9.30.05

Horoscopes For Today: 9/30/2005
You can do this the hard way or the easy way -- it depends on what you want the experience to be. If you want to be a big ol' drama queen and make everyone around you roll their eyes as you throw an Oscar-caliber hissyfit, then definitely take the hard way. If, on the other hand, you'd rather tackle this problem one step at a time and figure out how to avert a situation like this from happening again.

Given recent events, situations, and circumstances I've just resigned myself to the fact that this may be as good as it gets and there really isn't anything I can do about it anymore. I can waste a ton of time and effort and exhaust myself both mentally and physically or I can just let it go and move on. My feelings were once again hurt last night by another no call/no show performance from my boyfriend - which makes the average several times a week now that he flakes. I'm figuring at this point the only thing that makes sense is that he is seeing someone else which I guess is fine with me. For the sake of my own sanity I need to realize that this is simply a casual relationship - not designed or destined to go any further.

Seduction Style

Your Seduction Style: Au Natural

You rank up there with your seduction skills, though you might not know it. That's because you're a natural at seduction. You don't realize your power! The root of your natural seduction power: your innocence and optimism. You're the type of person who happily plays around and creates a unique little world. Little do you know that your personal paradise is so appealing that it sucks people in. You find joy in everything - so is it any surprise that people find joy in you? You bring back the inner child in everyone you meet with your sincere and spontaneous ways. Your childlike (but not childish) behavior also inspires others to care for you. As a result, those who you befriend and date tend to be incredibly loyal to you.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

Underwear Oracle

What Your Underwear Says About You

When you're bad, you're very bad. And when you're good, you're still trouble! You're a closet exhibitionist who gets a thrill from being secretly naughty.

The Underwear Oracle

Tom DeLay indicted on one conspiracy count

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep. Tom DeLay and two political associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, an indictment that could force him to step down as House majority leader.

DeLay attorney Steve Brittain said DeLay was accused of a criminal conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former executive director of a Texas political action committee formed by DeLay, and Jim Ellis, who heads DeLay's national political committee.
The indictment against the second-ranking, and most assertive Republican leader came on the final day of the grand jury's term. It followed earlier indictments of a state political action committee founded by DeLay and three of his political associates.
The grand jury action is expected to have immediate consequences in the House, where DeLay is largely responsible for winning passage of the Republican legislative program. House Republican Party rules require leaders who are indicted to temporarily step aside from their leadership posts.
However, DeLay retains his seat representing Texas' 22nd congressional district, suburbs southwest of Houston.

DeLay has denied committing any crime and accused the Democratic district attorney leading the investigation, Ronnie Earle, of pursuing the case for political motives.
Democrats have kept up a crescendo of criticism of DeLay's ethics, citing three times last year that the House ethics committee admonished DeLay for his conduct.
Earlier, DeLay attorney Bill White told reporters, "It's a skunky indictment if they have one."
As a sign of loyalty to DeLay after the grand jury returned indictments against three of his associates, House Republicans last November repealed a rule requiring any of their leaders to step aside if indicted. The rule was reinstituted in January after lawmakers returned to Washington from the holidays fearing the repeal might create a backlash from voters.
DeLay, 58, also is the center of an ethics swirl in Washington. The 11-term congressman was admonished last year by the House ethics committee on three separate issues and is the center of a political storm this year over lobbyists paying his and other lawmakers' tabs for expensive travel abroad.

9.28.05

Horoscopes For Today: 9/28/2005
You're movin' on up when it comes to the career ladder, and it couldn't be more timely. Keep in mind, however, that 'moving up' doesn't necessarily mean the corner office and a raise (although those things are likely in store). It could also mean more time off, a change to a different office, fewer working hour or being able to work from home, all of which add up to a much higher quality of life. In the end, that's what truly counts.

Yeah...riiiiight...

Myth War Online

Found another pretty nifty game in beta - Myth War Online. They have a rumor system, which is very cool and something I've never really considered before. It is 2d with an ATB system so it sort of reminds me of FF and has really rad hand-painted graphics. The company seems to be out of Singapore and the English version could use some help with the translations but otherwise I'm fairly impressed.

Here's my character, Lelia:



I know, I look damn sexy but tragically all human females share this image so it's not unique. I'm not sure if more images will be added in the future or if they will be customizable at all like most mass-marketed online games.

Here is me walking around town:


I have a pet bloodpede named Kitty. Here is me and Kitty kicking ass:


Click to enlarge any of the screenshots.
It's around 512 mb download but it's still free for now so it's worth it :)

Car Update

The Sac PD finally emailed me the report number for my car break in over a week ago. My mom called the insurance for me and I guess the good news is that my window will be fixed tomorrow. They will be coming out to my office to fix it while I am at work and they are waiving the deductable (good thing since I can't afford it). The bad news is they will not even consider covering any of the stolen property because it was not 'permanently attached' to the car. It really makes no sense to me since they will pay up to $200 for stolen clothes and luggage but apparently nothing for an iPod that means ALOT to me. The only reason I was able to afford it in the first place was because I was living with my mother, had no bills to pay, and had just gotten an income tax refund. There is no way that I will be able to replace it anytime in the foreseeable future. It's really, really fucking depressing. It's bad enough that someone stole the stupid antenna off my car, but now this so of course I can either listen to the kids arguing in the car or listen to loud static... I assumed they wouldn't replace the money so I wasn't counting on that. They said that if I had a DVD player installed in my car then they would have replaced the DVDs (wtf...) and that if the car was parked in front of my mom's house then her homeowner's insurance would have covered it...but again, no dice.

