Buckethead has the Carnival of Music up and he has really outdone himself this time. Be sure to check it out in all of its Halloweeny goodness evil-ness.

(and just try to ignore that my submission has nothing to do with Halloween...)

Posted by: Princess Cat at 08:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I'm too busy to do anything fun for Halloween this year but if you haven't carved a pumpkin yet, you really should... and use one of these stencils...

Cuz pumpkin carving is COOOL!*

(Oh, and watch the cartoons on the site so that you get how funny the image is that you're slashing into the poor gourd)

I'll post the ones I did as soon as I find the pics

*view the stencils in IE

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:03 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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While I was away having a grand ol time this weekend, trying to forget my troubles, Buckethead (of The Ministry of Minor Perfidy) has been trying to put together this week's Carnival of Music...

After finding what I believe could be friends for life this weekend, I think this little inspirational ditty is a more than appropriate submission from me. Because you never know what you minght find behind just a little hope and a prayer ... or a leap of faith, if you will ... I know I sure didn't see it comin ...

See the "Dream Big" video (not firefox friendly)

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
But when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

(Chorus)
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
when you dream, dream big.

(Dream big.)
(Dream big.)

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
all around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
when you dream, dream big.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
when you dream, dream big.

--Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:11 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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September was a pretty rough month in my kingdom and this week was no walk in the park... in fact, I'm a little sick and tired of the random 3 minute crying spells... and if I wanted to deal with this crap I would, but clearly I don't - so stay buried deep down in the pits of I-don't-care-land where I left you!

Sorry, off topic there for a moment...

What does all the bullshit in my life mean to you, loyal subjects? It means you're going to have to fend for yourselves for the weekend. In the morning I'm going out of town... hopefully to have some fun and clear my head... and my regular guest blogger is unavailable.

You'll be unsupervised and unentertained for an entire three days. Try not to trash the place while no one's around, ok?

I'll be back Sunday to tuck you all in.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:02 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 AHHHH! I need my Cat fix! Come back! I'm freaking out!

Posted by: Dorothy at October 30, 2005 08:03 AM (Vt4yM)

2 Hope your weekend gave you time to blow the cobwebs out. Washington Cube Was Here. #436

Posted by: Washington Cube at October 30, 2005 01:45 PM (M7kiy)

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I went to work today and I was just girl... not working girl... not go-to girl... not awesome intern girl... just girl.

My computer wasn't fixed yet...

Without the ability to save or e-mail files my hands are tied. I love computers but I really hate being so dependent on the technology. There was honestly no point in me going to work. And my poor boss...

This computer fiasco could not have happened on a worse week for him. He tried to quit smoking but I'm fairly certain that went out the very same window he keeps threatening to jump out of. People from all over the office and other departments keep throwing things at him to do - the majority of which he has had no involvement in until they ask for a final product. Now how are you going to expect someone to just toss together a fantastic final product if it has taken meeting after meeting to develop it and you haven't included him? Boss really needed the ability to hand me some data and send me on my way to work my magic on the numbers... instead they went on his to-do list ... a list that takes a little bit of his soul with every glance he takes at it....

All because I was useless without a computer...

I did manage to get my outline for class and a lot of catching up on world affairs done though.

I would have rather played with the numbers...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 05:03 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Today could not be more of a WTF Wednesday...

Last night I closed a chapter in my life that was a lot harder to close than I thought it would be when I started writing it.

I woke up this morning already in a funk from the night before, doing what I could to put it in a little box to be dealt with later. I got to work later than I wanted to. 30 minutes into being there, my computer managed to crap out and in the process take with it every single spreadsheet, data file, regulation book, and reporting tool I had worked on since I began working in the office. I went down to my supervisorÂ’s office to tell him the terrific news, and I just couldn't keep it together. It's not like me to not talk - and he knew he was in for it as soon as he couldn't engage me in a conversation - I couldn't fight back the tears. Sitting there making my supervisor uncomfortable as I tried not to cry, I turned beet red wishing I weren't such a girl. I left his office and went to the bathroom where I silently sat in a stall and tried to get the crying out of my system. As I was washing up, someone from the office came in ... there was no hiding that I had been crying but thank god, she just let it go. I tried to go back to my desk to call the computer people but my security badge went Tango Unicorn Uniform, leaving me locked out of my floor. FINALLY, I got back in when someone opened the door but again, there was no hiding the red puffy eyes. I was hanging my head in shame by this point. Crying at work is just so unprofessional...

