2/27/2006

Bad art or good art…somebody wins!

Okay, Jessica explains it best, so go to her site and follow the link to vote for her contribution to a bad art contest. If, however, you like the art - vote for it anyway, and then watch her site for an auction of said art. Wait - I’m explaining! Go to her site and help out. You’ll be glad you did.

sparta at 11:12 am

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2/26/2006

I love stuff like this

Bought a new shredder last night. On sale - with a rebate coupon no less - so it equals the same price as the lesser, store brand. Awesome. The store brand was your typical “6 pages of paper or credit card” variety … the one I bought, however…..

12 pages of paper OR
Credit Card OR
CDs or DVDs

Yes, you read that right! I can actually shred CDs/DVDs with this thing! Talk about data security! It’s amazing to watch, and the results … I don’t think even the NSA is getting anything off that last disk. Maybe I’ll post a clip. It is pretty cool to see.

Other things still in the land of Hub-bub, but I’m coping.

~PJ~

sparta at 11:38 am

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2/24/2006

Stolen blatently from UM

I went to Uncle Monster’s site and found this: Lazy Muncie. Now some of you won’t get it - and some of you will get it all too well.

This whole “Lazy [insert day, town, or whatever]” could be a great meme. Wonder what will be next? Enjoy, and thanks to UM for sharing!

~PJ~

sparta at 10:16 am

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2/21/2006

Beware the Chinese Curse

You know, the one that says “May you live in interesting times”? We’ve got some interesting things going on around here … which is the reason for my lack of posting.

I will attempt to post something …er… interesting soon!

~PJ~

sparta at 11:41 am

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2/15/2006

RECIPE: Garlic Mac and Cheese

In response to Michele - and without express permission of the very nice guy who gave me the recipe to begin with, here is the recipe for:

GARLIC MAC AND CHEESE:

Ingredients

1 box Macaroni
2 Tbls. Olive Oil (add more if needed for the amount of garlic you’re using)
4-5 cloves Garlic - minced (or more if desired or you’ve increased the recipe)
Two to Three 1/2 pints of Heavy Cream
Salt & Pepper
Parmesean Cheese (Real shredded or the Kraft in the shaker, in a pinch)
Mild Cheddar (or Sharp, or any other yellow cheese you prefer)

Instructions

1. Prepare the macaroni according to the directions on the box.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet on med-high.
3. Add the garlic and brown it.
4. Add the cream and salt & pepper.
5. When the cream starts to get bubbly, add a good amount of the macaroni and stir to coat.
6. Start sprinkling with Parmesean and stir it until it’s melted in; keep adding until the mixture is the consistency you want.
7. Next begin adding the cheddar (or other yellow cheese - the yellow cheeses add color and flavor). Mix until everything’s melted and mixed.
8. Serve and enjoy!

For two to three adults, with nibbles by kids, I find that a 16 oz. box of macaroni, 8 cloves of garlic, three half pints, a tub and a half of the DiGiornio shredded Parm., and between 1 and 2 cups of sharp cheddar are good.

WARNING: This dish will not help your chlosterol! It is very good with fish or chicken.

sparta at 11:29 am

Comments (5)

It occurs to me….

…that I haven’t really mentioned or linked to my other blog much. I added it to the side - and will mention it here for those who don’t visit it. Write, Pam, Write is my writer’s blog. It focuses mainly on my progress as a writer and things that other writers might find useful or interesting. Sometimes I make the same post on both, but otherwise, this site is more for my personal/family comments - and the other is for my writing.

Once upon a time, I only had this site - and my writing entries and links were mixed in here, but I decided to split them because it was a jumble, and more difficult for people to find the writing info in the midst of all the other entries. Besides, I wanted to have a separate site so that when my writing career takes off, my personal stuff isn’t thrown out there. I’m sure those who really want to see it will find it (Duh! Can you say Google?), but for those who aren’t interested in that part of my life - just in my writing and whatever I can share about writing - it won’t be in their face. More professional, I think. Now, I’ve read many authors’ blogs - and it’s inevitable that some personal comments and posts happen, and that’s okay, but mostly they keep things focused on their writing, the writing of others, or the industry, and that’s what I’m aiming for. That’s why I haven’t linked back from there to here, but don’t mind linking from here to there.

Eventually I plan to start including excerpts of my work. In fact, I might do that soon. Oh, and I also occasionally plan to have contests! The prizes are … surprise, surprise … books! For now, they are the books of others, but eventually … they will be my books! February’s contest is over now, but there will be another one soon!

For those who already read Write, Pam, Write … thank you! For those who don’t, I look forward to seeing you there!

~PJ~

sparta at 10:36 am

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2/10/2006

I can’t believe I’m doing this…..

There’s the “Four” meme going around … so due to a query by someone who shall remain nameless in this post - I am adding mine. Bear in mind that for some of these, stopping at four was very very difficult.

Four Jobs I’ve Had
1. System Administrator
2. Technical Writer
3. Medical Transcriptionist
4. JC Penney Associate - Kids dept

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over
1. Spaceballs
2. Better Off Dead
3. Henry V (Kenneth Branaugh)
4. When Harry Met Sally

Four Places I Have Lived
1. Muncie, IN (College!)
2. Columbus, OH (bleech!)
3. Chicago suburbs
4. Bay area, California

Four TV Shows I Love
1. Babylon 5
2. Battlestar Galactica (modern)
3. Firefly
4. Cosby Show (re-runs rock!)

Four Places I’ve Vacationed
1. Victoria, Canada
2. London, England
3. Destin, FL
4. New York City

Four of My Favorite Foods
1. GARLIC MAC N CHEESE
2. Fettucini Alfredo
3. Pizza
4. Salsa Chicken

Four Sites I Visit Daily
1. www.hollylisle.com
2. www.alienminds.org
3. www.unclemonster.com
4. www.ratsinmybrain.com

Four Places I’d Rather Be Right Now
1. San Diego
2. Tokyo
3. My friend Cara’s house
4. Destin

There - now you’re ALL tagged. So what are yours? Post here - or on your blog.

~PJ~

sparta at 2:15 pm

Comments (5)

2/9/2006

WHERE’S MY HOVERCAR?!

Okay, look. We have cell phones - and Mars rovers - and automatic doors - and SD cards - and thumb drives - and insulin pumps - and now THIS! Where’s my hovercar? Huh? Come on.

Thanks to the Slice of SciFi page for the link.

sparta at 11:42 am

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2/6/2006

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Hey, there! This is not my blog’s anniversary - I’m not even sure when that is, actually. It’s my wedding anniversary! 12 years ago today - on a day very much like today … sunny … not too cold, not too warm … Andrew and I jumped off the edge together! ^_^ It’s been a wonderful 12 years … with ups and downs, but with two WONDERFUL kids … and I couldn’t imagine my life without him, so I’m sure there will be many, many more wonderful years ahead of us.

Our wedding was small, but fairly unique. First of all, Andrew and his best man both wore ties with Loony Tunes characters on them. See why I love him? And even though there was a mishap with his hood ornament and a balloon - it was a wonderful day. My thanks to all our friends who drove several hours - and those who drove extra time thanks to my … uhem … directional mistake - to join us on that special day!

I love you, sweetie … Happy Anniversary!