February 2005 | Main | April 2005
March 30, 2005
Morning note to John
Good morning, sweetheart. Hope you slept well! It's sunny outside today - I think I might walk to the data center this morning, it's so pretty!
Pet all the puppies and kitties for me, and Willie and Petey, too.
Miss you! Love you! Lust you!
Beth
Posted by Beth at 5:49 AM | Comments (1)
March 29, 2005
Struggling to live
I am amazed at how hard Terri is fighting to live. I had no idea that a human being could live this long with no water. Apparently, politicians and judges have wiped their hands of the matter and the Schindler family has no recourse to save their daughter and sister.
The law does not allow a man to keep his wife from having an abortion if she wants one because it is 'her' body.
How can the law allow a man to decree the death of a woman - after all, it is 'her' body!
Even the euthenasia laws in Holland would not allow this 'mercy killing' because she has not explicitly agreed to it.
Here are the rules inhttp://www.aetheronline.com/mario/Eye-Openers/euthenasia.htm:
Patients must face a future of unbearable, interminable suffering Request to die must be voluntary and well-considered Doctor and patient must be convinced there is no other solution A second medical opinion must be obtained and life must be ended in a medically appropriate way The patient facing incapacitation may leave a written agreement to their death.
Posted by Beth at 7:17 AM | Comments (7)
March 28, 2005
I'm in the DC area this week
I flew into BWI yesterday afternoon and drove to Silver Spring and checked into my hotel - then I got in the car to find a place to eat dinner. I swear, I drove around for 90 minutes, gave up, when to the hotel and asked for some suggestions - all I saw was McDonalds - anywhere! It ends up I have to drive all the way to Laurel to eat at a sit down restaurant - that's probably 10 to 15 or more miles, or so it seemed to me!
Then, I get here, and I realize that I do not have my client's address- I checked all email, etc., and no one ever sent it to me! So, I had to call the client and sheepishly ask where the heck they are!
Things must get better as the week goes on - they must!
Posted by Beth at 7:12 AM | Comments (3)
March 26, 2005
Carnival of the Recipes
I was traveling all day yesterday, so I did not have a chance to link to Pajama Pundit's version of the Carnival of the Recipes - yum!
Thanks, Donna, for doing such a great job!
Posted by Beth at 1:56 PM
March 25, 2005
sigh
I have written very little of late - partly because I'm working too much and partly because I'm afraid to write about Terri's plight. Why am I afraid? Because people who believe that starving her is the right thing to do are behaving like pit bulls in their comments on other blogs.
The anti-life folks have some serious misconceptions about pro-life people. The most pervasive argument they seem to have is that those of us who are on the side of life do nothing to 'help those already alive', or that we do not do anything to care for those who are not aborted or euthanized.
There's not much use in arguing with them. To me it is as if evil has taken hold of their souls, and they cannot see or comprehend what, to me, is obvious.
Peggy Noonan and Rachel Lucas both express it all way better than I can. Go read them both.
My prayers are for Terri and her parents and siblings.
Update - even Ralph Nader sees the inherent wrongness of what has happened to Terri:
To: National DeskContact: Ralph Nader, 202-387-8034; Wesley Smith, 510-886-8609
WASHINGTON, March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader and Wesley J. Smith, author of the award winning book "Culture of Death: The Assault on Medical Ethics in America" call upon the Florida Courts, Governor Jeb Bush and concerned citizens to take any legal action available to let Terri Schiavo live.
"A profound injustice is being inflicted on Terri Schiavo," Nader and Smith asserted today. "Worse, this slow death by dehydration is being imposed upon her under the color of law, in proceedings in which every benefit of the doubt-and there are many doubts in this case-has been given to her death, rather than her continued life."
Among the many injustices in this case, Nader and Smith point to the following:
The courts not only are refusing her tube feeding, but have ordered that no attempts be made to provide her water or food by mouth. Terri swallows her own saliva. Spoon feeding is not medical treatment. "This outrageous order proves that the courts are not merely permitting medical treatment to be withheld, it has ordered her to be made dead," Nader and Smith assert.
