Thread Drift

[redrhodie]

Ugh, just googled tenor saxophone. Over a $1000. I'll have to look for a used one.

[Crankin]

I did all of my holiday shopping locally and on-line. No trips to the mall. I think I spent more on the Chanukah/Xmas bags to put the gifts in, since wrapping is not my thing... I just have to get my son's gf a gift certificate for a massage, which I will do on Monday.
My 30th anniversary is Tuesday. I just don't see how this could be possible. Right now my DH is transferring our old videos onto CDs and it is just hysterical to watch stuff from a long time ago. Boy, we were seriously style deficient in the eighties!

[OakLeaf]

Welcome back X! Great to see ya. I'd been wondering about you two. Glad everything's going well - good luck with the new kitty. :)

Holiday shopping? What's that?! If I can get through moving, my husband's birthday and my mom's birthday, I'll be happy.

[Pax]

Ugh, just googled tenor saxophone. Over a $1000. I'll have to look for a used one.

You might want to give him a check or gift certificate to buy one, I have a couple of musician friends and there seems to be a LOT that goes in to choosing an instrument. One friend went all the way to NYC (from Central IL) to look at a used horn. It all seemed very complicated.

[Tuckervill]

I put a great big sign out on the street that says FREE--Christmas Shopping, and then dug out all the stuff that has been hanging around in the garage and stuff, and put it by the street.

There is so much I can't put out there because it belonged to the boys at one time. I'm sure they'd say, "I don't want that," but I can't take a chance! But it feels good to see people so happy to get stuff for free.

Karen

[salsabike]

Hey, it's been a while. We've been doing great but very busy with life. Kit is doing wonderful in college (Mimi, she finally gets math and almost likes it now! :p) and working part time at the hospital. I've had tons of OT for months (like 3-4 double shifts a week) but now we've hired more people so it's finally getting better. Kit finally got some financial aide so today she got a nice big refund for this past term we already paid for. The smile on her face lights up the room. Especially since it's her birthday. What a nice present.

I'm taking her out for breakfast at our favorite diner, a snowy day at the Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood then a soak in a hot tub, a couple's massage and dinner afterwards at McMenamins Edgefield. She's really been missing snow and the woods lately and has really needed a good massage for a while now. I hope she has a good day. :)

What do y'all do to keep the cats away from the spinning wheel when you're on the trainer? We've adopted yet another kitty, found him by the dumpster one night. That in itself is a story and a half. I named him Bodhi. Ito'san and him are good buddies. Tiny Harley Quinn smacks him down when he gets wild. :D Anyway, he feels the need to be a part of everything I do. :rolleyes: I'm worried for when I put the roadbike on the trainer in the next few weeks. All ideas are welcome.

I've tried to catch up the best I can on this thread. Many things have happened to us but it's just too much to talk about all in one shot. The main thing is, we are loving life and enjoying each other's company more and more as time goes on. I feel very lucky. I wish the same for the rest of you. I'll check back in more often and say hi. See y'all later and be safe. :D

Hey, X! That is all wonderful news. Glad to hear it!

[snapdragen]

Hi X! I've thought about you and Kit a few times, wondered how you were doing. Glad to see you're both happy and well!

[Zen]

What she said.

You really should come around more often.

[KnottedYet]

X!!!! Sweetie! Darling! Poochie-lumpkins!!! :D

[Zen]

poochie-lumpkins?
:p

[KnottedYet]

poochie-lumpkins?
:p

Funny, that's exactly what Trek just said....

[Xrayted]

Poochie-lumpkins had us cracking up here, too. :D

Work news is... I went to the 3pm - 11:30 shift back up at the main hospital and like it a lot. I'm not a morning person at all. I was still having a problem with someone I worked with. She was doing her best to get me fired. Usually twice a week I was called into my boss's office over something this person accused me of. I could prove that she was lying, that I did the right thing... everytime. The boss knows this person is friends with the director so it didn't matter what proof I had or what I said. Not once. I knew I was about to lose my job. So when the evening shift came open, I took it. It's been great ever since. I've been given multiple service excellence awards in just those few months. I've also let them know that I refuse to work with her anymore, due to hostile work environment conditions. That got some attention. ;) I guess I just had to make it known outside of their little click.

Well, the kitty story... I was working my 4th double that week, it was a Friday. Kit took me to work and picked me up so I would get home safely. We parked in our spot about midnight, come around the corner and there is this little kitty sitting there, looking all cute and friendly. So, of course, Kit goes over, starts petting him... the next thing I know, I'm dragging myself up to our apartment and come back with a bowl of food for him. It only took him 10 minutes to end up our guest for the night. We kept him secluded from the other cats for a week in case he has a respiratory infection. Otherwise, he had a clean bill of health from the vet on Sat. He was fine, just very thin. So, after a day of getting him shots and flea drops/pills, poked and prodded, he decided to do a houdini out the 2nd story bathroom screen at 1:30am Sat night. Kit just happened to get up to check on him and he was gone, the screen frame pushed out on the corner. So, now we are both outside, bleary-eyed, with flashlights, looking for our stray kitty... :rolleyes: :o We found him hanging out right where we found him the 1st time. Took him back in and closed all the windows and put a fan in there with him cuz of course, it was the middle of the heatwave we had. He cater-walled all night too.... Yep, you got it, he was never fixed. We originally had it set up to get him fixed in a few weeks when he was to get his booster shots... after the 3rd night of cater-walling, I called the vet and we moved it up to that thurs. :o It was an amazing transformation of a cat. He was immediately calm, focused, chilled, very loving... :D Oh, and because of that cat, we ended up buying an air conditioner, since we couldn't trust him with an open window. :D So, we've had him now about 5 months and he is doing great. Harley still remembers him being a little sh!t when he 1st came so she cuts him no slack. She gives him the full tortie-tude. They do have a habit of falling asleep spooning though. When they are awake, she lets him know who runs this place. :p

What else... um, well, Kit's motorcycle is all done and gorgeous. It looks and runs like it just came off the showroom floor. She learned all kinds of things to get that old 30yo bike purring. We have a 2nd bike, just like it, that was to be my project next but since her parts are so hard to come by, we ended up using parts from that one. It's mostly there and can be finished, but it's in the back of the garage for now. I ended up buying a '69 Honda 350 a few weeks ago and have started the restore on that. I still have my harley for daily riding. It was tough with all that OT to ride my bicycle to work so I took my cycle a lot more this year.

I'm so glad our bicycles don't need that kind of work to restore/upkeep them. Phew!

We helped out a neighbor on Wed this week too. She just had a hysterectomy from cancer and has had a hard time recovering. She uses a power chair and walker and doesn't have much $$ to spare at all, being disabled. She really needed a sofa (her futon frame got broken) and a better recliner. So, I checked CL and found a nice love seat that folds out into a single bed (for when her sister comes to visit) and a better recliner that is shorter, just like her, so it fits her much better. $30 for both in good shape. The love seat size will allow her to maneuver her chair easier inside as well. I got a trailer from uhaul and picked them up. I also found a lady selling a 2.5" memory foam pad for a single bed. It had a duvet cover and a nice linen bag to store it in. Basically new. I told her the story of my neighbor and we agreed to $40. I dropped by and got that to make the sofa bed more comfy when open cuz those things were designed using the plans from a medieval rack type of contraption. :p

Ok, my fingers are numb so I'll go now. :D I have homework to do and Kit is studying for her last final. (I am taking a class on ECGs to eventually get my ACLS cert. It's just for my own knowledge right now but may help me in the future to get my foot in the door to learn cardiac cath somewhere)

See ya kids!

[crazycanuck]

Poochie lumpkins you say...I'll use that one on Ian & probably get some very odd look....

We would like to do a long dirt ride on the weekend n me thinks we'll be starting way early as it's forecasted to be 37C on Sat & 38C on Sunday...Can you say i'm going to melt!

[crazycanuck]

:rolleyes: Read the first blurb in today's Sideswipe column...http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10614053

:confused:

[NbyNW]

:rolleyes: Read the first blurb in today's Sideswipe column...http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10614053

:confused:

That reminded me of this:

http://current.com/items/88941392_sarah-haskins-in-target-women-yogurt-edition.htm

[snapdragen]

:rolleyes: Read the first blurb in today's Sideswipe column...http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10614053

:confused:

I didn't know strawberries were a "girl thing" :rolleyes:

I liked this too:
"Harassed by hand cream hawkers at the malls? Steph has had enough. She writes: "A trip to a shopping mall also includes having to run the gauntlet of people chasing you to try their hand creams. I usually walk out of my way at Manukau shopping centre to avoid them, but discovered on Saturday that my escape route now includes people selling face cream. How do they suppose somebody carrying shopping bags in each hand is able to try these things? "No thank you" means that, not please chase me through the mall telling me that "it will only take a minute". Is anybody else driven to despair by this or am I just in need of a holiday?"

