I. Am. So. Tired. *sigh* Why am I so very tired lately? I'm eating pretty healthy. Lots of vegetables and fruit and grains. Fairly cautious with sweets. Getting at least 5-6 hours of sleep at night. Okay, I know 7-8 would be better, but 5-6 isn't too, too bad.

Right now, I just want to melt into a whiney "I don't want to move!" puddle and relax or sleep for an hour or three. I really should go exercise tonight. It's body conditioning night. I can skip the kickboxing part, but I should do one or the other. Right?

*goes back to work contemplating skipping exercise entirely, and going home to pack and do bills and collapse into bed about 10:00*

*pops back in for a second* Oh, and Papi? I really hope you didn't do any paperwork associated with that ridiculous farce yesterday. *rolls eyes* Okay, counting a lone Republican walking across the back of the chamber because he couldn't get to his coffee any other way due to the media (or so he claims) as Present is one thing. Calling 32 of 62 senators a quorum is something else. Isn't a quorum like 60% or something? And I'd like to know who voted for him such that the votes were 32 Ayes when he didn't vote and wasn't in the chamber. Isn't that fraudulent and illegal? Or did they call for Nays, get silence, and then say that the "32" must all be Ayes then? Does that sound like bad procedure to anyone else? *shakes head* Every time I think they can't surprise, irritate, or disgust me more, they pull some fantastic new maneuver like this. *sigh*

I think we should lock them in the chamber from 8 am to 8 pm or until they finish the work on the docket. No lunch or dinner break. We'll provide you sandwiches, chips, drinks, and cookies from Subway and other cheap restaurants. And chinese. They must have chinese one day. And pizza and wings. Make them feel the impact of a working lunch and dinner in the real business world. If they don't like the food or have dietary restrictions, guess they'd better bring their lunch/dinner. If bathrooms aren't part of the chamber, make them get passes from the opposing group to go. Better yet, put port-a-potties in the chamber and make them go there. Okay, so that's not really real world, but I think it would get the point across. No adjourning five minutes after the session has been called to order. No separate sessions each lasting five minutes. If you have to stay in the same room until you're done, you might at least hammer out the leadership fight so that you can work on everything else.

Or, we could always go with my other idea: Petition to have the entire Senate removed (for incompetence) and vote new people in this fall. I wonder if an Independent can do that. Do we need three petitions? Democrat, Republican, and Other Registered Voter? How can I get it circulated quickly through the state? Take out ads in the New York Times and Wall Street Jourmal? And the Buffalo News, whatever the major papers are in Albany, Syracuse, and Rochester. Send announcements to local radio stations? I really don't want the headache of leading that movement, but I would definitely sign such a petition as long as the rules and terms were well thought out.

Oh my word. An era has come to an end... And so abruptly.

I couldn't believe it when I heard it on the radio this afternoon. Farrah, I understood when I saw it on the 'net earlier today. I knew that she'd been seriously ill. In fact, I had just been wondering how she was doing and if I had missed her passing. But Michael...

I was at a red light on my way to the Y waiting to turn when I heard that he had been rushed to the hospital. By the time I got to the parking lot (~a minute or two), they had an unconfirmed report that he had passed. I was shocked. I'm still shocked. I wanted to talk about it with the people at the gym, but I really didn't know anyone, and I couldn't think of a good way to start the conversation anyway. But... Wow...

Haha, I called J after I got home. He had heard about the first part, but not about the second. And I was finally able to talk to someone about it.

I'm not a big fan, but I liked a lot of his music. *grin* I didn't really care for most of his dancing style, but his voice and music were good. Thus speaks a woman who grew up in the seventies and eighties when he was in is heyday. The other stuff... I'm not really sure about. It could be as innocent as he says, and if so I feel sorry for him. It may not, and... I still feel sorry for him. Or, I guess I should say "felt". But that other stuff does not change his accomplishments or greatness.

The world has lost another icon today. Two more icons. And there's nothing more I can say.

Is it time for vacation yet? Can I sleep in tomorrow? Can I skip Yoga, grocery shopping, cooking, and J tonight and just go home and go to sleep? *pauses for a moment* Okay, no skipping J. Snuggle sleeping sounds pretty good, too.

