Category Archives: Whatever

Music / Entertainment, Whatever

Creepy Commercial

10 Comments

Is anyone else creeped out by these Charles Schwab commercials?  Disturbing.  The animation just gives me the willies every time I see one – so much so that I had to blog about it. Lucky you. I can’t imagine this improving their business… 

On the other hand, there are a handful of commercials out right now that always make me chuckle.  They’re stupid, but I always laugh. 

One is the William Shatner as the Price Line Negotiator.  I love his horrible kung fu moves and that he can be such a dork and not take himself seriously.   I also find myself chuckling at the Emerald Nuts commercials…  the Swiss Family Robinson or the “Addicted To Love Girls” that appear at 3pm and mess with the person who’s sleeping because he didn’t eat the nuts to stay awake. Really dumb, but funny.

And lastly – for some reason I smile every time USA Network plays their promo for the upcoming Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It has these dogs, photographed like models, with wind blowing on them (the Afghan hound is beautiful), etc. as “I’m Too Sexy” plays, or “She’s Like The Wind“….

Any standout commercials for you?

Travel, Whatever

Where in the world?

5 Comments

I wondered if anything would be able to pull me away from my love affair with and/or addiction to online paper snowflakes this year – besides carpal tunnel.    I did find a new object of affection which, unfortunately, also puts strain on my mouse hand… but has been entertaining nonetheless.

World MapTry your hand at Travel IQ – the online geography game! 

My first score was 6, then 8… and now I consistently get to level 12, but haven’t topped the required 60,000 points to complete level 12 (the final one) yet. 

I do, however, know where Mogadishu is.  As well as Togo, Jakarta and the Taj Majal.     See how you do – then return and report!

For some non-carpel tunnel online fun, check out my brilliant nephew Sam’s new blog – Jacob’s Escalator.   Be sure to read the Prologue and Disclaimer.

  

Whatever

Fun with flakes

23 Comments

My snowflakes

Who doesn’t like snowflakes?   Here’s a cool new twist on an old passtime – cutting paper snowflakes.   My sister, Kristin, introduced me to “Make-A-Flake“  – no paper or scissors needed.    I made all the flakes in my post (copying them into Photoshop to edit).  Aren’t they pretty??

I made this snowflake!Click here to make a flake and then post it for us to see!   After you cut your flake, select “Save my flake” – and enter your name/submit.  Then, in the next window, choose “Download my flake.”    Choose “view image” – a new browser window will open that shows your newly created flake.  Copy and URL and paste it in a message to us.  It will look something like this: 

http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/viewflake.php?id=16425221

Can’t wait to see your flakes!

Spiritual / Religion, Whatever

Happy Winter Solstice

4 Comments

Solstice Morning at NewgrangeReligious and family customs shape many holiday rituals, but the beauty of Winter Solstice is that it excludes no one and touches everyone.  After all, who is immune to the changing season, the earth growing cold, the days of dwindling light?  

Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year – and the promise of the earth’s re-birth in the spring.   Modern day traditions, including mistletoe, yule logs, lighting of candles, exchanging gifts, decorating evergreen boughs and caroling are all rooted in this beautiful, ancient holiday.

In Ireland, many gather at Newgrange, 1000 years older than Stonehenge, who’s unique construction captures and directs the morning sunlight on Winter Solstice down a long corridor.  

In fact, for the first time ever, the 2007 Winter Solstice illumination at Newgrange will be available live on the internet and by free to air satellite broadcast – TONIGHT!

The live stream will begin at 8:30 am on 21st and 22nd December 2007. (That’s tonight and tomorrow night at 12:30am PT, 1:30am MT)

Click here to access the webcast

While you’re waiting for the webcast (or if you missed it), here is a  brief quiz about Winter Solstice

Happy Solstice!

Cat Tales, Whatever

Sir Hides-a-lot

8 Comments

Kitty has a name.  Actually he has two names.  I call him Sweetness, because he is such a sweet, cuddly fellow – lies with his head resting on my shoulder as I brush him.  

But his formal name is Sir Hides-a-lot.   He is a complete scaredy cat, who hides the moment he hears a knock on the door or any loud or mysterious noise.  Here are a few of his favorite spots.