Add the stinky microwave heating pad people to the list too "Please don't come near me with that thing, it makes me sneeze" seems to work. :p

[katluvr]

I hardly EVER go to the mall, but went w/ my sister yesterday and was bombarded by these people..."miss..." "ma'm".... "can I see you hand..."
I did all the NO THANK YOU I could. I wanted to say something else...you can imagine what that was.:p

I just wanted them to leave ALONE!

[Xrayted]

Heh. I was going to stay away from the mall but this could be kinda of fun and cleansing in so many ways... I just wish I was PMSing too. :D

[lph]

What I always want to do to those bombardment people is give them a blank stare and go "Uh, no. I'm not interested. Because if I were, I'd be coming over to you, right?"

Instead, being Norwegian, I pretend I haven't seen them as long as I can, get a deer-in-the-headlights look, freeze up and squeak out a "nosorrynothankyou!" through a tight polite smile. :rolleyes:

[Pax]

What I always want to do to those bombardment people is give them a blank stare and go "Uh, no. I'm not interested. Because if I were, I'd be coming over to you, right?"

Instead, being Norwegian, I pretend I haven't seen them as long as I can, get a deer-in-the-headlights look, freeze up and squeak out a "nosorrynothankyou!" through a tight polite smile. :rolleyes:

I just say "no" and look hem right in the eye when they start to speak, if the continue I stop in my tracks, stare at then and say "NO". But I look kinda mean so usually get left alone.

[Zen]

What an awful job that must be. It's likely the only job they could get right now. I mean really, who wants to do that?

[Tuckervill]

In our mall (we only have one), it's mostly hair extensions, hair curlers, and some lotions. I think the little kiosks are leased by the people selling the stuff. The people are all foreign (but not Hispanic), which is a rare sighting in my neck-o-the-woods, and possibly all run by the same family, or so it appears. They leave me alone because I have short hair! When I had long hair, I did kind of like Pax does.

You don't have to be nice to them (I'm not saying be rude, either). If you're nice to them and offer an excuse or objection, that gives them an "in" to continue talking to you. A firm, polite "no" without stopping is the best course.

Karen

[IFjane]

online shopping....the only solution!

[crazycanuck]

One reason I hate going to malls! I venture to the other side of the hall from these vendors and normally walk right through them or just give them an evil look. Do not bother me!!!

I feel sorry for anyone that has to work in malls!!! I am sooo happy I have an easy peasy job whilst going to uni!!!! I might hate it but i wouldn't last in a mall store or any store for that matter....

[crazycanuck]

Wahoooooeeyyy...Coolio...I passed the two uni classes I took this past semester (the one that just ended) :)

Hopefully i'll survive semester 1 in the 2010 first semester...4 classes....

[OakLeaf]

Yay CC! :)

[bmccasland]

Yay CC!!! Enjoy your Christmas break! :D

Have one of those mint Tim Tams :rolleyes:

[Crankin]

Freezing....

[crazycanuck]

Quite the opposite tomorrow..twill be 37C...

Tomorrow morning, we're doing a little time trial for the TrainingPeaks 100km enduro program..before it gets too hot...

Sunday...39C...Early early dirt ride!!

[Crankin]

I know that somewhere around 40C is about 100F (once saw 42C on a sign in AZ). I hope you get out there very early.
Good job on the courses, CC. Doesn't it feel good? I will be half way done with my program one week from Monday. I can see the end...

[Tuckervill]

I just resigned as president of the bike club, a position I held for 2 months.

I'm a volunteer. I'm not spending my free time finding customers for a private business unless they're going to pay me.

Karen

[Crankin]

I know exactly how you feel. I resigned from my position as president of the school committee of the religious school at my temple, after a year of a 2 year term, many years ago. It was more stress than my real job. I had done tons of volunteer work before that and never felt that way.
It sort of turned me off from volunteering. My time is just too precious. I don't mind leading rides, but I could only do one year on the bike committee of Boston AMC chapter. I will do "one shot" jobs, but nothing long term.

[Tuckervill]

I love volunteering. But I only do things that no one else is paid to do. It all came down to my motivation for volunteering, and it was being exploited.

Karen

[crazycanuck]

Crankin-it's all cool! I have another 3yrs & am wondering how i'll work n study. I spoke to my mgr yesterday about it & I now have to wait for scheduling options..

Tuck-Yep yep yep. I don't blame you for giving up the volunteer position. We're not PAID to do things!!!

Do you know how hard it is to get people to volunteer for even just 1hr!!!! People really annoy me...

[OakLeaf]

Do you know how hard it is to get people to volunteer for even just 1hr!!!! People really annoy me...

I totally hear you... but I'm not aware of anything that you can volunteer for just one hour. Volunteering is like a part-time job, if you can't be reliable you shouldn't even sign up, otherwise you're just creating more work for people who were counting on your contribution. That's why I don't. I sure would like to, but my life doesn't allow me to be reliable about anything. :(

[crazycanuck]

When planning cycling events, it's always handy to have someone who can give at least just 1hr through the year to help in some way. Trail building, trail maintenance etc.

I think volunteering doesn't have to be a weekly thing either. It's putting your hand up when required....

[Dogmama]

You don't have to be nice to them (I'm not saying be rude, either). If you're nice to them and offer an excuse or objection, that gives them an "in" to continue talking to you. A firm, polite "no" without stopping is the best course.

Karen

I made the mistake of stopping at a kiosk where they were selling hand cream & nail buffing stuff. I liked the hand cream & was going to buy it but the guy wouldn't shut up - kept trying to sell me more stuff. I finally walked away with him trailing me & shouting - really embarrassing.

[redrhodie]

After sneaking in some clues about getting bf a horn (actually, I asked him outright :rolleyes:) he said he although it would be fun, didn't really want one. So, I got him Carolina boots, and a shak. Everyone needs a shak, right?

Now I'm about to start baking cookies. This years collection will be thumbprints, Russian tea cakes and chocolate krinkles.

[IFjane]

Now I'm about to start baking cookies. This years collection will be thumbprints, Russian tea cakes and chocolate krinkles.

I'll pm you my mailing address :D

[crazycanuck]

I'm not impressed.:mad:..did you hear about this...http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/auschwitz-arbeit-macht-frei-sign-stolen-1844856.html

WTF is wrong with people!!!!

[Tuckervill]

Some people have no respect. :(

Karen

[Wahine]

I got him Carolina boots, and a shak. Everyone needs a shak, right?

What's a shak?

[redrhodie]

What's a shak?

Surely you jest? http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1315/46938/mens-shak-jersey

I won't be evil and link to the women's. They are addictive like crack. And, don't, whatever you do, don't read the wool weenies thread if you want to ever, say, go on vacation, or save for retirement. ;)

[Crankin]

Yes, since joining in on that thread in Dec. 2007, I now have 3 full zip Shaks, 2 hoodie ones, and various other Ibex/Smart Wool goodies.
And a wonderful field trip to the Arcadian Shop with Bleeeker St. and Deb W.

[kelownagirl]

I bought my first merino wool item today. Hard to believe I've been reading TE for 3 years and it took this long to try it...

[Trek420]

"Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated" :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

I'm wearing my thistle gray Shak right now as I type! (it matches my thistle gray Carrie hoodie)

Resistance? Hah! ;)

[kelownagirl]

"Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated" :rolleyes:

It's too expensive to become fully assimilated.... ;)

[KnottedYet]

It's too expensive to become fully assimilated.... ;)

Ibex Outlet is my friend.

[Trek420]

Ibex Outlet is my friend.

Friend? Or enabler? :rolleyes: ;) :p

[OakLeaf]

SW midweight T and heavy socks for my ride this morning, Ibex Zepher crew and SW socks for post-ride hanging out...

[Trek420]

Sheila Moon wools caps on sale on TE

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_5200.html

[kelownagirl]

Ibex Outlet is my friend.

US bucks, plus shipping = fergedaboudit :rolleyes:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sheila Moon wools caps on sale on TE

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_5200.html


11% wool, 89% polyester/lycra. :cool:

"wool fleece" does not always = wool. ;)

[Zen]

I have a hat similar to this one (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_5211.html). It doesn't cover the ears (I thought it would). What's the point?

[Trek420]

I have a hat similar to this one (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSM_5211.html). It doesn't cover the ears (I thought it would). What's the point?

It's a conspiracy so you also need http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCI_H5571.html

[KnottedYet]

It's a conspiracy so you also need http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCI_H5571.html

I love TE. Did you see the "fit note" on that headband? Susan, you are FAB-U-LOUS!

[Trek420]

I like cycling beanies:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCI_H8081.html

[crazycanuck]

Read the first blurb in today's Sideswipe *snork*

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10616668

have a good day :)

[KnottedYet]

Read the first blurb in today's Sideswipe *snork*

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10616668

have a good day :)

Bret from Flight of the Conchords! Yay! And I love that billboard.

