An Amusing Exchange from January

Scene: At Coach's before the Jon Stewart Show
Cast: Me, Leila, Ehren, Lindsay & Husband, Lauren & Husband

Ehren: Oh man, you've never seen this girl [me] eat ice cream.
Me: Ehren, shut up.
Lindsay: I've eaten ice cream around you before...
Me: Not an ice cream cone. Ehren, stop talking...
Ehren: She eats ice cream like...well she eats ice cream the way most girls give blow jobs.
Me: Ehren, shut up! I work with these people!
Ehren: You said they were your friends.
Lindsay: At this point, I bet she's hoping we are...

Mental note - keep Ehren away from alcohol AND my co-workers...

Yes I realize

that this has gotten a bit dark lately...but so has my mind so I'm afraid you will have to bear with me.

I realized, somewhat suddenly, that I have lost the lightness that I enjoyed about myself, and that I need to get it back. Of course, more troubling, is that I didn't lose it, rather I had been faking it for the last...well let's just say a really long time, and that I'm just losing the masking ability.

I was lightly flirting with someone tonight. I was watching TV and saw a perfectly done romantic scene - it was what I define as perfect. Not cheesy, not what most would call romantic, just sweet and loving and precisely what I find missing.

The flirting helped...

This is disjointed and will likely remain so, as I am tired and have been awake too many hours. Regardless, should anyone want details give me a call please. Otherwise, we'll chat whenever.

Dorothy Parker

A Dream Lies Dead

A dream lies dead here. May you softly go
Before this place, and turn away your eyes,
Nor seek to know the look of that which dies
Importuning Life for life. Walk not in woe,
But, for a little, let your step be slow.
And, of your mercy, be not sweetly wise
With words of hope and Spring and tenderer skies.
A dream lies dead; and this all mourners know:

Whenever one drifted petal leaves the tree-
Though white of bloom as it had been before
And proudly waitful of fecundity-
One little loveliness can be no more;
And so must Beauty bow her imperfect head
Because a dream has joined the wistful dead!

I Give Up

It's Friday again, and here I am doing my usual Friday night routine.

I've had it. I'm out of options, I'm out of ideas.

I've tried being depressed, and that's not helping. I've tried laughing it off...hell I joke about it to my students. But you know what? It's stopped being funny.

$%*& this. $%*& this and everything that makes me feel like this. I won't even put up the list because it's not worth the effort. I don't care about this #!^@ anymore.

So, I give up. The end. I'm done. I'm not dealing with this anymore. Numb? Sounds REALLY good right now.

A New Game to Play

*addendum - Yes this was originally posted on Feb. 22 - however I want ppl to keep playing, so please try. I'm going to keep putting this up at the top - Good luck!*

Alrighty, thanks again to Missy for this one. This is how it work - put your playlist on random, and the first 30 songs that come up, write down your favorite lyrics...then have people guess them, title and artist. As they guess them, strikeout the lyrics, and put the name of the person who figured it out, as well as title and artist, next to it in bold. Sounds simple right?

OK, I did cheat a bit - I ran random through my playlist and decided not to try to put in the exact first 30 songs that came up. For example, I didn't want to put you all through the few NKOTB I had downloaded a couple years ago under hte heading of nostalgia. Also, couldn't figure out the lyrics to the Moonlight Sonata...so these are the first 30 songs that I actually wanted to listen to at the time :)

Enjoy...

Oh, one last thing, No using Google or other search engines! See what you can get without using those tricks!

1. Ever since the world began it's been that way
   For woman and man were created
   To make love their destiny
   Then why should true love be so complicated? Oh
   I know something about love
   You gotta take it and
   Show him what the world is made of
   One kiss will prove it



2. Still there's not a show on my back
   Holes or a friendly intervention
   I'm just a little bit heiress, a little bit Irish
   A little bit Tower of Pisa
   Whenever I see ya
   So please be kind if I'm a mess Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk Guessed by Leila
   



3. And the stars are laughing
   They get a kick out of my misery
   I tried everything short of Aristotle to Dramamine
   And the whiskey bottle
   Pray for the day when my ship comes in
   I can sleep the sleep of the just again Billy Pilgrim - Insomniac Guessed by Ehren (more or less)
   



4. When the singer's gone let the song go on,
   It's a fine line between the darkness and the dawn.
   They say in the darkest night there's a light beyond
   But the ending always comes at last,
   Endings always come too fast,
   They come too fast
   But they pass too slow,
   I love you, and that's all I know.
   That's all I know, that's all I know.