I'm so tired... And have been for the past couple of days. I'm not sure why. I think I've been getting enough to eat. And I've been getting to bed at a somewhat reasonable hour (11:30 or earlier). And getting up a bit on the late side, though I did make it up before 7 this morning. There's no reason I should be feeling this tired that I can think of. *sigh* I feel like I'm dragging.

And I certainly don't want to work on that computer model I've been putting together. But I don't want to work on anything else, either.

*stretch* Maybe I'll go make myself review some drawings for the last 45 minutes or so of work. Though, since I exercised at lunch today, I really should work a little later. *frown* Not that it was much of a workout, but it did take time and I didn't do much work while I was eating either. Bleh.

*smile* I hope everyone else is having a much better day! Faith, if I don't catch you before you leave, have fun on your trip!

*reluctantly drags herself back to work*

________________

ED: *slips back in* Okay, bike riding instead of Yoga. I guess that works... *throws in the towel and goes to make out her grocery list*

Oh, Ree! Thanks for the translation! I saw you did it, but I haven't looked at it to see if I understand yet. I will soon, though. ^-^ Arigatou!

^-^

Bento chopstick holders

Follow the link in her post and interpret for me? I can figure out the first two steps or so, but I know you are much better at figuring out how to do things like this from visual clues. Besides, I have a feeling you might like one. Or two. ^-^

----------------
Now playing: Kanno Yoko - EXODUS
http://foxytunes.com/artist/kanno+yoko/track/exodus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPIRITCHASER1!!

Even after reminding myself this morning, I almost forgot. I hope it was a fantastic one filled with wonderful things! (And that you see this almost belated message... Hahaha)

... we should fire them all. Bunch of babies. If someone tried this at work in the real world, they'd all be fired, so why not politicians?

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, I'm refering to all the fine, distinguished Senators of New York State. And yes, I mean each and every last one of them.

I don't know how much has made national or international news, but last week (Monday?), the Republicans convinced two Democrats to join them, formed a "coalition", and called the Senate leadership to a vote. The remaining Democrats either sat around shouting and trying to be disruptive or walked out. The vote passed 32 to... Well, I don't know if it would be 32 to 30 or 32 to 0, but it got barely over 50% so the "Coalition" is saying that it won. The "Non-Coalition" is saying that the whole thing was illegal and against procedure. The news media is saying that it was a "Coup". And most average New Yorkers are saying "Circus" (in a very derogatory manner).

( In which I rant about the stupidity and bullheadedness of people who are supposed to be 'Public Servants' )

So, here's my thought. We put ALL of the seats in the Senate up for grabs. Elections to be held one or two months from now. The Senators can run again... If they think they'd be re-elected. Right now, I can't think of many people who would do that, but hey, politicians have very thick skins and heads so they might think they could pull it off. We just need enough competent people of any party to run against them. Any name that's not recognized on the ballot would probably get the vote.

Then, the people of New York State could speak loud and clear.

Only, the people of New York State never speak loud and clear, do they? Too many are willing to be swayed by their union leaders, fame, popularity, and no desire to make a real, informed decision. So, I guess maybe we'd be stuck with the same crew again.

*sigh* Well, it was a nice thought. I was going to suggest a petition be sent around through the state that people could sign to call for an emergency election, but I just convinced myself that that won't work. Darn. I guess I'll go alternate between being depressed, frustrated, irritated, angry, fed-up, and "Why bother caring less" for a while. Though, if someone in NYS does create such a petition, I'm willing to sign it. If the voice of an Independent counts.

...bumbling from flower to flower, thus shall this posting be. And since I'm in a weird mood, I shall decorate it with little pictures from my mood theme. (amused: ) You might never see some of them, otherwise. PLEASE NOTE: ALL CREDIT GOES TO KYOY. I already mentioned that in my Userprofile, but just in case.

