especially if you're a Doctor Who fan. It's a skit from Comic Relief 2007 with Catherine Tate (who plays Donna Noble) and David Tennant (who plays Doctor Who). It's from the BBC. You can donate to the cause at Red Nose Day's website. Thanks to YKWIA for finding it.
Born, like other comic book characters, out of an otherwise trivial but life-changing animal bite, the Rabid Librarian seeks out strange, useless facts, raves about real and perceived injustices, and seeks to meet her greatest challenge of all--her own life.
Translate
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Saturday, January 03, 2009
I am covered in flour
I just spent about two hours baking cookies. A few things I found out:
I know during the holidays I've blogged about personal stuff and a little news. I plan to put more about libraries/librarians/books on here, for those of you following due to me being a librarian. In the meantime, bear with me.
- Splenda doesn't really work for sugar cookies very well. The dough is crumbly and difficult to roll. It breaks apart very, very easily. It's easier to form flattened little balls of dough rather than try to roll it and cut shapes.
- Those little confetti balls probably work very well on frosting but do not work on straight cookie dough. Ditto for chocolate or confetti sprinkles. You just amuse your friends by trying to make them work. Stick with coloured sugar.
- I forgot how relaxing I find baking (although the Splenda dough balls were a challenge and I didn't relax quite so well). It was nice and I had a friend to talk to, so it was a pleasant evening, which was good after spending seven hours doing various tasks for one friend and shuttling the other around town. I'm really tired, but I still have to do notes. I think I'm going to rest for about an hour and then start. Right now I'm eating peas and potatoes (I didn't feel like a heavy dinner, as I had fish and fries earlier.)
I know during the holidays I've blogged about personal stuff and a little news. I plan to put more about libraries/librarians/books on here, for those of you following due to me being a librarian. In the meantime, bear with me.
There's a reason
my temperature gauge was going up near 'H' yesterday as I idled at a long stop light on the way to work last night. I didn't have any antifreeze (or at least, very, very little) in the car. I couldn't really see last night, so I kept an eye on it and drove very little, then went over to the station this morning and wound up putting a whole container of antifreeze into the receptacle. Fortunately I had one in the trunk that had never been opened--antifreeze is expensive and I didn't really want to have to shell out money for it, although of course it is a necessity if you're driving a car. It's the one fluid I forget (obviously) to check. I checked the oil and put one quart of it in, too.
Agh.
On a brighter note, I went by the pet store and got some multi-purpose liquid that removes chlorine, ammonia, and nitrates (my other apparently just did chloramines), so that should help now that I've treated the water. I asked them for some Java grass and they gave it to me for free (it replicates like bunnies--I used to take some out and use it as fertilizer for my garden, in fairly large amounts). This is a small bunch but it will multiply, and take some of the harshness of the light down and give the fish somewhere to hide. Yay for free.
Okay, still more to do before noon. Bye.
Agh.
On a brighter note, I went by the pet store and got some multi-purpose liquid that removes chlorine, ammonia, and nitrates (my other apparently just did chloramines), so that should help now that I've treated the water. I asked them for some Java grass and they gave it to me for free (it replicates like bunnies--I used to take some out and use it as fertilizer for my garden, in fairly large amounts). This is a small bunch but it will multiply, and take some of the harshness of the light down and give the fish somewhere to hide. Yay for free.
Okay, still more to do before noon. Bye.
Good morning
Once again I woke up early, about 6 am, then went to bed until I woke up again a little after 8. I actually got out of bed at 8:45. So much for sleeping in on a rare Saturday off.
I went straight to taking down the decorations from the tree and trimming any dry branches off (that's a downside to Norfolk Virginia pines--they dry out and shed easily). It took about 45 minutes. I know, Christmas isn't really over until the 6th, but mine isn't a Christmas tree but rather one for Yule, so it was time. I didn't want the tree to dry out too badly, because I'd like to keep it for awhile. I kept one alive for about four years. It's now sitting on an end table near the window but not central to it, and I've watered it thoroughly. I did keep up the window lights, because I like them and I've done so in the past, but my old lights stopped working. These new ones are multi-coloured and cheery. I left the star at the top, too, the one that's really the tree topper that wouldn't fit on the small tree.