5. Ay-yi-yi-yi
   Oops, Magellan
   Your fun little journey's
   Become a nightmare
   Whoopie ti-yi-yo
   Keep trying, Magellan
   You'll find the East Indies
   You just don't know where The Animaniacs - Ballad of Magellan Guessed by Rob-Who-I-Don't-Know-But-Has-Good-Taste-in-Cartoons
   



6. Whenever we kiss I get a feeling like this
   I get to wishing that there was two of you
   My heart crys out more baby
   I love you so much
   I wish that there was more of you to touch



7. I'll keep searching
   Deep within my soul
   For all the answers
   Don't wanna hurt no more
   I need peace, got to feel at ease
   Need to be.
   Free from pain - going insane
   My heart aches, yeah



8. Don't get your bollocks in a twist
   Settle down, don't take a fit
   Ya drank with demons straight form Hell
   They almost nearly won as well
   Ya wiped the floor with victory
   Then puked until you fell asleep Floggin' Molly - Salty Dog Guessed by Sam
   



9. You tried to make me doubt, to make me guess
   Tried to make me feel like a little less
   Oh I liked you when your soul was bared
   I thought you knew how to be scared
   And now it's amazing what you did to make me stay
   But truth is just like time, it catches up and it just keeps going



10. Here we are.
    Foreign to their world.
    Straight and composed.
    Your sermons I can do without
    And I finally found
    That everybody loves to love you
    When you're far away.
    Blame us because we are who we are.
    Hate us because you'll never get that far.
    And who'd suppose you would go?
    I've already learned enough to know



11. Maybe it’s a sign of weakness
    When I don’t know what to say
    Maybe I just wouldn’t know
    What to do with my strength anyway
    Have we become a habit
    Do we distort the facts
    Now there’s no looking forward
    Now there’s no turning back



12. Now you may find it inconceivable or at the very least a bit unlikely
    that the relative position of the planets and the stars could have
    A special deep significance or meaning that exclusively applies to only you,
    But let me give you my assurance that these forcasts and predictions
    Are all based on solid, scientific, documented evidence, so you would have
    To be some kind of moron not to realize that every single one of the is absolutely true.



13. Some of us hover when we weep for the other who was
    Dying since the day they were born.
    Well, this is not that:
    I think that I'm throwing, but I'm thrown.
    And I thought I'd live forever, but now I'm not so sure.
    You try to tell me that I'm clever,
    But that won't take me anyhow, or anywhere with you. Lisa Loeb - Stay Guessed by Steve



14. Maybe I'm alive beneath the snow
    Maybe you're too petrified to know
    I can't believe that you would tell me lies
    How could I have missed that in those eyes
    Maybe if I only heard your voice
    I would understand you had no choice
    Though I'm glad it's clear for you to see
    I wish that you would make it make sense to me



15. In the shadows of tall buildings
    Of open arches endlessly kneeling
    Sonic landscapes echoing vistas
    Someone is listening from a safe distance
    The line moves slowly into a fading light
    A final moment in the dead of night Jump Little Children - Cathedrals Guessed by Steve



16. Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
    Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
    Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
    And I say it's all right The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun Guessed by Leila



17. I can't sit back and wonder why.
    It took so long for this to die.
    And I hate it when you fake it.
    You can't hide it you might as well embrace it.
    So believe me it's not easy.
    It seems that something's telling me



18. Well, I'm only hanging on for what goes down
    I'm floating high and my feet don't touch the ground
    I'd take advantage but I can't see through this charade
    So don't you, don't go make it harder than hell
    'Cause when it comes down to the making
    You better be damned sure you can take it



