HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Now give me some candy or I'll send the ghost dogs after you!!

Belt Direction

More about American Airlines and their soul sucking 'service' later but Julie Gong reminded me that I knew something that I wanted to share with the group. It's one of those weird trivial facts that you don't actually realize is weird that you know it until you say it out loud and realize, "It's weird that I know that."

I had to Google it to make sure I got it right but here goes:
"In western civilizations, males insert the belt through the pant loops in a counter-clockwise manner (as if looking upon from above) and females tend to insert the belt through the pant loops in a clockwise direction."

But the funny thing is, I am anti-clockwise. I always go to the left. Clearly this is a bit of dated information.

I think this also explains why the flies on men's pants face the right and on women's they face the left...at least I think they do. I am wearing a skirt today so can't check. I am doing a mime of zipping my pants and it's definitely the right hand that is used to zipping so women's jeans/trousers face clockwise.

What say you readers? Do you dress left or right?

NEVER FLY AMERICAN AIRLINES

That's really all I can say about that right now.

But if you have any love for yourself at all you will pay the extra money (or less money in many cases) to not EVER EVER EVER fly American.

More Later.

They Named It Twice

Off to the Big Apple this weekend to visit the Brother ReckenRoll and the lovely new Sis-in-Law ReckenRoll. It's a quick trip - just a few days - which means I need to really squeeze in the NYC QT. I have had to seriously edit my MUST DO list is:

• Visit with my peeps
• Soak up the NYC fabulousity
• Shop a little
• Eat a lot
• Figure out where I left my heart. (I suspect it's at the MOMA)

(yes, I know this is the Library and not the MOMA but I didn't have any photos at the MOMA, OK?!? Geez!)

No, actually, I don't need to create an account

There is a danger out there on the Internet. It's putting our very sanity at stake. Maybe it's just me who has noticed but I'd like to call all of your attention to a silent threat to all of our online time: "Uneccesary Account Creation" (UAC).

I'd noticed UAC increasing over the last few months and years. It started in obvious places. Buying something online and using my credit card. Online bill pay and banking. Joining some type of social networking something. Creating an online email account. Places where I want my information to be password protected. Places where I don't want someone to have access to my content, or posting content on my behalf. Where it makes sense for the online resource to have some information about me in exchange for better and more personalized service and some security.

Ok, fair.

Then it began to creep to other places...like travel websites that you frequently use, online publications, local ticket information sources and email newsletters. But I get that too. I need to sign up to read your publication. You want marketing data or I have to pay for a subscription. I give you my info, you let me read yours.

Good trade.

But it's slowly become completely out of control...nowdays it seems every website I visit wants me to create an account. Do I really need to create a password protected account on Hallmark.com to send a FREE e-CARD? Really? Cause if someone out there is sending unauthorized birthday wishes to people in my name I am actually ok with that. Do I really need to create a password protected account to view the traffic on the local news website? Really? Cause FYI - you can get that information from a FREE broadcast on TV and the RADIO.

While UAC is an increasing problem, it's the side effects that are actually more dangerous. Millions of American face the password dilemma EVERYDAY: Do you create a new and unique password for every website or do you just keep using an old favorite over and over?

And if you DO use an old favorite, don't you worry about the fact that so many potentially dodgy websites have your password that you may or may not use (or a version of) for your online banking and other actually important information?

Shoot, I have so many passwords to remember that I am screwed on those websites that lock you out after the 3rd failed attempt.

Just send me a new one. It's easier.

So this is a call to action people! Refuse to register! Refuse to give them a user name and password! Together, we can STOP UAC TODAY!!!

Maybe I can get Colbert to take this up as part of his campaign. Whaddya think?

Update: I actually found a pretty cool website with fake logins for websites that make you register and coupon codes for retail stores that make you register. Apparently, I'm late to the game.

