Another Season of This...

Every year I get excited for the new football season and hoping against hope that my Browns might do SOMETHING impressive. First game of the season... Lots of turnovers... Another lost game. *Sigh*

The Bug Whisperer... Or not!

I've been battling fire ants both in and outside of my home. Apparently, due to the unusually warm and dry climes this year, the fire ant population has exploded (Most of them in my yard). After being badly bitten while weeding I decided to be proactive (Two bites caused a large swelling on my arm that lasted for three days and itching that continued for two weeks - and bites on my back and left breast - Crap if I know how they found their way there!) Not being a fan of poisons and their results on amphibious life. (Or the potential hazards to my dog.) I was avoiding this option. But reaching the end of my proverbial rope, I was out of options. After talking myself into using the spreader to treat the entire lawn I come to find swarms of birds in my yard. Upon further inspection I see little inch worms all over the place.

New delimma. If I put the poison down while the birds are feeding on the worms, am I going to wipe out the local bird population? And are the inchworms bad for the lawn? So my next plan of attack - get on line and research the damn worms and the effects of this type of poison on birds (Because this is what ya do). It seems the inchworms are not in any way harmful to my lawn and yes, the poison will probably kill the birds. Damnit! So after a few days - once the birds had moved on to other feeding grounds, I spot treated the lawn. Once this chore was completed I took to straighten up the yard. I pick up the pool cover, which had been errantly cast on the lawn only to find that ants had also decided to move in here. Four new bites... *Sigh*

But wait, we're not done. Today I leaned over while putting away my hoover and immediately felt a sharp pain in my right breast. I jumped up and started yanking at my shirt. No, not a fire ant this time… A wasp! (Let it be known that I'm allergic to bee stings). In response to almost being squashed while I leaned over, it decided to fight back!

I'm avoiding bugs of any kind at the moment!

Computers, computers, computers

I finally got that motherboard and processor my brother sent me. I finally upgraded my computer - While not a huge upgrade, a little faster processor, a hell of a lot better graphics card, lots and lots of RAM and a new SATA hard drive. I've decided that this time I'm going to set it up perfectly so that there are not any of those little annoyances (Everyone has these - something goes wonky on your machine and instead of fixing it, you deal, or find a work around and vow to deal with it when you have more time. In my world, more time means working on everyone else's computers before my own.) So we're up and running and humming along. Life is good for the moment. (Other than finding that a 400GB Harddrive that I had laying around is toast.)

My Theme Song - Thanks to Cristy for this one!

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC

"Back in black, I hit the sack, I've been too long, I'm glad to be back" Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos. But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!

What's Your Theme Song?

Stupid Human Tricks

Do not...I repeat do NOT attempt to mow your lawn when it's got at least a month's growth on you (Thanks to lots of rain and a vacation) all in one day, during the hottest hours of the day, when it's 88 degrees and sunny. I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my entire life. Thank god for the kiddie pool! I think it prevented heatstroke and a total meltdown.

Gay Friendly Fayetteville

You've may have already seen a previous post where I explained how I had seen the local little theater rendition of Rocky Horror Picture Show a few months back, and how I was pretty sure that the role of Frankenfurter was played by a gay local hairdresser. Well, the other night I went out to a favorite local tapas/sandwich place where the staff is always pleasant (So much so that my partner-in-crime at said restaurant claimed that one of the waiters had a thing for me. I protested on account of my certainty that the man is gay). So guess who was behind the counter making the yummies? Yup, none other than Frankenfurter. Anyway, after making our way into our second bottle of wine and noshing on salmon, hummus and other goodies, the gay waiter approached us with an invitation to a new local bar. Surprise! "It's a gay bar" he said, but defended that it was "About 50/50 gay and straight". Out of curiosity, and after having a few drinks at our favorite watering hole, we wound up at the club. Seems you have to have a membership but we insisted that "Mario" would vouch for us. We walked into the club and upon seeing us Mario happily exclaims "You showed!" A little later we were also treated with his shriek "Ahhh, straight people!" Mostly in response to the fact that we were the only straight people in the club that evening. But hey, the dancing was great, and the company was fun. I'm now a member at the only gay club I know of in Fayetteville.

I WANT This!

It's an inflatable pub! Tell me that woudn't be cool next to the kiddie pool!!!

Modem Hell aka I'm back on line!

Good ness that was painful! I finally got my modem and I'm back on line (after threatening to take my laptop to the local coffee shop just to get this month's update done - thankfully I didn't have to do that). You don't realize how much you depend on your computer until you don't have it anymore. What I needed it for in the past three days besides work? Checking movie times, paying bills, and a small research project. I'm currently digging out of the mound of email and getting the update done. Woot woot!

