I resisted sugary snacks TWICE today. Once at lunch, there was a plate of cookies. A plate of cookies and cake at dinner tonight almost, ALMOST made my right hand go up and snatch one.
But I didn't. I looked the other way and resisted the temptation.
Sunday's going to be awful. I can feel it now. This is going to be torture like I've never known it before.
I have to learn to resist, however, if I'm ever going to be better.
Nothing much went on today besides me resisting sweets again. This is going to be war, I can tell...
Ta,
Bec
31.7.09
30.7.09
1 Day Without Sugar...
One aspect of PCOS (the thing I described yesterday that now I've got) apparently has something to do with insulin resistance.
That fact, and the fact that when I got home this summer, I started eating sugar in large, large amounts (including drinking more soda than I have in two years) because Mom makes cake, brownies, truffles, and God knows what else all the time, and a couple of months of this simple sugar binge proceeded to throw everything off.
When I was at school, I ate very little sugar compared to what I snack on here. The temptation is much, much worse-at school I could just walk away, but here it's right in front of my nose and it's difficult to avoid.
This is what I believe-if I go off sugar for a month, it might put everything back on track.
So, I choose to do this just before the annual church picnic...where Lutherans dope up on sugar, sugar, and more sugar. They love their snackies and their sweets. I'm also going camping with the family this year. No s'mores. No fruity pie things. No chocolate.
The chocolate ban might kill me.
29 days until I hopefully see results from this test; otherwise I wind up on birth control pills. No sugar or taking pills every day? I'll take the no sugar.
Maybe.
This might be the only way to control my newest disease, and if it is, it can't hurt to stop consuming so much sugar.
By the way, I've been meaning to list these small problems of mine out again, with the new one added in...bear with me...
Fibromyalgia
A dormant arthritis
PCOS
Math/spatial disability
Hm. Less than last year. I must be improving someplace or I'm running out of illnesses to run THROUGH.
So, I'll report back how the Sweet Ban of Hell: Summer 2009 is going. Hopefully I don't crack and start stuffing cupcakes in my mug.
Ta,
Bec
That fact, and the fact that when I got home this summer, I started eating sugar in large, large amounts (including drinking more soda than I have in two years) because Mom makes cake, brownies, truffles, and God knows what else all the time, and a couple of months of this simple sugar binge proceeded to throw everything off.
When I was at school, I ate very little sugar compared to what I snack on here. The temptation is much, much worse-at school I could just walk away, but here it's right in front of my nose and it's difficult to avoid.
This is what I believe-if I go off sugar for a month, it might put everything back on track.
So, I choose to do this just before the annual church picnic...where Lutherans dope up on sugar, sugar, and more sugar. They love their snackies and their sweets. I'm also going camping with the family this year. No s'mores. No fruity pie things. No chocolate.
The chocolate ban might kill me.
29 days until I hopefully see results from this test; otherwise I wind up on birth control pills. No sugar or taking pills every day? I'll take the no sugar.
Maybe.
This might be the only way to control my newest disease, and if it is, it can't hurt to stop consuming so much sugar.
By the way, I've been meaning to list these small problems of mine out again, with the new one added in...bear with me...
Fibromyalgia
A dormant arthritis
PCOS
Math/spatial disability
Hm. Less than last year. I must be improving someplace or I'm running out of illnesses to run THROUGH.
So, I'll report back how the Sweet Ban of Hell: Summer 2009 is going. Hopefully I don't crack and start stuffing cupcakes in my mug.
Ta,
Bec
29.7.09
So...
Okay, so, um-I really have no way to say this but to toss it out there, so here goes. If you don't want to hear about my "female" problems, don't read this entry, okay?
GROSS-OUT LINE
So, I've been having problems the last month. My period's been going on for two extra weeks, which is a tad annoying. I got worried. Mom got worried. I went to the doctor.
After the usual checkup and such, I had blood tests, and I got the results today. I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.
In essence, what are supposed to be low-level male hormones in a girl like me are a little too high. It has some rather odd symptoms that I won't go into, but suffice it to say one way to control it is with a specific form of birth control.
And here I thought I'd gotten out of taking birth control merely because I couldn't snag a date.
It also is going to make me pretty close to infertile, if you call not being able to tell when things are firing off in there and a higher possibility of miscarriage infertile. I'm going to have trouble getting pregnant if I ever attempt it. I may have to have fertility treatments.
This is another hurdle for me, but not one I have to really worry about until I have a mate, so for now I'll take my birth control and there we go.
Sucks, but nothing I can change. It could have gone a lot worse. It isn't a really painful syndrome, merely a tad annoying, so that's not bad. It's going to be a bit more stressful when I get a mate, but that appears to be a long way off.
That's about it for me today.
Ta,
Bec
GROSS-OUT LINE
So, I've been having problems the last month. My period's been going on for two extra weeks, which is a tad annoying. I got worried. Mom got worried. I went to the doctor.
After the usual checkup and such, I had blood tests, and I got the results today. I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.
In essence, what are supposed to be low-level male hormones in a girl like me are a little too high. It has some rather odd symptoms that I won't go into, but suffice it to say one way to control it is with a specific form of birth control.
And here I thought I'd gotten out of taking birth control merely because I couldn't snag a date.
It also is going to make me pretty close to infertile, if you call not being able to tell when things are firing off in there and a higher possibility of miscarriage infertile. I'm going to have trouble getting pregnant if I ever attempt it. I may have to have fertility treatments.
This is another hurdle for me, but not one I have to really worry about until I have a mate, so for now I'll take my birth control and there we go.
Sucks, but nothing I can change. It could have gone a lot worse. It isn't a really painful syndrome, merely a tad annoying, so that's not bad. It's going to be a bit more stressful when I get a mate, but that appears to be a long way off.
That's about it for me today.
