I Have to Live with a Boy

So, I have some news. DBF and I are moving in together in June. ACK!!!!

This will be the first, and hopefully last, time I move in with a boy. And I am looking forward to it. And dreading it just a little.

Looking forward to sharing living space and my life with him on a more intimate level. Looking forward to have someone around who can get the jelly jar lid off. Looking forward to having someone help me with the bills, if I'm going to be honest. As well as just looking forward to not having to figure out who's place for the weekend or not having to pack a bag to head over to his apartment.

Dreading it just a little because, well, let's face it I can be a bit of a control freak. I like things done a certain way, and it can be hard for me to compromise sometimes.

It will definitely be a learning experience. And I'm sure I'll have several stories to share here with you.

LOST S5ep7

Doesn't Locke realize that telling people you died when you just meet them is not a good way to make friends? They must think he's insane. And I can't blame them.

I wonder who else besides Charlie and Ana-Lucia has visited Hurley since he just automatically assumed Locke died when he rolled up. The way he greeted Locke certainly made it seem like dead Losties are a regular occurrence for him. Libby maybe. Boone and Shannon probably for sure. I wonder if Artz (Arntz?) is one of them. Or Nicki and Paulo.

I was right btw about Widmore being a former Other leader and that it was Ben that took over after him. Of course, I'm sure most people had that one figured out.

When was it that Sayid became so disillusioned with Ben? And why? When he clearly had been following his plans for so long.

This show keeps me on my toes. Just when I think I got figured out who are the bad guys and who are the good guys, everything gets flipped on their heads.

I actually wasn't surprised when Ben strangled Locke. I just don't understand his motive. To keep Locke from going back so Ben could take back the mantle of leadership? Possibly. Because Ben wanted to be the one to get everybody back hoping that will redeem him to the Island? I'm absolutely clueless. But if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Hump Day Humor: The Bartendar Says...

Make sure you stick around for the end. If you don't , you'll miss the funniest part of this video. Thanks to Cary for the video.

ANSWER - Tuesday Trivia: Code

In Secret Service code, what is the Cement Mixer? How about the Punchbowl?

The White House Situation Room is the Cement Mixer; the Capitol Building is the Punchbowl.

Jack in the Crack

Saturday DBF and I went over to my sister's old place to help her paint the walls back to the original color. On our way, DBF wanted to stop at Jack in the Box to grab some lunch to take with us.

We went in, as DBF said the drive-thru takes forever (Jack in the Box is not my fast food of choice). After placing our order to-go, we waited at least 15 minutes for our food.

Our number was finally called, and we pushed our way through the high schoolers to claim our food. Only it was on a tray as if we were eating it there.

We told the guy we wanted it to go. He then took DBF's sandwich off the tray leaving the tacos and fries and put the sandwich in the back.

When he came back, we again said we wanted it to go. He put the fries and tacos in a bag and put the bag on the back counter.

We had to then practically beg him for our order. So he finally handed us the bag, but we still had no damn sandwich.

After another minute or so of watching this idiot run around putting together other orders and trying to convey to him that we wanted that sandwich he put in the back, we finally had our order (minus the fries I wanted but I was not going to spend another second fighting with the damn idiot). 20 minutes after we walked in.

I think next time I'll try to get DBF to go somewhere else besides Jack in the Crack.

Tuesday Trivia: Code

Tuesday Trivia is a weekly post of interesting trivia questions. Leave a comment with your answer, or guess, and come back tomorrow to see if you were right. Happy guessing!

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In Secret Service code, what is the Cement Mixer? How about the Punchbowl?

Bleep bleep

When it comes to books, I'm generally not in favor of censorship as it takes away the opportunity to make up one's own mind.

So why have I noticed that I've been censoring myself for several months? In what I say aloud and in what I write here.

Perhaps it's one too times caught with my foot in my mouth. Or the fear of upsetting someone.

I don't say things with a malicious intent (okay rarely do I say something meant to cause pain), but sometimes words do hurt no matter what the intent was. A painful lesson I've learned somewhat recently.

