Do you know the way to San Jose? (12-17-07)

I searched and I searched on the Internet for a site which detailed tips and hints about how to underchieve. I couldn't find any. So I created my own. http://superunderachiever.blogspot.com/
Although all of my friends are gross overachievers, I know you know some of you have some good underachieving advice to offer and share. So, email them to: achieveless@gmail.com .

+==================================+
Damn, I don't where this year went. One minute it's January 2007, all shiny and new. And then it is December 17, all grey with New York snow (picture grey/black ice on the ground). Time is a crying shame.

+==================================+
Since my last email, many things happened. to other people. People had birthdays; people got engaged; car accidents happened but people were okay; and things are better.

+==================================+
Science is not a science.

+==================================+
Speaking of underachievers, I haven't blogged in a while. Sorry. So, here are this week's horoscopes even though Rob Brezsny will have new horoscopes out Wednesday. :)

I did post two items on my blog though.

Check it out.
+==================================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at Free Will AstrologyHoroscopes for week of December 13, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2008 -- Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved

The best Simpsons segment ever

Jack Black is singing.

The McRib

I don't know if you guys remember the McRib from McDonalds. It was a patty of reconstituted pork meat, slathered in high fructose corn syrup, I mean red sugar slurry, I mean barbecue sauce, in a long "bun." McDonald's pulled the sandwich off the market because a pork sandwich wouldn't do well in non-pork eating countries and well, it was just a giant heart clogging sandwich. I have to say though, I actually did like the McRib when I was younger. I don't think I can stomach one today, but if dared, I will.

Well stick a fork in me and call me done, the McRib is back... in FLORIDA. I went to McD's in desperation for sustenance and lo and behold, the McRib in back. I didn't see anyone ordering one, but that doesn't mean McD's hasn't found its target market here in FL. It turns out that there are a lot of devotees of this sandwich and they have their own Web site and all. I believe the Simpsons made fun, I mean paid homage, to the McRib in an episode where Homer followed the Krusty Burger's Ribwich's tour across America. Good episode.

Anyway, the McRib is back in limited areas, places where it can frollick with chicken fried steak, cheese balls and pork rinds. Welcome back, McRib.

gobble-gobble-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Happy post-Turkey day, everyone! I am in Florida and, as usual, my witchy ways have made the rains come. I guess that is good since FL is in desperate need of water. I should hire myself out as a rainmaker.

+===============================+
I cooked Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. I don't know how people did it without electricity, gas, etc. I stood in front of the stove for five hours!! All for turkey legs, corn pudding, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes with maple butter, homemade stuffing, gravy and dilled carrots. Can you imagine if you not only had to do that but keep the stove lit, the house clean, watch 20 children, wash laundry by hand, and keep a farm? I was exhausted from just cooking dinner - imagine what it was like pre-electric conveniences! However, I am thankful we live in today's world and that I don't have to go to the after-Thanksgiving sales.

+===============================+
While in FL I have my usual laundry list of items to do for my parents, which included:
- Turning some of the clocks back (for some reason, my parents chose to not change all of the clocks, even the ones that aren't digital. Baffling)
- Went to the grocery stores on the Wednesday BEFORE Thanksgiving (I am never doing that again)
- Went to Target and spent too much money (Is it possible to leave Target with nothing? I have only done that once and that was in Brooklyn. The lines were so long; I just couldn't deal. However, every other Target I go to where there are no lines, I can't leave without at least $100 worth of stuff)
- Went to Borders (calendars and books for work), Jo-Ann Fabrics (brought all my yarn for my crocheted afghan but forget the most important item - a crochet hook), Belk (bought soft pillows because the ones my parents have in the guest room are as hard as rocks and I pull my neck out each time i visit because of them), Marshalls (sandals - My friend Frandy was like, Sandals? Yes, I bought sandals in November. It's 70 degrees here! My feet gotta breathe!), Staples (items for the 'rents), Blockbuster (for some reason I needed to see Harry Potter again), gas station (my gods, what is up with fuel costs?!), and Fedex Kinkos (work)
- Clean out the frig (There are lots of Korean food which is fermented and smells like death. However, when you let that Korean food go beyond its due date, well then, you seriously have something that smells like the seventh level of hell)
- Attempt to clean out the garage
- Played Korean cards with my mom, who beat my ass
- Called AARP
- Called the State Medical Board of FL
- Called the termite service in Jacksonville
- Called places in Jacksonville
- Called AllState re golf cart insurance - yes, there is such a thing as golf cart insurance
- Cooked Thanksgiving dinner
- Found two giant boxes outside the front door - My parents' friends in Korea sent them a frozen cooked turkey and a pecan pie for Thanksgiving. Very nice of them, but now we have 6 turkey legs, fixings, a frozen 10 lb cooked turkey, and 3 pies
- Made mandoo (Korean wontons) from scratch

