August 31, 2005
Pure Nerd
82 % Nerd, 26% Geek, 30% Dork
For The Record:
A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd. The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.
Congratulations!
My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
You scored higher than 91% on nerdiness
You scored higher than 24% on geekosity
You scored higher than 50% on dork points
Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on OkCupid
Posted by criminal at 05:29 PM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2005
Thanks
Thank you to everyone who helped make our wedding (and reception) so wonderful. We couldn't have asked for anything better because it was simply the best.
Posted by criminal at 11:02 AM | Comments (0)
We're Married!
Everything went according to plan and on Saturday, August 20 we were married in an intimate and beautiful ceremony overlooking the Canadian falls. We survived our first week and are happily into our second. If we make it through all the thank you cards, I think we'll be set.
Posted by criminal at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2005
The Falls
We're here!
And the view is amazing. Falls in the morning, falls in the afternoon, and lighted falls at night. We walked the tourist strip yesterday and took a drive up to Niagara on the Lake today. Our families are starting to arrive and we're hoping to throw together a group dinner tonight and maybe a little more sight-seeing.
We'll be married in less than 24-hours. *eek*
Posted by criminal at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2005
Three Days
We're just three days away from the big event and I couldn't be more excited! We leave for Niagara sometime tomorrow morning after we've finished our errands. The cats are staying at Steve's house in the meantime. Have I mentioned how excited I am?
Posted by criminal at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2005
The Move
Friday: I drove my car, loaded with fragile and hard to pack items including Tia, to Chelmsford. Jon reserved a 14' Uhaul truck for a one-way trip from Worcester to Lowell last week with an estimated cost of $150. On Friday, they refused to confirm his reservation and said they'd call after 6. And they did, only to let us know that they didn't have a truck for us. Or any trucks for that matter. And because it was after 6, every place we called was closed. And the Internet wasn't much help either. So we resigned ourselves to trying again in the morning.
Saturday: We got up early to try the Worcester Uhaul again, along with Budget and Penske. A woman at Penske told Jon she might have a 24' truck available later in the morning for just $1000. No one we talked to seemed to have any trucks available. We resigned ourselves to our fate, figuring we might have to call in sick to move on Monday or Tuesday when more trucks would be available. But I decided to give a couple local Uhauls a try, just on the off chance they might have something. On my second try I got a friendly old guy at Sal's in Billerica who had a 14' truck we could take and would only charge us for one day as long as we returned it by early Monday morning when they reopened.
By 10 a.m. I was driving the truck, which had less-than-effective air conditioning and a lousy suspension, to Worcester where Jon and I emptied my apartment into it. He was soaked through by the time we finished. Temperatures in the mid-90s combined with a dewpoint in the low-70s makes for very damp and energy-sucking moving conditions. But we got everything except my tools, cleaning supplies, and a few random bits. And of course 5 or so bags of garbage.
Steve (and some great convertible hand-trucks) helped us unload into the new apartment. Once we had everything inside, we brought over Jon's furniture (he had already moved his boxes over on Thursday) and returned the truck. Then the boys took quick showers and headed off to the baseball game while I went to Walmart and Target for a few essentials like shower curtains, toilet paper, and a poofy feather duster. Our first night was cool and quiet, except for the loud footsteps of the neighbor upstairs.
Sunday: We slept in a little, went to Walmart again for a few things I missed the first time around, like soda and a doormat. Then we picked up Panera and met Steve to head to Sox vs. Sox. We only waited through one rain delay before giving up and getting dinner at the Brown Sugar Cafe. By the end of the day we had a living room that looked like a living room, some semblance of a kitchen, and mostly unpacked closets. The second bedroom is still a mess, but we'll get to that when we come back in a couple weeks.
Today: I'm exhausted, but I made it to work on time wearing clothes that were clean, presentable, and color-coordinated. Now I just have to clean the old apartment and head home.
Posted by criminal at 02:01 PM | Comments (2)
August 12, 2005
All My Bags Are Packed
I'm ready to go.
Or at least almost packed and nearly ready to go. My kitchen is nearly empty, save the glasses and breakfast bars I'm leaving for Sunday, the cleaning supplies I'm leaving for next week's wipe-down, and the flour/sugar canisters I need another box for. The living room is in similar condition although filled with piles of packed boxes. I ran out of tape before I could secure all of my plastic drawer bins, so I'll need to do that on Saturday. I just have to empty the bathroom and put the toiletry stuff in my bedroom in a box tonight and I'm good to go. I don't think I've ever been this prepared for a move in all the times I've done it (seven times in seven years). It's a good thing too, because I'm fairly certain the amount of crap has increased almost every time.
