Yesterday, Ben woke up and told me he had a weird dream with Mike and Josh in it. It was made weirder by the fact that I'd also had a dream with Mike and Josh in it. It would have been the pinnacle of weirdness if we'd had the same dream. However, Ben dreamed that they were having a philosophical conversation about whose computer desk set-up was superior while I dreamed that they were frantically hauling a bunch of stuff out of a big storage unit that was about to implode. Russ and Vil were also in my dream, but at this point I don't exactly remember whether they were also hauling stuff or helping me pick out things for my wedding.

There was another part of my dream where I was arguing with Ben over a $129 deluxe spa treatment add-on to our honeymoon package. What made the spa treatment "deluxe" was that it was the "WoW!" package... meaning that you could get a regular spa treatment for $29, but for an additional $100, you could have internet access to play WoW.

Admittedly, I have a tendency to get passive-aggressively angry at Ben whenever he plays WoW. I didn't have the same issue when he stopped to play Age of Conan or Warhammer, but I think it's because I didn't have the same conflicting disdain for and desire to play those games.

I caved and installed the new expansion pack (even though it's kind of pointless for me because I don't have any high level chars... or, until yesterday, any characters left at all). Aside from that, I'm content because we're on the Scryers RP server... not because anyone RPs, but I know we're on this server because Heath's wife, Kim, and I probably have a similar play attitude. Plus, it's said that he's worse than me about having a zillion alts. And Ben rolled lowbies to level with me. What I didn't much like about the last time I had a subscription was that my friends rarely played with me because they were mostly off raiding.

I don't really expect it to take over my life like it did a couple of summers ago, but I might actually make it past level 30, this time, 'cause I mean mostly to stick to this server and I mostly know already what I like to play. And now I'm done talking about it.

I picked up some "Violet Water" lotion and body spray last night, even though I've not really been into smellies lately, because I can't resist a violet smell.

Unfortunately, "Violet Water" is actually violet and water lilies... and the violet has a tendency to waft in and out, leaving mostly what I perceive as watery and somewhat cucumber melon-y. I think that's mostly to do with the lotion's base, though.

I am slightly disappointed that the campaign to change the o's in Google to be blue for World Diabetes Day, today, didn't pan out, but what else can you do?

Aaanyway. Taking a cue from kirinqueen, I partook in the Word In Your Hand Project, in which you write a word describing how you feel about diabetes on your hand, take a picture, and post it on the site. Here is mine:



I thought it was appropriate to take it in front of the fridge since the fridge is really a life center. I mean, yeah, it holds food, but we plaster the outside with evidence of ourselves: magnets, pictures, recipes, coupons, notes to each other and ourselves. I picked the word "maintain" because it applies to maintaining diabetes but also because it applies to maintaining my whole self, my whole life. Diabetes isn't my whole life, although as of late it's sure put some big speed bumps in it, what with the recent hospital stays and stressing out over insurance, etc. It's just something you have to deal with.

I was browsing some of the words other people chose, some of which were negative. And I understand, because it sucks to have diabetes and I would totally prefer to be normal and not have to take pills every day and not be prone to infection and not be prone to being blind and footless some years to come. But I really can't worry too much about what might happen due to diabetes, because I have a great life, otherwise. And not everything in this great life just happens magically.... Although, it was kind of magical (in a completely geeky way) the way Ben fell out of the internet and into my life. Everything must be maintained.

Also, I just realized today I've been telling all of the doctors and nurses I was diagnosed in April of this year, except it was actually the beginning of June when I got my official diagnosis... April is just when I went in for a blood test. The clinic didn't call to tell me to follow up until the end of May. I guess LJ archives are good for something.

Well, I've got to get ready to go, now. I'm meeting Ben for an early lunch and then we're going to go look at a condo and some apartments.

From AeroGarden

The AeroGarden is bumping along. I didn't completely correct the orientation of the seed pods, but I at least put the Thyme and Purple Basil in the suggested row. The Purple Basil pod didn't really want to budge, but it finally relented. I will miss having the Thyme front and center, though, since it's the seed pod in which Ben hid my engagement ring.

