HAPPY Mundane December [Archive] - Straight Dope Message Board

Cap'n Crude

12-08-1999, 10:39 AM

Good things? I have a few. Even the bad things seem okay right now.

I've got a great new job with people I like.
I have 3 social gatherings between today and Saturday.
One of those gatherings is with fellow SDMBers.
I have a mild cold -- this is good because it's not a severe cold.
I'll be getting my own place again soon, complete with a ballsy new computer.
I just turned 28.
I have a chance every day of meeting somebody with whom I'll fall deeply in love.
I get a good workout at the gym at least 3 times a week, and am slowly returning myself to good shape.
I get to go to Vegas in January for a trade show, where I'll see a lot of old friends

Now, I 'm not usually this optimistic, but I'm just full o' smiles (or something) today. I don't even mind that my nose won't stop bleeding, or that I haven't been properly laid in over 2 years.

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--Da Cap'n
"Playin' solitaire 'til dawn
With a deck of fifty-one."

BurnMeUp

12-08-1999, 10:44 AM

Regrets... i've had a few... but then again... too few to mention

sorry

ANyway My good thing this December is repairing something that I should have done months ago. I am now just starting to realize how precious certain things are and treating them as such.

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Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.

MadPoet

12-08-1999, 11:40 AM

My parents just donated a couch and loveseat to my new apartment. Moving from a 6x10 room to a large 3 bedroom apartment, I had no idea it would be this hard to fill it with furniture.
Quake 3 just came out.. I get to play the latest murder simulator (as some are calling it) all this weekend.
My new bass amp sounds sweet... (SWR Working Man's 15) but now I need a new bass...
The girl that invited me to a party this weekend has let me know that she has rented a hotel room, and that I will not be allowed to drive home after the party.
For the first time in my life I have cable. I still hate TV though.

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http://www.madpoet.com
Computers have let mankind make mistakes faster than any other invention, with the possible exception of tequila and handguns.

Tammy

12-08-1999, 11:57 AM

I have many happy things going on right now!

* I have an exciting opportunity for a new job.
* I'm leaving for a small trip this weekend.
I will be meeting a couple of old/new
friends.
* I'm making "the" trip the week following! I may finally find "home."
* I finally finished writing my friend's essay!

12-08-1999, 05:32 PM

I'm happy that the funky technical glitch that turned my live car into a deceased one, turned out to be a simple little fuse with a short in it (which in turn sucked the life out of my battery, which in turn shorted out all the other fuses - or something like that). Total repair bill: $99

It could have been SOOoooo much worse!

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StoryTyler
I am *too* in shape! :::muttering::: Round is a shape.
C'mon up and see me sometime. (http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage)

Little Nemo

12-09-1999, 04:45 AM

I spent twelve hours Christmas shopping yesterday. I came home and collapsed into bed. Then I woke up two hours early. So I ran a load of laundry and I'm hanging out here until it's time to get ready for work.

If I was Truman Burbank, my life would be canceled.

12-09-1999, 08:31 AM

My son,whose stomach had been hurting every time he ate,for about 5 months,feels better. He says it doesn't hurt anymore! Yay!

12-09-1999, 08:31 AM

May I add:praise the Lord!(dont hit me,pl)
;)

PurpleCrackwhore

12-09-1999, 09:09 AM

Wooohoooo!!! It is raining today! I love it when it does this because it leaves all these wonderful puddles to stomp in. *makes a mental note to wear her good shoes*

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"Only when he no longer knows what he is doing, does the painter do good
things." --Edgar Degas

Globe-trotter

12-09-1999, 09:16 AM

I finally picked up my plane ticket. I'm ready to go! :)

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Some drink at the fountain of knowledge...others just gargle.

Drain Bead

12-09-1999, 11:42 AM

Two days ago, I finished the finals from the worst quarter I've had since I actually started caring about school.

Now, I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with people I love. What could be better?

Satan

12-09-1999, 11:45 AM

The disappointment I have by not being able o take my road trip is very public and very real.

That said, I feel happy because in spite of the quantity of wonderful people I will be missing because I cannot do this right now, I feel that the quality of one person I hope to spend a lot of time with over this month (and much, much longer) will make up for that and then some.

