%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |  Well let's just try this AGAIN! |
|
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I thought this was tough to start the first time....Don't worry I'll get it right SOME day.  Always there are nay-sayers. Just stick to your ideals. Hold fast to those dreams. Don't let go. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** If I can quit sneezing long enough I'll get this entry done! I want to tell you about something rather unique to IKEA - the shopping carts. There are three distinct types of carts at IKEA. One is the child seat cart that is meant for one child to sit in and the front arms hold the yellow shopping bag IKEA provides at the entrance to the store. Then we have what everyone would recognize as a "shopping" shopping cart, with basket and some have a seat for one child, some have a safety shelf for a carry-your-baby-in-carrier some are just the cart sans any seat. Last but not least we have our flat bed carts. These are designed to be packed with boxes of the furniture, shelves, large pictures and sundry other large and/or heavy items. What makes all these carts different is their multi-directional wheels. This leads to mass confusion by customers. Most people who shop are used to carts that go either forward or back and that is it. Our carts go in any direction they are pointed and some they certainly aren't. The flat beds are the ones that have been rammed into my shins repeatedly causing permanent dents in my shins. To clarify to anyone who doesn't know, IKEA is classified as a home furnishings store. Back to the carts. Because of what people are used to, they think they can push our carts using their forearms. Our carts giggle at this method and turn this a way and that a way. New shoppers can mostly be identified by the blue air surrounding their heads. I always advise people to steer the carts using their wrists, not their forearms. I love to watch new customers swap out carts looking for one that isn't "broken". Today I observed a young couple exiting the store with the male "riding" the flatbed like a steel surfboard. He was twisting and turning the cart just using body motions. The female walked way-y-y back shaking her head. I laughed. The guy saw me and grinned. I love to see adults play and he was having himself a fun time. It was probably the highlight of the day for me. After working my torturous eight hours I had to stay for a "Security" meeting. I have had to attend this same meeting now three times. Always the same, nothing different. I was tired but couldn't help picking on the head Security guy during his lecture. "What do you do if someone attempts to leave the store and you don't think they have paid?" Head Security guy asks. "Start laughing and pointing?" I respond. "Anyea - I can always count on you can't I? Why are you sitting at the back anyway?" "So when you kick me out, I have less far to go?" Actually it is so if he turned the lights off I could sneak in a nap. They put a supervisor right behind me to ensure I stayed awake. Now I'm predictable? Damn. No matter what kind of carts provided at a store, some kid is determined to attempt bodily harm in them. Kids seem to be naturally curious risk takers and if the parent isn't watching or attending to what their kid is doing - bad stuff can happen. One flat bed loaded with many many boxes of furniture had the honor of one such almost horrific disaster. Child was around four I suppose (what do I know?) and had been sitting on the front of the flatbed where her mom couldn't see her. She then stood up on the cart,her foot slipped in between the metal bars and her mother, completely unaware of her kid's location, began to push the cart. I had been coming back from lunch when I saw the child about to have her leg snapped off. I ran up stopped the cart from going anywhere and yelled to the mother to help me release her kid! The mom, no rocket scientist it seemed, grabbed the kids leg and swearing the whole time, begins to just yank on little girl's leg. I grabbed the woman's wrist and made her look at me. "Take off the shoe. Take your daughter's shoe off." Some people...and she was the adult? Scary. Little girl wasn't a screamer, thank the stars, but big fatty tears poured down her face during the entire episode. We got her released and of course mom, embarrassed by showing her lack of intelligence as well as attention to her own child starts yelling at the kid. I almost slapped the mom. Just wish our carts had hidden speakers on them. Man, could we have some big fun with our customers then! "Ow - OW - no more boxes! I have reached maximum capacity for the weight and you have bad breath!" heehee...oh I just wish...heehee... |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** There are twenty-four hours in one day. Sometimes we feel like there are forty-eight. There are days when it is as if we only got twelve.  On some air bases the Air Force is on one side of the field and civilian aircraft use the other side of the field, with the control tower in the middle. One day the tower received a call from an aircraft asking, "What time is it?" The tower responded, "Who is calling?" The aircraft replied, "What difference does it make?" The tower replied "It makes a lot of difference. 1) If it is an American Airlines flight, it is 3 o'clock. 2) If it is an Air Force plane, it is 1500 hours. 3) If it is a Navy aircraft, it is 6 bells. 4) If it is an Army aircraft, the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 3. 5) If it is a Marine Corps aircraft, it's Thursday afternoon and 120 minutes to "Happy Hour."  Enjoy your twenty-four. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Do you remember that number - when you turned twenty-five? Did anyone say to you on your birthday, "Hey you are a quarter of century old now!" Did you smack em?  Nahh I don't want to talk about "age" cuz if you think about it logically it really doesn't matter does it? I mean, it just doesn't. I want to explain to you my reasoning for the use of humor. This is in my own opinion. My opinion is weighty ya know? I have heavy opinions. The sole reason for humor is to watch another human laugh. This is truth. Be honest now. When you make someone laugh, doesn't it make you glow? That glow you feel don't you want to feel it over and over? Then you all can understand my outrageous behavior at work today can't you? See? I knew you guys would understand! Erandy, a girl I work with (you have to roll the 'R' cuz she's Latino) adores working with me. We had to work the self-check out lanes today with both of us opening. When the next cashier came in and tried to put me in a different check out - Erandy, usually so quiet you don't know she's around, demanded I be put back - by her. Well, this kind of friendship needs to be rewarded! Yes indeed it does. It took me a bit, but I figured out the reward. See, I was in the employee lunch room one day and this guy who works in another department asked everyone at our table if we remembered the picture of the dog in IKEA's catalog. I raised an eyebrow and waited for more information. It