I know I've been blogging occasionally about what's going on in the house. I won't bore you with all the details, but in the last year, we've painted every room but the bathroom and kitchen (including the hall), torn out the old carpet and all the wainscoting, re-surfaced the walls where the wainscoting was, laid down about 850 sq ft of laminate flooring and all the trim, and done a BUNCH of smaller projects, like having fans installed, replacing light fixtures, hanging curtain rods, etc. Well, this week, I went a step further. I messed with electricity! Twice!
First, some outlets in the living room had blown -- two of the three had stopped working at the same time, then one started working again, so we were doing the ever-so-white-trash extention cord to the entertainment center deal. Then the other one briefly started working and quit again. Then the working one quit, too. I discussed it with my mom, and she said it sounded like a short. I bought new outlets for both, then, under her supervision, took out the old ones and replaced them. They WORKED!!!!! I fixed electrical outlets!
Using my newfound powers (and feeling enormous pressure to clean up my office, which was littered, in part, by a box containing a light fixture kit), I decided to install the light fixture kit on the ceiling fan in there. The directions were pretty clear, but I didn't have the "handy-snap" wires or whatever they're called in the fan, so I had to strip the casing off the light kit wires and use those yellow things to connect them. It totally worked! So now, instead of coming in to the office every evening to put my purse down, flipping the light switch (for a nice breeze and total darkness), and thinking "Gawd, how many times am I going to do that?!?!" I will flip the switch and simply have light. In fact, it's on right now just so I can celebrate.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
And, much to my surprise, a really decent reply.
"Dear Countess,
I provided an e-mail precisely to find out what people think. I was told by the "experts" that everyone would be wildly happy to have any comments at all on their blogs. I wanted to find out if they were right. Anyway, I didn't feel comfortable being anonymous with such a process, because I don't feel marketing should be anonymous. As you might expect, the comments I've received back haven't been that enthusiastic--though yours is certainly the most forceful. I've stopped the process already, and my money for the software has been refunded. I know you won't believe me when I say it, but I'm glad for the feedback, because I'm really not that kind of guy, and I don't want to become one.
I've already had a pretty shitty day, and I think I might be in for a couple more as people read through their comments. I suppose I deserve it. Tell your friends I'm sorry.
And, by the way, what I'm doing is not total quackery. Just thought I'd defend that part, at least.
Craig"
*And just FYI, I did e-mail him back and apologize, taking back my shitty day wish.
I provided an e-mail precisely to find out what people think. I was told by the "experts" that everyone would be wildly happy to have any comments at all on their blogs. I wanted to find out if they were right. Anyway, I didn't feel comfortable being anonymous with such a process, because I don't feel marketing should be anonymous. As you might expect, the comments I've received back haven't been that enthusiastic--though yours is certainly the most forceful. I've stopped the process already, and my money for the software has been refunded. I know you won't believe me when I say it, but I'm glad for the feedback, because I'm really not that kind of guy, and I don't want to become one.
I've already had a pretty shitty day, and I think I might be in for a couple more as people read through their comments. I suppose I deserve it. Tell your friends I'm sorry.
And, by the way, what I'm doing is not total quackery. Just thought I'd defend that part, at least.
Craig"
*And just FYI, I did e-mail him back and apologize, taking back my shitty day wish.
Actual e-mail I sent to a spammer
Hey Craig,
I noticed that comments like yours have been popping up all over my friends' blog comments pages. I find it really irritating, and I know you have no intention of stopping, that in fact, it isn't even really you, but rather a spambot, but I still thought I'd like to have my say. I think you are making the world a little worse by inserting advertising (for total quackery, by the way) into the middle of actual interpersonal communications between friends. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that you are probably an asshole in other ways, too, standing in subways with your armpit in peoples' faces, or likely taking up a seat when an elderly person has to stand, and pretending you don't notice because you're talking on your cell phone loudly. You probably don't signal when you change lanes, and I'm certain you're a tailgater. I blame you, Craig. You suck. Are other people doing it too? Sure, but they didn't provide an e-mail. You did. So, since I can't say it to them, I'm saying it to you: Tally up the good you add to the world with the bad, and I think you'll find yourself overwhelmingly in the "Oh my god, I AM an asshole" column.
Thank you and have a shitty day,
Count Mockula
(Although I actually signed my real name.)