And it's only Friday.

+==============================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
A big hiya to Frannie, Frabney, Friane, Fren B, Frerry K, Frob and Frussell
A big thank you to Frhistine G and Frerry K for keeping the work fires glowing
A big kiss to Frenny Lee and her parents Frandy and Freorge who are very delinquent in the picture sending of Frenny
A big hug to my brother Frike and sister-in-law Fren and nephew Fraham
A giant prayer for Frike, may he survive 17 days straight with my parents

+==============================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at:
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of November 22, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
Copyright 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

AND SO I'M BACK! FROM OUTER SPACE! (11-4-07)

After a long hiatus, I am back. Where was I? Well, since September, I have been outside of Philly a couple of times, a fantastic weekend in Rhode Island, in New York, in Las Vegas, in LA, in Orlando, in my office, in my bed, at the office again, and oh, the office.

I am here for a little while longer, except for Tues. I am in Philly then. But after, New York, my apartment, my office, Orlando, New York (office, office, apartment, office) and the Philly again.

I hope to keep up with this better than I have and thanks to you all for complaining that you haven't received your horoscopes ;)

XO,
Michelle
+============+
Did you hear about the Wellesley College junior who stabbed her MIT boyfriend seven times? Just makes me proud that I went to Wellesley. Except for her lack of aim. That's a disappointment. Truly.

+============+
This week's horoscopes go out to:

>My friend Frandy and her husband Feorge welcomed their wonderful little girl, Frenny, to the world! WELCOME FRENNY! I can't wait to meet you xoxox


> My nephew Fraham just lost his first tooth! Congrats, Fraham!
> Happy belated birthdays, Frori and Frim! I can't remember which one comes first, but if anything, our first celebration of your birthdays was a memorable one!
> Happy birthday, Fraki!

+============+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of November 1, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

HALLLLOWWWWEEEN!

Frannie and Frabney always come up with seriously original costumes. This year, with the aid of Frill and Fron, they were drunken shriners. Amazing. Check out their blog!

Add to the "I can't believe people get research grants about this" file

Foot Fungus Spreads Among Families
Study Confirms Common Assumption: Toenail Fungus and Athlete's Foot Spread Within Close Quarters

Does this math seem off to you?

How to have the most kids
By Michael Kahn

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - To have the most children, men should find a partner six years younger and women a mate four years older, Austrian researchers said on Wednesday.

I (heart) this promotional video

Click the link below:
Appalachian State University Promotional Video

Thanks, Carless in Nebraska!

Frob - close your eyes for this one . . .

I must be having my period because I just ate an entire bar of

Check, baby, check, baby, 1-2; Check, baby, check, baby, 1

My friend Frertischek came to visit me this weekend and she did the most amazing thing a friend could ever do: she made me get rid of 10 garbage bags full of junk.



Now you may recall that I helped my parents unload years of crap:



http://girlladyfriend.blogspot.com/2005/05/i-am-queen-of-hill-people-5-12-05.html#links
http://girlladyfriend.blogspot.com/2007/04/say-you-say-me-4-19-07.html#links

I guess I am my parents' daughter. I had statements and old checks from 1994. 1994!!!! Can you believe that? I couldn't. I am sure Frertischek was horrified but she never let me know. She just kept encouraging me (i.e., relentless making me regardless of the time or my lack of interest) to get rid of stuff.

You would think 10 garbage bags would have made a huge difference in my apartment. Well, it didn't. I still have A LOT to throw away. But she helped me. I think I might have to cash in on all the offers from friends who said they would help. Great - I bet you now no one is going to take my calls.

