room 651

All around the world and right back with me again.

To me again.

a compliment, right?

More scenes from my work life. . .

Hospital Technician: blah blah blah Motherf*cker blah
Doc: Hey there, watch it when we have high schoolers here. (to pip) Sorry about that.
Hospital Technician: She's not a high schooler, she's a product rep.
Doc: You aren't here for career day?
Pip: Nope. From Minnesota.
Doc: I thought you seemed big for a high schooler.

Pip: I prefer tall. thank you.

how many licks

In the wicked spirit of Halloween, I will publicly point and laugh at my dog for eating the treats meant for the kids. The other night I came home to find my house littered with tootsie roll sticks. If there was any doubt that my five-foot-when-standing-on- her-hind-legs dog could reach the kitchen counter; well. . . that doubt has been shattered.

Mad props to Sophie for her ability to differentiate between the chocolatey-fruit goodness and the stick of paper.

This isn't the first time we have witnessed Sophie's rampage. For years I have questioned her ability to pick out the fine difference between crappy cotton underwear and anything that is silk. Finally I understand, it is a matter of class, of quality and of taste. This is a dog with a refined palate. It looks like those many years of culinary training have finally paid off; we can differentiate between silk: cotton and tootsie goodness: wrapper. Yo, save some treats for the kids!

In other news, this weekend was great, super fast, but great indeed. Tonight's post comes from unbelievably warm Austin Texas where I get the proud honor of declaring this my 200th post!

On that, good night y'all.

a wee out of touch

So I am back from DC and I am feeling a wee out of touch with reality. Earlier I spoke about corporate excessive spending, and all I have to say now is YOWZERS. People! Holy! My jaw dropped when I entered my hotel room and the trip continued on from there.

"You know it is me right? The kid who thinks the 'we'll leave the light on for ya' type establishment is the pinacle of fine travel.

I did figure out the grand mystery as to why there are so few women in business however. 16 hour days in heels. Sir, do your toes naturally point into a triangle? I didn't think so.

So, I am back at the cottage wearing some combination of clogs or flip flops and all is at peace again.

pardon?

doctor: What is name of your new product?. . . something about camel-toe.
(silence) (blink blink)
pip: Do you mean the petal?
doctor: Oh, yes. yes.


I am sure that mistake happens all the time.

sabbatical

So nothing interesting is happening in my world, hence the lack of postings. I will give you the cliffs notes of the past week or so.

• Took many naps.
• Went to a movie, The Departed, with Matty and Brev (Barry). Played a killer game of Ocean Hunter before the movie.
• Had drinks with a couple of friends. Have I mentioned that I am a lucky girl? Indeed 'tis true
• I am in DC this week and witnessing huge amounts of corporate excessive spending, ie., our fair booth has an espresso bar.
• I totally watched the Devil Wears Prada on pay per view last night and billed it to the company. I am also enjoying the million-odd thread count sheets, marble everything and the ability to stay in a hotel that is WAY OUT OF MY TAX BRACKET.

I will try to be more interesting going forward.

example of international advertising? or inappropriate classroom example? you decide.

At home directions: Look over your shoulder to make sure no one under the age of 18 is in the room. Turn the Speakers ON.



At work directions: Plug in your headphones. Go for it.

Alternate work directions if one does not have headphones: Turn speaker on as such such. I am recommending a 3 (indoor voice) but you might want to start a one or two (whispered gossip voice) and work your way up. You decide.

Directions if you are my aunt jean or anyone related to me some other way: Might be best for you to skip this one. . . ;)

Other international advertising that I heart.

example one

example two

example three

quiz- not really sure what to make of this!

Find your own pose!

We ALL know that I think about sleep. a. lot.

Technical score 5.1

Artistry score 6.0.

Apparently my bellying up to an affection for fair churros during the quiz scored me a Kama Sutra sleeping style.

Excalibur Traits and Tendencies
Excalibur couples may battle just as much as other couples (and participate in more than their fair share of public huffs), but they look so good together, it outweighs any other deficiencies they may share. It isn't that they're classically good-looking, or similarly sized (though certainly both those pairings are permissible). It's more that the aesthetic chord they strike satisfies in profound ways. Like gorgeously plated food or song filled with unusual harmonies, the wan and freckled hand-in-hand with the tragically tan, the pigeon-toed with the duck-walkers, these Excalibur couples achieve such perfection in their pairing that reminds the world that anything is possible.
Comfort Zone
Excalibur is in the Wind pose family. Other Wind poses you might enjoy include Softserve Swirl and The Ventriloquist.
Health Note
An unexpected rash or orthopedic adjustment can sometimes lead an Excalibur couple to fall out of balance. Physical adjustments may need to be made, or an entirely new pose could even be in order.

Rads sent me this link. . . so try it out. . .. I am curious what other people get!

**Two points for the pun.

a misunderstanding

Scene: The Barrister and Pip are working at a pancake breakfast waaay too early in the morning. Barry puts his arm around pip's waist.