What I Learned This Weekend

• Seattle weather will never fail to surprise me. From hail to sunshine to torrential downpour in less than 30 minutes.
• A Husky can keep up for a while but eventually a running Duck will beat it. Go figure.
• Never ever ever ever ever put one of those "W" decals on your face...unless you want to look like you were involved in a skateboarding accident for several days following.
• Josh Ritter is awesome. You should all be listening. Seriously. Do it. Now.
• The Showbox is a really good venue. Perfect size. Good acoustics.
• Pike Brewery is a good place to go before the Showbox because it's across the street with good beers, food and you just might run into Josh Ritter and shake his hand.
• A scarily disportionate amount of MK's conversation revolves around Seth Rogan, Superbad, and Freaks & Geeks.
• Being sick on a long weekend is no fun but MK is a champ.

Leotard Schmeotard

As all three of my faithful readers may recall, a while back I was complaining about being in America and being fat.

Yeah, I know, basically the same thing.

But after taking the first step to admit I had a problem I decided that instead of eating another handful of Peanut M&Ms to numb the pain maybe this time I should do something about it. So I did.

Being in a zealous state of mind, I signed up for a Yoga class and also a Ballet/Pilates class. I've done yoga off and on for the last few years and I really enjoy it. I always take the beginner classes because I am neither consistent enough nor zen enough to get serious about the yoga. I do it to relax and I highly recommend it.

A good "Om" can do wonders for your state of mind.

However, the Ballet/Pilates was a new one for me. I've heard amazing things about pilates from friends that have seen results and it seems a bit like yoga on speed so why not kick it up a notch? At the same time, like Julie Gong, I've always loved to dance and have taken a ballet class or two in my time. So I thought ballet + pilates. Right on.

So this morning I called the studio to find out where I needed to go tonight and if there were any special shoes or mats or anything I needed to bring. I was a bit shocked when they told me on the voicemail that "All females should wear a leotard and tights."

Are you kidding me? A leotard and tights? Sure, it's a ballet studio but this is a fitness class, not a BALLET class per se. It's for part time exercisers to mix it up.

And by "part time exercisers" I mean fat Americans.

Not only do I not want to be seen in a leotard in public, I don't really want to see others in a leotard. It's OCTOBER. In the PACIFIC NORTHWEST. People have been adding their 'extra layer' for a good month now and none of us were that great to begin with.

Besides, I don't think I need to be investing my hard earned drinking money in a leotard. That just seems counterintuitive.

Needless to say, I will be wearing my standard work out outfit of yoga pants and an old t-shirt from my brief stint on my office flag football team. I can only hope that others choose to do the same because really, no one wants to see this:

To Stubble or Not to Stubble, That is the Question...

There is a a shadow spreading over the office today. Seems the under 30 set of dudes (the few that we have) have decided over the weekend that facial hair is the way to go. When asked for their reasons for the subtle stubble two answers were supplied:

1. It's 'cutting edge'
2. For the ladies.

Of course, the 'cutting edge' response required that we immediately share the below photo and question if everything old is now new again?

Dudes, what say you? Is the Don back?

Guilting it Forward

NPR is doing their annual pledge drive here in Seattle.

On Monday, when I tuned in for my news and traffic, instead of my usual soothing voice telling me about the back up on 520, I heard a soothing voice asking for my support.

Of course I immediately did what I always do when NPR starts their pledge drive. I got annoyed, felt a slight twinge of guilt, and then I changed the station resolving not to listen to NPR again until the damn pledge drive was over.

They've got corporate sponsorship people.

That was until Margaret came into the office this morning telling the tale of listening to NPR on her morning commute. Apparently, they featured a young boy today whose parents make him donate 1/5 of his $5 allowance to a charity every year. This year he chose NPR and when the interviewer thanked him for his generosity he was apparently very cute and modest in a little boy way that just makes you grin a little as you listen to the radio in your car.

Then he threw in the kicker: he said that anyone who doesn't do what he's doing and donate at least what he donates (I am guessing $52) is STEALING RADIO.

It's a good point made in a very cute little boy way that of course guilted Margart right into dialing in and making her pledge.

After telling me the story when she got to the office, I was also immediately guilted into making a pledge and just a few minutes ago made my online donation. Now I am pushing my guilt to all of you.

Way to go kid.