Wild Kingdom

Living out in "the country" has provided many an interesting vista over the past year. My yard has been dubbed "Wild Kingdom" and a few days ago "National Geographic Land", based on a recent find. While hanging out on my back deck, the following creature was spied. This is known as a "Hummingbird Moth" also known as a "Clearwing Month" The size of a large bumble be, reacting like a hummingbird but actually belonging to the moth family this little guy has a means of gathering nectar from flowers (no stinger thank goodness). He's a really cool creature to be sure:

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

It's done nothing but rain all week. I'm starting to feel waterlogged, I can't finish staining my deck (I need a promise of at least 24 hours of no rain) or kill the fire ant hills in my yard (again with the 24 hrs of no rain so as to avoid contamination of aquatic areas thereby killing all my little toadie and tadpole friends). So today I wake up to sheeting rain, high winds (thanks to the latest hurricane) and my poor doggie had to go outside in her little yellow raincoat (because I was damned if I was going out there with her). Can we PLEASE have some sun sometime soon? I'm drowning over here!

Save the tadpoles

Picture this if you will... Myself and my friend Stacy, and her little westie Katie, hanging out by the pond (also known as a retention pool for rain run off -- an attempt at avoiding flooding), when we notice roughly 1,000 tadpoles in a very shallow pool on the other side of the dam by the pond. We immediately took to rescuing the little suckers with old plastic cups (Hey man, frogs and toads keep the mosquito count down, plus they're awfully cute!) It was during this time that Katie decided it might be fun to run around the pond and then dive in after the poor stunned younglings. Thankfully she didn't catch any, but we had a lovely time getting the burrs and stink off her!

Rocky Horror Fayetteville

So I went to see a live "little theater" showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show over the weekend. First off, I'd like to say that I had no idea there were as hip a folks living in this city as the dude that played Frankenfurter. Great voice and stage presence (reminded me of Ziggy Stardust - aka David Bowie), I'm still trying to figure out if he's gay or not since, on the intermission this mesmerized young fellow came up and exclaimed how shocked he was to see his "hairdresser" in such attire. Yes, Frank is a hairdresser by day. Now, being a hairdresser myself I've met many a straight male stylist. Anyway, my point being - Fayetteville might not be as lost as I thought it was. Now if only I can find out where those hip cats hang out! Sadly I have a feeling their evenings are spent rehearsing. But it's nice to see that even small town North Carolina can put on a show like this! My faith is restored in the local arts!

LEAVE ME ALONE!!!

You ever get in one of those moods where you just want an extended period of time to yourself? This might sound totally unsocial but I'd love a good solid month where no one calls me (unless they're returning my calls). I know that sounds terribly selfish but I swear right now I'm being pulled in so many directions that I feel like a Stretch Armstrong doll (now I'm showing my age). I am not kidding when I tell you that I cannot get through a day right now where someone isn't trying to make plans to do something with me, most of which involves someone coming to visit here or me going out of town. It's almost laughable at this point. Alone time is good people! It gives you the opportunity to get all up inside your head, do some soul searching and commune with yourself. It's wonderful! Give it a go!!!

A Woman's Age

Most civilized people know that it's rude to ask a woman her age. This morning, over a strong cup of joe, I was wondering when that rule initially came into play. Obviously I don't want anyone asking my age, and when they do I respond with a polite "Young enough to have fun and old enough to know better." (Or some facsimile there of). But if you think about it, the simple fact that this has become the norm in society is a glaring reminder--being that it's okay to ask a man his age--that women are not allowed to age and men just get more distinguished and better looking with each new gray hair and wrinkle. So, men are a fine bottle of red wine while women remain that really tasty chardonnay that over-time, turns to vinegar? This explains my reaction (indignation and self-consciousness) when a man recently approached me with what I'm sure he thought was the best of compliments: "You are getting better looking with age. I mean, you were always a hottie, but your looking more seasoned."

Do I even need to point out the million ways in which this was SO not the way to win my heart!

Icky Sickly

In case you've been wondering where Kimmie has been hiding for the past odd thirty days... Beyond doing some behind-the-scenes web-related things for the Score! website to make things, I managed to go smack from the stomach flu right into the nastiest bout of Strep throat imaginable.

When I used to hear the term Strep I thought... No big--It's a sore throat and a fever right? In fact I was certain I'd had Strep in the past. These last two weeks have brought to light a very interesting fact. No, I've never had Strep before, because I'm pretty sure I would recall being in so much pain that I couldn't even swallow my own saliva, let alone eat or sleep.