I was already feeling really sick and in pain at work anyway so after hearing all this I decided to go home on time for once and to not work overtime even though I obviously need the money. I also gave in and made a doctor's appointment again. I'm sure they still won't help me without suggesting something stupid like surgery but I'm really, really tired of hurting all the time. I'm just afraid because the procedure that they would likely perform is very similar to the way they perform tubal ligations and well that one turned out pretty bad with the whole kidney failure thing. At least then I had Damon watching over my every sick moment and she knew when to call an ambulance. Now I'd really not have anyone to take care of me or the kids so I don't know if it is even an option for me. It does seem like I'm running out of treatment options though. In any event...I guess I will find out on Friday!

Michael Brown Rehired at FEMA

Perhaps we should have known better than to believe it when Michael Brown was forced out at FEMA.

CBS News' Gloria Borger is reporting tonight that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has rehired Brown, the former head of the agency who resigned in ignominy this month for overstating his qualifications and underperforming in relief efforts.

Borger writes that Brown will serve as "a consultant to evaluate it's response following Hurricane Katrina." So does this mean that his salary will be less than or greater that it was before he resigned? And even more importantly, why is this guy getting another cent of taxpayers' money?

[Update 5:18 PM Pacific]: The AP's Lara Jakes Jordan adds more to the story.

Brown is continuing to work at the Federal Emergency Management Agency at full
pay, with his Sept. 12 resignation not taking effect for two more weeks, said
Homeland Security Department spokesman Russ Knocke. During that time, Brown will advise the department on "some of his views on his experience with Katrina," as
he transitions out of his job, Knocke said. Not too bad of a deal for "Brownie," though it's not entirely clear how much the American public benefits from him continuing to receive a full paycheck.

9.27.05

Horoscopes For Today: 9/27/2005
You're as bubbly as a can full of soda pop, and with good reason. Some recent changes you've made have really started to pay off, and you're able to see just how many choices you have in your life. It's pretty darned wonderful, and part of you wants to get out there and spread the word to your fellow humans. Hold off on any evangelizing tendencies, however, and be content to lead by example. It's really the most effective method.

I think they sent me the wrong horoscope...

Circus

We got free tickets to the Circus for Sunday from my work which is nice since they have a suite.

Aislin's favorite - the horses.

Aislin took alot of the pictures but is too short to get much of anything except the railing. I'm posting them because she is really proud of them. Here is the typical 3-rings.

The wire walkers. They freaked me out.

Aislin being pissy because she couldn't climb over the railing and down to the floor...

The Elephants. They had 10 of them and they also freaked me out. How much money must these people make to own 10 elephants on top of the 10 tigers and horses and dogs...

Lhiannan being cheesy...

Umm...I think these are the dogs?

Great picture of the railing. Oh and camels, ponies and dogs, too.

The pastweekend according to the stars

Horoscopes For Today: 9/24/2005 (SATURDAY)
You're no angel -- especially when your fabulously mischievous side comes out to play. Naughtiness is the name of the game, and you're the grand master when it comes to making up the rules -- and breaking them later on. (Hey, why not? That's the whole point of being contrary, right?) Fortunately, you know exactly how to turn your naughtiness from a vice into nice, especially when it comes to romance.
I like this one...it seems fitting somehow

Horoscopes For Today: 9/25/2005 (SUNDAY)
Hanging with your family is the ultimate getaway. You feel comfy and cozy and able to just let all the recent tension of the past just slide away. This may carry over into an urge to redecorate your pad or other ways to feather your nest and make it more welcoming. Remember to consult with anyone else who shares your personal space before you make any drastic changes, though -- they might want some input, too.
I took the kids to the circus. It was pretty fun. I will post the pictures when I can figure out why Blogger won’t let me upload them…

Horoscopes For Today: 9/26/2005 (TODAY)
Trying to eat your feelings instead of dealing with them? That's dangerous for both your emotional and physical health. Take a small step toward recognizing what's going on and put down the cookie that you automatically grabbed when things became a little stressful. If necessary, you can have it later. But for now, think about what triggered that automatic response toward food. Was it actual hunger? Didn't think so.
Ok well, this one is dead on right. I’m trying to pretend that I’m not totally put off by being flaked on for the gazillionth time. But hey, I’m not supposed to worry or care about the one who keeps flaking so – here’s to me not caring.

Depression? I think so.

My mom is now selling her house. She still has not been able to find a job - getting the same old "You're over-qualified" bullshit that she has since day one. My grandfather has been sending her money so that she can eat. She has no car so her only transportation is her bike, me, or my brother.

Moving along to my brother...I just got a message from him saying all the windows in his car were broken out (hey, we match) and that his car will probably be totalled. His wife recently left him so he was already feeling sketchy but now...

