I just finished a phone conversation with a woman that has the unfortunate last name of Snork. (I could not bring myself to call her Ms. Snork. I just couldn't. Instead, I just called her by her first name, which also starts with S, as in, Sally* Snork. Poor woman). This brings up a very important question (other than did this woman volunteer to date, become engaged to, marry, and legally change her name to match a guy named Snork? Because this woman is a saint if she did. I hope Mr. Snork is worth it). Does anyone remember that old cartoon about Snorks? Out of the murky recesses of my childhood, I seem to recall that Snorks lived underwater, and had bizarre macaroni shaped protrusions coming out of the top of their heads. (I think they were blowholes). The name Allstar Snork comes to mind, and there seemed to be a Snork dog as well? I think there was a whole gang of Snork children, and they had underwater adventures, along with an official Snork theme song, which I would now pay good money to have as a ringtone for whenever Sally calls.
I loved the Snorks. I have such good memories of jumping around in front of the television, pretending to be a Snork too. (Although not enough to actually marry into the snork name like Sally there).
Anyway, I just knew you'd enjoy taking a moment out of your day to remember the Snorks and pity Sally. I know I did. Now it's back to work, where I'm about to return a phone call of a new customer, first name Thundercats...last name Ho-oooo!
*Her real first name isn't Sally, but it does start with an S, which is equally bad.
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1/15/08
Pimp My Potty
Because when PC Magazine tests toilets, I tune in. These totally techie toilets will give you a toasty tush while tapping to tunes and toting the TP.
Top 10 High-tech toilets.
Top 10 High-tech toilets.
1/14/08
Insurance Fraud
It's a new year, and that means new calendars, new resolutions, and most notably, a new insurance plan. Sigh. I HATE getting new insurance. (Every year Ye Ol' Company contracts our insurance with the cheapest most value-added plan provider, and every year, due to complex insurance rates and contract plans and random darts thrown on a random dartboard on a random day, that company changes). This does not really bother me since all the plans basically provide the same pay-out scale for doctor visits (roughly 0.00007% of the total bill) and cost basically the same (roughly 99.999997% of my paycheck). What does bother me about insurance companies is all the time I have to spend trying to convince them that I really am who I say I am.
Here's the thing. I do not go by my first name. I go by my middle name. (And sometimes, I go by a nickname of my middle name, just to trip people up. I have three aliases). Insurance companies, however, only know you by your first name. Sure, they make you put all the names on the forms, but they do not really care about your middle name and your nickname. This causes confusion for them because my doctor sometimes turns in my claim form with my middle name. And as insurance companies do, they studied the claim thoroughly, and sent me a letter:
"DENIED!" screamed the smug little letter. "On this date, (middle name)(last name) filed a claim, when the policy holder is actually (first name)(last name)! DENIED! DENIED! Nanny-nanny-boo-boo!" And I sighed, and called them up.
Me: Hi. My name is (first name)(middle name)(last name). You have denied my claim.
Insurance company: Yes, that claim was for a (middle name)(last name), and she is not covered under your policy.
Me: Yes, but that is me. I am both names. The policy covers me- (first name)(middle name)(last name).
Insurance company: Yes, but (first name)(last name) does not cover dependents on this policy.
Me, now with eye twitch: I'm not a dependent! I'm the policy holder! Check the social security number. Same person.
Insurance company: Hmmm. Yes, the social security number is the same for both. Do you want to change it for your dependent?
Me, ripping out chunks of hair: No! It's just me! There's no dependent! NO! DEPENDENT! How can I be a dependent of myself? I AM (first name)(middle name)(last name)!
You get the idea. This conversation went on and on for about 45 minutes until I managed to get it through that I did not spontaneously clone myself, go to the doctor, and then try to scam the insurance company by trying to get them to pay for the "other" me. I've started going by my first name at the doctor's office to avoid confusion, but the dilemma still pops up randomly from time to time...almost like the insurance company is testing me to make sure it really is me and not the "other" me.
Another problem with my first name is that it's one of those ambiguous names that can be either male or female. (The army hounded me for years because they thought I was a guy that they wanted to enroll. Oddly enough though, as soon as they found out I wasn't a guy, they quit calling. Hmmmm). Apparently, the army forgot to pass that information along to the insurance company though, because when I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up some certain lady pills necessary for hormonal sanity, the insurance company once again denied my claim.
Pharmacist: I'm sorry, these pills are not covered by your insurance.
