Make a new plan, Stan
Todd and I are busy formulating the answer to all of our problems. We're putting in a new front yard this weekend -- as we've finally killed off the old one 'til it's dead and dry and just needs to be raked up. ("If at first you don't suck seed, keep on sucking 'til you do suck seed.") We've decided that instead of waiting on a list for years to adopt a healthy, bouncing baby boy - we just need to head on in to the state agency and ask for the 14-year old special. I think you can pick up a couple of those in 2-for-1 deals from the drive-thru window, and they even throw in a free bamboo steamer and set of Ginzu knives for your trouble these days. (And the Ginzu may be handy to have around in a lockbox with teenagers in the house.) Because what point are children really if you can't say, "Son - go out there and mow the yard. And trim those hedges while you're at it..."
posted at 08:58 PM | link-

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Sashay. Chante.
These...are not my best candid photos...but that's ok. Because I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone-it, people like me. (And here's a bonus shot of a new outfit just for wKen, by request.)
posted at 04:54 PM | link-

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Uninvited
Disclaimer: If you have to ask, or are sitting there paranoid wondering if this is directed to you, well then I'm not talking to you here. It should be perfectly clear who the following is directed at, to the person it actually is directed at,and just exactly why.

Like anyone would be
I was flattered by your fascination with me.....
But you, you're not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight .....

Like any uncharted territory
I must seem greatly intriguing.....
But this is not allowed
You're uninvited
An unfortunate slight ....

*certain lyric lines purposely left out

Now please, let this be it once and for all. Please. Leave us alone.
posted at 02:11 PM | link-

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Catches thieves just like flies
We saw the laaaaaaaaaaate showing of Spider-Man tonight because of near-misses. And the theater had no AC. In south-central Florida. It broke during the showing just before us and they couldn't get it on again. (Thank goodness for complaint lines and free passes!) But we ended up sitting down in our seats, and who plops down next to us purely by coincidence in a 24-screen theater, but Susannah's sister Jen and her husband Eric! We haven't seen them since Thanksgiving, but they're moving up to the 'burbs near us next month. Looks like Todd's got a golfin' buddy soon -- whoo hoo!

But on to the important things in life... That movie kicked ASS! The credits rolled and I squealed like a little kid, "Do it again! Do it again!" And all I'm sayin' is we need a monsoon-style rainstorm down here real darn quick. I want one of those kisses...now. Think I could talk Todd into hanging upside-down for it? Can't wait for the Hulk in 2003, either -- what a tease with that trailer. Although, there just are no words, are there? *blows smoochies to Chris*

Have a great weekend everyone! Now...I sleep.
posted at 04:11 AM | link-

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You say it's your birthday...
Hey -- can you guess who today's birthday girl is? Everyone's favorite little hottie Cheyenne (a.k.a. Gnome-Girl)! Happy birthday!

posted at 03:41 AM | link-

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This is news?
Ok, I joked about the whole Creed-accident-cancel-tour-thing the other day, but it sounds like someone is taking themselves just a wee bit too seriously. Imagine that. When fans started to complain about the police report that stated the accident occurred at 20mph, and frontman Scott Stapp was reported to be ok and refused treatment at the scene, also helping push a disabled Ford SUV to the side of the road -- and just how did this 'injury' warrant an entire tour cancellation when he filmed a video the very next day -- he talked to MTV2. Suddenly the accident occurred at 50-60mph (and he once caught a fish this big) according to Stapp, and I quote:

"I did that [refused treatment] against my manager's wishes and against the doctor's wishes," he admitted. "I have a personal doctor, and I had him come and see me at my house because it immediately becomes big news if I'm in the hospital. I was trying to avoid the press."