Between my desk and the wallThis is one of his “safest” places, because no one can reach him.  He wedges himself in a little nook between my desk and the wall & peeks out into the living room.   

He also likes to hide behind the washing machine in the laundry closet but I couldn’t get a photo.
 
Behind the mixmasterHe wouldn’t stop meowing in the kitchen (even after being fed), so I opened the cupboard door and he happily sat behind the mixmaster for an hour.

Sweetness behind the VCR / dvd player

Here he is behind the vcr/dvd player in my media cabinet.
He can sleep here for hours. Another favorite spot.

Behind the fax machine

An occasional favorite spot is behind the fax machine – which is on the top shelf of a bottom cupboard in the kitchen.

He seems to have an attraction to electric appliances, doesn’t he?

In the credenzaAnd finally, in the credenza in my office. I thought he’d escaped a week or so ago when I left the door open to run upstairs to tell my neighbor she was flooding my condo.

I searched all his favorite spots and outside as well – but no kitty. After about 5 hours, I heard a soft banging behind me in the cupboard (where I really had looked). I opened the door and there he was, nap over and ready to socialize again. He spent every day there while the fans were on, drying out the carpet.

Fellow cat owners – is this normal?

Whatever

ooooh, gross!

6 Comments

Kitty and I have been having a contest the past week trying to determine which is more disgusting – coughing up hair balls, or coughing up phlegm balls.   We’ve both been hacking away trying to remove our respective gunk – and I really think my phlegm gobs are vile (and who decided it should be spelled that way??)….  but I believe kitty’s hair balls win the grossout contest.

Probably more than you wanted to know, but hey – what are blogs for, anyway?  : )

Whatever

And we’re off!

Leave a comment

Kristin & I are leaving to pick Michelle and Chris up from the airport very shortly. 

We will greet them with crisp Washington Cameo apples picked just a few days ago, and caramel dipping sauce.    We will take the ferry to to Bainbridge Island and stay in Poulsbo tonight.   Thrilling updates and photos to follow.

Music / Entertainment, Whatever

Things I don’t care about

5 Comments

As I was watching a little tv and walking by a news/magazine racks this week, I realized there are several current happenings getting lots of attention – which I care absolutely nothing about. 

Halo 3 (yawn)

  • Survivor: China
  • Halo 3
  • Angelina – Brad – Jennifer love triangle/squabbles
  • Which celebrities are in rehab or jail this week
  • OJ Simpson’s latest arrest
  • the iPhone

What don’t you care about?

Whatever

Have you ever bathed a cat?

6 Comments

Kitty was stinky today for some reason, and so I gave him a bath…  did he enjoy it?

Not so much.

But he was really very good and it wasn’t nearly the struggle I had expected.  I held him in my lap, shampooing his belly before I put him in the tub… and after a brief struggle, he (unhappily) accepted his fate.  He just meowed pitifully as I shampooed and rinsed him in the tub.   I wish I had a photo to share of his pitiful little self sitting in the tub,  but I couldn’t let go of him long enough to grab the camera.

 I’m not sure if the bathroom will be his happy place any more.

Whatever

Looking forward to….

7 Comments

Dahlia

First weekend in October:

Girls trip to Victoria, BC & Butchart Gardens with
Kristin, Michelle & Chris (woo hoo!).  I love it when friends can plan an adventure like this on short notice!    Thank you Southwest Airlines, for your fabulous internet specials. In addition to the beautiful scenery we’ll be taking in, I expect we’ll laugh ourselves silly.   This is going to be so much fun!

Oh, and Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Ashley & Kennedy picking their noses2nd weekend in October:

Visit from Ashley Rae & little miss Kennedy.  I’m counting the days and can hardly wait!

 Again, thank you Southwest.

Jana Groscost Matthews

3rd weekend in October:

A short trip to Truckee, CA to spend a couple of days with Jana & meet her new husband, Jason.   Check out both of their websites – I designed both of them 🙂

I have Southwest to thank again here as well!

Margie Aliprandi

4th weekend in October:

A brief visit from Margie, who will be up here speaking at a business meeting.  With all the traveling she does, it’s hard to believe she hasn’t stopped in Seattle since I moved here!

Now, which of my decorating projects should I complete before they all arrive…. ???