Zippin' Along

2010-04-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

I'VE MOVED

If you're looking for zippychik, I've got a new blog at jcapella.tumblr.com and a totally redesigned Web site at the same address.

2009-03-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

My Latest Time Sucker

Recently I after much feet dragging along with a myriad of privacy concerns, I finally joined Facebook. One of my biggest issues with it being, "Oh no, not another online time sucker." Surprisingly after setting up my account, I've limited my Facebook time to about 10 minutes in the morning, 5 to 10 minutes at lunch and around an extra 15 minutes on the weekend.

So while Facebook turned out not to be a time sucker at all, what turned out to be a huge time sucker is playlist.com. I found the site while spending time on The Golden Age of Hollywood, I've noticed that several members had embedded playlists on their personal blogs. I decided to check it out. Three hours later I had created 3 playlists and a fourth one I added a few days ago. I knew that there were sites where you could tailor your music streams, but never realized how much fun they were. You add a couple of songs and then start thinking of a couple more you need to add. Next thing you know it's midnight!

According to playlist.com:

"Our purpose is to help you find and enjoy music legally throughout the web in the same way that other search engines help you find webpages, images, and other media, but we also add a social /community twist. We make it easy for you to create playlists, share your playlists with friends, and browse playlists of others. We connect you with the coolest music on the web, and we connect people who are passionate about music."

The application is still in beta, and the selection is somewhat limited, but the most popular songs seem to be avialable. For instance I could only find a half dozen songs by Peter Gabriel. (But then I believe that Gabriel is launching his own media site, so that could explain the scarcity of his music.) Also you can only search by artist name or title of song or album. There is no search by genre function. You can, however, search other members playlists and if you find a member who shares your musical taste you can become one of their followers. A big plus with playlist.com is the sharing ability, similar to YouTube, the site allows you to generate code that you can paste into your site. The one drawback at this point is that there is no sharing capability with Facebook.

Well, here's my favorites playlist. I have three more to listen to if you're interested. Enjoy!

2009-03-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Green TV

Okay I know I'm a day late for Saint Patrick's Day, but isnt' any day is a good day to go green? Pardon the pun, but I've just been turned onto GreenTV. Green TV is like You Tube for people who want to learn more about saving our planet. Green TV, the brainchild of Lori and John Lake, features videos and blogs devoted to promoting sustainability. Green TV produces their own videos, but members are also encouraged to submit. Video topics range from building green homes in Johannesburg, South Africa to the Aptera2 elecrtic car.

If you think having a name like GreenTV means that the site is only devoted only to videos you'd be greatly mistaken. GreenTV features a wealth of energy saving information, a calendar of green events, blogs, and a tremendous amount of help if you're interested in becoming a Eco-Entrepreneur.

Here's a sample of one of GreenTV's offerings:

Check back soon, I plan to post more videos from Green TV in the coming weeks.

2009-03-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Your Shamrock Says You Are Alert

You have a logical mind, and you pay a lot of attention to details. You are very organized.
Sometimes you find thinking creatively to be a challenge. You prefer to deal with the facts at hand.

You don't really consider yourself a lucky person. In your view, people create their own luck.
You are traditional, easy going, and appreciative of the simple things in life.

The Shamrock Personality Test

2009-03-07T09:42:00.000-08:00

Time For Another Stupid Quiz

It's spring break, with no class assignments due this week I figured I could afford to waste some time with another stupid. This one was called "Which character from 'The Office' are you?" I was a bit surprised that I ended up as Jan, and not Pam.

Your Result

The Over-Achiever You may or may not be the boss, but you're in charge, or you like to think that you're in charge. When it comes to working with others, you can have a short fuse. You like things to be perfect, and will go to great lengths to accomplish this. Beware of getting drunk on your own power though, or else you might find yourself without a job.

Office Personality Quiz » QuizRocket.com's fun quizzes!

2009-02-26T09:42:00.000-08:00

Orange Goes GREEN

Two teams of Syracuse University students submitted videos they had created promoting sustainability as part of NBC Universal's Green Week (Nov. 16-23, 2008). The video was below, produced by Kelsey Higgs and Ryan Kelly, was chosen to run on the NBC Sports web site.

More Details >>

2009-02-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

Shop Without Guilt!

myEarth360.com is a nifty shopping site where all products offered are environmentally sustainable. Can you believe that the cute clutch pictured below is crafted from recycled truck innertubes?! You can also find accessories from Brazil made from food and candy wrappers, and many beautiful examples of Sea Glass Jewelry.The site also features reusable tote bags, a large assortment of BPA-free beverage bottles, green dog stuff and much more!

PLUS, a portion of the proceeds go to fund NEEF, the National Environmental Education Foundation. According to NEEF's site the organization supports a "network of health professionals, weathercasters, land managers and teachers. Our programs reach hundreds of thousands of households and translate into direct actions, saving millions of dollars as well as reducing energy use, protecting nature, and improving the health of thousands of children."

Don't forget to visit the myEarth360 blog! Why not show your loved ones that you how much care with an "eco-chic"sustainable gift from myEarth360?

Note: I am not being compensated in any way by myEarth360. I just want to spread the news about a web site that promotes sustainability.

2009-01-30T06:30:00.000-08:00

Free E-Book on Global Warming Solutions

Retired Syracuse University professor Oliver Clubb has posted his most recent book online. "Global Warming Solutions: A Concerned Citizen's Guide to Climate Protection," is not only paperless, but it can be downloaded free!

If you are in the Central New York area, and are interested, a book release reception will be held at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 1-2 p.m in Room 110 of Moon Library; refreshments will be served. The Department of Environmental Studies is sponsoring the event. Details >>

Thank you very much, Dr. Clubb!

2009-01-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

I was memed by Raquelle to list my favorite twenty actors. You can read the list of my top twenty favorite actresses on The Golden Age of Hollywood.

1. Gregory Peck

2. Paul Newman.

3. Cary Grant

4. Lon Cheney, Sr.

5. Lew Ayres

6. Jack Lemmon

7. Charles Farrell

8. Harold Lloyd

9. Jack Carson

10. Anthony Quinn

11. Humphrey Bogart

12. Burt Lancaster

13.Kirk Douglas

The Defiant Ones: 15. Tony Curtis & 16. Sidney Poitier

17. Sterling Hayden

18. Richard Widmark

Wrestling Buddies: 19. Alan Bates & 20. Oliver Reed

2009-01-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

Yet another Stupid Quiz

Although I think this quiz, is pretty appropriate since I have such an interest in film. I have to say I'm a little disappointed, I was hoping my life would have been directed by Billy Wilder.

Your result for The Director Who Films Your Life Test...

Sofia Coppola

Your film will be 70% romantic, 21% comedy, 33% complex plot, and a $ 27 million budget.

With few films under her belt (The Virgin Suicides, Lost In Translation, Marie Antoinette) as a writer/director, she's already highly respected and connected -- her dad, Francis, directed all The Godfather movies and Apocolypse Now. Sofia's good at making the romantic drama that is your life with poignant sullen moments of introspection. You saw how she stylishly handled Marie Antoinette's life, no? And who didn't have at least a lump in the throat at the end of Lost In Translation? She's already won one Academy Award for her writing, now she'll be the first woman to receive one for directing -- YOUR FILM!

Take The Director Who Films Your Life Test at HelloQuizzy

2009-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Calling All New Yorkers!
In 1982, the New York State Legislature passed the Returnable Contaner Act (RCA), better known as the bottle bill. Since that time the bill has resulted in reducing litter by 70%, and in the recycling of 90 million bottles. Non--carbonated beverages, such as water and sport drinks , however, are not covered under the bottle bill. A "Bigger Better Bottle Bill" has been introduced in both houses of the New York State legislature. If you live in New York State, and share my concern for the environment, please take a moment to contact your legislator and ask them to support this very important piece of legislation.

Find your New York State representatives here:

New York State Assembly Members List

New York State Senators List

E-mail List of New York State Senators

For more info:

Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency

Container Recycling Institute

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Water Bottle Fact Sheet (PDF)

2009-01-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

Search Goes Green

I recently started using an Internet search engine that saves 0.1 m² (0.11 yd²) of rainforest with each search you do. The website delivers the same search result as Google, is free and makes your internet searches green!
The address of the "green search engine" is: http://www.forestle.org/

So far Forestle already has saved 72,673.9 m² (79,476.2 yd²) of rainforest!

Read more about Forestle on ars technica.

2009-01-19T05:34:00.000-08:00

One More Day!!!!

I can't believe that we've finally arrived at Bush's last full day in office. Words just can't express how thrilled I am that tomorrow the United States will have a new president. I'd be thrilled just to have anyone other than Bush, but to have a person as intelligent and articulate as Barack Obama as our next President is tremedous!

2009-01-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

It's January 1, 2009, and you know what that means? Only 19 more days of suffering through the Bush Administration!!!

I spent today visiting the Obama transition site. Here's the agenda for the environmental issues.

I'd like to wish everyone all the best for the coming year. If we all work together we can make America stronger!

