Wanted: Name for Fish

P and I just got a beta. As many of you know, we had this ginormous tank that we moved around Denver whenever we got a new apartment. Well, I decided it was WAY too expensive to move it to Chicago, so I ended up giving it away to our old landlord. But before that, I had purchased this tiny 1.66 gallon tank to transport the fish to Chicago. Before I could do that, all the fish died. So we decided to set up this wee tank finally, and a beta seemed pretty low maintenance.

Anyway, this is where you come in, loyal reader. P and I have been debating what to name our fish. I've added a poll to the blog (see it? It's right under the PD&J picture). Please respond soon before the as-yet-unnamed fish dies!

*gape*

Wait, what time is it again?

Bono + Barack

Where have I been???


Dave sent me the following:
" Wow - I've just read the best article so far about the Obama campaign. You have to check it out.

It's Rolling Stone's Machinery of Hope. Quite amazing... and a just a little inspiring too.

We are the change we have been waiting for. "

Which then got me wondering about my Dream Duo... they MUST HAVE met! Surely Bono would endorse Obama!

I don't think there's been an official endorsement (omg--I don't even know--Megan, is Bono a U.S. citizen?), but Bono DID include Barack on the cover of Vanity Fair when Bono served as its editor a year ago.

Hot vs. High Forehead

Well, Jenn's post certainly brings something to light! Our meteorologists are WAY hotter than the high-foreheaded Denver types! Take Ginger Zee, for example. The post picture does not do her justice, but if you do a google image search for "Ginger Zee", you'll see what I mean. She recently did a dance benefit. She was wearing this INCREDIBLY revealing dress, and I swear one of boobs almost flopped out! The only picture I could find of it is also in the post, but again... doesn't do her justice. She is any straight guy's dream.

Take THAT Kathy Sabine!

Nothing to Blog???

For the first time since its inception, I have let a weekday go by without posting. THIS IS HOW BLOGS DIE, PEOPLE!! I can't and won't let that happen.

Therefore, when in doubt: talk about the weather.



The weather is lovely here in Denver. It's currently 65 degrees and sunny. We're expecting it to be slightly cooler tomorrow, but will still enjoy beautiful spring weather with a high around 59.

I would have walked around today, but my back went out. I didn't do much yesterday except scrub the bathroom, which I assume is the culprit behind my misery. And miserable I am. I can't walk, sit, or sneeze without pain. And, the longer the pain has been going on, the more I am noticing radiant pain elsewhere. I feel broken. *insert picture of me stooped over with zig zags drawn above my lower back to indicate area of pain*

Well, to all our loyal readers, please stay tuned. Hopefully those bloggers in Chicago can come up with something more interesting to post.

*enraged, suddenly*

So this morning, as I was innocently waiting for the bus, I saw something that appalled me. Several highschool-aged kids get on the bus at my stop. Many times, they go to the McDonald's that is right next to the stop before boarding. This morning, I watched as one of them took the breakfast sandwich he had just purchased out of its bag and let it drop to the ground. I thought he would realize what had happened at some point, but then I saw him look down and kick the bag! He then finished his sandwich and threw the wrapper on the ground. Then he finished his drink and did the same! I was SO mad! Who do people think they are?! Like I want to see their crappy wrappers from their crappy food all over the place? And like someone else should just pick it up for them? Would you like me to come to your house and scoop my cats' poo on your bed? Cause I could do that!

I was clearly giving him the stink eye, and he saw me. He meekly bent down and picked up his trash. He then threw it in the trash can that was 5 feet away. I wanted to strangle him. I don't know how I stopped myself.

Outing P and D

For those of you who DON'T know... my grandma is 90. She's the perfect image of little old lady--the nice, docile kind. She's about 4'2", snowy white hair, glasses. She's not stooped and she's feisty enough to still live on her own.
She's known P and D for YEARS at this point. Which, admittedly, on her timeline isn't that long, but still. She has listened to me talk about them, never asking me why I didn't date one of them or why I always mentioned both of them. Once a few years ago, she remarked on the fact that they were moving into yet another apartment together and tentatively asked, "Are theeeeeyyy..." *me nervously interrupting* "Roommates? Yes!"
It struck me at the time that if I was too nervous to broach the subject, I canNOT imagine how people come out on their own.
Anywhoo, the other day I was talking to Grandma and told her I had been to Chicago to see those guys and she asked how they were doing and inquired if either of them was seeing a nice girl yet. I swear, the woman was on to me. I sheepishly told her that they are, in fact, gay. *high, squeaky voice* "Oh, didn't I tell you, grandma? P and D are gay... they're a couple." She said she didn't even THINK of that. Which, again, makes me think she was just trying to get me to admit the obvious.*

*or not-so-obvious. I didn't know for sure about Paul until I asked. And David... well.

