tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35972252012-02-16T10:05:00.061-08:00We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. <br>~Queen VictoriaKarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.comBlogger12051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-31175626273054014502009-10-16T17:03:00.000-07:002009-10-16T17:13:37.166-07:00

I don’t use Word to write anymore, I use a website called Google Docs that lets me share my stories with my boss and counterparts so they can edit and see changes as I edit. I also can access the stories from any computer with Internet, so when my computer at work dies (any day now), I won’t lose any material. This doesn’t account for whatever disaster that could erase my stuff from the Internet,

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-17338525192484398522009-10-13T11:05:00.000-07:002009-10-13T12:05:56.332-07:00

I recently listened to two audiobooks set in the Pacific Northwest and am I reading with my eyes a third book set in my very own home turf. The actual book I am reading is called Border Songs, and it is written by the author of a book I read a few years ago that was set in Olympia, where I lived at that time. Coincidence, no?I am reading Border Songs for a book group I am joining with a

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-73690074667629859682009-08-12T18:27:00.000-07:002009-08-12T19:14:46.555-07:00

We have a long driveway. One of my favorite features about my house (literally, one of my favorite things, I've said it out loud more than a few times) is that the branches of two cedar trees on either side of the driveway converge to create a canopy over the driveway. This creates shade, cooling the house, and obscures the view of our house from the street, creating privacy.Also, it's

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-12076943359527822532009-08-07T13:41:00.000-07:002009-08-07T13:52:10.983-07:00

I just completely forgot what side of the car my gas tank was on. I know this happens to a lot of people. You pull in, get out of the car, and whoops, you're on the wrong side.I guess my excuse is that I drive another car for work sometimes and its gas tank is on the opposite side from mine. Last Saturday, I filled up the gas tank in the work car twice - in Portland and near the office - and then

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-30606830328761557922009-07-21T10:52:00.001-07:002009-07-21T16:28:16.839-07:00

It was an entire year after India before I even felt like traveling. I also felt guilty about taking that much time off, so I didn't take a single vacation day for an entire year. (I get plenty of holidays, and my schedule is pretty relaxed, so this wasn't a huge hardship.)When I heard that a friend of mine was going to be in Saigon for three months, at first I was insanely jealous. Then I bought

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-10711675368500126532009-05-15T22:23:00.000-07:002009-05-15T22:29:44.510-07:00

I felt a real kinship with Andy Dick when he moved into the Celebrity Rehab Sober House.It dates back to when I was in college. I didn’t drink so I didn’t enjoy hitting the frat parties or using my fake ID at a bar. I did like sitting around the dorms and hanging out with my friends. But inevitably, at 10 or 11 or midnight, someone would say, “Let’s go out,” as though the evening activity didn’t

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-80768327379539382032009-05-13T13:08:00.001-07:002009-05-15T22:22:33.366-07:00

Did you ever think you’d see the day when I’d be buying chicken hearts in bulk and feeding raw meat to my dog?After reading a lot about the health benefits of raw feeding (less shedding, no bad breath, smaller poops, walking on two legs, growing opposable thumbs), in addition to my concern that her teeth were eroding because of some sort of nutritional deficiency…or else she’s compulsively

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-28043052186372857132009-04-22T17:43:00.000-07:002009-04-22T17:57:49.861-07:00

I worked from home unexpectedly yesterday, so I could take my dog to the vet. As a result, I didn't have a work notebook to take with me to a seminar today.So I found an old reporter's notebook that had not been completely filled up. It was the notebook they gave me when I did my trial story at the my first newspaper job in January 2003. The story was about plans for an off-leash dog park. A

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-20241422206130840142009-04-21T15:36:00.000-07:002009-04-21T18:08:14.496-07:00

I loved getting a root canal so much that I'm getting one for my dog.A little more than a year ago, I noticed that one of Isis' teeny little lower front teeth looked like it had been worn down. I googled it, got scared and took her to the vet, whose reaction was basically, "Eh, no big."That tooth never seemed to bother her and didn't wear away to nothing. So I wasn't overly concerned when I

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-57766297998946470672009-03-30T14:42:00.000-07:002009-03-30T15:20:22.649-07:00

When you hear that 80 percent of Americans say the economy is a significant source of stress, don't you think the other 20 percent must be in serious denial? Of those surveyed, only 48 percent report being depressed or sad?I'm depressed about the economy, and in particular the decline of The Newspaper, even though I'm "safe." I got out of the newspaper business 3 years ago to work for a state

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-59580356286806678442009-02-26T15:02:00.000-08:002009-02-26T15:23:43.449-08:00

We had a little snowfall last nightAnd now for your moment of Zen:

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-3993746123702820472009-02-13T17:17:00.000-08:002009-02-13T21:21:37.655-08:00

Isis has started some new training. I've described before various incidents that were amusing, or embarrassing, or perhaps frightening to the person on the other end. And I've watched The Dog Whisperer and thought all I had to do is walk, walk, walk this dog until she stops scaring people.It used to be that she'd bark and lunge at other dogs. When I started walking her daily, in about October, I

