Warning: Some Violence and Much Strong Language.HE WROTE: The End
Yes, we're getting there. Still some scenes here and there to write and plug in. Then we have to go back and do many rewrites adding in motif, character consistency and arc, yada, yada.
This is a bit different than DON'T LOOK DOWN. I think the characters are deeper and have larger issues. My heroes best friend, Carpenter, isn't quite as humorous as LaFavre, but he is more the moral sounding board for Shane. We've got humor in the form of things like the Thibault family: Two Wheels, Three Wheels and Four Wheels. Two of whom meet their demise.
So today is forward time. I've got three scenes lined up to write and then I can email Jenny and go: Book Done Yet?
And tomorrow morning early I fly out to MN. We get to see the Mall of America. Actually, I saw it once before when I did this same conference like eight years ago. And, strangely enough, someone at that conference came to me and said: "You need to meet someone I know: her name is Jenny Crusie." I was like: "Who?" Sounded like trouble to me.
I was right.
The last episode of THE UNIT was wicked writing. Both the way the two plot lines mirrored each other, but also because there was a lot more going on than was shown, Plans within plans. One thing I like about the show is that it illustrates how Special Operations deals with problems obliquely. Never do things the way people would expect you to do them.
227 Comments:
"Never do things the way people would expect you to do them."
Every time I think like this, I screw myself up. Expect the unexpected and all that. When you think like that, paranoia starts to take over, and suddenly everything is expected, and I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!
Good to see Bob blogging. Hope you are feeling better.
I think Bob thinks he's being clever today by not doing things people expect him to do. ;-)
xiwkg Xavier is willing, keep Grover
Hi Bob.
I like The Unit, except for the personal subplots which make it a bit soap opera-ish. I could wish the show would just focus on the missions, but everything today has to have 'angst'. I didn't see the last episode though - wishing I had now.
I think we knew that the new book was going to have a lot more stuff going on, a more complex plot. I'm looking forward to it!
Hey Bob: Can't wait. Need a ride from the airport?
You know "We met in Maui" sounds like a better story than "We met in Minnesota" anyway.
"Book done yet?"
and
"I was right."
... both in one post. You are a brave, brave man.
I was in MN at a conference a couple of years ago and rode the really nice transit system from downtown to the mall. I can't believe I'm going to type these horrifically blasphemous words (because shopping is both god and sport), but it's just like any other mall, only bigger.
Lynn,
To be fair, he did it in two posts... but then again, he did it twice... I'm so confused.
Lynn: Truer words and all that. Around here you don't really go to MOA unless someone visiting from out of town wants to go, or perhaps if your favorite authors are going to do a signing there. I prefer staying downtown.
hcprfdj: He can post repeatedly for dares/jests.
Well, I'm going to comment over here on the corrected version. I'm just nice like that.
Bob, do keep in mind that when those Minnesotans give you the flat, blank-eyed stoic look they're really amused as all hell.
Have fun in my old home town. Are you and Jenny going to go play at Camp Snoopy? It would be unexpected. Maybe even oblique.
bw
They still haven't announced who the top-secret guest will be at the company dinner tonight. Maybe it's Bob. I'm kinda on the way to MN over here.
Now that would definitely be oblique.
Oh, please let it be Bob and not the Elvis impersonator ...
qkbfdga: Quick, laugh now fudge-deprived GAMs already.
Ok, blogger ...
mqhpmkvo: Many quick hands pass money, kiting violations ordered.
Bob - there is no better time to visit MN, than right now - and if you can avoid said MOA, your trip will be so much more delightful. If not try the Twin Cities Grill, yummy wild rice soup!
And parenting must be like Special Ops - cause I'm really working on the never do the expected - otherwise I'd be left in the dust by my rotten, oops, darling sons.
Lori - aaaahhhh the MOA, the best part of that place, is knowing when there are 15" of snow, one can still load 3 boys under 5, into car, get good "new mom" parking space, spend $15 on ride ticket, and sit in semi-peace while your kids ride the snoopy bus 10 times! Other than that, didn't go for the shopping. But we only lived 8miles from it. I loved the downtown Dayton's, best Santa in the whole wide world! And man-o-man, Cafe Latte on Grand in St. Paul - I still dream about their choc/raspberry torte, and lemon custard, and strawberry creme cake, and milk-choc/caramel layer cake, and well you get the picture -- ooooo I forgot in Stillwater there is this candy shoppe that makes turtles and big as actual turtles - I really miss those guys.
BCB - the flat blank stare is always followed by a fer shuuure. And slight head nod. Way better than belly laugh.
Are Xavier and Carpenter the same person?
Just trying to keep an eye on Jenny's knife.
bw
bon cheri bomb said...
Are Xavier and Carpenter the same person?
No, Xavier is the Columbo style detective, Carpenter is Shane's buddy and I believe chief body disposer.
blooger is feeling puny again, hope this goes thru.
Bob it is "DuEling blog" with an E not duALing blog with an A.
Guess that means we have to comment twice.
Lori three things not necessarily in any order. Are your going to get to see the Bob and Jenny show this weekend? You are doing a WONDERFUL job on the CB site. It looks great. And Last but not least have you had a chance to curl up with your quilt yet? I bet you have been too busy.
noljofj
Not on line (but)Jenny orders free juice.
Bob thinks he's being cute, two blogs at once. Does he really think that will satisfiy our morbid need for new posts? Sorry, Bob, doesn't work that way.
Mall of America...My DH went there once and called me from the line for some roller coaster. I don't do roller coasters. They frighten me kind of like Jaws. The last roller coaster I went on, I was like 20 and I didn't want my boyfriend (now DH) to think I was frightened. I cried the entire time and well, was shaking for like fifteen minutes afterward. Now he tortures me with things like letting my children bungi jump. Geez. They all love roller coasters and Mom just sits and watches. Well, actually when we went to universal studios and I lost a bet to my husband and had to go on the tower of terror, well, when I got off, I had to stick my head in a garbage can and get sick...lovely husband told people I was pregnant because he was so embarrassed that I was puking. Funny thing was, about two weeks later, we found I was three months pregnant with thrid child. Yeah, I don't do roller coasters. Have fun Bob.