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Yer pal,
Satan

12-09-1999, 03:06 PM

I was on call tonight. I got called in. Ugh. Oh well. The person I am covering for is gonna take my Sunday shift, so it all evens out.

I am so poor. I will never finish paying off my student loans, and I owe 8,000 in credit cards. I need to start budgeting better. I have no willpower when it comes to buying things though, because I shop out of boredom. Buying things is fun. I need to get off my butt and get a part time day job.

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I crave an art that passionately transcends the mundane instead of being a device for self-deception.--Griffin, from The Griffin and Sabine trilogy.

Little Nemo

12-09-1999, 06:31 PM

Your own fault Michelle. With just a little more effort this month you could have started your own cult. We'd have all been selling flowers at the airport and you'd have been on easy street.

bunny

12-09-1999, 06:52 PM

My life is finally going great;
My son is doing great at school
I am in an amazing realtionship, with the most amazing man. Who is a fellow SDMBer and will remain a secret. I am actually engaged to this man.
Work is going really well and there are two promotions coming that I am being consider for. This December couldn't get any better.

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All we really needed to know we learned in Kindergarden

sunbear

12-09-1999, 09:43 PM

Michelle:Shopping out of boredom? I used to see old couples go to yard sales and buy crap they don't need. But it was old crap, so it was their style. And they only waste a little money. Buy used stuff, it saves a little.

12-10-1999, 07:13 AM

I got my Holiday present from my bosses last night: $100 gift certificate to any store in Citrus Park Mall! Now I have some extra bucks to buy little presents for my friends. My cats can also breathe a sigh of relief that I don't have to sell their blood!
(My clinic pays 30 bucks per donantion and I have two cats that can donate!)

Shirley Ujest

12-10-1999, 10:51 AM

Our old reliable Ford Escort ( 1991 with 170k on the odometer) has decided it needs a new alternator. It's been running on the battery alone for god knows how long and hubby had a mechanical buddy of his check it out and diagnose the situation. He will fix it this weekend. I am without a car, which is fine as I have no desire to go anywhere.

I haven't been able to breath since Monday and the doctor gave me an RX for my ear infection (that I still don't think I had because I had no pain) But my throat has finally stopped hurting like a lit match was dropped in it ( except when I cough) and my head is clearer in small amounts but I cannot breath. I called in the the doctors office with my raspy psuedo Demi Moore voice today and BEGGED for something to help me intake oxygen soon. I'm doing so much panting I might as well start up a 900 number. If I lay down, my head fills up with guck. If I stand/sit up, it goes away. I cannot sleep in an upright position. I've come to the conclusion my body is slowly trying to kill me.

In less depressing news: We have narrowed down the name for the Baby To Be Named Later. Hubby has been pushing ( against a brick wall, might I add) for Tatiana (UGH x 100) and I just can't give a girl a name of perfume. Might as well name her Escada or Chanel #5. I told him my two newest choices - It's a secret, so no one tell our families or friends - Tegan or Sophie. They are under advisement until I have a mood swing and decide to name her Shirley.

Ringo

12-10-1999, 09:08 PM

We've needed something like this for months. I put a prospect together for a client that was drilled over the last 10 days. The log came to me yesterday - discovery! You never know until you test'em, but it looks like a right decent one, too.

My relationship with this client really needed something like this.

sunbear

12-10-1999, 10:17 PM

ShirleyU: those fit my rule for names: two syllables or less.Otherwise you get a nickname real soon.

12-11-1999, 09:11 AM

Important news that may change your life!

I just got back some film, and there is a picture of me that I think is half way decent. I will be scanning it and sending it to Opal to put in my profile on her TMHP. I have to go to a friend's house to scan it, so I won't be able to do that till Monday. Then it depends how long it takes Opal to put it on her page. Try not to die of anticipation. :)

Shirley Ujest

12-11-1999, 10:24 AM

Sunbear, I agree completely about a two syllable name. Our last name is one syllable and I don't want something that can be broken down from something like Robert to Bob...especially for a girl ;)

Hubby is really warming to the idea of Tegan, which is not a trailer park/made up name, but an old Cornish/Welsh name which the meaning escapes me at the moment but I'll tell everyone ( should it be the BIG Winner) that it means "Her mother is a genius."

