I can't tell you how much better I feel knowing someone else has the same irrational fear of Sharks in west lake that I have. Leigh and I agree, we have the best protection against shark attack - don't go in the water!!!

"ice block" is what you call those styrofoam forms, because it looks like giant frosty blocks of ice, i guess...

Anyway, last night the kids and I went to GG's for a little visit. Then I ran to Lincoln.

Bulletin: Strawberries are IN!!! I bought 2 quarts to munch. They are excellent. Looks like you're getting strawberry cake Janelle.

Why do all you people have to get sick. Who was the carrier at the party?

iceblock?

today i'm wicked sick. chest cold. i feel like poop. i actually took a sick day because i was sick--that hasn't happened in years. now i'm tired and am going to bed.

i wish i had a new picture of the lemur--i hear there are some cute ones out there but apparently they are mythical or i don't rate. one or the other.

Ou est LTL?

You should see my kids. They're SO excited about this load of stuff. Isaiah runs from John's office to the kitchen to watch the boomtruck work.

Our first delivery!!! Iceblock, rebar, lumber!!! 

Blog Review: Morning walk

Our walk SUCKED this morning. It was so humid you got all worn out after 3 steps. The mosquitos ate Leigh alive. Still we managed to eek out 1 mile.

Weekly cumulative total: 5.8 miles.

BBR:

Bridge was held at Suzanne's with all regular members of the bridge club in attendance. The cards, for me, were ok over all, though we DID have to deal over a million times. The snack was popcorn, and the treat was Hot fudge sundaes (Orlie made the very excellent sauce). Discussion was of people and trailers moving in and out of town and the Town of Lowell vote to seceed the school district that was being held at the time. Still no news of the results. AVGTWHBA. Next week bridge will be at Tracey's on Tuesday, no delay due to the fourth.

strawberries

Please let me know the SECOND you see strawberries for sale, and if you REALLY love me pick up 3 quarts for me. Thank you.

My kids got up at 5 a.m. on Saturday as well. I think anyway, or was that Sunday? I can't remember. Anyway, I know the boy one was very grumpy on Saturday AND Sunday.

ltl, tell us what you did all weekend. What did you eat, who did you see, what cute thing did Liam do? I need more information.

Section Front • Section Front

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Report: Netflix, TiVo To Team Up

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 8, 2004



(CBS/AP)



"There haven't been too many companies that have come up with more disruptive technologies than Netflix and TiVo during the last five years."
Sean Badding
Digital Entertainment Analyst


(AP) Home entertainment trendsetters Netflix Inc. and TiVo Inc. hope to link up on a service that will use high-speed Internet connections to pipe DVD-quality movies into the homes of their mutual subscribers.

The recently drooping stocks of both companies perked up Tuesday as investors embraced the prospect of an alliance between two pioneers that have changed the way millions of households rent DVDs and watch television.

Los Gatos-based Netflix has attracted 2.1 million subscribers to its $21.99-per-month service, which mails up to three DVDs at a time after customers place their orders on the Internet. The service, which draws upon Netflix's library of 25,000 DVD titles, doesn't charge late rental fees -- a concept that has forced video rental giant Blockbuster Entertainment to change its ways.

Alviso-based TiVo makes digital video recorders that let viewers easily record TV shows onto hard disks, skip commercials and pause live broadcasts. About 1.9 million subscribers pay a $12.95 monthly fee for TiVo's service, which has inspired a variety of clones.

Neither Netflix nor TiVo would provide details about their possible movie-on-demand service nor even assure that the discussions reported by Newsweek magazine would come to fruition.

"`It makes sense to be brainstorming with TiVo right now, but there is no relationship right now or a timeline for creating one,"' said Netflix spokeswoman Lynn Brinton.

TiVo spokeswoman Kathryn Kelly issued a similar statement.

The companies already share a common bond -- TiVo CEO Michael Ramsay been on Netflix's board of directors since May 2002.

But the overlap between the households that subscribe to both Netflix and TiVo is "minimal," something that makes it unlikely the partnership will be a financial boon for the companies, according to a report issued Tuesday by Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. analyst Alan Bezoza. Netflix and TiVo haven't publicly disclosed how many subscribers they share.

Citing unidentified sources close to the negotiations, Newsweek reported that the partnership could be announced before the end of this month, pending approval of TiVo's board of directors. TiVo's board is scheduled to meet Thursday.

Even if a partnership is formed soon, the movie-on-demand service probably wouldn't be available for at least another year.

The service could face several obstacles, including legal resistance from movie studios, which worry that Internet distribution could make it easier for pirates to make and sell illegal copies.

Netflix and TiVo also will have to persuade consumers the quality and convenience of movies delivered over the Internet justifies spending hours to download the video.

Finally, Netflix and TiVo may find themselves playing catch-up with several existing Internet-based services operated by CinemaNow, MovieLink, Starz Encore and Akimbo Systems Inc.