After attempting to make an appointment with my doctor I wound up going to the ER. This alone should tell you the amount of pain I was in and why I would suffer five hours of babies crying, people vomiting and one lady dealing with her mentally disturbed son, while I battled with a 104 degree fever and the chills - I walked out around the fifth hour (after having called and made an appointment at the evening clinic). I was diagnosed and given motrin and a lidocaine mouth rinse. Let me tell you, when the infection has reached your glands, there is no amount of motrin or lidocaine that is going to help. Three days of no sleep, and no food found me back into the doctor asking for pain relief. A steroid injection (let's hope I don't grow boy parts) and some Percocet was the answer this time. Two days later I'm still running at least a 100 degree fever and the pain has not subsided. Third doctor visit resulted in a first impression that I had Mono. Six tubes of blood donated, tilts (blood pressure taken while sitting, standing and lying down) and a refill on my current drugs sent me on my way.

It is now almost two weeks since the first signs of illness and the drugs are finally starting to help. I'm up every 3-4 hours for a redosing and I'm now able to eat maltomeal - that's about the extent of what I can get down. Water still tends to burn my infected tonsils. Small sips they say. Small sips.

My new mantra: Percocet is your friend!!!

Now back to my previously scheduled coma...

A Quiet Moment

Today the sky has a beautiful azure hue, punctuated by soft billowy clouds. There's a strong wind that reminds me of change--It feels like a promise. I close my eyes and let it wash over me. The sun kisses my face with soft adoration. I toss my head back in gentle response. Folding my arms--encircling myself in a protective embrace. Breathing in deeply the warm fragrant air, which hints heavily of last night's rainfall. A soft sigh escapes my lips as I think of him. "Lover..." I whisper, before inhaling his name, the corners of my mouth answer through an acquiescent smile.

Valentine Shmalentine

We begin this post with a little story. I'm standing in line at the store and I overhear this cute young girl say to her cute young friend, "I don't have anyone to buy me flowers this year". That statement alone is a wonderful expression as to why Valentine's Day stinks. While I myself did receive flowers, and I do have a date this evening (shhhh), I still firmly believe that the balance of this holiday equates to more harm than good. Yes it's nice to celebrate your lover--But honestly you should be doing that everyday anyway! Instead what the holiday does is make those people, who are currently mateless, feel "less than". And that's just bunk.

I'm Not In Love

You know how it is, you're tooling around wind up coming across a song from the past that just kinda hits you in the gut...Whether it's memories, something that's going on in your life or what not, you feel this visceral kind of shake. At least that's how I am about music. So I'm tooling around on Rick Springfield's website (Yes. Shut up!) And there is a snip of this cover of 10cc's "I'm Not in Love". It totally did it for me...

I'm not in love, so don't forget
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong
Don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love
Oh no, It's because

I'd like to see you, but then again
It doesn't mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you, don't make a fuss
Don't tell your friends about the two of us
I'm in love
Oh no, It's because

I keep your picture upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain that's lying there
So don't you ask me to give it back
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me
I'm not in love
No no, It's because

Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me
You'll wait a long time for me

I’m sitting here with the TV going in the background as I try and get some work done and a commercial for a certain web hosting company comes across the screen. I would like to know what scantily clad skanks covered in soap bubbles have to do with web hosting. And I wonder as a web designer why this web hosting company thought it was a good idea to alienate me (and many other women web designers) by creating such a commercial. I don’t expect my male counterparts to understand my irritation, not having to spend every day of their lives barraged with partial male nudity and sexual innuendo by men to sell products on TV, billboards, magazines, radio, you name it! Though I’m fairly certain, despite whatever protests, that an exact duplicate of this commercial with role reversal would have them running for any web hosting company BUT this one. I do not know how to express this without being tagged as a feminazi (which I SO am not), a prude (now that is just funny), or being told I’m making more of this than it’s worth. But you know, I’m just fed up. I’m sick of the exploitation of women to sell products. I’ve long since grown tired of the unhealthy messages thrown at young girls making them believe that sexy is a skirt short enough to show their ass cheeks and a wet t-shirt. And before I start receiving messages that I’m giving sour grapes because I’m jealous, trust me when I tell you, I have far too much self-esteem to be envious of any tart whoring herself out to further line the pockets of a boardroom full of men. Yes honey, your parents must be so proud.

And for all those men drooling over these women, you know if that was your girlfriend, or heaven forbid, your daughter up there and all of your buddies were drooling on your coffee table as she’s writing on the hood of a sports car, you’d be the first to start throwing punches and demanding an end to the display. Yeah, yeah you claim otherwise but you know it’s true.

All I can say is, those clients of mine who have accounts with this company will be making a move come renewal time. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to don my super-sexy, yet very classy black high-heeled boots before heading out for a beer with my buddies.

Casting Shadows

He is a shadow.
Birthed by daylight.
Spread across the mind and heart.
He is illusive.
Drifting in unison with the dawdling time.
An apparition masking a cool grayed surface.

He vanishes with the darkness.
A memory. A whisper.
Yet sustaining light keeps its promise.
He returns with radiance
Casting shadows of his own.