+=======================+

In between all of the throwing out of stuff, Frertischek and I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge on this fabulous summer day:

We also wandered around Brooklyn Heights; went to the greenmarket . . .

. . . where I oogled some eggplants . . .

And once there, we treated ourselves to this:

And then we went back to Manhattan where we continued to slog through my den of crap.

Thanks Frertischek!

+=============+

This week's horoscopes go out to:

Fretischek!

Frandy!

Frob and Frussell!

Client-paid taxis in New York!

Massages!

+===================+

Check out your weekly horoscope at:

Free Will Astrology

Horoscopes for week of August 23, 2007

By Rob Brezsny

© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

my belly button is taking over new york

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

+======================+
Fren and Frabney came to visit this past weekend; so we went to the American Museum of Natural History (which is an awkward name - why not just call it the Natural History Museum and be done with it?).

While there, I was suprised to see some of my relatives stuffed and in exhibits. For example:

distant cousin martha twice removed


distant cousin martha's husband mortimer


I saw fifth cousin who was studying for his exams.



I also ran into Birdie and Scooter, family friends.


I finally got to meet third cousin boo boo's new wife marnie . . .


. . . and catch up with my aunt ginnie and cousin berkfield.


I was devastated to find that THIS is where my pets hugo and fred wandered off to so long ago.


Overall, it was nice to catch up with the family.

+======================+
Fren B. and Frillipp recently asked, "What's up with the 'Fr' before people's names?" Well the reason for this is because I found out that people were googling people's names and those people found more information about other people than they should really know. Now, I have no problems hanging my laundry out to dry, but my friends' laundry, well, that's a different story.

So, the FR-language was born.

I have to say though that I find it infinitely amusing that one of the people who was looking up a friend of mine also works at the same place where I work with other people. So, here's to you, Frarris Frotman (sp)!

+======================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
> Frolly T in Tallahassee - HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY
> Frabney and Fren - great having you here
> Fraul (Frapu) and Frike, Frasha and Fraron - yummy thai!
> Fren Frark in Iowa - thanks for listening
> Frichelle Frertischek - look forward to seeing you this weekend!


+======================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at
Free Will Astrology by Rob Brezsny

And her name is . . .

Frarey and Freven have named their baby girl, Fradeleine Freyers-Frane. Very sweet, non?

Miss Marple Rocks!

Welcome to the world, "Baby Girl" Freyers Frane (name TBD)! She was born at 12:21 pm today and is 6 lbs., 12 oz., and 19.5 inches long. Frarey (Mother), Freven (Father) and Baby Girl are all well.

She has a little head like an apple, so sweet!!!!

See photo below!

+======================+
yawn. so tired. late nights at work. sigh.

+======================+
FREY - I promise to get back to you soon!

+======================+
My friend Frim submitted the following haikus, which were considered "too depressing" for a book about Lymphedema. I just don't think that is right - I think they ring true. So, here are they are, for everyone to enjoy.

Lymphedema Haiku for a Bad Day and a Good Day

"The secret is to make certain that the good days outnumber the bad."

On a Bad Day

Swollen like sausage
Blotchy pain constant vigil
For the rest of life

On a Good Day

I do what I have always done
Make the best of the situation
And add a little fun

+======================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Frarey and Freven and little "M" or "B" or whichever name you choose
Frynn
Frob and Frussell
Frabeny and Fren

+======================+
Check your horoscopes at Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of August 9, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

Drum roll please . . .

I would like to officially announce the birth of "Baby Girl" Freyers Frane (name TBD). She was born at 12:21 pm today and is 6 lbs., 12 oz., and 19.5 inches long. Frarey (Mother), Freven (Father) and Baby Girl are all well.

omg

I am still at work . . .

now if I can just get my neck to stand up straight and my shoulders from hunching ...

