Well I suppose I do have some relevant news but nothing to write of it yet. I just started school again, this time at UW. I am now in the computational linguistics program, so we’ll see how well my programming classes prepared me. My only observations thus far are the political views on campus, or should I say ‘view’. Every new university I attend is more liberal than the previous, though it’s hard not go anywhere but left from BYU. Fresno was mixed, you had the Jesus freaks preaching to you between classes, anti-war meetings in the afternoon, and minority type marches in the evening. I have yet to spot the elusive college Republicans at the UW, but I saw numerous left of center groups, each with their own effigy of their most hated Republican. So where is this diversity you speak of UW? Well I don’t know about you, but I am getting bored just writing this, so on to the next point.
I joined a soccer league a month ago! We’ve played two games so far and are 1-1; I don’t know what to say about that yet. Either way the season goes I like my team, I’m having fun, and it’s a great workout. I’ve been running and doing weights for quite a few years, so I thought I would be in shape, but I was exhausted and my muscles in pain after both games. I couldn’t have been ignoring that many muscles, could I’ve been? I’ll put some pictures up as soon as I allow Will to attend one of the games. Yep, I’ve forbidden him until I get at least some of my skills back. Maybe this weekend…
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Candy Critic
For the lack of anything better to write (or pictures to accompany my post), I’m going to review some new Halloween treats that I’ve tried.
More reviews as I buy more candy for my young students (or so that is the excuse).
- 3 Musketeers snack size, variety pack (Mocha Cappuccino, French Vanilla, Strawberry)
- If you have a sweet tooth and want to lose weight this is the candy to eat. 3 Musketeers is one of the few chocolate concoctions that are relatively low in fat. Unfortunately, that’s not why it’ll help you lose weight. All three flavors taste nasty. Not only will the candy never make it down, but your lunch will be coming back up, especially after the Mocha one. My guess is that they combined their standard nougat mixture with a chapstick of each respective flavor. Even 3 Musketeers is remaining silent about their newest confections, without even a mention of the pack on their website.
- Twix snack size, variety pack (Original, Triple Chocolate, Dark Chocolate)
- I’m not a big fan of Twix. I never cared for the cookie part. If I wanted a cookie I would buy a cookie, not a candy bar. Nevertheless, in order to get the bags of candy at $2.50, I had to buy two. Also, the two new flavors intrigued me.
Triple Chocolate – Well it’s a Twix. It tastes slightly different than the original. Yet, I am still asking why. Without the caramel in a Twix, one just has a chocolate covered cookie, so why add chocolate caramel to the cookie and coating when one who likes Twix probably does so for the caramel + cookie combination. The chocolate caramel adds no contrastive properties, just more chocolate upon chocolate. It’s like Snickers using chocolate covered peanuts instead of regular ones.
Dark – This one was actually decent. The paring of bittersweet chocolate and sweet caramel makes it an easy pleaser in my world. And, I must remember that I am in the United States, where good chocolate is as rare as a sunny day in Seattle. So Twix Dark ranks high when buying ‘American.’
More reviews as I buy more candy for my young students (or so that is the excuse).
Thursday, September 20, 2007
For the Birthday
I'm posting some pictures of my oldest niece Catie, aka CatieBug, still in the single digits at age 9 (double digits are overrated my love).
Workin' it on the dance floor...
Showin' it...
Throwin' it...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The TCM Returns
As I said in my last post, there are times I’d love to have a mob on hand, mainly to deal with people, companies, or situations that annoy me. Last Friday (and now today as well) was one of those days.
I haven’t seen a doctor in years so I decided I needed a complete check up. Among the tests was a blood draw, something I absolutely fear and hate. Even writing about is getting me lightheaded, but I will toughen up for the sake of my readers.
The sight of human blood makes me queasy, but when I see my own leave my body into a tube, it’s unbearable. I told the nurse, as she was gathering her tools, of my distress. Every time I have had my blood drawn, my statement of discomfort prompted the nurse to talk to me. As mindless as the chatter may be, it gets my mind off the impending draining of my lifeline. I learned to look the other way myself, but most have also directed me to a poster to stare at.
This nurse acknowledged my statement with a quick grin and complete silence. She started to preparing my arm, and not a word was spoken. I knew then I must fend for myself. I was within stretching distance of a magazine, so stretching for dear life with my free arm, I managed to grab a fashion magazine. Such a desperate act should have been indication number 2 that it’s critical I get my mind off of the draw, but she didn’t react to the very clear number 1, so it was no surprise that she still said nothing.
