Has anyone found my crochet hook?

Let’s see…

A couple of months ago, I decided to crochet a blanket for my boyfriend’s queen-sized bed. I found a terrific pattern that wasn’t so much about “traditional squares” or colors, but incorporated incredibly bright colors into this blanket.

However, the yarn that was suggested is…well, quite pricey. Three skeins cost thirty dollars, and believe me, there’s nothing like “Koigu” hand-dipped coloured yarn.

So, I’ve been buying yarn at the usual suspects like “JoAnn’s” or “Michael’s”.

You know, the stuff that won’t need to be dry cleaned!

I haven’t crocheted in years, but all of this is coming back to me.

It’s a great skill to have!

TO?

You see, there used to be a time when I would have dismissed Terrill's antics as just another excuse to get attention.

You know, the very public slams against Donovan McNabb, his teammates and his coach while he played for the Eagles, and as many fans were, I was just one very happy camper to see him go.

Of course this man has problems...it's been documented that both the 'Niners and the Eagles have offered him counseling, which he's refused.

Which shouldn't surprise anyone...no one wants to admit that they're depressed. There are not a lot of big, hearty NFL players who will go out and gladly lose a limb for their teams while all they want to do is cry because they're "depressed".

I know this, because I've gone through depression myself.

And, I will tell all of you right now...you'd never, ever wish that deep, dark black hole of a so-called life on your worst enemy.

We may never know what happened, or even like this guy or the team he plays for.

But, if we're compassionate human beings (which I know we are!), let's just hope that he gets the help that he needs.

Friends and Family

I don’t believe I need to remind anyone that today is the fifth anniversary of that one defining moment that crosses many generations.

Yes, it’s an awful anniversary that’s remembered by everyone. We all know where we were when we first heard the news.

That senseless loss of life…the husbands, wives, partners, friends.

I almost lost a long-time friend during 9/11 five years ago, and now I treasure his friendship more than ever. He’s always been a part of my extended family…that wonderfully loose definition that includes everyone from my mother, our family, to her long-time partner, to his family, their husbands, girlfriends, my own terrific and incredible boyfriend and his family, my friends, his friends, our friends.

Our friends.

A few years back, a sociologist may have called them an “urban tribe”, and at the time, that was the keyword for young, educated, city-dwelling types who were “hipper-than-thou” who were only gathering at the best places to sip wine and check each other out.

On Saturday morning, four of us gathered for breakfast before setting out for a funeral for a friend’s sister. We’re all properly dressed for such a somber occasion (with the exception of the “Windsor Double Knot Problem”).

Of course, we all went through the viewing line, and through the Mass with eloquence and grace.

But, on the way back to my friend’s flat, it hit me…we are the new “urban tribe”. We’ve celebrated births, deaths, celebrations, concerts, three day station events, successful fund drives and capital campaigns together.

We are family.

Yeah, the age range between the four of is between 40 and 55, but it really doesn’t matter.

We’ve been friends for years.

And yes, these wonderful folk have become family to me.

Car Talk

I drive.

A lot.

And, I'm not talking about these little jumps back and forth to the local Wegman's or Target...I'm talking about putting on some serious mileage on your odometer.

For the past nine months, I've done a commute that would wilt much stronger men. Fifty miles a day, round trip.

In New Jersey.

Oy.

Then, every Friday afternoon after work, I'd make the drive down to AMF's place outside of Philly so we could spend the weekend together (brief disclosure: he's so worth it!), so that's another 90 miles or so. One way.

Anyway, I spend an awful lot of time in my car and as a result, you tend to end up with a lot of stuff in the back seat, since that's become my unofficial "closet space" while I'm on the road.

And, like a closet that isn't "Martha" perfect, it will get out of hand. But, like a typical messy closet or junk drawer (and you know you have one, or the other or both), everything you've been looking for will be there!

