Snap, Crackle, Pop

Well, the cold has finally snapped.

It's a lovely day today - just barely below zero.
In other words, the January thaw has begun.
It won't last - and it will be painful to see it go -
but for now, it's very pleasant.

The snow is melting off the roof, and the icicles
are crackling and falling from the eaves.

According to my best friend, Jennifer, the cold
weather has headed south. I'd say I'm sorry
to hear that, but I'd be lying.

You see, Jen was a cold-blooded Canadian like
myself - but she moved to Florida and became
one of those wimpy warm-bloods. heh heh

I get such a kick out of my southern friends telling
me how 'cold it is' where they are. Puh-leeeze...!
To say I am amused by this is putting it mildly.
Come and visit me - tell me about your chilly
75 degree weather. Poor babies...

Meanwhile, I am going to enjoy this wonderful
weather we are experiencing before the mercury
once again dips to -30 (that's -22 for you wimps)

White Lion, Eye of the Tiger, and Cher...Oh My!

The 80's...I grew up in them.

For better or worse, I was influenced
by the music and culture (reaganomics, just say no, etc)
of the Octogenarius decade.

Know anything about 80's music?

Prove it here.

Because it's...the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight - rising up to the challenge of your rival...

Incidentally, I scored 98 out of 100 and got all three
bonus questions correct. =)

Sleezy Like Sunday Morning

R-i-i-i-i-i-i-n-g....R-i-i-i-i-i-i-n-g

'Zzz....zz...ghmm..."

R-i-i-i-i-i-i-n-g
~fumble~

"...ugh....hello?"

"Mrs. Arscott?"

"... mmhmm"

"Congratulations! You have won an all-expense
paid trip to..."

~click~

8:22 am.

8:22 AM - ON A SUNDAY!!!

Ya know, I distinctly recall putting my name and
number on a DO NOT CALL list.

This has given credence to my belief that whoever is
behind this No-Contact list is a diabolical genius.

I swear that whoever this mastermind is, he has taken
all the names of people who do not want this kind of
invasion and sold the damned list to telemarketers.

I realize that telephone sales generate millions of
dollars and companies that use such tactics provide
thousands of jobs. Everyone needs a job - of that there
is no question.

BUT - do they have to call before noon on weekends -
or any day for that matter?

Also, does anyone really fall for that 'won a free trip to...'
crap? If it sounds too good to be true, then 9 times out
of 10 it is. Besides, I don't enter contests - it gets your
name on CONTACT LISTS!

Sensing a pattern here?

Of Mice and Men

As previously stated a few days ago, it has been
incredibly cold lately. The cold snap is yet to
break - and thus, things start to get interesting.

For instance: I had a mouse in my house.
Doubtful it is only one mouse, as I truly believe
there is no such thing as A mouse. The cold drives
them to warm and often dangerous places. This
house is very dangerous as we have two cats - both
of whom are avid hunters (much to our chagrin).

The poor little bugger came running full tilt down
the upstairs hallway this morning, squeaking all
the while - a great hulking cat on its tail. It nestled
itself between my feet as I sat at the computer.

Cat, temporarily confused, decided it best to beat
a hasty retreat just in case. I am, after all, the bigger
of the beasts - and what's in my house belongs to me.
Clyde, the cat in question, was not happy about the
situation, but knew there would be other chances.

The tiny rodent sat for a moment, looked up at me,
then made for the safety of the space behind my
bookshelf. Being temporarily stunned by this sudden
turn of events, it never occurred to me to try to
catch the damned thing.

I have no fear of mice or any rodents for that matter.
I simply don't relish the idea of sharing my living
quarters with them. They can be noisy, destructive,
and disease-ridden. Hmmm...sound like children.

Anyway...

The Man and I tried to coax and cajole the creature
into the kitchen where it could be easily herded out
the door. With the assistance of two very keen cats,
we got him to the kitchen - then lost him under the
pantry door. Gah!

Thank goodness we feed the birds. Mr. Mouse was
very quick to find the large bag of birdseed in the
bottom of the pantry.

I've come to realize that mice and men are very
similar. The way to a man's heart is through his
stomach - I think the same can be said for mice.

Mr. Mouse was released back to the chilly wilds
intact and incensed. He gave us more than an
earful as The Man put him outside the back door
into the snow. Better to be cold than cat food, I
think.

Across the Universe

Words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me

I have always adored that song...

Recently, I picked up the DVD collector's edition
of Across The Universe. It's a three disc set, the
third being the original movie soundtrack.



As a huge Beatles fan, I was ready to hate this movie
and label it as sacrilege and blasphemy. Good to know
I can still admit when I'm wrong.

Anyone who likes the Beatles and has been influenced
at all by their music should really check this movie out.

Believe me, I'm no fan of musicals (with a few minor
exceptions like Jesus Christ Super Star) - but this really
did impress me. The story is beautiful, the cameos are
surprising - and the music is awesome.

A few highlights to watch (and listen) for are Joe Cocker's
spin on Come Together and the main cast's intensely
beautiful rendition of Because.

Check it out, if you haven't already. Even if you aren't
a Beatles fan...you still could become one. It isn't too late.

Gah!

This is, as my grandfather used to say, a good
day for the KeeKee bird.

What is the keekee bird, you ask?

Well, the keekee bird is a small, but incredibly loud
creature that flies about on days like this calling
"KeeKee...KeeKee...Crap it's COLD!"

I stepped outside to throw a few things in the recycle
bin wearing only my pj's. That was at 8:30 am. It is now
1:30 pm and I still haven't warmed up.

This is the beginning of a classic January Cold Snap.

My cats are sulking as they want desperately to go out -
but only make it as far as the doorstep before retreating to
the warmth of the kitchen. The maple trees in my yard are
creaking stiffly in the northwestern breeze - no doubt they
will lose a few branches should the wind pick up. Everything
is glistening with a heavy frost that even the bright afternoon
sunshine cannot penetrate. It's truly beautiful to see - but that
is this weather's only saving grace.

Lives are disrupted by such weather. Cars don't want to run,
walking any distance requires every piece of clothing you own
and even a few you don't. Exposed skin will be frostbitten in a
matter of seconds. Road conditions are treacherous as well -
as the road surfaces freeze solid and become black ice.

In other words, it's a good day to stay in and stay put.

I offer proof of my claim here.

Back from Nowhere

Okay, okay...

Apparently, a month is too long to be on hiatus.
(sorry, Your Grace...forgive me)

I haven't been up to much lately, just taking it easy
before my grand return to the wage-earning
workforce. Bleh.

Having been cooped up in the house for over a
year and a half, the thought of returning to a 'normal life'
both excites and terrifies me.

Yes, it will be good to be out and about again. But, it will
also be hell having to deal with actual people again. Why do
there have to be so many people?

I turned 40 on Monday. Four whole decades of Lynndom.
Hmph. Who would have thought? Certainly not I.
Personally, I wasn't expecting to live to see thirty...

On a high note, I got a ZUNE for my birthday. It is a very
cool toy. Not only does it hold more songs than I could possibly
listen to - it will be a great tool to assist in blocking out
all the people.

Hopefully, posts will be more exciting as I get back into
the swing of things. If they do not, well, I can always just
go back to hiatus-shire.

It's nice there.