(sore: ) I have just spent the past hour or more fixing those mood theme links. (annoyed: ) Apparently, there is a character limit on the file name. I didn't know that. Bah. So, it was cutting off the last two or three letters of the name and breaking the link. I changed the file name in Photobucket (accomplished: ), and now it seems to be working all right. I hope so, at any rate. (optimistic: ) *mutters* It better be...

(curious: ) So.... For those of you who are into this kind of thing... Any recommendations for a detoxification program? You know my J has some health problems (sick: ), and he thinks that it may stem from toxins and stuff built up in his system. If any toxins are there, they probably aren't helping. (thoughtful: ) So, I'd like to come up with some gentle way of detoxifying him. And myself. Might as well get myself taken care of, too. Energy levels and vitamin levels are a concern, so it really has to be a natural, gentle way. That involves food, hahaha. Raya loves to eat (as her 140+ lbs frame somewhat shows). (No, that's not fat or overweight. Comfortably far enough from it, but I do love to eat unhealthy things... (embarrassed: ) The main reason is the energy and vitamin levels, though. We don't want to create any more problems...

Hmmm... What else? I have been busy with life in general. Summer will lighten up a little bit. Well, exercise classes will start later, so I will be spending a bit more time at work which will make it seem lighter, ne? (ditzy: ) Just one class a day, and some bike riding if I'm lucky. The weekends are taken up with housework, bills, and gardening.

(happy: ) I have a garden! I have some tomatoes (4 plants given to me by J's aunt), some lettuce (4 plants given to me by J's aunt), some marigolds (not my favorite flower, but apparently they keep the tomato-ravaging hornworm away so there they are), some peonies (one pink and one white), something that was supposed to be Sweet Woodruff and is probably something else with lots of little white flowers that sometimes smell good and sometimes stink, some tall zinnias (8 plants or so given to me by J's aunt again), my lavender bush, some rosemary, some Thai basil, some fernleaf dill, some chives, a nice cilantro plant, and some curly leaf parsley. I've also planted some seed Cosmos, Verbena, and Bachelor Buttons, but they're just starting to poke their itty-bitty heads out of the ground.

(productive: )(sore: ) I thinned out the forsythia last weekend and the weekend before. I was going to rake the leaves and junk out from under them this week and weed the garden along the fence this weekend, but it didn't happen. (lazy: ) Yesterday was spent doing absolutely nothing (points to picture), and today was spent doing bills and laundry. (busy: ) I really need to get some baby shower invitations out, too, but I think I'll do that at lunch tomorrow.

The plot bunnies have been nibbling away at me (creative: ), but I haven't had time to give into them yet. Maybe sometime this week. I owe Ree some comments anyway...

(Hyper: ) Has anyone read the last few chapters of Tsubasa RC? (happy: ) I mean, chapters 220-222? (ecstatic: ) I sent a homemade scanlation to Ree, but she hasn't said anything about it yet. (disappointed: ) (excited: ) She's just busy, too, I know. She'll squee with me soon enough, but I was wondering if anyone else wanted to squee, too. (energetic: ) I'm thinking of sending that scanlation to Senium because I think he'd like it, too. In fact... Little brother, I think you would love TRC and xXxHoLiC. X:1999 might be a little more your style, but I can see you falling in love with Yuuko. (amused: ) Haha, it'd probably be more like the love/hate relationship that Watanuki has with her, but you'd love her. (indescribable: ) Too bad Ree isn't caught up with holic. There's a plot point crossover that I would love to discuss with her, but it shall have to wait a year or three. Ah well. (okay: )

*sigh* Okay, I think that's enough for now. I think I'm either going to go find Legal Drug at mangahelpers or go downstairs and watch some TV. Probably the latter since I'm a bit tired of the computer. Been on it all day... (productive: )

Have a wonderful week, all!