Me: What? Sure they are.
Pharmacist: I have your insurance company on the phone if you'd like to talk to them.
Me, on the phone: Hi. My name is (first name)(middle name)(last name). You have denied my claim....again.
Insurance company: Yes, those are lady pills, therefore (first name)(middle name)(last name) is not eligible for those pills.
Me: What? Why not?
Insurance company, smugly: Why, because he is a man of course!
Me, ripping out chunks of hair: THAT'S ME! DO I SOUND LIKE A MAN TO YOU?!? GIVE ME MY PILLS! I'M VERY HORMONALLY UNSTABLE WITHOUT THEM! DO YOU WANT TO SEE ME HORMONALLY UNSTABLE?!! DO YOU? DO YOU?!
At this point, the pharmacist wrestled the phone away from my death grip and testified that from what he could see I was not, in fact, a man. Then he filled my prescription and ushered me out of the store before I could unleash hormonal wrath on unsuspecting customers.
Last year, the insurance company attempted the insurance trifecta by confusing me with someone else entirely. They sent me a card for a guy (again) who works with me, but has a completely different name. The only thing that was similar is that we had the same initials. INITIALS people? What are you smoking in your little insurance break room? My only guess is that the insurance people do this on purpose to amuse themselves, and then have a pool to see how long it takes me to call them up and tell them that they've confused me with a 65 year old man who works on the floor above me and apparently has just been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate (and by the way, they're only paying for 97 cents of it).
Now once again, we have a new year with a new insurance company and new forms. I'm waiting for my new card to arrive in the mail. This time I'm hoping they'll make me Elvis. Our names contain some of the same letters, so the chances are good.
It's too bad Elvis's insurance-caused eye twitch is considered a preexisting condition.
Here's the thing. I do not go by my first name. I go by my middle name. (And sometimes, I go by a nickname of my middle name, just to trip people up. I have three aliases). Insurance companies, however, only know you by your first name. Sure, they make you put all the names on the forms, but they do not really care about your middle name and your nickname. This causes confusion for them because my doctor sometimes turns in my claim form with my middle name. And as insurance companies do, they studied the claim thoroughly, and sent me a letter:
"DENIED!" screamed the smug little letter. "On this date, (middle name)(last name) filed a claim, when the policy holder is actually (first name)(last name)! DENIED! DENIED! Nanny-nanny-boo-boo!" And I sighed, and called them up.
Me: Hi. My name is (first name)(middle name)(last name). You have denied my claim.
Insurance company: Yes, that claim was for a (middle name)(last name), and she is not covered under your policy.
Me: Yes, but that is me. I am both names. The policy covers me- (first name)(middle name)(last name).
Insurance company: Yes, but (first name)(last name) does not cover dependents on this policy.
Me, now with eye twitch: I'm not a dependent! I'm the policy holder! Check the social security number. Same person.
Insurance company: Hmmm. Yes, the social security number is the same for both. Do you want to change it for your dependent?
Me, ripping out chunks of hair: No! It's just me! There's no dependent! NO! DEPENDENT! How can I be a dependent of myself? I AM (first name)(middle name)(last name)!
You get the idea. This conversation went on and on for about 45 minutes until I managed to get it through that I did not spontaneously clone myself, go to the doctor, and then try to scam the insurance company by trying to get them to pay for the "other" me. I've started going by my first name at the doctor's office to avoid confusion, but the dilemma still pops up randomly from time to time...almost like the insurance company is testing me to make sure it really is me and not the "other" me.
Another problem with my first name is that it's one of those ambiguous names that can be either male or female. (The army hounded me for years because they thought I was a guy that they wanted to enroll. Oddly enough though, as soon as they found out I wasn't a guy, they quit calling. Hmmmm). Apparently, the army forgot to pass that information along to the insurance company though, because when I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up some certain lady pills necessary for hormonal sanity, the insurance company once again denied my claim.
Pharmacist: I'm sorry, these pills are not covered by your insurance.
Me: What? Sure they are.
Pharmacist: I have your insurance company on the phone if you'd like to talk to them.
Me, on the phone: Hi. My name is (first name)(middle name)(last name). You have denied my claim....again.
Insurance company: Yes, those are lady pills, therefore (first name)(middle name)(last name) is not eligible for those pills.
Me: What? Why not?
Insurance company, smugly: Why, because he is a man of course!