Thinking about the wedding kind of makes me nauseous. Not the marriage part of it; that I am totally excited about. But having to plan the ceremony and reception... I don't really like parties. There are certain elements I know I would like to have, but coordinating it and hoping it turns out right turns my stomach. I don't want to hire a coordinator because it's not going to be some grand affair, but I don't want to deal with stupid stuff like renting chairs, either. :P Or hiring wait staff and a bartender.

Oh, yeah. Ben and I don't really drink. We have friends who drink, and sure we'll have a champagne toast... but is a bar compulsory?

I guess I should feel lucky that we have pretty laid back parents/in-laws. My parents had a paper-signing (it wasn't even really a civil ceremony) and his parents had a backyard wedding with maybe 12 guests. I don't really want to plan a carefully timed out reception. Or even do the garter/bouquet toss. Unless, as Ben suggested, our pyrotechnics professional is able to detonate the bouquet safely in mid-air...

Oh well, whatever. As long as it doesn't end up like any of these.

My iGoogle word of the day was "cram." And the app defined it as such: "Study extensively, as before an exam."

It didn't even address any other meanings. What??

From AeroGarden

All of my little seed pods have finally sprouted! I say "finally" as if they weren't just on schedule. All of them except for the dill sprouted a day before or exactly on the first day they should have sprouted, so I was surprised when the dill took a couple days more than the rest of them. Anyway... the wee baby herbs are cute.

On a different note, Ben and I are thinking about moving. The end of our lease is coming up mid-January, and they're raising the rent. Not by too much, but rent for our 1br/1ba third-floor apartment is $100 less than my parents are paying for their 2br/2.5ba townhouse, which they own. Grant it, we have air conditioning and no ant infestations in the summer, but we also have a terrible parking space and an evil¹³ (yes, evil to the thirteenth power) washer dryer.

Both of us have already browsed bigger condos and houses renting for about the same amount we're paying here. Yeah, they're probably a lot older... our apartment now is older, I think, but also newly remodeled.

I'm pretty excited about it, though... given we find a decent place. It'd be bigger and closer to work. And we'd have an office/guest room! Although... I kind of have the feeling Ben's computer may stay in the living room since his monitor is more impressive than the television set.

I just finished writing up and printing out materials for my sub. I don't want him to have to sub, but aside from doc's "no teaching" order, I'm starting to get a cough which I know can't be good if I need to raise my voice to get these kids' attention.

Yar.

Here are pictures that Ben took of the Sony Halloween festivities. I just noticed that they gave him the wrong first place certificate: he won in the category of Funniest Costume (he went as Wario). Oh, yeah, we won first in the Creative Pumpkin category, too. Of course, that victory would have been sweeter if there had been more total entries in the pumpkin carving contest.

Aaanyway....



( And now, for the ring.. )

Oh. My. Gaw.

Last week, Ben forwarded me an e-mail announcing the Sony Halloween shenanigans and asked me if I'd help him carve a pumpkin for the contest. I said okay, not really having any ideas about a contest-worthy entry. I thought about carving a Hell Girl pumpkin, but then I remembered that Little Big Planet is supposed to come out this week!



I'd commented, after playing the beta earlier this month, that I wanted to make a life-size pod diorama. (The pod, btw, is Sackboy's home base.) Despite that, I figured that realistically I'd never take the time to make one, because I'd want to spend more time making levels in the game. The contest, however, was impetus enough for me to incorporate the pod idea into a Halloween pumpkin. Seriously, how perfect is that? Little Big Pumpkin for Sony!



Ben and I were up until 2am (maybe a little bit past 2am) decorating this sucka (the contest is today). We'd made the mistake of carving on Saturday... How was I supposed to remember how long Jack-o-Lantern life is? It's been over a decade since I last carved one!! Anyway, our original one turned to mush. Tuesday night, we went back to the patch to get a replacement, then Party City and the Halloween Superstore for things to use for decorations. I'd sculpted the Sackboys on Monday, but I only cured and painted them last night, so they're a little hastily done. Still, not bad.

