wildcelticrose.net

My Tweets for today

• 07:12 Happy Friday! Happy Spring (at 10:32 PDST) Happy Dance!!! Picture something like THIS www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEBFdHJIl-Y #
• 10:11 Tony Kornhesier & Lance Armstrong interview-Komhesier is still a piece of crap… bit.ly/cjsw1t #
• 10:42 signed up for Tacoma & Seattle Rock & Roll Half Marathons-I think I’ll run to my meeting after work today to test out the new shoes #
• 12:31 Just got hissed at for being a bad influence. Enjoy the half marathon Kaj #
• 15:53 @SeaHikerChick I clicked on the unsubscribe button on the email. I get too much email as it is, I can’t deal with sales emails too #
• 15:54 Any of my Tacoma buddies want to do happy hour today? I’ll be out of my meeting by 5:00 PM #
• 17:43 @LisaLPatterson Pollen is really high right now; lots of coughing, sneezing and headaches at work #
• 17:51 Bummer, happy hour didn’t work out. Now I need to figure out what to do for dinner. #
• 19:13 Will be modeling some of Linda Levier’s fabulous jewelry at Jada’s Moondance party at Speakeasy tomorrow night #

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My Tweets for today

• 08:19 It’s Squee Time! wildcelticrose.net/blog/?p=4521 #
• 10:16 Good news-full price offer on my mother’s mobile home… Concern-There is a new Public Administrator, switched halfway through this probate #
• 11:36 forgot that I have a dentist appointment this afternoon to plane the roots on the other half of my mouth-may not make run or party tonight #
• 15:47 I don’t think that I’m going to be particularly happy when this novacaine wears off completely… #
• 16:01 So sad; child’s body washed ashore on Fox Island www.komonews.com/news/local/88469377.html – Believed to be missing boy #
• 20:10 Hey Tacoma (and other local) cyclists-want to learn how to ride longer/safer? Join us Saturday twbc.org/Default.aspx?pageId=526229 #
• 22:02 nighty night dear friends (and a stakler or two) sweet dreams… #

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Welcome to “things that make me go Squee”.

After “cleaning out the pipes” yesterday by venting for WTF Wednesday, I’m ready to “squee with glee”.

In honor of Pop Fiend’s attempt at decreasing drama for at least one day a week on LiveJournal by promoting “Drama Free Thursday” (for those who aren’t aware, my blog is crossposted to LiveJournal, my self hosted WordPress blog, Blogspot, and Facebook), I offer up my own “special” (in a rode the short bus kind of way) contribution, “Things that Make Me go Squee!!!

* Things that make me go squee!” may has become a regular Thursday spectacle production because “Squee” rhymes with “Drama Free”, and I’m trying to do my part.

I think that almost everyone occasionally forgets to celebrate and share good things. I know I do.

So in the spirit of putting “good juju” out there, here are the current things that make me go “SQUEE!!!”

Gene, Kathy, Michael and 25,024 of our best friends had a FABUOLUS time running the St Patrick’s Day Dash in Seattle on Sunday.

I also had a BLAST running the Tacoma version of the race with friends on Saturday.

I added some Devil Ducks to my collection (I think I have them all now-but there are plenty of other rubber duckies out there that need a home

BadKitty is not amused that they were on HER box.

I finally got some of the Keen Commuter Bike Sandals to wear this summer when I’m riding. They’re uber cushy and comfortable but will still clip in to my bike pedeals (just need to install my cleats) I’ll probably end up with some interesting tan lines on my feet.

Speaking of footwear…

My nasty blood blister from the race is completely healed (leaving the old skin on as long as possible so that the new skin can toughen up) I got lucky being able to keep it intact. I’d take a picture, but it looks funky because the brown dye in my sheepskin slippers stained the skin on my blister brown. (I’m sure you’re all SO disappointed that you won’t get to see another blister photo)

My foot feels SO much better, than I’m actually breaking in my new backpacking boots today. They are LaSportiva Thunders and I LOVE them. Since my LaSportiva climbing shoes fit so well, I thought I’d try their backpacking boots. These are the first backpacking boots that fit well enough that my narrow heels don’t slip.