Wall Street didn't seemed concerned with the looming hurdles Tuesday as Netflix's shares climbed $1.05, or 7 percent, to close at $15.41 on the Nasdaq Stock Market, where TiVo's shares gained 66 cents, or 15 percent, to $5.08.

The investor enthusiasm largely reflects the two companies' track record for innovation, said Sean Badding, a digital entertainment analyst for The Carmel Group.

"There haven't been too many companies that have come up with more disruptive technologies than Netflix and TiVo during the last five years," Badding said. "They have become the best-of-breed services in their respective markets."

But inroads made by Netflix and TiVo have inspired competitive threats that have raised concerns that the two companies eventually will be bumped aside by larger rivals with deeper pockets. Both Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Blockbuster Entertainment are trying to topple Netflix with their own online DVD rental services, while cable TV giants have introduced digital video recorders that offer services similar to TiVo's.

Hoping to broaden his service's appeal, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings earlier this year vowed to begin exploring ways to allow the company's subscribers to download movies over the Internet.

Hastings has emphasized that the downloading service probably wouldn't produce much revenue during the next year or two, but he expects it to become a big business within the next decade.

Blog Review: Madagascar

Plot Outline: Spoiled by their upbringing with no idea what wild life is really like, three animals from New York Central Zoo escape in search of their friend and find themselves on route to Madagascar (more) (view trailer)

Ben Stiller .... Alex the Lion (voice)
Chris Rock .... Marty the Zebra (voice)
David Schwimmer .... Melman the Giraffe (voice)
Jada Pinkett Smith .... Gloria the Hippo (voice)
Sacha Baron Cohen .... King Julian the Lemur (voice)
Cedric the Entertainer .... Maurice the Lemur (voice)
Tom McGrath .... Skipper the Penguin (voice)
Christopher Knights .... Private the Penguin (voice)
Chris Miller .... Kowalski the Penguin (voice)
Andy Richter .... Mort the Mouse Lemur (voice)
Conrad Vernon .... Mason the Chimpanzee (voice)
(more)
M, I, and myself went to the movies last night to see "Shark Boy and Lava Girl" which Yahoo!Movies SAID was playing at the bangor cinema at 7:00. Well LUCKILY we got there a bit early (to shoot deer and play Star Wars pinball of course) only to find out that SBALG only played during the day. Was I mad. Still I was determined to take my kids to a movie. We almost picked Herbie, but I knew I couldn't bear that. We settled for Madagascar, despite my fear of fart jokes.

Luckily, I was very happily surprised to find NO noticeable fart jokes in the movie. There for I give it 3 stars just for exceeding my expectations. The story is predictable so I don't have to tell you that. The classic story of what it's like on the other side of the fence. Isaiah and I agree that the Lemur dance party is the best part of the movie. I've agreed to buy the movie on dvd if he will do the "I like to move it, movie it" dance.

half is definitely enough.

i consumed as much junk food as leigh. ick.
i didn't even get to the gym today as i'm just this minute finishing work....who lives like this?

i'm on the apt search.

also gearing up to take my car in to the garage.

dinner tonight was store rotisserie chicken and what i like to call 'killer brocoli' that todd makes in a wok with a shitload of hot sauce and pepper flakes. i couldn't eat it all this time.

it's effing hot here.

blog review: Macanudo Cigarellos

Smooth, creamy, smoky. The opposite of Swisher Sweets IMHO. The only problem with them is despite them being a mini cigar they aren't mini enough. Half is enough for ANY non smoker.

Blog Review: Peanut Butter Nainamo Bars

Well I made a batch of the famous Canadian treat. Finally. There wer VERY rich and sweet so they passed the Shorey Sweet tooth test. However, the crumb did NOT stick to the bars. Next time I think I'll add a bit more butter and maybe even bake the crust so the sugar melts.

FRIGGIN BEcky. I couldn't believe the hands she got. (and did NOT get but won anyway). Just goes to show you how aggressive pays...and didn't maddy scare everyone when she bet $1000 on the first hand. Man.

Well, there it is folks. My hole. Finally. It took him about 6 hours to dig the thing out and he didn't hit ledge!!!!

Is this thing on? 

Well it was 1.9 miles EACH for a cumulative total....

It's a good thing you're pregnant because that's the ONLY way that excuse works. And it that case it's absolutely fine.

Congrats to both Leigh and I for getting our ASSES out of bed this morning and walking!!!

Cumulative total: 3.8 miles.

My friend Janyce is in the stuffed lobster business now. So if you know any little child that would love a red stuffed lobster I'll hook you up!

TYVM

Ellen, Jen, Amy, Leigh, Gram and all who attended. Thank you also to those of you who did not attend because it allowed me an afternoon nap!

orlie and suzanne's party--a rousing success. congrats rk on another job well done.