seems the photographer was using a male dog. Now everyone knows that under hot hot studio lights that a couple of things are gonna happen to the dog. First off dogs do not sweat like us. If they get especially warm they pant, drool and if they are MALE a certain something comes out to assist in cooling them off. I started laughing and asked the guy if he was imagining what he had seen. He swore it was true. That's the background. Here's the results. Today was s-l-o-o-w-w at work. The morning was busy but by afternoon it was mostly dead. When it gets dead I get bored. When I get bored I have to find SOMETHING TO DO! I started going through our current catalog. Tsk tsk tsk - guess what I found? YUP I tore the page out, and with all the static electricity we have here, had no problem sticking it Erandy's monitor. At this time she was helping a customer. I waited. I did not wait in vain. When she got back and saw the picture she went nuts! I started laughing at her expression. She started laughing and blushing. She took the picture and placed it face down on my side of the desk. heehee...game on! For the rest of the afternoon I found new ways to torment Erandy with the doggie picture. I stuck it to her back. I rubbed it up her arm telling her the puppy "lllliiiikkkkkeeesss you Erandy!" Everything I did she would react wonderfully to. A boring afternoon was suddenly filled with fun. One of my managers wanders over, we stuff the picture under the shelf. She asks what we are doing and I, innocently, tell her we are checking out the catalog and I can't seem to remember seeing some of the products shown. WHOO HOOO!!! Manager takes me on an IKEA 'walk'. You know its kinda like being in Australia and you are a very young aborigine on your first trek. She walked me through department after department, explaining the whole way. We tried out new wicker chairs. We played with new stuffed toys. I had a blast and remembered why I love IKEA. No matter how much crap I have to put up with, with customers, management etc., I LOVE THIS STORE! It is like one big giant DisneyLand for adults. It's a grand place and should be honored. The idea behind it is what in part makes this store work and why people flock to us. One man had a dream. He started out small with his customer foremost in mind. He wanted to deliver the goods and keep prices down. He was a demanding man and had to have quality products to offer. From delivering goods from his bicycle to the IKEA of today an awesome dream came true. His force of will drove it to reality. I had seven people compliment me on our IKEA today. I know that's not a lot in how many came in but let me tell you, when they say nice things and they are just bouncing because they love our store - it almost makes my job worthwhile. Okay just a smidgeon worthwhile. No matter what else happens in my future career - I will always love IKEA. And co-workers like Erandy. heehee...wonder what she did with that picture when I left for the day? |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Thinking about my two days off and having to go back to work tomorrow. Another six day run, leaving me exhausted and sore I am quite sure. My logic says; "You have to make a living!" My emotions say; "No-o-o-o don't make me go!" Being so creative a critter I decided to research reasons to give my employer to call out tomorrow. I found some but I'm not sure some would go over big. When I got up this morning, I took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac. I can't get off the john, but I feel good about it. I am stuck in the blood pressure machine down at Wal-Mart. Constipation has made me a walking time bomb. I am extremely sensitive to a rise in the interest rates. I did try calling in 'dead' to work once. Told my boss it was okay cuz my Uncle Lazarus would be stopping by to fix me up before the next day. He didn't believe me. Hm. Then I realized that working in retail has a short shelf life. I am suffering burn-out. So I went and found some interesting information on how to recognize burn-out! You're so tired you now answer the phone, "Hell". Your friends call to ask how you've been, and you immediately scream, "Get off my back!" You consider a 40 hour week a vacation. You leave for a party and instinctively bring your ID badge. So perhaps it is time to get another type of job. The choices are so vast, the corporate world so indifferent and my resume needs fixing up. Now that is no problem, I'm a writer! Of course there are things one shouldn't put on one's resume! QUALIFICATIONS: "I am able to show up at the office on time, not only during the first week but also after a year of employment." EXPERIENCE: "Demonstrated ability in multi-tasting." LANGUAGES: "Speak English and Spinach." OBJECTIVE: "To wake up in the morning and shout 'I can't wait to get to work!'" I think I'm aiming way too high in my career expectations. Somehow corporate America doesn't have my sense of humor. You all know those Motivational Posters they put up everywhere in offices? If I had my way they would say stuff like the following. I found these on a site and truly am thinking of promoting them in all call centers, IT offices and anywhere lacking in humor. If you do a good job and work hard, you may get a job with a better company someday. The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget cuts. If you think we're a bad firm, you should see our rivals! (We suck less!) Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity 2 days without a Human Rights Violation! TEAMWORK ... means never having to take all the blame yourself. Please keep in mind that I can be a very serious person given the right incentives. Like tons of money and a five day work week under 72 hours during those five days. I should go to bed now so I can awaken bright eyed and... N-O-O-O DON'T MAKE ME GO!!  |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Okay I'm in a quandry. What to write in my entry - hm. I read a list or two from the Science Channel. The first list was the top ten useless body parts. Most of the parts, okay seven out of ten, I knew were pretty useless. I'm sure you all know those as well, so nothing there. There was a list of the ten most unsung inventions, batteries was on that list. How could those wonderful power supply source be unsung? Cussed at yes, but unsung? Everyone sing at your batteries to show them how much you care. How many items in an average household runs on batteries? That may be interesting to check out. You got your fatty C and D cells, the 'A' and 'AA' and then 'AAA' tinier batteries. Now don't forget those lil round batteries they used to only use in hearing aids - think about unlocking your car if you don't think you use those. Then I took a quiz on "How Well Do You know your body?" 1. What is the body's largest organ? In my case that would be my mouth. 2. Which of the following type of joint is not found in the human body? They didn't list marijuana - imagine that! 3. The smallest bone in the body is located in: Well if it's that small who cares? 