You've got fires banked down in you - hearth-fires and holocausts
This is something I was so upset about when I heard the news last night, I couldn't even bring myself to blog about it. We named one of the twins we lost Katharine, a name we'd had picked out for years. I figured what greater gift to give a woman, than to be named after someone so wise, strong and independent. That should just about say it all. Rest in peace, Ms. Hepburn. You will never be equaled.

"This is one of those days that the pages of history teach us are best spent lying in bed..." —The Philadelphia Story
posted at 06:57 AM | link-

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Gentlemen prefer
Don't forget...today is National Blonde Day..."to promote awareness and equality for blondes and non-blondes alike". Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.
posted at 06:34 AM | link-

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Call me...on the line
Things that do not help someone with 'stomach issues' while stuck in bed for the weekend... Endless loops of the new James Carville "infone" commercials. Now, I don't hate the man. Most do -- I don't. I happen to find him amusing most of the time. So sue me. But if I have to see his boxer-wearing, bare-legged, calf-scratching pasty gams one more time this weekend -- I'm thinking of bringing a class-action lawsuit. Want in? It's...icky.
posted at 12:37 PM | link-

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I heard that you were feeling ill...
Just a quick note that if you're waiting on e-mail from me, or work from me, it could take awhile this weekend. I'm sick as a dog right now and can barely sit upright. Of course, it doesn't hurt that my favorite nurse gets to be home with me -- so I can't complain too much. Enjoy the weekend everyone!
posted at 12:44 PM | link-

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It's in the photograph

[irony]

Robbie just e-mailed us this photo he took while in Salt Lake City visiting his brother. I think the image just about says it all...
posted at 05:19 AM | link-

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Just watch your mouth, or I'll sit on you
     "You’re going to be on the New York Times best-seller list, slugging it out against Hillary Clinton," [Diane] Sawyer commented, according to the Good Morning America official transcript.
     "I hope so," replied [Ann] Coulter.
     "Who is going to win?"
     "I think she has a three-to-one pound advantage over me," said Coulter, “but we’ll see."
     "Three to one pound?" asked the normally unflappable Sawyer. "Did you say what I think you said?"

As if I didn't think the woman is off her rocker as it is... It's one thing to make your career out of being a bitch in the political arena. It's quite another to stoop to that personal level on national TV. Apparently Coulter is going to appear on "The View" today. I normally don't watch that show, but the fireworks just might be worth it if Star Jones goes after her!
posted at 07:28 AM | link-

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The chicken dance
Jason Alexander has been fired as the KFC spokesman. Sure, sure it's most likely because he pressured them to be more ethical with the raising and killing of their chickens... But I can guarantee you I'll be buying one of their products before I'll be watching another one of his! Good riddance.

UPDATE: KFC has confirmed the story, and denies PETA's involvement in the outcome.
posted at 06:03 PM | link-

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If you want my body, and you think I'm sexy...
This has to be one of the most amusing things I've seen in a long, long time...the female dress code at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. Keep clicking the "next slide" link at the top for examples with mannequins that demonstrate what is modest and immodest.

I lived at Oklahoma Baptist University for a summer session during high school, and we didn't have a dress code like that! Even my high school (without air conditioning, mind you) wouldn't allow us to wear shorts -- hey, it was the buckle of the Bible Belt in Oklahoma -- but we could wear capri pants and mini skirts. One of the main rules seems to be that dresses and skirts cover the knees. I would like to personally invite the Dean to come shopping with me as a 5'10" woman when shorter skirts are in fashion. What hits your knees, hits my thighs. Unless of course I buy a size 16 so it hangs on my lower hips instead of around my waistline...and we can't have ass-crack showing, now can we? That might lead others into temptation.

Whoo boy! I'm all for dressing professional and not Aguilera. Especially at a religious institution. But c'mon... (Link courtesy of FARK.com.)
posted at 01:57 PM | link-

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Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Ok, here is something I don't get... Why do people insist on packing jewelry in their luggage when they fly? You hear stories of people losing it all the time. Do they honestly expect bag handlers to hold their bags with white gloves, gingerly placing them on bubble-wrap covered conveyor belts? Rapper Lil' Kim had $250,000 worth of jewels stolen from her luggage at NYC's JFK Airport last Friday. The jewelry stolen included a "white and yellow diamond-encrusted gold necklace with a crowned 'B', and platinum dog tags filled with yellow diamonds". I wouldn't put costume jewelry in my bags for fear it would be mistaken -- much less a quarter-mil worth of it! If you're that stupid, you pretty much deserve what you get in my opinion. Sorry, but I just do not feel sorry for you dearie... I feel sorry for your insurance company.

UPDATE: There's an update to this story left in my comments.
posted at 08:28 AM | link-

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Whoomp! There it is...
We're watching a cool show on the History Channel right now -- "Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked". I wish they'd offered a class like this back when I was in college...

Which also brings me to, a brand new group 'comic blog' that Michele just launched called Four Color Hell. "Simply, this is a blog about comics. Reviews, essays, rants and raves, industry news - anything at all to do with comics." So there you have it!
posted at 10:07 PM | link-

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Once bitten, twice shy
I just found this link on FARK, and I don't know which cracked me up more -- the story itself -- or the cartoon that went along with it.