The day the music died

So two days ago my MP3 player stopped working. It sucks but since I have no choice but to go without blessed reprieve from the annoying sounds of city life, I'm more in tune with the world.

People of the iPod generation: many of you have probably forgotten what the world sounds like. I'll refresh your memory with the things that I have once again heard these past two days. I heard a woodpecker this morning. Oh nature! Of course, it was pounding away on some house and as they aren't housepeckers, I assume the poor creature did irreparable damage to his/her "pecker" and is now starving to death. And its poor young ones, who rely on regurgitated worms for sustenance, probably won't survive the cold Chicago night. I can see it now...mama woodpecker comes home and tries to explain things to little Margot and Jareth (she's of that generation that wants to give their children unique, modern names). "Pfhey guyfs...phmaphma's goph's phome baph phnewf...phno dinnerfph phtonigph."* Oh the consequences of man versus nature! So sad!

I'm also finding out so many things about Chicago! Did you know that they actually have some voice that announces the stops on the red line? It's true! You don't have to count the number of stops or frantically look out the window for familiar landmarks.

Also, the guy that lives off of the Thorndale stop is really excited that his friend is in town and tonight they could go to dinner and then an "art performance." What's an "art performance"? I want to know! I picture a naked man driving nails through his penis while reciting a poem about why modern man is "isolated by crowds", an original minimalist "piece" he recorded on his keyboard being looped in the background. Oh hipsters (pictured above)!

And did you know George W. Bush's daughter rides the red line on occasion? That's right! She called him while on the train. She had a phone so small I couldn't see it. It looked like she was just talking into her hand! (Amazing the technology you get when you are related to "the Decider".) They had a conversation about how she predicted 9/11 (which, of course, was caused by the gays!) and then she was talking to him in code. "Cookies and milk, cookies and milk, cookies and milk!" must be her "safe" phrase with the secret service.

And have you ever read "Streetwise"? I'll bet you've missed out on that opportunity because you never heard the calls of the people on the street! Let me tell you...biting, critical journalism is contained within those pages. I'd highly recommend you pick one up today. They are only ten dollars! Sometimes they sell the Onion along with this fine paper. But when did they start charging $5 for the Onion? Oh well, worth every penny! Although I'm still waiting for my change from the $20...

On second thought, I want my freakin' music back.

*"Hey guys...mama's got some bad news...no dinner tonight" through a broken beak

Cole pooped his pants.

I really meant to post this yesterday, but two things: (1) I was super busy at work and (2) I didn't want to post it without a picture of Cole.  I can't log in to Myspace at work (where this picture is a part of my profile) because work just installed this stupid blocking software... 

Anyway, two nights ago, I awoke at 12:30am to P saying, "He'd better not have brought that up here!"  To which I responded, "What?"

P: Can't you SMELL that?

D: No *brief pause* OH GOD, YES *turn on light*

Come to find out, our beloved, long-haired male cat, Cole, had had problems pooing.  It was slightly runny, and, as a result, had gotten smeared all over his hind-end.  Well, if you've met Cole (and most of you have), you'll remember that he's a whiney baby.  He meows very whiningly whenever you pick him up, meow at him, put you hand on or near him, for no apparent reason, etc.  And, this has been upsetting Sheila of late.  I could go into THAT story, but that's for another post when I'm feeling up to it.  The long and short of it is, when he does something she doesn't like, she beats the living crap out of him.  He then hides for days on end, and we have to keep them separated until things are smoothed over.  SO, we were trying to do the clean-up very delicately.  

He would have none of it, though, no matter how careful we were.  We quickly came to the realization that (1) we needed more than a tiny sheet of toilet paper to do THIS job and (2) we needed to get him into the bathroom asap.  So, we did.  But then we realized that even large amounts of TP were having little to no impact on the situation.  So, Cole got a bath.  At 12:30am.  A groggy bath.  He yowled the entire time, and we kept shushing him (to no avail).  

Upon completion, we realized that now he was wet and would try to get on things to dry off.  Things like the bed (with the multi-million dollar coverlet from Pottery Barn that my parents got us) and the couch that we spent a fortune on.  We threw blankets haphazardly on the couch.  I then cleaned the litter box and realized C had dragged his ass across the floor.  P cleaned that up, and then we went to bed. 

The good news: Sheila didn't seem to care throughout.  I'm sure she thought it was very funny. 

