Just Listen To That Silence!

Man Laws...with Hobbits!

2006-10-24T00:18:51Z

3

I laughed at this on the Miller Lite site: http://www.manlaws.com/

Jamie Foxx show

2006-01-26T01:24:34Z

I'm not really up on music or movies, but this NBC Jamie Foxx show (on 8pm eastern) is terrific!

What a voice! And who can't love a live Stevie Wonder. I hope he sings a love ballad and blows the roof off the house.

Activity

2005-09-29T16:12:43Z

Man, once school starts, it's far too busy. Too busy for my computer time! And that's just not right. = ) Well, I've been keeping busy, at least, in the yard and cleaning all that stuff that never gets touched in a normal day. And my laundry bins are empty! Empty, I say! No word on the job yet. I hear they're doing background checks...but, alas, they haven't requested any references from me. *sniff* If it doesn't work out, maybe I'll temp somewhere. Not quite ready for a full-time job yet. We don't have the balance-of-housework/babysitting/soccer practice/cooking thing down yet, that's why the part-time thing was going to be good. So I'm keeping busy writing anyway...little stuff...letters to the editor...a political blog...articles of Impeachment, etc. and I decided to email a piece I wrote about "hope" and the return of 41-yr old QB Vinny Testaverde to my local paper's sports editor. He liked it, couldn't use it and we ended up tossing a few funny/biting emails back and forth. I think I'm on his good side. = ) Hopefully that translates into some future freelance work. I've sent this email out to my general email list...it's about the Endangered Species Act and a bill that's been introduced in the House to change it. If you got it, sorry about the repeat. If you didn't, check if out if you can. If you got it and live outside the US...sorry! I'll try to edit better!

Hi, it’s me, again. I hate sending these letters. I hate having to send these letters. I hate having to spend time and energy trying to protect what is ALREADY protected. There is a bill before the House, HR. 3824. It was submitted by California Representative Richard Pombo. The bill will eliminate protections for “critical habitats” which are critical for endangered, or other species to survive. Please read about the bill here http://action.lcv.org/campaign/pombo_esa/explanation to help decide whether or not you want to help defeat this bill. My concern is that this will give the government carte blanche to run roughshod over the environment with development. President Bush alluded to this in his speech the other day when he said that we need more oil production and more refineries and we need to deregulate to help achieve that. [I note that although he asks us to “only take necessary trips” to save oil in the short run, he won’t ask the auto industry (who kicked in $2.4 million to his campaign) to tighten fuel efficiency standards…but that’s another topic for a future email. Ahem.] There is also another, more insidious, precedent that could be set if this bill passes. It would require US…the TAXPAYERS to PAY THE DEVELOPERS to COMPLY WITH THE LAW! Us!!! I’m not great at analogies, but wouldn’t that be like paying a criminal to not rob someone? Feel free to make your own analogies. This is not a Republican vs. Democrat thing in my eyes. It is about protecting the world around us from uncontrolled and unchecked development. It is about saving a little bit of nature and wildlife for our future generations. And, in the future, when you read about how this animal or that animal came back from the brink of extinction, you’ll know you did something to help. The League of Conservation Voters has created a letter that you can send to your Representative. It only takes a minute. Take a look and decide. http://action.lcv.org/campaign/pombo_esa/step1.tcl It will automatically send the letter to your Congressman. Please vote today! I hope it’s not too late. Thanks for your time and concern. Fellow Wildlife Lover, -Carolyn Other info: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/29/AR2005092900295.html http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa.html

Musings on childhood

2005-06-29T15:37:28Z

So...I'm sitting at the ice cream parlour, furiously licking my son's ice cream cone, my daughter's chocolate one with sprinkles and holding the neighbor's kid's cone while they go on the slide for "just one more ride!!" Ok, ok...*ice cream well down the arm now*...hurry back before I drown in the puddles!

They came back, 1/3 of a drippy cone later, and we all watched three little kids spinning on the coin-op merry-go-round. What precious faces. All happy and giggly because they were, quite simply, spinning around in a circle. My kids are 9 and 6(and a half, she makes me say it) and my neighbor's daughter is 11. They almost looked sad because they didn't "fit" on the kiddie rides anymore. Then they'd sluff it off like it didn't matter anymore..."Doesn't go fast enough anyway..."

I remembered how my kids, not too long ago, would find the same enjoyment from spinning round on their own or on a kiddie ride. I think it comes from the same internal kid energy that makes them skip spontaneously or wiggle about uncontrollably in their chairs at the dinner table. The simple joy of being alive, I suppose, being channeled physically.