I moved the clock back to its position and decided to put a black multi-photo frame on the other side to balance the black of the CD player. Since I was doing that, I took out a couple of pictures of D, since we're really not friends anymore, mere acquaintances, and replaced them with one of Cerys and another of my grandparents at my graduation from college. There's also one of a couple of friends with their pets and one of Tracy and her husband Ted (whom I've never met).
I checked the fish tank earlier and everything's fine for livebearers except there's a little too much ammonia. I'm going to stop by the pet store and get some liquid for that and maybe some plants to start the nitrite cycle going and maybe introduce some good bacteria (although plants often bring in snails, but I don't mind so long as they don't take over). I'll ask Brenda and Margaret if they have extra fish. Each has several tanks, so there's a good chance. If not, I'll get some in about a week or so.
I ate an unconventional breakfast of vegetarian chili with cheese, then made the bed, swept the kitchen and bath, and took my medicine, adding Claritin for my allergies, which have been bad the last few days. Since I called the leasing office about my faucet yesterday, I got everything accomplished on my to-do list and more. Yay!
At noon I'm going over to a friend's to help him with a couple of projects. I've got some things to do before that, so I should get ready. Have a great day.
I went straight to taking down the decorations from the tree and trimming any dry branches off (that's a downside to Norfolk Virginia pines--they dry out and shed easily). It took about 45 minutes. I know, Christmas isn't really over until the 6th, but mine isn't a Christmas tree but rather one for Yule, so it was time. I didn't want the tree to dry out too badly, because I'd like to keep it for awhile. I kept one alive for about four years. It's now sitting on an end table near the window but not central to it, and I've watered it thoroughly. I did keep up the window lights, because I like them and I've done so in the past, but my old lights stopped working. These new ones are multi-coloured and cheery. I left the star at the top, too, the one that's really the tree topper that wouldn't fit on the small tree.
I moved the clock back to its position and decided to put a black multi-photo frame on the other side to balance the black of the CD player. Since I was doing that, I took out a couple of pictures of D, since we're really not friends anymore, mere acquaintances, and replaced them with one of Cerys and another of my grandparents at my graduation from college. There's also one of a couple of friends with their pets and one of Tracy and her husband Ted (whom I've never met).
I checked the fish tank earlier and everything's fine for livebearers except there's a little too much ammonia. I'm going to stop by the pet store and get some liquid for that and maybe some plants to start the nitrite cycle going and maybe introduce some good bacteria (although plants often bring in snails, but I don't mind so long as they don't take over). I'll ask Brenda and Margaret if they have extra fish. Each has several tanks, so there's a good chance. If not, I'll get some in about a week or so.
I ate an unconventional breakfast of vegetarian chili with cheese, then made the bed, swept the kitchen and bath, and took my medicine, adding Claritin for my allergies, which have been bad the last few days. Since I called the leasing office about my faucet yesterday, I got everything accomplished on my to-do list and more. Yay!
At noon I'm going over to a friend's to help him with a couple of projects. I've got some things to do before that, so I should get ready. Have a great day.
That's three calls to Ceridian
The status on the card is active and I have an available balance of $3,120, but it just won't work when I try using the card for my medicine. I've called three times. The first two were helpful about checking out the account, but they assured me it would work and that it was just a holiday glitch, but it was denied when I tried again to get my meds this afternoon.
The third time the person put in a trouble ticket. I am apparently not the only person from the hospital who has called today, she said, but she checked and there wasn't any problem on the hospital's side. I was very direct that I wanted to know what was up with my account and wanted it resolved as soon as possible, as I'm on a medication that I can't go off and then on again--it could be life-threatening. I'm out of that as of Monday. I can probably go 2-3 days without it, but not very long. I was polite but insistent, and she was very competent. I got her name. They should be notifying me once the problem is resolved. I am somewhat sceptical, but we'll see.