The other intern came over to talk for a minute, causing the whole story to spill, and of course, the tears to again start gushing. I could kick myself for being such a girl...

The computer people were nice, but less than helpful when I did finally talk to them. I have to wait until they set me back up again, wait to see if they can recover what was lost, and just wait until they get it done. I can access the net but without my computer working properly, I can't email or even print. I flat out can't do my job. No matter that I work for the Office Director's assistant...

At 2:30, I got a call from my academic advisor that I couldn't take because my phone doesn't work in my office. Too bad it was a phone appointment I asked to be scheduled for NEXT week. Why am I not surprised that the front office messed up?

And I still have to go to my least favorite class tonight...

I think Wednesdays should be un-invented.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 05:35 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Which Food Network chef are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

ROCK ON! I love Paula Deen!!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 08:13 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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My digital cable has been a tempermental bitch the past day or so. Sitting there watching TV, the box just turns off and goes blank. It eventually comes back on, for a little while. Then it does its stupid song and dance again.

Its irritating to know I'm paying far too much money for a service that doesn't even work. Thanks a lot cable company...

But this experience has made me even more peeved than I already was over the congressional attempt to make all cable subscribers go digital.

I know, I know... there is a very noble logic behind their attempt... forcing cable to the digital realm frees up space in the analog realm usable by first responders, but I don't trust government to do this right.

What about the high cost to consumers of digital? What about the millions of Americans that don't have compatible equipment? How will the shift effect the entertainment, advertising, and marketing industries? Will product revenue fall if fewer Americans can afford to watch tv (and thus the commercials)? Will fewer Americans be willing to watch tv with the new cost?

I suggest you go put on something sexy, cuz I think we're all about to get screwed...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:53 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I was watching a really funny ... but strange ... movie tonight about a completely dysfunctional family that gets together for a funeral. One of the characters said the following line about her sister's lesbian wedding:

"It just won't work. Everyone knows that the only gay relationships that last are between people of the same height..."

Errr.... Whiskey . Tango . Foxtrot ?!? Over...

How the hell did that even make sense in her head? Like the similar height somehow better fascilitates lesbian hanky panky than it would between a pair of hot and sweaty straight people?

I just don't know...

And I don't about you, but the mental images from playing these scenarios out in my head has left me a tad hot and a smidge frustrated.

It's been a strange day...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:31 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 "left me a tad hot and a smidge frustrated." Damn.

Posted by: dick at October 24, 2005 06:19 PM (XlQVK)

2

Posted by: elliott at October 24, 2005 06:21 PM (XlQVK)

3 ... oh, my... well, hang in there, sis... the weekend is a'comin'.....

Posted by: Eric at October 24, 2005 10:54 PM (uHA2j)

4 Height has nothing to do with it. It's all about torso-length. Legs are irrelevant.

Posted by: Harvey at October 25, 2005 05:52 PM (ubhj8)

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Today is National Nut Day.

I'm not sure if that means thank an almond ... the crazy lady talking to herself at the bus stop down the street... or the pair some of you are probably scratching...

Take your pick and celebrate the nut of your choice!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:37 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Its a cold, rainy mess of a day here in my world. It is a perfect day for one of my new favorite stews. This used to be a Rachel Ray recipe but I didn't like it her way. I changed around a few things and now it is much yummier.

INGREDIENTS
Veal Dumplings:
1 pound ground veal (or meatloaf blend)
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup, a generous handful, grated Parmigiano or Romano
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
Coarse salt and black pepper

Stew:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, enough to cover the pot
2 carrots, peeled, diced
2 ribs celery and their greens, diced
1 medium yellow skinned onion, diced
Coarse salt and pepper
1 fresh or dried bay leaf
1/2 cup white wine
1 can green beans
1 (15- ounce) can crushed tomatoes
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups beef stock
6 sheets of wanton wrapper, cut into 1 in squares

Crusty bread, to pass at table

DIRECTIONS
Combine the veal and the next 5 ingredients. Then form the mixture into small meatballs, set aside.