2008-12-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

Let's Call for a Clean Slate

The Sierra Club has created the Clean Slate Energy Agenda and is asking citizens to contact President-elect Obama to ask him to seriously consider the following actions to reduce global warming:

End the rush to build new coal plants by directing the EPA to require all new power plants to limit their global warming emissions.
Direct the EPA to approve plans by 15 states to require clean cars.
Direct the EPA to end mountaintop removal mining by stopping coal companies from dumping rock and waste into valleys and streams.
Restore America's international leadership in the fight to end global warming by publicly committing the US to cut its CO2 emissions at least 35% by 2020.

For more information or to send youyr message visit http://action.sierraclub.org/cleanslate. Send your message now. President-elect Obama needs to know that our government needs to take immediate action to slow down global warming.

2008-12-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Green Christmas

This is my first post after being AWOL during the end of the fall semester; I hope to post bit more during the coming weeks.

Bing had a White Christmas; Elvis had a Blue Christmas. This holiday season the staff of Syracuse University will be having a GREEN CHRISTMAS with an extended paid holiday break! In past years the University operated on a reduced schedule during the business days between Christmas and New Years Day. This year as an energy-saving measuer all non-essential offices will be closed during the period. The program is a pilot and will be evaulated after the holidays to determine if it should be implemented during future holidays. It's part of the University's ongoing committment to sustainability.

We'll have to wait and see if the break will add much to energy use reduction, but when the holiday extension was announced to the employees, the reaction was so positive one would have thought that Santa had landed on the Quad and was handing out bags of cash! It's possible that SU may not only reap energy savings, but could also experience a productivity increase among a happy staff that was given the opportunity to enjoy extra quality time with family and friends.

Happy Green Christmas to one and all!

2008-11-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

I am a Marilyn!

You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn

* being committed and faithful to family and friends
* being responsible and hardworking
* being compassionate toward others
* having intellect and wit
* being a nonconformist
* confronting danger bravely
* being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

* the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
* procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
* fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
* exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
* wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
* being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

I knew it. I knew I was a Marilyn all along. Here's the quiz.

2008-10-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

Al Gore Web Cast Tonight

On Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PST, Al Gore will call upon youth around the country to help repower America this November. Watch the live address here.

Be there or be square!

2008-09-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Update on Me and Clean Fuel from Garbage

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. I knew my posting would slow down once classes started. this semester I'm taking Managment Principles for Information Technology Professionals. I was pretty busy last weekend installing my new iMac! It's a great machine, and the final puchase for my new revamped home office. (Although I may be shopping around for an area carpet when I get some spare cash.)

I'd like to pass along to you this interesting story about researchers from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry who are turning garbage from Syracuse University dining halls into biodiesel fuel.

2008-09-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

Random Blog Visit 9
Wes in Europe

Ever want to spend your summer vacation in Europe? Yeah, well me, too. Not ever having the opportunity, this summer I lived vicariously through the adventures of a young man from the U.S. Mid-west named, you guessed it, Wes.

Wes's travels take him to Italy, The Alps, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and London. But don't think it's all leisure time for Wes, through the blog he documents his performing arts studies in Hamburg.

2008-09-01T06:16:00.000-07:00

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong

While I try to avoid using my blog for political purposes, because I'm interested in environmental issues, I just can't let this one go. John McCain's choice of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is wrong on so many levels, but he's actually found a running-mate whose record on backing big oil over the environment is WORSE than President Bush's!!! The Governor actually argues that polar bears don't need protection!

Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope says, "With the pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for his running mate, John McCain's race towards the Bush administration's failed energy policy is now complete." Furthermore Palin over stepped her authority as governor to advocate against a clean water initiative.

I just don't understand how someone like Palin, who identifies so strongly with being a "mom" can justify selling out her homeland's future to big oil and mining interests.

2008-08-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Random Blog Visit 8:
A Good Idea Ahead of Its Time?

Recently I had the opportunity to ask Jim Anderson, technology entreprenuer and founder of StandardID if there was one thing concerning his business that he wished he could do over again. He told me that there was one product that he wished he could reintroduce to the market, because it was too far ahead of its time; the market wasn't ready for it.

Pay by Touch seems to have suffered the same fate.

2008-08-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

My Hometown's Mayor Gets Award from EPA

Mayor Matt Driscoll received a leadership certificate for environmental stewardship from the Environmental Protection Agency, but I'm so proud to say that my good friend, Carolyn King was in part responsible for the efforts that earned that award. Details.

Carolyn also highly recommends visiting Sustainable Thompkins.

2008-08-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

What Can I Do Without?

This is the question that Juneau residents were forced to answer when their electricity supply was severly curtailed due to an avalanche last spring. The story recently broadcast on NPR sproves that people can react positively in the face of adversity. Unfortunately now with power restored, usage has begun to increase again. Perhaps rising energy costs may motivate the citizens of Juneau back to conserving again.

2008-08-15T10:01:00.001-07:00

Guest Posting on Out of the Past
Last Sunday I attended Capitolfest, a classic film festival held at the Capitol Theatre in Rome, N.Y. You can read my guest posting on Out of the Past: A Classic Flim Blog.

2008-08-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Take the Energy Quiz

How savvy are you when it comes to understanding America's energy usage? Take the quiz.

2008-08-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Solving Big Problems with Small Actions

I'm a bit upset over John McCain's belittling of Barack Obama's suggestion of keeping your automobile tires inflated to the proper air pressure as a means to save energy. This is not directly related to global warming, either. It speaks volumes about the two men running for President and their concepts concerning efforts to change our nation.

OK, keeping your automobile tires inflated won't do much to save energy, if you're the only one with properly inflated tires. But what happens when you keep your tires properly inflated, and so does everyone in your neighborhood, and everyone in your city, and everyone in your state? Can you start to see the big picture? I believe, and I think that Barack Obama does as well, that we can solve big problems with small actions-- IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER. A quote from Barack Obama's web site reads,"I'm asking you to believe not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours." McCain on the other hand, doesn't seem to see the value in small sacrifices. No, he'd rather maindate a solution from a large oil company.

I continue to see the United States as a nation of individual citizens not mega-corporations, and if we're going to solve the massive problems ahead of us, then we'll need to take the responsibilty to solve these problems. We'll also require a leader who gets this idea, and has the force of personality to encourage each and everyone of us to get involved. It's still our country let's work together, and take it back!

2008-08-03T15:26:00.001-07:00

My New Office

My husband and I spent a large chunk of our vacation last week reorganizing our home office. It was in dire need of an upgrade/upheaval. Not that I haven't been productive in my graduate studies, but at least now I can be both productive and comfortable! The chair pictured here is on its way out. I've got a new ergonomic one on order. I'm hoping it will arrive by the weekend. Also not pictured is a new bookshelf that my wonderful husbnad assembled for me during the Fourth of July weekend.

Now the office is almost ready for our newest arrival -- a brand new iMac! Once that's installed I'll never leave the office!

2008-08-03T15:14:00.001-07:00

Random Blog Visit 7

Alisa Terry's Happy Place features information pertaining to attachment parenting and natural family living, with an off beat humorous bent. But Alisa's tone gets downright serious when bringing attention to potential dangers to her children (and yours), covering topics like vaccine safety and the use of sugar derived from genetically engineered sugar beets.

Alisa's blog is not solely dedicated to parenting. She writes about poetry and human rights as well. Escape to My Happy Place is very well written and organized. While Alisa is passionate about her family and attachment parenting, she doesn't mandate it for everyone. It works for her family, so she wants to get the word out to others so that they may consider it as an option worth giving some serious thought to.

2008-07-30T09:44:00.001-07:00

Random Blog Visit 6:
God Bless Monty & Susan

Earlier in my random blog visits I posted about "Ruminations on the Meaning of Life?" a blog where Trey Tomes' ruminates about his beliefs, two ordained ministers, however, Monty and Susan are actually living out their faith. The msmission blog documents Monty and Susan's life journey as they aid disaster victims: first in Mississippi and Lousiana after Hurricane Katrina and now more recently assisting Mid-west flood victims in Columbus, Indiana.

There aren't enough selfless heroes out there like Susan and Monty, and I truly encourage you to visit their blog. If you'd like to help out, or for more information please visit The Convoy of Hope.

2008-07-25T08:56:00.001-07:00

Random Blog Visit 5

Despite it's unusual title City Data Stone Park Recovery York is really not that unique. It looks like a personal site that seems to concentrate on pop music, although annoyingly most music posts turn out to be ads for a product called SuperMedia Downloader Suite, and extremely ugly eBay tables displaying auction items related to the associated artists. I'm suspecting what reviews are on this blog were co-opted from other sites, as all the music videos were scarfed directly from YouTube.

City Data Stone Park also features a few product reviews; there's one for a Garmin nvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with loads of links to eBay and Amazon in case you are just so bowled over by the review you need to purchase one immediately!

City Data Stone Park is pretty much a waste of time. For all his/her efforts I hope the "creator" of this blog is making some money from SuperMedia Downloader Suite, eBay, Amazon, and Google AdSense. Hey, did we miss anyone here?

