Bear with me...

It's about three more hours till 2007 bestows its presence on us folks down here in New Orleans. I'm taking part of my family's tradition by sitting wondering when those damn kids will stop with their fireworks. Great times indeed.

I say tradition, but for me, it's more of a fallback. When there's nothing else to do, I can count on my family to be there, lounging on the sofa with me. *Sigh*, Good times indeed!

Though don’t think this is a yearly thing. Don't think I'm a shy-stay home with my cat, sipping red wine in my pajamas counting down with who-ever is gonna host the New Year's celebration in Times Square. That is schedule to take place in, let's say, 2035, at the tender age of 55. I'm totally looking forward to the crazy cat lady phase in my life!!

While my future may seem bleak and pathetic to you all, I feel like delving into my past.

Out of my 26 years here on this planet, there are a number of New Year's celebrations that simple won't leave my mind. I can remember the few times my Aunt and Uncle would host these amazing New Year's parties–in the 80's– where they invited every living soul they knew. While the grownups enjoyed the warmth of the fire burning in the fireplace (and in their bellies from the Crown of 7), the kids enjoyed chasing me, the cry baby, around the front yard with sparklers being their choose of weapon.

I can remember the New Year's celebration into the year of 1999. I was at college, standing with friends on the balcony of the on-campus apartments, drinking god knows what. Being the beginning of 1999, you can easily guess what Prince song was blaring from every freaking direction. Yep, "1999."

I can remember 2001, in which I celebrated the New Year with Drew and Stacey, in Slidell, at their friend Emily's house. That was the last New Years Stacey and Drew celebrated as "friends" for only 2 weeks later, Stacey called me, ecstatically happy that she and Drew (the man she's been chasing down since they met in 1998) and told me they were officially "dating". Two weeks later, I got a call with them officially being "boyfriend and girlfriend". Two weeks later, they were engaged. Two weeks later the were married. What a year it was for them!!

I can remember last year and which I spent driving around the city, with CK at the wheel, in the foggiest night you could ever experience. It was a scene from a horror movie in which we couldn't even see the front of the car. As you can imagine, we cursed the mighty gods on their enjoying of canceling 2005 Riverfront fireworks. (That SUUUCKED!!)

But out of all the New Year's celebration's I have ever experienced the best one and most vivid was for 2002. It was amazing. The newly weds came into town and hosted a New Year's party at the bed and breakfast they stayed at in Algiers point

Like I said, all thanks to Stacey and her wonderful husband for the memorable occasion. By the way, the sexy woman sitting down in the blue dress is Stacey.


(Clockwise left, Kristen, Drew, CK/Rob, Stacey)
It was cold and slightly wet from the humid, but it did turn out to be gorgeous night. When the time came to toast to the New Year, every one stood out on the levee, huddled together in our coats, ready to scream and shout with noisemakers in our mouths and champagne in our hands.

This was the first picture of 2002, and while being as blurry as a drunken man's vision, it still holds a certain beauty to it. It is a picture of New Orleans, how can it not be beautiful?

Now for you lovely folks that held on to the bitter end of this post, the objective of this post is simply one thing:

What is your most memorable New Year's celebration?
Why does it stick in your mind and doesn't want to leave? Was it bad or was it simply divine?

This year, ringing in the New Year is boring as hell, but it won't be next year. Call it a gut feeling. I guarantee it's gonna beat 2002.

The Lowdown

1. Just in case you haven't experienced it yourself, tv shows can make you cry. Heck, they can make you sob like a little girl who just found out there is no such thing as Santa. Now, I'm not including Lifetime's movie of the night or repeats of Sophie's Choice, but a benefit play every week tv show. For example, Doctor Who. Tonight, I cried, no, bawled like there was no tomorrow. 'Twas the season finally, character died, tears were shed.

BTW, just because it's a sci-fi show doesn't make it B, heck, a C grade show. Like they say, "don't kknock it till ya tried it" (or something to that nature).

2. I'm losing my non-existing accent. "What," you say? Well, through out my entire life, people have always asked me "where ya from," always wondering what state I hailed from. All my life. In which I've lived in Marrero (outside NOLA), all my life. I've been asked my classmates and drug store clerks and not to long ago, tourists. Everyone of them being positively shocked that I was from here. I figured it had to do with the 1000 words a second coming out of my dainty little mouth. I'm upset because I'm gaining a "westbank" accent, heck, even a country accent (which all is due to the lovely little woman from Northern Louisiana who works with me. MAJOR accent.)

I have a feeling it has a little to do with me having am urge to not fit the stereotypical reactions of being a "westbanker" which I am. Mostly, it deals with the urge to hold onto the anonymity that had been labeled upon me.

(Geography lesson: New Orleans does not follow the typical directions of north, south, east and west. We are a city that was built around a river in which it's influence has us using downtown, uptown, midcity, lakeveiw, eastbank and westbank as unofficial city names. The city of New Orleans is on the Eastbank, with my city being on the Westbank. Got it?)

3. I received an expected check from my former school. Finally, I thought, they're refunding the $25 they owed me. WRONG. It was a check for 600 dollars. Yep kids, ya read that right. $600!!! while our probably wondering what they problem is, why I don't just be happy about it has to do with me having no idea why I'm getting this. I didn't pay for school this year, the government did. So why in the world am I getting money back? I'm freaked out by it and am totally not gonna cash this check till I get the lowdown. Like I wanna pay/give this back in the future. I don't think so!!

4. I was a graphic design job and didn't take it. Money? No, they were offering me the average staring rate (and if ya wanna know what it is, look it up!! I ain'y telling!!) Location? Only a little. It's in the French Quarter, which is great...Though there is that exception of overpriced parking. Co-workers? Couldn't seem like a better gang to work with. What's the big deal? The actual job. It would have been a repetitious gig mainly dealing with clipping paths (kinda tracing than cutting out) and cloning (it's what it sounds like, only think pictures). I can't bear the repetitious thing. It drives me nuts! It was an extremely hard decision to make, but I ended following gut and declining the position.

God, I hope I it was the right choice...

Graduation...plus a promise

This gonna be sooooo boring to ya if ya don't know me or don't like watching people cross a stage than wave like a craazy fool.

If so, pay attention so you can here the name of "Angie M Robichaux" being called out. 'Cause that's me!!
First, kudos to Mrs. Satcey to joining in the festivities and playing cameraman for us fine folks. Now...





Now, the 2 hot chicks are my mom and me, and the other guy, well, that's good ole' dad. I would apologize for his, um, expression, but that's how he normaly looks. It's just a big shame that it was caught on film! (kidding, I LOVE ya dad!!)

WOO-HOO!!!

I'm a college graduate! I'm a college graduate!!

Applied Sciences, concentration of Graphic Design

I'm a college graduate!!

I'll eventually show off myself in full graduation regalia. In the meantime, have a little fun in playing "LABEL THAT PERSON"

Picture: a bit of family from graduation get together
People: angie, kenny, adele, robert, howard

Now, who's who? (winner will get a tin of chocolates)
Close family and friends or ineligible to participate, unless the don't mention that they met the crew before, that way it doesn't look like they're cheating or that I'm playing favorites which I would never do. Never.

New Orleans Jazz

I saw this when I watched Studio 60 last week. The performance had me all teary eyed and I cried a little to it, but than again, I'm from NOLA, so I'll get all teary eyed over a little mention of the storm's after effects. I just found out that it's actually a bigger deal than I thought: case in point, I'm blogging a video of it. Have kleenix ready...

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I'll be graduating Friday.

I have already been offered employment as a graphic designer.

The people I would work with seem great.

My salary would be a shit load better than it is now.

I am having second thoughts on taking this job after I was specifically shown what the job entails.

*sigh* What's a girl to do?

The End is Near!!!

Yep, you heard it hear first, folks. This is javafoofoo's last day of school. Tears were shed. Adieu was said to classmates and teachers. Job oppurtunities were sliped into my hand by one of my fave teachers. ( I love ya, Ms. K!!!)

Well, technically, Friday's the last, but it don't count. Final will be toooo easy to count. (Oh, for those out of the loop, me a gradate from colage tis mont.)( :D )

On another note, HAPPY REPEAL DAY!!! Drinka and drink and drink in celebration!

On a note directly to Satcey: Nobody says it's abandonment. And nobody says it's to get away from a "problem". 'Cause it's not. (and now, the reason I'm posting this...)Though I do agree, 12 hours ain't no vacation. Especially when it will includes a 6 hour drive! It's a break. A break!! (Oh, if you decide to take a break, let me know. 'Cause if not, I's got to mail ya something)

Break time

I've been doing some major hours working on my numerous design projects along with trying to remember that I have an 8 page literature-research paper to write (groan). I needed a break. So here I am..Taking a moment to declare what I will never stop declaring until the day strikes.

because to day makes it exactly one month away till my graduation!! Woo-Hoo!

(pic courtesy of iStockphotos)

Did I mention how nervous I am about graduating? See y'all later!

