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Saturday, January 28, 2006
The Tub, she is Clean!
I am all about new household finds, and this weekend I am singing the praises of a new one to the Lifeonhold household:
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Like most people, I have good intentions concerning tub cleanliness, but as the birthdays go by, the task of cleaning the tub gets more and more arduous, and therefore rare because it requres getting on the knees and then getting back up again.
The Clorox BathWand made cleaning the tub really simple. I have no more excuses, but this makes me happy. It's not quite as revolutionary as the Swiffer, but it is definately welcome here. |
Speaking of birthdays, the other new find this weekend is in musical form, and not for everyone. About 2 years ago I discovered the music of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, perfecting a very mature, often punkish, often beautiful rock sound for the 2000s; The keys tend to be minor, which is my musical element. The lyrics are often outrageous, but I understand this music.
Finally, when I thought I could handle the potential disappointment, I decided to go earlier in the Nick Cave discography and this weekend received The Birthday Party's Prayers On Fire. The album was originally release in the early 1980s and it's very punk and very brilliant. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you like really dynamic and intricate music in the minor key of darkenss, this is heady food. 
Posted at 1/28/2006 8:51:42 pm by lifeonhold
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Wednesday, January 25, 2006
I've been neglecting le blog in favor of other diversions and a few real life issues.
Diversions
Qwyzzle (see previous post for link) - I went through a real stretch of Qwyzzle-mania, the addictive puzzle online game, until my brain hit the Wall called Level 34 (out of 100) where I'm currently parked. I haven't really addressed 34, but when the Qwyzzle Hints board is barraged by fanatics pleading for hints (or even answers) for a level you know the brain will get a work-out. I'm not ready for another toughie after spending three days on Level 28. I will return one day.
AOL Poker - Texas Hold 'Em - Limit Play - after watching the World Series of Poker on TV I decided to try it myself. No real money is involved in the AOL game; I was given $500 to start when I first began playing around Thanksgiving and I've run that up to $4,700. Too bad it's not real cash! I play some lunch hours and usually while watching Fox News' 11 pm - 1 am programming.
TV and Chat - American Idol has been a riot and even more enjoyable with the pointed commentary by the Hamster Time chat peeps. Project Runway, Season 2, continues to be one of the most entertaining reality show ever. I watch Dancing With the Stars and it's Skating cousin only for the corresponding chat.
Book - A Million Little Pieces by James Frey - I've just finished this book. Yes, I can still read. The controversy about its levels of truthfullness vs embellishment broke when I was about 2/3rds through and that tarnished the impact for me a little, but it was still an interesting look into a different world that is well written and captivating.
Real Life Issues
Work - The Floundering Fish (where I work) is heading for the emergency room once again. Will the Fish pull through one more time? Doesn't look good. Lifey is anxious and feeling very vulnerable. Stay tuned.
Court - Landlord asked me to testify on his behalf in a discrimination suit. I did my best, but the shark lawyer on the other side objected to the purpose of my testimony and so only part was allowed after a battle. I was on the stand about 10 minutes. The whole experience was very draining even though my involvement in the 1-day case was very brief.
Sick - I had .... something ... lasted about a week, made me sick, tired and chilled but was not bad enough to keep me out of work. I slept a lot and was otherwise a big immobile lump; only the minimum got done (except online poker). The Grunge was active during the above Court demands making the whole situation worse. Honey seemed to be sick during the same time. We're both fine now.
Weight Program - My Weight Watcher's program went out the window due to the above illness and stressful things throwing off my preparations, but, thankfully at tonight's weigh-in the net was no change. Considering the way things have been, that's great.
Small Demands (in progress) - 1) review and respond to family Trust financial reports; 2) get things together for taxes, 3) deal with my new (HATED) Health Insurance plan [Oxford Health] to get authorizations for my medications, 4) figure out how to get my Medical Health Plan reimbursement.