Bob wrote: "Never do things the way people would expect you to do them."
Hmmmm, is that kind of like bein ass backwards?????
Andi: now you're making me miss your Café, and I've never been there!
When one is in a place like MN, it is nice to have cozy indoor destinations, but it is true that a huge mall is just more mall. I do NOT understand making one a "destination".
fgkdry: not what we have here - it's raining pretty hard out there.
Jen? Which one is your thrid child? And do the other kids accept him/her?
I just realized that I must have missed at least a couple of weeks worth of "Bones". I've gotten out of the habit of remembering to turn on the TV. Last night I'd've had to tape it anyway - like THAT's going to happen.
rioqo: an amusing little dance that can only be done properly if the lady is wearing 3" heels. Or higher. All the gentleman is required to do is smolder appropriately.
I'll be Glamour-geek is an expert. Mary, welcome back, and thanks so much for the hula! It made the highlight reel.
Diane opined mistakenly: When one is in a place like MN, it is nice to have cozy indoor destinations
Hey. What do you mean "a place like MN" -- MN is a very nice place. I think only natives are allowed to say not so nice things about it. And Iowans. But we mostly ignore them unless they have amazing artistic talent. And then we pretend they live very close to the border.
Being outdoors in MN is cozy just about any time of the year. Just requires a little bit of creativity. Ask Lori, who recently spent a weekend camping in 45 degree drenching rain at a time when the first frost has yet to kill the monster mosquitoes. I'll bet she was very cozy the entire time.
Lori? You recovered from all that coziness yet?
bw
One of the friends I went to Germany with died Tuesday night, so I won't be able to make the MN signing. Lori, I e-mailed you back. Many thanks!
JENNY AND BOB: DRESS WARM!!!!
Anyone who's looking to meet at the MOA prior to the book signing, I can second the recommendation for the Twin Cities Grill, and it's close to where the signing is. (When I checked the mall's site, it said the Sears court.) Just leave ample time, or make sure to tell them if you're in a rush. I've been there a few times (to be fair its been a few years) and they're on the slow side. Ruby Tuesday's is almost directly overhead, so it's a good spot too. With a salad bar.
amc said...
One of the friends I went to Germany with died Tuesday night
So sorry to hear the bad news. My sympathies.
amc - so sorry about your friend. Hugs and lots of love sent your way!
About the thrid kid. There is DD15, DS13 (well, almost 13) and DS9. The two boys are fighting as I type and I am ignoring them because, well, I'm tired of breaking them up. Oldest puts up with both her brothers, but I get the feeling this house is going to be very interesting over the course of the next few years.
DS9 has been on the tower of terror twice, once in utero and once a few years ago. he says he remembers the first one because it made him all jumpy when in my tummy. Funny kid.
Giggles in the Grocery Store....
Okay, on my lunch hour today I went to go get a salad and pick up some canned veggies (only way my kids will eat the green stuff). Oddly, in the canned goods isle I found myself thinking of Bryan dancing like Grover in a pink tutu. You ask, Why? Well, it's simple. check out the new Del Monte Sweet Peas can - it's got Grover on it!!!! I will never ever be able to look at Grover again without laughing...and I wonder why people think I'm nuts.
amc so sorry about your friend, my condolences.
EVERYBODY this is the best blog etc. I visited some of the different blogs/forums and none of them is as wacky [and i use that word advisedly] as us. Nor as comforting when trouble strikes.
LORI and ZaZa My home computer doesn't let me see the items on your blog [I have Google] so once a week I get to catch up, I also like #41 Ihave no idea how to post my ideas/images of a kitchen as long as we have a fireplace and a couch and lots of tea and coffee I'll be happy
I hope everyone is feeling better.
By the way, a picture of the can Jen is talking about is here if you're interested.
Bryan - where is the other part of that picture? You know, the one with you holding the can in your pink tutu?
We're keeping that one between us, Jen.
I haven't been doing the verification sentences lately, but I had to share this one:
hzorgyq - Is a sentence even necessary?
AMC - so sorry to hear about your friend. Take care.
amc - sorry for you and your friend's family.
giggles at the computer thinking of Jen stopping mid-aisle, to visualize a pink tutu-ed Grover/Bryan dancing.
I stopped riding roller-coasters after I squeezed DS10's hand into near oblivion, cried "OH MY GOD,I HAAAAATE THIS...NO NO NO NO", made child cry, and nearly pulled him out of seat, to get closer to him, and he was only 6. The DH, said he thought it was better if I waited at the bottom from now on. And I used to ride everything - I hate getting old.
iebgbkix - yeah right - I'm not that clever.
AMC - Please add my condoloences to the others. It's always hard to lose a friend
andi - my kids try and get me to ride the rollercoasters so they can see me shake and cry. Right now, they are enjoying torturing me about having to fly to Vegas...and they are on their father's side about getting married again at a cheesy chapel...sigh, that would be so much fun.
Bryan, damn I wish I knew how to do a super secret web site so I could post that grover/bryan pink tutu picutre!
Speaking of riding everything...remember the round-up? In lake george at Gas Light Village, they had one of those, and I went on it after I had like two fried doughs, some ice cream and two hotdogs my brother bet me I couldn't eat - I was like 11, anyway, it spun around and around and around. When it ended, half the people were covered in puke from some idiot who got sick on the ride. Yep, that was me. I denied it and denied it and denied it for years. But there you have it, it was me. Oh God, my life is one embarrasing moment after another....
AMC - Sympathies to you and to your friend's family.
Nanaimo Granny said...My home computer doesn't let me see the items on your blog [I have Google]... Google is fine for me. Can you be very specific about what steps you take and when the thing fails? Oh! Do try booting if you haven't in a day or 2. That sometimes is all it takes. Vancouver Island was great!
Ya know, I wonder just how much time Bobster spent figuring out how to flummox us w/2 identical posts. And just how long he's spent giggling. Do GAM's giggle? Well, guffawing, then.
You guys are just too much fun! I was only gone a little more than a week. Then I tried to catch up on comments, but kept getting interupted and losing my place, so I can't remember which comments I read and which I havn't. My head is spinning. Plus I could swear I posted a quick comment from Utah, but I can't seem to find that. Maybe I dreamt it.