4. Which of the following carries blood away from the heart? Any scary movie will do it for me! 5. At its normal size, the appendix is approximately how large? I don't know why but when they say "at its average size" I get this picture of that movie Alien and the creature pops out of the man's chest...ew. 6. The spleen is part of which system? The part that polite people don't talk about I'm sure! 7. If you stretched out the digestive tract of an adult, approximately how long would it be? If you even ATTEMPTED to do this to me you would be beyond caring about my answer, I'll tell ya that much! 8. How many bones are in the adult human body? I got a discount on my bones cuz I'm short! So that number is probably lower than those TALL people. 9. Which of the following organs are parts of the digestive system? Chocolatecreas. 10. What does the thyroid gland do? He can do anything he wants as long as he's back in place before morning! 11. There are three types of recognized muscles in the human body. They are: George, Paul and Ringo - John left. See? I do know my body. How well do you know yours though? HM? OH OH - I found the lyrics to this song I've been looking for and wanted to share with all of you! The artist is Green Day and the title of the song is Time of Your Life So I'll close my simple blog of nonsense with these lyrics! Another turning point; a fork stuck in the road. Time grabs you by the wrist; directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don't ask why. It's not a question but a lesson learned in time. It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life. So take the photographs and still frames in your mind. Hang it on a shelf In good health and good time. Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial. For what it's worth, it was worth all the while. It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** It is a toss up on which topic to pick for this entry. My choices are (A) Blind Dates Cause Weight Gain or (B) The Hysterical Story About "P" and Me. I am debating furiously within my mind on which to pick ... So-o-o-o Let me write about (C) How to be a Creative BS-er with a Straight Face. I love to BS around with people. I get smacked (not that hard - whew) for doing this by my friends. Like one friend, let's call her Cate, and I were shopping one time in a busy busy mall. My friend was trying to figure out where she had seen this certain outfit and we kept going in different stores. After about the fifth store my friend begins getting a tad loud and crazed. She cannot find this outfit. Her "noise" was heard by other shoppers and clerks. I saw the perfect opportunity. "It's okay folks. The doctor told us the new medication will take time to kick in. Please just ignore her for now. You are all safe. I'm a professional and capable of dealing with her." Yeah I got punched - AFTER Cate figured out what I had just done that is. I couldn't stop laughing. Now please don't imagine I haven't had similar BS pulled on me, cuz that ain't the case. Let me tell you about this apartment I had where my bedroom's wall was a shared wall with the next apartment's bedroom. The lady renting the other apartment was very athletic and would put on verbal shows at any time night or day. "Yes - yes - yes! MORE!!!! ARRRRGGHHH - YES!" Okay, well I was being woken up and annoyed by this every night and sometimes it went on during the day as well. My male buddy - let's call him Rich - heard my complaints and decided to go proactive on the situation. He was over visiting one day, we heard the Olympics start up and he wandered into my bedroom. Throwing himself down on my bed he began slapping the wall and yelling. "No don't - oh NOOOO - don't - STOP! DON'T STOP OH OH OH" He got to the point where he was pounding on the wall after each word. I couldn't help myself. I laughed so hard I ended up on the floor begging him to stop. Which just set him off again and I thought I'd break something inside me laughing that hard. Strange thing was - the Special Olympics next door mysteriously ended on that day. Well I figured Rich outdid himself and made him his favorite meal. I had a doctors visit one time and when I went in to the exam room the nurse looked at my sweater and said to me - "That is a beautiful sweater! Did you make it?" Ever seen a machine knit sweater? If you tried I don't think you could FIND knitting needles that small. I answered - "No my grandmother did. It was one of the last things she made me." The nurse just cooed and ooo'd and ahhh'd over this now family heirloom which I had purchased at the local boutique. The doctor comes in, the nurse tells him about my sweater, he snorts and says: "You believed her? Oh man." Some people are just way more easy to BS on than others. I like the easy ones myself. It entertains me. I can pull this BS off with a perfectly straight face as well, which just makes the final reaction so much more gratifying to me. At IKEA I get bored. What to do? Play with my fellow cashiers! "Erandy - I just got a call from Chris and he wants to talk to you immediately. He said it had to do with your cash drawer from yesterday? That's all he would say." Poor lil girl. She gets all wide eyed and starts to panic. I let her off the hook early and just grinned and said; "Joking girl - its a joke!" I got smacked. Sheesh. So, tell me. Are you a "Do Unto" or are you "Got Done Unto" type? |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I found this out on the WWW and thought to myself - Hmmmm I bet this will drive folks nuts! Take the test, comment in your answers or email them to me and I promise to post the correct answers at some point. (heehee) Brain Teasers That Will Make You Groan 1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him? 2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be? 3. There are two plastic jugs filled with water. How could you put all of this water into a barrel, without using the jugs or any dividers, and still tell which water came from which jug? 4. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away? 5. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? 6. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out.  