Posted by criminal at 10:21 AM | Comments (0)
Practically Einstien
Posted by criminal at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2005
Low Rank
Posted by criminal at 04:08 PM | Comments (2)
Strict
I only validate to spite Troy. [William]
Posted by criminal at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)
Keys
Jon is going to try to pick up his keys tonight if he can get his car out of the shop in time. He hit a bump on Rt. 3 last night that sheared one of his sway bars and left him short a few tie rods. It should be all fixed up by this afternoon, but you never know what else they might find. I can hardly wait to pick my own up and start moving things in. But first I have to finish packing. My room and the living room is mostly packed but I still need to finish the kitchen and secure all the storage drawers full of crafty stuff.
Posted by criminal at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2005
Curry
The Bollywood Grill is finally open and we will be making our first pilgrimage tomorrow for lunch. After looking at the menu, it's going to take all of my willpower not to go tonight.
Posted by criminal at 04:54 PM | Comments (2)
August 09, 2005
Girly Things
After book club on Saturday (where we thoroughly dissected Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) I met Liz for a day of girly goodness. Our first stop was Lush Beads in downtown Lowell. Thanks to LizzieLizzie's great stock, I found exactly what I was looking for to finish off my wedding bracelet and was inspired to come back when I have time to craft again. We grabbed lunch at the Mambo Cafe across the street (very good, quick mexican inspired food).
Then it was off to the Burlington Mall for the main event: Sephora. Could a store possibly be any more overwhelming? And here I thought trying to the the perfect foundation in the middle of Target and CVS was difficult. I had no idea where to start. Liz and I tried a few things, but mostly wandered around the store with our eyes popping out of our heads. Luckily we found Doug, a makeup consultant who specializes in weddings. He did all the work for me, finding all the right formulas and colors then demonstrating how to use them. I felt good when he validated a lot of my previous make-up knowledge and techniques. I felt even better when he taught me a few new ones and introduced me to some quality products that create consistent results. Now I want an excuse to wear makeup so I can justify going back and try more daring colors. What's more? Some of those lip-plumping lipsticks (like Lip Fusion) really work. Upon application, it felt like a medicated lip gloss. Then it started to warm a little, creating a feeling reminiscent of being injected with novocaine. By the time we wandered over to Bath and Body works my lips were noticably plumper and slightly more pink than usual. While they still felt slightly tight and tingly, there was no discomfort. Kind of like a fat lip without the pain and extreme swelling. I don't think I could use it on a regular basis, but it was interesting to see beauty science in action.
It was so fun and relaxing that I think I need to have more girly days.
Posted by criminal at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
A Photographer
We have a photographer, finally. I consider myself extremely lucky that Sarah from DSE Photographers still had our date open. We still need to schedule a phone or in-person meeting with her to discuss the specific details, but it's a big relief just to have her on board. DSE includes the negatives in every package, which is exactly what I was looking for. I want to be able to post a photo gallery and crop my own photos without infringing on the photographer's artistic rights.
Posted by criminal at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)
The Reverend
We've been scheduled to meet with the mysterious Reverend Henry on the afternoon of the 18th. While it worries me that we won't be able to discuss the ceremony or vows with him until then, I suspect it will be fine. He should be a seasoned professional, with a variety of ceremony verses stored in his head, or at least written down on some sort of crib sheet.
Posted by criminal at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
Geek Much?
You know you're an e-snob when someone sends you a blank form in some proprietary format and you send back your completed version saved as a PDF along with a blank, form-friendly PDF version that they can share with other customers.
Posted by criminal at 11:27 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2005
Buttoned Up
after telling Troy how cool it was that we didn't need to bug him anymore when clients wanted silly changes to buttons...
daedal42: see, it's all a plot to get out of making buttons
daedal42: I don't care about blind people
Posted by criminal at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2005
Gentlemen's Weekend
Jon is being dragged to Las Vegas this weekend by Steve and his friend Matt. He was not thrilled about leaving the house at 5 a.m. this morning, but I'm sure he got over it the moment he saw all the gambling opportunities. I swear, that man is always dreaming about striking it rich. With any luck, he will hit a nice jackpot this weekend and we'll be able to treat ourselves on the honeymoon. In the meantime I have check in on his cat to make sure she hasn't dined on everything except the big bowl of food he left her.
