tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51870802024-03-16T14:52:08.702-04:00Wrong Side of HappinessA U-turn on the road that is my life.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337388439684827927noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1092524754122813222004-08-14T19:05:00.000-04:002004-08-14T19:05:54.123-04:00<a href="http://rhaplinks.listen.com/rhaplink?cobrand=1&track=7235202">RHAPSODY Link</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079897609029280552004-03-21T14:33:00.000-05:002004-03-21T14:35:56.000-05:00<img src="http://www.uhaul.com/tips/howtoload.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Making a move</b><br>
<br />It's been a great year here at Wrong Side, but it's time for something new and different. Come visit me over at <a href="http://malaland.typepad.com/"> Malaland</a>. <br>
<br />I'm keeping this site live because I can't figure out how to move the archives from Blogger to Typepad and don't want to lose this last year (yes, I'm an accident waiting to happen).<br>
<br />If someone out there knows how to transfer the files, email me at malaland at yahoo dot com. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079897550110678452004-03-21T14:32:00.000-05:002004-03-21T14:34:57.093-05:00<b>Random, but cool</b>
<br /><img src="http://world66.com/myworld66/visitedStates/statemap?visited=CACOCTDCDEFLGAILIAMDMANVNHNJNYNCPARITNTXVTVAWAWVWI"><br/>
<br /><a href="http://world66.com/myworld66">create your own personalized map of the USA</a><br>
<br /><img src="http://world66.com/myworld66/visitedCountries/worldmap?visited=CAUSPRBEBAFRDENLPTUK"><br/>
<br /><a href="http://world66.com/myworld66">create your own visited country map</a><br>
<br />To create your own map, <a href="http://world66.com/myworld66">click here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079727164211915402004-03-19T15:12:00.000-05:002004-03-19T15:20:09.716-05:00<b>Edible art by M&Ms</b><br>
<br />What can I say .... it's Friday.<br>
<br /><img src="http://wrongsideofhappiness.blogspot.com/16477825413.jpg"><br>
<br />
<br /><img src="http://wrongsideofhappiness.blogspot.com/16477889413.jpg"><br>
<br />
<br /><img src="http://wrongsideofhappiness.blogspot.com/16477861125.jpg">Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079720289183821232004-03-19T13:18:00.000-05:002004-03-19T13:24:22.216-05:00<img src="http://www.shoesonthenet.com/bookstore/manolo.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>You learn something new everyday</b><br>
<br />Just in from the <a href="http://physics.org/">Institute of Physics</a>:
<br /><blockquote>
<br /><b>Scientists calculate how high heels can go</b><br>
<br />Sex and the City stars stay upright because h = Q.(12+3s/8) say scientists.
<br />
<br />As Sex and the City's Carrie finally wanders off the UK's television screens, physicists at the Institute of Physics (London, UK) have devised a formula that high-heel fans can use to work out just how high they can go. Based on your shoe size, the formula tells you the maximum height of heel you can wear without toppling over or suffering agonies.</br>
<br />
<br />h = Q•(12+3s /8)
<br />
<br />h is the maximum height of the heel (in cm)
<br />Q is a sociological factor and has a value between 0 and 1 (see below to work this out)
<br />S is the shoe size (UK ladies sizes). This factor makes sure that the base of support is just good enough for an experienced and sober, high-heel wearer not to fall over.
<br /><br>
<br />
<br />"Although at first glance our formula looks scary" said Dr Paul Stevenson of the University of Surrey who carried out the research for the Institute, "It's actually pretty simple as it's based on the science you learnt at school and which you never thought you would use in real life, in this case Pythagoras' theorem 1 Applying this to shoes can tell us just how high the heel of the foot can be lifted above the ground."
<br />
<br />Dr Stevenson went on to describe how 'Q' – the essential sociological factor had been worked out.
<br />
<br />"Essentially this part of the formula explains what women have always known – that you don't buy shoes just because they are comfortable, you can afford them and they look good – many other variables come into play"
<br /><br>
<br />
<br />'Q' is defined as follows:
<br />
<br /> p•(y+9)•L
<br />Q = ----------------------------------
<br /> (t+1)•(A+1)•(y+10)•(L+£20)
<br />
<br />The variables are:
<br />
<br />p – the probability that wearing the shoes will help you 'pull' (in a range from 0 to 1, where 1 is pwhooar and 0 is stick to carpet slippers). If the shoes are a turn-off, there's no point wearing them.