19. If drinkin' coffee's your idea of really cool
    You can't expect no crazy chick to notice you
    Just sittin there dreamin' Rufus Wainwright - Instant Pleasure Guessed by Leila



20. I don't want to have to pay for this
    I don't want another lover at my door
    It's just another heartache on my list
    I don't wanna be angry no more
    You're the one who could never stand for this
    So when you tell me that you love me, know for sure



21. You needed to still be friends
    Needed me to
    Call you if I ever couldn’t keep it all together you’d comfort me
    Tell me but forever
    And the promises I never should have believed in
    Here’s what I’m thinking
    It won’t be the first - heart that you break
    It won’t be the last - beautiful girl
    The one that you wrecked - won’t take you back
    If you were the last beautiful girl in the world Matchbox Twenty - Last Beautiful Girl Guessed by Lady Vader
    



22. Lost inside this angeltown
    Lost like I could not be found
    No connections of the heart
    Love was glass that broke apart
    Gimme faith in dreams
    And someone to hold
    Gimme love 'cause I'm out here in the cold
    There are no secrets
    No angels at my door Amanda Marshall - Fall From Grace Guessed by Lady Vader
    



23. If you think of me If you miss me once in awhile
    Then I'll return to you
    I'll return and fill that space in your heart
    Remembering
    Your touch
    Your kiss
    Your warm embrace
    I'll find my way back to you
    If you'll be waiting
    If you dream of me like I dream of you
    In a place that's warm and dark
    In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart



24. No matter where you wander you will never do as well
    Okay, the lobby's looking shabby and it's got the wrong address
    And the whole dang thing has been condemned by American Express
    Still the management is cheerful though the whole joint's gone to hell The Muppets - Happiness Hotel Guessed by Steve



25. Truthfully, I really can't explain, I'm floating, I'm smiling again.
    Truthfully, I can't ignore you, cause I've been waiting for you.
    Truthfully, I'm not desperate, I haven't changed my mind since we first met,
    But the last thing that I want to do is to tell you that I'm right for you.
    Truthfully, I -
    I'm finding finally.
    Truthfully, you -
    You helped me find at last.
    Truthfully, we -
    Are finding out what's true.
    And truthfully I am finding out what's you.



26. Slow down, you're doing fine
    You can't be everything you want to be
    Before your time
    Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
    Tonight...
    Too bad but it's the life you lead
    You're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
    Though you can see when you're wrong, you know
    You can't always see when you're right. you're right Billy Joel - Vienna Guessed by Andy P.



27. Ain't it a shame
    That all the world can't enjoy your mad traditions
    Ain't it a shame that all the world
    Don't got keys to their own ignitions
    Life is the longest death in California Rufus Wainwright - California Guessed by Ehren (more or less)



28. Run this round in your head
    Like you don't know what's on the inside
    You don't know me too well
    You ain't seen my bad side
    Shame on me, shame on the things that I be
    If you could complicate me
    If you could get inside me
    Sometimes, you're the best time
    I've ever, ever known
    A pretty girl with a wicked smile on
    But I've cried for the last time
    Something just don't feel right Matchbox Twenty - You're So Real Guessed by Lady Vader



29. One more inch
    You son of a bitch
    Been a waste of my time
    Always
    Now you're half awake
    You bend till you break
    And make the same mistakes
    Always Guster - Happier Guessed by Steve



30. She said I tried to be but I'm not
    And could you please collect your things
    I don't wanna be cold
    I don't wanna be cruel
    But I gotta find more
    Than what's happening with you
    If you'd - open up the door
    She said - while you were sleeping
    I was listening to the radio
    And wondering what you're dreaming when
    It came to mind that I didn't care
    So I thought - hell if it's over
    I had better end it quick
    Or I could lose my nerve
    Are you listening - can you hear me
    Have you forgotten? Matchbox Twenty - Rest Stop Guessed by Lady Vader
    

Now use the comments box and go to work! Good luck!

This Just Keeps Getting Funnier...

The link above is like that stupid giraffe...it just keeps getting funnier every time I watch it, even though it probably isn't that funny to begin with.

Just click the link...it's worth it.