Since I had two solid days of St Patrick’s Day festivities in Tacoma and Seattle, I opted to avoid the noisy crowds this year and enjoyed a Guinness (OK two) sweet potato fries and one of my favorite movies, “The Secret of Roan Inish” last night. Those draught Guinness in the cans with the little nitrogen cartridges are pretty cool.

I found this Guinness glass that I’ve had since 1999, my first St Patrick’s Day here. I got it in some Seattle establishment or other when I was on a date with a fire captain from Seattle. I still wonder why I chose my (now) ex-husband over him. What was I thinking?

In any event, I love the glass.

Oh, those backpacking boots that I posted about… I get to try them out on Sunday. I’m taking a group up to Wallace Falls to photograph nine, (count em. NINE) waterfalls and to enjoy the spectacular North Cascades Scenery.

Tonight is an event at Speakeasy, the Tacoma Beer Runners (yes, I’m going to try to do both as they’re close together).

Friday after work, is a chance to get ready for my adventures. (and maybe finally clean my filthy apartment?)

Saturday is a Wheelmen Century Training ride (I’m one of the leaders) some Equinox celebration, then my friend Jada’s Moondance party at Speakeasy. I’m going to need to go back to work on Monday to rest up from me weekend. Not THAT’s a great weekend.

And here are little smilies for all the squees left unsqueed

And of course, the greatest squee of all…

I am blessed to have really GREAT friends in my life

And you can see a lot of them here… (if I don’t have a picture of you here, send me one)

Insert “squee” of your choice here

I wish everyone a happy and drama free Thursday, as well as lots of things to go “Squee” over.

SKA-WEEEEEEEEE

Now, I’ve got to get back to work, break’s over.

~L

Mood: Gotta Squee

~

My Tweets for today

• 07:14 Pionta Guinness, le do thoil. #
• 11:19 does not drink beer so lacking in body and malts that it can be dyed green #
• 13:03 Amber Alert-Silver Honda Element OR plates leaving JointBase Lewis-McCord with two children www.komonews.com/news/local/88227047.html #
• 14:51 Tired & still slightly headachy-think I’ll avoid the crazy noisy faux Irish crowd tonight & stay home with a Guinness & Secret of Roan Inish #
• 16:02 @awilliams53 Actually, I despise Garmin Connect; it’s crap compared to Motion Based and I resent being stuck with it #
• 16:43 Saving? WTF? We’re not "saving" anything wildcelticrose.net/blog/?p=4516 #
• 17:39 Thoughts on FaceBook Friends Thoughts on FaceBook Friends wildcelticrose.net/blog/?p=4518 #
• 19:07 Dear trees… This is the last time I’m going to ask nicely, please stop having sex in my sinuses #
• 20:28 The Secret of Roan Inish, Sweet Potato Fries and A Guinness – THAT’s what I’m talkin’ about #

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I’ve been composing this post in my head for a few weeks now.

I’ve been thinking about Facebook, why I’m there and who I’m friends with.

Oh, for those who are on FB and want to know, my FaceBook page is here

A quick cursory search of who I’m friends with on Facebook shows lots of interesting (and sometimes random) connections, but some definite patterns.

Runners
Cyclists
Swimmers
Triathletes
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Photographers
Writers
Other Artists
Family
Long Lost Friends from High School
Friends from Work
Old Forest Service Friends
Old Park Service Friends
Old Paramedic Friends
People I know here in Tacoma/Seattle
Friends of Friends with whom I have something in common

They are all (all OMG, 491 of them WTF?) people I have something in common with.

They are people I have actual connections with.

A vast majority of them are people I’ve met in real life.

In short, I don’t “collect” people in order to have a high number to make myself look popular.

I graduated from Jr High School a long time ago.

I’ve even had to “cull the herd” (without announcements or drama thank you very much) because I just can’t keep up. I quietly “let some people go” that I don’t really interact with in order to leave time and space for those I do interact with.

