The seven year itch
I won't be around much this weekend because Sunday is our seventh wedding anniversary -- so I'm putting this up now.

Seven years ago today I was on my way to New Orleans to marry my best friend. We met when I was still in my teens, and now we're both thirty. But that doesn't stop us from having water-bottle fights on the couch, belching contests, and quoting Cartman and Beavis as if they spoke the Gospel.

Our marriage hasn't always been easy. But it has always been more than I could have possibly asked for out of life -- the good always overshadowing the bad. If I knew my heart would have been capable of this much love on our wedding day, seven years later, it would have completely overwhelmed me. It still does, really. I can take just about anything life throws at me because he is by my side.

He's still the one.

Seven down. Here's to seventy more... I love you, baby!
Happy anniversary!
-Robyn

UPDATE: Here's last year's blog-card just because...
posted at 03:10 PM | link-

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You're about as easy as a nuclear war
An update to the post below...

First U.S. show in Costa Mesa, CA
Official site with more tour, and presale ticket, information
John Taylor's official site (thanks Elfchick!)

All I have to say is they'd better be adding a Florida date or two to the list soon!
posted at 01:26 PM | link-

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I said it again, but could I please rephrase it
Ok, I need a moment here... Duran Duran is back together and will be touring the U.S. soon. ALL of Duran Duran. Not those bastardized versions from the early 90s. I'm talkin' Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor together on the very same stage.

To this day I'm traumatized that when I was 11, my best friend's mom got a huge block of tickets to a show for her birthday -- and my mom wouldn't let me go because she said I was too young to attend a concert, even with parental supervision. To make matters worse, one of the girls in the group caught Roger Taylor's towel. Granted, my crush was on Nick and Simon -- but still!

I'll be back later. I have some vinyl to dust off...
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But I'll wait my dear 'til it's my turn
And now I issue a dare. A challenge, if you will. Get a song stuck in everyone's head this Friday. Go on. Just try it. Here's my contribution -- put yours in the comments:

It's not the things you do that tease and hurt me bad
But it's the way you do the things you do to me
I'm not the kind of girl who gives up just like that
Oh, no...

The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one
Number one, number one...

Get to it...
posted at 12:01 AM | link-

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You've gotta fight...for your right...to...photograph?
Spied over at Jason's..."The Photographer's Right - A Downloadable Flier".

Considering Starbucks doesn't even want you to take photos inside now, might not be such a bad thing to keep handy.
posted at 09:26 PM | link-

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I think a change'll do you good
Jen had a great entry about a song that prompted a major life change. I had one of those myself. It's called "This is the Day" by The The. Todd and I ended up engaged just weeks after I heard it for the first time, and it really did bring about some major life-changes and make things fall into place for me. Suddenly, things just "clicked".

This is the Day

Well you didn't wake up this morning
'Cause you didn't go to bed
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red
The calendar on your wall is ticking the days off

You've been reading some old letters
You smile and think how much you've changed

All the money in the world couldn't buy back those days

You pull back the curtains
And the sun burns into your eyes
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky

This is the day your life will surely change
This is the day when things fall into place

You could've done anything
If you'd wanted

And all your friends and family
Think that you're lucky

But the side of you they'll never see
Is when you're left alone with the memories
That hold your life together like.....glue

You pull back the curtains
And the sun burns into your eyes
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky

This is the day your life will surely change
This is the day when things fall into place

This is the day your life will surely change.....

Song credit: The The

Do you have a similar song?
posted at 04:05 PM | link-

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Gonna dress you up in my love
I didn't realize you could apply your CafePress store credits ("CafeCash") toward their merchandise until today -- so I finally got around to ordering one of my blog tees. This order came with a $5 off coupon on new $20 or more purchases from any of their stores, so the first person to ~~e-mail me~~ gets it. And please...only ~~write~~ if you plan on using it! It expires today -- May 29, 2003.

UPDATE: I met another...and poof!...it was gone!
posted at 03:42 PM | link-

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Hate me - do it and do it again
Listening to this on Rome right now...why doesn't someone just rub the guy out once and for all? Seriously. It's no big loss. All he ever really gave us was an annoying Nintendo game.
posted at 12:30 PM | link-

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It's picture page, it's picture page!
Well since my clients couldn't e-mail me today, I couldn't e-mail them, and I wasn't blogging...I actually used part of the afternoon to organize photos. Finally! So here are our last three day-trips in Shutterblog:

And...I'm spent!
posted at 09:57 PM | link-

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Enjoy the silence?
Good thing I decided to take a break today, huh... The 'net done went and exploded on us. (More info about Wednesday's meltdown can be found here and here.)
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This is a request, Mr. Radio Man
My blog is going to remain silent today as I take time to reflect on friendships and how precious life really is... While I'm taking the day off, I'll leave you with this:

Todd and I have started listening to our local "oldies" station's new format in the car. But I'm not talking shoo-do-wop, groups that start with the word "Four" for $200 Alex, kinda oldies. The following are just a sampling of what they are now calling "the greatest oldies of the 70s, 80s and early 90s" on this station:

Girls on Film - Duran Duran
Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
Need You Tonight - INXS
Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
We Got the Beat - The Go-Go's
Der Komissar - After the Fire
Goody Two Shoes - Adam Ant
Pop Musik - M

Please note: it's no longer being called "retro". It's oldies. Although I think it's great we finally have a station we can stomach (that is, in between the Springsteen and Bon Jovi they also play here and there) -- I'm also quite distressed that while we seem to have one hand on the radio dial, the other is now on a bottle of Geritol. Did our parents go through this when the Beatles became oldies, too?
posted at 12:04 AM | link-

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I talked for hours to your wallet photograph
The world has turned and left me here
Just where I was before you appeared
And in your place, an empty space
Has filled the void behind my face...

Well this has been a somewhat difficult day that I don't hope to repeat soon. I ordered the group floral arrangement for tomorrow's funeral. I think it's going to be nice -- eleven of our names are going on the card. I e-mailed the OU Scholars Program director with the news this afternoon. He was our academic adviser back when we all lived in the Honors Dorm. I wasn't sure if they wanted to offer official condolences to the family or not, but I thought it would be nice to give them the option. With only three small floors of residents above the offices, the Honors Dorm residents are a very tight-knit community. Our message board has had tributes and favorite memories passed back and forth today. I've talked with a few other friends today for the first time since this happened. And I put on a Nirvana CD -- something I haven't listened to in years -- and typed out a letter to Kevin. Adam is going to be a pallbearer, and said he would try to slip it in the casket for me since I can't be there tomorrow. The only other such letter I've ever written was to my Grandfather, but he had cancer and I was able to give it to him before he passed away. Knowing I've been trying to contact Kevin for three weeks and couldn't reach him has been particularly hard...this is the only goodbye I'll get, and it's after the fact. I noticed that Jana said her goodbyes at her blog as well.

Kevin's obituary came out in yesterday's paper. I'm going to edit it a bit out of respect for the family and their privacy. But since you've seen his photos, I thought you might want to see what an incredible, brilliant person he was as well.

KEVIN D. SMITH
The funeral for Kevin Daryl Smith, 28, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 2003.

He was born Sept. 29, 1974, to Fred D. and Lois L. Smith and died Thursday, May 22, 2003.

He graduated with honors from High School in 1992. In May 1997, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma and was admitted to the law school at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his juris doctorate with honors in May 2000. He obtained a position with a law firm in Pittsburgh, Pa., recently transferring to its Dallas office.

He was preceded in death by his father, maternal grandfather and paternal grandparents.
posted at 06:06 PM | link-

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She's got the cutest little baby face
Kevin just passed along this photo of my youngest fan -- his new niece who just happens to live right here in Tampa Bay. All together now...awwwww!
posted at 04:51 PM | link-

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Give up the funk
There is absolutely nothing worse than having an installation guy out to your house in the summer -- and when they leave, the whole place reeking of "sweaty man ass". Excuse me. I have to go empty the contents of one of these now.
posted at 02:44 PM | link-

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Temporary fix
Todd is out on a comfort food run to Chili's... Screw fat and calories. Waistline be damned. I want chicken fried steak and mashed taters with gravy. Now.

What's your favorite "break glass in case of emergency" comfort food?
posted at 07:25 PM | link-

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America's Most Wanted
I was asked to pass this along, and I'm more than happy to do so. Especially given that one of his victims was from the Tampa Bay area... Please be on the lookout.
posted at 07:10 PM | link-

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Get your motor runnin'
In an attempt to lighten things up around here just a bit, the dual-vanity plates we spied yesterday on our way to the beach... I wonder if they always have to stop at lights with him on the left and her on the right?

[hog and hogette]

posted at 01:54 PM | link-

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The day after the night before
I don't think I got a full-hour's sleep straight last night. The tears finally came, and today my eyes have that puffy, tired "ache" to them. I just feel lost. And gripped by the fear that bad news always comes in threes, and this is just our second major loss of the year. The year's not even half-over yet.

We've debated and debated on whether or not to go back for the funeral, and I don't think we're going to. Money is extremely tight post-vacation to say the least. But that's not really the reason when it boils down to it. Knowing he was dating his ex-fiancée again really is honestly the reason for me. When I met him, I didn't know he was engaged to someone I knew. I just thought he was engaged to "someone" in Chicago. That someone turned out to be a good friend of mine from junior high and a fellow cheerleader. He broke off their engagement to start dating me, so there's obviously not a lot of good blood there -- even though it was a decision he made all on his own. Anyway, I just feel like "she" should be the one at the funeral since they had recently been back together again. Not me. I don't want to hurt her any more than she already is. And I'm just afraid seeing me would hurt her and open old wounds, in addition to the current ones she must have.

I'm not sure if that will make sense, but I don't suppose any of this makes sense to begin with, now does it? He's going to be buried in the same small town my grandfather is buried in, so hopefully one day soon I can pay them both a visit again...

Thanks so much to everyone who's e-mailed and left comments of support and encouragement. Please save your thoughts and prayers for his family, however. This is their second, difficult death in a couple of year's time. I just can't imagine what they must be going through.
posted at 12:59 PM | link-

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Only words that I could find...

A few photos from our late afternoon at the beach. You'll forgive me if my heart isn't exactly in them right now... I'll try to add more later this week.

