Quotes for Halloween 2009: FAMOUS Last Words

These run the gambit – irony – humor – sadness – anger – awareness – faith.  If you want more, go to http://www.mapping.com/words.html

Astor, Lady Nancy (1879-1964 … writer) 'Jakie, is it my birthday or am I dying?' (Seeing all her children assembled at her bedside in her last illness.)

Barrymore, John (1882-1942) Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing to happen to him.

Beecher, Henry Ward (1813-1887 … writer) 'Now comes the mystery.'

Chaplin, Charles (1889-1977) When the priest who was attending him at his bedside said 'May the Lord have mercy on your soul', Chaplin is reported to have replied 'Why Not? After all, it belongs to him.'

Childers, Robert Erskins (1870-1922) (Irish Nationalist, executed by an Irish Free State firing squad) 'Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way.'

Cleveland, Grover (1837-1908 … president) 'I have tried so hard to do the right.'

Crosby, Bing (1903-1977) 'That was a great game of golf, fellers.'

Eastman, George (1854-1932 … as in Eastman Kodak) 'My work is done, why wait?' (His suicide note.)

Gandhi, Indira (1917-1984) 'I don't mind if my life goes in the service of the nation. If I die today every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation.' (Said the night before Sikh militants assassinated her.)

Chubbock, Christine 'And now, in keeping with Channel 40's policy of always bringing you the latest in blood and guts, in living color, you're about to see another first--an attempted suicide.' (Just before she shot herself during a broadcast)

Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) 'Is it the Fourth?' (4 July 1826)

Kennedy, John Fitzgerald (1917-1963) 'If someone is going to kill me, they will kill me.' (On arriving in Dallas, 1963)

Keynes, John Maynard (1883-1946) 'I wish I'd drunk more champagne.'

Louis XIV (1638-1715) 'Why are you weeping? Did you imagine that I was immortal?' (Noticing as he lay on his deathbed that his attendants were crying.)

Marx, Karl (1818-1883) 'Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough.'

Morant, Lt. Henry H. ('Breaker')(b. Edwin Henry Murrant) (1864-1902) [Australian Anglo-Boer War soldier and poet] 'Shoot straight, you bastards! Don't make a mess of it!' (To the firing squad that executed him.)

Picasso, Pablo (1881-1973) 'Drink to me.'

Rhodes, Cecil John (1853-1902) 'So little done, so much to do.'

Rodgers, James W. ( -1960) [American criminal] 'Why yes, a bulletproof vest!' (On his final request before the firing squad.)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano (1882-1945) 'I have a terrific headache.'

Sanders, George (1906-1972) 'Dear World, I am leaving you because I am bored. I am leaving you with your worries. Good luck.' (His suicide note.)

Sedgwick, John (1813-1864) 'Nonsense, they couldn't hit an elephant at this distance.' (In response to a suggestion that he should not show himself over the parapet during the Battle of the Wilderness.)

Senna (Da Silva), Ayrton (1960-1994) [Formula One Race Driver] 'The car seems OK...' [A few seconds later his steering column broke and he died when his car hit the wall.]

Stein, Gertrude (1874-1946) 'Just before she [Stein] died she asked, `What _is_ the answer?' No answer came. She laughed and said, `In that case what is the question?' Then she died.'

Thomas, Dylan (1914-1953) 'I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record.'

Thoreau, Henry David (1817-1862)
`Have you made your peace with your God?'
`I never quarreled with my God.'
`But aren't you concerned about the next world?'
`One world at a time.'
(Discussion with his aunt on his deathbed)

Villa, Francisco `Pancho' (1878-1923) 'Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something.'

Wells, H. G. (1866-1946) 'Go away... I'm all right.'

Emmett, Christopher Scott (1972-2008) 'Tell my family and friends I love them, tell the governor he just lost my vote. Y'all hurry this along, I'm dying to get out of here.' (Just before his execution in Virginia; he challenged the legality of lethal injections as cruel and unusual punishment, but a federal appeals court rejected his claims.)

Huey P. Long (governor in Louisiana, was murdered) .I wonder why he shot me?

Peter the Great (Tsar of Russia) Give back everything to.... 