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The early bird gets the worm but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese.

Shirley Ujest

12-11-1999, 10:31 AM

I meant to post this...

My mother is slowly trying to kill me. To give me nourishment during my sickness, she brought up homemade chicken noodle soup and some chicken salad sandwich goop for me to eat. On Wednesday I had a small bowl of soup and since my taste buds were dead, I couldn't really taste anything. Thursday, the tongue was coming back to life and all I could taste was pepper. It was so hot that I could (no joke) feel it burning in my ear tubes. Forget antibiotics for an ear infection, the pepper treatment clears them right out. I felt like a cartoon character with steam coming out of my ears. News flash: spicy foods do not cause pregnant women to go into labor.

Then last night I ate the chicken salad sandwich goop ( sans bread) and thought it tasted a little dilly. I kept on burping dill and my dreams were of cars in England where the exhaust all smelled like dill. I called and asked "just how much dill did you put in" and my mom said, "well, it was the end of the bottle..." It's about 15 hours since I ate the CSS and I feel like I'm been pickled in dill. I shared all of this with her and she cackled with glee.

Other than that, I'm feeling much better. Coughed all night, but I'm fine ( naturally) during the day.

Shirley Ujest

12-11-1999, 10:34 AM

Demo

12-11-1999, 10:49 AM

Shirley, I'm sorry you're sick. Sophie is such a GREAT name, my vote lies with that one. BTW, my ex went into labor after eating a BUNCH of my homemade, spicy salsa! ;-)

Shayna

12-11-1999, 10:53 AM

Shirley, I'm not really into numerology, but I've always thought the kabalarians site was a lot of fun. ( www.kabalarians.com (http://www.kabalarians.com) ) Here's what it says about the name Tegan...

As Tegan you are rather serious-minded, responsible, and stable. You have the gift of tact and diplomacy, and possess a charming, easy-going nature which endears you to others. You have a serious desire to understand the heart and mind of everyone, and could be very effective in a career or in volunteer work where you are handling people and serving in a humanitarian way. This name also gives you a love of home and family, and as a parent you would likely be fair and understanding. You remember the thoughtful little expressions of affection and appreciation that mean so much to others, and you have the ability to create a warm and loving environment. However, you tend to put things off and avoid facing issues because of a lack of confidence and uncertainty. You often need encouragement from someone before you can come to a decision. This name creates a generally well-balanced and healthy nature, but any weakness in the health would cause problems in the fluid functions, such as kidney or bladder trouble, overweight, or swelling of the legs and ankles.

I read the one for Sophie too, but didn't want to take up board space with it. Of the two, I like what it says about Tegan the best, so that gets my vote (like my vote really matters :) ) I hope you're feeling better soon!

Back on topic - what am I thankful for this month...
A dear friend I haven't seen in over a year is coming to visit week after next for 9 days.
I get 6 of those days off work so I can spend more time with her while she's here.
My dad and step-mother will be here over the holidays too (it's been a year since I've seen them also).
I have a great boss that always says "Thank you for your help today (this week, on this project, etc.)".
They finally finished painting the exterior of my townhouse, so I can now hang pretty holiday lights outside.
Having found the SDMBs. I'm having a blast reading everyone's humorous, witty topics and replies, and I'm learning things to boot!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Ringo

12-11-1999, 03:43 PM

Tonight I'm off to my annual Christmas Carol Party. My good friend Danny, a genuine South Louisiana article, is right now whippin' up what will be a fine portion of gumbo which, in combination with copious beer, will fuel us on our rounds. I managed to dig out my copy of The Official Gumbo Carolers' Songbook, from which we sing everything, including typos. If it's a typical year we'll have about 70 carolers, ~1/3 of whom will be under 12 and another 1/3 will have temporarily experienced alcohol regression to that approximate age.

Ya'll have a good, and safe, Saturday night!

Sleigh bells ring, are ya listenin'?
In the lane, snow is glistenin'
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight
Walking in the winter wonderland.

