Tonight on 60 Minutes there was yet another story on the benefits of drinking red wine; they found the part of red wiine, resveratrol, that extends life in mice. This doesn't necessarily mean it will work in humans.
They also said a calorie-restricted can also lead to a longer life. They showed a group of people who have made a lifestyle out of a calorie-restricted diet. They were eating baby food.
So instead of dying of diabetes and heart disease they will probably die of boredom instead.
I'll stick with the red wine and open that bottle of Syrah tonight.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Jobs and Such
With all the news of layoffs and clisings (Arctic Cat, Circuit City, etc) I have decided to make a list of all the paying jobs I have held throughout my working life.
Babysitter on and off for 6 years.
Mowing lawn and painting for Shawn's dad
McDonalds Cashier
Pamida Cashier
Frozen omelet maker at SunnyFresh Foods (that lasted one day)
Candy can bagger at Log House Foods (three days)
UMD Statesman Copy Editor/Columnist
Light Industrial Manufacturing
University Chronicle Reporter/Assistant Sports Editor/News Editor
Office Assistant
Inside Sales Associate
Target-cashier/jewelry/Benefits Rep/Specialist/Project Coordinator/Systems Analyst
I almost worked at ValleyFair my sophomore year of high school but that fell through.
I almost had a job as an intern at a local newspaper but they didn't have the budget to hire me. I wonder if I would have gotten that job I would have stayed on the newspaper track? Who knows.
Babysitter on and off for 6 years.
Mowing lawn and painting for Shawn's dad
McDonalds Cashier
Pamida Cashier
Frozen omelet maker at SunnyFresh Foods (that lasted one day)
Candy can bagger at Log House Foods (three days)
UMD Statesman Copy Editor/Columnist
Light Industrial Manufacturing
University Chronicle Reporter/Assistant Sports Editor/News Editor
Office Assistant
Inside Sales Associate
Target-cashier/jewelry/Benefits Rep/Specialist/Project Coordinator/Systems Analyst
I almost worked at ValleyFair my sophomore year of high school but that fell through.
I almost had a job as an intern at a local newspaper but they didn't have the budget to hire me. I wonder if I would have gotten that job I would have stayed on the newspaper track? Who knows.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Busy Days
School started three weeks ago. I hope I make it through this last semester. It would be a real shame to come this far and not graduate.
Going forward we will meet every other week for class; presumably because the work we have to do will take that much time to complete. The final product of this class will be a 30 page paper with 15 sources as well as supporting paperwork (request for proposal, proposal response, etc) plus a final presention and a detailed project plan from Microsoft Project. I don't have a lot of experience with that program, you could easily take a class in that itself.
I still have a job to do, of course, as well as work as the costumer for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
The costumes are coming along; the raw materials are purchased so I have to soon begin making them look like the characters. My home will be turned into a sweatshop for a week or two. It's hard to believe that the first performance is only three weeks away! February 13 is the big night.
Going forward we will meet every other week for class; presumably because the work we have to do will take that much time to complete. The final product of this class will be a 30 page paper with 15 sources as well as supporting paperwork (request for proposal, proposal response, etc) plus a final presention and a detailed project plan from Microsoft Project. I don't have a lot of experience with that program, you could easily take a class in that itself.
I still have a job to do, of course, as well as work as the costumer for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."
The costumes are coming along; the raw materials are purchased so I have to soon begin making them look like the characters. My home will be turned into a sweatshop for a week or two. It's hard to believe that the first performance is only three weeks away! February 13 is the big night.
Another Birthday
My birthday was last week. My birthday is rather anti-climactic because it is so close to Christmas. So within 20 days I have Christmas, New Years, birthday, then that is it. The rest of the year, nothing exciting.
It didn't help matters much that is was so flippin COLD last week. It always seems that the week of my birthday is the coldest day of the year. Statistically, I think that is true. When I was little I thought it was so unfair that I had a winter birthday while my two sisters had birthday's in August. I still don't think it is quite fair. Maybe I should start the tradition of the half-birthday.
I didn't do anything special on my actual birthday. I went to work (fun!). Saturday there was an awesome book club discussing my favorite, "Twilight," then Sunday a bunch of us went to lunch at Buca. I had an awesome lemon basil mojito and since it was my birthday I got free birthday cake, red velvet.
