IQ Test

Try this test. The answers may surprise you. Unless you've seen it before...

Look in the comments for my score.

Hat tip: Ace (yes, again...)

And I thought my house was a mess...

I like watching those shows about people that have so much stuff that they need professional help getting rid of old magazines, furniture and stuffed animals (Clean Sweep, etc.). It makes me feel like I'm doing pretty well. And while I can't say I don't have stuff from elementary school (field day ribbons, homework & books), at least I can walk through my house without tripping over boxes and books. By necessity, I have cleaned out quite a bit in the last few years (otherwise hubby would have nowhere to put his stuff...)

And I thought I'd seen some amazing episodes of Clean Sweep where people can't even walk into their master bedroom & spare room because of all the clothes, paperwork, and memorabilia. However, this takes the cake. (It has lots of pictures so it might take a while to load. And just scroll down past the request to register.) She has boxes of stuff from ebay that she hasn't even opened! I cannot imagine living like that! And if you don't have time to read the whole thing, you might miss the fact that she doesn't sleep in a bed because there's no room for it. She sleeps on the couch - 2/3 of a couch, since the other 1/3 is full of stuff. This woman needs serious psychological help.

It makes me want to take a day or two off of work to do a thorough spring cleaning...

Hat tip: Ace

And I thought my house was a mess...

I like watching those shows about people that have so much stuff that they need professional help getting rid of old magazines, furniture and stuffed animals (Clean Sweep, etc.). It makes me feel like I'm doing pretty well. And while I can't say I don't have stuff from elementary school (field day ribbons, homework & books), at least I can walk through my house without tripping over boxes and books. By necessity, I have cleaned out quite a bit in the last few years (otherwise hubby would have nowhere to put his stuff...)

And I thought I'd seen some amazing episodes of Clean Sweep where people can't even walk into their master bedroom & spare room because of all the clothes, paperwork, and memorabilia. However, this takes the cake. (It has lots of pictures so it might take a while to load. And just scroll down past the request to register.) She has boxes of stuff from ebay that she hasn't even opened! I cannot imagine living like that! And if you don't have time to read the whole thing, you might miss the fact that she doesn't sleep in a bed because there's no room for it. She sleeps on the couch - 2/3 of a couch, since the other 1/3 is full of stuff. This woman needs serious psychological help.

It makes me want to take a day or two off of work to do a thorough spring cleaning...

If I were a Muppet...

I wasn't planning on doing another one of these, but I totally agreed with the outcome (& I think those that know me would agree). So here it is - I'd be Scooter!

You Are Scooter

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick. You're always willing to lend a helping hand. In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going. "15 seconds to showtime!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Read these now!

Here is a list of books you should read before you die, according to British librarians. It's an eclectic list - everything from the Bible to Time Traveler's Wife (which I loved). I have read 6 of them, if you include parts of the Bible as reading the Bible. I'm not sure I want to read some of them, like the Lord of the Rings trilogy (I saw the movies, does that count?). But there are some - Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights - that I have always intended on reading. I guess I should get to it before I kick it!

World Trade Center & Lessons

Initially this post was included in the previous one (Springtime in New York). But I felt like it detracted from the fun spirit of that post. So I decided it should stand alone.

It was really moving to go to the World Trade Center site. I was on top of that building in May 2001 and have several pictures of the towers and the sites from the top. Now it's just one big hole in the ground. There are signs on the fences describing the process to build the towers and then how they came down. It was very tasteful and appropriate. And I was surprised at how clean the area was.

There were people from all over the world, remembering what happened that day. It brought tears to my eyes to think about those that lost their lives on that spot. And it also made me more resolute that we need to continue to fight terrorists in their countries, so they don't bring this destruction to our country again.

Remember right after it happened, how the media wouldn't show images of people jumping out of the buildings? Why not? So people don't get more upset about it? Why shouldn't we get upset - ticked off? After all, we were attacked - we shouldn't just stand by and let it happen again. And if, in going after those that did this, we liberate Iraq and allow them the ability to choose their own form of government, all the better. I believe we should help all those around the world (Middle East, Cuba, etc.) that are fighting for freedom to actually achieve it. I know we can't fight all battles at once, but we need to support as many people as possible develop into democratic nations.

I think one of the worst things we could do is to forget what happened and the feelings we had that day - anger, sadness, desire for justice. There is a reason we are in Iraq - and it isn't the oil. We are there because Saddam supported the terrorists and he would have continued to do so, with probably more devastating results. We know that he tortured and murdered his own people. What makes us think that he has any different plan for us? He would have done whatever he could to acquire and manufacture biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons in order to destroy us and those that support us.

