Wedding planning continues. Have received the contract from the photographer and I'm currently trying to chase down the musician and get a list of what she intends to play. My mother and I need to pay a visit to the furniture rental place that will provide tables for the reception. We still haven't pinned down exactly what we're feeding people. I need to order wine & champagne. I need to arrange for a hotel room for wedding night. WedZILLA is born.

Falling under the heading, "Well, duh..."

"Sith" Fans Maimed in Lightsaber Mishap"

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's been a while. I blame work this time. Last week was five full days of training in a software platform & programming language behind one of our work sites. I did that and nothing else. Didn't go out to lunch once. Didn't go to training or do any staffing at the squad. Nothing.

This past weekend was my first weekend at home in a month. After going to a friend's baby's 1st birthday party, I spent Saturday afternoon outside weeding (dandelions in full bloom around here, baby) and transplanting some herbs and other plants that I'd been nurturing inside. Sunday was my girls day with Joni - shopping, lunch and more shopping. I love Tuesday Morning. Yesterday was the last day of a special sale, where you get an extra 25% off anything that's already on clearance - score! Got a runner for the upstairs hallway, a really beautiful folding wooden chair with a padded seat to tuck away in my guest room, some gorgeous silky sheets, and a ton of other goodies.

Last but not least, wedding invites finally went out last week. WHEW! So don't say that my time away hasn't been productive....

...and the other side (both quizzes via Julia):

Your Political Profile

Overall: 10% Conservative, 90% Liberal

Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

Yeah, yeah...

I am: 14% Republican.

"You're a tax-and-spend liberal democrat. People like you are the reason everyone else votes for guys like Reagan or George W."

Are You A Republican?

Ruthlessly stolen from Julia:

1. What is your name? mags (but not really)
2. What color underwear are you wearing now? blue
3. What are you listening to right now? CNN HD feed
4. What are the last 2 digits of your phone number? 44
5. What was the last thing you ate? homemade pasta & sauce w/ turkey
6. If you were a crayon what color would you be? purple
7. How is the weather right now? clear, sunny blue skies
8. Who was the last person talked to on the phone? the FedEx guy
9. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? length of his pants
10. Favorite Food? red bell peppers
11. Favorite Drink? ice water with lemon
12. Favorite Alcoholic drink? Heineken
13. Favorite place to shop? the internet
14. Hair Color? dark blonde, but soon to be brunette
15. Eye Color? brown
16. Do you wear contacts? nope
17. Top or bottom? top
18. Favorite Month? october
19. Favorite Fast Food? qdoba
20. Last Movie you Watched? "De Lovely"
21. Favorite Day of the Year? some Saturday in the fall
22. Are you too shy to ask someone out? nope - been there, done that
23. Summer or Winter? winter
24. Hugs or Kisses? kisses, but hugs would be good, too
25. Chocolate or vanilla? vanilla
26. What books are you reading? Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
27. What's on your mouse pad? a picture of some stones
28. Favorite Board Game? Scrabble
29. What did you do last night? drove (ok, was driven) from Topeka, KS to Denver
30. Who inspires you? Anne Lamott
31. Butter, Plain, or salted popcorn? butter AND salt
38. Favorite Flower? red gerbera daisy
39. What do you say when you wake up in the A.M? sh*t
40. Do you still talk to your best friend from middle school? didn't have one
41. What's on your desk? bottle of sparking water, two programming books, inches of paper, spindle of 100 CD-RWs, printer, coffee cups, giant water glass, bottle of hand sanitizer, dictionary, jade plant
42. Rock Concert or Symphony? symphony
43. Play or Opera? opera
44. Have you ever fired a gun? you betcha
45. Do you like to travel by plane? it beats walking
46. Right-handed or Left-handed? right
47. Smooth or Chunky Peanut Butter? CHUNKY
48. How many pillows do you sleep with? 2
49. City and State you were born in? winter park, fl
50. Ever hitchhiked? no

I feel like I'm acting out a stereotype - I skipped out of work and am sitting at tiny little coffeehouse, listening to public radio and typing away on my laptop in this friendly little wi-fi environment. I have IM open, so work can still ping me, but otherwise....I figured, what the f*ck. Everyone in my group has taken to "working from home" - which used to be absolutely verboten, but now seems to be the norm.

Anyway, I've been sitting here working on the hellish doc that is my "2005 Personal Goals", which feeds into the larger doc known as "2005 (Department name here) Team Goals", which in turn must support the big enchilada, "2005 (Company name here) Goals". My friend Joe, sitting beside me at the coffee house (also "working"), pointed out that it was awfully late in '05 for me to be coming up with my goals, but since no one has come around askin', I haven't been wasting my time up until now. Unfortunately, I have to actually discuss said goals w/ my boss over lunch tomorrow, so must hustle and get them done.

Back now from a long trip to Brainerd, MN for a combo race weekend/track day. We ended up canceling the track day due to farking cold weather. I spent four days bundled up in my best fleece, layers, etc. and was still cold. The only time I wasn't cold was when standing in front of the lovely propane-powered heater/blower, or when hiding inside the living quarters of the trailer. Quite the lap of luxury there - kitchen, TV (w/ Dish!), DVD player...makes a big difference in the quality of our lives at these events. Thank you, D&K.

Trying to get caught up at work, more later.

Ironically, my mother was born in Hawaii.

Via Ali:

You're Hawaii!

When they first meet you, few people can tell whether you want to say
hello or goodbye. Either way, most of them will end up saying that you're their favorite person to visit, if only they could afford the trip. But your soft and warm image is belied by an explosive undercurrent in your personality than can leave you drenched with tears or boiling with anger for days on end. You are rather fond of using plants as clothing.


Take the State Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.