Now, now, put your tissues away, they still have those same smiles when I toss them in the pool or drive over a hill on the road fast so their stomachs feel funny. Same smiles, a bit bigger, different ride. Lots of bumpy roads to smile at in the future. ;-)

When you first have kids, other older, (sometimes) wiser, parents tell you, "Oh, enjoy them now, they grow so fast..." And you wonder, still bleary-eyed from the two hours of interrupted sleep you got last night, "What the hell are they talking about?!?!" Like, "Uh yeah, kids grow...that's like..what they do." lol...but then all of a sudden, they're too big for the merry-go-round and it hits you. GASP! They were right!! They grew!!! lol...

Happily, I dropped a lot of quarters in the merry-go-round when they fit on them. And I have video and a zillion pictures and, until dementia sets in, memories of them with big smiles on their little, cherub-like faces. It's all good.

btw, the little kids got off the ride before it was done...and my kids and their friend ran, no, sprinted over to finish the ride. They squished in together, knees up to their chins, happily spinning. Just one more ride!

Ah, the weekend...

2005-06-03T14:46:54Z

Ah, the French Open. So civilized. So...French. Even the grunting seems more...posh. Passez les croissants, s'il vous plait. I laughed the other day when Tim Henman got in trouble for cursing, in English. His complaint was that when other players cursed in Spanish or French, they were given more latitude. Maybe he should've cursed in English but with a French accent. When in Rome, Tim, or is it Paris..... ;-)

btw, I found an electric sno-cone maker...I'm getting one:

Been enjoying the photos at WPD. Over 79,000 hits in two days. Whoa. Some amazing shots there, both technically impressive and enlightening from a social standpoint. Even though my photo wasn't great (only one comment, *sniff*...lol), I'm glad I participated.

Here are some notable shots I found: (click to enlarge photos)

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1 (the desperate family)

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1382

http://photogroup1.com/albums/userpics/10821/normal_Fishing_edit.JPG

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1570

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1204

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1534

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1227

http://photogroup1.com/profile.php?uid=1307 (the group shot)

Sno-cones! Get your Sno-Cones!!!

2005-06-02T20:33:22Z

I just spent half an hour as a Sno-Cone vendor for my kids and some neighbor's kids. What fun! What tennis elbow! What icy, cherry-flavored summer fun! *crank, crank, crank, FLING!* Off comes the handle every 10 turns or so...man, it needs a redesign! lol...I decided it might be worth buying an electric one...do they have those for home use? Could throw some tequila mix in there...whoosh, whoosh...MARGARITAS! They could throw a sombrero on Snoopy there and watch the party happen!!

Ok, maybe I got too much sun today. ;-)

Started rehab for my shoulder and knee. Shoulder: severe biceps tendon strain, maybe tear...not sure yet. Knee: probably meniscus tear, not sure, MRI results not back yet. Nothing serious..a few weeks of rehab with the nice rehab, stim-happy lady and I'll be back to my old, er, former 39 yr old self.

Yes, an electric sno-cone maker is in my future, I think. Can't afford an elbow injury, too...

Any city skyline pics of...

2005-05-26T18:35:06Z

* Indianapolis, IN

* Tampa, FL

* Tulsa, OK ??? (see earlier post...)

http://www.stockvisuals.com/artist/submit.asp

Any Wellington, Sydney or major city skyline pics?

2005-05-25T16:40:54Z

Make some money off of them! StockVisuals, the site I list my photos with, asked for some skyline photos of the various cities (see list below). It's free to join and you can make some quick money. If you join, tell them I (Carolyn Torella) referred you so I can be entered to win a memory stick) thanks!

Sample pricing (you get half of the sale price)
Low (RGB) 4"x6" 150 dpi $95.00
Med (CMYK) 6"x8" 300 dpi $125.00
High (CMYK) 8"x10" 300 dpi $175.00

* Auckland, New Zealand
  * Boston, MA
  * Brisbane, Australia
  * Calgary, Canada
  * Chicago, IL
  * Dallas, TX
  * Hamilton, Bermuda
  * Hong Kong, China
  * Los Angeles, CA
  * London, England
  * Melbourne, Australia
  * New York, NY
  * Paris, France
  * Oklahoma City, OK
  * Salt Lake City, UT
  * Seattle, WA
  * Sydney, Australia
  * Toronto, Canada
  * Wellington, New Zealand
  * Zurich, Switzerland

Good luck!

http://www.stockvisuals.com/default.asp (artist link in lower right corner of homepage)

call me dopey

2005-05-13T18:27:34Z

Yesterday I proceeded to plant my entire veggie garden and most of my annuals in their beds only to find out there was a frost warning last night. Then I proceeded to unplant them. Fun. Gardener, they name is Impatient! Or maybe just eager...

states thing

2005-05-12T16:05:41Z

from shuya's...