And because I haven't done this in awhile...now...your moment of zen.
posted at 03:32 PM | link-

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Useless trivia for $500, Alex
It's been a busy morning around here. Did a little work. Caught up on e-mail (can you say massively behind...sure I knew you could). Updated sooner-born.com for the first time in ages. Cured cancer. Saved the world. All that before 2 p.m. Can I get a woo-woo?
posted at 01:13 PM | link-

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Welcome to Der Weinerschnitzel, may I take your order please?
Drive-in Speaker: Hello and welcome to KFC! Today we're featuring blah blah blah. Please proceed with your order when you're ready.

The Mister: Hi. I'd like a number three combo with mashed potatoes and gravy and a Pepsi, and a large macaroni and cheese as well.

<insert dramatic pause>

The Mister: Hello?

<even more dramatic pause>

Drive-in Speaker (now with a different voice): Hello. Sorry about that. Please order when you're ready...

Whatever genius thought up those stupid Taco Bell / Pizza Hut / KFC speaker recordings with an order-taker that really isn't should be shot. You never know when you have a real person on the other end anymore. And 'please proceed with your order' only means when you can get their attention and they put down that issue of Maxim they have stashed in the back.
posted at 09:42 PM | link-

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Title town
Congrats to the Tampa Bay Storm on winning the AFL Arena Bowl Championship in Tampa today, 43-29. It's the team's fifth -- an AFL record. Not bad...Tampa Bay gets an NFL and AFL championship in the same year... Now
posted at 07:41 PM | link-

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Live...from St. Pete...
Just a quick heads-up -- next Friday on TLC, a member of the "Blue Man Group" is getting married live at the Don Caesar Beach Resort & Spa in St. Petersburg, FL. Two of the Holga images below were taken there, as well as this Lomo photograph and this digital photograph. Tune in Friday, June 27, at 2 p.m. EDT to watch...
posted at 10:05 PM | link-

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Toying around

We both just added eight new Holga photos to Lomo-Motion.com!
posted at 08:30 PM | link-

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Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
Is it just me, or when rating your most influential blogs...is it considered tacky to list your own blog as #1? Or is that only after Labor Day? I always forget the rule...
posted at 04:45 PM | link-

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It's not easy being green
Stacy just gave Sekimori Design a fabulous overhaul. Please check it out!
posted at 04:23 PM | link-

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Insomnia...cha cha cha
Just a quick heads-up that all of our sites were moved to a new server last night (this means you if you're also hosted with us). So if things go a little wonky over the next couple of days, please hold 'til the new DNS information catches up with us again...

UPDATE: Make sure you're contacting me at robyn@whollymatrimony.com 'til this all blows over, mmmk?
posted at 06:21 AM | link-

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Just got paid...it's Friday night...
As we all get ready to close out the work week, here's a few tunes to keep you bouncing in your chair with me 'til it's time to punch the clock...

[Go here for lyrics]

[Go here for lyrics]

Have a great weekend, everyone!
posted at 04:53 PM | link-

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Blame Canada!
Many thanks to Nicole for the link to this news article at SFGate.com: "Stop The Gay Canadians! First icky legalized homosexual marriage, then the apocalypse. Conservative America trembles."

Moreover, they fear, Canada's decision means the God-given sanctity of tepid hetero missionary-position marriage is utterly doomed and our innocent children are sure to become fans of modern dance and maybe even old Barbra Streisand movies, and all of this will undoubtedly result in the introduction of a pair of wacky gay Canadian neighbors on "Everybody Loves Raymond." [link]

Read it. Just make sure you're strapped into your chair first. My arse still hurts.
posted at 01:41 PM | link-

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Crimson and Cream
A bit of Sooner news to pass along...

SI's 2003 OU Sooner Preview
Jason White, my hunka-hunka Sooner love, has been chosen as this fall's starter at QB!
So much for all those "OU can't graduate players" rumors. The American Football Coaches Association is honoring us, and 31 other schools, for graduating 82% of the 1997-98 freshman class.
Fluff news piece from Todd: Former OU QB, and Cleveland Browns rookie QB, Nate Hybl crowns the 2003 Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Queen.

Just
posted at 01:18 PM | link-

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Nevermind the bollocks
I personally think the English verison of the English language is a lot more creative than the Americanized version. They have snog, and slag, and bugger...just to name a few... Do you have a favorite?
posted at 09:01 AM | link-

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Let's get physical
It's quickly becoming a Thursday tradition...it's time to play "let's slam J-Lo"...

Curvy singer-actress Jennifer Lopez demanded museum bosses in London make her Madame Tussaud's waxwork more slimline. The sexy star was reportedly unhappy with the famous museum's newly installed model of her -- particularly their interpretation of her trademark bottom.

So Lopez, who often boasted how proud she is of her voluptuous derriere, asked Tussaud's to shave 10 pounds of wax off her behind.

A museum source tells Britain's the Daily Star, "We always show artists and managers the final waxwork of themselves.

"It's only fair -- but with J.Lo, she wasn't too pleased.

"She suggested we'd gone a bit off on her behind, so we offered to rake some away.

"All in all she wanted about 10 pounds to be taken off, [and] naturally we meet the star's wishes." [link]

She makes my job way too easy. Seriously...
posted at 09:09 PM | link-

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Fun with Blondes 101
I rarely login to Friendster, but I'm always getting "new friend requests" from people I don't even know. Can someone please 'splain the Friendster netiquette to me and how the whole thing works? Should you approve only friends? Or is it like some kind of Pokemon trading card thing where you collect all you can, and hope you end up with a Pirillo eventually?

posted at 04:51 PM | link-

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No more tears
Why, oh why, don't more movie theaters offer this option to help keep the 10 p.m. showings kidlet-free?
posted at 03:34 PM | link-

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Did you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world?