I am doing my best to be the strong one for my family and it is insanely hard. With all the money and car problems that I'm already having this is all becoming super taxing. I feel sick all the time and I just don't eat much anymore. All I want to do is sleep and it's impossible to keep myself awake sometimes. I fell asleep as soon as I got home yesterday from work and slept until the kids woke me up. I fed them and tried to watch a movie but fell asleep almost immediately. Matt called and that woke me up. I wanted to sleep with him last night just so I could feel a little more secure, a little more normal and comforted. So I went over there and went upstairs to read while he and his daughter ate dinner and I nearly fell asleep again until he came up and asked me to watch a movie with him.

I am trying to work as much overtime as possible so that I can pay all the huge bills that are now piling up on me and that are totally behind but of course it's never enough. Just paying off the bills I had took all the money I had and then there is food to think of. My daughter is constantly bugging me to pay for this and that so she can do stuff and have fun and it's killing me to have to constantly tell her we can't afford it. She really wants to take a drama class after school but it costs $200 dollars and she doesn't understand that we don't have $200. I told her to call her dad and ask him but I know that he won't do it either.

It's all just too much. I really need a kind ear and some comfort. I know my friends are doing their best to be helpful even though I never asked them to. I called Shawn today to see if they had any plastic sheeting left from when they painted their house so I could fix the window on my car again - the plastic sheeting has already fallen off. He didn't have any but offered to pick some up from Target and drop it off at my house. They have also both been super helpful picking up my kids from school so that I could work overtime. I wish there was a way I could pay them back for their kindness, but I just don't know how.

I still haven't gotten a police report yet for my car, so I can't call the insurance to have the window fixed or any of my stolen property replaced. (Oh yeah, the insurance is another bill I will have to start paying effective immediately.) I am going to try to stop at the police department sometime today to see what the holdup is. I am also supposed to go to a 1-year old's birthday party tonight but I feel awful because I can't get her a gift and I hate showing up at birthday parties empty handed because I feel like a leech.

Did I mention I feel sick? I've been throwing up several times a day lately just due to stress. I think I've probably lost some weight - and quite frankly I don't have any to lose. My house is a mess because I just have no motivation to keep it cleaned up. I keep slipping into escapism mode where I just give up on everything else and read a book or play a game. Anything to feel like I am somewhere else.

Bad Marriages Can Cause Poor Health, Research Says

Spouses in a poor marriage are more likely to be stressed during the workday, a finding that could mean a greater likelihood of strokes and heart disease, according to researchers at Brandeis University and University College London.

The researchers found that the stress affects men and women equally. Previously, it had been thought that the wife felt marital problems more strongly.

"What is happening is that marital problems are spilling into the workplace," said study co-author Rosalind Barnett. "And if these tensions persist over time, there could be serious health problems."

In a study of 105 middle-age civil service workers in the London area, the researchers found that participants with more marital concerns reported greater stress and exhibited elevated blood pressure readings.

The researchers pointed to the alarming link between stress and long-term health problems. Stress is linked to six of the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Well, duh.

Newlyweds Fined For Kissing After Wedding In India

NEW DELHI -- India may be the land of the Kamasutra, the ancient treatise on sex, but public displays of affection remain strictly taboo in the country's hinterlands, as an Israeli couple found out.

They were fined 500 Indian rupees ($11) each for embracing and kissing after getting married in a traditional Hindu ceremony in the northwestern Indian town Pushkar, the Asian Age newspaper reported Wednesday.

The Israeli Embassy in New Delhi confirmed the incident and identified the couple as Alon Orpaz and Tehila Salev, who decided to get married while visiting India. The embassy did not provide additional details.

The Asian Age said priests at Pushkar's Brahma temple were so incensed when the couple smooched as hymns were still being chanted that they filed a police complaint.

A court in Pushkar then charged them with indecency and ordered them to pay the fine or face 10 days in prison, the newspaper reported. The couple decided to pay, it said.

"We will not tolerate any cultural pollution of this sort," the newspaper quoted a priest, Ladoo Ram Sharma, as saying.

Asian Age reported that the priests planned to ask the government to require tourists to be appropriately dressed when visiting the holy town and its temples.

Pushkar, located on the banks of Pushkar Lake, is a popular Hindu pilgrimage spot that's also frequented by foreign tourists, who come for the town's annual cattle fair and camel races.

9.21.05

Horoscopes For Today: 9/21/2005
Your financial affairs have become quite a tangled web lately, so don't deceive yourself that everything is fine as is. Blithely ignoring the situation will just make things worse, whereas if you step in now, you have a chance at really getting yourself on the road to fiscal health. Right now, forget about speculation, get-rich-quick schemes and frivolous spending. Focus on saving and tried-and-true investments to get back on track.

There is no deception here -- I know I'm flat broke and that won't be changing anytime soon. I can't afford food let alone frivolous spending or get-rich-quick schemes....

Another great fucking night

Last night my car was broken into. The back passenger vent window was broken out and there is glass all over the baby's carseat. My iPod was stolen, alone with a bunch of money I had put in the glovebox so that I wouldn't spend it or lose it. I had borrowed some DVDs and they were also in the car. I called my mom whose insurance it is covered under and her reply was, "the good news is the deductible is only $50.00. The bad news is that I didn't pay the insurance this month so it probably isn't covered."