Me, ripping out chunks of hair: THAT'S ME! DO I SOUND LIKE A MAN TO YOU?!? GIVE ME MY PILLS! I'M VERY HORMONALLY UNSTABLE WITHOUT THEM! DO YOU WANT TO SEE ME HORMONALLY UNSTABLE?!! DO YOU? DO YOU?!
At this point, the pharmacist wrestled the phone away from my death grip and testified that from what he could see I was not, in fact, a man. Then he filled my prescription and ushered me out of the store before I could unleash hormonal wrath on unsuspecting customers.
Last year, the insurance company attempted the insurance trifecta by confusing me with someone else entirely. They sent me a card for a guy (again) who works with me, but has a completely different name. The only thing that was similar is that we had the same initials. INITIALS people? What are you smoking in your little insurance break room? My only guess is that the insurance people do this on purpose to amuse themselves, and then have a pool to see how long it takes me to call them up and tell them that they've confused me with a 65 year old man who works on the floor above me and apparently has just been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate (and by the way, they're only paying for 97 cents of it).
Now once again, we have a new year with a new insurance company and new forms. I'm waiting for my new card to arrive in the mail. This time I'm hoping they'll make me Elvis. Our names contain some of the same letters, so the chances are good.
It's too bad Elvis's insurance-caused eye twitch is considered a preexisting condition.
1/13/08
Bossman
Have you seen the Extra gum commercial where people are just riding the subway, all blah, and then the guy puts the piece of gum in his mouth, and suddenly everybody's dancing and jumping all over the place? They only play one line or so of the song, but if it got your foot tapping anyway, you have come to the right place. Don't you worry, Quirky will take care of you.
The song is Bossman by Chicago band, Lucky Boys Confusion. It's crazy addictive. The rest of their songs are a little too punk/hip hop for my long-term tastes, but if you need something upbeat to get you through your treadmill session, check it out. (Just be careful not to twist your ankle while trying to dance on a moving treadmill...and yes, people are pointing and staring at you, but it's only because they wish that they could dance like that too).
Bossman by Lucky Boys Confusion
(If the above link doesn't work for you because you refuse to download rhapsody, then you'll have to settle for this youtube video of the song, played by someone on gituar hero 2).
The song is Bossman by Chicago band, Lucky Boys Confusion. It's crazy addictive. The rest of their songs are a little too punk/hip hop for my long-term tastes, but if you need something upbeat to get you through your treadmill session, check it out. (Just be careful not to twist your ankle while trying to dance on a moving treadmill...and yes, people are pointing and staring at you, but it's only because they wish that they could dance like that too).
Bossman by Lucky Boys Confusion(If the above link doesn't work for you because you refuse to download rhapsody, then you'll have to settle for this youtube video of the song, played by someone on gituar hero 2).
1/10/08
School Supplies
It's class time again! This semester is Marketing Strategy (an interesting sounding class but a new, unknown teacher, so who knows?) and Business Research Projects, which is my thesis (major barf, but my advisor is a good guy). Actually, if I'm disciplined and write faithfully throughout the semester, the thesis paper won't be so bad. (And the chances of me actually being that disciplined after the first chapter are about the same as the Pope nominating Brittany Spears for sainthood. Place your bets now people).
Of course, both classes are already attempting to bankrupt me by requiring books that cost a billion-gazillion dollars, but I have managed to get around that by asking if it's okay to get a previous edition (it is). So while the 11th edition retails for $180 smackaroos, the 10th edition can be purchased for $27. (Quick bargain boogie for used-textbooks-that-nobody-wants-anymore-because-they-are-a-whopping-year-old.com! I love you, internet shopping!)
With book buying out of the way, we turn our attention to gathering other necessary supplies such as pencils, post-its, and a file folder (easily liberated from work), a calculator with questionable battery power, and healthy class snack rations (Twix bars, Fudge Shoppe cookies, Cheese-its, chocolate chunk granola bars, half a pack of gum and one almost-overripe banana. See? I told you it was healthy).
Now I'm ready to rock and roll. My book bag is packed, my mechanical pencil is sharpened, and I've already harassed my teachers via email by asking 50 billion questions before the classes have even started.
Class is officially back in session!
Of course, both classes are already attempting to bankrupt me by requiring books that cost a billion-gazillion dollars, but I have managed to get around that by asking if it's okay to get a previous edition (it is). So while the 11th edition retails for $180 smackaroos, the 10th edition can be purchased for $27. (Quick bargain boogie for used-textbooks-that-nobody-wants-anymore-because-they-are-a-whopping-year-old.com! I love you, internet shopping!)