At the same time, I feel like I'm sacrificing part of myself for fear of hurting someone's feelings. And to be honest, I don't like it. I want to be who I am without apology. Though I just need to remember that every thought I have does not need to be spoken aloud, or typed on a screen, to be true or real.

This of course potentially means the return of a sometimes sharp and biting tongue that occasionally swears as a means to get my point across. Damn straight!

Grey's Anatomy S5ep15

Whoa, did you check out Bailey with the sassy hair-do??? She was looking hot!

I think it's almost expected for the Chief to think of Bailey pratically as a daughter. They have a close working relationship. He doesn't have any children of his own. And he's still probably looking to retire in the near future and is wanting to groom a replacement. Naturally he'd lean towards a surgeon that specialized in general surgery as that was his. Only she's disappointed him a little bit now that she wants to go into pediatric surgery.

Mark's timing sucks. You would think he would know when it was not a good time to give his best friend that kind of news. Of course, Mark probably wasn't thinking too clearly as he just wanted to get the news out and in the open. Though I definitely was not prepared for Derek to beat the bloody shit out of Mark like that. They'll both be lucky if there's no damage to their hands.

Poor Callie. She just cannot catch a break. Within the past year or so (according to the Grey's Anatomy calendar) she's gotten divorced because her husband cheated on her in what was the worse coupling ever, she discovered a whole other sex and was dropped without fanfare somewhat soon after. And now a hot doctor who randomly kisses her in the bar bathroom refuses to go out with her because she doesn't have enough experience. Man if I were her, I'd crawl into a bottle and not come out for a couple weeks.

Did anyone else swoon when Owen said he was going to have to pry the scalpel out of Cristina's hand in 40 years? Man that guy knows how to make your knees melt.

Owen was right though. Cristina was a bully. Though she's a bully just about every day. It's too bad that she doesn't seem to recognize that. And while she is definitely bullish, she can also have great compassion even though she rarely ever shows it.

Naturally they're not going to tell us tonight what exactly is Izzie's fate, or at the least how she's sick. I'll be a little upset if she leaves the show and they never revisit the storyline of her daughter. I thought that was particularly interesting. Of course, she could have some rare blood disorder, and they'd have to bring in the daughter for a transfusion or something. Which would really quite satisfy my need to see that story play out. Even if Izzie doesn't survive it.

While Owen may make knees melt, Mark stirs up something in the va-jay-jay. Only tonight it was that sweetest of sweet looks he gave to Lexie when she came in after the fight, and he insisted she was worth it. I hope she realizes how lucky she is.

LOST S5ep6

Wow. Just wow.

This episode answered a little bit. Like why Locke died, how they get back to the Island.

But it skipped a lot of what feels like to be important stories. Such as how Sayid ended up in handcuffs on his way to Guam. How Hurley found out about Flight 316. What happened to Aaron. What happened to Ben (although that I'm guessing has to do with him wanting to kill Penny).

Did the rest of them make it back onto the Island? Why is Jin in a Dharma jumpsuit?

Loved how Hurley brought a guitar to represent Charlie. And I'm surprised Sun would just leave her daughter behind to go back to the Island. Of course, I'm presuming she won't be able to leave again. Though I could be wrong about that.

I absolutely loved that Lapidus was the pilot. Talk about full circle since he was supposed to be the pilot of Flight 815 (at least that's what I remember him saying last year).

I think Jack was wrong. I don't think Locke would have been laughing at him putting his father's shoes on Locke's feet. That just doesn't seem like Locke.

Whatever happened with Aaron had to have changed Kate's mind. Even though she didn't look too happy about going back.

And then the scenes for next week have you believe Locke is resurrected. Certainly pieced together with Ben's story from tonight's episode about Thomas and how he didn't believe in the resurrection until he could touch the wounds himself, it would seem like that is where they're headed: Locke's resurrection. And that scene where he's about to hang himself rang a bit of a crucifixion in a way.

