tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25696236576261498782024-03-14T01:56:45.858-04:00Pie in the SkyA Conglomeration of Awesome NothingnessLizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-73334389770994265132015-07-02T12:18:00.002-04:002015-07-02T12:18:41.987-04:00Love at First Sight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3Q1S6ah9SMSV3vjxawCcbaY0z1VwUVGhgmYrBqYP0rlN2lcj7vNgKlOGDynoLuDej45zth5Q3cxH7zYk3MCMXrUH9-9nB6SlsU9ireYn_eVgz_5KZ-kDlQ9UcjG8j7N-ch_HQfF4JxBr/s1600/Mascot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3Q1S6ah9SMSV3vjxawCcbaY0z1VwUVGhgmYrBqYP0rlN2lcj7vNgKlOGDynoLuDej45zth5Q3cxH7zYk3MCMXrUH9-9nB6SlsU9ireYn_eVgz_5KZ-kDlQ9UcjG8j7N-ch_HQfF4JxBr/s320/Mascot.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-45208622055306952682013-03-07T11:02:00.000-05:002013-03-08T08:31:40.927-05:00Home on the Range<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlGoVn_QMSCOaxHHJsBbRu8TLzQvjSd_bwNaQUmER9uBZ2DNznRTyLWXha7CUKkvr4kjIO6J4Lms1OAjNIVK4BKeeUBil0EiibeHwetz12hKdATmdB6V6H-9b4B2Cc4AkKbImx3vX4V8u/s1600/2013-Participant-Facebook-Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlGoVn_QMSCOaxHHJsBbRu8TLzQvjSd_bwNaQUmER9uBZ2DNznRTyLWXha7CUKkvr4kjIO6J4Lms1OAjNIVK4BKeeUBil0EiibeHwetz12hKdATmdB6V6H-9b4B2Cc4AkKbImx3vX4V8u/s320/2013-Participant-Facebook-Cover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I’m going to camp! Eating
hotdogs and canned beans, toasting stale marshmallows, singing inane campfire
songs, swatting away gnats and mosquitoes, fighting for your potato chips from
an army of ants, mandatory sharing of obligatory “scary” stories…….. Sounds
like fun... NOT! I hate camp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">What I’m doing instead
though, is going to <i>Camp NaNoWriMo</i> where I can stay in the comfort of my
cozy warm house, drinking obscene amounts of highly caffeinated coffee, typing
my fingers down to little nubbies, while in my favorite tie-dye flannel jammies
and purple fuzzy slippers, in a completely bug-free environment. Now THAT
sounds like fun! And what’s so great about it is, that this time around we all
have a choice of word count, genre, and even the option of writing a script!
This kind of camp makes sense to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">So, I’m off as of April 1<sup>st</sup>
and will return promptly just before midnight on April 30<sup>th</sup> if not
sooner. I’m ready to go -- My bags are packed, or, shall I say, my shelves are
stocked. I’ll see ya when it’s over! Have fun all you other campers!</span>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-31456116307163487392012-09-02T17:02:00.003-04:002012-09-02T18:05:05.178-04:00A Giant Step for Mankind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0hgVxvT-xx28KCIbbKX3s91Kdg6CGQ5eJPHIUWJ4Qkm6CYenNHNhqSUQC-E90otmFRLwekCvjGtFNp1w5aRxBicbZgRkpfgPWt82u0-PcjMkw5UW7RpE19xDAnaGr-RTgPeYVEci36pH/s1600/Large+Shoe+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0hgVxvT-xx28KCIbbKX3s91Kdg6CGQ5eJPHIUWJ4Qkm6CYenNHNhqSUQC-E90otmFRLwekCvjGtFNp1w5aRxBicbZgRkpfgPWt82u0-PcjMkw5UW7RpE19xDAnaGr-RTgPeYVEci36pH/s320/Large+Shoe+1.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When the department store advertised a GIANT SHOE SALE,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know... I guess I just thought they meant something else.</div>
Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-83547409313617598162012-07-24T15:07:00.000-04:002012-07-24T15:11:40.346-04:00Monkey See, Monkey Do<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I’m sure that, after the
alien incident a while back, you can guess my distress when I stumbled upon the
hoards of colorful monkeys trapped inside this evil claw game in the arcade at
the boardwalk. What a horrible situation these innocent little monkeys have to
endure! Shocking. I mean, can they even breathe in there?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSoH0_OiGOVIItAb_ju8zKAKI-8qBmKm-RLcGvVYNakLV6X8L8sYt3vyfMRDVhWwGGB9t61ENa4jRvsE7A5vzjdbz7RaKk8SopFG4qhfd40bDrb9N-wLOAbi_3ljMI165d_fsuKg_oj1A/s1600/Gotcha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSoH0_OiGOVIItAb_ju8zKAKI-8qBmKm-RLcGvVYNakLV6X8L8sYt3vyfMRDVhWwGGB9t61ENa4jRvsE7A5vzjdbz7RaKk8SopFG4qhfd40bDrb9N-wLOAbi_3ljMI165d_fsuKg_oj1A/s320/Gotcha.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From the moment I laid eyes
on them I was compelled to save them. And by save them, I mean save ALL of
them. So, I placed my coins in the machine, time and time again, and thus began
my mission. Within minutes I had already saved five. I was hell bent on saving
them and nothing could have stopped me. Not even when the teenage attendant
“politely” asked me to “step away” in order for him to “rearrange” the brightly
colored, if not suffocating, monkeys. But I knew that what he really wanted to
do was to push and squish them closer together, further and further down
inside, and entangle their poor, lifeless arms, in order to make them all the
more difficult to rescue. Not wanting him to proceed, or to draw attention to
my rescue mission, I quickly used my noggin and diverted his attention away by
saying that someone in the back of the arcade just beat his all time high score
on Galaga. And off he went.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For the next hour or so, I
not only pursued my mission, but also completed it. Barring a few dirty looks
from the attendants as they watched me clean out the glass confinement, I
proudly strutted out of the arcade with the entire lot of unfortunate, and
mistreated, monkeys.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As of now, I have already
adopted out a few little critters and will foster the rest until the perfect
home comes along. So, if the feeling of giving and sharing overcomes you,
please consider adopting one of these cute little colorful bumpkins using the <i><span style="color: lime;">Little
Green Alien</span> </i>adoption form (previously supplied).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zZV-oZ5Np3j-keUFQ9yaJxps6gPPgXeaTx6ptXTA6qgZI5KIdizbpv_xfu0AARhFYTisfhgvoUCF4zckiPHM0YmtSRX0KusDtSyCCeg6xzoCb_kQQEdgRH9YofTM1BN7QSJYcB9r3BIZ/s1600/Monkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zZV-oZ5Np3j-keUFQ9yaJxps6gPPgXeaTx6ptXTA6qgZI5KIdizbpv_xfu0AARhFYTisfhgvoUCF4zckiPHM0YmtSRX0KusDtSyCCeg6xzoCb_kQQEdgRH9YofTM1BN7QSJYcB9r3BIZ/s320/Monkeys.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Why
does this keep happening to me?………….. </span></div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-1526452412246670172012-04-23T11:23:00.003-04:002012-04-23T11:27:48.529-04:00April = Poetry Month<div style="text-align: center;">A little tanka in honor of National Poetry Month.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Willow Tree</span></strong><br />
<br />
Weeping willow tree<br />
Sways gently in frosty air<br />
Caressing your grave,<br />
Dusting beautiful snowflakes<br />