Ta,
Bec
27.7.09
Okay, Let's Get Something Straight
I was fine and dandy with Contador winning the Tour de France. I was even okay with Lance being third.
But I am NOT okay with Contador being a disrespectful little PUNK about the situation. I was willing to let his arrogance and nose-thumbing at members of his team.
Today he said he doesn't respect and will not speak to Lance Armstrong. That's rich coming from him. I could say that he won his first Tour by a stroke of luck (the race leader was kicked out of the race on an infringement concerning where he'd been during training), leaving Contador in the lead for the last three days.
This kid is 11 years younger and clearly much less experienced than Armstrong. The older a professional bike rider becomes, the more he relies on strategy and his team and not entirely on his own strength.
This is where Contador is failing most-he doesn't credit the men that got him where he is. He doesn't credit the work they did to get him where he was. He's trying to take all the glory for himself.
So, here's my note to Alberto Contador: Start laying credit where credit is due. You did win, but without your TEAM, you would just be another rider in another race. There's no I in team, buddy. Someday, you may have to ride again and depend on the people you are dissing, and it could all be over in a heartbeat. You could crash on the ride and it could be a career-ender. You need friends. Stop being an idiot. Instead of causing animosity, learn from the older riders how you can be better, how you can work WITH your team instead of leaving them behind.
I don't care if you're the best bike rider on the planet, you are nothing without your team and you are nothing without respect for your elders.
Lance has earned the respect many times over through years of effort and hard work, and he could teach this shrimp a few things. Lance used to be like this when he was younger. According to his memoirs, he had Marco Pantani so mad at him at the end of a race that Pantani was screaming at his team to rein him in. But Lance learned, he grew up, he stopped being angry and impulsive and started racing with strategy. He gives credit where credit is due.
There is a massive difference between a bike rider who believes he's God and a bike rider who's riding because he loves the challenge, who loves riding his bike and is happy with third place.
Already, I am set for next year's race. And I won't be cheering for Alberto Contador.
Ta,
Bec
But I am NOT okay with Contador being a disrespectful little PUNK about the situation. I was willing to let his arrogance and nose-thumbing at members of his team.
Today he said he doesn't respect and will not speak to Lance Armstrong. That's rich coming from him. I could say that he won his first Tour by a stroke of luck (the race leader was kicked out of the race on an infringement concerning where he'd been during training), leaving Contador in the lead for the last three days.
This kid is 11 years younger and clearly much less experienced than Armstrong. The older a professional bike rider becomes, the more he relies on strategy and his team and not entirely on his own strength.
This is where Contador is failing most-he doesn't credit the men that got him where he is. He doesn't credit the work they did to get him where he was. He's trying to take all the glory for himself.
So, here's my note to Alberto Contador: Start laying credit where credit is due. You did win, but without your TEAM, you would just be another rider in another race. There's no I in team, buddy. Someday, you may have to ride again and depend on the people you are dissing, and it could all be over in a heartbeat. You could crash on the ride and it could be a career-ender. You need friends. Stop being an idiot. Instead of causing animosity, learn from the older riders how you can be better, how you can work WITH your team instead of leaving them behind.
I don't care if you're the best bike rider on the planet, you are nothing without your team and you are nothing without respect for your elders.
Lance has earned the respect many times over through years of effort and hard work, and he could teach this shrimp a few things. Lance used to be like this when he was younger. According to his memoirs, he had Marco Pantani so mad at him at the end of a race that Pantani was screaming at his team to rein him in. But Lance learned, he grew up, he stopped being angry and impulsive and started racing with strategy. He gives credit where credit is due.
There is a massive difference between a bike rider who believes he's God and a bike rider who's riding because he loves the challenge, who loves riding his bike and is happy with third place.
Already, I am set for next year's race. And I won't be cheering for Alberto Contador.
Ta,
Bec
26.7.09
Lance Takes Third
You can see the results above. He'll be back next year with his own team. And he will kick ass.
Meanwhile, on other fronts closer to home, Grandma Koshak apparently couldn't have watermelon until her appendix was out. I'll leave you to figure out how those two connect, because I've been thinking about it for days and I have no idea.
My Aunt Sue snubbed me this morning. Let her. She loses out on getting to know me.
Sent the picture book off to two publishers and it's going to be months before I hear back.
Gotta go dry the dishes because according to some sources, I never do. Odd seeing as I've done them more often than anyone else around here...
Ta,
Bec
Meanwhile, on other fronts closer to home, Grandma Koshak apparently couldn't have watermelon until her appendix was out. I'll leave you to figure out how those two connect, because I've been thinking about it for days and I have no idea.
My Aunt Sue snubbed me this morning. Let her. She loses out on getting to know me.
Sent the picture book off to two publishers and it's going to be months before I hear back.
Gotta go dry the dishes because according to some sources, I never do. Odd seeing as I've done them more often than anyone else around here...
Ta,
Bec
23.7.09
What? No Title?
Individual time trial today. Lance is leaving the starthouse in about 5 minutes, since they go from last place to first. He's in fourth after yesterday. Bit disappointing.
He's off and speeding along very well. Thank goodness there have been no problems so far because it looks like it's about to rain.
Lance is doing all right. Not great, but all right. I think he's probably going to be near the top, but winning the Tour is looking less and less possible to me.
After everyone comes in, I have to go get the mail.
Ta,
Bec
My book didn't arrive, Lance is in third at the moment behind Andy Schleck and his own teammate Alberto Contador. Not a terrible place to be.
He's off and speeding along very well. Thank goodness there have been no problems so far because it looks like it's about to rain.
Lance is doing all right. Not great, but all right. I think he's probably going to be near the top, but winning the Tour is looking less and less possible to me.
After everyone comes in, I have to go get the mail.
Ta,
Bec
My book didn't arrive, Lance is in third at the moment behind Andy Schleck and his own teammate Alberto Contador. Not a terrible place to be.