Heat a medium soup pot over medium to medium-high heat. Begin to chop veggies while pot heats up: dice carrots into 1/4 inch pieces, chop celery and onion. Add extra-virgin olive oil to warm pot. Once the oil is warm, add the carrots. Turn carrots to coat them in oil and add celery and onion.

Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and a bay leaf. Stir vegetables and cook 5 minutes to begin to soften. Do not let vegetables brown, reduce heat if necessary.

Add the wine and cook for 1 minute.

Next, add chicken and beef stock, crushed tomatoes to the pot. Put a lid on the pot and raise heat to high. When soup boils, about 3 minutes, add 1-inch balls of veal dumplings directly to the pot.

When you are done adding the veal, drop in the wanton squares. Simmer stoup for 6 minutes to cook wanton squares and meat dumplings.

Adjust seasonings and turn the heat off, then let stew stand a couple of minutes.

Enjoy with warm crusty bread and a glass of wine or a beer.

Note: If you make this a day ahead, refridgerate, and reheat the next day the stew will be thicker and the flavors will be much richer.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:02 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Since I went into work late yesterday, I had to wait around for the train for a few minutes longer than usual...

There were sparrows playing on the empty track, flitting between a hole in the cement and the rails on the ground...chirping and hopping without a care in the world. It was something really peaceful to watch.

And then I realized, they are landing on things very near the electrified rail...

It got me to thinking, have any of them landed there and instantly fried themselves to death... right there in front of their friends and everybody? You know a redneck sparrow would...

"Hey Frank, watch this..."

ZZZZAPPPPP

Wonder if a zapped sparrow gets pulverized by an on coming train or if it still squishes like a non-zapped bird...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:06 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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October's end is nearing and all the attention it brings to breast cancer awareness is approaching sunset along with it. In fact, I am feeling more than a little guilty that I haven't done anything to celebrate my mom's survival of the horrible disease...but I don't need the calendar to tell me to do that, I should be doing it everday.

To start myself on the right path, I may go visit this event (if work allows)...

The mobile mammography unit operated by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, in conjuction with the George Washington Medical Center is launching tomorrow near the Foggy Bottom Metro. It offers screening to women without access to healthcare and guarantees their care under GW if anything is found.

As a major sponsor unable to attend, Dad has offered my attendance in his place as a representative of the company he works for. It would feel good, but we'll see... If nothing else, it would be nice to see the President (of the foundation) again.

If you are able, stop by and see what benifits sponsorship by evil capitalist corporations can offer to the community.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:23 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Sheila (the computer) has been giving me fits when I start her up for a few weeks now.

When I turn her on, I get a black screen that says windows could not start normally. WTF is this crap about?

I used to be able to select 'use last known configuration' but even that doesn't work anymore.

I'm logged on to the computer in safe mode!!!

Poor, poor Sheila... can anyone help me fix her before she dies completely?

Please email me with any suggestions you may have... PLEASE!!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:40 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Format the poor thing... give her a fresh start... I know the crap (porn) you've had on there must be suffocating the poor thing.

Posted by: Telebush at October 20, 2005 09:26 PM (6RfLk)

2 What operating system are you running? If you're running XP, and if you haven't backed up your important data, you may be able to do a repair. This Microsoft site: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx has brief directions, while this site: http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm has the same instructions with screenshots and more hand-holding. Note the last paragraph, though: "As you have repaired Windows, there should be no drivers to install. Your files should be safe, but you should always check out device manager for unknown devices, likely items are Network Cards, Sound Cards, Printers, Scanners, Graphics Cards, Digital Cameras, plus any other item you have." In other words, nothing is guaranteed.

Posted by: Victor at October 21, 2005 07:33 AM (L3qPK)

3 device managers are a good bet. I've had that problem in both XP and 98, and both times it did what you said. Use Microsoft's troubleshooter. It will give you a way to step through it systematically. I have it at home, or I'd email it to you now

Posted by: caltechgirl at October 21, 2005 12:40 PM (/vgMZ)

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Good news: no class tonight so no irritatingly moronic line of questioning

Bad news: I still have a paper due for the class tonight ... and I haven't written it yet...

