Chesapeake Bay Autumn
October 5th, 2008 at 05:41pm GatorPerson
Notes to self: 1. Don’t bother taking pics with the cell phone of the sun rising. Too much contrast. 2. Don’t challenge a log truck on the highway. They simply take any lane they want whenever they want. 3. Write the highway depts. of NC and VA thanking them for the many rest stops. (I know them all.). 4. Turn on the Sunday AM Bluegrass gospel radio station to keep awake while driving after going to bed at 3:00 AM. Singing along helps. Especially “I’ll Fly Away.”
A good time was had by all at the Chesapeake Bay Whack. 4 CBs and 2 guests. I personally worked hard on indolence, and I think maybe everybody else did, too.
We didn’t work very hard on laughter. It just came naturally. This time we all brought meal fixin’s. Supper Friday was spaghetti, fancy salad with weird colorful things in it, and bread. RSS and McB did that one. Saturday breakfast was scrambled eggs, bacon and more bacon, and biscuits by Dee. Saturday supper was bean and tortellini soup and chicken Caesar salad by moi. The really big food surprise was when I got up Sunday, tiptoed down stairs all packed, only to discover Dee had already got up and made coffee and started her sausage and egg and cheese and biscuit casserole baking so that I could leave at 8:00. Just about made me cry, someone getting up and fixing a meal to accommodate me*. She’s a jewel.
And speaking of Dee, she attempted to catch a fish and succeeded in catching a sunburn instead. Meanwhile McB and I listened to the trials and tribulations of RSS’ wonderful work in progress. It’s gonna be a winner. By the way, I took them on a little trip in the Geekmobile and didn’t even force them to take off their shoes to get in. The gracious Geekmobile Goddess did speak to them all about plotting our trip into uncharted territory.
Another by the way, the Geekmobile had to have an infusion of 10% ethanol + gas, since that was all that was available at the Bay. The mileage is noticeably lower, but it would only be a calculated guess since I topped the tank off with the stuff and would have to assume complete mixing of gasolines, etc.
We had a marathon discussion after Saturday supper on … Ta Da … novels, good and bad and writers, good and bad. They’ve convinced me to try Dick Francis.
Thank you, OH; none of us could remember who wrote the Malory series. I tell you true, if we did Trivial Pursuit on novels with that Whack of CBs, I would definitely be the loser.
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, CB Meetups
73 Comments Add your own
1. orangehands | October 5th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I wouldn’t do much better, GP. I had to look it up
Sounds absolutely lovely (which reminds me*, I need to start cooking dinner).
Two sites of a political nature:
I find this incredibly cool; google created a map to find out when your voter registration is due; send it to people who need the reminder:
http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/elections/2008/us-voter-info/us-voter-info.xml
And this is a response to Palin’s “Joe Six-Pack” comments that I think is genius: http://copperwise.livejournal.com/680972.html
And just to make your day complete, not sure if I’ve shared this before but I think it and all subsequent ones are hysterical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlLeCu63HCA
I figure if I’m wasting time might as well share the joy to the other CBs
2. orangehands | October 5th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I wouldn’t do much better, GP. I had to look it up
Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all.
Two links:
Google maps created a “When Is Your Voter Registration” due that you can send as reminders to people to SIGN-UP TO VOTE: http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/elections/2008/us-voter-info/us-voter-info.xml
And this is a great response to Palin’s “Joe Six Pack” comments:
http://copperwise.livejournal.com/680972.html
3. McB | October 5th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I think it’s a great picture and captures the feel of the weekend very well. Peaceful. Except for the giggling.
did RSS make it home safely?
4. BCB | October 5th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
We didn’t work very hard on laughter. It just came naturally.
Yeah, it does that. I really do regret I couldn’t be there.
5. Mary | October 5th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Hmmm… if she doesn’t report in, I vote we send a Chesapeake Bay retriever to fetch RSS home
6. Mary | October 5th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
(Also known as a CB retriever
7. cbpen | October 6th, 2008 at 12:06 am
The food sounds scrumptious. I have been eating all day and now I read this and I hear this suspicious whisper coming from the kitchen… “pennnnnn, oh, pennnn….”
The pic is scrumptious too.