What I did at my parents' house in Florida for one week:

1) Fixed all clocks on tvs in house
2) Fix the answering machine
3) Updated all computers with new (to them) Windows updates
4) Re-set Korean TV Web sites on all computers for parents' viewing pleasure
5) Spread ant killer around outside perimeter of house
6) Researched and purchased treadmill for mom
7) Tore the giant cardboard boxes which housed the treadmill parts into smaller, recycling plant approved pieces
8) Tanned and worked in the driveway for three hours
9) Made it rain every day
10) Shopped at Target for 3 solid hours
11) Telecommuted
12) Explained to my parents multiple times that when I am telecommuting, they can't yell my name repeatedly (unless an emergency such as bleeding, bears, falling furniture, etc.) while I am on a conference call.
13) Did not get one mosquito bite (a MAJOR miracle)
14) Read HP7 for the second time
15) Got kicked out of the country club pool by the pool nazi (security guard) because I was not accompanied by a house owner (even though she has seen me a million times and knows my mom is sick and can't come to the pool with me)
16) Ate banana pudding ice cream
17) Moved paintings from one side of the room to the other
18) Lots of laundry
19) Ate lots of fish
20) Enjoyed time with my parents

+====================+
My favorite email of the week:

Bob strong like bear. Kill own meat. Slather blood. Hear lamentation of women. GRRRR!

+====================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:

Friya - congratulations on leaving!
Frob and Frussell
Frertischek
Frandy
Frynthia - welcome to JAX!
Frasha Freleber

+====================+
Check out your weekly horoscope at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of August 2, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

mosquitos (heart) me

I spent a week in Florida without one single mosquito bite (which really is quite remarkable) and within 10 minutes of getting back to my apartment in NYC, I get two. That just doesn't seem right. Not right at all.

omg

stolen from cuteoverload.com

I FINISHED!

At exactly 2:02 p.m., I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

How did I do this if I was supposed to pick up the book this morning? Timeturner!

No, I wish. Instead, last night when I got home around 11 p.m., I thought, I am exhausted and going to bed. Then at 11:05 I thought - I think there are copies of HP7 at Duane Reade. I could wait it out. Instead of futzing around the house as planned, I got a call from Fron who was the unfortunately lucky person to be a "bride's attendant" at a friend's wedding. (HI FRON!)

So, I went to the Duane Reade by me and they didn't have any books. But then I thought, "I am not soooo tired. I will go to the one of 58th and 8th." So I started walking there and then about a block from the store, I saw someone with a Duane Reade bag that looked like it had a giant book in it. So I started walking faster and by the time I got there, they still had a few boxes of books!

So, instead of reading it all day today as planned, I read all night until 6 AM when I passed out and started again at 11 a.m. As Frertischek says, I devour books and I have to say, this one is probably a record for me.

So, when you are finished reading your book, email me. Let me know what you thought of the story.

HARRY POTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

I am a HUGE fan geek when it comes to Harry Potter (HP). [FACT: I saw the movie twice this week] However, I had to draw the line today. I reserved my book at Borders and they are having a HP7 party tonight and selling the book at 12:01 AM. The only way you can obtain your book tonight is to go to Borders this morning and pick up a bracelet which assigns you a number. That is the number of your place in line.

Hmmph.

So, needless to say, I am going to go pickup my book tomorrow morning, bright and early. Anyone want to go have breakfast in the Time Warner Center at 9 AM? Let me know.

Also, FYI -- I will not be answering any emails or phone calls or text messages or pigeon carriers or stone tablets tomorrow. I am having a marathon read with HP7. You have been warned.

+========================+
So, for 4th of July, I went to Vermont. What a beauuuuuuuuutiful place Vermont is in the summer time. Make sure that you visit VT in the summertime: the grass is so green, the fireflies are plentious; the mountains are ... mmm ... mountainous. And at night you can see the Milky Way! Not many places left in the developed world where you can see the Milky Way at night.



That's me.

So, much thanks and love to Fren and her framily for the use of Bridgewater Hilton II, Frill and Frammy, Frannie and Frabney, Frashlee, Fron and Frill, Frilippe, Frissac, Fressie, and Frena. Goood times.

Here's a parting shot:



+========================+
So as many of you know, there was a steam pipe explosion in New York City this week. My office building is four blocks away from the explosion site and many of my colleagues and I were still at work when it happened. We all heard the blast, but first thought it was thunder. Unfortunately the sound carried on for way longer than thunder would. I have a view and noticed LOTS of smoke coming from a few blocks south; then I went into a corner room and saw more smoke (which turned out to be superheated steam). Needless to say, it was a shock. Over the intercom system at work, they announced that we should go to the boardroom. Then quickly another announcement came and said, evacuate the building. So we did. Unfortunately, my office is on the 31st floor. Lots of steps down.

