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Chuck A Sickie

/ Anita Marie / 13 Comments

Hi Everybody! 

This is stuff I learned while I waited to see if the storm that hit Washington State would make my toilet overflow… 

First of all here some pictures of some flooding from around Mountlake Terrace, Washington…I didn’t take them- I pulled them from HERE

They look dramatic but I should say these shots are in ‘hollows’ and that the areas shown aren’t huge…but if it’s your car or apartment pictured here then it probably feels like your entire world is under water.

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We didn’t get any flooding near my house- unless you count the ‘accidents’ three of  my cats  had because they refused to go outside to use the bathroom during the storm(s).

Well two of them had accidents-

Meet Blitzer

( he’s the third cat )

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Blitzer drank water non-stop

ON PURPOSE…don’t ask me how I know, I just do.

 

I also learned this great expression ( as I worried about my plumbing )

To chuck a sickie:

It’s a saying they use in Australia.

It means to take a day off sick from work when you are fine.

My goal is to use this phrase at least once a day for a week. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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According to my post rankings ( which briefly distacted me from my Sewer Fears ) I learned that my readers- pictured below-

( oh come on…where’s your sense of humor? )

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 are into Alcohol, Exorcisms and Bruce Campbell…though some of you seem to be flirting with David Tennant ( traitors! )

and here’s what I learned about Politics ( which brought me straight back to thinking about my toilet ) : This Louis Black On Homeland Security… 🙂  He says it’s all about duct tape and Electro Shock Therapy. I did NOT know that.

I’ll be darned.

Warning…nasty words alert- careful where you play this!

 

So that was what I learned…and thanks for asking- no my toilet did not overflow.

YAY!

 

 

Check Under It’s Tail

/ Anita Marie / 3 Comments

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My Grandfather was from Canada

He told me he used to ride a dogsled to school.

He lied.

I wish I’d seen this post at Max’s years ago- it would have explained a lot. And I still wouldn’t be smarting over the fact no one really rides a dog sled to school.

They don’t do they?

Sunny Longyear and Co.

/ Anita Marie / 4 Comments

This little bit o’ fun  was a challange from Kitty:

So here is your assignment for today, dear readers. Find a song that inspires you to write something, whether it gives you an idea for a script or just puts you into a better frame of mind 

Babe, you’re getting closer
The lights are goin’ dim
The sound of your breathin’
Has made the mood I’m in
All of my resistance
Is lying on the floor
Taking me to places
I’ve never been before….

When I write my stories  that I like to think of as “Grave Tales” I always reach for my Elvis tunes and I play this one first…actually I listen to it a lot when I’m writing.

It’s been the ‘back beat’ for stories like

Grave Thoughts

Saturnina Hits The Deck

Midnight Conversation at Riversleigh

By Livia Longyear

annndddd here it is!

Way Down Lyrics (Elvis Presley)

Babe, you’re getting closer
The lights are goin’ dim
The sound of your breathin’
Has made the mood I’m in
All of my resistance
Is lying on the floor
Taking me to places
I’ve never been before

 

Ooh, and I can feel it,
Feel it, feel it, feel it

 

Way down where the music plays
Way down like a tidal wave
Way down where the fires blaze
Way down, down, way, way on down

 

Ooh, my head is spinnin’
You got me in your spell,
A hundred magic fingers
On a whirling carousel
The medicine within me
No doctor could prescribe
Your love is doing something
That I just can’t describe

 

Ooh, and I can feel it,
Feel it, feel it, feel it

 

Way down where the music plays
Way down like a tidal wave
Way down where the fires blaze
Way down, down, way, way on down

Hold me again,
Tight as you can
I need you so,
Baby, let’s go

 

Way down where it feels so good
Way down where I hoped it would
Way down where I never could
Way down, down, way, way on down

Signs

/ Anita Marie / 6 Comments

It’s been one of those weeks,

you know

one of those weeks.

Here’s the deal-

This guy puts up a billboard and spews hate filled bile from it

every chance he gets.

What he does has been called

” thought Provoking “

The only thing that billboard provokes in me is the urge to do some serious

Projectile Vomiting.

And in case your curious- yes I’ve driven by the ” The Sign ” and in all the years I’ve driven by it I’ve learned one thing from what I’ve read on them-

TO KEEP DRIVING…. 

I’d advise you to do the same.

07:36 PM PST on Saturday, November 17, 2007

By ROBERTA ROMERO / KING 5 News

LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. – A longstanding controversial billboard in Lewis County is once again garnering attention. Over the years, the owner has used the board to air his opinions about everything from politicians to homosexuality.

The latest message is raising deep concerns in the local Hispanic community. The grinning face of Uncle Sam is what drivers usually see first.

Then the written message on the billboard near I-5 gets clearer:“No Mexican Olympic teams?? All the runners and swimmers are here!”

Owner of the billboard Mike Hamilton, who did not want to go on camera, says he’s trying to deliver a serious message on illegal immigration — but in a funny manner:“I wanted to use humor to draw attention to illegal immigration,” he said. “My goal in the sign is to stir things up and inspire people to educate themselves about the subject.”