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-80573025425238415332009-02-12T10:14:00.001-08:002009-02-12T10:46:30.334-08:00

Unless you don't know it's missing in the first place.The most recent episode of Brothers and Sisters featured U2's "Running to Stand Still." I sang along a little bit and thought, "I love this song, I should listen to The Joshua Tree."But when I checked my iPod, I did not have The Joshua Tree on there, just The Unforgettable Fire and Achtung Baby (plus the song "Stuck in the Moment," which I

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-38241564651944174102009-02-11T16:41:00.000-08:002009-02-11T16:56:43.130-08:00

Apparently, mouse invaders have a schedule. At this same time last year,** we discovered mouse turds and murdered two mice. After we found the second mouse, I got an ultrasonic, electoromagnetic magic forcefield.I assumed it worked, since we didn't have another mouse for an entire year!However, last night I was turning off the lights before bed and I heard a noise that almost sounded like a leak

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-60928918163455646922009-02-11T16:32:00.000-08:002009-02-11T16:55:11.224-08:00

At the risk of offending someone I don't know, but who shares the pronunciation of my name (I'm guessing), I want to share the discovery of "The Kari Safari," not to be confused with Rhymes with Safari.Interestingly, her blog appears to be mostly movie reviews. Interesting, because of course, I am trained in the art of reviewing movies. I have a degree in it.The Other Kari has not posted lately,

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-5284302690137748502009-01-27T11:54:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:04:41.082-08:00

I don't know what to say. Which is precisely the problem. All the random thoughts I want to share with the Internet have become Facebook status updates instead of blogs, and that's where I've been posting photos too.Partly, because I've tried to remain anonymous here, I have virtually no audience, and the things I say on Facebook get reactions from people I went to junior high with. Junior high!

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-1120489877357396422009-01-16T10:49:00.001-08:002009-01-16T12:31:38.161-08:00

I love it when I'm right. More than a year ago, Stew was acting a little sluggish and not eating, and I thought she might be "egg-bound." I did some internet reading and learned that you can help female iguanas lay their eggs by creating an egg box. If they are unable to lay the eggs, they can die.I filled Isis' first carrier (which she had long ago outgrown) with playground sand and duct-taped

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-69248346505460452672008-12-20T09:43:00.000-08:002008-12-20T10:13:45.554-08:00

As it turns out, my cute little car is crap in the snow. I miss my Honda CR-V for the first time since gas prices skyrocketed to $4-plus (oh, how smart I felt back then).It's not a huge deal, as there aren't many days when snow is on the ground around here. But I've never been scared to drive before.Don't remember when I first drove in the snow. Maybe in high school during a trip to Lake

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-5770509299656545912008-12-17T18:40:00.001-08:002008-12-17T18:44:35.209-08:00

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-85704190004906509102008-12-14T00:46:00.000-08:002008-12-14T00:59:22.271-08:00

Last week I went on a salmon spawning survey. Didn't see too many live fish...and those that we did see were tough to photograph, even with a polarizing filter. What we saw plenty of were eagles. Hundreds of them.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-42000517242459298192008-12-11T15:55:00.000-08:002008-12-11T16:02:45.297-08:00

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-82328869504260429812008-12-05T15:12:00.001-08:002008-12-05T16:15:30.277-08:00

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-6366846970381675962008-12-04T10:42:00.000-08:002008-12-04T14:56:18.272-08:00

If you don't follow SYTYCD (Canada or otherwise), surely you'd like to hear the latest on my dog.While we were in California for Thanksgiving, Isis tore the legs off of one of the first toys we ever got her. A stuffed monkey with stretchy legs we cleverly named "Monkey Man." Rob got it for her while Isis and I were still in California (also for Thanksgiving).She tears apart most toys, sometimes

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-29433905890698838922008-12-04T10:18:00.000-08:002008-12-04T11:50:55.623-08:00

Last night's performance finale of SYTYDC made me want to revisit Blake the Judge's earlier work as a contestant on Season 1 of SYTYCD. When he talked about what is expected of the Top 4, I was all like, "How would you know, you were cut from the Top 6!" Burn!That's not fair though, because he really deserved to be in the Top 4. I was able to verify this, because I happen to have seasons 1-4 of

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-69967223765102180472008-11-26T21:45:00.001-08:002008-11-26T22:43:12.815-08:00

I know I'm probably supposed to write something about Thanksgiving, but I'd rather talk about So You Think You Can Dance Canada. That's right, I've got dual dance citizenship.I forgot I got the Canadian channel that runs SYTYCDC, so I missed the first few episodes. Interestingly, I wasn't really that into it at first. Maybe because I hadn't gotten to know the dancers yet. They use many of the

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-20228271443635665322008-11-20T15:49:00.001-08:002008-12-05T15:28:40.789-08:00

Construction has begun on Rob's dream: a backyard building where he can practice martial arts. I have a vague fantasy that I'll be able to park my car in the garage when all is said and done, but who knows, he may decide that the kettlebell collection needs to stay where it is.It's a stressful thing, home construction. I'm in a weird place where I don't actually have any opinion about what goes

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-88976246690769297152008-11-14T10:42:00.000-08:002008-11-20T16:24:37.132-08:00