Timothy Leary  'Why not, why not, why not' and 'Yeah.'  -

Ludwig von Beethoven: Friends applaud, the comedy is over. - (The comedy wasn't his life; he was referring to the ministrations of a priest, who his family insisted on letting in to perform the last rites for Beethoven, who was an atheist)

Terry Kath: (rock musician, played Russian roulette) Don't worry! It's not loaded.

Elizabeth I:  All my possessions for a moment of time -

Richard Feynman: I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring.  -

WC Fields (His accountant was standing by his deathbed.) 'So I have enough money to buy every child in NYC a new bicycle?' When told he was correct, Fields said, 'Well, fuck 'em.'

Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, in July 1978, shortly before he was overthrown by the Islamic revolution:  Nobody can overthrow me. I have 700,000 troops, all the workers and most of the people. Wherever I go, there are fantastic demonstrations of support. --

Marcel Marceau:  Dying is easy... Comedy is hard.

Betty Allen (who worked until her death at 93): Call the office and tell them I won't be in on Monday.  --

Jimi Hendrix (last words in a poem found next to him on his deathbed): The story of life is quicker than the blink of an eye … The story of love is hello and goodbye … Until we meet again.

Voltaire (on his deathbed, in response to a priest who asked him to renounce Satan): Now, now my good man, this is no time to be making enemies.

Jimmy Glass (before being executed): 'I'd rather be fishing.'

Winston Churchill: I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.

Andrew Bradford (American book-publisher): Oh Lord, forgive the misprints!

FAVORITES and FUN: Halloween

I remember Halloween when I was a kid. We ran around in the dark with pillow cases for the candy. (Paper bags could break.) It was heaven for an 11-year-old. Of course once I hit junior high, I was too old.

In the 70s and 80s, Halloween declined. Stories of razor blades in apple and needles in candy were everywhere. People were worried about safety.

But Halloween wouldn't die. (I couldn't resist the line.) It became a favorite of college students and bars. Young women loved the excuse to dress slutty once a year.

Then, it became a retail bonanza. It's NOT the second biggest retail holiday as went around a few years.(http://www.snopes.com/holidays/halloween/spending.asp ), but 6th isn't bad. The decorations and costumes are thick in stores. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down from $66.54 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion.

A whole industry was sprung up around the holiday of horror. Someone is even selling Halloween Hot Sauce. ( http://www.halloweenhots.com ) What's next?

 

FRIGHTFULLY FUNNY: Halloween Web Sites

For all things Halloween: http://www.halloween.com/

Ghost Photos: http://www.ghoststudy.com/

Tic Tac Toe: http://stuff.pyzam.com/toys/tictacscare.swf

Hell, Michigan: http://www.hell2u.com/

Transylvania, Louisiana: http://www.ladelta65.org/places/Transylvania.htm  (Check out the water tower.)

Tombstone, Arizonia: http://www.cityoftombstone.com/

Hell Hollow, Illinois: http://www.hauntedusa.org/hellhollow.htm

FRIDAY FOTOS: My Black Cat

14 years ago, someone dumped a black cat at my house. He adopted us. Make no mistake. You do not OWN cats. They allow you to feed and house them. Cats were once worshipped in Egypt. They have not forgotten.

When he was dumped, he was … maybe 3 years old. My son was into all things athletic at the time, so our new cat was named after the best athlete ever – Michael Jordan. Granted, he never had MJ’s hand time, but he used to sprint across the lawn after birds

Now he’s 17 – not a kitten. He naps all day. Over the summer, the vet said his kidneys are failing. He doesn’t act sick, but we know it’s coming.

Above he’s on the dog cushion with Fiona. Jordan is a social fellow. He particularly likes our dogs. Lightening, a terrier mix, was dumped 6 to 9 months after Jordan. The 2 of them used to sit on the picnic table and wait for me to come home. When Lightening died, Jordan quit eating for a week. When we got the Labs, Jordan was bigger … for a month … maybe. They would slobber over him until he was soggy. Puppy love is its wettest sense. In cold weather, Jordan likes to sleep on top of Toby. (Toby is calmer than Annie. She’s too wiggly.) It’s difficult to get a good picture, because they’re both black. I need more contrast.