From your windswept, tear-stained stone.</div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-35019571152018028622012-04-01T08:46:00.001-04:002012-04-01T08:48:30.202-04:00Smile Pretty!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TXiYnj3otcAYq_jIGMvzZ_c4Ldj_tRNoVuglQYgq3Y7vNdYCZfx0hHEGLU2E9alFM1ubrArFevfoHHAYYBus-Bx1CtUec0aa-Dthcp-GkdoAazlmD3reYwWexVS2HNVCRwm9mrZXDuAd/s1600/April+Fool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="292px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TXiYnj3otcAYq_jIGMvzZ_c4Ldj_tRNoVuglQYgq3Y7vNdYCZfx0hHEGLU2E9alFM1ubrArFevfoHHAYYBus-Bx1CtUec0aa-Dthcp-GkdoAazlmD3reYwWexVS2HNVCRwm9mrZXDuAd/s320/April+Fool.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some pictures are worth a thousand words.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not this one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This one is worth just one word:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fool.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: lime;">Happy April Fool's Day!</span></div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-22583067796787393392012-02-23T18:46:00.000-05:002012-02-23T18:46:43.077-05:00Home Sweet Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strange things have been known to happen to me when I least expect it. Take for instance, aliens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few months ago, I was doing the boring, yet necessary, chore of food shopping. It wasn’t going to be a full-blown food shopping experience but one that only involved the necessities of survival. So while I was standing in aisle seven, choosing between plain and sour cream & chive flavored potato chips, a funny thing happened. But it wasn’t until I tossed both bags in the cart and started to meander away that my brain registered something amiss on the chip shelf. And that something was green. Lime green, in fact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I slowly turned and headed back to the array of flavored chips. Reaching out, I pushed a bag aside and found not one, not two, but three tiny alien eyes fixated on me, pleading and begging for help. I leaned in closer to get a better look at the extremely small entity donned in green flesh. At first glance, he appeared to be harmless enough. But just to be safe, I moved two bags of chips aside, and into the cart, to get a better look and that’s when my life as I knew it had changed. “Take me to your home!” implored the little green guy. I looked around… Then swiftly tucked him in my pocket, not knowing if ventilation was an issue or not, and proceeded directly to the checkout counter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once home, I unpacked the groceries and plucked the alien from my pocket. It's apparent now that aliens do in fact, require ventilation. He had turned an odd shade of green, which I can't quite describe since there are no such colors of this sort in the entire Crayola spectrum. Anyway, once recovered, the alien, whom I like to call Alan, and I sat down for a nice little chat. We talked for hours and hours, sharing numerous stories and bags of chips, and that’s when he told me that he and several like him are what we earthlings might call… homeless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After popping open a bag of my most coveted cheddar flavored chips I had this brilliant idea of rescuing these poor homeless aliens and fostering them until the right parent/guardian came along. My house is what you might call “small,” so I decided to build a foster home for these cute little fellas while they waited for some generous, understanding, and kind person to adopt them. </div><br />
So, here's how it went... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88eF43Q-tVp-5kicu5pFC8ldemiwaZdjQXH96ebqZU998aKrlRfgdFo7-vq5Pkp6wexPlpyaTlnyxFnHfdcfl0ycutEpOf2plnPK3qs0aAsKvUWKHe-vZVsil15WXqG8J4iDmAOI6opl1/s1600/House+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88eF43Q-tVp-5kicu5pFC8ldemiwaZdjQXH96ebqZU998aKrlRfgdFo7-vq5Pkp6wexPlpyaTlnyxFnHfdcfl0ycutEpOf2plnPK3qs0aAsKvUWKHe-vZVsil15WXqG8J4iDmAOI6opl1/s320/House+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> First, I built the house and applied the first coat of paint.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLQqY0iQoEzKzPJMgdwqTbkTwl-nRj0k1kAJtMcI5sjtzeo0RtB-uoKn-DLVf94gRWGEEor9kSLaq49BY4E68CSdsJYRHJw_D7v61xvk8xqEUBwf2FNrF5kPegcDvKMgCiVXFejQnepku/s1600/House+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLQqY0iQoEzKzPJMgdwqTbkTwl-nRj0k1kAJtMcI5sjtzeo0RtB-uoKn-DLVf94gRWGEEor9kSLaq49BY4E68CSdsJYRHJw_D7v61xvk8xqEUBwf2FNrF5kPegcDvKMgCiVXFejQnepku/s320/House+2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> Then came the second coat of paint and the wallpaper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6QQyDhl07afy6O2M3pF5qVQwd_9jQp2G-6Ejq0RslEmUru-3G5C01zybdmmd65jkgbe5jwBILLAanEsnt1HarWvY7WwZSc68aBeMr_gqpJ8Fla0ROsxXJ3C7S8PGva44yycALu87VNmK/s1600/House+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6QQyDhl07afy6O2M3pF5qVQwd_9jQp2G-6Ejq0RslEmUru-3G5C01zybdmmd65jkgbe5jwBILLAanEsnt1HarWvY7WwZSc68aBeMr_gqpJ8Fla0ROsxXJ3C7S8PGva44yycALu87VNmK/s320/House+3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The second floor was added, moldings installed, and the wooden floor was laid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl4fISkW2GUaWDep-EP8leJ94KfZ_GfN_uGwO3s6E2ED68LD-WZa0O9gVtbP05QNJ-auksoQrn1NOTC0RcX-nHO2gZDHIN8tES5oC7SpJgh01oymAvlio4rxk6cw5YvzNREixKUaMB6qS/s1600/House+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMl4fISkW2GUaWDep-EP8leJ94KfZ_GfN_uGwO3s6E2ED68LD-WZa0O9gVtbP05QNJ-auksoQrn1NOTC0RcX-nHO2gZDHIN8tES5oC7SpJgh01oymAvlio4rxk6cw5YvzNREixKUaMB6qS/s320/House+4.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The furniture was built and painted in complimentary colors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLmgGGWBMPoBb4IiHafAoDupI9D6QnC0R7lOruKSWue9CAYHenYw1gbMZEj9RbC7MlAjYhdo7Ua5WjflJU_fyxLeBqHocgZb5x-4mG8yQPQZViKkQ9zkTAQTCkj78h2IdBBXECazywx5C/s1600/House+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLmgGGWBMPoBb4IiHafAoDupI9D6QnC0R7lOruKSWue9CAYHenYw1gbMZEj9RbC7MlAjYhdo7Ua5WjflJU_fyxLeBqHocgZb5x-4mG8yQPQZViKkQ9zkTAQTCkj78h2IdBBXECazywx5C/s320/House+5.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Alan moved in along with two of his good buddies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T0Lmqq7Vz1qDLamB2HowvA8f8gBmmXv4OmbfU0DtQipyShO_SJcaR0DWVWUmCsxPwxyQBcPrWQkAdl07DIF0lSi3KyHOVB1X_AlJ90GufoNl0xmru6VjysHxCdRVlNM9TCavvw7LwJsk/s1600/House+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T0Lmqq7Vz1qDLamB2HowvA8f8gBmmXv4OmbfU0DtQipyShO_SJcaR0DWVWUmCsxPwxyQBcPrWQkAdl07DIF0lSi3KyHOVB1X_AlJ90GufoNl0xmru6VjysHxCdRVlNM9TCavvw7LwJsk/s320/House+6.