Thanks to all for the work on the new site. You are so busy and organized!
Hi Kay T - good to see you!
Those rides to get hard to take as you get older. I used to be able to go anything. Can't do the round and round ones anymore that's for sure. Rollercoasters are still okay. Jen I did the Tower of Terror with my nephew ... lived to tell the tale but I was glad he only wanted to do that one once. Of course the brat wanted to do every single thrill ride. And since the trip was all about him gathered my courage and rode them all. I'm just really really thankful that trip took place before they came out with the anti-gravitiy ride - forget what its called.
Next year is his younger brother's turn. Fortunately yb doesn't seem to have the same fascination with thrill rides. There's plenty of other cool stuff to do so that's fine with me.
Actually my last trip to WDW was with group of friends - a long girls' weekend. We spent most of it at Epcot drinking our way around World Showcase. Did get to ride Soar'n which was really new then. Extremely cool and I advise anyone who goes to make it a point to ride that one. Not a thrill ride - just very cool.
Is that the ride where you spin,spin,spin then the floor drops out, b/c if so, I managed to make it to the trash can to yarp my one and only in my whole life funnel cake. Stupid ride.
DH and I went to Vegas about 3 yrs ago, and I wanted to "renew" the vows. He was up for it until he saw the price tag. Lets just say his reaction didn't end in a renewed honeymoon that evening.
mcb - wish you could distract nephew with the many beverages in Epcot. But, if not, work him to do the safari thing alot.
off any topic, ok, except in my home. closing on new house in 3 weeks, DH is being an unpleasant sort, I'm assuming because of stress, except that right after he torques my mood, he miracously gets in a good mood. Shovels anyone?
amc: sorry to hear about the passing of your friend.
I survived the company dinner. No Elvis, but sadly no Bob either. Yes, I know he said he wasn't leaving for MN until the morning. A gal can hope. The mystery guest was the new mascot for the Indianapolis Colts, of which the bank I work for is a corporate sponsor. His name is Blue, and all I can think of is Paul Bunyon and his ox. Blue still makes more sense than Elvis, though I still wish it was Bob.
Then I get home and find that DSS's hamster died. Not pretty. His fur started falling out and he looked like the Cryptkeeper. DSS's weekend with us isn't until next weekend, so we're debating the whole pet funeral thing. And I absolutely refuse to keep it in a baggie in the freezer until then.
This is the second hamster since I met DH. DSS's next pet is going to be a tortoise, I swear.
ojreilzn: gee, is it time for bed already?
andi wrote: "DH and I went to Vegas about 3 yrs ago, and I wanted to "renew" the vows. He was up for it until he saw the price tag. Lets just say his reaction didn't end in a renewed honeymoon that evening."
I looked up the price tag, but have not mentioned it to DH, still trying every trick in the book to get him to agree to it. He had to have the big wedding 18 years ago when i wanted to run off to the carrabien and elope, but noooo, we did it his way, so why can't we do it my way this time? Oh, that's right, it's not a "second" honeymoon, maybe he shouldn't have any of the honeymoon benefits then? He over heard me talking to SDCB tonight about it and then said, "You can go find an Elvis and marry him if you want." Geez, of course after I got off the phone he mentioned soemthing that might change his mind...um, no! Why do all men think that asking us to do the one thing that no matter how much we love the twirp, we won't do, ever! Oh, because I guess since i won't do that, he won't marry me again...men, and live with them, can't shoot them. Sigh, time to get some new nighties, maybe that will help, or not.
andi wrote: "off any topic, ok, except in my home. closing on new house in 3 weeks, DH is being an unpleasant sort, I'm assuming because of stress, except that right after he torques my mood, he miracously gets in a good mood. Shovels anyone?"
Andi, I'm tossing you mine. Dear husband thinks nothing of picking a fight, getting me "annoyed", then after the kiddies are in bed he somehow isn't mad at me anymore he is all "happy", like the night I drove into the garage door. He tosses his hands wide, asking me what the hell was I thinking (No! I did not tell him I was on the phone, nor will I ever!), he moans and groans about the money, yadda, yadda, yadda, then bam, moments later it's "Hi Honey, how you doin?" that is such a bad, line...explain to me why it works?
grpumib - um, well, nope, nothing comes to mind.
I am off to visit my sister. Do you need to know this? Not really. But I didn't want you to go away and leave me behind while I am shopping, eating out and seeing the designer show house.
*ducks*
Party on-and I will try to bail you all out when I return.
Do you know how bad it is when you are having an anxiety attack thinking how far behind you will be on HWSW when you return?
Bryan You clever Fifer can put pictures on the blog, so to speak. Would you be kind to a dear old grannie and put some kitchen pictures on the blog?
Gatorperson I have a Windows 98 and I tried to get Modzilla Firefox to be my search engine but the %$# computer wouldn't let me, It wont even let me update all the free Windows stuff any more.
McB did you get my e-mail about donation?
I WISH I was going to NJ with y'all it will be soooo much fun.
Maybe next time
amc I am very sorry about your friend. My sincere condolences.
I was telling jen-t tonight that my DH agrees with hers. This is the man that bought his wife her THIRD wedding ring but said he would not marry me again in Vegas in one of those chapels. "That is is really cheezy."
On the rings. He bought the first before we were married to have for the wedding, the second was bought in Lebanon when he was serving in Egypt with the UN and the third, two days ago because his wife kept whining.
Another P Phrase for orangehands who likes them.
"Personally, I think that if a woman hasn't met the right man by the time she's 24, she may be lucky."
Deborah Kerr
red iymgem
Iconoclastic yex makes good enemies, Mayer.
BTW Bob I never do things the way people expect me to do them. Just wait till New Jersey. /,D
I think that is why my husband is still married to me. He keeps waiting to see what I will do next. Those who have read my blog know that he came home early after being away on another base for three months and found his wife dressed as Miss Piggy. And that was just one incident. I gave a speech once at a conference honouring me and I said that my husband never knew what I would do next and my son yelled from the back of the room, "And he still doesn't". It makes married life very interesting.