The third time the person put in a trouble ticket. I am apparently not the only person from the hospital who has called today, she said, but she checked and there wasn't any problem on the hospital's side. I was very direct that I wanted to know what was up with my account and wanted it resolved as soon as possible, as I'm on a medication that I can't go off and then on again--it could be life-threatening. I'm out of that as of Monday. I can probably go 2-3 days without it, but not very long. I was polite but insistent, and she was very competent. I got her name. They should be notifying me once the problem is resolved. I am somewhat sceptical, but we'll see.
Friday, January 02, 2009
99 Things
I won't call this a meme, because 'meme' really means something different than you see it used on the Internet (although I'll tag it that way to find it later). But here you go...
Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicise
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - plain font
1. Started your own blog.
I started this blog in 2001.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
In the California desert, no less, on top of a car, with excellent viewing.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
Well, if you count Roan Mountain in Tennessee, which is pretty small.
9. Held a praying mantis.
I actually rescued dozens of baby ones that hatched in my mother's dining room and were on the wall. We took them outside. I've held lots of adults, too.
10. Sang a solo.
Yes, one of my most embarrassing moments in childhood and the source of my stage fright.
11. Bungee jumped.
Oh, no, not happening.
12. Visited Paris.
I've never traveled outside the US, despite being an Air Force brat.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
Maybe.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
I've never been to New York. I'd like to do this in theory, but really, with my asthma and being out of shape, it's not practical.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
I've never been on a train. I'd like to do this, though.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
Once.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
And fed them; my great-grandparents had sheep.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
No, but does sex in a lake and a swimming pool count?
27. Run a marathon.
You're kidding, right?
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
No, but I saw one partial that was really, really close.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
You're kidding, right? I got hit by baseballs and softballs in the head so many times as a child and couldn't hit worth anything.
32. Been on a cruise.
Actually, I want to go on the round-the-world cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II. Maybe if I win the lottery--it's several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
Well, I've lived in areas where nine generations have been. I'd like to go to Massachusetts where one ancestor came to the Plymouth area on the Fortune, the ship that came next after the Mayflower.
35. Seen an Amish community.
Just Amish themselves.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
Well, not fluently, but I keep trying with Welsh and Irish.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
Again, are you kidding? I am so not coordinated, and I'm afraid of heights.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person.
41. Sung Karaoke.
Only at home, to Dr Horrible songs on YouTube.
No way.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
I so need to travel more--although that takes money.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
No, but I have bought strangers some gasoline.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
I've been to the beach, but never at night.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
Many times.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
But I have no business sense.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
I was allowed to be in 4-H or Girl Scouts; I chose the former.
62. Gone whale watching.
I'd love to do this. Back in the 80s I adopted a humpback whale through an organisation where you donate and get a picture of your whale. :)
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
Over three gallons' worth.
65. Gone sky diving.
Not even if you paid me.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
Only in the game, and that came with alligator men. :) If I ever do for real, hopefully things will go better.
75. Been fired from a job.
I have been laid-off, though.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
Tailbone and foot.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
Never, ever will I get on one unless I'm forced at gunpoint or something like that.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
Just a chapter in a book and a journal article.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
Several times, plus artwork when I was 8.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
I've fished, but not prepared the fish for cooking.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
Well, local celebrities, anyway.
92. Joined a book club.I've thought about it, but never have.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
I don't plan on it.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
Somewhat possible; I have family in San Antonio who could put me up.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
I'm not sure how I feel about the concentration of salt--or Mormons, for that matter. (No offence meant.)
97. Been involved in a law suit.
Does a divorce count?
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
Thanks to the Swiss Army Librarian (Brian Herzog) for this. How would you do? I obviously have a lot of stuff I'd like to do, mostly involving travel.
Okay, got to go. I'm doing this instead of working on the notes.
Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicise
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - plain font
1. Started your own blog.
I started this blog in 2001.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
In the California desert, no less, on top of a car, with excellent viewing.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain.