The medical and rehabilitation experts are split on whether Terri is in a persistent vegetative state or whether Terri can be improved with therapy. There is only one way to know for sure- permit the therapy. That is the only way to resolve all doubts.
The court is imposing process over justice. After the first trial in this case, much evidence has been produced that should allow for a new trial-which was the point of the hasty federal legislation. If this were a death penalty case, this evidence would demand reconsideration. Yet, an innocent disabled woman is receiving less justice.
The federal and state governments are spending billions on what we are told will become miracle medical cures for people with all sorts of degenerative conditions, including brain damage. If this is so, why not permit Terri's parents and siblings who want to care for her do so in the hope that such cures are discovered?
Benefits of doubts should be given to life, not hastened death. This case is rife with doubt. Justice demands that Terri be permitted to live.
Posted by Beth at 4:56 AM | Comments (7)
March 23, 2005
Recipes, Recipes, Recipes!
Get those recipes in to the recipe.carnival - at - gmail.com mailbox so Donna B. of Pajama Pundits can do a great job of hosting the Carnival this week.
Posted by Beth at 5:02 PM | Comments (1)
March 22, 2005
Carnival of the Recipes
Here is the schedule for the Carnival of the Recipes for the next couple of months - if you cannot do it on your scheduled day, please let me know as soon as possible.
April 1st - John at http://texasbestgrok.mu.nu
April 8th - Amanda at http://www.aussiewife.blogspot.com/
April 15th - Drew at http://www.conservativefriends.com/
April 22nd - Bev at http://www.bebere.com
April 29th - Caltech Girl at http://caltechgirlsworld.blogspot.com/
May 6th - Kevin at http://www.technogypsy.net
May 13th - Boudicca at http://boudicca.mu.nu/
May 20th - Jordana at http://curmudgeonry.mu.nu
May 27th - Angela at http://freshasadaisy.us/
I'm sorry this is so late- and I will go back when I have some time and put your blog names in the links - not just the URLs!
Posted by Beth at 5:20 AM | Comments (4)
March 21, 2005
Sara, a reader - sent this link
And it is truly hilarious: http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html
Thank you, Sara - what a hoot!!
Posted by Beth at 7:54 PM | Comments (3)
March 20, 2005
Another week of travel
This week it is Baltimore. I'm trying to get ready so that John and I can catch a movie and early dinner before I have to fly away again.
I will be working on the carnival calendar while I'm on the plane. Try to post it tomorrow or maybe even tonight!
Posted by Beth at 11:42 AM | Comments (1)
March 19, 2005
Books
I am sure that I mentioned that I read quite a few books when I am traveling. Currently, my very favorite author is Sharon Shinn - great combination of science fiction and fantasy in her series about Samaria. I actually have trouble putting her books down to do such things as sleep, eat and work.
I have also been reading her more strictly fantasy books, and they are every bit as good as the Samaria series.
It is not often I find an author I love. Sharon Shinn is one of the few good SF/Fantasy writers who can keep my attention and interest throughout an entire book.
Posted by Beth at 5:15 PM | Comments (2)
Carnival of the Recipes #31 is up!!
The Carnival is up, and Flying Monkey did a wonderful job of putting together all the yummy recipes for us.
Thank you, Flying Monkey!
Posted by Beth at 2:34 PM
My friend Sandi sent me another funny
WIFE MART
A new store that sells wives opens in Dallas, TX
A man may go to choose a wife from among MANY women.
The store is comprised of 6 floors, and the women increase in positive attributes as the shopper ascends the flights.
There is however, a catch: As you open the door to any floor you may choose a wife from that floor. But if you go up a floor, you can't go back down - except to exit the building--no stopping on any lower floors.
A man goes to the shopping center to find a wife.