2008-07-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

Random Blog Visit 4

Got Inspiration? How could one avoid a blog called "Ruminations on the Meaning of Life?" Trey Tomes offers inspiration and his thoughts on various Bible readings along with his comments on wisdom and patient endurance. The blog's serene blue design adds to a sense of calm and peacefulness. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, this could provide you with an uplifting online "time-out."

2008-07-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

More Metropolis Footage Found!!!

First, I offer a sincere apology to Ibetolis, creator of the Film for the Soul blog, I metioned here last week. He wrote to tell me that he IS the author of the "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" review. Sorry, I misread what he had posted on his blog.

As Ibetolis continues on his mission to view the greatest 1000 films of all time, perhaps he may be fortunate enough to view Fritz Lang's masterpiece "Metropolis" with more than 20 minutes of extra footage that was recently discovered at the Museo del Cine in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Listen to the npr story.

Read a related article.

2008-07-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

Another Deathlok-Inspired Quiz

I saw this quiz posted on the Teremity of High Maintenence and just had to try it myself. I discovered two things: 1. Deathlok really is a bigger lush than I am. 2. I know a lot more about alcohol than I thought I did.

88%DRUNKARD

Created by OnePlusYou

2008-07-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

Carbon-free in 10 years!

Former Vice-President Al Gore announced yesterday his challenge to the U.S. "to produce all of its electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources in 10 years." According to Gore, "The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk."

An ambitious goal, maybe, but aren't we suposed to be the greatest country on earth? If so shouldn't we be the leading the effort to reducing greenhouse gases and control global warming? Ten years from now, my niece, Gabriella, will be a junior in college. It wouldn't it be great if she and her friends could start out their lives in a healthier environment and not have dependency on foreign energy sources hanging over their heads?

Fortunately both Presidential candidates seem to take the issue of global warming more seriously than Mr. Bush does. If we truly desire to unite our country, perhaps with strong and couragous leadership this could be the issue that brings us all together.

2008-07-15T04:56:00.000-07:00

Not-so-random Blog Visit

While I was surfing around I found a blog that may be of interest to my fellow film buffs, Film for the Soul.

There is an extensiveand quite excellent review of Peckinpaw's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, however it's borrowed from another film blog. I, did, however enjoy Ibetolis' post asking his readers to choose which film he should watch again. Besides, anyone who uses a still of Takashi Shimura in the final scene of Ikiru as his blog header can't be all bad, can he?

2008-07-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

Use Your Fridge to Save the Planet!

The fight against global warming may seem daunting at times, but if everyone did something small everyday it could add up to a big difference. Did you know thart you can help save the planet by just changing a few small things in the way you use your refrigerator? These tips come courtesy of the dailygreen.com.

Keep a Pitcher of Water in Your Fridge
A pitcher full of water will help your refrigerator keep your food cool more efficiently

Fill the Fridge
Keeping your refrigerator full, but not to the point of overstuffing, will allow it to run at max capacity.

Check the Temperature in Your Fridge and Freezer
The EPA recommends keeping refrigerators at 37 degrees F and freezers at 3 degrees,

Buy an Energy Star Refrigerator
New Energy Star models use 40% less electricity than typical units sold in 2001. That means you could easily save over $50 a year by upgrading to an Energy Star fridge.

Remember: Refrigerators and freezers account for about a sixth of all electricity use in a typical American home, and they use more electricity than any other single household appliance.

(Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigerator)

2008-07-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

50 by 2050

The Group of Eight, or as we called them in my our telecom policy course, "The Rich Countries Club" have agreed to meet again and further discuss the possibility of reducing the output of greenhouse gases by half. Gee, how nice of them! Of course, not many of us will even be around by 2050 to see how successful this so called initiative may turn out.

Read Andrew C. Revkin's article.

2008-07-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Random Blog Visit 3

Streamsters - Tribal Tech blog bills itself as, "Tribal Tech Multimedia Electronics Reviews!" I guess that's a little something for everyone. Recent articles inlcude How to Find Auto Parts, Finding the Perfect Guitar Tone, and one on the good old water-engine.

Streamsters is maintained by someone named "Minley," but he only posts; the articles are submitted or borrowed from others. Apparently this is one of several blogs Minley maintains each with a different topic. Minley participates in Google Ad Sense and also features a wealth of links to other "Related Themes and Partner Sites."

While Minley is making (or trying to make) a profit off of his blogs this doesn't take away from the quality of the articles. He's put a bit of time and thought into what to include in his blogs. Being a designer found Domen Lombergar's interesting article on the "History of Digital Art" espcecially interesting.

2008-07-03T09:21:00.001-07:00

The Green Prince

Prince Charles is now joining forces in the war against global warming. He would like to go down in history for his efforts to save the environment. His efforts to reduce his carbon footprint include using vehicles that run on biodiesel, including a classic Aston Martin that runs on wine! (Whoa, that's still a bit too rich for me, but the way gas prices are rising perhaps soon it could be cheaper to fuel your car with wine.) Charles is also cutting back on travel and asking his staff to consider commuting by bicycle.

However, not all of Prince Charles' "green" activites are being applauded. Controversy exists concerning use of his luxury yacht, which Charles claims is less harmful to the environment that an airliner. Whether or not his actions are truly contributing to reducing global warming, the fact that Charles has chosen to make this "his issue" will contribute greatly to getting the message out to an international audience, and I admire him for that.

2008-07-01T09:53:00.001-07:00

Random Blog Visit 2

I don't know jack about poker -- online or offline, but Bullet Boy does. He's a professional poker player whose blog "Online Texas Hold Em-Play Great Online" states, "Are you ready to start winning at hold em? I'm going to show you how." The blogs also says, "This blog is for entertainment purposes only. It is meant to provide information relating to the game of hold em in its legal and non-gambling applications." then it goes on, "Online Poker can be profitable, but be sure to choose the right table!" --Whatever.

Bullet Boy's writing style is clear and direct. He's not instructing you on how to play Texas Hold Em. He assumes you, unlike myself, already know how, but are looking for tips on how to play online. He suggests what to look for on different poker sites. Here's some sample advice:

"You'll probably never see a player again but if you find anyone who is horrible, take a note and especially when you find the good players, make a note. It could save you your stack later."

Bullet Boy loves playing Texas Hold Em online, and is doing a pretty good job of spreading the love. My one criticism of the blog is that it appears a bit cluttered, and the white text on a black background lends itself to eye-strain.

2008-06-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Random Blog Visit 1

I'm trying a little experiment here. If you have a blog on blogger.com, like I do, you've seen the little widget blogger sign in. I'm clicking on random sites that appear there and commenting on the more intersting ones I find.

For The Love of Herbs is "For beginners and established enthusiasts alike to share our passion and understanding of herbs." The site belongs to Wendy Evensen Stokesdale of North Carolina, who's currently working on a book of the same title. The blog has a fresh, attractive look and features recipes like Tilapia with Lemon Herb Zucchini and Garlic Cheddar Chicken. There's something there for everyone; I'm sure even Deathlok and my husband would chow down the Quick and Easy Herb and Cheese Oven Fries! All recipes are illustrated by mouth-watering photos. in addition to her recipes, Ms. Evensen shares expert herb gardening information as well. If you're interested in herbs or just looking for a new resource for recipes, be sure to check this one out soon.

2008-06-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

The Only Good Use for a Yankee Cap

This weekend marks the last Subway Series to be played at Shea Stadium, so it only seemed appropriate to share an image that one of my husband's former co-workers sent along to him.

2008-06-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Global Warming = Security Risk

Yesterday intelligence officials reported to a congressional committee regarding the links between global warming and potential increased political unrest and terrorism. It makes sense to me. We only have one planet, and we need to share it with everyone else living here.

You can download Dr. Thomas Fingar's report here:

http://media.npr.org/documents/2008/jun/warming_intelligence.pdf

Related news stories:
New York Times

National Public Radio

Another interesting article:
Reports: Energy Thirst Still Topping Climate Risks

2008-06-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

I Knew it!!!

So all this time and effort I've been spending on a Masters Degree in Information Systems Management has been a terrific waste! Great!

You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)

You're logical, driven, and ruthless.
You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

2008-06-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

You Tube Goes Indie

If you're tiring of You Tube's usual fare of dancing toddlers, inane teenage pranksters, Star Wars parodies, and homemade political campaign commercials then it's newest offering "The Screening Room" might be what you're looking for.

"The Screening Room" presents independent short films from all over the world to internet users. Every 2 weeks 4 new short films are added. It's like a mini-film festival. So far I've only watched one, very charming Danish animated film called "The Danish Poet" narrated by Liv Ullman. Other films introduced this week include "Love and War" a Swedish production billed as "the world's first animated opera," and "Are You the Favorite Person of Anybody?" featuring John C. Reilly asking passersby that intriguing question.

For more info:

http://ytscreeningroom.googlepages.com/home

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080619-youtube-raises-curtain-on-indie-film-screening-room.html

2008-06-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

No More Bottled Water!!!