22.7.09
This Is Getting Ugly
Lance is slipping back a touch. I'm hoping he'll be able to recover the time he's losing tomorrow at the individual time trial. It might be his last chance.
Ha! He was waiting for the steepest part of the climb to take off on people. There he goes again...
I don't think the times are going to change much. I feel like Armstrong might even gain a few seconds here, with the way he's screaming down the mountain.
After this is over, I have to go get the mail and find out if my book has arrived yet.
Ta,
Bec
Ha! He was waiting for the steepest part of the climb to take off on people. There he goes again...
I don't think the times are going to change much. I feel like Armstrong might even gain a few seconds here, with the way he's screaming down the mountain.
After this is over, I have to go get the mail and find out if my book has arrived yet.
Ta,
Bec
21.7.09
Another No Change Day
Yesterday Lance wound up a little over a minute and a half behind his own teammate. Complex as this sounds, Contador is in first, and Lance is in second. Makes for a bit of an interesting time coming up the rest of the week. The individual time trial is going to probably settle the score on Thursday.
The new Muse song is out, and of course it is interesting and lovely. I said I would post it here, but if you can navigate Blogger, you can certainly navigate yourself over to Youtube. Go look up United States of Eurasia, and make sure it has Collateral Damage added onto it. Have fun.
Okay, okay. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwASX3zV_YE
Pre-ordered The Resistance. Yay me!
Got Dorrance stuff. Found out that for sure, they are a subsidy publisher. It means I would have to pay a lot of money I haven't got just to get them TO publish, with no guarantee that my picture book would be successful anyway. I would rather have a publisher take a chance on my book for free rather than make me pay 6,000 bucks for a book that could potentially fail. I didn't take the deal.
Wouldn't you know, after years of work and at least a decade of hearing that I will get rejected a million times before someone wants me, the first one wants me and I have to reject THEM. How is THAT for irony?
Not much else up. Spritey has figured out how to push past the outer glass door in the morning, not to run away from the house but purely so someone has to lure her back in with food. She escaped twice in about five minutes, just to get food out of it.
She also walked right into the screen door yesterday because she couldn't wait the three and a half seconds it would take for me to OPEN THE DOOR. Honestly, when she pulls stuff like that it makes me wonder what's going on in her small pea brain. And then she pulls a stunt like this morning that's so clever you have to wonder what else the little bugger is capable of.
That's all from me for today.
Ta,
Bec
The new Muse song is out, and of course it is interesting and lovely. I said I would post it here, but if you can navigate Blogger, you can certainly navigate yourself over to Youtube. Go look up United States of Eurasia, and make sure it has Collateral Damage added onto it. Have fun.
Okay, okay. Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwASX3zV_YE
Pre-ordered The Resistance. Yay me!
Got Dorrance stuff. Found out that for sure, they are a subsidy publisher. It means I would have to pay a lot of money I haven't got just to get them TO publish, with no guarantee that my picture book would be successful anyway. I would rather have a publisher take a chance on my book for free rather than make me pay 6,000 bucks for a book that could potentially fail. I didn't take the deal.
Wouldn't you know, after years of work and at least a decade of hearing that I will get rejected a million times before someone wants me, the first one wants me and I have to reject THEM. How is THAT for irony?
Not much else up. Spritey has figured out how to push past the outer glass door in the morning, not to run away from the house but purely so someone has to lure her back in with food. She escaped twice in about five minutes, just to get food out of it.
She also walked right into the screen door yesterday because she couldn't wait the three and a half seconds it would take for me to OPEN THE DOOR. Honestly, when she pulls stuff like that it makes me wonder what's going on in her small pea brain. And then she pulls a stunt like this morning that's so clever you have to wonder what else the little bugger is capable of.
That's all from me for today.
Ta,
Bec
19.7.09
No Change
There was a status change yesterday. Something went down with one of Lance's old teammates and Lance is now in fourth, but still at 8 seconds off the yellow. Big status changes could come today. The Alps are beginning.
No Dorrance stuff yesterday. I am getting impatienter.
Gotta go watch the Tour.
Ta,
Bec
No Dorrance stuff yesterday. I am getting impatienter.
Gotta go watch the Tour.
Ta,
Bec
17.7.09
Friday, Friday
One of Lance's teammates fell and broke his wrist yesterday, so bad news there. The other bad news is that it's raining there and they're on tippy little mountain roads. Someone's going to get knocked off.
Lance is showing his power today and his team is currently leading the pack down the mountain.
Doesn't appear there's going to be a status change today, not if the front end of the peloton stick together.
Nope, no change. Gotta go get the mail...
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: I wasn't sure until NOW, but Muse. my beloved Muse, are playing the VMA's this year. In the US. They are going to blow the roof off the building. It may be in the middle of September, but damn, they are going to be absolutely bloody wonderful.
No Dorrance today.
Lance is showing his power today and his team is currently leading the pack down the mountain.
Doesn't appear there's going to be a status change today, not if the front end of the peloton stick together.
Nope, no change. Gotta go get the mail...
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: I wasn't sure until NOW, but Muse. my beloved Muse, are playing the VMA's this year. In the US. They are going to blow the roof off the building. It may be in the middle of September, but damn, they are going to be absolutely bloody wonderful.
No Dorrance today.
16.7.09
On and On and On
It doesn't appear there will be much change in overall Tour standings today-at the moment there are 5 miles to the finish and the seven guys in the lead don't look like much of a threat to the overall classification. Can't wait till they reach the Alps-sprinters will be dropping like flies and Astana will show how good they really are.
Don't know about Dorrance yet-I have to go down and get the mail.
Muse apparently aren't going to post more of their song until tomorrow-when I get the whole thing I will post it here so everyone can hear it.
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: No Dorrance and no status change in the Tour. I am not a patient person, and the thinner my patience gets the worse my fidgeting gets.
Don't know about Dorrance yet-I have to go down and get the mail.
