missives from the great beyond (2010-02-07)

Mad thumping in next apt. Perhaps that sporting event thingie is getting interesting. #
My latest spinning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sldownard/4338736503/ #
IT IS PUPPY BOWL TIME! http://animal.discovery.com/videos/puppy-bowl-vi/ #
Now they’re saying 10″? Chicago National Weather Service guys are sooooo jealous of #snowmageddon! #
From my Grandma: Save the Earth — It’s the only planet with chocolate! #
But now. Caffeinated and breakfasted, time to go tackle prepping the apt to have strangers walk through taking photos of my stuff. :( #
Suffering from knitting resentment: Grumpy that I have too little free time to get anything actually *finished* these days. #
One of these days, I need to get the 2005 #whitesox DVDs… just reading about bits of those games still gives me the YEEEEEEAHHHHHH!!!!s. #
I think the Chicago NWS office is jealous of #snowmageddon - I keep getting frantic emails warning that we might get 6″ on Tuesday. #
Ugh. Awakened by evil alarm clock of doom after sleeping in two 2-hour chunks last night. Coffee, where are you, I need you… *stumble* #
Craig on Facebook’s anniv: “Can you believe it was just six years ago you could actually lose touch with douchebags you didn’t like?” #

posted on 7 February 2010 at 22:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-02-06)

I’m so proud of the Maroon! http://is.gd/7R2TH Our little muckrackers, breaking !NSIT news, all grown up! #
More of the non-stop teabagger lulz! RT @tzikeh Sarah Palin’s speech at the teabag conference WRITTEN ON HER HANDS: http://bit.ly/cWrxax #
Claire Danes on Craig. Gosh, she’s cute. I feel like watching Romeo + Juliet. In deference to @sanityknit, should I mute the dialogue? #
“Daley defends Cohen’s right to run.” Well, of course he’s got a right to it. We’ve all got the right to stupid, ineffectual wastes of time. #
That said: zomg squeeeeeeeee! #
It’s a good thing @neilhimself didn’t pen a 10th Dr episode. The death-by-fangirl-squee numbers would have been hard for the BBC to explain. #
I like the wool I am currently spinning. That said, I cannot wait to be done with it and move on to something new!!! #
Doing cleanup and chores, in preparation for tomorrow being Sunday Funday (Slackday). Gonna make some soap! #
The irony of doing interesting homework: I want to read *more* papers now! Mmmm, tasty bike+rail commute policy initiatives! #
~2 hours of data entry later, I think iBank finally has my investments right. Now too tired to fix glitches in checking. #
Financial software is supposed to make this shit *easier*, not make me want to throw the computer off the balcony. #
Me, just now: If yew could give me a caul bahk on that numbehr, Aahd rilly ap’reciate it! Instant Southern Niqui, just add Texan voice mail. #
Mortgage Co: Why is your web site so *absurd* with the taking to to other sites to see escrow info, insurance info, etc.? Hate you so much! #
10:38 AM: Already downed a full pot of coffee. May just vibrate the whole rest of the way through Homework Saturday. #
Tea party whackaloons: now just plain 100% pure entertainment! http://is.gd/7OATI #

posted on 6 February 2010 at 22:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-02-05)

The lady making my Lendrum bag thinks maybe I chose a too-picky fabric, she’s worried it won’t hold up. Curse you, Lure of Pretty Fabric! #
One of precious few reasons to wish I had cable: PUPPY BOWL SUNDAY. #
@Ipstenu Boo. What I read late last night said like 4″ today. Now I feel sad! in reply to Ipstenu #
Dear Chicago: I’m going to be awfully sad if it turns out I wore my dorky snow boots to work today for no apparent reason. #
Hey @Metrobrewing, had one of your fine Generators at lunch today! ‘Twas gone far too soon. #
@hubbit @smokes70 Because it reduces their ranks. in reply to hubbit #
Hey, Tom Tancredo, you incredibly dim bulb, I voted for Obama and I’m actually quite literate. http://is.gd/7LxJG #
Today seems like a good day for The Clash. #
@christensen I’ve got enough mortgage problems as it is! in reply to christensen #
@hubbit Oh yeah, he’s a Fox commentator these days, so of course this is a criminal assault on national defense, bla bla bla, yammer yammer. in reply to hubbit #
Oh, Ollie North… like anyone cares what a washed-up old criminal like you has to say about gays in the military. #
Blah. Just told real estate agent when I’m out of the apt so she can show it those times. Do not want new landlord. :( #

posted on 5 February 2010 at 22:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-02-04)

