I am once again being called away from my comfy little corner of the world and must leave you, dear readers. As I alluded to earlier this week, I am off to destroy enjoy St. Louis courtesy of my parents in order to celebrate the little brother's graduation from college. I don't anticipate being able sober enough to blog from my remote location but I will try to call home to say hi if I can...

Though, fear not... my absence is only temporary and I shall leave you in the capable hands of Eric, the one and only Straight White Guy, who has so graciously accepted my request plea for a blog-sitter.

I've never trusted the place to a blog-sitter before so letÂ’s hope he does well with the keys.... for your sake... ain't nothin he can break too badly in this place... I can't afford all that fancy stuff (a coordinated house just gets in the way of my drinking and shopping budgets!)

So big, bad, blog daddy...the place is all yours...
I'll see ya'll some time next week...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:44 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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A previous blog of mine managed to grab some attention from the university administration back in February as I complained about a couple of the professors and against better judgment, I'm here to do it again...

Previously I had expressed some displeasure and reservation over an instructor without teaching experience...I felt bad once the course got more underway because he seemed to get a little better idea of how to run things...well now I feel more justified in my hesitation and complaint that he lacked experience in this setting. I had a 4.0 for the semester until this jackoff submitted my grade...

If I earned a bad grade, fine...I earned a bad grade. But there is no way in hell that I earned this grade from him. I am an excellent writer and I was highly participatory. An A- is the bare minimum this guy should be giving me and even then I'd be a little pissed considering the vagueness of his rubric.

We submitted a written midterm assignment and despite our repeated requests for them to be returned, they never were. No attempt was made on his part to indicate his level of satisfaction with our work. I have no idea what my grade on the midterm was. We wrote research papers on a topic of our own choosing. I worked with him on the topic prior to writing it and he was rarely responsive. When I talked with him he never told me not to write it, he simply said it would be a difficult paper and should be interesting to read. It was difficult but it was a damn good comparative analysis of competing security concepts and how the US should proceed in making a trade-off. That grade was never returned either. All we were left with was the final grade posted online either yesterday or today.

So I'm going to stand by my original analysis and believe my instincts...
Mr. Science, Technology, & National Security Professor... YOU SUCK!

I will demand an explanation and I will not rest until I am satisfied. Sooner or later this school will learn, I am not a sheep and I will not be herded. I have a voice and I intend to use it.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:57 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Do you ever have a meal with someone and they look across the table at you like you're a complete freak? Well I have...

First off, I sometimes eat some kind of weird food. This generally gets some kind of, "are you serious?" kind of expression. Example, whole grain toast with cottage cheese on top. I personally love the stuff. I let the bread cool a little bit so it is warm, not hot, and then drop some cold cottage cheese on top. It's a wonderful mix of warm and cool, crunchy and smooth. Not to mention the relative health benefits of eating that for breakfast instead of something more traditional. Its low fat, it's got protein, good carbs, calcium, fiber... Another example, Japanese pickles...not the sweet kind though... Mom... they are little crunchy bites of salty goodness... But if you get the wrong brand they end up too mushy or too sweet so you have to be careful about buying them.

Second, when eating with people I'm not really familiar with I tend to eat really slowly and I often don't finish my food (sometimes I only eat about half of what was on the plate). This probably isn't really as bad as most people take it, but it is out of character for the American culture. This usually garners some kind of skeptical or worried look from the people across the table. I assume they are worried I didn't like the food or that I don't feel well. It's not really out of nervousness...I guess I just have more to think about than the food since I tend to talk more during those meals.

Third, when I'm eating with someone that has usually only seen me under the circumstances listed in #2 and they see me finish up the whole plate. This usually gets some kind of comment like, "wow...you were pretty hungry..." since they have never seen me eat that much. Of course, this comment makes me hugely self-conscious and feel like a pig...but it is a natural reaction for them. Example, I went to a late-night snack with a guy and didn't finish my chicken strips. Next week we went to lunch before seeing a movie and I slowly ate my salad, ultimately not finishing it. I think we may have had a sandwich together once after that but I don't remember. But we went to Denny's one weekend before seeing a movie and I was starved. I had been out late the night before getting my drink on and kickin' up a little sawdust on my halo. More than likely I hadn't had much dinner the night before because I traditionally don't - dinner usually slips my mind when it is full of thoughts of handsome cowboys...*swoon* In any case, it was probably noon or 1p by this time...I didn't realize how hungry I was until the food arrived and I wolfed it down. He sat silent for most of the meal and gave me a few, "who the crap are you?" kind of looks. I was hungry dammit!!