Quote for 10/30/09: Sherri Shepherd on Halloween

I can't wait to numb my feelings with candy.  -- Sherri Shepherd

FASHION and Less FAT

This plateau is getting on my nerves. I'm trying to focus on the positive. Tonight I 'm wearing an old green T-shirt – one where the sleeves used to be too tight. Now I can put a large apple in those sleeves with my arm.


People keep commenting on my new clothes and it always makes me feel frivolous. A single mom with 2 kids in college shouldn't be frittering away her money on new clothes. Of course, that's not how they mean it.

I have some size 16s from when I started this job. They look new, because I've been too fat for them for several years. I've shortened and taken them in. I have other clothes from when the kids were little-- late 80s and early 90s. Some of the jackets had too much shoulder padding, but the skirts were fine when I hemmed them up. I have a bunch of pants and a couple of suits from Teri Peterson's yard sale. She's lost weight, so I bought her 14s.

About half my closet is new. I've tried to be frugal. The only regularly-priced thing I've bought was a pair of black boots. And I'm not talkin' high-end store sale racks. Those still aren't in my price range. I'm talking J C Penny sale racks with prices in the teens and single digits.

Of course, I like my new clothes. If I lose more, they'll be too big. I don't think that's why I'm not losing, but it does come up.

I'm going to the gym 4 nights a week now. I'm staying on the treadmill longer, but it isn't enough. Maybe I should stay even longer – like an hour. The thought makes me groan, but I have to do something. I need to get rid of this last 30 pounds.

Thursday FEATURE Videos: Halloween 6-Pack

JibJab Pumpkin Massacre: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwPvt96wt2w

Skeleton Bone Prank http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gmNQwXgk2Q

Treat or treat Doll. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qCDwEL-FP8

Roseanne Halloween: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi0IX_pSv_E

Pranks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gMDkp815SE

Pumpkins on the Porch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhSlXcWKy9Y

FRIGHTFULLY FUNNY: Halloween Humor Part Four

Signs Your Mobile Home is Haunted


1. Your can of Skoal mysteriously floats through the air.

2. Blood drips out of your simulated wood paneling.

3. The eyes on the velvet Elvis painting move.

4. The room is spinning, and you're not even drunk yet.

5. That car in your front yard isn't on blocks -- it's levitating by itself.

6. Your dog, Bo, gets sucked into the TV set, and he's blocking your view of rasslin'.

7. That mysterious scratching below the floorboards? The Telltale Raccoon.

8. The chain the ghost rattles is attached to his wallet.

9. You feel an eerie presence every time 'Freebird' plays on the radio.

10. The trailer is shaking, but there's no tornado in sight.

11. Your Dale Earndhart bed sheets have eyeholes cut in them.

12. The ghost is completely invisible except for the tobacco juice running down his chin.

13. Mysterious footsteps seem to be stomping out 'Achy Breaky Heart.'

14. There's a funny howlin' noise comin' from the corn crib -- no wait, that's just Jimmy.

15. You hear strange moaning - but only during Shania Twain videos.

16. You're missing four PBR's, and the missus only drinks Old Milwaukee.

17. The lights turn on and off even though you paid the power bill.

18. You hear blood-curdling screams, but both neighbors are still in jail.

19. You get a mysterious phone call that says, 'I know what you did last NASCAR race.'

20. Instead of saying 'Boo,' the ghost says 'Boo-ya'll!'

21. The veneer of window grime looks just like Calvin ... and he's taking a leak on YOU!

22. Instead of naked women, your playing cards, all of a sudden, have pictures of covered bridges on them.

23. The folks on Jenny Jones discuss domestic problems that eerily resemble your own.

24. You get a creepy feelin' and it ain't because that Richard Simmons is on TV.

25. You come home one day and it's ... clean!

Quote for 10/29/09: Douglas Adams on Deadlines

I love deadlines. I especially love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. --Douglas Adams, Author, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

FAT Art: Peter Paul Rubens

I am losing weight for my health. My knees don't hurt any more. My blood pressure is … well, better. Yea, I look better, because 270 pounds was pretty ugly. But visual appeal is not my main motivation. If I wanted to be a model, I'd need to rinse away 30 years and have a nose job.