I like Dick Francis too. He stopped writing for awhile when his wife died. I read that she did all of his research. Now he has two new books with his son. I like that they are all related, even though remotely, to the English racing scene.
Glad you all had a great time there on the Bay.
8. glamour-geek | October 6th, 2008 at 12:08 am
It’s beau’s birthday in a bit over a week, but turns out I’m getting a kind of present, too. I asked him, since he’s got a ton going at work, as do I, if he’d like a massage for his birthday again (I got him one from the masseuse that also worked at my old job last year). So a week from Tuesday, on his actual birthday, we are going to Kabuki Springs. It’s basically the same thing he got me for my last birthday, just a smaller version (we are each getting a 50 minute massage. Last year beau did a blowout for me and got me an 80 minute massage. Very deluxe!).
Anyway, Kabuki springs is a place in Japantown San Francisco that has hot and cold soaking pools, a steam room, a sauna and a very mellow atmosphere. Tuesday is the only day they are co-ed (and require swimsuits, thank goodness!). They also provide massage and other services. So there’s a tiny additional fee to use the baths when you get a massage or something, or you can pay a small fee just to go in and use the baths.
It was delightful when we went for my birthday and as you all know, the world’s gone crazy and work is busy and stressful and this sounds like a great time-out for both of us.
Only beau, of the two of us, braved the cold water dip last time, but the hot was divine!
So happy end of weekend, CBs. Now all of you imagine yourselves in a warm, soothing bath, or getting a lovely massage, or lolling calmly on the beach with a novel or a magazine, or whatever else makes you feel relaxed, rested and ready to face the world again. Take a deep breath. And I hope we all get some happy news, personally and/or globally, this week.
9. RSS | October 6th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Yep, home safely tho if I’d known Mary was going to send a CB retriever after me, I might have stayed.
You captured the weekend perfectly GP.
The only problem with CB meets is I need two days of naps after because we stay up late talking.
You guys are the greatest. Spending time with you revives and refreshes me for whatever comes next.
Sounds like a great birthday present GG. You guys have fun.
10. Diane (TT) | October 6th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I love “I’ll Fly Away”. I can be really bad with songs - playing them over and over, but the radio doesn’t allow that.
So glad that much fun was had! I’ve really got to do another whack-thing one of these days. I’d love to meet more of you in person. And being in such a lovely setting would also be a big plus. Although I think Jenny said something about going to Cincinnati, I can’t find it on her website, but if she does, unless it’s at an absolutely HELLISH time, I’m there. Since I’m, you know, here.
I (having reserved too many books at the library) spent much of Saturday READING too many books. I forget how much I like authors like Laura Lippman and Deborah Crombie until I read them again. I’ve always been like that: back in the Emma Lathen days, I would delay starting one, but once I did, I would enjoy the heck out of it. Some people, of course, I KNOW I like and I wait eagerly for their books and read them on the way home - it’s weird.
GG- I hope you enjoy the birthday celebration VERY much - most luxurious! Now, if you could just get someone else to chip in transportation home, so you don’t have to un-relax…
It’s a great idea for a gift - a memorable experience instead of something else to find room for. I wish I could think of something comparable for my soon-to-be 15-year old nephew. His interests are politics, basketball and guitar. He likes to read, but only in a limited set of genres, and often resists new books, preferring to re-read the old ones (not-entirely-unlike his auntie). No interest in clothes. Loves video games - mostly new versions of the same old ones (e.g. Madden NFL 2009, or whatever).
11. glamour-geek | October 6th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Diane, if you can afford it and if he’s really interested in politics, try a subscription to the Economist. News, politics, and a global perspective all in one. Actually, I’m fond of the arts and sciences sections, but I learn from all of them if I get the chance to read them. It’s reading, but in article-sized chunks…
BTW, there are student subscription places that you can get by mail that give you discounts even if you’re not a student anymore (ie: you are still on their mailing list).
12. K.L. | October 6th, 2008 at 10:51 am
It sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. My dream is that somehow, somewhere we can get the entire Whack together for a really BIG Whack Event.
Til then, I’ll keep remembering the previous Whack get together’s I’ve been to. They were exceptional times.
Fall has arrived in force in the PNW. Wind yesterday. More wind today. Rain and more rain. Summer is already a distant memory.
I reserved Asheron at the library, and it finally came in. I’ll pick it up tonight.