Also, it took me two frickin' hours to wire up that stupid light-up bat!! After the first hour, I was so angry at it that I was determined to include it, for all the effort I put in making it.

Ben is a superstar, though. With the exception of the bat, he's the one who mounted everything on the slippery insides of the podkin. And he sacrificed his video game literature to make the floor. What effort for something that will rot by next week! Ah, transience.

Anyway, Ben just e-mailed me to tell me the podkin made it to work safely. Whew!

I fired up the AeroGarden the evening of my engagement to Ben, so it's still sort of day 3, but my basil pods have sprouted on schedule! The instructions say to take the pod caps off once they've sprouted, but I think I will give these babies one more day. ::squee!::

I love it!

From AeroGarden

From AeroGarden

The negative reviews say there's a design flaw in which the motor starts making obnoxious noise audible from another room, but so far it's been whisper-quiet, and a great night light! Our ceiling fan is louder. Also, I'm not thrilled about the pricey-ness of the replacement bulbs and pods, but given my tendency to neglect houseplants, the extended lifespan of my new indoor garden is a luxury I think I'm willing to invest in. Once I get my darned paycheck, anyway. :P Besides, I don't have to worry about it for a few months.

( So, yesterday was Ben and my first dating anniversary. )

I am so happy!

...who may not receive the newsletter: If you use code GLORIA before Halloween, you can get 45% off an Active LACMA membership and a free subscription to Vanity Fair Magazine. I hope my paycheck comes in before then. :P

Also, as of 2:38a this morning, Ben and I have been dating for a year. :D

That said...



Happy Anniversary, my fuzzy little man-peach. ;P

And visiting my sister/resetting her hosting/attempting to hook up ol' Miakoda to the internets. Apparently, I am very lucky I got my new 'book when I did, because Mia died while I was there and I couldn't figure out what to do to resuscitate her.

I did sorta figure out why RIS2.0 (Lego Programming Environment) gives an error in Windows Vista. It kept telling me I didn't have enough memory (BALLS! I've got a top-of-the-line 'book!) and would possibly need to reinstall it. Well, I tried reinstalling it and got the same error. Then I tried installing the patch that would allegedly fix it. Didn't work, either.

Apparently, it creates C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Ris 2.0.mov.#res. whenever I start the program. As long as I delete it before I run it another time, the program works. Annoying, yes, but hey, it works.

Ah, well. At least my bloodwork came back mostly good. My cholesterol is borderline and my A1C improved, if only slightly. It's just a matter of being consistent with the meds and working on the diet/exercise jut a bit more. I have an appointment with the Project Dulce director next Wednesday, but Dr. Tso thinks it'll probably be a one-time consultation.

I have the rest of the week off and I'm so freaking excited about it. I kind of want to sleep, right now, but first I have to update my time card and e-mail it to Anita.

New MewSic.

And now, off to see the doctor. Yay free diabetes care.

Because of a parts issue, I'm going to have to have my kids today start completely over.

On the bright side, they are working entirely out of their own brand new kits and hopefully clean-up will be easier.

Also, I found out there's a cool little print shop right before the entrance to the 56 that does cheap color copies in addition to other fantastical printing services I might employ when I've gotten back into the art thing.

I just want to stay home with my new baby.

I can't decide whether my desktop should be "Ben Ponders the Ceiling Fan" or "Lilu and the Fondant Bots."

And it is a behemoth. (A sexy behemoth, but a behemoth nonetheless.)

And I am certain Ben thinks I could be putting it to much better use than checking Facebook and updating the LJ/Twitter.

I'm sure he's right, too.

I can't figure out where they've hidden the internal mic, but wherever it is, it works fine. Kahlan (that's what I've named her) doesn't heat up as quickly as Miakoda AND she's whisper quiet, so I don't think the whole plug-in mic is a problem. Also I read something on-line when searching for Garage Band loops that said plugging a mic directly into it is suckage, anyway.

Except for the whole desktop wallpaper conundrum (the sad little 1024x786 cityscape wallpaper that had been my favorite for the life of Miakoda is now inappropriate for the comparatively huge proportions of Kahlan's screen), Kahlan is now personalized and equipped with all of the files and apps I use the most frequently.