So these are just my ramblings on a little bit of politics. I don't have a sophisticated view on it (nor am I an eloquent writer), but I know what I believe, and that is that we are living in the greatest country on earth. It may have its problems, but I'd rather live here than anywhere else on the planet.

Springtime in New York

Last weekend was a good one - I spent it in the Big Apple. It's our 3rd anniversary and we wanted to do something better than losing Eric's wedding ring and getting sunburned in the Bahamas! What a great choice! The weather was perfect (in the 60's and sunny) and we got a lot of exercise walking around the city. I got a good workout in and a body massage on Friday while Eric was working. And even got some reading done (Dean Koontz, Midnight). It was a relaxing weekend.

Here's all the tourist-y stuff we did:

• went to the top of the Empire State Building
• walked through Macy's on Herald Square
• took a bicycle cab from 34th to 55th
• had a burger and milkshake at Burger Heaven (and yes, it was a heavenly burger)
• visited the World Trade Center site
• walked through Battery Park and Wall Street
• drank hot chocolate at Jacques Torres' Chocolate Haven (yummy recommendation from Kelly)
• ate a lobster dinner (stuffed ourselves!)
• walked through Times Square (with a zillion other people)
• took a horse carriage ride through Central Park at night

During the carriage ride, we tried to figure out how much you'd have to make to live in a penthouse in one of the buildings surrounding the park. I can't imagine what it's like to live overlooking the city. But I'd certainly like to try sometime! :-)

Some of the other things I'd like to do the next time is take a cruise around the island, go to a couple museums (Guggenheim, Modern Art), and visit the Statue of Liberty. The last (and first) time I was at the Statue, I was 13. There are pictures in my parents' albums of my dad, my brother and me standing on the platform. And man, do I look like a 13 year old - braces and everything - Yikes!

I would recommend a weekend in Manhattan to anyone. There's plenty to do - museums, shows, restaurants, ice skating (Rockefeller plaza or Central Park), tours, etc. And contrary to stories you may have heard, New Yorkers are not all rude - there are a few with manners...

Michael Buble Rocks!!

I saw Michael last night at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. And wow, was he AWESOME!!!

He is a natural performer. He looks like he's just having fun up there, singing songs that mean something. And with lyrics you can understand. He even got down in the crowd and took pictures with people. He's very personable and appreciates his fans.

You may not think you know him, but his music has been in a couple movies (Shall We Dance, The Wedding Date) and the theme music for the World Poker Tour (I'm Feeling Good). He was also on an episode of Dancing with the Stars.

It is really refreshing to see someone young that takes music from the Frank Sinatra era and makes it his own. He also does some Ray Charles and Bee Gees (How do you Mend a Broken Heart).

I would highly recommend you see his concert if he comes to your town. Tickets are hard to come by, and expensive, but well worth the price!

I could be a US Citizen!

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

You'd think I'd have more to post on here besides these silly quizzes. But this one I'm pretty proud of - I could pass the US citizenship test! I wonder how many Americans could do that?

You are my Sunshine...

You Are Sunshine

Soothing and calm You are often held up by others as the ideal But too much of you, and they'll get burned You are best known for: your warmth Your dominant state: connecting

What Type of Weather Are You?

I'm not sure I'm "ideal" according to a lot of people, but I am one of the calmest people I know. (Maybe a little bias there...)

Yes, I know, another one...

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

This seems appropriate. Even though I've only been there twice, I liked the city and could see myself living there. I'm not sure I'd agree that I'm freaky, but it gets the other stuff right.

Also - my sister-in-law works at Sandra Bullock's store (florist, and soon-to-be wine and gourmet food bar). That's the closest I'll ever get to a star...

Another one...

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

I know I passed, but can you believe that I, a math major, only got 8/10 correct? Maybe I should take it again...

Yes, it's been a while...

I know, I know, I haven't written anything in months. And here I am posting what kind of soul I am, according to some silly website. There were a couple of questions that I could have answered differently and still been honest. Maybe I'll take it again to see if things change.

Anyhoo...I will attempt to write more often. Probably not every day, but once a week would be good.

Signing off now. Go try out the Soul survey below...

What kind of Soul are you?