<br />
<br />y – the number of years experience you have in wearing high heels. As you become more adept, you can wear a higher heel. Beginners should take it easy.
<br />
<br />L – the cost of the shoes, in pounds. Clearly, if the shoe is particularly expensive, you can put up with a higher heel.
<br />
<br />t – the time since the shoe was the height of fashion, in months (0 = it's the 'in thing' right now!). One has to suffer for one's art, and if the shoes are terribly fashionable, you should be prepared to put up with a little pain.
<br />
<br />A – units of alcohol consumed. If you're planning on drinking, be careful to give yourself a little leeway for reduced coordination.
<br /><br>
<br />
<br />So using this formula, if Carrie Bradshaw, who is an experienced high-heel wearer (let's guess at 5 years experience) wears her latest drop-dead gorgeous designer originals when sober, she can cope with a heel height of a staggering 12.5 centimetres (just over 5 inches) [See footnote 2]. However, if she over-indulges in cocktails, the 'safe' heel height (and perhaps also Carrie) plummets. Using the same example as above, if she consumes 6 units of alcohol she would be better advised to stick to shoes with only 2cm heels. [See footnote 3].
<br />
<br />Laura Grant, a physicist from Liverpool University welcomes the Institute's new formula commenting, "many of my physicist colleagues have no trouble understanding quantum mechanics but can't figure out how women can wear high heels. Now I can explain to them how I minimise the probability of tripping up".
<br />
<br />The <a href="http://physics.org/">Institute of Physics</a> has more fascinating facts on the physics of shoes, including high heels. Just type 'high heeled shoes' into the enquiry box.
<br /><br>
<br />
<br />Footnotes:
<br />
<br />1 Pythagoras' theorem: In a right-angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse (longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
<br />
<br />2 In this example, shoe size (s) is 6
<br />p = 1, y = 5, L = £300, t = 0, A = 0 giving a Q factor of 0.88
<br />so heel height is 12.54 cm
<br />
<br />3 As above but with A (alcohol) = 6, Q factor falls to 0.15, giving a heel height of 2.01cm
<br /></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079622392727500032004-03-18T10:06:00.000-05:002004-03-18T10:10:00.873-05:00<img src="http://www.ginniemae.gov/images/edi/metmap.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Nothing like a long walk</b><br>
<br />People have taken to the streets of DC. Every cab is packed with two or more passengers. Figures on the one day I'm running late for work, there's a <a href="http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=180118&nid=25">fire on the red line</a>. So I walked. <br>
<br />I used to walk to work all the time, but this last year I've taken the metro. I'm turning into a wuss.<br>
<br />How do you get to work? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079449930380716262004-03-16T10:12:00.000-05:002004-03-16T10:15:07.653-05:00<img src="http://malaland.typepad.com/blog/telephone.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Family</b><br>
<br />Isaura writes me monthly. I immediately recognize her familiar scrawl on envelopes crushed between issues of the New Yorker and Vanity Fair. Sometimes a card flits out and a sober saint will stare up at me off the hardwood floor. Other times I'll find a $10 bill carefully folded in the note. Always her correspondence conveys news of my parents or brothers or distant cousins.<br>
<br />When we speak, the conversation never alters. She asks me how I'm doing. We quickly move on to work. Then she provides an update about her day and news of our relatives. She worries about how much my long distance charges cost. I inform her that the call is free, but she doesn't understand calling plans that provide unlimited minutes after 8:00 p.m. As we say goodnight, her voice thickens with emotion. <br>
<br />I don't phone her enough, although I think of her often. I'm Isaura's only granddaughter. <br>
<br />Today is her 80th birthday. My last surving grandparent is a fount of valuable information - stories of growing up in the Azores, recipes to exotic Portuguese meals, the answer to the confusing maze of our family tree. <br>
<br />When I call later today, I'll dig through the treasure of her memory and encourage a story about a place long gone and its people long past.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079126376071862112004-03-12T16:19:00.000-05:002004-03-12T16:22:26.920-05:00<img src="http://wrongsideofhappiness.blogspot.com/15718969349.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>8 Ball</b><br>
<br />I wish I had the ability to predict the future by asking the right questions. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079113158407332912004-03-12T12:39:00.000-05:002004-03-12T12:44:46.200-05:00<img src="http://home.ec.rr.com/downeast/nra.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Hot off the Presses</b><br>
<br /><i>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.thehill.com/">TheHill.com</a> tipsheet</i></br>
<br /><blockquote>
<br /><u>The silent treatment</u>
<br />
<br />Now that a majority of the Senate went on record supporting the federal assault weapons ban, the focus turns to what House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) will do.
