My baby Daisy died yesterday. When Don posted about his Daisy and the the Lovely Cats posted about Cinderella, I actually thought hmmm...I wonder if Daisy will make three... before deciding she probably wouldn't because, while she certainly wasn't getting younger, she wasn't sinking terribly quickly either. She was just being herself.
Lithus and I needed to be on the road for work so we called SuperSitter who was more than happy to come visit with them. But on Saturday, she called Lithus' cell phone. We couldn't leave Saturday but we were able to leave Sunday instead of Monday and made it home in time.
I think she was waiting for me. I picked her up about 4:30 and held her and rocked her and let her know I was there. We went outside and sat in the fresh air and the sun for a little while. We rocked and talked and sang for almost two hours. I told her she was going to meet my dad and he would take care of her until I got there and not to worry when it was a long time before I showed up; I wasn't going to ever forget her and would be there eventually. She was in my arms when she died. I have to think that she knew I had made it home to her.
When I got them, we discussed three years. I knew we were on borrowed time so figured three years would be good. Bless her, she managed to give me two and a half. I'll take 'em. Everyone talks about how I was the one who gave so much to her. How I saved her life. And that's true enough. I did. What people don't often get though is how much she gave to me, that she saved my life, too.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Tagged, x2
The word is out: I love tags. Akakarma (http://myveryownkarma.blogspot.com/) and GNightGirl have both tagged me. Since I'm a little short on time right now, I'm combining them. Something tells me they understand time crunch.
Akakarma's tag is to list 7 weird/unusual things about yourself. Here goes:
1. I have a bachelor's of science degree. This is weird because 1. the thought of me accomplishing anything science-y on the level that would allow me to get a degree in it is laughable and 2. my degree is pre-law and I don't consider that science-y. Especially considering I have friends who accused me of going into it in order to avoid taking more math classes.
2. My baths have to be HOT. I've secretly wondered if I'm not one of those frogs that will allow itself to be cooked alive if you increase the heat of the water it's in slowly enough.
3. All my life, I have wanted to live in a hotel. This is because of the book, Eloise. Preferably, I would live in a Ritz. Yes, a Ritz would be ideal, thankyouverymuch.
4. When I shave, I shave my right leg first. Shaving my left leg or under my arms first throws the entire shower out of whack.
5. My favorite vegetable to add to spaghetti sauce is peas. Obviously, I prefer the really fresh, spring peas. However, I keep frozen ones year-round in order to have them in winter spaghetti, too.
6. I have seven email addresses. I check two of them everyday. I check one of them occasionally. I never check the other four.
7. I always travel with dental floss and a candle. They aren't related in any way except that I keep them in my suitcase, ready to go, when I am.
And the second tag, from Lori, the GNightGirl: Write your own six word memoir. It can only be six words. Here are mine ~
It was all true.
Believe everything.
Now, for the tags...
1. Krystal
2. Graziella
3. Real Live Lesbian
4. Don (in the hope that it will give him something gentle, easy and maybe fun to post about)
5. Dylan, from Out In The Middle Of Idaho
6. Anyone else who wants to play
7. You! (of course)
Take one. Take the other. Take 'em both. Or don't take them at all. Just let me know if you play. ;)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Akakarma's tag is to list 7 weird/unusual things about yourself. Here goes:
1. I have a bachelor's of science degree. This is weird because 1. the thought of me accomplishing anything science-y on the level that would allow me to get a degree in it is laughable and 2. my degree is pre-law and I don't consider that science-y. Especially considering I have friends who accused me of going into it in order to avoid taking more math classes.
2. My baths have to be HOT. I've secretly wondered if I'm not one of those frogs that will allow itself to be cooked alive if you increase the heat of the water it's in slowly enough.
3. All my life, I have wanted to live in a hotel. This is because of the book, Eloise. Preferably, I would live in a Ritz. Yes, a Ritz would be ideal, thankyouverymuch.
4. When I shave, I shave my right leg first. Shaving my left leg or under my arms first throws the entire shower out of whack.
5. My favorite vegetable to add to spaghetti sauce is peas. Obviously, I prefer the really fresh, spring peas. However, I keep frozen ones year-round in order to have them in winter spaghetti, too.
6. I have seven email addresses. I check two of them everyday. I check one of them occasionally. I never check the other four.
7. I always travel with dental floss and a candle. They aren't related in any way except that I keep them in my suitcase, ready to go, when I am.
And the second tag, from Lori, the GNightGirl: Write your own six word memoir. It can only be six words. Here are mine ~
It was all true.
Believe everything.
Now, for the tags...
1. Krystal
2. Graziella
3. Real Live Lesbian
4. Don (in the hope that it will give him something gentle, easy and maybe fun to post about)
5. Dylan, from Out In The Middle Of Idaho
6. Anyone else who wants to play
7. You! (of course)
Take one. Take the other. Take 'em both. Or don't take them at all. Just let me know if you play. ;)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
The Sunday Poll Question is being preempted today for a request.