Hamilton has definitely stirred things up. While residents in the area are well used to the political and pointed messages on the billboard – this time people are speaking up

. The message seems to be especially painful for the growing Hispanic community in Lewis County. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Hispanics has doubled from 3,500 to 7,000 living in the area. Many are not laughing at the message“Very hurtful – I am Hispanic and I’m proud of it and that’s really wrong,” said Adelina Petersen, resident.

Others say it’s an obvious joke that is thought-provoking. “It makes you stop and think about it you know? I mean look at all the illegal immigrants we do have here you know,” said Travis Jones.

Yeah  look what’s happening to them:

 

FBI REPORT DOCUMENTS HATE CRIMES AGAINST LATINOS AT RECORD LEVEL

 

Hate crimes rise as anti-immigrant campaigns fill the airwaves and fuel anti-immigrant local ordinances

November 19, 2007 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Bureau of Investigation Hate Crimes Statistics Report released today demonstrates the real societal impact of anti-immigrant campaigns launched over the airwaves and through anti-immigrant legislation.

The report shows a sharp increase in the number of hate crimes reported against Hispanics based on their ethnicity or national origin to the highest levels since the reports were first mandated by the Hate Crimes Statistics Act.

According to the report, in 2006, Hispanics comprised 62.8% of victims of crimes motivated by a bias toward the victims’ ethnicity or national origin.  In 2004, the comparable figure was 51.5%. 

 Since 2004, the number of victims of anti-Hispanic crimes increased by 25%.    

 “Anti-immigrant hatred heard on the radio and cable shows reaches America’s neighborhoods with real consequences,” stated MALDEF President and General Counsel John Trasviña. “Heightened anti-immigrant sentiment has blocked immigration reform and seeks to turn local police into immigration law enforcers thus making it more difficult for victims to report crimes.

The FBI report should serve as a wake up call to our nation’s leaders to take action on comprehensive immigration reform, reduce tensions and safeguard the basic civil rights and liberties of all Americans.”

The report goes on to demonstrate the steady growth of anti-Hispanic hate crimes after 2004.  2006: 576 anti-Hispanic crimes against 819 victims 2005: 522 anti-Hispanic crimes against 722 victims

2004: 475 anti-Hispanic crimes against 646 victims

2003: 426 anti-Hispanic crimes against 595 victims

2002: 480 anti-Hispanic crimes against 639 victims

Founded in 1968, MALDEF, the nation’s leading Latino legal organization, promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through litigation, advocacy, community education and outreach, leadership development, and higher education scholarships.

For more information contact:
Estuardo Rodriguez: 202-631-2892
Peter Zamora: 202-293-2828

 

For Your Consideration…

/ Anita Marie / 4 Comments

             Roloff Farms

and  Direct Access Solutions

Present a special email announcement!
Dear Anita,

Happy Thanksgiving from Roloff Farms!

 

 

Here at the farm, we have much to be thankful for-not in the least all of the encouragement, insight, and wisdom we receive from our fans. 

 

 

We follow our thanks with an apology, for we didn’t initially intend this letter to be sent to such a wide audience.  Our original intention was to send this message only to Little People or others who might have an interest in the company Direct Access Solutions, Inc., the premier provider of accessibility products for traveling Little People.  You may have seen Mike and me working with some of these products on “Little People, Big World.”  As you know, we don’t normally use this list to plug our own handiwork.

 

 

However, it has come to our attention that several major hotel chains have been hesitant to invest in DAS kits simply because they’ve received little or no feedback from their guests.  The number of responses from Little People staying in their unequipped establishments has been surprisingly low. 

 

 

We understand that many LP’s are fiercely independent and are happy to make their own adaptations, even if they are dangerous, like standing on top of an upside down trashcan.  However, we’ve heard from countless other LP’s who have stayed in hotels, used a DAS kit and have been very satisfied with the product during the course of their trip.

 

 

And here’s where we come to the nitty gritty. 

As you and your families embark on your holiday travels, we’re asking you to help us support hotels that support LP’s.  Even if you’re not in need of a DAS kit yourself, we encourage you to ask the front desk upon checking in if the hotel provides any sort of accommodation for people of short stature or restricted mobility.  This isn’t just limited to LP’s. 

We’ve heard stories of young children, aging grandparents, and those suffering from various skeletal and muscular ailments who were unable to access everything in their hotel room and could have benefited from a DAS kit. 

 

 By speaking up and bringing visibility to this issue, you’re helping to pave the way for a more comfortable stay for others.

 

An even more powerful step you can take to help ensure that more hotels provide DAS kits is to fill out the comment card in your hotel room at the end of your stay.  Little Person or not, if you or someone you know had trouble accessing any element of your hotel room, the establishment needs to know!  They can’t make changes unless they know there’s a problem.  On the other hand, if you stayed in a hotel that was DAS equipped and you were happy with the availability of the product, let someone know about that too!  Positive feedback is greatly appreciated in the hospitality industry, and helps to assure the hotel that they made a good investment with DAS.