Today, we are all okay and know it was a steam pipe explosion. The only side effect from this event that I (and my colleagues) have is what I call "Post-Traumatic Explosion Legs." Quickly walking down 31 flights of stairs and consequently wherever our final destinations were made our upper leg muscles (to be exact, the quadriceps, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris) painful, tense and sore!!!! I am having problems getting out of chairs, walking and getting down stairs. The only other time I have seen something like this was when my friend Frori began running 1/2 the Boston Marathon and then decided to finish the entire race. She couldn't walk down the stairs. She had to go backwards because she had "Post-Traumatic Marathon Legs."

Knowing how science and the study of science works, someone is probably already received a grant to study this traumatic disorder. They will probably start with mouse studies -- make mice go down the equivalent of 31 flights of stairs. If you see the abstract in some journal, let me know.

+========================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:

Frisa - you know - [Fill in our company here] should pay me to write these horoscopes weekly. Think about it.

+========================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of July 19, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

Beaver Fever! In the morning, Beaver Fever all through the night! You give me beaver fever!

I was in Vermont this past weekend with the East-West-Mid-West crowd (HOLLA) and we went hiking (yes, I actually went hiking for the third time in my life - maybe fourth). While on Mt. Tom, we found a water fountain/well and, before Frannie could take a drink, Freondra said, "I wouldn't drink that - you might get beaver fever." BEAVER FEVER???!!!!! Well, that became the headline for the week, creating too many jokes and giggles to count. But Freondra is right, there is such thing as beaver fever and it is called Giardia, which is a parasite that infects the intestines of humans and animals. Go figure.

Drink more coffee!

Pounds Slide Off In a swap of Coffee for Diet Pop. By Maria Mooshil. Recent studies show people who drink diet pop are more likely to be obese.

I have officially found my people

Frannie knows I search for food porn all the time. Food porn is enticing photos of food, dirty boy. Anyway, I have officially found my people. The Flickr group called "In & Outdoor Food & Drinks."

They have a wonderful discussion called Korean food. Check it out.

I DON'T WANNA WORK

I just want to sit around. Am I having a really delayed spring fever? Not sure.

Sorry for the delayed blogging. My mind is wandering around, finding other things to do. For example, finding fennel recipes for Frannie; searching for new names for a newsletter; staring at my toes; waiting on hold. You know, really stupid stuff.

I have read 6 books in the past week (4 paperbacks, 2 audiobooks); got rid of 1/2,300,000th of the paper piled in my apartment; made oxtail soup (but didn't do it right: should have let the meat soak in water for longer to get all of the blood out); did my laundry; got my legs waxed (tmi); went to a long-ass client meeting; wished my dad a happy birthday (got him a massage gift cert and he said it was "eh - you should have saved your $$." I told him he will never get another gift ever again.); fallen asleep in front of the TV twice; went to Central Park two days in a row to get a tan; and watched a lot of stupid tv.

So now you are up to date.

Shhhh! (6-8-07)

I am immobilized by the amount of work I have to do; therefore I will spend my time right now sending this email.

+=================+
First I got a lot of complaints last week from people who I mistakenly forgot to include in my email. OK, just one complaint, but it was a loud annoying one.

FROBI who lives in Panama was in Toronto while I was there; so of course we had to meet up. I finally met her adorable son Frado.


How something that adorable came out of Frobi I will never know.

+=================+
My friend Frynn who was posted in a Middle Eastern country last year is now back somewhere in the Land of Sand and Palm Trees. This time however she is a BMO. What is a BMO? It means a Black Moving Object.




Aren't you jealous? I am. She will probably get a BMO tan -- tan face, pasty white body. Lucky, lucky Frynn.

+=================+
FUN with BLOGGING:

On my blog I post some random things for everyone's enjoyment. Check out my desk at work. And yes, it really looks like that.

This is the view out of my shared office window:





Good stuff, huh? Well, my office is moving downtown, and soon I will have amazing views of the Holland Tunnel. I can't wait!!!