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A short while later, a few more moved in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2ZDq5cFlXzN2FA2mZB3zmGb5eoSldWk_FiK4RnSkJQ00eFqr76owGbyIq_y0l4RvR3ccyhJnXThrFSDzp0rztVgjXF9CmL2h5jwlt4NeihDxJTV8PB5CCGunVYxgzXlA-6MnZFl26eBN/s1600/House+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2ZDq5cFlXzN2FA2mZB3zmGb5eoSldWk_FiK4RnSkJQ00eFqr76owGbyIq_y0l4RvR3ccyhJnXThrFSDzp0rztVgjXF9CmL2h5jwlt4NeihDxJTV8PB5CCGunVYxgzXlA-6MnZFl26eBN/s320/House+7.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before I knew it, a slew of aliens showed up. You know that saying: "Build it and they will come?" Well, I did... And, they did... And now, I'm inundated with little green aliens and they are running amuck I tell ya! Please people, do the aliens and me a favor and adopt one... Or two... Or ten. But do it! Do it now! The application is below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-Jkk0BfKaVWiBe1ZIbL70-2gbc8cCH6-NK1Ouvj3INDd4F0q-DqPGQDol_o2XGZS0xLEkbz62g4WoJQSlBhzWMBhLHCTCeuczMw0D_H8zTymKS6InPkW3bBKf4Yo2dRzQKNoYQHAEpj5/s1600/Adoption+Form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-Jkk0BfKaVWiBe1ZIbL70-2gbc8cCH6-NK1Ouvj3INDd4F0q-DqPGQDol_o2XGZS0xLEkbz62g4WoJQSlBhzWMBhLHCTCeuczMw0D_H8zTymKS6InPkW3bBKf4Yo2dRzQKNoYQHAEpj5/s320/Adoption+Form.jpg" width="247px" /></a></div><div align="center">Bigify if you dare.</div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-12426329221298636012012-02-08T11:14:00.000-05:002012-02-08T11:14:50.483-05:00Balderdash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqy8rN4LZdBlIfErGumAi9dq8R1te44MHuwxKogXWuo0T-BVu7-tRbzEG24gFetpukhrB-yrQ0tl6CoA99v7akgalV4c2OBk66mTTeDpff1RCOXNWLiBcSSglnVjSubhEK7L7ezvcOiL_/s1600/oscar_wilde+Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqy8rN4LZdBlIfErGumAi9dq8R1te44MHuwxKogXWuo0T-BVu7-tRbzEG24gFetpukhrB-yrQ0tl6CoA99v7akgalV4c2OBk66mTTeDpff1RCOXNWLiBcSSglnVjSubhEK7L7ezvcOiL_/s320/oscar_wilde+Crop.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – <em>Oscar Wilde</em></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</div><br />
You may have noticed on my <em><strong><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7400319-lizz">Good Reads</a></strong></em> account that I recently finished reading “The Importance of Being Earnest” -- the phenomenally entertaining and comical play by Oscar Wilde. I have to admit, it was the above-mentioned quote that triggered me to read something else by the late, great Mr. Wilde. The only other book I ever read of his was “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” which I’m sure you have all read and loved. Okay, maybe not loved, but let me just add here, that it was indeed, a piece of work regardless. And when a book down right gives me the heebie-jeebies, I’d have to say it’s a worthwhile read.<br />
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Now, as far as “The Importance of Being Earnest” goes, it was probably one of the funniest stories I’ve read in years. Maybe in my whole life. Besides for the witty dialogue and his astounding playful choice of words, it was one of the most enjoyable and amusing stories I have ever read. And I’m not afraid to mention here, that it was a totally hilarious story about nothing at all. A humdinger of a good-humored time!<br />
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So, after laughing my pants off as I finished it, I decided to rent the movie that came out a few years back. I must admit, although the movie was of a merry and mirthful nature, I would have to recommend reading the priceless play before seeing the movie. I have yet to see the movie version from 1952 but I do look forward to that jolly ole time.<br />
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Okay, I may have been so caught up in an uproarious moment that maybe, just maybe I made it out to be more clever and whimsical than it really was. I’ll let you be the judge of that. Now, onto “The Canterville Ghost!”Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-6314206725329241962011-11-30T08:56:00.001-05:002011-11-30T08:57:34.093-05:00Tah-Dah!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI3HTQ5juRxeMz6X8w2aFd99-ywfJ8AlpGH73rBQeeZYHiHw5hogBd7LzEmb9EmgCuwYVMJ0twC3YW6AYcQIT42mj7QbsW8QA_cpQj1e3QYioGo75ArM5TtNZhY2xS__dyPM05kK99Wxe/s1600/frazzled-mug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI3HTQ5juRxeMz6X8w2aFd99-ywfJ8AlpGH73rBQeeZYHiHw5hogBd7LzEmb9EmgCuwYVMJ0twC3YW6AYcQIT42mj7QbsW8QA_cpQj1e3QYioGo75ArM5TtNZhY2xS__dyPM05kK99Wxe/s1600/frazzled-mug1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Although I am immeasurably exhausted, I could not resist posting of my fantastic news. Last night, at precisely 10:30 PM, EST, I officially finished my novel for NaNoWriMo! With over 50,000 words, and more than 24 hours to go, I nearly went ballistic when I hit the bona fide <em>Submit</em> button and a few seconds later, saw the word <strong><span style="color: magenta;">WINNER</span></strong> before my eyes. I must admit, I’m beyond frazzled, but the important thing is…… I DID IT! Let the celebration commence tonight!</div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-42635018300460706792011-10-17T18:16:00.000-04:002011-10-17T18:16:34.067-04:00Hot Diggity Dog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDII49G4BQZxlE8IUegKRZPqRGin_fdu_r_NKsBZtU47apNAlXzQsUb7wqMIOKdj_055m80C57dECBBTd8DMEihIKHhAC8-hU3yQMgD17xTZSvL01OYGyHmVEyDAz0ti57bVUZKUNUrh5P/s1600/Weiner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDII49G4BQZxlE8IUegKRZPqRGin_fdu_r_NKsBZtU47apNAlXzQsUb7wqMIOKdj_055m80C57dECBBTd8DMEihIKHhAC8-hU3yQMgD17xTZSvL01OYGyHmVEyDAz0ti57bVUZKUNUrh5P/s400/Weiner.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some days I just feel like a big wiener.</div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-81474104985131696822011-06-21T20:51:00.000-04:002011-06-21T20:51:31.398-04:00Get Smart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplYNZH2VX40v9yiQsK9aVSFlJ8K4VlJWqURvsnD9wWXDOBf8Gr01aaTtwFUyQh7_AgB3fZLXTheBdFFbjjun5YqbLM6cdrqZSSu3zMqi0PXuQudSj5EtXTj6z7yu5tatUhawo3Bn9Yfod/s1600/smartphones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplYNZH2VX40v9yiQsK9aVSFlJ8K4VlJWqURvsnD9wWXDOBf8Gr01aaTtwFUyQh7_AgB3fZLXTheBdFFbjjun5YqbLM6cdrqZSSu3zMqi0PXuQudSj5EtXTj6z7yu5tatUhawo3Bn9Yfod/s320/smartphones.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Well, I finally broke down and bought myself one of those smart phones and MAN is that sucker smart!!!! Geez, I think it’s smarter than most of my friends. Shhhhhhhh……… At a moment’s touch, I have the weather, the news, the radio, a video camera, and I can watch movies from that mega rental service with the bright red logo, you know which one I mean. I can get recipes, read books, turn my phone into a flash light, flute, night vision goggles, and even play video games…….. If I want to……. And I do………. So I do……. At inappropriate times…… Like at work. *wink*…………… And just the other day, I needed to look up the word “Loquacious” and BAM my smart phone gave me the definition. Just like that. I couldn’t get over it and proceeded to express my exhilaration to everyone around me. That is, until I received a text message FROM MY PHONE (who incidentally, I like to call Gladys) telling me to stop babbling so much. Huh!<br />