I rummaged through pages, finally landing on a makeup review (note to self: remember to check out Chanel blush). I survived the ordeal, but less than optimally. It’s much harder to direct my mind towards a passive activity, like reading, from an actively worrying state. In addition to reading, I had to shake my left leg to divert the attention away from my constrained right arm. Isn’t that all a bit weird to you nurse lady!
But, whatever, it was over, my blood was being sent away to the lab, and I could finally break my 12 hour fast. …Well, I thought way too soon… I should have waited a week for such a positive thought. I was informed today that someone screwed up. There was a blood mix up, and I have to go in again to get it drawn all over again. I thought blood mix ups only happen in movies and to OJ Simpson?!?
I much more frightened than ever before. One, I figure the nurse was silent because she needed the concentration, which makes me think she is inexperienced. Now I am worried she’ll have trouble finding the blood vessel and/or she’ll inadvertently inject some air bubble into me and kill me. Two, who mixes up blood? Not in the history of me or Will (since he has been around longer than me) have we had such an experience. I’m betting it was on this nurse’s end. I don’t want to go back!
To make matters even worse, I really need to get it done this week. I start school next week, and just don’t have the time. So my choices are Wednesday, right after the physical torture of the dentist, and because I’ll have to fast, that pain and distress will by accompanied by hunger and a hunger headache; Thursday, my birthday and a busy work day, but since I’m worried she’s going to kill me, it seems too morbid to go on that day; or Friday, the day of my and my friend’s party. That last day is only an issue, because usually I am in a zomibified state after any medical work. That is completely my hypochondriac self’s fault, but still…Damn you woman!
------------------
Going back to last Friday, though, there was another thing that annoyed me, selling via guilt. A lady came by around 8 and gave some schpeel about second chances, and how she has cleaned up her life and wants a second chance. According to her, her second chance requires me to buy magazines off of her. I told her we already have what we need and wasn’t interested. She proceed to explain that it’s not about buying magazines you’ll actually read, it’s about helping her get back on her feet again. She then showed me pictures of her kids. I wished her luck and said she would probably have no problem finding other buyers on this street to help her meet her selling quota, but I just wasn’t interested. That’s when she really tried to play the guilt card, and asked if I had kids. I stole the bait and threw the line back to her. I told her I didn’t and that she could come back when I did. She left in a huff.
I’m usually more polite to salespeople as I know it’s their job, but I don’t like it when one’s sales strategy is emotional manipulation. Now, if she had tried to sell me something I needed, like chocolate, I would have been more receptive. However, if she had told me I had to buy it for the survival of her and her kids, I’d still turn it down.
Well, that’s it for whining. My next post will have a much more cheery tone.
I haven’t seen a doctor in years so I decided I needed a complete check up. Among the tests was a blood draw, something I absolutely fear and hate. Even writing about is getting me lightheaded, but I will toughen up for the sake of my readers.
The sight of human blood makes me queasy, but when I see my own leave my body into a tube, it’s unbearable. I told the nurse, as she was gathering her tools, of my distress. Every time I have had my blood drawn, my statement of discomfort prompted the nurse to talk to me. As mindless as the chatter may be, it gets my mind off the impending draining of my lifeline. I learned to look the other way myself, but most have also directed me to a poster to stare at.
This nurse acknowledged my statement with a quick grin and complete silence. She started to preparing my arm, and not a word was spoken. I knew then I must fend for myself. I was within stretching distance of a magazine, so stretching for dear life with my free arm, I managed to grab a fashion magazine. Such a desperate act should have been indication number 2 that it’s critical I get my mind off of the draw, but she didn’t react to the very clear number 1, so it was no surprise that she still said nothing.
I rummaged through pages, finally landing on a makeup review (note to self: remember to check out Chanel blush). I survived the ordeal, but less than optimally. It’s much harder to direct my mind towards a passive activity, like reading, from an actively worrying state. In addition to reading, I had to shake my left leg to divert the attention away from my constrained right arm. Isn’t that all a bit weird to you nurse lady!
But, whatever, it was over, my blood was being sent away to the lab, and I could finally break my 12 hour fast. …Well, I thought way too soon… I should have waited a week for such a positive thought. I was informed today that someone screwed up. There was a blood mix up, and I have to go in again to get it drawn all over again. I thought blood mix ups only happen in movies and to OJ Simpson?!?