13. GatorPerson | October 6th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I love Laura Lippman and Deborah Crombie. For those of you who like whodunits, Lippman is contemporary Baltimore, Crombie is contemporary small town England. It helps a bit to read Crombie in sequence, somewhat like sequencing Haddam. Not completely necessary. Oh, and Susannah Gregory, mid 1300s Cambridge. Sequence those if possible.
Ha! I thought maybe Diane would be the one who knows “I’ll Fly Away.” Old timey gospel, though not shape note.
I demoed to the Whack that I have programmed into the GeekMobile 3 classic stations plus a bluegrass and country, just so’s I could prove that I’m not a complete snob. Just an incomplete one.
14. Wapakwoman | October 6th, 2008 at 11:24 am
GP- I was so soothed by your WHACK description that I was completely unable to comment until now. And I still have nothing coherent to say.
I am just so thrilled for all of you.
15. Louis | October 6th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Glad you all had a great time on the on the east coast. Sounds like a fun time.
I’m a Dick Frances fan from way back…”To the Hilt” is my favorite. It is nice to see him continue with his son.
Shaping up to be a nice day here on the left coast…nice and sunny.
16. Lou | October 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I’m so glad y’all had such a good time at the Bay. I wish I couldda been there!
BCB - re: last post. It never occured to me* that you were mad at me*. You simply stated that I had a right to my opinion - which I appreciate. I’ve been told from time to time that I come on too strong, so usually I try to temper what I say. But frustration makes me speak out.
Let me* just say that people need to relearn the phrase buyer beware. If it’s too good to be true, it is…
gg - that sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate! A wonderful relaxing time!!
Back to work… sigh… it’s only Monday.
17. K.L. | October 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I woke up this morning and mentally had to walk through the weekdays just to figure out which one it was. When I finally came to the conclusion that it was Monday I was very sad. Sucky way to start a week.
18. BCB | October 6th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Lou, I’m glad you didn’t think I was upset with you. I know I come on too strong when I’m upset about something. Tact does not come naturally for me* and when I’m angry it’s just about non-existant. And then later I wonder whether I left any unintentional carnage in my wake. Usually I just keep my mouth shut until I’m no longer angry.
I’m having a really hard time concentrating today. My boss is on vacation all week [YAY!] so you’d think we’d all be relaxed and productive for a change. Not so. I can’t seem to complete even one little thing. No focus whatsoever. It’s ridiculous. Good thing there are no lives hanging in the balance of whether I can do my job adequately.
19. Mary | October 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Diane at #8
I thought I had a wide vocabulary, but you’ve used a phrase I’m not familiar with.
… reading too many books …
What does that mean? I’m puzzled
20. McB | October 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Over the weekend there was, as GP mentioned, much discussion of books. RSS has loaned me the first few in C.L. Wilson’s series. Romantic fantasy I guess would describe them. If you like “other world” books you should give them a try. A bit like Lord of the Rings meets The Highlander. Very good.
“I’ll Fly Away” - love the Alan Jackson version.
RSS - what? Didn’t we play fetch with CB retrievers?
You know, I can never keep Dick Francis’ titles straight in my head. Plots yes, titles no.
If you like Lippman, also try Carol Lea Benjamin. A similar feel, but set in NY. A little gritty, very real.
21. jenb | October 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
What a wonderful way to spend the weekend. I feel relaxed just reading it.
We are back home for a few days. Enough time to get the mail sorted and bills paid.
On Wednesday we head to New Hampshire for a family reunion. It will be very low key-just sit around and visit. Plus we are to go on Saturday to a New England country fair.
And maybe pick some apples.
And then try to find a good place for some lobster.
About 7 more months til Scotland, right?
22. Lou | October 6th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
K.L. - I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who sometimes has to think about what day it is. Yesterday (Sunday), I woke up thinking it was Monday and the alarm was set incorrectly. I stumbled out of bed - literally - because I had been up reading very late the night before. Took me about 5 minutes before I realized it was Sunday and I could go back to bed. As gg would say… oy…
23. eidlhe | October 6th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
*waves* as she cruises by at 90mph. I’m still alive and will try to comment later this week.