@coolclimates Oh, pretty! in reply to coolclimates #
I love Radio 4 comedy. JTIS. #
http://demandquestiontime.com/ #
@beth825 Yeah, pretty much any time I see him I’m all, awwwww, Krycek! He’ll never not be Ratboy. :) in reply to beth825 #
Dude. Just discovered that a former classmate was (possibly) a candidate in the state Comptroller race - and I voted for someone else. :( #
Nick Lea looks kind of odd with the quasi-goatee on CSI: Miami. Still, though — odd cutie pie is still a cutie pie. #
Just wrote a huge rant about BNP and FPÖ for class (”What political impact has low birth rates?”), after classmate said “culture clashes.” #
@ebertchicago Hey, who knew, money really *can* buy (some forms of) happiness. in reply to ebertchicago #
@sanityknit Looks like it’s dead for now. Will let you know if I find an update. in reply to sanityknit #
I have made a decision in re: what made yesterday suck. Now I just have to make it happen. #
@Ipstenu It’s like a game show! We can’t stop the indictments until the music stops playing!! in reply to Ipstenu #
That’s it. I’ve had enough stress and worry about things I have to do. Right now, I am declaring Sunday Funday. Only fun, all day long. Ha! #
@Ipstenu What on earth does it suggest? Shoeboxen? in reply to Ipstenu #
@StevenGlassman Huh. Odd. Well, shoot. I was planning something much more entertaining than normal for number 5000! (like, funny at all :) in reply to StevenGlassman #
Commas! http://www.boingboing.net/commas-480×384.jpg #
I normally don’t tweet my lunch, but some days it should be noted: Man, that chicken burrito from La Cosina was *tasty*. #
What? My homepage now tells me I have 14,199 tweets - last I looked, I was closing in on 5k. Don’t *appear* to have been compromised…? #
I’m so cold I’m literally shivering, but my request to close the window is soundly mocked because other people might later get hot. Sigh. #
Miley Cyrus’ 9-yo sister in lingerie and knee-high black vinyl stripper boots: #WTF is wrong with y’all, yo? #
so. utterly. exhausted. #

posted on 4 February 2010 at 22:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

Things I Don’t Really Care For (but don’t quite hate)

The “Toy” symphony, regardless of who actually wrote it.
Cheap mechanical pencils. I like Staedtler marsmicro pencils. Bleh to cheezy papermates.
Pilsner.
Digital wristwatches.
Ham. About one slice a decade is enough ham.
The Illinois Democratic Party’s slate of candidates for most everything this time ’round.

posted on 4 February 2010 at 13:10 by sabrina to etc, lists :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-02-01)