Chew On This

Inspired by gawd knows what, I called Satcey up this morning to babble about absolutely nothing. Nada. Zilch. Haven't had a "conversation" like that yeaaaaaaaaars. And like all good converstaion about absolutely nothing, nada, zilch, it transformed from subject to subject eventually arriving at the ever so death penalty issue.

An ephinay was had.

I'm against the death penalty AKA capital punishment. My two main reasons: no one on earth should have the right to kil someone. You didn't choose to enter this world, and you shouldn't get a say on when to exit AND what kind of punishment is killing someone?! Now don't give me crap about sitting in a jail cell knowing that one day you're gonna be killed because that's absolutely BULLSHIT! Heck, I practically live my life that way...well, minus the whole jail cell thang.

I've actually kinda dig the whole "eye for an eye" thing that's been taken quite literally in some of the countries on this planet. What better way to punish a theif than cutting off his/her hands?Yes, morbid are these thoughts, but stay with me here. If it could work for a theif, why not a murderer? How can you shoot a gun with no hands? How can you stab someone with no hands? How can you successfully tie your shoes with no hands? (though I'm sure someone can answer that one for me...) Just think abou it.

Though, like all my thoughts, this one came full circle. As I heard Satcey rolling her eyes across the phone-waves, I continued on about how these criminals wold also be visually reognizable due to their appendage lackage. The circle officially closed with me realizing that those folks who do not have hands due to some other form of fate would probably get ill-treated. We don't want that.

Well, at least I momentarily thought it was a good idea.

In the mean time, Spidey's back!!

I did it!!

I updated Idiosyncratic Speckles. Woo-Hoo!! I said I would show my new pics of Ace, so there they are. Check 'im out...

Fun with Photoshop

Classwork can be fun. Who knew?

Bound to Ruin A Good Thing

This past weekene I playe double-duty at work; I was hostess and ticket seller/info for the tours that are offered. Sunday became the onse a year occasion when a guest proceeds to chew me out over things I could not change. This is how it went down:

Man come up to my cashier desk (which is in the restaurant), ask about buying tickets for our tour.

"I apologie sir, but our next tour will not be till tomorrow at 2 o'clock."

"Excuse me? I called up and was told there was going to be a cruise at 2:30?!"

Immediately i knew that he did call and was, once agian, given the wrong info by some fool. *sigh* Here it goes...

"I apologize sir, but it seems as though they passed on the wrong infomation to you. The line you called aoffers two tours and it sounds as though they didn't know you were calling about our tour."

Than the fun begun. He started to yell at me about how fed up he was with all this crap and how he couldn't beleive that he was given the wrong tour. He's been trying to do our tour adn has been given the run around and is tried about blah, blah, blah. I understood, but he didn't have to yell at me like it was my fault. So, I told him the last bit of info that usually calms people down a bit these days...usually.

"Sir, again I apologize. Due to the storm last year, things have been all topsy turvey."

"WHAT storm?!?" he, agian, yells at me. That make me skip a beat. I honestly didn't know how to answer this asshole on the rise.

So I gitted my teeth, pursed my lips together and put on the fake smile. "Katrina sir..."

"I can't beleive this shit!!" And he finally storms away from my desk adn moves into another room to hopefully grot and foam up at someone else. Lord, the things that come with this job.

I could here him in the other room, and also heard that he wasn't alone. I don't knkow what was going on in there, and homestly I didn't give a damn. I just wanted him to leave! Yet agian, *sigh*.

A lady walks in, who I found out was his daughter, who told me the asshole was her dad visiting from out of state, adn that she lived in Houma, which is a city just about an hour's drive outside the city. I would like to tell you that info releived me (for how can't she understand what's going on down here?) but she was pissed off too. Thankfully, not as bad as dear old pops.

"He yold me that y'all don't have a toru today?"

"Yes m'am. Like i told the gentleman (HA!!), our tours are on a shortened schedule with the next one being tomorrow at 2."

"He called. We called adn they told us 2:30. This is "1234 Mockingbird Lane", isn't it?"

God almighty, "yes m'am, but as I..."

"I got this brochure for your front office. It says in plain sight, tours at 10, 12, 2 and 4. This means y'all are advertising false information."

That, I couldn't disafragree with anymore. I complained about that, but nooo let's keep the wrong info out, what's the worst that could happen?

" I agree with you on that, m'am. I don't know why the insit on placing that out there."

Now, for our grand finale! The return of the ASSHOLE!!

He saunders in, with a face that is meaner than a raging bull, with foam coming out of his mouth and screams (again, I remind you, we're in a restaurant where people are eating) (and getting entertainment).

"I cab't beleive this crap! You listen here, I came out of town to do this and I'm getting sick and tired about getiing these damned Katrina excuses. It was over in a minute!!! nd your still using it as a lame ass excuse!!

Oh...my...god. This guy needs to go down. Of course, those of you who know me know I'm a master at keeping it cool under these type of situations. My mind was no problem, but Ib started to shake with anger. How the fuck dare this uy come to our city and act like all that happened was a little rain storm took place here? He's one of god knows how many that is a comlete idiaot in not understanding (or caring) that a number of businesses adn industries gone down becasue of Karina. Many places are under staffed, or have even gone bankrupted. I wor inthe tourism industry in which at least 1/3 of the tour companies that made there bread and water from tourist have gone of of business. The company I work for has cut down our pre-Kat tours in half, times and offerings. On top of that, the boat tour that is associated in my company has to leave the city and state just to help us bring in some major $$$ to help keep the comapany afloat. So FUCK you!!

Of course, I couldn't get this in. One, I was trembling like a bomb ready to explode, adn two, it's not like I wouldn've gotten a word in anyway.

"Dad, just leave from here, there's nothing you can do."

Thank god.

I honestly can't remember what she said after that incident, but all I knew was that I had to get rid of them. Enough of this bullshit.

"M'am, like I said, I can't do anything, I'm the middle person here. Here's the number of my manager. She'll be in Monday through Friday and she'll be able to help y'all." Now get the fuck out of here...thankfully, she begrudgingly did.

PRAISAE BE !!!!

That almost ruined my day, but I struggled to not let it get to me. Exploding tourist is a once a year occasion, so I got rid of this year's annual run.

But it brought me to wonder, what the hell is up with people who want to ruina wonderful vacation over a simple little tour? For heaven's sake, WHY??!!

And I swear, if I ever see that amn agian.....

One in the Freaking Morning

I can't sleep. It's almost 1am, central time, and I just can't get my mind to shut the hell up.

Though that probably has to do with a Monster (highly caffienate energy drink) about, hmm, 8 hours ago now. I was trying to give myself a boost to continue my 6 hour run on this Mac, working on my school projects. So many, adn so little time...

So i sit here, rocking back and forth, back adn forth, wanting seperately to get some sleep since I have to wake up at 7:45 am to begin at least a 10 hour stretch at school. Weee!! i honestly can't wait, but than agian, I know I'm gonna get supremely exhausted. I'm just not use to pulling off college hours. *sigh*

Anyway, I laid my head on my pillow about twenty minutes ago after reading a few chapters of The Hanmaiden's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. So far, I love this book. It's sorta like 1984, but it's main charecter is a woman. Ecxellent read, if you like those books that consist of letting you know about the possible future. I love 1984 so it's no surprise that I dig this book.

I've always dug those books that attempts to show you how the future can be if things aren't done (or done) in a certain way. For example, 1984 is about the UK in, um, 1984 (the book was writen in the 1950's, which actually makes the book a little creepy) and the country is a communistic state. Ever heard the phrase "big brother is watching"? It comes from this book. It's a book that is a warning on how the powers that be (e.g. the government) can turn on you and use protection as a controlling issue. Sounds familiar, fellow Americans? Of course, it's a lot more than that, but being 1am in morning, adn strung out on caffiene, that's the synopsis ya gonna get from me.

I can reneber the time in my life when my innocence was sorta broken and my eyes were opened to how fucked(can I say that?) up this world we live in is. The earliest issue was my veiwing of Schindler's List. I've heard of the holocaust and how terrible it was, but that movie made it come to life for me. It was the first movie that had me sobbing like a baby; I was twelve.

I can't remember how long after that in which I was presented with a senseless world. It was with the Oklahoma City bombing. For you non-Americans out there, around the mid nineties (or maybe earlier), the wrold trade center was bombed in Oklahoma City. Of course, aquications begun about who did it, why, and so on. What got to me was a few days after the incident, there was a photo in the paper of a couple crying their eyes out, who were from somewhere's around the Middle East. The caption underneath the photo was informing the reader that the woman had a miscarriage due to tremendous stress of being harrassed, adn practically attacked, by people who beleived Middle Easterns were to blame. Not exactly them, but their people.

What made this even worse is that it was a white-azz, stupid mofo that bombed the building. Asshole. Killed hundreds because of something to die with hating the government.

I guess my last memory of being completely confounded by the world we live in was when I was 18 years old and in my geography class, I had a sort of debate about the wars in Northern Ireland. i just couldn't wrap around my brain why people would be fight and killing so long over territory. (This is before my knowledge of the world open up, now. ) (So don't ask me about the hundreds of similiar countries that have gone through this through-out human history...ok?)