<br />
<br />So far, the Speaker has punted to President Bush, who supports extending the ban, but has not publicly called on Congress to act. Hastert aides have suggested that unless Bush does so, there will be no vote on the floor before the 10-year ban expires in September.
<br />
<br />Bush is seeking the coveted endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA), which declined to endorse then-GOP presidential hopeful Bob Dole in 1996. The NRA stayed neutral in 1996 because of Dole’s shifting stance on the assault weapons ban. Extending the ban may work politically with independent voters, but Bush seems more interested in keeping his conservative base intact.
<br />
<br />Look for Bush to secure the NRA’s endorsement by remaining silent on the assault weapons ban.
<br /></blockquote>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079109474469542942004-03-12T11:37:00.000-05:002004-03-12T11:48:48.046-05:00<img src="http://www.gardencritters.com/ir/clover.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Luck of the Irish</b><br>
<br />What is it about emails that promise financial windfalls that convert reasonable people into morons? <br>
<br />The Irish Friendship Wish has been forwarded to me 11 times already today. And out of those 11 people, only one is an idiot. Truly.<br>
<br />How do these messages permeate cyberspace? WHY do people insist on forwarding these messages? It's a nightmare. <br>
<br />I remember the microsoft email hoax... and the Disneyworld win-a-free-trip message .... and countless others. <br>
<br />Please stop forwarding these chain letters. At the rate I'm going, I'm already guaranteed bad luck for the next 11 years. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079021434030227422004-03-11T11:10:00.000-05:002004-03-11T16:55:28.200-05:00<img src="http://www.belvidere.net/boonecountytourism/images/candywal.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Like a kid in a candy store</b><br>
<br />I was up til 1:00 a.m. playing with my new toy... ahem, I mean laptop. I downloaded songs off of my favorite albums and burned a few CDs. <br>
<br />I know how I'll be spending most of my time this weekend.<br>
<br />This is going to seem like a really stupid question but:
<br /><u>Why can I listen to the music off my Cd-rom at work, but it won't play on my Discman?</u><br>
<br />I know there's an obvious answer to this question - either I'm saving the music files with the wrong program or bought the wrong type of CD-R.... but if someone can help, I'll be eternally grateful. <br>
<br />The other day, <a href="http://lilywhiteintentions.com/archives/cats/cat_Everyday.php#000116">Jules</a> wrote the greatest post about music. How true she is....<br>
<br />There are specific tunes that cause physical reactions in the listener. And sometimes it isn't a hip song, or a cool band, but something like "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry.<br>
<br />Who needs a photo album or image gallery when you can have a song? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1079016056152630362004-03-11T09:40:00.000-05:002004-03-11T09:46:03.890-05:00<img src="http://www.calicocanvasandcolors.com/stitching%20images/words.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Word of the day</b><br>
<br /><i>Apocryphal <b>adj.</b></i> 1. Of doubtful authorship or authenticity 2. not genuine; spurious; counterfeit. <br>
<br />I've been under the misconception that the word <b>apocryphal</b> had something to do with the <b>apocalypse</b> (noun: any of Jewish and Christian pseudonymous writings depicting symbolically the ultimate destruction of evil and triumph of good; Specifically the Book of Revelation.) Don't know why aside from the "apoc" start. <br>
<br />These last few days especially, I've felt like a poor imitation of... well.... something... can't quite put my finger on it, but apocryphal seems fitting.<br>
<br />Isn't it funny how, when you're desperately searching for a way to describe something, the perfect word will pop up out of the blue?<br>
<br />My love affair with words began when I heard <b>apropos</b> (adv: at the right time; by the way; used to introduce a remark OR adj: fitting the occasion; relevant; apt) for the first time. The silent "S" thrilled me (yes, I was, and to some extent still am, a geek!). Could any other word ever be as fun to say? Would any other look as lovely? <br>
<br />I've since been enamored by many others. Another favorite is the Portuguese word "saudade" - a word without an exact English translation, but could mean to miss; to pine for; to be sentimental or nostalgic; fate.<br>
<br />Saudade - a beautiful word... such a puny group of letters to embrace a world of meaning.<br>