UPDATE - 4:10am
The book review I was working on - DONE, four hours late...

but I have a feeling I'm going to be late to work today...

Anyone who wants a copy of my review on The Coming Democracy by Ann Florini, let me know... it's a great 6.5 pgs of bedtime reading.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:03 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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We got to look at examples of different terrorist attacks from around the world in class today... it was really interesting stuff! I kept looking at the clock though, not because I wanted it to be over but because I wanted to know how much more I was going to get to see. I realized though, he probably thought I was bored...and it reminded me of a story back when I was teaching...

I told my students up front, point blank... (1) I would not take attendance, (2) anyone who would rather be somewhere else, is welcome to be somewhere else, (3) I only wanted people in the room that genuinely wanted to learn something.

The guy in the back though... perhaps he was hard of hearing...

One day he was fidgety and sort of noisy. He kept distracting me from my lesson and from the explanations individual students were asking for. Finally I noticed he was trying to find a clock - he was getting frustrated because the classroom didn't have one.

Unfortunately for him, I was having a bad morning...

I paused for a moment, looked down at my watch, looked straight at him, and said... 'There's no clock in here, but it's 10:20...which means I've got 30 more minutes to go, unless you have somewhere else to be...'

He squirmed a bit and turned sort of red, but remained silent.

Remember I said bad morning? It was a particularly bad morning...

I followed his silence with, 'No? Ok, goodÂ’ and went back to teaching my lesson.

I think it was a pretty good day after that...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:54 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Dad was in town one more night so of course that meant another decadent and delicious dinner in a restaurant I couldn't dream of affording. Tonight it was all about the seafood though... lobster on fava bean pre-dinner, Lobster bisque to start, halibut on crushed potato for the entree, and mixed sorbet with berries and truffles for dessert.

I'm fat and happy so I'm crashin out!

Unfortunately that means that the updates to the blogroll will have to wait even longer. I think we're looking at a Thursday kind of timeline since school wants to get in my way ... Sorry guys, I'll get you on there soon... I PROMISE!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:11 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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JAC v PIT
23-17, JAC - that's payback for beating my Chargers last week... I love you and all PIT but there is a price to pay...

WAS v KC
21-28, KC - Good for the Chiefs... they don't catch enough breaks in this game if you ask me

SAN v OAK
27-14, SAN - In the words of Cartman... Na na na-na na na, Ha ha ha-ha ha ha... How you like that game you ghetto ass punks?

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I hate to love the things that make me cry... but I love them so much!

...too often that means TV and movies that leave me in tears.

They are my favorite shows and my favorite characters, but they are an emotional rollercoaster I really don't need to be putting myself on day in and day out.

For years ER has managed to poke at the little pieces of emotional shrapnel embedded in my heart, sometimes twisting it enough to leave me with vision too blurred to see the rest of the episode and a pile of tissues I'm later too disgusted to admit are actually mine.

Sisters could get me once in a while when it was on the air... I think I've even fallen victim to the soaps a time or two...

Recently Grey's Anatomy has also taken up that role. So far it has just been a tear or two in the closing scenes, but I fear what could happen if the writers tap any farther into my bruised psyche.

This is one of those few times where damn, it sucks to be a girl...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 07:15 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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For the second night in a row I've had a great dinner out. Tonight it was an incredible meal with Dad who flew in from LA on the early flight. It was hell on him getting to the airport that early but it was so nice to have him here mid-afternoon.

We went to Morton's Steakhouse for dinner (and ate way too much) and caught up on chit chat that we missed over the past few weeks with us both being so busy. The shrimp alexander appetizer was some of the most scrumptious shrimp I've ever tasted and the steak was rediculously delicious. Coming from someone who is a picky meat eater, that's saying a lot. Our wine was suprisingly inexpensive but I have not had a better pinot noir, hands down.

Dropping him off at the hotel was an adventure though - driving back we got a little geographically displaced... We found ourselves in a rather dark and sketchy and empty part of town at one point, and then accidentally driving into a secure parking lot at another... Eventually we got back to where we wanted to be though.

All around, it is good to have Dad in town... even if I will only really get to see him again for coffee before he leaves on Tuesday... damn business meetings keep getting in the way. It's not like the company paid for him to be here or anything... oh wait...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:21 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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