So how 'bout that economy, huh? And that election?Paul Rudd stole my joke, by the way. On a promo for his episode of Saturday Night Live this weekend, Beyonce asked him what he thought about the election and he covered his ears and said, "Don't tell me, I taped it and haven't watched it yet."Of course my version was more up-to-the-minute, I Facebook-statused, "Don't spoil the election results, I

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-2520097642635889412008-10-23T14:05:00.000-07:002008-10-23T14:33:34.312-07:00

My therapeutic massages were leaving me with aching neck tendons, so I gave those up after ten sessions. I couldn't even get an appointment for physical therapy for another couple of weeks, and by the time of my appointment, I wasn't really in all that much pain.Hadn't been having headaches at all, really. But my neck still hurt, and my shoulders were tighter than they used to be. Probably there

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-5431424878521169162008-10-22T16:19:00.001-07:002008-10-22T16:47:45.558-07:00

Back in the day, paper records were considered to be the reliable, permanent thing, right? I'm sure there was a time when sending someone an email felt riskier than sending it in the regular mail...or even sending a fax.If they have the paper in hand, I know they've got it. This email thing? I don't know where it goes, or if it even got to the person. There's no permanent record.But for some

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-31268165900805737892008-10-20T15:18:00.000-07:002008-10-20T15:35:28.323-07:00

I have a weird food issue. Frequently, I don't know what I want to eat and nothing sounds good.At work, this manifests itself in my not eating anything at all until the problem becomes not only figuring out what I want to eat, but also getting to a place that serves it to me fast enough that I don't collapse from starvation.It was once suggested that I automate the process. Just have the same

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-56141268605954076592008-10-19T18:44:00.000-07:002008-10-19T19:09:30.997-07:00

As the weather is turning, the dog park has become less fun. Also, I got the cold shoulder a few weeks ago from a couple with a boxer, with whom Isis had played before, but on this day they didn't seem to care for Isis' aggressive play tactics (unusually so, for her) and left. And there was no one else there.Our yard has gotten smaller, as construction has begun on Rob's 2,100-square-foot dream,

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-10448528314032493242008-10-19T18:16:00.000-07:002008-10-20T10:33:16.427-07:00

It was a tech-heavy birthday this year. With a GPS thingy (Thanks, Rob!) -- TomTom to many, but I call her Mandy, after the name of the voice I selected -- the HD TiVo (Thanks, Dad!) and the PetCam (Thanks, Mom!), I can do anything.I can watch YouTube videos on my 40-inch TV! The question of course, is why would I, since the resolution is usually too crappy even to watch full-screen on the

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-5172075785555978762008-10-09T13:15:00.000-07:002008-10-09T13:37:38.105-07:00

Have you ever been in a situation where a customer service person tells you something you know to be wrong? (I know, cable company customer service complaints, how trite.) This frequently happens when speaking to customer service people on the phone, especially when the person whom you're asking where to find something within a 15-mile radius of your house clearly is not even in the same country

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-90934597085975113482008-09-16T09:57:00.000-07:002008-09-16T10:24:24.565-07:00

In preparation for So You Think You Can Dance Live this weekend (followed in three weeks by America's Best Dance Crew Live -- I'm not messing around), I've been watching dance movies.From this point forward, all dance movies will be judged against Strictly Ballroom. Why is Strictly Ballroom the greatest dance movie ever? Hard to say. It doesn't have the best dancing -- only one of the stars has

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-65937799148449301022008-09-04T15:42:00.000-07:002008-09-04T16:09:50.123-07:00

Mine are War and the Environment.Taxes, Health Care, the Economy, I mean, these are all important things to worry about, but in this particular election cycle, I'm the most concerned about War and the Environment.So I oppose Sarah Palin on those two issues alone.But how much fun is she? A coworker has confessed a total addiction to Palin coverage. It's like crack, she said. You don't even have to

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-81583236539840487452008-08-29T14:30:00.000-07:002008-09-19T23:40:45.014-07:00

Last night I tore myself away from the oblivion of trashy reality game shows (I Love Money, G's to Gents, you name it, we're watching it) to pay attention to the presidential race.Now, I'm certainly staunchly opposed to John McCain, despite enjoying a sit-down with him in 2005 (scroll way down), but I have been loath to jump on the bandwagon of Barack O'blah-blah-blah. I mean, sure his DNC speech

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-20508446912505314492008-08-22T15:50:00.000-07:002008-08-22T17:16:43.965-07:00

My recovery is slow, slow, slow. Since the brief respite of my last post, the headache has been pretty bad. Yesterday and today were the first days in recent weeks when I've had any pain-free moments at all. Sadly, I celebrate this by sitting at my computer for hours with my head jutted forward, and the yarmulke of pain squeezes its way back in.Must be diligent with the exercises from Treat Your

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-13800258244845809612008-08-12T10:52:00.000-07:002008-08-12T12:00:48.382-07:00

