I Really Want a Roomba

Seriously, I've been thinking of getting one. You know, to stimulate the economy. My co-worker says he sets his to go back and forth at the bottom of the stairs and just sweeps away the animal hair. It seems so convenient. It would be easy and my floors would be clean every day I came home.

My cat lives upstairs (I assume) when I am out, so it would be perfect. Having said this, here is the perfect Roomba cat video I have ever seen:



And let's not forget the original Cat on a Roomba:

Helen is Tired of Politics

I'll post fun stuff but am tired of depressing stuff. Obama got his trillion dollar package passed by the House, but not one single Republican backed it. So much for bi-partisan - O acts like the next best thing to sliced bread and expects people to fall in line without offering counter proposals.

So this is my last political post until something really depressing happens again. I'll just link to the top posts on Drudge and you can read the rest:

OWN IT...
Divided House passes stimulus package...

DEAR AHMADINEJAD: OBAMA DRAFTS LETTER TO IRAN

I am so depressed. He is going to make friends with terrorists. Our country is going to shit in the economy, and now to shit in world politics. Good luck, Hilary. Oh, I'm sorry, where has your recent income come from, with your husband's income?

Cat Blocker

I came home at an unexpected time. Yeah.

Helen's Blackberry Storm

Associated Press

About 500,000 Storms were sold in the smart phone's first month.

nytimes review. CNET review.

My group is switching to Verizon (there may have been some manipulation for that change) which means we can get the new Blackberry Storm. I have read a lot of reviews and tested one and have to say, the touch screen is not easy. I can type on my Pearl without practically looking at the screen.

The Storm has a full keyboard, but it is touchscreen and not actual buttons, which I think is more difficult I have heard many curses.

So, what should I do? Get it because it is cool and comes with GPS Navigation and an 8G SD storage for music? Stick to the Pearl?

Most Anticipated Movies of 2009

Here.




Personally, I'm down with Avatar, The Watchmen and the new Terminator series. I will see them in theaters.

The rest I'll get to eventually if ever.

What's Helen Listening to

new video from The Killers:

Live Your Life - T.I. Ft. Rihanna

Use Somebody - Live On Radio 1

Gives You Hell - The All-American Rejects

People Suck

That's all I have.

Sushi Night

I don't eat sushi but that's where we are going. We have a good group of work buddies and we actually like to spend time together on the weekend after toiling away during the week. I'll check in later this weekend.....


more animals

Helen's Thursday Night

I just caught Lost. I'll read all the analysis over the weekend. Time Travel! I love it. I'm a scifi geek. I need to catch up on DVRd shows or give up some. That's the only option.

I'm having a good week. My year long project is coming to a close in the next two weeks. I'm excited to move on to the next challenge.

The gym is clean and open for business. Time to get back to exercise.

Monday Night Post

I just found this site thanks to ONTD (do not take those people on). Anyway, top 100 time waster sites, and I probably hit a third.

And Bush did the right thing. I figured he was waiting for the last day. Trying to steal Obama's thunder? On MLK day? Yes, I worked today.

Too Much Television

Back when Mad Men, Entourage, Extras, and other cable shows were on Sunday nights, I knew I had the week to spread them out. But my DVR would get full, quick.

Now we have 5 new (or returning shows) tonight: HBO: Big Love, Flight of the Concords. SHO: L Word, The United States of Tara, Confessions of a Call Girl. I'm pretty sure the names aren't right but I give all new series a chance.

I didn't even bother with In Treatment or that other one about couple therapy, but I will try to give these a try. I really want the Tara show to work, because I love Toni Colette, and who can complain about Diablo Cody and Steven Spielberg?

The point is, there are 7 shows on tonight I intend to watch which is physically impossible. I'm ready to give up on Desperate Housewives, but I strangely like Brothers and Sisters.

And then Lost is back this week......I better get my workout done before 8 now....

Sunday Post

This will most likely be a very boring post, but aren't they all when they are about me?

I'm watching Arizona beat Philly. I hope it lasts. I can't tell you how much I hate the city of Philadelphia - I can say that because I went to college there. I hope they lose, Donovan gets booed out of the city, then he goes on to win next season at his next home. The city is full of nasty, mean, hateful people and they do not deserve a championship, better yet Donovan McNabb. Lose!

I made a comment at work this week about how I wish there was a simple tool about stirring the eggs in their shells so you could make scrambled eggs without so many dishes and forks. And both co-workers (girls) said they make scrambled eggs by just putting the eggs in the pan and breaking them up then. Even put the seasonings in.

There seems something wrong with that. Not that it is lazy but it doesn't seem right. So I did some research and found that what makes scrambled eggs so good is the proper wisking of the eggs before putting them in the pan. That is what makes them fluffy. And water, not milk. I already new that, I add a tablespoon of water to the eggs before cooking and wisk for a good minute. ( I need to research more on slow cooking)

The best scrambled eggs are from a small diner, cooked and served on the spot. I can always tell when they are from powder. Yuk. I made scrambled eggs this weekend twice and didn't even have the courage to try the "no bowl" theory because I knew they would pale. I don't even scramble them, I kinda let them cook and flip them. Not an omelet, but more than just using the spatula and scrambling away.