----------------
Now playing: 3rd Stage Bishoujo Senshi SailorMoon Cast - 16 FIRE
http://foxytunes.com/artist/3rd+stage+bishoujo+senshi+sailormoon+cast/track/16+fire

Okay, I should be starting to work, but... I'm a little puzzled by some information that the Town Plumbing Inspector gave me this morning. And J isn't available yet (haha, tried to call him, but it went to voicemail), so you guys get to listen as I get it out of my system so I can work on permits for Missouri. *rolls eyes*

( House Stuff )

Okay, now that that's outta my system for a while maybe I can go concentrate on these permits I need to fill out for Missouri. *sigh* Stupid permits. This information doesn't apply! It's not that type of pressure vessel! And why isn't my insurance person doing this with input from me? I thought that was one of the things we paid them for. Just as well, I suppose, because he doesn't understand our system... *wince* And he's gotten the State Inspector confused so I have a feeling I'm going to be talking myself blue trying to explain how the system is protected so we don't have to do unecessary work.

*sigh* And it's irritating me to no end, but it has to be done. So, I'd better get off to it. At least the sun is shining today. And it's warm. And J and I might take a bike ride after work. And we're going out for pizza tonight. And I get two brief days not to think about irritating inspection agents and dumb permits. *smile*

Have a great day everyone!

PS: Hmmm... Looks like I'm going to have to fix my mood theme this weekend, too. Half of the links are missing or broken? That doesn't make sense.

*smiles in amusement at the feathery paper airplane that landed on her desk at work* What's this? A nudge from Faith? Oh boy, I've been bad, haven't I?

^-^

Hello all! Yes, I'm alive. No, I do not have H1N1 or any variants thereof. I have just been as busy if not busier than usual here lately. I have rediscovered (mostly) my focus at work just in time for it to get busy, busy, busy. I have been on four or more trips already this year, and it has been very tiring. I have also been trying to keep on some sort of exercise schedule and spending time with my J and keeping my head above water as I do the necessary RL things like bills and housework. And quite honestly, the internet is beginning to come in a distant third or fourth to RL lately. Haha, that will probably change but I can't begin to guess when.

I am still reading and occasionally commenting. I'm doing some fangirl squeeing over the last few chapters of holic and TRC. (It's all coming to a head and coming out now, Ree! Yuko... And the clones... Ahhhh... It will take at least a tankouban (book) per arc to get it out, more like two. Everyone keeps thinking that 28 is the last TRC... I'm thinking there might be 29. Or a nice round 30... *presses teeth into finger* Wish you were reading the latest translations of both, too (and I think to get the full effect, you'll need to read both), so we could squee and gossip together, but ah well. You also wish I'd catch up on your animes, too, for the same reason.)

*smile* Bittorrent works a little better than uTorrent... At least I can get some things downloaded before it all freezes up. Now, I just got to find time to watch TV.

*grin* Of course, J tells me he has a lot to do this summer and I've been joking that I won't get to see him too much until August or September so maybe... *laughs*

Ever have one of those years where you feel like you're running on slick, slippery mud? Where you are getting just enough traction to move forward, but you stumble and miss your step and it takes longer than it should to get anywhere? That's how I've been feeling lately. I just finished making my elections for my benefits (medical, dental, etc.) for next year... I've basically had all month to do it and Friday is the last day. And I felt like I had no time at all to think about it.

*sigh* I just decided to change med insurance carriers... I hope I made the right decision. The coverage levels are the same, but the doctor I just chose as my primary care two years ago is no longer "in-network" for the carrier I've used since I joined the company in 1992. They are "in-network" for the other carrier, but the other carrier does have any allowance for "out-network" prescriptions. If I ever get sick in GA, I'll have to make sure I can find a pharmacy that is in-network. Sorta. Because it is Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York. That WNY part worries me just a little... *grimace* I keep reminding myself that I can always change back next year...

My exercise schedule has changed a little bit. Now, instead of working until 5:30-6:00, I usually have to leave the office by 4:45-5:00. That is so I can make the Monday Body Conditioning class, the Tuesday Spinning class, and the Wednesday Zumba class. Thursday was the Yoga class, but she has moved it to 7:15 on Wednesdays now, so I rarely get to it. And Fridays hasn't really settled into anything but chiropractor appointments every other week at 5:30. Depending on whether or not I have to go grocery shopping, pay bills, come home and cook for J, etc., I will do the Fusion class on Mondays after Body Conditioning and Kickboxing on Wednesdays after Zumba. Tuesday, I do Pilates after Spinning, and then I'm trying to get up to the other Y for "Intermediate" Tai Chi. Tuesdays can be long... I've actually not been going to that extra Tai Chi class so I can get home and eat at a reasonable hour. *wince* And it shows. Thursday is "Beginning" Tai Chi before choir. Which, this Thursday is the last rehearsal for the year. Yay! And I'm not sure if I'm going to do Water Aerobics or Spinning at the Niagara Falls Y on Fridays when I don't go to the chiropractor. Haha, so far, I haven't had much choice... Too much travel and odd schedules.

