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[12 Jul 2010|11:33pm] |
I cannot believe this Roman Polanski BS. Does anyone care about that anymore? I don't know about you, but blocking the extradition of child rapists does not make you look good, Switzerland. You're officially on notice. On top of this Mel Gibson crap, I'm more offended by the entertainment industry than usual. This is me feminist raging, Micah. Feel free to comment on it.
Also? It needs to be less hot outside. It's offending my delicate ginger complexion. I'm freckling like crazy. So is Noah, but it's super cute when he gets freckly. Me? Not so much.
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[06 Jun 2010|05:27pm] |
My mom e-mailed me a link to this feature in New York Times Magazine. I'm not going to lie, I totally wept a little. I remember when my brother was in Somalia, I slept in his room every night. The fact that these families kept their rooms just as they left them is so sad. Sometimes you forget how young all of these kids are.
Between this and all of the oil covered pelicans, I literally cannot look at Google News without getting all upset. I wish I could load the page and the biggest story would be "Man sees best rainbow ever - takes pictures". Or "Woman rescues box of kittens".
In other news, summer really is here. I know this because Manhattan smells like garbage. Of course, over in New Jersey, it smells like fresh baked cookies and happiness. I know you're all jealous. I'm excited because my older brother is going to bring his kids and come visit us in late June, and despite the fact that he only lives in Massachusetts, I never get to see him. He's also going to fix the deck, too, since he's a manly man and James is not.
Does anyone else have something coming up that they're excited for?
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[17 Apr 2010|12:05am] |
Okay, so, some weird, deranged stranger has found out my actual mailing address and has sent his sex question (from my column) to my house instead of the Spent offices. I am so weirded out!
There were pictures. Should I be scared for my personal safety, or just laugh nervously and lock all of my doors and windows?
This is officially worse than the guy who wanted me to help him to get his girlfriend to 'play' a dead Anna Nicole Smith. Seriously.
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[06 Mar 2010|11:55pm] |
My mom and dad aren't super technologically inclined. My dad mostly, since he thinks that computers are 'fleeting' and paper will always remain the way to get business done. However, he's apparently just set himself up a home e-mail account (or my older brother did, and showed him how to use it), and he sent me the longest most rambling e-mail ever. I'm so amused and bewildered.
My dad doesn't like to talk. He's very gruff and all about his stiff upper lip, and he just wrote a five page e-mail complaining about how he never sees us, and he thinks James 'hates' them, and his grandchildren won't even recognize him at this rate.
Of course, we saw them at Christmas. Which was only a couple of months ago. I think he got into the Scotch too early in the night and decided to discover his feelings online. It's equal parts offensive and precious. I love my dad. He's retiring from Homeland Security in a couple of months, so I think he's trying to guilt us into spending more time pre-emptively.
I think this means that we need to make a trip down to DC. I'll wait until April, though. I'm not going to go three weeks early for the cherry blossoms and have to sit in my parents' living room, surrounded by the heads of all of the things he's shot because it's doing nothing but slush and rain.
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[30 Dec 2009|10:27pm] |
It is crazy to think that 2010 is almost here. I remember everyone freaking out about Y2K, and suddenly, that's a decade ago. Thanks time, for making me feel old.
Christmas was good. Children are still being annoying with their toys. I just want to thank my mother and father for buying my two year old son the world's most annoying Fisher-Price play set ever. It has lights. And loud noises. And he won't leave it alone.
Anyway, I am unimaginative. I shall answer the HR questions, since they aren't all creepy this week:
If you had to give up either chocolate or your mobile phone forever, which would you sacrifice?
OH MY GOD, CELLPHONE.
What sort of person lives without chocolate?
Do you enjoy outdoor recreation in winter? When the weather is cold, snowy, and/or rainy, do you prefer to remain indoors? If there's a long stretch of bad weather, do you tend to feel depressed and/or stir crazy?