With book buying out of the way, we turn our attention to gathering other necessary supplies such as pencils, post-its, and a file folder (easily liberated from work), a calculator with questionable battery power, and healthy class snack rations (Twix bars, Fudge Shoppe cookies, Cheese-its, chocolate chunk granola bars, half a pack of gum and one almost-overripe banana. See? I told you it was healthy).
Now I'm ready to rock and roll. My book bag is packed, my mechanical pencil is sharpened, and I've already harassed my teachers via email by asking 50 billion questions before the classes have even started.
Class is officially back in session!
1/8/08
Bloggy Sleepover Topic: Makeup!
Warning to male reader(s): This is a girlie girl post, so you can either run for the hills and wait it out, or hang out and be glad you don't use this stuff.
Like every other female in the entire universe, I'm on a hunt. The hunt for the perfect makeup. The problem, however, is not that makeup is hard to find, rather it's that there's just to blasted much to choose from. Millions of companies, with millions of price ranges, with millions of types, in millions of colors. Do you want anti-aging? Hypoallergenic? Acne fighting? Long lasting? Award winning? Tax filing? Cancer curing? And makes a great omelet? There's a makeup, nay, thousands of kinds of makeup for you. You would think that would be a good thing, but the other problem is that all of those above mentioned makeup companies also employ clear-skinned, blemish free, beautiful models with lovely airbrushed faces, so you can't really tell what makeup is actually good, and what is going to leave you looking worse than you started. (Makeup brands are like politicians, they look really smooth and helpful at first glance, but so many of them fail to live up to their promises that you don't believe any of them).
And so the hunt continues as women everywhere wade their way though millions of concealers, foundations, blushers, lip sticks, eye liners, shadows, dark circle correctors, glosses, lip pencils, mascaras, powders and eye brighteners just to find the one thing that works for them. Every now and then, if you are very lucky and the stars align and the you've just been living right, you'll find THE perfect something which does exactly what it says that it will do, and now you can't live without. And while makeup is a very personalized choice, it's also true that like relationships, your friends can probably tell you who (or what) is and isn't worth bothering with. So I'm curious, bloggy readers, what are you wearing (on your face, that is)? What have you found that you love? Just can't live without? Transforms you from morning pre-coffee zombie hag to flawless Catherine Zeta-Jones skin that lasts all day? Pretend it's a bloggy sleepover and spill all your favorite makeup secrets. We'll compare notes and later, watch scary movies while we do each other's hair! YAY!
Since it's my bloggy sleepover, I'll go first. For simplicity (and because I'm cheap), all my makeup shopping is done at wal-mart. My goal is long-lasting. I want to put makeup on once in the morning and not have to touch-up for the next 16 hours (bonus points if I can wake up the next morning and still look flawless). Some stuff I've found...some I could certainly use some suggestions.
Concealer/dark circle cover: My major concern is dark under eye circles. Ohhh, how I hate you, dark circles! I look like I haven't slept in years, even though I have. I've recently (last week) started using a new concealer called "Circle Rx". It's supposed to not only cover the dark circles, but lighten them permanently in two to four weeks. (I'm not sure how...revolutionary something or other with plant extracts and blah, blah, blah). Whether there are long term benefits or not, it does do a pretty good job of concealing what you have now, and sticks around all day without getting cakey or settling into lines.
Foundation: I also just started using Maybelline Superstay Silky foundation, and I must say, it it FABULOUS! It's silky, and lightweight, but has full coverage power and -get this! really does stick around all day! It took me forever to find my shade, even with the clear "shade finding" sheet that you hold up to your face, but once I had it, I loved it. Two thumbs up for my new even-toned self.
Blush: I don't have a favorite on this one. No brand loyalty here. Anyone know anything good?
Mascara: I used to have the problem of mascara oozing off my eyelashes and settling into my above mentioned dark circle pool. Since then, I changed to Maybelline Waterproof Lash Stylist with comb. Warning: it goes on clumpy and gooey. The comb really blobs it on thick and all your eyelashes clump together. But Patience grasshopper! Once your lashes recover, they'll separate again. The stuff does cling to your lashes like tar though, so if you want that natural lash feel, avoid this stuff. Each application hangs on for about three days, regardless of the cleanser you use, so you really only have to apply it twice a week.