Well, if you count Roan Mountain in Tennessee, which is pretty small.
9. Held a praying mantis.
I actually rescued dozens of baby ones that hatched in my mother's dining room and were on the wall. We took them outside. I've held lots of adults, too.
10. Sang a solo.
Yes, one of my most embarrassing moments in childhood and the source of my stage fright.
11. Bungee jumped.
Oh, no, not happening.
12. Visited Paris.
I've never traveled outside the US, despite being an Air Force brat.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
Maybe.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
I've never been to New York. I'd like to do this in theory, but really, with my asthma and being out of shape, it's not practical.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
I've never been on a train. I'd like to do this, though.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.
Once.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
And fed them; my great-grandparents had sheep.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
No, but does sex in a lake and a swimming pool count?
27. Run a marathon.
You're kidding, right?
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
No, but I saw one partial that was really, really close.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
You're kidding, right? I got hit by baseballs and softballs in the head so many times as a child and couldn't hit worth anything.
32. Been on a cruise.
Actually, I want to go on the round-the-world cruise on the Queen Elizabeth II. Maybe if I win the lottery--it's several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
Well, I've lived in areas where nine generations have been. I'd like to go to Massachusetts where one ancestor came to the Plymouth area on the Fortune, the ship that came next after the Mayflower.
35. Seen an Amish community.
Just Amish themselves.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
Well, not fluently, but I keep trying with Welsh and Irish.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
Again, are you kidding? I am so not coordinated, and I'm afraid of heights.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person.
41. Sung Karaoke.
Only at home, to Dr Horrible songs on YouTube.
No way.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
I so need to travel more--although that takes money.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
No, but I have bought strangers some gasoline.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
I've been to the beach, but never at night.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
Many times.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
But I have no business sense.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served at a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
I was allowed to be in 4-H or Girl Scouts; I chose the former.
62. Gone whale watching.
I'd love to do this. Back in the 80s I adopted a humpback whale through an organisation where you donate and get a picture of your whale. :)
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
Over three gallons' worth.
65. Gone sky diving.
Not even if you paid me.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a cheque.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
Only in the game, and that came with alligator men. :) If I ever do for real, hopefully things will go better.
75. Been fired from a job.
I have been laid-off, though.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London.
77. Broken a bone.
Tailbone and foot.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
Never, ever will I get on one unless I'm forced at gunpoint or something like that.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
Just a chapter in a book and a journal article.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper.
Several times, plus artwork when I was 8.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
I've fished, but not prepared the fish for cooking.
88. Had chickenpox.
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
Well, local celebrities, anyway.
92. Joined a book club.I've thought about it, but never have.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
I don't plan on it.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
Somewhat possible; I have family in San Antonio who could put me up.
96. Swum in the Great Salt Lake.
I'm not sure how I feel about the concentration of salt--or Mormons, for that matter. (No offence meant.)
97. Been involved in a law suit.
Does a divorce count?
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
Thanks to the Swiss Army Librarian (Brian Herzog) for this. How would you do? I obviously have a lot of stuff I'd like to do, mostly involving travel.
Okay, got to go. I'm doing this instead of working on the notes.
Good--they've made arrests in the San Francisco gang-rape case
Let's hope that if they're the ones who did it, they're convicted of a hate crime.
Four arrested in gang rape of gay woman: Two boys, 15 and 16, among the suspects in Bay Area assault
She was hit, gang-raped repeatedly over a 45-minute period--at the point of attack, in her car, and at a burnt-out building. It was horrific, and I hope the perpetrators get what they deserve.
Four arrested in gang rape of gay woman: Two boys, 15 and 16, among the suspects in Bay Area assault
Detectives say the 28-year-old victim was attacked on Dec. 13 after she got out of her car, which bore a rainbow gay pride sticker. The alleged attackers made comments indicating they knew she was a lesbian, police said.
Authorities have characterized the case as a hate crime. Police said the victim lives openly with a female partner.
