Living In the World, Not on It

Somehow, everytime a landmark moment or time comes up, we find ourselves saying, "Whoa - how'd it get to be July already? Where'd the time go?" Do you know where your time went? I used to wonder where time went, as well. Now I value my time much more highly. I use a planner for work but still - without writing it down - have plenty of "me" time and "us" time for Luis and myself. I definitely parcel out my time well. I've gotten better at monitoring my time at work. When I was first at this job, I would struggle all day with the payroll. That was my Monday and sometimes, some of my Tuesday. Now, I get in around 0600 - today I got in late (I set my alarm for 1630 instead of 0430 - oops) - and immediately go through a series of "start the day" items. Breakfast first; I have never been able to forego breakfast and today is no different. I made myself a slab of ham steak and ate. Then I set up the TO DO items for today and moved any items ...

1. Are you and your current lover (or most recent) always on the same page on sex? Sometimes yes, sometimes not so much. We both are definitely looking for an orgasm! But the route taken is sometimes the disagreement. 2. If you had your way would you have sex more or less frequently? More frequently! What else? I am a 40-year-old woman with no children! My body is my own worst enemy! It is pumping out 50,000,000 ppm of pheromones in an effort to get me into the procreational mode (thank you, Big Bad Pharmaceutical!). I want to get laid ALL THE TIME! 3. Have you ever been asked to do something sexually but refused? Yes, anal sex. Some things are not meant to be, and this I know from experience. I also was asked by a very close friend if I wanted to sleep... with her. Much as I love my friends, I'm not even mildly curious about sexually encountering other women. It doesn't spark any reaction in me at all. So I apologised, said that this was certainly the highest compliment that I...

1. What was the best thing that happened to you this week? Sitting with my manager was the absolutely best thing that happened. Absolutely! (I have to use last week, as this week is only one day old!) 2. What was the worst thing that happened this week? I'm thinking... I don't know. I can't think of anything really bad. That's good, right? 3. Describe an item of clothing that has definitely seen better days but that you refuse to dispose of and still wear. Why won't you toss it? I have a dress with spaghetti straps, buttons down the front that flares out and looks great with a little shirt under it (otherwise the decolletage is too low). It's a little worn, but mostly the issue is one of size, not worn-ness. I love it. Once I get down to the right size, then I will wear it - all the time! 4. Have you ever lied about your age? Never. I never drank so there was no reason to lie about it then. My grandmother used to say that she was "39 and holding" to ev...

1. When you go to a restaurant do you tip better if the server is good-looking? Not unless he knows service well. It doesn't matter if he looks like Richard Gere. If the service is terrible, that is the only matter in the table for discussion. 2. Have you ever asked anyone to turn off their cellphone in public because it bothered you? Yes. I hate the bloody things. 3. Is your noon meal called "lunch" or "dinner?" I always called it lunch but some people call it dinner. My grandmother called the Sunday midday meal "dinner" - usually around 1400, not 1200. I never understand that. 4. Do you generally make reservations first? Not usually. Depends on the place. If it is a place where there is commonly a long wait, then yes. More often than not, we prefer to eat early. 5. Do you ask for a booth or a table? Usually a booth, for better back and butt support. Those chairs are often designed by Torquemada. 6. Do you ask for a doggie bag? If I need one, which is...

1. Have you ever had a tattoo? I have only had henna, no tattoos. I've thought about it... so, if I were to have one... 2. Was it hidden or visible? It would be on my shoulder. Small but not totally hidden. 3. Flowers or skulls? Neither. I want an OM. 4. Do tattoos on other people bother you? No, not at all. 5. Would you date someone with a tattoo? Aboslutely. I have already. 6. Would you hire someone with a tattoo? You do realise it is really considered illegal to use that as a consideration; however, it depends on the situation, too. I have no issue with hiring people tattooed, but they cannot be visible to the membership. We have had (and for all I know, have now) management with tattoos. At least one could not wear a short-sleeved shirt. It's a pity, too, as the artwork was really nice. 7. Would you read a blogger with a tattoo? Yah, of course. Why not? 8. Fess up.....What does your tattoo look like? I still haven't worked up the courage...! One of these days. 9. Does y...