Yeah, more quizzes. What can I say?

Incidentally, I took the "which desperate housewife are you" quiz...and it turned out pretty predictably. I'm not even posting that because it's a wee bit depressing!

DON'T FORGET THE MUSIC GUESSING GAME BELOW


You are a spring. You are very mellow most of the
time except for the caffeine season (which is
year round) but you are also a very nice
person. When people tick you off though God
better save them. LOL You are a fairly
sociable person because people know you won't
get mad too easy or seem to. But you are a very
nice person over all. ^-^

What Season Best Fits You?
brought to you by Quizilla



Your a wind Dragon! Hey, you, the smartest dragon
of the branch. You love reading and writing,
but are quite shy. Your IQ is probably sky-high
and your stories can win trophies. Your not
very good in sports, or maybe you are, and just
not interested.. You are very wise, smart, and
kind.

What elemental dragon are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Ethereal Beauty

The Goddess of Night and Regret. You are a perfect
confidante. Always understanding and
solicitous, you could be a queen and you are
exceptionally honest. You are an intelligent
beauty.


Which gorgeous goddess are you? For girls! (breath taking pics!) NEW PICS!
brought to you by Quizilla

Hello, I Must Be Going

I've been debating hard core - do I keep this thing going or do I just shut it down. And I have been thinking about this for awhile. For the moment it's not going anywhere...but I can't speak for the future.

Everytime I go to put a post something makes me stop. For whatever reason, they really aren't that important I suppose. I was going to post on teh 1-year anniversary of this blog. I wanted to post after going to see Jon Stewart. But everytime there was a block.

Which brings me to the next point.

I need to thank some people, who helped me through a pretty rough patch. They know who they are and how they helped. The past couple days would have been worse than ever without a few key people - people who frankly suprised me with their helpfullness. These were not super close friends - but they were life savers.

Where were the ones who I usually reach out to?

One of my problems with this blog has been being honest without being passive-aggressive. It's a fine line to be walking, and often when I seem overly cryptic it's simply my way of not crossing that line. Of course sometimes it's just me being enigmatic...cause you know that is fun too!

I guess what it really comes down to is a rather startling realization I made.

To many in my life, to many whom I felt close to, I am nothing more than a clown. Someone to laugh at in the guise of laughing with. A pleasant sidekick - the asexual friend who never really gets the main plot. Useful to keep around in times of crisis...but not particularly someone to have when things are going super well. And certainly not someone to have around when not being funny or helpful.

And I have been letting it go on. Because somewhere in my deep psyche being helpful was an accolade. Something to strive for. Make yourself useful and people will keep you around.


Like a doormat.

This really has been a repeating pattern since my youth, and one that I thought I'd conquered.

Not so much apparently.

Ok. So where next?

Damned if I know.

Whoever said knowing is half the battle was full of it. Seriously now. Knowing is a step. And a small one at that.

This week is devoted to figuring stuff out. Obviously there need to be changes made, and hopefully they won't be too painful...but I doubt that they won't. Nothing that truly affects us is painless.

I guess I need to get rid of the more toxic elements in my life. Should I confront that part, that darkness or do I walk away quietly?

I've been struggling with this for a while. I try to talk it out with people who know me well...but that hasn't been working.

I found help in the guise of a man who I've known since he was no more than 8 and I was 13. He's 20 now, the little brother of my close friend. And he said a few things that I don't know if I believe - but I needed desperately to hear.

And he didn't make me feel like a drain or like I was a burden. That was a new feeling.

Also a new feeling - not being made to feel that by expressing sorrow or fear that I was just being "bitter." It's funny how those who claim to know me well are so quick to call me that in a derogatory manner.

So here it is - I'm human. I have my problems and I have my fears. If you don't want the whole package, good and bad, light and dark, angel and devil, then get out. If you are going to be reduced to calling me names, calling me bitter for feeling things, then get out. If you are going to dismiss my heart and my worth in word or deed (and please remember actions speak louder than words) then I do not want you in my life.

I changed the quotes off on the sidebar, and here are a few others, which have always whispered in my ear.