I'm just glad it didn't take them all season to get back to the Island. Makes me feel like there's way more story and interesting twists to come.

Hump Day Humor: Three Doors

An airline captain was breaking in a new blonde stewardess. The route they were flying had a layover in another city. Upon their arrival, the captain showed the stewardess the best place for airline personnel to eat, shop and stay overnight.

The next morning, as the pilot was preparing the crew for the day's route, he noticed the new stewardess was missing. He knew which room she was in at the hotel and called her up wondering what happened. She answered the phone, crying, and said she couldn't get out of her room. "You can't get out of your room?" the captain asked, "Why not?"

The stewardess replied: "There are only three doors in here," she sobbed, "one is the bathroom, one is the closet, and one has a sign on it that says 'Do Not Disturb'!"

ANSWER - Tuesday Trivia: Games

How many checkers are there in a backgammon game?

30. Each player gets 15.

Tuesday Trivia: Games

Tuesday Trivia is a weekly post of interesting trivia questions. Leave a comment with your answer, or guess, and come back tomorrow to see if you were right. Happy guessing!

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How many checkers are there in a backgammon game?

A Love Story for Zappos

Got a story for you, dear readers.

My sister had requested that all her bridesmaids get brown strappy sandals to wear with our brown dresses for her wedding. Even though it's not until May, I had been looking around during the fall as I have an easier time finding brown shoes then. I had been salivating over this pair for a couple months:


In December, the department stores had the style on sale but only had them in black. So I turned to Zappos. They were discounted on the web site, and I didn't have to pay shipping. So already I was loving the deal. Plus, they were delivered the next day. Along with a surprise.

In my shipment were another pair of shoes that I did not order or pay for. And as they were children's Uggs (shoes that in my opinion are in the same category as Crocs), I felt no desire to keep them. Knowing that a bunch of Zappos employees are on Twitter, I tweeted a question as to who I need to contact about getting the Uggs to the appropriate person. Within a few hours, I had three responses, one of which was from the Zappos CEO. (Social media at work!)

I called the number they gave me thinking I would first have to wait forever and then go through a bunch of hassle to get the box shipped back to them. However, I quickly got a human being on the phone, who was very pleasant, helpful and nice. He quickly took care of the situation in the computer and told me all I had to do was take off the label on the box, make sure my order information wasn't left inside and leave it outside for UPS to pick up the next day. Which UPS did.

The Zappos customer service guy then told me he'd send me a $20 off coupon for my trouble. "What trouble?" is what I wanted to say to him. This was the most pain-free return situation I've ever had with an online retailer. But I was not going to turn down $20 bucks that I could put towards a new pair of shoes.

Well, I've waited to share this story until I used the coupon. And naturally, I couldn't limit myself to one pair. Here's what I got:

Black Nine West pumps that I also have in red. They're surprisingly comfortable for pointed toe heels. And I needed a new pair of classic black pumps.

Nine West booties that are all kinds of awesome.

Btw - I ordered these at 9 one evening. They were in my hands by 10:30 the next morning.

Have I mentioned that I love Zappos? You cannot beat customer service like theirs. Zappos is the kind of retailer that makes you wonder why you put up with shitty service from other companies.

If you buy shoes, clothing or accessories online, try Zappos first. You will not regret it. Seriously, I cannot say enough good things about them.

Grey's Anatomy S5ep14

Bailey was flirting with Sam. Don't blame her. He is HOT!

Meredith seemed like the season 1 or 2 Meredith again with her insecurity in the face of Derek's previous life. I had thought she had grown past that. I guess not completely anyway.

That intern game was pretty great. I like that someone is finally noticing that the interns are desperate to learn and that left on their own they'll do stupid things like operate on themselves in order to get the knowledge they need.

Sadie cheating her way into the program does not come as a surprise. She was too reckless and eager to attach herself to the smarties in the program so she could use them to advance.

Callie is not very convincing as a lesbian. That scene in the chapel was kind of awkward. I doubt they're going to abandon the story of lesbian Callie though because that would be too much.