Oh, you meant the bikes.... ;)

[DebW]

Just back from 3 hours of xc skiing. Most excellent snow! Skied the Reformatory Branch railroad right-of-way from Bedford to Concord. Today my wool consisted of Ibex undies, sleeveless Woolie baselayer shirt, Pendleton wool shirt from Goodwill, wool cargo pants from Goodwill, Smartwool socks.

[Crankin]

Wow, I've never thought of skiing on that trail. I've mountain biked on it a few times. It's always very wet!

[Wahine]

I have done *NOTHING* remotely resembling exercise for 4 days. No cross training, nothing. I've been trying to force myself to sleep extra and rest the last while. I've had a cold since Ironman that does not want to go away. Usually I would be skate skiing this time of year but alas...

On the bright side, I've done more reading than I have in ages. I'm reading the book "Middlesex". Very intriguing story about an immigrant family with a hermaphroditic son. I'm not sure I'm classifying his condition properly so please excuse me if that's incorrect. Excellent writing, great story telling.

I also may have found the perfect house for my BF and I. Unfortunately I have nothing to buy it with... not right now anyway.

It's nice to be back on the board with some regularity and to *see* you all again.:D

[Zen]

There are no xc ski bargains to be found :(
and I want some. I have a feeling this winter is going to be a good one for that.

[NbyNW]

I'm planning to rent xc skis this winter so I can learn some technique and figure out if/what I really want to buy. And then I'm going to keep my eyes open for end of season clearance sales.

[crazycanuck]

I need a good supportive sports bra for cycling that'll allow me to wear my HRM as well. Seems that when mtn biking i need a bit more support...

[crazycanuck]

How does this sound???

Twas a few days before christmas down under & folks all over town are brimming with glee..beach time they say all for meee. With a doggie,we run down the beach togs in tow. White sand a glowing, clear blue water a flowing, the doctor a blowing..ahhh....My smile's a growing enjoying the warm weather with a possible tan showing.....

[katluvr]

Only 7 more days working my current job. And with it holidy week and all --hopefully I'll be hardly working! Hardest part is cleaning out files and packing up to what I need/want to take to new job.
YIPPEE! Moving on to greener pastures!
Starting the NewYear off with a new job!

[Trek420]

YIPPEEEE, gotta love that new job smell. Great news, and good to hear that somewhere on the planet someone is hiring.

[katluvr]

Technically I am transfering to a new position. I am in healthcare
Been out of the clinical arena for teh past 5 years...going back to being clinical. Once a nurse--always a nurse.
But neato job this one! Cool boss! Autonomy! Less stress! 2/3 time = more time to play!:p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ok Knot, I've been meaning to ask you....
That cycling chick in your avatar- is she wrapped in some of that irridescent gift basket cellophane, or Saran Wrap or something? :confused: LOL!
http://www.pjsoaps.com/Images/Full/WrappedBasket2.jpg

[snapdragen]

Ok Knot, I've been meaning to ask you....
That cycling chick in your avatar- is she wrapped in some of that irridescent gift basket cellophane, or Saran Wrap or something? :confused: LOL!


She is rather shiny, isn't she....:rolleyes:

[bmccasland]

A while back the plumbers were at the house working on something, and I had them look at my drippy bathroom faucet. They tried to repair it, but due to the poor quality of the fixture (implied but not out-right stated), they said it couldn't be repaired, and I'd probably need to replace it.

Well the periodic drip got worse, and my water flow was reduced to about 1/4 flow. So today I took myself to a big box store, and bought a new fixture. A Delta. Then called the plumbers. Why yes, they could come out today. Mudbug Plumbing, got to love them. And they approved of the quality of my selection.

So this evening I'll be able to wash my face with nice warm water in the sink instead of leaning into the tub. Sigh.

Some people spend their OT pay on bikes or baubles, me, I call a plumber. :rolleyes:

[katluvr]

Not even X-mas eve and counting down the hours til I am out of here today (I am taking tomorrow off!)
Boy do I have to watch my food intake after this past month...feeling the tightness of the waistband of my pants.

So how many of you out there are having a white x-mas???

[NbyNW]

We are definitely having a white Christmas.

We couldn't find anyone to take care of our dog for our annual trip back to see in the in-laws in Maine, so we found a dog-friendly hotel in Jasper instead. We're going to do the Maine trip in January instead.

Time to start some new traditions!

[crazycanuck]

No white christmas here...Just warm temps

Nby-Jasper...cool...I love Jasper!!! Wayyy wayyy cooler than Banfff

We're going to start a new christmas eve tradition(if we're not near our families), A mtn bike ride. Tomorrow morning a roadie ride..

[Wahine]

I'm with CC - Jasper is way cooler than Banff. I've spent many a weekend in Jasper snowboarding, skiing, biking... generally getting into trouble with my friends. :D:D

Have fun.

Happy Holidays Everyone.

[KnottedYet]

Ok Knot, I've been meaning to ask you....
That cycling chick in your avatar- is she wrapped in some of that irridescent gift basket cellophane, or Saran Wrap or something? :confused: LOL!
http://www.pjsoaps.com/Images/Full/WrappedBasket2.jpg

Buck nekkid, oiled up, and with a blue cel over the lighting.

[Trek420]

Buck nekkid, oiled up, and with a blue cel over the lighting.

Always the way I likes my wimmin :rolleyes: ;) :cool: :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Always the way I likes my wimmin :rolleyes: ;) :cool: :p


o... kay....

[KnottedYet]

Done with the last patient, and just about ready to go home! Happy Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas, etc and so on!

[Trek420]

o... kay....

I am kidding. Merry/Happy TE TD! 1 1/2 hours to go then outa here.

[kelownagirl]

Merry Christmas to all of my TE friends!

[NbyNW]

We think it's pretty cool here, too.

Went skiing this morning for the first time in 10 years :eek:

It's not quite like riding a bike, but we had lots of fun! Weather has been perfect. Sunny, not too cold, and we have a little Christmas tree in our room.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Zen]

I am kidding.

uh huh.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A wonderful Christmas morning here....22F, foggy, and the trees are covered with beautiful white frost today.

Brian and I lit beeswax candles in the living room and kitchen, and sat by the crackling fireplace with cats purring in our laps and listened to medieval 'yuletide/winter/revelry' music with our first cup of coffee. Then we made Christmas Breakfast (which we have instead of a Christmas dinner) of bacon, ham, and eggs, toast, spun honey, and orange juice.
I'll be practicing music a lot today, and 'visiting' with my daughters on the phone of course. :p

[Zen]

Uh-oh (http://www.playlist.com/searchbeta/tracks#santa%20lost%20a%20ho)

[crazycanuck]

Another beautiful day in paradise :)

I slept in :o...I was supposed to go n do some dirt time but my pillow took me hostage :o . Ian is out doing dirt time for the both of us before it gets too hot.

Now I have to call my grandparents :( They're not really that communicative anymore but have to do that ancestral appeasement thing.

[Crankin]

I am $%#^&* sick! Woke up with a burning stomach, feeling like I am going to die. I used up all the Pepto in the house and managed to keep myself from throwing up. I've been able to keep down club soda and some dry matzah with jelly. But, I just feel gross. Aching everywhere. No fever, no sore throat, but my glands feel just a bit off. Freaked out about H1N1, though this doesn't seem to fit the pattern.
My son and wife are here and I am lying in bed!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I am $%#^&* sick! Woke up with a burning stomach, feeling like I am going to die. I used up all the Pepto in the house and managed to keep myself from throwing up. I've been able to keep down club soda and some dry matzah with jelly. But, I just feel gross. Aching everywhere. No fever, no sore throat, but my glands feel just a bit off. Freaked out about H1N1, though this doesn't seem to fit the pattern.
My son and wife are here and I am lying in bed!

Wow, that sounds awful! H1N1 is supposed to produce a very high fever, and that's what my friends who had it said too...like 104F-105F.
Burning stomach?, aching everywhere?- that sounds weird. Food poisoning?

I hope you feel better soon. :(

[Crankin]

I did think about food poisoning, since the 4 of us went to a new restaurant yesterday for lunch. I was so full after that, that I didn't have dinner; we had a get together for Scott and Alaina, so I ate a few desserts (small cookies, pastries), drank some decaf, and had a few slices of chicken breast before bed. I would think that it would have hit me earlier if it were food poisoning.
I had something like this about 3 years ago, where I was actually lying on the floor of the teacher's bathroom at school, figuring out how I could make it home without getting sick in my car. It only lasted a day and a half, so I am praying it's a similar bug. No one else is sick. I can't even stand the sight of food. We are all going out for New Years (both sons and their SOs), so I need to get better.
The weather is so frightful, too that it's making me feel worse. The wind must be blowing at 40 mph and it's freezing. I know being sick is putting me in a bad mood, since I normally deal with winter quite well. Now I'm getting a caffeine withdrawal headache!