A P Phrase once again for orangehands
"People love deadlines. I especially love the swooshing sound they make as they go flying by." Douglas Adams.
amkmjvz
Any more killers (will)make Jenny very zealous.
Tried to comment a bit ago...you know who ate it....
It's been ten..eleven years since I was on a roller coaster...San Diego was trying to shut down the one by the beach...a radio station had a DJ riding round the clock in protest...I was there for my TV station and rode around several times...Roller Coaster is still up and running. Still a tourist attraction.
JenT... I bet your DH comes around when you get there....we want pixs.
suorlpa...red
so usually our Robert loves putting Althea.....Where???
pflhagbu...redprobably flogger likes having Althea going by U
I think I must have hit my head harder than I thought... I am seeing double-Bob-blog, lol
Haven't been well yet again, but I put my time to good use... sort of.... ok, so I sat in front of the TV watching my Fire Fly DVDs and just about died laughing.
I love Joss Whedon.
He is the best.
Mal: "This is the captain. We have a...little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and then...explode."
AMC: i'm so sorry about your friend. (((HUGS)))
****
Mall of America: i've never been, but my mom says the mens bathroom is great. apparently the urinals line up either on the one-way mirror or right under it, and it's like peeing on passer-bys.
i always thought Grover was green. who's the green one then?
two rollar coaster stories:
1) i never liked them (love the speed, hate the heights and how they look unstable) but when i was about ten my brother and goddaughter wanted to go to a theme park (i hate them) so we went with my godfather (goddaughter's dad). when it came to who would ride the loop one with him, guess who volunteered? yep, me. actually, wasn't that bad.
2)same day, we are walking by Superman (the one where it goes way, way, way up, and then suddenly drops down free fall style) as they were testing it. i spent an hour watching them test that ride. i saw about seven dummies fall out.
and they wonder why i look at rollar coasters with distaste? however, because of who i am, if you bet me i'll ride any of them. i wont like it, but i will. and my legs won't shake when i get off.
scope: you forgot to say the origin of the p phrase.
erica: i always laughed watching that show. hated the movie (Serenity), but like the show. (this is the show i'm thinking of, right?)
i managed in two blogs not to mention what Bob wrote, so here goes:
"Two Wheels, Three Wheels and Four Wheels. Two of whom meet their demise."
so do we start talking bets? what are the odds? zaza, want to start a poll?
scope: never mind, i found it.
night all.
SDCB wrote "I was telling jen-t tonight that my DH agrees with hers. This is the man that bought his wife her THIRD wedding ring but said he would not marry me again in Vegas in one of those chapels. "That is is really cheezy."
Cheezy - exact words my DH said. And the weird thing, I got a new set of rings last year for christmas after I told DH that while I loved the ring he gave me (really I did, it was perfect), but I wanted the diamond reset in a silver band, versus a gold band, which means the wedding ring needed to be silver too. It took two years to muster up the courage to ask, only becasue he was dang proud of himself that I was the only one of our friends that didn't pick out her own ring...I let him and he did do a good job, just time for a change.
Last night I asked him if it was just getting married again in Vegas, or getting married again. He looked at me and said, "No matter how I answer that question you are going to be mad, and no you don't look fat in the jeans." Snort, I wasn't wearing jeans. Damn, he was right, I'd be mad either way...still working on him.
SDCB - you make me laugh with the Miss Piggy thing. I think my DH stays with me because I'm easily amused and highly entertaining (even though for a low maintaince gal, I seem to cost him a lot of money...the garage door...)
Louis - if it happens, I'll make sure you see the pictures!
OH - the green one is Kermit, you know, the one that scares me. Do I really have that many issues...geez, one would think I'm weird.
OH - test dummies that fell out...um yeah, never going on one of those rides, ever! Heck, the last time the kids went to an amuesment park, DH took them and mom stayed at home, everyone was happy. They got to do the rides without me being a worry wart, reminding them to make sure they are buckled in, and then bitting my nails while I wait for them to arrive back in my arms safely, as they dodge my arms to go running of to the next stupid thrill ride. Yeah....I've got issues, I know, pathetic.
Jen: Just wait until they start driving.
bw
roller coasters: love them. I am a nervous nelly 90% of the time. I hate ferris wheels because my demented parents would alway rock the car and I just knew I'd fall out. No, instead belt me in and send me 80 mph towards the ground and I'm happy as a clam. I'm not a huge fan of the extreme ones though. The ones that have no sides, no back and only a harness around your waist - uh, no. I'm not a complete idiot.
Haven't done coasters in a while now. DH can't stand them and DSS isn't quite up to that stage yet. Log rides are about as far as they both go. I had a slide show at my wedding and there is this great shot of us coming down the big hill. I have my arms in the air and a big smile on my face. DH is holding on to me for dear life and hiding his face against my back. Hilarious.
hnwoqaua: street in Hawaii
OH - don't listen to Jen. The green one is Oscar the Grouch.
Nanaimo - I did and sent reply. Just sent you another in case the last one went astray. If you don't see it in your in box check the spam/bulk mail folder. I seem to end up there a lot. %-D
"Two Wheels, Three Wheels and Four Wheels. Two of whom meet their demise."
Well Agnes gets one of them with the frying pan right off. Don't recall off the top of my head how many wheels he had.
mcb - FTR - we are both correct. Oscar and Kermit are green, but Kermit is the one that sings, "It aint easy being Green." And he is the one that scares me in my sleep.
kiguvp - kermit in green underwear values paint
Kermit also sings, "The Rainbow Connection."
My sister and I were in church together one morning and one of the songs sounded suspiciously like "Connection." We stared at each other a while with one of those "Don't you dare start laughing" glares because ROTFLMOA during church is still pretty much a no-no and we desparately wanted to finish by belting out, "The lovers, the dreamers and me." Yes, we were pretty much worthless for the rest of the service.
AMC - I'm so sorry about your friend!
Erica - I hope you feel better! I'm definitely going to have to get hold of Firefly, with that kind of recommendation.
