Copy-choco-cat

Thanks to the DivaGeek for the link.

Open Oyster You scored 40% Dark, 51% Crunchy, and 65% Chewy!

You are an Open Oyster: a creamy blend of finely ground hazelnuts and milk chocolate in a milk chocolate shell. Sometimes you're open, sometimes you're closed, but hidden deep within is a pearl. You don't have much of a wild streak, but you do have your creative and more passionate moments, as well as your sweet ones. But you can turn all that on and off just as easily as an oyster opens and closes. You suck people in when you show them your sweet side...don't be afraid to open up more often ;)

My test tracked 3 variables. How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 18% on Dark You scored higher than 18% on Crunchy You scored higher than 54% on Chewy

Link: The Box of Chocolates Test written by weerediii on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Lundi Gras

Go on over to NOLA.com and play the Bourbon Street Oui Oui Game. The goal is to "help your character catch beads and find a bathroom while avoiding drunken mobs and other Bourbon Street perils." The character looks like a frat boy, and those aforementioned perils include rats as big as Lily, potholes, drunks, beer bottles tossed from balconies, street preachers with "Jesus Saves" signs, '12" of Pleasure' hot dog carts, opening doors, heaving drunks, bums, and of course, Emeril "bamming" his way through the Quarter.
If my performance is any indicator of future Mardi Gras success, I'd be better off staying at home.

Bad attitude

Boy, did I have one today. The "inclement weather phone tree" from work has termites. I didn't get a call telling me to come in later than the scheduled time for work today. At 11 last night, some weather genius decided to postpone school until 10 a.m. because of the impending bad weather. The weather geeks were calling for a CHANCE of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. We got nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. The big goose egg.
So I was at work early today - and pissed off about it. I think I stewed for a couple of hours. I needed a big sign that said "Beware of Teacher".
After some white chocolate covered pretzel and music therapy while I worked, I came home for a triple dose of loving from Cerberus, which helped lighten my mood immensely.
Earlier in the day, I had emailed the LMGC about my snit fit, including the sentence "You would not want to be around me right now."
His reply: I would give you a hug. And if that didn't work, I'd run like hell.
Smart man.

Would you rather

...go hunting with Dick Cheney or take a ride with Ted Kennedy? Just asking....

Barkus parade

Caught the Krewe of Barkus' "Wizard of Paws" themed parade through the French Quarter today via the wonders of the internet. The Bourbocam at the corner of Bourbon and St. Peter Streets offered a little taste of Carnival on a cold Sunday afternoon. The web cam only updates with still shots every 20 seconds, but it was an enjoyable way to pass a little time.
Some images from today's parade:

From the "You've got to be kidding" files

This guy takes the title of "Asshat of the Week." Maybe even "Asshat of the Month," and that's going up against VP Cheney.
I wonder how many GBDs (Good Behavior Days) he's gonna earn in prison. I'd love to see what kind of "contract of cellmate expectations" his next roommate, Bubba, draws up.

Going bananas

Dix: We have to go to the Walmart that's down the road. I think it's near Monkey Junction.
Dix (later): I think we're getting close to Monkey Junction. I believe the PW lives near Monkey Junction.
LGMC: How many times are you going to say "Monkey Junction?" (pause) Some people like to say "Monkey Junction." I just like to say "monkey."

From she who is more critical than I

Look at the title of this article....the workers should not have told the plant to close and they wouldn't lose their jobs. Ha. Awkward writing.


Hundreds of workers told plant to close in Buncombe County
Associated Press

SWANNANOA, N.C. - A textile plant in Buncombe County that employees 350-400 workers will close next year and move to Honduras, employees learned Wednesday. Anvil Knitwear Inc., which produces fabric for T-shirts and other clothing that is shipped to Central America for cutting and sewing, cited "competitive pressures" as the reason for the move. The company said it would start reducing operations at the Swannanoa plant later this year.