Lipstick: I actually wrote about this stuff before when I first found it, but it's the Maybelline Superstay lipcover. Also designed to wear for 16 hours, and as long as I don't rub my lips, it does a pretty good job. It's got the dye on one end, and a shiny clear gloss on the other. My only complaint is that they need to make one with just 100% lip color, because I run through that pretty quickly, but I have a ton of the gloss left. If you're listening Maybelline, either increase the lip color size or make refills that can be switched out and still use the same gloss.
Eye Shadow: I have two eye shadows, and while both are okay, I'm not die hard for either of them. The first is Revlon Eye Glide Shimmer Shadow, and the other is other is a Merle Norman free giveaway shadow in "Locha Mocha". If anyone has some that they adore, let me know.
That's my basic makeup bag. I don't do lip or eyeliner, but if you like yours, let me know what you have anyway. I just noticed as I was doing the list that my favorite long-lasting stuff all seems to be Maybelline, but that doesn't stop me from trying other brands. Got a blog? Blog about it and join my sleepover. If not, see that comment button? You know what to do. (And if you have a great dark circle zapper, you are hereby required to share it. Right now. Seriously. NOW!) Pull out your best tips and tricks while I go change into my sleepover jammies.
Like every other female in the entire universe, I'm on a hunt. The hunt for the perfect makeup. The problem, however, is not that makeup is hard to find, rather it's that there's just to blasted much to choose from. Millions of companies, with millions of price ranges, with millions of types, in millions of colors. Do you want anti-aging? Hypoallergenic? Acne fighting? Long lasting? Award winning? Tax filing? Cancer curing? And makes a great omelet? There's a makeup, nay, thousands of kinds of makeup for you. You would think that would be a good thing, but the other problem is that all of those above mentioned makeup companies also employ clear-skinned, blemish free, beautiful models with lovely airbrushed faces, so you can't really tell what makeup is actually good, and what is going to leave you looking worse than you started. (Makeup brands are like politicians, they look really smooth and helpful at first glance, but so many of them fail to live up to their promises that you don't believe any of them).
And so the hunt continues as women everywhere wade their way though millions of concealers, foundations, blushers, lip sticks, eye liners, shadows, dark circle correctors, glosses, lip pencils, mascaras, powders and eye brighteners just to find the one thing that works for them. Every now and then, if you are very lucky and the stars align and the you've just been living right, you'll find THE perfect something which does exactly what it says that it will do, and now you can't live without. And while makeup is a very personalized choice, it's also true that like relationships, your friends can probably tell you who (or what) is and isn't worth bothering with. So I'm curious, bloggy readers, what are you wearing (on your face, that is)? What have you found that you love? Just can't live without? Transforms you from morning pre-coffee zombie hag to flawless Catherine Zeta-Jones skin that lasts all day? Pretend it's a bloggy sleepover and spill all your favorite makeup secrets. We'll compare notes and later, watch scary movies while we do each other's hair! YAY!
Since it's my bloggy sleepover, I'll go first. For simplicity (and because I'm cheap), all my makeup shopping is done at wal-mart. My goal is long-lasting. I want to put makeup on once in the morning and not have to touch-up for the next 16 hours (bonus points if I can wake up the next morning and still look flawless). Some stuff I've found...some I could certainly use some suggestions.
Concealer/dark circle cover: My major concern is dark under eye circles. Ohhh, how I hate you, dark circles! I look like I haven't slept in years, even though I have. I've recently (last week) started using a new concealer called "Circle Rx". It's supposed to not only cover the dark circles, but lighten them permanently in two to four weeks. (I'm not sure how...revolutionary something or other with plant extracts and blah, blah, blah). Whether there are long term benefits or not, it does do a pretty good job of concealing what you have now, and sticks around all day without getting cakey or settling into lines.
Foundation: I also just started using Maybelline Superstay Silky foundation, and I must say, it it FABULOUS! It's silky, and lightweight, but has full coverage power and -get this! really does stick around all day! It took me forever to find my shade, even with the clear "shade finding" sheet that you hold up to your face, but once I had it, I loved it. Two thumbs up for my new even-toned self.
Blush: I don't have a favorite on this one. No brand loyalty here. Anyone know anything good?
