Vacation Top 10!

The Top 10 Things that I won't miss while on vacation.

10. The launch of the new equipment
9. My alarm clock
8. Dressy clothes
7. Equipment that won't work
6. My un-airconditioned apartment in 90 degree heat
5. Following a schedule
4. Tasks
3. The "M" word
2. the Quiet Zone

and the #1 thing that I won't miss...

1. The IP!

Hot, Hot, HOT!

The thermastat in my apartment is as high as it will go and registering 85 degrees. It has been there since I got home and the heat is making me cranky. The sun will be going down soon and it will hopefully bring some relief. Hope you are cooler where ever you are. :-)

Stranded on a Desert Island

A retired corporate executive decided to take a vacation. He booked himself on a Caribbean cruise and proceeded to have the time of his life... until the boat sank! He found himself on an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing, only bananas and coconuts.

After about four months, he is lying on the beach one day, when the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to the shore. In disbelief, he asks her, "Where did you come from? How did you get here?"

She replies, "I rowed from the other side of the island. I landed here when my cruise ship sank."
"Amazing," he says. "You were really lucky to have a row boat wash up with you."

"Oh, this?" replies the woman. "I made the boat out of raw material I found on the island. The oars were whittled from gum tree branches. I wove the bottom from palm branch and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus tree."

"But, where did you get the tools?"

"Oh, that was no problem," replied the woman. "On the south side of the island, a very unusual stratum of alluvial rock is exposed. I found if I fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it melted into forgeable, ductile iron. I used that for tools and used the tools to make the hardware." The guy is stunned.

"Let's row over to my place," she says. After a few hours of rowing, she docks the boat at a small wharf.

As the man looks to shore, he nearly falls out off the boat. Before him is a stone walk leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. While the woman ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man can only stare ahead, dumb struck.

As they walk into the house, she says casually, "It's not much, but I call it home sit down, please.
Would you like a drink?" "No. No, thank you," he says, still dazed.

"Can't take any more coconut juice."

"It's not coconut juice," the woman replies. "I have a still. How about a Pina Colada?"
Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepts, and they sit down on her couch to talk.

After they have exchanged their stories, the woman announces, "I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to take a shower and shave? There is a razor upstairs in the bathroom cabinet."

No longer questioning anything, the man goes into the bathroom. There, in the cabinet, is a razor made from a bone handle. Two shells honed to a hollow ground edge are fastened on to its end inside a swivel mechanism.

"This woman is amazing," he muses. "What next?"

When he returns, she greets him wearing nothing but vines and flowers strategically positioned, and smelling of gardenias.

She beckons for him to sit down next to her! . "Tell me," she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him, "We've been out here for a really long time. You've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing for all these months?" She stares into his eyes and takes his hand in hers...

He can't believe what he's hearing. He swallows excitedly, tears start to form in his eyes, and says, "You mean... I can check my e-mail from here?"

Beer Delivery?

I looked out the window a short time ago and to my surprise a Pike Brewing Company delivery truck was parked outside. Are they having beer delivered to the office now? I sure hope so! :-)

Happy Summer!

My co-workers and I toasted the summer solstice with root beer floats this afternoon. The weather cooperated and the sun popped out for a few minutes right before the big toast. I am very ready for summer this year!

I don't usually pay much attention to the official season changing days, but I always pay attention to the summer solstice and the first day of summer. And it's not because summer is my favorite season, because it's not. I think it's just that I love many of the things that I associate with summer and I am always missing them by the time June 21 rolls around every year. This year the weather has not been very *summery* in Seattle which has left me wanting it even more. Here are a few of my favorite things about summer that I am really looking forward to this year.

• Long days
• Warm weather
• Lazy hot days by the pool!
• Alfresco dining at some of my favorite spots
• VACATION! (8 more days)!!
• Fireworks
• barbecues
• Camping
• Outdoor Movies and Concerts
• The beach

I hope that you summer plans include some of your favorite things! And... HAPPY SUMMER!

Large Latte in Perspective!

To get a better perspective on how large my latte really is I took another picture with it up against a standard issue coffee mug. See it's huge!

Large Latte!

We just returned from the drive-thru latte stand at the gas station across from the office. All their drinks are $2.50 so I ordered a "large non-fat sugar-free vanilla latte." When she handed me this 32 oz cup I smiled awkwardly and thanked her. Upon pulling away I had to laugh. This is a *Big-Gulp* sized latte! Crazy.

It's reminiscent of the opening scene in "So I Married An Axe Murderer" when Mike Myers references his cappuccinio as a "Cup-O-Cinio" and double checks to ensure it really is a *large* cappuccinio. :-)

Raise The Roof!

Every time I turned around this weekend I heard the song "Raise The Roof" from Carbon Leaf's Indian Summer album. I have heard the song a million times but this weekend it seemed to speak differently to me.