Blast From the Past

iiiiiiif your monthly finances are real tight... take a minute to make it right... it's ok if you have to pout... all you have to do is go without!

Reusable Bags

I kind of hate posting bc then it edges out the last post. But, I assume one day we will attribute our blog's success to frequent posts.

In this post, I wish to tout reusable totes.

I was slow to join this bandwagon because I already tried to remember to reuse the regular old plastic bags. But usually I'd forget to bring them. Plus, they're trashy--keeping them around just looks like you're holding onto garbage.

But, when I was admonished by Paul and David in September, I decided to buy a bunch of canvas bags (Vitamin Cottage's are blue and plain and $.99 each) and try them out. I will tell you, I will never go back to plastic bags!! First of all, canvas bags (esp the square-bottomed ones) are so roomy and they hold their shape. Therefore, I probably save 5 - 10 plastic bags for every ONE canvas bag I use. People talk about not having an impact, but COME ON!! It's SO EASY!!

Plus, they look better. *appealing to our baser motivations*

Here are some other discoveries I have made:

Environmental Impact #2. I bought a reusable polycarbonate bottle to drink water out of. I don't know about you, but I love drinking out of a bottle. I much prefer grabbing a bottle of water than pouring a glass. Am I lazy? Have an oral fixation? Who knows. But having this little guy has already saved countless water bottles. Even though I used to reuse the disposable kind to a dangerous point (think: thinning, yellowing plastic).

Environmental Impact #3. I have a coffee mug in my bag at all times. I used to be a big Starbucks-coffee drinker. Not the fancy drinks, just a hot brewed coffee with room for cream. But say I went in for a cup every day during the week. That's 260 cups per year. Imagine what that would look like in a landfill! Not only that, but sometimes I'd go in for an afternoon cup or on the weekends. Sometimes I wonder if we had to hold onto our garbage for a month, maybe we'd realize how much we're creating. But anyways, I wanted to let all the fancy coffee drinkers out there know that Starbucks will make a latte in a clean mug, too!*

Environmental Impact #4. Household cleaning products. Dave and I pledged to be chemical-free by '03** and we are way behind. I was reading about getting pregnant and one of the suggestions (warnings) is to avoid household cleaning products. I think that's why I hate to clean***--because the thought of inhaling the noxious chemically smells of cleaning products is such a turn-off. So, I have started using white vinegar. It actually works BETTER than a lot of other stuff I have tried (esp for cleaning shower scum!). It does mean a little extra elbow-grease, and I can't say the smell is PLEASANT, but1. it works, 2. it's not dangerous to a fetus, and 3. who doesn't like the smell of pickles?****

*OR, if you forget to clean your mug (so I hear), they'll rinse out your mug with 500 degree water first!
**Dave and I didn't meet until '06, but '03 rhymes. Plus, it creates a sense of urgency since it implies we are so far past our deadline.
***no it's not. I'm just lazy.
****the smell really does fade. I promise.

Hope springs... attack ads?

It appears Obama decided that all's fair in love and war. Not that I'm a fan of negative campaigning, but it's a reality. Thank God he's stepping up to the Challenge.

*voiceover* Hillary Clinton won't show you her tax returns. What's Hillary hiding? Hillary Clinton: hiding her tax returns, hiding from America.

"I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message"

Obama 2008

I just wanted to post something about the primaries last night. I don't have any revolutionary insight, but I would like to post (for the world) the following:

1. I think Clinton's gains are the direct result of her negative campaign. I think that's unfortunate to say the very least. Her tactics are turning off the Dems who are paying attention. Appealing to the lowest common denominator (fear, prejudice) no doubt won the rural sections of last night's big states, but it cost her the big cities.

(For those of you who have lost track, Clinton's negative campaigning now consists of doctoring debate footage to make Obama appear blacker, blatantly lying about his actions (or lack thereof) on his Senate Subcommittee, the "red phone" ad, and various comments belittling Obama's gains throughout the primaries). And beyond all those, belittling Obama's message and charisma as "speeches instead of substance" and promising to make "hope a reality". Come up with your own inspiration, Hill. *seething as her supporters chanted "Yes We Will" last night*

2. The coverage of McCain is annoying. He hasn't won anything. He is the nominee by default.

3. I cannot believe Huckabee, a man who wants to "amend the Constitution to God's standards", received so much support. Is our education system so lacking that people forget the Constitution supports pluralism in this country? And the separation of church and state?

4. Also, my original fave, John Edwards, has yet to endorse either frontrunner. If he had, I think Obama would have done much better in Ohio. Think he's waiting for the spotlight at the convention?? Maybe the DNC will ask him to gracious speak and make his endorsement thus breaking a tie? Obama's grassroots effort and focus on the people of this country to change what's happened to this country is the most in line with Edward's populist message. To me, it's obvious.