Just for your entertainment, I did get 3 out of 6 correct immediately. Fifty percent - not bad right? Come on guys give me a break! Number six should be a snap for all of us writers! Just wonder how many will get it correct. No cheating now! |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have been thinking about Barbie and Ken tonight. You don't want to know what prompted these thoughts - really you don't. Anyway I have not seen a child in my store totting either of these dolls. They come in with Transformers (cool), stuffed dinosaurs (way cool) and mostly with Play Stations for Junior (not cool at all). There are no Ken or Barbies making the public scene lately. Does this mean the day of dolls are over? No more attempts to dress-up tiny limbs with impossible outfits? What happened to all those dolls that used to rock a kid's world? The Cabbage Worm Kids, Bratz, Probably Pocket Doll or even the Infamous G.I. Joseph Doll? Those hand held devices sure do seem to keep a kid entertained, I will give them that. It's not the safest bet to allow kids to walk around playing them however. Saw an eight year old walk into a wall today because he was lost with his gaming device. I laughed. People frowned. I shrugged it off. If the kid is in my line playing I will stage whisper advice to them. "Watch out for the Glopper - he'll get ya and pull you down into the Pit of Failure!" No response do I get with that, well not from the Playee. From the adult I get "Really? I don't know what he/she is playing! Do you play that game?" I laugh, parent looks confused, kid grins behind parent's back. Back to this doll thing shall we? Playing with dolls is supposed to help develop skills in a child right? Didn't the pyscho types do studies into this? Did someone find out that dolls are dangerous in a kid's development then? SHEESH! Ever dress a puppy in dolls clothes? Yeah - me either. Where do all the unwanted Dolls go now that no one plays with them? Do they go to that Island of Forgotten Toys? Awww that's sad huh? Maybe they sit there and plot to overthrow all humans. OH that's kinda scary. Ever see Toy Soldier? So not a kid's movie on so many levels. Okay my blog is done for now I think. I have given you all stuff to ponder and giggle over. Keep the writing going! |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** You know that a good writer needs to read all the time don't you? Well that is my defense. Keep that in mind while I explain something to you all. I read EVERYTHING and sometimes get caught at it. For instance, coming back from break today I walked past a man wearing a tee-shirt with writing on it. I'm Out of My Mind! Please Leave a Message. This solicited laughter from me. I couldn't help it. The man looked at me, rather shocked and I pointed at his shirt and told him; 'Good one dude!". Now, he started to laugh at me laughing and all was good. Tee-shirt reading is a lost art you see. There are times when you seriously do not want the wearer of said shirt to see where your eyes are. Another story here. I saw the shirt and did not believe what I was reading. Gravity - it's not just a good idea. It's the LAW! Now you have to picture this. Wearing the shirt was a female who stood about 5' 7" with a chest measurement that went into a surreal zone. I pictured said young woman at about 60 or 70 and started laughing. This was probably not such a good idea. How was I gonna explain WHY I was laughing? I just told her that I loved her tee shirt. Okay I did an end run but HEY - you wanna tell someone who towers over you that when she gets old she better hope the Law works? Not me! There are scads of boring Team type tee shirts, State shirts and even tractor shirts which you can just give a quick glance at, look away and no harm no foul. Then there are those naughty type of tees that you either have to acknowledge or quickly look at the floor as if you just lost a contact. Example: So easy a cave girl could do me! World's proudest father - pending a paternity test Virgins are inexperienced sluts Now you see the problems getting 'caught' reading these and showing a reaction can't you? Okay what if the wearer of the cave girl shirt is with his mom? See? A dilemma - to laugh or not to laugh. If the Virgin shirt was a young tween - you gonna respond with laughter or outrage? I just look at the floor for that missing contact - it is MUCH much safer. Here are some funny tee shirts I wish I could see in public! Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot Confucius say: Crowded elevator smells different to Midgets My hockey mom can beat up your soccer mom Why yes, I am a fart factory! Eat well. Stay fit. Die anyway. Depending on who the wearer was of these - I would laugh out loud and long. It would definitely make my day. So tell me - seen any good tee shirt sayings lately? Fill me in please. Laughter necessary. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Would you put something in your body that you didn't understand what the effects would be? If you saw an ad on television for an Instant Best Selling Novel pill - would you run out and get it? Take it? Would you investigate the side-effects first? Ask your doctor about it? If the research stated that the FDA approved the pill, your doctor said "I haven't heard of any bad side effects." would you feel safe and swallow this pill? Millions of Americans pop pills that have no solid long term research behind it. Drug companies spend billions on the development on new products then pay the FDA to look into their product using their own research to get the drug to market as fast as possible. Vioxx - know that drug name? Thalidomide - another one - ever hear of it? In 1992 the Prescription Drug User Fees Act required industry to pay user fees that help fund the FDA's review of new drugs for approval. Partly this was to shorten time to get the drugs approval and get the drug to market sooner. Bextra was taken off the market due to serious side-effects - death being one of those. Zelnorm another drug taken off the market after it was proven by the patients TAKING the drugs it was causing heart problems. Oops. Due to the hurry-up and get drugs on the marketplace there seems to be an awful lot of Oops going on. My question is - why do people just pop these medications into their body with no research on their part. Ads for drugs shown on television are now verbally listing the "side-effects" Some of them are so scary when I hear the list I am astonished anyone takes the drug at all. Are new designer drugs all bad then? Well, without enough history to back up both their claims to doing good as well as studies into the horrendous side-effects I wouldn't dare guess. There are undiscovered plants all over Earth - many were in the South American Rain Forest. One such plant in South America was used in trials to treat cancer victims. One husband stated, "If it cures my wife they can cut down the entire forest - I don't care." His wife was dead within a year. The drug didn't work as expected. The forest, well you all know what is happening to the Rain Forest so I won't describe that horror. To what extremes will humans go to find a pain free life, with plenty of sleep, regular bowels and a healthy sex life? It seems to me humans keep grasping at straws and end up paying with Life. What a trade off. There should be warning labels tattooed on human foreheads that take medication with no solid healthy track record. "I take dangerous drugs." Be careful of what you take, do everything you can to stay healthy naturally and please - if your doctor recommends a new medication - find out EVERYTHING you can about the drug before considering taking it. Ask questions of pharmacists, other health providers and someone who will give you an unbiased breakdown of the drug and how deadly it can be. Just stay healthy okay? |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Just got home from work so my brain is fairly empty right now. I do ponder on blog topics while at work, in between customers "needs" of course. In the local news front: a Rescue Squad showed up at our complex today and pulled up in front of the building across from