I am Poetry

I thought this was kinda fun...I have never heard of terza rima...but it sounds cool to me.

I'm terza rima, and I talk and smile. Where others lock their rhymes and thoughts away I let mine out, and chatter all the while. I'm rarely on my own - a wasted day Is any day that's spent without a friend, With nothing much to do or hear or say. I like to be with people, and depend On company for being entertained; Which seems a good solution, in the end. What Poetry Form Are You?

Booble?

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Gotta love her..

Check out this story.

Too small.

This might be the only time a man wants to hear this from his wife.

Cool Beans!

There's a great article in todays Wall Street Journal about making plastic that can be molded glow. This could have awesome implications for purses which can be lit up casting a soft glow inside of always dark and for the larger purses, cavernous purses. We can't buy the purses here yet...but you know that they will make their way over here. What a great invention! It will also be available for other technology. Take a look at parts of the article below.

Or more specifically, the answer is electroluminescence, a technology that generates a cool, gentle light - but not heat - when the chemical coating on plastic is electronically stimulated.
That's just one of several ways that EL differs from traditional light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs burn out and are inefficient: Much of the energy they use is thrown off as heat, not light. EL lighting, on the other hand, uses electricity to light up specially treated plastic. This chemically treated plastic generates so little heat that it remains cool to the touch, doesn't burn out and uses less energy. EL has been around for decades, but for years researchers puzzled over applications for it because of its low light intensity and the fact that originally it only worked on flat, rigid spaces......

A recent innovation in plastics is likely to give the technology a big boost. Scientists and engineers at Bayer AG say they are among the first to market a plastic film that not only lights up, but also can be molded into three-dimensional shapes. Bayer teamed up with Swiss lighting company Lumitec, which licensed the EL technology to Germany's Bree in an exclusive deal. Last fall, Bree unveiled a big, portfolio-size leather purse with a clear, flexible 6-inch-by-5-inch plastic sheet that glows inside the bag. The panel, powered by a nine-volt battery and controlled by a tiny switch tucked away inside the bag lining, is bright enough to light both sides of the purse's cavernous interior. and finally

The new use for EL opens up an array of new possibilities for electroluminescence in the $40 billion global lighting market. Scientists and engineers predict, for example, that in a matter of years, clothes that glow could be all the rage. Auto makers are pondering ways to use its soft, glowing light for car interiors, and lighting designers see a growing niche for EL in interior design.
Bayer's foray into lighting underscores a broader trend for chemical companies that seek to shed mature assets and develop new, more profitable applications for their products. As the chemical makers try to reinvent themselves, companies such as Bayer, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and DuPont Co., Wilmington, Del., are joining forces with smaller lighting businesses to develop technology that requires only a fraction of the energy used by an incandescent or even fluorescent bulb.
"Light bulbs owned the last century," says Robert Kumpf, vice president of business development for Bayer Polymers, Americas. "Modern lighting technology will own the next."
One such "modern" form of lighting, using LEDs, or light emitting diodes, is gaining prominence in traffic lights, electronics control panels and eventually even automobile headlights. Strategies Unlimited, a market-growth research firm in Mountain View, Calif., predicts the $2.7 billion LED market will more than double to $5.5 billion by 2008.
EL is another promising alternative to the incandescent bulb, though its potential is still unclear, analysts haven't yet predicted its total market potential.
The $350,000 2002 Mercedes Maybach is the first car to boast an electroluminescent headliner - the ceiling of a car's interior - stylishly bathing the inside of a vehicle in light. The new EL light gives auto designers more flexibility, since bulbs tend to take up considerable space, eat up more power and give off heat.
EL "creates a mood," says Ron Steen, director of lighting, research and design at Schefenacker Vision Systems U.S.A. Inc. The unit of Schefenacker AG, a closely held German lighting firm, sells the product developed with DuPont.

I have come to the conclusion...

Cars suck. All they are meant to be is things that suck you dry of money and/or your time. You think you have something fixed...you don't. There's always something..alway.

So...cars suck!

Fun web site...

Found this cute blog today. Help Me Bubby!

She an 88 year-old Jewish Grandma's blog that lets you ask all the questions you were too embarrassed to ask your own family. She's down to earth, quick-witted and funny.

New Book

Last night I began reading House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. My mother called it "interesting" and wants to be able to discuss it with me. I looked at the reviews on Amazon and see that it was not received well. But I have not been one to take the advice of people I don't know and translate that into me not reading or seeing something. And I also understand the concept of suspension of disbelief. I know that it is fiction and things that happen in books can't happen in real life and I'm OK with that.