When I last wrote, I complained that I was having headaches every day. The good news is, since then I only had one headache, but unfortunately it lasted for an entire week.Naturally, my first self-diagnosis was brain cancer, but I think the cause actually is really, really tight shoulders. So, now I'm back to the "relax harder" protocol.I took last Monday and Tuesday off and couldn't get in to

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-12465317129728800712008-07-31T12:39:00.000-07:002008-07-31T13:20:12.411-07:00

I had my first migraine a couple of weeks ago. Or I should say, I identified my first migraine a few weeks ago. I had one a few weeks before that but it went away before I figured out what it was.The identified migraine began while I was working out with kettlebells, Rob's latest obsession. I really enjoy working out with them too. So much that I was envisioning myself in the best physical shape

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-62377341092462229262008-07-30T16:18:00.001-07:002008-07-30T16:21:40.830-07:00

I posted about it at the time. But it's cracking me up to reminisce.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-41840910875936377042008-07-28T14:27:00.001-07:002008-07-28T15:51:54.151-07:00

Last summer we took Isis on a couple of road trips. She does great in the car, but her nighttime barking was a major stressor. Even though we stayed places that allowed dogs (except for one sleazy place we sneaked her into. Sneaked. A German shepherd.), every time she barked, Rob said, "She's going to get us kicked out of this place."I had forgotten this little wrinkle when I suggested she and I

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-41801460638154144512008-07-24T16:38:00.000-07:002008-07-29T10:04:41.019-07:00

I pack a lunch, spray on sunblock and strap on my new sandals for today's canoe ride.Oh, except we're not taking a canoe to the river destination anymore, we're driving there. So I leave my backpack in the car, along with my hat and sunglasses, since those interfere with picture-taking anyway. I almost leave behind my notebook, but think better of it because I've already forgotten a few

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-63941634450724092952008-07-23T09:42:00.000-07:002008-07-23T10:01:27.618-07:00

I can't believe it. Five and a half years in the Northwest, more than a year and a half at this job, and once again, I found myself without the proper footwear.At least I had time to acquire it. On the phone yesterday, planning for a canoe excursion tomorrow, I was told I should wear my Tevas, because surely I owned a pair. Doesn't everyone?I've never owned a pair of Tevas, and dislike even the

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-3956052937820486512008-07-13T19:49:00.001-07:002008-07-13T20:02:05.143-07:00

Rob's parents and older sister are hosting Japanese exchange students for two weeks. Three boys altogether. We met them this morning and showed them how to play Wii.I got all excited about showing them my photos from when I stayed with a family in Japan for two weeks when I was almost their same age. I found the album and plan to take it next time I see them.As I flipped through the fat album,

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-72024888397062219832008-07-11T09:42:00.001-07:002008-07-11T09:52:34.542-07:00

So, uh, I spent a little too much time yesterday figuring out how to isolate 30 seconds of a song and copy it as an MP3 for use as a ringtone on the new phone. And then creating about 10 different ringtones.I don't even have a memory card for said phone, and can't figure out how to download stuff without the card, so I don't know yet if I'll be able to use them or not.However, you can't tell me

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-74619118648131348512008-07-09T16:26:00.000-07:002008-07-09T16:35:01.640-07:00

An e-mail regarding a Canadian parking ticket: It seems I was refunded the $45 fee twice, in one $90 check. I am happy to pay the city back … but I live in Washington. To pay back $45, it winds up costing me money, in foreign exchange fees and postage, or the gas in my car should I choose to drive to Vancouver and pay the ticket in person. If I pay by credit card, I pay a finance charge in

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-25335967182404423452008-07-08T13:29:00.000-07:002008-07-08T14:34:01.165-07:00

Feeling guilty about a review I posted on Amazon last week.The book is From Baghdad to America and it is the sequel to From Baghdad, With Love and it's about a dog. Also the war in Iraq and the Marine who rescued the dog and moved with him to La Jolla.(Hey, La Jolla readers, have you ever seen this guy at the park? Be careful, his dog has PTSD.)As my review says, I really enjoyed the first one.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-70339740865231010212008-07-03T10:54:00.000-07:002008-07-03T15:46:31.828-07:00

Man, I must be in good spirits, because the last two days have been peppered with ridiculously pathetic moments in the office, and I'm nothing but amused.Yesterday we had a BBQ. Which sounds like fun, except there are only 5 of us here on a busy day...and only 3 of us were here yesterday. Festive.See, another satellite office has a grill (and more people) and since they had one, headquarters said

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-1543878400547266912008-06-30T13:04:00.000-07:002008-06-30T13:30:07.493-07:00

Yesterday we got a 40-inch Sony Bravia. I agonized over the purchase of this thing, so afraid I would get the wrong one. Not about spending $1300 or so on a TV...but what if it broke or wasn't as good as another one?I was looking at a 32-inch Sharp Aquos at Stupid Prices for a very reasonable $469 (tax included). But when we got there Friday, it had a "Sold" sign on it. I'm glad, because when the

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-19083779120097548532008-06-24T14:01:00.000-07:002008-06-24T14:53:01.852-07:00