Overall, a good birthday.
It didn't help matters much that is was so flippin COLD last week. It always seems that the week of my birthday is the coldest day of the year. Statistically, I think that is true. When I was little I thought it was so unfair that I had a winter birthday while my two sisters had birthday's in August. I still don't think it is quite fair. Maybe I should start the tradition of the half-birthday.
I didn't do anything special on my actual birthday. I went to work (fun!). Saturday there was an awesome book club discussing my favorite, "Twilight," then Sunday a bunch of us went to lunch at Buca. I had an awesome lemon basil mojito and since it was my birthday I got free birthday cake, red velvet.
Overall, a good birthday.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Work News
They announced at work today that a good portion of our work will be outsourced to an external company. I estimate this is 1/4 to 1/3 of our employees that are affected.
The business reason for this makes complete sense. But on an emotional level I'm conflicted. I am not affected, thank God. I am sure if I was affected I would be singing a different tune and I would be devastated.
This is my first experience with a reduction in force. I could have done just fine without this experience.
The business reason for this makes complete sense. But on an emotional level I'm conflicted. I am not affected, thank God. I am sure if I was affected I would be singing a different tune and I would be devastated.
This is my first experience with a reduction in force. I could have done just fine without this experience.
I did something I swore I never would do
I joined Facebook a few days ago. I always said I never would because the people I see or chat with now are the people I want to see. So far it has completely taken over my life, and it is pretty fun. I posted some pictures of Mocha, and have quite a few friend requests from people I have not seen since high school or the reunion I attended but didn't pay for.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
One of my many obsessions
My most recent obsession is the "Twilight" series of books. I had never heard of, or paid attention to them until about early August. Every time I went to Borders Books (which is probably too much) the Twilight display caught my attention but I never ventured over to look at them. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me so I went over and looked them over. The description of a love story between a teenage girl and a vampire caught my eye, so I bought "Twilight," the first of the books.
Well, I took the book home, started reading and I could NOT put that book down! I fell completely in love with the male lead character, Edward. It sucked me in, and I soon devoured the remaining books in the series, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. I read Twilight a second time and also have listened to Twilight and New Moon on CD. Overkill, anyone?
When I was done I could not wait for the movie to be released, and was excited when they announce the release of "Twilight" the movie was moved up to take the place of the next Harry Potter movie that had its release date postponed.
I even went on the author's website and downloaded a draft of her upcoming book that was leaked. I fervently hope she continues to write this book because just like Christopher Walken needs more cowbell, I need more Edward.
I like the movie, and of course as I watched it I kept a running tally of "that's not what it's like in the book" until I gave up. A lot of people who loved the book hate the movie, I'm not sure why. They say Bella's character was kind of morose in the movie, but I think the movie redeemed her because she was quite the whiny teenager in the book. I also think Edward was so built up in everyone's mind, anyone who played him would be subject to criticism; but I think Robert Pattinson was a good choice.
I tentatively suggested "Twilight" to my book club to read and was pleasantly surprised when they agreed. From what I have heard from those that have finished the book they have loved it, and I am looking forward to the discussion this coming Saturday.
Many people look down on juvenile literature, and I do admit that it is embarassing being 36 and loving a book geared toward teenagers. However, I think there is a tendency to discount popular fiction, and dismiss popular juvenile fiction. Just because an author is popular does that mean they are any less talented? Just because your story has astong following does make the story and worse or invalid? Does success invalidate artristry? Do you have to be dead for over 100 years before your work is deemed "acceptable?" I don't think so.
Some of the "classic" authors read today lived to see their books reach success, many did not (Edgar Allan Poe comes to mind). These authors are even more popular today, probably due to movies. If critics existed back then I am they would say there work is formulaic, trite and one-dimensional.
My point is just because a book is popular and/or geared toward a juvenile audience does not make it less of a literary work. Reading "Twilight" for instance there several archetypes/literary themes in the book: good vs. evil, redemption vs. damnation, true love, immortality, making hard choices. . .I would go on but. . .I think I made my point.
