Is there an Opening?

Now how the heck can I get a job here? And people actually get paid to do this!

Tales of Woe..

I was talking to a friend of mine who atteneded summer classes this summer at Hillsborough Community College so he could get some basic classes out of the way before returning to the University of Florida in the Fall.
His English prof. was the Prof. from hell.
Get this, the guy assigns stuff, and then gives papers back, with no grades and no explanations. Assignes the same amount of work for a summer class as a full session which included assigning more reading in a few weeks (assigned towards the end of the class) than most people get in a full session. And to top it all off, today, when turning in his assignments my friend was told he was going to be failed if he didn't change the words "Preliminary/Final Draft" on some assignments he tried to turn in rather than "Preliminar/Final Drafts" and when he changed that, he tried to hand in the final assignments AGAIN! and the Prof. said "I'm Offended!" and it was because my friend had failed to put "Professor" in from the the guys last name where it asked for the teacher. He was going to be failed for that too.
What an arrogant piece of work if I do say so myself.

Ties Not Good For Your Eyes?

According to WebMD men who wear ties too tight are at a greater risk for Glaucoma. I know many guys who will say this is another reason never to wear a tie. You can read the story here.

Movie Night Redux

Watched Road to Perdition last night. I think this movie didn't get the props it deserved. It had a great story-line, it was well acted and the other elements such as music, setting, etc. were right for this movie. There was a flaw, the ending. Michael Sullivan, Tom Hanks character and how his past finally catches up to him. He was so careful all along and thought things out so completely that he he would be so careful to go so easily into that home? I was perplexed. But overall I have to say it was a really good movie and I was glad I finally had the opportunity to see it.

What I Read...

I just got finished with Regina McBride's The Land of Women. This is one of five books I picked out of the books bins here at work and this is success number 2.
This is a story about a young women name Fiona and her single mother Jane. Fiona spends the book remembering her childhood and early womenhood growing up in a desolate area of Ireland from her new home in New Mexico where her father had moved to be a photographer. Jane has a talent for sewing and makes her living making lavish wedding dresses for local brides. Fiona also has this gift but uses it for different reasons. Jane longs to marry and in fact one of her dresses becomes an obsession for her and she lies to the bride claiming she ruined it by spilling iodine on it and gives the bride her money back. In fact she spends hours and hours working on this dress, making it more and more spectacular in the hopes that one day she will wear it when she marries. The dress takes on a life of its own and becomes a central theme in the story.
I don't want to give more away, but it was a fun read.

I started the third book I picked from the book bins A Whole World of Trouble by Helen Chappell. I am enjoying it so far and look forward to reading further. Will let you know how it turns out. I can't believe I picked so well. There had to be a bad book between the two left sitting on my bookshelf.

Have a safe trip!

To my Aunt and Uncle who are probably getting ready to board a plane at TIA back to Indiana right now...have a safe trip! We had a great time and lots of laughs. Hopefully they served you more than a small bag a peanuts and a cookie! And the next time we meet I'll be ready for another card game of golf!

Goodbye to "The Dean"

Bob Hope died Sunday evening at the age of 100. They just don't make comedians like him anymore. He didn't need to be scandelous, throwing around vulgarities or tearing really into people. He will be missed.

Chop Chop!

Went and got my hair cut this morning. It always amazes me how FAST my hair seems to grow. Less and three months and I have at least 3 more inches of hair. But I guess I am glad that I have hair...I wouldn't look right without it. :-)

How low can you go?

There's a great article today in the Wall Street Journal about low-rise jeans. You know that pants that are all the rage with the cute little young women that sit on the hits rather than at the waist. It talks about all the problems these pants cause for women. Such as sitting and bending and the hazards of showing off your goods. It's amazing what women will do just for the sake of looking good. Some great excerpts:

"Bending down to reach a low shelf, Ms. Senter suddenly felt a breeze of refrigerated supermarket air. ""Luckily, it
was mostly women around me,'' she says."

"Since the incident, the 36-year-old Ms. Senter says she has perfected a way of bending over that helps keep her pants from starting that scary slide. Like squats at the gym, it requires that she keep her back straight and her head forward at all times. "Look down and you're exposed,'' she says. Ms. Senter says the vigilance is so ingrained she automatically turns her back to a wall before attempting to reach under her daughter's stroller."

