Freaky Friday rants and raves 9-9-05
Sep 9th, 2005, 04:41 AM
#21
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LoveItaly, hugs and warm wishes to you and your friend.
Rant/Rave: I got a job offer, but not a good one, as it involves a 40% pay cut. OUCH!! My job will continue thru spring '06, so I will pass this by in the hopes that a better offer will come my way. It was still nice to get an offer.
This is not a determining factor as to why I will decline the job, but I must tell you about the office where I interviewed this week. It's on a high floor in a very old and tall building. From this office, the views of the Texas State Capitol and the city of Austin are nothing less than stunning. But the inside of that building could be used as a set for a 1930's movie. All you have to do is remove the computers and telephones, and PRESTO, it's the Great Depression once again. I don't think there has been any refurbishing or new furniture added since the 30's. And the color scheme....I never knew there were so many shades of gray and olive green. This office is so drab, it makes a mental facility look like Disneyland!! :-&
OK, sorry to digress, but I had to get that off my chest.
Rave: My wonderful Fodor's pals who are always there for me.
Rave: Although cash is still needed, the city has asked that all donations of supplies should stop. Why? They have more than enough already. I am proud to have been a part of this effort, and I love my city of Austin.
Rave: I didn't post any R&R's last weekend because of the hurricane, so I will now tell you about my dad and stepmom's Silver Anniversary party!! First there was a renewal of vows ceremony at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Houston. This church reminded me of European churches, it was so beautiful. Then on to the reception at the Embassy Suites near the Galleria. Of course there was dinner first. Then the bride and groom danced the first dance to "Unchained Melody," which was sung by my kid sister. After that, there was a lot more dancing, exchanging of funny stories, etc. There was some drinking, but nobody got slobbering drunk. I made a speech about how glad I am that dad made such a good choice for a wife.
Happy weekend, all!!
Rant/Rave: I got a job offer, but not a good one, as it involves a 40% pay cut. OUCH!! My job will continue thru spring '06, so I will pass this by in the hopes that a better offer will come my way. It was still nice to get an offer.
This is not a determining factor as to why I will decline the job, but I must tell you about the office where I interviewed this week. It's on a high floor in a very old and tall building. From this office, the views of the Texas State Capitol and the city of Austin are nothing less than stunning. But the inside of that building could be used as a set for a 1930's movie. All you have to do is remove the computers and telephones, and PRESTO, it's the Great Depression once again. I don't think there has been any refurbishing or new furniture added since the 30's. And the color scheme....I never knew there were so many shades of gray and olive green. This office is so drab, it makes a mental facility look like Disneyland!! :-&
OK, sorry to digress, but I had to get that off my chest.
Rave: My wonderful Fodor's pals who are always there for me.
Rave: Although cash is still needed, the city has asked that all donations of supplies should stop. Why? They have more than enough already. I am proud to have been a part of this effort, and I love my city of Austin.
Rave: I didn't post any R&R's last weekend because of the hurricane, so I will now tell you about my dad and stepmom's Silver Anniversary party!! First there was a renewal of vows ceremony at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Houston. This church reminded me of European churches, it was so beautiful. Then on to the reception at the Embassy Suites near the Galleria. Of course there was dinner first. Then the bride and groom danced the first dance to "Unchained Melody," which was sung by my kid sister. After that, there was a lot more dancing, exchanging of funny stories, etc. There was some drinking, but nobody got slobbering drunk. I made a speech about how glad I am that dad made such a good choice for a wife.
Happy weekend, all!!
Sep 9th, 2005, 04:42 AM
#22
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Rave: Pot Party in LoveItaly's Neighborhood! Who's bringing the munchies?
Rave: Changed my running schedule from AM and the butt crack of dawn to the afternoons now that it is no longer 120 degrees every afternoon!
Rave: Going to the GGO in Greensboro! One of my favorite golf tourneys!
Rave: Got a new pair of black gator footjoys yesterday! Golf season is here!
Rant: No happy hour tonight, 12 mile run in the AM.
Rave: Changed my running schedule from AM and the butt crack of dawn to the afternoons now that it is no longer 120 degrees every afternoon!
Rave: Going to the GGO in Greensboro! One of my favorite golf tourneys!
Rave: Got a new pair of black gator footjoys yesterday! Golf season is here!
Rant: No happy hour tonight, 12 mile run in the AM.
Sep 9th, 2005, 04:58 AM
#23
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I know I rarely post in RnR but hey, why not change that?
Rant: Trying to get my freelance writing career off ground after working full time for the last 13 years. Feeling a bit useless.
Rave: Got to spend a day with my wonderful mother by the pool. Dad died in late 2003 and she's made an amazing comeback. Yay, Mom!
Rant: Not being able to attend Atlanta GTG but will be there in pasta spirit.