I agree with LTL, wear the black suit, and a fabulous shirt, then if you feel too dressed up you can take off the coat and dress it down. maybe even untuck it. I don't think you'd want to be caught dead in the Charles Hotel without a suit on. You never know who you'll run into there. If you hang out at the bar, you might meet Ben Affleck or something. You'll want to be looking you MOST fabulous.

I did enjoy dancing with the stars the one week that i watched it. However, I didn't agree at ALL with the judge's decisions so I've had a hard time getting back to it. Is Mr. Peterman still in the running?

Seems like they owe you something RR. Gawd.

Well, the Nainamo bars are done. The beans are in the oven. We finally found a large coffee pot ($40). What else needs to be done?

There will also be punch as well as both iced and hot coffee. It's supposed to be 100 tomorrow.

I STILL KNOW IT JENN!!!

This is the weekend menu...

Lunch today - spam and egg
dinner tonight - Wing Wah (maybe)
breakfast tomorrow - skip
lunch - hot dogs
rest of the day - see: blog invitation below

in addition there is misc, chips, cheese, meat crackers, shrimp etc.

and Amy isn't happy about it, but I bought better cigars than Swisher Sweets for our poker game this weekend. Those things were disgusting.

...and I don't think I'll be able to make it to chez wonder tonight, there's WAYYY too much going on.

We are VERY busy with party preparations today. Jen and Leigh are on their way home. The rest of us have been cleaning. I'm about to make nanaimo bars.

Upstate? Maybe I'll come out so we can discuss Wonder Wedding.

I will. Today I have to go to bangor in the p.m. and JK is going to Rockland. Do you need anything at sam's?

I defer to LTL. She has her finger on Canadian Culture. I forgot that. I think I'll make peanut butter nanai?? bars.

And I would DEFINITELY pick the french music over the Canadian. There isn't much hipsexycool Canadian music.

And speaking of sex....

Blog Review: Lucia y el Sexo

Well apparently most reviewers on IMDB seem to like this movie. I was pretty much unimpressed. There is quite a bit of explicit sex in it - so be warned. However that didn't bother me. The story has all these twists in it, and while some people might find them interesting and challenging, I found them annoying and ridiculously overdone. JK says "the girls were hot". That IS true.

Those work for me pretty much except I'd need AMC and Turner, for the old movies.

I STILL KNOW IT JENN!!!

That movies never get's it's props. #6 on my list would have to be ..."AAAAAAS YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU WIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSHHHHHH"

Well, I can't get that link to work but here are my top five:

5. STEEEELLLLLAAAAAAA!
4. I don't no nuthin bout havin no babies
3. E.T. Phone Home.
2. Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you *keep* it a *secret*! Why didn't you tell the world, EH?
1. Every time I try to get out....they pull me back in!

Don't think about it for another minute. The only thing that changes is now I can call you every ten minutes on your drive home!!! (and not have to try to be secretive about it.)

That's the problem with you people. None of you can keep a secret about anything. Except Emily. She does an excellent job.

Taily has returned. I hate summer because she goes away for days and every time i hear a cat yowling in the distance I think it's her dying. If someone every gets access to a mini cam would you please let me borrow it so I can put it on the cat. I'd like to know just where she goes on her hunting junkets.

...and LTL you gave us NO weekend review. Did you go to popham beach?

F.Y.I

The digger is coming Friday.

Blog Review: The Recital

The recital was held at ESS on Thursday. It was standing room only. M had about 12 people there just for her. A few other kids performed then it was Maddy's turn. She looked ravishing in her black skirt and pink shirt. She played Alouette and Ode to Joy with great skill. She gave a very condescending nod to the crowd between songs so they would know they were priviledged to be in the company of such genius. At the end she did a very polite curtsey and left (her piano book still sitting on the instrument, which apparently stressed her brother out a bit). We were so thrilled at the large turnout of family and friends and at the accomplishments of this very talented 9.8 year old. You better mark your calendars now for next year.

And WHOEVER it was that spilled the beans about Jen coming home next week is in big trouble so you better just confess because we know it was you anyway.

...and speaking of pink. My cell phone is pearl pink. It's very cute.

Blog Invitation: Suzanniversary

Please join A-Lo, Jennykins and myself for the 'rents 40th anniversary open house. When? Saturday June 25th, 1 p.m. until whenever. Where? Their house. Eats? Baked beans, ham, salads, rolls, cake, punch and coffee. Nothing else so don't bitch, you've been warned. If you don't like that, eat before you come. Please no gifts, but we all really want you to be there if you're within the realm of the blog.

and do you pronounce in Sean-ADE or Sean-ADD?

Sinead is an excellent name. Marie must be thrilled to have a namesake. Can we still call her Pinky?