I noticed that comments like yours have been popping up all over my friends' blog comments pages. I find it really irritating, and I know you have no intention of stopping, that in fact, it isn't even really you, but rather a spambot, but I still thought I'd like to have my say. I think you are making the world a little worse by inserting advertising (for total quackery, by the way) into the middle of actual interpersonal communications between friends. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that you are probably an asshole in other ways, too, standing in subways with your armpit in peoples' faces, or likely taking up a seat when an elderly person has to stand, and pretending you don't notice because you're talking on your cell phone loudly. You probably don't signal when you change lanes, and I'm certain you're a tailgater. I blame you, Craig. You suck. Are other people doing it too? Sure, but they didn't provide an e-mail. You did. So, since I can't say it to them, I'm saying it to you: Tally up the good you add to the world with the bad, and I think you'll find yourself overwhelmingly in the "Oh my god, I AM an asshole" column.
Thank you and have a shitty day,
Count Mockula
(Although I actually signed my real name.)
Friday, August 26, 2005
Dreams, Ugly Photo Contest, Old Friends, Bad Mexican
I had a dream that I saw my grandfather -- it was my and Piggs' wedding day, and we were greeting our families outside. Grandpa arrived, and I went right to him and gave him a long hug. He was sad because he had fallen and gotten dirty and Grandma was mad at him, but I was just happy he was there. I know I'm stupid, but in a way it felt a little like actually having Grandpa there on my wedding day. I know he would have approved. He loved me spectacularly, and would have loved anyone who treats me so well.
Well, the Ugly Photo contest has been a RAGING disappointment. Only two people voted, so it was a landslide of 2 in favor of the gothic dancing photo. My husband recused himself because he says I'm always beautiful, and it would seem my mom has done the same. I kind of thought some of Piggs' friends would have stopped by, but apparently not. Oh well. Look for Gothic Insane Clown Posse Mockula on MySpace. Oh, and an unintended consequence has been that the photos have been widely viewed on Flickr and rated as "interesting."
I had coffee with an old friend yesterday, and it was a little sad -- here's someone I met when I was 13, but have never really sat down and had a long conversation with. But we had so much in common, and she was really easy to talk to. And she's moving away. I really hope her new home and new plans work out, and further that we stay in touch as we said we would. Sometimes you can just see how an opportunity for friendship hung around, parallel to your path, for, oh, 16 years, and you never picked it up.
Dude, I had two separate endorsements from friends I trust that Pancho's Mexican Restaurant on Broadway was good. I am going to look at them sideways next time I see them, because that place BLEW! Their tortillas were freshly made and good. The salsa and chips weren't bad. But here is my interpretation of the recipes for my combo platter and Piggs' tamale:
CHILI RELLENO
egg,
poblano chili (shave into a thin fillet, so that pepper is nearly nonexistent)
1/2 cup government cheese
red stuff
Lackadaisically assemble the egg, pepper, and cheese, and cook until cheese melts and egg sets. Put red stuff on top. Let stand for 30 minutes. Soak in water and serve.
ENCHILADA
1 tortilla
1 brick government cheese
Wrap brick in tortilla. Heat to melting. Let stand 30 minutes, until cheese has congealed. Pour 1 can chicken broth over whole meal and serve.
BEEF TAMALE (according to Piggs)
Corn masa
Pat corn masa into a rectangle. Wave beef over it. Serve.
It was DISGUSTING. It put us BOTH off Mexican food. I barely even touched my dinner, and I won't lie, I can put away a combo platter. I wondered how they got it out to us so fast -- like, within 2 minutes of when we ordered. The answer is apparently that they make it all at 6 am and let it sit back there until it's ordered. I won't say it made me ill, but I did have way more reflux than usual, including burping up little chunks of food, which used to happen all the time, but rarely happens anymore. Blech. No Pancho's! I can't believe they thought it was better than Los Jarritos. I think they're loco in la cabeza.
Well, the Ugly Photo contest has been a RAGING disappointment. Only two people voted, so it was a landslide of 2 in favor of the gothic dancing photo. My husband recused himself because he says I'm always beautiful, and it would seem my mom has done the same. I kind of thought some of Piggs' friends would have stopped by, but apparently not. Oh well. Look for Gothic Insane Clown Posse Mockula on MySpace. Oh, and an unintended consequence has been that the photos have been widely viewed on Flickr and rated as "interesting."