Been to the red ones...Ok, clearly I need a trip to the mid-west, west...and up north. Nothing personal...just never got out that far. Looks like the IndyMoot is calling my name!

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

three things meme

2005-05-12T00:22:56Z

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Carolyn
2. Mom
3. Hun

THREE SCREEN NAMES YOU HAVE HAD:
1. Lynnie
2. Lefty
3. Sexy (HAHAHA!) ahem.

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. My eyes
2. My feet
3. My smile..

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:
1. Filipino
2. Italian
3. English

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Spiders
2. kids getting hurt/gone missing
3. walking alone on a dark street

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. coffee
2. making breakfast for kids, kisses, out the door
3. being alone for awhile with my music on.

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. shorts
2. t-shirt
3. flip-flops

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS OR MUSICAL ARTISTS OR SOUNDTRACKS of the Moment:
1. Maroon5
2. Ellie Lawson
3. Eagles greatest hits

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS:
1. Sweet Baby James, James Taylor
2. Take It Easy, Eagles
3. Sedated, Ramones

THREE THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP:
1. Love
2. Understanding
3. sense of humor

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE (in no particular order):
1. I love gardening.
2. I wish I had a motorcycle.
3. I love cooking dinner for my family.

THREE PHYSICAL THINGS ABOUT THE PREFERRED SEX THAT APPEAL TO YOU:
1. Nice eyes
2. Great smile
3. nice, tight biceps and pecs. *ahem*

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. photography
2. gardening
3. writing

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO REALLY BADLY RIGHT NOW:
1. what Revie said, meet up with you crazy folks
2. swing in a hammock with Viggo
3. have a margarita and no screaming kids while watching LOST (on right now!)

THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING/YOU'VE CONSIDERED:
1. photographer
2. writer
3. caterer

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO ON VACATION:
1. New Zealand
2. Hawaii
3. San Francisco

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
1. surf on the Pacific (with or without Hobbits)
2. visit the Philippines to see my mom's grave & meet her family
3. see my kids have kids

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A BOY:
1. I can play most sports better than a lot of guys
2. I can spit far.
3. I can't walk in high heels.

THREE WAYS THAT YOU ARE STEREOTYPICALLY A CHICK:
1. I cry all the time.
2. I love flowers and babies and puppies (ok, and rainbows and ponies)
3. I like to flirt.

THREE CELEB CRUSHES:
1. Viggo Mortensen
2. Mike Piazza
3. Sean Bean

THREE PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAKE THIS QUIZ:
1. Arevanye
2. Kerewyn
3. Estelwyn

Blechk...nothing going on

2005-05-11T20:14:49Z

Just found out that our Empire State Games Masters volleyball team probably won't make it into the games this year. TPTB are limiting the number of teams entering to one per region. If there is a conflict with how many teams want to play from each region, they have to play off. Unfortunately, even though we played last year, two new (stronger, taller, younger) teams have surfaced to challenge us. We don't have a snowball's chance in hell. lol. They didn't play the past two years because the games were held in Buffalo and Ithaca and they didn't want to travel. This year, it's here in the Hudson Valley. Now everyone wants to be the "It" team. Alas. I think we're done before we even start. At least I won't have to drive far to watch good volleyball. Hubby's team will be playing, however. They always medal. *sigh*

Glad I played last year at least. Ok, we came in fourth place (out of, ahem, four teams), but hey, at least we played. And, I got a cool ESG warm-up suit to prove it. = )

To make myself feel better, I bought a Canna plant. I have no idea what the flowers will look like, but I liked the leaves.

Here and there

2005-05-10T16:40:18Z

Dentist appointment for mommy today...woo! Only one tooth issue, but I knew about this one. Quite the thorough hygenist today, a bit too thorough. I'll remember to thank her next time. Again, she grilled me for not coming for cleanings more often. Gee, *stab, poke, scraaaape* I don't know why I don't come all the time...*poke, jab, squirt* it's really quite relaxing here...