7 year old Amelia (whispered to Momma Barry): I think they are in love
Momma Barry: I think so too
Barrister: Did you say get a room?
Momma Barry: I said, I- think- so- too

Right. Nevermind.

procrastination

• Monday
• Tuesday
• THE DAY WHEN I PREPARE THE LECTURE FOR CLASS TOMORROW WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BEATING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL FOR NOT DOING IT EARLIER
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

in response to corporate america's excessive spending

Last night I had drinks with a friend and we talked about the difference between government organizations, non-profits and the for-profit world. Many a time I have been blown away at how we choose to spend the corporation's money. I have often thought my new world to be quite absurd and full of needless excess.



Here is a great example: I present my chair. Retail price $500.


To quote my father, "$500? Is it made of gold?" Yep. and on the hour it releases soothing vapors of frankincense and myrrh.


If I think of myself in my theater role, $500 can make a huge difference in a production budget. At my job though. . . no one even bats an eye. So here I am straddled between two or three very different worlds. . . confused.


At least my bum is comfy.

she prefer the pink collar, thank you very much

So we bit the bullet and installed invisible fencing across the driveway. When I bought the system, I realized that the collar was less than pretty so I bought her a lovely bubble gum pink collar as well. . . with a matching leash. Sophie seems like a dog that would look good in pink.

Now, I know that the dog is collar blind but she really did seem to like the new collar. . . or at least one of them.

For those of you who know Sophie's larger than life personality you will appreciate the fact that she hasn't received a 'correction' yet. She is just scared of the warning noise that the collar makes. The joggers may now pass our house in safety due to the magic power of empty cans of soda and a beeping driveway.

note: Barry, who most frequently walks the dog, was less than thrilled with the new pink accessories.

**2 points for the pun

education plan or free delivery? . . . you decide

So a favorite conversation around the Brever household (other than the dog and public peeing) is the upcoming elections.

With just a couple of weeks to go, it is pretty funny to see how the candidates attack each other and position themselves to the public.

To be fair, I wouldn't say that I have an unbiased eye when evaluating commercials. . . but regardless, one seems to stick way out to me. Although, I am not a superfan of this candidate, I do think these commercials are beyond silly.

Has anyone else been bothered by Pawlenty's commercials this year? Is it me or do they look oddly like an furniture store commercial? Is Pawlenty going to offer a Labor day BLOWOUT?! For fun and games. . . do check out the Warner Stellian web site. Similarities anyone? Is he trying to transfer the brand equity of a reliable refrigerator to the gubernatorial role? Which only begs one question. . .

Is your governor running? better go catch it.

cancer free

my lab results came back today and all looks good! I have to go back in 6 months to check for stability in the area where the tissue was removed but all is good good good. I am benign!

i am a tiger

rarrr.

Okay. . .so it wasn't all that bad. Frankly, the worst part was the shots to numb my boobicle. I was a little sore and tired on Friday night but by Saturday I felt like I had just worked out too hard.

I spent most of the weekend bumming around the house, but on Saturday night some college friends came over and we had some yummy appetizers and sat outside by the fire for a bit. It was awesome to have a good conversation and just catch up.

Tomorrow I begin 3 days of 'work retreat' which is code for "crappy work that would be absolutely unbearable to do in the office so we are going to some place prettier to rock through it. "

At least I will be able to wear jeans.

let's all learn a little bit together

Thanks for all the warm comments and emails- but I do want you to know that it really isn't a big deal. We can all pretend I am a superhero with incredible strength and courage- but we all know that would be a lie! :) So I am posting a thinger from the Mayo Clinic so that we can all rest our brains and not panic! This is what they think is going on. . .

my hometown hero's account:

Fibroadenomas are round, firm, rubbery masses that arise from excess growth of glandular and connective tissue. These masses can grow to the size of a small plum, but they're benign and usually painless. If you have a fibroadenoma, it may bounce or move slightly when you press the area.
Fibroadenomas respond to hormonal changes and tend to enlarge during pregnancy and shrink after menopause. Women of any age may have them, but they're usually detected in women in their 20s or 30s. Your doctor can't tell from a clinical breast exam alone whether a breast lump is a fibroadenoma. Mammography and ultrasound may help with the diagnosis, but the only way to be certain of a fibroadenoma is to take a sample of tissue for lab analysis (biopsy). Your doctor may also recommend surgery to remove the lump completely.
Fibroadenomas sometimes disappear spontaneously. But your doctor may recommend surgical removal if a fibroadenoma persists, gets larger or you're anxious about it.

So friends. . . I apparently have a couple of cheese balls in my boobicle that need to get looked at. They gave me a couple of options, ranging from 'watchful waiting' to a 'full cheese ball removal.' I split the difference and am having a half-assed cheese ball extraction. It was my choice to have it biopsied now instead of watching it. I could come back every few months for a couple of years to get it measured. . . but we all know I am lazy and that is a lot of appointments (and I know it has grown in the last year). So when in Rome. . . Veni Vidi Vici baby.

Plus. . . I can still drink wine with my left hand.

when in doubt. . . take it out

alternate title: Oh gee I blew out my boobicle.

So I had my boobicle ultrasound and I have not one, but two TWO! lumps!

They know that they are solid, so they are going to do a surgical biopsy/removal on Friday. I am told it is no big deal- but I shouldn't lift anything with my right arm for two days afterward.

Next weeks blogging topic: the beauty of asymmetry.