I’m having to limit the friend/fan/group requests I get because I want to really interact with people.

Uh, people who aren’t drama queens and who act like adults.

What is it about FaceBook that brings out the “Jr High School” behavior?

I had (past tense, so I’m not taking about anyone here) a woman “friend” me on FaceBook. We had several local mutual friends and she is also a photographer, so I thought, “What the heck? Why not make a new friend I have something in common with?”

I figured out pretty quickly that I had let a “drama llama” in.

I saw so many defensive, offensive and juvenile posts. She’d post something obnoxious and then wonder why people would react badly or unfriend her.

The most fabulous quote I ever read, “I must be the most misunderstood person on FaceBook.”

OMG, I about died laughing . Thank goodness I wasn’t eating or drinking anything at the time; I’d need to clean my monitor and keyboard.

Sorry sweetie, you’re not misunderstood, you’re juvenile, catty and obnoxious.

I was also about ready to hide her from my feed (since unfriending her results in drama)

In addition to all the drama and negativity appearing on my feed, she was sending me repeated requests to become a fan of her photography page.

When the first request is ignored, you should really figure the person doesn’t have time or inclination.

When the second request is ignored you should get a flippin’ clue.

This person was sending me requests every week, sometimes more than once a week.

I have way too many friends and pages to deal with as it is and I just made a cut. At some point, I have to just stop. (unless it’s a friend I want to interact with, I will add real freinds)

I also don’t much care for the whole “fan” mentality as a whole or how fan pages work on FaceBook.

It’s nothing personal.

Grow up, put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

So what do I see on my “friends feed” today?

A snotty status update about how some photographers that she reaches out to won’t fan her page and that they must be jealous.

Oh No She Didn’t!

Jealous?

I never saw anything interesting enough on her regular FaceBook page to even make me want to click on her “fan” page and look at her stuff more or less be jealous.

I know some brilliant writers, photographers and other artists who I greatly admire (and some who I hope to work with) I am not jealous, I share and learn with them. I am not their “fan” either.

This little twerp who never matured past Jr High School crossed the line.

I made one comment before I unfriended her (making my friends feed a much more positive place)

“harassing and constantly badgering someone to be your fan and then insinuating that they are jealous when they ignore you isn’t networking or a good way to make friends, it’s snotty.”

I think I showed remarkable restraint.

At least now I don’t have to read her negative, juvenile, I’m a misunderstood victim crap.

Did I mention that she should grow up, put on her big girl panties and deal with it?

Luckily, her kind are are far outnumbered by the wonderful people I’ve met and reconnected with.

A friend in Germany I worked with at Canyonlands National Park in 1994 found me.

Several of my very best friends from high school (and even a few from Jr High School) found me.

I’ve built stronger relationships with friends I don’t get to see very often, but now get to interact with on a daily basis.

So FaceBook has been a good thing for me and I’m going to focus on the positive friendships and interactions it has helped foster.

~L

Mood: Contemplative

~

~

Yes folks, it’s time for my now infamous weekly blog feature (gotta “clean the pipes out “for Drama Free Thursday and Things that Make Me Go Squee”) WTF Wednesday.

WTF Wednesday is when I (and anyone else who cares to; a few already had an early start) get to moan, whine, bitch, complain and vent with impunity)

It’s when I sit down, make a good strong margarita (with GOOD tequila) sit around in my underwear and vent.

*OK, I’m not drinking tequila, it’s St Paddy’s Day/Irish Day so I’m drinking a rich, creamy Guinness, not any of that weak ass crap you can dye green

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about supporting and promoting Popfiend’s Drama Free Thursday with my own “Things That Make Me Go Squee” and this is, in part, preparation for DFT.

I’m all about putting good energy out there (because what we put out there it what we get back)

But I’ve realized that in order to appreciate the “good” things, we need the “bad” as well, realizing of course that “good” and “bad” are shades of gray and that nothing is black and white. (and no one likes a “Pollyanna”)

It’s Wednesday, and I’m gonna bitch and vent about people that I like to refer to as “Cheetoheads”.