24. McB | October 6th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
edelweiss! How did you know I was thinking about you? I was going to holler out if anyone had heard from you and here you are. Thanks for checking in. I’m in one of my slightly obsessive control freak moods. I would appreciate it if the lurkers would check in. Btuda?
25. K.L. | October 6th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
So Eidleweiss, you do know that if you keep cruising at those speeds the cops are going to issue you a nasty ticket.
A deaf blogger who has cochlear implants did a blog on lip reading. She had her implants off, and her mom was trying to tell her about the name of a song in The Sound of Music. She was fairly sure she was not getting the words correctly, but all she kept getting with lip reading was
wait for it…
Anal Rice…
Eidleweiss.
*snort*
I’ll try to find the blog story and link it here.
26. K.L. | October 6th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
http://contradica.blogspot.com/2008/09/sounds-of-music.html
27. orangehands | October 6th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
hello all
very tired from school
((HUGS))
28. McB | October 7th, 2008 at 8:32 am
K.L. - lol - that’s pretty funny.
OH - get some rest.
BCB - congrats on getting a break from the boss. I mean a break away from the boss. I mean … never mind. Enjoy the week.
TT - hope your worms are well. I’m pretty sure I’ve never said that to anyone before.
29. Diane (TT) | October 7th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Worms still appear to be fine - food waste not noticeably diminished, but I’m sure in time…
I definitely need to cook my steak tonight, because tomorrow morning is trash day, and the trimmings of THAT should a) go out and b) not be fed to the worms. The worms might not mind, but it might be stinky?
Mary - sorry for the foreign phrase! It’s one of those relative, situational things: based on other activities that fail to occur, e.g. dinner, dressing, work. In and of itself, not, of course, possible.
I read the Stephenie Meyer book Twilight on Sunday afternoon. We’ll see what I think as I read more of them - but the hero may epitomize Lou’s caveat emptor motto.
I wonder how I have come to miss Susanna Gregory? bustling off to library reservation page
30. GatorPerson | October 7th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Worms aren’t carnivorous, only herbivorous.
Smart Bitches said Meyer’s hero is a controlling alpha male. Sounded to me like even maybe mental abuse. But that the teen girls groove onto the alpha male “taking care” of the heroine. It’ll be interesting what you think after you’ve read several. Meyer is probably smiling all the way to the bank. Several of her books remain in the top 15.
Gregory’s novels have lots of words and lots of pages.
31. McB | October 7th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Tired. Cranky. Wanna go back and sit in the sun and drink margaritas while listening to the water lap.
I’m gonna go sit in the corner and suck my thumb for a while.
32. orangehands | October 7th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
GP: Actually, they have a really good point. (I get distracted more by how f-ing annoying Bella is, but ok.)
Got this in an e-mail:
For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG BUCKS! Watch for these consolidations in 2008:
1.) Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R. Grace Co. Will merge and become:
Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.
2.) PolygramRecords, Warner Bros., and ZestaCrackers join forces and become:
Poly, Warner Cracker.
3.) 3M will merge with Goodyear and become:
MMMGood.
4. ZippoManufacturing, AudiMotors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become:
ZipAudiDoDa .
5. FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become:
FedUP.
6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become:
Fairwell Honeychild.
7. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become:
PouponPants.
8… Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become:
Knott NOW!
9. Victoria’s Secret and Smith/Wesson will merge under the new name:
Titty Titty Bang Bang
33. Lou | October 7th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
GROAN!!!
34. BCB | October 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
*snort*
Good one, OH.
We’ve just had some excitement here. Got a call from the landlord telling us the back of our building was on fire and to GET OUT NOW.
Better than caffiene, I tell you.
And then we got to watch firemen in action.
35. K.L. | October 7th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Ooooooh. Firemen. Working. BCB, how did you manage to contain yourself?
Did you get pictures?
36. orangehands | October 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
BCB: ooo, cool. Plus, you know, break from work. Yay.
37. Diane (TT) | October 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
OH - how many of those companies even still exist, is what I want to know!
BCB - I trust that your return to the computer means that the damage was not severe and that you are safe?
Firemen can be a Very Pleasant Distraction. We had some really good looking ones come to our church a couple of times (elderly man passed out, popcorn set off fire alarm, respectively), and it was a definite plus.