I found:

The huge pins for my Scottish kilts (I hear plaid is big this year).
More CD's than are probably legal in any country.
More pairs of shoes than any woman should own.
Cookbooks. Lots and lots of cookbooks.
Two pair of earrings. In the ashtray.
One can of vegetarian refried beans (don't ask).
The one-and-only belt that works with my jeans, which I could not find last weekend.

And, my favourite bit of paper...directions to AMF's house from last October!

Who knows what I'm going to find when I go through my cargo space next week...

Have a great holiday weekend...I know for all of us on the East Coast, it's going to be a stormy one, but seriously...when was the last time you saw "Casablanca" or played a game of "Scrabble"?

Class

Now, let's see...if I look in my "American College Dictionary" circa 1964 (think I need a new one?), there are fourteen definitions for this term, and not one of them even comes close to the concept that we've all come to associate with proper social behaviour.

The terms "class" and "classy" has been thrown around for ages, and mostly inappropriately. You know...Lyle Lovett is a "class act", Madonna is not.

"Project Runway" is a classy "reality show", but "All-Star's Big Brother" aint.

In my mind, class is grace. Class is that sort of intangible quality that the-late-but-unforgettable Katherine Hepburn had; so, of course you have Paul Newman, Meryl Streep, Alan Alda, Martin Sheen, Candace Bergen (and I'm sure you could name others!) all had, from the others who just *don't have it*.

Class defines athletes(and former coaches), as well such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, John Madden, Donovan McNabb, Rick Patino, and I could go on and on all evening!

But, they were warned. Between Jimmy Jones and Bill Parcells, they were told that this is a player without any class.

Or any grace.

Rain

I love rain.

I love the gentle sound of it during the spring when it's finally time to open up the windows after a long winter and smell that great, sweet spring air that wafts in.

I look forward to the summer when the western sky turns inky black, knowing that relief from a heat wave is on the way.

And, my favourite? A good rainy, chilly weekend in the autumn here on the East Coast. I'm a "comfort creature" by nature, so that gives me the most excellent excuse to cook and bake, wear sweats and warm socks, watch football and hockey and cuddle up with AMF!

However, rain isn't everyone's friend.

As I'm sure all of you know, today is the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf Coast.

The rebuilding process will be an on-going effort for years...please take some time out this week and consider how you may be able to contribute to this cause.

And, all I wanted was some coffee...

Well, I'm an easy sort of gal, you know...I'm always open to have a conversation.

We live in very difficult times, and we may not always agree with each other, but if we're both willing to talk, perhaps we can come together and forge some sort of agreement with each other.

I truly understand that there are a lot of very angry people out there, for whatever reasons.

So, here's me...driving down Route 206 on Friday afternoon, and in desperate need to feed my late afternoon caffiene fix. "I Spy" a 7-11, and a good parking spot on the side, since all I wanted to do was enjoy my coffee and have a smoke.

If I'm going to take a break, I prefer to do that away from the entrance to any convenience store. I don't want to subject anyone to my second-hand smoke (really, I don't) as people with kids are going in and out, and besides...I've been driving for two hours, and I'd like a break, myself.

And there it was...a huge SUV blocking my way into said spot. So, I pulled into the one in front of the store, and then I noticed that SUV was blocking me, so that I couldn't get out...

...and then, the driver got out, and she was obviously hell-bent on confronting me.

So, I got out of my car (with cell phone in hand!), and I was accused left, right, up and down about how I dropped the "f-bomb" to her, and how she was being a nice person and giving me her spot, and how I *dare* put her in a bad mood...she was just raving, and her face was a very violent shade of purple.

While I'm sure the teenagers' in the parking lot may have been looking forward to a cat fight between two middle-aged ladies, I just shrugged her off, and walked in to get my coffee.

Everyone in the 7-11 saw it, and when I walked in, I said, "Hey, there's a crazy lady in the parking lot!", and then we all saw her eyeing up the back end of my little Scion xA.