Today is my baby girl's seventh birthday. Does not seem possible...
posted at 01:08 PM | link-

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She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Feeling patriotic as the Fourth rapidly approaches? Don't forget I have a freeware blog template and graphics for your viewing pleasure. Again, don't say I never gave you nuthin'.
posted at 07:32 AM | link-

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You suck. You suck. You suck.
=e= has been kind enough to point out that this is "International Heckling Day". Do me proud... If only there were also feats of strength like during Festivus!
posted at 07:12 AM | link-

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Damn.
Why didn't someone tell me it's all been a big fucking popularity contest all along? I'd have put out or something... Sheesh.
posted at 11:27 PM | link-

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Today is the greatest...
The Today Show on NBC is doing another "Today Throws a Wedding" summer series. This week, you can pick the couple.
posted at 01:20 PM | link-

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Resistance is futile

[Rupert Jee and the Hello Deli on Letterman]

So did anyone else happen to catch Rupert Jee's shirt on Letterman last night?

posted at 08:03 AM | link-

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Keep it simple
Just seen over at Kevin's...Simpletracks, a universal TrackBack client...

Allows you to manually ping (send a TrackBack) to any weblog or service that accepts TrackBacks. Simply tell it the TrackBack URL you want to ping and fill in your URL, the entry name, and an excerpt.

Read more about Simpletracks at Kalsey Consulting Group.

UPDATE: Here's another similar option to file for future reference courtesy of another Kevin -- StandAlone TrackBack Form.
posted at 10:06 PM | link-

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Make this world a better place if you can
More blogger fundraisers to link -- let me know in the comments if you have one you'd like to add to the list for the $359 donation from the Blogger-Boobie-Thon '03.

Bay Area Angel Adventure for the National Brain Tumor Foundation (she needs to hit her goal by this weekend)
Walking for a Reason -- 60 miles for breast cancer
Team in Training -- Suzy Insidious is participating
AIDS Marathon -- NegroPleaseDotCom is participating

Kudos and best wishes to everyone on their fundraising events!
posted at 06:50 PM | link-

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You'll shut me down with a push of your button

"Art*o*mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. Currently, there are 49 active machines in museums and various locations throughout the country. The experience of pulling the knob alone is quite a thrill, but you also walk away with an original work of art. Ker-plunk! What an easy way to become an art collector." For more visit the Art*o*mat website.

Shame there's not any in Florida yet! (Link via Sensible Erection.)
posted at 06:28 PM | link-

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Hulk smash!
Is anyone else as bugged by the CGI animation in the Hulk trailers as I am? It just looks so fake, cheap and cartoonish. I was really excited when the first trailer came out with Spider-Man last year (which didn't show the Hulk character yet), but the more new ones they release on TV now with him, the more annoyed I get. Maybe I'll change my mind if I read a few good reviews once it's released, but I'm no longer dying to see it on opening day -- and that's really disappointing!
posted at 02:57 PM | link-

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This will be on the midterm
In case you've been under a rock (or rather under a b'ankie like me) the past few days, and need a quick recap of what's been going on in the blogisphere, well then Venomous Kate has a good one...
posted at 07:33 AM | link-

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It's just one of those days that a girl goes through
Still don't feel like being online much...so here's a few reads instead please...

Click here for more blog links. Ciao, 'til the rumbly in my tumbly subsides!
posted at 05:47 PM | link-

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The weekend that keeps on giving
It seems our Friday the 13th didn't stop on Friday. I woke up sick as a dog in the middle of the night early Saturday morning. I ended up in the ER for about 9 hours (we got home after 2 p.m. yesterday). Seems I was the lucky recipient of acute gastroenteritis going down the Eastern seaboard... I have a lovely set of bruises down my left arm as a souvenir since it took no less than four tries to get the IV in.

Then today, a lightning strike hit close enough to our house to take out, of all things, our water pressure -- fry our caller ID box -- and meltdown our router. Only one computer can get online now, and for a few hours, even that was looking iffy. I'm sure I have a few design clients who want my head on a pike right now, and if you haven't heard from me or haven't been able to get ahold of me, that's why. Now if you'll please excuse me...I have a date with the couch... I'm doing fine. Just weak as hell. Thank god tomorrow starts a new week!

UPDATE: Well we just learned a water-main broke in the storm, hence the water-pressure problems. At least I don't have the monkeypox, I guess...
posted at 08:34 PM | link-

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Black cat, nine lives - short days, long nights
Raise your hand if you're having a true Friday the 13th:

I just had usernames and passwords on an MT site I'm designing quit working for no apparent reason. They didn't work for Stacy either. When I started to panic and cry...they worked again... I think I'm going back to bed.
posted at 06:57 PM | link-

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Yes, words can't bring me down
Ok seriously, it was time the girl ate something. Anything. And far be it from me to cast the first Twinkie when a sistah puts on a few pounds. Especially in this anorexic entertainment day and age. But honey, honey, honey -- you cannot dress like your former size-0 hoin' self when you're just...not...anymore. It's not even that you're "fat", regardless of what the 15-year olds on FARK and SE wanna say. Truth be known, you're probably still smaller than I am. But then again, I don't leave the house in three strips of electrical tape and some fishnet either...
posted at 03:24 PM | link-

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Oh no she di'un't!
It's time to polish up the tiara again. Let's get ready to ruuuuuumble! I'd better not break a nail, or I do believe this means war.
posted at 02:44 PM | link-

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It's not having what you want - it's wanting what you've got

I'm gonna soak up the sun
I'm gonna tell everyone
To lighten up

I'm gonna tell 'em that...