Did you know:

Production of bottled water in the U.S. requires roughly more than 17 million barrels of oil!

More energy is then needed to trasport those bottles from the bottling plant to warehouses and stores.

Municipal water takes only the energy needed to pump the water to our homes.

No, I didn't make this up; these facts are according to the Pacific Institute. And a very easy way to reduce your carbon footrprint is to just say "No" to bottled water.

Is the quality of your tap water not very good? Install a water filter on your tap with the money you'll save from not buying bottled water.

Do you need to take water with you on the go? Drink from reusable metal or glass containers when travelling.

Urge your favorite restaurants to stop offering bottled water.

For more info visit the Sierra Club's Website.

Get the Sierra Club Bottled Water brochure.

Visit the Pacific Institute's Website.

For more info on the world's water situation go to worldwater.org.

2008-06-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

Who Says Great Minds Don't Think Alike?

Token Asian recently posted this article on her site.

2008-06-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

Watch This Movie NOW

I'm really ashamed to say that it took me this long to finally see "An Inconvenient Truth." But I did seeit, and I'm urging you to see it, if you haven't already -- especially if you have children. Put this DVD at the top of your Netflix list or better yet, buy it.

It's important. We can't wait around to save the planet.

Also please visit these sites:

http://www.climatecrisis.net/

http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/

2008-06-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well I did it!

I entered the Strawberry fun run/walk at Syracuse University's Strawberry Festival yesterday. Unlike most of the University's events that are targetted at students, the Strawberry Festival is for faculty and staff. The big draw is the strawberry shortcakes and sundaes, but there are other events going on in conjunction with it. I participated in fun run/walk. I, of course, doing the walking, not the running. Unfortunately the temperature was around 77 degrees with close to 100% humidity. Yuck. I did however, finish the two mile walk. My time was 35:49. That's a little on the slow side for me; I can usually walk a mile at a little under 15 minutes. I blame my slower time on the humidity, and the gravel path on the second half of the course. I also wasn't the last person to finish. There were a bunch of folks who finished after I did.

I'm also making good progress on my diet, too. I didn't partake of the goodies at the strawberry festival. And so far I've lost 7 pounds. I told myself that I wasn't buying any new clothes until I lost some weight so, I went earlier today online and bought $50 in new summer stuff!

2008-05-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

One Book

I got "meme'd" by Deathlok. Is that the right terminology? Amyway I'm not sure how these things go, but here's the meme:

"Books are scarce in the world. They are illegal in some provinces. They are not easily replaced, if not impossible to replace if lost in many if not most circumstances. If you can replace a book or buy one, it is usually through the black market at astronomical costs that you cannot afford. Yet you have been able to maintain one of the best collections in the world. If your entire library was about to burn up and you could only have one* book to take with you other than the Bible, what would that be and why?"

Unfortunately I can't tell you what the name of the book is because it is in Japanese. It is an absolutely gorgeous book of Japanese prints. It's not the only book of Japanese prints I own, but the book secreted anyway from a friend's father's library. She was playing at being a literary "Robin Hood." Knowing her father didn't really appreciate the book, she decided to send it along to a more deserving home. Her thought was so sweet, and the book so lovely, I couldn't bear to part with it - even over my over my signed Bill Griffith Zippy books!

Sorry, I can't tag anyone. None of my friends have blogs. (Deathok's already mem'd the ones who do.)

2008-05-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

I Know It's Only May But...

As a Red Sox fan you've got to love it!!!

2008-05-19T16:45:00.000-07:00

Oh Well....

It's a bit too late for me now...

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need.

You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law.

While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top.

You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

I love the line, "You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting." Does anyone really know jack about parenting? I'd actually be more likely to survive 190 days locked in my house than 2 days as somebody's mom.

2008-05-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Interesting, Captain

I saw the link to this quiz posted on a friend's blog, and was intrigued.

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

Most web quizzes ask what dessert are you or what Star Wars character you want to be This one hasa decidedly darker bent. I think I'd base my survival time on the fact that I am so practical, and my husband works for a large foodservice distributor.

2008-05-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

Wow! That was Fast!

Despite CNN's Lou Dobbs continually telling everyone how our government is broken, at least one part of the State Department is working. I had heard all kinds of horror stories about long waits for passport renewals, so with all the best intentions to get my renewal in the mail after the first of the year, I finally managed to mail it out three weeks ago. The lady at the post office told me to send it certified with signature confirmation. I did that on April 19, and a week ago last Wednesday, April 30 I got that little green confirmation postcard to let me know that the processing center got the old passport. Yesterday I received my new passport with a really cool patriotic eagle illustration on the inside cover to boot! I thought it would take months, but it was really about 10 business days if you don't count the time in transit.

Well, maybe like they say on the weight-loss aid advertisements: "results may not be typical." But, hey it worked for me. Now, if I only had some foreign country to travel to.

2008-05-04T08:54:00.001-07:00

Hollywood of the Northeast?

As the Syracuse International Film and Video Festival is winding down this week, a huge announcement was made concerning the establishment of a Film Center right here in Syracuse, NY!!! I'm currently reading a fascinating book, History of the American Film Industry: From Its Beginnings to 1931 by Benjamin B. Hampton. Hampton had first-hand experience of the film industry during its fascinating formative days. In one chapter, Hampton explains why movie production moved from the east coast to California, and why Los Angeles, not San Francisco, eventually became home to the industry.

This leads me to wonder why Syracuse? Can the city succeed as an entertainment production center? Will technology changing entertainment business models, and ever-rising production costs create a network of many smaller entertainment production centers instead of a one central location in Hollywood. With many more outlets online and off for smaller independent productions, this could be the case. If so, Syracuse could succeed.

Time will tell, and of course, I'll post updates.

2008-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

I'mmmm Baaaaack

Yes, I'm back, but I can't say for how long. This year's been an absolutely crazy one for me. I got a new job, and I'm still going to school part-time. The big news is I earned my Cerificate of Advanced Studies in Information Systemes Management this past December. I also got accepted to the Masters program. Oh, three MORE years of hell ahead. What have I done???

2007-08-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Strange. How Strange are You?

Darn! I was hoping I'd score more than just "borderline strange."

You Are 52% Strange!

Based on your score, it seems you do have a healthy dose of strangeness. You aren't THAT far out, but you are somewhat bizarre. Congratulations on being different and having some quirks. It makes you an interesting person!

How Strange Are You?
Quizzes for MySpace

2007-07-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

80s(Girl) Weekend

We sure had fun this weekend, kids. R was in Ithaca for an alumni board meeting so Mr. Zippychik and I drove down on Saturday afternoon to pick her up for a fun filled weekend in the 'Cuse. Early Saturday evening we had sandwiches and beer at the Blue Tusk then headed over to Alliance Bank Stadium to see the Syracuse Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bisons. R had been shouting about seeing a Chiefs game ever since we met online over 2 years ago. After that it was back to Casa Zipster for Appletinis mixed and served by Mr. Z.

Sunday we hung out and lingered over our morning coffees. Later on we had lunch at the legendary Dinosaur BBQ. R and Mr. Zippy ordered ribs, while I had a pulled pork and portobello mushroom sandwich. Yum. Then it was over to Cafe Biscotti in Little Italy for some gelatto. It seemed all too soon it was time to take R back to Ithaca for her upcoming week of networking power meetings.

Anyway, I had to rest up a bit before the weekend was over, because today I started my new job as a computer consultant for Syracuse University's Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (try saying that three times fast!)

2007-07-26T05:08:00.000-07:00

A Little Summer Fun

I'm only reporting the results of the quiz -- and I didn't cheat.

You Are A Strawberry Ice Cream Girl

Sweet. Romanic. Genuine.

What Flavor Ice Cream Girl Are You?

2007-07-23T04:05:00.000-07:00

Blotto in Cortland

Blotto Jamming in the Marketplace Mall Parking Lot.

Not everyone can say they saw Blotto perform in a parking lot in Cortland, NY -- but I can! You might think, is that a good thing? Well, yes it was! Blotto appeared on July 20, 2007 as part of the city of Cortland's summer concert series "New Wave Night" held in the parking lot of the Marketplace Mall. The weather was a bit chilly for a mid-summer evening, but fortunately the rain had stopped. It was an all ages audience; many families with young children were in attendance. I believe that most of the crowd, (if you could call it "a crowd") were friends and family of the band members. Kah of Radio Hidebound came up from DC for the weekend; he noted wryly that the toddlers running about took a bit of the edge off of the event.

The Flashcubes

The evening's entertainment opened with the Cortland-based Hurtin' Units, a high-energy quartet with hard-driving guitars and percussion. Up next was one of the Syracuse's biggest 80's bands, the Flashcubes. Front men Arty Lenin and Gary Frenay were in top form. Kah compared them to RadioHidebound favorites, the Spongetones.

Blotto took the stage a bit past eight. I've always been impressed with the way the band blends their off-beat humor with impressive musicianship, but I was really surprised with how much fun they were live. We got a two-fer here, a rock concert AND stand-up comedy. My husband heard "Goodbye Mr. Bond" for the first time and was absolutely blown away. Kah posted his review and play of the show along on RadioHidebound.

