'tis the modern age, and I am blogging on jury duty

Seriously. Montgomery County actually has WiFi in the jury lounge. They even have some computers available for those who did not bring a laptop. This is a far cry from the last 2 times I served on jury duty (once in NYC and once in Baltimore County). Previously, all I was allowed was a book. No cell phones. No electronic equipment. Even Walkmen (Walkmans?) were frowned upon, since you may miss being called.

But, today, I have my laptop. I have my cell phone. I have some work. I have a book. I have my iPod. I guess it won't be horrible...

Happy 2009. Everything is nuts

Yes yes. Promises promises. I know. I've been saying that I would tell the story of our appraisal limbo, our settlement craziness, and finally, and most importantly, the acquisition of our house. I promised. And I will keep it. It's just been so crazy since before Christmas... We have not stopped.

We are packing. And packing. And spending boat loads of money on electronics. And packing more. But at the same time, I have work - including 5 documents due in the next week. So I've been more than a little busy. But moving day is Monday (YAY!!). And we will have FiOS by the end of next weekend.

Once the dust settles a little, I'll tell the full story. Promise.

WE HAVE A HOUSE!

Undermined by underwriters... or, Dammit, we didn't close today

So today was supposed to be closing day. I say 'supposed' since, after all sorts of crap, running around, doing the walk-thru, and frantic calls to/from my loan officer, the underwriters decided that the very generous gift that Turg's mom gave us for our respective birthdays to buy furniture was suspicious. It's been (hopefully) cleared up. But that means that closing will happen tomorrow (Tuesday), instead.

Turg and I went to the attorney's office and signed as much as we could. But since the final bank papers are won't be ready till tomorrow, Turg transferred power of attorney over to me (MWAHAHAHA) for the final paperwork. If all goes well, we will be home owners just in time for when Magenta, DugDug and Mini Chewbacca show up.

I'll post on the rest of the appraisal drama later. Too much for my brain now...

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

Just kidding, Sweetie. Given everything that's going on, I hope that you're not expecting another surprise party.


Love you.

Imagine the possibilities

There hasn't been much to update on the Stardust River Jewelry front since I basically took my toys and went home a couple of months ago. I have totally exciting news now.

First, I got a very (and I do mean BRIEF) mention in the Nov/Dec Bethesda Magazine* because of the boutique that was selling my jewelry. Meaning, the blurb said that the boutique "also features local designers such as Stardust River Jewelry of Gaithersburg." This mention got my creative juices flowing, and I designed more pieces for sale.

It is the holiday season. And 'tis the season of shopping giving. But where can one find products from Stardust River Jewelry? Perhaps in the jewelry section** of the online store for Imagine Boutique. I am totally excited!! I'm hoping this will give me a little more exposure...

I am still in the process (life has gotten in the way a bit) in setting up my own online store at etsy.com too. Hopefully, after the new year, I'll be able to get pieces photographed and up.

Let's see what this brings...

* I saw the blurb while sitting in the waiting room of the dermatologist. Imagine my surprise at seeing "my" name. I nearly shat.
** Thanks to Turg for helping me with the photos. I'm really happy with how they came out.

I know Halloween was a month ago. But it's a month until Christmas, and the Christmas crap hasn't stopped since Halloween...

Turg and I dropped by CawfeeGuy's house to pick up may camera. So now that I have it back, here are the long awaited photos from the Halloween party (well, maybe not long awaited, and certainly anti-climactic since it's been almost a month, but hey).

Aren't we a hot pair?

How much do we love that CawfeeGuy has redeye in these pics? I think it's perfect.

Woohoo! Flamer!

At some point, Justin and I thought it would be a good idea to trade wigs... I won't post the pic of me in the mullet - it's a bit too... scary

This day is no different than any day of the year

Well, for me it sorta is, because it's my birthday. Growing up, I never really had any big birthday parties or anything like that. Actually, I only ever had one where I had friends over and stuff, when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I wasn't very popular back then (read: big nerd), so it wasn't really all that fun, nor memorable.

Mostly, my memories of my birthday growing up are mooshed in with Thanksgiving, since it's always so close. Turkey, chinese food, and Carvel ice cream cake. The idea of celebrating my birthday independent of that only came about in adulthood. But I have such wonderful friends and family who care, and remember, and are generous, more than I think I deserve, and I am forever grateful for that.

I reflect on this year, and I am excited about the possibilities. I'm engaged to a wonderful man, had some good stuff go on at work, sold some jewelry, and am (hopefully) in the final stages of buying a house. I'm happier than I can remember. Tired, but happy.

I'm hoping next year will be as great.

Seriously the happiest baby ever

I get the occassional mid-day phone call or voice mail from Jay of this little guy giggling/laughing up a storm. This is pretty much how I imagine he looks like when I hear him.

It always brightens my day.

Some post-Halloween candy anyone?

My sweet (get it, sweet? heehee... yeah, fine) Great-Niece, Lina...




Thanks for the great pics Cin!

State of affairs

Yes we can. I am so excited and relieved about the outcome of the election. I am hopeful that President-elect Obama, his cabinet, and the Congress will begin to move this country in the right direction again.