I've got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I'm looking up...

I'm gonna soak up the sun
While it's still free
I'm gonna soak up the sun
Before it goes out on me
posted at 02:04 PM | link-

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It's like me, but better
Even though I still accidentally use enough shampoo to clean an entire African village (and wouldn't that be fun trying to fit them all in my shower) -- I am lovin' this short hair at almost a week, post. I forgot all about the benefits of bed-head!
posted at 12:41 PM | link-

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I'm not that innocent

"London's Madame Tussaud's museum are making an image of the singer [Britney Spears] that features her in a sexy pole-dancing pose, with her back arched and chest thrust out.

They will also incorporate a 'breathing' mechanism in the $73,000 likeness.

A source tells Britain's the Sun, 'For the first time we are installing balloons in her chest so it heaves in and out.'" [link]

Can someone please explain to me how exactly the wax version differs from the real version then? Happy Friday the 13th everyone!
posted at 09:09 AM | link-

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Don't try this at home
I'm not feeling so hot this evening, so we're curled up on the couch watching the "That's Incredible" Reunion. I'm not sure which is more incredible. The stunts. Or that thing John Davidson calls 'hair' on the top of his head...
posted at 08:46 PM | link-

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Smoke 'em while you got 'em!

[Go here for lyrics]

posted at 06:27 PM | link-

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If she's a virgin, I'm up for sainthood

"Jennifer Lopez is virtually a virgin, according to loved-up Ben Affleck. The woman's been with, like, five guys in her whole life,' announced gallant Ben, exposing the intimate details of his fiancee's love life in a recent interview. 'There aren't many virgins in their thirties,' he said, having evidently hunted high and Lo. 'Jen's about as close as you're likely to find, certainly in Hollywood.' This kind of logic seems also to have infected pure-as-driven-Snowpez. 'I have such respect for the institution of marriage,' opined the Latina lovely after a raunchy photo shoot. 'I don't believe people should spend their lives together if they're not going to be totally happy.' A woman of principle, it has taken three weddings and counting for her to prove just how much respect she has for holy bond of matrimony." [link]

And in other Dumb and Dumberer news, Jennifer has apparently fired the manager responsible for her meteoric rise to the top because fiancé Ben 'made it clear he was not happy with the way her image was being managed'. A source says, "He hated how Benny [Medina] created this diva image of Jen. It was like the studio was dealing with two stars not one. And she was blamed for it. Jennifer never really cared. Benny made her." Mmmm...hmmm... She's a diva because Benny made it look that way. Not because she's a money-grubbing, tantrum-throwing, twat-snot. Yep, that must be it! (Read more at The Daily Dish.)
posted at 05:28 PM | link-

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And never, ever let you forget you're a man
I point you towards my comment of the day. Go on, top it. I dare you...
posted at 06:58 AM | link-

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No huggin', no kissin' until I get a weddin' vow
WM! just got a new banner advertiser today -- Photos-To-Video. Please check them out!
posted at 08:07 PM | link-

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Iff'n it's free, it's for me
Here's a series of "quick tips for new bloggers" that you don't gotta pay for. Eleven of 'em. Go crazy, kids. (Link swiped from Venomous Kate.)
posted at 06:17 PM | link-

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You're pre-approved!
Here's a wonderful new MT hack from the Scripty Goddesses -- comment pending queue. If you've been plagued by comment-trolls, or just want more control over your comments, this script allows your comments to be pending rather than instantly published. You can login, view, edit, delete and approve comments before they're made public. Go here for more information.
posted at 04:36 PM | link-

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Rescue me - your love has given me hope

"We are not a group of stupid, naive women," she said. "We are bright, intellectual, professional women. I can't tell you how much he wooed us with his words. He made us feel like goddesses, fairy princesses, Cinderellas. We had all found our Superman, our knight in shining armor." [link]

Therein lies the problem, dearie. Not so much that you've accepted a proposal from a married man you've never met, sight-unseen, off the Internet who's also proposed to at least 50 other women. It's the fact you're a grown 'intellectual' still buying into the theory of fairy princesses, Cinderella stories, Clark Kent swooping down from the heavens to rescue you from your self-imposed tower and ride off with you like a white knight on a steed...

Real, true love isn't like that. You have to work at it. It's not always perfect, with the sheets covered in rose petals. Champagne doesn't freely flow from all water faucets. You have to be able to walk through hell and back, hand in hand. God, I see the woman that raised me in the words above. I'm so lucky it never sunk in...
posted at 01:26 PM | link-

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Show mommy how the piggies eat
Oh wonderful. Another year of "poor, fat Renee" jokes -- and how amazing she is for losing all that weight -- ahead. They're making a sequel to "Bridget Jones's Diary". You have to pity her for these 'grueling preparations' that take 'guts':

"You've got to eat 20 [doughnuts] a day for five weeks to get results...absolutely no exercise and a daily intake of 4,700 calories. Breakfast is a Big Mac and large fries, savoury scones with gravy and a high-fat milkshake. A snack lunch includes pizza, peanut butter and chips, washed down with the aforementioned doughnuts...a giant plate of spaghetti Bolognese with potatoes and butter." [link]

Getting paid 15 million pounds for that? Where do I sign up? Personally, I think she looks much better when you can't count the individual bones in her ribcage area...but that's just me...
posted at 08:03 AM | link-

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Come up and see me, make me smile
Yes, you're funny -- but if you make me tear up one more time, Dat Phan -- I'm coming to Vegas to personally kick your ass. This is a comedy show!