We're getting older, the world's getting colder
For the life of me I don't know the reason why
Maybe it's livin' making us give in
Hearts rolling in taken back on the tide
We're balanced together ocean upon the sky...

UPDATE: All photos taken today can now be found in Shutterblog.
posted at 01:16 AM | link-

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In the sun, in the sun I feel as one

[kevin smith]

It's a message you never expect on your voicemail after a day at the beach. "Hi, this is Kevin Smith's sister. Can you please give me a call as soon as you get this message?" Especially considering you haven't seen her since she was in grade school, and she's now a grown woman who barely even remembers you. The pit of your stomach sinks as you know it's not good. It can't be good. So you call a good friend close to home to see if they've heard anything. They haven't. And then you open your e-mail and immediately see the name of another good friend with the words, "Call me please." You know it's officially bad. Your fingers can't even tremble out the right numbers. It takes you three tries to dial. And it is bad. Then the phonecalls begin so you can pass along the news "in person", too...

A boyfriend of mine in college, and still someone I consider a very good friend, committed suicide this weekend. I believe he would have been 29 this fall. We talked as grown-apart couples and friends who are married (he, since divorced) do. Here and there. On occasion. E-mailing for several hours straight. Then not again for weeks. I honestly can't remember if I talked to Kevin this year. I can't remember a lot from this year to be honest. I know we talked at the end of last year. I know things were going well for him. He'd had a really tough time with his divorce and the death of his father, but he'd done very well for himself. He graduated near the top of his class at UT's law school and was working for a very prestigious firm in Pennsylvania. At the time, he had a new girlfriend and they had just moved in together. We talked a lot about football, and about how happy we were the Sooners were doing well. He had a new replica of Memorial Stadium he had with him at all times on game day. I had my lucky t-shirts.

Apparently he had just moved back to Texas within the last few weeks, and that's where it grows hazy for those of us close to him. He had started a new job with his firm, and was apparently seeing the girl he'd been engaged to before he dated me. We understand he'd been in touch with several people he'd been estranged with recently. I wasn't one of them.

But then again, we weren't estranged. I had seen him fairly recently. He was down here a few summers ago and we spent the afternoon together goofing off and catching up on old times. We had lunch with Todd. And then he was gone. I had no idea that would be the last time I'd see him. My name and number were on a note he left to his sister so I'd be notified. How do I come to terms with being on a list like that?

To be honest, I have no idea how this is effecting me yet. I've tried to cry, but the tears just stay there welled up like they can't fall. I'm in shock. Not in shock that this is actually something he did, because I dated him for a long time. I was friends with him even longer. I loved him. I knew him. We had fought about suicide when Kurt Cobain took his life. It was a wicked fight. (We had a lot of those, anyone who knew us well can attest to -- they were the basis of our relationship it seemed at times. But the bigger the fight, the deeper the friendship.) I knew how he felt about suicide. And I remember telling him at the time if he ever did that to me I would bring him back and kill him again for even trying it. But I just never dreamed...

Now I will spend the rest of my life wondering "what if". What if I'd fought a little harder with him in college to stay here with us. What if I had put my own pain aside this year and tried to find out that he had his own. What if my e-mails hadn't went unreturned the last three weeks. (Our dorm in college, where Todd also lived, has a new message board online and we're planning a reunion next year. I couldn't understand why he wasn't over there with us joining in on the fun. I was trying to get his attention and find out what he'd been up to.) What if. And why?

I miss him. And now I have to live with the fact I always will. All alone is all we are...

I know a lot of my friends from college read here from time to time. We're going to send a group arrangement from the Honors Dorm to the funeral home. The services are this coming Wednesday if you'd like more details. Please feel free to leave messages to his family in the comments and I'll make sure they're passed along, and if you'd like your name on the arrangement, just let me know. -Robyn
posted at 10:47 PM | link-

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Good gravy!
I'm about to make this for a late breakfast before we start our glorious Florida bright sunshiney day. I needs me some chocolate. You have exactly 15 minutes to be here or be

!
posted at 12:47 PM | link-

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What's a girl gotta do?
Trash, princess, whore, and now twit (no link for your "15 minutes" this time, sorry).....but I won't feel I've really arrived 'til I get diva, dammit!
posted at 12:31 PM | link-

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Sans taste
Remember this entry of mine earlier in the week? Who knew? (Thanks to Kristine for the link!)
posted at 12:32 AM | link-

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The bitch is back
I loves me some bitch blogs...welcome Catty Bitches to the alley! (I'm not a participant there, by the way. Just a bitchified reader.)
posted at 09:24 PM | link-

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Trial and error
We just added six new Holga photos to lomo-motion.com.

It was our first trial-run with the camera (using color film). We were basically testing out how sharp the images would be, the colors it shot with, and where our light-leaks were. So nothing too spectacular. It's going to be fun getting the hang of it, and figuring out just which parts of the camera to tape up, nonetheless. I just wish we knew of a local lab to process the medium format film. It took almost 2 weeks to get the photos back from Ritz. For more Holga links, start here...
posted at 04:00 PM | link-

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But do freedom fighters swallow?
We were driving into Tampa tonight and couldn't resist capturing this moment for everyone -- ahhhh life on the Redneck Riviera:

Now I'm not sure which is more amusing... The fact the guy took a permanent marker to his car's paint. The fact he didn't first look up the spelling of the very thing he was trying to exclaim sucked (almost forgot the "o" there, buddy). Or the fact that even though driving an American-flag waving vehicle on Memorial Day weekend, he took the time to slam on his brakes and flip off a POW-Purple Heart Veteran plated car (that had accidentally cut him off earlier) when the driver of that car turned off the main road. It was most amusing all around.

And last but not least...this photo was taken just for Yvonne. Mmmmm...
posted at 10:59 PM | link-

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99 bottles of beer until fall...99 bottles of beer
Can I kindly direct everyone's attention over to the sidebar for just a moment? There are now less than 100 days until OU's football season 2003 kicks off. And there was much rejoicing...
posted at 06:52 PM | link-

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We ain't got no car foo'
Dr. Beach's new top ten is out. Two of the ten are in Tampa Bay -- Fort DeSoto Park (#2) and Caladesi Island (#5). Who wants to come visit?
posted at 04:54 PM | link-

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You didn't get none...'cuz you are on the welfare
We are so heading here tonight after dinner. You may hate me now.

posted at 02:08 PM | link-

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=w=hoa.
How can I exploit this? Let me count the ways... (Proudly obsessing over Rivers Cuomo and Weezer since fall semester '94...)
posted at 12:19 PM | link-

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The other monuments so white and clean
Editorial: Y'know, I was just sitting here thinking...this weekend is why I'm really not ready for someone to make a federal holiday out of 9-11. All I can think of right now is "three day weekend" and "beach". But it's Memorial Day weekend. Not very many of us stop and celebrate it as intended any longer, do we? It's just too soon for me to have another excuse to hit the beach and throw a white sale... I honestly prefer remembering that day in my own way for now.
posted at 11:38 AM | link-

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To all my neighbours you got much flavah
It's been awhile since I've recommended blog reads...so here I go...

On the Fritz -- Observations of Modern Life
off the blog -- tasty muffins
Dirty Whore Diary -- your daily dose of smut
shawnallison.com -- Shawn not included
Oh Yeah Girl. -- shake what 'cho mama gave ya!

If you need more diversions, start here...and happy almost-holiday weekend!

This is how we do it, it's Friday night
And I feel all right
The party's here on the ~~West~~ East side

So I reach for my 40 and I turn it up
Designated driver take the keys to my truck
Hit the shore 'cause I'm faded
Honeys in the street say, "Monty, yo we made it!"

It feels so good in my hood tonight
The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani
All the gang bangers forgot about the drive-by

You gotta get your groove on, before you go get paid
So tip up your cup and throw your hands up
And let me hear the party say.....
posted at 12:02 AM | link-

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Orange you glad you came here today
First Yvonne gave Michele her daily dose of Vitamin DD. Now she's making sure that I don't get scurvy (don't click at work). You couldn't ask for a better, more concerned friend! Perhaps Yvonne should apply here and do us all proud? Baby needs a new pair of shoes...
posted at 10:29 PM | link-

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Hi, my name is Robyn. And I have a drinking problem.
I swear to all that's holy...if I miss my mouth while going to take a swig of water, Coke, whathaveyou, one more time this week...
posted at 08:16 PM | link-

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Go white boy, go white boy, go!
Is it just me, or is there something really wrong with the way the world works when bloggers are able to raise only $1251.00 for breast cancer -- but bloggers can raise over $4000 for a high school doofus embarrassed that his light sabre choreography video circled the 'net without his knowledge or permission? I mean, don't get me wrong. I feel for the kid and all. Really I do. But $4K+ for a little teen angst? C'mon. I lived in a dorm full of geeks in college, and the most we ever got was a free t-shirt with a Visa application.
posted at 05:59 PM | link-

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Can't you come out to play
I haven't done song lists in awhile. You can find the past ones under "songs for any occasion" over in the sidebar. It's no secret this year has been tough for both of us, so I'm wondering what songs you listen to when life is falling apart around you? Either because you're down and mellow and want to stay there for awhile -- or because the music is uplifting and just the thing you need to kick what's going on to the curb.

My contribution is "Empty Garden" by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. I was in my early 20s before I realized the song was penned as a tribute to John Lennon. Suddenly it just clicked and made sense why I identified with it so much. You can almost hear Elton working through his pain as the song progresses. It starts off slow and somber, but by the end the beat picks up to where I almost feel invincible listening to it. And right now, I'm starting to feel myself again. It's the first time I can say that in months...

So there you go. That's mine. Now it's your turn.
posted at 01:21 PM | link-

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And so it is written...
My horoscope for today reads:

"This is going to be a day for protecting your sense of space and privacy, dear Robyn. People are going to make you feel that your territory is being invaded as never before. But what they don't know is that Sagittarius is preparing a storm. This is not the moment for people to be bothering you!"

Ummmm...yeah. So let that be a lesson to you!
posted at 10:31 AM | link-

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One more time...
Attention! There's no need to e-mail me and tell me the site is broken. (I've fielded several such e-mails today so this message is not directed at anyone in particular.) I deleted several of my skins yesterday in a fit of late-spring cleaning.