I guess you can called it irony, though I'm probably wrong, that I can understand it just a little these days. Not the killing, mind you, but the "this is my land and I'm not gonna leave without a fight" attitude...but not actions. Why, you ask? I live in New Orleans, people, so I'll let y'all put two and two together on that one.

In the meantime, I'm gonna attempt to get that sleep thing going on. Sleep me need...or so I here...

BAY-BEE!!!

Okay, this kid ain't mine, but isn't he the most darling little thing on the earth? All thanks to his mom and pop for bringing him into this world and giving me the chance to be an aunt. XOXO Y'all...

Mmmm...Food...

Yet another Meme stolen from Stacey's blog. This is becoming a bad habit...


How do you like your eggs?
Usually medium scrambled. ya know, not soft, but not dried out like old leather.

How do you take your coffee/tea?
Coffee please, only with two packets of equal. Unless your coffee sucks. If so, gotta add some cream to the mix.

Favorite breakfast foods:
Eggo waffles, drizzled with honey; fried egg with grits and hasbrowns

Peanut butter:
Yes please.

Coke or Pepsi?
Dr. Pepper, though I occasionally have to satisfy my diet coke fix.

You're feeling lazy. What do you make?
Make? HA! I heat something up in the microwave.

You're feeling really lazy? What kind of pizza do you order?
Thin crust italian sausage pizza. Mmm...thin crust.

You feel like cooking. What do you make?
Anything that inspires me at the time...or at least looks good!

Do any foods bring back good memories?
Field peas always makes me think of my grandma. She used to cook this great Sunday meals, every other time with field peas picked fresh from her garden. Damn I miss her cooking...

Do any foods bring back bad memories?
No, not at all.

Do any foods remind you of someone?
Yep, and ya already know that. Oh, add gumbo. Always makes me think of my daddy. :D

Is there a food you refuse to eat?
Mustard greens. tried it once and that's some nastty azz shit. Well to me. Along with raw tomatoes. Every single tomato I've every tried is incredibly bitter to me. ugh...

What was your favorite food as a child?
Cheese. Cheese cheese cheese cheese cheese. :D

Is there a food you hated as a child but now love?
Smothered cabbage. Just put a pot in front of me and watch it disappear.

Is there a food you loved as a child but now hate?
Not that I can recall.

Favorite fruit and vegetable:
I can never pick a favorite and you can't make me!!

Favorite junk food:
Hands down, french fries.

Favorite between meal snack:
Sharp chedder.

Do you have any weird food habits?
When I eat peanut M&M's, I only bite half off in a way that'll just slip off the chocolate shell, than eat the rest.

You're on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on?
I'll tell you whenever i go on a "diet".

You're off your diet. Now what would you like?
Refer back to previous answer.

How spicy do you order Indian/Thai?
Depends on the restaurant. Average is medium-spicy.

Can I get you a drink?
What?

May I get you a drink?
Huh?

Red wine or white?
Cabernet Sauvignon, please.

We only have beer.
Okay, that's noce. Do you have Samuel Adams? Than how about an Abita Amber?

Favorite dessert:
Haagan Dazs sorbets.

The perfect nightcap?
Depends on the night...as always. ;)

No Fair!!!

I have never, in all my life, wanted to go to a Saint's game as bad as I do now. Heck, I never even wanted to go to a Saints game till now.

Alas, they are already sold out...*sigh*...

RULES OF CAJUN COUNTRY

Got this as a chain email. I couldn't send it, had to post it!

This is definitely for you Louisana folks out there. I don't think anyone else would understand...


1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a
pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're
going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.


3. They are cattle & oil wells. That's what they smell like to you.
They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-20 and I-10 go
east and west, I-49 goes north and south. Pick one.


4. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 rice
strippers that are driven only 3 times a year.


5. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly.
Try to understand the concept.



6. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of doves are coming in, we
WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to
your ear at the time.



7. Yeah, we eat catfish & crawfish and love it. You really want sushi &
caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.



8. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a
religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

9. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of
age.

10. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or
you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

11. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats,
vegetables, and breads.

We use three spices: Onion, Pepper, and Garlic!

12. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served
over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know
how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair

13. College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers
and the Knicks, and a hell of a lot more fun to watch.

14. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards --it
spooks the fish.

15. Colleges? Try Louisiana Tech, NSU, UL, McNeese, or LSU. They come
outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they
still wave at passing pickups when they come for the holidays.

Five Years Ago...

...I got stuck in L.A., and damn was it great.

The reason I got stuck wasn't even close to being a nonchalant excuse plus y'all know what happened five years ago today. Well, I was so suppose to return home that day after spending a fun filled week visiting Stacey and Drew, but was awoken at 7am with news of my flight cancelation. What a hell of a day it was.

Though good did come out of the bad. I believe everything happens for a reason. It could be the littlest thing or something major, but something will come out of it.

If I didn't get stuck that extra week and a half I never would have overpaid majorly for a matinee movie. (Twelve bucks??!! What the heck did they charge in the evening?!!) I never would have tried a talented bartender's recipe for a German Chocolate Cake Drink (my god was it amazing!) nor tried a Rusty Nail (aka lighter fluid). Plus I never would have got a chance to see a certain someone stumble out of that bar at 2 in the morning and puke before exiting the door. ( That was some FUNNY shit!) I also would have never been able to take my first train trip through the West. Up to that trip, I have never seen the desert (well, in person) and never would have seen the most amazing rainbow gracing the sky above Texas' rolling hills. And I wouldn't have been hit on by the train's current lounge lizard!!

As you see, great memories were formed after a horrible memory got placed in my mind. It's strange how such a blemish in America's history could personaly give me such great memories as those. That's fate for ya...

Absolutely Freaky

Okay, it can't only be me that was a little freaked out when I heard about this earthquake. I didn't even know it was even possible, but thank god there were no damages.

Shake, Rattle and Roll, y'all.

One Step Closer

So yesterday I took another step toward graduating this fall; I dropped off my graduation application! Woo-Hoo!

Unfortunately, along with my application I had to drop off a $35 application fee. WTF? I have spent about $2000 a year for the 4 past years adn they can't front $35 to graduate? Strange, my friend, strange...

Happy Labor Day!!

"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."
From History of Labor Day

So with that in mind, thank you to the millions of people through out the world for working a lot longer and harder than I'll probably ever will!!

And to my women folk out there: enjoy the picture!!

And Now for Something Completely Different...

Time for a little humour...

New Orleans: One Year Later

We will never forget what happened with Hurricane Katrina. You should not forget either.

while you're at it, check out where we are now, which honestly isn't that far along, but check it out anyway.

Sigh...

This past Thursday I was irritated by every single thing through-out my busy work day and almost ripped the pretty little head off my talkative co-worker.

This past Friday I was bored off my azz at work and found out that evening that a class I needed to graduate in December had been canceled due to a lack of students.

This past Saturday (AKA yesterday) my attempt to register for another class that wouuld be needed to hold on to a school grant given by the government failed when I found out registration stopped.

Today, I discovered my grant was dropped, but I did have the best burger in the world for lunch. (God(s) bless a portobello swiss-cheeseburger, though I should say bless the cook!)

I wonder what tomorrow holds...

Tidbits

I finally got to see my nephew, Ace. Oh my god, he is soooo cute! All he did was sleep, he was as light as a feather (well, a seven pound feather) and his toes were as long as a monkey's toes! I love him! Stacey and Drew did a great job!

I finally got my academic calender for my final semester at school. So mark you're calenders: December 15 at 10am, I shall be receiving my degree in graphic design...as long as the fate's allow it. (please do! oh pleeeease do!!)

I hate epilepsy. I really really really really hate it. I hate it so much that I'm actually gonna talk to my doc about other options. (As in "surgery" options.)(sheesh...)

Did you know that if you decide to take a train to New York City from New Orleans and decided to travel comfortably in the sleeper car it'll cost ya about 600 US dollars?

Did you know that if you had a key to a FEMA trailer in New Orleans in the past few months that you would also have a key to about 50 other FEMA trailers?

Humor Can Be Your Saving Grace

Sometimes, the only thing you can do to save your ass is to use what god given talents you have, even if it is only a smidgen of a talent.

Case in point:

Today, I was needed to work the floor at my restaurant as a waitress. My job mainly consists of hosting and selling tickets to eager tourist. Oh, yea, I should have mentioned that I am a employee of a small neighborhood restaurant that is in conjunction with tours that are offered in our wonderful city.

But I digress...

Anyhoo, I was needed to work the floor, which is something I’m only called on to help with every blue moon. I’m always around to lend a helping hand to my employers, especially when I can earn some extra moula in the process!

As soon as our establishment opened, the people begun a flowing. Of course, I happened to get the first couple of group tables that walked in. One was a table of cops in disguise. ( I didn’t find out till they left...and that’s a whole other story...)