Mascara: I used to have the problem of mascara oozing off my eyelashes and settling into my above mentioned dark circle pool. Since then, I changed to Maybelline Waterproof Lash Stylist with comb. Warning: it goes on clumpy and gooey. The comb really blobs it on thick and all your eyelashes clump together. But Patience grasshopper! Once your lashes recover, they'll separate again. The stuff does cling to your lashes like tar though, so if you want that natural lash feel, avoid this stuff. Each application hangs on for about three days, regardless of the cleanser you use, so you really only have to apply it twice a week.
Lipstick: I actually wrote about this stuff before when I first found it, but it's the Maybelline Superstay lipcover. Also designed to wear for 16 hours, and as long as I don't rub my lips, it does a pretty good job. It's got the dye on one end, and a shiny clear gloss on the other. My only complaint is that they need to make one with just 100% lip color, because I run through that pretty quickly, but I have a ton of the gloss left. If you're listening Maybelline, either increase the lip color size or make refills that can be switched out and still use the same gloss.
Eye Shadow: I have two eye shadows, and while both are okay, I'm not die hard for either of them. The first is Revlon Eye Glide Shimmer Shadow, and the other is other is a Merle Norman free giveaway shadow in "Locha Mocha". If anyone has some that they adore, let me know.
That's my basic makeup bag. I don't do lip or eyeliner, but if you like yours, let me know what you have anyway. I just noticed as I was doing the list that my favorite long-lasting stuff all seems to be Maybelline, but that doesn't stop me from trying other brands. Got a blog? Blog about it and join my sleepover. If not, see that comment button? You know what to do. (And if you have a great dark circle zapper, you are hereby required to share it. Right now. Seriously. NOW!) Pull out your best tips and tricks while I go change into my sleepover jammies.
1/7/08
Canticle of Turning
One of the things I really like about my church is the music. While the morning mass tends to run to a more sing-around-the-campfire genre with the use of the guitar, the evening mass is 99% college students, so the music is more upbeat. I like the early mass. I LOVE the evening mass. The music is so...powerful. That's the only word I can think of that describes it. I don't want to call it contemporary, because we do the old hymns too. But old or new, fast or slow, the music moves you. You just don't have a choice.
Anyway, there's a song that we sing at church that is one of my absolute favorites, and I thought I'd share it with you, since I just found it here on Ye Ol' Internet, and it is just so awesome.
I guarantee you that you'll be singing it all day, so I'll post the words for you, saving you the trouble of looking them up yourself, because believe me, you will.
It's called the Canticle of Turning, and it's by Rory Cooney. The music is an Irish folk song called Star of the County Down that will stay with you, but the words really lend power to this song. You can hear the song here and the words are below. And if you want to hear it in person, 200 voices strong, then drop in for the Sunday evening mass. It'll floor you.
(Click this here clickey button below for the song to play. Go ahead. Click on it.)
My soul cries out, with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
'til the spear and rod will be crushed by God, who is turning the world around.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
(Repeat)
Anyway, there's a song that we sing at church that is one of my absolute favorites, and I thought I'd share it with you, since I just found it here on Ye Ol' Internet, and it is just so awesome.
I guarantee you that you'll be singing it all day, so I'll post the words for you, saving you the trouble of looking them up yourself, because believe me, you will.
It's called the Canticle of Turning, and it's by Rory Cooney. The music is an Irish folk song called Star of the County Down that will stay with you, but the words really lend power to this song. You can hear the song here and the words are below. And if you want to hear it in person, 200 voices strong, then drop in for the Sunday evening mass. It'll floor you.
(Click this here clickey button below for the song to play. Go ahead. Click on it.)
My soul cries out, with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
'til the spear and rod will be crushed by God, who is turning the world around.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn!
(Repeat)
1/4/08
The Mistress
There's a new family member in our house. One that Tony loves more than anyone else, including me, his mother, and Nikolai Khabibulin combined. I'll give you a hint: it's 42" across the diagonal, picks up HD, and is currently mounted to my living room wall. Oh yes, we are now the proud new owners of a flat screen TV, and Tony's little heart swells with adoration every time he looks at it. It all started innocently enough. We went to see Tony's family at Thanksgiving, and his Dad had remodeled the family room, complete with snazzy flat screen TV. And Tony longed for such a TV, all huge and...well, huge, but unless we came into an unexpected sum of money, it was not to be. And so we admired the monster TV, and then mentally filed that under the "Nice, but never happening" category. (At least I did). And life was good. Then lo and behold, we came into an unexpected sum of money! Tony got a really nice Christmas bonus. Nicer than he expected (although completely deserved if you consider all those Saturdays that he had to work), and The House of Quirk rejoiced, and then settled down to figure out how to spend it. Tony immediately wanted to buy a flat screen tv ("A big one!") but it wouldn't fit in the entertainment center that we have now, and we didn't have room in the living room to get another one (plus I was hoping that the tv thing was just a phase, and that he really wanted to invest that money in some respectable stocks and bonds). But a new TV was the only thing Tony talked about, and it was his Christmas bonus, so we agreed to invest half of it and buy a tv with some of the other half). I rearranged the furniture to make room on a blank wall, and we agreed that the tv would hang on the wall instead of taking up additional floor space with a new table. (I'm turning the space where the old tv went in my entertainment center into additional hidden pullout shelves for dvds. I'm in the process of designing and building it now, and it'll be pretty cool if I do say so myself.) Oh! and we got a new coffee table/ottoman to balance out the new furniture arrangement, which is nice. Very feng shui.