BCB - my bad - I wasn't intending to dis MN, I quite like it, and I know that most locals are a hardy bunch, like Lori, and enjoy playing outside in all weather. But quite a number of people seem to feel that when it's very cold, inside is good. And there's a lot of inside at MOA.
Apropos the Kermit discussion, I was listening to "As it Happens" last night, and there was this long discussion of the composer of that classic "Itsy-Bitsy, Teeny-Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" (into which I do not propose to take you), followed by the song itself, sung by - Kermit and Miss Piggy! I'd never heard that version before.
uohktwsa: ukelele overwhelms hilarity, keenly transforming wonderful Shimabukuro aptitude
(if you haven't heard Jake Shimabukuro on the ukelele, you have NO idea)
Diane wrote: "Apropos the Kermit discussion, I was listening to "As it Happens" last night, and there was this long discussion of the composer of that classic "Itsy-Bitsy, Teeny-Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" (into which I do not propose to take you), followed by the song itself, sung by - Kermit and Miss Piggy! I'd never heard that version before."
OH MY GOD! First, I use the miss piggy/kermit version of Teeny-Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini in dance class....and
OH MY GOD! When I was like 6, I did a jazz solo to the orginal version in a Teeny-Weenie Yello Polka Dot Bikini...oh god, my life is a sit-com!
Off to go pick up the flipping lawn mower...please God, have mercy on me.
jen-t just watch the back window of the van. good vibes going out to you and the lawn mower. I keep telling you to ditch it.
Another Miss Piggy story. When I was on a French Immersion Course I met a little Italian girl and we hit it off. We did everything together including Miss Piggy and Kermit for the talent show. I was Miss Piggy and we made her a costume of green felt feet and cut a tennis ball in half for her eyes and painted it accordingly to make her Kermit. Serena was the biggest cutup of the both of us but had the most stage fright. I was to start singing "Rainbow Connection" and she would appear with roses for me. I started the song and no Kermit. I apologized to the audience and went to see why I could hear her laughing off stage. I saw her hand, grabbed it and pulled her onto the stage, while I again started the song. Then I looked to see why the audience was laughing harder than expected. One of her eyes had fallen and was lying halfway down her chest and the other was threatening to go. I cracked up and that was the end of my beautiful solo and the act. We had a great time together but that was the end of Miss Piggy and Kermit for that course. Again doing something no one expected. I was so well-behaved in class since I was the oldest by about 20 years.
green ecten
Every CB treats everyone nicely.
Jen, for the love of Bob ... ROLL DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS!!!!
jen-t: I don't suppose they'd wrap the bars in bubble wrap for you ...
And that's the handle bars of the mower, people. Not that actual drinking establishments are not in need of bubble wrap from time to time.
And there's bound to be a few of you bubble wrap poppers out there.
yyilb: Yowzers, yellow ice likens blech.
AMC: Emailed you back, but don’t worry about it.
Andi & AMC: TC Grill. Yum.
Andi: I can vouch for Café Latte’s strawberry crème cake, and I think their Tres Leches is fabulous, but I’d have to go back to try the other ones you mentioned. Darn.
SDCB: I’ll be there for the signing, not doing the workshop. Workshop was weirdly tempting, but I don’t write so… Plus, I’m going to the Twins game in the morning with some friends.
Cozy camping: Take the weather BCB mentioned add one winter coat, 2 hoodies, one pair of mittens, one scarf wrapped around head twice, one tuque, one XL golf umbrella, two sleeping bags, (yeah there were two, just not exactly how I planned it) and you’ve got yourself a cozy weekend camping in Northern MN.
I waddled because of all the clothes, but I wasn’t freezing or wet. Mostly. Unfortunately I just received an email with picture proof of it all. Ugh. However, the pictures of the scenery are lovely.
OH: I’d also go with Oscar on this one.
Jen: Good luck there.
oosinz: Reference to the "oo" lyric popular in many songs.
i'm a bubble wrap popper. we all go to meetings for it. i'm getting better. i now ask other people if i can pop their bubbles, as opposed to just doing it.
ok, all this talk is confusing me, so i went here:
(BTW: Oscar is from Seasame Street, not the Muppets).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Muppet_Show
http://www.kermitage.com/html/characterindex/tms/
http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~csilvers/muppet-characters.html#muppshow
(which has no pictures but deserves to be on the list- it describes Kermit as "The main frog"
OH: Both Jim Henson. All considered Muppets, just different shows. So you did mean Kermit?
OH: And Grover is from Sesame Street. Gonzo is from The Muppet Show. However, there have been crossovers and guest appearances. Kermit is on both.
Jen: Deep breath. No Muppets want to harm you, but you may want to avoid the comments around here right now.
ok, this is just confusing. i remember the Cookie Monster. and Big Bird. Miss Piggy, Kermit, and Fozzie Bear.
then there just a whole bunch of other ones.
*sigh* i loved what Seasame Street was doing but i never really watched either of those two shows.
Article in today's San Diego Union Tribune...re: that Yellow....etc song...Man who died had claimed to be the writer...only he wasn't..composer is still live and kicking....
The Muppets...my favorite bunch....remember when they started as bit pieces on the "Today" show...my favorite was a record player with an arm coming up the side and starting the record over and over. They have done very well since then!
bizhlast...green
Bob is zizzling, he's lost Althea's safty tissue
I remember from Sesame Street Bert and Ernie, Oscar, Big Bird, Kermit, Grover, Cookie Monster (my personal favorite), Count, Harry (blue monster), Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Guy Smiley. Elmo and Zoe came later.
From the Muppets there was Kermit and Robin, Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Rowlf (another fav), Janice, Mr. (or was it Dr?) Teeth, Animal, Floyd, the chickens, the two guys in the balcony (Ernest and Waldolf?), Rizzo the Rat, and whoever the captain was in Pigs in Space.
And in reading what I just wrote, even I think I'm certifiable.
I need a life.
sqepqp: Squeeze quiet elephants pretty quick please.
OH - basically 2 sets of muppets. Those who lived on Sesame Street and those who got into show biz i.e. The Muppet Show. Kermit was on both at times but the on SS the big start was Big Bird.