I have absolutely no idea what she was up to, but I guess there were too many eyes on her, and she pulled out and left.

I'll leave it all up to you to discuss how someone could be that angry.

Wow...a week off!

So, please excuse me if I sound a bit giddy throughout this post, but I'm really besides myself with joy, because next week I have...

A. Week. Off.

If anyone reading this blog is a fellow contract employee, you'll fully appreciate this incredible concept. You know, the whole "if-you-don't-work-you-don't-get-paid" deal, which is why I think we appreciate it more.

Yes, I have interviews and the like, but really, it's the last weekend of summer and I'm going to drain every moment of my free time this week doing things that I enjoy.

I'd like to say that I've got a major "to do" list...you know, swapping out the summer clothes for the fall ones, cleaning the windows and sorting out the sock drawer...that sort of thing.

I can tell you right now that none of the above will happen.

So far, here's what's on my "To Do" list for next week:

1 - Sleep in, and turn off the cell phone.
2 - Make tea, put on some music, and finish up crocheting that pillow cover that I've been working on for the past couple of weeks.
3 - Take a nap. In the afternoon. I hear it's good for recharging your brain cells.
4 - Work on the blanket that I've been promising my boyfriend for ages. Make more tea, and catch up with "Project Runway" in afternoon reruns.
5 - Visit local farmers' markets, and make pesto. Buy more tea.
6 - Make one perfect tomato sandwich for lunch, which will be followed by a nap.
7 - Catch up with friends - one for lunch, and one for dinner. Lunch, of course, will be followed by a nap.
8 - Explore some local crafts and yarn stores.
9 - Update and redo blogs.
10 - Take a nap.

And that, my friends, is my idea of an almost-perfect week off!

Check This Space!

As a wise man once said, "As one door closes, another one opens", and that will be my life next week.

My current contract ends on Friday, and I'll probably have a week or two before that next career door opens up for me.

So, in between checking out Monster.com, I'll be seeing how many people have recently viewed my resume, and in between interviews, I'll have the time to entirely redo this blog.

Take care, and do drop in next week to check out the new changes!

In the meantime, enjoy the softer side of late August. Find trees that are already turning color! Go and find a local farm stand, and pick great, perfectly ripe tomatoes for salad or tomato sandwiches.

What, you've never had a tomato sandwich? Good goddess, what are you waiting for? ;) This is the only time of the year where you can eat such a great creation!

Take two slices of whole grain bread (seriously, white bread or a roll will not work here at all). Slice one great, ripe tomato (preferably with a thin, serrated knife)into very, very thin slices.

Tear up some fresh basil and add it to some mayonnaise. If you'd like to make your own, even better. And no, that ugly concoction call "Miracle Whip" is simply unacceptable here.

Add a pinch of salt, and good grind of freshly ground black pepper.

Now, spread your basil-mayo concoction on both sides of the bread; add lettuce and/or very thinly sliced red onion rings, if you'd like. A few slices of Swiss or a good aged Gouda would work, too. Oh, and if you're a veghead, do feel free to add some "Baco-Bits".

And, here's the key part to this sandwich...press it down. Take your hands, and make a 3" sandwich into 1"...yeah, it's going to look really ugly, but it'll taste like a dream!

Trust me on this. Really!

And you want me to wear *what*?

Ya know...

It's one thing to be employed as a contract worker for a major pharmaceutical company in Northern New Jersey (which I will say no more about, lest I be "dooced"), but 'tis also another thing to hear from your agency that you should be dressed in "formal interview wear" in 105° degree heat.

Let's just say that this information was passed along to me earlier today from my contact at said agency via email...and, it's probably a good idea that we didn't speak on the phone since I would have told her...

"Are you bloody mad?" You are *so* not getting me into a skirt suit, with hose and heels in this heat! The fine folk at the other location will just have to deal with me on my own terms...meaning brains and experience mean more than what I'm wearing.

It's time for a break!