Rave: Cooler mornings, less humidity. Hope it stays that way!
Truly, I hope everybody has a great weekkend. Cmcfong, that's so cool about your pup! LoveItaly, can I bring the Cheetos? ;-)
Rant: Trying to get my freelance writing career off ground after working full time for the last 13 years. Feeling a bit useless.
Rave: Got to spend a day with my wonderful mother by the pool. Dad died in late 2003 and she's made an amazing comeback. Yay, Mom!
Rant: Not being able to attend Atlanta GTG but will be there in pasta spirit.
Rave: Cooler mornings, less humidity. Hope it stays that way!
Truly, I hope everybody has a great weekkend. Cmcfong, that's so cool about your pup! LoveItaly, can I bring the Cheetos? ;-)
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:16 AM
#25
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Rant: I have mountains of paperwork to file and I hate filing. The downside of working at home.
Rave: in less than two weeks, we will be on a month long vacation through Bavaria, Austria's Tirol, Italy's Lake District and Benelux. Sub-rave that our dog gets to go with us.
Rave: Our first summer in the UK turned out to be very comfortable, weather wise. No big heat waves, not that much rain
Rant: looks like I'll need some ongoing dental work. Blecch.
Rave: Glad that Scarlett likes Portland so much. So many raves about Portland, we are having our first twinges toward leaving Europe and moving back to the Pacific NW. If only Portland, OR and Paris, France weren't just so darned many miles apart.
Rave: in less than two weeks, we will be on a month long vacation through Bavaria, Austria's Tirol, Italy's Lake District and Benelux. Sub-rave that our dog gets to go with us.
Rave: Our first summer in the UK turned out to be very comfortable, weather wise. No big heat waves, not that much rain
Rant: looks like I'll need some ongoing dental work. Blecch.
Rave: Glad that Scarlett likes Portland so much. So many raves about Portland, we are having our first twinges toward leaving Europe and moving back to the Pacific NW. If only Portland, OR and Paris, France weren't just so darned many miles apart.
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:35 AM
#26
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last week's ffr&r was a little intense, so i didn't post...here goes...
rave: perfect w'end at the beach last weekend. water was so clean, the sky was so blue!
rave: spoke to my younger brother at his first year of college, and sent him a care package.
rave: it's my fathers birthday this w'end. i get to go to the beach again!
rant/rave: i've decided to sell my car, and the ad is on the internet already. i went through alot of trouble buying it last year, but i didn't know that i would move to new york. i'm learning alot though as i'm doing it by myself.
pm...good luck. i understand salaries vary with geography, and quality of life. but sometimes i think somethings gotta give....salaries are really not matching up to your average lifestyle. somethings gotta happen w/our economy to adjust this gap.
rave: perfect w'end at the beach last weekend. water was so clean, the sky was so blue!
rave: spoke to my younger brother at his first year of college, and sent him a care package.
rave: it's my fathers birthday this w'end. i get to go to the beach again!
rant/rave: i've decided to sell my car, and the ad is on the internet already. i went through alot of trouble buying it last year, but i didn't know that i would move to new york. i'm learning alot though as i'm doing it by myself.
pm...good luck. i understand salaries vary with geography, and quality of life. but sometimes i think somethings gotta give....salaries are really not matching up to your average lifestyle. somethings gotta happen w/our economy to adjust this gap.
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:36 AM
#27
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Over my morning Earl Grey...
Hope and hugs for ncgrrl !
Jersey, hang in there baby, enjoy the waves of goodness, keep the wine on hand whent he 'brattiness' reappears, or you could go visit LoveItaly, wink, wink, giggle, giggle.
CD ~ Ahh sweetie, an entire lower level, and four months, heavenly days! Ha.
Scarlett ~ I am so glad, honey, that you and Pup are embracing your move with such love, how is the Yankee handing it?
Hope and hugs for ncgrrl !
Jersey, hang in there baby, enjoy the waves of goodness, keep the wine on hand whent he 'brattiness' reappears, or you could go visit LoveItaly, wink, wink, giggle, giggle.
CD ~ Ahh sweetie, an entire lower level, and four months, heavenly days! Ha.
Scarlett ~ I am so glad, honey, that you and Pup are embracing your move with such love, how is the Yankee handing it?
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:43 AM
#28
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Tiff and seetheworld, thanks so much for your good wishes. Unfortunately, we really need them this week. Last week we found out that my FIL, who's been in and out of the hospital most of this year, has stage 4 lung cancer that has already spread to his brain.
After much soul-searching, talking to many doctors and nurses about his physical condition, the logistics of treatment, etc., the family has decided that the kindest thing would be to let nature take it's course.