I wrote about this several years ago in my now somewhat famous infamous essay,

It’s only one Cheeto-A sad commentary on our society

Each week I give an individual or group the “Here’s your Cheeto award” in honor of the rude, obnoxious, selfish, “It’s all about ME” asshats that we are force to live, work and walk amongst every day.

Today, the “object of my objection” is

The Powers That Be Who Still Think Daylight “Saving” Time Is A Good Idea

Seriously, WTF!?!?!?! How does ANYONE think screwing up our bodies’ biological clocks twice a year is a good idea?

We don’t “save” anything. There are X number of daylight hours (which vary according to how far North you live (in this hemisphere anyway)

Uh yeah, saving tallow by not burning candles in the evening, that’s relevant.

People are going to turn on lights and such in the morning when they’re getting ready to go to work just like they do in the evening (when the TV is on in most houses light or dark)

News flash people; we are no longer an agricultural society where kids need to help out on the farm after school (as a matter of fact, developers around here do their best to cover what little remaining farm land we have with crappy subdivisions and warehouses), we don’t need a “extra hour” of daylight at one time of year, and then to suddenly be plunged into darkness in the fall.

I haven’t read any recent numbers regarding the loss of workplace productivity when these time changes occur, particularly in the spring when people lose an hour of sleep and take weeks to get their body in tune to the new schedule, but I suspect it’s significant.

Around here, at the time of Summer Solstice we have light up until about 10:00 PM and the sun rises at 5:12AM.

I’m sorry, but I don’t need it to be daylight until 10:00 PM, I need to be able to SLEEP because I WORK for a living. Even if I could block all the light from my eyes/the bedroom, the idiot neighbors think that because it’s daylight they can run around outside and make all the noise they want. (they’ll be busy sleeping off their drinking and drugging while I’m at work, at least when it’s dark, they’ll eventually go inside)

The fact is, that up here, anyone working “traditional” hours is going to go to work in the dark and come home in the dark in the winter and will have a hard time getting any sleep in the summer.

At the time of Winter Solstice the sun sets at 4:20 PM and doesn’t rise until just before 8:00 AM)

We have 15h 59m 29s of light (between sunrise and sunset) in the summer.

This drops down to 8h 25m 14s

We lose roughly 7 ½ hours of daylight (regardless of the time) As I mentioned before, those working “traditional” hours go to work in the dark and come home in the dark regardless of a “time change”

Easing into the natural cycle of a time change is one thing, but the sudden seasonal swings we are forced to endure twice a year because some dipstick still thinks we need to “change” the time for outdated tallow/energy saving and/or agrarian purposes is ridiculous.

Take a look at the zombies who are having a difficult time adjusting; the crankiness and glazed look in their eyes says it all.

Pick a “time” and stick with it!

This is STUPID!

And I have a suggestion as to where you can put it!

I think that’s plenty of venting (was it good for you? It was good for me) and I actually have more to “squee” about tomorrow than to “WTF” about today, so I’ll leave it there.

None of this is earth shattering or even life changing it’s all minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things.

But I had FUN venting, and damn it feels good.

There, doesn’t that feel better?

Have a happy drama free Thursday tomorrow. I know I will.

~L

Mood: WTF?

~

My Tweets for today

• 07:13 Yucky Blister is still yucky looking, but almost completely healed and with no pain at all-Yay for keeping it intact/healing the natural way #
• 09:04 I hope the weather holds, I’d rather ride through Pt Defiance with the group from the HUB after work than do an indoor spin class #
• 12:36 @komonews Given the history of violence (including bombings) in Ireland I think that "bomb" headline was in bad taste. #
• 16:29 I’m afraid I’ve become completely yuppified-Starbucks just sent me a gold card. #
• 17:50 Monthly headache (aggravated by allergy season) DO NOT WANT!!! #
• 19:26 St Patrick’s Day or Irish Day? wildcelticrose.net/blog/?p=4512 #
• 19:59 @downhillnut someday it will all be wireless and they won’t want to sync #

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