Look at the pictures below. You don't have to be skinny to be attractive. These women have tummies and hips. A couple of hundred years ago, they were fashionistas … you know … without the wardrobe.

Wednesday Morning Weigh-In

Again 195.  Damn.  Damn.  Damn.  I got on the scales 3 times hopeing for ... atleast 194.9.  But no, it's still 195, and I've upped to 4 nights a week at the gym.

FRIGHTFULLY FUNNY: Halloween Humor Part Three

A Halloween Walk

A man was walking home alone late one foggy night, when behind him he hears:

BUMP...

BUMP...

BUMP...

Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog, and he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.

BUMP...

BUMP...

BUMP...

Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him.

FASTER...

FASTER...

BUMP...

BUMP...

BUMP...

He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.

However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping

clappity-BUMP...

clappity-BUMP...

clappity-BUMP...

On his heels, the terrified man runs.
Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.

With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.

Bumping and clapping toward him.

The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup. Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...

and,

(ready for this?)

The coffin stops.

Quote for 10/28/09: Bill Cosby on Grown Children

Human beings are the only creatures that allow their children to come back home. - Bill Cosby

DVR FIXATION: The Year of the Cougar

I have a little DVR addiction. For all of junior high and high school, my kids were in sports. That’s what you do at a rural school. Everyone goes out. Everyone dresses, but only a few play. My kids didn’t play much, but practices kept them out of trouble. I frequently went to 4 games a week. Shortly after the youngest left for college, I started dieting and going to the gym. What I’m trying to say is, I haven’t been home enough to see a lot of TV since the late 90s. Well, I’m making up for it now. Here are some comedies in my DVR:

It started on Lipstick Jungle with Nico. Of course, Sex in the City tried it briefly before that, but they tried about everything. Suddenly, Cougar is cool. Both, Cougar Town and Accidentally on Purpose focus on relationships where she is older. Being that age (but not that mind set), I find the shows funny. Courtney Cox and Jenna Elfman both have successful series to their credit. I like Courtney in this role better than Monica of Friends and I like the premise of Cougar Town. I was a Dharma and Greg fan and like Jenna, but a mature career woman who ‘accidentally” gets pregnant … yeah … not crazy about it. Remember Lipstick Jungle and Cashmere Mafia? Looks like neither will be back for another season. That’s what happens when shows are too much a like.

Then, there’s Eastwick, or as I call it Charmed the Sequel. Here, the cougar relationship is not in the spotlight every episode. Thankfully, they aren’t going the paranormal detective route either. The world does not need one more show like that. I like the idea of ”powers.” It’s a fun fantasy

All 3 of these are scheduled on my DVR.  More on comedies this Friday.

As for me, I occasionally get teased about becoming a cougar. Since I've lost some weight, certain friends think that would be a good idea for me. Yeah. Right. Younger men are ... scenic ... easy on the eyes, but they're puppies. My puppy days are behind me.

FRIGHTFULLY FUNNY: Halloween Humor Part Two

The Snail Story:

This guy goes to a Halloween party with a girl on his back. "What on earth are you?" asks the host.


"I'm a snail," says the guy.

"But... you have a girl on your back," replies the host.

"Yeah, he says, "that's Michelle!" (Get it … My Shell.)

FUNNY Tuesday: Picture on the Refrigerator

I remember one time when I was home visiting my folks. My mom asked me to set the table for dinner. I opened the refrigerator and taped to the inside of the door was a cheesecake picture of a lovely, slender, perfectly built, but scantily-clad young woman.

"Mom, what's this?" I asked.

"Oh, I put that up there to remind me not to overeat," she answered.

"Is it working?" I asked.

"Yes and no," she explained. "I've lost 15 pounds, but your dad has gained 20!".