If it's 'big news' that your sorry-singing-butt ended up in the ER for a whiplash-check, I'm moving to another state. Puh-leeeze! Can someone say "beautifully timed press-op as media attention was fading"? Suuuuure. I knew you could!
posted at 04:38 PM | link-

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A hunka hunka burnin' love?
So some guy goes to a flea market, buys a bunch of Elvis tapes, gets them home, and "was shocked to find a recording of Priscilla [Presley] discussing intimate details of her [love] life with Elvis". Now dubbed the Elvis Lost Love Tapes, they come complete with the "shocking" confession of why Priscilla took a lover while she was married to Elvis -- and also a cheesy, soft-pornesque website to boot. I think I'll wait for the entire Limewired copy in hell. But if you're a glutton for punishment, you can "click to hear how Elvis tied Priscilla to the bedpost and ravaged her for hours." Uh thank you. Thank you vehhry muuuch. (Story via MSNBC.com.)
posted at 03:43 AM | link-

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Slice o' Southern hospitality
I skinned Christi's blog today with one new design. (I swear I could get permanently lost under those trees...) The new skin is for 1024x768 or higher, so I left her original design as the default for now -- but there will be more to come, hopefully over the weekend. Stop by and tell her hi when you get a chance. And make sure to throw things at her, too. She's going to see No Doubt in concert this weekend!
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Tag...you're it!

After reading all of the comments here and in the other blogs I linked to in that entry, I thought I'd try a little something new. "Comment tag...you're it!"

Feel free to take this image, make it a little bigger, add your own blog name and/or logo to the bottom, upload it to your own server, and hit someone else's comments with it. Just make sure to keep the ones above you - plus the instructions - on there so it will be a "chain" of links/images and they'll know what to do with it. Linking to this entry as an example in your tag-comment might not be a bad idea either. As the tag-list grows in other blogs, you'll be able to find new reads you might not otherwise have seen before. I struck first here -- now it's your turn! Just call it my own little version of slambook 2002! And you can't tag me back until there are at least 5 other blogs there besides yours and mine...

Still don't get it? Here's another tag-example I pulled from another site. It stopped with Christi's, and I added Susan's on as if she had been tagged next. So now there are four sites here. If Susan tagged someone else, they would add their info to make it five when they passed it on.
posted at 04:41 PM | link-

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My *heart* belongs to...
In case you haven't been to Cheyenne's site today, check out the Gnome-Girl Store I set up for her last night. You know you want one!
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Well, like, duh

So, I'm guessing the other half of Americans didn't inhale then?
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Sick of weddings yet? Tough!
Heh. Well since most of today's posts seem to have a wedding theme anyway, I thought I'd link the most adorible groom's cake I just ran across here. Seeing these cute wedding pics almost makes me want to go through all of the planning all over again. Almost.

If only we could re-register and get presents every five years though!
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And bringing up the rear...
...the May 2002 "Destination Wedding of the Month" is online now as well!
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May Dress of the Month
The May 2002 "Dress of the Month" is up! Make sure to stop by their wedding site, too -- they had one heck of a photographer and sense of humor (see below).
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He expects me to do WHAT?!
I'm working on the May "Dress of the Month" right now (so stay tuned!), but I just had to share this photo I came across while working on her collage. It's one of the cutest wedding pics I've seen in a LONG time!
posted at 01:57 PM | link-

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Everybody was Kung Fu fightin'
In case you're a lover baby, not a fighter...check out the Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide. You can learn about game basics, strategy tips, and use an online trainer to perfect your skillz. Who knew they had their own secret society? And the stickers are hysterical!
posted at 12:31 PM | link-

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If you are confused, check with the sun
I've noticed interesting dialogue in blogs and comments today about being afraid and/or leery of commenting in certain blogs because the site visitor is either too shy, too embarrassed, or too intimidated by the "cliquish" atmosphere already established in the blog.

If that's the case with any of you out there *peers around the room* speak up! Don't be afraid. It only hurts the first time...I promise. Actually, I wouldn't even say it "hurts". It's more like that funny feeling you get while climbing the rope in gym class.

I've tripped in front of a large group of people. I've had lipstick in my teeth. I've left the ladies room with toilet paper stuck to my shoe. I've belched quite loudly at an inappropriate time. And all along, I've laughed at myself while doing so.

So don't be shy. We have ways of making you talk...
And oh yeah -- howdy!
Robyn
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Kiss them for me
Wanna be wowed by a true web goddess extraordinaire? Check out the new design and relaunch over at Banshee Studios! It's a most excellent quarterly e-zine for fiction writers. Straight from Stacy's site:

"We're very excited about Banshee's new direction, which now includes author interviews and quarterly writing contests with actual prizes! Another brand new feature is the Workshop area in which aspiring writers can practice their skills on prefab settings and characters, and even get constructive criticism from professionals. Other regular features include poetry, essays, sudden fiction, book reviews.....come on by, check out some of the best amateur writing around and perhaps think about dusting off some of your own work."