I much more frightened than ever before. One, I figure the nurse was silent because she needed the concentration, which makes me think she is inexperienced. Now I am worried she’ll have trouble finding the blood vessel and/or she’ll inadvertently inject some air bubble into me and kill me. Two, who mixes up blood? Not in the history of me or Will (since he has been around longer than me) have we had such an experience. I’m betting it was on this nurse’s end. I don’t want to go back!
To make matters even worse, I really need to get it done this week. I start school next week, and just don’t have the time. So my choices are Wednesday, right after the physical torture of the dentist, and because I’ll have to fast, that pain and distress will by accompanied by hunger and a hunger headache; Thursday, my birthday and a busy work day, but since I’m worried she’s going to kill me, it seems too morbid to go on that day; or Friday, the day of my and my friend’s party. That last day is only an issue, because usually I am in a zomibified state after any medical work. That is completely my hypochondriac self’s fault, but still…Damn you woman!
------------------
Going back to last Friday, though, there was another thing that annoyed me, selling via guilt. A lady came by around 8 and gave some schpeel about second chances, and how she has cleaned up her life and wants a second chance. According to her, her second chance requires me to buy magazines off of her. I told her we already have what we need and wasn’t interested. She proceed to explain that it’s not about buying magazines you’ll actually read, it’s about helping her get back on her feet again. She then showed me pictures of her kids. I wished her luck and said she would probably have no problem finding other buyers on this street to help her meet her selling quota, but I just wasn’t interested. That’s when she really tried to play the guilt card, and asked if I had kids. I stole the bait and threw the line back to her. I told her I didn’t and that she could come back when I did. She left in a huff.
I’m usually more polite to salespeople as I know it’s their job, but I don’t like it when one’s sales strategy is emotional manipulation. Now, if she had tried to sell me something I needed, like chocolate, I would have been more receptive. However, if she had told me I had to buy it for the survival of her and her kids, I’d still turn it down.
Well, that’s it for whining. My next post will have a much more cheery tone.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Big Anniversary
Get out the champagne or sparkling cider, because it’s celebration time! Not only was it the two year anniversary of my blog last month, but it was my two year anniversary of being in the great city of Seattle. Now it’s September, but great things have happened in September, so we can celebrate this month too. So what did I do to celebrate the anniversary…well, basically nothing. That’s why the time is now.
So I promised I would do something a little different. I didn’t say it would be cool or astonishing, just different. So the big difference is that I link to some old posts and a few new ones. Whoo hoo! I know you can just scroll down or hit the appropriate archive link to find them, but I’m just saving you the time. It’s the least I can do.
On the topic of celebrations you can view some wedding photos here. I took way too long to put these guys up so they are being relegated to a link on the main post. Also, honeymoon 1 is here.
Lastely, I will now finally answer the big question as to why “torch carrying mob” (TCM asks: Has anyone actually asked that? Carrie: That’s not really important).
I created the blog while taking a break from packing all of Will’s junk (yep, that’s right Will’s, not Carrie’s, she packed her stuff in no time. In all fairness, though, I did delay the whole ordeal a week by getting pharyngo-conjunctival fever, then passing it on to Will). Originally I think I named it Caredog’s Adventure and intended to keep a log of my departure and arrival in Seattle. I gave a final farewell to Fresno in my first post here and a summary of my first few days in Seattle here.
However, somewhere between Fresno and Seattle the image of a torch carrying mob came to mind. I believe it was after 12 hours of driving and a couple energy drinks. The image made me laugh because the kind I had in mind is the type from movies and television. The mob usually consists of local yahoos trying to run the person questioning their beliefs out of town (TCM asks: So you’re entertained by the thought of idiots with torches and pitchforks. Carrie: Yes, I’m easily amused.). Secondly, I wouldn’t mind having my own torch carrying mob, though the educated variety, to threaten real foes like ITT, or minor ones like the barista who failed to decaf the mocha I ordered around 8pm two weeks ago.
With that I was going to turn the blog into a vigilante-type sounding board, but it never took off. The name, however, still remains. Maybe someday…
So I promised I would do something a little different. I didn’t say it would be cool or astonishing, just different. So the big difference is that I link to some old posts and a few new ones. Whoo hoo! I know you can just scroll down or hit the appropriate archive link to find them, but I’m just saving you the time. It’s the least I can do.