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I have to admit that just by having the phone I feel like I’m getting smarter myself, maybe by osmosis or something. Just this morning, I shot up out of bed understanding Carathéodory’s Existence Theorem as clear as the ocean in Saint Thomas. Carathéodory's existence theorem says that an ordinary differential equation has a solution under relatively mild conditions. It is a generalization of Peano’s existence theorem. Peano's theorem requires that the right-hand side of the differential equation is continuous, while Carathéodory's theorem shows existence of solutions (in a more general sense) for some discontinuous equations. I don’t know why this never made any sense to me before! <br />
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Then, I was hanging a portrait of H.P. Lovecraft on my living room wall and had a hell of a hard time getting it to hang level when WHAM my phone graciously turned into a level, bubble and all, and in seconds the picture was up and perfectly straight. Pretty smart, no? Yeah, until SHE text messaged me again saying the portrait didn’t go with my décor. What?!<br />
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It wasn’t until I started shopping online that I found out how smart my phone really was. Last night, while hanging out on the sofa, I pressed the Best Buy app and instantly connected to the store, happy to begin my shopping, free of all the hustle and bustle. As I was checking out televisions of gargantuan size, Gladys, "my so-called smart phone," interrupted me with yet another text message saying, “You seem to be packing on the pounds lately so perhaps it would be beneficial if you were to get yourself up and take a walk to the store instead of sitting there on your ever growing tush shopping from your lazy ass couch.” FINE, smarty pants! <br />
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And listen to this… I decided to get a pizza for dinner, picked up my phone and said, “Call Antonio’s Pizza.” It rang a few times and then shockingly I got, “Thanks for calling Health Happy, your source of all natural and whole foods to go, can I take your order?” See what I mean? The darn phone knew that a salad was a much healthier choice than a greasy, cholesterol-infused pizza. Now, that’s fine and dandy but I think I can make my own choices, no? Well, I ended up eating the crappy bean sprout salad with hummus but then crammed a Twinkie in my face afterwards. Next thing I know, my phone chirps out a text message from Gladys that reads, “What’s that sugar glob on your chin?” Can you believe she said that? This smart phone is really starting to tick me off! I mean, COME ON, how smart does she think she is anyway? Wouldn't you know, Gladys had the audacity to give me my answer in a text message….. “You want to know how smart I am? I’m smarter than a 5th grader………. Are you?”Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-88175654941510504262011-06-10T16:35:00.002-04:002011-06-10T16:38:31.652-04:00Holy Jalapeno!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmj4UcvRaxhc_2sLz7wUCSzxNPia268eEmowCa9DIFy7gUlHJGp6uRSZ7xExhjmRA36i23u7PQS0NDIS_-RDAhdcEjTFjz7lxPQnu8G55MD3mX7v_dhHMQswYMIwXmuXxpMED6u8G-xL5/s1600/Jalapeno.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616692870555535666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmj4UcvRaxhc_2sLz7wUCSzxNPia268eEmowCa9DIFy7gUlHJGp6uRSZ7xExhjmRA36i23u7PQS0NDIS_-RDAhdcEjTFjz7lxPQnu8G55MD3mX7v_dhHMQswYMIwXmuXxpMED6u8G-xL5/s320/Jalapeno.jpg" /></a> Whoa! Miracle-Gro really DOES work!!!</div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-45083615756686220212011-05-05T08:32:00.006-04:002011-05-05T08:39:27.702-04:00It's Time to Celebrate!<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Happy Stinco de Mayo! </span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></div></span></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603209664981360162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksdbe4PiBaRvAR9WDLVkTD56fvv1uDbXAPM7XYcx4OpI-_2cVQatKkIHDdEyyKNEjiHeO0CsTZycmcpV9ueaobED_9oq2-OseTZ6HUa2WNXiVDMUOOEFpjMbtifo0KBuG-LRg7xJ9uqPN/s320/Skunk2.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p align="center">I got that right, didn't I?</p>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-58499058504676615332011-03-31T09:30:00.010-04:002011-03-31T17:38:12.306-04:00The Script Frenzy... Frenzy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaew-nJP1bv40SvnheEImE2jwgVtfpJXtUqm5mqRYi4j8XQfftsKuJaLhfB_xEdR51uyUB89O5MM7yqLQK4SGqr35bQWoInsEToBCYEc2GZAYeFLl3tHane1HaGtIjkNNp__VbPCTyWTD-/s1600/sf_11_writer_badge_120_90.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 90px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590235972601514946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaew-nJP1bv40SvnheEImE2jwgVtfpJXtUqm5mqRYi4j8XQfftsKuJaLhfB_xEdR51uyUB89O5MM7yqLQK4SGqr35bQWoInsEToBCYEc2GZAYeFLl3tHane1HaGtIjkNNp__VbPCTyWTD-/s200/sf_11_writer_badge_120_90.jpg" /></a>Well, tomorrow marks day one of Script Frenzy. And what the heck is Script Frenzy you may be asking? Well, it's basically a race against the clock to see if you can write a 100-page script in the 30 days of April. Exciting, no? But here's the kicker... There is no one hanging over you cracking the whip, you are not competing against other writers, and there are no prizes. So why do it? Because it's FUN... in a frenzy sort of way. My initial idea was to write a melodramatic, heartwarming screenplay. Two days ago, I trashed that idea for an even better one: a fantasy comedy with a hint of horror. Better, no? Well then, tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'll be off to the races! Wish me luck.Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-5428906966791411002011-02-14T20:10:00.005-05:002011-02-14T20:27:13.556-05:00PLSL 101Remember back in grade school when invariably, one of your friends taught you how to speak Pig Latin? Now, whether Pig Latin is a real language, or just a code invented by an extremely bored individual, it is just simply fun and easy to learn. You just take the initial con<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZc8z2tcsepvkK0Utnx4w1hN2aqEFWgqyB2GIwUsywrAyw6WfVM653lXAhEfIAo48tyve2V-JrvG8BX_ORILjfw8zheHcDHlTgTan_QywUamy7GzE5PMFNAuR5a_EYjSKaAvIUFqzcmw0/s1600/pig2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573717996154140498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZc8z2tcsepvkK0Utnx4w1hN2aqEFWgqyB2GIwUsywrAyw6WfVM653lXAhEfIAo48tyve2V-JrvG8BX_ORILjfw8zheHcDHlTgTan_QywUamy7GzE5PMFNAuR5a_EYjSKaAvIUFqzcmw0/s200/pig2.jpg" /></a>sonant (or consonant cluster), move it to the end of the word, and add an “ay” such as in <em>Ig-pay Atin-lay</em>. In the case where the word starts with a vowel, you leave the word as is and add a “way,” “ay,” “yay,” or “hay” to the end, depending on the word, as in <em>apple-yay</em> or <em>apple-ay</em>. Simple as iepay!