Got some bears in the news.Man jailed in India for riding around with a bear on his bicycle:That's not my photo, btw. Courtesy of Associated Press.We're trying to domesticate them closer to home, too.The news around me is that I'm all about upgrading this week. I've been wanting a widescreen TV for quite a while. Don't have any pressing need to actually pay for HD cable, I just think it would be

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-22180270234061530092008-06-09T18:25:00.000-07:002008-06-09T18:48:10.103-07:00

So a letter arrives in the mail, telling me I have been selected to participate in an important environmental survey and could I just check a few boxes about how concerned I am about global warming and how often do I recycle and do I think nonprofit groups should play an active role in spearheading change, yadda yadda...The final question is, "Will you join us in protecting the earth ... if so,

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-3721039991168384312008-06-05T15:17:00.000-07:002008-06-05T15:32:30.725-07:00

Here's someone who was unhappier than we were to be on the extremely crowded Kangra Valley Rail.You have to click to see the larger picture, to really get a good look at those welling-up tears.Here's another unhappy traveler, although she seems more annoyed than anything:Don't know why I felt better, having documented their discomfort ... but I did.More pictures here, as we find peace in Little

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-42444351428650936792008-06-03T13:44:00.001-07:002008-06-03T17:22:10.494-07:00

Remember when I called Delhi hell on earth?I sorta meant it. I've finally gotten around to editing my Mumbai (Bombay) and Delhi photos, and I think the reason it took me so long is that I feel conflicted about those captured moments. That was about the point the trip turned around, and our days became more unpleasant than they weren't. (Excepting Dharamsala.)It makes me sad to listen to Rob

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-28898166504973632682008-05-28T20:17:00.000-07:002008-05-28T22:13:58.158-07:00

I literally have been losing sleep (people use that expression figuratively, don't they?) over a couple of issues regarding my house. One involves the permitting for a large accessory building to accommodate the garageful of martial arts equipment currently preventing me from parking my car in the garage. In an unexpected development, I was the more distressed to discover that because something

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-83626050468624282272008-05-24T22:34:00.000-07:002008-05-24T23:19:48.364-07:00

I'm sorry, little blog, how I've been neglecting you. That Facebook thing sure takes a lot of time. (Scrabulous, especially). Then there's the processing of my India photos, which got sidelined last week as I actually tried to do my job.Here I am, working hard at my job.We haven't had many of these beautiful days yet, although last Saturday and Sunday were two of them, and again today.Both of

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-71503535734787274052008-05-15T10:52:00.001-07:002008-06-05T15:33:31.175-07:00

I hope no one's tired of my trip to India yet. We've been back almost 2 weeks, and I'm still uploading pictures.Can you believe I've created 7 new albums on Facebook, and not one of them contains a picture of my dog?NepalAlong the GangesThe Bodhi TreeCalcutta, Chennai and CochinObligatory Taj Mahal Shots

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-26861974621620069912008-05-09T17:15:00.000-07:002008-05-09T17:32:38.430-07:00

Can't recommend it.Clearly our multi-train journey was not the most efficient or comfortable method of travel between Delhi and Dharamsala, so we decided to follow the world's advice and take the sleeper bus.It sounds so easy. Show up and get on the bus. They sell tickets for the thing all over town. Sposedta leave at 6:30 p.m. and take 12 hours. Trouble is (one of the many troubles), you can't

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-72280226686458069832008-05-07T11:46:00.000-07:002008-05-07T11:51:27.573-07:00

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-4839178888326861602008-05-06T16:07:00.001-07:002008-05-07T14:21:25.321-07:00

We got home from the India-Nepal adventure on Sunday. I have much more to describe, but I must process my thoughts and my photos. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I cannot Photoshop 2,000 pictures before posting. Still, I must weed.In the meantime, here's something I forgot to mention until I saw the picture.They served us Washington apples on our houseboat in Kerala.We didn't eat apples in

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-78175088299814709172008-04-29T07:23:00.000-07:002008-04-29T07:41:55.663-07:00

Today we decided to walk up to the "nice place to meditate." I knew this was going to be physically challenging for me, but what else did we have to do?A few minutes in, I was all, "It's hot, I can't, I'll wait here." It wasn't particularly scenic at that point, just hot and dusty. The road was so steep and rocky, it was hard to imagine any other method of getting up there, but two women with

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-84261869267158936812008-04-28T22:03:00.000-07:002008-04-28T22:34:29.414-07:00

Brilliant decision to stay here two nights, instead of going overnight back to Delhi tonight. Not least because our laundry won't be done til tomorrow. Feels good to just relax. To not have to be up for anything, which has been the case only a couple of other times, both in Bombay, I think, and there I did feel a little pressure to get out to see the sights.Dharamsala reminds us a bit of

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-7766077266672808392008-04-28T03:45:00.001-07:002008-04-28T22:25:59.286-07:00

Delhi was hotter than a son of a bitch. We arrived early in the morning, went through the bizarre experience that is booking an overnight train ticket to Dharamsala (or in that general direction) and left our luggage for the day at the hotel where we plan to stay when we return to Delhi from Dharamsala.Then what? It was too hot, and we were too tired. We'd reached the point in the trip when

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-30336415742296323052008-04-27T06:04:00.000-07:002008-06-03T14:22:50.723-07:00

