People Are Strange

2008 East Lansing Art Festival Scavenger Hunt

2008-05-12T15:52:00.001-05:00

The 3rd Annual East Lansing Art Festival & MSU Craft Fair Scavenger Hunt Official List is now complete and ready for your review. This weekend is the Art Festival and to make sure that everyone has a marvelous time, we have a little scavenger hunt for you and yours to participate in . All you need is a digital camera and good sense of humor. Using this list as a guide, take pictures and submit them via email for judging. The winning photos will be posted here for your entertainment pleasure.

Saturday & Sunday
May 17 & 18, 2008
East Lansing Art Festival & MSU Craft Fair
3rd Annual Scavenger Hunt

Painting of a Michigan landmark.
Kid on a leash. Bonus points for one parent/guardian with two or more kids on leashes.
Twins dressed identically, even if they're not identical. Bonus points if they're over 10 years old. Extra double points if they're over 20 years old.
Photograph of a photograph OR photograph of a person taking a picture into a mirror.
Yard Statuary doing something (i.e., gnome drinking beer, raccoon with a watering can, frogs reading books, etc.)
Art or craft made out of bottle caps, bonus points if they are from Michigan beverages (i.e. Faygo, Bell's)
Balloon animals. Bonus points if it's a weasel.
Stained glass, tiled ceramics or other representation of an animal. Bonus points if it's a weasel.
Tackiest art that was somehow meant to promote Spartan, Wolverine (or other Big Ten university) pride
Open Category: Calico
Fiber art or craft made from rabbit fur ( i.e. angora).
Bonus points if it's a rabbit.
Tie dyed child/infant clothing.
Best crying/screaming kid. Bonus points if they have no front teeth, or ice-cream stained clothing.
Painting, Picture, or Sculpture of a weasel (at least two feet long).
Depiction of a teddy bear or other cuddly thing that is actually made of something sharp, jagged, or otherwise dangerous
Gold lame - bonus points if trimmed with fur.
Animals dressed in grass skirts - bonus if the animal is alive.
Football, basketball, soccer ball, tennis ball or baseball painted as art. Bonus points if bejeweled
Food vendor menu with food items missspellled (comma's & appostrophys' dont count)

The Official Scavenger Hunt Rules & Important Information

Anyone can participate. Bring your friends, family and random strangers.
Art Festival is both Saturday and Sunday (May 17 & 18, 2008). You can go any time, either day.
To submit your photos for "judging", email them in JPG or TIF format to me by Wednesday, May 21, 2008. If you don't have my email, drop me a note in the comments.
The judges may (or may not) be sober, serious (bwah!) art critics. All judging is silly and meant to be in good fun.
If you'd like to "scavenge" with a group, meet up at NOON on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the corner of MAC & Albert. RSVP by the 15th.

Feast, Mutter, Feast

2008-05-03T15:44:00.000-05:00

In today's edition of "Catching Up On The Blog"...

Friday Feast (Last Week)
Appetizer
Name something you would categorize as weird.

Sandra Lee Nominated for Emmy

Soup
What color was the last piece of food you ate?

My waffles were light brown with darker brown spots. Yummy!

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?

It depends. Right now, I'm enjoying it a full 10. Later, it might be a 6.

Main Course
Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.

I will vote for the Democratic nominee in the Presidential Elections.

Dessert
Describe your sleeping habits.

Stand up. Sit down. Fight! Fight! Fight!

Unconscious Mutterings

Thug :: Villain
Slurp :: Soup
Alley :: Cat
Sweater vest :: Geek Chic
Targeted :: Political Race
Snazzy :: Jazz Hands
Oy! :: Veh!
Jury duty :: Excused!
Low fat :: Yogurt
Responsibility :: Duty

Friday Feast (This Week)
Appetizer
What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?

Soup
Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?

Gee... a DOG maybe? And her name will be Madeline.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?

4.2

Main Course
What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?

Whatever is on NPR between stories.

Dessert
When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?

At least two years ago... at IKEA ... and it's still in the package. I use my cell to figure out the time.