I have absolutely no faith left in humanity whatsoever. People are fucking assholes. I have no desire to even leave my house ever again. Just let me die already.

Dentistry

We are back from the dentist finally after almost 5 hours. Lhiannan had one tooth pulled that was broken and will have to go back to have two more pulled that are baby teeth that are apparently refusing to come out even though the adult teeth are already there and are just pushing the baby teeth out of the way.
Aislin will need 2 'baby' root canals. She had one today but freaked out right after that so they did not get to put in a filling (she has a temporary one now) and she had to be referred to a specialist. It really pissed me off because I thought this was supposed to be the specialist. In any case she has an appointment on Monday at 5 pm...hopefully I can get out of work early enough with out my boss getting pissed off because I didn't give her any notice. Overall, it was a crappy experience. Out of the 5 or whatever hours they only worked on Aislin for about 10-15 minutes and Lhiannan for 30 minutes. The rest of the time was spent just sitting there while the kids were uncomfortable and anxious.
I am glad that neither Josh nor Matt went with me. My mom ended up going. Josh would have had to leave early because he works at 3 today and Matt just wouldn't have probably waited around that long.
I'm glad it is finally over for the day. Monday comes the new challenge of getting Aislin sedated enough to finish the work they need to do.

Oh boy....

Thankfully I will get a little break. Both kids are going to be gone for the night at their dads houses so I will at least get to go do something. I've felt kinda locked up in the house for the last 2 weeks. And if nothing else...I finally got some movies from Netflix in the mail again.

All I want for Xmas is...Microsoft Sets Pre-Holiday Xbox Sales Date

SEATTLE -- Parents may dread it, but gamers are waiting for it.

Microsoft said the new version of its Xbox gaming console will be available in the United States Nov. 22. That's just before Thanksgiving and just in time for the holiday shopping season.

That timing will allow Microsoft to get a head start over rival Sony's PlayStation Three, slated to replace the market-leading PlayStation Two next spring.

The United States price for Xbox 360, previously announced, will be $399.99

A scaled-down version will be sold for $100 less in the United States.

Microsoft is initially targeting the Xbox 360 to hardcore gamers, but it is hoping a sleek design and user-friendly features will eventually make it alluring to more mainstream users.

XBOX 360 or PS3...which to choose, which to choose...

Pope Urges Exorcists To Keep Up Good Work

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI has singled out a particular group of priests for greetings at his public audience -- Italian exorcists holding their national convention. The pope encouraged the exorcists to continue what he called their "important ministry in the service of the church."
Italy has about 400 exorcists.
In 1999, when the Vatican issued its first new guidelines in centuries for casting out demons, it urged priests to take modern psychiatry into account in deciding who should be exorcised.
The Roman Catholic Church as well as Italian authorities have been worried about fascination with Satanism and reports of ritual killings. Next month, a Vatican-recognized university is offering a follow-up course to an introductory one on exorcism given earlier this year.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

9.12.05

Horoscopes For Today: 9/12/2005
You can't keep running in high gear all the time -- sooner or later, you
need to downshift. Heck, maybe it's time you find yourself a hill and coast
downward. You've been telling yourself that you have to go at the highest possible
speed if you want to get anywhere, but that's just not true -- and really not
fun. If at all possible, find someone else to take the wheel for a while and
appreciate the beautiful countryside as you drive by.

This is so true...all I've wanted lately is downtime but for some reason I have to keep pushing and pushing. I'm about dead with exhaustion. I think this weekend will be all about staying home in front of the tv with some movies and food.

Evacuee Couple Marries In San Antonio

This is the third one of these I've seen. Glad to see some good things happening in spite of everything else...

SAN ANTONIO -- Everything borrowed, everything new, the old is just gone, but nobody's blue.That's the rewrite of the old wedding rhyme for newly married Marvin and Janetel Martin.Just a week ago, they were rescued from the roof of a flooded Louisiana hotel after four days with no food or water.In addition to nearly killing the couple, Hurricane Katrina blew away their Sept. 24 bayou wedding plans.

Enter Red Cross volunteer Patricia Fugitt in San Antonio. She spent hours lining up the donated limo, wedding clothes and everything else a wedding needs.Tuesday, the Martins became the first evacuees married in Building 1536 at Kelly USA, a business park in the city."Don't ever give up hope. God will make it all work out," Marvin Martin said.

FEMA Chief Mike Brown Resigns

WASHINGTON -- Just three days after he was removed from the on-site command of the federal hurricane relief effort, Mike Brown is resigning as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
He told The Associated Press his resignation is "in the best interest of the agency and best interest of the president."
Brown has been the target of much of the criticism of the federal relief agency. His qualifications for the job -- and even his claims about his background -- have been questioned.
Before he was removed from on-site command, the White House insisted publicly for days that Bush retained confidence in his FEMA chief. During a tour of Katrina's wreckage, President George W. Bush praised Brown.
"Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job," Bush said.
Brown said in the hurricane relief effort, "the focus has got to be on FEMA, what the people are trying to do down there."
He said he wants to "get the media focused on the good things that are going on."

9.9.05

Horoscopes For Today: 9/9/2005
Feeling stuck in a moment that you can't get out of? How did you get here, anyway? This certainly isn't the destination you had in mind when you set out on this journey. Take a look around and observe the situation. Most importantly, observe yourself in the situation. The universe doesn't leave anything to chance, you know -- if you're here, there's a reason for it. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn a lesson and develop your strengths.

