Half-Birthday
Today I am exactly 45 and a half years old. In this photo I am three years old and my sister, Judy, is two (I have just one sibling). At this time, we lived in Los Angeles, California USA, but we were visiting a snow-covered Mt. Wilson, which is in Los Angeles County,...
Sopa, not SOPA
Yesterday's actions against the Stop Online Piracy Act legislation seem to have been effective. I like to think Cindylu's blog, Loteria Chicana, did its part, too. Cindylu created this excellent photo. I love it! Please see her blog for the explanation.
Blood
My first and only trip out of the United States happened between August 28th and September 10th, 2010. One more reason to regret going was that traveling in Peru and Bolivia prevented me from donating blood for a whole year. I resented that. Last night, for the first...
Dogs Don’t Need This Stuff
When we first got our dog from the shelter last fall, we took him to the veterinarian. Among other things, I asked if a lean, short-haired dog like Ozzie would need protection from the weather. Should we get him a coat or some shoes? She said no. Dogs don't need...
Hostess Snack Cakes in Trouble
Yesterday Hostess filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I suggest one of the following responses: "Thank goodness. If we can finally get rid of that junk food, so much the better." "Quick, go out and eat some Hostess snack cakes. It's for the good of the American economy!"...
If the World Were Ending…
But if the world really were going to be destroyed in December 2012, what would you spend the next year doing? I like this question because it precludes all that "leaving your mark" crap or preparing others for when you're gone. In this scenario, we'll all be gone. So...
Free Time with My Husband
One of the odd things about my marriage is how little our work schedules sync up. We don't even have the same days off. I work a regular paper-pushing job with business hours. Bob works in a restaurant that's open 365 days a year (no holidays off) and his days off are...
Consolation
The Christmas season is over and I often feel sad during the first few days of January, but this year I don't. It's possible that coming down with bronchitis during the long Thanksgiving weekend and then taking weeks to recover from the resulting pneumonia had an...
Happy New Year
Here's the payoff for getting a dog that eats everything he can get his snout on: as activity outside our first floor, Chicago apartment gets weirder this weekend, he's there for me. A 45-pound pitbull mix can be a strangely comforting thing, especially on New Year's...
How was Christmas?
Christmas Eve: Bob worked. I had dinner in Niles at the Omega Restaurant with friends. When I got home, Bob called and said that in the course of his job (in the restaurant industry) he'd been forced into a physical confrontation. Sadly as a result, Bob was in the...
Merry Christmas!
The Evil Christmas Dog says, "Merry Christmas!"
How to Avoid Visiting Family for the Holidays, without Lying
This is merely a public service. I am not talking about the family I just visited last weekend (uh, hi Dad). Family gatherings are often fun and pleasant. This post is just for those few people who have family they'd rather avoid. 1. If you have a job with vacation...