ours. I sat and wondered - who lives there? I don't think I've even seen the folks living in that apartment - ever. That is strange isn't it? Living in a huge complex as I do the only people I interact with are other dog owners and the kids who adore my dogs [ Dew could live without that I'll tell ya ]. I don't talk to others unless I see them walking by, then we exchange hello's. Such isolation modern people live in. At the job place news: IKEA's self check out lanes are at war with the newly issued five dollar bills. Have you seen them yet? U.S. bills are looking more and more like Monopoly money all the time. The new five has a purtee color on it as well as the blown up head of that President dude (hey I suck at history remember?). Anyway the scanners at the self-check out lanes refuse to acknowledge the new fives as "legal tender". Security claimed they could recognize them - the cashiers are saying "NUH UH!" Thank goodness for other customers who will swap fivers with those holding the condemned new bills. Yes, there are nice people in the customer arena. In the botanical springing of plants news: You all know the leaves on our trees don't fall off (if they ever fall off that is) until January right? Our spring doesn't consist of leaves budding so much as desert plants blooming. We have weird weird blooms on these plants too. There is this one that I swear reminds me of a guy's - um...well anyway seeing those dusty pink blooms always cracks me up. OH and you know that plant that you can break a leaf off of and put the oozie stuff on a burn? Those are blooming and let me tell you the flower is U-G-G-L-L-E-E...The cacti aren't really blooming yet but when they do they are absolutely magnificent! I love those brilliant flowers amidst all the thorniness. That's all I got tonight - um tomorrow - uh today I guess. I am headed to my bed now. You all write wonderful stuff for me to read! K? Good. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have failings. Yes I do. I know, I know you all think I'm so awesome and funny but let me tell you I do have failings. One of them is my lack of ability to remember botanical names for stuff growing. See, we have this bush that grows against the wall to our patio and this bush just started blooming. I went out to walk the puppies and smelled and thought "OMG someone used super strong drier sheets tonight!" See the bush has these tiny clusters of white flowers that smell like the sweetest rose ever. What is the name of the plant? Dunno. I can just say it is a bush, has green leaves with lil white flowers that smell just like roses. Ta Da. My inability to describe stuff doesn't seem to end with growing stuff. Nope. At work when I call the Greenroom and someone answers I can almost hear them cringe when they hear my voice. "Yeah it's me down in Cash. A customer just brought me a porcupine basket. Yeah it has these pokey things sticking out of it. Uh, what is it made out of? Dunno, some sort of light brown stuff. Wood? Um, nope, don't think so. If that's wood it is really whimpy stuff!" You don't want to know how I go about describing glassware, or pots and pans. Poor people in those departments. I call it like I see it though. If it's red glass and short, kinda like a shot put with a scooped out hole in the middle - that's what I tell em. I think I'm the ONLY cashier that has clerks running down to my register all the time. I think I scare them. I am a bit better with posters however. I mean how hard is it to describe a scene or the colors used? I lose them when I attempt to figure out the size. "I dunno. It's not as tall as me and a rectangle shape. What do you mean you need more information?" Folks tell me not to EVER consider teaching. I don't know why. Do you? I also give directions from my point of view - and no not the shortest one either - sheesh. I see stuff and that stuff becomes my landmarks. No, not buildings or recognizable stuff. I suppose it would help if I could say something like, "Turn north when you get to the Chase Building." Um, nope. My directions make sense! "Okay, when you leave here go until you can't anymore because a stop sign is gonna make you. Then you will see this road with a huge chunk of land in between with growing things in the middle of it. Um, yeah some are those cacti and there are some of those spiky plants with the pink spears on top of them. Don't go to the left - go the other way. Drive until you see this wall with graffiti on it that says 'I luv Tony' written in bright glow in the dark green." People always get a second opinion after talking to me with directions. And people think I'm strange. HA! |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I have wanted to do this for a long time now. It is sort of a rant, yet not. I am only going to address the American Shopper in this entry as I don't know much about how peop's shop in other countries. I have had people from Europe, South America and the Orient in my store but I feel it only fair to advise the American Shoppers. I don't know when Americans began to believe they had Constitutional RIGHTS when they enter a retail store. Looking back at our History (Ken, Dave and Tor will add to my meager knowledge I hope) we, as Americans, began with nothing but a traveling wagon guy selling necessities from his wagon. One guy came around every six months or so. People shopping from him were so thankful to see him, they cooperated with his prices, his attitude and his horse. If they couldn't afford his prices then they didn't buy anything. Then came more people to this country. Many more people. Cities were built, small family owned stores were created and still the peop's who shopped were thankful to be able to get what they "needed". Due to technology, over population and just plain old greed, Americans now feel they are OWED certain RIGHTS when they shop. From what I've seen the following is a partial list of those "Rights". 1. Free goods if the consumer disagrees with the signs, labels or price. 2. Sniveling subservient behavior from clerks 3. Fast and speedy service no matter how much junk they buy. 4. Gratuitous gifts for just being in the store. 