Today Lori, aka GNightGirl from "This Just In" is having an auction to raise money for her sister, Teri Pittman. Teri is fighting rare granulosa/germ cell ovarian cancer, which is inoperable. She is doing a magnificent and truly admirable job of fighting this thing. Only medical costs are rising in spite of the family's insurance.
The auction should be a grand party. Lots of laughter, music, some great items up for bid (full disclosure ~ I've offered up an item myself) and an overall celebration of life. Wouldn't you just love to be there? Yeah, me too.
Since most of us can't be though, instead of answering a poll question today, send some joy Lori and Teri's way. Sure, prayers are welcome (aren't they always? seriously...) but more than prayers, I'm requesting happiness, celebration, joy, kick-ass-lift-a-glass-open-the-windows-and-let-the-light-in kind of goodness. Leave 'em here. Leave 'em over at Lori's (I'm going to figure out why I can't link anymore and FIX IT, dammit!). Hell, leave 'em both places. And at some point today, lift your glass, your mug, your protein shake, whatever, to Teri and cheer.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Friday, April 18, 2008
My Fault
Remember last weekend, I said you could blame me if we got hit with more snow?
Yeah...
My apologies to anyone else who got hit today. Or who is still getting hit tonight.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Yeah...
My apologies to anyone else who got hit today. Or who is still getting hit tonight.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Interlude
I'm not fond of this song, honestly. It's a bit depressing for me. Usually, I'm more of an AC/DC type o'gal. That being said, I have reason for posting it that has nothing to do with the song itself, only oodles and oodles of pride. The picture is irrelevant as well, although I do thank Lithus for loaning it to me. Turn up the volume, click play and Enjoy!
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
<--------- Over There
Psssttt... There it is...
<----------- <----------- Over there.
In the "Places You Should Go" section. The new web site.
God, this is surreal. I'm grateful. To so many people. For so much. I'm blessed. I'm lucky.
Check it out.
<---------- Over there.
OMG, this is so cool. :)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
<----------- <----------- Over there.
In the "Places You Should Go" section. The new web site.
God, this is surreal. I'm grateful. To so many people. For so much. I'm blessed. I'm lucky.
Check it out.
<---------- Over there.
OMG, this is so cool. :)
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
It's Spring and the weather has caught up with that fact here in the Pacific Northwest and I'm just not in a thinky mood At All. Yesterday, Lithus, Timber and I grabbed a bucket of chicken, went for a drive along the coast and settled in at a park for a picnic. Lazing in the sun, laughing with each other and enjoying the day. Yep, it was one of those days. Which got me to reminiscing about other of those days in my life. Which is about all the thinky I'm up for right now. So...
Question ~ What is a day or a moment in your life that sticks out as particularly special?
Pobble Answer ~ I have so many of these, it's really hard to choose only one. Interestingly enough, most of them include the Lovely Cats. However, I will choose one that doesn't, just to keep it interesting: My 18th birthday. The night before, my parents had thrown me a surprise birthday party. My best friend had spent the night. And we woke up to rain that morning. I realized that my windows were down on my car ~ a great little Mustang GT. (I loved that car. Still do. Digressing, Pobble...) Anyway! I raced down in my pajamas to get the windows up. When I turned the key in the ignition, my music started playing (very loudly as has always been my wont.) It was Superman by R.E.M. Instead of putting up the windows, I just started dancing. There in the rain. In my pajamas. On my birthday. I am, I am, I am Superman... And I can do anything... I could. And I have. That moment has stayed with me for twenty years now and its memory still makes me smile.
Your answer...
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Question ~ What is a day or a moment in your life that sticks out as particularly special?
Pobble Answer ~ I have so many of these, it's really hard to choose only one. Interestingly enough, most of them include the Lovely Cats. However, I will choose one that doesn't, just to keep it interesting: My 18th birthday. The night before, my parents had thrown me a surprise birthday party. My best friend had spent the night. And we woke up to rain that morning. I realized that my windows were down on my car ~ a great little Mustang GT. (I loved that car. Still do. Digressing, Pobble...) Anyway! I raced down in my pajamas to get the windows up. When I turned the key in the ignition, my music started playing (very loudly as has always been my wont.) It was Superman by R.E.M. Instead of putting up the windows, I just started dancing. There in the rain. In my pajamas. On my birthday. I am, I am, I am Superman... And I can do anything... I could. And I have. That moment has stayed with me for twenty years now and its memory still makes me smile.
Your answer...
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Busy Doing Nothing
It was decided that PT, my non-fiction writing persona, needed a website. Lithus has loads of experience doing just such things so he volunteered. Poor baby...