Anyone else out there watching?
posted at 10:00 PM | link-

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Found over at Solonor's (who I'd best link again or I'm in trouble)...apparently today is "Tag Tuesday" in the blogging world. UPDATE: Praise Solonor!
posted at 05:35 PM | link-

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Give 'til it hurts
Since the theme of this week seems to be "begging for dollars", here's a Wired News article on cyber-panhandlers, and the virtual well running dry. Looks like Karyn and the boob girl will be some of the last to profit...
posted at 04:42 PM | link-

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I can bitch, I can bitch - 'cuz I'm better than you
So, do you think I've become too bitter a person in my old age?

(poll closed)

And if you answered yes, admit it -- you like me better that way, don't you?

(poll closed)

It's nice to know these things...

UPDATE: You guys aren't very good at math. I'm going to have to rule these results as invalid and close the polls since the total 'yes/no' numbers in the second poll continued to be more than the 'yes' votes from the first. Don't say I didn't warn ya'!
posted at 03:27 PM | link-

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It's ticking away with my sanity
Just in case you think I have too much free time on my hands, check out this guy..."Dorky eBay Auctions".
posted at 03:00 PM | link-

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Brother, can you spare a dime?
Two more blogger-fundraising projects to add to the $359 blogger-purse this year...

Memory Walk 2003 for Alzheimer's
American Cancer Society Relay for Life

If you know of any other projects, please pass them along! -Robyn
posted at 12:24 PM | link-

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Mohr, Mohr, Mohr!
Finally, a "reality TV" show we can all watch without living with a secret shame... Jay Mohr's "Last Comic Standing" has its two-hour debut tonight on NBC. Oh yeah!
posted at 07:47 AM | link-

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Do you want more money? Sure! We all do!
Back at the end of December, I blogged about Andrew Sullivan begging for cash to run his blog. In one week, he raised $79,020. Yep, that's right -- SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS and some change. His "salary" for blogging, if you will.

But apparently, that's no longer good enough. Less than six months later, he's at it again. Michele gives a side-by-side comparison of why her blog gives more bang for the buck than Andrew's. I couldn't agree with her more.

Poor Andrew posts around the clock, seven days a week. Me, too. Poor Andrew has an overflowing inbox. Me, too. Poor Andrew doesn't have a regular income. Me, too. Poor Andrew has massive bandwidth usage. Shocker -- me, too. But "Poor Andrew" also made more in the last six months with his last little fundraiser than we both make in a year combined.

"I need a salary of sorts." Don't we all brother. Don't we all...

Might I suggest nixing the fundraiser and just moving over to Hosting Matters like the rest of us, Mr. Sullivan. They can offer customized hosting plans with unlimited bandwidth -- even dedicated servers -- and I can personally guarantee you that you won't need 4000 subscribers at $20/pop to pay for one. Skip a dinner at Olive Garden each month, and you're covered. Seriously.

~~Dumbass.~~ Oh crap. I said that outloud again. Bad Robyn! Bad, bad!
posted at 09:07 PM | link-

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Bad cop
Chris Pirillo and Lockergnome have released a guide called "Blog Traffic School".

"Chris Pirillo shows you, in 10 quick steps, the fastest, easiest way to build traffic to your blog, involve your community, post efficiently, get known for your blog's quirks, how to handle complaints and more..."

You'll even find a quote by yours-truly inside. What are you waiting for? Chop, chop!
posted at 08:43 PM | link-

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I made my bed...I'll lie in it
A follow-up on a recent entry of mine:

"...I especially apologize to Ms Hayek, who is nothing if not brilliant, with a loving relationship and a massive IQ, not to mention a firm grip and style with the English language." —Courtney Love [link]

Sounds like someone got a stern talking-to. She's such a twit!
posted at 08:05 PM | link-

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You're so fine you blow my mind!
A Bucs cheerleader is a finalist in the Cosmo Cover Girl Search. I honestly think Kayla Drawdy is the cutest of the bunch, so if you wanna vote, go here.
posted at 04:49 PM | link-

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The Illudium Pu-36 Explosive Space Modulator!
This is too cool -- NASA is putting Marvin the Martian and Daffy Duck (click for photos) on two NASA Mars Exploration Rover Missions this summer. Must. Get. Them. (Link from Sensible Erection.)
posted at 02:36 PM | link-

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Screw the virtue
I am so not a patient person when it comes to waiting for the phone to ring...

It rang, and I'm not going to be a backup dancer on the Timberlake/Aguilera world tour after all. Damn it all to hell... Oh well. Maybe Destiny's Child will come-a-callin'.
posted at 02:15 PM | link-

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Feed me, Seymour
We've just spent the last two hours doing a very bad thing -- Food TV had on a special Unwrapped for Disney World, followed by an Unwrapped for Amusement and Theme Parks, followed by The Best of Amusement Parks. I am so freakin' hungry right now. Somebody bring me a turkey leg and some mac 'n' cheese, stat. I'll be your best friend...
posted at 11:04 PM | link-

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Mah Nizzle
'Cuz the boyz in the hood are alwayz hard
Come talkin' that trash and we'll pull your card
Knowin' nuthin' in life but to be legit
Don't quote me boy, I ain't said shit...

posted at 11:19 PM | link-

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It cuts you up
I haven't had my hair cut since January. To be honest, I just haven't felt like caring about my hair for months -- and anyone who knows me knows that's quite unusual for me. It's just been that kind of year... But I finally got fed up with how long it was. How blah it was. And how "not me" it was.