I hate being outside in the winter. I hate snow, and ice, and the cold. I also turn bright red in the cold, which then clashes with my really red hair. Basically, I prefer summer! Bad weather makes me feel kind of crappy, but I like the rain in the summer months. It always cools everything down. In the winter? It makes me wish I was born in the Bahamas.
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[29 Nov 2009|05:50pm] |
Oh, thank god. I knew I needed to update my work journal, and thankfully, HR courteously sent us our stupid questions. Yay!
So, I shall have at it:
"Have you seen New Moon? If so, how do you think it compared to the book? Was it better or worse than Twilight?"
The entire Twilight 'Saga' is misogynist, woman hating drivel about an emotionally retarded teenage girl and the boys who emotionally abuse her.
That said, so much better than Twilight! I hate Robert Pattinson's foot face.
"Is there anything you always wanted to tell your partner, but were afraid to bring up out of fear of conflict or hurt feelings? Do you think you'll ever have the courage to confront the issue?"
Yes. I am afraid James will never know about his personal hygiene issues, as I will never be brave enough to tell him. Should I say it with a gift basket of body wash and shampoo?
All banal questions aside, Thanksgiving was really lovely! We had too much food, and my mom, Em and I spent too much money on Friday, but I got new shoes, and I'm really thankful for them. They make me feel tall. I will wear them to the Christmas party! Speaking of which, when is the Christmas party? I need to know the theme so I can buy a suitable dress.
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[14 Nov 2009|04:10pm] |
My mom has decided that now that I have a family, she's too old for Thanksgiving, so everyone gets to come to us. And yes, in the Connolly family, only the women do Thanksgiving. I'm not going to argue with a century of sexism. It's not worth it, and I do not mind. Besides, I hardly get to see my brothers (except for Kevin, who if I never saw him, I would be so happy), and my nieces and nephews. I'm going to miss going to DC, though. I really love Georgetown in the autumn.
Speaking of my family, I think my dad is going to retire next year, and I don't know what he'll do with himself. He's always been a huge workaholic, but now that we have 'communists' in government (which, by the way, is a sign that he needs to watch less Glenn Beck), all he does is bitch about how his department at Homeland Security doesn't get enough funding, and how he wishes he'd stayed at the Pentagon, etc., etc. I'd be concerned, but I think all bureaucrats whine about everything. At least, everyone I've ever met.
Anyway, despite my mother deciding two weeks in advance that I am hosting Thanksgiving, I am really excited. I love feeding large numbers of people, even if they are my psychotic parents and siblings. Has anyone else got exciting Thanksgiving plans?
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| Healthcare Reform Passed! |
[07 Nov 2009|11:37pm] |
As drafted, the measure denied the use of federal subsidies to purchase abortion coverage in policies sold by private insurers in the new insurance exchange, except in cases of incest, rape or when the life of the mother was in danger.
Democratic abortion foes, joined by Republicans, won far stronger restrictions that would rule out abortion coverage except in those three categories in any government-sold plan. It would also ban abortion coverage in any private plan purchased by consumers receiving federal subsidies.
Disappointed Democratic abortion rights supporters grumbled about the turn of events, but appeared to pull back quickly from any thought of opposing the health care bill in protest.
One step forward, two steps back, America.
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[21 Oct 2009|11:27pm] |
So, someone totally puked next to me on the PATH tonight. It was totally when we left 33rd Street too, so I had to try not to dry heave all the way to Hoboken. Everyone told me that my gag reflex would disappear after having children. They clearly never sat next to the guy who definitely had Mexican food for lunch. How do I know this? There were refried beans.
I hope you are all at least a little queasy now. I regret sending Jamie home while I did some birthday shopping for my mom. Her birthday is not worth that.
In other news, I just watched an hour of that show where people didn't know they were pregnant and they have bad dramatizations. It's really hilarious, for the most part. The other part is just sad because some of these people are so out to lunch. I feel bad for their obviously unplanned children.