Blog Review: Coke Zero

Are you like me? Are you afraid of new soda. I'll waste money on a lot of things, but boy do I hate to buy new soda - ecause I'm afraid I won't like it. Isn't that the most ignorant thing you ever heard? However, it IS true. So. I was in shaw's on Saturday. And the very first thing I saw was the display for Coke Zero. I studied it carefully and decided to throw caution to the wind and pick up a FREE coke Zero (with a purchase of 1 lb of strawberries. (I don't know why coke and strawberries go together, but whatever)). I threw it in my cart. I wish I'd waited till the end of my shopping trip because I had second thoughts about it the ENTIRE time I was in Shaw's and it really did make my way through the aisles much more stressful. So I got the soda and brought it home and popped the top. What do you think?

It was EXCELLENT. I mean, it's not coke. But it doesn't have that disgusting aftertaste that diet coke has. It does have a BIT of an aftertaste but it doesn't linger. I'm hooked. Don't plan on getting it at BGS though. They're not up on hip things like Coke Zero OR 7up I mght add.

Yesterday we made doughnuts, and Orlie and I have FINALLY found a recipe for molasses doughnuts that we deem acceptable for the masses, so we will be featuring plain, chocolate, molasses and raised for this year's fourth of july. Then we went to gg's for the picnic and had great food and lots of fun. Props to Ellen for the rad salad! - and to suzanne for the mad potato salad also. Excellent. Excellent.

Weekend UPdate

Friday Amy came home. We had S.O.S. for dinner at Orlie's. The we played poker (JK, A-Lo, Suzannesuzannadanna, myself and I guess that's it). I won. Saturday I went to Bangor - FINALLY got my new cell phones all straightened out and activated. So i have a new cell phone number now. Don't call the old one. I'll send you and email. It ALMOST comes in at my house even, so feel free to try it at some point - though i don't have my voice mail set up yet. Bangor was so crazy i couldn't believe it. I had to wait 45 minutes in the cell phone store just to get waited on, and they wouldn't let me leave and come back after i had my number. Anyway.....

Came home, made lasagne played poker again. Orlie and Leigh joined us this time. Amy won, Suzanne second, me third. AVGTWHBA. We smoked swisher sweets and drank coffee. Next week glasses and hats are required.

Blog NOtic

There's some camera here, I don't know who's it is. it's a Kodak 35 MM camera black on the back and silver on the front. If it is yours please let me know.

As for last day of school, that really doesn't affect me in anyway except that I can disconnect the alarm clock for two months. Hurray!! JK and I went and had coffee at the 'rents with GG. Then Amy, Dad and I had a mini-sing. What fun! Tonight - poker - at the 'rents. Come as you are.

The recital was excellent. I'll post a full review at some point. Maddy did really well and she looked gorgeous of course. It was standing room only. WLBZ really should have sent in a camera crew.

Well I do wish you were here to produce this recital video. Gawd.

This is her guest list (so-far): GG, Bumpa, BW, WW, Gram, Grampa, Mom, Dad, Aunty Ellen, Uncle Ralph, Isaiah, Aunt Doris (maybe), Aunty Amy, Aunt Lora (maybe), Jelly and Jam.

I'll be video-ing the entire show. You can buy them on amazon.com after their release.

Madeline has invited everyone under the sun to her recital tonight, so we're expecting a big turn out. Emily, she asked me if I thought you would come down, but I told her it was probably too far for you to drive late at night. But just so you know, she was thinking of you...Aunt Jen too. Last night we polished the nails and ironed the dress.

I haven't been following the Hagelin Case. In fact I have know idea who he is except maybe an accused murderer? Stayed up wayyy too late last night. I blame Dennis Leary.

Well the coffee is subpar again this morning. I guess I won't be buying that brand again. It was the target gourmet brand whatever that is. I'm going back to the starbucks/maxwell house blend. That's the best combo so far.

so-me blogger strikes again

Jack and Jill went up the hill to get some starbucks coffee
Jack fell down and broke his stainless steel insulated cup
and boy was he pissed.

alternate ending:

and Jill doubled over with laughter.

Perhaps you need to move to south philly for a couple of weeks!

results...

20% scored higher (more nerdy), and
80% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:

High-Level Nerd. You are definitely MIT material, apply now!!!. Wow, I mean I knew I was a bit nerdy, I didn't know that actually knowing a bit about your computer qualified you as a nerd but apparently.....

How nerdy are you?

http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nq.php?im

Jees, Leigh, if you'd do us a graphic we could publish a "Book of Blog" poetry edition or coffee edition might be better.

That's very good RR, keep up the great work. You're not limited to one....

and how are you getting yourself and all your crap to Montreal?

well everyone else did a haiku so....

Curling steam of happiness
Boiling pot of love
This is the taste of content

so-meblogger

Poem # 1.

Coffee is as coffee does
or so the saying goes,
if I don't get my morning buzz
my afternoon has woes.

Poem #2
hickory dickory dock
had joe at nine o'clock
the clock struck one
time for a dunkin donut's run!
hickory dickory dock!