All weekend, "we" have been building my site. What this means is that Lithus has spent hours and hours in front of his computer doing things I will never hope to understand; making sketches at my request; uploading; downloading; spacing; gif-ing, jpg-ing and png-ing; tweaking; colorizing; scaling; coding; creating...you get the idea.
I am sitting next to him playing minesweeper on my computer.
See, every so often, he says "How's this?" and I have to look. Bless him, sometimes I smother him with kisses. Other times, I look and say "hmmmm...could we...?" At which point, his shoulders only slump a little bit before he agrees. If he's lucky, the next time I look, the result is kisses. Occasionally, it's been "hmmmm...but what if we..." or even, a couple of dastardly times, "hmmm...I liked it better before." And his shoulders only slump a little. At the end of each day, he is gracious enough to say "We got a lot done today." And I feel as busy as if we had. But I know we haven't done squat. Except lose a lot of minesweeper.
Did I mention hours and days?
I don't know if it's true that behind every good man is a good woman. I do know, behind every good writer is a good website ~ and an incredibly patient webmaster.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
All weekend, "we" have been building my site. What this means is that Lithus has spent hours and hours in front of his computer doing things I will never hope to understand; making sketches at my request; uploading; downloading; spacing; gif-ing, jpg-ing and png-ing; tweaking; colorizing; scaling; coding; creating...you get the idea.
I am sitting next to him playing minesweeper on my computer.
See, every so often, he says "How's this?" and I have to look. Bless him, sometimes I smother him with kisses. Other times, I look and say "hmmmm...could we...?" At which point, his shoulders only slump a little bit before he agrees. If he's lucky, the next time I look, the result is kisses. Occasionally, it's been "hmmmm...but what if we..." or even, a couple of dastardly times, "hmmm...I liked it better before." And his shoulders only slump a little. At the end of each day, he is gracious enough to say "We got a lot done today." And I feel as busy as if we had. But I know we haven't done squat. Except lose a lot of minesweeper.
Did I mention hours and days?
I don't know if it's true that behind every good man is a good woman. I do know, behind every good writer is a good website ~ and an incredibly patient webmaster.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
Here's a little something about me: as good as I am with words and the verbal parry, if I'm not expecting something, I can be very slow thinking on my feet. Someone will say something and I will go into vapor lock. It can be hours, days or even weeks before I realize "Wait a minute..." When I was in my teens and twenties, I would let it go. I had the attitude that if I didn't say it at the time, I had missed my chance. Now, not so much. Now, I am perfectly comfortable going to the person and asking to revisit the conversation. This comfort, however, hasn't come in time for me to revisit all the conversations.
Which is the Sunday Poll Question...
Question ~ If you could go back and say something to someone, what would it be?
Pobble Answer ~ I would go back to the two other directors of the organization I worked for in Colorado and say, to Tami: Acknowledging the possibility of something is not the same thing as assuming that something is fact. Get over it. And yes, I did bring him to you for training so don't put it on me that he wasn't trained well. All I did was set him up with paperwork. After he got the paperwork, I brought him to your office and told you he was ready to be trained. Get over it. And to Sandra: You gave us personal days just yesterday. Don't get upset with her when she calls in and uses one. No, she shouldn't have to lie and tell you she's sick. "I'm taking a personal day" is a perfectly good call-out when we have just been told we have personal days.
Wow. It feels good to finally say those, even if it's not to the women themselves. Try it. ;)
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Which is the Sunday Poll Question...
Question ~ If you could go back and say something to someone, what would it be?
Pobble Answer ~ I would go back to the two other directors of the organization I worked for in Colorado and say, to Tami: Acknowledging the possibility of something is not the same thing as assuming that something is fact. Get over it. And yes, I did bring him to you for training so don't put it on me that he wasn't trained well. All I did was set him up with paperwork. After he got the paperwork, I brought him to your office and told you he was ready to be trained. Get over it. And to Sandra: You gave us personal days just yesterday. Don't get upset with her when she calls in and uses one. No, she shouldn't have to lie and tell you she's sick. "I'm taking a personal day" is a perfectly good call-out when we have just been told we have personal days.
Wow. It feels good to finally say those, even if it's not to the women themselves. Try it. ;)
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Oh. My. Goodness.
Here's an open secret for you ~ I write for a little, independent, freebie newspaper out of northern Washington and have since last summer. Every month, I write a column about whatever happens to be happening in my world. When I was in New England, they were things that were going on there. Since coming out here, they've been things that have been going on here. The style is very similar to my Pobble Thoughts. I've known they were running but, because of logistics, I have yet to see a hard copy of the paper.
Last night, Lithus and I went to the club where I first met the editor of this paper. She and I haven't caught up in person since the night we met and I got the writing gig, ten months ago. We were hugging and gabbing and all that when she grabbed the mic from the stage and announced my presence. And the evening changed.
