I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…

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And while I know when I’ll be back again, I might not remember everything. Ah…wine country! Should be a blast and most definitely needed.

Here it is, shortly after midnight and yes, we did indeed just finish packing. Mind you, I had things pretty much pre-packed (and I was packed) I was just waiting on the hubby to put in his two cents. I have no desire to be *that* kind of wife that packs for my husband. Instead, I pre-pack and then nag until he finishes. Much better, right?

I might be stopping by with the occasional post or picture, but I can’t make any promises. I mean, if I can walk away from my website for a week, I shouldn’t have to feel obligated to keep up with a blog with a whole 9 or so readers, right?

Now if only I could pull the hubby away from his computer. Yes, it’s the eve of our vacation and he’ll be up late again working. The good news, the first two nights he’ll won’t have internet access outside of what his crackberry might pick up. So maybe he’ll relax after all.

Cheers!

Thursday Thirteen – Vacation Packing

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Here are Thirteen Things I must bring with me wherever I go on vacation…

1. socks to sleep in – my feet are always cold, even in the dead of summer

2. lipbalm – I am addicted and as an addict, I need to know my lip stuff is right near by.

3. and 4. books & magazines – my husband is a bit of a workaholic, so even on vacation, he works, so I make sure I have something to read.

5. and 6. digital camera & USB connector for my smart card – I love to do self-portraits and I love to take pictures of things. What better way to have memories to look back on.

7. sunscreen – I’m one fair skinned kind of gal, so I tend to always make sure I bring along the SPF (even if I don’t wear it on a daily basis).

8. workout clothes – you never know when you’ll get the chance to burn off some of those high point, vacation treats and drinks.

9. travel alarm clock – I’m a little crazy about wanting to know what time it is, wherever I am. This way, if the hotel alarm clock isn’t on my side of the bed, I’m still in the know.

10., 11. and 12. my own soap, shampoo and conditioner – though I will typically take the hotel provided toiletries back home with me (they’re great for guests).

13. snacks – I like to know that if I’m hungry that I have something to snack on. Usually, it’s just a granola bar or two, but still, it helps to keep those vacationing high point days bearable.

And of course, a few other things, but hey, I only needed 13, right? 😉 Now back to that packing…

Calling All Domestic Divas! I Need Some Help…

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Two very embarrassing cleaning questions…

One: how do I clean my mini-blinds? It’s beyond a simple brushing. The dirt and grime is pretty intense (no clue where the actual grime came from) and I’m tired of looking at it. Do I have to take the actual blinds down or can I spray on some cleaner and wipe it down with some paper towels or rags? Or do I ask the landlord for their suggestion? If at all possible, I’d really rather not have to take them down.

I can admit it though, I’m SO not my grandmother and I don’t embrace this whole spring cleaning or deep cleaning ritual. But now, well, I’m just tired of looking at it and it’s not like it’s going to clean itself *sigh* Well, at least I can cook right?

Two: does anyone have any proven methods for whitening the whites? My sheets are so dingy looking (I blame the laundromat) and nothing I use seems to help – not bleach, not oxy, not vinegar, not cream of tartar, not baking soda (or is it’s powder? you know, the stuff in the yellow box) and not the liquid blueing stuff. I’ve heard that some time in the sun helps, but I’m not sure that’s possible (though my landlords do have a line out back that they use from time to time). Any other ideas?

The Rules for Sandal Season

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Just a friendly reminder, it’s that time of the year again. Please raise your BIG TOE and repeat after me; I pledge to follow The Rules when I wear sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that actually fit, no matter how cute they may be. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not ooze out between the straps.

I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe. Try using a rubbery base coat like Creative Nail’s Stickey or Orly’s Bonder to help your polish last longer.

I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow. Or easier still, I’ll slather on some Mr. Pumice Callus Terminator, give it a little buff with my pumice and call it a day. And remember to moisturize nightly to keep your feet soft as a baby’s butt.

I will shave, pluck or wax the hairs off my big toe, or any of my toes for that matter.

I won’t wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, sister or stranger on the street tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.

If a strap breaks, I won’t duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back in to place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it. No matter how much it hurts.

I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl’s if my feet need him.

I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless no matter how low the price, even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids’ sizes – even though the fashion magazines may say they’re back in style. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat, and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.

I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.

