Saturday, May 28, 2005

Birthday Cheesecake

This is the best recipie for cheesecake known to this universe. Wonderful texture, to die for crust. And I just made on for my dad's birthday and it turned out divine!

Grandma Dorothy's Cheese Cake

2 pkg Zwieback (a baby teething cookie; find it in the babyfood aisle; and don't laugh - it's the secret ingredient!) rolled fine
1/4c evaporated milk
1c white sugar
1t cinnamon
Blend together and reserve part of the top crust (about 2T). Pat sides and bottom of lined (wax paper) spring mold and pat firmly.

Beat 4 egg yolks vigorously. Gradually add 1c sugar and beat in 2lbs Philadelphia cream cheese. Add 1/2c cream and 1/2c evaporated milk, 1T flour and 1t vanilla. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites.

Pour into mold. Top with crumbs. Bake 1 1/2hr at 350. After baking let cool 1hr in oven.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Gaining knowledge

T/F Columbus sailed to the New World to prove the world wasn't flat.
T/F Manhattan was purchased for $24.
T/F The Civil War was about states' rights
T/F We've never had a gay president

They're all false (as you probably guessed). I've taken to listening to books on CD while I'm driving to work. I discovered the Modern Scholar series at the library and love them. I'm currently listening to Rethinking Our Past: Recognizing Facts, Fictions and Lies in American History. The lecturer is James Loewen author of Lies My Teacher Told Me and Lies Across America. I've loved learning so many things that certaintly weren't included in my HS or college history classes. Hopefully I'll influence one person to listen or read his book - we should all know our full history, not just the glossy, pretty parts.

OMG!

I'll admit it... I love TV. Last night I watched the season finale of Alias.

Toward the end I was thinking how nice that they were going to wrap up the outstanding plot lines and leave us with only a minor cliff hanger (Nadia in a coma). Then we see Sydney and Vaughn finally having their romantic get-away. He has something to tell her.... Are you a bad guy.... Depends on how you look at it.... First, my name's not Michael Vaughn... SMASH!

My jaw dropped. It was great.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Would you work here?

Roger Green, David Cook and Joe Conway want to enlist highly skilled
software engineers to live and work aboard ship in international waters about
three miles off the coast of California.

Clients would realize savings, in part, from SeaCode’s relatively low
salaries for IT employees. While it could vary depending on skill set, average
pay would be around $21,500.

“Our pay is very close to what a young officer makes fresh out of
school in the military, and his living conditions are a whole lot better [on a
cruise liner] than they are on a military ship,” Cook told HR News. Lodging,
meals and housekeeping would be handled by a 200- to 300-member support crew,
provided free to employees.

There’s no ship yet and they’re waiting until they have clients on board
with the idea before recruiting an estimated 600 software engineers, but the
goal is to be operating by early 2006.

Green said that using SeaCode as an outsourcing destination would not be
much different from outsourcing work to Canada and Mexico, which share borders
with the United States.
Besides, the co-founders say, they plan to mostly
hire U.S. workers. “We will favor Americans first,” Green said.

Four-month onboard stints would be broken up with two months of paid
leave. The LA Times reported May 5 that employees cleared by immigration
authorities would be able to take shore leave when they are off duty, hopping
aboard a water taxi for a 30-minute ride to Los Angeles.
SeaCode would
operate two 12-hour shifts—with time off for coffee, lunch and dinner
breaks—enabling code to be written around the clock for the kind of
time-sensitive software found inside cell-phones or U.S. video games.

But for those who liken the idea to slave ships and worker exploitation,
“nothing could be further [from] the truth,” Green said.

A cruise liner where employees have access to a shipboard doctor and
amenities such as a movie theater, bar, library, workout facilities and
shuffleboard court “sounds like a laboratory where people live in almost idyllic
conditions,” said Green.


Hmmmm. Low pay but fabulous living accomodations. Guess it would be ok if you didn't get seasick!