The tv in question is a 42" LCD TV, came from Best Buy, and is something called 1080i, which is supposed to be what all tv channels will be broadcasting to in about 5 years. (So we're all set for that and will never have to buy another tv ever again after this one). Best Buy wanted $600 for professional installation, but we'recheap independent, so we hung the TV ourselves, and I've gotta say that unless you're hanging your tv 150 feet in the air over a pool of mutant sharks, that is no $600 job. (Cough-ripoff!-cough). We had ours installed and working in about an hour. Tony has been staying up late to watch everything he can on this new, fabulous tv. I think he'd sleep down there with it if he could. This TV ranks up there with the purchase of Satellite on Tony's list of all-time best things that has ever happened to him. (I'm hoping that I'm somewhere on that list too, but I'm afraid to ask where). I have to admit that I was less than enthused about the tv at first, but it is pretty cool watching stuff up on the wall like that. And it is bigger. And brighter. And more beautiful.
Yes, that new TV is a seductive mistress.
The tv in question is a 42" LCD TV, came from Best Buy, and is something called 1080i, which is supposed to be what all tv channels will be broadcasting to in about 5 years. (So we're all set for that and will never have to buy another tv ever again after this one). Best Buy wanted $600 for professional installation, but we're
Yes, that new TV is a seductive mistress.
1/3/08
Still...
I saw this on Antique Mommy, and since 1) I thought it was cool, and 2) I have a teenie weenie bit of hero worship going on there, I blatantly stole blatantly stole borrowed it from someone else. And so the Internet circle of life continues. Anyway, if you have a blog and are no doubt looking for poignant New Year-ish revelations (and really, who isn't?), I highly suggest you blatantly steal borrow this from me.
Still amazed: that I managed to snag such a fabulous husband who not only does dishes without being asked, but also always puts the toilet seat down and knows exactly when I need a hug.
Still getting used to: winter. 27 years, and the cold weather still surprises me.
Still loving: Japanese hibachi food. Yum Yum!
Still proud of: how well classes are going for me. 3.833 GPA baby!
Still not proud of: how selfish I can be sometimes
Still hoping: that the jiggle that my backside has developed will magically go away on its own
Still worried: about those mysterious noises in the middle of the night. Good thing Tony still gets up to check them out for me, even if it is just the house settling.
Still never going to: watch reality shows. Or Donald Trump. Or anyone who is looking for love in Paris by going on dates with 25 women at the same time.
Still pretending: that my metabolism will always allow me to eat junk food and stay thin
Still reading: cheesy romance novels. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
Still wanting to read: anything I can get my hands on, especially in the bath tub.
Still interested in: home decorating shows
Still not interested in: Hollywood gossip- get a life people!
Still looking forward to: spring bulbs blooming. Tulips, Hyacinths, Irises, Lillis. C'mon spring!
Still not looking forward to: writing and defending this thesis. Ack!
Still failing: to walk away from that last piece of chocolate
Still grateful for: the closeness of family
Still praying: for direction.
Still not believing in: diet pills, get rich quick schemes, and that I have won the Nigerian lottery...even though all I have to do is send them a check and they'll send me my winnings.
Still believing that: God will show me the path my life is supposed to take and allow it to touch others for the better
Still amazed: that I managed to snag such a fabulous husband who not only does dishes without being asked, but also always puts the toilet seat down and knows exactly when I need a hug.
Still getting used to: winter. 27 years, and the cold weather still surprises me.
Still loving: Japanese hibachi food. Yum Yum!
Still proud of: how well classes are going for me. 3.833 GPA baby!
