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Sunday, September 27th, 2009
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11:08 am - The wholphin
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| Sunday, June 7th, 2009
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8:02 am - New story
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I've just finished the second draft of my first new short story in years. And I can't tell about this one. I love the concept, but I'm too close to it to evaluate the execution. To be honest, I'm not even sure there's a fantasy element, though I hope so.
Regardless, I'm quite pleased.
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
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1:18 pm - Another video
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| Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
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11:44 am - Inspirational
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| Sunday, March 1st, 2009
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9:21 am - What to think?
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Apparently, all agencies that provide temp staff to Microsoft are passing along part or all of a brand-new 10% cut in the rates Microsoft is paying those agencies. Agency temps working at Microsoft (not agency representatives, recruiters, or management) are taking enforced pay cuts.
(Yes, this is probably legal. Essentially they're terminating existing contracts and creating new ones. But it stinks.)
There is, of course, much hue and cry. To me, it comes down to a fundamental question: Is Microsoft upper management taking advantage of dire economic times in the country to cut pay unnecessarily, secure in the assumption that people are too scared to leave and jobs are too scarce to find? If the answer is yes, then a protest is in order. See this website for more information about temps debating unionizing:
http://www.msratecuts.org/site/
If, however, the answer is no -- if, despite its riches, Microsoft really does need to cut these costs, just as many other companies have had to, then fighting these cuts could have the result of hurting Microsoft and the agencies, possibly even driving some under.
I don't blame the agencies for passing along some of the cuts; despite their taking 30-40% of bill rates, I do believe profit margins are already slim.
I honestly don't know what to think. I don't know if the fact that Microsoft (and agency) upper management aren't taking voluntary pay cuts means that times really aren't that dire.
Thoughts? (No flaming, please; I know this is inflammatory stuff, but flaming won't solve anything.)
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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| Sunday, December 21st, 2008
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2:20 pm - Winter in Seattle
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I can't remember the last time we had 10 inches of snow, with more still falling. (Yes, I measured with a ruler. It's what I do.)
I know I could be annoyed at the inconvenience of being snowed in, but the Buffalo girl in me just loves the snow. This is just like a respectable winter.
When I am old, I hope snowfall still affects me the same way. I never want to lose my childhood wonder at the way winter transforms the world.
ETA: It's up to more than 12 inches. The top of my ruler disappears below the surface of the snow.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
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10:01 am - Yay!
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| Monday, October 13th, 2008
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4:07 pm - Hello from sunny Casa Grande, AZ
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We're about halfway through a massive Arizona road trip. So far:
Landed in Phoenix.
Drove to Cameron, from which we saw the Grand Canyon (big hole), the dinosaur footprints at Moenkopi (fabulous, plus entertaining because of our drunk Navajo guide), and the Wupatki ruins.
Drove to Holbrook, from which we saw the Petrified Forest (spectacular, bought some souvenirs) and the Painted Desert. If you go, go to Jim Gray's enormous rock shop in Holbrook. It's like the Petrified Forest all over again, but you can buy pretty much anything if you have the $$.
Drove to Sedona, from which we saw some big red rocks that are supposed to be energy vortexes (felt nothing; apparently I am insufficiently tuned in).
Drove to Maricopa, and along the way saw Montezuma Castle (yowza!).
Drove to Casa Grande, from which we saw the Casa Grande Ruins (impressive, plus we got to walk around in them, which was great).
Wildlife seen: hawks, huge ravens, mule deer, roadrunner, alpine squirrel, lizards, coyote (deceased).
Most amusing trip factoid: We're mostly staying at golf resorts, those being the places in our budget and nicer than the chain motels. Might be even better if either of us actually golfed. Plus, per an idea lifted from ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) miz_hatbox, we've been staying at places with interesting beds (Sleep Number in Sedona, Tempur-pedic in Tucson) to try them out, and those always turn out to be golf resorts.
Tomorrow, we drive to Tucson, and from there back to Phoenix to while away the last few days at a resort. Flying back Sunday, with many many pictures.
So far, we've driven close to 1500 miles. All told, the trip will probably come in at around 2000.
Much fun so far. We've seen many, many things, and are both enjoying ourselves.
More later. Hope y'all are having fun too.