People came up and introduced themselves. People wanted to meet "the writer from Boston." People wanted to shake my hand. People have been reading, enjoying and really appreciating the articles. People wanted to ask about Boston and the move here to Washington. People said that, as they read my articles, they felt I was speaking to and for them. People said they had hoped to meet me one day.
It was flattering and surreal. All I was hoping to do was have a night on the town with Lithus. I ended up meeting fans. All because of a monthly article I wasn't sure anyone was even reading.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Those are still stunned Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Last night, Lithus and I went to the club where I first met the editor of this paper. She and I haven't caught up in person since the night we met and I got the writing gig, ten months ago. We were hugging and gabbing and all that when she grabbed the mic from the stage and announced my presence. And the evening changed.
People came up and introduced themselves. People wanted to meet "the writer from Boston." People wanted to shake my hand. People have been reading, enjoying and really appreciating the articles. People wanted to ask about Boston and the move here to Washington. People said that, as they read my articles, they felt I was speaking to and for them. People said they had hoped to meet me one day.
It was flattering and surreal. All I was hoping to do was have a night on the town with Lithus. I ended up meeting fans. All because of a monthly article I wasn't sure anyone was even reading.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Those are still stunned Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Weekday Ramblings
* I am officially and formally a member of a guild and a trade association. This pleases me to no end.
* Target makes me disproportionately happy, to the point that it doesn't matter they are all alike, everywhere. I want to go in every time I see a new one.
* When people try to sound smart, they usually end up sounding really stupid. This annoys me more than if they just sounded stupid to begin with.
* GOML! bought my book. He didn't have to. He's not a businessman, let alone an American businessman. He just did 'cause he "knows" me. This makes me happier than Target.
* Happy Birthday to Jaded and the Lovely Cats.
* Knowing what your sister wants for her funeral isn't morbid; it's actually a bit of a relief because it means you know you'll do it right. Now I just have to return the favor.
* If I wasn't afraid to jinx it, I would say that the weather has caught up with the fact that Spring is here. If we get another three inches of snow, it's my fault. Feel free to blame me.
* Getting all the "little things" handled can be more of a weight off my shoulders than any of the "big things" ever are.
* Having a job that allows you to shop, get manicures, drink coffee, eat pastries and meet new people really doesn't suck. On any level.
* I can tell which dog has fallen off the bed based on the sound of the landing.
* Getting woken up from a nap by Lithus presenting me with flowers is a lovely way to wake up.
* Parents who don't put their kids first really piss me the fuck off.
* Only one of my male readers had any comment about the post on Things That Cannot Be Explained and the question about shaving balls. This intrigues me.
* I have less of a problem with people who stay in bad situations when they are willing to admit just how bad the situation is ~ and yet there is something that makes them need to stay for now. If the person tries to minimize or pretend the situation isn't what it so obviously is, I have to remove myself or else I become...unhelpful, shall we say.
* I didn't realize just how much I had missed my music ~ until I got it back.
* Peanut M&Ms are a gift from the Gods.
* As much as I hate being on the phone, getting a phone call from the right person at the right time is really nice.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
* Target makes me disproportionately happy, to the point that it doesn't matter they are all alike, everywhere. I want to go in every time I see a new one.
* When people try to sound smart, they usually end up sounding really stupid. This annoys me more than if they just sounded stupid to begin with.
* GOML! bought my book. He didn't have to. He's not a businessman, let alone an American businessman. He just did 'cause he "knows" me. This makes me happier than Target.
* Happy Birthday to Jaded and the Lovely Cats.
* Knowing what your sister wants for her funeral isn't morbid; it's actually a bit of a relief because it means you know you'll do it right. Now I just have to return the favor.
* If I wasn't afraid to jinx it, I would say that the weather has caught up with the fact that Spring is here. If we get another three inches of snow, it's my fault. Feel free to blame me.
* Getting all the "little things" handled can be more of a weight off my shoulders than any of the "big things" ever are.
* Having a job that allows you to shop, get manicures, drink coffee, eat pastries and meet new people really doesn't suck. On any level.
* I can tell which dog has fallen off the bed based on the sound of the landing.
* Getting woken up from a nap by Lithus presenting me with flowers is a lovely way to wake up.
* Parents who don't put their kids first really piss me the fuck off.
* Only one of my male readers had any comment about the post on Things That Cannot Be Explained and the question about shaving balls. This intrigues me.
* I have less of a problem with people who stay in bad situations when they are willing to admit just how bad the situation is ~ and yet there is something that makes them need to stay for now. If the person tries to minimize or pretend the situation isn't what it so obviously is, I have to remove myself or else I become...unhelpful, shall we say.
* I didn't realize just how much I had missed my music ~ until I got it back.