The book is about a former Iranian Colonel who dreams of obtaining the American dream. He has spent a good amount of money keeping up appearances to make his daughters chance of going into a good marriage. He decides to take the remaining money and buy a house at an auction. The other main character is Kathy, an alcoholic who loses control of her finances and has her home foreclosed on, the home the Iranian buys. The rest of the book is the struggle over the house and the emotions that come from it. (This is from that I understand from the cover.)

I am looking forward delving into it.

Bleachers..Boring!!

I finished John Grisham's Bleacher's last night.

It's a tiny book that wasn't what I thought it would be.
The story centers around Neely Crenshaw, a former-All American high school football star who has come home to say goodbye to the coach who he both loved and hated. Coach is dying.
First off, Neely's character, I just didn't like. From the beginning you are led to believe that something awful went down between the him and the coach and I was let down by what it was. Then a lot of the dialogue seemed forced. And what should have been a highlight of the book, a recounting of the game where the local boys came back from all odds in a game..turned out to be, well blah. I couldn't feel the passion or excitement of the game, in fact, I skimmed through it to get the just of it just so I could get back to the regular narrative.
Then there was a scene where Neely has gone to visit the "love of his life" that he dumped for the school's tramp. He came of like a schmuck, wasn't repentive at all and I don't know how the woman sat there and even listened to him.

I was disappointed by this book. I am a Grisham fan, both his legal thrillers (which I loved Time to Kill, his first book and I still think his best) and The Painted House and the hilarious Skipping Christmas. I understand he has a new book out...I'll hold off for a little while...I may not be the best judge of his work after reading this dud.

Working...working hard!

Busy today. Lots to do at work and not lots of time. Plus, frankly, I don't feel so hot today...yesterday I spent most of the day in bed resting. But on the upside I got to watch a movie I had been meaning to see, Hanging Up, with Diane Keaton (who I love!), Lisa Kudrow and Meg Ryan along with Walter Matthau as their grumpy dad who is dying. I enjoyed it, with its mushiness and all.

Enough of a mind break...back to the work!

Playing Games..

I was reading an interesting article about Gen Xer's, that people in my age group and a little older, late 20's - early 30's, that we are playing games more often. And we aren't talking GameBoy or Playstation either. Games such as euchre, dominoes, bingo, shuffleboard and such. The rise in the interest of these classic games is being blamed on the want to be home more often. That Gen Xer's are settling down.

I have always enjoyed games. We often played games as a family as kids and also often play them when I visit with my family. Whether it's classic Uno, 500 Rum, Trivial Pursuit or as children Candy Land, Uncle Wiggly (a classic!) or one of our fav's that is gone was Fire Ball Island (You got to send red marbles down gully's at your opponents and yell ""Fire-ball!" sending your opponent back on the board.

Games are a way to help connect with those you play with. You talk about a variety of topics, not just the game. For children it teaches them many skills, from counting to the importance of fair play - or in my sister Laura's case, how to cheat. And you aren't still around the TV silently watching a show or a movie. One of my favorite memories was playing Rummy with my college roommate Kathy. The tip-off one of us wanted to play? Saying this line from the Princess Bride, "You Killed my Father, Prepare to Die!" and it was on...There was NO mercy!

So I am glad to see some of my peers are moving away from the mind-numbing video games where they can shut everyone and everything out.

Anyone up for a rousing game of 99 or Trivial Pursuit? You know you want to? What's your favorite games out there?

It's Over?

Sniff!! I just read that Bennifer is no more. Jennifer Lopez has broken her engagement to Ben Afflick and she is very sad.

Yeaaaahh!! I am just glad they are over. They were one of the most over exposed couples ever. Plus, come on Ben! You shouldn't start off by marrying a women whose other marriages each lasted like 5 months at the most. Doesn't that tell you something?
Ben you should be happy! Smile! You saved yourself time, money and more heartbreak. Celebrate, go gamble and go to a strip club.

Bennifer is over!

Parsley, Sage, Rosmary and Pot!?

You know you might think that you might outgrow some things. Such as Art Garfunkel being arrested in Hurley, N.Y. for pot possession.

Read the story here.

You know he may have been a hippie in the 60's..but man it's 2004...isn't there better ways to spend the dough you made during the Old Friends tour?

It's the Year of the Monkey!

Happy Chinese New Year. If you were born in the years 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2004 you are born in the year of the monkey. According to asianbud.com characteristics of a monkey are:

Persons born under this sign are usually successful in any field they choose. They are good at making deals and skillful in business diplomacy. Decision making is easy for them. They remember everything they read, and, consequently, are unusually well informed. They are allowed to pursue their own instinctive course in life, they stand a good chance of becoming famous. However, they tend to talk too much, driving friends away with their overlong explanations and endless chatter. They are sometimes contemptuous of people who are less gifted than themselves. Their inclination to appease rather than fight is a predominate characteristic.