That's when I found out I'm truly cursed. When we moved up to the 'burbs a couple of years ago, I quit going to the hairdresser I'd used for about 4½ years because she was just too far away. It seemed a pain to waste half of our weekend schlepping to the salon and back. So by some fluke I found a girl here in suburbia that I actually loved, first-try. When I called to make the appointment last week they told me she'd been promoted to manage her own salon. The location? Exactly two blocks from my old stylist. Two blocks even further from us. Figures. But after the great hair disaster of '02 when I was forced to use someone else last-minute, there was no way I was up to trying to find someone new again. So schelp we did... It wasn't that hard to make the drive considering, with tip, I pay this girl about $70 less than my old stylist in the same location before tip.

And of course, it was worth it. I feel about 20 lbs. lighter and look like "me" again. Wanna see?

(Dig that new tee, don't ya'?) When my stylist's boyfriend gets back from Iraq and they get married, I think I'm going to need weeks of therapy. It's harder to find a decent stylist than it is to buy a house, I'm starting to believe...and that was no cakewalk.

We won't be around tonight. Robbie is flying in for another overnighter, and we're going into Tampa to see 'im in a couple of hours. Y'all have fun now, ya'hear!
posted at 04:24 PM | link-

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High crimes and misdemeanors
If one asks in the mainstream media, more are sure to follow... I'll take Altoid blowjobs and the definition of "is", thankyouverymuch.
posted at 10:54 AM | link-

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Ahhhhh...to be young and panty-free
We're watching "Jackass: The Movie" right now. We've never really watched the show, and all I can be is incredibly thankful they weren't around when we lived in the Honors Dorm. You put that many academic and National Merit Scholars in that close of a space, and it can only spell disaster. Like a contest for the largest items you could drop off the top of the stadium press box. A stadium light, that I can't exactly divulge where it came from, won. Or the 2-story catapult the guys built to propel items against a 4-story brick wall in one of the quads. Many a Letterman moment to be had there. Or the time we saved the little creamer containers from the cafeteria for an entire semester, because we watched someone toss the powder in the air and light it once. We left a 2-story scorch mark up the fire escape wall, that was still there three years later. There was also the "couch stacking" contests held in the lounges -- to see just how many couches we could stack, often filled with occupants, on top of each other. Think Human Jenga... Then there was tree climbing, in your underwear, in the snow. And the 1991 "He-Man Die Wet Adventure" during a flash-flood. There was a killer hill behind the athletic center, and all the guys dressed up in garbage bags from head-to-toe. Most, not all, donned crash helmets and went flying down the mud-hill like an earthened slip-n-slide.

My class was also legendary for its pranking -- like the time my boyfriend and a friend went around and gathered every single pumpkin lawn-leaf bag late on Halloween evening, and piled them floor-to-ceiling in the middle of the night while my girls' floor was asleep. We had to call a maintenance man to get out of our rooms. The ENTIRE hall was filled floor to ceiling. I got him back by building a door of duct tape and carefully sealing it over his door in the middle of the night. He had Guard drill and got up at 4:30 a.m. every morning. Walked right into the sucker. Of course, he repaid me by putting my Dodge Omni up on blocks the last morning of the next semester. I went to get in my car to drive across campus for a final...and well, needless to say, I ran to make it on time after pulling an all-nighter. Thank god I was still hopped up on No-Doz. The only way he even made up for that one was getting Todd and I tickets to the Orange Bowl when OU won the national championship in 2000.

Ahhhhh...the good old days. But again, thank god this movie didn't give us any more ideas. I think the emergency room would have been the least of our worries. The morgue would have been a more likely destination.
posted at 12:26 AM | link-

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The movie of my life

[breakfast, lunch and dinner at tiffanys]

I ran across this whilst hunting for images to go on another site tonight. Just had to pass it along. Hmmm...I wonder if the Krispy Kreme "hot sign" is on?
posted at 11:12 PM | link-

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Guess who's back? Back again...
Mikey's back. Tell a friend!
posted at 07:04 PM | link-

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Leapin' lizards!
Just goofing off with the tripod Todd bought me for our anniversary...

posted at 04:15 PM | link-

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Skin so soft
Here's a comment that should also go on the main page -- a site skinning tutorial using javascript rather than php.
posted at 01:28 PM | link-

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I don't wanna grow up

[do not pass Go]

Note to self: Do not begin (payday) Friday by balancing checkbook and paying bills for over an hour. It ruins your entire weekend.
posted at 11:11 AM | link-

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They had style - they had grace
Now this could be something... Gwen Stefani is about to sign on to play silver screen starlet Jean Harlow in Martin Scorsese's "Aviator" about the life of Howard Hughes. Leonardo DiCaprio will star as Hughes. Cate Blanchett is in talks to play Katharine Hepburn, and Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner. It should be interesting to watch this one unfold.
posted at 11:49 PM | link-

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Hurt me, baby. Make me write bad checks.
Tonight, if you'll please excuse me, I'm joining jewdez in trading my monitor for telly to watch me some Stiffmeister and Justified. Oh mama (photo 1, photo 2)!
posted at 08:27 PM | link-

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Slip-slidin' away
Here's an interesting how-to article -- "How to scan 35mm slides on a flatbed scanner" (assuming you don't have a slide-ready scanner already). The results aren't the greatest, but it beats nothin'...
posted at 07:34 PM | link-

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And it makes me feel so fine I can't control my brain
I finally got the photos from this weekend organized -- there are several over at Shutterblog that I haven't put up here yet. Have a peek if you're so inclined...