I have seen this time and again, from the management right on down. To finally see this addressed is a delight. See the AWAD Newsletter from this week: From: Anu Garg (words at wordsmith.org)Subject: apostrophe catastrophe The apostrophe hit the nerve. It inspired some to poetry, others to vent their discomfort with this often-misplaced mark, and some declared it's time to retire the sign. Here's a selection of your responses: Many years ago, my sister was regularly finding a small, black cat on her porch. The cat was friendly and affectionate so she assumed it was someone's pet. Inquiries around the neighbourhood, however, did not turn up an owner, just others who were also feeding the cat whenever it appeared. One rainy evening, my sister brought the cat in and decided she was going to keep it. Holding the cat aloft and looking it in the eye she mused aloud, "What am I going to call you?" Her husband responded. "Call it Apostrophe." "Apostrophe!!...

1. Who was the last person you spoke with? Luis, my husband - he's right here. 2. Who was the last person you saw at work? Danny Kilpatrick, who is always fun. 3. Who was the last person to comment on your blog? Mary (CrystalChick). She is always commenting and it's always fun to see what she has to say! 4. Who was the last person that you wrote a post about? Ummmm, I'm not sure. I've been answering a million memes. 5. Who was the last person that you emailed? The last person I e-mailed was Mary. 6. Who was the last person that you phoned? The last person I called was Ray. 7. Who was the last person to give you bad advice? The last person to give me bad advice? Goodness... I'm not sure. I get a lot of it. 8. Who was the last person to give you good advice? Nancy. She always has good advice. 9. Who was the last person that you kissed? The last person I kissed was my father when I left to come home.

1. Have you ever been in a serious accident? If not, how about any accident? Yes, I was in one serious accident. I was struck by an SUV while on foot. I suspect that qualifies for anyone. I'm lucky to be alive and I know it. 2. Have you ever been ticketed for an accident and if so did you pay it or fight it? No, I have never been ticketed for an accident and if I was and I was guilty, I would not fight it. 3. What kind of insurance do you have and would you recommend it to your friends? I have State Farm. I don't know if I would recommend any of them... they are all bad news in this state. I have great insurance because I am: 1. 40 years old 2. have no accidents in my history 3. have no points or tickets 4. I'm CEVO certified. 4. Did the accident cause you to change the way you drive? It made me a very nervous driver and passenger. I hate what that person took away from me. 5. Did you need a rental car? If so, did you get a better car or worse one than you had? If not, what...

1. What is the most recent movie you’ve watched with someone? Luis and I saw Sex and the City the most recently in the movies. My father and I watched The Bucket List together last time (Friday). 2. What is currently your favorite TV show? Boston Legal , Men in Trees and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation are my big three. 3. What CD by a new artist that is worth a listen? A Thing A Week by Jonathan Coultan 4. Have you bought a CD recently by an “old favorite” artist, if yes, which one? I have - Viva La Vida by Coldplay. 5. Who is your current favorite female actor? Correct me if I'm wrong but they usually refer to female actors as "actresses", right? My favourite is Gwyneth Paltrow. 6.Who is your current favorite male actor? Favourite actor: Tom Hanks. 7. Do you pay attention to “actors born on your birthday”? I used to not, but now I'm 40, and there is one that I always remember: Paul Newman. 8. Who is your favorite artist left on American Idol? I don't watch ...

What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own? Mmmm. It has to be something with my grandmother, but I remember helping Ray make dinner in the apartment and he was swinging around a pot with brussel sprouts in it to show how centrifugal force will hold the sprouts in while twirling this pot upside down. I suggested doing it with water. He did and while the brussel sprouts stayed in, the water did not. Almost peed my pants! Do you have an old photo as "evidence" of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it? I probably do, but gods only know where it would be. Who had the most influence on your cooking? Uh, my mother. She doesn't cook - neither do I! Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat? Alllll of them? What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest letdown? Anything that involves me touching raw food! Name some funny or weird food combinations/d...