Well, I took the book home, started reading and I could NOT put that book down! I fell completely in love with the male lead character, Edward. It sucked me in, and I soon devoured the remaining books in the series, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. I read Twilight a second time and also have listened to Twilight and New Moon on CD. Overkill, anyone?
When I was done I could not wait for the movie to be released, and was excited when they announce the release of "Twilight" the movie was moved up to take the place of the next Harry Potter movie that had its release date postponed.
I even went on the author's website and downloaded a draft of her upcoming book that was leaked. I fervently hope she continues to write this book because just like Christopher Walken needs more cowbell, I need more Edward.
I like the movie, and of course as I watched it I kept a running tally of "that's not what it's like in the book" until I gave up. A lot of people who loved the book hate the movie, I'm not sure why. They say Bella's character was kind of morose in the movie, but I think the movie redeemed her because she was quite the whiny teenager in the book. I also think Edward was so built up in everyone's mind, anyone who played him would be subject to criticism; but I think Robert Pattinson was a good choice.
I tentatively suggested "Twilight" to my book club to read and was pleasantly surprised when they agreed. From what I have heard from those that have finished the book they have loved it, and I am looking forward to the discussion this coming Saturday.
Many people look down on juvenile literature, and I do admit that it is embarassing being 36 and loving a book geared toward teenagers. However, I think there is a tendency to discount popular fiction, and dismiss popular juvenile fiction. Just because an author is popular does that mean they are any less talented? Just because your story has astong following does make the story and worse or invalid? Does success invalidate artristry? Do you have to be dead for over 100 years before your work is deemed "acceptable?" I don't think so.
Some of the "classic" authors read today lived to see their books reach success, many did not (Edgar Allan Poe comes to mind). These authors are even more popular today, probably due to movies. If critics existed back then I am they would say there work is formulaic, trite and one-dimensional.
My point is just because a book is popular and/or geared toward a juvenile audience does not make it less of a literary work. Reading "Twilight" for instance there several archetypes/literary themes in the book: good vs. evil, redemption vs. damnation, true love, immortality, making hard choices. . .I would go on but. . .I think I made my point.
Yet another store closing
According to today's Star Tribune all six of Minnesota's Cost Plus World Market locations are closing. See the full story: http://www.startribune.com/business/37366799.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsr
I am completely bummed. This was the cheapest place to buy Torani syrup for my coffee, as well as the awesome candy they had, such as Cadbury chocolate from England, German Ritter Sport (praline yum) and really cheap olive oil. What's next? I'm afraid to ask. I was just in Maple Grove this morning I should have stopped.
Happy New Year, everyone. So far 2009 has been a very busy one. It was tough getting used to going back to work after being off for Christmas. I have also been busy gathering costume materials for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." I got patterns for Lucy and Sally today as well as fabric swatches.
I started my capstone class on Tuesday. I still have an assignment due that I have to email the instructor by Monday morning. It's just a few paragraphs and a Power Point. One thing I learned from grad school is how to make Power Point presentations.
Last night I was out until 1:30 AM at a 50th birthday party for a friend. It was a great time; I brought my own martini shaker filled with Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur and vodka. YUM!
Today is a beautiful sunny winter day; but we are supposed to take a dip into the below zero range. It is ALWAYS cold for my birthday! Dang it.
I am completely bummed. This was the cheapest place to buy Torani syrup for my coffee, as well as the awesome candy they had, such as Cadbury chocolate from England, German Ritter Sport (praline yum) and really cheap olive oil. What's next? I'm afraid to ask. I was just in Maple Grove this morning I should have stopped.
Happy New Year, everyone. So far 2009 has been a very busy one. It was tough getting used to going back to work after being off for Christmas. I have also been busy gathering costume materials for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." I got patterns for Lucy and Sally today as well as fabric swatches.
I started my capstone class on Tuesday. I still have an assignment due that I have to email the instructor by Monday morning. It's just a few paragraphs and a Power Point. One thing I learned from grad school is how to make Power Point presentations.
Last night I was out until 1:30 AM at a 50th birthday party for a friend. It was a great time; I brought my own martini shaker filled with Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur and vodka. YUM!
Today is a beautiful sunny winter day; but we are supposed to take a dip into the below zero range. It is ALWAYS cold for my birthday! Dang it.
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