Hmmm... maybe i'll see one of those canadian bars this weekend???

My weekend plans are to go to Maddy's performance debut on thursday night. I wonder if she'll recognize me... I wonder if I'll be able to get her autograph... Some people get so snobby when they turn celebrity... i I can see her now.... "Amy... hmm..... listen, it was nice to see ya but i gotta run... i'll call you sometime" turn and walk away.

I wonder if my brother in law will be up for a kayak trip on friday or saturday...? if not i'll settle for a trip around the little narrows.

I'll probably come back to south b on saturday so i can get a day of much needed rest.

dcblogger

For the blog:

Whipped cream (real) and cool whip are two very different entities. I
crave each separately, and when I'm craving one, the other will simply
not do.


I wish I had a mocha
Whipped cream on the brim
Starbucks, iced, very strong
Make sure the milk is skim

I will not be at gg's on Sunday, fyi.

I make the best pudding, no question--a_lo will disagree, but mine is
best.

It's official. We're too cold. We've turned the heat on.

Blog review: Breyer's Fruit on the bottom yogurt

...and by "fruit on the bottom" they mean red sugar flavored slime throughout the yogurt cup.

This is the most disgusting yogurt I've ever eaten. Their description on the cup says "now creamier and better tasting". What they really mean is "sweeter and still sweeter". Yick. Yuck. Yock. This is so gross I wouldn't feed it to my pet monkey.

And I'm warning you...do NOT buy Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School. It's banned from my house. It's the MOST ignorant one ever.

I wish isaiah would get sick of SD so LIam could inherit all this crap. The only good thing about SD is there are unlimited gift possibilities for YEARS to come.

And yes, I'm a bit of a food snob. However, I do LOVE jello and spray whipped cream. I will admit cool whip is better than nothing. Oh I just made myself mad.

If nothing is better than whipped cream
and Cool Whip is better than nothing
is cool whip better than whipped cream?

How can I justify this.

Well, despite the beauty of his poetry, I feel RR must try again as the task was to write about COFFEE not Tea. What do you think LTL?

My coffee this morning smells funky
The odor I can’t quite place it
You may think it smells like wet monkey
But I think it smells more like shhhhhhh….aving cream, be nice and clean, shave every day and you’ll always look keen.

Actually I prefer it if you don’t shave for 3 days, thank you very much.

God RR, you keep saying things like that and you'll have all sweets next time you come home. I'll have to make everyone a batch of pudding and mail it to you. I wonder if you can mail pudding to canada? They'd probably confiscate it at the border and eat it.

I will tell you, I'm very knew at SUCCESSFULLY making homemade pudding and I give all the credit to my semi-newly acquired copper pot.

Jen makes the best pudding IMHO. Suzanne's is respectable and most people like hers best. It's just too sweet for me.

I'm hearing that about pudding more and more. It makes me think there is a niche out there for gourmet pudding. And by gourmet I mean made from scratch, nothing fancy.

I think i might make some for suzanniversary and then bridge. God it's cold. I think I'm going to have to turn on the heat. Why can't it be 75 and breezy all year round?

Those Nanaimo Bars look interesting, although I'm generally opposed to most things using instant pudding. In the interest of research I looked them up and came across these alternative fillings, incase you want to be fancy when you make them next. They're still Canadian, I got them off some canadian website.

VARIATION: Peanut Butter Filling
2 T Custard powder
1/4 c Milk
2 Tbsp Butter; softened
1/2 c Peanut butter, smooth
2 c Sugar icing sugar or confectioners -sifted
----
VARIATION: Grand Marnier Filling
2 c Icing Sugar
1/4 c Butter; softened
1/4 c Grand Marnier or orange -liqueur
1 tb Orange rind; coarsely grated
----
VARIATION: Cherry Filling
1/4 c Butter; softened
1 Tbsp. Cherry juice
2 c Icing sugar
1/3 c Maraschino cherries; chopped
drop or 2 of red food coloring
---
VARIATION: Mint Filling
1/3 cup butter
3 Tbsp custard powder, Bird's brand
(or substitute jello pudding powder)
1/4 cup milk
3 cups icing sugar
1 tsp. peppermint flavoring
1 or 2 drops green food coloring as desired.
---
VARIATION: Cappuccino Filling
2 Tbsp milk
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp instant coffee or espresso powder
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups icing sugar (aka powdered or confectioners)
---
VARIATION: Bailey's Irish Cream
1/3 cup butter
3 Tbsp custard powder, Bird's brand
(or substitute vanilla jello pudding powder)
1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
2 - 3 cups icing sugar

My neck is incredibly stiff today, I used the wrong pillow last night. Anyway...

Blog game:

Write a poem or short story about your coffee THIS morning, whether you have (or had) it or not.

Congratulations Jacko!

I knew you were innocent all along. You can come over for omelette therapy if you need to.