On the boat to Elephanta, a very helpful fellow warned us not to ask anyone on the island to show us a cave, because they'll charge us 2,000 rs. Then he sold us a guidebook for 260 rs. He told us it was the guidebook recommended by Lonely Planet.I swear to Shiva, I need to sharpen my scam-dar.Because if I'd opened my Lonely Planet Best of Mumbai book, I would have seen that it said the guidebooks

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-47683753656563918752008-04-26T05:40:00.000-07:002008-04-27T06:20:01.956-07:00

So, we've stopped being so generous with cab drivers. Mostly because we are confused. Our hotel had an airport car service that would have cost 900 rs, but our tour guide had told us it should cost 400-500. Upon arrival in Mumbai (Bombay, whatever), we walked to the cab stand where the dude in charge said it would be 500 rupees. He directed us to a driver who said it would be 600. I took my bag

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-16820645367066652082008-04-23T02:39:00.000-07:002008-04-23T02:47:32.966-07:00

I feel like we're spending more money on this trip than we could be. We refused to give more than 40 rupees ($1) to the barefoot rickshaw runner, because that's what we agreed upon. Then, feeling guilty about that, I've started overtipping waiters, cab drivers and the houseboat-arranging guy, who probably don't need the money as much as the barefoot rickshaw dude. I don't have the heart to

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-4626485272398041372008-04-23T02:25:00.000-07:002008-06-06T10:39:44.833-07:00

Calcutta pretty much sucked all around. Fortunately, we are very upbeat and resilient people.The Fairlawn Hotel was awesome though. The highlight. Real funky, like a 1940s old lady's house in England...lots of knicknacks, draperies. Claw footed tub. Garden restaurant.Unfortunately the dinner was a fixed menu, vegetarian chowmein that was so spicy I couldn't eat more than a bite.We arrived with

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-16523544323203504822008-04-19T06:29:00.000-07:002008-04-28T03:36:43.890-07:00

Our tour group visited the Bodhi Tree last night at 5:30. I was so pissed because it was too dark to take a decent picture. With the flash, the tree looked fake. Also I felt rushed. So this morning Rob and I woke up early to go back and take lots of pictures. We only got two with both of us because the guy we gave the camera to was hesitant. A monk in dark red robes gave his cell phone to Rob to

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-13938507928620056322008-04-16T08:39:00.000-07:002008-06-05T15:34:15.887-07:00

I don't know what all the guidebooks mean when they say you can't prepare yourself for India, that it won't be at all what you think.It's exactly like I thought it would be.Not that I expected I would leave behind the baggie with my underwear in it and have to buy six pairs from a man on the street in Kathmandu, or that I'd be groped by a female Nepalese masseuse, or that Maoist revelers would

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-32114748122479083372008-04-08T10:34:00.000-07:002008-04-08T11:11:27.097-07:00

We leave Thursday for Kathmandu. The same day as elections that have stirred up some violence in Nepal's capital. But we don't actually get there until Saturday ... so it's hard to know before we get on the plane what to expect when we arrive.I've been reading Nepal News, "News from Nepal as it happens," and am childishly amused by the Nepali newscaster's voice.I'm also nostalgic for my time at

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-30056089554934060902008-04-04T14:29:00.001-07:002008-04-04T15:48:33.599-07:00

I feel compelled to tell you, Internet, that the strategy of defending a speeding ticket by questioning the testing of the radar, calibration of the tuning forks, etc., isn't foolproof.The first chink in your armor will come when the officer actually shows up. It doesn't help if the judge then calls your case first, even though your name was way low in alphabetical order, as a courtesy to the

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-42436569595370565322008-03-31T21:02:00.001-07:002008-04-01T10:47:01.978-07:00

Now, I don't want to drop names or anything, especially since I doubt a single one of my readers has any idea who these people are, but Rob and I have trained with the two dudes who battled it out for San Jose on Saturday night.Here I am with Cung Le, who broke Frank Shamrock's arm and took his title.I kept thinking of this picture on Saturday night as I wondered to myself who I was really

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-29390555116477289152008-03-31T11:25:00.001-07:002008-03-31T12:12:37.449-07:00

I planned to write about my perspective on Mixed Martial Arts today, but I'm not as revved up about it this morning in my office as I was Saturday night at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., watching a mentor of Rob's getting his arm broken. It was awesome. I'll get there.Instead, let's talk about travel. In continuing my read-a-thon in preparation for India and Nepal (there's no way I can

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-50343424647610752032008-03-27T11:02:00.001-07:002008-03-28T15:46:50.785-07:00

With Nothing But Bonfires coming clean about her trashy reality show addiction, I thought I'd throw out some thoughts about my own.Today's topic: The Biggest Loser. Note: It is not possible to enjoy this show without TiVo, because there is so much damn recap after every commercial break. And then they give you all those intentionally misleading cliffhanger slo-mo facial reactions to the weigh-in

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-13115630784373343692008-03-21T13:54:00.001-07:002008-03-21T15:32:29.890-07:00