[Zen]

Now I'm getting a caffeine withdrawal headache!

Or a dehydration headache?

[KnottedYet]

Wow, that sounds awful! H1N1 is supposed to produce a very high fever, and that's what my friends who had it said too...like 104F-105F.
Burning stomach?, aching everywhere?- that sounds weird. Food poisoning?

I hope you feel better soon. :(

Some folks don't get the high fever. (I didn't) One of the hallmarks of H1N1 is that it has more gut involvement than the usual flu.

If the weather is too frightful to go out, you might want to ask your doc if he/she can give you a quick phone consult.

Do you have vampire glow-in-the-dark red eyes?

[Zen]

dagnabbit I forgot to do my 50 jumps today:mad:

[Crankin]

I don't have vampire eyes. My temperature went up to 100.5 last night, which is a raging fever for me. Tylenol brought it right down. Stomach is a bit better today, but I am still aching all over and my chest/glands feel a bit weird. No real coughing or sneezing. Woke up with a temp. of 99.
Just called doctor and they have no openings until Monday! I guess I'll ride it out. Taking one extra strength Tylenol brings down the low grade fever and makes me feel better. I was able to eat breakfast and (most importantly) drink a cup of coffee. Of course, on the front of the Boston Globe was a story about how asthmatics are the most prone to complications of H1N1. I guess I need to stop obsessing, since I am not sure I have it and I am not having trouble breathing.

[DebW]

dagnabbit I forgot to do my 50 jumps today:mad:

I did 60. And rode my bike to work this morning. Now I can start the day happy. :)

[Tuckervill]

If you really think you have H1N1, you'd better get to the doctor before Monday. Tamiful doesn't do a thing after the first, what? 48 hours?

My grandson had H1N1 but no respiratory or GI symptoms at all. Just high fever and lethargic, and then the strep bacteria took advantage and infiltrated his blood and he ended up in the hospital. But still no symptoms other than a high fever and lethargy. I guess the mileage varies according to the person.

Karen

[katluvr]

I did 60. And rode my bike to work this morning. Now I can start the day happy. :)

So what is this "jump" thing?
Explain? Is there more on this earlier in this thread?

[Crankin]

I have to stop thinking I have H1N1. My fever has stayed down so far today, after the initial Tylenol dose. I will go to a mini clinic if it gets worse. Most of what I have is how I always feel when I get sick; the stomach stuff is what is unusual.
I just wish I was able to go out with my son while he is here!

[Zen]

So what is this "jump" thing?



I forgot what thread that was in.

The essence is that jumping up and down in place provides sufficient impact exercise for bone health.

[DebW]

So what is this "jump" thing?
Explain? Is there more on this earlier in this thread?

Read this thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=35774&highlight=osteo) on osteopena.

[bmccasland]

Some evIl person brought 3 flavors of fudge to the office.....

Must resist, must resist.....:o

[OakLeaf]

Does running 16-1/2 miles count, or do I have to do 50 jumps too? ;)

I suppose most everyone's had their share of drama the past few days, but I think I got someone else's share too. Anyway, we just finished Christmas dinner, and it was delicious. Pecan pie's cooling - eggbeater's in the freezer for the whipped cream -

[Zen]

No drama at my house:)

and...the UPS man brought me some xc skis!
I love you, UPS Man.

[OakLeaf]

See? I got your share.

[crazycanuck]

I'm making some yummy yet probably very bad food for tonight's dinner w friends...

mmmmm....

[Crankin]

I ended up going to the Minute Clinic at CVS. What a waste. But, I did achieve my goal of having someone listen to my chest. Nothing going on there, even though I feel like it is just "off." Definitely feeling better as the day went on, but my temperature was still going up to 99 every 6-8 hours or so. Ate normally pretty much.
Woke up this morning feeling pretty good compared to yesterday, but stomach still cranky. Sticking to Zantac and Mylanta for that. Temperature was 98.9, not horrible, but not normal either. I've been taking one Tylenol a couple of times a day for that. Now I'm getting antsy about not exercising and thinking about doing some yoga at least. I suspect some of this is stress related to my son's visit, but I don't like the idea of the low grade fever.

[NbyNW]

Crankin, are you pretty certain this is just a bug and not something else? (You know your body best!)

I hope you start to feel better on your own, but if you don't, please don't wait too long to see a doctor.

[OakLeaf]

Hang in there Crankin. Hope you feel better soon.

[Crankin]

NbyNW, I have a long history of weird things that turn out to be nothing; or at least nothing that anyone can diagnose. Two years ago I had all kinds of strange medical things... nothing definitive came up. And believe me, I had every test known to mankind. I was sort of diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but now my rheumatologist is not 100% sure. Mostly everything I'm having is stuff I have had before, except the fever. I can go to the doctor feeling like I have swollen glands, an ear infection, stomach pain, and upon exam I have no swollen anything or sore throat, etc. The only things I do have are mild asthma and allergies and that osteoporosis thing.
I will go to the doctor if I'm not better by next week. The stomach thing I'm having is in the same place I've always had it. So, I'm a bit more cautious about how often I go to the doctor. There's no way I want to start on another endless round of specialists! I know I don't have H1N1, so that's a relief.

[crazycanuck]

Here's some inspiring reading..sad but inspiring...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/appeals/indy-appeal/independent-appeal-jennipher-the-woman-thrown-to-the-dogs-1853937.html

[Zen]

I would like to have some bongos and a large primitive drum to play in a drum circle.

[crazycanuck]

I'd join you but not today as it's too hot...38C...It's an insidenstayoutofthesunshinewherethere'snoshade day...:mad::( I had a hard time riding home monday with the warm wind & no shade....ugh

[OakLeaf]

too many people have been getting anthrax from drum heads lately! I want to go to a drum circle next week but I think I'll stay upwind.

[redrhodie]

My friend got a "Wii fit" for Xmas, and the thing told her she's obese. I'm bummed, because she was seeming happier lately, and now she's depressed again. I might add, she doesn't look anything close to obese. It's just so stupid.

I feel like "accidentally" breaking it for her. I could borrow it, and run it over with my car. :cool: I'm sure she'd be heartbroken.

[Zen]

Who thought it would be a good idea to include that information?

Idiots.

[Crankin]

I am going x country skiing with a group tomorrow. Let's pray I don't get "dropped."

[crazycanuck]

I'm not a big fan of this Wii Fit thing..what a waste of time..why not just go outside for a walk or get a swiss ball & do exercises?? I don't get it...

Anywho...i thought I would try & get an afternoon swim in but didn't think of looking @ the timetable prior to leaving earlier this morning for work. Never try & go swimming during the looonnnggg school holidays :rolleyes: :mad: without looking @ the timetable..(Our squad pm sessions don't start up again til Mon...I shall wait til then...)

[Crankin]

CC, I'm with you on the Wii thing. Of course, I have never played a video game, never will. Go take a walk or buy a dvd, if you can't get out. It's like when I went to Disney World (against my priniciples, but my DH was at a conference). We went to that place (my mind is absolutely blank) where you go on a boat to the island that has the fake representations of different parts of the world. There were some people that thought this was actually like the real thing. Then, another night we went out to dinner at a restaurant which was actually quite good. But, afterwards, we decided to take a walk around the town (this is a real place, with houses, schools) that had been billed as "a throwback to the real thing. A place where there's a town center and people know their neighbors." I got a weird feeling, like a chill, when I realized what the developers were trying to re-create was exactly what I have in real life. They had tried to re-create a typical New England town, one that was suspiciously like the town I live in. Like it was a thing from the past.
I had to leave immediately.
I know a lot of people will disagree with me on the Wii thing, but why spend money on electronics, when you can get fit for very little money.

[Dogmama]

On one hand, I'm all for people getting off of their couches. If they spend a bunch of $$, maybe the guilt will get them to exercise. But will it eventually go the way of the Nintendo? Probably.

I didn't know it could pronounce a person as obese. That's insane. Even BMI has been shown to be incorrect if a person has a lot of muscle mass.

Like Crankin, I don't play video games & prefer the real thing to an animated TV thing.

[OakLeaf]

Because guiding a marble down a hole, guiding a bubble down a river, or dropping marbles into the correct buckets using both your hands and your feet - sometimes in opposition - are a whole lot more fun than any proprioceptive exercises someone's trainer will give them. Sure you can spend an hour working only on balance and proprioception, but how motivated is anyone to do that day after day?

Because if you already have a Wii box, the balance board only costs about $30 more than a good wobble board.

Because it gives you on-screen feedback on your balance and center, whereas on a wobble board, you're either stable with all the edges off the ground, or you're not. If you're leaning slightly to the left, you'd never know.

Because most people, DEFINITELY including me, can't stand up on a Swiss ball (or even a small ball). Suggesting exercises standing on a Swiss ball as a substitute for Wii balance exercises is like telling someone to do full pull-ups as a substitute for 20# cable pull-downs. Great if you can do it, but too challenging even for most active people.