At the same time, I am disappointed about the outcomes of some ballot measures across the country. I am particularly disappointed that measures in Arizona and Florida banning gay marriage passed. The vote in California is still too close to call. I don't think I will ever understand the fear people have of two loving adults declaring legally and publicly that they want to spend the rest of their lives together.

For all the history that was made in this election, we obviously still have a long way to go.

UPDATE: Looks like the Proposition 8 in California has passed. I am saddened. However, the San Francisco City Attorney's office plans to challenge the validity of the ballot measure.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - The Declaration of Independence

I voted so I could get the freebies

I think you all know how I voted. I've never seen so many people in line to vote before. It was really exciting. Now, we all wait.


In the mean time, to get the rest of my freebies.

Word of the day

I love learning new words. Here is today's word of the day:

orchidometer

I will let you read the definition for yourself.

Really, I don't want our President to be someone I would like to have a beer with. I want our President to be too busy, you know, governing.

I don't usually talk about politics here, simply because most everyone who would read this already know where I stand. I am a social liberal. I have great respect for intellectuals. I am, in my heart, a scientist. I believe (huge shock here, I know) in the theory of evolution. But I also believe there is a God, and that She has given us this great gift to make our own choices, you know, free will and all that. So when I hear shit like "Palin praying that God will do the right thing on election day", it makes my head hurt.

What's also been making my head hurt is all the anti-intellectualism being espoused by the Republicans during this campaign. Science is the enemy. Being really well educated makes one an "elitist." As if the work put into prusuing higher education is somehow less worthy or lazy compared to good old fashioned "hard work." Intellectualism, learning, free-thinking - they are all somehow ruining the American society. They are somehow counter to American values. You know, the values of Joe the Plumber, Joe Six-pack, Peggy the Soccer Mom, Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer.

There is also this idea that is being thrown around that there are those of us who don't live in "Real America," are not "Real Americans." Those of us who live in big cities, like New York City or Washington, DC. Who have somehow "avoided" all the crises that this country has faced. *rolls eyes* We don't live in "Real America" because, apparently we don't have real American values. Do you live in "Real America?" Are you a "Real American?" By their standards, I am not.

I am extraordinarily disappointed with John McCain. I respected the John McCain from the 2000 election. I lost some respect for him over the last 8 years. I have no respect for him now. The choices he has made only go to show that winning is more important than standing up for what one actually believes in. Pandering to the most conservative of the Republican base. Or maybe this is actually who he is. Who knows. I know that I'll never believe anything from him ever again.

I've never understood the idea of wanting to have a "folksy" President. A President you want to sit down and have a beer with. Someone "just like me." I don't want the President to be just like me, because I know for sure that I don't have the skills to run this country. The majority of people don't. I want our President to be highly intelligent, in touch with the country and what is going on in the rest of the world. I want the Vice President to be as learned, ready to take on the role of Commander and Chief at a moment's notice. To know much more about foreign policy besides "Russia is in spitting distance from my state."

I am hopeful, and afraid, for this election.

Ah, babies

Look at this charming smile!


"A minute ago, Andrew was riding on my shoulders when he proceeded to spit up/puke on top of my head. Fun fun fun." - Jay, via email this afternoon

I love my nephew.

And because it's always fun to go to costume parties in pairs

I am going to be the Alice in Wonderland to Magenta's Queen of Hearts. This is going to be such a fun party.


I am so totally getting the long blond wig.

The Staredown...

... who will prevail?

**This pic is a couple of months old, but I just realized I never posted it. It's one of those priceless moments only a parent can catch...

Purple haze...

*I will note for the record that I only saw the aftermath. However, this story is too funny not to share.*

Yesterday, a little after noon, I received a phone call from Crazy. She sounded strange. I mean REALLY strange. Like drunk. And I was thinking to myself, "Has she been drinking? It's way too early to be drunk." So here's the story.

Crazy was at a morning long meeting off site with a couple of her workmates, listening to talks and evaluating science. During a break, she went in search of Advil because her back was hurting. One of the people with her, Mitch, said, "Hey, I have some Advil. Take 2." and hands her 2 little orange pills with an 'A' on them. About a half hour after taking them, in Crazy's own words, "The speaker has 3 heads and all the slides are in 3D... I don't think that was Advil." After doing a little searching, and evaluating, Mitch realizes that he, indeed, did not give Crazy Advil. Instead, he gave her Ambien. Two of them.

Briefly, Crazy has absolutely no alcohol or drug tolerance. None. Squeeze a grape and she's drunk. So taking 2 Ambien, and then trying to stay awake. I have to say. When I stopped by to pick up Mitch from Crazy's house, she looked pitiful. Pit-i-ful. Totally high. And sleepy. And slurring speech. It was altogether sad and hilarious at the same time.


I just stopped by Crazy's office, and not surprisingly, she said she had a great night's sleep...

Happy Birthday, Clio!

And many more fabulous years!

Out of the mouths of babes, III

Chatting with Trouble (nearly 11 years old) at the bus stop at 9:00am yesterday:

Trouble (in an exasperated tone): I just want this day to be OVER.
Dr. K: Sweetie, the day hasn't even started yet.
T (more exasperated): I KNOW! I just know it's going to be a long and BORING day.
DK: Oh, yes. The rough life of a 5th grader.
T: Totally.