So future dining company...No, I am not a complete freak...and if you think so while we're at the table, here's my explanatory proof that I'm not. I shall refer you to this page in the event that you disagree.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:36 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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A few weeks ago I wrote several cards as part of the Any Soldier program and this morning I got an e-mail from a Marine stationed in Iraq. I write specifically to Marines since they are the branch I am most familiar with. Lil Bro K loves to give me crap about that since he's in the Army...always telling me what makes them better and all that good stuff...

Anyhow...it's a moment of excitement for me...(1) the cards are actually getting there, (2) I made a difference in someone's day.

When I wrote the cards I didn't really know what to say but I guess I said something right...

Thank you can go a long way...so go spend the $0.99 on a card and $0.37 on a stamp to tell someone they are missed back home and appreciated so far away...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:59 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Last time I checked, I am matriculated in a graduate level program at a fairly respectable institution of education. So why do I keep running into these Dr. Nanny type professors? Who am I talking about? Professors like the two that have e-mailed me their syllabi for summer/fall courses.

Prof 1: Class meets once per week for two hours. At each class students are required to have written a one page paper in reaction to the week's assigned reading. (This assignment is in addition to two research papers, one to be 20pgs & one to be 30pgs - to be accompanied by class presentations)

Prof 2: Class meets once per week for two hours. 48 hours prior to each class meeting students are required to have submitted two questions regarding the week's assigned reading.

I am shocked and appalled by these requirements. No, they aren't difficult and they could easily be completed without much additional effort. I object to these requirements on pure principle. I am an adult in a seminar where I expect to learn and discuss with my peers. I am not an undergrad taking a class because the university said I have to. I chose to go to grad school and I expect to be treated like a capable adult with good decision making skills. If I don't do the reading for class, my participation will indicate that. I don't need a professor to check up on me any more than that. I am responsible for my grade and my learning so let me make my own decisions about how I choose to go about achieving them.

I see the same things happening in undergraduate programs around the country as well. Friends that have not yet graduated are coming to me with professors that are asking for similar 1pg assignments twice or three times per week. It just drives me crazy. Why does the education system insist on holding a student by the hand? University level instructors should know by now that if a student can't manage to learn the material on his own, he's not going to. They aren't doing anyone any favors. When's the last time your boss held your hand that closely? Because submitting questions for the board meeting 48hrs in advance is such standard practice...

As far as I'm concerned...Let the students figure it out and if they fall on their face, they fall on their face...

Who knows that the real reason they like to check up on their students is... maybe they have no confidence in their ability to motivate students to adequately care about the subject... maybe it is their way of checking to see if they are actually getting through to the students... maybe they are insecure about their ability to lead a discussion and must have it planned prior to the class meeting... maybe they just have a power trip and know that they can make the students do it... maybe they are just unreasonable pricks...

Maybe I'm not taking your classes... I want a seminar, not nap time with the nanny.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 10:26 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I don't have too many of these bad boys but I have a couple with some pretty interesting stories. Today we shall visit the story of how I was stabbed...

In high school I was part of a cadaver class - one of seven programs in the country at the time. How I got there is a story for a different day. Anyhow, my dissection group consists of 3 pairs... 1 pair to dissect the head and neck, 1 pair to dissect the trunk, and 1 pair to dissect from the hip downward...I was part of the pair at the south end. Our first task was to remove all of the skin from the body in order to expose the underlying muscle.

Dissection kit full of sharp and pokey things, surgical gloves, and lots of embalming fluid...a dangerous combination...

I had my hands in the inner thigh region trying to remove a panel of skin... My partner was trying to do something similar on her side... Her hand slipped and her scalpel plunged through the skin panel and into my finger. She didn't realize what she'd done and neither did I really. I could feel a deep ache in my finger and a stinging sensation up my arm. I took my hand out of the body and looked at the glove... I saw a cut in the glove but my finger hadn't really started bleeding yet. I went to the sink to check things out and my partner went to get the instructor from the other room. A multitude of chemicals were poured in the wound to prevent some kind of bizarre disease from taking hold of my body and that was it...