* Peanut M&Ms are a gift from the Gods.
* As much as I hate being on the phone, getting a phone call from the right person at the right time is really nice.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
Several of my exes will tell you I am a self-centered, self-absorbed bitch. And you know what? I'm okay with that label because, odds are good, that if I have that reputation with someone, I have earned that reputation. I'll do the big things for anyone I'm dating ~ that's part of dating. But little, thoughtful, for-no-reason-but-I-love-you things? Not so much. I have to really love someone deeply before I really want to go out of my way for the little things. See? Self-centered, self-absorbed bitch and really okay with that. Otherwise, I'll do my thing, you do your thing and if our things happen to coincide, great! If not, eh...I'm not terribly concerned. While I have loved to do these things for my friends for a very long time, it's also been a very long time since I've wanted to go out of my way to do one of those little, special things for a partner. I do again and it's nice. It's also the Sunday Poll Question.
Question ~ What little thing do you enjoy doing for your significant other? And please note, I didn't use the word partner or spouse. That was intentional. Feel free to define "significant other" any way you choose: partner, best friend, parent, whomever.
Pobble Answer ~ When Lithus is on tour, I regress a bit with my housekeeping (okay, more than a little bit) and go back to living very much like the bachelor I was before we met. You can ask Jaded and the Divine M, as they tend to be the recipients of the groaning "I don't want to clean..." emails the day before Lithus is due home. Because I do clean before he gets home. Still, that's not entirely just for him. For as strong as my slovenly nature is, even I can only live in crack house squalor for so long. Lithus' return is just a good catalyst. Then there is the blanket. Officially, the blanket belongs to both of us, a holiday gift from MomCat. In reality, I have no claim to the blanket at all. It is completely and totally Lithus' blanket and has been since about 20 minutes after we unwrapped the thing. Every night, Lithus wraps himself in this thing cocoon-like. When he's on tour, sometimes I sleep under it, sometimes I don't. The point is, it doesn't get dirty or doggy or anything like that while he's away. Still, the day before he gets home, I make sure his blanket is washed and clean and smelling good. It stays folded and on his dresser that night so that his first night home, he has a clean, fresh blanket to cocoon into. The smile on his face and the sigh as he sinks back into his own bed, on his own pillow...and snuggled down into his own blanket makes it completely wonderful for me as well.
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Question ~ What little thing do you enjoy doing for your significant other? And please note, I didn't use the word partner or spouse. That was intentional. Feel free to define "significant other" any way you choose: partner, best friend, parent, whomever.
Pobble Answer ~ When Lithus is on tour, I regress a bit with my housekeeping (okay, more than a little bit) and go back to living very much like the bachelor I was before we met. You can ask Jaded and the Divine M, as they tend to be the recipients of the groaning "I don't want to clean..." emails the day before Lithus is due home. Because I do clean before he gets home. Still, that's not entirely just for him. For as strong as my slovenly nature is, even I can only live in crack house squalor for so long. Lithus' return is just a good catalyst. Then there is the blanket. Officially, the blanket belongs to both of us, a holiday gift from MomCat. In reality, I have no claim to the blanket at all. It is completely and totally Lithus' blanket and has been since about 20 minutes after we unwrapped the thing. Every night, Lithus wraps himself in this thing cocoon-like. When he's on tour, sometimes I sleep under it, sometimes I don't. The point is, it doesn't get dirty or doggy or anything like that while he's away. Still, the day before he gets home, I make sure his blanket is washed and clean and smelling good. It stays folded and on his dresser that night so that his first night home, he has a clean, fresh blanket to cocoon into. The smile on his face and the sigh as he sinks back into his own bed, on his own pillow...and snuggled down into his own blanket makes it completely wonderful for me as well.
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Earth Hour
Here's a cool idea: people are turning off their lights tonight (March 29th) from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. One hour. That's all.
According to a Yahoo Green! article by Trystan L. Bass, What difference can an hour make? You'd be surprised -- when 2.2 million residents and 2,100 businesses in Sydney, Australia, all turned off their lights for an hour in 2007, they reduced energy use by 10.2% that day. That's equivalent to taking 48,000 cars off the road.
Well...cool. I can do this. And maybe you can too. At least think about it. Because candlelight is both romantic, for those of you in partnerships, and peaceful, for those of you alone tonight. Neither of those things suck.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
According to a Yahoo Green! article by Trystan L. Bass, What difference can an hour make? You'd be surprised -- when 2.2 million residents and 2,100 businesses in Sydney, Australia, all turned off their lights for an hour in 2007, they reduced energy use by 10.2% that day. That's equivalent to taking 48,000 cars off the road.