Life, like time, is a journey through darkness.
~ Neil Gaiman

Omnia mutantur, nihil interit.
Only the phoenix arises and does not descend. And everything changes. And nothing is truly lost.
~ Neil Gaiman

There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way. The war we fight is not against powers and principalities, it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting, in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain.
~ Babylon 5

I hope these words help you find your heart as they help me find mine. I hope your world is filled with more light than dark. I hope that you can find pleasure in the storm and keep friends that don't cause more sorrow than joy. I hope you never forget what it feels like to be kissed by someone who loves you. I hope you never look around and realize that you are an island and that you wake up with the knowledge of your own worth and happiness.

I hope you leave the world a better place than you found it.

Because Anything Is Better Than Grading Exams

Thanks to Missy (who everyone else calls Melissa, but it's been 18-19 years and I'm not about to change right now) for this gem.

A – Accent: New England - Connecticut. In other words I don't particularly have one. Unless I'm in India, in which case it becomes an Indian accent (but only when speaking English). And sometimes I develop a Southern accent. Which is strange cause I've never spent any real time in the South. Also occasionally develop a British accent, or put British enunciations on things. Which actually makes more sense than the Southern thing.
B - Breast size:...yeah you can guess that one.
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning. I just like things to clean magically.
D - Dad's name: Why bother? You can't pronounce it anyway.
E - Essential make-up item: Lipstick or chapstick of some sort.
F - Favorite perfume: Um...VS Pink I guess. I prefer Coconut Lime and Moonlight Way body mist to perfume though.
G - Gold or silver: Silver, or white gold
H - Hometown: Glastonbury, CT
I - Insomnia: quite the opposite actually
J - Job title: Educator, Secondary Biological Sciences
K - Kids: Are you kidding? I can't even keep a plant alive...
L - Living arrangements: 2br/2 bath with the roommate.
M - Mom's birthplace: Not in this country - not gonna mean much if I put it down...
N - Number of apples you've eaten: Someone was reaching for this one. None today. One this month.
O - Overnight hospital stays: We're not counting my birth, right? In that case none.
P - Phobia: Snakes
why is there no q? <-- Q always gets left out. I'm adding it in. Q - Quiet or Loud: quiet these days. Too many loud children around otherwise.
R - Religious affiliation: Hindu.
S - Siblings: Kid brother.
T - Time you wake up: Alarm goes off at 5am. When I get up is a different story.
U - Unnatural hair colors you've worn: I never dye my hair. It's always been 100% natural
V - Vegetable you refuse to eat: I dunno. Like most raw veggies...but I'm thinking that brussel sprouts sorta gross me out on principle.
W - Worst habit: So many to choose from - over analyzing and procrastinating
X - X-rays you've had: Just the usual yearly teeth x-rays.
Y - Yummy foods you make: I do a good bruschetta. And I can bake the pants off anyone.
Z - Zodiac sign: Gemini. Don't know any of the rising stuff...if you know how to do it let me know.

Pulling a Neil

Just some quiz results before I go to bed (and so I can close the tabs). You all comment on them - me too tired...

You Are 28 Years Old

ze:6;" > 28 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Alright so maybe a quick comment on these - at least I didn't test in my 30's or older. Some days I feel much older than I should. I think even 28 is bothering me a bit. And it's not that far off really from my true age...

You Are a Visionary Soul

You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness. Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connect to your soul. You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable. Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings. You have great vision and can be very insightful. In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself. Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend. You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

And now I'm most compatible with an Old Soul? OK, OK, I get it! I act like a Mom. But I don't...not really? Do I? THIS IS NOT A RHETORICAL QUESTION I WANT FEEDBACK!

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

OK - that's a good one I think.

You Are a Snarky Blogger!

You've got a razor sharp wit that bloggers are secretly scared of. And that's why they read your posts as often as they can!

What kind of blogger are you?

Me snarky? Where'd you get an idea like that??

