Blogiversary
Yesterday was my blogiversary but, with all the excitement from Blog Explosion, I forgot. Having my highest number of visitors ever was a nice gift, though.
Anyway, as you can see by my archives, this blog, in this form, didn't start until February 2002. However, my foray into the blogosphere actually started here on Aug. 27, 2001. (Don't go there. It's a mess. I haven't done any housekeeping since April.)
Holy crap! I've been blogging for 4 years! My original blog was just supposed to be my views on the news. But, I decided I wanted to do personal stuff as well. After September 11, I didn't feel it was right to blog about news while doing quizzes telling me what Muppet character I am on the same site. So I started A Waste is a Terrible Thing to Mind. That eventually turned into a site where I did longer, essay-type entries. I still needed a place for goofy stuff, so I started Anne's Place. Then I decided I couldn't keep up with three blogs so AWISATTTM and Anne's Place morphed into California Bloggin'.
It changed at about the same time Gary Turner started Blogstickers. While I was thinking of my own blogstickers to add to the collection (Mine are here.) I came up with "California Bloggin' ... on such a blogger day." Sometime last year I decided it was kind of stupid to name my blog "California Bloggin'" since I don't live in California anymore. Because one of my interests is the law, I decided I needed a legal term as a title. I searched an online legal dictionary and came up with Excited Utterances. However, I decided to keep California Bloggin' as the subtitle for nostalgic reasons.
Well, now that you know more about my blogging history than you probably ever wanted to know, have a great day!
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Hi!
Hello to everyone who got here via Blog Explosion. I'm so thrilled to be the Site of the Day! I just wish I had something more interesting to post today. Well, it's early. Maybe something will come to me later.
Anyway, enjoy yourself ... and I hope you come back to visit again.
Hello to everyone who got here via Blog Explosion. I'm so thrilled to be the Site of the Day! I just wish I had something more interesting to post today. Well, it's early. Maybe something will come to me later.
Anyway, enjoy yourself ... and I hope you come back to visit again.
I Worry About the Strangest Things
I've lost 11 pounds in 10 days. That means I have 26 to go before I get to my pre-anemia (and too tired to exercise) weight. That's the good part because during the six weeks prior to my doctor's appointment I couldn't lose weight no matter what I did. But, as I'm sure anyone knows, losing 11 pounds in 10 days usually isn't a good thing.
The reason I lost the weight is that my doctor gave me Effexor to try for two weeks. One of the side effects is loss of appetite. All I've eaten for the last 10 days, each day, is a low-carb cookie, a low-carb mini muffin and a salad. And I have to force myself to eat that.
Now, here's where the worrying comes in. I guess I'm kind of a control freak or something because I think and re-think every possible scenario to every upcoming situation. (That could have something to do with social anxiety disorder, too, I guess.) I do this so I'll know how to react in any given situation. I have my next doctor's appointment on Wednesday. I don't know if he'll say I've lost too much weight and change the drug, which has helped me in every other way, or if he'll say it's good that I lost the weight. The third possibility is that he'll keep everything the way it is and schedule another appointment in a month or so to see how I'm doing. That's what I'm hoping.
I've lost 11 pounds in 10 days. That means I have 26 to go before I get to my pre-anemia (and too tired to exercise) weight. That's the good part because during the six weeks prior to my doctor's appointment I couldn't lose weight no matter what I did. But, as I'm sure anyone knows, losing 11 pounds in 10 days usually isn't a good thing.
The reason I lost the weight is that my doctor gave me Effexor to try for two weeks. One of the side effects is loss of appetite. All I've eaten for the last 10 days, each day, is a low-carb cookie, a low-carb mini muffin and a salad. And I have to force myself to eat that.