Last night was also reminiscent of '04 (esp when Clinton herself reminded us that "Ohio knows how to pick a president") in that I was surprised and disappointed with the way people were voting. And those were all (or mostly) Democrats.

I will keep hoping for a better America, represented by Barack Obama as our President.

I'm a fat pig.

My work was nice enough to offer to buy me lunch today (see earlier post re: my birthday)! I was in process of wolfing down my homemade egg salad sandwich when they asked me, but being that I can (and do) eat just about anything, I accepted. After all, who turns down a free lunch!?

Aside: they also got me "The Simpsons Movie" on blu-ray. Aren't they nice?

Anyway, I decided on Potbelly (yes, even after I had just eaten a sandwich -- what of it?!). I ended up getting a turkey sandwich AND an Oreo milkshake. Come to find out, they use WHOLE MILK in their milkshakes! GOOD. GOD.

I don't even want to KNOW how many calories I just inhaled. Well, that's not entirely true:

Shake: 740 calories, 36g of fat (23g saturated fat -- that's 117% of my daily allowance). Not to mention all the sodium and cholesterol.

Sandwich (or, as my aunt Mary U. calls it, "sandridge"): 421 calories, 9g of fat (1g saturated fat).

So, the lesson here is, I should have stopped at the sandridge. Well, there is more than one lesson, I guess. Confucius say, stop at one lunch so your arteries don't explode.

Another year older...

Well, today's The Day. For those keeping score (other than God since I'm sure He doesn't read this blog), I'm 29 today. I know what MOST¹ of you are thinking: "STFU, David! I'm WAY older than you are!" Well, for starters, that's not a very nice thing to say to The Birthday Boy! And for secondsies, I still feel old! Remember when birthdays used to be all about the parties and getting toys?

*inserted picture of David exaggeratedly blowing out birthday candles from his seventh-ish birthday -- oh wait, Mom STILL hasn't scanned that picture so I can use it in this blog! No pressure, Mom!*

Here's the bright side: (1) Jenn posted a picture of Madonna in honour of my birthday, (2) I don't have to make dinner OR do the dishes tonight (thanks, P!), and (3) I have a large present from P to open when I go home!

EDIT: and (4) I had a fun time with friends this past weekend during which we went to Francesca's and played games. Oh, AND, Mark went home after going into anaphylactic shock re: the cats. Sorry, Mark!

Tomorrow I'll post what I got. That way, we can all celebrate materialism together. Awwww!

¹ I say "MOST" because MOST of my friends are older than I am. I like to surround myself with people who have more wrinkles than I do because then I feel better about myself.

Happy Birthday, David!

Circle Cats

Pork Medallions with Cherry Sauce

This is what P&D made me for dinner last night before they took me to the airport:
Delicious.
It was a lovely weekend. First of all, I always sleep SO WELL on their futon! plus, I got to hang out with their fab friends Mark and David and Jake and Jerad and Steve! AND, we stuck to our itinerary of Target (with a very cool shopping cart escalator), Trader Joe's, and Ikea. I had never been to Ikea before (or Schaumburg!). It was an experience. Next time, I MUST try the meatballs!
There is certainly more to post, but I'm not the one with pictures *HINT*

Another blog we like - try it!

So Colfax-Fatty-Pot-Roast-Bara-Papa Cranie turned us on to this blog:

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

I laughed out loud when I read post #75 "Threatening to Move to Canada", mostly because I've done that myself. For example, "If Mike Huckabee were to become the next president, I'm moving to Canada" or "If they amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, I am moving to Canada."

Also, I do love Michel Gondry! And Björk! Although I do have to say that this blog should be called "Stuff White Middle-Class Liberals Like" but that's not very catchy.

One of these days we'll have a blog that's as funny and good.

Wookin' pa angle...

I feel as if I should have an angle for my posts but the web is oozing with assholes that think their opinion is worthy of a blog regarding some shit. See Perez Hilton, Matt Drudge or Ann Coulter. And yes, I'm refusing to embed links to any of their posts from our post. Because I despise them. They can direct their ire at me if they wish (bring it on...but I doubt they would care as no one reads this 'blog).

So no, I won't be trying to make this a liberal opinion post although I will give everything my liberal spin. And celebrity gossip bores me. And the only things that I'm qualified to give advice about are boring. Free-form, meandering banter it is!

Maybe I'll find a spin soon. I can't just relay funny stories about the cats, J or D. Not that there aren't plenty of them.