Posted by criminal at 04:25 PM | Comments (2)
Ladies Night
I haven't had much time to talk about it, but I should tell you about the awesome bachelorette party I had on Wednesday night. Jami and Amy, along with Jess, Liz, and Amy A. surprised me Wednesday afternoon with a trip to Foxwoods to see the Chippendales (more notes on those later). They got me good -- I had no idea it was coming. Even though things didn't work out quite as planned, it was a great time. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank these ladies enough for the once-in-a-lifetime experience they gave me.
Posted by criminal at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)
Five on Friday for August 5, 2005
1. Do you consider yourself a good dancer? No, but I wouldn't consider myself a terrible dancer either.
2. How often do you go dancing? Like, never? Although I enjoy cutting a rug every once a while, dance clubs are totally not my scene.
3. What is your favorite type of music to dance to? Classic rock, some hip hop, and up-tempo bluegrass.
4. Have you ever hurt yourself (or someone else) dancing? Not that I can recall...
5. Do you dance when you're alone? Hecks yeah. Back when I had a desktop machine and speakers I had a playlist just for dancing: Fat Bottom Girls by Queen, Paint it Black and Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones, along with a couple others. To this day I have a hard time listening to Paint it Black without wiggling around.
Posted by criminal at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2005
Thankful
I just wanted to say how thankful I am to have a nice, considerate, and emotionally-balanced significant other like Jon in my life. No matter what problems I'm facing, I know I can count on him to help me through them and not just create a dozen more. Furthermore, he doesn't call to argue with me when I'm at work. That alone is worth quite a bit around here.
Posted by criminal at 02:31 PM | Comments (1)
August 02, 2005
Wee Wee Wee, All the Way Home
I have a problem.
Or rather, my cat has a problem. For about a month I've noticed moisture around Tia's litter box. The first time, it was overflow from her water dish. The next few times I noticed it, I figured it was just the water from before. But last week I realized it was urine. So I cleaned everything up and put a towel under the box to try to see if there was a leak. I wasn't able to pinpoint it because once it happened, the towel was pretty much saturated.
Something was obviously wrong.
I had a pretty short list of causes to consider, most being rather undesirable, but still fixable:
- The litter box has sprung a leak.
- The litter box is too small, causing Tia to accidentally pee out of the doorway.
- Tia pees too high up on the wall and is causing the urine to run along the lid, overthe edge, and onto the floor.
I bought a new and improved litter box last night in the hopes that it was all A, B, or C. It has no cracks or scratches, is a half-foot longer, and has a leak-proof cover. She even peed safely inside it mere seconds after I set it up. Even so, I came home to a stream of cat urine running across my kitchen floor today. It started a few inches in front of the larger box and stopped in the middle of my wool rug. Here's the real kicker though: even though she is obviously peeing outside the box, she still pees inside it.
Now I have new, even more undesirable list:
- The litter box has sprung a leak.
- The litter box is too small, causing Tia to accidentally pee out of the doorway.
- Tia pees too high up on the wall and is causing the urine to run along the lid, overthe edge, and ontothe floor.
- Tia has a bladder or kidney infection that is weakening her bladder.
- Tia is somehow disgruntled with me, her food, her water, her litter box, or the world.
I want to be mad at her, but mostly I pity her. The last cat I had that peed outside of the box was put down shortly after the problem started. It was the final sign that she was getting too old and senile to live a happy and healthy life. Now that I've ruled out the easy fixes, I have to take Tia to the vet. Part of me is scared of the decisions I might have to make. But she needs to go.
That's the big part of the problem. The smaller part is that I need a vet to take her to. In less than two weeks we'll be living in Lowell so it doesn't make a lot of sense to take her to one in Worcester. I just need to find one closer to Lowell/Chelmsford. So, can anyone recommend a good vet in the Merrimac Valley?
Posted by criminal at 07:24 PM | Comments (4)
Howdy, Neighbor!
I have new upstairs neighbors. They started moving in yesterday.
At 11:30 p.m.
Between them and the handyman with his cleaning, sanding, and buffing over the last few weeks, I am so ready to move.
Posted by criminal at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)