, however, I've been a part of more 'interesting' events:
NYE 2001- Spent watching fireworks off Bevvy's porch in Helena, Montana, in a horribly depressed Depo-Provera induced haze
NYE 2002- Spent sipping Mai Tais and champagne while party-hopping around a Belizian Isle and then crashing at our hotel bar till it closed
NYE 2003- Spent in Tokyo, lonely but philosophical, visiting my neighborhood's shrine to make a very important realization
NYE 2004- Spent drinking, gnoshing, and stuffed into a cage at a house party hosted by Seattle's best known dominatrix
This year was spent eating delicious food and imbibing a little too much wine and champagne at the Orcas Island house of our very fortunate friends Anne and Jeff. We had a good evening at the party, which ended shortly after midnight, and then we headed back to our own lodging.
...At which point the five glasses of champagne I'd chugged when no one else seemed to want to finish the bottle caught up with me. I promptly made an ass of myself in the car by laughing while taking a sip of water and spraying Talking Rain all over the leather seats in RacheMicah's subaru. Oops. All the drinking didn't help the fact that the drive was twisty-turny as hell. Rach and I both felt icky even on the way there, but the way back was torture enough to cause me to "spill my guts" as soon as I got home. I'll pretend I did it as a New Years present for the raccoons.
The past year was eventful, but I'm hoping 2006 will be less stressful. During 2005 I did a lot of fretting and sweating about finishing my undergrad thesis, graduating, acting as a bridesmaid in Rachel and Micah's wedding, moving to Seattle, not finding a job, finding a job, moving for the second time in three months, adjusting to a new job, and dealing with the holidays. Ugh! There will always be things to stress about, but I'm hoping for nothing as persistant as the chain of events over the last year.
I can't say for sure what 2006 will bring, and I didn't make any resolutions, but I can give a few predictions-- I'm considering (maybe) getting a second cat to keep Rupert company, I expect to travel a bit for work (including to Albany, NY, in two weeks), I bet I'll write for the Seattle Weekly a few times, I expect to be helping J through his first year of nursing classes and maybe I'll pick up a new stressor or two, like planning a wedding. Hmm. Maybe.
But that's all the thought I'll give to the unknown for now. Check back for NYE 2005 photos to be posted this evening.
Posted on January 03, 2006 @ 10:01 AM | 9 comments
Comments:
Happy 2006! At least you got your first barf of the year over with early.
Here's to 2006 weddings? eh? eh?
By Adrienne, at 11:13 AM, January 03, 2006
And my first hangover...
heh
Well, if/when the wedding happens, it won't be at least until 2007. I plan to take my sweet time working out the nitty gritty. :-)
By Kat, at 11:39 AM, January 03, 2006
Albany, eh? Not that you'll have time, but if you'd like to see our snowy retreat, it's not that far...
By inkandpen, at 11:42 AM, January 03, 2006
Argh! I should have thought of that...
I don't know if it's feasible because I don't have a rental car or leisure time. Dammit!
By Kat, at 11:46 AM, January 03, 2006
Rest at ease: the Talking Rain that you accidetally sprayed in the car was just spring water, not carbonation with fruit juice extracts.
And wasn't the day after our wedding your first hangover, if I remember correctly? ;)
We had so much fun at Orcas, wewt!
By Rachel, at 11:06 PM, January 03, 2006
Ahh, I thought it was Talking Rain brand spring water. :-)
And no, my first hangover wasn't your wedding, but long before! That was just the first really SHITTY hangover I've had. And this was just my first hangover of 2006... I'm sure there will be more to follow.
Glad you had fun! ^_^
By Kat, at 11:15 PM, January 03, 2006
fotos? =-(
By , at 2:56 PM, January 04, 2006
do you find your japanese has gone to shit or do you keep up on it?
By , at 4:51 PM, January 04, 2006
Hey, that's a pretty good TOri Amos song.
By , at 7:21 PM, January 04, 2006