<br />What's your word-of-the-day? Do you have a favorite word - either because of its meaning or sound? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1078850739014870462004-03-09T11:45:00.000-05:002004-03-09T11:48:49.780-05:00<img src="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/howto/homenet/images/difroom.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Cable vs. DSL</b><br>
<br />So I finally stepped into the 21st century. I bought a new laptop and am ready to go wireless. <br>
<br />So here's the big question - do I order Cable Hi-Speed Internet <b>OR</b> DSL? <br>
<br />What do you use? Which do you prefer? What do you recommend? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1078499691931372802004-03-05T10:14:00.000-05:002004-03-05T10:17:02.983-05:00<img src="http://www.lancasterdepewchiropractic.com/virtual/holding-head_sm.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Things some people do at 2:00 a.m.</b><br>
<br />This morning, I woke up and groaned, loudly, when it hit me that:
<br />1. I was going to be an hour late for work.
<br />2. I neglected to eat anything last night.
<br />3. I made a date with a random guy I met out at a bar to go see The Passion of Christ (so wrong on too many levels to count).
<br /><br>
<br />For 30 seconds of blissful ignorance I was too disoriented to remember that I'd even gone out the previous night. <br>
<br />I tried hard to figure out how I overslept. Did the three alarms not go off? Nope, that's not it - I vaguely recalled slamming my cellphone against the night stand to stop the beeping. Did my subconscious think it was Saturday? No, that's not right either. Was I too tired to care? Yep, I think that's the culprit. <br>
<br />I plodded to the bathroom, and slowly, painfully, accepted the flashbacks of conversations I'd had, and people I'd met, and drinks I'd drunk. Fifteen minutes later, standing in the shower, I felt an urge to pound my head against the yellow tiles lining the walls.<br>
<br />I really am getting too old to get away with rip roaring drunk behavior.<br>
<br />(winces as another snippet pops to mind)<br>
<br />How can something that causes so much fun and joy in the moment, bring on so much regret the next day? And how do I get out of this date without coming across as a total bitch?
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1078343065627325822004-03-03T14:44:00.000-05:002004-03-03T14:46:34.466-05:00<img src="http://wrongsideofhappiness.blogspot.com/14784077829.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Location vs. size</b><br>
<br />Congratulations - you're getting a new office! <br>
<br />You have a choice between two lovely spaces at the end of the hall. Do you move into:<br>
<br /><blockquote>
<br />* the smaller corner office with windows along 2 walls.
<br />OR
<br />* the supersized office with fluorescent bulbs to provide most of the light.
<br /></blockquote>
<br />Does bigger or better situated equate more power? Why?
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1078179007893030302004-03-01T17:10:00.000-05:002004-03-01T17:37:06.750-05:00<img src="http://wrongsideofhappiness.blogspot.com/newport.bmp"><br>
<br /><b>Sometimes it's easier to beg forgiveness than it is to ask permission</b><br>
<br />My grandfather taught me that. <br>
<br />From one week to the next... he was hospitalized, stabilized, and, early on a Tuesday morning, at the age of 85, he died. <br>
<br />I flew cross-country to be with my family for the services. It was astonishing to see so many people, from so many walks of life, come to pay their respect. <br>
<br />I spoke with a frail, elderly man who met my grandfather way back when at the lycee in Portugal; second and third cousins flew to the States from Canada; a group of neighborhood teens sat in a corner, sharing their condolences with my grandmother; the Mayor dropped by for a few minutes and said some words; Catholic priests milled about the funeral home, murmuring prayers in English and Portuguese. At the cemetery, a hundred people stood graveside... I'd only seen so many people at one other funeral - that of a sweet, 23-year-old friend who succumbed to Hodgkin's. <br>
<br />For the first time, I got it - I finally understood the point of a wake. I'd always found the practice disturbing - dressing the dead body in finery, announcing the time and place of the services for anyone to read, and then putting the person on display. It was comforting. And oddly enough, the only time I cried was when my friends appeared, showing their support for my family. I never expected that to happen. <br>
<br />In three weeks I flew to Seattle, flew to Providence, back to Seattle, then returned to DC, only to pack up for Massachusetts to spend time with my grandmother. They were married for 58 years. It's amazing.