It was a bit disappointing that both Hurtin' Units and the Flashcubes drew more people than Blotto. We saw several folks tend to drift away once the band had begun to perform. Kah speculated that they just "didn't get Blotto." He also said that he felt a bit bad for the band, but I really felt sorry for those folks who left.

Zippychik & Kah Enjoy the Show

2007-07-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare in the Park

While most people were watching the Live Earth concerts on their big screen televisions or their computers last night, my husband and I spent the evening outdoors attending Olney Theatre Center's National Players production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," held in the beautiful sylvan setting of Long Branch Park on the shore of Onondaga Lake.

While I'm not a huge Shakespeare fan, seeing "The Tempest" in a casual outdoor setting with a first-rate, high energy cast, brought the play alive for me. At some points in the production cast members raced off the stage and onto the grassy hill where the audience sat in their lawn chairs.

Several hundred people attended including many young people perhaps getting their first exposure to The Bard. I'm hoping that the experience was as positive for them as mine was. We had such a great time we're thinking of attending a production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in Thornden Park, near the Syracuse University campus, in August.

2007-07-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

Way to Go Gabriella!

My niece, Gabriella who just turned nine years old came for a visit on the Fourth of July. Her long brown hair usually reaches halfway down her back so I was pretty surprised to see that she had it cut just above her shoulders. She looked very cute, and I had assumed she cut it for her upcoming trip to Disney World. My sister, however, told me that Gabriella donated her beautiful hair to Locks of Love.

I'm so proud of Gabriella for being so kind and unselfish. I hope that she has a wonderful time at Disney World, but then Gabriella has a way of making magic wherever she goes.

2007-06-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

It's Gonna Be Awfully Quiet 'Round These Parts...

Don't be surprised if your favorite internet radio station isn't broadcasting tomorrow, and that's just a sneak preview of how quiet the internet might sound in a few weeks if the RIAA gets their way. Read more about it here:

http://www.boston.com/business/personaltech/articles/2007/06/25/protest_will_silence_some_online_music/

Want more information? Click the image below:

2007-06-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

Sure You're Busy...

But hopefully you've still got time to help save the world!

2007-06-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Radio Hidebound Makes the iTunes Listing!

Kudos to kah at Radio hidebound as they hit "The Big Time" with a listing on the iTunes directory. Ironically RadioHidebound is listed just above "that other 80s alternative internet radio station." What makes Hidebound so great is kah's extensive library over 10.000 songs and more added almost weekly. Here's a sample of what's played recently:


Peter Murphy - Kiss Myself ~requested~	Unshattered	4:20
Flash and the Pan - Man In The Middle	Flash Hits	3:14
Split Enz - Parrot Fashion Love	Dizrythmia	3:54
T-Bone Burnett - Fatally Beautiful	Twenty Twenty: The Essential T Bone Burnett	4:33
Ben Folds - Uncle Walter	Ben Folds Five	3:51

So you see Hidebound plays alternative music but it's not limited to just the 80s. There's music from the 70's, 90s and early 2000. They also feature recent releases by artists who made it big in the 80s like the Finn Brothers and Morrissey. Did I mention the searchable database from which you can place requests? Or the forum where witty folks like 80sGirl, Deathlok, Mark C. , and Mike in Arlington among others post regularly.

RadioHidebound.com, look it up in your iTunes Library and give them a listen today!

2007-05-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Who'd a Thunk It?

If you follow major league baseball at all, it's probably dawned on you that THE NEW YORK YANKEES STINK. If it hadn't occurred to you yet -- here's proof. As of May 30, 2007, (remember this date for posterity) the perennial cellar dwelling Syracuse Chiefs possess a better record than the Yankees!

A big shout out to former Syracuse Chief, Carlos Delgado of the New York Mets who's broken out of his batting slump and how! He had two homers last night versus the San Francisco Giants and four home runs in the past week. Let's go Mets!

2007-05-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

The Wright Stuff

Last weekend my husband and I headed to Oak Park, IL to attend the annual Wright Plus housewalk, held by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. My husband purchased tickets for the event last winter when he learned that the Heurtley House would on the tour. The house recently underwent a highly publicized restoration. This was one of the rare opporuntities for the public to see the house's interiors. Not all the homes featured on the housewalk were designed by Wright; there were a few houses in the Queen Anne Style which was the most popular style for residential architecture at the turn of the last century. There were also examples Prarie houses designed by other architects like E. E. Roberts and William G Barfield.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Heurtley House, the "star" of the 2007 Wright Plus housewalk.

To prove that we are real "archtitecture geeks" Friday evening we attended a lecture given by preservation expert Vincent Michael on preserving Prairie architecture. The talk was followed by a reception at a privately owned home designed by one of Wright's comtemporaries, George Washington Maher. Earlier in the day we visited Mahar's masterpiece, the Farson House, also known as Pleasant Home and were given a tour by Laura Thompson, the house foundation's executive director. She was extremely friendly and shared with us much useful information about the house. If you visit the Chicago area, I would highly recommend a visit to Pleasant Home.

In case you're thinking that this trip was all "work and no play" we found, or rather Bill found a neighborhood wine bar, The Oak Park Abbey. We were treated to wonderful wines and micro brews along with warm and attentive service from Ellen and Stephanie. For breakfast the morning of the housewalk, we stopped at Great Harvest Bread Company for a slab o' triple berry bread and my first hot steamy cup of Peet's coffee. Yum! R was right -- that coffee rocks!

Lastly a few more photos:

Here I am standing in front of a Wright-designed light fixture in Unity Temple.

This is Wright's Gale House. It wasn't part of Wright Plus, but it is my favorite Wright Prarie House.

2007-05-22T17:20:00.001-07:00

I'm Back, I Think

I have been a bad blogger. Deathlok was recently fretting about not being able to keep up with his readers comments to his blog. I can't even find time to even post to mine. Then I really got depressed hearing that Ronald Reagan was able to keep a daily journal while serving as President. Well, I guess afterall he did have someone to do his laundry for him.

Here's the condensed version of what I've been up to for the past month:

I got an "A" on my Personal Information Privacy course. I still need to decide what to register for next fall.

Bill and I just got back from visiting Chicago (details & photos to follow, I promise!).

Got tons more responsiblity at work as the programmers are starting to flee like rats off a sinking ship.

Saw the Mayor of Syracuse at a function our cultural group co-sponsored. I didn't get to talk to him, but Bill did.

Didn't have anytime to go to the movies but we finally saw "Little Miss Sunshine" from Netflix.

And no, I still haven't been to a SkyChiefs game yet this season, but how about those Mets?

2007-05-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

All is Right in the (Baseball) World

Vooty, my Yankee Voodoo Doll says he'd like to take credit for the Yankee's misfortunes, but he's just been hanging around in B's study collecting dust.

I know it's only May and the Yanks have a way of digging themselves out of big holes (this one's shaping up to be a freaking canyon). I'll enjoy the ride for now. Go Bosox!

And did I mention that the Mets are tied for first place in NL East? Well the Mets are tied for first place in NL East. So there I mentioned it.

Wow, they're playing some great stuff on Radio Hidebound right now:

Motels - "Art Fails"
OMD - "Statues"

Check it out, if you haven't already. http://www.radiohidebound.com/

2007-05-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

School's Out!

Like the old Alice Cooper song goes, "School's Out for Summer, school's out forever." Well not forever, I have one more class to take in the fall. I am hoping to post more this summer, but it's shaking out to be pretty busy. I hope to see more of R, if her job prospects in Ithaca pan out. (We had a wonderful time with her last weekend, even if the weather was gray and damp). Looking forward to seeing K here in July for a Blotto Reunion. Hubby and I will be on our way to Chicago in 11 days. We're going out for the annual Wright Walk. Photos will be forthcoming.

The weather here is getting nice. Things are finally turning green in my garden so I plan an afternoon of weeding and cleaning up.

2007-04-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

Nutrisystem Rant Part II

They're at it again. This time Nutrisystem is targetting their tasteful advertising campaign at the guys. The current ad features former sports stars who for whatever reason let their finely tuned athletic bods go to seed (in most cases). The ad features former NFL coach, Don Shula, Dan Marino and former MLB player, John Kruk, shown here his mullet-wearing days. I know Kruk's usually a cut-up, so I'm going to assume what he says in the ad is a joke. He tells how much weight he's lost on Nutrisystem then says, "My wife says I'm not as disgusting as I used to be." Not AS disgusting???!!!! If it's not a joke, maybe Kruk needs to consider losing 100 more ugly pounds --his wife!

ABOVE: John Kruk in his "prime" with Philadelphia.

At RIGHT: "Disgusting" Kruk prior to Nutrisystems.

2007-03-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

VCU Rocks!