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(4 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
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10:18 am - AAA question
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For those of you who have AAA -- what do you get from them that you don't get from your auto insurance?
We're looking at an out-of-state road trip in a rental car, and we're trying to figure out if signing up with AAA makes sense. Our insurance offers 24-hr roadside assistance, and we can get travel guides and maps anywhere.
Is Triple-A worth it?
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(7 comments | comment on this)
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| Friday, June 20th, 2008
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8:52 pm - Fluffy little beasties
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One of the cool things about taking in foster animals for the Humane Society is that sometimes you get a batch of the cutest, fluffiest, newest little kittens you ever did see.
We have four for the next week or two: ginger, white, gray, and Siamese-looking. They're 8 weeks old and absolutely adorable.
I feel so lucky that I get to have rent-a-kittens for the low, low price of giving them medication if they need it (so far, they don't). I even get to give them back when I'm done playing with them.
Let the kitten rodeo begin.
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(8 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
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10:49 pm - I'm bored.
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Will someone on my friends list please post something diverting? All I have to talk about right now are complaints, and even I'm getting tired of them.
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(9 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, April 19th, 2008
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10:43 am - Repelling aggressive dogs?
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Anyone know how to repel aggressive dogs? We have a foster dog and had a run-in last night with a large, loose, unfriendly dog. Got away without further incident, but I want to be able to protect myself and any pooch with me.
I've read about ultrasonic dog repellants, citrus sprays, pepper/mace sprays, and even umbrellas. Thoughts? Experiences?
Thanks.
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, April 1st, 2008
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9:45 am - Best April Fool's Day jokes
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| Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
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11:08 am - Blowsome month
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In the past month, we lost both our cats -- one to surprise cancer, one to old age and renal failure.
I love animals. But I hate that they come with expiration dates. I'm not sure I can sign up for this kind of crap again.
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, February 16th, 2008
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11:07 am - Funny
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| Sunday, January 6th, 2008
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2:00 pm - On writing
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As I crack open my unfinished novel and falteringly rewrite it, I'm realizing that I have mixed feelings about writing.
I always loved being a writer, and when I was young, the escapism of the writing act sufficed. As I grew older, though, I realized I was restless for accolades and accomplishment. I started submitting to professional mags when I was a teenager.
Writing is no longer the pure delight it was. Some of it is still a wonderful high, but more of it is drudgery.
If I'm to write again, I need to see more results. I need more publications, possibly novel sales, good reviews, a growing fan base. None of those things are guaranteed, which makes the venture risky.
So, for my fellow former-writer-friends out there -- would you have stopped if you'd gotten more worldly success? Do you think you just outgrew it? Do you still miss it? What would it take for you to start again?
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(comment on this)
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| Saturday, January 5th, 2008
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6:16 pm - Also, I can't stop eating
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Normally, I eat a bit and the hunger tapers off quickly, but the last two days, I've been unusually hungry. I eat a normal portion and then keep going, because I'm not nearly satiated. This isn't just appetite; I can tell the difference. It's not a mood problem because I feel fine.
Is it hibernation season? Is that why I'm so hungry and sleepy?
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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12:51 pm - Long night's sleep
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Yesterday, after work, I got home to find myself exhausted. I went to bed at 7 p.m., slept a bit, woke for a couple of hours, slept some more. Probably got a total of 9 or 10 hours. I think that's the most sleep I've gotten in quite a while.
I woke this morning feeling not exactly refreshed, but rested in some deep place that's untouched by typical sleep. Very nice feeling. Wouldn't mind gettin' me some more of that.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, December 25th, 2007
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2:23 pm - Snow!
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It's been a great Christmas so far. My guy made a fabulous dinner last night and will cook again tonight (!), the tree smells divine and the lights are lovely, and I'm drinking tea and watching it snow outside. In Seattle. (Well, Redmond.)
What more could you ask for? :)
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Monday, December 24th, 2007
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7:48 pm - A lovely surprise
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Last night I turned on the TV to see what we had on TiVo, and was startled to discover that the program in progress was a four-hour version of "Hogfather," by Terry Pratchett. Which I had been meaning to track down. And which had just started three minutes before.
I taped the whole thing, of course, and just finished watching it now.
I feel blessed. :)
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(comment on this)
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amused