<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075909669411426312004-02-04T10:47:00.000-05:002004-02-04T11:09:53.153-05:00<b>Kids think the craziest things</b><br>
<br />When I was 5, sitting in my aunt's yellow bright kitchen, I learned a horrible truth - twins shared the same mother, no exceptions.<br>
<br />See up until that day, I thought I was part of a pair.... a twin... and we were special. Walking through Zayres or Almacs grocery store, strangers would stop my aunt or my mom and comment on how cute the twins were. <br>
<br />We dressed in identical outfits - right down to the lace on our bobby socks..... we wore our hair the same way - if my hair was in a long braid, so was hers; if my hair was in ponytails, so was hers; if my hair was in... well you get the picture.<br>
<br />And to top it all off we looked alike, really looked alike - same long brown hair, same brown eyes, same nose, same mouth.... the possibility that we weren't twins was unfathomable. <br>
<br />As I was saying, up until the age of 5 I thought I was a twin. We looked alike, dressed alike, danced to the same music, liked the same Disney cartoons, and even developed a sort of secret language. <br>
<br />But we were very different. <br>
<br />I am older and wiser by three months.... the mastermind. I was the troublemaker, egging her into a life of mischief, all the while turning on the "Who Me?" innocence when questioned by adults. She was the affable, shy one - the sweetie with a heart of gold. I planned our great adventures; she often took the fall.<br>
<br />She has a memory - of us at a wedding - we were flowergirls. I kissed the ring bearer, and gave him my flowers (I guess a sign of my devotion?!?!?!!) but then I desperately wanted my flowers back so I smacked her in the face, grabbed hers, and blamed the ring bearer for the commotion. <br>
<br />I don't remember that incident - but I've seen the pictures. <br>
<br />My grandfather was hospitalized a couple days ago. I leave for Seattle on business this Saturday. I won't return to the east coast for two weeks. I keep thinking, if she were in my shoes, she'd get on the first flight to Massachusetts and sit by his side day and night. If it were her, she'd make family the priority and not work. If she were me there would be no question. <br>
<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075742142731473962004-02-02T12:15:00.000-05:002004-02-02T12:20:34.543-05:00<img src="http://www.virginia.edu/vprgs/conferences/lifesciences/images/sideart-trans.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Prioritizing priorities</b><br>
<br />You have five workdays. There are four items that absolutely must be complete by 5:00 p.m. Friday. A month ago, you bought tickets to three events scheduled after work this very week.... one of those is a date. <br>
<br />The phones ring continuously - you let all of your calls go to voicemail as you sit at your desk, typing away, while speaking with a co-worker. <br>
<br />Three of those messages are from your mother - she sounds worried because you haven't called in two weeks. But you don't have time to call her back right this second. Maybe later... this afternoon... or after you get home... when you should have more time... if you don't cancel your plans and work late instead. <br>
<br />This last month has been crazy. I haven't felt organized at all. And somehow I've let 1,000 important deadlines pile up and EVERYTHING is due this week (and I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g!).<br>
<br />How do you keep your life in order? I swear I don't know how working moms do it. I'm just taking care of me - flying solo - and I'm buried. <br>
<br />How do you prioritize? <br>
<br />
<br />As an aside - here's a big SHOUT OUT to the Patriots for providing suspense and heartstopping anxiety throughout that magnificent Superbowl game! I was hyperventilating and freaking out in those last 10 seconds. Adam Viniatieri ROCKS!
<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075504959926914702004-01-30T18:22:00.000-05:002004-01-30T18:26:25.233-05:00<img src="http://www.phsc.ca/Boris/credentials.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Blogger credentials</b><br>
<br />So... part of my job includes credentialing reporters for press passes to cover press conferences and other media events.