Told you this post would be boring.

Arizona is winning 21-6. Amazing. McNabb, get out while you can. I can see the pitchforks from here.

Really, I took sociology my Freshman year. The professor was trying to talk about how the Eagles winning would make the whole city happier. And the opposite. This was in college class! I knew then how much I hated Philly. If I wore a Cowboys sweatshirt or hat in the city, I would literally get jeered at.

Come On Bush, One More Thing

Commute Ramos and Compean. Clinton commuted terrorists and friends. At least you can commute U.S. Border agents doing their job. Local cops would get no billed for worse.

Brace For Impact

When you hear those words, they are usually your last. I saw this breaking news on TV with early images of the plane in the Hudson. Shep was saying people were standing on the wings, but it is cold out there. Then I went into a one hour meeting.

I came back and saw that all 155 people on board were alive and saved, although bruised and damaged. The pilot will be hailed in the next few days as a true hero who guided an airplane with two dead engines in the heart of Manhattan into the only place that could keep people on the ground, and ultimately the plane, alive.

The whole story is remarkable. What I find incredible, but not surprising, was that the ferries and the tug boats in the river, going about their everyday business, responded within two minutes. After 9/11, every person on that river was trained as a first responder in case of an incident like this. And it worked. Imagine being on a ferry, "Excuse me, we have to go save some people, you will be delayed". Wow.

Nice job. Feel good story of the week if not month, if not year.

Tonight: Idol's On!

Gosh, I really loved last season, it was the only one I ever watched from beginning to end (but missed the end live and got the text with the winner)

I just discovered this on the internet, and it is allegedly real. It's been around for 6 months but the first I have found it. google the names for back ground if you really want the back story.

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles



From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead.
I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.

Regards, David.





From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.07am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,
Thankyou for contacting us. Unfortunately we are unable to accept drawings as payment and your account remains in arrears of $233.95. Please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles



From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 10.32am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
Can I have my drawing of a spider back then please.

Regards, David.



From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.42am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear David,
You emailed the drawing to me. Do you want me to email it back to you?

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles



From: David Thorne
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 11.56am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,

Yes please.

Regards, David.



From: Jane Gilles
Date: Thursday 9 Oct 2008 12.14pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Overdue account

Attached





From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 09.22am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Whose spider is that?

Dear Jane,
Are you sure this drawing of a spider is the one I sent you? This spider only has seven legs and I do not feel I would have made such an elementary mistake when I drew it.

Regards, David.



From: Jane Gilles
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.03am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David,
Yes it is the same drawing. I copied and pasted it from the email you sent me on the 8th.
David your account is still overdue by the amount of $233.95.
Please make this payment as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles



From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.05am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Automated Out of Office Response

Thankyou for contacting me.
I am currently away on leave, traveling through time and will be returning last week.

Regards, David.



From: David Thorne
Date: Friday 10 Oct 2008 11.08am
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Hello, I am back and have read through your emails and accept that despite missing a leg, that drawing of a spider may indeed be the one I sent you. I realise with hindsight that it is possible you rejected the drawing of a spider due to this obvious limb ommission but did not point it out in an effort to avoid hurting my feelings. As such, I am sending you a revised drawing with the correct number of legs as full payment for any amount outstanding. I trust this will bring the matter to a conclusion.

Regards, David.





From: Jane Gilles
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 2.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Dear David,
As I have stated, we do not accept drawings in lei of money for accounts outstanding.
We accept cheque, bank cheque, money order or cash. Please make a payment this week to avoid incurring any additional fees.

Yours sincerely, Jane Gilles



From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 13 Oct 2008 3.17pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

I understand and will definitely make a payment this week if I remember. As you have not accepted my second drawing as payment, please return the drawing to me as soon as possible. It was silly of me to assume I could provide you with something of completely no value whatsoever, waste your time and then attach such a large amount to it.

Regards, David.



From: Jane Gilles
Date: Tuesday 14 Oct 2008 11.18am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Whose spider is that?

Attached

Sunday Night: My Couch is Better Than Your Couch

I had a friend over today with her one year old and 4 year old. I love kids because I love talking to them like they are adults. Here are questions I was asked with the answers:

1) Why do you live in this house alone?
- Because no one wants to live with me

2) Why are you left handed?
- Because I am awesome, and all awesome people in the world are left handed. Then I proceeded to name the current, former two, and future president as left-handers. She is left handed, by the way.

3) Why do you have 2 cars?
- Because I am rich.

4) Why don't you have more stickers?
- Because you used them all.