The school nurse was no where to be found and we had stopped the bleeding. I went home after school and went about my day with cotton and a band-aid on my finger. When my mom came home and saw it...I was in TROUBLE... I was lectured for the use of bleach to kill any threatening organism we didn't know about and the lack of medical attention. I never got stitches and looking back I most definitely should have... the scare proves that...

I'm damn lucky that nothing more vital was damaged...like a nerve...or a tendon... But I've got a wicked story!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:04 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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In the course of one day I have managed to accomplish the following projects:

Finish my final assignment of the semester and transport it to its new home with the professor on campus. (I noticed while I was there that the same assignment my friend had turned in early - last Thursday - was still sitting in the inbox to be picked up by the prof...)

Go shopping for something mom's forgotten she asked for and will earn lots of points for remembering. (I got myself a new Japanese book while I was there too...can't go shopping and not get something for yourself)

Solve 4 crises - only 1 of which was mine (which happened to be one I had help from Pops on)...

Put in the works solutions to at least 2 other problems...

Turn a friend on to a new artist...

Damn, it's been a full day! No wonder I'm tired. So please excuse me while I go give myself a pedicure ... I think I've earned one ... and I simply must have dazzling toes as I prance around St. Louis in my strappy heels this weekend....

If you're lucky, I'll even take pics of the little red devils ...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 09:03 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Motivated by Sadie's ever loudening screams about IE, I broke down went to get Firefox.

Download... Install...install...intall... Check out my blog...

HOLY CRAP! It looks waaaay different. Who knew? (Don't answer that...)

So now I'm looking at my blog going...uh...this isn't exactly how I intended it to look... uh... does this mean I have to redesign it? um... why do I think this is going to make sadie mad? errr.... help?

So if you start noticing a bunch of changes again...you've been warned.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:52 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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So I've been told I should post more entries... it got me to thinking, why don't I post more often? It's a silly answer really...I've been blogging scared.

Too many times I have looked at my blog afraid to write because of what someone I know might think...or for fear that I may reveal just a little too much about myself that I can never cover over again...or out of insecurity that no one will want to read my ramblings...

Well no more. I'm a talker and I'm a blogger, my blog should reflect that I can't shut up (ever...even when I probably should). I have had a rather unique path in life that has snaked through many different avenues and it's interesting dammit! If you don't think so, you're either hella cool and I should hang out with you more often or you're just a stick in the mud with no sense of how fun non-conformity can be.

Some people have told me that I project a negative image online and that I am misrepresenting myself that way. Well...I like to bitch, I like to rant, and I am ok with people knowing about it. I'm not ashamed of my negative side cuz if you want me to believe that you're happy all the time, I'll believe you're a liar instead. I don't always talk about the good times as much as I should but I live them, I bathe in the pleasure they bring, and I treasure them close to my heart. They are for me, not for you. So accept that my blog is for bitching and quit telling me it makes me look like a bitter person...get to know me and you'll see more than the choppy seas you found on first glance.

One more thing, music is one of my many voices. I am touched, inspired, and connected to music. Those lyrics will always be an expression of my mood, my experiences, and my life...if you think that's cheesy, bring crackers...things will go down better while you're reading my blog.

Now...all that being said...no more scaredy cat...

My blog, my life, my rules. Deal with it or stop reading.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 01:45 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 Oh my gosh, how could you write THAT? No wait, I'm kidding. Please don't give me a swift kick!

Posted by: Ogre at May 17, 2005 06:54 AM (/k+l4)

2 ... rock on, babe... that's the spirit... go get'em, tiger!...

Posted by: Eric at May 17, 2005 09:55 AM (YlwMq)

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Today I was given a wonderful gift...I was able to meet, in person, my blog father - the Straight White Guy and his lovely wife. We spent a relaxing day perusing memorials and strolling on the Mall. We were also able to see the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit at the National Gallery of Art before enjoying some delicious seafood and drinks at Legal Seafoods.