That's the great thing about american morality. We can't stand rude and disgusting humor, but rude and disgusting crime it encouraged.

Blog poll: Are you coming to gg's on Sunday, and If so what are you bringing.

I'm probably bringing the famous and oft requested broccoli salad. I'd like to come. I might bring some kind of sangria as I have this box of wine that needs to be dealt with.

Not to be left out. I love SR pie too. ...but then I never met a pie I didn't like unless it had cool whip or marshmallow as a main ingredient.

i can't remmember ww's sr pie. but i bet i love it. too bad i'm not going to be around the 3rd, i'm going to fla for the weekend. so much for my hopes of being the flower girl! btw ww, you should ask leigh to be your flower girl, she's dying to be a flower girl.

tonight i made DELICOUS pizza crust. thin. crunchy. chewy, it was marvelous. todd is further impressed.

there's an osha regulation about working in conditions hotter than 82? what about road crews and such? it's always 100 out there for them.

i got nuthin. i got two pairs of shoes this weekend.

wedding music...

I think you should have a Wonder theme. There are so many "wonder" songs - if you do music that is. And I love SR pie too. BTW tonight, for dinner, we had RBF's!!!!

They were perfect, really hit the spot. These were the first ones my kids ever had so i really did them up right for them.

I hate it when normality is restored. They should have let you go home just because of the stress.

Maddy's dreams of becoming a rock star are one step closer to reality as she's going to have a contingent of groupies at her recital on Thursday.

And in case you didn't know, GG is having a father's day bbq on sunday at her place, rain or shine. I think everyone's invited.

LTL you'll be happy to know the "Debut Fiction" issue of the New Yorker just arrived. I'm reading it but should be done by the end of the week. I used to hate pesto too, but now i love it. I had to force myself though. You should keep taking a bite of it every once in a while, then you'll love it as the rest of us do. I remember the first bite of it I had. I was at a friends house for a fancy dinner. I thought I would vomit.

Pesto Potato Salad

For an exciting twist, try this variation on the classic. No it's not Suzannes. It's not trying to be. It's for people that don't like mayo not people who live on mayo.


Serves 4

2 large russet potatoes (or a pound or so of baby potatoes- that's actually better

1 1/2 cups fresh green beans, cut in 2 inch pieces and steamed for a couple of minutes

2 tbsp fresh chives or red onion, TINY dice

20 cherry or grape tomatoes or more

Put the potatoes on to boil, cook them until they are JUST tender NOT mashable. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Meanwhile heat a nonstick frying pan to hot, put in a few tbsp of evoo and carefully put in the tomatoes. Slide the pan around quickly until the skins wilt and the tomatoes are pan roasted to your taste, throw in a little fresh garlic right at the very end if you prefer it but DO NOT brown it. I HATE browned garlic. Steam the beans somewhere in there too.

After everything is cooled, throw it in a bowl, drizzle with a little olive oil then add 1/4 cup pesto (or more if you love it) then garnish with grated parm, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Elegant.

Option - add roasted mushrooms too.

and Emily, i feel for you. I hope it isn't this hot all damned summer. Remember the summer of Maddy? God it was hot.

It is very mean. Especially after you'd made plans.

I thought the neighbor was helping?

Announcements:

Marden's has some VERY excellent pesto for sale 1.29/jar.

Wednesday, 10:00 - PBS is having a special on one of my favorite people ever - Julia Childs.

There was something else but I've forgotten.

Maddy and one of her new earrings. 

Well I'm sure I have a lot to talk about but I don't know what it is. I haven't blogged in forever. I was basically without internet for three days. That sucked so bad. I couldn't fix it but if works now so something good happened I guess. Friday I spent the day helping Leigh move and JK brought me Pat's for dinner which was AWESOME. Bert's with Garlic of course. Saturday I have no idea what I did. Oh yeah. MK got her ears pierced. They look so cute. I'll post a pic for you. We also did other essential shopping. Today I bought a digividicam at Mahden's. It was a STEAL. I'm really happy about it. Hopefully I can figure it out. I also had a lovely visit with the Wonder's this morning. I have lots of reviews to post.

Blog Review: Linkin Donuts cafe Latte

It's PRETTY good not GREAT. Not as strong as Starbucks, so some people will really like it. They have 1% milk - no skim. Still it was much better than all the other latte in Lincoln. I give it a 7.

Blog Review: I shot Andy Warhol

This movie is bizarre and weird, even for my tastes. Don't bother.

Seems like I have other things to review. I'll have to look over the past few days to find out what I've missed.

Leigh again

Cable tv-

Food TV
Vh1
Comedy Central, (which is turning sucky now, but they do play Mr. Show on Fridays and Strangers w/Candy once in a while)
Fox
Bravo
AMC/TCM
TBS (wh/you probably won't get)

ALSO, if I remember correctly from the trip to Moncton, Canadian tv sucks. But they do play a lot of the Simpsons and SCTV. Also, avoid their breakfast sausage if possible. Unless you like the test of elastic bands.