+=================+
In response to last week's email, Fratt of the Frave and Fratt Show sent in this:

1) Toronto-ites are horrible drivers
Matt: Not to sound equally offensive here, but you do realize that the Asian woman is telling everyone that the Toronto-ites are bad drivers???
My response: Look who's talking, stupid white man

+=================+
And many of you were either grossed out or concerned about my intestines. Well, they and I fight every day. Some days, they win by the sheer excess of bloat and other incredibly noisemaking horridness. Other days, I win. It's like reality TV down there and no on has immunity. NO ONE, I SAY!

+=================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Frike, my bro, happy belated birthday!
Fryvette, feel better!
Frichelle D, congrats on the engagement!
Frynn

+=================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at:
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of June 7, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

LORDY LORDY LOOK WHO'S 40!

It's my brother Frike's birthday! Unfortunately this is the only photo I can find of my bro. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!



Some musings about my brother:
- he babysat me once and he convinced me that there was an axe murderer loose in the neighborhood and the axe was missing from our garage
- we used to fight like cats and dogs
- we have the same, twisted sense of humor
- he is crazy about electronic gadgets and must have the small, medium and large versions of things (ipods, computers, etc.)
- he is a fantastic cook
- he used to read the Encyclopedia Britannica in his spare time and is now chock full of tiring knowledge
- i love him very much

In case you were wondering...

what my office looks like, here is a picture of my work space. If you go to the flickr page, you can see my notes.

ok, ok, ok, ok (6-4-07)

yes, I am being delinquent again. Not calling people back (Hi Frandy and Frichelle Frertischek) and not emailing AND calling people back (Hi Frohn and Froug) and not sending my horoscope out for weeks on end. Sigh. So here it is, ridiculously late. I blame my gassy insides for the delay.

+=============+
I was in Toronto for my cousin's wedding over Memorial Day weekend. It was a great wedding and I wish Frane and Fren many best wishes.

While I was in Toronto, I observed several things:

1) Toronto-ites are horrible drivers
2) It is easier to drive East-West in Toronto than North-South.
3) There is one toll highway that no one uses.
4) The parks are beautiful.
5) People talk funny there.
6) It isn't that much cheaper than the States. And actually can be more expensive.

Toronto photos:
Here's a photo of my uncle and aunt (their daughter Frane got married that day):


Here's a pix of Frane and Fren exchanging rings:


Here's a pix of Frane and Fren (seated) and Frane's cousins behind her (guess which one is me):


Here's a pix of the blue jay in the tree outside my hotel room:


Here's the vending machine in the ladies room of the Pearson Toronto International Airport:


And a closeup: COLLECTABLE TATTOOS!



+=============+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Freven and Fralex
Frasha and Frasha
FrunAe and Frfrancois

+=============+
Check out your horoscopes at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of May 31, 2007
By Rob Brezsny

Frobi and Frado

I got to finally meet Frado, the son of my friend Frobi. so very cute. This is a group shot of us. Guess where I am!

Friday, May 25th

I am at the airport with lots of time on my hands and no way to email this post to everyone. So instead I will just post via my crackberry until I get on the plane.

+-----------+
My Life With the Germs - Part 2,005,087

This woman asked me to move seats so that her elderly mother could sit in my more accessible seat. This was the problem. The problem was the she was eating frozen yogurt and when she asked me, spit came out of her mouth and it all landed on my face.

NEW SITE TO LOVE

www.stuffonmymutt.com

Harumph (5-10-07)

Spring is here. You know how I know? I can smell everyone in the subway. And it's not a good smell.

+===================+
I have a friend who has a spacious 1 bedroom apt he wants to rent out for 1-2 years in Astoria, Queens. Clean, newly-renovation, and excellent location. Good price. Let me know if you know anyone who would be interested. Move in date asap.

+===================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
> ERTISCHEK, MPH
> Fryvette - I still haven't set up my picture in the frames yet, have you?

+===================+
Check out your weekly horoscope at
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of May 10, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -

From the New York Times:

"She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
- PRESIDENT BUSH , on the reaction of Queen Elizabeth II after he nearly
said she had visited in 1776.

Well they're married now and nobody killed each other. (4-29-07)

Overhead in Vegas: "Well they're married now and nobody killed each other."