Having lunch with some moms today at the new Mexican restaurant. Our sons are having their Mexican Hat Dance presentation tonight and Mexican lunch on Thursday, so we thought we'd get in the mood. Apparently I'm cooking tacos as a supplement to the lunch they'll get catered from this restaurant. The organizing mom worried there wasn't enough food (do all moms do that??!), so she asked me to cook. She said, "When I thought of Mexican food, I thought of you!" Uh, ok, but I'm Filipino, Chinese, Italian, English...I guess that's kind of like Mexican... ? Whatever, it'll be fun. My son will be happy I'm there, until I don the Mexican hat and make a fool of myself! "Hola, hola!" I'll say in my best Mexican/Filipino/Chinese/Italian/English-American accent! "Hola!!!"

Dutchess County Fair, August 2004

Went crazy today

2005-05-06T18:29:57Z

...at the garden center. Ha! You were thinking, "Oh, she's lost it again!" ;-)

Bought far too many plants...I always forget that I'm the one who has to dig the holes for all these little guys. Tried to get different species this year...they had some nice double-petunias that I've never seen before. I'm also trying some portulaca, gomphrena, calendula and zinnias this year. I have no idea what this garden will look like, but it should provide some nice cutting flowers at the very least.

This is a Mother's Day tradition in our family. That's when we would plant mom's garden. That's all she ever wanted, just a nice garden with roses and gardenias. The gardenias never lived past one season, it's just a bit too cold here, but they are lovely and fragrant when in bloom. My dad still has the roses and my stepmom added a few thousand other plants to the garden. Next year, I'm digging a rose plant up and transplanting it to my yard. I don't think they'll miss it.

For all you moms out there, an early shout out: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Auto woes

2005-05-05T13:52:28Z

Took my car in this morning for an inspection and he said I needed a new power steering pump, some kind of RPG exhaust thingy to make that check engine light go off (and to pass the new emissions tests) and a very large, difficult to remove belt. I knew the power steering was an issue because I've been seeing leaks and filling it pretty regularly. I was hoping it was a hose. Not! I figure that I haven't had a car payment in a long time, so the payment should be easier to swallow. (Although it's already over $400!!!!) I just want my poor baby minivan back! *sniff* I hate being stranded.

Orlando's on Regis today (taping!) and I've seen him in a few KoH interviews already. I have to say that he handles himself pretty well in the interview chair for such a young actor. I'm sure all the LOTR madness turned him into a pro. ;-) All of the KoH previews I've seen make me think "Whoa! ROTK ripoff!" The KoH battle scenes remind me of the Pelennor Fields battles complete with catapaults (sans cave trolls), horse battle scenes and even the walk up to the Black Gate. Course, that means I'll probably like this movie a lot...and if I squint a little, Orlando kind of looks like Strider with that scruffy beard thing...perhaps a bit taller...ok, and younger...okok and not at all, but he reminds me of Strider (see side by side comparison below) and that's a good thing. lol

Regis is asking him about how he's handling being the lead role...he says, "You're the star!!" Orlando says, looking down, "Yeah....yeah................................(like "crap, I am.") But he deflected nicely and threw all the credit onto the director, Ridley Scott. Also thanked all the fans for their support...a pro, indeed. = )

Eye Candy anyone?

Fiddleheads and fiddle heads

2005-05-04T15:14:31Z

I was out taking pictures last week and came across some fiddleheads, those cute little baby ferns that are, apparently, edible. Not all fiddleheads are edible. Further research about how to prepare them, etc, brought me to a website about fiddle heads...on actual fiddles. Nothing to do with these cute little plants, but interesting to see how violin/fiddle heads (scrolls) are made...

Dentist day group scream

2005-05-03T13:26:12Z

Taking the two kids to the dentist today. This is usually worse than having my *own* teeth pulled. I was hoping that having them both there together would make it easier...we'll see. I might have a double-migraine when I get back. *If* I come back...

;-)

Woo!

2005-04-30T20:21:57Z

I just got an email from the stock photo site I joined that said someone bought one of my photos! Woo!! I get half!! Wooo! They bought the one of Shea Stadium at sunset. Wooey! Pays to be a Mets fan! ;-)

*dances a mini-jig*

I feel good. The photo money is going toward the kids' college educations. That's one book down...

= )

geeky moment

2005-04-28T21:03:22Z

This is only funny for the LOTR folks... I just registered for a MySpace.com page...why? I dunno. Do I need more space on the internet? No. It was mostly because I wanted to hear Ellie Lawson's song over and over...lol. Anyway...in their email confirmation, they print your email address and password. Then below it, they say, "Keep it secret. Keep it safe."

Just another geeky moment in MySpace. 8-)

Calling all photographers!