Raise the roof, that I might see the stars
To gain wisdom, to see things for what they are
Please, I need proof

Dance till you fall
Love till you die
Shut your mouth
Raise the roof

Trapped in the snare with too much dreaming to bear
Fearful and frantic, hopeless and a romantic
Inspired but tired, I run this wide-open course
Like the sagging spirit of an older horse

Dance till you fall
Love till you die
Shut your mouth
Raise the roof

Peel back this backdrop, like the lids from my eyes
Put you in plain view, let me visualize
Touch me again in my dreams till I feel
Touch me again till I wake and it's real

Dance till you fall
Love till you die
Shut your mouth
Raise the roof

The wisest advice to me that I didn't reach
Was to lock up the heart, but keep the key within reach
Touch me again in my dreams till I feel
Touch me again till I wake and it's real

Dance till you fall
Love till you die
Shut your mouth
Raise the roof

Dance till you fall
Love till you die
Shut your mouth
Raise the roof

Vacation Envy!

My little brother is traveling through Europe catching as many World Cup Soccer games as he can right now. It's been a dream of his to do this for quite some time and he has made it happen! I just received the following update from him.

"Another amazing day in Deutchland. On an overnight train to Paris. Went to the Brazil vs. Croatia game in Berlin tonight. What an experience!"

I am thrilled for him but also a bit envious. I have never been to Europe but know that I will get there someday. I would probably have a much more severe case of envy if I weren't leaving on a long awaited adventure of my own in just 15 days!

Early Morning Oddities

I had to be at work early this morning. Very early. Some observations about this morning and the world in general...

I think that Krispy Kreme donuts have a chemical added to the glaze which make you crave them. The chemical must also be in the scent that they put out because the moment that they were placed in the backseat of my car my stomach began to growl and after a few minutes of the intoxicating smell I began to seriously consider eating the steering wheel (it's round). I am happy to report that all of the donuts made it safely to the office, however since arriving they are being consumed by everyone at an alarming rate.

I heard the same song twice on the way in. Two different radio stations, both times from start to finish. So that must mean that it's today's theme song.

One Way Or Another by Blondie
One way or another, I'm gonna find ya'
I'm gonna get ya', get ya', get ya', get ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna win ya'
I'm gonna get ya', get ya' ,get ya', get ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna see ya'
I'm gonna meet ya', meet ya', meet ya', meet ya'

Seems very appropriate considering that today is *inventory day* and many of my co-workers will using one way or another to get it done.

People that don't drink coffee don't make the best coffee. But when it's early and you are tired and you have been teased by the scent of Krispy Kremes and been serenaded Blondie, you get over it.

Have a good day! :-)

Going From Blue to Green

The template that I was using for my website was beginning to annoy me. At several places the contrast that it made it difficult to read. So I decided while browsing the templates last night to try this one out. It's summer and the green just jumped out to me.

Now that I have published it and it's online I realize that the contrast in several places is still very difficult to read.

I guess I am going to have to learn HTML coding afterall and design my own template with print that is always very well contrasted!

Am I a 70's Girl?

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Career Dreams of Days Gone By

When I returned to my desk following lunch today a small gift wrapped box was sitting on my chair. The wrapping paper was covered with *road construction* icons and clip art. There was a note attached which read....

"A special gift just for you! May all your dreams come true!"

I ripped the paper off the box and opened the box and inside found 3 highway lane markers (see picture). I immediately burst into laughter because this gift was clearly from someone who remembered the following story from my childhood.

When I was about 10 years old my family traveled to southern California for a vacation. With bright eyes I stared out the window and saw small circular lane markers. When I asked my parents what they were I was instructed that they made noise when you ran over them to wake people up if they fell asleep and I thought the entire concept was brilliant. I then asked why they were not on the roads in Utah and my parents told me that if they put them on the roads in Utah the snowplows would "pop" them up every year. I couldn't believe the injustice of it all. I was furious that the people living in Utah would be deprived of the opportunity to have these lane markers simply because it snowed there. So, I announced, "When I grow up I am going to be the person that puts the those doo-hickey's on the road." My parents chuckled. Since then I am occasionally reminded by family and friends that know this story of my lofty career plans, hence today's gift.

Now I just have to decided what to do with them. I placed them on the floor in a straight line creating an imaginary line at the entrance to my cubicle which I thought was clever, but I don't think that others would find it amusing. So they are currently sitting on my desk. Any ideas?

Where Did The Time Go?

Today marks the 15th anniversary of my graduation from high school. I have much fonder memories of high school graduation than I do of high school, probably because I went out with a bang. I heard the recording of “Everyone is Free” graduation speech on the radio this morning and find it much more amusing and timely than the speech I delivered 15 years ago and I felt compelled to share it here. Enjoy!

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"Everyone is Free" (to use sun screen) Graduation Speech
Written by Chicago newspaper columnist, Mary Schmich, audio recording by Baz Luhrmann

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97: Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own. Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Favorite Music Cue

Shamelessly stolen from Don. It took me nearly a week to complete, but here it is. I used my stats from iTunes to establish the following…

Name your top 10 most played artists/bands:

1. Vienna Teng
2. Eastmountainsouth
3. Counting Crows
4. Carbon Leaf
5. David Berkeley
6. The Fat Lady Sings
7. Jason Mraz
8. Alanis Morissette
9. Indigo Girls
10. Sarah McLachlan

What was the first song you ever heard by 6 (The Fat Lady Sings)?
“Drunkard Logic"

What is your favorite album of 2 (Eastmountainsouth)?
They only have one album, their self-titled debut. They are now pursuing solo careers.