Muse apparently aren't going to post more of their song until tomorrow-when I get the whole thing I will post it here so everyone can hear it.
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: No Dorrance and no status change in the Tour. I am not a patient person, and the thinner my patience gets the worse my fidgeting gets.
15.7.09
Boring Wednesday
No change in the Tour; Cavendish did a marvelous sprint but that doesn't change the overall score.
I'll let you know if the Dorrance stuff gets here today.
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: Dorrance has sent nothing. Muse posted the first 30 seconds of the first song. Sounds like Keane to tell you the truth...
I'll let you know if the Dorrance stuff gets here today.
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: Dorrance has sent nothing. Muse posted the first 30 seconds of the first song. Sounds like Keane to tell you the truth...
14.7.09
It's HERE!
My new Shakespeare book arrived today. I'm going to go commune with it and give it a name...
Hoping the Dorrance stuff arrives today (I might explode if it does)
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: No major change in the Tour and no Dorrance stuff. Shakespeare book is wonderful; I'm considering calling it William Hamlet...
13.7.09
Confused and Bemused
Muse are up to no good again. This was posted on their website today:
PROJECT EURASIA
FLASH BRIEFING DECLASSIFIED AND APPROVED FOR GENERAL RELEASE
PREVIOUS CLASSIFICATION: INDIGO ALPHA SHARD
More News
GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS NOW NECESSITATE ACTIVATION OF THE STANDBY PLAN BRAVO NINER PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS GRAN AJEDREZ.
MARKERS INCLUDE REALTIME ASSESSMENT OF POLITICAL AND PUBLIC SENTIMENT AT -2.57 (KNIGHT INDEX), SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS AT [REDACTED], ENERGY STABILITY INDICATORS AT [REDACTED], GLOBAL MARKET VOLATILITY MARKERS AT [REDACTED] AND SOVEREIGN STATE MILITARY EFFECTIVENESS AT [REDACTED].
FOR GRAN AJEDREZ TO BE FULLY ACTIVATED, APPROVAL HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR WIDESPREAD MOBILISATION OF INITIATED NON-CONVENTIONAL HUMINT RESOURCES.
GRAN AJEDREZ WILL BE ACTIVATED IN A PHASED PROCESS. SUCCESSFUL ACTIVATION OF EACH PHASE WILL RESULT IN THE UNLOCKING AND DECRYPTION OF AN AUDIO BRIEFING. THE FULL PROJECT EURASIA / GRAN AJEDREZ AUDIO BRIEFING WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD UPON SUCCESSFUL ACTIVATION OF ALL PHASES.
PLEASE STAND BY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FOR PRE-APPROVED HUMINT RESOURCE MOBILISATION.
If anyone can sort out what that means, let me know. So far, I know that Gran Ajedrez is Spanish for "Grand Chessboard" and it's the name of a book by a conspiracy theorist with a totally unpronounceable name. I am completely sure Matt has the book on his shelf in Lake Como and has made the other two read it.
I can't wait till the CD arrives on my doorstep.
No Dorrance, no Shakespeare book today. Come ON!
Ta,
Bec
PROJECT EURASIA
FLASH BRIEFING DECLASSIFIED AND APPROVED FOR GENERAL RELEASE
PREVIOUS CLASSIFICATION: INDIGO ALPHA SHARD
More News
GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS NOW NECESSITATE ACTIVATION OF THE STANDBY PLAN BRAVO NINER PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS GRAN AJEDREZ.
MARKERS INCLUDE REALTIME ASSESSMENT OF POLITICAL AND PUBLIC SENTIMENT AT -2.57 (KNIGHT INDEX), SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS AT [REDACTED], ENERGY STABILITY INDICATORS AT [REDACTED], GLOBAL MARKET VOLATILITY MARKERS AT [REDACTED] AND SOVEREIGN STATE MILITARY EFFECTIVENESS AT [REDACTED].
FOR GRAN AJEDREZ TO BE FULLY ACTIVATED, APPROVAL HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR WIDESPREAD MOBILISATION OF INITIATED NON-CONVENTIONAL HUMINT RESOURCES.
GRAN AJEDREZ WILL BE ACTIVATED IN A PHASED PROCESS. SUCCESSFUL ACTIVATION OF EACH PHASE WILL RESULT IN THE UNLOCKING AND DECRYPTION OF AN AUDIO BRIEFING. THE FULL PROJECT EURASIA / GRAN AJEDREZ AUDIO BRIEFING WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD UPON SUCCESSFUL ACTIVATION OF ALL PHASES.
PLEASE STAND BY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FOR PRE-APPROVED HUMINT RESOURCE MOBILISATION.
If anyone can sort out what that means, let me know. So far, I know that Gran Ajedrez is Spanish for "Grand Chessboard" and it's the name of a book by a conspiracy theorist with a totally unpronounceable name. I am completely sure Matt has the book on his shelf in Lake Como and has made the other two read it.
I can't wait till the CD arrives on my doorstep.
No Dorrance, no Shakespeare book today. Come ON!
Ta,
Bec
12.7.09
Done Festering!
I am done with my job at Fest. Time to rest and relax and get my body back to normal.
No change in the Tour today again, and tomorrow's a rest day. Week 2 starts Tuesday, which is also the first day listed on the shipment list for my book.
I wonder how much I made (seemed rude to ask how much I was making an hour. I didn't care as long as I was making something for my time.)
Dad's torn out the old toilet in my absence, and Mom's about to eat a milk-based product (pizza). She had better TAKE A LACTAID PILL. OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES... I certainly won't be the one sitting at the wayside with her tonight while she suffers.
So, this will hopefully be a busy week...
Ta,
Bec
No change in the Tour today again, and tomorrow's a rest day. Week 2 starts Tuesday, which is also the first day listed on the shipment list for my book.