From Mary Says... blog: "Found this meme for the taking over at Hammer's page . Do one for yourself if you like." I am: enjoying life and very happy. I think: therefore I am. I know: that I will be happy for most of my life. I want: to see many more parts of the world. I have: a charmed life. I wish: for better abilities with money. I hate: prejudiced people. I miss: my grandfather. I fear: very little. I feel: perfectly wonderful! I hear: music all the time. I smell: my green tea Beanpod candles. I crave: pizza bagels! I search: for meaning in things that seemingly have none. I wonder: if man will get to other planets and will we screw them up as well? I regret: very, very little and will live with those few that I have, as they are part of what makes me me . I love: this life I live. I ache: for Ariel. I am not: a totally heartless bitch. I believe: in beauty and living in the world, not just on it. I dance: all the time. I sing: in my car, howling to whatever is on my ...

1. Who called you most recently? Um... I guess it was Tom. 2. What was the most recent sports game you watched? I don't watch sports. 3. Who is your most recent friend? My most recent friend is Lauryn. I don't make close friends that often. 4. What was the most recent TV show you watched? The most recent telly show would be CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. 5. What was the most recent music that you purchased? Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends 6. What were the most recent clothes that you purchased? Two pairs of pants for work and a couple of UnderArmour shirts. 7. Who most recently did you say “I love you” to? My father. 8. Who did you most recently text? Oh, puuuuleeeeze! Do I look 14? No. I don't do texting. At all. Ever. 9. Who did you most recently kiss? My father.

1. Where and when were you born? I was born in Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan on 26 January at 10:39 EST. 2. Do you have siblings? If yes, tell us more. Not a one. 3. What are your parents’ names? Harry Gilbert Trebilcox and Wendy Elise Kellogg. My second father is Raymond Guy Kellogg. 4. Did you (or do you) know all four of your grandparents? Almost - I knew my paternal grandparents, James NMI Trebilcox and Lydia Frances Anderson. I did mostly know my maternal grandmother, Ida Platt, but never met my maternal grandfather. He smoked heavily and died from brain cancer when my mother was 15. 5. Do have children? If yes, tell us about them. If no, do you want them? Ye gods, no. I don't want children, not at any age or for any reason. I have cats - well, one of my beloved cats died. I have Chelsea. 6. Do you still live in the general area that you grew up in? Yes. Close enough for jazz, anyway. 7. Do you have cousins? If yes, are you or have you been close? I have three cousins on my...

You are a VAMPIRE Truly a sexy undergod of the dead. You roam the night and seduce others to follow your will, your way, and your bloodlust. You enjoy truly sensual sex with a tinge of pain to compliment the eroticism. You are a natural leader, but often form alliances with like-minded individuals. You also are likely type O blood-type with a propensity to grow your fingernails long. You are the sexiest of all the monster types. Increase your vampire points by sharing your status with friends. Click the share button below to increase rank. FaceBook has all different quizzes. Nothing as good as memes, but still fun. They could be a lot more indepth, though! I find just ten questions doesn't really net any true results. However, I have always been partial to vampires, so this will do just fine!

1. What is the first thing you notice about a person (that you are attracted to) when you meet them? Usually the eyes, but I will admit that I have a "thing" for chins! A good squared chin with a nice little cleft is a very sexy thing! 2. What has been your worst illness or injury? Getting struck by an SUV whilst on foot was my worst trauma. Worst illness? Hands down: muscular dystrophy. 3. Have you ever had a secret crush and then told the person? If yes, how did it go? Yes to both. I've a coworker who for whatever reason is very physically appealling to me. Must be pheremones...! I did tell that individual. It is always flattering to know that someone thinks you are attractive. And it is okay, because I'm clearly not in a position (in several ways) to pursue it. And the sexy creature is not interested in me. 4. What was the last drink that you ordered at a pub or a bar? I actually had something to drink last night. A Fuzzy Navel with no ice. It was pretty good. Prev...

1. Name the one song that reminds you of your most current or recent relationship. Oh, boy. I guess... um... I love music - there are a gazillion songs. Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra. 2. Name the one song that was way overplayed and you hate. Again, way too many to count. I have to think about it... 3. Name the one song it seems everyone loves but you don’t. What, now? I don't listen to the radio! 4. Name the one song you think everyone hates but you love. No idea. Back to that "I don't listen to the radio" thing. 5. Name the one song that is sung by someone you’d love to date. Some one I would love to date ? I'd love to have tea and a conversation with Jonathan Coulton, but I'm not really interested in dating any performers. 6. Name the one song this season that was sung best on American Idol. I can't - I don't watch that stuff at all. 7. Name the one song that you think is the best love song of the 00s thus far. Best song for the 2000s. Code M...