+===========================+
I was in Vegas last weekend for work and I totally avoided the Strip. Well, I drove through it once, but that was on my fast drive out of the city to the airport. I have to say that Vegas is a cesspit of iniquity. (I wonder if that is just repetitive.) Anyway, the real injustice of the weekend is that while I was in Vegas for a physician meeting the weather was mid-60s and overcast, but in NYC it was sunny and 80. What's up with that? That is so wrong. SO WRONG.

Also what is wrong with Vegas:
- $4 bottles of water
- Your boogers turn into little bricks in side your nose in seconds
- Everyone looks haggard from gambling and drinking all day and night
- BUFFETS of nothing to eat
- It costs $40 to do anything there (O wait, that is the same as NYC)

What is great about Vegas:
- My hair looked awesome. It responded well to the dry climate.
- Cacti
- Red Rocks

See the ridiculously dark hotel room I stayed in!


See the construction view of my hotel room!



See the photos I took WHILE driving!




+===========================+
HAIKUS from Frynn

no sudoku to
pass the time during meeting
I need a new job

Simplicity of
words not found in my meeting
shut up already

meetings suck without
haikus to write since I can
not draw or doodle

+=====================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Frandy - I sure hope you can eat something soon
Frynn - great haikus
Frichelle - graduation is right around the bend!

+=====================+
Check out your free horoscopes at:
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of April 26, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

Say you, say me (4-19-07)

Michelle Update:

+ Currently, quit smoking for 25 hours. started again after my nuclear meltdown at work. will quit again this weekend, post-Vegas (where I am working and not going to the casinos. I always lose $$$ there).
+ 5-story building across the way is being torn down. Fear the rats and mice might be infesting my water-logged, plaster mess of a building. On the plus side, I can see another building which I had no idea was there.
+ Saw Grindhouse and loved it.
+ Got a massage and suddenly I loved the world.
+ My book club doesn't read books and I think needs a new name.
+ Photos from my trip to Jacksonville, where I got to clean out the million junk drawers in my parents' old house:
======================
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Franisha, Fravani, Baby and Franish
Frate J.
Frichelle H.
Frasha W.
Frasha H.
Frohnna G.
Frob and Frussell

======================
Check out your weekly horoscope at:
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of April 19, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

Cell Phones May Be To Blame For Disappearing Bees

Cell Phones May Be To Blame For Disappearing Bees

I can believe it and it makes me incredibly sad. Bees are instrumental to human life. We need them for cross pollination!!!

Feidler 1992-2007

I love you, Feidler

One more from the Vermont Country Store!

Vim & Vigor - An Ounce a Day Keeps the Doctor Away-100% Natural Vim and Vigor Keeps Your Body at Its Best!

Another gem from the Vermont Country Store

This is the "Adorable Springtime Lamb Made from Mouthwatering Top-Quality Solid White Chocolate," from the Vermont Country Store. I ordered something for my mom there (no, not a mumu or float) and ever since then, I get their emails and catalogs, which are chockfull of items you didn't think people wanted anymore. Such as this deranged looking white chocolate lamb. Or Flicker shavers - who knew they were still around? Or Dippity-Do? Amazing. Really. However, that lamb is really scary looking to me.

whaddya mean it's not Thursday? (3-14-07)

THE MERCURY RETROGRADE HAS PASSED!!!! (for now)

As you know, I do believe in astrology (duh) but I don't dictate my life around it. It generally opens my mind to the idea that there are other forces out there, either inherent or external, which impact me (let's face it, it's all about me). One aspect of astrology that I do believe in is the damn Mercury retrograde. During this time, the planet Mercury moves backward through the zodiac. What does this mean? Per Astrology.com :

--------------
In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.

Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry.

It is therefore not wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is very likely that these decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde, these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!
--------------

So what did this mean for Michelle? Well, let's just say I butted in where I shouldn't have butted; I spoke when I should have said nothing; and in general people were asses.