I wonder how much I made (seemed rude to ask how much I was making an hour. I didn't care as long as I was making something for my time.)
Dad's torn out the old toilet in my absence, and Mom's about to eat a milk-based product (pizza). She had better TAKE A LACTAID PILL. OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES... I certainly won't be the one sitting at the wayside with her tonight while she suffers.
So, this will hopefully be a busy week...
Ta,
Bec
11.7.09
Drained
No change in the Tour, no Shakespeare book, no Dorrance stuff.
Eureka was great and I'll watch it again when I feel better.
I am drained out tonight, and Mom says my eyes look funny so she's thinking I should drink water and maybe milk-I sat in the sun for 7 hours today, and 7 hours yesterday, and 6 hours the day before. I'm probably dehydrated badly. I know I'm tired.
I would crash early if Anna and Sara weren't blasting the TV two feet in front of me at night. Hopefully nothing's on tonight.
Gotta go drink some more milk to make Mom happy.
Ta,
Bec
Eureka was great and I'll watch it again when I feel better.
I am drained out tonight, and Mom says my eyes look funny so she's thinking I should drink water and maybe milk-I sat in the sun for 7 hours today, and 7 hours yesterday, and 6 hours the day before. I'm probably dehydrated badly. I know I'm tired.
I would crash early if Anna and Sara weren't blasting the TV two feet in front of me at night. Hopefully nothing's on tonight.
Gotta go drink some more milk to make Mom happy.
Ta,
Bec
10.7.09
The Human Potato
Didn't watch today again; I instead sat in the sun and baked like a human potato for 7 hours. Lance is in third, after some Italian rider I frankly have never heard of before took the lead. Contador did some nice attacking, and so Lance is in third and eight seconds back. Hopefully he picks it up tomorrow or the next day.
Eureka coming back tonight! It's a good show.
Still so angry at Torchwood that I'm probably going to stick to my vow to never watch it again...
Ta,
Bec
Eureka coming back tonight! It's a good show.
Still so angry at Torchwood that I'm probably going to stick to my vow to never watch it again...
Ta,
Bec
9.7.09
Rain In Spain
Today's going to be a nailbiter. The intense rain in Barcelona is going to put water under the tires of the riders, meaning a ton more crashes are probably going to happen, especially A) if people get stupid and B) if people go too fast.
Meanwhile, I have a job because someone else got sick, so no watching the finish today. Have to catch it some other time. I'll let you know the results this afternoon when I return.
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: No major change today; Lance is waiting to attack until tomorrow, when the mountain stages begin and I'll miss most of it because I'll be working. Spent 6 hours in the sun keeping the cars going OUT instead of IN...
UPDATE 2: I have been watching Torchwood's abbreviated season 3, and if you don't want to know yet, don't read this.
SPOILER LINE
Basically, the government has decided to give away ten percent of the kids in the UK to the bad aliens for some sort of experiment, and Ianto has died trying to get rid of the evil aliens.
I put up with Torchwood's eccentricities for a long time, starting with the weevils, the cybergirl in the basement, Gwen's alien pregnancy during her wedding, and Owen and Tosh's permanent deaths on the same day.
But this time, Torchwood has gone too far. Ianto was the only character I really watched this for, and now he's gone. What possible reason could there be to kill him off? He was the other side of Jack's coin-funny, handsome, snarky. He kept Jack on his toes.
I am done watching Torchwood; I can't even bear to finish this one off.
Meanwhile, I have a job because someone else got sick, so no watching the finish today. Have to catch it some other time. I'll let you know the results this afternoon when I return.
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: No major change today; Lance is waiting to attack until tomorrow, when the mountain stages begin and I'll miss most of it because I'll be working. Spent 6 hours in the sun keeping the cars going OUT instead of IN...
UPDATE 2: I have been watching Torchwood's abbreviated season 3, and if you don't want to know yet, don't read this.
SPOILER LINE
Basically, the government has decided to give away ten percent of the kids in the UK to the bad aliens for some sort of experiment, and Ianto has died trying to get rid of the evil aliens.
I put up with Torchwood's eccentricities for a long time, starting with the weevils, the cybergirl in the basement, Gwen's alien pregnancy during her wedding, and Owen and Tosh's permanent deaths on the same day.
But this time, Torchwood has gone too far. Ianto was the only character I really watched this for, and now he's gone. What possible reason could there be to kill him off? He was the other side of Jack's coin-funny, handsome, snarky. He kept Jack on his toes.
I am done watching Torchwood; I can't even bear to finish this one off.
8.7.09
Tuesday
Nothing changed in Le Tour today; those who crossed the finish line first weren't high enough in the classification to worry about, and it wouldn't have mattered anyway if they had been because all the important riders were literally breathing down their necks. Astana (Lance's team) aren't interested in stage wins so much-they're more interested in the status of their team (they are currently the top team) and winning the yellow jersey for their guys.
The leaders might very well not change places for the next few days, not until the mountain stages begin. When they cross the finish line in a group, they all get the same time, so statuses stay exactly where they are unless there's an accident or a drug bust.
Back here at home, Spritey, our 25 pound sheltie who seems to think that she owns the entire planet, had a battle with a bunny today. We have a group of wild bunnies around our house-we often find them placidly eating the grass on our lawn.
They've obviously gotten the impression that if they're far enough out in the yard, then an enraged Spritey can't get at them. So this bunny was sitting 20 feet out practically in the woods, and he was eating just as cool as could be. Spritey was at the end of her chain as far as she could go, and she was furious. Although she barked and barked at him, he refused to move, showed no sign that Spritey was practically throwing a tantrum because he was there, and he didn't stop eating. When I finally got fed up with her barking and brought her in the house, he moved further into the front yard. As my sister Anna termed it when she saw him sitting there in the grass, "Game, Set, Match."
