Scraps o' the day

[fredericks]

Cards are mailed.out, Praise Jebus. Those things were staring at me and just giving me the evil eye. The Joisey Lass will most likely get it by Friday at the latest, but the rest of y'all...Happy New Year! I did mention I wouldn't get them out until this time so technically I'm not late but punctual. *ahem*
*

I'm not ill but I don't feel quite well yet. Last night I had a terrible sore neck. Perhaps it was some new pre-menstrual symptom because I woke up this morning at 6AM and, surprise! In addition I've felt like I've had something stuck in my esophagus since this morning. All I've managed to choke down since waking up is half a bagel and a couple of cups of ginger tea. Something ain't right in Dodge. I'll give my works a day or two to get back to normal and then it's off to the doctor.
*

Started watching The Office (UK) again last night (in my bed via my brother's snazzy iBook...covetcovetcovet). I like the US version, don't get me wrong, but UK can get to me in the way US cannot. Carrell's take on the David Brent character doesn't hit the same notes that Gervais does. I felt an almost visceral pain of embarrassment watching Brent do the things he did last night that made me realize why I fell in love with the show in the first place. Brent's an utter ass but you get these glimpses of humanity and you think maybe *just* maybe _____ . That's not to say you don't find yourself wondering how someone as incompetent as him got hired for a managerial position in the first place. I want the box set. Argh. Money.
*

I'm so stoked about this it's a damned shame - I signed up for a couple of classes at Barnes and Noble University. Today I chose the "Discover D&D" and "Grammar Improvement" classes, and I'm thinking about joining the one on The Picture of Dorian Gray. Classwork without having to be in class. Yay! Some of the lovely people on my Friend's List should join me.
*

Mom and I are waiting for some relatives to show up. They're coming in from Joisey, around the Great Adventure area. I gave them directions I got from MapQuest that would have them coming to here by crossing through Midtown. Dad promptly poo-poo'd that idea and called them to give them directions via the GWB. They supposedly left NJ at 1 and were supposed to arrive by 3. It's 5:30 and they're not here yet. Right. So they don't eat pork for certain and we're uncertain if they eat any red meat products - why did my mother chose to use ham hocks to flavor the red beans? I find that endlessly amusing. When I told her about it she said "oh, just take the ham out of the pot. They'll never know". I'm like "but mom! It'll taste like pork!" Hee.

Comments

[writer-lilies.livejournal.com]

I read The Picture of Dorian Gray. Pretty good.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I have it, and I seem to recall *starting* it at least (after being intrigued by the film version of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"...don't laugh at me) but I'm drawing a blank on actually finishing it. The class might give me the impetus to finish if I haven't.

[writer-lilies.livejournal.com]

Sparknotes are your friend. They also have the full text sometimes.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Cheatah! No cheating!!
::runs to tell the professor::

[writer-lilies.livejournal.com]

It's not cheating if you use it as a supplement. That's what I usually do unless it's utterly mind numbing or it's a book I'm just interested in. I do have the actual book though. It was a bathroom book. Those always get read.

[modpixie.livejournal.com]

free love on the free love free-way...

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

*bows head*
I'm so ashamed. I actually had to look that up. How could I forget that video?

[taii.livejournal.com]

I will continue to be amazed why people like The Office. It's just so painfully bad.
The only saving grace was Tim/Dawn vs Gareth.

A guy at work has been reading A Picture of Dorian Gray... is it worth picking up?

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

And I, my friend, will continue to be amazed as to why exactly people eat haggis. Do you *know* what part of the animal that comes from? Really now. Really.
Two points upon which we'll simply have to agree to disagree. And become slightly green about.

From what I recall of Gray it was captivating. I don't remember finishing it, though. I'm hoping taking the online class gives me the motivation to complete it.

[taii.livejournal.com]

ah, but at least I've tried Haggis [and love it, though... ;]
Unless of course, you have tried haggis and not liked it. At least it's better than black pudding [blood sausage].
Actually, a quick wikipedia read, shows haggis is supposedly similar to something called Scrapple[?]

when it comes down to it, many foods are disgusting when you think about it. I try not to, and just savour the taste :)

But, should you ever visit Scotland, I recommend you head into a "chippie" and request a "haggis supper" [battered haggis with nice fat greasy chips, and no I don't mean crisps :]

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

See, I've had black pudding. When I was younger and more naive. I actually thought it wasn't that bad. The thing that turned me off was watching my family slaughter a hog, drain its blood, and then use that blood to make the pudding. Seeing my greataunt fish a dead fly out of the container of pig blood officially killed my black pudding love.