What is your favorite lyric that 5 (David Berkeley) has sung?
From “A Moon Song”

And so I stand upon the wreckage of the kingdom of the world,
and I stare upon the ruins and remember this girl.
You see, the boy would be her nightingale if she would be his muse.
And when she looked into his eyes, there was nothing she could refuse.
And so the green-eyed boy, he kissed the autumn-eyed girl.
Their kiss is painted on the urn, watch it as it twirls.
Still she said, "Truth is sorrow, we will never be that way."
And he said, "Truth is pleasure, that is all there is to say."
But some say, "Truth is hidden, it lies very far below."
But I say, "Truth is beauty. That is all you need to know."

How many times have you seen 4 (Carbon Leaf) live?
Once, last summer (the night before my birthday) as part of the Zoo Tunes Concert Series. I will be seeing them again live this summer. I *heart* Carbon Leaf!

What is your favorite song by 7 (Jason Mraz)?
A live version of “You and I Both”

What is a good memory you have involving the music of 10 (Sarah McLachlan)?
Waking up on December 31, 2004 to my clock radio blasting “Building A Mystery” and having instant peace about building a mystery with my own future.

Is there a song of 3 (Counting Crows) that makes you sad?
“Round Here” a little bit, but I have mostly good memories attached to CC songs.

What is your favorite lyric that 2 (Eastmountainsouth) has sung?
From “So Are You To Me”

As the music at the banquet
As the wine before the meal
As the firelight in the night
So are you to me

As the ruby in the setting
As the fruit upon the tree
As the wind blows over the plain
So are you to me

How did you get into 3 (Counting Crows)?
The summer of 1994 I was living in Corvallis, Oregon and taking summer school classes. I lived in a tiny house with 3 other girls. The “August and Everywhere” album had just come out and it was the first time I had heard of them and the CD became the soundtrack of that summer, which was one of the best of my life.

What was the first song you heard by 1 (Vienna Teng)?
“Between” from Waking Hour.

What is your favorite song by 4 (Carbon Leaf)?
“Life Less Ordinary” from Indian Summer.

How many times have you seen 9 (Indigo Girls) live?
Twice.

What is a good memory you have involving 2 (Eastmountainsouth)?
Driving down Hwy 99 shortly after moving to Seattle and realizing the power of the lyrics of “You Dance.”

I won't face another day
I won't wait until tomorrow
I won't spend another night without you
let me carry you away
let me wake you every morning
let me wander every day beside you
'cause you dance in my head, in my heart, in my everything
you belong

Is there a song of 8 (Alanis Morissette) that makes you sad?
“Perfect” from Jagged Little Pill.

Sometimes is never quite enough
If you're flawless, then you'll win my love
Don't forget to win first place
Don't forget to keep that smile on your face
Be a good boy
Try a little harder
You've got to measure up
And make me prouder
How long before you screw it up
How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up
With everything I do for you
The least you can do is keep quiet
Be a good girl

What is your favorite album of 5 (David Berkeley)?
Confluence

What is your favorite lyric that 3 (Counting Crows) has sung?
From “Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby” from This Desert Life.

Well I loke up in mid-afternoon cause that’s when it all hurst the most
I dream I never know anyone at the party and I’m always the host
If dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts
You can never escape, you can only move south down the coast
Well, I am an idiot walking a tightrope of fortune and fame
I am an acrobat swinging trapezes through circles of flame
If you’ve never stared off in the distance, then you life is a shame
And though I’ll never forget your face,
Sometimes I can’t remember you name

What is your favorite song of 1 (Vienna Teng)?
It’s a tie between “Shasta (Carrie’s Song” and “Harbor” (both from Warm Strangers).

What is your favorite song of 10 (Sarah McLachlan)?
“Push” from Afterglow

Every time I look at you the world just melts away
All my troubles all my fears dissolve in your affections
You've seen me at my weakest but you take me as I am
And when I fall you offer me a softer place to land
You stay the course you hold the line you keep it all together
You're the one true thing I know I can believe in
You're all the things that I desire you save me you complete me
You're the one true thing I know I can believe

How many times have you seen 8 (Alanis Morissette)live?
Never.

What is your favorite album of 1 (Vienna Teng)?
“Warm Strangers”

What is a great memory you have considering 9 (Indigo Girls)?
My friend Jenna called in the summer of 1997 or 1998 to ask if I wanted to attend the Indigo Girls concert with her. I had no idea who the Indigo Girls were so I ran out and purchased a few albums and memorized as much as I could in 3 days. We attended the concert together and had a blast and it turned me into a huge Indigo Girls fan.

What was the first song you heard by 8 (Alanis Morissette)?
“Ironic” from Jagged Little Pill.

What is your favorite cover by 2 (Eastmountainsouth)?
“Hard Times” which evidentially is a hymn but I only found that out a few weeks ago.

Good Night Pillow

A picture of the pillow in the center of the bed in my hotel room. I am just cheesy enough to think this is super sweet! :)

June Trivia

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