5. Babysitting service for free. 6. Information on a wide variety of any subject the consumer has the need to know whether it is directions to another store, phone numbers to reach an over seas operator, or the CEO's home address. There are more that I could and should add to the list. But I want to stop there and tell Americans that in the Constitution of the United States of America NONE OF THESE ARE RIGHTS. Shopping is a privilege and if you don't believe me, ask a Third World Nation. Yes, you earned the money (hopefully in a legal fashion) and it is your right to spend it however you wish, on whatever you wish. I heard a story from a lady from Romania that I want to share with you all. She had a friend, an older lady, who visited the United States and was taken to a Sam's Club - her first visit to one of our HUGE consumer hog-heaven stores. The lady looked at the shelves that are at least 20 feet high, at all the choices on the shelves and started to cry. She was overwrought with emotion and fainted. In her country there are no choices such as we have here. You are lucky if you stand in line for 3 hours to get one loaf of bread. America is a spoiled rotten country. Instead of being thankful for what we have and what we can purchase at reasonable prices, we want more and we want it free. I would blame the commercialism we see on television, hear on the radio but when you get down to it, Americans need to GROW UP. Get a grip on reality folks. I read about the Great Depression and how many people committed suicide when the Stock Market crashed. If we got hit with one now, how would the populace react? No banks, no money, no jobs - not even the jobs Americans are too good to work at - no food, stores closed, forget the Nike shoes that cost over one hundred dollars. What would we do? How could this spoiled nation survive? I may be naive in many ways but I am aware that stores cannot survive without the American Consumer buying stuff. Mom and Pop Stores are in the past, sadly. Huge Corporations have taken over our market place offering us a billion choices and just as many price points. I do understand this Economic situation. What I do NOT understand is when Americans began believing their poop didn't stink. When did we, as a general population begin to believe we are better than everyone else on the planet? Our voting apathy, our out of control children who wouldn't recognize self-control if it slapped them, our rudeness to strangers all of this is getting out of hand. America GROW UP. Look at what we have the PRIVILEGE to in our lives, be thankful, be gracious and if our country is going to get strong again, we need to work on these misbehaviors immediately. Let's start at our local stores. 1. Say "thank you" to those who have a hard job waiting on each of you 2. Excuse yourself when you bump into others 3. Get off the cell phones, nothing is that important and I know you aren't all heart surgeons! 4. Control your children - you had them - now control them 5. Don't try to spend what you don't have then blame a clerk when your card is declined 6. Remember the Golden Rule please. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Last Sunday, two days ago, it was Easter. I worked of course. The highlights to the day were the three helpings of free Chocolate Mousse I ate. Oh that was so good. I almost shoved my face in the bowl to lick it clean. One of my managers, sitting at the table with me, shook her head. Hm. I must be transparent. I settled for using my dainty digits to wipe out the remnants. When there are only 'adults' around, I figure I'm not setting some bad example. Eating chocolate has etiquette of course. Hard chocolate gets nibbled, then take a small bite, then what the hey, gobble it down. Soft chocolate however should actually be enjoyed by using one's fingers. It's just one of those little known facts. Peop's asked if IKEA was completely empty on Easter. HA. We got hit harder than on Christmas Eve or New Year's Day and those were busy days. No disrespect here, but after thinking about why we had so many shoppers I came to the conclusion that all non-Christians called each other up and said, "Hey IKEA will be quiet today! It's a Christian holiday after all." Were they surprised. Our store was closed at 5:00 PM but people were still pounding on the front doors at 5:30. Shoppers were cruising around looking still at 5:15 PM. Usually the Security Units can find all the shoppers and herd them to the cash lines quickly. Not on Sunday. Those lil suckers hid from Security I think and we had our last customer cashing out at 5:45 PM. Of course we had the obligatory family wrapping up glass ware with sheets of tissue until 6:00 PM but that is only to be expected. When I finally got home, the stoopid bunny didn't visit me. No basket. I would have to provide my own chocolate but after indulging so wonderfully with that Mousse, plus who wants to inflict themselves on another store and another cashier, I held off until Monday to go. I saw plenty of 50% off signs but due to the wise teachings of Dave, I'll hold off until it goes down to 75% off. Maybe later today after work? Remember what research states - chocolate has nutrients that are necessary, yes NECESSARY to your well being. HA! Eat some. That's right - go get that bunny made of milk chocolate and bite his head off. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Writing Block Lesson 101: Today I want to lecture you in the Art of Blocked Writing. To begin we must all pick up a pen, pencil or poise our fingers over a keyboard. Are you ready? Do Not Write Anything For The Next Thirty Seconds! Now that you have a feel for this I want you to try something else. Pick a verb, make it an action verb; for example - run, play, kick, scream, rant, dive. Take that one verb you picked and put one clean noun in front of it. By "clean" I mean a noun that is simple and understandable. No taking from those Greeks or Italians or even the Mongolians now! Let me write you an example so you can follow along. Dog - Run Got the verb with the preceding noun? Excellent. At this point I want you to stop, put your writing instrument down, or remove your hands from the keyboard. Take a moment and just look at those two words. Two words. Just two. Nothing between them, in front of them or behind them - yet. You may be feeling a touch of impatience at this point and want to throw some company up there for those two words - don't do it. Not yet. Look at that "clean" noun for a moment. In the case of my example it is "Dog". Dog what though? Big Dog? Real Dog? Illusion or allegory? What is the dog to me, the writer? How does the Dog make me feel? What if I don't feel anything for this Dog? What if this "Dog" prompts nothing else from me? WHOO HOO....you are on your way to understanding Writers Block. Welcome to my world. Let's take it further down the road now. I want you to grab a completely inappropriate adjective to describe your "clean" noun. Again allow me to give you an example. Obrumpent - Dog - Run obrumpent is an adjective meaning: breaking; bursting Now you have a conundrum. You put an adjective with no connection at all to a noun. This could be a fun study in attempting to write about something that no one else ever has. DO IT I can assure my students that this will result in an eventual writing wall. It is one thing to make up a story but to leave reality completely out of the picture - a blockage will occur at some point. Ahh but I can hear you now! "This is what makes a great writer though! If they can take reality and twist it, turn it around and make it into something new!" Hm. Yes, but my friends here is the problem. What will you do when you need to research something that just doesn't exist? On what premise will you base your research then? Oh, yes, blockage is happening. You have all read that a writer needs to write what they (A) know and/or (B) like. We all agree, I am sure, that these are important in writing. My lecture today is not about writing, rather it is about NOT writing. If a writer takes a subject they know absolutely nothing about, throws in a character they have no empathy for, dress it up with adjectives that are so obscure Webster doesn't recognize them - that writer is well on their way to hitting that Wall. It is easy to write books about how to write properly, how to create characters, how to build a POV or a plot. It is less easy to write how to hit a Writer's Blocked Wall. To admit that the Wall is on intimate terms with oneself is humiliating, to say the least. A writer who acknowledges inside information on taking steps to meet and become "One" with the Wall is like calling Guinness World Book up and telling them you broke a record for breathing. Right. Totally unimpressive. If there are no questions at this point in class, I suggest we all take a break. Go write something outstanding. Put words down and put emotion into those words. Yank them out of you if need be - but write them. Fail this class because by failing - you can only succeed. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Inner space feeling Seclusion unaware Angel of mystery Concealing his despair Buried, undetected, Cartel of Misery Underfoot is always Dispensing humanity Sliding through the solo pool Abandoned yet in league Be wary of the virtue found Menacing mortal need. Thus begins the Riddle as told in my novel with no name. This Riddle will thread its way throughout the entire book, pulling pieces from the past, delving into the future, drawing the reader into a world that has yet to be discovered. There are many undiscovered worlds within each person. Caverns yet unexplored, mountain tops to be reached, distant stars almost unseen by the eye. Each human is in themselves an entire Universe. Imagine that. You are your own Universe. You have a sun orbiting, a moon rising and setting, stars dancing out a pattern only you can identify. There is within each of us so much wonder. Every day a new adventure begins with each Universe out there. Each setting sun sees the fulfillment or disillusionment of not obtaining that goal. The Black Holes vie for room with the exploding stars which create new life. So much is going on and humans have yet to appreciate the total grandness of themselves. I watch, listen, read, learn and wonder every day. Grinding my teeth at the inane, the insipid, the blindness and the folly of so many. If only one out of every one hundred humans alive today were aware of exactly how precious, how unique they were - what would our world be like then? In appreciating that Universe within would we not look around and take better care of this tiny helpless planet we inflict ourselves on? No human ever believes that this, meaning life, as we knew it, could ever end. Even death seemed unreal to most of us. So, when the "Storm" hit earth, no one could comprehend just how much we would all have to change our thinking, our life styles, just to survive. No one was prepared. Many would die because of our ignorant attitudes. That was from yet another of my novels. This one is named and titled "The Book of the Century". Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is just that - ignorance. To NOT try - that is to fail. Many of us writers do try day after day, writing - halting - waiting - hopeful. Words that we need and reach for, sometimes failing to find, sentences poured out of a soul overfilled with the need to write. Keep to that dream of those words. Write and write some more. No matter the length, the nonsense of the writings - just keep at it. You are a Universe self-contained and beautiful. Now co-exist with all those others and share the wonder that is you. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** So, here I sit with nothing really to write about and someone, who shall remain nameless, [ bugzy is baaaccck!!  ahem ], suggested I just post the picture and leave it at that. I never could leave well enough alone.In the dead of night, (and why is night called dead anyway?), when I am coughing up that corner chunk of my left lung, can't sleep, my mind gets busy. I start to go over all the works I've done so far in my life. Some of them I loved writing. There were moments while writing that I would be giggling at what this character said or did, times where tears would well up when I realized the pain my character was going through - and I was doing the writing. Lately, perhaps due to the flu, I have wondered if my glory writing days are over completely. There are some powerful writers on this site. In the dead of the night....some thoughts should remain unwritten. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Saint Patrick was a gentleman Who through strategy and stealth Drove all the snakes from Ireland Here's a drinkee to his health! But not too many drinkees Lest we lose ourselves and then... Forget the good Saint Patrick And see them snakes again! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ~~St. Patrick's Day Toast~~ Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one A pretty girl and an honest one A cold beer – and another one! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ~~Irish Blessing~~ May you live to be a hundred years, With one extra year to repent. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ~~Irish Saying~~ Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter. Lullabies, dreams and love ever after. A thousand welcomes when anyone comes... That's the Irish for You! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Two Irishmen, Patrick Murphy and Shawn O'Brian grew up together and were lifelong friends. But alas, Patrick developed cancer, and was dying. While on his deathbed, Patrick called to his buddy, Shawn, "O'Brian, come 'ere. I 'ave a request for ye." Shawn walked to his friend's bedside and kneels. "Shawny ole boy, we've been friends all our lives, and now I'm leaving 'ere. I 'ave one last request fir ye to do." O'Brian burst into tears, "Anything Patrick, anything ye wish. It's done." "Well, under me bed is a box containing a bottle of the finest whiskey in all of Ireland. Bottled the year I was born it was. After I die, and they plant me in the ground, I want you to pour that fine whiskey over me grave so it might soak into me bones and I'll be able to enjoy it for all eternity." O'Brian was overcome by the beauty and in the true Irish spirit of his friend's request, he asked, "Aye, tis a fine thing you ask of me, and I will pour the whiskey. But, might I strain it through me kidneys first?" ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** A Kerryman was suffering from pains in his knees, so he visited the doctor. "You're suffering from a disease that we medical experts call "kneeitis", said the doctor. "Take it easy for a month or so and above all don't climb any stairs. That puts a terrible strain on the knees." A month later the Kerryman returned and after a brief examination was found to have recovered completely. "Can I climb the stairs now Doctor?" "Certainly," replied the Doctor. "Thank Heavens," said the Kerryman, "I was getting a bit browned off climbing up the drainpipe every time I wanted to go to the toilet." ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ...and there ye have it my fine lads and lassies! A bit o' the Irish for today. Enjoy it, enjoy yourselves and for Heaven's sake raise one for me. |