@sanityknit Oh yes! He was sad and lonely and ignored and cold and unscritchied and unsnuggled and THERE WERE DOGS THERE OMG OMG OMG. in reply to sanityknit #
@beth825 That is beyond fabulous! I love “I was promised donuts” … and, well, all of them really. in reply to beth825 #
@christensen DO IT. Also: Photos or it didn’t happen. in reply to christensen #
@StevenGlassman Oh, nothing really - just a shortened-by-slackers diminutive of “Veronique,” and “niqui” became my go-to unique IRC nick. in reply to StevenGlassman #
@christensen Is this a *blood* relative, or someone you can disclaim? in reply to christensen #
Kiyoshi is being UNBELIEVABLY CHATTY about his experience being boarded at the vet’s. Apparently he was lonely and unloved, etc. #
@Ipstenu Supply and demand. You would not be*liiiieeeve* how much electrons cost these days now with iPhones and Kindles using them all up. in reply to Ipstenu #
Tired. Your pal niqui needs a nap! #
@christensen a developer is you! in reply to christensen #
@sanityknit thanks, I think!! :) in reply to sanityknit #
On the ground, back in cold civilization! I miss my apartment!! #
Books for flight: Queen Victoria, Demon Hunter; Secret Diary of a Call Girl; and Terry Pratchett comfort food humor. #
@christensen I’m bringing the good weather back with me! in reply to christensen #
Was tempted to get new Stephen King hardback for flight home, but it’d be the whole carry-on weight allowance by itself. #
Airport borders clerk is loud in sharing his politics. #
Vacation’s over. Waiting to go the the airport. Nobody tell me what the temperature is back home!!! #

posted on 1 February 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-31)

Man. The Hash House a-Go-Go serves tasty food in vast, absurd amounts. We all left like 2/3 on all our plates at breakfast. Ridonkulous. #
@shadow What did you do?? in reply to shadow #
You know what I love? Random $10 on black… And it hits. #
I like this lovely nice video poker machine!!! #
You can tell i’ve hit free booze critical mass when I start singing along to “bohemian rhapsody” in the casino. Oh yes! #

posted on 31 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-30)

Walgreens was out of travel contact solution. I shall live dangerously, and try to smuggle 3oz of Boston Advance home. #
Oh, dude. Was thinking of running with Vegas hashers today, but they meet at 10am. Tooooooo freaking early! #

posted on 30 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-29)

Am a little bit in love with the Bellagio. #
@WestWingReport sadly, I have not yet won enough in Vegas this trip to pay that off. Still trying though! in reply to WestWingReport #
Conservatory at the Bellagio. http://twitpic.com/10eu7x #
@smokes70 oh, it happened. I have like 800 witnesses, some of whom you pirouetted around! in reply to smokes70 #
I seriously want a piece of pie for breakfast. #
Vegas memories 2010: @smokes70 dancing down the Strip, circling random pedestrians, singing to “My Heart Will Go On.” #
Like Paris, only with less really tasty wine. http://twitpic.com/109a2x #
@writchrd yeah, sunny and, what, 4 degrees? :p in reply to writchrd #

posted on 29 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-28)

You know what else is better in Vegas than Chicago? AT&T 3G. Fuck you, ATT. #
View from my room of gorgeous, warm, sunny Vegas! http://twitpic.com/106zm6 #
@cloudlover Vegas, baby!! in reply to cloudlover #
@Ipstenu @hubbit what happens in Vegas gets tweeted only when interesting. :) in reply to Ipstenu #
The weather here is … Gorgeous. GORGEOUS. <3 #
VEGAS!!!!!! #
@hubbit There is nothing I can do, but go along for the ride. Lease should be attached to any sale. Sigh. in reply to hubbit #
“Boarding will begin in about five minutes”! Vegas ahoy! #
Crap. I so do not want to deal with a new landlord. I like the one I have! #
At least crappy apt news didn’t spoil my Good Day yesterday. And I still have ~16 mos on lease left. #
Crapmuffins. My (fab) landlady just notified me–ddivorce judge is forcing her to sell my condo. Listing in 7 days or less. :( #
T-minus, like, five hours or something…I dunno, I’m tired; I got up at 4:45. Can has moar coffee? #
@hubbit if I were in the air, I’d be off Twitter :). Takeoff is 8:30…killing time at ORD now. in reply to hubbit #
I love Wikipedia. I just learned what a winglet is, while wondering why our plane’s wings were different from neighbor plane’s. #
@chicagostyle Say what? Seriously? in reply to chicagostyle #
Just read the transcript. I have nothing to complain about. Today was, indeed, a Good Day. #
Glad that, since I had to miss the SOTU, I had y’all tweeps’ remarks to come back to and summarize. Thanks, guys. #

posted on 28 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-27)