On the topic of celebrations you can view some wedding photos here. I took way too long to put these guys up so they are being relegated to a link on the main post. Also, honeymoon 1 is here.
Lastely, I will now finally answer the big question as to why “torch carrying mob” (TCM asks: Has anyone actually asked that? Carrie: That’s not really important).
I created the blog while taking a break from packing all of Will’s junk (yep, that’s right Will’s, not Carrie’s, she packed her stuff in no time. In all fairness, though, I did delay the whole ordeal a week by getting pharyngo-conjunctival fever, then passing it on to Will). Originally I think I named it Caredog’s Adventure and intended to keep a log of my departure and arrival in Seattle. I gave a final farewell to Fresno in my first post here and a summary of my first few days in Seattle here.
However, somewhere between Fresno and Seattle the image of a torch carrying mob came to mind. I believe it was after 12 hours of driving and a couple energy drinks. The image made me laugh because the kind I had in mind is the type from movies and television. The mob usually consists of local yahoos trying to run the person questioning their beliefs out of town (TCM asks: So you’re entertained by the thought of idiots with torches and pitchforks. Carrie: Yes, I’m easily amused.). Secondly, I wouldn’t mind having my own torch carrying mob, though the educated variety, to threaten real foes like ITT, or minor ones like the barista who failed to decaf the mocha I ordered around 8pm two weeks ago.
With that I was going to turn the blog into a vigilante-type sounding board, but it never took off. The name, however, still remains. Maybe someday…
Weddin'
I held on to the wedding photos so long that I don’t like any of them (it's the makeup I can't get over). But I shall share a few with you anyway. Some may be replaced, like the one with my parents, so I’ll wait until November for that one.
To start, I almost didn’t make it to the “laid back” wedding (I think laid back only occurs when you elope). I had my nails and make-up done by my stylist on the Eastside in Kirkland. On a normal day that may spell disaster if I want to return to Seattle in a timely matter, since during the afternoon rush hour it usually looks like this -where black means you’re SOL:
It was the Independence day holiday weekend so I figured the roads would look more like this:
But, since weddings aren’t supposed to be relaxing and everything ran smoothly before that point, someone got into an accident on the westbound lane of the bridge, and the traffic situation looked more like picture 1, but worse. Reduced to one lane, it took me an hour and a half to get to Seattle. By then it was too late to go home, change into my wedding gear, get my rings, and find the number and name of the judge that was to marry us. I had to get to the courthouse as is and hope my parents and Will were able to not only take an inventory of what I needed, but to also find it....was everything found or did I get married in jeans and a dirty t-shirt???
Okay enough with the writing. Here are some pics.
What did we just do?
Sexy Sarah
Sexy Sariah
Makeshift Wedding cake
We had to dance at least once
To start, I almost didn’t make it to the “laid back” wedding (I think laid back only occurs when you elope). I had my nails and make-up done by my stylist on the Eastside in Kirkland. On a normal day that may spell disaster if I want to return to Seattle in a timely matter, since during the afternoon rush hour it usually looks like this -where black means you’re SOL:
It was the Independence day holiday weekend so I figured the roads would look more like this:
But, since weddings aren’t supposed to be relaxing and everything ran smoothly before that point, someone got into an accident on the westbound lane of the bridge, and the traffic situation looked more like picture 1, but worse. Reduced to one lane, it took me an hour and a half to get to Seattle. By then it was too late to go home, change into my wedding gear, get my rings, and find the number and name of the judge that was to marry us. I had to get to the courthouse as is and hope my parents and Will were able to not only take an inventory of what I needed, but to also find it....was everything found or did I get married in jeans and a dirty t-shirt???
Okay enough with the writing. Here are some pics.
What did we just do?
Sexy Sarah
Sexy Sariah
Makeshift Wedding cake
We had to dance at least once
Honeymoon
For our honeymoon we backpacked along the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula. It's a national Marine Sanctuary, meaning no development whatsoever, preserving 135 miles of a coast rich with sea life. My pictures with bad lighting nor my poor choice of words can capture the beauty.
Along the way a soccer ball washed up on shore. Good job orchestrating that one Will. I was stoked!
It looks like just a picture of rocks below, but if you click on the picture and make it larger, you can see the back of a bald eagle perched upon the far rock.
Along the way a soccer ball washed up on shore. Good job orchestrating that one Will. I was stoked!
It looks like just a picture of rocks below, but if you click on the picture and make it larger, you can see the back of a bald eagle perched upon the far rock.
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