And here are some of the New Years traditions observed:

It is important to have blooming flowers or plants in every home. The Chinese believe that the bearing of fruit cannot happen without flowers and thus your year will not be fruitful. You will have a truly prosperous year when a plant blooms on New Years.

The entire house must be cleaned before the New Year begins. And after five days after you must not sweep dirt out the front of the house for fear you are sweeping the family's fortunes out the door. Ann dirt is swept into the center of the home and carried out of the back door.

On the stroke of midnight all doors and windows are opened in a home to allow the old year to go out.

Foul language is not used and talk of death or even ghost stories is not allowed. You turn to the new year and don't talk of the old one. And crying is frowned upon, if you cry on New Years you are foretold to cry for the next year.

Red is a lucky color to wear. It is a bright happy color to wear that shows a happy outlook for the year.

Do not use knives or scissors on New Years day because you may cut off your fortune.

And finally, the first person you meet and greet on New Years is very important because it could signify your luck for the year.

Even though I may not celebrate Chinese New Year I think it is interesting to read and learn about the traditions of other cultures.

Yawn!

So tired...when is it nap time? And vacation time? Now if the powers at be would see it fit for my hubby to win the Lotto this week...all these bad things would go away.

Getting a Home?

How is it that every home we find that would be 1. in a good location 2. a good price and 3. looks nice, is under contract? Home shopping is neither easy nor fun.

New Book

I am reading John Grisham's 2003 novel Bleachers. It's not a legal book. In my opinion, some of his best books are when he strays from the law. Such as The Painted House and Skipping Christmas. He really proves he is a decent writer. And so far this book isn't disappointing me. It's set in Texas in a little town 9,000 pop. with a 10,000 seat football stadium at the high school. It's about a former football hero returning home to deal with his demons with the death of the local football coach legend. It's a small book, and light. But I am enjoying this read so far. And I am a fan of football so this is making for some great escapism reading.

Puttin' On The Dog in Lakeland

Saturday night hubby, I, my mom, dad and grandma hit I-4 and headed to Lakeland to see Sarah Brightman in her Harem tour. The first fun part was the people watching. Since we don't have lots of opportunity to dress fancy here in Florida and even though it was in a stadium, there were lots of people who thought it an opportunity to dress to the nines. Not only were there sparkling dresses, but a tux, a fur stole and a guy with one of those old-fashioned coats that looked like a Sherlock Holmes coat with the "rain attachment."

The concert itself was really awesome. That woman can sing! And on top of it she sang a lot of songs (all the way from her most recent album, back to a Phantom of the Opera montage). And then there was the cool stage affects, dancers, a more contemporary band and a small orchestra. And I can't forget all the great costumes that she wore. Some highlights:

1. Singing "What A Wonderful World," while swinging above the stage on a swing and the conffetti raining down as it they were flower pedals.
2. The rockin' phantom of the opera medley.
3. Singing "The Journey Home" - It's one of my fav. songs of hers! And the lovely background projections on the curtain of being in the clouds.
4. The cool platform that rotated 90 degrees that took her out over the audience and stage extension - I wasn't sure it really was moving, I had to ask my dad to make sure I wasn't seeing something.
5. Singing Time to Say Goodbye.
6. When she was up on a platform with this really long cape that and feather thing that behind a shear curtain it made it look like there were Phoenix's (birds) with her rising and falling.
7. Just being there.

Over all it was awesome. But I will have to say on funny thing, would you believe the program costs $30! That's one expensive program. And my hubby is now totally into her music. I'll have him at the opera yet! :-) Besides him thinking she's "hot."

Puttin' on the Dog in Lakeland was a great experience!

Quentin's

I finished Quentin's last night. It was one of those guilty pleasure reads. I don't read too many romance thrillers to tell you the truth.

The books was pretty good. Nice language, good storytelling and an interesting plot. What took away from this Binchey novel is how it jumped around at times without a good reason or explanation. And it was a little predictable. I kinda figured out the ending early on. But it was worth it. The characters are likeable and are developed well. I did think Ella, the main character was a little shallow. But I loved Quentin's care takers Patrick and Brenda and felt for them as they tried to conceive a child and instead conceived and nurtured their restaurant. I am hoping she will do another book that reflects on Ella and the turn of events at the end of the book (don't want to give the ending away, that's for you to figure out).