Because there is no "real game" to correspond to most of the balance games, and if someone went to the trouble and expense of re-creating many of those games in the physical world, any one of them would be WAY more expensive than a Wii, and many would have a really high risk of falling.


I guarantee you neither my mother (who's actually very motivated) nor my mother-in-law (who isn't particularly) would be doing ANY proprioceptive work if it weren't for their Wiis. If it'll keep them from falling and breaking a hip, then hear, hear.

Yes, the BMI thing is worse than stupid, but take that up with the medical/weight loss establishment that pushes it so hard. I might add, IMO the Wii's obsessive focus on small weight fluctuations is even more damaging than its reliance on BMI. You can always skip the weigh-in on the Wii. I do, even though I weigh myself almost daily on a non-talking scale. Four pounds is a typical weight fluctuation for me, and I can do without a machine criticizing me because I'm better hydrated one day than I was the day before, or ate more fiber at lunch, or whatever. But another thing to take into account is that apparently this machine acts EXACTLY like the weight-loss establishment. My mom has been going to TOPS/KOPS for years - I don't encourage it, but she likes the social aspect - and she confirms that the Wii feedback is just like the structure of that group. If she's a pound heavier than she was at the meeting the week before, she gets some kind of a demerit. :( So I think a lot of it is that the Wii is exposing a lot of us here - who've never been sucked into the weight-loss machine - to philosophies that have been getting shoved down overweight people's throats for decades.

[salsabike]

I share my office with an occupational therapist who has been using Wii with her kids this year. They LOVE it and it's far more fun and interesting for them than just doing exercises. Why not be open to many different ways of pursuing fitness?

[lph]

And I'm guessing, because people think it's fun. People just like different things. Many people feel that going outside for a run or bike ride takes too long/is too boring/is too cold/hot/rainy/dangerous/whatever, and something that looks and feels like a video game is more fun to do.

I used to spend lots of money going to an aerobic class near here. Some of my outdoorsy friends couldn't understand why I would "spend money to jump and down indoors when you can exercise for free outdoors" I did that too, but I loved that class and had a blast.

Most people have no idea why I bother riding a bike in winter either. My kind of fun :)

[lph]

awww, how cute is this?

http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/01/06/nyheter/dyrenes_nyheter/innenriks/elg/hedmark/9802537/

We're having a cold snap, and the woman who took the photo writes "it's 20 below (-4F) outside, and I think she wanted to come in and get warm. She looked a bit hungry looking at the flowers in the window."

[bmccasland]

Reminds me of the time I caught an elk eating my Tulips early in the morning. I turned my kitchen light on, and up pops her head right outside the window, with a red tulip in her teeth. She bounced over my 4 ft fence and into the woods.

[Crankin]

I do see lots of uses for the Wii in rehab, OT, maybe PT, especially with kids, or motivating very obese, medically challenged clients. I also can understand the attitude of well, at least the person is doing something. Working on balance and proprioceptive stuff probably is appropriate for this, but I would rather go to the gym and pay a trainer or do it on my own, with my own equipment. What I don't understand is playing "games" that simulate the real thing or doing more aerobic type stuff with the Wii.
Just me.

[Zen]

Reminds me of the time I caught an elk eating my Tulips ...

It reminds me of when I lived in Alaska. I was 7 years old and had a rock collection. I found some 'rocks' in the yard, brought them inside and asked my mother what kind they were. She didn't know but I left them in the entry hall by the heater so I could ask my brother about them.
When he got home, he wanted to know why there was moose poop in the hall:o

Hey, I was 7.

[snapdragen]

Zen, that's better than the Alaskan tourist who insisted the moose pellets were nuts....and proceeded to pop one in her mouth. :eek:

[Tuckervill]

Wii lets me connect with my teenage boy (and whip him at the yoga parts) more than if we exercised separately.

The Wii is truly, truly revolutionary. No other game system has EVER enticed thousands of those who have never played video games before. Lots of the elderly old them. That says a LOT.

Karen

[Pax]

Today is my SO's and my 20th anniversary! I can't believe she's put up with me for this long. :p

[kelownagirl]

Today is my SO's and my 20th anniversary! I can't believe she's put up with me for this long. :p

Congrats! :)

[Tuckervill]

Today is my SO's and my 20th anniversary! I can't believe she's put up with me for this long. :p

Congratulations! We passed the 20 year mark on Wednesday. :)

Karen

[Trek420]

Congrats Pax and Pax sweetie!

Re the moose pellet stories reminds me of a school field trip a friend led here in sunny CA. One of the parents, a new transplant to CA collected a bouquet of the most marvelous glossy leaved, vibrant red and green plants. "look at how beautiful these are".

Poison oak :rolleyes: :eek: :(

[OakLeaf]

Congrats Pax, Tucker & spouses! :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Congratulations, Pax and Tucker! That's a long time.
It takes mutual effort, respect, and thoughtfulness to keep any relationship happy for decades. :)

[Crankin]

The poison oak story reminds me of when I first moved back to MA. We lived in a house that back up to acres of conservation land. At the edge of the grass, there was a brook and lots of cool stuff for little kids to play in, that was part of our property. After we had been here about a month, I got frantic because my 5 year old developed a weird rash and was carrying on about it. I thought he had some strange thing.
It was poison ivy. The pediatrician must have thought I was really dumb. None of that in the desert.

[Pax]

Thanks everyone...and congrats to you too Tucker!!

[crazycanuck]

I wouldn't know what poison ivy looks like & might be one of those folks who accidentally touches it..:o

Congrats Pax!!!

I'm off to do a REAL hill ride today...on a road i'm a wee bit intimidated by BUT...it's up to Trekhawk's abode :D so it makes it worthwhile

[Veronica]

Lucky you! I miss Trekhawk.

Veronica

[MM_QFC!]

Today is my SO's and my 20th anniversary! I can't believe she's put up with me for this long. :p

Congratulations and celebrate!

[salsabike]

Congrats, Pax and Tucker! I always love to hear about happy couples.

Yo MM_QFC!!! How's that grandbaby thang going?

[crazycanuck]

Weeeeeeeeee! Nice hilly road ride & noone ran me over! :D Twas a short 40km ride but I wanted real hills... Welshpool Road East is one of Perth's long and perhaps steepest roads (ok not so steep to you kids in California or other hilly cities...). Safest on weekends when there aren't so many BIG transport trucks zipping up it too...:eek:

Missed out on seeing Trekhawk..next week perhaps..

Now to venture off & find coffee, papers plus take my dear's MTB to the shop for some a fixin.. Swimming later on..

[crazycanuck]

:eek: Oh dear....I sure hope the forecasted temps for the weekend change a smidgen...:eek:

A balmy 39C on Sat & 42C :eek: on Sun...No sleep ins this weekend if i want to ride!!! :eek: 6am starts...

Some of temps around Aust at the mo are crazy hot...42C in Melbourne yesterday...

With these temps though come catastrophic fire warnings & we all keep our fingers crossed that another massive bushfire similar to 09 black saturday doesn't occur....


I have a new well paying student type jobbbbbbb!!! Weeeharoooney!

[NbyNW]

Some of temps around Aust at the mo are crazy hot...42C in Melbourne yesterday...
!

:D DH sent me an article about the weather in Melbourne, to rub it in that we could have made a different choice and ended up there.

Meanwhile, I'm just loving it that we've gotten up to a balmy 3C today! Perfect for my ski class tonight!

[redrhodie]

When you guys who have kids send Xmas cards with your kids pictures on them, do you expect your friends to keep them forever? They're very hard to throw away.

[Zen]

Here's my answer-
http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/video/

[redrhodie]

Thanks, Zen. Their little eyes are now looking out of the recycling bin at me.

I haven't been able to watch that show. Scary stuff. I'm the opposite end of the spectrum, but still get a little guilt when throwing away these cards.

[Catrin]

Finally our temps are above freezing today for the first time since before Christmas... and they are supposed to be 40 F or above all of next week, starting Monday. Friday it is supposed to be 39 F and I am off for the day after my training session at 12:30... guess what I am going to be doing Friday afternoon!

Monday there is supposed to be sunshine and 41 degrees... and I have the entire day off. I think that I will be able to get to know my bike a lot better over the next few days :D;)

[lph]

Their little eyes are now looking out of the recycling bin at me.

*snort* :D :D

I've read this 5 times and it still has me giggling. :D

[Zen]

A dog once got hold of an old teddy bear of mine. I threw him in the trash but his little button eyes were gazing at me too. It was unBEARable:o.
I sent him to the doll hospital where he got stitched back together.

[Pax]

Had an interesting afternoon, I finally got in to see the Sports Medicine doc about my achilles tendon problem. Turns out I have Retrocalcaneal Bursitis. It should clear up in a few weeks with some PT...yay!!