Errands done. Bag packed. Cats shipped off to Siberia (feels like it, anyway). So ready for Vegas (not so much for class tonight). #
@sanityknit Oh wait, I thought you meant an external usb disk for some reason. Let me see if I can rustle anything up (next wk)… in reply to sanityknit #
@sanityknit I have something I can send, if you don’t mind waiting a week or so for me to mail it post-vegas. in reply to sanityknit #
@beth825 I approve of this plan! in reply to beth825 #
8 fine reasons that I am completely unimpressed by the iPad, and the list doesn’t even include the name. http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/ #
@Ipstenu Yeah. in reply to Ipstenu #
@beth825 I like the polka dots, but the French maid one is not without charms. in reply to beth825 #
@Ipstenu @hubbit @smokes70 Once you have a pasty, you’ll understand. Mmmm, meat pie. (NO SWEENEY TODD PASTIES, @hubbit!) in reply to Ipstenu #
Currently laughing at http://unhappyhipsters.tumblr.com/ (via @chowbok). #
I don’t like taking large carry-ons, prefer just a small bag & no stress abt overheads, but don’t much care for $20/checked bag either. #
Civil servants: MPs bad bc rely overly on advisors, not enough on civ srvnts. Sounds like ep of “Yes Minister” minus wit. http://is.gd/79RJ3 #
@smokes70 Will his tweets mostly consist of “Are you my friend? You’re my friend! Ear scritchies! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!”? in reply to smokes70 #
@Ipstenu A. Goes by the sound — a yooser. Like a yooper, but less armed with delicious pasties. in reply to Ipstenu #
@Ipstenu @smokes70 I will be on your support crew. I will help supply glitter! Ooooh, sparkly!! in reply to Ipstenu #
@smokes70 The hungry kind on the overnight shift, I guess! in reply to smokes70 #
@hubbit Can’t watch SOTU, Mr. CapsLock - got to go to class. Boooooooooo! :( in reply to hubbit #
Just found out, yrs ago, someone at my employer called 911 bc someone stole his sandwich out of the fridge. Police showed up, too! Ha! #
Okay. To-do list for today: Work, laundry, packing, dishes, ATM, class, ridiculously over-the-top excited squeeing about vacation. #
@Ipstenu Yeeah. Article calling other people stupid and lazy is easily dismissed when they can’t even get their links right. in reply to Ipstenu #
@Ipstenu Whaaaaa? How frigging stupid do you have to be to not realize that demoting someone hurts their feelings? in reply to Ipstenu #
IT IS DONE. Attention world: @writchrd and I have both decided today will be a good day. Act accordingly. #
@hubbit I agree! in reply to hubbit #
@smokes70 Yes! It will be sweet. (And warmer than the L.) in reply to smokes70 #
I have decided. Today will be a good day. #
@hubbit Schaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadenfreude! in reply to hubbit #
@smokes70 Woooooooooooooo! This time tomorrow, will be at the airport! So excited! in reply to smokes70 #
Interactive map of aid to Haiti: http://is.gd/79hyM #
@Casinotank You will stop hating yourself once you get to start whacking them on the head! Yay bobbleheads! in reply to Casinotank #
@talkchibaseball No. We traded him first. Big Jim is still our guy. in reply to talkchibaseball #
Good morning! Let’s all sing “Schadenfreude” together to celebrate Prop 8’s expert witnesses on the stand. http://is.gd/79c2B #

posted on 27 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-26)