Thursday, May 19, 2005

My Living Room


I love my couch. I bought it all by myself - got an amazing deal - and just think it's great! The color is faded in the picture - it's actually more a a sage-y green. And it's covered in microfiber that is sooo comfy. Obviously the whole family agrees!Posted by Hello

On the subject of life insurance...

"Well, I don't know. I've spent all this money on life insurance and never used it!"

(From an employee to me in HR regarding whether on not he should buy optional insurance coverage.)

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Can you read it?

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia :)-

Amzanig huh?
Icdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg Yaeh and yuo awlyas toghught slpeling was ipmorantt.

___________________________
Thanks Jenn!

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Post Secret


An amazing site of humor, pain, joy and solidarity.

You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.

Posted by Hello

Google Invades France

Here is a great article by Jason Miller at WebProNews entitled Google, The French, and World Domination; The Culture War Begins.

Apparently Europe, led by the French at the moment, is *very* concerned with the American domination of the web and the Anglo-Saxon-ization of all things sacredly European. All this because Google announced plans to digitize the literary world.
France's National Library president Jean-Noel Jeanneney spun around in his chair and called up President Chirac. In protest to what the French press soon called "omnigooglization," and what Jeanneney called a decidedly "Anglo-Saxon" affront, the national librarian wrote a scathing letter to Chirac.

"The real issue is elsewhere. And it is immense. It is confirmation of the risk of a crushing American domination in the definition of how future generations conceive the world."

"[T]heir criteria for selection will be profoundly marked by the Anglo-Saxon outlook."

"It would have meant The Scarlet Pimpernel triumphing over Ninety-three (Victor Hugo's eulogistic account of the revolution)."
Now, since I've never heard of, nor read, Ninety-three, there is probably some validity to Mr. Jeanneney's concerns. In response to Google's endeavor:
The national libraries of 19 countries committed to the mammoth project of digitizing 4.5 billion pages of text, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

Luxembourg P.M., Jean-Claude Juncker seemed especially incensed, saying, "…Europe must not submit in the face of virulent attacks from others."

I do find it very funny though, as Mr. Miller points out:
As I am writing this, I realize that it is difficult to decide how to react to such claims. Nineteen whole countries mobilized against an American search engine?
Another great point from Mr. Miller which sums up my feelings:
But realistically, isn't it as simple as America having something to sell, and the world wants to buy it? Is that a conspiracy? Or is it a challenge to the rest of the world to produce?
Believe me, I want to see every European country retain their cultural identity and having a European library online would be a spectacularly fabulous resource. I just find it amusing, sad and then again amusing that the new American imperialism has gone from "McDonaldization" to "Googlization".

Monday, May 16, 2005

Geek Calendar

This is for all my truely wonderful, geeky friends. Joat, I was thinking about you when I saw this.

Blush

Well that was embarrassing!

OK - So I'm at work going through my morning email. One email is my HR Strange but True regarding using the Whizzonator to foil drug screens (brought to public light by NFL running back Onterrio Smith). Since we do urine screens I thought I'd surf and find the site.

So I was looking at the, ummm, product, and in walks our IT guy to set up our new spam catcher. I scramble to hit my "desktop" button on my mouse and when I glance up he's talking but staring at the door jamb.

God, I hate how easily I blush! He probably thought I was surfing porno first thing in the morning. Gahhhhk!

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Fun Blogs

I've joined Blog Explosion and as such I've come across a few really great blogs (and a bunch of really junky ones...)

Here are some of my new favorites:
Realistic Revolution - my favorite post this week: Stupid Study of the Week
Waking Ambrose - Devil's Dictionary - Advice
Ward-O-Matic - I love Ava Thursday's
Knottyboy - I know I've already hyped his blog but it really is very good!

Humor and Warning

This is from my absolutely adorable, very precocious, 5 year old godson's grandmother. Note she did not write this but I think she might have sent it as a warning! =-)

____________________________________________________________

A) For those with No children - this is totally hysterical!
B) For those who Already Have children past this age, this is hilarious.
C) For those who Have children this age, this is not funny.
D) For those who have children Nearing This Age, this is a warning.
E) For those who Have Not Had children, this is birth control.