My trial isn't for another two weeks, but I went to traffic court this morning to see what it's like at contested hearings.Surprise, it's not much different than the mitigation hearings. No police officers were there to testify and there was no prosecutor.Two lucky dogs had their cases dismissed because of court/police error. One dude put in a request for discovery and never received anything.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-10448082362366256872008-03-20T10:58:00.000-07:002008-03-20T11:00:54.792-07:00

KATHMANDU, March 14 (Xinhua) - Security officials of India and Nepal Friday decided to tighten security along the Indo-Nepal border in view of April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.In a meeting between Nepali and Indian security officials held Friday, both sides agreed to install additional barriers and pickets and post more armed security personnel along the border, the local media

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-62608307547437230292008-03-19T17:13:00.000-07:002008-03-19T17:35:51.732-07:00

The Internet suggests that one cover up the brand name on one's expensive electronic devices to deter thieves while traveling in India. For example, if one were to take a Nikon D50 on such a trip, she should buy some black electrical tape and cover all the places where it says "Nikon." 'Cus maybe the thieves will think it's an Acme-made SLR camera and not worth taking. Hell, one might as well

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-70168853112268052682008-03-18T18:22:00.000-07:002008-03-18T21:22:28.431-07:00

You're thinking, "I've seen pictures of your dog running in your backyard already. Do I really need to see more?"Yes, you do. Because these were taken with my new telephoto lens. And you haven't seen her run in circles and jump over a fallen tree in my backyard, have you?So look at these.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-366472220870959412008-03-11T12:01:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:18:43.213-07:00

These kids today, I tell ya.When I was 16 and I fought with my boyfriend - which was, like, a lot - I'd go out with my girlfriends, and hope that maybe we'd meet up at some point with the guys and he could see how much fun I was having without him, or apologize or whatever. The second best outcome would be that I'd come home to find a message from him on my machine. (Kids? Do you even know what a

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-77825953056254677072008-03-06T11:28:00.001-08:002008-03-06T12:07:06.765-08:00

I'm a-tell you, like Isis told me,Kibble rules everything around me.Apologies to Wyclef. Rob starting singing those lyrics last night. Sweetest Girl is his latest fixation, which he plays over and over and over. Hey, it beats Britney's "Gimme More." (I'm not joking.)To the issue at hand. We took Isis to a German shepherd expert last weekend, thinking he was going to tell us the secret to training

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-24609839297008995562008-03-05T13:41:00.000-08:002008-03-05T13:53:58.629-08:00

Afraid of exceeding the speed limit, but feel like those signs are sucking the fun out of driving? Bring back the joy of highway driving with Cruise Control!Even crawling along at 60 mph is a hoot when you can accelerate or decelerate with the press of a button on your steering wheel. We'll see what happens next time I'm actually in a hurry to get somewhere, but for now, I improved my mileage

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-43031678150760064832008-02-29T17:05:00.000-08:002008-04-04T15:45:59.023-07:00

"Your honor, I don't speed. I've only ever had one other speeding ticket, um, prior to that one."(Looks down) "It says here you have two.""Yeah, that's because I got another one after the one I'm here for today. But I totally use cruise control all the time now."Everyone in court today was there on a speeding violation. Nearly every single person "deferred" their findings for $100, which means it

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-24679643785060017852008-02-26T13:09:00.000-08:002008-02-26T13:28:50.879-08:00

On my way to work yesterday, about two miles from my exit, the freeway started to feel extremely bumpy. "That's strange," I thought. "I don't remember this much bumping."I kept on at full speed, before beginning to sense that the bumpiness might be originating from my car, and not the road. I slowed down, hit my hazards, and the thump-thump became more pronounced.I blew out a tire once before, on

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-24393215280693561252008-02-19T15:00:00.000-08:002008-02-19T17:04:21.266-08:00

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-48816715001973512702008-02-15T14:34:00.000-08:002008-02-15T15:20:47.725-08:00

When I was young and rebellious (I was never rebellious), I heard that red cars were more likely to get pulled over.Don't believe it, kids. I owned red cars for 16 years, and I was pulled over exactly once while driving one. I was pulled over twice in my dad's blue jeep. (Plus, he got a photo-ticket in the mail once because I ran a light in his jeep, but I don't think color was a factor that time

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-32021591578636025742008-02-09T17:03:00.000-08:002008-08-29T14:49:43.859-07:00

Hey, primary state people. You have it sooo easy. Punch a chad, check a box, draw a line connecting an arrow, whatever. I had to spend 2 1/2 hours in an elementary school gym and fight for my candidate.Because Rob and I were there, along with about 15 other people, our candidate got 2 delegates from our precinct, while the other guy got 7. (These are delegates to the county convention. Please

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-54953133544681044842008-02-08T11:53:00.000-08:002008-02-08T13:08:14.867-08:00

While other people were eating wings and shouting at their widescreen TV sets (I assume), I spent last Sunday becoming an accessory to murder. Of a mouse.I don't feel good about it, but then I work with people who go out with rifles and deliberately shoot deer and elk, so maybe my humane compass is a little askew.Several weeks ago, I noticed a couple of teeny little turds in one of our kitchen