UPDATE: I have one of the photos available as a wallpaper over in the sidebar now.
posted at 04:26 PM | link-

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I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
"I believe Sosa. I also believe gang members keep shotguns in their trunks just to shoot rabbits." —Chicago sports columnist on a local radio promo

UPDATE: On Rome -- Minor League team in FL offering "free cork" giveaway to the first 505 fans through the gates! The team will also give free admission to anyone with the words 'Sammy,' 'Sosa' or 'Corky' in their name, and mini cork bats to the 21st, 66th and 505th fans. Those numbers represent Sosa's jersey number, the number of home runs he hit in 1998 and his career home-run total, respectively.
posted at 01:01 PM | link-

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Ride at night, ride through heaven and hell
Last night, we fell asleep to the sounds of the season. No, not crickets chirping or bullfrogs ribbeting. Instead it was roar of the deep V6 engine of the punkass teen down the block, tires squealing as he took every corner after midnight at about 80 mph. Just to do it over. And over. And over again. Color me very impressed, kid. Your girlfriend's parents must be so proud. School's out...for summer. Son'bitch.
posted at 07:29 AM | link-

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If you can't beat 'em...it's really no fun, now is it?
I'm still getting at least one e-mail a day from someone honestly trying to help, but a tad bit freaked out that my site is "broken". I e-mailed Christine after her comment here and went ahead and followed her suggestion. Do you think late-comers will get the hint after they load my site and find this staring right at 'em? At least it won't be throwing up php-error gang signs anymore...
posted at 11:35 PM | link-

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I know you are but what am I?

Michele is having a discussion about the AFI's "Top 50 Villains". Who receives my vote, you might ask? Well Francis, of course. Is there honestly anything more down and dirty than stealing a boy's bicycle? I think not. Case. Rested. Me thinks...
posted at 10:46 PM | link-

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All work and no play
In between working on everyone else's sites, I got a few CSS and code issues cleaned up for Netscape 7, Mozilla, and IE 5.0 on the new skin and in my sidebar. I swear, the day we actually have a single browser standard... If anyone even pipes up with an issue for Safari, you're sitting in the first-grade room's chairs the rest of the month! Why? Because I can. Nyah!
posted at 09:19 PM | link-

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Slip me some skin
Looking for an easy way to skin your site? The domesticat.net tutorial giving you fits? Well here's a quick and easy version to try instead*, courtesy of empty pages. (Recommended by the passionate ailurophile.)

*requires CSS/php and all content must remain the same - only swaps stylesheets
posted at 05:01 PM | link-

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Think I'm gonna need a bigger tiara

I just added a new skin that's a twist on my default summer skin -- this one curtsies to Princess Grace of Monaco. Go to the skins page to select this one, or if you'd just like to change the one you're currently using.

UPDATE: I'm still receiving well-meaning e-mails letting me know the site is broken. It's not. Please read this old entry for a better explanation, and how to fix it.
posted at 04:13 PM | link-

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Can you feel it, baby?
Mr. Bandwidth Issues just passed this along from Pornblography -- a writer's call for sex toy stories from Anne Semans (author of "The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex"). It's paying $25-100 for stories from 500-5000 words. Go here for more details... (Links obviously not exactly work-safe.)
posted at 02:11 PM | link-

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You better work it girl
Ethiopian with a bad bleach job, or heiress to 4-star hotel fortune? You make the call... One has to give her credit for creative crotch taping though. While we're on the topic of cocktail napkins as attire, and teased blonde extensions gone wrong... At least we know the 'bleach shortage in Hollywood' report was just a rumor!

These girls need to seriously give it up, and just call Beyonce's stylist! For several pages of -- sometimes frightening -- MTV Movie Awards arrivals, visit Big Pictures USA (gallery 1, gallery 2).
posted at 12:11 PM | link-

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Say it ain't So-sa!
Wasn't me.
posted at 11:25 PM | link-

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I do!
The new June 2003 "Dress of the Month" is finally online. Wedding season is finally upon us, so there's no excuse not to pass the application along to your friends and family -- or heck, even submit it yourself!
posted at 10:55 PM | link-

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Happy anniversary to me...again!
For some reason, I just happened to catch my "one year ago today" section in my archives, and noticed that on 06.03.02 I wrapped my very first design for Sekimori. My portfolio has literally mushroomed since then. What a difference a year makes! Now hire me, dammit...

posted at 06:04 PM | link-

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They're the people that you meet each day
Deep thought of the day: "How big is the Blogiverse?"

I'm not sure, but since I am its Princess™, perhaps I should look into it a little further. Maybe if everyone graffitied this entry's comments with "_____ was here" for a quick head-count? You know, strictly for "research purposes"...
posted at 04:50 PM | link-

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The calm before
Right now it looks like we're in between storms for the day. The sun is trying to peek out. The flowers and trees are dancing after receiving the much-needed rain. I hope we're finally in our summertime storm pattern -- our yard desperately needs it! And so do I, really...

posted at 02:57 PM | link-

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You said it!
Poor, misunderstood celebrities...