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[29 Sep 2009|10:44pm] |
Tonight was an amazing night on TLC. They combined two of my loves in life: Say Yes to The Dress and 18 Kids and Counting. I thought that dreams could never come true, but I was wrong. It was like two train wrecks coming together to create a tragedy of epic proportions. It was almost Homeric.
Other than that and the weird smell at the offices, my life is unexciting. My kids are great. Noah is almost two, which is pretty crazy. He's like a little man who laughs exactly like James... who is a grown man. It is very disconcerting. Em is wonderful and practically a teenager. I like that James is Mr. Woman Advice and he cannot handle his own daughter. Twelve is a very sassy age, and it mostly makes me laugh. I remember being twelve. It involved a lot of hair braiding and violin lessons.
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[03 Sep 2009|09:25pm] |
Another day, another confrontation with my parents' brand of crazy:
My mother: I heard that Obama is going to address school children.
Me: Really? I was unaware.
My mother: You should pull Emily out of school that day.
Me: What.
My mother: Grace, it's wrong.
Me: School?
My mother: No! Government brainwashing by communists!
Me: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHA
My mother: Why are you laughing?! Edward, Grace is laughing!
My father: (background) What do you expect, she lives in New Jersey.
My mother: Grace, socialism is wrong! This is not a laughing matter! What about the troops?
Me: I am going to go watch Oprah. Good-bye, mother.
My mother: Don't call me 'mother'! This is serious.
Me: Oprah loves Obama.
My mother: Oprah is black. Of course she does.
Me: (hangs up the phone)
I love my parents. This is almost as good as the time that they told me that they didn't like James because he has 'smug' hair.
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| Future Dated to Wednesday Morning, 9:15 AM |
[04 Aug 2009|10:24pm] |
SOME JERK UNPLUGGED THE FRIDGE AND IT SMELLS LIKE HOBO IN THE BREAKROOM.
That is all.
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[17 Jul 2009|11:32pm] |
Okay, so apparently Emily was talking to some boy on the phone at ten pm, and his mother caught him. She talked to James and told him that she does not 'approve' of what we do.
I found this hysterically funny. I wonder what she does for a living. My money is on homemaker, because she reminded me of my mother. My mother doesn't approve of what I do for a living either. Maybe they should start a support group.
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[22 Jun 2009|12:14am] |
I made red velvet cupcakes for James for Father's Day, and I'm pretty sure I'm eating number three right now. I think I have a sickness, because I know I really shouldn't eat THREE cupcakes, but I cannot help myself. They are so delicious. If only my mom had baked them. I don't know what she does, but her red velvet cake is always much better than mine. Texturally, I mean. It's the same recipe, so they taste the same.
My mom is like June Cleaver, though. I just cannot measure up to such a domestic deity.
Oh, random question, but my brother and I argued over this on the phone, and I need input. On red velvet cake, which is the ultimate frosting: cooked flour, or cream cheese buttercream? I'm Team Cream Cheese, but my brother finds this to be blasphemous.
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[31 May 2009|05:23pm] |
Ugh, I just read about the George Tiller murder on Google News. It is incredibly upsetting and sickening to know that a man was gunned down in his church or all places. Whether or not you agreed with Dr. Tiller's career choice (I don't, personally), I cannot imagine anyone feeling anything but shame and horror that this happened.
I was going to update about something fun, but now I feel kind of depressed about this whole thing. Anyway, I should go check on dinner. My lasagna is almost finished, and Noah has managed to let me know that he's incredibly, demandingly hungry with the little vocabulary he has.
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[03 May 2009|11:17pm] |
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OH MY GOD.
I just saw a creepy man in my backyard! And when I looked at him, he ran away.