If life were like the movies the men's basketball team from Virginia Commonwealth University would be headed to the NCAA Basketball Tournament's Sweet Sixteen. Unfortunately, as we know too well, life is rarely like the movies. I do want to take this opportunity to praise VCU for their incredible performance last night against the Pittsburgh Panthers (as a Syracuse fan they're the team I love to hate). VCU advanced to play Pitt by beating the perennial power house, Duke. Yesterday's game was something else.

I caught the last minutes of the first half that CBS broadcast while other games were in halftime. Taking one look, I could see that VCU was clearly doomed already struggling against the much larger Panthers. During the Vanderbilt/Washington State overtime, I noticed the score on the Pitt game at the top of the screen: their 19 point lead had been cut to 10 points with slightly over 5 minutes to play -- a virtual eternity in "basketball time."

I stopped watching the broadcast game and tunred my attention to the numbers on the score board as Pitt's lead continued to melt like the ice in my driveway on a sunny day. VCU tied it up, coming back from a 19 point deficit to force the game into overtime. I'm very sorry that VCU couldn't hold on to defeat the Panthers, but it was an exciting "never say die" moment I'll remember from this year's tournee. Congrats to Eric Maynor, Jesse Pellot-Rosa, Michael Anderson and B.A. Walker (shown in photo) and the entire VCU team and staff for proving that size doesn't always matters unless you're referring to the size of your determination.

2007-03-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

They're at it Again!

From www.savenetradio.org:

"On March 2, 2007, The CRB approved royalty rates that will bury any small webcaster, and create a heavy burden even for big broadcasters like Yahoo, AOL Music and Pandora. How high will these rates be? Around 100% of a small webcasters revenue, give or take a few points, in most cases. What?! That's impossible to pay! Yep, it sure is..

How did this happen? The RIAA told the CRB thats what they wanted, and the CRB just gave it to them.

Your're probably thinking, hey that's awful, but who are the the RIAA and CRB?
RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) is a lobbying group formed by the five largest record labels. They are embedded in Washington D.C. They make sure laws are written to keep them rich, no matter what. They made headlines a few years ago opening lawsuits against elderly people, single mothers and children for trading music online, even though some of them didn't even have computers. Check out the latest RIAA headlines.

The CRB (Copyright Royalty Board) is part of the US Copyright Office. The Board is charged with determining the royalty rates that would be determined by a willing buyer and a willing seller in a marketplace transaction. They decided to jack the rates beyond a broadcasters means despite decades of royalty rates being 1 - 2% of broadcaster revenue. Raise your right hand if you want to take away consumer choice, hurt working artists, damage small record labels and put small webcasters out of business. "

So won't you please help me along with my fellow avid listners of net radio keep these independent voices alive? I've met some great friends through internet radio chat rooms and forums. Net radio provides much needed competition to pathetic local broadcasting provided by companies like ClearChannels and to satellite radio (for those of us who can't afford it).

Please visit www.netradio.org and contact your Congressional representative as soon as possible. We can't let the RIAA and CRB continue to keep bullying independent artists, record companies and webcasters around.

Also check out the new logo I designed for my favorite net radio site: http://www.radiohidebound.com/sam/playing.php

2007-03-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

So Wrong, So Very Wrong

While I've got my rant hat on I just wanted to draw your attention to the cover of this week's Vanity Fair. I saw it while in the check out line at the supermarket yesterday. It's wrong on so many levels, I'm not sure where to start. But I'll start with my biggest bug-a-boo, James Gandalfini! My girlfriends and I want to know who decided this guy is a stud muffin. No, George Clooney is a stud muffin. Jude Law is a stud muffin. Clive Owen is a stud muffin. James Gandalfini is NOT a stud muffin!!!! I've got uncles who are more attractive than his guy. Second why a naked blonde woman (who should be signing herself up for Nutrisystem) perched on his lap? This has anything to do with anything except boosting Vanity Fair's sales. I mean who's going to buy a magazine with James Gandalfini's ugly mug on the cover, unless you put a naked woman on the cover with him. Besides, who cares The Sopranos has "jumped the shark" anyway.

2007-03-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

This makes me mad!!!!

There's a Nutrisystem commericial getting a lot of air right now that really honks me off. It features several "Desperate Housewife" wannabees. The first woman says, "My husband says I look sexy." Oh, yeah? And I wonder if she can tell him the same thing. Besides if your husband really loves you he tells you you look "sexy" even if you look like a Winnebago. Then the next one says, " I haven't had a body this smoking hot since I was in college." So, I have the same body as I had in college. Yes, of course I was 25 pounds overweight in college, too.

What's really disturbing about these ads is the "Before" photos don't look like the usual sideshow fat ladies. They actually don't even look very overweight; these "before" ladies just don't look as if they'd be showing up on a Hollywood soundstage. Cara, shown here in the web site ad is a good example. I'm sure that there are plenty of guys who'd not only find the buxom version of Cara sexy, but in fact prefer her over the nutrisystemized Cara.

I understand Nutrisystems' marketing model here. They way their system is set up, the average person on the program could only hope to lose about 10 to 20 pounds. So starting out with a client who is obviously obese is not going to show dramatic 'smokin' hot bod' results. What I just don't understand why someone would be driven to pay big bucks to have someone else tell them how to starve themself. It seems it's not a weight problem these women have, as much as it is a self-esteem issue.

2007-02-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Snow Storm!

This was the view this morning from my office in the State Tower Building. (Yes, I actually did make it into work.) The low building off the right is the Erie Canal Museum. That highway running through the background is Interstate 81.

I'd write more, but I'm still defrosting.

2007-02-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

I'm Done!

I finally finished my paper for my Information Privacy Class. It's entitled "Comparison of Personal Information Privacy Issues from a Regulatory Perspectivein the 19^th Century and Today." I kid you not. I just spent a weekend of my life and two perfectly good evenings on this. Tell me again why I wanted to go to graduate school.

It just started snowing. We're supposed to get a over foot tonight. I'll be bringing my camera to work tomorrow. That is if I can get out of the house tomorrow. Check CNN's iReport. I'm going to upload my pics.

2007-02-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

Hey, I Finally Found My Wool Socks!

AND NO, WE DID NOT GET 7 FEET OF SNOW! For all of you who have been watching the CNN reports -- the 7 feet of snow fell in Oswego, NY, NOT SYRACUSE! We did, however, get about 6 inches of snow yesterday and probably a total of 10 inches since the start of the week (on top of the 6 inches that was already on the ground-- you do the math.). It's February; that's what happens. Today it's been sunny all day, probably the most continuous sun we've seen since the beginning of the year. It's just that it's been colder than all get out.

That's why I was so juiced to finally find the wool socks I'd been searching for since the cold spell started. It was really key to find them hiding all the way in the back of the drawer where I keep my thermal undershirts, especially since I had to take the bus to work yesterday because our street didn't get plowed out. I had to run for the bus, which, of course, was much better than waiting in the subzero temperature for the next one, even if I was wearing my Lands End boots and wool socks!

I've also had night classes at the University in this horrible weather, and my husband's been calling me his "tough nut." Well this week this tough nut cracked; rather than walk the four blocks from the lot I had a permit for, I chose to pay to park in the hotel garage one block away. I had anticipated it would snow while I was in class. Brushing snow off one's vehicle after trudging four block in the windy freezing cold sucks big time.

I meant to go out to take a photo of the snow outside my house to post here, but it was too cold to go out. Is it April, yet?

2007-01-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

I'm Out of My Head

OK, I know that I've been having trouble keeping up with this blog, and my class starts in two days, so guess what I've done. I started another blog! Yes, this one will be in tandem with my friend, C who I think will be using the screen name, kleo. Of course, this depends on whether she answers my invite to co-author the blog. We want to use our new blog to post our raves and rants on different wines we've tasted. Usually we just e-mail this back and forth but finally decided we should begin sharing our experiences with our friends. The blog is called "Wine Trailer Trash" after the Finger Lakes' Wine Trails in our area. (I know R remembers those well.)

Zippin' Along isn't dead. I still plan to post to this blog, but I'm thinking more along the lines of quality over quantity. I'm sure there will be topics that I'll want to write about that will be more appropriately posted here than in Wine Trailer Trash. Whatever 2007 brings it's going to be an interesting year.

2007-01-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

Message Lady

"Thank you for calling. If you know your party's extension you call enter it now or stay on the line for more options."

I've just become the voice of my company's automated answering service, in addition to wearing about seventy other hats. Hey, it's a living. If you're interested in hearing the voice of zippychik you can call 315-479-0330. Just do me a favor and don't leave any obscene messages, puleeze.

2006-12-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

My Year in Review

Happy New Year everyone. We've all made it through another one. Here are the big events that happened in Zippychik's life:

January: Started my second class, Dr. D's database management principals (say that three times fast.) Ended my temp job in the advertising department of the local paper.

Februrary: Got hired as a part-time graphic designer for a software development company. Helped my friend, D celebrate her 5oth birthday. Hubby and I had a new standpipe installed; nothing like throwing two grand into a hole in your yard.

March: Got a year older, but not any wiser. Attended my fifth CineFest; Leonard Maltin sat in front of me -- again.