As you can well imagine, all of this would be extremely stressful under the best of conditions. What with my husband dealing with the effects of his own chemo...Let's just say that I'm very worried about what all of this stress, TRAVELING back and forth to Southern Illinois, etc. might do to his already impaired immune system. But what can we do? It's very important to him to be as involved in his father's situation as possible. And to be there for his mother. And I'm very glad that he's that kind of person.
I have to admit that between all of that, getting back into my school year job, leaving my daughter at school, worrying about my son missing school during his all-important junior year...my nerves are nearing breaking point! But, "this too shall pass"! I have a stack of good, escape from reality mysteries and historical romances. And I bought a "yoga for the inflexible" DVD I hope to check out this afternoon. Those and a couple of bottles of wine ought to do the trick!
HUGE RAVE: Kind Fodorites and FF R&R. It helps so much to have somewhere to unload!
After much soul-searching, talking to many doctors and nurses about his physical condition, the logistics of treatment, etc., the family has decided that the kindest thing would be to let nature take it's course.
As you can well imagine, all of this would be extremely stressful under the best of conditions. What with my husband dealing with the effects of his own chemo...Let's just say that I'm very worried about what all of this stress, TRAVELING back and forth to Southern Illinois, etc. might do to his already impaired immune system. But what can we do? It's very important to him to be as involved in his father's situation as possible. And to be there for his mother. And I'm very glad that he's that kind of person.
I have to admit that between all of that, getting back into my school year job, leaving my daughter at school, worrying about my son missing school during his all-important junior year...my nerves are nearing breaking point! But, "this too shall pass"! I have a stack of good, escape from reality mysteries and historical romances. And I bought a "yoga for the inflexible" DVD I hope to check out this afternoon. Those and a couple of bottles of wine ought to do the trick!
HUGE RAVE: Kind Fodorites and FF R&R. It helps so much to have somewhere to unload!
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:44 AM
#29
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Rave: The way our little town (Demopolis, Alabama) has come together to help and care for evacuees who made it here.
We have a shelter staffed around the clock by volunteers, and three meals a day cooked, brought to the shelter, and served by our hospital's kitchen staff.
Our town's doctors and mental health professionals are providing their services, and the children are in school and have the proper clothing and supplies.
We have made some good friends among the evacuees, and several families are considering making Demopolis their new homes!
Travel-related rave: Just over a month until we (five couples, all good friends) head to Paris and Prague!
Mini-rant: If it's September and dry weather, can leaf-raking time be far behind?
Byrd
We have a shelter staffed around the clock by volunteers, and three meals a day cooked, brought to the shelter, and served by our hospital's kitchen staff.
Our town's doctors and mental health professionals are providing their services, and the children are in school and have the proper clothing and supplies.
We have made some good friends among the evacuees, and several families are considering making Demopolis their new homes!
Travel-related rave: Just over a month until we (five couples, all good friends) head to Paris and Prague!
Mini-rant: If it's September and dry weather, can leaf-raking time be far behind?
Byrd
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:51 AM
#30
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Rave: After working myself into a frenzy about repeated "intestinal" problems and finally scheduling a colonoscopy, yesterday was the day. With several friends recently diagnosed with major colon cancer and finding I had all the same symptoms, and with an uncle who died of colon cancer a couple years ago, I was convinced I had it too.
The doctor proclaimed me "perfect". I told him it was not the first time I've been called a perfect a--hole! He laughed (no doubt pretending he'd never heard the joke before).
What an amazing weight off my shoulders. Meanwhile he suggests my problems may be related to recent changes in my diabetic medicine -- more tests, but of a less serious nature.
Rant: increasing numbers of posters here (more on the Europe board) looking to stir up trouble. Why when someone offers help must so many people read nastiness or ulterior motives into the answers? And why most so many posters register under new names just for the purpose of pretending to be someone they're not to stir up even more trouble?
The doctor proclaimed me "perfect". I told him it was not the first time I've been called a perfect a--hole! He laughed (no doubt pretending he'd never heard the joke before).
What an amazing weight off my shoulders. Meanwhile he suggests my problems may be related to recent changes in my diabetic medicine -- more tests, but of a less serious nature.
Rant: increasing numbers of posters here (more on the Europe board) looking to stir up trouble. Why when someone offers help must so many people read nastiness or ulterior motives into the answers? And why most so many posters register under new names just for the purpose of pretending to be someone they're not to stir up even more trouble?
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:54 AM
#31
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Patrick, so happy for your good results. DH had one a couple of years ago and they found a pre-cancer polyp. They caught it in time so he's OK, but thank God he had that colonoscopy when he did!!
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:58 AM
#32
rave:the weather has been gorgeous here in central va
rave/rant: soccer starts this weekend. we are coaching two teams. So, it is a rant/rave (fun, but time consuming)
rave: school started. My kids were turning into slugs.
rant: school started. No more lazy days.
rave: I have a very blessed life.