Well, I'm going to take a couple of weeks off of blogging.

I need to rethink this site, and what I want to say. I've never really populated the site the way that I'd like, and I'm still not entirely sure it has my voice, either.

Besides, I'm sure all of you are just bloody tired of me complaining about the weather and the traffic!

I'll be posting on and off over the next couple of weeks, but it'll probably be a weekly thing until September redo.

Take care, stay cool, and keep checking in!

No Gas For You!

I currently work up in Morris County in New Jersey (which is a very affluent area of the state) where everything from toilet paper to disposable ball point pens presents a new adventure in personal expenses.

And, gas is very, very expensive in Morris County. Between the outrageous "Exxon" in Summit who thinks that $3.40 a gallon for regular is acceptable, to the Gulf in Madison who will happily suck the money out of your wallet for $3.25, I decided to stop at neither.

Oh, you bloody fools! I can get regular down here in Middlesex County for $2.93!

So, why fill up at well over $3 a gallon when I drive this incredibly fuel efficent vehicle?








And, really...all I needed was five bucks worth of gas to get back home to fill up with something cheaper. I stopped at the Gulf station in Chatham...

...and I was told "No."

No? You can't give me five bucks worth of gas?

"No, madam, I can't. No five dollars here."

"Yeah, but...oh, but you have a five dollar transaction on your pump! Why can't you do the same for me?"

"No five dollars for you, ma'am."

Gobsmacked, I tell you, gobsmacked!

I haven't been this annoyed since I figured out to properly put that ring onto my gas cap (here's the trick...the flat side of that ring goes on first) and finally understood why that does call up an "engine failure" code!

Oy!

More bloggage tomorrow, and much more about the "All About The Music" fest in Philly this weekend!

Hot, Hot, Heat

I don't really care what all of these alleged "summer people" want to tell me about how great summer is. All of that chat only makes me crankier (and I'm a cranky person to begin with!)

You know you've met the well-meaning types yourself; you're trying to make conversation at the office coffee station or in the elevator while you're drenched in sweat and listening to someone drone on saying, "Well, I'm "summer person", and I just love this weather!"

While I don't condone violence of any sort (like, bashing them in the knees or pulling a Zidane headbutt at a corporate function), you have this blog owner's full permission to remind them that cooler weather is coming, and that their sweet season is already coming to an end.

Go here, and here, please do! Print them out, and put them in their inbox.

And, you also might want to remind them that NFL training camp begins for most teams later on this week.

It's also the great "wind down" time for outdoor festivals. XPN's "All About The Music" can be found there, and it looks like the legendary British Virgin festival will be happening in Baltimore.

Now, about that XPN fest...

This could get very, very interesting as the week goes on.

Just Lovin' This Short Work Week!

Ah, yes...Wednesday's out of the way, and tomorrow's Thursday...no traffic to blog about today (and I'm sure some of my core readers will be very happy about that), but I think I may have identified a weapon that the government should use against all known terrorists.










See this little bastard up there? Here on the East Coast, it's called a "Bottleneck Green Fly", and it's the scourge of beach goers everywhere.

Why, you may ask? Well, first of all, they bite. Hungry little gits, they are. They're out for blood...mine, yours and any other walking, talking, breathing organism that they can find.

Even worse, they do a full-on attack on you (which England in World Cup action couldn't pull off). They will bombard your car (especially if it's black, for some reason), yourself (if you step out of said car without being entirely covered in DEET) and goddess forbid if you're not used to them.

Believe me, I know. AMF and I made a trip down to the Delaware Bay on Monday, and I'm sure I'll be the subject of local talk for, oh, the next couple of months or so, since I did, indeed, perform an impromptu version of an Irish jig in the parking lot while trying to get all of these nasty creatures off of me and out of my Tevas.

Yecch!

Another Commuter Rant

And yes, this is another entry about my drive to and from work! Why do you ask?

So, let's get started, shall we?