<br /><br>
<br />This year a lot of "Bloggers" have tried to sign up as reporters, but our criteria doesn't allow for the editor of a personal online website to qualify.
<br /><br>
<br />Have any of you fellow bloggers successfully registered for press passes? And if so, do you know where I can find a copy of the credentialing criteria? <br>
<br />It's been the source of a HUGE headache this month - one I'd prefer to eliminate for the rest of 2004.
<br /><br>
<br />THANKS! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075484968437222562004-01-30T12:49:00.000-05:002004-01-30T12:52:02.840-05:00<img src="http://www.petergof.com/nyc/images/nyc_sunset_s.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Rent in the Big Apple</b><br>
<br />Did you know it is impossible to find a decent one-bedroom apartment in New York City? <br>
<br />Calling all New Yorkers.... a really good friend of mine is starting a new job in February. He was hired by a financial consulting firm and making lots of $$$$. So what's the problem? <br>
<br />He can't find an apartment. <br>
<br />He relocated from Philadelphia to his family's home in Connecticut. He is desperate... read D-E-S-P-E-R-A-T-E... to find a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan. He's ready to move in immediately. <br>
<br />He's got a realtor and is faithfully reading ads in the Voice. He's also joined some Yahoo Groups, but I thought I'd make a plea on his behalf here. <br>
<br />If you know of anything open, please email me at wrongsideofhappiness AT yahoo DOT com. OR if you have any ideas where he might go for leads... let me know. Thanks!
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075330110299767962004-01-28T17:48:00.000-05:002004-01-28T17:51:01.750-05:00<a href="http://www.superbowl.com/"><img src="http://www.swabiz.com/images/programs_services/superbowl_logo.gif"></a><br>
<br /><b>Patriots or Panthers</b><br>
<br />Who's going to win on Sunday night? <br>
<br />My money is on the Pats!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075304597309011572004-01-28T10:43:00.000-05:002004-01-28T10:50:35.373-05:00<img src="http://www.electricities.com/bluezone/media/thermometer2.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Weather paranoia</b><br>
<br />I'd only been living in DC for 6 months when I experienced my first Winter Storm Warning. My then roommate, a senior at George Washington University, phoned into the weather hotline and learned that all classes were canceled the following day. Lucky for her too, since she had an exam scheduled in the morning and had spent the night partying at Tequila Grill instead of studying.<br>
<br />I woke up the next day to bright sunshine. An inch of snow had fallen overnight and the entire city shut down. It was amazing to me - the threat of a snow storm had canceled classes and shut down the city and federal government. <br>
<br />Those were the good ol' days of city government led by Mayor Marion Barry.<br>
<br />I laughed at these silly Washingtonians. These people who, upon hearing of a threat of snow, stampede to grocery stores and clear out water, milk, bread and toilet paper in minutes. I used to giggle at those empty store shelves. <br>
<br />What was the big deal? It's just a little snow.<br>
<br />Eight years later, the city has finally gotten to me. I've turned into one of *those* people. <a href="http://www.nbc4.com/weather/2787551/detail.html">Bob Ryan</a> hints at a swirl of flakes and I start to pray for a snow day. Yes you read correctly - the people of Washington DC are accustomed to snow days. <br>
<br />At the very least, I can count on sleeping a little late and getting into work at 10:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m.. Like today. <br>
<br />Nothing shuts down the government quicker than the threat of inclement weather. <br>
<br />And I wonder, what happened to the girl who drove through inches of gray sludge to get to work in Boston? The girl who faced the angry winds of Syracuse and trudged between 12 foot snow drifts to get to class? I'd look out the window, visibility barely 2 feet, and throw on party clothes for a night of dancing. <br>
<br />Late yesterday afternoon, sitting with friends in the warmth of Biddy Mulligan's, I watched as the pavement went from slick, to icy, to slush. People in parkas and wool hats scurried across and around Dupont Circle - everyone in a hurry to get out of the nasty weather. By 8:00 p.m. the streets were deserted. <br>
<br />What is it about snow that sends everyone home in a panic? And why is a person's first instinct to run to the grocery store and pickup water, milk, bread and toilet paper? I mean, do they REALLY think they'll be snowed in for days and days? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075218791110520322004-01-27T10:53:00.000-05:002004-01-27T10:55:44.403-05:00<a href="http://www.oscar.com/index.html"><img src="http://www.oscar.com/images/123x120/123_pastwinners.gif"></a><br>
<br /><b>Taking all bets</b><br>
<br />The Oscar nominations are in. Who do you think will win on February 29th?