While I was waiting at the desk to make my appointments I saw a woman not much older than me (who appeared to have had a stroke) walking with her walker and leaving the building. She caught her foot on the edge of the door mat and fell backwards, I couldn't get to her quickly enough to prevent the fall and she hit her head so hard it sounded like a watermelon splitting open. I got to her and checked her out (pupils, neuro check, etc), asked the desk clerk to call an ambulance, and kept c-spine stabilization until they arrived. She was really nice, I felt such a connection to her.

I haven't been an active medic in 20 years...but it's still in me at the react-without-thinking level. Weird.

[Trek420]

Yay, Pax!! :)

[Zen]

I've tripped on those mats before but not quite so badly.

Good on you, Pax. Some things you never forget.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A dog once got hold of an old teddy bear of mine. I threw him in the trash but his little button eyes were gazing at me too. It was unBEARable:o.
I sent him to the doll hospital where he got stitched back together.

Wow, it's a good thing you pulled him back out of the trash. That would have been really bad mojo! :eek:

[crazycanuck]

Poo :( I found out that the Aust Titus rep only has a Small ex demo Racer X & not an xs..It'll be too big for me..

I think Titus is going to end up being my next purchase :) I'm just waiting see if there are any dealers out in Melbourne that have one I can try whilst out there. If not, i'm just going to get at Titus Racer X.

[crazycanuck]

Hello? Hellooooooo...Talk to meeeeeeeeeee Meeiiiieeeeeeeee

[snapdragen]

wassamatter cc -- feeling lonely? I spent this last week in classes. I've learned how to build screens using the OAS builder on our hospital's main computer system. The geek in me had a blast, I want to take the advanced class.

[crazycanuck]

Just making sure you kids were still alive..;)

Snap..the computerphobe in me says your class sounds way way way wayyyy beyond my techno abilities :o

You had fun though right? :D

[snapdragen]

I had a blast. It was pretty intense, but my background in database building helped quite a bit. ***geek geek geek geek***:rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

Geek non sequiteur:

We are Canadian Borg.
Resistance would be impolite.
Please wait to be assimilated.
Pour l'assimilation en francais,
veuillez appuyer sur 2.

[NbyNW]

Geek non sequiteur:

We are Canadian Borg.
Resistance would be impolite.
Please wait to be assimilated.
Pour l'assimilation en francais,
veuillez appuyer sur 2.

Story of my life, these last few months! ;)

[crazycanuck]

Holy Iceman...The official temp in Perth atm is 43C!!! It's bloody hot outside & am so glad we have evap air con...

We were just discussing what the Australian heat would have been like to the settlers way way way back when..Watering hole to watering hole & not much else...

[Xrayted]

Hi!! yeah, we're still alive. Kit is back in class again which means... we both caught a cold from the guy who sat next to her the 1st day. :rolleyes:

Things are well here otherwise. Have any of you seen Avatar IMAX yet? We saw it in 3D over the holidays with friends and we're kinda wondering if it's worth it in IMAX or not?

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled irregular drifting. I'm taking Kit out to dinner. :D





Oh..... HI CC!!!!! *waves* :D

[OakLeaf]

Hi X, good to see ya back!

There's already been a whole thread about Avatar. :) And a poll about how to watch it. I think the only person who saw it in both IMAX and regular 3D said they weren't enough different to justify a long drive... I'd see it again in IMAX, myself.

[Zen]

I have never seen a single Star Wars movie.
I doubt I will ever see Avatar.
However, I will watch Office Space, Idiocracy, Napoleon Dynamite and O Brother Where Art Thou over and over and over again :o

[Crankin]

I saw the original Star Wars movie at the Cine Capri in Phoenix... the one they tore down even though it was a piece of history :mad:.
Other than that, I have never seen any of those types of movies. I dislike reading science fiction and to see sci fi movies would be painful. I have even fallen asleep when taking my children to such movies.
Of course, this makes me a fun hater in the eyes of many.

[snapdragen]

Naw, just because you don't care for Science Fiction doesn't mean you're a fun hater. It's not everyone's cup 'o tea. My brothers taught me to read, I cut my teeth on Ray Bradbury -- so, yeah, I'm a Sci Fi geek.

I made a wonderful dinner tonight. Flat Iron steak, roasted fingerling potatoes and Caesar salad (OK, it was a salad-in-a-bag). We had a nice Pinot with it.

Dessert shall be Conversation Hearts......Do I know how to live or what. :rolleyes:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I often have weird dinners. Tonight it was pickled herring, my homemade pickled eggs, and kukicha twig tea with honey. :confused:
After which I practiced my limberjacks and mouth bow. :confused: :confused:

[Zen]

Mouth bow? Is that like a jews harp?
I had one of those and was always afraid I'd break my teeth.

[crazycanuck]

Urggghghh...It's tooo hot! 42C!!!!...thankfully i'm inside...It's cooling down to a balmy 37C tomorrow...My bike will be inside for a few days keeping out of the sun.

Dealing with the weather & training for our event is becoming annoying...just give us straight 30C for a while..I can deal with 33C..

http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/forecasts/perth.shtml

[Crankin]

Lisa, you should have met my mother. She would have liked that dinner.
Snap, your menu made my mouth water. I can never find flat iron steak here. For awhile they had it at Roche Brothers (local grocery store), but then it disappeared. I may have to go to the super expensive meat/fish market here in town (that is next to the super expensive lbs).

[bmccasland]

Last night on my way home from a friend's house, traffic on the interstate came to a congested halt, then the clog moved slowly along. Saw blue lights ahead. OK, accident, and the clog kept slowly moving. And we passed the spot I thought I saw the blue lights. :confused: Finally got to the merge point.....

Carnival Floats! It was a rolling road block, they're moving Mardi Gras floats from the "dens" where they're maded and stored to the staging areas. Obviously needing police escorts for this little mini parade.

Welcome to Carnival Season. :D Throw me something Mister! :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mouth bow? Is that like a jews harp?
I had one of those and was always afraid I'd break my teeth.

Yes, it's like that, except long and wooden, with one string. Slightly mellower sound. Buffy St. Marie plays one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3q79HFjhBg

I don't even know what 'flat-iron' steak is! :eek:
This is the only flatiron I know:
http://www.shorpy.com/files/images/flatiron-building.preview.jpg

[Zen]

Your link doesn't work. Is this the Flatiron you're looking for?

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/FlatironBuilding.jpg

[snapdragen]

Flat Iron steak is relatively "new" to the market, although from what I understand, meat cutters and butchers have known about it for years. It's from the shoulder, and it's pretty darn tasty. Best of all, it's also inexpensive, although I'm afraid if it gets too popular the price will go up. Right now I can get a steak for $4.99 a pound. Since we don't eat huge amounts of meat with a meal, a steak can last my family 2-3 days. I had to giggle when I saw it on a restaurant menu for $28.00. :D

There, more than you probably wanted to know about a Flat Iron Steak. Next week, we will discuss the Hangar Steak. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Your link doesn't work. Is this the Flatiron you're looking for?

Yes, that's it. Very famous NYC building, made of iron.

Odd, the link is still working just fine for me. :confused:

[crazycanuck]

So snap..does hangar steak hang out at airports for long? :rolleyes:

NO chance of cool weather here today..I thought it was going to go below 40C..nup..It's 41C :( No riding in this heat... I don't think the temp dipped below 25C last night...

Fingers crossed that the 31C forecasted for tomorrow is correct...Saturday...40C again!!! :( *sigh* :o

[snapdragen]

Stormy, stormy weather here today -- rain going sideways, stuff blowing all over the place. I wanted to stay home, but I've got another class today. :(

[NbyNW]

-12C here at the start of my ski class tonight. Overheard in the parking lot, one woman saying to another, "I wonder why it's so warm."

Only in Edmonton.

[crazycanuck]

Ha ha...so true Nby..so true..Gotta love Edmontonians :o ;)

[crazycanuck]

Urmm..i've noticed some odd things about birds these past few days...:confused:

Two lamp posts w three birds sitting straight & facing the same direction all in a row...

Today at the beach...5 seagulls stading facing the same direction in a row not moving..

Odd...very odd..

Crazy thing i saw & just had to mention.....

[Wahine]

-12C here at the start of my ski class tonight. Overheard in the parking lot, one woman saying to another, "I wonder why it's so warm."

Only in Edmonton.

Hee hee. I'm surprised they weren't out drinking beer on a patio somewhere.