Well...cool. I can do this. And maybe you can too. At least think about it. Because candlelight is both romantic, for those of you in partnerships, and peaceful, for those of you alone tonight. Neither of those things suck.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Things That Cannot Be Explained, Pt. 1
Over the past ten days or so, I've realized there are some things that cannot be explained. You either get them intuitively or you don't get them at all. Things such as...
* Why "Do you shave your balls?" is a really bad pick-up line. This was an actual line used on Lithus and his crew in Childress, Texas. Now, sweetheart, I understand why you want out of Childress. I understand why you want out so badly you're willing to leave with any man passing through, even one who would respond to aforementioned pick-up line. But sweetheart, it is still a really bad pick-up line. You either get this or you don't.
* Why "Do you shave your balls?" would ever be used as a pick-up line. Poor Lithus and crew were very confused. Sure, some of these guys are small town guys. But they are not Childress-Texas-small small town guys and, honestly, they are guys. At no point were they taught the only and best way to escape from their small towns was on the coattails (or helicopter passenger seat) of someone passing through. So they had no idea how badly they were being outmaneuvered. Or that they weren't men but prey. Big, strapping, meaty prey ~ that would be leaving town in a week or so. You either get this or you don't.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ which is pretty easy to understand.
* Why "Do you shave your balls?" is a really bad pick-up line. This was an actual line used on Lithus and his crew in Childress, Texas. Now, sweetheart, I understand why you want out of Childress. I understand why you want out so badly you're willing to leave with any man passing through, even one who would respond to aforementioned pick-up line. But sweetheart, it is still a really bad pick-up line. You either get this or you don't.
* Why "Do you shave your balls?" would ever be used as a pick-up line. Poor Lithus and crew were very confused. Sure, some of these guys are small town guys. But they are not Childress-Texas-small small town guys and, honestly, they are guys. At no point were they taught the only and best way to escape from their small towns was on the coattails (or helicopter passenger seat) of someone passing through. So they had no idea how badly they were being outmaneuvered. Or that they weren't men but prey. Big, strapping, meaty prey ~ that would be leaving town in a week or so. You either get this or you don't.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee ~ which is pretty easy to understand.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It's Official
I am now a resident of the state of Washington. Yeah, I was supposed to do it a little sooner, I admit it. First I wanted to make sure this whole living-with-Lithus thing was going to work and I wasn't going to be moving home in a week. But, honestly, a larger part of it was I just wasn't ready to not be a resident of Massachusetts yet. My Mass plates and driver's license were really important. I am, afterall, the Boston Pobble.Here we are, though. I'm a long way from home yet...I'm here. Officially. And it's good.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
There's a blogswarm this weekend. Depending on who your source of information is, the swarm is either on writing against theocracy or writing about the separation of church and state. (My initial source was Cracker Lilo who has written a beautiful piece on this as well, which I encourage you to check out. You're going to have to go over to my links section there on the left, though, because I seem to have completely lost the ability to link within my post. Technology and I aren't friends. Digressing...) Either way, being me, I went to my beloved ~ if rapidly becoming obsolete ~ Constitution. And here's what I found (as I knew I would): "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free expression thereof..." (God, I love these guys. Such rebels. Digressing...) The First Amendment. Oh yeah, I could write on this. And I'd probably piss off a lot of believers and non-believers at the same time. "...no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free expression thereof..." Good stuff. But then I really got to thinking. What does it mean? And the Sunday Poll Question was born.
Question ~ What does the separation of church and state mean to you?
Pobble Answer ~ First, and easiest, it means I can be Pagan; the Lovely Cats, Jaded and Krystal can be very different Christians; the FE, Nemeria and Webmistress can be Jewish; Lithus and Coffee Girl can be not sure what they believe; and the rest of you can fall wherever the rest of you fall. That's the easy answer.
It also means we all have to put up with each other. We all must be allowed to practice our faith openly, so long as it doesn't infringe on someone else's. And that's where it gets sticky. Over the last few decades, this has come to mean institutionalized atheism. But that's not separation of church and state; it's not "no law respecting...the free expression thereof..." A prayer over the PA system at a school is too much. It shoves that faith down the throats of all the students, not just offers the opportunity for children of that faith to express that faith. A minute of silence? That's perfectly acceptable. It gives everyone a chance to pray ~ or not pray ~ however they choose. No one's beliefs are disregarded. And frankly, more power to anyone who can manage to keep an entire school quiet for one whole minute.
Christmas trees or manager scenes in public, nonsecular places? Fine. That's the free expression of religion. Should there be, in public, nonsecular places, menorahs and Santa Claus as well in order to represent the free expression of other religions and beliefs? Absolutely. Because that's free expression of faith ~ or lack of it ~ as well. Christians don't have the corner on the Winter holidays ~ and neither do atheists.