They patiently waited for about ten minutes at their table while I ran around the restaurant like a chicken with her head cut off with high hopes of actually waiting on their table.

I was finally allowed to access their table in which I went into major happy huge smile waitress mode, who really wanted to make her table think that she was here for them and only for them...even if it was ten minutes later.

“I’m so sorry it took so long, but thank you for patiently waiting. So what can I get you guys for lunch?”

“I’ll get the shrimp poboy, dressed,”guy number one says.

“I’ll take the pasta,” says guy number two.

“Give me the special,” says guy number three.

“Yea, I want a oyster poboy dressed with *mumble, mumble* and lettuce *mumble* with butter,” mumbles guy number four.

And last, but certainly not least, guy number five gave me his order for one of our half club combo.

Now, imagine me, after getting these guys orders, guys who were probably a little antsy for having to wait so long and upset that they won’t be able to get out the restaurant as soon as they wanted.

Now imagine my inner thoughts in realizing that I have to ask someone to repeat himself because his was babbling like a drunk.

I did the only thing a server could so in this situation. I went ring around the table and read off their orders to confirm and hope that guy number four can speak up when he goes to correct me. *Sigh* It didn’t go as I planned.

“No. I said *mumble* no lettuce, *mumble* and butter.”

Uhhhh, goes through my confused mind. Okay, let’s try again.

“ok sir. That was an oyster poboy with lettuce, tomato, mayo and butter?”

“NO. I said NO lettuce, tomato, pickles and butter ONLY.”

“I’m so sorry sir; it seems as though it is not meant for me to get your order right. Sadly, I heard you say no lettuce, but apparently my mouth didn’t agree. Okay, so that was....”

So my brain was officially fried at trying desperately to understand what Mr. Mumbles said. As you read, I heard him say loud and clear no lettuce, but for some strange reason, I said the opposite. I finally succeeded in hearing him in round four in this challenge, which not only did I understand Mr. Mumbles, but I could actually repeat it. Ahhhh...it was finally over.

NOT!!

I gave my order to the kitchen and they informed me that their was no half club. Oh, and I didn’t get what Mr. Mumbles wanted with his poboy (as in, you want fries with that?).

Shit, man.

I went back to the table, informed the club guy that his club is a no go. He grunted and changed the order. Then I popped over to Mr. Mumbles and get his side item.

These guys were irritated and I was doing my best to keep the irritation on the down low.

Luckily, the bad vibes disappeared with what they have all been waiting for, their food.

Before I ran away, I made sure to cap off their lunch with a little side entertainment in which I gave them some advice for their next visit.

“ Well, I hope y’all enjoy y’all meals, and just remember the next time y’all come on over, make sure you request to NOT get Angie, that way your lunch will be as smoothly as possible.”

I was sooooo glad to hear chuckles as I walked away. Bad vibes gone, good ones in, along with a pretty darn decent tip...

It's All About the Bling

So the other day I caught a part of VH1's show Driven. It was the one about Beyoné Knowles. She was talking about her song Bootylicious (click for sample). She talked about the song's origins and how silly she thought it was, and how popular the term became. She also mentioned how it has been added to the dictionary. Say what?! The dictionary, ya gotta be kidding me!

So, I checked, and laughed my ass off: (please keep in mind that this is not from a special dictionary, for example, an urban dictionary)

bootylicious |?bo?tl?i sh ?s|
adjective informal sexually attractive.
ORIGIN early 21st cent.: from booty (slang for ‘buttocks’ ), on the pattern of delicious.


Of course, I couldn't stop the search there, check out these other terms:

bling-bling |?bli ng ?bli ng |
noun informal expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewelry, or the wearing of them : behind the bling-bling: are diamonds worth it?
ORIGIN 1990s: perhaps imitative of light reflecting off jewelry, or of jewelry clashing together.

homie |?h?m?| (also homey) noun ( pl. homies) informal a homeboy or homegirl.

google |?go?g?l|
(also Google) verb informal [ intrans. ] use an Internet search engine, particularly Google.com : she spent the afternoon googling aimlessly.
• search for the name of (someone) on the Internet to find out information about them : you meet someone, swap numbers, fix a date, then Google them through 1,346,966,000 Web pages.
ORIGIN from Google, the proprietary name of a popular Internet search engine.

bitching |?bi ch i ng | (also bitchen or bitchin' |?bi ch ?n|)
adjective informal excellent : a bitching new album. adverb [as submodifier ] extremely : it's bitchin' hot, ain't it?

mofo |?m??f?|
noun vulgar slang short for mother####er . (gotta protect the kiddies, ya know...well, at least try to)

outta |?out?| (also outa)
preposition an informal contraction of “out of,” used in representing colloquial speech : we'd better get outta here.

y'all was also in the dictionary, but damn, it read more like an encyclopedia instead of a definition!! So I did y'all a favor, and left it out!

Hope y'all were entertained!!


And by the way, all these definitions were taken from Apple's Dictionary, Version 1.0.1 (1.0.1), Copyright © 2005 Apple Computer, Inc.,

Meme Time

It's called the "ABC Meme" and was taken from Satcey's Blog who took it from Canadian Emma's blog, who took it from Andrew's blog, and so on, and so on...

Here's moi's:


Accent: I have been asked since the moment I was conceived about where in the North east I hailed from. My response, "my lasy name is Robichaux." That answered their "are you from NOLA" question every time. (For those out of the loop, Robichaux is 100% cajun name. 100%)

Booze: Yodka in the form of an extra dirty martini. Stirred, not shaken.

Chore I hate: Dusting. It really sucks to do this when you have a cat that sheds as much as my cat does. You'll be amazed where cat hair can appear...

Dogs/Cats: One amazing cat. (I love ya Nova!)

Essential electronics: My G4 Ibook, dvd player, and the tv that allowas me to watch it.

Favourite perfume: Ralph Lauran's Romance.

Gold/Silver: Silver

Hometown: Marrero, Louisiana

Insomnia: No thank you.

Job title: Damn, that's a good question...and a hard one.

Kids: Not yet.

Living arrangements: With the folks hopefully only till summer next yea. (Woo-Hoo!! I finally graduate this December!!)

Most admired trait: A lot of common sense and a trait of not being shoucked by much. (Ask any of my friends. Think of the most shockingly disgusting image you can think of. All you'll get from me is a giggle, "oh" and a shrug.)

Number of sexual partners: One. (I'm sorry mom, it was a stupid college thing. ANd yes, my mom does read this, though hopefully not this . :D

Overnight Hospital Stays: Not yet, and I hope it stays that way.

Phobia: Nothing. I get a little edgy around some thinks, maybe a little stardled, but I don't have any phobias.

Quote:
"America this is quite serious
America this is the impression I get from looking at a television set.
America is this correct?" Allen Ginsberg

Religion: Spirituality would be the closest I'll get to religon.

Siblings: 1 brother.

Time I usually wake up: 8AM

Unusual talent: WEll, I used to be able to do Xena's war cry (which I don't think I can do anymore) other than that, I don't know...

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Mustard Greens, ugh.

Worst habit: Hmmm, procrascination definitely is one (in fact, I'm doing that right now!) and....

X-rays: That would be a fun power to have..Oh, you mean have I had them? Every so often at the dentist, once to check out my knee, and if it counts, a MRI and EKG.

Yummy foods I make: Eggplant, Italian sausage and Ziti Casserole

Zodiac sign: Cancer, the crab. And can I ever be that...

Donnie Darko: Part II

Ahhh...So that's what it was all about. Aparently I wasn't off in what I got from the movie in being all along the line of time travel, a subject i never try to delve into. Who needs a headache by trying to rationalize time and space?

Anyway, I totally recommend it. Get out there folks; rent that movie. It's definitely a lot more interesting than, let's say, Superman Returns. Well, if you're not after an action movie that is. (If ya want action, I'll always recommend The Professional (AKA Leon) my favorite movie. Ever.

This past weekend seemed to be an epiphanic weekend. Revalations were had. Things came to my attention, even though it was always there, right in front of my face. The specifics of it are of no importance (well, to you at least. Hah-hah!! :P ) As of now, as of this very moment in time, I feel a sense of serenity.

Yes, I did just recently cry out in a wallow of self-pity to how irritated my life is, but I know (and knew) that it was only a phase. We all have our highs and we all have our lows in life. The question is does one have the strength to wait for that phase to melt into another one?

Whoa, getting a little deep there.

I'll blame it on Donnie. Yea, it's his fault...

Happy 230th Birthday, USA!

First, this ass needs to be deported to Iraq so the Iraqi government can take care of him. He might get the death penalty here (though I fear an insanity plea), but I'm pretty darn sure the Iraqi government has different ideas about crime and punishment. Death may be too lame of a punishment for that guy.

Secondly,

This is such a special Fourth of July for me; It's officially the first time I have had off from work on this day since I graduated from high-school over seven years ago. This not only means that I get to hang with the family and listen to the outrageous fun-loving mockery that happens when family gets together, but I also don't have to celebrate a holiday on leftovers!!