Not much else is going on-Whisper is chasing her tail (again), Dorrance hasn't sent anything, my book won't be here for a week yet, and the mountain stages of the Tour haven't started yet.
Ta,
Bec
The leaders might very well not change places for the next few days, not until the mountain stages begin. When they cross the finish line in a group, they all get the same time, so statuses stay exactly where they are unless there's an accident or a drug bust.
Back here at home, Spritey, our 25 pound sheltie who seems to think that she owns the entire planet, had a battle with a bunny today. We have a group of wild bunnies around our house-we often find them placidly eating the grass on our lawn.
They've obviously gotten the impression that if they're far enough out in the yard, then an enraged Spritey can't get at them. So this bunny was sitting 20 feet out practically in the woods, and he was eating just as cool as could be. Spritey was at the end of her chain as far as she could go, and she was furious. Although she barked and barked at him, he refused to move, showed no sign that Spritey was practically throwing a tantrum because he was there, and he didn't stop eating. When I finally got fed up with her barking and brought her in the house, he moved further into the front yard. As my sister Anna termed it when she saw him sitting there in the grass, "Game, Set, Match."
Not much else is going on-Whisper is chasing her tail (again), Dorrance hasn't sent anything, my book won't be here for a week yet, and the mountain stages of the Tour haven't started yet.
Ta,
Bec
7.7.09
Bevington Shakespeare On Its Way, Doodah, Doodah
I ordered the best one-volume Shakespeare currently available. After much consideration (and staring at the same page on Amazon for three weeks straight) I have ordered my book. It'll be here next week, after which all blog entries will probably cease until I finish it (2000 pages, so awhile). It's got maps and diagrams and everything I could ever, ever want and it's going to be mine. I used Dad's credit card (not having one of my own) and paid him in cash for it, so when it gets here I already own it.
Sorry, must geek out for a moment.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Okay.
Done geeking.
On another note, Lance Armstrong is in position 3 in the yellow jersey race (time race) in the Tour, and seeing as it's Day 4 that's pretty good for him. Usually doesn't start up until the mountains, around Day 9 or Day 10.
Just to clarify, he's in the almost lead in one particular part of the Race, arguably the most important. There are several jerseys:
Yellow-Best time (the one with the best time wins the whole shebang at the end of Le Tour)
Green-Best sprinter
Polka-Dot-Best mountain climber
White-Best rookie
Red around the number-Most aggressive rider
Yes, I watch the Tour de France, because cyclists have more guts than any athletes I've ever seen. I've seen guys with bruises the size of dinner plates on their hips get back on the bike after a crash. Someone is already out with a busted collarbone; another couldn't compete at all because of a broken leg (and this is standard stuff for them.) Lance himself has already broken his collarbone this year and was back on the bike three days after having surgery to put tons of pins in.
These guys ride through every kind of weather, every kind of condition, three weeks, thousands of miles. They endure any ailment, any scrape, the risk that they could be permanently crippled or even die out on the road (it's rare, but it has happened.) I've watched them for four years, and I'm still amazed at their tenacity.
So, a windy Stage 4 begins pretty soon. If Lance's team wins today, Lance goes in yellow tonight. Gotta go watch!
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: Lance is within a tenth of a second of the lead, so technically he's in 2nd place by a smidge. His team won the team time trial by a wide margin of about 20 seconds, so that went extremely well.
We'll see if he passes Cancellara by that second tomorrow and acquires the yellow. :)
Sorry, must geek out for a moment.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Okay.
Done geeking.
On another note, Lance Armstrong is in position 3 in the yellow jersey race (time race) in the Tour, and seeing as it's Day 4 that's pretty good for him. Usually doesn't start up until the mountains, around Day 9 or Day 10.
Just to clarify, he's in the almost lead in one particular part of the Race, arguably the most important. There are several jerseys:
Yellow-Best time (the one with the best time wins the whole shebang at the end of Le Tour)
Green-Best sprinter
Polka-Dot-Best mountain climber
White-Best rookie
Red around the number-Most aggressive rider
Yes, I watch the Tour de France, because cyclists have more guts than any athletes I've ever seen. I've seen guys with bruises the size of dinner plates on their hips get back on the bike after a crash. Someone is already out with a busted collarbone; another couldn't compete at all because of a broken leg (and this is standard stuff for them.) Lance himself has already broken his collarbone this year and was back on the bike three days after having surgery to put tons of pins in.
These guys ride through every kind of weather, every kind of condition, three weeks, thousands of miles. They endure any ailment, any scrape, the risk that they could be permanently crippled or even die out on the road (it's rare, but it has happened.) I've watched them for four years, and I'm still amazed at their tenacity.
So, a windy Stage 4 begins pretty soon. If Lance's team wins today, Lance goes in yellow tonight. Gotta go watch!
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: Lance is within a tenth of a second of the lead, so technically he's in 2nd place by a smidge. His team won the team time trial by a wide margin of about 20 seconds, so that went extremely well.
We'll see if he passes Cancellara by that second tomorrow and acquires the yellow. :)
5.7.09
The New Toilet Gathers Dust in Its Box
Our washer died last week. It's been going for awhile-the pump was failing and the water finally couldn't be spun out of the clothes. We bought a new(ish) one. Installed it and it works like a charm.
However, the toilet that we've had for 25 years also needs to be replaced, and so Dad, after much unneeded consideration on the topic, bought a new one the day before we bought the washer.
But the toilet has yet to be installed, and since it's plunked in the superbly tiny bathroom still in the boxes it arrived in, it appears that it won't be getting put in anytime soon.
We have a bit of a problem with the old one. The lid is broken OFF, and Mom doesn't want us to stand with one foot on each side of the edges (it does take some serious balancing) to reach something on the shelves above the toilet. We had to move a box of bandaids down so that we could cover up our injuries without causing more of them by falling off onto the floor. As my sister has deftly put it, "Sometime in here it's going to take a slitch and someone's going to land on the floor."