Have to scrounge around for another book now.

Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found not just 1, but more than, quite a bit of more than, a handfull of gray hairs today. You know, I am ONLY 29. I should not have them! I am NOT happy!

New to Sarah Says..

I added a web site under cool people called Girl-A Web Site By Alex. I stumbled upon her site while looking through Hatch.com. She is a 27 year-old freelance writer who has an interesting take on things and has led an interesting life. Take a peak when you get the chance.

Lesson for today...

A lesson for all to remember...when you are streaking through Denny's, take your keys...

" SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Three men who went streaking through a Denny's restaurant were chilled and chagrined when they spotted a thief drive off in their getaway car, their clothes inside.
Naked in the 20-degree weather, the three young men huddled behind cars in a parking lot until police arrived."
....
"The three entered the restaurant before daybreak Wednesday, wearing only shoes and hats. They left their car running so they could make a quick escape."

It's Sarah Brightman Week

I know, it's Wednesday, so I got late jump on my Sarah Brightman week. But in honor of my getting to see her in concert in Lakeland on Saturday I declare this my "Sarah Brightman" week.

I have been a fan of the one-time-only opera singer since her Phantom of the Opera days, she was the orig. Christine in the London cast. So sometime in the 80's. Since then she has morfed into a singer of many talents. Her most recent is Harem which is a wonderful mix of middle eastern influenced music, some pop, opera and other. It's a very complex set of music.

My only disappointment with her can be her reluctace lately to sing solely in her "little girl" voice rather than through the powerful one that made her famous in Phantom of the Opera. But nevertheless, I am excited and I know that her show on stage should be spectacular!

Welcome to Moe's!

Just got back from a yummy dinner at Moe's Southwestern Grill. I had the Homewrecker Burrito, it was HUGGGEEE!! Wow...I liked it. And when you come in the door, the workers yell, "Welcome to Moe's!" If you have the chance to try Moe's do it. I liked it.

Ahhh..Tasty Citrus! and Strawberries!

I just enjoyed every morsel of a baby bell orange one of my bosses brought in. It was wonderful! Ahhh the winter-time in Florida means wonderful things..citrus and strawberries! And how I love them both. If I could eat oranges or tangerines (my other fav.) everyday rather than drinking one bit of processed OJ I would. Something about that first smell when you start ripping open citrus. So pungent and sweet. And I don't even mind the juice dripping down my fingers and getting onto my desk, that can be cleaned up. Not only do we get the lovely weather, but we can go into our back yards and pick a piece of sunshine off a tree and savor it.

(And no, the Florida citrus commission didn't pay me to say that, even though I know one of the flacks (PR person) out there in Lakeland.)

Oh and I can't forget the perfect strawberry. Alone, in a pie, with a little milk and my favorite, on a warm flaky shortcake made from Jiffy Mix (more like a biscuit really), just the thought of it all makes me smile. And from what I understand it is close to the perfect fruit when it comes to nutrition. All I know is that it is sooo good!

Blah...

The weekend was here and then it wasn't. It's amazing just how fast time does fly. One day your a little kid secure in your parents care. The next you are in college the bursting to get out and try anything and everything. Now your 29 and not at all where you thought you might be. And yet time marches on. I guess time isn't waiting for me to get where I want to go...it'll keep moving ahead no matter what.

Books

Added the two new books I am reading now.

First is Maeve Binchey's Quintin's. She is a favorite author of mine. (From Amazon, "She is concidered the Queen of Irish romance writing." She writes stories set in Dublin ... set around the same town and road (Tara Road - which is another book) and concentrates on different people/families and their lives. Her writing flows so nice. And it's fun because it a little more formal the people and their lives. This book is set around Quintins, thus the title, the formal restaurant in town and how it fits into the life of aspiring documentary maker Ella Bradley. That's about as much as I have gleemed from it so far. While it is a romance novel...it's not in the usual sense..naked bodies having sex everywhere like some and completely rich ladies of leisure as in others. I'll let you know.

Also, on the side and a little at a time I am reading Raddi Harold Kushner's The Lord is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-third Psalm. It is a study of one of the most famous passages in the bibile:

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

So far this is an incredible book. His writing is wonderful and he is very insiteful. I am taking all the time in the world with this one.

Merge

I am on the path to actually merging my finances with my hubby. I know more than 2 1/2 years later..

We started the process to have joint checking accounts for the first time. It's a little freaky for me. I have had my own checking account for more than 10 years...a savings account since I was 17. So the thought of sharing my money...that's a little scary for me. But I realize out of my account comes food and other things that we both use any ways. So merge we will. I am even going back to the bank I never thought I would return to, Bank of America (giganto bank). I fled a few years back for a credit union. A cool think with BoA? My picture on my credit card! That's wayyy cool. And another step against identity theft (if clerks will actually take the time to look at it.)