I don’t know about mental abuse in Twilight. I’ve only read the first book. He’s mostly been very nice and concerned (except he drives too fast and she doesn’t like it when he runs fast with her piggy-back). It seems to be purely a physical attraction-thing for both of them: he thinks she smells good, she is attracted to his looks (not that he’s not a pretty nice person, but she doesn’t know that when she falls for him). As far as “controlling” is concerned - well, he won’t have sex with her (he’s a hundred-year old vampire, she’s 17, I don’t think that’s a bad choice), and he won’t turn her into a vampire herself - despite the fact that she really wants to be with him forever (after having known him for a few weeks). Again, I don’ t think that denying her that opportunity is necessarily a violation of her rights. Also, he takes her to the prom against her will (she thinks she’s too clumsy to dance). Pretty brutal.
She is definitely a weird chick. She cooks and cleans up for her father. She is completely unaware of her (apparently vast) attractiveness. I want to know what kind of slides they have at her school with separate ones for the different stages of mitosis in onion root tips. I’ve only ever seen them with all the stages in each slide. But it’s a long time since I was in high school, so maybe they have really good stuff there.
Anyway, I dunno where it goes (and you needn’t tell me, those of you who do know), but I am mildly intrigued, in the sort of way that could end up in me* completely giving up if they get any more angstily adolescent.
The library didn’t have too many Susanna Gregorys, so I requested just a couple to try, from the early ones, not wanting to read those from the last few years ’til I’d had a chance to hunt down the titles in the middle (if I like them).
Did anyone else have trouble getting in here yesterday, or were you all just leaning against the door giggling when I tried it?
38. McB | October 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Firemen? Plural?
Sorry, TT. We didn’t know that was you, honest.
39. BCB | October 7th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Yep, plural. Brought a big truck with them too. Lights flashing and sirens blaring. Put on their helmets and masks and unrolled their hoses and got out their axes and whatnot and extinguished the fire. Huge mess now. Wet charred smoky smelly mess.
There were several wooden pallets and a few flattened cardboard boxes that had been neatly stacked upright against the back of the building. Somehow, some of those items mysteriously came to be in the horizontal position on the ground and caught on fire. Which then spread to a wooden support post and made its way up to the roof of the overhang over our back door. Luckily, they put out the fire before it made it to the main roof. That would have been bad. As old as this building is, it would have been gone in no time.
So I’ve talked to the firemen, the fire investigator and the fire marshall. Lucky me. They’re going to inform RPD. So who knows, I may get to talk to some men in blue before the day is over. Having all these physically fit and extremely competent men hanging around is making me light-headed. Probably I’ll need CPR.
We’ve decided to blame the whole thing on the boss. After all, he didn’t tell us not to burn the place down while he was gone.
40. cbpen | October 7th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I am really worried about my DN. She has a date on Friday and told the guy she wants to go slow. He said fine. Then, he called her three times on Saturday, three times on Sunday and then showed up at her work to walk her to her car, and called again last night. She said she is not sure how but she agreed to go to breakfast with him tomorrow for her birthday. I told her I’d go with her if she wanted back up. She said she is going to cancel that. I said he sounds possesive/stalkerish already. Of course, being a writer of fiction and a reader of suspense/mystery/thriller stuff, I can see twenty + scenarios and NONE of them good. I told her ANY time she feels she needs back up to call me. Auntie “P” to the rescue. I need to find my cape and sword.
So PLEASE keep good thoughts for her..like Auntie “P” is just an eccentric writer and there is nothing to worry about.
41. Lou | October 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Wow - physically fit, extremely competent, and intelligent men hanging around. CPR - definitely!! Or major flirting… or hands-on checking of muscles… or…
Blame the boss - yep. Whoever is not there gets the blame!
Actually, the whole thing sounds a little scary. If your landlord hadn’t called to warn you, and the firefighters hadn’t gotten there so soon, and the fire had traveled further… kinda scary!
42. cbpen | October 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
OH: forgot to say
BCB: Men in uniform. No need to say any more….
43. K.L. | October 7th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Whack party at BCB’s workplace. No boss, and lots of men in uniform.
I picked up the Acheron book from the library last night. Holy Crap was it big. I think Kenyon was trying to write the Dark Hunter’s Bible with this one. It is going to take me forever to read it. Not that that is a bad thing, but my kids do like occasional meals and such.