"It's just a way of life now,'' she says. ""If you want to be fashionable, you've got to practice socially responsible
bending.''

Children's Books

I was perusing the top selling books lists on the wires today. I was very amused to find that Walter the Farting Dog is number one on the children's book list. I must get a copy or two and save copies for my sisters. I know a good friend whose son should have a copy too for an upcoming birthday.

Here's an excerpt from the front flap:
"Walter is a wonderful dog except for one small problem. Gas. He can't help it. It's just the way he is.

This book really just makes me smile.

Now come on!

Now the scientists are picking on one of America's favorite summer treats, ice cream. Do they really think we are that dumb to think that we don't know when we have a double scoop of triple chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone, LINED in chocolate, with a topping of nuts and more chocolate isn't exactly good for you? I think I am perfectly aware a concoction like this is gonna royally screw up my diet for the day. That's why me and most others I know don't munch on stuff like that daily or even weekly. It's called a treat, and if you can't enjoy life by eating something that sinnful every now and then what can we do? They are just stating the obvious once again.

Welcome Back Gary!

After about 6 months of working in Detroit ex-tribune reporter Gary Haber, is RETURNING! as the higher-education reporter. He's a great co-worker to have around and we are glad he's back, even though he's working for a different team. He could have had his old job back, it's still vacant. Reguardless, welcome back!

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

Last night was Terminator Night at my house. Since I am one of the few people who had seen neither Arnold movies and hubby received them recently as a gift, we watched both The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. This of course is in preparation for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines that hubby is excited about seeing soon in the theater.
I didn't think they were that bad. Lots of action, and a plot that wasn't too hard to figure out (in some cases too easy, I figured out who John's father was pretty fast.)
But I am bewildered at how there could be a third movie. The future seemed to be altered, everything seemed to be fine. I think it's truely a ploy to re-capture the money-making abilitity of T2 from the early 90's. But I'll suspend my disbelief and go into the movie ready to take on the machines, or at least I will try.

Funny Headline of the Day

Flying Underpants Cause Highway Crash You can read the story here. I guess almost any headline with underpants in it probably will be funny as this one is.

Family is Still Important

The more time I spend with my family, and with the visit of my aunt and uncle, I realize how important giving your children access to their family is.
Yes, I know, I don't have kids, yet.
But it further has been implanted in my brain how critical it is for children to know and have lots of access to their grandparents, aunts, uncles and counsins. I have been reminded of the many memories of summer vacation "up north" we had as kids and how cool it was. I feel very lucky. I want to make sure my kids will have memories like that too.

Pizza Good for You?

I have always dreamed of reading that pizza is actually GOOD for you! I bet they aren't referring to the one I really like with all the cheese and meat.

Relative Revelations

It's amazing how different your relationship with your parents and relatives is when you are adults. Suddenly you hear all about their crazy and wild years. It's really cool actually, hearing about your relatives as swinging young folks and not just as the people who told you to clean up your room and to go to bed.
I should have been writing it all down so more generations can know that when my great-grandfather O'Conner asked you if you wanted your drink "ripe" to say no or you would get all booze and an ice cube and after only 1 or maybe two of those you would be on your butt as in the case of my uncle with his first experience having "ripe drinks" with Grandpa.
Hearing the stories is sure fun.

I'm Singin' In the Rain!

Just got back from the Tampa Theatre and saw Singin' In the Rain. What a great time that was! All the singing, dancing and wardrobe changes! And there is no better place to see it than a grand place like the Tampa Theatre.

Here's some photos from our trip down to the Trop last night. They lost, but we had a really good time!


In front from left to right: Uncle Tony's head (lucky for him we were inside and he didn't need a hat or sun block), Dad and Mom watching about the first pitch.


Mom on the left and Aunt Pat on the right. Here they are taking part in the Seventh Inning stretch, in my mom's case, the seventh inning dance!

Take me out to the ball game!