I am more than willing to sit and listen if someone understands my place in the universe since I've been wondering that longer than I can remember....

FEMA Chief Michael Brown Removed From Katrina Relief

WASHINGTON -- The man who's been catching much of the flak over the Hurricane Katrina relief effort is being called back to Washington.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday that Brown, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is being sent back to Washington. He'll be replaced at the helm of the relief effort by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen.
Chertoff said he made the switch because FEMA needs to be ready to handle other storms or additional disasters that may come along. He said Brown has done everything he could to coordinate the federal response. Read the latest on Katrina recovery efforts.
Brown stood alongside Chertoff as the announcement was made, but only Chertoff would answer questions. A reporter tried to ask Brown if this was the first step toward his resignation, but Chertoff rejected that question.

Brown has been under fire because of the administration's slow response to the magnitude of the hurricane. On Thursday, questions were raised about whether he padded his resume to highlight his previous emergency management background.
Time Magazine reported that his official bio and online legal profile have discrepancies.
Brown's bio on the FEMA Web site said he oversaw emergency services in Edmond, Okla. According to the bio, Brown was "serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight." But a spokeswoman for the city tells Time that Brown's position was "more like an intern."
According to Time, a White House press release from 2001 announcing Brown's nomination, stated that Brown worked for the city of Edmond, Okla., from 1975 to 1978 "overseeing the emergency services division." But the magazine reported that the city of Edmond’s head of public relations said that was an "assistant to the city manager" from 1977 to 1980, not an actual manager. Claudia Deakins said Brown had no authority over other employees.
"The assistant is more like an intern," Deakins said to Time. "Department heads did not report to him."
Brown's ex-boss did tell Time that the FEMA official did a good job as an administrative assistant.
"Yes. Mike Brown worked for me. He was my administrative assistant. He was a student at Central State University," former city manager Bill Dashner said.
A FEMA official said Brown did start as an intern, but became an assistant city manager and had a distinguished record.
The magazine also reported Brown's profile on the Web site FindLaw.com lists him as an "outstanding Political Science Professor" at Central State University in Edmond, Okla. The school said he was a student.
Honors Listed On Brown's Resume Shown On FindLaw.com
Who's Who in American Law
Who's Who in Emerging Leaders
Who's Who in South and Southwest
Outstanding Political Science Professor, Central State University
The FindLaw.com legal Web site lists information which was provided to it by lawyers or their offices.
Carl Reherman, an ex-political science professor at the university through the '70s and '80s, told Time that Brown "was not on the faculty."
Another alleged discrepancy uncovered by Time was that under the heading of "Professional Associations and Memberships" on FindLaw.com, it stated that Brown was director of the Oklahoma Christian Home, a nursing home in Edmond, from 1983 to the present.
An official at the Oklahoma Christian Home told Time that Brown is "not a person that anyone here is familiar with."
An employee who has worked at Christian nursing home since 1981 told Time that Brown "was never director here, was never on the board of directors, was never executive director. He was never here in any capacity. I never heard his name mentioned here."
A FEMA official tells Time Brown said many of the magazines charges are "very inaccurate."
At the White House, spokesman Scott McClellan referred all questions about Brown's resume to FEMA. He said the earlier White House statements that Brown retained the president's confidence remain true.
This week, Brown has been called an idiot, an incompetent and worse, according to The Associated Press. The Oklahoma lawyer has emerged as chief scapegoat for what went wrong in the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.
Jefferson Parish, La., President Aaron Broussard said the bureaucracy has murdered people in the New Orleans area.
"Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot," Broussard told CBS. "Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don't give me the same idiot."
Before the possible resume discrepancies were publicized, members of Congress had publicly called for his resignation or firing.
Brown once headed the International Arabian Horse Association, but had no background in disaster relief when then-FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh hired him as the agency's general counsel in 2001.
As FEMA chief, Brown has pressed for more attention to natural disaster planning and he has had to contend with cuts to FEMA's operating budget while more attention was paid to fighting terrorism.
But he didn't help his case with some of his comments.
He acknowledged last week that he didn't know there were 20,000 survivors enduring heinous conditions at the New Orleans convention center until a day after it had been widely reported in the news.
It's not uncommon for the head of FEMA to catch blame in the messy aftermath of disaster.
For his part, Brown is trying to shrug off the criticism. He said he doesn't mind people lashing out at him or FEMA, saying he's focused on trying to save lives.


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Blood suckers

I've participated in two fundraisers now at work for Hurricane Katrina and I still don't feel that I've done enough. If I had any money I would gladly give it but I don't so I'm just doing what I can. Yesterday I signed up to donate blood to Bloodsource. All the blood will be going directly to Hurricane Katrina victims and so I know I'm doing the right thing but I am totally freaked out. I've never donated blood before because I'm sure that I will just faint right on the spot. I'm a bit anemic as well, complicating things even more. I won't be donating until the 13 of next week so hopefully that is plenty of time to psych myself up about it.

9.8.2005

As if this isn't the story of my life everyday. My new defense is to just ignore everyone and avoid stressful people in order to retain sanity.