44. Louis | October 7th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
OH..
LOL
Like # 5
45. BCB | October 7th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Went to the library after work. Had to drive past the fire station to get there. Yes, the one that responded to our fire. They had a big sign out front:
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, OPEN HOUSE
Well hell.
Guess we won’t be getting a gold star.
46. orangehands | October 7th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
TT: I don’t want to list things just because I don’t remember what happens in each individual book, but I say read the article by the SBs (http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/twilight-by-stephenie-meyer/)
CbPen: I don’t want to worry you any more than you are but that strikes me* as stalkerish too
Ok, time for Pres debate and more homework
47. anon | October 7th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Thanks for the puns OH. Very good.
I’m reading Chicks with Sticks right now. Very good so far, I like the group dynamic with the four teenage knitters. That would be McB, Eidelweiss, CC and me* in Portland. Who says we’re not teenagers any more?
Casey has been keeping Scope and I run off our feet but we love him. I’ve barely had a moment to myself. I’ve also been helping a friend move and my back is still wrecked from last week’s tangle with the garden hose. I also fixed the hot tub last night(I read the instructions
) so I’m going to go try it out now.
Enjoy the presidential debate. I think all of our election debates are over. What a shame. Yoda was learning some new words.
BCB - I’m so glad you were unharmed. How did the mouth-to-mouth work out for you? Hot date Saturday night?
48. anon | October 7th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Oh yeah, cbpen - any time a woman feels uncomfortable she should get out of the situation. Instinct shouldn’t be ignored. Especially if she isn’t sure how she got talked into breakfast. Perhaps several of her friends, or wonderful Aunt could show up at the breakfast place…
49. Wapakwoman | October 7th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Just in case you watch ABC after the debate, Charlie is at BGSU my very own alma mater. AND he was in Wapak today. I was busy or I would have asked him if he was in the Midwest. waves to BCB who is still confused by the firemen.
50. Mary | October 7th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Oh, I’m so glad to hear about Casey! Poor Tanji had surgery today to remove a tumor. Intubation, anesthetic, she’s still wobbly and to top it off she gets scolded for scratching those dang itchy staples on her side.
I went out and bought extra-soft, cushy things to lie on (for her, I mean) and lots of treats, but she’s not interested in food. Just keeps looking at me with a “Why did you do this to me?” look.
Focus on Casey. That’s a positive thought. Casey’s doing better, Casey’s doing better…
51. orangehands | October 7th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
That was just…I mean, that was just bad. Horrible, even.
(And a waste of an hour and a half, frankly)
Oh, poor Tanji. ((HUGS)) to you and her
((CMS and Casey and scope))
CBPen: Yeah, CMS said it much better than I did. listen to her.
52. McB | October 7th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
so glad to hear I didn’t waste 90 minutes. Thanks OH. I skipped it. No energy left. Am seriously considering hermithood. Days like this I wonder about you people who have married and had kids. Or verse vice. Why? I mean that’s like 24/7 nonstop people that you have no excuse to get away from. And they get sick and have problems and expect you to fix it. And you don’t get paid! Are you people insane?
If you don’t hear from me for a while no furries. I’m going to hide out in the nice quiet basement for a while.
53. Mary | October 7th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Notice how she is careful to avoid mentioning the fact that we store the spare Scotsmen in the basement?
54. cbpen | October 7th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
So THAT’S where the Scotsmen are?
I didn’t find any on my treks through when I was locked out of the B&G. Are there TWO basements??
55. glamour-geek | October 8th, 2008 at 12:43 am
cbpen: DN should trust her gut, but I think we’re all kind of paranoid. Maybe it just sounds like a guy who really, really likes her and has no clue how to shut up like a good boy. Inexperience can lead to over-playing a bit and not knowing when to stop.
Or he could be a creep.
But since I don’t know, I thought I’d at least give the “other side” a chance and say maybe he just doesn’t know any better.
But if she’s uncomfortable, well, that’s really all that matters.
Beau and I saw a house for rent today. It’s nice. 3 (relatively awkward, but ok) bedrooms and a full bath upstairs, big livingroom and huge dining room and ok kitchen and a 1/4 bath downstairs. garage. Small garden (but ground cover, so not really a place to plan things), entry way windowed porch-ish area. Not such a bad area, though not our #1 spot.