I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes look like they’ve been dragged behind her car on the way to work and no sandal in the world is going to make her feet look good.

I will promise if I wear flip flops, that I will ensure they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear to NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.

I will promise to go to my local nail salon or beauty school at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $20 and worth EVERY penny). Or spend a few bucks more and get an even better one. It’s the perfect way to get those puppies ready for summer!

And finally…I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear. There is nothing tackier than dirty white sandals.

So please, for the sake of everyone that will see your toes this summer, pass these rules along!

Who Knew

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I was sitting back and reading the LA Times with the hubby and he hands me this one article and tells me that as a blogger (Ha!! Like I’d really call myself a blogger – though I do run another blog site that gets updated regularly), anyway, as a blogger, he said I needed to read it. It was about the viral power that bloggers have today.

Turns out Berkeley Breathed (of Opus and Bloom County fame) was doing a book signing in the midwest with a teen came in and asked him what he thought of Gore Verbinski (of Pirates of the Caribbean fame). Not thinking beyond making a funny, Breathed responded that he’s “sick of pirates.” Within an hour or so, it had spread like wildfire through the blogosphere.

Man, who knew blogging had so much power. Let alone unknown teenage bloggers are wielding this power. All that is reason enough to check out the blog-o-stats more closely! Makes you wonder how you can change the World, huh?

Howl at the Moon

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There’s just something about sitting here, somewhere between midnight and 3:00 AM, just reading, or farting around on the computer and hearing the coyotes yip and howl at the moon. I never would have realized they were even that close, except one late night we were out for our nightly stroll with the boy, and we noticed a dog watching us closely from the other side of the street, closest to Griffith Park. It didn’t take long to realize it was a coyote.

Since the fire, I’ve noticed that the yips seem to be louder, like the pack has grown some. Overall, it’s just pretty fascinating to me to think that I live in the city, not too far off of of two major freeways, yet we have abundant wildlife: possums, skunks, gophers and coyotes. Just fascinating.

For These Things I Am Grateful…

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I just thought that I’d take a moment and focus on some of the many, many things that I am so happy and grateful for…

* we’ll start with the obvious, yet very important…my health, wealth, happiness, joy, work, love, home, family, friends, husband and boys!

* my upcoming haircut, brow wax and pedicure!!

* my current batch of chick-lit – I’m so loving reading the breezy stuff!

* the fact that we’re off on a vacation full of good friends, good food and good wine in just over a week!

* that I’m going on that vacation 20 or so pounds lighter than when we went last year – and it shows!

* my clean car – I should show my gratitude and appreciation for it now since it might rain tomorrow!

* that while today may have been a tad chilly and overcast, the weather as a whole has been just lovely and perfect for our evening walks!

* and so, so much more!

Edited to add: the reason I even started this was to express my gratitude for our new toilet!!! No more wondering if it’s going to flush. No more non-stop running through the night. Ah…the joys of a new toilet!

Help Save Internet Radio & NPR

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SaveNetRadio.org

About the Issue

On March 2, 2007 the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB), which oversees sound recording royalties paid by Internet radio services, increased Internet radio’s royalty burden between 300 and 1200 percent and thereby jeopardized the industry’s future.   

At the request of the Recording Industry Association of America, the CRB ignored the fact that Internet radio royalties were already double what satellite radio pays, and multiplied the royalties even further.  The 2005 royalty rate was 7/100 of a penny per song streamed; the 2010 rate will be 19/100 of a penny per song streamed.  And for small webcasters that were able to calculate royalties as a percentage of revenue in 2005 – that option was quashed by the CRB, so small webcasters’ royalties will grow exponentially!

Before this ruling was handed down, the vast majority of webcasters were barely making ends meet as Internet radio advertising revenue is just beginning to develop.  Without a doubt most Internet radio services will go bankrupt and cease webcasting if this royalty rate is not reversed by the Congress, and webcasters’ demise will mean a great loss of creative and diverse radio.  Surviving webcasters will need sweetheart licenses that major record labels will be only too happy to offer, so long as the webcaster permits the major label to control the programming and playlist.  Is that the Internet radio you care to hear?  

As you know, the wonderful diversity of Internet radio is enjoyed by tens of millions of Americans and provides promotional and royalty opportunities to independent labels and artists that are not available to them on broadcast radio.  What you may not know is that in just the last year Internet radio listening jumped dramatically, from 45 million listeners per month to 72 million listeners each month.  Internet radio is already popular and it is already benefiting thousands of artists who are finding new fans online every day.