[Crankin]

Not sure where to vent this, so it goes here. First we were going to x country ski today. But then we got lazy, didn't want to drive out to western MA or up to NH. The local area was sure to have bad conditions. Since it was predicted to be 42 degrees, we decided to ride. At noon, it was warm enough, but I got sort of nervous of all of the stuff on the road. So, I decided we should go to this wildlife refuge that is fairly new. It used to be an Army artillery range, but they left about 5 years ago. It's near some nice forests and a river. I know it's flat and people ski/snow shoe there. Given the fact we've had melting and refreezing I wasn't sure about skiing and I didn't think there would be enough snow so we would need snow shoes. I wanted to just bring the skis in the car, on the off chance it was good, but we ended up not doing that, planning on a hike.
OK, it was fine for skiing and even had pretty good tracks. There was hardly anyone there. The snow was just mushy enough beside the tracks that you sunk down and every time I lifted my boots, it felt like a lead weight.
So, I missed out on a good ski (even though it was flat and boring in that respect) and a snow shoe. On the bright side, I felt liked I really worked for those 3.4 miles! Still, it's going to pour tonight and tomorrow and the snow will be gone...

[Zen]

How about them Saints?! What a great game and an astounding field goal. The Saints and the peoples of NO deserve it. Hope they go all the way.

[Trek420]

Yes they do. But it was an astounding coin toss. The sudden death over time rules mean on practically every game the winner of the toss marches down the field, gets in range and kicks.

I was rooting for the old dude to have one more chance at a Superbore ring. :rolleyes:

He'll always be a winner in my book for what he did after hurricane Katrina; paying out of his own pocket to fly jets down to the gulf filled with supplies, and back out with evacuees.

[bmccasland]

How about them Saints?! What a great game and an astounding field goal. The Saints and the peoples of NO deserve it. Hope they go all the way.


:D And the city went WILD last night!! Go Saints!!! :D

Carnival parades have been rescheduled, so there's no conflicts. :cool:

I guess this means the city has forgiven Benson for trying to move the team to Oklahoma after Hurricane Katrina.

[crazycanuck]

I've come down with a cold or flu thing...New job isn't as active as last one..:(. Last week I decided that it might be a nice idea to take our doggies walkies in the morning then venture to work. Urgh my body didn't know what to do..

Tis really annoying as my eyes are drippy, i am losing my voice, my ears are bugging me & am sleepy.. I have an event in feb to train for :(

I'm going to sit on my comfy bean bag chair & sleep.

It's Australia day too..:rolleyes:

[OakLeaf]

Hope you feel better soon! Try some black elderberry extract.

[crazycanuck]

Oakleaf..if the health food store was open today i'd seek some out...Tis Australia Day & not much is open...Also...I really want to avoid the roads!!!!:eek:

I'll just stick w rooibos tea w honey or hot water, honey n lemon.

[Dogmama]

Superbowl is a great time for a bike ride. The streets are empty.

[Fredwina]

Been a while since I've been here. Went to a new Grocery Store (Fresh and Easy) and liked it better than my old one

[Crankin]

I had a very interesting day today, traveling across half of the state for internship interviews. Of course, today is the coldest day of the year. It was 9 F. when I left my house for Boston this morning. This morning I went to the counseling center at MA College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. After a 20 minute drive, a train, and a trolley. I arrived half an hour early. I found a Starbucks and watched the millions of students milling around, since this school is in the Longwood medical area, by Harvard med and dental school and Brigham and Woman's hospital. Plus, there's 4 other colleges around there. The school is right next door to the hospital I was born in! It's now part of Brigham and Woman's, but it's a really old, historical looking building. Anyway, I had a very good interview and they made me feel very comfortable. Then, the same trip home, which took about an hour and fifteen minutes. I had about 45 minutes and then I had to leave to get to U Mass Medical School medical center in Worcester. It takes about forty minutes to get there, and thank goodness I allowed for some extra time, because the Google directions were wrong! I was in a panic and I finally stopped and asked directions at an Auto Zone store. Thankfully, I wasn't too far and got there just in time. It was overwhelming. It's a huge complex, especially since I had never been there. The woman interviewing me gave me very specific directions to her office, thank God.
So, now I have a dilemma. She offered me the position, which is in health psychology. I would be counseling in-patients, in all departments, ranging from cancer patients, cardiovascular, trauma, in the ER, maternity, plus some pallative care work. I would have to learn a whole bunch of things about lab values, and other medical stuff. There is an intern from my university there now, who is doing well, and also has no medical background. Even though this is sort of my dream placement, I am a little hesitant. What if I am too dense to learn this stuff? I mean, people's lives are at stake and there will be all kinds of doctors and med students around who don't exactly understand what psych interns do. And while I have a great interest in this field, I am pretty sure that you need a PhD to actually get a job in the field. It may or may not help me get a real job, although it would be very prestigious to have on my resume.
I have quite a few more interviews in the next few weeks, all at university counseling centers or community mental health centers. She is happy to wait for my decision, but it's going to be hard to make.

[Blueberry]

Crankin - I have no advice to offer, but did want to offer congratulations! It's wonderful to have the choice:)

[Selkie]

Crankin - First and foremost, you are very intelligent, so you would excel in the position. As Blueberry said, congratulations!! Trust your instincts, that's the only advice I will offer.

[Crankin]

Thanks, guys. My gut is giving me this little feeling that I would feel overwhelmed , at least at first, which is what the director "warned" me about. I know I could learn the stuff, but am not sure that I want more heavy duty learning, on top of my actual course work. She gave me three sources to use to study over the summer (I am also taking at least one summer course, too, probably two). I think some of my worry is that I feel comfortable, finally, in the role of a therapist and starting off in the fall at a university or community counseling center would not involve learning any new stuff, any more than would happen in any new job-- like how to do the paperwork, the computer, etc. I also felt really overwhelmed at the enormous size of the hospital. It was like a maze! And, she did say I would be "walking at least 2-4 miles a day," to go see patients in all the different departments. Some of that may be from the fact that I got lost getting there, as I was rather frazzled.
Well, I am looking forward to my interviews this week coming up. As I said, one is at the counseling center at my school and is also a "plum" internship site. Just the fact they called me made me feel good. The other one is at a small private college that mostly gives associate degrees and a couple of BA programs. It's an extremely diverse student population there. My school has a lot of ah, "creative types," as it has a large expressive therapy dept. and also has a whole art school they recently integrated into our university, as well as a huge school of education. Lots of people who seek out counseling.
OK, enough of me. I will keep you guys posted.

[crazycanuck]

Awwww...homeless doggies in Russia that understand how to catch the train..
awwww...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/blogs/four-legs-good/3283045/The-dogs-that-catch-the-trains

http://translate.google.co.nz/

http://www.metrodog.ru/

[snapdragen]

I am having a hard time getting back in the groove of life. I want to be back in Vegas where people offer me cocktails, and I eat dinner at wonderful restaurants....:cool:

[crazycanuck]

Although you're having difficulty gettin back into de groove just remember you're a grooooovy person. Ya. :o

One word...Coffee

btw..Be thankful you're not this dude...Ha haaaa http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/8494854.stm

[snapdragen]

Although you're having difficulty gettin back into de groove just remember you're a grooooovy person. Ya. :o

One word...Coffee

btw..Be thankful you're not this dude...Ha haaaa http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/8494854.stm

Oops! :eek:

[OakLeaf]

Another oops (and yes I do hope this guy will be okay, but really...)

http://freep.com/article/20100202/NEWS03/2020362/1320/Man-62-is-burned-in-rocket-sled-stunt

[Tuckervill]

I'm gonna be a grandma again! :)

Mixed blessing, because the last one is only 11 months old. ;)

Karen

[OakLeaf]

Congrats Tucker!

[Zen]

Those parents are gonna have their hands full. Wonder if the kids will be in the same grade in school?

[snapdragen]

Another oops (and yes I do hope this guy will be okay, but really...)

http://freep.com/article/20100202/NEWS03/2020362/1320/Man-62-is-burned-in-rocket-sled-stunt

"The man had been drinking before the accident, McCabe said"

Ya think? :D

Congrats Tuckerville! My brothers are 11 months apart.:cool:

[Zen]

Kids, don't try this at home.

[Tuckervill]

Well, she's just barely pregnant, so the babies will be 20 months apart (approximately).

My stepmother's kids are 10 months apart. The last one was a preemie though.

Thanks for the congrats. It's still kind of a stunner. And they just got a puppy! lol.

Karen

[Crankin]

It will be fine. My closest friend in AZ had her kids 20 months apart. We met when our oldest were about 2. She was already pg with the second and I followed shortly thereafter (mine are 30 months apart).
Congratulations!

[DebW]

I'm building a workbench for the basement in my apartment. I actually bought plans for a bench that looks to be of very sturdy construction. I've borrowed a table saw and purchased a dado blade set for the project. Here are pictures of my progress so far on the bench ends. Each leg is made of two 3"x1.5" boards with notches cut for the through tenons. Next step is to glue together the leg halves into solid 3"x3" legs with through notches. Then I will cut notches where the 8' railings attach to the legs. The top is three 2"x9" planks and there is a bottom shelf also. I can't wait to attach my vise and use this bench.

[snapdragen]

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/snapdragen/MsgBoards/nq100210.gif

:D :D :D

[kelownagirl]

Snap.