In just a few short minutes we are heading down to Tropicanna Field to watch the Tampa Bay Davil Ray against the Texas Rangers. Hopefully we win. I don't know if I have ever been to a Ray game and seen the win. First we're getting din din with Mom, Dad and the visiting Aunt and Uncle and the Bro-in-laws parents at the 4th Street Fish Market. Yummy! Much tastier and better on the wallet than dining at the Trop.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Tampa to take in Singing in the Rain at the renowned Tampa Theatre. Should be a treat! Maybe there'll be some good photos coming up!

Welcome Family!

Sometime around 4ish this afternoon my mom's sister Pat and her husband Tony will be arriving at Tampa International Airport. They will be staying for more than a week. There should be much laughing, gaming and silliness. Just wanted to welcome them to Florida. Hope the humidity doesn't bother them too much and to remind Uncle Tony...don't forget the sunblock on the top of your head!

Amen Sister!

I don't always agree with Gina Viventto, the St. Petersburg Times pop music critic. But today, she got it right! In last Thursdays Weekend section she wrote about women pop stars who now are dressing slutty even though they don't have to because they are talented and people would prob. listen to them anyways. This included Christina Aguilera, Sheryl Crowe and Jewel. Today she writes about all the responses she got to her article. Especially is from a young women who told her she was fat and that she should take better care of herself and then she would get the overtly sexy thing.
Well, I don't get it. Why does a person have to demoralize herself in front of the world just to get people's attention? What happened to getting my attention by your talent? What a concept. It's all about how you look not if you can sing or even better read music, write your own song and even, MAYBE!, play an instrument!
Just another reason I stay away from this crap pop, I can't stand to look at the people singing it.

Congrats!

Here's a loud congratulations to friend Cindy Christie on her recent engagement! I know you said you never would, but I am glad you found the person who made you decide you wanted to. Best wishes!

Funny Show

I watched Queer Eye for the Straigh Guy and have to say I really enjoyed it. The "ladies" (the guys) were funny and I loved Carson's raunchiness, Jai's spunk and how upset Ted was that the wife didn't like his $50 fois gras. I was happily suprised that hubby came in about 1/2 way in and sat down and watched the rest of the show and in the end said "That's a funny show!" and then sat with me as the second episode aired. Most of the stuff was common sense, but I think the lesson is put in a little effort into yourself and it's amazing what can happen. Also, red carpet is awful no matter how you try to cover it up and that long headbanger hair did go out in the 80's.

I'm Baaack!

Took a mental health day (vacation day) yesterday to spend some quality time with my hubby to belately celebrate our anniversary. Got to sleep in (me 11:15, him noon!), made a WONDERFUL brunch for 2, waffles and cappuchino, relaxed, exercised and eventually went out to a yummy dinner. Just lots of us time.
Had no desire to get any where near the computer, so that's why there were no updates. (Mom even got worried I was sick since I didn't update Sarah Says, thank goodness I'm feeling dandy.)
Thanks to Skippy for pointing out the coding mistakes in the sidebar, and my dad too for the same, I will be fixing those sometime later today.

When the Links are Down..

None of my links in the sidebar are working. Not sure why...trying to fix.

The Mother Load of Weirdness

Under distractions I have added the WWWeirdness Repository. It is full of strangeness and fun, it can keep you occupied for a while! Just go to the "drawers" to get started.

Smurfs Are Communists?

According to this web site Smurf's are communists. Is there anything left from my childhood that didn't have bad motives? Arghh!!
Here's what the deluded author said:

I like most of my generation grew up watching the Smurfs. I loved them so much that I tuned in every Saturday mourning to see what crazy hy-jinx those lovable little blue creatures would get up to. It is just now that I have realized what I was really tuning into each and every Saturday morning was in actuality Communist Propaganda!! Yes that is correct, Papa Smurf and all of his little smurf minions are not the happy little characters Hanna Barbara would have us believe! The cartoon was really created by the Russian government in order to indoctrinate the youngest members of western society with communist beliefs and ideals thus destroying their resistance to the imminent Russian invasion that was to occur when this generation (my generation) grew up. Looking back, our resistance was not destroyed (only our happy childhood memories) but only due to the determination of other cartoons such as G.I. Joe and Richie Rich who's goal it was to instill in the children of the western world the morals and values of Capitalism.