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-40989141060049672142008-02-07T12:28:00.000-08:002008-02-07T12:55:12.732-08:00

Things were humming along with our travel plans for India and Nepal in April. Still having some trouble booking airline tickets. While I was successful in booking one flight on a website, the next day that very same airline wouldn't accept my credit card. (And it's not because my credit card company is looking out for me, I checked.) Another airline offers a great rate on their own website as

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-8149614568521621192008-01-28T13:22:00.000-08:002008-01-28T13:30:50.969-08:00

See how she smiles?You can see the design more clearly in the second shot, but she doesn't look quite as happy.She's just embarrassed that there's so much dog hair on her black shirt.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-54887651785662476682008-01-28T10:26:00.000-08:002008-01-28T10:39:54.284-08:00

I just booked a flight from Mumbai to Delhi on the internet. That may have been a trifle hasty on my part. I've been emailing a travel agent and I wanted to see if I could get a better price by searching the airlines myself. This particular flight was showing up as 500 rupees for the both of us, which if my monetary conversion website is correct, is $12.67. Thinking I might as well try to book

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-23598503207269004522008-01-25T22:02:00.000-08:002008-01-25T22:28:16.596-08:00

Isis and I are alone for the next 24 hours plus. Rob is doing some mixed martial arts something-or-other in San Jose.I'm not scared. Just this second my ferocious guard dog leaped into action, barking her shrill head off, setting off the ultrasonic anti-bark device I installed by the library window for this very purpose, because someone somewhere on our block shut a car door.Good doggie.I'm in my

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-24162438040819902052008-01-25T14:25:00.000-08:002008-01-25T14:29:48.705-08:00

The last few days, I've been relating a little too much to the subject of the report I've been editing:Many salmon populations are severely depressed.I thought Omega 3's were supposed to be good for that.Today, I worked through my little to-do list, and was just thinking to myself that I'd run out of things to do and probably no one was going to call me back today anyway, when the boss called."

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-17558297149657461592008-01-22T10:10:00.000-08:002008-01-22T10:38:36.822-08:00

I saw two movies yesterday. At two different theatres.27 DressesI went by myself and sat in a solo seat at the very back of the theatre. It was so crowded I overheard an old lady say, in response to the observation that there were no two seats together, "Let's just take single seats."And two other ladies sat next to me in chairs that were actually brought in from the lobby. Weird.I loved it. What

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-76727486609843730442008-01-18T09:47:00.000-08:002008-01-18T09:54:10.925-08:00

We have confirmed the Taxi Zone signage on 800 block Granville Street. Please be advised your ticket will be withdrawn and we will refund your payment. Please send me your original Buster's Towing receipt and we will also refund your impound charges. Be sure to include your current mailing address. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.I still would like to know who authorized/

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-21673829557721110352008-01-16T11:14:00.001-08:002008-01-16T11:16:19.642-08:00

I have a new nickname for my dog: EisBarBaby.It means baby polar bear in German. I assume.Have you seen this thing? Don't you just want to rub your face on her rotund little belly?

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-13588699842507392922008-01-14T11:49:00.000-08:002008-01-16T11:56:45.651-08:00

I finally got to starting the last Harry Potter book this weekend. After managing to resist the hype and remain spoiler-free when it came out last summer, I borrowed Rob's dad's hardcover copy and it sat around until Friday when I decided to pick it up.I knew that it would suck me in once I started, and yet, it never seemed like a good time to start. I sure wasn't taking it to Disney World with

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-59200622473183222102008-01-02T10:41:00.000-08:002008-01-02T10:57:09.035-08:00

So I was watching a Top Model Marathon yesterday while painting my kitchen. Watched more commercials than I probably did in the whole of 2007, because I was actually watching live TV.Lots of commercials for ab-toning workouts. Specifically. Like the advertising folks figure everyone in the world will be feeling fat and looking for the answer to washboard abs. Not me, of course, I got my Bender

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-78132823957408444872007-12-26T15:42:00.000-08:002007-12-26T16:08:19.421-08:00

And Rob still hasn't opened any presents. He gave me one of mine Thursday before I left. I opened all of mine from my mom, etc., on Christmas Eve. I was supposed to get home last night in time to open presents with Rob here.Nightmare air travel stories are so trite, aren't they?To attempt to sum up: My flight from Burbank was mega-delayed, so the airline shuttled passengers to LAX for a flight

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-33765726688463203802007-12-23T16:56:00.000-08:002007-12-23T16:57:30.273-08:00

There's nothing you can do to make yourself look unattractive to me on screen.

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-30767396888390867352007-12-19T16:11:00.000-08:002007-12-19T16:25:59.441-08:00

I can't really write anything about "I am Legend" without ruining it for those who haven't seen it.I tried to review it on Facebook yesterday, or maybe it was the day before, and for some reason, it wasn't in Facebook's database. This has since been remedied, but I've hardly had time to Facebook the past couple of days, because I'm designing a magazine, which goes really fast for the first day,

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597225.post-72218201429455434382007-12-11T21:29:00.001-08:002007-12-11T21:48:57.376-08:00

Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02357836727274428610noreply@blogger.com0