 

In fact, we’re so excited about the difference you can make through something as simple as a comment card, that if you take a picture of your completed card and email us a copy before January 30th, we’ll send you a special gift from the Roloff family. 

 

You can email your comment cards to kaitlin@mattroloff.com.

 

Another option is to have the hotel make a copy of the comment card.  They’ll keep the original, and you can send the copy to:

 

          Matt Roloff

          Hotel Comments

         22115 NW Imbrie Drive           Box 317          Hillsboro, OR 97124  However you get us your comments, be sure to include your name and contact information, the name of the hotel, and the dates of your stay.  Again, if you send us all of this information before January 30, 2008, the Roloffs will send you a token of their appreciation. 

 

In the future, if you would like to receive more updates and announcements specific to DAS, please click the “Update my Profile/Email Address” link below.  From there, simply check the box next to “Direct Access Solutions” and you’ll be added to that mailing list.

 

 

 

Thank you for your time and understanding.  Together, we can make a difference and help hotels across the nation become equipped for guests of all sizes.  We look forward to hearing from you in the beginning of the year!

 

With gratitude,

Matt Roloff and Family

Steal This Scene

/ Anita Marie / 3 Comments

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Here’s the deal- I describe a scene.

Right after you read it answer the questions below.

Here we go:

You’re at a meeting.

A bunch of people with guns join the meeting and line up behind you.

Each one takes a turn going to the front of the room to tell you ‘how it is’.

You’re not allowed to do anything but listen.

Quick- who are they and what year is it?

 

Get Paid WRITE!

/ Anita Marie / 4 Comments

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So this Writer’s Strike…do you think it’s just about money?

Well okay, it’s about money but there’s a little more to it then that.

For me it’s all about telling people who tell stories that- ” you know what….it’s really nice of you to speak up, to share your ideas to open up your soul and mind and let anyone with a DVD player or 10.00 bucks wander around in your head for awhile…but at the end of the day your voice ain’t worth a nickle”…and I’m not joking there.

So read up on this, especially you Labor People ( okay…you KNOW who I’m talking to here ) and show a little support for your Union Brothers and Sisters.

Here are some links…educate yourselves.

Start HERE

Max’s place has done a few posts here and I’d say take a look at the BBC article here

And pass the word along…

amm

A Totally Self Indulgent Post

/ Anita Marie / 1 Comment

These are stories I care about…that’s why 

 Aliens involved in Crash

  

 

Okay, here’s the skinny….I found out if I put stories up with ‘ Alien ‘  in it I get massive hits from State, Federal and City Employees WHO SHOULD BE DOING THEIR JOBS INSTEAD OF GOOFING OFF ON THE INTERNET ALL DAY

What is it with you guys and Aliens?

ahem

 

The Weird Holiday Gift Catalog Has Arrived!

YAY!

Hey folks! If you’d like to see the WEIRD NEW JERSEY 2007 Holiday catalog click HERE

Weird New Jersey…if these guys were screenwriters I’d actually start going to the movies again.

 

!!!!PIE!!!

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PIE…THAT’S WHAT MY FRIEND TONY SAYS…

 HE’S RIGHT YOU KNOW

PREP TIME 

20 Min
SERVINGS & SCALING
Original recipe yield: 1 -9-inch pie

US METRIC

    

About  scaling  and  conversions

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 1 tablespoon milk

  • 1 tablespoon white sugar

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

  • 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

  • 1 cup cold milk

  • 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix

  • 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin puree

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together cream cheese, 1 tablespoon of milk, and sugar until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread into bottom of crust.

  2. Pour 1 cup of milk into large bowl, and thoroughly mix in pudding mix, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When thickened, spread over cream cheese layer.

  3. Refrigerate 4 hours, or until set.

  4. EAT!

If They Outlaw Guns…

/ Anita Marie / 3 Comments

 

Reading this made my head hurt.

amm

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YouNewsTV™

Story Published: Nov 12, 2007 at 9:43 AM PST

Story Updated: Nov 12, 2007 at 9:43 AM PST

By Associated Press

SOUTHWORTH, Wash. (AP) – A man trying to loosen a stubborn lug nut blasted the wheel with a 12-gauge shotgun, injuring himself badly in both legs, Kitsap County sheriff’s deputies said.The 66-year-old man had been repairing a Lincoln Continental for two weeks at his home northwest of Southworth and east of Port Orchard and had gotten all but one of the lug nuts off the right rear wheel before getting frustrated Saturday afternoon, Deputy Scott Wilson said.”He’s bound and determined to get that lug nut off,” Wilson said.

From about arm’s length the man fired the shotgun at the wheel and was “peppered” in both legs with 00 buckshot and other debris, with some injuries as high on his body as his chin, according to a sheriff’s office report.

“Nobody else was there and he wasn’t intoxicated,” Wilson said.

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue personnel treated the man at the scene before he was taken to Tacoma General Hospital with injuries Wilson described as “severe but not life-threatening.”

He said deputies were unable to get a full statement from the man, relying only on what they could learn while medics treated him at the scene.

“I don’t think he was in any condition to say anything,” Wilson said. “The pain was so severe, and the shock.”