Action must be taken to stop this faulty ruling from destroying the future of Internet radio that so many millions of listeners depend on each day.  Instead of relying on lawyers filing appeals in the CRB and the courts, the SaveNetRadio Coalition has been formed to represent every webcaster, every Net Radio listener, and every artist who enjoys and benefits from this medium.  Please join our fight for the preservation of Internet radio.

CALL YOUR SENATORS AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE NOW TO ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR THE INTERNET RADIO EQUALITY ACT, S. 1353 IN THE SENATE AND H.R. 2060 IN THE HOUSE!
 

The future of Internet radio is in immediate danger!

Royalty rates for webcasters have been drastically increased by a recent ruling and are due to go into effect on July 15 (retroactive to Jan 1, 2006!). If the increased rates remain unchanged, the majority of webcasters will go bankrupt and silent on this date. Internet radio needs your help!

The Internet Radio Equality Act has recently been introduced in both the House and Senate to save the Internet radio industry. Please call your senators and your representative to ask them to co-sponsor the Internet Radio Equality Act.
 

Dentist-Schmentist, Weigh In-Schmay In

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Well, I tried to weigh in this morning before heading into the dreaded dentist for my cleaning, but I got my times totally messed up and they weren’t open yet. Then of course, with my cleaning scheduled, I’d miss the next WI. So basically, I just gave up and I’ll just do a cursory WI tomorrow morning. I’m still not expecting much since I went a little crazy my birth-a-versary week, but who knows. I’ve been doing a lot of walking and that’s got to count for something.

All I know is after this vacation, I really, really need to get back on track with WW. This has just been pathetic. I got back into my smaller stash of clothes and just kind of got lazy after that. All I can say is while I’m thrilled beyond belief to be able to visit with J&C in a couple weeks, I’m also dreading the visit. She’s done amazingly well, and I’ve just done okay. For the most part, I’m fine with this since I look and feel SO much better. But you know, I just don’t want to be judged and sometimes, we just can’t help but harbor little judgey thoughts, you know. Love or not, it happens. But overall, I’m just thrilled with our upcoming vacation and so happy to visit with them again. Just chalk all this up go my being a bit of a goofball.

Sidenote: The toilet broke again last night and the water has been gushing non-stop (except when I made the hubby turn it off last night so we could sleep). This time around though, I called the landlord and reminded him that he’s fixed it once, we’ve fixed it twice and dammit if it isn’t broke again. So hopefully he’ll fix it right up!

So I had my cleaning today at the dentist. And once again, Xantax to the rescue!!! Man, they should just get a license to dispense that stuff when you walk it. It makes such a difference. My cleaner lady even commented on how much more calm I was and asked if I took one. So yeah, the shit works. She also gave me an A- on my upkeep saying that if it wasn’t for my crazy ass wisdom teeth way, way, way far back in my mouth, my teeth would all be in great, clean, shape! That feels good. It took three years to get back to this point especially after having gone 7+ years between any dental or cleaning work. That is, if I was ever at this point in my life – with my fear of dentists I usually avoided what I could. But yeah, that made me feel great!

So today I just have to do some inside cleaning (if I can manage to NOT take a nap – damn that husband and his only getting 3-5 hours of sleep while working on his latest project) and whatnot and then get ready for Harry Connick at the Greek. I love the Greek, it’s one of my favorite venues to see shows. I’m not so sure what to expect of this show though. Having peeked at a recent setlist, it seems to be ONLY stuff from this Nola CD. I picked it up with a gift card the other day and have been listening while in the car. It’s not bad, just not exactly the Harry I know and love! Hopefully he’ll wow us with the show – much like Michael Bubble did a few years back. Here’s hoping.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

I love Harry Connick Jr.

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and I love my husband!!! He’s been teasing me about how we’ll be missing the HC show – in fact, we thought we’d already missed it. Well early this morning, he decided to pick up a pair of tickets for this Friday’s show at the Greek! I’m SO excited!! And not that it really matters much in the scheme of things, but he also picked up some VIP parking passes so we don’t have to deal with the stacked parking crap.

*sigh* my husband rocks!!! He may not be big into buying cards or falling for those Hallmark holidays, but he’s still a keeper!