This is Leigh

You won't find much relief up here Jen. It's 90 today. Although there's a lovely breeze coming in from outside RK's window.

Well our blitz of moving yesterday was exhausting. Tom and I are rooming in crack motel central until Thurs. or Friday. That's a life experience. Tom's getting a room in Bangor this week and I'll be living with the rents until further notice. Who says you can't go home again?

I think Bravo is pretty essential, also the travel channel so you can watch world poker tour. The only other channel I'd pay for is the NFL channel.

i can't live without food tv on weekend mornings.

i don't find i watch many other cable tv stations to be honest. bravo, for queer eye, obviously.

i wonder how many of my books are in that yard sale?

after 6 years of thinking about it, finally as we watched "the dukes of hazzard" last night on tv, it finally clicked in my head--george w. is roscoe p. coltraine.

it has been over 90 here every day this week. my office is on the 3rd floor of a building covered with windows. i haven't had a/c in the office since about noon on monday. yeah, i LOVE dc.

i want to move home. i need a job.

i made a lovely risotto tonight. peas carrots onion and fresh parsley. and of course some freshly grated parmesean.

can popcorn really advertise itself as a "whole grain food"?

I'm not sure what Vanilla bullshit means......

WE are going to LINCOLN DONUTS!!! tonight. I'll review it for you when I get back. Gawd, I hope it's good.

pie tips

Here's another one very much worth passing on. Roll out your bottom crust, then brush it with melted butter, then refrigerate it 15 or 20 minutes before you fill it with fruit. This will seal the pie and keep the bottom crust from getting so damned soggy (which i HATE HATE HATE). Also bake it at 425 (at least)

Hmm I don't know if I have made one that came out or not. But I'm pretty sure I did for the fourth of July and this is what you do. Slice up the strawberries and rhubarb and sprinkle them with 3 tbsp of sugar or so and let them sit for a half hour. Then drain off about half the juice, Then prepare it as you usually would - For a "flat" strawberry pie I use a scant cup of sugar two tablspoons of flour 1 tbsp cornstarch 1 tsp cinnamon and dab a little butter on top before you put the top crust on. Use a bit more of everything if you're going to have a gigantic pie filled to the brim. Also it's a good idea to taste the strawberries, they'll need a little more sugar if they're not very sweet already. Good luck and good baking.

HOLY Emily you blogged a lot today. I've got to catch up. But I'm here now. I'm having MAJOR internet issues today.

I've been picking up isaiah's menagerie of dogs today....

JK suggeste Moira and Seanadena.

I refuse to buy flag stamps. The postmistress here always makes sure there is a book of someting else here for me.

I can't believe Leith didn't think of this first. 

a few random job titles from the site i posted earlier

OMG, you'd think Emily, Amy and Leigh would have come up with this idea anyway. What a riot.

Internal Marketing Specialist
Senior Communications Monitor
Level B Personnel Coordinator
Level C Systems Monitor
Level B Customer Service Analyst
Senior Communications Associate

and now for some morale boosters, and speaking of these things....

http://www.cubefigures.com/forumicons.html
MORALE BOOSTERS:



Forum Icons
We know you only visit online forums to get technical support and not to chat about last night's episode of Survivor, right? Now you can personalize your forum experience with one of these Cubes™ identities.

Each icon is a 100 x 100 pixel transparent gif that you can save to your own computer. (PC users: Right-click on the icon and select "Save Image As ..." Mac users: Click on the icon and drag to your desktop)

Our corporate policy does not allow "hotlinking" to our server. Either upload the image to your own server or use one of the many free image hosting services online....

Blog Poll: Does anyone know anyone with a digital video camera I could talk to? I have some questions.

I'm going to say I'm white trash. My extreme hatred of NASCAR AND budweiser disqualify me as a redneck. My love of polyester clothing and my fascination with Paris Hilton are my tickets to white trashdom.

June 8, 2005

Office Space



Ah, the workplace. It's a wonderland of sorts.

Filled with tiny cubicles ruled by an evil overlord who abuses his underlings and crushes their creative spark while forcing them to drink stale coffee.

Why leave all that fun at the office? Bring your work — and your work environment — home with you with The Cubes. Each set contains one plastic figure and all the parts: four walls, a desk, a chair, a file cabinet, an in-and-out box, a phone, and a computer, so office madness can be had anywhere. There's also a sticker sheet you can use to create meaningless job titles (imagine that).

The expansion set has four more figures and nine plastic accessories (cell phone, calculator, laptop, coffee cup, clipboard, briefcase, etc.) that make the faux-office feel more like the real hell-away-from-home you visit eight hours a day. Even Junior will get in on the fun.

You'll have a little chip off the old cube in no time.