Horoscopes For Today: 9/8/2005
Some verbal fallout from a recent confrontation with someone close to you could have big emotional repercussions and lead you to question this person's loyalty. Get some exercise to clear your head, and think about meditating or taking a yoga class to get your mind and emotions in sync so you can deal with this situation calmly. After all, having a heart-to-heart won't help if you go into it feeling confused, cloudy or upset.

He Popped The Question: Lance Armstrong, Sheryl Crow To Wed

(AWWWW!)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and rock star Sheryl Crow are engaged.Armstrong popped the question last Wednesday while they were in Sun Valley, Idaho.Sunday, a statement from Armstrong said he did propose but no date has been set. A spokesman for Armstrong said a spring wedding is one possibility.Armstrong retired in July after winning his seventh straight Tour de France. The marriage will be the second for Armstrong, who has three children with his ex-wife Kristin. It will be the first for Crow.

Real Horse Power: Gas Prices Lead Auto Mechanic To Ride Horse

MINOT, N.D. -- Auto mechanic Jim Jundt is relying on horsepower to get to work -- his mare Patty. As gas soars past $3 a gallon, Jundt is riding his horse to work.He's a mechanic at Goodyear Tire and Auto Service in Minot, N.D.Jundt said hay is a lot cheaper than gas, and started commuting on Patty last week. He said it only takes five minutes longer to ride a horse to work than drive the 15 miles.
While Jundt is fixing cars, Patty munches on hay waiting to take him home.

9.7.2005

This must be because I only lasted one day on my detox diet and have been so busy with homework and Matt that I haven't slept? I know, I know...I need a serious health makeover...


Horoscopes For Today: 9/7/2005
You take care of your investments, your car and your house, so why not treat your health like the valuable investment it is? In other words, it's important to floss, exercise, eat your fruits and veggies and to get plenty of sleep. It's only when you don't have it that you realize how important good health is, so make sure that you do everything in your power to ensure that your mind, body and soul are in top-of-the-line shape

Bob Denver Dies

LOS ANGELES -- The agent for actor Bob Denver says the man best known for his portrayal of goofy first mate Gilligan on the 1960s television show "Gilligan's Island" has died.

Denver was 70.

Mike Eisenstadt said Denver died Friday at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in North Carolina.

Denver had undergone quadruple bypass surgery earlier this year.
The actor's wife, Dreama, and his children Patrick, Megan, Emily and Colin were with him when he died.

"He was my everything and I will love him forever," Dreama said in a statement.

The couple lived near Princeton, W.V.

Denver was born Jan. 9, 1935, in New Rochelle, N.Y.

He first rose to fame as Maynard G. Krebs in the television classic, "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," which aired from 1959 to 1963.

But it was Denver's turn as Gilligan, the inept first mate of the tour boat "The S.S. Minnow," that made him a television icon.

Denver played Gilligan in the television series from 1964 to 1967, where he kept tourists marooned on an uncharted desert island for three seasons.

He later played the character again in several "Gilligan's Island" television movies.

Denver told The Associated Press in 2001 that he realized long ago he'd probably never escape the goofy character that made him recognizable to generations of viewers.

But, Denver said he made peace with being known as Gillligan, because he said fans were always so nice to him.

Denver is the fourth cast member from "Gilligan's Island" to die. Jim Backus (Thurston Howell III) died in 1989 at 76, and Alan Hale Jr. (The Skipper) died a year later at 67.

Natalie Shafer (Mrs. Lovey Howell) died in 1991 at 90.

The show now only has three surviving cast members: Russell Johnson (The Professor), Tina Louise (Ginger) and Dawn Wells (Mary Ann).

How do you see me?

People see you as Truly Dark. Congradulations. Your
are dark by nature and not just because it's
cool. Dark people are not always loners but
definatly not the center of attention either.
Many people are the dark are like the shadows
and can conform into any shape they need to be.
But the dark can't be hidden forever. It's
often only a matter of time untill you tire of
the charade and show your darkness. Thus how
those in the dark remian solitary. Being dark
does not always mean your gloomy, you are
probably just artistic. Whether is be in the
drawing, music,painting, or singing. If you can
find a friend who shares your twisted ideals or
is willing to brave the iceiness of your world,
hang on to them for how rare it is to find a
light in the dark.


What Do People Truly See You As? (lots of outcomes and stunning pictures)
brought to you by Quizilla

One more...

FOR THE MEN WHO STILL DON'T GET IT
by Carol Diehl

What if
all women were bigger and stronger than you

And thought they were smarter

What if
women were the ones who started wars

What if
too many of your friends had been raped
by women wielding giant dildos
and no K-Y jelly

What if
the state trooper
who pulled you over on the New Jersey Turnpike
was a woman

And carried a gun

What if
the ability to menstruate
was the prerequisite for most high-paying jobs

What if
your attractiveness to women depended
on the size of your penis

What if
every time women saw you
they'd hoot and make jerking motions with their hands

What if
women were always making jokes
about how ugly penises are
and how bad sperm tastes

What if
you had to explain what's wrong with your car
to a big sweaty woman with greasy hands
who stared at your crotch
in a garage where you are surrounded
by posters of naked men with hard-ons

What if
men's magazines featured cover photos
of 14-year old boys
with socks
tucked into the front of their jeans
and articles like:

"How to Tell if Your Wife is Unfaithful"
or
"What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Your Prostate"
or
"The Truth About Impotence"

What if
the doctor that examined ytour prostate
was a woman
and called you "Honey"

What if
you had to inhale your boss's stale cigar breath
as she insisted that sleeping with her
was part of the job

What if
you couldn't get away because
the company dress code required
you wear shoes
designed to keep you from
running

And what if
after all that
women
still wanted you
to love them.