2005-04-28T12:46:49Z

(cross-posting from the blog)

I'm participating in "World Photo Day" this year on June 1st. The idea is to record your day visually and share the photos with...the world. No pressure! I think it's a great idea. I just hope their site doesn't crash!! *crosses fingers for Drew and WPDsite*

Their objective is cool, too: "uniting humanity through the art of photography."

All photographers are welcome to participate! My photos will be listed in an album called "Carolynvb." They are testing their BETA site right now, so I'm not sure that will still be my album name in June. Go! Click! Join!

From the WPD site:

The goal of this project is simple: to show the world we live in through the eyes of photographers worldwide, on one day in the year 2005. This in no way is a contest. It is merely a platform for all to enjoy and review with pleasure.

The basic idea for World Photo Day was conceived in the latter part of December 2005. Photography is way to capture events through the eyes of the individual who sees it first hand and produces a record for all to behold. In this modern era, when information can be exchanged instantaneously, in many cases without any governing restraints, we can witness moments of time virtually as they unfold. Never in the history of mankind could such a project, with almost instant visual results, have been accomplished.

I personally am in awe of the daily events taking place in our world, events on both a local and global scale, events that dictate our daily lives. We are all human, but where we are born sets our lives in motion differently, a motion primarily directed by the values of our country, our political systems, our local laws and traditions. You, I, and billions of others have an inherent nature to appreciate joy when it finds us and to survive in the face of adversity. We each follow unique paths, sometimes strewn with rose petals, sometimes riddled with sharp stones.

Though all of us inhabiting our unique planet are essentially the same, our lives unfold in such a broad array of ways that we cannot but stand in amazement as we view the diversity. Through the art of photography, and this project, I hope to shed some light on the difficulties, the triumphs, the beauty, the pain, the good and the bad of our human existence, all in one 24-hour period. What a visual journey it shall be.

-Drew Rossman WorldPhotoDay.com

Music

2005-04-27T15:24:39Z

I'm loving this song "Gotta Get Up From Here" by Ellie Lawson. Saw her perform on, you guessed it, Ellen. Great voice and I loved the music, too.

"Lawson calls her songs which lay sultry pop vocals on top of electronic beats and acoustic guitar for an intriguing mix of Dido-ish smoothness and Sinead O'Connoresque defiance "urban folk-pop." ... For the most part, the album sticks to a bouncy, electro-pop vibe on songs such as "L.A.," an homage to escaping dreary London for the sunny West Coast, and "Gotta Get Up From Here," in which Lawson sings about trying to rise above a "24-hour life crisis" over an insistently looped acoustic guitar... " - Vh-1.com

Raining here today, good for the garden. Volunteering at school today.

A quick funny

2005-04-26T17:51:13Z

From an Idaho blogger...Marianne Love...

carolyn777 @ 2005-04-25T14:14:00

2005-04-25T18:44:54Z

Busy weekend. Played volleyball tourney on Saturday. I thought it was a "recreational benefit" tournanment. NOT! Soooo NOT! Our first match was against the 3 biggest hitters in the men's league and the 3 biggest women who play in the men's league. I got spiked by the ball in the neck. The NECK! Oy, my achin' carotid artery! I was about as far back in the back row as one can get and I couldn't react fast enough to this HUGE guy's spike. Holy cow. One friend said, "Hey, next time you get hit in the neck, try to turn your head THIS way so the ball is playable..." Ha. Ha.... no ha. Then my teammate says, "Carolyn, you gotta move up on him, he's spiking short..." Hey, buddy, YOU move up closer to him. I need my teeth. We finished a respectable third place. All tendons and muscles (mostly) intact. Woo. I can still play with the big boys...and live to tell about it. Can't walk very well today, especially stairs, owowowowow, but I hung in there. = )

Sister came up from Maryland, so we went out Sat. night to dessert/cappuchino bar then saw The Interpreter. I liked it. Thought they could've let Sean Penn's leash out a little more in some scenes or given him some more beefy lines or something. Seemed a waste to have him and not let him get outta control on screen. Nicole was great but her hair was driving me nuts. In one scene, her hair was in her eyes, behind her ears, in her eyes, smooth, tussled, fly away...and they never got off the couch! Continuity folks!! *sigh* Very distracting. Otherwise, pretty good flick all in all.

Going to Mets game tonight to experience firsthand, what cryogenic stasis is. We're gonna FREEZE! It hailed this morning! Hello, spring? Have a cup of coffee, you're on deck!!