The Muppet Show was very big for a few years and had some great stars as guests. But you would have been very young during its heyday, so likely not familiar with such fab characters as Statler and Waldorf, Animal, Gonzo, Professor Honeydew and his assistant Beaker (poor Beaker), Sam Eagle, etc.
Louis, can't pretend I remember back to their Today Show premier but I remember a very early Kermit.
Great family show, always good for a laugh.
deqmb: Do elegant queens marry bums?
Hi, I'm home. Just so you don't worry.
I haven't read any of B&J's posts and only went to the time and date that Mary and I were on the camera for comments to see what you wrote. M sent me the link to Lori's blog and our photos. What a hoot! I even commented there myself.
Ok, must do things like laundry, grocery shopping, etc. but will try to catch up later. Maybe not with all the comments. I don't think I can read 2 weeks worth of comments without needing a new glasses prescription.
The captain in Pigs in Space was Link Hogthrob. Just noticed the comment right above mine so thought I'd throw that in. It's clearly a sign of a deranged mind that I even know that.
oh, btuda reminded me. i remember Bert and Ernie, Oscar, and Elmo.
G-G YOU ARE BACK TOO!!!!!
wait, we could comment on those pictures? first thing to do when i get back from class....
OH: you can comment on the photos Lori put on her blog, sure.
And for those who didn't know, Mary is the one in black, I'm the one in the white with blue polka dots bikini and yellow sarong.
Things are back to normal: my feet are cold. For two weeks, my feet weren't cold, now they're cold again. Sigh.
And maybe I did meet a Tongan from New Zealand on the beach (or he met me, depending how you look at it), but you wouldn't want me to swim alone, would you? I mean, even though I was doing that for a week before Mary got there... ;)
And then there we were another day, stopped at a red light on the way to Wailea, and Mary starts flirting with the Hawaiian in the back of the pick up truck next to us and then tells me that's why they're called "pick up" trucks!
mcb: thank you! It is Statler and Waldorf. I am always getting names mixed up.
g-g: I don't think I could have remembered Link Hogthrob to save my life.
I think I may have to swipe my sister's Muppet Show DVD this weekend.
orecoqfd: Oreos randomly equalize calories on qualified foods delightfully.
First came Sesame Street, then came the muppets... I think.
Okay, went to pick up lawn mower,the guy went to start it and the flipping pull cord broke, so I had to wait like a half hour for him to fix that, thank god he didn't charge me. Lawn mower is safe, and at home, out of the car, no major disasters, but the day is not over yet....
GG - Hi! I got my post card today!!!!! Thank you so much. Bryan must have been wearing his other costume because I only have one cabana boy on my gemini yacht. Trust me, only one cabana boy is necessary...I can barely keep up with his exersize crap these days "near...far...near....far, come on Jen, pick up the pace! You're slacking." Geez, peel me a grape would ya?
Oops GG and Mary - got my card today...flipping nails are too long again!
don't forget Scooter! My favorite was a TV Christmas special a couple years ago where Kermit did a "It's a Wonderful Life" thing, in which if he were never born, the Muppet Theater would be a disco in which Beaker (on steroids)was a bouncer and Scooter was wearing leather pants dancing in a cage hanging from the ceiling. HA!
off topic (what was the original topic?): Today I bought my very own home. It's a first for me, folks. Kinda freaky. Means I'm a responsible adult now, or maybe just old. Anyway, this also means I'll be away for about a week, moving and setting up a new computer hookup. Try not to have too much fun without me around to instigate things!
gjyffy GAMs just yell foul for YEC
Yay, ME! I know that feeling. Scary and exciting at the same time. Congratulations!
Oh yeah, and everyone going to Joisey, have fun and post pictures! I might not have a life, but at least i can have a vicarious life...
Me, Congratulations on the new house. I know the feeling, scary and thrilling at the same time.
Jen t, I may have missed the explaination, but why didn't you just buy two lawn mowers? One for your house and one for the beach house? Lots cheaper than replacing car windows.
Mary & GG, Weclome back. Glad you had fun. I really enjoyed the show. Wished I was there the whole time.
All, Don't forget the Swedish Chef. One of my favorite Muppets.
me: congrats on the new house!
k.l.: Love the Swedish Chef. "De Meaty Loafer." Ha!
Muppet Christmas Carol was pretty good too. Fozzie was one of the ghosts of Christmas past. "Aaaah - wacka wacka wacka!" There was another special (Muppet Christmas?) with "Watch out for the icy patch!" as Grandma's house. We still LOL, but DSS just looks at us like we're nuts.
ME: Congrats on the house! It's freaky scary but exciting all at the same time.
I LOVE The Muppets. Grover, Gonzo and Beaker. Weren't Beaker and the Swedish Chef's assistant the same muppet?
Statler and Waldorf always made me laugh. Today, I bought a Betta to keep as the library mascot. We were all joking about which muppet to name him, then I come home and see this...synchronicity is wonderful. he's purplish blue. Very nice.
me - Congratulations on the house!
GG and Mary - glad you're back on the blog. Sorry about the cold feet.
Ya'll have a good weekend.
I'm off to spend Saturday at a Mother-Daughter "How to get along Better" conference for Tween(9-13) Girls (a scout thing), and then Sunday, I start roofing my house. Yep, me and my dad are gonna do it ourselves.
I'lll Catch up with everyone on Monday .
amc - my deepest sympathies!
me - Yay - good for you. Very scary but well worth it.
gg and Mary - glad to have you back safe and sound!
Scope - new ring sounds great! A little flash never hurt anyone... sparkle...sparkle!! Your DH is a major GAM!
Lori - you are doing such a great job for us, gathering and coordinating info. You rock woman!
McB - money in the mail. I'm a little late because DH was in the hospital, but is home and doing O.K. now.
Everyone have a great time in NJ. Wish I could be there. Someone take pictures, please.