Separation of church and state isn't about never being exposed to another faith or belief system. It's about being exposed to all of them. It isn't about having leaders who are the "right" kind of Christian. It's about having leaders who have a strong enough moral compass to recognize there is no "wrong" when it comes to religion. It's not about banning the phrase "Merry Christmas." It's about not being offended when someone responds with "Happy Holidays" ... or "Blessed Yule." It's not about fundamentalist Christians fighting for their religion to be the law of the land any more than it is about angry atheists fighting for their lack of religion to be the law of the land.
It's about all religions and beliefs ~ and the free expression thereof ~ having a place. At least to me. What about you?
Your answer ~
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Spring
Today is one of my favorite holidays. That's the thing about being Pagan ~ we get a lot of them. But there is something about Spring that is special to me. The transitional seasons (Spring and Autumn) have always been my favorites, anyway, even before I was Pagan. There is something preparatory, anticipatory, about them. Anything is possible during these times.
Autumn brings a centeredness to my soul that is important, actually vital. But Spring...Spring brings to my soul what it brings to the Earth. A slow budding of potential. Life re-emerging. It is so slow as to be almost imperceptible. Is the grass actually greener than it was this morning? Did that tree have buds on it last night? And yet it is there. And it is powerful beyond measure.
So especially today, I wish you the gentle yet insistent power of the season. May the Spring bring to your soul all it has yearned for during the dark winter. Blessed Be.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Autumn brings a centeredness to my soul that is important, actually vital. But Spring...Spring brings to my soul what it brings to the Earth. A slow budding of potential. Life re-emerging. It is so slow as to be almost imperceptible. Is the grass actually greener than it was this morning? Did that tree have buds on it last night? And yet it is there. And it is powerful beyond measure.
So especially today, I wish you the gentle yet insistent power of the season. May the Spring bring to your soul all it has yearned for during the dark winter. Blessed Be.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
I Wonder If We'll Do It
Barack Obama has done it. He has opened up the discussion of race in an adult, responsible way. He has given us the opportunity to step up, to speak and to listen. He has offered us the chance to take responsibility for our own feelings. He has pointed out the obligation we have to speak and to listen.
I wonder if we'll take him up on it.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
I wonder if we'll take him up on it.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday Poll Question
First, let me say a big ol' honking Thank You for the support around the episode. Ain't it nice when something like that is small and manageable? And when you've got people who support you through it? Yeah. It doesn't suck. So...thanks. Now ~ to the real reason you stopped by today...
A man I used to know is dying. How's that for a lovely way to start a Sunday Poll Question? As sad as this is, it has gotten me thinking and reminiscing about that time in my life. We weren't friends but he was a dear, dear friend of a dear, dear friend of mine. Because of this, there is no direct grief on my part (this being said, if you want to keep someone in your thoughts, instead of it being me, let it be Tony and the people who did know him, love him and are affected by this. Seriously, I'm okay out here.) But there is pain for my friend and for Speaker, who was also his friend, along with my smiling, melancholy memories. Which brings me to the Sunday Poll Question...
Question ~ Was there a group of people in your life who inadvertently helped create who you are today? Whose influence you didn't even recognize until years later?
Pobble Answer ~ From about the age of 9 or 10 until I 14 or so, I would go visit the Duck in NYC. Sometimes it was for a long weekend. Sometimes it was for a week or more. But these visits took place several times a year. And during these visits, I met the Duck's friends. This man was one of them. These friends of the Duck's were hugely influential, although at the time, I thought they were just cool adults who treated me like one of them. These people took me to my first cabaret shows, my first drag clubs, my first dive bars. They taught me the importance of sitting around with friends and talking and laughing until the wee hours of the mornings. They taught me to eat dinner at midnight and to have dessert first. They taught me to think deeply, not think at all and to love the moment almost as much as you love the people you are sharing it with. Most of them were starving, unknown artists of some kind or another. These were people I wanted to be. They were interesting, exciting and City. They were a taste of something this small town girl didn't think she could ever truly achieve. I was happy just to hang out on the periphery for a few moments. I have reason to believe most of them wouldn't even remember I was there. Some went on to become well-known and famous. Some went on to work steadily in their fields, even if you wouldn't know their names. Some dropped out of NYC and went on to live very different lives than those they were living during the years that I knew them. It has only been within the last five years or so that I came to realize how influential they were to me. As I have started living the life I have always wanted to live, I have also come to realize it is the life the Duck and her friends modeled for me all those years ago. I have achieved what they gave me glimpses of, what they unwittingly taught me I could be. So. This man and I weren't friends. I knew him for a few moments a very long time ago and nothing more. He was, however, part of a group that taught me more than any of us realized at the time. I will be forever grateful.
Your answer...