I've only been up on it a couple of times since it broke off, as I've discovered a new problem that apparently comes with fibro, since Mom has it, too. I have balance issues. I can't stand on one foot anymore without tipping, and if I try to lean on my hands a little bit I wind up trying to catch myself before I fall.
Good thing I don't drink, because last night may have gotten me into trouble if the cops had had a reason to stop the car. I came home smelling like a hops factory accident.
Long explanation for this one: Every year on the 4th, the fireworks in our town are in the big park on the one side of town. This is also the week before Country Fest-that time of the year when a ton of country fans from everywhere descend on our town. They drive badly, they consume much food and drink, and most of them leave large messes when they depart places.
Those sort of people have already arrived, and they made BIG messes in the park last night. Like cans of soda, cans of beer, bottles of soda, bottles of beer, and other things that are recyclable.
We pick them up...everything we can get. Unfortunately a couple of our bags leaked a bit, and so we came home at 11:30 last night smelling like beer. If I'd tried to do the line walking thing for the cops, my terrible balance and booze-smelling clothes would have raised some eyebrows.
Whew. That was a long story. We cleaned up the cans this morning, pulling tabs off for charity and crunching them down flat so they can be recycled. The smell was awful, but it'd have been a lot worse later on if the yeast in those cans had gotten a chance to ferment more.
Yeah, Fest is coming. The town population goes from 10,000 to 40,000 for a couple of weeks, even though Fest doesn't really start until Thursday of this week. We try to avoid the area where the Fest happens if at all possible. It's a nightmare around town the week after July 4th. Great for the retailers, great for the fans, great for the country stars, but terrible for those who don't like country and don't appreciate their town being usurped.
Not much else going on. I'm expecting Dorrance's response beginning tomorrow. Believe me, when I know, you'll know.
Ta,
Bec
However, the toilet that we've had for 25 years also needs to be replaced, and so Dad, after much unneeded consideration on the topic, bought a new one the day before we bought the washer.
But the toilet has yet to be installed, and since it's plunked in the superbly tiny bathroom still in the boxes it arrived in, it appears that it won't be getting put in anytime soon.
We have a bit of a problem with the old one. The lid is broken OFF, and Mom doesn't want us to stand with one foot on each side of the edges (it does take some serious balancing) to reach something on the shelves above the toilet. We had to move a box of bandaids down so that we could cover up our injuries without causing more of them by falling off onto the floor. As my sister has deftly put it, "Sometime in here it's going to take a slitch and someone's going to land on the floor."
I've only been up on it a couple of times since it broke off, as I've discovered a new problem that apparently comes with fibro, since Mom has it, too. I have balance issues. I can't stand on one foot anymore without tipping, and if I try to lean on my hands a little bit I wind up trying to catch myself before I fall.
Good thing I don't drink, because last night may have gotten me into trouble if the cops had had a reason to stop the car. I came home smelling like a hops factory accident.
Long explanation for this one: Every year on the 4th, the fireworks in our town are in the big park on the one side of town. This is also the week before Country Fest-that time of the year when a ton of country fans from everywhere descend on our town. They drive badly, they consume much food and drink, and most of them leave large messes when they depart places.
Those sort of people have already arrived, and they made BIG messes in the park last night. Like cans of soda, cans of beer, bottles of soda, bottles of beer, and other things that are recyclable.
We pick them up...everything we can get. Unfortunately a couple of our bags leaked a bit, and so we came home at 11:30 last night smelling like beer. If I'd tried to do the line walking thing for the cops, my terrible balance and booze-smelling clothes would have raised some eyebrows.
Whew. That was a long story. We cleaned up the cans this morning, pulling tabs off for charity and crunching them down flat so they can be recycled. The smell was awful, but it'd have been a lot worse later on if the yeast in those cans had gotten a chance to ferment more.
Yeah, Fest is coming. The town population goes from 10,000 to 40,000 for a couple of weeks, even though Fest doesn't really start until Thursday of this week. We try to avoid the area where the Fest happens if at all possible. It's a nightmare around town the week after July 4th. Great for the retailers, great for the fans, great for the country stars, but terrible for those who don't like country and don't appreciate their town being usurped.
Not much else going on. I'm expecting Dorrance's response beginning tomorrow. Believe me, when I know, you'll know.
Ta,
Bec
4.7.09
The 4th
Not much up today. Went to two parades. Fireworks tonight if I feel like it. Pretty tired right now, so I might go lay down and watch some Merlin to recuperate.
We're having popcorn along, but I'm a purist butter fanatic and won't touch anything outside of that in my microwave popcorn. Sara's gotten this idea in her head to pop honey butter flavored (she doesn't care because she doesn't eat the stuff anyway.) ICK. No kettle corn, no caramel corn, no honey butter. Don't put anything on microwave popcorn but butter. It's atrocious what kind of sick variations they've created. Leave it alone. When it comes to my microwave popcorn, I'm a stick in the mud traditionalist, and anyone who does anything but put extra butter on their popcorn is committing a heinous blasphemy.
I think I'm going to swap them around so that I can stomach the popcorn, otherwise I might very well die.
Better. Now I know it'll be decent stuff.
Oh, and since Matt Bellamy's finally figured out Twitter (he's apparently not the best person on a computer-I'm not really surprised it's taken him this long) and is threatening/initiating a treasure hunt in a week or two. Here comes clue hunting again. Maybe we'll get a song out of it. I'll probably join in since I have nothing else to do, even if I probably won't be able to solve his silly cryptic clues.
Still waiting on Dorrance. I'm not patient in the slightest-even when I know that it's the weekend and a holiday, I still go and check my e-mail to see if they've sent anything.
It's 6:00. I'm going to go lay down for a bit.