Have a great weekend.
gtjarz
go to Jersey and really daZzle
me - congrats on the new home. DH and I have owned three. We bought our first home together back in February of 1988, a few months before we married, then we bought the cottage (still own today) and then in 91 we built the house we live in now. Don't plan on moving until I have grandchildren, which hopefully will be a very long time off, although someone who will remain nameless on this blog mentioned that I could be grandmother before I was fity, that wasn't nice of them was it. congrats owning is always fun, but because of those flipping lawn mowers, they cause all sorts of problems.
kl - we did finally buy a mower a few years ago for the lake house (no beach, shark issues). That one has never been in the back of my car while I'm driving, so I think it's safe, although I suppose I could manage to accidentially land it in the lake (don't go there people, not giving up that story.)
Marcia in OK - um, the fun begins around 15, yeah, we get along better, talk more, but she looks like a woman, dresses like, well me, and acts one moment like a woman, and the next like she's two, and guys who shave talk to her. Yeah, I'm having a blast.
Nanaimo Gran - Probably your problems aren't to do with Google, but you can try this....
Bring up Google. On the search type Yahoo.com. Then click on Yahoo! Then type in http://cherrybombideas.blogspot.com/. Click on Web Search. It'll fuss but give you the identical choice. Click on that. See if the colors work for you. This way Yahoo SHOULD be driving instead of Google.
Now, boys and girls, wasn't that truly boring?
ME - Enjoy the new joys of homeownership.
Bryan - I had just forgotten Althea's name. Bob thinks names are more important than I do. Go write. We need more books to read!
htfzix: Half The Fantasy Zones Interest Xavier.
ME: CONGRATULATIONS. i would suggest getting a gardening service, though. apparently mowing lawns is tricky business. :)
also, me said "the Muppet Theater would be a disco in which Beaker (on steroids)was a bouncer and Scooter was wearing leather pants dancing in a cage hanging from the ceiling."
ROTFLMAO at that image. oh god, i thought this was a kid show.
hmmm, worse time with my relationship with my mom was probably when i was between 15 & 17. but it was still pretty good. i was a jerk and she was a major pain in the ass, but we still supported each other.
I'm no where near as talented as Bryan but I'll take my camera to NJ. Once we get back, I'll figure out how to post pics for the rest of you.
Nanaimo Gran - huh, I use Google and everything works OK. Internet... is a puzzle!
agswsikv
good grief... it's Friday afternoon and time to go home. Heck with this!!
CMS - DH has given me one of his old digital cameras, and I've got some card thingy he's shown me how to use, and I'll be able to post from NJ, how cool is that. Of course, I'll need to hide the camera from my roommates since they think it's funny to take my picture while I'm sleeping! That was sooooo not funny and they will pay for the last time they did that.
andi sez: ooooo I forgot in Stillwater there is this candy shoppe that makes turtles and big as actual turtles - I really miss those guys.
I really, really hope this isn't true. My first day in Maui I went to the beach in the afternoon. I didn't bother putting in my contacts (which I usually wear to the beach so I can actually see while I'm in the water...not underwater, just see what's around me while I'm out there), just took off my glasses and left them with my towel, etc. I'm about to get out of the water when a guy about 5 feet away from me, wearing goggles but not full snorkel gear, says "Watch out for the turtle." BETWEEN us, meaning about 2 feet away, is a 2-1/2 foot long sea turtle (actually this guy was following it way too closely, you're supposed to stay about 15 feet away to give them a break) and said turtle is HEADING STRAIGHT FOR ME. And, since I'm not wearing my contacts, I can't tell how deep the turtle is relative to my legs and feet (because the water was pretty shallow where I was). Let's just say I got out of the way as fast as I could and was pretty freaked out. I mean, his shell is harder than mine if he bumps into me and I'm not wearing my contacts so I HAVE NO DEPTH PERCEPTION.
So if they sell turtles that are 2-1/2 feet long, I'd be afraid. I mean, we could get it for a cherrybomb party and each break a piece off, but it might be a bit much for just one person.
But I did get to see an endangered green sea turtle close up. Maybe too close up. That was me. Terrorized by a sea turtle.
SDCB sez: "Personally, I think that if a woman hasn't met the right man by the time she's 24, she may be lucky."
Deborah Kerr
I *LOVE* this!
Still catching up...and I'm only reading the comments from the last two posts (bob's "make mine a double!"). Jeez, you people. Not that I'm not one of the guilty when I'm around, but still. :)
g-g said "I mean, we could get it for a cherrybomb party and each break a piece off, but it might be a bit much for just one person."
that sounds like a challenge to me! where can i get this two and a half foot chocolate turtle? and do those have caramel centers, cause that may be a lot of caramel. not a lot of chocolate, but not that big on large quantities of caramel.
Other muppets from the muppet show: Snookums (about 8 feet tall, brown, dressed in rags, one of my favorites), the Phantom of the Muppet Show (blue, dragonish, with curly whisker-like things), Janice (part of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem), Robin (Kermit's little nephew), Piggy Lee (looks like Miss Piggy, but with blond curly frizzy hair), either Statler or Waldorf had a wife, Astoria, who appeared once, all those chicken groupies that Gonzo had, and that purple woman in the flowered caftan with the brown curly hair, glasses and a pointy face whose name I don't know, Zoot (the blue guy in the Electric Mayhem who played the sax), Animal (who played the drums)...I can't remember the names of the other characters on Pigs in Space, just Miss Piggy and Capt. Link Hogthrob.
I watched Sesame Street before Elmo was introduced as a character, but remember it fondly. What a wonderful program for teaching kids about life, counting, reading, etc. I especially love that when Mr. Hooper died, they didn't try to slide it under the rug, but used it as an opportunity to educate kids about death and grief and how to cope. The people who make that show really care about pedagogy and children and raising good, caring, people who respect people of other backgrounds, religions, colors, and interests.
I LOVED the Muppet Show. As a kid I got the kid humor, as an adult seeing them later on I got the adult humor, and I thought it was brilliant that the show had both.
Another good childhood read (and there was also a movie): Free to Be You and Me. Anyone else remember that?
I will stop waxing nostaligic now.
GG - And you all wonder why I don't like the ocean...there are things in the ocean and they are not mermen people!