I had coffee with an old friend yesterday, and it was a little sad -- here's someone I met when I was 13, but have never really sat down and had a long conversation with. But we had so much in common, and she was really easy to talk to. And she's moving away. I really hope her new home and new plans work out, and further that we stay in touch as we said we would. Sometimes you can just see how an opportunity for friendship hung around, parallel to your path, for, oh, 16 years, and you never picked it up.
Dude, I had two separate endorsements from friends I trust that Pancho's Mexican Restaurant on Broadway was good. I am going to look at them sideways next time I see them, because that place BLEW! Their tortillas were freshly made and good. The salsa and chips weren't bad. But here is my interpretation of the recipes for my combo platter and Piggs' tamale:
CHILI RELLENO
egg,
poblano chili (shave into a thin fillet, so that pepper is nearly nonexistent)
1/2 cup government cheese
red stuff
Lackadaisically assemble the egg, pepper, and cheese, and cook until cheese melts and egg sets. Put red stuff on top. Let stand for 30 minutes. Soak in water and serve.
ENCHILADA
1 tortilla
1 brick government cheese
Wrap brick in tortilla. Heat to melting. Let stand 30 minutes, until cheese has congealed. Pour 1 can chicken broth over whole meal and serve.
BEEF TAMALE (according to Piggs)
Corn masa
Pat corn masa into a rectangle. Wave beef over it. Serve.
It was DISGUSTING. It put us BOTH off Mexican food. I barely even touched my dinner, and I won't lie, I can put away a combo platter. I wondered how they got it out to us so fast -- like, within 2 minutes of when we ordered. The answer is apparently that they make it all at 6 am and let it sit back there until it's ordered. I won't say it made me ill, but I did have way more reflux than usual, including burping up little chunks of food, which used to happen all the time, but rarely happens anymore. Blech. No Pancho's! I can't believe they thought it was better than Los Jarritos. I think they're loco in la cabeza.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Not that I've played ANYTHING in god knows how many years.
You scored as Storyteller. You're more inclined toward the role playing side of the equation and less interested in numbers or experience points. You're quick to compromise if you can help move the story forward, and get bored when the game slows down for a long planning session. You want to play out a story that moves like it's orchestrated by a skilled novelist or film director.
Law's Game Style created with QuizFarm.com |
uglynapoleonsgrandma
Duh, sorry, this one already has one vote. I accidentally deleted it in a fit of stupidity.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Ugly Photo Contest!
Okay, here's the rules.
Vote for no more than three photos by commenting on them and saying something like "I vote for this one!" You can comment on the others if you want without making it an official vote.
I'll tally the comments after a couple days, and the winner will become my new MySpace profile photo for ONE WEEK. The second and third place winners might become the profile photos after that.
Have fun!
Vote for no more than three photos by commenting on them and saying something like "I vote for this one!" You can comment on the others if you want without making it an official vote.
I'll tally the comments after a couple days, and the winner will become my new MySpace profile photo for ONE WEEK. The second and third place winners might become the profile photos after that.
Have fun!
uglynapoleonsgrandma
Okay, this was taken the same weekend as the 23rd birthday one, and also by Monkeygirl. My friend Stacey thinks I look just like Napoleon Dynamite's grandma in this. It was a candid, just-coming-out-of-the-bathroom jammies and bedhead picture. I think it's got a shot at the win.
uglyteen
I was uncomfortable with the attentions of a fellow 15 year old at Becky Schroeder's house. I cropped him, but not Robert Smith.
uglyjuniorprom
Okay, we were getting ready for junior prom, and I ended up looking really cute later, but this candid shot shows the overalls and pigtails look that I sported A LOT in my teens. Looks like the before shot on What Not to Wear.
uglyjugband
Okay this one was a sad cowboy party (hence the tear, boots, hat . . .) And the people who've been cropped from the photo to protect the innocent were playing the spoons and the harmonica, respectively.
uglynewyear
One of the only photos I had to FORCE myself to post. This is a champion. The saddest part is, I think I thought I really looked hot.
uglygothic2
Here's me gothic dancing at the Cattle Club. Do you think my makeup matches my skin tone?
uglyin88
It was 1988. Pay special attention to the belly, cute, huh? I was also experimenting with feathered hair and red lipstick.
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