Woo! Taxes mostly done, except for waiting for proper forms. Nearly got it right this year, too - small refund. Hooray! #
Oh my God, this weather can BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS. Which is FROZEN. #
@sanityknit Get him a magic 8-ball and have him use that to eliminate/choose brainstorming topics. :) in reply to sanityknit #
RT @pastINprint Shocking! ~ 1/3rd of Women in US Military Raped http://bit.ly/bc7yFO #
@Ipstenu Awww! Such a good photo of her on that article too. in reply to Ipstenu #
@Ipstenu I shall think of you when I pull the lever, then. :-) in reply to Ipstenu #
@Ipstenu Oh, the budgeted expense part is not in question. It’s the WIN WIN WIN part that needs encouraging :-) in reply to Ipstenu #
@Ipstenu No, no, no… Now is the time for the positive pep talks about how I am in the zone, baby, in the *zone*! :-) in reply to Ipstenu #
By this time Thursday, I will be laughing, drinking, winning and/or losing money, enjoying nicer weather, and surrounded by friends. #
Seriously, why is it that all Linkin Park songs sound the same (and not any good)? #
Another great post linked by @kjo85’s site: The ferryman to hell drives us on the #22 bus. http://is.gd/74YHP #
So tired, like I didn’t even go to sleep at all last night. Argh. #
@StevenGlassman Yup… and on the slim chance it’s not, I choose to believe it is anyways. in reply to StevenGlassman #

posted on 26 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

Things To Do Before I Blow This Popsicle Stand

Dream road trip: Breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s, follow old Rt. 66 to Los Angeles, stopping at any roadside attraction that looks amusing. Drive up the coast along Highway 1 and then Rt. 101 to Seattle. Turn right, take I-90 back home. Breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s again, and this time, eat more beignets. Total length: about 7k miles. Best done in a rented convertible with really good speakers.
Go to White Sox spring training. Scheduled for this March! Woohoo!
See the Grand Canyon.
Go to the Du Sable museum, which I never got around to visiting despite living two blocks away from it for two years, and I feel pretty bad about that.
Spend some time up north. O Canada! VIA Rail across the country. See the northern lights in Manitoba. Eat poutine and go ice skating.
Throw a big party so all my friends can drink up my booze collection. There will be cupcakes. And confetti. OH YES THERE WILL.
Oh yeah, get accepted to grad school.

What else? There are other things on the list, I’m just drawing a blank at the moment. Will add to this if I remember them.

(You know what’s not on the list? Freaking Disneyworld.)

posted on 26 January 2010 at 8:39 by sabrina to emigration, life goals, lists, moving :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-25)

Oh, UIC… am somehow not surprised that you’re going to make me phone in a simple question that could easily be emailed. #
(P.S. Am pretty sure Glee article site is satirical. But it’s very funny. Esp the article on how the Golden Girls made a generation gay.) #
Ha! “How many middle-aged men will find themselves in a dead-end Glee-based lifestyle?” http://is.gd/71RzP keeps getting funnier as I read! #
Seriously, being indicted by the Parents Television Council for obscenity is pretty much the stamp of approval in my house. #
“The PTC warns that #Glee contains, ‘gratuitous sex, explicit dialogue, violent content, and obscene language.’” THIS MAKES IT AWESOME++. #
@beth825 Live in blissful Snooki ignorance, for those of us who no longer can. in reply to beth825 #
@chicagosymphony The show Saturday was fantastic! in reply to chicagosymphony #
@smokes70 @Ipstenu @scottkleinberg NICE. Somewhere, I still have my Duke Nukem 3D cd… and HOPE. in reply to smokes70 #
I find it sad that I could pick out Snooki in a lineup despite having never seen the show and no interest in ever, EVER doing so. #
@tzikeh @Ipstenu Yeah, the reality tv thing is both universal and inexplicable. I never saw the point of TV to make ppl feel bad (Am Idol). in reply to tzikeh #
Cranky that I have to miss the SOTU for Organizational (Mis)Communications class. #
@tzikeh @Ipstenu Well, in fairness, I usually don’t know much about my new coworkers either. :) in reply to tzikeh #
@Ipstenu @tzikeh NBC really does need a Doctor to save them (and I don’t mean Mercy. Har, har, har.) in reply to Ipstenu #
@hubbit Okay, that’s creepy. in reply to hubbit #
@chowbok The duty of the Court is to interpret the Constitution, not enforce it. in reply to chowbok #
@chowbok The inequity of the power of an individual and a moneyed corp is worrisome. Is Court’s duty to protect minorities (here, ppl). in reply to chowbok #
@smokes70 @lizg640 @seanware Mere days ’til VEGAS! Current forecast says mid-50s and cloudy, 100% chance of poker. #
@Ipstenu *snicker* Nice! in reply to Ipstenu #
@chowbok Not sure why you say that’s analogous. Besides, media orgs are still restricted by, e.g., libel law. Not truly “free.” in reply to chowbok #
@Ipstenu Ha! Nice. in reply to Ipstenu #
@chowbok Well, corporations aren’t people. The people in them are still free to speak even if the construct is bound. in reply to chowbok #
@Ipstenu @tzikeh Oh, I’m not saying CBS can’t fail. I’m just saying it would take them some concerted effort to approach NBC right now. in reply to Ipstenu #
Crap. Running late(r than normal). #
@Ipstenu @tzikeh To be fair, CBS would have to dedicate a lot of sustained effort to failure to attain NBC’s current flail. in reply to Ipstenu #
@Ipstenu @tzikeh Do you ever get the feeling that it’s a conspiracy to run a network so badly that the parent company divests them? in reply to Ipstenu #
Italian couple on hunger strike, after bashing incident, for gay marriage equality. http://is.gd/70b8W #
@tzikeh Grrrr. Figures. in reply to tzikeh #
@lordofmisrule Why not try candying them yourself? http://is.gd/6ZWHq in reply to lordofmisrule #