With all of this I have been thinking about all the things that happen when you get married (or can). For many women, it starts with losing the name you have had all your life and become Mrs Joe So and So. I was never a fan of that, I can be a Mrs. but I want to be me...not just someone's wife as my identity.

Then it's having to change every piece of ID stuff you have (when you change your name). The there's the merging of your stuff, what you keep, what you don't. Now it's merging of the finances. Another step to becoming a unit rather than an individual. It's cool and all...it's just something that requires a change in the way you think. No longer it's I and mine...but we and ours.

Thanks Pat!

Man...I wrote the last Blog entry BEFORE the wonderful Godiva Hazelnut coffee I am currently drinking and had said that HGTV, you know Home and Garden TV, had really awesome clarity so much that TV makers are changing how they film. New rule...have caffine BEFORE writing on blog, or have Pat read a draft... :-)

HDTV

There's a great article in the Wall Street Journal about HDTV. It seems that it's extreme clarity, sharpness and such is creating issues for those out in Hollywood. HDTV is showing these "perfect" actors in a light they don't want to be in. All their wrinkles, hair imperfections and imperfections of the set are on full display on these sets.
Here's a paragraph I especially liked:

"High-definition "really scared the hell out of us at first because the images are so sharp," says Bruce Grayson, head makeup artist for the Academy Awards, which were broadcast in high definition for the first time last spring. "A blemish on a face becomes a volcano."

I think it's great. Maybe it'll remind some people that these people aren't perfect, that's it s a lot of smoke and mirrors. Too bad more people don't have HDTV or read this article.

Credit of the Gods...

So I get this phone call from my Hubby this morning...

"You have credit of the Gods."
I guess we are in the beginning process of getting pre-approved my mortgage lender and they did a credit check. He called to tell me that for someone my age I have stellar credit....and he's not sure why... being I have never bought a home or a car and my only real purchase I have made was our furniture in the living room.

I don't know how it happened, besides being very conservative with my money, paying off credit cards every month so that they keep increasing my limits hoping I will spurge and can't pay it off...but I don't.

Don't argue..when you have credit of the gods...it's all good.

Factoid...

Guy Bolton, the guy who almost sits next to me at work and who has the most hair on a man I have seen (we here call it pagent hair), told me a great little factoid.

He read an article yesterday on his day off that said...

If Wal-Mart were it's own country, it would be China's 8th largest trade partner.

You know that's just really big and almost scarey. Driving through the middle of the state we did notice that while the small towns may lack other amenities, there sure were Wal-Marts.

Off subject? My new favorite name of a Florida town? Scrambletown.

I'mmm Bacck!

We returned from the deep South, which is actually 3 1/2 hours north of us, last night. Sister has a BEAUTIFUL new car and we are back to work. After about an hour of sorting through 1,400 e-mails and a pile of mail I am ready to get down to work.

And can I say to all is...Car shopping sucks in the biggest way! It's exhausting. And I am glad it's over, well, so is Sis.

Well, I better get down to business...chat with you soon.

Howdy from Georgia South...

Hey guys! I am up in Jacksonville visiting my sisters and bro-in-law and one-day-to-be-bro-in-law. We had a nice quiet New Years Eve. Oh yeah...Happy New Years to all!

Yesterday my little sisters car died (we just found out the terminal diagnostics today) when we were on our way on an errand. So it was waiting for AAA and taking the car to the dealership (this dealer doesn't have an open lot so we couldn't drop it off, we had to leave it on the side of the road in front of the gate...Spent last night watching 2 movies...8 Crazy Nights (ok, I am still not sure if I liked it...not exactly a nice movie at times) and Bad Boys...funny. Then it was playing the 20th edition of Trivial Pursuit with Laura, Karen, hubby and Greg (bro-in-law) Guys against the Gals. In the end it was Laura, Me against Greg...Greg won! Too smart for me...

Today it was lazin' around...and then to the mall. Lots of fun. We are getting ready to have some yummy dinner. I have a BIIGG glass of red wine sitting in front of me waiting to be drank... mmmm! So tomorrow we get to go car shopping with sister. And some more partying... :-)

Vacation rocks!!

Oh, I finished Starting Over by Robin Pilcher. It was a good book. His mother, Rosamund Pilcher, is one of my favorite authors (Shell Seekers and September). I am not sure what I will be reading next...have to see what it sitting around.

Happy New Years!