NaBloPoMo – November 2012 Kick Off!

Posted on November 1, 2012 by dangermonkey

It’s that time o’ year – the November NaBloPoMo! Maybe it’s a weird thing to get excited about; I don’t know. I’m considering doing the NaNoWriMo as well, if I can get my hands to cooperate. And my brain needs to cooperate as well. My brain would be a lot nicer to me if I didn’t have so many distractions, like a certain dog (ahem..Sable..) who likes to nudge me over and over again and then run off when I try to pet her. She has issues, obviously. Crazy pants issues. But when she has moments of sanity, she is so cuddly, so all is forgiven and forgotten.

Anyway, today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is “Tell us your favourite quotation and why.” I have to admit, this one is going to make me really think. If it was a movie quote, well heck, ANYTHING from “Jaws”. Seriously, have you watched “Jaws” recently and truly appreciated the natural flow of dialogue in that film? It’s magic. And for the record, my favorite quotation on Facebook is “Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!”, from Planet of the Apes (the original, with crazy-ass Charlton Heston”). I have no explanation for that one.

As for a quote that really drives and inspires me, I certainly don’t have anything framed. I would have to pinpoint Hunter S. Thompson though as the source of quotes that make me smile and nod in agreement.

Here are two of my favorites:

“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
“If you’re going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you’re going to be locked up.”

I consider myself a professional that is both weird and crazy, so I get this. I feel most at ease in the awkward situations I tend to get myself into. The stranger, the better. It’s a good reminder to me to take my meds. (Ha!) Being the creative type, my quirks help me, whether I’m designing or programming or cooking up some new venture to try. I used to wonder what it would be like to be very linear in my thinking and function “normally”, but I realized that I’m just not wired that way. I like my eccentricities, as long as they don’t interfere.

I NaBloPoMo’d!

Posted on December 1, 2011 by dangermonkey

Well, I made it through a whole month of NaBloPoMo. It’s not a hard accomplishment per se, but for me to keep this up for 30 days straight was. Writing prompts definitely helped, especially sites like Plinky. I think if I do take away a lesson learned from all of this, it really helped me feel out this site instead of being stuck in one niche (as I felt when all of my posts seemed more focused on movie reviews). I may even keep it up for this month.

Winter is coming

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It finally stopped raining after some more nonstop days, although last night in the middle of our nightly walk, the rain turned to this snow-like substance. This morning, all signs of the shenanigans have vanished. The sky was deliciously blue, with just a hint of gray clouds looming in the distance. The sun was out in full glory and I realized how much I missed it kissing my face in the morning. But the temperature was already flirting with the mid-30s, and the trees have shed the remaining few leaves that had been clinging on the last couple of days. The barren landscape is a reminder of what the next few months will bring.

Looking up up up

Posted on November 29, 2011 by dangermonkey

I’ve always found buildings with fire escapes oddly romantic (in the non-love sense of the word). When I was younger, I often imagined living in a place in the city with a fire escape to hang out on. And maybe have a plant or two out there.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid of heights. I could probably get over it if the digs were nice enough, but the plant thing is definitely doomed thanks to my inability to take care of greenery in a manner that is indicative of them thriving.

I also find it weird that looking up at a tall building has no effect but looking down from the top does. Perspective I guess. And if you’re already on the ground, there’s no threat of immediate death.

I would like to point out that this building had a sign that said “Caution – Door opens suddenly”. So maybe there is a threat of immediate death.

Holiday Colors

Posted on November 28, 2011 by dangermonkey

One of the battles in my family around the holidays is the decoration of the Christmas tree. If I had it my way, the tree would be decorated every year with blue and white and silver ornaments, all perfectly placed in meticulous harmony.

I never win that battle. The husband feels a tree should be decorated with unbridled enthusiasm. No order, no design, just chaos.

To me, these are the proper Christmas colors, not the hideous red and green. It reminds me of snowflakes and the glitter of freshly fallen snow and the sparkle of frost. What does red and green remind people of? Berries? Pssssh!