If you're getting "warning" messages at the top of the page, follow the link to skin the site at the top of the page. Select a new skin. Proceed to the main page. And voilà. All should be fixed!

What's happening is that your browser cookie is trying to pull a file that no longer exists, so you have to pick a new one first.

Thanks!
-Robyn
posted at 10:32 PM | link-

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Sweet mother of pastry products
We've lived in Florida over six years now. One thing that has constantly eluded me has finally been found. It was a quick store-run in the unlikeliest of places. But there it was, nonetheless. The very last one on the shelves, just waiting for me. Now, I present to you my victory...the quest is finally over...

[victorious!]

And it was good.
posted at 09:25 PM | link-

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Who takes it? Who reigns supreme?
Ok, here's the unofficial ATPTB "American Idol" poll -- who wins tonight? I'll hide the results once the real winner is announced so it won't spoil anything for the West Coasters. But this is your warning -- if you aren't watching the show live -- read the comments with caution!

(results closed)
posted at 07:29 PM | link-

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Keep rollin', rollin', rollin'...
Just a quick note that I've added a reciprocal-Blogroll over to the sidebar. But if you're one of the people still linking to blogblogbaby.com (tisk, tisk, tisk) you're not going to show up over there. So please update your links to tampatantrum.com!

K, thx.
-Robyn
posted at 06:53 PM | link-

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What's your definition of dirty, baby
Via Yvonne and Statia -- blogasm.org, a new group-blog about sex. And if you still want more, more, MORE ... also visit dirtyquestions.com.
posted at 03:57 PM | link-

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We wear short shorts
Your own
Personal
Jesus (

)

Someone to wash your car
And mow your lawn.....
posted at 02:45 PM | link-

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But I want is to be left alone in my average home
Greeeeaaat. There's a discussion going on over at FARK about Ad-Aware (which I happen to use and love). It appears spyware manufacturers are bringing suit against Ad-Aware for false advertising because Ad-Aware removes their spyware product. Oh the humanity.
posted at 12:50 PM | link-

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Ladies with an attitude
I ruined it for Todd...now I'll ruin it for you, too. Every time I see the new design I think "Wonder Bread". But who cares -- I like Wonder Bread -- and I like the way it looks. A design that reminds you of sammiches can't be all bad...

And here are a few good sites if you want yesteryear vixen pics:

Lastly, since this design is all about Rita, here are three great images of her just because (image 1, image 2, image 3). If you have additional, similar photo links to pass on, please leave them in the comments!
posted at 01:56 AM | link-

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No deposit, no return

I found this link in a great entry over at Kristine's -- Give Credit Where Credit Is Due!. It's an "interactive tutorial illustrating the importance of giving credit on the same page as graphics are used, utilizing the newest offerings of some of the best linkware and shareware graphic designers on the net".
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Idoltary
So I hate to say it, but I think Clay blew Reub away in Round One. Thoughts? Opinions? Ouija Board predictions?

UPDATE: Notice LENNON went first!
posted at 08:19 PM | link-

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Summer...it's like a merry-go-round
The maroon background around here was starting to get me down. I needed something light, airy, and well...summery... So I changed the default skin. I also deleted several of my old skins, so if you're showing up to random wonkiness, that's why... Don't yell at me. My site. My prerogative. Change is good. Get used to it.

To reset your skin, just go here. The 800x600 crowd should be much happier with Rita as the default now though. Enjoy! I promise to get the other skins up to par by late tonight.

UPDATE: Everything should be fixed now. Let me know if you have any problems!
posted at 07:52 PM | link-

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The safety dance
I am so sick of this shit.

Current breaking news headline on CNN: "Senior U.S. officials say intelligence 'chatter' suggests terrorists may be planning a major attack inside the United States. Details to come."

To be followed by "go on about your daily lives as usual", I'm sure. How many times has this been breaking news since 9-11? That does it. I'm sending Tom Ridge a copy of this, COD.

Now I'm sure it will happen again one day. And one day in the not so distant future. But until you've got more than "chatter" to scare us all back into submission, keep it to yourselves!
posted at 01:25 PM | link-

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What's the name of the game?
Not playing that other blog-game, but still want in on a little faux-money making action? Check out The Popdex Game (in beta).

You have 10 "chips" per day to wager on links that you believe will go up in the Popdex rankings (based on PopScore) within the next 48 hours.....You may select between 1 and 10 URLs per day, using some or all of your daily chips. Daily chips do not roll over.

Visit the rules page for more info.
posted at 11:25 AM | link-

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~~Psychotic~~ Psychic episode, take 2
Just call me the Miss Cleo of the blogging world... Remember this last week? Well...

Troubled Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland has been released on $10,000 bail after being arrested for drug possession. The new singer in Guns 'N Roses offshoot band the Project was stopped by police just after midnight on Sunday for a routine traffic stop.

Burbank, Calif., Police Sergeant Tracy Sanchez explains, "It was for driving without his lights on."

Following this, the officers allegedly noticed that the singer had narcotics in the vehicle and arrested him -- although what sort of drug was found has not been named.

He was released around 5:30 a.m. later that morning. [link]

Call me now, chil'...
posted at 10:18 AM | link-

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No. More. Wire. Hangers!
My kingdom for the head of Vincent Connare (author and creator of the font Comic Sans) on a platter. Fava beans and a nice chianti optional.
posted at 10:15 PM | link-

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Take it from me, parents just don't understand
We were just snackin' on some yummy watermelon, and I reminded Todd not to eat the seeds because they'd grow inside. So we started comparing parental stories you were told as children just to mess with your head, because your parents could do so and get away with it... Todd will comment his here in a bit -- it's a great one. One of mine was that rabbits laid eggs because of the Cadbury egg commercial. Bwok bwok bwok bwok. I actually asked my teacher if they did outloud in science class (and still won the science award that year). It took me a long time to live that one down.

Got any good ones of your own -- either from your parents, or that you've passed down to your kids? Typical Santa, Easter Bunny, and Toof'fairy stories need not apply (unless they're really good)...
posted at 08:54 PM | link-

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Ride 'em cowgirl

[on my horsey]

Just thought y'all should be subjected to my random-cuteness. Take a close look, because that's probably one of the very few photos in existence to prove I actually wore cowboy boots once upon a time. I haven't been riding in years... Well, horses anyway. *wink*
posted at 06:03 PM | link-

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Do you have any holio?
My husband just called me Cornholio and is afraid to come home tonight.

So far today's events have caused the inhaling of three diet Cherry Cokes in a row, a half-bag of spicy nacho cheese Doritos, and a few fist-fulls of Apple Jacks. What? The random shaking and twitching is normal, isn't it?
posted at 03:52 PM | link-

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Psychic or psychotic...your call...
You probably know by now that every index page on my server was pretty much hacked last night -- Blogomania and Hosting Matters clients alike. Thank god they just overwrote index.html pages and didn't delete files. But if you were putting off taking this advice -- do it. It might be you the next time...
posted at 12:33 PM | link-

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More than words
I collect a lot of things...one of them being quotes. So what's your favorite quote? It can be funny, serious, political -- whatever. I'm not picky. Just show me what you got. I'll start you off with two of mine:

"To grow mature is to separate more distinctly, to connect more closely." —Hugo von Hofmannsthal

"Well behaved women rarely make history." —Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
posted at 12:55 AM | link-

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Steal this blog
Reading this at "anything but ordinary" literally made my blood boil... Granted, it's no big secret I rarely watch Tech TV anymore. All Leo, all the time is just not for me. But check out an excerpt from the most recent "Sarah's Blog Report":

Steal, steal, steal!

Or, if you want to be really unimaginative, view the source of a blog you like and copy its stylesheet for your own blog. Here's how:

1. Go to the page of your choice.
2. From the View drop-down menu, choose Source.
3. Pick a document reader such as Notepad to view the code.
4. Near the top, look for this line: <link rel="stylesheet" href="URL here" type="text/css" />
5. The URL between the quotes is your key. Copy and paste that link into a browser window for your stylesheet code.
6. Copy and paste that code into your current stylesheet, replacing what you already have.
7. Save the changes and rebuild your page. Done.

Isn't that fun? Isn't that easy? Once you've got the look you want, you can fudge the HTML code and customize your brand-new blog. Just don't copy my blog. [link]

Viewing source code to learn? Who hasn't. Copying source code with intent to steal it because you're too damn lazy to think of anything on your own -- when there are several sites out there already with free templates for the taking? Bend over, grab a big tube of KY, and prepare to endure my wrath.

Why waste time writing term papers in college? Just type the subject name in Google, highlight, copy and paste. Voilà! Small-town reporters can forget doing investigative work to earn their pay. Just view the source of the New York Times front page and upload as your local news site. You'll be out of work just in time for Dr. Phil.

I mean, in this day and age, we can't possibly be expected to take the time to actually make something that's our own look like it's our own, now can we? Oh no. That would be way too much trouble. Why have YOUR JOURNAL exude your personality, when you'd much rather come across as someone else?

Sarah specifically says not to copy "her blog" in her little tips and tricks piece -- but I wonder how she'd feel if I suddenly got lazy this week, and decided to paste all of her entries in my blog instead. I mean, after all -- isn't that fun? Isn't that easy? It's so hard coming up with my own content each day.

I certainly hope Tech TV realizes how irresponsible this is. Because if I replicated the Tech TV design and put my blog's contents in it, I can count the seconds 'til their lawyers hit me up in 4...3...2...1 to cease and desist.

Un-fucking-believable. What a waste of a perfectly good cable channel. You can find more information about contacting Tech TV here.

P.S. Just go ahead and try to steal my designs, Sarah. I double-dog dare you. It never goes well, and that's the part that is oh so much fun.

UPDATE: Read Zuly's comment (regarding Kristine's latest entry). Double grrrrr. And Zuly adds her thoughts on the matter here.
posted at 10:58 PM | link-

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I'm...sailing...away

This afternoon we decided to act like tourists again, so we drove down to St. Pete to walk around the Baywalk area and Marina. We also drove to the St. Pete Pier and the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Here are a few photos from our day. Eventually I'll find time to get everything I've taken this month better-organized...I think... Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

UPDATE: All photos taken today can now be found in Shutterblog.
posted at 09:23 PM | link-

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Oh, and next Friday...is Hawaiian shirt day...