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[10 Apr 2009|02:32am] |
Is anyone else excited for Easter? I am so excited. Normally, Easter is unenjoyable because I have to go to church and I'm a bad Catholic, but with children, it becomes about eggs and candy. Em and I dyed eggs today, old school style, and it was so fantastic. Though, I must admit, Emily's eggs turned out better than mine. I think that as an adult, you become so particular that you lose the spontaneous ability to make amazing crafts. Does that make sense? I don't know, I think you try too hard, and kids just don't give a crap. My eggs were much more contrived than hers.
Anyway, does anyone have any fun or interesting traditions that they like to undertake? We unfortunately don't do the egg hunt at our house because Jaws and Mr. Fluffy are notorious candy eaters, and as tiny terrier dogs, chocolate makes them die. That happened to my mom's teacup poodle one Easter when we were children and it was kind of scarring. I'm glad I brought it up and reminded myself.
That was a terrible tangent. For traditions, we do a big brunch type thing with my family. We don't really do Easter dinner, and I never really knew why not. I guess finger food is easier. I think I, personally, will do dinner, because I love making big dinners. Easter is really just an excuse to bake and cook too much food, though.
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[15 Mar 2009|11:22pm] |
So, IGN released a list of the 15 most disturbing films ever (it was just a list, not a countdown):
1. The Exorcist
2. A Clockwork Orange
3. Audition
4. Salo
5. El Topo
6. Hard Candy
7. Requiem for a Dream
8. Last House on the Left
9. I Spit On Your Grave
10. Oldboy
11. Jacob's Ladder
12. The Strangers
13. Videodrome
14. Cannibal Holocaust
15. The Hills Have Eyes
I'm not a fan of scary movies, so to speak, but I was really surprised by some of the choices. I talked to friends about it, and they continually impressed upon me the disturbing nature of The Exorcist, a film that I didn't even find scary the first time I saw it at the age of twelve. Having seen Salo (I'll never forgive my film teacher for making us watch it), I cannot imagine putting them in the same category.
I'm trying to think of other movies that should be on the list but aren't. My brother suggested Seven, but it wasn't that disturbing. Maybe The Shining. It really creeped me out. Any suggestions of good movies that belong on the list? Working here, I can only imagine that you all have macabre taste.
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[17 Feb 2009|10:31am] |
I just read about that 13 year old fathering a baby in Weston's journal entry and now feel vaguely nauseous. And! I'm sorry, but he looks nine. And his babymama or whatever does not. How did she not feel like a total perv having sex with him? His voice hasn't broken yet.
I feel like I need a shower, god.
Anyway! Valentine's Day was fun. It is my favorite holiday of the year. The party was so much fun. Thanks to Lena and co. for making it so awesome!
It's so weird being back at Spent and happy about it. I mean, I'm not really working full 40 hour weeks in the office now, because I don't want to deprive my baby of my greatness, but it is so nice to be back in the thick of things. Plus, I feel less bad about reading the creepy emails I get from readers at work than I do at home. It feels somehow wrong, even if Noah doesn't know what they are. On the upside? Significantly less rape fantasies this week. I think Valentine's Day has just had a good effect upon people.
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[25 Jan 2009|02:49pm] |
Okay, I'm not even going to lie. The epic Duggar wedding is on TLC tonight, and I'm so, so excited. I don't know what it is with these intensely Christian baby making machines of a family, but I love them. They're like Martians. Whose names all start with a 'J'.
I know, there's something wrong with me. Whatever, moving on!
It's actually quite a nice day today, and while it is still chilly, Em and I went on a little walking trip. It all ended in hot chocolate and muffins, so really, it was worth braving the cold. I think Noah is getting an ear infection or teething. I'm not sure what it is yet, but he's so cranky. He had a sleep on the couch with dad, and was in slightly better humor when we got home, thank god. I can only take so much of him throwing his sippy cup on the floor before I just take it away from him. Which makes him cry. He doesn't want to drink it, though, either. He just says, "NO" (his favorite word) and aims for the carpet with his throws. So charming.
I wonder where he gets his temper from, James.
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