I shall now give it the highly coveted two snaps in a circle! Go. Now.
posted at 03:02 AM | link-

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They say that breakin' up is hard to do
Looks like we've got ourselves quite the little "kick your sorry butt to the curb" CD going on... You might want to file this post away for future reference, as I'll be expanding the list as it grows. That way should you, or someone close to you, need a little pick-me-up -- you'll have tons of songs already gathered to download the night away, so you can crank up the "break up" songs whilst force-feeding ice cream and tequila!

Like a Friend by Pulp (Robyn)
Now That It's Over by Everclear (Leandra)
Songs off the entire 'Everyone Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We' album by The Cranberries (Ashley)
I'm Wrong About Everything by John Wesley Harding (John)
In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel (John)
Beautiful Goodbye by Amanda Marshall (munin)
You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette (wKen)
How's It Gonna Be by Third Eye Blind (Susan)
Hold On by Sarah McLachlan (Susan)
This Love by Pantera (Jesse)
Break Your Heart by Barenaked Ladies (Mike and Angela)
You Can Feel Bad by Patty Loveless (Angela)
If It's Over by Mariah Carey (Queen) *
Hag by The Breeders (hoopty)
She's Not There by The Turtles (hoopty)
Girl Don't Tell Me by The Beach Boys (hoopty)
Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers (munin)
Say Goodbye by Dave Matthews Band (John)
Breakup Song by Greg Kihn Band (kd)
These Boots Were Made For Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra (srah)
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor (srah)
On My Own by Union Peach (srah)
Used To Love Her by Guns 'N' Roses (J2)
Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe (J2)
Guess Ill Hang My Tears Out To Dry by Frank Sinatra (Donna)
Every Little Thing by Raul Malo (geekgrrl)
Am I Not Pretty Enough by Kasey Chambers (geekgrrl)
See comments for even more recommended songs...

* Disclaimer: The owner of tampatantrum.com does not personally recommend Ms. Carey's songs under any circumstance, and caution should be used if you choose to expose yourself - and others - to her music.

Now's your chance to add yours to the pile...keep 'em comin'!
posted at 02:48 AM | link-

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Ringy dingy
Hey guess what!? Today I helped Christine and set up a new webring for sites who are guests over at Blogomania. So if you're a Blogomanian and would like to join us, head on over to the ring site, fill out the form, and I'll get you added in! The link is also over in my sidebar with the other webring links.
posted at 08:19 PM | link-

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Like a Friend
Ever had a song come on that makes you you pause and think, "Man I wish I could break up with _______ all over again just so I could send them this on a mixed tape..." (Yes, I liked "High Fidelity" way too much.)

"Like a Friend"
by Pulp

Don’t bother saying you're sorry.
Why don’t you come in?
Smoke all my cigarettes. Again.
Everytime I get no further --
How long has it been?
Come on in now;
Wipe your feet on my dreams.....

You take up my time
Like some cheap magazine.
When I could have been
Learning something.....
Well, you know what I mean.

I’ve done this before;
And I will do it again.

C’mon and kill me baby,
Whilst you smile like a friend.
Oh and I’ll come running.....
Just to do it again.

You are that last drink I never should have drunk.
You are the body hidden in the trunk.
You are the habit I can’t seem to kick.
You are my secrets on the front page every week.

You are the car I never should have bought.
You are the train I never should have caught.
You are the cut that makes me hide my face.
You are the party that makes me feel my age.

Like a car crash I can see,
But I just can’t avoid.
Like a plane I’ve been told
I never should board.
Like a film that’s so bad,
But I’ve got to stay ‘til the end.

Let me tell you now;
It’s lucky for you that we’re friends.

And if you've got one of those songs, post the lyrics and knock us all out!

UPDATE: You can find a list of the songs that were gathered here.
posted at 03:44 PM | link-

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Tuesday, afternoon, I'm just beginning to see...
Checking the calendar...yep, it's Tuesday. Time for Ashley's "This or That"!