Fifteen glorious pages of thread/comment-stoppers. So don't say I never gave ya' nuthin'... (You can find even more, from a different site, here.)
posted at 02:31 AM | link-

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New York state of mind
Zuly just passed along this NY Times article on bloggers by the same reporter that interviewed me early this month. (I'm not mentioned in it.) I don't see anyone I know that was interviewed mentioned, actually. Of course, that could be because we're all married -- and the spin on this article seems to be dating now. It's a good read, nonetheless. How much is too much to share... Check it out.
posted at 09:25 PM | link-

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My little baby sister can do it with ease
I've added ten of my Lomo shots from last weekend to lomo-motion.com. We tried using a new color film this time around (Fuji Superia 400) and weren't as happy with it. Our previous color images were shot on the Lomo film that originally came with the camera (which we just purchased 5 more rolls of). We've been following Lomo sites and forums closely for film recs, and Fuji was one of them -- but for me, it's getting a thumbs-down for now. A lot of the images were just a tad bit more dark than I would have liked and not nearly as vivid as the last batch. I'm really pleased with this one, however.
posted at 08:19 PM | link-

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Looks like Chuck's taking a skin boat to Tuna Town
So when you're at a party and someone asks what you do, do you fudge a little bit on the job description if you're this guy? It's the little things that keep me amused each day...
posted at 05:53 PM | link-

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Laissez les bon temps rouléz
Admin FYI: I've added the Gnomedex Blogroll (aka Gnomeroll) as a pop-up over in my sidebar's "la la love you" section on the default Mae skin.
posted at 04:12 PM | link-

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Ctrl + Alt + Oh shit
Time for another reminder to back those MT blogs up. In case you missed it, Jason got hacked this week, and all of his blogs were deleted and the archives were destroyed. He's having to start over from scratch...

From an earlier reminder of mine: Go to your "import/export" tab in the left menu and do an export of your blog. The directions are at the very bottom of the page. This will help you save a file of your blog entries, and all of its comments, through the time of export. If you have to install a new copy of MT from scratch after a database crash, you can run the export file you've just made through the import feature, and regain all of your past contents and comments (up to the date saved in export) immediately.

There's also an easy way to back up all of your templates for safe-keeping from "the girlie matters". Better to be safe than sorry!
posted at 02:05 PM | link-

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I know you'll get to like it if you give it a chance now
As mentioned earlier, Todd took off with my Lomo this week. His b&w Lomographs have been added to the newly redesigned lomo-motion.com.

Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to add the Lomo images I took in downtown Tampa and Ybor City last weekend (separate from the preview of images taken with my G3). But for now, check out Todd's photos -- I'm very impressed!
posted at 01:57 AM | link-

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I let the sandcastles kill my mind
This is about as close to "pop" as you'll ever see me put up around here. So enjoy it while you can...

[Click here for song lyrics]
posted at 04:52 PM | link-

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Teacher, teacher!
*raises hand* If you're gonna put an on / off button on something like a cordless razor, curling iron, blow dryer, "personal massager", whathaveyou -- why do companies insist on putting said-button directly underneath the thumb-grip area? Just a little summin' that makes me go hmmmmm...or huuummm...depending on your interpretation.
posted at 03:50 PM | link-

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You have the right to...
Ok, I'm literally like the last person on the planet now to make a blog CafePress shop. I've always had one for bachelorette parties at WM! But last night I thought of a shirt I actually wanted myself, so I made it. Feel free to stop by and buy a dozen for your closest friends and acquaintances...now you can rub me all over your chest...
posted at 02:39 PM | link-

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Reloaded
I won't give away any spoilers -- but two words: damn straight. And if you leave before the credits quit rolling, you're nucking futs. Happy Friday -- night all!
posted at 01:47 AM | link-

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Kill. Your. Television.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Electric word "life", it means forever and that's a mighty long time. But I'm here to tell you, there's something else. The after-world. A world of never ending happiness. You can always see the sun -- day or night.

An amusing summary of last night's American Idol.
Just think how many Atari systems could have been sold if they paired with Playboy. Or if that's not your style, try Playmate strip-poker and strip-tac-toe. (games obviously not work-safe)
So many jokes...so little time...
"The villains in the [Matrix Reloaded] flick are a pair of white-skinned, white-haired, red-eyed twins, and groups representing albinos say the movie unfairly stereotypes pigment-challenged individuals. 'They’re not albinos,' a Warner Bros. rep snapped. They’re dead...'"
Finally a Survivor All-Star Series -- just in time for none of us to care.
Trista and Ryan say screw "honest and sacred" when a four-part ABC special on their wedding is involved. But at least we no longer have to ask, "What about Bob?"

And now...your moment of zen... In this life, you're on your own!
posted at 04:52 PM | link-

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Drumroll please...
The new May "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" wedding is now online. And chances are you just might recognize this month's beautiful couple!
posted at 03:19 PM | link-

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8-ball, corner pocket
This site is freakin' cool -- rather than just your standard Magic 8 Ball, you type your question, and your answer is served up in the form of MP3. Check it -- Radio8Ball.
posted at 12:13 PM | link-

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Tra la la la la la...
Today is Brainy Smurf's birthday. Go on over and give 'er her spankings!

posted at 12:24 AM | link-

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18 and life to go

Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland has been named as the new vocalist for the band featuring former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum.

The rocker has already worked with the Project on upcoming tracks for movies "The Hulk" and "The Italian Job" and now he has beaten out former Skid Row star Sebastian Bach to become the group's permanent frontman.

He says, "I'm in the band. We signed the contract." [link]

I guess maybe someone should update their Dead Pool guesses with that lethal combo -- can you imagine Weiland, Slash and Duff on the same tour! And what an accomplishment beating out Sebastian Bach for anything in 2003 must be...
posted at 10:53 PM | link-

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Plop, plop - fizz, fizz - oh what a relief it is!
Todd's been bit by the photography bug as well. He filled up 2/3 of a b&w roll on the Lomo during his lunch yesterday, and is practicing his digital skillz on my old Minolta. Here's a photo he took today that I just adore. So if you're missing his voice, check out his sight...
posted at 10:00 PM | link-

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Next poll
Ok, Todd insists I take another poll... Ryan Seacrest. Light in the loafers? Closet Cher fan? Knows all lyrics to show tunes?

Inquiring minds wanna know. Of course, I probably would have dated him in high school, so I think that says it all right there.
posted at 08:39 PM | link-

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Conspiracy theory
So Todd and I are both under the impression that no matter what, somehow Kimberley will be safe on AI tonight. Y'know, to have that whole "girl vs. guy" thing goin' on in the final round. Do you think we're right?

I guess we'll find out in just under an hour, regardless! Feel free to rant away here...

(voting disabled)

Left-coasters, you're in for a bumpy ride. Don't click for more!

UPDATE: This is why we haven't been to Vegas I guess. Whoa. Final vote here was 10 yep votes, 5 nope votes.
posted at 08:09 PM | link-

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Public Service Announcement
The week is half-over. And there was much rejoicing.
posted at 05:45 PM | link-

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Just you and me lesbian seagull

Lesbian Seagull

Over rocks and trees and sand
Soaring over cliffs
And gently floating down to land

She proudly lifts her voice
To sound her mating call
And soon her mate responds by singing
Caw...caw...caw

Come with me
Lesbian Seagull
Settle down and rest with me

Fly with me Lesbian Seagull
To my little nest by the sea

With me that's where you belong with me
I know I can be strong when you're with me.....

Confused? Click here.
She skims the water
At the new time to seek
Her fish and she emerges
With one squirming in her beak

She plays among the waves
And hides between the swells
She walks the beach at twilight
Searching for some shells

Come with me
Lesbian Seagull
Settle down and rest with me

Oh fly with me Lesbian Seagull
To my little nest by the sea

With me that's where you belong with me
I know I can be strong when you're
You're with me.....

Song Credit: Engelbert Humperdinck
posted at 03:28 PM | link-

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Lies lies lies, yeah - they won't forget you
I'm not going to say who we know that works at this corporation for their protection -- let's just say that it's either a very close friend or family member we know back home. Close enough that we spent a half-hour online and on the phone with their national parent company last week until we found a local number to call and check on this person's safety. I won't blog the name either, as I don't wish to eventually get Googled for it.

But during last week's Moore tornado, no one at this company's main call center (the largest employer in the city) -- less than a mile from the destruction -- was even notified of it. All televisions in the building were turned off, the blinds were drawn. The phones were left plugged in and they were kept working offering national phone support as usual. It was only after these employees even got off work that they learned an F4 tornado had touched down merely blocks from them. [see the story on video from OKC's News 9] Some of these employees had lost their homes.

Oh and about that call we placed to check on the individual we know? We were told they were plugged into their phone and couldn't accept incoming calls, but would return our call in 30 minutes to an hour when they were on break. Seemed like a reasonable excuse at the time. They told us they were "hand-delivering" our message. We never received a call back, but since we'd received verbal verification they were ok after the tornado we assumed they had enough to deal with at the time given their location. We just learned this message was never, in fact, passed along. Normally I can understand messages like that getting lost -- but it doesn't take a conspiracy theorist to wonder if that message purposely vanished that night.

To say I'm livid on this individual's behalf (and that of all their coworkers) would be an understatement. To say I'm shocked in this day and age...well sadly, not much seems shocking anymore, now does it?
posted at 12:05 PM | link-

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Baby, won't you do me like you done before

Sensible Erection now has a Robyn paper doll. (Not my namesake.) But just in case you've been dying to dress and undress your very own Robyn all day in the privacy of your own home, now here's your chance.

I, of course, took a few liberties with my rendition to make it my own...
posted at 11:43 PM | link-

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Vital Idol
American Idol thoughts tonight? Comments? General snarking?

C'mon -- it's ok to admit it. We won't tell anyone you're watching the show. And I totally caught that Clay blew the words to his first song before the judges even made mention of it...and I'd never heard the song before...
posted at 08:46 PM | link-

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And if you want a triple-X throw down
Ok, this is getting freaky. First this. Now I'm linked at Porno News Network (link obviously not work-safe). Please, please tell me now. Is there something I should know?