Job Hunt - I haven't started this yet. I'm in DREAD. It needs to be on the list and near the top. I am afraid of change and of the possibility of further downward mobility. I still haven't recovered from the financial fallout and stresses from my 1995 - 1998 job turmoils. The Job Hunt is in the pre-Worry stage at this point.
Vet - Honey needs to get in for her shots. Her vaccinations have lapsed pretty badly since I've been unwilling to pull her away from her security at home. She is so fragile emotionally and since she is totally indoors I've put it off. However if I end up needing to move to Arizona or someplace else, her vaccination history might be important. I need to drum up some resolve to get this done.
So, that's the story.
Posted at 1/25/2006 11:39:42 pm by lifeonhold
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Friday, January 13, 2006
I was minding my own business during a friendly unfocused night in HTchat while watching the 'stars' 'dance'. That alone should tell you that most of my mind had been dismissed for the evening while the body and a few neuron sites kept me going.
That is when blurry (who does not have a blog) interjected a link.
A Link from HELL. (<------- DON'T DO IT!)
Just DON'T, if you know what's good for you.
I generally hate puzzles, and riddles, and puzzles that are riddles. But I love me some internets, visuals, and a little mystery. So, I clicked. The brain neurons began to fire up and then strain. Actual thinking feels like trying to transmit through molassas.
Now my brain hurts!
This serpent-y offering by blurry further supports my theory that he is some kind of alien bot sent to earth to inhabit chat rooms spreading pain and mayhem amongst the human race.
I must now get back to the mystery of Level 24.
"Open, Portal!"
(Access by clicking on the A Link to Hell link above, if you must.)
*pause*
OK, If you refused my advice, then here are some tips:
- The Candle will lead you to a Hints forum.
- The Introduction (click on the hat) contains valuable information and includes a few training levels before it continues on with the levels.
- Rely on Google, your mind (egad!), and other resources. You'll be using the internets a LOT. Sometimes a riddle is solved in two stages.
- Look at the riddle both literally and also figuratively.
- Get help now.
-- Lifeonhold, A Qwyzzle Slave 
Posted at 1/13/2006 1:11:55 pm by lifeonhold
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Sunday, January 08, 2006
I've been hanging back trying not to make this little blog entry. You know how it is. You try to suppress something and it keeps wanting to pop up and it blocks out everything else. I've been trying to start a new year without making, or posting, a Resolutions list. However, I don't seem to be able to post anything until this gets out of my system.
Therefore, the sooner I publish my Resolutions, the sooner we can all forget all about them for another year.
1. Lose roughly 45 pounds and get to my Weight Watcher's goal weight. This oldie but goodie takes the #1 spot again, as it should, being the Ancient One that it is. Thanks to Weight Watchers in 2005 I did not have to write 'lose roughly 65 pounds'. I lost 22 pounds in 2005, including 2 pounds net between Thanksgivings and New Years. THAT never happened before.
2. Get some exercise to help support #1. I am no good at getting to the health club in the winter, so I've ordered some exercise equipment (resistance straps). The goal is 3 times per weeks to start: resistance straps, ball exercises, yoga. Anything.
3. Turn away from the anger response. I've been very self-indulgent these past few years and don't like how I get, mainly internally. I am going to try to tell myself that I'm not going to go there when the temptation strikes. Being overworked and stress or worried is no excuse. I am telling myself that this is not productive and instead I need to do the 'next best thing.'
4. Complain less and be nicer. One person who hears it all from me will know if I'm working on this or not. I've lost a lot of sleep being worried about things and also fighting battles in my mind. [See also, #3]
5. De-clutter. This time of year I tackle the paperwork piles and other accumulation. I've been making advances slowly over time and look forward to having a more enjoyable apartment by Easter. All areas will get a once-over. I need to discard more and more.
6. Recognize my personal bring-me-downs and make changes. I tend to get in ruts and stay there. This year I want to recognize when this happens and add more variety. Even little shifts in attention and activity can be healthy: read a book rather than watch TV, go for a walk, study a subject...anything.