Remember, the fourth of July is not just about celebrating the "birthday" of a country, but also celebrating a day off to hang with family and friends.

It's all about the Barbecue, baby!!

Donnie Darko: Part I

Uh, this was one heckuva strange movie that creeped me out and I have no idea what it was truly about. Was it a dream? Was it a flashback? Was it a delusional dream/nightmare? Was it time travel? What ever it truly was, I LOVED it.

Stay tuned for "Donnie Darko: Part II" in which I discuss my thoughts on on the after watching it a second time with the Audio Commentary turned on. If anyone can help me with what the heck this was all about, I'm sure writer/director Richard Kelly and Director Kevin Smith can do the job.

BTW, this movie reminded me a lot about Primer, yet another strange movie that kicked azz.

It's all about time travel, baby! Oh, and before I forget, Superman Returns sucked!

What to Do If Someone Has a Seizure

I felt like I should post this for any epileptic(someone who has seizures regularly) or just in case someone just happens to have one around you. So please read this folks...especially if ya know me personally!!!

Tonic-Clonic seizures (This is what I, Javafoofoo, have. I hear I scared the living Bejesus out of people when I have one...)

The person loses consciousness, the body stiffens, then falls to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. A blue tinge around the mouth is likely. This is due to irregular breathing. Loss of bladder and/or bowel control may occur. After a minute or two the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return.

DO...

Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby)
Cushion their head
Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery
Aid breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position once the seizure has finished


Be calmly reassuring
Stay with the person until recovery is complete

DON'T...

Restrain the person
Put anything in the person’s mouth (very impostrant people; you can break our teeth!)
Try to move the person unless they are in danger
Give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
Attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if...

You know it is the person’s first seizure
The seizure continues for more than five minutes
One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures
The person is injured during the seizure
You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seizures involving altered consciousness or behaviour

Simple partial seizures
Twitching, numbness, sweating, dizziness or nausea; disturbances to hearing, vision, smell or taste; a strong sense of deja vu.

Complex partial seizures
Plucking at clothes, smacking lips, swallowing repeatedly or wandering around. The person is not aware of their surroundings or of what they are doing.

Atonic seizures
Sudden loss of muscle control causing the person to fall to the ground. Recovery is quick.

Myoclonic seizures
Brief forceful jerks which can affect the whole body or just part of it. The jerking could be severe enough to make the person fall.

Absence seizures
The person may appear to be daydreaming or switching off. They are momentarily unconscious and totally unaware of what is happening around them.

DO...

Guide the person from danger
Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery
Stay with the person until recovery is complete
Be calmly reassuring
Explain anything that they may have missed

DON'T...

Restrain the person
Act in a way that could frighten them, such as making abrupt movements or shouting at them
Assume the person is aware of what is happening, or what has happened
Give the person anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
Attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if...

You know it is the person's first seizure
The seizure continues for more than five minutes
One seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between them
The person is injured during the seizure
You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

Copycat

Stole...I mean copies from Satcey's Blog

A survey from myspace. Forgive the stranger questions (and only answer yes to 4 and 5 if you're my husband), and consider that this was probably penned by a teenager. Just answer in my comments. Do it.

1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. When and how did we meet?
4. Do you have a crush on me?
5. Would you kiss me?
6. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
7. Describe me in one word.
8. What was your first impression?
9. Do you still think that way about me now?
10. What reminds you of me?
11. If you could give me anything what would it be?
12. How well do you know me?
13. When's the last time you saw me?
14. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
15. Are you going to put this on your blog and see what I say about you?

*Sigh*

I don't feel like I am being tested or anything, but I am currently debating my future, which was something I was 90% sure of.

I had another seizure.
Yesterday morning.
I am okay...My lip's not...Oh, the tongue, too.

It took me 13 years of seizures to finally have the skill to "feel" a seizure coming. Yesterday was the first day ever that I immediately thought "ohmygod, I think I'm going to have a seizure. Oh pleasegodpleasegodpleasegod, don't let that be." Apparently I was so sure it was "time" that I called a replacement for work, simplifying the incident with a "I don't feel good." Good call on my behalf.

The following half hour was a memory slide-show of throwing up almost anywhere possible in my room, while trying to make what was left in my stomach get into a proper vessel (e.g., not my bedsheets.) I was semi-successful. Great imagery, huh? :D

I called my mom up who was returning from church with dad to pass on the "joyous news."

*Sigh* I'm not too sure about my future plans to move to Brandon. Would it be wise to move away from family and most friends to live by myself (Nova doesn't count; He wouldn't be too helpful) in a town I am only semi-knowledgeable on?

And then there's school. I'm paranoid that my Doctor will suggest keeping away from the wheel of the car. The only reason I feel fine about driving is because I felt this one come on. I want to graduate in December. I'm already sacrificing work hours to succeed in this. Plus, I got a grant, a GRANT (AKA, free money) for school. I have to go full-time to qualify for it.

You see, I live about a 20-30 minute drive away from my school. As of now, and with the coming fall, I have classes that are Monday through Thursday. I don't know anyone to car pool with. See my dilemma?

Well, if I look on the good side of this (heh, "good") I know have the power of seizure deductibility, I'm okay from yesterday, and I started hanging out with a friend I was on the fringes with.

Add this to the list of current annoyances.

Oh, and thanks Dave and Satcey for y'all words of encouragement. XOXO to y'all!

In a Procrastinating State of Mind

No matter what I do, I can't get myself to stop doing (insert brainless time wasting task here) and start on a research project that is due this coming Monday. It's not like it is anything hard. It's just that I've been in this perpetual rut that I can't get out of.

Though it's not just this project, it's been almost everything in my life. I can't start up on anything. Ever since Katrina, I can't seem to get things rolling like I was able to do before the storm. I'm not wallowing in my misery or anything like that, because, well, there's nothing in my life to be miserable about. Instead, there are annoyances. My current list of annoyances are:

1. My job. I'm no longer in a job that offers me the luxury of moving onto a better place. (IOW, promotions) Why, you ask? Well, there ain't nowhere to go. I no longer have the 3 weeks paid vacation I use to get (and I sooooooo sorely miss) and even more irritating, I barely pull off 30 hours, which is 10 below my pre-Kat average. And then there's the boss...The only reason I'm sticking around is because I desperately need the insurance.

2. The restaurant I work at has great food. This is bad because I gained over 5 pounds since working there. *sigh* I was doing soooo good before I started. DAMN YOUR INCREDIBLY TASTY CRAWFISH PASTA!!!!

3. The restaurant I work at has great food. This is bad because I do have to pay for the stuff. (DUH!!) Finances aren't what they use to be kids. Neither has Angie's will power.*sigh*

4. I've been soooo freaking lazy that it's not even funny. Actually, it kinda is . Join in! HAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!

5. My social life is non-existent, and I'm not just talking about dating. There's a reason I get so freaking excited to go visit my favorite family in good ol' Miss-suh-sip-ee: It's because there's a guaranteed social event going down. I rarely see what friends I do have left floating (no pun intended) in this city. That all has to do with new work schedules. *sigh* growing up sucks What's even sadder is that the few rare oppurtunities that have sprung up in the past, I ducked out of! Lordlordlordlordlord!!

6. Let me start the blame game: It all started with the stress from Katrina that has now been carried over with the existence of it almost everywhere I go...Okay, so it's mainly at work. What the heck am I talking about? Smoking. Yep, smoking. It's claim another addict in me. I'm wanting to quit (I would say trying, but I've been so unsuccessful at that, I'm not even going to call it "trying".)

7. My color theory teacher talks down to ya. She's verrry condescending. Do teachers not no how frustrated it makes a student feel when they answer your question with a look that screams "ARE YOU STUPID??!!"

It's like my whole past year is simply wasted time. I no longer live for the present, but instead for the future (which is not exactly how I prefer to live.) My pep talks consist of " well, you'll only be doing this for (insert number here) more months, and that'll be it", but gosh, that's getting so tiring.

How does one get out of this? It's not depression (if that's what ya thinking) becasue I had it before; I remember what it felt like. All I need is to get a fire going under me, but, well, it's not been a happening.

I can't help but wonder if I'm rolling along the edges of a downward spiral, just barely out of reach of it's gravity.

Any suggestions? (and please, PLEASE, don't suggest triple fudge ice-cream or anything of that sort! Need I remind you annoyance #2?)

Sweeeeeeeet!!!!

Freakin finally!!

One hecka long meme

I found this on myspace. And I'm not gonna tag any specific people out there to do this...just the usual suspects! (Y'all know who you are!)

Learn 55 things about your friends, and let them learn 55 things about you! Nothing special will happen if you do, and nothing bad will happen if you dont, but maybe you'll get to know someone better, and they'll care to learn something about you.

And I tag the usual suspects on this one, guys (and gals!)

1)How old do you wish you were?
22

2) Where were you when 9/11 happened?
Visiting some great friends in Los Angeles, a little distraught over not being able to take my flight home that day. (And actually never did!)