UPDATE: I see that adultawardsshow.com (also not work-safe) has a link to PNN on their site, but that's about as far as I plan to investigate to see if the two are related...
posted at 04:14 PM | link-

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Too much time on my hands
It's a blog-related "not necessarily the news" wrap-up:

Oh happy day. "Dancing Barefoot" has finally been released. Thank goodness I have an anniversary coming up in a few weeks.
As of this entry, my main blogroll has been displayed 564,106 times. I Jason.
Blogging is the new pet rock of the '00s.
Don't care what you heard. Wasn't me.
Desperately seeking like-minded people. Longwhorns need not apply. (Well, except for Zuly, I guess.)

And now...your moment of zen...
posted at 03:29 PM | link-

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Blogging for Blondes - Issue #437
I swear, it's getting harder and harder to leave a comment around the blogisphere these days. Everyone plays around with their "post", "preview" and "cancel" buttons to where the real meaning is almost unrecognizable to someone with my shade of hair color. Granted, my own comment buttons are a spin on a No Doubt song -- but I think "speak" and "don't" pretty much 'splain it upfront. I can't count the number of times I've went to post a comment lately and picked the wrong choice only to have my comment go "poof!" in a cloud of dust and broken glass. Am I the only one? Seriously, if you're gonna be a cute an unique with your sayings -- make sure the rest of us have read the book first, ok? Thx.
posted at 03:02 PM | link-

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Dear Abby,
I received the following e-mail to WM! today (exactly as it appeared). Anyone wanna help me decipher it, and / or add your guesses to the new riddle for the ages?

Can you please answer this question for me.

What do 11% of newleyweds do?

Kind regards.
Amanda

Yeah, I think it's going to be another one of those days...
posted at 02:16 PM | link-

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Bling-bling
Attention Lomo owners:

lomography.com and MAC Cosmetics are sponsoring a "Pop-It from the Hip Contest". The grand prize is a 5-day/4-night trip for winner and guest to New York City, $500 spending money each, a make-up lesson at the MAC flagship store in SoHo, and a "World of Lomography Box". The deadline to enter is June 15, 2003. See official site for more details...
posted at 01:07 PM | link-

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I hear the secrets that you keep when you're talking in your sleep
I swear Todd slipped some crack in my water last night, because I had the strangest dreams. Really vivid -- involving things like stealing Select Comfort bedding and running around all over town trying to buy Grey Goose vodka (which I rarely drink, I'm a rum girl). I don't even think the Swoon Dream Interpreter has a prayer of analyzing these.
posted at 12:00 PM | link-

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And...I'm spent!
I finally have all of our vacation photos online. <and the crowd goes wild> Go here for the final images from Hilton Head Island. (All images available in larger size upon request.)
posted at 12:02 AM | link-

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Don't you stand, stand too close - you might catch it
Looks like the 2003 blog elements chart is out and I'm still hangin in at 93, Np (Neptunium). I'm a rare, radioactive silvery earth metal. Click here for more from last year... Don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!
posted at 08:28 PM | link-

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Come and knock on our door
Don't call tonight. If you do, I won't answer. Forget your e-mails being returned in a timely manner. The event I've been waiting for all year is finally here*. "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company" airs tonight! Oh goodie! So who's gonna make the Regal Beagle drinking game up ahead of time?

*Man, that was hard to type with a straight face!

UPDATE: Here's the link you've all been waiting for -- the TV Show Theme Song Lyric Index.
posted at 05:50 PM | link-

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Movin' right along...
Finally got the "people" photos from the Hilton Head Island segment of our vacation up at Shutterblog. And in case you want to see more photos of the rooms at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, you can find those here.

Now all I have left to add are three days of Hilton Head Island "places" photos. Whew!
posted at 04:19 PM | link-

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How I'm coping with my Monday
Open keyboard drawer. Insert head. Slam shut. Repeat.
posted at 01:31 PM | link-

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I cannot compete with fajitas - they sizzle
Mitch Hedberg is heading back to Tampa this coming weekend. Unfortunately we feel too po' right now to attend, but I thought I'd give everyone the heads-up. It was one of the funniest shows I've ever seen in my life. While digging around on his official website, I noticed they had finally used one of the photos I'd taken at the last show. (The webmaster at Mitch's site wrote me after finding my blog several months ago, and I sent him all the full-size originals upon request.) Considering a bouncer came over and told me to lose the camera -- I was trying to be sneaky sans-flash -- how cool is that?

(You can see the other pics I shot from the evening, starting here.)
posted at 12:47 PM | link-

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Thank you.
We've received an enormous amount of well-wishes both here and in e-mail and e-cards this weekend. Even a few via snail-mail. I just wanted to say thank you. The support we've gotten was incredible. And it will never be forgotten. Ever. I'm behind on e-mail, but hope to thank everyone who's sent a note personally very soon. -Robyn and Todd
posted at 11:02 PM | link-

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Then you keep going 'til you break my heart
This song started going through my head when I was in the shower this evening. Thought I'd share... I couldn't have said it better myself.

Human

I play a good game
But not as good as you
I can be a little cold
But you can be so cruel

I'm not made of brick
I'm not made of stone
But I had you fooled enough
To take me on...

...Well there's blood in these veins
And I cry when in pain
I'm only human on the inside

And if looks can deceive
Make it hard to believe
I'm only human on the inside...

...See I bleed and I bruise
Oh, but what's it to you
I'm only human on the inside

And if looks could deceive
Make it hard to believe
I'm only human on the inside

I crash and I burn
Maybe some day you'll learn
I'm only human on the inside

I stumble and fall
Baby, under it all
I'm only human on the inside

And the damage is done...

...Well there's blood in these veins
And I cry when in pain
I'm only human on the inside

And if looks can deceive
Make it hard to believe
I'm only human on the inside

I crash and I burn
Maybe some day you'll learn

I stumble and fall
Baby, I do it all

I'm only human on the inside...

Lyrics credit: The Pretenders
posted at 10:53 PM | link-

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Shut up and be a victim of authority

Make your own safety sign courtesy of the fine folks at Sensible Erection.

UPDATE: Thanks to Dave for the heads-up: Michele has an entire contest of these going on!
posted at 04:29 PM | link-

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Signs, signs, everywhere signs...

This Saturday afternoon we decided to play tourists, rather than locals, and head out to Channelside and Ybor City near downtown Tampa. We rode the new streetcar roundtrip from the Tampa Convention Center to Ybor and back -- making several photo (and food) stops along the way, of course. One of these days I'll add massive amounts of photos from our excursion...but for now, while I'm supposed to be working...here's a sneak-peek.

UPDATE: All photos taken today can now be found in Shutterblog.
posted at 01:13 AM | link-

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Kiss my entire, 36" white as snow ass
If you've ever wondered just exactly why I took part of my blog to sooner-born.com and made it private and passworded, you only need to look to Jesus. Todd took me out today because I just needed out of here -- anywhere. And I come back after my brief escape in the real world to find that my comments were spammed by some mindless twit (who most likely used a public computer to post the drivel -- IP 66.114.228.138). And guess what. That just happens to be a Seattle IP. Now I'm no mathematician, but it doesn't take a National Merit Scholar to figure it out...

I'm not going to leave them all up (across ten total entries in 2003 and 2002), because quite frankly, that's my prerogative. <cue Bobby Brown> But in the future just in case someone wants to know why I decided to go private -- I'm pointing you right back here to this comment left the day before Mother's Day -- right after my miscarriage. This is just one of dozens of similar e-mails, comments and blog entries I've received in recent months -- and that's when I finally decided the only one that had a right to my life was me and pulled the plug. To quote my other site, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

If you think comments like that are going to break me, you've got another thing coming. You see, there's this thing called real life. It doesn't involve a power supply, keyboard or monitor. And it's done a fine enough job of kicking my ass this year without your help. Thank you. Drive through. And don't forget the special sauce. -Robyn
posted at 09:49 PM | link-

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Insane in the membrane
Am I the only one when viewing the Kodak digital camera "revenge" commercial.....(where a friend shaves off another friend's eyebrow in his sleep and then takes a photo of it and prints several copies only to hang the evidence from the ceiling and have the Kodak paper wonders tucked in every nook, cranny and party tray within eyesight at a large soirée the eyebrowless wonder soon appears at, with sassy-perturbed girlfriend in tow, only to call a "truce" with the camera-master friend he's apparently recently shaved one bald strip down the middle of the guy's head, whew!).....to scream, "JUST SHAVE YOUR FUCKING HEAD DUMBASS!" I mean, c'mon. A missing eyebrow is a little hard to disguise. But anyone walking around with a reverse mohawk only need seek solace with of a pair of Oster clippers for about 15 minutes. Otherwise, you're just beggin' for a discount-season pass on the special bus.
posted at 12:52 PM | link-

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And wave it like you just don't care

And you guys just thought I was a diehard Sooner fan... (more photos)
posted at 11:47 AM | link-

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Twist and shout
Yesterday it was near my family. Friday night it was near Todd's family. I'm starting to like the fact you have 2-3 days to get the hell outta Dodge during hurricane season.
posted at 02:20 AM | link-

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Saturday...in the park...
Thanks to FARK, cruel.com, and Sensible Erection for the following minutes of my life I'll never, ever get back...

We killed kittens tonight. Wanna join us?
"One of the villagers who took part in the looting said he tasted the [radioactive] yellow powder in the drums because it looked pretty."
Am not! Am not! Am not!
I'm afraid. I am very afraid. (link not work safe)
Oh God, it looks like Daniel. (from tpirsite.com)

And now...your moment of zen... Oh wait, that's your moment of hell. My bad. Have a happy weekend everyone!
posted at 01:03 AM | link-

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À la peanut butter sandwiches!

Hey Mikey, they like it! Sammiches are #44 on Popdex with a bullet! Did you miss out yesterday? It's not too late -- I saved you some!
posted at 11:24 PM | link-

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It's a good time for the great taste
Todd and I just heard Fur Elise at the end of "While You Were Out". So I started singing the McDonald's commercial to the music and it cracked him up -- he'd totally forgotten about it. Wanna take a trip down memory lane with us?

Oh I wish I were already there, instead of here, playing this song.

And I would have a big chocolate shake, a cheeseburger, and also.....whoops.....and also fries.

And I would eat, my fries myself. And not give none, to my dumb brother. Hands off they're mine, all miiiiiine.

My recital is almost done, it wasn't bad. I'm still alive. And I can have my big chocolate shake, my cheeseburger, and also.....fries.

Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, Quarter Pounder, french fries, icy Coke, thick shake, sundaes, and apple pies!
posted at 10:09 PM | link-

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Rollin' with the homies
Anyone wanna buy me one of these (store not mine) for this? *ducks*
posted at 07:21 PM | link-

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The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity

Duck and cover -- it's a blogger cat post! Five years ago we adopted Madeline. She was a rescue kitten from the '98 Florida fires on the east coast. (Read more in my old "Soapbox" entry here.) They told us she was exactly five weeks old when we brought her home, so counting back, we guesstimated her birthday to be on May 9th. She's a beautiful black and white mixed-breed with more personality in her front left paw than most people have in their entire body. Maddie is 100% a daddy's girl, but she picked me. When we went by her cage, she reached both tiny paws out and grabbed my finger -- hanging on for dear life. We've been head-over-heels in love with her ever since... Happy birthday Madeline!
posted at 04:50 PM | link-

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If you think it's cheap or a bit risqué...
I really should have been born 100 years ago (link not work-safe)... But it leaves me wondering if these women's children were embarrassed and ashamed at what they were seeing, if they ever found the photos? Personally, I find them all amazingly beautiful.
posted at 03:10 PM | link-

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And now it's time for a breakdown...
Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it

Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it

Never gonna get it
Never gonna get it

Never gonna get it...

Whoooa whoooa whoooa whoooooooooooooa.......
posted at 01:21 PM | link-

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Show me the money!
I was just looking through my stats, and noticed a link from adultawardsshow.com (link not work safe). Being curious, I clicked. And over in the "Adult Links" section to the right of the page, I found Tampa Tantrum. So of course, I called Todd over. The first words out of his mouth were, "Is this a site owned by Mikey or something?" But we looked it over, and it appears the site is for the Consumers Choice Awards Show which will be held on Thursday June 19, 2003 at the Hollywood Palace in Hollywood, CA.

I'm not sure how to take this. Do I thank the Porncademy? Now see, all along Quinn has accused me of running a porn biz. So I guess now there's no more denying it... All I want to know is, where's my damn money?

Yesterday, the New York Times. Today, Robyn Does Hollywood!
posted at 11:55 PM | link-

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I have a feeling we're not in ~~Kansas~~ Oklahoma anymore
This year has quite simply sucked ass. I just recently found out immediate family members were ok after the tornadic activity in Oklahoma today. They were right in the direct path at home and work. Relatives were almost 2 hours late picking up my grandmother from the airport tonight and couldn't be reached by phone or cell phone -- leaving us and my aunt in Delaware on standby waiting for more word. A second cousin's carport was hit and is gone, but finally we've been told that everyone has been located and is fine -- and that seems to be the worst of the damage in our families. I seriously can't take much more stress like this... I think kick-boxing lessons are in order.
posted at 11:12 PM | link-

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We deliver for you
One of the most controversial blog entries I've ever made (a year ago to the very month) involved the US Postal Service. Somehow my entry got posted to a USPS employee message board, and I was bombarded by e-mails from angry mail carriers. Todd and I started to wonder if anything marked fragile would ever arrive at our house intact again. After going round-and-round in dozens of e-mails and my comments, I posed the question:

If something is leaking money, do you keep tossing it extra change -- or do you step back and figure out where the leak is coming from and fix the problem? [link]

I then went on to add in another entry:

You want to raise the cost of a stamp by 25¢ even -- fine. Hell, I wouldn't mind paying 75¢ to mail a letter, truth be told. It is not just about an extra 3¢ to me. But how can you expect me - or anyone - to not demand you be accountable for the money, and also for you to make it known just exactly what these "improvements" are that the extra money will be spent on? [link]

Well imagine my "surprise" today when I find this over at Mikey's:

Whistle-blowers -- including many who still work there -- say the Inspector General saved taxpayers only 50 cents for every dollar it spent. The office identified $56 million in wasteful spending in 2001 -- but spending $117 million dollars to do so...

..."If everybody else in the postal service wasted money the way she [Postal Inspector General Karla Corcoran] wasted money, it seems to me like instead of 37 cent stamps you'd have 74 cent stamps," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. [link]

Where there's smoke, there's usually fire. And I'm stopping short of saying "I told you so"...but... Yeah, I think I'll just stop while I'm ahead.
posted at 05:29 PM | link-

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Meep meep!
Please make sure that you're no longer writing wholly.matrimony@verizon.net -- that was never really our e-mail address anyway. Verizon "branded" their DSL accounts with the SMTP servers, and there was no getting around it. Even though we'd force a reply-to address with Outlook, not all mail clients would catch it.

We lived in a Road Runner test market in St. Pete, and were one of the first 500 customers in Tampa Bay to have it. We loved it. But when we moved up here to the 'burbs, the only high-speed options at the time were Verizon and Earthlink DSL. We never bothered to switch to Road Runner when they started offering it in our area last year, because we have DirecTV and (at the time) DSL was working fine. After our last major DSL outage -- over six of them in three month's time -- we realized that was no longer the case and said "funk 'dat". Hasta la bye-bye Verizon! Outages over 3 days were becoming the norm, they couldn't tell us why they were occurring, where the outages where located, or how long they would continue. And because Todd is a smarty-smart and knew how to do all the modem tests before calling in, there was literally nothing they could do for him when he did put in a support call. Send someone to the house? Fuhgetaboutit. They would take our number and tell him to wait for a "level four" tech support call. During each of the major outages, the phone never rang a single time -- one outage was five days long!

Well the Bright House / Road Runner guy just left and now I'm zoom-zooming along again. I forgot what bliss it is to write an e-mail and not have to check:

Options → Have replies sent to → Send message using

Road Runner doesn't brand you with their SMTP server. Oh happy day!
posted at 02:54 PM | link-

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Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated
Sensible Erection has been muuuuuch better than FARK lately:

Orgasmic Calculator (click the buttons, but turn those speakers down)
Error 404 ("And we will show those browsers no mercy whatsoever.")
The Tard Blog (And before you go and flame me for the link, check out my former profession please)
ThriftDeluxe -- DIY for the hip
My Tiny Garden (amazing macro photos)

BONUS ROUND: Blograffiti

So there you go... The perfect way to waste your afternoon, all thanks to me and SE!
posted at 01:32 PM | link-

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Hey guess what!
I ate a sammich today.
posted at 01:00 PM | link-

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Kick Glick

Loved him in "¡Three Amigos!".

"I think it's a male plane...didn't you notice its little balls?"

Semi-annoying in "Father of the Bride", but he made the part his own. It worked. And I can't forget Ed Grimley, I must say.

But oh. My. God. When are the big name stars going to quit sucking up to and legitimizing his Jiminy Glick character? Do they fear telling him "no"? The Glick skits were crap on the canceled-for-a-reason Martin Short Show. It's crap on Comedy Central. Oh, so you put on a fat suit. It makes your IQ drop. You make fat jokes. I get it. Har har. Funny. Har har. Does anyone out there actually find the show funny? I mean, seriously...
posted at 10:43 PM | link-

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It's in the game
Heads-up. If you're experiencing symptoms of Todd-withdrawal, he'll be writing online again soon. But there's a catch... It's gonna be sports related. My favorite Sooner will be representin' the Big XII over at Fanblogs.com.

Fanblogs.com is a group weblog dedicated to college football. This effort is the brainchild of a couple of guys who really love football (and beer). They gathered up some people, who told some people, who invited a few people along. The result is a collective blog for fans who know that week isn't over until you've posted about the big games, and the little games, and the practices, and the cheerleaders, and the tailgating, and...I think you get the picture. [link]

Be there or be

!

UPDATE: You can now find Todd's first entry here.
posted at 09:26 PM | link-

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To call...or not to call...that is the question
I was just reading about that "3 day rule" over at Chey's. You know the one. When a guy feels he has to wait 'x' number of days to call a girl after getting her number, or after the first date. And she sits there going slowly insane waiting for the phone to ring.

Personally, I always found the rule dumb. I hate mind games. And that is the crème de la crème of mindgames in the dating world. All I'm sayin' is that in my two longest relationships in life -- a two-year one in college, and the man I ultimately married -- both called the next day. I didn't have to sit around wondering how it went. I just knew.

So how do you feel about "the delay tactic" -- do you think it's a good idea?

Marie: Tell me I'll never have to be out there again.
Jess: You'll never have to be out there again.
posted at 07:19 PM | link-

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NY
What a surreal afternoon I've had. Expecting to edit graphics all day, instead I received a quick e-mail, and was then phone-interviewed shortly thereafter, by Warren St. John of the New York Times about blogging. I think the spin on my ~~section~~ one line of the story was basically my decision to take part of my blog private after my miscarriage -- and just what is, and is not, off-limits to me as a blogger now.

Those who know me well know that I rarely, if ever, talk on the phone because I just don't feel like I converse well without visual cues when I'm speaking with others (a symptom commonly referred to as "brainfog") -- so what actually makes it to print should be interesting. I'm sure it will be something along the lines of, "Oh, Lisa, you and your stories. Bart's a vampire. Beer kills brain cells. Now let's go back to that ... building ... thingie ... where our beds and TV ... is."

The reporter also interviewed Todd at work (after talking to me) about how he feels about the things I write, and also touched briefly on the reasons why Todd quit blogging. If that portion of their interview makes it to print, I'd like to say in advance that: "The views of Robyn's husband do not necessarily reflect the views of his wife and Ain't Too Proud to Blog". Heh. Let's just say he was experiencing severe burnout when he decided to hang up his mouse.

Now all I have left to do for total pop-culture domination is get my picture on the cover of the Rollin' Stone, I guess...
posted at 05:53 PM | link-

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Oh, snap! Guess what I saw...
I'm a very happy girl. Somehow I managed to snag the very last Lomographic Holga Medium Format Camera Starter Kit in stock on Amazon and it shipped today. I had an affiliate credit from WM!'s last quarter so I ended up paying less than $10 total for it. It's a great deal though -- the kit includes the camera (with built-in flash), a photo book by Fred Lebain, 1 roll of film, and 2 AA batteries. It uses medium-format film in color and b&w. Amazon is currently out of stock (thanks to me - mwah!), but the site allows you to pre-order and says more will be in stock soon. At $56.99, that's about a 1/3 of the price of the Lomo Kompakt Automat. You can even find them on eBay for less than that. Click here to view Holga galleries linked from Holga Camera Photo. See, I told you I'd use the new domain if I bought it!