The following came from an anonymous mother in Austin, Texas.

"THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM MY BOYS" (honest and not kidding)

1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq ft house 4" deep.

2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3. A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. However, it is strong enough, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6. The glass in windows (even double pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.

8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9. A six-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36 year old man says they can only do it in the movies.

10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4 year old boy.

11. Play dough and microwave ovens should not be used in the same sentence.

12. Super glue is forever.

13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15. VCR's do not eject "PB&J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise while driving.

18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20. The fire department in Austin Texas has a 5 minute response time.

21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy.

22. It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24. 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

25. Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

Saturday, May 14, 2005

The Flags

Here's a very creative way to look at social and economics in a country - The Flags campaign by Icaro Doria.

Soooooo Alaskan!

Check out this post from Bossco. It's like using a prophylactic on an outhouse!! Very funny.

Adult Warning!

OK - this site is going to be TMI for some of my visitors so be warned!

I found the Car Kama Sutra hysterical! (BTW - the sites uses cartoon graphics so it's ok to laugh - really! )

Wednesday, May 11, 2005


Breanna's creations... Posted by Hello

Child's play


I took some digital photos of three neighborhood girls then they all came over and played with adding borders, text, etc. Breanna wrote me this "thank you". Posted by Hello

Mother's Day


My bouquet for my mom - I thought it turned out nice.

I bought these very bright spatulas and baggie clips from Pampered Chef (mom loves the colors I hate - yellow , orange and green.). So now I had the spatulas but needed a "wrapping". Then mom mentioned that she'd really like some gift certificates for pedicures - she loves how I paint her toe nails.

So I created the colorful heart "gift certificates", taped them to BBQ skewers, added the spatulas and viola!

She loved it. Posted by Hello

Naked finger

I don't know what it is... It's been months since I wore a wedding ring yet I can still feel its absence on my finger. Driving to work I'll feel like I missed putting on my jewelry in the morning only to realize I put on my watch and earings...and I don't wear a ring any more. Lately I've noticed myself feeling my ring finger with my thumb as if checking to see if the ring is in place. I still glance at my left hand and think I'm missing something. Weird...

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

So Psyched!

I saved $800 today!!!

OK - not exactly but I didn't have to spend the money either! I've put off registering my vehicle in WA because of the tax charged. Given the year of the vehicle, I figured the tax alone would be about $800. So I got the registration done today and only paid $65 in fees! Yeah!! Apparently I've owned the vehicle long enough I'm not subject to the tax.

AND this is the last thing in *our* name. Now the car is just registered to me under my current name. Yeah!!!

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Puppy Love


The neighbor kids love the dogs. Tessa and Anna give Seby lots of attention. Posted by Hello

Glory Roll


Glory's favorite activity this summer is rolling in the sun warmed grass. I think she is soooo cute! Posted by Hello

Friday, May 06, 2005

Reason for the Season

I've been a bit melancholy the past few days and I've figured out why - I'm entering the season of anniversaries.

Anniversary of leaving Alaska; anniversary of arriving in WA; anniversary of hearing those terrible words "I'm leaving you"; anniversary of the day he left; anniversary of the transition time; anniversary of the final divorce decree...

I'm going to work through this - I am going to not only survive but grow and thrive! But... it's gonna hurt...

Thursday, May 05, 2005


 Posted by Hello

Happy Feet

Well I followed Joat's advice and bought myself some birks. Unfortunately I have really big feet - size 43 European. And all the really cute Birk's stop at 42. Grrrrr. Anyway, I did get a nice pair of the classic Arizona. I also got another pair on sale that look really similar to the black pair in the picture but in black leather not suade.

I've worn them for about a week now and I'm pretty happy. At the store the lady measured my foot and I discovered that my right foot is now a full size bigger than my left. Apparently an injury from long ago (ballet of all things) has caused that arch to fall. So I have a small blister on that foot - guess my fallen arch will have to toughen up! =-)




Posted by Hello