<br /><br />So, it got me thinking, this is probably not something grade school children should be learning. It seems to be much better suited for adults twenty-one and over. Simply put, I believe classes in PLSL (Pig Latin as a Second Language) should be offered at night and weekends at every High School or Vo-Tech. I mean, why should those little rugrats have something over on us adults, right? It’s us adults that should always stay one step ahead of those short, little individuals. Plus, Pig Latin could have tons of benefits. Here’s what I’m thinking….<br /><br />Just imagine, if you will, driving up to a Starbucks drive thru and the attendant (who, incidentally, is only fifteen) asks, “Welcome to Starbucks, may I take your order?”<br /><br />“Yes, I’d like an innyskay aramelcay acchiatomay ithway ahay oubleday iceday innamoncay ollray, s'il vous plaît.” (I threw in the “s'il vous plaît” just to be confusing.) This Pig Latin stuff could be potentially fun as well as economically propitious. I’ll tell you why. That aforementioned fifteen-year old would most likely get so confused, flustered, and stressed out that he might actually quit his job. This in turn, would result in an open position for some poor, unhappy, schlep of an unemployed “adult” who needs to provide for a family of four. See what I mean?<br /><br />Pig Latin also makes for a splendiferous implement in public. Let’s just say you’re at the supermarket and you accidentally slam your finger in the freezer door of the pastry puff section or your ankle gets run over by a shopping cart pushed by a half-blind, vertically challenged nursing home escapee. You can’t very well yell an insane amount of profanities whilst tons of toddlers are toddling about. That would be offensive, embarrassing, and down right inappropriate. But if said accident occurs and you yell, “Uckfay!” or “Onsay ofay itchbay!” in order to relieve the pain and garnish a little pleasure, no little five-year old is going to know what the hell you just said. Hence, no offense. See what I’m saying?<br /><br />Pig Latin is also very useful in the household. You know how you tend to spell certain things in front of your dog like, C-O-O-K-I-E, P-A-R-K, W-A-L-K, and D-I-N-N-E-R? Well, now you can save yourself t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMTcPEg1SEBTvkc7fIsDRRtZ8KNpNf5fz2N1mXic7e093JQjfUV8K96wtpf26Vrf5PNNH4T05jrKVXHPrQd6D4std6RWEerQeO2W7rk_g7NWN_gnqIotcg2PZ7m4U7Xw7hNw1uNHPibVX/s1600/logosmudge.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573718631822462514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMTcPEg1SEBTvkc7fIsDRRtZ8KNpNf5fz2N1mXic7e093JQjfUV8K96wtpf26Vrf5PNNH4T05jrKVXHPrQd6D4std6RWEerQeO2W7rk_g7NWN_gnqIotcg2PZ7m4U7Xw7hNw1uNHPibVX/s200/logosmudge.gif" /></a>he trouble, especially if you’re a terrible speller. You can just say, “Hey, [fill in grumpy husband’s name here], don’t forget: you promised to take Fido to the arkpay after you mow the lawn! And don’t forget to stop at the pet store to pick up more ookiecays!” See? Easier said than spelled!<br /><br />So, as you can see, Pig Latin has many uses and benefits but is definitely better suited to be the language of choice for adults more so than children. Hey… Wait a minute. I just realized something… What the heck do pigs have to do with Pig Latin anyway? And now that I think about it, the language sounds more like Goat Latin than Pig Latin, with all the “ay ay ay ay ay-ing” going on. Wouldn’t it be more logical for Pig Latin to add an “oink” at the end of the word instead of "ay?" Like in Igpoink Atinloink. Ellhoink eahyoink!! See?!… Just my opinion….Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-73800361834624242402011-01-30T12:00:00.004-05:002011-01-30T12:19:47.224-05:00A Day in the Life of a Lovecraftian<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodUBy8R4UFZTkHxNqLrJWMWgr13a3YJaAzDAReoSTo5Y6fD2tAizQl_DRXryUrtrg5QAdLQQA81qgWTaEpiN05O1SbXoznTpkhd3uLngAS5FMGsKVh6x3xNW66oc8QQu2O2qt1slepgSx/s1600/HPL3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568025153380537986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodUBy8R4UFZTkHxNqLrJWMWgr13a3YJaAzDAReoSTo5Y6fD2tAizQl_DRXryUrtrg5QAdLQQA81qgWTaEpiN05O1SbXoznTpkhd3uLngAS5FMGsKVh6x3xNW66oc8QQu2O2qt1slepgSx/s200/HPL3.jpg" /></a>Rather groggy, I rose from the warmth of my quilt-covered bed and shuffled over to the slightly opened window and drew in the fresh, <em>Cool Air</em>. The window, chipping of age-yellowed paint and covered with a parade of <em>Old Bugs</em>, overlooked the <em>The Shunned House</em> across the street, in which <em>He</em> lived. Down<em> The Street</em> to the left was <em>The Temple</em> where <em>The Festival</em> was taking place in the crowded lot. <em>The Crawling Chaos</em> reminded me of <em>The Dunwich Horror</em> that happened years ago. Over to the right was the <em>Dagon</em> fishing dock and <em>The Tree</em> where <em>The Cats of Ulthar</em> congregated daily in hopes of being fed some tasty morsels of fish by the sailors as they disembarked <em>The White Ship</em>. I have to say, it’s quite dispiriting living in <em>The Nameless City</em>.<br /><br />After a time, I meandered back to my bed, and grabbed <em>The Little Glass Bottle</em> from my hand-carved wooden nightstand as I ritually did every morning. Inside was the hideous-tasting blue liquid medicine I was assured would rid me of <em>The Lurking Fear</em> from which I often suffered. The resident <em>Alchemist</em> had referred me to <em>The Terrible Old Man</em> who lived in <em>The Secret Cave</em> by the shipyard where he secretly made this medicine from ingredients found in <em>The Moon-Bog</em>.<br /><br />Heading toward the drawing room with <em>The Hound</em> at my feet, I retrieved <em>The Silver Key</em> I kept hidden behind <em>The Picture in the House</em>. Not just any picture mind you, but the one in fact, <em>The Evil Clergyman</em> found <em>At the Mountains of Madness</em>. Yes, that’s the one. With the key, I unlocked the <em>The Case of Charles Dexter Ward</em>, my great uncle who left it in my trust, and carefully removed <em>The Book </em>titled,<em> The Unnamable</em>.<br /><br />Reading from the chapter containing <em>The Statement of Randolph Carter</em>, I suddenly noticed hellacious scratching noises coming <em>From Beyond</em>, perhaps the next room. I realized a moment later, it must have been <em>The Rats In The Walls</em>, for they often scurried haphazardly in an attempt to avoid <em>The Trap</em> I set. If <em>Memory</em> serves, that trap was set the day I witnessed <em>The Shadow Over Innsmouth</em>—A remarkable coincidence, no? In an attempt to drown out the grating noise, I turned up the volume on my phonograph— a <em>Pickman’s Model</em> of course—in which <em>The Music of Erich Zann</em> was soothingly being played. To further calm my jagged nerves, I decided to open one of the <em>Two Black Bottles</em> of brandy given to me by my dear friend Howard who I’ve known since my forsaken youth. He brought them back from his three-month voyage on <em>The Mysterious Ship</em> called <em>The Outsider</em>.