To you, you...little blue Acura RSX who tried to pass me on the left when you clearly knew there was only one (one!) lane onto Route 78 West. You almost clipped me and you were also very close to ripping off my rear view mirrow as well as knocking out my front bumper. Please take off that BlueTooth thing that's going on. Believe me, you're just not that important.

To the woman who was driving the grey Acura...you're another one that should cool her heels in trying to merge into stopped traffic on Route 78 when we're all stopped. I really don't care how upset you are, but do you realise you were almost flattened by that truck because he didn't see you?

No? Really?

Aw, hell... if you're crying into your coffee, just pull over. Really, and I'm sorry.

Now, you, the one in the lime green Lotus...don't you ever, ever, ever pull that move in front of me ever, ever again, because I will report you.

I don't care how important you are, or who you are, but you almost caused a four car pileup. You cut across six (yes! six!) lanes of traffic on the Garden State Parkway this afternoon without any regard for oncoming traffic.

Please feel free to go to hell. Do not pass Go, and do not collect 200 dollars.

And, this is the tough one.

Hey, Grandma? Yes, you can go now. No, no...feel free to take your time, I'm going to hold up traffic until you decide when it's safe.

Yes, now's a good time. Oh, you don't think so? Okay, I'll wait some more.

Yeah, it looks good to me, so go and make your left, and I'm waving to you for a reason. You can go now.

Well, thanks for the wave back...it's nice to see that we've established communication with each other, but I understand that making this left out of the supermarket parking lot is a tough one. I do it a lot, and it's a bitch.

I'm also backing up traffic up to freakin' Metuchen, and you also have nine people in back of you just dying to make this left turn too, but, that's okay, really.

Now, don't make me do this...it looks good...go!

Oh, you won't. You're still waving at me, and you've probably created the worst traffic jam in Pathmark history.

And now, you're smiling at me and waving! You've got your hazards on, and then you decide to peal off in your '78 Lincoln Town Car.

And make a right.

Waterlogged

Good goddess, according to the latest forecast, we're due for anywhere between 1 and 4 inches of rain.

In the next 24 hours. Let me repeat that, for those of you who aren't listening...in the next 24 hours.

For those of you who aren't interested in my latest weather report, here's a few other tidbits that you may find interesting:

JK Rowling has admitted that she's going to kill off two of her major characters in Book Seven. My money's on Arthur Weasley and his turncoat son, Percy.

'Tis groundhog season! And you thought that "Groundhog Day" was in February...nope, between AMF and I, we've seen more groudhogs in the past two months, and we love to see them running around. Yeah, we love the little beasts, and we have pictures to prove it...

World Cup thoughts...those Aussie Soccaroos were robbed, I tell you! That was one cheap penalty called against all of those sexy, Italian "Serie A" players. Never should have happened. The Australians were robbed of a victory in the knockout round.

My two favourite kicks of the tourney so far...watching Becks bend it. Say what you will about his "high lifestyle", but he's really got it. Oh, and the Argentinian player and that amazing footwork to get that goal.

I'm supporting England and I will not be going anywhere on Saturday morning when they play Portugal!

"Ode From My Air Conditioner"

I have a very, very old AC up here in the "JCTV" computer room.

It usually works during the summer, unless...there's a thunderstorm, a lot of wind, too much lightening or it gets too hot when the internal thermo decides to take a tea break and check out reruns of "EastEnders" for a couple of days.

Or, all of the above.

Yes, I should replace this monster, but when it works, damn...it makes it nice and glacial up here!

Anyway, here we go...

Said the Philco, to the sweaty blogger on a hot afternoon
You’ve been here for ages, playing your tunes
I’ve been installed for decades, it seems
My filter’s clogged, but that don’t bother me

I remember when this house was redone
When this was a nursery for a grand baby son
I think that was back in ‘72
While you were still wearing your Catholic school shoes

So now you’re streaming to public radio
Or checking out the latest sports scores
I may be an old man, but I’ve got a lot left
I just needed a little rest

Now that I’ve had one, I’m ready to go
Perhaps one more summer, or maybe three more
Thanks for being kind
To this old air conditioner…a cooler friend, you will never find

Not So Hot Fun In The Summertime

If you've read a couple of my past posts, you'll all know that I'm not a fan of the typical hot, humid weather during this time of year on the East Coast.

