I'll Drink to That

Damn, this is clever, and quite funny.

Carlton Draught Big Ad

And here you'll get some behind-the-scenes of how it was done.

Out Damned Spot!

I am sure, though I can't exactly picture it right now, that there will be a day sometime soon when I can't find any paint blotches on me, hidden behind an elbow or on the bottom of a foot or nestled against my scalp. It's going on 6 weeks since we started our upstairs painting project and I am SO sick of it that I probably won't go up there for weeks after we finish and get the kids moved in.

But I do have to say - I think it's looking damn good. After the new carpet is laid next week I'll be able to tell whether it's simply paint blindness or whether I truly like it. At the very least it's bright and colourful and clean. Photos to come.

And whatever will I do with all the extra time on my hands after I finish this project? Why, take an online Lithuanian class, of course!

I've always wanted to study the language, knowing only a little bit from hearing my dad's side of the family speak it. Although UW offers undergrad courses in it (which thrills me no end), they're taught during the day so I've been unable to make the scheduling work. But, as I found today, there is an experimental online course, absolutely free for the taking. It's a good start, I think.

Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

Did you SEE what happened yesterday? Our Democratic Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid, thunked Felonius Frist right between the eyes and called for a closed Senate session to discuss the intel used to justify the Iraq war, and why there has so far been no investigation into the Bush administration's role in manipulating that intel. My god, what a breath of fresh air, and an indication that there are Dems in Congress who are still capable of fighting back.

After receiving an e-mail from my good friend Howard Dean (oh how I still love that man), I immediately sent off a contribution to the DNC and a letter of thanks to Senator Reid; I encourage you to do the same, if you can.

Kinda makes this bleak anniversary a little bit easier to take. 3 more years, my friends, unless Bush's lies - damnable lies! - catch him the way Nixon's caught him.

Requisite Halloween Cuteness

Darth and the Littlest Ghost
Originally uploaded by monagrrl.

Another night of sugar and revelry has come and gone with much success and more candy than any pair of children needs. We got a wee bit damp but stayed reasonably warm and had a great time tromping up and down the hills in our neighbourhood with a pack of good friends.

It took Nathan only 1/2 hour to ditch the helmet (the eyes kept fogging up) and the gloves (he couldn't grab the candy very well). At which point he declared himself the Boy in Black. Uh-huh. Sophie's costume, on the other hand, held up very well and got lots of comments as to its originality which boggled my mind. Nobody wants to be a sheet-bedecked ghost anymore, apparently. Go figure.

Though undocumented photographically, I'll report that I was dressed as a bird flu victim - grey-faced with dark circles painted around my eyes. If only I had had a rubber chicken to carry around, it would have been the most awesome costume ever.

Crazy, but not that crazy (yet)

You've heard of NaNoWriMo, yes? It's a yearly event where, all over the world, people attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. That's roughly 1700 words per day, unless you're a procrastinator like me and leave it til the last week, then attempt 7,000/day and end up so weakening your body and mind that, like writers of the last century, you die of TB at a young age.

Yeah, that last sentence, plus the fact that I don't really have a solid idea for a 50K word novel, pretty much explains why I won't be participating in NaNoWriMo this year. But, in honour of the event, and as a way to kick my blogging ass into gear, I've created a November writing event just for me. KBloWriMo - Kristina's Blog Writing Month.

Each day I'll be here writing... something. Maybe even a couple somethings! (Hey, if you don't have starry-eyed optimism at the beginning of a project, you're sunk before you even begin, right?) By the end of the month, my hope is that the daily writing habit will be entrenched, never to disappear again. Right?

So. Let the blogging begin! Feel free to join in (on your own blog, of course), if the inspiration hits. And finally, good luck to my friends who *are* participating in NaNoWriMo this year. May your ideas flow and your fingers remain nimble and uncramped.

Pass the Popcorn

DeLay Will Likely Be Booked This Week

October 17,2005 | AUSTIN, Texas -- Rep. Tom DeLay will likely be booked in a Texas county jail this week despite attempts by his attorneys to bypass the fingerprinting and mug shot process.

Hard not to smile when you read that, isn't it? Let's hope that it's but one of many Republican perp walks we'll be seeing in the coming weeks. Oh, Scooter? Turdblossom? Senator Martha? Hear that knock at the door... it's for you! Beyond that... no, no. I dare not even hope.

Revelation

Puff the Magic Dragon is the most depressing song ever written. That poor fucking dragon.

The Limits of Language

I have a lot to say, really I do. I'm just not finding the words to say it. Next week I'll catch up on our vacation and the new school year and the rainy start of soccer season. But, of course, that all seems so self-involved and mundane, and it is in the face of what has happened in this country, the shame and anger I feel. So today, a day of remembrance, I'll just link to two people who have said about recent events what I'm feeling, better than I possibly could right now.

Here's What Gets Me

A Letter to All Who Voted for George W. Bush from Michael Moore

Dangling Conversation

Me: Hey, I have an idea!

Stephen: Um. Okay. Can you give me a second to move into fetal position before you tell me?

Yes I am on a bit of a "let's change our lives in profound and potentially expensive ways" kick, why do you ask?

Knowing My Limits

I don't care how difficult the job market is or might become in the future, I can tell you one thing for sure.

No matter what the pay and benefits, no matter that I could see the world (kinda), learn a new language, and be surrounded by potentially hunky men in naval uniforms.

Even though it's a given that one should never say never about anything, I'm going to put my foot down, plant my flag and prepare to died on this particular hill.

I will never and by that I mean never ever apply for work on a Russian submarine.

Just say niet.