<br /><br>
<br /><blockquote>
<br /><b>ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE</b>
<br />Johnny Depp - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
<br />Ben Kingsley - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
<br />Jude Law - COLD MOUNTAIN
<br />Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION
<br />Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER
<br /><br>
<br /><b>ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE</b>
<br />Alec Baldwin - THE COOLER
<br />Benicio Del Toro - 21 GRAMS
<br />Djimon Hounsou - IN AMERICA
<br />Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER
<br />Ken Watanabe - THE LAST SAMURAI
<br /><br>
<br /><b>ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE</b>
<br />Keisha Castle-Hughes - WHALE RIDER
<br />Diane Keaton - SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
<br />Samantha Morton - IN AMERICA
<br />Charlize Theron - MONSTER
<br />Naomi Watts - 21 GRAMS
<br /><br>
<br /><b>ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE</b>
<br />Shohreh Aghdashloo - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
<br />Patricia Clarkson - PIECES OF APRIL
<br />Marcia Gay Harden - MYSTIC RIVER
<br />Holly Hunter - THIRTEEN
<br />Renée Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN
<br /><br>
<br /><b>DIRECTING</b>
<br />CITY OF GOD
<br />THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
<br />LOST IN TRANSLATION
<br />MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
<br />MYSTIC RIVER
<br /><br>
<br /><b>BEST PICTURE</b>
<br />THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
<br />LOST IN TRANSLATION
<br />MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
<br />MYSTIC RIVER
<br />SEABISCUIT
<br /><br>
<br /><b>WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)</b>
<br />AMERICAN SPLENDOR
<br />CITY OF GOD
<br />THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
<br />MYSTIC RIVER
<br />SEABISCUIT
<br /><br>
<br /><b>WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)</b>
<br />THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
<br />DIRTY PRETTY THINGS
<br />FINDING NEMO
<br />IN AMERICA
<br />LOST IN TRANSLATION
<br /><br>
<br /></blockquote>
<br />Here are my picks:
<br />Johnny Depp or Sean Penn for Best Actor; Tim Robbins for supporting actor (although Mystic River is not his finest work); Charlize Theron for Monster; Marcia Gay Harden for Mystic River; Peter Jackson for Lord of the Rings; THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING for Best Picture; Seabiscuit for adapted screenplay and Lost in Translation for original screenplay. <br>
<br />And that's all I have to say about that..... for now. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075213500984163272004-01-27T09:25:00.000-05:002004-01-27T09:26:33.860-05:00<img src="http://www.bet.com/images/bigbarker/weight_scale_bb.jpg"><br>
<br /><b>Lo-Fat vs. Lo-Carb</b><br>
<br />I've been to Weight Watchers meetings and listened to the propaganda about points and low-fat.... I've read Dr. Atkins's treatise on the benefits of Low-Carb. Dr. Phil is out there telling us all to "just use some common sense." At work, I've interviewed nutrition experts - each defending his or her camp. Is the USDA food pyramid really making us all fat? <br>
<br />What do you think?<br>
<br />Should humans be watching fat intake? Carb intake? Is the weight problem really a matter of physical fitness and not food? What have you tried? What worked? What abysmally failed? <br>
<br />A few years ago when I joined Weight Watchers, I actually GAINED 10 lbs. Although Atkins works for me, it doesn't seem to be the natural way to eat for life. And no matter how I eat, the key to maintaining a normal,healthy weight has been exercise.
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187080.post-1075149850284659632004-01-26T15:44:00.000-05:002004-01-26T15:46:13.810-05:00<img src="http://www.clas.uconn.edu/clas_newsletter/images/linguistics.gif"><br>
<br /><b>Lost translation across the pond</b><br>
<br />What does it mean when a British guy describes a female as "cheeky?" Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0