Actually, I'll be the first one to say that "this heat sucks!" in late June and yes, please feel free to quote me on that around late July or early August when all of you begin to stick, sweat and fry in your shorts, tees and Teva sandals while at your local arts or music festival.

I live in an area of the country where we have all four seasons, but I just don't get summer. I don't understand the whole "New Joisey" mindset of "going down-a-shaw" for the weekend, or why, like lemmings, everyone is willing to pay tons of money to rent a summer place, buy expensive tags (shouldn't the beach and the sea be free?) just to be able to deep fry their skin along with another couple of thousand folks next to them?

If anyone can explain this to me, please do. I'd really like to hear your side of the story.

Almost two decades ago, I did this whole beach thing myself. I'd get up dead early on a Saturday morning and make my way down to Sandy Hook just to beat the traffic. I'd spread out on my blanket, oil myself up and...

Just lay on the beach.

I was bored to tears. I did this for exactly one summer.

So, what's the appeal of the beach during the summer for all of you? Inquiring minds want to know!

Rants, ramblings and other thoughts

Just a couple of things that came up in this mind of mine today...

1 - Did anyone else see Bill Gates' announcement today? Yeah, I know he's considered to be Satan in certain circles (read: Apple and Linux and Google and many Windoze users as well), but I give him and Melinda full props for doing good things with their collective fortune.


2 - Two big huge, nasty thumbs down to the "Supreme Court" for allowing the police to have the power to barge in on your own personal habitat without a courtesy knock.

If you'd like to see the latest version of the Constitution and the "Bill Of Rights" intact, you'd better read it quick since it's being shredded to pieces at an incredible rate by this current adminstration.

3 - England won, and advanced to the second round of the World Cup!

4 - What the bloody hell were all of you doing on the "Garden State Parkway" at, oh, 4 o'clock this afternoon? I left work early for a reason...to beat the traffic...man, you were all harshing my mellow, and besides, I had to pick up things at Target, get my hair cut and wonder if the local "Barnes and Noble" had ever heard of Todd Snider.

5 - Congratulations to my cousin Dave for marrying the amazing Amy! We'll see you on Saturday with bells and whistles on!

Ben Roethlisberger, what the bloody hell were you thinking?

A good decade or so, I dated someone who drove a bike. A big 'ol honkin' late '70's Honda Gold Wing.

This was one monster machine, complete with hard sidebags on either side, the carrying case in the back, stereo system...the whole nine yards. And, as most top-end bikes do, there's a seat for the passenger behind the driver. It's called the "queen seat" and on this bike, it was a true seat with a padded back and armrests and not one of those little "buttpads" that you'll see on smaller bikes.

That "someone" always praised the helmet laws from his home state of Maine where helmets on both drivers and passengers were optional. "Imagine flying around on this with the wind ripping through your hair!"

Umm...no. We've already flown around Northeast Philly, dodging potholes on Roosevelt Boulevard, been intentionally cut off by drivers on both 95 North and South, have hit potholes on Bensalem Boulevard and you will never, ever, drive down the Schuykill towards Center City with me on the back of this bloody thing ever again. I've seen way too many things on the back of this bike since I'm potential roadkill if anyone hits us.

Even with helmets.

I'd like to say that Ben's accident was a bad judgement call on his behalf, and it probably was. I know all too well the lure of a gorgeous day when someone wants to "take the bike out" on country back roads. Say, to New Hope or up past there on Route 32.

But, that early morning "Need to get out on my bike!" jones just may have killed his young career.

What a waste.