1. Who was your best friend? Andreann Oster. She looked like a model. She was tiny and petite and cute with long, thick blonde hair. I looked like the freak from another planet. I wasn't tall, but next to her, I was. She had a mother who lived to over protect her. She tried drugs, slept around, did all the stuff I wouldn't consider. Studying? I was a brain surgeon. 2. Did you play any sports? No, never. 3. What kind of car did you drive? I didn't - I was afraid to drive! 4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? Home. 5. Were you a party animal? Not even a little bit. 6. Were you considered a flirt? Not by the others, no. 7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? None of the above. 8. Were you a nerd? Yes. Everywhere I went I had a book. 9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? No. I'm sure my guidance councellor thought I'd never amount to anything, though. Guess who is having the last laugh!

Everyone enjoyed last week's meme, so we will do just one more trip back! Satuurday 9: Another High School Meme 1. Can you sing the fight song? Good gods, no. Did we have one? I would not even know. 2. Who was your favorite teacher? Mr. Denequolo was one, for his sarcasm. Mr. Yates, my art teacher, was the best. 3. What was your school mascot? No idea. I am sure we had one, but I've no idea. Understand that I hated high school in a way that defies the imagine. This was not the world I moved in. 4. Did you go to the Prom? Sadly, yes - I went to it when I was a junior. I did not go as a senior. One nightmare was enough. 5. If you could go back, would you? Not even if I were offered an OUTRAGEOUS sum of money! 6. What do you remember most about graduation? Nothing. I did not go. I don't regret it, either. 7. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? Hmmm. I skipped classes more than full days. I don't remember what I did the one day I did skip school. 8. Did you have a job your s...

Saturday 9: Sharing Your Blog Habit 1. How long have you been blogging? Since August of 2005. In terms of time that is not long, but this is my 840th (roughly) posting. 2. How did you start? I was in my doctor's office and read an article on blogs. Not long after, I read an article about real 40-year-old virgins who seemed to feel that they were contributing mightily to trhe world by not having sex. I was incensed and opened a Blogger account to write about it. 3. How often do you post on your blog? Sometimes once in a couple of days, sometimes 6 or 7 times in one day. It depends on what has happened, any articles that look interesting or if something major has happened. 4. Have you made good blogging friends? Yes, indeed, CrystalChick has definitely become a friend. 5. Have you talked to someone on the phone you met through blogging? No, but then, I'm not a big phone person. 6. Have you met anyone from your blogging? Not yet. 7. Have you had a crush on anyone you have not met?...

My name is Samantha Winters, but my friends call me Crazy Sam! Welcome to Saturday: 9. We describe our blog as Just A Silly Meme Every Saturday. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions EVERY Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! We look at our fathers today. If your dad is no longer with us, feel free to alter the questions to discuss your dad. To dad's everywhere, especially Earl Winters, Happy Father's Day!" Saturday 9: Happy Father's Day Eve Ray's Questions 1. How long since you have been with your dad? He was here yesterday afternoon. 2. How many siblings share your dad? None! He's all mine. 3. Will you...

My name is Samantha Winters, but my friends call me Crazy Sam! First let me acknowledge that we changed our header to match the one that so many of you are all ready using. Let me know where it originated so I can credit our player! So, welcome to Saturday: 9. We describe our blog as Just A Silly Meme Every Saturday. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions EVERY Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! Saturday 9: Summer Movies and Oil 1. The other day I purchased gas for $3.96, which was less than the $4.37 my local station charges per gallon. What is the current gas price in your area for regular? Normally for now, regular is $3.89....

I found this throught the meme site: "Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme! Let's talk relationships! Pick a relationship. Either your current one, or a significant past one (You needn't be specific...)." Saturday 9: Tell Us About It 1. How did you meet? We met first in Sam Goodes music store, where I worked at the time. I was 20 and Luis was 22 or 23. He had on a big army green coloured coat and thinning hair, and a wide face. He was with Dave DeGil, whom I knew from the Renassaince Faire. I was chatting with Dave and completely ignored his fri...