<br /><br />Hours later, feeling languorous from the brandy and my disconcerting day, it barely registered that my doorbell had rung. It wasn’t until the second or third ring that it finally made its way through my numbed brain. I’d hoped it wasn’t <em>The Man of Stone</em> again trying to sell me another magazine subscription. He’s relentless that guy. To my surprise, it was my good friend and colleague, <em>Herbert West: Reanimator</em>. “Well, well, well. Looky <em>What the Moon Brings</em>!” I said.<br /><br />“Spare me the trivialities.”<br /><br />Admiring his attire, my eyes drifted from the top of his black felt derby down to his highly polished wingtip shoes. “What’s that my good friend?” I asked.<br /><br />“What?”<br /><br />“<em>The Thing on the Doorstep.</em>”<br /><br />“Oh that. That’s just a pile of <em>Ashes</em>. It was probably left by <em>The Very Old Folk</em> I passed on my way here. They seem to be leaving them on everyone’s doorstep for some reason or other.”<br /><br />“Oh, I see. Well, do come in. Come in!”<br /><br />We made ourselves comfortable on the viridian velvet couch and I poured us both some brandy. “So, what brings you by, my friend?”<br /><br />“Well, I was over in <em>The Tomb</em>, doing some research on <em>The Mystery of the Grave-Yard</em>, when like <em>The Shadow Out of Time</em> I got the most brilliant idea I’d like to run past you. I was thinking of investigating <em>The Horror in the Museum</em> that happened last month and was wondering if you’d like to help since you have a penchant for the bizarre. Surely, I could use all the help I could muster. I must warn you, however, it would involve spending much time <em>In The Vault</em> and I know how you feel about tight spaces. Perhaps you’d like to take a stroll with me down the street to <em>The Festival</em> and discuss it?”<br /><br />“Well, I have been having a hard time relaxing around here today so perhaps a nice stroll would do me some good. I’m not sure how I could help but I’m willing to hear you out.” Just as I was crossing the room to get my shoes and coat, the telephone rang. “That must be<em> The Call of Cthulhu</em> I’ve been waiting for. Please excuse me my friend, I must take this call.”<br /><br />A few moments later, flabbergasted, I languidly placed the telephone back in its cradle, staring into space.<br /><br />“What is it my friend? You look like someone died.”<br /><br />“Someone did... Cthulhu’s brother, <em>Azathoth</em>. He took a sudden turn for the worse. I can't believe this happened... I just can't believe he's dead."<br /><br />"Well, my friend... not if I can help it!"Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-66350109481521593022011-01-13T08:36:00.005-05:002011-01-13T08:44:33.916-05:00Bloggiversary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSa4afmWXUhm_I3il1R_exxHWCShmhm7mQ0ufa8Hs2fDiDJDkVssr0eYJ2qXTYijZpzlZ1Oyfzp4_tf-cN-azoDyAzXTv2dKeJKm3nzgWu04XdS8TDeCbIRQXrnQPpoAUBBvkVV03mR3/s1600/celebrate2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561665120769561330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSa4afmWXUhm_I3il1R_exxHWCShmhm7mQ0ufa8Hs2fDiDJDkVssr0eYJ2qXTYijZpzlZ1Oyfzp4_tf-cN-azoDyAzXTv2dKeJKm3nzgWu04XdS8TDeCbIRQXrnQPpoAUBBvkVV03mR3/s320/celebrate2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div>Well, you may not realize that today is a very special day. It is the same day, exactly one year ago in fact, that I created my blog. Although I don't blog all that frequently, I do enjoy it immensely. So, in order to celebrate my "bloggiversary," I decided to whoop it up in many ways. Yesterday, I popped open a bottle of the bubbly and had myself a nice little party for one. Then, I had myself the most scrumdilicious steak and lobster dinner with garlic green beans, pilaf, and crème brulee for dessert. Finally, I joined a gym in order to work off some of my celebratory cholesterol-artery-clogging-calories.<br /><br />This morning, in my exhilaration of starting off a new year of blogging on the right foot, I packed my Hello Kitty vinyl gym bag with workout clothes of a somewhat fashionable nature, a new pair of squeaky sneaks, terrycloth sweatbands specifically designed for the wrists and brow, and drove myself over to the Fun Time Fitness Center.<br /><br />I walked briskly through the front door, proudly displaying my newly acquired membership card of the photo ID sort, ready to sweat my butt off. And what do you think I find the instant I set foot inside the door??? Zombies taking a Zumba class! What the hell? I mean, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-JhUjo-4UUxowgiS2BBeJvDvbMz_-DIFmByg-dT8Njm8OOIdi67NB17pX7BUnNpV2PmQwXb7US9xuYEUKixpnNuiIQTXcGpgXyvqm7ZopA9pqCKgGeO4gPWLTcAJK8rNvEBVt6qwAnR5/s1600/ZOMBIE5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561664544077546178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-JhUjo-4UUxowgiS2BBeJvDvbMz_-DIFmByg-dT8Njm8OOIdi67NB17pX7BUnNpV2PmQwXb7US9xuYEUKixpnNuiIQTXcGpgXyvqm7ZopA9pqCKgGeO4gPWLTcAJK8rNvEBVt6qwAnR5/s200/ZOMBIE5.jpg" border="0" /></a>COME ON! It's not that I have anything against zombies... they're cool in a creepy sort of way... it's just that they have no rhythm! You know what I'm sayin'?<br /><br />Befuddled, I stood and watched as the mindless zombies attempted to keep up with the merengue song of choice, swaying in their rhythmically-challenged way of theirs, relentlessly bumping into each other, unaware of miscellaneous body parts strewn about the floor. I mean, isn't that a health hazard???<br /><br />Zumba, as you may know, is a total body transformation fitness program. Now, d<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTYDDQu6Vv8ZqED4z0c2oTKGzyhgKAO6rv_wER-093yvPm_pPwDjnPAAj_1wO8ovqFJwBXsUk8w9VInPrYoqxuJ1phF0vqDCgBAVnKeZY8shtf8wEYcTXMKpce57gGmbDrKE4mrWPXZIB/s1600/Zombie6.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561664461250288354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 177px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTYDDQu6Vv8ZqED4z0c2oTKGzyhgKAO6rv_wER-093yvPm_pPwDjnPAAj_1wO8ovqFJwBXsUk8w9VInPrYoqxuJ1phF0vqDCgBAVnKeZY8shtf8wEYcTXMKpce57gGmbDrKE4mrWPXZIB/s200/Zombie6.bmp" border="0" /></a>oesn't it seem redundant for zombies to want to totally transform their bodies? I mean, haven't they done that already? What is left to transform into? Hence the redundancy. Perhaps a shower and deodorant would be more productive.