5) Why is your couch cape (the thing on the arm of the couch) bigger than our couch cape?
- Because my couch is better than your couch. (she asked this while having my couch cape on top of her head like a nun's habit)

6) Will your cat really bite me?
- Ok, I lied on this one because I had to lock up the cat because she is terrified of animals. I said no, but she will hiss. My cat hates kids. And people in general but me. (One more: 7) Can your cat open the door? - No it is locked. she can't come out)

I think that is it. she was really cute. And I love being brutally honest. Oh and she is diabetic, and her mom said show her the pink thing, which is her machine that is in her back. it was cute but sad. Being diabetic sucks, but I don't really know because this is the first child I have met with diabetes. They can be moody when the sugar isn't right.

Sunday Post

This is kinda cute. A cat "wanders" on a set and the weatherman picks him up and doesn't stop talking.



Neil Patrick Harris was awesome last night:



I really loved this skit, because I love broadway. And I think that Les Miz is the best ever but they didn't spoof it in this skit, but watch anyway:

5 Pirates Drown With Their $3M Booty

Ha ha ha. Hello karma, meet bitch. The fact that they got paid for their highjacked Saudi oil tanker upsets me. But really, they do it everyday. Why do you think the Nigerians keep kidnapping oil workers? They get paid at the end of the day. So do the Somali pirates.

Let me explain: ships sailing near the coast of Somalia (look it up on a map) frequently get boarded by pirates. This particular ship has been held for I think 2 months. The cargo (oil) at the time of boarding was worth $100M. At the time of release, probably half. So someone dropped $3M ransom on the boat. And the pirates took it and left. And then their boat capsized and 5 died. Die Bitches

Useless rumination about Somalia: The capital is Mogadishu (I think). In my before-before job, I would get lets just say correspondence from Americans working there. They called it "Browntown". Brown because of all the dust and the sand blowing through. It was a horrible place to live 15 years ago and I doubt it has changed. Go buy the book Blackhawk Down then rent then movie.

These are the same people who dragged dead American Soldiers through the streets.

Friday night Post

Tomorrow's SNL:
never mind they changed it. It's Neal Patrick Harris bitches!


I feel the need to ruminate on the internet shopping I do. I buy things that require no shipping and no sale taxes. So that, is always a better deal (unless you are playing the drugstore wars). I just bought 3 large Olay Body Wash for the walk away price of $6 each. That's cheap and easy. They will last, and stay good for, a year.

I just got my shipment of Mentadent toothpaste from Amazon. That will last a year. They don't go bad. After a year.

I have bought deodorant, perfume, razors and chili from the internet. They were all good.

I got an email from Petsmart today. I was thinking cha-ching! when I saw the subject line of free shipping. Details: Does not include dog food, cat food, cat litter, and.....a bunch of other stuff.

I once bought cat litter on the internet, I think from that place that went out of business...pets.com? I got 3 boxes for like half of what it would have cost me to drive to the store.

But now they say coupon doesn't apply to probably what is the top 3 things they sell. Huh, maybe they are on to me.

Blue Dog

When I frequented New Orleans, I got hooked on George Rodrigue's studio. He's the Blue Dog dude. In 1996 he made these pins. They were free, I think I grabbed a handful (maybe 5). I just paid $1100 for a print so this was a guilt free grab.

In 2000, with the whole Bush/Gore election crap, I decided to profit. I made around 30-60 dollars a pin. I still have one left, it has been in my kitchen drawer for 10 years.

I just saw one sell on ebay for $58. Should I sell or keep? Do I need $58? Rodrigue always does an inauguration print and I will definably buy that, so I can profit by selling it to the Obama freaks.

I need to change my address with them - I don't think they know I moved. And because you asked, here is my print. It is 21/75 and according to Rodrigue's website can be bought for $3500 - 10K dollars. I guess that makes it a smart investment. But it is still beautiful art - I bought stuff with the US flag before 9/11 made it cool. He did a 9/11 print too - I'm going to find it and post shortly...



Goddammit I just made myself cry again. I hate everything related to 9/11. Here is the link to the picture and his letter and donation. I fucking hate terrorists. If you are wondering why I didn't buy the print, I don't need to cry everyday of my life which I would if I had this sad fucking piece in my house.

Helen's Daily Rumination

How I Met Your Mother is the best show on tv. Followed by Battlestar Galactica.

Sorry I have nothing else.

Helen's Daily Rumination

I'll make this quick I'm watching High Fidelity on HD.

My family were fortunate enough to travel in the holidays. We went to Munich in 1990. My brother, Dad and I decided/realized we should go to Berlin for the new freedom and the taking down the wall.

It was so freakin cold. Really to this day I say Brrrrrrrrrrrlin cold.

We went through Checkpoint Charlie and were so disappointed we came back an hour later.

We went to a hardware store and bought hammers and chisels. really. We hammered the heck out of the wall and got some good pieces.

Here's my rumination: A woman, blond and foreign, walked up to my brother and started talking and pointing to the hammer.

He said, "It's a hammer, want to buy it?"

please correct me if my memory is wrong......