UPDATE: Babz just passed along two great links to go with my new aquisition: toycamera.com and holgamods.com Check out some of her photography here.
posted at 03:45 PM | link-

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And that's the way it was...
We need another full moon. Strange news is severely lacking lately!

First it was rumors of "Casablanca". Now after fulfilling Ben's fantasy with a Flashdance video, J-Lo is in talks to remake "Flashdance". Is nothing sacred with her?
And they called it puppy love...
Carson Daly drops $1K on lap dances during Derby weekend. For a grand, the bitch had better clean my house and wash the car, too!
FARK headline: "Mike Price lost his job at Alabama after having sex* with what appears to be Dee Snider." (see photo)
The Prostitution Film Festival -- with such classics as "vulva massage education". Ohhhhhhh...Delores!

And now...your moment of zen...

*Please note: It appears Price did not actually have sex with that stripper, although it's reported two others joined Price overnight in his hotel room. He did spend several hundred dollars while in Destiny's company, however.
posted at 01:57 PM | link-

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My ya-ya's
Through the years we've been through weddings, births, deaths, infertility treatments, miscarriages, missing 'children', first homes, layoffs, new jobs, cross-country moves, milestone anniversaries, separations, 'net splits and now college graduations together. There are days that I don't think I'd have the strength to draw in a breath without their unconditional love and support. In the good times, and the bad. I can't imagine life before the internet, because without it, I'd never have met my best friends. Congratulations, Ashley -- we're all proud of you! Love, The Gang
posted at 03:03 AM | link-

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I said I appreciate that and would you please explain about the 50 ways
If you think back, what's the most vivid earliest childhood memory that you have? Not surprisingly, since my life seems to have a soundtrack behind it -- my memory involves music. Based on the release date of the movie and the house we lived in, I was four years old at the time. I was in my backyard on my swing-set holding my transistor radio. (Man, that ages me!) I had a cup full of Apple Jacks cereal with me. "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman came on and I belted my little heart out. I can't hear that song to this day without thinking of that early summer afternoon.

I have other fuzzy memories from when I was three-to-four that all involve my Popeye (my nickname for my grandfather who passed away when I was four). In one he was playing a harmonica that I now have framed in a shadow box. In another we were singing "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" to one another -- my mom was dating a guy named Stan at the time, and the "make a new plan, Stan" line of the song would crack me up to no end in a fit of giggles. And in yet another, he was diving off a diving board during a vacation we were on, and I was squealing, "Do it again, Popeye! Do it again!" I still get teased about that to this day.

But those memories are all fuzzy, and ones that are partly mine -- party as told by others. The "If I Can't Have You*" memory is mine and mine alone -- since I was by myself at the time. If only life were still as simple as swinging as high as your little legs could kick you in the air, singing, and munching on Apple Jacks...

UPDATE: *Remember my old "break-up songs" entry? Well this site is the jackpot for them!
posted at 01:35 AM | link-

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You are what you wear

Hey! Do I have to write it across my chest for you or what? Sheesh.
posted at 10:09 PM | link-

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And the feeling that I feel for you is more than strong, girl - take it from me
Oh holy geri-curl, Bat Man -- I'm never getting this song* out of my head now. (*Even though it's not technically a Bee Gees song and I think that's cheating.)

I Just Want to Be Your Everything

For so long
You and me been finding each other for so long
And the feeling that I feel for you is more then strong, girl
Take it from me
If you give a little more then you're asking for
Your love will turn the key

Darling mine
I would wait forever for those lips of wine
Build my world around you, darling
This love will shine girl
Watch it and see
If you give a little more then you're asking for
Your love will turn the key

I, I just want to be your everything
Open up the heaven in your heart and let me be
The things you are to me and not some puppet on a string
Oh, if I stay here without you, darling, I will die
I want you laying in the love I have to bring
I'd do anything to be your everything

Darling for so long
You and me been finding each other for so long
And the feeling that I feel for you is more then strong girl
Take it from me
If you give a little more then you're asking for
Your love will turn the key......

Song credit: Andy Gibb
posted at 08:25 PM | link--it | mail it | (8) shout it

Wiki Waki
I've been seeing the term "Wiki" everywhere lately, and Kristine has a new project helping launch one for the MT world. Welcome MT Wiki:

A Wiki is a set of pages that let visitors share their knowledge in a collaborative format. This Wiki is dedicated to helping users of MovableType, a content management system.

This is a place to add tips, tricks, instructions, and definitions. Topics are editable so everyone can add to them. [link]

Best of wishes to the new Virtual Venus gang!

UPDATE: Also from Kristine, word of two new desktop clients made specifically with MT in mind. Kristine recommends Zempt, and in her comments Doc suggests SharpMT.
posted at 06:28 PM | link-

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Melt the statues in the park

Fall On Me

There's a problem, feathers iron
Bargain buildings, weights and pulleys
Feathers hit the ground
Before the weight can leave the air
Buy the sky and sell the sky
And tell the sky and tell the sky

Don't fall on me
What is it up in the air for
It's gonna fall
Fall on me
If it's there for long
It's gonna fall
Fall on me
It's over it's over me

There's the progress we have found
A way to talk around the problem
Building towered foresight
Isn't anything at all

Buy the sky and sell the sky
And bleed the sky and tell the sky

Don't fall on me
What is it up in the air for
It's gonna fall
Fall on me
If it's there for long
It's gonna fall
Fall on me
It's over it's over me

Don't fall on me.....

Well I could keep it above
But then it wouldn't be sky anymore
So if I send it to you
You've got to promise to keep it whole

Buy the sky and sell the sky
And lift your arms up to the sky
And ask the sky and ask the sky

Don't fall on me.....

Lyrics credit: R.E.M.
posted at 03:58 PM | link-

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Baby fish mouth
Any bets that my husband was the one searching for "monkey origami"? (BBC News link via Sensible Erection.)

Here's a list of winning search strings for the month of May thus far. I should be so proud.

save the kitties god kills
melissa panty shots joe millionaire
pics my husband likes to eat my piss
ducks as housepets
white brides sucking on big black male stripper cocks
peanut porn
pics of women buying adult diapers
topless blog
i am not a bimbo
super spanky slut

I'm still trying to wrap my blonde-brain around the "peanut porn" one though. Do they mean peanuts as in the legumes -- or Peanuts as in the cartoon? Scratch that. Some things you're better off not knowing...
posted at 02:36 PM | link-

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One more addiction
Jessica has known me for years. In fact, she's known me since before I purchased my very first domain, whollymatrimony.com. So she was only too happy to point out last night that I now have a problem... Counting through the list, I realized lomo-motion.com broke the barrier. I've got ten domains for my own personal use. I know I'm not the worst one out there by far... So 'fess up. How bad is your ~~crack~~ domain addiction? Word of warning: once you break down and buy that second one, there's no turning back*! (*Thank god they're no longer $70/pop! The Network Solutions early days were evil, indeed.)

Hi, my name is Robyn. And I'm a domain whore.
posted at 02:43 AM | link-

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May I have your attention please...
Because our DSL was out this weekend, it also meant my e-mail got backed up even further post-vacation. Late but not forgotten, please turn your (belated) attention toward Childhood Stroke Awareness Day 2003. Visit "in nancy's book" for more information. I can only hope to be half the mother she is to Kayla one day! Sorry I'm late, Nancy!
posted at 02:13 AM | link-

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The Pride of Ooooo..klahoma!
The University of Oklahoma raised well over $100 million dollars in their Great Expectations Campaign, $65 million of which was earmarked for a stadium renovation at Owen Field. The fundraising began right after the OU/Nebraska game in 2000, and construction is nearing completion for opening day this August. (Click here for Memorial Stadium renderings to see the completed upgrade sketches.) I feel an amazing sense of pride when looking through all of the renovation photographs -- I just can't believe how far the stadium has come since my days as a student.

OU students who aren't football fans can complain all they want about how much the athletics programs get, and how little the academic programs get -- but Owen Field is my place of worship. To see it now almost gives me chills. It's returning to glory because our football program has led us back there. I can't wait to step inside the gates once again! (Visit oustadiumpics.com for chronological updates on the expansion -- most recently on 05.05.03.)
posted at 12:14 AM | link-

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Oh, well I think you got the knack
Just in case I haven't been able to get the song stuck in your brain yet, the domain has finally resolved and lomo-motion.com is mine all mine. Yes, I officially own more domains than flip-flops now (and that's saying a lot) -- but the deal is, if I buy it, I'll use it. And that's really the point since it took me five months to finish the first roll of film. The design will look familiar for now since I don't have much free time to spare, but keep watching this space for changes -- and additions -- very soon!
posted at 10:10 PM | link-

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Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon
I think about the only person on the planet right now more stupid than Mike Price trashing a $10-million dollar deal at one of the best college football schools in the country thanks to this stripper named "Destiny" (ironic, no?) -- is Catherine Zeta-Jones for smoking while pregnant (and getting busted on camera for it). I guess the bitch was ready and deserving as well... Money may buy you happiness, but it obviously doesn't buy you a clue. If Zeta had kept her trap shut instead of filing yet another tabloid-lawsuit, most of us would have never known.
posted at 08:10 PM | link-

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PSA
I now officially have more server space than God, and no caps on bandwidth. And there was much rejoicing. In case I haven't mentioned lately what an awesome site and blog host that Hosting Matters is, please be informed.

If Annette also owned my ISP, I'd probably never have to leave the house...
posted at 07:13 PM | link-

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Better late than never
The new May 2003 Dress of the Month is now online, albeit a few days late this month due to our vacation and DSL issues. If you, or someone you know, were recently married -- make sure to submit the wedding dress (and wedding story) today!
posted at 05:29 PM | link-

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Beauty's where you find it
Beauty is everywhere. Sometimes it stares you right in the face. Other times it's peeking out and you have to look for it a little. Man, I love springtime in Florida!

posted at 03:42 PM | link-

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Automatic. Systematic. Hydromatic.
Grease 3: It's Geritol Lightning! Coming soon to a theater near you. Sponsored by the fine folks at Propecia. What's great for the returning cast is that they now qualify for a senior citizen discount at the theaters. (Link courtesy of the hubby, who's still being an anti-blogite.)
posted at 01:12 PM | link-

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Well that's better
I almost forgot today is a good holiday -- one that's a great excuse to party and drink! All better now...the week isn't totally lost afterall...

posted at 01:00 PM | link-

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Everywhere you turn
This is always the hardest week of the year for me. The TV stays off. Everywhere you turn is another damn Hallmark and Mother's Day commercial reminding you of what you don't have. Every channel devotes their programming to dear ol' mom. Every restaurant devotes their menu to her as well. And every year I tell myself "next year..." I've been saying that since 1998. You'd think I'd "get it" by now. It's my way of coping, I guess.