In the Kitchen

2008-04-20T06:52:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted much about cooking or the Eat Local movement because, well, I haven't done much of anything on the culinary front that isn't take-out, drive thru or made in my toaster oven. Between work, my other consulting gigs, volunteer stuff and having a social life, I'm rarely home for dinner.

Part of my plan for the second quarter of 2008 is to cook more, eat out less and use up what's in my pantry and freezer. Several friends and I are going together on a CSA starting in June plus I have friends with a prolific garden and we have some really great farmer's markets here in the middle of the Mitten so I need to clean out what's on reserve so that I can start fresh in June.

Friday night, I had the girls over for dinner and the ritual viewing of "What Not to Wear". There were six of us plus three littles, so I made the usual homemade mac & cheese and big green salad. I had some extra time so we also threw together my riff on GreenTuna's fabulously delicious sun-dried tomato dip.

Here are a few recipes so I can maintain my "cred" as a decent cook.

Mensch's Mac & Cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 T dried mustard
1 t nutmeg, freshly grated
1 t pepper
1# box dried elbow macaroni
1# shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 - 1 1/2 C skim milk

In a heavy bottom pan over low heat, melt the butter and add the flour. Stir together to create a roux. Cook for a few minutes to remove the floury taste. Off the heat, add 1/2 cup of milk and incorporate. Return to the heat for a minute and then repeat with another 1/2 cup of milk. Add the dried mustard, freshly grated nutmeg and pepper. Stir. The mixture should coat the back of your spoon but not be thick. If it thickens, add more milk - up to an additional 1/2 cup.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta.

While the pasta cooks, slowly add the cheese to the sauce in 1 cup increments (a large handfull). If the sauce thickens too much, add a bit more milk. (Make sure to keep the heat on low and keep stirring!) Once the cheese is incorporated, the pasta should be done. Drain and combine. Serves 4 - 6.

SIL's Tarragon Vinaigrette
2T extra virgin olive oil
2T white wine vinegar
1 t honey
1T fresh tarragon, finely chopped
1 shallot, finely minced
2 pinches kosher salt
1 pinch fresh black pepper

Use a jar or container that you can shake vigorously. (I use a retired breast milk container from my SIL. I know, I know... but it holds 6 ounces and is perfect for what I need.) Chop the shallot and tarragon first and add the vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the honey and olive oil and shake for at least 30 seconds to dissolve the honey. Taste for seasoning. Sometimes... I have to add more honey, others I need more vinegar.

GreenTuna's Sun-Dried Tomato Dip a la Mensch
1 8 ounce brick of cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 T fresh black pepper
1/2 - 1 T Tabasco sauce

If your sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, simply add all of the ingredients to a food processor and process for about 3 - 4 minutes total. If your sun-dried tomatoes are not packed in oil (mine aren't), I microwave them with about 1/4 C chicken broth for 30 seconds or until soft and then add to the food processor along with the other ingredients. I like this dip a little spicy so I ended up adding more Tabasco but start out with just 10 - 15 drops and go from there. Serve with little toasts or crudite.

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-04-20T06:47:00.000-05:00

Questioning :: Authority
Immunity :: Drug
Online dating :: 19 first dates
Calcium :: Milk
Dressing :: Salad
Bucket :: Water
Stain :: Stick
Advanced :: Placement
Dramatic :: Reading
Self-medication :: Um, duh?

What an odd combination of words this week. For #1, all I can think of is Cartman's "respect my authority" rant. #3 refers to a certain period of my life where I did the whole eHarmony.com thing and #10 is the story of my life with stupid lupus. Of course I self medicate. After 10 friggin' years, I know far more than 95% of rheumatologists about this disease and since the other 5% only do research... Yeesh.

Friday Feast, a Day Late

2008-04-19T19:20:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
Name a color you find soothing.

In 2003, when the movie "Something's Gotta Give" came out, I was entranced. Not so much by the movie (which was cute) but rather by the set design. Even Architectural Digest found it worth of a spread. I think it's the juxtaposition of the white walls, dark floors and natural wall colors that I find soothing. I really like a pale green with dark wood and white trim.

Soup
Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.

Fast. (Me) Furious. (Dad)

Salad
What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?