The Stupid Jerk I'm Obsessed With

This is one of my favorite poems. By Maggie Estep

THE STUPID JERK I'M OBSESSED WITH
stands so close
I can feel his breath on my neck
and smell the way he would smell
if we slept together
because he is THE STUPID JERK I'M OBSESSED WITH
and that is his primary function in life
to be A STUPID JERK I CAN OBSESS OVER
and to talk to that dingy bimbette blonde
as if he really wanted to hear about her
manicures and pedicare and New Age Ritualistic Enema Cures
and, truth be told, he probably does want to hear about it
because he is
THE STUPID JERK I'M OBSESSED WITH
and he does anything he can to lend fuel to my fire
he makes a point
of standing, looking over my shoulder
when I'm talking to the guy who adores me
and would bark like a dog and wave to strangers
if I asked him to bark like a dog and wave to strangers
but I can't ask the guy to bark like a dog or impersonate
any kind of small animal at all
cause I'm too busy
looking at the way
THE STUPID JERK I'M OBSESSED WITH
has pants on
that perfectly define his well-shaped ass
to the point where I'm throughly frantic,
I'm just gonna go home
stick my head in the oven
overdose on nutmeg and aspirin or sit in the bathtub
reading The Executioner's Song
and being completely confounded by the fact that I can see
THE STUPID JERK I'M OBSESSED WITH'S face
defining itself in the peeling plaster of the wall
grinning
and winking
and I start yelling: "Hey, get the hell out of there, you are just a figment of
my overripe imagination, get a life and get out of my plaster and pass me
the next painful situation please."

But he just keeps on
grinning
and winking
he's THE STUPID JERK I'M OBSESSED WITH
and he's mine
in my plaster
and frankly,
I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

Aislin's New Haircut

Josh finally gave in and had all of her hair chopped off. Was shocking, but it actually looks way better. It used to be down to her bum.

Fucking Men

For the record, I pretty much hate men. I especially hate men that are so completely self-centered and blinded by ego that they have no problem at all making every other person they interact with uncomfortable and shitty feeling. It's like they woke up one day and said "hey, let's push and push and push and see how much they can really take before they kill themselves or someone else". I'm tired of feeling like some fucking science experiment and wish I could meet someone who wasn't like that. But guess what -- they all are!

Dead Fish

My four year old daughter's goldfish died today. She's upset and crying and going on about how much she misses "Angel". This is the first pet that she really remembers very well. We had a cat that ran away after we moved that she still talks about even though she was only a baby when we had the cat.

It's going to be a really long day...