Quote for 10/27/09: Valerie Bertinelli on Keeping It Off

You can lose the weight, but then you have to start figuring out what the hell got you in this space in the first place … why you were so miserable. I'm 3 years into this and I'm still trying to figure it out what's gonna keep me sane. Got any clues for me? – Valerie Burtenelli

Monday's FAVORITE Website : National Geographic

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/

Of course, they aren't going to give you everything that's in the magazines ... because they wouldn't sell any then.  But there are videos and GREAT PICTUES, like the ones below:

FRIGHTFULLY FUN: Halloween Humor Part One

Horror Movie Survival Guide

Do not save creepy beings that kill people. I don’t care if you saw a video. Just don’t. The world is better off if they’re trapped, dead or other wise out of commission.

Avoid spooky children. If they make weird noises, talk in bizarre voices or just see dead people, do you really need the additional complications in your life?

If the awful creature is crawling down the stairs, don’t cringe and twitter like an idiot. RUN!

If the house you're living in tells you to "GO AWAY", do so immediately.

Never take a bath or shower with a maniac/spirit/demon/creature in the house.

When it appears that you have killed the maniac/spirit/demon/creature, DO NOT check to see if he/she/it is really dead. Keep hacking at it until it is in pieces small enough not to be a threat to you.

If you've shot at it, shoot it again in the head, and remember, shoot till it stops moving, and then keep shooting till you're out of ammo. Then reload and shoot it some more. Then set it on fire and burn it up, this works with everything except demons and spirits. Then get the hell out of there!

If plumbing fixtures or other structures in your home begin shaking and spewing body fluids, it's time to leave.

Never read aloud from a book that summons demons. Even as a joke. The demon will not care.

Don't look under the bed.

Do not search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.

If trees, TVs, or other objects try to consume your children, save as many as you can and then get the hell out of the area.

If relatives or pets come back from the dead, don't approach them and ask "What did you come back to do?"

If inanimate objects such as dolls, toys, or furniture attack you, be prudent. Leave the area.

If you've hidden from the maniac/spirit/demon/creature and you are not found, do not peek from or decide it's safe to leave your hiding place. If you do decide to leave, scan the ground for twigs before you take a step.

Never believe that your companion has truly become "dispossessed."

It is very, very dangerous to back into, or through rooms.

If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language, which they do not know, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. (Note: It will probably take several rounds of gunfire to incapacitate them, so be prepared.)

When you have the benefit of numbers, never, ever, pair off, or go in alone. The more people the maniac/spirit/demon/creature is distracted by, the better "your" chance of escape.

Never get into a car without first checking the back seat for occupants.

If demons begin possessing your companions, it's a good idea to leave the area as soon, and as quickly as possible.

If your companions start turning up dead, make yourself scarce before someone else does it for you. Worry about funerals later.

If you've just finished running over the maniac/spirit/demon/creature in your car, keep going. Most certainly do not get out of the car under any circumstances to see if he/she/it is "really" dead.

As a general rule, don't try to solve puzzles that open portals to Hell. Beside, why would you really want a portal to Hell, anyway.  It's not a vacation spot.  Next time, try a portal to Hawaii
Don't fall asleep if you have a history of homicidal/suicidal nightmares.

Never stand in, on, above, below, beside, or near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, etc.

Never stand in, on, above, below, beside or near a window, especially those that appear that they would break easily.

If you find something that appears to be alive that you cannot identify, don't pick it up or touch it, with anything.

If you're searching for something, which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, leave the room immediately or else you will quickly die.

If someone is in the water and starts screaming and is pulled under, don't go after them or peek over the edge of the shore "to see what's wrong." If you are in a boat, head for shore.

If appliances start operating by themselves, you are in danger.

Do not accept/take anything from the dead.  Besides, it's not like they're going to give you something you really want.  They don't shop well.

If priests won't or can't enter your home, start looking for a new home.

If you discover the place you are visiting is known for its history of mass murders, deaths, freak accidents, or supernatural occurrences, leave. Don't wonder abouyt it.  Don't discuss.  Think Nike.  Just do it!

If you wake up from a particularly horrific dream and find yourself still alive, you probably aren't awake yet.

If you find a town, which looks deserted, it is probably deserted for a damn good reason. Take the hint and stay away.

Don't play with ouija boards. If you do and the ouija board starts moving by itself, stop playing and leave.