Now, here's where the worrying comes in. I guess I'm kind of a control freak or something because I think and re-think every possible scenario to every upcoming situation. (That could have something to do with social anxiety disorder, too, I guess.) I do this so I'll know how to react in any given situation. I have my next doctor's appointment on Wednesday. I don't know if he'll say I've lost too much weight and change the drug, which has helped me in every other way, or if he'll say it's good that I lost the weight. The third possibility is that he'll keep everything the way it is and schedule another appointment in a month or so to see how I'm doing. That's what I'm hoping.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Search Results
All I did was type "Sunspray Honeysuckle Smith." I didn't comment on it or even say why I had to type it. But those three words have gotten me tons of hits from Google. Of the last 20 search engine queries, 10 of them were for "Sunspray Honeysuckle Smith."
Now for some disturbing search results:
pussy cow blog. Even more disturbing is the fact that I'm the 51st result for the search. Who the heck went through the other 50 results to find what he/she was looking for then came here to look at a comment?
can I take Pamprin vaginally. Well, I guess so, but why would you want to?
I hate Rachel Ray. Get over it, people! Just don't watch her if you hate her so much! I was the 21st result for this search. Did this person just want to see how many people hate her? Did this person go to all 117 sites that mention hating her? That's just sick.
All I did was type "Sunspray Honeysuckle Smith." I didn't comment on it or even say why I had to type it. But those three words have gotten me tons of hits from Google. Of the last 20 search engine queries, 10 of them were for "Sunspray Honeysuckle Smith."
Now for some disturbing search results:
pussy cow blog. Even more disturbing is the fact that I'm the 51st result for the search. Who the heck went through the other 50 results to find what he/she was looking for then came here to look at a comment?
can I take Pamprin vaginally. Well, I guess so, but why would you want to?
I hate Rachel Ray. Get over it, people! Just don't watch her if you hate her so much! I was the 21st result for this search. Did this person just want to see how many people hate her? Did this person go to all 117 sites that mention hating her? That's just sick.
Common Courtesy
I worked in a restaurant and in convenience stores. At both places I was taught how to politely ring people out at the cash register. One of the things I was taught was to say "thank you" to each and every customer. You are thanking them for patronizing your business, I was taught. Also, I was taught to hand people their loose change before handing them the bills. Aside from the fact that it's the easiest way to count back change (a lost art, I believe), it's easier for the customer to handle if it's done that way. I was also taught to say something like "Enjoy the sunshine" or "Don't get too wet out there" as the customers left. We were encouraged not to use the generic "Have a nice day" so it would seem more personal.
That, dear readers, is why I get soangry frustrated when cashiers/clerks/people at the cash register (Sorry, but I don't know the politically correct term) are rude or apathetic. I won't get into everything that bothers me but one thing that really bothers me is no eye contact. That's the least they can do. Another is when I say "Thank you" and they say "You're welcome." You are supposed to be thanking me for spending money in your store. When I used to be behind the cash register, if a customer said "thank you" before I did, I always said "You're welcome ... and thank you." C'mon. Is it really that difficult?
OK. I'm finished ranting now.
Enjoy the weekend!
I worked in a restaurant and in convenience stores. At both places I was taught how to politely ring people out at the cash register. One of the things I was taught was to say "thank you" to each and every customer. You are thanking them for patronizing your business, I was taught. Also, I was taught to hand people their loose change before handing them the bills. Aside from the fact that it's the easiest way to count back change (a lost art, I believe), it's easier for the customer to handle if it's done that way. I was also taught to say something like "Enjoy the sunshine" or "Don't get too wet out there" as the customers left. We were encouraged not to use the generic "Have a nice day" so it would seem more personal.
That, dear readers, is why I get so
OK. I'm finished ranting now.
Enjoy the weekend!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
I Hate Blood Tests
When I went to the doctor last Tuesday, he orderd blood tests. I could go anytime I wanted before next Wednesday. Letting me decide when to go is not a good thing. It's better to tell me to be someplace on a designated day and time. I tend to procrastinate, especially when needles and pain are involved. But that's not the real reason I put it off so long. The tests were of the "nothing to eat or drink after midnight" variety. For a week, I kept waking up in the middle of the night, forgetting about the tests and drinking water because I was thirsty. But last night I slept really well and didn't wake up 'til 7 a.m. So, I got dressed, drove to the hospital and had the blood drawn.