Best wishes to you Love Italy for your dear friend. I hope she/he feels better.
Have a good weekend everybody.
rave/rant: soccer starts this weekend. we are coaching two teams. So, it is a rant/rave (fun, but time consuming)
rave: school started. My kids were turning into slugs.
rant: school started. No more lazy days.
rave: I have a very blessed life.
Best wishes to you Love Italy for your dear friend. I hope she/he feels better.
Have a good weekend everybody.
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:13 AM
#33
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Congratulations on your good news, Patrick! You're dealing with way more than enough with the health problems your mother and partner are experiencing. It's a shame you had to go through this scare. But with colon cancer in your family, it's good to have had the test. And now you don't have to worry about it for a while.
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:19 AM
#34
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Thanks for everyone for their thoughts and kind words. It does mean a lot. No news from New Orleans, so we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
CAPH, an extra hug to you. I think I might try yoga for the inflexible (physically or mentally?). I've tried yoga a couple of times, but it's really not meant for klutzes.
It hasn't rained here in over a week, maybe two. The grass is dried up and the leaves are starting to turn/fall off.
There are still a couple of post with chest-thumping, finger-pointing, my guy is great, your guy stinks attacks. For some of us, this isn't a case study or a cute little example of what all levels of government does or doesn't do in situations. Thousands of people are missing, more no longer have homes or jobs. Even more are worried about relatives (like me). Instead of all these attacks, could you please help out. Donate time, stuff, money etc. but keep your opinions to yourself.
Later, when we've cooled down a bit and become a little more level headed, we can see where the failures in the systems occured. Right now people need help and all your attacks don't help one bit.
Ok, end of rant against my fellow Fodorites.
Rave: everyone helping out. There is a lot of good among the people of the world. Even countries hurt by the tsunami are offering help. Strangers opening their homes evacuees/victims/surrivers who have nothing.
CAPH, an extra hug to you. I think I might try yoga for the inflexible (physically or mentally?). I've tried yoga a couple of times, but it's really not meant for klutzes.
It hasn't rained here in over a week, maybe two. The grass is dried up and the leaves are starting to turn/fall off.
There are still a couple of post with chest-thumping, finger-pointing, my guy is great, your guy stinks attacks. For some of us, this isn't a case study or a cute little example of what all levels of government does or doesn't do in situations. Thousands of people are missing, more no longer have homes or jobs. Even more are worried about relatives (like me). Instead of all these attacks, could you please help out. Donate time, stuff, money etc. but keep your opinions to yourself.
Later, when we've cooled down a bit and become a little more level headed, we can see where the failures in the systems occured. Right now people need help and all your attacks don't help one bit.
Ok, end of rant against my fellow Fodorites.
Rave: everyone helping out. There is a lot of good among the people of the world. Even countries hurt by the tsunami are offering help. Strangers opening their homes evacuees/victims/surrivers who have nothing.
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:29 AM
#35
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Raves to jorr for starting us off with 'making nice' this week! (I'm not being sarcastic).
Raves to Patrick for his wonderful/
releiving news!
Raves to the slightly cooler, much less humid weather here in Lower AL!
Byrd: We used to hunt in Demopolis with a friend named Ricky Phillips...do you know him?
LoveItaly: Maybe you can pretend you are in HI, as I was surprised it was so wind!
travelwifery: internet friendships can become a very good relationship...sis and I ended up staying with her pal's family in suburbs of Paris, and they with us on various occasions. We play host/tour guide to them when they come, as they did for us there! I'm normally an extreme 'safety nut', so I would have never guessed this relationship would occur!
Rant: Have to work tomorrow.
Rave: Love my job!
Belle
Raves to Patrick for his wonderful/
releiving news!
Raves to the slightly cooler, much less humid weather here in Lower AL!
Byrd: We used to hunt in Demopolis with a friend named Ricky Phillips...do you know him?
LoveItaly: Maybe you can pretend you are in HI, as I was surprised it was so wind!
travelwifery: internet friendships can become a very good relationship...sis and I ended up staying with her pal's family in suburbs of Paris, and they with us on various occasions. We play host/tour guide to them when they come, as they did for us there! I'm normally an extreme 'safety nut', so I would have never guessed this relationship would occur!
Rant: Have to work tomorrow.
Rave: Love my job!
Belle
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:38 AM
#38
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ncgrrl, thanks for the hug! And one back to you, you're in my prayers.
The DVD is definitely for the pysically inflexible! Altho' I wondered about the other too! I'll let you know whether it works, whether there truly is such a thing as yoga for us klutzes! (That should be us rather than we, right?)
The DVD is definitely for the pysically inflexible! Altho' I wondered about the other too! I'll let you know whether it works, whether there truly is such a thing as yoga for us klutzes! (That should be us rather than we, right?)