If supernatural beings start calling your name, leave the area immediately. These are not good choices for Facebook friends.

Never pick up a hitchhiker or stop to aid a suspicious person, especially if he/she/it resembles Santa Claus or Satan.

Don't fool with DNA technology unless you're really sure you know what you are doing.

Make sure that your weapon is really loaded before you try to use it.

If your space ship gets an alien distress signal from what appears to be a dead planet, don't stop to check it out.

Never put your back to or lean on a door.

Never take the dare to spend a night in a haunted house.

Never speak to clowns in sewers.

Never accept gifts from strangers, especially if you suspect that they are really supernatural beings.

If you're running from the maniac/spirit/demon/creature, expect to trip and/or fall down at least twice, more if you are female. Do not turn to look back, if you do, you stand a good chance of tripping immediately and being killed. If you turn and look back, and you don't see the maniac/spirit/demon/creature chasing you, stop and run immediately back the way you came because the maniac/spirit/demon/creature is now in front of you.

If your companions exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such as hissing, biting, thirst for blood, howling, glowing eyes, unnatural hairiness, marked resemblance to demons, excretion of ectoplasm or other forms of gelatinous goo, flaming appendages, extra appendages, etc., get as far away from them as possible.

Listen closely to the soundtrack for hints on what is going on around you. Use all resources available, especially the audience, for on the average, they are much, much more intelligent than you could ever hope to be.

Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Crystal Lake, Transylvania, Nilbog (God help you if you recognize this one), Mydian, Questa Verde, the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine.

Beware of transvestite doctors that sing.

Avoid secluded mountain resorts, especially those that keep 'Red Rum' in stock.

Beware of strangers bearing tools of destruction such as chainsaws, staple guns, chipper/shredders, weed poppers, combines, lawnmowers, knives, flamethrowers, band saws, crossbows, napalm, grenades, high-powered rifles, gophers wielding axes, laser pistols, or Allodium Q-36 explosive space modulators.

If you're going to shoot something, in the immortal words of Robert Ruark, African game hunter, "USE ENOUGH GUN."

If entering your spacecraft or house, you put your hand in a kind of sticky/slimy/resinous kind of substance that was not there before, turn and run immediately.

If you are in the Arctic and find an alien frozen in ice, don't touch it. Don't thaw it out. Leave it alone.

Or better yet, the alien should be incinerated. Otherwise if it thaws out, it will kill you and every living thing on earth.

If you are alone in a house and something calls your name, leave the house immediately through whatever exit is in the opposite direction. If there is no exit, make one

CBS Sunday Morning on FAT

CBS Sunday Morning was on obesity yesterday. I really don't like that word. I've made myself face the F word, but obese bothers me. Anyway, here's some of what I learned.



There are over 1 billion overweight adults in this country. 1/3 of American are overweight. Another 1/3 are obese. That's 2/3s of us that are unhealthy.


Food affects the same areas of the brain, the same “circuits” in the brain, as recreational drugs.


The new “Axis of Evil” is salt, sugar and fat.


25% of all meals are eaten in restaurants


Several 100 genes contribute to body mass, so there is no single “fat gene.”


McDonald's was the first restaurant to make, fat, sodium and calories available to the public.

Quote for 10/26/09: Criminal Minds on the Human Condition

Finding new ways to hurt each other is what we're good at.  - Criminal Minds

Quote for 10/25/09: Accidentally on Purpose about Sex and Dating

Without the sex, dating is just letting people annoy you for no reason. - Accidentally on Purpose

FUNNY: Last Week on Late Night

"Federal agents will no longer go after patients taking medical marijuana or their suppliers under the new guidelines by the Obama Administration. President Obama is very smart. He figures if he couldn't appease the left by withdrawing from Iraq or closing Gitmo or appealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' they'll all be too stoned to care." -Jay Leno



"It was smart for them to try this balloon stunt while President Obama's in office. That wouldn't have worked with Bush Administration. Cheney would have shot that balloon down." -Jay Leno


"The White House is calling for bailed-out executives to get a 90% pay cut. They want their pay cut 90% so it's more in line with the job they're doing. Here's my question: why can't we get this for Congress?" -Jay Leno