So anyway, you can see that by the time I get home all I want to do is cook, eat, and get to bed. I'll spend a little time on-line. Lately, I've been reading. (Storms, Mage Wars, the "new" Foundation book, Shadow Queen again, etc.) And cooking. And doing the bare minimum of housework. That kind of thing.

Ah. Another topic. My lovely car. It cost me $650+ this past week. I took it in for an oil change and a state inspection, and they determined that 1) the transmission fluid was low and in need of a flush, 2) the brake fluid needs a flush, and 3) there was a leaking valve gasket. I got upset about the transmission fluid since I just had the rack and pinion system replaced last year due to a busted seal. They ended up throwing the fluid to top it off in free of charge even after the salesman determined that the two systems (power steering and transmission) were not the same. I didn't get the transmission or the brake system flushed, but I did have them fix the oil leak and that's what took the price up so high. *sigh* The car is an '02... But it only has ~64,000 miles on it. It feels like I shouldn't be having these kind of problems. *wry smile* J thinks they were making up work with the two flushes (particularly the transmission) though they usually don't try to pull that stuff on me. When we get a few moments, I'll have him look at the fluids and see what he thinks.

Other than that... I have to wait until 4th of July weekend for a mini-vacation (that will be a rushed mini-vacation, hahaha) and all the way until mid-October for my real vacation. I usually take my vacation Memorial Day week, so I'm hoping I can last that long. Alas, I don't think the organizers and fans will move the Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico to another week just to satisfy me. And really, the fun of going that week is that it is J's birthday that weekend and he LOVES hot air balloons. (The Balloon Fiesta is the biggest rally in the US. Yes, the one you always see pictures and stories of.) *smile* I can't wait...

There. That's kind of a summary (in a very round about way) of my life currently. ^-^ I know I owe Ree lots of comments. And since she is nearly out of school, she is about to flood me with even more stories to comment on, hahaha. And one day, around watching anime and reading and RL, I will dust off some of these plot bunnies and get a story or two of my own out. *smile* No promises, though. It's the beginning of summer... Bike riding season. And gardening. I hear plants calling my name. And the "cram all the parties and activities you can into the short window of beautiful warm weather" season for WNY, hahaha. So, no promises. But I'll think about it.

^-^ Ja ne!

PS - Off to load up a new mood theme... If I get it in, Ree, what do you think? Want to use it for R&R? Can't wait to see all of it...

ED: credit kyoy if you use. If you like and want, either let her know and she'll send you the download link, or let me know and I'll e-mail you the RAR (zip-type) file. Some of them are all right, but I love some of them. Like Calm, Drained, and Peaceful. Excellent capture of wonderful emotions there.

And now, after three attempts to finally get that theme uploaded, it's time to get to bed. Oyasumi, minna.

----------------
Now playing: Iijima Mari - 013 SILVER MOON * RED MOON
http://foxytunes.com/artist/iijima+mari/track/013+silver+moon+*+red+moon

ED: Now playing: Sailor Moon - 12 Sailor Team no Theme.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I hope it was a fantastic, love-filled, fiesta of a day. ^-^

*hugs both* *hands Ree a bouquet of orange daisies with lots of green fern leaves* *hands Faith a spray of apple blossoms bound 'round with a spray of forsythia*


Oh! Speaking of apple blossoms... ^-^ Does anyone want an apple sapling? I have two in my yard that need to go. I think they are package-able and mail-able... Open to any who wish.