But….we’ve decided to wait. Neither of us was totally in love with the place, we’re wary of such a large rent in this economy, and we have no time to move in the next 6 weeks anyway (beau being away for one weekend this month and 12 days next month). We figure rents will come down more (they can hardly go up in San Francisco! Eeek!) as we’ve seen them start to do and places that were for sale are now for rent (which we’re also seeing). If it were $400 less per month, we might just go for it, but as it is, it’s a lot to commit to in a crazy market and economy in an election year.
I wish it were an hour ago so I could get some extra sleep tonight, but that ain’t going to happen…
56. RSS | October 8th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Starting from bottom up since I’ll need to scroll back to the top to comment on beginning comments. I’ll blame it on not being completely awake. Uh huh, sure.
GG-waiting sounds good especially since you guys don’t have time to move at the moment. Moving into a place you feel so-so about when you’re already not crazy about moving into SF and adding that stress to your already overflowing mountain of stress wouldn’t be a good thing.
Got to run to take DS to school. More later
LOL OH and K.L.
57. RSS | October 8th, 2008 at 8:20 am
CBPen, that would make me nervous too. Maybe if your DN tells him specifically what she’d be comfortable with–How many calls per week. Tell him not to surprise her by appearing at her door or work. If he ignores what she tells him, then it’s definitely a problem.
BCB–glad you found out about the fire and got out before anyone was hurt. Did you have to go back to work or did they close the place b/c of smoke? Watching hunky guys is always fun. Maybe they’ll have to get back to you today for follow-up.
Mary #53, uh huh. I also heard the Spartans and the Aussies tromping down the stairs. Me* thinks McB has ordered them down to massage her weary body and soothe her fevered brow.
And McB (if you’re still not hiding among the hunks) my family (DH and boys) know I sometimes need to have quiet time and they let me hide away and read or nap. Then, I let them do the same. I always need down time after a get together or conference.
Mary, I hope Tanji is doing well. My dogs have always given me that same look after I’ve had them spayed or neutered or in for any other surgery.
CMS and Scope glad to hear how well Casey is doing but sorry he’s running you ragged.
Forgive me if I left anyone out.
Have a Happy, Fun and Glorious day.
58. LtL | October 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Just dropping in to say I love all of you and hope for the best for each of you. Sometimes it’s hard to work up enough communication juice to read or speak, but hoping you can feel the hugs.
59. GatorPerson | October 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I vote for no niceness with the possible stalker. There are plenty more male-type persons in the world. Dump him. He might not be a stalker. But he might. Dump him.
Ya know, I really didn’t think BCB would go to such lengths to oogle firemen. Just goes to show ya! And now, poor baby must deal with the suits that moved up the ranks from plain fireman. Bods covered with suits, white shirts, and ties. Poor baby.
60. RSS | October 8th, 2008 at 9:14 am
(((Ltl))) back at ya. Miss you and hope you are doing ok.
61. CMS | October 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am
(((Tanji))) Don’t lick the stitches!!!
62. McB | October 8th, 2008 at 9:17 am
*comes up from the basement looking for coffee*
I’m not saying there are hunks in the basement and I’m not saying there aren’t hunks in the basement. But there’s no coffee.
The guy calling DN may not necessarily be a stalker, but it sounds like he still needs to be dealt with firmly. Passive/aggressive behavior should always be nipped in the bud quickly and cleanly. It’s manipulative and should not be tolerated under any circumstances.
63. CMS | October 8th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Here’s some Baileys for that coffee McB. It’s never too early in the day to let alcohol help you deal with morons. The funny thing about that statement - I talk about drinking far more than I actually do it.. I wonder why that’s more socially acceptable than saying “here pet a kitten, it will lower your blood pressure.” I’m inquisitive today.
64. glamour-geek | October 8th, 2008 at 9:44 am
CMS there are definitely days when I wish I were visiting beau or I’m visiting beau and I’m hoping the two resident cats at his place are around. I think petting kittens would be great. Can you come let a basket of them loose in my office? It would put a giggle on my face to watch them rolling around.