That is me.

[crazycanuck]

We head off tomorrow for our venture out to Vic :D. I can't say the drive is the most exciting & especially since this'll be the third time we've driven out east... It'll be quiet this time of year as all the kiddies are back in school. *phew*

Weeeeeeeeee... Shopping in Melbs, visitin de MCG :cool: & funky coffeeee shops.

I'll see how fit I actually am on the 20th Feb...:eek:. I'm now doing just the 50km option of the Otway & me dear's doing the 100k.....

[Crankin]

My internship search for next year is over. I accepted a position at a small mental health agency in the same city I am working in now (Lowell). I will be doing individual therapy with clinic clients, as well as seeing clients referred from the county victim services unit (mostly domestic violence victims). The clients are bit more of the "walking wounded," as opposed to the chronically mentally ill people I am seeing now, although it is still a very diverse group, in terms of culture.
I wrote emails to all of the people I hadn't heard from yet, and sent a note to the woman who offered me the position at the medical school, which I now know, would have been way too much stress for me!

OK, now I can concentrate on finishing up this semester and working with the clients I have now.

[OakLeaf]

Congrats Crankin! Hope your internship (and the rest of this semester) goes well.

[Zen]

Crankin, Lowell MA sounds so familiar. What is Lowell known for?

[DebW]

Congats, Crankin. Good to have that decision out of the way.


Crankin, Lowell MA sounds so familiar. What is Lowell known for?

Lowell, birthplace of American manufacturing. Known for textiles, water-powered factories, young women mill workers. You can go to the American Heritage museums now, and when they turn those machines on, wonder how anyone could stand the noise for an 8-hour day (actually, probably a 10-hour day).

[Crankin]

Well, Deb answered your question, Zen. Lowell is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the US. It's been through many re-inventions, always on the verge of being a "cool" place. There's lots of lofts and condos and artist's studios, but still a lot of hard core down on their luck residents. There's a large Cambodian population, as well as a significant Puerto Rican contingent. Lowell was originally settled by French Canadian and Irish immigrants, and many of them have stayed. When I moved back to MA in 1990, my DH worked for Wang Labs, which played a large part in revitalizing the city after decades of poverty, when they built their headquarters there. When Wang went bankrupt, in the '90s, 2 guys in their twenties bought the towers where the company was located for less than I bought my house for and leased it out to companies and put in a movie theatre. They sold the building a couple of years ago, and made like a 2 million dollar profit!
The best thing, is that it only takes me about 35 minutes to drive there, mostly over the same beautiful back roads I ride on and right past the local x country ski center.

[Tuckervill]

Crankin, Lowell MA sounds so familiar. What is Lowell known for?


Of course, it's known for being the first place I took my son to see Weezer. Of course.

Karen

[OakLeaf]

Well, that just reminds me of this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig2daWp-Pls&feature=related).

Not Weezer. :) The association.

[Bruno28]

The other side of Scottish culture:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8516387.stm

How depressing is that?

[bmccasland]

Happy Mardi Gras

:D:):cool::D:)

Off to Mardi Gras Mambo Mambo Mambo....
For the first time in years, to see the Rex Parade, King of Mardi Gras
Throw me something, Mister!!!

And it's cold :eek:

[Tuckervill]

Well, that just reminds me of this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig2daWp-Pls&feature=related).

Not Weezer. :) The association.

That's funny. I'm going to learn it on my uke. But that's a different thread.

K.

[Bruno28]

That's funny. I'm going to learn it on my uke. But that's a different thread.

K.

No, no - the uke must come here. This is it's natural home. (I'm stalking you now I know you play btw).

I was impressed by your signed uke. I've only been playing seriously for a month but already I've outgrown my plywood Mahalo with the plastic strings.

I'm going to look for a half decent one on Wednesday. I will report back.

[Tuckervill]

Okay, so I found most of my uke songs on alligatorboogaloo.com. That was back in the day before the ukulele really exploded on the scene. There are a lot more websites now. I did find a very very useful site recently. www.chordie.com. It indexes all the lyrics and chords from all the *other* sites (not just uke sites) and lets you transpose them or get chord charts for almost any common stringed instrument, including the uke. It's very cool.

Karen

[Zen]

How depressing is that?

Very.
I wonder if socioeconomics had any part in those findings?

[Wahine]

The other side of Scottish culture:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8516387.stm

How depressing is that?

Ugh. That is depressing. Zen, it would be very interesting to see if there is a correlation between socioeconomic status and children's impression of violence against women. I would guess that it would but sometimes the results of such studies can be very surprising.

[Bruno28]

Very.
I wonder if socioeconomics had any part in those findings?

Most definitely. The study was done in Glasgow -

'Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, with a population of over 585,000. The health of these residents is not good compared with the rest of Scotland and indicators of wealth, health, crime, employment and educational attainment reveal the scale and extent of deprivation in Glasgow to be much greater than in any other area.'

[Tuckervill]

Bruno...here's another one: www.ukulizer.com. Very nice.

Karen

[OakLeaf]

How depressing is that?

:(:( Very depressing. But I really doubt it would be any different in the US.

[Bruno28]

Well - I seem to have temporarily killed this thread with my depressing post.

And now for something completely different -

here's a picture of my new ukulele that I bought today:

10810

It has koa top - traditional Hawaiin wood. The make is Kauai which os the island where we spent our honeymoon ...so it kinda had my name on it when I walked into the shop.

It sounds sweet as a bell too.

[Selkie]

Bruno---that's a pretty uke! Do you know "Tiny Bubbles?" ;-) Yes, I'm a cretin--that's the only uke song I know!

[Tuckervill]

Very nice ukulele.

Mickchick, EVERY song is a uke song. ;)

Karen

[Selkie]

LOL, you're right, Karen. I think you could even play some Ramones songs on the uke and they would sound great!

[Bruno28]

Bruno---that's a pretty uke! Do you know "Tiny Bubbles?" ;-) Yes, I'm a cretin--that's the only uke song I know!

Don't know Tiny Bubbles but if I could play like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ5bT7CYfpY&feature=related I would die a happy woman.

Karen - thanks for the site recommendations.

[Tuckervill]

Maybe you mean Tiptoe Through The Tulips? I know it. One of the first ones I ever did.

Wasn't Tiny Bubbles the Dean Martin song? I can hear it with a uke, though!

Karen

[Zen]

Tiny Bubbles=Don Ho

[Tuckervill]

okay, so probably a uke song. :)


K.

[Pax]

Here's a question for the group...

Q - How many knee surgeries can a person possibly have on one knee??

A - So far, five. I slipped on the ice and have to have my fifth right knee surgery. My right knee hates me.

[OakLeaf]

Ouch. Aw, Pax, heal up quick.

[Zen]

I slipped on the ice and have to have my fifth right knee surgery.

What did you tear?

That's one tough knee.

[Pax]

What did you tear?

That's one tough knee.

My sole remaining piece of cartilage in that knee, the valiant medial meniscus that has withstood all other assaults...finally tore when my foot slipped a few inches on the ice.

[Zen]

My sympathies, Pax.
Remember, it's not the surgery, its the PT;)

[NbyNW]

Sorry to hear about your knee, Pax. Hope the surgery PT and healing all go smoothly.

[crazycanuck]

I'm back..Some thoughts..

1-Missed most of the olympics but all the mtn biking made up for it :D Now wondering where I can watch the whole Gold medal game btwn the beloved Canuckles & de Americans....

[OakLeaf]

Welcome back CC! Hope you had a great time.

[Duck on Wheels]

Very.
I wonder if socioeconomics had any part in those findings?

Violence against women knows no class boundaries. Only difference is that the rich are better at hiding it as they have more space and more privacy, and more social standing to lose if the news gets out.

(Sorry I'm late jumping into the discussion. Haven't been on TE much lately. Too busy finishing a book and a quilt :) and feeling too guilty about not training. :o)

And catching up on other news: Hope the knee heals quick, Pax!

[Trek420]

Violence against women knows no class boundaries. Only difference is that the rich are better at hiding it as they have more space and more privacy, and more social standing to lose if the news gets out.

...and better lawyers if the word gets out :o

[DebW]

My house is on the market! There was an open house this afternoon - we thought it started at 2:00, but it was 1:30 and we were still cleaning when the realtor arrived. Actually finished the cleaning except glass on one window. Now to see how soon it sells...

[Zen]

Violence against women knows no class boundaries. Only difference is that the rich are better at hiding it as they have more space and more privacy, and more social standing to lose if the news gets out.


True, but there's a bit more to it than that.

Lower economic class = less education, less knowledge about options.
Also, without financial support, a woman often feels she has no where else to go.

[snapdragen]

I'm in class this week - Patient Accounting on our hospital's system. **yawn* I need toothpicks for my eyes.

[Catrin]

Snapdragen - I just have to say that I love your avatar - it makes me smile every time I see it :)