7. Keep working on the debt to bring it down. This is difficult since there is virtually no 'discretionary income'. If I can avoid the need for root canals/crowns and high car maintenence costs this year, and stay employed in the Floundering Fish Co. (or some comparable job), and my rent doesn't go up, AND I keep a cap on the little gifts I give myself (CDs, DVDs, books...) THEN it might be possible to achieve. Sigh.
8. Make the spiritual connections. It is spiritual well-being that will help me with all the material struggles and to be a better person. Sometimes the spiritual connection seems to get pushed aside by the cares and desires of this world. When that happens everything seems to go (at least) slightly sour. I attend Mass weekly and pray daily, but it is not always quality. Also, this multi-tasking that I do constantly does not allow my mind to APPRECIATE the moment, which can be spiritual. This connection is not only with God, but the connection with other people. I want to practice more quiet time and to multi-task less so that I can be more present to the spiritual presence.
9. Go out of my way to be helpful with a good spirit. This can always use some improvement. When I get grumbly, a LOT of improvement.
10. TBD. This list needs ten items, so I'm reserving the right to keep number 10 for later assignment.
There. It's done. Whew.
I must say that the best thing to happen to me in 2005, and perhaps for the prior several years, was to join Weight Watchers and attend the weekly meeting. Some of the behavioral tools, the meeting topics and discussions have given me inspiration and positively influenced other areas of my life.
Posted at 1/8/2006 12:38:56 am by lifeonhold
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Saturday, December 31, 2005
Happy New Year! 2006 version
Oh my, I'm havin' fun! Let me bottle up this New Year's Eve to sip from in the winter ahead.
It's a rockin' New Year's Eve. I feel fine. Really fine.
I put my favorite music on shuffle play this afternoon while I made sushi and guacamole for the evening. Carol kept me company via a nice long friendly phone call on speaker phone. Friends are friends even states and time zones away.
Then I assmebled the feast.
chips, guacamole, sour cream, sushi, martinis, shrimp, shrimp cocktail
Not finished with music, I taped the football and instead slipped into the concert DVD by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, God is in the House. Food, martini, and fabulous music. One can hardly hope for more, unless it was for people to share this with. Enjoy, blog friends.
Happy New Year to one and all.
Posted at 12/31/2005 7:41:19 pm by lifeonhold
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Friday, December 30, 2005
Katjam started it, then Copsister did it.
Now me.
The Face Recognition Program gave these results when I,
lifey, plugged in my webcam photo:
The Original Lifeonhold
Best match - Anne Frank. Yeah, I see it.
Finally,
Posted at 12/30/2005 9:39:46 pm by lifeonhold
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Thursday, December 29, 2005
Lifeonhold is getting a 'Banner-Lift' beginning today. Introducing, Lifeonhold, the Sushi Edition. It's the same blog but with different decor. This is kind of like moving the furniture around when bored.
I plan to create several editions for the banner. Maybe I'll learn something about Photoshop Elements along the way. Maybe not.
Thanks for visiting....
ETA....
OOPS! I just discovered that Life OFF Hold, the blog, got 're-named' to Lifeonhold in the sushi edition banner. Well, maybe that is a good and proper thing. Currently listening to: AnticsBy Interpol
Posted at 12/29/2005 8:33:51 pm by lifeonhold
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Tuesday, December 27, 2005
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas. It's more than just one day, you know! The season is two wonderful weeks, and I hope everyone feels the spirit.
I've had 4 and 1/2 days off so I've finally un-crabbied myself just under the wire and these past days have been peaceful. The apartment is festive, Christmas music plays, Honey bird-watches, I feast. Friends and family have called and been called. Not bad.
My Computer came home from the computer doctor and I'm slowly catching up on my friend's blogs. And posting this entry.
I reached my 1st Weight Watcher's goal last Wednesday. 22 Pounds lost. That will probably not stand due to all the feasting, but I'll get back on track after the new year with renewed enthusiasm.