Mr. Potato Head's On the Web!

You can go here and design your very own spud!

Comments Are Back

Slowly getting everything back, the comment section is back. In order to comment just click on the highlighted Comment link at the end of the post and you will get a window where you can add your comments to Sarah Says....

Read Anything Good Lately?

I have! I finished reading 2 good books this weekend. First is Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. I came across these authors by accident. I picked up a copy of the sequel to the book The Search for Joyful: A Mrs. Mike Story earlier this year and really enoyed it so I had to get the original. Mrs. Mike is set in the early 1900's in the northwestern reaches of Canada. Mrs. Mike is a young (16 when she marries) bride of a mountie who sees over outposts in the great north. It is written well, is funny and often poinent. The sequel is about her daughter and is worth the read too. The kicker? The 1st book came out in the early 40's, the sequel? 2002!

The other book was a great read. It's called The Young Wan: An Agnes Browne Novel by Brenden O'Carroll. This is the author's fourth book on this character. He went backwards in her life from being a grandmother, to this book from her birth to her marriage. This book is dark at times and other you will be laughing hard. I know I will be looking for his three other books in the bookstore.

2 Years and Counting

Today's my 2nd wedding anniversary. No big celebrations tonight because Hubby has school. We had a nice dinner last night with my parents where we got some really nice gifts, including these cool pillows from sister Laura and bro-in-law Greg. Laura actually made them. Included is a V pillow and 2 square pillows one with an S and one with an L. They are really cute! Thanks guys!
Also, in honor of this special day, here's the link to our wedding web site. This is the place you can go to see some photos from that day.

Technical Difficulties

Sarah Says is experiencing technical difficulties. Will hopefully be up soon.

That's One Ugly Dress!

Here's one of the funniest clothing related web sites I have seen in a while. Uglydress.com is a collection of bad, and I mean REALLY bad bridesmaids dresses. The commentary next to the many of the dresses is hillarious. With titles such as "Ass Widener" and "Five Bows - One Ugly Dress" this site will surely make you laugh. I have a feeling there are many women my age with something ugly shoved into the back of their closet.
I am only hoping that the dresses I forced my maids to wear won't show up because I don't think they were bad. But if it is true that when you get into the brides state of mind you loose all sense of fashion sense, they could show up.

The Election Isn't Until NEXT Year!

I amazed by all the political e-mail I have been receiving from our President. Asking me to contribute money, telling me all the good things that he is doing for the world and oh yeah, did I mention, asking me for money? The latest showed up in my e-mail box today had this subject line: President Bush Affirms Shared Values of Americans and Africans. Yikes. Even worse, at the bottom it said "click here to unsubscribe." I have trouble believing I clicked ANYTHING to do with receiving e-mail from politicians who are running in an election that is more than 1 year away!

Interesting Quote

Here's a quote I found on the national news wire that I found to be telling.

"I love the Americans because they always play with us, buy us gifts, sweets and bicycles. If they ever leave, I will be bored.'' … Iraqi 11-year-old Zeinab Abdel-Hussein about American troops.

Stonehenge Theory

I came accross this article about the theory of a retired professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of British Columbia. He believes the ancient site is a massive female fertility symbol. Here's an excerpt:

Viewed from above, Perks suggests Stonehenge's inner bluestone circle represents the labia minora and the giant outer sarsen stone circle is the labia majora. The altar stone is the clitoris and the open center is the birth canal.

"Could the outer avenue of Stonehenge...represent the way by which new life entered?" the article wondered, adding that when comparing "the layout of the henge with the anatomy of the human vulva. There is a distinct similarity."

I couldn't make up these things better. Maybe it was the site of the first Lilith Fair?

Comments Anyone?

Since the Daily Dave introduced the comments section, I find myself reading them and thinking they are often really cool. So in the spirit of the Internet, I ripped off the idea and added it to Sarah Says... So feel free to tell me what you think about what I am saying and we'll see if there's enough traffic to keep this feature or not. Have fun!

Sausage Whacking?