(That's a cashmere goat, in case you were wondering.)

Main Course
Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?

If he can come back from the dead, the least I can do is wait outside overnight to hear him sing my personal theme song.

Dessert
What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?

E

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-04-06T06:49:00.000-05:00

Nutritious :: Vegetables
Graduate :: School
Tonight! :: Show
Located :: Near
Weapon :: of Choice
Jumper :: Cables
Collectibles :: Santas
Dennis :: Hooper
Hostile :: Takeover
Vivid :: Recollection

It's Sunday so it must be time to delve into the wading pool of my psyche and see what happens when I word-associate. Clearly? Nothing too profound today.

#7 refers to MommyMensch's extremely large collection of Clothtique Santa Claus collectible figurines. And when I say extremely large, last summer TeenTuna helped me photograph and catalog the collection and when she finally emerged from the basement after many hours of work, she kept muttering "your parents have an entire room for just Christmas stuff?"

Other people don't?

Catching Up

2008-04-04T16:21:00.000-05:00

So it's been a busy week. Or maybe a busy month. This whole working full time thing plus running a consulting business on the side and you know, having a life is sucking up all of the time that I used to use to blog.

But the real time suck is Facebook. Yes, I've been sucked into the vortex of online social networking and it's only a matter of time before you do too. Why, you ask, would a mid-30-something woman spend hours tending to the virtual gardens of strangers and hurl trout at unsuspecting colleagues? I do not know but yet it calls to me each and every day.

So yeah. That's what I've been up to and now I'm heading out to have a real life, not just a virtual one. It's Girls Night Out and we're going to dinner and then bowling. Yep. Bowling. I'm only going along to mock, drink beer and keep score but it sure beats doing nothing on a Friday night.

Friday Feast

2008-03-28T06:52:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
What does the color dark green make you think of?

Soup
How many cousins do you have?

7

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?

It depends on the situation. When it comes to friends and clothes shopping, I'm a 10. When it comes to dealing with people's feelings and not hurting them, I'll lie like a rug.

Main Course
Name something that is truly free.

Uh..... I have no clue.

Dessert
Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.

Somedays
Professional
Research
Impels (me to)
Need
Google

I Am a Feminist. Why Aren't You?

2008-03-26T20:35:00.000-05:00

One of the most powerful videos I've seen in a long time.

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-03-23T17:48:00.000-05:00

Money :: Broke
Unhappy :: Sad
Joking :: Practical
Chipmunk :: Alvin, Simon & Theodore
Date :: Ha!
Slideshow :: Pictures
Chicago :: the Musical!
Lifetime :: Television
Skid row :: Recession
Edward :: King

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. Nasty bout of germs in the Mensch house kept me out of work and on the couch for several days last week. Am running at about 60% of my usual snark which might explain why I didn't grab the whirling incense dervish today during church and cram it down his throat. Instead, I politely asked the dervish's wife if perhaps he needed a new hobby.

On Words

2008-03-18T07:33:00.000-05:00

Despite my lack of posting on this blog, I actually do write a lot. In my professional career, I write proposals and policy papers and all day long I'm sending out emails and thank you notes. When our Board asked us to add a blog to our website, it was all I could do to not roll my eyes because despite assurances of mass participation and copious content, guess who's going to be posting to said blog 99.99% of the time? That would be me.

More words. More writing. More creativity.

All good and important things and yet, it takes time and inspiration to be creative. Most people think you can pull together a proposal in a few hours but if you want it to be a successful proposal, it takes hours and days and weeks and sometimes even months. I think that people who think writing isn't work just don't know how to write.

But that's not the point...

I've been thinking a lot about words for the last few weeks. I have words that I don't care for or always misspell. "Their" never looks right, no matter what the spell check function says. I don't like the word "moist" either, it sounds hollow in my ear and also, ew.

There are words though that make me think, make me smile, make me remember. I love those Word-a-Day calendars and have a few on my Bloglines. Unknown words are the best - earlier this week one of the unknown words was "peripatetic" which I knew from A Chorus Line's "peripatetic, poetic and chic". And then there were two more words that popped up this week... nefarious and ersatz.