********** On the first floor, a sign on the door reads:
Floor 1 - These women have jobs.
The man reads the sign and says to himself, "Well, that's better than my last girlfriend, but I wonder what's further up?" So up he goes on.
********** The sign on second floor reads
Floor 2 - These women have jobs,love sports,
and drink beer.
The man smiles to himself, "That's great, but I wonder what's further up?
********** The third floor sign reads:
Floor 3 - These women have jobs, love sports, drink beer, and are extremely good looking.
"Hmmm, better!" he says. "But I wonder what's upstairs?"
********** The fourth floor sign reads:
Floor 4 - These women have jobs, love sports, drink beer, are extremely good looking and do all the housework.
"Wow!" exclaims the man, "very tempting. BUT, there must be more, much more, further up!" He heads up another flight.
********** The fifth floor sign reads:
Floor 5 - These women have jobs, love sports, drink beer, are extremely good looking, do all the housework and don't bitch or gripe about anything.
"Hot Dang!..how close to perfect can you get?.. .. But just think.....what must be awaiting me further on?" So up to the sixth floor he goes.
********** The sixth floor sign reads:
Floor 6 - Welcome. You are visitor 133,956,779,012 to this floor There are no women on this floor.
This floor exists solely as proof that men are impossible to please.
Thank you for shopping Wife Mart, and have a nice day.
Posted by Beth at 2:09 PM | Comments (3)
March 18, 2005
Carnival of the Recipes #31
Space Monkey forgot about the carnival, but will have it ready tomorrow.
The management at Flying Space Monkey apologizes for the inconvenience.
Umm, so do I!
Posted by Beth at 4:29 PM | Comments (2)
Terri
How can a woman who has harmed no one be put to death by order of her unfaithful husband? Terri left no 'living will'.
Not on life support, merely being fed and given water - but through a tube. That is not extraordinary.
If she spoke up now and said 'no' - I suspect her husband will still demand she die.
Yes, she is brain damaged - but ....
She is not brain dead.
If our society allows the slow starving and dehydration of an innocent woman because her brain doesn't work well, we are no better than the German Nazis.
It is a small thing, Terri's little life. But it is all she has on this earth, and we should not take it.
No one will even be allowed to try to feed her or give her water.
This is all so wrong, so evil, so inhuman that it is inexcusable.
May her husband and his doctors and attorneys all burn in hell.
All these bloggers are blogging to help save Terri's life:
And, say a prayer for Terri. Killing her by starvation is absolutely evil.
Posted by Beth at 4:16 PM | Comments (1)
March 16, 2005
Oh, I so love New Orleans!
The people I am working with are a wonderful bunch of guys. Some are from the area, a few are very Cajun, and others are from far, far away. But all of them exude Southern Hospitality. And every person I have chanced upon after work has been just as kind and nice.
Sunday, when I first arrived here, I drove to the French Quarter and had a late lunch at a lovely restaurant. Then I explored part of the Quarter and wandered around. A young couple asked me to take a picture of them with their camera, and I was happy to oblige. Afterwards, we talked and talked for probably 30 minutes - they were complete strangers, but they were friendly and interesting, and when I told them I needed to get going, I got hugs from both of them.
And the food. Oh, the food! It's unbelievable - and not all Southern food is spicy, for those of you who may not care for blackened this or that.
The hotel I'm staying in is in Covington, Louisianna - across Lake Pontrachrain from Metairie - where I am working. The Causeway is the longest bridge across water in the world - for now anyway - it is about 24 miles long, and is really quite mesmerizing to drive across.
Oh, and for some unknown reason, everything I'm doing at work seems to be just falling into place without much effort.
If only John was here with me - then it would be perfect - and if my bloggy friends were here too - Joanie and Tammi and Rosemary and Ching and Beth and more - what fun we could have!
Posted by Beth at 8:33 PM | Comments (9)
Recipes, recipes
Get those recipes in! Send the link or, if you don't have a blog, send the recipe to recipe.carnival at gmail dot com. Space Monkey is our host this week.