This was the highlight in the business news department this morning.
At a Milwaukee Brewers home game during the usual sausage race, that's right people in Wisconsin dress up as giant sausages who race around the field, a baseball player reached out and whacked the Italian sausage in the back of the head with a bat. This caused a domino effect and suddenly there were two sausages on the ground. These poor weiners got scraped up and had quite the time getting up off the ground. The sausage whacker was escorted out of the ball park at the end of the game in handcuffs.
According the Wisconsin native and co-worker Jerry Stockfisch people in the stands really get into the whole thing and even make bets. From this page you can get to the article and even better the video of the giant sausages running and in plain view the actual whacking.
You think someone put a hit out on the Italian sausage so their favorite sausage could win the race?

Thought of the Day...

"Man (and Woman) is still the most extraordinary computer of all."
- John F. Kennedy

Sometimes I think we forget this and rely on the genius of computers too much. We created computers didn't we?

Family Guy Kicks Major Butt!

I was relieved to see this article about the dominance of the Family Guy over Letterman and Leno from 11:30-midnight. I was glad to see that my hubby and I aren't the only ones cracking up at this hysterical show. It's one of the few shows I will stay up past my bedtime to see everytime!

What do I buy?

My second wedding anniversary is Monday. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what to get my hubby. Being we don't have a lot of money I have to be creative while really watching the bottom line. Buying for men can be very hard. Anyone out there have any ideas? Help!

My Bad!

The White House has issued a retraction to the statements in the President's 2003 State of the Union address. Saddam didn't try to buy large amounts of uranium from an African country. Can't wait to see where this thing goes.

Mmmm...

Little tastes of heaven. My boss came armed with candy this afternoon. Included are my personal favorites snack-sized Twix, Reeses and Nestles Treasures. I opted for the treasures...the little chocolate filled with caramel is so tasty. I remarked after a sigh and a "mmmmm," "This just makes me smile!" Will just have to work out all the harder this evening, but it was worth it.

Big Duh!

Stop the presses! Briteny Spears is not a virgin! Like she thought anyone actually bought that line of bull?

Embarrassment

The company just mandated that we use a new fax cover sheet that highlights the fact that the Trib. was the fasted growing newspaper in Florida. What's so bad about that? Half the cover sheet is COVERED with 2 charts that is bragging about this fact. Along with that there's a line at the top with a phone number how to subscribe and how to advertise. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to me that it is unprofessional of a business to have this as their coversheet. Honestly, when you are conducting business with someone, or getting info. to another business you are working with you want something a little more neutral. And as a very observant co-worker noted, "What's going to happen when the numbers change in the next cycle and they go down?"
I'll be printing off the old sheets and keeping a store for my team. We're fighting the man!

I Recomend It!

Went to a great little Seafood Restaurant in St. Petersburg over the holiday weekend. The Fourth Street Shrimp Store is a great place for some casual seafood at really great prices. I had blackened flounder, $7 for a generous portion that came with 2 sides. And happy hour beer you can't beat, $2.50 for 2 tasty glasses. I know I sound like an advertisement, but I am always happy to tout a locally owned small restaurant that is yummy that won't break the bank. Oh yeah, we tried the homemade Key Lime pie, it's the way it's supposed to be. Tart, sweet and creamy, with a graham cracker crust.
And yes, it actually sells fresh seafood if you want to take it home and try cooking it yourself.

All Better...

After a week of rest, relaxation and upgrading at the Computer Spa of my Dad, my computer is a lean, mean picture and graphics machine. I am looking forward to sharing my joy on Sarah Says with all of you. Stay tuned!

Happy Independence Day!

I intended to point to a Howard Troxler column in today's St. Petersburg Times, unfortunately the Times in behind in posting his columns. Will look for it later and point it out. But just remember America is a place where we the people are the backbone of the country and that we the people have the real power and it's time to remind those who forget that.

Have a great 4th!

One Interesting Parade

Saw this Associated Press Story and got a pretty good laugh out of it. There isn't one section that is funnier so here's the whole thing:

By LISA RATHKE
Associated Press Writer
MOSCOW, Vt. (AP) … There won't be 76 trombones leading the
Moscow Fourth of July parade. But there will be about a dozen
radios.