A Quotable Weekend

"You're not dying. You just can't think of anything good to do."

Besides virtually running through the entire script of 16 Candles with 9er (along with some Ferris thrown in for good measure) there was a lot of random quotes from the weekened that need to be captured for posterity. If I forgot any kids, please do add them in the comments section. In no paticular order:

• "Is it easier to pop and lock with a collar?"
• "You don't know goat cheese."
• "I think I need two." "Oh yeah, at least two"
• "So we tipped him a nickle?"
• "Dance for me Monkey Boy!"
• "F*ck Cilantro"
• "These are the best pants you've ever seen"
• "Let's consumate this beeyotch!"
• "I am not wearing my own clothes!"
• "Do you want some wall flavored vodka?"
• "I'm not licking it. She can lick it."
• "Hey Cherry, do you know where this guy can get laid?"

What I Learned This Weekend (Chicago Style)

• Chicago is my kind of town!
• Deep dish pizza should not be consumed more than once a year but damn it's GOOD.
• Everyone seems to agree that the John Hancock building has better views than the Sears Tower. I agree with everyone.
• The bean is pretty freakin cool. So is the fountain with the faces. (Didn't really focus on names of things)
• 9er and I may have been separated at birth.
• Cherry and I were definitely separated at birth.
• Four hours is not a long flight for a fantastic weekend.

Photos on Flikr. Recap later but some notes are in Twitter or you can go here for the highlights.

Thursday's Top Five: The Windy City

Tomorrow I am off for a long weekend of high culture and philosophical discussions about life, love, and Helen Mirren's boobs with CherryRide and The Liar's Club in Chicago. It's my first to Chicago that will include more than just O'hare and I am SO looking forward to it! On the list of must see/do in no particular order:

1. Sears Tower
2. Navy Pier
3. Art Institute
4. Millennium Park
5. Field Museum

Not included in the list are the evening activities plannned and coordinated by Mr. Ride, Cherry as they are assumed to be top priority.

What I Learned This Weekend should be interesting on Monday.

Photos (and more) next week!

America is Making Me Fat

You know, I thought I would be able to handle it. The cutting back of walking everywhere would be replaced by regular runs and long walks to get a healthy lunch far away. The cutting back on trips to the pub would help balance out the lack of movement as I sat in my car in traffic.

Yeah, right.

This office is a virtual mine field of calories. I can name at least 2 candy drawers overflowing with the sweet stuff, 3 known bowls of gummi bears, peanut M&Ms, and a bag of misc crackers, cookies and other snackables. Not to mention the receptionist candy dish, the bag of Ruffles out for sharing and the fact that there seems to be leftover pizza and/or cookies in the kitchen EVERYDAY. I knew I wasn't making the best decision every time I got up to wander over for a visit and a snack until...

I stepped on the scale yesterday (after finally finding the scale in all my boxes that are still being unpacked - I have a LOT of crap) and since 1 August I've gained FIVE POUNDS. FIVE POUNDS IN TWO MONTHS!! Not even pregnant ladies gain weight this quickly. I admit, I had noticed my jeans were a bit tighter lately but like any normal female, I was blaming that on the dryer. I told this to Goonder and she immediately dismissed it. "What are you talking about? It doesn't show. You look great."

This helped a little.

The fact that it's officially bulky sweater season in the northwest also helps a little.

Ugh. I can't type about this any more. I have to go investigate gym memberships now.

What I Learned This Weekend

• Having someone else pair the wine to the food works well for me. I don't know how to do it, I just know what I like.
• Moving is mentally and physically exhausting.
• It is possible to make 2 trips to Ikea in a weekend and keep your sanity.
• Ikea will accept the return of a picture frame even if you broke the glass yourself.
• A wedding in the middle of the day is fun and efficient but not if you want to have a dance party.
• It can rain for over 24 hours in Seattle no problem.
• There is ALWAYS traffic in Seattle regardless of weather, day, or time of day.
• Breastfeeding twins looks like a lot of work.
• I don't love Clive Owen enough to keep watching Derailed.
• I prefer the tall double to the grande.