Posted by Beth at 6:38 AM
March 15, 2005
Haiku of the Day
Syria give up.
Lebanon needs to be free.
Free Syria, too.
Posted by Beth at 9:16 PM
March 14, 2005
Thanks for the birthday comment party
I'm still recovering!
Posted by Beth at 6:46 AM | Comments (2)
March 12, 2005
How I am spending my birthday
John said I could do anything I want to for my birthday. With all the travel I've been doing of late, I told him that I want to get some laundry done and a bit of housecleaning and drink champagne while I'm doing it.
Hiccup.
Actually, John is doing the hard part of the laundry - I'm just sorting the loads and putting the clothes away while watching the first DVD of the first season of CSI (my birthday present!).
Oh, Houdini escaped again today, but I found him before the cops did. Little shit - he was on the block behind us, I walked over there and called, and he came running. I had to carry the little sucker back home because I failed to bring a leash with me.
I also sent John out to purchase a rib roast for dinner- I eat out so much on the road, that eating at home looks pretty damn good to me anymore, even if I do the cooking!
Speaking of being on the road - anyone in New Orleans? I'm heading there tomorrow for the week - I actually had a very difficult time finding a hotel because St. Pat's Day is next week, and there is a big celebration there. I actually have to drive across Lake Ponchartrain to get to the client in Metairie each morning.
That's a long drive!
Let's see - what else - oh, yeah - our dvd player in our bedroom (where I am folding and putting away clothes) has been acting up for some time. It's at least 4 or 5 years old. I looked at some on Amazon.com and found that they have really come down in price tremendously since we bought ours. I ordered a combo VCR/DVD for less than 100 bucks. Geeze, I love technology!
I still have to pack my suitcase to get ready for tomorrow morning's flight, print out itineraries, maps (I do get lost without them) and finish my expense report and status report from last week - oh, and I have to do my time report too, almost forgot! And I have to log onto a couple of client sites to check some errors they are reporting.
It never ends!
Posted by Beth at 6:16 PM | Comments (5)
Sad News
Acidman's mother passed away this morning.
My condolences go out to Rob and his family.
Posted by Beth at 5:38 PM
And I thought I had some bad flight experiences!
I discovered a new blog (for me, anyway) this morning, and yesterday, Katie had the most amazing day. You have to read about her flight to Michigan yesterday. Here is an excerpt:
He asks me to marry him and come back to Beirut with him.
Posted by Beth at 12:28 PM | Comments (1)
Carnival of the Recipes #30
Pam has done an artful job of putting together this week's Carnival of the Recipes.
So go and read all about food.
Posted by Beth at 8:19 AM
Whee! Yowza! Wahoo!
Today is SWWBO's Natal Day!
LEAVE NICE COMMENTS! THAT'S AN ORDER!
PAR-TAY! PAR-TAY! PAR-TAY!
Posted by John at 8:08 AM | Comments (110)
March 11, 2005
Threats to Judges must be stopped
Fox News is reporting the murder of a Superior Court judge in Atlanta - while court was in session. Two court deputies were also shot. It looks like the killer (a suspected rapist) grabbed the deputy's gun and started shooting. They have not caught the killer yet - he has been hijacking cars all over Atlanta to escape.
This is bad. Our justice system must be protected or we are lost.
Update: The court reporter was also killed. So was a deputy.
Update - they got him - alive. He may also be responsible for the death of a Customs Agent.
Posted by Beth at 8:50 AM | Comments (3)
I have no life
I love what I do - this cool technical stuff I get to do.
However, we have lost a few co-workers of late, and I have found that when I get back to the hotel after 10 or so hours of work, other clients want me to call them and work with them remotely. So I do what I can.
But then, I realize I'm mentally exhausted. I don't want to write anything, I don't want to do anything but escape into a book. My schedule for the next few weeks is exhausting just to look at. Many weeks, I'll get home on Friday, only to leave again on Sunday - on Saturday, it's try to spend some time with John and do laundry.