Which is worse: a driver riding your bumper or someone pulling out in front of you with their car? I'd have to say pulling out in front. Todd doesn't pay attention to the road like he should, and things like that have caused more near-misses... At least if they're on your bumper, you can screw with them repeatedly -- especially if they're penned in. And if they hit you, it's two tickets for following too closely and rear-ending. Not that Todd would know anything about that one...
Can you do 10 push ups? Nope. I was the queen of the "flexed arm hang" and chin-ups on the Presidential Fitness Test -- but I've never been able to do push-ups -- even in my sports days.
Do you bathe/shower in the morning or in the evening (or at all)? Usually either mid-afternoon or late-night. When I worked, it was in the morning though.
Michael or Janet Jackson? Neither.
Which do you enjoy most? Your bedroom or living room? Depends on your definition of enjoy. I'll be dirty-minded and say bedroom.
Bathroom or kitchen? In our old apartment we had a "garden" bathtub that literally went up to my knees (and I'm 5'10") and it was BLISS. I'd take baths that would last almost an hour. Here though, plain ol' boring tub. So I'd have to say kitchen. The one in our house is HUGE and it's the first time we can both be in there together without constantly bumping into one another.
Crayons or markers? CRAYONS!
Leaves falling or flowers blooming? I'd have to pick leaves falling because we never get to see that down here -- flowers bloom year-round.
Fred and Wilma or Barney and Betty? Barney and Betty.
Fame or fortune? Fortune. Who cares about the fame if you've got the money baby?

posted at 02:07 PM | link-

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Stick a needle in my eye
That thing turned out to be one hell of a voodoo doll! (Article from CNN.)
posted at 02:01 AM | link-

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Shining, gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen
Worried about going bald? How about forking over $49.95 for an initial hair collection kit -- and $10 for an annual storage fee -- so Hairogenics Inc. in San Francisco can preserve the strands in a climate-controlled vault 14 feet below a Portland, Oregon, hair salon until science finds the cure for baldness. (Link from MSNBC and CNN.)
posted at 01:51 AM | link-

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Back in the saddle again
I snagged this one from Daypop: Inside sources at CBS say Bill Clinton is being seriously considered to replace the retiring Bryant Gumbel on "The Early Show".

"America's love affair with Bill Clinton started in the summer of 1992, when candidate Clinton whipped out his sax on Arsenio Hall's late night talk show." Then quickly ended (for some) when he whipped out his sex and cigars in the Oval Office...

"Bill even bragged, unlike Bryant and most broadcasters, he does not need a teleprompter. He said, 'I gave the State of the Union and they didn't have a teleprompter. I had to stand up there and fake it for 15 minutes before a hundred million people. Some people think I faked it for eight years before a hundred million people.'" And we all know I learned how to fake it from the master. Hillary's obviously been doing it for years...

If Bill gets this gig, I may actually get up and watch TV in the mornings! I can just squint really hard and pretend he's President again. A girl can dream, can't she?
posted at 04:32 PM | link-

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Do not pass Go. Go directly to Jail.
Well all I have to say is it's about damned time. It was not a comforting thought knowing we were driving on the same city streets as this man (since they never could seem to actually KEEP him under house arrest or in treatment programs). I'm all for second chances -- but some people just don't want to change -- or are so far gone down the spiral that they can't. Toss in a little "but I'm a celebrity and the rules don't apply to me" in the mix, and well, I don't feel the judge had any other recourse but to send him to prison for awhile.

Buh-bye Darryl, and good luck. Don't drop the soap.
posted at 04:10 PM | link-

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It feels like the first time
Here's this week's Monday Mission by promoguy.net.