For those of you who have not met the SWG but think you know him, think again. He is far more kind and generous than you will ever know from just reading his blog...a true pleasure to meet, to say the least. I'm not sure who the meeting meant more to but I was thrilled to death to play tour guide.

It is no secret that things have been weighing heavily on my shoulders in the past few months but today was just what I needed to unwind a little bit. The weight of the world feels just a little bit lighter and it feels ok to have hope for the world after spending the day with these two wonderful people. They are two whom embody everything that is good in the world...and don't let them tell you any different!

Posted by: Princess Cat at 06:41 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Ladies, if you're looking for a sunless tanner that won't turn you into a bright orange oompa loompa that wandered a little too far from Willy Wonka's chocolate factory...look no further!

Neutrogena Instant Bronze Streak-Free Foam - sunless tanner and bronzer in one (I used the medium level color).

It was an Allure readerÂ’s choice award winner but I didn't know that until after the fact. I'm not sure if that would have sold me on it when I saw it sitting on the shelf but hey...maybe it means something one of you readers...

Let me add this by saying I'm so white I might as well be clear. I wear the lightest shade Clinique makes. Getting me to tan is like trying to get an elephant into your dog house...it just ain't happenin. Another problem of mine? A lot of cosmetics turn orange on my skin. So when I say this won't turn you orange, I really mean you won't turn orange.

It goes on fairly easily and dries really quickly. It didn't tan my palms and I'm not streaky. More importantly, I don't look like I tanned 10 shades in 2 hrs.

So it has my stamp of approval...take it for what you will...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:06 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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In case you forgot to consult your calendar, today is the one and only Friday the 13th of the year...

I guess that means things promise to be extra evil today, so watch where you step...avoid ladders and black cats and all that good stuff...

I'll be avoiding my ground floor tonight - who knows what that ghost will be up to tonight. I haven't seen her in a while...and I'm pretty ok with that...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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It's funny what little tricks our mind uses to help us remember things.

For example, I recently had the following conversations:

Him: "Chipotle sounds good right about now."
Me: "Yeah, that would be good right about now...but there isn't one really all that close to me. Oh well."
Him: "Yeah, there's not really near you."
Me: "I think I've only been there once."
Him: "The time before we went to the beach?"
Me: "Wait, were you there?"
Him: "YES! We went to the beach and I dug a giant hole with the bucket and shovel I bought at Ralphs."
Me: "Yeah, I remember that...maybe I've been there twice. I just don't remember when I was there the second time."
Him: "ok..."
Me: "Did Miss Hottie throw up in the bathroom the time that we went?"
Him: "No..."
Me: "Maybe you were buying your beach toys when she did that. But she was hella hungover when we went, right?"
Him: "I don't think so..."

So during that conversation I never did figure out if I had been once or twice. On to the next conversation.

Miss Hottie: "I'm going to have Chipotle for dinner."
Me: "Cool. You know I think I've only been there once."
Miss Hottie: "Really?!?"
Me: "I think...I'm not sure...Was 'Digger' there the time you went and threw up?
Miss Hottie: "No, I don't think he was there..."
Me: "He wasn't at the store or something?"
Miss Hottie: "I don't think so...cuz that was the time we went and ate at the beach. Miss Teacher wasn't there."
Me: "Yes she was...you guys made that face in the sand and I took a picture."
Miss Hottie: "Oh yeah...but I don't think 'Digger' was there that one time..."
Me: "Wait...you're right...we ate at the beach once and at the restaurant once."
Miss Hottie: "Yeah...there was the time at the beach and then the time with the cheese..."
Me: "Hehehe...puking cheese has got to suck..."
Miss Hottie: "Yes, it does....a lot."

So you see? I remember events in rather strange ways...who built what out of sand and who threw up where... Or maybe I just have strange friends...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:06 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Just when you start to calm down and life feels like it's settling itself out, something comes along to jack it all up.

I got an email tonight that just threw a wrench into a lot of the next month's worth of plans. I couldn't help but think, "you've got to be freakin kidding me. This is NOT happening. Not now."

I did what I could to deal with the situation for the time being and then I put my head down on the desk in utter disbelief. Ok, so I dropped my forehead on the desk a couple of times out of sheer frustration. And then this song came into my head...