~Questions, Silly Questions~ 1. Who is the last person you talked to? Luis, my husband. On the phone, Tom Filliman, my friend. At work, Dan Kilpatrick. 2. What is your weather like right now? It is medium hot, humid, and overcast. Rather disgusting, really. The temperature isn't bad but the humidity is terrible. 3. Where will you be this weekend? In Parsippany, then tomorrow in Wayne. 4. What's for dinner tonight? Italian food, I believe. We are going out to eat with Tom and Alayna and Matthew. Always an interesting time out when we have Matthew.

I can try but some days are better than others. Look at June - I posted the first time on 8 June and then did not put anything there until days later. So much so that I thought I might not get an average of one per day in (30 for the month, no matter how it happened). I began posting again around 15 days later and managed to get it back to a normal number (and then surpassed it) in a relatively short time. I'm waiting for a friend of mine to come over to visit briefly today. He and his wife and their new daughter are up here from Southern New Jersey and on their way back they are stopping in. Should be nice. I'm not crazy about babies, but it is just one and not for long. They are unusual in that their marriage was arranged. I've never been to an arranged wedding before theirs and none since, I might add. Unless I am invited to another one, which seems unlikely.

From Mary Says... blog: "Presented by Jules on a lovely silver platter over at Just Because... , here's another fun Meme! If you like, you may take it to your blog and do one for yourself and let me know so I can come by and read it!" 1. What does your name mean? Aislinge is Gaelic and translates into "a vision or dream". Kellogg is Cornish for "butcher" - kill-hog. Isn't that something? 2. Where was your profile picture taken? At the hairdresser's place. 3. What is your current relationship status? POSSLQ - Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Same Living Quarters. I say married, though - 18 years together - whether or not New Jersey recognises common law marriage - is married. New Jersey does not, but I don't worry about such things. We've been together longer than more than half the weddings we've been to. There is a direct and inverse relationship between the amount of money spent and the size of a wedding to the length of the marria...

1. Falling in love 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts 3. A hot shower 4. No lines at the supermarket 5. A special glance 6. Getting mail 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer 11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry) 12. A bubble bath 13. Giggling 15. The beach 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter 17. Laughing at yourself 18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they love you 19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours 20. Running through sprinklers 21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all 22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful 23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS 24. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you 25. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep 26. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner) 27. Making new friends or spending time with old ...

NGC 4676, or the Mice Galaxies, are two spiral galaxies in the constellation Coma Berenices . About 290 million light-years away, they are presently in the process of colliding and merging. Their name refers to the long tails produced by tidal action — the relative difference between gravitational pulls on the near and far parts of each galaxy — known here as a galactic tide . Members of the Coma cluster , it is a possibility that both galaxies have experienced collision, and will continue colliding until they coalesce. The colors of the galaxy are peculiar. In the upper galaxy (NGC 4676A, to the right in the photo), a core with some dark markings is surrounded by a bluish white remnant of spiral arms. The tail is unusual, starting out blue and terminating in a more yellowish color, despite the fact that the beginning of each arm in virtually every spiral galaxy starts yellow and terminates in a bluish color. The lower galaxy (NGC 4676B, to the left) is closer to normal, with a yel...

Hi everyone! I only have 30 minutes on the Independence library computer, so this'll be short and sweet... I stayed an extra day in Lone Pine to rest my knees, and it helped. I met a thruhiker in town who was only carrying an 18 lb pack, fully loaded. I was in awe of his ability to downsize, and only make do with a minimum of equipment. He wasn't carrying any kind of bear-proof storage for his food, though... he said he was sleeping with his food by his head, upwind from the trail and far from any known campsites or water sources (where the animals tend to seek free food). His method has worked so far, but I wouldn't want to be him if a bear did try to swipe his food sack, only 1 foot from his head. Geez! I think I'm happy carrying my 2.5 lb bear canister. For now. Back on the trail Sunday afternoon, 6/22 (Day 7). Hiked 7.5 miles to beautiful Chicken Spring Lake, where I camped alone, listening to the orchestra of peeper frogs as I drifted off to sleep. Monday, 7/23 (...