And no, I haven't had haggis. Windpipe? Lungs? I'm not an organ meat person so haggis, with the stomach boiling, is basically a quintuple whammy. The Wikipedia pictures were...yeah. You have your haggis, I'll have The Office. I figure we're even.

[raven-star.livejournal.com]

Correspondence education is the only way to do it in my opinion. Congratulations on your classes. I used to work for a Correspondence college in Australia, and having studied there, I can't imagine going back into a classroom. Careful though, it's seriously addictive.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Actually, I think B&N U differs from correspondence in that there's no credit given. It's just a number of "educational" fun activities. But I can see how it's addictive. *grin*

[brooklynknight.livejournal.com]

LOL!
I hope you're gonna like the D&D Class.

Why dont you come to the DND Meetup in brooklyn tommorw. I prolly wont be there (cause i'll be working) but you'll meet other people intrested in playing D&D seriously..

www.dnd.meetup.com

anyway. I'm feeling better. I slept for 14 hours... One more night of sleep should do it.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Do you remember back in like '94 they had that "interactive D&D" game out called "First Quest"? Maybe not, since I get the idea that you were hardcore even then. It was basically set up to walk noobies through the steps. I asked for and got it for Christmas. I was DM but I couldn't get through a complete game with my players (my brother and my neighbor). I always regretted that.

Why dont you come to the DND Meetup in brooklyn tommorw.
Heh, no. I'm rather tentative unless I have a firm grasp of what I'm doing. I'd rather get introduced with a number of other newbies than try to deal with hardcore gamers.

And I'm glad you're feeling better. Rest is good. Rest and herbal teas. Hmm...ginger.

[brooklynknight.livejournal.com]

belive it or not there are more n00bs in that group then hardcore gamers.


Among any of those people I'd say I'm the most hardcore. I actually have credits in some rpg books (pen and paper.net should have some of my credits listed if you search for my name)

Most of them havnt played in years and what not. And the meetup is mostly just for people who like D&D to gather together and hang out.


I prefer Citrus Tea. Lemon and Orange. Earl Grey is good too! *Pretends to be Captain Picard*.


I'm considering running a weekly game after the new year set in Eberron during a war...maybe. You'd be welcome to play.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Earl Grey. Hot.
Ah, good ole Professor Picard.

Here's how out-of-the-know I am..."Eberron"? *Googles* Keep me updated. I might be interested if the school semester doesn't turn me crazy again.

[brooklynknight.livejournal.com]

Blasted Transporter....

Eberron i the newest Campaign Setting from WOTC written by a good friend of mine, Keith Baker who I met at Winter Fantasy 03.

[1x2foralways.livejournal.com]

Yay! Can't wait to get your card!

iBook, eh? *is jealous* I'm saving up for one, actually. If I actually come up with the money by SAVING it (which I've never really done in my life), I think the world just might be coming to an end. We'll just have to wait and see.

Those classes at B&N look awesome. Wish I had the time and money to travel to NYC to join you. Maybe next time. (:

You have relatives in Jackson? That's awesome. (:

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

*grin* I hope you like the card. I thought it was cute and would be something you'd at least coo over for a little bit.

My brother makes a pretty big commission check, and that's the only way he could afford the laptop. I'm in awe of the amount of money he's managed to make. You should look into working at a high-end retail store too. Dood.

B&N classes are *online*. All you have to do is purchase the "required" textbooks, do the assigned homework, and participate in the discussions. You don't have to come out to NYC to participate. There's a lot to choose from and they're monthly. You should find something that interests you.

Is that area called Jackson? No idea. They're in-laws (wife of a cousin) with the cutest darn kids you ever could see. She was bathing her daughters and they all started singing...aww. A-dorable.

[1x2foralways.livejournal.com]

I bet I'll love it.

And...yeah...I knew they were online...I was just having a...a blonde moment...*starts wracking her brain for excuses to explain her idiocy* Aheh...*blush*

*nods* Yep, it's called Jackson. And singing while bathing her daughters? So cute!

[bbart.livejournal.com]

Yesterday there was a The Office (UK) marathon on and I forgot to record it. I'm still mad at myself for that.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Was there? On BBC America? Dammit. I missed it too.

[living-kindness.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, card. I shall have to actually check my mail, then.

The Picture of Dorian Gray?! A class on it?! Oh, I am *so* there. This is a neat little concept...And I see they have a class on Buddhism, as well. Oh God. I think I'm going to have to join.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

The only major thing is that you have to purchase the books and whatnot in order to participate. Otherwise you can't do the "homework assignments", blah blah. I guess they have to make money somehow.

I hope you like the card. No penguins or cute ducky stickers, unfortunately.