There's gotta be something more

Gotta be more than this

I need a little less hard time

I need a little more bliss

--Something More, Sugarland

The only thing keeping me from being incredibly angry and disappointed enough to throw up my hands and walk away is hoping (on some deep down level) that these lyrics are true...

I sure as hell hope that there is something more than this cuz I certainly need a little less hard time. Dear Lord do I need a little less hard time...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 11:17 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Have you ever noticed that some food just tastes better when you eat it with your hands? I do.

I find myself eating more and more frozen meals (like lean cuisine types) for three reasons: (1) I'm paranoid about my weight and the little box has my calories calculated for me, (2) I'm lazy, (3) Cooking for one just blows sometimes. They can get a little boring and monotonous to say the least. But eating with my fingers makes it a little bit more fun. Go try it! (Make sure you wash them first...especially if you don't know where they've been!)

Posted by: Princess Cat at 03:48 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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A friend of mine celebrated a birthday a little while back and had a great story to match so I thought I would share it with you... but we'll skip to the good part of the night...

DISCLAIMER: Gross out potential. Oh, and the names have been changed to protect the innocent

Miss Hottie has been drinkin it up and dancing at her favorite local watering hole with her crew...all of them having a kick ass night. Miss Hottie loves to drink so tonight was no different.

Fast forward

Miss Hottie was dancing with her friend Mr. Nice Guy.
"You're spinning me too much," she says.
"I'm not spinning you at all," he replies.
"Oh... I'll be right back," as she takes off for the bathroom.
She books it to the bathroom, busts open a stall door, and before she can kneel or even lift the seat she loses it ... with perfect aim. She turns to the sink, rinses her mouth out, and returns to her crew. Mr. Nice Guy took her for a couple more spins before closing time.

Mr. Nice Guy was her designated driver as well. So guess what happens on the way home. She pulls a "Dan."
Leaned back in the seat, eyes closed, she says (in her best drunk slur), "whoa...you took that curve waaay too fast."
Both amused and confused Mr. Nice Guy says, "no I didn't."
A few minutes go by...they are almost to their exit.
"Yeah, you're gonna want to pull over," she warns.
"Now?"
"NOW!"
So Mr. Nice Guy pulls over to the side of the freeway and Miss Hottie opens the truck door, leans out (still buckled in), and loses it on the side of the road...with perfect aim.

Mr. Nice Guy gets her up to her apartment where her roommate has her pajamas all ready laid out on her bed for her. But first stop? The bathroom...where she loses it yet again.

Mr. Nice Guy leaves, everyone goes to sleep. She wakes up in the middle of the night and heads to the bathroom. Yep, she's chucking in there. Crawl back to bed and try to get some sleep.

She wakes up in the morning and can't even think of food. When she does, she heads to the bathroom and loses it another time. (Are you keeping count here?)

Unfortunately for her, she had a Doctor's appointment that morning. And she had to take a shuttle bus to get to it. Sux for her. So she arrived at the office, checked in with the receptionist, and promptly found their bathroom so she could chuck one final time.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I think the world needs a drink / I think enoughs enough / She's been spinnin around so long / I'd say She's pretty wound up / Let's all calm down sit back relax / Tear up the contracts and save the ink / Yeah I think the world needs a drink

--I Think the World Needs A Drink, Terri Clark

I second the motion, with a big HELL YEAH! So do I...

Pardon me while I try to sleep off my moment of panic.

UPDATE:
Moment of panic complete. Please return to your normally scheduled lives.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 12:00 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I couldn't pass up posting this. It made me laugh too hard not to.

Posted by: Princess Cat at 04:13 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I'm not sure what is going on with the site today but its being all goofy. So just bear with it and it will work its kinks out I suppose. If not, I guess we'll figure it out then...

*shrug*

Back to my procrastination...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 03:22 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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It's funny how when the person you spend most of your time talking to leaves the country and is out of contactable reach, you find a lot of things to do to fill the time. Of course, I'm not getting nearly enough responsible ones done but I am keeping myself busy nonetheless.

Somehow those moments in between manage to feel just a little extra lonely though, no matter how hard you try to keep those moments from creeping in.

*kicks the in between moments*
Stupid loneliness...

Posted by: Princess Cat at 02:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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