Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts (A Little Late...)

Let's all pretend it's still Thursday, shall we?

Chock Full 'O Chocolate 

Made it to the Soiree last night (albeit after getting lost and arriving more than a little late...), and had a great time!  There was a silent and a live auction, which served to make me wish (more than I already do) that I was rich.  It's crazy to watch people haphazardly throw down thousands of dollars like it's nothing.  Shit - I can barely pay my power bill!  But, I did get caught up in the "fever" and raise that temptress of a bidding card in order to sponsor a family of four, so they can go to the Museum any time they want for a year.  A hundred dollars well spent, I guess... 

There was a great turnout and I think the Museum raised a lot of money.  It was fun!  I can't wait for the First "Birthday" Party they are throwing this summer.  More black tie goodness with the Children's Museum of the Upstate!  

My eyes itch, my throat hurts, and my car is yellow.  Damn you pollen! 

'Nuf said.

Bye, Bye Betty   

So, I've been watching Ugly Betty since it started several years ago (I'm too lazy to look up just how many).  Sadly, it is going off the air next week.  :(  I will miss it!  Mainly because Mark and Amanda are SO funny.  A special salute goes out to Mark, as he went with the Duckie Dale look for Hilda's wedding.  It was subtle - but awesome.  I wonder how many people caught that... 

   <--- Mark 

Duckie ---> 

"May I admire you?"

Silly Government!  Timeliness is for competent people!

So I've alluded to the fact that I deal with Federal tax credits.  Well, the government announced yesterday that the credit I work with most has been released, and applications for allocations of those credits are due JUNE 2.  That's six weeks from now, folks.  Normally, you get 3-4 months.  They take roughly 350 hours to complete.  We may prep as many as 10 of them.  There are about five people prepping.  You do the math. 

If I'm not around that much in the coming weeks, you know why... 

Playlist Du Jour

I get 10 free song credits per month with my Zune pass.  Here's what I'm buying with them this month (so far): 

1. Breakeven - The Script
2. Ultraviolet - Luke McMaster 
3. Foundations - Kate Nash
4. Golden Skans - Klaxons 
5. Lost Coastlines - Okkervil River
6. Captain America - moe. 
7. Float On - Modest Mouse 

I need three more.  Any suggestions?? 

HELL no!  I won't go! 

As aforementioned, my life is going to suck for about six weeks - from yesterday on.  So, I can't make it to see Deac this weekend.  Because he's the generous sort, he's en route to visit me instead, so that I might also get some work done while we hang out.  But, this thoughtful compromise comes at a price.  I have to accompany Deac to the local amusement park tomorrow.  

Something you should know about me - I HATE ROLLER COASTERS.  I am NOT a thrill seeker, by any means.  It's dangerous enough that I live in my own body!  I'm surprised I'm still standing with the way I drive.   And walk, for that matter...  I will jump a crazy horse over a 4-foot fence, but that's as far as my risk-taking goes.  

Yet, I agreed.

Amusement parks have some redeeming qualities, however.  Funnel cakes, for example.  And Dippin' Dots.  And Cotton Candy.  So, while Deac is riding this: 

I will look like this: 

(Thanks to Hyperbole and a Half - from whom I stole this image)

And I told Deac he has to win me some lame carnival prize on a game of some sort.  I'll report back on his success (or failure)... 

Alright - off to the rest of the day.  Hope you're all FABU!  

Love and Rockets!  (I really hope they bring back My Life as Liz, btw...) 

K

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A sampling from the playlist.  Enjoy!! 

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PS - Welcome new followers, and thanks for following! And commenting! You guys are awesome! :)

Southland in the Springtime

It's this time of year when I'm most grateful to be a Dixie Princess.  

It's so beautiful right now!  Warm, sunny, flowers, birds.  If there wasn't a Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man sized cloud of yellow that turns me into a human snot/sneeze factory for 3 months, I'd probably be the happiest disgruntled person alive.  

So, a little tribute to you, Spring.  Here are some of my favorite things about my favorite season: 

1. Daffodils.  They're just pretty.   
2. Longer days.  It's easier to leave work late if there's still hope of daylight when you get out.
3. Sunshine.  And the fact that, if I spend some time in it, I might not look like a vampire.  (And not the sexy Cullen variety - more like the pasty, terminally ill kind.) 
4. Tax Refunds.  If I ever get around to doing my taxes, I will enjoy receiving a refund of my hard-earned money - which the government has been spending, interest-free, for the past year. 
5. Morning songbirds.  What a lovely way to wake up.  (If only they were effective enough to replace my two wretched alarm clocks.) 
6. Weekend getaways.  
7. No more wool coats.
8. Festivals and farmer's markets.  Looking forward to some outdoor shopping.
9. The end of mandatory overtime (April 15, BABY!)   
10. Spring colored clothing.  And being able to wear dresses with sandals again. 

  

Welcome Back, Spring!  WE HEART YOU!!!  

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Maybe we'll make Texas by the morning
Light the bayou with our tail lights in the night
800 miles to el paso from the state line
And we never have the money for the flight

I'm in the back seat sleepy from the travel
Played our hearts out all night long in New Orleans
I'm dirty from the diesel fumes, drinking coffee black
When the first breath of Texas comes in clean

And there's something 'bout the Southland in the springtime
Where the waters flow with confidence and reason
Though I miss her when I'm gone it won't ever be too long
Till I'm home again to spend my favorite season
When God made me born a yankee he was teasin'
There's no place like home and none more pleasin'
Than the Southland in the springtime

In Georgia nights are softer than a whisper
Beneath a quilt somebody's mother made by hand
With the farmland like a tapestry passed down through generations
And the peach trees stitched across the land
There'll be cider up near Helen off the roadside
And boiled peanuts in a bag to warm your fingers
And the smoke from the chimneys meets its maker in the sky
With a song that winter wrote whose melody lingers

And there's something 'bout the Southland in the springtime
Where the waters flow with confidence and reason
Though I miss her when I'm gone it won't ever be too long
Till I'm home again to spend my favorite season
When God made me born a yankee he was teasin'

There's no place like home 
and none more pleasin'
Than the Southland in the Springtime

-Indigo Girls