I still have more hard drive space than I know what to do with.

GAAAH! It's so intimidating.

Also intimidating: The idea that, according to the Kelley Blue Book, my car is not worth the sales tax paid on this computer.

We sure know where my priorities lie. ;)

Anyway, I have to pack my lunch so I can go out to my new office (read: 9'x9' storage unit) before class to set up and also finally rid our apartment of my work stuff.

Anders Loves Maria
It's really more painfully bittersweet than its title implies. Also, I don't know a good way of summarizing it. Artist knocks up Artist Girlfriend. Artist knocks out A-hole who assaults Artist Girlfriend. Lawsuit ensues when A-hole finds out Artist is son of wealthy Kooky Recluse Artist. Also, Artist's Kooky Recluse Artist Mother is dating Artist's Ex-Girlfriend who also happens to be family lawyer. There is much, much more, but it's better told by Rene Engstrom than myself, so go read it.

Girls With Slingshots
Girl with seemingly useless major finally finds awesome yet stressful job. Antics, trannies, lesbians, misleading romantic entanglements... Story of my life through the eyes of a saucy comic redhead. Plus a talking Scottish cactus.

Shortpacked
Life working in a toy store with insane co-workers and crazy toy fanboys. The other story of my life.

---

Okay, done killing time trying not to think about how hungry I am. Now off to my doctor's appt.

from twotone



Labrador Retriever

The Caretaker

Your family is what makes you tick, and you never "flea" from an opportunity to hang out with the whole gang. A family picnic complete with hot dogs, deviled eggs and a refreshing swim in the lake is hard for you to stray from. Your sparky temperament and dogged intelligence mean you are not only a blast to hang out with, but great to work with as well. Your close pals appreciate your patience and forgiveness, knowing you'd rather let sleeping dogs lie than dwell on the mishaps of the past. Your dashing good looks may one day lead to a modelling career, if only you can tame the unfortunate clumsiness that sometimes causes you to go flailing from the catwalk.

Why, looky. I am a teacher. :)

I am sore. But today was awesome. I love my Del Mar Heights kids, and I feel like I've really got this class under control. I think I'm going to have to work on that with my other set of third graders, but next week Fritz is coming to help manage that class. Solana Pacific feels like a lost cause in comparison to both... which sucks, because I like the Solana Beach district much more than the Del Mar district.

I still have work to do tonight, though, if the other classes are going to run smoothly. That is... I'm missing a bunch of parts so I need to forward a list asap to my boss. But it's such a pain in the butt dragging crates up two flights of stairs.

I still have a key to my parents' old VW. They don't even own it anymore. I put the gym key in the junk drawer since we rarely ever go. We should start going again. :S

This morning I went to buy a bitty thumb drive to keep my work crap on since the little Acer Aspires we're using don't have CD drives. It's a 2 gig and it cost $15. This makes me profoundly sad and happy at the same time... sad because some number of years ago when I was buying a thumb drive just before I started attending UCSD, my 256mb thing cost a whopping $60. But I am happy that I can have more data storage for less money. I guess.

I know it's kind of overrated, but I really dig all the little apps that are tied into iGoogle/gmail/etc. Like, I have Office on this computer, but I still use Google docs spreadsheets for my time card and managing the equipment distribution for VTC. I still export copies to my thumb drive god forbid Google ever craps out, but... yeah. I dig it.

I like spreadsheets.

I like my new thumb drive. It's cute, albeit not as cute as the ones they had at ComiCon.

Anyway. Back to the grind.

Also, how did I go so long without a geekery tag?! I guess because it's a given for anything I talk about. ::ponders removing new geekery tag::

...And!! They fixed the toilet and cut a new mailbox key. Yay! I don't remember what mundane things I post about anymore. Our toilet plug flap thing was kinda broken for the past month, but really broken over the last two days. Not so anymore. But our apartment is still drowning in Legos. ::flails from behind a mountain of Lego-cased microprocessors::

Now back to the grind. No, really.