Available online at mcphee.com. To download morale boosters, go to cubefigures.com.

Todd's quote of the day:

"Being lame doesn't qualify you as white trash."

Blog Poll: Are you more redneck or white trash? Explain.

Happy belated birthday RR! I have one more thing for you I just have to get to the post office, and as anyone who knows me knows, it can be a task.

EWWW! Leigh. I don't want to know about your throat hairs. now i'm gonna be sick.

ok i'm off to bed.

I STILL KNOW IT JENN!!!

I see the UMS is going to hike tuition at least 7 percent and probably a lot hight. How much do they think Maine people can afford. I know it's the lowest state tuition in New England, but what is it compared the the income of the state?

We don't want to use filing cabinets. That's the whole problem. Anyway, I found something that might work...

I STILL KNOW IT JENN!!!

JK and I are in DESPERATE need for a system of storage for fat files. (Files over 4 inches thick) We do NOT want to use 3 ring binders (too bulky and too expensive). So, since MOST of you work in offices, if you see anything that might be suitable please let me know. This is for dead records that will be kept on shelves or in boxes.

Last night I did nothing but read and watch Charlie Sheen.

RR, do you have enough soap now? And tell us all about Montreal!

Just so you know. Maddy wants to nickname the baby "Pinky".

Blog Review: The wine we had yesterday

I'm going to attempt to post thumbs up/down reviews of the wine we drink from now on, as a general reference, so I'll be able to remember later.

1. Castan Solanera Vinas Viejas 2002 Yecla REd Wine: VV good, full bodied, I'd guess you'd say. A bit heavy maybe for pizza but VERY excellent.

Weekend Update

Friday I didn't do much of anything (that I can remember anyway). Saturday Madeline and I spent the entire day in Bangor shopping. We bought a dress for her recital (pink shirt, black skirt actually). It looks quite lovely. And we ALMOST got her ears pierced but decided to wait a week. We had lunch at Bugaboo with Leigh. I also got some bed accessories and groceries. That's about it.

Sunday I did laundry and housework and the Mr. and Mrs. T. Thurlow came for a wine and cheese break in the afternoon. Then they came back for dinner. We had pizza and fun conversation. AVVVGTWHBA.

I only know a good computer person in Bangor. So if you can wait 3 weeks.....

Becky what's the story with the cars?

I have the soundtrack!!!!

rachael tells me i'll hate life aquatic.

I don't think LTL and CC could have piced a better day to go to the park.

FYI

MnJnn: still there?

limonnee: yes
MnJnn: you have to blog something for me
MnJnn: big news. and i am PISSED

limonnee: ok
MnJnn: imdb.com will no longer allow you to look at details of forthcoming movies for free.
limonnee: hold on let me get a pen....
MnJnn: a pen? why?
limonnee: i'm kidding
MnJnn: oh
MnJnn: ha ha
MnJnn: that was it
MnJnn: i'm SOOOO mad that i can't look at any of the details of say, jude law's upcoming movies. wtf is up with that?

limonnee: retarded is what that is
MnJnn: thank you

Blog Poll:

What is the soundtrack to your life?

Mine is LITERALLY the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, as I can't stop listening to it. I'll have to think about what it should be though.

Blog Review: Dancing with the STars

Well, I don't know what to say, but you MUST have something better to do with your wednesday night than watch that! I did not, and was trying to fall asleep early, so I figured vegging with the stars would work. I was right.

...I think this speaks for itself 

BBN

Bridge was hosted by Aunt Faye last night. The cards were decent. Tracey had TWO grand slams, yes that's right TWO. That's unheard of by the way. Still, she didn't win high. That was awarded to Gram who beat me by 150 points or so. Suzanne got low and I got goose. And I should have because I had it about 6 times. Anyway, I guess I played a few hands and that's all I really care about. The treat was apple pie, the snack was cheese curls (everyone's favorite). A good time was had by all. Next week it will be at Lora's.

Every so often there is this magical convergence of the spirits and mail carriers and I have this day where all of these wonderful magazines show up at once. Today was that day.

I second the Howard Street one, that's a good playground.

There are good playgrounds all over bangor, right off Union street ther e is one, Broadway park is a good one. There's one over in brewer by the pool. They're around every corner.

Mosquito's are in full force. Hopefully the dragon flies will be out tomorrow.

Thanks for those words of encouragement LTL. I feel that I must take her whether I like it or not, just so I won't be a wet-blanket kind of mom. I'm going to let her take a friend too, if she wants to, and I booked us a room at the Eastland. What fun we'll have.

I supposed, for the record, it's worth noting the warmth and beautiful sunshine. God it's good to see it.

I'm back from taking Isaiah for filling number 2. He was a trooper. Let's hope we don't have to deal with this again for a very long time, poor kid.

On a more positive note. Maddy and I are going to see Kelly Clarkson at the CCCC. August 2.