posted on 25 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-24)

Some day, I will learn not to make a yummy rare steak for dinner, then sit down for an episode of CSI. That day was not today. #
Hooray! Homework: nearly done. For now. #
Doing laundry and homework. Think laundry actually wins this war. #
How gleeful am I that “Don’t Stop Believin’” charted at #7 (Journey) and #3 (Glee) in Radio 1 Chart show? RIDICULOUSLY, OTT GLEEFUL. #
@smokes70 @seanware BECAUSE I COULD! (I went to the CSO and wanted to dress up my jeans.) Also because being 5′9″ is SUPER FUN. in reply to smokes70 #
Hey, @Ipstenu, is it Flatmate who wants to make soap? Poke me when you get a chance. #
Need to do homework, not browse for grad school programs. Booo. #
@christensen Wait, really? It’s not just, like, someone cracking a bad joke like I would? in reply to christensen #

posted on 24 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

missives from the great beyond (2010-01-23)

Heading out to add liquor. This should be fun. (…for everyone watching me try to walk.) #
5 Jokes About the Eagerness of Spineless Democrats to Cave on Health Care in light of Scott Brown’s Electoral Victory. http://is.gd/6TRA8 #
The only way to enhance the spectacle of me tottering around in 4″ heels tonight would be if I add liquor. #
@beth825 Detour? Ah, come now — Scully’s singing isn’t that bad, surely! in reply to beth825 #
Seriously, the fresh organic strawberries I splurged on at the shop last wknd were a great choice. These are insanely delicious. #
Doing homework readings and listening to @WFMTclassical - waiting for them to quit talking about Barber’s “Vanessa” & actually play it. #
Sometimes the food on http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/ is entertaining (Cherpumple Pie?) but often it’s just sort of disturbing. #
Here’s a first: coming home from training feeling sort of unfinished, and doing more workout at home. #
If you liked the Tribune’s Good News page, you may also like the (Toronto) Star’s Acts of Kindness page: http://is.gd/6St3S #
The thing about Saturday morning workout appointments is, I know I’ll be happy after, but dragging myself there can be pretty rough. #
I just read Address to a Haggis aloud to myself in a Scots accent. I couldn’t fool an actual Scot, but pretty sure I could most Americans. #
Currently obsessed with this notion of doing grad school in the UK. Not least bc moving to Scotland to do it might be cheaper than staying. #

posted on 23 January 2010 at 21:18 by sabrina to twitter :: link :: ::

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