My latest addiction

Posted on November 27, 2011 by dangermonkey

I’m not a typical “OMG I LOVE SHOPPING” type of chick. In fact, I rather hate shopping. I spend more time trying to talk myself out of spending money any time I’m in a store than I do looking to spend it. But, I have found one online shop that I LOVE browsing and finding something affordable to purchase -Fab.com. It’s a invite-only gig, so you can sign up here if you feel so inclined – http://fab.com/vrrorn

Fab offers really adorable and uniquely designed items. My first purchase was this teapot set. Next, came the octopus creature cup that I absolutely fell in love with. My desk at work is adorned with these Kidrobot Totem Doppelgangers. (I can never have too many toys at work to help me brainstorm through an issue.) And my only so-called “black friday” purchase came from Fab as well – the box appetit. These are just the items I’ve gave into temptation and purchased. There are plenty of items I’ve seen on sale that I’ve wanted to pick up, but resisted temptation.

Doing hound dog things

Posted on November 26, 2011 by dangermonkey

We’re not entirely sure what Juliet is, breed-wise. We know her mom was lab and part hound, but the dad is a mystery. She is certainly an odd pup, being overly suspicious of just about everything. While Bella will head right to people at the dog park, Juliet will veer away from them at the last second to avoid their petting. She’ll also play with other dogs as long as they don’t try to chase her. She doesn’t like to be separated from the family or Bella and will have frantic whiny howly fits when she is. During the evenings, there is a lot of time spent with Juliet just staring at me, her feather duster of a tag wagging. Or at bedtime, she plays a game where she dives head first under the blanket, her read end hanging out. All I have to say is “I can still see you” and she get all worked up. Once, I made the mistake of getting the dogs new toys and new treats at the same time. Juliet got so excited that she threw up, like a toddler who ate too much candy. Despite her oddities, she is a very loving and sweet dog.

I snapped this photo while Juliet was watching the dog show on Thanksgiving. She watched the entire segment on the hounds then went back to chewing on her bee when it was over. She cracks me up.

Post-holiday Bliss

Posted on November 25, 2011 by dangermonkey

This was the first year in several that I spent Thanskgiving as a carnivore. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had Thanksgiving turkey. Despite my earlier gloominess about the impending holiday, I woke up in a good mood and ready to do what needed to be done. After the turkey was placed in the oven, I sat down to coffee, a variety of mini loaves and spreads, and the Macy parade with the family. Ah, tradition. I detest the cheese of the parade, but the balloons are always good fun to see.

The meal ending up being a success. Miraculously, I managed to time out everything perfectly, which never happens. And the turkey was delish. Why on earth did I give this up?? The only thing missing was bacon, but I have no idea how to slip bacon into a thanksgiving meal. Tryptophan did not disappoint and a nap was due after a while.

Black Friday was spent the way I always spend it – not shopping. We slept in, had coffee and curled up on the couch together. There is no “bargain” in the world worth more than that.

Also, tryptophan happened again. Damn you, bird!
And I have a feeling I’ll be doing last minute shopping this year, per usual.

Most thankful

Posted on November 24, 2011 by dangermonkey

I am thankful for my wonderful family: my 7 yr old who never ceases to make me smile, my 12 yr old who amazes me with his brain and cracks me up with his dry wit, and my beardy husband who not only puts up with my shenanigans but supports me in whatever crazy endeavor I insist on exploring.

And of course, there’s Bella, the lovable and always itchy dog. And Juliet, the crazy hound dog who hasn’t taken her eyes off the tv since the hound dogs took the floor on the dog show. Last, but not least, Pez, the cat who thinks he’s a dog.

Holiday Therapy

Posted on November 23, 2011 by dangermonkey

I don’t know what it is with me and holidays lately but I never feel prepared for them. I’m not even sure what prepared consists of. I have all my ingredients. My pies are baking. The house is…er…relatively clean. And yet, I am not ready to deal with the whole holiday thing. I don’t even have a deluge of relatives to deal with. It’s just the mere thought that it’s a holiday that really messes with my head.

So instead I’m sitting on the couch watching trash tv. It is wonderful therapy, although not entirely constructive. Try it sometime. If you are in the midst of your own personal blues, turn on Maury and you will feel so much better about yourself.

Also, I think I need to stop being sappy and start appreciating what I have. It’s getting ridiculous.