Now, I need to go pack for Ashtabula. I'm supposed to be leaving for Eden. Oops, scratch that. I was supposed to have left for Eden 10 minutes ago. *sigh* We'll blame the fact that laundry isn't done yet. And I haven't been dawdling on it, either. Oh well.

Ja ne!

I really should be working and writing this later...

So, what's up Memorial Day weekend, oh Atlantans? Looks like I will be postponing my summer vacation for an autumn vacation (sorta "yeah!"). J and I will be going out to New Mexico for the Balloon Fiesta in October for his birthday. Plans are to leave Thursday afternoon, get there late Thursday night, go to the Fiesta on Friday and Saturday, wander around New Mexico Sunday through Tuesday and fly home on Wednesday. *smile* It will be a whole lot of fun, but it will be hard to wait that long. Haha, after over 15 years, my body is trained for summer vacation at the end of May.

Since I'll need so many days for that in October, I won't be able to take off too many in May. But... I was thinking of coming down the night of Thursday, the 21st. I've got to check flights to see if it will be at the time Elflina gets off the way we've done the past few times or if I will need to ask someone to make a special trip. Then, I'll be there Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I'm debating on whether I'll fly home Monday or Tuesday. Hmmm... Vacation days...

So, thoughts? Any plans set as of yet? Is Friday good? Or should I plan to come in Friday night?

And now that that's off my mind, back to work. Ja ne! ^-^

You know... I must be one of the "spoiled" generation. I never thought I was. I mean, we didn't have TVs or computers or game systems in our bedrooms growing up. At least, most didn't until I was in 7th grade or so. And in my family, it was never even considered. And cell phones? The wireless technology at the time was bulky and expensive. It was a big deal if you had a pager, and only important people (i.e., workers not kids) had those. We had a nice variety of food though my family never got too exotic and it was mostly canned vegetables and fruit. Eating out was still something of a luxury, not the necessity it is today.

And yet... I had to have been spoiled. Because all I can think of when I hear or see yet another news report on the "Epidemic Swine Flu", all I can think of is.... It's just the flu. What's the big deal? Isn't there any other real news out there?

People are dying in Mexico because of this. Okay. I never said it wasn't a big deal for Mexico. Particularly Mexico City. For those people, it is very relevant and important. For me in Buffalo?

Don't get me wrong. I think people should be made aware of it. If they are planning to travel to Mexico City, they need to know that there is a chance that they'll get the flu and it will ruin their trip. But level 5 W.H.O.?! One step short of a world-wide epidemic? Give me a break! It's nowhere near the Plague!

I think some people and organizations are so worried about the overdue pandemic plague that they are hyping this up. SARs didn't live up to its potential. The avian flu kind of petered out. *shakes head*

And that's why I think I must be spoiled and naive. Because I just don't see what all the global fuss is about. I know there have been flu epedimics before that have resulted in lots of deaths. But, I can't wrap my head around it. It's just the flu. Worse than a cold. Better than pneumonia or bronchitis. You'll feel worse before you feel better. You might wish you were dead a time or two. But how many healthy people (i.e., not the at risk people like young kids or the elderly or those with immuno disorders) will be more than just inconvenienced by it?

I just don't get it. In fact, it just adds more support to my theory that Americans (at least) have had it good for so long that they have to create issues and problems to get angry and excited about. That is my pet theory as to why people are so angry and intolerant these days. That, and the fact that they're spoiled more than me.

Hmmm... Now that I have written this, it makes me think. Maybe I'm not of the "spoiled" generation, but of the sheltered one. The Great War generation were the tough ones, I'm not sure what the Baby Boomers are, my generation was sheltered, and this newest generation is spoiled. Yeah... For the moment, that sounds right.

No offense, those of you in the spoiled generation. It's just a general label and like all general labels doesn't necessarily apply to more than a quarter of the population. They're just the noisiest, most obvious part of your generation, unfortunately.

*sigh* In other news, um... Hmm... My weight started creeping back up into the 140s, so I'm back to listing meals in MyPyramidTracker to get the portion sizes back down again. My work pants (8 relaxed) are still very loose and my jeans (6 relaxed and 8 regular) still fit all right, but I want to go down to 135, not back up again.