April: Volunteered at the International Video and Film Festival in Syracuse. I had a good time, but no celeb sightings this year.

May: Got an A in Dr. D's class. Started my second part-time job at JCPenneys.

June: Hell month begins. Was made full-time right at the software company after I started working evenings and weekends at Penneys. Also managed to work at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Liverpool, NY. We raised over $45,000.

July: Quit JCPenney. Got my life back.

August: Visited Uncle T in Boston.

September: Spent time with R and her friend, K when they visited Ithaca, NY. My design for the company billboard was posted. Started another class, Internet Architecture.

October: Kind of a blur.

November: Hell month. Final group project for class begins. Worked on 2 important projects at work AND organized the office ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for the company.

December: Group presentation was wildly successful, but still waiting for professor to post grade. Had a long overdue get together with close friends on 12/22. Spent quiet holidays with family.

That's the year for me. The new job was the biggest thing. I didn't see any concerts this year, although, buddies, R & C had front row seats to The Pretenders in November and are still talking about the show. Didn't go anywhere exciting and didn't purchase any fun toys, either. Another year goes by, and I am still iPodless.

2006-12-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

I'm All Aglow

Your Christmas lights are glowing 100%.

Awesome! Your Christmas tree lights up the whole room! You are a true lover of all things Christmas, and a joy for those around you!

Christmas Trivia
Make Your Own Quiz

I scored 100 on my first try, although I almost got tripped up on Scrooge's business partner being named "Jacob Marley" not "Bob Marley." I also went above and beyond Christmas Spirit this year when the string of lights on the top of our tree blew out last weekend. It really looked crappy. After hubby and I spent the rest of the weekend debating the best solution to this crisis, I undecorated the entire top third of tree, put up a new string, then redecorated the tree and best I could. It looks terrific, but not as nice as the tree my friend S put up. Props to him for a tremendous job! He'd score 200% on any Christmas Quiz!

2006-12-20T17:54:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Just to prove that I have offline friends who are even nuttier than my online pals, here's a Christmas card that my husband and I received the other day form our friend M. M is a professional drummer who's played with many great blues bands over the course of his career. For the past several years, however, M. has been developing a sideline in handcrafted wacked out greeting cards, which he appropriately calls "Hellmark LTD." In addition to M's subversive holiday cards, he sent my husband an absolutely hysterical card on the occassion of the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series.

To all my friends both online and off, I wish you and yours all a safe and Happy Holiday. And I'll borrow this final wish from another of my crazy offline friends, "Peace, love and shirazz!"

2006-12-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Now That's My Kind of Christmas Tree!

Since my good friend, R is Thai, I had no doubt of how brilliant and creative the Thai people are, but I really have to hand it to the culinary staff at the Amari Atrium Hotel in Bangkok for building this masterwork!

Be sure to check out the video, too. It's the closest thing to my concept of the perfect Christmas Tree.

2006-12-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

Yes, we had a few inches of snow last week, but with the rain earlier this week it's all gone. Temperatures have been in the high fifties all week! I even saw a few guys out wearing shorts today. Of course, there's more than a week until Christmas and a lot can happen here in a week, at least as far as the weather is concerned. Temperatures are supposed to go back down into the thirties next week, so there's still a good chance of seeing white stuff for the holiday!

2006-12-11T17:00:00.000-08:00

The Month That Was

You gotta be kidding? I've gone a whole month without a post? Actually, I've hardly had time to breath this past month. Yesterday my sister called to chew me out, "What's wrong? We haven't heard from you since Thanksgiving?" Hey, she should be happy -- at least she got to see me for Thanksgiving! So here's the run down from my last post:

Halloween found me in at the office until eight, working on graphics for one of our client's tradeshow exhibits. The show was five days out. I was all alone in the office, probably close to being all alone in that huge building. The old radiators kept banging, and being Halloween I tried not to let me imagination run away with me.

The following week we had a huge web site launch at work, and I had a huge research paper due. The week after that I was beginning to freak out because my professor wasn't giving us enough direction on our final group project. I was seriously doubting we could get this project done with only 4 weeks left in the semester. Then it was Thanksgiving; my sister had us over for dinner, and all I had to cook was my famous sweet potato casserole.

Now the REAL fun begins, I'm pushing full out on the final project and then my boss puts in in charge of organizing the company's open house--only two days before the open house is scheduled!!!! I put in extra hours and ran my butt off. For those three days all I wanted to do when I got home was crawl right into bed--but no, I had a final project to work on!!! Then I spent the entire following weekend compiling the powerpoint file deliverable.

Last week, of course, the last day of class the professor scheduled a quiz, so I had to cram in some study time with the final project work. My group gave the presentation this past Friday afternoon. We blew the professor away. At the meeting he each group member their grades up to that point. Even if the presentation had sucked, my labs and papers were so strong, I still would have received an "A."

So now with all that behind me I could kick back and relax for a bit, right? Oh God, no!!! Saturday night my husband and I took his 21-year-old niece and her boyfriend who're both going to college nearby to an Orange basketball game. And then there's that little thing called Christmas that's going on. I decorated our tree and finished all the shopping, except my favorite shop -- the liquor store. I save that for last. I'll go next Saturday!

2006-10-29T10:54:00.000-08:00

Your Birthdate: March 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined.
Your sincerely and honesty shine through in almost every situation.
Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you.
You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively.

Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics

Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness

Your power color: Navy blue

Your power symbol: Shield

Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Damn! I should be running for Congress!

2006-10-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

No Snow --Yet!

For all my friends who live outside of central New York State, I just want you all to know that , no, we did not get any snow, yet. (Notice I did say "yet" by the time you get to read this there just might be some white stuff on the ground.) Buffalo did get clobbered with over 22 inches this week. Good thing we didn't get this storm, I still haven't got my boots out of storage. I did, however, purchase an adorable leopard print fleece hat and black fleece gloves from Lands' End. They're getting snow north of us today, but hopefully the wind won't shift and bring some of that our way.

The weather this weekend has been pretty miserable anyway, so I've been inside playing catch up on my class reading. I just came up with a topic and outline for my upcoming research paper, and I've got mondo studying to do for this week's quiz.

2006-10-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Voo Dee Rules

There's a baseball team from New York headed to their league championship this week -- and it's NOT THE YANKEES!!!!!

Kudos to Bonderman, Rogers and the Detroit Tigers for making short work of the New York Yankees, the team all the experts were touting as "One of the Greatest Baseball Teams of All Time." So much for the experts. Somehow, I believe that a little rag doll also had some hand in this.

In the autumn of 2001, my husband, a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan and I were disgusted to see the Yankees off to yet another World Series. What could we do? We felt so helpless. It was as if destiny, karma or whatever external force there was ALWAYS favored them. That's when I decided to design a Yankee voodoo doll. Heck, even if it didn't work, we could still get out our frustration by beating the daylights out of this thing. Later, my husband gave him the nickname "Voo Dee," short for Voodoo Doll.

After Voo Dee was created the Yanks were defeated by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series, and have not gone all the way since. We've beat, punched and kicked Voo Dee. Of course, we stick him full of pins. We've done everything short of running him over with our Forester. I'm happy to report the plucky little guy still keeps pulling through.

So, you Yankee fans out there, don't be quite so hard on A-Rod. Perhaps, it's not all his fault that karma's turned against your team. Maybe the blame should go to two Boston Red Sox fans and their little beat up doll.

2006-09-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

Two More Weeks

I need to get in control of my life again. I heard on the radio that the Mets clinched their division last night. My response was, "Oh yeah, I knew they were going to do that, just didn't know when." Other seasons I'd be following every pitch and every swing of the bat. Yikes! Now I've hardly got a chance to post in my blog. Fortunately I did get a catch a break, today's class got canceled! Yes, we still have to present our group project next week, but the good thing is NO NEW assignment this week. Maybe I'll get to read the assignment I couldn't finish last week because I was busy writing my web critique/research paper and studying for a quiz (that also was canceled.)

While this past weekend was work, work, work, the weekend before my husband and I got together with 80sgirl and her friend, K, who were visiting Cornell. Ithaca is so nice, I'm sorry we don't get a chance to visit there more often. Maybe with Hubby's niece at school in nearby Cortland, we'll have an excuse to go down there more. Although with the work load I currently have, that looks pretty doubtful.

I really enjoyed our afternoon with 80sgirl and K. First lunch at The Pines for 80sgirl's favorite -- The Pinesburger -- followed by Apple Cranberry Pie ala mode and Chcocolate Decadence for dessert. Then off to check out some beautiful gorges. We ended up back at Cornell for a chimes concert in the bell tower. It was an incredible experience. The weather was perfect; the view spectacular; and the music in the bell tower was terrific. The songs included "The Rose" and "Moon River." It was almost as if they had been selected just for 80sgirl. I'm only sorry that they didn't play any Sting songs.

The high point of the day was when K saw hubby's Grateful Dead skeleton sticker on the rear window of his Forrester. "Oh, a Dead Head," she remarked and proceeded to tell us about her old boyfriend, an Egyptian, who was a Dead Head.

