10.31.2011

so it's halloween again

I promise, I do try to get into the spirit of things. It just seems so pointless.

When you were a kid, it was obvious, trick-o-treat yourself into the biggest stash of candy as possible. Hoard and consume candy as quickly as possible.

So what happens a few decades later when you're competing with the 20-something slut-face in the corner (and in that corner and on bar table and over by the bathroom and hooking it with the doofus on the dance floor)? This is while trying to convince yourself you have no concerns of mass exits by the inebriated in clunky costumes and on top of it trying to avoid eye contact with your friend whose bu-dunk is hanging out of her costume. (Friends do not count as aforementioned slut as they are a friend. Halloween is the one night friends are excused from telling other friends they need to change before going out in public.)

Things I hate about Halloween:
1. Crowds of people
2. Costumes without life-skill purposes (aka camo, which you will also never catch me wearing and hence never in the woods hunting animals or in the dessert hunting people)
3. Being co-erced to open my door whenever someone rings it
4. Lying to children (okay, I don't mind this so much) Pretending to not mind random kids hustle me for candy (this is particularly bad as it mixes item #2 and #3)

On a side note, I found a neat website that let's you draw and create your own comic strip. Hopefully these posts will get more visually interesting if I can figure out how to make my avatar look Asian.

10.26.2011

seven billion and another step towards the apocalypse

Egad... They can't be serious. Are we really hitting seven billion by Halloween? How aptly timed with one of the "scariest" Hallmark holidays. 

p.s. Did they really have to show hundreds of Asians on inner tubes? This could be photoshop; but, my experience suggests it's not since Asians have this personal space issue (not me of course). 


I'm not so naive to think a medical apocalypse is really on the horizon in my lifetime. I didn't buy into the swine flu or those other minor pandemics. However, it's best to be prepared (get your vaccines fools!). The Zombie Survival Guide (though fictional) appears to be the most rational in the post apocalypse-not-getting-eaten strategy.


The question--still unknown--is will the zombies be the Walking Dead or 28 Days Later type. 
  

The most important distinction being, can they run faster than me and also maintain somewhat humanoid dexterity. Crazy thoughts, you might be saying, but having a plan is the difference in me (and the plus ones) finding a bunker or me (but not plus ones) having to slaughter your zombie-turned ass.

These are things which might be helpful to master in advance of the chaos. 
  1. Drifting (see Fast and Furious) -- I need to quickly maneuver in and out of herds. Alternatively useful when a nabbing parking spot at the forever congested Central Market.
  2. Guns -- I leave this as general statement, no verb. I assume my piano and hoop skills translate to excellent marksmanship. Incidentally, I have never held a gun, loaded a gun, and have no idea where the safety is; I'm assuming these are all good things to learn. NO ALTERNATE USE for this knowledge. Since witnessing a bank robbery is the closest I'll probably get to a gun, I've decided to just stop using banks and rely on credit cards and online payments. Nevermind, I'll learn to use a gun on the fly. I like puzzles, this must translate.
  3. Water restriction -- I need to think camel or reptile, learn to live on very little water. I'm currently at drinking at the pace of an elephant. I'll supplement dry skin with expensive moisturizer for now:good alternative.

10.25.2011

the vaccinated vs skeptics

I watched this article on the ABC World News the other day and found it immensely exciting. The follow-up print article released today on msnbc.com.
Panel: Boys should get vaccine for HPV too

Why the hell not get the vaccination if you're eligible? The mainstream sales on this was to be protect young women against future cancers or STIs associated with certain human papillomavirus strains. Boys were recently given the go-ahead to receive similar advantages. And now more findings show other potential benefits like reducing incidents of heart/throat cancer for both sexes.

HPV is unnecessarily controversial and I'm sure the lines were drawn by the same people choosing to teach abstinence instead of comprehensive sex ed in schools.

Vaccinations and the eventual elimination or reduction of persistent disease is part of the success story of human culture. Depending on herd protection is irresponsible. Vaccinate yourself and your kids. Get your boosters, stay protected.

And if you don't, I hope I'm going to a doctor who believes in kicking you out of their practice.
Doctors May 'Fire' Parents Who Don't Vaccinate Children

fa la la la, already?

It must be official--because why else would every major retailer be displaying Christmas items before Halloween--it's time to think about presents for the in-laws.


James' side of the family is the hardest to shop for because I actually care what they think! Nicest people in the world, I know they're not judging, but I better damn well bring the best presents on Dec 25. 


This year I'm thinking online shopping or local shops. Besides the fact that everyone should try to shop local, it's my best bet at finding something unique.


Baby gift: 
This stuff is FAB! The concept and execution drive envy. Great spectra of topics like nuclear physics, law enforcement, and dia de los muertos. Not to mention, it seems I've hit the age where everyone is starting to pop out babies.


Wall art:
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/dog-blueprints
http://www.etsy.com/search/vintage?search_submit=&q=vintage+anatomy&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US
Maybe not for everyone, but I think anyone with a quirky sense of humor might enjoy the concept behind dissecting and labeling images. 

Hunter:
For as much as I am anti-gun, I bizarrely know a lot of pro-gun and pro-hunting for pleasure. These also amuse me in general and would be fun after some metallic spray paint.


The Host(ess)/Cook:
I'm thinking this is a perfect mom/dad type gift or for anyone throws parties, likes having people over, or appreciates pretty things. Hand-printed towels or napkins are fabulous. Plus the advantage of online searching is you can find a range of prints. I liked the farm trackers. Hit the link to see the different views on the cutting board. It's very appealing.


BAD GIFTS
Obviously, it happens. People think they're being funny or, in the worst case, they truly believed you wanted it. It happens, graciously move on and practice your "Ah, thank you!" face in advance.


Among bad things like outdated calendars, underwear (the practical kind), and a garbage bags, I found this to be particularly horrific, and to top it off, someone was actually trying to sell it online. Please, no.


Wish me luck! If I plan this right, I'll have everything ordered by Nov 30, giving me enough time to second guess myself and buy replacement gifts.

10.10.2011

laundry room is next

After painting everything except the laundry room, it's time to move on and wrap up the downstairs. We skipped it because there was a bigger plan for this room than just plan.

The laundry room is the catch-all for all things ugly we don't want people to see. Kitty litter, garbage can, cleaning supplies, mops, broken fan, ice cooler, miscellaneous junk... oh and the microwave.

Not going to lie, always felt a little gross and bad sending people to hover over the trashcan to warm up food. Not to mention the microwave was a freebie and in crap condition.

I tried to hide the mess with these boxes from Target.
Helped, but not so much, I think cabinets are the way to go. I've shopped around (online of course) and am trying to decide between Ikea and Lowe's. I want white cabinets. I like the glossy white cabinets from Ikea, but probably out of my price point for a little laundry room.

IKEA
LOWES
I also like the shoe closet from Ikea. I think two of those will help clear out the coat closet for something like coats. Plus it'll handle my little habit of kicking off my shoes in the kitchen since the current shoe closet is so far away. (p.s. not my house, it looks to clean)


I also like the idea of a table-top on the laundry machines and some practical, but interesting way, to access all the soaps.

The biggest challenge is going to be picking an appropriate paint color and fixing the crackle in the wall. I'd like to cheat and just glue the crack down and then paint yellow walls with some interesting screen decals or just white & yellow stripes? (p.s.s. again, not my house)