Still not proud of: how selfish I can be sometimes
Still hoping: that the jiggle that my backside has developed will magically go away on its own
Still worried: about those mysterious noises in the middle of the night. Good thing Tony still gets up to check them out for me, even if it is just the house settling.
Still never going to: watch reality shows. Or Donald Trump. Or anyone who is looking for love in Paris by going on dates with 25 women at the same time.
Still pretending: that my metabolism will always allow me to eat junk food and stay thin
Still reading: cheesy romance novels. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
Still wanting to read: anything I can get my hands on, especially in the bath tub.
Still interested in: home decorating shows
Still not interested in: Hollywood gossip- get a life people!
Still looking forward to: spring bulbs blooming. Tulips, Hyacinths, Irises, Lillis. C'mon spring!
Still not looking forward to: writing and defending this thesis. Ack!
Still failing: to walk away from that last piece of chocolate
Still grateful for: the closeness of family
Still praying: for direction.
Still not believing in: diet pills, get rich quick schemes, and that I have won the Nigerian lottery...even though all I have to do is send them a check and they'll send me my winnings.
Still believing that: God will show me the path my life is supposed to take and allow it to touch others for the better
1/2/08
And It's Only Going To Get Better
Well, 2007 is over. Another year come and gone. And is it just me, or did it seem to go REALLY REALLY REALLY fast? I have a quirky sci-fi theory that time is speeding up. Maybe the Earth is spinning faster...maybe it's because of some other reason. But I think that each year goes faster and faster until eventually, time will go so fast until it becomes nothing and that will be the end of the world because poof! time as we know it will cease to exist.
Shocked silence from all of you out in bloggy-land.
Or, you know, maybe that's just me. Anyway, the point is that 2007 is over and we're rapidly gearing up for 2008. Looking back, 2007 was actually pretty good for me. I bought a new car, went hiking, watched an old Geezer take gold, built a deck, saw several Cubs games, met the only baby I've ever liked, purchased new bedroom furniture, fought the ants, went white-water rafting, survived the Young and the Poo-less, ate too much, and managed to get an A in every class I've taken this year. (And according to the counter thingie, you were along for a lot of it, with 2805 visits in 2007). Like all years, it had its ups and downs, but I've gotta say, there have been many more ups than downs. God takes care of us.
2008 looks to be just as good as 2007, if not better. I don't want to jinx it, but there's an opportunity at work that I'm very excited about. And barring something really bizarre happening, I'll graduate this summer. We'll be able to go on a nice vacation this year, and there will be lots of hikes and bike rides and little weekend trips to see Cubs games. We're healthy, we're happy, and life is good. The Seester will also graduate from Hah-vard, and one of Tony's sisters will get married. Mom is happy with her retirement, the family is healthy, and Dixon has gone back to using the bathroom. Things are looking great. We are very blessed here at the House of Quirk, and I hope you and yours will be just as blessed as we all see what 2008 has in store for us.
Thanks for sticking with me in 2007, and here's hoping we'll have just as much fun in 2008.
Shocked silence from all of you out in bloggy-land.
Or, you know, maybe that's just me. Anyway, the point is that 2007 is over and we're rapidly gearing up for 2008. Looking back, 2007 was actually pretty good for me. I bought a new car, went hiking, watched an old Geezer take gold, built a deck, saw several Cubs games, met the only baby I've ever liked, purchased new bedroom furniture, fought the ants, went white-water rafting, survived the Young and the Poo-less, ate too much, and managed to get an A in every class I've taken this year. (And according to the counter thingie, you were along for a lot of it, with 2805 visits in 2007). Like all years, it had its ups and downs, but I've gotta say, there have been many more ups than downs. God takes care of us.
2008 looks to be just as good as 2007, if not better. I don't want to jinx it, but there's an opportunity at work that I'm very excited about. And barring something really bizarre happening, I'll graduate this summer. We'll be able to go on a nice vacation this year, and there will be lots of hikes and bike rides and little weekend trips to see Cubs games. We're healthy, we're happy, and life is good. The Seester will also graduate from Hah-vard, and one of Tony's sisters will get married. Mom is happy with her retirement, the family is healthy, and Dixon has gone back to using the bathroom. Things are looking great. We are very blessed here at the House of Quirk, and I hope you and yours will be just as blessed as we all see what 2008 has in store for us.
Thanks for sticking with me in 2007, and here's hoping we'll have just as much fun in 2008.