3) What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Curse it and pull out some more money for a different vending machine.

4) Do you consider yourself kind?
Most of the time.

5) If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
My lower back or my hand.

6) If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Japanese

7) Do you know your neighbors?
Yep. Well, sorta.

8) What do you consider a vacation?
Anything that consist of being outside the Southeastern Louisiana area.

9) Do you follow your horoscope?
Follow it? No. Read it? Yes.

10) Would you move for the person you loved?
If it's moving into his multi-millionaire mansion outin the tropics, why yes!

11) Are you touchy feely?
Not one bit.

12) Do you believe that opposites attract?
Yep, though is it always good....?

13) Dream job?
Host on a travel show. (Can you beat getting paid to travel and eat around the world? Hell no!!)

14) Favorite channel(s)?
food, travel, scifi, cartoon, vh1, and spike (when CSI is on)

15) Favorite place to go on weekends?
I haven't had a non-working weekend in so long that I have no idea where to begin.

16) Showers or Baths?
Showers.

17) Do you paint your nails?
Only for special occasions.

18) Do you trust people easily?
Not anymore.

19) What are your phobias?


20) Do you want kids?
Eventually...

21) Do you keep a handwritten journal?
Yes, but I don't write in it as much as I used to.


22) Where would you rather be right now?
Outside of Jackson Mississippi, with runner-up going to NYC

23) Who makes you feel warm and fuzzy?
Coffee with a shot of whiskey.

24) Heavy or light sleeper?
Medium.

25) Are you paranoid?
Nope.

26) Are you impatient?
Only when I'm moody.

27) If today was your last day on earth, how would you feel?
Cheated. There's just so much that I haven't crossed off on my to-do list.

28) How do you feel about interracial couples?
Love it.

29) Have you been burned by love?
Yep.

30) Whats your favorite pick up line?
"Hi."

31) What's your main ringtone on your mobile?
Uh, I really don't know. It's not like I have a recognizable song on it. I guess it's sort of like an old rotary phone's ring.

32) What were you doing at midnight last night?
Fast Asleep.

33) What did the last text on your cellphone say?
Let me see...LOL (I'll give 10000 points to the reader that identifies the sender of this message) "By that you mean the best superhero movie ever, i assume.:) I agree with your optimism, but opening day will tell the tale."

34) Whose bed did you sleep in last night?
Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine

35) What color shirt are you wearing?
Turquoise tank top.

36) Most recent movie you watched?
Dawn of the Dead (the original)

37) Name three things you have on you at all times?
id bracelet (medica alert, y'all)
clothes
eyeglasses

38.) What color are your bed sheets?
Red and peach. (matching bedsheets are for wimps!!) (Not like there's anything wrong with that.)

39) How much cash do you have on you right now?
Um, about $30

40) What is your favorite part of the chicken?
Cooked: wings
Alive: They's got purty feathers.

41) What's your favorite town/city?
New Orleans

42) I can't wait till:
I GRADUATE!!! and move!

43) What did you have for dinner last night?
99¢ pepperonni microwavable pizza. Yummmm.

44) How tall are you barefoot?
A staturing 5'2"

45) Do you own a gun?
Heck no! I might accidentally shoot a hole in my roof!!

46) What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Coffee

47) What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
A good shower and a gorgeous smile.

48) Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs?
Ten years??!!! I don't even know where I'll be in 10 months!!

49) Last thing you ate?
Meatless Lasagana...mmmm, sooo good

50) What songs do you sing in the shower?
Whatever songs I want to....though mainly the ones I remember.

51) Last thing that made you laugh?
Due to short term memory, I have not one clue. I think it was something I found funny...

52) Worst injury you've ever had?
Try chewing on your tongue for about 3 minutes while having a seizure. That bites! (Pun not intended...ok, maybe it is.)

53) Does someone have a crush on you?
Yep.

54) What's your favorite candy?
hershey's special dark

55) What song do you want played at your funeral?
Foo Fighters: DOA
Only took a second to say goodbye
Been a pleasure, but the pleasure's been mine all mine

Never Blame the Customer: Part II

Thank you to everyone who took part of Part I of this posting.

It was easy, wasn't it? Now comes the explanation, though first, another quiz:
What is the title of the following book?

If you're answer was "Einsteins's Theory of "why the sun is yellow"", I'm sorry, but you are incorrect. The answer I was looking for was "Bloom's Reveiws: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Maybe it was just me, but I never saw an inkling of this version on the page in which I was looking into. (For those of you who haven't put 2 and 2 together yet, the book was purchased by me.) I even went back to the site and checked through all available sources to confirm the book. Please, I welcome you to go back to the previous post and do the same through the link that was provided.

Needless to say, I was quite shocked to receive the book that you saw up above.

I did like any customer would do, I wrote to the seller about this, simply asking about a return/credit due to this. When I heard back from the seller, he pretty much said...oh heck, let me show ya:

As you may noticed we shipped you exactly what you have ordered.Perhaps youdid not researched this item prior ordering. But I don't think that returning this order will make any economical sense because this order was obtained from our distributor and anytime we return something to them they charge us up to 40% restocking, handling, and
other penalties.
Because we asked them for even larger than our normal discount of 30% of alist price (you purchased this book @ 39% discount from list price and we passed this entire discount to you ) Plus we got charged additional 1.00 PER BOOK BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PACKAGE.
Not to mention that half.com charged you 3.49 per book but paid us only 2.20 but we paid our distributor 2.70 per book to ship your order.
I think you are better off just using this book as intended because we
did not know that this is not the book you wanted to order. Keep in mind we
are small company with 2 employee including myself and can't afford to
loose money on transactions which was resulted in customer error.
I hope you understand
Thank you for your understanding

My favorite part was when he blamed the mistake for my lack of "research". The icing on the cake is when he said it doesn't economically make sense for him to return the book, saying it's okay for me to lose money.

Again, I welcome you to check back on the page for any signs of the book he ended up sending me. Through my further research, the only thing that stated it was "Bloom's" would have been the ISBN number. Now maybe this is just me, but I don't think one would have to confirm a purchase through checking an ISBN number, especially when all signs point the other way.

I can't even verbalize how pissed off it makes me when someone in a business has horrible customer service. I've been in the customer service positions for over 7 years and not once did I blame a customer for a mistake, even if it was their fault.

Luckily, I had an epiphany, in which I realized that no matter what I say, this guy will be right. I may have used what power I had in giving him a negative reveiw on Half.com, but I honestly don't think he will give a shit. Like I give a damn that there's only 2 people running his "company"? Is that his lame ass excuse for screwing up? Yea, he sent me what I ordered, but he sold the book under false information. I didn't show y'all, but he begun his email with a link to HIS website with the product that was ordered. HEL-LOOOO!! I didn't order it from there, dipshit!

That's the whole kit and caboodle, thanks for listening, and letting me vent. I hope you found this entertaining, along with informative. Maybe this guy screwed up because he didn't double check where his books are being listed, but that's no excuse for horrible customer service. Please help me in boycotting this guy: bookswap

Again, I restate, I know that I was probably one of those rare mess-ups, but it doesn't give any excuse for blaming me.

DOWN WITH BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

Never Blame the Customer: Part I

Okay, y'all, humor me.

If you can, please visit the following link: Half.com

Now, take a good look at it. Tell me what I bought. Yep, it's that easy. Yep, I am going somewhere with this, but for now, bare with me.

I'll let you know what this is all leading to, soon. Well, as soon as, you know, you humor me!!

More Childhood loves

Coming to a theatre near you is adaptations of two books I loved as a kid!

How to Eat Fried Worms and Charlotte's Web.

I wonder how true Charlotte's Web will be?

Either way, the look to be good, and I can't wait till they hit the theatres!

Side Note

I positively LOVE Adult Swim. How can one not be estatic over the return over a much childhood joy.

The Secret word of the day: SCH-WEEEEET!!

By the by, YAY BABY ACE!!! WOO-HOO!!

Major grats to the new parents on the block! I soooo can't wait to see my "nephew" in person!!

Baby Spiehler news

A shout out to the imissneworleans gang:

Go check out the group page if ya haven't. There's some important news regarding the new Spiehler member. (Though don't panic, it's nothing bad.)

Thanks

That's My Final Answer...for now

I had to go to the mall today, something that I have come to despise over the years. Chuck it all up it impatience; I just hate having to search high and low for that adequate item of clothing to wear.

I needed a dress for a wedding. No, not mine, but for a friend’s (in June) and eventually one for my cousin's (in July). I made sure to9 leave as early as I could do to the only mall that is open--in our post-Katrina world--is located in the bowels of hell itself.

Okay, I may be exaggerating.

For those of you not familiar with the New Orleans area, there are two main locations here: the Westbank (where I reside) and the Eastbank. The Westbank is made fun of by the Eastbankers. It's mainly a residential area with not much to do other than your everyday norm stuff. One of those use to be shopping at Oakwood mall, but during Katrina, some people didn't evacuate and decided the best way to past the time after Katrina left the area was to loot and set fire to the mall. Oakwood wasn't completely lost, but it hasn't been back in action since that faithful day. This now brings me to the Eastbank.