Ain't that the truth

Dix: I went to the doctor yesterday and she gave me a shot in the shoulder, some muscle relaxants, and some pain pills
Friend o' Dix: You must have been a conservative Republican in a former life, you are just getting the raw end of the deal
Dix: LOL, at least i'm not getting shot
Friend o' Dix: Yea no kidding. Cross off Skeet Shooting for Republican fundraisers

A shout-out request

For the OAK Team to cover at their next show. I think they could really tear this up. Thanks to the DivaGeek for the link, via the Blondes. It's not work-safe, nor is it child-friendly, so wait until the kiddies have gone to bed unless you want them sounding like South Park characters after just one listen.
I don't care who you are, it's funny. Even without being on muscle relaxants.

Cerberus is lucky

That I haven't done anything like this to them for holiday photo shoots. So wrong, yet so hilarious.

*BTW, the Cerberi are in the Valentine's Picture Party as well, sans lion manes and rose petals.

Walk this way

Pedestrians in Chapel Hill will now face a $135 fee ($25 fine plus $110 in court costs) for jaywalking (if they're caught). What was once the town sport has become increasingly dangerous in the wake of two recent pedestrian deaths.
Note to self: When in Chapel Thrill (possibly on Friday), USE THE CROSSWALKS.

Sneak peek

Wintry weather

We had snow today! Real actual big flakes! But we didn't get sent home from school early. Darn.
I was in a first grade classroom doing assessments when the wintry mix began. After a few minutes of ooohhing and aaahhhing by the kids, I looked at the teacher and said "Take them out."
Yes, I violated the 90 minute protected reading block. We have reading 90 minutes a day, every day. If we get 90 minutes of snow in a year, we're lucky. So today, we had "Snowing First."
Many of the other classes bundled up and came outside as well.
One kindergartner yanked on my coat and asked "Who's making the snow come down?" "God" was my answer. What was I gonna say? Xenu?
Then, as the snow began to taper off, another kindergartner yelled out "The snow is running out!"
I came home to find that the youngsters who live across the street had made a little snowman this morning. It's kind of "Blair Witchy" in a way, but cute nonetheless.

Lifeline

Three years and a couple of days ago, I sat in a cold, dark bedroom 600 miles from NC, listening to the Carolina-Duke basketball game. I was incredibly homesick, lonely, and scared. Listening to the game over the Internet was my one connection to home. Within a month, I made my way back to where I belonged.
They say basketball is a religion in North Carolina. I don't doubt the saving power it had for me that night.

Phootball Photoshop phun

I'm not watching the Super Bowl, but I was reminded of the infamous Super Bowl halftime show from two years ago. The DivaGeek created this picture a few days after. It was the cause of much hilarity for many days. Enjoy.

Blogger-itis

Blogger hiccupped and lost two of my posts from yesterday. *Sigh*
Check out Pandora for online music listening that is customized according to your musical preferences. Pandora tells you the major features of the songs or artists that you pick as a basis for your "stations." According to Pandora, rhythmic syncopation, acoustic guitars, harmonies, and major key tonality are features found in the music I like.
I created stations based on R.E.M., the Beatles, Ryan Adams, and Elton John. Heard some good songs I'd probably never be exposed to otherwise. But there were a few duds thrown in, too - the Little River Band, Journey, and Air Supply. Blech. How quickly I hit the "I don't like this" choice on those songs!
Anyway, it's a neat idea and free (for now).

Two weeks ago

We saw the OAK Team (again!) at a friend's 50th birthday bash and our favorite "I Love the 80's" gal was there as well! Who's the bigger OAK Team whore?

For hire

So I was in Dollar General yesterday, buying some over-the-counter migraine meds. And the reason I was there was threefold: 1) there are only two other stores that sell medicine in the one-horse town in which I work and this was the closest, 2) I had run out of real migraine meds and had to jump through the insurance company's hoops to get more and hadn't had time yet, and 3) I had the beginnings of a nasty headache, the fourth in five days.
Long story short (too late, right?), this girl in front of me buying several items asks the cashier if the store is hiring. The cashier gets an application from under the counter and hands it over. The girl gives the application a cursory glance, asks "Do y'all drug test?" and my eyes roll towards Heaven. What's that adage about if you have to ask you can't afford it? I'm sensing something similar applying here.
You know, I have mad skills with peeing in a cup. I bet I could help her out on this one.