Had friends over for dinner yesterday. Made homemade lasagna and bacon/spinach/balsamic dressing salad and baked stuffed eggplant (on the fly, just because I thought the lasagna would look lonely on the plate. lol). I made it up as I went along and it turned out great (so said my friend)! Here's the recipe. Could be a meal on its own with a salad and bread...

Baked Stuffed Eggplant recipe
recipe from Carolyn = )

One large eggplant
{olive oil for pan}
one zucchini (green squash)
1/4 cup diced onion (about half a small onion)
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp italian seasoning
1 Tbl fresh minced parsley
2 Tbl grated cheese
2 Tbl extra virgin olive oil
salt/pepper

Slice the eggplant lengthwise. Place flat side down on baking sheet greased with olive oil. Bake 400F til eggplant is soft inside, about 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, saute diced onion with diced zucchini in 2 Tbl olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for one minute more. Add 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 tsp. mixed italian seasoning, 1 Tbl parsley, salt/pepper to taste and cook for 2 minutes. Scoop out the cooked eggplant, leaving 1/4" shell on the skin (it's kind of hard to work with, but the roasted eggplant flavor tastes great...worth the effort!). Diced the scooped eggplant and add to zucchini mixture. Remove from heat and add bread crumbs. Drizzle more olive oil if mixture looks too dry. Divide eggplant mixture evenly into the 2 eggplant shells and top with 2 Tbl grated cheese. Return to oven for 15-20 minutes or until top is golden and mixture is bubbling.

So that's what productivity feels like...

2005-04-21T20:35:29Z

Imagine that. ;-) Did some food shopping, had lunch with some old friends from where I worked. Went home and gardened like a crazy person. Raking, mulching, dividing hostas and lilies and some pink flowering plant that's taking over a corner of my garden...possibly a scented geranium of some sort. Started a new bed near the mailbox and when I dug in, there were no rocks! A miraculous day indeed! It looks so cute with all these little baby plant divisions in there.

My sister's coming up from Maryland this weekend to see the Yankees (auto-BOOO!!) and I think we're having dinner with her on Saturday night at my fav. mexican restaurant that opened near me. Might see a band tomorrow night and maybe a Met game Monday night. All in all, I'd say the weekend is shaping up nicely.

For all those Mooting in Wellington...ROCK ON!! Party!! WOOOoOOoOOO!! Send pictures!!!

Shasta daisy from my favorite restaurant.

carolyn777 @ 2005-04-20T10:04:00

2005-04-20T14:29:01Z

I was watching Ellen this morning...she was talking about how you *will* become your parents, no matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will. She said, "You'll be walking in the supermarket one day and catch yourself singing along with Musack...and be like WHAT THE?!!!" You'll be jingling change in your front pockets and find yourself uttering the words like 'newfangled.'"

lol...I just said newfangled the other day. Oy. I was joking with some 20-something volleyball friends about how cute it was that they all made their phone rings specific to the person calling and how they called each other all the time to say a lot of nothing...and how these 'newfangled' toys kept them so entertained, etc...I've got about 15 years on them and well....I just don't GET it! I have a cell phone. I answer it if it rings (it never does..ok, well sometimes I get a wrong number call from this guy with a heavy Spanish or Italian accent says, "Hey, baby, call me..." I haven't called him yet...lol). I use it to call ahead for take-out pizza or chinese food when I'm driving home. I have it just in case my old car dies then I can call for help.

I know it has games on it because my son plays them. I know I can choose the ringtones, but I'm not sure where that is. It wasn't until recently that I figured out how to enter a name into my phonebook without all capital letters. Talk about progress, huh?! Once, without telling me, my husband made the phone vibrate instead of ring...it was in my coat pocket and I spilled my drink at a restaurant because it scared the hell outta me. Oh, don't mind me, I always jump when my pocket vibrates. - - - ! It's not that I couldn't figure it out, I just don't see the need, really. If you're attached to these devices all the time, wherever you go, aren't you missing where you are?

I have a friend who drives an hour each way to work every day. She calls her sister, friends etc every day and talks for most of the ride. I dunno, maybe I'm just weird (ok I am weird), but I like to look around and see the scenery or rock out to music or something. I see kids in the mall, all hanging out with each other but they're all on their phones. Are they talking to each other? Why did they go there with friends if they're not going to talk to them? Maybe I'm just anti-social. I've never been a phone person. I just feel like maybe you're missing out on something here if you're always trying to be somewhere else. Is that old-fashioned? *change jingling* *hums Copa Cabana*