Three unrelated words, yet tie together completely to describe a situation in my non-work life. In a world where words rule my show, these three sum up a part of my world that I'm struggling with. So now the real question is.... what do I do about it? Maybe three more words will pop up next week with the answer.

Friday Feast

2008-03-14T07:12:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

+3 for D'Nealian script
+2 for not looking like "serial killer" handwriting
+1 for dotting the i's and crossing the t's
+3 for not using hearts or circles to dot my i's anymore
- 1 for refusing to write cursive, capital g's and z's
Total = 8

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?

I prefer to be lowered into a bubble bath by four Adonis-like attendants whilst being serenaded by the Benedictine Monks. Real life permits me the occasional bath on weekends but everyday it's a 3 minute shower.

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?

"She's a Teenage Mother with a Crack Habit and a Mother in Jail but She Found Jesus and Oops! It's a Cult so Now Her Plucky Grandmother and little Brother have Teamed up to Save her from Herself by Learning to Love Dolphins" on Lifetime, Television for Simpletons.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

Hi. My name is Mensch and I'm addicted to sarcasm. My affinity for snark has brought me closer to my friends, online and off. This penchant for pointing out the ironic has also brought me much personal joy.

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

As much as my sarcastic side (see above) would like to say the banjo or cowbell (you know who I'm talking about), I love the cello and the French horn.

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-03-09T08:17:00.000-05:00

Homicide :: Murder
Divisive :: Politics
Flash :: Drive
Steaming :: Mad
Crunch :: & Munch
Look out! :: Danger!
Anticipating :: Looking forward to
Slim :: Chance
Navel :: Orange
Help :: Aid

#1, #2, #4 and #6 are clearly indicative of my need to find something else to do with my free time.

Friday Feast

2008-03-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?

Does Bill Gates count? I'd like access to his checkbook for just a week so that I could siphon off enough for me to live on (comfortably) for the next century or so. And since that's pretty much his grocery budget for a week, I think he won't miss it.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?

Hang on a sec while I get the other line!

Salad
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).

I work for a nonprofit, so isn't my (underpaid) time a donation? I'm a big fan of Michigan Equality.

Main Course
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?

Sushi.

Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?

We've had croup, bad colds and strep but no flu yet.

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-03-02T08:56:00.000-05:00

Two posts, one day. It's a double feature of meme-ish proportion!

Chemical :: Peel
Poker :: Face
Federal :: Debt
Mattress :: Springs
Who am I? :: Jean Valjean
Investigation :: Cops
In good hands :: Allstate
8:30 :: 30 minutes ago
Creditors:: Debt
Resource :: Natural

Well... interesting mix, eh? #5 is from "Les Miserables" and #7 shows that I watch too much TV. I've actually been thinking about #1 since I have some chicken pox and acne scars that I'd like to erase but I hear that laser is actually much safer. And #4 is all about wanting to go back to bed...

Friday Feast (leftover edition)

2008-03-02T08:48:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
Who was the last person you hugged?

The last actual hug went to MollieMae (the cutest puppy ever). The last person I hugged was probably Joanie and her adorable children.

Soup
Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.
I've been doing theatrical makeup and hair for two decades, so I'd have to say: BABY WIPES. Yep. They are the best makeup remover (especially waterproof mascara) on the planet. Also great for removing excess foundation when you've spackled it on too thick.

Salad
What does the color yellow make you think of?
That line from "Harry Potter" when Hermione says "sunshine, daisies *something* yellow".

Main Course
If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?
Anything that stays still and isn't human or animal.

Dessert
What was the longest book you ever read?
James Michener's Hawaii. The first hundred pages were about waves and water. I kept having this urge to pee...

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-02-24T08:21:00.000-05:00

Protocol :: Manners

Girlfriends :: Girls Night In!

Shoulders :: Broad

Coming home :: Arrival

Let it in :: Open up

Honor :: Revere

Tyler :: President

Thriller :: Michael Jackson

Angela :: Ashes

The winner is :: Oscar!