J and I both had headaches in the same spot on Wednesday. That was truly odd. *smile* Mine went away first, then came back when his went away on Thursday. I blame spring allergies and rain.

Yes, it is really, truly spring in Western New York! The tulips and hyacinths and daffodils are all out in full bloom. So are the forsythia and the flowering fruit trees. The non-flowering trees like maple and birch are leafing out and sending out lots of pollen. My favorite time of year. Except that that darn pollen gives me headaches, congestion, and sinus infections for months on end. Ah well. The price I pay.

My bike has been repaired (it's had a flat tire since late last fall), so I might even be able to get it out this weekend! Around bills and housework and whatever else J and I come up with to do this weekend. I should work, but I doubt I will. I'll just keep plugging away at my 8-9 hours per day. I feel kinda guilty about leaving on-time, but I keep reminding myself that my health is important, too, so I need to go workout for 1-2 hours. And to get to the first class on time, I have to leave work on-time. Too bad I love sleep too much to get in here early, hahaha.

Work is busy, busy, busy. It seems to speed up rather than slow down. Between that, exercise, and J, I don't have much energy left for writing. But, I'm starting to feel the tickle of inspiration for a StarS story or two, and Rei might turn out to be interesting.

Well, now lunch is over, so I guess I should get back to that work I'm avoiding. ^-^

Ree, I saw two stories. I read two stories. I'm waiting for the third. I think the Princess going hunting sounds like a good character assessment, hahaha. Makes her seem more warrior like and less spoiled-princess-brat like. More comments in actual reviews later.

Flyboy, I hope your job is still safe. I worry about you even though Honda's not in the news. Silly sister-in-law, I know, but I do.

Lots of prayers for Laynna and Senium. And Elflina and Spiritchaser1, too, just for good measure.

Lots of hugs and prayers for Vay. I hope spring helps, and I hope the situation changes so he can come home to you sooner rather than later.

Lots of prayers and well wishes for Faith. Go girl. You can do it. ^-^

And now enough delaying. *playful pout* Ja ne!

*mumbles grumpily* Why is it that useful information that would make this take 15-30 minutes is NOT available on the internet for download? *bang**bang**bang* Why does Fisher like to make my life miserable?

Actually, why does I-T like to make my life miserable. Cashco has a sizing program on-line that I could run real quick (at least, I think I could run it real quick), but no-o-o-o... I'm not allowed to load it on my computer until my Boss approves my request and I-T reviews and approves the software. *whimper* And I know good and well that it is on several other computers around here... But I have to be a good little corporate citizen. *eyes the tempting program*

I have already wasted a precious hour or more on this, and I am no further along than when I started. *sigh* I wish G were here. He could probably rip the answer right out for me and I could move on. *whines* I don't want to wait until Monday. I want this evaluation 90% finished today when I leave. And I can't do that without sizing this stupid regulator!!

What's even more frustrating is that I can picture the book I need. I swear I have it or that it's in G's office, but I can't find it.

*deep breath*

*long exhale*

*smile* The sun is shining, the weather is WARM!, J and I had a picnic lunch at the park today, and it is almost time to go home. All of that almost counteracts this frustration, my sore hand, and my (other) sore arm/wrist. Almost. Very closely. I guess I'm going to have to take the non-preferred route and *gulp* guess *cringe* so I can move on. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can go play and take Morgana to the vet. ^-^ And maybe both of them down to get their nails cut? And maybe set up a grooming appointment for 'Leander? After the way he behaved when they got the mats out for him, I am sold on the idea. And I certainly don't want him to have more mats!

I hope everyone out there is having a better (less frustrating) day than I! ^-^ Ja ne!

I'm being bad and using another holiday/vacation day. I'll probably regret it later this year, but I'm feeling happy that I did right now. ^-^

And right now, as I told Ree, I have this song and scene stuck in my head. The transformation of Black Lady into Sailor ChibiMoon from the Sera Myu musicals. The first one. ^-^ Although the second Black Lady was pretty and pretty good, I still have a soft spot for Nao who was one of the first ChibiMoons and the first ChibiChibi. It was only right that she was also the first Black Lady. *nods*

( Two youtube videos of the same thing )

Haha, and it's not really such a good song to go on and on and on about. ^-^ Just haven't heard it in a while. And I really liked that emotional scene. R is probably my favorite "season".