I have a very low tolerance for pain so I really hate it when the lab tech says "You'll feel a little pinch" before she sticks me. Makes me want to pinch her back because it's never "little" and it's never just a "pinch." So, when she was finished, instead of putting that non-tape stuff on my arm to keep the cotton ball in place, she put tape on. And it wasn't the good surgical tape that comes off really easy. It was stickier than a band-aid and took me around half an hour to get if off, along with a few arm hairs. Ouch!
But, on the good side, I got a good parking place and the lab wasn't crowded so I got right in. I didn't even have to sit in the waiting room at all.
When I went to the doctor last Tuesday, he orderd blood tests. I could go anytime I wanted before next Wednesday. Letting me decide when to go is not a good thing. It's better to tell me to be someplace on a designated day and time. I tend to procrastinate, especially when needles and pain are involved. But that's not the real reason I put it off so long. The tests were of the "nothing to eat or drink after midnight" variety. For a week, I kept waking up in the middle of the night, forgetting about the tests and drinking water because I was thirsty. But last night I slept really well and didn't wake up 'til 7 a.m. So, I got dressed, drove to the hospital and had the blood drawn.
I have a very low tolerance for pain so I really hate it when the lab tech says "You'll feel a little pinch" before she sticks me. Makes me want to pinch her back because it's never "little" and it's never just a "pinch." So, when she was finished, instead of putting that non-tape stuff on my arm to keep the cotton ball in place, she put tape on. And it wasn't the good surgical tape that comes off really easy. It was stickier than a band-aid and took me around half an hour to get if off, along with a few arm hairs. Ouch!
But, on the good side, I got a good parking place and the lab wasn't crowded so I got right in. I didn't even have to sit in the waiting room at all.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Night One
We had the first read-through for "War of the Worlds" last night. It was really good. The guy who re-wrote it for our purposes did an excellent job. It's not as preachy and dark as the original. I don't have a speaking part but, I will be on stage doing sound effects. It'll be the first time I've been on stage since a piano recital in sixth grade. I'm looking forward to it.
We had the first read-through for "War of the Worlds" last night. It was really good. The guy who re-wrote it for our purposes did an excellent job. It's not as preachy and dark as the original. I don't have a speaking part but, I will be on stage doing sound effects. It'll be the first time I've been on stage since a piano recital in sixth grade. I'm looking forward to it.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Style
Lately I've noticed that many news organizations are not following AP style. Even The Associated Press seems to have forgotten about its own Stylebook. I think this bothers me so much because, when I was in college, I had to memorize a large portion of The AP Stylebook. Of course that was in 1980 and the stylebook was much smaller then. I realize that, oftentimes, AP style is not the same as other standards of writing. But, in my opinion, there's still no excuse for professional journalists to ignore the rules of style that are supposed to ensure conformity in the industry.
Here are some of the infractions that bother me the most:
adviser - not advisor, but advisory
AP, The Associated Press - use AP on second reference, capitalize The on first.
backward - not backwards
brand-new
chairman / chairwoman - do not use chairperson
district attorney - do not use DA or D.A.
doughnut - not donut unless part of a business name
entitled - means the right to something; titled refers to the name of a composition, book, poem etc.
farther - refers to physical distance; further refers to an extension of time or degree
Ferris wheel - Ferris was the inventor, so capitalize.
health care
hopefully - means in a hopeful manner. Do not use it to mean I hope or it is hoped.
jail - Not interchangeable with prison. It is short term.
kid / kids - use child and children unless in a direct quote
nolo contendere - “I do not contend,” use pleaded no contest or no-contest plea, depending on publication style. The defendant admits no guilt, but offers no defense. A defendant is sentenced as if convicted, but the charges may be denied in future legal cases.
OK - not okay. OK’d, OKs
presently - means in a little while; it doesn't mean now
pupil - children through eighth grade are pupils. Use student for ninth grade and above
Teen-ager
Tonight - 8 pm. Tonight is redundant.