Nothing very interesting in today's Mutterings, are there? #2 refers to my Friday night social activity with my women friends. We used to call it "Girls Night In", but now it's "Girls Night In, Out & About". Last Friday? We went to the rodeo. Scoff if you will but there were lots of men in tight jeans and even better? One of our friends rode the mechanical bull.

Friday Feast

2008-02-23T04:16:00.000-05:00

Appetizer
Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

I deny the allegation and I deny the allegator.

Soup
What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

I have a pepper grinder from IKEA and I use a lovely glass bowl for my various salts. Yes, I'm a snob.

Salad
Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo.

Main Course
What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

Baby drool. Especially from teething infants and toddlers. Also works well as a facial exfoliant.

Dessert
Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

True Scots
1/4 c shortbread cookies
1/2 c hot fudge
1/2 c freshly whipped cream
10 - 12 maraschino cherries

Break the cookies into bite sized pieces and place into a soup bowl. Drizzle with hot fudge. Frost with whipped cream and garnish with cherries.

An Uncommon Friendship

2008-02-20T19:22:00.000-05:00

Have you ever met someone through someone else and later realized that you like the new person better than the old? That actually happens to me often here online where I find myself reading a blog but then follow the links and find something that I like better. MommyMensch would say to me:

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
one is silver,
and the other's gold.

But this really isn't a post about not liking someone, it's more like an appreciation of the relationships that I have and the new people that they have brought into my life.

A couple of years ago, I met this guy. He was a friend of a friend and was a former colleague of yet another friend. We hung out every now and then but it wasn't until one mad Halloween with the Boy that I got to know this guy better. Time passes. We have brunch. More time passes. We chat online. And then one day he's dating someone new and I meet her. I was prepared to hate this new girlfriend of my friend but I found myself strangely drawn to her quirky smile and unique verbal expressions. Weeks pass. The new girlfriend is now the fiancee and she's pregnant. More time passes and she's now the wife.

All last spring and summer, the wife and I hung out. Our mutual appreciation for sloth, Arby's curly fries, air conditioning and the zen of Oprah grew into this friendship that has surpassed my initial relationship with her now-husband. The Boy and I were honored to be named godparents to her son.

As I was sitting across from her on a comfy couch last night, I realized that this lovely, quirky, pithy mother of twins, wife of the mad blogger, writer and bartender was now my friend. So go on over and check out her blog. I think you'll like her as much as I do.

Mending

2008-02-15T06:47:00.000-05:00

The broken wrist continues to heal, albeit slowly. I wonder if repeatedly lifting up NephewMensch, the Godson ("BearBear") and his sister ("Principessa") might have something to do with it?

I'm sure it'll come as no surprise to anyone who reads my blog that I'm completely besotted by my NephewMensch. He's almost 20 months old and every single day it's something new. A new word. A new interest. A new skill. Can you imagine what adults would be like if we continued to learn at this rate?

And it's not just the new words (pocket! bumpy! monkey!), it's the unabashed joy that he takes in seeing people he loves, eating his favorite foods, splashing in the bathtub, reading a book. Sometimes he gets so overwhelmed with happiness that he has to run and jump/crawl onto the couch or do this whole little happy dance with a huge grin. And then there's the empathy. When I first broke my wrist, NephewMensch immediately gave me a hug and kissed my wrist and "boo boo bye bye?".

It's not all sunshine and roses with NephewMensch. He is, after all, a member of the Mensch family and has a rather forceful personality. (Imagine that!) He's stubborn but I'm more so (also bigger, older, meaner) and eventually he caves but you have to stand your ground. If there's one (of many) thing that I learned from GreenTuna, it's that you cannot cave no matter what. A smart, stubborn kid will figure out very quickly which parent/adult will cave.

Funny how this kid captures the things that I love the most in my family and close friends - a joyful spirit, loyalty to loved ones, empathy, a fascination with learning and a strong will.

Book Meme

2008-02-06T18:36:00.000-05:00

GreenTuna has tagged me for a book meme.

The rules as stated are:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

Like GreenTuna, I'm having trouble with the "just one book" thing. So you'll have to settle for a highly edited selection of the masses of reading materials in close proximity to me.