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Those cute lil guys up there are my closest friends lately. Yes I have the FLU AGAIN. This time instead of body aches, high fever, a burning desire to live by a toilet, I have lungs filled with some sort of nasty fluid, head stuffed up and a fever that makes my head pound and pound and pound....ow. Had the last 2 days off and spent them in a sitting position attempting to sleep. The only thinking ability I have had was "where are the tissues?" and "no no no more coughing please" and other riveting thoughts such as that. Read quite a few blogs at about 4 A.M. when my lungs decided I needed to be completely upright for a few hours. Some of these entries are so well written and thought provoking, but I haven't got it in me to respond. Hopefully when I recover a bit more. I am going to work soon and that should be so interesting. How does one have a coughing spasm seem natural and non-life threatening? My stomach muscles hurt from coughing. ow. All in all I think I have done my bit for virus research this year. I have had a flu variety now THREE FRICKIN TIMES. You guys take care and you do know not to get a flu shot right? HA! OW. |
| ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Ahhh Leprechauns - those precocious little people hoarding a pot o' gold at the end of some fabulous rainbow. How we love them - or want that gold right? According to legend [which in my opinion is wrong wrong wrong], Leprechauns are lil old men. Let's think about this for half a sec - done yet? Good. Now you see the problem if ALL Leprechauns were males. That pot-o-gold would never get to the end of that rainbow cuz males won't ask directions as we women know. Forget it. Lil ole men fit with the blithering tales told by Leprechauns to unsuspecting folks but who makes sure he is wearing a lucky clover leaf? P-f-f-f-t-t...a male Leprechaun would button his pants backwards and wear his coat upside inside out if it were not for - you got it - FEMALE LEPRECHAUNS! How did our history fail to mention the female of this species then? How could they overlook her? Oh 'til simple really. She is a background worker. Do you want to know the story about the very first time a human ran into a FEMALE Leprechaun? You do? Way excellent. Back before there was a Paddy person driving drunk snakes out of the Emerald Isle, way back before there were fussin' and fumin' about Orange or Green this fair isle was populated mostly by sheep, shepherds and the infernal tax collectors. Oh yes, those pesky fellas be botherin' folks even way back then. In the not yet formed village which will some day become Dunlavin, in west Wicklow which also did not yet exist, lived a lady by the name of Deirdre. As everyone knows Deirdre means 'fearsome one' or 'one who rages'. This lady fit her name as a riding crop fits the hand that welds it. [be nice - I'm taking massive doses of cold meds so much of this won't make sense to any of you anyway!] Deirdre could not snag a hubby. No male within 50 kilometers or even further afield wanted her skinny butt. She could scold the black off a black bird this witch could. [ note I am keeping this clean for naughty words as well ] Deirdre decided she would take a road trip, even though there weren't really roads in Ireland at the time so in actuality she took a sheep path trip. Her logic was that she would find some fool of a man to marry her further afield - where hopefully her mannerisms did not proceed her. Packing only one clean skirt and her handy iron frying pan [ she would only resort to this if she had to in order to subdue a mate] she set out on her journey. Now Ireland isn't called the Emerald Isle for it's lack of wetness. No - it is a moistly land Ireland is and rain is more common than this flu/cold thingie going around here lately. It started to drizzle. Deirdre was perturbed. It drizzled harder. Deirdre was getting annoyed. It gave it's all and poured. Deirdre had had enough. She sought shelter and found a shepherd's croft nestled in a grove of trees, quite abandoned. (The poor shepherd probably heard her coming and ran for his life!) As it began all things must end and so did the raining and wetness - ended that is. Deirdre left the shelter and saw a beautiful rainbow arching across the sky. "Och! Stoopid Leprechauns will be out cavorting now I suppose!" She said. Deirdre wasn't big on nature or beauty or really much of anything nice. What a wart huh? "Aye, and you stoopid ugly human female person will go stomping around and crush all my lovely shamrocks won't ye be?" Deirdre looked around and at first couldn't make out who had spoken. She whipped out her trusty iron frying pan however - just to play it safe don't cha know? Then she spied, standing tall on top of a small boulder a little person - but it was of female persuasion! How extremely unusual. "Yer a female wee person now aren't ya?" Deirdre asked. "An you be a sheep's rear buttock to notice that right quick aren't ye lassie?", was the quick response. "Well if yer be one of those Leprechauns then you would be having a pot o gold somewhere abouts!" The female Leprechaun stood there, raised one tiny eyebrow and waited for the punch line. "If I can catch ye then ye must take me to your pot of gold!" Deirdre was a greedy warty female huh? The tiny green, now ticked off completely, Leprechaun woman gave a bark of laughter. Well, being so small it was more like a frog's cough than a bark but you understand right? It is one thing to SAY you are going to 'catch a Leprechaun' and quite another to pull it off. Needless to say, Deirdre did not pull it off which as you may imagine did not put that Leprechaun on Deirdre's good side. Wait - Deirdre didn't have a good side, what am I saying? So there stood Deirdre on one side of a fey glen and the Leprechaun on the other side, up in a tree looking down at the human woman. "Och! Forget it. Stoopid gold at the end of a stoopider rainbow - who's be needin' that?" Deirdre muttered. Before she stomped off however, the Leprechaun got the last laugh. Calling after the frustrated woman she told her this: "No butter be on your milk nor on your ducks a web. May your cow be flayed. And may the flame be bigger and wider which will go through your soul than the Connemara mountains, if they were on fire. Oh and ye won't find yerself a man to marry ye either! P-F-F-F-F-T!" Now this is not a widely know tale around Ireland and you may hear it if you travel to the Isle and find just the perfect pub on just the perfect eve. If you do - remember you read it here first.  |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
When we were first married we had an inner city apartment. It didn't matter how much you cleaned and tried to run them off. They just visited next door and came back when the fumes wore off. After nine months of doing battle with earth's oldest creatures we moved. Now that you've mentioned their love for warm and dark computer cases I have a whole new source for nightmares. 