"I think that's one of the only reasons God created celebrities. To help those who can't help themselves." —Milla Jovovich
"...I wasn't about to wear some golf shirt with a collar. I went out on the links in three-inch high heels and barely anything on and they didn't seem to mind." —Mariah Carey, announcing her desire to design a new line of golf clothing (just announced on Rome)
"I know Miss Lopez is supposed to have a reputation as a bit of a diva, but this is ridiculous." —Monaco Grand Prix insider, after J-Lo was passed up for Naomi Campbell and Helena Christensen when first-class flights for herself, fiancé Ben Affleck and entourage, five nights in a hotel and a $25,000 fee weren't enough for her appearance (she demanded $412,000 and was ceremoniously uninvited)
"He and the rest of this production's cast are so desperately eager to please that they practically French kiss the front row." —Los Angeles Times critic Reed Johnson on Jason Alexander's performance in "The Producers" (Note to Jason: You haven't been funny since Seinfeld. Get over yourself already.)
"We will have a new generation throughout the world that will know Madonna as an inspiring storyteller." —Nicholas Callaway, editor and publisher of Madonna's new children's book (Note from Robyn: Old generations already know her as an inspiring storyteller?)
"'If I die, I will leave Edward everything." —Courtney Love, on pining away for Edward Norton (Note to Courtney: Uhhhh, shouldn't that be going to Frances Bean?)

But don't worry about Edward's affections being elsewhere, because Courtney also states: "'He'll never marry her [Salma Hayek] - for one, he can barely understand half of what she's saying."
"'Michael's career is rock bottom and he's hoping Puffy can help him reclaim his crown as the King of Pop." —unnamed source, on Jacko and P. Diddy making plans to go into the studio to lay down some tracks later this month (Note to the freak-duo: Yeah, that'll fix everything. Good plan. I guess just insisting everyone call you the King of Pop isn't making it so, now is it?)

I think my IQ just dropped 15 points. I really have to stop doing this.
posted at 12:57 PM | link-

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It's like thunder...lightning!
There is absolutely nothing better than waking up in the morning to the sound of a thunderstorm rolling in off the Gulf. I'm in such a great mood now!
posted at 11:27 AM | link-

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Windows to the soul
We just added a dozen new Lomos to lomo-motion.com -- seven by "her" and five by "him". The last one is our 50th one -- see, I told you I'd use the domain if I bought it! *wink*

Todd's anniversary present showed up a bit late today. I bought him a Kiev 35A, supposedly similar to a Lomo. He plans to find out ASAP. I bought it from these guys over the phone, and I was very pleased with the service and turn-around. (It wasn't their fault we have issues with our UPS guy. Don't even ask me what condition the box arrived in!) Ignore the fact their website says it takes 120 medium-format film though. It doesn't. It's a 35mm camera. So if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the Lomo, watch this space for comparisons soon. (UPDATE: I just noticed that Amazon has more Holga camera starter kits in stock again. See this entry's comments for other alternatives.)

And somewhat related...when we were at Ritz getting reprints made late this afternoon, we saw something that made both of our hearts melt. An elderly gentleman -- he must have been in his early 80s -- was at the do-it-yourself enlargement equipment working very gingerly on a photograph. You could tell his hands had problems with arthritis, but that didn't seem to be the reason each and every movement was slow, meticulous and calculated. He caught my attention and I did my best to not be obvious, yet see the photograph he was working on so diligently. I tapped Todd on the shoulder as the man pulled it out of the machine and held it up to see his hard work. It was a beautiful 8x10 hand-tinted photograph of a young woman. The photo had to have been from the mid-to-late 1940s. You could tell he stopped to take a moment to collect himself while looking it over. Obviously we'll never know the true story behind the gentleman and his precious photograph, but we were both very moved by the whole thing. Love truly is timeless...
posted at 11:00 PM | link-

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In the good ol' summertime
Todd took a personal day today since he basically had to work on Saturday. Ahhhhhh. Here's a few more random photographs from this weekend...

posted at 11:46 AM | link-

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You hate Celine because she is better than you
I ask you -- did the world really need this? I'm seriously smacking the first person I see buying it upside the head...
posted at 11:23 PM | link-

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Randomness...because I can
Tonight everyone around here got to feel better about themselves. I got us an anniversary carrot cake from Publix. By us, of course, I mean me. Todd scored big at Tarjhét. I can't resist his big, puppy dog eyes. And speaking of those...Claire hit paydirt as well when we spied this on the shelves. After some fierce lovin', it's already missing both sets of eyes and some stuffing. She's a very happy girl tonight.

Another good Tarjhét find was also had. Altoids makes breath strips now. Oh. My. God. We got the cinnamon ones and they are so good! At first you're all like, "Hey. This tastes good but isn't all that strong for Altoids." Then you wait about 20 seconds and blammo! Two snaps in a circle on those things, although I can't give the eXXXtended review. Sorry... You'll just have to live.
posted at 09:12 PM | link-

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Recharged.
It's amazing how much of a difference a day can make. I feel more relaxed -- and at peace -- with life after an overnight at the beach, than I did after a full week on vacation. It's truly been a "the weather is here...wish you were wonderful..." Florida weekend. The resort on North Redington Beach was just amazing. We spent our evening last night with drinks from the Tiki Bar, laying out on beach chairs just listening to the surf and collecting shells. We took a late night beach walk and got within 2 feet of an egret that didn't even bat an eye we were next to him.

We got up early this morning (yes, you heard that right -- I was up early this morning) to take photos on the beach and visit John's Pass before heading back home. We filled two flash cards and two rolls of film, so here are just a few for now:

Hover for descriptions. And because I'm nice...and I know you all are really just cheeky monkeys...here's a little beach 'eye candy'...for the ladies...and for the fellas. Or mix and match as you prefer. See, everyone wins on our anniversary!
posted at 05:11 PM | link-

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