Shirley Ujest

12-12-1999, 01:51 PM

Shayna, thanks for the kabalarians sight. I've surfed there many a time, but had forgotten about it. It is a fun place. I wonder if they make any money off a "Full Name Report".

Other mundania: After two nights of no sleep because of not being able to breath and coughing up a lung, my husband called the OB for me and got Claritin prescribed to me. An hour after taking it I have actually oxygen in my body again. I'm so overwhelmed by the sensation I think I might take a nap.

Other than that, it's just pity party over here.

Falcon

12-12-1999, 06:15 PM

Well, as some already know from being in the chat room yesterday, I got a tattoo this weekend. It's a 6-7 inch high celtic cross, on my left shoulder blade. Took 2 and a half hours to do...and right now it stings like hell! I'm REALLY happy with it, though.

Pictures to come as soon as I get the damn film developed....

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"There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it." - William James

AzRaek

12-12-1999, 06:49 PM

My SO (Ed) has nearly finished with the testing and cleaning-up of his e-business. He'll send the box off to a data center this week. He's been working on this since March. He's so happy and excited!
I got all my Xmas shopping done last weekend, except for Ed's presents. I have no flippin' idea what to get him.
My mom's small choir group will be singing at our company party next Sunday. We're paying them in restaurant gift certificates.
I get to see my nephews in 9 days. I haven't seen them since April, when Tyr was just a few weeks old. He's bigger than his brothers Ulv and Bolthor. They're an Elkhound and a Malamute. Total at Mom's house for Christmas dinner: 9 humans, 6 dogs, 4 cats.

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John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. That's my name too.
Wait, no it isn't.

Zyada

12-12-1999, 08:51 PM

I just came back from the studio's christmas hafla (means party, but it's a show where anyone who wants to perform can)

I did a solo to "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera. I got the best compliment yet tonight. A friend of mine was sitting next to a co-worker of hers. He said "She's really sensual." My friend asked if that was a good thing or a bad thing. He said "I don't know, she looks like she might wear me out!" :D

Kat

12-13-1999, 01:52 AM

I went Christmas shopping again today. Bought myself 2 more books. Still haven't gotten any gifts for anyone else. I did take an angel off the angel tree, though. And I set aside this whole week for Christmas preparation (had to use up the last of my vacation days somehow) so I should make up for it in the next few days, as long as I remember to stay out of the bookstore.

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Your Official Cat Goddess since 10/20/99.

"I get along well with everybody." --I.M.F.

sunbear

12-14-1999, 06:46 PM

I'm viewing McCartney's webcast (can you say "network congestion" ?).It's at www.msn.co.uk/cavern (http://www.msn.co.uk/cavern) Amusing that it's a microsoft site and the microsoft mediaplayer didn't work but RealAudio did.

Tammy

12-14-1999, 07:08 PM

I took the little trip and it was "all that more"! Too much fun is NOT a bad thing! I am on the big bird tomorrow to make "the" trip, I'm so excited I could burst!!!

sunbear

12-14-1999, 07:26 PM

You're not sharing details, like our pal Satan.

12-14-1999, 09:54 PM

I saw Deuce Bigalow last night. I laughed. Is that bad?

resuretti

12-15-1999, 10:58 AM

This is a wonderful December! I'm reveling in my delicious thoughts of what goes around comes around. I have been trolling this board for some time and have uncovered a truth. Bunny, we know who you are and we know who your secret SDMBer is!!! You, pitiful little thing that you and yours are, are living in a fantasy world. You are engaged to someone who is engaged to someone else... oooohhhhh, this is fun.

Globe-trotter

12-15-1999, 11:13 AM

Resuretti, doesn't take much to amuse you, huh?

12-16-1999, 12:41 AM

I'm bored. Bored, bored, bored. I have read, watched TV, logged on about 100 times to check the board. Right now I am in the middle of making falafel. After that is over I am gonna clean the kitchen. Then I may read some more.