George was definitely on screen in this episode for longer than 10 seconds. But it's too little too late. Looks like he and Izzie will be leaving Seattle Grace. Though ABC has yet to make an official announcement.

It's hard to imagine coming home from war and not telling your mother. But I can see his point. War changes people in ways that those left behind cannot begin to grasp. And Owen is especially troubled by what he went through in Iraq. The hardest part of his story is the knowledge that there are young men and women in real life going through the same, difficult time.

LOST S5ep5

So Danielle was at least accurate in her story about shooting her team. Even though she was a bit crazy when she did it. I'm guessing that she was at the very least partially right about them all not being right after going after Mr. Smoky. Especially since Robert actually tried to shoot her too. Just one big crazy team.

One of the bazillion questions I have about this show is why Locke, Ben, Richard and that group seem to believe that bringing the Oceanic 6 back to the Island is THE thing to do. While Claire and Charlotte are insisting that they don't bring him/her back. Of course part of that question is who are they referencing? Did Claire mean Aaron? Or did she mean one of the others? Did Charlotte mean Sun? Or Ji Yeon? Whatever the answer is, I do not think that Claire and Charlotte mean who we might expect.

Interesting how Mrs. Hawking didn't say anything to Desmond. I was expecting her to have some sort of reaction to seeing him again. Speaking of Mrs. Hawking, I wonder if Desmond is still having his flashes of the future. Or if that all ended with Charlie dying. It certainly seemed to stop being a plot device once Charlie died.

Kinda sad to see Charlotte die. Thought it does not come as a surprise that she lived on the Island. What's not clear to me is if she was born on the Island. Which would mean the Others' inability to successfully carry a baby to term and deliver it is a recent dilemma. Which naturally bring up a whole new set of questions.

The temple! I thought that looked like it would be the temple. Wonder what kind of god(s) it was built for and who built it. It looked pretty old. Like maybe pre-Dharma.

Hump Day Humor: Results of Laughing Gas

This little kid is high as a kite after a visit to the dentist. His train of thought is hilarious.

"Is this real life?" You know kid, I ask that exact same question from time to time.



Thanks to Cary for the video.

ANSWER - Tuesday Trivia: Trees

What type of tree is hit by lightning more frequently than others?

The oak - because it generally grows taller than other trees, and has deeper roots and a higher moisture content, making it more conductive.

Tuesday Trivia: Trees

Tuesday Trivia is a weekly post of interesting trivia questions. Leave a comment with your answer, or guess, and come back tomorrow to see if you were right. Happy guessing!

<><><>

What type of tree is hit by lightning more frequently than others?

WTH?

I, probably like most people, think that everybody lives similar, thinks similar, etc. And then I see things like a woman with size 38KKK breasts that she had to go to Brazil to get because they wouldn't let her go bigger than FFF in Texas.

Or, this couple who got married in a Taco Bell because that's where they hang out. Or, my personal favorite, the couple who got married in a Waffle House.

And as I say what the hell?, I remember we're all unique. At least that's the only thing I will permit myself to say.

Book Review: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

The central character, Edgar Sawtelle, is born mute but is able to hear. He and his parents breed and train dogs in rural Wisconsin. Their dogs are a special breed that was the vision of Edgar's grandfather and were bred more for their intellect and character than how they look. Their farm life is suddenly thrown off its peaceful tract with the return of Claude, Edgar's uncle. Shortly afterward Edgar's father dies suddenly, and Claude makes himself at home with Edgar's mother. Grieving and a bit confused, Edgar eventually runs away into the wild where he comes into his own.

If you're familiar with Shakespeare, you can see the parallels to Hamlet. Right down to even some of the characters' names. I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first. And then I read the book jacket and the similarity to Hamlet was very clear to me. After that I was able to enjoy the book so much more because I knew the motives of the characters, which Wroblewski doesn't hand directly to you.

All of the major plot points are there. The death of a father. The uncle taking over the "kingdom" and claiming his brother's wife. The father's ghost indicating murder by his brother. The play to prove the uncle's guilt. The son running away after an accidental death. And more.