"Yesterday in Louisiana, a judge denied an interracial couple a marriage license because he felt, I quote, their children would later suffer in life from being interracial. Like when they become president or win the Masters or get an Oscar." -Jay Leno


"Here's the latest form the Pentagon. The generals are worried that the White House is spreading itself thin by trying to fight a war on two fronts: with Afghanistan and Fox News." -Jay Leno

"Did you see what happened to Rush Limbaugh? Hey wanted to buy the St. Louis Rams and they wouldn't let him. He said this was a dream he had, to some day own black people." -Bill Maher

"The Dow hit 10,000 this week, everybody! For the first time since the market collapse. And people were so excited, they took to the streets to celebrate, which is easy because so many of them live there." -Bill Maher

Quote for 10/24/09: Candice Olson on Floors and Children

Young children will antique a floor fast. - Candice Olson after recommending that parents install antique flooring to start with.

FOREIGN Study Wardrobe

I spent a quarter (13 weeks) in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, when I was in college. My daughter  ( above in MY sunglasses) has grown up on those stories She's chosen to spend a semester in Britain, specifically Edge Hill University outside Liverpool. We are working on a list of clothes to bring. Here's the first draft.

A worst case scenario is not being able to do laundry for 2 weeks. In the real world of college, it might be more than that, but you can't afford the luggage expense.


Every day clothes for going to class and hanging out with friends

• 10 to 15 everyday tops
• 5 to 7 everyday bottoms … jeans, khakis, something that isn't jean and khakis and a skirt.
• Try to have at least 2 tops to go with every bottom. The more limited the item, the further down the priority list you should move it.

Dress up … Think dancing & clubbing. In addition, sometimes colleges have events/dinners for foreign exchange students. You will need both kinds of “dress up” clothes.

• 1 to 2 serious adults-are-around outfits. This can be a blazer to go over a pair of pants that aren't jeans or your everyday skirt. Try to use some pieces from your everyday wardrobe.
• 1 or 2 out-on-the-town outfits. Again try to use some pieces from your everyday wardrobe.

Shoes

• 1 to 2 pairs of walk-all-day shoes
• 1 pair of heels that should be able to to go from meeting the faculty to dancing.
• 1 comfy pair of shoes/slippers for the dorm ... perhaps flip-flops
• Shoes weigh more and take up a lot of luggage space. Be frugal.
• This is where Beth is having the most trouble.

Sloppy and Comfortable: for hanging around the dorm and sleeping in.

• 4 to 5 tops
• 2 bottoms
• Robe (Terry cloth is bulky.  Try something thinner.)
• Include one or 2 things that remind you of home … for example, Ts and sweatshirts from your high school or college.

Undies

• Enough panties, bras, cammies and socks to last 2 weeks
• 2 pairs of tights to go with the skirt ... or leggings
• Make sure you have the right things to go under all the pieces you are bringing.

Outerwear: Look up the weather where you are going. These are the bulkiest things in your suitcase, but they are also the most expensive to buy over there.

• 1 coat for the coldest weather you're likely to experience. Beth is leaving in January, so this will be worn on the plane.
• 1 hoodie … Can be worn alone or added underneath other coats
• 1 water proof coat.
• Beth's comment: But how am I going to pick just 1 hoodie?

Accessories: Because your wardrobe is limited, these give you versatility

• Think dressing up and dressing down.
• Pick items that will go with more than one piece you are taking.
• Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, scarves
• Beth is having trouble with the idea of only 1 purse.

The slush pile:  Pack your suitcase with the minimum.  Weigh it. If it's light, add from the slush pile.  This is the only bring if there's room/available weight.
 
 
Find out if you need to bring

• Towels
• Sheets
• Hangers

FRIDAY FOTOS: FALL Color

I've been intending to get some fall foliage pictures, but my daughter borrowed my camera. I got it back mid-week and since then it's done nothing but rain. So here are pictures of wet leaves.

Quote for 10/23/09: Jane Thomas Noland on Fat

Fat is not a moral problem. It's an oral problem. ~Jane Thomas Noland