I still have about 60 dollars left over from the gift certificate my bosses gave me. I saw this really cute cookie jar at Lechter's that I might get. The design is two cats wearing sunglasses and driving a 50's style car. Now, I don't NEED a cookie jar, but this is so cute. If I don't get the cookie jar I might get this clock-radio I saw at Crate and Barrell. I don't need it either but it is very different looking, its style is kinda like something from the 40's. My home is so blah, I'd like to try to dress it up a bit, give it some flair. But I can't decide on a theme.

Well, I gotta go check on the falafel.

12-16-1999, 01:24 AM

Falafel looked good and smelled good, but tasted awful. I hate failed cooking experiments. :(

My cat Angel is trying to lay on my mouse pad.

CanadianSue

12-16-1999, 06:47 AM

Today I have two things happening... one very sad and one very wonderful..

This afternoon I go to the funeral of one of the best friends I will ever have. She was a beautiful, loving woman. That makes me sad

Then I go to my son's Christmas Concert where he is a reindeer in the play, and that makes me giggle like crazy to see him running around excitedly with antlers on his head.

He's definitely his mother's son ;)

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I opened the door, and look who I found. Damn I'm good

Gumby

12-16-1999, 06:55 AM

Being in London in December is nice - yes so it is cold but it is very pretty also. That is making my December happy.

Shirley Ujest

12-16-1999, 08:05 AM

I'm much better now. It's now day 16 of being sick and all I have left over is a residual nasal congestion that just won't go away. I'm use to pregnancy congestion, but this is with mild amounts of discharge. Thank god for tissue with lotion in it.

Our furnance won't run right now because the air filter hubby has been meaning to replace he hasn't and the thing won't turn on until it gets a new filter. So we woke up with a house at around 60* this morning at 530am.
(I thought it was my antibiotic and decogestant messing with my body and making me feel cold ( not chills, but cold) all the time. Then this happens.

It snowed last night. Just when I'm caught up on Xmas cards, we get another batch in.

I desperately want to do the pregnant thing and nest ( paint, clean)BUT, what I really really really really want to throw out two ugly and sin dressers that every time I look at them ( preg or not) I just gnash my teeth. We can't afford new ones and there are nothing really wrong with these (except 1 being old and yucky and the other I've hated it since my teenage years), BUT if I TOOK AN AXE to them, I could then move them to the burn pile in our yard. Hell, we live outta the dryer and laundry baskets anyway. Hmmm, I wonder if the chainsaw has fuel and if it would be too heavy for me to operate. I wonder if I could weed wack the dressers into oblivion.

So, I will do what I do everytime I can't move something and hubby won't move it
( citing it doesn't have to be moved and there's nothing wrong with it..yadda x 3), I go into the basement and throw out something of his. It's extremely invigorating.

Shirley Ujest

12-16-1999, 08:13 AM

Oh, the cars are running fine thanks to hubby.

We still can't decide on a baby's name. Oh well.

Received possibly one of the most obnoxious Christmas cards ever. From my sister in law who has never sent out Xmas cards ever. It's with their 6 month old daughter on it. Very tastefully done. Martha Stewart would be envious.(SIL and Martha Stewart are on the same level of people who annoy the crap out of everyone else and think that everyone LIKES them.) This is the IVF baby. Underneath her adorable b&w picture ( in an expensive outfit from Paris) it's captioned, " Miracles do happen."

I was just so annoyed (pregnancy hormones are so much fun) by this that I wanted to write underneath it, " More like Science and a bank loan coming together." and mail it back to her.

voguevixen

12-16-1999, 03:18 PM

Phew Michelle! You need to take the rest of that gift cert to the bookstore and buy all three volumes of "The Tightwad Gazette" (actually, I think they've been re-released as one big "supervolume.") Or some other books that will help you get your spending under control and pay off those cards. I was the same way for the longest time (big credit bill, student loan, etc.) and now I have one credit card I pay off every month and LOVE IT.

My good news: Returned from thrift store shopping expidetion with 3 new skirts and a pair of skorts -- ALL FIT! Whoo-hoo! Also: paperbacks of "Oscar & Lucinda" and "A Civil Action" and a gold-rimmed Pyrex platter to add to my collection. Total cost? $10.47 at the first store and $3.45 at the second. Yeee-ha!

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"There's a snake in my boot!"