I finally finished Atonement. I recommend it. Very well written, and after about the first 50 pages when the characters are being set up, it really held my interest.
Next up is A Million Little Pieces by James Frey about his battle with alcohol and drug addiction. It promises to be a whole different type of read.
Concerning Christmas music: I'm very annoyed with both radio and XM Christmas programs. XM has about 5 'XMAS stations and they are all top-loaded with 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas', 'Jingle Bell Rock', 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus', and the secular like. I call these Santa-centered songs. Even on Christmas Eve it was hard to find a 'Silent Night', 'Away in a Manger', or 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear'. I turned the radio [and XM] off in disgust and turned to my own playlist.
One of my favorite Christmas memories from my childhood was listening to Christmas music while tucked in bed on Christmas Eve. The music infused the night with peace, silence, security, warmth and a quiet sacred beauty. Outside the Christmas lights twinkled on the quiet street. In upper state New York it was also often a white Christmas which added to the quiet night and special wonder.
I have the old songs and can make the magic again, but I have a sadness for the children of today who miss out on this special beauty.
Tomorrow it is back to work, and, for 3 days, the focus will be getting ready for the upcoming physical inventory and end-of-the-year file rotation.
I must be FOCUSED, but I hope to keep my cool. That's the plan, anyways.
So, its been fun. It's been restorative. I hope to get back to the celebrations after a few days of intense work.
It's time to set the alarm clock to an ungodly hour and hope my night-owl self can get some sleep.
Posted at 12/27/2005 11:43:47 pm by lifeonhold
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Thursday, December 15, 2005
Every December it's the same thing in Accounting World, which is probably a cousin to Retail World, Postal World, and probably many other Worlds. The workload goes crazy heavy and everything seems to be on impossible deadlines, both in and out of work.
For me, it begins in November about mid-November as Thanksgiving approaches and it is certain to last until at least mid-January. I don't need to go into detail, but it is a time of wall-to-wall stress, intense workdays, and a resulting crabby, and often hostile, attitude.
I WANT this to be a season of good spirits, joy, and reflection. I WANT to have good feelings towards the company I work for and the people I work for and with, but in this environment of stress that's almost impossible. I feel cheated of the ability to do as my co-workers are doing right now: letting things slide as they take in the season and it's distractions.
I hope this weekend helps to break this awful mood and bring in some Christmas spirit. I plan to do the big apartment clean, de-clutter, and holiday decorating. Let at least a small measure of peace and joy return.
Posted at 12/15/2005 5:32:40 pm by lifeonhold
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Wednesday, December 07, 2005
... for Intervention!
I needed it BAD this past weekend after a vist to Highwaygirl's blog entry that introduced me to this appliance, the Egg and Muffin Toaster:
The ad just SPOKE to me. I was building breadfast sandwiches at the web site and daydreaming about how this product would revolutionize my life. If nothing else, they have a great ad campaign!
Knowing that I was being lured by an ad dream, I sent my friend an e-mail pleading for her to be the Voice of Reason. Here is how THAT went:
Me: I can just picture myself using it. It would save me the morning drive thru!
Friend: At $40 you would have it paid off in a month with the savings!
Call THAT an intervention???
I told Friend that SHE was supposed to be the PARENT here!
*****
Later that evening, Friend called her Cousin for a routine chat and Cousin told Friend about this neat new appliance.... You guessed it! The Egg and Muffin Toaster! This product is on fire! Fire, I tell you! Friend immediately got me on the phone and we had a 3-way intervention. Perhaps I should start a Egg and Muffin Toaster Support Group for the new year.
And, by the way, this Microwave Egg Cooker works just as well as the Egg and Muffin Toaster. I dug it out of the Drawer of Seldom Used Kitchen Gadgets and tried it out for the 1st time.
Finally, someone, please STOP me from eating these:
Posted at 12/7/2005 12:52:35 pm by lifeonhold
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