She was hit, gang-raped repeatedly over a 45-minute period--at the point of attack, in her car, and at a burnt-out building. It was horrific, and I hope the perpetrators get what they deserve.
Okay, theoretically
yesterday was just a glitch and my card (which is active, with a balance of $3,120 on it), should work in getting my medicines. So I get to try again, today.
I just took a shower and feel nice and clean. I've eaten and taken my medicine, including a vitamin. (My nails were breaking badly and I decided it was time for Flintstones again. Hey, what can I say, I hate horse pills. Flintstones vitamins have 100% of everything an adult needs and they're chewable.)
The bed is made and the counters clean. The aquarium is so much clearer and I've adjusted the temperature. I've balanced my chequebook (yay, I can get gas and toilet paper and still have plenty left over). I'm just waiting for the floor in the bathroom to dry so I can sweep and mop (I got out of the shower to get a new facial scrub, and got water everywhere). I got new razor cartridges at the pharmacy yesterday. It amazes me how much more expensive the cartridges are for reusable razors than disposable or just the razor itself. Between that and the facial scrub (which did at least come with a trial tube of moisturizer) and a plug-in air freshener refill, I spent quite a bit more than I meant to of my regular money (as opposed to the flexible spending amount).
I think I'm going to do an hour or so of notes whilst waiting for the floor to dry. Then it's a quick sweep and maybe mop, calling about the leaky faucet, getting gas, trying the card again at the pharmacy, and then I have to be over at a friend's by 2:30. I work from 5:30-9 tonight; it's truck night since yesterday was a holiday. But I'm off tomorrow. Then there's the game prep and game itself on Sunday, and I'm back to work at both jobs on Monday. But I must admit, it's been a productive vacation, and I've still gotten rest.
I just took a shower and feel nice and clean. I've eaten and taken my medicine, including a vitamin. (My nails were breaking badly and I decided it was time for Flintstones again. Hey, what can I say, I hate horse pills. Flintstones vitamins have 100% of everything an adult needs and they're chewable.)
The bed is made and the counters clean. The aquarium is so much clearer and I've adjusted the temperature. I've balanced my chequebook (yay, I can get gas and toilet paper and still have plenty left over). I'm just waiting for the floor in the bathroom to dry so I can sweep and mop (I got out of the shower to get a new facial scrub, and got water everywhere). I got new razor cartridges at the pharmacy yesterday. It amazes me how much more expensive the cartridges are for reusable razors than disposable or just the razor itself. Between that and the facial scrub (which did at least come with a trial tube of moisturizer) and a plug-in air freshener refill, I spent quite a bit more than I meant to of my regular money (as opposed to the flexible spending amount).
I think I'm going to do an hour or so of notes whilst waiting for the floor to dry. Then it's a quick sweep and maybe mop, calling about the leaky faucet, getting gas, trying the card again at the pharmacy, and then I have to be over at a friend's by 2:30. I work from 5:30-9 tonight; it's truck night since yesterday was a holiday. But I'm off tomorrow. Then there's the game prep and game itself on Sunday, and I'm back to work at both jobs on Monday. But I must admit, it's been a productive vacation, and I've still gotten rest.
I hate it when the maples bloom
like they are right now. Usually it's closer to February before my allergies really kick in. This year they're blooming at the beginning of January. I'm sniffly, my eyes water, my throat tickles, etc. Time to break out the Claritin, I think. My nose is getting raw from blowing it so much.
Yesterday a friend asked me
if I were keeping a food journal in the new year. I hadn't thought to, but it's an excellent idea, so I went back to FitDay and started again. If you're in any way interested in what I eat/weigh (although I can't imagine why, really), the link is: http://www.fitday.com/fitness/PublicJournals.html?Owner=eilir. There's no weight on there; I won't be near a scale until Monday at the hospital. But even though I ate fairly healthy yesterday (except for a bag of microwave popcorn), I ate nearly 3,000 calories, and that's got to stop. Today I had a little over 700 calories for breakfast. We'll see how today goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)