There's a traffic sign at the end of the street where I live. It reads: Please drive carefully, for our childrens sake It's an official sign of the Department of Transportation. I imagine there are thousands of these reflective blue signs around the state of Washington. These signs may not be necessary now. Children don't play outside anymore. There are more than enough Nintendos and Hanna Montanas and Facebooks these days to keep them busy. But that's not why I mentioned the sign. We're missing something here. A little squiggly mark. We may be missing an apostrophe here but, over all, the universe's apostrophe store stays in equilibrium. We don't put them where they belong, and we add them where they don't. Many a grocery store display signs such as: Apple's $3 per pound There's even a term for the gratuitous inclusion of these marks: greengrocer's apostrophe. Sometimes we are not sure whether an apostrophe is needed, so we simply add one, a...

I took this quiz in FaceBook. What a stretch... This quiz asked me a handful of questions, and based on my birthday falling on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, my being older than 30 (there were 4 options and I'm 40 - guess I'm one of the older people on FaceBook...), born between 0800 and 1600, and whatever else there was, this was the conclusion: "Your birthday means that you love the sun and the beach. Your best colors are red and yellow. You tend to have many friends and you are well-liked, possible because of your outgoing and sunny personality. You are a very positive and enthusiastic person. Shopping is likely something you enjoy very much, not just for yourself, but for other people as well. You shine at parties and get togethers, and you are definitely an extrovert." Well... maybe. I love the sun, yes. I love the ocean a lot more than the beach. I'm sunny and outgoing, but well-liked? I'm not so sure. I'm persona non-grata on my squad for the most pa...

One of my friends sent me this message back not long after I put Ariel to sleep: "Aislinge, I am in such a flurry over everything lately that I didn’t read you message last week. I saw gold cross and your address and missed your pain staring me in the face. I’m so sorry. Are you feeling any better? I believe God loves the animals, cares for each one. They are, by far the better servants (as compared to most humans). Grief is grief and it takes a while to overcome it. I will certainly pray for you." This man is more than amazing. He's magical. And he is the sweetest person I have ever met. He's a very unique person and he is extremely empathetic. He's a reverend, and I would image that he is a really great one. I don't know anyone quite like him. He is what religion should be... and so rarely is.

As it happens, I do love my dentist, Dr. Berdj Feredjian, and his staff. He's a nut. He sings while doing dental work! And the rest of the staff are all fun, lovely and intelligent people. You can't ask for more than that... unless you want free dental work, but how likely is that? It's easy to gripe about going to the dentist. I rarely hear people say, "Hey, I have my dental appointment today, how cool is that ?" I don't think I have ever said that. I do tell people about my dentist and that he is great, but I do have to say that this is a strange choice of career. I wouldn't want to spend my days tiptoeing through peoples' mouths! Yuck. However, I won't let anyone else tiptoe through mine. I don't say that about just anyone. And the gods know, he has the patience of a saint, being my dentist! I don't take good care of my teeth. This is not a mystery, folks, so don't be surprised. Some day I will reach a point where I take good enough...

I had the best day... the best! I can wallow in it and soak it up and grin until my teeth fall out tonight, and them tomorrow morning, I will be calm, cool and collected, focussed and dedicated. But tonight I'm just going to be a grinning idiot. And I'm not going to be focussed and I am going wallow in it. I'm going to enjoy the ride, just as Steve Gilliland said. And since I can't really talk about the most wonderful thing in the world because it relates to work and isn't for public knowledge, that is all there is to say! The thing is, I did this... I did it! The only person who can take responisibility for the changes and positives is me. And by the gods, it was hard. It was hard to do and it will still be challenging. But oh, how worth it!

We'll see... New York - Some of the long-term factors that have pushed oil prices to record levels are starting to change. In large part because gasoline prices are over $4 a gallon, demand for fuel in the US is falling for the first time in 17 years. China is raising prices for gasoline and diesel – a move that might ultimately lower demand. And, on Sunday, there were signs supply might increase as Saudi Arabia's oil minister indicated that the country would increase production through the end of the year if needed. Iraq is also set to sign contracts with foreign companies to hike production. "It's all a step in the right direction," says Phil Flynn, an oil analyst and trader at Alaron Trading in Chicago. "These are certainly signs to the market that prices can't just continue to go up." However, some of the shorter-term factors are becoming worse. On Friday, the energy markets were digesting news of an attack on a Royal Dutch Shell oil platform in...