Now the Eastbank is made fun of by Westbankers (me excluded.) The Eastbank is more "city." This is where the French Quarter, Garden District, New Orleans East and Lakeview are located. This is also where the other mall, Lakeside, is located.

Since Katrina ruined a number of people's homes and businesses, there has been a population boom in the case of workers: construction, electricians, etc... Now, because over 1/3 of the Eastbank area is inhabitable, people kinda moved onto the neighboring cities/neighborhoods. If you see where I'm going, there is a LOT more people in areas where there wasn't so many people. Traffic is a major BITCH! Horrible. Horrendous. Lakeside Mall is practically dead center in all this mess. (Which I so aptly called it the "bowels of hell."

I was able to get in and out alive, though it's kinda hard to get use to the fact that what use to be a 20 minute drive has become a 1 1/2 hour drive just to get from Locale A to Locale B.

I found my dress (thank you Ann Taylor) and I got to make my WAY overdo stop at Whole Foods (fresh fruit to kill for!) I also became 100% sure that I will move out of New Orleans come next June.

Don't get me wrong, I love New Orleans, LOVE IT. I want to raise a family here. I want to purchase and renovate my very own Nineteenth Century Creole Cottage. I want to watch my city be like the mythological phoenix and rise out of the ashes. I know that if I don't get out of here, that very love will metamorph into pure hatred. I can feel it.

So come next year, I gonna move myself to good ole' Jackson Mississippi. Why Jackoson, you ask? Well I know the area...somewhat. It's practically small town (the surrounding towns/cities, that is), which would provide the much needed tranquility that I yearn for. Yet it is still close by to civilization when things like, let us say, a movie theatre and a manicure are needed. Oh, and it is SOOOO much more affordable over there than it is over here for rent. (E.g., cheapest one bedroom here= $750, cheapest one bedroom there=$475. ANd yes, I have done my homework, it's not cheap for a reason, say, crackhouses next door..)

And for those of you worried, I even have a job lined up: relief babysitter for S&D ;)

The Da Vinci Code

So, once agian, the Catholic Church is getting all a tizzy over the effects of the "Da Vinic Code", and all the lies it spreads, and etc... In my response to this, I decieded to give my two cents about it.

FACT "The Da Vini Code" is a FICTION book.


Thanks for letting me vent and have a great day!



PS, HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY to all you mothers. Hope y'all enjoyed y'allholiday.

Meme Time!

This was taken from Satcey's blog, who was taken from her friend's private blog.


The Name Meme

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name) Cricket King Henry

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your dad's side, your favorite candy) Elma Chocolate (not to be confused with "Elmer's Chocolate")

3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your last name) A-Rob

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, favorite color) Cat Red

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Marie Marrero

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name) Robiarnov (heh? sound kingon-ish to me...Not that I'm a Star Trek fan, no really, I ain'ts)

7. JEDI NAME: (middle name spelled backwards, your mom's maiden name spelled backwards)
Eiram Railavac

8. *word that's not family friendly* STAR NAME: (middle name, street you grew up on) Marie Runnymede

9. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, the automobile you drive) The Red Cavaliar (Okay, that wuld actually sound cool if that wasn't EXACTLY what I dirve.)

It's that time of year

I was spoiled.

Last year, in June, I went to New York City for a second in less than a 12 month period. I went with some friends of mine in July 2004, than went again in June 2005. (Take my advice folks; if you ever want to go to NYC, go in June. Damn, was the weather great!)

I want to go back. This craaving has hit me eaxh year around this time for 2 years now. That is why I say I was spoiled; my first craving was satisfied.

I loved it there. It was the first place i ever visited that felt like home. The plae is so vibrant. The people are amzing, being from all walks of life from all over the world. If you ride the subway, you would never see any type of segregation going down, well, at least not that I saw! The food is amazing and there is so many varities. (I had the best BBQ ever in Times Square. Don't beleive me? Ask Kahunah over at DOA. He'll back me up.) Tehre is so much to do, from restaurants to theatre to museums to festivals. I WANT TO GO BACK!!!

Of course, y'all are probably saying to yourselves than go, why don't ya, but I can't. LAck of funds and all that. All the previous trips I was able to stay at a friend's dad's place for free, but that wouldn't be the case any more.

In celebration of the place I would love to call home one day (well, just for a few months at least), I posted someof my best pics from each trip on Idiosyncratic Speckles, so go check it out.

I thought of ya', Stacey

This is definitely a step in the right direction...

Bill bans smoking with kids in car
Measure handily passes state House

Friday, May 05, 2006
By Ed Anderson
Capital bureau

BATON ROUGE -- By more than a 2-1 margin, the House on Thursday passed a bill to prohibit smokers from lighting up in a vehicle if there are young passengers present.

Lawmakers voted 67-31 for House Bill 1010 by Rep. Gary Smith, D-Norco, sending it to the Senate for debate. Smith's bill prohibits smoking in a vehicle if a child is buckled up in child restraints. State law requires a child weighing 60 pounds or less to be strapped into a child restraint.

Smith said his bill would apply to motorists driving children younger than "6 to 8 years of age," the typical age of a 60-pound youth.

He said the bill is designed to protect young children from being locked in a vehicle with a smoker and having their health jeopardized.

The bill would apply to any motorist or passenger in a vehicle with young children, even when windows of the vehicle are open. Smith said a police officer could stop a vehicle and issue a ticket if he sees the vehicle's occupants smoking with small children present.

If the driver is convicted, Smith said, the offense would not go on the driver's record to be used as a factor in raising auto insurance rates. However, a violator could be fined $150 or sentenced to no less than 24 hours of community service, Smith said.

Rep. Alex Heaton, D-New Orleans, said a car is an extension of a home and people are not banned from smoking at home.

"This is impeding on the prerogative and rights of a parent," argued Rep. Carla Blanchard Dartez, D-Morgan City. "You put your child's life in danger by speeding, too. This is going a little too far for us in the Legislature."

Earlier Thursday, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works said that teenagers who drop out of school could lose their driver's licenses or not be eligible to get one. The panel voted 4-1 for Senate Bill 284 by Sen. Heulette "Clo" Fontenot, R-Livingston, sending it to the Senate floor for debate.

Fontenot said the bill is designed to use driving privileges as a way to encourage students ages 15 to 18 to stay in school.

The bill says as long as a student is in school, enrolled in a general educational development program or is being schooled at home, he or she can get a license or keep one. If the youth drops out or has more than 10 consecutive days of unexcused absences or 15 days of unexcused absences in a semester, the students can lose their license or be denied one.

The bill would not apply to a teenager who is "unable to attend any school program due to circumstances beyond" the student's control, such as an emergency or being a mainstay of the family's income.

Fontenot said the student must present documentation of enrollment in educational programs or proof of graduation to driver's license personnel . He said the bill is designed to reduce the state's dropout rate, currently the second-highest in the nation.

The committee also sent to the Senate floor House Bill 985 by Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, prohibiting motorcycle operators from carrying passengers younger than 5 on their vehicles. Any child who rides on a cycle must be outfitted with a safety helmet, Baldone said. The bill started out banning children younger than 8 from being motorcycle passengers, but a House committee amended it to the lower age.

Editor'sNote: Article found on NOLA.com

Woo hoo!!

Chis is still on! Chris is still on! Yay, my vote made a differance!

I have a mission. With helping Chris win, he would bring another genre to the winners circle: rock.

VIVE LA CHRIS!!!

Here I am!

My school days are officially finished! Or should I say, my days in school are officially finished? Or, when I think about it, it's not finished, finished, but finished for the spring semester...

So, let me retract my first statement and say, My spring semester days in school are officially finished!I say the whole "days in school becasue I am currently procrascinating on a research paper that is due on Sunday. It's an online classs, so a little extra time was thrown in. Gosh, how hard it can be to do the necessaries.

This all means that I have only two more semesters to go til sweet freedom. though I look at it to getting back to a work schedule that will allow me to make the money I need to sustain myself independant adult in this world we live in?(To you NOLA area folks: Have y'all seen the current rent rate? Gawd, it's crazy!!)

Entertainment tidbit: For you Superman fans, it has come to my atention that the new full length trailer is now up for the new movie, Superman Returns. I didn't find it that impressive, though I did like the last clipping of the trailer.

Also, Idiosyncratic Speckles has been updated.

In and Out

I've been busy like a mo-fo, lately. Only about one more week of school. After that, a short break till the summer session begins. in the meantime, I have to try not to lose my mind over the printer problems I'v e been having, the research paper I have to write (8 pages and I have not ONE idea what to write it on...) and ...and...gawd, I can't thik straight!!! AHHHHH!!!!

Oh, I updated Idiosyncratic Speckles, though it ain't much.

Wish me luck and pray for me, if ya pray.

If you say so...