Not 20 questions...200 questions

01. Bought everyone in the pub a drink - no

02. Swam with wild dolphins - no

03. Climbed a mountain - Yes

04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive - No

05. Been inside the Great Pyramid - no

06. Held a tarantula - hell no - ran from people holding tarantula, yes

07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone - yes

08. Said 'I love you' and meant it - yes

09. Hugged a tree - yes

10. Done a striptease - yes

11. Bungee jumped - no

12. Visited Paris - yes

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - yes

14. Stayed up all night long, and watch the sun rise - Yes

15. Seen the Northern Lights - no

16. Gone to a huge sports game - yes

17. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa - no

18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables - Yes

19. Touched an iceberg or glacier - no

20. Slept under the stars - Yes

21. Changed a baby's diaper - yes

22. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon - No

23. Watched a meteor shower - yes

24. Gotten drunk on champagne - yes, as often as possible

25. Given more than you can afford to charity - yes

26. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope - Yes

27. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment - yes

28. Had a food fight - yes

29. Bet on a winning horse - no

30. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - Yes

31. Asked out a stranger - no

32. Had a snowball fight - yes

33. Photocopied your bottom on the office photocopier - no

34. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - Yes

35. Held a lamb - no

36. Enacted a favorite fantasy - yes

37. Taken a midnight skinny dip - yes

38. Taken an ice cold bath - no

39. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar - no

40. Seen a total eclipse - no

41. Ridden a roller coaster - Yes

42. Hit a home run - no

43. Fit three weeks miraculously into three days - yes, sort of

44. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking - yes

45. Adopted an accent for an entire day - no

46. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - no

47. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment - Yes

48. Had two hard drives for your computer - yes

49. Visited all 50 states - no

50. Loved your job for all accounts - no

51. Taken care of someone who was shit faced - Yes

52. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - no

53. Had amazing friends - yes

54. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country - No

55. Watched wild whales - no

56. Stolen a sign - yes...er well, it was a tombstone...kind of like a sign, right?

57. Backpacked in Europe - no

58. Taken a road-trip - little ones.

59. Rock climbing - no

60. Lied to foreign government's official in that country to avoid notice - no

61. Midnight walk on the beach - no

62. Sky diving - no

63. Visited Ireland - no

64. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love - yes

65. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them - no

66. Visited Japan - No

67. Bench-pressed your own weight - no

68. Milked a cow - no

69. Alphabetized your records - no

70. Pretended to be a superhero - everyday -- supermom

71. Sung karaoke - yes

72. Lounged around in bed all day -Yes

73. Posed nude in front of strangers - no

74. Scuba diving - No

75. Got it on to "Let's Get It On" - No

76. Kissed in the rain - yes

77. Played in the mud - yes

78. Played in the rain - yes

79. Gone to a drive-in theater - yes

80. Done something you should regret, but don't regret it - Yes

81. Visited the Great Wall of China - no

82. Discovered that someone who's not supposed to have known about your blog has discovered your blog - no

83. Dropped Windows in favor of something better - no

84. Started a business - no

85. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken - no

86. Toured ancient sites - not ancient, no

87. Taken a martial arts class - no

88. Swordfought for the honor of a woman -no

89. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight - yes, see what drugs do to a person?

90. Gotten married - no

91. Been in a movie - No

92. Crashed a party - yes

93. Loved someone you shouldn't have - probably

94. Kissed someone so passionately it made them dizzy - dunno, i doubt it though

95. Gotten divorced - no

96. Had sex at the office - Yes

97. Gone without food for 5 days - no

98. Made cookies from scratch - no

99. Won first prize in a costume contest - no

100. Ridden a gondola in Venice - no

101. Gotten a tattoo - yes

102. Found that the texture of some materials can turn you on - yes

103. Rafted the Snake River - no

104. Been on television news programs - yes

105. Got flowers for no reason - no

106. Masturbated in a public place - probably

107. Got so drunk you don't remember anything - yes

108. Been addicted to some form of illegal drug - no

109. Performed on stage - yes

110. Been to Las Vegas - yes

111. Recorded music - no

112. Eaten shark - no

113. Had a one-night stand - yes

114. Gone to Thailand - no

115. Seen Siouxsie live - no

116. Bought a house - no

117. Been in a combat zone - does my house count?

118. Buried one/both of your parents - no

119. Shaved or waxed your pubic hair off - yes

120. Been on a cruise ship - no

121. Spoken more than one language fluently - no

122. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - yes

123. Bounced a check - yes

124. Performed in Rocky Horror - sadly, it was closed right after I joined to perform

125. Read - and understood - your credit report - yes. i understand that i'm fucked.

126. Raised children - trying, yes

127. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy - no

128. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour - no

129. Created and named your own constellation of stars - yes

130. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country - no

131. Found out something significant that your ancestors did - no

132. Called or written your Congress person - yes

133. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over - i want to

134. ...more than once? no

135. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge - no

136. Sang loudly in the car; didn't stop when you knew someone was looking - yes

138. Had plastic surgery - No

139. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived - no

140. Wrote articles for a large publication - no

141. Lost over 100 pounds - id be dead then, wouldn't i?

142. Held someone while they were having a flashback - no

143. Piloted an airplane - no

144. Pet a stingray - yes

145. Broken someone's heart - yes

146. Helped an animal give birth - no

147. Been fired or laid off from a job - yes when a store i worked at went out of business

148. Won money on a TV game show - no

149. Broken a bone - no

150. Killed a human being - no

151. Gone on an African photo safari - no

152. Ridden a motorcycle - on the back yes

153. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100mph - no

154. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced - yes

155. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol - no

156. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild - no

157. Ridden a horse - no

158. Had major surgery - yes

159. Had sex on a moving train - no

160. Had a snake as a pet - yes


161. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon - no

162. Slept through an entire flight: no

163. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours - no

164. Visited foreign countries other than U.S. states - yes

165. Visited all 7 continents - no

166. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days - no

167. Eaten kangaroo meat - no

168. Fallen in love at an ancient Mayan burial ground - no

169. Been a sperm or egg donor - no

170. Eaten sushi - yes

171. Had your picture in the newspaper - yes

172. Had 2 (or more) healthy romantic relationships for over a year in your lifetime - Yes.

173. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about - no

174. Gotten someone fired for their actions - no

175. Gone back to school - yes

176. Parasailed - no

177. Changed your name - No

178. Petted a cockroach - no (EW?)

179. Eaten fried green tomatoes - no but it sounds good

180. Read The Iliad - yes part

181. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read - yes

182. Dined in a restaurant and stolen something- no

183. ...and gotten banned from the restaurant because you did it so many times, they figured out it was you - no

184. Taught yourself an art from scratch - no

185. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - no

186. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt - no


187. Skipped all your school reunions - so far yes

188. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language - Yes

189. Been elected to public office - No

190. Written your own computer language - no

191. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream - hah no

192. Had to put someone you love into hospice care - no

193. Built your own PC from parts - yes, not this one of course..

194. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you - no


195. Had a booth at a street fair - no

196. Dyed your hair -yes

197: Been a DJ - no

198. Found out someone was going to dump you via LiveJournal -no

199. Written your own role playing game -yes

200. Been arrested - yes

Fortune

Your Fortune Is

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.

The Wacky Fortune Cookie Generator