Oh, and this was supposed to be "date night", yeah right, like that workedo out well. Gee, the last time we had a successful date was on our anniversary back in August, no wait, two little boys ended up golfing with us...oh we did have diner alone, but then I think we came home to the boys fighting and well, end of date. Tonight, well, I thought we didn't have hockey, but I read the schedule wrong, so it's tomorrow night we don't have hockey but I've been informed that date night won't happen either night due to kids, hockey, kids, and well, some sporting event on TV...sigh...maybe when I'm 50 - oh that's right, I'll probably be a flipping grandmother then...damn I'm old.
G-G: Welcome home! We misssed you. I told ZaZa (ok, I asked nicely) we couldn't vote on the new logo until you and Mary got back to take a look and weigh in (sounds like a boot camp directive) -- so go do that, OK? She's so damn gung-ho it's frightening to those of us accomplished in procrastination. Thank Bob, or we'd never get anything done around here.
I seem to remember a couple of alien Muppets -- did they have names? Jen? Are they friends of yours? They didn't speak but instead made a bunch of strange sounds. My kids used to do a take-off skit that was ROTFLMAO funny.
I loved the adult humour in SS. Very sly and subtle. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking, what with me being a new mom out of the adult workforce for a few years and watching daytime TV against her better judgement.
ME: Congrats on the new mortgage! Does this mean you'll change your name to MINE?
AMC: Can't understand how I missed it earlier, but I did. Had to scroll back to figure out why condolences were being offered. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Sorry, too, that you won't be able to attend the signing. Sending you love and hugs, dear, and wishing for you the comfort of good memories.
bw
BCB: saw the logos. Is there a place to vote? I like 18, 20 and 41.
Also, the cherrybomb map doesn't seem to be working for me. I keep getting either blank pages when I want to add myself or messages that say something is broken on the page. Or it could just be me today. I'm very tired. Jet lag and air travel take their toll.
Jen: if you think the sea turtle was dangerous, you should have seen the Tongan. ;) Woohoo! Yes, I have photos of me with him...otherwise who'd believe me?
Jen wrote: maybe when I'm 50 - oh that's right, I'll probably be a flipping grandmother then
Well hell, if you get to be 50 and can still do flips, more power to you. Something to look forward to, I say.
Hey there, cutie, want to go grab a cup of coffee? Maybe take in a movie later? We could kind of maybe sort of pretend it's a date? You'll have to refresh my memory, though, it's been while for me. Be gentle, ok?
*SNORT*
Do you bring your gas-powered lawn equipment along on dates? Just asking. Wondering what to wear, you know. Can't decide whether to leave the hard hat at home.
bw
btuda said...
And there's bound to be a few of you bubble wrap poppers out there.
Im ZaZa, and I'm *sob* a bubble popper. Like OH, I have a tendency to just home in on the suckers and start popping. Even when they belong to toal strangers. Yes, I know I have a problem. If I have to have therapy, I'm going to claim a work-related cause.
When I worked at the med school in Arizona, they delivered some lab equipment to our office instead of the lab. The younger neurosurgeon helped us open the crate to see what it was and if we could move it ourselves. Let me say, there was bubble wrap. With BIG bubbles.
I'd never had any particular desire to pop bubbles on bubble wrap before, but he started in, then the receptionist followed suit, then I tried it. It was surprisingly...satisfying.
Before long, the three of us were standing there, happily engrossed, oblivious to people walking past, popping bubbles. Until the Chief of NS caught us. LOL! He was a nice guy, but he pointed out that it might not be the best ad to see the guy who was going to operate on your brain standing there, obssessively popping plastic bubbles.
See. Not my fault.
me said...
Today I bought my very own home.
Ooh, congratulations. I've still never bought my own house. I want to, though, some day. *humming* to dream the impossible dream...
Welcome back, G-G! Who else has been missing. I know I missed someone. I welcomed Mary on another post, so it's not her. So, are there pics of your Tongan?
vzxfs (green) Gee-zus!
Very zestfully Xavier fried squid.
zmmvtno (green)
Zoe met many very tall natives, Oauhu-wise.
Yeah, there are photos of the Tongan (they apparently feed them miracle-gro. He was REALLY tall, so your Zoe was right!).
Poor guy. Hopefully he never finds out that the weird brunette he approached actually ended up having the photos on the web and his picture is everywhere. :)
Haven't downloaded my photos yet. Kind of dreading doing so. I took a LOT of photos over the 2 weeks and will have a lot of sorting and labelling to do. Maybe tomorrow I will deal with the camera. Maybe Sunday. Right now I'm so tired I would probably do something horrible to mess up the download and delete them off the memory card and lose them all. Sigh.
ZaZa: I think Downundergal is still MIA/POI (that's Prisoner of Italy). And Christina has been pretty much ignoring us since she moved back to London -- maybe she and Bryan's internet blind date have met up and are swapping stories? And of course Talpianna has yet to emerge from her version of "in the darkness there is computer malfunction."
All this talk of popping bubbles has me thinking of Bubbles the Kitten. Poor baby.
bw
BCB wrote: "Jen? Are they friends of yours?"
um, didn't you recognize the family resemblance?
GG wrote "Jen: if you think the sea turtle was dangerous, you should have seen the Tongan. ;) Woohoo! Yes, I have photos of me with him...otherwise who'd believe me?"
Oh, God, what is a Tongan? I feel soooo stupid. I missed something didn't I? This is going to come back and bite me in the ass isn't it?
BCB - you think you're funny don't you? Geez, I love you too.
A Tongan would be a person from Tonga. Actually, this one was of Tongan background, from New Zealand, who went to high school in Maui and stayed to work there. Thinking about moving back to New Zealand or to Australia, where his family now is, though.
Why is there so much to do when you get home from vacation? Unpacking, laundry, bill paying, figuring out what you bought and for whom. Don't you get some sort of grace period to get your head on straight again?
I'm in the "dream the impossible dream" camp on the buying own home thing. Especially in the Bay Area.
I guess that's a yes on the hard hat question.
Might need to dig out the body armour, too, from the sound of it...
G-G: Did you get something for me? Is he cute? Because I think dating Jen is too dangerous for me.
bw
Me...
Not me...the other ME
Congratulations on taking that big mortgage step....best investment you will ever make.
G_G's back....welcome
I waved at you two.
ixeqy...red
its Xactly easy ...quiet YEC