<br /><br />Unable to fathom working out with zombies I found myself sipping an energy drink called the Skinny Monkey at the juice bar. But when a zombie named Richard approached me to my right and did nothing but eyeball me up and down, with the one measly eye he had left, mumbling something that sounded like, "Braaaains," I headed straight for the door and zoomed home to work out with the Wii in the comfort of my zombie-free home, keeping my brain nicely tucked away in its cranium-protected dome, thank you very much. </div></div></div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-35865389872209383502010-11-29T20:05:00.006-05:002010-11-29T20:21:56.323-05:00End of Week 4 -- Ahhhhhh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqLizu5k9J4-60M-JAuqbuGstnHv7FsEdzfkWORgzu341W9gGNtLTAEcZP3dngB40eAsIv1ksn-4QNqibz22-9_AItaoy0xkwY24aFiKfrYWeZtHUEs1-OpDQwobvRR-QheBbJDV4lYpC/s1600/nano_10_winner_120x90-2.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 90px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545143781790631682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqLizu5k9J4-60M-JAuqbuGstnHv7FsEdzfkWORgzu341W9gGNtLTAEcZP3dngB40eAsIv1ksn-4QNqibz22-9_AItaoy0xkwY24aFiKfrYWeZtHUEs1-OpDQwobvRR-QheBbJDV4lYpC/s200/nano_10_winner_120x90-2.png" /></a> Well, I'm deliriously happy to report that my NaNoWriMo efforts have paid off. I not only hit the 50,000 word count, but did it one day early! I got my Winner's Badge and my Certificate so I'm happy. Okay, so my fingers are worn down to little nubbies, my head is ready to explode, and I'm sleep deprived... So what? I did it! And that's all that matters... Right?<br /><br />And now, I'm doing what other "WriMo's" are probably doing--putting aside the manuscript for a while and enjoying the time off!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545143362671340066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAZDfzFCxRLQrDzsrCyhQmvVUexxD6v2ajjGZgziYko7ntLRhfk-NyaGzXFgVybEgrqq4eHNaREuzNG4G5zC-5FGWj8txyOTOy4ESYMCpOasEf1LWvQAYfrpmoNdeEHApCbzdL1ibTBgF/s320/Beach2.jpg" />Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-4475468317635135432010-11-21T17:27:00.005-05:002010-11-21T19:01:25.865-05:00End of Week 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtEhAhIT9OiL6CjEY9Q46uQgm3hliCGx5bEs7p57X0Tl2eSiDdI7gAarer5EJcAIAvLhhWLIDsGDr41gRyEb6I6HDxTaUcqH1CTi2mOReg-PTSQCatebygPiHyVri-FJq0AluQ8XDQlFa/s1600/End+of+Week+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542133278270149810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtEhAhIT9OiL6CjEY9Q46uQgm3hliCGx5bEs7p57X0Tl2eSiDdI7gAarer5EJcAIAvLhhWLIDsGDr41gRyEb6I6HDxTaUcqH1CTi2mOReg-PTSQCatebygPiHyVri-FJq0AluQ8XDQlFa/s320/End+of+Week+3.jpg" /></a> *yawn* Oh, hi everybody. Well, I have to say, after 33,000 words, exhaustion is starting to creep in. Okay, I lied, it definitely crept. I'm using toothpicks and heavy doses of caffeine just to keep my eyes open. And, although my head refuses to stay on my shoulders, and my hands are no longer working hand-in-hand, I refuse to give up! Did I just say "hand-in-hand" about my hands? *yawn*Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-83036375866612181072010-11-14T11:44:00.003-05:002010-11-14T12:27:36.984-05:00End of Week 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTWh3X-Yl5KwRjkPg5Ng4Bu9a68DKx0gqYNBZ3gvSPcUU6kHJ7LSngflhFebTaQ8r5n1Kj2ezB1iYGW5njQeGTu9pNTDnGSEotZa-jpoYjKKfc6POcjPylkjG5r4OXjHufGanvAl2LCnl/s1600/End+of+Week+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539447436870569618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTWh3X-Yl5KwRjkPg5Ng4Bu9a68DKx0gqYNBZ3gvSPcUU6kHJ7LSngflhFebTaQ8r5n1Kj2ezB1iYGW5njQeGTu9pNTDnGSEotZa-jpoYjKKfc6POcjPylkjG5r4OXjHufGanvAl2LCnl/s320/End+of+Week+2.jpg" /></a>As you may have realized, it's the end of week 2 of NaNoWriMo. Things have slowed down a bit for me and I have taken to consuming an overabundance of caffeine. At this point in the game, I find myself spending more time sleeping with my eyes open than closed. Perhaps it's just a side effect of the caffeine. I clocked in today at just under 20,000 words so I guess I shouldn't start fretting yet... right?Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-17100516231537829082010-11-07T18:12:00.002-05:002010-11-07T19:10:58.769-05:00End of Week 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbueqs6GvazjZ9ZoeTXt2Cyu3Bh2zjjm5-JYsiu8mX3iGQACK4xIvJIR9pDv2dBTzdjPsFChdVXFFodxklYpTDr9175hSkyrliTXL400iOKidptEjrpNhmrpUJO4mW0DneWBZk3_CS5Cb/s1600/End+of+Week+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536949870447695826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbueqs6GvazjZ9ZoeTXt2Cyu3Bh2zjjm5-JYsiu8mX3iGQACK4xIvJIR9pDv2dBTzdjPsFChdVXFFodxklYpTDr9175hSkyrliTXL400iOKidptEjrpNhmrpUJO4mW0DneWBZk3_CS5Cb/s320/End+of+Week+1.jpg" /></a>Today marks the end of week 1 of NaNoWriMo and I have to say, it's going pretty well. I have over 10,000 words so far and still going strong. I just hope I have enough ideas for another 40,000! Perhaps a little caffeine might be in order....Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-81170864756825272652010-11-01T09:59:00.003-04:002010-11-01T10:10:38.232-04:00NaNoWriMo is a Go!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhN_a0aqm-zb_4ynuRWsAOztNLkUKxFlHpJ2fR1h9DiTqRmSGmi57P6BCrx8h_MlVPbEUa0OhEpVPJfaw4MurapkVKL2dwIOh-u5w1gpV7J4AVg2Z58PjqK1MIGcWGR0TB-AeYlJEwuEA/s1600/nanowrimo_participant_03_120x90.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534582363311945890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 90px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhN_a0aqm-zb_4ynuRWsAOztNLkUKxFlHpJ2fR1h9DiTqRmSGmi57P6BCrx8h_MlVPbEUa0OhEpVPJfaw4MurapkVKL2dwIOh-u5w1gpV7J4AVg2Z58PjqK1MIGcWGR0TB-AeYlJEwuEA/s200/nanowrimo_participant_03_120x90.png" border="0" /></a>Well, today marks a very special day. It's NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month! And this year, I have decided to participate, thanks to the influence of one my writing buddies (and you know who you are!). For any of you who don’t know what NaNoWriMo is all about, I’ll explain. Those who sign up begin writing like crazy starting on November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. I hear many of you saying, “Yeah, right!” I’d like to just add here that it’s all about quantity not quality. What do you expect in 30 days?! Quality is reserved for December and January and February and so on.<br /><br />So, in honor of NaNoWriMo, I’ve decided to keep you all updated on my progress. At the end of each week, I will post a note on how things are going. As of now, I’ve got two words to my name! Good start, right? I’m very excited. Wish me luck!Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-66118819612312402512010-10-30T16:22:00.002-04:002010-10-30T16:30:26.132-04:00Doo or DyeMiraculously, I somehow managed to get myself invited to the most prestigious Halloween party in Hollywood. Numerous esteemed actors and celebrities are scheduled to appear donning costumes, prosthetics, and makeup provided by, none other than, Universal Studios. Rumor has it that Johnny Depp will be appearing as Dracula, Denzel Washington as Frankenstein, Lady Gaga as The Bride of Chucky, Robert Downey, Jr. as some sort of Superhero, and Angelina Jolie as—you may have guessed—Lara Croft. The anticipation of this monstrously prodigious event is just so incredibly mind-blowing that my freakin' head is ready to pop off.