+=================================+
So, you should know by now this is Super Lucky Pig Year (actually the Year of the Red Pig or Year of the Golden Pig). People born in the pig years have good luck and wealth. The red pig year is particularly auspicious, but this particular red pig year is exponentially so since it is the special red pig year that only comes around every 600 years. Asians and others who follow the lunar calendar and the Chinese (or what I call ASIAN) zodiac believe that this year is VERY LUCKY for business and family; and children born this year (in the lunar calendar) will be REALLY blessed with EVEN MORE good luck and wealth. (Article about SUPER PIG YEAR here)

However, how does this year apply to me? I plan to eat more bacon and pork dumplings, and lots of it.

+=================================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at:
Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of March 15, 2007
By Rob Brezsny
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.

My February in Photos (3-9-07)

This is what happens when I don't blog for a month. I warned you.

+================================+
I started off in February going to Chicago for a 1-day meeting and then to Florida for 10 days. Here are some shots of my Chicago trip.






Yes, it was that exciting. And -20F.

Then I had a Chicago dog.



Wikipedia.org says: A Chicago-style hot dog– as served in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding suburbs– is a steamed or boiled all-beef, natural-casing hot dog on a poppy seed bun. It is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt[1]; but not ketchup.

I can attest that underneath all of that stuff is a hot dog. I really have nothing to say about this hot dog. The shame is beyond me.

Then I went to Florida in February to be with my mom and work at the same time. I don't know who created telecommuting but they should be hanged. It's horrible when you have to juggle meals, conference calls, document reviews, Wheel of Fortune, client memos, making lunch, trying to find a good telephone signal, Oprah... I mean the list goes on and on. However, I did find time to notice a few things which had changed at my folks' house (unfortunately I forgot to take photos).

Remember the sandhill cranes?



Well, this is a photo of them and they are on my parents' lawn (it's the size of a twin comforter). I wish I could have taken more photos of them, but I can't. Why? Because they no longer come and visit since we put the mothballs in the ground.



This is Dad making a hole for the mothballs.

Also, we no longer have the groundhog or nutria, which is what my brother thinks it was.



Sad.

While I was down South, I had a lot of SWEET TEA. This is a phenomena which refuses to come North. I think people in the North don't want CONCETRATED GLUCOSE over ice. I don't know why. It's so good!!!! Of course for every cup of tea, there is about 5 cups of sugar and probably corn syrup mixed in. Here's a photo of my giant cup of sweet tea from KFC (which most probably was full of rats too):



I think there should be more sweet tea in this world. There just should.

It also rained in Clermont. THAT seriously never happens. It sprinkles, dark clouds hover over, but not a rain like this:



I also went to Hanamizuki, a fantastic Japanese restaurant in Orlando. Very authentic and can rival some of the restaurants in New York. Here's an action shot of sukiyaki.



Then I came back to NYC, tired and overworked. And the JetBlue plane, which left ON TIME (!!!!), was having a very important technical difficulty: the tv signal was out.



I wasn't pleased about this.



However, I was brave and survived. And went to the New York Comicon!!!!!!

Yes, where comic fans and ooglers congregate and pay homage to fictional characters in tights. I went with my pal Fralex who took a stand that day and refused to wear a comic-related t-shirt or dress up as his favorite super hero (booo!). I went as an Asian girl. It was a pretty easy costume.

Here I am with some stormtroopers. I am the Asian in the middle.



Here's Fralex with Phoenix (who turned out to go to Vassar, where Fralex went!):



Fralex and I had lots of fun:


Especially with this guy:



And we got to see the NYJedi demonstrate light saber fighting. Really. I mean it. It's a club in New York and they even create their own light sabers that will not fail you while you fight the Dark Side. Really. I mean it.

Here's some action shots:





By the end of the day, after meeting Leelu; watching people Dance, Dance Revolution!; and seeing mini-padawans...



I was pooped. Seriously, seriously pooped.



For the full photo montage of Comicon, go to my Flickr set.

+================+
I will stop here. I haven't even gotten to March yet. But I really blame my lack of communication to the mercury retrograde.

+=======================+
This week's horoscopes go out to:
Cassandra
Bob and Russell
Ertischek
Marthas
Alex
Annie, Dabney and Annie's Family

+================+
Check out your weekly horoscopes at:

Free Will Astrology
Horoscopes for week of March 8, 2007
© 1995-2004, Rob Brezsny. All rights reserved.