I hope to post again soon, but can't promise you when. Maybe with only ONE assignment to work on this week, I'll find time to post this weekend, but I'm not making any promises. I might end up watching a Mets game on television.

2006-09-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Wet Weekend

It's just another rainy Saturday in the 'cuse as the remnants of tropical depression Ernesto slog up the Mid-Atlantic States into New York State. This is our third rainy weekend in a row. I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll have good weather next Saturday in Ithaca with 80sgirl and her friend.

I'm feeling pretty good since I've already finished all the house work except laundry, and I've already got a good jump on my class readings. Hubby's going to be home brewing with a friend this afternoon so it will be quiet around here. There's no excuses not to continue on with my reading, especially since it's too lousy to do anything outside.

Tomorrow I'm hoping the rain clears. I'd like to see if the billboard I designed for my company is up. They said it was to be up the entire month of September. I'm pretty excited about it; I've never designed a billboard before.

2006-08-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Week That Was

Another week's come and gone without a post, but it was a very busy week as the fall semester begins. Here's the run down in brief:

Friday: B brought in donuts for the office. I was very proud of myself for abstaining.

Saturday: Hubby went to Scranton with T to attend an old friend's clambake. I went for a walk at the lake and sanded the rust off my car doors.

Sunday: I caught up on some neglected house cleaning then primed the areas I sanded on Saturday. Hubby returned from Scranton. He was so impressed the work on my car, he's questioning whether I should return to grad school or consider training for a career in auto body work.

Monday: Back to work and plenty of it.

Tuesday: I had my first web site usability class. The professor admitted to being a Red Sox fan, so he can't be all bad. He reviewed some content management software with us, then let us out early. Hubby and I went to dinner at the mall and then shopped for something for me to wear for his awards dinner. I tried on a few suits, but they all seemed to make me look like an old stewardess.

Wednesday: We got an invite from T & E to a family get together. T's Uncle Tony was visiting from Los Angeles. My husband and I have been wanted to meet Uncle Tony for a long time. He was a character actor in Hollywood in the 1950's and '60's. He worked on several Roger Corman films. He also did an episode of "The Twilight Zone" with Peter Falk and guest starred on several episodes of "The Untouchables" among other shows. Uncle Tony was very charming and a super nice guy. We had a great time with T & E's family.

Today: I'm debating whether to start reading for class or to watch "The Office." I guess it's not too difficult a decision since there's a three day weekend coming up. I'll finish doing the laundry while I watch television. I'll start reading on Saturday.

Up next week: The final SkyChiefs game of the season is Monday. We're going tomorrow night since they're forecasting yet another soggy weekend for the area. (Besides we have free tickets.) 80sgirl will be here on Wednesday. I can't believe it's coming up so soon.

2006-08-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

Seems Like Old Times

My husband is still trying to cope with the New York Yankees crushing 5-game sweep of his beloved Red Sox over the past weekend. The Evil Empire dealt a crushing blow that has all but extinguished any hopes of post-season for the Bosox. I, on the other hand, am filled with great joy, for not only will St. Thomas of Glavine continue pitching for the New York Mets, but also Shawn Green formerly of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and yes-- Syracuse Chiefs will be joining the team as well. This will reunite Green and Delgado again. I spent many nights at the old Mac Arthur Stadium watching them perfect their skills for the big leagues. I am totally thrilled. Sure, the Mets really needed a top tier pitcher, who doesn't? But face it, while Lastings Milledge has a lot of potential, he's not the guy I'd want playing outfield in the post season.

So good luck, Shawn. I'm glad I can cheer for you again, and I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Mets uniform.

2006-08-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Procrastinating Yet Again

Hubby's away with the boys this weekend. It's a good thing too. Otherwise I'd be stuck here listening to him whine about the Bosox dropping a doubleheader to the Yankees yesterday. With all this freedom, what have I been up to? I just spent the past hour installing (or attempting to) a subscription update to Norton Anti-Virus. Geez, I hate windoze, the same procedure would have taken around 20 minutes on my Mac.

I should be working on my freelance project right now, but I got an e-mail from the client saying they like the brochure they just had designed (by another designer) and maybe they'd like to use that design or flyers and brochures. Well great, go see that designer and ask THEM to give you THEIR files so you can convert them over to word docs so you can do print future flyers out on your home office ink jet. See how far you get. BWAHAHAHAAAA!!! That ought to go over big. So I guess I'll hold off working on this project for another weekend. I need to do some sanding on my car, anyway.

I have to go to a graduation party for a friend's granddaughter this afternoon. Of course, the weather's miserable. I'll get to sit in a tent in the rain with a bunch of people I don't know. It should be a lot like Relay for Life.

2006-08-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Back From Beantown

We got back from Boston on Sunday but I haven't spent too much time on line. My wrist's been aching again. Boston was great. We visited hubby's 92 year old Uncle. We usually visit him for his birthday in July, but he was still recuperating from pneumonia so we went later this year. My sister-in-law, her husband and daughter came up from LI. They were in Hartford dropping their granddaughter off after her week with them. It was a nice weekend for catching up and reminiscing. Well, mostly for my husband and his family. Hubby and I snuck into Boston on Saturday afternoon. We went to Quincy Market for shopping and bar hopping. The Black Rose is a really nice Irish Pub located on the edge of the Market. We usually stop in there for a pint when we're in that area. Although last time I was there I made the mistake of using their ladies' room. Scary, scary.

I just received an e-mail from Amazon.com that my textbook has shipped. I guess I'm looking forward to school. I'm not anticipating school as much as last year, but then last year it was all new and different. Now I know what to expect -- a ton of more work. K and I had lunch today. I sold her my textbook from last semester as she's taking the database administration class this semester. I'll be taking Internet Architecture for Web Services. It looks fairly interesting. Some of the material to be covered, I already do at work so I shouldn't be as clueless as I had been in my past classes.

I was also disappointed to find out that I'm not going to be able to make the DayGlo Radio reunion next month. Hubby's awards dinner is the same weekend. I wasn't all sure I could have made it anyway. Fortunately I'll get to see R, and I'm looking forward to that. I picked up a little joke gift for her in a very wild shop, called FUNusual in Quincy Market. Oops, if she reads this post it won't be so much of a surprise, oh well.

2006-08-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

Aches & Pains & Ergonomic Keyboards

I really hate to sound like a little old lady here, but I've been on the computer only for work purposes the past few days. I did something to my wrist this past weekend and it's been killing me. I'm suspecting it was tendinitis. Today's the first day it's felt better since Sunday, and it still doesn't fell all that great. I also scarfed the ergonomic keyboard that was in the supply closet at work. It seemed to help more than I imagined it would.

Tomorrow's the company clam bake. Having been umemployed for 9 months, it's been a long time since I had to attend a company function. The lunches that G throws occasionally don't count. They occur in the office on company time so I think of them more like staff meetings with food. This will be off site and significant others and rug rats will be in attendance. It should be an interesting evening.

2006-08-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

Losin' It

The title of this blog definitely implies double meanings. As far as my sanity, I lost that a long time ago, and not a day goes by that I don't miss it. I've also lost some weight -- four pounds since I started using fitday.com a couple of weeks ago. I'm six pounds away from my ten pound goal. I seem to do better when I don't set very ambitious weight loss goals for myself. Unfortunately, after I lose the first ten I never seem to get motivated to go on to lose the next ten. Maybe I'm just meant to be voluptuous.

Last night I got together with my old pals. We go back twenty years to our partying days back in the eighties. R and I go all the way back to sophomore year in high school. We always have a great time hanging out and reminiscing, but I did some massive damage to my diet plan. The Rosemount Cabernet Sauvingot was flowing. I brought chips and a salsa dip. R brought all kinds of chocolate goodies. I definitely overindulged. There was one minor triumph; I didn't eat any of the "whoopie" pies (see photo) she brought.

Heck, I did finally finish painting my garden fence and put in a few miles at the lake yesterday so maybe I worked a glass of wine few M&Ms off.

2006-08-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Still Steamy

I've got to make this post brief as my laptop battery's running down. It got up to 96 degrees here today. Hubby and I went out to dinner since it was just way too hot to cook. Ruby Tuesday's was a good choice. Hubby ordered their new mini burgers, and the air conditioning was cranked way up there. Tommorrow's going to be almost as hot and the dreaded thunderstorms will be returning.

2006-07-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

Too Darn Hot!

I always feel guilty complaining about hot weather when I live in an area where it's usually colder than hell. Tomorrow Syracuse is actually going to have a "heat emergency!" The local television meteorologist said tomorrow's high temperature should be somewhere around 98. I also saw a news story on the national news about global warming and how the world's climate is getting warmer. My husband and I have been spending a lot of time recently talking about moving out of the area, but perhaps we should stay put. By the time we're seventy (if we're still around by then) upstate New York's climate might be pretty similar to what North Carolina's climate is now.

Despite the weather I'm already beginning to think about the fall. I e-mailed my professor to check with him regarding the texts for his class. I'm going to shop around and see if I can pick them up used online.