Ta,
Bec
We're having popcorn along, but I'm a purist butter fanatic and won't touch anything outside of that in my microwave popcorn. Sara's gotten this idea in her head to pop honey butter flavored (she doesn't care because she doesn't eat the stuff anyway.) ICK. No kettle corn, no caramel corn, no honey butter. Don't put anything on microwave popcorn but butter. It's atrocious what kind of sick variations they've created. Leave it alone. When it comes to my microwave popcorn, I'm a stick in the mud traditionalist, and anyone who does anything but put extra butter on their popcorn is committing a heinous blasphemy.
I think I'm going to swap them around so that I can stomach the popcorn, otherwise I might very well die.
Better. Now I know it'll be decent stuff.
Oh, and since Matt Bellamy's finally figured out Twitter (he's apparently not the best person on a computer-I'm not really surprised it's taken him this long) and is threatening/initiating a treasure hunt in a week or two. Here comes clue hunting again. Maybe we'll get a song out of it. I'll probably join in since I have nothing else to do, even if I probably won't be able to solve his silly cryptic clues.
Still waiting on Dorrance. I'm not patient in the slightest-even when I know that it's the weekend and a holiday, I still go and check my e-mail to see if they've sent anything.
It's 6:00. I'm going to go lay down for a bit.
Ta,
Bec
3.7.09
Track Name Day
Muse are posting the finished song names on Twitter this morning, and as of right now it appears to be one every hour. So far we're up to two, and I'm impatiently waiting for the third.
Meanwhile, I'm watching Merlin and enjoying every minute. Merlin's about to try to beat up Arthur...
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: Four track names up; when I get the whole list I'll post them here. Although at the rate Muse are going, they're going to be up all night posting these (as they're 7 hours off of Central Time as they're in Milan, Italy.)
UPDATE 2: After getting the list and then waiting for my sisters to get off the computer, here are the tracks for the album, in order:
1. Uprising (BLOWING OUT EARDRUMS)
2. Resistance (SMASHING WHAT LITTLE EARDRUMS I HAD LEFT)
3. Undisclosed Desires (LOVE)
4. United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage) (CONSPIRACIES AGAIN)
5. Guiding Light (LOVE)
6. Unnatural Selection (CONSPIRACY)
7. MK ULTRA (CONSPIRACIES)
8. I Belong To You(+Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix) (LOVE)
9. Exogenesis-Symphony Part 1: Redemption (OH, CONSPIRACIES APLENTY)
10. Exogenesis-Symphony Part 2: Cross-Pollination
11. Exogenesis-Symphony Part 3: Overture
Now as with all albums but the second one and the live ones, Muse have a title track near the top. Matt's symphony is near the bottom in its three parts, and it appears there's at least two, possibly THREE love songs on this one, which is actually a lot more than we usually get with Matt's terribly dark writing.
The one that throws me (and therefore makes me the most curious) is Track 8. We all know Matt's girlfriend is Italian, yet the song title is in French. I didn't even know Matt could SPEAK French. I mean, a line of German there and a bit of Italian learned because his girlfriend wanted him to, but FRENCH? By the way, it means something to the effect of: My Heart Opens Itself To Your Voice. Awww...
Sounds like Matt's been happy lately, since he's got more potential love songs on this puppy than he's had in several albums. I see 3 at most, if I count Guiding Light as one of them. Three is astounding, because look at the previous albums: BH&R one, Absolution two, OoS had one, and Showbiz had one. Matt doesn't often go sap on everyone. I always said Gaia was good for him.
72 days and counting. I already know that when Amazon posts it for sale here in the States, that baby is mine. I'm going to pre-order it and then the day it comes out it'll be on my doorstep, so no waiting for me.
GLEE!
Ta,
Bec
Meanwhile, I'm watching Merlin and enjoying every minute. Merlin's about to try to beat up Arthur...
Ta,
Bec
UPDATE: Four track names up; when I get the whole list I'll post them here. Although at the rate Muse are going, they're going to be up all night posting these (as they're 7 hours off of Central Time as they're in Milan, Italy.)
UPDATE 2: After getting the list and then waiting for my sisters to get off the computer, here are the tracks for the album, in order:
1. Uprising (BLOWING OUT EARDRUMS)
2. Resistance (SMASHING WHAT LITTLE EARDRUMS I HAD LEFT)
3. Undisclosed Desires (LOVE)
4. United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage) (CONSPIRACIES AGAIN)
5. Guiding Light (LOVE)
6. Unnatural Selection (CONSPIRACY)
7. MK ULTRA (CONSPIRACIES)
8. I Belong To You(+Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix) (LOVE)
9. Exogenesis-Symphony Part 1: Redemption (OH, CONSPIRACIES APLENTY)
10. Exogenesis-Symphony Part 2: Cross-Pollination
11. Exogenesis-Symphony Part 3: Overture
Now as with all albums but the second one and the live ones, Muse have a title track near the top. Matt's symphony is near the bottom in its three parts, and it appears there's at least two, possibly THREE love songs on this one, which is actually a lot more than we usually get with Matt's terribly dark writing.
The one that throws me (and therefore makes me the most curious) is Track 8. We all know Matt's girlfriend is Italian, yet the song title is in French. I didn't even know Matt could SPEAK French. I mean, a line of German there and a bit of Italian learned because his girlfriend wanted him to, but FRENCH? By the way, it means something to the effect of: My Heart Opens Itself To Your Voice. Awww...
Sounds like Matt's been happy lately, since he's got more potential love songs on this puppy than he's had in several albums. I see 3 at most, if I count Guiding Light as one of them. Three is astounding, because look at the previous albums: BH&R one, Absolution two, OoS had one, and Showbiz had one. Matt doesn't often go sap on everyone. I always said Gaia was good for him.
72 days and counting. I already know that when Amazon posts it for sale here in the States, that baby is mine. I'm going to pre-order it and then the day it comes out it'll be on my doorstep, so no waiting for me.
GLEE!
Ta,
Bec
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