I have no life anymore.
I'm pooped.
I don't want answer the phone or check my email.
Damn, I guess I'm a little burnt out.
Anyway, that's why I have not been doing much in the way of posting anything. No time.
I have no idea how all the lawyer-bloggers can post a zillion times a day. Where do they find the time? Or maybe lawyers are not as busy as technical geeks who travel are?
Posted by Beth at 7:20 AM | Comments (2)
March 9, 2005
I am so out of touch
When I'm working lots of hours (this week!) and out of town at the same time, I find that I miss what is going on in the world. I honestly do not have time to surf the Internet or watch TV, and the commute from the hotel here to the data center is all of about 5 minutes (Reno really is a small city).
So, please, let me know what is happening in comments - what is the most important, the funniest, etc - leave links, and I'll put them all in a post tonight.
And thanks!
Oh, if Tammi should see this - I had the best Creme Brulee last night - chocolate sauce on the bottom, perfectly cooked custard and the sugar on top melted into a hard shell. Yum.
Posted by Beth at 8:54 AM | Comments (4)
March 8, 2005
Recipe Reminder!
Get those recipes in to recipe.carnival -at- gmail.com by Thursday Midnight.
Pam is our hostess this week!
Posted by Beth at 1:24 PM | Comments (1)
March 7, 2005
I'm off to Reno
I'll probably be able to blog more there than here at home- our cable modem has been very flaky lately. I have lost at least 4 really good posts when I tried to save them and we lost connectivity.
I hate that when it happens, and by then, I usually don't have the time to rewrite a post, so I just forget about it.
I know it has caused John great frustration, too.
Posted by Beth at 5:12 AM | Comments (3)
March 5, 2005
Today sucked!
I have spent the entire day either working, doing laundry, playing Weboggle or helping John fix his fancy schmancy pc.
I am proud to say, I got his pc on the internet. There is a reason I did tech support at Sprint for so long, after all.
Unfortunately, the only way I could get it to work was to give him my wondrous netgear usb wireless thingie.
So now, I have to go buy myself another one.
But what's most important, is John is happy. He can play his flight simulators and download and upload his stuff and he is happy.
He is also taking me out to dinner to pay for that happiness. Heh.
Posted by Beth at 6:02 PM | Comments (4)
March 4, 2005
Wow, a literary Carnival of the Recipes
Ted has outdone himself this week. The Carnival of the Recipes #29 is up!
I had fun reading Ted's little stories - for example:
There I was, sitting at my desk. The only light in the room came from the blinking neon sign outside and the occasional flash of lightning. That was fine by me, because it fit my mood, as did the glass of smoky single malt in front of me.Then she walked in. Her hair shone like spun cotton candy. She had cherry lips and plump breasts. Half turning to close the door, I admired her prime rump and appreciated her succulent thighs wrapped in a tight skirt. Definitely not chicken legs.
Wonderful!!
Posted by Beth at 7:06 AM | Comments (1)
March 3, 2005
Must go out to dinner tonight!!
Stress, stress, stress, stress, stress!!!
Need Margarita at Outback!!!
Can't find John to ask him to meet me there!
My hope is he will see this soon and call me at work!
Hungry.
Posted by Beth at 5:47 PM | Comments (3)
The Death Penalty
I am against the death penalty. I know that many conservatives disagree with me on this, but too bad!
The Supreme Court's decision that children who commit crimes when they are 17 and under should not be executed is a good one. It is cruel and unusual punishment. Keep them in prison for life, but do not kill them.
I am sick of conservative radio and tv pundits talking about how great the death penalty is and how wrong they believe the Supreme Court is in this case.
I am also pro-life and anti-euthenasia. I am consistent. Life is precious and it is not ours to take away, except in defense.