(Spoiler image for Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, but not xXxHoLiC)

*huge grin* Ree, all the fun is taking place in my manga right now. Wheeee!!

( Syaoran kakkui~i~i~i! )

Yay! Yay! Oh thank heavens there she is. What is she doing? Is that...? YES! *bounce bounce* It's xxxx! And xxxx, too! Naturally. Oh, Fei Wong is soooo in trouble now. But what choice? Not another choice. Hahahahahaha.

Poooh. Two week break before we can continue the climactic final battle. And before we can find out what the choice is, though I can make a guess or three. Wonder when or if we'll ever get the Clow-Fujitaka-Fujitaka-Nadeshiko explanation... *grin* And whether or not Sakura will wake up before the battle is over. *huge grin* Oh, that would definitely tip the scales. Poor Fei Wong.

Okay, time to go heat up some soup for lunch, continue laundry, refill my teacup, and think about what I want to do in the three and a half hours before I go pick up some boiled eggs from J at work and head to the gym for the daily exercise routine. ^-^ Ja ne, minna!

(Haha, is it just me, or does Sakura-haha resemble NQS in some of those panels? *grin*)

^-^



Kashi vegetarian "pizza rolls", on a bed of spinach, with grape tomatoes, cut up baby carrots, dried pineapple, and dried blueberries. Wonder if I got all the colors in this time. ^-^ I have a little box with cut up celery and more cut up carrot in it, too.

*laughs softly* I was supposed to have leftover Indian food tomorrow for lunch (homemade chicken stir fry, spinach with cheese, and potato with peas), but it looks like pizza and salad wins.

*sigh* Groceries are too expensive. Especially when you buy a large bag of cat food, four bags of pre-packaged dried fruit, six or eight bags of chocolate for the office, specialty pizza for dinner... Hahaha.

WARNING: IMAGE HEAVY!

Rainy day icon in honor of April. ^-^

A bouquet of flowers for vayleen. I took most of these pictures. In fact, all but one, I think. If someone wants to use them for iconing, go right ahead. Credit would be nice, but is not necessary.

( Last warning... )

And some icons I made that have flowers in them.



Enjoy!

I couldn't resist. Though, I couldn't find the pretty forsythia shot I had this morning. Oh well. ^-^ All three shots taken just a few minutes ago!

( First flowers of spring in Western NY 2009 )

*sigh* Looks like I'll have to log off and log back in first. uTorrent has frozen up again. Anyone know a bittorrent file that works nice with ZoneAlarm? I.e., runs more than two hours before it freezes up?

Sakura! *bounces excitedly* It's the real Sakura! And Shaoran! CCS!!! YES! Oh, she looks so pretty! I need a color image of that. *grins* CCS!Shaoran looks good, too. *bounce bounce bounce* And you know how you know it's the real Sakura? "Zetai daijoubu yo." Oh, only CCS!Sakura has used that statement, her own personal spell.

Ree!...! You must go here to download the very latest holic chapter from Japan, and then here to get the translation. Don't worry. There's really nothing about this chapter that would spoil other holic chapters for you. (Edit: Um, I don't think. Maybe if you skip looking at the second page. The translation doesn't tell you much...) Everyone is suitably vague enough. But I must have someone to spaz with and you must see the prettiness of pages 10-11 and the loveliness of 6-9. ^-^

I'm so glad I didn't wait to read this... ^-^

*bounces happily away to make supper and cardamom flavored granola bars*

*evil grin* "Black Jewels" are the pretty poison. There is no cure for "Black Jewels".

Ne? Another addict will soon be born. *evil laugh*





*s-t-r-e-t-c-h* I had more I was going to say yesterday, but I forget. Guess I'll get back to work. *smile* I'm alive! I'm pretty well! I'm catching up on all my obligations. And Easter will soon be here!