A Summer of Discontent, Susanna Gregory

"The feud between Bishop and Prior is that bitter?" asked Bartholomew.
It was Michael who replied. "They do not like each other and they argue a good deal, but compared to most bishops and priors, de Lisle and Alan share a remarkably tolerant relationship."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling

"Very well then, together," he said, shrugging. He cleared his throat. "I am here, as I'm sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore's will."

Emily Post's Etiquette (1922)

All other formal invitations are engraved (never printed) on cards of thin white matte Bristol board, either plan or plate-marked like those for wedding reception cards. Note paper such as that used for wedding invitations is occasionally, but rarely, preferred. Monograms, addresses, personal devices are not used on engraved invitations.

I hereby tag:
1. LeannWoo
2. NancyK
3. The Friday Chef
4. Crazy Mama
5. MonkeysGather

Going to crawl back onto the couch. The wrist is still broken. Four more weeks of lame-o posting and limited energy.

Friday Feast

2008-02-01T07:42:00.001-05:00

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of cereal?

Frosted Mini-Wheats, but I don't like them with milk in a bowl. They are best eaten while sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, watching it snow. Like... what I'm going to do this afternoon.

Soup
When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go?

Probably the aforementioned blanket and it follows me from room to room. Oh, and lightbulbs because they all seem to burn out at the same time.

Salad
What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen?

To date, I still think the "Yo Quero Taco Bell" ads with the chihuahua are hysterical. But it's Super Bowl weekend, so... who knows?

Main Course
Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey).

Star Anise Tiger.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______.

I haven't shoveled snow since an hour ago. (It's the "Storm! Of! The! Century! here in the Mitten. Try shoveling with a broken wrist. So much fun.)

A Little Broken

2008-01-28T07:46:00.000-05:00

Last Monday I had the day off. MLK Day and all. Instead of going to hear a civil rights speaker or doing something altruistic, I opted to pack my day with errands and babysitting and did I mention errands?

As I was unloading a gross of groceries from MommyMensch's MenschMobile ("it's not a minivan, it's a Town and Country"), I made the mistake of trying to lift a 12 pack of Diet Coke. It might have been the odd angle. It was probably because I tried to do it with just my left thumb. All I know is that when I picked it up, my thumb and wrist made this weird cracking noise and I was left with a throbbing wrist.

In a case of extreme irony, I'd purchased a wrist brace during our grocery adventures because I've got mild carpal tunnel in the same wrist. I slapped the brace on and went about the rest of my day but the pain got worse and it swelled up and turned colors. So... I toddled off to the doctor's and got an X-ray.

Yup. It's broken. Or rather, fractured. And even better? It's actually a re-fracture and that carpal tunnel I thought I had? Was a badly healed break from last year. Stupid lupus ruins my ability to heal properly.

The nurse brought in the stuff to put a cast on me and I realized that she was going to use hot pink fiberglass. My response? HELL no. I have a job where I have to look somewhat professional. Six weeks of day-glo hot pink on my left wrist? Um, no. So I've opted to sport my charcoal gray and black wrist brace instead. It also means that I can wash my wrist, take a shower without a trash bag around my hand and type, albeit somewhat more slowly than before.

Sorry about the lack of posting but that's the way it's going to be for the next six weeks.

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-01-28T07:40:00.000-05:00

Well, better late than never...

1. Booze :: Drinks
2. Counter :: Stool
3. Action :: Alert
4. Trial :: by Fire
5. Wheelchair :: Bound
6. 1-800 :: Flowers
7. Chop :: Shop
8. Relatives :: Kin
9. Bed sheets :: Flannel
10. Funnel :: Tube

What a random assortment of words there. My answers? Nothing special, that's for sure. So move along people, nothing to see here.

Unconscious Mutterings

2008-01-20T09:06:00.000-05:00

President :: Clinton
Stare :: Fifty Yard
Embrace :: Hug
Movie :: Premiere
Everything :: Bagel
Profile :: Side view
Satire :: Daily Show
Erratic :: Driving
Costume :: Jewelry
Secretary :: Desk

Well... there's not really much to say about today's Mutterings. Random.