Your dating personality profile: Adventurous - Just sitting around the house is not something that appeals to you. You love to be out trying new things and really experiencing life. Big-Hearted - You are a kind and caring person. Your warmth is inviting, and your heart is a wellspring of love. Athletic - Physical fitness is one of your priorities. You find the time to work athletic pursuits into your schedule. You enjoy being active.

Your date match profile: Athletic - You aren't looking for a couch potato. You seek someone who is active and who keeps his body in top shape. Big-Hearted - You want someone compassionate, someone gentle and kind. A loving, nurturing person will fill that hole in your life. Practical - You are drawn to people who are sensible and smart. Flashy, materialistic people turn you off. You appreciate the simpler side of living.

Your Top Ten Traits 1. Adventurous 2. Big-Hearted 3. Athletic 4. Wealthy/Ambitious 5. Liberal 6. Sensual 7. Intellectual 8. Practical 9. Religious 10. Funny

Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Athletic 2. Big-Hearted 3. Practical 4. Conservative 5. Outgoing 6. Adventurous 7. Intellectual 8. Sensual 9. Traditional 10. Wealthy/Ambitious

Take the Online Dating Profile Quiz at Dating Diversions

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Today is a day that is celebrated the world over as Easter Sunday, which is one of the most important and holy days in the christian church. Chnaces are, no matter who you are, or where you are from, you have heard about the man who has inspired such a strong beleif, Jesus.

Do you believe him to be our Lord and savior? Do you beleive him to be the son of God? Do you beleive him to be a prophet? Do you beleive him to be simply a man? No matter what your answer or beleif is, one thing is 100% true: Jesus has changed our world. This is a man who's existance has inspired countless millions to worship him and serve him in their own fashion. Some have dies for him, some have killed for him, and others have shared whatever love they held in the name of him.

I was born and raised a catholic (a sector of the Christian church) though tyhrough my own personal beliefs, I have broke away from my upbringing. I have trouble beliveing that Jesus is "our Lord and Savior" but I will never deny that this man existed and that his life (be it either fact or fiction) has brought out the good in a lot of people. I try to hold true one lesson I learned in my religion classes, Jesus' "golden rule": "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you," Jesus said, "do ye even so to them…" (Matt. 7: 12).

However way you decide to celebrate Easter Sunday, just don't forget how it came into exiatance. Plus a word of advice: don't eat all your chocolates at once, save some for later!!

This is not a test...

Due to recent events (please see previous post and it's comments), snatchshots is no longer running.

Instead, check out Idiosyncratic Speckles.

Same product, different name.

Thank you.

Message brought to you by the generous musings of Satcey.

You Can Never have enough!!!

Blogs, that is!!

Due to a current self revelation, I'm going to start keeping a camera with me and snatching some shots where I can. I had a little fun this past Wednesday. Check out my new blog, snatchshots.

I'll always give y'all a shot out to uture updates, just in case ya don't feel like bookmarking it!

Shout out for a Little Bit of You're Opinions

Let's me get hypothethical for you:

Let's say your a guy. Now let's say that about seven months ago you had a temporary gig at this place you were working at, and let's say you met this gal who also worked there. For the month that you were there, you became friends with that gal.

Now let's say a huge hurricane came on through twisted up things for a bit.

Now let's say that you just recently started visiting that place you worked at. Now, the few times you popped in, you would ask about that gal you met, wondering if she was around.

My question for you fine folks (particularly guys, but gals, you are more than welcomed to throw your two cents in) is actually multiple choice:

Since you're (hypothetically) that guy, why were you asking around for her?

A) You genuinely would like to see how she's doing and talk to her in person.
B) You're interested in her, and would love to see her agian.
C) You're bored and looking for a friendly face.
D) Other (Please explain)


Editor's note: Yes, this is a tale reflecting the writer's life. Please humour her. Thank you.

Going Out with a Bang

Friday was quite a hectic day. So hectic that it could have been my last day on earth. Or so I have been told...

I was scheduled to work as a waitress at the restaurant I work at (instead of my typical hostess gig) which is a duty that is always proudly accepted. (How can I ever say no to the prospect of earning tip money? Woo-hoo to extra cash!!!)

Anyway, that night the restaurant was having it's best night ever. It was so great that the fates decided to pull an early April Fools prank on all of us gathered in the establishment by allowing a freak accident to occur. This accident consisted of a plate, a gas grill, and a gas line.

If you haven't guessed what happened, here it is: gas leak.

Yep, you read right, a gas leak. In a busy restaurant. In a packed restaurant. It was a ton of fun (**rolled eyes**) running around as calmly as possible making sure that the evacuation order was true and making sure that all our emergency exits were accessible before annoucing to a heck-a-lot cluless folks that they were enjoying their dinner in a possible time bomb. Woo. Hoo.

AS dire as the circumstaces sound, I couldn't help but giggle through-out the entire incident. That probably had to do with how relaxed all the patrons were during the whole incident. Plus it was a gas hearing one patron sarcastically complain how upset he was over how he had to leave the table after being so close to satisfying his growling stomach.

My favorite moment of the entire evening: a co-worker quickly running to the back of our establishment to get her cigarettes after I announced to the patrons to "...gather all belongings and calmly leave out the nearest exit." Yes, this event beat out surviving what could have been quite an "exploding" night.

We ended up sending all our customers home since we didn't know how long everything would take. It turned out we were able to open not even 30 minutes later for us to complete our eveing just as busy as we were before the incident.

I still giggled throughout the entire night.

And to those who have condenmed me for my giggling fit (y'all know who you are!), : P

Amazing Ideas!!!

Only about two weeks ago I was given a classroom assignment that consisted of me buying a numerous amount of magazines. My class and I were to due a little visual reseearch whose specifications would bore you.

Due to my lack of funds, I made sure to buy magazines that I would actual read after its' classroom use. One of these mags was a killer design magazine, Step Inside Design. Awesome mag with amazing articles.

They had two great articles on (well, one was in actuality, an advertisement) that I thought would interest everyone adn that means you.


First, do you run a business? Do you want to start a business? Would you eventually want to market world-wide? Did you always want to get a chinese/korean/mandarin character for you name? Or you just curious? Than you might want get an expert Chinese character for your name/ business.

Secondly, and by far my favorite :

This defintely puts a finishing touch on the technology age that we are in. Plus, how can't you be amazed at someone that is, literally, connecting the world through something as simmple as a laptop?

A Trip down Memory Lane

Today, at work, I was asked the spelling of Thibodeaux,** in which a stroll down memory lane commenced. My mind wandered into the past on those folks that had an impact on my life, both good and bad.

Mr. Thobodeaux: This was my band director in high school. A great guy. One of the few teacher I acutally loved to be around. One day, only a few weeks before graduating, I meandered into his office. He was prepping for that afternoon's rehearsal. He was concentrating on what ever task he held at had, though looked up for aseond and said, "Angie, you have a great smile that always brightens my day." Then he went write back to work. Definitely a remark that sparked the, "hey, maybe I'm not ugly..."

Chelsea: She was a great childhood friend that has the prestige of being the hugest Jesus fan I ever met. (Even greater than Stacey.) I remember chatting to her what was to be the beginning of the end of my faith in the catholic church. I spoke about how freaking bored I always am during mass, feeling like a part of a huge congrgation of zombies. She told me, downright seriously passionate, that everytime the bread becomes body (Don't know what I'm talking about? Check into your neighborhood catholic church/website!) she gets excited. And not in the perverse way, some of you are thinking. You know who you are... It still amazes me on how a 14 year old girl had such a reassurance on her spirituality...

Lewie: This guy was someone I worked with who loooooved women. He loved everything about the fairer sex. Any woman who wouuld present herself in front of him, no matter how flaw-full, he would find something beautiful about them, and charm the shit out of them. He also was the first man to officially call me a "woman". It was weird at the time, believe me. Gawd, how I miss him. He still owes me a manicure...

Alfred: Another guy I worked with. He was extremely passionate about the arts/film/politics. He had an amazing love for cultural arts and it beamed from him. This guy got me into noticing some of the little differances that each one of us humans bring to the world.

Lynn: She was my best friend in highhscool. She treated me like shit. It took me about 5 years to notice this. Realizing how horrible she treated me was one of the few good memories I had during my first year of college. She made me realize that there is something that can't me missing from any friendship--or any relationship--: respect.

Mr. Blocker***: He was my highscool's theater director. He was (and still is) great at what he did (does). He even has won a few Big Easy Awards, New Orleans' very own entertainment awards. He was the guy he introduced me to theatre and, in the end, introduce to me that I can sing. Good. Mr. Brand had an extreme passion for musical theatre that was extremely contagious.


Alfred also once told me that there will always be peole through out your life that only have one purpose in their breif stint in your life. Of course, it will always vary what that "purpose" is. Those were the people in my life that had a breif stint, than left. Some I miss, others, well, I don't want to end my post on a sour note.... :D


**Names have been changed to protect their privacy.
*** Mr. Blocker is the exception. I always been proud of the act that my highschool had a professsional director as our director, and not a parent. Talk about luck....