T-shirt
toward - not towards
Lately I've noticed that many news organizations are not following AP style. Even The Associated Press seems to have forgotten about its own Stylebook. I think this bothers me so much because, when I was in college, I had to memorize a large portion of The AP Stylebook. Of course that was in 1980 and the stylebook was much smaller then. I realize that, oftentimes, AP style is not the same as other standards of writing. But, in my opinion, there's still no excuse for professional journalists to ignore the rules of style that are supposed to ensure conformity in the industry.
Here are some of the infractions that bother me the most:
adviser - not advisor, but advisory
AP, The Associated Press - use AP on second reference, capitalize The on first.
backward - not backwards
brand-new
chairman / chairwoman - do not use chairperson
district attorney - do not use DA or D.A.
doughnut - not donut unless part of a business name
entitled - means the right to something; titled refers to the name of a composition, book, poem etc.
farther - refers to physical distance; further refers to an extension of time or degree
Ferris wheel - Ferris was the inventor, so capitalize.
health care
hopefully - means in a hopeful manner. Do not use it to mean I hope or it is hoped.
jail - Not interchangeable with prison. It is short term.
kid / kids - use child and children unless in a direct quote
nolo contendere - “I do not contend,” use pleaded no contest or no-contest plea, depending on publication style. The defendant admits no guilt, but offers no defense. A defendant is sentenced as if convicted, but the charges may be denied in future legal cases.
OK - not okay. OK’d, OKs
presently - means in a little while; it doesn't mean now
pupil - children through eighth grade are pupils. Use student for ninth grade and above
Teen-ager
Tonight - 8 pm. Tonight is redundant.
T-shirt
toward - not towards
Monday, August 22, 2005
Knock it Off!
Hey, Old Guy! When you're standing behind me in the checkout line at the grocery store, I don't think it matters how many times you hit me with your shopping cart. The cashier is not going to go any faster and I'm not moving until I get my change. On second thought, I might move ... to turn around and shove the shopping cart back at you. Old age is no excuse for being rude.
Hey, Old Guy! When you're standing behind me in the checkout line at the grocery store, I don't think it matters how many times you hit me with your shopping cart. The cashier is not going to go any faster and I'm not moving until I get my change. On second thought, I might move ... to turn around and shove the shopping cart back at you. Old age is no excuse for being rude.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Freaky
A couple of weeks ago I posted about how I'm a little bit psychic and how I'm trying to read my dreams better so I can do something about it. When I wrote that post, the only two examples I could come up with at the time were about people dying. Now I have another example. It's not earth-shattering or anything but it does freak me out, in a good way though.
Yesterday I was sitting here thinking that I should go to bed and rest with an ice pack on my abdomen because I felt some swelling and my scar was feeling weird. I wondered if there was a good movie on that I could watch while resting. I don't read TV Guide or look at the tv section in the newspaper, so I didn't know what was on. But, while I was thinking about movies I'd like to watch I thought "Sybil hasn't been on in a while. I could get into that." So, after I got myself situated, I turned on the television to the TV Guide Channel. You guessed it. Sybil was about to start. And it's not as if I saw a preview or ad for it or anything because it was on the Oxygen channel, which I rarely watch.
As I said, it's not earth-shattering but it's freaky.
A couple of weeks ago I posted about how I'm a little bit psychic and how I'm trying to read my dreams better so I can do something about it. When I wrote that post, the only two examples I could come up with at the time were about people dying. Now I have another example. It's not earth-shattering or anything but it does freak me out, in a good way though.
Yesterday I was sitting here thinking that I should go to bed and rest with an ice pack on my abdomen because I felt some swelling and my scar was feeling weird. I wondered if there was a good movie on that I could watch while resting. I don't read TV Guide or look at the tv section in the newspaper, so I didn't know what was on. But, while I was thinking about movies I'd like to watch I thought "Sybil hasn't been on in a while. I could get into that." So, after I got myself situated, I turned on the television to the TV Guide Channel. You guessed it. Sybil was about to start. And it's not as if I saw a preview or ad for it or anything because it was on the Oxygen channel, which I rarely watch.
As I said, it's not earth-shattering but it's freaky.