<br /><br />In order to prepare for the aforementioned grandiosity, I decided to pay a visit to a highly renowned (and quite expensive) beauty salon and spa. Since I trusted their professional expertise, I told them, "Do what you need to do with the doo." First, they started with a quick scissoring, then a color job, and then moved on to a soft, wavy perm. At that point I realized that there weren't any mirrors around. But, I figured hey, they were the professionals; they knew what they were doing, so what could possibly go wrong? Here's a word..... PLENTY!<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533937548694429522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWD6ExpY7FsGgmMJwvSy7toDrLK3xC7J24zX4G0g1uF5Od9eCJofr0FxUWGRhPQXndgj6iGH9f7Mgw4Ywio8-m7Ik1WgPEi7uwhYa6TIUP00_LlvGVeHsiPRasiNQteL5zYzxih3WLClT/s320/Halloween1.jpg" />This catastrophic turn of events has sent me into a downward spiral of lugubrious depression that the only thing I feel like doing now is locking myself inside the house, curling up in my favorite recliner, in the comfort of my most cherished housedress, with a hot cup of chamomile tea, reading the longest #*$%+& book I could find. Happy Halloween everybody................ boo.</p>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-12801494205209485412010-10-23T09:38:00.006-04:002010-10-23T09:47:52.711-04:00Something About Mary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ESWEDccEUO98Wn6wAmogHO3rFVnxKpPyxl68EGcz6deFyCpp7tnx2r0rHDlbhrC5oe5tsDqN1rtK4PuNO90lpeEX97J-aUQ4wtTT0PcTDorKlcNsoH8TFv9XV6EdcSyCMiXSp8SBp0W/s1600/MaryQuiteContrary.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531235793904880978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ESWEDccEUO98Wn6wAmogHO3rFVnxKpPyxl68EGcz6deFyCpp7tnx2r0rHDlbhrC5oe5tsDqN1rtK4PuNO90lpeEX97J-aUQ4wtTT0PcTDorKlcNsoH8TFv9XV6EdcSyCMiXSp8SBp0W/s200/MaryQuiteContrary.jpg" /></a>At this time, I’d like to take the opportunity to remind you of my immense fondness for nursery rhymes…..NOT! Okay, so you all know how I feel about nursery rhymes from previous posts. Fine. But in all fairness, I thought I’d conduct a little interview with one of my faves—Mary.<br /><br />It took me quite some time to not only find Mary, but to get her to agree to an interview. Hence my absence. I sent letters, made phone calls, sent numerous e-mails, and finally, I guess it was my endless text messaging that got her to agree.<br /><br />We met at a local Starbucks in her own hometown of Liverwurshten, and after a few cups of Cinnamon Dolce Crème Frappuccino Blended beverages I was able to squeeze out a short, but sweet, interview. And it went something like this…<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> So Mary... It is okay if I call you Mary, right?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary:</span></strong> No, that's the dolt with the lamb. You can call me Mary Mary.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> Okay, sorry about that. Is Mary Mary your full name? Or is it more like your first and middle names? Or better yet, maybe you have two first names. Wait, I’m confused.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary Mary:</span></strong> It’s just Mary Mary.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> Okay… Moving on. So, there are numerous rumors floating around that you tend to be quite contrary. Is there any truth to that?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary Mary:</span></strong> No.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> I know there are many people out there wondering, as I am, what the hell silver bells and cockle shells have to do with gardening. Any thoughts on that?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary Mary:</span></strong> Bah!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> Well, that pretty much cleared that up. Another thing that might be on the minds of many are exactly, how many pretty maids DO you have and why pray tell are they all in a row?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary Mary:</span></strong> I don’t understand a word you’re saying.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> Um. Okay, so I’ve saved my last and final question for the end. And it’s a doozy… Mary Mary, quite contrary, how DOES your garden grow?<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary Mary:</span></strong> With seeds, you idiot!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Lizz:</span></strong> Okay, well, that sums up my interview. You’ve been extremely helpful and enlightening. Thank you so much for the lovely chat and I hope you have a most lovely day.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Mary Mary:</span></strong> Push off.<br /><br />And there you have it folks!Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2569623657626149878.post-60264759710427677112010-09-03T09:46:00.002-04:002010-09-03T09:50:43.157-04:00The Controversy<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbNb6euIdA8ZL6WjROxHHz1AuSgmtv5tJFb1UU2VES-H1PY3RukaikIxrO6v7-5OeJyrrFaWfaMMaFw3MbPpiWL7uTbP58QLf2CYganpuWTGsbe11T2uWODiKiOMQu3IUz_IccowCMVHV/s1600/jimmies2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512683461855742354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbNb6euIdA8ZL6WjROxHHz1AuSgmtv5tJFb1UU2VES-H1PY3RukaikIxrO6v7-5OeJyrrFaWfaMMaFw3MbPpiWL7uTbP58QLf2CYganpuWTGsbe11T2uWODiKiOMQu3IUz_IccowCMVHV/s320/jimmies2.jpg" border="0" /></a>I’d like to bring to your attention a very serious issue—the Jimmies vs. Sprinkles controversy. I have to admit, I am a firm believer that those tasty, tiny, colorful, elongated nonpareils that you put on top of ice cream are in fact, Jimmies, not sprinkles. I mean, who calls them Sprinkles out there? Anyone? If you sheepishly raised your hand, or worse, shouted, “I do!” well then you are one sorry, mistaken soul. I mean, come on! They’re Jimmies NOT Sprinkles! How could you not know that? Don’t be ridiculous. Let me explain something to you. Sprinkle is a verb. Jimmie is a noun—in other words, a name of something. That should explain everything right there. But for argument’s sake, lets move on. You “sprinkle” salt on your French fries, you “sprinkle” flour on a baker’s board, you “sprinkle” powder on a baby’s bottom. You don’t eat a sprinkle. Why? Because, and I repeat here, it’s a verb. And the last time I looked, you can’t eat a verb. That would be very tricky. So, with that said, I rest my case. They’re Jimmies. And they’re yummy. Period.</div>Lizzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762224763285823556noreply@blogger.com6