Confessions of a Writing Implement Addict

Ok, so Lady Vader mentioned today the gifts of a student...well in her case students so I thought I'd continue the theme. For Christmas I did have a student give me a beautiful mason jar filled with the goodies to make Rocky Road brownies...which given my chocoholic tendencies will be put to good use. I also received a gift card to a coffee bar in the town I teach in. But all that aside, and I appreciate it soo much, what I got from a student today really takes the cake.

So here's the back story. I have an unnatural affinity for office supplies. Seriously, I'll spend hours in a place like Staples or Office Depot wandering around wanting to get everything I see. It's amusing. Anyway, I have these Pilot G2 pens - I adore them, they write well and with purpose. It's cool. It turns out they now make mechanical pencils of the same sort. I was thrilled, so I bought a 4-pack. The first day I had it with me in school? Lost it. And I don't lose things like that easily. I figured one of the kids accidentally put it in their bag, so I'd ask them.

No dice.

Next day, the same damn thing happens. At this point I'm beyond annoyed. Besides not being able to trust my students, I want my damn pencil back!

This is where this kid comes in - the story of my annoyance spread quickly, and 2 days ago I had a student come up to me and ask me if the pencils I was looking for were called G2's. I said yes. One of my friends tells me later that this kid was asking her if this was the pencil I really liked, cause he saw them and was gonna get them for me. My reaction was "aww, that's awesome!" Cause you know he was thinking of it even though he was out of school.

He comes into his class today, sees me chatting with my friend, and says "I have a present for you!"

See the picture below:




Yes, that's right - he got me an entire 12 pack of pencils, plus an extra thing of lead and some refill erasers! Now here's the kicker...

He's not actually my student!

That's right, he's with my friend the other teacher, we (my friend and I) joke that he's 50% my student since he comes in for extra help with me if she's not available.

But yeah, how thoughtful is that? I couldn't believe it. It's nice to know that they occasionally thing of you!

This doesn't mean I'm not ferociously praying for a snowday tomorrow...

Best Wishes...

Happy New Year everyone - I hope this year is better than last. You will all get the full on reflective post later - but in the mean time I hope all is well and this year finds you happy and healthy with more happy moments then sad, and more sweet than bitter.

Explanations and Questions

Right, so you're about to see a bunch of pictures taken with my new camera. Enjoy them, don't enjoy them, it's all good. Old close friends know there was a time when you wouldn't see me without my 35mm SLR. And then, for reasons which don't really matter anymore, I totally lost my passion for the pictures. The long dark teatime of the photographer's soul, which is too bad cause I was getting to be kinda good at it. Anyway. I have the digital variety, though I suspect in a few years I'll go get a tricked out film variety camera again.

Still, the problem remains - I need to learn how to EFFECTIVELY use PhotoShop. Anyone out there willing to spare a couple hours to teach me how to do it well?

One other thing - this has been bugging me...the way that blogger is set up, with most recent posts on the top is starting to annoy the hell out of me. It seems to refute the logical flow of things, so I gotta ask - what are others opinions of switching the the flow over so that more recent posts are on the bottom of the page as opposed to on the top? I realize that having them on the top is easier to find out if a new post has been put there...I mean at this point that's how I look at people's blogs/livejournals...but there is something to be said for the other way. What's the verdict out there? Comment please!

See the Mighty Hunter Go After His Dangerous Prey

Get that ribbon! GET IT!

Relaxing after Causing the Damage

Eliot...I love that leopard spotting on him...

See the Cute, Harmless Kitty

Aww he looks so innocent! He's also wondering what the hell that long tube pointing at him is...

...Who Has Caused Permanent Scarring

Yea...cute kitty who ended up taking a swipe at my nose. That'll teach me to let my face near those claws - yeeouch! It did lead to much apologizing on Ehren's part though...after all he's the one who took the ribbon and tossed in the general direction of my nose for Eliot to swipe at...

OK this is kinda cool - my camera has a function on it called "nightshot" and "nightframing". Basically they make the camera act like night vision goggles...in nightshot the picture actually comes out looking like it was taken in those colors - like this one here. Nightframing means you "see" it through the finder and/or LCD as if it was night vision...but the picture comes out in the usual coloring.  

Closer image, sepia with flash...