When was the last time you pampered yourself? I would have to say this weekend. I rarely clothes shop just because money is so tight on one income. So to walk out with two pairs of pants, four shirts, and a bit of make-up was a huge splurge for me...
When was the last time someone pampered you? Todd did this weekend by not waiving the bank statement in my face as I did so...
Describe the last time you recall really feeling loved (other than from children or pets). This past weekend as Todd told me over and over how happy he was that he took a long weekend just so we could spend more time together and snuggle.
Has your use of the computer ever caused any arguments? What's the story there? We're both addicted to our computers, so since we don't have to share, not really...
What's the most embarrassing thing your Mom ever did? She reads this, so gut-check... But I'd have to say showing up 10 minutes before our wedding -- totally missing me getting dressed, all of the pre-pictures (the photographer had to come back and do more with her), flower delivery, and such. My friends and Todd's mom played the mother of the bride role until she got there -- but she still had to change, so we barely made it out the door on time. To her credit, her wake-up call was late that day.
I've met some adults who've never learned to swim, and others who never learned how to ride a bike.. Is there anything that you never learned as a child that you probably should have? Not so much as a child, but I never learned to drive a stick-shift and it really bugs me.
I have no idea who said it (and I spent all of two minutes trying to research it), but "someone" once said, a picture is worth a thousand words. Post an image that says more than words. Or instead, describe a picture you recall which touched your heart.

I guess this would go with #5, because it just goes to show that no matter what goes wrong on your wedding day (and something will always go wrong be it major or minor), the minute you see each other all will be forgotten -- and all will be right with the world. This photo was the first picture taken after we stepped inside following our vows (my mom snapped it and we didn't even know it), and it gives me goosebumps each time I look at it. I still look in his eyes almost six years later and feel that way each and every time!

BONUS: What's love got to do with it? It may seem to you that I'm acting confused when you're close to me...
posted at 03:24 PM | link-

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Dell schmell
Apple unveiled unveiled its first personal computer designed exclusively for schools, the eMac, today. It's cute (kinda like the old iMacs), but I'd feel ripped off for not getting to play on a new iMac if my school bought them! (Article from CNN.)
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The Diet Coke of evil - just one calorie
Don't have the time or intelligence to create the best evil plans? Let the Evil Plan Generator do it for you! "You can come up with any number of plans in no time at all to wreak havoc upon the world!" (Link from fark.com.)
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I'm here to remind you...
Dear Alanis,

I realize it's your signature look and all, but there comes a time in everyone's lives when they must simply cut their hair. Seriously dude, you're pushin' Crystal Gayle status now. Step back from the Conair hot sticks and crimping iron and slowly walk away...

Love,
Robyn
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I'm too sexy for this shirt
So it took me two days of shopping this weekend to find two pair of pants and a few shirts to go with them for spring/summer. This is not because I particularly enjoyed hitting two malls and three outlet malls, or because Todd was having a grand ol' time tagging along and doing the driving. I really don't want to think it's because I'm pushing 30. In college I would have thrown just as big a hissy fit if faced with the current trends that I saw more than enough of this weekend. Shirts that won't even touch the top of my waistline aside, finding anything that looked new proved to be the big problem. For example, the following outfit was the typical fare at Abercrombie & Fitch and The Gap (total $73.50, before tax, for t-shirt and jeans):

The first new trend which was everywhere...taking a pair of scissors for no apparent reason and making a v-neck out of a regular tee, as pictured above... But instead of stitching the cut through the neckline, it was au naturel. Well I'm sorry, but there ain't no way I'm forking over almost twenty-five bucks on a t-shirt that will have a slit to my navel after 3 washings because the new look in fashion is going a little shred-happy, without needle and thread to back it up. (Coming soon to a $3.99 bin near you, I'm sure!) And next...what's up with the "dirty jeans and pants look"? If I wanted what looks like dirt and grease ground into my pants, I would hit Goodwill rather than forking over almost fifty bucks a pair.

Hating both of these looks has nothing to do with weight-issues or body images. It's just plain crap. Have designers at ~~fashion houses~~, errrr sweatshops in Indonesia, grown so bored that they think we won't notice them ripping and dirtying up perfectly good clothing and charging the same high prices? (Derelicte in Zoolander wasn't so far off!) Or do people just not care? I don't get it, and won't attempt to try. (Please note: I did not buy the items shown above.)

Thank goodness for the Banana Republic outlet store -- they seriously prevented a "fashion victim" nervous breakdown! Of course, finding the MAC and Bobbi Brown outlet store right around the corner didn't hurt...
posted at 10:04 PM | link-

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