Beau and I went to dinner after seeing the place last night (thanks for the pep talk, RSS! I was having second thoughts this morning but the largest bedroom really just isn’t configured in a way that makes any sense at all–but it’s a Victorian-style house, so it’s not what we’d choose today for layout). The woman waiting on us came over and asked if we’d like to order drinks. “YES!” sez I. Perhaps I should not have been so enthusiastic. Heh. I have had some odd and stressful positions, but this one’s going to be the one that drives me to drink.
Anyway, we each had one, because I can do one with food and still be ok to drive. I cannot do more than that, and I rarely want more than a single drink anyway. It’s for the taste and the fun, not to get drunk.
65. McB | October 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
There’s nothing like stroking a purring cat to de-stress you. However, it’s tricky sneaking them into the office. A flask, on the other hand, will go anywhere.
66. K.L. | October 8th, 2008 at 11:17 am
My cat gives me hugs. He regularly runs up to me* and if I’m sitting down, just jumps up and puts his head under my chin, then on my nose. I think he likes smelling my breath. If I’m standing, he stretches up his front paws like a little child who needs to be picked up.
That is always good for a little stress relief. Be better if he hadn’t just come in from the wet outdoors with muddy paws…
67. orangehands | October 8th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Damn I miss my puppy. Though she has such a sad face. Seriously, she’ll just come back from an hour walk (she loves walking) and after she stops panting she gives you this look- why don’t you want to take me* for a walk? Won’t you play with me*, please?.
So guess what I spent all day doing yesterday, will be doing around classes today, and will spend the weekend on? No, no, not my nails, homework. Ugh. I have to lead my seminar later today (another Q: why the hell am I paying so much to learn when the teachers make students lead the freakin classes?) and I only understand about half of it. And half is being generous.
Back to the grindstone.
But GG: wait until you find the place you like. Plus, prices may still go down a little more.
((LtL))
CBPen: I’m with GP. Why take the chance? He comes to her home, he makes her feel uncomfortable, and he talks her into a “date” without her really wanting it? He could just be socially awkward, but he’s still freaky. (You know, just my sweet ol’ two cents here)
((MCB)) whispers *I put some chocolate down in the basement for you to much on; go relax ad hermitize (uh?) yourself*
68. me | October 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am
McB said: There’s nothing like stroking a purring cat to de-stress you. However, it’s tricky sneaking them into the office. A flask, on the other hand, will go anywhere.
Someone gave me a cat-shaped bottle of wine. Does that count?
69. K.L. | October 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
That works perrr-fectly.
70. Lou | October 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Awww - {{{Tanji}}}. No licking stitches, Tanji. That’s a good girl - here, have a treat…
Yay Casey. Getting better and better. I’m glad to hear it.
I’m with GP. Obsessive beavior like that rarely gets modified successfully. Stalking is obsessive behavior, and it sounds like he’s locked onto DN. He needs to go far, far away. I speak from the experience of my distant past.
gg - waiting is good!! If it’s not what you want, then hy spend a lot of money (S.F. requires a lot of money) and time and effort to be not so comfortable in your own home.
I love cats, but I’m allergic… darn,… It’s not immediate and strong, but I can’t live in the same house with them… darn…
But my dog cuddles very nicely.
Everyone have a good day - McB - you have a better one.
71. Lou | October 8th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Oops - “hy”???? I meant “why”. But then y’all probably knew that…
72. Diane (TT) | October 8th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
cbpen - I dunno if this guy is a hero or a crazy person. The fact that he’s enthusiastic is NOT necessarily a sign of stalker tendencies, but if she’s already told him that she wants to go slowly and he’s contacting her 3x per day and dropping in unexpectedly, she may need to clarify what she means by “slowly”. I cannot agree with the proposition that all “freaky” persons should be dropped (many of them turn out to be harmless and even, occasionally, adorable, on longer acquaintance) or that there are plenty of male-type persons out there. I’m not saying one should glom onto someone for the sake of having one, but I cannot honestly remember the last time I met an unmarried straight man of appropriate age. It may have been, literally, years. Which may be part of why I haven’t got one.
Louisa! So glad to see you around, I hope things settle down so that we can hear more from you.
I shall head over to Smart Bitches to read the review, then down to the basement, coffee or no coffee!
73. Lou | October 8th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Yikes, today is not my good spelling day… tomorrow might not be either.
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