Wroblewski is not the first to put a different spin on a classic Shakespeare story. Even Shakespeare's own plays are not all original. Though at times tedious, Wroblewski's take is highly detailed so it doesn't take a lot of stretch of the mind to imagine the setting. The book is also highly imaginative as he periodically gives you the story from one of the dog's perspective.

Next month - East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Grey's Anatomy S5ep13

Loved that little shot of Mark and Lexie almost, kinda, sorta holding hands on the elevator. He lurvs her! He just can't admit it. I love it when Lexie stands up for herself. Maybe because she seems to be so sweet and kind of a pushover that the moments when she shows her true strength are even that more powerful. I want to see Mark come clean to Derek. I really do want to see them together. I find their relationship to be fascinating.

And I'm just about as fascinated with Owen and Cristina. Loved the music that accompanied their scenes in this episode. So very sweet.

What I don't understand is how Derek knew that all the flowers were not a gesture that would be meaningful to Meredith. And yet he was doing it anyway. Granted Addison called and interrupted so he cleared it all out. But still. You would think that by now he would know Meredith well enough that he wouldn't do something he knew wouldn't have meaning to her.

George had all of 10 seconds on screen tonight. Is he even a cast member any more? Though I did love that little throwback to Gizzie when George and Izzie both spoke up a little too loudly about not trying number 15.

Nice to see Izzie doing her job as a teacher and showing the interns some basic procedures. Even if she was doing it for selfish reasons. I don't believe that anemia is what Denny was referencing. It's gotta be bigger than that.

Everything is right with the world... Cristina and Meredith are talking again and sharing Meredith's mom's journals.

Poor Bailey. She is trying so hard to deny what is obviously her calling. But all she sees and can remember is the pain and heartbreak that sometimes comes with pediatrics. She is forgetting that there is a lot of hope and joy there too.

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Locke unsurprisingly was in no rush to go towards the hatch on what is quite likely one of the worst nights of his life. He may not have pushed the plane over the edge of the cliff, but he is the reason Boone was in that plane, which eventually caused his death. We saw Locke grieve that night but it was more a confusion on what the Island wanted from him rather than what he had done to Boone. I imagine he's been feeling the guilt ever since but hiding it. And when faced with that night again, he couldn't hide it. It was nice to see that.

Now what group brought the boat (outrigger?) to the beach? I have absolutely no idea. Carl had an outrigger if you remember from season 3. But generally the Others I don't think used them.

Nice to see a sane Rousseau. Maybe now we'll get to see what happened to her group.

And yay for Jin, who's not dead!

It really wasn't all that surprising to learn that it was Ben who hired the lawyers for the blood samples from Kate and Aaron. He wanted to freak her out enough that it would be easy to get her to agree to go back to the Island. Too bad his plan didn't work out.

I wonder how much time has elapsed for those left behind on the Island since Ben moved it. It's hard to tell since they keep jumping around in time.

So sweet the look on Sawyer's face while he watched Kate help Claire give birth. You could tell how much he truly cares for her, and that it's real feelings for him. Which is probably something he's never felt before.

Postponed

Your regularly scheduled LOST post-episode post has been rescheduled due to DBF going to Mexico (once again without me), and I didn't have time to watch it. Look for the post on "The Little Prince" to appear tomorrow.

Hump Day Humor: Star Trek and Monty Python

Really very funny, even if you're not much of a Star Trek fan. From Cary.

ANSWER - Tuesday Trivia: Science

What does the atomic number of an element represent?

The number of protons - positively charged particles - in the nucleus of one of its atoms.

Congratulations to Mochaface friend Catizhere for being the first to get the correct answer (and only one to guess)!!

Tuesday Trivia: Science

Tuesday Trivia is a weekly post of interesting trivia questions. Leave a comment with your answer, or guess, and come back tomorrow to see if you were right. Happy guessing!

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What does the atomic number of an element represent?