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
A man I used to know is dying. How's that for a lovely way to start a Sunday Poll Question? As sad as this is, it has gotten me thinking and reminiscing about that time in my life. We weren't friends but he was a dear, dear friend of a dear, dear friend of mine. Because of this, there is no direct grief on my part (this being said, if you want to keep someone in your thoughts, instead of it being me, let it be Tony and the people who did know him, love him and are affected by this. Seriously, I'm okay out here.) But there is pain for my friend and for Speaker, who was also his friend, along with my smiling, melancholy memories. Which brings me to the Sunday Poll Question...
Question ~ Was there a group of people in your life who inadvertently helped create who you are today? Whose influence you didn't even recognize until years later?
Pobble Answer ~ From about the age of 9 or 10 until I 14 or so, I would go visit the Duck in NYC. Sometimes it was for a long weekend. Sometimes it was for a week or more. But these visits took place several times a year. And during these visits, I met the Duck's friends. This man was one of them. These friends of the Duck's were hugely influential, although at the time, I thought they were just cool adults who treated me like one of them. These people took me to my first cabaret shows, my first drag clubs, my first dive bars. They taught me the importance of sitting around with friends and talking and laughing until the wee hours of the mornings. They taught me to eat dinner at midnight and to have dessert first. They taught me to think deeply, not think at all and to love the moment almost as much as you love the people you are sharing it with. Most of them were starving, unknown artists of some kind or another. These were people I wanted to be. They were interesting, exciting and City. They were a taste of something this small town girl didn't think she could ever truly achieve. I was happy just to hang out on the periphery for a few moments. I have reason to believe most of them wouldn't even remember I was there. Some went on to become well-known and famous. Some went on to work steadily in their fields, even if you wouldn't know their names. Some dropped out of NYC and went on to live very different lives than those they were living during the years that I knew them. It has only been within the last five years or so that I came to realize how influential they were to me. As I have started living the life I have always wanted to live, I have also come to realize it is the life the Duck and her friends modeled for me all those years ago. I have achieved what they gave me glimpses of, what they unwittingly taught me I could be. So. This man and I weren't friends. I knew him for a few moments a very long time ago and nothing more. He was, however, part of a group that taught me more than any of us realized at the time. I will be forever grateful.
Your answer...
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Monday, March 10, 2008
When I Lost My Mind
Shhhh....here's my secret...I'm in the middle of an episode. It's a very mild one ~ hey, I've gone this long in it and you're just now finding out, right? So mild it is and that's nice. It is, however, here. Right on schedule. When this happens, the best way to describe it is it gets noisy in my head. I am more prone than usual to being overwhelmed to the point of freezing. And there is never any way to tell what is going to be the final thing that I can't manage.
Today, I got new car insurance, dealt with credit card stuff, paid bills, researched getting an emissions test and new driver's license, made arrangements to get said emissions test and driver's license, wrote and submitted the proposal for the next book and handled an editor. I supported Lithus through some crazy-ex-wife stuff, anxiety induced illness in Timber, a background check that has taken a left turn, getting a GAL, finding a counselor for Timber as a prerequisite to getting a GAL and negotiating legalese.
So when did I lose my mind? When it came time to make a hair appointment. I haven't gotten my hair done since I was living with Crow Mother. Folks, that was October. Remember that grey streak I told you about a couple posts ago? Yeah...it's in its full glory. So, it is definitely time. Time because of vanity and time because it makes me happy.
I. Couldn't. Do. It.
Calling around, explaining what I needed, asking for prices, asking who was good with curly hair...too much. I simply froze. The noise got louder and louder until there was nothing but noise. One he realized what was going on, my dear wonderful Lithus wrapped me up and said "We're done for the day. It's time to slow down. I'll do this." And he did.
My appointment is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
The noise is very quiet again. It's a very mild episode. I'm a very lucky woman.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
Today, I got new car insurance, dealt with credit card stuff, paid bills, researched getting an emissions test and new driver's license, made arrangements to get said emissions test and driver's license, wrote and submitted the proposal for the next book and handled an editor. I supported Lithus through some crazy-ex-wife stuff, anxiety induced illness in Timber, a background check that has taken a left turn, getting a GAL, finding a counselor for Timber as a prerequisite to getting a GAL and negotiating legalese.
So when did I lose my mind? When it came time to make a hair appointment. I haven't gotten my hair done since I was living with Crow Mother. Folks, that was October. Remember that grey streak I told you about a couple posts ago? Yeah...it's in its full glory. So, it is definitely time. Time because of vanity and time because it makes me happy.
I. Couldn't. Do. It.
Calling around, explaining what I needed, asking for prices, asking who was good with curly hair...too much. I simply froze. The noise got louder and louder until there was nothing but noise. One he realized what was going on, my dear wonderful Lithus wrapped me up and said "We're done for the day. It's time to slow down. I'll do this." And he did.
My appointment is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
The noise is very quiet again. It's a very mild episode. I'm a very lucky woman.
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
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