Members of the Moscow All Men's Marching Radio Band will
carry them on their shoulders, backed by radios on front lawns
and windowsills tuned to a local radio station that plays Sousa
marches and other appropriate selections.

The Radio Band will be followed by floats, fire trucks,
antiques cars, horses and an occasional llama that make their
way down the tenth-of-a-mile stretch of the main street past
the Moscow General Store and back.

""It's the shortest parade in the world. If you miss it by
10 minutes, you've missed it,'' said Tom Hamilton, one of the
founders of the parade, a tradition that began modestly in 1976
in this community of about 200.

The star attraction is the Moscow All Ladies Lawn Chair
Drill Team, a group of women 50 and up who do a routine with
old metal lawn chairs.

""We swing them around our bodies and swing them in front of
our faces, and open and close them to make a "clap-clap, clap.'
We sit down in them and point our toes and everyone thinks
that's great,'' said Jane Christopherson.

And all they do is practice for 20 minutes in her back yard
before the parade.

In the same spirit spontaneity, the unwritten rules say
floats cannot be built until the morning of the parade, and
they must be thrifty. Over the years, they have included ships
and superheroes.

""One year I took the old Christmas tree in the yard, stuck
it in a garden cart and decorated it with Christmas lights,''
said Ed Rhodes. He linked a dozen extension cords, plugged them
into a friend's home and unrolled them as he went.

Another rule is the newest household to move into the
neighborhood must clean up after the animals. If no droppings
are left behind, the resident must bring manure to scoop up.

The parade now often draws a crowd of 2,500 or more.

""We don't tell police,'' Rhodes said. And if cars try to
drive through, ""we let people go through, but we scowl.''

Clarification

It has been suggested you can never know who is out there reading my blog....(hopefully more than me) and that telling the world that I was playing hookie may not be a good idea. Just wanted the world to know that I wasn't technically playing hookie, my bosses let me have a vacation day. But to me it felt like hookie, being it was Wednesday, and I got to play and have fun while others were in the office toiling. Hopefully my firing papers aren't still being processed! :-)

Has Hell Frozen Over?

I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday with a $15 gift card to boot. Much to my suprise and that of both Mom and sister Laura, I couldn't find something to buy. I waundered around the store, through the discount, fiction, non-fiction, religion, comedy, new releases and magazines and to my shock and horror, nothing caught my eye! Because I didn't want the gift card to lose money (they have a policy that after 1 year $1.50 gets knocked off each month) I gave it to Laura, who happily found 4 books to buy. I am so ashamed of myself! I don't think I have EVER left that store without buying at least something!

Enjoying a Day Off

Playing hookie today with Sister Laura and Mom. Just got back from having lunch at Foxy O'Toole's with both plus Dad. Was very tasty! Everyone should take a fun day off...just to enjoy life.

Do Not Look If You're Hungry!

Here's the menu that Chef Sister Laura cooked for the Knupke family tonight.

Salad: Laura's Yummy Salad (Mango, cucumber, honeydew over seasonal baby greens with cheva cheese)

Dinner: Oven poached grouper over a bed of Isreali couscous with roasted red peppers accompanied by baby carrots and green beans with a saffron lavender nage.

Double chocolate strawberry layered cake.

Mmmm! And it was really good!

Mmmmm!!!

Just enjoyed a fabulous piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting in celebration of Dave's birthday. Such chocolatey goodness should be outlawed...but boy am I glad that it's not. Only thing that would make it better is a glass of ice cold milk!

5-Star Toilets?

Saw this great article about the new public toilet rating system in Singapore.
Here's a great exerpt:

Clean public lavatories are crucial for the country "to maintain its reputation as a magnet for human talent and a top location for investment," the Restroom Association of Singapore said in a statement.

You're How Old?

Happy Birthday to youuu!
Happy Birthday to You!!
Happy Birthday dear Skippy!
Happy Birthday to you!!

That's my tribute to Dave "Skippy" Simanoff who has officially left the big 3-Oh behind for 31.
So Dave, how does it feel to be sooo old?
Just kidding! (I can say that cause I am SOOO much younger than him).
Have a WONDERFUL birthday!