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges.You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions.Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist.Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others.And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you.You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically.Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

CMA Awards

So if someone had told me 10 years ago that I would willingly watch the Country Music Association Awards - and like it - I would have said they were crazy. But I watched them last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Country music is the only genre (besides Christian) that will talk about faith, God, doing what's right, and serving your country. Stuff I hear on the rock stations is all "Me, me, me" and sex all the time. Maybe it's out there, and I just don't know it, but it feels like country music has a positive message and is musically interesting. A

nd yes, I do know that not all country is happy and positive - "Tequila Makes her Clothes Fall Off" isn't exactly a moral message...

Oh, yeah, Keith Urban is a hottie...and yes, Eric knows that I think that...

What's happening in Iraq

This is an excellent post from Brian Kilmeade of Fox and Friends. He received a letter from the guy he roomed with while in Iraq. It tells of the hard stuff we are doing over there, but that we are making progress. We can't give up this fight. Even the Republicans that are saying we need some time table for leaving Iraq are wrong. We can't just flip a switch and make everything okay. It will take time. And we can't say "This is when we are leaving" because that will give our enemies a time when they can get their country back.

We were in Germany and Japan for many years after WWII; what make people think this case will be any different?

"Rome" Rocks

We have been watching the HBO series "Rome" this fall. The first couple episodes seemed to show a lot of sex - between prostitutes and with Marc Antony and Caesar. After that settled down, it's been quite a compelling show. The main characters (besides Caesar and Antony) are Verenus and Pullo. They are soldiers in the 13th legion in Ceasar's army. Eric hit the nail on the head when he said they were like the Forrest Gumps of 2000 years ago. They seem to be everywhere something important happens. One important event is that they are sent to find Cleopatra, who has been kidnapped by her brother's supporters. While on their way back to Rome, Cleopatra says that she is fertile and it would be good if she could be pregnant by "Caesar's" child. So Pullo sleeps with her and the implication is that he is the father of "Caesar's" son.

I was going to give the entire plot, but that would take too long. The final episode is on Sunday night (11/20), so it would be hard to understand what is going on by just watching that episode. But if you have HBO and On Demand, you can go back to the beginning and watch the entire season. I wouldn't recommend watching them straight through in one sitting; they are pretty intense. But you could catch up by Sunday night. I also assume HBO will replay them during the next few months. It is definitely worth watching. Entertaining and educational...what more could you want?

Things happening in the world...

I figured I should at least give an opinion on something going on in the world...something that is of more import than my phone line or laundry...

So I'll pick the bombings in Jordan. Awful story...one newly married couple lost both fathers (groom's and bride's fathers were both killed in the blast). The groom said that this is not Islam, not what they do. But if you look at who is doing the bombing of innocent (mainly Muslim) people, it's other Islamists. They are killing their own people and the more moderate ones are not yet stepping up to the plate to make them stop. Or at least to denounce what they are doing. It's not enough for us (our government) to say it's the fascist wing of Islam that is doing this; the Muslims must do this themselves.

I think we are starting to see some of that in Iraq. And especially in the other Iraq - Kurdistan. If you haven't watched these commercials, go here to see them. It is wonderful to see people that we are helping say thank you. I know that's not why we freed them, but I am glad that we are getting some credit as opposed to a bunch of crap from people (US media, French, Germans, the left).

Laundry

What do you do if you have a crappy dryer that takes forever to dry a load of clothes? Do you do more smaller loads so it won't take as long to dry? Or do you do one big load in the wash and split it between 2 loads in the dryer? Which you still have to run twice?

My philosophy is to do smaller loads, and while the first load is in the dryer, wash a load that has to hang to dry. Then you can do another load in the wash while the first load finishes drying. It seems to me that this would be more efficient - both of time and of water/electricity.

My hubby seems to think it's better to wash a huge load, break it into 2 loads in the dryer, each of which will take two runs of an hour a piece to dry.

Any ideas?

New Phone # in our house

How's this for something not exciting at all...I just emailed Bell South to add a new phone line to the house. My husband has started his own business and needs to have a separate phone number. I thought it would be a pain to do, but it's all there on the Bell South website. And I can have them tell my current local/long distance provider (Sprint) to start billing me for the new line. I considered switching back to Bell South for long distance, but right now I get unlimited long distance and all the bells and whistles of call waiting, etc. for $60/month. Bell South wanted to charge me $4.95/month to pay 5 cents a minute for long distance. Since my hubby will be making lots of long distance calls for his new business, we need the unlimited option.

Anyway, this is an inane post...just as it says on my profile...