I would like to see the death penalty abolished in this country. If one innocent person is put to death, that is one person too many, and with DNA evidence these days, more and more people on death row have been found to be innocent.
We should abolish the death penalty because it is cruel and unusual - not because of other countries think we should.
Posted by Beth at 7:28 AM | Comments (7)
Work has been ... weird
There have been some personnel changes at work in the past 6 months or so- mostly for good, I think, but as of today, we are down to two people who do what I do (we used to have about 6) and a new guy who is great and very eager to learn, but has about 6 months worth of learning to do before he will be able to do much at all to help us.
Until he can get a handle on stuff, I'll probably be doing double or triple duty, so my posting may be a bit sparse for a bit.
I have been working late every night this week to try to catch up and to make sure our clients are taken care of. I was going to move into a different position in the summer, but now, because of my team's situation, I think I will stay - there is a chance I could get promoted sooner by staying, and I may end up being more of a technical architect, developing solutions for clients instead of being a techinical consultant, implementing solutions. So, the future will be very busy, and I hope interesting and fun.
Posted by Beth at 6:20 AM | Comments (1)
Carnival of the Recipes
Here is a list of the kind people who have agreed to host the Carnival of the Recipes this month:
March 4th, Rocket Jones
March 11th, Pamibe
March 18th, Flying Space Monkey
March 25th, Donna Barber
Posted by Beth at 5:52 AM | Comments (1)
March 1, 2005
Dreams
Boudicca has some pretty scary dreams.
Eric has some pretty sexy dreams.
I dream about finding out that I didn't finish school.
Jay Tea of Wizbang daydreams of fake but true things.
And Allan loses his car when he dreams - at least he doesn't lose his mind!
What do you dream about?
I guess a lot of us blog about our dreams from time to time -
Songstress7 dreams about bloggers!
Posted by Beth at 7:09 AM | Comments (13)
Places I've Been
Found this at Allan's place. I stil have a few states to go.
bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...
Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C /
Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you.
Posted by Beth at 6:31 AM | Comments (1)
Here's a game for John
Kate found this neat little game - shoot Gonzo from a cannon. John is going to love this one, and I would have made a terrible artillery kinda person!
Posted by Beth at 6:16 AM
I like Elves, too
But I never really saw myself as one! Punctillious took a Dungeons and Dragons test and found out that she is an elf. I am also an elf, only messier (chaotic) than Punctillious!
I Am A: Chaotic Good Elf Bard Mage
Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.
Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.
Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.
Secondary Class:
Mages harness the magical energies for their own use. Spells, spell books, and long hours in the library are their loves. While often not physically strong, their mental talents can make up for this.
Deity:
Hanali Cenanil is the Chaotic Good elven goddess of love, beauty, and art. She is also known as the Heart of Gold and Lady Goldheart. Her followers delight in creation and youth, and work to spread happiness, love, and beauty. Their preferred weapon is the dagger.
Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy of
NeppyMan (e-mail)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed Results:
Alignment:
Lawful Good ----- XXXXXXX (7)
Neutral Good ---- XXXXXX (6)
Chaotic Good ---- XXXXXXXXX (9)
Lawful Neutral -- XX (2)
True Neutral ---- XXXXXX (6)
Chaotic Neutral - XXX (3)
Lawful Evil ----- (-1)
Neutral Evil ---- (-1)
Chaotic Evil ---- (-6)
Race:
Human ---- (-3)
Half-Elf - XXXXXXX (7)
Elf ------ XXXXXXXXXXXX (12)
Halfling - X (1)
Dwarf ---- X (1)
Half-Orc - (-3)
Gnome ---- XXXX (4)
Class:
Fighter - (-6)
Ranger -- XXXXX (5)
Paladin - (0)
Cleric -- XXX (3)
Mage ---- XXXXXX (6)
Druid --- XXXX (4)
Thief --- (0)
Bard ---- XXXXXXXXXXX (11)
Monk ---- XXXX (4)
Posted by Beth at 5:51 AM | Comments (4)