But this year, by far, is going to be the hardest. We lost the two children they said we'd never have on Valentine's Day. Excuse me whilst I go punch something now.
posted at 11:27 AM | link-

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Used to have a little, now I have a lot...
A few more reasons to hate J. Lo -- as if you really needed any.

She thinks her bum is better than Kylie Minogue's -- and she's willing to pay double for it, too. "So it's war. May the best arse win."
She just might ruin "Austin Powers 4 -- For Your Thighs Only". Rental.
She's just Jenny from the Block? Hardly. "Behind the Behind" is making claims she hails from a posh suburb and had a private education. Shocking, isn't it?
No eye contact, do not speak to her for any reason unless spoken to first, address her as ma'am, and keep those fingernails red or clear please, ladies.
"But Beeeeeeeeeen, if Russell's wife got her own private wedding chapel, I have to have one, too. I do, I do, I do, I do, I do..."

I will gladly give up my kingdom for a pair of front row tickets when her star comes crashing down to earth once and for all...
posted at 01:04 AM | link-

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C'mon baby, do the Lomo-Motion
My first ten Lomo-shots are in Shutterblog now. Baby steps...
posted at 10:51 PM | link-

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r coach

It’s been a long time since any of us was naive enough to believe that coaches, as a group, are legitimate tutors of ethics in undergraduates. Only a handful of them meet the old expectation of coach-as-teacher and model for manly behavior anymore — Bob Stoops of Oklahoma comes to mind — and you can argue over whether many of them ever did. [quote from MSNBC.com]

Only ....
posted at 08:02 PM | link-

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Spies like us
What a welcome back home we've had.....we're just getting back online again since my last post yesterday. Our DSL went out. Again. We're seriously about to switch back to a cable modem.

But since I was forced offline, I finished up my first Lomo roll of film (that I've been working on since my birthday) and had them developed today. Wanna peek at the first one I've scanned (shot down by the Savannah River)? About half of the roll were "misses", but for my first try with an auto-nothing camera, I don't think that's too shabby. Todd isn't a big fan of the Lomo-style now that he's seen the results, but I love it! If only I were as good as Dawn... I've got a lot to learn from her, that's for sure!

UPDATE: You can now see my first ten Lomo-photographs here.
posted at 06:35 PM | link-

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Things I missed while on vacation
Pay attention, because the following will appear on the final exam:

Free Moblogging from your cell phone
Metapop -- a collaborative weblog
Web Fire Escape -- allow readers of weblogs to instantly replace a Web Fire Escape equipped blog with an alternate work-safe site or application (added above Blogroll)
The blogging evolution exam -- like a purity test, but not (I scored a 44)
FeedDemon -- coming soon to an RSS addict near you

Did I miss something? Just let me know in the Cliff's Notes!
posted at 04:39 PM | link-

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Thank you for bein' a friend

I had a pretty crappy start to my day yesterday all things considered, so what did I wake up to today...but these gorgeous flowers "just because" from Susan. And as if that wasn't enough to make my disposition sunny, I also got two Audrey Hepburn magazines from Lisa for having her 1500th comment. I'd have to say it was a good day. Thanks guys! -Robyn
posted at 02:46 PM | link-

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Take that, Ebert!

The first review of "The Matrix Reloaded": Jim-Jammity Jesus Krispy Kreme Christ on a twat-rocket, this movie blew me apart and put me back together only after I’d got put back I felt like I had thirteen dicks and they’d all gotten blown by a surfer chick with 26 heads (2 mouths on each cock). I will see it ten times and if I see Star Wars George or that gay Batman director butt-hole any time during the ten screenings here comes Mr. Punch.....This movie is a pillowcase with soda cans inside that beats the living mule-fuck out of you but you’re all like, “Bring it on honky tonk” because the beating feels like summer and Halloween and Cheetos at the same time.....This movie is tits! [review link (with spoilers) courtesy of Sensible Erection]

Now I'd like to take a moment for us... Only twelve fucking more days left! Aaaaaah!
posted at 12:58 PM | link-

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Frankly my dear...
I'm up waaaaay past my new bedtime, but I finally finished all of the Savannah photos. Five pages of 'em to be exact, with most put online for the very first time. Right now they're all at 640x480 for space's sake, but if you see one you just can't live without -- give me a yell. I have them all in up to 1600x1200 (by request). So go here for the "people photos" and here for the "places photos". Knock yourselves out.
posted at 03:21 AM | link-

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Say cheese!
I'm in the process of breaking down all of our vacation photos into people / animals and places. It's gonna take awhile... But here's the first batch that I've added to Shutterblog -- "the three of us in Savannah". If you're wondering why the long face on Todd in his last photo...it's 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning... That's why! *wink*
posted at 11:39 PM | link-

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He yelled, "Stick 'em up!" -- and let two fly.
I sat right behind one of my biggest pet peeves all the way down to Clearwater this morning: the lopsided bumper sticker. Now I don't expect people to go out and get a level when they slap 'em on their cars, but nothing drives me more berserk than to see a brand new car sporting a sticker Ray Charles could've placed on there better. Yes, I'm an anal perfectionist. But it's my belief that if you're going to spend upwards of $20-grand on an au-to-mo-biiile, at least take the time to place your buck-fitty sticker in a straight line on top of it. And don't even get me started on people who put the damn things directly on the paint itself...
posted at 05:16 PM | link-

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Two paws up
Some of you saw the photo of Claire's "suite" on Hilton Head Island and asked about it, so here's more info. Pets aren't allowed on Disney property, so we boarded her just up the road at the Evergreen Pet Lodge. (Disney resort guests receive a 15% discount on their bill.) This way we could have her with us, visit her each day, and it actually ended up being about $3/day less to put her in a private suite than a caged run at our local vet's would have been.

For more information about pet-friendly hotels and boarding options, visit:

Hilton Head Island pet-friendly accommodations
"Pet Friendly Travel" across the USA
"Pets Welcome" US Listings
"Pets Allowed Hotels"
Kimpton Group Hotels (most offer pet packages)

I can't imagine being gone long without Claire -- so this really was the best option for us. She travels very well and made our vacation all that much better.

UPDATE: Christine has a great list of links for pet-sitters as well.

UPDATE 2: Here's a list of dog-friendly beaches on the U.S. Eastern seaboard, and more dog-friendly beaches and parks in Florida. And here are even more pet-friendly hotels in the U.S.
posted at 03:25 PM | link-

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In 200 words or less...

[Blogging Cliffs Notes]

This worked out great the last time I tried it, so I thought I'd do it again...

Since I've been away from blogging for a week -- what's an entry you've left since last Friday that I probably missed but shouldn't have? Leave a link and brief summary in the comments please so we can all check it out! And we thank you for your support.
posted at 02:42 PM | link-

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And I want to thank you...
I have a few public notes of thanks to pass along, so please indulge me for a second. First off, a very belated thank you to Tam for the Rivers Cuomo / Weezer article she mailed me! I missed that one, and was thrilled to get it. Also thanks go out to Pete for the signed Derrick Brooks rookie / draft card that arrived while we were gone. Very cool -- we both really appreciate it! Last but not least, special thanks go out to JE and Dori for her "Race for the Cure" shirt. They look great!

And also a quick note of appreciation to everyone who left notes from the Love-In last Friday. I'm sorry I missed participating in it, but they were very nice to go through on vacation! Hopefully I'll be able to get things back to "normal" around here soon...
posted at 01:36 PM | link-

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Back to life...back to reality...

[on Hilton Head Island]

We're both back to work tomorrow, and I have a 10:45 a.m. doctor's appointment. Whee!

UPDATE: I added a wallpaper from our trip to the sidebar -- pick it up in 1024x768 here.
posted at 09:44 PM | link-

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Ain't no lie - bye, bye, bye
What is up with the NCAA coaches lately? First you've got the Iowa State fiasco -- two separate events involving two basketball coaches. (The head coach is on the verge of being fired for excessive drinking and photos with young women -- and an assistant coach forced to quit after child porn charges.). Then you've got the new, "never even coached a game yet" Bama football coach scenario, which is looking more and more like a job termination situation every day. Do these people not realize, like it or not, they do live in a fishbowl? And to put that kind of stuff on the university's credit card is just...beyond dumb.
posted at 08:56 PM | link-

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There's no place like home
This is one of the few vacations I've ever been on where a major national -- or global -- catastrophe didn't occur while I was gone. That is, unless you consider this -- or the fact the President's daughter may soon be gracing the pages of Hustler magazine. So much for that whole "bringing morality and decency back to the White House" campaign, huh? Oh well, college kids will be kids... Whaddya gonna do? I guess she could always go on the down-low and train to be a Southwest pilot 'til this all blows over.

The Day I Get Home

When this young man comes rolling home
The lamp posts move and in the road
I sing and dance in falling rain
It's good to be back home again

The roads of air that map the globe
Take me away to places new
I'm lucky I can get around
I'm taking off and touching down

When I get home it’s much the same
The tax returns return again
The news is on it isn't good
I see the trees but not the wood

The road stretches out as far as I can see
And I eat the lines ahead of me
It's experience
As the days unfold
But there's nothing quite like
The day I get home

When this young man comes rolling home
The cheese on toast is in the grill
Memories are filed away
I come and go, it's fun that way

The roads of air that map the globe
Go East and West and North and South
I like to look and see the sights
I stay up late and hit the heights

When I return things haven't changed
Neither have I, I like to think
The world's an oyster on a plate
I get around and get up late

The road stretches out as far as I can see
And I eat the lines ahead of me
It's experience
As the days unfold
But there's nothing quite like
The day I get home.....

Lyrics credit: Squeeze
posted at 10:46 AM | link-

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